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 →
exterior- 2063 Middle St, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
The Obstinate Daughter is named for the American victory in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island in 1776, where a British cartoonist illustrated the defenders of Charleston as “Miss Carolina Sulivan, one of the obstinate daughters of America”. Their website describes the place as a ‘Lowcountry Food Fort.” They have a wood-fired pizza oven as well as a raw bar and relationships with local fishermen and farms. It’s a large place on the second floor of frame house with a patio facing the street and a very small parking lot downstairs. The eclectic menu has influences from Italian and Spanish cuisines and the interior is decorated with a nautical theme. There were 2 main rooms, one with a bar and counter and the other with an open kitchen and an assortment of table types. Music was in the background, lots of windows look to the outside and the staff was all super friendly and helpful. The food was excellent. Continue reading →
Vern’s is a small corner place that opened in July 2022 by Daniel “Dano” and Bethany Heinze. Dano previously worked as Chef de Cuisine at McGrady’s where Bethany managed the bar. They also worked in Los Angeles at Animal and Jon & Vinny’s. The restaurant is named for Dano’s grandfather who is featured on a postcard that’s presented with the bill. Currently, they are open Thurs. to Monday for dinner and brunch on Sat and Sun. Windows to the street are on 2 sides and the kitchen is through an open window behind the limited bar seating, which is first come-first served and serves only wine and beer, no liquor. The bare wood tables are closely set and matched with a variety of chairs and wall benches and set with towel sized napkins. The menu has various-sized dishes that are all meant to be shared. In addition, there were a couple of specials on the chalkboard over the fireplace, one of which ran out and a line was drawn through while we were there. The food was creative and delicious and the vibe was casual and welcoming. Go if you can. Continue reading →
exterior – 3540 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, FL., 33133
Ariete was created by Chef/Owner Michael Beltran to combine his Cuban heritage with French technique. It was awarded one Michelin Star in 2022. They offer 2 tasting menus with optional wine pairing or an a la carte menu. It’s a small place with very low lighting, small tables and a patio. A bar counter is in the main dining room. Music was in the background and the kitchen is open to both dining rooms. Staff was super friendly and helpful. We opted to try one of their signature a la carte dishes rather than the tasting. The duck dinner is for 2 and involves a press brought to the table where parts of the duck are made into a sauce tableside. It’s a fun show with a fabulous result. The order comes with a number of side dishes also. I give this place high recommendations but be prepared for the dim lights. Continue reading →
entrance – 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL., 33139
Joe’s Stone Crab was opened as a lunch counter in 1913, before Miami Beach was a city, by Joe Weiss. He moved south from New York due to his asthma and found he could breathe easier in Miami Beach. It started as a lunch stand and by 1918 he and his wife bought a small house and set up tables on the porch, calling it Joe’s Restaurant. For a number of years, they were the only restaurant on the beach and Al Capone was a regular customer (using a different name). Around 1921 a researcher discovered stone crabs, but they were not known to be eaten. Joe gave them a try and they were an instant hit. His son Jesse evolved into running the place and had the personality to attract many celebrities and the well-to-do crowd. The place served food to Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Joe Kennedy and J. Edgar Hoover to name a few. The third and fourth-generation family members now run the place with some employees having worked there up to 50 years. It is an institution, to say the least. A huge place, there are several dining rooms, a large bar and a patio all appointed with formally dressed staff and double white clothed tables. Service is fabulous as is the food. An experience not to be missed. Continue reading →
exterior – 101 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Stubborn Seed has Bravo’s Top Chef Season 13’s winner Chef Jeremy Ford in charge of the kitchen. It’s a medium-sized place that serves only a tasting menu in the main dining room and various snacks at the bar. It was very lowly lit, which made photos difficult, had music in the background, got fairly noisy when full, and the small tables were unclothed dark wood. Paintings and mirrors decorate the walls. The menu for the evening is on the table and wine pairings are available as are supplements of Perigord truffles, Ossetra caviar and a course of Chawan Mushi. The server informed the kitchen of our visit and we were gifted several supplements. A kind and generous gesture but that didn’t win me over, the food did. It was wonderful, as was the service. They were justly awarded a Michelin Star in the new Florida guide. Put this one on your list to visit, sorry my photos don’t do justice to this tasty and inventive cuisine. Continue reading →
