Food Casserole

Quick Review: Ñ (Chicago)

2010-07-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

Got here early (~7pm on a Saturday) for some food and beer before a party. Quilmes bottles. Nice.

Had the place to ourselves.

Quiet. Good light. Liked the exposed brick walls.

Great empanadas ...

... and chorizo chunks you grab w/ toothpicks. Also nice.

Later for more drinks and music. Cool crowd having a good time w/o losing their sh*t. Very nice.

Quick Review: Il Villagio (Boston)

2010-07-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Il Villagio was exactly what we were looking for.

Strolling with my wife around the North End one 90 degree night in late June our wish list was this:

* A/C
* Good food
* Not crowded
* Not some cavernous money minting operation
* Not too far away from the main action and energy of the neighborhood

I'm pretty sure we walked past every restaurant in the neighborhood as I searched for the exact atmosphere I was in the mood for. But Il Villagio nailed it.

Pleasant service, low key atmosphere, eating with only a handful of other tables, really good food. The wife loved her shrimp & scallops linguine and I enjoyed the risotto with prosciutto paired with a couple glasses of the house red. Solid meal.

Mini Review: Nuevo Leon (Chicago)

2009-10-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

Liked it a lot. Strong entrees (filete al nuevo leon and pollo mole ... I think that's what the wife had, anyway). Had chips, a decent appetizer (queso panelas) two entrees, an horchata and a soda for $32 before tip. And we both have lunch for tomorrow. Good value.

Crowded at 6pm on a Saturday, so be ready for that. Also, there are two rooms. Back room is brighter, maybe quieter.

view from our booth, front room, Nuevo Leon, Pilsen - Chicago

Queso panelas

Filete al Nuevo Leon

Mini-Review: Tabla (NYC)

2009-01-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

Note: I'm writing this three months after my stay. My posting activities fell off drastically in November and December. So, take this more as directional recollections than a highly focused critique.

The wife and I watch our fair share of Iron Chef America. And a few weeks before we were going to be in NY visiting family, we saw the battle pitting Bobby Flay against Floyd Cardoz of Tabla. That particular episode wasn't especially appealing to us since we aren't big snail eaters. But the description of Tabla sounded interesting so we wanted to give it a shot.

We aren't normally 'fine diners' (one exception being our anniversary dinner @ Arun's), and this wound up being a touch fancier, more formal and sophisticated than we expected. If we had known exactly what we were getting into we might not have followed through with our reservation. But I'm glad we did because it was quite good.

If I could do anything differently, the one thing that was a bit disappointing was our table placement. It might seem odd to complain about having too much space between tables at a restaurant (especially if you know me), but we were on kind of an isolated island, tucked into a nook at the top of the stairs.

If it were a corner with walls you might be able to construe it as private and romantic. But in their wide open layout it was more like being in no man's land. Unfortunately this vibe didn't hit me right away so we didn't request a move. And I got over it. A small-ish issue really. On to the food ...

... and we're off to a slow start because I can't really remember what this was. I grabbed a copy of their seasonal menu from the web site after we at there, but it didn't include this little starter soup. I'm sure it was nice ...

The naan was quite nice. Fresh out of the oven, cheesy, comforting.

This next one was a surprise. I ordered the vegetarian tasting menu, which was going to take me out of my comfort zone a bit. I'm an on / off vegetarian, and when I'm on I am the world's worst vegetarian because I like about 4 vegetables and two types of fish. So 'salad of baby beets' was something I just hoped to get through. Didn't expect to enjoy it. But with the Roquefort cheese and ginger, I have to say it was pretty tasty.

I did hit a little speed bump with the Stuffed Jack-B-Little Pumpkin, featuring "early fall root vegetables". Let's say some root vegetables were tougher on my palate than others. But nice presentation.

Another semi-surprise was the Chantrelle & Potato "Risotto". To say I don't enjoy mushrooms is an understatement (like I said, I'm not a great vegetarian). But I was able to work around the biggest pieces and did enjoy the overall taste of the dish, including the coconut broth.

Our desserts were the stand outs.

