KITTICHAI - New York City (SoHo)

Kittichai is located on the 1^st level of the Thompson Hotel in the ever trendy SoHo area of one of the greatest cities in the world.

This incredible eatery is a very modern, sophisticated space of wood, water & orchids. The dining room surrounds a square reflection pool of floating orchids. Individual orchid blooms are suspended above the pool. The subtle and artistic lighting add a beautiful elegant touch.

My friends, Julie and Raja, and I selected the 9 course tasting menu.

Our feast included:

• fishcakes with cucumber & red onion chutney;

• “Meing” tuna tartare served in limestone tartlets with peanuts, ginger, lime and a sweet chili sauce;

• Northern Thai beef salad with very thin slices of very lean beef, Chinese long beans and roasted sticky rice powder;

• crispy whole fish resting in a very light ginger curry sauce;

• a salad of pan-seared hake dtom yum and Shanghai shoots and basil;

• sautéed gai-lan in lemon grass and chicken stock with garlic and ginger (baby bok choy, orange peppers and tomatoes);

• sliced grilled chicken breast rubbed with bird eye chili and Chinese long beans and cilantro;

• pineapple braised short ribs with a delicate green curry sauce, Thai eggplant and sweet basil. This delicacy was served over fluffy steamed jasmine rice.
  

Finally for dessert, we had a flourless Valrhona chocolate cake wrapped in a banana leaf with a fresh cream & vanilla bean mousse. Our second dessert was the banana spring rolls – a translucent spring roll dough wrapped around bananas with cored out centers filled with chocolate and nuts – complete with a dollop of burnt honey ice cream and dusted with course granules of brunt sugar.

One word – SPECTACULAR !

The restaurant offers a full menu and bar, as well as, another tasting menu with 13 courses. The extremely friendly & accommodating staff were invisibly perfect from the moment we entered the restaurant! At $69 per person, the tasting menu is a wonderful way to experience the magic coming from the kitchen of Kittichai.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm...

www.kittichairestaurant.com

$$$
+++++
✦✦✦✦

$ 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!”

THE COFFEE SHOP & BAR – New York City (Union Square)

The Coffee Shop is a classic American diner with a Brazilian twist. This loud, bright diner serves a sprinkling of expected diner fare but the focus is on Brazilian cuisine. It is open 23 hours per day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Julie and I had spent most of the day walking and window shopping our way through on the the greatest cities. We needed a break; I remembered a recommendation from friends and found ourselves with a short wait for a table at Coffee Shop in Union Square.

It was only appropriate we start our lunch with caiprinhas – the classic Brazilian concoction of rum & lime. We decided to order several dishes and share. We started with the chilled carrot and ginger soup. We actually had 2 orders of the Pao de Queijo; the bite size pieces of Romano cheese bread gently baked to a delicate crusty outside and a slightly undercooked gooey center. These were truly cheesy puffs of heaven!

Pastels de Cameron were mouthwatering Bahian dumplings filled with tidbits of shrimp, celery & onion. The “centerpiece” of our lunch was the Sopa de Peixe Bahia – seafood chowder with a very light, fresh tomato seafood stock. The large soap bowl had a mound of carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, grilled tuna, shrimp, crab, skin-on white potatoes, corn, celery, cilantro and garlic. These al dente tidbits were swimming in a delicate tomato fish stock. Yumm!

Go for the incredible, reasonably priced Brazilian food & the eye candy! The elevated noise level makes conversation both with your dining companion and wait staff can be challenging.

Mmm... Mmm...

$$
++++
✦✦✦

$ 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!”

CAFE OLIVER - Minneapolis

Cafe Oliver recently took over Acadia Cafe's former space near downtown. Cafe Oliver has a lot of charm for a small neighborhood cafe - exposed brick, high ceilings, lots of seating, a small stage, and works of local artists on the walls. The menu is fairly short featuring salads, sandwiches, sweets and fair trade coffee. You will also find a nice list of fair trade wines by the glass and bottle. On Sundays & Mondays, bottles of wine are half priced!

