montanacsl's Profile
Chalkboard vs LM
How to make a long story short? Well, I'm afraid I can't. Son won the toss and we went to Chalk Board. The Maitre d? Waitress? fumbled around (literally) with notes on the menu...no clue. I made a simple request that a carrot puree not be drizzled on the top of my halibut. She returned to say the chef had completely changed the presentation of the fish.....as in totally changed...which prompted my son to switch from steak to the halibut. We ordered a bottle of wine and 2 appetizers. The wine was brought, opened and tasted just fine. However, after a bit, we realized the year/vintage on the bottle did not match the one we ordered on the wine list. Hmm. Much consternation...do we say something? let it go? Decided to just say something at the end of the meal. Appetizers arrive.....ribs and also scallops. Scallops priced at $13.00. Three scallops the size of a quarter. And, like the ribs, quite lukewarm. I would even say hovering towards the side of chilly. Ooooo-kay. We are now beginning to get a little cranky. We are even discussing whether or not we want to continue, but then we tell ourselves "hey, weak start, strong finish!" So much for thinking positively. The entrees arrived. Daughter-in-law's 3 (magic number?) tiny medallions of monkfish......cold. My son's and my halibut and risotto: his is completely ice cold and mine is cold here, warm there, oh wait...cold again over here, oh! a hot bite........no, sorry, this side is ice, too. That did it. Son calls over waitress, explains the litany of problems and says this is the last straw. She says I will have chef speak to you. After 10 minutes he appears tableside as if in a scene from a mumblecore movie saying it had been like a busy night and they obviously didn't do their job and could he send out dessert on the house and he would not charge us for our meal. We declined dessert (I mean, we hadn't EATEN for god's sake) and got ready to take our leave. And that is when the chef returned and presented us with the bill FOR THE WINE. The Wrong Wine. The 3/4 full bottle of wine. Need I say more?
So, we stop outside and phone LM to see if we can get in (Saturday night). Sure, come ahead. And happy to have us, no doubt. Perhaps 2-3 other tables were filled. Great service. Solid menu. Nothing great. My salmon was undercooked, but okay. Chicken and lamb dishes...again fine, but no raves. We split a chocolate tart with such a heavy, thick, tasteless crust one could barely taste the chocolate. No espresso available. Decor was all over the place......some great lighting and then plastic mats over the tablecloth that made you feel you were eating in a pancake house. And that, my dear respondents, was that.
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Chalk Board
4343 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Chalkboard vs LM
I am coming to Chicago this week-end to visit my son and family and they want me to choose between these two restaurants. We've all been to Chalkboard and enjoyed it, but my daughter-in-law is feeling a little frisky and in the mood for something new. Is it worth taking a chance on LM? I looked at the menus (appears the winter menus are still up on the website).........we're looking for great food; atmosphere is always a distant second. Thanks....I know this is last minute.
Best bagel I've found outside New York is in Las Vegas
IMHO, just a little crusty on the outside and chewy inside. From someone who used to bake her own out of desperation, if they don't boil them before they bake them, don't buy 'em. Can't wait to try Bagelmania on my first trip to Vegas beginning this Sunday.
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Bagelmania
855 E Twain Ave # 120, Las Vegas, NV
pathetically mixed bag of questions
Hi......just remember that Alex closes Dec. 5 for almost the entire month. Perhaps you are arriving before that date. We show up that evening so that blew Alex away for us. What a disappointment. I did make reservations for a Weds. night at Rosemary's. Who knows. I'll report on it when I get home. Ellenost recommends Cut, but since we are long-time Montanans, beef just doesn't get our pulse racing. I should check their menu, though, for other options. (allergic to lobster, wouldn't you know!) Considered L'Atelier Joel Robuchon but whoa, reviews are all over the place on that one so I backed off. Let me know where you end up dining and maybe it will be in time to save us! "-)
pathetically mixed bag of questions
OK, now ........really. The gods are against me. Decided to make a rez at Aureole and do the Parallel Tasting menu and made the phone call only to be told......they are closing for a month to knock down the "wine tower". I have been successful in one spot: "Rosemary's". I am crossing my fingers. Someone has recommended KJ's Kitchen for good Chinese.....does anyone go along with that? I have spent soooo many hours researching food that I am almost not hungry for anything now. :-)
pathetically mixed bag of questions
Hi Blue Team, Alex closes Dec. 5-23, so hurry and get reservations...they are only open, I think, Weds-Sat, so don't know if your dates will work. For Sushi, I'm going with the recommendation of Ellenost which was Okado, even though I've been to Nobu in Malibu and thought it was fabulous. (also have loved Marais (sp?) in Chicago) I'm still waiting for someone to come up with a spot for great Peking Duck (beau has never tasted it) and somewhere for seafood. I'd like tapas although he's going to visit family in Spain in a few months and so it's not exactly primo on his list. I hope you luck out with Alex...hurry, hurry. That was finally my dream choice.
