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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
exterior- 2063 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
The Obstinate Daughter is named for the American victory in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island in 1776, where a British cartoonist illustrated the defenders of Charleston as “Miss Carolina Sulivan, one of the obstinate daughters of America”. Their website describes the place as a ‘Lowcountry Food Fort.” They have a wood-fired pizza oven as well as a raw bar and relationships with local fishermen and farms. It’s a large place on the second floor of frame house with a patio facing the street and a very small parking lot downstairs. The eclectic menu has influences from Italian and Spanish cuisines and the interior is decorated with a nautical theme. There were 2 main rooms, one with a bar and counter and the other with an open kitchen and an assortment of table types. Music was in the background, lots of windows look to the outside and the staff was all super friendly and helpful. The food was excellent. Continue reading →
entrance – 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL., 33139
Joe’s Stone Crab was opened as a lunch counter in 1913, before Miami Beach was a city, by Joe Weiss. He moved south from New York due to his asthma and found he could breathe easier in Miami Beach. It started as a lunch stand and by 1918 he and his wife bought a small house and set up tables on the porch, calling it Joe’s Restaurant. For a number of years, they were the only restaurant on the beach and Al Capone was a regular customer (using a different name). Around 1921 a researcher discovered stone crabs, but they were not known to be eaten. Joe gave them a try and they were an instant hit. His son Jesse evolved into running the place and had the personality to attract many celebrities and the well-to-do crowd. The place served food to Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Joe Kennedy and J. Edgar Hoover to name a few. The third and fourth-generation family members now run the place with some employees having worked there up to 50 years. It is an institution, to say the least. A huge place, there are several dining rooms, a large bar and a patio all appointed with formally dressed staff and double white clothed tables. Service is fabulous as is the food. An experience not to be missed. Continue reading →
La Rey de las Fritas has been serving Cuban food in Miami for 40 years. They originated and are known for “La original Frita Cubana” – a Cuban-style burger they invented. It is a ground beef patty with sautéed onions that is topped with a mound of shoestring fried potatoes on a fluffy Cuban roll. There are several locations but we visited what we think was the original. Located in a strip shopping center, it was a large place with 2 U-shaped counters with stools facing toward the kitchen and the opposite wall had booth seating. It was bright and a bit sterile, but managed to get a fair number of people both eating in and taking out. Their famous burgers are offered with a number of variations and otherwise they had a large menu of Cuban dishes. They also had shakes and drinks made from lots of different fruits and so we also tried a mango shake or Batidos. The sandwich was interesting but not killer however the shake was lovely. Continue reading →
exterior – 229 14th Street, Miami Beach, FL., 33139
La Sandwicherie was started in 1988 to bring simple sandwiches at a good price point to Miami Beach. Since then they have expanded to include several Florida cities. The sandwiches are on crisp white or wheat baguettes or soft croissants and all have the signature dressing vinaigrette on the side. All include veggie toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, hot peppers, black olives, red onions, cucumbers, and Cornichons (French pickle). They also offer salads and a variety of fruit drinks, but no alcoholic beverages. There is no interior; it’s simply a counter with a few stools and a space designated for ordering. You can customize your French inspired sandwich in any way you’d like. The counter workers take your order and make your sandwich and music is in the background. They are super friendly and helpful. The sandwiches are wonderful and on great bread. Continue reading →
exterior – 1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70130
Commander’s Palace has been on this blog several times, but this time we were back for lunch. The menu is smaller and cheaper and they still off 25¢ martinis which come in several variations. No wonder they had a good crowd but it also turned out to be KingsDay, which is the start of Carnival Season and so there were tables of people dressed and ready to start the celebrations. It seemed like private parties were being seated upstairs. There is a limit of 3 on the drinks “cause that’s enough” and it truly is. They also have $5 deals on a couple other cocktails. One caveat is that you do have to purchase an entrée. The food was fine but mostly the ambiance won me over this time. Continue reading →
exterior – 1117 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA, 70116
Saint John is a large long space from Chef/Owner Eric Cook, who has worked at many fine restaurants in New Orleans. His first restaurant was Gris-Gris and this one opened in Oct. 2021. There are several rooms as well as a long bar for seating. Upstairs has balcony seating as well as rooms for rent for private parties. As you walk to the back room, the long open kitchen is on your right but first you pass a huge mural by Deurty Boys that features tributes to deceased local chefs and hospitality leaders. The same artist did pieces of stained glass art for each of the elevated booths across from the kitchen. The space is quite bright, music is in the background and the tables are topped with marble. Service was helpful but there were very few people there. This surprised me as it’s right across from the way popular beignet restaurant. It could be the coldness of the place, the high prices, the average food or the time of year. Take your pick but I don’t recommend this one – it’s not bad but not worth the money. Continue reading →
Galatoire’s has been written up on this blog numerous times but on our most recent visit we tried a few different items so I thought I’d post pictures and some commentary. I had read that the food had gone downhill following Covid so I also wanted to re-visit. While everything was not spectacular, and some even a little off, overall it was a fine meal. The service there is so adaptable and the crowd too lively, it’s hard not to have a good time. The menu seemed smaller but I learned a new thing – that you can order half sizes of many of the entrees. This allows you to try more things. I still recommend this place for a dose of wonderful seafood cooked nicely with lots of butter. Continue reading →