Neil and I needed a late dinner so we chose the "new kid on the block." We started off with chips 'n salsa, described as "homemade salsa with the crispiest chips". The homemade salsa tasted very similar to bottled Pace & tortilla chips that were a day beyond crispy.

I had the turkey club sandwich on grilled Tuscan bread. The 2 slices of turkey had the texture of pressed turkey breast, the 2 translucent slices of bacon missed their mark, the slice of Swiss cheese was too small for the bread, and finally it needed more of the herbed mayo. Very disappointing. A handful of crumbled BBQ kettle potato chips came with the sandwich. BBQ chips... why? This was an odd match.

When the music is playing, it provides a nice background to conversation. While we were eating, there were 2 periods of 5-7 minutes of no music. I found this to be odd during our 1 hour visit.

Cafe Oliver has potential. Until the sandwiches become something to brag about, I recommend stopping at Jimmy John's (across the street) for your sandwich where you get 3 times the meat and fixings for about $6. Take your sandwich over to Cafe Oliver's and uncork a good wine at a great price!

$
++++
✦✦

$ 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!”

ALAMBRES MEXICAN GRILL - San Diego

Alambres Mexican Grill has a comfortable little space along Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter - a restored Victorian Historic area in downtown San Diego.

David & I needed a break from our walking tour and settled into a sidewalk table for some libations and nibbles. Joseph immediately appeared and told us that the Saturday Happy Hour specials were mojitos and margaritas for $4. Sign us up!

We order a round of mojitos... not stopping with one. We arrived at the start of Happy Hour so Joseph was both the waiter and bartender. He made the best mojitos I've have had in a very long time - the perfect blend of rum, mint, lime & sugar.

A cheese quesadilla arrived between rounds of our mojitos - a warm, slightly crispy tortilla filled with gooey cheese. Not wanting to stop with the quesadilla, we ordered the nachos. Joseph returned with a platter and a mound of homemade chips, melted cheese, onions and beans. The nachos were accompanied by a quartet of salsas - pico de gallo, tomatillo, mole and, my favorite, a wonderfully smoky chipotle.

Aah, the ideal ingredients for a relaxing afternoon break - mojitos, a good friend, sidewalk eye candy & sunny skies of San Diego!

Mmm, Mmm...

http://www.alambres.net/

$$
++++
✦✦✦

$ 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!”

HASH HOUSE A GO GO - San Diego

Hash House a Go Go is in the Hillcrest area of San Diego. This was my friend, David's first trip to San Diego. During the flight, we created a list of dining must-do's. Hash House was on the list.

According to the Hash House menu, they present "twisted farm food." Very true! The 'farm house' or dining area is a funky collection of iron chairs, galvanized steel chair rails, various sized tables topped with tiny bouquets of wheat shafts, and an odd assortment of farm memorabilia. Hash House also offers fresh juices and strong coffee to accompany your feast. Try the expresso - delizioso!

Past dining experiences at Hash House reminded me that I wouldn't leave the least bit hungry. The over-sized portions can be as intimidating as the platters the breakfast is served on. David and I split the House Hash of chunks of roasted chicken, onions, asparagus, potatoes, bits of garlic and rosemary - an amazing combination of flavor! The hash also comes with 2 eggs and a fluffy biscuit. A bit of butter on the biscuit is simple perfection! Our side of cinnamon wheat toast melted in our mouths.

The staff is very friendly and quick to suggest a favorite if you're are undecided. The low ceilings significantly increase the noise level. You will have a hard time hearing your dining companion. Go for the food, energy and people watching; you can always chat later... Remember to bring a huge appetite.

Mmm, Mmm...

http://www.hashhouseagogo.com/

$$
++++
✦✦✦

$ 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!”

