dessert menu

Olōyō, Dallas, 5/28/26

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exterior – 4422 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX., 75246

Chef Olivia López and her partner Jonathan Percival officially opened Olōyō two days ago.  The pair started in 2021 with Molino Olōyō, a food truck that delivered heirloom corn tortillas and tamales.  Since then they’ve been doing pop-up and private catering until they found a brick and mortar space to actualize their dream.  Chef Olivia had worked with Ross Demers of Cry Wolf back at Mi Piaci and now has moved her own restaurant into that space.   Later in the year they hope to open a more casual option next door and later a breakfast take-out window.  For now the old space had the same bones but has been elegantly re-done.  The bench seating along the side was stuffed with a back and there were 5 stools in front of the counter that have backs and padded seats,  A lattice woodwork covered the lower part of the windows and was topped with Mexican pottery.  One wall hosts a large corn-based art piece that symbolized the number of Mexican states but to me represented the many types of heirloom corn that form the basis of the López’s cooking.  The wood fired area has been filled with stainless cooking equipment and there was valet parking at the end lot.  No signage was out front but that will come with time.  Inside Mexican music filled the space and there were a ton of service people on the floor, behind the bar and in the cooking area.  The couple has a farm that supplies some of their produce and many ingredients she brings from Mexico.  It was on the pricey side for what people around here think of Mexican food but this one offered a real step up in quality.  I look forward to watching their progression and hope you will let me know what you think when you go. Continue reading →

Lottē, Wichita, KS., 4/9/26

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exterior – 320 S Market St STE 101, Wichita, KS 67202

Lottē was started as a seasonal farm to table restaurants from Chef Josh Rathbun.  Opened in the fall of 2023 it was named for his daughter Charlotte.  A Wichita native Rathbun has worked in many different kitchens where he developed a fondness for seasonal cooking, using as many local products as possible.   He developed a good working relationship with Chef de Cuisine Zakk Thomas at Siena Tuscan Steakhouse and now the two create their own dishes with a menu that changes about every six weeks.  Located on the ground floor of a bank parking garage it’s a large space with a wall of windows to the downtown street.  Opposite this was a wide granite counter facing the kitchen prep area with fancy cut wood tables of varying sizes in between.  We chose counter seating to see some of the action and while it did get a bit noisier I liked the many granite surfaces they combined to make the counter.  The other end of the room had the bar area with a different counter and higher stools for those that wanted to eat or drink there.  It was a bustling place with 4 chefs cooking and excellent servers handling the rest.  It was a place I’d heartily recommend you try especially if you’re willing to share so you can taste more things.  It was all good with a nice variety of flavors and textures. Continue reading →

Walker’s Drive In, Jackson, MS., 3/27/26

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building – 3016 N State St, Jackson, MS 39216-4203

Walker’s Drive In was taken over by Chef Joe Cravens in July 2025 after two decades under Chef Derek Emerson.  Originally from Memphis, Cravens worked under numerous award winning chefs and also for US Foods as a Territory Manager.  They offer lunch and dinner Tues to Fri (only dinner on Sat.).  It does look like a drive-in but now it’s only ‘walk-in’ with reservations.  They had a good-sized patio and an equal size interior dining room with booths along the wallks and nice sized tables in the middle.  The white cloths are under a hard plexiglass sheet and the lighting is dimmed.  Five stools are at the counter facing the window to the kitchen and service area in between.   There were a lot of daily specials in addition to the printed menu.and a large selection of half bottles of wine on their list.  Service was good and friendly and the place really had an energy but much of the food was too salty and blah.  Perhaps it was due to Cravens not there that night or we ordered badly.  It certainly had a steady stream of customers, so they’re doing something right. Continue reading →

Pulito Osteria, Jackson, MS., 3/26/26

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building – 800 Manship St, Suite #104, Jackson, MS 39202-2029

Pulito Osteria is the work of Chef Chaz Lindsay who grew up nearby.  After studying at the Culinary Institute of America he worked at numerous kitchens including NYC’s Eleven Madison Park and then headed to Rome, Italy to study Italian cuisine.   Now all the pastas at Pulito are made in house and Chef Lindsay combines these Italian dishes with a southern twist to make the food wonderful.  He learned in Italy that dishes don’t have to be complex and instead concentrate on the quality of the ingredients.  It’s a large place with both outdoor and several rooms of indoor dining.  You can see the kitchen from the entry room and the large pizza oven.  Tables and booths come in a variety of sizes with no tablecloths, music in the background and fairly bright lighting.  Service was friendly and efficient with several daily specials offered.  It was hands down my favorite dining experience in Jackson and hope you’ll get to go when in the area. Continue reading →

Elvie’s, Jackson, MS., 3/25/26

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building – 809 Manship St, Jackson, MS 39202-2028

Elvie’s has Chef Hunter Evans in charge of the kitchen.  He was a finalist for the 2024 James Beard Best Chef South award (a semi-finalist in 2025).  With his partner Cody McCain, they opened Elvie’s in 2020 and the Mayflower Cafe in 2025.  Elvie’s served seasonal cuisine highlighting local farmers and fishermen.  The building was a restored home in Belhaven and the food was highly influenced by by the Evans’s grandmother, Elvieretta Good, from New Orleans.  The good-sized place was longer than wide with counter seating at the bar and bench seating opposite small 2-tops along the wall.  Parking was on the street or there was a free lot down the hill behind the building.  The room was not highly decorated with dark wood windows breaking up the off-white walls.  Lots of light fixtures but the overall room was still fairly dim with a good amount of crowd noise.  They’d tried to dampen this with sound panels on the ceiling and cloths on some tables but it still can be noisy when full.  Part of the kitchen was exposed but most hidden by the counter and walls.   With a full bar it was surprising how limited the wine list was, offering mosly low or high price point bottles.  Of course the first wine we picked our server couldn’t find and so we ended up just buying by the glass, which all added to the time the meal took.  It was easily over 45 minutes to get our first glass let alone food.  I liked the concept and the menu read well but the food was mixed.  We were there for dinner but they are open Tues through Sat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Continue reading →

64 Goodge Street, London, 2/23/26

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exterior – 64 Goodge St, London, GB W1T 4NF

64 Goodge Street was a small place with closely set small bare wood tables.  Art was on the walls, music was in the background, lights were lowered, bench seating lined one long wall and an opening in the back of the room revealed the kitchen.  They are open for lunch and dinner daily except Sunday and at dinner have a fixed-price 3 course meal with options to add snacks, cheese and/or sides.  The bar menu was limited but wines were available.  The restaurant has one Michelin Star.  Service was good as was the meal pacing and I’d easily recommend you try this place on your next visit to London.  The food was really good. Continue reading →

J.Sheekey, London, 2/23/26

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exterior – 28-32 St Martin’s Ct, London, GB WC2N 4AL

J.Sheekey has been a seafood restaurant in the theater district for 125 years.  Beginning in 1896 “Sheekey’s” has been welcoming guests to the long red building whose walls are filled with framed portraits of notables who have visited.  In the heart of Covent Garden, Josef Sheekey was given permission to serve fish and shellfish in St. Martin’s Court by Prime Minister Lord Salisbury, if he would cater Salisbury’s post theater supper parties.  Now it’s a large place that extends through a lot of smaller rooms with a canvas enclosed patio that runs much of the exterior.  It’s an old-school place where everything has the place’s name on it including the embossed napkin.   Windows to the outdoors are clouded over to create the clubby atmosphere that is bolstered by the wood walls, lowered ceiling, leather banquets and with mirrored openings between the rooms.  It was cozy for such a large place.  They offer a separate lunch menu as well as the ability to order from the full a la carte menu.  They also offer pre and post theater shorter dinners as well as a full bar.  The food was great the service so-so but it was still an experience I’d recommend especially if you want a seafood meal. Continue reading →

Trivet, London, 2/21/26

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exterior – 36 Snowsfields, Bermondsey, Bermondsey, London, GB

Trivet was opened in 2019 by Chef Jonny Lake and Sommelier Isa Bal featuring Head Chef Adam Tooby-Desmond.  The name was about the cooking utensil that a cooking pot stands on and provides the “warmth and balance” which signifies their values for the restaurant.  Lake was from Canada where he developed a love of cooking which took him to The Fat Duck where he was head chef in 2009 and stayed with the group 9 years.  Bal was voted Best Sommelier of Europe in 2008 and met Lake while working with the Fat Duck Group.  Trivet achieved one Michelin Star in 2022 and was elevated to two stars in 2024.  The medium sized place had an open kitchen in the back of the dining room which held lovely teak tables and chairs.  Lots of fun art was on the walls, music in the background, shelves with books and mementos added more decorations and some patio seating was available out front of the charming old building.  They offered an a la carte lunch menu with lighter, smaller plates as well as having the dinner menu available to order from.   You were free to mix and match as you pleased and they also had a full bar. Continue reading →

The Inn at Little Washington (update), Washington, VA., 11/13/25

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exterior – Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747

We were at The Inn at Little Washington in April 2021 (you can read that by clicking here). They have finished the construction of their casual restaurant across the street and we also went there this trip – Patty O’s – and they’re now working on numerous other projects which we found out about on the facilities tour that is offered when you stay there. A new employee parking lot was under active construction as was a pool and a spa/wellness building that’s coming after that, complete with acupuncture!  On the tour we also got to feed some of the animals that live on site but they are not ever featured on the menu. Chickens, goats, sheep, llamas and geese that parade through the streets with their keeper. On the food side they are planning new areas for seating including wine cellar dinners. However all this didn’t keep their third Michelin star when the newest ratings were announced- they dropped to 2-stars despite Chef/Owner Patrick O’Connell being ever present on property. It’s worth a visit just to see the heavily decorated place and the food is good. Each diner has the choice of 3 tasting menus equally priced with optional wine pairings. I like that only supplement option was a cheese course and that the tasting moves along at a good pace.  Hope you’ll let me know what you think if you go. Continue reading →

Harbor House (update), Elk, CA., 9/11 & 12/25

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from the back – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA., 95432

This blog has multiple posts about Harbor House in the Mendocino area of California, but it is a current favorite so you, dear reader have to put up with another post about our recent visit.  If you want to see other meals you can click here for one in 2025, 2024, 2023 or 2022.  The setting is spectacular, being on the coast and the drive there through the twisting mountain roads is beautiful.  The Inn, where the restaurant is located, is an old lodge built with redwoods and decorated with abalone shells and Michelin men, as the restaurant has 2 Michelin stars as well as a Michelin Green award for sustainability.  The tasting menu is not my usual in-your-face smack of flavor but instead offers the delicate flavors of ultra fresh and locally sourced ingredients.  Their farm raises many of their herbs and vegetables and local fisherman supply the seafood portions.  Chef Matthew Kammerer forages for sea lettuce and other ingredients and shares the how-to information with his incredible staff.  Unfortunately Chef Kammerer was away this weekend but Chef Sam Miller-Hicok and the team made us two fantastic meals with a good bit of variation from one night to the next.  We were also happy to meet the new Beverage Director Todd Brinkman, Service Director Adam Merchant and superb server Sequoia.  I truly hope that you’ll be able to have a dinner there soon – you will love it. Continue reading →

The Ranch Supper Club (update), Hayward, WI., 8/29/25

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exterior – 10590 N Ranch Road, Hayward, WI., 54843

The Ranch Supper Club serves the prime rib dinner on Saturday and fish fry on Friday.  The prime rib dinners are on this site from 2023 and 2022 – and you can see those by clicking on the dates for more history and photos.  This trip we wanted to try their “signature steaks’ and they come with the same supper club set up of relish tray, salad, bread and choice of potato.  The bar is a gorgeous one topped with colored inlaid stones. There are two dining rooms and the one behind the bar is my preference with vintage cooking, sporting and farming equipment hanging on the walls and a fireplace topped with an old sewing machine.  The menu has plenty to chose from and lists the numbers of drinks served in one year.  I’m including photos of it as the prices have increased since last year.  The service is friendly and efficient and the food isn’t novel but it will definitely satisfy and they have ice cream drinks for dessert.  I know I’ll be back and hope to see you there. Continue reading →

St. James Social, Bayfield, WI., 8/28/25

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building – 200 Rittenhouse Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814

St. James Social is a hotel and restaurant combination that offers a new and modern take on things in the restored original 1883 St. James hotel.  Annalisa and Cody Bermel bought the building in May 2022 and they manage, bartend and do whatever is needed along with their 2 daughters.  .  The first floor is a large space with a lounge area, curved bar counter with seats and tables for dining.   The two story room is filled with wood, brass, chandeliers and mirrors along with artwork to give it an urban yet comfortable feeling.  Upstairs they have a 8 rooms and on the roof is a small lounge area for hotel guests.  The kitchen uses local ingredients when available, which for this short growing season are amazingly abundant.   One of their specialties is pizza and Tuesday they dedicate the menu to their artisan Neapolitan style pizzas.  They have a sourdough crust with more on that later. Thursday through Saturday they offer the Chef’s menu with more plated options and a fewer number of pizza varieties.   Sunday is brunch only.  The service is great and the vibe is too.  We really enjoyed our evening there with some long time friends.  I would highly recommend a meal and maybe a stay here when you visit the lovely town of Bayfield. Continue reading →

Mamani, Dallas, 9/4/25

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entrance – 2681 Howell St., Dallas, TX

Mamani just opened a few days ago led by Executive Chef Christophe De Lellis.  The French born De Lellis was last at 3 Michelin star Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas.  This restaurant is named for the brother owners Brandon and Henry Cohanim’s grandmother who they called Mamani.  The brother’s previous projects include Bar Colette and Namo.  Much anticpated the menu features Italian and French style cooking in an elegant yet comfortable room. It’s the largest restaurant to open in the new Quad development in Uptown Dallas.  The ‘L’ shaped restaurant has 2 dining rooms, an enclosed patio, bar and a private dining room for 10 at one end.  Pastry chef Peter Edris makes the breads and Pastry Chef Nicole De Lellis works with her husband on the dessert options.  The new place bustles with activity – there are a lot of service people and I didn’t see any empty tables.   The background music was too loud but they graciously turned it down when we remarked about it – service is plentiful and responsive.  You see the open kitchen when you first enter and the dining area has peach tones, coved ceilings and carpets.  The 2-tops were fairly small marble tables with the 4-tops running larger but they made it work without making me crazy.  The wine list was large, not online and heavy into French burgandy styles.  According to our fun server most of the portions are “humble sized” except for those items in the “to share” section.  Spot on, but there was enough to split and have a good taste of the items.  The prices are commensurate with the top-notch ingredients they use in the dishes and the level of service as well as the expensively finished interior.  I found the food wonderful, the staff and owners engaging and would easily recommend it. Continue reading →

Far Out, Dallas, 8/13/25

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sign in parking lot – 1906 S Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75223

We last attended a whiskey tasting with dinner at Far Out but wanted to get back to try the regular menu.  It was less crowded, especially being a weeknight and we went quite early but people continued to trickle in but the outdoors wasn’t getting any takers in the Texas heat.  The large window on the entrance wall let in lots of sunlight but the air conditioning did a good job keeping the large space well cooled.  Music was in the background and a ton of plants decorate the walls.  The tables are fairly small but I was truly thrilled that our excellent server Ashleigh did as she promised and only brought a couple plates at a time, not overloading the space or us.  Chef Misti Norris is the Culinary Director and you can sense her touch on the fun, changing menu of shared plates.  She may not be in the kitchen but her Chef de Cuisine Mery Aguayo and staff are producing some fun tasty dishes.  I applaud their use of seasonal options and our server was nice enough to tell us what was newest and what were favorites.  It was a wonderful dinner with lots of flavor.  I hope to get back to try more things soon.  Hope you’ll let me know what you try when you go! Continue reading →

