Review: Apart PIzza (Broadway location)

Note: this also appears with my reviews over on Yelp.

Finally a neighborhood pizza place that my wife doesn't dismiss as "too creepy". Realized on Wednesday it was open and tried it last night. Apart will definitely crack into our take out rotation, giving That Little Mexican Cafe an occasional rest.

Their pizzas are thin crust and creative. We went with the Francese (yes, there is egg on the pizza; yes, it is good) and the Capriciosa (a lot of artichokes here - unless you are some kind of freak you won't likely need to ask for extra artichokes). Both were great. We also randomly tried the sweet filoncino (chocolate), and liked that, too. To this layman's eye it seemed like pizza dough filled with a not too sweet chocolate cream and topped with powdered sugar. What was ordered as a throw in became a highlight.



For $18 we got 2 personal pies, the dessert and two cans of pepsi. Good deal.

Review: Vong's Thai Kitchen

Image Source: A.S.V.

Note: this also appears with my reviews over on Yelp.

Overall our experience at "VTK" was okay, but when weighing the cost and the experience, I think this place is in a bit of a no man's land for me. If I will be spending $100+ for dinner with my wife, I want to enjoy the experience more than I did here. And if I just want some good Asian food, I can easily do that for less than $100.

There was some creativity in the dishes we tried, and service was mostly pleasant. I think a big reason I didn't love this as much as perhaps I could have was the table we were given. We were seated at the banquette, immediately on the other side of the host stand. Definitely felt apart from the rest of the space's vibe. If you are intent on going to VTK, I'd suggest declining that table if it is offered to you.

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great

Tenderloin satay. Mouthwatering, tender, delicious.

What wasn't so great

Host / hostess service.
We were there at 7:30 on Christmas Eve and they were closing at 9. The place wasn't packed and there were better tables available in the dining room, but the hostess just dropped us at the nearest table she saw, on the banquette. This kind of thing indicates she's either clueless and not thinking that 'hey, it's kind of a special evening and there are better tables out there, why don't I hook them up?', or she just flat out didn't care about anything other than putting out minimal effort. Of course, this could totally be an isolated incident, but you hope that a restaurant's management sets the tone for service basics to the point where it's second nature for everyone on staff.

Scorecard:

Two critical questions

Would I eat here again?
Sure. But I wouldn't go out of my way to do so.

Was it good value?
It was fair.

Essentials

Food - Mostly good.

Appetizers were mixed: tenderloin satay was fantastic, the tofu jenga wasn't great (clever name and presentation, nice tomato ginger sauce, but the tofu itself was over seasoned - each bite was a mouthful of salt and garlic).

Entrees were pretty good. The pad thai in the salmon pad thai was great, with moist and flavorful noodles. But the cut of salmon perched atop the noodles didn't add much to the dish. (Not sure how else one could prepare this dish, but it was just odd seeing the fish in one big piece sitting on the noodles. No other pad thai that I have seen comes like this. Chicken, beef, tofu - they are all shredded or cubed or spread out in the dish one way or another.) My wife had the shrimp and scallops in the citrus curry and she claims it was good.

Their wine options provided a nice breadth of options if not a lot of depth. The list includes one bottle (maybe two, max) of interesting choices like beaujolais, tempranillo, malbec, but they also cover off the more common US wines (cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir). My adventurous wife opted to try the 'mistletoe' - a concoction of gin, strawberry liqueur and maybe mint. $11 worth of 'not great'.

For dessert we tried the 'creme brulee trio' and the warm chocolate cake. Cake was fine - not too sweet, which is nice - but it wasn't particularly memorable. The creme brulee trio -- ginger, tamarind, coconut - was mixed. My wife loved the coconut, I liked the tamarind and, to my palate anyway, the ginger flavor was so subtle I would have believed it if you told me it was a placebo serving.

Service - Our server was pleasant and helpful, but maybe a little less frequent with the check-ins than we would have liked. Good enough, not great.

Amenities

Atmosphere - Probably would be nicer from every other table in the room than from the one we had, so I am not the best judge. Dark, contemporary, nice enough.

