EL DORADO - Puerto Vallarta

El Dorado is one of the newer eateries in the Zona Romantica area, Vallarta's most energized neighborhood with the south side beach, restaurants, bars, lounges, and beach side eateries. El Dorado completed a total renovation a few weeks back.

The new space is a sexy beach eatery including a roof top space perfect watching the beach-goers and the Pacific's stunning sunsets. The quartet of owners, Richard Haverlack, Juan Zuno (Executive Chef of Boca Bento), Alice Ardisonne, and Homer Santiago have created a sexy, tropical dining destination on Los Muertos Beach. The Latin & Asian inspired dishes will have your taste buds dancing! The large palapa roof covers an open dining room accented in bright blue and green.

During this trip I made 2 visits to El Dorado - each exceeded my expectations. However, I cannot find my "meal notes" written on napkins. I believe my housekeeper discarded them.

Go for Happy Hour and dinner on the beach served by extremely friendly staff. End your evening basking in the glow of one of their fire pits as the sun sets over the Pacific... aah paradise!

I will be certain to not lose my notes when I make a return visit to Vallarta in May.

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

El Dorado

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Entrée

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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!”

MARANTINA - Puerto Vallarta

Marantina, a sexy & vibrant lounge and eatery, recently opened in Zona Romantica, Vallarta's most energized neighborhood with the south side beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beach side cafes. For those familiar with Puerto Vallarta, Marantina is located in the former Kit Kat location. Marantina's space pops with bright red walls, comfortable seating, seductive lounge music, plus patio & courtyard seating.

During my last visit in August, friends and I stopped by for martinis and conversation. On this trip, I was fortunate to attend their Grand Opening last week; they featured their namesake martini and a plethora of mouth-watering appetizers.

This evening, I wanted to return for a complete dinner and asked Treavor to join me. We chose to sit on the patio - much better for people watching! Of course, we began with martinis. Treavor had a "Bloody" (similar to a Bloody Mary) and I had the Pepino (cucumber) martini - very refreshing and easily addictive! The most incredible squares of fresh, hot bread with herb-infused butter is served with the cocktails. I admit it - we asked for seconds.

The short menu features tropically inspired Asian dishes + some Mexican classics. I selected the thick cut bone-in pork chop accompanied by a creamy risotto and a medley of roasted cauliflower, slivers of carrot and sliced figs. Fantastic! Treavor chose the shrimp dusted in dried chipotle resting on fresh guacamole and roasted beet chips. He quickly devoured it without so much as a sample for me.

Co-owner, Erica Mercedes Manuale, the perfect hostess, moved among tables ensuring her guests were enjoying themselves. Our adorable and very friendly server, Carlos, was spot-on with his suggestions and excellent service. I have already added this eatery to my "must-do" list for my return trip in December.

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Marantina's

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Entrée

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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!”

EL BACALAO SEAFOOD - Puerto Vallarta

El Bacalao Seafood is one of the newer eateries located on Basillo Badillo in the Zona Romantica area, Vallarta's most energized neighborhood with the south side beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beach side cafes. The small, bright space has 2 windowless 1/2 walls that open to the street. Deep blues and browns accent the other walls. With 34 seats indoors and another 9 on the small patio, it is a casual, relaxing destination. If you enjoy sports, there are 3 large flat screens to enjoy your favorite sporting event - no audio.

A local friend suggested that I try a Paloma ($4.80USD). This refreshing libation of tequila, fresh lime juice and grapefruit soda was blended to perfection by their very sexy bartender, Carlos. So refreshing, I had 3!

I chose the Peruvian Ceviche ($7.80USD) for my light lunch. The chunks of talapia are marinated overnight in lime juice, minced ginger and tidbits of white onion. It is then blended with fresh yellow corn and minced jalapenos prior to serving. The generous mound is accompanied by watermelon balls, 1/2 sliced avocado and tostados. Incredible!

It was early in the afternoon so we had very good service - even the owner stopped by the table on a couple of occasions making sure we were enjoying ourselves. Yes, we were!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

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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!”

RED CABBAGE CAFE - Puerto Vallarta

Red Cabbage Cafe is a hidden gem off on its own in the Colonia Remance area along the Rio Cuale at Calle Rivera. It is a short 7-minute taxi ride (50$p) from Zona Romantica. No worries, when it is finally time to leave there is at least one waiting taxi. If not, the staff will gladly call a taxi for you. We chose to have a leisurely 15-minute walk back to our condo.

