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 →
Jack Fry’s is celebrating 90 years in business. Jack and Flossie Fry opened in 1933 and the restaurant was mostly a sportsman hangout due to his love of horse racing and boxing. He closed the business in 1972 and then the space served Mexican food until it was re-established as Jack Fry’s in 1982. Susan Seiller bought the restaurant in 1987, the year Jack died. She transformed the restaurant into fine dining and then sold it to Stephanie Meeks in 1996, who started working there in 1996. She further upgraded the dining area and bar as well as adding climate-controlled wine storage. The place has won many awards and is filled with photos of its history, including the photo of Jack with the winning Derby ticket that made it possible to purchase the restaurant. It’s a cozy medium-sized darkly lit place with a small parking lot adjacent to one side. The white tablecloths, tin ceiling and full bar are complimented by the lovely live piano music. Service was friendly and helpful and I would heartily recommend this place if you find yourself in Louisville. Continue reading →
Frankie took the night off and we slipped into Cry Wolf for a delicious dinner. We were lucky to snag reservations for the Chef’s Counter seats where you are able to see all the dishes get prepared and chat with the talented chefs. What a treat to find owner Ross Demers at the grill. The menu had changed quite a bit in the month since we were there and many exciting choices were available. Also, Sommelier Tim Case had added some fun new wines and Sous Chef Mike Stites was doing the finishing touches before the plates were served. I’ve described this place before but my rule of thumb is to go as often as you can while a place is hot – you never know what the future holds. So, get there now cause this place is on the top of its game. Continue reading →
Chez Fonfon was a casual French bistro that opened in 2000. It is under the helm of Chef Frank Stitt but the night we were there it was his wife Pardis Stitt who was on site. (She also is a co-owner of Highlands Bar and Grill). The large place was crowded and busy with a large bar taking up about a third of the room. Music was in the background, lights were lowered, windows looked out to the street and parking, and the good-sized tables were bare wood set with cloth napkins. The vibe was of younger people and lively conversations. We were lucky to get a table in a corner, otherwise, the noise might have made me like the place less. Service was good as was the food, which was first-rate. I’d go back, especially for the dessert. Continue reading →
exterior – 2013 2nd Ave., N. Birmingham, AL, 35203
Helen is a contemporary Southern grill under the helm of Chef Rob McDaniel and his wife Emily. Helen was Rob’s grandmother who cooked on an indoor grill. The large restaurant is in downtown Birmingham in a 2-story 1920s shotgun-style building. Opening in the summer of 2020 they serve diners downstairs with upstairs having private party rooms or it can seat diners as needed. Small bare wood tables sit opposite a wood bench with movable pillow backs. Some larger tables accommodate bigger groups. Windows look out to the street, a small bar has chairs for waiting, pictures are on the walls, valet parking is available out front and a long open kitchen is in the back. The noise level was acceptable but the service could border on pushy. The food was good but once again we encounter “the small table and lots of plates at one time” issue. Continue reading →
Scoundrel was opened in October of 2022 by Greenville native Joe Cash. He wanted to create a French bistro like he’d find in NYC or LA. It’s a good-sized place that’s divided in half by curtains, with the bar and its seating on one side and a long bench seat facing small tables on the other side. Opposite those tables are semi-circle booths with larger tables and padded seating. Music was in the background and lights were lowered, supplemented by spots on some of the tables. Wood floors, exposed ductwork above, and art featuring the ‘scoundrel’ cover the walls. they have 2 unisex bathrooms and one is marked with a warning that it is not ‘family friendly’ due to the provocative photos on the wall. I’m betting the notice was posted after several comments were posted about it on the trip advisor reviews. The full bar offers lots of options but the wine list was mostly uninspired. Noise was not a problem here maybe due to spacing or design but that was nice as was the excellent and friendly service. Continue reading →
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 →
exterior – 654 South Main Street, Greenville, SC., 29601
Coral was a large place in the West End district of downtown. It’s basically divided into 2 rooms, one bar and one dining. The kitchen is under the helm of Joshua Dill and Addison Stone, both South Carolina natives but it is owned by 3 friends who all were born elsewhere and ended up in the Greenville area. It’s a busy and loud place that stresses the bar and cocktails as well as local seafood. Painted brick walls are lined with booths and small bare wood tables. The lighting is quite low but spots set in the black ceiling shine intensely on the outer ring of tables. The floor was carpeted and there were sound panels on the walls, the only music was in the bar that blended slightly into the background but the crowds made noise an issue for me. Service was friendly and helpful but it’s hard for servers when plates are large and tables are small. The food was mixed but it’s definitely a happening place. Continue reading →
We were excited to return to Chez Nous but slightly dismayed to not see Chef Jill Mathias in the kitchen. This visit we got to sit downstairs and enjoy the jazz music that plays in the background. There is a second fireplace at the base of the stairs to the upper level and the tables are just as small down here. There are also a few stools at the bar counter in front of some of the wines. The decorations in the place are from a local antique store that one of the owners is also involved in. Also found out that the doors to the bathrooms are original to the house. The setup was the same as before, with 2 choices for each of the 3 courses and that really befuddled the neighboring table that wanted French onion soup or any soup (they eventually left). We however were happy with the choices but this trip wanted the same things and split the dessert as we knew a heavy dinner was on the schedule. The food didn’t dazzle me as much as the first visit but I would still plan to visit this place every chance I get because the food is that good and the concept is very refreshing to me. Continue reading →
