event space across from The Barn – 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886
This evening we didn’t have to wait in the bar and again were seated in the windowed room, not in the main barn. It was brighter and quieter but more sterile. It was a chilly night so we had the car pick us up and drop us at The Barn. They alert the driver when you are served dessert so they are ready when you depart. On the menu only the soup changed all else was the same and the dessert menu was exactly as it was yesterday. It seemed to me that since they require you to stay at least 3 days they should change more of the items, particularly since some of them repeat even more days. Service tonight was a little quicker and that did help but the look in the wine cellar was not offered again and Chef Cassidee Dabney did not make contact with any of the guests that I saw but she was in the kitchen every night She’s the one at the front wearing glasses. All the servers were friendly and happy. This place has been responsible for many fine chefs who move on to their own restaurants, J C Holdway comes to mind but no photos of their past chefs were on the wall nor mention of them anywhere seemed odd. It is a beautiful setting and the food is way superior in the Barn than the Dogwood but it’s a food-filled vacation. Continue reading →
grounds – 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886
The Dogwood Restaurant was in the Main House at Blackberry Farm. On the 4200 acres are livestock, crops, fishing area and on and on. It’s always fun to see the animals grazing but the crops were pretty dormant yet. The cooler temperatures moved all of the people indoors for eating today vs. yesterday. The staff seemed to work in pairs and everybody is happy and pleasant. They seemed to be willing to customize a fair amount on your order which was nice but overall the larger portions at the Dogwood are less exciting flavor experiences. If you had to choose where to have dinner, this would be the place for less adventurous people and all the children, as persons under 10 are not allowed in The Barn. Continue reading →
The Barn – 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886
Do be aware that Blackberry Mountain is owned by the same company but a different location and dining at The Barn is only for people staying the the Farm. The Barn was a large place with lowered lighting. There was a reception/check-in room where they take your coats and take you to the bar to wait for your table. On the way you pass by the open dessert kitchen and then the large open main kitchen and finally the bar. If those seats are taken there’s another room with what looked like a demonstration kitchen (due to the long counter and screens mounted above) with tables, couches and a large fireplace. In the main seating area there are both booths and tables of various sizes and then on the other side of the non-functioning fireplace are more tables in what appeared to be a converted porch. The walls here were all windows as opposed to the old wood and high ceiling of the main room. Carpet ran throughout and there was music in the background. White cloths cover and tables which are also set with an exquisite napkin elaborately embroidered with “BF”. One large chandelier hangs in the barn with small lamps and other fixtures adding a bit more light. Servers are everywhere and all anxious to make sure you enjoy your meal. The menu changes many items every other day. Continue reading →
main house – 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886
When you stay at Blackberry Farm 3 meals a day are included in your room charge. Dinner can be at The Barn with reservations otherwise meals are served at The Dogwood restaurant in the Main House. Room service or carry out meals are also available for a fee. At the Dogwood you just show up between the hours given you at check-in and they will take you to a table in one of several room. First you pass through the bar area then there is a large dining room, another smaller dining room beyond and outdoor tables. The tables are various sizes and some have banquettes as part of the setup. There are no table clothes but plenty of extra pillows it you need them. Art was on the walls and no music was in the background. Lots of windows to the outside made everywhere a brightly lit table. Each table was always set with salt and pepper grinders and at breakfast butter and dark jam. Flatware was in the napkin at lunch and on the tabletop at breakfast. A large fireplace was at one end of the room that was also open in the room on the other side. At breakfast the Chef’s Selection, griddle cakes and sweet roll change daily but otherwise it stays the same. On weekends they offer different items. At lunch there were some repeats but lots of new items each day. We didn’t have dinner but a separate dessert menu is available at lunch and dinner. The bar is also available for drinks and both meals we had had separate drink menus. Continue reading →
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 →
Mike McRae opened McRae’s American Bistro in August 2023 in his hometown of Dallas. He has been in the hospitality business for 50 years and he wanted to create a welcoming place for folks to dine, drink and relax and he found the perfect spot close to where he grew up. Inside you’ll find a long bar opposite tables and bench seating. Another room off the end was slightly elevated but filled with happy people. The walls were covered with an eclectic mix of memorabilia, the lights (many chandeliers) are dampened and music was in the background. It was a small menu and no specials were offered but there was a full bar and limited wine list. They are open daily for dinner and add brunch on Sat and Sun. It’s the type of establishment needed in the area – a place where you can get good food and drink at a reasonable price but don’t need to wear “all the jewelry you own”. The bill came in on old Golden Book, which brought me right back to my childhood. I very much enjoyed our first visit and look forward to trying more on the menu. Hope you will give it a try to when you’re in Dallas. Continue reading →
exterior – Kleine Bockenheimer Str. 14, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Bidlabu Bistro was in the middle of downtown hidden down a back alley. It’s a fairly small place packed with small wooden tables. When weather permits there is patio dining. They offer only a tasting menu with meat or vegetarian and optional wine pairings. There are 2 seatings and you are told when you make your reservation that you just have the table for 2 hours. Bathrooms are downstairs and women are marked with cats and men with dogs – Frankie approved. The kitchen is run by André Rickert and Patrick Löhl. Service was friendly and the tasting did not lag. Portion control was also good. They have received one Michelin Star. Continue reading →
building – 1 Auf dem Eichelfeld, 54518 Dreis, Germany
Waldhotel Sonnora opened in 1978 under Chef Helmut Thieltges who achieved 3 Michelin stars for the restaurant. Clemens Rambichler joined the kitchen in 2011 and worked for years with Thieltges as sous chef. When Thieltges died in 2017 it was a natural progression for Magdalena and Clemens Rambichler to take over and now run the place with she managing the front of the house and he manning the kitchen. They have retained their 3 Michelin star rating as well as renovated the hotel it is in, to be a delightful place to stay while enjoying a fabulous meal there. Less than an hour’s drive to Luxembourg it was easily our favorite dining experience, including the breakfast that came with the room. The classic French restaurant offers a 7-8 course tasting menu or a la carte service. They offered wine pairings as well as one possible supplement. We declined supplements and chose our own wine. The dining room had well spaced large tables with windows overlooking the small town of Dreis. Music was in the background, lots of flowers graced the various rooms, and art and mirrors decorated the walls. Service was truly exceptional and pacing and portion control were first rate. It was a fabulous experience and I hope that all will find a way to get there and try it. You won’t be sorry. Continue reading →
hotel – Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, Kadettenstraße, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
Restaurant Vendôme is a 2 star Michelin restaurant under the direction of Joachim Wissler in the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg since 2000. This grand castle hotel is very close to the city of Cologne. Chef Wissler received his first star one year after opening and the second one in 2002. It had a 3 stars a year later but recently went back to a 2-star rating. The hotel is huge and it actually took us a bit to locate how to get to the restaurant. It turned out that the easiest way was to walk outside and use the entrance used by those not staying in the hotel. Still, it is a short pleasant walk depending on where your room is located. The large dining room had some dividers between some of the tables, lowered lighting, music in the background, stone walls and floors, acoustic tile on the ceiling and the longest rolled-up napkin at your place. They offered a 6 or 8 course tasting with a couple possible supplements, a vegetarian option and wine pairings. We chose the 8-course tasting and added one supplement to share along with our own bottle of wine. Continue reading →
exterior – Mainzer Str. 95, 66121 Saarbrücken, Germany
GästeHaus Klaus Erfort opened in 2003 and by 2008 it had achieved a 3 Michelin Star rating, but 2023 found it downgraded to 2 Stars. Located in a large house, the elegant dining room had good-sized widely spaced double-white cloth-covered tables with heavily starched napkins, art on the walls, a lovely wood floor, dropped white acoustic ceiling and spot lighting on the tables. They offered a tasting menu only of 4, 5 or 7 courses and wine pairings were available. There were several rooms for seating some of which had larger tables and others set to accommodate larger parties. Service began with a champagne cart and then the snacks started to arrive quickly. No supplements were offered and we chose to have the “Complete” menu and order our own bottle of wine. The pacing of the meal was variable with some fairly long pauses in the latter parts of the tasting but portion control was good. It was a nice meal and the place was pretty but I’m not rushing back. Continue reading →
Victor’s Fine Dining has had Chef Christian Bau in charge of the kitchen since 1998, when it was called Victor’s Gourmet Restaurant Schloss Berg. It was awarded a Michelin star that first year and 7 years later he became Germany’s youngest 3-Michelin star chef. Bau studied French cuisine but after trips to Asia combined in some Japanese influences. The restaurant is located in the Schloss Berg castle which is part of Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Schloss Berg. The Renaissance castle was bombed in WWII but later rebuilt into a 5-star hotel with the restaurant on the first floor. A more modern hotel is next door, just a short walk, and they have a lot more rooms available. The small elegant dining room had 9 large round tables widely spaced and draped with fine white linens. The ornate wood ceiling was opposite wide a floor of wide wood planks and stone. A good-sized wine and liquor display cabinet is in the center of the room. They serve a tasting menu only but you can opt to have no cheese course as well as the crab course, the evening we were there. If you want more there were a number of supplemental courses you could add to the menu, some needing to be ordered by everyone and some individual. We chose the “Full Experience” and declined additional courses as well as selected our own wines rather than pairings. This was a wonderful dinner, but I think I would prefer to try his cooking without the Asian influence. Continue reading →
Schanz Restaurant received a 3 Michelin star rating in 2022. Chef Thomas Schanz opened his restaurant next to the hotel owned by his parents in 2011. He received his first star in one year and the second in 2015. Chef Schanz previously worked in other 3-star restaurants before opening his place in this small town. Piesport was a picturesque little town in the Mosel area, where his parents have been winemakers for years. It is an ideal setup to have the attached hotel where you can walk inside to the restaurant and stay in a modern, comfortable room. His father checked us in and his mother greeted guests at the restaurant – a real family operation. Breakfast was included with the room. The French-inspired menu is available in a 4 – 6 course tastings or a la carte. The small room was well lit with faint music in the background. A variety of tables filled the room, some with booth seating, which had one wall made up of windows to the outside. At one point they offered outdoor seating but humidity had brought everyone inside. The well-spaced tables were on a dark wood floor with minimal art and decorations. It was very comfortable and I highly recommend it as a place to try and visit. Chef Schanz was in the kitchen but came out toward the end of service to meet his guests as they departed. The entire meal was 4.5 – 5 hours, so get a room if you can. Continue reading →
exterior – St. Martinstraße 45, 54498 Piesport, Germany
Sabine’s Manufaktur and Kochschule was a small place with one table for about 8. She is a self-taught cook who decided she wanted to explore vegetarian and vegan cooking. She now runs a school but also offers lunch. There is no real menu just what she has cooked that day and English is limited. The ambiance is cozy and it feels more like you are eating in her home. She was most welcoming and the food was quite good. No reservations are needed. She offered a choice of tofu sausage or lentil dahl and rice. We chose the latter. It was a large portion of rice surrounded by the flavorful lentil dish and dotted with a non-dairy sour cream like substance. I would recommend the place if you find yourself in the area. Continue reading →
Green Point Seafood and Oyster Bar opened in the fall of 2023. It was named for a South African beachside neighborhood with familial ties to owners, brothers Greg and Nik Katz. Greg was also the force behind Beverley’s in Dallas. Nik had most recently been the general manager of food and beverage at the Adolphus hotel in Dallas. They wanted to work together for a long time and now have this place which is open daily for lunch and dinner. It’s a large space with a U-shaped bar dividing the rows of booths and tables. Art was on the walls and lots of large flower arrangements give it an elegant yet comfortable feel. It’s in a crowded area but they do have complimentary valet parking at the end of the block. Be sure to get your ticket validated when you’re in but there are lots of free spots just a lot of cars competing for them. Service was first-rate and super friendly and the food was quite good. I was meeting a friend for lunch so we didn’t try nearly enough things but I bet I’ll be back to try more. It was good. Continue reading →
exterior – 14385 County Highway H, Delta, WI 54856
The Delta Diner has been visited by Frankie several times and today she found some new items on the menu to try. Our last visit was about burgers and before that, the Tap Shack but today was the main Diner where they serve breakfast and lunch all day. Owner Todd Bucher was back at the front grill and it was fun to visit with him as well as see all the merchandise options now available – so you can take a little Diner with you. Frankie particularly liked the coffee bar where the new blends being roasted on-site are all available for you to try. You simply take your mug up there and pour which you want and I will say there was quite a bit of difference in the flavor profiles. Seating is either in one of the booths or at the counter and you can designate your preference when you sign in. I’m usually ‘first available’ which is probably the counter. There you get to chat with other guests as well as watch the cooking action. It’s also a good opportunity to see other dishes and decide what to order for your next visit. It is out in nowhere but if you find yourself anywhere nearby you should visit. Check their website <deltadiner.com> for their hours as these change with the seasons and staffing. Just a heads – up, they’ll have live music this summer at the Tap Shack which may not have breakfast items but it does have beer and some fun grilled items. Continue reading →
entrance – 1320 E 7th St #126, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Hayato is the Japanese restaurant of Chef Brandon Hayato Go, where 7 lucky diners are served at a counter 5 nights a week. The Kaiseki meal of seafood and vegetables was served by Chef himself with a couple of helpers. The light wood counter faces the cooking area which has a number of options for finishing the dishes. Well lit with no music it is a peaceful, calm place offering much interaction with the chef. The menu is a surprise as Chef shops for unique ingredients with impeccable quality to craft the evening’s dinner. “Less is more” could be a description because you won’t find fancy sauces and decorations here. Instead, the ingredients are so pristine that they stand on their own with elegance. Those who follow me know I’m a flavor junky but this place moves flavor to a different dimension. Time passed quickly, as there was no lag in service and conversations flowed easily between guests and the chef. The meal does take 2.5-3 hours and you receive a beautiful menu at the end written in Japanese and English on elegant parchment. Service was fabulous and it’s easy to see why Michelin has awarded the restaurant 2 stars. The price is steep for some at $350 per person but if you can get a reservation I urge you to go. Be aware that these reservations are in such demand that they are being re-sold but that’s a scam, just be persistent and and try and try again when reservations are released on the first of the month. It’s a fabulous experience. Continue reading →
exterior – 10516 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
John O’Groats Restaurant was opened in 1982 by Angelica and Robert Jacoby, with he as cook and she as waitress for a 20-seat counter place. They served only breakfast and lunch so they could still have dinner at home with their 2 sons. After 2 years they moved to a different location while son Paul Tyler was studying restaurant administration. He joined the business after college worked his way up to managing partner by 1994 and created some of the dishes served there today. Under Paul’s leadership, the restaurant expanded in 1995 and again in 2000 adding more square footage. Paul was there the day we visited and greeted many customers by name. His brother Carl has also rejoined the team. You can feel the vibe of a family-run place with so many repeat customers and super friendly staff. While Robert has passed on Angelica and Paul’s family are often on-site. The place is spread over a number of rooms with one still offering counter service. Blue checkered cloths cover the tables set with flowers and music in the background. The food used quality ingredients that were prepared with care. I hope I get to go back for another great meal there and that you also have the opportunity. Continue reading →
building – 777 S Alameda St Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA
Kato offered only a tasting menu focused on seasonality and innovation in the main dining room and a collection of classic dishes in the Bar Tasting Menu. Chef Jon Yao, who won Food and Wine’s Best New Chef in 2018, was at the helm. His Taiwanese menu earned a one Michelin Star rating at the reopening of the place in Feb 2022. It previously was at a strip mall. The L-shaped place was in some converted warehouse buildings with a large open kitchen. Blond wood tables were under an open ceiling with wood beams, metal supports and some acoustic tiles. Windows made up 2 walls, the lights were lowered and music was in the background. The tasting menu has optional wine pairings and as part of the Lunar New Year celebration they were offering a pairing of cocktails made by some bartenders from the area. They also had a supplemental course you could add that was Japanese A5 Waygu beef and then you could also add a supplemental wine to go with it. We opted for a bottle of champagne to go with dinner and a half bottle of red for the meat course. The food was good but the service pacing was way too slow. It was 30 minutes before we got our bottle or food started being served. As the meal progressed more time elapsed between courses until those that arrived an hour after us caught up to our course. Other service issues were our wine glasses were constantly empty and servers had to be reminded to pour and they picked up the napkin when you went to the bathroom but failed to replace it, but this was later in the meal but still un-Michelin. It’s a restaurant worth eating at because the food is good but go relaxed and prepared to spend 3-4 hours. Continue reading →
République was in a historic building that dates to 1929 and built by Charlie Chaplin. Later it became La Brea Bakery and Campanile Restaurant. République is owned by Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke who have tried to build on this history and offer a casual cafe, bar and a formal dining area in the rear. In 2023 Chef Margarita won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef for her work at the restaurant. The couple have worked with a number of well known restaurants and now have 16 Wildflour Bakeries in the Philippines. They open mornings for breakfast entrees and counter service and offer French-style dinners Tues through Sat. It was a large airy space spread over multiple rooms with an open kitchen and an open bakery area on each side of one of the rooms. As you entered there were several counters of baked goods but no greeter so it was a tad confusing, but we found menus and then after asking learned that you placed your order at the counter, got a number and they’d bring the food to your table. A server located us and brought our coffee pot and a container of water. There were tables with utensils and napkins which I grabbed but I’m not sure if the server was supposed to bring those too. The menu had a number of creative items and the baked goods looked inviting. The food was good but I don’t think we got the best of what they do, It was quite popular so they’re doing something right. Give it a try and be sure to get the Morning’s Bread, the baguette was first-rate. Continue reading →
entrance – 905 E 2nd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Baroo, which opened in Sept 2023, was the result of a collaboration between Chef Kwang Uh and his wife Mina Park. The pair had previous small places starting in 2018 and after much evolution opened this concept featuring a Korean fusion. Presently they serve only one tasting menu but hope to offer vegetarian options in the future. Their price point is on the low end of tasting menus in LA at $110 and they also offer wine pairings. They offer Korean beverage pairings but they were not available that night. After hearing about the options we ordered our own bottle of wine and a glass of red for the meat course, which is the only course you have a choice on. The menu offered pork collar but beef short rib could be substituted for $12. We opted to have one of each. It was a medium-sized place with small bare wood tables and low lighting. The fairly spartan interior goes well with the re-developed warehouse district it was in. The Uber driver drove right past it and dropped us off at the end of the building but it was not hard to find from there. The friendly staff were willing to answer questions and the pacing of the meal was pretty rapid with no long pauses, almost feeling rushed at times. However, the food was wonderful and full of flavor. I understand their earlier ventures were even better but this one is plenty good enough to add to your go-to list. If you want to read another blogger’s fine accounting of their meal here, check out melhuang1972. Continue reading →
exterior – 46 Lexington St, London W1F 0LP, United Kingdom