Restaurant Beatrice, Dallas, 7/17/25

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exterior – 1111 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Restaurant Beatrice serves contemporary Cajun/Creole cuisine in an old house (previously Johnathans Restaurant) in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas.   It was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant in 2022.  They serve dinner and brunch on the weekends with a frequently changing menu, to take advantage of seasonal ingredients.   Chef/Owner Michelle Carpenter opened the place 3 years ago and named the restaurant for her grandmother who was from New Orleans.  It’s a medium sized place with a large patio out front where they sometimes have events.  Inside there is a long  bar with high chairs and bench seating around the room perimeter matched with double cloth covered tables.  Music was in the background and the lighting was fairly bright with New Orleans fleur-de-lis on the wallpaper and a photo of her grandmother on the larger high top table in the center of the room.  The bar area had a television playing without sound.  We were there during Bastille Week, so I don’t know how much that changed the menu, however the happy hour specials were still offered but not verbalized.  Service was friendly and helpful and although some items didn’t sing to me the overall effect is good and I’d recommend the place. Continue reading →

Cocorico Neo Rustic Kitchen, Ashland, OR., 5/17/25

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exterior – 15 N 1st St, Ashland, OR 97520

Cocorico was a medium sized place serving Mediterranean cuisine.  Chef Nat Borsi and his wife Grace dreamed of owning their own place for years.  His experience came from many fine kitchens and hers was in hospitality.  Named for the French translation of ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’ it was to be French but not too much.   Opening in August 2022 it seems to be a local favorite drawing a steady stream of customers the night we were there.  Open Tues to Sat they have both indoor and patio seating.  At first they didn’t take phone reservations, but now the website refers you to tock  The room we were in had some art on the walls, windows to the street, music in the background and bench seating along the walls.  The lights were lowered and the medium sized bare wood tables were fairly close.  They have a full bar and street parking is your option if you can’t walk there.  Service was good and the hostess at the door made you feel most welcome.  The food was great, the portions large and I’d easily recommend the place and go back if I’m ever back in the area. Continue reading →

Bella Union Restaurant, Jacksonville, OR., 5/17/25

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entrance – 170 W California St #9237, Jacksonville, OR 97530

Bella Union Restaurant and Saloon is locally owned and operated and open daily for lunch and dinner.  We were there to meet a friend from college for lunch which goes back even further than the restaurant’s 37 years.  Offering a full bar they are also known for their live music events.  The diverse menu had a number of Italian (including pizza) options and was supplemented by a large list of daily specials, which included local fish.  The large place was spread over many rooms and a large, very popular covered patio.  Some of the rooms were smaller which probably can be secured for small parties.  Service was helpful and efficient and most importantly, left us alone so we could catch up.  For such a large place I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food.  My husband really liked his fish and my sandwich was scrumptious.  Color my opinion only slightly by the joy of spending time with a long time dear friend.  It was a great lunch and one I’d recommend when and if you find yourself in historic Jacksonville. Continue reading →

Trust, San Diego, 4/12/25

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building – 3752 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103

Trust Restaurant is another of Chef/Owner Brad Wise’s concepts.  He is the chef at the Fort Oak restaurant written up a couple days ago.  This is a similar place in the idea of shared plates and wood-fired cooking.  This place opened in 2016 and was the start to a half dozen places he now owns.  On the ground level of a multi-story building, the corner restaurant takes full advantage of the patios outside to add extra dining space.  Inside some bench seating bisects the room between the bar with seating and the tables.   The back of the room is part of an open kitchen and there is music in the background.  The bare wood tables are matched by wood in the ceiling above the exposed ductwork.   Some sound absorbing panels hang up there to help with all the hard surfaces below.  It’s stylish but much more casual feeling than Fort Oak.  We were there for the brunch which is available on Sat and Sun but dinner is the mainstay, serving that every night but Tues.  Service was friendly and efficient and the food is good.  I’d love to know what you think if you go there for dinner. Continue reading →

Fort Oak, San Diego, 4/11/25

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building – 1011 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego, CA 92103

Fort Oak advertises itself as an ‘ode to fire and the sea’ with Chef/Owner Brad Wise using a wood fire to cook much of the food.   They supplement that with a large raw bar for seafood.  They are open for dinner every night but Tuesday.  In a separate room where the wood-burning hearth/kitchen is they also have a Chef’s Counter for 10 guests on Thurs and Fri nights.  The tasting menu also has optional beverage pairings.  We were not able to secure a place at the tasting counter but our server walked us by the window to the room to see the chef and his team in action.  The  main dining area is in an historic former car dealership space with the horseshoe shaped bar being in the old showroom and then various dining rooms are in and outside.  A lion statue was supposed to be a tribute to the actual lion that the car dealership owner brought with him to work.  Tile, glass and wood make up the various stylish spaces filled with music.  The menu is designed to have shared small plates and we did just that – sharing a number of items.  While they were creative, I would say the food was mixed in tastiness, but the fun in lots of little plates is that some will delight you while others are just food.  Let me know what you think when you visit. Continue reading →

George’s at the Cove, San Diego, 4/10/25

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view – 1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

George’s at the Cove has been in business over 40 years with a location overlooking the ocean.  The large place has 3 floors of dining all with scenic views from one side.  The top floor has an alfresco rooftop lounge as well as tables for casual dining.  The lower floors looked a bit more formal with cloth covered tables.  Chef Trey Foshee stresses using local products and sustainably sourced items but I did see non-local options on the menu.  Service was friendly and mostly efficient but we were there to enjoy lunch with friends and catch up on not seeing each other for 30 years, and I think the server caught the vibe and gave us space.  I snapped photos of the food and got basic comments but this was a meal where we were more focused on friendship than food.   It was a lively place with valet parking ($20) out front or street/city garage parking options.  If you’re in San Diego go for the view but watch out for the sun.  There are lots of places to get fresh, local seafood but this one is mostly about the location. Continue reading →

Addison Restaurant (update), San Diego, 4/9/25

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entrance – 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130

The last time we ate at Addison Restaurant in the Fairmont Grand Del Mar was in Aug 2021, during Covid.  Then the restaurant had one Michelin Star and all dining was outside.  This trip we got to eat in the dining room.  The restaurant, still under Chef William Bradley, now has 3 Michelin Stars.  They serve only a 10-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings on Tues – Sat, with the last seating at 8:30.  It’s on the pricey side at $385 per person and their pairings, like the wine list, are quite marked up.  They also offered to add a separate caviar course and/or upgrade the quail course to wagyu – no prices given. We turned down both supplements, because caviar was already on the menu and we were looking forward to the quail.  The large dining room was divided by a low wall and serving table, with one portion being next to the window wall overlooking the gardens with a tile floor and the other side with carpet by the fireplace.  We were happy to sit in the more interior room but both had large white cloth-covered tables.  Our side had tables spread way apart, with the four corners offering a booth-like option.  Music from the 1980s played in the background, sometimes a bit too loudly.  The restaurant is up on a hilltop and not in the same building with the hotel so they provide transport to and from as it’s too far to walk.  After checking in with the hostess she guided us to the bar/waiting area which included outside seating too, as we were early.  The service was great, pacing varied, portion control was spot on, the room elegant and the chef came out to chat with some of the guests.  The food was very good, contained lots of luxury ingredients and attractively presented but I would have liked to see more change in the menu from the last visit.  It’s a fine dining experience but you’ll have to decide if it works in your budget. For me I’m glad I went back but don’t think I’ll go again. Continue reading →

Campo at Los Poblanos, Albuquerque, 3/29/25

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building – 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107

Campo is the restaurant at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm.  Los Poblanos was designed by John Gaw Meem, the “Father of Santa Fe Style” in 1932 and now has 45 guest rooms, a working organic farm and special event spaces on 25 acres of property.  Set in the Rio Grande River Valley it has acres of lavender fields as well as gardens that supply herbs and vegetables to the restaurant . Head Chef Christopher Bethoney, a native New Mexican, has been there since the restaurant opened in 2017 and was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 Best Chef in the Southwest.  The family-run property calls itself “field-to-fork” in the creation of their menus.  There are animals on the property but only the eggs from the chickens are used here and other local farms and herdsmen supply the additional products.  Campo serves breakfast (Mon-Wed), brunch (Thurs – Sun),  and dinner (daily 5-9) with the Chef’s Table (Fri – Sat) which was covered in a post you can find HERE.  It’s a lovely property with a large casual dining space.  If you read the write up on the Chef’s Counter you know I endorsed it but the main restaurant is also worth visiting, so make a plan to visit both when you go to Albuquerque. Continue reading →

Gourmet Restaurant Ophelia, Konstanz, Germany, 3/14/25

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Restaurant part of hotel – Seestraße 25, 78464 Konstanz, Germany

The Gourmet restaurant Ophelia is in the Hotel Riva on Lake Constance.  In 2010 Dirk Hoberg became head chef of the newly opened restaurant with a philosophy of “better always trumps good”, and with that he combines treasures from the local region with the finest international ingredients.  They have a two Michelin star rating.  The space is a 1909 villa next to the very modern hotel with music in the background, well-spaced cloth-covered tables, lowered lighting, bench seating on one wall, a beautiful old wood floor, art on the wall, windows to the gardens and a long service table running down the middle of the room.  You enter into a lounge area where some folks choose to have a drink  and their first snacks.  We proceeded directly to the table  in the rectangular room with the open kitchen on one end.  Four seats were at a counter over-looking the kitchen although I did not see a lot of interaction it did have a better view of the action. They offer one tasting menu with two optional additional courses and one upgrade on an existing course.  The pacing was a bit slow but service was friendly and helpful.   The food was very good even though it seemed to have a standard of added foams at the table.  We chose the upgrades and additions but ordered our own wine rather than the pairings.  I would put this one on your list to visit. Continue reading →

Le Bistroman Atelier, Madrid, 3/2/25

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exterior – C. de la Amnistía, 10, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain

Le Bistroman Atelier was a French concept from Chef Stephane del Rio Brossier and Miguel Ángel García Marinelli.  The medium sized location had wood and tile on the floor, chandeliers, a cut out in the ceiling, windows to the street on two sides, music in the background with some exposed brick on the walls.  The small tables were covered with white cloths and a couple were on the larger side.  We had made the reservation some time ago and signed up for their long tasting menu, which you need to do in advance.  We stopped by a couple days prior to our reservation and talked with the door person and said we no longer wished to have the tasting and they were fine with it and said would make a note of it.  They didn’t and when seated the server came to check for allergies and about the tasting.  We repeated our former request and they said fine but there was much confusion even so.  It foreshadowed the continuing confusion with the server who split our main course and forgot to bring the salad yet still had it on the bill.   It was a night of errors which made for a less than satisfactory meal.  The food was edible but nothing to “write home about” and I’m sorry but I can’t recommend you try this place unless you really need to get a French fix in Spain. Continue reading →

Saddle, Madrid, 2/28/25

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exterior – C. de Amador de los Ríos, 6, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, Spain

Saddle was a large elegant place that has been awarded one Michelin star.  There was a good sized bar area in addition to the main dining room and upstairs are 5 private dining rooms.  In 2019 it took over the space formally held by the legendary Jockey restaurant, which served Spanish cusine.  Saddle was about classic recipes and dining experiences – with lots of service and tableside action. It was created as an alternative to the tasting menu options, that dominate fine dining, offering full and half portions where you can create your own tasting.  The menu is seasonally based so it changes twice during each season as well as featuring nightly specials.  They do have a tasting menu but you must reserve it in advance, which we did, and that booking is non-refundable.   In the dining room the large round tables had floor length cloths with one side of the room looking out at some gardens and the other side into the lovely bar.  At the end of the room was a large glass looking into the kitchen that was full of toque-topped chefs.  A wide plank wood floor was opposite a high glassed in ceiling decorated with a metal sculpture.  Music in the bar bled into the dining room for a nice background.  Service was exceptional as was the food but the meal took about 3 hours even with quick service.  Portioning was spot on.  Thumbs up here. Continue reading →

Sacha (update), Madrid, 2/26/25

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entance – Zona ajardinada, C. de Juan Hurtado de Mendoza, 11, Posterior, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid, Spain

It’s been several years since we visited Sacha, here are links to our last visit in Dec. 2016 and before that in March 2015.  The interior has not changed much and in fact we had the same server we had 9 years ago (he’s now a manager) and of course Chef Sacha Hormaechea was in the house.  Having been before we knew that you can’t drive up to the front door and that the mapping programs put it on the wrong side of the building.  There is a sidewalk through greenery, large candle lights and other stores that you take to find their front door.  Reservations are still a necessity as it’s small and popular.  Light from the wall of windows adds to the lowered lights of the room and no music was in the background, just the hum of conversation.  The white cloth-covered tables are mostly filled with Spanish natives and we were lucky to have Jason again as he is fluent in English.  The menu is small and doesn’t change, except for the type of fish and that’s because it’s good the way it is.  It’s a fine lunch where we split all the items, so plating is only a half portion. Continue reading →

Restaurant CEBO, Madrid, 2/25/25

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entrance – Cra de S. Jerónimo, 34, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain

Restaurant CEBO was in the very modern Hotel Urban and has had one Michelin star for the last  3 years.  Chefs Javier Sanz and Juan Sahuquillo have upped the game on this restaurant that has been here 9 years.  They offer diners two tasting menus, one Classics (160€), 11 courses, and in the evening, Season in Three Acts (220€) with 16 courses.  The menu starts in the lounge area where buying a cocktail is optional, but while in Madrid it’s a great time to taste fine Cava which we enjoyed a glass of with a few snacks.  Then there was a ‘tour’ of several boxes containing ingredients for the evening’s menu and a snack at the end.  Lastly you’re seated in the dining room where spacy music was in the background, the lights are lowered and the large tables are draped with floor length white cloths.  Glassed in wine cases separated parts of the room with a shiny black floor.   The room was geometric with all the shapes but warm with all the woods.  Service was quite nice, they spoke good English and the pacing was rapid but not rushed.   The food had a few misses but mostly was quite good.  Let me know what you think if you check it out. Continue reading →

Be Home Soon, Dallas, 2/13/25

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exterior – 9540 Garland Rd #407, Dallas, TX 75218

Be Home Soon opened mid November in Casa Linda plaza.  Owner Madison King created her dream restaurant after years as a musician with Russ Kirk (an accountant with a law degree), and Joey Fink (chef de cuisine).  All three have restaurant experience but wanted to create something casual with a changing menu on their home turf of East Dallas.  It’s in the spot previously occupied by Dugg Burger but you wouldn’t recognize the space.  The purple walls are filled with art and collectables.  A long bar takes up one wall but it has seating for drinks and/or eating.  Small tables line the other wall with the kitchen in the back. The menu was printed on a roll of butcher paper that hangs on the wall and a printed menu lists snacks and staples, like a salad.  The other side of the printed menu was cocktails, many of them traditionally based.  The weekly menu shows up on their Instagram page not the website and they take no reservations.  The cocktails were well made but their wine selection seems only by the glass and was quite limited.  They do offer a kid’s plate but children are not seated after 7:00.  The portions were fairly small so you can order lots and have it family style.  The food was mixed but I’ll go again when I see an interesting menu – I love the concept. Continue reading →

Noble Rot Soho (update), London, 1/27/25

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exterior – 2 Greek St, London W1D 4NB, United Kingdom