exterior – at Cannon Green, 103 Spring St., Charleston, SC., 29403
Wild Common promises “bold and inventive cuisine” in several dining spaces. We chose the Chef’s Counter but there is also the indoor dining room or private courtyard. The space is large and also accommodates a couple of event spaces, neither of which were in use nor was Chef Orlando Pagán in the kitchen. You enter the plain building and go down a long hall, thinking you’ve entered the wrong space. When you find the dining area there is also a marble bar that looks into the kitchen and a large changing digital painting that dominates the dining room. Opening in the spring of 2019, you’ll find high ceilings and music in the background. They offer a tasting menu (with supplements) only and have optional wine pairings. The pricing of the menu and supplements was off in that each supplement was as much or more than the whole menu – seemed odd. We chose our own bottle and a cocktail from the bar to go with our tasting menu as printed. The menu had good portioning and very fast pacing. Staff were all friendly and helpful. Continue reading →
Chez Nous is a small place in an 1835 2-story home. Around 9 years ago Chef Jill Mathias started serving the cuisine of southern France, northern Italy and northern Spain for lunch and dinner 6 days a week. She serves the same menu of 2 appetizers, 2 entreés and 2 desserts both times of day but changes the menu daily. Chef writes the new menu by hand every day in a very stylized script, with the first line in the language of the area and the second in English. The place just holds 36 guests inside and 20 on the outside patio. Music is in the background, light streams through the many windows, upstairs a bench runs along the long wall with no pillows and tiny tables. Upstairs wide plank old floors are opposite exposed ceiling rafters and the end of the room has a crumbling brick fireplace. It all works to feel like you’ve jumped back in time to enjoy a meal in a friend’s home. Don’t let anything stop you from getting to this place and eating some of her great food. We were so impressed we made a reservation for the next day’s lunch while we sipped coffee. Continue reading →
Chasing Sage is a medium-sized place that tries to focus on locally grown produce and locally sourced meat and seafood. They were scheduled to open in March 2020 but due to the pandemic instead sponsored a series of pop-up take-out meals. They officially opened for dinner in June 2021. The Chef, Walter Edward is a graduate of the CIA in Hyde Park, NY and then worked internationally before opening this place. His wife, Cindy Edward runs a farm, that has been in her family and will now supply produce for the restaurant. The space is long with a bar on one side, a long service table in the middle and small tables filling the rest of the space that ends with a window to the kitchen. Faint music is in the background, the lights are fairly low, candles are on the tables, and the walls have decorations of wine bottles, books and such. It’s a cozy feel but the food did not live up to my expectations. The menu is a la carte but they offer a ‘let us pick for you’ option which we tried. The pacing was varied as were the portions. Continue reading →
Vern’s is a small corner place that opened in July 2022 by Daniel “Dano” and Bethany Heinze. Dano previously worked as Chef de Cuisine at McGrady’s where Bethany managed the bar. They also worked in Los Angeles at Animal and Jon & Vinny’s. The restaurant is named for Dano’s grandfather who is featured on a postcard that’s presented with the bill. Currently, they are open Thurs. to Monday for dinner and brunch on Sat and Sun. Windows to the street are on 2 sides and the kitchen is through an open window behind the limited bar seating, which is first come-first served and serves only wine and beer, no liquor. The bare wood tables are closely set and matched with a variety of chairs and wall benches and set with towel sized napkins. The menu has various-sized dishes that are all meant to be shared. In addition, there were a couple of specials on the chalkboard over the fireplace, one of which ran out and a line was drawn through while we were there. The food was creative and delicious and the vibe was casual and welcoming. Go if you can. Continue reading →
It’s been several months since Frankie officially visited Cry Wolf but she always enjoys her time in this place. Chef Ross Demers was back to finishing out the plates before being served while others enjoyed some vacation time. Since we were sitting at the Chef’s Counter this was a plus. The place was really hopping with returning and new customers all enjoying some heavenly food and the lively atmosphere. The bar turns out some fun-sounding cocktails but I prefer to put us in the capable hands of Sommelier Tim Case. He always has something new and different to try that compliments the food turned out by the kitchen staff. In fact, all the staff seem to enjoy working here and translate that into the fine service delivered to the diners. The menu changes regularly but staff will help you make decisions if you want. Put this one on your list to visit soon. Continue reading →
exterior – 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 →
Brass Ram is Chef Nick Badovinus’ ninth and newest restaurant which opened in early November 2022 on the second floor above National Anthem on the edge of downtown. This place is all about prime rib and old-school steakhouse dining. There’s leather, dim lighting, brass, exposed brick walls, cozy spacious booths, a large bar, vintage music in the background, and a private dining room decorated with photos of Marilyn Monroe. Parking is mostly valet but be forewarned – they sent us to the end of the building to climb the open staircase and surprised the hell out of the staff leaning on the door. There is a proper door on the downtown side of the building where you enter and have an elevator or enclosed stairs to take you up to the place. Either way gets you in but the hostess stand is by the preferred door. Staffing has been an issue with the parkers so these people probably really didn’t know how to enter. The service is friendly, relaxed, and excellent in the restaurant but the food did not overwhelm me. I love the look of the place, but as with many of Bodovinus’ places, I wish it were less noisy, and even though he was in the house he did not make it around to many of the tables. Continue reading →
building –21021 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, CA.
