The Fire Side in Halifax

The Fire Side

I'd been looking forward to this spot on word of mouth reports. I had high expectations, which might have made me expect a bit too much.

My party sat upstairs, which had great outside lighting (it looked dark on the lower level and since it was nice out and still early, we wanted to catch some Nova Scotian rays!). There was also seating outside, but it was a bit chilly for that not that there weren't some diners out there).

I went with the Mediterranean lamb burger (ground lamb and pork seasoned with cumin, mint, coriander, dill, oregano. Grilled, topped with feta arugula, olives and sun-dried tomatoes; served with fries, but I added the side Caeasar salad for a small charge).

The burger was quite good, but the overall experience was lacking some zing.

By the way, no reservations.

Meal: Dinner
Date Visited: 22 August 2010
Rating: *** 1/2
Address: 1500 Brunswick Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Website: http://www.thefireside.ca/

Dofsky's does mussels

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Dofsky's Urban Grill

Off to Halifax for a family wedding and when in the Maritimes, one must have mussels!

The rehearsal dinner was at Dofsky's, a nice comfortable spot which offered three different styles of mussels. I went with the "home" version, which was white wine, tarragon, and a touch of cream. An interesting blend, but not sure if I liked the cream. Still, quite tasty and a nice large serving (appetizer on the menu, but made for a full meal). I added a Caesar salad to compliment the ebony mollusks.

Of note was the selection of Nova Scotian wines. I'd never had one before. At dinner, there were two options, a red and a white. I went with the Marechal Foch which was quite good.

(sorry no mussels pictures ... they were too dark!)

Meal: Dinner
Date Visited: 13 August 2010
Rating: *** 1/2
Address: 1583 Brunswick Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J3P5, Canada
Website: http://www.dofskysgrill.com/

Tom's Restaurant, Doo doo doo doo, doo da-doo doo

Tom's Restaurant



You'll probably recognize the outside of this restaurant if you ever watched Seinfeld. Though it was called "Monks Cafe" in the sitcom and a used a different interior, the wrap-around neon sign was unmistakable. But I came by Tom's Restaurant from another pop-culture angle, Suzanne Vega's 1987 son, "Tom's Diner."

Doo doo doo doo, doo da-doo doo ...



So, after hoping off the M60 bus at 125th St., I strolled down past the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and popped into Tom's to find myself "sitting at the counter." Since it wasn't breakfast, I didn't order coffee, but instead got a burger, fries and ice tea. The restaurant was packed with late brunchers and lunchers; the counter itself was packed elbow to elbow, but the counter help was friendly and served me quickly.

The mostly Greek staff had me thinking for a minute about the Billy Goat Tavern ("Cheezborger!"). Burgers at both were pretty good (basic and nothing fancy), and like the BIlly Goat, there was a touristical element (tee-shirts!), but it was a good meal and looked like a fun local spot.

More photos.

Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 21 March 2010
Address: 2880 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Website: http://www.tomsrestaurant.net/

Dining at Temple Square, Salt Lake City

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Dining at Temple Square: The Garden and Nauvoo Cafe

The curious spot that is Salt Lake City features a wide range of dining options. From wine bars (yes, even in Utah!) to great Nepali food. However, the visitor to SLC, especially those following in the footsteps of Mark Twain, must sample some of the spots located in historic Temple Square and run by the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) church.

The Joseph Smith Building, formerly a grant, western-style hotel, now hosts many church offices and functions as well as a collection of restaurants. Just around the corner, in a house owned by Brigham Young, is the Lion House Pantry.

On this trip, I was able to sample to of the four: The Garden Restaurant and the Nauvoo Cafe. I missed The Lion House Pantry (featuring homestyle breakfast, lunch and dinner) and The Roof (a gourmet dinner buffet).

So, let's start with dinner at The Garden Restaurant. The first thing you notice about the restaurant is the amazing view. Located on the 10th (rooftop) floor, it commands a fabulous view of the Mormon Temple and the shimmering of the Great Salt Lake in the distance. The view (especially at sunset) through the floor the ceiling windows is almost enough to take your mind off the powerful smell of chlorine from the various pools and fountains that are in the restaurant!

For the food, well, let me first say how annoyed was I didn't order the speciality appetizer, Fried Dill pickles: "Quartered, lightly Battered and Quick-Fried to a Golden Brown. Garnished with Celery and Carrot Sticks and served with Thousand Island and Ranch Dipping Sauces." I wasn't that hungry, and just got a side salad, but the pickles sound great!

For an entree, I went with the French Dip (you know me!), here called the "Beef Dipper". Served with carmalized onions and sweet peppers and a side of au jus (plus fries) it was a nice, but not spectacular sandwich. My wife went with the grilled salmon (which was excellent) and my daughter, the kids' ravioli (which were deemed "best ever").

