Enjoy! - Apple Valley, MN

After reading Dara's piece on Thanksgiving restaraunts, I got the idea to dine out for Thanksgiving this year. I've become increasingly interested in the dining experience, and me and Mr. H decided to make it our own family holiday! We chose a restaurant called Enjoy! in Apple Valley. After reviewing a suprisingly extensive list of Thanksgiving restaurants on opentable.com, we chose Enjoy! due to their Thanksgiving menu. I've never had the pleasure of doing a "course" meal, and was eager to try this out. The menu normally offers mostly steak, seafood, and chicken; pizza and sandwiches for lunch, and seemingly very high quality. I was intrigued.

Thanksgiving Menu (i have a pic of this, but its in my camera. Go here and look at the Thanksgiving Menu - I think it's still up.)

http://www.enjoy-dining.com/menus.php

It doesn't list it here, but the ham/turkey dinners were $22.95. The additional entree's were more, from $28-$35 - but you still get a 1st and 2nd course with it.

I had read some reviews about this place before I went, and the parts about it being...large were right. It can reportedly seat 400 people. It reminded me of the (old) Santorini, with different rooms, and a gorgeous patio. The patio is seriously awesome. It runs the entire length of the restaraunt, and has several fireplaces throughout. We were seated in a large booth, and it was decorated beautifully. I wish it weren't so dim, I'd have loved to get decent pictures. Especially the chandelier, with all sorts of decorative balls and such hanging from it - it was festive and lovely.

I don't go to "fancy" restaraunts much. While this certainly is not a stuffy white-tabelcloth place, it is very modern and grand. I ordered a Root 1 cabernet sauv. (one of my favorite brands - was pleased to see it on the menu) at 7.50 a glass (one of thier cheaper by the glass wines.) We were both craving a good Thanksgiving meal, but once I saw the salmon stuffed with crab and brie (with champagne and vanilla bean butter sauce, mashed potatoes and asparagus) I caved. It's not often I can afford that sort of thing, so I decided to go for it. Mr. H was feeling traditional and opted for the turkey dinner (with mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce.) For the first course, you basically got a choice of salads, or butternut squash soup. Mr. H got the enjoy! salad (pears, gorgonzola, walnuts and citrus vinagrette) and i got a normal salad (mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions) with asian vinagrette. For dessert: pumpkin pie, pecan pie or maple creme brulee. Mr. H got pecan pie, and I maple creme brulee.

Disclaimer: kind of bad pics due to the darkness of the place - use your imagination,

Mr. H 1st course:

My 1st course:

Mr. H's salad was far superior, as you can see. Nuts, strong cheese and acidity are always a great pairing. My salad was lackluster. The vinagrette was too sweet and tart. One thing I am noticing more about vinagrette's is the tartness. I know it's supposed to be acidic, but not to the point where my mouth prunes up. I did appreciate the mixed greens, and the large plate they were served on. Restaraunt pet peeve #37: getting salad in small bowls/plates. I'm a mixer, so half my salad ends up on the table/floor. Give me room to mix my greens!

Mr H. 2nd course:

This was a super delicios Thanksgiving feast. From the turkey: all white and not a bit dry, to the stuffing which was soft and mooshy, salty and savory (i like my stuffing mooshy) and the mashed potatoes which were fluffy, earthy and needed no seasoning - it truly was awesome. If I cooked my own thanksgiving feast, I would want it to taste like this. Low on the frills and high on the flavor, this is what "fancy" food should be. Presentation is nice, but unless you're presenting sushi, fondue or maybe an ice sculpture, good flavor needs no masks.

My 2nd course:

I struggle to describe this food. I haven't come across many salmon that I actually like. They are a stronger tasting fish, and I don't have a very seafood-ready palette to begin with. I took my first bite, and got a rush of such decadence, using cliche adjectives seems moot. The salmon was flaky and meaty, the crab and brie inside added a deep richness that makes you feel as if you're being super naughty. And that sauce - I have never, ever had a sauce like that before. I tasted it quite a few times with just my finger, and asked Mr. H- "what is this again?" It was champagne-vanilla bean butter sauce. Normally I don't care for anything vanilla, but this sauce magnificent. The mellow vanilla countered with salt and butter make the perfect sauce for this piece of fish. The asparagus was cooked perfectly, and the earthiness paired with the vanilla sauce composed a suprising balance of flavors: sweet, salty and savory. The potatoes were also wonderful - not lumpy, not artificial tasting, not bland and not too light. This is seriously one of best, most decadent dishes I've ever experienced dining out. Halfway through, I was already getting stuffed. How do the judges on Iron Chef eat 10 courses??? Here comes dessert!

