Cosmos restaurant is located on the 4th floor of the Graves 601 Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The sleek restaurant and hotel have each been awarded the AAA 4-diamond award.
I do not feel I can do justice to this incredible dining establishment. What has not already been said? I will simply indicate which courses came together to create an amazing dining experience.
Our evening began in the very comfortable lounge area located opposite of the dining room. The dirty martinis were perfect. Slowly sipping the martinis, animated conversation with my dinner companions and people watching gave a jump start to what would become an incredible evening.
For a starter, I selected the Maryland Crab & Salt Cod Cakes served with frisée and a duet of red pepper & a roasted garlic aioli. The red pepper aioli was my favorite.
The palate cleansing frozen melon ball and citrus ginger ice was a nice surprise before my next course arrived. I chose the Grilled Beef Tenderloin & Braised Oxtail. The succulent tenderloin rested on crispy polenta wedges. The tomatillo sauce had just the right zing for the very tender oxtail. The creamy queso fresco was delicious with either meat.
The Chocolate Gateau was the perfect dessert. The very moist chocolate sponge cake with walnuts, chocolate mousse paired wonderfully with the orange ice cream. Orange and chocolate is one of my favorite flavor combinations. Simply sinful!
With some assistance from the very accommodating wait staff, choosing a wine from Cosmos’ extensive collection is relatively easy. Cosmos has received the Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator.
The impeccable staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They exceeded my expectations.
The contemporary design will catch your eye, but the incredible creative cuisine will keep you in your sumptuous leather chair for hours!
Mmm, Mmm. Mmm
http://www.cosmosrestaurant.com
$$$
+++++
✦✦✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
GRUMPY'S BAR & GRILL - Minneapolis
Grumpy’s Bar & Grill is located in downtown Minneapolis – 1 of 3 within the metro area. Grumpy’s offers a full menu for the 2 dining rooms, several pool tables (it is fairly easy to get table time), and a jukebox with one of the most extensive selections of music I have seen in a long time.
This friendly neighborhood establishment opens its doors to a very entertaining, eclectic, diverse Puma-to-Prada-crowd.
My dinner companion, David, and I were craving a good hamburger. I remembered what my friend, Joel, told me – “Grumpy’s has never let me down.” So Grumpy’s it was.
We each ordered the “Build Yer Own Damn Burger.” I topped my very juicy ½ lb Black Angus burger with pepper cheese, tomato and guacamole. This mouthful was wrapped in a lightly toasted sesame bun. David topped his burger with blue cheese and mushrooms. We are still talking about them today!
Hold the potato chips that come with your burger masterpiece. This is the first menu I’ve found that offers a choice between tater tots & fries. ORDER the tots. The tater tots were fantastic – crispy on the outside and flakey on the inside. Ketchup and a variety of hot (pepper) sauces are available for an extra taste sensation. We had the half order of tots; it was more than enough for 2.
Go for the burgers ‘n tots… stay to watch the people!
Mmm, Mmm, Mmm
www.grumpysbar.com
$
++++
✦✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
This friendly neighborhood establishment opens its doors to a very entertaining, eclectic, diverse Puma-to-Prada-crowd.
My dinner companion, David, and I were craving a good hamburger. I remembered what my friend, Joel, told me – “Grumpy’s has never let me down.” So Grumpy’s it was.
We each ordered the “Build Yer Own Damn Burger.” I topped my very juicy ½ lb Black Angus burger with pepper cheese, tomato and guacamole. This mouthful was wrapped in a lightly toasted sesame bun. David topped his burger with blue cheese and mushrooms. We are still talking about them today!
Hold the potato chips that come with your burger masterpiece. This is the first menu I’ve found that offers a choice between tater tots & fries. ORDER the tots. The tater tots were fantastic – crispy on the outside and flakey on the inside. Ketchup and a variety of hot (pepper) sauces are available for an extra taste sensation. We had the half order of tots; it was more than enough for 2.
Go for the burgers ‘n tots… stay to watch the people!
Mmm, Mmm, Mmm
www.grumpysbar.com
$
++++
✦✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
Saturday, March 10, 2007
PAZZALUNA - St Paul
Pazzaluna is located in downtown St Paul. The area is experiencing a significant revitalizing – new lofts, conversions, & restaurants.
My dinner guests and I were in the mood for Italian. Pazzaluna’s colorful, energetic space is a good stop for a casual evening out with friends. The dining room’s 30 foot high ceilings allows for easy conversation at your table.
I started with the Fritto Misto – lightly fried calamari and thin, fried vegetable strips, pepperoncini peppers, and sweet onions. The plate is drizzled with a roasted garlic aioli and lemon. I would recommend a pass on this starter. The calamari were non-existent (only 4 tiny pieces); the vegetable strips were overcooked, tasting somewhat burnt. The best of this greasy concoction was the fantastic garlic and lemon sauce.
For dinner I selected the Capesante – the very fresh, jumbo scallops were sautéed and served on a bed of luscious pureed cauliflower. The drizzle of hazelnut vinaigrette was delicious. The scallops were accompanied by a side of the freshest tomato confit I’ve eaten in some time – exceptional.
The evening was enjoyable, but we decided to move on and have our desserts elsewhere.
Mmm, Mmm
www.pazzaluna.com
$$$
+
✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
My dinner guests and I were in the mood for Italian. Pazzaluna’s colorful, energetic space is a good stop for a casual evening out with friends. The dining room’s 30 foot high ceilings allows for easy conversation at your table.
I started with the Fritto Misto – lightly fried calamari and thin, fried vegetable strips, pepperoncini peppers, and sweet onions. The plate is drizzled with a roasted garlic aioli and lemon. I would recommend a pass on this starter. The calamari were non-existent (only 4 tiny pieces); the vegetable strips were overcooked, tasting somewhat burnt. The best of this greasy concoction was the fantastic garlic and lemon sauce.
For dinner I selected the Capesante – the very fresh, jumbo scallops were sautéed and served on a bed of luscious pureed cauliflower. The drizzle of hazelnut vinaigrette was delicious. The scallops were accompanied by a side of the freshest tomato confit I’ve eaten in some time – exceptional.
The evening was enjoyable, but we decided to move on and have our desserts elsewhere.
Mmm, Mmm
www.pazzaluna.com
$$$
+
✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
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