exterior – Campiello de la Pescaria, 3968, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Al Covo has been written up on this blog numerous times but it’s been several years and on this trip we went for lunch instead of dinner and sat in a different room. It’s been in business since 1987 and is always a favorite stop when we are in town. Chef-owner Cesare Benelli and his wife Diane (who makes all the desserts) are now happy to have their son helping in the kitchen. Diane is from Texas and always welcomes a bit of her old home visiting her current home. A fairly small place, we’ve always been seated in the bigger dining room but this time we were ‘walk-ins’ and got to try out the smaller room to the left as you enter. The small wood tables were fairly close and well-lit by the adjacent windows. There was music in the background, as well as lively conversation and all the family was in the house. In addition to the printed menu, there were a couple of daily specials. We had a thoroughly delightful meal with great service in a very welcoming place. Continue reading →
exterior — Piscina S. Zulian, 544, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Al Conte Pescaor serves classic Venetian food with a global wine cellar of more than 1800 bottles. They specialize in seafood from the lagoon, especially what is seasonal and have been in business 93 years, 32 of which have been at their current location. On a corner, their 2 rooms are in an ‘L’ shape and there is a patio. The walls are covered with memorabilia and wine bottles, the small tables have white cloths, their logo of “Al Conte Pescaor” is on everything, music is in the background, the room is well lit, some bench seating lines the walls, the second room has booth seating and the ceiling is wood. It was not busy when we stopped in for lunch, but this is off-season. The service was friendly, helpful, and knew what was in season for ordering purposes. It’s a nice place with good but not great food. One thing for me though, was that they had some of the small seasonal offerings like razor clams and Moeche or soft shell crabs. Don’t go here looking for new and interesting combinations, go here for good preparations of typical Venetian food and you’ll leave happy. Continue reading →
exterior – Dorsoduro 3778 Crosera, Calle S. Pantalon, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Estro – Vino e Cucina was opened in 2014 by brothers Alberto and Dario Spezzamonte with the former leading the kitchen and Dario in the front of the house and wine program. It is a wine bar serving modern-style Venetian cuisine and Cicchetti. Of the 2 rooms in the place, the first is the bar and snack area and the second room has a dozen small tables for seated dining. The walls surround you with wine, the floor is stone, a wood ceiling is above that dangles candles, faint music is in the background, and spotlights illuminate the individual tables. They have an a la carte menu, daily specials and 3 or 4 course tasting menus. We created our own tasting of sorts by splitting a number of dishes. The food is inventive and fun. Continue reading →
exterior – Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina, 5401, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Osteria da Alberto has been around since the 1920s and serves homestyle Italian food. The small place has 2 rooms with some windows overlooking the canal beside it. The low ceiling is wood beamed with lots of pots hanging from it and also decorating the walls along with photos. The dark wood tables have dampened lighting and paper cloths and napkins. It has a cozy feel with efficient and friendly service. They are known for their seafood and pastas and we took the wise recommendation to order the special of the day. Looking around that is what many of the guests did too. The food here was well made with a good amount of flavor and an inexpensive price point. The kitchen split our pasta dish for us but for the fish we were on our own. Continue reading →
building –21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, CA.
Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria is in an historic building on the main street of Geyserville. They bill themselves as serving Califorian cuisine with an “Italian state of mine.” Their regularly changing menu features locally sourced meats, fish and produce. Chef/Owner Dino Bugica spent 10 years in Italy learning local methods. They are open daily for lunch and dinner, with a bigger menu at dinner. It’s a good sized places with 2 interior rooms, the larger one also housing a long bar with seats and the kitchen. The second room is a good bit smaller but there is also patio seating. There is a full bar, music in the background, lowered lighting, tin ceiling, wood floors, brick walls and parking is on the street as you can find it. In addition to the house cured salumi they make Neopolitan style pizza in the wood burning oven. The bread for their sandwiches comes from a bakery in Healdsburg. We were there to try the Prime Rib Sandwich which is only available on the lunch menu but got seduced by the oven to order a pizza too. It’s worth a visit. The food is great.
Set up
sign outsideentranceinteriorto another roomsecond interior roomkitchenbar areaFrankie found some artmenudrinkswinewine
Food
The Prime Rib Sandwich comes with thinly sliced prime rib, tonnato aioli, onions, giardiniera, salsa verde, Pt. Reyes Toma and horseradish. It also came with a good portion of chopped salad on the side. The well-stuffed sandwich was wonderful and plenty for 2, although it did not come cut. It was so stuffed that some of the meat and cheese dripped out into the salad which made it even tastier. The marinated cauliflower was almost meatlike and was part of one of the sauces on the beef. There were a lot of seasonings and some oil on the ingredients that made it pretty drippy, but also full of flavor. As I mentioned earlier, they did not make the bread it came on but it was great and nicely toasted. It was really good.
prime rib sandwichturnedturnedinsidesalad
The Boscaiolo Pizza was topped with sausage, mushrooms, house-smoked pork belly, peppers, local greens, and creamed onions. The onions were basically the sauce for the pizza. There was a generous amount of cheese on the pie and a lovely rise to the edge of the crust. The fresh mushrooms were thickly cut and added a wonderful amount of flavor as did the sausage. The pork belly melted into the cheese and onions but added even more fun flavor. Each table has a bottle of Calabrian Chili oil if you want to add it to the pizza. It is not too spicy, it just added even more flavor. This was a great one too.
