MIEL RESTAURANT & BAR - Puerto Vallarta

Miel Restaurant opened approximately 2 weeks ago, one block off Ignacio Vallarta on the corner of Madero & Constitution. The Zona Romantica area is one of Puerto Vallarta's most energized neighborhood with the south side beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beach side cafes. For those of you familiar with Zona Romantica, it is 1 block from Rizo's Market.

The cozy space with 15 tables is sparkling clean with a gleaming open kitchen, high white walls, and large arches & open windows accented with copper paint. The relaxing, eclectic background music is at the perfect level to encourage conversation with your dining companions.

After an early morning walk along the beach, Alex and I wanted to try a new eatery for breakfast. I created my own omelet including crispy bacon, Gouda cheese, tomatoes and basil. The perfectly cook omelet arrived with wheat toast and a generous side of buttery, crispy hash browns and refried beans. Alex chose the grilled chicken breast marinated in cilantro & olive oil, hash browns, and 2 eggs over easy. He couldn't stop talking about his meal. Of course, it would not have been complete without the endless cup of dark, rich coffee and a couple of mimosas.

Reasonable prices. Incredible quality. We agreed that this was a delicious way to begin another day in paradise!

I dined solo on my second visit. I started with the fresh fruit plate of strawberries, watermelon and cantaloupe. Again, I created my own omelet. This time it included lean, slightly spicy chorizo, Gouda cheese & tidbits of fried onion. Of course, I could not say no to another serving of the fantastic hash browns and wheat toast. I also tried a side of the guillo salsa - incredibly delicious and so fresh. It was still warm from its slow simmer. The salsa is a scrumptious blend of guajillo peppers, tomatoes, onion and garlic. If I had the room, I would of ordered another omelet so I could finish off the side of salsa!

Ali & Homero, the managers, continually move throughout the dining room ensuring their guests are enjoying themselves. On both visits my server, Giovanni, was extremely friendly and very attentive.

Miel also has a dinner menu. I will certainly be returning before this trip comes to an end!


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Miel Restaurant & Bar

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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!”

SOUL DADDY - Minneapolis (Mall of America)

Soul Daddy is a new restaurant owned by Jamawn Woods - winner of NBC's "America's Next Great Restaurant". Soul Daddy is a funky space of polished plywood tables, benches & booths, cement wall tiles, large chalkboard graffiti walls and an open kitchen gleaming with shiny stainless steel. Jamawn also has his signature purple on one wall and his staff's T-shirts. The staff is super fast and very friendly. Tonight, Jamawn was on premise meeting and greeting his diners and fans that followed him on the TV show.

The short menu offers "new home cookin'." Your choices include 5 meals and sandwiches, 8 side dishes, and either a whole wheat biscuit or corn bread waffle.

I ordered the baked herb chicken meal. This meal included a large juicy chicken breast with crispy skin (just the way it should be!), braised kale in a very light creamy sauce and sweet potato salad - perfectly cooked al dente & tossed in a bit of butter and a sprinkling of brown sugar. The accompanying whole wheat biscuit was a flaky, warm handful of heaven. The meal was scrumptious and an incredible value at $8.95. Almost too good to be true.

Soul Daddy creates 3 signature sauces: Sweet Molasses Mustard, Soul Daddy BBQ and Jamawn's Hot Sauce. My favorite pairings were the Soul Daddy BBQ sauce on the baked chicken and Jamawn's Hot Sauce on the kale.

This has become a new fast, casual favorite of mine!

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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!”

LA MELA - New York City (LIttle Italy)

La Mela has been serving amazing Italian cuisine on "Little Italy's" Mulberry Street for the past 25 years. The open kitchen is in one of the several dining rooms that can accommodate up to 400 guests. The dining rooms display photographs of their famous and not-so-famous dinner guests. As soon as I arrived I felt like I had returned "home." Benny could not have been more charming or friendly. His suggestions were spot-on!

I started my meal with the shredded iceberg lettuce salad with chopped tomatoes and an abundance of sliced fresh garlic - all tossed in their signature oil, vinegar & herb dressing. A basket of warm, crusty Italian bread arrived with the salad; the perfect solution for gathering the remaining salad dressing on my plate.

For dinner I took Benny's suggestion and had the homemade tri-color tortellini. The tortellini was stuffed with roasted garlic and ricotta cheese. Tossed in a light marinara sauce exploding with fresh tomato and basil, it was the best tortellini I've eaten. Period!

Benny told me my meal would be incomplete without a slice of their famous tiramisu. The combination of espresso, mascarpone (an Italian triple-cream cheese made from creme fraiche) and cocoa was heavenly. I was so happy that I did not say no.

Run, don't walk and get in line (reservations recommended) for a scrumptious plate of Italy!

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La Mela

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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!”

RUDY'S COUNTRY STORE AND BAR-B-Q - San Antonio

Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q has 29 locations across Texas, Oklahoma & Colorado. Rudy's Country Store began in the 1800's in Leon Springs. Bar-B-Q was added in 1989. The large warehouse-like space features barnyard red walls with corrugated metal siding, 8-foot folding tables and wooden picnic tables covered in red & white gingham check table cloths. The eclectic ambiance and incredible food make for a fun dining experience.