AROMA KITCHEN & WINEBAR - New York City - Bowery area

Aroma Kitchen & Winebar is a small, relaxed restaurant with seating for approximately 26 including the intimate bar area. Those diners fortunate to get seat will be treated to an incredible meal of very fresh ingredients delivering intense flavors throughout their dining experience. The long narrow space of color, high ceilings and dark woods create a very comfortable ambiance. You will be surprised how quickly 2 hours will disappear. This evening my dear friend, Sean, and I were treated to the soothing sounds of Daniel; he is a superb acoustic guitar player from Argentina. His rhythms were the perfect background with volume allowing conversation without yelling!

We ordered from their Sunday evening 3-course Prix Fixe menu. For $29, that's right, $29, you can choose from 5 appetizers, 5 entrees and 3 desserts. For an additional $8, you can enjoy a glass of house red or white with your meal. I began with the Caesar salad - a generous serving of greens, croutons, parmigiano reggiano, anchovy, & a very smooth Caesar dressing (homemade, of course). This satisfying starter was topped with a poached egg. The egg provided a delicate balance to the anchovy draped across the top of the salad.

My entree was the Whole Wheat Penne with roasted artichokes. The organic pasta was perfectly cooked, accompanied by cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts. This bowl of heaven was lightly tossed in a pureed artichoke sauce of artichokes, onion, celery and thyme. All of this goodness was dusted with fresh grated parmigiano reggiano.

For dessert, Sean & I, ordered the Gianduja Panna Cotta and Vanilla Bread Pudding. The lighter-than-air panna cotta was delicately flavored with Italian chocolate and hazelnuts resting on a bed of lightly sweetened graham cracker crumbs nestled next to a dollop of decadently smooth hazelnut gelato (nocciola gelato).

The vanilla bread pudding was a sinful blend of Italian bread, golden raisins, and a very smooth warm chocolate sauce drizzled over the plate. You have the option of dipping your bites of sin in the very fresh vanilla bean ice cream (correctly referred to as stracciatella gelato) with bits of chocolate chips. We could not decide which was our favorite. Make it easy; order both!

The very visible & friendly owners, Alexandra & Vito, move among the tables ensuring all their guests have a memorable evening. This neighborhood gem was named to the "Sexiest Wine Lists of NY" in January '08 and CitySearch's "Best Romantic Bar" in '06.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm...

http://www.aromanyc.com

$$
++++
✦✦✦✦

$ 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!”

HACIENDA SAN ANGEL - Puerto Vallarta

Hacienda San Angel is a collection of villas at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains overlooking Banderas Bay. These villas create 14 elegant suites impeccably restored with exquisite antiques and all the modern amenities you would expect to find in a member of "Small Luxury Hotels of the World." The immaculate gardens, 3 pristine pools and a roof-top jacuzzi are a breathtaking treat. No detail too insignificant - the hand soap in the restroom near the breakfast terrace resembles individual yellow rose petals! This eden is hidden behind very high walls running along a narrow cobblestone street tucked in the hill above the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

My friends, Jose and Johnny, surprised me with a sunrise breakfast on my birthday. We sat on the large terrace with postcard views of the bay. Paradise . . .

The breakfast menu is short and varied. Breakfast began with small slices of toasted french bread and homemade jams and a large glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. I selected an omelet; the large, fluffy omelet was filled with sauteed mushrooms, smoky ham & gooey Swiss cheese. The smooth, dark roasted coffee was some of the best I have had. Scrumptious!

From the moment we rang the door bell to our departure 2 hours later, our service was second to none. Invisibly perfect!

I will be returning to this hidden gem in November. I won't be staying at this property on my upcoming visit; however, I will be surprising friends flying in to visit me with dinner timed to experience the magical sunsets of Puerto Vallarta.

http://www.haciendasanangel.com/

$$
++++
✦✦✦✦

$ 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!”

RICH TO RICHES - New York City - SoHo

Rice to Riches is in a chic, futuristic space in SoHo popping with bright colors. Rice to Riches has only one item on their menu - rice pudding. You will find not one but 17 year-round flavors plus another 5 seasonal flavors depending on the time of the year. There are also 10 topping for your bowl of rich and creamy bliss. Your bowl of bliss is so worth the wait; on my previous visits, the line to order has extended out their door & down the sidewalk.

