Tasting menu

Ébène, Paris, 1/20/26,

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exterior – 8 Rue Falguière, Paris, FR 75015

Ébène was opened in the fall of 2025 by Simon Plantrou and Chef Jihyun Kim who trained at the Bocuse school.    They met working at L’Arpege and formed their style from Passard’s influence serving mostly fish and vegetables.  It was a tiny place with the open kitchen on one side of the room.  At lunch there was a 3 course menu with choices for each course for €45 with some choices incurring a supplement charge.  If you want they also offer a 6 course menu with no choices or a la carte, but the lunch is by far the best value.  The 16 seats had music in the background, windows to the street, one framed poster on the wall and the small tables draped with nice white clothes and good sized matching napkins.  Service was efficient and friendly with good portion control and pacing on the tasting.  We were delighted to get a table next the kitchen with Chef Kim and her 2 female assistants but there was no interaction with any of them, which was probably due to language more than personality.   As our first meal, straight off the plane and the long cab ride into town, it was lovely.  It’s not fancy food but presented on fun different plates with good flavors.  Thumbs up here. Continue reading →

Chez Nous, Charleston, 12/4/25

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building

We discovered Chez Nous during our Feb 2023 trip and liked it so much we went twice (click here for first visit and here for second visit).  The small 2-story place changes the menu daily but you can find it on their Facebook page.  They serve the same menu for lunch and dinner and later in the day the Facebook post will have photos of the options.  This won’t help you if you have a reservation but it will give you an idea about the variety of offerings and how they turn out.  There are no other menu options available but if you go with a dining partner you can each have one of the two options for the 3 course menu and try everything.   I love the variation and that you can also opt to just have one or two courses.  The service is always friendly and attentive, they have a nice wine list to chose from and the food is well done.  This is still a solid recommendation by me when in Charleston. Continue reading →

Vern’s, Charleston, 12/3/25

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exterior – 41 Bogard St, Charleston, SC 29403-5760

Vern’s serves contemporary American cuisine in a small restaurant and received a Michelin star in Nov. 2025.  Daniel and Bethany Heinze opened Vern’s in July 2022 and named it after his late grandfather.  We were at Vern’s in Feb 2023 and had a great dinner but planned this trip too late to get a regular reservation.  However, they were hosting  a collaboration dinner called Volume’s that we could get a reservation for, so we did.  The dinner was in combination with 10 years of Maloof Wines and BLVCK SVM, a rapper from Chicago.  This was a new one for me as I’ve been to other collaborations with chefs and vintners but to introduce music was another level.  The was BLVCK SVM’S Michelin Man album from which he chose 2 selections to play with each course and they repeated if necessary.    It was one seating for about 24 at a long table with Sam talking with each guest and the Maloof folks presenting their wines.  The group of people was wonderful, as we were all into food experiences but the food tonight was a more mixed end result than what Vern’s is capable of.   I would still strongly recommend this restaurant and encourage you to try one of these collaborations if you can, but it’s hard for all parts to shine in the circumstances.  (It was also quite dark, which made photography difficult, so apologies for the photos). Continue reading →

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

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exterior – Middle and Main Streets, Washington, VA 22747

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

Three Blacksmiths, Sperryville, VA., 11/12/25

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building – 20 Main St, Sperryville, VA 22740-2155

The Three Blacksmiths was opened in 2018 by John and Diane MacPherson who sold it to the current chef/owners Jake and Sara Addeo in 2021.   (The name is in honor of the 3 blacksmiths that worked in Sperryville many years ago. )  Both the Addeos cook, pick wines and run the front of house along with the help of a sous chef and several servers.  The small 20 seat place. is one of the hardest reservations to get in this country – booking out over 6 months ahead.   The warm wooded room had lowered lighting, curtained windows to the street, an open kitchen and music in the background.  They serve a 5 course tasting menu only, with a few surprise additions and offer 2 levels of wine pairings 4 nights a week with one seating.  There is a small wine list but no full bar.  They do have a couple pre-dinner cocktails as well as after dinner drinks like port and sherry.  The tables are set with your evening’s menu and I loved that they have the service team’s names and photos on the back.  The feel of the room is inviting and cozy but the tables are a bit far a part for cross table talk.  The tasting takes about 4 hours but it goes by nicely as you feel you’re in a private home and both of the chef/owners come by to chat.  We had hoped to try it when we were in the area in 2021 but couldn’t get in, so when we found an opening we jumped on it and were glad we did.  It’s a fun night, where you’ll find lots of local repeat customers, some celebrating a ‘special occasion’ and others like us, just celebrating another day of fun dining.  Hope you’ll get on their list and let me know what you think. Continue reading →

Enclos, Sonoma, CA., 11/7/25

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building – 139 E Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476

Enclos opened in late 2024 and received 2 Michelin stars and a Green Star in summer of 2025, putting Sonoma on the map with Healdsburg and Elk.    Mac and Leslie McQuown who started the 16 acre Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards and Winery 20 years ago,  are the proprietors.  Now Enclos relies heavily on these organic gardens to help inspire the seasonal menus.   Executive Chef Brian Limoges developed an appreciation for coastal foods and cooking in his native New Hampshire before moving to San Francisco in 2013 where he worked as Sous Chef at Atelier Crenn, Quince and Saison, to name a few.    The restaurant, whose front yard contains 100-year old olive trees,  is in a Victorian home on the Plaza of Sonoma.  Inside, the small 2 rooms can seat about 28 people per night with a large open kitchen at one end of the space.  High coved ceilings are in both rooms filled with woods, modern light fixtures and art.   Some bench seating accompanies the interestingly cut bare wood tables.  All guests receive the same tasting menu with no optional supplements other than wine pairings.  There is some patio seating with a different, more casual menu available for wine club members.  Chef Limoges wants to create an experience for his guests and each table receives a hand drawn card by Larry Nadeau, Dining Room Manager.  Ours, of course featured Frankie -who lounged with it on a silver tray while we ate –  a thoughtful touch for the fun evening. Continue reading →

Elderberry House Restaurant, Oakhurst, CA., 10/30/25

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building – 48688 Victoria Ln, Oakhurst, CA 93644-9215

The Elderberry House has been the premier fine dining establishment in the area for 30 years.  In the Sierra Mountains, minutes from Yosemite National Park, it offers a 3 or 5 couse tasting menu curated by Head Chef Ethan de Graaff.  Graaff stated in 2019 at the Sous Chef  until he was promoted to Chef de Cuisine in 2022.  The place is part of the Château du Sureau, a Relais & Châteaux that is a 9 acre castle resort with 10 guest accommodations.    It is a short walk through some gardens to the restaurant building from the hotel.   The white cloth covered tables were well spaced in a lowly lit room with fairly loud background music.   Lots of windows look out on the gardens and fountains and spotlights hang from the vaulted celing to light each table.  Paintings and mirrors are on the walls and the tables are set with large upholstered chairs and fresh flowers.  Unfortunately the table was set with a cotton-polyester blend napkin which is one of my pet peeves.   They offer wine pairings or you can chose your own wine, which we did.  Service was friendly but very slow.  Portion control was good and the server stated that the 5 course portions are about an ounce less than the ones on the 3-course.   Nothing was bad but I’m not sure anything was outstanding however if you want fine dining in this area I think this is the place to do it. Continue reading →

Twin Farms tasting menu (update), Barnard, VT., 10/2025

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building back (but was the front) – 452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031

Chef Nathan Rich curates the tasting menu at Twin Farms with the help of a good team.  They were in the midst of a kitchen expansion when we were there which will add the option of chef’s dinners in the kitchen and a window for guests in the dining room to look into the kitchen action.  On  the menu it states that they will modify the tasting if you chose to have it consecutive nights but with their flexibility in plating it’s easy to create your own tasting of the options that interest you.  The server will caution you that the tasting takes at least 2 hours as it’s about 10 courses.  There were no amuse or extras course not on the menu but it did take over 2 hours however the pacing was quite slow.  Wine pairings are available or there are a limited number of bottles you can order, that are included in your fee or there is a reserve wine list that comes with an additional fee.  The pairing pours are mostly from bottles the sommelier chooses and they are not on the list for you to chose from.  They are usually well matched but mostly inexpensive wines.  When the room grew crowded it was mostly impossible for the sommelier to refill an empty glass in a timely fashion.  Overall the tasting was good but I found it interesting that the only fish was the lobster salad in an appetizer.   Also the bread is its own course and not served to go with the entire meal (an annoying trend I’ve noted in other restaurant tastings).  If you want to see our 2024 tasting menu dinner click here.  I hope you’ll let me know what you think if you go! Continue reading →

The Point (part 2), Saranac Lake, NY., 10/7/25

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main house – 222 Beaverwood Rd, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-3029

We stayed at The Point for 3 days and so this is part 2 of the chronicle of the food we had. (If you missed part 1, click here). I didn’t photograph the passed snacks that were part of the cocktail hour proceeding dinner each night and snacks/foods were available to be sent to your room if you had a craving for something.  Various guests attend the dinners in the Great Hall, all of which require coat and tie for men, while some arrange to have dinner in alternate locations.  All of the staff couldn’t have been nicer and more accommodating.  They wanted you to have a good time and we did.  The question is, is it worth the price?  I can’t answer that but I will say that a number of the people we met there had been multiple times.  It’s hard to get to – we flew into Albany and it was a 2.5 hours drive from there.  They are happy for you to check in in time for lunch which one of the other guests told me they always spend the night somewhere nearby and then drive in early so they can enjoy a full day of activities and eating. In the winter they have ice fishing, skating and cross country skiing.  In summer they have fishing, boating, water skiing and tube rides.  There are plenty of nooks where they’ll set up a picnic lunch and dining in your room is always an option.  The selection of liquors was good and the wines adequate with a separate list available if you want to buy an upgraded option.   It’s a beautiful property that is well maintained with amenities galore so if an all inclusive place if for you, you should check this one out. Continue reading →

The Point (part 1), Saranac Lake, NY., 10/5/25

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Entrance – 222 Beaverwood Rd, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-3029

The Point was the first named Relais & Châteaux in North America, some 39 years ago.   It was built by William A. Rockefeller II (John D’s grandnephew) in 1929 as a retreat in the Adirondacks.  It is 75 acres of waterfront property on the Saranac Lake.  There are 11 guest rooms, 4 in the main lodge and several log houses including one over the large boat house.  All the rooms have stone wood-burning fireplaces and include 3 meals a day, cocktail hour, morning coffee and pastries, snacks and unlimited beverages including wines, spirits, beers, espresso and on and on.  Wed and Sat are black tie dinners whereas other dinners in the Great Hall require coat and tie for men with similar fancy dress for women.  It’s a beautiful property that is well maintained with a staff ready to make your stay the best it can be.  In the large modern kitchen was Executive Chef D’Anthony who was on site every day to prepare the meals.  He is from Texas so he got points for that too.   The pastry chef  (sorry I forgot her name) was also in the kitchen and she did a fabulous job on the morning pastries that come to your room with coffee.  We enjoyed the set menus for meals but also appreciate their flexibility if you want something different.  The food was all nicely done and beautifully presented.  Part of the experience was getting to chat with other like minded people over dinner and cocktails which was very well done.  I decided to break my write up into 2 parts as there were a number of meals to report on.  Bottom line is that if it works in your budget you should go.  It’s a fabulous property and a lovely experience. Continue reading →

Drifter Dinner Series, Dallas, 10/3/25

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building – 2023 Greenville Ave, #110, Dallas, TX 75206-7123

The Drifter Dinner Series was introduced in 2024 by Chef Toby Archibald of Quarter Acre Restaurant.  Four chefs from 4 different areas team up with Archibald to showcase their culinary techniques and styles to present an 8 course tasting menu complemented with cocktails and wines.  Single dinner tickets are sold as well as a season pass that includes all 4 dinners.  We were late to the ‘party’ and so just got one pair of tickets to this third in the series for 2025.  Seating times are staggered between 5:30 and 8:30 and it’s held in the Quarter Acre space.  You can read about our last tasting at this place by clicking here.   Tonight’s dinner featured Chef Kevin Fink of Hestia (one Michelin star) in Austin.  The pacing and portion control of the tasting were spot on and the beverage pairings were good and generous.  And did I forget to mention the food was fabulous?  This was a tasting that ranks with the best of the best.  Both chefs presented some of the dishes and talked with guests during a super fun and relaxed evening.  I shall have to watch for the next series offering and see if I could stay in town to enjoy a season pass.  Get to one if you can or get to Austin or Dallas and try one of these restaurants and let me know what you think. Continue reading →

Clean Slate Eatery (update), West Dennis, MA., 9/25/25

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entrance – 702 Main St., West Dennis, MA 02670, 508.225.0645

We really enjoyed our meal at Clean Slate Eatery in June so we re-visited on this trip.  Chef/Owner Jason Montigel is still working with the super talented Amanda Kotb for a dynamic team presenting a monthly changing menu for about 16 people.   We sat at one the high top tables behind the counter this time which gave us a slightly different view but anywhere you sit is good.  The place is very small and cozy and the food is still fantastic.  I love the chalkboard menu, the low wood counter and ceiling and the music that is in the background.   They do one seating for the 6 course prix fixe tasting at 6:30 Tues – Sat.  Wine pairings are available as is beer, wine and some cocktails.  We tried the pairings again and they are well matched and ample as well as delivered on a timely basis.  All the staff are super friendly and you really feel like you’re eating at a friend’s house.  I’m very glad we chose to repeat our visit here and hope you’ll get there soon too.  It’s a place that needs to be on your list! Continue reading →

Ceraldi, Provincetown, MA., 9/24/25

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building  – 9 Ryder St Ext Provincetown, MA 02657

During our last trip to Cape Cod, Ceraldi was closed as they were moving to a new location (where the 9 Ryder Restaurant was) in Provincetown, the very tip of Cape Cod.  They started in 2013 in Ptown as a pop-up and then were in Wellfleet for about 10 years before moving back.   Life partners and artists Jesse and Michael Ceraldi started and continue to run this restaurant  that highlights local farmers, fishermen and foragers.   Chef Michael not only cooks but makes much of the ceramic dinnerware from Cape Cod clay that guests eat off of.  The long place has peach tones to the walls and is right on the waterfront.  Lowered lighting is supplemented by many windows and mirrors.  A bar with seating runs half the length of one wall and the kitchen is through an opening at the back of the room but most of the view is blocked by supplies and plants.  They offer a 7, 3 or 1 course tasting and you can add a dessert to the smaller tastings.  Beverage pairings are available but know they include a couple non-alcholic ones.  The food is good but seemed to be still getting its footing in the new location.  I applaud the concept of a changing menu based on what’s locally available but the quantity was way off.  There were a number of comments online that the price was high and maybe it could be less if there wasn’t so much food on the plates.  I’ve beeen to 20+ course tastings were you can easily eat it all but with this 7 there were a number of courses sent back half eaten.  This chef and staff seem very capable but there’s a few kinks to work out. Continue reading →

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

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

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

Sauvage, Dallas, 9/6/25

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dining counter – 1914 Commerce St. Ste 100, Dallas, TX  75201

Sauvage is a 12 person counter tasting meal that opened a week ago by the team of Casey and Amy La Rue, who previously ran the now closed Carte Blanche on Greenville.  Located adjacent to the Statler Hotel the La Rue team has done much of the finish out work on their own.  The “L” shaped concrete counter surrounds the open kitchen including a wood fired grill.  A lounge like area is at the entry to accommodate those waiting for their seating, as the times are flexible for the 2 seatings.  Music is in the background and lighting is fairly bright which helps for photos.   It’s on a busy downtown street and you can get your ticket from the nextdoor hotel’s valet validated at the restaurant and then it’s costs just $10. The name translates to “wild” or refers to something uncultivated.  I have to say it didn’t feel wild to me rather more approachable and relaxed. At $245 for the tasting that may be the untamed part for some but if you can swing it it’s worth a try.  They are barely open and I hope as they progress the menu will evolve and change enough to entice people to come multiple times.  Let me know what you think when you visit. Continue reading →

Stephanie Inn (update), Cannon Beach, OR., 8/21 & 22/25

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exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110-3164

Stephanie Inn’s owners also own the Public Coast Farm, which you will pass if you drive in from Portland.  So much of the produce is from there and according to Chef Jeff what they send is the largest input into what’s on the menu.  You’ll find their produce at dinner and also in the complimentary breakfast that is included in your room rate.  Portions for the dinner menu are spot on and offered at two seatings each night (they go to one seating in winter) and reservations are required.  The dinner starts with drink orders being taken and delivery of the amuse bouche is about the same time as the housemade bread and butter coming out.  The bread is the same every night and the butter has a bit of course salt on top of it.  It’s a soft bread in that the crust isn’t crisp but the interior is soft and dense.   They came around each meal and offered more if you wanted.  When the first course is out one of the chef’s come out to describe the evening’s menu and then staff comes around to get your entrée choice.  Each meal finishes with a couple of Ranger Chocolate squares in different flavors.  It’s takes just over an hour and a half, depending on how many people are there.  Service is friendly and couldn’t be more helpful.  I really like this place, as you can tell since I keep going back, and hope you’ll get a chance to try it too. Continue reading →

Stephanie Inn (update), Cannon Beach, OR., August 19 & 20, 2025

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exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110-3164

We returned to the Stephanie Inn for another 4 nights like last year.  You can read last year’s posts by clicking here and here or searching for Stephanie Inn.  The building is pretty much the same as are some of the staff and that’s just fine by me.  Really friendly folks work in the dining room and hotel.  This year we had an ocean view the whole time and I highly recommend that as there’s lots to watch for relaxing entertainment but all the rooms offer easy access to the beach and water.  The tasting menu in the dining room is 5 courses with an amuse bouche and the only choice being the main course.  I did see some substitutions for dietary restrictions,  Wine pairings are offered on two levels and there is a good menu of by the bottle or glass wines.  Cocktails are available but there is no bar to go to.   The view with dinner is of the mountains and nearby homes but one night we also were treated to some elk that wandered through.  White tableclothes and muted music are the set up for this lovely dining experience.  Executive Chef Jeff Slemaker was on hand most nights but we did not see Executive Chef Aaron Bedard.  The food is fresh, much coming from their own farm (Public Coast Farm), and the seafood is mostly local.  The menu changes plenty from night to night so we did not mind coming again and again.  It’s a great vacation spot that I highly recommend you try.  I’ve already made reservations to go again next year.  Hope to see yo there! Continue reading →

Quarter Acre, Dallas, 7/26/25

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building – 2023 Greenville Ave, #110, Dallas, TX 75206-7123

We visited Quarter Acre right after they opened 2.5 years ago and were not inclined to go back except we read a compelling review of a new tasting menu by Brian Reinhart in D Magazine.  Chef Toby Archibald now curates a 7 course dinner that frequently changes showcasing some of their regular options and trying out new ones.  Chef Archibald is from New Zealand and combines this heritage with European influences.  The tasting can be had at a table or at seats at the bar and no pre-reservation is required, but the whole table must participate.  Wine pairings are available at $65/pp, not the $55 on the website, and they are not required for the whole table.  The physical structure hasn’t changed much- the long room has 4-tops running down the middle in curved booths topped with large rope light fixtures.  One one side is the bar with seating and the other side a bench fitted with a number of small 2-top tables, which can be combined for parties of 3 or 4.  Service was much more polished and very pleasant and the music in the background was toned down to a level where conversation was very possible.  Word of this tasting had spread and a number of people were getting it and the noise level was such we could even chat a bit with the adjacent tables and all marvel at the quality of the food and wine pairings.  One thing we all agreed on was that this place has found its footing and you should plan to visit when you can.  Maybe I’ll see you there! Continue reading →

Milkweed Inn (update), Wetmore, Michigan, 7/18-20/25

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main lodge – 15.5 Rd, Wetmore, MI 49895

You can read the previous write up of Milkweed Inn from 2022 here.   It was recently featured in Art Culinaire Magazine so we thought it was time to re-visit and check out any changes.  First and foremost the food and hospitality were equally superb and I think this year’s group of guests was even more fun than the last.  Chef Regan is transitioning from Iliana to Lane but that seems to only have focused their culinary talents.  The hunting lodge in the Hiawatha Forest now offers 4 interior bedrooms to stay in, some glamping tents and the Air Stream is now a Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van.  It is definitely off-the-grid and a totally laid back weekend of eating, drinking and chatting with like minded foodies.  Regan is still an expert forager as well as gardener and incorporates that into the meals in addition to hunting donations from neighbors.   There is also a sauna which you sign up for in pairs and lots of friendly dogs, pigs and soon to be horses on the property.  Reservations are through the website <www.milkweedinn.com> and often are made a year in advance.  One tip we took advantage of is to watch for vacancies that pop up to re-sell.  Since retiring we have that flexibility and can skirt the long wait.  Last visit the weather was uncomfortably warm which was not at all usual.  This time it was nice and cool with a good breeze.  Chef Regan and her partner Eve are absolutely delightful and will make every effort to ensure you have a memorable visit.   If you are seriously into food and enjoy very casual surroundings this is an experience you should sign up for.  Chef can make some adaptations to the menu for the dozen people in attendance, but check first if you can’t eat some things.  There was no printed menu, so all descriptions are what I could jot down. Continue reading →

Aubergine (update), Carmel, CA., 7/11/25

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entrance – Monte Verde & 7th Ave., Carmel, CA 93921

We last visited Aubergine in August 2023.   The tiny restaurant is in L’Auberge Carmel Hotel, a Relais & Châteaux under the direction of Executive Chef Justin Cogley.  He strives to have his guests enjoy a broad combination of flavors and textures and he and the restaurant have won numerous awards for their efforts.  They serve a blind tasting menu 5 nights a week in two seatings for 5 tables.   Since we were last here they were awarded the second Michelin star (2024)  after earning their first in 2019.   They offered only one supplement to the menu, midway through the meal, offering to substitute Japanese A5 Wagyu for the Nebraska ribeye that was on the menu.   Music was in the background and the lights were lowered but sun does come in throught the large curtain covered windows, especially in the summer.  The cozy room is only slightly disturbed by the regular parade of people coming and going to the hotel, patio or bar.  A large cabinet shields some of this.   Service was superb with someone making the circle around the large center floral display and watching for needs at any table.  The pacing and portion control of  the tasting was spot on and the food was fantastic.  If you can get here, do, it’s worth the trip. Continue reading →

Chez Noir (update), Carmel, CA., 7/10/25

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exterior – 5th Ave, Between Dolores And San Carlos St, Carmel, CA 93921

It’s been 2 years since we visited Chez Noir and husband and wife team Chef Jonny and Monique Black have changed the format slightly but the quality is just as high.   They have one Michelin Star and Chef Jonny was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef California.   Chef Jonny has had extensive experience working fine dining places such as Per Se, Quince, Pineapple and Pears, Noma and Clove Club to name a few.  They were also a finalist for the Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant in 2024.  The small dining room is cozy and supplemented with seats on the courtyard and 8 at the attached bar.  They are only open for dinner, closed Sunday, and release reservations the first of the prior month.  They go fairly quickly for weekends but will try to work with walk-ins very early or later in the evening.  They serve only a 4 course tasting menu with choices for 3 of the courses and some optional supplemental courses.  There are also monetary supplements applied for some of the menu options.  Each tasting will also come with fabulous amuse bouche and some extra dessert treats.  While I loved the format we had with the “let us cook for you” option in 2023 (read about here),  this new one was fine and the food and service were fantastic so definitely put this on your list now. Continue reading →

Mābo, Dallas, 6/26/25

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exterior – 6109 Berkshire Ln, B, Dallas, TX 75225

