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"wannabe foodie."
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Review votes:
322 Useful, 143 Funny, and 288 Cool
Saint Paul, MN
Yelping SinceJuly 2008
My HometownNew York
My Blog Or Website
Date
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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9/18/2009
I really want to like this place. I really do. It's a huge space, decorated quite nicely, and looks very clean and like a place you'd want to spend a few hours without hesitation. Not to mention they have outside seating which overlooks Mears Park, and on a nice night, it's the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and some apps. Not to mention the selfish reasons of this place being a block from my place.
I liken Loto to that kid in high school who was super smart and just never applied himself. Loto has all the essentials to be great, and for some reason comes off like they don't care. Both times I have been the employees consisted of a bartender and one waiter. While both times the place wasn't slammed by any means, and two people I guess could be suitable, it just comes off as if each night Loto never expects to get any busier than what two people can serve. And that's just giving off the wrong impression. The last time I went in there the service was really bad. The waiter was obviously new. He placed the menus and silverware in the center of the table for us to divvy up amongst ourselves... set the table buddy. He was not knowledgeable about the menu when asked about gluten-free options and what could be substituted or changed. The table next to us ordered 4 bottles of wine before they found one that Loto actually had in-stock, and when the 4th bottle finally game out, it was already open. "I'm not paying for an already open bottle of wine" the guy said to the waiter... I could only smile. When the food arrived, some condiments were needed, and it took every bit of 10-min before the waiter returned with said condiments. By that time meals are getting cold and people are debating whether to start without the given condiments. Not good.
All-in-all, the food is good. I really want to go to Loto more often because of it. I like the space. I like the food. I like the environment. It's convenient for me too, if I don't want to hit Bulldog or Barrio. But I just can't spend money in there because I never get value out of it.
The place needs an overhaul. A manager to come in and shake things up. Something. They have something great and it seems they are content to stay mediocre. It's really a shame. You can't even feel upset about it, or angry, it's just shear disappointment that someone would have a restaurant that has some awesome potential, and just not do anything about it to make it rise above mediocre. In a thriving Mears Park area, Loto can really snag some market share. They are truly missing out.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 824-7878
Chino Latino
Categories: Lounges, Asian Fusion
I've been two or three times before last night (excuse the non-reviews for those two or three times prior) and had a wonderful experience. Last night, Kristi and I left wishing we had just ordered pizza for delivery and stayed on the couch, which is never good when you just spent $100 for two.
Drinks were good, they normally are, so I'll still give 5-stars for those.
We started with the chicken satays. They come individually, so you can get as many as you'd like. We got two each, but should have gotten two total. They come with peanut sauce, and a little square of sticky rice. Not bad. I thought the chicken was cooked well.
We ordered a seafood dish new to the menu, with mussels, scallops, squid, etc, and jasmine rice. Tasty dish, had a lot of really good flavors.
The food wasn't bad, it was the overall lack of "hey, you're spending $100 with us, let us take care of you nicely" that I'm upset about.
The waitress was ok. And when I say "ok", I mean she got the required 12% tip and nothing more.
The food runner wasn't someone I really wanted bringing me my food. She had the disheveled-on-purpose look going for her, and I wasn't a fan. Normally I might have been, except this person was serving us our food. If I were the manager, she would have had 10min to fix that or spend the night at home on her couch and I'd see her tomorrow night.
Of course, as you normally do at Chino, we took some food home. Asked for some boxes and I was handed the styrofoam box, which denotes I will be the one scooping my leftovers into it. Not something I want to do when again, I'm spending $100 for two. There's just a threshold of service you must adhere to if 2 people come in and spend $100 in an hour. The place was only half busy at 8-something at night, so how about going above and beyond to obtain a really nice tip, and take care of the leftover boxing for us?