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Nobu Restaurant
4455 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169
pathetically mixed bag of questions
Great to hear from you again. Looked at Cut. As long-time Montanans, the idea of steak is maybe not top on our list. Sushi recommendation is great. Still hoping for someone to give a shout-out for an outstanding Peking Duck spot. When Wynn told me Alex was closed, she really pushed Bartolotta. Have been reading reviews and Oy! are they mixed. Anyone out there have a good feel for that spot esp. the tasting menu? We never get good seafood, nor fabulous Italian. Bartolotta equals that don't charge by the gram (good lord) would be welcome. We have a Cheesecake Factory close by. Forgot: we love Tapas (he's a Basque Boy) I cannot believe how I am obsessing about all this, but I do love to eat. P.S. Ellen, even though I am 5'4" and weigh 110, no one could legally sell me a bathing suit. My ass is now behind my knees. P-o-o-l is not an option. :-)
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The Cheesecake Factory
3500 Las Vegas Blvd S Ste M03, Las Vegas, NV 89109
pathetically mixed bag of questions
Ellenost! Love reading your reviews and hoped you would sign in with your opinions. Loved the Le Cirque idea and guess what.....they are closed for our entire stay. I am definitely having Bad Vegas Kharma. While I look at Cut and Sage, tell me what you and your sister do for fun since you don't gamble. (Beau didn't listen and bought tix to Zumanity which are "slightly off-center".......big sigh) Even though we will have a car, I have stomped my little foot and declared I'm not going out to see some damn dam. Have you been to Raku? I think it's sushi....out by Lotus of Siam perhaps? Adore Chinese...Peking Duck is a favorite. Wile living in Montana and desperate would even make it myself inc. the pancakes. Thank you so much......please continue...........................one and all!
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Lotus of Siam
953 E Sahara Ave Ste A5, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Le Cirque
Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
pathetically mixed bag of questions
OK, an update: having plowed through a million reviews and all your tips and suggestions I finally chose Alex for our big wonderful blow-out meal. Are you ready? Remember we arrive the eve of Dec. 5th? Alex closes Dec. 5th-23rd for their winter vacation. (They must be going somewhere with Cher.) The Beau has agreed to go $150 each for our Big Night Out. So, I begin again. Unless someone can figure out some crafty ordering at Joel Robuchon's? Planning on driving out to Raku. (Have spent so many hours on the computer researching Vegas restaurants I think I have some kind of vision disorder now)
pathetically mixed bag of questions
Thanks for so many ideas. In reply to questions, esp. the sushi....he is living in Montana. "nuff said. I am in central Ohio. feh. We are staying at the MGM Luxor....no clue as to what it is like, a friend of his got us a discount. Have realized it will be like schlepping from NYC to get to anywhere. Really appreciate the tip about Zumanity seating so have left him voicemail to hold on the tickets. I am trying to think of restaurants I've loved that might have an equal in Vegas area w/o the killer tab: Chicago': TRU, Pasteur, a Vietnamese gem; NYC: Shun Lee Palace and Union Square Cafe; of course, sigh, Lutece. Is Taste of Wynn something at Alex or....? Will look up the other spots so kindly recommended. If one ordered a la carte at Joel Robuchons....say appetizer, entree, dessert, one glass of wine....what kind of money are we talking? Meanwhile........back to my searches of everything mentioned by my new Vegas buddies!
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Lutece Restaurant
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
pathetically mixed bag of questions
My beau and I will be spending 5 nights in Vegas beginning Dec. 5th. Vegas has never held much appeal for me (so not a gambler) but I am a foodie so was soothing myself with the thought of Joel Robuchon. Yeah, right. OK, I'd lower myself to "Alex". sigh. Then I began getting an idea of price in Vegas if you want to dine fine. So I'm asking (and Ellenost, I do like your opinions as I run through different posts) is it possible to have a truly wonderful meal for $150 each and if so, where? We will have a car. We both like French, Chinese, Sushi......most anything really, except not so much Greek. We are hoping for one night at a lovely spot, then would be great with dives with great food. I loathe buffets, but maybe they're different in Vegas? (Read in a Chow posting about restaurant.com coupons for $2 but I sure can't find that coupon code!)
We plan on seeing a Cirque de Soleil (the racy one, not my pick!) Other than that, not much seems to be going on when we are there show-wise. I do sound horribly whiney, don't I. I apologize for that. It will be fun when I get there.........am just disappointed in the prices. (I'd pay $250 for a 6 course at Joel's, but my guy says No Way)
Will appreciate any and all help and thank you in advance.
Road Trip Across North Dakota and beyond ...
Is it hoping for too much to find a decent meal in Bismark or Jamestown? Will have been driving for hours across Montana before hitting the Interstate in North Dakota and hoping there is a spot we can aim for where a lovely martini and great food await. Ultimate destination is Lancaster, Ohio and we haven't quite figured out yet where Night #2 will be. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated......even a lunch break on Day 2. Many thanks in advance.
Looking 4 Best Wedding Cake In Milwaukee, WI
My son and fiancee are planning their June wedding at the Schlitz Audubon Center. They have sampled a few nearby bakerys for their wedding cake and left each "cake tasting" with nothing but big, sad sighs. Since my son is a chef and graduate of the CIA, expectations are probably running a little high, but if someone could point us to a really no-doubt-about-it fabulous bakery somewhere in the city we would all be so grateful. The couple lives on the east coast and will only be back to Milwaukee twice to taste before the big day. HELP! and thank you! Montanacsl