Mābo is an yakitori omakase restaurant under the direction of the former chef of Teppo, Masayuki Otaka that opened a little over a year ago.  He offers 2  seatings (5:30 and 8:30) for 8 guests of a 14-course tasting menu.   At Teppo, Chef Otaka was known as “the Yakitori King of Dallas” so this place serves more meat than seafood.  Yakitori in Japan means grilled chicken and while five chicken parts are on the tasting menu even more are offered on a supplemental menu.  This supplemental menu includes options for other meats, fish and vegetables.  The basic tasting is $200 per person, with tax, tip and drinks in addition but the chicken supplements we had were just $8 per skewer (I did find it annoying that the supplemental menu had no prices).   The small, minimal space has few decorations but it is serene and tasteful.  We took the early seating and found the door did not get unlocked until precisely 5:30.  After being shown to a comfortable seat at the counter, which has screens blocking you view into the kitchen, we ordered some sake and water and chatted with neighbors until the screen rises 10 minutes later.  Chef Otaka was the only one ever in the kitchen but a sweet server helped with information and serving.  The vent fan runs constantly, because the charcoal is going, but it does make some noise for counter conversations and in addition there is music in the background.  It was great to see Otaka back in action but I don’t think I’ll be a regular here because there’s too much non-yakitori.  The non-yakitori foods were good but didn’t get into great territory.  On the other side though, if you want a yakitori fix this would be the first place I’d direct you to. Continue reading →

Far Out, Dallas, 5/21/25

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from the parking lot – 1906 S Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75223

Far Out is a flexible place.  A patio, private tasting rooms and the main dining room are the different spaces available for rental or open to the public Tues through Sat evenings, with the bar open later than the kitchen.  The large Quonset hut that houses the main dining room was formerly Wriggly Tin but was re-opened this year by Caroline and James Lee promising a culinary adventure.  For their most recent menu they drafted James Beard nominated chef Misti Norris, of Petra and the Beast, to be in charge.  I’m anxious to get there and try her regular menu but this evening she was crafting a tasting to pair with drinks from the Andalusia Whiskey Co. out of Blanco, TX.  Ty Phelps, the lead brewer was on hand to introduce his liquors, straight and in cocktail form.  The large space had tables around the center bar with one end being glass looking out to the patio seating.  Lots of plants and other objects decorated the space and music was in the background.  Televisions were mounted on the wall opposite the glass one but sound was thankfully muted.  The whiskey was not my usual taste but the couple of cocktails were tasty however, as a rule I’d prefer wine with my meal.  That said. I won’t comment more on the drink but do encourage you to get down to this place and try some of Norris’s interesting and tasty cuisine.  I sure will. Continue reading →

White Barn Inn Restaurant (prix fixe), Kennebunk, ME., 6/18/25

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buildings – 37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7614

The basic menu at the fine dining restaurant in White Barn Inn is a 4 course fixed price ($175 + tax, gratuity) one.  There are at least 6 choices for each of 4 courses, some with supplemental charges and optional wine pairings are available.   Since we’d done the 2 longer tastings the previous nights we thought this would be a way to try options we hadn’t gotten or to repeat some of our favorite selections.  The meal was a combination of both and included  the usual small extras we’d had every night.  Again we came early but this time were able to get seats at the bar to enjoy a martini before we started the meal and listen to a different pianist this night.  We had the same great server as last night and she was helpful in making sure nothing repeated that we didn’t want to and assured satisfaction with the experience.  Executive Chef Mary Dumont was not there any of the 3 nights we were.  According to one server she often comes in the morning to help prep and plan but doesn’t work dinner service, so we were dissappointed not to meet her and get her to meet Frankie.  However, it still is a place I’d recommend to anyone wanting a fine dining experience in the Kennebunk area. Continue reading →

White Barn Inn Restaurant(chef’s blind tasting), Kennebunk, ME.,6/17/25

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Inn building where you enter – 37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7614

We arrrived early fo our second dinner at White Barn Inn Restaurant so we could enjoy a drink with the live piano music beforehand.  The bar stools had been reserved with people for dinner so we had a choice of some stuffed chairs or a seat at the piano, where we chose to enjoy a nice Negroni.  It was a lovely way to start the meal, which tonight was to be the 8 course blind chef’s tasting.    There is no printed menu but Executive Sous Chef Liam Gove was nice enough to email me a list of our courses to help with my write up.  I find this is often offered and about the half the time they actually do it but kudos to him for promptly following up.  My understanding from our server was that the tasting was adjusted since we had the lobster tasting the previous evening and they didn’t want to repeat any courses.  We also sat on a different side of the room which was much better for photos, less sun glare and more constant light from an overhead spot.  We didn’t ask about wine pairings as we chose to get our own bottle of wine each night.    Service was again first rate with the friendly staff anticipating every need and being quite helpful.  This was another meal I’d recommend you try, but the lobster was my favorite of the two. Continue reading →

White Barn Inn (lobster tasting), Kennebunk, ME., 6/16/25

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building – 37 Beach Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043-7614

White Barn Inn Restaurant, about 20 miles outside of Portland, Maine, offers New England cuisine year-round.    The Inn is around 45 years old and has a fine dining as well as a casual restaurant.  We chose the fine dining portion for our stay and were able to sample the 3 types of menus they offer.   The menus are presented in a re-modeled barn building, whereas the casual dining is in a more modern room.  The front of the 2-story room has a small bar with seats for about 6 (they can be reserved to eat from the casual restaurant’s menu) and a grand piano with an actual pianist playing every night.  The second story of the barn is filled with boxes, fake animals and other decorative items and in the back of the room is a large window that showcases lighted colorful blooming plants.  The double clothed tables are draped to the floor with a beige cloth that is topped with a shorter white one.  Service is 5-star and friendly, if you want interaction.  We started with the lobster tasting where portion control was spot on and the food was very good.  I would easily recommend this place when in the area and it’s even better when you can stay right there and walk to and from dinner. Continue reading →

28 Atlantic at Wequassett Inn, Harwich, MA., 6/6/25

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building – Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, 2173 MA-28, Harwich, MA 02645

28 Atlantic is located in the large Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, a place that has several dining options.  28 Atlantic is their signature restaurant  and is the only Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the region.   It is located in an 18th century sea captain’s home overlooking Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic ocean.  Chef Jame Hackney is in charge of the kitchen but did not greet the guests.  The large dining room is obviously an add-on to the old captain’s house with floor-to-ceiling windows taking in the view.  The while cloth covered tables are ample in size and set with comfortable upholsterd chairs.  A fireplace was lit on one side of the room  but the high ceiling made climate control necessarry.  Carpet and sound panels in the ceiling kept the noise at an acceptable level, especially since the only generated noise was from the television running in the adjacent bar area.  On a less rainy/cloudy day the view would have been stunning but we didn’t luck out with that.  The room seemed sterile and more like a regular ‘special occassion’ place.  The wine list was of poor quality too.  The menu offered a 7-course tasting menu or a fixed price 2 or 4 course meal.  The 2-course had no dessert, the 4 came with 2 firsts, one second and a dessert.  We chose the 4 with our own bottle of wine.  Service was efficient and friendly but didn’t know much about the food.  If you have a large party this would be a good option but otherwise I wouldn’t go again. Continue reading →

Clean Slate Eatery, West Dennis, MA., 6/6/25

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building – 702 MA-28, West Dennis, MA 02670

Clean Slate Eatery re-opened a year ago after a 4 year hiatus. Chef/Owner Jason Montigel started as a pop-up place with a successful 4 year run interupted by the Covid pandemic. during which he began to sell tacos from a food truck.  In this small location he offers a fixed price 6-course tasting with much of the assemblege in the open kitchen.   There are just 16 seats with most around the counter where he works with Chef Amanda Kotb, a young chef from Amsterdam.   Montigel wanted it to feel like a dinner party and it does with the close seating and commraderie that develops from eating and drinking together.  There is one seating Wed – Sat evenings and wine pairings are available.  The pourings are ample and I’d recommend them but they also have a small cocktail list and beer.   The weekly menu is on a chalkboard in front of the counter but it’s also on the website.  A window beside it opens into another area of the kitchen where some cooking takes place but most of the assemblege is on the table in the middle of the L-shaped counter.  There was no list of the wine pairings so I have a photo of the pairing bottle with the course except for the beginning Prosceco that I didn’t photograpth.   The night we were there, there was an optional additon of foie gras bonbons which we both tried.   Reservations are by phone or email and I strongly encourage you to find a time to get there and taste this fabuolous food and enjoy the cozy atmosphere. Continue reading →

LUNE, Dennis Port, MA., 6/5/25

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building – 587 MA-28, Dennis Port, MA 02639

LUNE is brought to you by Chef Mick Formichella and his wife Charlotte who moved back to Cape Cod from Portland, OR where they both worked in various restaurants.  She runs the front of house including the wine program and he does the kitchen.  Starting as a pop-up in an art gallery, they moved to a permanent location in mid-May last year.   They chose an old garage building that adds an interesting interior to the place.  About 6 seats are at the end of the long counter surrounding the open kitchen and the rest are small tables, most with bench seating backing up to the walls.  Art and wine bottles provide many of the decorations  as well as the large black and white tile floor.  The restaurant was a semi-finalist for the  2025 James Beard Best New Restaurant Award but then were removed from the competition as they were closed in Feb and March when judges visit the nominated restaurants.  That was to the benefit of the remaining contenders as this small gem would have been formidable competition.  They book up quickly for the tasting menu that is offered in 2 seatings on Thurs, Friday and Sat.  On Wed and Sun they serve an a la carte menu.  We were lucky to enjoy one the tasting menus with Charlotte’s selected wine pairings.  It was a terrific evening filled with great food and friendly staff and one I highly recommend you try when in the area. Continue reading →

MÄS, Ashland, OR., 5/16/25

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building – 141 Will Dodge Way, Ashland, OR 97520

MÄS was a tiny tasting bar by Chef Josh Dorcak serving Cascadian cuisine.  Started in 2017, it was in the basement of a bakery but it secured a more permanent home the next year.  Dorcak was a finalist for the 2023 James Beard Best Chef Pacific Northwest award and the restaurant was named on the New York Times “favorite 50 restaurants” in 2022.  It’s a hidden sort of entry, in an alley behind the busier streets of downtown Ashland.  The tasting menu only is served at a half dozen counter seats and a small room with tables for a total capacity of 18.  The night we were there only 4 of us were at the counter for the earlier seating of the night and Dorcak was not there but the other two chefs, Chef de Cuisine Andy Peterson and Sous Chef Jeffrey Kimura,  and Sommelier Joseph Shaughnessy provided a wonderful evening of tastes and wines for about 2 and a half hours.  Pairings are offered and also available as non-alcoholic.  If you’re in Portland, it’s about 5 hours to drive here but it’s worth the drive.  Next door is Dorcak’s a la carte and drink slightly larger place, Nama. Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant (update), Elk, CA., 5/10/25

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back of Harbor House – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

Whether you stay in the main house or one of the cottages at Harbor House you often have required 2 or 3 night stays.  Dinner can be in your room or this site has some other restaurants in the area but your best bet is to eat 2 nights at their restaurant.  When you let them know, Chef Matt Kammerer and his team will try and change the menu for you the second night but when possible he will also repeat those courses you ask to have again.   We’ve done the 2 night dinners many times but this one they knocked it out of the park with variation while still serving the quality of food we have come to love.  It’s hard to explain the purity of flavor and the seeming simplicity of the dishes (especially when I know how many steps were involved in the process) but it is always a glorious meal that leaves you feeling satisfied even though you know it was really healthy too.  Combined with the fantastic staff and beautiful setting I can’t encourage you enough to go and try it.  The Santa Rosa airport is about a two and half hour drive away and the twisty road through the mountains is gorgeous.  Then being from Texas it’s also thrilling to watch the temperature drop as you leave the valley and cross the mountains.  If you regularly read this blog you’ll see this place again many times and that speaks volumes. Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant (update), Elk, CA., 5/9/25

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exterior – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

Harbor House is undoubtedly one of my very favorite restaurants and so we try and visit often.  It’s been several months and a different season so it’s fun to see what’s new on the menu.  Staying at the Harbor House is the best way to go – the view is beautiful as is the property and they’ve been working on upgrades to the rooms and bathrooms.   Their ranch/farm is in full production which along with other local fisherman and ranchers give them access to top quality ingredients. The food has a purity to it without 25 ingredients on each dish and smears, foams and unnecessary green garnishes.   Sommelier Jason Chin has taken over the wine program and will find you a fine wine in your price range to go with the tasting menu.  As they require a 2 night stay you can look forward to another Harbor House meal in a few days!  Hope you’ll go and tell them Frankie sent you. Continue reading →

Cyrus Restaurant, Geyserville, CA., 5/8/25

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building – 275 CA-128, Geyserville, CA 95441

Cyrus reopened and was inspired to make the fine dining meal there a journey that mimics a dining experience in a home.  You start with cocktails and a welcoming treat then move to the kitchen where you interact with the chefs and then into the dining room with a final stop in the Chocolate Room.  Co-owned by Chef Douglas Keane it serves modern California cuisine and has one Michelin star. Keane opened the place in 2005 at a Hotel in Healdsburg naming it for Cyrus Alexander an early settler of Sonoma County  The hotel changed ownership and he sold the restaurant in 2012, but retained the name. In 2020 Keane acquired the ground floor of a prune-packing plant.  The modifications were hindered by the Covid pandemic and it finally reopened in Sept. 2022 and received one star in Dec.  Private investors now own the 6 acre property and hope to add a 6-room hotel on the second floor as well as an orchard and herb garden.  It’s a large, very modern structure with friendly staff and very good food on the long tasting menu. If you find yourself in the area I’d get a reservation – I’m not a fan of the moving-around concept but the food here is good. Continue reading →

Single Thread Restaurant (update), Healdsburg, CA., 5/7/25

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exterior – 131 North St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Single Thread was first visited in Dec. 2018 when it had just been elevated to a 3 Michelin star rating.   The physical room has aged well and the service is still first-rate.  This trip we ‘shot the wad’ and stayed in one of their upstairs guest rooms.  There are 5 of them, all nice-sized, very modern and a good bit of food comes with your room in the form of snacks and breakfast, which was on par with dinner.  Chef Kyle Connaughton and wife/Head Farmer Katina bought the property and a 5-acre farm in 2014, opened the restaurant in 2016 and the farm now provides much of the produce served in the 10-course tasting menu.  The farm-to-table menu has major Asian influences to it and a seasonal theme – this one was about ‘Mid-Spring in Sonoma.’  Pairings are available as is an extensive wine list.   Nicely no supplements were offered for sale for the menu.  Everything was good but nothing crossed into the spectacular zone for me, which at this price it should.  It’s a restaurant that rates highly on many lists and one you should visit if you’re in to farm-to-table but bring your platinum card and plan to spend around 3 hours. Continue reading →

Wine Vault & Bistro, San Diego, 4/12/25

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entrance – 3731 India St, San Diego, CA 92103

Wine Vault and Bistro pairs a menu with wines for dinner on Sat and Sun.  All are multi-course and the menu is based on what’s seasonal and fresh, changing weekly.  If they are not doing a winemaker dinner, it a Chef’s 5-course tasting menu on Sat. only.   All wines served at dinner are available for purchase by the bottle to take home.  It opened in 2005 as a wine shop offering tastings of wine and cheese.  Our winemaker dinner had a 6-course tasting menu at a bargain price point around $140 per person, including food and wine.   There is limited parking and you need to climb several sets of stairs but then you find yourself in the communal dining room where seats have been assigned.  The bar opens 45 minutes before dinner, which starts promptly, so don’t be late.  At the bar they have limited offerings, like $9 glass of red or white wine or a $15 martini.  I saw no one try to come in late, in fact most were there early and lined up for a drink at the bar.  There were basically 2 rooms with a variety of seating options.  In our room it was long communal cloth-covered tables topped with paper but the other room had more tables for four.  The bar was in between the two rooms.  The wine was brought out in decanters for each couple so you could divide it how you wished.  The chef offered an explanation of the food to come at the beginning.  It wasn’t the friendliest crowd but it was fine.  Overall the wine was better than the food. Continue reading →

Callie Restaurant, San Diego, 4/10/25

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interior – 1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Callie Restaurant is the melding of Chef Travis Swikard’s love of Mediterranean cuisine but using farmer’s, and fishermen’s and ingredients from the San Diego region.  Swikard is a native of San Diego who gained experience cooking in NYC and England before opening this, his first solo venture.  The name Callie is Greek for “the most beautiful” and that well describes the large striking interior and well-seasoned, tasty food.  You enter near the bar with its curved wood ceiling and then move into the large dining area filled with bare wood tables.  A variety of seating options include chairs and benches some with windows to the outside streets and some next to the glassed in wine cellar and private dining room.  The long open kitchen is on one side, exposed ducts are painted white in the ceiling, with lots of plants in the room and background music.   They have no dedicated parking lot but a city lot is next door and the restaurant will validate your parking ticket there for a couple of hours.   The menu was supplemented by some nightly specials (some of which we chose)  and the wine list was well priced.  Service was super friendly and helpful in determining how many of the small shared plates we would need.  They do offer a ‘feed-me’ menu where the kitchen picks what you get for a set price, but we picked our own items.  It was a flavor packed delightful meal.  I hope you’ll try it when in town. Continue reading →

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

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

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

Campo at Los Poblanos (chef’s counter), Albuquerque, 3/28/25

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building – 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107
The restaurant at Los Poblanos is called Campo and on Friday and Saturday nights they offer a Chef’s Counter tasting for just 4 people.  You must reserve this well in advance; the tasting includes wine pairings. Los Poblanos is an organic farm with guest rooms and special event  areas.   We were fortunate to have 2 nights there so we could try one night at the Chef’s counter and another in the main dining room.  The menus are fairly different but both are based on New Mexican cuisine.  The 4 seats are right at the edge of the kitchen and many of the different staff presented dishes and interacted with us.  With just 4 people you get to know your counter-mates and we were very lucky to spend the evening with a delightful couple from Texas!  All the staff were very interested in talking about the preparation of our dishes and the sommelier picked fun but small pours to accompany each dish.  It was a fabulous evening and I’d highly recommend getting a reservation and doing a facility tour while there.  The food was great as were all the people working there, including Head Chef Christopher Bethoney, Wine Director Dylan Storment,  and Executive Sous Chef Kennedi Martinez.

Set-Up

kitchen
kitchen
coals
Sommelier Dylan Storment and Frankie

Food

Deviled quail egg was seasoned with house made pickles.  The eggs were garnished with dill and carrot tops along with black and pink pepper.  They had a great flavor and good herb content without it dominating.  Light and spicy – a great start.  Since we had pairings I’ll post the beverages with the course when possible.  We had a gin cocktail with these.

deviled egg
gin cocktail

 

Ash roasted beets with preserved lemon were on labneh topped with za’atar (spice mix).   The labneh was made with goat’s milk and fresh herbs and the za’atar included some sesame seeds.  The beets were roasted in the ash but you couldn’t taste the smokiness just the sweetness of the beets.  It came with a house-made toasted focaccia which I seemed to not get a photo of but it made a good conduit for the beets and yogurt.

Ash roasted beets
wine

Barramundi crudo was plated with fermented plum, lavender and chile oil. The Asian sea bass blended nicely with the fruit and tasty dressing. This was quite tasty.

Barramundi crudo
wine

Tetela (triangular masa casing) was filled with Rosales Farms green chile and Tucaumcari cheddar on tepary beans, cabbage slaw and sliced butternut squash.  The lovely beans were perfectly cooked and great with the cheese-filled blue corn tortilla.  This course had fabulous flavors and textures and the local wine pairing complimented it nicely.

Tetela
moved
wine

Huitlacoche cappelletti was filled with goat cheese and decorated with New Mexican piñon nuts.  Some crispy sunchoke chips gave even more texture to the tasty tender pastas.  They were not too thick and rather retained a fine delicacy.   This was a great plate.

Huitlacoche cappelletti
wine

Shepard’s lamb neck tamal with mole negro was seasoned with a black garlic seasoning that took 5 weeks to make.  The organic lamb was tasty as was the tamal.  You really wanted to lick the wrapper clean on this one.  Yum.

Shepard’s lamb neck tamal
wine
Executive Sous Chef Kennedi Martinez and Frankie

Trilogy whole hog was with house tortillas and accompaniments.  This was 3 cuts of pork -flank, belly and chorizo and all were yummy but the belly was out of sight delicious.  The accompaniments included pickled onion, kimchi, salsa with peanuts, cilantro and lime.  The salsa had a bit of sweetness but I loved it with all the cuts of pork.  The kimchi was a fun addition because it added a nice spiciness.  The onions, lime and cilantro went with all. There were tender corn tortillas to wrap it all in and they had some blue corn mixed it.  It was a wonderful protein course.

Trilogy of whole hog
accompaniments
tortillas
wine

24-year aged Monticello balsamico was mixed with Hoja santa(heart-shaped leaf in the peppercorn family) on ice cream sprinkled with Los Poblanos pickled mulberries.  This was a fabulous melding of flavors.  Savory and sweet.

24-year aged Monticello balsamico on ice cream
pairing

New Mexico butter pecan semifreddo with mesquite caramel and brown sugar sablé.  The caramel was to die for as were the buttery cookies and pecan pieces.  This had sweetness and texture galore.  It was terrific.