For a place people RAVED about when I first moved here and asked "where's the place I have to try?", I'm no longer impressed and I won't be going back. There are far better places, with better service, better food, and a better experience. You can have Chino and its "the place to be" attitude, I'd rather have a place where I'm treated well and don't feel like someone literally stole my wallet after I walk out of the place.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 338-4537
The Minnesota Vikings
Category: Professional Sports Teams
You won't find "Fumblitis" in any medical journal, but it is an unfortunate ailment. It occurs in the fall along with the onset of winter, just like colds and the flu. It is a very series affliction, too, one that will bring migraine headaches to coaches and offensive coordinators. At times fumblitis can be fatal - to an offense. It will also turn wins into losses.
via http://ezinearticles.c...
I ordered the sushi deal where it was your choice of 3 spicy rolls + chef's choice of sashimi (3 cuts), which last night was sea bass. That was only $7
Origami is apparently the only place in MN able to sell the Japanese Fugu (blowfish) where it is poisonous if not cut correctly. They made it clear on the menu that none of the fugu they sell has any poison to begin with, but very cool literature to read when first sitting down.
Nice little place. Decorated nicely and I thought the chopsticks presentation was a nice touch -- everywhere you go you get the same chopsticks, in the paper sleeve, but here they are out, resting in a folded piece of paper branded with the restaurant logo.
We had very attentive and knowledgeable service. We pinged her with a couple of recommends and she did a nice job explaining the differences and providing us with her recommendation.
I'd definitely go back.
St Paul, MN 55145
(651) 793-6247
The Strip Club
Categories: American (Traditional), Steakhouses
Since mentioning below that I'd love to try this place out for dinner, I have since been about 4 more times. Most recently was two nights ago when Kristi and I went out for some drinks/dessert. I love a lot of aspects about moving to St. Paul from Minneapolis, and the closeness to the charm of The Strip Club is definitely one of them.
I haven't had a bad meal here. They are top notch on Breakfast and Dinner, and inventive in their menu. It's not just steaks and fish done incredibly well, it's some real off-the-wall stuff you wouldn't think of making on your own, but when you read the menu or hear the waiter explain the dish you can't help but think "I would have never put those things together, but damn that sounds good!"
Incredibly personable staff who are extremely attentive and ensure they tell you often how much they appreciate you coming in. The Strip Club gets it... they could be arrogant with the food that comes out of that kitchen, for anyone would be proud of it, but they are so very humble and that just adds to their charm. They know the dessert they just cleared from your table is amazing, but they act surprised when you tell them how good it was. I really appreciate that.
If you have not checked this place out, at least for a drink (they make their own tonic water, so their gin & tonics are very different and very good) you are missing out.
1 Previous Review: Hide »
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1/5/2009
You know this review has to be a good one if I am coming out of semi Yelp retirement, to write a review for the first time in exactly one month.
Went for Saturday morning brunch this past Saturday.
Ok, first of all, 5 stars for the name. Absolutely love it. Love it even more that the employees have to say something additional on the phone: "Strip Club [pause] Fish and Steak" -- gotta let people know they in fact got the right number and can make a reservation for eight o'clock, and not that they just booked a table with a potential lap dance. Love it.
Very inventive menu for a brunch. A lot of choices looked good. I decided on the french toast with maple/brandy syrup and chopped green apples. Holy (insert your fave here)! Perfectly cooked. I don't like cripsy french toast and this was a little crispy on the top and bottom and soft as all get out in the middle. Perfect. It was three slices, but I could have easily put away two more, possibly three more. Sausage on the side. Very good flavor there. Also cooked well. Charred a little for the flavor yet not burnt in the least.
Great waitress. Fun and outgoing, definitely felt like she was your friend. Nice touch.
Would love to try it for dinner and probably will soon. Great little building, atmosphere, decor. I dug it a lot.
I got the normal single burger, with American cheese. The bun was of a buttery kind, and the burger had sweet pickles on it, something I very much enjoyed and thought was different in the mass world of burgers. The burger wasn't too large, so a perfect lunch meal.
Fries were great. Cooked well so they had a crunch when biting into them.
And from a branding standpoint, their burger/fries came in a little boxed-lunch (different than the standard fast food bag) which I very much appreciated.
When you think of all the places doing burgers and fries, My Burger does stand out a little. They made some choices which are different that current fast food offerings when it comes to food, and they were smart about going against the grain with their menu, store look and feel, and packaging.
