I went to Portland, OR.

Greetings! I've been back a month now, and have finally gotten together my report on Portland. Enjoy!

Firstly, my hotel was fine. It isn't in the greatest area, and there are a lot of cheap motels around there. I found The Monticello to be clean and spacious, with little to no extras (no lobby area, just a small office off the rooms. No coffee, breakfast, internet e.t.c.) It is however, clean, spacious, and within 3 blocks of the MAX station, which was beneficial.


My very first Portland thing that I did was hit up Lucky Devil strip club for my friends birthday. As you may know, Portland has A LOT of strip clubs. I had a blast, and saw girls do things I have never ever seen in a strip club before. Nothing nasty, but as my Portland friend says.."There should be a Strip-U for up and coming strippers here." And he ain't kiddin'.

My 2nd day in Portland, I headed downtown to wander, and eventually go to the Chinese Gardens. I stopped in for lunch at the Morning Star Cafe, and ordered a vanilla latte (my first in Portland, and it was gorgeous) and the Felipe sandwich (turkey, cheddar, stone-­ground mustard, cilantro, onion and tomato $8.00) which was tasty. It was not at all dry, and the hint of cilantro with the mustard was a lovely assertive pairing. I fueled up for my trek through old Chinatown (which is barren and mostly empty), and for the Chinese Gardens!


The Chinese Gardens were lovely. A small circular area with a combination of outdoor nature, asian architecture, flowers, walkways and indoor spaces with art and setups of old fashioned rooms. They have a tea room which serves food and has a serious selection of teas, and styles of serving it.

Meeting up with a friend of mine later on, we chose 50 Plates. It was on my list as a good happy hour spot, so we went around 10 pm to take advantage. 50 Plates is quite trendy and modern. We sat at the bar, and got our own glass bottle of water, adorned with the 50 Plates logo. Very nice. For the happy hour, I ordered a modified version of the Dark and Stormy (dark rum, ginger beer and lime. $5) and opted for vodka instead. My company opted for the regular Dark and Stormy. Both cocktails were excellent, and served in a solid short glass, with rocks of ice. I was drinking in style. Our bartender was very friendly, humorous and knowledgable. Off the happy hour menu, we ordered Hush Puppies ($2) and the Cheeseboard ($5). The Hush Puppies were soft, savory and very comforting, and the Cheeseboard was refined and share-able. After that, we ordered an Old Guardian Barley Wine (him) and a dirty martini (me.) We left there a whopping $28 lighter. Afterwards, we stopped into the Rogue Distillery and Public House, and then 'round the corner onto the upstairs bar at Touche for some drinking.

The next day, I had crepes on the brain. Chez Machin was on my list, so I headed downtown, and then got a Radio Cab to the SE quadrant. One problem with my list of places is that many of them were in that area, and that ended up being a bit far from my hotel. I found the surrounding area to Chez Machin to be quaint and nice, with a ton of little cafes and such. Inside Chez Machin, I ordered the french onion soup ($4, cup) and the La Percheronne (Black forest ham, brie, avocado, mushrooms & crème fraîche $10.) The french onion soup was excellent, very savory and cheesy! I did not care for the crepe, unfortunately. I found the mushrooms and brie to be overpowering, and the creme fraiche on top added nothing. The crepe itself was a little bland, and not as soft as I thought it could be.

Afterwards, I decided to head back downtown for some happy hour at Clyde Common. I'm the type of person who wants a happy hour that offers something I normally would not be able to afford to drink, and Clyde Common meets that criteria. After a 20 minute search by foot (the only time I got a little turned around in Portland, a miracle for me), I found they were closed, due to what seemed like a wedding party. No one was inside, but there were people outside in wedding attire, having pictures and video taken. I wasn't too crushed, as Clyde's looked very upscale, which isn't my thing anyways.

In need of something close, a drink, and to sit down, I ended up around the corner at Mothers Bistro. I found Mothers to be very organic feeling, earthy and refined. I ordered a Moscow Mule, and then a Vesper (Aviation dry gin, Crater Lake vodka & Lillet Blanc, served up with a twist.) The bartender suggested a drink in between, which I received and did not care for. She happily offered to make something else. Very classy, and friendly.

For my farewell lunch, my friend and I went to Mio Sushi. Mio is a cute little sushi place, which felt very inviting. We ordered a coffee (that comes in your own little french press), the Shumai/Gyoza appetizer ($4.50), a spicy salmon and unagi nigiri (2 for each of us), and a Super Eel roll (Crab, cucumber, avocado inside, eel, sesame seeds, unagi sauce outside -$8.95). I was overall not impressed, and thought the sushi tasted too fishy. The shumai and gyoza were fried, which caught me off guard, and were a little bland without the dipping sauce.