New Mexico butter pecan semifreddo
wine front
wine back
little birthday celebration on a kitchen tour

Petit fours were a small box of goodies to take with you.  It included lavender bonbons, chocolate bonbons, pistachio pumpkin macarons, persimmon fruit jellies, blue corn lavender cookies, and rose sugar madeleines.  The cookies were lovely as were the chocolate bonbons.  Not a macaron lover but I still enjoyed these and the madeleines

treats to go
Head Chef Christopher Bethoney and Frankie

Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube(update), Baiersbronn, 3/16/25

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restaurant building – Tonbachstraße 237, 72270 Baiersbronn, Germany

We were last at Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube in Sept 2018 (click to see that write-up), when we visited the Black Forest and stayed at Hotel Traube Tonbach.  After our visit a fire destroyed the restaurant building that is across the street from the hotel in Jan 2020.  The new facility is in the same space and reopened in April 2022.  Torsten Michel has been head chef since 2017 and they retain their 3 Michelin Star rating, which they’ve had since 1993 – the longest streak in Germany.  The dining room felt much more modern as I’m sure the kitchen is too.  The large single drape tables are widely spaced and a modern light fixture hangs from the ceiling, but most of the table light comes from the small spots above.  Large windows are on 3 of the walls and music is softly in the background.  A large floral arrangement is in the center and small matching ones are on each table.  They offer 2 tasting menus, a vegetarian tasting menu and a la carte.  Wine or alcohol-free pairings are available for each of the tastings.  Interestingly, they will do different tastings at the same table rather than the usual only one.  Service and the food are fantastic and the wine list large and reasonable.  Pacing was on the slow side but portioning spot on.  The Chef comes around to visit with guests following the savory service.   I recommend a trip to the Black Forest  where you can eat at 2 very fine restaurants, but I would also recommend staying here rather than Bareiss and letting the Traube Tonbach drive you back and forth.  Put this on your to-go list! Continue reading →

Restaurant Bareiss (update), Baiersbronn, 3/15/25

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entrance – Hermine-Bareiss-Weg 1, 72270 Baiersbronn, Germany

We first ate at Restaurant Bareiss in 2018 (click to see that here).  It is the 3-Michelin star restauant under Chef Claus-Peter Lumpp.  He has been here since March of 1992 and it was awarded the third star in 2007 up from the 2 it had held since 1985.  It’s in the Hotel Bareiss which is a massive complex of buildings.  They are closed Mon-Wed but offer lunch as well as dinner Thurs – Sun, which makes reservations for one of the 8 tables a bit easier.  We did the tasting menu at lunch this visit and stayed at their hotel, rather than using the complimentary transportation between it and the other 3 star in the Black Forest.  The dining room had been updated with a new ceiling fixture but there was still a fabulous flower arrangement in the center of the room.  One advantage of lunch is being able to see out the windows that circle the room, into the outside gardens.  The girls working in the room have an updated version of traditional dress while the men wear formal attire.  No music was in the room that held large well spaced double-clothed tables.  Service was as outstanding as the food.  At lunch they offer a shorter lunch menu, the dinner tasting menu(which we got) and a la carte options.  It’s a long meal but well worth the effort of getting there to enjoy it. Continue reading →

Restaurant JAN, Munich, 3/13/25

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entrance – Luisenstraße 27, 80333 München, Germany

Restaurant JAN, opening in 2022, was the creation of Chef Jan Hartwig.  This is Hartwig’s first own restaurant, previously having been a chef at the 3 Star Restaurant Atelier (where we ate in 2018)  as well as the author of a cookbook.  The well-lit dining room can seat up to 40 guests and there is a private dining room in addition.  The open kitchen is at one end of the main room with some of the tables set to the side where there is no view of the kitchen.  Windows to the street were shuttered and modern art is on the light walls.  Natural woods make up the doorways, ceiling and floor with the dark un-clothed wood tables varying in size.  Rock music was in the background and Chef Hartwig was in the house and came out to speak with his guests.   He has already received a Michelin 3 star rating at this new place – just 6 months after it opened.  His “7” (there are lots of extras) course tasting menu is only offered 4 days a week.  There are several supplemental dishes offered as well as wine pairings.  The attractive room is sparse but the food is lovely.  Get a reservation if you can. Continue reading →

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

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

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

Essigbrätlein In Nürnberg, Nuremberg, 3/12/25

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exterior – Weinmarkt 3, 90403 Nürnberg, Germany

Essigbrätlein was a small restaurant in the historic part of Nuremberg.  They offered a tasting menu where vegetables are the main ingredients, showcasing local produce.  They have been awarded 2 Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star (for sustainability).  Chef Andree Köthe opened the restaurant in 1989 and won his first star in 1999 and the second in 2007.  He also was named Chef of 2012 in Germany by Gault and Millau.  Chef Yves Ollech joined Köthe in 1997 and Sommelier Ivan Jakir joined in 1999.  Together this trio presents a fabulous option to the standard tasting menu full of luxury ingredients and instead features the finest produce of the area.  The small dining room had bench seating along the walls facing nice sized white clothed tables.  The walls were dark wood, wood beams were in the ceiling, the wood floor was covered with rugs, and no music was in the background.  The windowless room had some dividers between tables, some mirrors on the walls and a mural on the wall above the door to the kitchen.  Their tasting menu was available in 5, 6 or 7 courses with optional wine pairings.  We chose the 7-course tasting with a bottle of white and glass of red toward the end.  The matches were great with decent size pours on the by the glass.  Service was as outstanding as the food.  This hidden gem of a restaurant has been discovered by Michelin and now you need to put it on your list to discover. Continue reading →

Le Bistroman Atelier, Madrid, 3/2/25

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

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

VelascoAbella, Madrid, 3/1/25

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exterior – C. de Víctor Andrés Belaunde, 25, Chamartín, 28016 Madrid, Spain

VelascoAbella is the creation of Chef Óscar Velasco and his wife Chef Montse Abellá, which opened just over a year and a half ago.  We first enjoyed Velasco’s cooking at Santceloni and some of the menu has dishes related to that time. Abellá’s background is as a pastry chef but she is also in charge of the front of the house and she, with her bubbly personality, is perfect in that role. The couple was at the front door to greet their guests.  It’s a medium sized place with light colors and lowered lighting.  The ample tables are draped with white linen and windows look out into some gardens with music in the background.  They offer an a la carte menu with full and half portions as well as a tasting menu.  The really fun twist here is that they offer you the option to pick what you want to be on the tasting menu (6 dishes and 2 desserts) rather than a set menu.  If you want a bit more they can add in an extra course.  It’s the ultimate customization and when Abellá comes around to take your order she will help with your decisions.  They had a special of the baby peas that night and we added that to our tasting.  They have one Michelin star and are a place I’d highly recommend and will happily return to when in Madrid. Continue reading →

Per Se Bistro – Andres Madrigal, Madrid, 3/1/25

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exterior – C. de Augusto Figueroa, 32, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain

Per se Bistro was opened by Chef Andrés Madrigal’s in Nov. 2023 after working some time in Panama.  Thirty-six seats were in the “L” shaped two level dining room.  Large white-clothed tables were nicely spaced against the cream-colored walls, stone floors and wood accents.  Music was in the background, windows were along one wall facing the street and pottery was highlighted on shelving and in the overhead lighting.  The effect was nice.  Service was friendly but a number of the staff seemed to be in training, unsure of what to do.  They offer a tasting menu and a la carte menus at lunch.  We chose the tasting which lists some extra options including, bread, water and coffee, but they did not put in an extra charge for bread or water even though we had it.  The meal was portioned well but the food was mixed. Continue reading →

Saddle, Madrid, 2/28/25

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

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

DiverXo, Madrid, 2/27/25

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entrance- NH Eurobuilding, C. del Padre Damián, 23, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid, Spain

We went to Diver XO in Feb 2013 when it was in another location.  Since then it has moved into the NH Collection Hotel and established a more theatrical food journey created by Chef Dabiz Muñoz.  They offer just one tasting menu with several optional pairings.   It was quite pricey, even the non-alcoholic pairings are 250€ per person.  We bought our own wine for dinner and started with a glass of vintage cava that turned out to be 35€ a glass.  Was it worth it – I don’t think so.  Our 2013 visit I remembered the food as phenomenal and the setting funky and fun.  They’ve gone upscale now with huge linen draped tables all surrounded by sheer curtains, large stuffed chairs in pink or cream, tons of props, designated clothing for food or beverage staff, and full color cards for each course.  No music was in the background and it was very bright.  I am a fan of food and flavor and not theater but it continues to be a trend in Michelin restaurants and this one has 3 stars.  That said, nothing was bad but nothing was killer and I would not visit again, but I had to see what all the fuss was about.  You’ll be well taken care of if you go and it’s a unique experience but enter into it with eyes open, as well as your wallet.  One more note, the staff spoke good English but some was very heavily accented and hard to understand the descriptions. Continue reading →

OSA, Madrid, , 2/26/25

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exterior – C. de la Ribera del Manzanares, 123, Moncloa – Aravaca, 28008 Madrid, Spain

OSA offers a single tasting menu, with long (20-22 dishes) and short (14-15 dishes)versions in a small 2-story house.  Chefs Jorge Muñoz and Sara Peral, who both previously worked at Mugaritz, are the drivers of this seasonal menu with French and Japanese influences.  The two dining rooms on the main floor can accommodate up to 20 guests at 5 tables.  The large open kitchen is also on this floor and shines with much stainless steel and marble.  There is a terrace upstairs and a small room with a fireplace that looks into the large glassed wine cellar and cabinet of pickling/preserving products.  We started our long tasting up there with a tour of the wine cellar and our first 4 charcuterie snacks with a glass of Spanish cava.  They had a fire going and it was fun to explore all the projects waiting to made into dishes for our plates.  In the dining room the large tables were covered with white cloths and adorned with vases of orchid blooms.   Different music was downstairs than upstairs but the lighting was brighter – possibly due to overhead spots and light walls.  The meal was a long one but the service was exceptional and the pacing great, however some of the courses need to be scaled down and we asked that to happen about 2/3 into the tasting.  The food and menu are creative and tasty making it an experience I’d recommend for any adventurous eaters. Continue reading →

Restaurant CEBO, Madrid, 2/25/25

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

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

Fond, Dallas, 2/15/25

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entrance – 1601 Elm St Suite 110, Dallas, TX 75201

Fond is the creation of husband and wife team, Chefs Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore, who were part of the group that brought FRANK, an underground restaurant to the Deep Ellum area.  Most recently, they ran Better Half Bistro – a pop-up of French-inspired dishes and Detroit-style pizzas.  The restaurant is named for “fond” – the savory browned bits in the bottom of the pan, but in addition because they are “fond” of Dallas, each other and their customers.  The space is on the first floor of the Santander building in downtown.  They are open for lunch Mon. to Fri. and for Aperitivo Tues to Fri. where they offer shared plates.  They have wine but it is of the natural variety.  Opening in Sept 2023, they now have a tasting menu dinner one Sat. a month, focusing on local and seasonal ingredients and each month features a different theme.  The idea is to offer 40 seats split between 2 times at $175 per person and optional wine pairings at $50 or non-alcoholic pairings at $25.  What we attended was a tad different with guests being at individual tables for the six-course tasting at $125, same pairing options.  Not sure I understand how to tell what you’re going for but a friend had secured a reservation for 3 and we wanted to try it.  Parking is in the garage under the building and they will validate for 2 hours.  This meal was mixed in success with light portioning but I do love the Beatles and the theme was “The Beatles Love Menu.” Continue reading →

SOLA Soho, London, 1/25/25

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entrance – 64 Dean St, London W1D 4QQ, United Kingdom

SOLA was a small place, about 8 tables, featuring Victor Garvey’s California cooking.  It has one Michelin star and opened in 2019.   Bench seating backs up to plants and windows on the long wall of the restaurant.  A couple small tables are opposite next to some wine cabinets and the end has an arced banquet.  Large round tables are covered with white cloths and brown leather placemats with the starched napkin held in plaster hands.  Music was in the background.  They offer one tasting with optional wine pairings (two levels).   We ordered our own wine but the wine list is very small and oddly chosen and the wine glasses quite clunky.  The wine and cocktails are all badly over-priced and the Old Fashioned we started with was very sweet.  Staff were all friendly but the vibe seemed odd to me.  Nothing was bad but nothing was outstanding either. Continue reading →

Cornus, London, 1/25/25

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

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

Row on 5, London, 1/24/25

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entrance – 5 Savile Row, London W1S 3PB, United Kingdom

Row on 5 was on Savile Row but in this instance ‘Row’ stood for the “refinement of work”.  Chef/Owner Jason Atherton was joined by Spencer Metzger as Executive Chef to present a 15-course tasting menu divided into three acts,  meaning moving to different rooms.   I’m not sure if they offer wine pairings but they had a book about 4 inches thick of wines available and they are displayed in several areas.  We started with a cocktail and had a bottle of white with dinner and a glass of red for the meat course.  Opening in Nov. 2024 each area has been decorated with no-expense-spared luxury.  The ‘journey’ starts downstairs with snacks.  The various seating options are in a room with a bar, small kitchen, views of a wine cellar and plaster hands holding ‘special’ wine bottles.   The main courses are an elevator ride upstairs, where staff insists on carrying the lady’s purse, and seating was around the perimeter, a counter and a few center tables.  At the end of this service, you and your purse are taken back downstairs, either by stairs or elevator for the last treats and after dinner drinks.  You receive a copy of the menu when you take your seat upstairs but it’s minimal.  This is one of the many places that have promised to send a more informative menu via email and fail to do so – a pet peeve of mine.  They are definitely trying to get some Michelin stars when the new ratings come out but mis-steps like this don’t help.  They certainly served beautiful and tasty foods with lots of service during your evening.  You should check it out and let me know what you think. (Note – they were awarded one Michelin Star in the 2025 guide) Continue reading →

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

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

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

Aulis London, London, 1/23/25

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exterior – 16 St Anne’s Ct, London W1F 0BF, United Kingdom

Aulis serves only 12 guests per night at a Simon Rogan restaurant in London.  The brand also has chef’s tables in Hong Kong, Phuket and Cartmel.  Opening in Nov 2017, it was awarded one Michelin star in 2024.  Chef Charlie Taylor has been running this kitchen for 4 years and was certainly talented but also quite personable.  The restaurant is open Tues through Sat for one dinner seating and offer an additional lunch service on Fri and Sat.   In a small 2 room setting the entry room was for pre-dinner drinks and snacks and the second room held the curved Italian slate chef’s counter where dinner is prepared in front of you, with much of the produce coming from Rogan’s organic farm in the Lake District.  Music was in the background and art was on the walls.  The pre-dinner room had a variety of seating options whereas the counter had comfortable chairs nicely spaced at the deep curving counter.  As the evening went on guests begin to talk to their neighbors as well as the chefs to make a convivial atmosphere – helped by the relaxed interaction between the several chefs.   It was a wonderful experience with fabulous food,  which I would heartily recommend you try. Continue reading →

Core by Clare Smyth (update), London, 1/23/25

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exterior – 92 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PN, United Kingdom

Core was last visited by Frankie in 2018, just nine months after they opened.  They have made some changes to the interior, especially the bar, since that time and won a 3 Michelin star rating in 2021 as well as numerous other awards.  Some of the staff, including Chef Jonny Bone and Restaurant Director Rob Rose, are still there which maintains the excellent level of food and service you receive there.  They offer a selection of tasting menus with some supplements and wine pairings available.  It’s a bright and airy room which is now adorned with a hand-sewn copper thread on the painted walls that matches what is on the menu and the signage.  The unclothed round tables are well-spaced on a wood floor with round rugs and some curved bench seating.  Two doorways look out to the large kitchen and the chef’s table directly in front of it.  Some cabinets with books and objects are in the periphery and now a large serving table is next to the support column.  The changes in the dining room are subtle yet elegant while the bar, Whiskey & Seaweed has seen more substantial re-decorating.  It is a lovely space with tremendous food and excellent service – definitely go if you can. Continue reading →

The Ledbury (update), London, 1/22/25

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exterior – 127 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AQ, United Kingdom

The Ledbury was last visited in April of 2018  for a lunch and in Nov. 2014 for a dinner, on this blog.   It’s now been elevated to a 3 Michelin star rating under Chef Brett Graham’s direction for the last 17 years and now with Chef Tom Spenceley running the kitchen.  They offer 6 or 8 course tastings at lunch but only the 8-course in the evening with optional wine pairings.  Rennovated in 2022 they made many interior decorating changes to the dining room as well as reduced the number of seats from 55 to 45 to make space for a center serving table.   Dried plants hang from the ceiling in the lowly lit room filled with shades of beige.  The pedestal tables were set with fine white linens and table decorations that coordinated with the ceiling ones.  Staff are attentive but not intrusive and go the extra mile in service.   We were delighted to find one of the fine servers we met last year at Da Terra now working here and Chef Graham helping present many of the dishes and taking time to visit with guests.  Each dish was presented with in depth descriptions that I’m afraid I missed much of or can’t decifer my quickly written notes.  Trust me that all was good with lots of flavors and textures in the dishes.  Go if you get a chance and can afford it.  (It will set you back 275 pounds or about $340/person and then there’s the cost of beverages and service.) Continue reading →

Étoile, New Orleans, 12/20/24

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sign at front – 3607 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Étoile is in the the Cockerton house of 1883, a single-family residence.   It remained a dwelling until it was transformed into a commercial space and now offers a farm-to-table tasting menu (with optional wine pairings) four nights a week.  Led by Chef Chris Dupont, the menu starts at 7:00 but the bar opens at 6:00.  They advise you when you make the reservation to be on time and come early if you want to have cocktails or browse around the house.  They have 24 seats available and so each night varies with the configuration of tables.  They have a number of rules for dining there, with non-refundable deposits, gratuity of 25% and are unable to serve vegan or dairy restricted menus, so read over before you may a reservation.  The chef came out to welcome all just before the menu was started and stated that he wanted it to be more like coming to a dinner party than a restaurant and it certainly was a beautiful old room to eat in.  However it was very noisy, with only 7 tables and quite dark.  Pacing and portion control were good until the end of the evening when the charge card machine couldn’t print receipts and it delayed finishing up for at least 20 minutes (which was a lot after 2.5 hours of meal).  I admire what they are doing, but the food was more good than great.  It just opened in June 2024, so maybe give it time. Continue reading →

Saint-Germain (update), New Orleans, 12/19/24

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exterior – 3054 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

Frankie tried Saint Germain in Jan. 2023 and was blown away so we’ve wanted to get back here and try it again.  I’m glad we did.  They’ve made some cosmetic upgrades to the structure which makes it more comfortable but more importantly their food continues to be superb.  It’s a tasting menu only with pretty limited seating but well worth watching the reservation program and snagging a place as soon as you can.  Located in an old house, that still has the past occupant’s pizza parlor sign outside, it’s a two-stage meal.  You start at the bar counter with several small plates and then move into the dining room.  It’s a lot of courses but they are small – plenty to give you several bites but not enough to stuff you.  Service is super friendly with good pacing to the meal.  Too often places can’t continue this level of excellence but this team has so I hope you’ll try it and tell them Frankie sent you (no I’m not getting any kick-backs). Continue reading →

Jewel of the South, New Orleans, 12/18/24

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exterior – 1026 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Jewel of the South is a reimagined bar concept in an old house.  A regularly changing menu accompanies an innovative cocktail program.  They serve dinner Wed to Mon and lunch on Fri and Sat.  Seating is on 2 levels with a bar and patio options on the first floor and a party room on the second level.  The ceilings were high, music was in the background, windows to the street added to the lowered lighting, some carpets were on the floor to help with noise, exposed brick and wallpaper are on the walls and there is bench seating matched with small unclothed tables.  Service was very friendly and efficient.  Many come just to drink and chose foods from the regular menu but we were there in the holiday season and tried their Reveillon menu – 4 course tasting menu.  It was a nice dinner and I would recommend you give it a try.  (For another review check it out on Melhuang1972). Continue reading →

Twin Farms (dinner tasting menu), Barnard, VT., 11/20/24

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main house –452 Royalton Turnpike, Barnard, VT 05031

Twin Farms was originally owned by author Sinclair Lewis who bought it for journalist Dorothy Thompson.  She promised to marry him if he bought her a farm in Vermont, so he found this wonderful 1795-era farmhouse on 300 acres and purchased it for $10,000 in 1928.  Their parties were legendary but after Dorothy passed away in 1961 the property changed hands several times.  Thurston Twigg-Smith brought the property as a second home for his family in 1974.  By the late 1980s he was limited in how often he could visit the place so decided to re-create it as a resort and hired interior designer Jed Johnson and landscape architect Dan Kiley to transform it into “the number one small hotel in North America.”  With their talents and access to Twigg’s outstanding art collection, they created the Twin Farms of today.  Nine rooms opened in fall 1993 and the number of accommodations grew to 20 over the next 12 years.  Here you can stay in large suites in the main house or various cottages and tree houses.  The current owners have added a second dining venue, Twiggs and expanded outdoor dining options and added 8 more options to stay in. The place is a fixed price that includes 3 meals a day, snacks, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and offers a variety of included activities.  We were fortunate to enjoy the facility and the next several posts will cover our dining experiences while there.  It is on the pricy side but it is all inclusive.  The staff were fabulous and if you have the chance I know you’d enjoy a trip there. Continue reading →

The Kitchen Restaurant, Sacramento, 10/31/24

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building – 915 Broadway #100, Sacramento, CA 95818

The Kitchen was opened in 1991 by the Selland Group and around 2014  Chef Kelly McCown, who had worked in numerous highly regarded kitchens took the helm.  Here he assembled a fine team that continues to gather awards from many sites.  The restaurant offers a tasting menu (with several types of optional wine pairings) Wed to Sun. with a twist – you can participate in the meal’s preparation and ask for seconds.  The venue is large and the 80 people in attendance are seated at a variety of tables and some around the low counter, where you can participate in the action without having to leave your seat.  Everyone is invited to be seated at the same time so when you approach expect a line at the door.  After they take you to your assigned seat (ask for the counter) they take drink orders and invite you to start milling around and sampling from the many trays of snacks scattered throughout the room.  It’s supposed to mimic a dinner party feel but to me it was a bit chaotic and the flow of the setting did not work great for milling.  Take that with a grain of salt, as I’ve dined around more than most and have been invited into many kitchens so for some this would be quite thrilling.  I don’t enjoy cooking but for some helping prepare the plates or torching the fish would be exciting.   The concept would work better for me with a much smaller group but I can appreciate the novelty of the concept.  I was fine to stay in my seat at the counter and interact with chefs in front of me and the folks beside me while enjoying some very tasty food.  One other critique I would level though was the lack of texture in the dishes.  When you prepare that many covers it’s hard to keep the crisp or heat in a dish.  Nevertheless I appreciate the changing menu format (tonight’s theme was apples), the fine service, the show with dinner and would give the place a thumbs up to visit.  We were there on Halloween, so many of the staff and patrons were in costume. Continue reading →

Localis, Sacramento, 10/30/24

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building – 2031 S St, Sacramento, CA 95811

Localis serves a global cuisine that changes every five weeks.  They offer a twelve-course tasting menu using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible.  Two levels of wine pairings are available as well as a wine list, bar and non-alcoholic beverages.  They have been awarded one Michelin star.  When the theme of the menu changes, the entire menu changes except for the 2 first snacks.  On our visit it was an Argentina theme but they have also used Portugal, Thailand or ‘something like Middle Earth’.  The counter has 2 seatings every night at 5pm and 8:15pm while table times are staggered.  I’d call it medium-sized and the dining room tables are irregularly cut pieces of wood that are attractive in a window-sided room that felt like an enclosed porch.  The background music was fairly loud and parking is on the street as you can find it.  Opening about 9 years ago, Chef Chris Barnum-Dann also serves as sommelier.  Service was friendly and helpful and portion control was good, as it’s a long menu.  The menu at your table is marked with your name and it has great descriptions of the food, if you don’t write fast, which is nice.  The courses varied in their success but overall it was a very positive experience, so I encourage you to give it a try when you are in Sacramento. Continue reading →

The Lodge at Glendorn, Bradford, PA., 10/18/24

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Big House – 1000 Glendorn Drive, Bradford, PA., 16701

The Big House was built of redwood as the property Dorn bought had been previously clear-cut and redwood would cut the risk of fire.   The logs were from California and shipped via the Panama Canal to the building where they were left rounded on the outside and planed smooth for the interior.   Meals and the bar are located the Big House, along with several rooms/suites.   Also on the property is a spa, workout room, and play room that had a self serve ice cream bar and fresh popcorn to go with games and such.  The property has numerous fishing lakes for fly fishing only and they have gear for you to use.  There is also skeet shooting, biking and golf carts to supplement the numerous hiking trails.  We got fish food from the staff that we could toss to the growing fish and boy did the fish go crazy for it.  On Friday and Saturday nights they have live music at dinner.  On Fridays it’s a guitar/singer and on Saturday it’s a pianist.  It was a lovely accompaniment to dinner.  They also had a buffet set up outside the cocktail room with boiled shrimp and cheese in the foyer.  Each night the menu changes some of the selections and the quality of all varies but is overall quite nice, however many of the service staff are fairly young and inexperienced. Continue reading →

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

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

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

Harbor House Inn Restaurant, Elk, CA., 8/22&23/24

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front – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

Prior to this visit we dined at Harbor House last May 2024 and Nov. 2023 but many other times as you’ll find if you search for it on this site.  We would go more often if we were a bit closer – it’s definitely at the top of our list of favorites.  The staff are all very welcoming and the meal truly deserves its 2 Michelin Star rating.  They also achieved a Green Star for their protection of the environment and no-waste ethic.  Chef Matt Kammerer and his team have created a jewel for this beautiful coastal setting which serves locally sourced proteins and ingredients harvested from their ranches.  They put great effort into creating new items for your second night but will repeat some of your favorites too.  Their wine list continues to evolve nicely under Kelly Eckel and we trusted him to select for us and he finds some wonderful choices.  The restaurant changes a few things every time we visit and this visit found carpet in the main dining room.  Another means to buffer the perfect noise level but I’m not sure I liked covering the gorgeous wood floor.  Now that most amazing staff can whiz by and you won’t even notice.  I must also mention that one of their fabulous captains, Jaclyn Bisantz won the young server competition and will now represent the U.S. in the international competition!  Quite an honor but you couldn’t find someone more deserving.  Great staff are a huge component of a restaurant’s success and I look forward to seeing every one of them again soon.  Hope I’ll see you there too! Continue reading →