Diavola Pizzeria and Salumeria is in an historic building on the main street of Geyserville. They bill themselves as serving Califorian cuisine with an “Italian state of mine.” Their regularly changing menu features locally sourced meats, fish and produce. Chef/Owner Dino Bugica spent 10 years in Italy learning local methods. They are open daily for lunch and dinner, with a bigger menu at dinner. It’s a good sized places with 2 interior rooms, the larger one also housing a long bar with seats and the kitchen. The second room is a good bit smaller but there is also patio seating. There is a full bar, music in the background, lowered lighting, tin ceiling, wood floors, brick walls and parking is on the street as you can find it. In addition to the house cured salumi they make Neopolitan style pizza in the wood burning oven. The bread for their sandwiches comes from a bakery in Healdsburg. We were there to try the Prime Rib Sandwich which is only available on the lunch menu but got seduced by the oven to order a pizza too. It’s worth a visit. The food is great.
Set up
sign outsideentranceinteriorto another roomsecond interior roomkitchenbar areaFrankie found some artmenudrinkswinewine
Food
The Prime Rib Sandwich comes with thinly sliced prime rib, tonnato aioli, onions, giardiniera, salsa verde, Pt. Reyes Toma and horseradish. It also came with a good portion of chopped salad on the side. The well-stuffed sandwich was wonderful and plenty for 2, although it did not come cut. It was so stuffed that some of the meat and cheese dripped out into the salad which made it even tastier. The marinated cauliflower was almost meatlike and was part of one of the sauces on the beef. There were a lot of seasonings and some oil on the ingredients that made it pretty drippy, but also full of flavor. As I mentioned earlier, they did not make the bread it came on but it was great and nicely toasted. It was really good.
prime rib sandwichturnedturnedinsidesalad
The Boscaiolo Pizza was topped with sausage, mushrooms, house-smoked pork belly, peppers, local greens, and creamed onions. The onions were basically the sauce for the pizza. There was a generous amount of cheese on the pie and a lovely rise to the edge of the crust. The fresh mushrooms were thickly cut and added a wonderful amount of flavor as did the sausage. The pork belly melted into the cheese and onions but added even more fun flavor. Each table has a bottle of Calabrian Chili oil if you want to add it to the pizza. It is not too spicy, it just added even more flavor. This was a great one too.
Boscaiolo Pizzaanother angleclosercloser Calabrian Chili oilFrankie enjoyed the bathroom arrangement
Vivian is the creation of Chef Josiah and Shannon McGaughey who started it as a kitchen pop-up in 2015. Within a year they had their own food truck called Salt & Smoke but they still aspired to own an actual restaurant space. They did just that, opening Vivian in the River Arts District in January 2018. They serve a seasonal changing menu with French overtones. It’s made up of 2 rooms, one with the long bar and counter seating and another room with just tables. There was a patio that people came and went from but I didn’t go there to get a photo. Lots of art is on the walls, sound panels are on the ceiling, the walls are of brick and wood, the lighting is lowered, the floor is concrete and the tables are bare wood. The service was first rate with good advice and recommendations on ordering. In addition to a nice wine list, they have a full bar from which we enjoyed a basic Negroni as we worked out a meal plan. The food is outstanding and I would heartily recommend you try it. Continue reading →
The Admiral opened in 2007 in a modest building that used to be a bar for cab drivers with a maritime theme – thus the name. It’s a small interior with low ceiling, lowered lighting, vintage music in the background, bare blond-wood tables, and an open kitchen. There is a full bar with a few seats in front of it as well as a plastic-enclosed patio section and a fully outdoor patio section. It felt very cozy and inviting and the service was friendly to match that cool relaxed vibe. They had installed plastic partitions above the backs of the booths which not only provided more privacy but also allowed conversations without yelling. It looks like a dive from the outside and is not in the ‘hot’ section of town but that makes street parking a lot easier. We decided to go with the flow and order a very traditional meal. It was mixed on the food but the place was so fun I’d go back if I was in the area. Continue reading →
Cúrate offers a collection of ways to enjoy Spanish tapas. Cúrate Bar de Tapas is a large restaurant that opened in 2011. (Other portions are shops, cafes, and to-go items.) The menu includes many staples of Spain’s tapas culture as well as an all-Spanish wine list. There were 2 rooms and a patio that were packed with people even on a weeknight. High ceilings, windows to the street, and copper top or marble tables set with pens to mark your menu for your selections. All plates are meant to be shared. One room had a long bar facing the kitchen and the second room had the ham area in the back. It was fairly well-lit inside but parking is as you can find it on the street, and it is an area with lots of restaurants and bars, so allow yourself some extra time to arrive. We had a terrific server, Denby, who understood our desire for flavor in the dishes and helped craft a menu that was well-paced and tasty. It is popular but get a reservation if you can. Continue reading →