Andrew Edmunds Restaurant was established in 1985 in ‘old Soho.’ In an 18th century townhouse they offer a relaxed seasonal menu for lunch and dinner. Unfortunately in 2022 art dealer and restaurateur Andrew Edmunds passed away at the age of 79 after a short illness. The restaurant had developed a following of journalists and bohemians in this romantic dining place. Known for high quality and simple, seasonal food, his wife Bryony pledged to keep the place running. The very small place was packed with paper covered tiny tables and had a handwritten copied menu. The wine list was amazing for a place this size. The lights are lowered, no music was in the background but conversations filled the air. The service was friendly and efficient and it did have a wonderful atmosphere. The food was good but not remarkable – it was homestyle and reasonably priced. Having heard about it for years, I’m glad we chose to spend one evening here. Continue reading →
building – 8 Patriot Square, London E2 9NF, United Kingdom
Da Terra means of the Earth and is a sleek modern restaurant under Chef Rafael Cagali in the Town Hall Hotel building in Bethnal Green. Two rooms have large round tables covered with elasticated tablecloths with art on the walls. Music was in the background, sound panels are on the ceiling and a finishing kitchen is on the end of one room (main kitchen downstairs). Decorations vary but you’ll see lots of Mutant Ninja Turtle characters, one of which shares a name with the chef. According to our server chef was teased about his chubby cheeks as a child in São Paulo and nicknamed ‘turtle’. Then the Turtle characters came out and a friend sent him a Rafael and it took off from there. He opened Da Terra in 2019 and within 8 months it had its first Michelin star. They were awarded the Second Star in 2021. The restaurant offers a blind tasting for which you will receive a menu at the end. At lunch, they offer a slightly shorter tasting and we chose that avenue. It was a lovely meal with fantastic, welcoming service and very artful beautiful food. Chef Cagali was there and brought out several courses, explaining the culinary connections to his upbringing in Brazil adapted for Britain. Continue reading →
exterior –54 Frith St, London W1D 4SJ, United Kingdom
Humble Chicken is a 18-seat tasting counter with a changing menu from Angelo Sato and John Paul. Chef Angelo Sato is inspired by his Japanese and European roots. He moved to London at 17 and 10 years later in 2021 he opened a Yakitori bar. It was so popular that in 2023 he elevated the concept to a tasting menu only and named it the Humble Chicken. Well paired is Aidan Monk, Restaurant and Beverage Manager, who runs the counter operations and selects the pairings. While young Chef Sato is personable, Monk made the evening a special event. Seatings are staggered at 6, 7:30 and 8:45 and the timing didn’t lag to make everyone finish together. Instead people were coming and going at the L-shaped granite counter while music pulsed in the background and soft globe lights illuminated the food nicely. The front of the place is all windows to the street which I’m sure attracts some visitors. The menu was on the counter but you do receive a clean copy with a tea bag at the end of the meal. This place had good food, some great, and shows much potential in the composition so I’d recommend you try it. Relax on the comfy seats and you’ll have a wonderful evening. They have one Michelin star. Continue reading →
building – 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA, United Kingdom
Ikoyi combines spices of the sub-Saharan West Africa and British beef, fish and produce. The very modern dining room has about 9 round tables and one separate party room for up to 6 guests. Overhead are metal blinds that curve down the side of the room opposite the open kitchen. The rich woods and soft lighting are what you’d expect from this 2 Michelin star restaurant. Soft music was in the background as the show in the kitchen took place. One thing you’ll notice is that the heat lamps are missing – food is made and delivered quickly to the table. Service was impeccable in the very comfortable room. They serve only a tasting menu and usually at lunch it’s a shorter menu but on Friday everyone gets the full dinner tasting. It’s a surprise with a menu given to you at the end of the meal. It was a fantastic tasting but be ready to be there several hours and it is on the pricey side. If you can swing it, put this one on your list. Continue reading →
exterior – 92-94 Farringdon Rd, London EC1R 3EA, United Kingdom
The Quality Chop House celebrated 150 years in 2019 and now also have a butcher shop next door. Long been a ‘meaty’ restaurant they have worked to make the menu contemporary while using the best suppliers in the British Isles they can find. The room you enter has the famous booths with their straight backs that are reminiscent of church pews and the second room has conventional small tables. The dark wood and happily talking guests made it feel very pub-like. An old linoleum floor sits below the high-painted tin ceiling. Windows to the street add a little to the low lighting as do candles on the tables and mirrors on the walls. The second floor must be where the private dining room is. Service was super friendly and the menu changes with availability. It was a great evening and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants very good food prepared simply and traditionally. One snafu we had were some scent sticks located directly behind our table but they were happy to move them. Continue reading →
exterior – 70 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1DE, United Kingdom
A. Wong, short for Andrew Wong, is named for the chef/anthropologist. With a 2 Michelin star rating, they serve dim sum at lunch Wed. – Sat and “Taste of China” dinner Tues. – Sat. According to their website, it is the first and only Chinese restaurant outside of Asia with 2 stars. The place is spread around an L-shaped counter with tables on either end and some outside tables available when weather permits. The large wood tables are well spaced and we were the recipient of their one table that is embossed with 2 Michelin stars. This is a real source of pride to them as you’ll find Michelin men statues placed around, even in the bathrooms. There are tons of people working here but the service felt hovering. The dim sum menu is on the table when you sit down and they ask you to submit your whole order, although you can add later so that was strange. The items are charged per piece, except the Peking Duck which was to be shared. Overall the food was very decorative but not special enough to merit the pricing. I thought they would have more individual sauces to go with items but instead, you have the container of hot sauce and some mild fish sauce which you can use on everything. The Char fun did come with a sauce that we elected to keep and use on other items. It was a disappointment in that I thought it might be more unique. Continue reading →
exterior – 28 Rupert St, London W1D 6DJ, United Kingdom
Evelyn’s Table is in the former beer cellar (or basement) of a 3 story building. The street level is the Blue Posts pub and the top level is a wine bar with snacks. Evelyn’s does 2 seatings for a tasting menu every night but Sunday and you have priority seating, with reservation, at the wine bar before or after your tasting. We got a spot an hour before our late tasting and the bar supplied us with nuts and olives to eat with drinks. The staircase is narrow leading down to the 12 seat counter, led by Chef James Goodyear. Chef’s French training is integrated into British produce and Japanese techniques in the evolving menu. They have a one Michelin star rating and provide you with a menu for the evening. I found the seating uncomfortable and the diners were a wild mix. Yes, we were the seniors there but one member of a young couple never removed their hoodie and the unaccompanied woman next to me kept her phone close to her face all night. The 3 chefs gave nice explanations to the food but the rest of the interaction was with the girls who cleared and served. While the food was not bad I would not call it great either. I hope the weirdness of the evening didn’t affect my impression but I can’t really recommend this place. Continue reading →
exterior – 66 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BP, United Kingdom
Bouchon Racine is the restaurant above the Three Compasses pub and was inspired to be a French-style bistro. It’s a small place that offers menus created by Henry Harris with seasonal daily offerings. Opening about a year ago it got Harris back into cooking after his restaurant ‘Racine’ closed in 2015, It serves hearty fare that wasn’t prepared with tweezers. Harris had done Michelin-style cooking and wanted to present French classics with’ indecent amounts of butter and cream’. The place has 2 rooms, one the inner portion and the other the conservatory overlooking the street below. The menu is on a moveable chalkboard and the tables are covered with white cloths. Pictures are on the walls and music is in the background. Dinner reservations are super hard to get but lunch is a little easier, so try for a lunch there. Staff are helpful and friendly and the food is terrific. Continue reading →
exterior – 49 Dean St, London W1D 5BG, United Kingdom
The French House was a restaurant on the second level above the pub with the same name. It has a long history dating to 1891 when it was opened as “York Minster” and has always been popular with artists and writers, like Francis Bacon and Dylan Thomas, to name a couple. In 1984 the name was changed to “The French House” and today it only has about 7 tables and 2 seats at the counter. Reservations are a must and the handwritten menu changes daily and there were a few chalkboard specials that are limited in number. The small room was fairly bright with windows that overlooked the street below. The walls are covered with photos and the tiny tables are set with white clothes and napkins, The staff were super friendly and the food was outstanding. I’d put this place on your list to visit. Continue reading →
hotel – 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR, United Kingdom
The Ritz Restaurant was located in the Ritz Hotel which dates to 1906 and was built to be the most luxurious hotel in the land. No expense was spared on its opulent interiors and furnishings and royalty and celebrities have dined there. You can read more about their history if you want, it’s star-studded. The elegant dining room was under Executive Chef John Williams who loves to highlight seasonal British ingredients. The floor-to-ceiling windows shine light on the marble columns and widely spaced, floor-draped large tables while the formally dressed staff meticulously attend to the diners. At lunch they offer a 3, 5 or 7 course tasting with wine pairing available and you specify your preference when you make the reservation. We opted for the longest and were happy with our choice but know that it will take 3.5 – 4 hours. Also beware that they have a rigid dress code that is enforced. We had read the fine print, so knew about the rules but this place really takes it seriously. The doorman at the front didn’t even want to let some people in due to their attire. They do not allow jeans or tennis shoes and require ties and jackets for men. It’s the sort of requirement I’ve seen from other places and then you get there and you see plenty of jeans and sneakers. This place takes formality to heart so know that before you go and you won’t get hassled. We had a lovely afternoon and the staff were all super friendly; it didn’t feel stuffy or pretentious. Most importantly the food was fabulous and beautiful. They do have a one Michelin star rating. Continue reading →
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 →
Exterior – 58 Brewer St, London W1F 9TL, United Kingdom
Kiln was a medium size place serving spicy Thai dishes cooked over coals. As you enter there was a long counter, the first part of it faces the bar and the second part looks at the cooking area. Downstairs were additional tables and the bathrooms. If you go with 2 or fewer people, sit at the bar as downstairs was rather spartan. However, conversation for 4 is tough at a counter. Diners line up to await the opening and it is popular. The coals were heated to red hot and then placed in various-sized metal containers and the cooking pot/pan was placed on top. It was a fun show but also fairly warm, which was nice for a cool London day. Music was in the background and the place was pretty bright at lunch. Staff were friendly and helpful but the stools were close together and it’s not the most comfortable place to sit. The food came out quickly and your counter space is limited so you can expect a quick lunch if you want. It seemed like more of a beer place than wine or cocktails but they have full bar available. The food was spicy, the server can advise you on which dishes will suit your palate. They used as many products from Britain as they can source. We ordered more than we could eat but wanted to try a good sampling of their dishes. While I loved the full flavor of the dishes this place will not be for everyone. Continue reading →
entrance – 2130 Commerce St 2nd Floor, Dallas, TX 75201
We visited Brass Ram in Dec. 2022 after they’d just opened. Since then they’ve resolved many of the issues I had with the place. First and foremost the noise level was much better and the valet parkers knew the way into the building. Small things, but it sets a tone. There were several specials off the menu and I appreciate the way the servers tell you the prices after they describe the dish (this is a habit in all the Nick Badovinus restaurants we’ve been to). Service is first class here – they are attentive but not intrusive and make you feel welcome. Know that it’s a meat-heavy menu, but they do offer seafood, for those not wanting beef. We were back to try their prime rib again, as it’s become a quest in our search of supper clubs in northern Wisc. They serve it every night and offer a Wagyu reserve on Fri and Sat. It is a place I’ll look forward to going back to. Continue reading →
Irma’s Place opened in Oct. 2023. The owners are two sisters, Stacy and Sasha Rondeau who named the place after their grandmother Irma. They serve breakfast and lunch Tues through Sunday. The day we were there, several groups were eating together at the medium-sized place. Exposed duct work, wood walls, high ceilings, and a combination of booths and tables made up the building that was decorated with memorabilia on a high shelf and art for sale on the main walls. It’s right on the highway so a perfect stop on our way to our house up north. It’s simple food but I’ll be back to try some of the breakfast options and maybe more of their freshly made baked goods. The friendly server was also efficient and explained the darkened parts of the menu were the most popular. Continue reading →
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
interiorFrankie exploredmenucocktail menudessert menuwine frontwine backFrankie 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 cakeFrankie checked for extra caramel
Galatoire’s has been a regular stop for us on trips to New Orleans. Earlier this year as well as 2021 and many others if you search this site. The holidays are a particularly fun time to go as people get dressed up and really get into the party atmosphere. It get very noisy and service slows down but it’s fun. Now that they take reservations for downstairs as well as upstairs it’s way more civilized than standing in line to get a place. Located in the heart of the Quarter, it’s a New Orleans standard with wonderful seafood and endless customizing of your order is readily available. We wanted to split a number of things and have them in separate courses, which the kitchen is willing to do for you at no charge or many things are also available in a smaller size. It’s a must go when you visit the city but remember, no shorts anytime and coats are required in the evening.
Set-Up
interiorinteriorFrankie needed to restwine
Food
While you’re still contemplating the menu they deliver hot bread and individual butters to the table. It is so good.
bread and butter
Crabmeat Maison is made up of Louisiana jumbo lump crab, green onions, capers and creole mustard aioli. We split an order and it was wonderful. The very fresh sweet crab meat is deliciously mixed with the light dressing that accents, not hides, the fabulous flavor and texture. This is a winner.
crabmeat maison
Crabmeat sardou is made with a fresh artichoke heart on creamed spinach topped with Louisiana jumbo lump crab and hollandaise. We split an order so this is half. This is incredible. It all blends into a divine melding of flavors and textures. It is rich and decadent and so irresistable.
crabmeat sardouinside
It was taking a bit longer to get the food out than normal and so they gifted us some garlic bread. My understanding is that the serving of this is at the discretion of the staff but I’ve never had them turn me down if I ask. It’s one of their loaves cut in half and coated with an enormous amount of garlic and butter and then toasted. Bliss.
garlic bread
Shrimp au vin was made with Louisiana shirmp, white wine, mushrooms, green onions and rice. This was the first time we’ve ordered this dish and while the shrimp were cooked perfectly and the flavor was good, the sauce was too thick. This was the weakest dish of the visit.
shrimp au vin
Your server can tell you which fish are fresh and available that day and to each you can pick a sauce and garnish. We chose the fried trout with meuniére amandine. This was half an order. The coating on the fish was perfect, crisp and light, with wonderful moist fish inside. The brown butter in the sauce goes perfectly with fish and almonds. This is a killer combo. Normally we’d add crab meat to the top but we went ‘light’ this time. Another favorite.
trout amandine
As we decompressed and loosened our belts we finished with a cup of coffee. Excellent meal.
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 →
exterior – 6100 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70118
Parkway Bakery and Tavern opened over 100 years ago and became a part of the ‘poor boy’ sandwich movement. There was a strike of streetcar drivers and motormen in the 1920s and The Martin Brothers Coffee Stand and Restaurant developed a sandwich of french fries topped with a little beef gravy on French bread. The owners would call out “Here comes another poor boy” when one of the strikers approached and they would get a free sandwich. Parkway began selling these sandwiches to the nearby American Can Company workers and added the free sandwich for striking workers. The Great Depression made the workers lose this strike but the invention of the “poor boy” won these places lots of loyal customers. This sandwich was more like the oyster loaves, also seen in San Francisco, than the Italian sub sandwich. A need arose to develop a bread that was squared off at the end to maximize the filling-to-bread ratio. The sandwiches could be filled with any number of things and the name morphed into several variations like po-boy, that we see today. This large place has a bakery as well as offering daily special fillings. Adapting to the Covid pandemic they set up outside tents to eat in which have stayed on. As you enter you can either go through the bar area where you order drinks and food or just the food line where non-alcoholic beverages are available. There is seating inside in addition to music in the background and walls covered with photos and memorabilia. A separate pick-up window looks into part of one kitchen. Sandwiches are small(5 inches) or large(10 inches) size and the small was generous for 2. We tried several smalls and had to feed the trash a lot of leftovers.
Set-Up
menu on the outsideFrankie found some info on the fencedirectionstent seatingdrink sideinteriorkitcheninteriorinteriorinteriormenu
Food
order comes out like
Sandwiches come wrapped in paper. You order them “dressed” if you want lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo included. The oyster po’boy is made with fried Gulf Oysters and only available on Wed and Thurs. These oysters are harvested locally and flash-fried to order. They were excellent oysters both in flavor and in frying preparation. There were so many that they spilled out of the bread as soon as you unwrapped it. It was delicious.
Oyster Po’boy smallopened
The shrimp po’boy also uses wild-caught Gulf shrimp that are flash-fried. Like the oysters, their preparation was superb and they were also spilling out of the bread here. I would have enjoyed a basket of these alone without all the bread and dressing. These are always available.
Shrimp po’boy smallopened
One of the place’s specialties is the beef po’boy made with roast beef and gravy. This uses a slow-roasted beef that is soaked in a savory gravy. While it was tender and well cooked it paled in comparison to the shellfish sandwiches. I found the beef dull and dry, but it didn’t help to be full and have the other 2 options so perfectly done. They are really proud of this product so it may speak to you more if you don’t visit New Orleans for seafood.
beef po’boy smallFrankie pointed out the condiments
exterior – 6100 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70118
We were last at Clancy’s in 2021 and before that in 2017, if you want to compare, but know it remains a favorite spot of ours. On this trip we had to sit in the room behind the bar probably due to all the holiday reservations. We always ask for the downstairs main dining room, but everybody can’t sit there. It was fine for a change. The room had a window to the bar where you could watch some folks eating but mostly drinking. This room was much smaller too, so the noise level was better. In the evening they have a handwritten menu that has some standards but also a few daily options. I haven’t had anything bad there but their seafood is a star. They make good drinks too and have excellent service. It’s on the “old-school” side of things, so expect dressed-up people, but more importantly expect fresh, excellent seafood. After our heavy lunch, we decided to skip appetizers but if you want one, the fried eggplant is good.
Set -Up
back roommenudessert menufun serverFrankie watched the bar
Food
After ordering they brought some warm New Orleans-style bread and butter to your table. It makes a mess with the crust flying everywhere but it is so good. We enjoyed an excellent martini with it.
bread and buttermartini
Clancy’s Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Salad came with a Mandeville sour cream and horseradish dressing. The giant pile of crab meat was on top of lettuce, radish, carrots, hearts of palm, tomatoes and a deviled egg. They rotate the dressing on this salad and this one was great. It was filled with lots of lovely ingredients but mostly it was about all that sweet crabmeat. It’s big but wonderful.
Clancy’s Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Saladturned
Fried rabbit livers came with a rice-grit cake and a Worcestershire bordelaise sauce. If you like chicken livers you’d like this one. They were lightly battered and fried, leaving the livers creamy inside. They were wonderful, but I do like liver. I don’t remember and didn’t write down anything about the other parts, just that the liver was lovely with the sauce and coating.
Fried rabbit livers
Tonight the Fried Gulf Fish with jumbo lump crab and meuniere sauce featured drum fish. It came with haricot verte, Brabant potatoes and cauliflower. The potatoes are a regular style in New Orleans where the diced potatoes are blanched and then fried in butter sauce. These were larger dice than I’ve had and didn’t get the great crispy edge I expected but they had a nice flavor. The fish was perfectly prepared and excellent mixed with the butter sauce and exquisite crab meat. It was an excellent plate.
Fried Gulf Drum Fish with jumbo lump crab
Daily Seafood special was sautéed speckled trout with shrimp, crab and Mirliton dressing in a beurre blanc sauce with cauliflower. It was another excellent plate according to my husband and I affirm from the bite I had.
Speckled trout with shrimp, crab and Mirliton dressing
Bananas Foster bread pudding came with Bananas Foster ice cream and Bananas Foster rum caramel sauce. The pudding was not as moist as some I’ve had but the sauce and ice cream way made up for it. Delicious and sweet.
Bananas Foster bread pudding
Coconut cream pie was dusted with toasted coconut on a graham cracker crust. It was nice but the bread pudding smoked it.