The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach, OR., 8/15 & 16/24

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back of the inn – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

The Stephanie Inn’s dining room holds about 17 cloth-covered tables in the second-floor round room on the mountain side of the hotel.  A wooden domed ceiling is over the front half of the room and a lower flat ceiling is over the back darker portion of the room.  With the tablecloths, padded chairs, table spacing and carpet on the floor the noise level was wonderful.  You could easily hold a private conversation but with light music in the background, you could still enjoy the hum of the other people.  Children under 12 are not permitted in the dining room.  Service was excellent all the nights we were there with good attention to detail, particularly special requests.  They start each evening by offering to get you a cocktail from the bar and take your other beverage requests.  An amuse bouche is served and then some bread before the first course hits your table.  At this point, Chef Jeff Slemaker took the floor to discuss the upcoming meal.  He was to the point and invited all to continue eating as he talked.  He was a delightful host and came around to talk with the guests.  For our last meal, Chef Johanna led the kitchen team.  Portioning at the tastings was wonderful – there was plenty to taste but not too much to make you feel stuffed.  They brought additional bread if you needed filler.  Each meal was fairly different so it was fine to eat there multiple nights.  The staff were all fabulous, friendly and helpful.  I can’t wait to go back and hope to see you there too! Continue reading →

The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach, OR., 8/13 & 14/24

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exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

The Stephanie Inn was a 3 story hotel on the Oregon coast owned by Ryan and Stephanie Snyder.   We visited two years ago and enjoyed it enough that we decided to come back and stay here 4 nights.  Rather than making five posts I’ll group two of the dinners in separate posts and do some comments on the breakfast in another post.  The first change you noticed was that the place had been painted blue.  According to one of the bellmen the place closed for 4 months for an extensive re-do of the facility.  On one side of the hotel are beautiful flowers, people’s homes and views of the mountains and on the other side is the beach and rolling ocean.  Guests and townpeople alike can also enjoy their 4-course tasting menu at dinner.  Chef Aaron Bedard showcases the flavors of Oregon with a daily changing menu.  They also highlight many items from their own 40-acre Public Coast Farm, which we saw midway to Portland.  Three of the courses are set but there was a choice on the entree course.  Wine pairings were available but there was a good list of bottles and wines by the glass to choose from as well as a bar that made good cocktails.  In the summer there are 2 seatings, 5:30 and 8:00 but in winter they only offer 5:30.  Those staying at the hotel have priority for reservations and there’s plenty of free parking around the hotel.  Chef Bedard left his most capable Executive Sous Chef Jeff Slemaker in charge of our first 3 meals.  This is a definite recommendation for dinner if you are in the area or have the opportunity to plan a trip here. Continue reading →

Nourish, Sequim, WA., 7/12/24

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building – 101 Provence View Lane, Sequim, WA 98382

Nourish is a farm-to-table place open for dinner Thurs – Sun. They operate a dedicated gluten-free kitchen with house made dishes using local ingredients.  They offer both indoor and outdoor dining with parking on both sides of the building.  The menu changes weekly and is a 3-course fixed price with several choices for each course.  The wine list was better than most and they also offer cocktails and beer.  The indoor space had carpet on the floor with metal and unstained wood for the walls with lots of windows.  The metal tables were unclothed, the ceiling was open and there was a large amount of space overall.  The food was really good with clean straightfoward flavors.  I love the idea that the menu changes that frequently, it would make me go often if I lived nearby.  Service was super friendly, efficient and helpful.  Hope you’ll try it and let me know what you think. Continue reading →

Georgie, Dallas, 7/6/24

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entrance – 4514 Travis St Suite 132, Dallas, TX 75205

Georgie was the third restaurant for Stephan Courseau in Dallas opening in 2019 as a partnership with celebrity chef Curtis Stone and a mostly steakhouse theme.  It was known for high prices and low creativity.  Enter a change when Stone parted ways and Courseau brought in RJ Yoakum as Executive Chef in January 2023 after three and a half years at the French Laundry in CA.  Creativity now abounds and I can’t remember being as excited about a Dallas restaurant since we found the now closed Cry Wolf restaurant.  We totally enjoyed a really exquisite dinner last night with service and style reminiscent of a Michelin starred place.  Music was in the background for diners seated at double white cloth covered tables on an array of plush velvet couches matched with chairs.  A coved ceiling was lined with absorptive material that made conversation possible at your table.   A valet is out front but you can park yourself for free at a large lot underneath the building.  They offer a seasonal  a la carte menu but also a tasting menu with optional wine pairings.  With advance notice Chef Yoakum will vary the tasting but we didn’t  give that notice thinking we would have what was offered.  As it sometimes happens Frankie or I are recognized and so Chef put our tasting on steroids and just wow, this man has what it takes.  We often got different dishes so we could try more but with the lower lights and fast descriptions the photos and I won’t be able to do the food justice.  You’ll have to trust me that everything that came to our table was amazing and I don’t say that lightly.  This was an exquisite meal with a flavor profile off the charts.  I may have to stay in town so I can get there again soon hope you will too! Continue reading →

Oxalis Restaurant, Dartmouth, 6/13/24

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building – 22 Wentworth St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2S6, Canada

Oxalis Restaurant was opened in Nov. 2021 by Sophia Gruber and her husband Chef Andy Preuss in a 2-story building that was a residential home.  The interior can only accommodate 37 people so in June 2023 they opened an outdoor dining area that added 45 more seats when weather allows.  It’s a farm-to-table concept trying to highlight local products.  They offer an a la carte menu as well as a Chef’s tasting, with wine pairings available.   The menu and food reflect his roots in Germany and hers from Austria.  They met working at a resort in Austria but had an opportunity to move to Nova Scotia and work at Trout Point Lodge which afforded them more time to travel.   We sat on the first floor which had only 4 tables that are across from the large window to the kitchen.  Bench seating was on the long wall opposite the kitchen and and lights were lowered.  The walls had some well placed mirrors but otherwise there were few decorations but music was in the background.  Most seemed to want to sit outside but we wanted to be able to see all the dishes coming out of the kitchen.  Service was good and it was overall a fine meal.  The kitchen has creativity and is worth a visit if you are in the area. Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant (update), Elk, CA., 5/9&10/24

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view

Harbor House Restaurant was last visited here in Nov. 2023 but there are many other write ups if you search in my posts and with good reason – it’s a fabulous place to eat and stay.  We were lucky to be able to eat in the small dining room 2 nights this trip and enjoy the spectacular cuisine prepared by Chef Matthew Kammerer and his all star staff.  From the moment you check in you are pampered with first rate service that more importantly feels like friendship with everyone there.  The facility and kitchen continue to make additions which you’ll also see in the expanding wine list.  While they offer wine pairings for the tasting menu Sommeliers Kelly Eckel and Jason Chin will assist you in selecting a wonderful wine in your price range.   They’ve also added electric shades to the dining room which allow you to still enjoy the fabulous view without the glare of the sun.  Chef Kammerer works to make differences in the tastings if you spend 2 consecutive nights but some items need repeating.  Rather than repeating I’ll post the photo from the first night and then post the different options only from the second meal.   I urge you, if you get the opportunity to go! Do it! Continue reading →

Ledford House (update), Albion, CA., 5/8/24

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exterior – 3000 CA-1, Albion, CA 95410

Ledford House was visited in July of 2022.  The basic set up hasn’t changed much except that the large sign out front by the road blew down in recent storms and hasn’t been replaced.  That visit we ordered a la carte but this time we tried their Bistro Special menu which is a 3-course meal for just $35 that changes daily.  The same couple, Tony and Lisa Geer run the place and she was in the kitchen while he welcomed us and showed us to a lovely window table.  However, he is the breadmaker. The wine list features many local wines at a moderate price point and there is a full bar.  The view from every white cloth covered table is lovely with the Pacific Ocean rippling over the many rocks and providing the place with a good breeze.  They are open Wed – Sun and if you find yourself anywhere near Mendocino I’d make a reservation to dine here. Continue reading →

Ariana Restaurant, Bend, OR., 5/1/24

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building – 1304 NW Galveston Ave, Bend, OR 97703

Ariana was in an older Craftsman bungalow and run by Chefs Andres and Ariana Fernandez.   Their regionally inspired cuisine was offered as a seasonal chef 6-course tasting that changes weekly as well as an a la carte menu on Wed through Sat evenings.  In 2004 Ariana’s Italian parents were excited about the culinary marriage she had with Colombia native Andres and offered the start up money for a restaurant of their own.  It turned out that they both attended the Cascade Culinary Institute and her father had experience in the wine industry so he started as their beverage manager.  With Ariana’s mother helping work the front of the house, the family restaurant was born.   I’d call it medium sized with some seating available on the porch area and a couple seats in front of the bar.  The main room had lots of windows, bench seating along one wall, lowered lighting, art on the walls and a unused fireplace.   It is the “special occasion” restaurant in Bend.  Both of the Fernandez still cook but she will also work any position in the front of the house, even tend bar, when needed.   We went with their tasting to get the best representation of their cooking but in retrospect I’d suggest ordering a la carte.  It was a good place but the tasting went downward toward the end. Continue reading →

L’Aube Restaurant par Thibault Nizard, Paris, 4/15/24

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exterior – 10 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris, France

Now Closed

L’Aube was the creation of Chef Thibault Nizard who trained as a saucier and in October 2023 won the sixth edition of the World Championship of Hare á la Royale competition.  We got to sit right next to his large trophy and one regular guest had called ahead to get that dish prepared for him that night, even though it is not in season.  Opening in early April of 2023 Chef’s wife and restaurant partner Elinor runs the front of the house as well as doing floor cooking.  The medium-sized place was set with large white cloth-covered well-spaced round tables.  There were windows to the street in addition to lowered lighting and an open kitchen.  Faint music was in the background of this modern and stylish place, that was equipped with purse stools..  Chef was either in or in front of the kitchen unless he broke to speak with guests.  They offered a small menu of a la carte in addition to 3 or 7-course tasting menus.  We chose the 7-course tasting and that evening they were substituting crepes for the listed dessert.  They also offered to substitute beef for the lamb which we declined.  Wine pairings were available, but we chose our own bottle to follow a glass of champagne. L’aube is a term in French for the beginning, a dawn or birth and this is a new beginning for traditional cooking at its best now done in a modern fashion.  This is one to add to your list. Continue reading →

Oktobre Restaurant, Paris, 4/20/24

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exterior – 25 Rue des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris, France

Oktobre was in the space previously occupied by Kitchen Galerie Bis (KGB) but it went out of business.  However its former co-chef Martin Maumet has taken over the space making it his own place.  The ‘k’ in the name is a homage to KGB.   Chef/owner re-did the space by making 2 parallel rooms with mirrors between and the walls lined with striped banquettes set with small 2-top bare wood tables.  Music was in the background, lights were lowered and tile accents break up the fibered walls.  It looks new, and it is, but it is well coordinated.  The tables were fairly close and when the place filled the noise level became a bit of a problem.  Service was mixed but they were completely full.  They offer an a la carte menu as well as a 5 course tasting with optional wine pairings.  It did seem that the mixed crowd of people were mostly having the tasting menu but we had eaten heavily all week and so were ready to make this a quick small meal and thus picked our own plates and skipped dessert. Continue reading →

Le Sergent Recruteur, 4/20/24

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exterior – 41 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, 75004 Paris, France

Le Sergent Recruteur has been under the direction of Chef Alain Pégouret since 2019, who brings with him years of experience with chefs like Joël Robuchon.  From an average restaurant Pégouret has evolved it into fine cuisine, earning the place one Michelin star.  The prior atmosphere was dark and medieval which has been transformed into contemporary space with stone walls, music in the background, polished wood tables, mirrors and art on the walls and windows to the street in one of which the suit of armor still stands.  It’s a long space with the kichen in the rear where you can see chef and others making great food for the guests.  At lunch they offered tasting menus with optional pairings from a menu printed with your name and the date.  From the menu you could also pick a la carte selections which we chose to do.  Either way you go, do plan to go as the food and ambiance are wonderful. Continue reading →

La Scène Thélème, Paris, 4/19/24

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exterior – 18 Rue Troyon, 75017 Paris, France

La Scène Thélème was opened in 2016 by Jean-Marie Gurné, hoping to make it a refuge for the lovers of pleasure as homage to the Abbey of Thélème.  The Scène comes in as a reference to the dual nature of the venue with the intimate theatre attached to the restaurant.  Chef Yoshitaka Takayanagi runs the kitchen that tries to merge Japanese and French influences.  The large place ambled through a number of rooms and our room held the small stage adorned with natural art.  Bench seating was along some walls that faced the small white cloth covered tables.  Being in the room with the stage our ceiling was dark with carpet on the floor whereas other rooms had lighter paint and wooden floors.   Art of straw hung from the ceilings and music was in the background.  At dinner they offer tastings of 5, 6, or 7 courses and wine pairings are available.  A caviar supplement was offered and we declined. I’d call it a mixed meal. They have one Michelin star. Continue reading →

Restaurant Alliance, Paris, 4/19/24

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exterior – 5 Rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris, France

Restaurant Alliance was visited by Frankie in March 2017 and again in April 2019, both fantastic meals.  It was good to see Chef Toshitaka Omiya and Shawn Joyeux who together started this restaurant in 2015.  The small room holds just 8 large white clothed tables that all have a view of the kitchen in the back of the room.  Music was in the background that adds to the soothing colors of the interior and the comfy stuffed chairs.  The staff are welcoming and it was fun to try the place at lunch this visit.  Lunch offers a shorter 3 or 4 course menu but  the 6 or 9 course menus from dinner are also available.  A cheese course is additional and optional.  We tried the lunch menu for which they offer pairings but Joyeux was able to pick a couple of wines by the glass to accompany our 4 course meal.  Omiya and Joyeux have also opened other ventures but this place is their soul – the heart of their alliance. Continue reading →

NHOMe, Paris, 4/18/24

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exterior – 41 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France

NHome is under the direction of Chef Matan Zaken who offers a 9 course blind tasting menu which fluctuates with the season.  His concept is to have diners sit around a single large table with a relaxed and festive atmosphere.  He did just that by setting up adjoining tables to accommodate about 20 people in a vaulted cellar in a building opposite Palais Royal.  It opened in Sept 2022 and you can see the chef’s in the kitchen from a street window but upon entering are ushered to the back stone walled room.  The lights are lowered, mirrors are on the ceiling and music was in the background.  Diners do have different start times but there is some cross talk  with the casual crowd seated around the tables.  The tasting had 2 possible supplements including a cheese course.  We didn’t opt to add the cheese course and were told by several diners we had made a huge mistake.  Cocktail as well as wine pairings are available.  They have a one Michelin star rating.  Staff were enthusiastic and super friendly and will make you welcome while serving you a fine meal. Continue reading →

Vaisseau, Paris, 4/18/24

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exterior – 35 Rue Faidherbe, 75011 Paris, France

Vaisseau is the creation of Chef Adrien Cachot who appeared on French TV’s Top Chef 2020.  It’s a medium-sized monochromatic place with black walls, shaded windows to the street, gray-blue carpet, black ceiling and black clothed staff.  A few decorative lights are on the walls and an open kitchen is in the back of the space which is filled with 10 nice-sized tables.  At lunch you can choose between a 3 or 7 course surprise menu and wine pairings are available.  Many of the courses came out in several different dishes and at the end I was able to get a copy of the menu.  Their gimmick is that they serve the dish without telling you what it is until they clear the plate. Continue reading →

Restaurant Tracé, Paris, 4/17/24

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exterior – 15 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris, France

Tracé is a small place right across the street from the previously written up L’Aube.  In 2020 chef Clément Vergeat re-imagined the place and it opened in Sept 2023.  The name had to do with the lines brought by all the people working there, that came together to form the place.  There are about 20 seats with a couple counter seats and otherwise tiny marble or wood tables to service the guests.  The marble ones looked particularly uncomfortable with their large pyramid-shaped legs leaving little room for the human ones underneath. Some bench seating lines the walls but it often doesn’t match the chair height on the other side of the table.  The open kitchen is surrounded by concrete walls and floor with faint music in the background.  Chef Vergeat came out to introduce himself and check about allergies but otherwise remains in the back.   There are only tasting menus and you sign up for what you want when you make the reservation with wine pairings available.  The meal had good pacing but still took about 3 hours and the portions were on the small side.  The staff were great at being able to answer questions regarding the food but it was a mixed meal. Continue reading →

Le Rigmarole, Paris, 4/17/24

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exterior – 10 Rue du Grand Prieuré, 75011 Paris, France

Le Rigmarole was opened in 2018 by Jessica Yang and Robert Compagnon, received a Michelin star, then the couple decided to have 2 children and finally the pandemic occurred.  They gave up the starred option and began making quality pizzas.  In the fall of 2023 they decided to once again offer their tasting menu, now as a lunch option Wed. through Friday while keeping the pizza option on Sat. through Mon. dinner.    The couple met while working at Guy Savoy and they are a dynamic pair with both cooking but she also providing drink service, including lots of natural wines. With just 30 seats and most of them at the counter, it’s a fairly intimate setting.  There is no set menu, Robert simply asks what you like, don’t like and if there are particular things you want to eat. The two prices on the menu are mostly about the ingredients you want to have not the quantity.  With a small amount of conversation, they devise a menu suited for your tastes and hunger level – so your neighbor may get something completely different than you or the same preparation with a different main ingredient.  As Robert handed out the courses Jessica would choose a different wine to try with the next set.  Much the cooking is on a binchotan grill.  Unique and fun, but most importantly the food was very good.  As lunch went on we found ourselves visiting with others at the counter as well as the chefs.  Another restaurant blogger Mel went there recently and has even more photos but certainly put this lunch on your bucket list. Continue reading →

Restaurant Le Gabriel, Paris, 4/16/24

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hotel exterior – 42 Av. Gabriel, 75008 Paris, France

Le Gabriel is the signature restaurant in La Réserve Paris Hotel under the direction of chef Jérôme Banctel.  He invites guests to take a culinary journey with him without leaving Paris, through 3 different tasting menus.   The “Escale” is a 4 course menu that is only offered at lunch, while “Virée” and “Périple” are offered as 7 or 9-course menus at dinner.  The only supplement was the addition of a cheese course and 2 levels of wine pairings were available.  La Réserve was once a private mansion built in 1854 for Napoleon III’s half brother.  The restaurant opened in 2015 quickly earned 2 stars and in 2024 it was elevated to a 3 Michelin star rating.  At the hotel door the staff will lead you through the bar and other dining rooms to the small room with just 9 well spaced white cloth covered tables.  The elegant room has an elaborate ceiling and windows to the outside along 2 walls.  The stuffed chairs all come equipped with a slide out purse holder that is hidden in the seat of the chair.  The staff were friendly, efficient and helpful while keeping the meal at a comfortable pace.  I was excited to see that Gaëtan Lacoste from Le Clarence had joined the team as Chef Sommelier. Continue reading →

Bidlabu Bistro, Frankfurt, 3/11/24

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exterior – Kleine Bockenheimer Str. 14, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Bidlabu Bistro was in the middle of downtown hidden down a back alley.  It’s a fairly small place packed with small wooden tables.  When weather permits there is patio dining.  They offer only a tasting menu with meat or vegetarian and optional wine pairings.  There are 2 seatings and you are told when you make your reservation that you just have the table for 2 hours.  Bathrooms are downstairs and women are marked with cats and men with dogs – Frankie approved.  The kitchen is run by André Rickert and Patrick Löhl.  Service was friendly and the tasting did not lag.  Portion control was also good.  They have received one Michelin Star. Continue reading →

Restaurant Sonnora, Dreis, Germany, 3/10/24

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building – 1 Auf dem Eichelfeld, 54518 Dreis, Germany

Waldhotel Sonnora opened in 1978 under Chef Helmut Thieltges who achieved 3 Michelin stars for the restaurant.   Clemens Rambichler joined the kitchen in 2011 and worked for years with Thieltges as sous chef.   When Thieltges died in 2017 it was a natural progression for Magdalena and Clemens Rambichler to take over and now run the place with she managing the front of the house and he manning the kitchen.    They have retained their 3 Michelin star rating as well as renovated the hotel it is in, to be a delightful place to stay while enjoying a fabulous meal there.   Less than an hour’s drive to Luxembourg it was easily our favorite dining experience, including the breakfast that came with the room.  The classic French restaurant offers a 7-8 course tasting menu or a la carte service.  They offered wine pairings as well as one possible supplement.  We declined supplements and chose our own wine.  The dining room had well spaced large tables with windows overlooking the small town of Dreis.  Music was in the background, lots of flowers graced the various rooms, and art and mirrors decorated the walls.  Service was truly exceptional and pacing and portion control were first rate.  It was a fabulous experience and I hope that all will find a way to get there and try it.  You won’t be sorry. Continue reading →

Restaurant Vendôme in Schloss Bensberg, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, 3/9/24

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hotel – Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, Kadettenstraße, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

Restaurant Vendôme is a 2 star Michelin restaurant under the direction of Joachim Wissler in the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg since 2000.  This grand castle hotel is very close to the city of Cologne.  Chef Wissler received his first star one year after opening and the second one in 2002.  It had a 3 stars a year later but recently went back to a 2-star rating.  The hotel is huge and it actually took us a bit to locate how to get to the restaurant.  It turned out that the easiest way was to walk outside and use the entrance used by those not staying in the hotel. Still, it is a short pleasant walk depending on where your room is located.  The large dining room had some dividers between some of the tables, lowered lighting, music in the background, stone walls and floors, acoustic tile on the ceiling and the longest rolled-up napkin at your place.  They offered a 6 or 8 course tasting with a couple possible supplements, a vegetarian option and wine pairings.  We chose the 8-course tasting and added one supplement to share along with our own bottle of wine. Continue reading →

GästeHaus Klaus Erfort, Saarbrüken, Germany, 3/8/24

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exterior – Mainzer Str. 95, 66121 Saarbrücken, Germany

GästeHaus Klaus Erfort opened in 2003 and by 2008 it had achieved a 3 Michelin Star rating, but 2023 found it downgraded to 2 Stars.  Located in a large house, the elegant dining room had good-sized widely spaced double-white cloth-covered tables with heavily starched napkins, art on the walls, a lovely wood floor, dropped white acoustic ceiling and spot lighting on the tables.  They offered a tasting menu only of 4, 5 or 7 courses and wine pairings were available.  There were several rooms for seating some of which had larger tables and others set to accommodate larger parties.  Service began with a champagne cart and then the snacks started to arrive quickly.  No supplements were offered and we chose to have the “Complete” menu and order our own bottle of wine.  The pacing of the meal was variable with some fairly long pauses in the latter parts of the tasting but portion control was good.  It was a nice meal and the place was pretty but I’m not rushing back. Continue reading →

Victor’s Fine Dining by Christian Bau, Perl-Nennig, Germany, 3/7/24

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building – Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Schloss Berg, Schloßstraße 27-29, 66706 Perl, Germany

