The Pirogue Grille is a very comfortable space finished with exposed brick, woods, and metalwork. Local artwork adds a splash of color to the welcoming neutral color palate.
I was anxious to return to North Dakota, knowing I had reservations for another fine dining experience at Pirogue Grill. The very talented chefs continue to impress using a hands-on approach to their incredible creations in the kitchen. Nothing is pre-made. Everything is fresh & homemade. Quality is found across their seasonally changing menu.
I sipped a perfect Belvedere martini, slightly dirty, as I studied the new menu. I quickly determined it would be difficult to make my choice from the tantalizing options. Again, the only negative I experienced this evening were the pimento stuffed olives in my martini. This is easy to overlook considering the experience that followed.
I started with the BBQ Rabbit – tender morsels of rabbit in a BBQ sauce of ketchup, root beer, onion, ginger, brown sugar + a couple of secret ingredients (I was told) rested on a dense but moist wild rice and potato pancake. The plate was garnished with bits of dried apricot and green onion. Yumm!
The first soup I tried was the Roasted Corn and Bison – a delicious veggie based thick stock loaded with roasted corn, tidbits of grilled bison, carrot and onion.
My second soup was the Wild Asparagus – a smooth puree of grilled wild asparagus in a veggie based stock and garnished with bits of grilled asparagus. Fantastic!
For dinner, I ordered the Sautéed Sea Scallops with Fenugreek Curry Cream sauce – the four perfectly sautéed scallops swam in an incredible, light sauce of fenugreek, garlic, curry, lemon juice and cream. Sides of steamed yellow peppers, spinach & broccoli and a mound of fluffy jasmine rice rounded out this over-the-top entrée. Fenugreek seeds are roasted & ground on premise. Fenugreek leaves are one of the world's oldest medicinal herbs. The small stony fenugreek seeds come from the pod of a bean-like plant grown in Egypt, England, India, & the Mediterranean. The ground seeds are aromatic and have a burnt sugar-like flavor, often used in curries.
I discreetly caught the remaining scrumptious sauce with pieces of fresh bread served with the meal. I know this is not appropriate, but the sauce was too good to leave behind. Oh yes, Pirogue scores major points for serving soft butter with their homemade bread. It is so disappointing to try to spread a chuck of chilled butter over a piece of warm, soft bread!
It was now time for dessert – a wonderful wedge of Citrus Honey Custard tart. The very smooth custard was accented with fresh lemon and lime juice. This slice of decadence had a generous drizzle of homemade caramel sauce. I enjoyed a cup of Italian Roast coffee with my final course. Believe me, I had room for no more!
Derrick, our refined and very friendly server, added to this fantastic culinary experience. His knowledge of the menu and the dishes’ preparation was impressive. I hope he is on staff when I return for another meal near the end of the year.
Pirogue has been serving incredible cuisine for a short 3+ years, but it has made an impressive mark. Gourmet Magazine (October 2007) named Pirogue Grille as one of “The 100 Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants in America.” I repeat, Pirogue is probably the best fine dining experience in Bismarck.
Pirogue Grill. . . a “Big City” dining experience found on the plains of North Dakota!
Link to prior Pirogue Grill post
Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…
PirogueGrille.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, May 30, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
HOUSTON'S - Santa Monica
Houston’s is located on Wilshire & 2nd, 1 block from the vibrant Third Street Promenade. Downtown Santa Monica is a 30-block area of an amazing assortment entertainment, dining and retail options. The infamous Third Street Promenade buzzes with energy from sunrise to well past sunset. Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier (built in 1909 – the carousel was added in 1922) are a few blocks west of the Promenade.
After a several hours of walking around Santa Monica, my dear friends, Roberta & Richard, and I felt we had “earned” some beverages and a late lunch. We were immediately seated in Houston’s large 1st floor dining room with beautiful exposed brick walls, burnished brass, wood accents, high open ceiling and an open staircase taking you to the 2nd level with a sushi bar and more seating. The open 2nd level feels as if it is suspended over the very comfortable 1st floor dining room and bar. Houston’s features a menu of classics with a slight twist, focusing on local growers and high quality ingredients. I am generally not a fan of chain restaurants but Houston’s excels!
We started with grilled artichokes – these large split artichokes are first steamed then grilled over a hardwood fire. These smoky artichokes were exceptional by themselves with just a sprinkle of salt. The side condiment was a delicious remoulade of mayo, garlic, green onion, and red pepper flakes. We agreed… a fantastic combination!
For lunch, I selected the Thai Steak & Noodle Salad. This exciting salad explodes with flavor. The steak is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, black pepper and canola oil. Split roma tomatoes, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, fresh mint and cilantro, avocado, roasted peanuts, mango, chilled poncit noodles, and a sprinkling of mixed greens are tossed in a spicy Thai dressing. The subtle heat from the salad dressing is the perfect compliment to the very tender slices of steak, avocado and mango. You can substitute rotisserie chicken for the beef. Poncit noodles (often made of rice) are similar to vermicelli noodles.
Houston’s scores major points with me for their “No cell phones in the dining room” policy clearly printed in their menu! I have found subtle signs requesting all cell phone conversation be finished before entering numerous retail & dining establishments across Southern California. I really enjoy not having to listen to someone’s one-sided conversation about a problem at work, last night’s bad date or a family argument.
Our server, Nikki, could not have been friendlier and more attentive. She knew the menu and when to come to our table & when to let us continue chatting. The staff, the food, the restaurant/bar guests – delicious!
http://www.hillstone.com/#/restaurants/HOUSTONS/
Mmm, 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!”
After a several hours of walking around Santa Monica, my dear friends, Roberta & Richard, and I felt we had “earned” some beverages and a late lunch. We were immediately seated in Houston’s large 1st floor dining room with beautiful exposed brick walls, burnished brass, wood accents, high open ceiling and an open staircase taking you to the 2nd level with a sushi bar and more seating. The open 2nd level feels as if it is suspended over the very comfortable 1st floor dining room and bar. Houston’s features a menu of classics with a slight twist, focusing on local growers and high quality ingredients. I am generally not a fan of chain restaurants but Houston’s excels!
We started with grilled artichokes – these large split artichokes are first steamed then grilled over a hardwood fire. These smoky artichokes were exceptional by themselves with just a sprinkle of salt. The side condiment was a delicious remoulade of mayo, garlic, green onion, and red pepper flakes. We agreed… a fantastic combination!
For lunch, I selected the Thai Steak & Noodle Salad. This exciting salad explodes with flavor. The steak is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, black pepper and canola oil. Split roma tomatoes, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, fresh mint and cilantro, avocado, roasted peanuts, mango, chilled poncit noodles, and a sprinkling of mixed greens are tossed in a spicy Thai dressing. The subtle heat from the salad dressing is the perfect compliment to the very tender slices of steak, avocado and mango. You can substitute rotisserie chicken for the beef. Poncit noodles (often made of rice) are similar to vermicelli noodles.
Houston’s scores major points with me for their “No cell phones in the dining room” policy clearly printed in their menu! I have found subtle signs requesting all cell phone conversation be finished before entering numerous retail & dining establishments across Southern California. I really enjoy not having to listen to someone’s one-sided conversation about a problem at work, last night’s bad date or a family argument.
Our server, Nikki, could not have been friendlier and more attentive. She knew the menu and when to come to our table & when to let us continue chatting. The staff, the food, the restaurant/bar guests – delicious!
http://www.hillstone.com/#/restaurants/HOUSTONS/
Mmm, 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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