Cry Wolf is still turning out wonderful dishes to eat with a great selection of beverages. Frankie and I have become regulars there and this visit we sat up at the Chef’s Counter. This is what they call the first 4 stools at the bar opposite the cooking area. It’s a terrific view to watch all the different dishes being prepared and the people working seem to enjoy interacting with guests. I think it’s fun to talk with them and get their opinions on what to order. If you get a chance, go there. It’s a fun experience and some really different and exceptional food. Continue reading →
Via Emilia is an Italian restaurant on the main street of Mystic. It has 2 stories and we got a table on the second level by the window looking out on the street. It was a nice view. Music was in the background for the small bare wood tables set with armless chairs. A bar is on the first level and lights are lowered. In addition to the menu there were several daily specials orally presented to us, but when we tried to order one it turned out they were out of it. Service was spotty and our server was a bit manic that carried over to the diner. We got our cocktails fairly quickly but the timing of the rest of the meal was uneven. I understand small tables but restaurants need to understand you need room to eat without fear of pushing a dish onto the floor. That said, the food was varied in quality. If you’re in need of an Italian fix, this would be where to go but I’d recommend seafood in this town. Continue reading →
Oyster Club is a farm-and-sea-to-table place that opened in 2011 and the night we were there Renee Touponce was Executive Chef. Chef has made connections with various farmers and fishermen to present these local items in creative combinations. Originally the building was a small carriage house in downtown Mystic and was renovated to become a restaurant. The restaurant was re-modeled during the pandemic while management moved their food service to Stone Acres Farm where they could dine at a safe distance in 200-year-old gardens. Now the expanded place has a daily changing menu but still delivers creative and delicious food with excellent service. They always have several types of local fresh oysters available in the main dining rooms but in the Treehouse, which is outdoors on the top of the building, a limited selection is available. It’s a fun place with art on the walls, music in the background, lowered lighting, and bare wood tables but enough dampening in the surroundings that the noise level was very acceptable. We sat in one of the booths that line the wall opposite the one with street windows. I understand there is a second-floor dining area but didn’t get up there. It was a dressier crowd but maybe they knew they had arrived at the fine dining spot in town. Put this one on your list when you travel to Connecticut and ask for Dru to be your server. Continue reading →
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 →
building – 156 Church Road, Burlington, VT., 05401
Honey-Road is female owned and operated, serving Eastern Mediterranean food. Chef Cara Tobin has been a James Beard award finalist 4 times and teamed up with Allison Gibson to open Honey-Road in 2017 that is only open in the evening. (Recently the duo opened a brunch spot called Grey Jay.) The corner building is in the popular pedestrian Church Street Marketplace and named for an ancient trade route in Turkey. The small plates (mezze) are meant to be shared and focus on locally sourced ingredients. For those that are unfamiliar with this cuisine the menu had a glossery on one side explaining the meaning of many terms, but the servers were also helpful in making selections. It is a large place with a high ceiling, subdued lighting, music in the background, bench seating along most walls, small bare wood tables, windows to the street, brick walls, sheer curtains dividing portions of the room and decorations of small mirrors on the walls. The crowd was made up of various age groups but skewed toward the younger side. The food was mixed, with some being very good but others trying too hard. If you want this style of cuisine, it’s the place to go.
Set up
exterior/entranceinteriorinteriorinteriorFrankie enjoys a candlemenuwine listdessert menumenu after dinner drinkswine frontwine back
Food
Baba Ganoush with pickled cauliflower and Za’atar Garlic Knot are ordered separately. The menu has a number of dips and then you can pick your bread of choice to go with it. The Baba Ganoush was well seasoned and tasty that was great with the garlicky bread. The server suggested the combination and it was right on. Good versions of the dishes, easy to split and excellent together.
Baba Ganoush and Za’atar Garlic Knot
Sweet Harissa Chicken Wings with dried lime labne came as 4 flaps and 2 drumette pieces. The sticky excellent sauce was covered with sesame seeds and the moist pieces were good alone or also in the tasty sauce. Fun to eat, it was a wonderful take on the “Buffalo wing” craze. They were thoughtful enough to also send out a couple wet wipes to use after easy the messy food.
Sweet Harissa Chicken WingsturnedFrankie liked that they gave us wipes to go with the chicken
Braised lamb, Simit bun, pickles and herb mayo was nice shreds of lamb on a good piece of bread and accented with pickles. The pickles really accentuated the flavor but the lamb was on the tough, slightly dry side. The first 2 plates were much better but this was fine.
Braised lamb, Simit Bun, pickles, herb mayofrom the side
Duck breast, ajvar, mushroom Tabbouleh, and hot peppers was 2 boneless pieces of meat cooked nicely rare. This one had a terrific sauce and was absolutely full of flavor. Lots of things with the meat that shall remained unidentified due to my lack of note-taking.