First, the Tahitian Vanilla Bean Cheesecake (with 'graham crumble, concord grape sauce and lemon eucalyptus sorbet). I thought this was great. Judy wasn't thrilled, but I loved it.

But she did like her white chocolate mousse. (Sorry, can't find the full detailed description on any menu.)

Finally, always a crowd favorite, the mignardises.

All in all, it was a nice night out. I am sure people with more sophisticated palates and fewer self-imposed dietary restrictions would enjoy it much more than I did. (And you can check out a pdf of their menu here to judge whether it's right for you.) Given my own limitations and our relatively isolated table, it wasn't great value in my mind. But the service was very good, the presentation was terrific and the overall vibe was very nice. Just not in my personal sweet spot when it comes to dining options.

Mini-Review: Empanada Mama's (NYC)

2009-01-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

Note: I'm writing this three months after my stay. My posting activities fell off drastically in November and December. So, take this more as directional recollections than a highly focused critique.

I first learned about Empanada Mama via an article in the NYTimes. Sounded interesting, so I flagged it for future reference. That came in handy last October when my wife and I were in NY visiting family.

I liked the place right off the bat. Great colors, nice little design, good use of a small space.

And the menu does the trick for me. Nice balance of keeping it simple - offering empanadas, arepas mainly - but still offering great variety.

We tried a few different things on this initial trip (I've since made two return runs during subsequent business trips). The Cubana arepa was pretty good. But for me, I could eat the Hawaiian empanadas all day (ham, sauteed pineapple pieces, mozzarella cheese). Good god, they are freaking tasty.

We also had a nice little view out to the sights of this stretch of 9th Ave. (between 51st and 52nd, which, by the way, seems to offer a phenomenal variety of food options from around the world all within a 2 block radius).

Bottom line: I wish lived next to Empanada Mama's. Or, maybe that there were an Empanada Mama's right next to where I live. Either way - I wish I could include their Hawaiian empanadas in my diet more regularly.

Review: Broadway Cellars (Chicago)

2008-10-12T07:40:00.000-07:00

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

After meaning to try Broadway Cellars for well over a year, my wife and I finally gave it a shot last Friday night. And it was great.

The place has a nice vibe. Stylish but not stiff. The decor is cool and contemporary, but has something of a personal or DIY feel.

I don't know exactly how to explain it, but it just didn't strike me as the rote implementation of a templatized corporate design or the pristine vision of some highly paid hotshot designer, but rather it's just the concept of the owners/management who may even have done it themselves and pulled off something pretty cool. (I could be totally wrong about this, but, for what it's worth, that's the impression I got.) Any slight imperfections kind of add to the charm. For example, it's hard to imagine an experienced design pro going with the unfinished wood wine racks in the back.

The artwork on the wall also provides a nice local feel. Applying the neighborhood coffee shop aesthetic to a sophisticated yet comfortable dining experience.

I suppose it has the risk of coming off as pretentious or contrived somehow, but both my wife and I felt like it worked. (Though, personally, I wouldn't be lining up to pay $425 for any of the pieces on display. That seems like a stretch. But then, I suppose having $50 price tags on them would run sort of counter to the semi-elegant vibe they are aiming for).

The mood is set from the beginning with the table setting. Sometimes the little details are everything, eh?

Here, the wine list is angled to reflect the votive light, the bread is warm and they set the oil and Parmesan dish up for you right off the bat. Voila. And the paper menu reinforces the casual, almost rustic kind of feel. The dishes may be sophisticated, but the atmosphere makes everything feel quite accessible.

We opted for the "Let's Hop a Cab" wine flight, despite my aversion to the cutesy name. One from California, one from Chile and one from Australia. Three 3oz pours for $15 - not inexpensive, but decent value for the option to sample such a range by the glass.

Our meal began with the crab cakes appetizer, which was excellent.

It took a little while to come out, but once we dug in it was clear that the time was more a function of perhaps a 'slow food' approach than any kitchen dysfunction. The dish was hot and fresh, the taste and texture of the cakes was sublime and the sauce added just the right spicy notes. Some places try to wow you with crab cakes the size or your head and some maybe crank out so many of them that you can tell they were made assembly line style yesterday morning, and others use so much oil that you might enjoy the first bite but need an iron stomach to get beyond two. These felt and tasted like they were made on the spot just for us. Really, really good.