Lola Bravo, the owner, has created a unique, comfortable space of vibrantly painted walls accented with all things Frida Khalo, Diego Rivera, and other actors & artists. Lola prides herself on having a well trained, friendly staff and using the highest quality ingredients available to create her classic Mexican dishes. This was quite obvious on both points. Within 30 minutes of our arrival, there was not an empty table to be found. Reservations recommended.

My dinner companions, Mandy, Treavor, & Carol, and I chose the "Frida's Dinner". This is a price fixed meal with several options - all which was served at Frida and Diego's numerous dinner parties. The meal began with a shot of tequila to "excite" the taste buds, followed by a bowl of the creamiest peanut soup ever put in front of me. For my entree, I ordered the earthy, rich, & slightly chocolaty chicken mole pobalano accompanied by sides of rice & beans... incredible flavor explosions! The chicken mole was simply the best mole I had ever eaten. Finally, it was time for dessert; I selected the flan - sweet homemade spoonfuls of heaven.

Antonio, our very friendly and accommodating server told me that Lola uses 20+ ingredients to create her infamous slow cooked mole.

A visit to the Red Cabbage is a must! Delicious food and fantastic service in a smoke-free space make for an memorable dining experience.

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Red Cabbage Cafe

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Entrée

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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!”

Eating Out in Puerto Vallarta

This trip, as with most of my trips, I made stops at my favorites ~ Joe Jack's Fish Shack, Trattoria Michel, Coffee Cup, No Way Jose!, Fredy's Tucan, & Takos Pancho. Each of these continue to bring a smile to my face. Aah. . . I so enjoy my spot of paradise!

I received an invite to the grand opening of the newly remodeled El Dorado on Muertos Beach. I was very happy to hear that the co-owners Richard, Juan (Executive Chef), Ali & Homero have all returned. What a team! The event was taking place the evening I was returning to the States. My first visit will be on my return trip to Vallarta in December.

GORKHA PALACE - Minneapolis

Gorkha Palace is one the newest eateries in Northeast Minneapolis. The deep, golden orange walls and simple, cozy decor are warm & welcoming. Rashmi Bhattachan, Gorkha's very friendly co-owner, has been selling her incredible Nepalese dumplings for the past 4 years at the Mill City Market. She told me that after hearing the same comments from her food stand's regular customers, the time had come to take the next leap and open a restaurant. Gorkha Place has been open for 30 days.

While reading the tantalizing menu, we nibbled on Paapaddums - a super thin crispy lentil cracker from India. We order 2 sauces for dipping: Golbheda Achaar - a spicy tomato chutney with garlic, ginger, and jalapeno; Raita - a tangy yogurt based sauce with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, and black pepper. The Golbdheda Achaar was fantastic; we felt the Raita needed more sweet and spice and less "sour" from the yogurt. The paapaddums were very tasty but a bit more "oily" than the paapaddums I had when traveling in India. I attribute this to being new and the eatery being very busy tonight. There was not an empty table in the house.

Alejandro and I began our incredible meal with a plate of Yak Momos. Yes, yak. These Nepalese steamed pot stickers (a bit larger than a golf ball) were stuffed with ground yak, tidbits of scallion, shredded cabbage, minced garlic & ginger and accented with mild curry & garam masala. Garam masala is a blend of cloves, malabar leaves, black cumin, black & white peppercorns, nutmeg, star anise, cardamom and cinnamon; this blend is often found in Indian cuisine. These delicious, slightly chewy pot stickers were paired with a marvelous tomato chutney of tomato puree, bits of tomato, cilantro, & onion. The yak is raised locally in Cold Spring MN from stock brought to Minnesota from Tibet. The Yak Man (yak-man.com) sells his special meat to many of the Tibetan restaurant in the upper Midwest.

Our choice for dinner was another first for both of us. . . Khasi Ko Masu (halal). This scrumptious stew-like entree of bone-in chunks of locally grown goat in a thick sauce of yogurt, yellow curry, ginger, and onion. Stewing the meat+bone added a fantastic depth to the sauce. The "stew" is spooned over white rice. We were told the goat bones are meant to held with your fingers & nibbled clean. Unbelievably delicious!

I am very anxious to return for more of Rashmi's food made with love for her growing legion of friends!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

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Entrée

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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!”