building – 2301 Orleans Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
Dooky Chase opened as a restaurant in 1941 and before that, it was a sandwich and lottery ticket store. Founded by Emily and Dooky Chase Sr, whose pictures are in the entry room, it remains family-owned and run. Their son Edgar became a musician and activist for the civil rights movement and helped organize and host strategic sessions along with dialogue that included giants like Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King Jr. In 1946 Edgar married Leah Lange who grew the sandwich shop to a sit-down restaurant. Leah Chase became known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine and was shepherded in as one of the first African American fine dining restaurants in America. Continuously running since, except for a 2-year hiatus due to Hurricane Katrina, these 2 are now gone but their son, a retired lawyer, was there to greet and welcome guests. The large number of dining rooms have fed many dignitaries such as Beyoncé, Barack Obama and George W Bush, to name just a few. The large corner location has rooms on two floors with art on the walls and no music in the background. There were a couple of large parties meeting there during the lunch we visited and that may have been the cause of very slow service. We arrived a bit before our reservation but would not be seated until just after our appointed time even though there were many empty tables. Then it took 15-20 minutes before we got a menu, yet drink orders were still not ready to be taken. Don’t know if it was our server or general overload. Parts of the meal were excellent and others average but it’s such a historic place it feels like a place you should visit. Continue reading →
building – 2001 W Morehead St D, Charlotte, NC 28208
Counter- was a “full sensory experience featuring themed tasting menus” created by Chef/Owner Sam Hart. He used music, flavor and presentation to tell a story about the theme, which was ‘Time’ the night we were there. The Time theme worked to present an experience of the stages of aging. The tasting menu also offers wine and non-alcoholic pairings, as well as a list of bottles for purchase and they had a truffle upgrade available. The theme changes every 3 months and no dishes or themes are repeated for the 18 guests at the U-shaped counter. Chef Hart, who was a semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Best Chef: Southwest award, says that Counter will only run for 12 years with six planned evolutions. Opening in 2020, it is currently on its second iteration. At present the meal starts with a few bites served in the lobby of the building then moves to the counter dining room. After the main courses you have a walk through the kitchen and then final bites are at large communal tables at the other end of the original room. At the end of the meal, we were given a copy of the menu and a roll to take with us. My one criticism would be the noise level, mostly the music. I know chef wanted to immerse us in the mood but I’m more in the “time” when I like to be able to speak with other diners without yelling. For the food portion, I’ve started the description with the course’s name. The entire experience takes about 3 hours and one you should put on your list to try. Continue reading →
Haberdish was a southern kitchen with a craft cocktail bar. The name was a combination of haberdashery with dish meant to bring the “mill town’s history to life through food.” The owners, Jeff Tonidandel and wife Jamie Brown own several other restaurants in town. It was a large place with an equally spacious covered patio on the side. Brick walls, an open ceiling with ductwork, music in the background, and lots of hanging plants surrounded a long wall of bench seating, and dozens of tables and seats at the long bar counter. The table tops were made with wood from the rafters of their building with bar taps being made from reused spindles from a mill. We were there for lunch and it was fairly bright but windows were on the street wall and also to the patio. The food was heavy, but that’s southern, and lacked nuance of flavor. That being said it was reasonably good if it’s the type of food you’re looking for. I’ve been to places that serve southern, heavy food that makes you want to come back again like Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room in Savannah and not sure this place falls in that category. Continue reading →
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 →
Sunrise Grill was in the same building as the office for Sunrise Mountain mini golf. It’s a family owned and run breakfast and lunch spot. You enter the large building and find the coffee bar and some of the larger tables as well as benches for waiting. Through a door was the dining room made up of 3 rows of booths and smaller rooms on either side of that main room with more tables. The server area was at one end with an area selling souvenir merchandise. Art (for sale) and photos decorated the walls as well as a fun chalk mural on one end, also signs for the pancake of the day special. Galvanized metal was the upper portion of the wood walls and older linoleum was on the floor. It was a pleasant room with plenty of light and really friendly servers. Open at 7 am every day except Tuesday they add lunch service after 10:30 and have daily specials. The food and service were good enough that I’d go again. Continue reading →
exterior – 202 Gideon Ridge Rd. Blowing Rock, NC, 28605
The Gideon Ridge Restaurant was in the inn of the same name in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The inn has about 10 rooms which have priority in getting restaurant reservations. The menu changes with the season and a couple courses changed over the 2 nights we were there. It took 2 (1939-1941) years to construct the personal home that later became the Inn in 1982. The Milner family purchased the place and restored the building which also created 10 guest rooms and the restaurant. Originally the restaurant just served the guests but later it opened to the community. A really pretty spot with lots of fireplaces and a full bar, both of which are great for the cooler weather. Great views are from all the windows that surround the dining room but the sun goes down early in winter so we snapped photos in the daytime. The slate floor and stone walls made me think it was probably a porch area at some time. A nice living room area was where the bar was if you wanted to wait in there or have drinks before or after dinner. Music was in the background and the lighting was well lowered. Service was friendly but not worldly. If you want a break from whatever, this is a place I would recommend. The menu is a la carte so it makes it easy to spend a couple nights and vary the menu, which we did. Our server pushed us to order from all 3 sections of the menu, saying the chef scales the portions. Three was too much, especially if you wanted dessert. Continue reading →
Webb Custom Kitchen was in the space previously occupied by the Webb Movie Theatre. Opening in 2016 after a year of renovation, it’s a large space with the second story still intact and movies still playing above the open kitchen. Decorations are old projectors and movie equipment as well as walls covered with names of those who joined the Porterhouse Club by finishing their 40 oz. charbroiled steak. The center of the big downstairs room is a large bar that also has seating. Benches are used for wall seating and tables are in the middle. Parking is available in public lots nearby as it is in the heart of downtown. Music was in the background and the lighting was fairly bright, but we were there at lunch. The dinner menu offered more options to choose from but our lunch was good enough to make me want to go back to try more things. Service was friendly and they were happy to share some of the history of the building with us, even offering to let us walk around upstairs afterwards. Thumbs, or should I say paws, up on this one. Continue reading →
exterior – 71 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris, France
Geosmine Restaurant was in a small townhouse and designed by Chef Maxime Bouttier. The name comes from a chemical compound that gives the characteristic smell to freshly plowed earth. It was a 2-story place with American music playing in the background. We were lucky to get a first floor table (the bathroom is on that level) where there was a glass section that looked down into the wine cellar. The walls were exposed brick which also was on some of the ceilings. Rough wood tables were nicely spaced and set with large beige napkins. Overall it was an attractive interior. They offer 2 tasting menu options or 8 or 11 courses. They opened in April of 2023 and would appear to be on track to receive Michelin noting, so get there now while the price is still good. Service was outstanding, friendly and welcoming as well as happy to answer my endless questions. The food was great. Continue reading →
Pianovins is owned and run by two long time employees of Guy Savoy Restaurant. The kitchen is under Chef Michel Ronciére who worked there for 25 years and the wines and front are managed by Eric Mancio who put in 28 years at Guy Savoy. The location used to house Les Déserteurs Restaurant. It’s a tiny place with only 20 seats so reservations are best. They are open for lunch and dinner Tues through Sat with a 3 (€37), 5 (€58) or 7 (€69) course meal offered. The menu changes weekly. Art is on the walls and bench seating runs along the walls where the small light wood tables are lined up. No music was in the background but windows on either end let in natural light. Service was friendly and you felt as if you were eating in their home. They didn’t bother with the offer of bottled water, they simply brought out a carafe of tap. The lack of pretentiousness was appealing. I strongly recommend this place. Continue reading →
exterior –44 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris, France
FIEF was a small place with 8 seats at the counter where you get only the 10 course tasting menu. The other 30 other places are 4-course menus. The name stands for “Made Here In France”. There was no printed menu and the promised email menu never arrived. In 2022 they received a one Michelin star rating. The long concrete counter and stools became less comfortable as the evening wore on and the purse hooks are so far under the counter the server had to put it there. While you are seated right across from the people making your meal there is little to no interaction. They really pushed cocktails rather than wine which I thought odd. There was a chaos in the kitchen which I found distracting and unpleasant. You didn’t feel stuffed since there was little richness in the food but you didn’t leave hungry. It was a weird vibe and probably my least favorite meal of our trip. Continue reading →
exterior – 11 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014 Paris, France
MoSuke served a cuisine that combines west and central African dishes with French and Japanese twists. Chef Mory Sacko won France’s first Michelin star for African cuisine at just 28 years of age. That was 2 years ago and since then he has competed on France’s Top Chef TV cooking show during the Covid lockdown. The unassuming exterior does not match the stylized interior. Very modern and tasteful furnishings, down to the toilet in the bathroom, are made with light wood set to curved couch-like seating. Lots of plants, fabric on the ceiling, windows to the garden alongside, modern art decorations and music in the background make up the pleasant ambiance. At lunch, there were 2 tasting menu options, a four and six-course menus with optional wine pairings. We chose the 6 and you had to choose between 2 dessert options, so we got one of each. The meal was paced quickly with good portion control. There were a ton of unfamiliar ingredients so the descriptions are somewhat lacking, but overall it was interesting and fun food with some nice unusual variations. Continue reading →
Pantagruel was named for a gluttonous giant and Chef Jason Gouzy tries to honor gastronomy at his restaurant which received one Michelin Star after just 8 months of being open. Opening in 2020 the menu was done in chapters, each with 3 parts. That is, with each course or chapter the ingredients are presented in 3 different ways, so the diner can experience the food in several forms and textures. The menu was composed of 6 chapters with optional wine pairings offered. There was an optional cheese course, at an additional charge and an upgrade on one of the chapters. We declined the cheese but chose the lobster upgrade over the fish. It was an “L” shaped space with only about 9 tables, most clad with white clothes and set with fresh flowers. Some semi-circle booths were on one end and smaller square tables were toward the back. A larger irregularly shaped table was in front, lower lighting was supplemented with hanging fixtures and windows to the street in the front, and faint music was in the background. It was a pleasant space. Continue reading →
Jacques Faussat was a small place on a quiet street with white tablecloths, American music in the background, fresh flowers, art on the walls, exposed bricks and decorative wood walls. Chef Jacques Faussat who received one Michelin star in 2004 was originally from Gers. He started the restaurant in 2002 and called it La Braisiére. In 2015 he redecorated the space and named it Restaurant Jacques Faussat. He strives to keep it simple with no more than 3 products on the plate and to choose seasonal products to serve. At lunch, they offer a 3-course tasting menu which you can add to or substitute with, all for a price. The price on the side was if you order it by itself and the substitution charge is noted for the various courses. Of course, you can always just order a la carte but it can work out better sometimes with substitution, depending on what you want. Wine pairings are also available. One interesting thing was the rock on the table with a bar code. It held the menu but also you could use it to pay and they gave you the option of splitting the bill. Although this was a smallish place it was not as cozy as many of the others we went to. At lunch, several business meetings seemed to be taking place which made it fairly noisy. It was good but not great. Continue reading →
Pétrelle was a small place that was open for dinner Wed to Sun and lunch on Sat and Sun. They serve only a tasting menu designed by Chef Lucie Boursier-Mougenot that reflects the seasons and her partner Sommelier Luca Danti runs the front of the house. The night we were there an additional course was offered to supplement the 4-course menu and the server suggested we split one, which we did. The place has been around for 18 years and used to be frequented by stars like Madonna to Mick Jagger as well as several French presidents, but this was under the past chef and management. Still, it is a lovely little place filled with candles, white tablecloths, an assortment of tables and chairs, music in the background, lots of dark wood and a blazing fire the cold night we were there, as well as the photo of a flame. With only 9 tables it can be a hard reservation to get but it is well worth your while and a real value for the money. The menu is constantly changing but this team provides you with a wonderful evening and meal. Continue reading →
exterior – 28 Rue des Acacias, 75017 Paris, France
Mallory Gabsi was the restaurant of a semi-finalist in French TV’s Top Chef 2020, Belgian Chef Mallory Gabsi. The very small place was furnished with small marble top tables, stuffed chairs, with music in the background, lots of beautiful light polished wood and mirrors on the wall to make it bigger. The entry room had 2 larger communal dining tables across from the kitchen opening. The menu at lunch offered a la carte options as well as tasting menus of 4 or 7 courses and a special 3-course lunch menu. While they offered wine pairings we opted to order wines by the glass. One problem with the place was the saucing. They seemed to like to present the plate and sauce at the table but often the sauce was not with the server and so there was a lag between served and ready to try. Places were set with a decorative spoon which stayed throughout the meal. It was pretty but I didn’t find any sauces I wanted to use it for. While this place has one Michelin star, it didn’t do it for me, the food was as brown as the decor. It looked elegant but was all eye candy with little flavor. Maybe we hit it on an off-day, so I hope someone else tries it and can report a better meal. Continue reading →
Granite was in the space where Daniel Rose’s Spring Restaurant used to be. Two years ago Chef Tom Meyer started Granite which highlights local French products. Meyer is only 30 years old but already has earned one Michelin Star for this restaurant. On the street level was the open kitchen and some 2-top tables. Downstairs there are more tables, which we visited under its past restaurant but didn’t go down this trip. Ask to sit on the main floor so you can watch the huge number of people it takes to turn out your meal. The place had a Scandinavian modern look of cut-out wooden paneling and gorgeous radial cut round wood tables. Around this was a lowered ceiling, carpet, no music, windows to the street and excellent service. I liked that the menu named the various people who worked there, rather than just the chef. At lunch, they offered a special 3-course menu but also longer tasting of 5, 7, and 8-course tasting menus all with the option of adding a cheese course. We chose the 7-course with a couple of glasses of wine. I freely admit I didn’t get all the ingredients down in my notes and cannot read many of the notes I scribbled but trust me you won’t care either – the flavors are that good. In addition, the presentations were beautiful and felt simple rather than fussy. A great meal. Continue reading →
Perception Restaurant has been in business for about 2 years. It was the result of a collaboration of Chef Sukwon Yong and Barnabé Lahaye to bring a fusion of the cuisine of Korea (where the chef is from) with French gastronomy. It was a small long place with lowered lighting but spots that helped illuminate many of the tables. Some of the stone/brick walls had bench seating to pair with the small bare wood tables and hung with many mirrors. The kitchen was at the back of the place opposite windows to the street on the other end. They offer an al la carté menu as well as 6 and 8-course tasting menus. Both tasting menus had optional wine pairings. Their website did not list what was on the menus but they were explained on the menus on the table. We chose the 8-course menu with the pairings. The pairings were a small pour but the cost was low so that could be expected. It was interesting that they didn’t change out the wine glasses but did change out the flatware between courses. Overall, I’d call this one a mixed meal. Continue reading →
Origines Restaurant was opened four years ago by Chef Julien Boscus, who earned a Michelin star as chef of Les Climats and now tries to highlight seasonal and local ingredients at his own place. Chef did come out to visit with his guests at the end of the service. His menu offers a la carte options as well as a 4 or 6-course tasting with an optional cheese course and/or wine pairings. You pick your courses from the menu with the 4 composed of a starter, fish, meat and dessert and you add 2 more starters for the 6, which was the option we chose. We also took the wine pairings which were exceptionally well done in that they truly enhanced the food. The small place had bare wood tables fitted with well-stuffed seating. The lowered lighting, music in the background and large plank wood floors gave it a cozy feel. There was a window to the kitchen so you could see some action but it was not open so noise was not a factor. We had a wonderful meal here with friendly service and I very much recommend you go if you have a chance. Continue reading →