Today, my chosen bowl of bliss was "Sex, Drugs, & Rocky Road" - a deep, dark chocolate pudding with tidbits of nuts... 8 ounces of decadence! Some of their creative flavors include: Understanding Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Flirt, Take Me To Tiramisu, Don Cappuccino and Rest in Peach.

"Think again if your image of Rice Pudding is a simple milk and rice dessert." - Associated Press

There are 5 serving sizes ranging from 6 ounces to 80 ounces. Shipping is available to conveniently satisfy your new found 'addiction'.

"Heaven's version of comfort food." - Daily Candy

http://www.ricetoriches.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!”

VLADA - New York City - Upper West Side

Vlada's home is a fantastic garden level lounge on the upper west side of Manhattan. Vlada has light wood-paneled walls with a gentle curve continuing to create a beautiful wooden ceiling. The amazing audio system delivers great sounds enabling easy conversation with your friends.

The bar has a frosty platform running its entire length to keep your favorite libation perfectly chilled! This very comfortable and welcoming space has leather chairs and tiny tables creating intimate areas of conversation.

Stopping in for one will easily turn into 2 or 3. Excellent cocktails + delicious eye candy + friendly staff = perfect evening out in of the the most exciting cities!

http://www.vladabar.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!”

PALOMINO – Minneapolis

Palomino has long been a favorite of mine. The large comfortable dining room and separate bar frequented by the bold & beautiful overlook a portion of the theatre district in downtown Minneapolis.

The extensive Mediterranean inspired menu includes 36 special cocktails, 60 reds priced from $24 - $275, 45 whites from $28 - $175, and 28 wines by the glass. The wine flights of 3 – 2 oz pours selected from a very nice list of Riesling, chardonnay, syrah & cab sauvignons are from $12 - $18. This is a great opportunity to try something different.

My libation for the evening was the Ginger Peartini; a delicious combination of Grey Goose La Poire, triple sec, ginger liquor and fresh lime sour. Very tasty.

I began with the Portobello Mushroom soup – a luscious velvety blend of fresh Portobello and crimini mushrooms, caramelized onions, leeks, a touch of cayenne, in a light sherry cream base. Simply the best mushroom soup I can remember eating! My entrée of choice was the Chicken Piccata. A large, moist split chicken breast rests on a creamy mound of whipped potatoes. The delicate lemon sauce sprinkled with capers pulls this fantastic dish together.

The entire friendly staff, from the hostess to the bus person, all want you to have a great dining experience. I always do!

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

www.palomino.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!”

RESTAURANT MIAMI - Minneapolis

Restaurant Miami is a funky, 80’s inspired eatery and bar on Lake Street in Minneapolis. The restaurant is dressed in the once very popular mint green, pale blue and pink. You will find palm trees of rope lighting, a jukebox, & Miami Vice playing on the flat screen behind the large bar. In the VIP section, there is a large sofa and chairs, low tables and a thick floor rug. The bottle service is very reasonable. The bathrooms each have their own flat screen; the inside of the bathroom door offers a space to leave your favorite, tasteful ‘prose’. One of the best I found was “I only drink on 2 occasions – when I am thirsty and when I’m not!”

From the clever Scarface list of libations, I first selected the “That Piece of Chit” with peach vodka, pomegranate syrup, triple sec and lime juice. It was a bit too sweet for me, but I couldn’t resist trying simply because of the name. I chose “Her Womb is so Polluted” as my second libation. This is a tall combination of blackberry vodka, cointreau, chambord and lime juice. Excellent!

For starters, Raed & I selected the Peanut Butter Chicken – a tasty plate of 6 skewers of chicken marinated in citrus juices & soy. The peanut dipping sauce is wonderful, with just a bit of heat. Our second starter was a basket of extra crispy tater tots. These crispy potato nuggets were the perfect starter with our tall & very strong libations.

