mikecho's Profile
Best Italian in the Twin Cites is in White Bear Lake!
This is a Hidden Gem! I have frequent this place since it first open. Darren and the staff are great. The food and service is always on key. I go here a lot since I live near by. Hopefully they don't get to big that they move to Mpls.Just to compare the food to "real" Italian food. I was in Italy for business traveling all over and once I got back home. I had to go to Acqua right away to compare the food since my taste buds were still fresh from Italy. I will say that their food is right on compared to Italy. I have tried most of everything on the menu and trust me everything is great. This place is so popular now that reservations are a must. There is some space at the bar on a first come-first serve basis. I recommend the Ragu alla Bolgnese or the Ossobuco di Porco. Obviously, if you blog on chowhound, you know what good Italian food is and not the Olive Garden...haaa. This place is fine-dining (without the snooty attitude) but a chef-driven feel since the place is small. The prices are right. Check it out!
http://www.acquawbl.com/Menu.html
Joan's in the Park
This place is only good to fair when compared to similar style restaurants such as Acqua, 112 Eatery, Heidi's, etc.. There is nothing special about this place that sets it apart from similar upscale casual Chef -driven restaurants. The atmosphere was nice with a decent server. The food was good as expected, but nothing really WoWed me. I personally didn't care for the crab cake. It was just a basic upscale-casual restaurant menu with no signature dish to make it a neighborhood gem. I did think it was tacky to get a plastic bottle of pop on the white table cloth table along with a cafeteria-style white styrofoam to-go-box. I will say it does have potential
Downtown weekend
Ike's Food and Cocktails is always consistent in the quality of the food. The main thing that I come here for is the burgers! They are definitely on my top ten list for burgers in the hard competition out there. The burger, shakes, and fries are awesome; you wouldn't think it based on the everything menu. The apps are good too. If you get a chance to do brunch here, I recommend it. It is family style and they start you off with a large carmel roll. The GM, Bill Morris, does an outstanding job with the restaurant. http://www.ilikeikes.com/
Meritage vs Heartland
I have been here off and on since it first opened (again too many good restaurants in the Twin Cities). This is my favorite French restaurant in the TC. So after getting back from a week in Paris to compare food right away, I actually like Chef Klein's French food style better than Paris! It is one of the few places that serve French country food. I love the cassoulet and bourguignon when it is available. They have the best Rillettes but you have to ask for it since it is not on the menu (I think it is laced with crack). This place is on my top ten list.
Best prime rib?
Try the Roseville VFW...It is not fancy but has good eats and cheap drinks.
I cut and pasted this post from my earlier post:
Contrary to belief, the Roseville VFW here is open to the public. Most VFWs are open to the public due to declining membership (all the old vets are dying off). Anyway, this VFW has a new Chef along with a new menu. On Friday nights they have Prime Rib and Walleye for $12. You get either the prime rib or walleye with a baked potato along with a veggie and roll. This place is great! The Walleye is huge that has a light panko crust which comes out moist inside. The prime rib is a thick King size portion done how you like. Now especially for the price and quality of the food, you would pay at least $20+ for the prime rib anywhere else. And why go to an Applebees, Chilis or TGI Fridays for lesser quality and portion size along with paying a higher price with crappy service. Plus you support the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) which is a great cause. They also have cheap drinks. I am surprised word has not gotten out to the college kids. They have different events going on there plus a regular menu. I do like the chili there. So stop in and try it out.
Great Prime Rib along with the Walleye!
Contrary to belief, the Roseville VFW here is open to the public. Most VFWs are open to the public due to declining membership (all the old vets are dying off). Anyway, this VFW has a new Chef along with a new menu. On Friday nights they have Prime Rib and Walleye for $12. You get either the prime rib or walleye with a baked potato along with a veggie and roll. This place is great! The Walleye is huge that has a light panko crust which comes out moist inside. The prime rib is a thick King size portion done how you like. Now especially for the price and quality of the food, you would pay at least $20+ for the prime rib anywhere else. And why go to an Applebees, Chilis or TGI Fridays for lesser quality and portion size along with paying a higher price with crappy service. Plus you support the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) which is a great cause. They also have cheap drinks. I am surprised word has not gotten out to the college kids. They have different events going on there plus a regular menu. I do like the chili there. So stop in and try it out. Just remember every VFW has a different menu so don't judge the others thinking they are all the same.
http://www.facebook.com/rosevilleandersonnelson.vfw
Best fine dining in Brainerd Lakes Minnesota?