Nobel Rot was visited by Frankie and us about one year ago (click here).  The restaurant where we had a reservation had electrical problems and so closed for the day and we decided to repeat since our visit last year was so wonderful.  It was a different day though so it wasn’t nearly as magical.  This visit we sat upstairs which was cozier and had nice murals painted on each of the walls – one of the street where the restaurant is located.   Small marble tables were set closely opposite bench seating lining both walls.  A small bar/service area was at one end.  Curtained windows to the street added little to the lowered lighting of the room.  No music was in the background and the menu was printed daily.  Service was fine but the food did not measure up to last year’s.  It’s still a fine place for a casual meal but it didn’t have the lick-the-plate quality I remembered. Continue reading →

Scott’s, London, 1/27/25

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exterior –20 Mount St, London W1K 2HE, United Kingdom

Scott’s has been in business since 1851, serving British fish and shellfish with seasonal favorites in the Mayfair area.  Founded by a fishmonger John Scott as an oyster warehouse it evovled into a seafood restaurant.  The first 100 years it was on Coventry Street before moving to its present location in 1967.   The story goes that Ian Fleming, a regular in the 1950s, conceived of the idea of “shaken not stirred” for the James Bond series here.  Many celebrities have dined there including Steven Spielberg, Michael Caine and King Charles and Camilla, to name a few.  In 2005 Richard Caring bought the place and did an extensive renovation.  It’s a large place with a formal feel although there is no dress code.  The space is divided into many section with chairs also available at the long marble and brass bar.  Dark wood surrounds the large white cloth-covered tables, some set as banquettes.  Frosted glass covers the windows to the street but it is still quite bright.  Art is on the walls, no music is in the background and the service is first rate, as is the food.  They serve many classic dishes and if you want seafood, it’s the place to go. Continue reading →

Mountain, London, 1/26/25

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exterior – 16-18 Beak St, London W1F 9RD, United Kingdom

Mountain  was a medium sized place in Soho by Tomos Parry, with a large open kitchen in back.  The bar counter also had seats and there is bar on another floor.  Opening in July 2024 it’s a fairly loud place packed with people and loud music with a beat.  The small, close light wood tables were below exposed ductwork and a wide plank wood floor.  Noise panels were in the ceiling but between the kitchen, people and music it was a struggle to communicate.  With the lights dimmed, the vibe is casual with paper napkins and metal columns obstructing the traffic flow.  Photos were on the wall, they have one Michelin star and a huge wine list.  The service was helpful and friendly and didn’t seem to care that we were older than most of the other patrons.  The menu was comprised of various-sized dishes meant to be shared and that is what we did.  We started with one of their many cocktails and then moved to wine.  The food was mixed. Continue reading →

Dorian Restaurant, London, 1/26/25

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exterior – 107 Talbot Rd, London W11 2AT, United Kingdom

Dorian called itself “a bistro for locals”.   It was a long place featuring a wood fired grill.  There was a long counter with stools and a few small cloth covered tables near the front.  The tables are additionally covered with a piece of paper, probably because dishes are meant to be shared, and this makes for a mess.  They had a couple of uni-sex bathrooms with crazy tile work, distorted mirrors and “crapper” toilets, so don’t miss those when you go.    Exposed duct work and lots of stainless steel in the open kitchen behind the bar provided a show for the counter and the throbbing music kept those of us at the tables entertained.  There was a fantastic aroma when you entered the place and friendly, helpful servers gave it a fun vibe.  They have one Michelin Star.  The menu is composed daily and all a la carte.  The beef, which they are known for is a UK hybrid aged 60 days, below the restaurant.  There were a couple of specials offered, including a chicken skewer appetizer and suckling pig main.  We got the former as we were there to try the beef.  The wine list was much better than last nights at SOLA.  I would easily recommend this place when you are in London. Continue reading →

Cornus, London, 1/25/25

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entrance – 27c Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF, United Kingdom

Cornus opened in August of 2024, independently owned by David O’Connor and Joe Nairne.  Executive Chef Gary Foulkes offers a changing menu of British and European seasonal produce.   It’s a large place on the 4th floor of a modern building with curtained windows on 3 sides.  The high ceiling is lined with black electrical conduits and music is in the background. They have a lovely terrace for dining when the weather permits and a long marble-topped bar in addition to the many white cloth-covered tables.  Some bench seating is along a low wall dividing it from the bar area   They also have a private dining room available.  We were there for lunch when they have an a la carte menu as well as a 3 or 6-course tasting menu.  We chose the 6-course menu with our own bottle of wine.  It was eerily empty but the server assured us that dinners are more popular.  Service was nice but I was surprised at how slowly the food came out, considering we were one of 3 tables – our lunch took almost 3 hours.  Portions on the tasting were on the large side but the food was so good you ate it anyway.  I recommend this place but go hungry.  (Note – they were awarded one Michelin Star in the 2025 guide) Continue reading →

Muse by Tom Aikens, London, 1/24/25

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building – 38 Groom Pl, London SW1X 7BA, United Kingdom

Muse is the restaurant where Chef Tom Aikens returned to fine dining in a 23-cover 2 floor Georgian townhouse.     Opening in 2020 he was quickly awarded one Michelin star.  The menu focuses on memories of his personal life and culinary career with a seasonal emphasis.  He primarly serves foods from local and sustainable sources.  The building was in a residential looking neighborhood with a lovely reception room, bar and small kitchen on the arrival floor.  Upstairs was the small dining room and 6 counter seats facing the kitchen where he actually cooked our lunch.  The menu offered 2 tastings and a couple supplemental dishes using Urbani truffles and/or N25 caviar.  (The menu has a cute pop-up of the building in the middle.)  We chose the shorter tasting, no supplements and our own beverages rather than the available pairings.  Another one to put on your list when in London. Continue reading →

The Devonshire, London, 1/22/25

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exterior – 17 Denman St, London W1D 7HW, United Kingdom

The Devonshire has a pub called the Public House downstairs (known for its perfect pint of Guinness) and then the two floors above feature a wood grill restaurant and seating.    Having been in Soho since 1793, they dry age, butcher their Scottish beef on site, and offer locally caught seafood.  They are open 7 days a week and the grill is on the second floor.  We were in the quieter third-floor room (they do have an elevator) with many small white cloth-covered tables filling the room.  Brown paper was on top of the cloth, windows were on two sides letting in the sunshine, curtains cover some of the walls which do have some paintings, no music was in the background and carpet was on the floor.  Even filled, the room didn’t have a noise problem.  At lunch, they offered a 2 or 3 course set menu as well as a full menu.  Wines were available by the glass and bottle and they also have a reserve wine list.  It appeared to have a good mix of local people as well as tourists and service was efficient and friendly.   It was a good value for London with the set menu having generous portions and additional vegetable sides being reasonably priced.  Nothing was bad but nothing blew me away though.  It was a perfect first meal when you’re jet-lagged and waiting for your hotel room to open so you can crash a few hours.  I’m sorry I didn’t get to try the pub downstairs – it was very lively. Continue reading →

Lilette, New Orleans, 12/20/24

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entrance – 3637 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Lilette was opened in a late 1800’s corner drugstore building in 2001 by Chef/Owner John Harris.   He has been a James Beard finalist for Best Chef South four times.   While apprenticing in France he stayed with the Mauri family whose matriarch named Lilette gave him much admiration of French cooking.  Chef Edward Charles served as Chef de Cuisine for 16 years before becoming a co-owner in 2019.  It’s a rectangular-shaped space with windows on two sides, a high painted tin ceiling, music in the background and mirrors are the art on the walls.  One long side is the bar counter with seats and opposite it are a few booths with bench seating along the back wall.  They offer outdoor seating and serve the same menu at lunch and dinner with a couple specials on a chalkboard.  Service was friendly and helpful but not super efficient.  Their menu is plastic coated so doesn’t photograph easily but the online pricing is out of date. Continue reading →

Clancy’s (update), New Orleans, 12/19/24

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building – 6100 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Clancy’s is another favorite of ours and so has appeared many times on this website, the last time about a year ago.  The menu is much smaller at lunch but we got to sit in the front room which is brighter and more festive during the holidays.  Reservations are a must as the place was packed by the time we finished.  The ambiance is another old school place with tuxedoed servers and white cloth-covered tables.  It’s outside the quarter and popular with locals and tourists.  Again here you have your favorites but there were subtle changes to the salad.  This is a first-rate staff that doesn’t rush you and is willing to bring items out individually for you to share.  We’ve found that’s a good way to try more things.  This is definitely a place that should be on your list to visit. Continue reading →

Pillar, Dallas, 1/14/25

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building – 408 N Bishop Ave #108, Dallas, TX 75208

Pillar just opened Dec. 8, 2024 in the Bishop Arts District by chef/owner Peja Krstic.  It was in the 98-year-old space previously occupied by Boulevardier.  The menu had cross over from the restaurant’s previous occupant as well as with his other current restaurant Mot Hai Ba.  Krstic named this after seeing a photo of Ernest Hemingway’s boat Pilar in Key West, but since this was not all seafood it became Pillar, an American bistro.  It’s a deep space with some table seating and the bar with seats at the front and a combination of booths and tables in the back portion nearer to the open door to the kitchen.  The space had a concrete floor, a brick wall opposite a wallpapered one, a painted wood ceiling and music in the background.  Shelves by the front door were filled with articles and books whereas the shelves in back were filled with glassware and wines, which are mostly of the natural variety.  We had a fairly early reservation and you could still talk but the evening moved slowly and the noise level got pretty loud later in the evening.  One huge benefit of the place was a parking lot right next to it, which is a real plus for places in this area.  The service was super friendly but slow and the food was varied but all on the better side of the curve.  Some items were outstanding however I hope as they get established, they will introduce specials that vary the menu slightly and work on the kitchen’s efficiency.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.  Continue reading →

George’s Little Rock, Little Rock, AR., 12/13/24

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building – 5510 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72207

George’s is named for George who represents “the perfect night out; the experience of a restaurant with all the comforts of feeling at home.”  It’s the product of Little Rock natives and friends, John Stephens, David Hesselbein and Greg Baber who’ve partnered with Chef Wes Mickel to offer a menu of Italian classics.  Opening in August of 2023, it was in the works for 2 years before opening in the 1930s bungalow (previously housing Cafe Prego).  Having the capacity for 93, guests are seated in a traditional dining room, casual porch, an outdoor patio or in the hidden speakeasy named “Barnaby.”  The main dining room has tables set with white clothes and some bench seating along the walls whereas the porch had bare tables and wicker furniture.  It was more lit than the main dining room which also had art on the walls.  The service was good and helpful and portions were large.  It was a good meal and one I’d recommend you try when in town.  Reservations can be difficult but the speakeasy and bar seating are all first come, first served. Continue reading →

Malagón Mercado y Tapería, Charleston, 12/5/25

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building – 33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403-5416

Malagon Mercado y Taperia is a neighborhood spot that offers tapas as well as a market of wines and foods.  It was a awarded one Michelin Star in the inaugural 2025 ceremony for the American South.  The deep space has tables in front and along the wall for those with reservations and the long counter seats walk-ins.  Owned by Chef Juan Cassalett (who is married to the chef at Chez Nous Jill Mathias) and restauranteurs Patrick and Fanny Panella, they’ve been very busy since the recognition.    The Spanish restaurant harkens to Cassalett’s origins and offers shared plates from a number of regions with some variations on typical themes.  The fun sounding options are available with a good variety of wines by the bottle and glass as well as non-alcholic drinks.  The service was attentive and didn’t overload the small table but the food was mixed.  Still if you’re craving tapas and located in Charleston this is a great option. Continue reading →

The Pantry Crest, Little Rock, AR., 12/11/24

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building – 722 N Palm St, Little Rock, AR 72205

The Pantry was opened by Tomas Bohn in 2009 in west Little Rock.  Based on its success, he opened The Pantry Crest in 2014 in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood.  Both locations serve Czech and German classics but the Pantry Crest is dinner only Tues through Sat.  They do not take reservations, so first come, first served.  The Pantry Crest was in a 2 story building with limited parking supplemented by street parking.  Downstairs was a good-sized bar counter with seats and high-top tables.  Upstairs was segmented into several rooms with varying sizes of tables.  Art was on the walls and a large mural was on the ceiling.  It seemed to be a very popular place with many of the tables turning  and lots of young folks in larger groups.  The service was helpful and friendly and the portions were on the large side.  However, the food was mixed. Continue reading →

Cowboys Club, Frisco, 12/3/24

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came with the bill – Five Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX, 75034

The Dallas Cowboys Football Team built a large facility to practice north of Dallas, in the town of Frisco.   Besides the practice fields, weight room, ect. there are offices and some are leased by our financial team who are members of the dining room at The Star.  The only way you can eat there is to be a member or the guest of a member, but I thought you’d be interested in the place either way.  No photos of the practice area are allowed, but I got a few of the room and our lunches.  It’s a large place with a bar area and lots of couch seating too.  Bottles of wine are used to form walls for some of the more private dining rooms.  Service was excellent and the place is bright and attractive.  The food was fine but no football players or other celebrities were spotted, other than Frankie of course. Continue reading →

Little’s Oyster Bar, Houston, 11/27/24

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building – 3001 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Little’s Oyster Bar is in the Montrose area of Houston.  It is a chef-driven  restaurant from the Pappas Restaurant Group. Chef Jason Ryczek highlights Gulf Coast seafoods along with selected caviar, lobster and seasonally changing items.   Opening in the location of the Little Pappas Seafood House it’s anything but little.  A long marble topped bar runs the length of the room which is mirrored with an outdoor patio room.  There is a good sized parking lot adjacent to the building.  Inside you’ll find loud music with fairly bright lighting complementing the wood and brick walls and partial carpeted areas on the floor.  We were there with family and as the place filled I’d swear they turned up the music.  Service was good but not great but the food was mostly good, fresh and pricey.   If you want seafood it’s a good place to go but expect variable flavor. Continue reading →

Twin Farms (dinner a la carte menu), Barnard, VT., 11/22/24

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part of the main house – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031

The dining room is divided into 2 rooms.  One has a dramatic coved ceiling, some booth seating along one wall, and a lot of lights.   The adjacent room was where we were always served and it is a reclaimed porch.  Windows to the grounds make up one wall and it is ended by windows to some of the wine cellar on one end  and the other by a large stone fireplace.  The lighting is much lower here and the room more cozy.  Both have music in the background, wood floors, lovely linens, and fresh flowers on the good sized marble topped tables.  One thing I wondered about was would the wine and spirit options be from the “low shelf” since they were included in your stay.  They were not.  The alcohol options for cocktails were many and varied as was the wine that was mostly by the glass.  We did have a bottle at the Twigs dinner but otherwise we let the sommelier pick based on what we were having and it was all good.  If you didn’t like something they were happy to pour you a glass of something else.  A premium list is available at an extra charge but I encourage you to put your selection into their hands. Continue reading →

The Swag, Waynesville, NC., 11/5/24

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main Swag house – 2300 Swag Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785

The Swag Resort is almost a mile above sea level at the summit of the Great Smoky Mountains.  They offer a variety of private cabins or rooms in the main lodge to stay in with all meals included in your stay.  Built in the 1970s by Dan and Deener Matthews, it was a potato farm when they bought the spot at the top of the bald mountain.  No road accessed the property as the farmers had hiked to harvest the potatoes that were rolled down the hill.  They fell in love with the view of all the mountains from the hilltop and simply hiked up and camped there when they first bought the property.  They began to buy old log buildings and after building a road began to use these reclaimed logs to craft the buildings on their property.  It was a private residence until the 1982 World’s Fair came to Knoxville and the organizers asked if they could use the place as a hotel.  Guests liked it so much that they wanted to come back and thus the inn was created.  It’s called the Swag as that’s the name of the dip between the mountain ranges.  In 2018 the Matthews sold the property to Annie and David Colquitt, who spent their honeymoon on the property.  It joined Relais & Châteaux in 2020.  We were able to stay a couple nights and the next 3 posts will cover our meals there.  It’s a beautiful place and the staff are superb so visit if you can. Continue reading →

Matilda Restaurant, Hensonville, NY., 10/25/24

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building – The Henson, 39 Goshen Rd, Hensonville, NY 12439

Matilda is the restaurant in the newly re-opened Henson Hotel.   It was much busier the second night we visited and we sat in a different part of the room which allowed us both to watch over all the evening’s activities.  We had a curved corner booth in the darkened room where you mostly heard conversations of other guests and the music bleeding in from the bar.  It was my understanding that the kitchen was training in some folks on stations new to them or maybe it was the bigger crowd but service was way slower than the previous evening.  The server felt the delay and brought us extra items to make it up to us but I laughed when we marked two and a half hours there and the reservation system had reminded us that our time slot allocated us one and a half hours.  The staff were all so nice and the food was so good, you couldn’t get mad.  All that said, this is a place I can easily recommend you stay and enjoy dinner and drinks too.  A lovely a la carte breakfast is also included with your room.  

