tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31389819662246612932024-03-14T02:28:27.034-07:00A Bite Out of the BuckeyeRestaurant reviews from a Columbusite, as she tries to keep her sanity by enjoying nights out on the town.Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-91116314917755925712011-08-21T06:38:00.000-07:002011-08-21T07:04:16.534-07:00An Autumn Weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains<a href="http://www.thevillageshops.com/hofbrauhaus.html">The Cheese Cupboard and Hofbrauhaus Restaurant</a><br />
The Village Shops<br />
Gatlinburg, Tennessee<br />
Fall 2011<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Unfortunately, at the end of summer/beginning of fall my husband and I had quite the disappointment in life. The exact nature of the disappointment doesn't need to be discussed online, but just know we suddenly felt the need to accomplish something positive and get away for a bit. To help us brush off our sadness and appreciate the gifts we do have, we decided to attack the 14 mile round trip hike to Mt. Leconte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We had previously spent a few mini vacations hiking around the Smokies during spring breaks and had always talked about doing this hike. We decided now was the time. </div><br />
I had grown up going to Gatlinburg and spending time in the mountains during the summer with my family, but I had never before had the privilege of seeing the mountains in all their fall glory. What a treat it was and how lucky was I to have the perfect weekend to spend on a mountain top! <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We arrived in Gatlinburg early afternoon. Too early to check in to our cabin; but late enough that we were ravished for lunch. I had spent many of fun filled afternoons wandering the Village Shops with my parents when I was little, and there was an old fashioned ice cream shop I was especially fond of visiting. But we had never eaten at the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant. I had read how many people love this place and consider it a must stop when in Gatlinburg, so we decided to give it a try. As we parked I was amazed at the beauty of the fall foliage in the mountains surrounding us, and was excited it was still warm enough to shrug out of my jacket and put on shorts. It was much colder when we left Ohio early in the morning! I was also shocked to see how busy Gatlinburg was in the fall. However, considering the gorgeous fall views, I really shouldn't have been.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJYhqw3ho5M/TlEGAtX1RdI/AAAAAAAAAdE/7mYdIybYkw0/s1600/P1040285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJYhqw3ho5M/TlEGAtX1RdI/AAAAAAAAAdE/7mYdIybYkw0/s320/P1040285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>This was the traffic we had to contend with just to get into the Smoky Mountains!</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_jRJtusrmI/TjrGnyjxtaI/AAAAAAAAAcw/EX5-1qWOsRE/s1600/P1040243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_jRJtusrmI/TjrGnyjxtaI/AAAAAAAAAcw/EX5-1qWOsRE/s320/P1040243.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>A view of the Village Shops and all the people. At the bottom of the mountains the trees were still mainly green, but they were changing up top. </em></div><br />
The Hofbrauhous Restaurant is actually on the second floor of the Cheese Cupboard, which would also be a great place to pick up some picnic snacks to take along with you on a hike.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nGViMJHXxI/TjrFS7kHmoI/AAAAAAAAAco/ygxqnforFg4/s1600/P1040241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nGViMJHXxI/TjrFS7kHmoI/AAAAAAAAAco/ygxqnforFg4/s320/P1040241.JPG" t$="true" width="240" /></a></div>To get to the restaurant you walk through the cheese store and and then up the back stairs (see, for those that are confused, there is a sign saying 'Restaurant' with an arrow pointing up in the picture). At the top you are greeted by a friendly waitress in a small and dark room with tables, booths, and a bar all smooshed in where they can fit. The place was busy and cramped, but I loved the feeling of being transported by a flight of stairs into an old common pub in Germany. You kind of felt like you were hidden away from the rest of the world and definitely away from the "cheese" of Gatlinburg (those who have been there will know what I mean). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vI3_iG11yi0/TjrGAAukQPI/AAAAAAAAAcs/lWyHl0-Gd7I/s1600/P1040235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vI3_iG11yi0/TjrGAAukQPI/AAAAAAAAAcs/lWyHl0-Gd7I/s320/P1040235.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Cheese Cupboard has been open since 1969 and I got the feeling that their fixtures and recipes had been too. But I love when good things don't change. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The restaurant is known for their super reubens and since Erik and I both love reubens this is what we went with. This one was pretty classic with corned beef, sauerkraut, sauce, and Swiss chesse on a Pumpernickel roll. It was served with potato chips and a dill pickle spear. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zA2-g0mKwEg/TjrJHYZXpYI/AAAAAAAAAc0/0dSAegAaxPk/s1600/P1040238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zA2-g0mKwEg/TjrJHYZXpYI/AAAAAAAAAc0/0dSAegAaxPk/s320/P1040238.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The bread was good, soft, and fresh. The corn beef and sauerkraut were also decent. I probably would have liked more sauce, but I like my reubens fairly wet. All in all this was a typical, good reuben. But I wouldn't drive out of my way for it like many others do. I did, however, love the condiment tray that was brought out with our lunch. We were brought out dishes of a spicy mustard, a pickle relish, and horseradish to doctor up our sandwiches as we wished. Being a condiment queen and all, I loved this addition. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On the negative side, the chips and pickle could be improved. I know they're not the main attraction, but sides can either add to or detract from your dining experience. The chips were your typical low budget ones out of box from a place like Sam's or Costco. They get the job done, but they're nothing special. The pickle was limp and lacking a fresh crunch. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_Fn16GUDzc/TjrJgoR5TFI/AAAAAAAAAc4/KbWylzTRdc0/s1600/P1040240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_Fn16GUDzc/TjrJgoR5TFI/AAAAAAAAAc4/KbWylzTRdc0/s320/P1040240.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, would I go back? Sure. Will it be a must stop whenever I'm in the area? No. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Bill Total: 2 Reubens, a soft drink, a German draft beer, tax, and tip = about $27</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall Rating: 3 buckeyes</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And just for fun, we took the tram up to Ober Gatlinburg after lunch. We decided to take the easy way up into the mountains, because the next day we were definitely going to be working for our views!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWf2m6txe7Y/TlEHTmDxjMI/AAAAAAAAAdI/HTPVXIfNNGU/s1600/P1040258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWf2m6txe7Y/TlEHTmDxjMI/AAAAAAAAAdI/HTPVXIfNNGU/s200/P1040258.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAf6P-FCmYo/TlEJw6C9teI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Cl0gI6khcA8/s1600/P1040270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAf6P-FCmYo/TlEJw6C9teI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/Cl0gI6khcA8/s200/P1040270.JPG" width="200" /></a> <br />
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</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/68/730278/restaurant/Knoxville/Hofbrauhaus-Restaurant-Cheese-Cupboard-Gatlinburg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hofbräuhaus Restaurant & Cheese Cupboard on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/730278/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-50002783767925223492011-08-11T11:16:00.000-07:002011-08-11T11:33:41.023-07:00Burgers in Gahanna<a href="http://www.gahannagrill.com/">Gahanna Grill</a><br />
Gahanna (duh)<br />
July 26, 2010<br />
4:30ish pm<br />
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I interned for a year in Gahanna and drove by this place every day, and sometimes multiple times a day. I was always curious about it. It looked like an old restaurant institution that would definitely have its regulars, but could either serve amazingly good food or amazingly bad. Unfortunately, I was busy enough that year that I never got the opportunity to try it out. However, I tucked it away in my head as a place I'd like to try someday (along with approximately 5 million other places). <br />
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But the day for Gahanna Grill came last July, approximately 5 years after I had first wondered about the place. Some places I tuck away on my "to try" list are out of business 5 years later. But since the Gahanna Grill has been around since 1939, I was glad that was not the case this time around.<br />
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On that summer day I was craving a burger and I wanted a really good, classic burger. <a href="http://www.thethurmancafe.com/">Thurman's</a> was definitely an option, but I was also in the mood to give something new a try. Gahanna Grill was it.<br />
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As we drove up I quickly realized the front facing the main street had been updated since I had interned. It now had a bit more of an inviting look, and not so much a place that the waitresses would yell at ya if you weren't a regular. I kind of missed the original look, but understand how this might be better for business overall.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5SD8lRblv8/TiS2pcdKAPI/AAAAAAAAAcU/OtuXWFE0j58/s1600/Gahanna+patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5SD8lRblv8/TiS2pcdKAPI/AAAAAAAAAcU/OtuXWFE0j58/s320/Gahanna+patio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>However, I was comforted to see the alley side entrance and the inside didn't look like it had changed much in 20 or so years. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cH6BJAqicM/TiS38WKdI-I/AAAAAAAAAcY/oK7oLqWsJmI/s1600/P1040102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cH6BJAqicM/TiS38WKdI-I/AAAAAAAAAcY/oK7oLqWsJmI/s320/P1040102.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>As we entered the restaurant we noticed it was very casual and laid back. We were warmly welcomed. You got the feeling this was a place families grew up going to over the years and always remembered. Since we were earlyish for dinner there were only a few other tables occupied. However, the restaurant filled up the longer we were there. <br />
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This restaurant's claim to fame is the Beanie Burger, so naturally that was what I had to try.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbK0zWXLp_U/Tjq3sxfn0UI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DopDq5Cz_Xw/s1600/P1040101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbK0zWXLp_U/Tjq3sxfn0UI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DopDq5Cz_Xw/s320/P1040101.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>This was a big burger that definitely didn't skimp on the beef component. The patty was juicy and chunky. The 1/2 pound burger was topped with American cheese, bacon, sauteed onion, lettuce, tomato, and coleslaw. The addition of the slaw was what defined it as the "Beanie burger". I loved how melty and gooey the cheese was on the bacon, beef, and onions. In my world you can't go wrong with melted cheese and meat! However, I could have done without the slaw. It was mainly shredded cabbage without much flavor. Overall, I'd give this burger an 8, and a 9 without the slaw!<br />
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Erik went with the Academy Burger which was the 1/2 pound burger topped with Swiss cheese, bacon, and grilled onions. This burger was also very good, but my carnivore husband would have preferred more bacon (of course). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PPxkRc4MkCo/Tjq4E5LM8tI/AAAAAAAAAck/oA1OpCijf44/s1600/P1040100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PPxkRc4MkCo/Tjq4E5LM8tI/AAAAAAAAAck/oA1OpCijf44/s320/P1040100.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>Burgers come with fries and I upgraded my order for a $1.49 more for onion rings. For the extra price I wished I would have gotten more rings. However, the ones I got were thickly battered, perfectly fried, and crispy. As seen above, Erik went with the fries and they were also battered and perfectly fried. Yum on both accounts!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzbulCDFuX4/TkQf3b2hLzI/AAAAAAAAAc8/c3gtOEaduWE/s1600/P1040099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzbulCDFuX4/TkQf3b2hLzI/AAAAAAAAAc8/c3gtOEaduWE/s320/P1040099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Overall, the service was fast and friendly, the burgers were big and juicy, and the sides were perfectly fried. What more could you want? <br />
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Bill Total: For a Beanie burger with rings, an Academy burger with fries, 2 Pepsis, tax and tip; we were at about $28.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 1/2 buckeyes<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/370997/restaurant/Columbus/Gahanna-Grill-Gahanna"><img alt="Gahanna Grill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/370997/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-20427105403367680072011-07-18T08:16:00.000-07:002011-07-18T08:25:49.805-07:00Restaurant Week July 2010- Luce<a href="http://www.luce-enoteca.com/">Luce Enoteca</a><br />
Powell<br />
July 17, 2010<br />
8ish pm<br />
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Oh my, how I do love Restaurant Week. I love the opportunity to try out new restaurants with interesting menus items that chefs are often trying out for the first time, and at a great price to boot. I also love how dessert is usually part of the menu, a treat I rarely indulge in when dining a la carte. And luckily our choice for this summer's Restaurant Week did not disappoint. After pouring through the menus of our choices, debating locations, and Erik wanting the discussion to end approximately 2 hours earlier than it actually did; we picked Luce. We were intrigued by the menu options of lamb lollipops and watermelon capresse. <br />
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We called ahead for reservations and had no problem getting them for later on a Saturday evening. When we drove up I didn't expect the restaurant to be quite as large as it was. At first I was afraid it would have too much of a big chain restaurant feel, but my worries were quickly assuaged. The building and indoor decor gave a Tuscan feel with warm colors and woods. It was really quite welcoming on the inside, despite the grandeur on the outside. We sat at a higher table close to the bar area and I was soon ready to relax and indulge. <br />
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Our drink and appetizer orders were taken and then bread was brought out. The bread tasted light and airy on the inside with a crusty and chewy crust. The oil for dipping was olive oil based with a puree of tomato in the middle. The tomato flavor was a nice, fresh accent to the oil. <br />
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(I must apologize for my pictures for this restaurant. The lighting was just not great for food pictures, so they're a bit blurry. But you'll still get the general idea.) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BOCEY-_y7xY/TiG7O86pv6I/AAAAAAAAAb4/l7Qd3otb12g/s1600/P1040068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BOCEY-_y7xY/TiG7O86pv6I/AAAAAAAAAb4/l7Qd3otb12g/s320/P1040068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Our drinks came out next and I immensely enjoyed my glass of 2007 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo's are, by far, one of my favorite wines. Erik went with a draft beer. They were out of his first choice and we can't recall what he ended up with. <br />
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For our first course I went with the grilled romaine salad wrapped in prosciutto. Wow, this was a good salad (and huge)! I had never tried a grilled salad before because I always thought the greens would take on a bitter or too wilted of a flavor on the outside, but I was wrong! And this is another reason I love restaurant week. I will often try things I wouldn't if I had the whole menu to choose from. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLyEB-IT1S0/TiG83N9a_SI/AAAAAAAAAb8/tR9WxKPgDvc/s1600/P1040071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLyEB-IT1S0/TiG83N9a_SI/AAAAAAAAAb8/tR9WxKPgDvc/s320/P1040071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The grilling of the greens was slight, but just enough to give a slightly caramelized to smoky taste to parts of the lettuce, while other parts of the lettuce still retained its crispness. Then the salty prosciutto paired with this smoky, caramelized taste beautifully. The different varieties of cherry tomatoes, rich Gorgonzola cheese, figs, and champagne Gorgonzola dressing combined to elevate this salad to an even higher level (or as Emeril might say, they kicked it up a notch)! The salad tasted indulgent, a verb not often used to describe salad. I loved every bite and the portion was large enough that with the bread, this could have served as my meal. However, I bravely ate on. <br />
