Tom's Bar & Grill
Coming in and out of St. Louis, I generally take the Metrolink from the airport (STL) to Central West End (and then make my way to the Missouri Botanical Garden).
On my last two trips, I've spent more quality time in the Central West End, which, once you get past the mega-construction around the medical center, is quite nice and full of some intriguing restaurants.
On this trip, I didn't have time for in-depth exploration, but just a quick stop.
My friend Doug was going to drop me off at the Metrolink, but we had some extra time, so he suggested we stop in at Tom's Bar & Grill. Doug suggested Tom's since it had parking and was close to the Metrolink.
Coming from Washington, it was hard to get used to the fact that there was still smoking allowed anywhere (!), but we settled in at the bar for a quick drink.
Service was quick and fine and, if I was looking for a good and frindly spot for a quick drink, I'd be sure to hit Tom's again.
Meal: Drinks
Rating: ***
Address: 20 S Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63108-1410
Website: http://www.tomsbarandgrill.com
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Frontier Jumpstart snack
Snack on Frontier Airlines
So flying westward on Frontier Airlines, destination Salt Lake City (via Denver, 'cause that's the only way Frontier will get you there!).
Flight delayed for three hours (allowing the sampling of some of the food fare behind the security gates at National Airport) and so, just before boarding, the gate crew announce that the food on the plane has now expired, so if you want anything other than a snack, RUN NOW and buy it.
So it goes.
But on board they did have
Gourmet? Of Course not ... but better than nothing!
Meal: Snack
Rating: N/A
Address: In the air
Website: N/A
So flying westward on Frontier Airlines, destination Salt Lake City (via Denver, 'cause that's the only way Frontier will get you there!).
Flight delayed for three hours (allowing the sampling of some of the food fare behind the security gates at National Airport) and so, just before boarding, the gate crew announce that the food on the plane has now expired, so if you want anything other than a snack, RUN NOW and buy it.
So it goes.
But on board they did have
- Rice Krispies
- Milk
- Graham Cracker Scooby Snacks
- Apple Juice
Gourmet? Of Course not ... but better than nothing!
Meal: Snack
Rating: N/A
Address: In the air
Website: N/A
Monday, July 13, 2009
Kim & Carlo's Chicago Style Hot Dog Store
Kim & Carlo's Chicago Style Hot Dog Store
The Chicago Hot Dog is something special. It's not the dog itself, but wnat goes on it! For the desperate traveler passing through O'Hare, there are a number of spots where you can get a nice Chicago-style dog.
This post, however, is going to focus on a fabulous little stand outside of the Field Museum, Kim & Carlo's.
My hosts at the Field Museum offered the choice of the Corner Bakery (inside the museum) or the hot dog stand.
Not really a choice!
We headed out and the group looked over the choices: turkey dog, tofu dog, brats. Again, it's a hot dog stand, go with the Vienna frank, then make it Chicago-style!
And just what makes it Chicago-style? Here's the list:
More pictures.
Meal: Lunch
Rating: *****
Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus between Mcfretridge Dr. & Waldron Dr.), Chicago, IL 60605
Website: N/A
The Chicago Hot Dog is something special. It's not the dog itself, but wnat goes on it! For the desperate traveler passing through O'Hare, there are a number of spots where you can get a nice Chicago-style dog.
This post, however, is going to focus on a fabulous little stand outside of the Field Museum, Kim & Carlo's.
My hosts at the Field Museum offered the choice of the Corner Bakery (inside the museum) or the hot dog stand.
Not really a choice!
We headed out and the group looked over the choices: turkey dog, tofu dog, brats. Again, it's a hot dog stand, go with the Vienna frank, then make it Chicago-style!
And just what makes it Chicago-style? Here's the list:
- poppyseed bun
- yellow mustard (NEVER ketchup!)
- chopped onions
- tomato wedges
- pickle spear
- green relish
- hot peppers
- celery salt
More pictures.
Meal: Lunch
Rating: *****
Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus between Mcfretridge Dr. & Waldron Dr.), Chicago, IL 60605
Website: N/A
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Billy Goat Tavern: Butt in anytime!
Billy Goat Tavern
Established in 1934, it probably wasn't until the famed Saturday Night Live sketch that the Billy Goat Tavern achieved nationwide fame (or at least became known to me!)
"Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!" John Belushi, as the surly diner guy, would respond to any befuddled customer who wanted to vary the order from the canonical "Cheezborger, cheeps, and Coke."
Located in a weird stretch on Michigan Avenue, well, not actually on, but under because the Billy Goat Tavern is underneath Michigan Ave., beneath an underpass! Going in through the doors ("Butt in anytime") you're warned to "enter at your own risk". Once inside, it doesn't really look anything like the SNL set. Head down the steps and sidle up to the counter. The menu is a nice selection of sandwiches made on the grill to your left. In addition to the single, double and triple "cheezborger" you'll find ribeye steak, chicken, etc. Chips are also there, and, sad to say, Coke OR Pepsi!