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 →
Boia De is a small restaurant in a strip shopping center with closely set small tables and a long bar inside. There is a patio also. In the new Michelin Guide for Florida they were awarded one star. Lights are lowered, windows look out to the patio, the open high ceiling has exposed ductwork and there’s music in the background. The food is definitely American with a strong Italian influence – they make their own pastas. They stress natural wines and the place sells no liquor. The plates are small, meant to be shared and multiple ordered per person. The place is lively and fun with touches of that seen in the decorations and particularly their signature ‘!’, which is in neon outside and on the wallpaper inside. That ‘!’ well describes their food with an amazing amount of flavor and texture in each bite. Couple that with some outrageously friendly and helpful servers and you will have a great dining experience. Get a reservation and go! Continue reading →
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 →
It’s been several months since Frankie officially visited Cry Wolf but she always enjoys her time in this place. Chef Ross Demers was back to finishing out the plates before being served while others enjoyed some vacation time. Since we were sitting at the Chef’s Counter this was a plus. The place was really hopping with returning and new customers all enjoying some heavenly food and the lively atmosphere. The bar turns out some fun-sounding cocktails but I prefer to put us in the capable hands of Sommelier Tim Case. He always has something new and different to try that compliments the food turned out by the kitchen staff. In fact, all the staff seem to enjoy working here and translate that into the fine service delivered to the diners. The menu changes regularly but staff will help you make decisions if you want. Put this one on your list to visit soon. Continue reading →
exterior – 2023 Greenville Ave., Suite 110, Dallas, TX
Quarter Acre opened the last day of 2022 in the space that used to house Rapscallion on Greenville Ave. Their intent is to combine upscale dining with Chef Toby Archibald’s New Zealand roots. Chef likes to use seafood, flavors of, and other meats from New Zealand and their wine list has some wines from there. In New Zealand “quarter acre” symbolizes your dream – a quarter acre of land with a house and space for kids to run and grow. This is Archibald’s dream to showcase his cooking. Prior to this he served as Chef de Cuisine at Bullion and Executive Chef at Georgie, here in Dallas. He also has worked in NYC, London and Toronto kitchens. The place is one large room with a bar running the length of it. The middle section is crowned by some huge bamboo/rope fixtures with larger tables underneath and the other long wall is a long bench lined with tiny 2-top tables. The open kitchen is in the back. Lots of plants, fairly loud music, and windows to the street are part of the scene. Service was good but mixed – the same as the food. Portion sizes vary. Continue reading →
building – 3814 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA., 70115
Dakar is a Sengalese tasting menu highlighting seafood from local waters and produce form Southern Louisiana farmers. Chef Serigne Mbaye presents a menu inspired by his childhood in Senegal, where his mother taught him to cook. He has garnered additional experience in kitchens at Atelier Crenn, Joel Robuchon and Commander’s Palace, to name a few and was a finalist in the James Beard award for Emerging Chef. Many Africans came to Louisiana during slave trade times and his multi-course tasting menu pays homage their traditions while incorporating the flavors of New Orleans cuisine. He operated as a pop-up called Dakar NOLA for a couple of years before opening the permanent location in November 2022. It’s a one-room older home with a tasteful modern decor inside. There are 2 communal tables and several smaller individual ones. You designate a preference when you make your reservation. They have yet to obtain a liquor license so for now it is BYOB, but there are 2 stores close by where we had time to run and get a bottle of wine. The people there were familiar enough with the menu to make recommendations. Lighting is lowered, windows are open to the street scenes outside and before the meal they come around and wash everyone’s hands. It was not only very tasty food, it was a fun evening to visit with other adventurous eaters. Chef Mbaye spoke before the tasting started (a menu is on the table) and after it was over. He is young, charming and very talented. Go if you can! Continue reading →
