Saltwater Fish House and Oyster Bar was opened in July 2017 by Jenn and Sieb Jurriaans, who also operate the nearby Prima Bistro restaurant. They try and source their seafood from Coupeville’s Penn Cove Shellfish except for the lobster which comes from Maine. It’s a fairly small place and they take no reservations so people start lining up before the doors open. Inside are small wood tables (counter seating at the bar and in the middle of the room), music and photos of fish and other nautical items. Some fish nets hanging from the ceiling are decorated with glass fish. The full bar also offers a number of beers on tap. Service was friendly, efficient and helpful. It’s about the only seafood restaurant in town but my reaction to the food was mixed. Dinner offered more choices especially if you don’t want fried seafood. Continue reading →
We were at the Fitzgerald about a year ago (as well as in 2019) but this time we stayed on the second level in the newly re-done large rooms. The view and sounds of Lake Superior are fabulous and with so many hot places, the cool breeze here was refreshing. The staff are super friendly and there’s plenty of parking out front. The restaurant does get full, so reservations are a must. Guests at the hotel have first grab at reservations and I found out they hold the window tables for guests. This visit the fires in Canada were making a haze on the horizon but last time we were at the windows and the sun is so bright I believe I prefer the inner tables. It’s a small place though, so there aren’t any tables without a great view. Another thing I learned is to come early as they have limited quantities of some items and the later in the evening the more they’ve run out of. Unfortunately, they were out of ribs again when we arrived and no ends were available. They did look large and meaty from what I saw on earlier tables. Service is friendly and helpful but their wine list is small, especially compared to the array of whisky that is available. It’s a fun lovely place but the food is mixed. Some of the desserts looked and sounded good but those were all gone by the time we finished. Continue reading →
exterior – 32423 State Hwy M-26, Tiovola, MI, 49965
Parkview Lodge and Grilll is a large place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The lodge has 16 rustic rooms ready to house those enjoying the snowmobile and ATV trails nearby. Attached is a large bar and restaurant open 11 to 9, seven days a week. It was opened in 2005 by two sisters and their husbands, but after 10 years they closed for 2. In the middle of being closed, it was taken over by their brother, Scott Johnson who started doing renovations. The bar and restaurant can hold up to 200 people and one new feature was the addition of some cutout trees dividing the bar and restaurant. They are fabric covered to help with noise. We didn’t have any noise issues as it was empty when we stopped but the middle of the afternoon would be prime time for the explorers to be outside. The bartender took our order, helped with suggestions and was very friendly. I don’t know about staying here but it’s definitely a place I’d recommend for a good burger. Continue reading →
exterior – 10590 N Ranch Road, Hayward, WI., 54843
We visited The Ranch Supper Club in 2022 and had a great time so decided to go again, but this time we didn’t have a reservation. Not a good plan for a Saturday night. The wait wasn’t as bad as they thought so it was only a half-hour – time for a martini and a look around the bar area. The bar is a hopping place and they turn out a decent cocktail but their wine list is not too exciting, so we stayed with cocktails for the evening. The bar itself has a beautiful inlay of stones and the wood room is decorated with fishing objects and sporting goods. It’s a good meal with nice service. Continue reading →
Cry Wolf is a regular on our schedule if you haven’t noticed. The menu like the wine list is ever-changing. Some things work fantastically and others miss the mark slightly, but it’s never dissatisfying as I always leave in a great frame of mind. It’s a vibe some restaurants can achieve but it’s tough to maintain, however, they do and so I’ll keep posting updates to our dinners there. It helps that they know us and this night they brought a couple of dishes to us just to try. It made for a lot of food but what fun. Even though Chef Ross Demers was not in the house, Tim Case was there finding excellent wines to go with our order and Chef Mike Stites sent out terrific dishes. If you’re in Dallas this place is a must for you to go relax and enjoy a fantastic meal. Continue reading →
exterior (when closed) – 503 Laneda Ave, Manzanita, OR 97130
Yolk serves breakfast and lunch in Manzanita, on the coast of Oregon. We visited there about a year agoand had fond memories so we were looking forward to dining there and interestingly found out it had been sold in the last couple of days. The past owners were still there when we went, helping the new owners with the transition, particularly cooking. Even so, a little snafu with the ordering process made it take longer to get the bill and impossible to check on our order. It is still a bright and tasteful interior with music in the background, a patio, a full bar and lots of windows to the outside streaming in the sunshine. The food is good but they don’t take reservations, so get there early or be prepared to wait. It’ll be worth the wait. Continue reading →
We visited Neah Kah Nie Bistro last year and it was much better than this year’s visit. They were really short-staffed, meaning one person working the floor and one in the kitchen so any walk-ins were turned away and service was tremendously slow. It’s a small place with some outdoor seating, although the tarp over those seats was gone. I felt for the server but they should have canceled some reservations or notified guests. This was horrible. We didn’t try for a cocktail and instead were thankful to finally get to sit down. We also didn’t try for multiple courses, it took so long to get our wine and then it was the wrong bottle and vintage too. She took it back to try again but finally came back with what we drank and said they’d been delivered it by mistake. (The bill tried to reflect the charge for what we ordered and we waited to have that corrected as this wine was half the price of what we ordered – and was awful). They have a small parking lot but lots of street parking is available. Music was in the background and there was lots of light from the windows in the room to supplement the low lighting. Even so, you could tell the menus were well used and no daily specials were available. I’m sorry to say I can’t recommend this place. Continue reading →
entrance – 178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107
SAISON had been a favorite restaurant of ours for years but had gradually drifted away from yummy so we haven’t been back since 2016. The introduction of a new team lead by Chef Richard Lee sparked our curiosity and so we decided to re-visit and are so glad we did. They still stress open hearth cooking and the use of local products all while expanding their wine list. The space is the same with well-spaced polished wood large tables with music in the background. The walls of brick and piles of wood give it a softer feel than the large open and modern kitchen that takes up one end of the space, which is the show people come to see. The other end is the bar with an abbreviated menu. Chef Richard Lee led a large team of chefs, each with different assigned tasks, and coordinated the serving the same tasting menu to all of the guests. It’s about a 2.5-hour meal and they do turn the tables. Wine pairings are available and a supplemental A5 Wagyu is offered when booking. They were dropped to 2 Michelin Stars a couple of years ago but with the level of service and the quality of the meal, I can see that third star back in their pocket soon. It’s pricey but if you can go it is once again well worth the money. At the end of the meal, you will receive a menu. Continue reading →
Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant is the fifth oldest restaurant in the US. It was first listedhere in 2015 but I didn’t write up subsequent visits. They credit themselves for helping establish San Francisco as the culinary mecca it is today. They serve local seafood, simply prepared, alongside local vegetables. I thought of it as similar to Tadich Grill but it doesn’t seem to have weathered the pandemic as well. The crowd at lunch was very light and the server was marginal (maybe some language issues here) and tried to sell us on more items when we were ordering plenty. The medium-sized place is full of wood and white tablecloths with some natural light from the windows to the street. The walls are decorated with photos and nature shots. The food was marginal to bad and they charge for bread service. Continue reading →
exterior – 240 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Tadich Grill was reviewed here back in 2015, but we visited many times after that and I didn’t write it up. But with the pandemic, it’s been at least 4 years since we were there. It was old school and consistent quality, meaning little changes, but downtown San Francisco has changed with a lot fewer people working in offices and a lower number of tourists. Tadich was ‘started’ by 3 Croatian immigrants in 1849 as a coffee stand that went through numerous moves when in 1871 another Croatian, John Tadich started working there. It became known as The Cold Day Restaurant through a political incident and Tadich took ownership in 1887. He joined with another restauranteur when both needed to recover from the 1906 earthquake, but when their partnership dissolved in 1912 and his partner named his new restaurant The Cold Day. Tadich then named his place Tadich Grill, The Original Cold Day Restaurant. It’s a fairly large place with wood tables and booths set with white clothes and napkins. A long bar with stools runs the length of the place with the kitchen being partially open in the back. Staff are friendly and dressed in long white aprons and white jackets. They have a large menu featuring much local and imported seafood with a few daily specials. The food is fine but nothing to write home about. You no longer seem to need a reservation at lunch, if that’s progress. Continue reading →
Chef Ross Demers – 4422 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75246
Cry Wolf has become a regular on our playlist and I swear I am not on their payroll – but the food is just too good not to share with you. The combinations continue to evolve and are different week to week and the atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming. Chef Ross Demers was finishing the plates tonight so we got to chat with him as we had the two “chef’s table” seats adjacent to him. He and Chef Mike Stites share cooking and finishing rolls, which helps the evolution of the menu. Sommelier Tim Case always has some fun and new wines to tell you about and is very mindful of your menu choices in helping you make a selection. In fact we had picked one wine and he came back and said we needed another under consideration based on our menu choices. I was closing the end of a week of birthday celebrations and Tim started our evening with a complimentary glass of champagne. If you haven’t been here, I strongly urge you to put it on your agenda. Maybe Frankie and I will see you there! Continue reading →