Parcelles was a little place serving traditional dishes that were well done. The older building held small white cloth-covered tables surrounded by stone walls, a terrazzo floor, a gold ceiling and lowered lighting supplemented by window light at lunch. Great placement of several big mirrors made it feel bigger and wine bottles were used as decorations as well as art while music played in the background. Service was friendly and efficient. This can be a hard reservation to get but it is well worth the effort. Continue reading →
This small place was right on the highway in an old building that has been pleasantly updated inside. Owner Deb Lehmann has had it 16 years and took it on after having her fill of low-pay-for-too-much work factory jobs. She had no restaurant experience but it sure doesn’t show now. The cozy spot was decorated with lots of newer wood paneling on the walls, old narrow gauge wood flooring, light wood tables and lots of bears from her collection. Three stools are at a low counter and the tables by the windows are booth-style seating. Fresh cookies, muffins and pies are listed on a whiteboard and there was one breakfast special combination. Then there are the homemade caramel and cinnamon rolls that she makes herself every couple of days. These are not to be missed. Service was super friendly and welcoming and when we inquired about the building Deb came out from the kitchen to talk and answer questions. They are open from 7 till 2 daily except for Tues and Thurs but she suggests you check the Facebook page for temporary closures due to staffing difficulties. It’s a place I heartily recommend you try – no tweezer food here just good solid honest food served with a warmth we could all use these days. Give it a try – I’ll be back! Continue reading →
Bobbie’s Airway Grill opened last summer in a Preston Hollow shopping center where a huge compounding pharmacy had been for years. The name combined the owner Robert Quick’s mother’s name (Bobbie) with part of the pharmacy (Airway) and ‘grill’ for the kitchen. The large space is quite modern and sleek with a large open kitchen in back of the huge bar which runs the length of the room. The couple levels of the rest of the space are fitted with cozy booths and white cloth covered tables. They do have the annoying custom of covering the nice cloth with a sheet of paper – maybe they take those off at night cause the place is definitely going for upscale. Art was on the walls and carpet on the floor to hopefully help with noise when its full. At lunch the noise was fine for conversation. The menu bills itself as serving American classics and it’s worth a visit if you are in the area. We met some friends there for lunch but I would bet we’ll be back to try their dinner where they have a few more choices, but either way it’s a pretty place with good food, just a tad pricey. Continue reading →
Harbor House Restaurant is a favorite of ours, if you haven’t guessed due to the frequency of its write-ups. It’s a bit of an effort to get to but with a direct flight from Dallas to Santa Rosa, CA airport (named for Charles Schultz and decorated with Peanuts characters), then pick up a rental car and it’s a 2 hour drive filled with wonderful scenery including forests, grape vines, grazing animals, coastal vistas and lots of fun twisty roads. When you go, try and arrange to stay at the Harbor House Inn. A lovely historic place, the building sits on the coastline and overlooks the water and some of the restaurant’s gardens. The staff at the Inn and the restaurant are all first-rate and will make you feel like VIPs. The accommodations have great linens and a superb breakfast is included with your stay. Chef Matthew Kammerer has recruited wonderful people to be a part of your experience and the wine list is growing under the tutelage of Wine Director Kelly Eckel (beverage pairings are optional). It’s not inexpensive ($285/pp) but it’s worth every penny to be able to enjoy a 2 Michelin-star meal filled with fresh fabulous flavors without the stuffy atmosphere that so often is part of it. The room is small (just 20 people) so book now. (No, I’m not on the payroll but when I find some magical, I want everyone else to enjoy it too.) Continue reading →
Mexican Restaurant offers authentic Mexican food with many parts house made. It was a small place with half dozen tables and doing a healthy take out business They serve no alcoholic beverages and charge an extra fee to pay with a credit card. Service was efficient and friendly. If you find yourself in the Mendocino area and want a tasty Mexican fix, this would be a great choice. Continue reading →
Gama calls itself a coastal Izakaya, which is a type of Japanese pub where small plates are served with alcoholic beverages. They have a large sake list as well as beer. The good sized space was divided into two rooms by a short light wood divider. One side has the bar seating and the other has tables. Music was in the background and lots of windows brought in even more light than the already bright house lights. Service tried to be helpful but our server hadn’t worked there long enough to know a lot about the food. I was surprised that they bill themselves as highlighting local products but only one locally caught fish was on the menu. The pair that were behind the opening were seasoned restaurant people with a desire to bring Japanese flavors to the area. I’m not sure if it was having a server new to the place without good experience to guide us or that Japanese cuisine is mild in flavor, but this felt like an off night. I think the place has much more potential than what we saw. Continue reading →
Circus Circus was a huge casino not on the main strip and The Steak House was inside. The feel was of a classic steakhouse – dark wood, lowered lighting, meat aging room on display, mesquite charcoal broiler in the center of the room, Frank Sinatra music in the background, red leather upholstery, low ceiling, and formally dressed staff. A full bar was available and they made a decent martini. The place has been there for 40 years this June and was previously a “spa” for VIPs. The service was excellent but somehow I felt I needed a cigarette holder and a beehive hairdo. It’s a vibe you need to be ready for. The steaks are sold as a dinner including breads, vegetable and your choice of black bean soup or house salad. For an extra $9 you could substitute French onion soup or one of the specialty salads. We both chose that option. The food was fine and if you find yourself in Las Vegas this is a nice escape from the hectic strip but just try not to touch anything while you walk through Circus Circus casino to get there. Continue reading →
The Western Cafe specializes in American home cooking, serving breakfast and lunch. It is in a building that dates to the 1870s and the place feels like it’s been there a while. There’s most always a line to wait for seating when you enter. A long counter with classic swivel stools is one side of the 2 rooms, with tables filling the rest of it and the smaller second room. Behind the counter is the pie container with fresh pies of the day and beside is the bin for their housemade cinnamon rolls. Parking is on the street, country music played in the background and the wood walls are covered with art, memorabilia and kitsch. They aim for an “old west” ambiance and they capture it. The line moved quickly and we snagged two seats at the counter for a fun and tasty meal. It’s not world-class food or cutting edge, but instead good solid and generous meals that I’d partake of regularly if it was in my town. Continue reading →
Campione was a small place that resulted from the partnership of Joshua Adams, Jeffrey Galli and Anthony Sferra and opened in August 2020. It’s in an historic building that was first used to house a mercantile business – groceries and clothing. Later it was filled with a variety of eateries. The space is small with at least half taken up with the counter seating that goes around the kitchen. These stools are available for walk-ins, for which they suggest getting there right when they open as there’s most always a line. We were fortunate to get a reservation, probably because of cancellations due to a threatening snow storm. It’s a stylish place with a high tin ceiling, tile floor, tiny wood tables, music in the background and friendly servers. In addition to the small menu they had a number of specials and we ordered a lot of them. It’s worth checking out if you get to this part of the country. Continue reading →
Los Pinos is operated by Cristian Ramirez and his nephew Brian. It’s pretty non-descript and right next to a casino in an old Travel Lodge building, so you might easily pass it by. Inside it’s a medium-sized place with booths, large tables, a long bar, music in the background and windows to the outside that remind you of where you are but inside it’s nice. You also wouldn’t expect to find good Mexican food in Montana but you can find it here. They don’t show it online but they also offer a lunch menu with a lot of the dinner options at a cheaper price. Service was friendly and efficient, as validated by the number of regulars who stopped in for quick and filling lunch. It was a tasty lunch but not as spicy as I’m used to but a good lunch of well-made Mexican food. Continue reading →
Feast Raw Bar and Bistro was the result of a collaboration of longtime chef/restauranteurs Steve Kuntz and Caroline Doern. Unfortunately Caroline is no longer on the team but Executive Chef Nikki Dupre does a very fine job. They stress using local ingredients and produce, meat and fish that are harvested in a sustainable manner. The medium sized place, hidden in a shopping center has lowered lighting, music in the background, lots of interesting light fixtures, some windows to the outside (screened for sunlight), bookcases to divide the small tables and an L-shaped bar that sells only beer and wine. This one I would definitely put on your list to visit. Continue reading →
building – 600 N Wallace Ave #4, Bozeman, MT 59715
Fink’s Delicatessen is a small place serving specialty sandwiches, soups and salads in addition to cured meats and cheeses sold by the pound. Located in an area that has residential and warehouse buildings, it is in the same building as Wild Crumb the artisan bakery that supplies its breads. Wild Crumb was opened by twin sisters Lauren Heemstra and Caroline Schwitzer, who is married to Jonathan Finkenauer who opened Fink’s Deli. Lauren’s sister-in-law is the manager and cheesemonger at Finks – a truly family-owned business. As you wind your way through the building you find the long room that houses Fink’s Two refridgerated cases are at the end, one with pre-made sandwiches and salads and one with cheeses. Bench seating lines one wall and a few small tables are around the various racks of good for sale. Open every day except Sunday, the cold sandwiches are ready at 8 but the warm ones are available at 10. They do make the warm ones while you wait and they are large and delicious. I would be a frequent customer here if I lived closer. I snapped some photos of the bakery but was way too full to try any of the stuff. Continue reading →
exterior – 27 E Main St STE B, Bozeman, MT 59715menu
J. W. Heist Steakhouse was named for the great-grandfather of co-founder Brett Evje, who was a cattle rancher. The other co-founder, Michael Ochsner is a sommelier, who maintains the wine list. Opening Jan. 3, 2023, the place is all about wood fire cooking under Chef John Thayer. It was a fairly large classic steakhouse interior with very low lighting, jazz music in the background, white tableclothes and candles, lots of dark wood, red leather upholstery, brick walls decorated with paintings and animal head mounts. A large U-shaped bar took up much of one room where you could eat and/or drink. Interestingly the 2 animal mounts near us were not native Montana breeds. Service was first rate and the food was pretty good, especially if you’re in a beefy mood. Continue reading →
Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro opened in 1999 in downtown Boise. It offers made-to-order breakfast using as many local ingredients as possible and lots of options for customizing your order. With only 56 seats and taking no reservations, there is most always a line, but it moves quickly. We got there early and were seated immediately. There was a second floor with more metal tables and downstairs was a small semi circular bar with seating. A tile floor was opposite the high ceiling on the first level where you could also see into part of the kitchen. Lots of articles decorated the walls along with an interesting light fixture. Parking is on the street and music is played in the background. It served quality foods that were basically well prepared. I would recommend it for breakfast or lunch. Continue reading →
Amano is owned by Chef Salvador Alamilla who was inspired to cook from watching his mother. He started as a dishwasher and worked his way up to Executive Chef quickly and also spent time as house manager for several restaurants in Boise. In 2019 he opened Amano in downtown Caldwell, a 30 minute drive from Boise. Since then he has been nominated twice for a James Beard Award. It shows in the popularity of the large place. The room was divided into sections set with small tables and various seating options. The very high “plaster” ceiling was actually made of wood to look like plaster and music was in the background. There was dining on the second floor also and a full bar with seats downstairs. Our server stated that the bar squeezed their own juices so we did try one cocktail. Service was friendly but not particularly efficient. Overall the food was acceptable but not as inspiring as I’d hoped it would be. Continue reading →
Ansots was a medium-sized place set below street level. Owned and operated by Dan(husband), Tamara (wife), and Ellie (daughter) Ansotegui. Dan’s maternal grandmother was a seamstress by trade but became very well known for her cooking at the Basque boarding house she ran. Famous folks like Ernest Hemingway and Bing Crosby were known to have eaten there and she has a small cookbook. The evolution now has become Ansots and the inside dining area is supplemented by patio tables and a second room which is also available for rental. Lots of windows, photographs and musical decorations surround the pretty wood tables and chairs to make it feel homey and casual. The food is all made in-house from family recipes and many of the plates are meant to be shared. In addition, several of the plates were offered in half-size so we were able to try a lot of their options. Service was efficient and super friendly as well as helpful. This is a strong recommendation to put on your list to try. Continue reading →
sign outside – 999 W Main St Suite P101, Boise, ID 83702
KIN was a five course tasting with an optional beverage pairing or drinks from the full bar. Each menu runs about 5 weeks and is unique and changes with the seasons along with being designed to reflect the art on display. This season the art was by Esther Oppenheimer, another Boise resident. The communal seating was at a long line of adjacent 2-top tables and the menu. Due to the set-up they do not accept odd number party reservations. Chef Kris Komori is a fan of the farm-to-table movement and works with the growing seasons of Idaho along with being active in his community. His abilities won him the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain Region in 2023 after being a semi-finalist five times. Next to the dining room was a lounge and a cocktail bar. Various members of the kitchen staff introduced each course including Chef Komori who also came out to greet the diners after the meal. Another member of the staff closed the evening with an acapello song. It was a lovely evening and one you should reserve if you are in Boise. One note was that the beverage pairings were very small pours so you might want to allow time for a drink in the bar first and the noise level made it hard to talk to your partner across the table. Continue reading →
Via Triozzi was opened a couple of months ago on lower Greenville by Chef Leigh Hutchinson. It’s named for a street in the small town near Florence where she lived and got inspired by the food and culture. It helped that her grandmother added some Sicilian into her heritage and memories of all-day Sunday dinners at her house. It’s a fairly large place with an upstairs that I understand will someday house a rooftop bar. The beautiful high ceiling is opposite a terrazzo-like floor and surrounded by distressed brick walls and paintings. You can’t help but notice the pasta-making room that first greets you when you enter. Fresh pasta drys in there, but the semi-open kitchen is in the back of the room. A full bar takes up another portion of the room and bench seating lines the long walls. It’s quite stylish and attractive and even with music in the background the noise level was good but I could see where it could get out of hand. It’s pretty new so still finding its stride, but already quite popular. I hope there will be seasonal specials added to the menu. Continue reading →
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 →
exterior – 1315 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Schnitz Deli seemed to be a local favorite with good sized portions and moderate prices. It’s an old-school deli where you line up along the meat, cheese counter to place your order. They did a steady to go order business also. Lots of sandwich combos are in a numbered format but you can also order it your own way or by the pound. They say the Reuben is the most popular, estimating they go through 300-400 pounds of corned beef and 100 pounds of pastrami a week. The bread is from Schnitz Bakery that is close by. The sandwiches come in half or full size with half sandwiches the same size but with half the meat. Most of the sandwiches charged an extra dollar to go to full – to me that was a no-brainer. Inside are scattered tables with extra condiments at the order counter, as is the drink dispenser. The interior room opens into the “Common Ground Coffee House” space, There were some fun decorations on the walls along with windows that looked out to the street. It wan’t the best deli sandwich I’ve ever had but certainly good enough for me to go again if I’m in the area and I hope you’ll visit too. Continue reading →
exterior – 1601 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI
Cafe Mamo is a small place where the menu changes every week based on what they get from local farmers. The couple that opened it in July 2021 are Chef Michael Goessman and Sommelier Summer Knoop. On a corner lot, the building looks like a drive-through cleaners from the outside but inside is new and cozy. Inside are seats for about 32 people at natural wood tables and chairs with a few seats at the kitchen counter and they added the patio that can house 16 more guests outside. They named the cafe for Goessman’s garden-loving grandmother. Windows look out to the street and patio while music plays indoors. There was a full bar, nice wine selection and the Chef was in the house and managed to speak with all the guests at one time or another. Service was helpful and enthusiastic which made for a delightful experience. If you find yourself in this part of Michigan I would encourage you to try and have a meal here – the food is good and innovative and the menu changes regularly.
