We discovered Chez Nous during our Feb 2023 trip and liked it so much we went twice (click here for first visit and here for second visit). The small 2-story place changes the menu daily but you can find it on their Facebook page. They serve the same menu for lunch and dinner and later in the day the Facebook post will have photos of the options. This won’t help you if you have a reservation but it will give you an idea about the variety of offerings and how they turn out. There are no other menu options available but if you go with a dining partner you can each have one of the two options for the 3 course menu and try everything. I love the variation and that you can also opt to just have one or two courses. The service is always friendly and attentive, they have a nice wine list to chose from and the food is well done. This is still a solid recommendation by me when in Charleston. Continue reading →
Vern’s serves contemporary American cuisine in a small restaurant and received a Michelin star in Nov. 2025. Daniel and Bethany Heinze opened Vern’s in July 2022 and named it after his late grandfather. We were at Vern’s in Feb 2023 and had a great dinner but planned this trip too late to get a regular reservation. However, they were hosting a collaboration dinner called Volume’s that we could get a reservation for, so we did. The dinner was in combination with 10 years of Maloof Wines and BLVCK SVM, a rapper from Chicago. This was a new one for me as I’ve been to other collaborations with chefs and vintners but to introduce music was another level. The was BLVCK SVM’S Michelin Man album from which he chose 2 selections to play with each course and they repeated if necessary. It was one seating for about 24 at a long table with Sam talking with each guest and the Maloof folks presenting their wines. The group of people was wonderful, as we were all into food experiences but the food tonight was a more mixed end result than what Vern’s is capable of. I would still strongly recommend this restaurant and encourage you to try one of these collaborations if you can, but it’s hard for all parts to shine in the circumstances. (It was also quite dark, which made photography difficult, so apologies for the photos). Continue reading →
seating – Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747
With the rooms at The Inn at Little Washington a basic breakfast is included. They also offer a la carte selections for an additional charge or you can chose a package that includes those selections too. The basic breakfast includes a flight of seasonal juices, yougurt, fruit and granola, breads and coffee of tea. Cocktails are available for an extra charge as are special coffee drinks. Overall, breakfast was dull but if it comes with your room you might as well. That said I wouldn’t advise paying for the extra selections as they weren’t that tasty. Continue reading →
We were at Mamani a few days after it opened in Sept 2025 and have wanted to visit again. Since we were there, they were awarded a Michelin star, one of only 2 handed out in Dallas. Chef Christophe De Lellis knows what he’s doing as do owners Brandon and Henry Cohanim. The place physically had not changed but the service was now quite polished and coordinated. Chef De Lellis was in the kitchen and this visit we got a front row table with a show to go with our meal. Last visit (you can read about it by clicking here) I was impressed but this visit was blow-away good. It’s pricy but well worth every penny. Top notch ingredients and fantastic preparations made it work for me. The new Michelin recognition will make it harder to get a reservation but do try. I hope you will be as thrilled as I was. Continue reading →
exterior – Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747
We were at The Inn at Little Washington in April 2021 (you can read that by clicking here). They have finished the construction of their casual restaurant across the street and we also went there this trip – Patty O’s – and they’re now working on numerous other projects which we found out about on the facilities tour that is offered when you stay there. A new employee parking lot was under active construction as was a pool and a spa/wellness building that’s coming after that, complete with acupuncture! On the tour we also got to feed some of the animals that live on site but they are not ever featured on the menu. Chickens, goats, sheep, llamas and geese that parade through the streets with their keeper. On the food side they are planning new areas for seating including wine cellar dinners. However all this didn’t keep their third Michelin star when the newest ratings were announced- they dropped to 2-stars despite Chef/Owner Patrick O’Connell being ever present on property. It’s worth a visit just to see the heavily decorated place and the food is good. Each diner has the choice of 3 tasting menus equally priced with optional wine pairings. I like that only supplement option was a cheese course and that the tasting moves along at a good pace. Hope you’ll let me know what you think if you go. Continue reading →
building –Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747
The Inn at Little Washington includes an afternoon tea with your stay there. It is served from 2-5 which gives you something to do while you’re waiting for your room check in at 4. What I couldn’t find out if there’s a way to come for tea if you’re not staying there. I would bet there is, but I would look elsewhere. You have a variety of their rooms to sit in and enjoy the tea service but the canapes were not nearly as good as the main meals here or across the street at Patty O’s. However, if you’re there, it’s included and you want a place to spend some time this is a good option. They offer a huge variety of teas to go with a selection of sweet and savory canapés. Continue reading →
We visited Claires in 2021 (you can read that by clicking here) It looks very much the same in the century old train station only I think it’s gotten more popular and the town built up more, so there’s less parking. We sat at a high top table which was one of the options you can pick when you make your reservation. The large bar seemed to be a place for solo diners and walk-ins. Claire Lamborne purchased the property in 2005 and was still there but we didn’t see her polishing glassware this time. Service was efficient, friendly and opinionated. We liked it enough to go back so if you need a fun place to eat when you’re in the area put this one on your list. Continue reading →
The Three Blacksmiths was opened in 2018 by John and Diane MacPherson who sold it to the current chef/owners Jake and Sara Addeo in 2021. (The name is in honor of the 3 blacksmiths that worked in Sperryville many years ago. ) Both the Addeos cook, pick wines and run the front of house along with the help of a sous chef and several servers. The small 20 seat place. is one of the hardest reservations to get in this country – booking out over 6 months ahead. The warm wooded room had lowered lighting, curtained windows to the street, an open kitchen and music in the background. They serve a 5 course tasting menu only, with a few surprise additions and offer 2 levels of wine pairings 4 nights a week with one seating. There is a small wine list but no full bar. They do have a couple pre-dinner cocktails as well as after dinner drinks like port and sherry. The tables are set with your evening’s menu and I loved that they have the service team’s names and photos on the back. The feel of the room is inviting and cozy but the tables are a bit far a part for cross table talk. The tasting takes about 4 hours but it goes by nicely as you feel you’re in a private home and both of the chef/owners come by to chat. We had hoped to try it when we were in the area in 2021 but couldn’t get in, so when we found an opening we jumped on it and were glad we did. It’s a fun night, where you’ll find lots of local repeat customers, some celebrating a ‘special occasion’ and others like us, just celebrating another day of fun dining. Hope you’ll get on their list and let me know what you think. Continue reading →
Sunflower Caffé was in the historic Sonoma Plaza, in the old home of Salvador Vallejo. They are open daily for breakfast and lunch. In addition to food they offer a good selection of wine, beer, cider and coffee drinks. It’s a small place with a few indoor tables and the bulk of the tables are on the patio in back. They do have heaters for cooler days and umbrellas for sunny ones. The food is local, when possible, and organic. We were there when they opened so we were able to get an indoor table and the service was fast, friendly and efficient. The place was very popular with a line starting about 30 minutes after opening, but people came and went frequently. The food was okay and did seem to use great ingredients but the flavor profile was mostly mild. It’s on the pricey side but then it is California. For us it was convenient, open and worked with our flight schedule, but depending on business I don’t think I’d wait an hour to get in. However when you’re there it will make you a quick breakfast. Continue reading →
building – 389 Main Street, Washington, VA., 22747
Patty O’s Cafe and Bakery was under construction when we were last at the Inn on Little Washington in 2021. Built in a former gas station building, it was named for the Inn’s Chef Patrick O’Connell’s nickname ‘Patty O’. It offers visitors an option to the Michelin style fine dining of the Inn by offering lunch and dinner daily except for Wed when they close at 4. The cafe has two interior rooms, one housing the large bar with seating and the other closely set tables, and there is an outdoor patio. It is also connected to the bakery which supplies its and the main restaurant’s bread. The rooms are filled with decorations and art with a beamed ceiling and windows to the street. Service was efficient and willing to make recommendations. It aims for a more casual atmosphere which it achieves with bills coming in little metal boots , a menu of American classics and a large free parking lot out back. Thinking it was mid-week and we didn’t really need a reservation, but we did anyway and that was the right call. The place was packed with tables turning over. Walk-ins were seated at the bar. The food was mixed but the place serves a real need for those in the area. If nothing else, just go for the pecan ice cream with caramel sauce. Continue reading →
Enclos opened in late 2024 and received 2 Michelin stars and a Green Star in summer of 2025, putting Sonoma on the map with Healdsburg and Elk. Mac and Leslie McQuown who started the 16 acre Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards and Winery 20 years ago, are the proprietors. Now Enclos relies heavily on these organic gardens to help inspire the seasonal menus. Executive Chef Brian Limoges developed an appreciation for coastal foods and cooking in his native New Hampshire before moving to San Francisco in 2013 where he worked as Sous Chef at Atelier Crenn, Quince and Saison, to name a few. The restaurant, whose front yard contains 100-year old olive trees, is in a Victorian home on the Plaza of Sonoma. Inside, the small 2 rooms can seat about 28 people per night with a large open kitchen at one end of the space. High coved ceilings are in both rooms filled with woods, modern light fixtures and art. Some bench seating accompanies the interestingly cut bare wood tables. All guests receive the same tasting menu with no optional supplements other than wine pairings. There is some patio seating with a different, more casual menu available for wine club members. Chef Limoges wants to create an experience for his guests and each table receives a hand drawn card by Larry Nadeau, Dining Room Manager. Ours, of course featured Frankie -who lounged with it on a silver tray while we ate – a thoughtful touch for the fun evening. Continue reading →
Sweet Scoops was a small shop on the Sonoma Plaza square where they make ice cream daily. They change their flavors frequently and make their ice cream in small batches. Owned by a husband and wife team, Joe and Ramie, it opened in July 2015. It was in pursuit of their dream to “Make the world sweeter, one scoop at a time” and “eat ice cream, be happy” that they moved from Colorado with their children to craft ice cream and build a positive workplace to serve it in. They now have a second shop called Darling, an Ice Cream Shop that serves the same ice cream. While I loved their philosophy and flavor options it was not the strongest flavored ice cream ever but it was plenty acceptable. The scoops came in different sizes and you could mix them in a cup. They were nicely sized fairly soft ice cream. It’s hard to go wrong with some well made ice cream on a warm day so if you’re walking the Sonoma Plaza I’d encourage you to give it a try and enjoy it at one of the outdoor tables and people watch. Continue reading →
building – 48688 Victoria Ln, Oakhurst, CA 93644-9215
Château du Sureau is a nine acre resort in the Sierra Nevada foothills, a short ride from Yosemite National Park. I know this is a restaurant blog but sometimes it feels right to give you a little information on where you can stay when you’re in pursuit of dining opportunities. Also with your stay at this Relais & Châteaux property you get a complimentary breakfast, so that basically fits the criteria. It’s the perfect place to stay if you want to try Elderberry House for fine dining or The Cellar for casual fare prepared in the same kitchen, as they are both a short walk from Château du Sureau. There are 10 guest rooms as well as Villa du Sureau, a 2,000 sq. ft. manor. Each of the Château’s rooms are named for an and herb or flower native to the south of France. There are no TVs or front desk but there are lots of antiques, tapestries and art. The rooms were large and service was good. Breakfast was prepared fresh in a small kitchen in the house and while not outstanding it was a really lovely place to start your day, have a short drive to the entrance of Yosemite and end the day on property with a fun meal. Continue reading →
building – 48688 Victoria Ln, Oakhurst, CA 93644-9215
The Elderberry House has been the premier fine dining establishment in the area for 30 years. In the Sierra Mountains, minutes from Yosemite National Park, it offers a 3 or 5 couse tasting menu curated by Head Chef Ethan de Graaff. Graaff stated in 2019 at the Sous Chef until he was promoted to Chef de Cuisine in 2022. The place is part of the Château du Sureau, a Relais & Châteaux that is a 9 acre castle resort with 10 guest accommodations. It is a short walk through some gardens to the restaurant building from the hotel. The white cloth covered tables were well spaced in a lowly lit room with fairly loud background music. Lots of windows look out on the gardens and fountains and spotlights hang from the vaulted celing to light each table. Paintings and mirrors are on the walls and the tables are set with large upholstered chairs and fresh flowers. Unfortunately the table was set with a cotton-polyester blend napkin which is one of my pet peeves. They offer wine pairings or you can chose your own wine, which we did. Service was friendly but very slow. Portion control was good and the server stated that the 5 course portions are about an ounce less than the ones on the 3-course. Nothing was bad but I’m not sure anything was outstanding however if you want fine dining in this area I think this is the place to do it. Continue reading →
Castillo’s Mexican Restaurant is in the historic downtown of Mariposa, CA. It opened in 1955 and serves traditional Mexican fare with tons of combination plates. There are a few outdoor tables as well as ones in the small place with a few dedicated parking spots and otherwise street parking. It serves cocktails, beer and wine for lunch and dinner. Service was quick, friendly even offering to bring more chips and salsa. The walls were filled with decorations with even more added for Halloween. Some of the good sized wood tables were painted with colorful illustrations and windows were open to the street. It was a pleasant place to sit and the food was pretty good. So if you’re in the area stop by for a Mexican fix and then hit the California State Mineral Museum before going to Yosemite. Continue reading →
entrance – 48688 Victoria Ln, Oakhurst, CA 93644-9215
The Cellar is the bar area in the Elderberry House Restaurant building on the Chateau du Sureau property. Stone walls and wood surround the small area that has about 4 tables and eight seats at the bar. They offer classic cocktails as well as invented ones and a small menu produced in the Elderberry kitchen. Open Wed to Sun they offer a happy hour of $10 cocktails which makes them quite popular. On Wed the $10 is on classic cocktails and on Thursday it’s on the Signature cocktails and house wines. We were there on Wed so it was Classic cocktails that we tried for $10. The bartender Jordan was super friendly and with a smaller crowd, it allowed us to sample many of his well made drinks. We tried to come on Thursday but it was totally full. We had a very fun night here with okay food, great drinks and fantastic conversations. If you’re looking for a casual spot to eat and drink, try this one. Continue reading →
building (seating behind grate) – 2415 N 1st St, NW Corner of First & Clinton, Fresno, CA 93703-1202
Sam’s Italian Deli and Market was opened in 1980 by Sam and Angela Marzilliano and their son Nick. It’s a popular place as you read online but reality proved it, in that we arrived at 10:10, they open at 10:00 and there was already a line to order food. They offer freshly made deli sandwiches and a huge selection of Italian meats, cheeses, pastas, salads, dry goods and a large selection of wines. There’s a lot of parking on 2 sides of the corner building with a small covered patio and tables next to the entry if you want to eat on site. As you enter the building get your number and then study the huge menu hanging above the deli counter so you can order when your number is called. You can then pay or shop and pay when you name is called and your food is ready. You can also pre-order online and pick it up that way. The sandwiches were cut in two and first rate in quality. I’d go back often if I lived nearby. Check it out on your way to visit Yosemite or if you’re in the Fresno area. Continue reading →
building back (but was the front) – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031
Chef Nathan Rich curates the tasting menu at Twin Farms with the help of a good team. They were in the midst of a kitchen expansion when we were there which will add the option of chef’s dinners in the kitchen and a window for guests in the dining room to look into the kitchen action. On the menu it states that they will modify the tasting if you chose to have it consecutive nights but with their flexibility in plating it’s easy to create your own tasting of the options that interest you. The server will caution you that the tasting takes at least 2 hours as it’s about 10 courses. There were no amuse or extras course not on the menu but it did take over 2 hours however the pacing was quite slow. Wine pairings are available or there are a limited number of bottles you can order, that are included in your fee or there is a reserve wine list that comes with an additional fee. The pairing pours are mostly from bottles the sommelier chooses and they are not on the list for you to chose from. They are usually well matched but mostly inexpensive wines. When the room grew crowded it was mostly impossible for the sommelier to refill an empty glass in a timely fashion. Overall the tasting was good but I found it interesting that the only fish was the lobster salad in an appetizer. Also the bread is its own course and not served to go with the entire meal (an annoying trend I’ve noted in other restaurant tastings). If you want to see our 2024 tasting menu dinner click here. I hope you’ll let me know what you think if you go! Continue reading →
The breakfast at Twin Farms was served in both of the main house’s dining rooms. You can compare to last year’s breakfast by clicking here. The patio room has windows looking outside and was generally a cooler room due to the wall of window but both usually had fires in the fireplaces. The breakfast menu didn’t change but each day they added one special and varied the potoato preparation. Service starts with beverages and your daily bread to munch on while you wait for food. Alcoholic cocktails were available but I never saw anyone getting one. Lots of teas, coffee and various fruit juices. They did take good care when cooking the eggs and I never had an overcooked one. All the bread offerings were good. As a guest you are offered breakfast the day you check out which is a nice send off. Hope you’ll let me know what you think if you go. It’s a lot to eat and drink! Continue reading →
building – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 0503
Twiggs is the more casual of the restaurants on site but neither has dress codes. Twiggs has its own kitchen and staff as well as a large bar and bartender. The staff do rotate between the venues so you may see the same people. The Twiggs kitchen is where they have their cooking classes and my husband said they were nicely done. The large room has a vaulted ceiling and a couple areas with couch seating, if you want to have cocktails there rather than on a bar seat or at your table. We chose to have ours at our table. There is a large fireplace at the end of the room but it has a gas log fire, due to some draw issues. It lends the ambiance without the smoke. Large marble tables are in various shapes with wood perimeters. The lighting was lowered and music was in the background. The menu is different than at the other venue and they have more grilled options. They were wiling to split items for us in the kitchen and would course it out to simulate our own tasting menu. I liked the room and the food over here as well. If you want to compare to our Twiggs dinner in 2024 click here. Continue reading →
The day we arrived at Twin Farms we were hungry and found lunch was still being served so we partook. They had a set menu some days usually as well as in-room dining options. Mostly lunch was in the windowed ‘porch’ room of the main house but you can request to have a picnic to-go. There are trails around the grounds where you could hike and eat but that’s not really my style so we ate in the dining room. The sommelier will arrange for wine pairings if you want or there is beer or cocktails if you want alcoholic beverages. Lunch can be ordered with smaller portions if you want to try more things but the server warned the kitchen was not good on cutting portions down. I found the ordered portions good since you were paying for 3 meals a day. There are not a lot of snacks sitting around like some places but your room has a basket of treats, both salty and sweet, if you need mid-meal extras. One thing I can assure you is that you won’t go hungry here. This is a post about the lunches we had this visit. If you want to compare to last fall’s selections click here. Continue reading →
main house – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031
We first visited Twin Farms in Nov. of 2024, right before Thanksgiving. It was pretty empty and so we wanted to try it again when it was busier, which we did. We stayed in a huge room in the main house so it was a quick walk to dinner. Over the 3 nights we tried the a la carte and tasting menus in the main house dining room and had one meal at Twiggs which is a separate dining venue across a short bridge, but also on the property. It’s an all-inclusive Relais & Chateaux and we also wanted to compare it to The Point a similar resort that we just visited which you can read about by clicking here. If you want to read last year’s write up of the a la carte dinner you can click here. Twin Farms is a bigger place with room for more guests, It’s bars are staffed with bartenders rather than self serve and tables are all individual rather than any communal settings. They both have snacks with cocktail hour but I found that even with more people the folks didn’t interact as much. Our room at Twin Farms was much bigger with 2 fireplaces and lots of service but you do get a key, where you did not at The Point. The dinner menu has much more flexibility at Twin Farms because you have a menu and not a set meal. Is this a positive, I don’t know. During the day they offer some classes that are of no additional charge as well as have hiking trails, axe throwing, croquet and archery. Stave jigsaw puzzles are everywhere. We enjoyed our stay and took advantage of having a bartender to order some ‘fancy’ cocktails. The food varies, but it’s all good and the Executive Chef Nathan Rich came out to visit numerous times. Continue reading →
main house – 222 Beaverwood Rd, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-3029
We stayed at The Point for 3 days and so this is part 2 of the chronicle of the food we had. (If you missed part 1, click here). I didn’t photograph the passed snacks that were part of the cocktail hour proceeding dinner each night and snacks/foods were available to be sent to your room if you had a craving for something. Various guests attend the dinners in the Great Hall, all of which require coat and tie for men, while some arrange to have dinner in alternate locations. All of the staff couldn’t have been nicer and more accommodating. They wanted you to have a good time and we did. The question is, is it worth the price? I can’t answer that but I will say that a number of the people we met there had been multiple times. It’s hard to get to – we flew into Albany and it was a 2.5 hours drive from there. They are happy for you to check in in time for lunch which one of the other guests told me they always spend the night somewhere nearby and then drive in early so they can enjoy a full day of activities and eating. In the winter they have ice fishing, skating and cross country skiing. In summer they have fishing, boating, water skiing and tube rides. There are plenty of nooks where they’ll set up a picnic lunch and dining in your room is always an option. The selection of liquors was good and the wines adequate with a separate list available if you want to buy an upgraded option. It’s a beautiful property that is well maintained with amenities galore so if an all inclusive place if for you, you should check this one out. Continue reading →
Entrance – 222 Beaverwood Rd, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-3029
The Point was the first named Relais & Châteaux in North America, some 39 years ago. It was built by William A. Rockefeller II (John D’s grandnephew) in 1929 as a retreat in the Adirondacks. It is 75 acres of waterfront property on the Saranac Lake. There are 11 guest rooms, 4 in the main lodge and several log houses including one over the large boat house. All the rooms have stone wood-burning fireplaces and include 3 meals a day, cocktail hour, morning coffee and pastries, snacks and unlimited beverages including wines, spirits, beers, espresso and on and on. Wed and Sat are black tie dinners whereas other dinners in the Great Hall require coat and tie for men with similar fancy dress for women. It’s a beautiful property that is well maintained with a staff ready to make your stay the best it can be. In the large modern kitchen was Executive Chef D’Anthony who was on site every day to prepare the meals. He is from Texas so he got points for that too. The pastry chef (sorry I forgot her name) was also in the kitchen and she did a fabulous job on the morning pastries that come to your room with coffee. We enjoyed the set menus for meals but also appreciate their flexibility if you want something different. The food was all nicely done and beautifully presented. Part of the experience was getting to chat with other like minded people over dinner and cocktails which was very well done. I decided to break my write up into 2 parts as there were a number of meals to report on. Bottom line is that if it works in your budget you should go. It’s a fabulous property and a lovely experience. Continue reading →
building – 2023 Greenville Ave, #110, Dallas, TX 75206-7123
The Drifter Dinner Series was introduced in 2024 by Chef Toby Archibald of Quarter Acre Restaurant. Four chefs from 4 different areas team up with Archibald to showcase their culinary techniques and styles to present an 8 course tasting menu complemented with cocktails and wines. Single dinner tickets are sold as well as a season pass that includes all 4 dinners. We were late to the ‘party’ and so just got one pair of tickets to this third in the series for 2025. Seating times are staggered between 5:30 and 8:30 and it’s held in the Quarter Acre space. You can read about our last tasting at this place by clicking here. Tonight’s dinner featured Chef Kevin Fink of Hestia (one Michelin star) in Austin. The pacing and portion control of the tasting were spot on and the beverage pairings were good and generous. And did I forget to mention the food was fabulous? This was a tasting that ranks with the best of the best. Both chefs presented some of the dishes and talked with guests during a super fun and relaxed evening. I shall have to watch for the next series offering and see if I could stay in town to enjoy a season pass. Get to one if you can or get to Austin or Dallas and try one of these restaurants and let me know what you think. Continue reading →