Victor’s Fine Dining has had Chef Christian Bau in charge of the kitchen since 1998, when it was called Victor’s Gourmet Restaurant Schloss Berg.  It was awarded a Michelin star that first year and 7 years later he became Germany’s youngest 3-Michelin star chef.  Bau studied French cuisine but after trips to Asia combined in some Japanese influences.  The restaurant is located in the Schloss Berg castle which is part of Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Schloss Berg.  The Renaissance castle was bombed in WWII but later rebuilt into a 5-star hotel with the restaurant on the first floor.  A more modern hotel is next door, just a short walk, and they have a lot more rooms available.   The small elegant dining room had 9 large round tables widely spaced and draped with fine white linens.  The ornate wood ceiling was opposite wide a floor of wide wood planks and stone.  A good-sized wine and liquor display cabinet is in the center of the room.  They serve a tasting menu only but you can opt to have no cheese course as well as the crab course, the evening we were there.  If you want more there were a number of supplemental courses you could add to the menu, some needing to be ordered by everyone and some individual.  We chose the “Full Experience” and declined additional courses as well as selected our own wines rather than pairings.  This was a wonderful dinner, but I think I would prefer to try his cooking without the Asian influence. Continue reading →

Schanz, Piesport, Germany, 3/6/24

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exterior- Bahnhofstraße 8A, 54498 Piesport, Germany

Schanz Restaurant received a 3 Michelin star rating in 2022.  Chef Thomas Schanz opened his restaurant next to the hotel owned by his parents in 2011.  He received his first star in one year and the second in 2015.  Chef Schanz previously worked in other 3-star restaurants before opening his place in this small town.  Piesport was a picturesque little town in the Mosel area, where his parents have been winemakers for years.    It is an ideal setup to have the attached hotel where you can walk inside to the restaurant and stay in a modern, comfortable room.  His father checked us in and his mother greeted guests at the restaurant – a real family operation.  Breakfast was included with the room.    The French-inspired menu is available in a 4 – 6 course tastings or a la carte.  The small room was well lit with faint music in the background.  A variety of tables filled the room, some with booth seating, which had one wall made up of windows to the outside.  At one point they offered outdoor seating but humidity had brought everyone inside.  The well-spaced tables were on a dark wood floor with minimal art and decorations.  It was very comfortable and I highly recommend it as a place to try and visit.  Chef Schanz was in the kitchen but came out toward the end of service to meet his guests as they departed.  The entire meal was 4.5 – 5 hours, so get a room if you can. Continue reading →

Hayato, Los Angeles, 2/8/24

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entrance – 1320 E 7th St #126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Hayato is the Japanese restaurant of Chef Brandon Hayato Go, where 7 lucky diners are served at a counter 5 nights a week.   The Kaiseki meal of seafood and vegetables was served by Chef himself with a couple of helpers.  The light wood counter faces the cooking area which has a number of options for finishing the dishes.  Well lit with no music it is a peaceful, calm place offering much interaction with the chef.  The menu is a surprise as Chef shops for unique ingredients with impeccable quality to craft the evening’s dinner.  “Less is more”  could be a description because you won’t find fancy sauces and decorations here.  Instead, the ingredients are so pristine that they stand on their own with elegance.  Those who follow me know I’m a flavor junky but this place moves flavor to a different dimension.  Time passed quickly, as there was no lag in service and conversations flowed easily between guests and the chef.  The meal does take 2.5-3  hours and you receive a beautiful menu at the end written in Japanese and English on elegant parchment.  Service was fabulous and it’s easy to see why Michelin has awarded the restaurant 2 stars.  The price is steep for some at $350 per person but if you can get a reservation I urge you to go.  Be aware that these reservations are in such demand that they are being re-sold but that’s a scam, just be persistent and and try and try again when reservations are released on the first of the month.  It’s a fabulous experience. Continue reading →

Kato Restaurant, Los Angeles, 2/7/24

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building – 777 S Alameda St Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA

Kato offered only a tasting menu focused on seasonality and innovation in the main dining room and a collection of classic dishes in the Bar Tasting Menu.  Chef Jon Yao, who won Food and Wine’s Best New Chef in 2018, was at the helm.  His Taiwanese menu earned a one Michelin Star rating at the reopening of the place in Feb 2022.  It previously was at a strip mall.  The L-shaped place was in some converted warehouse buildings with a large open kitchen.  Blond wood tables were under an open ceiling with wood beams, metal supports and some acoustic tiles.  Windows made up 2 walls, the lights were lowered and music was in the background.  The tasting menu has optional wine pairings and as part of the Lunar New Year celebration they were offering a pairing of cocktails made by some bartenders from the area. They also had a supplemental course you could add that was Japanese A5 Waygu beef and then you could also add a supplemental wine to go with it.  We opted for a bottle of champagne to go with dinner and a half bottle of red for the meat course.  The food was good but the service pacing was way too slow.  It was 30 minutes before we got our bottle or food started being served.  As the meal progressed more time elapsed between courses until those that arrived an hour after us caught up to our course.  Other service issues were our wine glasses were constantly empty and servers had to be reminded to pour and they picked up the napkin when you went to the bathroom but failed to replace it, but this was later in the meal but still un-Michelin.   It’s a restaurant worth eating at because the food is good but go relaxed and prepared to spend 3-4 hours. Continue reading →

Baroo, Los Angeles, 2/6/24

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entrance – 905 E 2nd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Baroo, which opened in Sept 2023, was the result of a collaboration between Chef Kwang Uh and his wife Mina Park.  The pair had previous small places starting in 2018 and after much evolution opened this concept featuring a Korean fusion.  Presently they serve only one tasting menu but hope to offer vegetarian options in the future.  Their price point is on the low end of tasting menus in LA at $110 and they also offer wine pairings.  They offer Korean beverage pairings but they were not available that night.  After hearing about the options we ordered our own bottle of wine and a glass of red for the meat course, which is the only course you have a choice on.  The menu offered pork collar but beef short rib could be substituted for $12.  We opted to have one of each.  It was a medium-sized place with small bare wood tables and low lighting.  The fairly spartan interior goes well with the re-developed warehouse district it was in.  The Uber driver drove right past it and dropped us off at the end of the building but it was not hard to find from there.  The friendly staff were willing to answer questions and the pacing of the meal was pretty rapid with no long pauses, almost feeling rushed at times.  However, the food was wonderful and full of flavor.     I understand their earlier ventures were even better but this one is plenty good enough to add to your go-to list.   If you want to read another blogger’s fine accounting of their meal here, check out melhuang1972. Continue reading →

Da Terra, London, 1/27/24

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building – 8 Patriot Square, London E2 9NF, United Kingdom

Da Terra means of the Earth and is a sleek modern restaurant under Chef Rafael Cagali in the Town Hall Hotel building in Bethnal Green.  Two rooms have large round tables covered with elasticated tablecloths with art on the walls.  Music was in the background, sound panels are on the ceiling and a finishing kitchen is on the end of one room (main kitchen downstairs).  Decorations vary but you’ll see lots of Mutant Ninja Turtle characters, one of which shares a name with the chef.  According to our server chef was teased about his chubby cheeks as a child in São Paulo and nicknamed ‘turtle’.  Then the Turtle characters came out and a friend sent him a Rafael and it took off from there.  He opened Da Terra in 2019 and within 8 months it had its first Michelin star.  They were awarded the Second Star in 2021.  The restaurant offers a blind tasting for which you will receive a menu at the end.  At lunch, they offer a slightly shorter tasting and we chose that avenue.  It was a lovely meal with fantastic, welcoming service and very artful beautiful food.  Chef Cagali was there and brought out several courses, explaining the culinary connections to his upbringing in Brazil adapted for Britain. Continue reading →

Humble Chicken, London, 1/26/24

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exterior –54 Frith St, London W1D 4SJ, United Kingdom

Humble Chicken is a 18-seat tasting counter with a changing menu from Angelo Sato and John Paul.  Chef Angelo Sato is inspired by his Japanese and European roots.  He moved to London at 17 and 10 years later in 2021 he opened a Yakitori bar.  It was so popular that in 2023 he elevated the concept to a tasting menu only and named it the Humble Chicken.  Well paired is Aidan Monk, Restaurant and Beverage Manager, who runs the counter operations and selects the pairings.  While young Chef Sato is personable, Monk made the evening a special event.  Seatings are staggered at 6, 7:30 and 8:45 and the timing didn’t lag to make everyone finish together.  Instead people were coming and going at the L-shaped granite counter while music pulsed in the background and soft globe lights illuminated the food nicely.  The front of the place is all windows to the street which I’m sure attracts some visitors.  The menu was on the counter but you do receive a clean copy with a tea bag at the end of the meal.  This place had good food, some great, and shows much potential in the composition so I’d recommend you try it.  Relax on the comfy seats and you’ll have a wonderful evening.  They have one Michelin star. (Note – they were awarded two Michelin Stars in the 2025 guide) Continue reading →

Ikoyi, London, 1/26/24

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building – 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA, United Kingdom

Ikoyi combines spices of the sub-Saharan West Africa and British beef, fish and produce.  The very modern dining room has about 9 round tables and one separate party room for up to 6 guests.  Overhead are metal blinds that curve down the side of the room opposite the open kitchen.  The rich woods and soft lighting are what you’d expect from this 2 Michelin star restaurant.  Soft music was in the background as the show in the kitchen took place. One thing you’ll notice is that the heat lamps are missing – food is made and delivered quickly to the table.  Service was impeccable in the very comfortable room.  They serve only a tasting menu and usually at lunch it’s a shorter menu but on Friday everyone gets the full dinner tasting.  It’s a surprise with a menu given to you at the end of the meal.  It was a fantastic tasting but be ready to be there several hours and it is on the pricey side.  If you can swing it, put this one on your list. Continue reading →

Evelyn’s Table, London, 1/24/24

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exterior – 28 Rupert St, London W1D 6DJ, United Kingdom

Evelyn’s Table is in the former beer cellar (or basement) of a 3 story building.  The street level is the Blue Posts pub and the top level is a wine bar with snacks.  Evelyn’s does 2 seatings for a tasting menu every night but Sunday and you have priority seating, with reservation, at the wine bar before or after your tasting.  We got a spot an hour before our late tasting and the bar supplied us with nuts and olives to eat with drinks.  The staircase is narrow leading down to the 12 seat counter, led by Chef James Goodyear.   Chef’s French training is integrated into British produce and Japanese techniques in the evolving menu.  They have a one Michelin star rating and provide you with a menu for the evening.  I found the seating uncomfortable and the diners were a wild mix.  Yes, we were the seniors there but one member of a young couple never removed their hoodie and the unaccompanied woman next to me kept her phone close to her face all night.  The 3 chefs gave nice explanations to the food but the rest of the interaction was with the girls who cleared and served.  While the food was not bad I would not call it great either.  I hope the weirdness of the evening didn’t affect my impression but I can’t really recommend this place. Continue reading →

Ritz Restaurant, London, 1/23/24

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hotel – 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR, United Kingdom

The Ritz Restaurant was located in the Ritz Hotel which dates to 1906 and was built to be the most luxurious hotel in the land.  No expense was spared on its opulent interiors and furnishings and royalty and celebrities have dined there.  You can read more about their history if you want, it’s star-studded.  The elegant dining room was under Executive Chef John Williams who loves to highlight seasonal British ingredients. The floor-to-ceiling windows shine light on the marble columns and widely spaced, floor-draped large tables while the formally dressed staff meticulously attend to the diners.  At lunch they offer a 3, 5 or 7 course tasting with wine pairing available and you specify your preference when you make the reservation.   We opted for the longest and were happy with our choice but know that it will take 3.5 – 4 hours.  Also beware that they have a rigid dress code that is enforced.  We had read the fine print, so knew about the rules but this place really takes it seriously.  The doorman at the front didn’t even want to let some people in due to their attire.  They do not allow jeans or tennis shoes and require ties and jackets for men.  It’s the sort of requirement I’ve seen from other places and then you get there and you see plenty of jeans and sneakers.  This place takes formality to heart so know that before you go and you won’t get hassled.  We had a lovely afternoon and the staff were all super friendly; it didn’t feel stuffy or pretentious.  Most importantly the food was fabulous and beautiful.  They do have a one Michelin star rating. (Note – they were awarded two Michelin Stars in the 2025 guide) Continue reading →

Counter-, Charlotte, NC., 12/14/23

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building – 2001 W Morehead St D, Charlotte, NC 28208

Counter- was a “full sensory experience featuring themed tasting menus” created by Chef/Owner Sam Hart.  He used music, flavor and presentation to tell a story about the theme, which was ‘Time’ the night we were there.  The Time theme worked to present an experience of the stages of aging.  The tasting menu also offers wine and non-alcoholic pairings, as well as a list of bottles for purchase and they had a truffle upgrade available.  The theme changes every 3 months and no dishes or themes are repeated for the 18 guests at the U-shaped counter.  Chef Hart, who was a semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Best Chef: Southwest award, says that Counter will only run for 12 years with six planned evolutions.  Opening in 2020, it is currently on its second iteration.  At present the meal starts with a few bites served in the lobby of the building then moves to the counter dining room.  After the main courses you have a walk through the kitchen and then final bites are at large communal tables at the other end of the original room.  At the end of the meal, we were given a copy of the menu and a roll to take with us.  My one criticism would be the noise level, mostly the music.  I know chef wanted to immerse us in the mood but I’m more in the “time” when I like to be able to speak with other diners without yelling.  For the food portion, I’ve started the description with the course’s name.  The entire experience takes about 3 hours and one you should put on your list to try. Continue reading →

Geosmine, Paris, 12/2/23

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exterior – 71 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris, France

Geosmine Restaurant was in a small townhouse and designed by Chef Maxime Bouttier.  The name comes from a chemical compound that gives the characteristic smell to freshly plowed earth.  It was a 2-story place with American music playing in the background.  We were lucky to get a first floor table (the bathroom is on that level) where there was a glass section that looked down into the wine cellar.  The walls were exposed brick which also was on some of the ceilings.  Rough wood tables were nicely spaced and set with large beige napkins.  Overall it was an attractive interior.  They offer 2 tasting menu options or 8 or 11 courses.  They opened in April of 2023 and would appear to be on track to receive Michelin noting, so get there now while the price is still good.  Service was outstanding, friendly and welcoming as well as happy to answer my endless questions. The food was great. Continue reading →

Pianovins, Paris, 12/2/23

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exterior – 46 Rue Trousseau, 75011 Paris, France

Note:  Restaurant now closed

Pianovins is owned and run by two long time employees of Guy Savoy Restaurant.  The kitchen is under Chef Michel Ronciére who worked there for 25 years and the wines and front are managed by Eric Mancio who put in 28 years at Guy Savoy.  The location used to house Les Déserteurs Restaurant.  It’s a tiny place with only 20 seats so reservations are best.  They are open for lunch and dinner Tues through Sat with a 3 (€37), 5 (€58) or 7 (€69)  course meal offered.   The menu changes weekly.  Art is on the walls and bench seating runs along the walls where the small light wood tables are lined up.  No music was in the background but windows on either end let in natural light.  Service was friendly and you felt as if you were eating in their home. They didn’t bother with the offer of bottled water, they simply brought out a carafe of tap.   The lack of pretentiousness was appealing.  I strongly recommend this place. Continue reading →

Restaurant FIEF, Paris, 12/1/23

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exterior –44 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris, France

FIEF was a small place with 8 seats at the counter where you get only the 10 course tasting menu.  The other 30 other places are 4-course menus.  The name stands for “Made Here In France”.  There was no printed menu and the promised email menu never arrived. In 2022 they received a one Michelin star rating.  The long concrete counter and stools became less comfortable as the evening wore on and the purse hooks are so far under the counter the server had to put it there.   While you are seated right across from the people making your meal there is little to no interaction.  They really pushed cocktails rather than wine which I thought odd.  There was a chaos in the kitchen which I found distracting and unpleasant.  You didn’t feel stuffed since there was little richness in the food but you didn’t leave hungry.   It was a weird vibe and probably my least favorite meal of our trip. Continue reading →

MoSuke Restaurant, Paris, 12/1/23

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exterior – 11 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014 Paris, France

MoSuke served a cuisine that combines west and central African dishes with French and Japanese twists.  Chef Mory Sacko won France’s first Michelin star for African cuisine at just 28 years of age.  That was 2 years ago and since then he has competed on France’s Top Chef TV cooking show during the Covid lockdown.  The unassuming exterior does not match the stylized interior. Very modern and tasteful furnishings, down to the toilet in the bathroom, are made with light wood set to curved couch-like seating.  Lots of plants, fabric on the ceiling, windows to the garden alongside, modern art decorations and music in the background make up the pleasant ambiance.  At lunch, there were 2  tasting menu options, a four and six-course menus with optional wine pairings.  We chose the 6 and you had to choose between 2 dessert options, so we got one of each. The meal was paced quickly with good portion control.  There were a ton of unfamiliar ingredients so the descriptions are somewhat lacking, but overall it was interesting and fun food with some nice unusual variations. Continue reading →

Restaurant Pantagruel, Paris, 11/30/23

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exterior – 24 Rue du Sentier, 75002 Paris, France

Pantagruel was named for a gluttonous giant and Chef Jason Gouzy tries to honor gastronomy at his restaurant which received one Michelin Star after just 8 months of being open.  Opening in 2020 the menu was done in chapters, each with 3 parts.  That is, with each course or chapter the ingredients are presented in 3 different ways, so the diner can experience the food in several forms and textures.  The menu was composed of 6 chapters with optional wine pairings offered.   There was an optional cheese course, at an additional charge and an upgrade on one of the chapters.  We declined the cheese but chose the lobster upgrade over the fish.  It was an “L” shaped space with only about 9 tables, most clad with white clothes and set with fresh flowers.   Some semi-circle booths were on one end and smaller square tables were toward the back.  A larger irregularly shaped table was in front, lower lighting was supplemented with hanging fixtures and windows to the street in the front, and faint music was in the background.  It was a pleasant space. Continue reading →

Restaurant Jacques Faussat, Paris, 11/30/23

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exterior – 54 Rue Cardinet, 75017 Paris, France

Jacques Faussat was a small place on a quiet street with white tablecloths, American music in the background, fresh flowers, art on the walls, exposed bricks and decorative wood walls.  Chef Jacques Faussat who received one Michelin star in 2004 was originally from Gers.  He started the restaurant in 2002 and called it La Braisiére.  In 2015 he redecorated the space and named it Restaurant Jacques Faussat.  He strives to keep it simple with no more than 3 products on the plate and to choose seasonal products to serve.  At lunch, they offer a 3-course tasting menu which you can add to or substitute with, all for a price.  The price on the side was if you order it by itself and the substitution charge is noted for the various courses.  Of course, you can always just order a la carte but it can work out better sometimes with substitution, depending on what you want.  Wine pairings are also available.  One interesting thing was the rock on the table with a bar code.  It held the menu but also you could use it to pay and they gave you the option of splitting the bill.  Although this was a smallish place it was not as cozy as many of the others we went to.  At lunch, several business meetings seemed to be taking place which made it fairly noisy.  It was good but not great. Continue reading →

Restaurant Pétrelle, Paris, 11/29/23

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exterior – 34 Rue Pétrelle, 75009 Paris

Pétrelle was a small place that was open for dinner Wed to Sun and lunch on Sat and Sun.  They serve only a tasting menu designed by Chef Lucie Boursier-Mougenot that reflects the seasons and her partner Sommelier Luca Danti runs the front of the house.  The night we were there an additional course was offered to supplement the 4-course menu and the server suggested we split one, which we did.   The place has been around for 18 years and used to be frequented by stars like Madonna to Mick Jagger as well as several French presidents, but this was under the past chef and management.  Still, it is a lovely little place filled with candles, white tablecloths, an assortment of tables and chairs, music in the background, lots of dark wood and a blazing fire the cold night we were there, as well as the photo of a flame.  With only 9 tables it can be a hard reservation to get but it is well worth your while and a real value for the money.  The menu is constantly changing but this team provides you with a wonderful evening and meal. Continue reading →

Restaurant Granite, Paris, 11/29/23

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exterior – 6 Rue Bailleul, 75001 Paris, France

Granite was in the space where Daniel Rose’s Spring Restaurant used to be.  Two years ago Chef Tom Meyer started Granite which highlights local French products.  Meyer is only 30 years old but already has earned one Michelin Star for this restaurant.   On the street level was the open kitchen and some 2-top tables.  Downstairs there are more tables, which we visited under its past restaurant but didn’t go down this trip.  Ask to sit on the main floor so you can watch the huge number of people it takes to turn out your meal.   The place had a Scandinavian modern look of cut-out wooden paneling and gorgeous radial cut round wood tables.  Around this was a lowered ceiling, carpet, no music, windows to the street and excellent service.  I liked that the menu named the various people who worked there, rather than just the chef. At lunch, they offered a special 3-course menu but also longer tasting of 5, 7, and 8-course tasting menus all with the option of adding a cheese course.  We chose the 7-course with a couple of glasses of wine.  I freely admit I didn’t get all the ingredients down in my notes and cannot read many of the notes I scribbled but trust me you won’t care either – the flavors are that good.  In addition, the presentations were beautiful and felt simple rather than fussy.  A great meal. Continue reading →

Perception Gastronomic Restaurant, Paris, 11/28/23

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exterior – 53 Rue Blanche, 75009 Paris, France

Perception Restaurant has been in business for about 2 years.  It was the result of a collaboration of Chef Sukwon Yong and Barnabé Lahaye to bring a fusion of the cuisine of Korea (where the chef is from) with French gastronomy.   It was a small long place with lowered lighting but spots that helped illuminate many of the tables.  Some of the stone/brick walls had bench seating to pair with the small bare wood tables and hung with many mirrors.  The kitchen was at the back of the place opposite windows to the street on the other end.  They offer an al la carté menu as well as 6 and 8-course tasting menus.  Both tasting menus had optional wine pairings.  Their website did not list what was on the menus but they were explained on the menus on the table.  We chose the 8-course menu with the pairings.  The pairings were a small pour but the cost was low so that could be expected.  It was interesting that they didn’t change out the wine glasses but did change out the flatware between courses.  Overall, I’d call this one a mixed meal. Continue reading →

Origines Restaurant, Paris, 11/27/23

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exterior – 6 Rue de Ponthieu, 75008 Paris, France

Origines Restaurant was opened four years ago by Chef Julien Boscus, who earned a Michelin star as chef of Les Climats and now tries to highlight seasonal and local ingredients at his own place.  Chef did come out to visit with his guests at the end of the service.  His menu offers a la carte options as well as a 4 or 6-course tasting with an optional cheese course and/or wine pairings.  You pick your courses from the menu with the 4 composed of a starter, fish, meat and dessert and you add 2 more starters for the 6, which was the option we chose.  We also took the wine pairings which were exceptionally well done in that they truly enhanced the food.  The small place had bare wood tables fitted with well-stuffed seating.   The lowered lighting, music in the background and large plank wood floors gave it a cozy feel.  There was a window to the kitchen so you could see some action but it was not open so noise was not a factor.  We had a wonderful meal here with friendly service and I very much recommend you go if you have a chance. Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant, Elk, CA., 11/2/23

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exterior – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

Harbor House Restaurant is a favorite of ours, if you haven’t guessed due to the frequency of its write-ups.  It’s a bit of an effort to get to but with a direct flight from Dallas to Santa Rosa, CA airport (named for Charles Schultz and decorated with Peanuts characters), then pick up a rental car and it’s a 2 hour drive filled with wonderful scenery including forests, grape vines, grazing animals, coastal vistas and lots of fun twisty roads.  When you go, try and arrange to stay at the Harbor House Inn.  A lovely historic place, the building sits on the coastline and overlooks the water and some of the restaurant’s gardens.  The staff at the Inn and the restaurant are all first-rate and will make you feel like VIPs.  The accommodations have great linens and a superb breakfast is included with your stay.  Chef Matthew Kammerer has recruited wonderful people to be a part of your experience and the wine list is growing under the tutelage of Wine Director Kelly Eckel (beverage pairings are optional).   It’s not inexpensive ($285/pp) but it’s worth every penny to be able to enjoy a 2 Michelin-star meal filled with fresh fabulous flavors without the stuffy atmosphere that so often is part of it.  The room is small (just 20 people) so book now.  (No, I’m not on the payroll but when I find some magical, I want everyone else to enjoy it too.) Continue reading →