Review: Alcatraz Brewing Company, Indianapolis

Note: This also appears with my reviews over on Yelp

Overall Impression:
Somehow Alcatraz Brewing Company manages to be generically over the top. The space is Costco-like vast and on the day we were there it was decked out with Colts blue and white balloons, a la a car dealership during a sizzlin' summer sale. What it lacks in authentic charm, though, it makes up for in convenience. Very close to the dome, which probably means this is a little money minting factory.

I was only here for two beers prior to heading over the the RCA Dome for "Super Bowl XLI 1/2", so my review won't go into the usual depth but rather just hit a couple of key points.

Atmosphere - Definitely a little crazy for pre-game. Crowded with Colts fans. Made for some slightly uncomfortable areas near the bar, but it was early enough that people weren't too drunk or surly about bumping into each other.



Service - Our waitress wasn't thriving on the energy. She seemed overwhelmed. Well-intentioned, but over matched by the crowd. Again, it was still early so I don't think her demeanor was a result of dealing with a string of over served a-holes, but rather just being swamped. Servers in this kind of atmosphere can either embrace it and begin counting the money of they can wilt. Ours wilted a bit.

The Beer - This was the bright spot. Standouts were the October Bock and the Pelican Pale Ale."

Review: St. Elmo Steakhouse, Indianapolis

Note: This also appears with my reviews over on Yelp

Overall Impression:
St. Elmo is an old school steakhouse serving some very good food. The place is massive. Capacity has to be north of 400 people with all the different rooms. It is also pricey, but they deliver on the quality end of the equation, so it is worth what you layout. The vibe is traditional, with semi-formal service and a comfortable clientele (at least on Colts Sunday afternoons where Manning and Harrison jerseys are badges of cool no matter where you are).

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great

Food - I had an excellent filet mignon, getting the 10oz. medium well. They say they cook it a little light, so medium well still has some pink in the center. I found it perfect for my tastes. Still juicy, flavorful and not butterflied, which I often see with filets ordered medium well. Nicely done. Also good was the tomato, onion and bleu cheese salad with vinaigrette dressing. Add a couple of pints of Guinness and yes, I am getting ready for some football.

Atmosphere - If you like old school joints, you'll love St. Elmo's. They do the same walls-of-fame photo arrangement that you tend to see at most steak places. I don't know if it was because I didn't expect it here in Indianapolis or because they just do it better than other places, but I was amazed by both the number and variety of pictures on display. e.g. A young Lee Corso from his Indiana days, or local legend 'Dick the Bruiser'. Hundreds of others I can't recall. Over their ~100 years of service they have certainly accumulated an impressive array of star shots. You dine at St. Elmo's and you join the long line of storied guests who have also polished off a fine steak at these tables.



What wasn't great

Sitting downstairs - While still nice enough, the downstairs dining area definitely has a kids-table-at-Thanksgiving kind of feel to it, especially after you trek through a couple of the spiffy upstairs rooms on your way there. We were there on a high volume day, as it was Patriots - Colts game day, so we didn't have a lot of room to negotiate on table choices.

The Scorecard:

Two Critical Questions

Would I eat there again?
Sure, but I would definitely want to be upstairs.

Was it good value?
It is pricey. 10oz. fillet is $36. But it was a damn good fillet. So the value for money is there. But it didn't hurt that this was a business related lunch and was therefore expensable.

Essentials

Food - Excellent

Service - Good. Random note: Waiters are in tuxedos and apparently the Colts game day tradition is blue bow ties. Kind of corny with a prom-like feel, but nice show of school spirit, right?

Amenities

Decor - Classic.

Private party room - While downstairs I glimpsed what appeared to be a set up for a bunch of big hitters to watch that day's NFL schedule in a small room with a table set for 8 or 10 people and a flat screen TV on the wall. Not a bad way to spend a special Sunday, I suppose.

Review: Brgr, Manhattan

Note: This also appears with my reviews over on Yelp

Overall Impression:
I wish Brgr would open in my neighborhood. I found it accidentally while venturing out for a burrito during a business trip. It is right next to Chipotle on 7th Ave. and I'm glad I passed on the burrito. Chipotle I can get any time. Who knows when I'll have another crack at Brgr.