The Pheasant is owned and operated by Adam and Erica Dunn with Andrew Reilly as Executive Chef. They strive to present locally sourced and sustainable products with all their seafood being wild caught for the local New England waters. It’s in an old building with a series of rooms, 4 tables on the patio and 7 bar stools as well as high top tables in the bar. The floors look quite old and there are benches along the walls for seating to match with small tables. The problem there was the heights did not align at all which was also partly due to the uneven floor. Music was in the background the the lighting was slightly lowered. Lots of windows were in the rooms as well as decorative articles placed throughout. It had a large parking lot and a good wine list. The menu evolves seasonally and the plates are designed with sharing in mind. We took that to heart and ordered a number of their small plates to share rather than a couple big, heavy plates. Service was friendly and a bit goofy but it was well paced and didn’t overwhelm the small table. The food was mixed but overall it’s worth checking out if you’re in Cape Cod. Continue reading →
Sesuit Harbor Cafe is a family owned business in its 26th season in the Northside Marina on Cape Cod Bay. They serve breakfast and lunch daily from 7 – 2:30. You order inside the building, decorated with boat bumpers, that also has lots of souvenirs for sale and then find a spot at one of the many picnic tables out back. They call your number when your order is ready and bring it out to you. Boats are parked nearby and run through the water beside you. It is a cash only place. It was quite popular with a combination of locals and tourists. The food is prepared quickly and they have a number of non-seafood options if you’re so inclined. We wanted to try their lobster roll as well as their whole belly clams. It seemed like slightly less in the toasted bread than yesterday but lettuce was not mixed in. It was mostly large chunks of meat but the mayo melded in some shreds. The flavor was good. Slaw was lightly dressed and fine and the fries were a coated variety. I’d go again cause it’s a pretty place to sit and the food was nicely fresh and tasty. Continue reading →
entrance – 702 Main St., WestDennis, MA 02670, 508.225.0645
We really enjoyed our meal at Clean Slate Eatery in June so we re-visited on this trip. Chef/Owner Jason Montigel is still working with the super talented Amanda Kotb for a dynamic team presenting a monthly changing menu for about 16 people. We sat at one the high top tables behind the counter this time which gave us a slightly different view but anywhere you sit is good. The place is very small and cozy and the food is still fantastic. I love the chalkboard menu, the low wood counter and ceiling and the music that is in the background. They do one seating for the 6 course prix fixe tasting at 6:30 Tues – Sat. Wine pairings are available as is beer, wine and some cocktails. We tried the pairings again and they are well matched and ample as well as delivered on a timely basis. All the staff are super friendly and you really feel like you’re eating at a friend’s house. I’m very glad we chose to repeat our visit here and hope you’ll get there soon too. It’s a place that needs to be on your list! Continue reading →
The Chatham Pier Fish Market is open daily with the kitchen open 11-7. It is right on the waterfront (historic Chatham Fish Pier) where the boats drive by and/or unload. There are picnic tables nearby but it was raining the day we visited so we ate in the car. You can order at a walk up window or inside at the counter, where most were that day. Inside is also the counter with the fresh fish and shellfish options along with some locally grown produce. It all looked fabulously fresh and delicious. The people at the counter were friendly and efficient. There is a self-serve drink fountain where you can get a free cup of ice water. We were there to get lobster rolls- a taste of New England – but if I lived around here I’d be at this market often to get food to cook at home. We tried both the warm roll with butter as well as the cool one with mayo. Both were full of large chunks of lobster meat on toasted bread. We preferred the one with mayo as the flavor seemed to meld better. Both were mixed with shredded iceberg lettuce which I didn’t care for and would know to ask to leave out if I went back. The fries with both rolls were the coated variety and nicely crisp. The slaw was nicely dressed and slaw. This is a good stop for a lobster roll. Continue reading →
During our last trip to Cape Cod, Ceraldi was closed as they were moving to a new location (where the 9 Ryder Restaurant was) in Provincetown, the very tip of Cape Cod. They started in 2013 in Ptown as a pop-up and then were in Wellfleet for about 10 years before moving back. Life partners and artists Jesse and Michael Ceraldi started and continue to run this restaurant that highlights local farmers, fishermen and foragers. Chef Michael not only cooks but makes much of the ceramic dinnerware from Cape Cod clay that guests eat off of. The long place has peach tones to the walls and is right on the waterfront. Lowered lighting is supplemented by many windows and mirrors. A bar with seating runs half the length of one wall and the kitchen is through an opening at the back of the room but most of the view is blocked by supplies and plants. They offer a 7, 3 or 1 course tasting and you can add a dessert to the smaller tastings. Beverage pairings are available but know they include a couple non-alcholic ones. The food is good but seemed to be still getting its footing in the new location. I applaud the concept of a changing menu based on what’s locally available but the quantity was way off. There were a number of comments online that the price was high and maybe it could be less if there wasn’t so much food on the plates. I’ve beeen to 20+ course tastings were you can easily eat it all but with this 7 there were a number of courses sent back half eaten. This chef and staff seem very capable but there’s a few kinks to work out. Continue reading →
Brentwood Restaurant is in north Dallas in the building that housed the Houston’s Restaurant that closed in the mid 2020s. The Vandelay Hospitality Group bought the property (they operate Hudson House) and re-opened it as Brentwood in fall 2021. You’ll see many similarities to Houston’s interior as well as menu offerings- like spinach artichoke dip, Hawaiian ribeye, double cut pork chop and chicken tenders. They have a wood fired grill for cooking and a full bar with a separate counter. There’s a patio as well. The clubby interior of the dining area has lots of booth like seating surrounded by wood and the same menu is offered at lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Service is attentive and servings are large. The food is very good but nothing cutting edge, just good solid American cusine. We were meeting some business associates there so it’s farther than we usually venture but if it was closer I’d be a regular. Continue reading →
At Harbor House Inn breakfast is included with your room. If you stay in the lodge you can eat in the dining room that looks out at the coast line. If you are in one of the cottages they will bring it to your place. The policy after Covid was to eat in your room when staying in the old redwood lodge and now it’s much nicer to be at a proper table with coffee refills and the view. They’ve added more options to the breakfast choices and we tried some of them. Here I’ve pictured some of the new items as well as including past photos of our in-room breakfast trays (in case you stay in a cottage). Your breakfast includes beverage including changing fresh fruit juice. You also get some of their milk bread (which is quite toasty and thickly sliced), butter, jam and a seasonal pastry with your entree choice. It is a lovely breakfast that is just one more reason you should stay there when you go. I must say Frankie mostly doesn’t eat breakfast so I only got her posing with some decorations. Continue reading →
This blog has multiple posts about Harbor House in the Mendocino area of California, but it is a current favorite so you, dear reader have to put up with another post about our recent visit. If you want to see other meals you can click here for one in 2025, 2024, 2023 or 2022. The setting is spectacular, being on the coast and the drive there through the twisting mountain roads is beautiful. The Inn, where the restaurant is located, is an old lodge built with redwoods and decorated with abalone shells and Michelin men, as the restaurant has 2 Michelin stars as well as a Michelin Green award for sustainability. The tasting menu is not my usual in-your-face smack of flavor but instead offers the delicate flavors of ultra fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Their farm raises many of their herbs and vegetables and local fisherman supply the seafood portions. Chef Matthew Kammerer forages for sea lettuce and other ingredients and shares the how-to information with his incredible staff. Unfortunately Chef Kammerer was away this weekend but Chef Sam Miller-Hicok and the team made us two fantastic meals with a good bit of variation from one night to the next. We were also happy to meet the new Beverage Director Todd Brinkman, Service Director Adam Merchant and superb server Sequoia. I truly hope that you’ll be able to have a dinner there soon – you will love it. Continue reading →
exterior – 10590 N Ranch Road, Hayward, WI., 54843
The Ranch Supper Club serves the prime rib dinner on Saturday and fish fry on Friday. The prime rib dinners are on this site from 2023 and 2022 – and you can see those by clicking on the dates for more history and photos. This trip we wanted to try their “signature steaks’ and they come with the same supper club set up of relish tray, salad, bread and choice of potato. The bar is a gorgeous one topped with colored inlaid stones. There are two dining rooms and the one behind the bar is my preference with vintage cooking, sporting and farming equipment hanging on the walls and a fireplace topped with an old sewing machine. The menu has plenty to chose from and lists the numbers of drinks served in one year. I’m including photos of it as the prices have increased since last year. The service is friendly and efficient and the food isn’t novel but it will definitely satisfy and they have ice cream drinks for dessert. I know I’ll be back and hope to see you there. Continue reading →
building – 201 Manypenny Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814
Manypenny Bistro is a family run place that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner along with offering take out options. It touts itself as serving classics as well as inventive combinations, and indeed it does. Lots of pizza options and burgers for later in the day but we were there for breakfast. In addition to the good sized menu they had daily specials. One room is filled with tables and streaming with sunlight from all the windows in a corner building. The second room has the bar and high-topped tables for dining. The menu sounds inviting and I hope to get back to try some of their dinner options, like whitefish livers which are rare to find and exquisite when done well. At breakfast they also offered special of raspberry fritter French toast which also sounds fun to try. The service was attentive and efficient and the portions were large and good. We were not ordering adventuous options so I look forward to getting back and trying more things. Let me know if you get there first and what you try. Continue reading →
building – 200 Rittenhouse Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814
St. James Social is a hotel and restaurant combination that offers a new and modern take on things in the restored original 1883 St. James hotel. Annalisa and Cody Bermel bought the building in May 2022 and they manage, bartend and do whatever is needed along with their 2 daughters. . The first floor is a large space with a lounge area, curved bar counter with seats and tables for dining. The two story room is filled with wood, brass, chandeliers and mirrors along with artwork to give it an urban yet comfortable feeling. Upstairs they have a 8 rooms and on the roof is a small lounge area for hotel guests. The kitchen uses local ingredients when available, which for this short growing season are amazingly abundant. One of their specialties is pizza and Tuesday they dedicate the menu to their artisan Neapolitan style pizzas. They have a sourdough crust with more on that later. Thursday through Saturday they offer the Chef’s menu with more plated options and a fewer number of pizza varieties. Sunday is brunch only. The service is great and the vibe is too. We really enjoyed our evening there with some long time friends. I would highly recommend a meal and maybe a stay here when you visit the lovely town of Bayfield. Continue reading →
Sauvage is a 12 person counter tasting meal that opened a week ago by the team of Casey and Amy La Rue, who previously ran the now closed Carte Blanche on Greenville. Located adjacent to the Statler Hotel the La Rue team has done much of the finish out work on their own. The “L” shaped concrete counter surrounds the open kitchen including a wood fired grill. A lounge like area is at the entry to accommodate those waiting for their seating, as the times are flexible for the 2 seatings. Music is in the background and lighting is fairly bright which helps for photos. It’s on a busy downtown street and you can get your ticket from the nextdoor hotel’s valet validated at the restaurant and then it’s costs just $10. The name translates to “wild” or refers to something uncultivated. I have to say it didn’t feel wild to me rather more approachable and relaxed. At $245 for the tasting that may be the untamed part for some but if you can swing it it’s worth a try. They are barely open and I hope as they progress the menu will evolve and change enough to entice people to come multiple times. Let me know what you think when you visit. Continue reading →
Mamani just opened a few days ago led by Executive Chef Christophe De Lellis. The French born De Lellis was last at 3 Michelin star Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas. This restaurant is named for the brother owners Brandon and Henry Cohanim’s grandmother who they called Mamani. The brother’s previous projects include Bar Colette and Namo. Much anticpated the menu features Italian and French style cooking in an elegant yet comfortable room. It’s the largest restaurant to open in the new Quad development in Uptown Dallas. The ‘L’ shaped restaurant has 2 dining rooms, an enclosed patio, bar and a private dining room for 10 at one end. Pastry chef Peter Edris makes the breads and Pastry Chef Nicole De Lellis works with her husband on the dessert options. The new place bustles with activity – there are a lot of service people and I didn’t see any empty tables. The background music was too loud but they graciously turned it down when we remarked about it – service is plentiful and responsive. You see the open kitchen when you first enter and the dining area has peach tones, coved ceilings and carpets. The 2-tops were fairly small marble tables with the 4-tops running larger but they made it work without making me crazy. The wine list was large, not online and heavy into French burgandy styles. According to our fun server most of the portions are “humble sized” except for those items in the “to share” section. Spot on, but there was enough to split and have a good taste of the items. The prices are commensurate with the top-notch ingredients they use in the dishes and the level of service as well as the expensively finished interior. I found the food wonderful, the staff and owners engaging and would easily recommend it. Continue reading →
exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110-3164
Stephanie Inn’s owners also own the Public Coast Farm, which you will pass if you drive in from Portland. So much of the produce is from there and according to Chef Jeff what they send is the largest input into what’s on the menu. You’ll find their produce at dinner and also in the complimentary breakfast that is included in your room rate. Portions for the dinner menu are spot on and offered at two seatings each night (they go to one seating in winter) and reservations are required. The dinner starts with drink orders being taken and delivery of the amuse bouche is about the same time as the housemade bread and butter coming out. The bread is the same every night and the butter has a bit of course salt on top of it. It’s a soft bread in that the crust isn’t crisp but the interior is soft and dense. They came around each meal and offered more if you wanted. When the first course is out one of the chef’s come out to describe the evening’s menu and then staff comes around to get your entrée choice. Each meal finishes with a couple of Ranger Chocolate squares in different flavors. It’s takes just over an hour and a half, depending on how many people are there. Service is friendly and couldn’t be more helpful. I really like this place, as you can tell since I keep going back, and hope you’ll get a chance to try it too. Continue reading →
exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110-3164
We returned to the Stephanie Inn for another 4 nights like last year. You can read last year’s posts by clicking here and here or searching for Stephanie Inn. The building is pretty much the same as are some of the staff and that’s just fine by me. Really friendly folks work in the dining room and hotel. This year we had an ocean view the whole time and I highly recommend that as there’s lots to watch for relaxing entertainment but all the rooms offer easy access to the beach and water. The tasting menu in the dining room is 5 courses with an amuse bouche and the only choice being the main course. I did see some substitutions for dietary restrictions, Wine pairings are offered on two levels and there is a good menu of by the bottle or glass wines. Cocktails are available but there is no bar to go to. The view with dinner is of the mountains and nearby homes but one night we also were treated to some elk that wandered through. White tableclothes and muted music are the set up for this lovely dining experience. Executive Chef Jeff Slemaker was on hand most nights but we did not see Executive Chef Aaron Bedard. The food is fresh, much coming from their own farm (Public Coast Farm), and the seafood is mostly local. The menu changes plenty from night to night so we did not mind coming again and again. It’s a great vacation spot that I highly recommend you try. I’ve already made reservations to go again next year. Hope to see yo there! Continue reading →
sign in parking lot – 1906 S Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75223
We last attended a whiskey tasting with dinner at Far Out but wanted to get back to try the regular menu. It was less crowded, especially being a weeknight and we went quite early but people continued to trickle in but the outdoors wasn’t getting any takers in the Texas heat. The large window on the entrance wall let in lots of sunlight but the air conditioning did a good job keeping the large space well cooled. Music was in the background and a ton of plants decorate the walls. The tables are fairly small but I was truly thrilled that our excellent server Ashleigh did as she promised and only brought a couple plates at a time, not overloading the space or us. Chef Misti Norris is the Culinary Director and you can sense her touch on the fun, changing menu of shared plates. She may not be in the kitchen but her Chef de Cuisine Mery Aguayo and staff are producing some fun tasty dishes. I applaud their use of seasonal options and our server was nice enough to tell us what was newest and what were favorites. It was a wonderful dinner with lots of flavor. I hope to get back to try more things soon. Hope you’ll let me know what you try when you go! Continue reading →
building – 5001 Boonville Rd, Bryan, TX 77802-5819
Christopher’s World Grille was opened by Chef Christopher Lampo in a 100 year old ranch house to offer a fine dining experience to Bryan and College Station, home of Texas A & M. In 1999 he opened Christopher’s in the restored Andrews House (1913) offering an eclectic menu featuring steaks and seafood. His kitchen provided catering to former President George H. W. Bush and is the preferred caterer for the presidential library in adjacent College Station. The rennovation of the house left as many historic features in tact as possible thus the large restaurant is spread over multiple room, all a little different but very decorative. Lots of windows to the outside let in much natural light, music was in the background, carpet on the floors (which made the noise level quite nice) and art is on the walls. Service was friendly and welcoming and in addition to the menu there were several nightly specials described to us by our server with their prices, which is a nice touch. Portions are very generous and even on a Wed. night they did a lively business. There was seating outside and a large dedicated free parking lot. I would recommend this place when visiting the area. Continue reading →
building – 2023 Greenville Ave, #110, Dallas, TX 75206-7123
We visited Quarter Acre right after they opened 2.5 years ago and were not inclined to go back except we read a compelling review of a new tasting menu by Brian Reinhart in D Magazine. Chef Toby Archibald now curates a 7 course dinner that frequently changes showcasing some of their regular options and trying out new ones. Chef Archibald is from New Zealand and combines this heritage with European influences. The tasting can be had at a table or at seats at the bar and no pre-reservation is required, but the whole table must participate. Wine pairings are available at $65/pp, not the $55 on the website, and they are not required for the whole table. The physical structure hasn’t changed much- the long room has 4-tops running down the middle in curved booths topped with large rope light fixtures. One one side is the bar with seating and the other side a bench fitted with a number of small 2-top tables, which can be combined for parties of 3 or 4. Service was much more polished and very pleasant and the music in the background was toned down to a level where conversation was very possible. Word of this tasting had spread and a number of people were getting it and the noise level was such we could even chat a bit with the adjacent tables and all marvel at the quality of the food and wine pairings. One thing we all agreed on was that this place has found its footing and you should plan to visit when you can. Maybe I’ll see you there! Continue reading →
You can read the previous write up of Milkweed Inn from 2022 here. It was recently featured in Art Culinaire Magazine so we thought it was time to re-visit and check out any changes. First and foremost the food and hospitality were equally superb and I think this year’s group of guests was even more fun than the last. Chef Regan is transitioning from Iliana to Lane but that seems to only have focused their culinary talents. The hunting lodge in the Hiawatha Forest now offers 4 interior bedrooms to stay in, some glamping tents and the Air Stream is now a Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van. It is definitely off-the-grid and a totally laid back weekend of eating, drinking and chatting with like minded foodies. Regan is still an expert forager as well as gardener and incorporates that into the meals in addition to hunting donations from neighbors. There is also a sauna which you sign up for in pairs and lots of friendly dogs, pigs and soon to be horses on the property. Reservations are through the website <www.milkweedinn.com> and often are made a year in advance. One tip we took advantage of is to watch for vacancies that pop up to re-sell. Since retiring we have that flexibility and can skirt the long wait. Last visit the weather was uncomfortably warm which was not at all usual. This time it was nice and cool with a good breeze. Chef Regan and her partner Eve are absolutely delightful and will make every effort to ensure you have a memorable visit. If you are seriously into food and enjoy very casual surroundings this is an experience you should sign up for. Chef can make some adaptations to the menu for the dozen people in attendance, but check first if you can’t eat some things. There was no printed menu, so all descriptions are what I could jot down. Continue reading →
Restaurant Beatrice serves contemporary Cajun/Creole cuisine in an old house (previously Johnathans Restaurant) in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. It was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant in 2022. They serve dinner and brunch on the weekends with a frequently changing menu, to take advantage of seasonal ingredients. Chef/Owner Michelle Carpenter opened the place 3 years ago and named the restaurant for her grandmother who was from New Orleans. It’s a medium sized place with a large patio out front where they sometimes have events. Inside there is a long bar with high chairs and bench seating around the room perimeter matched with double cloth covered tables. Music was in the background and the lighting was fairly bright with New Orleans fleur-de-lis on the wallpaper and a photo of her grandmother on the larger high top table in the center of the room. The bar area had a television playing without sound. We were there during Bastille Week, so I don’t know how much that changed the menu, however the happy hour specials were still offered but not verbalized. Service was friendly and helpful and although some items didn’t sing to me the overall effect is good and I’d recommend the place. Continue reading →
entrance – Monte Verde & 7th Ave., Carmel, CA 93921
We last visited Aubergine in August 2023. The tiny restaurant is in L’Auberge Carmel Hotel, a Relais & Châteaux under the direction of Executive Chef Justin Cogley. He strives to have his guests enjoy a broad combination of flavors and textures and he and the restaurant have won numerous awards for their efforts. They serve a blind tasting menu 5 nights a week in two seatings for 5 tables. Since we were last here they were awarded the second Michelin star (2024) after earning their first in 2019. They offered only one supplement to the menu, midway through the meal, offering to substitute Japanese A5 Wagyu for the Nebraska ribeye that was on the menu. Music was in the background and the lights were lowered but sun does come in throught the large curtain covered windows, especially in the summer. The cozy room is only slightly disturbed by the regular parade of people coming and going to the hotel, patio or bar. A large cabinet shields some of this. Service was superb with someone making the circle around the large center floral display and watching for needs at any table. The pacing and portion control of the tasting was spot on and the food was fantastic. If you can get here, do, it’s worth the trip. Continue reading →
Dutch Door Donuts is on the middle level of the 3 story Carmel Plaza. They are a small place with seating at a counter, tables or you can find seats around the shopping center. Named for the Dutch doors you see on so many of the Carmel shops, it wanted to honor the charm of the city. Each yeast donut is cut and shaped by hand and fried after you order it. They are light and airy inside with a fabulous crisp to the exterior. There were a number of containers with the toppings and the hot donut goes in and then is placed in a box ready for pick up. After we placed and paid for our order we snagged a counter seat to watch the action. They offered a good range of options that apparently change with the seasons. They offer a selection of of coffee drinks as well as water and a few soft drinks to go with your hot donuts. It’s a fun place to sit and have a snack but more importantly the donuts are delicious. Don’t miss this one when in Carmel. Continue reading →
exterior – 5th Ave, Between Dolores And San Carlos St, Carmel, CA 93921
It’s been 2 years since we visited Chez Noir and husband and wife team Chef Jonny and Monique Black have changed the format slightly but the quality is just as high. They have one Michelin Star and Chef Jonny was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef California. Chef Jonny has had extensive experience working fine dining places such as Per Se, Quince, Pineapple and Pears, Noma and Clove Club to name a few. They were also a finalist for the Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant in 2024. The small dining room is cozy and supplemented with seats on the courtyard and 8 at the attached bar. They are only open for dinner, closed Sunday, and release reservations the first of the prior month. They go fairly quickly for weekends but will try to work with walk-ins very early or later in the evening. They serve only a 4 course tasting menu with choices for 3 of the courses and some optional supplemental courses. There are also monetary supplements applied for some of the menu options. Each tasting will also come with fabulous amuse bouche and some extra dessert treats. While I loved the format we had with the “let us cook for you” option in 2023 (read about here), this new one was fine and the food and service were fantastic so definitely put this on your list now. Continue reading →
exterior – 4th Ave & San Carlos St., Carmel, CA 93921