Set-Up
interiorinteriorinteriorFrankie checked out the patiomenuwine storage / displaywine frontwine back
Food
We ordered Rolls and butter to go with the Tomato Pumpkin Soup. The rolls, two to an order, are a regular on the menu and served with good butter. They are soft and doughy and presented with softened butter. If you’re looking for crusty bread these won’t fill the bill but if you want a yeasty dough fix this is it. The soup was thick and needed a touch of salt to clarify the flavor. The pumpkin worked fairly well with the tomato but it needed a bit more seasoning to give it zest and depth. It would rate okay.
Tomato pumpkin soup and rollsinside rollscloser soup
Spaghetti was dressed with midnight roma pomodoro and pecorino. It was a flat cut spaghetti that was cooked nicely al dente in a good sauce. Some browned breadcrumbs added a nice crunch and the sauce adhered well to the pasta. A tasty pecorino cheese added flavor. My objection to the plate was a price of $25 for what felt like a appetizer portion of food. If I had ordered this as my entree I would have left hungry but as an appetizer it was good and tasty but seemed overpriced.
spaghetticloser
Half Chicken was served with garlic and baguette. This plate was said to be a regular on their menu and it truly is a star. It reminded me a lot of the Zuni Cafe’s chicken in San Francisco. The skin was perfectly crisped and underneath the chicken was the baguette that had been soaked in the chicken juices. It also absorbed some of the wonderful thicked jus that was plated with the chicken. This was a plate of food to swoon over. It had terrific flavors and textures and made you want to lick up every bit of it.
Half chickenturned
Porchetta Rosmarino came with a hearty salad and lemon, according to the menu. It was thin slices of pork belly that were well seasoned with rosemary. It was full of flavor and very tender with a tiny crispy layer on the edge. The “hearty” salad was a mix of incredibly fresh greens that were dressed with oil. The lemon on the side was great with them. The plate was one with lots of flavors for the eater to savor.
Porchettacloser
Dessert was brown sugar Ice Cream with chocolate chunks topped with olive oil. It came in 3 small scoops. It was not a heavy creamy ice cream but still easy to eat and well flavored. The olive oil topping was new to me and turned out to be a nice one.
brown sugar ice creamcloserFrankie posed with some wine
exterior – 1209 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Choo Choo Grill is a family owned place that has been running for over 60 years and open 6 days a week for breakfast and lunch. Inside is a step back in time with 8-10 seats at the wrap-around counter and 2 booth-like tables. The cooking is on the griddle just in front of the bar and they’re known for their olive burger – a Grand Rapids tradition. Rick Mack bought the place from his father in 1997 but now is tired of the 2 a.m. mornings and the daily grind. So the place was listed for sale and no one knows if a buyer will keep it the same or what. It’s obviously filled with regular customers where much of the talk centered on the possible sale and how that will change life. The tiny place is actually next to the railroad tracks and it’s filled with train photos and replicas. You’d hate to see a place like this change but profit and big rule our world. Meantime you can still hurry in and enjoy a fresh made burger and malt. They do a lot of take out and have parking so I encourage you to grab a stool while they’re still in business. Continue reading →
exterior – 438 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Butcher’s Union is a large gastropub that does not take reservations, it’s strictly first come, first served. They do have an online waitlist that turns on when they are full. When you can add your name to it they will give you an approximate wait time and then text when your table is ready. They are open 7 days a week but close a little earlier on Sunday. They offer a meat heavy menu and a large selection of alcoholic beverages. They try and source their products locally. There are plenty of seating options with the large and long bar, the first thing you see. There was another dining room off to the side and patio tables somewhere outside but we were ushered to a roomy booth across from the bar. The music was loud as was the packed crowd. TVs were hung around the bar but their sound was muted. Parking is as you can find it but there was a public lot across the street which was convenient. Service was helpful and efficient and the food was fine but the noise level would make me not want to visit often. Continue reading →
Tony Packo’s is a huge place that’s been in business since 1932. Tony and his wife got a $100 loan during the Depression to open a sandwich shop where he created his signature “Hungarian Hot Dog.” They gradually grew the shop to the size and fame of what it is today. Burt Reynolds was the first to sign a hot dog bun in 1972 and that started a trend that would go for generations. Today, however, the famous put their autograph on a foam replica of the original bun. The walls were lined with cases of these signed buns including the only few original real buns that remain. There are now a number of locations in Ohio but this was the orginal and although the food is average it’s worth going to, to see all these buns. Service was available in the bar area otherwise grab a cafeteria tray at the order counter and pay, and by then your food is ready. A drink station is in the center of the room for self-service. They only offer Steudel or cookies for dessert. Continue reading →
Olive and Gourmando is open daily from 9 to 5 for dine in or take out. They are a bakery and a restaurant with breakfast available all day but lunch items only after 11. It’s hugely popular with benches outside for waiting. Inside the medium sized place is a wood floor, exposed ducts, decorated chalkboards on the walls, and small tightly packed wood tables. The music in the background is almost drowned out by the hum of conversation. Some counter seating is available by the windows and the baked goods are in a display case by the register/sign-in area. Lots of plants and decorations finish out the decor. If you’re in need of breakfast or lunch I’d go get in line when you’re in town. Continue reading →
entrance – 1025 Ontario St E, Montreal, Quebec H2L 1P8, Canada
Le Mousso is a 30-seat restaurant offering a tasting menu and optional pairings 3 nights a week. They dropped to #41 on the Canada’s 100 Best List. Two backlit murals by Jean-Paul Mousseau decorate the room. He was not only a prominent Quebec artist but also the grandfather of the chef and founder Antonin Mousseau-Rivard. The whole room starts at the same time and there’s one seating that lasts about 3 hours. The chef presents a description of the dish, as each is served, in both English and French. Then another person presented a description for each wine pairing and mercifully it was only in French. The descriptions went on way too long with French taking twice the amount of time as English. I found the setup tedious maybe because the food deteriorated as the evening wore on. So much thought was given to the preparation, that the end result was lost. The color palate was too bland, it was over-priced and the flavor profile was lacking. I applaud what they are doing but I can’t give this one a recommendation. Continue reading →
exterior – 1025 Rue Lenoir, Montréal, QC H4C 2Z6, Canada
Gia Vin and Grill opened in December and is known for their grilled meats, which unfortunately are only available at night. It’s tucked away below the highway and in the shadow of the adjacent Home Depot. However, once you get inside you’ll forget the location, except when you see the cars going by out the window. Lots of light wood, marble, green tile, exposed ductwork and 60s and 70s music in the background. A long bar also has seating in addition to the small tables. As the name would imply they do have a lot of wines and the helpful servers (Tatianna was great) will guide your selection to go with the dishes you choose. We enjoyed our lunch but I suspect evening offers a better selection of dishes. They ranked #36 on the Best of Canada list. Continue reading →
Mastard is owned and run by Chef Simon Mathys and his wife Viki Brisson-Sylvestre. They offer a 5-course tasting menu of local and seasonal items with an array of cocktails and natural wines. Opening in Jan. 2021, it feels like a neighborhood restaurant but can accommodate 54 people. They made #55 on the 100 Best of Canada list. Windows look out onto the street and the lights are lowered. The tin ceiling was opposite the very wide plank wood floor. The bar, which makes many of its own fruit infusions was set with 5 chairs and the long wall opposite had bench seating that was a higher level than the chairs on the opposite side of the marble table. Two of the walls had paintings on the wall and otherwise, the decorations were plants. Chef Mathys was in the house and brought food out to some but not all the tables. Optional pairings are available with the tasting but we chose our own bottle of wine and started with a cocktail. The food was mixed but the service was first-rate. Continue reading →
exterior – 406 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1S1, Canada
Monarque was a large place in the business district and was really three restaurants in one. The front of the place had a more casual menu and feel and the back was modern and elegant with a set lunch menu. The long bar had 20 stools for lounge dining. Rock music was in the background, the wall had lots of mirrors and a striking tile pattern ran the entire length of the place. An open kitchen was in the middle of the long room. In the back were white clothes and napkins and some semi-circular booths to make up the stylish interior. On Canada’s 100 best list it came in at #16. At lunch there was a 2 course menu with the main plate determining the price or there was the option of ordering beef. With the beef option, the first course is sold separately. Continue reading →
Joe Beef opened in 2005, named for Charles McKiernan, a tavern owner who died at 54 due to gluttony and generosity. Joe Beef offers a casual take on French fine dining in Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighborhood. The menu changes daily depending on what is fresh and available but oysters seem to be ever-present as are rich, heavy sauces. The menu lists plates of the day, most to be shared and a chalkboard has additional specials. Additionally, they had 3 types of oysters, caviar service and fish (maybe raw?). It won the #24 spot on Canada’s 2023 100 Best list. A couple rooms are closely set with small wood tables and lively music in the background. A full bar is available as is a large wine list and the diners are furnished a towel-sized napkin. Service was great and helpful and the food was wonderful. Continue reading →
exterior – 900 Pl. Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal, QC H2Z 2B2, Canada
Toqué was #45 on the most recent list of the 100 Best of Canada. Owners Normand Laprise and Christine Lamarche emphasize the use of local products. It started in 1993 on a much smaller scale until in 2004 they moved it closer to Old Montreal and downtown. It is a tasteful place with an elegant interior, music in the background, white tablecloths and napkins, windows to the street and excellent service. For lunch they offer a 2-course option with the price of your lunch dependent on the main plate and including coffee or tea. Dessert is optional and extra. It was a lovely place to eat with beautiful and tasty food. We had a terrific lunch and I bet dinner would also be good there. Continue reading →
Mon Lapin was created by Marc-Olivier Frappier and Vanya Filipovic, a chef and sommelier husband and wife team. Joining the team were Jessica Québécois (chef), Alex Landry (sommelier) and Marc-Antoine Gélinas (front) to move the restaurant to #1 on Canada’s 2023’s 100 Best list. Opening in 2018 in the area called Little Italy, they present an ever-changing menu of seasonal and local ingredients accompanied by natural wines. It started quite tiny but they were able to expand after a couple of years and now have room to accommodate a few walk-ins. The beautiful tile floor is set with small tables of wood or marble under lowered lighting and fairly loud upbeat music. The vibe is energetic and the service is outstanding. The servers know about the food and wines and will help you make a meal plan that works together. For example, after we selected our shared plates the server brought out several wines at different price points, described them and then we chose one. It was a fabulous evening and I would recommend it to anyone who can get there. Continue reading →
We last ate at Geronimo in 2019 and as usual, had a fine meal in this 1756 adobe home built by Geronimo Lopez. The menu doesn’t change much here but you can expect an elegant atmosphere, lowered lighting, music in the background, art on the walls, white tableclothes, valet parking and friendly professional service. Everytime I visit I seem to get the foie gras and Elk steak so tonight I went off script and ordered differently as did my husband. It ended up nice but not as satisfying as my usual order. Either way, it’s still a very fine meal and one I’d recommend if you can get there. Continue reading →
exterior sign – 113 1/2 E Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
The Shed is an institution in Santa Fe. Its sister restaurant La Choza (opened in 1983) is frequented more by locals whereas The Shed is on the main Square and has been there since 1953. There are nine rooms within and a patio on the outside. They are known for their blue corn options and red chile as well as margaritas. Very popular, they do take reservations for dinner and otherwise be prepared to wait. The bare wood tables are in rooms filled with paintings, not for sale, and plants. The bar has a large selection of tequila and mescal as well as some wines. Chips are not included in your meal but can be ordered separately. If you get to Santa Fe you must eat here, it’s a great starting point for your journey through New Mexican food. Continue reading →
The Trading Post Cafe was an eclectic cafe with a deli offering meats and cheeses by the pound as well as coolers selling produce and other supplies. There were several rooms with the main one having a long bar in front of the grill area. The aroma of cooking burgers greeted you when you walked in. We were there to have a snack and mostly visit with some friends so we didn’t try too many things. I gather it’s only recently opened as they did not yet have a license for beer or wine, but that is in the process. Also when I googled it to get details it sent me to a coffee roasting site and then another linked me to an Italian restaurant. Regardless, if you’re in Taos and looking for a little spot to eat I’d give this one a try. Continue reading →
Sazón was started by Chef Fernando Olea in 2015. He originally was from Mexico City and incorporates the indigenous and culinary traditions of Old Mexico into his fabulous foods. He started cooking in 1991 with a green chili cheeseburger at Bert’s Burger Bowl. In 2022 he was the winner of James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest. The many rooms feature the work of some Mexican artists, many of which are for sale, white tablecloths and napkins, Spanish music in the background and lowered lighting. The menu is fairly small but they also offer a Chef’s Degustation Tasting Menu at 5:00 and 7:30 if reserved in advance. They also offer a curated tequila, mezcal and wine pairing or a large menu of wines from Mexico as well as other countries. There is no printed menu for the tasting and some of the courses are not on the menu but I highly recommend it as a way to sample this chef’s excellent cuisine. Olea presents a wonderful depth of flavor to his dishes as well as a healthy dose of spice and richness. I enjoyed it immensely. Continue reading →
Tomasita’s serves New Mexican food in Santa Fe as well as Albuquerque. Named for Tomasita Leyba, the original cook at the place and whose recipes are still served 40 years later. It started as a small café on Hickox Street in 1974 when Georgia Maryol took over the dying restaurant. Together they built a customer base that outgrew the space and in 1979 it moved to the 100-year old red brick building in the Santa Fe Railyard. Georgia’s son now owns the restaurant and opened a branch in Albuquerque in 2017. The railyard location was a large place with rooms scattered around set with bare wooden tables and chairs and a patio. Music was in the background, there was a large adjacent parking lot, art decorated the walls and statues were on the patio. Chips and salsa are not included in the meal. The service was super friendly and efficient but the food was mixed. Continue reading →
bar with cooking behind it – 4422 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX., 75246
Cry Wolf has been on this site many times, most recently from our July visit, but each time it’s a little different and I wanted to share photos. (If you search my site you will find numerous write-ups with more info and photos). So this time with little commentary I’ve just got the menu and photos of the food. You need to put this one on your list whenever you are in Dallas. It’s a favorite of ours! Everything was wonderful yet very different. Continue reading →
building – 1839 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, TX., 75206
Louie’s has been written up here before but it was time for an update. It’s one of our favorite spots, we probably go weekly. The ambiance is dark and friendly and the martinis are first rate. All the staff know us and that probably helps but the food is good, although there have been some changes since Covid came through. They are now closed Monday and Tuesday as well as most major holidays. You must be over 21 to enter and parties cannot be larger than 6. The school building nearby has remodeled their parking lot but for now seems to be a regular spot where you can still park, as street spots are limited. The pork chop is totally different from before and not as juicy and the baked potato is off the menu. Menus are by icon/link to be viewed on a smartphone rather than printed. They are still fairly busy but now often have a waiting list at the door which helps. We generally eat sandwiches there rather than the pizza and if we eat pizza we ask for it to not be heavily browned on the edge. It’s hard for me to judge how it would seem to a stranger but for newbies or singletons, I’d recommend sitting at the bar. Casey, one of the bartenders will help guide your journey and he’s suggested many new options for us to try, food-wise. All the table servers are friendly and helpful too if you go as a couple. It’s not a great wine spot but they have it. I encourage you to go for the martinis and strike up a conversation with whoever is sitting next to you. I hope you like it as much as I clearly do. Continue reading →
R Place Cafe is a small place on the highway in northern Wisconsin. They serve a variety of breakfast options till 1:00 and dinner on Wed and Friday from 4-6. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday. It’s a small family-run place with mom cooking in the kitchen and daughter waiting tables. There’s a variety of tables and a few seats at the counter. They bake their own bread as well as biscuits. We’d driven by many times and never stopped but this day we did and we weren’t sorry. The menu is on a chalkboard on the wall and there’s lots of brick-a-brack on the walls and surfaces to look at while you wait for your food. Our server was super friendly and the food was good, honest items made with care. I will go again and hope I’ll see you there. Continue reading →
The restaurant at Harbor House has been on this site numerous times (3/23, 11/22, 3/22, 7/22, 7/21, 8/20) but I never get tired of taking photos and writing descriptions of the exquisite food produced in the 2- Michelin-star kitchen of Matthew Kammerer and his team. The Harbor House Inn is situated on a beautiful piece of property overlooking the Pacific Ocean and jutting rocks. The 1916 Craftsman-style house has around 20 ocean view seats for this Coastal-cuisine-focused tasting menu experience that is not to be missed. The place also received a Michelin Green Star for the sustainable nature of its processes. Now there are 2 farms raising produce for the restaurant and local farms and fishermen supply the rest. The staff treat all like royalty and the food is as delicious as it is stunning. With the addition of Sommelier Kelly Eckel, who most recently was at Single Thread, there should be some exciting new additions to their wine list also. I urge you to plan a trip here, stay a couple nights and enjoy the very fine food and ambiance. I know I’ll be back soon and post it again here. Continue reading →
The Elk Store is not just a deli but also a grocery and a general store, selling lots of specialty and locally made goods. The old building has a good selection of meats, cheeses and breads some ready made into sandwiches which they will heat for you. Filled with charm and a creaky old floor it is fun to browse around while you’re waiting for your order to be filled. Near the cash register the 2 menu boards hang overhead and the counter on the opposite side holds the ingredients and heating area. Other parts of the store have fresh produce, wines, dry goods, beans, teas and a surprising selection of things. The people were all very friendly and I’d go if you’re in the area. Such a unique little place and the sandwiches have good ingredients. Continue reading →
Café Beaujolais is a French style restaurant that opened in 1968 and garnered some fame when Chef Margaret Fox purchased it and started serving breakfast and lunch in 1977. Chef Christopher Kump came on in 1984 and started the dinner service. The Brickery was added in 1990 that sells wood-fired brick oven bread and later pizza. After several other turnovers, in 2016 Peter and Melissa Lopez bought the cafe and set their Michelin trained son, Julian up as Executive Chef. The location is in a house that dates back to 1893 where it served as a shoemaker shop later becoming a maternity home. It has been updated but still holds much of the original charm with music in the background, white tableclothes and black napkins, windows to the outside array of plants and photos on the walls. The wide plank wood floor looks new and the wood ceiling has been painted but it’s obviously an old house. Service was delightful, with our server turning out to be the owner of a farm that supplies much of the produce to the restaurant. It was a lovely meal in a pretty setting and a fine choice for dinner when in Mendocino. Continue reading →
Troubadour, in downtown Healdsburg, is owned by Single Thread veterans Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey who bring the quality that their past experience would lead one to expect at a tiny bakery/sandwich shop by day and a French inspired prix fixe menu at night. Founded in 2021, the place is getting lots of press and people for their evening service as well as their ready made sandwiches. Desserts are on display, if you desire that too, as well as a huge array of beverages, stocked mostly for the evening service but available to daytime visitors. It’s a small place with counters facing the windows on 2 sides and one larger middle table. There were also some tables outside that people took their food to eat at. Music is in the background and a large jug of ice water is available with cups. You place your order with the friendly clerks and pay up at the same counter and then it’s time to enjoy some really delicious sandwiches. They were thoughtfully assembled and cut in half. Both were on fabulous breads made in house. This has my highest recommendation as well as me hoping I’ll get back for dinner too! Continue reading →
The restaurant at the Inn at Langley was one of the reasons we traveled to Whidbey Island, besides also wanting to escape the Texas heat. Chef Matt Costello started the restaurant in 1989 and now also is co-owner of the Inn. However his cooking duties have been passed to a fellow named Landon and the tasting menu we looked forward to has been dumbed down to a 5-course menu, one of which is your roll. Chef was in house and called it a “transition time”. They also serve an a la carte menu but it is mostly bar snacks now. Thank goodness we found another place to eat one of the 2 nights we hoped to eat there. That said, the breakfast included with your stay at the Inn was very nice and a good assortment of options. The place itself is wonderful and I heartily endorse it as a place to stay but caution you against reserving dinner there until they finish the “transition.” We left hungry and dis-satisfied even though we had a delicious bottle of champagne with the meal and they took off some for the over-cooked salmon. Continue reading →
Pickles Deli is in a strip shopping center and open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sunday. You can order in or call ahead and get your order to go. The space has a high ceiling and a variety of pickle decorations as well as souvenirs for sale. Lots of tables of different sizes in addition to a few outside are available. In the entry room the walls are hung with bead-art pictures for sale and music is in the background. The counter was busy filling to-go orders when we arrived and so it took a minute to get our order taken but it gave me time to look around and admire the beautiful cash register as well as the many containers of pickles. They had a 3D hanging sign of a girl riding a pickle that was like the flat one on the wall outside the building. The people were friendly and the order came out pretty quick. After you pay at the counter they bring the food out to your table. The sandwiches were well stuffed with nice flavor so add this to your list when you visit Whidbey Island. My main criticism of the place involves the assembly of the sandwich. It was not evenly done, which is tough if you want to split one but it also changes the balance of the flavors. Continue reading →
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 detailsadded roommain dining room interiorinteriorpatioChef in kitchenmenubeveragesdessert menuwine frontwine backFrankie 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 butteropened
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 ribscloser
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 Dolliesfrom 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.