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Erik went with the watermelon caprese salad which was composed of fresh watermelon, yellow tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and capicola topped with microgreens, sea salt, and balsamic vinegar. I would have never expected watermelon to work so wonderfully with tomato, but it did. This salad was so fresh tasting and a great balance of sweet and salty flavors and crunchy and smooth textures. Yum!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-raTIM7Pfqpg/TiG-pVQkVxI/AAAAAAAAAcA/sJQSwux29Ng/s1600/P1040069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-raTIM7Pfqpg/TiG-pVQkVxI/AAAAAAAAAcA/sJQSwux29Ng/s320/P1040069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up were our entrees. I went with the guava barbecued beef short ribs that were paired with black bean ravioli, roasted corn cabbage, and a salsa verde. I have to admit when I read the menu options for both this entree and the lamb (listed below) I wondered if there would be too many different flavors going on that would take away from the dishes as a whole, but I was wrong. Luce's chef definitely knows what he's doing with flavor combinations. The black bean ravioli had a wonderful spiciness that melded perfectly with the fall off the bone tender short ribs. Then the guava BBQ sauce added just the right amount of sweetness while the fresh corn, carrots, and salsa verde added a bit of crunch, freshness, and salt. Bravo! The presentation was a little busy, but taste will always trump presentation one hundredth fold. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fC5DljXex4/TiMQe19cMrI/AAAAAAAAAcE/VZGuaC0oTvU/s1600/P1040074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fC5DljXex4/TiMQe19cMrI/AAAAAAAAAcE/VZGuaC0oTvU/s320/P1040074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Erik had the lamb lollipops that were paired with purple chevre mashed potatoes, a fennel mustard seed saute, and a <a href="http://www.wine.com/v6/aboutwine/winetype.aspx?class=1&varietal=556&state=OH">dolcetto</a> (wine) blackberry demi sauce. The lamb was so flavorful and cooked expertly. There was no greasiness to it at all. The purple mashed potatoes added a great color to the plate, but tasted a little bland. I would have preferred more chevre to add more creaminess and flavor. The blackberry sauce was okay when paired with the lamb. Then the mustard seed saute gave a nice bite of sour to the dish. Again, I wouldn't have put all these different flavors together, but they worked well and were balanced. Admittedly, my cooking is much more simplistic and I could learn a lot in the world of flavor pairings!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0FlzuO_Emho/TiMUgAmW1cI/AAAAAAAAAcI/QWSmnMYHtIY/s1600/P1040073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0FlzuO_Emho/TiMUgAmW1cI/AAAAAAAAAcI/QWSmnMYHtIY/s320/P1040073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Onto dessert! I picked the s'mores bread pudding. Who doesn't love the idea of a homey campfire dessert that screams of lazy summer evenings repurposed as a rich bread pudding? I thought the idea was brilliant. This dessert was composed of warm, thick, and heavy bread topped with a light and almost fluffy marshmallow ice cream. It was then drizzled with a dark chocolate sauce and sprinkled with crushed graham crackers. The marshmallow ice cream made this dish. The marshmallow added a great sweetness and lightness to the ice cream that was just wonderful. When it was served it was just melting on the edges due to the warmth of the bread pudding. I have always loved the contrast of a warm dessert topped with cold ice cream. Then crunch of the crushed graham crackers were a nice accent! I loved this dessert. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89_cEiEzk68/TiMUuEyYG-I/AAAAAAAAAcM/MnUi-xwTe3Q/s1600/P1040079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89_cEiEzk68/TiMUuEyYG-I/AAAAAAAAAcM/MnUi-xwTe3Q/s320/P1040079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Erik went with the lavender honey cheesecake topped with a strawberry rhubarb compote. This was made individually in a ramekin rather than a slice of a cheesecake and was an interesting change. The cheesecake was creamy and rich and the strawberry rhubarb compote tasted fresh and had great flavor. The lavender and honey flavors were hard to pick up on individually. Overall, though, this was a great tasting dessert. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sw9_SK_3z9Y/TiMXuWI3Q5I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/xl3aftcslfY/s1600/P1040078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sw9_SK_3z9Y/TiMXuWI3Q5I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/xl3aftcslfY/s320/P1040078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, this was an excellent meal and we would not hesitate to come back. The chef was masterful at putting unusual flavors together to create a harmoniess and balanced dish. I will say service was on the slow side, but for us that just added to an authentic Tuscan feel and helped us make our meal more of an event to savor. However, I could see that if you were just stopping in to eat and wanted to go elsewhere afterwards this could be a turn off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Price: 2 restaurant week specials, 2 beers, 1 glass of wine, and tip: $72</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall Rating: 4 1/2 buckeyes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. This summer's restaurant week starts today and Luce is part of it. Click <a href="http://restaurantweekcolumbus.com/Luce/3499-Market-Street/">here</a> to see this week's menu. Notice the s'mores bread pudding is still included! </div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/371481/restaurant/Columbus/Luce-Enoteca-Powell"><img alt="Luce Enoteca on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/371481/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-39520092231377579922011-07-16T08:06:00.000-07:002011-07-17T09:22:47.403-07:00Deli Dinner and Rainy Shakespeare<a href="http://www.thebrownbaggv.com/">Brown Bag Deli</a><br />
July 9, 2011<br />
7ish pm<br />
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The Brown Bag Deli had been on my list of places to try for quite a few years. However, German Village isn't very close to where we live and the visit just hadn't happened yet. However, when they had a <a href="http://www.groupon.com/columbus/">Groupon</a> deal I decided I had to give them a try.<br />
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Since German Village isn't a hop, skip, and a jump away for us we wanted to tie dinner into doing something else fun downtown. We had also always wanted to see a Shakespeare in the Park production at Schiller Park, so we decided to put these two together for a summer evening out and I highly suggest you do the same!<br />
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Brown Bag is super close to Schiller Park so we were able to park for dinner and then grab our blankets and walk over to the park after we were finished eating. How convenient. You could also get Brown Bag to go and have a picnic while you enjoyed the play. However, I was too hungry to wait so we opted to eat in.<br />
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The Brown Bag is the neighborhood deli everyone wishes they had down the street from their home. Their <a href="http://thebrownbaggv.com/catalog/menus.php">menu</a> hosts a slew of deli sandwiches, salads, and soups. But the chef also creates daily specials that are fresh and generally sound out of his world. Just a few of the most current specials have included mini turkey meatloaves with garlic Parmesan smashed potatoes, shrimp and crab lasagna with homemade sauce, and watermelon cucumber gazpacho. Yum!<br />
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The place is casual and seating is communal. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FoMc5fgPFg/Th84_JG9PUI/AAAAAAAAAbo/KJzO5WKiut4/s1600/P1040051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FoMc5fgPFg/Th84_JG9PUI/AAAAAAAAAbo/KJzO5WKiut4/s320/P1040051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When we were in we were in the mood for typical sandwiches and chips. I selected the #1 on Ten which was composed of 7 (yes 7) layers of turkey, Russian dressing, and coleslaw on 9-grain bread. The Russian dressing dripping down through the coleslaw and mingling the Russian and slaw dressing flavors together were what made the sandwich. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8KwTZgPBI_w/Th84O3h7JKI/AAAAAAAAAbk/RiJcYfe4g6w/s1600/P1040045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8KwTZgPBI_w/Th84O3h7JKI/AAAAAAAAAbk/RiJcYfe4g6w/s320/P1040045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Erik went with the classic Brown Bag Sub which was composed of pastrami, ham, salami, cappacola, Swiss cheese, hot pepper cheese, hot peppers, onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and Italian dressing. Whoo that's a lot of ingredients! He reported that it was what you would expect out of a sub flavor wise and the meats and bread were of very high quality. He was pleased. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-AWXpSpte8/Th86BHPFYsI/AAAAAAAAAbs/hmqKGz3yeXU/s1600/P1040048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p-AWXpSpte8/Th86BHPFYsI/AAAAAAAAAbs/hmqKGz3yeXU/s320/P1040048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We also got the Route 11 sweet potato chips and the pesto and parmesan Dirty Potao chips to share. The sweet potato chips were great and reminded me of the Terra brand. Unfortunately, the Dirty chips were not as good. You could taste the pesto flavor, which was unique, but it had a bit of an artificial flavor that I didn't care for. <br />
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We washed all this down with Dr. Brown's black cherry soda and then headed over to relax on the lawn at Schiller Park and enjoy some theatre. <em>Much Ado About Nothing</em> was the production of the day. Unfortunately, a summer storm kicked up almost halfway through the show and we had to abandon ship. However, that didn't stop us from having an enjoyable and memorable evening that I would love to turn into a yearly summer tradition (minus the storm, of course)!<br />
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Bill Total: $13 with a $5 off Groupon<br />
Overall Rating: 4 buckeyes<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/370304/restaurant/German-Village/Brown-Bag-Deli-Columbus"><img alt="Brown Bag Deli on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/370304/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-78896810892764073722011-07-14T11:01:00.000-07:002011-07-14T11:05:04.877-07:00Romantic Puerto Vallarta<a href="http://cafebohemio.org/Home_Page.php">Cafe Bohemio</a><br />
Puerto Vallerta<br />
Mexico<br />
June 25, 2010<br />
9ish pm<br />
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I had read about this place on the tripadvisor.com forum for Puerto Vallarta. Quite a few of the Puerto Vallarta frequenters highly recommended it and went on and on about how good the cherry cola ribs and meatloaf were. Both of those entrees definitely weren't typically Mexican, but they sounded especially delicious to us and so we decided to give Cafe Bohemio a whirl. <br />
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We walked to dinner just after sunset and because it was a weekday during the low season the streets were relatively quiet. Cafe Bohemio was tucked away off the main street and particularly sleepy. However, they were ready to serve us expertly when we arrived. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6Pk1mUPJHc/ThtMQFDMQHI/AAAAAAAAAbM/qOITtTDY7W0/s1600/P1030870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6Pk1mUPJHc/ThtMQFDMQHI/AAAAAAAAAbM/qOITtTDY7W0/s320/P1030870.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We loved how quaint everything looked. It was just what we had expected from Puerto Vallarta's old town<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJxXUth4Xy4/ThtNwj7UcyI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/15v94L4BIx0/s1600/P1030871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJxXUth4Xy4/ThtNwj7UcyI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/15v94L4BIx0/s320/P1030871.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Seating is al fresco and we were surrounded by the soft sounds of American Sinatra classics. The ambiance was wonderful. We were glad we had waited to eat until the sun went down because July in Mexico is hot! <br />
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We were warmly welcomed as we were seated, and chips and salsa were immediately brought out. The tomatillo salsa was wonderful, but the tomato salsa was not flavorful enough for me. It reminded me more of a tomato puree rather than a salsa. But that's okay, I just stuck with the tomatillo. <br />
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As we looked over the menu the owner (I think) really wanted us to try the pea soup, as he had just made it that day and seemed really excited about it. Of course, we obliged. Fresh bread was also brought out and the butter tasted homemade. The pea soup was wonderfully fresh and seemed to be a puree of peas and celery flavors. It was a good start. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSMO6OLas3g/ThtQCfJVQ_I/AAAAAAAAAbU/LolEozCRnS4/s1600/P1030864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSMO6OLas3g/ThtQCfJVQ_I/AAAAAAAAAbU/LolEozCRnS4/s320/P1030864.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>True to our recommendations I ordered the cherry cola ribs and Erik went with the meatloaf. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vw1r6WjkAZU/ThtQZeBreyI/AAAAAAAAAbY/6ZBfgV-Igdk/s1600/P1030866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vw1r6WjkAZU/ThtQZeBreyI/AAAAAAAAAbY/6ZBfgV-Igdk/s320/P1030866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The ribs were good and the cherry cola sauce was delish. There was just the right amount of tanginess and sweetness to compliment the meat. This was served with a boiled potato and typical iceberg salad. The sides were fine, but nothing special to write about. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NOYE9sH3EzQ/ThtRAWEF70I/AAAAAAAAAbc/cYQLtHFNYp8/s1600/P1030867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NOYE9sH3EzQ/ThtRAWEF70I/AAAAAAAAAbc/cYQLtHFNYp8/s320/P1030867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Erik went for the meatloaf. Now this was a good meatloaf! It was perfectly moist, flavorful, and smothered in a tangy sauce. On the restaurant's facebook page the owner has a <a href="http://www.banderasnews.com/0803/rr-meatloaf-melodies.htm">video</a> of how he makes his meatloaf. One of these days I'm am going to watch and then try to replicate! Our server told us the meatloaf was especially good the evening we were there because it was the slow season and therefore, they do not make the meatloaf ahead of time. So Erik's was made fresh and especially for him. Boy did the taste show it! This was served with the same iceberg salad as above and steak fries. The fries were thick, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside; just the way they should be. <br />
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We were stuffed and happy at the end of this meal. Then to top it off, I fell in love with the old word style of a handwritten bill. Perfect. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5HlYjm83uVo/ThtTySPrYPI/AAAAAAAAAbg/37wCOmI_ulw/s1600/P1030868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5HlYjm83uVo/ThtTySPrYPI/AAAAAAAAAbg/37wCOmI_ulw/s320/P1030868.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bill total: That's 303 pesos, folks, not dollars :) It was roughly $26 before tip. Mexico is quite the food bargain!<br />
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Overall Rating: The great ambiance and hospitable service make this a 4 1/2 buckeye place.Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-63510368043269396002011-07-11T11:39:00.000-07:002011-07-11T12:04:42.206-07:00The Best Pizza is in Mexico? Say What?<a href="http://www.romamexico.com/">Cafe Roma</a><br />
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico<br />
July 23, 2010<br />
3ish pm<br />
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Words will not be able to express the love I have for this place. If I could fly into Mexico just to hang out here, I would. These types of unexpected surprises is what traveling is all about. Now, I had read about this place on my trusty tripadvisor sight, but I have to say my expectations weren't too high. At the time of our trip this place was ranked as the number one restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. However, I had my doubts that it would live up to those expectations. I'll admit I snobbishly thought a bunch of Americans who didn't know what good food in Mexico was like ranked this place so high because it catered to the American way of life. <em>"I</em>," I reasoned, "am more refined than that, and surely a pizza place that also doubles as a year round spring break hot spot will not be <em>my</em> favorite place in Puerto Vallarta."<br />
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Well, I can readily admit to having some snobby foodie thoughts now and again, but I will also easily admit when I'm wrong. Dead wrong.<br />
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Erik and I had been out exploring Puerto Vallarta and were getting really hungry. It was about 3 pm and we had yet to eat anything for lunch. We saw that we were close enough to Cafe Roma and decided to walk over. Since it was late afternoon the place was dead, but we were happy to see it was open. We climbed the steps to the second floor restaurant and laughed at seeing this: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib0fzSDgyzk/Thc9Ai74LlI/AAAAAAAAAao/ZYBvCTSqEkk/s1600/P1030684zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib0fzSDgyzk/Thc9Ai74LlI/AAAAAAAAAao/ZYBvCTSqEkk/s320/P1030684zoom.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unfortunately, the camera couldn't catch all the fun phrases but they say things like, "Seriously folks, we're not serious." And, "If you like our food tell others, if you don't like our food go parasailing." Then at the top of the stairs you are greeted by this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBKRXw7l2Ro/Thc93DVt3HI/AAAAAAAAAas/upo7l-U5rSo/s1600/P1030683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBKRXw7l2Ro/Thc93DVt3HI/AAAAAAAAAas/upo7l-U5rSo/s320/P1030683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>From the 50's and 60's classic rock and roll that was playing in the background and nods here and there to the United States, you can quickly infer this is where the ex-pats hang out, and rightly they should. We were warmly welcomed and the owner seemed genuinely happy to talk with us. As we looked over the menu he asked where we were from and when replying Ohio he immediately then asked, "Browns or Bengals?" But before we could even think to answer he replied, "Cowboys, of course!" Quite the character. <br />
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He then let us know that since it was our first time there we could have Pacifico (the local beer) for five pesos each. Erik thought he had gone to restaurant heaven. We ordered pizza with ham and pineapple and as our order was put in the owner came back to discuss what languages we spoke. I tried to pass off some rusty French, but I was quickly shown up. He then encouraged Erik to practice his Spanish with him as we waited for our pizza.<br />
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When our pizza arrived we were impressed by how good it looked, but even more by how good it tasted. The pineapple was fresh and just slightly warmed to bring out its flavor. The crust was thin and done in true Italian style, slightly blackened while cooked at very high temperatures. It reminded me so much of the pizza I had had in Italy I asked if the cook was originally from Italy or had studied in Italy (he was not and did not).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NmzKfR6h4Y/ThdA9sFfVaI/AAAAAAAAAaw/CjTXKglnVk8/s1600/P1030680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NmzKfR6h4Y/ThdA9sFfVaI/AAAAAAAAAaw/CjTXKglnVk8/s320/P1030680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As we finished our pizza the owner pointed out we had a visitor sitting across from us. This big orange guy is their neighbor. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoJnerbGtQo/ThdBnZ-4UZI/AAAAAAAAAa0/CROT_z_6Yq4/s1600/P1030679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoJnerbGtQo/ThdBnZ-4UZI/AAAAAAAAAa0/CROT_z_6Yq4/s320/P1030679.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The location of this place is just great. The Rio Cuale is across the street and the Sierra Madre mountains are in the background. I just loved it here. Then, for the icing on the cake, as we were getting ready to pay our bill the owner brought us shots of tequila. He said that was the only way to go in Mexico, especially when it's your first time visiting. <br />