Boscaiolo Pizzaanother angleclosercloser Calabrian Chili oilFrankie enjoyed the bathroom arrangement
Southern Porch is a family-run operation not too far from Asheville. The current couple that owns it started it with the wife’s mother and stepfather, who had chef experience. The senior couple retired in March of 2019. The building was constructed as a house in 1876, before Canton was even a town. As the town boomed due to a paper mill the building was purchased in 1910 and made into a hotel. A 4-story tower was added and it became The Imperial Hotel. Much has since transpired but the ownership started restoration of the building’s appearance to the 1920’s look and then welcomed Southern Porch Kitchen and Drink onto the premises. The inside dining rooms now are large and fairly unadorned. The bar was off to the side when we entered the large room with well-spaced tables, a high tin ceiling, a wood floor and rock music in the background. The menus were large and so worn that much of the print was wiped off. There were a number of people working there but our server was not particularly experienced. Continue reading →
exterior – 22 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, NC., 28801
Chai Pani translates to “tea and water” and is slang for going out for a quick bite. The restaurant features the street food of India as well as some comfort food you might be served in a home. Opening 13 years ago Chef/Owner Meherwan Irani and his wife wanted to offer an under-represented type of Indian cuisine in an affordable place. In 2022 they were named an Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation and in 2021 The New York Times included Chai Pani in their ‘America’s Favorite Restaurants’ list. Chef Irani now has restaurants in numerous cities. In Asheville, it’s a long one-room place with a half dozen seats at the bar and the rest at the booths that line the walls and tables in the center. One end of the room opens to the kitchen. The windows to the street let in additional light, Indian music is in the background and the staff was friendly but not the most directive. The food varied but for the most part, was full of flavor and texture. Continue reading →
Baby Bull has 3 interior rooms, one with the order counter and a large outdoor patio. Once you order, you get a number to place on your table till they bring your food out. They are open Wed to Mon and have very friendly people working there along with really quick, cooked-to-order food. Baby Bull opened as a result of the success of Bull and Beggar’s burger. Management wanted a place to satisfy the burger’s followers on a regular basis. Baby Bull is a fast food option to get that particular sandwich. They serve all the sandwiches “all or nothing” so you get their condiments on the sandwich or on the side. There is no customization, except the doneness amount. They also have shakes and other well-regarded sandwiches but we were there for the burger. Sides are extra and we chose French fries but they do offer options of pork rinds or hushpuppies. However, the guy at the counter said their fries continue to be voted best in town, and I can see why. An excellent spot if you want quick tasty food. Continue reading →
exterior – 80 Hamilton Street, New London, CT., 06320
Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock started in 1996 between the AMTRAK line and Crocker’s Boatyard. The location is a little hidden and your car map will not take you exactly there but drive around the harbor and you’ll see all the parked cars. It’s worth the hunt. You order at the window and pick up when called. Eating is at outdoor picnic tables, some with cover and others not. They are open daily until Dec. 24. You can bring your own beer or wine and try and get there early as reputation draws a crowd. It was a fun place to sit while we waited a short bit for our food. Several trains passed by in the meantime. Continue reading →
Claudia’s Grinder Shop is a small house with five indoor tables and outdoor seating selling well-stuffed sandwiches, salads, and soups. Opening in 1997 it’s on a reasonably busy road near other businesses. Inside is the order counter with the menu on a chalkboard above the prep area. They call your name when yours is ready, with everything made to order. They had several popular sandwich combos as well as a build-your-own section. The breads are fresh and the sandwiches are large and come cut in half. Music was in the background and all the staff was friendly and happy to advise. I would go often if I lived nearby and recommend you stop if you are passing through that part of Connecticut Continue reading →
Fords Lobster at Haring’s Marine is in Noank, CT, next to Mystic. The Haring family started with a gas dock/bait and tackle store in the 1950s. Orion Ford took over the business in 1970 and added a retail lobster shack, which still runs today. He retired in 2005 when Kris and Kerrie took over but after 5 years they realized the business couldn’t sustain itself as it was and they purchased a hot dog cart to sell lobster rolls out of. It was so successful that they were able to re-do the interior of the dining room in 2012. They serve locally sourced ingredients right next to the fishing docks where the catch is brought in. There is a small interior and a number of tables on the patio outside. Their hours vary, so check the website and they are BYOB. Inside they had table service and you can fill your short wait for food by looking at the old photos and articles that decorate the walls. Windows to the outside let in plenty of light and music was in the background. Most of the lobster items were labeled MK, so that varies but the server was glad to quote prices for us. The lobster was excellent and I would heartily recommend this place. Continue reading →
Hero’s Welcome General Store serves sandwiches on wonderful housemade rolls along with having a huge country store of Vermont products. Other buildings house the bakery and marina – where you can gas up or rent a canoe/kayak. The main building is over 100 years old and packed with items from wine, cooking supplies, toys, clothing to interesting gift items. There really was a wide array of items which were fun to browse while you waited for your sandwich to be made. There were about 3 tables at the front of the place where you could sit and eat with the register and order counter directly to your right as you enter. We read about it also in the Washington Post article about the Champlain Islands of Vermont. The sandwich was wonderful and the browsing was good. Continue reading →
Wally’s Place was named for owner Matt Bartle’s grandfather Wally Nieblin, who was a great supporter of the local food shelf/pantry. It was established to provide a healthy and delicious alternative to current breakfast and lunch restaurant trends. They bake their own breads and pastries and use locally sourced ingredients. They are located in a shopping center just off the main highway between Burlington and Montpelier, VT in the small town of South Hero. When you enter there are a number of counters that hold pastries, breads and refrigerated items. The menus for breakfast and lunch are hanging above and the coffee bar is at one end of the counters. Behind the cases is the kitchen that bakes all the bread. The staff was super friendly and willing to customize. There are tables inside to eat at but many got items to go. Everything we tried there was first rate and I’d go back often if I could. Continue reading →
from the street – 1251 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT., 05403
Al’s French Frys was started in 1946 by Al and Genevieve Rusterholz and then purchased by brothers Bill and Lee Bissonette in 1983. They have made some additions but still serve the same great fries that made the place famous. Lee has now retired but Bill and his son continue with the business today. It started as a french fry stand at various fairs around Vermont. Now they serve burgers, hotdogs, seafood, sandwiches and fried chicken. In addition outside they had a soft-serve window. It was a large place with lots of stainless steel, tile, and ordering lines. We were only there to try the frys. They were as good as advertised. Good potato flavor fried to a good crisp exterior available in various quantities. Sorry, I can’t speak to the other options but the frys are worth stopping for – and take note of how they spell it. Continue reading →
