mhcpita's Profile
Return trip suggestions
2 dinners near MOA are needed. We'll arrive Monday for dinner and leave Friday. We have one breakfast to eat out and we'll head to Marias for corn cakes. We have 4 nights and we are tentatively thinking of going to Matt's (did 5 8 last time) and Broders (were there last time and loved it!). We loved Crave at Galleria...but we should try something different. We'd love to try asian, but this board is all-over with recommendations! We like anything. Character is always an added plus. Price is no object. As we'll have our own vehicle, staying near MOA, but have dreadfully early mornings, we'd like to dine somewhat close. Help us round out our agenda!
Menu featuring beef tenderloin
Honey, where are you? I just purchased mine - they 'cryovacked'??? it?? and it was $25.99 a pound! No sale here!
Menu featuring beef tenderloin
I'm planning to make beef tenderloin with a port sauce for Christmas Eve. Can I do french onion soup with it? If so, what sides would you suggest to complement? Potatoes feel too heavy; don't want to do popovers as the soup will include bread. Green beans seem too ordinary. Thoughts?
What's for Holiday dinner 2011?
How about the ham that you "brine" for a few days in advance. It isabsolutely delicious...really easy - just need to plan ahead and so many wonderful side dishes go with it! Kids love it if they try it. We never have leftovers - and if we do, there are bidding wars to take them home. I can certainly provide the recipe.
Forget anything good you have heard for breakfast/brunch
I cut the tortilla. They served the huevos rancheros with a large steak knife and a fork. It was meant to cut the heuvos rancheros which had a tortilla on the bottom. I can't imagine being able to pick this up and eat it with my hand.
Forget anything good you have heard for breakfast/brunch
I had reviewed prior posts and asked for downtown breakfast suggestions....my comment to the 'ify' breakfast situation downtown was - someone needs to open something! :) I'll be in town again this coming weekend and may try Firelake. It is interesting...most of the hotels downtown were full to capacity on Saturday night (I know that from talking with the Foshay's front desk)....so...someone could make some money! I'm not sure if it is implied in some of the messages or not....but, it seemed that HK's menu selection was smaller. ?? We happened to be downtown and those I was travelling with weren't open to a car trip for breakfast. I'm also sorry about recent posts about Maria's. I never got there when it was consistently good. Cheers to all the discussion about this topic - even if it is disagreeable; people's perspectives are fascinating.
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Firelake
31 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Forget anything good you have heard for breakfast/brunch
I have loved, loved, loved Hell's Kitchen in the past. True, I haven't been there since they changed locations. A group of 5 of us went this past Saturday morning. We had 8:45 reservations. Going on line 2 weeks ago, there were reservation options from 7-8:45 and 12:45 and after. After some deliberation, I selected 8:45. We arrived promptly and were quickly seated, as there were only about 5 other tables of diners. By the time our food arrived at 9:15, there was a line and chatter and the lines continued, with a 30-60 minute wait. They simply don't take reservations between 8:45 and 12:45. I would have appreciated them being transparent about that. Our waitress brought us water and was ready to take our order. We hadn't really had a chance to open the menu. I was with others who had never been before....they were looking at the surroundings and soaking things in. Our waitress was gone brusquely. She reappeared perhapds 3 minutes later and then told us the specials in the most incredibly rushed voice you can imagine. it wasn't that they were busy. We began looking at the menu and I mentioned their famous peanut butter, sausage bread, and porridge. We were discussing them because they are unique and one needs to look at the menu descriptions - it isn't like a simple order of scrambled eggs and 2 slices bacon, for example. Again our waitress was back. We ordered beverages and it was clear that she was miffed that we weren't ready to order. Note - we had been sitting for 7 minutes tops! When she came back with our beverages, we ordered. the sense of rushing continued. She'd literally snatch the menu from our hands and be on to the next person before each had placed their order. So it went. Suffice it to say, we were rushed! Our food came in decent time - not fast, but not an overly long wait either. Lemon ricotta pancakes and the special Reeses peanut butter pancakes were declared wonderful. Another guest had the biscuits and gravy. It was plentiful, but the taste was only of spicy sausage and the biscuits were a very thick hard variety that the gravy could not permeate. I ordered one of their menu features - heuvos rancheros. It was luke warm and a pile of globs. I could not cut the tortilla, despite it being served with a steak knife. The overall flavor was from the cloyingly sweet "salsa". It was awful. I was embarassed to have brought guests. I will NEVER go back. Poor service will be trumped by great food and very good food with only good service will be OK with me also. I do not recommend you waste your time on a breakfast or brunch at Hell's Kitchen. Whatever has gone wrong with them?