Our dinner selections were the Pesto Penne with grilled chicken and the Orange Ginger Chicken. The al dente pasta’s light pesto sauce of basil, olive oil, a generous amount of parmesan and pine nuts topped with split cherry tomatoes was delicious. The fresh basil & parm jumped off the fork. The Orange Ginger Chicken was a large bowl of pea pods, baby corn, mushrooms, peppers, and grilled chicken. The sauce pulling this together was of orange juice, ginger and chilis. I would have preferred a sauce with a bit more zing; it was too mild for me. Thumbs up to our favorite – the Pesto Penne!

The generous servings left neither of us room for dessert. Next time.

Our server, Michelle, was very knowledgeable and extremely cheerful. Both Robert (the owner) and Michelle made certain we had a good time.

Mmm, Mmm…

http://restaurantmiami.us/

$$
++++
✦✦✦

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!”

BORDER GRILL – Las Vegas

Border Grill is located in the Mandalay Bay Resort near the Shark Reef attraction. Border Grill is a bright, 2 level urban space with a large patio for those warmer days and a balcony with heaters on the second level for chillier days. The second level is divided into 2 spaces, a comfortable dining room and a vibrant bar. Both levels overlook Mandalay’s “river” and tropical pool area. I sat in the bar for a late lunch.

I selected the Cucumber Mojito. This tasty libation is a combination of homemade cucumber infused vodka, fresh lime juice and soda. It was refreshing but the vodka was lost with much more than a “touch of soda.” I stopped with the one and switched to a cola.

A basket of homemade chips and trio incredible salsas are served with your beverage as you review the mouth-watering menu of modern Mexican dishes. The salsa verde is made with tomatillos & possibly a bit of lime; the salsa rojo is with pureed tomatoes, onion, cilantro, & jalapeños for a bit of heat; my favorite, the chipotle salsa is with smoked jalapeno, tomatoes, onion. Delicious! After commenting on the salsas, my server brought me a fiery 4th salsa – one made with habanera peppers. This one is for the daring. My first basket of chips should not have been served; it was nothing but chip fragments too small for dipping. My second basket was filled with large crispy, warm, salty chips waiting to take a “dip.”

After much deliberation, I chose the Cochinita Pibil (roasted pork) for my lunch. The slow roasted pork has an achiote marinade. I detected the bold flavors of achiote (annatto seeds), chipotle pepper, cumin, cinnamon, & maybe some allspice in the pork. This combination is typically used as a rub for meat. The moist, perfectly roasted chunks of pork accompany black beans, guacamole, pickled red onion and a salsa of plantains & oranges – served on a banana leaf. The chunky guacamole of avocado, fresh lime, onion & cilantro and the side of black beans are simply the best I have eaten in the US. The side of grilled/glazed plantains and oranges were the perfect end to my meal. As much as I wanted to order a dessert, it was not possible after finishing the generous portions on my plate.

Service is slow and inattentive, but friendly when they appear at the table. I actually found the busboys more concerned about me and my meal than my server. This is surprising considering the dining area was at 50% of capacity.

I would return to the “border” but only to the original Border Grill in Santa Monica closer to the owners', Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, home base.

Mmm, Mmm…

http://www.bordergrill.com/BGLV/bglv.htm

$$
+++
✦✦

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!”

TOAST WINE BAR & CAFÉ - Minneapolis

Toast Wine Bar & Café is fairly new restaurant (opened 12/06) in the revitalized warehouse district near the Mississippi River. Toast is a cozy, friendly neighborhood café nestled among high-end lofts, condos and apartments. The space has an artsy loft feel with its black walls and the vibrant pieces of hanging art.

My friend, Joel, recently returned to live in Minneapolis; we often look for the “neighborhood gems”. We both agree that Toast is definitely a hidden gem. The focus of Toast’s short menu is the crostinis and pizzas. Their wine list is far more extensive – something for most palates. I began with a delicious Malbec from Argentina. This wonderful medium bodied red paired perfectly with both my starters and dinner.

I needed a quick nibble before I ordered. I started with a small bowl olives; they were nothing extraordinary. Wanting something else, I chose a crostini topped with mound of white beans, sun-dried tomatoes and a hint of garlic. Scrumptious! Just what I needed until my dinner and second glass of Malbec arrived. My recommendation would be to skip the olives and order another of the 8 crostinis on the menu.