Lost Lake Lodge was great and a cool hidden location.
Island Flavor is the Best Hawaiian BBQ in Las Vegas!
First of all, I can compare this Hawaiian style bbq to the real deal in Hawaii. If you know the local spots on Oahu such as Rainbow Drive Inn, Side St Inn, Aiea Bowl, Shiro's, Helena's, you will know what I mean. This is probably one of the best I have ever experienced. The BBQ plate has real sirloin cut up. The chicken katsu is perfectly done. I the pork is outstanding. The kalbi is thickly cut with a lot of meat. The portions are also bigger than a normal plate lunch. The deserts are great especially the banana bread pudding. Everything has the homemade taste. Service can be slow but be patient, it is Hawaiian time! I can't get enough of this place! Everytime, I visit Vegas at my vacation condo, I come here. I have tried most of the menu including the deserts. I recommend everything so far. I totally recommend this place! It is the best in Vegas and compares to the top Hawaiin BBQ restaurants on the Islands.
http://www.islandflavorlv.com/
(website is wrong on times....They open at 10am)
8090 S. Durango Dr. #103 Las Vegas
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Island Flavor
, Las Vegas, NV 89113
Nice Korean food in Las Vegas
Try this one.This is my favorite place for Korean considering the value and quality of the food. I usually get the buffet (not a real buffet as in the food stations). This buffet is better because it is made to order. You pick a few items off the menu and it is made fresh and then order some more items off the menu. All for $15.99! I do hate it when others, who don't know Korean, food rate these types of places. I am a S. Korean and I know my food. Is it the best Korean ever? No..BUT it is pretty dang good for the value that you are getting. I liked everything on the menu and it tastes how it suppose to taste. Most of the food is basic Korean food done well. If you go a regular Korean al-a-carte restaurant, you will pay more. It is a good expierence for those who aren't sure what to order in a Korean restaurant.
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Yum Yum Bbq
430 E Silverado Ranch Blvd Ste 115, Las Vegas, NV 89183
Local Nashville Food?
Here is my review of my Nashville weekend. The winner goes to Arnolds for the best meat and three! Tried a little of everything. The deserts are great too. Swetts was fair but we got there an hour before closing and it is in da hood. Loveless was great despite the 45 min wait due to be a tourist spot. 400 degrees kicks ass and the owner herself was cooking which gave it the extra TLC (I went to the one on Peabody). Jacks BBQ downtown didn't look good so we ate across the street at Rippy's which was good. Pucketts is decent. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to give the other places a try.
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Swett's Restaurant
2725 Clifton Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
Rippy's
429 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
Local Nashville Food?
Thanks for all the tips. I did find this website from a foodie that has some good photos of the local places.
http://www.hollyeats.com/South.htm
Local Nashville Food?
I'm going to Nashville, TN over Memorial Weekend for my first time in that city. Is there a local food that you can recommend. For example, Minneapolis-Juicy Lucy, Colorado-Green Chilie, Hawaii-Plate lunch, Chicago-Deep dish pizza and Chicago dog. I think you get what I mean. We will be staying downtown. I like hole in the wall places like you see on Dinners, Dives, and Drive-Inns. I have already read about Loveless Cafe and Jacks BBQ. Also any place for good country music? As in the good acoustical guy or gal playing the guitar singing solo or with a small band.
Are there food trucks in Nashville?
French comfort food, blanquette de veau
My wife and I stayed at the Park Hyatt Vendome and the conceirge recommended this D'Chez Eux for French Country Food......I am from the US and we have our fine dining French restaurants in every major US city. But it is hard to find French country food (comfort food). The cassoulet was fabulous! Large portions of food in this cassoulet. It has white beans duck, pork, and sausage in a crock pot. The rillette was also good. I highly recommend it!
Best fine dining in Brainerd Lakes Minnesota?
FYI....I ate at Mattys which is great for Burgers and the Sunfish sandwich...get the sweet potato fries....
Best fine dining in Brainerd Lakes Minnesota?
I never cared for Black Bear or Grizzlys.....There are too much like an Applebees....
Best fine dining in Brainerd Lakes Minnesota?