Brophy’s Tavern is a popular neighborhood pub and sports bar located in a corner of The Hotel Carmel. With a separate entrance you’ll find a selection of high-top tables, bar seats and booths to choose from. Music is in the background and TVs are playing without the sound. The walls are filled with sports items and beer parphanlia. One wall with windows to the outsdie is completely covered with beer cans. It’s a festive and friendly place with lots of tap beers in addition to wine and cocktails. We had been in a number of years ago to share some fries with a drink but this time we wanted a little snack to go with a glass of of wine. The food is good and the vibe is great so plan to grab a snack, meal or just a drink and some conversation at this place when you’re in Carmel. Continue reading →
building – 806 Main St. S., Stillwater, MN., 55082
The Oasis Cafe opened in 1957 as The Highway Man. It opened as a service station, diner, and bait shop. Originally it was open 24 hours a day but when Craig and Deb Beemer bought the restaurant in 2008 they moved the daily hours to 8am to 8pm. In 2018 they expanded the restaurant to include the “Bait Shop Bar”, which is now the middle of 3 rooms carved into the hillside. We were lucky to get stools at the counter in the original room, which has also been refurbished by the Beemers and that’s where the open kitchen is too. There was a line to get in and I’m pretty sure there always is but it moves quickly. A combination of seating types are available with counter, booth, table and patio available. Our server Sarah was opinionated and helpful with ordering, when so many options looked appealing. She was a delight and so friendly, as were all that we interacted with there. Actually they try and make your visit fun for example, they have a variety of coffee mugs and like to joke with people about which mug they get. A Packers fan will most likely be given a mug with something about Vikings. If a couple is getting amorous they might place a lit candle on the table to add to the ambiance unless they stay in their seats too long and then it might be suggested it’s time to move on. The amazing efficiency and friendliness in all the staff we met as well as the good and generous portions of food made it a dining experience I look forward to to having again. Hope you’ll find time to visit too! Continue reading →
Mābo is an yakitori omakase restaurant under the direction of the former chef of Teppo, Masayuki Otaka that opened a little over a year ago. He offers 2 seatings (5:30 and 8:30) for 8 guests of a 14-course tasting menu. At Teppo, Chef Otaka was known as “the Yakitori King of Dallas” so this place serves more meat than seafood. Yakitori in Japan means grilled chicken and while five chicken parts are on the tasting menu even more are offered on a supplemental menu. This supplemental menu includes options for other meats, fish and vegetables. The basic tasting is $200 per person, with tax, tip and drinks in addition but the chicken supplements we had were just $8 per skewer (I did find it annoying that the supplemental menu had no prices). The small, minimal space has few decorations but it is serene and tasteful. We took the early seating and found the door did not get unlocked until precisely 5:30. After being shown to a comfortable seat at the counter, which has screens blocking you view into the kitchen, we ordered some sake and water and chatted with neighbors until the screen rises 10 minutes later. Chef Otaka was the only one ever in the kitchen but a sweet server helped with information and serving. The vent fan runs constantly, because the charcoal is going, but it does make some noise for counter conversations and in addition there is music in the background. It was great to see Otaka back in action but I don’t think I’ll be a regular here because there’s too much non-yakitori. The non-yakitori foods were good but didn’t get into great territory. On the other side though, if you want a yakitori fix this would be the first place I’d direct you to. Continue reading →
from the parking lot – 1906 S Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75223
Far Out is a flexible place. A patio, private tasting rooms and the main dining room are the different spaces available for rental or open to the public Tues through Sat evenings, with the bar open later than the kitchen. The large Quonset hut that houses the main dining room was formerly Wriggly Tin but was re-opened this year by Caroline and James Lee promising a culinary adventure. For their most recent menu they drafted James Beard nominated chef Misti Norris, of Petra and the Beast, to be in charge. I’m anxious to get there and try her regular menu but this evening she was crafting a tasting to pair with drinks from the Andalusia Whiskey Co. out of Blanco, TX. Ty Phelps, the lead brewer was on hand to introduce his liquors, straight and in cocktail form. The large space had tables around the center bar with one end being glass looking out to the patio seating. Lots of plants and other objects decorated the space and music was in the background. Televisions were mounted on the wall opposite the glass one but sound was thankfully muted. The whiskey was not my usual taste but the couple of cocktails were tasty however, as a rule I’d prefer wine with my meal. That said. I won’t comment more on the drink but do encourage you to get down to this place and try some of Norris’s interesting and tasty cuisine. I sure will. Continue reading →
buildings – 37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7614
The basic menu at the fine dining restaurant in White Barn Inn is a 4 course fixed price ($175 + tax, gratuity) one. There are at least 6 choices for each of 4 courses, some with supplemental charges and optional wine pairings are available. Since we’d done the 2 longer tastings the previous nights we thought this would be a way to try options we hadn’t gotten or to repeat some of our favorite selections. The meal was a combination of both and included the usual small extras we’d had every night. Again we came early but this time were able to get seats at the bar to enjoy a martini before we started the meal and listen to a different pianist this night. We had the same great server as last night and she was helpful in making sure nothing repeated that we didn’t want to and assured satisfaction with the experience. Executive Chef Mary Dumont was not there any of the 3 nights we were. According to one server she often comes in the morning to help prep and plan but doesn’t work dinner service, so we were dissappointed not to meet her and get her to meet Frankie. However, it still is a place I’d recommend to anyone wanting a fine dining experience in the Kennebunk area. Continue reading →
building – 55 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7300
Mike’s All Day Breakfast is a large place that is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch. Their menu features American classics served in several different rooms. The service seemed slow to seat us – there was a line of folks with a number of empty tables inside, but once they got around to it we all got seated and service was efficient and friendly. The good-sized menu was supplemented by chalkboards with coffee drink options and a couple Benedict specials as well as reminding all they serve Mimosas. The regular coffee they poured was fine by me but they didn’t serve water unless you asked. The simple tables were surrounded by windows and walls decorated with fun signs. A dedicated parking lot was large and there were benches on the front porch for waiting. The porch for eating has been enclosed and is one of the many seating options. I thought the food was generous and good and would easily go again when in the area. Continue reading →
Inn building where you enter – 37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7614
We arrrived early fo our second dinner at White Barn Inn Restaurant so we could enjoy a drink with the live piano music beforehand. The bar stools had been reserved with people for dinner so we had a choice of some stuffed chairs or a seat at the piano, where we chose to enjoy a nice Negroni. It was a lovely way to start the meal, which tonight was to be the 8 course blind chef’s tasting. There is no printed menu but Executive Sous Chef Liam Gove was nice enough to email me a list of our courses to help with my write up. I find this is often offered and about the half the time they actually do it but kudos to him for promptly following up. My understanding from our server was that the tasting was adjusted since we had the lobster tasting the previous evening and they didn’t want to repeat any courses. We also sat on a different side of the room which was much better for photos, less sun glare and more constant light from an overhead spot. We didn’t ask about wine pairings as we chose to get our own bottle of wine each night. Service was again first rate with the friendly staff anticipating every need and being quite helpful. This was another meal I’d recommend you try, but the lobster was my favorite of the two. Continue reading →
exterior – 18 Franklin St, Biddeford, ME 04005-2502
The Palace Diner was re-opened by Greg Mitchell and Chad Conley in 2014, the sixth proprietors of the property. They picked a Pollard Company car built in Lowell, Massachesetts in 1927. It has been in Biddeford, Maine its entire life and is one of only 2 Pollard cars remaining in America. The red and black car has windows on 3 sides on the top half of the walls. Outside the yellow letters spell out their name on the red bottom portion of the car with a “Ladies Invited” sign next to it. Inside green tile is below the windows and a well worn formica counter divides the diners from the stainless steel and wood walls and fixtures. A large pass through window looks into the kitchen that was added in the 1980s. They are open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch. They do not take reservations and we were lucky to be seated immediately. The diner next to me said he waited in line 20 minutes for a one of the 15 seats at the counter. It is a cash only place with a few parking spots out front but a large city lot adjacent to it. The place had real atmosphere with welcoming staff and great food. Make sure and check it out when you are in the area. Continue reading →
White Barn Inn Restaurant, about 20 miles outside of Portland, Maine, offers New England cuisine year-round. The Inn is around 45 years old and has a fine dining as well as a casual restaurant. We chose the fine dining portion for our stay and were able to sample the 3 types of menus they offer. The menus are presented in a re-modeled barn building, whereas the casual dining is in a more modern room. The front of the 2-story room has a small bar with seats for about 6 (they can be reserved to eat from the casual restaurant’s menu) and a grand piano with an actual pianist playing every night. The second story of the barn is filled with boxes, fake animals and other decorative items and in the back of the room is a large window that showcases lighted colorful blooming plants. The double clothed tables are draped to the floor with a beige cloth that is topped with a shorter white one. Service is 5-star and friendly, if you want interaction. We started with the lobster tasting where portion control was spot on and the food was very good. I would easily recommend this place when in the area and it’s even better when you can stay right there and walk to and from dinner. Continue reading →
The Captain Freeman Inn is a bed and breakfast in a restored Sea Captain’s mansion near Breakwater Beach. It has 10 rooms and is run by a delightful young couple with experience in the hospitality industry. You can’t go there for breakfast unless you stay there but I wanted to share what we had with my readers as Cape Cod has many options for dinner but few in the same town. I found this to be a good location to get to many places of interest, beaches, and restaurants. The breakfasts were were mostly made by Jason while wife Laurie brought out the food and beverages. You eat on the screened in patio overlooking the pool and some of the gardens. The breakfasts were enough to keep you satisfied all day while also being tasty and composed of local products when possible. Laurie is also helps with baking. This is a place I’d recommend when visiting Cape Cod. Continue reading →
28 Atlantic is located in the large Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, a place that has several dining options. 28 Atlantic is their signature restaurant and is the only Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the region. It is located in an 18th century sea captain’s home overlooking Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic ocean. Chef Jame Hackney is in charge of the kitchen but did not greet the guests. The large dining room is obviously an add-on to the old captain’s house with floor-to-ceiling windows taking in the view. The while cloth covered tables are ample in size and set with comfortable upholsterd chairs. A fireplace was lit on one side of the room but the high ceiling made climate control necessarry. Carpet and sound panels in the ceiling kept the noise at an acceptable level, especially since the only generated noise was from the television running in the adjacent bar area. On a less rainy/cloudy day the view would have been stunning but we didn’t luck out with that. The room seemed sterile and more like a regular ‘special occassion’ place. The wine list was of poor quality too. The menu offered a 7-course tasting menu or a fixed price 2 or 4 course meal. The 2-course had no dessert, the 4 came with 2 firsts, one second and a dessert. We chose the 4 with our own bottle of wine. Service was efficient and friendly but didn’t know much about the food. If you have a large party this would be a good option but otherwise I wouldn’t go again. Continue reading →
Clean Slate Eatery re-opened a year ago after a 4 year hiatus. Chef/Owner Jason Montigel started as a pop-up place with a successful 4 year run interupted by the Covid pandemic. during which he began to sell tacos from a food truck. In this small location he offers a fixed price 6-course tasting with much of the assemblege in the open kitchen. There are just 16 seats with most around the counter where he works with Chef Amanda Kotb, a young chef from Amsterdam. Montigel wanted it to feel like a dinner party and it does with the close seating and commraderie that develops from eating and drinking together. There is one seating Wed – Sat evenings and wine pairings are available. The pourings are ample and I’d recommend them but they also have a small cocktail list and beer. The weekly menu is on a chalkboard in front of the counter but it’s also on the website. A window beside it opens into another area of the kitchen where some cooking takes place but most of the assemblege is on the table in the middle of the L-shaped counter. There was no list of the wine pairings so I have a photo of the pairing bottle with the course except for the beginning Prosceco that I didn’t photograpth. The night we were there, there was an optional additon of foie gras bonbons which we both tried. Reservations are by phone or email and I strongly encourage you to find a time to get there and taste this fabuolous food and enjoy the cozy atmosphere. Continue reading →
LUNE is brought to you by Chef Mick Formichella and his wife Charlotte who moved back to Cape Cod from Portland, OR where they both worked in various restaurants. She runs the front of house including the wine program and he does the kitchen. Starting as a pop-up in an art gallery, they moved to a permanent location in mid-May last year. They chose an old garage building that adds an interesting interior to the place. About 6 seats are at the end of the long counter surrounding the open kitchen and the rest are small tables, most with bench seating backing up to the walls. Art and wine bottles provide many of the decorations as well as the large black and white tile floor. The restaurant was a semi-finalist for the 2025 James Beard Best New Restaurant Award but then were removed from the competition as they were closed in Feb and March when judges visit the nominated restaurants. That was to the benefit of the remaining contenders as this small gem would have been formidable competition. They book up quickly for the tasting menu that is offered in 2 seatings on Thurs, Friday and Sat. On Wed and Sun they serve an a la carte menu. We were lucky to enjoy one the tasting menus with Charlotte’s selected wine pairings. It was a terrific evening filled with great food and friendly staff and one I highly recommend you try when in the area. Continue reading →
exterior – 41 Meetinghouse Ln Unit B, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562
Delishh sets out to serve fine specialty sandwiches and prepared foods with fresh ingredients and a creative flair. The small location in a strip shopping center is open every day but Sunday. They did a lot of take out orders so I’m guessing it’s popular to stop and pick up a sandwich to take with you to the beach. Inside there are just a few tables and a TV with the volume up. The counter where you place your order had a few dessert options pre-wrapped and ready to go. Another wall had a small place where you could dump your trash and pick up paper napkins. Very few decorations were on the walls and it took a minute to get someone to take our order. They brought ours out to us since we were eating there. There is a cooler with cold drinks and a couple prepared salads were in another cooler. Overall the sandwiches were quite edible but not as special as they billed them to be. All sandwiches came with housemade chips, which were thick and most were crispy and very lightly salted. Continue reading →
Shell Lake Lunchbox was a small family-run restaurant serving breakfast and lunch daily adding dinner on Friday, in the heart of the tiny town of Shell Lake. It’s a casual place with a combination of tables, booths and counter seats inside as well as a few outdoor tables for dining. Music was in the background and as the name would indicate, lunchboxes filled the walls as decorations. The menu offered a variety of choices, supplemented by daily specials. Appropriately for Wisc, they also offer drinks, beer or wine to accompany your meal. Food was fine, quick and reasonable and service was friendly and efficient. I’d call our meal “nothing to write home about”, but perfectly acceptable even though it’s pretty bland. Continue reading →
Cocorico was a medium sized place serving Mediterranean cuisine. Chef Nat Borsi and his wife Grace dreamed of owning their own place for years. His experience came from many fine kitchens and hers was in hospitality. Named for the French translation of ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’ it was to be French but not too much. Opening in August 2022 it seems to be a local favorite drawing a steady stream of customers the night we were there. Open Tues to Sat they have both indoor and patio seating. At first they didn’t take phone reservations, but now the website refers you to tock The room we were in had some art on the walls, windows to the street, music in the background and bench seating along the walls. The lights were lowered and the medium sized bare wood tables were fairly close. They have a full bar and street parking is your option if you can’t walk there. Service was good and the hostess at the door made you feel most welcome. The food was great, the portions large and I’d easily recommend the place and go back if I’m ever back in the area. Continue reading →
entrance – 170 W California St #9237, Jacksonville, OR 97530
Bella Union Restaurant and Saloon is locally owned and operated and open daily for lunch and dinner. We were there to meet a friend from college for lunch which goes back even further than the restaurant’s 37 years. Offering a full bar they are also known for their live music events. The diverse menu had a number of Italian (including pizza) options and was supplemented by a large list of daily specials, which included local fish. The large place was spread over many rooms and a large, very popular covered patio. Some of the rooms were smaller which probably can be secured for small parties. Service was helpful and efficient and most importantly, left us alone so we could catch up. For such a large place I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. My husband really liked his fish and my sandwich was scrumptious. Color my opinion only slightly by the joy of spending time with a long time dear friend. It was a great lunch and one I’d recommend when and if you find yourself in historic Jacksonville. Continue reading →
MÄS was a tiny tasting bar by Chef Josh Dorcak serving Cascadian cuisine. Started in 2017, it was in the basement of a bakery but it secured a more permanent home the next year. Dorcak was a finalist for the 2023 James Beard Best Chef Pacific Northwest award and the restaurant was named on the New York Times “favorite 50 restaurants” in 2022. It’s a hidden sort of entry, in an alley behind the busier streets of downtown Ashland. The tasting menu only is served at a half dozen counter seats and a small room with tables for a total capacity of 18. The night we were there only 4 of us were at the counter for the earlier seating of the night and Dorcak was not there but the other two chefs, Chef de Cuisine Andy Peterson and Sous Chef Jeffrey Kimura, and Sommelier Joseph Shaughnessy provided a wonderful evening of tastes and wines for about 2 and a half hours. Pairings are offered and also available as non-alcoholic. If you’re in Portland, it’s about 5 hours to drive here but it’s worth the drive. Next door is Dorcak’s a la carte and drink slightly larger place, Nama. Continue reading →
Whether you stay in the main house or one of the cottages at Harbor House you often have required 2 or 3 night stays. Dinner can be in your room or this site has some other restaurants in the area but your best bet is to eat 2 nights at their restaurant. When you let them know, Chef Matt Kammerer and his team will try and change the menu for you the second night but when possible he will also repeat those courses you ask to have again. We’ve done the 2 night dinners many times but this one they knocked it out of the park with variation while still serving the quality of food we have come to love. It’s hard to explain the purity of flavor and the seeming simplicity of the dishes (especially when I know how many steps were involved in the process) but it is always a glorious meal that leaves you feeling satisfied even though you know it was really healthy too. Combined with the fantastic staff and beautiful setting I can’t encourage you enough to go and try it. The Santa Rosa airport is about a two and half hour drive away and the twisty road through the mountains is gorgeous. Then being from Texas it’s also thrilling to watch the temperature drop as you leave the valley and cross the mountains. If you regularly read this blog you’ll see this place again many times and that speaks volumes. Continue reading →
The Maritime Cafe opened last summer in the spot where Queenie’s Roadhouse was, in the little town of Elk. Rodney Workman and Alexa Newman were both chef’s in upscale Bay Area restaurants before moving to this remote location. They are open Thur to Sun for dinner Thur to Sat and lunch on Sat and Sun. It’s a small place with a small menu serving local produce and seafood. They offer some organically farmed wines. They have patio seating out front, a counter with stools inside and tables inside. Windows in the room afford a view similar to the patio and music was in the background. The room was decorated with some sea articles and the staff was super friendly. The menu appeared to have more choices at dinner but we were there at weekend brunch time and it had plenty of interesting sounding choices. It was good enough that I’ll go back. Continue reading →
Harbor House is undoubtedly one of my very favorite restaurants and so we try and visit often. It’s been several months and a different season so it’s fun to see what’s new on the menu. Staying at the Harbor House is the best way to go – the view is beautiful as is the property and they’ve been working on upgrades to the rooms and bathrooms. Their ranch/farm is in full production which along with other local fisherman and ranchers give them access to top quality ingredients. The food has a purity to it without 25 ingredients on each dish and smears, foams and unnecessary green garnishes. Sommelier Jason Chin has taken over the wine program and will find you a fine wine in your price range to go with the tasting menu. As they require a 2 night stay you can look forward to another Harbor House meal in a few days! Hope you’ll go and tell them Frankie sent you. Continue reading →
Jumbo’s Win Win was a roadside burger spot that opened in August 2024. Scott Baird, a James Beard nominated bartender and his wife Molly moved to the Anderson Valley in 2020, escaping the hectic living of San Francisco. They wanted to offer a limited but well composed menu and interestingly chose the building which is a 120-year old former saloon. The name Jumbo is for the owner’s son, named by his brother who also suggested the name Jumbo’s Win Win. The fairly large spot had a long counter where you placed and picked up your order. Next to that space a large window opened into the kitchen where the food was passed through and your name called out with a microphone. Tables and chairs filled the rest of the room and there was an outside patio if you wanted. Multiple windows added to the already bright room with just a few decorations. Actually, the bathroom had more visuals with custom-made tiles. Music was in the background and the counter person was very helpful. They are open every day from 11-8 in the Anderson Valley. It’s a cute family-run place that serves an okay burger and tasty dessert options. Stop by when you’re on CA Hwy 128 and need to fortify before visiting another winery. Continue reading →
Cyrus reopened and was inspired to make the fine dining meal there a journey that mimics a dining experience in a home. You start with cocktails and a welcoming treat then move to the kitchen where you interact with the chefs and then into the dining room with a final stop in the Chocolate Room. Co-owned by Chef Douglas Keane it serves modern California cuisine and has one Michelin star. Keane opened the place in 2005 at a Hotel in Healdsburg naming it for Cyrus Alexander an early settler of Sonoma County The hotel changed ownership and he sold the restaurant in 2012, but retained the name. In 2020 Keane acquired the ground floor of a prune-packing plant. The modifications were hindered by the Covid pandemic and it finally reopened in Sept. 2022 and received one star in Dec. Private investors now own the 6 acre property and hope to add a 6-room hotel on the second floor as well as an orchard and herb garden. It’s a large, very modern structure with friendly staff and very good food on the long tasting menu. If you find yourself in the area I’d get a reservation – I’m not a fan of the moving-around concept but the food here is good. Continue reading →
Single Thread was first visited in Dec. 2018 when it had just been elevated to a 3 Michelin star rating. The physical room has aged well and the service is still first-rate. This trip we ‘shot the wad’ and stayed in one of their upstairs guest rooms. There are 5 of them, all nice-sized, very modern and a good bit of food comes with your room in the form of snacks and breakfast, which was on par with dinner. Chef Kyle Connaughton and wife/Head Farmer Katina bought the property and a 5-acre farm in 2014, opened the restaurant in 2016 and the farm now provides much of the produce served in the 10-course tasting menu. The farm-to-table menu has major Asian influences to it and a seasonal theme – this one was about ‘Mid-Spring in Sonoma.’ Pairings are available as is an extensive wine list. Nicely no supplements were offered for sale for the menu. Everything was good but nothing crossed into the spectacular zone for me, which at this price it should. It’s a restaurant that rates highly on many lists and one you should visit if you’re in to farm-to-table but bring your platinum card and plan to spend around 3 hours. Continue reading →
Wine Vault and Bistro pairs a menu with wines for dinner on Sat and Sun. All are multi-course and the menu is based on what’s seasonal and fresh, changing weekly. If they are not doing a winemaker dinner, it a Chef’s 5-course tasting menu on Sat. only. All wines served at dinner are available for purchase by the bottle to take home. It opened in 2005 as a wine shop offering tastings of wine and cheese. Our winemaker dinner had a 6-course tasting menu at a bargain price point around $140 per person, including food and wine. There is limited parking and you need to climb several sets of stairs but then you find yourself in the communal dining room where seats have been assigned. The bar opens 45 minutes before dinner, which starts promptly, so don’t be late. At the bar they have limited offerings, like $9 glass of red or white wine or a $15 martini. I saw no one try to come in late, in fact most were there early and lined up for a drink at the bar. There were basically 2 rooms with a variety of seating options. In our room it was long communal cloth-covered tables topped with paper but the other room had more tables for four. The bar was in between the two rooms. The wine was brought out in decanters for each couple so you could divide it how you wished. The chef offered an explanation of the food to come at the beginning. It wasn’t the friendliest crowd but it was fine. Overall the wine was better than the food. Continue reading →