This evening I ordered the pizza with wild mushrooms, provolone, leeks and white truffle oil. A bit too much truffle oil, but definitely not enough to keep me from ordering it again. Next time, I will request less oil. The cracker thin crust & the decadently simple toppings were sensational!

Erin, the owner, and the friendly staff made all their dinner guests feel very welcomed.

I can honestly say I do not know the last time I ate more than one small slice of pizza or for that matter - an entire personal sized pizza by myself. Toast has changed my mind. Fantastico!

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!”

PIROGUE GRILLE – Bismarck

The Pirogue Grille is a very comfortable space finished with exposed brick, woods, and metalwork. Artwork adds a splash of color to the neutral, welcoming color palate.

My evening was off to a good start when I found 20 creative choices on the martini list. I chose one of my favorites - the Grey Goose dirty martini. I sipped my libation as I perused the eclectic menu featuring duck, bison, homemade venison sausage, rabbit & walleye. I was disappointed to find inexpensive olives in, my otherwise, perfect martini. For my second, I requested olive juice only. The rest of the evening was flawless.

My start to this incredible meal was the homemade venison sausage with grainy mustard and a sweet potato relish/salad. The course ground sausage was delicious. The side of diced sweet potato relish was an unexpected, interesting treat.

Throughout the meal our fantastic server, Kristina, ensured our bread basket was filled with warm, wheat rolls with flax seeds. Soft butter is served with the homemade rolls at Pirogue. This, alone, is a huge satisfier for me! There is nothing more disappointing than attempting to spread cold butter across a warm roll.

For my entrée, I selected the North Dakota raised NY strip steak. The strip was grilled to perfection – slightly charred with a pink center… so tender you could use your butter knife. On the menu, the steak was offered with a sauce. I prefer my steak without a sauce. A side of creamy, buttermilk mashed potatoes with a hint of dill arrived with the steak. Yumm!

The Chocolate Pate with fresh raspberry sauce was my choice for dessert. The smooth, rich slices of deep dark chocolate drizzled with a slightly tart raspberry sauce was decadence at its best.

A treat arrives with your dinner check... a small bowl of homemade caramel popcorn. There are seconds for those who ask; I did. Sweet, crunchy and delicious!

Pirogue has been around for 2 short years, but it has made its mark. Gourmet Magazine (October 2007) named Pirogue Grille as one of “The 100 Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants in America.” Pirogue is probably the best fine dining experience in Bismarck. I never expected to find such a wonderful surprise hiding in the middle of North Dakota!

Link to additional Priogue 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!”

PICNIC Restaurant & Bar - Puerto Vallarta

Picnic is owned by Luis. His comfortable indoor/outdoor restaurant is located in the Zona Romantica area of Vallarta - the older, charming Puerto Vallarta. On this trip, I ate lunch at Picnic on 8 of the 12 days I was in Puerto Vallarta. As I have mentioned in a previous "Picnic posts" to my blog, I almost always order my favorite – the 1⁄2 roasted chicken, red rice & roasted potatoes.

Not today. I tired something new – the yellow curry chicken salad. This fantastic combo of chunked roasted chicken, egg, celery, and onion blended with a light yellow curry mayo dressing was delicious! A generous mound of chicken salad is served on a fresh roll (delivered daily) with lettuce and tomato. Of course, I felt the need to order a small serving of Picnic’s infamous roasted potatoes. Heavenly!

Since my last trip in August, Luis has opened a large patio with umbrella covered tables – perfect for chatting with your friends, enjoying the ocean breezes, or people watching. All this while sipping your favorite libation. Picnic has begun offering a short “bar menu”, available from 5-8p. I highly recommend the chicken wings & a margarita… or two.

Hint: when ordering a margarita anywhere, order one with the better tequila. You will thank yourself in the morning, particularly if you enjoy more than 3!

