TypeA's Profile
Alex at the Wynn
Alex is close - but not quite as good as The French Laundry. My husband and I debated through our entire 16 courses at Robuchon whether it was better than the French Laundry. It is extremely close - almost on par - but The French Laundry is just a bit more creative and far less formal.
Erin
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/
Casual Spanish Hot Spot on South Street
If you like tequila, Xochitl is the place for you. Ordering a margarita is a 10 minute process unless you know a thing or two about the more than 50 types of tequila this restaurant stocks. Located at 408 South Second Street, the restaurant is on a quaint little cobblestone street that features a mix of professional offices, restaurants and lounges.
We had a party of six and ordered a selection of appetizers to share. Sopes ($8) consisted of sliced duck, goat cheese and chorizo on fresh masa tortillas with black beans. Melted Chihuahua cheese ($8), served with flour tortillas, was best when piping hot. The trio of Tamales ($7) was the best I’ve had. Summer Vegetable Ceviche ($7) was refreshing - chilled to perfection and a lighter alternative to our rather rich assortment of appetizers. But the #1 reason to go - and why I will return to to Xochitl - is the guacamole, made to order at the table ($7).
We should have stopped with the appetizers because the entrees were rather ordinary in comparison. Selections we tried include the lamb ($22), the braised pork shank ($21), the stuffed Poblano pepper ($16), and the whole roasted Branzanio ($40 for two people).
My advice when visiting Xochitl is to start with the tequila flight to get a baseline understanding of the various types of tequila they serve - then order your next drink(s) with your favorite. Be sure to order the guacamole made table side – and if you are lucky enough to be there on a night when they are mixing in truffles, order an extra bowl.
Erin
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/
Fabulous French in Philly
My husband met me at the end of a business trip in Philly so that we could visit Le Bec Fin, Philadelphia’s only Mobile 5 Star restaurant for many years. Chef/Owner Georges Perrie relinquished this honor in April when he decided to make the restaurant a bit more casual and fun. Le Bec Fin still ties with the The Inn at Little Washington as the longest rated AAA 5 Diamond restaurant - 20 years in a row. Located at 1523 Walnut Street, it has been a gastronomical destination since 1970.
We opted for the tasting menu ($140pp) with wine pairing ($70pp). The cuisine and service were both flawless - well worth the money. The amuse bouche of crab salad with roasted red pepper and delicate pea tendrils, was followed by our first course, a chilled white asparagus soup. The second course consisted of a baby vegetable salad with truffle dressing, featured blanched purple potatoes, squash, carrots and white asparagus. Sushi grade seared tuna was served with a delicious English pea puree and unusual hibiscus flower and honey emulsion. The roasted organic duck breast with fava bean and morel mushroom fricassee in a duck red wine sauce was our favorite course of the evening, though the cheese and dessert carts that followed lived up to their legendary status.
Le Bec-Fin is a gastronomic institution that must be experienced at least once by any serious foodie, whether you are visiting Philly or live within driving distance.
Erin
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/
Alex at the Wynn
When we found out that we were going to be in Las Vegas for business, the task of selecting the restaurants we would visit became of paramount importance. Who better to seek advice from than one of my favorite local Portland, Maine chefs, Krista Kern (of Bresca fame). Having spent time in Vegas kitchens, she steered me straight to
Alex at the Wynn, describing Chef Alex Stratta as one of the best chefs in Vegas.
She didn't lead me astray. Our experience at Alex was a gastronomic symphony!
Treats from the chef included asparagus cream soup with lemon infusion, a spectacular trio of tuna tartar, veal and proscuttio, a silky artichoke soup, kampachi belly tartar that tasted as though it had been just pulled from the sea, a tiny cheese puff that had a surprisingly warm liquid cheese center, and a delicate puff pastry that contained a medley of earthy sauteed mushrooms and sweet caramelized onions. The Chef had some fun with the last creation, a miniature lobster "burger." A lobster claw, topped with roasted red pepper and lettuce, was sandwiched between a tiny sesame seed bun.