exterior – 2016 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W3, Canada
Shokunin is a 50-seat Japanese Izakaya-style (informal place for drinking and snacks) restaurant serving charred yakitori and other small shared plates. On the 100 Best Restaurants of Canada, they ranked at #82. They have a seasonal menu for the room as well as a full bar and lots of bottles of sake. There are 4 seats at the bar in front of the cooking area that are reserved for the Shokunin Yakitori Omakase tasting. It also has optional drink pairings and an additional course of 45-day aged beeswax-wrapped wagyu. It is not A-5 from Japan but rather a Wagyu from Australia. One item on the menu, the chicken ass (tail), is only available to those having the omakase. The place was packed and service was well-paced and friendly. I was surprised by how little interaction there was between the 4 guests and those in the kitchen, but that was affected by plexiglass between us and the grilled area. It felt a bit impersonal with slight explanations of courses and a rushed feel. Some of the food was outstanding and others were just so-so. The tasting was a good way to get to know the place if you’re a one-time visitor. Continue reading →
entrance – 25 Prince’s Island Park, SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0R1, Canada
River Cafe dates back to 1991 when it started as a full-service café on Calgary’s Prince Island for the summer only. In 1995 they enclosed the space and began operating year-round. The desire was to create a restaurant space that would blend into the Bow River setting and they ranked at #22 on the 2023 100 Best In Canada. Attempting to serve cuisine from local areas was also part of the plan. To this day there is no access to the place except to walk there across the pedestrian bridge and through the friendly geese. It’s a fairly large space with bare wood tables set with towel-shaped napkins, faint music in the background and decorated with a fishing/nautical motif. An open kitchen is part of the rambling room as is a long bar. They are open 7 days a week and serve lunch/brunch as well as dinner. At dinner, they offer a Chef’s Tasting menu as well as an a la carte menu. We chose the tasting and they were willing to give me a copy of the night’s menu, but the dessert listed was not accurate. Service was friendly but the pacing was off and the food was good but not outstanding. It’s such a pretty spot, though I would recommend you try it. Continue reading →
exterior – 1005A 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0T8, Canada
D.O.P. is a small place that merited the number 23 spot on the 2023 list of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. In the next few months, around Sept. they are moving a couple blocks away to the Grain Exchange Building because their current building is being demolished. This will allow them to have a bigger kitchen and add about 10 seats. The name roughly translates to “Protected Designation of Origin” meaning that its products are locally grown or made, as much as possible. The narrow place had small tables running the length of the room opposite the bar/counter seating. The end with the entrance had windows to the street and a couple of side-by-side tables and the other end houses the 6′ x 8′ kitchen. The server said they have a room downstairs for some prep work and storage but this was about the smallest kitchen ever. The room’s long wall is decorated with posters and art, has a high ceiling, music in the background and the small bare wood tables are set with cloth napkins. It filled up quickly and was quite noisy, with reservations being a must unless you’re a singleton for the bar seating. Service was friendly and helpful and the food started with a flourish but then fizzled slightly. Continue reading →
exterior – 106 3 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0B6, Canada
The Silver Dragon Restaurant is located in the heart of Chinatown in Calgary. They offer over 200 Chinese dishes as well as brunch dim sum cart service daily (till 2:30). It’s a fairly large place on the second floor of the building that has been successful enough to now have a second location in Banff. The tables were well-spaced but not set with pepper oil, soy sauce or vinegar. It’s old-school Chinese food and service was friendly and fast with lots of carts coming to your table at any time. However, if you didn’t see what you wanted on a cart they would get it for you if it was presently being served. If it wasn’t they would only serve it if you had 2 orders of it. That made it tough since there were just the two of us but there was plenty of selection to choose from. They did bring us a tray with a bit of hot oil and some vinegar, but the hot oil was gone quickly. Some items came with sauce and then I saw others asking for soy, etc. and they cut most items when served. I would not call it outstanding but it was perfectly satisfying, just not extraordinary. The only specialty item worth commenting on was the ginger beef – a dish invented in Calgary. It’s a fried strip of beef in a sweet/spicy sauce. Fun to try something new. Continue reading →
view from the restaurant – Scotia Centre, 700 2 St SW #4000, Calgary, AB T2P 2W3, Canada
Major Tom is a restaurant and bar on the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place in downtown Calgary. It is the only restaurant in Alberta to be ranked in the top 20 of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants for 2023, claiming #13. Opening in the summer of 2021 it offers spectacular views of downtown (and further depending on the weather) with a menu that is heavy on steakhouse fare. While they offer other dining options, the menu highlights their beef selections which are all broiled at 1800º and brushed with Major Tom butter. It’s a large place and very popular, judging by the crowd and reservation options. The attractive interior is nicely lit by the walls of windows on the perimeter. Music is in the background, as well as much conversational noise and a full bar is available. Service is excellent and very friendly, with our great server Raven willing to pace out our meal and offer guidance on how much to order. Fortunately, the food matched the wonderful views and it was a fantastic evening. I recommend you include this one when you visit Calgary. Continue reading →
dining room – 982 Debruce Rd, Livingston Manor, NY
The current owners have run the place for 6 years and offer 6 “seasons” of menu to span the year. We were there for the ‘Stream’ season which features the many trout in the area. We were fortunate to get the same wonderful server both nights and he really made the meal enjoyable. Knowledge and friendliness are important in a great server and Giovanni Costantino has plenty of both. The tasting is offered at 6:30 and 8:00 pm so it moves at a fairly rapid pace. However, we had the later time and were there past 10, so the early seating moves more quickly. Portions are well-modulated. The beautiful landscape outside made a perfect backdrop for a meal of fish, that I didn’t have to catch or clean. I imagine the other seasonal tastings are well-crafted too. I recommend this place. Continue reading →
The DeBruce Lodge and Restaurant, built in the 1880s, sits on a ledge overlooking the Willowemoc Vally and river in Catskill Park. There are 12 rooms whose stay includes dinner and breakfast, as well as access to many fishing spots. On Friday the menu is ‘a la carte’ and Saturday is the tasting menu (which will be in a later write-up). They sometimes offer a Carte Blanche menu for Fridays but it was not available the time we were there. Some reservations are taken for diners not staying in the lodge, but reservations are recommended. Downstairs is a club room if you desire additional drinks but upstairs, or the main floor, has the small glass-walled dining rooms that has around 8 tables. A larger table is in the Great Room for bigger groups. Music is in the background with wood walls and wooden benches lining the perimeter of the room. The seats are padded and pelts and horns provide the decorations. Skylights provide additional lighting to the votives on the tables and natural light coming in the 2 walls of windows. Once the sun goes down the room did get much darker. A large opening goes to the kitchen which is kept amazingly dark, which is nice for diners but more challenging for the chefs. Eric Leveillee is the Executive Chef but he spends most of his time in Philadelphia and Chef de Cuisine Robert West runs the kitchen here. It is a lovely spot and if you like fly fishing, pack your bags now. If you’re not a fisherman you can still enjoy this place’s wonderful hiking and food. We enjoyed both types of menus and they are quite different, so stay 2 nights if you can.
Set-Up
dining roommenuwineFrankie explored
Food
For dinner we were told we could order whatever we wanted off the menu. We wanted to try a lot and were willing to share all. The server was most helpful in crafting our meal. Our Sourdough was their bread topped with peas, fiddleheads and ricotta. The thick slice of bread was heavily spread with their housemade ricotta and then decorated with fresh fiddlehead ferns and English peas. It was delicious and a delight to have the ultra-fresh vegetables.
Our sourdoughanother angle
Roasted carrots were mixed with coffee, maple and pistachio. These might have been my husband’s favorite plate of the evening. The beautiful fresh carrots were perfectly cooked and seasoned with the nuts adding a bit more texture to the dish. They were great.
carrots
Chilled mussels were mixed with white beans and topped with housemade potato chips. It was described as chilled but it still jolted me to have the cold mussels but they were fun and tasty. The chips gave the texture some crunch and a bit of salt which the beans needed. There was also some briny liquid mixed with the beans underneath. Some of the beans could have been cooked a tad more but better this than turned to mush. The large mussels were great.
Chilled musselsuncovered
Ricotta dumplings were mixed with wild mushrooms and parmesan. The large pasta wrappers were stuffed with the tasty ricotta and then blended with tons of mushrooms and topped with lots of grated cheese and a bit of cream. They were rich, heavy and wonderful.
Ricotta Dumplingsinside
Mangalitsa pork chop au poivre was served sliced and de-boned on a fabulous sauce. The large fat cap on the meat gave it extra richness and a wonderful depth of flavor. It was slightly chewy, but this one you didn’t mind working on, especially the delectable bone meat.
Mangalitsa Pork Chopturned
Beaverkill trout was topped with fiddleheads and smoked roe. It was a boneless fillet but the head and tail were on the plate for a faux whole-fish effect. The cooking and flavor were excellent and the roe made a nice accent seasoning.
Beaverkill Trout
Rice pudding was with almond and sea buckthorn. The thick round of rice was underneath a layer of cream and sitting in the sea buckthorn sauce. It was light and yet full of flavor. I love rice pudding and this was a interesting rendition.
rice puddingcloserinside
Chocolate mousse with raspberry sorbet was topped with lime shortbread. A final drizzle of cream finished off the dish. The cookie was buttery and short and the dish had lots of textures. Some herbs were mixed in and sprinkled on the top to add another layer of flavor. It looked goopy but it was nice.
