Super Chicken!
All over Arlington, Virginia - and I'm sure around the
greaater Northern Virginia, and perhaps elsewhere in the country - have popped up Peruvian rotisserie chicken spots.
Just in my general neighborhood is El Pollo Rico, Pio Pio, and many more.
I'm going to focus here on Super Pollo. This is the second location (so they must be doing something right!). Sitting right next to a McDonald's, it's so sad to watch people going to Mickey D's and probably getting some tepid/flacid McNuggets when they could getting some prime, juicy, cilantro rotisserie fresh chicken ... ah well, their loss!
The basic idea here is small to medium chickens, slathered in cilantro and then spit roasted! You know you're near one of these spots by the mouth watering smell of roasted chicken pouring out of the smokestacks! Generally speaking, the chicken at all of these spots is all nicely done; served as a half, quarter or a whole, you then get to choose from a variety of sides. Beans, rice, plantains, yucca fries, spinach, corn on the cob, etc.
This location of Super Pollo has a nice large seating area and is kept nice and clean. Be aware, this isn't fine dining, just good eating. You get styro plates and plastic forks (but you'll be eating the chicken with your hands!). On this visit, we got the corn on the cob and spinach with potatoes side dishes. The corn was alirhg (probably sitting too long in
the steam tray), but the spinach and potatoes were fabulous (sorta like an Indian saag, but not as spicy). If you're in the mood for some great rotisserie, stop by. And remember, you can also get take away.
P.S. for you non-chicken lovers, there are other things on the menu, flank steak, burgers, etc. But, uh, why bother!
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 18 April 2009
Address: 5100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203 (another location at 607 N. Randolph St., Arlington)
Website: N/A
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tattoo Me! Rose Tattoo Cafe
Rose Tattoo Cafe
A little off my usual Philadelphia eatery path, I was glad when our group of eight chose the Rose Tattoo Cafe for our after meeting dinner.
Located near the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Free Library of Philadelphia, the restaurant is located in what appears to be an interesting little (perhaps transitional) neighborhood.
Our group was given a long table in a room just off the bar. Seats were comfortable (though those sitting on the bench along the wall said that they felt they were being propelled a little too much towards their food by the angle of the seat).
So, what might the menu be at the Rose Tattoo? You might think Italian (linking into the Tennessee Williams' play of the same name), but no, seemed pretty much a basic American menu, heavy on the seafood with a good selection of pasta and meats.
We had appetizer for the table of Lobster Quesadilla I added a mushroom bisque to my startFor entrees, those around the table chose the fillet mignon, a nice looking salmon, and a generous portion of delicious looking pan-seared scallops. I was having a hard time deciding between the pork chop (mostly because of the side of mashed yams and fried spinach) and the jambalaya. I went with the jambalaya.
An excellent mix of seafood (shrimp, mussels, clams), chicken, ham, and andouille sausage is a spicy sauce served over rice. Topping it off was a broiled chili that made for an excellent addition.
The sauce was perfectly spicy and had just enough zip to keep the rice interesting. The serving of mussels was generous, but there were only two clams. That said, it was an overall generous portion!
I'm not usually a dessert eater, but the table was ordering, so I went with the banana bread pudding (with caramel swirls); others got the Raspberry Sorbet with chocolate mousse pyramid, and the Crème Brûlée. The bread pudding was tasty, but as is often the case, it was heavy and a too big serving.
Service was excellent (thank you Stephanie!) with good suggestions and food pairings.
Highly recommended.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 20 April 2009
Address: 19th and Callowhill St. Philadelphia, PA 19130
Website: http://www.rosetattoocafe.com/
A little off my usual Philadelphia eatery path, I was glad when our group of eight chose the Rose Tattoo Cafe for our after meeting dinner.
Located near the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Free Library of Philadelphia, the restaurant is located in what appears to be an interesting little (perhaps transitional) neighborhood.
Our group was given a long table in a room just off the bar. Seats were comfortable (though those sitting on the bench along the wall said that they felt they were being propelled a little too much towards their food by the angle of the seat).
So, what might the menu be at the Rose Tattoo? You might think Italian (linking into the Tennessee Williams' play of the same name), but no, seemed pretty much a basic American menu, heavy on the seafood with a good selection of pasta and meats.
We had appetizer for the table of Lobster Quesadilla I added a mushroom bisque to my startFor entrees, those around the table chose the fillet mignon, a nice looking salmon, and a generous portion of delicious looking pan-seared scallops. I was having a hard time deciding between the pork chop (mostly because of the side of mashed yams and fried spinach) and the jambalaya. I went with the jambalaya.
An excellent mix of seafood (shrimp, mussels, clams), chicken, ham, and andouille sausage is a spicy sauce served over rice. Topping it off was a broiled chili that made for an excellent addition.
The sauce was perfectly spicy and had just enough zip to keep the rice interesting. The serving of mussels was generous, but there were only two clams. That said, it was an overall generous portion!
I'm not usually a dessert eater, but the table was ordering, so I went with the banana bread pudding (with caramel swirls); others got the Raspberry Sorbet with chocolate mousse pyramid, and the Crème Brûlée. The bread pudding was tasty, but as is often the case, it was heavy and a too big serving.