Earl and Flora Handy opened Handy’s Lunch in 1945, serving breakfast and lunch and selling groceries. While on vacation in 1958 their son Robert replaced grocery sales with a horseshoe counter which is still there today. The senior Handy’s were not pleased and Robert became the proprietor until his passing in 1996 when grandson Earl took over. That third generation still runs the place today, which was featured in the 2017 Cooking Channel’s Cheap Eats program. It is truly a family operation with Earl’s mom working there until she passed away. Whether his twins will take over when Earl is done is in question but until then it’s a wonderful place to go, eat and visit with newly made friends. They are open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch and Earl Handy was working in the place when we stopped by. Parking is on the street wherever you can find a legal place. Put this place on your list. Continue reading →
Crooked Lake Ice Cream Company is a restaurant that pays tribute to Glenn Curtiss, a bicycle racer and aircraft developer. A number of their dishes are named for him, striving to evoke the same creativity as his inventions, and the walls are filled with mementos of his fame and success. The restaurant has been in Hammondsport over 30 years and is open every day except Tuesday. They have a long counter with stools as well as tables in two rooms, separated by a low wall and a few stools facing the windows to the street. They had a makeover about 5 years ago but at least they kept lots of their older decorations however, the place feels new and fresh. Service was very friendly and helpful and once your order is placed it came out quickly. They do get a crowd and you pay at the front where people are also getting coffee/muffins to go, so there can be some wait there. The food was fresh, with quality ingredients and good flavors. Next trip, though, I’ll have to try their ice cream. Continue reading →
exterior – 58 East Market Street, Corning, NY, 14830
Donna’s Restaurant is a small place in the old downtown of Corning. Inside you’ll find a fabulous display of Corning Pyrex through the ages and colors mixed in with cat objects, which is owner Donna Robbins’ other passion. They are open Monday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch with daily specials posted on their Facebook page. The restaurant opened in its current location in Nov. 2018 after being evicted from their home of 34 years on a corner down the street. When the building owner decided to re-purpose the building they gave Robbins about a month to vacate and Robbins promised her loyal patrons she would find a new spot. Robbins had started working at the spot 15 years prior when it was Bacalles Soda Bar and then the Kozy Korner until 1985 when she was able to buy the place and name it after herself. We grabbed a couple of the stools at the counter but they also have tables. Everyone was super friendly and the food was good. Continue reading →
building – 169 Cherry St., Burlington, Vermont, 05401
Penny Cluse has been owned and run by husband and wife team Charles Reeves and Holly Cluse for about 25 years. At the beginning of Oct. they told their staff that they would close by the end of the year – thus I am pushing this article ahead of others in case you have a chance to get there. It’s a really popular place; our first visit we had to wait about an hour for a table. It’s in a corner building with the main dining room slightly above street level with a smaller dining area up one more level. The kitchen is below and you can look in the windows as you walk by on the street. The couple opened the restaurant in a former Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop in 1998. He was a culinary arts graduate who always wanted a breakfast and lunch place and thus created this fine place named for his wife’s first dog, Penny. It has since become a Burlington ‘go-to’ spot and has hosted many famous people including Joe Biden, Janet Yellen, Suzanne Vega, and Jake Gyllenhaal to name a few. The couple does not plan to sell the restaurant or the concept cause it wouldn’t be the same without their presence. They also owned Lucky Next Door which hasn’t reopened since the pandemic. The menu offers interesting options and a few daily specials are also available. Not much time left, so get there if you can. Continue reading →
exterior – 730 Peachtree St NE #100, Atlanta, GA 30308
El Viñedo Local translates to ‘the local vineyard’ and that’s what this place is – a place to enjoy South American plates, wines, and coffees. This is not Central American or Mexican food and so is not so spicy. Empanadas and ceviche are a big part of what Chef Bruno Vergara brings to the menu. Owner Robert Kaster was on site and came by to visit with every table and make sure that all was good – a nice touch. We were there for a snack with friends and ordered some of their small plates to share. It is one large room with most being inside the building with one wall open to the outside. The roof over the outside tables is not solid, but the umbrellas would be better for sun than rain. It did have one long table in the inside room and seats at the bar counter. It’s right down the street from a theater so parking is as you can find it. Good wine choices and tasty food make this a nice spot to visit. Continue reading →
exterior –3005 Peachtree Rd. NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA., 30305
Lucian Books and Wine is a book shop that also serves lunch and dinner Tues. through Saturday. Named for artist Lucian Freud it is a small gem of a place. It has a large, thoughtful wine list along with amazing food from Chef Brian Hendrickson, with a backdrop of books to browse and/or buy. The single room has an aisle that passes by the tall bookshelves and on the other side of a low wall are small tables and a bar. The bar is set with chairs also. The menu changes with the seasons and is fairly small at lunch. Since we were there with another couple we were able to try a great many of their offerings and they were all wonderful, some crossing over to the spectacular level. The service was outstanding and I strongly urge you to try this place if you get a chance. Continue reading →
Casita Tex-Mex has been in business for 40 years but in Dec. 2020 they closed for a year and a half after a fire. The kitchen fire caused owners Norma and Alfonso Valles, who bought the place in 2007, to completely rebuild the interior, and this was on top of dealing with shutdowns due to the Covid pandemic. The building was also a restaurant even further back, in the 1960s as Casita Dominguez, and thus has a lot of long-time and loyal customers. They were back in force when it re-opened on August 30. The interior is clean, bright, and new but the food is tried and true. There are a number of square tile-topped tables that can be positioned to suit party size and several high-top tables in the bar area, which also has seats facing the bar. A patio with tables runs along the front of the place and by the time we left, it was pretty much full. Service was friendly but challenged by the crowd. TVs are on the walls but the sound was muted. It was well worth a visit and I went back a week later to try another plate. Continue reading →