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As we left we decided to get a fun picture with the mural on the wall and the owner insisted on moving the lights so our picture would be <em>just</em> right. Here it is: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QmussfGC1p8/ThdDJolftaI/AAAAAAAAAa4/HR8mF66mDsA/s1600/P1030677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QmussfGC1p8/ThdDJolftaI/AAAAAAAAAa4/HR8mF66mDsA/s320/P1030677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently that iguana neighbor can get pretty angry! </div><br />
We left Cafe Roma with a full and satisfied stomach, maybe a little too much to drink, and a happy heart. What more can you ask for on vacation?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zKp9l5ebjM/ThtIWbEzheI/AAAAAAAAAa8/PKZ9kGzowpg/s1600/P1030681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zKp9l5ebjM/ThtIWbEzheI/AAAAAAAAAa8/PKZ9kGzowpg/s320/P1030681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Bill Total: Not sure, but definitely on the inexpensive side. <br />
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Overall Rating: 5 buckeyes<br />
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And just for fun, here's a picture from a Mexican candy store and the sunset that evening. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUvJPVDbVj4/ThtIuxylXwI/AAAAAAAAAbA/wIFZGMxIwTU/s1600/P1030687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUvJPVDbVj4/ThtIuxylXwI/AAAAAAAAAbA/wIFZGMxIwTU/s200/P1030687.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SEsbcOalgK0/ThtJHEHL_tI/AAAAAAAAAbE/rRlHArWbVCU/s1600/P1030705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SEsbcOalgK0/ThtJHEHL_tI/AAAAAAAAAbE/rRlHArWbVCU/s320/P1030705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-70106158495704331702011-02-15T16:27:00.000-08:002011-02-15T16:43:19.922-08:00Mexican Mole<a href="http://www.redcabbagepv.com/id10.html">Red Cabbage</a><br />
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico<br />
July 22, 2010<br />
7ish pm<br />
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When asked where one could get the best traditional Mexican food in Puerto Vallarta, I heard Red Cabbage as the answer many times. Therefore, we had to try it.<br />
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When I saw the turns and backstreets our cab driver took to get to the restaurant I was very thankful we didn't try to find this place ourselves or try to navigate the bus system! We ended up in a neighborhood and I'm sure I wouldn't have recognized this place as a great restaurant if I was walking by, and on another note, I know that without my trusty <a href="http://tripadvisor.com/">tripadvisor.com</a> reviews I would have never even had the opportunity to walk by, given the local! But we were immediately warmly greeted by (what I assume to be) the owner's son opening our cab door to great us. This was soon followed by the owner welcoming us at the front door. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKS5KQVhyiw/TVhIYJZNebI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/qsyUxu-w_Jw/s1600/P1030661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKS5KQVhyiw/TVhIYJZNebI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/qsyUxu-w_Jw/s320/P1030661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We were immediately seated and enjoyed looking at the tables decorated in different monetary bills from the different countries patrons visited from. We realized we didn't need to add one from the US. The ambiance seemed to exude family and friend centeredness. Since it was a weeknight during the low season, the restaurant had a few tables of patrons, but was not busy and we put our orders in quickly. <br />
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This restaurant is known for its mole sauce and so I had to try it. Erik went with the chilles rellenos. Now I have to admit I took a risk with the chicken mole. Honestly, mole, with its chocolate and chili nuances, is generally not one of my favorite sauces. However, I've also heard that it takes skill to make a good mole. It is best slow cooked and generally a mixture of up to 40 ingredients. I reasoned that possibly it wasn't that I didn't like mole, but it was more that I hadn't had the <em>right</em> mole. So many people swear by a good mole, it couldn't possibly be that I didn't like it. I figured I was in this dish's home country at a place known for the dish, so if I was going to like it at all I would like it here. So I went for it. <br />
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Unfortunately, I found out that evening that mole is just not a dish I'm overly fond of having. I could tell that this mole was a great one, it was by far the best one I had ever tasted, and it had a rich, complex flavor. So this is by no way a critique of this restaurant's dish. I have recognized that this is a case of my faulty taste buds, and nothing more. The chicken filling was tender, slow cooked, and very flavorful. The rice was good and I loved the added carrots and peas. I will also admit that the mole grew on me the more I had it, but I found myself wanting more of Erik's chille rellenos. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ud4A6m1YZIo/TVhMiZlIdvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/-5ZsndBfE2s/s1600/P1030658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ud4A6m1YZIo/TVhMiZlIdvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/-5ZsndBfE2s/s320/P1030658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now, in my opinion, the chille rellenos were a different story. These were really good and batter dipped, just the way I like them (and Rick Bayless says they should be)!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVLLK0VmF_0/TVhOrGD0OoI/AAAAAAAAAaY/sOtMbfGDO_Y/s1600/P1030659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVLLK0VmF_0/TVhOrGD0OoI/AAAAAAAAAaY/sOtMbfGDO_Y/s320/P1030659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For dessert we decided to share the flan. This flan was lighter and less custardy than the flan we usually have in the United States. It had a strong nutmeg flavor, but overall was delightful. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxzDIxyPqu4/TVhPn3AOsRI/AAAAAAAAAac/-1ei4UnncyI/s1600/P1030660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxzDIxyPqu4/TVhPn3AOsRI/AAAAAAAAAac/-1ei4UnncyI/s320/P1030660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Overall, we really enjoyed the family style friendliness of this place, and the food was pretty good too! <br />
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Bill Total: ?? Absolutely no clue. It was one of our pricier dinners in Mexico, but still reasonable compared to American restaurants.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 buckeyesAnnabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-89079193680141193152011-01-27T15:27:00.000-08:002011-02-15T16:13:20.957-08:00The Best Breakfast Deal in the Marina!Sea-Fare at the Marina<br />
Marina, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">9ish am</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">July 21, 2010</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Since we had a big adventure day planned of a high speed boat ride, riding a donkey up a mountain, waterfall rapelling, and all of this topped off with a tequila tasting; we decided we needed to start the day with a hearty breakfast. We needed to be downtown by 10:30 and so wanted a convenient place near our hotel, but on the way. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We took the bus most places which generally resulted in us taking a nice walk from our hotel to the other side of the marina where the bus stop was located. The walk was always beautiful, but we soon learned it was also like "running the gauntlet". The marina has a series of really nice shops, restaurants, and tour booths along the way with someone at each place trying to "entice" you to spend some time with them. We had walked through this area probably half a dozen times already and perfected our polite, yet curt no's. However, this time we were glad we'd actually get to say yes to someone! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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The Sea-Fare at the Marina won out with their daily breakfast special that couldn't be beat for only $3.99. We both got the same thing which consisted of scrambled eggs with ham, chilaquiles, refried beans topped with queso fresco, fresh tortillas, and freshly squeezed orange juice! I still can not believe we got this quality and quantity of food for $4 each.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTr7TGj6LlI/AAAAAAAAAZs/P8hkyuCPbhM/s1600/P1030579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTr7TGj6LlI/AAAAAAAAAZs/P8hkyuCPbhM/s320/P1030579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The orange juice was so refreshing, and I had forgotten how much of a stronger orange flavor you get when the juice is freshly squeezed! The eggs with ham were flavorful and perfectly cooked and the refried beans were great. But the stand out was the chilaquiles. <br />
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This is such a simple dish, but was oh so good! It is composed of cut squares of tortillas lightly fried, topped with a slightly spicy red sauce, and then topped with sour cream. The red sauce slightly softens a bit of the tortilla and you get a soft bite, with crispier edges. Then the sour cream cools off the warmth of the dish and spice of the red sauce. As I write this, I'm wishing I had a bowl of them right now! <br />
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Erik and I had never heard of this dish before, but upon doing some research it apparently is a typical breakfast/brunch staple in Mexico and is thought to be a great hangover cure! Maybe I should have gotten some more after our tequila tasting ;) Upon doing even more research, for my local readers, apparently you can get a version of chilaquiles at <a href="http://www.hdrestaurants.com/cabo/location.htm">Cabo Cocina</a> and <a href="http://www.cucostaqueria.com/">Cuco's</a>. We already have dinner plans for tonight, but I just might be making a trip to one of these establishments next weekend!<br />
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Bill Total: around $10<br />
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Overall Rating: 4 buckeyes<br />
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And just for fun here are some shots from the rest of our day...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTsDooOebEI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/L6vJxkmWJ7Y/s1600/P1030819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTsDooOebEI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/L6vJxkmWJ7Y/s200/P1030819.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img border="0" height="133" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTsCVbbxCZI/AAAAAAAAAZw/z-SYzvYUnYw/s200/IMG_0879.JPG" width="200" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTsCsl9f6tI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/OWIPYy0HcY4/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTsCsl9f6tI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/OWIPYy0HcY4/s200/IMG_1055.JPG" width="133" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTsDGJg6wkI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/qdBwriw4QAw/s200/P1030802.JPG" width="200" /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTsGQqTJ0XI/AAAAAAAAAaA/zJ-PpxjagOE/s1600/P1030805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTsGQqTJ0XI/AAAAAAAAAaA/zJ-PpxjagOE/s200/P1030805.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-41021797782830935022011-01-22T07:18:00.000-08:002011-01-22T07:18:51.285-08:00Nothing's Better than Tacos Al PastorPepe's Tacos<br />
Puerto Vallarta<br />
Mexico<br />
July 20, 2010<br />
9ish pm<br />
<br />
After our large lunch at Cafe de Ollo it took us awhile to become hungry for dinner. After walking around town and enjoying the sights we decided we<em> needed</em> tacos for dinner. Now tacos from the taco trucks around town are one of my all time favorite meals and I even rented one for my 30th birthday party! I couldn't wait to try them in Mexico. <br />
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You could smell the freshly cooked meat and spices as you walked up to the stand. We grabbed a table and a friendly server was quickly over to help us out. Service was fast and the tacos were cheap ($1 each). Within just a few minutes we had a delightful plate of tacos al pastor. The pork is wonderfully spiced and cut from a spit comparable to the spit gyro meat is made from. The cook shaves the meat off the spit and catches it in 2 corn tortillas. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tinypic.com/?ref=2zrhz12" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" height="320" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/2zrhz12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The tacos are then topped with pineapple, cilantro, and onion. Fresh limes are brought out to squeeze over the tacos. The cilantro and onion are fresh, but the pineapple is what makes the tacos! The pineapple is roasted at the top of the spit and then a few slices are chopped off when the meat is cut for the tacos. The sweet roasted pineapple pairs wonderfully with the cilantro, onion, and fresh lime juice. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTrwrzOJAbI/AAAAAAAAAZc/k5MjtjquK1U/s1600/P1030549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTrwrzOJAbI/AAAAAAAAAZc/k5MjtjquK1U/s320/P1030549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are then a series of sauces you can add to the tacos such as a creamy advocado sauce (more liquidy than a typical guacamole), a tomato based salsa, a smoky chipotle sauce, and a tomatillo sauce. I liked the tomato salsa or tomatillo sauce on the tacos best, but all flavor combinations were good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTrzarXj9XI/AAAAAAAAAZo/8qUbYrzvFTg/s1600/P1030550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TTrzarXj9XI/AAAAAAAAAZo/8qUbYrzvFTg/s320/P1030550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yum! I started out with a plate of 3 tacos, but after those were done I kept going and ordered 2 more! This is definitely one of my fondest dinner memories from Mexico. <br />
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Bill Total: Tacos were around $1 each<br />
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Overal Rating: 5 buckeyes!Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-62566053819974123352010-11-07T18:14:00.000-08:002010-11-12T10:47:35.289-08:00The Buckeye goes to Puerto VallartaCafe d'Ollo<br />
Puerto Vallarta<br />
Mexico<br />
July 20, 2010<br />
2ish pm<br />
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For our summer vacation this year we decided to sample some more authentic versions of our favorite foods and head south of the border to Puerto Vallarta. We had heard this was a Mexican foodie destination and with the bonus of a great beach and our dollar stretching far, we felt we couldn't go wrong. <br />
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We arrived in Mexico in the afternoon of July 19th and immediately headed to our pool bar (we were staying at the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1090">Westin Resort and Spa-Puerto Vallarta</a>) to relax from our flight and try some amazing margaritas, chips, and guacamole! The bartender was happy to oblige.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM4Pi0R_k6I/AAAAAAAAAYs/OaPEh7U-SGY/s1600/P1030507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM4Pi0R_k6I/AAAAAAAAAYs/OaPEh7U-SGY/s320/P1030507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The colorful chips were great and the guacamole was flavorful. However, I wasn't a big fan of the Cohita cheese (similar to a Parmesan) on top. However, the star of this snack was definitely the margaritas! The tequila is of higher quality than many made here and fresh lime juice is the norm. A special bonus was that we arrived during happy hour where the special was buy one get one free. However, this bonus quickly became a negative as I didn't quite realize how much stronger a Mexican margarita would be as compared to the usual at home. I soon needed a nap! <br />
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After vegging out the first evening in town we headed off to explore the next day. We walked around and explored the vendors along the Rio Quale and then stopped for lunch at Cafe de Olla. We had heard this was a must stop restaurant for many people. The restaurant was quaint and the owner greeted us as if he knew us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM9j0br6QXI/AAAAAAAAAY4/uIxQ88olOJ0/s1600/P1030537.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM9j0br6QXI/AAAAAAAAAY4/uIxQ88olOJ0/s320/P1030537.gif" width="240" /></a></div>We loved how many restaurants had outdoor grills in an effort to minimize the heat of a kitchen in a very HOT locale. We also loved the tree growing up through the roof on the inside! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM9k0Mnw9kI/AAAAAAAAAY8/pZPCnAJOW0A/s1600/P1030536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM9k0Mnw9kI/AAAAAAAAAY8/pZPCnAJOW0A/s320/P1030536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As we sat down we were immediately brought bread and fresh salsas. The chopped salsa was fresh with cilantro, cucumber, tomato, and onion. It was my favorite due to the freshness. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TNdWnFHA2uI/AAAAAAAAAZM/cOKzBxDxoj4/s1600/P1030532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TNdWnFHA2uI/AAAAAAAAAZM/cOKzBxDxoj4/s320/P1030532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The darker one was a smoky sauce of chipotle, tomato, and some heat. This one was great over rice and beans. <br />
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We ordered 2 chicken tamales and the Mexican plate to share. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM9oKrr3u0I/AAAAAAAAAZA/tswUk5Ce4Ss/s1600/P1030534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM9oKrr3u0I/AAAAAAAAAZA/tswUk5Ce4Ss/s320/P1030534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The tamales were wrapped in banana leaves. The chicken was plentiful and fall off the bone tender. Overall, the dish was good, but I would have preferred some more spice. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM9pCxQnOhI/AAAAAAAAAZE/WA15wS5S2Gw/s1600/P1030535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TM9pCxQnOhI/AAAAAAAAAZE/WA15wS5S2Gw/s320/P1030535.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Mexican plate came with a chile relleno, a chicken enchilada, a strip steak, and rice and beans. We definitely weren't hungry after this lunch! The chile relleno was a-ma-zing! By far, the best one I've ever had. The pepper was roasted, stuffed with masa, and then topped with melted cheese. I don't think there was any one thing that made it better than chile rellenos here, but a combination of the ingredients available being fresher, more traditional, and higher quality ingredients than are typically available here. It was exactly the way a chile relleno should be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also liked the addition of peas and carrots to the rice and may try that at home. The refried beans were great and somehow had a more "beany" flavor (like the sophisticated descriptor?) flavor than refried beans I'm used to. Unfortunately, the strip steak and chicken enchilada were totally average. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, this was quite a filling lunch! We'd definitely come back here for the hospitality and chile rellenos, but I'd want to try some other dishes before I'd feel the food was all it was cracked up to be. The prices seemed to be more in the "tourist" range and I felt we could get similar food at places a little more off the beaten path for a better price. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total Price: 1 Coke, 1 beer, Mexican plate, 2 chicken tamales, and tip = somewhere between $20-25 </div>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-90311807092448719992010-10-31T08:50:00.000-07:002010-11-02T16:14:36.491-07:00Sweet GranvilleVictoria's Parlour<br />