Service was excellent (thank you Stephanie!) with good suggestions and food pairings.
Highly recommended.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 20 April 2009
Address: 19th and Callowhill St. Philadelphia, PA 19130
Website: http://www.rosetattoocafe.com/
R.I.P.: Tom Sarris' Orleans House
R.I.P.
Tom Sarris' Orleans House was a landmark in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia for 40-50+ year will be missed more in theory than in actual dining experience.
I only went there a couple of times, once with some friends, another for a birthday lunch for a colleague, maybe another time or two. The Orleans House closed in January 2008 to make way for a high rise development on the location. I only went there a couple of times, but somehow knowing it was there was comforting!
Home to a giant salad bar and slabs of prime rib, it was the perfect place for college grads to go with the parents for a "real" restaurant dinner (well, for me at least, this was in the less trendy 80s!).
With ironwork, balconies, and lots of greenery, it gave diners an idea of what Tennessee Williams' New Orleans might look like (if it had a steamboat shaped salad bar that is!).
After it closed in January, the teardown was quick. By May 2009, the exterior was nearly stripped and the "Old South" look was starting to take on a post bellum look!
How was the food? I can't really remember. I recall the prime rib seemed pretty good and that giant salad bar brought back memories of salad bars from my long ago childhood days.
So, so long Orleans House, we'll miss you, as will the busses of tourists and stretch limos of prom kids. And one mystery will remain? Who was Tom Sarris???
Meal: Lunch/Dinner
Rating: N/A
Date Closed: 17 January 2008
Address: 1213 Wilson Blvd., Rosslyn, VA 22209
Website: N/A
Tom Sarris' Orleans House was a landmark in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia for 40-50+ year will be missed more in theory than in actual dining experience.
I only went there a couple of times, once with some friends, another for a birthday lunch for a colleague, maybe another time or two. The Orleans House closed in January 2008 to make way for a high rise development on the location. I only went there a couple of times, but somehow knowing it was there was comforting!
Home to a giant salad bar and slabs of prime rib, it was the perfect place for college grads to go with the parents for a "real" restaurant dinner (well, for me at least, this was in the less trendy 80s!).
With ironwork, balconies, and lots of greenery, it gave diners an idea of what Tennessee Williams' New Orleans might look like (if it had a steamboat shaped salad bar that is!).
After it closed in January, the teardown was quick. By May 2009, the exterior was nearly stripped and the "Old South" look was starting to take on a post bellum look!
How was the food? I can't really remember. I recall the prime rib seemed pretty good and that giant salad bar brought back memories of salad bars from my long ago childhood days.
So, so long Orleans House, we'll miss you, as will the busses of tourists and stretch limos of prom kids. And one mystery will remain? Who was Tom Sarris???
Meal: Lunch/Dinner
Rating: N/A
Date Closed: 17 January 2008
Address: 1213 Wilson Blvd., Rosslyn, VA 22209
Website: N/A
Restaurant: R.I.P.
Because the lifespan of many restaurants can be measured in weeks, not years, I thought I needed to make some space here for those places that have moved on to a different level of existence.
Some are missed more than others, so I hope to capture here some of the places that I've gone to, but can't go back to...
Please comment with any places you might miss!
Some are missed more than others, so I hope to capture here some of the places that I've gone to, but can't go back to...
Please comment with any places you might miss!
Monday, April 20, 2009
French Dippin' in Metro DC
Rhodeside Grill and Elephant & Castle
Yes, even more than you wanted to know about French Dips. After my marvelous dippin' trip in Minneapolis, when an out of town colleague suggested lunch at Elephant & Castle, I already knew that I was going to have the French Dip (aka Beef Dip) which I'd had there once before on an earlier visit.
To keep the Dip theme, I'm adding another local Washington area Dip review, from Arlington-based, Rhodeside Grill.
For those of you who missed the previous post, here are some of my criteria for a goood
What makes a good French Dip? 1) A nice, thick, chewy roll that can soak up the au jus; 2) thin-sliced, extra lean beef, tender and well done; 3) a deeply flavorful au jus, accented in some way (pepper, garlic) that compliments the beef flavor; 4) a nice side (pickle, slaw, fries).
Dip One: Rhodeside Grill
I'm starting this post with my dip experience at Rhodeside Grill. Located near my house, Rhodeside Grill is a fairly regular dining spot. For the past few visits there, I've been sticking with their French Dip sandwich.
Rhodeside has been in this same location on Wilson Blvd. for a number of years now (replacing a Chinese restaurant as I recall). Among the highlights of the decor are some lovely murals of local scenes in Arlington by noted artist Thomas Mullaney. There's also a vibrant bar scene and a few outdoor seats for when weather permits.
One slight bad memory of the Rhodeside Grill was from 2007 when I tripped over the handicap ramp on the way to the restroom and sprained my ankle (I had to be taken out by ambulance! Quite exciting!).
Overall the food is pretty good. The French Dip is nice (pictured above), meat sliced just right, good roll, tasty dip, and served with some nice slaw on the side. A nice, servicable dip!
Rhodeside Grill
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ***
Date: 18 September 2008
Address: 1836 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201
Website: http://rhodesidegrill.homestead.com/
Dip Two: Elephant & Castle
Well, how to put it? I know, let's start with the place and then get to the Dip.
