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