Continue reading →

Troutbeck, Amenia, NY., 10/22/24

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exterior – 515 Leedsville Rd, Amenia, NY 12501

Troutbeck been around since the 1700s as an inn, private estate and tavern.  It was originally owned by the Benton family who frequently hosted people like Thoreau and Emerson. The Spingarn family then owned it from 1875-1939 while Colonel Spingarn was head of the Comparative Literature Dept. at Columbia University, and hosted folks like Sinclair Lewis, Thurgood Marshall and Theodore Roosevelt.  The Spingarns were active in the civil right movement and hosted early meetings of the NAACP at Troutbeck.  In 1917 the original house burned and the Spingarns built the stone manor in 1919, which stands today.   After some years of neglect it was bought in the 1970s and extensively renovated in 2016, reopening its doors to the public in 2017. We were fortunate to be able to get a reservation to stay there for two nights during the lovely fall season.  It has multiple rooms in the main lodge but also many surrounding cottages.  You don’t have to stay there to eat in their restaurant but it is the most fun way to go.  There is a small bar for before-dinner drinks or you can order them and enjoy them in any number of cozy rooms with lots of fireplaces and stuffed furniture.  Meals are all a la carte.  It’s a lovely place and some of the food is outstanding. Continue reading →

The Lodge at Glendorn, Bradford, PA., 10/17/24

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lodge – 1000 Glendorn Drive, Bradford, PA., 16701

The Lodge at Glendorn dates back to 1927 when C.G. Bondieu purchased 1,250 acres as a retreat for his growing family.  He built a “Big House” and some cottages in the American Arts and Crafts style.  They continued to add buildings to the property over the next 80 years, opening it to the public in 1995.  One of the families that frequented it, fell in love with it and bought it when it was auctioned off in 2009, after most of the family no longer resided in the area.  Cliff Forrest and family then made Glendorn their home and set about preserving the history and natural surroundings while doing restorations, improvements and expanding to 1,500 acres.  Today, many of the furnishings and artworks were original to the home when the Dorn’s owned it.  We were lucky to snag a room at this Relais & Châteaux for 2 nights during Fall leaves.   Breakfast is included with your stay and I’ll cover that and lunch in a separate post.  Dinner is in a 4-course tasting format where you choose between multiple options.  You can also choose to have just 3 courses, pick more than one from each category, or add additional at a la carte prices.  They will customize it however you want.  Prior to dinner, they served snacks in another room with a bar, pool table and roaring fire.  I’ll talk more about the place in the upcoming posts but it is a beautiful spot and the staff could not be more welcoming or helpful.  The food is locally based and good but marvelously enhanced by the stunning yet cozy 2 story dining room.  If you can get there I know you will enjoy your visit. Continue reading →

Primo Restaurant, Rockland, ME., 9/26/24

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exterior –2 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841

Primo Restaurant is a chef-owned place by Melissa Kelly who was the 2013 James Beard Foundation Award winner of the American Express Best Chef, Northeast.  She also won this award in 1999 making her the first 2 time winner of the same award.  It started as a small venture with one greenhouse and one acre of gardens to 2 greenhouses, 60 staff and 3 acres of gardens as well as chickens and pigs. It is a huge place with a 2 story house being the main eating area with a roaming parking lot to the side that goes up by other buildings and gardens.  It was dark and rainy the night we went so it was hard to tell what was what.  There were tables on the porch around the large house but the weather did not allow these to be seated.  Some rooms had white tablecloths and others bare wood.  We were seated in a small room upstairs with old wood floors and bench seating around the walls and small tables.  Art for sale was on the walls and I saw 2 bars upstairs.  The server told us the place was named for the chef’s grandfather when he had a brief moment to chat.  The menu changes daily and yet specials were verbally delivered by the server.  The food was good, the ambiance a bit hectic and my overall impression was once was enough. Continue reading →

18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill, Rockport, ME., 9/27/24

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exterior – 18 Central St, Rockport, ME 04856

18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill looks over Rockport Harbor and is owned by Chef Patrick Duffy and his wife Jessica.  The couple moved to Rockport from Boston in 2011 to run the Shepherd’s Pie restaurant, which closed in mid-2016.  With a first run at the property, they decided to open their own raw bar and restaurant in that location.   After several months of renovations, they launched the new venture.  It’s a good-sized place with patio seating, overlooking the harbor.  The first part of the space is the bar and raw bar and a partially open kitchen fills the rest.  The floors are old wood matching the tin ceiling above.  The walls are wood and brick while art, historic photos and boat sails hang as decorative touches. The lighting is quite low and there was no music in the background.  The tables were well-spaced yet small and service was fine after a slow start.  The menu responds to seasonal products and the food was quite good.  This place is worth a visit when you’re in the area. Continue reading →

Nīna June, Rockport, ME., 9/25/24

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exterior – 24 Central St, Rockport, ME 04856

Nīna June is the nickname of  Chef Sara Jenkins, who was born in Camden, Maine but raised in the Mediterranean.  She uses the background of both places to highlight the products of Maine’s farms and ocean coastal waters with a regularly changing menu.  She is the author of 2 cookbooks and previously cooked for kitchens in NYC.  This is a long place with the back patio seats overlooking the Rockport Harbor.  The open kitchen was on one side and the chef was there to greet the customers and show them to their table.  The walls had bench seating with lots of pillows which matched up with small closely placed small wooden tables that were set with paper placemats and cloth napkins.  Music was in the background, the lights were fairly dim and art was on the walls.  It was a cozy feel and it easily facilitated conversations with your neighbors.  The menu was very intriguing and thus we ordered way more than we could eat but we wanted to try so many things.  As you’d guess, some items were better than others and appealed differently to esch of us.  I’m not sure if any would get a “lick the bowl” rating but I certainly would recommend this place and go back if I’m in the area.  The food is very fresh and well done without dots, smears or added micro-greens and really focused on local.  Let me know what you think when you visit! Continue reading →

Market Steer Steakhouse (update), Santa Fe, 9/16/24

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exterior – 213 Washington Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Market Steer Steakhouse was started in 2018 at the St. Francis Hotel by Chef Kathleen Crook and Kristina Goode.   You can see Frankie’s visit to  the old location here but this trip it had relocated last July to a new 4,500 sq. ft. building with a separate bar area and extensive sound proofing in the main dining room.  They did 4 months of remodeling to the structure before moving in and so were able to address the noise level of the older location.  Adding a bar allowed them to offer craft cocktails and have a place to display the equestrian and rodeo roots of the Chef.  The 60-seat dining room is adorned with a 600 piece hand blown amber glass chandelier and wall sconces made of horse hair ties.  The bench seating along the walls was well padded and matched with closely set 2-top white cloth-covered tables.   Larger tables were in the center on the old wood floor with music in the background.  The ceiling was lined with wood beams and much of the art on the walls was from local galleries with the price list on the back of the wine list.  It was a room of soft tones with friendly and excellent service.  The food was quite good, so if you are ready for a steak dinner put this on your list. Continue reading →

Geronimo (update), Santa Fe, 9/15/24

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exterior – 724 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Geronimo has long been a standout place to eat in Santa Fe.  It’s in the “Borrego House” that was built by Geronimo Lopez in 1756.  Frankie visited and wrote it up on 11/19 and again on 9/23, which you can click on if you want to see more photos of the place. Located on the busy Canyon Rd where there are tons of art galleries, they do have valet parking if you aren’t close enough to walk.  It’s a quiet and elegant place with music in the background, white cloth-covered tables and art on the walls.  There are seating options outside, at the bar and in a number of interior rooms.  Reservations are a necessity.  Service is friendly yet polished and professional.  Our fine server, Jay has been working here 25 years or as he put it, “he came with the building.”   We passed on dessert but I got a photo of the menu for you.  The place has never let me down and I know it won’t disappoint you either.  Put it on your list. Continue reading →

Joseph’s Culinary Pub, Santa Fe, 9/14/24

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exterior – 428 Agua Fria St, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Joseph’s Culinary Pub was the creation of Chef Joseph Wrede, Food & Wine‘s Best New Chef 2000 and winner of several AAA Four Diamond awards as well as being featured on The Food Network’s Triple D.  The restaurant started in Taos in 1995 and moved once more before settling in the present location about 10 years ago.  The place had multiple rooms as well as outdoor seating and a bar counter.  The room we were in had bench seating around the perimeter and free-standing tables in the middle.  Several windows contributed natural light to the electric lights which were well dimmed.  Antique copper pots hung decoratively along one wall and other art was on the walls as was a chalkboard with a drawing of the fish featured in the daily special.  Service was super friendly and the food was innovative and tasty.  Our two main plates had too many ingredients but they all blended into successful flavors.  There are daily specials and changes to the menu with the seasons but some items have been on the menu for 25+ years.  This place is worth a visit. Continue reading →

Alder Wood Bistro, Sequim, WA., 7/11/24

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exterior – 139 W Alder St, Sequim, WA 98382

Alder Wood Bistro was in a house-like building with several rooms open for dining and a large patio and a good amount of parking around the building.  A few booths and lots of tables made up the seating that had music in the background, sound absorbing panels on the ceiling, art for sale on the walls, lots of windows to the outside and decorations scattered about.  There was a full bar and a nice wine selection.  The food was billed as “the finest local, organic and sustainable produced ingredients”.  They have a wood fired oven for pizzas and offer a gluten-free cauliflower crust as well as noting what other menu items are vegan or gluten-free.  Their menu also had a number of nightly specials as well as drink specials.  I would go back, it was pretty good, and the service was super. Continue reading →

Dupuis’ Restaurant, Port Angeles, WA., 7/10/24

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
exterior – 256861 US-101, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Dupuis’ Restaurant was a large place that was established in 1920 by Joe Dupuis as a tavern with beer, wine and a dance floor.  He pumped gas out front (which is the entrance today).  He started serving food so he could sober up customers who had imbibed too much  During its 100+ year history it has gone through a number of owners with Toni Rieger taking charge in 1998.   Through the years the various owners have loved to collect things and many have remained with the restaurant so take time to appreciate all the nostalgic and quirky things.  The booths and bar were in the oldest section which had the original furnishings.  Now a wrap-around porch area is being added or maybe it started when Covid was upon us.  Famous people have visited the place like Barbra Streisand and husband Brolin as well as Tommy Lee Jones and Princess Margaretha of Belgium.  The many rooms are different with the entrance room wood covered with lots of knicknacks.  The room we dined in had a fire place, curtains covered the windows, tables were covered with white cloths and chandeliers hung from the ceiling.  Music was in the background, carpet was on the floor and it was lovely to be able to chat with my husband and hear his response.  The food was quite good and I would put this place on your list to visit when you are in the area. Continue reading →

Mister Charles, Dallas, 7/2/24

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
building – 3219 Knox St Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75205

Mister Charles is in the location that the Highland Park Soda Fountain had occupied for 106 years.  Opening in July 2023, it is operated by the Chas Martin and Duro Hospitality who are also responsible for The Charles and Sister, written up here earlier.   This venue  offers French and Italian dishes 7 days a week for dinner.   The large space has basically 2 rooms one light with a high ceiling which soars to 36 feet with chandeliers and a long bar the other much darker room has tables covered with fine white cloths, booths and one wall opening into the kitchen.  It is a statement restaurant in a landmarked building in a very affluent neighborhood.  Parking on the street is competitively available but they also have valet parking which is at no charge if validated at the restaurant.   We were in the darker room, which according to the hostess is an option you can express a preference for when making your reservation.  It had a terrazzo style tile floor, mirrors on the walls, music in the background, a lower ceiling with sound panels and an assortment of chair and table set ups.  The many windows facing the street were covered with blinds except for the exit door which allowed in a bright patch of annoying light for a bit.  Small booths were along 2 walls and bench seating lined the window wall.  A second small bar was also in this room. Continue reading →

The Highwayman, Halifax, 6/14/24

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exterior – 1673 Barrington St, Halifax, NS B3J 1Z9, Canada

Highwayman is a small place with about 40 seats in an historic building.  Opening in 2016 the relaxed atmosphere goes with the menu of Spanish inspired shared plates – tapas and pintxos.  Along with an ambitious cocktail menu they try to serve ingredients from Nova Scotia.   The long interior has bench seating along one wall and the opposite wall is the bar with backed high chairs.  Mirrors, plants and art decorate the space with that has the kitchen in the back, paper napkins and music in the background.   A couple high-top tables are in the window and when you make a reservation you indicate your seating preference.  We had reserved one of the high tops as that was the only available but luckily we were offered a table which was way more comfortable.  We started with a cocktail and then moved to a bottle of wine.  The service was friendly and helpful, especially as we wanted to try a number of their things but not get too overwhelmed.  The food was good but mixed in flavor content but it was good enough that I’d recommend the place to you, if you find yourself in Halifax. Continue reading →

Tom’s Lobster Shack, Peggy’s Cove, 6/13/24

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building – 154 Peggys Point Rd, Peggys Cove, NS B3Z 3S2, Canada

Tom’s Lobster Shack was a small building on the corner of the parking lot for the very popular lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove.  They are open daily but do close in the winter.  The seating was on picnic tables on the deck around their building.  There was one window to place your order and another to pick it up.   Birds knew the place and the signs asked you to not feed them   Sandwiches came with chips and bread and butter pickles.  They served a number of items but are known for their lobster rolls, which are prepared several ways.  All are served on a toasted bun and we chose a Classic and a Naked.  The Classic had lobster mixed with mayo, celery, parsley, shallot, lettuce and green onions while the Naked was lobster with butter, herbs, secret seasoning and lettuce.    Both sandwiches were stuffed with lobster meat but this time I preferred the Classic sandwich over the buttered one.  The mix looks heavy on the mayo but it did not taste that way.  It blended and accented the sweet lobster meat better to me.  But the best way to do it is to get one of each and swap bites.  The chips were chips but the pickles were quite good too. Continue reading →