Our appetizer selections were Napoleon of Bluefin Tuna, Kanpachi and Osetra Caviar and Santa Barbara Spotted prawns with Ricotta Gnocchi. My entree, crispy wild sea bass, served with garlic ravioli, basil puree and red pepper bouillabaisse, had a distinctively Mediterranean flavor. My husband's quail was wrapped in a thin layer of smokey, salty pancetta and served with sweet figs, tangy rhubarb and a creamy celery root puree. I selected the refershing coconut crepes for dessert, while my husband opted for the decadent Chocolate and Banana Napoleon.
The cuisine is inventive French/Italian fusion. The service is flawless, sophisticated without being stuffy. I will undoubtedly return to Las Vegas on business at some point in the future and the one single restaurant I will seek out is Alex.
Erin
blog.typeadiversions.com
The Fountain
I'll be in Philly next week and have reservations at Le Bec Fin and wait listed at Vetri. Looking for another restaurant within 15 minutes or so of the Ritz & Four Seasons downtown. How is The Fountain? Any other suggestions in the vicinity? Any outstanding Thai places?
Striped Bass & Le Be Fin
I noticed on Osteria's website that they have a kids menu. Is it a family kind of place?
Striped Bass & Le Be Fin
Thanks for the info! I'm wait listed at Vetri. In the event I don't get in, any recommendations for creative gourmet places to eat?
Striped Bass & Le Be Fin
I'm staying at the Courtyard near the Convention Center - 21 N Juniper St.
Striped Bass & Le Be Fin
I'm heading to Philly next week on business. Any recent reviews of Striped Bass or Le Be Fin? Also, I'm looking for some "local" lunch spots Downtown - nothing fancy - sandwiches, sushi - just seeking great food and a hip atmosphere.
Seeking Breakfast & Lunch Spots in or Near MGM in Vegas
Agree that 'Witchcraft has great fare, but they no longer serve breakast...there are still breakfast items on the menu board, but they weren't open the three days we were there. A great lunch spot though.
Fabulous Sushi in Vegas - Shibuya
With upcoming reservations at Alex, Bartolotta and Joel Robuchon, we decided to dine on the lighter side our first night in Sin City. Since we were staying at the MGM Grand, Shibuya for sushi was the logical choice.
Shibuya claims to have the most extensive sake selection this side of the Pacific. Bottles of sake are displayed in their “great wall of sake,” and sell for as much as $1,300.
Sitting at the sushi bar, we were able to watch the seven sushi chefs at work. The moving tentacles on the beheaded shrimp were a testament to the freshness of the fish this restaurant serves. The presentation of each platter was spectacular, with each item artistically placed and adorned with edible flowers.
While Shibuya is a worthy destination on its own, it is a particularly compelling option when seeking a respite from some of the City's more elaborate and heavy meals. Fresh fish, artful presentation, an extensive sake selection, and hip atmosphere make Shibuya an excellent choice when in Vegas.
Erin:
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/2008/05/shibuya-las-vegas.html
The Grill Room Opens in Portland, ME
The Grill Room opened last Friday (5/23) at 84 Exchange Street, the former real estate of Natasha's, A casual steakhouse featuring natural raised meats and fish, the restaurant caters to a late night crowd - the bar stays open until 12:45, serving an extensive menu. Their à la carte dinner menu allows diners to mix and match meats, fish, starches, vegetables and sauces that meet their unique tastes, appetites and budgets.
They plan to start serving lunch mid-June. Seating in the nice weather will expand out into the courtyard abutting Tommy's Park. Given the location in the heart of the Old Port, I suspect they will attract a steady business and tourist lunch crowd.
While the wood grilled beef and seafood are the Grill Room's forte, I will return for the wood fired pizzas (the BBQ Duck pizza is amazing), succulent mushrooms (the stuffed mushroom appetizer is to die for), affordable prices, and lively atmosphere.