134 Broadway E<br />
Granville, Ohio 43023<br />
June 12, 2010<br />
2ish pm<br />
<br />
On a fresh and warm Saturday in June we decided to go for a drive and explore a little outside our familiar city. I had read an article not too long ago in <a href="http://www.ohiomagazine.com/Main/Home.aspx">Ohio Magazine</a> about Granville and we decided to check it out. As we drove through town we were struck by the quaintness of the houses in the village and the great shops and restaurants along the main street. We went a little farther and loved the rolling green hills and beauty of Denison's campus. It was the picture of a great small American town. <br />
<br />
We spent a bit meandering down and around East Broadway enjoying the shops, admiring the houses, and trying to decide where we wanted to stop for a bite to eat. There were many great choices, but finally we picked a cute old-fashioned ice cream parlor. When you walk in you feel like you're walking back in time, complete with servers dressed in Victorian era garb! We loved the classic black and white checkered floor and heart shaped, white iron soda fountain chairs. We could just imagine a high school couple from long ago sitting, talking, and sharing a Coke with 2 straws! There could not be a better picture of Americana. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMi_Zy-DabI/AAAAAAAAAYA/8YhPi5Ulj40/s1600/P1030458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMi_Zy-DabI/AAAAAAAAAYA/8YhPi5Ulj40/s320/P1030458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As we looked over the menu we saw classic soda fountain drinks with the flavor added in store. I decided I had to try a blackberry Coke. Alas, it was a bit too sweet for my preference; but Erik's cherry Coke was great! <br />
<br />
For lunch Erik went with a grilled cheese with roasted red pepper. The bread was nicely grilled and had a great butter flavor. The cheese and red pepper were a great combination! This was a great sandwich. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMjA3Hg_aqI/AAAAAAAAAYE/L0DzofXpisU/s1600/P1030459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMjA3Hg_aqI/AAAAAAAAAYE/L0DzofXpisU/s320/P1030459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I went with a classic Caesar chicken salad. It was exactly what you would expect with expertly grilled chicken, fresh romaine, a sprinkling of cheese, and a good flavored Caesar dressing. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMjDGtqn_hI/AAAAAAAAAYM/1j4KXTLTmYM/s1600/P1030460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMjDGtqn_hI/AAAAAAAAAYM/1j4KXTLTmYM/s320/P1030460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After lunch we were stuffed, but figured we couldn't leave without actually trying the ice cream. We decided to share a pistachio gelato and walk a little more around Granville (in a vain attempt to walk off some of those extra calories)! The ice cream had a great flavor with nice chunks of pistachio in it, but it definitely had the texture of an ice cream rather than a gelato. However, we're not complaining. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMoPL_Hv2cI/AAAAAAAAAYo/E1NN8DQ2WTw/s1600/P1030462.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMoPL_Hv2cI/AAAAAAAAAYo/E1NN8DQ2WTw/s320/P1030462.gif" width="241" /></a></div>What a sweet ending to a quaint village stroll and a sweet time!<br />
<br />
Bill total: 2 flavored Cokes, a grilled cheese, a chicken Caesar salad, gelato, and a tip = $21<br />
<br />
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 buckeyes<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/881145/restaurant/Columbus/Victorias-Parlour-Granville"><img alt="Victoria's Parlour on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/881145/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-46009202289668832122010-10-26T17:47:00.000-07:002010-10-26T17:54:22.589-07:00Giorgio's for Mother's Day<a href="http://www.giorgiodining.com/">Giorgio Italian Restaurant</a><br />
Clintonville<br />
May 8, 2010<br />
7ish pm<br />
<br />
We had heard a few murmurrings of a good Italian restaurant in Clintonville and decided to give it a shot for our small family combination celebration dinner of Mother's Day and my birthday. Italian was sounding like it would hit the spot! <br />
<br />
We arrived to a softly lit and intimately quiet restaurant. The owner, I presume, warmly greated us and insisted we take the only open table (large enough for 6 or more, even though there were only 3 of us) rather than saving it for a potentially larger group. We were thankful we didn't have to wait. <br />
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The decor of the restaurant was Tuscan simplicity and I loved the solid wood furniture pieces used for service.<br />
<br />
For an appetizer we decided to share the caprese salad which was standardly prepared with fresh tomatoes, fresh mozarella, a drizzle of sweet balsamic vinegar, and a chiffonade of fresh basil. I was surprised with how high the quality the tomatoes were with it being so early in the spring. It made me look forward to what my garden would have to offer later in the summer. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGh5BOiUjAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/df9iTjL5tqY/s1600/P1030428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGh5BOiUjAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/df9iTjL5tqY/s320/P1030428.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Bread was brought out that had a crusty and flaky outside, but light and warm in the center. This was served with a great herbed butter. <br />
<br />
Service was quick and just as we finished our salad our entrees were ready. Erik went with the chicken parmesan. Overall, this was a very good dish. The breading was not too heavy, but not too light. It was well browned and nicely coated with cheese. The red sauce was light and not overpowering or sweet, but gave just enough bite to temper the heaviness of the chicken. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMdmKG4hBjI/AAAAAAAAAX0/1cPjE3LHQGE/s1600/P1030429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMdmKG4hBjI/AAAAAAAAAX0/1cPjE3LHQGE/s320/P1030429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My mother ordered the baked penne, which was a very good dish. There were chunks of mushroom that added meaty flavor and chunks of fennel that gave the dish a different, but very good spin. And of course you can never go wrong with an ooey, gooey cheese topping of mozarella, provolone, and romano. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMdnVYdPk8I/AAAAAAAAAX4/RX1FWp2HPVo/s1600/P1030430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMdnVYdPk8I/AAAAAAAAAX4/RX1FWp2HPVo/s320/P1030430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I ordered the pesto penne and I wish I would have gone with a more traditional baked pasta dish. I ordered the penne without chicken (trying to save a few calories), but it came out with chicken anyway. Our waitress quickly caught the mistake and brought me another penne fairly quickly. The penne was cooked to a wonderful al dente and overall the sauce and pasta toss was nice. I really enjoyed the roasted red peppers and spinach leaves in with the pasta, but the pesto was heavy on the olive oil and light on the basil. I would have preferred the opposite for a lighter and more herby flavor.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMdsCSdTSvI/AAAAAAAAAX8/qu3mGfmp7i8/s1600/P1030431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TMdsCSdTSvI/AAAAAAAAAX8/qu3mGfmp7i8/s320/P1030431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Overall, we loved the atmosphere and friendliness of the staff. The majority of our dishes were wonderful.<br />
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Total Price: 1 martini, 1 glass of wine, 1 Coke, 3 entrees, and tip = $60<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 1/2 buckeyes<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/661255/restaurant/Clintonville/Giorgio-Italian-Restaurant-Columbus"><img alt="Giorgio Italian Restaurant on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/661255/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-62909063056528992672010-08-15T15:18:00.000-07:002010-08-15T15:24:17.878-07:00Our Last Cuban Bite out of Miami<a href="http://www.davidscafe.com/main.html">David's Cafe</a> (If you click this link be prepared to be blasted with some loud Latin music. Don't say I didn't warn you)<br />
South Beach, Florida<br />
April 7, 2010<br />
10ish pm<br />
<br />
Well, I definitely couldn't leave Miami without having a Cubano sandwich! We heard David's had a great one as well as some other classic home style Cuban foods. Also on the positive, it was open 24 hours! So on our last evening in Miami we took our final leisurely walk down Ocean Drive stopping to people watch and having the occasional drink before deciding it was time for a later dinner. Here's a quick shot of me after a drink at the famous Clevelander. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGgLqF4_G3I/AAAAAAAAAWU/u9cT2OhQd8U/s1600/P1030357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGgLqF4_G3I/AAAAAAAAAWU/u9cT2OhQd8U/s320/P1030357.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we walked over to David's we immediately noted the traditional South Beach decor. Since it was later in the evening, but not yet time for the clubbers to be piling in, the restaurant was fairly deserted. But we were warmly welcomed and took a seat at the counter. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGgOFDzINRI/AAAAAAAAAWc/5T60j4wyF_4/s1600/P1030363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGgOFDzINRI/AAAAAAAAAWc/5T60j4wyF_4/s320/P1030363.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I already knew what I wanted, but Erik took some time to decide which Cuban delicacy to try. While he poured over the menu we were served some Cuban bread to nibble on. It was lusciously buttered. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGgPAUkWU2I/AAAAAAAAAWk/n-X91LO6BaQ/s1600/P1030359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGgPAUkWU2I/AAAAAAAAAWk/n-X91LO6BaQ/s320/P1030359.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Erik decided on the albondigas catalana (meatballs) with yuca frita (cassava) and frijoles negros (black beans). This dish was simply amazing! The meatballs were light and tender and the sauce had an interesting mildly spiced flavor. There was just a hint of cinnamon and possibly cayenne that made for an interesting spin on what we are used to as the typical meatball dish. We had never had fried yuca before and were pleasantly surprised by the tender, warm center and crispy fried outside. This could easily be a great alternative to the french fry. The black beans and rice were also nicely spiced and flavorful. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGhYdbjehaI/AAAAAAAAAWs/U1go-Pf5ebc/s1600/P1030360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGhYdbjehaI/AAAAAAAAAWs/U1go-Pf5ebc/s320/P1030360.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I, as was aforementioned, ordered the sandwich cubano. I must say I was a little underwhelmed. It was not a bad sandwich by any stretch, but it also wasn't much more than a ham sandwich I might make myself for lunch when trying to conserve some calories by not adding too many fillings. To me, the sandwich was heavy on the bread and light on the fillings. The Cuban bread was fresh and good. The ham and pork were also good, and the traditional additions of pickles and yellow mustard make for a good ham sandwich. I just wanted more of it all! I also was not a huge fan of David's style of fries. They were julienned and very crispy, almost to the point of being more of a potato chip's texture than a french fry. I missed the tender inside of a thicker cut fry. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGhbNXhTJtI/AAAAAAAAAW0/hgIVYAAVeJ4/s1600/P1030361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGhbNXhTJtI/AAAAAAAAAW0/hgIVYAAVeJ4/s320/P1030361.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">But honestly the highlight of the place, was the cook of the evening. I have never been able to watch a cook who seemed so simply happy to be doing his job. He took such care in assembling each dish, was truly interested in what we thought of things, and almost seemed to be whistling and dancing as he worked! He just seemed to have a contagious positive zest for life that made dinner at David's that much more enjoyable. And this was how he was at 10 o'clock at night! Here's a glimpse as he puts another sandwich together (too bad I didn't get a shot from the front). </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGhfbFvqxoI/AAAAAAAAAW8/SbhMwT7fpEo/s1600/P1030362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TGhfbFvqxoI/AAAAAAAAAW8/SbhMwT7fpEo/s320/P1030362.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, we enjoyed David's. The meatballs were fantastic, but the Cubano was just so so for me. We'd definitely go back, but probably stay with the home style dishes and fried yuca! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Total Price: Not sure again, but things were very reasonable. The albondigas were about $10 and the Cubano was about $9. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall Rating: 3 1/2 buckeyes</div><br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/12/151754/restaurant/Miami/South-Beach/Davids-Cafe-Miami-Beach"><img alt="David's Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/151754/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-74878732002439857812010-07-26T06:19:00.000-07:002010-08-15T15:01:44.843-07:00A Miami Institution<a href="http://www.joesstonecrab.com/">Joe's Stone Crab</a><br />
South Beach, Florida<br />
April 6, 2010<br />
5:30ish pm<br />
<br />
Le Sigh. I've been avoiding writing this review; because I hate writing negative reviews and I'm so disappointed about how this restaurant experience turned out. I really wanted to love this place. I really wanted this to be my favorite meal in Miami, as it is a classic after all. <br />
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Joe's Stone Crab is even celebrating their 97th season, for goodness sake. People wait for hours and tip the maitre d' over $40 just to get seated. How could I not love it? However, I have to admit my experience was just ho hum. Maybe it was the day, maybe it was what we ordered; but I just wasn't that impressed with the food. The place was beautiful and full of history, the service was superb; but the food was just okay. <br />
<br />
According to Joe's <a href="http://www.joesstonecrab.com/history/intro.html">website</a>, Joe's Stone Crab is one of the oldest restaurant in South Beach and opened in 1913 as a lunch counter serving fresh fish. They didn't start serving stone crabs until 1921 when they discovered they were edible, and quite tasty! This is now the dish they are famous for. Al Capone, Amelia Earhart, Will Rogers, etc. etc all frequented Joe's. It's the kind of story Americans love, and with this kind of history how could expectations not be high <em>and</em> be fulfilled?<br />
<br />
Joe's is only opened during stone crab season, mid-October through the end of July, so after reading so much about this restaurant we were pleased our visit would fall during the open window. We had also heard the wait was always horrendous, at least 1-2 hours. Because of this it was best to go early or be prepared to slip the maitre'd $40 ($20 tips were rumored to be rebuked and it is also rumored the maitre'd makes over 6 figures due to all these high tips). With this in mind we arrived just after opening at 5:30ish and to our astonishment were able to be seated right away. This was definitely a great start to our evening. However, we wouldn't have minded to wait a <em>little</em> while and enjoy a drink in their beautiful courtyard. <br />
<br />
As we were seated I looked around at the enormity of the restaurant which can server over 400. It was bustling, but not overly crowded and everyone seemed to have that ease of dining out while on vacation. The dining room does not have your typical South Beach feel, but I didn't mind because it seemed to exude Old World elegance and have stories to tell. The ceilings were high and airy, the floors were black and white tiled, white table cloths were everwhere, and I loved the dark wood accents and furniture. I loved the feeling of the place and the people watching! People from all socio-economic backgrounds seem to want to dine at Joe's. <br />
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But before I could ponder my surrounds too long bread service came which was a mix of all kinds of different breads. My favorite was the white roll in the foreground of the picture, topped with cooked chopped onions! But they were all good. The bread was served with a luscious and airy butter. This was one of the better bread services I have had. Another promising start to our meal. Unfortunately the greatness stopped here. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEtRc7D3A5I/AAAAAAAAAV8/QCQFRSqOehA/s1600/P1030301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEtRc7D3A5I/AAAAAAAAAV8/QCQFRSqOehA/s320/P1030301.JPG" /></a></div>Next, we decided to try the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. In Ohio we don't often run into this dish on a menu and we both love it. Also, knowing that are own garden tomatoes were many months away from being able to be fried we really wanted a bite of Ohio's season to come. The serving was very generous and overall the fried tomatoes were good, but not great. They were too greasy and heavy for my preference and I hate to say it, but I liked the ones from the old chain restaurant Cooker with their amazing spicy "tiger" sauce much better. Ugh, why did that chain have to close, if there is such a thing as good chains, this was one of them! <br />
<br />
But back to Joe's. There was no dipping sauce for these (definitely a dining foul in my condiment loving world). I would have thought some type of sauce would have cut through the greasiness of the dish a bit better and made it more palatable. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEtShhVHDoI/AAAAAAAAAWE/FP5j2JV5aAc/s1600/P1030304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEtShhVHDoI/AAAAAAAAAWE/FP5j2JV5aAc/s320/P1030304.JPG" /></a></div><br />