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Hell's Kitchen
80 South 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Breakfast places in Twin Cities
OK people. We did the 8:30 reservation at Hell's Kitchen for Saturday. I was tempted with Manny's...but, have never been and some of your reports aren't so great. I have loved Hell's Kitchen in the past...but, have never been to the "new" location. I think if one wanted to make money, you should open a breakfast spot in downtown Mpls!
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Hell's Kitchen
80 South 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Breakfast places in Twin Cities
Can you specify which of these are "downtown"? We were hoping to go to Hell's Kitchen, but reservations for our group of 5 are limited to 8:30 or 12:45 on the weekend. Thank you!
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Hell's Kitchen
80 South 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Favorite snack mix recipe
Often, I have to bring some sort of snack mix to an event that doesn't require heating or chilling. I mean along the lines of your basic Party Mix or Ranch'd Oyster Crackers. Would you share your favorite snack mix recipe?
What's cooking for Father's Day?
Pork ribs baked in the oven - plan to finish them on the grill, but you can easily broil them. Potato salad, calico beans, not sure what else will round it out, maybe watermelon and feta salad; but making a Honey Date Tart (my Father loves dates). I'm going to make the potato salad, beans, and tart today. I'll also start marinating the ribs today. Beans will cook in the crock pot tomorrow. Ribs will be ready to go into the oven - need nothing more than time. Watermelon salad needs to be assembled at the last minute if I make it, but everything can be ready to go together.
Near Magnolia Hotel or 15 minute cab away
An experience is what I asked for - Feast! Whoa! Being a good German girl, I can do blood sausage, head cheese, and pig's feet with the best of them.....I'm afraid my husband will never touch meat again if we go to Feast. What a fabulous concept! Indian is not his fav either, but it's MY birthday for God's sake.....so, I'll give him the choice.....Indika or Feast! Thanks much!
Near Magnolia Hotel or 15 minute cab away
Snow? NO WAY! I am leaving the midsection because of the snow! Just so we can fly out on Saturday! I love the Doce Vita suggestion - character!
Near Magnolia Hotel or 15 minute cab away
My husband and I will be in Houston Friday night and the following Saturday. Neither of us have been before. Atmosphere and presentation aren't that important to us. An experience with good food tops our list. The hotel made reservations for us at ?Sambuca and some family owned Italian place? Please advise!
Off the strip "Italian"
Which would you select and why? or why would you not select one of the following?
Casa di Amore Chef Marc's Bootlegger's Nora's Carluccio's Bartista's Hole in the Wall (I know this is on the strip, but I enjoyed it many years ago) Il Mulino
Need help in Sioux Falls SD
Unfortunately, we have few restaurants that deliver. Most Chinese restaurants do, as do pizza. Pizza Ranch and Boss' offers chicken, in addition to pizza, and Tomacelli's offers pasta, in addition to pizza. There are a few places that deliver, though there is a minimum order - usually quite large, and not far from 'fast food' (Panera, QDoba, and Honey Baked Ham, for example). The only other option is Steak Out, which only does delivery. They actually deliver steak dinners....I have never tried it, so can't attest to it.
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Honey Baked Ham
201 S Mount Auburn Rd, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Sioux Falls Recommendations
As someone from SF who travels a lot and depends on Chowhound for rec's, I think it is time to update our thread. Please chime in with your fav's and add any categories I have left off. I'll list my personal votes.
Fine Dining - Wild Sage (I have been disappointed in 'K'; Foley's has great food and love the atmosphere, but it is SO LOUD; Spezia has great service and atmosphere, but wouldn't really consider it "fine dining")
Mexican - Azteca, still a Taco John fan after all these years; (went to Mexican restaurant by Mr. Nifty once years ago and was underwhelmed...should I try it again?)