Mr. H. dessert: (pecan pie)

I only had one bite of this, but it was quite good. It was very sweet and "caramel-y", but I liked it for being my 1st pecan pie ever.

My dessert: (maple creme brulee)

Very few things give me as much happiness as a good creme brulee. Especially the crack-ley top. That toasty, burnt taste against the cool, creamy custard inside is (in my mind) one of the perfect texture and flavor contrasts in existence. This was a good creme brulee. I couldn't taste much maple, and when I was eating the custard, it coated my mouth a bit. I remember asking Mr. H - "Why is it kind of making my mouth oily?" he said "Well that would probably be all the fat from the cream." I think I might like a lighter creme brulee than this. But the topping was perfect - nice and toasty and sweet. YUM.

After 3 courses - I was painfully stuffed. However, I do not regret dining out for Thanksgiving. I tend toward the non-traditional anyways, and this was a perfect and delightful meal. If you have a good amount of cash to drop, I would highly recommend this place over many other "fancy" places Downtown Mpls.

The greats:

Everything. Especially the fact we stayed so long that when we left, the employees were eating their own Thanksgiving meals at the bar.

The not so greats:

It's kind of a hike, being in Apple Valley. But worth it for a small food "getaway."

http://www.enjoy-dining.com/

Tha Anchor Fish and Chips (NE Mpls)

So I FINALLY got over to the Anchor this week to meet Mr C. and sup it up. I've been trying to wait for the Anchor for fish and chips, but sorta ruined it the night before by going to Hazelwood and having a fish sandwich (which was lovely, but I decided to not blog about since I was having an extremely bad day.) Alas, there was no guilt allowed upon entering the anchor. I stepped in to meet my friend, and it was crowded, dark, and small. I loved it right away. Maybe I owe this fondness to being away from anything city for the last 2.5 weeks. Either way, this place is lovely. Not overdone, not underdone, and bustling. They have an open "kitchen" (cooks and deep fryers!) which I think is a good idea at any restaraunt. Open concepts look nice, and also add to the "bustle" of a restaraunt. People talk more, and feed off the lively energy of the kitchen, without really noticing it. We were seated in under 10 minutes (there was a wait on a Wednesday-understandable due to it's hype, neighborhood, and small size) at a suitable table for two. This was ok, but this type of seating is very close set - a pet peeve of mine. Forgivness abounded, as I was just happy to be in my neighborhood.

The menu is short, so it really didn't take long to order. As you may know, I am firmly against 2 people ordering the same thing. This is why I always ask what the other party will order first. Mr. C. wanted the fish and chips. So be it; then I ordered the pastie (a blend of meat and veggies, deep fried.)

I apologize for no pics. It was too dark in the place. But our food came. and imagine: one basket with thick, steak style chips, and about an 8 inch long hunk of fried fish on top of it (seriously, it was pretty huge.) And basket two, with the aforementioned chips, and a big round hunk of deep fried-ness on top of it.

There is not a lot to say about this meal, except that it was simple and delicious. No complex flavors here, just straight up comfort food. The rumors about the chips; ALL TRUE. They are fantastic. I love fries, and am particular about them. Whiteys and Hazelwood have some of the worst fries (skinny, oversalted, soggy) and I like my fries to be something special. These are thick and mouthy. Some are around 3-4 inches long. LORDY! When I put the vinegar on them (yes they do only have white vinegar - but it's delicious on everything!) they tasted like salt and vinegar chips! Genius. My pastie was also very good. I took a bite of it, and immediately felt my endorphins ooh and ah. The breading is savory and toasty, the filling starchy and toothsome. I found myself wishing I had a hangover at that moment, and mourned for the hangover days that missed the Anchor while I was around. Some people have complained the pastie's are salty. They do have a sprinkling of sea salt on top, whch you get a bite of here and there, but it's definitely not overpowering.

Mr. C.'s fish was awesome. It's ok and fine for fish to be flaky - but sometimes it's flaky like you're eating nothing. This fish was flaky AND meaty. And the breading again was spot on crispy. It's a bit greasy, but it isn't out of hand. It's what you expect when eating fried food.

On the plus side - they sell wine by half and full carafe. We got a half carafe of cab for $8, which gave us both 2 glasses of wine. Not too shabby - but the wine was not that great. Oh well - not really a blunder for a place like this.