Erin
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/2008/05/grill-room-portland-maine.html
The Merry Table Creperie
At long last, crêpes have come to Portland, Maine. Located at 43 Wharf Street, The Merry Table serves soups, salads, sandwiches and paninis - but go for the crêpes! They are fantastic.
My choice, the "Poireaux" ($8) was filled with braised leeks, wild mushrooms and goat cheese. The warm cheese melted just enough inside the crêpe to create a creamy sauce for the soft leeks and earthy morels. My husband's Poulet" crêpe ($7.50) was filled with grilled chicken, oven roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions and arugula. Our warm dessert crepe - Banana and Nutella - was oozing with the chocolaty hazelnut spread.
The creperie is very casual...more of a lunch spot than a choice for dinner. If you want to read a more extensive review, you can visit http://blog.typeadiversions.com/2008/05/merry-table-crperie-portland-maine.html.
Erin
Seeking Breakfast & Lunch Spots in or Near MGM in Vegas
We're staying at the MGM in Vegas and need a couple of suggestions for Breakfast & Lunch. We were burned our first day when we had the most disgusting lunch at Studio Wok (no research, hungry from our long plane ride). Fortunately, we had a much better experience at Shibuya for dinner. We're set for dinner the next three nights Robuchon, Alex, Bartolotta), but unfortunately I did not do advance research on the other meal spots. Any suggestions? Again, we want to stay fairly close to the MGM for these meals, unless we can hop on the monorail.
Bangor, Maine
Ichiban (if you like sushi), Massimo's (italian) and New Moon (contemporary American cuisine) - in that order. If you want to read more details about these three, you can visit www.typeadiversions.com. The best lunch spot - by far - is Monte's on Columbia Street. Amazing salads, creative wraps and sandwiches and delectable desserts. I love this spot.
Erin
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/
Birthday Cake in Portland area?
Scratch Bakery in South Portland. Hands-down, the best bakery in the area. The chocolate cake with buttercream frosting is to die for.
Erin
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/
Evangeline, Portland, Maine
Evangeline, located at 190 Congress Street, opened its doors to the public this past Thursday. For those who enjoyed dining at Erik Dejarlais' former restaurant, Bandol, you will be pleased to once again enjoy his classic French techniques. While he has resurrected several of Bandol's specialty dishes, including the adventurous "Crispy Roasted Calf Brain," the menu is diverse and ripe with numerous innovative creations. Prices are affordable - a couple can easily dine for under $100, wine included. Evangeline is destined to become one of the top restaurants in the City.
For those who wish to read about opening night, you can visit www.typeadiversions.com
Erin
Islamorada Restaurants
I thought I'd report back. While in Islamoroda, one of the best meals I had was at Kaiyo. For those who enjoy sushi, Kaiyo is a "must" when visiting the Florida Keys. The execution of our meal - both the food and the service - was flawless. Expect to pay a premium; dinner for two was $147 before tip, well worth the price given the experience.
For ambiance, my favorite spot was Pierre's Restaurant.Pierre's dishes are classic French, with Asian and Caribbean influences. Local ingredients prevail in many of the Chef's creations, resulting in fresh, creative fare - the best I found in the Florida Keys. Watching the spectacular sunset from Pierre's second story veranda is the icing on the cake.
Chanticleer South was a disappointment. They offer above-average contemporary French cuisine (minus the breadsticks), and a delightfully cheery decor, however, the service was abysmal during the two hours we were guests.
If you're interested in more extensive descriptions of my experiences at these restaurants, you can visit www.typeadiversions.com
Erin
Islamorada Restaurants
Thank you for your candid comments. I guess I have to go to Grande Case in St. Maartin to get both warmth and great food! I have booked Chanticileer South and Pierre's...and for our third night will try the Island Grill based on your suggestion. I love tuna and Tuna nachos sound right up my alley! thanks!