Duck breast, ajvar, mushroom tabbouleh, hot peppersturned
Cauliflower with preserved lemon, buttermilk and lentils was suggested by our server. It also had tons of things mixed with it. Pomegranate seeds added crunch and the plump golden raisins added sweetness. Some pickled onion added contrast to the milky dressing. Lots of flavors and textures made this a fun one.
Cauliflower, preserved lemon, buttermilk, lentils
A special dessert was offered that evening with pistachio galette, raspberry and pistachio labna (cream cheese like), figs and a raspberry plum sauce. The labna had a bit on honey on it in addition to the chunks of pistachio. Most of the stuff was good but there were too many flavors competing to make it work for me.
Pistachio Galetteturned
House made walnut Baklava came in 2 pieces. It was sticky with tons of walnuts and honey. It was a very good version of the common dessert. While I liked it better than the special neither of the desserts took it over the top.
House made walnut BaklavaturnedFrankie rested on the bench
Hen of the Wood opened in Oct. 2013 in Burlington as the sister restaurant to the original one in Waterbury. Menus change daily and feature wood-fired cooking. They strive to present the products of regional ranchers, growers, and bakers. It’s a fairly large place located next door to the Hotel Vermont. The entrance end of the place is bar seating where they will serve walk-ins, but it was an hour and a half wait for those on the Monday night that we visited. The other end of the room is the kitchen with fires blazing. There are also some counter seats facing the kitchen but we opted for one of the relatively small bare wood tables. Bench seating lines some walls and a low wall separates the dining area from the bar. Music is in the background and in combination with the crowd it made it fairly noisy. There are windows to the street outside along one wall but the lights were dim enough that I did want to turn on my flashlight but didn’t. Service was friendly and helpful and got the first several things out very quickly and then died for about 30 minutes before it picked back up. Parking is on the street or in the garage between the restaurant and the hotel. Continue reading →
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 →
Cry Wolf is a local favorite, especially due to the ever-changing menu, casual atmosphere, interesting wine choices by Sommelier Tim Case, and excellent cooking by Chef Ross Demers and his staff. We don’t always think ahead for reservations so the bar counter stools are for walk-ins but we’ve also learned for last-minute cancellations on the reservation system where you can snag a table. I hesitate to overwhelm readers with the same restaurant but when you’re hot it’s too tempting to not post. So I’ll keep it short but if the menu doesn’t tempt you to go even my poor picture-taking will make you want to stop by. We shared all the plates. Continue reading →
exterior –3005 Peachtree Rd. NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA., 30305
Lucian Books and Wine is a book shop that also serves lunch and dinner Tues. through Saturday. Named for artist Lucian Freud it is a small gem of a place. It has a large, thoughtful wine list along with amazing food from Chef Brian Hendrickson, with a backdrop of books to browse and/or buy. The single room has an aisle that passes by the tall bookshelves and on the other side of a low wall are small tables and a bar. The bar is set with chairs also. The menu changes with the seasons and is fairly small at lunch. Since we were there with another couple we were able to try a great many of their offerings and they were all wonderful, some crossing over to the spectacular level. The service was outstanding and I strongly urge you to try this place if you get a chance. Continue reading →
building – 10590 N. Ranch Rd., Hayward, WI., 54843
The Ranch Supper Club started out as The Aladdin in 1931. It had a varied following from lumberjacks to timber tycoons to Chicago gangsters. It changed ownership several times during the ’40s and ’50s but finally became the Ranch Supper Club in 1960 when the “colorful personality”, Vivian Levinson owned it. In 1987 Beth and Barney Morgan partnered with Cheryl Haupt to run it for the next 30 years. After Haupt died in 2016 the Morgans were happy to have their daughter Haley and her husband Nathan Bochler take the helm a year later. Haley was raised in the business and her husband is also from northern Wisconsin. They spent 13 years in California learning more about the food industry where she earned a sommelier certificate. We visited on a Sat. night and the place was packed. A large parking area is outside with 2 doors that lead into the large bar area with tables too. Don’t miss the beautiful counter at the bar that is made with colorful inset stones. The dining rooms are behind the bar and have a separate hostess station for check-in. Windows to the woods out back make up one wall with tables in the middle and booths along the opposite wall. Another dining room was in the opposite direction. Faint music is in the background and farm and cooking implements decorate the ceiling and walls along with wood beams. The lighting was lowered, the wine list was above average, the bare wood tables were set with flatware wrapped in a cloth napkin and service was friendly and attentive. Overall it was a good meal but I expected more. However, if you’re in the area I’d stop by and try it out I think it has potential and any drink would taste better drunk over that beautiful bar. Continue reading →
exterior – 5033 Front Street, Eagle River, MI, 49950
We visited The Fitzgerald in 2018 and much has changed at the Eagle River Inn where it is located. The dining room is the same but the menu seems smaller. They still have the whiskey bar but the 12 rooms have now become 6 and they are (you guessed it) twice as big and have air conditioning. The waves of Lake Superior are still right off the dining room or any room at the inn, so the scenery is excellent. The dining room is wood-filled with lots of light from the windows. The crowd is casual and they did have specials for the night. Service was excellent, friendly and helpful. They still specialize in barbecue and you can see evidence of adding-on to the kitchen in front of the building, so not sure what will be added. Portions are generous and combined with the beautiful scenery, this is a lovely place to spend a meal and then retreat to your room to sleep with the sound of the waves. It’s out of the way but go if you get the chance, especially if you’re a whiskey lover. Continue reading →