This place gets many plus points: 5 of the greats being:

-It's dark, and I like my restaraunts dim and dark.
-The chips are fantastic
-The pastie and fish are tremendous, super comforting and simple.
-The location. They are right smack in the middle of the hub bub of NE Mpls - near the Modern e.t.c.
-Open kitchen

5 not so greats
- The seating is close set
- They have CURRY GRAVY (!!!!) that you can order as a side to dip your chips in, and I didn't order it!!!
-There can be long waits
-Nothing else is wrong with this place.

http://www.theanchorfishandchips.com/The_Anchor_Fish_%26_Chips/Home.html

Sushi (yes, again.)

Yesterday, after having a pretty crappy 3 days, I decided I needed to treat myself to some sushi. Being chained to my desk, my only option was Oishi (again.) Oishi has 3 lunch specials - I went for lunch special 2 which is 2 rolls - 1 from list A and 1 from list B ,and a miso soup. They have lists A, B and C of sushi, in order of more elaborate ingredients/prep. I chose 1 Unagi roll (eel) and the Crunchy Philly Roll (deep fried Philly rolls, which normally have salmon, cream cheese and cucmbers I think? See previous Oishi blog - I got the normal philly roll.) I know - deep fried sushi! It's Americanized, but I had to try it.

I did the takeout thing, and was a little worried about that. Takeout can be pretty bad, and I wasn't sure what to expect with sushi. I got it back, and was delighted to see they had included chopsticks, soy sauce (the big Kikoman packs, not the little wimpy ones from Chef Boyardee "chinese" down the street), wasabi and pickled ginger. Also: a BIG soup spoon. Not a small plastic wimpy one. Nice.

The Unagi rolls were great. They tasted fresh and light, sweet and salty. I am getting more and more bold with wasabi, and find it a delight with sushi. I was starving, and wolfed down 4 of these in like 5 minutes. Then, I went over to my crunchy roll.

(I'm sorry about the photo - I dont know if my camera just sucks, or if I need to change settings.)

I was a little scared because this sushi has Masago on it (little orange fish roe, which I'm not sure how I feel about yet.) Upon researching it, I found pictures of sushi's COVERED in roe. Luckily, they put such a small amount on (i think it's quite expensive?) I barely noticed it.

This was an absolute delight! Since they are lightly fried, they're a little warm, so the cream cheese is soft. The breading is light and toasty, and the velvet salmon is wicked lush. I found I didn't need soy sauce or wasabi with these, as the flavor stood out enough on it's own. Totally delicious.

I find myself with a great sense of well being when I eat sushi. My mood immediately lightens and I feel a little more whole. I'm not sure why. Isn't comfort food supposed to be heavy - starcy - fattening?? I'm not sure, but this food definitely lifts my spirits in a significant way. I am glad I didn't give up on sushi. I am converted.

http://www.oishimn.com/

Love.

And just in case you are blind and can't see it, here it is again.

Chad. Serious girly drinks. They have this at an undisclosed location in Mound.

All: My birthday is December 1st.

THAT IS ALL.

Gold Nugget Tavern (Minnetonka.Glen Lake): Part 2

Since my move to the 'burbs, me and Mrs. D are commiting to occasional Tuesday dinner outings. Bless her heart! I really like to have "regular" outings with people, but lack the people able/willing to do them. Mrs. D is not too food adventerous, so when she asked where we would, go, I immediately decided on the Gold Nugget.

Last time Mr. H and I went there, I was pretty satisfied. The atmosphere isn't much, it's comparable to Houlihan's/ any other suburbia restaraunt. Which is why it was perfect for Mrs. D and I. I was sure she would love it, and I was right!

I had problems deciding what to order (is this a surprise???) and struggled between a dinner and a Juicy Lucy. I'm not too impressed overall by Lucy's, and figure I'd like to try one at The Nook before anywhere else. So I decided on the half chicken dinner, with mashed 'tatoes and roasted veggies. Mrs. D decided on the Pear and Goat Cheese salad. Please let me also note, in reference to my earlier blog, that they now have FOUR pasta's at Gold Nugget! One of which I'll totally order next time. With no further ado!

Pear and Goat Cheese salad w/ balsamic vinagrette (sorry it looks so cartoonish - my phone sucks)





I didn't have a full bite of this salad, but dude; that thing on top is a breaded patty of goat cheese! I love goat cheese, and having it (anything) breaded ROCKS. To add even more awesome, it wasn't greasy at all. Just crunchy, and then smooth goat cheesey smooth-ness! The vinagrette was also very good. Vinagrettes can often be overpowering and too tart, but this one wasn't too tart at all. Mrs. D said she loved the pears. They looked cooked, but they were cold and coated with something - maybe a bit of sugar? She gave this salad two thumbs up!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! (and more craptastic cell pics.)