For our entrees we probably made a mistake by not going with the classic stone crabs, but we had read where a stone crab is a stone crab and Joe's were exceedingly expensive. Additionally, while I like crab in general, I do have a slight aversion to cracking the claws to get the meat out. Because of this I decided to go with the crab cakes. Now crab cakes are one of my favorite meals and I was excited to see what Joe would do with the famous dish. However, perhaps my expectations were set a bit too high. I like my crab cakes meaty and lightly breaded on the outside to allow the delicate flavors of the crab and fillings to come through. However, these would have been more aptly named fried crab balls. While again the portions were generous and there was a good bit of crab meat in the balls, the coating was very greasy and heavy. Similar to the tomato dish, the greasy and fried outside became the focus of the dish and overshadowed the crab flavor rather than accentuating it with a crisp crunch. Since these fried balls followed the fried tomatoes I could only stomach half of a cake before my stomach was revolting from too much grease (possibly an ordering mistake on my part, but I didn't think either dish would be as heavy as it was). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEtTWR084dI/AAAAAAAAAWM/5mfFYu5Pss0/s1600/P1030302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEtTWR084dI/AAAAAAAAAWM/5mfFYu5Pss0/s320/P1030302.JPG" /></a></div>Erik opted for the sea scallops which were well cooked, but served in a very heavy buttery cream sauce. Again, while the scallops were cooked well the heavy sauce's flavor seemed to take precedence and a few bites were quite filling. The toasts dipped in the sauce gave a nice flavor and contrast in textures. However, for our preference, the sauce was just too heavy for the light flavor of scallops. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEtNvzSMURI/AAAAAAAAAV0/fPN-GHAvdSk/s1600/P1030303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEtNvzSMURI/AAAAAAAAAV0/fPN-GHAvdSk/s320/P1030303.JPG" /></a></div>Alas, due to the heaviness of dinner we were too full to sample some of the Key Lime pie we have heard Joe's is famous for. However, maybe that's not so bad after all since so far our expectations had been too high. <br />
<br />
Overall, the food was not bad, but just too heavy for my preferences. There was a time in my life that I would have thought all the fried food and butter sauces were great. However, over time I have come to appreciate lighter seasonings that allow the flavors of the main event to shine through rather than being covered up with the flavor of fats (Not that flavor from fat is all bad, mind you. I would definitely <em>never</em> say that!). <br />
<br />
But on a positive note, the service throughout the evening was outstanding and we truly felt taken care of. Additionally, I ended up leaving my camera at the restaurant that evening and didn't end up noticing until the next day. When we returned to the restaurant the maitre'd personally took me in the back to recover it and it was good as new and even with the $20 bill we keep inside for emergencies still in place. However, I guess from what we've heard $20 is chump change when you work at Joe's. ;)<br />
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Total Price: 1 beer, 1 ice tea, 1 order of fried green tomatoes, 1 order of scallops, 1 order of crab cakes and tip= $75<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 buckeyes<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/12/153214/restaurant/Miami/South-Beach/Joes-Stone-Crab-Seasonal-Miami-Beach"><img alt="Joe's Stone Crab (Seasonal) on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/153214/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-68236298398263825112010-07-22T17:57:00.000-07:002010-08-15T15:02:19.239-07:00Latin American Bakery Love<a href="http://www.charlottebakeryinc.com/">Charlotte Bakery</a><br />
South Beach, Florida<br />
April 6, 2010 <br />
9ish am<br />
<br />
I hate to say it again, but research pays off. Part of my vacation planning always involves spending some time researching what the locals eat and jotting down some possibilities in different areas of town to help guide us when we're out sightseeing and begin to get a bit hungry. I know some of you will say that finding that hidden gem on your own is part of the vacation experience. However, from my experience, you don't often find that gem; and in more cases than not you find a dirty rock. <br />
<br />
Charlotte Bakery is definitely a case of research helping me to find somewhere I would have never gotten to on my own. Charlotte Bakery was quite aways away from our hotel and took some dedication to locate. It happens to be on a more "adult" South Beach street with a few liquor stores and adult clothing stores. I'm pretty sure my typical travels and sightseeing would not have brought me by it and even if they did I doubt my curiosity would have been piqued enough to actually enter and try it. But I'm so glad <a href="http://tripadvisor.com/">tripadvisor.com</a> and <a href="http://urbanspoon.com/">urbanspoon.com</a> (my two go to vacation restaurant advice sites) did not steer me wrong. So on one beautiful Miami morning Erik and I decided to allow our morning run to end sweetly. We decided to take advantage of the distance Charlotte Bakery was from our hotel by incorporating the trip into our run, enjoying some breakfast pastries, and then walking back while exploring various South Beach neighborhoods. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TD4-OBiswII/AAAAAAAAAVU/L2VSVnN9QFY/s1600/P1030259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TD4-OBiswII/AAAAAAAAAVU/L2VSVnN9QFY/s320/P1030259.JPG" /></a></div>When we finally stumbled up to their doorstep panting, sweaty, and out of breath (I'm sure they wondered if they actually wanted to serve us); we were immediately impressed with the bounty of interesting and new (to us) baked goods that were before us. Charlotte Bakery focuses on Latin American baked goods and we had heard it was reminiscent of bakeries in Buenos Aires. We were politely asked if we could be helped, but I told them it would take some time for us to decide which delicacies to try (and to catch our breath). After many minutes of indecision I decided to go with this light and airy pastry that was filled with a smooth and velvety vanilla cream, fried, and rolled in sugar. It was similar to a doughnut, but much lighter and fluffier on the inside. It was heaven. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEhA-2GTsBI/AAAAAAAAAVc/n09XSNgIiI8/s1600/P1030264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEhA-2GTsBI/AAAAAAAAAVc/n09XSNgIiI8/s320/P1030264.JPG" /></a></div>Erik went with a palmera or palmier, which is a drier pastry that is almost cookie like. It is made out of puff pastry, rolled so the ends meet, baked, and then rolled in sugar. It was flaky, but on the drier side. However, it was still pretty good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEhCdMvHXiI/AAAAAAAAAVk/YKOy1iZupfY/s1600/P1030265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEhCdMvHXiI/AAAAAAAAAVk/YKOy1iZupfY/s320/P1030265.JPG" /></a></div>We had also heard the empanadas and arepas (corn cakes) were to die for, so even though it was barely 8 in the morning we felt we had to try at least one. We went with a shredded beef arepa and had it bagged up to share later for lunch. We had a feeling it was going to be good as we noticed grease starting to soak through the paper bag as we walked back to the hotel! And the grease did not tell a lie. The arepa was thick, buttery, and heavy. The filling was a wonderfully spiced beef slow cooked with peppers. It was so good I could have easily eaten a whole one, but I would have been stuffed. My bathing suit body was thankful I only brought one back to share. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEhE6I8rACI/AAAAAAAAAVs/jhLlbftdvXQ/s1600/P1030287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TEhE6I8rACI/AAAAAAAAAVs/jhLlbftdvXQ/s320/P1030287.JPG" /></a></div><br />
On Charlotte Bakery's <a href="http://charlottebakeryinc.com/">website</a> they state that they hope that the experience of their bakery is so special that you have to tell a friend, "In South Beach, you have to go to Charlotte Bakery." <br />
<br />
Well there wish has been fulfilled, I have no qualms about telling you all this. "If you're in South Beach, Charlotte Bakery is a must!"<br />
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Total price: Ummm, are you beginning to pick up on a trend? I have no idea what the price was, but it was reasonable for bakery pastries. <br />
<br />
Overall Rating: 4 buckeyes<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/12/151215/restaurant/Miami/South-Beach/Charlotte-Bakery-Miami-Beach"><img alt="Charlotte Bakery on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/151215/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-7984555586569347282010-07-13T18:37:00.000-07:002010-08-15T15:04:11.821-07:00Our First Cuban Bite of Miami<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Puerto</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Sagua</span><br />
700 Collins Avenue<br />
Miami Beach, Florida<br />
April 5, 2010<br />
7ish pm<br />
<br />
Now I know many Miami-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">ites</span> will argue that you can't get good Cuban in South Beach. For that you need to venture to Little Havana, and believe me I would have loved to make the trip and judged for myself. But the fact of the matter was that our trip time was short and we chose not to rent a car. Therefore, we had to localize our eating adventures to places quickly accessible from our hotel, which centered us around South Beach food. We had also heard that if you want traditional Cuban in South Beach, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Puerto</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Sagua</span> was the place to go.<br />
<br />
<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Puerto</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Sagua</span> ended up being one of these lovely mom and pop restaurants that have so much character because haven't changed there decor since they opened and they know there popularity isn't based on a restaurant "concept" as we call it now, but is simply based on comfort and good food. I'm also fairly sure some patriarch in the family (likely the guy who nodded us to our seats) also has the mantra "if it aint' broke don't fix it". This place is definitely not one of the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">uber</span>-trendy, see and be seen restaurants that generally gets featured when writing about South Beach. In fact, it's just the opposite. As you walk up to the restaurant it looks a little dingy on the outside and the lower wall is covered in these "colorful" tiles reminiscent of the 1960's. If I hadn't done my research, I'm pretty sure I would have missed this great experience. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDxe8_76zeI/AAAAAAAAAU0/CBlG6-Agt6E/s1600/P1030254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDxe8_76zeI/AAAAAAAAAU0/CBlG6-Agt6E/s320/P1030254.JPG" /></a></div>From my research, I found out that this place has been open since 1968 and was one of the first Cuban restaurants to open in the Miami area. Currently, this place is popular with locals and tourists alike and is generally pretty busy when entering. It would best be described as a Cuban diner. Locals tend to sit at the counter and talk over a great cup of Cuban coffee, while tourists tend to come in groups and gravitate more towards the tables. Spanish is the first language spoken, but there is always enough English to get an order in or get your point across. <br />
<br />
Now that I reflect back, I think this language piece was one of my favorite things about Miami. Throughout our stay I definitely heard more Spanish than English, which gave a feel of being in another country and often in another culture without the international vacation price tag! <br />
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Anyway, back to <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Puerto</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Sagua</span>. As we entered we saw the place was packed and wondered if we'd get a spot anytime soon. As we were looking around the man behind the corner (who looked like he was likely in charge of the place) gave us a curt nod towards two spots at the counter. His mannerisms reminded us very much of the Soup Nazi from <em>Seinfeld. </em>Because of this we quickly and obediently sat down and took a no nonsense approach to looking over the menu. <br />
<br />
Because of our counter seats we got a good view of how the kitchen worked around us. The <span style="background-color: white;">sandwich </span>press was right in front of us and it seemed to have a non-stop 1-2 Cuban sandwiches crisping up in it. I would love to know how much Cuban bread they go through in a day. They keep long loves of the bread in a trash can beside the press and just pull it out as they need it. It was funny to see this because, at first glance, we thought they were taking bread out of the trash for the sandwich! But just in the short time it took us to order and eat our dinner the bread can needed to be refilled. I would have taken a picture of this process, but I was slightly afraid (likely an unfounded fear, but a fear nonetheless) that the man behind the counter might take my camera. :)<br />
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Another lady came around to serve us and she seemed to speak more English and was a bit more hospitable. She likely had spent many years at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Puerto</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Sagua</span> and was no stranger to the non-Spanish speaking tourist. For once, Erik and I ordered the same thing. We shared a tamale and both went with the roasted half chicken, rice and beans, and sweet fried plantains. <br />
<br />
Honestly, I could have done without the tamale. It was okay, but nothing spectacular. It was a little dry in the center and the flavors a little bland for my taste. It did look pretty good though. But in this case, unfortunately, looks were deceiving. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDxnFX16m-I/AAAAAAAAAU8/-FfND-AdXqM/s1600/P1030256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDxnFX16m-I/AAAAAAAAAU8/-FfND-AdXqM/s320/P1030256.JPG" /></a></div>However, the chicken dish was very good. Now I must say that this chicken is not unique in any way; but it is your classic moist, fall of the bone, roast chicken that is surprisingly hard to find done well. And oh was this one done well! The rice and beans were also flavorful and perfectly spiced with garlic and other traditional Cuban ingredients. The plantains were buttery sweet with a wonderful caramelized coating. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDxnbeH69cI/AAAAAAAAAVE/i7Pbq88pQoU/s1600/P1030255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDxnbeH69cI/AAAAAAAAAVE/i7Pbq88pQoU/s320/P1030255.JPG" /></a></div>Overall, I loved the familiar diner feel of the place, but at the same time feeling a bit like I was in another country. The food was heartily good. <br />
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Bill Total: Again, so sorry. We paid cash and I can't find the receipt. I definitely need to get better organized for this blog! For South Beach, the prices were very reasonable. I'm thinking it was around $10 for the chicken, but that's only a guess. <br />
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Overall Rating: 3 1/2 buckeyes<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/12/155379/restaurant/Miami/South-Beach/Puerto-Sagua-Miami-Beach"><img alt="Puerto Sagua on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/155379/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-91639774871573139012010-07-12T19:04:00.000-07:002010-07-13T18:35:06.853-07:00Welcome to Miami<a href="http://www.eleventhstreetdiner.com/">Eleventh Street Diner</a><br />
South Beach, Florida<br />
April 4, 2010<br />
8ish pm<br />
<br />
For spring break this year my husband and I debated a number of places, but ended up picking the one with great food, a great beach, and the cheapest airfare from Columbus! Miami, South Beach, in particular was the winner. I had been reading for years about the wonderful food scene in South Beach, but really Miami's Cuban vibe (in addition to a great beach, of course) was what really sold me on the spot. <br />
<br />
We landed late in the afternoon and after checking into our hotel we immediately ran out to the beach to allow our pasty white, Ohio winter ridden and chapped skin to feel the early evening sun. After we were sure we had exposed ourselves to the last ray of the day we headed back to our hotel to enjoy a happy hour drink and debate where we should head for dinner. I ordered a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">mojito</span> from the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Mariott</span> South Beach's outside bar, Deco Blue, and while it was expensive at $11 a drink, it was the best <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">mojito</span> I have ever had! The mint was freshly muddled and there was lots of it. It had just the right mix of rum to simple syrup. But the best part was the raw sugar cane swizzle stick garnish (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Raw-Sugar-Cane-Swizzle-Sticks/dp/B001CDMN0E">like this</a>). After I had finished my drink I loved chewing on this and getting an extra bite of sweetness. <br />
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I wish I would have thought to take a good picture of this drink, but my description will just have to do. If it's any indication of how much I enjoyed this drink, despite it's price, I made this drink a daily addition to my vacation menu.<br />
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After a brief happy hour we decided to head to the Eleventh Street Diner for dinner. At first I was going to try and make this trip exclusively Cuban since we don't have many opportunities in Columbus to have authentic Cuban food and our stay in Miami was relatively short. But then I read so much about how good this place was, it was featured on <em>Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives</em>, and Erik and I had always wanted to eat in an authentic old-school dining car. So how could we pass it up?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs9TFGRfRI/AAAAAAAAAUM/RIQKaXJZh1U/s1600/P1030246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs9TFGRfRI/AAAAAAAAAUM/RIQKaXJZh1U/s320/P1030246.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We arrived in South Beach on Easter and were missing our home style family Easter dinner. Because of this we opted for diner fair for our dinner this evening instead of running straight to a Cuban joint. <br />
<br />