SUBO - Minneapolis

Subo has closed its doors. I spoke with the manager earlier in the week; he confirmed they served their last plate of mouthwatering Pork Candy on Sunday. It is sad to see one brightest stars on the Minneapolis culinary horizon fade away. You will be missed!

MN STATE FAIR - St Paul

The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest state fairs in the country. This year 1,776,000+ fair-goers attended the "Great Minnesota Get-Together". The fair grounds cover 320 acres offering the usual and unusual... animals of all shapes and sizes (2 & 4 legged), crafts, wine tasting, baking contests, politicians, shopping, Midway rides/attractions and food, food and more food. On a stick or on a plate, you will find something to eat at the MN State Fair!

This year Jason and I managed to keep our "dining" to a more manageable level. Stop #1: BAYOU BOB'S GATOR SHACK for the alligator nuggets. The alligator nuggets had a light dusting of flour accented with onion powder and Cajun seasoning. The nuggets were quickly deep-fried (of course) and served in a basket accompanied by gator-shaped thinly sliced potato fries. The alligator is slightly chewy with a texture resembling chicken thigh meat. Unusually delicious!

Stop #2 was GIGGLES CAMPFIRE GRILL. This year's gastronomic surprise - Chicken Fried Bacon. The applewood smoked bacon appeared to be pare cooked and lightly rolled in a course mixed bread crumb mixture. The thick-cut bacon is then deep fried to a fantastic chew. The 6 strips of bacon are served with an amazing sour cream based dipping sauce taken to the next level with minced jalapenos, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Incredible combination... not for those watching their cholesterol intake! Our 2nd plate was the "Ron Schara's Wilderness Walleye Cakes". The bits of Canadian walleye and smoked salmon, MN wild rice, and minced onion were held together with egg and panko bread crumbs. The pair of cakes came with a zesty mayo based "Northwoods Dipping Sauce" accented with a dash of cayenne. Scrumptious!

The Roasted Corn Hut was stop #3. The huge ears of sweet corn are roasted in their husks. A simple but very satisfying snack accented with your choice of condiments - butter, salt and pepper. Rumor has it that 3,000 corn cobs are sold per hour! This is one of my favorites... & the healthiest option we had during our long day of grazing. Yumm.

Fair facts:

• 2,6 million cheese curds are sold during the run of the fair
• 35 tons of chocolate chips are used in making the famous chocolate chip cookies
• Reggie - the biggest boar weighed in at 1,450 lbs
• 22,000 rolls of toilet paper are used during the run of the fair
  

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Giggles Campfire Grill

MN State Fair

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Entrée

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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!”

Eating Out in Puerto Vallarta

On this trip to Puerto Vallarta, the weather was extremely hot... 90-105 with 70%+ humidity. I did not venture too far from the air conditioned comfort in the condo. Even my friends that live in Puerto Vallarta year-round complained about the unusual weather.

I visited some of my favorites: Coffee Cup, Trattoria Michel, No Way Jose!, Takos Panchos and Joe Jack's Fish Shack. Each of these eateries offered big smiles, great service and a meal or 2 as great as my last visit. I joined friends at 8 Tostados Seafood (the very local & casual eatery near the stadium); I only had icy beverages - the heat had taken my appetite from me. My friends meals looked incredible! I will be certain to order off the menu when I return in November.

THE DELI - Puerto Vallarta

The Deli is a small, bright friendly eatery in Zona Romantica, the older, charming Puerto Vallarta, on v. Carranza. Zona Romantica (aka Los Muertos) is Vallarta's most energized area with the south side beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beach side cafes. The Deli has window counter seating for 4 and table seating for 12. The space seems larger than it is with its high ceilings and soft orange sponge-rubbed walls. The air conditioning was a welcomed relief from the very warm weather.

The short menu offers 7 basic sandwiches on focaccia, whole wheat & panini and 7 chilled salads. I realize it is low season but they were preparing only 5 of the 7 sandwiches on the menu board. I ordered the roast beef on whole wheat; my 2 bread spread options were mayo and dijon plus the usual condiments of tomato, onion and lettuce. No yellow mustard, no horseradish for the beef, no peperoncinis were to be found in this deli. The roast beef was extremely rare - far too bloody and fatty to eat. I removed the beef leaving me a thin "veggie" sandwich for lunch. This may be why they sold more coffee beverages than sandwiches during my 30+ minute visit.

There is a side cooler with a nice selection of salad dressings, sausages, dips and a small selection of baked goods making it convenient to grab these essentials and go.