exterior – 1014 Coast Village Road, Santa Barbara, CA
Bettina is in a neighborhood shopping center which is too popular for the parking available. It’s a good-sized place with a large outdoor patio for additional seating. Windows inside look out onto it as well as the parking lot. They specialize in naturally leavened breads, fine dining and simple dishes based on the owner’s visits to Italy. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations are helpful if you want a table, but a bar is inside with first come-first served seating. Inside the bare wood tables are small and nicely spaced and music is in the background. The service was helpful and efficient and the pizza was good. Continue reading →
main building – 5995 Stagecoach Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
Cold Spring Tavern offers lunch and dinner at a stagecoach stop that dates from 1868, on the San Marcos Pass near Santa Barbara. The place is filled with history and an amazing amount of detail is on their webpage <coldspringtavern.com> about the various buildings on the property and the furnishings within. You can’t miss it as the cars are parked on both sides of the winding road for some time before you hit the place. On weekends they have live music, a stand where you can buy their barbecue Tri-tip sandwich as well as an outside bar. If you prefer table service there are a number of outdoor and indoor tables. Lunch has a smaller menu than dinner, so I’ve included photos of both lunch and dinner menus. Service was enthusiastic and efficient which really enhanced the dining experience. The A/C is ‘open windows’ so we left smelling of barbecue smoke, which was no problem. The onion rings are worth a trip alone but I would love to be able to try some of their dinner options too. Continue reading →
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 →
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 →
Back for our second visit to J. C. Holdway and it was a busier night at the corner restaurant. The fairly large place goes fairly far back with tables in various places with an L-shaped bar taking up the first room. On the way to the back portion we passed a couple cooking areas. Exposed ducts run across the ceiling opposite the older wood floors. Bench seating is along some walls and the tables are nicely sized bare wood set with large well starched towel shaped napkins. Lights are lowered but much light comes through the many windows before sundown, music is in the background and it was a bit noisy. Service was once again very friendly but pacing was quite a bit slower probably due to the crowd and several large groups. Continue reading →
J.C. Holdway is named after Chef Joseph Lenn’s late uncle, Joe Holdway, who sought quality food adventures throughout his life. Now Chef Lenn hopes to provide that sort of dining experience to his customers, and that he does. His professional career has certainly readied him to meet the challenge. A Knoxville native, he so enjoyed cooking for friends and family that he decided to attend culinary school, after which he went to work as an intern at Blackberry Farm and then the Peninsula Grill followed by working with Sean Brock to open the Capitol Grill in Nashville. An urge to return to east Tennessee took him back to Blackberry Farm where he became executive chef of the Barn restaurant and received the James Beard Award for the Best Chef Southwest in 2013. He opened his own place in 2016 in downtown Knoxville using primarily wood-fire techniques. Lenn’s attempt to provide an outstanding experience to guests succeeds so well that we cancelled out next evening’s reservation in order to dine with him again. Strong recommendation for this wonderful place and look for another chronicle of luscious dishes on this site in a couple days. Continue reading →
Cry Wolf is such a treasure, I can’t not post it when we go. Chef Ross Demers has moved the bar high for other Dallas establishments and so has sommelier and General Manager Tim Case. The menu is constantly changing but what is consistent is that there are no duds. You won’t find me saying that about many places. It doesn’t fill you with bread and there is only one small candy for dessert but somehow that all works magically. When you find that rare place that is operating at such a level you really want your friends to experience it too. So, here is the latest meal at this gem of east Dallas. Continue reading →
Cry Wolf is a great place, and unfortunately too many people know that now. We had to book a couple weeks ahead to find a reservation we were in town with. Everytime I go I think I won’t post it cause it’s already on this site, but the food is so good I just can’t resist sharing the photos with you. Another wonderful part of this place is the changing wine list, which introduces me to things I haven’t had that go with food well. The ambiance is great and there’s a parking lot at the end of the shopping center. Without further ado, I present photos of our latest fabulous meal (sweetbreads and escargot were amazing). Continue reading →
Pascal’s Manale Restaurant was started as just Manale’s in 1913 by Frank Manale. Pascal Radosta, Frank’s nephew, was part of the original crew and took the place over in 1937 when Frank died. Many years later he wanted to add his name to the restaurant but still wanted to honor his uncle and thus it became Pascal’s Manale. Pas died in 1958 and his youngest brother Jake took over. They are famous for their BBQ shrimp and raw oyster bar. It is a large place with 2 main dining rooms and the good sized bar area that houses the oyster shucking bar. The dining rooms have white cloth covered tables and windows to the street. Some art is in the dining rooms but the bar is covered with lots of framed photos. They offer a separate lunch menu, a parking lot and great service. Continue reading →