For the main course, Judy ordered the seafood risotto and raved about it.

Seriously, every other bite triggered a "this is so good". She can be an easy grader at times, but she knows her seafood and this was the most exuberant she's been about a dish in a while.

I went with the Penne special of the night, which involved sausage and sweet peppers.

The sauce was nice, the sausage was good, but the Penne were a little overdone. The taste overall carried the dish, but it could have been excellent were it a bit closer to al dente.

Finally, though we were stuffed, our server got us to try the gelato.

Apparently it's locally made by a woman in her kitchen, very Recipe for Success style. It was good. I wouldn't say it was amazing, but it was definitely good. Of the three flavors we tried -- chocolate, graham cracker and cinnamon -- the cinnamon was the stand out. My wife was hoping for a bit more actual cracker in the graham cracker scoops and I agree it was maybe more subtle than it needed to be. But honestly, I was concentrating on the Selaks Ice Wine (just one of many nice postprandial options on their dessert menu) and the gelato was just an afterthought.

Mini Review: Zanzibar (Chicago)

2008-10-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

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

Finally.

I've lived across the street from Zanzibar's Bryn Mawr/Kenmore corner for 6+ years and it's great to finally have something useful and pleasant there. It's infinitely better than the depressing convenience store that used to fill this space (though that's an admittedly very low bar - an ATM and a newspaper box would've been a huge upgrade over that joint).

Last night Zanzibar had all the telltale signs of a just opened small business. Shelves not fully stocked. Customers outnumbered by an eager to help staff. Self appointed members of the neighborhood welcome wagon greeting / interrogating the owner. And a spotless, stage crafted look that will hopefully ease into a more 'lived in' feel over the coming months.

While their pastry and cake cases were a little thin last night, their ice cream counter was ready to go. I'd estimate they have two dozen or so flavors, all of which sounded pretty good. To his credit, the guy behind the counter offered me the try-before-you-buy tasting opportunity, but I felt confident with my order: one Espresso Oreo and one Snap-o-Lantern (spicy pumpkin ice cream with bits of ginger snap cookies).

Both were excellent. Great texture and consistency - fresh and light. Nicely done.

Looking forward to having Zanzibar in the neighborhood.

Review: San Soo Gab San (Chicago)

2008-08-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

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

If you just want to get down to business with some fried foods and barbecued meat, San Soo Gab San is your place. Come hungry and wear your play clothes. You're going to walk out of here full and smelling of meat.

Judy was pretty excited to be here

San Soo Gab San is an unassuming, no nonsense joint that focuses on the food. Period. The non-atmosphere is the atmosphere. You sit in twenty or thirty year old wooden booths and tables. The main design element is the construction-zone orange industrial strength exhaust hoods that suck out the fog of meat smoke. You are served by efficient, unsmiling, matter of fact waitresses. This place means business. And that's fine.

When full and all the hoods are firing, the place truly hums. It's smoky, noisy and energetic with the smell of meat in the air and 22 oz. bottles of OB all around. It makes me happy.

Once you order you will experience a food avalanche.

Get an appetizer or two - say the mandu, or the agedash tofu.

Agedash tofu

Get a plate of meat.

And definitely go the cook it yourself route. They are old school here. You're working with a charcoal or wood grill. Let the fancy places have their built in gas grill tables. We've got bus boys running around with bowls of fire and hot grill faces.

Don't forget that you will also get 15 - 20 miscellaneous side dishes (called Panchan). Every square inch of table space is covered in food.

However, while my wife and I liked this place just fine, in the interest of full disclosure I do have to say it didn't quite pass muster with my Korean in laws. They found it average at best. But then, they are used to the 'more meat buzzer' that is installed at every booth of their favorite place in the suburbs. Push it and signal to the waitress with your hands how many more pounds of meat you want. Hard to argue with the brilliance of that kind of efficiency. If San Soo Gab San adds the meat buzzer I'll take the in-laws back and see if we can't up this to a 5-star review.