exterior – 1403 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70130
Commander’s Palace has been on this blog several times, but this time we were back for lunch. The menu is smaller and cheaper and they still off 25¢ martinis which come in several variations. No wonder they had a good crowd but it also turned out to be KingsDay, which is the start of Carnival Season and so there were tables of people dressed and ready to start the celebrations. It seemed like private parties were being seated upstairs. There is a limit of 3 on the drinks “cause that’s enough” and it truly is. They also have $5 deals on a couple other cocktails. One caveat is that you do have to purchase an entrée. The food was fine but mostly the ambiance won me over this time. Continue reading →
exterior – 3054 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA., 70117
Saint-Germain offers only a 10 course tasting menu that moves between the 2 rooms of the place. They wanted to recreate the feeling of eating at a chef’s home and they certainly did that with their tiny dining room. First to find the place, look for the sign that says “Sugar Park” that marks the spot and reservations are a must. The menu changes regularly and wine pairings are available. The award winning chefs go for a French bistro type of fare and partnered with Drew DeLaughter, their business partner who runs the front of the house, to open in 2018. It’s in an older house that used to house a pizzeria – you can see the marks in the dining room where the oven was pulled out. You start at the bar with the lovely and friendly bartender, Hillary. She like all the staff are lively and engaging and make the evening a delight. Pacing and portion control were spot on and I’d encourage anyone to go there that can, – the food’s terrific. They do give you a copy of the menu at the end of the meal. Continue reading →
exterior – 1117 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA, 70116
Saint John is a large long space from Chef/Owner Eric Cook, who has worked at many fine restaurants in New Orleans. His first restaurant was Gris-Gris and this one opened in Oct. 2021. There are several rooms as well as a long bar for seating. Upstairs has balcony seating as well as rooms for rent for private parties. As you walk to the back room, the long open kitchen is on your right but first you pass a huge mural by Deurty Boys that features tributes to deceased local chefs and hospitality leaders. The same artist did pieces of stained glass art for each of the elevated booths across from the kitchen. The space is quite bright, music is in the background and the tables are topped with marble. Service was helpful but there were very few people there. This surprised me as it’s right across from the way popular beignet restaurant. It could be the coldness of the place, the high prices, the average food or the time of year. Take your pick but I don’t recommend this one – it’s not bad but not worth the money. Continue reading →
exterior – 1245 Constance St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Lengua Madre offers a 5 course tasting menu of traditional Mexican cuisine as seen through the eyes of Chef Ana Castro’s grandmother’s kitchen. This is now combined with her experiences from living in Denmark and now New Orleans. Open about one year, the menu changes seasonally at the small dark place. Outside there is a pink glow in the windows and little signage.The neon glow coats the entrance hallway, but the dining room has more subdued orange hues. Music is in the background, the small bare wood tables sit on large linoleum-like tiles and overhead is a dark ceiling. They offer 5 oz. pours for wine pairings but also have some bottles. In one corner of the room is the open kitchen which is well-viewed by the 6 stools by the counter framing it. Service was friendly and efficient and the tasting was well paced with smallish portions. We chose to drink a sparkler with the meal and a copy of the menu is presented with the bill. Continue reading →
Galatoire’s has been written up on this blog numerous times but on our most recent visit we tried a few different items so I thought I’d post pictures and some commentary. I had read that the food had gone downhill following Covid so I also wanted to re-visit. While everything was not spectacular, and some even a little off, overall it was a fine meal. The service there is so adaptable and the crowd too lively, it’s hard not to have a good time. The menu seemed smaller but I learned a new thing – that you can order half sizes of many of the entrees. This allows you to try more things. I still recommend this place for a dose of wonderful seafood cooked nicely with lots of butter. Continue reading →