Trust Restaurant is another of Chef/Owner Brad Wise’s concepts. He is the chef at the Fort Oak restaurant written up a couple days ago. This is a similar place in the idea of shared plates and wood-fired cooking. This place opened in 2016 and was the start to a half dozen places he now owns. On the ground level of a multi-story building, the corner restaurant takes full advantage of the patios outside to add extra dining space. Inside some bench seating bisects the room between the bar with seating and the tables. The back of the room is part of an open kitchen and there is music in the background. The bare wood tables are matched by wood in the ceiling above the exposed ductwork. Some sound absorbing panels hang up there to help with all the hard surfaces below. It’s stylish but much more casual feeling than Fort Oak. We were there for the brunch which is available on Sat and Sun but dinner is the mainstay, serving that every night but Tues. Service was friendly and efficient and the food is good. I’d love to know what you think if you go there for dinner. Continue reading →
building – 1011 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego, CA 92103
Fort Oak advertises itself as an ‘ode to fire and the sea’ with Chef/Owner Brad Wise using a wood fire to cook much of the food. They supplement that with a large raw bar for seafood. They are open for dinner every night but Tuesday. In a separate room where the wood-burning hearth/kitchen is they also have a Chef’s Counter for 10 guests on Thurs and Fri nights. The tasting menu also has optional beverage pairings. We were not able to secure a place at the tasting counter but our server walked us by the window to the room to see the chef and his team in action. The main dining area is in an historic former car dealership space with the horseshoe shaped bar being in the old showroom and then various dining rooms are in and outside. A lion statue was supposed to be a tribute to the actual lion that the car dealership owner brought with him to work. Tile, glass and wood make up the various stylish spaces filled with music. The menu is designed to have shared small plates and we did just that – sharing a number of items. While they were creative, I would say the food was mixed in tastiness, but the fun in lots of little plates is that some will delight you while others are just food. Let me know what you think when you visit. Continue reading →
La Vecindad specializes in tacos from Mexico City in a large, very casual space. After attempting to patronize several other spots that had been recommended, where we couldn’t find parking, we ended up here for lunch. This was an open air space with a long counter with stools leading to the order area. Picnic tables were in the front as well as on the sidewalk. The salsa bar (for fixings) was next to a cooler with soft drinks and bottled beer but they also had beer on tap or a full bar. Music was playing in the background and the staff were friendly and welcoming. The good sized menu is supplemented on weekends by a “Secret Menu”. We probably erred by ordering from it but it seemed like a good idea at the time however I’m betting you should stay with tacos if you come here. Our lunch was edible but nothing special. The draft beer was cold and satisfying to drink while we waited. Continue reading →
Callie Restaurant is the melding of Chef Travis Swikard’s love of Mediterranean cuisine but using farmer’s, and fishermen’s and ingredients from the San Diego region. Swikard is a native of San Diego who gained experience cooking in NYC and England before opening this, his first solo venture. The name Callie is Greek for “the most beautiful” and that well describes the large striking interior and well-seasoned, tasty food. You enter near the bar with its curved wood ceiling and then move into the large dining area filled with bare wood tables. A variety of seating options include chairs and benches some with windows to the outside streets and some next to the glassed in wine cellar and private dining room. The long open kitchen is on one side, exposed ducts are painted white in the ceiling, with lots of plants in the room and background music. They have no dedicated parking lot but a city lot is next door and the restaurant will validate your parking ticket there for a couple of hours. The menu was supplemented by some nightly specials (some of which we chose) and the wine list was well priced. Service was super friendly and helpful in determining how many of the small shared plates we would need. They do offer a ‘feed-me’ menu where the kitchen picks what you get for a set price, but we picked our own items. It was a flavor packed delightful meal. I hope you’ll try it when in town. Continue reading →
George’s at the Cove has been in business over 40 years with a location overlooking the ocean. The large place has 3 floors of dining all with scenic views from one side. The top floor has an alfresco rooftop lounge as well as tables for casual dining. The lower floors looked a bit more formal with cloth covered tables. Chef Trey Foshee stresses using local products and sustainably sourced items but I did see non-local options on the menu. Service was friendly and mostly efficient but we were there to enjoy lunch with friends and catch up on not seeing each other for 30 years, and I think the server caught the vibe and gave us space. I snapped photos of the food and got basic comments but this was a meal where we were more focused on friendship than food. It was a lively place with valet parking ($20) out front or street/city garage parking options. If you’re in San Diego go for the view but watch out for the sun. There are lots of places to get fresh, local seafood but this one is mostly about the location. Continue reading →
entrance – 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130
The last time we ate at Addison Restaurant in the Fairmont Grand Del Mar was in Aug 2021, during Covid. Then the restaurant had one Michelin Star and all dining was outside. This trip we got to eat in the dining room. The restaurant, still under Chef William Bradley, now has 3 Michelin Stars. They serve only a 10-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings on Tues – Sat, with the last seating at 8:30. It’s on the pricey side at $385 per person and their pairings, like the wine list, are quite marked up. They also offered to add a separate caviar course and/or upgrade the quail course to wagyu – no prices given. We turned down both supplements, because caviar was already on the menu and we were looking forward to the quail. The large dining room was divided by a low wall and serving table, with one portion being next to the window wall overlooking the gardens with a tile floor and the other side with carpet by the fireplace. We were happy to sit in the more interior room but both had large white cloth-covered tables. Our side had tables spread way apart, with the four corners offering a booth-like option. Music from the 1980s played in the background, sometimes a bit too loudly. The restaurant is up on a hilltop and not in the same building with the hotel so they provide transport to and from as it’s too far to walk. After checking in with the hostess she guided us to the bar/waiting area which included outside seating too, as we were early. The service was great, pacing varied, portion control was spot on, the room elegant and the chef came out to chat with some of the guests. The food was very good, contained lots of luxury ingredients and attractively presented but I would have liked to see more change in the menu from the last visit. It’s a fine dining experience but you’ll have to decide if it works in your budget. For me I’m glad I went back but don’t think I’ll go again. Continue reading →
building – 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107
Campo is the restaurant at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm. Los Poblanos was designed by John Gaw Meem, the “Father of Santa Fe Style” in 1932 and now has 45 guest rooms, a working organic farm and special event spaces on 25 acres of property. Set in the Rio Grande River Valley it has acres of lavender fields as well as gardens that supply herbs and vegetables to the restaurant . Head Chef Christopher Bethoney, a native New Mexican, has been there since the restaurant opened in 2017 and was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 Best Chef in the Southwest. The family-run property calls itself “field-to-fork” in the creation of their menus. There are animals on the property but only the eggs from the chickens are used here and other local farms and herdsmen supply the additional products. Campo serves breakfast (Mon-Wed), brunch (Thurs – Sun), and dinner (daily 5-9) with the Chef’s Table (Fri – Sat) which was covered in a post you can find HERE. It’s a lovely property with a large casual dining space. If you read the write up on the Chef’s Counter you know I endorsed it but the main restaurant is also worth visiting, so make a plan to visit both when you go to Albuquerque. Continue reading →
exterior – 1815 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Duran’s Central Pharmacy founded in 1942 is on historic Rt. 66. The family-owned and operated store has everything from drugs to gifts to a New Mexican Diner. The soda fountain in the place was converted into a diner in the late 1960s and is famous for its red and green chile as well as its many house-made items. Very popular, we lined up with many on Sat. morning to get the first round of seats at the small restaurant within the pharmacy. It looked like they also had a patio for outdoor seating. A tile floor, lower lighting, metal tables and no music set the atmosphere. There are low stools at the counter if you choose not to sit at a table. It felt like a place you’d eat regularly if you lived in town. You should go by and grab a plate of New Mexican food when you’re in town. Continue reading →
building – 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107
The restaurant at Los Poblanos is called Campo and on Friday and Saturday nights they offer a Chef’s Counter tasting for just 4 people. You must reserve this well in advance; the tasting includes wine pairings. Los Poblanos is an organic farm with guest rooms and special event areas. We were fortunate to have 2 nights there so we could try one night at the Chef’s counter and another in the main dining room. The menus are fairly different but both are based on New Mexican cuisine. The 4 seats are right at the edge of the kitchen and many of the different staff presented dishes and interacted with us. With just 4 people you get to know your counter-mates and we were very lucky to spend the evening with a delightful couple from Texas! All the staff were very interested in talking about the preparation of our dishes and the sommelier picked fun but small pours to accompany each dish. It was a fabulous evening and I’d highly recommend getting a reservation and doing a facility tour while there. The food was great as were all the people working there, including Head Chef Christopher Bethoney, Wine Director Dylan Storment, and Executive Sous Chef Kennedi Martinez.
Set-Up
kitchen
kitchen
coals
Sommelier Dylan Storment and Frankie
Food
Deviled quail egg was seasoned with house made pickles. The eggs were garnished with dill and carrot tops along with black and pink pepper. They had a great flavor and good herb content without it dominating. Light and spicy – a great start. Since we had pairings I’ll post the beverages with the course when possible. We had a gin cocktail with these.
deviled egg
gin cocktail
Ash roasted beets with preserved lemon were on labneh topped with za’atar (spice mix). The labneh was made with goat’s milk and fresh herbs and the za’atar included some sesame seeds. The beets were roasted in the ash but you couldn’t taste the smokiness just the sweetness of the beets. It came with a house-made toasted focaccia which I seemed to not get a photo of but it made a good conduit for the beets and yogurt.
Ash roasted beets
wine
Barramundi crudo was plated with fermented plum, lavender and chile oil. The Asian sea bass blended nicely with the fruit and tasty dressing. This was quite tasty.
Barramundi crudo
wine
Tetela (triangular masa casing) was filled with Rosales Farms green chile and Tucaumcari cheddar on tepary beans, cabbage slaw and sliced butternut squash. The lovely beans were perfectly cooked and great with the cheese-filled blue corn tortilla. This course had fabulous flavors and textures and the local wine pairing complimented it nicely.
Tetela
moved
wine
Huitlacoche cappelletti was filled with goat cheese and decorated with New Mexican piñon nuts. Some crispy sunchoke chips gave even more texture to the tasty tender pastas. They were not too thick and rather retained a fine delicacy. This was a great plate.
Huitlacoche cappelletti
wine
Shepard’s lamb neck tamal with mole negro was seasoned with a black garlic seasoning that took 5 weeks to make. The organic lamb was tasty as was the tamal. You really wanted to lick the wrapper clean on this one. Yum.
Shepard’s lamb neck tamal
wine
Executive Sous Chef Kennedi Martinez and Frankie
Trilogy whole hog was with house tortillas and accompaniments. This was 3 cuts of pork -flank, belly and chorizo and all were yummy but the belly was out of sight delicious. The accompaniments included pickled onion, kimchi, salsa with peanuts, cilantro and lime. The salsa had a bit of sweetness but I loved it with all the cuts of pork. The kimchi was a fun addition because it added a nice spiciness. The onions, lime and cilantro went with all. There were tender corn tortillas to wrap it all in and they had some blue corn mixed it. It was a wonderful protein course.
Trilogy of whole hog
accompaniments
tortillas
wine
24-year aged Monticello balsamico was mixed with Hoja santa(heart-shaped leaf in the peppercorn family) on ice cream sprinkled with Los Poblanos pickled mulberries. This was a fabulous melding of flavors. Savory and sweet.
24-year aged Monticello balsamico on ice cream
pairing
New Mexico butter pecan semifreddo with mesquite caramel and brown sugar sablé. The caramel was to die for as were the buttery cookies and pecan pieces. This had sweetness and texture galore. It was terrific.
New Mexico butter pecan semifreddo
wine front
wine back
little birthday celebration on a kitchen tour
Petit fours were a small box of goodies to take with you. It included lavender bonbons, chocolate bonbons, pistachio pumpkin macarons, persimmon fruit jellies, blue corn lavender cookies, and rose sugar madeleines. The cookies were lovely as were the chocolate bonbons. Not a macaron lover but I still enjoyed these and the madeleines
Barelas Coffee House is in the Barelas neighborhood which Route 66 passes through. It has been serving New Mexican food for 40+ years, starting in 1978 in a somewhat run-down part of town. Revitalization has since changed that and now the guests include people like Presidents Clinton and Obama to governors and other notables. It’s a large winding place(as it’s been added onto) with a very small parking lot. Street parking is available but a sign on the door cautions you about using a fast food’s parking lot across the street where you’ll be towed. Having incorporated some adjacent buildings they were able to open a central patio for additional seating. As you enter you pass the check-out window piled with more snacks and candies and wait at the sign to be seated. From there you’re quickly seated and your order taken. They only serve breakfast and lunch, with most dishes created from family recipes of the Gonzales (owner) family. Mike Gonzales with his brother opened the place while studying at UNM, on the advice of his father who owned a nearby grocery store. Some of the rooms looked like they hadn’t been modernized but it all adds to the ambiance. Light green walls with lots of plants in our ‘sunroom’ and no music in the background. Service was friendly and super efficient and the food was solid versions of New Mexico specialties. Visit and enjoy some history. Continue reading →
building – Berliner Str. 70, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Heimat is a medium-sized place that we ate at in April 2014 and liked so much we tried to go back, but after several trips through Frankfurt, this was the first time we’ve been able to get a reservation. It is a semi-circle shape with bench seating running along the outside wall opposite closely set bare wood tables and windows to the outside filling that exterior wall. There are a half dozen seats at the bar where you stop for a glass or wait for your table to open, but reservations are made for a two-hour window and people cleared promptly. There is patio seating depending on the weather. Dimmed lighting, a wood ceiling with music in the background set the ambiance for this fabulous little gem of a restaurant. Menus are small and there are tons of wines by the glass at reasonable prices. Owner Oliver Donnecker was still there and was willing to let us share a number of the menu options and course it out with generous wine pairings, especially as the following reservation for our table was cancelled and so we could have more than the 2-hour window. It was hands-down my favorite restaurant during our 2014 visit and it has not lost a beat. This is a must go when you are in Frankfurt but get your reservation ahead of time. Continue reading →
restaurant building – Tonbachstraße 237, 72270 Baiersbronn, Germany
We were last at Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube in Sept 2018 (click to see that write-up), when we visited the Black Forest and stayed at Hotel Traube Tonbach. After our visit a fire destroyed the restaurant building that is across the street from the hotel in Jan 2020. The new facility is in the same space and reopened in April 2022. Torsten Michel has been head chef since 2017 and they retain their 3 Michelin Star rating, which they’ve had since 1993 – the longest streak in Germany. The dining room felt much more modern as I’m sure the kitchen is too. The large single drape tables are widely spaced and a modern light fixture hangs from the ceiling, but most of the table light comes from the small spots above. Large windows are on 3 of the walls and music is softly in the background. A large floral arrangement is in the center and small matching ones are on each table. They offer 2 tasting menus, a vegetarian tasting menu and a la carte. Wine or alcohol-free pairings are available for each of the tastings. Interestingly, they will do different tastings at the same table rather than the usual only one. Service and the food are fantastic and the wine list large and reasonable. Pacing was on the slow side but portioning spot on. The Chef comes around to visit with guests following the savory service. I recommend a trip to the Black Forest where you can eat at 2 very fine restaurants, but I would also recommend staying here rather than Bareiss and letting the Traube Tonbach drive you back and forth. Put this on your to-go list! Continue reading →
We first ate at Restaurant Bareiss in 2018 (click to see that here). It is the 3-Michelin star restauant under Chef Claus-Peter Lumpp. He has been here since March of 1992 and it was awarded the third star in 2007 up from the 2 it had held since 1985. It’s in the Hotel Bareiss which is a massive complex of buildings. They are closed Mon-Wed but offer lunch as well as dinner Thurs – Sun, which makes reservations for one of the 8 tables a bit easier. We did the tasting menu at lunch this visit and stayed at their hotel, rather than using the complimentary transportation between it and the other 3 star in the Black Forest. The dining room had been updated with a new ceiling fixture but there was still a fabulous flower arrangement in the center of the room. One advantage of lunch is being able to see out the windows that circle the room, into the outside gardens. The girls working in the room have an updated version of traditional dress while the men wear formal attire. No music was in the room that held large well spaced double-clothed tables. Service was as outstanding as the food. At lunch they offer a shorter lunch menu, the dinner tasting menu(which we got) and a la carte options. It’s a long meal but well worth the effort of getting there to enjoy it. Continue reading →
Restaurant JAN, opening in 2022, was the creation of Chef Jan Hartwig. This is Hartwig’s first own restaurant, previously having been a chef at the 3 Star Restaurant Atelier (where we ate in 2018) as well as the author of a cookbook. The well-lit dining room can seat up to 40 guests and there is a private dining room in addition. The open kitchen is at one end of the main room with some of the tables set to the side where there is no view of the kitchen. Windows to the street were shuttered and modern art is on the light walls. Natural woods make up the doorways, ceiling and floor with the dark un-clothed wood tables varying in size. Rock music was in the background and Chef Hartwig was in the house and came out to speak with his guests. He has already received a Michelin 3 star rating at this new place – just 6 months after it opened. His “7” (there are lots of extras) course tasting menu is only offered 4 days a week. There are several supplemental dishes offered as well as wine pairings. The attractive room is sparse but the food is lovely. Get a reservation if you can. Continue reading →
Restaurant part of hotel – Seestraße 25, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
The Gourmet restaurant Ophelia is in the Hotel Riva on Lake Constance. In 2010 Dirk Hoberg became head chef of the newly opened restaurant with a philosophy of “better always trumps good”, and with that he combines treasures from the local region with the finest international ingredients. They have a two Michelin star rating. The space is a 1909 villa next to the very modern hotel with music in the background, well-spaced cloth-covered tables, lowered lighting, bench seating on one wall, a beautiful old wood floor, art on the wall, windows to the gardens and a long service table running down the middle of the room. You enter into a lounge area where some folks choose to have a drink and their first snacks. We proceeded directly to the table in the rectangular room with the open kitchen on one end. Four seats were at a counter over-looking the kitchen although I did not see a lot of interaction it did have a better view of the action. They offer one tasting menu with two optional additional courses and one upgrade on an existing course. The pacing was a bit slow but service was friendly and helpful. The food was very good even though it seemed to have a standard of added foams at the table. We chose the upgrades and additions but ordered our own wine rather than the pairings. I would put this one on your list to visit. Continue reading →
Essigbrätlein was a small restaurant in the historic part of Nuremberg. They offered a tasting menu where vegetables are the main ingredients, showcasing local produce. They have been awarded 2 Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star (for sustainability). Chef Andree Köthe opened the restaurant in 1989 and won his first star in 1999 and the second in 2007. He also was named Chef of 2012 in Germany by Gault and Millau. Chef Yves Ollech joined Köthe in 1997 and Sommelier Ivan Jakir joined in 1999. Together this trio presents a fabulous option to the standard tasting menu full of luxury ingredients and instead features the finest produce of the area. The small dining room had bench seating along the walls facing nice sized white clothed tables. The walls were dark wood, wood beams were in the ceiling, the wood floor was covered with rugs, and no music was in the background. The windowless room had some dividers between tables, some mirrors on the walls and a mural on the wall above the door to the kitchen. Their tasting menu was available in 5, 6 or 7 courses with optional wine pairings. We chose the 7-course tasting with a bottle of white and glass of red toward the end. The matches were great with decent size pours on the by the glass. Service was as outstanding as the food. This hidden gem of a restaurant has been discovered by Michelin and now you need to put it on your list to discover. Continue reading →
Bratwursthäusle was in the heart of Nuremberg in the middle of a number of historic buildings. A terrace surrounded a couple sides of the old stone building but it was too cold that day for most to be eating outside. As you entered you immediately see the open beech wood fire grilling the Nuremberg Bratwursts. They make the sausages in their own butcher shop from a traditional recipe. Sausages have been sold here since 1312 – it’s the oldest restaurant in Bavaria, Germany – which was what most people were eating. They have menu alternatives but the sausage was what people come here for. The good-sized place had old wood walls with a variety of wood tables set with chairs or benches. Cookware pieces decorated the walls along with older drawings and photos. No music was in the background and the lighting was pleasant, with minimal sun getting through the bullet glass windows. Seating was communal style around the center grill area. They had a good fire going but ventilation kept the smoke odor away. A bar was on your immediate right as you entered with draft beer being a favorite accompaniment to the sausages. Service was fast, efficient and friendly and it was a good starting place for a vacation in Germany. Continue reading →
exterior – C. de la Amnistía, 10, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Le Bistroman Atelier was a French concept from Chef Stephane del Rio Brossier and Miguel Ángel García Marinelli. The medium sized location had wood and tile on the floor, chandeliers, a cut out in the ceiling, windows to the street on two sides, music in the background with some exposed brick on the walls. The small tables were covered with white cloths and a couple were on the larger side. We had made the reservation some time ago and signed up for their long tasting menu, which you need to do in advance. We stopped by a couple days prior to our reservation and talked with the door person and said we no longer wished to have the tasting and they were fine with it and said would make a note of it. They didn’t and when seated the server came to check for allergies and about the tasting. We repeated our former request and they said fine but there was much confusion even so. It foreshadowed the continuing confusion with the server who split our main course and forgot to bring the salad yet still had it on the bill. It was a night of errors which made for a less than satisfactory meal. The food was edible but nothing to “write home about” and I’m sorry but I can’t recommend you try this place unless you really need to get a French fix in Spain. Continue reading →
exterior – C. del Ave María, 8, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Bolboreta, open about a year, was a small place run by a husband and wife team. Chef Aaron Quaife was the only staff in the kitchen while Patricia Grandío was the entire front-of-house. She is Galician and he is an Englishman (Hastings) who met while working in London. The name means butterfly in Galician, which is something his grandmother loved and collected. There were just 7 tables but a menu that changes regularly, some with distinct English touches, that keep it interesting for the owners as well as the diners. The menu had 3 items in each 4 courses of the meal. All are a la carte and she was happy for us to share them all and bring them out one by one. The small bare brown wood tables were in two rooms with art on the walls and jars of their pickled products along one wall. Music was in the background but there were sound panels on the ceiling so noise was not a problem. Both of them spoke good English and were super friendly. They are living their dream and it’s to our benefit. Put this one on your list the next time you’re in Madrid, you won’t be sorry. It’s excellent. Continue reading →
exterior – C. de Víctor Andrés Belaunde, 25, Chamartín, 28016 Madrid, Spain
VelascoAbella is the creation of Chef Óscar Velasco and his wife Chef Montse Abellá, which opened just over a year and a half ago. We first enjoyed Velasco’s cooking at Santceloni and some of the menu has dishes related to that time. Abellá’s background is as a pastry chef but she is also in charge of the front of the house and she, with her bubbly personality, is perfect in that role. The couple was at the front door to greet their guests. It’s a medium sized place with light colors and lowered lighting. The ample tables are draped with white linen and windows look out into some gardens with music in the background. They offer an a la carte menu with full and half portions as well as a tasting menu. The really fun twist here is that they offer you the option to pick what you want to be on the tasting menu (6 dishes and 2 desserts) rather than a set menu. If you want a bit more they can add in an extra course. It’s the ultimate customization and when Abellá comes around to take your order she will help with your decisions. They had a special of the baby peas that night and we added that to our tasting. They have one Michelin star and are a place I’d highly recommend and will happily return to when in Madrid. Continue reading →