Their creative take on the burger is refreshing - making an everyday kind of item feel special. And the space has a cool feel. I have no real idea what a loft apartment in Oregon might look like, but I picture it being something like the interior of Brgr. Another way to describe it would be a blend between Urban Outfitters and a wine bar ... in Oregon (something about the exposed brick walls and wooden beam ceiling keeps the Oregon theme in my mind - or maybe Vermont).

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great

Food - A creative variety of menu options. I had the veggie burger with brie and caramelized onions with sweet potato fries on the side. Really nice flavor combination. One thing to note is that the veggie burger isn't especially patty-like. It's somewhat loose - somewhere between patty and sloppy joe-esque form. You need to be a little careful to not have it all over yourself. But the taste was excellent. They have a range of beef, turkey and veggie burgers, so it's likely you will find something to suit your tastes.



Atmosphere - The exposed wooden beam lattice-type structure halfway up to very high ceilings produces a nice effect. Airy, yet snug. Combine that with the right lighting levels and a soundtrack that hit both the Clash and Cee-Lo during the few minutes I waited for my to go order and it is definitely a pleasant place to hang out for a burger.

Beer - I didn't partake on this visit, but there is Spaten and Sam Adams on tap. At a burger place. Nice.



Logistics - When you order you get a metal stand maybe a foot and a half tall with a numbered card on it. This lets them find you when your order is ready. No random shouting, no confusion. Brilliant simplicity.

What wasn't so great
- N/A - I had a good experience

Scorecard:

The Two Critical Questions

Would I eat here again?
Yes - regularly if I had the chance.

Was it good value?
I think so. ~$12 for a good sized, above average tasting burger and a generous side of sweet potato fries doesn't seem bad at all here.

Essentials

Food - Very good. Creative, tasty - I wish I could try more of their offerings.

Service - Helpful, efficient, pleasant.

Amenities

Decor - Very good. Clean, nice flow, comfortably lit.

Review: May St. Cafe, Chicago

Note: This also appears with my reviews over on Yelp

Overview:
May St Cafe was pleasantly unusual. It's dark, snug, lively, loud and idiosyncratically laid out. They serve worldly dishes with a uniquely local feel. It's urbane, yet unpretentious - haute cuisine, neighborhood style. The food is delicious and the presentation is excellent.

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great

- Food. We tried some classic combinations (pork chop, black beans and rice) and some clever innovations (two types of quesadillas to start: mango & shrimp, and brie & pear - both really well done). The salmon entree was also very, very good.



- Seasonal touches. The kitchen demonstrated a bit of its range and imagination in the way they incorporated pumpkin into the menu on the night we visited. The pumpkin mashed potatoes were subtle, not sweet like you might expect - very nice. And the pumpkin flan was excellent, with good flavor and balance, not overpowering - really well done. It surprisingly overshadowed a very good 'warm lava cake', in my opinion.

- Service and attitude. Welcoming from the moment we approached the restaurant. Pulling a quick u-turn on Cermak after we passed the parking lot, we saw someone give us a friendly wave as he pointed us to an open spot. Later, when the Executive Chef, Mario Santiago, made the rounds of the dining room, we realized it was him whom we had seen in the parking lot. Somehow I don't picture Mario Batali doing that, but maybe I'm wrong. In addition to Chef Santiago, we also had good experience with our waitress, who was very on top of things.

- The kitchen. Kudos to those in the kitchen on this night - they turned around high quality food very quickly.




- Ambiance. Two things about the ambiance in particular are worth noting. First, the very interesting artwork on the walls that evinces a hand-crafted, personal kind of expression - a nice complement to the spirit of the restaurant. Then there is the lighting, which is very dark and intimate. The house lights are dimmed to nearly off, and you're left with a combination of the flickering votive on your table and the light of the street lamps diffused through the window treatments. I'm still kind of new to Sweetest Day as a holiday, but for a smoothly romantic setting on Sweetest Day, this was good.