Chat qui Rit opened in 2015 and is close to the Piazza San Marco. However, the logo is from the 1940s when it was a cocktail spot and after-dinner place with a luxury feel that was named Chat Qui Rit or “the laughing cat”. Owner Giovanni Mozzatto decided to maintain the 1948 logo as the logo for this new venture. That thought of merging the old and new is also seen in the kitchen here, with established Venetian Chef Davide Scarpa paired with young Leonardo Bozzato, who also brings in some Asian influences. It is a striking space with outstanding service and food. Spread over several rooms, there is music in the background, lots of windows to the outside, a large bar area, seats outside and good-sized tables set with a beautiful napkin embroidered with the cat logo. Besides a full bar they also have a huge, well-chosen wine list. In addition to the a la carte menu, they have a tasting menu that is well-composed, paced, and portioned. I of course loved the cat logo, but the place lived up to the name and I give it high recommendations to any who have the chance to visit. Continue reading →
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 →
Wistèria was started 4 years ago by Andrea Martin and Max Rossetti, business partners and friends since the 90s. Named for the wisteria that grows around the patio area, the restaurant focuses on products sourced from the Venice water and lands as well as the Adriatic Sea, all with environmental sustainability in mind. The restaurant was damaged by the high tide of Nov. 2019 and had to be closed for a month of repairs and then the Covid pandemic caused another shutdown after March 2020. In Nov. of 2021, their persistence paid off with the awarding of one Michelin star to the restaurant. The generous marble tables are well spaced and set with large white cloth napkins, throughout the several rooms of the place, Music is in the background, wood beams are overhead, lots of windows look outside, and a beautiful stone floor is below your feet. Chef Valerio Dallamano offers only a tasting menu of 6 or 8 courses with optional wine pairings. Service was outstanding with good portion control and pacing. We had planned to get the shorter menu but the server talked us into the longer one – it was a good choice but we ordered our own wine. 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 – Calle lunga, Calle de le Chioverette, 745, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
Vittoria 1938 is a small family-run business. Giuseppe Rampazzo started it and named it after an amateur football team he had started. After his death his wife, daughter, and now granddaughter took over the establishment. It’s located very near the train station and serves some nightly specials in addition to the regular menu. It was a fairly brightly lit place with small tables. We met up with a friend there and so my notes are poor as we had much to catch up on and the food seemed secondary, for once. The portions were large, the service was relaxed, and they allowed us to keep the table without pushing us out. They have outdoor tables but it was raining that night, so they were not an option. The food was fine but not memorable however it was a lovely evening with a very dear friend, Marisa Convento who is a Venetian artisan of glass beads. Apologies to my readers and the restaurant for the lack of commentary, but the photos will tell the story. Continue reading →
Dama opened in Feb. 2022 in a hotel that opened in 2019. Both are lovely and elegant additions to the city. The restaurant has 3 long tables, placed end to end, made from boards recovered from the “briccole” (mooring posts) in the Lagoon. The table ends at the glassed-in kitchen. The walls have black wood and curtains with brick archways lit by dampened overhead fixtures, that light the food well but not overly so. Plants in the middle provide a soft touch as do the plates and glasses made by Venice artisans. Hard to describe but it comes off as elegant yet comfortable. Chef Lorenzo Cogo uses many products from the area, especially those of the lagoon. They offer a la carte ordering as well as 5 or 8 course tasting menus with optional wine pairings. The food incorporates some more unusual ingredients but re-inventing uses for what had been discarded is one of the joys for this chef. This is sustainability in action. Service was professional, efficient, and also warm. We enjoyed the longer tasting and would highly recommend this place to anyone who has the opportunity to go. It is a voyage of discovery for the tastebuds and a delightful evening. 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 – Corte Coppo, 4346/a, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Ai Mercanti is a family-run business with a large patio in addition to several indoor rooms. It was opened in 1980 by Chef Nadia Locatello and her husband Diego and moved to its present location in 1996. In 2013 their son Simone joined Diego out front and upped the decor as well as adding a French influence to the food. The menu could be described as traditional Venetian dishes with a twist. The interior is softly modern with gold disc light fixtures, bench seating around the perimeter, the wall-mounted CD changer, and a striking black and white bathroom. Service was helpful and efficient, there is a huge wine list, the atmosphere was most pleasant and the food was very good. 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 →
Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine is named for the owner’s (Kyle Teas) father, Eugene. Kyle Teas was born and raised in Houston and grew up eating Texas Gulf seafood and wanted to acquaint more people with the cuisine and thus he opened Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen in 2007. When the Mockingbird Bistro space became available about a year ago, the restaurant moved and expanded the menu as well as the seating. They stress serving fresh and seasonal fish, many cooked with Cajun influence. The old school large place is in the River Oaks area with plenty of parking. The staff is super friendly and helpful but also very professional and efficient. In addition to their menu, they had nightly specials and discounts for happy hour snacks and drinks. The food was delightful and I would easily recommend this place as one to visit when in Houston. Continue reading →
Brass Ram is Chef Nick Badovinus’ ninth and newest restaurant which opened in early November 2022 on the second floor above National Anthem on the edge of downtown. This place is all about prime rib and old-school steakhouse dining. There’s leather, dim lighting, brass, exposed brick walls, cozy spacious booths, a large bar, vintage music in the background, and a private dining room decorated with photos of Marilyn Monroe. Parking is mostly valet but be forewarned – they sent us to the end of the building to climb the open staircase and surprised the hell out of the staff leaning on the door. There is a proper door on the downtown side of the building where you enter and have an elevator or enclosed stairs to take you up to the place. Either way gets you in but the hostess stand is by the preferred door. Staffing has been an issue with the parkers so these people probably really didn’t know how to enter. The service is friendly, relaxed, and excellent in the restaurant but the food did not overwhelm me. I love the look of the place, but as with many of Bodovinus’ places, I wish it were less noisy, and even though he was in the house he did not make it around to many of the tables. Continue reading →
Don Chabe opened in August of 2022 in the location that formerly had Mac’s Bar-B-Que. It’s primarily a Mexican steakhouse but they also have breakfast items and salads. Fronted by Oscar Rodriguez, the owners also have street taco and sandwich spots and thus some of that is also available. There are plenty of tables and a dedicated parking lot and the bones of the place still scream Mac’s but they’ve painted the ceiling with fun designs and installed bright tiles around the baseboard. The lights are bright and music is in the background as well as a large TV screen on one wall that was muted when we were there. They were not crowded but our server said they have not put out much advertising as they are still working out the menu. English was not the first language of our server but we were able to get by. They do now have beer($4) and take credit cards. Continue reading →
Harbor House Restaurant has been on this site a number of times but this was our first winter visit. We were lucky to find an opening to stay at their lovely main house for 2 nights and also open reservations for dinners those evenings. This is when you know you should have bought a lottery ticket cause your stars are aligned. There are only 20 seats at this ocean-view dining room on the Pacific coast. Matthew Kammerer is the chef of this 2 Michelin-starred restaurant, and other well-deserved honors like Food and Wine‘s Best New Chef of 2019. However, as I’ve said before, a chef alone can not make a restaurant this great, it takes a wonderfully talented staff too. It’s one of those amazing places where you can ask your server pretty technical questions about the food and they know the answers, without having to run to the kitchen. Sommelier John Miller continues to add to the wine selections, especially those from this region. At this point, the whole staff knows me but everyone who goes gets the same caring attention that makes this a magical place to dine. I heartily recommend it, especially now that their ranch is up and running and supplying some fabulous produce that you can enjoy along with the marvelously fresh seafood, also obtained locally. They do stress sustainability and thus will highlight some less common items. 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