Elephant & Castle is a chain (started in Toronto) of faux British pubs. Those of you familiar with a British pub will realize soon after stepping inside, the faux part.
Located in what had been a TGI Friday's for many years, the Washington Elephant & Castle is located in a prominent spot on Pennsylvannia Ave. and popular for both lunch and dinner with local office workers as well as tourists. In addition to a pretty large dinning area, there is a large bar, popular with the after-work crowd.
On this lunch occaison, the restaurant was pretty full, both indoors and on the outside area. Our group of five was seated after a brief wait (though it took a long time for the host to actually appear).
Service was excellent with a bottomless glass of ice tea regularly refilled.
But what about the Dip? Well, sad to say, it was not very good. The problems? The beef was cut much too thick and was a bit gristly and fatty. The dip itself was bland to just salty liquid. I selected the side-salad option (over fries - no slaw option) which was fine. On the plus side, accompanied by a nice large pickle.
So, am I missing some culinary distinction between the "French" and "Beef" dip? Does "Beef" mean thick cut beef and more fat? If so, viva la France!
Elephant & Castle
Meal: Lunch
Rating: *
Date: 16 April 2009
Address: 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Website: http://www.elephantcastle.com/
Yes, even more than you wanted to know about French Dips. After my marvelous dippin' trip in Minneapolis, when an out of town colleague suggested lunch at Elephant & Castle, I already knew that I was going to have the French Dip (aka Beef Dip) which I'd had there once before on an earlier visit.
To keep the Dip theme, I'm adding another local Washington area Dip review, from Arlington-based, Rhodeside Grill.
For those of you who missed the previous post, here are some of my criteria for a goood
What makes a good French Dip? 1) A nice, thick, chewy roll that can soak up the au jus; 2) thin-sliced, extra lean beef, tender and well done; 3) a deeply flavorful au jus, accented in some way (pepper, garlic) that compliments the beef flavor; 4) a nice side (pickle, slaw, fries).
Dip One: Rhodeside Grill
I'm starting this post with my dip experience at Rhodeside Grill. Located near my house, Rhodeside Grill is a fairly regular dining spot. For the past few visits there, I've been sticking with their French Dip sandwich.
Rhodeside has been in this same location on Wilson Blvd. for a number of years now (replacing a Chinese restaurant as I recall). Among the highlights of the decor are some lovely murals of local scenes in Arlington by noted artist Thomas Mullaney. There's also a vibrant bar scene and a few outdoor seats for when weather permits.
One slight bad memory of the Rhodeside Grill was from 2007 when I tripped over the handicap ramp on the way to the restroom and sprained my ankle (I had to be taken out by ambulance! Quite exciting!).
Overall the food is pretty good. The French Dip is nice (pictured above), meat sliced just right, good roll, tasty dip, and served with some nice slaw on the side. A nice, servicable dip!
Rhodeside Grill
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ***
Date: 18 September 2008
Address: 1836 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201
Website: http://rhodesidegrill.homestead.com/
Dip Two: Elephant & Castle
Well, how to put it? I know, let's start with the place and then get to the Dip.
Elephant & Castle is a chain (started in Toronto) of faux British pubs. Those of you familiar with a British pub will realize soon after stepping inside, the faux part.
Located in what had been a TGI Friday's for many years, the Washington Elephant & Castle is located in a prominent spot on Pennsylvannia Ave. and popular for both lunch and dinner with local office workers as well as tourists. In addition to a pretty large dinning area, there is a large bar, popular with the after-work crowd.
On this lunch occaison, the restaurant was pretty full, both indoors and on the outside area. Our group of five was seated after a brief wait (though it took a long time for the host to actually appear).
Service was excellent with a bottomless glass of ice tea regularly refilled.
But what about the Dip? Well, sad to say, it was not very good. The problems? The beef was cut much too thick and was a bit gristly and fatty. The dip itself was bland to just salty liquid. I selected the side-salad option (over fries - no slaw option) which was fine. On the plus side, accompanied by a nice large pickle.
So, am I missing some culinary distinction between the "French" and "Beef" dip? Does "Beef" mean thick cut beef and more fat? If so, viva la France!
Elephant & Castle
Meal: Lunch
Rating: *
Date: 16 April 2009
Address: 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Website: http://www.elephantcastle.com/
Monday, April 13, 2009
Galloping Gourmet: Minneapolis
I had just a few days to explore Minneapolis and hoped to get a nice India meal or two and also hit a few local spots that had either received good reviews or been recommended by friends. I also planned to add a few notches to my Starbucks list.
I'm pretty sure I didn't even scratch the surface of fine dining in Minneapolis. I know I passed by a couple of places that might just call for a return visit.
But for now, here's my culinary tour of Minneapolis:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Cocktails
I'm pretty sure I didn't even scratch the surface of fine dining in Minneapolis. I know I passed by a couple of places that might just call for a return visit.
But for now, here's my culinary tour of Minneapolis:
Breakfast
- Starbucks. I had carefully mapped out a few local Starbucks before coming, so I was quite surprised to not find many of them! Where did they go? Were they downsized?