It's unfortunate The Deli is not what you would expect to find given the name. The option of a great sandwich shop in Zona Romatica would be a welcomed addition.

Mmm...

The Deli

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Entrée

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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!”

YUMMY CUPCAKES - Santa Monica

Yummy Cupcakes is located on Wilshire Boulevard, one-half block from the infamous Third Street Promenade. This location's walls have a variety of bold white & pink stripes or brown & pink stripes. Large photographs featuring their delectable cupcakes adorn the walls. The very high ceilings make the space seem much larger than it is. The very friendly counter staff is eager to tell you their favorites - no sampling! :(

There is a monthly flavor calender offering 16 flavors available all month, plus an additional 5 daily flavors. Yummy Cupcakes also offers vegan and sugar-free creations.

I had the "Red Velvet Cocoa" with cream cheese frosting and a "Peanut Butter Cup" with a creamy peanut butter frosting. Both cupcakes were extremely moist with deep rich flavors and an abundance of frosting. Their use of high quality ingredients is very evident. Simply decadent!

One of my favorites was "missing" from the menu - large muffin tops. Hint, hint...

In addition to this location, there is a Yummy Cupcake in Burbank and another soon to open in Brentwood.

Run, don't walk to get your handful of heaven!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

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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!”

SNUG HARBOR - Santa Monica

Snug Harbor opened in 1941 on Wilshire Boulevard. This diner has change hands only 3 times since it inception, the last time was in the 90's. This cozy eatery has a soda fountain-like service counter with 10 single seats and 5 booths in the dining room. My friends, Richard & Roberta, and I chose to sit in their small garden area with 5 umbrella-covered tables. Varying shades of green are the colours du jour throughout the relaxing garden and dining room.

Alejandro's huge personality & speedy service was most appreciated. Following his recommendation, I had "Angie's Yum Yum Chicken Breast" sandwich. This sandwich was added to the menu when it last changed hands at the request of the current owner's daughter. This amazing sandwich has a large grilled chicken breast, 1000 Island dressing, pepper jack cheese, sliced tomato, & basil leaves. The slices of sourdough bread holding this sandwich together were buttered, sprinkled with bits of garlic and grilled creating a crunchy crust. A mound of the most incredible, crispy, sweet potato fries completed this delicious lunch plate!

After living in or visiting Santa Monica for 25+ years, I am surprised to have made my first visit to this little neighborhood gem - only 15 blocks from my former residence. Snug Harbor will definitely be a stop on my next visit to Santa Monica.

Bring extra napkins!

Mmm... Mmm...


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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!”

CHIN CHIN - Los Angeles (Brentwood)

Chin Chin, one of my favorite eateries for... maybe 20 years, is on San Vicente Boulevard in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Since my last visit, the space has been comfortably updated with deep brown leather bench, booth and chair seating seating, white cloth napkins, lightened Walls and drop trendy globe lighting. In addition, I discovered a recently completed, fantastic renovation of a rooftop space for added outdoor seating.

My lunch companions, Richard and Roberta, were as excited as I to return to Chin Chin. Taking the advise of our extremely friendly server - Gavin, we decided to share a starter plate of their Szechuan Dumplings. The plump dumplings stuffed with minced chicken, onion, ginger & garlic were perfectly cooked. The accompanying dipping sauce accented with soy, citrus and cilantro was perfect!

For lunch, we ordered their "famous" Chinese Chicken Salad. The salad of shredded lettuce, chunks of chicken breast, shredded carrots, toasted slivered almonds, tidbits of scallion, red pepper, and thin crunchy wonton strips tossed in an amazing ginger dressing. This masterpiece is topped with crispy rice noodles. The incredible salad is large enough to share but no - we each ordered our own and left nothing on our plates. Delicious!

I will most certainly be returning for the great service, the relaxing outdoor space and the delectable menu!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

ChinChin.com

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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!”

CRAVE - Bloomington (Mall of America)

Crave opened in the former California Cafe space about a year ago on the 3rd floor of the Mall of America. This is one of 3 Crave locations in the Minneapolis area plus another in Orlando. The very large, open space is accented in subdued tones of copper, brown and gold. It features a huge open kitchen, a sushi bar, and a floor-to-ceiling glass octagon wine cellar near the front door. Kudos for the soothing background music that encourages conversation while dining!