The Cranberry Over Superior is so named as it overlooks Lake Superior and is on the Cranberry River. One block from the Herbster beach, they have drinks from a full bar as well as non-alcoholic choices, lunch and dinner. The regular menu has lots of fun-sounding options but they also have daily specials. Seating is at the bar, on the patio or in 2 inside rooms. We sat on some bar stools looking out at Lake Superior and listening to the radio music from the kitchen. Lots of memorabilia is on the walls for other visual entertainment. The owner, Lacey Lynn Lueth, was tending the bar and taking orders but later moved into cooking in the kitchen. She opened the place in Feb. 2022 and you can visit Thursday – Sunday. All the people working there were super friendly and welcoming and the food is good – give it a try. Continue reading →
The Local Bar and Grille is on the Chequamegon Bay Golf Course and the dining room and bar have views of it and the surrounding trees. It’s a large space and open every day for lunch and dinner. They opened in Dec. 2021 in a building that was and is available for rental – it’s a large space. A husband and wife team, Mike and Natalie Skinnes, joined up with friend Brad Moulett to try and make some dreams come true for the three that grew up in Wisconsin. They call their menu ‘pub fare’ with a twist. There’s plenty of parking out front. When you enter the bar is to your right with a few tables also. The rest of the room is a large space set with 4 tops covered with brown cloths and a large fireplace is at one end of the room. Windows look out on the golf course and lovely hanging baskets of plants. A separate door is on the golf course side for those sports people to pop in for a short respite. Between the windows and lights, the room is well lit. Service was friendly and attentive and the food was good and generous. With a smaller lunch crowd I might have closed off part of the large room, but everyone wanted a window table to watch the outdoors. Continue reading →
Milkweed is a small bed and breakfast in the Hiawatha National Forest in the UP of Michigan. Totally remote, they will pick you up at the nearest convenience store or you can bravely follow them on a 45-minute trek on unpaved roads through the woods. Chef Iliana Regan, a Michelin-starred chef in Chicago, grew up on a farm and wanted to re-create that environment for small groups, in an off-the-grid culinary experience. She is joined in this effort by her wife Anna Regan, who provides the sommelier portion of the fine dining experience. Numerous friends and neighbors support the duo in providing a dreamy vacation during the summer months in a hunting lodge they purchased. Reservations are in advance through the website (www.milkweedinn.com), where you also reserve lodging that is either glamping tents, a small AirStream or 3 bedrooms in the main house. Your reservation starts Friday evening with dinner, then continues Sat. with snacks, breakfast, lunch and a huge tasting menu in the evening. It concludes with breakfast Sunday morning before you start the trek back through the woods. Continue reading →
Arnie’s Cafe is really popular and they don’t even have a webpage. They have been a part of the Warrenton community for decades and recently owners Crystal and Michael Green (took over in Sept 2014) decided they needed more space and moved to their current location. It started out as The Sea Breeze and in the late 50s became the Donut Hole and subsequently the Ponderosa. At the front of the current location is a coffee grinder, that belonged to Mike’s grandmother, whose wheel has become the logo with Arnie’s written across it. In the move, they brought over lots of kitschy signs that line the walls. At the hostess station, they have a list for seating. A coffee bar is at the front end but didn’t seem to get much use yet. Their plans include a liquor license and expanding their baked goods selection. There were about 7 stools in front of the kitchen window that was in the back of the place. They have a good-sized parking lot out front and windows looking out to it and the lovely hanging plant baskets, all along one side. They serve lunch and breakfast with large portions and friendly service. Continue reading →
line to order – 35915 N Hwy 101, Nehalem, OR 97131
Riverside Fish and Chips is small trailer serving up hot fresh fried fish baskets and a couple of alternative items. There are picnic tables in front, some with umbrellas and an additional patio with cover up a small set of stairs. Across from this trailer was one selling seasoned mini-donuts, but they are not related. It is really popular and by that I mean when we got there after standing in line 20 minutes to place your order we were told it would be about 45 minutes before the food was ready. It’s a long wait but well worth it. They do sell wine and soft drinks but they are right on the water and many just enjoyed sitting back and watching while they waited. Lots of dogs and kids were there too, so I enjoyed the people-watching. There’s a small sign on the street directing you down a fish-marked path to the site and if you like fish and chips, it’s worth finding. Continue reading →
Yolk is a small place serving breakfast (all day) and lunch (beginning at 11:00) in the little town of Manzanita. They have been in business since 2018 and strive to have your dining experience provide a level of flavor and service that reflects their zest for life. It was a very popular place but takes no reservations so show up early if you don’t want to wait. Inside there was seating at small tables or a few seats were at the kitchen counter. There were also stools on two sides of the large bar but they were only for those over 21. On the patio, there were several additional tables. The hostess at the entry had a list. Music was in the background and the vibe was casual and fun with a concrete floor, metal siding on the bar, windows to the outdoors, tile front on the kitchen counter and lots of wood and mirrors. The service was super friendly and would offer advice as well as joke around. In addition to the menu, there were daily specials. It was a good place. Continue reading →
exterior – 1413 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR., 97211
Pasture PDX bills itself as “a whole animal butcher shop and restaurant that offers a wide variety of meat cuts, cured products and sausages”. Owner Kei Ohdera and John Schaible met while working in New York in 2014. In early 2019 they started doing pop-ups in Portland featuring meat of retired dairy cows and European-style butchery – in an effort to recreate the experience they had with high-quality meats offered in New York restaurants. They opened the permanent location near the end of 2021, with the aid of a “Kickstarter” campaign, and now offer lunch and dinner on Thurs. and Fri and a butcher case as well as locally sourced products, beer and wine. It’s a small yet very tasteful space with tables out front, meal supplies (including cloth napkins) on a cart, and the order counter behind all that. Next to the area is the butcher counter and shelves of local products for sale. The menu is via smartphone link but can be found on their website <pasturepdx.com>. They ask you to bus your own tables and orders can be over the phone. There is music in the background and both owners were working in the shop and very friendly. The sandwiches were great. I totally recommend the place. Continue reading →
building – 120 S. Suffolk St., Ironwood, MI, 49938
The Pines Café had been running successfully for about 20 years and underwent a complete renovation in August 2019. Then the wife of the upstairs tenant poured lighter fluid on her husband’s bed and set the place on fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt and she was sentenced to 11-50 years in prison. The owners Susan Craumann and Janice Miskovich chose to not shutter the place and instead to rebuild. A year later, in August 2020 it re-opened. That’s why you feel the disconnect when the cute front of the place doesn’t match the clean, almost sterile interior. On the main street of the old town, it is a good-sized place with booths along one wall opposite a long counter and tables in the middle. They serve breakfast and lunch till 3 every day and have tried to decorate the place with woodsy bric-a-brac. There are windows to the street and the lighting is turned up. The only music is what bleeds into the room from the kitchen radio. Service is friendly and efficient, portions are generous and the food is good. They take no credit cards, have only a Facebook page, and no website. It’s worth stopping by. Continue reading →