Now, in case you didn't know, Minneapolis can get chilly (wind chill of 19 F on April 6, 2009 in the morning), so there are lots of interior shopping and eating areas connected by sky bridges. So, unless you knew where to enter the otherwise non-descript building (e.g. IDS Center) you didn't know the Starbucks was there!
Lunch
Dinner
Cocktails
- Living Room Lounge (W Hotel)
- Prohibition (W Hotel)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Northwest, no Delta, Spicy Cookie
I flew on Northwest for the first time the other day and all the flight crews on the various flights were excited about the new line of products they had as staff of "Northwest, Part of the New Delta".
On one flight, it was a new brand of bourbon they had ... on my last leg, from Minneapolis to Washington, it was the spicy cookie from Biscoff with the Delta name and logo on it.
Not a bad cookie if I may say so!
Meal: Snack
Rating: Not Rated
Date: 7 April 2009
Address: Somewhere in the sky
Website: http://www.delta.com
On one flight, it was a new brand of bourbon they had ... on my last leg, from Minneapolis to Washington, it was the spicy cookie from Biscoff with the Delta name and logo on it.
Not a bad cookie if I may say so!
Meal: Snack
Rating: Not Rated
Date: 7 April 2009
Address: Somewhere in the sky
Website: http://www.delta.com
Saturday, April 11, 2009
French Dippin' in the City of Lakes
Hell's Kitchen and Ike's Food & Cocktails
Well, after not quite a whole day in Memphis and two trips down the road of BBQ, I was pretty certain that I would not be having the same in Minneapolis. At the same time, I know that I was expecting a double header of French Dippin' for a pair of lunches.
What makes a good French Dip? 1) A nice, thick, chewy roll that can soak up the au jus; 2) thin-sliced, extra lean beef, tender and well done; 3) a deeply flavorful au jus, accented in some way (pepper, garlic) that compliments the beef flavor; 4) a nice side (pickle, slaw, fries).
What is not needed: fried onions, cheese of any sort.
Both restaurants listed had excellent Dips, each with it's own perfections. Likewise, each restaurant had it's own special ambiance that will suit different people at different times.
Lunch One: Hell's Kitchen
Hell's Kitchen is the dreamchild of local Minneapolis chefs and restaurateurs Steve Meyer and Mitch Omer. It was hard to tell whether the blisteringly hip attitude was calculated or natural, but in either case, it worked.
Located "down below" (ok, the attitude starts right there!) in a basement room, the first thing you notice is the Ralph Steadman art everywhere (the owners, it turns out are big fan of Steadman). Next, you'll notice that all the host staff have near-full body colorful tattoos (don't know how you make that an employment prerequisite, but seemed more than just a coincidence!), and that the wait staff are all wearing pajamas.
It was crowded when I arrived and there were no seats and I didn't have reservations. But, one of the benefits of being a "single top" (solo diner) - at least in this case - was that they could squeeze me in at a little side table near the bar usually reserved for wait staff. It was a comfortable seat and I appreciated the host staff taking the time to work it out for me!
Looking over the menu, I was torn between the Bison Burger (from a Wisconsin Bison ranch) and the French Dip. Asking my server for a recommendation, I got an unhesitating, "French Dip" and went for it (thanks Jenny!), accompanied by a Summit EPA.
Served on a nice chewy roll, the Dip was a generous serving of very lean and tender beef. The dippin' au jus itself was a well-seasoned peppery concocotion that went well with the sandwich. The Dip came with a side of dry slaw with a little bite. I'm normally a fan of wetter, sweeter slaw, but in this case, it worked well with the Dip.
High scores for the service staff (who were all helpful, friendly, and knowledgable), ambiance (even if seem just a little tooo calculated), a broad, but not overdone menu, and an excellent French Dip!
One other location, in Duluth, which the owners claim is "the second, and last" Hell's Kitchen.
Hell's Kitchen
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 5 April 2009
Address: 80 S 9th St., Minneapolis, MN 55402
Website: http://www.hellskitcheninc.com/
Lunch Two: Ike's Food & Cocktails
From the neon sign outside, to the dark wood interior, Ike's say's "two martini lunch." I still wonder how anyone could actually have a two martini lunch and go back to work and from experience, it seems as though most of the old traditional "businessman's lunch spots" have updated their overall attitudes.
Ike's cam recommended by a colleague in Boston, but I wasn't certain what I would be getting. Walking through the door, I was immediately greeted by the cheerful host staff and taken to my seat. My fellow diners appeared to be an interesting cross-section of the Minneapolis business community. No more "Man in the Gray Flannel Suit", but a mix of younger, older, male, female, you name it!
A quick glance at the menu and I zeroed in on the French Dip!
The friendly and helpful wait staff soon brought me a fabulous looking Dip. Chewy roll piled high with thin slided, tender beef, a dish of very wet and sweet slaw, a giant pickle, a side of thin-cut fries, and a cup of au jus with chunks of roasted garlic!
Simply put, one of the best Dips I've had!
Ike's Food & Cocktails
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 6 April 2009
Address: 50 S Sixth St., Minneapolis, MN 55402
Website: N/A
Well, after not quite a whole day in Memphis and two trips down the road of BBQ, I was pretty certain that I would not be having the same in Minneapolis. At the same time, I know that I was expecting a double header of French Dippin' for a pair of lunches.