Heather, my very friendly server, recommended the brunch. It is an incredible value at $16. The extensive list of all-you-can-eat brunch options includes: a mimosa (only 1 is included), fluffy scrambled eggs with smoked Tillamook cheese, smoked ham, thick slices of applewood smoked bacon, crispy skinned sausage links that pop under the pressure of a fork, homemade buttery hash browns, wheat toast & jam, fresh fruit bowl of melon, blackberries, strawberries, pineapple, and oranges and finally... sticky buns. If that is not enough, there is a French toast bar and a made-to-order omelet bar. An amazing start to a day of shopping!

I recommend the management implement a system to let the bus boys know when their guests are at the French toast or omelet bar. I went to get an omelet and returned to find that my table had been cleared and reset for their next guests. A waiter rushed over to ask if he could assist; I explained what had happened. He apologized, reseated me, and brought another mimosa and a bowl of the fresh fruit. Great recovery! This could be a major snafu if guests go to the omelet bar and return to find other guests seated at their table. They might consider using a marker system similar to Fugo de Chao.

With 45 sushi selections on the menu, I observed as many guests eating sushi as were eating the brunch. On my next visit, I will be at the sushi bar.

The tables for 2 are too close. I was tempted on several occasions to join the conversation at the next table; at one point, a guest was commenting on how much she enjoyed the sushi but she could not figure out what the thin "pink slices" were on her plate. I wanted to tell her, but I didn't.

Crave is a comfortable, upscale casual eatery. Those behind this restaurant have developed a reputation in the city for being better than average. They also own "The View" near Lake Calhoun - another of my favorites! If you do find yourself at the Mall of America, be certain to visit Crave.

Mmm... Mmm...

Crave.com

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Entrée

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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!”

EATING OUT IN PUERTO VALLARTA

After too many crazy weeks at work, I felt the need for a quick trip back to Puerto Vallarta to relax and spend time with my friends I only see 5-6 times per year. I know, I know; I was in PV less than 7 weeks ago.

I visited many of my favorites plus one new eatery (at least to me) - Blue Chairs Beach Cafe; it won't be on my short list. Enough said.

I enjoyed several breakfasts at either Freddy's Tucan and Langostino's. My daily fix of java came from the Coffee Cup. I spent my evenings between No Way Jose's, Joe Jack's Fish Shack and Trattoria Michel. Always delicious... always accommodating... and always so very friendly. Need I say more?

Generally, I spend the later evenings poolside with friends at my condo sipping something on ice. This trip a few local friends and I walked down the hill on 2 different evenings and sipped several refreshing martinis at Sama Martini Bar's very comfortable sidewalk lounge.

6 days with the tropical breezes and never-ending sun flew by in the blink of an eye. It made leaving easier knowing I would be returning in July!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Link to prior No Way Jose's!

Link to prior Joe Jack's Fish Shack

Link to prior Trattoria Michel

CRAFTSMAN RESTAURANT & BAR – Minneapolis

Craftsman's name is a giveaway to the design surprises found inside the very comfortable space. The wall sconces, drop lighting, very high ceilings, gorgeous woodwork, stunning wooden bar, comfy highback bar chairs with leather seats, and over-sized slowly moving ceiling fans. The comfortable elements are wrapped in subdued sage green, yellow and burgundy walls.

Our friendly waiter, whose service was stretched between too many tables, explained that the Craftsman is an eco-friendly, sustainable, organic restaurant for the past 5 years.

I started with a "Beet Bloody Mary" - the beet juice is a delicious balance to the expected heat of a Bloody Mary. So refreshing, we each 2!

I had the "Craftsman Breakfast" - 2 eggs scrambled, 2 pieces of Fisher Farms smoked ham and hash. The fluffy eggs arrived with a hash of chopped potatoes, purple cabbage and red onion. Both were exceptional. The ham had great flavor but too much fat. I am surprised the fatty end piece left the kitchen. I prefer smoked cured to sugar cured ham; what I did eat was delicious. The side of sourdough grilled bread was served with an incredible honey... apple flower, I believe.

This very popular Longfellow neighborhood eatery has a large attached outdoor dining area. I am anxious to return for an al fresco dining experience in the garden exploding with color from the numerous large planters. Thomas and I decided to venture outside the downtown area for brunch and try something new. We found the Craftsman and were very pleased we stopped.

Mmm... Mmm...

Craftsman Restaurant & Bar

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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!”

