Picosa is located along the Mississippi River in a historic building within the St Anthony Main area of Minneapolis. The restaurant wraps you in warm comfortable colors. The tables in the dining area actually have space between them! The floor-to-ceiling windows offer incredible views of downtown Minneapolis and the river. The large patio will be very popular in the summer. The menu is a tantalizing blend of Caribbean, Central American & Latin American flavors.
Our busy schedules did not allow my friends, Joel & Michelle, and I to connect for dinner. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to chat, we went for Happy Hour. Picosa has fantastic Happy Hour specials: 2-4-1 cocktails, beer or wine by the glass and delectable $1 tacos with your choice of beef, chicken or pork. Two or 3 soft tacos and a libation or 2 and you have an excellent early evening meal. The taco meats are each flavored differently; I had all 3; I thought the beef was a bit dry. The chicken and the pork were fantastic.
The restaurant did not offer the standard “chips ‘n salsa”. Instead, you can order a basket of made-to-order plantain strips and a side of the incredible smoky/spicy salsa. We went through 2 baskets. Yumm.
David’s very friendly and attentive service made for a relaxing time with good friends.
Reading their dinner menu made my mouth water. I will most certainly return for a full meal.
Mmm, Mmm…
http://picosarestaurant.com/home.asp
$$
++++
✦✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
MEXICALI COCINA CANTINA - Studio City
My friends, Sean & Shawn, and I ventured through the canyon for lunch on this sunny September Saturday. We chose the Mexicali Cocina Cantina. This casual cocina is extremely popular on the weekend evenings so we decided to try it for a late lunch. This eatery has bar seating, table setting around the outside of the space and large wooden booths down the center. The center booths are the best for people watching!
We enjoyed, not one, but 2 pitchers of original margaritas with double the tequila! Very refreshing – went perfectly with the warm, fresh chips drizzled with a bit of lime juice.
I selected the rotisserie citrus chicken - marinated in a delicious blend of various citrus juices, garlic and cilantro. The chicken was served with a drizzle of the citrus marinate. This was the most succulent rotisserie chicken I have found in the US. Of the 7 sides offered on the lunch menu, I chose the mexicali rice and the warm, creamy roasted corn relish. The zesty red rice with tidbits of carrots and tomato was delicious. The creamy roasted corn relish was a scrumptious blend of whole kernel yellow corn, diced white onion, diced red/green/yellow peppers in a very thin cream sauce. This relish is addictive!
I only had a sample of Shawn’s chicken tortilla soup. Delicious. I must return for my own bowl. A single spoon just teased my taste buds!
The friendly staff is somewhat attentive, which was surprising considering the fact it was around 2pm on Saturday and was only 25% occupied.
Mmm, Mmm...
$$
+++
✦✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
We enjoyed, not one, but 2 pitchers of original margaritas with double the tequila! Very refreshing – went perfectly with the warm, fresh chips drizzled with a bit of lime juice.
I selected the rotisserie citrus chicken - marinated in a delicious blend of various citrus juices, garlic and cilantro. The chicken was served with a drizzle of the citrus marinate. This was the most succulent rotisserie chicken I have found in the US. Of the 7 sides offered on the lunch menu, I chose the mexicali rice and the warm, creamy roasted corn relish. The zesty red rice with tidbits of carrots and tomato was delicious. The creamy roasted corn relish was a scrumptious blend of whole kernel yellow corn, diced white onion, diced red/green/yellow peppers in a very thin cream sauce. This relish is addictive!
I only had a sample of Shawn’s chicken tortilla soup. Delicious. I must return for my own bowl. A single spoon just teased my taste buds!
The friendly staff is somewhat attentive, which was surprising considering the fact it was around 2pm on Saturday and was only 25% occupied.
Mmm, Mmm...
$$
+++
✦✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
Friday, September 21, 2007
BENVENUTO - West Hollywood
Benvenuto is a charming Italian restaurant in West Hollywood. This eatery has 3 dining spaces – al fresco, canopied and indoors. We chose the canopied area with some heaters because it was raining in Los Angeles. Yes, it is true; Los Angeles received almost ½ “ of rain in one day! It is a beautiful space with dark woods, interesting lighting, eclectic artwork and a beautiful staff.
As we waited for our libations, & I mean waited, we nibbled on bite-sized pieces of warm, charred flat bread with an incredible garlic infused olive oil. I was surprised when our server mentioned the bar offered only lower end flavored vodkas. None the less, once the cocktails arrived, they were perfect. However, drink slowly; it can be along time between rounds.
For dinner, I had the Petti di Pollo Paillard. This is a skinless, boneless full chicken breast that has been pounded and grilled. Near the end of the grilling, a fantastic Dijon mustard glaze is spread on one side. This was a chicken breast done right – quickly grilled to sear in the juices. Superb! The chicken was served with a generous side of fresh carrots, pea pods and beans. The veggies were flash steamed keeping their snap and color.
The service is slow and somewhat inattentive. If you do not have a schedule or you would like a relaxing, unhurried dining experience, I would recommend Benvenuto.
Mmm, Mmm...
$$
+++
✦✦
Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+
Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!
Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”
As we waited for our libations, & I mean waited, we nibbled on bite-sized pieces of warm, charred flat bread with an incredible garlic infused olive oil. I was surprised when our server mentioned the bar offered only lower end flavored vodkas. None the less, once the cocktails arrived, they were perfect. However, drink slowly; it can be along time between rounds.
For dinner, I had the Petti di Pollo Paillard. This is a skinless, boneless full chicken breast that has been pounded and grilled. Near the end of the grilling, a fantastic Dijon mustard glaze is spread on one side. This was a chicken breast done right – quickly grilled to sear in the juices. Superb! The chicken was served with a generous side of fresh carrots, pea pods and beans. The veggies were flash steamed keeping their snap and color.
The service is slow and somewhat inattentive. If you do not have a schedule or you would like a relaxing, unhurried dining experience, I would recommend Benvenuto.
Mmm, Mmm...
$$
+++
✦✦
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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