What makes a good French Dip? 1) A nice, thick, chewy roll that can soak up the au jus; 2) thin-sliced, extra lean beef, tender and well done; 3) a deeply flavorful au jus, accented in some way (pepper, garlic) that compliments the beef flavor; 4) a nice side (pickle, slaw, fries).
What is not needed: fried onions, cheese of any sort.
Both restaurants listed had excellent Dips, each with it's own perfections. Likewise, each restaurant had it's own special ambiance that will suit different people at different times.
Lunch One: Hell's Kitchen
Hell's Kitchen is the dreamchild of local Minneapolis chefs and restaurateurs Steve Meyer and Mitch Omer. It was hard to tell whether the blisteringly hip attitude was calculated or natural, but in either case, it worked.
Located "down below" (ok, the attitude starts right there!) in a basement room, the first thing you notice is the Ralph Steadman art everywhere (the owners, it turns out are big fan of Steadman). Next, you'll notice that all the host staff have near-full body colorful tattoos (don't know how you make that an employment prerequisite, but seemed more than just a coincidence!), and that the wait staff are all wearing pajamas.
It was crowded when I arrived and there were no seats and I didn't have reservations. But, one of the benefits of being a "single top" (solo diner) - at least in this case - was that they could squeeze me in at a little side table near the bar usually reserved for wait staff. It was a comfortable seat and I appreciated the host staff taking the time to work it out for me!
Looking over the menu, I was torn between the Bison Burger (from a Wisconsin Bison ranch) and the French Dip. Asking my server for a recommendation, I got an unhesitating, "French Dip" and went for it (thanks Jenny!), accompanied by a Summit EPA.
Served on a nice chewy roll, the Dip was a generous serving of very lean and tender beef. The dippin' au jus itself was a well-seasoned peppery concocotion that went well with the sandwich. The Dip came with a side of dry slaw with a little bite. I'm normally a fan of wetter, sweeter slaw, but in this case, it worked well with the Dip.
High scores for the service staff (who were all helpful, friendly, and knowledgable), ambiance (even if seem just a little tooo calculated), a broad, but not overdone menu, and an excellent French Dip!
One other location, in Duluth, which the owners claim is "the second, and last" Hell's Kitchen.
Hell's Kitchen
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 5 April 2009
Address: 80 S 9th St., Minneapolis, MN 55402
Website: http://www.hellskitcheninc.com/
Lunch Two: Ike's Food & Cocktails
From the neon sign outside, to the dark wood interior, Ike's say's "two martini lunch." I still wonder how anyone could actually have a two martini lunch and go back to work and from experience, it seems as though most of the old traditional "businessman's lunch spots" have updated their overall attitudes.
Ike's cam recommended by a colleague in Boston, but I wasn't certain what I would be getting. Walking through the door, I was immediately greeted by the cheerful host staff and taken to my seat. My fellow diners appeared to be an interesting cross-section of the Minneapolis business community. No more "Man in the Gray Flannel Suit", but a mix of younger, older, male, female, you name it!
A quick glance at the menu and I zeroed in on the French Dip!
The friendly and helpful wait staff soon brought me a fabulous looking Dip. Chewy roll piled high with thin slided, tender beef, a dish of very wet and sweet slaw, a giant pickle, a side of thin-cut fries, and a cup of au jus with chunks of roasted garlic!
Simply put, one of the best Dips I've had!
Ike's Food & Cocktails
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 6 April 2009
Address: 50 S Sixth St., Minneapolis, MN 55402
Website: N/A
Friday, April 10, 2009
Stylish Hotel Bars - W Style
The W Hotel chain, part of the Westin empire, does a marvelous job of creating painfully hip hotels and hotel lobbies. And usually, as part of that mix, they throw in a cool bar or two. I've now stayed at two W's (one in New Orleans and now one in Minneapolis).
The W Hotel in Minneapolis is located in the circa 1929 Foshay Tower. Full of an interesting history (Great Crash financiers, jail, financial insolvency - hmmm ... much like today!) the hotel conversion was well done.
Here's the Minneapolis report:
The Living Room Lounge
There isn't a traditional lobby at the W Hotel - The Foshy, in Minneapolis. Instead, there's a "Living Room". It sure doesn't look like my living room, but it could pass for one, somewhere. Well, if you're living room was also doing some sort of fashion shoot with a passel of models as it was on my visit.
Full of a variety of couches, chairs, a really interesting center of the room fireplace and a long black, chrome, glass bar, it was a nice place to drop in after a day in the April snow of Minneapolis.
The wait service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. True, the drinks were a bit on the expensive side, but the Hendricks martini with a choice of muddled or on the side cucumbers, was among the best I've had.
On my arrival, on a Saturday night, the Living Room was packed with the trendiest of Minneapolis nightlife and loud pulsing music. Made for quite a party I'm sure!
Prohibition
Meanwhile, on the 27th floor of The Foshay, is a fabulous bar and lounge, Prohibition.
You hit the bar as soon as you step out of the elevators and are greeted with more of the W's friendly, helpful staff. It was a quiet weeknight at Prohibition, so I took my drink (Hendricks martini) for a stroll around the series of small rooms and looked out over the nighttime cityscape of Minneapolis.
