keith s.'s Profile
DateVancouver, BC V6B 5Z6
Canada
(604) 642-6787
OPUS Hotel Vancouver
Category:
Hotels
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Yaletown
Vancouver, BC V6B 5P9
Canada
(604) 602-0835
Glowbal Grill Steaks & Satay
Categories:
American (New),
Steakhouses
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Yaletown
Do the "Chef's Choice" for satays. 8 of the satays on one plate, and a nice variety of the place's offerings. Everything was done very well, and I especially recommend the kobe meatball (I know, but it was an extremely well executed meatball), the wagyu chuck (well worth the money), and the short rib (I could have eaten 2-10 more of them).
You can get in here and enjoy great food on a moderate dollar amount, if you want, via the satays. $23 to try 8 different 1-2 bite satays was very reasonable, considering the flavors and variety you receive.
Next time I find myself in Vancouver, I will definitely be back.
Food was really solid. Really nice selection of wines, and we had a great red one that kept flowing all night. Brie plate was excellent, and I don't even like brie. Steak frites were very well done, and yes, I know it's just steak+fries but they did a real nice job.
My largest favorite? The "dessert by the spoon" model. Never have I seen it before, and I really hope it catches on. I submitted a photo of the menu writeup so you can check that out if you want. What a great concept, and was the perfect end to dinner. Was safe to say that none of us wanted dessert, we didn't have room, but 5 of us ordered dessert by the spoon and when you add up the cost of 5 "dessert by the spoon" selections, you just sold a dessert. Great idea there.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 486-5500
Café & Bar Lurcat
Categories:
American (New),
Bars
Neighborhood: Loring Park
The service leaves a lot to be desired. Our waitress seemed incredibly stressed and due to that was very inattentive. We were given a free dessert for the trouble, but I'm really of the school of a freebie is nice to salvage the problem, but doing it right the first time means I'll be back. I am in no hurry to come back.
For part of our meal, the NY Strip, and Scallops, to be $60 and not taste every bit of $60 is a problem. I've gotten far better steaks in many other places, and the scallops I didn't find to be cooked well at all. They cooked the flavor right out of them.
The "Which desserts would be Gluten Free appropriate?" question brought an "I'll bring a menu." answer. Translation: You can figure it out yourself. She came back with menus and told us she'd be back shortly. Guess we're supposed to pick our favorite and then ask if there is a Gluten issue with that dish?
I've heard people talk about this place, and I'm not sure why. I was really not impressed with anything all evening.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 208-1586
Esquina Mexican Eats
Category:
Mexican
Neighborhood: Downtown Minneapolis
Been here three times now and had an excellent meal each time. The pastor torta is incredible. Full of flavor. Very fresh. Huge size.
Burrito is done nicely. Fresh ingredients.
Daily specials. Salsa/toppings bar.
You won't have a reason to continue to frequent Chipotle after visiting Esquina.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 333-3837
Bar La Grassa
Category:
Italian
Neighborhood: North Loop
Great place. Great space, the interior is really well done. Warm place to sit and have a great meal.
Things I've been lucky enough to have:
- Pickled Tomatoes with Goat Cheese - Excellent. Something so simple, done so incredibly well.
- Seared Scallop - Beautifully done, and the garnish should be a dish itself.
- Soft Eggs and Lobster - If I could only eat one brunch menu item for the rest of my life. Seriously.
- Spaghetti Carbonara - They oughtta be ashamed of themselves...
- Farfalle with Smoked Sweetbreads - (see above)
- Silk Hankerchiefs with Basil Pesto - Another simple item done so incredibly well. And +10 points for the name.
- Pappardelle with Veal Ragu - The veal is done similar to a really well prepared pork shoulder, just falling off the fork and melting in your mouth.
- Skate Wing - If you've never tried it, try it here.
- Chicken - Your Mother and Grandmother didn't make chicken this good, I guarantee it.
- Grilled Sausage - Not the most aesthetically pleasing dish, but it tastes great.
In my personal rankings, this place comes in 2nd to 112, but knowing me you know what that means. Excellent food, great environment, attentive servers. Order tapas style so you can try various items and get the full sense of the place. If you're short on time and/or money, get two glasses of red and split the Pappardelle with Veal Ragu. If you hate it, I'll refund your money.
* Sit at the bar that overlooks the kitchen, if it's a party of two, and they can accommodate you there. Excellent vantage point of what is being prepared and seeing the final items leave the kitchen.
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 381-0700
Duplex - CLOSED
Categories:
American (New),
Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Uptown
Kristi and I sat upstairs. The place is exactly what you'd expect in an old Victorian house that is now a restaurant. The stairs creaked when you walked up them, there were roughly 10-12 tables upstairs. It was a good date place.
Our server was excellent. Explained two new gins very extensively that I had not tried yet, and I ordered one - was pleased. She walked Kristi through the menu from a gluten-free selections standpoint. She was very attentive and we never waited for a thing.
The food was good. We started with the seared scallops special, I had the duck w/ pasta and Kristi had the orange chicken. Both dishes done well.
I don't think I'd go back. It was okay, wasn't exceptional, and I didn't see anything on the menu that I'd want to try outside of the duck pasta I had. There wasn't a real tough decision for me when it came to selecting an entree, and due to that I wouldn't be in a hurry to go back. I'd recommend stopping in if you're in the area, or haven't tried it yet, but I think you'll agree a repeat visit probably isn't necessary. Very reasonably priced when compared to other places that serve the same quality of food.
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 209-7776
LoTo Life Cafe - CLOSED
Category:
French
Neighborhood: Downtown St. Paul
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 and the fact that it's within a skyway, they're obviously hoping to be sold to the highest bidder.
What a shame.
1 Previous Review:
-
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
Neighborhood: Uptown
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
Neighborhood: Downtown Minneapolis
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...
No Lists
keith hasn't made any lists yet.
|
"wannabe foodie."
- 44 Friends
- 103 Reviews
- 13 Review Updates
- 11 Firsts
- 3 Fans
- 29 Local Photos
- 2 Events Submitted
-
Rating Distribution
Loading...
- View more graphs »
Review votes:
382 Useful, 167 Funny, and 305 Cool
The staff is incredibly personable, helpful, and attentive. I think that's honestly what takes it to the top. The valets are incredibly quick to your car, taking items out before you can even step out and close the driver door. They're equally as quick in obtaining your car and bringing it to the front, they offer an umbrella for the day, and directions to wherever you're going.
The housekeeping staff was top notch. The room looked immaculate each night when I entered after turn-down service, and a new and different item laid on my bed: chocolate, lolly-pop, pez dispenser. And a nicely well done handwritten card for the next day's weather was next to the bed with a carafe of water.
Can't say enough good things about this place. Truly hope someone picks up the exact concept in the states, because this Canadian secret shouldn't stay out of the US.