Goodwins, Dallas, 6/3/24

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
exterior – 2905 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Goodwins opened in May 2024 in the space previously occupied by a Mexican restaurant (Blue Goose Cantina) for almost 40 years.  A trio of local business partners, Austin Rodgers (Alamo Club), Jeff Bekavac and David Cash are behind the concept that wants to provide an upscale neighborhood restaurant and named it for the corner where it’s located – Goodwin and Greenville.  It’s a large space divided by a massive long bar and set with lots of cozy booths and tables.  The plan is to open an even darker cocktail bar next door (Goose Bar), which looks to be another fun space based on my preview.  Presently it’s only open for dinner every day but they hope to add lunch by mid-summer.  The interiors are all new but well done with wide plank wood floors and dark beams overhead.  There are a few windows to the street but otherwise the lighting is lowered, art is on the walls and music is in the background.  The open kitchen makes up the back wall in the room without the bar.  There is valet parking in the lot behind the place.  It was crazy busy but not so much you couldn’t talk to your dining companion.  Service was first rate – friendly and efficient – and I can’t wait to go back and I suggest you put it on your list when in Dallas. Continue reading →

Dear Irene, Bend, OR., 5/2/24

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building – 926 NW Brooks St, Bend, OR 97703

Dear Irene is the creation of Chef Jonny Becklund and his wife Irene.  Opening in July 2023, Jonny moved to Bend from San Francisco where he owned a 12 seat tasting menu restaurant.   He likes to change the menu here as he did there based on what he can find at the market.  Their wine list was not particularly great but they do have a huge selection of bourbons.  It was a long space with brick walls, tile floor, a high wood ceiling, music in the background and draping on the lights over the long bar.  There was a second dining area through a window which was about a third of the length and then the kitchen.  Art was on the walls and there was lots of color in the decorating scheme.  Small tables were along the walls with one side utilizing bench seating.  The place could have noise issues but the food was good enough to put up with it. Continue reading →

BOSA Food & Drink, Bend, OR., 5/3/24

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exterior at night – 1005 NW Galveston Ave, Bend, OR 97703

BOSA owned and operated by chefs Bill Dockter and Nate King, offers regional Italian and French specialties including housemade pasta.  They opened in August of 2021 in the historic Bakery Building, just before Covid hit.  The restaurant is named for a town in the Sardinia region of Italy that the owners felt resembled Bend.  It’s a long space with counter seating running the length of the place divided by a low wall with the table area.  The open ceiling is decorated with cloth ‘flowers’ probably for sound absorption as the rest of it is hard surfaces.  Opposite the counter seating are numerous windows that offer views of the street.  The other walls have mirrors or art.  The noise level was significant as it was packed with tables changing out regularly, but it did get better when one large group left and was replaced with 2 or 4 person groups.  The plates are served family style and meant to be shared.  Our server wanted our entire order in at one time and said he would course it out.  He did, it was well paced and the small table did not get overwhelmed.  It was really tasty food and I would recommend this place be on your schedule when you visit. Continue reading →

Bardea Food & Drink, Wilmington, DE., 4/5/24

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exterior – 620 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801

Bardea Food and Drink was opened over 5 years ago by Scott Stein and Chef Antimo DiMeo in the historic section of downtown.   It has an Italian base but the menu is all over the place.  The large place was not to be confused with the Bardea Steak next door or the new concept across the street, but they all are under the same ownership.  Chef DiMeo was a semifinalist for the Best Chef Mid-Atlantic James Beard Award in 2019 and featured on the Today Show and Vogue magazine.  The large place was hopping on Friday night but died out by 8:30.  You enter into a large bar area where people were also eating.  The main dining room next to it had tightly packed tables, so tight that we had to wait for another table as the first one had chairs that couldn’t move away from the table to allow seating due to crowded conditions.  The 2-tops seemed to ring around the edge of the room with 4-tops in the middle.  Music was in the background but the crowd already provided plenty of background noise.  An open kitchen was opposite the wall of windows looking out onto the street.  Fun art was on the walls and there was some wonderful little tilework on the floors.  Service was friendly but very slow with long periods of absence – possibly too many people and too few workers – that made it less than a wonderful evening.  Some of the food was good while others plates stayed in the average range.  The timing was so slow that we were happy to skip dessert just to get out of the place.  It was popular but I would avoid it on a weekend night. Continue reading →

La Fia Bistro, Wilmington, DE., 4/4/24

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exterior – 421 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801

La Fia was in the historic area of downtown in a corner building.  Owned by Bryan and Andrea Sikora, it opened in 2013 with Bryan as chef.  You enter into the area that has some goods for sale and you can look into the long kitchen.  The main dining room seats around 35  people with closely set small bare wood tables.  From the high tin ceiling hang ducts and a variety of light fixtures.  Windows to the street are on 2 sides of the room and music was in the background.  A few higher seats face the bar and the front windows and there was a second smaller dining room.  The current Executive Chef Dwain Kalup, focused on local and sustainable ingredients with a seasonally based menu.  On Wed. night they have a 3-course $40 menu with some optional supplements.  As we were there on Thurs. we made our own tasting menu.  There were no specials offered, as supplements to the menu.  It was only a minute’s walk from our hotel but it would be worth driving to as the food was quite good. Continue reading →

Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery & Wine Bar, Wilmington, 4/3/24

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exterior – 1601 Concord Pike Suite 77-79, Wilmington, DE 19803

Snuff Mill Restaurant, opened in July 2021, was a small place tucked into a large U-shaped shopping center.  They advertised themselves as “farm-to-table” and they did reference where each of the meats were locally sourced.  Butchering was done on-site and a counter at the entrance did have items for sale.   Many other ingredients are also locally sourced.  The small tables were closely packed and had paper on top of the cloth.  Along one wall were raised tables with bench seating and there were about 4 seats at the counter in front of the bar where people also ate.  Even on a Wed. night they were doing a brisk business and when you make the reservation you are told you have the table for no more than 2 hours.   Faint music was in the background and art was on the walls.  Service was good, friendly and fairly quick.  There were a number of specials in addition to the menu.  We had a wonderful meal and I would easily recommend going there but check their website to see who becomes the next driving culinary voice.  Chef/partner Robert Lhulier parted with co-owner Bill Irvin and left the place the day after we were there. Continue reading →

The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN, 3/21/24

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The Barn – 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886

Blackberry Farm covers 4200 acres in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, in Tennessee.  For over 80 years it has been the resort offering “decadent cuisine and pleasurable pastimes.”  When Florida and Dave Lasier discovered the setting for their dream home, she snagged her stocking on a blackberry bush and thus the name of the Farm.   In 1976 Kreis and Sandy Beall set about protecting and preserving the land with three other local families.  The Beall family wanted to share the area and opened a 6 room country inn which their son Sam took to another level in 2000, greatly expanding the footprint.  He expanded the wine cellar and opened The Barn and Dogwood restaurants for culinary experiences. The Barn has become renowned for food, much of it grown on the property, and the only way to experience it is to stay in one of the many rooms or cottages.  I understood that some of the people who own property nearby are allowed to dine there, so maybe that would be your preferred choice, either way you have to have a reservation.  The menu changes every other day and there are vegetarian options.   A huge wine list is available, but many of the selections date back several years, and a full bar is in the barn.  The menu is 4 courses, including dessert and there are at least 4 choices for each course.  The Barn is a huge red building that is too far to walk to so they provide car service or you can drive yourself in a golf cart. Continue reading →

Noble Rot, London, 1/22/24

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exterior – 2 Greek St, London W1D 4NB, United Kingdom

Noble Rot was a restaurant by the people behind the wine magazine of the same name. There are 3 different locations all serving slightly different food.  We went to the one in Soho which serves modern European food and wines and opened in 2020.  We were on the first floor but there is a second level about half its small size and a private dining room on the third level.  It was fairly dark lit by ball globe lights on the walls and had no music in the background.  Art was on one wall of the long space and the opposite one had mirrors.  A series of bench seats are along the wall with small marble-topped tables matching them.  The ceiling was low and carpet was on the floor which kept the noise level pretty good considering it was packed and turning tables on a Monday night.  We were there to try their roast chicken and the server pointed out that it takes about an hour to prepare so we ordered that immediately and then settled in to pick some starters to fill the gap.  It was a fabulous evening of seriously good food served in a cozy environment. Continue reading →

Zasu, New Orleans, 12/21/23

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building – 127 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Zasu is the creation of chef/owner Sue Zemanick, who knew early on that she wanted to be a chef.  After graduating at the top of her class for the Culinary Institute of America in NY she moved to New Orleans and in 2005 was named Executive Chef at Gautreau’s where she won the Best Chef South by the James Beard Foundation in 2013.  In addition to other awards she has served as a judge on several seasons of Top Chef Masters.  It’s a small-medium size place in an older home with a few outdoor tables in addition to 2 rows of small bare wood tables running the length of the place and a row of booths on the other side.  Three large paintings cover much of the walls and are the same hue as the walls.  According to our server they are art as well as sound dampening in function.  Interesting plant-like chandeliers hang from the sound-paneled ceiling opposite the wide plank wood floors. It’s comfortable but minimal environment with wonderful intensely flavored food.  I highly recommend it.

Set- Up

interior
Frankie explored
menu
cocktail menu
dessert menu
wine front
wine back
Frankie found some art

 

Food

We enjoyed a sazerac cocktail while waiting for our food.  It feels like a New Orleans requirement to have at least one of these when you visit.

Frankie enjoyed a sazarac cocktail

 

We split the wild mushroom and mascarpone agnolotti.  It was seasoned with cherry wood bacon, mustard greens and marsala.  The tender pastas had a strong mushroom flavor and were rolled thin enough that the sides didn’t get tough from being too thick.  The filling was a bit runny and so it bled into the broth.  The bacon was nicely crisp and very good.

wild mushroom and mascarpone agnolotti (half order)
closer

 

We also split the Korean Chile Glazed pork cheeks that were on bibb lettuce with pickled carrot, turnip, radish, cilantro and puffed rice.   The pork was very tender and fried to a crisp exterior and blended great with the pickled carrot.  The puffed rice added a fun crunch.  There was a sweet sticky sauce and a hint of pepper in the mix.  You were to wrap up the ingredients in the lettuce and eat.  Delicious with tons of flavor.

Korean Chile Glazed pork cheeks (half order)

 

Braised beef short ribs were with baby spinach, pickled shallot, crispy fingerling potatoes, herb butter and demi-glace.  These were very tender and well browned.  The potatoes were nearly perfect in their preparation with a good crisp to the edge. This was a great plate of food and not too rich.

Braised beef short ribs (full order)
closer

 

Tonight they offered peppermint ice cream and this version was delicious.  Some chewy crisp pieces of peppermint punctuated the creamy ice cream.  Excellent.

peppermint ice cream

 

Brown butter cardamom pear cake was with whipped mascarpone with spiced pear sticky toffee.  The sweet pears were wonderful and worked into a rich caramel-like cake.  Plenty but not too much sweet rates this as excellent also.

Brown butter cardamom pear cake
Frankie checked for extra caramel

Bistro Daisy, New Orleans, 12/20/23

~ hsnixon ~ 8 Comments
building – 5831 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Bistro Daisy was in Uptown and named for the daughter of owners Anton and Diane Schulte.  It opened in the summer of 2007 and features fresh, seasonal and local ingredients in American bistro style.  Housed in a little yellow house inside you’ll find white cloth-covered tables spread over a couple of rooms, lowered lighting, music in the background, dark ceiling, non-functioning fireplaces, and walls decorated with mirrors.   The small menu was supplemented by several nightly specials.  Friendly service, low noise level and great ambiance made this a winner for us.  It’s small so reservations are suggested, but there were empty tables the night we went. Continue reading →

Gideon Ridge Inn (second night), Blowing Rock, 12/13/23

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entrance – 202 Gideon Ridge Rd. Blowing Rock, NC, 28605

On our second night at Gideon Ridge we were seated in a more interior room where we had much better light.   We also found out that it was not frowned on to just order two courses for each person.  Our server the second night had worked there longer and seemed to be much more laid back.  The Chef was on site and did inquire about our meal as we left which was a nice touch.  We left with a much better impression of the kitchen tonight but the pea shoots were still crashing most parties.  It is rated as a place worth a visit. Continue reading →

Grove Restaurant, Grand Rapids, 9/29/23

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exterior – 919 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Grove was a medium-sized place that offered a number of dining options.  A Tasting for 2 ($125) included bread, 5 courses of your choosing and dessert and is available on Fri. and Sat,  A Taste of Grove ($50) was 3 courses and available Tues thru Thursday, and the Grove Experience ($300) serves the table the entire menu.   The prices are per table on the first and last option and per person on the middle.  The portions are not scaled, though, so the last option is better if you have 4 or more people.  We chose the 5 course but were hard pressed to pick the courses, every server had a different opionion.  It was a comfortable, modern  looking place with larger natural wood tables nicely spaced on wood and tile flooring with a lowered ceiling and lighting.  Music was in the background but the designer had made a successful effort to keep the noise level amenable to conversations.  A full bar with counter seating took up a portion of the room and there were lots of plants on the walls and placed around.  It opened around Feb. 2022 after the Covid shutdown as a new concept with a rennovated interior.  Service was friendly and helpful, especially in directing the meal plan.  He brought each dish separately so we could enjoy it rather than filling the table with too much at once. It is recommended if you find yourself in GrandRapids. Continue reading →

Savory Restaurant, Langley, WA., 8/18/23

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door sign – 220 1st St, Langley, WA 98260

Savory was opened in 2021 by Ron Rois and Stefen Bosworth.  They serve a menu inspired by their family, friends and travel from Tuesday to Saturday 4 – 9pm.  The restaurant takes no reservations but you can drop by or call ahead and they will give you a waiting list time estimate.  From that they call you and you have 15 minutes to show up or your table is passed on.  We simply ate earlier in the day and got in the line by the door that formed at 4:00pm.  It’s a small place with some patio tables available but they were able to expand seating when they acquired a space at the front of the building. The desire was to make the diner feel like they’ve entered someone’s home and it does just that with the big stuffed chairs and surrounding art pieces.  Service was friendly and you could see partially into the kitchen from our table.  It was good but not great.

Set-Up

Frankie shared the restaurant’s details
added room
main dining room interior
interior
patio
Chef in kitchen
menu
beverages
dessert menu
wine front
wine back
Frankie and the table candle

 

Food

We started the meal with Greens, a mix of greens topped with crumbled goat cheese, roasted sunflower seed and diced tomato and tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette.  You can substitute Rogue Creamery Caveman Blue cheese for an additional $4 and we took that option.  The fresh greens were nicely dressed and the cheese was flavorful.  A classic done well.

Greens Salad

 

Bread was a Baguette with garlic and parmesan spread that is ordered separately.  The baguette was from Seabiscuit Bakery and served warm with a good crisp to the crust.  The spread was nicely softened with a bit of salt on the top.

bread and butter
opened

 

Short Ribs were braised boneless beef short ribs intensely flavored with the house blend of Chinese five spice blend (including anise, Szechuan peppercorn and cinnamon), tamarind, fresh garlic, ginger and date molasses along with a broth of aromatic vegetables.  They are served over sour cream mashed potatoes which includes butter, heavy cream, sour cream and grated Parmigiano Reggiano. The tender meat chunks were served with a reduction of the braising juices.  The recipe for these was inspired by a sticky ribs dish from Korea.  I found the meat to have more the texture of pot roast than a short rib cut but either way it was tasty.