What wasn't great

- Space and acoustics. The dining room is by no means large. Seats 50 people, tops, in one relatively small room. And on this night there was some party of 10 or 12 stretched across two perpendicular tables. Their presence unmistakably impacted the layout and the atmosphere, offsetting some of the positive ambiance points. But I am willing to chalk that up as a one-off. I'm guessing it isn't common for ~25% of their patrons to account for ~85% of the noise. We were fortunate enough to get a 4-top along the south wall of the restaurant, near the window onto Cermak. That felt like the best place to be in terms of space. Even there, though, we couldn't escape the drunken cackling of this large party's doyenne hostess, who seemed to believe she was entertaining in her own private salon, either completely oblivious or unconcerned about how her idiotic bleatings might detract from the enjoyment of her fellow diners. There was a tangible difference in the room's vibe once she finally left, but unfortunately her stay coincided with most of ours. At least we had dessert in peace.

Scorecard:

The 2 critical questions

- Would I eat here again? Definitely. Just wish it wasn't such a trek, as Edgewater to Pilsen isn't a casual jaunt.

- Did it seem like good value? Pretty good. Our bill for two appetizers, two entrees and two desserts was $86 before tip. It's byob, which is nice. It isn't inexpensive, but the quality merits the price.

Essentials

Food - Excellent

Service - Very good.

Amenities

Space - Nice, but small

Bathrooms - Pretty cool - I envied them their stone sink and counter tops.

Parking - Excellent. Couldn't be any easier.

Review: Whym, Manhattan

Image Source: JoonBlog New York

Note: This also appears with my reviews over on Yelp

Overview:
Maybe it was the company, maybe it was the context, but Whym felt "just right" when I ate there with some business colleagues in late September. It was sophisticated, yet not stuffy. Classy, but not fancy. Intimate, but not cramped. It has an approachable feel. Aspirational, yet familiar - and maybe the fact that it has sort of a Room & Board or West Elm kind of aesthetic has something to do with that. Over the course of the evening I felt more like I was at a dinner party hosted by a friend of a friend rather than at a restaurant.

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great

- Service. Very good across the board. The hostess, the bartender, our server - everyone was friendly, competent and comfortable. I didn't get a sense that they would rather be somewhere else or that they would prefer we weren't there at all (I know this might seem like a low expectation, but in a world of indifferent service simply being present and friendly can be a nice experience). There also were no hints of dining-as-performance carried out by actors in training using your meal as an opportunity to polish their articulation and projection exercises. Just nice people, not putting on any airs, serving you some good food.

- Dessert. The Smoreswich had some ingoing hype as someone in our party had tried it before. Even with the advance billing, it delivered. Good stuff.

What wasn't great
- Nothing stands out as needing comment here - they had a good night.

Scorecard:

The 2 Critical Questions

- Would I eat here again? Gladly

- Did it seem like good value? Yes. Appetizers, dinner/wine and dessert for 5 people under $400 in Manhattan - pretty good indeed.

Essentials

Food - Good / very good. Entrees at our table included tuna, pork chops, short ribs and roasted duck breast and everyone was happy.

Service - Very good.

Amenities

Decor - Solid. Smooth and comforting. Stylish without feeling like it's trying too hard. Nothing deliberate, distracting or over the top. Just a nice setting for a good meal.

Random note:
The Hudson Hotel is nearby, which could come in handy for either pre-meal or post-meals drinks and people watching. Certainly a 'scene' kind of place, and pricey (~$15 for odd drinks with hip names), but if you're expensing your trip and need some visual stimulation, check it out.

Review: America's Dog, Chicago

Note: This also appears with my reviews over on Yelp.

Overview:
America's Dog was more than I expected, yet didn't seem to be trying to do too much. The menu struck me as a nice balance of focus and variety. Hot dogs are obviously the main event, but there are at least 17 different ways to order one (including a veggie dog). Beyond that you've got burgers, sausages, chicken sandwiches and 4 different salad (!) options.

The restaurant itself is clean, well-lit and features a full wall of photos depicting various American slice-of-life shots. The pictures serve as a nice thematic complement to the menu of wide ranging dog styles hailing from Atlanta to San Francisco with multiple stops in between.