Now this diner is definitely hip and happening with some history. As was mentioned on the restaurant's web site, the dining car was originally built in 1948 in New Jersey in the typical art deco style of its time. After the construction in New Jersey it then served diners for 44 years in Pennsylvania before being dismantled and brought to South Beach in the early 1990's. Its this art deco style allows it to now blend seamlessly into the current South Beach architecture. It then opened for business in South Beach in 1992 and has been serving South beach late night <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">partiers</span> and early risers alike since. Their menu is extensive, features your typical American fare, and has a full bar to boot (my guess is that the bar set up was not a part of the original design)! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Inside, the car has retained its classic look with chrome and red vinyl seats. You can sit at the counter, but the place also opens up to the sides with booths. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs900JbVmI/AAAAAAAAAUU/GbCKJKnosEI/s1600/P1030245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs900JbVmI/AAAAAAAAAUU/GbCKJKnosEI/s320/P1030245.JPG" /></a></div>Since I was missing my family's traditional <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Honeybaked</span> Ham I opted for the ham with a sweet cherry-pineapple glaze served with a vegetable medley of yellow squash and green beans and mashed potatoes. This was a very good and filling dish (and definitely did not help me fit into my bathing suit the next day). The ham was sweet and flavorful, the veggies were well cooked, and the mashed potatoes had homemade lumps and flavor. I ate every single bite!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs7de0K62I/AAAAAAAAAUE/hORSWk6sK9M/s1600/P1030243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs7de0K62I/AAAAAAAAAUE/hORSWk6sK9M/s320/P1030243.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Erik went with the French Dip Sub and French fries. The roast beef was shaved thin, just like Erik likes it. There was also lots of gooey Swiss cheese and the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">au</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">jus</span> was flavorful. Erik was also happy he could enjoy his sub with a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Yuengling</span>, his favorite beer that is unable to be had in Ohio. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs_MjKsChI/AAAAAAAAAUc/gQgdfbflSCU/s1600/P1030242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs_MjKsChI/AAAAAAAAAUc/gQgdfbflSCU/s320/P1030242.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The serving of fries was generous and they were cooked perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs_zD_nXcI/AAAAAAAAAUk/lf1ZbnS-iCg/s1600/P1030241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDs_zD_nXcI/AAAAAAAAAUk/lf1ZbnS-iCg/s320/P1030241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, we were pleased with the diner and its food! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Bill Total: Not sure. We paid cash and I can't find the receipt. However, most sandwiches are in the $8-9 range and home style dinners are in the $13-15 range. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall Rating: 3 buckeyes</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/12/150001/restaurant/Miami/South-Beach/11th-Street-Diner-Miami-Beach"><img alt="11th Street Diner on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/150001/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a></div>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-63805895956051596032010-07-10T05:40:00.000-07:002010-07-10T05:40:04.864-07:00Dine Originals Week Fail<a href="http://www.tutto-vino.com/">Tutto Vino</a><br />
Dublin, Ohio<br />
March 12, 2010<br />
8:30ish<br />
<br />
Some of my most favorite eating out experiences have been through Dine Original's version of Restaurant Week (or Dine Originals Week, as they call it). <a href="http://www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com/">Dine Originals</a> is a wonderful group of independently owned and operated (i.e. non-chain) Columbus area restaurants. They're all about celebrating what is local and what makes Columbus unique. This is a group I can definitely get behind. <br />
<br />
Each time this week comes up throughout the year I eagerly anticipate the menus the different restaurants will offer and spend quite some time perusing through them and debating with my husband which one sounds like the best fit for what we're after. This week was no different and we finally decided on trying out Tutto Vino. This was not a restaurant that we'd heard a lot about, but the menu looked great and the place is featured as a wine bar. How could we go wrong? <br />
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As we drove over to the restaurant we debated what the cheese plate would be like and which one of us would get the pork tenderloin and which one would get the scallops (see Tutto Vino's Dine Originals Week menu <a href="http://www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com/wp-content/uploads/docweek/tuttovino.pdf">here</a>). We often try to order different things and then share so we can experience more flavors. We both had had a long day at work and were very hungry. By the time we got to Dublin we were salivating! <br />
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When we entered the restaurant we saw that there was a small wine store set up to the right and then a small restaurant and bar area to the left. It looked very cute. The hostess immediately gave us a warm welcome and quickly seated us. We noticed that the ambiance was much louder and rowdier than what we had expected. It kind of had more of a neighborhood bar feel rather than your typical low key and relaxing wine bar experience. Some guy was playing terrible 80's music on his electric keyboard and it was so loud that I had a hard time having a conversation with Erik (No joke and no exaggeration. I even like 80's music; but this is the type of 80's music that <span style="background-color: white;">should die</span>). Then I also couldn't keep from staring at this diner sitting at the table in front of me. He was on the burly side and was curiously wearing a heavy leather jacket a la James Dean and had 70's style side burns. Definitely not your typical wine bar patron. And oh how I wish I had the nerve to take a picture of him to share with you all, because he became much more important later in the evening!<br />
<br />
Service was on the slow side, which gave us some time to contemplate what we wanted to do about dinner. Given the fact that we had both had long and exhausting days at work, this was not turning out to be the relaxing fine dining evening we had envisioned. We debated going to another restaurant, but ultimately decided we were too hungry to take the time to go elsewhere. However, the music was so loud we also couldn't fathom staying there for a 3 course dinner. We decided a pizza would be the quickest way we could get out of there with a full stomach. <br />
<br />
Since our dining objective had changed from leisurely dinner with wine to fast food we opted not to try any wine flights. But the neighboring tables did and they looked like good and generous pours. I went for a glass of a 2007 South Australian Shiraz called Snake Charmer and have to say that this was a very good glass of wine (and almost made me forget the synthesized music around me, but only almost)! It was smooth, sultry, and elegant with dark berry flavors and cherry with some spice. Had the atmosphere been different, I surely would have gotten another glass. But instead I bought a bottle to take home and enjoy later!<br />
<br />
Erik was impressed with the "beer cooler" which allowed him to easily peruse his options and then serve himself. To go with our drinks we ordered the "Diavalo" pizza which came topped with banana peppers, red pepper, red onion, green pepper, and capicola ham. This was truly a great pizza made up of good, fresh toppings and a crispy crust. Delish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDYNb5yiGLI/AAAAAAAAATs/ahyK744OyXE/s1600/P1030214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TDYNb5yiGLI/AAAAAAAAATs/ahyK744OyXE/s320/P1030214.JPG" /></a></div>About mid-way through the pizza the electronic 80's music had stopped, the mood quieted down, and I actually started to enjoy my meal. However, just about five minutes after this I saw my neighbor with the side burns and leather jacket get up and move towards the "stage". With closer inspection we realized he was an Elvis impersonator! We couldn't believe our luck. Check please!!<br />
<br />
Overall, the wine and food were great. However, the service was slow and the atmosphere was much too like an experience from <em>Night at the Roxbury</em> for me to enjoy a nice, relaxing glass of wine. Because of this I don't expect to go back, which saddens me because I was really impressed with the food and wine selections.<br />
<br />
Here's to a better Dine Originals Week experience next time around. <br />
<br />
Bill Total: 1 beer, 1 glass of wine, 1 pizza, and tip: $22<br />
<br />
Overall Rating: 2 1/2 buckeyes (bumped up from a 2 due to the good food and wine). <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/372504/restaurant/Columbus/Tutto-Vino-Wine-Cellar-Bistro-Dublin"><img alt="Tutto Vino Wine Cellar & Bistro on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/372504/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-79849035158770491292010-07-08T09:28:00.000-07:002010-07-09T13:06:20.208-07:00Stella 12 Beech Revisited for Dinner<a href="http://www.stella12beech.com/">Stella 12 Beech</a><br />
Oxford, Ohio<br />
February 20, 2010<br />
<br />
This year for my mother's birthday I asked her if she knew where she wanted to go for dinner. After pausing to think for a few seconds she replied, "How about we try out that restaurant that Stella's family owns?" Knowing that I had wanted to try more than their alcoholic beverages for awhile now, I thought that was a fabulous idea. <br />
<br />
So in the spirit of full disclosure, I am acquainted with the family of the owners of this restaurant. However, I'm also sure they didn't recognize me as we dined and therefore we received no partial service or treatment. <br />
<br />
As I've mentioned before (see <a href="http://abiteoutofthebuckeye.blogspot.com/2010/01/oxford-night-out.html">An Oxford Night Out</a>) the restaurant has a cosmopolitan feel, especially for the quaint Oxford, Ohio. However, the welcome is always warm when you arrive. The restaurant is on the small side and therefore reservations are recommended. As we were seated I was impressed by the fresh and bright magenta flower on the table. Such fresh color is a rarity in late February and had me thinking of the upcoming spring. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC_cEB8xfFI/AAAAAAAAATk/PkF7XdUX1yY/s1600/P1030198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC_cEB8xfFI/AAAAAAAAATk/PkF7XdUX1yY/s320/P1030198.JPG" /></a></div>We immediately started with drinks and my mother ordered a white wine (not sure exactly which one), Erik opted to try a <a href="http://www.kentuckyale.com/beer/Pages/KentuckyBourbonBarrelAle.aspx">Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale</a>, and I went with a vodka martini. The majority of our drinks were what you would expect, but the Kentucky Bourbon Ale does deserve some special attention. <br />
<br />
I am not a big fan of darker beers and I was sure I would not like this one. However, once it was brought out in its own special snifter glass it just looked impressive and gave off this warm spicy bourbon aroma. I knew I had to at least give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised, and Erik absolutely loved it. It was the perfect drink to accompany a cold winter's dinner. The bourbon aroma gave it a good start and then the beer had a very smooth finish. Erik liked this beer so much he looked up the website when we got home and was disappointed to discover it was not distributed to any store around us (However, we later were pleasantly surprised to find it in May at the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/grandview-carry-out-columbus-2">Grandview Carryout</a>. But I warn you, the drink is really not a warm weather drink and tastes much better out of the tap. At first Erik was ecstatic to find it so close to home, but a few bottles still sit in our fridge. From the bottle the sweet bourbon aroma was lost, but I'm hoping that maybe in October it will taste good again and we'll have to try it in a snifter glass and hope to replicate the restaurant effect). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4MJFP6lRI/AAAAAAAAAS8/2uW80yI2nCo/s1600/P1030196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4MJFP6lRI/AAAAAAAAAS8/2uW80yI2nCo/s320/P1030196.JPG" /></a></div>Bread service came out next and was composed of a few pieces of white and wheat that came out warmed. The bread had a nice softness and just a slight chew to the crust. This was served with a wonderful fresh herbed butter. I know there were chives added into the butter, but I couldn't pull out the exact other herbs and our server wasn't sure either. However, whatever herbs they chose the result was a wonderful herbaceous and buttery blend. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4PK_irB0I/AAAAAAAAATE/LDXToTDZ-U0/s1600/P1030197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4PK_irB0I/AAAAAAAAATE/LDXToTDZ-U0/s320/P1030197.JPG" /></a></div>For our entrees both my mother and Erik ordered the spinach and artichoke stuffed ravioli topped with a marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. The ravioli pasta was well cooked and the fillings had a nice texture. However, I would have preferred more artichoke flavor. The marinara sauce was very good with traditional Italian spices and nice chunks of tomato. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4Q_DBPpXI/AAAAAAAAATM/cfOgBGrlkzg/s1600/P1030199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4Q_DBPpXI/AAAAAAAAATM/cfOgBGrlkzg/s320/P1030199.JPG" /></a></div>I went with the Stella mixed salad and a seared crab cake. The salad was very fresh and crisp with spring mixed greens and generous toppings of red onion, green and yellow pepper, and spiced pecans. I chose a balsamic vinaigrette dressing which was lightly mixed in and allowed the fresh green flavors to shine through. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4Sl-9glcI/AAAAAAAAATU/fZ6poVM2dWY/s1600/P1030201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4Sl-9glcI/AAAAAAAAATU/fZ6poVM2dWY/s320/P1030201.JPG" /></a></div>The crab cake was huge and contained plenty of crab flavor. It was nicely seared and served over a cold mix of a cucumber and carrot salad which added a nice crunch to the dish. I especially enjoyed the spiciness of the chipotle remoulade that was presented on the plate for dipping. This was definitely a solid dish. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4TzG0BMEI/AAAAAAAAATc/TQd6d9o08UE/s1600/P1030200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TC4TzG0BMEI/AAAAAAAAATc/TQd6d9o08UE/s320/P1030200.JPG" /></a></div>I had brought my mother a cake from the <a href="http://www.thesuisseshop.com/">Suisse Shop </a>for dessert, so we didn't get to sample Stella 12's delicacies. Perhaps another time. The cake from the Suisse Shop, however, was delicious! <br />
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Bill Total: 1 Kentucky Bourbon Ale, 1 glass of white wine, 1 vodka martini, 2 spinach and artichoke ravioli, 1 Stella mixed salad, 1 crab cake, and tip= $86<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 1/2 buckeyes<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/32/1411414/restaurant/Cincinnati/Stella-12-Beech-Oxford"><img alt="Stella 12 Beech on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1411414/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-66439067675690029702010-07-01T17:59:00.000-07:002010-07-02T09:48:27.903-07:00The Classic Clarmont<a href="http://www.clarmontrestaurant.com/">The Clarmont</a><br />
684 South High Street<br />
Columbus, Ohio<br />
February 12, 2010<br />
<br />
For Valentine's Day this year we decided we wanted the classic steakhouse experience and quite frankly, in Columbus, you can't get more classic than the Clarmont. To some it may be outdated, but in my mind it's the epitome of retro cool. I have been to this place a few times before and I always love the feeling of stepping back in time. There are still phone jacks at each table from the days they would bring a phone to your table if an important call needed to be taken or made. I always think about all the business and political deals that were likely made at those tables. As we walked in a piano player was playing in a salmon jacket. He had probably worn that same jacket and played the same songs every Friday night there since 1980. However, that's just part of the ambiance and made us smile. Who doesn't enjoy dining to the piano version of "Wind Beneath My Wings"?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz6a4VpBXI/AAAAAAAAASE/1_weogg4yUY/s1600/P1030175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz6a4VpBXI/AAAAAAAAASE/1_weogg4yUY/s320/P1030175.JPG" /></a></div>Most of the servers have been around the block or two, which at this place, is no knock and only means they know what they're doing. The last time we ate there I'm pretty sure our server had grown up waiting tables here and this time I'm sure our server was Drew Cary's brother. Now, I'm not sure he's totally up on the current food fads as he caught me taking a picture of my salad and asked if I was really taking a picture of my salad. Our exchange went some thing like this: "Of course not", I covered, "that would be silly. I was just reviewing some pictures of my husband and I"<br />
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"Ahhh, that's good. For a minute I thought you were taking a picture of the salad and that would be weird," he countered back. Yep, weird is right. Yep, that's what I was doing :) <br />
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Anyway, even though he was obviously not up on the ways of restaurant blogging, that didn't stop him from offereing up wonderful service. For a drink I ordered a classic vodka martini, dirty. I inquired about whether or not they had blue cheese stuffed olives (my favorite) and he quickly replied they didn't, but he could make some up for me. I about fell over in love. The idea that these didn't have to be pre-bought or even pre-made, but that he would do something extra to help give me the experience that I wanted. This is why I love this place and it's an old way of doing business. I wish there was more of that in the current restaurant business.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz7FRO6I6I/AAAAAAAAASM/9wIEwoEAIDY/s1600/P1030172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz7FRO6I6I/AAAAAAAAASM/9wIEwoEAIDY/s320/P1030172.JPG" /></a></div>I received my drink and I have sampled many martinis from various upscale to non-upscale restaurants all over and I must say that the Clarmont's is my favorite. I think it goes with the throwback era. A classic martini (i.e. not an appletini, or a tankini, or a double chocolatta rum martini with whip cream or any of those other fad imposters) is another throwback to another time and the Clarmont knows how to do them right.<br />