JOE JACK’S FISH SHACK – Puerto Vallarta

I am not certain how many visits I have made to Joe Jack’s Fish Shack, located in the Zona Romantica area of Vallarta - the most energized area of PV with the south side's beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beach side cafes. I have thoroughly enjoyed each meal.

I typically ask for a table up in the rooftop dining area. This evening my favorite server, Guillermo a.k.a. Memo, was working the first floor dining room. The deep red walls, high ceilings, large mirrors and exposed brick surround a small bar that cozily seats 6.

It has become a tradition of mine to have at least one Mermaid Martini - a very refreshing, addictive concoction of Alize, Absolut Citron & fresh lime juice.

Tonight I asked Memo to order for me. He suggested Octopus a la Plancha (grilled baby octopus) for dinner. This entrée was so popular as a daily special it now has a permanent place on the menu.

The baby octopus is steamed then marinated in EVOO, salt, pepper & a bit of garlic. Each octopus is individually marinated with a serving of potato chunks, slices of chorizo, whole green beans, black olives and whole roasted tomatoes; the “dinner in a bag” marinates all day until ordered by a guest. The dinner is grilled caramelizing the octopus. The marinade is reduced to a wonderful, deep brown sauce exploding with big flavors. The sauce is poured over the grilled octopus, etc and served in a large flat bowl. Fantastic!

Joe Jack’s Fish Shack continues to be one of my must-do eateries in Puerto Vallarta. I plan on returning in April!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Link to prior Joe Jack's visit

JoeJack'sFishShack.com

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Entrée

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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!”

NO WAY JOSE! RESTAURANT & BAR - Puerto Vallarta

No Way José! located on the edge of Zona Romatica area on 5 de Febrero (first street to the left after crossing over the Rio Cuale from el centro). This area of Vallarta is the older, charming Puerto Vallarta. Zona Romantica is Vallarta's most energized neighborhood with the south side beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beach side cafes.

The menu features contemporary Mexican cuisine with the freshest ingredients bursting with flavor & fine dining quality.

After a day at the pool and a late afternoon massage, I was too relaxed to spend any time in the kitchen preparing dinner. Instead, I headed down the hill from my condo to one of my favorites – No Way Jose! with its soothing jewel toned walls, linen covered tables accented with tiny vases of fresh flowers and of course, Julie's smile and Jose's laughter.

Daniel, as charming and friendly as always, ordered for me this evening. Why make a decision if I don’t have to? He even ordered my martinis for me, refreshing pomegranate martinis with a spoonful of pomegranate seeds at the bottom of the goblet. Great, spot-on service the entire evening.

He chose the Tortilla Soup ($4US) for me as my starter. The generous serving of the classic comfort food had slivers of guillo chilies, chunks of avocado, sour cream and ranchero cheese. The tortilla strips retained their firm texture to the very last spoonful. The tomato based soup with chicken stock, jalapenos, cilantro and a pinch of cumin will have you asking for more!

For dinner, I had the Flank Steak Don José ($11US) – perfectly charred and so tender I cut it with my fork, no knife necessary. The steak was generously surrounded by grilled peppers, onions, and thin slices of chorizo sausage. The sides of freshly made guacamole and refried beans plus warm flour tortillas completed this fantastic entrée. Suggestion… add thin strips of the cactus used in your infamous nopal soup to the grilled vegetables served with the flank steak.

After another superb dinner, I was asked to join the owners, Jose & Julie, and friends from the States at their table. After another martini, several shots of Jose’s favorite tequila and 2 hours of stories & laughter, I decided to call it quits. Aah, another perfect day in paradise! I wish my return in April was not so far away.

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Link to prior No Way Jose! visit

No Way Jose! Restaurant.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!”

NO WAY JOSE! RESTAURANT & BAR – Puerto Vallarta

No Way José! located on the edge of Zona Romatica area on 5 de Febrero (first street to the left after crossing over the Rio Cuale from el centro). This area of Vallarta is the older, charming Puerto Vallarta. Zona Romantica is Vallarta's most energized neighborhood with the south side beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beach side cafes.

No Way José has arch accented walls of gold, maroon, and yellow jewel tones. The 11 tables covered in white and maroon linens are accented with tiny vases of fresh flowers. The cozy bar comfortably seats 5. The menu features contemporary Mexican cuisine with the freshest ingredients bursting with flavor & fine dining quality. The very friendly & sexy staff moves with ease within the small dining room.

My friends, Jose & Jesus, joined me at No Way Jose! for dinner. Of course, we started with a few rounds of margaritas, blended to perfection.