I couldn't resist the basics, so I got the triple cheeseburger and Pepsi. The cook had them all lined up and my burger rolled off the grill and was slapped on a bun in just about a minute or so. Grab the burger and take a step or two to the "fixin's bar" where you can get tomato, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and onions (sliced or diced).
I dressed up my burger and grabbed a seat (you're on your own for seating). The walls are encrusted with photographs of celebrities -- big small, sports, TV, film, local, national.
And the burger?
Well, it was pretty good. Nice and greasy, flavorful and done nicely. Needless to say, probably not something good your arteries and, yes, the Billy Goat is probably boasting on thirty plus years of SNL notoriety (there are now a bunch in Chicago and even one in Washington).
Still, next time in your Chi-town, wander down the scary steps under under Michigan Avenue. You won't find any Trolls under the Bridge, just the Billy Goat and a tasty "Cheezborger!"
More pictures.
Meal: Lunch
Rating: *****
Address: 430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level, Chicago, IL
Website: http://www.billygoattavern.com/
Established in 1934, it probably wasn't until the famed Saturday Night Live sketch that the Billy Goat Tavern achieved nationwide fame (or at least became known to me!)
"Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!" John Belushi, as the surly diner guy, would respond to any befuddled customer who wanted to vary the order from the canonical "Cheezborger, cheeps, and Coke."
Located in a weird stretch on Michigan Avenue, well, not actually on, but under because the Billy Goat Tavern is underneath Michigan Ave., beneath an underpass! Going in through the doors ("Butt in anytime") you're warned to "enter at your own risk". Once inside, it doesn't really look anything like the SNL set. Head down the steps and sidle up to the counter. The menu is a nice selection of sandwiches made on the grill to your left. In addition to the single, double and triple "cheezborger" you'll find ribeye steak, chicken, etc. Chips are also there, and, sad to say, Coke OR Pepsi!
I couldn't resist the basics, so I got the triple cheeseburger and Pepsi. The cook had them all lined up and my burger rolled off the grill and was slapped on a bun in just about a minute or so. Grab the burger and take a step or two to the "fixin's bar" where you can get tomato, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and onions (sliced or diced).
I dressed up my burger and grabbed a seat (you're on your own for seating). The walls are encrusted with photographs of celebrities -- big small, sports, TV, film, local, national.
And the burger?
Well, it was pretty good. Nice and greasy, flavorful and done nicely. Needless to say, probably not something good your arteries and, yes, the Billy Goat is probably boasting on thirty plus years of SNL notoriety (there are now a bunch in Chicago and even one in Washington).
Still, next time in your Chi-town, wander down the scary steps under under Michigan Avenue. You won't find any Trolls under the Bridge, just the Billy Goat and a tasty "Cheezborger!"
More pictures.
Meal: Lunch
Rating: *****
Address: 430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level, Chicago, IL
Website: http://www.billygoattavern.com/
Friday, July 3, 2009
Eastbound: Virgin America VX78
Eastbound: Virgin America VX78
It was hard to choose from the options on my return flight from San Francisco. But I soon did! I went with the Napa Valley Chicken Salad Hand Roll. It included Diced chicken with apples, currants, carrots and mayonnaise dressing in a garden spinach tortilla wrap. Along with a side of pasta salad and Toblerone chocolate for dessert.
I also added the side of a Fruit and Cheese box that had brie, pepper Monterrey jack and aged cheddar. Finished off with red seedless grapes, dried cranberries, pecans and a selection of multigrain crackers.
I completed the meal with a selection of spirits, VeeV Acai and a Le Tourment Vert Absinthe.
Virgin America knows how to do airline food right!
It was hard to choose from the options on my return flight from San Francisco. But I soon did! I went with the Napa Valley Chicken Salad Hand Roll. It included Diced chicken with apples, currants, carrots and mayonnaise dressing in a garden spinach tortilla wrap. Along with a side of pasta salad and Toblerone chocolate for dessert.
I also added the side of a Fruit and Cheese box that had brie, pepper Monterrey jack and aged cheddar. Finished off with red seedless grapes, dried cranberries, pecans and a selection of multigrain crackers.
I completed the meal with a selection of spirits, VeeV Acai and a Le Tourment Vert Absinthe.
Virgin America knows how to do airline food right!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
California Wine Merchant & Amelie: Not Your Father's Wine Bar!