After we ate, we stopped at a place for some coffee that I cannot remember the name of! It's a little coffee place across/down the road from Miho Izakaya on Interstate. I bought some Be Bop biscotti to take home, and my friend and I sipped and reminisced.

I didn't get to do even a fraction of the things i wanted to. Unfortunately, many of the restaurant in my list were in the SE area, which was a bit far from my hotel, requiring cabs, or many MAX and bus transfers. My biggest misses were Le Montage Bistro, Gold Dust Meridian, Pok Pok, The Art Museum, Ground Kontrol (an old school arcade!!), Tasty N Sons (which I was going to go to, but they were closed due to a shooting of Good Eats...), and I never did get to eat any Mac and Cheese! I did get to spend a few hours strolling through the entire Saturday Market, which was a highlight of my trip! I loved the festive and funky environment. I walked past a street performer who was singing my very favorite Sublime song. I bought a few little things, and got to see the food truck scene booming in front of me. I didn't get to eat any food truck fare, but the variety and choices are dizzying! Reindeer sausage! Porketta! Pho!

I did walk past Powells and Voodoo Doughnut. Voodoo Doughnut seems to be just..a bakery. Which would mean more to me if my sweet tooth were a little stronger, I suppose! I would have gone into Powells, but it's HUGE and I really had to pee (almost impossible when wandering downtown. Thank you Noodles and Co, for letting the public use your bathrooms.) I walked by Pause and Saucebox, but never got to go in.

Overall, Portland exceeded even my highest expectations for it. I felt comfortable, happy, and was able to get around with little to no problems, which surprised me because I am very directionally challenged! I liked the weather (remember where I am from), the funkiness, the cleanliness (first dual flush toilet I've ever seen!), and of course the plethora of places to eat and drink! Most of all, I really liked the people. The people were friendly, genuine, and open. And no one was bothered about the fact that I was just visiting. I intend to make this a yearly (at most) vacation spot, and will consider the possibility of moving there someday.

I still miss Portland, even a month later.

                                                                  50 Plates cheeseboard

                                                                   Chez MacHin

                                                            Chez MacHin crepe

                                                  Benson Bubblers, downtown! <3

 

Chinese Garden Tea Room

                                                            

 Chinese Gardens

                                                                          Scholars Study

                                            Signs with funny sayings on them everywhere.

                                                        My best Portland girl, Elise.

                                                           Me on the MAX, with messy hair.

                                                    Mio Sushi Shumai/Gyoza appetizer

                                                         Mio Super Eel roll, and nigiri.

                                                           Morning Star Cafe. <3

                                                            My Nebs, at 50 Plates.

                                                         Saturdaaaay Market!

                                               I bought the red pair, 3rd row, on the left.

Gummi Bear Soap!

                                          I am a sucker for ceramic glaze-y mugs and pots. :-(

                                                  

Something cool for you Patrick Bateman fans...

Patrick Bateman’s New York: What Happened To The World of American Psycho.

http://www.scoutingny.com/?p=4259

Coming soon...restauranteers.com!

Pretty soon, my blog will be one featured at http://www.restauranteers.com/ !! For now, it is local to the Washington area, but they are expanding, and approached me about showcasing my blog on their site! Be sure to check back for links to my actual page, and updates on the new expanded site!

Crescent Moon Bakery's Football Pizza - Northeast Minneapolis

There are few things more adored by Americans than ordering a pizza. It's one of those activities that doesn't judge. You could be alone. You could be with your spouse and 8 kids. You can be with friends. You can be experiencing your first slumber party. For me; pizza, movies and pop (YES, pop) fall in that PB & J category. But sometimes, you have to shake it up a bit. Even if it means carryout. And so one night, I got a little crazy and went for a Crescent Moon pizza.

Crescent Moon is a Middle Eastern restaurant located on the Central Ave strip in NE Mpls. Along with official bragging rights that is was one of the first (because now they're everywhere), it also offers.....pizza. Want a gyro? Perhaps a heaping plate of chicken kourma? Crescent Moon has it for you. Oh, you wanted pizza as well? CHA CHING. Normally, mixed-cuisine restaurants scare me (imagine GYRO-PIZZA-FRIES in flashing neon signs) but Crescent Moon ain't like those suckas.