Best Restaurant in Las Vegas
My husband and I travel each year to restaurants on the Gourmet List of America's Best Restaurants. We're heading to Vegas for 4 nights. So far I have booked:
Joël Robuchon at the Mansion
Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare
Restaurant Guy Savoy
Where should I go for my 4th night to experience the Best of the Best?
Islamorada Restaurants
My husband and I will be in Islamorada for 3 nights in March. We are serious foodies....we typically travel to as many restaurants on Gourmet's Best Restaurants in America (we love The French Laundry, Alinea, Chez Pannise, etc). Where should we go for our 3 dinners while in the area?
Are there Lobster rolls without Mayo?
The Dry Dock in Portland's Old Port serves delicious lobster rolls with the mayo on the side.
Erin
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/
Greek food in Portland
My expectations were exceeded on the night I dined at Emilitsa. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, the exceptional service and the upscale decor.
As has been stated by others, the restaurant only serves Greek wines. Luckily our waitress had excellent knowledge of the featured wines and directed us to two full bodied reds, which she allowed us to taste before committing to a full glass. The first, an '05 Palivou Nemea was comparable to a Red Zin - complete with a peppery finish. The Domain Foivos "Myesis" was a more mellow red, dry, with only a hint of spice.
Our waitress (Jenny) surprised us with a treat from the kitchen, a chilled potato garlic puree served with grilled Standard baguette slices topped with high quality unfiltered olive oil, parsley and lemon. We munched away happily as we perused the menu. Still in the midst of a "soft opening", Emilitsa is serving a "preview" menu, featuring a dozen or so appetizers and only four entrees. Numerous appetizers appealed to us, and with assistance from Jenny, we settled on the Spanikopita and the trio of dips served with pita.
Thin layers of buttery, light and flaky phyllo dough held a blend of spinach, feta and dill to create the delicate Spanakopita triangles. Our trio of dips included traditional tzatziki (blended cucumber and yogurt) which made a fabulous dip for the Spanikopita, a red caviar "hummus" type dip (my favorite), and a chunky eggplant, tomato and herb mix, similar to a bruschetta. All were served with thick, warm, doughy pita bread from Greece.
My husband ordered the restaurant's only Grecian beer, called Mythos, to enjoy with his entree of Free Range Chicken, marinated in lemon, olive oil, oregano and garlic. A bit overcooked, it was flavorful but dry. The grilled potato wedges were excellent, crisp and golden on the outside, yet soft on the inside and wonderful when dredged in the olive oil, lemon and parsley on the plate.
I wanted to try something different than my husband, but the three remaining entrees on the preview menu were meat based; I was hoping for a veggie option. The waitress, after checking with Demo, proactively offered to have the chef create a dish that was not on the menu. The resulting vegetarian entree featured grilled yellow zucchini, eggplant, scallions, red onions, olives, feta cheese, fresh lemon juice and a fabulous unfiltered olive oil (from Greece); it was creative and flavorful.
We managed to save just enough room to share the baklava, a dessert made with layers of phyllo, walnuts, and sweet honey. The chef is smart to portion this dessert very small, as it is so rich and sweet.
I agree with ejohnson that the service at Emilitsa is excellent, attentive without being intrusive. We particularly liked that with each course, the silverware was cleared and replaced. The chef attempts to use all organic ingredients, many are shipped directly from Greece. Soon (perhaps at the time you are reading this), they plan to add fish to their menu - caught daily in the Mediterranean - and within 24 hours on the tables of Emilitsa diners.
Although more expensive than the two other Greek restaurants in town, the service and quality of food match the price point. My husband and I each had two drinks, an appetizer, entree and split a dessert for $95.
I will definitely return to Emilitsa and encourage others to give it a try.
Erin
http://blog.typeadiversions.com/
Great Chinese in Boston
Can anyone recommend an excellent chinese restaurant in Boston? I live in Maine where they don't exist.
No. 9 Park
2006 Gourmet Magazine's ranking (#43) of No. 9 Park is off the mark. One of the best restaurants I've encountered (and I've tried more than a dozen on Gourmet's list), Boston's No. 9 Park should rank in the top 10 of America's Best Restaurants.