Short ribs
closer

 

For dessert we tried the Hello Dollies whose recipe was inspired by Ron’s mom who sent a tin of them every holiday season.  Known by many names like ‘magic cookie bars’ or ‘coconut dream bars’ they are a classic of the 1960’s American south.  They are made with layers of graham cracker, chocolate, butterscotch and shredded coconut that are melded together with butter and then cut into squares.  They came 4 bars to an order and were dense, buttery and sweet.  Call these very nice.

Hello Dollies
from the side

The Chocolate Stout Cake was a rich chocolate cake made with chocolate stout and drizzled with bittersweet chocolate and cognac glaze.  The drizzle on the cake was very light and between the 2 desserts, the bars were much better. This one being based on cocoa which did not satisfy my chocolate craving but it did have a nice light texture.

chocolate ckae
inside
Frankie doesn’t eat chocolate

Continue reading →

Chez Noir, Carmel by the Sea, 8/12/23

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Exterior – 5th Ave between Dolores and, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

Chez Noir was the result of the husband and wife team collaboration of Jonny and Monique Black.  He runs the kitchen and she manages the front of the house, both with lots of fine dining experience.   The craftsman house that holds the 36-seat restaurant also houses the couple above it.  Out front are enough patio tables for 22 more guests that also can be reserved.  Another 8 seats are in front of the small bar in a separate interior room.  A small seasonal menu relies on local products but they also offer a “let us cook for you” option.  They call it a shareable feast and it is.  The whole table must participate and wine pairings are offered.  It is a fantastic way to sample much of the menu and I heartily recommend it.  It is relatively new on the dining scene of Carmel, opening in Oct. 2022 and already has one well-deserved Michelin Star.  Trust me, this is a fabulous place to go if you get the opportunity. Continue reading →

The Ranch Supper Club (update), Hayward, WI., 7/29/23

~ hsnixon ~ 8 Comments
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 →

Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant (update), San Francisco, 7/7/23

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entrance – 374 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94104

Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant is the fifth oldest restaurant in the US.  It was first listed here 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 →

D.O.P., Calgary, 6/14/23

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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 →

Di Anoia’s Eatery, Pittsburgh, 5/4/23

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exterior – 2549 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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 →

Eleven Contemporary Kitchen, Pittsburgh, 5/2/23

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entrance – 150 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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, Columbus, 4/27/23

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building – 169 E Beck St, Columbus, OH 43206

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 →

The Refectory Restaurant, Columbus, 4/26/23

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exterior at night – 1092 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220

The Refectory has a long storied past with buildings from the 1840s and 1850s which were combined to make it.  The current dining area is in the 1853 church that was sided with walnut and served as the main building for a church, which unfortunately was only 75 yards away from some noisy railroad tracks.   When the church bought 2 school buildings 200 yards away the physical church was moved to be adjoined with them around 1918.  In 1954 a brick school was added to the structure but by 1969 the congregation was larger than the buildings could accommodate so they moved. In 1971 the original church was turned into The Olde Church-House Restaurant and in 1981 the building became The Refectory Restaurant, which is the name of the dining hall in a convent/monastery.  The original schoolhouse became the Lounge and Bistro dining area and the church housed the Dining Room with its original hand-hewn beams and exposed wooden roof structure.  Kamal Boulos, the present owner, has worked in the building for almost 50 years.  He brought in Chef Richard Blondin from Lyon, France to run the kitchen, which he still does.  Over the years they have greatly expanded the wine cellar to over 700 selections.  Music was in the background, lights were lowered and the white cloth-covered tables are surrounded by lots of stained glass.  They offer a 5-course Chef’s Tasting that also has a vegetarian option in addition to an a la carte menu.  We tried the tasting with our own wines and the pacing was fairly quick with good portion control.  The food was mixed with too many additions of microgreens, dots and smears of sauces.  It is definitely an elegant setting but the flavor profile and repetition made me wonder if the chef really was in the kitchen. Continue reading →

The Mercury, Dallas, 4/12/23

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exterior –Preston Forest Square, 11909 Preston Rd #1418, Dallas, TX 75230

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 →

L’Opossum, Richmond, 4/7/23

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entrance – 626 China St, Richmond, VA 23220

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, Richmond, 4/7/23

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exterior – 1012 Lafayette St, Richmond, VA 23221

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 →

Lemaire Restaurant, Richmond, 4/6/23

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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 →

Bottega Restaurant, Birmingham, 3/16/23

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exterior – 2240 Highland Ave. S, Birmingham, AL, 35205

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 →

Hall’s Chophouse, Greenville, SC., 3/11/23

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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 →

Coral, Greenville, SC., 3/8/23

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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 →

Vern’s, Charleston, 2/6/23

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exterior – 41 Bogard St., Charleston, SC., 29403

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 Daniel’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 →

Ariete, Coconut Grove, 1/26/23

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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 →

Quarter Acre, Dallas, 1/10/23

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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 →

Galatoire’s Restaurant (update), New Orleans, 1/4/23

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exterior – 209 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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 →

Ristorante Al Covo (update), Venice, 12/17/22

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exterior – Campiello de la Pescaria, 3968, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Al Covo has been written up on this blog numerous times but it’s been several years and on this trip we went for lunch instead of dinner and sat in a different room.  It’s been in business since 1987 and is always a favorite stop when we are in town.  Chef-owner Cesare Benelli and his wife Diane (who makes all the desserts) are now happy to have their son helping in the kitchen.  Diane is from Texas and always welcomes a bit of her old home visiting her current home.  A fairly small place, we’ve always been seated in the bigger dining room but this time we were ‘walk-ins’ and got to try out the smaller room to the left as you enter.  The small wood tables were fairly close and well-lit by the adjacent windows.  There was music in the background, as well as lively conversation and all the family was in the house.  In addition to the printed menu, there were a couple of daily specials.  We had a thoroughly delightful meal with great service in a very welcoming place. Continue reading →

Al Conte Pescaor, Venice, 12/16/22

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exterior — Piscina S. Zulian, 544, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Al Conte Pescaor serves classic Venetian food with a global wine cellar of more than 1800 bottles.  They specialize in seafood from the lagoon, especially what is seasonal and have been in business 93 years, 32 of which have been at their current location.  On a corner, their 2 rooms are in an ‘L’ shape and there is a patio.  The walls are covered with memorabilia and wine bottles, the small tables have white cloths, their logo of “Al Conte Pescaor” is on everything, music is in the background, the room is well lit, some bench seating lines the walls, the second room has booth seating and the ceiling is wood.  It was not busy when we stopped in for lunch, but this is off-season.  The service was friendly, helpful, and knew what was in season for ordering purposes.  It’s a nice place with good but not great food.  One thing for me though, was that they had some of the small seasonal offerings like razor clams and Moeche or soft shell crabs.  Don’t go here looking for new and interesting combinations, go here for good preparations of typical Venetian food and you’ll leave happy. Continue reading →

Vittoria 1938, Venice, 12/15/22

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exterior – Calle lunga, Calle de le Chioverette, 745, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy

Vittoria 1938 is a small family-run business.  Giuseppe Rampazzo started it and named it after an amateur football team he had started.  After his death his wife, daughter, and now granddaughter took over the establishment.  It’s located very near the train station and serves some nightly specials in addition to the regular menu.  It was a fairly brightly lit place with small tables.  We met up with a friend there and so my notes are poor as we had much to catch up on and the food seemed secondary, for once.  The portions were large,  the service was relaxed, and they allowed us to keep the table without pushing us out.  They have outdoor tables but it was raining that night, so they were not an option.  The food was fine but not memorable however it was a lovely evening with a very dear friend, Marisa Convento who is a Venetian artisan of glass beads.  Apologies to my readers and the restaurant for the lack of commentary, but the photos will tell the story. Continue reading →

Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine, Houston, 12/26/22

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exterior – 1985 Welch Street, Houston, TX, 77019

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, Dallas, 12/23/22

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entrance – 2130 Commerce St., 2nd floor, Dallas, TX, 75201

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 →

Via Emilia Mystic, Mystic, CT., 11/7/22

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exterior – 24 W Main St, Mystic, CT 06355

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, Mystic, CT., 11/5/22

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exterior – 13 Water Street, Mystic, CT., 06355

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 →

The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, CT., 11/4/22

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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 →

Hen of the Wood – Burlington, VT.,10/17/22

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entrance – 55 Cherry St., Burlington, VT., 05401

Hen of the Wood opened in Oct. 2013 in Burlington as the sister restaurant to the original one in Waterbury.  Menus change daily and feature wood-fired cooking.  They strive to present the products of regional ranchers, growers, and bakers.  It’s a fairly large place located next door to the Hotel Vermont.  The entrance end of the place is bar seating where they will serve walk-ins, but it was an hour and a half wait for those on the Monday night that we visited.  The other end of the room is the kitchen with fires blazing.   There are also some counter seats facing the kitchen but we opted for one of the relatively small bare wood tables.  Bench seating lines some walls and a low wall separates the dining area from the bar.  Music is in the background and in combination with the crowd it made it fairly noisy.  There are windows to the street outside along one wall but the lights were dim enough that I did want to turn on my flashlight but didn’t.  Service was friendly and helpful and got the first several things out very quickly and then died for about 30 minutes before it picked back up.   Parking is on the street or in the garage between the restaurant and the hotel. Continue reading →

Landmark Restaurant at Old Rittenhouse Inn, Bayfield, WI., 10/1/22

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exterior – 303 Rittenhouse Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814

The Landmark Restaurant is in the Queen Anne Victorian home called the Rittenhouse Inn in Bayfield, Wisconsin.  Located on a hill, overlooking Lake Superior it provides a wonderful view of the water and quaint town.  The well-maintained brownstone also houses a bed and breakfast inn, there and in other buildings off-site.  Three rooms on the main floor make up the dining area, kitchen, and the beginning of the cherry staircase that leads to 12 guest rooms upstairs.  The 1890 house was purchased in 1973 by Mary and Jerry Phillips who began running the B & B.  It was expanded in 1985 to add more guestrooms upstairs.   Out back is a dedicated parking lot.  The menu is small and one special was featured the night we were there, but you do have the option of making it a 5 course tasting and choosing from the soup, salad, sorbet, entree, and dessert options, some of which have an upcharge.  Each small room has a different color scheme, with lots of windows to the outside, a fireplace, and various decorations.  The tables come in an assortment of shapes but most are large and are covered with white tablecloths.  They do not have a bar but your server can make cocktails.  The wine list is limited but there are some ‘special’ bottles in the cabinet out front you can additionally choose from.  Service was friendly and fairly efficient. Continue reading →

The Restaurant at The Park Inn, Hammondsport, NY., 9/21/22

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exterior – 37 Shether St., Hammondsport, NY, 14840

The Restaurant at the Park Inn is made up of 2 adjacent rooms on the first floor under the small inn located on the second floor.  It’s an old building with the current chef arriving 4 years ago.  We read about their locally sourced and seasonal menu from Chef Dan Eaton and the accompanying wine program under the care of Sommelier Jason Ferris (who received a “Best of Award Excellence” from Wine Spectator Magazine in 2022) and wanted to try the wines of the Finger Lakes area.  We spent 3 nights in the region and managed to snag a reservation at the 60-seat restaurant each evening.   The entry room is long with a bar counter on one side and tables in the back, heading toward the fireplace.  The other room steps down to your right as you enter and has windows to the street with bench seating around the perimeter. The full menu is available at the bar counter as well as at all the tables.  Lots of historical photos are on the walls, music was in the background, lights are lowered, the floor is wood while the ceiling is tin and the tables are well-spaced.  Service is friendly and attentive and will offer guidance if requested.   Its menu has enough choices that it was no strain to go 3 nights in a row but we learned the first night that the portions are generous so don’t over-order.  I totally recommend visiting the region and staying and eating at the Park Inn. Continue reading →

Coneflower Creamery, Omaha, 5/8/22

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exterior – 3921 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131

Coneflower Creamery is the inspiration of Founder/Chef Brian Langbehn and Katie Arant Chef/Co-Owner.  They had both worked as pastry chefs in various kitchens and dreamed of opening a farm to table ice cream shop featuring small batch artisan ice cream.  Their website even lists the local farms where they get the flavoring ingredients for their ice cream.  Their flavors have the Classics that are always on the menu as well as Signatures which highlight seasonal ingredients and plays on favorite foods and drinks. They also have sauces, toppings, floats, sundaes and the ice cream can be in a cone or a cup.  Their waffle cones were especially great.  One thing that impressed me was the way the end was folded over so no leaking while you’re eating occured.  The rich, thick and smooth ice cream is perfect in one of these cones.   The end of March they announced that a second location is pending in the Ashton Building.  If you can, try this place. Continue reading →

Au Courant Regional Kitchen, Omaha, 5/7/22

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exterior – 6064 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68104

Au Courant offers a 6-course chef’s tasting menu that changes weekly.  Chef/co-owner Benjamin Maides works with local producers to find and feature the freshest ingredients.  Maides partnered with local restauranteur Carlos Mendez to open Au Courant in Nov. 2016 and now “Chovy” Caniglia is the Chef de Cuisine with “Barnie” Barnard serving as Sous Chef.   They serve some really fine food.  It’s a long space with the front half taken up by a U-shaped bar surrounded with stools.  Art and mirrors decorate the unfinished walls on either side and lots of plants are everywhere.  The high tin ceiling has lighting that was pretty bright and then turned down midway through out meal.  The small tables are topped with marble and set on an old wood floor.  They have an a la carte menu at the bar whereas the dining room is offered the tasting with an optional addition of oysters on the halfshell.  They also offer wine pairings.  We got a half dozen of the oysters and our own wine.  One quirk was that you could buy a ’round’ for the kitchen and then they’d ring a bell in back. Continue reading →

Petit Louis Bistro, Baltimore, 5/1/22

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building – 4800 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21210

Petit Louis offers classic French bistro dishes with emphasis on seasonal and regional ingredients.   It opened in June 2000 and was the second restaurant of Tony Foreman and Chef Cindy Wolf.   They chose the location of a former neighborhood hot spot in a 1897 era Tudor style building that was the country’s first strip mall.  There were not many French bistros in Baltimore then and it was popular as soon as the doors opened.  They re-did the interior and hired Chef Chris Scanga to run the kitchen. It has 2 indoor rooms and a large covered patio area.  Inside the small marble topped tables are closely set and lots of windows to the street add natural light.  A large bar is part of one room, no music is in the background and there is a parking lot our front as well as street parking.  It had a fun ambiance with attentive service as well as good food.  I’d go back. Continue reading →

Magdalena, Baltimore, 4/30/22

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exterior – 205 E Biddle St, Baltimore, MD 21202

Magdalena is in Mt. Vernon’s Relais & Chateaux Ivy Hotel and run by Chef Scott Bacon.  Closed for about 7 months during Covid the historic mansion did a major re-design to the restaurant.  Now it is labeled as a Maryland Bistro rather than the former fine dining concept.  The color tones of all 4 of the dining rooms now are similar and there is a more variation in the cost.  Patio dining is available and one of the rooms is in the wine cellar.  Exposed brick walls have some display cabinets of historic objects and rugs to fit each room are on the floor.  Music is in the background and well spaced small tables are now marble topped yet still set with nice white cloth napkins.  The lighting was fairly bright but pleasant and staff were knowledgable about the menu.  Valet parking is available and there were a few specials offered that evening.  It was good. Continue reading →

Boca Restaurant, Cincinnati, 4/21/22

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exterior – 114 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Boca came to being in October of 2001, the concept of Chef/Owner David Falk.  It opened in the Northside community featuring flavors of Italy and France, then moved to the Oakley neighborhood in 2004 and stayed for 9 years.  It moved to the heart of downtown Cincinnati (the former Maisonette space) in 2013, where it is today.  It’s a fairly large space with a few seats at the kitchen counter, stools at the bar and a second story.  Downstairs there is a combination of booths, various sizes of tables and bench seating with music in the background.  Lots of pillows were on the bench seats and lights were lowered.  The large open kitchen allows you to see some other foods as they come out.  Valet parking is available, otherwise it means using a paid garage.  Staff were super friendly and helpful.  We wanted to try lots of things and the server was willing to course them out for us.  Tables are close enough that conversation can happen between occupants.  I can see why many use this as a ‘special occasion’ place but if I lived closer, I’d go all the time – it’s that good. Continue reading →

Jeff Ruby’s Precinct, Cincinnati, 4/20/22

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exterior – 311 Delta Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226

Note 7/19/22 – Just had a call from the customer service person at Jeff Ruby’s Precinct that saw my write-up and was concerned that we were unhappy.  Now that’s some incredible service.  She took the effort to find a phone number to reach me and that is impressive.  That said, so many people raved about this place, don’t be turned off by my experience.  I’d love to hear about your experience if you go.  If I ever get back to Cincinnati I would consider going myself.  They didn’t pay me to say this but honest caring is what can make a great restaurant and they do care.