Vivian is the creation of Chef Josiah and Shannon McGaughey who started it as a kitchen pop-up in 2015. Within a year they had their own food truck called Salt & Smoke but they still aspired to own an actual restaurant space. They did just that, opening Vivian in the River Arts District in January 2018. They serve a seasonal changing menu with French overtones. It’s made up of 2 rooms, one with the long bar and counter seating and another room with just tables. There was a patio that people came and went from but I didn’t go there to get a photo. Lots of art is on the walls, sound panels are on the ceiling, the walls are of brick and wood, the lighting is lowered, the floor is concrete and the tables are bare wood. The service was first rate with good advice and recommendations on ordering. In addition to a nice wine list, they have a full bar from which we enjoyed a basic Negroni as we worked out a meal plan. The food is outstanding and I would heartily recommend you try it. Continue reading →
exterior – Clocktower Shopping Center, 1025 Cannon Dr Ste 105, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Epicure Market is a tiny spot in a most unlikely location, where you’d never expect to find fine food and wine at a good price point. Executive Chef Julio Llop turns out some fabulous foods to pair with the huge selection of wine put together by Wine Curator Jerry Gray. They call it global cuisine but I call it really tasty as they use the finest quality meats and cheeses and locally sourced organic produce and proteins when possible. Chef, with the help of Gray makes everything from scratch in their kitchen. There are not many tables but a few chairs at the bar counter add to the options, however, reservations would be in order. The walls are lined with wines and other items for purchase, with lowered lighting and excellent service. It is a cozy atmosphere and it felt like I’d known Jerry forever, he’s that friendly, as was Kristine our terrific server. It did help that we went with another couple that live in the area and frequent the place, but the vibe is to make the guest feel indulged, especially about eating and drinking. If you are anywhere nearby or want to make a hill country trip, put this place on your agenda. Continue reading →
Southern Porch is a family-run operation not too far from Asheville. The current couple that owns it started it with the wife’s mother and stepfather, who had chef experience. The senior couple retired in March of 2019. The building was constructed as a house in 1876, before Canton was even a town. As the town boomed due to a paper mill the building was purchased in 1910 and made into a hotel. A 4-story tower was added and it became The Imperial Hotel. Much has since transpired but the ownership started restoration of the building’s appearance to the 1920’s look and then welcomed Southern Porch Kitchen and Drink onto the premises. The inside dining rooms now are large and fairly unadorned. The bar was off to the side when we entered the large room with well-spaced tables, a high tin ceiling, a wood floor and rock music in the background. The menus were large and so worn that much of the print was wiped off. There were a number of people working there but our server was not particularly experienced. Continue reading →
The Admiral opened in 2007 in a modest building that used to be a bar for cab drivers with a maritime theme – thus the name. It’s a small interior with low ceiling, lowered lighting, vintage music in the background, bare blond-wood tables, and an open kitchen. There is a full bar with a few seats in front of it as well as a plastic-enclosed patio section and a fully outdoor patio section. It felt very cozy and inviting and the service was friendly to match that cool relaxed vibe. They had installed plastic partitions above the backs of the booths which not only provided more privacy but also allowed conversations without yelling. It looks like a dive from the outside and is not in the ‘hot’ section of town but that makes street parking a lot easier. We decided to go with the flow and order a very traditional meal. It was mixed on the food but the place was so fun I’d go back if I was in the area. Continue reading →
exterior – 22 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, NC., 28801
Chai Pani translates to “tea and water” and is slang for going out for a quick bite. The restaurant features the street food of India as well as some comfort food you might be served in a home. Opening 13 years ago Chef/Owner Meherwan Irani and his wife wanted to offer an under-represented type of Indian cuisine in an affordable place. In 2022 they were named an Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation and in 2021 The New York Times included Chai Pani in their ‘America’s Favorite Restaurants’ list. Chef Irani now has restaurants in numerous cities. In Asheville, it’s a long one-room place with a half dozen seats at the bar and the rest at the booths that line the walls and tables in the center. One end of the room opens to the kitchen. The windows to the street let in additional light, Indian music is in the background and the staff was friendly but not the most directive. The food varied but for the most part, was full of flavor and texture. Continue reading →