Upon arriving at No. 9 Park, we were promptly greeted and shown to our table at the rear of the restaurant. The room was very warm and my husband asked our server if the heat could be turned down. Just a moment later the hostess appeared at our table, expressed her apologies for the temperature and said she had turned down the heat. She also offered a table in the front dining room where it was at least ten degrees cooler. We accepted. The excellent and swift service exhibited in our first five minutes at No. 9 Park was sustained throughout the evening.
On the weeknight we dined, the restaurant was full with a mostly business crowd. Across the street from the State-House, it appears to be the choice for business dinners and couples to meet after work for a bite to eat. The three course tasting menu served only in the bar, allows for a more affordable version of that which is served in the dining room - and provides a forum for drop in diners without reservations.
Many of the wines on the wine menu are made specifically for No. 9 Park, including the 2006 Santa Barbara Pinot Blanc that my husband selected while he perused the dinner menu. Our waitress was correct that this was more of a classic buttery Chardonnay than a Pinot Blanc - exactly what he was seeking. The 2006 Heinrich "Red Cat for the Butcher Shop" wine, also made for No. 9 Park, was recommended to me by our waitress. I was skeptical about ordering such a young red, but it turned out to be delicious, soft, round and absent of hard tannins. Proper "Riedel" style wine glasses were used for these wines, and throughout the evening for each of our wine selections.
Wanting to experience the full range of the chef's talents, we both selected the seven course Chef's Tasting menu ($90) with wine pairings ($150). Substitution requests were easily accommodated, the first being the Kampachi Sashimi in place of the Assiette of Pork. The Kampachi was as fresh as I've tasted it; served with pickled ginger, the fish was drizzled with pumpkinseed oil and topped with tiny fried shallots, a nice contrast to the buttery sashimi. Such delicate tastes would have been overwhelmed by most wines; the Roederer champagne paired with the dish was perfect and refreshing.
Our next course, Lobster Salad, was served atop basil puree and topped with a fried white anchovy, baby fennel, tomato confit and black olives. The lemon olive oil drizzled over the salad cut through the buttery richness of the lobster and tempered the fried taste of the anchovy. This dish had a Mediterranean flavor and was paired with a Rose wine from the south of France (2006 Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose).
Dover Sole with bearnaise sauce, capers and spinach was a more interesting presentation than the Dover Sole I recently had at Locke-Ober, though it was a bit bland until paired with a lemony Sicilian white wine (2005 COS Rami).
The Risotto with Cardoon, (similar to an artichoke) Black Truffles, and Comte (a nutty flavored cheese) was one of my favorite dishes of the evening, though not as good as the Risotto with White Truffles that I enjoyed at The French Laundry (ranked #3 on Gourmet's list).
For the optional middle course, we had a choice of Foie Gras or Prune Stuffed Gnocchi. I selected the gnocchi which was served with toasted almonds and brown butter. It was paired with a 10-year old Broadbent Madeira that I did not at all care for, though the sweet wine was appropriate with the tart prune.
Sweet brioche topped with pear butter held my husband's foie gras, which the '04 Riesling complimented perfectly. The other side of the platter held a foie gras pate topped with red current, which unfortunately completely overpowered the delicate pate flavor. Roasted squab (baby pigeon) was tender and moist; it was amazing when paired with the accompanying finely chopped pistachio and shallot jam.
We decided to share the optional cheese course. Kate, our server, was impressively well versed about not only the menu, but the wines and cheeses as well. For an optimum experience, request her as your server if you decide to dine at No. 9 Park. With her assistance, we selected the Blue de Bocage from the Loire Valley, the Dallenwiler Geisschas from Switzerland (my favorite - creamy like a Camembert), U Pecurinu from Corsica and Shropshire Blue from England, an amazing cheddar/blue cheese combination. All cheeses at No. 9 Park come from Formaggio Kitchen in Boston's South End, though we purchased the Shropshire Blue the next day (it was that good) at The Cheese Iron in Scarborough, Maine. Kate provided us with complimentary glasses of Muscat which paired exceptionally well with each of the cheeses.