building – 14096 WA-525, Langley, WA 98260 (soon to move)
Ikaika Bistro was in the American Foreign Legion building when we visited but you’re in luck because they’ll be in a new location by the time you read this. Stephanie and Chris Balora own the place that serves Polynesian cuisine among other dishes. Opening in Sept. of 2022, Chris named the place Ikaika which means “strong” or “warrior” in his native Hawaiian language. It’s a 2-person operation with Stephanie taking your order and busing tables while Chris does the cooking. They’ve had good success which is why in Sept 2023 they are going to move their restaurant to a food truck in downtown Langley where they’ll have indoor and outdoor seating and be near a coffee shop, which is good as they serve breakfast and lunch. So I won’t describe the AFL building, just include a couple photos, but the move will create a major improvement in the ambiance. The couple are the nicest people and easily make conversation with guests filling them in our their journey to get to this spot. The food was novel, generous and tasty and I hope you’ll give it a try if you are in the area. Continue reading →
The Orchard Kitchen was the most farm-to-table place I’ve eaten. The summer dining tasting menu was served behind a barn, housing the kitchen, in between the planted fields that have served as farms since 1914. Chef Vincent Nattress and his wife Tyla own Ebb Tide produce, the farm that surrounded us and produces much of what is served there. They offer one seating at communal tables Thursday through Saturday with an ever-changing menu, depending on what is fresh and available. In the winter they move indoors and also offer cooking classes. Chef Vincent is from Whidbey Island and he and his wife returned there buying this 5-acre farm after operating another restaurant elsewhere and wanting to get back more to basics. Chef starts off the evening with an explanation of what’s to come and acknowledges that the menu is just as new to him as the diners. They offer wine pairings to go with the menu but also have wines by the bottle and glass but no liquor. As the evening went on and people relaxed our table came alive with conversation and bonding over fun food. It helps that they have great weather that can support outdoor dining but regardless it was a wonderful experience filled with fine food and new friends. Go if you can, it’s magical. Continue reading →
Owner Jim Goodall opened Langley Kitchen in November 2020 after running a restaurant in Seattle. He thought Langley needed more baked goods, especially cookies and set up shop there during the pandemic. He was ready for portable food with the inside having no tables just the kitchen and items for sale. You line up and order at the counter, then they call your name out a back window where there is a lovely patio to eat on. The metal tables are surrounded by red Japanese maple trees with overhead heaters for when needed. They offer a variety of salads, baked goods and sandwiches for both breakfast and lunch. Their logo features an owl with a quiver holding a spoon and fork, rather than arrows. We tried 2 of their sandwiches a bar cookie and it was all delicious. This place should be on your list if you’re on Whidbey Island. Continue reading →
exterior – 221 Second Street # 9A, Langley, WA 98260
Ultra House opened in 2018 when the owners, Denis and Cheryl Zimmerman were ready for a lifestyle change and Denis wanted to honor his Japanese roots. Already living on Whidbey Island they thought the town was ready for a ramen shop. It’s a tiny shop in Langley Village, where you can’t park in front of it. There are a few counter spots and several large interior tables as well as some tables on the patio. The larger tables can be shared. Shelves line the walls, housing items for sale and some art is scattered about. They have a good selection of beer, sake and wine and a small menu that features variations on ramen and rice bowls. It is very casual but if you need a ramen fix this is the place to go.Continue reading →
Saltwater Fish House and Oyster Bar was opened in July 2017 by Jenn and Sieb Jurriaans, who also operate the nearby Prima Bistro restaurant. They try and source their seafood from Coupeville’s Penn Cove Shellfish except for the lobster which comes from Maine. It’s a fairly small place and they take no reservations so people start lining up before the doors open. Inside are small wood tables (counter seating at the bar and in the middle of the room), music and photos of fish and other nautical items. Some fish nets hanging from the ceiling are decorated with glass fish. The full bar also offers a number of beers on tap. Service was friendly, efficient and helpful. It’s about the only seafood restaurant in town but my reaction to the food was mixed. Dinner offered more choices especially if you don’t want fried seafood. Continue reading →
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 →
patio – 5th Ave between Dolores and, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
Stationæry is a medium-sized (11 indoor tables) place operated by Anthony and Alissa Carnazzo. They offer brunch, dinner, coffee and wines in a casual setting. Also available are tables on the patio that opens to other stores and a couple stools at the tile counter. A bench seat lines the wall set with small wood tables. Many windows add lots of natural light and plants provide the decorations with music in the background which was sometimes hard to hear due to the crowd noise. It was very busy and walk-ins had a long wait. We had reservations luckily and the attentive and friendly staff moved the meal along nicely. One note to service is that there are no refills on coffee – this was just house pour not a specialty cup. The food primarily is sourced from nearby farms and ranches and varies with what’s in season. It was good food, especially the roll which could have been a meal in itself. I encourage you to try it but have a reservation. Continue reading →
exterior –L’Auberge Carmel, 7th avenue Monte Verde St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
Aubergine has re-done the dining room since we were there in 2019 (in 2020 we were there but it was during the pandemic and we ate outside) and it looks even better. It has fewer tables but they’ve added some upstairs and dining outside is a regular option for the 5 nights a week they are open. Chef Justin Cogley runs the kitchen with skillful pastry chef Yulanda Santos to offer an ever-changing 8-course tasting menu. (There was an optional Japanese A5 wagyu supplement that night which we took). A huge wine cellar supplements the meal as does the full bar. They have maintained the Michelin Star they earned in 2019. Music is in the background and artistic fish swim around the walls for the 5 tables in the dining room. Gone are the dark beams above but they’ve added a cabinet for glassware and burled wood center fixture topped with candles and flowers. The staff are all friendly and ready to help with any requests. Chefs bring out some of the plates and explain them. It was a wonderful dining experience and I recommend it to anyone who can get there. Continue reading →
exterior – 225 Cabrillo Highway South at, Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Dad’s Luncheonette was in a historic train caboose on Highway 1, near a strip shopping center. It was a dream of Chef Scott Clark, who we met when he was Chef de cuisine at a 3-star Michelin restaurant, to open something small and casual that also serves great food. He wanted a lifestyle change after having a child with his partner, Alexis Liu. When she saw this little train car he knew that was it. That was 6 years ago and it’s still a successful business. There are a few seats inside, where you order, and picnic tables outside, but many just eat on the hood of their car or get stuff to go. The cooking is on the upper level of the caboose and bathrooms are in the shopping center. Lo and behold when we entered we found he brought another friend from the close by San Francisco dining scene that we had also dealt with before, Anthony Keels (Eight Tables). The place is surrounded by farms and they make the best use of that supply chain but have a small menu. I didn’t get a photo of the menu but you can see much of it on their website or in the photos. Unfortunately, they were out of the homemade chips today. Continue reading →
We were at the Fitzgerald about a year ago (as well as in 2019) but this time we stayed on the second level in the newly re-done large rooms. The view and sounds of Lake Superior are fabulous and with so many hot places, the cool breeze here was refreshing. The staff are super friendly and there’s plenty of parking out front. The restaurant does get full, so reservations are a must. Guests at the hotel have first grab at reservations and I found out they hold the window tables for guests. This visit the fires in Canada were making a haze on the horizon but last time we were at the windows and the sun is so bright I believe I prefer the inner tables. It’s a small place though, so there aren’t any tables without a great view. Another thing I learned is to come early as they have limited quantities of some items and the later in the evening the more they’ve run out of. Unfortunately, they were out of ribs again when we arrived and no ends were available. They did look large and meaty from what I saw on earlier tables. Service is friendly and helpful but their wine list is small, especially compared to the array of whisky that is available. It’s a fun lovely place but the food is mixed. Some of the desserts looked and sounded good but those were all gone by the time we finished. Continue reading →
exterior – 32423 State Hwy M-26, Tiovola, MI, 49965
Parkview Lodge and Grilll is a large place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The lodge has 16 rustic rooms ready to house those enjoying the snowmobile and ATV trails nearby. Attached is a large bar and restaurant open 11 to 9, seven days a week. It was opened in 2005 by two sisters and their husbands, but after 10 years they closed for 2. In the middle of being closed, it was taken over by their brother, Scott Johnson who started doing renovations. The bar and restaurant can hold up to 200 people and one new feature was the addition of some cutout trees dividing the bar and restaurant. They are fabric covered to help with noise. We didn’t have any noise issues as it was empty when we stopped but the middle of the afternoon would be prime time for the explorers to be outside. The bartender took our order, helped with suggestions and was very friendly. I don’t know about staying here but it’s definitely a place I’d recommend for a good burger. Continue reading →
exterior – 10590 N Ranch Road, Hayward, WI., 54843
We visited The Ranch Supper Club in 2022 and had a great time so decided to go again, but this time we didn’t have a reservation. Not a good plan for a Saturday night. The wait wasn’t as bad as they thought so it was only a half-hour – time for a martini and a look around the bar area. The bar is a hopping place and they turn out a decent cocktail but their wine list is not too exciting, so we stayed with cocktails for the evening. The bar itself has a beautiful inlay of stones and the wood room is decorated with fishing objects and sporting goods. It’s a good meal with nice service. Continue reading →
Cry Wolf is a regular on our schedule if you haven’t noticed. The menu like the wine list is ever-changing. Some things work fantastically and others miss the mark slightly, but it’s never dissatisfying as I always leave in a great frame of mind. It’s a vibe some restaurants can achieve but it’s tough to maintain, however, they do and so I’ll keep posting updates to our dinners there. It helps that they know us and this night they brought a couple of dishes to us just to try. It made for a lot of food but what fun. Even though Chef Ross Demers was not in the house, Tim Case was there finding excellent wines to go with our order and Chef Mike Stites sent out terrific dishes. If you’re in Dallas this place is a must for you to go relax and enjoy a fantastic meal. Continue reading →
exterior (when closed) – 503 Laneda Ave, Manzanita, OR 97130
Yolk serves breakfast and lunch in Manzanita, on the coast of Oregon. We visited there about a year agoand had fond memories so we were looking forward to dining there and interestingly found out it had been sold in the last couple of days. The past owners were still there when we went, helping the new owners with the transition, particularly cooking. Even so, a little snafu with the ordering process made it take longer to get the bill and impossible to check on our order. It is still a bright and tasteful interior with music in the background, a patio, a full bar and lots of windows to the outside streaming in the sunshine. The food is good but they don’t take reservations, so get there early or be prepared to wait. It’ll be worth the wait. Continue reading →
We visited Neah Kah Nie Bistro last year and it was much better than this year’s visit. They were really short-staffed, meaning one person working the floor and one in the kitchen so any walk-ins were turned away and service was tremendously slow. It’s a small place with some outdoor seating, although the tarp over those seats was gone. I felt for the server but they should have canceled some reservations or notified guests. This was horrible. We didn’t try for a cocktail and instead were thankful to finally get to sit down. We also didn’t try for multiple courses, it took so long to get our wine and then it was the wrong bottle and vintage too. She took it back to try again but finally came back with what we drank and said they’d been delivered it by mistake. (The bill tried to reflect the charge for what we ordered and we waited to have that corrected as this wine was half the price of what we ordered – and was awful). They have a small parking lot but lots of street parking is available. Music was in the background and there was lots of light from the windows in the room to supplement the low lighting. Even so, you could tell the menus were well used and no daily specials were available. I’m sorry to say I can’t recommend this place. Continue reading →
sign on street – 35915 N Hwy 101, Nehalem, OR 97131
Pacific Roots Coffee and Mini Donuts is a food truck off the main street in Nehalem. It is by the water in the same clearing as the Riverside Fish and ChipsTruck, both of which we tried last year. The signature mini donuts are made fresh, on the spot when you order them and come with a variety of toppings. You order as many as you wish and they will mix the toppings in an order. These little donuts are made in a remarkable machine and I have found them in a number of places but the flavor and quality do vary. These are good ones, served nicely hot with a perfect amount of cinnamon sugar. Another nice feature is that these are served in a styrofoam container as opposed to the usual paper bag. They are perfect to order, especially while you wait for fried cod from the fish and chips stand. While the fish was nice and the slaw interesting, the mini donuts were the star of this lunch for me. I encourage you to find a stand and try some. Continue reading →
Wanda’s Cafe and Bakery is family owned and operated where you can dine in or grab something to go. It’s a small to medium-sized place with additional seating outdoors. They do not take reservations, so expect to have a wait, but while we waited for breakfast they had coffee available. Parking is limited on site but there is free parking in a close city lot. Named for the original owner’s grandmother, there is no Wanda associated with the place now. Music was in the background and the entrance and check-out are filled with goods for sale, both edible and novelty. The servers were efficient and friendly. It’s a place I’d recommend but I’d like to go on a day they make the fresh cinnamon rolls. Continue reading →
Offshore Grill and Coffee House is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday and tries to showcase local foods. The Coffee Shop is open all day on those days. They moved from nearby Rockaway to Manzanita during the pandemic when they added the coffee house. It’s a medium-sized place with art for sale on the walls. Polished wood makes up the tables and wood is on the floor as well as the curved bar. Lots of families were diners and there was faint music in the background. A few parking spaces are out front but mostly it’s street parking or walk-in guests. Lowered lighting was supplemented by bright sunlight from the windows. Service was friendly but only would rate okay. All though there is a bar area they serve just wine and beer, no hard alcohol. No specials were offered that evening and the food was mixed. Continue reading →
entrance – 178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107
SAISON had been a favorite restaurant of ours for years but had gradually drifted away from yummy so we haven’t been back since 2016. The introduction of a new team lead by Chef Richard Lee sparked our curiosity and so we decided to re-visit and are so glad we did. They still stress open hearth cooking and the use of local products all while expanding their wine list. The space is the same with well-spaced polished wood large tables with music in the background. The walls of brick and piles of wood give it a softer feel than the large open and modern kitchen that takes up one end of the space, which is the show people come to see. The other end is the bar with an abbreviated menu. Chef Richard Lee led a large team of chefs, each with different assigned tasks, and coordinated the serving the same tasting menu to all of the guests. It’s about a 2.5-hour meal and they do turn the tables. Wine pairings are available and a supplemental A5 Wagyu is offered when booking. They were dropped to 2 Michelin Stars a couple of years ago but with the level of service and the quality of the meal, I can see that third star back in their pocket soon. It’s pricey but if you can go it is once again well worth the money. At the end of the meal, you will receive a menu. Continue reading →
Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant is the fifth oldest restaurant in the US. It was first listedhere in 2015 but I didn’t write up subsequent visits. They credit themselves for helping establish San Francisco as the culinary mecca it is today. They serve local seafood, simply prepared, alongside local vegetables. I thought of it as similar to Tadich Grill but it doesn’t seem to have weathered the pandemic as well. The crowd at lunch was very light and the server was marginal (maybe some language issues here) and tried to sell us on more items when we were ordering plenty. The medium-sized place is full of wood and white tablecloths with some natural light from the windows to the street. The walls are decorated with photos and nature shots. The food was marginal to bad and they charge for bread service. Continue reading →
entrance – 1722 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94109
We last visited Acquerello in 2018 and you can read that one here. It is in Nob Hill in a building that had housed many businesses but the main was a chapel which you can recognize by the high peaked ceiling. For 3 decades they have offered Italian-inspired cuisine and have been recognized with 2 Michelin stars. It’s a good-sized room with music in the background and friendly yet very professional service, including purse stools. Executive Chef Suzette Gresham still co-owns the place and runs the kitchen. Co-owner Giancarlo Paterlini was at another of his restaurants that evening but his most capable sommelier son was on site. They offer 2 tasting menus, one seasonal and one where you select 3-5 courses from several choices. We specified the seasonal tasting on our reservation so didn’t even see the other menu but their website has it online. Wine pairings are available as are some supplemental courses of caviar and cheese. We opted for our own wines and no supplements. It is a lovely place but should I go back I’d pick the menu with choices because although the plates were gorgeous they didn’t pack the flavor punch I remembered. Continue reading →
exterior – 240 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Tadich Grill was reviewed here back in 2015, but we visited many times after that and I didn’t write it up. But with the pandemic, it’s been at least 4 years since we were there. It was old school and consistent quality, meaning little changes, but downtown San Francisco has changed with a lot fewer people working in offices and a lower number of tourists. Tadich was ‘started’ by 3 Croatian immigrants in 1849 as a coffee stand that went through numerous moves when in 1871 another Croatian, John Tadich started working there. It became known as The Cold Day Restaurant through a political incident and Tadich took ownership in 1887. He joined with another restauranteur when both needed to recover from the 1906 earthquake, but when their partnership dissolved in 1912 and his partner named his new restaurant The Cold Day. Tadich then named his place Tadich Grill, The Original Cold Day Restaurant. It’s a fairly large place with wood tables and booths set with white clothes and napkins. A long bar with stools runs the length of the place with the kitchen being partially open in the back. Staff are friendly and dressed in long white aprons and white jackets. They have a large menu featuring much local and imported seafood with a few daily specials. The food is fine but nothing to write home about. You no longer seem to need a reservation at lunch, if that’s progress. Continue reading →
Chef Ross Demers – 4422 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75246
Cry Wolf has become a regular on our playlist and I swear I am not on their payroll – but the food is just too good not to share with you. The combinations continue to evolve and are different week to week and the atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming. Chef Ross Demers was finishing the plates tonight so we got to chat with him as we had the two “chef’s table” seats adjacent to him. He and Chef Mike Stites share cooking and finishing rolls, which helps the evolution of the menu. Sommelier Tim Case always has some fun and new wines to tell you about and is very mindful of your menu choices in helping you make a selection. In fact we had picked one wine and he came back and said we needed another under consideration based on our menu choices. I was closing the end of a week of birthday celebrations and Tim started our evening with a complimentary glass of champagne. If you haven’t been here, I strongly urge you to put it on your agenda. Maybe Frankie and I will see you there! Continue reading →
Louie’s on the Lake was the byproduct of Doris and Louis Muench Sr. moving to Cumberland from Chicago, where he had been a meat cutter. In 1970 they opened Louie’s Finer Meats and from that came the opportunity for family dining featuring Louie’s meats. It’s a small place with booths on the sides of the room and tables in the middle. A few more tables are in the entry room where there is also a counter selling meats. There is a large outdoor patio which the dining room looks out to, as well as the parking lot. The bare wood tables are set with flatware wrapped in a napkin and other condiments for seasoning the food. You can see the lake on an angle from the back windows. Open every day except Tuesday, they serve breakfast and lunch and close earlier on Sunday. Service was friendly but not the most efficient, but then finding workers in small towns is difficult. The food was very acceptable and I’d go again but it’s not worth driving out of your way for. Continue reading →
exterior – 2016 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W3, Canada
Shokunin is a 50-seat Japanese Izakaya-style (informal place for drinking and snacks) restaurant serving charred yakitori and other small shared plates. On the 100 Best Restaurants of Canada, they ranked at #82. They have a seasonal menu for the room as well as a full bar and lots of bottles of sake. There are 4 seats at the bar in front of the cooking area that are reserved for the Shokunin Yakitori Omakase tasting. It also has optional drink pairings and an additional course of 45-day aged beeswax-wrapped wagyu. It is not A-5 from Japan but rather a Wagyu from Australia. One item on the menu, the chicken ass (tail), is only available to those having the omakase. The place was packed and service was well-paced and friendly. I was surprised by how little interaction there was between the 4 guests and those in the kitchen, but that was affected by plexiglass between us and the grilled area. It felt a bit impersonal with slight explanations of courses and a rushed feel. Some of the food was outstanding and others were just so-so. The tasting was a good way to get to know the place if you’re a one-time visitor. Continue reading →
exterior – 206 Buffalo St, Banff, AB T1L 1E4, Canada
Hankki means one meal in Korean and this meal is modeled after Korean street food. They sell bowls or cupbop, and Korean hot dogs on a stick. The bowls are a stir-fry of different ingredients. Cheap, quick and filling options which are a novelty in the tourist-laden Banff. All the bowls contain Veggie Mandu which is edamame, sweet corn, lettuce, pickled carrot, sesame seeds and egg garnish along with some pan-fried veggie dumplings. They are on a base of rice with sauce and then you pick your level of spiciness. We both chose ‘hot’. The Chee Bop bowl contained Korean-style crispy fried chicken and the Korean B.B.Q bowl contained sweet and savory marinated grilled pork, lettuce. There were basic similarities but the flavoring was fairly different. Both were quite tasty and best when all the stuff was mixed around. Hot was a nice level of heat. If you need a quick snack this is for you. I saw some little kids getting and enjoying the hot dogs which are much less food, but we didn’t try one. Continue reading →
entrance – 25 Prince’s Island Park, SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0R1, Canada
River Cafe dates back to 1991 when it started as a full-service café on Calgary’s Prince Island for the summer only. In 1995 they enclosed the space and began operating year-round. The desire was to create a restaurant space that would blend into the Bow River setting and they ranked at #22 on the 2023 100 Best In Canada. Attempting to serve cuisine from local areas was also part of the plan. To this day there is no access to the place except to walk there across the pedestrian bridge and through the friendly geese. It’s a fairly large space with bare wood tables set with towel-shaped napkins, faint music in the background and decorated with a fishing/nautical motif. An open kitchen is part of the rambling room as is a long bar. They are open 7 days a week and serve lunch/brunch as well as dinner. At dinner, they offer a Chef’s Tasting menu as well as an a la carte menu. We chose the tasting and they were willing to give me a copy of the night’s menu, but the dessert listed was not accurate. Service was friendly but the pacing was off and the food was good but not outstanding. It’s such a pretty spot, though I would recommend you try it. Continue reading →
building – Grain Exchange Building, 821 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 7N2, Canada
Meat and Bread started in Vancouver and now has a number of locations in Canada but this one is in the old grain exchange building and opened in 2017. Stylishly designed and decorated they make everything themselves. They prided themselves on the simplicity of their products – offer just a few things but use the highest quality ingredients and make it yourselves. That simplicity is seen in the efficient layout of the space. You enter and immediately see the porchetta roast and some sandwiches being assembled for to-go orders. The menu is on a blackboard-like surface above the long prep area and the sides and drinks are arranged so you can see and pick. You can watch your sandwich being made as you pay for it and then they’ll call your number when it’s ready. We were there when they first opened, so no line, but my understanding is that it can have long lines however they move quickly. The staff were super friendly and loved showing off a whole roast ready to go to the slicer. This is a wonderful place and I hope I get to eat their sandwiches again. Continue reading →
exterior – 1005A 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0T8, Canada
D.O.P. is a small place that merited the number 23 spot on the 2023 list of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. In the next few months, around Sept. they are moving a couple blocks away to the Grain Exchange Building because their current building is being demolished. This will allow them to have a bigger kitchen and add about 10 seats. The name roughly translates to “Protected Designation of Origin” meaning that its products are locally grown or made, as much as possible. The narrow place had small tables running the length of the room opposite the bar/counter seating. The end with the entrance had windows to the street and a couple of side-by-side tables and the other end houses the 6′ x 8′ kitchen. The server said they have a room downstairs for some prep work and storage but this was about the smallest kitchen ever. The room’s long wall is decorated with posters and art, has a high ceiling, music in the background and the small bare wood tables are set with cloth napkins. It filled up quickly and was quite noisy, with reservations being a must unless you’re a singleton for the bar seating. Service was friendly and helpful and the food started with a flourish but then fizzled slightly. Continue reading →
exterior – 106 3 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0B6, Canada
The Silver Dragon Restaurant is located in the heart of Chinatown in Calgary. They offer over 200 Chinese dishes as well as brunch dim sum cart service daily (till 2:30). It’s a fairly large place on the second floor of the building that has been successful enough to now have a second location in Banff. The tables were well-spaced but not set with pepper oil, soy sauce or vinegar. It’s old-school Chinese food and service was friendly and fast with lots of carts coming to your table at any time. However, if you didn’t see what you wanted on a cart they would get it for you if it was presently being served. If it wasn’t they would only serve it if you had 2 orders of it. That made it tough since there were just the two of us but there was plenty of selection to choose from. They did bring us a tray with a bit of hot oil and some vinegar, but the hot oil was gone quickly. Some items came with sauce and then I saw others asking for soy, etc. and they cut most items when served. I would not call it outstanding but it was perfectly satisfying, just not extraordinary. The only specialty item worth commenting on was the ginger beef – a dish invented in Calgary. It’s a fried strip of beef in a sweet/spicy sauce. Fun to try something new. Continue reading →
view from the restaurant – Scotia Centre, 700 2 St SW #4000, Calgary, AB T2P 2W3, Canada
Major Tom is a restaurant and bar on the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place in downtown Calgary. It is the only restaurant in Alberta to be ranked in the top 20 of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants for 2023, claiming #13. Opening in the summer of 2021 it offers spectacular views of downtown (and further depending on the weather) with a menu that is heavy on steakhouse fare. While they offer other dining options, the menu highlights their beef selections which are all broiled at 1800º and brushed with Major Tom butter. It’s a large place and very popular, judging by the crowd and reservation options. The attractive interior is nicely lit by the walls of windows on the perimeter. Music is in the background, as well as much conversational noise and a full bar is available. Service is excellent and very friendly, with our great server Raven willing to pace out our meal and offer guidance on how much to order. Fortunately, the food matched the wonderful views and it was a fantastic evening. I recommend you include this one when you visit Calgary. Continue reading →
dining room – 982 Debruce Rd, Livingston Manor, NY
The current owners have run the place for 6 years and offer 6 “seasons” of menu to span the year. We were there for the ‘Stream’ season which features the many trout in the area. We were fortunate to get the same wonderful server both nights and he really made the meal enjoyable. Knowledge and friendliness are important in a great server and Giovanni Costantino has plenty of both. The tasting is offered at 6:30 and 8:00 pm so it moves at a fairly rapid pace. However, we had the later time and were there past 10, so the early seating moves more quickly. Portions are well-modulated. The beautiful landscape outside made a perfect backdrop for a meal of fish, that I didn’t have to catch or clean. I imagine the other seasonal tastings are well-crafted too. I recommend this place. Continue reading →
dining room – 982 Debruce Rd, Livingston Manor, NY
When you stay at the DeBruce breakfast is included the next morning. The sun-filled dining room opened at 9:00am and the menu changed slightly the 2 days we were there. We tried some of the same things and new items the second day. The menu says you are allowed to pick two items per person but I did hear some people customizing there order. This may have worked as the place was not full or maybe they are flexible. It never hurts to ask. Also included was coffee, tea, orange juice and apple juice. The service was not nearly as good in the morning as in the evening. For example, I asked for a coffee refill and the server complied but never offered my husband any. The service was also slower and that was probably due to fewer people working in the kitchen. The food was more mixed at breakfast and it sometimes made me wish they offered a simple omelet. But all that said, it satisfied and readied me for the day ahead. Continue reading →
The DeBruce Lodge and Restaurant, built in the 1880s, sits on a ledge overlooking the Willowemoc Vally and river in Catskill Park. There are 12 rooms whose stay includes dinner and breakfast, as well as access to many fishing spots. On Friday the menu is ‘a la carte’ and Saturday is the tasting menu (which will be in a later write-up). They sometimes offer a Carte Blanche menu for Fridays but it was not available the time we were there. Some reservations are taken for diners not staying in the lodge, but reservations are recommended. Downstairs is a club room if you desire additional drinks but upstairs, or the main floor, has the small glass-walled dining rooms that has around 8 tables. A larger table is in the Great Room for bigger groups. Music is in the background with wood walls and wooden benches lining the perimeter of the room. The seats are padded and pelts and horns provide the decorations. Skylights provide additional lighting to the votives on the tables and natural light coming in the 2 walls of windows. Once the sun goes down the room did get much darker. A large opening goes to the kitchen which is kept amazingly dark, which is nice for diners but more challenging for the chefs. Eric Leveillee is the Executive Chef but he spends most of his time in Philadelphia and Chef de Cuisine Robert West runs the kitchen here. It is a lovely spot and if you like fly fishing, pack your bags now. If you’re not a fisherman you can still enjoy this place’s wonderful hiking and food. We enjoyed both types of menus and they are quite different, so stay 2 nights if you can.
Set-Up
dining roommenuwineFrankie explored
Food
For dinner we were told we could order whatever we wanted off the menu. We wanted to try a lot and were willing to share all. The server was most helpful in crafting our meal. Our Sourdough was their bread topped with peas, fiddleheads and ricotta. The thick slice of bread was heavily spread with their housemade ricotta and then decorated with fresh fiddlehead ferns and English peas. It was delicious and a delight to have the ultra-fresh vegetables.
Our sourdoughanother angle
Roasted carrots were mixed with coffee, maple and pistachio. These might have been my husband’s favorite plate of the evening. The beautiful fresh carrots were perfectly cooked and seasoned with the nuts adding a bit more texture to the dish. They were great.
carrots
Chilled mussels were mixed with white beans and topped with housemade potato chips. It was described as chilled but it still jolted me to have the cold mussels but they were fun and tasty. The chips gave the texture some crunch and a bit of salt which the beans needed. There was also some briny liquid mixed with the beans underneath. Some of the beans could have been cooked a tad more but better this than turned to mush. The large mussels were great.
Chilled musselsuncovered
Ricotta dumplings were mixed with wild mushrooms and parmesan. The large pasta wrappers were stuffed with the tasty ricotta and then blended with tons of mushrooms and topped with lots of grated cheese and a bit of cream. They were rich, heavy and wonderful.
Ricotta Dumplingsinside
Mangalitsa pork chop au poivre was served sliced and de-boned on a fabulous sauce. The large fat cap on the meat gave it extra richness and a wonderful depth of flavor. It was slightly chewy, but this one you didn’t mind working on, especially the delectable bone meat.
Mangalitsa Pork Chopturned
Beaverkill trout was topped with fiddleheads and smoked roe. It was a boneless fillet but the head and tail were on the plate for a faux whole-fish effect. The cooking and flavor were excellent and the roe made a nice accent seasoning.
Beaverkill Trout
Rice pudding was with almond and sea buckthorn. The thick round of rice was underneath a layer of cream and sitting in the sea buckthorn sauce. It was light and yet full of flavor. I love rice pudding and this was a interesting rendition.
rice puddingcloserinside
Chocolate mousse with raspberry sorbet was topped with lime shortbread. A final drizzle of cream finished off the dish. The cookie was buttery and short and the dish had lots of textures. Some herbs were mixed in and sprinkled on the top to add another layer of flavor. It looked goopy but it was nice.