Review: sixteen (Chicago)

2008-08-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

Main dining room

Note: this also appears with my reviews on Yelp.

If you're going to sixteen you have to be comfortable with two things:

1. It is expensive. e.g. Brunch is $95/plate before drinks, tax and tip

2. At least 50% of that price is a "wow" premium for being in the Trump space. The food is good, but you're paying for the Experience. For my money, the food is better at the Four Seasons brunch. But sixteen's atmosphere and views are tough to beat.

Main dining room

Service
Accommodating and pleasant. I called twice with changes to our reservation within 24 hours of our seating and both times they were unflinching in taking care of us. Despite changing the time we wanted to come in and the number of people in our party, they still put us in a table on the window in the main dining room. Once seated, our server was a pro. Almost overly helpful, but you could tell he was sincere and we were definitely catered to.

Couldn't wait to dive in before taking the picture - those bite marks are mine, it didn't come pre-nibbled

Space / Atmosphere
Striking. Open flow with floor to ceiling windows that capitalize on the panoramic downtown views. The key design elements like the wall of wine or the massive chandelier are bold without being over the top dominant or distracting. The space is big enough to accommodate them. This is an instance where a 25 foot crystal chandelier fits.

Wall of wine corridor between brunch buffet stations and dining room

Food

They had a nice range of the usual suspects for this kind of occasion. The omelet station, the carving station, the sushi station, great desserts, etc. What was there was certainly good. However, by comparison, the variety isn't quite as extensive as what you see at the Four Seasons. Not sure what it says about me and my tastes, but two of the items I enjoyed most were from the kids station -- mac and cheese and sliders (you can take the boy out of the small town ... ).

Damn tasty

Net: sixteen is a good option if you're willing to splash out and your party really appreciates the environment. We were there for Father's Day brunch and all things considered it was worth it.

Review: La Cocina de Frida (Chicago)

2008-08-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

Just seated - which was as good as it was going to get tonight

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

Unrealized potential. That's how I'd sum up La Cocina de Frida. We wanted to like it, but across the board it fell a bit short of expectations. This place should be good but isn't.

Space

Nice room, but could use some fans

It's nice inside, but on a night when it was mid 70s outside and the dining room was full, it seemed hot and stuffy. The air was thick. They need ceiling fans. So we waited for a table on the covered patio, which is the highlight of the place. There's nice spacing among the tables, soft lighting and an interesting water element involving a copper tube with multiple punctures that, depending upon your tastes and disposition, is either clever or tacky (I am inclined to call it clever).

The patio - Frida's redeeming feature

Service
They were over matched. I'd suggest they consider closing off a section or two and serving 20 tables well rather than serving 40 tables poorly. Their small, 3 or 4 man kitchen and handful of servers were so obviously in the weeds it was sad. Everything was very slow. Our server was repeatedly apologetic in an awkwardly desperate kind of way as we both knew there was really nothing she could do. The ship was going down.

Help - we're drowning

Food

Chuletas de Puerco Manchamanteles - almost good

A mixed bag and ultimately not very inspiring. I find myself trying very hard to come up with positives. The menu is limited, but their 'as you like it' enchilada options might be great for someone who is confident mixing and matching fillings. I wasn't feeling that confident, so I went with las chuletas de puerco manchamanteles, which would've been a great dish if the chops weren't over cooked. The sauce and the grilled pineapple -- and the fact that I was starving -- made them edible, though. My wife's pollo en chile cacahuate was very spicy, so just know what you're getting into there. Oh, and tell them to just hold the complementary chips and salsa they start you with. They are terrible. Hard, flavorless chips and watery salsa. They really shouldn't serve them.

Review: Legal Sea Food (Boca Raton)

2008-06-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

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

Quality food served up at a premium price in an empirically nice yet soulless atmosphere.

