wine list

Dill Restaurant, Reykjavik, 7/27/17

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entrance
entrance

Dill has been in business for 2 years and is the only Michelin starred restaurant in Iceland.  It was originally a barn and now has a small front room and 3 counter seats at the finishing kitchen as well as additional seating in another room, but that seemed to filled by a private party.  Windows to the street form one side of the main room and a large window looking out at a back garden is opposite that.  A bench seat lines one other wall with closely set tables as they also are on the main floor.  Walls are of concrete, the ceiling of wood,  a combination of candlelight and a skylight provide most of the low lighting and there was  subtle background music. The night we were there it was quite warm in the restaurant but I suspect this is not normally a problem. Continue reading →

Matur og Drykkur, Reykjavik, 7/26/17

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building
building

Matur og Drykkur is a medium sized place located in an old salt fish factory built in 1924 that now also houses the Saga Museum.  The name means “food and drink” and they specialize in Icelandic food with a modern twist.  American music plays in the background of this lively spot, where it was packed on a weekday evening.  The bare wood tables are slightly spaced and there are also 6 seats at a bar in front, near the open finishing kitchen. Soft warm lighting is pleasant but can effect the food colors and the nice cloth napkins are way too small. Reservations are for a 2 hour block and they did turn the tables but rushing would be difficult with the slow pacing.  Service was friendly but disorganized – they brought the wrong plates a couple times and you’d notice someone doing the same tasting menu who was behind you and then ahead as their food came out more rapidly.  They do offer 3 different tasting menus as well as an a la carte menu.   Continue reading →

Grey Ghost, Detroit, 7/19/17

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Exterior
Building

Grey Ghost is a good sized place with a large bar area,  small patio and dining room.  The long bar has stool seating at the counter and additional counter seating that seemed available for walk-in diners.  The partition this area backs up to forms the main dining room and a long seating bench is on the other side.  Next to the streetside windows are better spaced tables. The restaurant has not been open quite a year but the weekday evening we were there the place was packed with a multi-aged casual crowd that wound down by around 10:00 pm.  Fairly loud music plays in the background and coupled with the crowd size, noise level is an issue.   Continue reading →

Restaurant Peumayen, Santiago, 6/25/17

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building
building

Peumayen is a fairly large place with a tarp-covered open air patio in the the room adjacent to the main building.  The patio has a large pass through window into the semi-open kitchen. Rustic woods make up the floor whereas the tabletops are of polished wood appointed with a stone to set the wooden plates on and the smallest cloth napkin.  Soft Spanish background music plays and there is a lively crowd that included several large groups.  The menu has been translated into English but the waiter willingly goes through an explanation of the menu.  There are a la carte options as well as plates of multiple things.   Continue reading →

Pasquale Jones, New York City, 5/22/17

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exterior
exterior

Pasquale Jones is a medium sized place packed with small tables and a number of counter seats.  There is background music that adds to the noise level produced by hard surfaces and lots of people.  One wall of the restaurant is the open kitchen that houses 2 wood fired ovens and 2 other walls have windows out to the street.  There are some outdoor tables but the rain that day made them un-usable.  The lighting is low and the pace is rushed as they really want to turn the tables several times in an evening.  Service is included in your meal and they also offer complimentary house filtered and or carbonated water.  Servers are friendly but not particularly attentive.  There is a large wine list with one section devoted to reasonable but interesting wines.   Continue reading →

BAK, Amsterdam, 5/13/17

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IMG_8994
building

BAK is located in a commercial building on the waterfront.  There is a bell you need to ring to get buzzed in and then you have the option of walking up multiple flights of stairs or taking the elevator to the top floor.   As you turn right out of the elevators you will find the restrooms that you’ll use while dining right around the corner.  The view is wonderful with all the boats coming and going as well as a couple of docked boats, one of which I understand is a bed and breakfast.  Music plays in the background, tables are well spaced but small and there is an open kitchen at the end of the long room.  However it is not the only kitchen as evidenced by a dumbwaiter that moves things up and down between the other kitchen.   Continue reading →

Le Farfalle, Charleston, 3/8/17

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IMG_8778
sign out front

Le Farfalle is a large place with a huge bar area and outdoor patio also.  They serve Italian food in a very southern city which is a challenge and novelty. The main dining area has good table separation with a combination of tables and booths, high ceilings and friendly, helpful service.  As an option to ordering bottles of wine they sell house wines by the carafe and half carafe. Overall the food is nice and very acceptable but not overwhelming. The options for dessert were really limited as the pastry chef did not come on duty till 2:00 so your only option for lunch is a cookie plate or a sweet potato “something” – neither of which was appealing. Continue reading →

Town Hearth, Dallas, 2/2/17 & 2/10/17

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building
building

Town Hearth is the newest addition to the restaurants run by Nick Badovinus.  This one is more upscale but large and filled with decorations like his other places.  When you enter a small private party room is to one side and the large bar with some dining tables is right in front of you.  The chandeliers start here and carry on into the main large dining room.  They give nice light and a real glitter to the ceiling, as well as being quite striking. You also can’t help but notice a mini yellow submarine immersed in an aquarium filled with fish – it separates the bar and dining room. Don’t miss the car that sits right in front of the large open kitchen, it’s lower to the ground.   Continue reading →