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Bread service had a portion of a typical white loaf that was crusty on the outside and light and doughy on the inside. However, I was partial to the pretzel sticks with sesame seeds that was also in the bread basket. They reminded me of a snack my grandmother usually had at her house. The butter was whipped, light, creamy, and airy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz7cu4-_cI/AAAAAAAAASU/uDVM-zaFNyA/s1600/P1030174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz7cu4-_cI/AAAAAAAAASU/uDVM-zaFNyA/s320/P1030174.JPG" /></a></div>Next up were our salads. Erik ordered a house salad with their house vinagrette. It was your typical house salad with greens, tomato, and carrot. It was what you'd expect. There was nothing wrong with it, but there was nothing spectacular about it either. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz7rCv8xQI/AAAAAAAAASc/OENAVVbYtFE/s1600/P1030176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz7rCv8xQI/AAAAAAAAASc/OENAVVbYtFE/s320/P1030176.JPG" /></a></div>I ordered the Clarmont wedge which was a huge hunk of iceberg lettuce slathered in bleu cheese dressing with piles of chopped tomato and egg around it (sorry for the poor quality picture, lighting was "romantic"). I was much more satisfied with this salad and loved the chunky bleu cheese dressing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz71sD0IvI/AAAAAAAAASk/ayxOgCZ_fGk/s1600/P1030177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz71sD0IvI/AAAAAAAAASk/ayxOgCZ_fGk/s320/P1030177.JPG" /></a></div>For dinner Erik ordered the fried perch, which was a special of the evening. It was a comforting dish that reminded me of Friday night fish fries with my parents or the fried fish my father would order on vacation in Gatlinburg. However, overall it wasn't an entirely memorable dish, only comforting. Erik paired this with whipped potatoes and I really felt they were lacking in flavor. They were whipped nicely, but I would have added some sour cream or whipping cream. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz8KKjJxwI/AAAAAAAAASs/2MOGCdEJmq0/s1600/P1030181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz8KKjJxwI/AAAAAAAAASs/2MOGCdEJmq0/s320/P1030181.JPG" /></a></div>I ordered the the 10 ounce New York Strip done medium well with a baked potato. The steak was grilled perfectly and was of very good quality. My baked potato was also perfectly fluffy on the inside and I loved the fact that your server brings a service of butter and sour cream to you and then fixes your potato to your specs tableside. Another throwback to what good restaurants used to do. Boy I'm starting to sound old with all the talk of "what used to be"!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz8ZQQtSVI/AAAAAAAAAS0/JeQ8N1e4olk/s1600/P1030180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCz8ZQQtSVI/AAAAAAAAAS0/JeQ8N1e4olk/s320/P1030180.JPG" /></a></div>Overall, we love the retro feel of this restuarant and will likely be back. The steaks and pork chops (from another visit) are great. But I doubt we'd go with the perch again. <br />
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Bill Total: 1 martini, 2 gimlets, house salad, wedge salad, 10 oz strip steak, perch, whipped potatoes, and a baked potato, and tip (minus a buy one get one free from the Prestige Dining Card)= $57<br />
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Overall Rating: 4 buckeyes<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/370564/restaurant/German-Village/Clarmont-Columbus"><img alt="Clarmont on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/370564/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-37297579889905048052010-06-29T19:06:00.000-07:002010-07-24T14:10:06.734-07:00When You Need to Get Away From the Cold (Which ironically was a great title when I started this post in January. However, now that I'm completing it in June, not so much.)<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.bananabeancafe.com/">Banana Bean Cafe</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">340 Greenlawn Avenue</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Columbus, Ohio<br />
January 19, 2010<br />
7:30ish pm </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
I had been reading wonderful things about this place for quite some time. However, it wasn't until this last wave of bitter cold had me craving the Florida sun that we finally decided to give it a try. The restaurant features "Floribean" cuisine. What kind of food could possibly sound more vacationy? That fact plus I learned Banana Bean serves plantains practically had me running there. When my husband and I were in Key West awhile ago we had one of the best meals of our lives at a homey Cuban restaurant called <a href="http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/">El Siboney</a>. That was where I first had plantains and since then I order them whenever I get the chance! I just love their sweet and sticky goodness. Actually, we even picked our spring break destination of South Beach almost soley for the reason that we would be able to eat more authentic Cuban food and plantains! </div><br />
But I digress...back to Banana Bean. The restaurant has semi-recently moved from their Geman Village location to outside the German Village on Greenlawn. It looks like their new building is possibly a converted gas station due to the overhang outside. The local is definitely not as charming as German Village, but inside the place still gives you a warm vacation feel. We especially loved the palm tree decorated with Christmas lights and roping! The restaurant is a pretty good size with a bar area that has a large amount of seating to your left and then a dining room up some stairs to the right. Overall, the atmosphere is laid back and fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjnu0shBnI/AAAAAAAAAQk/4PUYkSZ07B0/s1600/P1030151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjnu0shBnI/AAAAAAAAAQk/4PUYkSZ07B0/s320/P1030151.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjoC7zHhTI/AAAAAAAAAQs/2v0KGX61CIw/s1600/P1030150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjoC7zHhTI/AAAAAAAAAQs/2v0KGX61CIw/s320/P1030150.JPG" /></a></div>We sat down in a comfy booth and immediately began to puruse the drink menu. Considering we were pretending to be in Florida on vacation I considered it a necessity to have a drink with rum in it. The only problem was that I loved the idea of the non-alcoholic fancy sodas they described on their menu. To solve this dilema I politely asked our server if a shot of rum could be added to the Key Lime Cream Soda (cream soda with key lime juice, if I remember correctly). The bartender and server acted like this was the best idea they had ever heard of and they said they wanted to try one when they got off work! I really hope they did because this was one of the better drinks I've had in a long time. It had the frou frou of a vacation drink all wrapped up. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjnW9dyDKI/AAAAAAAAAQc/zkIcjwZGUq0/s1600/P1030140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjnW9dyDKI/AAAAAAAAAQc/zkIcjwZGUq0/s320/P1030140.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Overall, our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I got the feeling that he loved good food just as much as we do. <br />
<br />
We, of course, ordered the appetizer of flash fried sweet plantains. The plantains were served with a ya-ya dipping sauce which was very spicy with red pepper flakes and possibly made of Sriracha sauce. The plantains were cooked to sweet, yummy perfection. They were carmelized on the outside and tender on the inside. The sauce was very spicy and on its own I liked it. I would probably love it as a chicken marinade or with a host of various other foods. However, I didn't care for it paired with the plantains. The extreme sweetness of the plantains and the extreme hotness of the sauce seemed to be competing flavors rather than complimentary. However, the plantains were so good on their own I didn't feel like they needed a dipping sauce and I was just as happy to eat them plain. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjoWa10iLI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/624CNUD450w/s1600/P1030144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjoWa10iLI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/624CNUD450w/s320/P1030144.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">For dinner I ordered the Calle Ocho which was a wonderfully rich sandwich composed of Cuban roast pork tenderloin, an olive and caper spread, and melted Manchago cheese all pressed on herbed Cuban bread that had been heavily buttered. The sandwich was sensational. The pork had a wonderful roasted and salty flavor. I loved the accent flavors the olives and capers gave the sandwich, and due to the butter, I definitely didn't need chapstick later that evening! I got the sandwich with sweet potato fries, not because I needed any more food, but simply because I couldn't pass them up. And boy were they were good! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCju-oSRQHI/AAAAAAAAARE/q6c8KWlhSiM/s1600/P1030146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCju-oSRQHI/AAAAAAAAARE/q6c8KWlhSiM/s320/P1030146.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Erik attempted to order the Keys Poacher, which was smoked salmon over poached eggs over biscuits with goat cheese grits; but was informed that the kitchen was out of biscuits. They offered that they could serve the meal over toast as a substitute. However, toast just didn't sound as appetizing so he went with Kacoo's Yahoo Junction (reuben). We thought it was odd that the kitchen would be out of biscuits, since the ingredients are common and the recipe is quick to make; but whatever. We tend to roll with the punches and were saddened by not trying the goat cheese grits, but the reuben definitely did not disappoint. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The reuben was very good and many have said this is among one of the best ruebens in Columbus (<em>Columbus Monthly</em>, July 2007). I would have to agree. The bread was a good marbled loaf, and also nicely buttered. Then there was plenty of layers of in house cured corned beef, saurkraut, and swiss cheese! </div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjudOg_JfI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/Lr94AUrCT3M/s1600/P1030145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjudOg_JfI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/Lr94AUrCT3M/s320/P1030145.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjv2MqOd_I/AAAAAAAAARM/N5GKHcKUfBo/s1600/P1030147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjv2MqOd_I/AAAAAAAAARM/N5GKHcKUfBo/s320/P1030147.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Because our server felt badly that we missed out on the Keys Poacher, he brought us a complementary tres leches cake to share. It was rich and delicious Tres leches (three milks in Spanish) is a light sponge cake made with regular milk and then soaked in a mixture of cream, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. This results in a very moist, almost custardy cake. This one had a wonderful vanilla flavor and even though we were in the middle of winter in the midwest, the strawberries that topped it tasted in season! We were beyond stuffed from the bounty we had already eaten, yet we managed to get half of this cake down and then save the rest for later (but not much later because I ended up finishing it before I even put it in the fridge) :)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjyTT8aDDI/AAAAAAAAARc/xi2fDfLyxfw/s1600/P1030149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCjyTT8aDDI/AAAAAAAAARc/xi2fDfLyxfw/s320/P1030149.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, we were really pleased with the restaurant's hospitality and food. In fact I was so pleased, that I suggested this restaurant as part of a Christmas gift for a friend who had recently gotten back from Key West and was in the mood to extend her vacation feeling for a bit longer. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">During this second visit I had to order the Key Lime Soda with rum in it again. However, this time the server looked at me like I was crazy (her loss, for sure), but obliged. She didn't see how the whipped cream on top could possibly go with rum. Hello, have you ever had a strawberry daquirri?? But whatever, again. My friend got the margarita that was on special for the night. It was a typical good margarita. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCj0eyG7OgI/AAAAAAAAARk/sPkQygTDPaA/s1600/P1030165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCj0eyG7OgI/AAAAAAAAARk/sPkQygTDPaA/s320/P1030165.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">For dinner we repeated the plantains for an appetizer and my friend got the Calle Ocho for dinner, upon my recommendation. Both were as good as the first time around However, this time I was feeeling the pinch of too much holiday fare and opted to go vegetarian with the sandwich (even though from the ingredient list I was well aware that this sandwich wasn't light) :) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I went with the Duval Street Vegatarian Monte Cristo which was composed of roasted vegetables, goat cheese, and potato pancake on egg battered sourdough bread. This was served with tomato-chile jam for dipping. The tomato-chili jam paired with goat chesse on the sandwich was what really interested me in this sandwich, but I must say I was supremely disappointed. I had envisioned the potato pancake having a nice fried and battered crisp to it on the sandwich, which would contrast to the velvety goat chesse spread and then the tomato jam and roasted vegetables would add extra flavor and zip to the dish. But there was none of that. The potato pancake was limp and bairly had a crust. There was too much bread in relationship to the fillings. The roasted vegetables were good, but there was barely a goat cheese layer on the sandwich. Also, the tomato-chile jam was also lacking in flavor in my opinion. This is where I could have used the ya-ya sauce to kick it up a notch! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCj84h68bMI/AAAAAAAAARs/k80HIQmyzcc/s1600/P1030167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TCj84h68bMI/AAAAAAAAARs/k80HIQmyzcc/s320/P1030167.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, I felt the sandwich was pretty bland and I was wishing I had gone for a repeat of the reuben or the calle ocho. The sandwich I had in my head was a good one, perhaps I'll use this one for inspiration and try to make the sandwich in my head at home. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Bill Total: (for the first time) 1 Key Lime soda with rum, 2 beers, plantain appetizer, calle ocho with sweet potato fries, reuben sandwich, complimentary tres leches cake, and a good tip for the great service: $43 (with a buy one get one free coupon from Prestige Dining Club) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall Rating: Hmmm....based on the first visit I'd give them 4 buckeyes, but only 3 buckeyes on the second visit. I guess I'll split the difference and end with 3 1/2. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/451849/restaurant/German-Village/Banana-Bean-Cafe-Columbus"><img alt="Banana Bean Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/451849/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a></div>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-50336236084942501772010-06-28T09:29:00.000-07:002010-06-29T08:36:52.582-07:00A Piece of Italy in a Westerville Strip Mall<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://cardonesrestaurant.com/">Cardone's Restaurant and Bar</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">377 West Main Street</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Westerville, Ohio</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">January 11, 2010</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">8is pm</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let's start out by saying I drive by this restaurant on an almost daily basis. It had always piqued my curiosity, but I just wasn't sure if I was up to another gamble on a strip mall Italian restaurant. However, sometime last summer I happened to notice Cardone's had added some outdoor seating and that moved it up a notch on my mental "to try" lineup. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
On a certain summery Friday night my husband and I decided to give it a shot and drove on over. We were shocked when we saw the amount of cars outside (I generally drive by in the early morning) and as we entered the place the hostess pleasantly inquired if we had a reservation. We shook our heads no and she looked on at us with pity and she explained that they were generally booked on the weekends and a table generally required a reservation. So much for your typical strip mall Italian restaurant! We left with our tail between our legs and went on to try something else out that evening, but this encounter definitely moved the restaurant to a priority placement on the "to try" list. However, things happen and it wasn't until a very cold and wintry night in January that we actually made it in for dinner (this time we made reservations, but due to weather I don't think they would have been required). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe_PA9HvEI/AAAAAAAAAQM/kwAYo13gEcY/s1600/P1030139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe_PA9HvEI/AAAAAAAAAQM/kwAYo13gEcY/s320/P1030139.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">From the outside the restaurant doesn't look like much, but as they often say looks can be deceiving. As soon as you walk in you are pleasantly surprised by your surroundings. The welcome is warm, the place is quaint (probably about 10 tables total in the front), with dim romantic lighting, and a charming black and white checkered floor paired with various tasteful Italian pictures on the walls. This is the epitome of the "great little Italian place just around the corner" that you've always wanted to know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe_pHlbGcI/AAAAAAAAAQU/DTMmh2ZSI0U/s1600/P1030136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe_pHlbGcI/AAAAAAAAAQU/DTMmh2ZSI0U/s320/P1030136.JPG" /></a></div>We were immediately seated and our server was friendly and efficient throughout the dinner. We perused the wine list which was small, but contained many good Italian wines. We went with a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from 2006 Masciarelli, Abruzzi. This came out quickly and was a very good glass of wine to go with rich, hearty, Italian foods. However, I am almost always partial to a Montepulciano. Warm bread that was doughy on the inside, crusted on the outside, and had a little bit of cheese and pepper baked on top was also quickly brought out. It came along with rosemary infused oil for dipping that was great. Definitely a good start to our meal.<br />