Sure, it isn't the healthiest lunch option, but at least the portions are reasonably sized (talking about the regular hot dog here, not the jumbo). It won't be an everyday affair for me -- although it would be interesting to do a Morgan Spurlock-esque month through the America's Dog menu -- but this will be a nice change of pace when the Quizno's-Burrito Beach-Potbelly's troika seems a little old.

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great:

- Variety. If you like hot dogs at all, you will have no problem finding something here for you. And even if you don't like hot dogs there's a good shot you'll find something you like.

- Atmosphere. Good colors, good layout - just feels like a good, comfortable place to grab a quick bite.

What wasn't great:

- To-go packaging insulation. I had about a 4 - 5 minute walk back to my desk once I had dog in hand, and by the time I dug in it had cooled just a bit, to the point where you notice but you'll still eat it. It was tasty, and I suppose I could have microwaved it to bring it back to hot. But maybe they could go with a foil-based wrapping technique rather than the kind of skimpy styrofoam dog sleeve they use (which might be more Earth-friendly too, no?).

Scorecard:

The 2 Critical Questions

- Would I eat here again? Yes. Not all the time, but occasionally, yes.

- Did it seem like good value? Yes, it's decent value. I suppose in some ways $2.86 for a regular hot dog might seem a little much. But when even the small sub at Quizno's is north of $5 and a large will set you back $9 or $10, $2.86 is a relative bargain.

Essentials

Food - Good. I got the Kansas City dog (melted swiss cheese with sauerkraut and yellow mustard)

Value - Good.

Amenities

Decor - Very good. Clean, welcoming.

Mini Review: Angel Food Bakery, Chicago

Image Source: faerybliss48

Note: This also appears with my reviews over on Yelp.

Overall Impression:
Angel Food Bakery is pleasant enough, I suppose. My wife somewhat liked it (but honestly, she is not the toughest critic in the world). To me, however, the atmosphere felt a bit contrived, like they were knowingly trying to be quirky-quaint in the annoying "Ace of Cakes" kind of way.

We tried them for lunch one Saturday afternoon. Our lunch orders had highs and lows for an overall average kind of feel. But the desserts were very good.

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great

- Reading materials. Having the Reader and The Onion on hand was much appreciated.

- Soda options. Despite their old-timey label I don't think Stewart's is really a mom-and-pop soda company (at least not anymore), but it was nice to have some flavor options other than cola, lemon-line and diet cola. Beware the ginger soda, though. Tasty, yet not refreshing.

- Mac and cheese. This was the one lunch item that would be worth ordering again.

- Desserts. We tried a couple there and took a few more home with us. Definitely liked some better than others, but that's a matter of personal taste more than quality. All were good. At $3 - $4 per item they aren't cheap, but for made-from-scratch stuff of this caliber, it's fair.

What wasn't so great

- Music. Their soundtrack was an assortment of less popular 50s music. No one could like this stuff. It felt very deliberate. Like, look at us; we have eclectic musical tastes.

- Decor. Walls were empty except for a shelf of deliberately selected oddball knickknacks. The shelf was probably at the 11-foot mark on a 12-foot ceiling, leaving the rest of the wall conspicuously bare. Would be a good place to display local artwork (maybe they do and we were just there during in the midst of a switch?).

- Food. A nit, perhaps, but the cabbage side dish served with my wife's chicken sandwich seeped all under the bun, leaving it soaked and purple. Probably should be served in its own little dish or something to prevent that.

Scorecard:

The 2 critical questions:

Would I eat there again? Yes, but only for dessert.

Did it seem like good value? Yes, but again, really just for the dessert.

Essentials:

- Food: Good / okay. Mac and cheese was solid, shoestring fries got mixed reviews. Desserts were damn good.

- Service. Good, pleasant.

Amenities:

- Music: Horrible

- Reading materials: Excellent.

Review: La Taqueria, San Jose, CA

Note: This also appears in my reviews over on Yelp.