For my starter, I had 2 Guero chilies ($6US) stuffed with small pieces of shrimp, lightly breaded and quickly deep-fried. The chilies resting on baby greens and tomatoes are served with a light aioli sauce. The mild, plump, pale yellow chilies (also known as Santa Fe Grandes) left behind a nice bit of heat!

My choice for dinner was Xochimilco Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breast ($11US) - a whole chicken breast stuffed with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, bits of garlic and gouda cheese. The breast seared for color was sautéed to a juicy perfection. An unusual finishing of corn truffle sauce was generously drizzled over the chicken. The slightly sweet, earthy flavor of the corn truffle sauce was magnificent. Steamed, crunchy carrots and white onion tossed in a light garlic butter sauce and a small flower of mashed potatoes were the perfect accompaniments to the incredible chicken entrée.

Alejandro and Daniel “double teamed” our table, again providing excellent service – always with a smile!

Reservations are a must; had we not had a reservation, the wait for a table was over an hour. When I arrived I was greeted with a welcoming hug and smile from Julie. It's so good to be home!

Since my last visit in November, the 2^nd floor dining room has been added allowing 80 additional diners the opportunity to experience the incredible magic coming from Chef Montes' kitchen. Tonight, it was a full house!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Link to prior No Way Jose! visit

No Way Jose! Restaurant.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!”

CHEEKY MONKEY DELI - St Paul

Cheeky Monkey Deli's wide, open space of bright, white tiles, red & glossy white walls, huge fireplace, chalkboard menus and an eclectic collection of “frame within a frame” artwork of Andy Warhol prints, comic book covers, record album covers and vintage black & white images welcomes you with open arms and huge smiles from the staff! There are no deep fryers hiding in the back making it very easy to enjoy the amazing aromas drifting from the kitchen, even after 14 months in business.

My friend, Beverly, was back in the City and we decided to return to one of our favorite casual evening eateries for breakfast. This was our first visit for breakfast BUT will not be the last!

Nick, our energetic and extremely friendly server, was spot-on with a recommendation - the seasonal quiche. Today, it was mushrooms, brie, and tidbits of roasted chicken in the fluffiest egg mixture. All this goodness was resting on a buttery homemade crust - the lightest and flakiest crust I have eaten in some time. Nick mentioned that they serve and incredible andouille sausage. He was right. The side of andouille sausage made locally in Cannon Falls MN has a snappy skin that explodes with flavor. The lean sausage was surprisingly juicy; I'd expect nothing less. The delicious dark roasted organic coffee from Equal Exchange was a never-ending mug of happiness.

Their slogan "Meat & Drink" is so fitting. Aah. . .another fantastic meal and a perfect way to start the day!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

Link to prior Cheeky Monkey visit

CheekyMonkeyDeli.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!”

3 MONKEY'S PUB & GRUB - Minneapolis

3 Monkey's Pub & Grub is located on the north end of “Eat Street” in the space once occupied by Bali. The new eatery (owned by 3 brothers...hence 3 monkeys) underwent a minor fluff – the Balinese red is now lime green, splashes of tropical green from an array of floor plants, a ½ wall around the register & service area near the kitchen and 12 flat screen TVs. Are 12 more TV screens in addition to the one that was already above the bar really necessary?

TC and I decided to start our evening with B3W’s (beer battered buffalo chicken wings) that were tossed in a spicy sauce. Perfect - Crispy and moist with the right amount of heat left behind. There are 3 other sauces to choose from: these include Asian sesame, BBQ and mild buffalo.

We chose burgers for dinner. 3 Monkey's uses Black Angus beef in their juicy burgers. The burgers arrived slightly charred, a touch of pink in the center and a generous side of kettle chips. Just the way I like it! They offer the usual toppings of lettuce, tomato and onion, but there’s an extra charge. This is the first burger joint I can recall that charges extra for the garden. Odd?

3 Monkey's menu has a nice selection of appetizers, salads, burgers, pizza, pasta and desserts. The friendly service is attentive; however, one suggestion . . .let your guests remove their jackets, actually sit down and relax a moment before asking if we want something to drink. It is difficult to read a menu wearing gloves. The staff was still too new to answer questions about the menu and what vodkas are poured. Hopefully, this will come with more experience.

“Eat. Drink. Be Monkey.” is their catchy slogan. A very casual & tasty eatery; I’ll wait a few weeks before I return, but I’ll return.

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!”