Léa Parisian Sandwiches was inspired by simple peasant foods the owners, Nicolas and Colleen Caulliez, enjoyed in France. They wanted to bring the artisan breads and pastries of Paris to Chicago. They make traditional French baguette bread and pastries, without preservatives, in-house daily. They now have 2 locations and you can find their full menu on <Leafrenchcafe.com>. We went to the location near the Chicago Cultural Center and it was on a corner. Windows line two sides of the place. When you walk in a wall of rolling pins greets you and below are several computers where you can place you order and pay your tab. An abbreviated menu is overhead. They call your name out when yours is ready. A number of small tables are along the windows and a bench lines the other wall. The tile floor is the main decoration. To use the bathroom you need to get a key from the counter people. I give 2 thumbs up to this place. Continue reading →
Au Cheval is a diner-style bar and medium-sized restaurant serving traditional diner fare. The full bar has strong cocktails and a variety of draught and canned beers. They take no reservations and are quite popular so be prepared to wait or come early. They did have a few outdoor tables as well as seats along the long bar. Loud vintage music is in the background, walls are dark wood and the lights are lowered with the row of windows to the outside being heavily tinted to keep lighting low. There are a few tables but mostly it’s large leather booths that line the length of the place. Behind the zinc-wrapped bar is the open kitchen. Service was friendly, helpful and quick. We were there many years ago and couldn’t quite get why it was so popular, but we went for their signature burger. While I saw the majority of lunch tables have one or more I found the other menu items much more creative and tasty. They stood out much more than the burger to me. Continue reading →
Franny’s Cup and Saucer is a tiny shop on the main street of Point Arena. There is no seating inside or out but don’t drive by because it’s filled with wonderful bakery treats. It was opened in April 2006 by Franny and her mom who is an experienced, professional baker. Franny bakes too but she also has picked out some trinkets to sell and fill out their small space. They have sweet and savory baked goods as well as coffee and tea, but all items are to go. They are open Wed – Sun and accept only cash or check. If you are in the area, definitely go by. We sampled a salted caramel pecan brownie and an oatmeal anzac cookie. The cookie was huge, crisp, thick and filled with oatmeal, raisins and lots of other flavors. The brownie was very fudgy and moist with nicely roasted pecans on top and inside. The texture was great as was the flavor. Can’t wait to go back and try more items. Continue reading →
Café Aquatica is a small place with a counter where one might eat but mostly it’s deck and garden seating outside, all overlooking the water and folks launching canoes. They serve breakfast and lunch foods in a “coastal American cuisine.” Featuring lots of local seafood and organic ingredients. The menu evolves with the owner’s interests. Currently, the most popular items on the menu are crab rolls, clam chowder and crab and eggs. They have some seasonal specials and coffee. You order at the inside counter and they give you a buzzer which tells you your food is ready to pick up at another window. We had a cup of their Pour Over coffee and a crab roll. It is on a toasted brioche roll filled with Dungeness crab, aioli, celery and arugula which comes with a side of pickles. The crab was freshly picked on a soft tasty bun with just the right amount of sauce. A winner. The pickles were well seasoned and tasty. It made a fun lunch in a pretty setting. Continue reading →
from the parking lot – 32390 N Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437
Sea Pal Cove is on a local fishing pier in Noyo Harbor with all outdoor seating. The assortment of tables overlooks boats going by. The small walk-up window has beer and wine to go with your choices as well as non-alcoholic options. Dogs are welcome and the service was very efficient. They are known for their really fresh seafood but also have other options. We tried the fish and chips but what was extra fun were their prawns and chips. The fish was very moist with a really crisp coating that wasn’t so thick that it smothered the delicate fish. Not too greasy either. It was perfect with the tasty tartar sauce they supplied. The prawns were dynamite. Sweet and juicy with that fantastic coating, they needed no dipping or seasoning. The tray also provided lemon and malt vinegar. The fries were uninspired but adequate. Some crisp ones and all with nice potato flavor, but they were a frozen slab variety. Ketchup packets were also on the tray. All in all a fantastic find that I’ll certainly go back to. Continue reading →
exterior – 1014 Coast Village Road, Santa Barbara, CA
Bettina is in a neighborhood shopping center which is too popular for the parking available. It’s a good-sized place with a large outdoor patio for additional seating. Windows inside look out onto it as well as the parking lot. They specialize in naturally leavened breads, fine dining and simple dishes based on the owner’s visits to Italy. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations are helpful if you want a table, but a bar is inside with first come-first served seating. Inside the bare wood tables are small and nicely spaced and music is in the background. The service was helpful and efficient and the pizza was good. Continue reading →
entrance – 900 San Ysidro Lane, Santa Barbara, CA, 93108
The Stonehouse Restaurant is inside a 19th century citrus packing house on the grounds of the San Ysidro Ranch. Dining is on a green walled patio, an upper story ocean-view terrace or indoors by the wood-burning fireplace. The contemporary American cuisine stresses fresh, local ingredients of Central Coast California and Santa Barbara in particular. The San Ysidro Ranch property covers 550 acres and has hosted many celebrities including John and Jackie Kennedy who honeymooned there. We were seated on their upstairs patio with beautiful views on 3 sides, white cloth-covered tables, and live guitar music downstairs for their Sunday brunch. They offer lunch and dinner every day except Sunday when lunch turns to brunch which is a 3-course meal of your choice accompanied by an endless glass of champagne. Continue reading →
main building – 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
Cold Spring Tavern offers lunch and dinner at a stagecoach stop that dates from 1868, on the San Marcos Pass near Santa Barbara. The place is filled with history and an amazing amount of detail is on their webpage <coldspringtavern.com> about the various buildings on the property and the furnishings within. You can’t miss it as the cars are parked on both sides of the winding road for some time before you hit the place. On weekends they have live music, a stand where you can buy their barbecue Tri-tip sandwich as well as an outside bar. If you prefer table service there are a number of outdoor and indoor tables. Lunch has a smaller menu than dinner, so I’ve included photos of both lunch and dinner menus. Service was enthusiastic and efficient which really enhanced the dining experience. The A/C is ‘open windows’ so we left smelling of barbecue smoke, which was no problem. The onion rings are worth a trip alone but I would love to be able to try some of their dinner options too. Continue reading →