building – 630 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor, NY 12758
The Smoke Joint moved to the Catskills from downtown Brooklyn. The chef/owners Ben Grossman and Craig Samuel have won accolades for their culinary ventures. The tiny place is on the banks of the Willowemoc River and they are open from spring to fall. Here they offer a variety of sandwiches, barbecue by the pound, fried chicken, hot dogs, a variety of sides and beverages (full liquor license). They have a few tables inside but most of the dining was on the picnic tables right out the door. The tables were set with napkins, flatware and hot and regular sauces. You order and pay at the counter and then your food is brought out to you. There were cans to dispose of your trash when you are through. The people working there were pleasant and helpful and judging by the crowd we decided it was the place to grab a snack. I’m no expert on barbecue as is John Tanner who publishes a restaurant blog you’d enjoy, johntannersbbqblog.com but I think he’d appreciate the flavor of the brisket. Check out John’s blog for not only barbecue but also Washington DC, the eastern USA coast and lots of other places. You’ll enjoy his wit and writing style and add to your list of places to go and eat. Continue reading →
The Bocuse Restaurant is the French restaurant in the Culinary Institute of America. Named aptly for Paul Bocuse, it is staffed by students at the CIA who learn modern cooking techniques to bring diners classic French cuisine. It’s in a large room at one end of a main building that has a parking garage next to it. Tons of windows added even more light to the fairly bright white room. Modern ceiling fixtures add soft light as does the see-through wine cellar. One end of the room is the open kitchen. Students not only do the cooking but also the service, drinks and wine service. They were all very pleasant but varied in their competency. Bench seating lines the walls with free-standing tables in the middle of the room and music was in the background. The menu is set up as a prix fixe 3-course menu with several choices in each category. They offered a nice wine list as well as many cocktails and mocktails – some made tableside. We were there with family so I got more pictures than I got to eat, but pictures tell a lot. Overall the food was nice but some menu descriptions were off the mark. Continue reading →
Garvan’s was opened 6 years ago by Garvan and Leonie McCloskey to bring a bit of Ireland to New Paltz, NY. It is located in an historic home that was built in 1759. The restaurant is spread over 5 spacious rooms in the building that have carpet and lots of windows to the outside. With the addition of drapes and well spaced tables the noise level is quite nice. There were no special that evening but the place does offer a full bar. We were there with family and so my note-writing and picture-taking were limited. The service was friendly but not particularly attentive. Our main server took our orders and then disappeared for long periods of time while others brought the food and drinks. The food was mixed with some plates good while others were quite ordinary. The bar did turn out good cocktails though and as I said the noise level made it easy to talk. We didn’t get dessert but I got a photo of the menu. Continue reading →
Nick’s Family Restaurant is a large place, with seats for 120, and famous for its ‘pizzaburger.’ It has been in business for over 50 years and with it being locally owned and family run by the Tyler family since 1979. Windows to the street are on many sides with booths next to them. In the middle of the rooms are tables of various sizes. The first thing you see when you enter is the display case filled with pies and the check-out counter where you pay. They have a large menu that is supplemented with daily specials for lunch and dinner and serve breakfast all-day. Closed on Tuesday, they are open 6 am to 8 pm daily and are even open earlier during the week. They serve wine and beer but no full bar. Service was amazing considering how few were working there and how many people continued to arrive. The food was mixed but edible. It looks like a no-frills place and that’s the food it serves too. Nothing wrong just not calling you back to eat there again. Continue reading →
Nook is a tiny 12-seat tasting menu experience. It’s what I continually search for – a relaxed, fun-filled evening filled with wonderful flavors and textures. The restaurant is family owned by Noah and Julie Przybylski and they cook and present the evenings’s meal. Aided by some extra servers in the service, you can’t help but be consumed by their joyous and adventurous spirits. The couple met in Chicago in 2005, where the dream of opening their own restaurant hatched. They married in 2007 and welcomed a son in 2014 (whose artwork you can see downstairs). Now they have brought the dream to life with a restaurant that celebrates all that Wisconsin has to offer. A bargain at $125 per person for a 12-14 course meal. Wine pairings are available, but we ordered our own bottle. The tables each seat 2 and they’re lined up about 3 inches apart from each other. As the evening moves on conversations begin to cross over the small separation. Noah presented and explained each course as it came out with good pacing and portion control. I strongly recommend this fabulous place, if you can get a reservation – they go quickly. Continue reading →
Alimentari is basically Italian for food/groceries. This deli is in an 1,800 square foot former laundromat space and sells fresh pasta, sauces, freshly cut meats and cheeses as well as sandwiches and other dry goods. The sandwiches are made to order and there is no place to eat in the store. They also had a gelato counter but we didn’t try it. It looked like a great place to shop for Italian ingredients but for us we wanted a sandwich for the car. Similar to last week, we wanted a snack before we went on a tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright site, but this time is was Taliesin. I must say this sandwich was way better than the last both because of the filling but also the bread. The buns for their sandwiches are made daily by Madison Sourdough. They have a great chew with a crisp crust and a soft interior but it’s not too big that it dwarfs the fillings or hard to get your mouth around. I actually found myself wanting to eat parts of the bread without any filling, it was that good. If you need ingredients or just a snack, I’d head to this place right away. Continue reading →
building – US Bank Plaza, 1 S Pinckney St, Suite 107, Madison, WI 53703
L’Etoile Restaurant was opened by Odessa Piper in 1976. She was an early supporter of the sustainable food or farm-to-table movement. In 2005 she sold the restaurant to her Chef de cuisine, Tory Miller and his sister Traci. They continued the tradition of supporting local farmers and expanded to open a bakery and a casual lunch spot also. Dianne Christensen became a co-owner in 2007 and envisioned a new space for ‘L’Etoile and the addition of a gastropub. Chef Miller was the recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Midwest in 2012. The new space is in the US Bank Plaza building with 3 walls of glass looking out at the dome of the Wisconsin capital building. The widely spaced tables are covered with white cloths, sitting on carpet with a high ceiling overhead and music in the background. Parking is on your own, so allow extra time to make your reservation. They offer a “5” course tasting with 2 levels of optional wine pairings as well as an a la carte menu. The full bar and wine list has a fairly hefty mark-up but it is a good selection. We chose the tasting menu which included multiple extras and chose a half bottle of white and full bottle of red to accompany the meal. The food is excellent as was the service and if you have the chance this is a place I would recommend, but it’s not cheap. Continue reading →
The Plaza Tavern and Grill is the home of the “world-famous Plazaburger.” The burger is dressed with a Plaza sauce which is a secret recipe from 1964. The Plazaburger is ordered separately from a regular burger but they also offer a number of other food choices. Inside is a long bar that runs the length of the long room and booths run along the opposite wall. The middle of the room is open but you’ll find various game machines around the room. A number of televisions were around the room and midday they were playing an old animated show. It’s conveniently located by the capital and UW and open Wed to Sat from noon to 2 am. Goggle wrongly said they weren’t open till 3 pm on Wed but that is not the case. They were super friendly and cooked our burgers on the grill right behind the bar. It is a cash only place. Continue reading →
Paul’s Pel’meni is a small place near the UW campus serving Russian style dumplings. The owner, Paul Schwoerer, once lived in Alaska and found that Russian cuisine was good for colder climates. While there he learned to make these dumplings from a man who wanted to move back to Russia. Now he and his wife are in their 3rd location having been in business for 18 years. Everyday in the kitchen downstairs he rolls the dough and stuffs it with mashed potatoes or a savory ground beef mixture. Sour cream is the standard accompaniment but they still seemed plain to him. Now he adds a topping of yellow curry, butter, sweet chili sauce with vinegar and cilantro. They are sold in full and half orders of the beef, potato or mix. You order at the counter and they are out quickly. In the next room are tables and a water jug and a room with a bar. Later in the evening they’ll be serving lots of cocktails and draft beer to go with the dumplings. It was a quick and very satisfying lunch for us and I highly recommend you check the place out. Continue reading →
exterior (daytime) – 644 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
The Harvey House is a modern take on a supper club and train travel, located in an historic train depot. The old Baggage Claim House and a train car next door make up the interior spaces. Opened by Shaina and Joe Papach, he runs the kitchen and she provides the design and business development portion. Lots of Wisconsin classic cocktails are served as well as newer craft cocktails, but the wine list is limited. The private car, which we could see out the window in our dining room, is used mostly for private parties according to our server. Even so, it is a large place winding around different floors and rooms with music in the background. A parking lot outside can handle some of the cars but parking can become an issue. There were some area rugs on the hard floor but with all the brick walls and marble-top tables, noise quickly became an issue. The lighting is very lowered which also became difficult as the sun went down. The food was mixed but service was fine. I do love supper clubs, but as much as I admire what the owners bring to the dining scene I probably wouldn’t go back. Continue reading →
exterior – 5371 Old Middleton Rd, Madison, WI 53705
The Oakcrest Tavern opened in the 1950s and it’s famous for its burger made from “steak trimmings” but they offer a number of things on their menu, including a fish fry on Fridays. It’s a casual place with the bar counter filling half of its space. The cooking area is inside the bar area and a parking lot surrounds the building. There were lots of TVs around the room but the sound was muted and music was playing. Lots of beer paraphernalia decorated the wood walls. The staff was all super friendly and they were quick with the food and you could see it was made to order. We enjoyed Leinenkugel’s beer, which was served nicely cold in a bottle, with our lunch. I suggest you give this place a try if you have a chance but be forewarned – it’s said to get quite busy at some hours. Continue reading →
Di Anoia’s is an Italian restaurant run by Chef/Owner Dave Anoia from Lebanon, PA. that opened in 2016 in the Strip District with his wife, Aimee DiAndrea (get how they came up with the name?). They accept reservations 6 weeks in advance but do have a waiting list that actually works. The bar and patio are for walk-ins. It’s a large bustling place serving all ages on closely spaced faux marble tables with red-checked napkins. Windows to the outside are on 2 walls and one looks like it used to be a garage door. They are open for all three meals except for no breakfast on Sunday and closed all day Monday. It’s a deli/cafe by day and a full-service restaurant at night. You enter into the bar/cafe area where there is a pastry case and a full bar. The dining room is to you right. Service was helpful and friendly and the noise level is loud. Continue reading →
Groceria Merante is an Italian grocery store selling supplies and sandwiches. It started in the late 1950s and moved to its present location in 1979. The family had seven children and some of them still take part in this family run business. We were on our way to visit Falling Water, the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh. We wanted something we could keep in the car and eat before going in and this was perfect. The little corner store had wonderful products and a deli counter in back. Some sandwiches were ready made and in the cooler. At check out she gave me napkins and mayo for our meal. The sandwiches were well stuffed but did want the mayo for extra moistness. If you need Italian supplies I highly recommend this place and if you want a sandwich to go it’s a fine choice. There is no place to eat at the store.Continue reading →
exterior/day – 1230 Grandview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
Altius was a combination of fine dining and spectacular views. Located next to the top spot for the Mt. Washington Incline, the 2-story restaurant makes the most of its views with windows on three sides and 2 levels on each floor, so everybody can look around. The comfy seats have adequate-sized tables on carpet with only faint music in the background. Most of the lighting was from the windows and that would have been an issue if we hadn’t been lucky to be located under one of the ceiling spots. Some tables got quite dark as we watched the sun go down and the city’s lights go on. Bridges, stadiums and buildings are all within view as was the Duquesne Indian station and its car. A more casual crowd seemed to be celebrating special occasions among us regular diners. Service was good as was the food but the view was exceptional. Continue reading →
Primanti Bros. started in 1933 during the Great Depression. Joe Primanti had a sandwich cart that was successful enough to turn into a storefront feeding shift workers and truck drivers. Their signature is potato fries on the sandwich. The story is that someone came to the restaurant during the winter with a load of potatoes. He was concerned if they were frozen but when cooked on the grill they were fine. As other customers came in they wanted some so Joe put them on the sandwich and it was a hit. It allowed the drivers to eat with one hand while they drove. They now have 40 restaurants in over 6 states. We tried to hit the original location of this Pittsburgh icon. It is definitely worth trying and they are open daily 8 am – 10 pm and even later on Fri and Sat. The interesting thing was their menu had no prices and the drink menu on the table didn’t either. You can order extra meat or cheese on your sandwich but then I heard another patron asking how much and the server had to go to the register to check. On the website, most of the sandwiches are around $9 with $2 for extra meat/cheese. Service was super friendly and the place has murals you could study while you wait a short time for your order. They also had a full bar and several options for draft beer, which is what I tried. Continue reading →
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 →
Katalina’s is “The Little Cafe with Lots of Local Goodness.” Housed in a 100-year old gas station it is covered in grafitti art and serves breakfast, lunch and brunch. The small corner building has a couple inside tables and some stools at a counter but most of the seating is outside on the pet-friendly patio. (Someone actually had their leash-trained cat sitting on the planter box next to their table). There are a couple of parking spaces right next to the building and a lot behind it. Music was piped out onto the patio which is where we sat after ordering at the counter inside. The menu hangs on a chalkboard above but they also have printed ones. The food was brought to the table when ready. I was intrigued by a number of things on their menu but the counter person said they are famous for their Pancake Balls which are trademarked and their breakfast tacos, so we got those two things. Super friendly staff and a funky feel make this a place I suggest you try. Who could resist a pancake ball? Continue reading →
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 →
Wario’s Beef and Pork was created by Chef Stephan Madias, who wanted to bring a chef-driven sandwich shop to Columbus. He wanted customers to feel like family and to serve them quality food that is responsibly sourced and made from scratch. Their signature semolina roll is baked and delivered to the shop daily from Matija Breads and he makes, cures and smokes the other ingredients in-house. They opened in late fall of 2020 as a little sandwich window that quickly became a new city food spot. Named for a character in Nintendo’s Mario Brothers video game series, they are open Wed. through Sun. and have a few tables inside and a large patio outside. A really friendly spot, we immediately struck up a conversation with one of their regulars and their counter person was also friendly and helpful. The sandwiches are huge and excellent. I would eat there often if I lived nearby. Continue reading →
exterior – 127 S Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46225
St. Elmo Steak House has been a landmark in Indianapolis since 1902 when it opened. It is the oldest steakhouse in the city that’s in its original location. The place is huge, covering several floors with lots of different rooms and private dining options. It was founded by Joe Stahr and named for the patron saint of sailors, St. Elmo. Having had several owners over the years it is now run by Stephen Huse and his son Craig. They’ve won awards, have a huge wine cellar, valet parking and professional tuxedoed waitstaff. The large white cloth-covered tables are surrounded by brick walls and lots of photos with lowered lighting. The evening we were there, there were a number of large parties in the private rooms as well as on the floor. It had a very typical steakhouse ambiance that you have to be in the mood for. It was mixed on food but service was outstanding. Continue reading →
entrance – 653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Bluebeard is an amazing farm to table restaurant open for lunch and dinner. They have a full bar as well as lots of wine. It started as a European-style bakery, as one was not in Indianapolis in 2010. Tom Battista found a 1924 factory building in an historic Italian neighborhood in downtown and started Amelia’s Bakery which now supplies all the bread for Bluebeard. The space was large enough to house more so Tom brought in Chef Abbi Merriss and his son Edward to open a restaurant that would have the same artisanal approach to food, and they did just that in 2012. They named it Bluebeard after a book by Indianapolis native Kurt Vonnegut. Many of the decorations in the place reflect Vonnegut’s books. The winding space moves through numerous cozy rooms packed with fun decorations and happy people. They take no reservations so get there early if you don’t want to wait in line. The food is fantastic as is the service. It will be a memory you won’t forget. We didn’t get dessert but I snapped a photo of the menu for reference. Continue reading →
exterior – 601 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Vida offers innovative cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, when possible. It’s a large building with a bar on one side and the dining room on the other. The bar offers more casual dining and is in the original part of the building. They offer a 6-course Chef’s tasting menu (optional wine pairings available) or a 4-course fixed price menu with several choices for each course. Opening in 2016, it is an elegant space with a super high ceiling that has windows much of the way up. One wall of the dining room had a cushy bench that was mated with medium-sized dark bare wood tables. Carpet was on the floor and lots of wood in the room help keep the noise at a good level even with music in the background. The service was very nice with the team working together. The pacing was good as was portion control. We chose the Chef’s tasting with a dessert substitution for me and our own bottle of wine. Continue reading →
building – 234 N Belmont Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46222
The Workingman’s Friend is said to be the “best blue-collar burger place in town.” Founded around 1918 by Louis Stamatkin, an immigrant from Macedonia, who was helped by his fellow Macedonian immigrants to open the place. He served lunch to local railroad workers and other factory workers and called his place Belmont Lunch. Beer and liquor were a big draw for customers. When the workers were on strike he let them run a tab for which the place was given the nickname “The Workingman’s Friend.” When he died at the young age of 46 his sons (Carl and Earl) took over and renamed the place in his honor, but they also added some more expensive items to the menu and live entertainment. Carl’s daughter Becky started working there in 1978 and by 1980 the live music and steaks were gone. The place again focused on burgers and beer, of which the burgers are thin with a crispy edge. The expansion the sons planned never happened but it is still a large place filled with small closely spaced formica-topped tables. There are a number of lots around to park in and they were all pretty much full at 1:30 as was the interior. At one point a line formed waiting for the tables. It took close to an hour to get our food but the wait was worth it. It is a fantastic burger. The service was friendly but the noise level is loud from conversations. Televisions over the long bar were turned off, but a full bar of liquors is available. Continue reading →
building – 401 E Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Coat Check Coffee is open daily in the historic Athenaeum building. They offer pastries and bialy sandwiches in addition to coffee beverages. There are tables in the lobby next to the counter as well as by the first-floor entrance. They are located in what was the coat check area of the old theater. It is a small counter but they are fairly quick. We tried one of their sandwiches and some of their pastries. It was mostly a younger crowd but with a variety of seating options. I also saw groups with their computers possibly having a meeting at the one large table. It is run by the Small Victories hospitality group that operates several other coffee shops in the area. If you are nearby, stop by for a coffee and an almond croissant. Continue reading →
Oakley’s Bistro was started in 2002 and continues to be run by Chef Steven Oakley today. His dream was to create “an affordable, everyday destination where every meal is a special occasion.” He started cooking at 16 years of age and has gathered experience from many restaurants and other chefs. Now he and his restaurant have been recognized with many awards and he also donates a portion of the bistro’s sales to an Indianapolis food rescue program as well as opening his kitchen for training and hiring of those who want to go into the restaurant industry. The place is medium-sized with some outdoor tables also available and located in a strip shopping center. They offer an a la carte menu but also have 2 tasting menu time slots on Wed- Sat nights. We opted for that which must be reserved 24 hours in advance. As you enter the dining room you’ll see the curved booth slightly above and next to the kitchen and that is where the tasting is served by the chef himself. The 5 – 6 course tasting can accommodate up to 4 people but if you are a couple it will be just you. At $85 per person it is a good value with wine pairings available. We had a lovely evening there and would recommend the place if you are in the area. Continue reading →
exterior – 2503 N Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Goose the Market offers a daily selection of sandwiches, soups and small plates as well as a deli counter with meats, cheeses, breads, gelato, specialty foods and beer/wine. The market and butcher shop are all about the love of good food and the people who produce it. Housed in a corner building, there are a few stools by a counter at the window to the street and some outside seating. Inside is a long counter where the meats, cheese, and gelato are displayed and you can place your order. Across from that are shelves of specialty items and downstairs is the wine cellar. You could see them slicing and assembling your sandwich while you waited. Different sandwiches are specials daily. It’s a wonderful shop and the sandwiches are quite good. Continue reading →
In 1998 the award-winning Chef Chris Ward joined the M Crowd Restaurant Group as Executive Chef of The Mercury. Ward had garnered many honors including “Rising Star Chef” by the James Beard House Foundation. Today he is still in the kitchen at this neighborhood staple and packing a crowd even in the middle of the week. Located in a modest strip shopping center, inside you’ll find the lights lowered, dark wood tables, padded seating, stone and wood walls, shaded windows to the outside, and music in the background. You enter into the large bar area and now next door houses a sushi bar that shares food with this place. Along one wall is the opening to the kitchen where some terrific food is being offered to diners. There was only one special that evening but the menu covers a good range of American classics. The service was outstanding and we truly enjoyed an evening there with some friends. Continue reading →
Longoven offers a seasonal 10-13 course tasting menu highlighting local products. Owned by a trio of chefs – Andrew Manning, Patrick Phelan and Megan Fitzroy Phelan – it opened about 5 years ago. The trio united after varying careers to do a series of pop-up dinners for 4 years starting in 2014. They didn’t start out intending to offer fine dining but evolution found them receiving tons of awards as they refined their concept of flavors. Open for dinner Wed through Sat, there are few tables so get your reservation early. Wine pairings are offered and cocktails can be acquired at the Lost Letter which is the bar in the front of the building. The Lost Letter and the patio on the side also serve food made in the same kitchen, just a more casual and a la carte version. Fittingly the name refers to the community ovens of the Civil War period. They do give you copy of the menu at the end of the meal. The space is fairly dark with dark wood tables and carpet and excellent service. It is star for the Richmond dining scene and a bargain at $155/person. Go if you get the opportunity. Continue reading →
Garnett’s Cafe is a small neighborhood sandwich/salad shop on the lower floor of a 1908 corner building. Parking is on the street and seating is limited. There are several small tables in addition to seats at the L-shaped counter. Art and other objects decorate the walls. Wine and beer are available and there was a special sandwich of the day on the chalkboard outside. They are open daily for lunch and dinner and also have a selection of desserts from Laura Lee’s. Opening in 2009 they received a local dining award, an Elby, as the city’s Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant in 2014. The place was named for the owner, Kendra Feather’s, grandmother Garnett Beckham, who lived to 103. The staff was friendly and the food was good, with large portions. We were there to catch up with a friend so apologies in advance as my note-taking and photo taking were distracted. Continue reading →
L’Opossum offers a quirky take on traditional French cuisine in a very eclectic interior, masterminded by Chef/Owner David Shannon. Opening in 2015 it immediately won the Elby (Richmond-region award) Dining award for Best New Restaurant and in 2017 won the Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year. You can see why it also has claimed fame as the most romantic restaurant with a number of sexual references in the food and art. Inside you’ll find a small darkly lit place with booths on one side of the long room, cut-outs holding statues between tables on the opposite wall and small tables in the middle. The tables are embossed with gold patterns underneath heavy plastic coating that brought Rorschach to mind and the lighting is from dozens of colored balls hanging from the ceiling. The walls are covered with plates, paintings and statues. Service was great – helpful and friendly, offering advice when needed. It may not be the best food I’ve ever had but the place itself is worth a visit and a chance to soak up the vibe. Continue reading →
Stella’s serves rustic and modern Greek cuisine. Stella was born in 1942 and emigrated to the U.S. as part of an arranged marriage. Her husband opened an American classic cafe in 1956 and she joined him working there in the 1960s bringing in Greek dishes. In 1983 she opened a restaurant bearing her name a few doors down. Expanding on its success she opened a second place in 1998 offering eclectic cuisine. The current location opened in 2011 and Stella still comes by and the kitchen prepares her old family recipes. The medium-sized place is on a corner and parking is on the street. Windows make up two walls and the large L-shaped bar is opposite, set with stools with backs. A large table is midway to the back and that and the bar are for walk-in seating. Otherwise, it is a bunch of small bare wood tables with some bench seating or larger tables for 4 with chairs. The ceiling is tin, Greek music is in the background and it’s very busy. However, the service didn’t rush you and was glad to bring things out individually so we could split them. The server warned us we ordered too much as the portions were large but agreed to give the kitchen our apologies that we were going to waste some food in order to be able to try lots. If you like Greek food try and get a reservation and otherwise get there early and snag an open seat. Continue reading →
hotel exterior – The Jefferson Hotel, 101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220