Brigtsen’s was last written up here in 2017, but not much has changed here. The small old home is quite a ways from the Quarter and it’s many rooms are filled with dining tables and happy people. Chef Frank Brigtsen is still running the kitchen and his wife Marna manages the floor. Frank apprenticed at Commander’s Palace and then worked under Chef Paul Prudhomme, who helped the couple open this place in 1986. He has since won numerous awards for his cooking. The super friendly and efficient staff were all wearing buttons saying “I’m vaxed to the max.” The polished bare wood tables no longer have cloths but white cloth napkins are still on the table. Music is in the background, art is on the walls and a bottle of cold water is set on each table. Continue reading →
Trillium Cafe serves lunch and dinner Friday thru Tuesday with indoor and outdoor seating. It is on the bottom floor of the Inn of the same name in the heart of Mendocino. On the second floor are several hotel rooms for guests. Small tables are well spaced in the interior dining room and the patio winds around with a good supply of seating. When you make reservations you can specify indoor or outdoor. As it’s in an historic home, there are lots of windows to the street and a fireplace. Art for sale is on the walls and there ‘s plenty of street parking. It has obviously been restored with the old wood floors in good shape and the light fixtures replaced with those made by local artisans. A bar was in a room to the right, when we entered but I only saw 2 vacant stools in front of it. Service was friendly and efficient but not particularly knowledgable about the history of the place. There were no daily specials just the changoing soup of the day flavor. However when I compared the menu we had to what was on line there were some changes. Continue reading →
Husk in Savannah is in the Landmark Historic District with Executive Chef Chris Hathcock using locally sourced products to showcase Southern cooking. The 1898 building is purported to be haunted and after being built as a home served as an Elks Lodge and a performing arts school until it was abandoned in 1985. In 2008 it was severly damaged in a fire. The Neighborhood Dining Group, parent company of the Husk brand (you’l find other Husks in Charleston, Nashville, Greenville, SC.) bought the 10,000 square foot building and its 3 stories of event space. It has a capacity of over 200 including a bar area room for 84. At the hostess stand is the list of area farms and ingredients they use and it’s the same at the other Husks. Executive Chef Sean Brock helped develop the concept and this one opened in Jan. 2018. I thought the Charleston one was much better. This one is too large. Continue reading →
The Olde Pink House dates back to 1771 (Habersham House) where the soft native brick bled trhough the plastered walls to change the color from white to pink. It housed the Habershams till the 1800s when it became the Planter’s Bank, with the old money vaults now serving as wine cellars. It was added on to at that time and later occupied by the military during the Civil War. After that it was used as a bookstore, colonial tea room and offices while suffering decay and neglect. In 1970 it underwent a one year structural restoration and the restaurant opened in 1971. In 1992 it changed hands and had more refurbishing. A fire in 2018 damaged the upstairs ballroom and it closed for 4 months for repairs. On the lower level is a tavern restaurant serving food in a more casual setting. It was fun to see but the food was over-rated and mostly fried. Continue reading →
Frankie and I wrote-up visits to Cry Wolf in Nov. and Dec. of 2021 and then went back with my husband to enjoy their food again, without Frankie, in Feb 2022 (she was tired). I am so glad we did! The place has gotten much more crowded and now they have a reservation system which we were lucky to snag a table on. Chef/Owner Ross Demers has changed the menu a lot each time we’ve visited, but a few items have been repeated. The wine selection is small but extremely well selected and the sommelier, Tim can help find a wonderful wine to go with your dinner or the bartender was turning out lots of fancy cocktails. The cozy place has lowered lighting, music in the background and lovely friendly service. I can’t wait to go back and hope if you are in the area you will give it a try. The plates vary in size but all have wonderful creative combinations full of flavor. We were lucky to catch Chef Liam Byres before ordering and ask what he thought was special that night. Continue reading →
Café Marquesa, serving contemporary American cuisine, seats just 50 people in the restaurant associated with the Marquesa Hotel. The corner location had several tables outside with most of them inside along with bar stools that offered drinks and food for walk-ins. The lights were lowered slightly but the numerous windows let in lots of street light. No music was in the background and the small tables were covered with white cloths. Chef Graham Dailey (from the Peninsula Grill) stood in the dining room in front of the trompe l’oeil painting that surrounded the kitchen window. He looked over all the food before it was served but never came around to the tables. Lots of mirrors and art were on the wall and bench seating was along a couple of the walls. It had an elegant feel and efficient service. I would recommend giving it a try. Continue reading →
Louie Signorelli started Louie’s Backyard in 1971 in his ocean front Victorian home that seated just 12 people. In 1983 Phil and Pat Tenney renovated the place and transformed it into what is there today. The chef of 30 years prepares each dish to order using locally caught seafood and produce specifically grown for them from Island Farms. That commitment to quality makes them quite popular but there are many tables in the house and a huge patio overlooking the water to accommodate guests. The back of the house is where the dining rooms are and the back is a wall of windowed doors that allow everyone to enjoy the view and fresh air. Even so, the tables are set with white tablecloths and napkins. Service was very friendly, helpful and efficient. One small room in the front serves as an interior bar. The lunch menu is slightly smaller than the dinner menu but also less expensive. There was one special and it’s a place I would happily go back to. Continue reading →