KIN, Boise, 10/19/23

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sign outside – 999 W Main St Suite P101, Boise, ID 83702

KIN was a five course tasting with an optional beverage pairing or drinks from the full bar.  Each menu runs about 5 weeks and is unique and changes with the seasons along with being designed to reflect the art on display.  This season the art was by Esther Oppenheimer, another Boise resident.  The communal seating was at a long line of adjacent 2-top tables and the menu.  Due to the set-up they do not accept odd number party reservations.  Chef Kris Komori is a fan of the farm-to-table movement and works with the growing seasons of Idaho along with being active in his community.  His abilities won him the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain Region in 2023 after being a semi-finalist five times.  Next to the dining room was a lounge and a cocktail bar.  Various members of the kitchen staff introduced each course including Chef Komori who also came out to greet the diners after the meal.  Another member of the staff closed the evening with an acapello song.  It was a lovely evening and one you should reserve if you are in Boise.   One note was that the beverage pairings were very small pours so you might want to allow time for a drink in the bar first and the noise level made it hard to talk to your partner across the table. Continue reading →

Grove Restaurant, Grand Rapids, 9/29/23

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

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

Le Mousso, Montreal, 9/22/23

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entrance – 1025 Ontario St E, Montreal, Quebec H2L 1P8, Canada

Le Mousso is a 30-seat restaurant offering a tasting menu and optional pairings 3 nights a week.  They dropped to #41 on the Canada’s 100 Best List.  Two backlit murals by Jean-Paul Mousseau decorate the room.  He was not only a prominent Quebec artist but also the grandfather of the chef and founder Antonin Mousseau-Rivard.  The whole room starts at the same time and there’s one seating that lasts about 3 hours.  The chef presents a description of the dish, as each is served, in both English and French.  Then another person presented a description for each wine pairing and mercifully it was only in French.  The descriptions went on way too long with French taking twice the amount of time as English.  I found the setup tedious maybe because the food deteriorated as the evening wore on.  So much thought was given to the preparation, that the end result was lost.  The color palate was too bland, it was over-priced and the flavor profile was lacking.  I applaud what they are doing but I can’t give this one a recommendation. Continue reading →

Restaurant Mastard, Montreal, 9/21/23

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exterior – 1879 Rue Bélanger, Montréal, QC H2G

Mastard is owned and run by Chef Simon Mathys and his wife Viki Brisson-Sylvestre.  They offer a 5-course tasting menu of local and seasonal items with an array of cocktails and natural wines.  Opening in Jan. 2021, it feels like a neighborhood restaurant but can accommodate 54 people.  They made #55 on the 100 Best of Canada list.   Windows look out onto the street and the lights are lowered.  The tin ceiling was opposite the very wide plank wood floor.  The bar, which makes many of its own fruit infusions was set with 5 chairs and the long wall opposite had bench seating that was a higher level than the chairs on the opposite side of the marble table.  Two of the walls had paintings on the wall and otherwise, the decorations were plants.  Chef Mathys was in the house and brought food out to some but not all the tables.  Optional pairings are available with the tasting but we chose our own bottle of wine and started with a cocktail.  The food was mixed but the service was first-rate. Continue reading →

Geronimo (update), Santa Fe, 9/15/23

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entrance – 724 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501

We last ate at Geronimo in 2019 and as usual, had a fine meal in this 1756 adobe home built by Geronimo Lopez.  The menu doesn’t change much here but you can expect an elegant atmosphere, lowered lighting, music in the background, art on the walls, white tableclothes, valet parking and friendly professional service.  Everytime I visit I seem to get the foie gras and Elk steak so tonight I went off script and ordered differently as did my husband.  It ended up nice but not as satisfying as my usual order.  Either way, it’s still a very fine meal and one I’d recommend if you can get there. Continue reading →

Sazón, Santa Fe, 9/13/23

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exterior – 221 Shelby St, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Sazón was started by Chef Fernando Olea in 2015.  He originally was from Mexico City and incorporates the indigenous and culinary traditions of Old Mexico into his fabulous foods.  He started cooking in 1991 with a green chili cheeseburger at Bert’s Burger Bowl.   In 2022 he was the winner of James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest.   The many rooms feature the work of some Mexican artists, many of which are for sale, white tablecloths and napkins, Spanish music in the background and lowered lighting.  The menu is fairly small but they also offer a Chef’s Degustation Tasting Menu at 5:00 and 7:30 if reserved in advance.  They also offer a curated tequila, mezcal and wine pairing or a large menu of wines from Mexico as well as other countries.  There is no printed menu for the tasting and some of the courses are not on the menu but I highly recommend it as a way to sample this chef’s excellent cuisine.  Olea presents a wonderful depth of flavor to his dishes as well as a healthy dose of spice and richness.  I enjoyed it immensely. Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant, Elk, CA., 8/24/23

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interior – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

The restaurant at Harbor House has been on this site numerous times (3/23, 11/22, 3/22, 7/22, 7/21, 8/20) but I never get tired of taking photos and writing descriptions of the exquisite food produced in the 2- Michelin-star kitchen of Matthew Kammerer and his team.  The Harbor House Inn is situated on a beautiful piece of property overlooking the Pacific Ocean and jutting rocks.  The 1916 Craftsman-style house has around 20 ocean view seats for this Coastal-cuisine-focused tasting menu experience that is not to be missed.  The place also received a Michelin Green Star for the sustainable nature of its processes.  Now there are 2 farms raising produce for the restaurant and local farms and fishermen supply the rest.   The staff treat all like royalty and the food is as delicious as it is stunning.  With the addition of Sommelier Kelly Eckel, who most recently was at Single Thread, there should be some exciting new additions to their wine list also.  I urge you to plan a trip here, stay a couple nights and enjoy the very fine food and ambiance.  I know I’ll be back soon and post it again here. Continue reading →

Inn at Langley Restaurant, Langley, WA., 8/19/23

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building – 400 1st St, Langley, WA 98260

The restaurant at the Inn at Langley was one of the reasons we traveled to Whidbey Island, besides also wanting to escape the Texas heat.  Chef Matt Costello started the restaurant in 1989 and now also is co-owner of the Inn.  However his cooking duties have been passed to a fellow named Landon and the tasting menu we looked forward to has been dumbed down to a 5-course menu, one of which is your roll.  Chef was in house and called it a “transition time”.  They also serve an a la carte menu but it is mostly bar snacks now.  Thank goodness we found another place to eat one of the 2 nights we hoped to eat there.   That said, the breakfast included with your stay at the Inn was very nice and a good assortment of options.  The place itself is wonderful and I heartily endorse it as a place to stay but caution you against reserving dinner there until they finish the “transition.”  We left hungry and dis-satisfied even though we had a delicious bottle of champagne with the meal and they took off some for the over-cooked salmon. Continue reading →

Orchard Kitchen, Langley, WA., 8/17/23

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seating area – 5574 Bayview Rd, Langley, WA 98260

The Orchard Kitchen was the most farm-to-table place I’ve eaten.  The summer dining tasting menu was served behind a barn, housing the kitchen, in between the planted fields that have served as farms since 1914.  Chef Vincent Nattress and his wife Tyla own Ebb Tide produce, the farm that surrounded us and produces much of what is served there.  They offer one seating at communal tables Thursday through Saturday with an ever-changing menu, depending on what is fresh and available.  In the winter they move indoors and also offer cooking classes.  Chef Vincent is from Whidbey Island and he and his wife returned there buying this 5-acre farm after operating another restaurant elsewhere and wanting to get back more to basics.   Chef starts off the evening with an explanation of what’s to come and acknowledges that the menu is just as new to him as the diners.  They offer wine pairings to go with the menu but also have wines by the bottle and glass but no liquor.   As the evening went on and people relaxed our table came alive with conversation and bonding over fun food.  It helps that they have great weather that can support outdoor dining but regardless it was a wonderful experience filled with fine food and new friends. Go if you can, it’s magical. Continue reading →

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

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

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

Aubergine (update), Carmel, 8/11/23

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exterior –L’Auberge Carmel, 7th avenue Monte Verde St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

Aubergine has re-done the dining room since we were there in 2019 (in 2020 we were there but it was during the pandemic and we ate outside) and it looks even better.  It has fewer tables but they’ve added some upstairs and dining outside is a regular option for the 5 nights a week they are open.  Chef Justin Cogley runs the kitchen with skillful pastry chef Yulanda Santos to offer an ever-changing 8-course tasting menu.  (There was an optional Japanese A5 wagyu supplement that night which we took).  A huge wine cellar supplements the meal as does the full bar.  They have maintained the Michelin Star they earned in 2019.   Music is in the background and artistic fish swim around the walls for the 5 tables in the dining room.  Gone are the dark beams above but they’ve added a cabinet for glassware and burled wood center fixture topped with candles and flowers.  The staff are all friendly and ready to help with any requests.  Chefs bring out some of the plates and explain them.  It was a wonderful dining experience and I recommend it to anyone who can get there. Continue reading →

SAISON (update), San Francisco, 7/7/23

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entrance – 178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107

SAISON had been a favorite restaurant of ours for years but had gradually drifted away from yummy so we haven’t been back since 2016.  The introduction of a new team lead by Chef Richard Lee sparked our curiosity and so we decided to re-visit and are so glad we did.  They still stress open hearth cooking and the use of local products all while expanding their wine list.  The space is the same with well-spaced polished wood large tables with music in the background.  The walls of brick and piles of wood give it a softer feel than the large open and modern kitchen that takes up one end of the space, which is the show people come to see.  The other end is the bar with an abbreviated menu. Chef Richard Lee led a large team of chefs, each with different assigned tasks, and coordinated the serving the same tasting menu to all of the guests.   It’s about a 2.5-hour meal and they do turn the tables.  Wine pairings are available and a supplemental A5 Wagyu is offered when booking.  They were dropped to 2 Michelin Stars a couple of years ago but with the level of service and the quality of the meal, I can see that third star back in their pocket soon.  It’s pricey but if you can go it is once again well worth the money.  At the end of the meal, you will receive a menu. Continue reading →

Acquerello (update), San Francisco, 7/6/23

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entrance – 1722 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94109

We last visited Acquerello in 2018 and you can read that one here.  It is in Nob Hill in a building that had housed many businesses but the main was a chapel which you can recognize by the high peaked ceiling. For 3 decades they have offered Italian-inspired cuisine and have been recognized with 2 Michelin stars.  It’s a good-sized room with music in the background and friendly yet very professional service, including purse stools.  Executive Chef Suzette Gresham still co-owns the place and runs the kitchen.  Co-owner Giancarlo Paterlini was at another of his restaurants that evening but his most capable sommelier son was on site.  They offer 2 tasting menus, one seasonal and one where you select 3-5 courses from several choices.  We specified the seasonal tasting on our reservation so didn’t even see the other menu but their website has it online.  Wine pairings are available as are some supplemental courses of caviar and cheese.  We opted for our own wines and no supplements.  It is a lovely place but should I go back I’d pick the menu with choices because although the plates were gorgeous they didn’t pack the flavor punch I remembered. Continue reading →

Shokunin, Calgary, 6/17/23

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exterior – 2016 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W3, Canada

Shokunin is a 50-seat Japanese Izakaya-style (informal place for drinking and snacks) restaurant serving charred yakitori and other small shared plates. On the 100 Best Restaurants of Canada, they ranked at #82.   They have a seasonal menu for the room as well as a full bar and lots of bottles of sake.  There are 4 seats at the bar in front of the cooking area that are reserved for the Shokunin Yakitori Omakase tasting.  It also has optional drink pairings and an additional course of 45-day aged beeswax-wrapped wagyu.  It is not A-5 from Japan but rather a Wagyu from Australia.  One item on the menu, the chicken ass (tail), is only available to those having the omakase.  The place was packed and service was well-paced and friendly.  I was surprised by how little interaction there was between the 4 guests and those in the kitchen, but that was affected by plexiglass between us and the grilled area.  It felt a bit impersonal with slight explanations of courses and a rushed feel.  Some of the food was outstanding and others were just so-so.  The tasting was a good way to get to know the place if you’re a one-time visitor. Continue reading →

River Cafe, Calgary, 6/15/23

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entrance – 25 Prince’s Island Park, SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0R1, Canada

River Cafe dates back to 1991 when it started as a full-service café on Calgary’s Prince Island for the summer only.  In 1995 they enclosed the space and began operating year-round.  The desire was to create a restaurant space that would blend into the Bow River setting and they ranked at #22 on the 2023 100 Best In Canada.  Attempting to serve cuisine from local areas was also part of the plan.  To this day there is no access to the place except to walk there across the pedestrian bridge and through the friendly geese.  It’s a fairly large space with bare wood tables set with towel-shaped napkins, faint music in the background and decorated with a fishing/nautical motif.  An open kitchen is part of the rambling room as is a long bar.  They are open 7 days a week and serve lunch/brunch as well as dinner. At dinner, they offer a Chef’s Tasting menu as well as an a la carte menu.  We chose the tasting and they were willing to give me a copy of the night’s menu, but the dessert listed was not accurate. Service was friendly but the pacing was off and the food was good but not outstanding.  It’s such a pretty spot, though I would recommend you try it. Continue reading →

The DeBruce (tasting), Livingston Manor, 6/3/23

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dining room – 982 Debruce Rd, Livingston Manor, NY

The current owners have run the place for 6 years and offer 6 “seasons” of menu to span the year.  We were there for the ‘Stream’ season which features the many trout in the area.  We were fortunate to get the same wonderful server both nights and he really made the meal enjoyable.  Knowledge and friendliness are important in a great server and Giovanni Costantino has plenty of both.  The tasting is offered at 6:30 and 8:00 pm so it moves at a fairly rapid pace.  However, we had the later time and were there past 10, so the early seating moves more quickly.  Portions are well-modulated.  The beautiful landscape outside made a perfect backdrop for a meal of fish, that I didn’t have to catch or clean.   I imagine the other seasonal tastings are well-crafted too.  I recommend this place. Continue reading →

The Bocuse Restaurant, Hyde Park, NY, 6/1/23

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entrance – 1946 Campus Dr, Hyde Park, NY 12538

The Bocuse Restaurant is the French restaurant in the Culinary Institute of America.  Named aptly for Paul Bocuse, it is staffed by students at the CIA who learn modern cooking techniques to bring diners classic French cuisine.  It’s in a large room at one end of a main building that has a parking garage next to it.  Tons of windows added even more light to the fairly bright white room.   Modern ceiling fixtures add soft light as does the see-through wine cellar.  One end of the room is the open kitchen.   Students not only do the cooking but also the service, drinks and wine service.  They were all very pleasant but varied in their competency.  Bench seating lines the walls with free-standing tables in the middle of the room and music was in the background.  The menu is set up as a prix fixe 3-course menu with several choices in each category.  They offered a nice wine list as well as many cocktails and mocktails – some made tableside. We were there with family so I got more pictures than I got to eat, but pictures tell a lot.  Overall the food was nice but some menu descriptions were off the mark. Continue reading →

Nook, Madison, 5/11/23

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exterior – 2138 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704

Nook is a tiny 12-seat tasting menu experience.  It’s what I continually search for – a relaxed, fun-filled evening filled with wonderful flavors and textures.  The restaurant is family owned by Noah and Julie Przybylski and they cook and present the evenings’s meal.  Aided by some extra servers in the service, you can’t help but be consumed by their joyous and adventurous spirits.  The couple met in Chicago in 2005,  where the dream of opening their own restaurant hatched.  They married in 2007 and welcomed a son in 2014 (whose artwork you can see downstairs).  Now they have brought the dream to life with a restaurant that celebrates all that Wisconsin has to offer. A bargain at $125 per person for a 12-14 course meal.  Wine pairings are available, but we ordered our own bottle.  The tables each seat 2 and they’re lined up about 3 inches apart from each other.  As the evening moves on conversations begin to cross over the small separation.  Noah presented and explained each course as it came out with good pacing and portion control.  I strongly recommend this fabulous place, if you can get a reservation – they go quickly. Continue reading →

L’Etoile Restaurant, Madison, 5/10/23

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building – US Bank Plaza, 1 S Pinckney St, Suite 107, Madison, WI 53703

L’Etoile Restaurant was opened by Odessa Piper in 1976.  She was an early supporter of the sustainable food or farm-to-table movement.  In 2005 she sold the restaurant to her Chef de cuisine, Tory Miller and his sister Traci.  They continued the tradition of supporting local farmers and expanded to open a bakery and a casual lunch spot also.  Dianne Christensen became a co-owner in 2007 and envisioned a new space for ‘L’Etoile and the addition of a gastropub.  Chef Miller was the recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Midwest in 2012.  The new space is in the US Bank Plaza building with 3 walls of glass looking out at the dome of the Wisconsin capital building.  The widely spaced tables are covered with white cloths, sitting on carpet with a high ceiling overhead and music in the background.  Parking is on your own, so allow extra time to make your reservation.  They offer a “5” course tasting with 2 levels of optional wine pairings as well as an a la carte menu.  The full bar and wine list has a fairly hefty mark-up but it is a good selection.  We chose the tasting menu which included multiple extras and chose a half bottle of white and full bottle of red to accompany the meal.  The food is excellent as was the service and if you have the chance this is a place I would recommend, but it’s not cheap. Continue reading →

The Refectory Restaurant, Columbus, 4/26/23

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

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

Vida, Indianapolis, 4/20/23

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exterior – 601 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Vida offers innovative cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, when possible.   It’s a large building with a bar on one side and the dining room on the other.  The bar offers more casual dining and is in the original part of the building.  They offer a  6-course Chef’s tasting menu (optional wine pairings available) or a 4-course fixed price menu with several choices for each course.   Opening in 2016, it is an elegant space with a super high ceiling that has windows much of the way up.  One wall of the dining room had a cushy bench that was mated with medium-sized dark bare wood tables.  Carpet was on the floor and lots of wood in the room help keep the noise at a good level even with music in the background.  The service was very nice with the team working together.  The pacing was good as was portion control.  We chose the Chef’s tasting with a dessert substitution for me and our own bottle of wine. Continue reading →

Oakley’s Bistro, Indianapolis, 4/19/23

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exterior – 1464 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260

Oakley’s Bistro was started in 2002 and continues to be run by Chef Steven Oakley today.  His dream was to create “an affordable, everyday destination where every meal is a special occasion.”  He started cooking at 16 years of age and has gathered experience from many restaurants and other chefs.  Now he and his restaurant have been recognized with many awards and he also donates a portion of the bistro’s sales to an Indianapolis food rescue program as well as opening his kitchen for training and hiring of those who want to go into the restaurant industry.  The place is medium-sized with some outdoor tables also available and located in a strip shopping center.  They offer an a la carte menu but also have 2 tasting menu time slots on Wed- Sat nights.  We opted for that which must be reserved 24 hours in advance.  As you enter the dining room you’ll see the curved booth slightly above and next to the kitchen and that is where the tasting is served by the chef himself.    The 5 – 6 course tasting can accommodate up to 4 people but if you are a couple it will be just you.  At $85 per person it is a good value with wine pairings available.  We had a lovely evening there and would recommend the place if you are in the area. Continue reading →

Longoven, Richmond, 4/8/23

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entrance – 2939 W Clay St., Richmond, VA 23230

Longoven offers a seasonal 10-13 course tasting menu highlighting local products.  Owned by a trio of chefs – Andrew Manning, Patrick Phelan and Megan Fitzroy Phelan – it opened about 5 years ago.  The trio united after varying careers to do a series of pop-up dinners for 4 years starting in 2014.  They didn’t start out intending to offer fine dining but evolution found them receiving tons of awards as they refined their concept of flavors.   Open for dinner Wed through Sat, there are few tables so get your reservation early.  Wine pairings are offered and cocktails can be acquired at the Lost Letter which is the bar in the front of the building.  The Lost Letter and the patio on the side also serve food made in the same kitchen, just a more casual and a la carte version. Fittingly the name refers to the community ovens of the Civil War period.  They do give you copy of the menu at the end of the meal.  The space is fairly dark with dark wood tables and carpet and excellent service.  It is star for the Richmond dining scene and a bargain at $155/person.  Go if you get the opportunity. Continue reading →

610 Magnolia, Louisville, 3/31/23

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exterior –610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208

610 Magnolia was in a 125-year-old carriage house in Old Louisville – the creation of Chef Edward Lee.  In 2003 he wanted a modern take on the Southern Table and so offers a 5-course tasting menu with 2 options on 4 of the courses.  Wine pairings are available as well as a full bar.  Since there were 2 of us we decided to each order one of the options so we could try the whole menu.  The menu focuses on seasonality and locally sourced produce including their own greenhouse and farm.  It’s a medium-sized place with rock music in the background.  A large bar filled one area but it did not have seats.  The nice-sized tables were bare wood set with white cloth napkins and windows to the outside helped with the otherwise dim lighting.  They do 2 seatings a night and reservations must be made by calling.  We were in the early seating and as such the noise level was good at first but then became difficult as the later crowd arrived and more drink was consumed.  The food was mixed but Chef Lee was in the house and did come around to visit with guests.  We tried their pairings which were okay and small pours. Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant (update), Elk, CA., 3/25/23

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view – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA, 95432

One of the aspects of Harbor House Restaurant that I haven’t written much about is its status as a sustainable site.  In 2020 they received a Michelin Green Star for their efforts in recycling and local sourcing. Nothing is wasted.  For example, they make their candles from recycled fryer oil and beeswax, they repurpose wine corks for mulch and re-use vegetable rinsing water to water growing plants – and that’s a small accounting of their efforts.  It’s wonderful to think you can come here and have the elegant and sophisticated experience of a 2 Michelin star restaurant and still not leave a huge carbon footprint as a result.  It’s excellent food and the staff is first rate.  Frankie enjoyed visiting with a number of the team during our visit.  Make your reservation for this tasting menu today! Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant (update), Elk, CA., 3/24/23

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Harbor House Inn and Restaurant – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA, 95432

Harbor House Restaurant has been written up on this site numerous times and they continue to excel even with the weather challenges California has faced.  The most recent rains and wind did real damage to their ranch and all the growing produce but, other than less vegetables on the menu the food there just gets better and better.  The wine list also grows and a new beverage director will be in place very soon but in the meantime sommelier Jason is doing a fine job with new additions.  The setting is beautiful and I encourage you to stay either in one of the rooms of the Inn or the cottages on the property.  Breakfast is another fun treat.  We were thrilled to spend 2 nights and enjoy 2 dinners with Chef Matthew Kammerer and the dynamic team working at the place and I’m sure you’ll see more posts about dinners there in the future.  Put this one on your list! Continue reading →

The Anchorage, Greenville, South Carolina, 3/10/23

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exterior – 586 Perry Ave, Greenville, SC 29611