The Bocuse Restaurant is the French restaurant in the Culinary Institute of America. Named aptly for Paul Bocuse, it is staffed by students at the CIA who learn modern cooking techniques to bring diners classic French cuisine. It’s in a large room at one end of a main building that has a parking garage next to it. Tons of windows added even more light to the fairly bright white room. Modern ceiling fixtures add soft light as does the see-through wine cellar. One end of the room is the open kitchen. Students not only do the cooking but also the service, drinks and wine service. They were all very pleasant but varied in their competency. Bench seating lines the walls with free-standing tables in the middle of the room and music was in the background. The menu is set up as a prix fixe 3-course menu with several choices in each category. They offered a nice wine list as well as many cocktails and mocktails – some made tableside. We were there with family so I got more pictures than I got to eat, but pictures tell a lot. Overall the food was nice but some menu descriptions were off the mark. Continue reading →
Garvan’s was opened 6 years ago by Garvan and Leonie McCloskey to bring a bit of Ireland to New Paltz, NY. It is located in an historic home that was built in 1759. The restaurant is spread over 5 spacious rooms in the building that have carpet and lots of windows to the outside. With the addition of drapes and well spaced tables the noise level is quite nice. There were no special that evening but the place does offer a full bar. We were there with family and so my note-writing and picture-taking were limited. The service was friendly but not particularly attentive. Our main server took our orders and then disappeared for long periods of time while others brought the food and drinks. The food was mixed with some plates good while others were quite ordinary. The bar did turn out good cocktails though and as I said the noise level made it easy to talk. We didn’t get dessert but I got a photo of the menu. Continue reading →
building – US Bank Plaza, 1 S Pinckney St, Suite 107, Madison, WI 53703
L’Etoile Restaurant was opened by Odessa Piper in 1976. She was an early supporter of the sustainable food or farm-to-table movement. In 2005 she sold the restaurant to her Chef de cuisine, Tory Miller and his sister Traci. They continued the tradition of supporting local farmers and expanded to open a bakery and a casual lunch spot also. Dianne Christensen became a co-owner in 2007 and envisioned a new space for ‘L’Etoile and the addition of a gastropub. Chef Miller was the recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Midwest in 2012. The new space is in the US Bank Plaza building with 3 walls of glass looking out at the dome of the Wisconsin capital building. The widely spaced tables are covered with white cloths, sitting on carpet with a high ceiling overhead and music in the background. Parking is on your own, so allow extra time to make your reservation. They offer a “5” course tasting with 2 levels of optional wine pairings as well as an a la carte menu. The full bar and wine list has a fairly hefty mark-up but it is a good selection. We chose the tasting menu which included multiple extras and chose a half bottle of white and full bottle of red to accompany the meal. The food is excellent as was the service and if you have the chance this is a place I would recommend, but it’s not cheap. Continue reading →
The Plaza Tavern and Grill is the home of the “world-famous Plazaburger.” The burger is dressed with a Plaza sauce which is a secret recipe from 1964. The Plazaburger is ordered separately from a regular burger but they also offer a number of other food choices. Inside is a long bar that runs the length of the long room and booths run along the opposite wall. The middle of the room is open but you’ll find various game machines around the room. A number of televisions were around the room and midday they were playing an old animated show. It’s conveniently located by the capital and UW and open Wed to Sat from noon to 2 am. Goggle wrongly said they weren’t open till 3 pm on Wed but that is not the case. They were super friendly and cooked our burgers on the grill right behind the bar. It is a cash only place. Continue reading →
Paul’s Pel’meni is a small place near the UW campus serving Russian style dumplings. The owner, Paul Schwoerer, once lived in Alaska and found that Russian cuisine was good for colder climates. While there he learned to make these dumplings from a man who wanted to move back to Russia. Now he and his wife are in their 3rd location having been in business for 18 years. Everyday in the kitchen downstairs he rolls the dough and stuffs it with mashed potatoes or a savory ground beef mixture. Sour cream is the standard accompaniment but they still seemed plain to him. Now he adds a topping of yellow curry, butter, sweet chili sauce with vinegar and cilantro. They are sold in full and half orders of the beef, potato or mix. You order at the counter and they are out quickly. In the next room are tables and a water jug and a room with a bar. Later in the evening they’ll be serving lots of cocktails and draft beer to go with the dumplings. It was a quick and very satisfying lunch for us and I highly recommend you check the place out. Continue reading →
exterior (daytime) – 644 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
The Harvey House is a modern take on a supper club and train travel, located in an historic train depot. The old Baggage Claim House and a train car next door make up the interior spaces. Opened by Shaina and Joe Papach, he runs the kitchen and she provides the design and business development portion. Lots of Wisconsin classic cocktails are served as well as newer craft cocktails, but the wine list is limited. The private car, which we could see out the window in our dining room, is used mostly for private parties according to our server. Even so, it is a large place winding around different floors and rooms with music in the background. A parking lot outside can handle some of the cars but parking can become an issue. There were some area rugs on the hard floor but with all the brick walls and marble-top tables, noise quickly became an issue. The lighting is very lowered which also became difficult as the sun went down. The food was mixed but service was fine. I do love supper clubs, but as much as I admire what the owners bring to the dining scene I probably wouldn’t go back. Continue reading →
exterior – 5371 Old Middleton Rd, Madison, WI 53705
The Oakcrest Tavern opened in the 1950s and it’s famous for its burger made from “steak trimmings” but they offer a number of things on their menu, including a fish fry on Fridays. It’s a casual place with the bar counter filling half of its space. The cooking area is inside the bar area and a parking lot surrounds the building. There were lots of TVs around the room but the sound was muted and music was playing. Lots of beer paraphernalia decorated the wood walls. The staff was all super friendly and they were quick with the food and you could see it was made to order. We enjoyed Leinenkugel’s beer, which was served nicely cold in a bottle, with our lunch. I suggest you give this place a try if you have a chance but be forewarned – it’s said to get quite busy at some hours. Continue reading →
Di Anoia’s is an Italian restaurant run by Chef/Owner Dave Anoia from Lebanon, PA. that opened in 2016 in the Strip District with his wife, Aimee DiAndrea (get how they came up with the name?). They accept reservations 6 weeks in advance but do have a waiting list that actually works. The bar and patio are for walk-ins. It’s a large bustling place serving all ages on closely spaced faux marble tables with red-checked napkins. Windows to the outside are on 2 walls and one looks like it used to be a garage door. They are open for all three meals except for no breakfast on Sunday and closed all day Monday. It’s a deli/cafe by day and a full-service restaurant at night. You enter into the bar/cafe area where there is a pastry case and a full bar. The dining room is to you right. Service was helpful and friendly and the noise level is loud. Continue reading →
exterior/day – 1230 Grandview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
Altius was a combination of fine dining and spectacular views. Located next to the top spot for the Mt. Washington Incline, the 2-story restaurant makes the most of its views with windows on three sides and 2 levels on each floor, so everybody can look around. The comfy seats have adequate-sized tables on carpet with only faint music in the background. Most of the lighting was from the windows and that would have been an issue if we hadn’t been lucky to be located under one of the ceiling spots. Some tables got quite dark as we watched the sun go down and the city’s lights go on. Bridges, stadiums and buildings are all within view as was the Duquesne Indian station and its car. A more casual crowd seemed to be celebrating special occasions among us regular diners. Service was good as was the food but the view was exceptional. Continue reading →
Primanti Bros. started in 1933 during the Great Depression. Joe Primanti had a sandwich cart that was successful enough to turn into a storefront feeding shift workers and truck drivers. Their signature is potato fries on the sandwich. The story is that someone came to the restaurant during the winter with a load of potatoes. He was concerned if they were frozen but when cooked on the grill they were fine. As other customers came in they wanted some so Joe put them on the sandwich and it was a hit. It allowed the drivers to eat with one hand while they drove. They now have 40 restaurants in over 6 states. We tried to hit the original location of this Pittsburgh icon. It is definitely worth trying and they are open daily 8 am – 10 pm and even later on Fri and Sat. The interesting thing was their menu had no prices and the drink menu on the table didn’t either. You can order extra meat or cheese on your sandwich but then I heard another patron asking how much and the server had to go to the register to check. On the website, most of the sandwiches are around $9 with $2 for extra meat/cheese. Service was super friendly and the place has murals you could study while you wait a short time for your order. They also had a full bar and several options for draft beer, which is what I tried. Continue reading →
Eleven was in a renovated warehouse beside the rail lines and served a seasonal menu with an accompanying large wine list. Opening in 2004 it was named because it was the 11th restaurant opened by the big Burrito Restaurant Group and it has been a launching spot for many of the best Pittsburgh chefs. It’s a striking interior, with a two-story dining area where the second floor is glass-enclosed private rooms (and a patio) and downstairs is filled with curved booths opposite straight booths that are next to the wall separating the open kitchen. The wine cellar is the glassed-in area on the second level above the middle of the space. On the opposite end of the dining area/kitchen was the large bar area that had a separate menu. Music was in the background with lighting lowered and curtains on the windows to the street. The food was quite good but there were a few service glitches that showed a lack of communication among the staff. It was a dressier crowd, many looked like expense account eaters. I would recommend the place based on the food and the lovely setting but with some reservations. Continue reading →
Lindey’s is owned by Sue Doody who opened it in 1981 in the German Village neighborhood. Now two of her sons are involved and both have found careers in the restaurant industry. It’s a huge place serving American cuisine in a white tablecloth setting. There are several dining rooms as well as private dining rooms in the 2-story corner building. The 1884 building housed another restaurant prior to but earlier served as a grocery, a saloon, flower shop and hardware store. Doody named the restaurant after the linden trees that used to grow on the property. The small tables are on carpet with the walls covered with drawings and music somewhere in the background. The entrance room had a long bar and tables but we were in the next room with windows to the street adding a bit more light into the room. Service was friendly but jumbled and the food was mixed. Perhaps we should have ordered the daily special. Continue reading →