exterior – C. de Augusto Figueroa, 32, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Per se Bistro was opened by Chef Andrés Madrigal’s in Nov. 2023 after working some time in Panama. Thirty-six seats were in the “L” shaped two level dining room. Large white-clothed tables were nicely spaced against the cream-colored walls, stone floors and wood accents. Music was in the background, windows were along one wall facing the street and pottery was highlighted on shelving and in the overhead lighting. The effect was nice. Service was friendly but a number of the staff seemed to be in training, unsure of what to do. They offer a tasting menu and a la carte menus at lunch. We chose the tasting which lists some extra options including, bread, water and coffee, but they did not put in an extra charge for bread or water even though we had it. The meal was portioned well but the food was mixed. Continue reading →
exterior – C. de Amador de los Ríos, 6, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Saddle was a large elegant place that has been awarded one Michelin star. There was a good sized bar area in addition to the main dining room and upstairs are 5 private dining rooms. In 2019 it took over the space formally held by the legendary Jockey restaurant, which served Spanish cusine. Saddle was about classic recipes and dining experiences – with lots of service and tableside action. It was created as an alternative to the tasting menu options, that dominate fine dining, offering full and half portions where you can create your own tasting. The menu is seasonally based so it changes twice during each season as well as featuring nightly specials. They do have a tasting menu but you must reserve it in advance, which we did, and that booking is non-refundable. In the dining room the large round tables had floor length cloths with one side of the room looking out at some gardens and the other side into the lovely bar. At the end of the room was a large glass looking into the kitchen that was full of toque-topped chefs. A wide plank wood floor was opposite a high glassed in ceiling decorated with a metal sculpture. Music in the bar bled into the dining room for a nice background. Service was exceptional as was the food but the meal took about 3 hours even with quick service. Portioning was spot on. Thumbs up here. Continue reading →
exterior – C. de la Unión, 8, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Desborre was a small place with two rooms for seating, one by the windows to the street and the other a long windowless room that was shut off the day we were there. The small bare tables were set with armless chairs or bench seats, the walls were brick and the floor wood. A large display of pickled and preserved items was in a cabinet by the door, showcasing some of the chef’s passions. The place was opened about a year ago by Chef Lucía Grávalos. She grew up in her grandmother’s kitchen before later working with some of Spain’s great chefs. She has been recognized with numerous awards, especially for her commitment to the sustainable model and organic farming. It was a very pleasant place with friendly and helpful servers, our’s speaking good English. She coursed out our order so we could split everything and create our own tasting. It’s a place you should check out when in Madrid. Continue reading →
entrance- NH Eurobuilding, C. del Padre Damián, 23, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid, Spain
We went to Diver XO in Feb 2013 when it was in another location. Since then it has moved into the NH Collection Hotel and established a more theatrical food journey created by Chef Dabiz Muñoz. They offer just one tasting menu with several optional pairings. It was quite pricey, even the non-alcoholic pairings are 250€ per person. We bought our own wine for dinner and started with a glass of vintage cava that turned out to be 35€ a glass. Was it worth it – I don’t think so. Our 2013 visit I remembered the food as phenomenal and the setting funky and fun. They’ve gone upscale now with huge linen draped tables all surrounded by sheer curtains, large stuffed chairs in pink or cream, tons of props, designated clothing for food or beverage staff, and full color cards for each course. No music was in the background and it was very bright. I am a fan of food and flavor and not theater but it continues to be a trend in Michelin restaurants and this one has 3 stars. That said, nothing was bad but nothing was killer and I would not visit again, but I had to see what all the fuss was about. You’ll be well taken care of if you go and it’s a unique experience but enter into it with eyes open, as well as your wallet. One more note, the staff spoke good English but some was very heavily accented and hard to understand the descriptions. Continue reading →
exterior – C. del Gral. Oráa, 42, Salamanca, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Ita was a small place named for the nickname of the Chef Mariela Fernández’s grandmother. nickname. The seasonally based menu was a la carte with a couple specials to offer. Her husband, William ran the front of house and also has sommelier training in addition to a Master’s degree in economics. Mariela previously was a chemical engineer but studied at the Basque Culinary Center, as did William. This restaurant was their dream since arriving in Madrid in 2014. The space combined natural stone, copper, painted wood and green terrazzo to make an inviting and cozy atmosphere. The front room held the counter and its seats and the second room was small tables. Jazz music was in the background and both hosts spoke good English and were super friendly. They are the only staff but you never felt unattended. I wish I had a place like this near my house, I would go all the time. It’s not fancy food but it was very tasty with nice sized portions and they were happy to serve things one at a time so we could split everything. It gets a solid thumbs up. Continue reading →
exterior – C. de la Ribera del Manzanares, 123, Moncloa – Aravaca, 28008 Madrid, Spain
OSA offers a single tasting menu, with long (20-22 dishes) and short (14-15 dishes)versions in a small 2-story house. Chefs Jorge Muñoz and Sara Peral, who both previously worked at Mugaritz, are the drivers of this seasonal menu with French and Japanese influences. The two dining rooms on the main floor can accommodate up to 20 guests at 5 tables. The large open kitchen is also on this floor and shines with much stainless steel and marble. There is a terrace upstairs and a small room with a fireplace that looks into the large glassed wine cellar and cabinet of pickling/preserving products. We started our long tasting up there with a tour of the wine cellar and our first 4 charcuterie snacks with a glass of Spanish cava. They had a fire going and it was fun to explore all the projects waiting to made into dishes for our plates. In the dining room the large tables were covered with white cloths and adorned with vases of orchid blooms. Different music was downstairs than upstairs but the lighting was brighter – possibly due to overhead spots and light walls. The meal was a long one but the service was exceptional and the pacing great, however some of the courses need to be scaled down and we asked that to happen about 2/3 into the tasting. The food and menu are creative and tasty making it an experience I’d recommend for any adventurous eaters. Continue reading →
entance – Zona ajardinada, C. de Juan Hurtado de Mendoza, 11, Posterior, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid, Spain
It’s been several years since we visited Sacha, here are links to our last visit in Dec. 2016 and before that in March 2015. The interior has not changed much and in fact we had the same server we had 9 years ago (he’s now a manager) and of course Chef Sacha Hormaechea was in the house. Having been before we knew that you can’t drive up to the front door and that the mapping programs put it on the wrong side of the building. There is a sidewalk through greenery, large candle lights and other stores that you take to find their front door. Reservations are still a necessity as it’s small and popular. Light from the wall of windows adds to the lowered lights of the room and no music was in the background, just the hum of conversation. The white cloth-covered tables are mostly filled with Spanish natives and we were lucky to have Jason again as he is fluent in English. The menu is small and doesn’t change, except for the type of fish and that’s because it’s good the way it is. It’s a fine lunch where we split all the items, so plating is only a half portion. Continue reading →
entrance – Cra de S. Jerónimo, 34, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Restaurant CEBO was in the very modern Hotel Urban and has had one Michelin star for the last 3 years. Chefs Javier Sanz and Juan Sahuquillo have upped the game on this restaurant that has been here 9 years. They offer diners two tasting menus, one Classics (160€), 11 courses, and in the evening, Season in Three Acts (220€) with 16 courses. The menu starts in the lounge area where buying a cocktail is optional, but while in Madrid it’s a great time to taste fine Cava which we enjoyed a glass of with a few snacks. Then there was a ‘tour’ of several boxes containing ingredients for the evening’s menu and a snack at the end. Lastly you’re seated in the dining room where spacy music was in the background, the lights are lowered and the large tables are draped with floor length white cloths. Glassed in wine cases separated parts of the room with a shiny black floor. The room was geometric with all the shapes but warm with all the woods. Service was quite nice, they spoke good English and the pacing was rapid but not rushed. The food had a few misses but mostly was quite good. Let me know what you think if you check it out. Continue reading →
exterior – C. de San Lorenzo, 4, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
La LLoreria was a small place run by Chefs Carmen Altri, José Certucha and Jesús Encinas, who all have worked in Michelin starred restaurants like DSTage, where they all worked together. There were stools for 8 diners at the tile counter opposite where they cook your dishes and a couple small tables along the walls. The selection of creative dishes was written on a chalkboard and they are meant to be shared. Most are available in half portions, whole portions and are seasonally changed. You could pick your own selections or after expressing your likes/dislikes, they can pick for you – we chose the latter. They will ask you toward the end if you want more or are ready to quit. All our portions were half size except the oysters and dessert. They had reasonable wine prices with many by the glass and offered tap water in a pitcher. Music was in the background to complete this very relaxed dining experience. Our server spoke great English and so did some of the chefs, who all were super friendly. We had prime seats by the cooking area and they were happy to engage in conversation. This was definitely a place to put on your list. Continue reading →
entrance – 1601 Elm St Suite 110, Dallas, TX 75201
Fond is the creation of husband and wife team, Chefs Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore, who were part of the group that brought FRANK, an underground restaurant to the Deep Ellum area. Most recently, they ran Better Half Bistro – a pop-up of French-inspired dishes and Detroit-style pizzas. The restaurant is named for “fond” – the savory browned bits in the bottom of the pan, but in addition because they are “fond” of Dallas, each other and their customers. The space is on the first floor of the Santander building in downtown. They are open for lunch Mon. to Fri. and for Aperitivo Tues to Fri. where they offer shared plates. They have wine but it is of the natural variety. Opening in Sept 2023, they now have a tasting menu dinner one Sat. a month, focusing on local and seasonal ingredients and each month features a different theme. The idea is to offer 40 seats split between 2 times at $175 per person and optional wine pairings at $50 or non-alcoholic pairings at $25. What we attended was a tad different with guests being at individual tables for the six-course tasting at $125, same pairing options. Not sure I understand how to tell what you’re going for but a friend had secured a reservation for 3 and we wanted to try it. Parking is in the garage under the building and they will validate for 2 hours. This meal was mixed in success with light portioning but I do love the Beatles and the theme was “The Beatles Love Menu.” Continue reading →
Be Home Soon opened mid November in Casa Linda plaza. Owner Madison King created her dream restaurant after years as a musician with Russ Kirk (an accountant with a law degree), and Joey Fink (chef de cuisine). All three have restaurant experience but wanted to create something casual with a changing menu on their home turf of East Dallas. It’s in the spot previously occupied by Dugg Burger but you wouldn’t recognize the space. The purple walls are filled with art and collectables. A long bar takes up one wall but it has seating for drinks and/or eating. Small tables line the other wall with the kitchen in the back. The menu was printed on a roll of butcher paper that hangs on the wall and a printed menu lists snacks and staples, like a salad. The other side of the printed menu was cocktails, many of them traditionally based. The weekly menu shows up on their Instagram page not the website and they take no reservations. The cocktails were well made but their wine selection seems only by the glass and was quite limited. They do offer a kid’s plate but children are not seated after 7:00. The portions were fairly small so you can order lots and have it family style. The food was mixed but I’ll go again when I see an interesting menu – I love the concept. Continue reading →
exterior – 2 Greek St, London W1D 4NB, United Kingdom
Nobel Rot was visited by Frankie and us about one year ago (click here). The restaurant where we had a reservation had electrical problems and so closed for the day and we decided to repeat since our visit last year was so wonderful. It was a different day though so it wasn’t nearly as magical. This visit we sat upstairs which was cozier and had nice murals painted on each of the walls – one of the street where the restaurant is located. Small marble tables were set closely opposite bench seating lining both walls. A small bar/service area was at one end. Curtained windows to the street added little to the lowered lighting of the room. No music was in the background and the menu was printed daily. Service was fine but the food did not measure up to last year’s. It’s still a fine place for a casual meal but it didn’t have the lick-the-plate quality I remembered. Continue reading →
exterior –20 Mount St, London W1K 2HE, United Kingdom
Scott’s has been in business since 1851, serving British fish and shellfish with seasonal favorites in the Mayfair area. Founded by a fishmonger John Scott as an oyster warehouse it evovled into a seafood restaurant. The first 100 years it was on Coventry Street before moving to its present location in 1967. The story goes that Ian Fleming, a regular in the 1950s, conceived of the idea of “shaken not stirred” for the James Bond series here. Many celebrities have dined there including Steven Spielberg, Michael Caine and King Charles and Camilla, to name a few. In 2005 Richard Caring bought the place and did an extensive renovation. It’s a large place with a formal feel although there is no dress code. The space is divided into many section with chairs also available at the long marble and brass bar. Dark wood surrounds the large white cloth-covered tables, some set as banquettes. Frosted glass covers the windows to the street but it is still quite bright. Art is on the walls, no music is in the background and the service is first rate, as is the food. They serve many classic dishes and if you want seafood, it’s the place to go. Continue reading →
exterior – 16-18 Beak St, London W1F 9RD, United Kingdom
Mountain was a medium sized place in Soho by Tomos Parry, with a large open kitchen in back. The bar counter also had seats and there is bar on another floor. Opening in July 2024 it’s a fairly loud place packed with people and loud music with a beat. The small, close light wood tables were below exposed ductwork and a wide plank wood floor. Noise panels were in the ceiling but between the kitchen, people and music it was a struggle to communicate. With the lights dimmed, the vibe is casual with paper napkins and metal columns obstructing the traffic flow. Photos were on the wall, they have one Michelin star and a huge wine list. The service was helpful and friendly and didn’t seem to care that we were older than most of the other patrons. The menu was comprised of various-sized dishes meant to be shared and that is what we did. We started with one of their many cocktails and then moved to wine. The food was mixed. Continue reading →
exterior – 107 Talbot Rd, London W11 2AT, United Kingdom
Dorian called itself “a bistro for locals”. It was a long place featuring a wood fired grill. There was a long counter with stools and a few small cloth covered tables near the front. The tables are additionally covered with a piece of paper, probably because dishes are meant to be shared, and this makes for a mess. They had a couple of uni-sex bathrooms with crazy tile work, distorted mirrors and “crapper” toilets, so don’t miss those when you go. Exposed duct work and lots of stainless steel in the open kitchen behind the bar provided a show for the counter and the throbbing music kept those of us at the tables entertained. There was a fantastic aroma when you entered the place and friendly, helpful servers gave it a fun vibe. They have one Michelin Star. The menu is composed daily and all a la carte. The beef, which they are known for is a UK hybrid aged 60 days, below the restaurant. There were a couple of specials offered, including a chicken skewer appetizer and suckling pig main. We got the former as we were there to try the beef. The wine list was much better than last nights at SOLA. I would easily recommend this place when you are in London. Continue reading →
entrance – 64 Dean St, London W1D 4QQ, United Kingdom
SOLA was a small place, about 8 tables, featuring Victor Garvey’s California cooking. It has one Michelin star and opened in 2019. Bench seating backs up to plants and windows on the long wall of the restaurant. A couple small tables are opposite next to some wine cabinets and the end has an arced banquet. Large round tables are covered with white cloths and brown leather placemats with the starched napkin held in plaster hands. Music was in the background. They offer one tasting with optional wine pairings (two levels). We ordered our own wine but the wine list is very small and oddly chosen and the wine glasses quite clunky. The wine and cocktails are all badly over-priced and the Old Fashioned we started with was very sweet. Staff were all friendly but the vibe seemed odd to me. Nothing was bad but nothing was outstanding either. Continue reading →
entrance – 27c Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF, United Kingdom
Cornus opened in August of 2024, independently owned by David O’Connor and Joe Nairne. Executive Chef Gary Foulkes offers a changing menu of British and European seasonal produce. It’s a large place on the 4th floor of a modern building with curtained windows on 3 sides. The high ceiling is lined with black electrical conduits and music is in the background. They have a lovely terrace for dining when the weather permits and a long marble-topped bar in addition to the many white cloth-covered tables. Some bench seating is along a low wall dividing it from the bar area They also have a private dining room available. We were there for lunch when they have an a la carte menu as well as a 3 or 6-course tasting menu. We chose the 6-course menu with our own bottle of wine. It was eerily empty but the server assured us that dinners are more popular. Service was nice but I was surprised at how slowly the food came out, considering we were one of 3 tables – our lunch took almost 3 hours. Portions on the tasting were on the large side but the food was so good you ate it anyway. I recommend this place but go hungry. (Note – they were awarded one Michelin Star in the 2025 guide)Continue reading →
entrance – 5 Savile Row, London W1S 3PB, United Kingdom
Row on 5 was on Savile Row but in this instance ‘Row’ stood for the “refinement of work”. Chef/Owner Jason Atherton was joined by Spencer Metzger as Executive Chef to present a 15-course tasting menu divided into three acts, meaning moving to different rooms. I’m not sure if they offer wine pairings but they had a book about 4 inches thick of wines available and they are displayed in several areas. We started with a cocktail and had a bottle of white with dinner and a glass of red for the meat course. Opening in Nov. 2024 each area has been decorated with no-expense-spared luxury. The ‘journey’ starts downstairs with snacks. The various seating options are in a room with a bar, small kitchen, views of a wine cellar and plaster hands holding ‘special’ wine bottles. The main courses are an elevator ride upstairs, where staff insists on carrying the lady’s purse, and seating was around the perimeter, a counter and a few center tables. At the end of this service, you and your purse are taken back downstairs, either by stairs or elevator for the last treats and after dinner drinks. You receive a copy of the menu when you take your seat upstairs but it’s minimal. This is one of the many places that have promised to send a more informative menu via email and fail to do so – a pet peeve of mine. They are definitely trying to get some Michelin stars when the new ratings come out but mis-steps like this don’t help. They certainly served beautiful and tasty foods with lots of service during your evening. You should check it out and let me know what you think. (Note – they were awarded one Michelin Star in the 2025 guide)Continue reading →
building – 38 Groom Pl, London SW1X 7BA, United Kingdom
Muse is the restaurant where Chef Tom Aikens returned to fine dining in a 23-cover 2 floor Georgian townhouse. Opening in 2020 he was quickly awarded one Michelin star. The menu focuses on memories of his personal life and culinary career with a seasonal emphasis. He primarly serves foods from local and sustainable sources. The building was in a residential looking neighborhood with a lovely reception room, bar and small kitchen on the arrival floor. Upstairs was the small dining room and 6 counter seats facing the kitchen where he actually cooked our lunch. The menu offered 2 tastings and a couple supplemental dishes using Urbani truffles and/or N25 caviar. (The menu has a cute pop-up of the building in the middle.) We chose the shorter tasting, no supplements and our own beverages rather than the available pairings. Another one to put on your list when in London. Continue reading →
exterior – 16 St Anne’s Ct, London W1F 0BF, United Kingdom
Aulis serves only 12 guests per night at a Simon Rogan restaurant in London. The brand also has chef’s tables in Hong Kong, Phuket and Cartmel. Opening in Nov 2017, it was awarded one Michelin star in 2024. Chef Charlie Taylor has been running this kitchen for 4 years and was certainly talented but also quite personable. The restaurant is open Tues through Sat for one dinner seating and offer an additional lunch service on Fri and Sat. In a small 2 room setting the entry room was for pre-dinner drinks and snacks and the second room held the curved Italian slate chef’s counter where dinner is prepared in front of you, with much of the produce coming from Rogan’s organic farm in the Lake District. Music was in the background and art was on the walls. The pre-dinner room had a variety of seating options whereas the counter had comfortable chairs nicely spaced at the deep curving counter. As the evening went on guests begin to talk to their neighbors as well as the chefs to make a convivial atmosphere – helped by the relaxed interaction between the several chefs. It was a wonderful experience with fabulous food, which I would heartily recommend you try. Continue reading →
exterior – 92 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PN, United Kingdom
Core was last visited by Frankie in 2018, just nine months after they opened. They have made some changes to the interior, especially the bar, since that time and won a 3 Michelin star rating in 2021 as well as numerous other awards. Some of the staff, including Chef Jonny Bone and Restaurant Director Rob Rose, are still there which maintains the excellent level of food and service you receive there. They offer a selection of tasting menus with some supplements and wine pairings available. It’s a bright and airy room which is now adorned with a hand-sewn copper thread on the painted walls that matches what is on the menu and the signage. The unclothed round tables are well-spaced on a wood floor with round rugs and some curved bench seating. Two doorways look out to the large kitchen and the chef’s table directly in front of it. Some cabinets with books and objects are in the periphery and now a large serving table is next to the support column. The changes in the dining room are subtle yet elegant while the bar, Whiskey & Seaweed has seen more substantial re-decorating. It is a lovely space with tremendous food and excellent service – definitely go if you can. Continue reading →
exterior – 127 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AQ, United Kingdom
The Ledbury was last visited in April of 2018 for a lunch and in Nov. 2014 for a dinner, on this blog. It’s now been elevated to a 3 Michelin star rating under Chef Brett Graham’s direction for the last 17 years and now with Chef Tom Spenceley running the kitchen. They offer 6 or 8 course tastings at lunch but only the 8-course in the evening with optional wine pairings. Rennovated in 2022 they made many interior decorating changes to the dining room as well as reduced the number of seats from 55 to 45 to make space for a center serving table. Dried plants hang from the ceiling in the lowly lit room filled with shades of beige. The pedestal tables were set with fine white linens and table decorations that coordinated with the ceiling ones. Staff are attentive but not intrusive and go the extra mile in service. We were delighted to find one of the fine servers we met last year at Da Terra now working here and Chef Graham helping present many of the dishes and taking time to visit with guests. Each dish was presented with in depth descriptions that I’m afraid I missed much of or can’t decifer my quickly written notes. Trust me that all was good with lots of flavors and textures in the dishes. Go if you get a chance and can afford it. (It will set you back 275 pounds or about $340/person and then there’s the cost of beverages and service.) Continue reading →
exterior – 17 Denman St, London W1D 7HW, United Kingdom
The Devonshire has a pub called the Public House downstairs (known for its perfect pint of Guinness) and then the two floors above feature a wood grill restaurant and seating. Having been in Soho since 1793, they dry age, butcher their Scottish beef on site, and offer locally caught seafood. They are open 7 days a week and the grill is on the second floor. We were in the quieter third-floor room (they do have an elevator) with many small white cloth-covered tables filling the room. Brown paper was on top of the cloth, windows were on two sides letting in the sunshine, curtains cover some of the walls which do have some paintings, no music was in the background and carpet was on the floor. Even filled, the room didn’t have a noise problem. At lunch, they offered a 2 or 3 course set menu as well as a full menu. Wines were available by the glass and bottle and they also have a reserve wine list. It appeared to have a good mix of local people as well as tourists and service was efficient and friendly. It was a good value for London with the set menu having generous portions and additional vegetable sides being reasonably priced. Nothing was bad but nothing blew me away though. It was a perfect first meal when you’re jet-lagged and waiting for your hotel room to open so you can crash a few hours. I’m sorry I didn’t get to try the pub downstairs – it was very lively. Continue reading →
The New Frontier is a casual dining spot in a free-standing building on the highway. They serve breakfast and lunch and in addition to their large menu have posted specials on a whiteboard, including lots of pies and cakes. The simple interior is mostly Coke-related items with Formica tables and red chairs on a black and white floor. The dining areas are 2 rooms on either side of the kitchen and service area. Service was efficient and friendly and delivered by a well run staff. The place was clean and well lit with generous and reasonable portions of food. I will probably go back and try more things in the future and hope you will too and let me know what you tried. I couldn’t find much history about the place but it is a winner. Continue reading →
Los Vaqueros Cafe and Grill serves Tex-Mex food in an old house with a large patio for additional seating. They serve breakfast all day but the large menu offers tons of options. The servers were friendly but spoke limited English. A pair of longtime Kyle residents opened the place in 2017 in the space formerly occupied by El Pueblito. It was modeled after a bar and grill that one of the couples owns in Sequin, TX. Los Vaqueros means “the cowboys” and these 2 couples certainly had courage with only one of them having background in restaurant ownership. They make much in-house and also sell some long-cooked items to go. They are open every day with reasonable prices and acceptable Tex-Mex. We enjoyed a breakfast there with family and you will too.