Overview:
La Taqueria felt like a family run place that takes pride in what they do, has a strong point of view on how to serve food and a staff that knows how to execute the vision. [Yes, I know I'm talking about a taqueria here, but good business is good business, whether you're serving burritos or running a country club.] I was glad to find this place as I wandered around downtown San Jose during a conference break.



Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great

- Food. The chorizo burrito was delicious, with the salsa verde available on the table providing some good flavor and kick when needed.

- Drink. Pineapple juice on the menu - nice. If you're a connoisseur of fresh Central / South American pineapple juice this won't quite match that caliber, but still it was refreshing and a great surprise to see it on the menu.

- Atmosphere & Attitude. Seemed like a no-nonsense lunch place for nearby office folks, but it was neither hurried nor frenzied. The staff were pros at turning around orders. Quick, yet applying some nice small touches. For example, the burrito itself was wrapped tightly and appropriately sized, unlike some of the loosely rolled, rice-filled Nerf football-esque monsters that collapse in your hands upon first bite. Plus, there was a hard to describe foil wrapping panache in the presentation of my burrito. Not a huge thing, but made me feel like my burrito was in good hands and well cared for before getting onto my tray. Not just a big ol' man-handled lump of beans in a tortilla.

- Music. The jukebox was playing some authentic Mexican music, as it was actually being used during a lunch rush on a Thursday. Not something I see during my semi-regular Quizno's runs back in Chicago.



What wasn't so great

- Grease factor. My burrito was a little greasy, but even that was manageable.

- Price. Maybe a little steep for a burrito @ $5.75, but I'm nitpicking here - I really liked this place.

Scorecard:

2 Critical Questions
- Would I eat here again? Yes, no question.
- Was it good value? I thought so.

Essentials
Food - very good
Drink - very good
Price - Fair
Cleanliness - Good; tables were clean and during my 15 minute stay someone did multiple laps of the dining room tidying up.

Amenities
Jukebox - Great; felt authentic - could easily have been in Mexico City
Bathrooms - Quite decent

Mini-Review: BYO Indian Place in Chicago - Hema's Kitchen

Image Source: Planet99.com

Note: This originally appeared with my reviews in November 2006 over on Yelp

I think we caught them on a bad night. We had heard a lot of good things, but had only a decent experience. There was a party of 18 there when we were seated and they also were short a waiter, so I imagine that had a lot to do with the service we received. But even judging solely upon the food, I'd say it was okay and somewhat uneven.

Vegetable samosas were fresh, but not especially flavorful, white the potato cutlets were fantastic, especially accompanied by the green sauce with a touch of cilantro, which seemed different than other Indian presentations we've experienced.

Chicken tikka masala and murg makhani were both good - again, very fresh, which compensated for what we felt was not spectacularly unique flavor.

Dessert was below average - the gulab jamun was lukewarm and not fresh, somewhat dry.

We constantly compared it to our usual place on Devon, the Indian Garden. Indian Garden wins on food and overall ambiance, Hema's has more charm, service is maybe a tie, but Hema's BYO helps with the value. So, depending upon what your priorities are, Hema's could be a solid play - just know what to expect and try not to go when there is a party of 18 already seated on a night they are short-staffed.

Mini-Review: El Nandu - Casual Argentinian Place in Chicago

Image Source: Planet99.com

Note: This post originally was published in November 2006 with my reviews on Yelp.

Good empanadas, friendly service, decent entrees, tasty flan.

We arrived around 8pm on a Wednesday night and they were at least half full, which was more than I expected and a pleasant surprise. Tables are close together, but not uncomfortably so. I wouldn't say it is an overly romantic place, but it wouldn't be terrible for a date.

One random observation: the rice that came along with my churrasco was very good. Too many times restaurants send out sides that are overdone, old or otherwise sub par. Love it when a place takes care of the little details, as it is usually indicative of the care that put into everything they do.

Review: El Norte - Burrito Joint on North Side of Chicago

Image Source: Yelp.com's Lacie G.

Note: This entry was originally published in January 2007 with my reviews over on Yelp

Grabbed a couple of burritos [1 chicken, 1 veggie] to go last night.