Sky Rocket Burger now has 4 locations in the Dallas area. I visited the Deep Ellum spot and you can’t miss the bright red and yellow building at Hall and Main. It started in Frisco and moved here about 3 years ago. It’s a simple concept selling fresh, made to order smash burgers, fries, tots and milkshakes. They offer a grilled cheese for the non-burger eating person in the group. They come with an option of 1, 2 or 3 patties and all-the-way includes lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickle and secret sauce. Options include cheese, bacon, onions or even a fried egg. I tried the double cheese all the way with large fries and with tater tots. The burgers seem pricey but they are Angus beef, never frozen and ground at the place. They are smashed on the grill to give them a nice crispy edge but not enough to dry them out. The bun is soft and the lettuce cut in pieces. The secret sauce has a bit of spice in it that is tasty but most importantly the meat is really good. I preferred the tots to the fries. I’ll go again. Continue reading →
Flo’s Clam Shack was recommended by one of the servers at the previous night’s dinner. It has been serving clams since 1936 in Newport, RI. They are known for their fried clams. It’s a 2 story place and filled with brick-a-brack. The building has been hit by at least 5 hurricanes and continues to rebuild. They are open seasonally and closed at the threat of a hurricane. The place is a little hard to find but they do have a parking lot in back. They tout their fresh seafood but mostly all I tasted was filler and fried coating. We tried a number of clam preparations but none of them would ever call me to come back and eat here again. Continue reading →
The Modern Diner was chosen to be the first diner in the nation to be accepted on the National Register for Historic Places. It is a Sterling Streamliner, manufactured in the late 1930’s and early 40’s and one of 2 still in operation. They serve breakfast and lunch daily with a ton of specials posted on the walls. There is a counter with stools and a number of booths for 1 – 4 people. A back room was added but sitting in the front gives you the real feel of the place. The curved ceiling and shiny surfaces have the diner feel you’d miss in the addition. The once silver roof is now red and marked with a “Modern Diner” sign that really makes you want to go in the place. They do have a parking lot next to it. Service was friendly and efficient. I would go again if I’m in the area, not as much for the food as for the ambiance. Continue reading →
Olneyville New York System was opened in the 1946 by Anthony Stevens and his son Nicholas after emigrating to Brooklyn from Greece in 1920. They ran a candy shop in NY then opened a restaurant serving hot wieners and a small lunch menu when the family moved to Rhode Island. The original restaurant at Olneyville Square moved in 1953 to its present location on Plainfield Street and then was open 24 hours a day. In 1981 they opened a second location in Cranston and to this day the Stevens family operates both restaurants. The compact place has 2 rows of small booth seats in bright yellow and orange next to a row of counter stools that run the length of the place. You ordered as you entered where you can see the wieners roasting on the griddle. They have some other options but this place is about hot wieners ‘all the way’. Staff were very friendly and super efficient. It’s worth a visit. Continue reading →
Block 16 is in downtown Omaha and owned by Paul and Jessica Urban who met in a culinary program. They have a family farm that supplies a lot of their produce and otherwise shop for local and sustainable food sources. They like to feature a daily special and have offered a different one 1,400 times in the last four years; they call it fun, street-style food. It’s a fairly small place of 2 rooms. The first one is where you order and there are some stools around the edge and counters, also the hall to the bathroom. The second room is where you wait for you food to be brought out and has small 2-tops along the edges with 3 larger tables in the center. There were a couple tables outside also. The dining room had large windows to the street and tables on one end, music in the background and bright interior lighting. The person at the order counter was very helpful. They do sell beer as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Continue reading →
The Drover invented the whisky marinated steak idea over 40 years ago. It opened in 1969 as the “Cork ‘N Cleaver” and changed to the current name 10 years later. It is a large place divided into several smaller rooms of 4-5 tables each, all with no windows. A large bar is in one room, the lights are lowered and no music is in the background. Bare wood tables, brick walls, lower ceilings and carpet keep the conversation noise very manageable. There is a different menu for lunch but most of the steaks on the dinner menu are available if you want. The steaks are marinated in a combination of secret ingredients for just 15 minutes before grilling so the marinade does not overwhelm the flavor of the beef but does enhances tenderness. Steaks can be ordered without the marinade soak but you would lose out, even if you are not a whisky fan. All dinners are served with bread, soup or salad and choice of potato or vegetable. At lunch they skip the bread and the salad is via salad bar. It’s old school and good. Continue reading →
Petit Louis offers classic French bistro dishes with emphasis on seasonal and regional ingredients. It opened in June 2000 and was the second restaurant of Tony Foreman and Chef Cindy Wolf. They chose the location of a former neighborhood hot spot in a 1897 era Tudor style building that was the country’s first strip mall. There were not many French bistros in Baltimore then and it was popular as soon as the doors opened. They re-did the interior and hired Chef Chris Scanga to run the kitchen. It has 2 indoor rooms and a large covered patio area. Inside the small marble topped tables are closely set and lots of windows to the street add natural light. A large bar is part of one room, no music is in the background and there is a parking lot our front as well as street parking. It had a fun ambiance with attentive service as well as good food. I’d go back. Continue reading →
Attman’s Deli was established in 1915 by Harry Attman and is now run by the third generation of the same family. It is the oldest continuously family-owned deli in the country. They have 2 locations – the one we went to in Baltimore and another in Park Potomac. The location on Lombard Street opened in 1933, on what was then known as “Corned Beef Row” because there were 7 delis on the street. (Now just 2 delis remain operational.) They are known for their corned beef and on a busy day can sell 2,000 pounds of it at the Baltimore location only. Hot dogs are another signature and are topped with a slice of bologna or pastrami – a consistent favorite. They also sell lots of sides and other meats. When Harry’s son Seymour took over in 1968 he bought the building next door to open a place for customers to eat and talk, named the Kibbitz Corner, and established names for a number of sandwich combinations. When we went the line was long, but people were friendly and it gave you a chance to walk by the counters and decide what to order. The corned beef was worth the wait. Continue reading →
exterior – 2836 Observatory Ave # A, Cincinnati, OH 45208
Carl’s Deli dates back to 1938. The owner Anne McManus was practically raised there as her parents owned the deli in 1968 but sold it in 1990. When that owner decided to sell he contacted McManus first and she was then ready to take over. Now a local hangout, there are tables inside and outside but they also do catering, ready to eat take out and gift baskets. They also sell wine. It’s a small place with most of the interior taken up by sales counters. The menu on the wall lists lots of sandwich combinations or you craft your own combo. We ordered at the counter and they pretty quickly had our delicious sandwiches ready to eat. This is a good place. I can see why it’s so popular. Continue reading →