Community Pizza and Beer Garden was opened in 2018 by husband and wife team Michael and Morgan Mekuly. It featured wood-fired Neapolitan Pizza, 32 tap beers and a full bar. It’s a huge place with playscapes for children and a variety of seating options. Music was in the background, it was well lit and filled with people. The large indoor room holds the bar, with seats and the glassed-in wood-fired pizza oven, complete with cooks tossing the pizza dough. We were there just after Christmas with family and I think most everybody had the same idea. The place was in the midst of a bunch of stores and other eating and drinking establishments. As usual, when out with people, photos get blurred, things get eaten and I generally get bad about taking notes. However, we did have a good time and sampled many items that I tried to get photos of. The pizza had a nice puffy edge crust and it was tasty but I think I might have liked the sandwich even more. Either way, if you’re in Wimberly doing whatever, this certainly would be a filling place to stop and have a bite to eat. Continue reading →
sign at front – 3607 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Étoile is in the the Cockerton house of 1883, a single-family residence. It remained a dwelling until it was transformed into a commercial space and now offers a farm-to-table tasting menu (with optional wine pairings) four nights a week. Led by Chef Chris Dupont, the menu starts at 7:00 but the bar opens at 6:00. They advise you when you make the reservation to be on time and come early if you want to have cocktails or browse around the house. They have 24 seats available and so each night varies with the configuration of tables. They have a number of rules for dining there, with non-refundable deposits, gratuity of 25% and are unable to serve vegan or dairy restricted menus, so read over before you may a reservation. The chef came out to welcome all just before the menu was started and stated that he wanted it to be more like coming to a dinner party than a restaurant and it certainly was a beautiful old room to eat in. However it was very noisy, with only 7 tables and quite dark. Pacing and portion control were good until the end of the evening when the charge card machine couldn’t print receipts and it delayed finishing up for at least 20 minutes (which was a lot after 2.5 hours of meal). I admire what they are doing, but the food was more good than great. It just opened in June 2024, so maybe give it time. Continue reading →
entrance – 3637 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Lilette was opened in a late 1800’s corner drugstore building in 2001 by Chef/Owner John Harris. He has been a James Beard finalist for Best Chef South four times. While apprenticing in France he stayed with the Mauri family whose matriarch named Lilette gave him much admiration of French cooking. Chef Edward Charles served as Chef de Cuisine for 16 years before becoming a co-owner in 2019. It’s a rectangular-shaped space with windows on two sides, a high painted tin ceiling, music in the background and mirrors are the art on the walls. One long side is the bar counter with seats and opposite it are a few booths with bench seating along the back wall. They offer outdoor seating and serve the same menu at lunch and dinner with a couple specials on a chalkboard. Service was friendly and helpful but not super efficient. Their menu is plastic coated so doesn’t photograph easily but the online pricing is out of date. Continue reading →
exterior – 3054 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
Frankie tried Saint Germain in Jan. 2023 and was blown away so we’ve wanted to get back here and try it again. I’m glad we did. They’ve made some cosmetic upgrades to the structure which makes it more comfortable but more importantly their food continues to be superb. It’s a tasting menu only with pretty limited seating but well worth watching the reservation program and snagging a place as soon as you can. Located in an old house, that still has the past occupant’s pizza parlor sign outside, it’s a two-stage meal. You start at the bar counter with several small plates and then move into the dining room. It’s a lot of courses but they are small – plenty to give you several bites but not enough to stuff you. Service is super friendly with good pacing to the meal. Too often places can’t continue this level of excellence but this team has so I hope you’ll try it and tell them Frankie sent you (no I’m not getting any kick-backs). Continue reading →
building – 6100 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70118
Clancy’s is another favorite of ours and so has appeared many times on this website, the last time about a year ago. The menu is much smaller at lunch but we got to sit in the front room which is brighter and more festive during the holidays. Reservations are a must as the place was packed by the time we finished. The ambiance is another old school place with tuxedoed servers and white cloth-covered tables. It’s outside the quarter and popular with locals and tourists. Again here you have your favorites but there were subtle changes to the salad. This is a first-rate staff that doesn’t rush you and is willing to bring items out individually for you to share. We’ve found that’s a good way to try more things. This is definitely a place that should be on your list to visit. Continue reading →
exterior – 1026 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Jewel of the South is a reimagined bar concept in an old house. A regularly changing menu accompanies an innovative cocktail program. They serve dinner Wed to Mon and lunch on Fri and Sat. Seating is on 2 levels with a bar and patio options on the first floor and a party room on the second level. The ceilings were high, music was in the background, windows to the street added to the lowered lighting, some carpets were on the floor to help with noise, exposed brick and wallpaper are on the walls and there is bench seating matched with small unclothed tables. Service was very friendly and efficient. Many come just to drink and chose foods from the regular menu but we were there in the holiday season and tried their Reveillon menu – 4 course tasting menu. It was a nice dinner and I would recommend you give it a try. (For another review check it out on Melhuang1972). Continue reading →
Galatoire’s has been written up on this website numerous times, the last one being a year ago, so little introduction is needed. It is an institution at the holidays and Mardi Gras for parties. Always festive with excellent service, sometimes it’s better than others but it seems to call us back for the generous servings of crab and butter. Not at all cutting edge, it is solid old school (still have a dress code and loaner jackets for men in the evening) and I’ll go again to have some of my favorites. They will customize almost any order. For example, we wanted to share a number of things and bring them out one at a time. They were happy to do that and split many of them into two plates in the kitchen for us. Also you can add crab meat to anything. We have too many favorites to have them all every meal – here’s what we chose today. Hope it treats you as well if you visit. Continue reading →
building – 408 N Bishop Ave #108, Dallas, TX 75208
Pillar just opened Dec. 8, 2024 in the Bishop Arts District by chef/owner Peja Krstic. It was in the 98-year-old space previously occupied by Boulevardier. The menu had cross over from the restaurant’s previous occupant as well as with his other current restaurant Mot Hai Ba. Krstic named this after seeing a photo of Ernest Hemingway’s boat Pilar in Key West, but since this was not all seafood it became Pillar, an American bistro. It’s a deep space with some table seating and the bar with seats at the front and a combination of booths and tables in the back portion nearer to the open door to the kitchen. The space had a concrete floor, a brick wall opposite a wallpapered one, a painted wood ceiling and music in the background. Shelves by the front door were filled with articles and books whereas the shelves in back were filled with glassware and wines, which are mostly of the natural variety. We had a fairly early reservation and you could still talk but the evening moved slowly and the noise level got pretty loud later in the evening. One huge benefit of the place was a parking lot right next to it, which is a real plus for places in this area. The service was super friendly but slow and the food was varied but all on the better side of the curve. Some items were outstanding however I hope as they get established, they will introduce specials that vary the menu slightly and work on the kitchen’s efficiency. Give it a try and let me know what you think. Continue reading →
building – 5510 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72207
George’s is named for George who represents “the perfect night out; the experience of a restaurant with all the comforts of feeling at home.” It’s the product of Little Rock natives and friends, John Stephens, David Hesselbein and Greg Baber who’ve partnered with Chef Wes Mickel to offer a menu of Italian classics. Opening in August of 2023, it was in the works for 2 years before opening in the 1930s bungalow (previously housing Cafe Prego). Having the capacity for 93, guests are seated in a traditional dining room, casual porch, an outdoor patio or in the hidden speakeasy named “Barnaby.” The main dining room has tables set with white clothes and some bench seating along the walls whereas the porch had bare tables and wicker furniture. It was more lit than the main dining room which also had art on the walls. The service was good and helpful and portions were large. It was a good meal and one I’d recommend you try when in town. Reservations can be difficult but the speakeasy and bar seating are all first come, first served. Continue reading →
building – 1318 S Main St Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72202
Raduno Brick Oven and Barroom serves pizza and an Italian style menu in a long space. One side is the 36-foot bar counter with seating and the opposite wall is a long bench seat fitted with small combinable tables. A couple of large TV screens are above the bar and a mirrored wall covering is above the bench. Some plants and sports memorabilia serve as decorations for the room. There was faint music in the background but you could barely hear it for the loud hum of conversation in the room. There are 20 beers on tap as well as a full bar offering. The modern, casual feel is blended with the reclaimed wooden floors that had previously been 18-wheeler trailer beds and the antique brick bar. The name Raduno translates to “place of gathering” which it seems to be in the SoMa section of Little Rock. The service was slow and constantly disappearing but it was very crowded. However, someone other than our server brought out the pies and they had sat in the back for some time. The food was average at best. Continue reading →
building – 2300 Cottondale Ln #105, Little Rock, AR 72202
Brave New Restaurant describes itself as “a casual, warm environment, delicious food and excellent service at a reasonable cost.” Opened by Peter Brave (and his ex-wife Marie) 33 years ago in a former Steak and Egg location it had 1750 sq ft. In 2000 he moved to its present location – a large upstairs space with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Arkansas River. Through the years he’s added on space, patios and private dining rooms to total 5,980 sq.ft. He worked in the kitchen as well as the floor until Chef Ben Lindley was hired in 2022. Now his son Gordy, who serves as General Manager, and his daughter also work at the restaurant and they are poised to continue the legacy he created. The large room had no music, lowered lighting, carpeted floor, acoustical ceiling and a corner of the room open to the kitchen. The black tables were unclothed and art was on the walls. Peter Brave made his way around to tables of regulars. Service was good as was the food. The menu has options at many price points with generous portions. Continue reading →
The Root Cafe sources as much as possible from small farms and producers in Arkansas. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at different times during the day Tues – Sun. Opened in June 2011 in the SoMa district of downtown Little Rock by Jack and Corri Sundell, it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. A second location in Breckenridge Village opened in 2022. The Sundell’s philosophy is to create a more sustainable food system for Arkansas and have even used that principle in the design of the building, landscape and public events they sponsor. It’s a small interior but lots of patios are enclosed in plastic to provide climate control. A large mural of vegetables is on the wall of the building next to the parking lot. Inside the decorations are funky and historic with lots of photos to look at. There is a counter at the entrance where you place your order and a self-serve beverage area in front of it. After you order and pay you receive a token to place on your table and they bring out your food. Each token seemed to describe one of the farms they trade with. The food was well thought out and I like their philosophy but nothing we had sang with flavor. Continue reading →
building – 33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403-5416
Malagon Mercado y Taperia is a neighborhood spot that offers tapas as well as a market of wines and foods. It was a awarded one Michelin Star in the inaugural 2025 ceremony for the American South. The deep space has tables in front and along the wall for those with reservations and the long counter seats walk-ins. Owned by Chef Juan Cassalett (who is married to the chef at Chez Nous Jill Mathias) and restauranteurs Patrick and Fanny Panella, they’ve been very busy since the recognition. The Spanish restaurant harkens to Cassalett’s origins and offers shared plates from a number of regions with some variations on typical themes. The fun sounding options are available with a good variety of wines by the bottle and glass as well as non-alcholic drinks. The service was attentive and didn’t overload the small table but the food was mixed. Still if you’re craving tapas and located in Charleston this is a great option. Continue reading →
The Pantry was opened by Tomas Bohn in 2009 in west Little Rock. Based on its success, he opened The Pantry Crest in 2014 in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood. Both locations serve Czech and German classics but the Pantry Crest is dinner only Tues through Sat. They do not take reservations, so first come, first served. The Pantry Crest was in a 2 story building with limited parking supplemented by street parking. Downstairs was a good-sized bar counter with seats and high-top tables. Upstairs was segmented into several rooms with varying sizes of tables. Art was on the walls and a large mural was on the ceiling. It seemed to be a very popular place with many of the tables turning and lots of young folks in larger groups. The service was helpful and friendly and the portions were on the large side. However, the food was mixed. Continue reading →
exterior – 1023 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201
Doe’s Eat Place started in Greenville, Mississippi, where pilot George Eldridge would fly friends and clients to eat steak. He eventually contracted to bring one to Little Rock and maintained the no-frills tradition and fabulous steaks. They achieved even more notoriety when it became known that President Bill Clinton was interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine there and Clinton’s staffers made it their hangout during the 1992 campaign. Eldridge escorted former chef Lucille Robinson to his inaugural ball. Daughter Katherine Eldridge assumed ownership of the restaurant in 2012. Clinton is not the only regular of note with entertainers, sports stars and other professionals eating there on a regular basis. We were in town to see Clinton’s Library so where better to eat than one of his favorites? It is a very down-to-earth place with red checkered oilclothes adhered to the tables, a high open ceiling, a black and white linoleum tile floor, no music, walls covered with photos and memorabilia, flatware distributed in paper bags and very friendly and helpful servers. There’s a back room where “deals are made” by local power people but I didn’t photograph it. You should visit when you’re in town. Continue reading →
entrance – 4514 Travis St Suite 132, Dallas, TX 75205
Georgie was first visited by Frankie last July and we were very excited by the potential of this recently re-vamped place. The addition of Chef RJ Yoakum in Jan. 2023 was a step in the right direction and we wanted to see how it fared without the benefit of the summer’s bounty of ingredient options. Inside not much has changed, but it felt darker- probably because it was dark outside and there are a lot of windows posing as exterior walls. They still have double-clothed nice-sized tables with stuffed bench-like seating, music in the background, a mix of dress styles and a lively bar taking up one-third of the space. Now however, the tasting menu is printed in the menu in addition to the a la carte options. Wine pairings are offered as well as a sommelier and large wine list. Service was a little more mixed this visit, sometimes quite slow and absent and while the food was very good it couldn’t maintain the same caliber the entire tasting. There’s a lot of staff in the kitchen, you could see them through the screen by our table as most folks seemed to be ordering a la carte. Dallas has been super slow to accept tasting menus, but hopefully, with Michelin recognition in Texas, this place will continue to evolve into stars. Continue reading →
came with the bill – Five Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX, 75034
The Dallas Cowboys Football Team built a large facility to practice north of Dallas, in the town of Frisco. Besides the practice fields, weight room, ect. there are offices and some are leased by our financial team who are members of the dining room at The Star. The only way you can eat there is to be a member or the guest of a member, but I thought you’d be interested in the place either way. No photos of the practice area are allowed, but I got a few of the room and our lunches. It’s a large place with a bar area and lots of couch seating too. Bottles of wine are used to form walls for some of the more private dining rooms. Service was excellent and the place is bright and attractive. The food was fine but no football players or other celebrities were spotted, other than Frankie of course. Continue reading →
Update – I read in the local paper that they have now closed. I’m sorry I didn’t get there earlier but am publishing the write-up to encourage all to visit one of a kind places today and watch to see where these folks land.
Mixtitos Kitchen is a large place in East Dallas run by Chef Jose Luis Rodriguez who was honored by Telemundo 39 for his tacos. It is a fusion restaurant combining flavors of Mexico, Japan, France and Italy. They are open daily for lunch and dinner. Opening in the summer of 2023 Chef and his wife Harumi have struggled for business but continue to get accolades in the press and on the Nextdoor Neighbor app, so I thought it was time to try it. Indeed, Chef Rodriguez greeted us at the door and then went into the kitchen to make our lunches. My dining companion and I both ordered specials of the day and that was a great choice. It doesn’t have the standard options that are on a Tex-Mex menu and the location is not the best but it’s worth going to cause the food is really good and it’s the kind of place I wish we’d see more of – independent and chef driven. Go and let me know what you think. Continue reading →
Little’s Oyster Bar is in the Montrose area of Houston. It is a chef-driven restaurant from the Pappas Restaurant Group. Chef Jason Ryczek highlights Gulf Coast seafoods along with selected caviar, lobster and seasonally changing items. Opening in the location of the Little Pappas Seafood House it’s anything but little. A long marble topped bar runs the length of the room which is mirrored with an outdoor patio room. There is a good sized parking lot adjacent to the building. Inside you’ll find loud music with fairly bright lighting complementing the wood and brick walls and partial carpeted areas on the floor. We were there with family and as the place filled I’d swear they turned up the music. Service was good but not great but the food was mostly good, fresh and pricey. If you want seafood it’s a good place to go but expect variable flavor. Continue reading →
part of the main house – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031
The dining room is divided into 2 rooms. One has a dramatic coved ceiling, some booth seating along one wall, and a lot of lights. The adjacent room was where we were always served and it is a reclaimed porch. Windows to the grounds make up one wall and it is ended by windows to some of the wine cellar on one end and the other by a large stone fireplace. The lighting is much lower here and the room more cozy. Both have music in the background, wood floors, lovely linens, and fresh flowers on the good sized marble topped tables. One thing I wondered about was would the wine and spirit options be from the “low shelf” since they were included in your stay. They were not. The alcohol options for cocktails were many and varied as was the wine that was mostly by the glass. We did have a bottle at the Twigs dinner but otherwise we let the sommelier pick based on what we were having and it was all good. If you didn’t like something they were happy to pour you a glass of something else. A premium list is available at an extra charge but I encourage you to put your selection into their hands. Continue reading →
part of main house- 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031
Twin Farms lunch can be had in the main dining room or ordered as a picnic brought to many places throughout the 300-acre grounds. Some of the sites are set up with campfires. You can also have the food delivered to the place you’re staying in. The facility provides a number of indoor and outdoor activities including hikes, yoga, puzzles and games, cooking classes, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, some downhill skiing, ice skating, fishing, and biking. They gave us information on flora and fauna of the area but as it was rainy and cold we didn’t get out on the grounds much and instead enjoyed some downtime in front of the fire, in our room and in the main buildings. We did enjoy a guided art tour of some of the pieces in the main building. The staff were all super friendly and helpful and really seemed to want to make your stay what you wanted it to be. The food varied but it was all easily edible, some being quite good. Continue reading →
looking through the window- 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031
Twiggs is in a separate building that used to be a game room and pub named for the founder Thurston Twigg-Smith. For the first 30 years Twin Farms operated it had just one dining room, which remains their signature venue. Twiggs opened in the fall of 2022 to offer guests a more casual, rustic option. It has a seasonal menu that is all a la carte and features an Argentinian wood-fired grill. A large portion of the high-ceiling wood-beamed room is taken up by a bar with seats for dining and/or drinking. A couple semicircular booths are along the opposite wall and a large fireplace is at the end of the room with nearby couches and stuffed chairs for pre or post dinner seating. Music was in the background and lots of lights keep it brighter than the average dining room. With the wood floor and unclothed tables it felt like it might be noisy when filled but we were there off season and noise was not a problem. Service was great and even the chef that evening came out to visit after our meal. Most of the stays at Twin Farms have a 3 night minimum so I would encourage you to pick this for one of your dinners. The food was good and much simpler. Continue reading →
Frankie looked out at the patio – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031
Breakfast at Twin Farms was in the main house’s dining area. The porch addition was used the 2 days we went to breakfast. It had been re-done last year whereas the barn-looking dining room was re-done in 1993. This porch room had windows on 2 sides that looked out on the patio and grounds. A fireplace was at one end and the stone tables were set with heavy stuffed chairs. Fresh flowers were always on the tables. After you select your order the staff brought a pastry of the day for you to snack on while you await your food. Coffee, juice and alcoholic drinks were available in this lowered ceiling room with art on the walls. Continue reading →
main house –452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031
Twin Farms was originally owned by author Sinclair Lewis who bought it for journalist Dorothy Thompson. She promised to marry him if he bought her a farm in Vermont, so he found this wonderful 1795-era farmhouse on 300 acres and purchased it for $10,000 in 1928. Their parties were legendary but after Dorothy passed away in 1961 the property changed hands several times. Thurston Twigg-Smith brought the property as a second home for his family in 1974. By the late 1980s he was limited in how often he could visit the place so decided to re-create it as a resort and hired interior designer Jed Johnson and landscape architect Dan Kiley to transform it into “the number one small hotel in North America.” With their talents and access to Twigg’s outstanding art collection, they created the Twin Farms of today. Nine rooms opened in fall 1993 and the number of accommodations grew to 20 over the next 12 years. Here you can stay in large suites in the main house or various cottages and tree houses. The current owners have added a second dining venue, Twiggs and expanded outdoor dining options and added 8 more options to stay in. The place is a fixed price that includes 3 meals a day, snacks, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and offers a variety of included activities. We were fortunate to enjoy the facility and the next several posts will cover our dining experiences while there. It is on the pricy side but it is all inclusive. The staff were fabulous and if you have the chance I know you’d enjoy a trip there. Continue reading →
The Swag has several areas to eat dinner. The first night we were on the covered open air porch. The lighting was low and the breeze was quite nippy. We asked to eat inside the next night as a number of the guests did and so we sat in the great room. There is also dining in a smaller windowed room adjacent to the porch which is enclosed and we had breakfast in there both days. The main room has a large fireplace with a bear skin over it and a stuffed bear climbing on one of the rafters. A large chandelier made of antlers as well as small table lights make it much easier for photos in there. Some deer mounts are also in the room which has a jigsaw puzzle set up during the day and feeds into the bar area. My understanding is that you can reserve a dinner here and not be staying in one of the 18 rooms, suites and villas. However, be warned that it’s not a driveway you want to navigate in the dark. Most of the rooms have their own fireplace and they stock the room with wood. I know you would enjoy a trip here. Continue reading →
side view of main lodge – 2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785
At Swag you pick your dinner and lunch selections at the beginning of the day. Breakfast is ordered when you go. There are also snacks during the cocktail hour before dinner, which is at 7:00, snacks in your room, cookies in the afternoon and ice cream in the freezer outside all day. You won’t go hungry. They have changing Experts in Residence and these folks are there to visit or dine with you and bring expertise in everything from nature, wildlife, plants, photography, to painting. Some lead hikes and others on the staff offer classes in wine, cooking, cocktails, etc. – all included in your stay. When you arrive you stop at the welcome house where they greet you with a beverage, for us champagne, and give you details about your upcoming stay. They park your car and take your bags to your room while you are driven to your cabin. Everyone is super friendly and willing to help. The Chef hosts a picnic lunch twice a week and other days lunches can be packed as a picnic. The food is not cutting edge but made with good ingredients and care for a nice finished product. Continue reading →
main Swag house – 2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785
The Swag Resort is almost a mile above sea level at the summit of the Great Smoky Mountains. They offer a variety of private cabins or rooms in the main lodge to stay in with all meals included in your stay. Built in the 1970s by Dan and Deener Matthews, it was a potato farm when they bought the spot at the top of the bald mountain. No road accessed the property as the farmers had hiked to harvest the potatoes that were rolled down the hill. They fell in love with the view of all the mountains from the hilltop and simply hiked up and camped there when they first bought the property. They began to buy old log buildings and after building a road began to use these reclaimed logs to craft the buildings on their property. It was a private residence until the 1982 World’s Fair came to Knoxville and the organizers asked if they could use the place as a hotel. Guests liked it so much that they wanted to come back and thus the inn was created. It’s called the Swag as that’s the name of the dip between the mountain ranges. In 2018 the Matthews sold the property to Annie and David Colquitt, who spent their honeymoon on the property. It joined Relais & Châteaux in 2020. We were able to stay a couple nights and the next 3 posts will cover our meals there. It’s a beautiful place and the staff are superb so visit if you can. Continue reading →
The Morning Fork is the product of husband and wife team, Chef Keith Swiryn and “self-proclaimed Waitress Extraordinaire” Jennifer Swiryn. They are both from Sacramento with lots of years in the restaurant industry. Their dream was to open a breakfast lunch spot and in 2019 this retro diner style place is just the thing, in the place where The Lucky Café had been. They are open daily from 8am – 2pm. It’s a long place with a counter and stools running the length of it. Booths line the other wall and picnic tables are outside for waiting as they are known to have a line especially on weekends. Art is on the walls and there’s a stiking piece made from forks on the back wall by the kitchen. Music is in the background, the lighting is bright and the service is helpful, friendly and efficient. The server helped me craft the plate I wanted. The food is fine so if you need breakfast or early lunch in this area put this on your radar. Continue reading →
Allora offers a four course prix fixe dining experience with optional wine pairings available seven nights a week. With each of the courses there are a number of choices some of which are only available with a supplemental fee. You also could add a caviar course and/or cheese course. Opening in Feb. 2018 they call themselves a modern Italian seafood and wine bar highlighting fresh handmade pastas and locally sourced ingredients. The 22-foot tall glass enclosed wine cellar was a focal point in the dining room. They did offer the options for seating outdoors, the counter around the bar, high top or standard size tables. Lots of windows to the outside made up a couple of walls while the bar counter served as a divider of the room. We sat to one side of the bar which also had the open window into the kitchen. Service was first rate and the pacing and portion control of the meal was good. I would definitely go again if in town.Continue reading →
The Waterboy has been serving the cuisine of northern Italy and southern France since 1996. A native Sacramento Chef Rick Mahan was inspired by a trip he took to France and now creates European style food with local California ingredients. It’s a good sized place with an open ceiling two-story room decorated with lots of plants. Windows were on 2 sides, the back of the space was filled with a semi-circular bench seat, music was in the background, the small tables were covered with white cloths and a bar with stools faces a painted wall. There were also some tables outside on the patio. The menu was supplemented by a list of daily specials and breads that were made in house. The wine list had reasonable prices and the food servings on the large size. Service was friendly and efficient. The food was good and I hope you’ll give it a try when in Sacramento. Continue reading →
building – 915 Broadway #100, Sacramento, CA 95818
The Kitchen was opened in 1991 by the Selland Group and around 2014 Chef Kelly McCown, who had worked in numerous highly regarded kitchens took the helm. Here he assembled a fine team that continues to gather awards from many sites. The restaurant offers a tasting menu (with several types of optional wine pairings) Wed to Sun. with a twist – you can participate in the meal’s preparation and ask for seconds. The venue is large and the 80 people in attendance are seated at a variety of tables and some around the low counter, where you can participate in the action without having to leave your seat. Everyone is invited to be seated at the same time so when you approach expect a line at the door. After they take you to your assigned seat (ask for the counter) they take drink orders and invite you to start milling around and sampling from the many trays of snacks scattered throughout the room. It’s supposed to mimic a dinner party feel but to me it was a bit chaotic and the flow of the setting did not work great for milling. Take that with a grain of salt, as I’ve dined around more than most and have been invited into many kitchens so for some this would be quite thrilling. I don’t enjoy cooking but for some helping prepare the plates or torching the fish would be exciting. The concept would work better for me with a much smaller group but I can appreciate the novelty of the concept. I was fine to stay in my seat at the counter and interact with chefs in front of me and the folks beside me while enjoying some very tasty food. One other critique I would level though was the lack of texture in the dishes. When you prepare that many covers it’s hard to keep the crisp or heat in a dish. Nevertheless I appreciate the changing menu format (tonight’s theme was apples), the fine service, the show with dinner and would give the place a thumbs up to visit. We were there on Halloween, so many of the staff and patrons were in costume. Continue reading →
Mulvaney’s Building & Loan gets its name from the movie It’s a Wonderful Life where George Bailey learns that his business actually holds the community together. Owners Patrick and Bobbin Mulvaney wanted to honor the community that has been good to them and so chose that name. They serve New American cuisine in a farm-to-table restaurant whose menu changes with the seasons and local availability. The restaurant is in 1893 firehouse with the original brick walls and open ceilings and exposed ductwork. It’s a medium sized room but next door is a larger room, that can be rented and a patio joins the two. White cloths are on the tables, music is in the background, art is on the walls and there are lots of windows(the old firehouse doors being repurposed as such). Staff was super friendly but a bit slow. However, the food was interesting and worth waiting for. Hope you’ll give it a try. Continue reading →
Localis serves a global cuisine that changes every five weeks. They offer a twelve-course tasting menu using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. Two levels of wine pairings are available as well as a wine list, bar and non-alcoholic beverages. They have been awarded one Michelin star. When the theme of the menu changes, the entire menu changes except for the 2 first snacks. On our visit it was an Argentina theme but they have also used Portugal, Thailand or ‘something like Middle Earth’. The counter has 2 seatings every night at 5pm and 8:15pm while table times are staggered. I’d call it medium-sized and the dining room tables are irregularly cut pieces of wood that are attractive in a window-sided room that felt like an enclosed porch. The background music was fairly loud and parking is on the street as you can find it. Opening about 9 years ago, Chef Chris Barnum-Dann also serves as sommelier. Service was friendly and helpful and portion control was good, as it’s a long menu. The menu at your table is marked with your name and it has great descriptions of the food, if you don’t write fast, which is nice. The courses varied in their success but overall it was a very positive experience, so I encourage you to give it a try when you are in Sacramento. Continue reading →
Frank Fat opened his namesake restaurant in 1939 calling it “Frank’s 806” (which you can see at the end of the awning). Today, it’s Frank Fat’s and the oldest Sacramento restaurant exclusively owned by one family. When Frank Fat began, he was very interested in feeding people quality food with great service and that has allowed him to open several other places with varying cuisine. In 2013 he received a James Beard Foundation Classics Award, given to locally owned and operated restaurants. It has a reputation as a place where influential California politicians come to drink, dine and negotiate, which makes sense as its location is a short walk from the capital building. Every California governor has been a customer since the restaurant opened. It is a large place that runs several rooms deep, all with beautiful Chinese decorations. The first room had stools around a bar counter and bench seating along the wall. Further in bare dark brown wood tables appear. They serve a large menu of old-school Chinese food and have specials for lunch, which are smaller versions of some of their more popular dishes. The food was quite good and the service was friendly and efficient. I would put this on your list, especially after taking a free tour of the California State Capital building. Continue reading →
building – The Henson, 39 Goshen Rd, Hensonville, NY 12439
Matilda is the restaurant in the newly re-opened Henson Hotel. It was much busier the second night we visited and we sat in a different part of the room which allowed us both to watch over all the evening’s activities. We had a curved corner booth in the darkened room where you mostly heard conversations of other guests and the music bleeding in from the bar. It was my understanding that the kitchen was training in some folks on stations new to them or maybe it was the bigger crowd but service was way slower than the previous evening. The server felt the delay and brought us extra items to make it up to us but I laughed when we marked two and a half hours there and the reservation system had reminded us that our time slot allocated us one and a half hours. The staff were all so nice and the food was so good, you couldn’t get mad. All that said, this is a place I can easily recommend you stay and enjoy dinner and drinks too. A lovely a la carte breakfast is also included with your room.