* Food remains pretty solid.
Seems like they actually take enough time with the burritos to get things heated up, versus some places where you end up getting home and biting into nowhere-near-melted cheese.

* Friendly enough at the counter.
Maybe a little stingy with the salsa. You could be disappointed if you're like me and want some salsa with every bite - make sure to ask for some extra containers. We got one roja and one verde with a 2-burrito order - not a very generous salsa:burrito ratio, in my opinion.

* Will never earn extra points for decor.
Not expecting a lot, of course, but you can count on goofy little things here, like leaving a couple of burned-out light bulbs in the overhead counter lights. Depending upon your perspective, you could interpret it as a manifestation of their unpretentious charm, or you could say it lends an unnecessarily sketchy feel to the already small, no-nonsense kitchen area.

* Entertainment-While-You-Wait-Bonus
You can usually count on the TV in the corner being tuned to something amusing like Bailando por un Sueo or WWE Smackdown.

Quick Review: Josephina, New York City

Image Source: Yahoo! Travel

Note: This entry also appears with my reviews over on Yelp.

Average food, but pleasant enough place to kill a little time, though by no means would I go out of my way to eat here again. Only reason we ate here was because it was close and in the direction we decided to walk out of the meeting we just had. That and the fact that the restaurant 2 doors down was roughly 50% more expensive and we didn't need to invite financial scrutiny for what should just be an average business lunch.

Our waitress was pleasant if not hyper-attentive. Place was pretty quiet, even for Tuesday lunch. But then, it's last week of August and perhaps everyone is on vacation.

Open face turkey burger was somewhat mediocre, while the 'assortment of sun ripened tomatoes with brucchetta and mozzarella' wasn't bad at all.

Mini-Reivew: Koi, Los Angeles

Image Source: SexiestHotels.com

Note: This review also appears with my reviews over on Yelp.com

Good food, good service, but I wonder if the 'paparazzi' that are taking pictures as people walk in and out are really just Koi bus boys and kitchen help incognito.

We went here as a group of 14 coworkers to celebrate a bit after a couple of days of hard work. For parties of 8 or more you apparently get a fixed menu, although there is opportunity to order additional items on top of that [cue the cash register ringing sound, repeatedly]. Fixed price menu for our group was around $100 a head, included sake, and most folks were raving about the caliber of the food. Add ons that were well received included Kobe sliders [3 for $28] and Kobe wrapped asparagus [~$35, I think, per modest plate].

Random notes:
* $8 valet seems like a good value, considering that's what you pay for valet at Francesca's on Bryn Mawr in the decidedly lower wattage Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago.

* Semi convenient place to eat and then head back to LAX to get out of town. Take La Cienega south, past the 10, and grab La Tijera, which will take you right to the rental car return area. Smooth.

BBQ & Mexican: 2 More Quick Restaurant Reviews from San Antonio

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Originally uploaded by sindlinger

Had a couple of decent meals along the Riverwalk with co-workers during my time in San Antonio.

I have to say I was underwhelmed by the Riverwalk itself and wouldn't target San Antonio for a personal vacation. But if you find yourself there, here are a couple of reviews on Yelp:

* Casa Rio

* County Line BBQ

Quick Review of the Mi Tierra Experience, San Antonio, TX

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Originally uploaded by sindlinger

Any place where you are first greeted by a man and his rooster is good with me.

We wound up at Mi Tierra by accident, only because Rosario's closes at 8pm on Sundays [wtf?]. What we stepped into was equal parts restaurant and carnival. Slightly more expanded review and some photos here.

Captain Curt - Barbeque's Dr. Feel Good

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Originally uploaded by sindlinger

I love this stuff. Everything about it. First, it's a mighty fine sauce, with a flavor that works - oh yeah, it works. But even if it sucked, I think I'd use it. You absolutely cannot deny the appeal of Captain Curt, aka Barbeque's Super-Sized Heavyweight Champion. Recognize.

This Isn't Easy, But I Need to Say Goodbye to Cheap Burritos

Image Source: Morton Fox

As much as it does hurt me to say this, I think I am ready to move on to a better burrito. I've been waffling over the past couple of weeks, ever since having a pretty damn nice burrito at That Little Mexican Cafe.