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Next up were house salads which were a nice spring mix style of greens, red onion, kalamata olives, chopped tomato, chopped cucumber, and topped with freshly grated Parmesan. The dressing was homemade Italian with a fruity olive oil base and lots of herbs and spices. This was a very well made Italian salad. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe2lt6-jEI/AAAAAAAAAP0/QFM23A2asU4/s1600/P1030132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe2lt6-jEI/AAAAAAAAAP0/QFM23A2asU4/s320/P1030132.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">For entrees Erik ordered the Cinghiale Bologonese which was tagliatelle pasta topped with a rich and meaty tomato based sauce made with wild boar and pancetta. The noodles were perfectly ad dente. The sauce was rich and comforting with bigger hunks of boar rather than all ground meat. However, I wasn't able to differentiate the pancetta taste from the other melody of flavors, but this is in no way a knock on the dish. In my mind this is exactly what a bologonese sauce should be. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe5BbqKhII/AAAAAAAAAP8/-1rbUQTcYtI/s1600/P1030134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe5BbqKhII/AAAAAAAAAP8/-1rbUQTcYtI/s320/P1030134.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I ordered the Osso Buco D'Cardone, which was a huge lamb shank braised in a Chianti and tomato based sauce served with slow roasted carrots and celery over a cream risotto. This dish was meaty heaven! The lamb shank had this great outer crust and then tender slow roasted flavor inside. This went wonderfully with the big, rustic hunks of carrots and celery. Then this was all over a creamy, luscious risotto with just a hint of crisp white wine flavor. The crispness of the white wine flavor in the risotto contrasted nicely with the heavy flavors of the stew. The risotto was equally great to taste by itself or with a little lamb shank gravy mixed in. I liked all the tastes so much that I alternated between a bite of risotto, a bite of lamb and vegetables, a bite of risotto mixed with lamb and then repeated numerous times. Each bite a true joy, I am salivating now as I write this and remember the meal!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe-K5uUH0I/AAAAAAAAAQE/5mihBZplPxM/s1600/P1030133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBe-K5uUH0I/AAAAAAAAAQE/5mihBZplPxM/s320/P1030133.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Both dishes had this homey quality, while still retaining some modern and wonderful flavors. They were just perfect on this cold night. And to top it all off the server was kind enough to inquire if we wanted to bring the lamb shank bone home for our dogs! I don't have a single complaint. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Bill Total: $40. 96 (2 glasses of wine, 2 house salads, and 2 entrees and a buy one get one free entree coupon from the Prestige Dining Club)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall Rating: 4 1/2 buckeyes<br />
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</div><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/1457869/restaurant/Columbus/Cardones-Westerville"><img alt="Cardone's on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1457869/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-68644084267832604312010-06-15T18:16:00.000-07:002010-06-15T18:23:44.596-07:00Bob's to End 2009<a href="http://www.bobsbar.com/index.asp">Bob's Bar</a><br />
4961 North High Street<br />
Columbus, Ohio<br />
December 31, 2009<br />
10:30ish<br />
<br />
Because we obviously hadn't yet had enough fun after our wonderful dinner at Lemongrass (and it wasn't yet midnight), we decided to head over to a favorite haunt. Bob's bar is within walking distance of our friend's house and is their favorite neighborhood bar. I only wish everyone could have a neighborhood bar as good as this one!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBV5ibk0ONI/AAAAAAAAAPc/HPdjT41m2hg/s1600/P1030117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBV5ibk0ONI/AAAAAAAAAPc/HPdjT41m2hg/s320/P1030117.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The place looks just like any other bar in a strip mall. But, what sets this one apart is the outstanding beer selection paired with friendly guys behind the bar who know what they're doing and know their beer. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm not going to bore you guys with the different beers we sampled throughout the evening. Just know that if you want a good selection in a laid back, casual atmosphere; this is the place for you. Bob's features 200 beers with 27 on draft. Nuff said. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBV6KZjIv5I/AAAAAAAAAPk/mUV21Fx1GvM/s1600/P1030131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBV6KZjIv5I/AAAAAAAAAPk/mUV21Fx1GvM/s320/P1030131.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">They also have a really fun bathroom sign.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBV7sr4-GWI/AAAAAAAAAPs/JdRHrYQozNU/s1600/P1030110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBV7sr4-GWI/AAAAAAAAAPs/JdRHrYQozNU/s320/P1030110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If this looks like your kind of place and you feel like becoming a regular here, have fun partatking in Bob's Bar World Tour which consists of getting a fun sheet with 88 different beers listed that get punched as you drink each one. Luckily there is no time frame, but at completion you become the owner of a handy dandy Bob's Bar World Tour t-shirt and eligible for the next leg of the journey. The second challenge is 44 more beers; which when completed means you have drunk your way through the entire front glass cooler. After this accomplishment, in addition to a larger beer belly, you earn a Bob's Bar World Tour glass mug! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I know our friends have been working on this tour for quite some time...I'll have to check in on their progress. Unfortunately, I won't be taking this challenge. Beer isn't totally my thing (not that I don't enjoy a good one every once awhile) and Bob's isn't exactly in my backyard. Now if only there was a Mexican restaurant tour...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Overall rating: 4 Buckeyes</div>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-88835381826870440792010-06-14T14:00:00.000-07:002010-07-02T09:46:42.243-07:00An Asian Style New Year's Eve<a href="http://www.lemongrassfusion.com/">Lemongrass Fushion Bistro</a><br />
641 North High Street<br />
Columbus, Ohio<br />
December 31, 2009<br />
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Good friends of ours invited us out for "something Thai like" for New Year's Eve. We then had a few other friends give us a call looking for something to do, and soon enough our dinner group grew to 6. We tossed around a few resaurant ideas and Lemongrass ended up being our choice for the evening. <br />
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When walking into Lemongrass you get hit with an amazing smell of Asian food immediately. I next noticed that the place looked trendy and fun. It was a little loud, but in a fun rather than obnoxious way. We had reservations and our table was immediately ready (or so we thought). There was also a live piano player playing close to the front, which definitely added to the ambience. We were originally seated close by the piano. We started to settle in when we realized a hostess kept looking at us nervously. Eventually she came over and very timidly and apologetically explained that she had seated us in the wrong spot, and wondered if we could move. We had no problem with that at all and felt badly that she was so worried we would be upset. We moved to a more private corner in the back that suited us just fine and was a lot less noisy. <br />
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With this being New Years, I was definitely in the mood to try some fun cocktails and Lemongrass's cocktail menu definitely did not disappoint. Some of the choices that piqued my curiosity were the sake with cucumber, a Pom Pom (sake with pomegranate liqueur), and a classic Mai Tai. Since champagne was the official drink of the night I went with the Sparkling Pomegranate, (a mix of champagne and pomegranite liquer). It was definitely a fun spin on a mimosa. Some of the others in our group tried a Key Lime Martini (great initial coconut flavor and then a refreshing lime finish), Great Lakes Christmas Ale (you already know my take on this one), Sapporo beer, and a 2006 Austrailian Chardonnay (I wish I had more details on this one, because I really enjoyed it. It was not as oaky as many Chardonnays due to being fermented in steel, rather than oak, barrels.). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUV9tuyqfI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Wi2MfHxO2zQ/s1600/P1030093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUV9tuyqfI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Wi2MfHxO2zQ/s320/P1030093.JPG" /></a>We then put in a few orders of appetizers. First up was the sampler which consisted of seafood rangoon, chicken sate, and spring rolls. The seafood rangoon was perfectly fried, but there was a great deal more filler rather than seafood. The sweet and sour sauce for dipping was really great. The chicken sate was served with a peanut sauce and it was very average. The spring rolls had a great crisp on the outside, and the flavors inside were very typical of a spring roll with typical Asian vegetables. It was very much what was expected. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUWRZNrKiI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/yOYpzHGOFAM/s1600/P1030097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUWRZNrKiI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/yOYpzHGOFAM/s320/P1030097.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We also tried the pan-seared veggie dumplings which were good, but a bit bland tasting for my preference. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last up was the Lemongrass soup. This soup was truly wonderful with a great mix of Thai vegetables and chili paste that added a wonderful spiciness to the dish. The soup was also served with a biscuit that was very good. Whenever we make it back to Lemongrass, this soup is a must! </div><br />
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective), I was too involved in conversation to get any pictures of the appetizers. You'll just have to use your imagination! <br />
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Onto the entrees! Our friends are great sushi lovers, but I must admit that sushi is just not one of my favorite foods. I have tried it many times (and even tried it again this evening multiple times) and I really want to love it, but for some reason I just haven't been able to get into it. I know that part of it is that fish is generally not a favorite of mine, but I really don't love the veggie sushi either. That being said, this sushi was by far the best I have ever tried. I still didn't love the sushi, but I truly liked and enjoyed each and every bite I had. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our friends ordered the catepillar roll, which is avocado over a bbq eel roll. I was very leery to try this especially knowing my slight aversion to fish, but in the name of blogging I decided to give it a try. And I'm very glad that I did! Yes, keep that in mind you readers who are stuck in your food ways! The sweetness of the BBQ eel went well together with the avocado and just melted in my mouth. Then I got a nice wasabi kick at the end of the bite. Really very good (for sushi, that is) :) Our friends also ordered the spicy almond sushi and spicy shrimp tempura with cucumber. Overall, I couldn't get over how good the sticky rice was in each and every bite! The spicy almond was good because of the nice crunch and spice the almonds gave the bite. The fried shrimp tempura was equally good. Also, look how great the presentation is! Totally loved it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUXWQOfd2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/VX8m8RlkBB0/s1600/P1030104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUXWQOfd2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/VX8m8RlkBB0/s320/P1030104.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our other friends went with the vegetable sampler which included avocado, cucumber, spicy almond, and a mixed veggie roll. Again, I loved the sticky rice! The avocado, cucumber, and mixed veggie roll were all very good. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUXw7lhwDI/AAAAAAAAAOg/Gjdz8izsYTk/s1600/P1030103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUXw7lhwDI/AAAAAAAAAOg/Gjdz8izsYTk/s320/P1030103.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My husband and I went with less interesting entrees. I went with the spicy zucchini chicken over rice (rather than the angel hair pasta suggested on the menu). This dish was composed of steamed chicken pieces sauteed with zucchini, Thai basil, green chili paste, and cocnut milk. Overall, I loved the flavor the Thai basil gave to the dish, but I was really hoping for more spice and flavor. This dish was good, but not great. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUYsFR0FUI/AAAAAAAAAOo/5FOnzIlJWNk/s1600/P1030100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUYsFR0FUI/AAAAAAAAAOo/5FOnzIlJWNk/s320/P1030100.JPG" /></a></div>My husband went with the Phad Thai and it was excellent! The peanut flavors were perfect, the vegetables of carrots and peas were tender crisp, the spices were not too overpowering or too bland, and the noodles cooked with the right amount of bite. This was definitely one of the best Phad Thais I had ever tried (and was even better as leftovers the next day).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUZAEmo73I/AAAAAAAAAOw/mAAFu-R7U0M/s1600/P1030101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBUZAEmo73I/AAAAAAAAAOw/mAAFu-R7U0M/s320/P1030101.JPG" /></a></div>The service was a little slow overall, but due to the holiday we were in no hurry. They also more than made up for this with friendliness and attentiveness. The server also did a great job at answering questions and giving good menu suggestions. <br />
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Bill Total: Truly I have no idea since each couple paid separately, but our portion of the bill was $95.70. I know that included 2 entrees, probably an appetizer or two, and a host of drinks. I'm just not exactly sure of the specifics. The bill was so high mainly due to drink purchases. For the quality, I felt the food was a good value and hey, it was New Years!<br />
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Overall Rating: 4 buckeyes<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/371425/restaurant/Short-North/Lemongrass-Fusion-Bistro-Columbus"><img alt="Lemongrass Fusion Bistro on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/371425/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3138981966224661293.post-66262219223595191052010-06-13T16:40:00.000-07:002010-06-13T16:40:36.038-07:00Fresh Roasted Coffee in Salem?<a href="http://www.friendsroastery.com/">Friends Roastery</a><br />
474 East State Street<br />
Salem, Ohio<br />
December 27, 2010<br />
8ish am<br />
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As I was explaining my Christmas plans to a coworker I happened to mention that my husband was from Salem, Ohio. She remarked that she had just moved to Columbus from Youngstown and had frequented Salem while on her last job. She shared that there was a lovely coffee house downtown that fresh roasted their own beans. I'm sure I had a puzzled look on my face, but I tried to hide it. I thought she surely had to be mistaken on the location. Downtown Salem just didn't seem to be a likely spot for gourmet coffee. I mentioned this chat to to my husband and he gave me the same questioning look. Surely, she must have gotten the wrong town. We both had visions of Salem's mostly empty downtown strip in our head.<br />
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However, after mentioning this in passing to Erik's mother, the shop was confirmed. We were very surprised. Maybe this is a hint of a downtown revitalization? I sure hope so! Salem has a host of lovely and quaint old homes and it would be great to see a little more life in the downtown area. <br />
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On a blustery December morning, soon after Christmas, but before heading back to Columbus, we decided we needed to see what all the talk was about. We loved the quaintness of the building and the character of the inside that left memories of the building's past purposes. The building originally served as a bank and then served as the community newsstand and tobacco store for quite a long time, but under various names, before being turned into a coffee shop in 2007. The current owners have kept some of the wood display cases along the side and display a collection of memorabilia. I also enjoyed the old theatre seats in front of the current coffee bar. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBVPNgAaMsI/AAAAAAAAAPE/t2b8PY2m0WM/s1600/P1030089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBVPNgAaMsI/AAAAAAAAAPE/t2b8PY2m0WM/s320/P1030089.JPG" /></a></div>The shop had a great selection of roasted coffees, specialty drinks, and teas. I especially loved the selection of sodas in glass bottles located in a wooden antique display case. There was an equally nice selection of homemade pastries. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBVPmTT0JII/AAAAAAAAAPM/f3OXLUu3h9A/s1600/P1030085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBVPmTT0JII/AAAAAAAAAPM/f3OXLUu3h9A/s320/P1030085.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBVPzn-HC2I/AAAAAAAAAPU/nhA-2OfvMoA/s1600/P1030086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YlT6j9I9SLo/TBVPzn-HC2I/AAAAAAAAAPU/nhA-2OfvMoA/s320/P1030086.JPG" /></a></div>We both chose a house blend coffee. I had mine with milk and Erik took his black. We shared a cinnamon roll and a ham and cheese pastry. The coffee was good. It was your typical gourmet blend from a locally owned and operated coffee house (and much preferable to Starbucks, in my opinion).<br />
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The pastries were also good and homemade, but nothing spectacular. I was left wanting more filling in my hame and cheese pastry and more cinnamon and glaze in my cinnamon roll. <br />
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Overall, I think this is a great addition to the Salem community and will welcome another stop on our next visit to town. I loved the cozy and warm atmosphere, especially after wandering in from the cold. <br />
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This place isn't quite on par with the coffee at <a href="http://www.staufs.com/">Stauf's</a> in Grandview or the pastries at French Loaf, but for Salem it's a wonderful step away from the chains, a nod to the past, and definitely a step in the right direction. <br />
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Cost: Unfortunately, since I'm so behind in my writing I've lost my notes and am doing this entirely from memory. Therefore, no receipt and no idea how much we paid. However, it was your typical coffee house prices. <br />
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Overall Rating: 3 buckeyes<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/334/1342588/restaurant/Youngstown/Friends-Roastery-Salem"><img alt="Friends Roastery on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1342588/minilink.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; height: 36px; width: 130px;" /></a>Annabellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756550966580640289noreply@blogger.com0