California Wine Merchant
(photo right: Amelie)
Once upon a time, a wine bar had a bad reputation. It wasn't a real bar, it was just a "wine" bar, a, to use the 70s term, a "fern bar"! And, that was not a term of honor.
So, I never really thought to much about wine bars, that is, until a few years ago when on a trip to San Francisco, I stopped in at the California Wine Merchant (CWM). A snug little spot on Chestnut Street, it is not only a bar, but, as the name implies, a wine store.
The CWM is one of my favorite spots on Chestnut. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are more than happy to offer suggestions from the extensive wine selections and the crowd - though often pretty noisy - is always friendly. If you can, snag the small table by the open front windows and watch the Marina District crowds flow by while sipping your favorite wine. And if the window seat's taken, grab a barrel and just get comfortable.
On my last trip, Chris, from MOBOT, and I stopped in and got the window seat, asking the other person there if the seats were free or at least not expensive. Geeking right into a discussion about digital object identifiers, we took a breath to move over to the bar and made a passing comment to our table mate. This being the CWM, we and Helen (our table mate) were soon in a deep discussion about food, restaurants and everything. Next thing you know, we were headed in a cab to ...
La Cave D'Amelie
I don't really think I can write a fair review of Amelie. We arrived just near closing, but our new friend Helen - a regular - had us seated and the focus of the staff. Juan quickly set us a table and brought us a variety of quatre frommage. Not sure what wine to have - other than wanting to focus on a pinot - Juan brought a tasting of four different pinot noirs.
The Spanish cheeses were fabulous and the service, in the word of the night, fabulous!
I had the sense that the attention we received was a little above that of the average diner, but at the same time, the knowledge of Juan and other staff of wine and cheese was also clearly above average.
A spot that needs to be revisited!
California Wine Merchant
Meal: Drinks
Rating: *****
Date: Regular and Frequent!
Address: 2113 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123-2708
Website: http://californiawinemerchant.com
La Cave D'Amelie
Meal: Drinks
Rating: *****
Address: 1754 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109-3617
Website: http://ameliesf.com
(photo right: Amelie)
Once upon a time, a wine bar had a bad reputation. It wasn't a real bar, it was just a "wine" bar, a, to use the 70s term, a "fern bar"! And, that was not a term of honor.
So, I never really thought to much about wine bars, that is, until a few years ago when on a trip to San Francisco, I stopped in at the California Wine Merchant (CWM). A snug little spot on Chestnut Street, it is not only a bar, but, as the name implies, a wine store.
The CWM is one of my favorite spots on Chestnut. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are more than happy to offer suggestions from the extensive wine selections and the crowd - though often pretty noisy - is always friendly. If you can, snag the small table by the open front windows and watch the Marina District crowds flow by while sipping your favorite wine. And if the window seat's taken, grab a barrel and just get comfortable.
On my last trip, Chris, from MOBOT, and I stopped in and got the window seat, asking the other person there if the seats were free or at least not expensive. Geeking right into a discussion about digital object identifiers, we took a breath to move over to the bar and made a passing comment to our table mate. This being the CWM, we and Helen (our table mate) were soon in a deep discussion about food, restaurants and everything. Next thing you know, we were headed in a cab to ...
La Cave D'Amelie
I don't really think I can write a fair review of Amelie. We arrived just near closing, but our new friend Helen - a regular - had us seated and the focus of the staff. Juan quickly set us a table and brought us a variety of quatre frommage. Not sure what wine to have - other than wanting to focus on a pinot - Juan brought a tasting of four different pinot noirs.
The Spanish cheeses were fabulous and the service, in the word of the night, fabulous!
I had the sense that the attention we received was a little above that of the average diner, but at the same time, the knowledge of Juan and other staff of wine and cheese was also clearly above average.
A spot that needs to be revisited!
California Wine Merchant
Meal: Drinks
Rating: *****
Date: Regular and Frequent!
Address: 2113 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123-2708
Website: http://californiawinemerchant.com
La Cave D'Amelie
Meal: Drinks
Rating: *****
Address: 1754 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109-3617
Website: http://ameliesf.com
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Virgin America: Food on Demand: Westbound
Hummus & Pita Chips
Virgin America offers a neat food option, "Food on Demand". Swipe your credit card, pick something from the menu, and it arrives at your seat!
I chose the Hummus & Pita Chips for a light lunch. It was a nice selection of carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, hummus an baba ganoush served with pita chips. And finished off with a delightful little stuffed grape leaf rol.
A nice dining option!
Virgin America offers a neat food option, "Food on Demand". Swipe your credit card, pick something from the menu, and it arrives at your seat!
I chose the Hummus & Pita Chips for a light lunch. It was a nice selection of carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, hummus an baba ganoush served with pita chips. And finished off with a delightful little stuffed grape leaf rol.
A nice dining option!
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