Picnic is now open 11a - 8p, Monday thru Saturday. As with many of the bars and smaller restaurants in Vallarta, cash only. Picnic is half way up the stairway on the corner of Olas Altas & Pulpito.

Aah, this little jewel on the hill feels like home!

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!”

Z TAI - Puerto Vallarta

Z Tai is located in the center of the Vallarta (at Morelos 737) across from the malecon. Z Tai is one of the newer fine dining options in Vallarta, offering 3 different spaces to enjoy Pacific Rim fusion cuisine. You can choose from the beautiful, intimate indoor space, the casual, modern garden, or the elevated sophisticated lounge overlooking both the garden and the Pacific Ocean. You can enter this very interesting space from the malecon or off of Morelos.

Leo and I sat in the garden complete with a reflection pool, floating candles, elevated conversation spaces, a sunken dining area, and a 25’ x 20’ video wall! I am told the garden contains the oldest tree in Vallarta. We enjoyed a couple rounds of their signature Cucumber martini. Delicious…

The only details I can remember of our appetizer was that it was several very large shrimp wrapped in phyllo dough – quickly fried and virtually greaseless. They were served with a selection of dipping sauce.

For dinner, I had the unforgettable tuna fillet crusted with blackened sesame seeds. The perfectly cooked fillet was served resting on a pillow of buttery mashed potatoes and shredded vegetable. Simply divine.

The staff was very friendly and attentive. They were accommodating & very interested in ensuring we had a good time. The one complaint we had was that there needs to be some sort of agreement between Z Tai and their next door neighbor. Around 10:30p, the neighbor’s house music invades Z Tai’s zen-like ambiance in the garden. This very unwelcomed intrusion is so loud that Z Tai turns their music down. This is unfortunate. Unless you are a huge fan of house music, I recommend that you finish your meal and conversation by 10:30.

Z Tai is a gorgeous space; upon entering, you will feel transported to another locale. It is a wonderful, unexpected surprise!

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!”

BOCA BENTO - Puerto Vallarta

Luis & I returned to my favorite dining space for libations and some late-evening nibbles. We sat in Boca Bento's very comfortable chairs in the lounge area, opening out to the very busy sidewalk along Basillo Badillo. The “sidewalk entertainment” is always colorful!

We chose the not too sweet pomegranate martinis - perfectly mixed in each of the three rounds we very much enjoyed!

We had not one, but two plates of the Chicken Satay. The generous pieces of grilled chicken breast were marinated in light ginger/soy sauce. They were served with a slightly spicy peanut dipping sauce. The Szechwan Shrimp Won Tons were incredible. The spicy chunks of shrimp were wrapped won ton skins so light you would think it was phyllo dough. The pablano cream dipping sauce was fantastic, offering a great compliment to the shrimp.

This was my second visit to Boca Bento on this trip; I can not find my notes from the first visit. What I do remember is that our service was exceptional and very friendly. Monika, the owner, and Juan, the executive chef, stopped by on both of my visits. They genuinely want to ensure that all their guests’ expectations are being met. Also recall from my first visit 5 days earlier, that my friends - Mandy & Carol - described it as euphoria. They were still talking about it.

Once again, Boca Bento solidified itself as my favorite evening in Puerto Vallarta!

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

http://bocabento.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!”

BAI SRI - Puerto Vallarta

Bai Sri is located in the Zona Romantica area of Vallarta - the older, charming Puerto Vallarta. Bai Sri is one of a handful of fine dining selections in Puerto Vallarta. Bai Sri is a higher end Thai & Vietnamese restaurant at the intersection of Rudolfo Gomez & Pulpito. Any cabbie can easily get you there.

The numerous gardens, fountains, ponds and the open dining room (no windows here) create a relaxing, seductive, dining experience.

The authentic Thai and Vietnamese cuisine is superb. Bai Sri proudly serves homegrown organic herbs and vegetables. The ambiance, the high quality & freshness of their food, and the very attentive, professional service (2 waiters per table) all make the extra pesos you pay so worth it.