Fran, Jim & and created our own "buffet". Our spread included pulled pork, brisket, turkey breast, homemade whole kernel creamed corn (AMAZING), coleslaw and slices of white bread (1/2 loaf for catching the bar-b-q left behind). Our entire meal was fantastic - juicy, smoky meats, slightly tangy coleslaw and over-the-top creamed corn. Dinner was served on a tray covered with white butcher paper and paper boats for the creamed corn and coleslaw. All meats are dry rubbed and smoked over a slow burning oak fire. Each table has several quart bottles of their signature 'sauses' - "Sissy Sause" and "Rudy's Original Bar-B-Q Sause". The sauces are similar but I found Rudy's Original to have a bit more zest!

Rudy's begins serving breakfast tacos at 7am and the fresh Bar-B-Q menu at 10am. "Group meal" and catering menus are also available.

The ordering & service queue is staffed by extremely friendly and efficient staff. The 20+ guests ahead of us were serviced in less than 6 minutes. This is truly some of the best smoked meat I've eaten!

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Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q

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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!”

LITTLE GRETEL - Boerne TX

Little Gretel, a 20 minute drive from San Antonio, is located on River Road across from a park bordering the Guadalupe River - alive with ducks and geese. Their small patio garden has 12 tables surrounded by potted, climbing roses. Fran and I took a break during our day of shopping the "Texas Hill Country" and had an incredible lunch at the very charming Little Gretel. Their menu has been featuring German and Czech cuisine since 1983.

I chose the Jaeger Schnitzel with Hunter Sauce. The very generous plate of schnitzel and homemade spatzle drizzled with a deep, earthy mushroom sauce and a side homemade sauerkraut was more than enough for lunch. Scrumptious!

The sleek and sexy interior dining room is a wonderful surprise of celery green walls, shiny black tables, black chairs with celery green leather seats, 12-foot ceilings, an obligatory cuckoo clock and a stunning copper & crystal boat chandelier as the focal point of the room.

Our very friendly server only added to the perfect lunch under the Texas sun!

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Little Gretel

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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!”

CAP'S GRILLE - Minneapolis

Cap's Grille opened in 1988 in south Minneapolis at the 50th Street light rail train station. The unpretentious eatery excels at BBQ. The eatery seats approximately 50 diners in their cozy dining room. The open kitchen and service bar face the dining room hiding nothing from the legion of customers who've been eating here for years! In addition to BBQ'd options, Cap's also offers grilled burgers & chicken sandwiches and salads.

I have passed Cap's too many times over the years to count. David & Tim suggested we stop and have some of their favorite BBQ in the city. They were driving this evening so I couldn't say no.

I had the "Stacky" - a huge portion of thinly sliced, applewood smoked pork roast that is oven roasted for at least 6 hours. The succulent pork is bathed in Cap's special BBQ sauce. The slightly tangy & peppery sauce is outstanding... not too sweet. I also ordered the baked potato as my side. It was perfectly baked - fluffy on the inside and a chewy skin. The servings are so generous I could not finish my meal.

For dessert, we shared an apple cobbler. The mound of tender apple slices swam in a smooth brown sugar sauce with a hint of cinnamon. The delicious apple filling wrapped in the flakiest of crusts was topped with 3 dollops of vanilla ice cream. Yumm!

I had not been a fan of any meat with BBQ sauce. However, after this dining experience, I will be returning in the very near future! Cap's Grille is located across the street from Minnehaha Falls Park. Grab a lunch from the to-go menu and head to the park enjoying some of the best BBQ and one of the most beautiful parks in the City. Run, don't walk (or take the light rail), to Cap's Grille.

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Cap's Grille

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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!”

CAUSE SPIRITS & SOUND BAR - Minneapolis

Cause Spirits and Sound Bar is one of the newer additions to the collection of eateries in the Lyn-Lake area. This eatery and sound bar has 2 distinct spaces, each with its own large bar. White and deep purple, 16 foot walls feature works by local artists. The exhibits rotate every 2 months or so. The sound bar has a small stage for their live entertainment; check out their website for upcoming performances.

Fernando and I were in the mood for some place different for brunch. The weekend brunch at Cause is an incredible value ($10.99). This great buffet includes made-to-order omelets, tofu scrambles, cheesy hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage links, bacon, tofu fritters, mini pancakes, french toast wedges, pizza slices, salad, and yogurt. The selections can vary each week. The all you can eat buffet is delicious; my favorites were the cheesy, gooey hash browns, crunchy tofu fritters and fluffy mini pancakes. One Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, or Mimosa Greyhound is included. Repeats on your beverage are available for a small charge.

Cause Spirits is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night munching with a casual menu of pasta, pizza, sandwiches and the usual breakfast fare (served all day).

Service with a smile and a story, tasty comfort food and an eclectic mix of diners... a perfect combination to start your Saturday or Sunday!

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Cause Spirits & Sound Bar

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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!”