The Anchorage was a small place in the Village of West Greenville serving an eclectic menu.  Partnered with Horseshoe Farms the restaurant brings the farm-to-table concept to life by having a variety of vegetable dishes on the menu. Executive Chef/Owner Gregory McPhee opened the restaurant in early 2017 and the place was a semi-finalist for the 2018 Best New Restaurant James Beard Award.  Carlos Baez, Chef de Cuisine has cooked in many places but joined the team in August 2020 and was in charge of the kitchen the evening we dined.  It’s a small 2-story place with a dining room and partially open kitchen on the first floor and dining and bar area on the second floor.  Next door is a tiny wine shop where you actually enter the restaurant, but wines are available for purchase. We were a little confused about where to enter and some of the regular patrons found us wandering and showed us the way in.  They were local people who said it was their favorite place and I can see why.  Parking was on the street, music was in the background, wood and brick made up the walls, and lighting was lowered with a bench seat lining one wall. The guests were made up of a range of people but it never got too noisy to talk.  The service was fabulous.  The menu offers 9 plates a la carte but there is a tasting option where you get to try all of the dishes in 3 groupings, with scaled portioning.  It is the way to go, which you should – as soon as you can. Continue reading →

Meridian, Dallas, 2/16/23

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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 →

Wild Common, Charleston, 2/8/23

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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 →

Ariete, Coconut Grove, 1/26/23

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exterior – 3540 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, FL., 33133

Ariete was created by Chef/Owner Michael Beltran to combine his Cuban heritage with French technique.  It was awarded one Michelin Star in 2022.  They offer 2 tasting menus with optional wine pairing or an a la carte menu.  It’s a small place with very low lighting, small tables and a patio.  A bar counter is in the main dining room.  Music was in the background and the kitchen is open to both dining rooms.  Staff was super friendly and helpful.  We opted to try one of their signature a la carte dishes rather than the tasting.  The duck dinner is for 2 and involves a press brought to the table where parts of the duck are made into a sauce tableside.  It’s a fun show with a fabulous result. The order comes with a number of side dishes also.  I give this place high recommendations but be prepared for the dim lights. Continue reading →

Stubborn Seed, Miami Beach, 1/25/23

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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 →

Dakar, New Orleans, 1/6/23

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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 →

Commander’s Palace (update), New Orleans, 1/6/23

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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 →

Saint-Germain Nola, New Orleans, 1/5/23

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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 →

Lengua Madre, New Orleans, 1/4/23

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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 →

Chat qui Rit, Venice, 12/17/22

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exterior

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 →

Dama, Venice, 12/14/22

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entrance

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 →

Harbor House Restaurant (update part 2), Elk, CA., 11/28/22

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Back for our second dinner and I can’t believe this place just gets better and better.  Check it out on <https://www.theharborhouseinn.com

Frankie admired the Michelin Man and abalone shells
wine
menu

Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant (update), Elk, CA., 11/27/22

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building – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

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 →

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

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entrance in light – 20 East Main Street, Mystic, CT., 06355

The Shipwright’s Daughter opened in 2020 in the Whaler’s Inn in the heart of Mystic.  Chef David Standridge changes the menu regularly to present highlights of the Connecticut coast.  They also offer a tasting menu with optional wine pairings, but it must be reserved in advance.  Wine Spectator magazine gave them an Award of Excellence for their wine selection and they also have a full bar.  They also were the second Connecticut restaurant to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation’s ‘Smart Catch’ program. They are open for breakfast, brunch on the weekends, and dinner.  It is a fairly large place with lowered lighting, music in the background, windows to the street, bare blond wood tables, and a large bar area.  We were there on a Friday night and were glad we had a reservation as it was very busy, which also contributed to the noise factor.  The lights are so low that many of the photos turned out grainy, so apologies in advance for that.  Service was attentive but sometimes rushed and not engaging and the food was mixed. Continue reading →

Bistro de Margot, Burlington, 10/18/22

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exterior – 126 College Street, Burlington, Vermont, 05401

Bistro de Margot is named for Chef Hervé Mahé’s grandmother.  He fondly remembers the aromas and flavors of her cooking, she being a foodie before it was fashionable.  Chef had over 30 years of experience before he opened this, his own place in 2015.  The 2 room place is decorated with black and white photos taken by a Burlington long time resident and physician while he was stationed overseas during the 1950s.  Windows to the street allow a bit more light in, music is in the background and white clothes cover the generously sized tables.  Bench seating is along 2 of the walls and the tables are well spaced.  The pandemic forced them to change the menu slightly and now they offer a fixed price menu of $73 for 3 courses.  The items are priced individually if you want to order just one or two courses.  Chef Hervé Mahé did visit the dining room after diners were served, to visit with his guests.  It’s not Paris but a really fun and real French meal in a little place like Burlington.

Set-up

exterior
sign by door
interior
interior
Frankie napped on the bench
menu
wine by the glass  list
wine front
wine side
wine side

 

Food

Bread and butter were slices of bread from a larger loaf served with a softened butter.  The bread had a good texture with large air pockets and a crisp crust.  It was easy to eat too much of this.

bread and butter
closer

 

The amuse bouche was cannellini beans that had been smoked, chilled and mixed with basil oil and tomatoes.  They had a wonderful texture and a great amount of flavor.

amuse bouche – beans

 

Tartare de Thon Rouge, Sauce Safran, Chips de Légumes, Herbettes du Jardin means Ahi tuna tartar, saffron sauce, vegetable chips and micro greens.  It was a good sized portion of raw tuna under some micro greens and sitting in a tasty saffron sauce.  The vegetable chips scattered around the plate added fun texture as did those greens on top.  It looked darker in the room’s lighting than I would have expected but with a quick inspection by that dreaded flashlight you could see the color was nicely pink.  Darker lighting is nice for ambiance but hell on food coloring.  Thank goodness for improved darkness photography but that doesn’t always work.  At any rate it was a good dish.

Tartare de Thon Rouge, Sauce Safran, chips de legumes, herbettes du Jardin
different lighting
Frankie enjoyed the candle

 

Filet de Loup de Mer Poêlé, La Ratte ad Poireaux au Beurre, Sauce Légere au Persil, Truffe Noire d’Alba translates to Pan seared “Bronzino” filet, buttered La Ratte potatoes and leek, light parsley cream sauce, and Alba black truffle shavings.  The fish was kept perfectly moist in the cooking process and wonderful with the foamy parsley sauce.  The truffles added more color and effect than flavor.  La Ratte potatoes refers to a type of potato rather than preparation.  They are a small potato with nutty, buttery flavor that are grown in France.  They were perfectly cooked and creamy.   The leeks were a star on the plate – really excellent.  Another fine dish that was very well executed.

Pan seared Bronzino filet
different angle

 

Paris-Brest Revisité is Revisited classic French pastry, that was created in 1910 in honor of the Paris-Brest bicycle race, with Chou pastry and pistachio cream.  This was a large portion and very tasty.  Not overly sweet but it was incredibly creamy and had a richness of flavor.  Chunks of pistachio gave more texture and added to the wonderful taste of pistachio.  A fine ending for a good meal.

Paris Brest
from the top

 

Last treats were a plate of small meringues.  They were sweet, light, airy and crisp.  I detected a hint of orange which added to the fun flavor.  Very good.

closing meringue
Chef Hervé Mahé and Frankie

Homewood (Rosenthal Dinner), Dallas, 10/11/22

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exterior – 4002 Oak Lawn, Dallas, TX, 75219

Note:  Restaurant now closed

Homewood has been visited by Frankie and me in previous posts but tonight they hosted a Wine Dinner featuring wines distributed by Rosenthal Wine Merchants matched with an 8-course menu designed by Chef Matt McCallister.  The food was designed to showcase fall flavors and offered the opportunity to taste 11 wine selections from around the world.  The doors opened at 6:30 with the dinner beginning promptly at 7:00.  Wines were for sale in addition if you wished.  A brief introduction preceded the first course but there were no further comments during the meal.  Each seat had a menu for the evening with the corresponding wine/s and on the back was a list of the wines for sale.  I couldn’t see an empty seat in the entire restaurant.  That made for a moderate wait between the courses.  Wines were brought first and no refills were offered. The wine rep and her distributor did stop by each table to chat and answer questions. The event lasted about 3.5 hours. Continue reading →

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

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

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

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery 1986, Hammondsport, NY, 9/23/22

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house – 9749 Middle Road, Hammondsport, NY, 14840

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery offers several tastings of their wines but the 1886 Food and Wine Experience is the most in-depth experience.  It is by reservation only and includes a seated educational wine flight paired with creative, small foods.  The visit also contains tours of some of the wine-making areas as well as some vineyards.  On the property, they also have a retail shop, seated tastings of 5 wines ($15), or Eugenia’s Garden (price varies with what you order) where you sample 3 wines with optional food for purchase.  The 1886 Experience is $75 and in retrospect, I don’t think it’s worth that.  It was a nice, small, informative tour and the paired foods for the different wines were attractive but not that good.  It was fun to see the different buildings and learn a lot about how sparkling wines are made, but I’d recommend one of the cheaper tours and if you really like the wine you can come back for the in-depth experience.  The Frank winery is significant because Konstantin is the one that elevated the Finger Lakes wine region of New York into a well-respected wine region. He planted the first vinifera vines from Europe in 1957 which forever changed the course of winemaking in New York. Continue reading →

Tatsu, Dallas, 9/6/22

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building – 3309 Elm Street, Ste. 120, Dallas, TX, 75226

Tatsu opened a couple of months ago in the Continental Gin Building near downtown.  The Sushi Omakase dinner included 15-18 courses made personally by Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi.  There is free parking out front and a comfortable waiting area inside as you wait for one of 2 seatings Tuesday through Sunday.  The wooden counter is set with comfortable chairs and bright lighting with music in the background.  An exposed brick wall backs up the counter and next door is a smaller room for 6 guests.  Service starts fairly promptly and lasts just under 2 hours (that depends on how many extra items are ordered at the end).  Each place has a menu card that also lists the origin of the day’s ingredients.  It is well thought out.  The sushi can be picked up with your fingers or chopsticks.  I prefer the former and they had a lovely little folded moist towel at your place where you can wipe the fingers before and after each bite.  When you go, and do put it on your list, don’t miss the elegant bathroom with bright fish roaming the walls and a fancy Toto toilet to use for the necessary.  It is a calming and beautiful meal, especially under the care of the delightful chef, who has worked with sushi for 27 years, and his wife. Continue reading →

The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach, OR., 7/30/22

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hotel exterior, restaurant on second floor – 2740 S. Pacific, Cannon Beach, OR., 97110

The Stephanie Inn Dining Room is of course in the oceanfront Stephanie Inn.  Chef Aaron Bedard creates a 5-course prix fixe tasting menu that changes often and in which you have a choice of entrée.  They have a full bar but also offer wine pairings for the meal.  Built in 1993 the inn is a luxury coastal retreat in Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast.  They do 2 seatings in the evening at 5:30 and 8:00 in the second-story room overlooking the mountains and nearby homes.  The large tables are set with cream-colored cloths and brown napkins in a room with a vaulted wooden ceiling.  The room faces east so the glaring sun is not a problem for diners.  Music is in the background and there’s plenty of parking out front. Some tables are on the outside veranda but they didn’t seem to get used for the dinner service.  They didn’t open early, in fact they were a bit late, and so a number of the diners lined up at the door.  The problem with that is many people wanted a cocktail and the servers were trying to get out an amuse bouche and take dinner drink orders – and basically, it felt clunky and ill-planned for a fine dining experience (we waited 25 minutes to place a drink order).  It is hard when the diners are all served at the same time so the place can accommodate more people, but there must be a way to make it flow more smoothly.  That said, the service was friendly and finely caught up with demands to provide a lovely evening with pretty good food too. After the salad was served the chef came out to talk about the evening’s menu and the 2 choices for entrées. Continue reading →

Smyth, Chicago, 7/14/22

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exterior – 177 North Ada Street, Chicago, IL., 60607 – ground floor

Smyth was last visited by Frankie and me in Nov. of 2018.  The interior hasn’t changed much – the main difference this time was eating there in daylight, as the days are much longer in summer.  It does give the room a different feel with the floor-to-ceiling windows being open to the street activity.  The large open kitchen is divided into 2 parts, one serving as the dessert area.  The small bare dark wood tables are well spaced and some bench seating is along one wall.  Music is in the background but you also hear the kitchen calling out orders to one another.  I don’t remember that.  It still serves only a tasting menu with optional drink pairings but there is only one tasting menu (except for allergy substitutions).  The wine list is small and on the pricy side.  The diners seemed more casually dressed than I’d expect in a Michelin 2-star place.  Service was attentive and efficient but not as warm as on our last visit.  We decided to have a bottle of champagne to accompany our tasting.  No menu was provided but one was emailed about a week later. Continue reading →

Oriole (update), Chicago, 7/13/22

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exterior

We last visited Oriole in Nov. 2018.  Opening in 2016, Chef / Owner Noah Sandoval’s restaurant has 2 Michelin stars.  They still offer only a tasting menu of contemporary American cuisine but their site mentions an extended tasting also.  Optional wine pairings are available.  The first difference we noticed was the entrance – which is now through an open gate on the corner of the alley-like street.  You still stay in that admitting area for a drink before being taken through the sliding door to the restaurant.  Inside has changed a lot with a bar area now opened up where you have your first bites and a drink.  From there you proceed to the kitchen, which is now a huge open space. You have a counter there where you also have a bite and a glass of champagne.  After that, you are finally taken to your large, white cloth-covered table with music in the background.  I’m not a big fan of having to rove around while you’re eating, maybe because it’s hard to take notes and photos, but I like to get settled and soak in the experience.  The staff is first-rate with our main server, Celeste, being a wonderful part of our time there.  They do present you with a ‘menu’ when you’re finished. Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant (update), Elk, CA, 7/7 & 8/22

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exterior –5600 CA-1, Elk, 95432

Frankie and I have visited Harbor House Restaurant before and it is on this site numerous times.   Every time I go back I think I’ll just eat there and not do another write-up but the food is so good I really hate not to share the photos.  We were lucky enough to dine there 2 consecutive nights so Chef Matthew Kammerer was kind to vary the menu some but other courses just need to be repeated – and you don’t mind.  He continues to win awards for his culinary talents with the restaurant now having 2 Michelin stars.  Their ranch is also now producing some incredible produce which he includes in the dishes.  The wine program continues to evolve under the capable leadership of Wine and Beverage Director, John Miller.  Both nights he managed to delight us with interesting choices from the area.  The final component of the experience is the staff, which are all terrific.  Friendly and knowledgeable (many of our other dining choices came from their suggestions) they make a 2-star Michelin meal feel like you’re dining in a friend’s home.  The hotel it’s in, is a lovely place to stay, if you get the chance.  My highest recommendation here – I’ll go again and Frankie hopes to see you there too. Continue reading →

Sushi By Scratch, Montecito, 6/27/22

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exterior – 1295 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, CA., 93108

Sushi By Scratch is part of the historic Montecito Inn and the concept of Chef Phillip Frankland Lee.  It is the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the area and serves an Omakase 17 courses to 10 diners three times in the evening.  It is part of the Scratch Restaurant group with different concepts in cities like Los Angeles, Miami and Austin. This dining experience starts 15 minutes prior in the hotel’s lobby with a welcome cocktail. (Parking is via hotel valet or they will direct you to the self-park lot).  With the meal you can order your own beverage or buy one of their pairing packages – house, sake, or wine – all $110.  We took the House pairing which served a combination of sake, cocktails and beer.   In hindsight, even though the pairings were well matched,  I would recommend getting your own bottle of something as the pairings felt over-priced.  Seating was comfortable and the 3 chefs preparing your bites were conversational and friendly.  The 16 items featured are on the wall in front and #17 is dessert.  Numbers by each entry are the price of each if there is time and you want another piece at the end of the meal.  The sushi is all outstanding and it is a fun experience that I recommend. Continue reading →

Caruso’s, Montecito, CA, 6/26/22

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hotel – 1759 S Jameson Ln, Montecito, CA 93108

Caruso’s is in the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel on the ocean front of Montecito serving Italian-inflected coastal cuisine.  It is the fine dining option at the hotel.  The facility was complete around 2019 and definitely delivers the pampered dining experience.  They offer a 4-course tasting menu with at least 4 choices in each category and also a 10-course Chef’s Tasting menu with optional wine pairings. Executive Chef Massimo Falsini was not there but the kitchen was in the most capable hands of Chef de Cuisine Shibani Mone.  We chose the 4-course menu and had our own wine after a well-made Negroni cocktail.  The large white cloth-covered tables are well spaced and are serenaded by the sound of the waves coming ashore.  There are lots of outdoor heaters for when the sun goes down.  When you pull up to the hotel the valet will park your car and then be prepared for a bit of walk down to the beach front.  You’ll have to cross an active railroad track and finally down a flight of stairs, but it’ll be worth the trek, I promise. Continue reading →

Bouchard Restaurant & Inn, Newport, 5/27/22

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exterior – 505 Thames Street, Newport, RI, 02840

Bouchard Restaurant has been in business over 20 years and also has a few rooms/suites to stay in.  They have a parking area but you need to go into the restaurant and get a pass to place in your car before parking there.  They have a dress requirement that is on their website as well as reminded about when they call to confirm your reservation.  No jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, etc but I saw no enforcement of that whatsoever.  There were many casually dressed people in the dining room that were obviously regulars due to their rapport with the staff.  There were also ‘dressed-up’ people there but this was only the first odd bit of this place.  They have a full bar which is located adjacent to the check in desk.  Further inside is a medium to small dining area with small white cloth covered tables with full drape underneath.  Lighting is lowered, there is music in the background, carpet is on the floor and the ceiling is low.   They offer a tasting  menu which is 5 courses at the second seating.  Most courses have choices, some with an upcharge.  The food was average at best but the service was awful.  Slow and inattentive, it aggravated me and probably affected the way I perceived the food.  The captain spent little time with many tables and concentrated on the ones he knew.  It’s a fine line to walk, but it bothers me to see tables sit for 20 minutes with their menus still in their hands and staff carrying on conversations neglecting their job. Continue reading →

Gracie’s, Providence, 5/26/22

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exterior – 194 Washington Street, Providence, RI., 02903

Gracie’s is a medium sized place in downtown Providence with Matt Varga as chef.  There is no valet or assigned lot, so allow some extra time if you need to hunt for street parking.  In addition to the nice sized white cloth covered table they had a number of booth like seats around the perimeter.  Large windows to the street make up one wall of the dining room and they are heavily tinted which darkens the room quite a bit.  Patterned cut outs are on some of the windows and gauzy drapes hang between some of the perimeter tables.  There are a few tables outside.  The wood floor is opposite the high dark ceiling with hammered copper inserts in some of the wood columns and booth dividers.   The view out the window is of the street that is mostly filled with a bank building and its sign.  They offer an a la carte menu as well as 2 tasting menus of 5 or 7 courses.  Optional wine pairings are available and they have a full bar.  We had pre-ordered the 7 course tasting and ordered our own wine.  They promised to email and menu but never did.  It is a good place anyway. Continue reading →

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

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exterior – 6064 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68104

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

V. Mertz, Omaha, 5/6/22

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exterior – 1022 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102

V. Mertz is in the Old Market Passageway of Omaha.  The space between two close buildings was covered with a roof and V. Mertz  came to be  44 years ago on the lower level, as a wedding gift.  The location allows the inside rooms to open to the ‘patio tables’ that are in the passageway.  There is no dedicated parking – it is either at street meters or paid lots.  The interior rooms are fairly dark with brick walls lined with wine bottles and the wall between rooms is filled with lit liquor bottles.  The small tables are cloth covered under a low tin ceiling and no music is in the background.  They presented us with the a la carte menu but when asked they brought out the tasting menu with optional pairings.  Menus change regularly, as both were dated. There is a large wine list and full bar.  We chose the tasting and ordered our own wine.  The food is fun, creative and tasty – go if you can. Continue reading →

Charleston, Baltimore, 4/29/22

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entrance – The Promenade at Harbor East, 1000 Lancaster St, Baltimore, MD 21202

Charleston was opened  by restaurateurs Tony Foreman and Chef Cindy Wolf in 1997 in the Harbor East neighborhood of Baltimore, MD.  They now have at least 6 restaurants in the city.  Chef Wolf offers a constantly changing menu and even cooked lunch at this place for Julia Child in 1999.  Chef’s reputation is that she cooks at this, her flagship, most every night.  Unfortunately she was not there when we visited and I wonder if that’s why our meal was so unsatisfactory.  The food is a combination of French and Southern cuisines and she has been nominated 9 times for the James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic award.  The fairly large place enters from a side street, which is not where Google Maps directs you to go.  The bar is to your right as we were led to a table that looked directly into the large open kitchen.  Table sizes varied but all were set with white cloths and napkins and well-spaced, no music was in the background and the lighting was lowered.  The menu offers prix fixe menu of 3-6 courses, which you pick from the entire menu, with optional wine pairings.  Desserts are complimentary with your meal and an optional cheese course is available. Continue reading →

Shoyo, Dallas, 4/26/22

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exterior – 1916 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Shoyo, opened in fall 2021 on lower Greenville Ave.  It is a 12 seat Omakase restaurant, meaning the chef choses your menu.  Chef/owner Jimmy Park worked with Sous Chef William Yoon behind the counter to provide our meal, Chef Shin Kondo was missing ( instead there was a soft-spoken chef not authorized to make sushi).  Together they have more than 50 years of restaurant experience.  Reservations for the following month are released on the first of the month and go quickly.  There are 2 seatings, Tues through Sat, at 5:45 and 8:15, with dinner lasting about 2 hours. There is parking behind the building or as you can find it on the street.  There is a small waiting area until you are escorted to your seat the counter.   While getting settled you can order sake, wine or beer to go with the meal if you chose.  They have halves as well as full sized bottles of sake.  There is also a list of extra courses you can order toward the end of the meal. Continue reading →

Nicola’s Restaurant, Cincinnati, 4/22/22

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exterior – 1420 Sycamore St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Nicola’s Restaurant is in the building that once was a barn for the city’s 19th century incline trollies.  It was established in 1996 by owner Nicola Pietoso and after 20 years his son Cristian now is in charge. He added some new second floor seating and expanded the wine cellar.  In addition to seating downstairs there is also a bar with seating.  The brick walls are punctuated by the structural beams and high ceilings.    Downstairs a giant chandelier hangs overheard and windows to the outside let in light and look out onto the patio tables.  White tablecloths and napkins are on all tables and music is in the background.  Valet parking is available out front.  The place is really popular so a reservation is a must and even with a reservation we still had to wait in the bar until out table was ready.  They serve Italian cuisine and offer a chef crafted 5 course tasting menu.  We happened to be there during restaurant week and so a 3 course menu was also available as well as the a la carte selections.  We ordered a la carte. Continue reading →

The Fearrington House Restaurant, Pittsboro, NC., 4/1/22

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exterior – 230 Market St, Pittsboro, NC 27312

The Fearington House Restaurant is located in Fearington Village, just outside Chapel Hill in Pittsboro, NC.  They have been in operation over 40 years, with the restaurant being in the original farmhouse.  The couple that started it, R.B. and Jenny(she ran the kitchen) Fitch had a dream to turn the dairy farm into a community.  The property itself has an inn and homes for sale as well as stores and event space to rent.  The restaurant has several rooms in the building, one of which houses the bar.  The widely spaced tables are double clothed with matching napkins and armless chairs.  Lots of windows look out onto the property and the interior lights are lowered. They offer an a la carte menu as well as a Chef’s tasting with optional wine pairings.  We had the Chef’s tasting menu and the pacing was really slow and the portions were on the large side.  While service was trying to be friendly it was almost intrusive with the constant query of “what are your thoughts on this one?” It was a beautiful place to stay but the food would only rate okay – nothing made me want to lick the plate or wish I had more. Continue reading →

Herons, Cary, 3/31/22

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dining room entrance –The Umstead Hotel and Spa, 100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary, NC 27513