exterior – 127 S Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46225
St. Elmo Steak House has been a landmark in Indianapolis since 1902 when it opened. It is the oldest steakhouse in the city that’s in its original location. The place is huge, covering several floors with lots of different rooms and private dining options. It was founded by Joe Stahr and named for the patron saint of sailors, St. Elmo. Having had several owners over the years it is now run by Stephen Huse and his son Craig. They’ve won awards, have a huge wine cellar, valet parking and professional tuxedoed waitstaff. The large white cloth-covered tables are surrounded by brick walls and lots of photos with lowered lighting. The evening we were there, there were a number of large parties in the private rooms as well as on the floor. It had a very typical steakhouse ambiance that you have to be in the mood for. It was mixed on food but service was outstanding. Continue reading →
entrance – 653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Bluebeard is an amazing farm to table restaurant open for lunch and dinner. They have a full bar as well as lots of wine. It started as a European-style bakery, as one was not in Indianapolis in 2010. Tom Battista found a 1924 factory building in an historic Italian neighborhood in downtown and started Amelia’s Bakery which now supplies all the bread for Bluebeard. The space was large enough to house more so Tom brought in Chef Abbi Merriss and his son Edward to open a restaurant that would have the same artisanal approach to food, and they did just that in 2012. They named it Bluebeard after a book by Indianapolis native Kurt Vonnegut. Many of the decorations in the place reflect Vonnegut’s books. The winding space moves through numerous cozy rooms packed with fun decorations and happy people. They take no reservations so get there early if you don’t want to wait in line. The food is fantastic as is the service. It will be a memory you won’t forget. We didn’t get dessert but I snapped a photo of the menu for reference. Continue reading →
exterior – 601 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Vida offers innovative cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, when possible. It’s a large building with a bar on one side and the dining room on the other. The bar offers more casual dining and is in the original part of the building. They offer a 6-course Chef’s tasting menu (optional wine pairings available) or a 4-course fixed price menu with several choices for each course. Opening in 2016, it is an elegant space with a super high ceiling that has windows much of the way up. One wall of the dining room had a cushy bench that was mated with medium-sized dark bare wood tables. Carpet was on the floor and lots of wood in the room help keep the noise at a good level even with music in the background. The service was very nice with the team working together. The pacing was good as was portion control. We chose the Chef’s tasting with a dessert substitution for me and our own bottle of wine. Continue reading →
building – 234 N Belmont Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46222
The Workingman’s Friend is said to be the “best blue-collar burger place in town.” Founded around 1918 by Louis Stamatkin, an immigrant from Macedonia, who was helped by his fellow Macedonian immigrants to open the place. He served lunch to local railroad workers and other factory workers and called his place Belmont Lunch. Beer and liquor were a big draw for customers. When the workers were on strike he let them run a tab for which the place was given the nickname “The Workingman’s Friend.” When he died at the young age of 46 his sons (Carl and Earl) took over and renamed the place in his honor, but they also added some more expensive items to the menu and live entertainment. Carl’s daughter Becky started working there in 1978 and by 1980 the live music and steaks were gone. The place again focused on burgers and beer, of which the burgers are thin with a crispy edge. The expansion the sons planned never happened but it is still a large place filled with small closely spaced formica-topped tables. There are a number of lots around to park in and they were all pretty much full at 1:30 as was the interior. At one point a line formed waiting for the tables. It took close to an hour to get our food but the wait was worth it. It is a fantastic burger. The service was friendly but the noise level is loud from conversations. Televisions over the long bar were turned off, but a full bar of liquors is available. Continue reading →
In 1998 the award-winning Chef Chris Ward joined the M Crowd Restaurant Group as Executive Chef of The Mercury. Ward had garnered many honors including “Rising Star Chef” by the James Beard House Foundation. Today he is still in the kitchen at this neighborhood staple and packing a crowd even in the middle of the week. Located in a modest strip shopping center, inside you’ll find the lights lowered, dark wood tables, padded seating, stone and wood walls, shaded windows to the outside, and music in the background. You enter into the large bar area and now next door houses a sushi bar that shares food with this place. Along one wall is the opening to the kitchen where some terrific food is being offered to diners. There was only one special that evening but the menu covers a good range of American classics. The service was outstanding and we truly enjoyed an evening there with some friends. Continue reading →
Longoven offers a seasonal 10-13 course tasting menu highlighting local products. Owned by a trio of chefs – Andrew Manning, Patrick Phelan and Megan Fitzroy Phelan – it opened about 5 years ago. The trio united after varying careers to do a series of pop-up dinners for 4 years starting in 2014. They didn’t start out intending to offer fine dining but evolution found them receiving tons of awards as they refined their concept of flavors. Open for dinner Wed through Sat, there are few tables so get your reservation early. Wine pairings are offered and cocktails can be acquired at the Lost Letter which is the bar in the front of the building. The Lost Letter and the patio on the side also serve food made in the same kitchen, just a more casual and a la carte version. Fittingly the name refers to the community ovens of the Civil War period. They do give you copy of the menu at the end of the meal. The space is fairly dark with dark wood tables and carpet and excellent service. It is star for the Richmond dining scene and a bargain at $155/person. Go if you get the opportunity. Continue reading →
L’Opossum offers a quirky take on traditional French cuisine in a very eclectic interior, masterminded by Chef/Owner David Shannon. Opening in 2015 it immediately won the Elby (Richmond-region award) Dining award for Best New Restaurant and in 2017 won the Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year. You can see why it also has claimed fame as the most romantic restaurant with a number of sexual references in the food and art. Inside you’ll find a small darkly lit place with booths on one side of the long room, cut-outs holding statues between tables on the opposite wall and small tables in the middle. The tables are embossed with gold patterns underneath heavy plastic coating that brought Rorschach to mind and the lighting is from dozens of colored balls hanging from the ceiling. The walls are covered with plates, paintings and statues. Service was great – helpful and friendly, offering advice when needed. It may not be the best food I’ve ever had but the place itself is worth a visit and a chance to soak up the vibe. Continue reading →
Stella’s serves rustic and modern Greek cuisine. Stella was born in 1942 and emigrated to the U.S. as part of an arranged marriage. Her husband opened an American classic cafe in 1956 and she joined him working there in the 1960s bringing in Greek dishes. In 1983 she opened a restaurant bearing her name a few doors down. Expanding on its success she opened a second place in 1998 offering eclectic cuisine. The current location opened in 2011 and Stella still comes by and the kitchen prepares her old family recipes. The medium-sized place is on a corner and parking is on the street. Windows make up two walls and the large L-shaped bar is opposite, set with stools with backs. A large table is midway to the back and that and the bar are for walk-in seating. Otherwise, it is a bunch of small bare wood tables with some bench seating or larger tables for 4 with chairs. The ceiling is tin, Greek music is in the background and it’s very busy. However, the service didn’t rush you and was glad to bring things out individually so we could split them. The server warned us we ordered too much as the portions were large but agreed to give the kitchen our apologies that we were going to waste some food in order to be able to try lots. If you like Greek food try and get a reservation and otherwise get there early and snag an open seat. Continue reading →
hotel exterior – The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220
Lemaire is the fine dining restaurant in the historic Jefferson Hotel. It is named for President Thomas Jefferson’s maitre d’ Etienne Lemaire who is credited with introducing cooking with wine to America. The menu changes seasonally and is under Chef Patrick Willis, a Virginia native, since 2009 when the place underwent a major renovation. The hotel was lovely and had a nice bar just outside where you could wait for your table. Inside the elegant dining room was one room with elaborate plaster moldings, Italian chandeliers, mirrors, custom draperies and double-clothed large tables. Some windows were on two sides of the room and provided additional light to the small votive on the table. The padded leather chairs, carpet and well-spaced tables make a conversation easy yet private. Service was professional yet friendly and guests varied from those celebrating a special occasion to casual hotel guests. We wanted to split a number of things and they were happy to course it out for us. This place is worth a visit. Continue reading →
Perly’s is a Jewish Restaurant and Delicatessen serving “traditional Jewish cuisine with a twist.” In the heart of downtown, they are open Wed. to Sun. from 9:00 am till 3:00 pm. The place originally opened in 1961 and has had 3 owners with the current ones taking over in 2014 and adding the twist. It’s a long place with one side taken up by the long bar that ends in the kitchen space. The area that’s left is divided in two with booths and tables. The marble bar had stools opened and we took that as there was a wait for tables even later in the afternoon. Music was in the background, windows to the street provided additional light to the many fixtures, a black and white movie played silently on the screen above the bar, the ceiling looked like an old tin one and a pair of larger semi-circular booths flanked the doorway. Continue reading →
Buck’s Restaurant is in the heart of Old Louisville in the historic Mayflower building. Established in 1992 they wanted to create a “moon garden” and filled the restaurant and bar with white flowers against the dark green walls. The continental menu is served on artfully mismatched china and nightly live piano music adds to the ambiance. The medium-sized place felt very retro with a large bar dividing the 2 rooms. The tables were covered with white clothes and set with black napkins. The lighting was lowered, the bar is decorated with liquor bottles, the crowd was a bit more casual and there is a dedicated parking lot. Service was super friendly but in all honesty we were thrilled to have the young chef from our B & B be our server for the evening. Continue reading →
exterior –610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