While I'm no dietician, I think their burritos are pretty healthy, too. At least in relative terms. I'm talking peas, potatoes, carrots, light on the cheese. It's a different experience. Sitting squarely in my late 30s with the corresponding slowing metabolism and the sadly more-sedentary-than-not lifestyle, this is an important criterion to consider.

But the 'healthy' burrito also tastes good. I was surprised, but it's true. And, importantly, eating one of these doesn't carry the mandatory sentence of a 3-round title bout with the porcelain the next day. No question - that fact alone is worth the extra $3 you shell out for the 'healthy' burrito.

Nonetheless, I don't make this decision lightly. Moving to Chicago ~10 years ago after living in Boston and D.C., it was the 24-hour burrito joints that I was most excited about. Not the Cubs, not the Lake, not the new job I was starting. Burrito stands on every corner. Many open 24-hours. This was unheard of. I felt a little like Columbus must have upon sighting the new world: A marvelous bounty, all for me.

In those ten years I'd say I've had roughly 200 of those burritos. From El Palmar, Don Quijote, El Norte, Taqueria Uptown, ... you get the idea.

But it's time to move on. I'm going to try and be strong.

New [kind of] Italian place in Andersonville - Anteprima

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Originally uploaded by sindlinger

Judy and I saw this place last week when we walked off the burgers from Hamburger Mary's, and we decided to try it this week. It has been open just about 2 months and is still getting into a rhythm. It's a little pricey, but not bad. Check out my full review on Yelp.

New Yelp Review: Riva

Image Source: Savvy Diner
Judy decided that we'd celebrate our anniversary with dinner at Riva. Was generally solid - my review is over on Yelp

Originally posted 5/26/07

You should help save this restaurant: Col-Ubas in Andersonville

Had a nice dinner last night at Col-Ubas, and posted my review on Yelp.

Originally posted 4/28/07

Give this Mexican red a shot: Casa Pedro DomecqCabernet Sauvignon XA

mexican wine label, originally uploaded by sindlinger.

I am far from being a wine connoisseur, and I recognize the impact that time and place can have on one's perceptions of how good something really is [good company, on vacation, etc. ... this is the best wine ever!]. That said, Judy and I had this with one dinner on vacation and we enjoyed it. Pleasant enough. Made a mental note to try and grab a couple of bottles to bring home, but never made the trip to a store. Now I don't see it available online for US delivery. If you see it around and are feeling cRaZy, give this Mexican red a shot.

Originally posted 4/11/07

Review: Vivere

Had a nice dinner at Vivere last night. Full review on Yelp

Originally posted 1/14/07

New Middle Eastern restaurant disappoints

Habeebi's just opened, turning one more empty store front on Bryn Mawr into something somewhat more useful. But our first experience wasn't great. See Yelp for my full review.

Originally posted1/7/07

Barcelona tapas & dessert joint in NYTimes

P1000186.JPG, originally uploaded by sindlinger.

Just randomly saw that Bubo was quickly covered in the NYTimes. Judy and I stopped there while wandering around the city on spring break last year ['06]. Couple of pictures from that pitstop are here, including shots of what we could see from our table outside.
Note: the crusty looking guy in the shot above appeared to be a regular, as he was greeted in a "Norm!"-esque manner. He was also one of the handful of misguided dickheads we've encountered on our vacations who think it's a good ice breaker to shout "konichiwa" at Asians passing by, because clearly all Asians speak Japanese, right? Sure.

Originally posted1/6/07

Sunday night dinner at Hamburger Mary's

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Originally uploaded by sindlinger

Judy and I had dinner at Hamburger Mary's. [Didn't realize it was a mini chain until just now when I found it's web site. Anyway ...]. My full review over on Yelp

Burrito joint recos from people who care

Useful discussion on Chicago burrito joints - one of the most immediately noticeable and welcomed things about moving to Chicago ~10 years ago. You don't have 24-hr burrito joints on every corner in Boston or DC, at least not while I was there.

Originally posted 11/26/06