Latitudes is Sunset Key Cottage’s signature restaurant – a 7 minute boat ride from Key West. The boat ride is available about every 30 minutes and once there you have a choice of “island cuisine” in the interior Ernest Hemingway Room or al fresco on the huge grounds, both overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and the lighted palm trees. Your reservation time is the same as your ferry time and parking is available for guests at their sister property Opal Key West Resort (remember to bring your ticket for the restaurant to validate). It is a large place but reservations are a must and need to be made several months ahead for dinner. The place has an elegant feel and great service but people were dressed fairly casually. The view in the daytime is said to be wonderful but I enjoyed the lighted trees. Continue reading →
Nancy’s Hustle opened in late 2017 on the east side of Houston and was named in Esquire’s list of “Best New Restaurants of 2018”. It continues to garner awards and accolades. The small innovative menu offers lots of small plates that are meant to be shared. It’s a long space but most of the front part is taken up with a long bar that has seating. The back end of the space is all small tables with a door that leads to the large patio outside. Lights are lowered and there is music in the background. Service was friendly and helpful with pacing good but reservations appeared to be a must, as it’s very popular. We were lucky to be there with friends and got to sample a number of things. Go if you can, it’s very good. Continue reading →
The Antler Room was opened five years ago by Chef Nicholas Goellner and Leslie Newsam Goellner after many years of training and work in other establishments including Noma in Copenhagen. It is a small 2 room place with one room serving as mostly a bar and pass-through window from the kitchen and the other filled with small tables for 2. A long bench seat runs along the wall that ends in a huge window to the street. Music is in the background, lights are lowered, the floor is tile, art is on the walls and exposed ductwork lines the high ceiling. Parking is wherever you can get it along the street. The name was a spur of the minute decision by the owners but now many donated antlers provide decoration, especially above the bar. Service was friendly but know your entire order needs to be placed at the beginning of service. The food was pretty good, interesting combinations and well flavored. Continue reading →
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 →
Story Hill BKC (Bottle, Kitchen, Cocktail/Cup) is a medium sized wine and spirit shop that also serves upper-midwest inspired cuisine in brunch, lunch and dinner formats. Lunch is a smaller menu but gave us a good idea of what they are capable of producing – and it’s a good pronouncement for those who are around Milwaukee. There is a small parking lot behind and lots of street parking around this corner spot. Music is in the background and lots of windows let in much natural light. On one side of the room is the retail shop with wine, spirits and beers for sale. You can also purchase a wine to drink with your meal there for a small corkage fee. The bare blond wood table was nice sized and set with a cloth napkin. Two daily specials were listed on the menu. Service was friendly and very helpful. Continue reading →
Bavette started out as a butcher shop and evolved into a restaurant. It still has the butcher shop concept and procures the whole animals raised on local farms and then uses the entire carcass to generate less waste. Now the consumer can buy retail cuts and/or prepared foods from the counter or sit back and enjoy the food in a restaurant setting. Most of their produce also comes from local farms mandating a seasonal type menu. Also available are craft beers, wines and cocktails. It’s a medium sized place with music in the background, a high wood ceiling with exposed duct work and plastic partitions between tables. Although currently in the trendy Third Ward section, the word is that they want to move to a larger location soon, so check their website before going <https://bavettelaboucherie.com>. Service was relaxed and very friendly and the food was excellent. Continue reading →
Môt Hai Ba is currently owned by Chef Peja Krstic who wants to merge Vietnamese and French cuisines, stressing quality and seasonal ingredients. The name means 1-2-3 in Vietnamese and it is only open for dinner. Located in the Lakewood area of Dallas the place opened about a decade ago under different owners and had communal type of seating. Krstic changed that to individual tables in the very small facility. It does have a nice sized patio out front. In the corner inside is the bar with 4 seats, lights are lowered, there are lots of plants and candles and music is in the background. The really small tables are set with chopsticks only but the servers bring traditional flatware with plates. Service was overly cheerful and bit amateurish and the food was disappointing. Continue reading →
Le Diplomate is built in the image of a Parisian brasserie serving classic dishes in a well restored corner building. It is a large place (300 seats) with a huge ‘enclosed’ garden room seating area on the sidewalk and unsheltered tables on the other sidewalk. Inside you’ll find a combination of tables and bench seating and free standing small tables. There is not much distance between them. The red upholstery is dotted with brass as are the railings on the few stairs between levels, the columns are lit from within and the ceiling is high. Windows are on 2 sides of the room and there may have been music in the background but it was hard to tell over the hum of the crowd. Paper covers the wood table tops but it is set with a cloth napkin. It’s been here 9 years and really popular so reservations are in order. Service was reasonable but not overly friendly. Continue reading →
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