Some colleagues arrived while I was on my tour and we took a small table by the window for a quiet conversation.
Though both the Living Room and Prohibition were quite nice, I think I would return to Prohibition. The view and small, interesting spaces made for a cozy atmosphere.
W Hotel - The Foshay
Meal: Drinks
Rating: *****
Date: 6 & 7 April 2009
Address: 821 Marquette Avenue · Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Website: http://www.WHotels.com/Minneapolis
The W Hotel in Minneapolis is located in the circa 1929 Foshay Tower. Full of an interesting history (Great Crash financiers, jail, financial insolvency - hmmm ... much like today!) the hotel conversion was well done.
Here's the Minneapolis report:
The Living Room Lounge
There isn't a traditional lobby at the W Hotel - The Foshy, in Minneapolis. Instead, there's a "Living Room". It sure doesn't look like my living room, but it could pass for one, somewhere. Well, if you're living room was also doing some sort of fashion shoot with a passel of models as it was on my visit.
Full of a variety of couches, chairs, a really interesting center of the room fireplace and a long black, chrome, glass bar, it was a nice place to drop in after a day in the April snow of Minneapolis.
The wait service was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. True, the drinks were a bit on the expensive side, but the Hendricks martini with a choice of muddled or on the side cucumbers, was among the best I've had.
On my arrival, on a Saturday night, the Living Room was packed with the trendiest of Minneapolis nightlife and loud pulsing music. Made for quite a party I'm sure!
Prohibition
Meanwhile, on the 27th floor of The Foshay, is a fabulous bar and lounge, Prohibition.
You hit the bar as soon as you step out of the elevators and are greeted with more of the W's friendly, helpful staff. It was a quiet weeknight at Prohibition, so I took my drink (Hendricks martini) for a stroll around the series of small rooms and looked out over the nighttime cityscape of Minneapolis.
Some colleagues arrived while I was on my tour and we took a small table by the window for a quiet conversation.
Though both the Living Room and Prohibition were quite nice, I think I would return to Prohibition. The view and small, interesting spaces made for a cozy atmosphere.
W Hotel - The Foshay
Meal: Drinks
Rating: *****
Date: 6 & 7 April 2009
Address: 821 Marquette Avenue · Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Website: http://www.WHotels.com/Minneapolis
India House: Worth a Try
India House
In scouting out the Minneapolis Indian restaurant scene before my visit, I knew that I had a number of good choices ahead of me. I had India House on my mind, so when I invited a colleague to join me and she said "India House" I knew it was a good sign. Then, earlier that afternoon, I walked past the restaurant and there were such fabulous smells coming out the door, well, it was a done deal.
Sunday night was a quiet night at India House and we were taken to a nice booth with plenty of room. There were some interesting choices on the menu, particularly in the appetizers.
After some negotiations (my friend isn't a big lamb person), we settled on the Paneer Pakora as the appetizer (this was a new dish to me and I was curious to try it), Palak Paneer, and Chicken Vindaloo as entrees, along with rice and an order of garlic naan.
The Palak Paneer turned out to be five log-shaped pieces of paneer, dipped in pakora batter and fried, served with a sides of sauces. An interesting dish, tasty, but a little went a long way. Splitting with a larger group would have diluted some of the sameness of it.
The Palak Paneer was good, mildly seasoned and fine, but nothing exceptional. The Chicken Vindaloo on the other hand was quite interesting. Served in a more yellow than red sauce, there were undertones of vinegar in a pleasantly light sauce. An excellent dish.
Overall, however, I was a bit disappointed in India House.
I'm not sure if it was the disconcertingly large size of the dining room, too much fried paneer, or the average Palak Paneer. More visits could change my mind and up my rating, especially if the Chicken Vindaloo keeps hitting such a high note!
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ***
Date: 5 April 2009
Address: 1400 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Website: http://www.indiahouseeatstreet.com/
In scouting out the Minneapolis Indian restaurant scene before my visit, I knew that I had a number of good choices ahead of me. I had India House on my mind, so when I invited a colleague to join me and she said "India House" I knew it was a good sign. Then, earlier that afternoon, I walked past the restaurant and there were such fabulous smells coming out the door, well, it was a done deal.
Sunday night was a quiet night at India House and we were taken to a nice booth with plenty of room. There were some interesting choices on the menu, particularly in the appetizers.
After some negotiations (my friend isn't a big lamb person), we settled on the Paneer Pakora as the appetizer (this was a new dish to me and I was curious to try it), Palak Paneer, and Chicken Vindaloo as entrees, along with rice and an order of garlic naan.
The Palak Paneer turned out to be five log-shaped pieces of paneer, dipped in pakora batter and fried, served with a sides of sauces. An interesting dish, tasty, but a little went a long way. Splitting with a larger group would have diluted some of the sameness of it.
The Palak Paneer was good, mildly seasoned and fine, but nothing exceptional. The Chicken Vindaloo on the other hand was quite interesting. Served in a more yellow than red sauce, there were undertones of vinegar in a pleasantly light sauce. An excellent dish.
Overall, however, I was a bit disappointed in India House.
I'm not sure if it was the disconcertingly large size of the dining room, too much fried paneer, or the average Palak Paneer. More visits could change my mind and up my rating, especially if the Chicken Vindaloo keeps hitting such a high note!