Legal Sea Foods is one of any number of 'masstige' restaurant chains that you can find in virtually any semi-upscale commercial complex these days. Everything is nice in that familiar, non-distinct way, but there is little evidence of true, original style or flair. Depending upon your perspective I suppose you could interpret that as either an indictment or a recommendation. It is what it is.

Ambiance / Decor
Decent. Has all the generic trappings that have become commonplace. Dark woods, nice semi-dramatic bar displays, soft and strategically placed lighting, etc.

Service
Inconsistent, but more good than bad. We arrived around 9:55pm and asked if we were too late to order food. The manager was quick with a genuine 'absolutely not' and the hostess showed us over to a nice booth. Our server was friendly and conversational when he was around. We missed him for a couple of stretches, but that's not entirely unexpected given the time we were there. I know there is a whole list of things that the closing shift needs to take care of and I'm sure that's part of what he was off doing when he wasn't checking in with us.

Food / Drink
Mostly good. They nailed the important stuff and surprised us a bit with their wine selection. Only misstep was with a salad, so not the end of the world.

The Boston baked scrod was solid, exactly as I would expect this comforting classic to be prepared. My wife enjoyed the crab cake combo with shrimp and scallops, noting that the crab cakes included big chunks of crab meat, not just the shreds you often get in that kind of dish. The chopped Greek salad was largely good. I personally like the shredded preparation here, which is simply easier to eat and lets you get all the flavors of the salad with every forkful. But they were a little heavy with what tasted like a very ordinary, mass produced dressing. I ate it and I liked it for the most part, but it could have been better.

On the wine list we were happy to see a Malbec and a Cava by the glass. The Cava in particular was nice because it became a great Plan B after the mojito my wife ordered arrived a little strong and syrupy.

Value
It isn't inexpensive, but I also know that Legal's prioritizes top quality seafood. So you get what you pay for in that respect. Just kind of a shame that the rest of the experience isn't as exquisite as the food is. When you spend $100 for dinner, there should be something a little special about the evening. But then, this place is attached to the Boca Raton Mall, so it is what it is.

Mini Review: Panera Bread (Boca Raton)

2008-06-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Note: this also appears with my reviews on Yelp.

This place had surprisingly good food (maybe due to somewhat low ingoing expectations), mostly friendly service and a clean, comfortable feel from the generically pleasant aesthetic that is increasingly common in today's QSR joints. Also had a busy vibe on the Saturday morning we were there due to what appeared to be a local investing club with their laptops all fired up and the stock pick banter flowing freely.

My wife liked her strawberry poppyseed salad and my Mediterranean veggie sandwich was excellent.

Mini Review: Nippers Sports Bar & Grill

2008-06-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

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

Nippers is a brilliant late night take out option.

If, like me, you find yourself hungry around midnight at the Boca Raton Marriott after closing down Absinthe with a couple of ill advised black russians, you also might be quite dismayed to learn that the hotel does NOT have all hours room service. However, as I was advised by a wise and empathetic gentleman working the front desk's overnight shift, Nipper's can save your drunk hungry ass. They will bring food straight to your room. We got 6 mini burgers and 8 mozzarella sticks plus a couple bottles of water for $30 (not including tip). Just what the doctor ordered. And it got here in less than 10 minutes. Genius.

Mini Review: Flourish Bakery (Chicago)

2008-06-08T08:19:00.001-07:00

Note: this also appears with my reviews over on Yelp

Flourish decently fills a gap in the Bryn Mawr take-out ecosystem. Spending $40 a crack for take out @ Little Mexican or Little India adds up after a while, and Apart is great, but variety is the spice of life so being able to get a couple of good panini w/ sides (though kind of small) for $17 is nice. Just don't expect them to be fast. At 8pm on a Friday we were the only ones ordering food and it was a good 10 minutes before they were done. But they were tasty (the caprese and monte cristo). In particular, the honey vinaigrette wrinkle within the traditional pesto based caprese was a nice little somethin' somethin'.

And this is definitely a take out place rather than an eat in place, unless you're really looking for a pit stop on your walk from Andersonville to the Lake or something. Despite the reasonably attractive retro styled macro elements, there is something distinctly generic and uninspiring about the seating area.