Day June Lunchonette is a small local restaurant serving American classics for breakfast and lunch. The present owners, Ely and Danielle Franco, have been the owners for about a year and a half, but it’s been a restaurant space for some time. The name is a take on lunch in French dejeuner. Inside are a variety of table sizes and an L-shaped counter with stools. Windows to the street, a new wood floor and art on the walls are complimented by music in the background. Breakfast is served all day and service was super friendly. The menu isn’t huge but is well chosen to highlight foods you want to try. If I get back to the area, I certainly would go again and hope you will to when you visit the Catskills. Continue reading →
The Henson – The Henson Hotel, 39 Goshen Rd, Hensonville, NY 12439
Matilda is the restaurant in The Henson hotel, a 16 room hotel recently bought and refurbished by Ely and Danielle Franko. They partnered with Chefs Fabián von Hauske Valtierra and Jeremiah Stone, from NYC to bring fine dining to this small town in the Catskill Mountains. They opened just after Memorial Day, transforming what was Hammo’s Lodge (2015-2021) into a lovely boutique hotel, bar and restaurant. The 150 year old space has been transformed with art, furniture and personal details. The dining room had small bare wood tables and some bench seating around the perimeter. Music was in the background and there was a large window looking into the kitchen on one end of the L-shaped room. Art was on the walls and the lights were lowered. Service was excellent in the dining room and at the bar in a different room. This bar had a much larger counter and very friendly staff but there were also stuffed chairs if you didn’t want to sit at the counter. There were French doors leading to the patio and the gardens but it was a bit on the chilly side to eat outside. The hotel is a lovely place to stay and the dining room has wonderful inventive cuisine so I encourage you to head to the Catskills and give it a try. Continue reading →
Peggy’s Sweet and Savory was a bakery cafe that started as Back in the Kitchen in 2010. Peggy cooked and everyone seemed to call it Peggy’s so the name was changed in 2021, especially since she wanted to further explore the sweeter side of cooking. There were about 13 seats in this small ground-floor cafe. The bathroom was on the second floor, which was otherwise unoccupied. The third floor houses a local artist. In the restaurant, the kitchen radio provided the background music and the menu was on a chalkboard. You order and pay at the counter and they bring it out to you. Most of the business seemed to be to go. Windows provided plenty of light and the walls were filled with photos of local townspeople and Peggy’s family photos. An old wood floor and other decorations gave it a wonderfully cozy feel. The servers were friendly and helpful. The food was simple and well-made. Stop in when you’re in the area, you won’t be disappointed. Continue reading →
The Troutbeck’s dining room is on the first floor and is a long room divided by stone structures and booth backs. The small bar, with about 6 stools is in the hallway where you check in. A couple fireplaces are in the dining room and some bench seating is along the walls. Lighting is way lowered and no music was in the background one night and on the next. The bare wood tables were small and in some instances quite close. Many of the guests are staying at the lodge but just as many come from surrounding towns, likely to celebrate a special occasion. They have added on to the original structure and now have a large event space at one end of the building but also have firepits outside so that one night they had a large dinner party outside. The portion sizes varied but the staff was able to help steer the ordering process. Unfortunately they didn’t know that much about the food but still were very pleasant. The menu likes to feature locally produced items and changes little night to night but rather monthly. We repeated the duck from the previous night, it was that good but had to pass on dessert because we were too full. I would encourage you to book a room and give it a try. Continue reading →
Breakfast is offered in the same room as dinner at the Troutbeck. In the morning the room is much brighter and music was in the background. The room has a dark wood floor, art on the walls and small tables to accompany the bench seating around the perimeter. Breakfast is not included in your stay and overall was a bit pricey for what you got. Dinner is what you want to get here but you can’t challenge the convenience of eating on the property. The food and service were both fine but it might be better to get a pastry from their pantry or head to town for coffee and whatever. It’s a short meal so I’ve included a couple photos of the other rooms in the lodge where you can relax and enjoy your $5 drip coffee. Continue reading →
Troutbeck been around since the 1700s as an inn, private estate and tavern. It was originally owned by the Benton family who frequently hosted people like Thoreau and Emerson. The Spingarn family then owned it from 1875-1939 while Colonel Spingarn was head of the Comparative Literature Dept. at Columbia University, and hosted folks like Sinclair Lewis, Thurgood Marshall and Theodore Roosevelt. The Spingarns were active in the civil right movement and hosted early meetings of the NAACP at Troutbeck. In 1917 the original house burned and the Spingarns built the stone manor in 1919, which stands today. After some years of neglect it was bought in the 1970s and extensively renovated in 2016, reopening its doors to the public in 2017. We were fortunate to be able to get a reservation to stay there for two nights during the lovely fall season. It has multiple rooms in the main lodge but also many surrounding cottages. You don’t have to stay there to eat in their restaurant but it is the most fun way to go. There is a small bar for before-dinner drinks or you can order them and enjoy them in any number of cozy rooms with lots of fireplaces and stuffed furniture. Meals are all a la carte. It’s a lovely place and some of the food is outstanding. Continue reading →
There are only about 10 tables in the main dining room and another half dozen on the porch. Breakfast meals, which are included with your room, were divided between both room but lunch seemed mainly served on the porch. There is also an option to have your food delivered to your room or to somewhere on the property. They really aim to please and will customize your experience as you’d like it to be. Reservations must be made for meals and only people staying on the property can partake of them. It’s lightly dressy for dinner with the lights dimmed and such but very casual at the earlier meals and with all the windows, sunlight fills both dining rooms. Being there in a cooler time of year fires were going in the fireplaces. Service was super friendly and delivered by young and enthusiastic people. In between meals there are several walks outlined in the material and graded for difficulty and mileage. Golf carts are free for the asking and available to use on paved and graveled paths, of which there are miles. Even though it was a really popular time of year to be at the place we rarely saw anyone else on the various paths. Within the buildings there is a lot of art and sculptures are located on the grounds. If you need a snack there is a popcorn machine, self serve ice cream bar as well as chocolate chip cookies. I hope you’ll get an opportunity to enjoy a bit of time here. Continue reading →
Big House – 1000 Glendorn Drive, Bradford, PA., 16701
The Big House was built of redwood as the property Dorn bought had been previously clear-cut and redwood would cut the risk of fire. The logs were from California and shipped via the Panama Canal to the building where they were left rounded on the outside and planed smooth for the interior. Meals and the bar are located the Big House, along with several rooms/suites. Also on the property is a spa, workout room, and play room that had a self serve ice cream bar and fresh popcorn to go with games and such. The property has numerous fishing lakes for fly fishing only and they have gear for you to use. There is also skeet shooting, biking and golf carts to supplement the numerous hiking trails. We got fish food from the staff that we could toss to the growing fish and boy did the fish go crazy for it. On Friday and Saturday nights they have live music at dinner. On Fridays it’s a guitar/singer and on Saturday it’s a pianist. It was a lovely accompaniment to dinner. They also had a buffet set up outside the cocktail room with boiled shrimp and cheese in the foyer. Each night the menu changes some of the selections and the quality of all varies but is overall quite nice, however many of the service staff are fairly young and inexperienced. Continue reading →
The Lodge at Glendorn dates back to 1927 when C.G. Bondieu purchased 1,250 acres as a retreat for his growing family. He built a “Big House” and some cottages in the American Arts and Crafts style. They continued to add buildings to the property over the next 80 years, opening it to the public in 1995. One of the families that frequented it, fell in love with it and bought it when it was auctioned off in 2009, after most of the family no longer resided in the area. Cliff Forrest and family then made Glendorn their home and set about preserving the history and natural surroundings while doing restorations, improvements and expanding to 1,500 acres. Today, many of the furnishings and artworks were original to the home when the Dorn’s owned it. We were lucky to snag a room at this Relais & Châteaux for 2 nights during Fall leaves. Breakfast is included with your stay and I’ll cover that and lunch in a separate post. Dinner is in a 4-course tasting format where you choose between multiple options. You can also choose to have just 3 courses, pick more than one from each category, or add additional at a la carte prices. They will customize it however you want. Prior to dinner, they served snacks in another room with a bar, pool table and roaring fire. I’ll talk more about the place in the upcoming posts but it is a beautiful spot and the staff could not be more welcoming or helpful. The food is locally based and good but marvelously enhanced by the stunning yet cozy 2 story dining room. If you can get there I know you will enjoy your visit. Continue reading →
Kennedy’s Cafe was a small town cafe on the main street of Somerset. Mike Kappers and his family bought it from the Parnell family in 2018 and renamed it for his then second-grade daughter. The small building has been a cafe for years. The first floor had a few stool seats at a counter, a few booths (with red-topped tables) and a couple of center wood-topped tables. There was additional seating upstairs but I didn’t visit, nor did I visit the basement where the men’s bathroom was – the ladies was on the ground floor. No music was in the background but the place was packed so conversation filled the air. It had lots of lights as well as windows to the street and the walls were covered with some photos and tons of funny-saying signs. Service was super friendly but a bit slow (probably due to the crowd). A cozy little place that serves only breakfast and lunch. It was fun to visit but the food was mostly bland. Continue reading →
Primo Restaurant is a chef-owned place by Melissa Kelly who was the 2013 James Beard Foundation Award winner of the American Express Best Chef, Northeast. She also won this award in 1999 making her the first 2 time winner of the same award. It started as a small venture with one greenhouse and one acre of gardens to 2 greenhouses, 60 staff and 3 acres of gardens as well as chickens and pigs. It is a huge place with a 2 story house being the main eating area with a roaming parking lot to the side that goes up by other buildings and gardens. It was dark and rainy the night we went so it was hard to tell what was what. There were tables on the porch around the large house but the weather did not allow these to be seated. Some rooms had white tablecloths and others bare wood. We were seated in a small room upstairs with old wood floors and bench seating around the walls and small tables. Art for sale was on the walls and I saw 2 bars upstairs. The server told us the place was named for the chef’s grandfather when he had a brief moment to chat. The menu changes daily and yet specials were verbally delivered by the server. The food was good, the ambiance a bit hectic and my overall impression was once was enough. Continue reading →
Home Kitchen Cafe opened in early 2009 in a former gas station location. In 2013 they renovated to expand the kitchen and add a second floor deck. Offering breakfast and lunch all day they want you to “remember, when you’re hungry, come home.” They have their own bakery but also try and make most dishes in-house and use local ingredients. There are parking places around the building but also street parking. Benches outside served as a waiting area and the line moved quickly. Inside there were tables in one part and the other part was just a lower L-shaped counter seating and a cabinet with items for sale. There was music in the background and service was friendly and efficient. If you need breakfast or lunch in the area this would be a fine place to get it, but come hungry. Continue reading →
18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill looks over Rockport Harbor and is owned by Chef Patrick Duffy and his wife Jessica. The couple moved to Rockport from Boston in 2011 to run the Shepherd’s Pie restaurant, which closed in mid-2016. With a first run at the property, they decided to open their own raw bar and restaurant in that location. After several months of renovations, they launched the new venture. It’s a good-sized place with patio seating, overlooking the harbor. The first part of the space is the bar and raw bar and a partially open kitchen fills the rest. The floors are old wood matching the tin ceiling above. The walls are wood and brick while art, historic photos and boat sails hang as decorative touches. The lighting is quite low and there was no music in the background. The tables were well-spaced yet small and service was fine after a slow start. The menu responds to seasonal products and the food was quite good. This place is worth a visit when you’re in the area. Continue reading →
line up to order – 315 Island Rd, South Thomaston, ME 04858
McLoon’s started in 2012 as a family-owned Maine lobster shack on the tip of Spruce Head Island across from the area’s oldest working lobster wharf. It’s what a city would call a food truck except it doesn’t move. You line up at the order window, order and pay and then another person calls out your name when it’s ready and they bring it to your table. There was a tent over many large picnic tables next to the building but also an assortment of tables, some with umbrellas around the basic area. Some have wonderful views of the harbor and many enjoyed full sun, if that’s your thing. There were also wooden chairs that just faced the harbor without having to be seated at a table. There was a line waiting for it to open and the line continued throughout our lunch. It moved quickly and it didn’t take long to get your food. They had a service stand by the tent which supplied salt, pepper, wipes, toothpicks and a container and cups for water. Also for sale were several Whoopie pies which they touted at the Maine dessert but they also had pies and cookies. We passed on that. The food we had was fabulous, fresh and I’d go back any time I am in the area and it’s open, as it does operate only seasonally. Continue reading →
Long Grain opened around 2010 serving “honest food” which was mostly Thai based but also made use of other Asian cultures. A husband and wife team owns it, Ravin Nakjaroen and Paula Palakawong, both from Bangkok with he being a self-trained cook. In 2014 he was a semifinalist for the Best Chef Northeast James Beard Award. Located in downtown Camden parking is as you can find it but there was a small public lot across the street. Over the years the place has expanded in size, which helps as it’s pretty popular. Large windows look out to the street and inside it’s divided into 2 rooms by an open bookcase with things for sale. A few seats are also available at the counter in the back. There’s lots of light in addition to the windows with the addition of skylights and there is music in the background. The servers were very friendly but service was slow, I think due to being overwhelmed by customers. They do take reservations and serve lunch and dinner Tues through Sat. The food was worth waiting for – everything we had was excellent. Put this one on your list for your Maine vacation. Continue reading →
Nīna June is the nickname of Chef Sara Jenkins, who was born in Camden, Maine but raised in the Mediterranean. She uses the background of both places to highlight the products of Maine’s farms and ocean coastal waters with a regularly changing menu. She is the author of 2 cookbooks and previously cooked for kitchens in NYC. This is a long place with the back patio seats overlooking the Rockport Harbor. The open kitchen was on one side and the chef was there to greet the customers and show them to their table. The walls had bench seating with lots of pillows which matched up with small closely placed small wooden tables that were set with paper placemats and cloth napkins. Music was in the background, the lights were fairly dim and art was on the walls. It was a cozy feel and it easily facilitated conversations with your neighbors. The menu was very intriguing and thus we ordered way more than we could eat but we wanted to try so many things. As you’d guess, some items were better than others and appealed differently to esch of us. I’m not sure if any would get a “lick the bowl” rating but I certainly would recommend this place and go back if I’m in the area. The food is very fresh and well done without dots, smears or added micro-greens and really focused on local. Let me know what you think when you visit! Continue reading →
Market Steer Steakhouse was started in 2018 at the St. Francis Hotel by Chef Kathleen Crook and Kristina Goode. You can see Frankie’s visit to the old location here but this trip it had relocated last July to a new 4,500 sq. ft. building with a separate bar area and extensive sound proofing in the main dining room. They did 4 months of remodeling to the structure before moving in and so were able to address the noise level of the older location. Adding a bar allowed them to offer craft cocktails and have a place to display the equestrian and rodeo roots of the Chef. The 60-seat dining room is adorned with a 600 piece hand blown amber glass chandelier and wall sconces made of horse hair ties. The bench seating along the walls was well padded and matched with closely set 2-top white cloth-covered tables. Larger tables were in the center on the old wood floor with music in the background. The ceiling was lined with wood beams and much of the art on the walls was from local galleries with the price list on the back of the wine list. It was a room of soft tones with friendly and excellent service. The food was quite good, so if you are ready for a steak dinner put this on your list. Continue reading →
Geronimo has long been a standout place to eat in Santa Fe. It’s in the “Borrego House” that was built by Geronimo Lopez in 1756. Frankie visited and wrote it up on 11/19 and again on 9/23, which you can click on if you want to see more photos of the place. Located on the busy Canyon Rd where there are tons of art galleries, they do have valet parking if you aren’t close enough to walk. It’s a quiet and elegant place with music in the background, white cloth-covered tables and art on the walls. There are seating options outside, at the bar and in a number of interior rooms. Reservations are a necessity. Service is friendly yet polished and professional. Our fine server, Jay has been working here 25 years or as he put it, “he came with the building.” We passed on dessert but I got a photo of the menu for you. The place has never let me down and I know it won’t disappoint you either. Put it on your list. Continue reading →
Joseph’s Culinary Pub was the creation of Chef Joseph Wrede, Food & Wine‘s Best New Chef 2000 and winner of several AAA Four Diamond awards as well as being featured on The Food Network’s Triple D. The restaurant started in Taos in 1995 and moved once more before settling in the present location about 10 years ago. The place had multiple rooms as well as outdoor seating and a bar counter. The room we were in had bench seating around the perimeter and free-standing tables in the middle. Several windows contributed natural light to the electric lights which were well dimmed. Antique copper pots hung decoratively along one wall and other art was on the walls as was a chalkboard with a drawing of the fish featured in the daily special. Service was super friendly and the food was innovative and tasty. Our two main plates had too many ingredients but they all blended into successful flavors. There are daily specials and changes to the menu with the seasons but some items have been on the menu for 25+ years. This place is worth a visit. Continue reading →
La Choza was located in the old adobe headquarters of Mercer Ranch with a large adjacent parking lot. The name means “the shed” which is the name of their sister restaurant in the historic square. Frankie has visited both but prefers La Choza. You can read about a past visit here. They do not take reservations so go into the building to get your name on the list as soon as you park your car. There are options to sit at tables inside or outside as well as seating at two bars. (I even heard someone request a patio seat where they could have their dog with them). The place has multiple indoor rooms all enhanced with colorful decorations. We were meeting friends there so I got to take photos of some other plates and everyone agreed the food was quite good with generous portions. The red sauce is supposed to be the spicier of the two but both had a good bit of heat, at least initially. I found as you ate the hot portion rounded off into simply lots of flavor. The heat aspect varies with the chilies used that day. Service was great and I’d easily recommend this place to anyone for lunch or dinner. Continue reading →
We visited McRae’s in March of this year and were anxious to get back and try more of their foods. Our reservations were on a Sat. night and they were very busy, enough so that we went around the back to park. That also allowed us to check out the patio but it was not getting much use till later in the evening – it’s pretty hot outside in Dallas now. Inside people were enjoying cocktails and conversations while music played in the background. Service was good and efficient but when it’s busy, order your drinks right away as the bar gets backed up. Our server was quite savvy though, and encouraged us to order drinks and appetizers while we looked over the menu. The tables are on the small side but it worked and the close seating offered the chance to chat with your neighbors and check out other menu items. It was great fun, good food and fine service – you can’t ask for more than that. We went again 2 weeks later and tried some different items and also found some new additions and deletions to the menu. Hope you’ll give it a try when you’re in Dallas. Continue reading →
We visited the Mexican Restaurant in Point Arena in Nov. of 2023 and had a fine meal so we popped in for a snack. I noticed it’s now “My” Mexican Restaurant but you’ll know it when you see the “Uneda Meat Market” sign on the building. The place hasn’t changed except that in addition to the radio on the TV was also playing and unmuted. It’s a small place with little staff -one in front and one in the kitchen. Things are made to order and are of good quality. I will gladly stop by them again when in need of a Mexican food fix.