So we ate at The Sherwood Forest which is one of Grandview Resorts restaurant. At least when I was there, The Sherwood was excellent. The crabcake gives the Oceanaire a run for there money.....there are not that many places in MN that served good crabcake. The service was great and decor was nice with good ambience. Quarterdeck Boat house eatery sucks....Ate there twice. Once for dinner and then once for brunch. Most of the food there is fair at best. My In-laws ate at Matty for the sunfish sandwich as raved about it...So I am going to have to try it out....I will let you know...
Mike
Go Fish Restaurant in Vancouver BC
Go Fish next to Granville Island which is in a little shack with only two tables. I read about this in the Bon Appetit magazine and confirmed this with the locals in Vancouver. I have to say this place is awesome but be prepared to wait in line; plus wait for your fresh food. I highly recommend the tacones (aka fish tacos) which are now on my top ten list. I have tried fish tacos everywhere from Hawaii to Cali. These have a different spin and I loved them. There are tons of fish n chip places around here that are quite good. These would be towards the top of my list along with the fries.
You have to ask the locals for the exact location of this place because it is hard to describe. It is near the bridge off a pier. I know this doesnt' help but once on Granville Island just have one of the locals point and you will find it.
Enjoy!
Mike
Cin Cin: review
The atmosphere was nice. The service was fair or we just got the dumb new girl. The food was good but not worth the cost. The over priced pizza was awesome! It was $21 which I thought was high for a small appetizzer.
Prairie Bay in Brainerd, MN
I like Prairie Bay....I eat there everytime I go up to Brainerd....Service is usually good and the food is usually consistant.......Execpt for one time the hostess did not write down my reservation and I had an issue that night....
Best fine dining in Brainerd Lakes Minnesota?
I do like Prarie Bay (ate there several times) and it is fairly consistant expect for the 16 year olds checking you in but what do you expect for cheap help.....I was not impressed with Ivans on the Bay...food quality is fair and the service is off for a fine dining restaurant...but then again how many of the kids that assist the server ever ate a fine dining restauarant but they should be trained better tho...
St. Paul Italian
Brad,
I have always had food at Trattoria DaVinci....service can be hit and miss but mostly good. You didn't have the pasta bar did you? I heard that is not the best so I always order fresh.....La Grolla is totally hit and miss for food and service.....Osteria has benn always good.....But my experience with Pazz has not been good....the bar is the only cool part.....I know it is not Italian but have you tried Meritage yet?
St. Paul Italian
Peter,
I totally agree with the Meritage....it has great food and service....Also in Mpls, Al Vento is a good neighborhood restaurant....food is great service is hit and miss....
Best Dallas Texas Steak House Non-Fine Dining?
I will be in Dallas this next month (Dec). I have been in different parts of Texas over the years and found some good Texas steakhouses that are set up Texan style and not the fine dining. Oh don't get me wrong, I do like my fine dining steak houses (Ruth's Chris, Mortons,..etc...) I know these types I am looking for are not Prime Steak but they taste really good. And no, I don't like chain places such as Outback or Timber Lodge! I just want the place with the big steak and Texas toast with the Texan decor......
Since I am staying in Dallas, I don't want to drive that far away out of the city.
Any recommendations on this type of place or local places (non-chain) would be a help. I also do like Texmex....If you have a good place on this let me know....
Thanks,
Mike
St. Paul Italian
FYI>The Pazzaluna sucks...Everthing I had to eat there, I have been dissappointed in the food quality and sometimes service.
Go to trattoria da vinci which is in downtown ST Paul..... much better food and price.
first sonic in minnesota, what the..?
I tried the Sonics in St. Paul....I have eaten at tons of them down South. Maybe because it is new, it seems like the service and taste is off-key. The one in St. Paul feels like you are in the "hood" with the people serving you with baggy pants/ hip-hop wear and poor manners. I was disappointed in this Sonic.
Six89, Carbondale, CO: outstanding!
Phat Thai sucks and is over priced for the quality. There are no Asians that work there; with Mexicans cooking your food if that tells you anything on how authentic it is..............Take the advice from a "real" Asian...
Mike
Any REAL or ethnic food around Aspen and enviorns?
Phat Thai sucks and is over priced for the quality. There are no Asians that work there with Mexicans cooking your food if that tells you anything on how authentic it is..............Take the advice from a "real" Asian...
Mike
Best fine dining in Brainerd Lakes Minnesota?
What is the best fine dining restaurants in the Brainerd lakes area? That is if there are any.....:)
Thanks,
Mike