Micro Review: Faces and Names (New York)

2008-06-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

Note: this also appears with my reviews over on Yelp

Just dropped in here for a very quick bite to eat while talking shop during a business trip. It's right next door to London NYC, which was convenient. I'd recommend the vegetarian spring rolls as really pretty tasty and the tuna wrap was fair. Also, they whip up a mean onion ring and my colleague seemed to enjoy the mini burgers.

Mini-Review: Arun's Thai Restaurant

2008-05-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

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

For 2.5 hours (it takes awhile to get through 12 courses) this past Saturday night we felt like judges on Iron Chef.

The food had its highs and lows, which I attribute more to my unorthodox tastes than anything else. Highlights included a beef curry and rice that was exceptional. Every other beef curry I have ever had was canned Chef Boyardee by comparison. Phenomenal. Also, the coconut and ginger concoction served within a leaf (didn't catch what kind) was sublime.

Service was good, but not spectacular. Not sure if our primary server was new or if the place was understaffed for the night, but we had a couple of hiccups and prolonged absences along the way.

Definitely a unique experience, glad we went.

Just Joined Joffrey's Coffee Java Beta Test

2008-03-01T08:07:00.000-08:00

We'll see what they send along and how it is.

3/15/08: Update: I got my bag and accidentally posted my assessment over here. Net - it wasn't great.

Review: Flatwater Grill (Chicago)

2008-01-13T16:42:00.000-08:00

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

Overall Impression:
Save this place for warm spring / summer nights. Even better if you can expense it. I had a better experience than some other reviewers here (even on a quiet Saturday night in January), but would agree that the value for money isn't delivered unless views are your absolute #1 priority.

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great -

- Appetizers. We tried both the Aloha Avocado Egg Rolls (fantastic) and the Baked Apple Brie (solid).

Aloha Avocado Egg Rolls - excellent

What wasn't so great -

- Service. More spotty than poor. Our server was friendly enough and mostly attentive, but both he and the runner missed a couple of small details you would like to see nailed, especially on a slow night. For example, our knives weren't changed out when they cleared the apps; and an empty wine glass was left behind when my second glass was delivered. Certainly not end of the world stuff, but when the tab hits ~$150 for two, those are table stakes kind of service details.

- Dessert. The chocolate opera cake was something only real chocolate freaks could love. It was dry and not particularly warm. Really could have swapped it for something out of the frozen section at a 7-11.

Chocolate Opera Cake - disappointing

Essentials:

Food - Mostly good. Great appetizers, solid entrees (halibut and buccatini caprese), disappointing dessert.

Service - Again, mostly good with a few misses. On slow nights your server can either fall into a semi-lethargic rut or give you top notch focus. We got more of the former than the latter.

Amenities:

Space - Low lighting, loungy feel. Almost feels retro sleek in some vague way.

Valet - Beware of these guys. They were AWOL when we arrived (had to pass our keys to the manager who went and got it taken care of for us). And they weren't real personable on the way out. Plus, we saw someone's Mini Cooper go from 0 - 30 in reverse in about 3 seconds. Not that you get real TLC from any valet service, but this guy seemed extra disrespectful.

Would I eat here again?
Maybe for drinks and appetizers in the summer, especially if I can do it on someone else's dime. Otherwise, no. Too many other places to try.

Did it seem like a good value?
Depends on how much of a premium you place on the view. Felt a little steep to me.

Review: Enoteca San Marco (Las Vegas)

2008-01-13T16:41:00.001-08:00

View from my table @ Enoteca San Marco

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

Overall Impression:
Thought this was a nice place to relax and people watch in the artificial twilight of the Venetian's "St. Mark's Square". Had some good, simple food and experienced sharp, friendly service. Also, just based on a quick scan of the offerings in this square / upscale food court, it seemed to have the best range of vegetarian options.

Highlights / Lowlights:

What was great -

- Food. The somewhat inventive take on caprese salad (see photo) was both visually interesting and tasty. Then the simple pasta dish I had with black pepper and pecorino cheese was understated excellence.