Jeff Ruby’s Precinct started in 1981, in the former Cincinnati Police Patrol House Number 6 – a turn of the century Romanesque style structure – that holds the ‘longest, continuously running white tablecloth restaurant in the city.’  It has been recognized by a number of publications and is well known in the city.  They pride themselves on the excellent service, quality of food and overall dining experience. Some street parking is available nearby but they also offer valet service.  Inside the lights are lowered and there is lots of red upholstry to go with the brick walls.  Some stained glass windows are in the downstairs dining rooms and chandeliers.  Most notable are the large cut-outs of groups of policemen on the walls.   It feels clubby.  In the entry there are numerous awards and press along with photos of famous diners.  Although this place gets lots of praise our experience was not the best.  Our steaks were both overcooked and tasteless while the potatoes were undercooked.  In their defense they offered to cook others but I didn’t think they could do better.  They ended up comping the steaks which was more than gracious so I think the place has promise but I will never go back. Continue reading →

J.C. Holdway (second visit), Knoxville, 4/14/22

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entrance – 501 Union Ave SW, Knoxville, TN 37902

Back for our second visit to J. C. Holdway and it was a busier night at the corner restaurant.  The fairly large place goes fairly far back with tables in various places with an L-shaped bar taking up the first room.  On the way to the back portion we passed a couple cooking areas.  Exposed ducts run across the ceiling opposite the older wood floors.  Bench seating is along some walls and the tables are nicely sized bare wood set with large well starched towel shaped napkins. Lights are lowered but much light comes through the many windows before sundown, music is in the background and it was a bit noisy.  Service was once again very friendly but pacing was quite a bit slower probably due to the crowd and several large groups. Continue reading →

J.C. Holdway, Knoxville, 4/13/22

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exterior – entrance – 501 Union Ave SW, Knoxville, TN 37902

J.C. Holdway is named after Chef Joseph Lenn’s late uncle, Joe Holdway, who sought quality food adventures throughout his life.  Now Chef Lenn hopes to provide that sort of dining experience to his customers, and that he does.  His professional career has certainly readied him to meet the challenge.  A Knoxville native, he so enjoyed cooking for friends and family that he decided to attend culinary school, after which he went to work as an intern at Blackberry Farm and then the Peninsula Grill followed by working with Sean Brock to open the Capitol Grill in Nashville. An urge to return to east Tennessee took him back to Blackberry Farm where he became executive chef of the Barn restaurant and received the James Beard Award for the Best Chef Southwest in 2013.  He opened his own place in 2016 in downtown Knoxville using primarily wood-fire techniques.  Lenn’s attempt to provide an outstanding experience to guests succeeds so well that we cancelled out next evening’s reservation in order to dine with him again.  Strong recommendation for this wonderful place and look for another chronicle of luscious dishes on this site in a couple days. Continue reading →

Oliver Royale, Knoxville, 4/12/22

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exterior – 5 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902

Oliver Royale is one of the two restaurants in the historic boutique Oliver Hotel. They serve new American cusine with a focus on seasonal and regional products in the more upscale and smaller of the 2 settings.  There is an entrance from the Market Square as well as within the hotel.  The building dates back to 1876 but has been very updated to include a bench seating along the walls with tables in the middle for the first 2/3’s of the place and a u-shaped bar with stools for the last third.  Windows to the street, faint music in the background, lowered lighting, acid washed mirrors on the walls, sound panels lining the ceiling, and a enormous skylight make up the room.. The small bare wood tables are set fairly close and there are a few tables available on a front outside patio section.  It’s nicely done but comes off a bit sterile.  Service was friendly but the pacing that started out so fast slowed way down as the evening wore on.  The food was mixed.  There is also an old ‘speak-easy’ in the hotel if you want more drinks afterward. Continue reading →

Kilwins Knoxville, Knoxville, 4/12/22

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exterior – 408 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902

Kilwins has been in operation since 1947 and is now open in downtown Knoxville.  They sell 32 flavors of ice cream made from original recipes.  Waffle cones are available and also waffle bowls.  When you enter the long shop the front is filled with candies, caramel apples, fudges and other packaged sweets.  The ice cream is further in the back along with some stools and counters where you can sit inside and enjoy your treats.  The first time we visited they were making the waffles for the cones and cups as well as dipping Granny Smith apples in caramel.  The smell was heavenly and made you want to induldge.  We tried the Tennessee River Mud which is vanilla ice cream  mixed with chocolate chips and caramel and a praline pecan ice cream.  The praline pecan won the flavor contest, hands down, but both had excellent density and smoothness to the ice cream.  We tried the waffle bowl and it was a totally ingenious way to combine an often problematic yet very tasty cone.  The bowl was inside a plastic one so you could crack it up and eat with the tasty ice cream.  Get in there and try it.  I did try one of the caramel pecan candies but the pecans were on their way to rancid so be cautioned on the candies. Continue reading →

Roots Southern Table, Dallas, 4/7/22

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exterior – 13050 Bee St Suit 160, Farmers Branch, TX 75234

Roots Southern Table is all about Chef Tiffany Derry’s southern upbringing.  Eating with the seasons and never wasting anything were mantras of her family.  She has been nominated for James Beard awards in a couple categories.  The far north Dallas location opened in June of 2021 in a strip-like shopping center.  That means there is plenty of parking but it gives the place a slightly sterile atmosphere.  Reservations are a must and even with one we were kept waiting for 15 minutes as other guests were seated.  We were out with friends that evening so Frankie made less of an appearance and I didn’t make as many notes on our food.  Pictures will give you a good feel, though.  The food did have a nice amout of flavor but even with all the vegetables I left feeling heavy on the starch.  Our server could have helped with that but he was ‘all about the bread.’  They have a full bar, the noise level is high and portioning is variable. Continue reading →

Second Empire Restaurant, Raleigh, 3/29/22

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front – 330 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603

Second Empire Restaurant is in the historic Dodd-Hinsdale House, whose architectural style is the Second Empire Victorian style developed in France under Napoleon III and marked by heavy ornate modification.  The home was built for Mayor Dodd and completed in 1879 but lost quickly due to finances.  Col. Hinsdale purchased it in 1890 and it remained in the family till 1971.  Till 1993 the house suffered vandalism and then Ted Reynolds and family bought it and started the restoration to transform it into a restaurant.  In Sept. 1997 the restaurant and tavern opened for business.  The structure retains its original exterior, heart pine flooring, masonry walls and windows.  Four main rooms of the main body now make up the restaurant and a tavern was made from additional rooms and a glassed atrium room.  There is a small parking lot by the back entrance and otherwise you’re on your own.  At the front entrance is a dramatic stairway lined with photos and awards.  High ceilings, soft music in the background, lowered lighting and art on the walls surround the widely spaced large white cloth covered tables.  Chef Daniel Schurr offered a couple specials in addition to the printed menu and offers many gluten free options.  His style was to stack multiple ingredients into each dish.  Service was friendly but the pace was slow. Continue reading →

Pascal’s Manale Restaurant, New Orleans, 3/23/22

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building – 1838 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 

Pascal’s Manale Restaurant was started as just Manale’s in 1913 by Frank Manale.  Pascal Radosta, Frank’s nephew, was part of the original crew and took the place over in 1937 when Frank died.  Many years later he wanted to add his name to the restaurant but still wanted to honor his uncle and thus it became Pascal’s Manale.  Pas died in 1958 and his youngest brother Jake took over.  They are famous for their BBQ shrimp and raw oyster bar.  It is a large place with 2 main dining rooms and the good sized bar area that houses the oyster shucking bar.  The dining rooms have white cloth covered tables and windows to the street.  Some art is in the dining rooms but the bar is covered with lots of framed photos.  They offer a separate lunch menu, a parking lot and great service. Continue reading →

Brigtsen’s Restaurant (update), New Orleans, 3/22/22

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exterior – 723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Brigtsen’s was last written up here in 2017, but not much has changed here.  The small old home is quite a ways from the Quarter and it’s many rooms are filled with dining tables and happy people.  Chef Frank Brigtsen is still running the kitchen and his wife Marna manages the floor.  Frank apprenticed at Commander’s Palace and then worked under Chef Paul Prudhomme, who helped the couple open this place in 1986. He has since won numerous awards for his cooking.  The super friendly and efficient staff were all wearing buttons saying “I’m vaxed to the max.”  The polished bare wood tables no longer have cloths but white cloth napkins are still on the table.  Music is in the background, art is on the walls and a bottle of cold water is set on each table. Continue reading →

Commander’s Palace (update), New Orleans, 3/21/22

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exterior – 1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

It’s been almost 7 years since I’ve been to Commander’s Palace.  The last meal was so disappointing I haven’t wanted to go back but enter Chef Megan “Meg” Bickford, who has worked in the kitchen since 2008 but in Oct. 2020 became Executive Chef, following the 18 year reign of Tory McPhail.  She has livened it up and tonight’s meal was the best I’ve ever had at Commander’s.   It has been in the Garden District since 1893 and is still owned by members of the Brennan family.  Chefs such as Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse have worked there to present leading-edge haute creole cuisine.  The large building has a patio/bar area in back which is overlooked by the upstairs Garden Room.  Downstairs is a more traditionally elegant room.  Service was great, attentive and friendly – something its struggled with in my past visits. Continue reading →

Mandina’s Restaurant, New Orleans, 3/21/22

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street exterior – 3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Mandina’s Restaurant was first opened as a grocery store at 3800 Canal Street by Sebastian Mandina in 1898.  With the addition of his sons in the 1900s it became a pool hall that sold sandwiches to the many Italian immigrants and others living in the mid-city area.  By 1932 the sons turned it into Mandina’s Restaurant, with the family living upstairs. It is now in the hands of fourth generation family members and has benefitted from its proximity to the Canal St. streetcar.  Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters caused damage to the place and they had to close for 18 months to make repairs and now are trying to bring it back to the way it was in 1930.  Today the large pink house on a corner, has 2 huge dining room and a long bar with a footrail but no stools.  Windows to the street bring in even more light to the high ceiling room.  No music was in the background, posters are on the walls and some TVs run but are muted. Continue reading →

Trillium Cafe and Inn, Mendocino, CA., 3/13/22

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exterior – 10390 Kasten St, Mendocino, CA 95460

Trillium Cafe serves lunch and dinner Friday thru Tuesday with indoor and outdoor seating.  It is on the bottom floor of the Inn of the same name in the heart of Mendocino.  On the second floor are several hotel rooms for guests.  Small tables are well spaced in the interior dining room and the patio winds around with a good supply of seating.  When you make reservations you can specify indoor or outdoor.  As it’s in an historic home, there are lots of windows to the street and a fireplace.  Art for sale is on the walls and there ‘s plenty of street parking.  It has obviously been restored with the old wood floors in good shape and the light fixtures replaced with those made by local artisans.  A bar was in a room to the right, when we entered but I only saw 2 vacant stools in front of it.  Service was friendly and efficient but not particularly knowledgable about the history of the place.  There were no daily specials just the changoing soup of the day flavor.  However when I compared the menu we had to what was on line there were some changes. Continue reading →

Café Marquesa, Key West, 1/27/22

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exterior

Café Marquesa, serving contemporary American cuisine, seats just 50 people in the restaurant associated with the Marquesa Hotel.  The corner location had several tables outside with most of them inside along with bar stools that offered drinks and food for walk-ins.  The lights were lowered slightly but the numerous windows let in lots of street light.  No music was in the background and the small tables were covered with white cloths.  Chef Graham Dailey (from the Peninsula Grill) stood in the dining room in front of the trompe l’oeil painting that surrounded the kitchen window.  He looked over all the food before it was served but never came around to the tables.  Lots of mirrors and art were on the wall and bench seating was along a couple of the walls.  It had an elegant feel and efficient service.  I would recommend giving it a try. Continue reading →

Latitudes, Key West, 1/26/22

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exterior

Latitudes is Sunset Key Cottage’s signature restaurant – a 7 minute boat ride from Key West.   The boat ride is available about every 30 minutes and once there you have a choice of “island cuisine” in the interior Ernest Hemingway Room or al fresco on the huge grounds, both overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and the lighted palm trees.  Your reservation time is the same as your ferry time and parking is available for guests at their sister property Opal Key West Resort (remember to bring your ticket for the restaurant to validate).  It is a large place but reservations are a must and need to be made several months ahead for dinner.  The place has an elegant feel and great service but people were dressed fairly casually.  The view in the daytime is said to be wonderful but I enjoyed the lighted trees. Continue reading →

Le Diplomate, Washington DC, 11/21/21

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building

Le Diplomate is built in the image of a Parisian brasserie serving classic dishes in a well restored corner building.  It is a large place (300 seats) with a huge ‘enclosed’ garden room seating area on the sidewalk and unsheltered tables on the other sidewalk.  Inside you’ll find a combination of tables and bench seating and free standing small tables.  There is not much distance between them.  The red upholstery is dotted with brass as are the railings on the few stairs between levels, the columns are lit from within and the ceiling is high.  Windows are on 2 sides of the room and there may have been music in the background but it was hard to tell over the hum of the crowd.  Paper covers the wood table tops but it is set with a cloth napkin.  It’s been here 9 years and really popular so reservations are in order.  Service was reasonable but not overly friendly. Continue reading →

MoMo Italian Kitchen, Dallas, 11/2/21

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building

MoMo Italian Kitchen originated over 35 years ago and in 2017 Wende Stevenson and Aaron Gross bought it from a member of the Gattini family to carry on the tradition of Fernanda Gosetti’s (the Julia Child of Northern Italy) recipes.  Actually Wende worked at the original MoMo in 1988, but both have much experience working/managing wonderful restaurants in Dallas.  Now they have their own piece of history and continue to serve tasty Italian food in a comfortable, welcoming setting.  I have to admit, I’ve known Aaron through a number of restaurants where he’s worked and enjoy his humor and commitment to quality.  I ate a number of times at the previous MoMo and was glad to enjoy a lunch at the present day incarnation.  Service was excellent and there is a large patio out front. Continue reading →