Just gaze at it's glory for a moment, it's ok. This was perhaps one of the best chicken dinners I've ever had. The chicken itself was flavorful and moist, even in the breast area. The gravy below it was delightful - though I can'tput my finger on what it was made of. It's not your typical savory gravy - it's a little salty and a little sweet. The mashed 'tatoes were a tad lumpy, in a good way. They tasted earthy, but also creamy and light. They weren't over-spiced or box-y tasting, they were just plain old good mashed 'tatoes! The vegetables consisted of cauliflower and carrots. They were nicely roasted with a bit of char on the outside, but still firm and toothsome. I'm always glad to have cooked veggies that are texturally sound.

Halfway through dinner, we thought about dessert. I wanted to try somehting, but didn't see anything good on the dessert menu. I had hoped for a cheesecake, or a creme brulee. So I ate more of my dinner, only to have the waitress come over and explain to us that one of the dessert items was replaced with a pumpkin creme brulee (!!) I ordered it anyways.

I didn't care much for this. The top shell was nice and hard- the most fun part of creme brulee! But the "creme" was too thick. I am used to having brulee's that are more of a custard, and this was more of a puree. The flavor was ok - it just tasted like a mushy pumpkin pie. Not the best brulee I've ever had.

Greats

-Breaded goat cheese patty!

-The chicken dinner was large in and in charge

-Hanging with Mrs. D was great

-Our waitress was cool, and not overbearing (i hate overbearing servers.)

Not so greats

-Pumpkin creme brulee

-The atmosphere is just like every other place around there

-They don't have the same awesome drinks as last time (though Im sure it was a seasonal thing)

-The people behind me had their baby carrier (baby and all) on the floor, directly behind my chair.

CG Ham's Sandwich Shop

Myself and Mr. H found ourselves at CG Ham's on a busy Sunday afternoon. I have been wanting to try it out for a long time. So off we went, to this deli tucked strangely away in a strip mall by Men's Wearhouse and kids stores! The inside is just a small deli type place; basic and functional. We went inside and perused the menu for a little while, and asked some questions to (overly) friendly deli-woman. Mr. H really liked her, but I found her to be...overly nice. Thanking us over and over for coming, etc. Kind of made me think..."desperation!" There were samples of their ham out, and it's seriously some of the best ham I've ever had. I momentarily contemplated going only here for my ham (my regular "at home" lunchmeat) until I saw it costs $11 a pound.

Anyways, after some deliberation, Mr. H decided on the Prime Time ( Thinly Sliced Prime Rib served warm on a French Hoagie with your choice of Horseradish Sauce and/or Garlic Spread. (Au Jus served on the side) and I got the Unforgettable (Roasted Turkey Breast, Bacon and Avocado served on Sliced Multigrain Bread with Mayo, Sunflower Cream Cheese Spread, Tomato and Spinach.) I decided to upgrade with pop and ranch pasta salad for $2 extra. Not a terrible upgrade, but considering the place has Panera-like prices, 1 sandwich can clock in around $10. Since I'm broke most the time, this is a bummer for me. But I do realize that for normal, not-so-broke people, it's not too steep.



The Unforgettable!

I must say I really liked this sandwich. I didn't love it, but there was a lot of things "right" with it. The textures were my favorite part. The softness of the avocado and tomatoes, combined with the semi-firmness of the meat, the crunch of spinach and the bacon were a perfect textural cotnrast. The bread crusts were firm, but not overbearing. The rest of the bread was soft but not flimsy. I don't quite get what sunflower cream cheese is, but I got a good hint of it here. I was a little worried, because cream cheese is so rich it can overpower things. Not that I'm opposed to cream cheese bombs (i LOVE the stuff), but this had the perfect hint. And along with the mayo (also just a hint) and the avocado, it created great softness and flavors.

The pasta salad

It was pretty bland. Creamy, but bland. I wouldn't get it again.

The Prime Time

I didn't have a full bite if this, but I took a bite of the meat and found it much too salty. And hey- I like salt. Mr. H also said the Au Jus was too salty, so I tasted a bit and WOW...too salty was an understatement. It tasted more like soy sauce to me. Overall, quite disappointing.

I wouldn't go out of my way to go here again unless I'm in the area. Which probably won't happen, since it's right by a Toys R Us.