Herons is the signature restaurant in the Umstead Hotel and Spa.  The 98 seat restaurant features a view of the kitchen as well as the landscaped grounds and art on the walls.  The large, white cloth covered tables are appointed with chairs and couches with pillows.  The room is decorated in earthtones with lots of wood, lowered lighting and no music.  The elegant place takes itself seriously in that they have a dress code asking you not to wear jeans, shorts, sandals or tattered clothing. The menu changes seasonally and tries to feature local produce and proteins.  It is divided into 4 categories which each have about 5 choices for you to pick from  Some choices do have a supplemental charge.  Beverage pairings are available in addition to a huge wine list.  Service was first rate and the pacing and portion control were spot on.  The food was very good and they threw in lots of little things in between courses. Continue reading →

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

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exterior – 1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

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

Harbor House Restaurant (second visit), Elk, 3/13/22

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exterior – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

Harbor House Restaurant had made a couple changes since our visit last summer.   Most importantly the wine list has really ramped up to include lots of French and Italian along with the large selection of Califorinia ones.   It’s an exciting list and Beverage director John Miller will lend wonderful help if you need it.  They also have added a pack of information cards to the table for you to take with you  and learn about the details of the place.  They cover the philosphy of the meal from Chef Matt Kammerer, a little history on the inn where it’s housed, about their new garden and ranch, their sustainability, cooking techniques and plateware and ceramics.  For their efforts to sustainability they’ve been awarded a Michelin Green Clover designation.  I can’t urge you enough to visit and enjoy a meal here! Continue reading →

Harbor House Restaurant, Elk, CA., 3/12/22

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Harbor House building – 5600 CA-1, Elk, CA 95432

Frankie and I last visited the Harbor House Restaurant in Aug of 2021 and they were as pleased to welcome us back as we were to be there.  The 2 star Michelin Restaurant is run by Chef Matthew Kammerer in an inn built in 1916 by the Goodyear Lumber Company, to showcase their redwood empire.  They offer a tasting menu only that is determined by what is seasonally and sustainably available.  They have started a ranch/garden from which that bounty is now adding to their quality offerings.  Courses are thought out in detail but not overwrought with tweezer and squirt bottle decorating.  Many of their serving pieces are made by local artisans that add plenty of visual enhancements.  Service is top quality as is the view of the coast from the dining room.  This place is surely destined for a third star so book your reservation while you can still get in and if you can splurge for a room at the inn.  The breakfast the kitchen puts out for you the morning after is icing on the cake. We were lucky enough to get 2 nights there, so look for another array of lovely dishes from Chef Kammerer in a few days. Continue reading →

Valette, Healdsburg, 3/12/22

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building – 344 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Valette is a medium-sized restaurant in Healdsburg, CA in Sonoma County.  It was the dream of two local brothers to create a dining experience featuring local farmers, winemakers and artisans.  They craft the menu around these local items along with sustainably raised meats.  Chef Dustin Valette is the kitchen partner and Aaron Garzini is the wine partner.  They have also opened a huge, more casual venue in town but their father often makes the ’rounds’ of dinner guests at Valette.  It offers Chef Valette’s ‘Trust me’ tasting menu, with a minimum of 5 courses at $18 each (a 5 course is required if you have a party greater than 7) and optional wine pairings offered.  There is a corkage fee ($25-45) if you want to bring your own wine. Continue reading →

Moody Tongue, Chicago, 2/23/22

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Exterior

Moody Tongue expanded their brewery to include The Bar, a casual restarant with snacks and drinks, and The Dining Room, a fine dining option which is paired with beer at the highest caliber, striving to unite beer and cuisine in an unprecedented, interactive way.  Chef Jared Wentworth was recruited by Moody’s President and Brewmaster Jared Rouben when they expanded their operation to include fine dining in 2019.   The small 28 seat dining room offers only a 15 course tasting menu alongside specialty beer pairings.  The Dining Room has recieved a 2 Michelin star rating.  It’s a dark room with dark wood walls, black tables and chairs and low lighting.  Music is in the background and some windows looks out to the street but they are covered with blinds.  They offer 2 seatings (5:30 & 8:30) each evening that start promptly and have a tough cancellation policy, so be sure before you book.  Everyone seemed to get the beer pairings with their tasting and they are a bargain at just $45pp.  It was a younger, more casual crowd but the service people felt programmed with their introductions of the dishes and often picked up the plates while you were still chewing.  The plates were often lost with so many ingredients. Continue reading →

Ever, Chicago, 2/22/22

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exterior

Ever is the newest venture for Chef Curtis Duffy and his business partner Michael Muser, opening in 2020.  Duffy and Muser had previously collaborated at Avenues at the Peninsula Hotel and Grace.  Ever offers an 8-10 course tasting menu and has already received 2 Michelin stars, being on a rocket trajectory toward 3.  The exterior has an exterior sign that blends well into the wall and inside the gray  tones blend well with the shiny black tables and light wood dividers.  The large bare tables are well spaced and sound dampening in the ceiling keeps the noise level low with light music playing in the background.  Lights are lowered in the very tasteful room.  Tons of service personnel work to bring out dishes in unison and be on top of any needs.  Wine and non-alcoholic pairings are available for the menu but we chose to order our own wines from the large list. The menu is a surprise but they gift you with a copy of the night’s menu as you leave.  The pacing and portion control were both excellent, no lags and no rush.  The food is all beautifully presented. Continue reading →

Corvino Tasting Room, Kansas City, 12/10/21

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entrance

Corvino Tasting Room is under the roof of the Corvino Supper Club, all run by Chef Michael Corvino, who has won numerous awards.  The Tasting Room is open Thursday to Sunday for one seating at 7:00 pm and offers only a 10+ course surprise tasting menu.  Optional beverage pairings are available. (We opted for a glass of sparkler and then a bottle of wine).  You enter in the Supper Club, where live music was playing and then are escorted into the small room with a large window into the kitchen, that cooks for you and the main club.  The tasting menu takes about 2.5 hours.  While they can make some adaptations with advance notice and they do offer a vegetarian menu they cannot accommodate  vegan or gluten-free menus.  It was refreshing that there were no options for upcharge items.  There are 4 tables for 2-4 and 2 seats are at the plating counter, that separates the dining area from the kitchen window. Lighting is dim in the room but spots help for each table and the kitchen window adds light.  Portioning is light and pacing is prompt.  No dedicated parking is available so allow time to search if you go.  They do give you a copy of the menu when you leave.  It is worth a visit. Continue reading →

EsterEv, Milwaukee, 12/3/21

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building

EsterEv is a small dining room inside the DanDan Restaurant that serves a tasting menu only.  Named for the great-grandmothers, Evelyn and Ester, of the owners Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, whose passion for cooking inspired a place for celebrating around a table with friends.  In 2015 the 2 Dan’s opened the Chinese food with midwestern sensibility, DanDan and not long thereafter their fine dining option EsterEv.  The menu changes regularly and wine pairings are available as are cocktails in the small room off the kitchen that looks to seat about 20 persons at individual tables.  Music from the surrounding restaurant bleeds in and the lights are lowered.  Many of the serving dishes are made by Dan Jacob’s wife, a ceramic artist.   The pacing is great and the portions are on the small side. Continue reading →

Sanford Restaurant, Milwaukee, 12/2/21

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entrance

Sanford was opened by Sandy D’Amato and his wife Angie in 1989 in the building that formerly housed the grocery store his family operated for nearly 80 years. In 2012 the D’Amato pair sold the place to longtime Chef De Cuisine Justin Aprahmian and his wife Sarah who continue to run the place in the tradition in which it was started.  They want to use the best quality ingredients from local farms if possible with seasonal fluctuations. They want guests to feel as if they’ve been invited into their home for dinner.  The white cloth covered tables vary in size and are accompanied by music in the background, lowered lighting and parking on the street or $10 valet.  The menu is a 4 course (you chose out of choices) or 7 course surprise tasting with optional pairings and there is a full bar.  Service was friendly and attentive.  Pacing and portioning of the tasting were good. Continue reading →

Ardent, Milwaukee, 12/1/21

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entrance

Ardent is a small place that serves only a 12 course tasting menu from Chef Justin Carlisle on Wed. through Sat.  Set below street level, music is in the background and the blond-wood counter only has a few seats.  Opening in Oct. of  2013, chef stopped by the kitchen but was not there to cook.  Three others handled the evening’s menu (along with dishwashing, polishing and making coffees) and 3 other staff serviced the floor and counter which could  accommodate about 15 guests.   Service was excellent and interactive.  Wine pairings were available as well as bottles of wine and this time we enjoyed the pairings with the good menu of food.  They were a bunch of quality choices.  It’s a cozy, relaxed setting that’s fun to eat in. Continue reading →

Jônt, Washington D.C., 11/21/21

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exterior

Jônt is located on the upper floor of Bresca and has a counter for just 14 persons and offers a surprise tasting menu only.  They have 2 seatings each evening and are closed on Mon and Tues.  Chef Ryan Ratino recently received his second Michelin star for the place that opened in Sept. of 2020 and is trying to take the diner on a culinary journey (Jônt).  Where Bresca and the small stairway up are dimly lit the tasting counter room is bright with a light concrete counter and lots of stainless steel in the kitchen.  Music is in the background and minimal art is on the walls but the place has lots of staff.  They offer levels of wine pairings for the meal and had to email the menu to me as it is not printed to give out. They also offered a white truffle option for a $300 upcharge (which we passed on).
Continue reading →

Lazy Betty, Atlanta, 11/10/21

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Lazy Betty delivers a world-class menu prepared by Chefs Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips.  Chef Hsu formally was with Le Bernardin as the Executive Sous Chef and then Creative Director, but ultimately is the product of a family all about food, particularly his mother Betty.  He and Phillips opened Lazy Betty in October of 2019, offering only a tasting menu. The interior is designed to relax the diner, to feel lazy and comfortable.  It is a fairly large space beginning with a good sized porch area attached to the larger dining area by an open kitchen with bar stools and tables across for it.  If you are able to go try and get one of the counter seats where you can interact with the staff and watch your meal being made.  Lowered lighting, music and lots of liquor choices all add to the experience.  There is ample parking out front and they offer only a 6 or 8 course tasting menu with optional wine pairings.  The 2 tastings have some different dishes as well as a few overlaps.  This place comes with my highest recommendation to give it a try. Continue reading →

Demi, Minneapolis, 10/8/21

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outside

Demi serves only a tasting menu that concentrates on local ingredients and rare/special ingredients from around the world.  They are open Wed. to Sun. by reservation only.  They  offer wines by the bottle or have 2 levels of wine pairings as well as an alcohol-free option.  They charge a 21% hospitality charge on each check which is to provide a living wage for all team members. The 20 seat dining area is a large U-shaped walnut counter around a center prep area and a cooking area at the top of the ‘U’.  Lights are lowered on diners but bright in the center. Art is on the walls and music is in the background.  Chef/Owner Gavin Kaysen opened it in Feb. 2019.  Pacing and portion control are both very good and all the staff were friendly and helpful.  It is worth a visit but overall my impression was that the food had more design than flavor. Continue reading →

The Cooks’ House, Traverse City, 9/29/21

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exterior

The Cooks’ House was opened 13 years ago by Eric Patterson and Jennifer Blakeslee who  worked together in Las Vegas and wanted to open a small restaurant focused on locally grown and foraged foods.  There are about 8 marble topped tables inside on a wooden floor in a room decorated with art and cookbooks.  A small bar is in the corner but it is only for making drinks not sitting at.  They offer tasting menus of 3, 5 or 7 courses with the smaller ones having some choices and wine pairings available for each.   Menus are only online and change with ingredient availability.  Music is in the background, the place is well lit, benchs are along the walls for seating and street parking supplements the small attached lot.  It is casual with flatware in a box on the table as well as a bottle of chilled water and very friendly service.  We chose the 7 course tasting and got the wine pairings. Continue reading →

Carte Blanche (update),Dallas, 10/12/21

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exterior

Note:  Restaurant now closed

Now that they’ve been open several months we wanted to re-visit Carte Blanche and see how it’s evolved, and I’m happy to say they’ve made some positive changes to the place and menu.   It’s more subdued inside with lights from the kitchen being dampened by a partial shield and curtains added for the front windows. Parking out back is now well marked, there are way more people in the kitchen, the wine list has greatly expanded, flatware is delivered by servers (instead of the roll up) mellow music is in the background and the interior bar has lost the rail and hanging baskets.  It’s a lot of little things but they all add up to a more elegant and softer ambiance all while providing excellent service and delicious and beautiful food.  Put it on your list to visit Carte Blanche and enjoy the tasting menu of Chef Casey La Rue’s dishes. Continue reading →

Twenty Seven, Chef DAT, Dallas, 9/11/21

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building

Twenty Seven is the private event space and catering company that Chef DAT (David Anthony Temple) is now using to host his dinner events.  There are 27 seats  in the same space that also houses the open kitchen and the varying table set ups.  They are using as many local vendors as possible for the meals and you can bring your own wine.  Proof of vaccination is required to attend.  To get on the Dallas dining email list send your information to <theparishgrocerie@gmail.com> or you can sign up through his website <chefdat.com> and he will notify you of upcoming events here and elsewhere.  This one was a 6 course menu and was $95/person + gratuity.  Chef DAT underground dinners started in 2009 with several years operating out of a home on Swiss Ave.  Being from New Orleans his cooking style shows definite influences from his roots, but he also spent time in Belize (2018) which has provided new seasoning options.  Our latest dinner was nicely intimate and fun, with Chef presenting each dish and its influences and ingredients. Continue reading →

Aragosta, Deer Isle, ME., 8/29/21

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exterior

Aragosta is Devin Finigan’s fine dining restaurant on Goose Cove in Deer Isle, Maine. They opened in 2012 in Stonington but bought a 22 acre waterfront resort in January 2019 to be able to offer lodging as well as dining. A team of craftsmen transformed the property and now the dining room is a large open space with painted wood walls and ceiling. They also have outdoor seating overlooking the water but it gets pretty cool in the evening for that. Lighting is lowered and music is in the background. The place is noisy with so many hard surfaces but it was made worse as we were given a large table right next to the swinging doors to the kitchen. Up one step were more tables and a lounge area near the bar, in front of the fire place. Plenty of parking is close by but the walk to the restaurant is poorly lit. They offer only a tasting menu and also offer wine pairings if you don’t want to order your own bottle. Pacing was eratic, service was an issue for us and the food was mixed so I can’t give a solid recommendation for the place.  Continue reading →

The Hichborn, Stockton Springs, ME., 8/27/21

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exterior

The Hichborn is in a large historic house with bare wood tables, faint music in the background, lots of art on the walls (for sale), numerous plants, sound dampening panels on the ceiling and lowered lighting.  The house is named for Nathan Hichborn a prolific boat builder who was also a politician.   Owner Kirk Linder manages the front while his partner Charlie Zorich serves as chef in back.  They offer only a printed tasting menu (with a couple extras thrown in) with optional wine pairings for a capacity of about 30.  There is a full bar for cocktails as well as a wine by the glass or bottle menu.  We chose the pairings and while they were well matched with the courses they were small pours and not topped off, especially when they were meant to go with extra courses. Both the owner and chef did come by and introduce themselves, which was very nice. Continue reading →

Harbor House Inn Restaurant (update), Elk, CA., 7/22 & 23/21

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exterior (5600 CA-1, Elk, CA, 95432 / (707)-877-3203)

The  Harbor House Restaurant is the Michelin starred restaurant in the Harbor House Inn in Elk, CA (Mendocino County).  Super talented Chef Matt Kammerer and his excellent staff continue to turn out innovative and delicious tasting menus and thus Frankie chose to re-visit.  The Inn is still lovely and they are now able to seat guests inside as well as outside, all over-looking the beautiful coast line.  We were lucky to eat there 2 consecutive nights and Chef Kammerer was kind enough to make changes for the second night’s dining.  They have a small kitchen so some dishes were repeated but there were a number of different dishes.  I’ll present the two night’s meals but may omit photos for repeats, depending on which night I got the better photo.  Frankie and I highly recommend visiting and if you can even stay at the Inn.  The staff will make you feel very welcome and do allow several hours for the meal. Continue reading →

Carte Blanche, Dallas, 6/29/21

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exterior

Note:  Restaurant now closed

Carte Blanche opened in mid-June in the space previously occupied by Mudsmith Coffee on lower Greenville Ave.  In the evening it offers a fine dining tasting menu and in the day it sells baked goods and coffee.  The 4 or 12 course tasting menus are offered Tues – Sat.  Husband and wife, Casey and Amy La Rue are the co-owners and chef and pastry chef, respectively.  The tasting menu features native Texas ingredients and wine pairings are available.  One interesting fact is that he doesn’t serve beef, focusing instead on smaller animals but the menu does stress seasonal items and will change regularly.  Inside the large area are well spaced fairly large bare wood tables divided into 2 sides by a huge bar, which holds the pastries in the morning.  Exposed ductwork runs across the high ceiling, art decorates the walls and music is in the background.  The tables are set with a nice cloth napkin and a wrap of flatware that you chose from during the meal.  We had the 12 course tasting and wine pairings however should I go back I would order my own wine.  Portion control was good as was pacing, however the meal was over 2 and a half hours. Continue reading →

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

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sign at the inn

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

Tasting Counter, Somerville, MA, 6/12/21

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exterior of building

Tasting Counter is a dining room/kitchen experience for the diner.  A 9 course tasting menu is offered to all diners with optional wine pairings and vegetarian options.  Choices are made when you book your reservation, offered Thursday through Sunday at 5:00 and 7:30 pm.   The pre-paid tickets include the menu, beverages, service and tax.  The menu is a surprise but guests receive a copy with their Parting Morsels.  Chef Peter Ungár opened the restaurant in 2015 and is in the kitchen and makes all the explanations of the courses.  The restaurant is located in a building that houses a large brewery.  We sat at some of their extra tables while we waited for the doors to open.   Inside there were 12 of us at the counter but I read they can seat up to 20, so I suspect they were still trying to keep people spaced for Covid-19.  Inside it is fairly bright, music was in the background and the walls are decorated with preserving foods and wine bottles.   Pacing was excellent and portion control was great. Continue reading →

Stages at One Washington, Dover, N.H., 6/11/21

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building

Stages at One Washington is in the small town of Dover, NH on the third floor of an historic mill building.  Chef Evan Hennessey offers just 6 seats for his fixed price tasting menu Thursday thru Saturday evenings.  There are 2 seatings each night but he recently added “the Living Room” which is not only a place to wait for your seating but also where you can get some of his fabulous food and drinks in a no-reservations setting resembling a living room.  It is in the room adjacent to the kitchen where for nine years the lucky few are seated at a counter and can casually converse with the chef while he prepares your food and/or pours your wine.  Pairings are available as are a number of cocktails and bottles of wine.  The meal is 8-10 courses and no menu is provided as he often changes as he goes along with a menu that features local farms and foraged ingredients. (I wrote as fast as I could but apologies if I didn’t get all the ingredients or preparations written down.)  It is full of interesting combinations and lots of flavors in the foods.  Definitely off the beaten path, but if you have a chance to eat with this native chef of Dover, I suggest you jump on it. Continue reading →

Vetri Cucina (update), Philadelphia, 5/22/21

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mural on the outside of the building

Vetri Cucina opened in 1998 through the collaboration of Chef Marc Vetri and business partner Jeff Benjamin.  In 2005 Chef Vetri was named Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Awards.  Frankie last visited here in 2014 and although the menu has changed the format is still the same and the giant mural of Chef and others is still on the side of the building. The 3 story building has the Vetri dining room on the first floor with private parties, classes and events taking up the higher 2 floors.  The lights are lowered, music is in the background, old wood floors are opposite Italian chandeliers with the glasses on the table also being Italian. They offer all diners a 4 course fixed price menu where you choose from several options.  You can add an add several supplements for a fee.  Wine pairings are available but the sommelier was able to help us pick a great bottle to go with our meal.   Service is fabulous with great pacing and portion control.  I highly recommend this place. Continue reading →

Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, 5/20/21

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building

Friday Saturday Sunday is a small restaurant that is actually open Thurs. through Sat. evenings.  Chef Chad Williams offers only an 8 course tasting menu and 5:00 and 8:00 seating times.  He and his wife Hanna took over the Rittenhouse Square restaurant in 2017.  Covid has restricted dining to the second level (no elevator) of well spaced tables and the bar on the first floor only makes drinks.  The couple tables outside are for cocktails.  Benches line the walls of the second floor and face the tables set with armless chairs. Fairly loud music is in the background and there are dampening panels on the ceiling.  One wall holds a number of large paintings of lush scenery with a large metal palm tree in the middle while the opposite wall has windows and mirrors.  No wine pairings were offered so we ordered our own bottles of wine.  The meal had good portion control and pacing. Continue reading →

Laurel, Philadelphia, 5/19/21

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exterior

Laurel is an American restaurant with French influences. They have 2 rooms, one of which housed a large bar and the other the well-spaced tables and opening to the kitchen. There was also patio dining available. The bare wood tables are set with armless chairs in a room with lowered lighting and wood floors. Assorted rock music is in the background but sound panels on the ceiling help keep the noise level down. They offer only a surprise tasting menu and had one addition offered that evening- a 3oz Japanese A5 Wagyu beef for $75 designed to be split. The wine list was limited but they do offer pairings and limited bar service. We added the supplement and opted for the pairings (which turned out to be pretty small pours). Portion control and pacing of the menu were great. Chef de Cuisine that evening was Alex Beninato and the menu changes seasonally. Continue reading →

Le Bernardin, New York City, 4/12/21

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entrance

It’s been several years since Frankie visited Le Bernardin, Chef Eric Ripert’s 3 Michelin starred restaurant.  It’s an elegant interior with lots of wood, windows, flowers and a massive wave art piece at one end.  In the daytime, light flows in through the windows but at night the lights are lowered and windows are shaded.  Now plexiglas partitions are between the tables and servers are masked.  Every table was full and turned by regulars and those celebrating something, but it was still easy to talk at the table.  Heavy white linens drape the smallish tables and service is excellent.  The menu offers 2 longer tastings, one seafood and one vegetarian, or a 4 course fixed price where you choose from a large selection in each section with an optional addition of a cheese course.  Wine pairings are available for the tasting.  In the front part of the restaurant is the Lounge with a limited menu. We decided on the Chef’s tasting menu and ordered our own wines. Continue reading →

Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, New York City, 5/11/21

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exterior of building

We were last at The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare in May of 2019 and not much has changed in the physical place but Covid 19 has made spacing between guests larger (50% capacity).  Brooklyn Fare is the grocery that is the front of the building and the Chef’s Table is in the rear.  Chef César Ramirez was in the kitchen and doing much of the plating of courses.  It is a tasting menu only with seats around a large C-shaped wood counter and booth seating around the perimeter.  The open kitchen is the center of the well lit room with older rock music in the background.  Wine pairings are available or bottles can be individually purchased.  There are a lot of staff and all are very friendly with guests but Ramirez is more about cooking than visiting with diners.  The beautifully presented luxury foods are filled with flavor and texture, but many of the courses were quite similar to what we had 2 years ago. Continue reading →

Bastion, Nashville, 4/16/21

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exterior

Bastion is a little different during Covid.  They are a 24 seat restaurant with dining Wed through Sat and a special small bar for restaurant guests however that is currently not open so dining is in the well spaced big bar and there is no chef counter.  I suspect that the set up will change as Covid becomes more under control.  Either way it is a comfortable place to sit and eat tasty food while listening to actual records being played.  Chef Josh Habiger serves a selection of seasonal, creative dishes in a casual atmosphere.  The ‘big bar’ area has a long bar counter and some tables, all well spaced.  Exposed duct work, brick walls, hanging lights and lots of art make it a visually interesting place to be.  The staff all worked together to give a fun and interactional dinner. We chose to have their wine pairings with the tasting. Continue reading →