610 Magnolia was in a 125-year-old carriage house in Old Louisville – the creation of Chef Edward Lee. In 2003 he wanted a modern take on the Southern Table and so offers a 5-course tasting menu with 2 options on 4 of the courses. Wine pairings are available as well as a full bar. Since there were 2 of us we decided to each order one of the options so we could try the whole menu. The menu focuses on seasonality and locally sourced produce including their own greenhouse and farm. It’s a medium-sized place with rock music in the background. A large bar filled one area but it did not have seats. The nice-sized tables were bare wood set with white cloth napkins and windows to the outside helped with the otherwise dim lighting. They do 2 seatings a night and reservations must be made by calling. We were in the early seating and as such the noise level was good at first but then became difficult as the later crowd arrived and more drink was consumed. The food was mixed but Chef Lee was in the house and did come around to visit with guests. We tried their pairings which were okay and small pours. Continue reading →
entrance to restaurant – The Brown Hotel, 335 West Broadway, Louisville, KY, 40202
J. Graham’s Cafe is in the Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville. One of several restaurants in the hotel they are the ‘light and airy’ one. They are famous for the “Hot Brown” which was invented there in 1926 and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NBC’s Today Show and many other media outlets. In the 1920s The Brown Hotel regularly had over 1,200 guests every evening for its dinner dance. As the guests grew tired and hungry they wanted something glamorous to eat and Chef Fred Schmidt created the open-face turkey sandwich he called the Hot Brown. The Cafe is on the first floor of the hotel and if you dine there you are given 2 hours free valet parking, which is nice in the busy downtown. The room had windows looking out to the street which provided much natural light, bare wood tables, carpet, walls decorated with poster art and nicely padded seats and benches. A full bar is available. Service was a tad pushy, trying to upsell a bit and not particularly attentive but there were enough service people you didn’t get forgotten. The sandwich is an icon so I had to try it. Continue reading →
Jack Fry’s is celebrating 90 years in business. Jack and Flossie Fry opened in 1933 and the restaurant was mostly a sportsman hangout due to his love of horse racing and boxing. He closed the business in 1972 and then the space served Mexican food until it was re-established as Jack Fry’s in 1982. Susan Seiller bought the restaurant in 1987, the year Jack died. She transformed the restaurant into fine dining and then sold it to Stephanie Meeks in 1996, who started working there in 1996. She further upgraded the dining area and bar as well as adding climate-controlled wine storage. The place has won many awards and is filled with photos of its history, including the photo of Jack with the winning Derby ticket that made it possible to purchase the restaurant. It’s a cozy medium-sized darkly lit place with a small parking lot adjacent to one side. The white tablecloths, tin ceiling and full bar are complimented by the lovely live piano music. Service was friendly and helpful and I would heartily recommend this place if you find yourself in Louisville. Continue reading →
Frankie took the night off and we slipped into Cry Wolf for a delicious dinner. We were lucky to snag reservations for the Chef’s Counter seats where you are able to see all the dishes get prepared and chat with the talented chefs. What a treat to find owner Ross Demers at the grill. The menu had changed quite a bit in the month since we were there and many exciting choices were available. Also, Sommelier Tim Case had added some fun new wines and Sous Chef Mike Stites was doing the finishing touches before the plates were served. I’ve described this place before but my rule of thumb is to go as often as you can while a place is hot – you never know what the future holds. So, get there now cause this place is on the top of its game. Continue reading →
Chez Fonfon was a casual French bistro that opened in 2000. It is under the helm of Chef Frank Stitt but the night we were there it was his wife Pardis Stitt who was on site. (She also is a co-owner of Highlands Bar and Grill). The large place was crowded and busy with a large bar taking up about a third of the room. Music was in the background, lights were lowered, windows looked out to the street and parking, and the good-sized tables were bare wood set with cloth napkins. The vibe was of younger people and lively conversations. We were lucky to get a table in a corner, otherwise, the noise might have made me like the place less. Service was good as was the food, which was first-rate. I’d go back, especially for the dessert. Continue reading →
Bottega is open for dinner Wed through Sat and now reservations can be made 4 weeks in advance, online and by phone. The formal dining room opened in 1988 in the historic Beaux-Art building. A Café opened next door 2 years later which offers more casual dining. The building originally was an upscale clothing store and later housed some medical care units until it became a restaurant, but it retains the original facade and front windows and tile floor. Chef and Owner Frank Stitt received the James Beard Foundation’s Award for Best Chef Southeast in 2001 as well as many other awards during his time in the industry. Now the good-sized tables are covered with two white cloths, large metal chandeliers provide soft lighting supplemented with votive candles on the tables and some tract lighting in the high ceiling. Currently, they are not using their upstairs seating due to staffing shortages. It has a feel of elegance, the noise level is good and the crowd seemed a bit older. Service was wonderful as was the food. I heartily recommend this place. Continue reading →
exterior – 2013 2nd Ave., N. Birmingham, AL, 35203
Helen is a contemporary Southern grill under the helm of Chef Rob McDaniel and his wife Emily. Helen was Rob’s grandmother who cooked on an indoor grill. The large restaurant is in downtown Birmingham in a 2-story 1920s shotgun-style building. Opening in the summer of 2020 they serve diners downstairs with upstairs having private party rooms or it can seat diners as needed. Small bare wood tables sit opposite a wood bench with movable pillow backs. Some larger tables accommodate bigger groups. Windows look out to the street, a small bar has chairs for waiting, pictures are on the walls, valet parking is available out front and a long open kitchen is in the back. The noise level was acceptable but the service could border on pushy. The food was good but once again we encounter “the small table and lots of plates at one time” issue. Continue reading →
The Essential is a medium-sized bar and cafe in an historic part of downtown Birmingham that serves contemporary American food. They serve dinner, brunch on weekends and lunch, which is what we had there. They have seating inside at tables and at a long bar or tables on a patio, which did have heaters. Along with a full bar, they offered a nice wine selection. Large windows in the dining area overlook the outside patio and street and music plays in the background. A fun tile floor was opposite a decorative ceiling and one wall had a bench seat that accompanied the small round marble tables. The back end of the room was a large opening into the kitchen. At lunch, they have fewer items to pick from than at dinner but whenever you go you’ll find fine food and service here. This place should be on your list if you visit Birmingham. Continue reading →
Scoundrel was opened in October of 2022 by Greenville native Joe Cash. He wanted to create a French bistro like he’d find in NYC or LA. It’s a good-sized place that’s divided in half by curtains, with the bar and its seating on one side and a long bench seat facing small tables on the other side. Opposite those tables are semi-circle booths with larger tables and padded seating. Music was in the background and lights were lowered, supplemented by spots on some of the tables. Wood floors, exposed ductwork above, and art featuring the ‘scoundrel’ cover the walls. they have 2 unisex bathrooms and one is marked with a warning that it is not ‘family friendly’ due to the provocative photos on the wall. I’m betting the notice was posted after several comments were posted about it on the trip advisor reviews. The full bar offers lots of options but the wine list was mostly uninspired. Noise was not a problem here maybe due to spacing or design but that was nice as was the excellent and friendly service. Continue reading →
back entrance – 550 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
Hall’s Chophouse was started by the Hall family in 2009 in Charleston. They now have 5 locations in this area of the country with Nashville set as the next to open. They bill themselves as serving the finest steaks money can buy, offering an extensive wine list and serving hearty family-style sides all with great service. The Greenville location is located in the refurbished part of downtown overlooking the water feature. Parking is on the street as well as in several city-owned parking garages. It was a fairly large place with huge windows taking in the view with an equally huge bar available for drinking and dining. At lunch, they had some different menu options but the entire dinner menu is available too. Be advised that portions are large. The nice sized tables were cloth covered but I found the service to be a bit overdone bordering on intrusive and pushy. We were there for a relaxed visit with a longtime friend and the constant picking up of plates we were using to replace them with larger ones, changing out flatware after plates were served and the pushing of extra orders did not endear their service to me. Continue reading →
The Anchorage was a small place in the Village of West Greenville serving an eclectic menu. Partnered with Horseshoe Farms the restaurant brings the farm-to-table concept to life by having a variety of vegetable dishes on the menu. Executive Chef/Owner Gregory McPhee opened the restaurant in early 2017 and the place was a semi-finalist for the 2018 Best New Restaurant James Beard Award. Carlos Baez, Chef de Cuisine has cooked in many places but joined the team in August 2020 and was in charge of the kitchen the evening we dined. It’s a small 2-story place with a dining room and partially open kitchen on the first floor and dining and bar area on the second floor. Next door is a tiny wine shop where you actually enter the restaurant, but wines are available for purchase. We were a little confused about where to enter and some of the regular patrons found us wandering and showed us the way in. They were local people who said it was their favorite place and I can see why. Parking was on the street, music was in the background, wood and brick made up the walls, and lighting was lowered with a bench seat lining one wall. The guests were made up of a range of people but it never got too noisy to talk. The service was fabulous. The menu offers 9 plates a la carte but there is a tasting option where you get to try all of the dishes in 3 groupings, with scaled portioning. It is the way to go, which you should – as soon as you can. Continue reading →
exterior – 654 South Main Street, Greenville, SC., 29601
Coral was a large place in the West End district of downtown. It’s basically divided into 2 rooms, one bar and one dining. The kitchen is under the helm of Joshua Dill and Addison Stone, both South Carolina natives but it is owned by 3 friends who all were born elsewhere and ended up in the Greenville area. It’s a busy and loud place that stresses the bar and cocktails as well as local seafood. Painted brick walls are lined with booths and small bare wood tables. The lighting is quite low but spots set in the black ceiling shine intensely on the outer ring of tables. The floor was carpeted and there were sound panels on the walls, the only music was in the bar that blended slightly into the background but the crowds made noise an issue for me. Service was friendly and helpful but it’s hard for servers when plates are large and tables are small. The food was mixed but it’s definitely a happening place. Continue reading →