Cúrate offers a collection of ways to enjoy Spanish tapas. Cúrate Bar de Tapas is a large restaurant that opened in 2011. (Other portions are shops, cafes, and to-go items.) The menu includes many staples of Spain’s tapas culture as well as an all-Spanish wine list. There were 2 rooms and a patio that were packed with people even on a weeknight. High ceilings, windows to the street, and copper top or marble tables set with pens to mark your menu for your selections. All plates are meant to be shared. One room had a long bar facing the kitchen and the second room had the ham area in the back. It was fairly well-lit inside but parking is as you can find it on the street, and it is an area with lots of restaurants and bars, so allow yourself some extra time to arrive. We had a terrific server, Denby, who understood our desire for flavor in the dishes and helped craft a menu that was well-paced and tasty. It is popular but get a reservation if you can. Continue reading →
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 →
Cry Wolf is still turning out wonderful dishes to eat with a great selection of beverages. Frankie and I have become regulars there and this visit we sat up at the Chef’s Counter. This is what they call the first 4 stools at the bar opposite the cooking area. It’s a terrific view to watch all the different dishes being prepared and the people working seem to enjoy interacting with guests. I think it’s fun to talk with them and get their opinions on what to order. If you get a chance, go there. It’s a fun experience and some really different and exceptional food. Continue reading →
Kitchen Little is at the Mystic River Marina and serves breakfast all day except Tues. when they’re closed. They also offer lunch options but close at 1:00 pm. It is a medium-sized indoor room, on the second level, with windows overlooking the marina and outdoor tables wrapping around the perimeter. They are very popular so be prepared to wait for service – there was only one server with a helper the day we visited. Food comes quickly once your order is taken but meanwhile, the server kept our coffee cups filled and the view was fun as some boats were being moved to dry dock in anticipation of the winter months. The back wall is blank as the kitchen is behind it but another wall had a large window looking into the marina shop below. The paper placemats on the table had ads for local businesses as well as an overhead photo of the marina and the restaurant’s location. The food was fine but not exceptional but the service was friendly and I’d go again for the view. Continue reading →
Via Emilia is an Italian restaurant on the main street of Mystic. It has 2 stories and we got a table on the second level by the window looking out on the street. It was a nice view. Music was in the background for the small bare wood tables set with armless chairs. A bar is on the first level and lights are lowered. In addition to the menu there were several daily specials orally presented to us, but when we tried to order one it turned out they were out of it. Service was spotty and our server was a bit manic that carried over to the diner. We got our cocktails fairly quickly but the timing of the rest of the meal was uneven. I understand small tables but restaurants need to understand you need room to eat without fear of pushing a dish onto the floor. That said, the food was varied in quality. If you’re in need of an Italian fix, this would be where to go but I’d recommend seafood in this town. Continue reading →
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 →
Oyster Club is a farm-and-sea-to-table place that opened in 2011 and the night we were there Renee Touponce was Executive Chef. Chef has made connections with various farmers and fishermen to present these local items in creative combinations. Originally the building was a small carriage house in downtown Mystic and was renovated to become a restaurant. The restaurant was re-modeled during the pandemic while management moved their food service to Stone Acres Farm where they could dine at a safe distance in 200-year-old gardens. Now the expanded place has a daily changing menu but still delivers creative and delicious food with excellent service. They always have several types of local fresh oysters available in the main dining rooms but in the Treehouse, which is outdoors on the top of the building, a limited selection is available. It’s a fun place with art on the walls, music in the background, lowered lighting, and bare wood tables but enough dampening in the surroundings that the noise level was very acceptable. We sat in one of the booths that line the wall opposite the one with street windows. I understand there is a second-floor dining area but didn’t get up there. It was a dressier crowd but maybe they knew they had arrived at the fine dining spot in town. Put this one on your list when you travel to Connecticut and ask for Dru to be your server. Continue reading →
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 →