For beverages, well, no wine or beer of course, so ...

Service was pleasant, but our server had an uncanny resemblance to Phoebe (from Friends) both in looks and style, which was fun and didn't distract from the meal.

I would give The Garden a higher rating, if not for that darned chlorine smell!



The Nauvoo Cafe (named after the side of a Mormon massacre in Illinois), located on the ground floor of the Smith Building (and opening on to outdoor seating with yet another great view of the Mormon Temple) is a perfect spot for a quick, inexpensive lunch. With a selection of soups, salads, and hot and cold sandwiches.

I went with one of the premium sandwiches; with choices of "carved before your eyes" options of ham, sirloin, roasted turkey, and, my choice, Coca-Cola Porkloin. After your meat is carved, it passes along to be put on bread, and then a little conveyor belt where it runs under a heater (those of you familiar with Pot Belly Sandwiches will know what I mean - see picture above). Final stop, dressing up with a choice of relishes and sauces. The porkloin was juicy and tender, the outdoor dining, wonderful. Highly recommended!

The Garden Restaurant
Meal: Dinner
Rating: **
Date Visited: 29 July 2009
Address: 15 East South Temple, 10th Floor, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
Website: http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/garden.html

Nauvoo Cafe
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date Visited: 31 July 2009
Address: 15 East South Temple, Main Floor, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
Website: http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/nauvoo.html

Viand, a hidden gem in Chicago

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Viand: American cuisine with a Mediterranean flare.

Hidden away in a section of Chicago called Streeterville, Viand is located in Marriott hotel. I've said on a number of occasions that I'm not really keen on hotel restaurants, but I think I'm going to have to adjust that view. Though many hotels (hello Sheraton) still stick a mediocre sports bar or overpriced steakhouse in the hotel and call it fine dining, increasingly hotels are actually putting quality eateries on premises.

Viand is an excellent example of such a place. An eclectic mix of ingredients and cuisines, with leanings towards the Mediterranean, the full menu made for some hard choices.

The table was started off with a small tumbler of complimentary, and very tasty, gazpacho. This nice touch set the tone for the rest of the meal.

For starters, I had an order of the homemade potstickers in a dark soy and brown sugar glaze. The potstickers were good, and a nice large serving, but didn't quite blend with my main course, a lovely tangine of lamb and root vegetables with couscous. Nicely spiced, a great choice.

The dessert tray was tempting (including a basket of freshly baked cookies), but I'm not really a dessert person, so I let that go by.

Service was excellent and attentive. Highly recommended (even if you have to go through a hotel lobby too get there!).

More photos.

Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date Visited: 13 July 2009
Address: 155 E Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611-2822
Website: http://www.viandchicago.com/

Tattoo Me! Rose Tattoo Cafe

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

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/

R.I.P.: Tom Sarris' Orleans House

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

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

French Dippin' in Metro DC

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

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/

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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/

French Dippin' in the City of Lakes

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

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/

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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

Mr Stox - Best on the blox?

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Mr Stox Restaurant

Need a table for two or a dinner for 10, 15, 20? Mr Stox is your place. Whether you're looking for a nicer place for a small dinner or hosting a larger event, Mr Stox, managed by the Marshall family since 1977 will fit the bill. I had a business dinner for eight and Mr Stox was just the right mix of casual and elegant. Located in a Mission-style complex that stretches further than it might look from the road, Mr Stox offers a number of different settings from the large dining room (with both booths and tables) to an enclosed patio area that is perfect for a larger dinner.

The menu offers an extensive selection of "classic" dishes of fish, meat, and poultry. With a few "trendy" items on the menu (ahi, osso buco, portobello mushrooms) as well as something you might not expect to see in Southern California (Maryland crab cakes! - the wait staff informed us that the owner was from the Chesapeake area), selections should meet nearly every taste.

For appetizers, the table split orders of onion rings (nice and large and neatly battered) and ravioli (a tasty spring pea ravioli with crispy pancetta and a smoked paprika cream sauce); I added a Caesar salad to the mix.

Others at the table selected the halibut, swordfish, crabcakes, and portobello for entrees. I selected the duck. The Mesquite grilled duck breast and confit of leg was served with a red beet purée with pears and King Oyster mushrooms. The duck was well done and the mushrooms added just the right touch.

Dessert offerings included a crispy fruit tart.

Service was knowledgeable and attentive. A nice wine selection compliments the extensive menu.

More photos.

Dish: Duck
Meal: Mr Stox
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 27 June 2008
Address: 1105 E Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805
Website: http://www.mrstox.com/