Arborvine, Blue Hill, ME., 8/28/21

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building

Arborvine is a large restaurant in Blue Hill, Maine that has been serving locally sourced American cuisine for 21 years.  They have turned an 1823 farmhouse into a fine dining establishment with fireplaces, area rugs, memoriabilia and cozy window filled rooms.   Music is softly played in the background and there’s lots of flowers.  A large outdoor patio is covered but open air for those that want to eat outside, but I thought it was too bright compared to the soft lighting inside. Continue reading →

Catelli’s Restaurant, Geyserville, CA., 7/22/21

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exterior

Catelli’s has been around since the 1930s in Geyserville, CA.  Opened by Italian immigrants, it is now run by third-generation siblings in the Catelli family.  They feature local ingredients, hand-craft their ravioli and have many local wines.  They currently offer patio and indoor seating as well as takeout on Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Located in a two-story brick building on the main drag of Geyserville, it is a large place.  The entry room contains a long bar and the other 2 rooms have bench seating around the walls with bare wood tables  and some center tables and chairs.  Tables are set with a cloth napkin that contains the flatware.  Music is in the background, acoustic tiles are in the ceiling and windows are uncovered to the street.  Some decorations and art are placed about as well as historic photos.  Service was friendly and efficient, but be aware of numerous upcharges on innocently offered personalizations. Continue reading →

Restaurant Beck (update), Depoe Bay, OR., 6/24-26/21

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sign at the inn

We visited Restaurant Beck and stayed at the beautiful Whale Cove Inn about one year ago.  The facility hasn’t changed but the town of Depoe Bay has revitalized with the dispersal of a vaccine for Covid.  Since there are the previous entries on this lovely place I thought I’d make one post of the 3 dinners we had there.  They still offer three and five course tastings as well as an a la carte menu (wine pairings are available). The first night we enjoyed the 5 course tasting menu, but last year we realized that with their small menu, changing what we get every night is not possible.  So the second two nights we ordered a la carte.  I will post pictures of the items but not repeat pictures if we had the same item another night.  They still have a limited bar as well as bottles of wine.  It is a beautiful and tasty place to stay and/or eat. Continue reading →

Vernick Food & Drink, Philadelphia, 5/21/21

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exterior

Vernick Food & Wine (2031 Walnut St., Philadelphia) opened in 2012 by Chef Greg Vernick, who won the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Foundation in 2017.   He serves “an honest, no-fuss menu featuring his version of new American cooking.”  The menu is divided into small and large plates with some sides to supplement.  This is a place where a tasting menu would be fun – to have more dishes in smaller quantities.  There are a couple outdoor tables but otherwise dining is in a relatively small room upstairs across from the 2 windows to the kitchen.  They offer dinner only with a few seasonal specials and you have a 2 hour window for your reservation. The full bar downstairs offers lots of cocktails to those at the small light wood tables in lowered lighting.  Music is in the background.  Service was helpful and friendly but pacing of service felt hurried with the small table getting crowded. Continue reading →

Parc, Philadelphia, 5/20/21

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entrance

Parc is an all day restaurant designed to represent a French sidewalk café.  It is a large, extremely popular place with inside dining in many rooms and more than 75 outdoor covered and uncovered spaces to dine.  Restaurateur Stephan Starr brought this place to a corner lot in Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.  Inside dark wood tables are well spaced and set with red napkins to match the red booth seating along the walls.  Old wood floors are juxtaposed with elegant tile ones, especially around the large bar that was currently not in use.  On the table are a special set of directions about Covid and their policies – notably that you have just 90 minutes for your table, that you are not to move any of it and must wear a mask when not seated. We also found that they would not seat you until your exact reservation time.  It felt stiff but the lovely server soon relaxed the vibe.  The menu has a good range of things but there are even more drink options.  We got a bottle of sparkler to go with our meal. Continue reading →

Merchants Restaurant, Nashville, 4/15/21

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exterior

Merchants Restaurant is in an historic building in downtown Nashville.  The 3 story building has a casual bistro and bar on the first floor, a steak house on the second level and private dining on the third story.  In 1988 Ed Stolman opened the restaurant as an upscale dining establishment.  In 2010 on the brink of closing again, Benjamin and Max Goldberg assumed control and started to make changes, but never closed. This 19th century building (1872) started as a 3 story pharmacy but has hosted a restaurant for 125 years now.  We ate lunch on the large street level floor which has 2 rooms divided by a large u-shaped bar.  Dark painted wood floors are well worn and complimented by black booths/chairs and the dark wood bar.  Brick is on many of the walls and there are lots of windows out to the street.  Oscillating fans hang from the ceiling, the tables and bar are topped with white marble, music is in the background and there is some wonderful old tile on some of the floor.  Booths are divided by plastic partitions for Covid 19 and the staff is well masked. Service was super friendly and not rushed. Continue reading →

Claire’s at the Depot, Warrenton, VA., 4/3/21

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exterior

Claire Lamborne started her restaurant in 2004 by replacing a Mediterranean restaurant with Claire’s at the Depot serving delicious food with a southern twist. The building used to be the town’s railway depot built in the 1850s and features a patio as well as indoor dining.  In the patio area are beds where many of the fresh herbs they use are grown.  Inside you’ll find brick walls, wood floors, paper on top of the  cloth covered well spaced tables, music in the background and a large bar area.  Lots of windows kept it well lit for the lunch service.   They serve lunch, dinner and brunch and offered a couple of lunch specials.  They have a small wine list with some by the glass and many cocktails.  Servers were friendly and well masked. Continue reading →

Herbsaint Restaurant (update), New Orleans, 3/17/21

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exterior

We last visited Herbsaint in the end of 2018 and it is just as good as before.  They still have white paper on top of the white tablecloths but now the well-spaced tables are also placed in the bar area.  Two walls of the front rooms are glassed looking out on the street with lowered lighting inside.  No music is in the background but there is a hum of conversation.  Service was masked, attentive and friendly. Continue reading →

Grill at Knob Hill, Ketchum, Idaho, 9/5/20

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outside of hotel

The Grill at Knob Hill is a restaurant featuring Northwestern food in the Knob Hill Inn.  It has a large dining area including an indoor/outdoor terrace dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass folding doors and lawn seating on the large area on the side of the inn.   Otherwise the inside is just the bar where you can enjoy a craft cocktail while you wait for your table.  They offered a regular menu that would suit any taste and also a few daily specials.  We were on the lawn just outside the terrace dining room and it was a beautiful setting with a large display of flowers along the exterior wall.  The white cloth covered tables were small and set with black napkins and well spaced.  There was good lighting while the sun was up but it got a good bit darker when the sun went down.  The many tables covered with umbrellas and set further from the terrace got pretty dark with only a small candle.  Servers were friendly, helpful and masked. Continue reading →

Michel’s Christiania, Ketchum, Idaho, 9/4/20

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Michel’s Christiania Restaurant was opened around 1994 by Chef/Owner Michel Rudigoz.  The French raised chef actually moved to Ketchum to coach a Sun Valley Ski team.  He also coached Picabo Street the year she won her first Olympic Medal.  His love of classic French cuisine is the basis of this restaurant.  It is a large A-frame building with a good sized patio in the back.  The interior also has a bar and upstairs party room.  Tables were well distanced inside and out, covered with white clothes and set with black napkins.  The patio was even nicer than the outside, to me, with a center fountain (no music in the background to compete with the sound of trickling water) and a large awning over the section adjacent to the building.  Greenery surrounds the patio and a small wall separates diners from the street which was not that busy.  Lighting under the awning was better than further out, but that matters most if you want to take photos.  The menu features some local ingredients and also there were a couple nightly specials.  Servers wore masks and were friendly but service did not live up to the standard the place wants to be – timing was variable and after placing our champagne in an ice bucket the server never refilled our glasses without being requested to do so. Continue reading →

Noyo Harbor Inn Restaurant and Tavern, Fort Bragg, CA., 8/13/20

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building

Noyo Harbor Restaurant is part of the historic Noyo Harbor Inn in Fort Bragg, CA.  They have a good sized multi level patio for outside dining that overlooks the active marina and flowing river.  Many of the metal tables, but not all, had umbrellas to provide shade, were set on the patio’s tile floor, had some heaters and no music was in the  background.  Servers wore masks and each table had a small bottle of hand sanitizer.   The bathroom was inside by the inn’s check-in desk.   The lovely view and multiple levels made it a very pleasant place to sit enjoy your meal.   The restaurant had wild caught and daily catch from the harbor as well as vegetables and herbs from the Chef’s garden.  We were there midday and they had a brunch menu as well as daily specials.  It offered the aforementioned seafood as well as a number of breakfast items.  They had cocktails, beer and wine by the glass or bottle.  Service was friendly but less refined (one of the servers splashed coffee on my blouse while pouring).  I saw some of the breakfast food come out and the plates looked generous. Continue reading →

La Bicyclette (update), Carmel, 7/30/20

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restaurant

Frankie and I visited La Bicyclette just a year ago and while the food is still good it is a much smaller place as all the seating has moved to the outside (due to Covid 19 regulations of CA.)   They have built a small deck so that seating is at sidewalk level but there are not many tables (I counted seven 2-tops and two 4-tops) and they do not take reservations.  We lined up before they opened and snagged one of the first round of seatings.  The small wood tables were set with a hand towel for a cloth with some umbrellas  and heaters dividing the tables.  The heaters would be good in the evening but during the daytime they could use more umbrellas as it gets quite sunny on this less busy street.  The menu offered a couple specials as well as a daily soup.  Service was friendly and helpful with all servers wearing masks and trying to afford distance  between them and patrons when possible. Continue reading →

Flying Fish Grill, Carmel, 7/29/20

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entrance and patio

The Flying Fish Grill website still lists Tina and Kenny Fukumoto as owners rather than Honza Prikryl who bought it 3 years ago but has not been able to get control of the website to change things.  The menu is correctly reflected on the website except they temporarily don’t offer Clay Pots as that was part of the indoor service.  It looked like a cozy place but currently dining was outside of the restaurant, along the bricked corridor of a shopping plaza, set off the street.  The good sized tables were unclothed metal ones some with umbrellas attached.   Service was friendly but with a few glitches, but then everyone is adapting to new rules and systems.  The inside restaurant was down a set of stairs so staff had to bring everything up to the “new” dining area.   The menu is all about Asian fusion seafood and a couple specials were also offered by the server. Continue reading →

Sylvain, New Orleans, 2/21/20

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exterior

Sylvain is named after the first opera done in New Orleans which was a raucous comedy and they wanted to emulate that in their atmosphere.  Located just off Jackson Square it is  in a late 1700’s carriage house in the French Quarter.  It has one long dining room that ends in windows to the street out front and some patio seating in the back.  Inside there is a long bar where guests can eat and/or drink.  Small bare wood tables are set with a variety of chairs and the distressed concrete walls are decorated with art.  The lighting is lowered, there is music in the background and the floor is very old wood.  They specialize in southern style food and lots of cocktails.  It was a lively crowd but service was a bit slow.  We started with Sazeracs which were well made but took a while to get to the table.  In fact they didn’t get to the table before we started to order including wine and almost cancelled their order because the timing was off for the meal but they did arrive and everything moved forward at a leisurely pace. Continue reading →

Geronimo, Santa Fe, 11/1/19

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building

Geronimo is a large place in an old building spread over several rooms.  The tables are fairly close and set with white cloths and napkins.  The lighting is lowered, music is in the background, candles are on the tables and in the old fireplaces, art and mirrors decorate the walls and bench seating is on some walls.  There is a room with a bar at the front of the place with a couple tables and bar seating, but it was quite crowded when we got there.  They offer an a la carte menu or a vegetarian tasting, that has optional wine pairings.   They also had some nightly specials.  Service was helpful, extremely friendly and well paced. Continue reading →

Number 16 Restaurant, Glasgow, 8/1/19

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exterior
exterior

Number 16 is a tiny restaurant with a few tables downstairs and even fewer upstairs.  Windows to the street are mostly blocked by the back of a booth bench seat.  The tables vary in design and the low ceiling is lined with wood beams.   Logs are decorations on the painted brick walls as are small mirrors.  At lunch they offered a 2 or 3 course menu as well as a la carte options.  They also have a changing house red wine available.   Service was friendly, helpful and efficient.  Open for ten years, the food here is good and a real value. Continue reading →

Claude Bosi at Bibendum Restaurant, London, 4/25/18

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building
building

Bibendum has been open for about a year and Chef Claude Bosi, previously with Hibiscus, already has two Michelin stars.  Fitting, in that the restaurant is on the second level of the Michelin building and heavily decorated with Michelin paraphernalia.  Even the exterior of the building has tires and the Michelin man incorporated into its design.  The first level is a casual seafood bar and has a tiled car mural around the ceiling.  The elevator lets you off into a far more formal dining area with 2 huge stained glass Michelin man windows.  The club chairs are comfy and set at tables draped with long gray clothes and huge matching gray napkins. American music plays softly in the background and dies out as the room becomes filled.  Natural light from lots of windows fills the room but some of the light coming through the stained glass can cast some different colors on your food.  The room has a nice feel and service is friendly and helpful.  The kitchen offers a set lunch option as well as a la carte service.  Most of the food was in a lovely French style.  We ordered a la carte.   Continue reading →

Ondine Restaurant, Edinburgh, 9/21/17

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front door

Ondine is on the second floor of building that has a hotel and some fast food restaurants. It is fairly large with a very modern decor and windows on two sides overlooking the street activity below.  Tables are on the small side but not too closely spaced and soft music plays in the background.  The walls are decorated with seafood art, which also adorns the menus, and photos of the various staff members.  Service is attentive and friendly.  Our waiter was helpful in directing our choices and spot on with his advice.  At lunch they offer a 2 or 3 course fixed price menu (which they also offer for an early dinner) with a couple choices for each course.  We chose to order off the regular menu.   Continue reading →

Brigtsen’s, New Orleans, 8/8/17

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entrance
entrance

Opened in 1986, Brigtsen’s is located in an old house in the Garden District, about 20 minutes by cab from the French Quarter.  It is worth the trip!   Owner Marna Brigtsen greets you at the door and guides you to your seat.  Music plays in the background, lighting is low and the nicely spaced tables are appointed with lovely linens. Painted wood walls, fireplaces and many windows give the relatively small adjoined rooms a very cozy feel.  The several rooms are packed with people and tables turnover throughout the evening, but the noise level is not bad at all.  Marna’s husband and co-owner Frank Brigtsen is the chef in the kitchen.  They offer a fixed price 3 course menu, with several choices for each course, an a la carte menu and a few specials of the day.   Continue reading →

Union Square Cafe, New York City, 5/23/17

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front
front

Union Square Cafe has been in this new location for 6 months after having been closed a year for the new building to be readied.  It is a huge attractive place with multiple levels and seating configurations.  There is also a large bar area with stools and tables that accommodate walk-ins.  The tables are nicely spaced and there is a lot of art on the walls.   No background music keeps the noise level at a good level, which is surprising with the high ceilings and many hard surfaces.  Service was excellent, which is one of the things the restaurant stresses.  Our nice waiter Tomas, was happy to give advice and serve or split dishes as we desired.   Continue reading →

Le Coucou, New York City, 5/21/17

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exterior
exterior

Le  Coucou is a large place spread over several rooms, with one of those having the open kitchen.  It has been open for just under one year.  It has a pretty dressy feel with nice linens and lots of candlelight, however the small tables are fairly close together and there is a slight level of noise to contend with.  There is a combination of seating arrangements with some tables and chairs and also some bench seating along partitions.  There was no background music.  Service was nice but not overly friendly.  Reservations are a must and they do turn the tables.  All the food was rich with tasty sauces, but do go hungry as it is heavy food.   Continue reading →