Advertised as Afghani pizza (or the "football pizza), it really is not as foreign as it sounds. They do offer gyro meat, eggplant, or afghani beef as toppings, but that's about it. The rest is pretty standard. We decided on a large Spinach Lovers (spinach, onions, tomato and garlic) with pepperoni (about $16.)

The picture doesn't do it any justice, as this is BY FAR the best pizza I have ever eaten. The crust is like a thick, more sturdy pita. I don't know what kind of cheese they use, but it is abundant and gooey without being overpowering. The sauce is tangy and a little kicky, and the pepperoni is the best I have ever had on a pizza. It is crispy, smokey and spicy. You must love garlic if you are to love this pizza, and it is served with their signature green chutney as a dipping element. It sounds strange, but that sauce is the best part of Crescent Moon. It is bright, spicy, and acidic. You can ask for them to put it directly onto your pizza, which I fully intend on doing next time I order from them.

While not bizarre, I do like to think of this pizza as being a little exotic. The tangy, bright flavors are a step up from the salty/cheesy/saucy that we're used to.The green sauce is a vibrant compliment to anything you order at Crescent Moon.

If you have never had a football pizza, and live in/around the NE area - YOU GO NOW!

http://www.crescentmoonfoods.net/RESTAURANT.html

Brasa - Northeast Minneapolis

Having been a resident of NE Minneapolis for about twice as long as Brasa has been open, Mr. C and I figured it was about time we paid Brasa a visit.. I mean...the place has already been visited by every critic in the city, along with some Food Network celebs. So keeping true to my late bloomer pattern, off we went on an early weekday evening.

Brasa is a smallish cafe-style restaurant located on East Hennepin. Entering the restaurant, I felt a bit claustrophobic. The seating is a bit cramped, and the overall space is modest. We chose a window spot a little off the beaten path, and were seated immediately.

Brasa's theme is simple. Southern style cuisine, with the focus being on roasted meats - rotisserie chicken, slow roasted pork, e.t.c. They offer sides mostly foreign to the Midwest. Rice and beans, pigeon peas, yuca, cornbread, greens and yams being among them.  I would recommend this to any vacationing Southerner, and would be eager to hear the assessment of these Southern staples. Being the sandwich girl I am - I settled on the Slow Roasted Pork sandwich (ginger mayo, cilantro, and pickled vegetables - $9) because I appreciated the Southern bahn mi integration. Mr. C chose the special, which was the beef brisket. Also ordered were chips and guacamole (small - $2.95), and my curiosity couldn't be denied for a spicy masa corn cake with cheese.

As we waited, an older man and woman sat down at the table next to us, about 4 feet away. What slowly unfolded made us a little uncomfortable. When I dine out, I'm not faint hearted. Albeit the Midwest, it is the city after all. But when a grown man 4 feet away from you starts to display increasingly aggressive behavior in regards to his coffee not being hot enough (literally. He wasn't just being some spoiled d-bag. This guy had some sort of mental illness going on, where he obviously found it difficult to control his anger), your dining experience becomes a little uncomfortable.  His companion kept trying to soothe and reassure him that everything was going to be ok. When the waitress came to ask if there was a problem, he loudly told her that the coffee was lukewarm and he wanted another pot made right away. He was visibly agitated. He knocked a fork on the floor once. Mr. C and I just sat quietly...

Until our chips came:

With chips that are warm, and guac that is creamy but punchy with salt, garlic and onion, all was well again.

Spicy Masa Corn Cake

While I didn't detect any hint of spice, this corn cake was satisfying. It was a little cheesy, and the corn flavor came through with a good touch of char. It's the size of a small pancake, and can't be beat at only $1.95.

Slow Roasted Pork Sandwich

The sandwich came, and I was admittedly skeptical about the plain jane in front of me. But after the first bite, I was a goner. Not only was the architecture spot on, the flavors and textures were extremely gratifying. In one bite, you get soft chewy bread along with tender clusters of shredded pork. In another, you get a pop of cilantro, along with the same savory pork, and then brightness and sweet pickle of the vegetables. For a place that focuses on comfort meats, this sandwich was refreshing. Not too heavy, but not too light, it hit almost all my sandwich benchmarks. This is the plain jane you take home to mom.

Special - Brisket and Slaw

A brisket savant, I am not. As a former Texan (is this even possible??), Mr. C knows brisket, and unfortunately this disappointed on many levels. Mr. C reported it was gristly and tough. Even the few bites I had seemed bland and dry. Mr. C even said..."When will I learn not to order brisket in Minnesota?"

I would definitely recommend Brasa to anyone who favors meat and southern style comfort foods, and also does not mind a somewhat claustrophobic setting when dining. I personally would not revisit for a dinner, but I can see a lovely obscure lunch in my future.

http://www.brasa.us/menus_eat.aspx

The end...?