exterior – 5650 Village Glen Drive, Dallas, TX., 75206
Meridian brings modern Brazilian cuisine to Dallas as prepared by Chef Junior Borges. Opening in 2021, the restaurant celebrates chef’s Brazilian roots in a lively and beautiful setting surrounded by apartments, offices and small businesses. There is valet parking available but there are lots of places if you’re willing to walk. You enter through the large bar area that also has some small booth seating and proceed into the large main dining room with one wall having an opening to the open kitchen. Opposite walls are mostly glass with lights in the trees surrounding the place. Music is in the background and the tables vary in size with some couch-like comfortable seating. Maybe due to the wood floor or lots of plants but even in a very full room, it wasn’t too noisy to talk at the table. Lights are dimmed but it’s not overly dark. In the dining room, they offer a 4 course fixed price menu with several selections in each category or guests can go a la carte in the Bar Room or patio. The fixed price menu also has some additions available as well as supplements and wine pairings. We got the pairings and while it is a way to match the wine in food, the pours are very small and the matchings were not inspired. There is a happy hour also with drink specials and different food items. Open every day but Monday, it’s a fun place to try. Continue reading →
FIG opened in 2003 and this was our third visit, the last being in March 2017. More plants are growing on the sign over the front door but you still enter into the bar area and then proceed to the big dining room. The lights were lowered, white cloths covered the large tables, the ceiling dark, floors wood, and walls red with no music in the background. We were privileged to be seated in one of the two red booths in back with really comfy seats. The place was still very popular with tables being turned regularly even on a Thurs. night. We were very happy to get to chat with Chef Jason Stanhope who was recovering from ankle surgery, but stopped by the table at the end of the meal as I requested getting an updated photo of him. The place is named for “Food Is Good” rather than the fruit and it is well-named indeed. When you have the chance I suggest you dine at this fine restaurant. Continue reading →
We were excited to return to Chez Nous but slightly dismayed to not see Chef Jill Mathias in the kitchen. This visit we got to sit downstairs and enjoy the jazz music that plays in the background. There is a second fireplace at the base of the stairs to the upper level and the tables are just as small down here. There are also a few stools at the bar counter in front of some of the wines. The decorations in the place are from a local antique store that one of the owners is also involved in. Also found out that the doors to the bathrooms are original to the house. The setup was the same as before, with 2 choices for each of the 3 courses and that really befuddled the neighboring table that wanted French onion soup or any soup (they eventually left). We however were happy with the choices but this trip wanted the same things and split the dessert as we knew a heavy dinner was on the schedule. The food didn’t dazzle me as much as the first visit but I would still plan to visit this place every chance I get because the food is that good and the concept is very refreshing to me. Continue reading →
exterior – at Cannon Green, 103 Spring St., Charleston, SC., 29403
Wild Common promises “bold and inventive cuisine” in several dining spaces. We chose the Chef’s Counter but there is also the indoor dining room or private courtyard. The space is large and also accommodates a couple of event spaces, neither of which were in use nor was Chef Orlando Pagán in the kitchen. You enter the plain building and go down a long hall, thinking you’ve entered the wrong space. When you find the dining area there is also a marble bar that looks into the kitchen and a large changing digital painting that dominates the dining room. Opening in the spring of 2019, you’ll find high ceilings and music in the background. They offer a tasting menu (with supplements) only and have optional wine pairings. The pricing of the menu and supplements was off in that each supplement was as much or more than the whole menu – seemed odd. We chose our own bottle and a cocktail from the bar to go with our tasting menu as printed. The menu had good portioning and very fast pacing. Staff were all friendly and helpful. Continue reading →
Chez Nous is a small place in an 1835 2-story home. Around 9 years ago Chef Jill Mathias started serving the cuisine of southern France, northern Italy and northern Spain for lunch and dinner 6 days a week. She serves the same menu of 2 appetizers, 2 entreés and 2 desserts both times of day but changes the menu daily. Chef writes the new menu by hand every day in a very stylized script, with the first line in the language of the area and the second in English. The place just holds 36 guests inside and 20 on the outside patio. Music is in the background, light streams through the many windows, upstairs a bench runs along the long wall with no pillows and tiny tables. Upstairs wide plank old floors are opposite exposed ceiling rafters and the end of the room has a crumbling brick fireplace. It all works to feel like you’ve jumped back in time to enjoy a meal in a friend’s home. Don’t let anything stop you from getting to this place and eating some of her great food. We were so impressed we made a reservation for the next day’s lunch while we sipped coffee. Continue reading →
Chasing Sage is a medium-sized place that tries to focus on locally grown produce and locally sourced meat and seafood. They were scheduled to open in March 2020 but due to the pandemic instead sponsored a series of pop-up take-out meals. They officially opened for dinner in June 2021. The Chef, Walter Edward is a graduate of the CIA in Hyde Park, NY and then worked internationally before opening this place. His wife, Cindy Edward runs a farm, that has been in her family and will now supply produce for the restaurant. The space is long with a bar on one side, a long service table in the middle and small tables filling the rest of the space that ends with a window to the kitchen. Faint music is in the background, the lights are fairly low, candles are on the tables, and the walls have decorations of wine bottles, books and such. It’s a cozy feel but the food did not live up to my expectations. The menu is a la carte but they offer a ‘let us pick for you’ option which we tried. The pacing was varied as were the portions. Continue reading →
building – Wentworth Mansion, 149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
Circa 1886 is the restaurant in the carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion. Guests of the mansion are entitled to one entrée of their choosing for breakfast, however they also serve dinner. We were scheduled to have dinner there but let it go when an opening became available at another place we wanted to try – so many good places to eat in Charleston. We did stay at the Wentworth so we had breakfast there twice but skipped the other 2 days due to planned lunches. After passing through the lovely patio the door opens into the cozy bar room. The main dining room is a small but elegant space with double clothed large tables, well spaced and a few large booths along one wall. Service was great and friendly and the food was good. The pastries were a real surprise, being house-made, probably by Ashley Cardona the pastry chef. It would have been easy to fill up on them. I suspect dinner there would be very nice. Continue reading →
exterior- 2063 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
The Obstinate Daughter is named for the American victory in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island in 1776, where a British cartoonist illustrated the defenders of Charleston as “Miss Carolina Sulivan, one of the obstinate daughters of America”. Their website describes the place as a ‘Lowcountry Food Fort.” They have a wood-fired pizza oven as well as a raw bar and relationships with local fishermen and farms. It’s a large place on the second floor of frame house with a patio facing the street and a very small parking lot downstairs. The eclectic menu has influences from Italian and Spanish cuisines and the interior is decorated with a nautical theme. There were 2 main rooms, one with a bar and counter and the other with an open kitchen and an assortment of table types. Music was in the background, lots of windows look to the outside and the staff was all super friendly and helpful. The food was excellent. Continue reading →
Vern’s is a small corner place that opened in July 2022 by Daniel “Dano” and Bethany Heinze. Dano previously worked as Chef de Cuisine at McGrady’s where Bethany managed the bar. They also worked in Los Angeles at Animal and Jon & Vinny’s. The restaurant is named for Dano’s grandfather who is featured on a postcard that’s presented with the bill. Currently, they are open Thurs. to Monday for dinner and brunch on Sat and Sun. Windows to the street are on 2 sides and the kitchen is through an open window behind the limited bar seating, which is first come-first served and serves only wine and beer, no liquor. The bare wood tables are closely set and matched with a variety of chairs and wall benches and set with towel sized napkins. The menu has various-sized dishes that are all meant to be shared. In addition, there were a couple of specials on the chalkboard over the fireplace, one of which ran out and a line was drawn through while we were there. The food was creative and delicious and the vibe was casual and welcoming. Go if you can. Continue reading →
exterior – 3540 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, FL., 33133
Ariete was created by Chef/Owner Michael Beltran to combine his Cuban heritage with French technique. It was awarded one Michelin Star in 2022. They offer 2 tasting menus with optional wine pairing or an a la carte menu. It’s a small place with very low lighting, small tables and a patio. A bar counter is in the main dining room. Music was in the background and the kitchen is open to both dining rooms. Staff was super friendly and helpful. We opted to try one of their signature a la carte dishes rather than the tasting. The duck dinner is for 2 and involves a press brought to the table where parts of the duck are made into a sauce tableside. It’s a fun show with a fabulous result. The order comes with a number of side dishes also. I give this place high recommendations but be prepared for the dim lights. Continue reading →
entrance – 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL., 33139
Joe’s Stone Crab was opened as a lunch counter in 1913, before Miami Beach was a city, by Joe Weiss. He moved south from New York due to his asthma and found he could breathe easier in Miami Beach. It started as a lunch stand and by 1918 he and his wife bought a small house and set up tables on the porch, calling it Joe’s Restaurant. For a number of years, they were the only restaurant on the beach and Al Capone was a regular customer (using a different name). Around 1921 a researcher discovered stone crabs, but they were not known to be eaten. Joe gave them a try and they were an instant hit. His son Jesse evolved into running the place and had the personality to attract many celebrities and the well-to-do crowd. The place served food to Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Joe Kennedy and J. Edgar Hoover to name a few. The third and fourth-generation family members now run the place with some employees having worked there up to 50 years. It is an institution, to say the least. A huge place, there are several dining rooms, a large bar and a patio all appointed with formally dressed staff and double white clothed tables. Service is fabulous as is the food. An experience not to be missed. Continue reading →