Our final course was the Chocolate and Cinnamon Cremeux with roasted pear, white chocolate and walnut slivers, served with a surprisingly refreshing Sparkling Red wine (2006 Cascina Garitina Brachetto D'Acqui Niades).
Far superior to many of the restaurants on Gourmet's America's Top 50 Restaurants list, No. 9 Park is certainly better than Charlie Trotter's, Locke-Ober, Cyrus, Daniel, Fore Street and even Spago. If you live within driving distance, you must go to No. 9 Park; if you live further away, it is an absolute "must do" destination dinner for serious foodies.
Parish Cafe
At the recommendation of a fellow Chowhound, my husband and I had lunch at the Parish Cafe, located at 361 Boylston Street in Boston. Their description of a lunch spot that is "hip and comfortable" with "top notch sandwiches" was dead on.
With 80's and 90's rock playing in the background, the restaurant was packed for lunch with a diverse crowd of business people, college students, and soccer moms with their kids. Scoring a table in the front window, it was the perfect spot to people-watch, though our attention was quickly diverted to the fresh brewed iced tea and Vegetable Potstickers ($8.95) that soon arrived at the table. Filled with carrots and cabbage, these vegetarian dumplings were served with two sauces: an Asian soy ginger dipping sauce, and a thicker, mayonnaise-based, spicy remoulade. The plastic containers used to serve the sauces were an odd choice, though it didn't take away from our enjoyment.
I used both sauces, first spreading the dumplings with the remoulade sauce, then dipping them into the soy ginger, making sure to scoop up a scallion for added flavor. The wrappers were perfect (not too thick); the dumplings were more flavorful than most I've had, likely a result of sauteing them in a bit of sesame oil rather than steaming. The side of sticky rice made this appetizer filling enough for a lunch entree.
Each sandwich on the menu is created for Parish Cafe by a well known Boston Area chef. I selected the SDLT ($10.95), a spice rubbed, smoked duck breast sandwich served on caraway rye bread with lettuce, tomato, red onion and caper mayonnaise. With a choice of cole slaw or potato salad, I selected the latter. Excellent quality bread was thickly sliced, lightly toasted and filled with a generous portion of sliced duck breast. The combination of the rye bread, red onion, caper mayo and duck was an explosion of intense flavors in my mouth. The red bliss potato salad held a perfect amount of heavy mayonnaise, parsley salt and pepper.
My husband's Black-Peppered Tuna ($14.25) was an entree, as opposed to a sandwich. Grilled and served rare, the steak was edged with crushed black pepper and drizzled with a soy-teriyaki glaze. The side of curried vegetable risotto cake held bits of red pepper and scallion; the thick asparagus was marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, then grilled. Immensely flavorful, it could only have been improved had the chef used an asparagus peeler on the chewy stalks.
If I lived or worked in the vicinity of the Parish Cafe, I suspect I'd be a regular. The specialty martinis, cocktails and interesting appetizer list would make it a fun after-work spot. It's also a perfect spot to grab lunch when I visit Boston, as I routinely do, particularly given its proximity to Newbury Street.
Lunch Spot Near XV Beacon?
The Parish Cafe was a great suggestion! Thank you. Hearty and creative sandwiches, interesting appetizers. The vegetable dumplings were fantastic. The SDLT and the tuna entree were excellent. Good service, cool vibe....thanks again.
Lunch Spot Near XV Beacon?
We're heading to Boston in a couple of weeks - staying at XV Beacon, with dinner at No. 9 Park. Is there a good lunch spot within walking distance of the hotel? Alternatively, we'll be spending time on Newberry & Boyleston and could do lunch there as well. I'm looking for a high end soup and sandwich type place that has seating.