Italian - Spezia? Great food, but Italian seems a stretch
Burgers - Granite City, TC Referee?
Hidden Gem - Mama's Ladas (fab salsa - unusual, but great), Sanaas (I love the three spreads with pitas; don't miss the Saturday brunch), Nick's Gyro's, Touch of Europe (love the pork osso buco, stuffed salmon and walley)
Asian - Golden Bowl (Used to LOVE Dynasty's Vietnamese and Spring Rolls, but recently heard that they did very poorly on their health inspection...I have NOT been back); Green Curry with Chicken or Shrimp at Cocopalace is my all time favorite dish!
Bar scene/fun atmosphere - Bracco
Pizza - pathetically, Godfather's thin crust taco; Taste of the Big Apple has been hit and miss for me; when it has been good tho, it has been great! Maybe it is dependent upon what we have ordered
Offbeat Ethnic - (what kind of category is this anyway!?!?) Sushi Masa (see Hidden Gem)
Salads/Sandwiches - Red Rossa Salads, Mr. Goodscents; I have heard great things about Mix, but have never been
Breakfast - Original Pancake House; my husband loves Cracker Barrel
Sunday Brunch - Carnivale
Steak - Wild Sage
What have I missed?
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Spezia
3125 S. 72nd Street, Omaha, NE 68124
Touch of Europe
337 S Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Azteca
9429 S 142nd St, Omaha, NE 68138
Mama's Ladas
116 W 11th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Nick's Gyros
1512 W 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Golden Bowl
2600 S Spring Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Original Pancake House
2715 W 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Sushi Masa
423 S Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Cracker Barrel
120 Progress Point Ct, O Fallon, MO 63368
Bracco
317 240th Ave, Arnolds Park, IA 51331
Rochester, MN update
Any updates for 2010? Any hidden gems? New ethnic delights? Not looking for upscale.....casual good eats.
Recipezaar.com is now Food.com
Was gone on the weekend; recipezaar is a 'go to' site for me. I too was redirected to food.com. Saw elsewhere that it was purchased by Scripps? I do not like the new format? Impossible to do sorts by ingreds, courses, or by ratings!!!
Taste of Chicago? Weekend recs needed
Coming to Chicago for the 4th of July weekend. Will arrive on Friday, July 2 about noon. Should we do Taste of Chicago Friday afternoon and evening to avoid the weekend crowds? Our other plan is to do ToC on Saturday and spend the day there - people watching, wandering around, and eating our hearts out! Some have said to skip ToC entirely and spend the time touring. What do you think? If we go to ToC, which booths are worth standing in line for ? If we do ToC on Friday, we'll do brunch at Bongo on Saturday morning, followed by a city tour with a local tour guide. Having been to Lou Malnati's and Uno/Due, should we try Pizano's for pizza Sat night? We tend to like good tasing food and a place with real character. On this trip we won't care about service, inventiveness, or presentation in food as long as we're not paying for those things. We are staying near John Hancock building downtown and will be going to the Cubs game on Sunday. I also need a recommendation for a hearty breakfast/brunch (as opposed to the sweeter variety at Bongo). Then, after the game.......we'd like an authentic cubby fan experience, but not being able to get a drink due to crowds, being heaved upon by drunks, and having to witness fist fights is not what we want! (I have read that the Wrigley area after games can be like this???) So, where would you go?
Eat like the locals in Vegas
Philber and Ivnvflyer, Do you have a favorite entree at Todd's and Marche Bacchus? We're at the Palazzo this time, but driving a ways isn't out.
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Marche Bacchus
2620 Regatta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89128
Eat like the locals in Vegas
My husband and I go to Vegas about 3 times a year. We have definitely gone to all the fine dining establishments on the Strip. Our favorite off-strip location is Casa di Amore (for its old school charm, schmaltzy entertainment, and solid food). We have never dined downtown (Hugo's Cellar or Piero's) and only recently learned of Todd's Unique, Marche Bacchus, and The Vintner. I can say, we have give Rosemary's three tries and they are out. We were disappointed in the service our first time and the food has just not impressed us. But, given we like Casa di Amore, take that for what you will. (The place we patroned most was Commander's Palace for a bit more insight.) Also have been to LOS and some off the beaten path breakfast spots. Of those suggested, can you rank them for me? Have I missed a local favorite? We're looking for neighborhood gem; decent atmosphere; and solid food.