My friends – Mandy, Carol, & Rene – and I had a glorious evening at Bai Sri. We started with a round of their signature Thai Basil Martinis. This incredible libation is Absolut Citron shaken with a few pieces of Thai basil & garnished with whole basil leaves. Simply divine! OK, I'll admit that we did not stop at just one round…

For a starter, I selected the Tom Kha Gai (coconut chicken soup). This delectable combination of coconut milk, lemongrass, a hint of lime juice, fish sauce, and thin slices of chicken breast left you wanting more.

I could not decide on an entrée so I chose two. I had the Shaking Beef – a mouthwatering dish of tidbits of filet mignon, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, watercress, and scallions. Perfectly stir-fried and served with white rice. My friends & I agreed that this dish was our favorite of the evening.

The second must have entrée for me was the Green Curry Chicken with mushrooms. This soup-like entrée was made with chunks of chicken breast, coconut milk, green curry, lemongrass, mushrooms, and lime juice; I believe I detected a hint of fish sauce. For me, this dish was a very close second. Yumm! This Green Curry Chicken was a first for me. I look forward to “2nds” when I return to Vallarta in the coming months.

Order several entrées & share with your dinner companions. This is a feast you won’t soon forget!

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

http://www.baisri.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!”

JOE JACK'S FISH SHACK - Puerto Vallarta

This is my second visit to Joe Jack’s Fish Shack on this trip to Puerto Vallarta. Joe Jack’s is located in the Zona Romantica area of Vallarta - the most energized area of PV with the southside’s beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beachside cafes.

Mandy & Carol joined me for dinner and several rounds of Joe Jack's infamous Mermaid Martinis (an addictive libation of Alize, Absolut Citron & limon). This evening we were seated on the second level of the restaurant; the second level space is more relaxing and much easier for conversation.

On this visit, I selected the Luna Park ceviche for my starter. The ceviche is a combination of sushi grade tuna, a touch of light sesame oil, fresh lime juice, tidbits of tomato, diced white onion, cucumber and cilantro. Fantastic – extremely fresh & bursting with flavor.

For dinner, I chose the red snapper soft tacos. The trio of tacos arrived each with a generous piece of grilled red snapper, crispy shredded cabbage, cilantro, tomato and their secret white sauce. Hidden among the shreds of cabbage was a dollop of zesty chipotle sauce. Yumm! If it was possible for me to eat a second platter of these scrumptious tacos, I would have.

Jonas was our server. His attentive service and great smile added to our great, relaxing dining experience.

Link to a prior Joe Jack's visit

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

http://www.joejacks-fishshack.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!”

BANANA CANTINA - Puerto Vallarta

Banana Cantina is located in the Zona Romantica area of Vallarta, the older, charming Puerto Vallarta, on the corner of Pulpito and Amapas. Zona Romantica (aka Los Muertos) is Vallarta's most energized area with the southside’s beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beachside cafes.

Debbi has created a comfortable restaurant with colorful splashes on the walls and international flavors on their menu, focusing on fresh seafood. Banana Cantina is located on the 2nd level of the building (above her snack shop - Coco Banana) between the Pacific Ocean and Picnic Restaurant. Banana Cantina was recently named “Best Moderately Priced” restaurant in Puerto Vallarta by Virtual Vallarta. Way to go!

We were greeted with a basket of warm cheese and sesame bread nuggets. We had seconds. Each basket arrived with a wonderful herb infused soft butter. Absolutely incredible.

Carol and Mandy joined me for dinner. We started with the Shrimp Spring Rolls. These flaky delicacies were served with a soy sauce reduction, powerful wasabi and fresh pickled ginger. For my dinner I selected the sea bass. This large fillet was grilled and then drizzled with an incredible mango/chipotle sauce. The sea bass rested on a bed of grilled zucchini and carrots – fresh from the garden.

Debbi greets everyone with her huge smile and periodically stops at your table ensuring all is well and you are having a good time. Great staff. Tropical ambiance. The Banana is quickly becoming one my favorites in Vallarta.

Mmm, Mmm…

http://bananacantina.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!”