- Service. I experienced team table service, which when done poorly can be chaotic. But everyone here was on their game - a nice balance of friendly and professional.

- Wine. They offer a nice sampling of regional Italian wines, including a nice example of one of my sentimental favorites - Morellino di Scansanso.

What wasn't so great -

- No complaints, really. Maybe it was just the fact that I sorely needed some relative quiet and escape after a day at CES, but I enjoyed a nice simple solo dinner here.

Would I eat here again?
With everything there is to try in Vegas I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to get here, but if I'm at the Venetian again, yes, I'd definitely eat here.

Did it seem like a good value?
One app, one entree, some Pellegrino and a glass of wine for $56 before tip. Not a bargain, but what is in Vegas?

Review: Sol de Mexico (Chicago)

2008-01-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

Note this also appears with my reviews over on Yelp.

Overall Impression:
Edgewater needs a place like Sol de Mexico. This is the kind of place you love to 'discover' and tell everyone you know about. Great food, great service, great value. Completely worth driving 38 blocks west and 26 blocks south through a steady snow to get here. During our meal we felt the same kind of rush we had the first time we tried Dorado: that, "are we really getting this kind of dinner experience for this kind of money?" sensation.

Highlights / lowlights:

What was great -

- The Food. Across the board good, from start to finish. We started with a nice guacamole (maybe a little mild if you like a stronger lime / cilantro kick, but still fresh and tasty).

Moved on with a tremendous soup from their special New Year's Eve menu. The check listed it as "Aztec soup", but I think the menu description was pumpkin flower puree and green beans, with a splash of mole. I'm not a soup aficionado and I loved it.

Finally the entrees (see pictures - note the simple yet elegant presentation). I had the Chuleta Manchamanteles (pork chop with mashed potatoes, pineapple and mole)...

... while the wife had Callos en Crema Poblana (scallops in a green sauce). Terrific. Pork was tender, mole was tasty, pineapple provided a fresh, sweet contrast.

- The Service. They were friendly across every contact - from the initial reservation phone call to the greeting at the door and all throughout the meal. Even with a party of 25 - 30 people taking up 75% of their dining room, we still received pleasant and attentive service. Our server (and the kitchen) were also flexible and accommodating, allowing us to order a mix of items from both their regular menu and their special four course NYE menu.

What wasn't so great -

- Only thing I could mention here wasn't Sol de Mexico's fault. Toward the end of their stay, a few of that party of 25 twentysomethings gearing up for a big NYE started playing drinking games. At that point things kind of crossed the line from general, festive youthful exuberance into semi-obnoxious antics more suited for a frat house than a nice restaurant. But given the unique circumstances of timing (NYE) and the party (can't imagine they regularly seat parties of 24+), I imagine this isn't representative of Sol de Mexico's clientele behavior

Scorecard:

Two Critical Questions

- Would I eat here again? Absolutely.
- Did it seem like a good value? Definitely. An appetizer, two soups, two entrees added up to $56 before tip. The BYO factor amplifies the good value to be had here.

Essentials

Food - Excellent

Service - Very good on a busy night

Amenities

Decor - Cool, colorful, lively and interesting

Wash rooms - Okay. Much more modest than luxurious (not a judgment, just an fyi). Also, somewhat confusingly, the door with the banana on it leads you into the ladies' room, NOT the mens' room.

Parking - Plentiful. We parked directly in front of the restaurant. Open meter parking for blocks in each direction.

Review: Apart PIzza (Broadway location)

2007-12-31T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-30T16:37:00.001-08:00

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

2007-11-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-10T11:06:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-10T09:39:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-23T20:25:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-23T04:46:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-30T03:59:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-18T07:05:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-22T17:33:00.001-07:00

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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

2007-07-16T19:14:00.001-07:00

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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

2007-07-13T10:42:00.001-07:00

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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

2007-07-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-01T08:27:00.001-07:00

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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

2007-06-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-28T18:59:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

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

Originally posted 1/14/07

New Middle Eastern restaurant disappoints

2007-06-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-27T20:07:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-24T19:44:00.001-07:00

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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

2007-06-12T04:03:00.000-07:00

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