I think I am giving up my blog. It has been like 2 years, and no one seems to read it much. Might post stuff if I find somewhere amazing, otherwise I just dunno if I should keep going.

Gorkha Palace - Northeast Minneapolis

Located in the spot previously held by Marin's Table moroccan restaurant (RIP!) is Ghorka Palace. Ghorka Palace offers Nepali, Indian and Tibetan cuisine. It is a cozy, but not small, interior space. You could go casual here, or experience a fine date night.

When Mr. C and I arrived, we chose our own spot (!!!) and were greeted right away by what I assume is one of the owners. We were given menus and ordered our wine. They offer the standard choice of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, tandoors, biryani e.t.c., but the menu is nicely focused and not scattered. Ghorka Palace boasts all fresh, local organic ingredients from sustainable farming. They literally get their goats right here in MN. This isn't something you typically encounter with MN middle eastern restaraunts. Very commendable.

We started with some Pappaddum (2 crispy lentil crackers = $1.99) and they were served with the best side sauceI have ever had at any middle eastern restaurant. It is called Golbheda ko Achaar, and is best described as a spicy tomato relish with ginger and garlic. It is bright, simple, and universal. I could dip bread in this stuff and be happy. I loved the pappaddum with their slight sweetness against the dry crispy cracker. We were also given a complimentary small serving of Aaloo Achaar (Nepali version of potato salad- also has onion and sesame paste seasoned with lemon juice and chopped jalapeno) which I found a bit too foreign for my taste buds, but the complimentary gesture was certainly noticed and appreciated.

We finally decided that we had to try the Mo-Mo's (Steamed pot stickers filled with scallions,onions, cabbage, vegetable oil with Himalayan spices - served with tomato chutney), since people generally rave about them. They offer them in chicken, beef, goat, or yak. Yes, Yak. Local Yak. Yak Yak Yak. Ok sorry.

Beef Mo-Mo's

These were seriously awesome. I had my reservations - sticky skin, bland filling, too little filling, e.t.c. It was the opposite. The skin was soft, the filling was abundant, savory and delicately spiced. Dipping them in that awesome sauce added a brightness and kick of heat that added complexity, but without being fussy. I seriously will stop and get these for takeout on a regular basis. They are that awesome.

Chicken Biryani (Aromatic rice infused with richly flavored herbs and spices cooked with tender pieces of chicken, cashews & golden raisins   - $12.99)

I love Biryani, and hadn't had one in awhile. They serve it with raita (A refreshing relish made of cucumber, tomatoes mixed in yogurt with black pepper and spices) which is standard because biryani is usually quite spicy. I asked for more of that sauce just because I am kind of in love with it. This was one of the better biryani's I have had, and one of the most spicy. The chicken was lovely. The way it's cut and the way it tastes makes it obvious it is fresh and treated well in the cooking process. Someone honestly cares about what they are doing here. The raisins add a touch of sweet and add texture, and the cashews give a slight nutty crunch to smooth over the heat. Overall one of the best things I have ever eaten.

We stayed on for awhile and chatted quite a bit with our waitress and the owner, who are some of the most well mannered and pleasant people I have encountered. The waitress isn't just a server, she is  involved in the cooking process and told us they got their start in the Midtown Global Market. I expressed my fondness for the tomato relish, and she told me how to make it. She also stated that she used to attend "bring your own" types of competitions, where people could try their hand at a sauce or a side item and present it. She invited me to do the same. It was very flattering. (but I admit, I haven't done it, unfortunately...)

I love Ghorka Palace. It is nice to see a place where there is genuine enthusiasm for ingredients, food, and customers alike. I will go back many times since it is a hop away from where I live. Even if it wasn't...I would still go, even if just for some Mo-Mo's!

Pere Antoine - New Orleans

My 2nd to last day in New Orleans, I was regretting not having much of a fine dining experience in New Orleans. I decided to compromise and take myself out for a not quite fine-but above average meal. I walked around Royal Street and looked for a decent looking place, and chose Pere Antoine.

Pere Antoine is quite large, with beautiful tall windows lining the walls, and archways which give it a nice open-air feel. They offer most of the usual cuisine you will find in New Orleans, such as etoufee and po boys, with an elegant twist. I was greeted by a server who sat me down immediately. I perused the drink menu a bit, but decided on water...which took 10 minutes to come along with my actual waiter. What is it with the service? I experienced slow service in most places I dined at....