Lemaire is the fine dining restaurant in the historic Jefferson Hotel. It is named for President Thomas Jefferson’s maitre d’ Etienne Lemaire who is credited with introducing cooking with wine to America. The menu changes seasonally and is under Chef Patrick Willis, a Virginia native, since 2009 when the place underwent a major renovation. The hotel was lovely and had a nice bar just outside where you could wait for your table. Inside the elegant dining room was one room with elaborate plaster moldings, Italian chandeliers, mirrors, custom draperies and double-clothed large tables. Some windows were on two sides of the room and provided additional light to the small votive on the table. The padded leather chairs, carpet and well-spaced tables make a conversation easy yet private. Service was professional yet friendly and guests varied from those celebrating a special occasion to casual hotel guests. We wanted to split a number of things and they were happy to course it out for us. This place is worth a visit. Continue reading →
Perly’s is a Jewish Restaurant and Delicatessen serving “traditional Jewish cuisine with a twist.” In the heart of downtown, they are open Wed. to Sun. from 9:00 am till 3:00 pm. The place originally opened in 1961 and has had 3 owners with the current ones taking over in 2014 and adding the twist. It’s a long place with one side taken up by the long bar that ends in the kitchen space. The area that’s left is divided in two with booths and tables. The marble bar had stools opened and we took that as there was a wait for tables even later in the afternoon. Music was in the background, windows to the street provided additional light to the many fixtures, a black and white movie played silently on the screen above the bar, the ceiling looked like an old tin one and a pair of larger semi-circular booths flanked the doorway. Continue reading →
Buck’s Restaurant is in the heart of Old Louisville in the historic Mayflower building. Established in 1992 they wanted to create a “moon garden” and filled the restaurant and bar with white flowers against the dark green walls. The continental menu is served on artfully mismatched china and nightly live piano music adds to the ambiance. The medium-sized place felt very retro with a large bar dividing the 2 rooms. The tables were covered with white clothes and set with black napkins. The lighting was lowered, the bar is decorated with liquor bottles, the crowd was a bit more casual and there is a dedicated parking lot. Service was super friendly but in all honesty we were thrilled to have the young chef from our B & B be our server for the evening. Continue reading →
Frank’s Deli also sells meat and produce. They offer a selection of made-from-scratch food choices, with sandwiches made while you wait. Frank has been in business over 40 years. His background was in butchering so he started the store with meat and produce in the late 70s. The corner building offers an array of produce, meats, sauces, chips and snacks – as much locally sourced as possible. Most of the folks in there were in the line to order food to go. There is no seating inside or out but we were fine to eat in the car. The line moved quickly and the person taking my order was nice enough to suggest the spicy mustard instead of regular with the corned beef. The sandwiches were well stuffed and I bet if I lived in town I’d be there all the time getting something to bring home or eat in the car. They do have a good-sized parking lot. Continue reading →
exterior –610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
610 Magnolia was in a 125-year-old carriage house in Old Louisville – the creation of Chef Edward Lee. In 2003 he wanted a modern take on the Southern Table and so offers a 5-course tasting menu with 2 options on 4 of the courses. Wine pairings are available as well as a full bar. Since there were 2 of us we decided to each order one of the options so we could try the whole menu. The menu focuses on seasonality and locally sourced produce including their own greenhouse and farm. It’s a medium-sized place with rock music in the background. A large bar filled one area but it did not have seats. The nice-sized tables were bare wood set with white cloth napkins and windows to the outside helped with the otherwise dim lighting. They do 2 seatings a night and reservations must be made by calling. We were in the early seating and as such the noise level was good at first but then became difficult as the later crowd arrived and more drink was consumed. The food was mixed but Chef Lee was in the house and did come around to visit with guests. We tried their pairings which were okay and small pours. Continue reading →
entrance to restaurant – The Brown Hotel, 335 West Broadway, Louisville, KY, 40202
J. Graham’s Cafe is in the Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville. One of several restaurants in the hotel they are the ‘light and airy’ one. They are famous for the “Hot Brown” which was invented there in 1926 and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NBC’s Today Show and many other media outlets. In the 1920s The Brown Hotel regularly had over 1,200 guests every evening for its dinner dance. As the guests grew tired and hungry they wanted something glamorous to eat and Chef Fred Schmidt created the open-face turkey sandwich he called the Hot Brown. The Cafe is on the first floor of the hotel and if you dine there you are given 2 hours free valet parking, which is nice in the busy downtown. The room had windows looking out to the street which provided much natural light, bare wood tables, carpet, walls decorated with poster art and nicely padded seats and benches. A full bar is available. Service was a tad pushy, trying to upsell a bit and not particularly attentive but there were enough service people you didn’t get forgotten. The sandwich is an icon so I had to try it. Continue reading →
Jack Fry’s is celebrating 90 years in business. Jack and Flossie Fry opened in 1933 and the restaurant was mostly a sportsman hangout due to his love of horse racing and boxing. He closed the business in 1972 and then the space served Mexican food until it was re-established as Jack Fry’s in 1982. Susan Seiller bought the restaurant in 1987, the year Jack died. She transformed the restaurant into fine dining and then sold it to Stephanie Meeks in 1996, who started working there in 1996. She further upgraded the dining area and bar as well as adding climate-controlled wine storage. The place has won many awards and is filled with photos of its history, including the photo of Jack with the winning Derby ticket that made it possible to purchase the restaurant. It’s a cozy medium-sized darkly lit place with a small parking lot adjacent to one side. The white tablecloths, tin ceiling and full bar are complimented by the lovely live piano music. Service was friendly and helpful and I would heartily recommend this place if you find yourself in Louisville. Continue reading →
One of the aspects of Harbor House Restaurant that I haven’t written much about is its status as a sustainable site. In 2020 they received a Michelin Green Star for their efforts in recycling and local sourcing. Nothing is wasted. For example, they make their candles from recycled fryer oil and beeswax, they repurpose wine corks for mulch and re-use vegetable rinsing water to water growing plants – and that’s a small accounting of their efforts. It’s wonderful to think you can come here and have the elegant and sophisticated experience of a 2 Michelin star restaurant and still not leave a huge carbon footprint as a result. It’s excellent food and the staff is first rate. Frankie enjoyed visiting with a number of the team during our visit. Make your reservation for this tasting menu today! Continue reading →
exterior – 38820 S, CA-1 Unit 104, Gualala, CA 95445
Gualala Seafood Shack is a small place with shared picnic-style tables inside and tables on the outside patio. Located in a one-story shopping center, you order at the counter from the menu hanging above but there are also signs about specials hanging on the window as you walk in. After you order and pay, you get a beeper to buzz you when your order is ready. Afterward, there is a place to stack trays and baskets and throw out the trash. Music is in the background and bathrooms are available inside but this is a no-frills place. They advertise that their seafood is sourced locally and are closed on Monday and Tuesday. Continue reading →
Harbor House Inn and Restaurant – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA, 95432
Harbor House Restaurant has been written up on this site numerous times and they continue to excel even with the weather challenges California has faced. The most recent rains and wind did real damage to their ranch and all the growing produce but, other than less vegetables on the menu the food there just gets better and better. The wine list also grows and a new beverage director will be in place very soon but in the meantime sommelier Jason is doing a fine job with new additions. The setting is beautiful and I encourage you to stay either in one of the rooms of the Inn or the cottages on the property. Breakfast is another fun treat. We were thrilled to spend 2 nights and enjoy 2 dinners with Chef Matthew Kammerer and the dynamic team working at the place and I’m sure you’ll see more posts about dinners there in the future. Put this one on your list! Continue reading →
Frankie took the night off and we slipped into Cry Wolf for a delicious dinner. We were lucky to snag reservations for the Chef’s Counter seats where you are able to see all the dishes get prepared and chat with the talented chefs. What a treat to find owner Ross Demers at the grill. The menu had changed quite a bit in the month since we were there and many exciting choices were available. Also, Sommelier Tim Case had added some fun new wines and Sous Chef Mike Stites was doing the finishing touches before the plates were served. I’ve described this place before but my rule of thumb is to go as often as you can while a place is hot – you never know what the future holds. So, get there now cause this place is on the top of its game. Continue reading →
Chez Fonfon was a casual French bistro that opened in 2000. It is under the helm of Chef Frank Stitt but the night we were there it was his wife Pardis Stitt who was on site. (She also is a co-owner of Highlands Bar and Grill). The large place was crowded and busy with a large bar taking up about a third of the room. Music was in the background, lights were lowered, windows looked out to the street and parking, and the good-sized tables were bare wood set with cloth napkins. The vibe was of younger people and lively conversations. We were lucky to get a table in a corner, otherwise, the noise might have made me like the place less. Service was good as was the food, which was first-rate. I’d go back, especially for the dessert. Continue reading →
Ranelli’s Deli has been on the southside of Birmingham serving sandwiches, salads and pastas since 1971. It is family owned and operated and has live music some nights. The place was a former gas station so there is parking on 2 sides. Inside you approach the counter and make your order from the sign above and pay. They will call out your name when it’s ready. In the meantime, you can look around at the jam-packed room filled with music memorabilia and other things. In the back of the room is a small stage where live bands can play. There is an assortment of small tables crowded into the room with soft music in the background. Their Italian dinners looked like quite a deal and they were served all day. I’d go back and try those but we just wanted a sandwich midway through the day. We should have split one – they are large and packed with ingredients. Nothing outlandish here, just good solid plain food. Continue reading →
Bottega is open for dinner Wed through Sat and now reservations can be made 4 weeks in advance, online and by phone. The formal dining room opened in 1988 in the historic Beaux-Art building. A Café opened next door 2 years later which offers more casual dining. The building originally was an upscale clothing store and later housed some medical care units until it became a restaurant, but it retains the original facade and front windows and tile floor. Chef and Owner Frank Stitt received the James Beard Foundation’s Award for Best Chef Southeast in 2001 as well as many other awards during his time in the industry. Now the good-sized tables are covered with two white cloths, large metal chandeliers provide soft lighting supplemented with votive candles on the tables and some tract lighting in the high ceiling. Currently, they are not using their upstairs seating due to staffing shortages. It has a feel of elegance, the noise level is good and the crowd seemed a bit older. Service was wonderful as was the food. I heartily recommend this place. Continue reading →
exterior – 2902 18th Street South, Homewood. AL, 35209
Johnny’s Restaurant is a blend of Greek and Southern styles of cooking. Chef Timothy Hontzas has Greek heritage, naming the restaurant after his grandfather Johnny who also cooked. Opening in 2012 this place offers a “meat and three” style with Greek specialties as well as traditional dishes like meatloaf. It is located on the second level of a busy shopping center where parking could be an issue. You place your order at the counter with the large chalkboard menu behind the counter but some additional specials were posted on the wall as you walked up. You get a number and the servers find and bring your food out to you. All lunch plates come with a choice of cornbread or yeast roll. Music is in the background, the drink station is in the back and portions are generous. The food is quite good, especially the vegetables. I would love to go back and sample more dishes – hope you’ll get a chance to try it. Continue reading →
exterior – 2013 2nd Ave., N. Birmingham, AL, 35203
Helen is a contemporary Southern grill under the helm of Chef Rob McDaniel and his wife Emily. Helen was Rob’s grandmother who cooked on an indoor grill. The large restaurant is in downtown Birmingham in a 2-story 1920s shotgun-style building. Opening in the summer of 2020 they serve diners downstairs with upstairs having private party rooms or it can seat diners as needed. Small bare wood tables sit opposite a wood bench with movable pillow backs. Some larger tables accommodate bigger groups. Windows look out to the street, a small bar has chairs for waiting, pictures are on the walls, valet parking is available out front and a long open kitchen is in the back. The noise level was acceptable but the service could border on pushy. The food was good but once again we encounter “the small table and lots of plates at one time” issue. Continue reading →
The Essential is a medium-sized bar and cafe in an historic part of downtown Birmingham that serves contemporary American food. They serve dinner, brunch on weekends and lunch, which is what we had there. They have seating inside at tables and at a long bar or tables on a patio, which did have heaters. Along with a full bar, they offered a nice wine selection. Large windows in the dining area overlook the outside patio and street and music plays in the background. A fun tile floor was opposite a decorative ceiling and one wall had a bench seat that accompanied the small round marble tables. The back end of the room was a large opening into the kitchen. At lunch, they have fewer items to pick from than at dinner but whenever you go you’ll find fine food and service here. This place should be on your list if you visit Birmingham. Continue reading →
house – 302 Pettigru Street, Greenville, SC., 29601
Pettigru Place Bed and Breakfast is in the historic district of downtown Greenville. The tree-lined street is mostly businesses and other B & Bs in the older large homes. The Federal-style home has 6 guest rooms that come with breakfast every day. They alternate between sweet and savory days but are 2 or 3 courses with very generous portions. They were so lovely I thought I’d include them in this blog. Here are 3 mornings’ indulgences. Sorry, Frankie didn’t make an appearance – she likes to sleep in. Continue reading →
Scoundrel was opened in October of 2022 by Greenville native Joe Cash. He wanted to create a French bistro like he’d find in NYC or LA. It’s a good-sized place that’s divided in half by curtains, with the bar and its seating on one side and a long bench seat facing small tables on the other side. Opposite those tables are semi-circle booths with larger tables and padded seating. Music was in the background and lights were lowered, supplemented by spots on some of the tables. Wood floors, exposed ductwork above, and art featuring the ‘scoundrel’ cover the walls. they have 2 unisex bathrooms and one is marked with a warning that it is not ‘family friendly’ due to the provocative photos on the wall. I’m betting the notice was posted after several comments were posted about it on the trip advisor reviews. The full bar offers lots of options but the wine list was mostly uninspired. Noise was not a problem here maybe due to spacing or design but that was nice as was the excellent and friendly service. Continue reading →
back entrance – 550 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
Hall’s Chophouse was started by the Hall family in 2009 in Charleston. They now have 5 locations in this area of the country with Nashville set as the next to open. They bill themselves as serving the finest steaks money can buy, offering an extensive wine list and serving hearty family-style sides all with great service. The Greenville location is located in the refurbished part of downtown overlooking the water feature. Parking is on the street as well as in several city-owned parking garages. It was a fairly large place with huge windows taking in the view with an equally huge bar available for drinking and dining. At lunch, they had some different menu options but the entire dinner menu is available too. Be advised that portions are large. The nice sized tables were cloth covered but I found the service to be a bit overdone bordering on intrusive and pushy. We were there for a relaxed visit with a longtime friend and the constant picking up of plates we were using to replace them with larger ones, changing out flatware after plates were served and the pushing of extra orders did not endear their service to me. Continue reading →
The Anchorage was a small place in the Village of West Greenville serving an eclectic menu. Partnered with Horseshoe Farms the restaurant brings the farm-to-table concept to life by having a variety of vegetable dishes on the menu. Executive Chef/Owner Gregory McPhee opened the restaurant in early 2017 and the place was a semi-finalist for the 2018 Best New Restaurant James Beard Award. Carlos Baez, Chef de Cuisine has cooked in many places but joined the team in August 2020 and was in charge of the kitchen the evening we dined. It’s a small 2-story place with a dining room and partially open kitchen on the first floor and dining and bar area on the second floor. Next door is a tiny wine shop where you actually enter the restaurant, but wines are available for purchase. We were a little confused about where to enter and some of the regular patrons found us wandering and showed us the way in. They were local people who said it was their favorite place and I can see why. Parking was on the street, music was in the background, wood and brick made up the walls, and lighting was lowered with a bench seat lining one wall. The guests were made up of a range of people but it never got too noisy to talk. The service was fabulous. The menu offers 9 plates a la carte but there is a tasting option where you get to try all of the dishes in 3 groupings, with scaled portioning. It is the way to go, which you should – as soon as you can. Continue reading →
Comal 864 is the creation of Brownsville, Texas native Dayna Lee Márquez, who wanted to bring South Texas food to this region. It started in July 2019 as a pop-up operation and in Nov. 2022 opened a storefront operation that also offers catering. Chef Márquez was nominated in 2023 for a James Beard Best Chef Southeast Award. The little house has parking on either side and picnic tables out front. Inside a long counter with stools runs in front of the kitchen and order area and the rest is filled with tables and chairs. You order at the counter and they’ll bring it to your table. Chef Márquez was in the kitchen and you could see her preparing plates along with her helpers. For 2:00 in the afternoon, it was surprisingly busy but they are open all day. The counter person was helpful in choosing what to order and the portions are very generous. While the dishes may be novel to this area I found them very lacking in spice, but I admit I am surrounded by and love spicy Tex-Mex. If I were closer I’d try the place again because the ‘bones’ of it were great but for me, the end result missed the mark. Continue reading →
exterior – 654 South Main Street, Greenville, SC., 29601
Coral was a large place in the West End district of downtown. It’s basically divided into 2 rooms, one bar and one dining. The kitchen is under the helm of Joshua Dill and Addison Stone, both South Carolina natives but it is owned by 3 friends who all were born elsewhere and ended up in the Greenville area. It’s a busy and loud place that stresses the bar and cocktails as well as local seafood. Painted brick walls are lined with booths and small bare wood tables. The lighting is quite low but spots set in the black ceiling shine intensely on the outer ring of tables. The floor was carpeted and there were sound panels on the walls, the only music was in the bar that blended slightly into the background but the crowds made noise an issue for me. Service was friendly and helpful but it’s hard for servers when plates are large and tables are small. The food was mixed but it’s definitely a happening place. Continue reading →
Riverstreet Family Restaurant is a fairly large place divided into 2 rooms by a partial wall. The good-sized tables are mostly in one room with the other having the bar facing the service area and opening to the kitchen, Plenty of parking surrounds the building and music from the kitchen radio bleeds into the dining areas. The interior is a combination of wood, brick, shingles, metal and windows to the outside covered with blinds. A couple of deer head mounts and various signs complete the eclectic interior. The large menu features breakfast all day, a lot of burger variations and is supplemented by daily specials. The portions are large and the staff quite efficient and helpful as well as knowledgable of the names and situations of many of the regular customers. Coffee comes as a pot on the table and overall the food was good but regular. In other words, I would go again but not go out of my way to get there. Continue reading →
exterior – 5650 Village Glen Drive, Dallas, TX., 75206
Meridian brings modern Brazilian cuisine to Dallas as prepared by Chef Junior Borges. Opening in 2021, the restaurant celebrates chef’s Brazilian roots in a lively and beautiful setting surrounded by apartments, offices and small businesses. There is valet parking available but there are lots of places if you’re willing to walk. You enter through the large bar area that also has some small booth seating and proceed into the large main dining room with one wall having an opening to the open kitchen. Opposite walls are mostly glass with lights in the trees surrounding the place. Music is in the background and the tables vary in size with some couch-like comfortable seating. Maybe due to the wood floor or lots of plants but even in a very full room, it wasn’t too noisy to talk at the table. Lights are dimmed but it’s not overly dark. In the dining room, they offer a 4 course fixed price menu with several selections in each category or guests can go a la carte in the Bar Room or patio. The fixed price menu also has some additions available as well as supplements and wine pairings. We got the pairings and while it is a way to match the wine in food, the pours are very small and the matchings were not inspired. There is a happy hour also with drink specials and different food items. Open every day but Monday, it’s a fun place to try. Continue reading →
FIG opened in 2003 and this was our third visit, the last being in March 2017. More plants are growing on the sign over the front door but you still enter into the bar area and then proceed to the big dining room. The lights were lowered, white cloths covered the large tables, the ceiling dark, floors wood, and walls red with no music in the background. We were privileged to be seated in one of the two red booths in back with really comfy seats. The place was still very popular with tables being turned regularly even on a Thurs. night. We were very happy to get to chat with Chef Jason Stanhope who was recovering from ankle surgery, but stopped by the table at the end of the meal as I requested getting an updated photo of him. The place is named for “Food Is Good” rather than the fruit and it is well-named indeed. When you have the chance I suggest you dine at this fine restaurant. Continue reading →
We were excited to return to Chez Nous but slightly dismayed to not see Chef Jill Mathias in the kitchen. This visit we got to sit downstairs and enjoy the jazz music that plays in the background. There is a second fireplace at the base of the stairs to the upper level and the tables are just as small down here. There are also a few stools at the bar counter in front of some of the wines. The decorations in the place are from a local antique store that one of the owners is also involved in. Also found out that the doors to the bathrooms are original to the house. The setup was the same as before, with 2 choices for each of the 3 courses and that really befuddled the neighboring table that wanted French onion soup or any soup (they eventually left). We however were happy with the choices but this trip wanted the same things and split the dessert as we knew a heavy dinner was on the schedule. The food didn’t dazzle me as much as the first visit but I would still plan to visit this place every chance I get because the food is that good and the concept is very refreshing to me. Continue reading →
exterior – at Cannon Green, 103 Spring St., Charleston, SC., 29403
Wild Common promises “bold and inventive cuisine” in several dining spaces. We chose the Chef’s Counter but there is also the indoor dining room or private courtyard. The space is large and also accommodates a couple of event spaces, neither of which were in use nor was Chef Orlando Pagán in the kitchen. You enter the plain building and go down a long hall, thinking you’ve entered the wrong space. When you find the dining area there is also a marble bar that looks into the kitchen and a large changing digital painting that dominates the dining room. Opening in the spring of 2019, you’ll find high ceilings and music in the background. They offer a tasting menu (with supplements) only and have optional wine pairings. The pricing of the menu and supplements was off in that each supplement was as much or more than the whole menu – seemed odd. We chose our own bottle and a cocktail from the bar to go with our tasting menu as printed. The menu had good portioning and very fast pacing. Staff were all friendly and helpful. Continue reading →
Chez Nous is a small place in an 1835 2-story home. Around 9 years ago Chef Jill Mathias started serving the cuisine of southern France, northern Italy and northern Spain for lunch and dinner 6 days a week. She serves the same menu of 2 appetizers, 2 entreés and 2 desserts both times of day but changes the menu daily. Chef writes the new menu by hand every day in a very stylized script, with the first line in the language of the area and the second in English. The place just holds 36 guests inside and 20 on the outside patio. Music is in the background, light streams through the many windows, upstairs a bench runs along the long wall with no pillows and tiny tables. Upstairs wide plank old floors are opposite exposed ceiling rafters and the end of the room has a crumbling brick fireplace. It all works to feel like you’ve jumped back in time to enjoy a meal in a friend’s home. Don’t let anything stop you from getting to this place and eating some of her great food. We were so impressed we made a reservation for the next day’s lunch while we sipped coffee. Continue reading →
Chasing Sage is a medium-sized place that tries to focus on locally grown produce and locally sourced meat and seafood. They were scheduled to open in March 2020 but due to the pandemic instead sponsored a series of pop-up take-out meals. They officially opened for dinner in June 2021. The Chef, Walter Edward is a graduate of the CIA in Hyde Park, NY and then worked internationally before opening this place. His wife, Cindy Edward runs a farm, that has been in her family and will now supply produce for the restaurant. The space is long with a bar on one side, a long service table in the middle and small tables filling the rest of the space that ends with a window to the kitchen. Faint music is in the background, the lights are fairly low, candles are on the tables, and the walls have decorations of wine bottles, books and such. It’s a cozy feel but the food did not live up to my expectations. The menu is a la carte but they offer a ‘let us pick for you’ option which we tried. The pacing was varied as were the portions. Continue reading →
building – Wentworth Mansion, 149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
Circa 1886 is the restaurant in the carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion. Guests of the mansion are entitled to one entrée of their choosing for breakfast, however they also serve dinner. We were scheduled to have dinner there but let it go when an opening became available at another place we wanted to try – so many good places to eat in Charleston. We did stay at the Wentworth so we had breakfast there twice but skipped the other 2 days due to planned lunches. After passing through the lovely patio the door opens into the cozy bar room. The main dining room is a small but elegant space with double clothed large tables, well spaced and a few large booths along one wall. Service was great and friendly and the food was good. The pastries were a real surprise, being house-made, probably by Ashley Cardona the pastry chef. It would have been easy to fill up on them. I suspect dinner there would be very nice. Continue reading →