exterior – 101 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Stubborn Seed has Bravo’s Top Chef Season 13’s winner Chef Jeremy Ford in charge of the kitchen. It’s a medium-sized place that serves only a tasting menu in the main dining room and various snacks at the bar. It was very lowly lit, which made photos difficult, had music in the background, got fairly noisy when full, and the small tables were unclothed dark wood. Paintings and mirrors decorate the walls. The menu for the evening is on the table and wine pairings are available as are supplements of Perigord truffles, Ossetra caviar and a course of Chawan Mushi. The server informed the kitchen of our visit and we were gifted several supplements. A kind and generous gesture but that didn’t win me over, the food did. It was wonderful, as was the service. They were justly awarded a Michelin Star in the new Florida guide. Put this one on your list to visit, sorry my photos don’t do justice to this tasty and inventive cuisine. Continue reading →
Boia De is a small restaurant in a strip shopping center with closely set small tables and a long bar inside. There is a patio also. In the new Michelin Guide for Florida they were awarded one star. Lights are lowered, windows look out to the patio, the open high ceiling has exposed ductwork and there’s music in the background. The food is definitely American with a strong Italian influence – they make their own pastas. They stress natural wines and the place sells no liquor. The plates are small, meant to be shared and multiple ordered per person. The place is lively and fun with touches of that seen in the decorations and particularly their signature ‘!’, which is in neon outside and on the wallpaper inside. That ‘!’ well describes their food with an amazing amount of flavor and texture in each bite. Couple that with some outrageously friendly and helpful servers and you will have a great dining experience. Get a reservation and go! Continue reading →
It’s been several months since Frankie officially visited Cry Wolf but she always enjoys her time in this place. Chef Ross Demers was back to finishing out the plates before being served while others enjoyed some vacation time. Since we were sitting at the Chef’s Counter this was a plus. The place was really hopping with returning and new customers all enjoying some heavenly food and the lively atmosphere. The bar turns out some fun-sounding cocktails but I prefer to put us in the capable hands of Sommelier Tim Case. He always has something new and different to try that compliments the food turned out by the kitchen staff. In fact, all the staff seem to enjoy working here and translate that into the fine service delivered to the diners. The menu changes regularly but staff will help you make decisions if you want. Put this one on your list to visit soon. Continue reading →
exterior – 2023 Greenville Ave., Suite 110, Dallas, TX
Quarter Acre opened the last day of 2022 in the space that used to house Rapscallion on Greenville Ave. Their intent is to combine upscale dining with Chef Toby Archibald’s New Zealand roots. Chef likes to use seafood, flavors of, and other meats from New Zealand and their wine list has some wines from there. In New Zealand “quarter acre” symbolizes your dream – a quarter acre of land with a house and space for kids to run and grow. This is Archibald’s dream to showcase his cooking. Prior to this he served as Chef de Cuisine at Bullion and Executive Chef at Georgie, here in Dallas. He also has worked in NYC, London and Toronto kitchens. The place is one large room with a bar running the length of it. The middle section is crowned by some huge bamboo/rope fixtures with larger tables underneath and the other long wall is a long bench lined with tiny 2-top tables. The open kitchen is in the back. Lots of plants, fairly loud music, and windows to the street are part of the scene. Service was good but mixed – the same as the food. Portion sizes vary. Continue reading →
exterior – 1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70130
Commander’s Palace has been on this blog several times, but this time we were back for lunch. The menu is smaller and cheaper and they still off 25¢ martinis which come in several variations. No wonder they had a good crowd but it also turned out to be KingsDay, which is the start of Carnival Season and so there were tables of people dressed and ready to start the celebrations. It seemed like private parties were being seated upstairs. There is a limit of 3 on the drinks “cause that’s enough” and it truly is. They also have $5 deals on a couple other cocktails. One caveat is that you do have to purchase an entrée. The food was fine but mostly the ambiance won me over this time. Continue reading →
exterior – 3054 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA., 70117
Saint-Germain offers only a 10 course tasting menu that moves between the 2 rooms of the place. They wanted to recreate the feeling of eating at a chef’s home and they certainly did that with their tiny dining room. First to find the place, look for the sign that says “Sugar Park” that marks the spot and reservations are a must. The menu changes regularly and wine pairings are available. The award winning chefs go for a French bistro type of fare and partnered with Drew DeLaughter, their business partner who runs the front of the house, to open in 2018. It’s in an older house that used to house a pizzeria – you can see the marks in the dining room where the oven was pulled out. You start at the bar with the lovely and friendly bartender, Hillary. She like all the staff are lively and engaging and make the evening a delight. Pacing and portion control were spot on and I’d encourage anyone to go there that can, – the food’s terrific. They do give you a copy of the menu at the end of the meal. Continue reading →
exterior – 1117 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA, 70116
Saint John is a large long space from Chef/Owner Eric Cook, who has worked at many fine restaurants in New Orleans. His first restaurant was Gris-Gris and this one opened in Oct. 2021. There are several rooms as well as a long bar for seating. Upstairs has balcony seating as well as rooms for rent for private parties. As you walk to the back room, the long open kitchen is on your right but first you pass a huge mural by Deurty Boys that features tributes to deceased local chefs and hospitality leaders. The same artist did pieces of stained glass art for each of the elevated booths across from the kitchen. The space is quite bright, music is in the background and the tables are topped with marble. Service was helpful but there were very few people there. This surprised me as it’s right across from the way popular beignet restaurant. It could be the coldness of the place, the high prices, the average food or the time of year. Take your pick but I don’t recommend this one – it’s not bad but not worth the money. Continue reading →
Galatoire’s has been written up on this blog numerous times but on our most recent visit we tried a few different items so I thought I’d post pictures and some commentary. I had read that the food had gone downhill following Covid so I also wanted to re-visit. While everything was not spectacular, and some even a little off, overall it was a fine meal. The service there is so adaptable and the crowd too lively, it’s hard not to have a good time. The menu seemed smaller but I learned a new thing – that you can order half sizes of many of the entrees. This allows you to try more things. I still recommend this place for a dose of wonderful seafood cooked nicely with lots of butter. Continue reading →
Chat qui Rit opened in 2015 and is close to the Piazza San Marco. However, the logo is from the 1940s when it was a cocktail spot and after-dinner place with a luxury feel that was named Chat Qui Rit or “the laughing cat”. Owner Giovanni Mozzatto decided to maintain the 1948 logo as the logo for this new venture. That thought of merging the old and new is also seen in the kitchen here, with established Venetian Chef Davide Scarpa paired with young Leonardo Bozzato, who also brings in some Asian influences. It is a striking space with outstanding service and food. Spread over several rooms, there is music in the background, lots of windows to the outside, a large bar area, seats outside and good-sized tables set with a beautiful napkin embroidered with the cat logo. Besides a full bar they also have a huge, well-chosen wine list. In addition to the a la carte menu, they have a tasting menu that is well-composed, paced, and portioned. I of course loved the cat logo, but the place lived up to the name and I give it high recommendations to any who have the chance to visit. Continue reading →
Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine is named for the owner’s (Kyle Teas) father, Eugene. Kyle Teas was born and raised in Houston and grew up eating Texas Gulf seafood and wanted to acquaint more people with the cuisine and thus he opened Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen in 2007. When the Mockingbird Bistro space became available about a year ago, the restaurant moved and expanded the menu as well as the seating. They stress serving fresh and seasonal fish, many cooked with Cajun influence. The old school large place is in the River Oaks area with plenty of parking. The staff is super friendly and helpful but also very professional and efficient. In addition to their menu, they had nightly specials and discounts for happy hour snacks and drinks. The food was delightful and I would easily recommend this place as one to visit when in Houston. Continue reading →
Brass Ram is Chef Nick Badovinus’ ninth and newest restaurant which opened in early November 2022 on the second floor above National Anthem on the edge of downtown. This place is all about prime rib and old-school steakhouse dining. There’s leather, dim lighting, brass, exposed brick walls, cozy spacious booths, a large bar, vintage music in the background, and a private dining room decorated with photos of Marilyn Monroe. Parking is mostly valet but be forewarned – they sent us to the end of the building to climb the open staircase and surprised the hell out of the staff leaning on the door. There is a proper door on the downtown side of the building where you enter and have an elevator or enclosed stairs to take you up to the place. Either way gets you in but the hostess stand is by the preferred door. Staffing has been an issue with the parkers so these people probably really didn’t know how to enter. The service is friendly, relaxed, and excellent in the restaurant but the food did not overwhelm me. I love the look of the place, but as with many of Bodovinus’ places, I wish it were less noisy, and even though he was in the house he did not make it around to many of the tables. Continue reading →
building –21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, CA.
Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria is in an historic building on the main street of Geyserville. They bill themselves as serving Califorian cuisine with an “Italian state of mine.” Their regularly changing menu features locally sourced meats, fish and produce. Chef/Owner Dino Bugica spent 10 years in Italy learning local methods. They are open daily for lunch and dinner, with a bigger menu at dinner. It’s a good sized places with 2 interior rooms, the larger one also housing a long bar with seats and the kitchen. The second room is a good bit smaller but there is also patio seating. There is a full bar, music in the background, lowered lighting, tin ceiling, wood floors, brick walls and parking is on the street as you can find it. In addition to the house cured salumi they make Neopolitan style pizza in the wood burning oven. The bread for their sandwiches comes from a bakery in Healdsburg. We were there to try the Prime Rib Sandwich which is only available on the lunch menu but got seduced by the oven to order a pizza too. It’s worth a visit. The food is great.