I finally decided on the Paneed Chicken ( Boneless breast of chicken dusted with Itlaian and local herbs, served with fettucine alfreso. - $12.95.) After waiting 20 minutes, it finally came.

I lost the picture of it, but I was a little surprised when it came out and it was basically a pounded chicken breast that was breaded, and pan fried. I think this is the traditional way to make it, but i was not aware it would be breaded from the description. The chicken was ok, if unremarkable. There was no complexity to it, no balance. It was just....a finely breaded, pan fried chicken breast.

The fettucine was a complete disaster. It was the single most garlic-ey thing I have EVER eaten. It was on fire with garlic. I couldn't eat more than a quarter of it, and by then I had drunk about 5 glasses of water.

I hate to give so many negative reviews lately, but I've had a string of disappointing experiences. And to me, blogging is about creatively describing things while still being accurate. So there ya have it. I don't think I am too hard to please either....especially not compared to actual critics and reviewers. I am also just a blogger, so my experience with a restaraunt is usually limited to a one time experience. I don't have the luxury for repeat visits and experimentation.

So there ya have it.

http://www.pereantoine.com/index.html

Jax Cafe - Northeast Minneapolis

Searching for a good steak experience, Mr. C and I finally decided on Jax Cafe. Pretty much solely based on their $78 dinner for two special. It features an order of Jax Crab Rolls, A house salad, 12 ozs slow roasted certified angus beef sirloin, and a whole maine lobster with drawn butter. On the side come sweet potato or shoestring fries, and a grasshopper drink for dessert. We decided to substitute sweet potato fries for mashed potatoes.

I had a hankerin' for a martini, so I went out on a limb and ordered a grey goose one. I heart grey goose, but was al ittle disappointed with this one. It was like, an ounce, maybe 2.

But I sipped away happily, as grey goose never disappoints. Shortly after, we received our salad.

Pretty standard cesaer style salad. It looks overdressed, but it actually was fine. And the croutons....omg. They were coated with sesame seeds, and were nutty and delicious!

Jax Crab Rolls

I was a little confused about what these were, since the menu contains no description. From what I can tell, cheese, crab and...sauce (?) baked inside a crust, sprinkled with sesame seeds. The first few bites were gorgeous - velvety and satisfying. After 2 of them, they became so overpowering and rich that I could not eat more. I am not a wimp either - I can take a lot of cheese and a lot of richness. These were sickeningly rich. I was disappointed.

After that, they bring out the butter, cute and appetizing nestled in it's own melting mechanism!

We waited awhile and chatted over some wine and watched the butter melt. It wasn't too long before the steak and lobster arrived.

I realized it was coming whole, but look at the inside of the body. It was soooo unappetizing, and I am already squeamish so I had to make myself not look at it. The lobster was a mixed bag. The claw meat was meaty and moist in the center, the tip was extremely dry with a strong mineral flavor. The tails were juicy and sweet, but tough and chewy.

Meat

I wasn't expecting this type of presentation. I thoguht I would get a nice hunk of meat. Admittedly, I do not know meat well. Overall, this dish was perfectly standard. The meat was kind of lukewarm, but it was not dry and not overly chewy. The savory level was maybe a 2, and the gravy reminded me a little of pot roast. The potatoes were fine, because potatoes are usually always awesome.

We traded our grasshopper drink in for a Bailey's Chocolate Cake to go because we were so full. We split it later, and it was awesome. It had that sweet creamy Bailey's tatse, and a mellow chocolate cake that was fluffy and perfect.

Overall, I was quite disappointed with this meal. I have made better things at home. Not to be a negative Nancy, but once you have had something authentically good, it is hard to be satisfied with standard things, especially if they cost you $78.

http://www.jaxcafe.com/index.php?ni=1

Cafe Beignet - on Bourbon in New Orleans

By my 4th day in the big easy, I still hadn't tried the coffee or eaten any beignets. This was worrying to me, so I pulled myself out of the hotel room, and hit Bourbon in search of Cafe Beignet. There are 3 different locations (as there often are with many bars or cafe's in the French Quarter) and I chose the larger location on Bourbon. Cafe Beignet is a large outdoor courtyward, with a full bar and ordering counter in the rear. At the entrance, there are bronzed statues of New Orleans music legends (Fats Domino, Pete Fountain, and Al "Jumbo" Hirt) and to the right, there is small stage where daily/nightly live music is played. It has a very spacious and relaxed feel, with tables and chairs scattered about and always buzzing with activity. Cafe Beignet offers typical cafe fare. Breakfast, sandwiches and a few Cajun dishes. I went to the ordering counter and was greeted by quite possibly the friendliest punk rock girl I have ever seen. I ordered the coffee and chicory, and 3 beignets ($2.69...for 3 of them!) My coffee came up in a few minutes, and they then instruct you to sit so the server can bring your food to you. So, I went and sat in what was the tiniest and most uncomfortable chair I've ever encountered. No big deal...when in Rome! About 10 minutes later, they arrived.