I'm a fan.
Knowing I'm most recently from Virginia Beach, where crab is king, and knowing I grew up in the Northeast, with Maine and lobsters, I have had very good seafood. I've been on the East Coast for 25-years prior to moving to Minneapolis. For that reason, I didn't expect much when I walked into Sea Change. I figured it would be good, but I had no idea it would be as good as it was.
Dave (http://flavadav.yelp.com) and Tina invited Kristi and I, and we joined them in the bar as we waited for a Raw Bar seat. Dave said it was essential to sit at the Raw Bar, and boy was he right. Definitely sit at the Raw Bar the next time you go. Watching the staff craft those dishes before your eyes was such a treat.
Between the four of us we had:
Bristol Bay King Crab
Hawaiian Yellowfin Tuna
Raw Oysters
Florida Pink Shrimp
Grilled Octopus
Spot Prawns
Steamed Mussels
Everything was prepared with such delicacy and was a beautiful plate. Holly (Raw Bar staff) talked us through each dish with each respective ingredient. It was honestly like sitting on the panel on "Top Chef"
We finished with two desserts, I cannot recall their exact names as it has been a few days now since our visit, but both were prepared very well and were a perfect end to the evening's meal.
Great atmosphere, and such a nicely designed and decorated space. An attentive staff. Great wine list. It was a real treat to dine there.
If you have not been, go, sit at the Raw Bar and grab a few small plates. You'll notice with my list of items consumed above, none are entrees -- you don't need to touch those, you can really get a feel for Sea Change by doing all small plates. Watch the care that goes into each dish by sitting at the Raw Bar, and enjoy your dish that much more knowing the consideration that went into it.
A great seafood place here in the Twin Cities. 5-stars for sure due to the area. 4-stars definitely if compared to other major market sea food restaurants, possibly 5. I no longer need to search for a sea food place when visitors come into town. Thanks Sea Change, and well done.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 312-1821
Bradstreet Crafthouse
Categories: Tapas Bars, Lounges
Went Saturday night with 11 other people and occupied one wall in their "looks like everyone else's trendy dimly lit back room". Nothing they are doing in there is standing out, and from the press and word-of-mouth I had been hearing about it since it opened, I was expecting it to set itself apart.
I ordered the "Juliet & Romeo" (yeah, yeah, I know, but I didn't name the drink) because of its "mint and cucumber" flavors the menu explained. You know me, I love a good Hendrick's and tonic, so I figured this was the drink for me. The drink was extremely mint heavy, to the point where I could not taste the cucumber or rose hips at all. Knowing where I was, a place serving $10 drinks and claiming to have renown mixologists behind their bar, I figured the drink was mint heavy and that was how it was supposed to be made and I had to tolerate it... until someone else within our large group ordered the exact same drink. I asked to try it once it arrived at the table, and good thing, because her drink was not nearly as mint heavy and I could actually taste all the other subtle flavors, and I enjoyed the drink. I asked for my drink to be made again, just like her's. They brought me a much better version.
Secondly, one within our party ordered a dirty martini, and was politely told they wouldn't make that for her because it was not within their concept. Um, what? So your concept, which has apparently amazing drink mixers, can't make the lady a dirty martini? Wow.
Here's my gripe: this place is supposed to have the mecca of all drink mixers in the area, and my drink was not consistent with that of someone else in my party who ordered the exact same drink. Not good. Furthermore, I have to think the polite decline in making a guest a dirty martini is ridiculous. It's not like she asked for a beer straight from the bottle. Then I would understand how it didn't fall within their "concept", but c'mon, a martini? Additionally, the checks came and everyone noticed the automatic 20% gratuity addition. I believe that's a Graves standard and not so much a Bradstreet one, but if you're going to command an automatic 20% gratuity, regardless of party size, you better do a good job and serve people above average as 20% is an above average tip. The service was okay. Wasn't 20%, and no, that's not me being critical -- nothing anyone did in there was above and beyond normal service that would warrant a 12-15% tip.