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Marche Bacchus
2620 Regatta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89128
Sturgis Rally and food
I wanted to report back on our 'eats' and see now if anyone wants to weight in. Our first night, we went to the Deadwood Social Club (atop the #10 Saloon). We waited for a table outside, because the weather was gorgeous. We started with the buffalo appetizers - a treat...who ever gets buffalo? Unfortunately, they came out after a bit of a delay, nearly immediately followed by our salads and main courses. Salads were good; my husband loved the salmon and my steak was great. Service was a bit slow and obviously, the timing was off..but, I'd go again in a heartbeat.
We ate at Cheyenne Crossing the next morning. I enjoyed a taco-ish omellete and my husband had pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, the works. Coffee was horrid, but it was hot and dark. A nice relaxing meal; good food.
We ate at a wonderful place that evening - I believe it was called Sommerset Bistro. Sommerset is a small community just north of Rapid City and the 'bistro' is in a non-descript strip mall. The atmosphere inside is better than you'd expect. They had a decent selection of wines and a large menu. Steak, seafood, salads, sides, everything was spot on. Apparently, they have a chef that is well trained - so we were told. I would definitely eat there again and highly recommend it!
Don't know what we may have missed....we stopped for beers on our bikes in several 'hole in the walls' but nothing to contribute in terms of food.
Sturgis Rally and food
We'll be staying in Deadwood for a week and want to make sure we ride to and enjoy the best food out there. Custer, Rapid City, Deadwood, Spearfish, etc. Best breakfasts, meals, happy hours, hole-in-the wall places, but good food. Atmosphere isn't important -service isn't all that important unless you PAY for it.....Thanks in advance!
Omaha weekend eats recommendations
I'll be going to Omaha for a girls weekend mid October. We all love Mexican. Though probably not known for seafood, is there a decent place to get oysters and seafood? What about a Sunday brunch spot? Unique Omaha restaurants with decent food is key....like Bohemian Cafe. We'll be shopping Old Market and way out west, so location doesn't really matter.
Washington DC Brunch
They have no reservations available on Sunday! Second choice please? thank you
Washington DC Brunch
Is there a buffet brunch in DC that is decent? I'd prefer not to order off of a menu, but be able to select from a variety of good foods. We are staying in Dupont Circle and will be travelling to the Holocaust Museum early afternoon. Very good solid food (no need for truffles) is required. I'd expect to pay $25-40 per person.
Sioux Falls Overview Fall 2006 (from a local)
I have some recent opinions on Mexican food in town. Since Chi Chi's closed, it has been tough. Oh my, only kidding! Inca has been our favorite. However, over the last year, I have been disappointed. There has been turnover in wait staff and cook staff too. Most recently, one of the former chefs opened his own spot on north Minnesota, Los Tores. I may not have spelled it correctly. It serves original Inca food. Extensive menu. I had a hard time getting past the bright lights and orange though. It was clean and service was great....but, I have to say, I felt like I was eating in a bus station. We will be ordering takeout from now on. Interestingly, on the drive home, I noticed a sign for a mexican restaurant to open on Minnesota Ave between 18th and 14th.
PIZZA - a prior poster mentioned restaurants per capita and chains. What would it take to get a real pizza "parlor"? We had our chance with little Andolini's take out in the Gustaf's Flower Shop building, but they are long gone. How pathetic for me to suggest my favorite pizza in town is Papa Murphy's.
Sioux Falls Overview Fall 2006 (from a local)
Food 'n Fermentation is moving, yet again. They'll occupy the original Sioux Falls Brew Pub location on north Phillips ave.
Sioux Falls Overview Fall 2006 (from a local)
Bob's is still open for chicken and ribs. The original owner sold and two brothers run it. They have for at least 5 years now?