I have always heard these are good, but that's kind of an understatement. Being someone who doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, I greatly appreciated the balance of savory to sweet. They were warm, soft (but not too soft..) and comparable to a funnel cake (or "elephant ears") that you would get at a local fair. Being a novice beignet eater, I exhaled while eating! Even when I learned from my mistake, I still got sugar all over me. These are quite messy, but they are truly a little piece of heaven!! A must have on a day (or night) trip to the French Quarter!

http://www.cafebeignet.com/index.html

Zea Rotisserie and Grill - New Orleans, LA

I awoke one afternoon in my hotel room in New Orleans with the gut rumble hunger usually associated with a hangover. Not wanting to leave my hotel, but desperately needing time alone and some food, I headed out. Shaded eyewear mandatory.

Not wanting to (or luckily for me, needing to) travel too far, I popped across the street to Zea Rotisserie and Grill. They are somewhat of a southern chain, but not so large they suck (kind of like Buca Di Beppo - one of my favorite Italian places.) The exterior was inviting and very modern, and I was greeted right away when I stepped inside. The area is divided with varied seating if booths and tables, and is spacious and clean. I chose a booth and studied the lunch menu, which I would rate a 4 out of 5 on my lunch menu scale.

It only took about a minute for my server to come, who was extremely friendly and accomodating. He helped me finally decide to order a small zeasar salad (siiiggghh...i know, i know) and the lunch portion of 1/2 rotisserie chicken (1/2 chicken roasted on an open flame - $14.95), and decided on the sweet and spicy chili glaze. It came with a side, so I decided on the red beans and rice so I could at least say I tried some local specialties during my trip!

I didn't get a good picture of the salad, but I literally could not even eat all of it. Not because it was so huge, but because it was SO overdressed and salty. I had a few bites, slurped down like 2 diet cokes, then hit re-set on my mind before my lunch came.

I started off by trying the red beans and rice, which were surprisingly hearty in a thick gravy and a good kick of spice. I know I don't have much to compare this to, but I was definitely won over by this southern classic!

The chicken was extremely moist, juicy, and even greasy. I know that dark meat with skin is usually a little greasy, but I had to ask my waiter for lots of napkins (the cloth napkins just don't cut it in these situations.) Despite it being a little messy, the chicken was flavorful and savory. The seasoning didn't add anything significant, but it didn't take away from the essence of the bird either. Overall, I ate half of my 1/2 bird, all my red beans and rice, and was stuffed.

Zea was very, very good. And since I am staying in the same hotel next time I go, I definitely will return.

http://www.zearestaurants.com/site127.php

Hoshun - New Orleans, LA

After a long day in the French Quarter, I was super hungry and craving something noodley. Wanting to stay near my hotel, I decided upon Hoshun right across the street from my hotel. The description is, "Asian, Japanese, and Sushi." I skimmed over the menu on display outside, and decided the price was right, so in I went.

The exterior looks modern and posh in comparison to the hundreds of smaller, older restaraunts within a 5 mile radius. The interior is no different, it is large, dim, and well decorated. I waited 10 minutes (even though the restaraunt was half empty...) and was then seated at a table. I started browsing the menu, and was disapointed to see the prices on the menu display were in fact, the lunch prices. This could have easily been an oversight on my part, but I don't recall the display as being a lunch menu only. So I felt a little tricked.

I decided against sushi (yes - shocking I know) and decided on the Crab and Crawfish Rangoon (Sweet snow crab, cream cheese & crawfish in a fried wonton - $6.25) and the Chicken Lo-Mein (Classic stir-fry lo mein with mixed veggies & a choice of chicken, roasted pork, gulf shrimp or crawfish - $9.50 for chicken.) I have only had crawfish one time, and it was years ago at a terrible restaraunt in MN. So I figured I would try it inside an already familiar food to ease myself into it.

After waiting around 30 minutes (seriously...what is with the slow service in NOLA??) I got my appetizer, which was extremely hot. I figured I would be nice to my mouth, and pull off the hard, crunchy edges and eat them piece by piece while I let the filling cool. The sauce was awesome, a step above the usual goopy sweet and sour mutation. It was sweet and spicy. Once the wontons finally cooled (took about 10 minutes), I was able to dig in. I was delighted at how well the ingredients meshed together - the richness of the cream cheese against the distinctly sweet crab and crawfish. Cream cheese wontons (or crab rangoons) may seem simple, but I have had my share of bad ones. These were among the best I have had!