Carmen’s Deli is in downtown Dayton, opening in 2009. Chef Haitham Imam was encouraged by his wife Carmen to leave corporate dining and open his own place. When the downtown tower where they were located went into bankruptcy the owners of the Kettering Tower across the street, saw their popularity and offered them a spot in their building. The deli is open 8:30 – 2:30 weekdays and the bar runs 4-9 on Thurs. and Fri. As we entered we were greeted and directed to the counter where you place your order. There you can watch you sandwich being made and direct the toppings. After it’s ready you proceed to the register and pick a table. There were also tables outside. The pair cooking that day were personable and gave a good show. The food was fine, not outstading but very edible and satisfying. Continue reading →
Herb and Thelmas Tavern is just across the river from Cincinnati in Covington, Kentucky. They are known for their burgers and cold beer – serving the area for 83 years. They buy local ingredients and make the hamburger patties fresh daily. In 1939 Henry “Heine” Boehmker opened Heine’s Cafe. In 1965 his son and daughter-in-law renamed it Herb and Thelma’s Tavern, after themselves. In 1969 another Boehmker began working at the tavern and then buys them out in 1982. In 2015 the Fessler family became the owners, but a photo of the original Herb is still on the front door. It is a small place with 2 rooms, one of which houses the cooking/bar area and the other just tables and the bathrooms. The main room has seats at the bar area as well as tables. The lights are lowered, there is either TV or music in the background and lots of memorabilia cover the walls. They have a few draft beers as well as a full bar. The owner and patrons were all super friendly. In fact one of the gentlemen stopped by on his way out to say hello and wish a good day. Continue reading →
Camp Washington Chili has been in business since 1940. They are in the Camp Washinton area of Cincinnati and are open 24 hours a day on weekdays and until 4:00pm on Saturday. They have recieved a James Beard Award as an “American Regional Classic” and have been featured on television programs and magazines. The original building was razed for street widening but the original vertical sign stands over the newer, bigger location. Now it is a fairly large place with a drive-through window. There is a counter or you can be waited on at any number of tables. Lots of windows look outside and music is in the background. A large open kitchen is faced by the counter seating. The dining room is striking with a large black/white/gray tile floor accented by red chairs. A couple booths are available. The walls are lined with photos and copies of press articles. Service was friendly and efficient. If you haven’t had Cincinnati chili, this is a good place to try it. Continue reading →
Love That BBQ is a family run, small casual place serving housemade barbecue and sides. It looks to be in an abandoned gas station with the restaurant inside and a number of huge smokers under the awnings where pumps would have been. You order at the counter and then pick up when ready. They had seating inside but most seemed to pick up bags to go. It was heavily patronized by the workers in the area, as seen by the number of labeled trucks in the parking lot. Inside the large tables were covered with oilcloth and the walls and shelves held lots of photos and memoriabilia. Christian music played fairly loudly in the background. The counter person turned out to be the one who does the smoking and he wasn’t particularly friendly or helpful at first. He got more chatty after there was a break in the stream of customers. However, he didn’t bother to tell us that ribs come with hushpuppies and let us order a side of them. He said he’d been cooking barbecue for 40 years and in this location for 12 years. It is not worth driving out of your way for. Continue reading →
The Front Porch is in a 1910 house that was where the development of Powell, TN started – with a lumber company. The Elkins family bought it 2013 and restored it in honor of its historical significance to Powell. It now serves lunch and early dinner with southern comfort food and sells handcrafted decor on the second floor, as well as many of the decorations in the dining area. Tables are scattered around the downstairs rooms and there are several more on the wrap-around porch. No item on the menu is more than $20 and there is a parking lot out back. Good smells greet you when you enter and there is a counter that sells some items to-go. Staff were efficient and very friendly. The food was generous and tasty. It’s worth a visit. Continue reading →
Pete’s Restaurant has been around since 1986 in downtown Knoxville. Owners Pete and Rita Natour serve quality home-cooked food and customer service at breakfast and lunch. It’s a long place with lots of windows to the street. The wall is filled with booth seating and a row of small tables is opposite. The tables are covered with an oilcloth and set with silver wrapped in a paper napkin. There are also some counter seats in front of the kitchen. Service was totally efficient and friendly. Pete was in front helping with everything, including cooking, but not too busy to have a friendly word. It was pleasant place to sit and while the food was fresh and prepared to order it was very ordinary. Continue reading →
Brewery Bhavana is an interesting combination of flowers, books, beer and dim sum in one shop. The Laotian siblings, Vanvisa and Vansana(since left) Nolintha, that owns the spot next door made friends with Patrick Woodson who brewed beer. They decided to combine forces and also make room for friend Deana Nguyen that sells flower arrangments right across the street from historic Moore Square. It’s a large striking space divided by sheer curtains. A long bar is one wall and it has about that many taps for available draft beers. Books are on one wall just to look at while you’re there and another cabinet of them is for sale. The flower shop is in the middle space just behind the greeter station. It is filled with lots of natural light from the windows along the street and from a massive skylight that is above the center room. Music was in the background and staff were welcoming and super friendly. While the food was good it was not great even though the prices were on the high side for dim sum. Continue reading →
Beasley’s Chicken + Honey is one of the Ashley Christensen restaurants (Death & Taxes, Pooles, etc.). It’s a corner building with a long counter along one wall, above which the menu is written. Across from that are lots of small tables set with adjustable stools, that looks out onto street views. Parking is on the street at meters or there is a pay parking lot next to the building. Music was in the background and a greeter asigns you to a table. They are mostly about fried chicken and southern style sides but also offer meatloaf, catfish, pot pie and various sandwiches. There is a separate menu for brunch. Here the fried chicken is brined, then dipped in buttermilk, dedged in flour and finally cooked in a pressure fryer. The honey is drizzled on last. Service was efficient. Continue reading →
King’s Sandwich Shop is a family-run business that is an icon in Durham, symbolizing the simplicity of days gone by. The original shop opened shortly after WWII, but closed in 2007 needing major rehabilitation. It was bought by the McDermott family in 2009 and re-opened in 2010. The corner building has limited parking out front but street parking is available. They serve burgers, hot dogs, lots of other sandwiches, breakfast, vegetarian hot dogs and fries along with milkshakes at at walk up counter with another window to pick up your food. They have picnic tables and bathrooms around the side to eat at if you want to stay on site. Many seemed to take the food to-go. It is only open for lunch. The place was a real throw-back and this time the food was good too. The shake was amazing. A fun stop on your tour of the area. Continue reading →