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Food
The Prime Rib Sandwich comes with thinly sliced prime rib, tonnato aioli, onions, giardiniera, salsa verde, Pt. Reyes Toma and horseradish. It also came with a good portion of chopped salad on the side. The well-stuffed sandwich was wonderful and plenty for 2, although it did not come cut. It was so stuffed that some of the meat and cheese dripped out into the salad which made it even tastier. The marinated cauliflower was almost meatlike and was part of one of the sauces on the beef. There were a lot of seasonings and some oil on the ingredients that made it pretty drippy, but also full of flavor. As I mentioned earlier, they did not make the bread it came on but it was great and nicely toasted. It was really good.
prime rib sandwichturnedturnedinsidesalad
The Boscaiolo Pizza was topped with sausage, mushrooms, house-smoked pork belly, peppers, local greens, and creamed onions. The onions were basically the sauce for the pizza. There was a generous amount of cheese on the pie and a lovely rise to the edge of the crust. The fresh mushrooms were thickly cut and added a wonderful amount of flavor as did the sausage. The pork belly melted into the cheese and onions but added even more fun flavor. Each table has a bottle of Calabrian Chili oil if you want to add it to the pizza. It is not too spicy, it just added even more flavor. This was a great one too.
Boscaiolo Pizzaanother angleclosercloser Calabrian Chili oilFrankie enjoyed the bathroom arrangement
Vivian is the creation of Chef Josiah and Shannon McGaughey who started it as a kitchen pop-up in 2015. Within a year they had their own food truck called Salt & Smoke but they still aspired to own an actual restaurant space. They did just that, opening Vivian in the River Arts District in January 2018. They serve a seasonal changing menu with French overtones. It’s made up of 2 rooms, one with the long bar and counter seating and another room with just tables. There was a patio that people came and went from but I didn’t go there to get a photo. Lots of art is on the walls, sound panels are on the ceiling, the walls are of brick and wood, the lighting is lowered, the floor is concrete and the tables are bare wood. The service was first rate with good advice and recommendations on ordering. In addition to a nice wine list, they have a full bar from which we enjoyed a basic Negroni as we worked out a meal plan. The food is outstanding and I would heartily recommend you try it. Continue reading →
Southern Porch is a family-run operation not too far from Asheville. The current couple that owns it started it with the wife’s mother and stepfather, who had chef experience. The senior couple retired in March of 2019. The building was constructed as a house in 1876, before Canton was even a town. As the town boomed due to a paper mill the building was purchased in 1910 and made into a hotel. A 4-story tower was added and it became The Imperial Hotel. Much has since transpired but the ownership started restoration of the building’s appearance to the 1920’s look and then welcomed Southern Porch Kitchen and Drink onto the premises. The inside dining rooms now are large and fairly unadorned. The bar was off to the side when we entered the large room with well-spaced tables, a high tin ceiling, a wood floor and rock music in the background. The menus were large and so worn that much of the print was wiped off. There were a number of people working there but our server was not particularly experienced. Continue reading →
The Admiral opened in 2007 in a modest building that used to be a bar for cab drivers with a maritime theme – thus the name. It’s a small interior with low ceiling, lowered lighting, vintage music in the background, bare blond-wood tables, and an open kitchen. There is a full bar with a few seats in front of it as well as a plastic-enclosed patio section and a fully outdoor patio section. It felt very cozy and inviting and the service was friendly to match that cool relaxed vibe. They had installed plastic partitions above the backs of the booths which not only provided more privacy but also allowed conversations without yelling. It looks like a dive from the outside and is not in the ‘hot’ section of town but that makes street parking a lot easier. We decided to go with the flow and order a very traditional meal. It was mixed on the food but the place was so fun I’d go back if I was in the area. Continue reading →
exterior – 22 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, NC., 28801
Chai Pani translates to “tea and water” and is slang for going out for a quick bite. The restaurant features the street food of India as well as some comfort food you might be served in a home. Opening 13 years ago Chef/Owner Meherwan Irani and his wife wanted to offer an under-represented type of Indian cuisine in an affordable place. In 2022 they were named an Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation and in 2021 The New York Times included Chai Pani in their ‘America’s Favorite Restaurants’ list. Chef Irani now has restaurants in numerous cities. In Asheville, it’s a long one-room place with a half dozen seats at the bar and the rest at the booths that line the walls and tables in the center. One end of the room opens to the kitchen. The windows to the street let in additional light, Indian music is in the background and the staff was friendly but not the most directive. The food varied but for the most part, was full of flavor and texture. Continue reading →
Cúrate offers a collection of ways to enjoy Spanish tapas. Cúrate Bar de Tapas is a large restaurant that opened in 2011. (Other portions are shops, cafes, and to-go items.) The menu includes many staples of Spain’s tapas culture as well as an all-Spanish wine list. There were 2 rooms and a patio that were packed with people even on a weeknight. High ceilings, windows to the street, and copper top or marble tables set with pens to mark your menu for your selections. All plates are meant to be shared. One room had a long bar facing the kitchen and the second room had the ham area in the back. It was fairly well-lit inside but parking is as you can find it on the street, and it is an area with lots of restaurants and bars, so allow yourself some extra time to arrive. We had a terrific server, Denby, who understood our desire for flavor in the dishes and helped craft a menu that was well-paced and tasty. It is popular but get a reservation if you can. Continue reading →
Cry Wolf is still turning out wonderful dishes to eat with a great selection of beverages. Frankie and I have become regulars there and this visit we sat up at the Chef’s Counter. This is what they call the first 4 stools at the bar opposite the cooking area. It’s a terrific view to watch all the different dishes being prepared and the people working seem to enjoy interacting with guests. I think it’s fun to talk with them and get their opinions on what to order. If you get a chance, go there. It’s a fun experience and some really different and exceptional food. Continue reading →
Via Emilia is an Italian restaurant on the main street of Mystic. It has 2 stories and we got a table on the second level by the window looking out on the street. It was a nice view. Music was in the background for the small bare wood tables set with armless chairs. A bar is on the first level and lights are lowered. In addition to the menu there were several daily specials orally presented to us, but when we tried to order one it turned out they were out of it. Service was spotty and our server was a bit manic that carried over to the diner. We got our cocktails fairly quickly but the timing of the rest of the meal was uneven. I understand small tables but restaurants need to understand you need room to eat without fear of pushing a dish onto the floor. That said, the food was varied in quality. If you’re in need of an Italian fix, this would be where to go but I’d recommend seafood in this town. Continue reading →
Oyster Club is a farm-and-sea-to-table place that opened in 2011 and the night we were there Renee Touponce was Executive Chef. Chef has made connections with various farmers and fishermen to present these local items in creative combinations. Originally the building was a small carriage house in downtown Mystic and was renovated to become a restaurant. The restaurant was re-modeled during the pandemic while management moved their food service to Stone Acres Farm where they could dine at a safe distance in 200-year-old gardens. Now the expanded place has a daily changing menu but still delivers creative and delicious food with excellent service. They always have several types of local fresh oysters available in the main dining rooms but in the Treehouse, which is outdoors on the top of the building, a limited selection is available. It’s a fun place with art on the walls, music in the background, lowered lighting, and bare wood tables but enough dampening in the surroundings that the noise level was very acceptable. We sat in one of the booths that line the wall opposite the one with street windows. I understand there is a second-floor dining area but didn’t get up there. It was a dressier crowd but maybe they knew they had arrived at the fine dining spot in town. Put this one on your list when you travel to Connecticut and ask for Dru to be your server. Continue reading →
entrance in light – 20 East Main Street, Mystic, CT., 06355
The Shipwright’s Daughter opened in 2020 in the Whaler’s Inn in the heart of Mystic. Chef David Standridge changes the menu regularly to present highlights of the Connecticut coast. They also offer a tasting menu with optional wine pairings, but it must be reserved in advance. Wine Spectator magazine gave them an Award of Excellence for their wine selection and they also have a full bar. They also were the second Connecticut restaurant to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation’s ‘Smart Catch’ program. They are open for breakfast, brunch on the weekends, and dinner. It is a fairly large place with lowered lighting, music in the background, windows to the street, bare blond wood tables, and a large bar area. We were there on a Friday night and were glad we had a reservation as it was very busy, which also contributed to the noise factor. The lights are so low that many of the photos turned out grainy, so apologies in advance for that. Service was attentive but sometimes rushed and not engaging and the food was mixed. Continue reading →
building – 156 Church Road, Burlington, VT., 05401
Honey-Road is female owned and operated, serving Eastern Mediterranean food. Chef Cara Tobin has been a James Beard award finalist 4 times and teamed up with Allison Gibson to open Honey-Road in 2017 that is only open in the evening. (Recently the duo opened a brunch spot called Grey Jay.) The corner building is in the popular pedestrian Church Street Marketplace and named for an ancient trade route in Turkey. The small plates (mezze) are meant to be shared and focus on locally sourced ingredients. For those that are unfamiliar with this cuisine the menu had a glossery on one side explaining the meaning of many terms, but the servers were also helpful in making selections. It is a large place with a high ceiling, subdued lighting, music in the background, bench seating along most walls, small bare wood tables, windows to the street, brick walls, sheer curtains dividing portions of the room and decorations of small mirrors on the walls. The crowd was made up of various age groups but skewed toward the younger side. The food was mixed, with some being very good but others trying too hard. If you want this style of cuisine, it’s the place to go.
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exterior/entranceinteriorinteriorinteriorFrankie enjoys a candlemenuwine listdessert menumenu after dinner drinkswine front