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ***
Date: 5 April 2009
Address: 1400 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Website: http://www.indiahouseeatstreet.com/
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Bombay Bistro: a Can't Miss
Bombay Bistro
My colleague and I had just come from a big reception with a wide variety of foods, so we weren't too terribly hungry. At the same time, we did want to get some good Indian food to finish off our visit to Minneapolis (I had just eaten at India House the night before, but you can never get too much Indian food!).
Since we were going to have just a light meal, we selected the nearby Bombay Bistro which was opposite my hotel and which I had been eyeing as I came and went from the hotel. It was a quiet Monday night and we were quickly seated in the unassuming, yet tastefully done dining area. Looking over the menu, we chose pappadum, an appetizer (Papri Chaat |), and a vegetarian entre (Bhindi Masala), along with rice.
Served rolled in cones (my new favorite shape), the pappadum with accompaning sauce were nicely done. The Papri Chaat, a dish I rarely order, was quite good, the crispy bits just right and not mushy from the sauce, topped off with chic peas.
The Bhindi Masala (fried okra with sliced onions) was one of the best versions of one of my favorite dishes. The okra was neither mushy nor to crispy; the firm pods sliced into just the right size and perfectly seasoned.
At the end of the meal, the check and after dinner candy coated fennel seeds were brought in a charming silver elephant-shaped dish. Leaving Bombay Bistro, I was wishing that I had skipped the earlier reception and saved my appetite for even more delightful treats from this Minneapolis gem.
Hightly recommended.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *****
Date: 6 April 2009
Address: 820 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, MN
Website: http://www.bombaybistromn.com
My colleague and I had just come from a big reception with a wide variety of foods, so we weren't too terribly hungry. At the same time, we did want to get some good Indian food to finish off our visit to Minneapolis (I had just eaten at India House the night before, but you can never get too much Indian food!).
Since we were going to have just a light meal, we selected the nearby Bombay Bistro which was opposite my hotel and which I had been eyeing as I came and went from the hotel. It was a quiet Monday night and we were quickly seated in the unassuming, yet tastefully done dining area. Looking over the menu, we chose pappadum, an appetizer (Papri Chaat |), and a vegetarian entre (Bhindi Masala), along with rice.
Served rolled in cones (my new favorite shape), the pappadum with accompaning sauce were nicely done. The Papri Chaat, a dish I rarely order, was quite good, the crispy bits just right and not mushy from the sauce, topped off with chic peas.
The Bhindi Masala (fried okra with sliced onions) was one of the best versions of one of my favorite dishes. The okra was neither mushy nor to crispy; the firm pods sliced into just the right size and perfectly seasoned.
At the end of the meal, the check and after dinner candy coated fennel seeds were brought in a charming silver elephant-shaped dish. Leaving Bombay Bistro, I was wishing that I had skipped the earlier reception and saved my appetite for even more delightful treats from this Minneapolis gem.
Hightly recommended.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *****
Date: 6 April 2009
Address: 820 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, MN
Website: http://www.bombaybistromn.com
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Memphis BBQ Cubed!
Memphis BBQ Cubed!
When I went out to dinner the other night, little did I know that the next few days would turn into a bar-b-que festival. And not just any bar-b-que, but specifically, Memphis bar-b-que.
The BBQ festival started at Red, Hot & Blue (pictured at right), a local Arlington spot (with a few other locations) that was originally created by a former governor of Tennesee and George H.W. Bush's hatchetman, Lee Atwater. Say what you want about Lee (and many did!) he knew a bit about blues and BBQ! Since the it's start 20 odd years ago, it's now turned into a nationwide chain.
A few days later, I found myself on the way to Minneapolis. Through a series of events I won't go into, I ended up in Memphis instead (the plane turned left at the Mississipi instead of right).
So, I ended up with a six hour layover at the Memphis International Airport. Only two things to do with that much time on your hands at MEM, eat BBQ and go to Graceland.
So I did.
Started off with a pulled pork sandwich at Interstate Bar-B-Que, took a quick taxi ride to Graceland to pay my respects to Elvis, and then back to MEM to catch a BBQ dinner at Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que.
So, how does Memphis International Airport BBQ compare to Arlington restaurant style? See below!
Red, Hot & Blue: Memphis Pit Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled chicken BBQ platter with beans, slaw, and cornbread. Salad, Sierra Nevada seasonal. RH&B is a local place with a nice comfy feel. The service is always friendly and helpful. This night, I was in the mood for chicken, so I went with the pulled chicken dinner. The BBQ comes with a dash or so of the RH&B sauce, but at your table, you get a choice of the regular, a hot and tangy sauce, and a mustard/vinegar option. I love to mix and match, starting with a milder sauce and then working up to the mouth burning hot. The sides are good. The beans are pretty basic, but the slaw is just like I love it, wet and sweet.
Red, Hot & Blue
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: 1600 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209
Website: http://www.redhotandblue.com/
Interstate Bar-B-Que (Memphis International Airport)
Meal: Pulled pork sandwich with slaw. A very nice and very messy sandwich. Pork was served on a nice squishy roll with the sauce and slaw on the side. I let it sit for a bit wrapped in the paper and foil to get even squishier. Got nice and messy eating it and then picking up the dropped pieces with a fork! Pork done just right with just enough crispy bits to add to the texture. Excellent!