Chicken Lo Mein

I finished my appetizer, and 10-15 minutes later the biggest heaping pile of noodles I have ever seen was placed in front of me. It was also piping hot, with thick steam coming off it. Which is not exactly a complaint, because I know it was made right then. But by this time, I was just kinda of frustrated with all the waiting. I had to wait a good 1-2 minutes before eating each bite I pulled out of the pile. No continous eating for me at Hoshun.

Looks pretty, right? I found the Sriracha squiggles a bit annoying, being right there on the edge. I had to be very careful not to let my hair, sleeves, arm e.t.c. drag through the sauce. And when I finally did get to eat my noodles, they would drag across the sauce so the very end of the noodles got a Sriracha swipe, resulting in one big bite of noodle ends and sriracha sauce. Make of that what you will.

All complaining about Sriracha aside, it was much needed. This had to be the blandest lo-mein I have ever had. I found myself dousing it with soy sauce and putting sriracha on my chopsticks for any flavor. I can't say if my taste buds were burnt out after eating different foods, but this was only my 2nd or 3rd day there. Who knows where the blame is, but the slow service didn't help matters.

Sorry, Hoshun.

St. Charles Tavern - New Orleans, LA

On my recent trip to New Orleans, I was filled with anticipation for some good food experiences. I wanted to try a few classics, and there are no shortage of them anywhere you dine in New Orleans. So a local friend and I headed off to St. Charles Tavern, just a few blocks from my hotel.
Inside the yellow building, the decor is cheerful and airy with a continuing yellow color scheme. I found the stone tiled floor to be quite lovely, and the specials chalkboard was old fashioned and charming. Definitely no frills, but relaxing nonetheless.

The menu offers a step above standard bar-fare, and is affordable. They boast a pretty awesome breakfast (chocolate chip pancakes, chicken and andouille hash) and I have some serious remorse about not getting to try the breakfast items. Oh well..next time!

Looking at the menu, I almost immediately decided I needed to try a po' boy. They have a wide selection of them, and I had never tried one. I decided on the shrimp po' boy (hand breaded gulf shrimp, comes with fries - $9.75) and my company ordered a burger (which comes with a baked potato..)

Let me just get some complaining out of the way now so I can say how TERRIBLY SLOW the service was. Our waitress was ok, but our food took at least 30 minutes to come....and maybe that's even too kind of me.

Onto the food - I really liked the sandwich. Being that I don't have much (ok...anything) to compare it to is the only thing that prevents me from saying I loved it. Being Minnesotan, very rarely do I get to taste truly good seafood. My friend said he doesn't like po' boys because the bread is too chewy and he ends up squishing the sandwiches. I can see that. But I loved the bread - it was a little chewy, but it was also soft and light so it wasn't like you were chewing a gummy rock. It was fully dressed (mayo, lettuce, tomato) and wasn't disheveled or goopy. The shrimp inside was lovely - too often have I had fried shrimp that tastes like....fried breading. These were nice and pink, plump and toothsome; even amongst all the other components. The fries were crinkle cut, and had a good bit of seasoning (cajun?) that was a nice compliment.

Upon going to Urbanspoon to rate St. Charles Tavern, I felt stuck. I liked the food, but the service was terrible. I asked for my check, and after 20 minutes my friend ended up having to yell for it. The waitress explained they were having trouble with their machine, so she just told me my total and I paid her. This brings attention to my inner debate about food vs. service. Good food is good food, but having a bad experience can darken my outlook on a place. For now - I've decided to leave a blank vote, until I return and eat there again.

Sarna's - Columbia Heights/ 2 parts.

PART ONE.

While I have the luxury of a late start time with my new job, I have been taking advantage of eating out places, specifically lunch. I've always passed by Sarna's, and decided to stop by one afternoon.

Sarna's is a very spacious and inviting space. Walking in, you are met with stone fireplaces and a little chef statue. Cozy and inviting. In the dining area, there are 2 sides, elevated and separated by a long bar down the middle. The space is airy, with light wood and high ceilings. There are plenty of booths (a little disorienting, with their granny flower-patterned fabric), and some dining and pub tables. I was seated immediately (amongst many blue haired folk) and my waitress chatted me up a minute before fetching me my diet coke. She was a little bit of a busy-body, but ultimately very friendly and not fake or annoying.