entrance in light – 20 East Main Street, Mystic, CT., 06355
The Shipwright’s Daughter opened in 2020 in the Whaler’s Inn in the heart of Mystic. Chef David Standridge changes the menu regularly to present highlights of the Connecticut coast. They also offer a tasting menu with optional wine pairings, but it must be reserved in advance. Wine Spectator magazine gave them an Award of Excellence for their wine selection and they also have a full bar. They also were the second Connecticut restaurant to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation’s ‘Smart Catch’ program. They are open for breakfast, brunch on the weekends, and dinner. It is a fairly large place with lowered lighting, music in the background, windows to the street, bare blond wood tables, and a large bar area. We were there on a Friday night and were glad we had a reservation as it was very busy, which also contributed to the noise factor. The lights are so low that many of the photos turned out grainy, so apologies in advance for that. Service was attentive but sometimes rushed and not engaging and the food was mixed. Continue reading →
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 →
building – 156 Church Road, Burlington, VT., 05401
Honey-Road is female owned and operated, serving Eastern Mediterranean food. Chef Cara Tobin has been a James Beard award finalist 4 times and teamed up with Allison Gibson to open Honey-Road in 2017 that is only open in the evening. (Recently the duo opened a brunch spot called Grey Jay.) The corner building is in the popular pedestrian Church Street Marketplace and named for an ancient trade route in Turkey. The small plates (mezze) are meant to be shared and focus on locally sourced ingredients. For those that are unfamiliar with this cuisine the menu had a glossery on one side explaining the meaning of many terms, but the servers were also helpful in making selections. It is a large place with a high ceiling, subdued lighting, music in the background, bench seating along most walls, small bare wood tables, windows to the street, brick walls, sheer curtains dividing portions of the room and decorations of small mirrors on the walls. The crowd was made up of various age groups but skewed toward the younger side. The food was mixed, with some being very good but others trying too hard. If you want this style of cuisine, it’s the place to go.
Set up
exterior/entranceinteriorinteriorinteriorFrankie enjoys a candlemenuwine listdessert menumenu after dinner drinkswine frontwine back
Food
Baba Ganoush with pickled cauliflower and Za’atar Garlic Knot are ordered separately. The menu has a number of dips and then you can pick your bread of choice to go with it. The Baba Ganoush was well seasoned and tasty that was great with the garlicky bread. The server suggested the combination and it was right on. Good versions of the dishes, easy to split and excellent together.
Baba Ganoush and Za’atar Garlic Knot
Sweet Harissa Chicken Wings with dried lime labne came as 4 flaps and 2 drumette pieces. The sticky excellent sauce was covered with sesame seeds and the moist pieces were good alone or also in the tasty sauce. Fun to eat, it was a wonderful take on the “Buffalo wing” craze. They were thoughtful enough to also send out a couple wet wipes to use after easy the messy food.
Sweet Harissa Chicken WingsturnedFrankie liked that they gave us wipes to go with the chicken
Braised lamb, Simit bun, pickles and herb mayo was nice shreds of lamb on a good piece of bread and accented with pickles. The pickles really accentuated the flavor but the lamb was on the tough, slightly dry side. The first 2 plates were much better but this was fine.
Braised lamb, Simit Bun, pickles, herb mayofrom the side
Duck breast, ajvar, mushroom Tabbouleh, and hot peppers was 2 boneless pieces of meat cooked nicely rare. This one had a terrific sauce and was absolutely full of flavor. Lots of things with the meat that shall remained unidentified due to my lack of note-taking.
Duck breast, ajvar, mushroom tabbouleh, hot peppersturned
Cauliflower with preserved lemon, buttermilk and lentils was suggested by our server. It also had tons of things mixed with it. Pomegranate seeds added crunch and the plump golden raisins added sweetness. Some pickled onion added contrast to the milky dressing. Lots of flavors and textures made this a fun one.
Cauliflower, preserved lemon, buttermilk, lentils
A special dessert was offered that evening with pistachio galette, raspberry and pistachio labna (cream cheese like), figs and a raspberry plum sauce. The labna had a bit on honey on it in addition to the chunks of pistachio. Most of the stuff was good but there were too many flavors competing to make it work for me.
Pistachio Galetteturned
House made walnut Baklava came in 2 pieces. It was sticky with tons of walnuts and honey. It was a very good version of the common dessert. While I liked it better than the special neither of the desserts took it over the top.