Interstate Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (mostly because it's the airport version)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.interstatebarbecue.com/
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled pork dinner platter with beans, slaw, roll and Sam Adams seasonal beer. Since it was diner time, thought I would go for the platter this time. Is pulled pork twice in a day decadent or am I just getting used to the South? Corky's pork dinner was a nice big serving for around $10. The pork, like at Interstate, was well done and just a bit smoky. It came with a sauce that was not too hot and just about right. At the table, you only had a choice of more of the same. The slaw was wet and sweet and quite good. The beans, however, were excellent. Just a little thicker and with a touch more brown sugar they topped off the platter!
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (again, because it was the airport location)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.corkysbbq.com/
So, what's the final vote? Well, they were all pretty darn good. Hard to compare a nice little old sit down BBQ place with one in a food court at an airport (Interstate) or even a nice sitdown in an airport (Corky's). I will say, however, that the two Memphis airport spots were very tasty and made me want to explore some real Memphis BBQ places (including those of Corky's and Interstate)!
More BBQ photos here.
When I went out to dinner the other night, little did I know that the next few days would turn into a bar-b-que festival. And not just any bar-b-que, but specifically, Memphis bar-b-que.
The BBQ festival started at Red, Hot & Blue (pictured at right), a local Arlington spot (with a few other locations) that was originally created by a former governor of Tennesee and George H.W. Bush's hatchetman, Lee Atwater. Say what you want about Lee (and many did!) he knew a bit about blues and BBQ! Since the it's start 20 odd years ago, it's now turned into a nationwide chain.
A few days later, I found myself on the way to Minneapolis. Through a series of events I won't go into, I ended up in Memphis instead (the plane turned left at the Mississipi instead of right).
So, I ended up with a six hour layover at the Memphis International Airport. Only two things to do with that much time on your hands at MEM, eat BBQ and go to Graceland.
So I did.
Started off with a pulled pork sandwich at Interstate Bar-B-Que, took a quick taxi ride to Graceland to pay my respects to Elvis, and then back to MEM to catch a BBQ dinner at Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que.
So, how does Memphis International Airport BBQ compare to Arlington restaurant style? See below!
Red, Hot & Blue: Memphis Pit Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled chicken BBQ platter with beans, slaw, and cornbread. Salad, Sierra Nevada seasonal. RH&B is a local place with a nice comfy feel. The service is always friendly and helpful. This night, I was in the mood for chicken, so I went with the pulled chicken dinner. The BBQ comes with a dash or so of the RH&B sauce, but at your table, you get a choice of the regular, a hot and tangy sauce, and a mustard/vinegar option. I love to mix and match, starting with a milder sauce and then working up to the mouth burning hot. The sides are good. The beans are pretty basic, but the slaw is just like I love it, wet and sweet.
Red, Hot & Blue
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: 1600 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209
Website: http://www.redhotandblue.com/
Interstate Bar-B-Que (Memphis International Airport)
Meal: Pulled pork sandwich with slaw. A very nice and very messy sandwich. Pork was served on a nice squishy roll with the sauce and slaw on the side. I let it sit for a bit wrapped in the paper and foil to get even squishier. Got nice and messy eating it and then picking up the dropped pieces with a fork! Pork done just right with just enough crispy bits to add to the texture. Excellent!
Interstate Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (mostly because it's the airport version)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.interstatebarbecue.com/
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled pork dinner platter with beans, slaw, roll and Sam Adams seasonal beer. Since it was diner time, thought I would go for the platter this time. Is pulled pork twice in a day decadent or am I just getting used to the South? Corky's pork dinner was a nice big serving for around $10. The pork, like at Interstate, was well done and just a bit smoky. It came with a sauce that was not too hot and just about right. At the table, you only had a choice of more of the same. The slaw was wet and sweet and quite good. The beans, however, were excellent. Just a little thicker and with a touch more brown sugar they topped off the platter!
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (again, because it was the airport location)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.corkysbbq.com/
So, what's the final vote? Well, they were all pretty darn good. Hard to compare a nice little old sit down BBQ place with one in a food court at an airport (Interstate) or even a nice sitdown in an airport (Corky's). I will say, however, that the two Memphis airport spots were very tasty and made me want to explore some real Memphis BBQ places (including those of Corky's and Interstate)!
More BBQ photos here.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Quote of the Day: "jynnan tonnyx"
It is a curious fact, and one to which no one knows quite how much importance to attach, that something like 85 percent of all known worlds in the Galaxy, be they primitive or highly advance, have invented a drink called jynnan tonnyx, or gee-N-N-T'N-ix, or jinond-o-nicks, or any one of a thousand or more variations on the same phonetic theme. The drinks themselves are not the same, and vary between the Silolvian "chinanto/mnigs" which is ordinary water served at a slighty above room temperature, and the Gagrakackan "tzin-anthony-ks" which kills cows at a hundred paces; and in fact the one common factor between all of them, beyond the fact that the names sound the same, is that they were all invented and named before the worlds concerned made contact with any other worlds.Douglas Adams. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. (1980). Ballentine Books: New York, 2005: pp.177-78
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