Sarna's offers your standard american cuisine. Burgers, sandwiches, meatloaf, pasta and the like. In a rare gesture, I decided to try out the Juicy Lucy (A half pound burger stuffed with bacon and cheddar cheese then served on a toasted bun-$9.) Let me just clarify now that no, I do not have a "favorite" juicy lucy. I find them to be quite overrated, when I can make them successfully at home.

I had all sorts of worries about this, mainly for the cheddar. Cheddar is my least favorite hot-sandwich cheese, because it's oily, doesn't melt well, or retain it's sharp flavor when melted. So I waited the standard 5 minutes and munched on some fries. The fries are nothing outstanding. I prefer a meatier fry, but these are nice and crispy. I doused my burger with K & M, and dove in.

How wrong I was. Oh how wrong. The burger was fabulous. Not too juicy/greasy, and a thick generous portion. Very simple and uncomplicated by a laundry list of spices, or a fussy bun. And when I got to the center, I was pleasantly surprised that the cheese was ooey, gooey and tasted like....cheddar! The bacon (which I feared may be soggy/non-existent) was crunchy and chopped in little bits. This is bacon cheeseburger, ultra defined. I found myself gobbling up almost all of it, savoring the cheesey/bacon/beefy/bready sensations.

My waitress even punched my lunch card twice because she swore she had "seen me before." I left with full intent to come back.


PART TWO


Sarna's has a special every night of the week. Mondays are $4 martini's (!!) and bar bingo night, e.t.c. Recently, Mr. C and I have been trying to suss out some serious steak adventures, and Sarna fit the missing piece to the puzzle. They have T-Bone steaks on special every Sunday! So, during the most recent snowmaggedon (and about the 87th one so far this winter), we slipped and slid our way to Sarna's for some steeeeaaak.

We were seated in Sarna's, de-armored ourselves, and perused some menus. To my sheer delight, not only did they have T-Bone on special (14 oz, potato and salad = $17) they ALSO have half price bottles of wine. This is awesome on it's own, but it's more awesome at Sarna's for 3 reasons. A) there are no restrictions on what type of wine you can get, B) all their bottles are like $25, and C) they have a good selection. On this particular Sunday night, they also were offering a New York Strip special (with mashed tatoes and a veggie = $16.) Ordering steak doneness in MN is a gamble. I like a medium steak, and too often are they well done when I get them. So when I ordered, I put emphasis on the medium, and Mr. C made sure to order his medium well. We tasted a sample of the Makulu Cabernet, and decided on it.(http://www.organicwinetradecompany.com/brands/wines/makulu-cabernet.html)

I know to most, a ceasar salad is just an afterthought. But to me, a salad is probably the most important part. You can tell a lot about a restaurant by the salads, and they are too often done so wrong. The ceaser here was perfect. Nicely tossed, crispy, salty and fresh. Word.

After about 10-15 minutes, the steaks came.



T-Bone
I dug in, and almost passed out from the bliss. Slender at an inch thick, and perfectly seasoned (read: not over-seasoned). I panicked a little when starting at the edges, as they were well done, though not at all dry. But I relaxed when I reached the center, as it was a perfectly cooked pink medium. The steak was juicy, savory, salty, melted in my mouth and had the perfect amount of char flavor.

New York Strip

The strip is a thicker cut of steak, around 2 inches thick. I found this cut to have a little more depth of savory, while the T-Bone is a more straightforward meat. The mashed potatoes were of the red bliss variety, which is my personal favorite. Even the broccoli was perfectly al dente and simple. Lasltly, I can not say enough about the importance of done-ness, and Sarna's hit it spot on. Mr. C's was indeed a slightly more well done steak, but with a kiss of pink to keep it tender. Perfect.

As if we needed to eat more, the waitress convinced us into dessert. We decided on a scoop of ice cream with a molten chocolate cake, drizzled with whipped cream, chocolate and caramel sauce.

I'm not a big dessert person, but this is the best dessert I have had in a restaurant. Ever. The cake was warm, the chocolate was thick and gooey, and the ice cream was cold but creamy. Mr. C and I ooohed and aahhed and basically licked the plate clean.
This was hands down one of the meals AND dining experiences I have ever had. The staff is super friendly, our waitress was really cool and not annoying or bland. They have a shots menu, and one shot is called the Lindsey Lohan. We were curious, so we asked our waitress about it, who went to a manager standing nearby and asked, who then looked at us and called out "It's a red headed slut on coke!"

I am going back to Sarna's many times.

http://www.sarnas-classic-grill.com/