Prior to this visit we dined at Harbor House last May 2024 and Nov. 2023 but many other times as you’ll find if you search for it on this site. We would go more often if we were a bit closer – it’s definitely at the top of our list of favorites. The staff are all very welcoming and the meal truly deserves its 2 Michelin Star rating. They also achieved a Green Star for their protection of the environment and no-waste ethic. Chef Matt Kammerer and his team have created a jewel for this beautiful coastal setting which serves locally sourced proteins and ingredients harvested from their ranches. They put great effort into creating new items for your second night but will repeat some of your favorites too. Their wine list continues to evolve nicely under Kelly Eckel and we trusted him to select for us and he finds some wonderful choices. The restaurant changes a few things every time we visit and this visit found carpet in the main dining room. Another means to buffer the perfect noise level but I’m not sure I liked covering the gorgeous wood floor. Now that most amazing staff can whiz by and you won’t even notice. I must also mention that one of their fabulous captains, Jaclyn Bisantz won the young server competition and will now represent the U.S. in the international competition! Quite an honor but you couldn’t find someone more deserving. Great staff are a huge component of a restaurant’s success and I look forward to seeing every one of them again soon. Hope I’ll see you there too! Continue reading →
dining room – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
When you stay at the Stephanie Inn breakfast is included. It alone is worth staying there for. It’s in the same room as dinner and on the kitchen side they set up the hot buffet with a variation on eggs, potatoes, meats and hot cereal. In front of that they have fruits, granola, Greek yogurt and sauces. On the other side of the room they have muffins, bagels, toast, scones along with butter and jams. After you’re seated they take your drink order and then you serve yourself as you choose. A menu in your napkin details what is on the buffet and also items you can have cooked to order. Their fruits were all fabulous, being well ripened and full of flavor. The scone flavor changed daily and they were all very good with a nice crisp exterior. The muffins also varied daily and some I liked better than others but all were fine. The toast was the same bread they serve at night. We also tried several of their order options as well as crafting our own order one morning. The coffee was French press and they offered fresh juices but I never tried any of them. The menu also offered alcoholic drinks but I didn’t try those either. It was all wonderful and gave a fantastic start to the day. Plus they serve from 8 – 10:30, so it works whatever time zone you’re coming from. Continue reading →
back of the inn – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
The Stephanie Inn’s dining room holds about 17 cloth-covered tables in the second-floor round room on the mountain side of the hotel. A wooden domed ceiling is over the front half of the room and a lower flat ceiling is over the back darker portion of the room. With the tablecloths, padded chairs, table spacing and carpet on the floor the noise level was wonderful. You could easily hold a private conversation but with light music in the background, you could still enjoy the hum of the other people. Children under 12 are not permitted in the dining room. Service was excellent all the nights we were there with good attention to detail, particularly special requests. They start each evening by offering to get you a cocktail from the bar and take your other beverage requests. An amuse bouche is served and then some bread before the first course hits your table. At this point, Chef Jeff Slemaker took the floor to discuss the upcoming meal. He was to the point and invited all to continue eating as he talked. He was a delightful host and came around to talk with the guests. For our last meal, Chef Johanna led the kitchen team. Portioning at the tastings was wonderful – there was plenty to taste but not too much to make you feel stuffed. They brought additional bread if you needed filler. Each meal was fairly different so it was fine to eat there multiple nights. The staff were all fabulous, friendly and helpful. I can’t wait to go back and hope to see you there too! Continue reading →
exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
The Stephanie Inn was a 3 story hotel on the Oregon coast owned by Ryan and Stephanie Snyder. We visited two years ago and enjoyed it enough that we decided to come back and stay here 4 nights. Rather than making five posts I’ll group two of the dinners in separate posts and do some comments on the breakfast in another post. The first change you noticed was that the place had been painted blue. According to one of the bellmen the place closed for 4 months for an extensive re-do of the facility. On one side of the hotel are beautiful flowers, people’s homes and views of the mountains and on the other side is the beach and rolling ocean. Guests and townpeople alike can also enjoy their 4-course tasting menu at dinner. Chef Aaron Bedard showcases the flavors of Oregon with a daily changing menu. They also highlight many items from their own 40-acre Public Coast Farm, which we saw midway to Portland. Three of the courses are set but there was a choice on the entree course. Wine pairings were available but there was a good list of bottles and wines by the glass to choose from as well as a bar that made good cocktails. In the summer there are 2 seatings, 5:30 and 8:00 but in winter they only offer 5:30. Those staying at the hotel have priority for reservations and there’s plenty of free parking around the hotel. Chef Bedard left his most capable Executive Sous Chef Jeff Slemaker in charge of our first 3 meals. This is a definite recommendation for dinner if you are in the area or have the opportunity to plan a trip here. Continue reading →
cafe exterior – 495 NW Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97124
The Meating Place first opened in 1974 and was in business until 1998. It re-opened in 2011 as a small custom meat shop and within a few years expanded into a 20,000 sq. ft. store offering smoking, curing and sausage making along with a separate cafe. Now with their own herd and ability to process other small rancher’s meat, they are working to reduce the carbon footprint of meat packing and slaughterhouse processes. Their beef goes “straight from our farm to the Meating Place where it’s cut and wrapped for customers without ever hitting a piece of plastic.” The huge meat market was in a separate building just down a small hill from the good-sized café. It offered plenty of indoor and outdoor dining spots and also did a healthy take-out business. It takes a while to get your order so many have learned to call ahead or order online. Music was in the background and a huge mural filled one wall. The kitchen was next to the long order counter and mostly walled off from view. The smells were fantastic as you entered and Frankie enjoyed all the pig decorations. They are open Tues through Sunday for breakfast and lunch from 9 to 3. A special sandwich is offered some days and many are available in a half size. The sandwiches and burgers come with a bag of chips and a pickle spear. If I lived nearby I’m sure I’d shop at their market because I admire what they’re doing. Not so sure about their sandwiches but it’d be worth it to try a burger and if you do please let me know how it was. Continue reading →
Tipico’s Mexican Food was in a former Pizza Hut building with a large very busy parking lot outside. Booth seating lined the perimeter and various sizes of tables are in the middle. Windows with shades were above the booth seats. They are open daily from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm and offer no-frills Mexican fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They did have beer on the menu but I saw no bar for other drinks. You seat yourself and when you’re through, note your table number and your check is at the register by the door. It’s very near to Love Field airport but it also seemed frequented by many of the workers in the neighborhood. Fast service, good prices and giant portions are part of the draw but the food has more soul than fast food flavor. There are daily specials which are very reasonable but many Tex-Mex favorites are on the menu. (If you can read the tiny print on the menu). It was not a particularly convenient place to where I live but I’m glad I went and wouldn’t be against going again if I’m in the area. Continue reading →
building – 52450 Wisconsin Ave, Drummond, WI 54832
KD’s Bear Den was in the heart of downtown Drummond in a building that has housed numerous other places over the years. They are open Wed. through Sat with the kitchen closing before the bar some days and accept only cash. It was a medium sized interior with seats at the bar for food and/or drinks as well as seating on the patio. Carpet was on the floor, artificial flowers hung from the ceiling, there was a good sized parking lot outside, the TVs were on but muted, no music was in the background, the walls were covered with signs and decorations and they had air conditioning. Service was friendly and very effecient and the drinks were on the weak side. Wednesday was the chicken dinner special and Friday was fish fry but hamburgers and pizza were also available. We were there for fish fry and it was an early crowd and there was a short wait for a table. The owner Katie seems to double as cook and came out to visit with some of the folks. It was a good enough I might go back and try the chicken dinner. Continue reading →
building – 50 N. Knowles Ave. New Richmond, WI., 54017
Not Justa Cafe has 4 locations with a variety of owners, two of which also include Not Justa Bar and/or catering service. According to our server they all vary slightly on the menus and ambiance. The New Richmond location serves breakfast and lunch everyday with a small counter area and it does offer drinks. It was a large place spread over several rooms and offered daily specials as well as being open to customizing your order. Country music was in the background and they had a variety of tables, counter stools and booths for seating. At the entry where you wait to be seated was a round glass case of dessert options and items for sale. In the seating areas kitschy signs decorated the walls and carpet was on the floor. There were uncovered window to the outside and plenty of parking our front. Service was terrific, friendly and efficient and the food was mostly good. Continue reading →
exterior – 2 W Munroe Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Denny’s Diner has been owned by the Van Schoyck family since 1980. Named for Molly Van Schoyck’s husband Denny, it serves breakfast and lunch every day 6:30 am to 2:00 pm. Filled with toys and collectables they are noteworthy for their daily baked cinnamon rolls. Most importantly they are not in anyway affiliated with the national Denny’s chain restaurant. Seating is in a number of booths next to the windows to the street and tables that can be re-arranged to accomodate groups of many sizes. There is also seating at the counter. After you’ve looked over the large menu you can entertain yourself with the 50s-60s music in the background as well as watching a toy train go round overhead or visit Superman in the old phone booth. It’s a visual feast of items. My advice is go for a drink and cinnamon roll of any variation and skip the rest of the food. Please note that it is cash or check only. Continue reading →
exterior – 800 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
The Del-Bar has been in business since 1943 when Jim and Alice Wimmer took the plunge and bought an existing roadside restaurant known for its char-broiled steaks. The restaurant had its 75th anniversary in 2018 when the third generation (two grand-daughters) of the Wimmers took control. This large place is about tradition and the supper club experience with several bars where you can enjoy a cocktail before dinner in the many dining rooms. It’s a more elegant scene with table clothes and tasteful decorations. The building was Prairie-style architecture and was actually designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright protégé, James Dresser. Carpet was on the floor and no music in the background which made conversation easy. There was a combination of booth and table seating in the dining room as well as patio if you wanted outdoor dining. I really liked the look of the place and the service was professional and friendly but the food was mixed. Continue reading →
street entrance – 434 Broadway Ave, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
The Courtyard Cafe has had the current owners for 3 months. The Lohr’s bring with them 30 years of local restaurant experience and you’ll find their parents, kids and sibling all there helping. They serve breakfast and lunch in a large high ceiling room next to the Wizard Quest courtyard. At one entrance they also have an ice cream counter and advertise specialty coffee drinks. Beer and wine are available as were a few cocktails. We sat at the counter but there were numerous tables of many sizes in the dining room. We were there in a transition time so both the breakfast and lunch menus were in play. Currently you cannot get served in the patio but you can pick up to go and eat there. It was refreshing to see a less cluttered interior and anticipate straightforward food. I would recommend this place, especially the onion strings or anything with the jalapeno popper spread.
Set-Up
courtyard entrance
interior
interior
interior
Frankie pointed out their hours
specials menu
menu
breakfast menu
breakfast menu
lunch menu
lunch menu
Food
I had to start with an order of the Mini Donuts that are billed to be “just like at the fair.” They came out with the cinnamon sugar on them and it was a generous serving. They were not hot but still plenty soft and tasty.
mini donuts
As an appetizer we shared an order of the Haystack Onion Rings which are served wtih housemade ranch dressing on the side. They were hot and crisp with well cooked onions inside. The coating adhered nicely to the onion. They were delicious with or without the dressing.
onion strings
The Ultimate Turkey Club contained turkey, bacon, lettuce, cheddar and mayo on white toast. Some of the toast pieces were overly toasted and the bacon could have been crisper. Removing the middle piece of bread helped but it’s still a mildly flavored sandwich. Pickle slices were a mild dill.
Ultimate Turkey Club
The Grilled Ham and Cheese was made with cheddar and smoky salty ham. I made it ‘Gregg’ style by adding their famous jalapeno popper spread for $2. This was a key to making this one sing. The server suggested it was his favorite way to eat it and it did add a good amount of spice as well as creaminess to the interior. It was a generous mound of thin sliced ham and well melted cheese on perfectly toasted bread. It was very good.
above entry – S2011 Ishnala Rd, Lake Delton, WI 53940
Ishnala Supper Club is named for a Winnebago Indian word meaning “by itself alone.” It overlooks Mirror Lake in the middle of Mirror Lake State Park. Settlers bought the lands from the tribe in 1826 and constructed a log cabin trading post. The Coleman family bought it in 1909 and made it into their dream home but it changed hands in 1953 when the Hoffman Brothers bought it and created the Ishnala Supper Club, as it is today. Robert Prosser, who started work there as a busboy in 1973, bought it in 1993 . When we went he was at the door greeting guests. It’s a huge place with an extended driveway to the grounds and parking lots, but if they fill there is parking where you turn in and a shuttle to get you to the restaurant and its 4 bars. You check in and will be given an estimate on how long your wait is as they take no reservations. The bars open at 3:30 and the restaurant at 4:00 but the line starts forming by 3:00. We got there at 3:00 and were happy that they started letting people in about 10 minutes early. When we left, the reception person said the wait was 2.5 hours. It’s a machine. There were chairs everywhere on porches and in the various bars located on many levels. Continue reading →
building – 101 Provence View Lane, Sequim, WA 98382
Nourish is a farm-to-table place open for dinner Thurs – Sun. They operate a dedicated gluten-free kitchen with house made dishes using local ingredients. They offer both indoor and outdoor dining with parking on both sides of the building. The menu changes weekly and is a 3-course fixed price with several choices for each course. The wine list was better than most and they also offer cocktails and beer. The indoor space had carpet on the floor with metal and unstained wood for the walls with lots of windows. The metal tables were unclothed, the ceiling was open and there was a large amount of space overall. The food was really good with clean straightfoward flavors. I love the idea that the menu changes that frequently, it would make me go often if I lived nearby. Service was super friendly, efficient and helpful. Hope you’ll try it and let me know what you think. Continue reading →
Dungeness Valley Creamery is owned by Ryan and Sarah McCarthey. They produce whole raw milk from about 70 Jersey cows that produce around 350 gallons of milk per day. Sarah grew up on this farm that was run by her parents. She and her husband took over in 2012. Now their 2 sons are learning the business and you could see them working around the farm. There are cows of all ages and the place used to have tours but now it’s walk through as you wish and they are happy to answer questions. We wanted to try their ice cream which was made by Lopez Island and is sold by the scoop or pints. Lopez supplies many Northwest area restaurants, etc. The friendly scooper told us the cows all love petting and invited us to look around which we did. Each cow had their name on an ear tag and had quite different personalities. Meanwhile the ice cream was dense and lovely. I would have preferred simpler flavors but it and the farm are worth a stop during your visit to the Olympic Peninsula. Continue reading →
Alder Wood Bistro was in a house-like building with several rooms open for dining and a large patio and a good amount of parking around the building. A few booths and lots of tables made up the seating that had music in the background, sound absorbing panels on the ceiling, art for sale on the walls, lots of windows to the outside and decorations scattered about. There was a full bar and a nice wine selection. The food was billed as “the finest local, organic and sustainable produced ingredients”. They have a wood fired oven for pizzas and offer a gluten-free cauliflower crust as well as noting what other menu items are vegan or gluten-free. Their menu also had a number of nightly specials as well as drink specials. I would go back, it was pretty good, and the service was super. Continue reading →
Dupuis’ Restaurant was a large place that was established in 1920 by Joe Dupuis as a tavern with beer, wine and a dance floor. He pumped gas out front (which is the entrance today). He started serving food so he could sober up customers who had imbibed too much During its 100+ year history it has gone through a number of owners with Toni Rieger taking charge in 1998. Through the years the various owners have loved to collect things and many have remained with the restaurant so take time to appreciate all the nostalgic and quirky things. The booths and bar were in the oldest section which had the original furnishings. Now a wrap-around porch area is being added or maybe it started when Covid was upon us. Famous people have visited the place like Barbra Streisand and husband Brolin as well as Tommy Lee Jones and Princess Margaretha of Belgium. The many rooms are different with the entrance room wood covered with lots of knicknacks. The room we dined in had a fire place, curtains covered the windows, tables were covered with white cloths and chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Music was in the background, carpet was on the floor and it was lovely to be able to chat with my husband and hear his response. The food was quite good and I would put this place on your list to visit when you are in the area. Continue reading →
Owners Tracie Millett and Lavon Gomes opened Salty Girls Seafood Company in 2018 but were constantly asked about fish and chips which they did not have room to fry in the kitchen. So they added a location a block away to serve just that. Right now the original shellfish bar is in the heart of downtown Sequim and the FnChips is in an old Episcopal church a block away, but the plan is to move the shellfish bar closer and add a music area in the future. For now it’s a short walk between and worth it to visit both of these places. Both have indoor as well as outdoor dining options and the Salty Girls had a full bar where as FnChips had beer and wine. Inside was a long bench matched with bare wood tables across from coolers with a variety of drinks. Salty Girls has a long bar where the fresh oysters are iced and some high top tables. Both places had super friendly people with a few more interesting decorations at the Salty Girls. I don’t think you could go wrong with anything on the menu at either of these places and hope you’ll try them when you’re in the Olympic Peninsula. Continue reading →
entrance – 4514 Travis St Suite 132, Dallas, TX 75205
Georgie was the third restaurant for Stephan Courseau in Dallas opening in 2019 as a partnership with celebrity chef Curtis Stone and a mostly steakhouse theme. It was known for high prices and low creativity. Enter a change when Stone parted ways and Courseau brought in RJ Yoakum as Executive Chef in January 2023 after three and a half years at the French Laundry in CA. Creativity now abounds and I can’t remember being as excited about a Dallas restaurant since we found the now closed Cry Wolf restaurant. We totally enjoyed a really exquisite dinner last night with service and style reminiscent of a Michelin starred place. Music was in the background for diners seated at double white cloth covered tables on an array of plush velvet couches matched with chairs. A coved ceiling was lined with absorptive material that made conversation possible at your table. A valet is out front but you can park yourself for free at a large lot underneath the building. They offer a seasonal a la carte menu but also a tasting menu with optional wine pairings. With advance notice Chef Yoakum will vary the tasting but we didn’t give that notice thinking we would have what was offered. As it sometimes happens Frankie or I are recognized and so Chef put our tasting on steroids and just wow, this man has what it takes. We often got different dishes so we could try more but with the lower lights and fast descriptions the photos and I won’t be able to do the food justice. You’ll have to trust me that everything that came to our table was amazing and I don’t say that lightly. This was an exquisite meal with a flavor profile off the charts. I may have to stay in town so I can get there again soon hope you will too! Continue reading →
Frankie rode the cart – 115 E Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream was brought to Washington State by Lillie and Jacob from New Zealand, where she learned the art of combining a scoop of ice cream with real fruit. Starting with a trailer in July 2021 they have now opened a storefront in the Port Angeles Wharf since June 2022. Welly comes from Wellington, the capital of New Zealand where she worked for 3 months. They combine ice cream from Lopez Island Creamery with local fruits from Washington farms. They had 4 single berry flavors or a mixed berry to blend with Sweet Cream ice cream or many flavors of ice cream if you didn’t want the blend. They have a machine at the counter where they place the dip of ice cream and the frozen berries of your choice. A corkscrew like mixer blends it in a funnel container that squeezes the end result out the bottom. One problem I saw with that was the mixer does not get washed in between so all mixes have a bit of the mixed berry effect. However some did come out much darker. We chose strawberry which came out fairly light in color. It is a smooth lightly flavored product that is fun and worth a try. There’s a video that tells it all. Continue reading →
Kokopelli Grill is owned by Texans Chef Michael and Candy McQuay who opened it in Dec. 2009. He produces a Southwest style cuisine using local seafoods, steaks and produce for this, the more upscale side of their two places. (The other half is Hook & Line Pub nextdoor, serving lots of fish and chips.) It’s a large 2-story place with the entry room having a high ceiling, some booths along the walls and a staircase at the back wall. Upstairs the two rooms had lower ceilings and bare wood tables and chairs with a bar counter in one of them. A couple lucky tables had a view of the harbor in the bar room but most had a view of the downtown street. Music was throughout and older wood made up the floors. A television screen was behind the bar but it was muted. The place felt jumbled and service matched the feel, but in the server’s defense he was new. However apologies can only work on one snafu, after several it starts to affect your experience. We had to wait a good 20 minutes for our drink order to be taken. When we ordered I asked to please not bring it all out at once but sure enough our salads came before the raw oyster and then the entreé came before I even had a forkful of salad. Rolls never appeared. The food was probably better than I write it up but it was such a mess it was hard to look beyond. Continue reading →
Outpost Sandwiches is open weekdays in downtown Tacoma and offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and also pizza but only on Fridays. It’s a hole in the wall place that’s underground near the courthouse. Parking is on the street as you can find it. Once you enter you’ll find the menu on a large sign and a window to order. Some wooden benches and tables are in front if you want to eat inside with as many eating there as taking orders to go. Music was in the background and the folks at the window will give you a code if you want to use the bathroom down the hall. It was quite busy but if you find yourself in town and need a quick snack I highly recommend the chicken melt and fresh baked cookies. Continue reading →
exterior – 9850 Walnut Hill Ln #305, Dallas, TX 75238
Goldie’s opened in March 2024 and serves dinner Tues – Sun in the Lake Highlands area. It serves upscale American fare with craft cocktails. Owner couple Brandon Hays and Brittany Grignon collaborated with Brittni Clayton (who used to manage Sister) to bring an old-school diner feel into the 1500 sq.ft. space that previously housed RM 12:20 Bistro. They have used the gold theme in decorating the space with gold wallpaper, pictures of Goldie Hawn, the Golden Gate bridge and on like that. You enter into the smaller of the two rooms, with dark walls, red velvet booths along the side, a couple 2 person booths in the middle and the bar on the opposite side. There is a doorway to the patio area that is covered and climate controlled, but visually it is a less striking room. Music was in the background and as the room filled it could have been turned down to make conversation easier, even with a lowered ceiling and lots of sound absorptive surfaces. We split a number of dishes which the server was happy to course out for us. Service was attentive and helpful and the food was very good. I may have to add this to our regular rotation for eating out. Hope you’ll let me know what you think if you try it. Continue reading →
building – 3219 Knox St Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75205
Mister Charles is in the location that the Highland Park Soda Fountain had occupied for 106 years. Opening in July 2023, it is operated by the Chas Martin and Duro Hospitality who are also responsible for The Charles and Sister, written up here earlier. This venue offers French and Italian dishes 7 days a week for dinner. The large space has basically 2 rooms one light with a high ceiling which soars to 36 feet with chandeliers and a long bar the other much darker room has tables covered with fine white cloths, booths and one wall opening into the kitchen. It is a statement restaurant in a landmarked building in a very affluent neighborhood. Parking on the street is competitively available but they also have valet parking which is at no charge if validated at the restaurant. We were in the darker room, which according to the hostess is an option you can express a preference for when making your reservation. It had a terrazzo style tile floor, mirrors on the walls, music in the background, a lower ceiling with sound panels and an assortment of chair and table set ups. The many windows facing the street were covered with blinds except for the exit door which allowed in a bright patch of annoying light for a bit. Small booths were along 2 walls and bench seating lined the window wall. A second small bar was also in this room. Continue reading →