I was not impressed, and I was expecting to be. I'd much rather spend my $10-a-drink money at La Belle Vie.
For $32 a couple, you get:
Dinner entree of the restaurant's predetermined choice
Bottle of wine (house red or white)
Dessert of the restaurant's predetermined choice
We all sat down and crossed our fingers that their dinner choice wasn't going to be pork belly or something similar. Happy to find out it was a burger, with crispy onions, and fries.
We got a bottle of the red and white and were very pleased with the house selections there.
Dessert was a scoop of vanilla ice cream very much infused with mint and chocolate chips, in a crepe shaped cone.
Very good meal for $32 a couple. Highly recommend you check them out on Tuesday evenings for the deal.
* Get a reservation though, it was packed at our 7:30 reservation time until about 9:30ish - and rightfully so.
Great place to enjoy good company and a meal. "Speak Easy" kind of vibe, friendly wait staff and very attentive. Take your friends, your parents, your grandparents - it's a good vibe for all.
The above is said for good reason. While I respect Blue Door for being inventive with their Juicy Lucy burgers, providing plenty of good flavor combinations and really creating a menu that made it difficult to make a decision as a lot of things sounded good, they have to get it together. If you're going to take on the Juicy Lucy in the way that they have, bringing more than 7 or 8 different types of the burger to the menu, they have got to get it 100% right. No excuses. Opening a place serving Juicy Lucy burgers in the Twin Cities is like opening a NY Style Pizzeria in NYC. You can do it, but you better be spot on. Blue Door, unfortunately, was not.
I had been meaning to check the place out for I've heard about it a lot recently and figured it would be good. Kristi and I decided to try it yesterday at about 4:30 for an early dinner. We were probably the 4th table in there. The place is quite small, but we still were there when it wasn't busy in the slightest. Kristi and I made our Juicy Lucy selections and eagerly waited for them to hit the table. The chalkboard walls and chalk on the table provided a good way to kill 10-15 minutes. I ordered mine Medium Rare and she ordered her's Medium. The burgers hit the table and I immediately noticed her burger was very Well. I waited to see what she thought of it as I bit into mine. It took 3 bites to figure out mine was barely above chop meat. I pushed my plate to the end of the table and asked Kristi how her's was. She said it was fine but I told her that was way above Medium, and we will be sending both our burgers back. I flagged the waitress over and she made it not even five feet from the table before she said "Oh, I can see that from here." - speaking of the rawness of my burger. She was great, in the sense of having both burgers being sent back. She came by and told us they would be right out, and that she was leaving and we were getting a new server and to remind her that they were taking both burgers off our bill for the mistake, in case we were charged for them. I was not out to get a free meal, I just was craving a Juicy Lucy and wanted it 100% correct. But free Juicy Lucy burgers are always nice, and I greatly appreciated them doing that. Knowing they are a new business, I appreciated how they handled that, in the sense of knowing we wouldn't be back if we paid for our meal. Both burger do-overs hit the table and I was pleased with mine. But not "over the moon, in love, I gotta come back next weekend pleased", however. Just "ok". I probably could have made a burger just the same at home. Huge let-down.
Blue Door was over-hyped. Plain and simple. The place filled up around 5:30 and if it were packed I would have been okay with the mistakes, but when the place isn't half-full and those mistakes happen, I can't be ok with that. The bun on both of my burgers was charred. It was just a complete lack of attention.
I will say this would have been 1-star if not for the sincere greatness of the waitress and the staff there. They did a fantastic job, especially considering the food mistakes they made. I also think they had a deep and well selected wine list, for a place like that.
I'll personally stick with the 58's and Matt's and Shamrock's of the world to get my Juicy Lucy fix...
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Two people at the bar. NOBODY sitting at a table.
I'm now convinced this place doesn't care to serve food or be successful, and is only holding onto the real estate due to sell it down the road. Due to its location in a Mears Park area that is being upgraded with new places (Barrio, Wine/Cheese Bar), and the fact that it's within a skyway, they're obviously hoping to be sold to the highest bidder.
What a shame.