Friday night date night with the roommate took us to Uptown to get our hair did and do a little shopping, and top the night off with dinner and drinks. We shook the Urban Spoon ap and landed on Chino Latino, which is a popular spot on Hennepin and Lake. Outside there is a sparkly, twinkly awning that hints at a party. Inside pumps some hot house music, and the crowd at 8:30 p.m. on a Friday night was dense and beautiful. Girls were dressed in their weekend semi-skank attire, lots of couples lined the hallway to get a table at what was clearly one of THE spots to check in at in Uptown. The bar glowed orange, and the vibe in the place was chic and cool. We felt a little underdressed in our jeans and flats, but the lighting in the dining area was dark enough where no one could tell we were less than perfect.
We had a great table facing the street, perfect for people watching - or so we thought. Instead we realized that our view was mainly our fellow Chino Latino patrons who stepped outside for a smoke.
The concept of this place was cool - food from places along the equator. There was a mix of Jamaican, Mexican, Indonesian, Korean (a little too far north I think, but I'll let it slide), Thai and some other cuisines in between. I had a margarita, which from their lengthy tequila selection you'd think would be amazing, but it was just OK. I've had better (shout out to Cempazuchi in Milwaukee!!!!). We ordered a sushi roll and queso fondido to start, although I have to say that mixing sushi with a cheese dish freaked me out a little. The sushi was incredibly disappointing. We ordered the Snoop Dogg roll, which was all fancy and expensive, but did not taste good. I should have learned by now that sushi anywhere other than a sushi restaurant is just never up to par. The queso was pretty tasty, how can you go wrong?, but the portion was a little hefty for something considered a "small plate to share." By that time, I was already on my way to being full. We ordered next the Dynamite Scallops which were listed in bold on the menu, suggesting "order me I'm a favorite!" Maybe we took it the wrong way, because it was not very good. A weird combo of ingredients left the plate a little mushy and the flavors confusing, and the rice puff cracker thingies were just a weird accompaniment.
We were both really disappointed, and while we both had a sweet tooth for dessert we agreed that we definitely didn't want to take a chance on this place satisfying the itch. For such a cool, pulsing scene the food at Chino Latino left something to be desired. I'd for sure head back for a cocktail (they did have some specialty drinks that sounded pretty enticing) but will certainly skip the food.
If you plan on taking a chance on this place, make a reservation and wear something black, skimpy and shiny. You'll fit right in.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Wildfire - Eden Prairie, MN
My boyfriend's brother and his girlfriend live down in Shakopee, and we decided to meet in the middle for dinner a few nights ago. We landed on Wildfire at the Eden Prairie mall. A little bit of an odd choice for St. Patrick's Day, and for a younger group of people in general, but Mary had been there before and said the food was really good. I got there a little early and sat in the bar while I was waiting. I liked the cocktail lounge, it's dark mood lighting and the comfy leather chairs. The bartender was an older guy, as were the majority of the clientele for that matter. This is definitely a spot for business drinks or a date night for 40-somethings.
Our table wasn't in the main dining room, but in a little side room close to the hostess stand. We were seated next to a table of about 10 senior citizens. I guess in general I felt way too young to be at this steak and chops restaurant. Their wine by the glass choices were pretty good, actually. I had a Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc which I'm not sure I've ever seen as a choice by the glass.
We shared a goat cheese appetizer which was pretty tasty, and the bread they brought was really soft and yummy. When the waitress took our order, I asked for her recommendation on either the small or large size chopped salad and without hesitation she said the small. Mary ordered the filet trio and Scott the roasted chicken. When the food arrived, holy mother you should have seen this "small" salad! It was massive. Very good, the dressing was a citrus vinagrette, but I felt like I ate two heads of lettuce without making any kind of apparent dent in the portion.
So we're done with dinner and all of a sudden the waitress came over with a little chocolate cake with a candle in it. "Did someone say it was their birthday?!" she said. We all looked at each other and started to laugh. "Uh, no?" So we got to share a free flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. I'm not a cake fan, but this thing was actually really good. A nice, and rich, way to end the meal.
All in all, if you need to find a nice place to take your parents (or grandparents for that matter) Wildfire would be a good choice. The food wasn't a disappointment, but the atmosphere wasn't ideal for a young group of wippersnappers, but at least we left with good food in our bellies.
Our table wasn't in the main dining room, but in a little side room close to the hostess stand. We were seated next to a table of about 10 senior citizens. I guess in general I felt way too young to be at this steak and chops restaurant. Their wine by the glass choices were pretty good, actually. I had a Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc which I'm not sure I've ever seen as a choice by the glass.
We shared a goat cheese appetizer which was pretty tasty, and the bread they brought was really soft and yummy. When the waitress took our order, I asked for her recommendation on either the small or large size chopped salad and without hesitation she said the small. Mary ordered the filet trio and Scott the roasted chicken. When the food arrived, holy mother you should have seen this "small" salad! It was massive. Very good, the dressing was a citrus vinagrette, but I felt like I ate two heads of lettuce without making any kind of apparent dent in the portion.
So we're done with dinner and all of a sudden the waitress came over with a little chocolate cake with a candle in it. "Did someone say it was their birthday?!" she said. We all looked at each other and started to laugh. "Uh, no?" So we got to share a free flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. I'm not a cake fan, but this thing was actually really good. A nice, and rich, way to end the meal.
All in all, if you need to find a nice place to take your parents (or grandparents for that matter) Wildfire would be a good choice. The food wasn't a disappointment, but the atmosphere wasn't ideal for a young group of wippersnappers, but at least we left with good food in our bellies.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Victory 44 - North Minneapolis
BACON. How I love thee. And so do the guys who run Victory 44. Yum, yum, yum. My friend Courtney and I headed out this afternoon for lunch and she recommended this spot, and I'm so glad she did. I love cute little gastropubs like this. Everything on the chalkboard menu looked amazing. We started off with the Devils on Horseback, delicious little morsels of bacon-wrapped dates topped with a bacon foam and accompanied with some apple cider gelee. Heavenly. The bacon was perfectly cooked and smoky, and the rich little bites were a great start to our afternoon feast. We went with a few of our server's recommendations for the main courses: the burger and the cheese agnolotti. We split both meals between us, and I have to say that it was hard to give up the other half of that burger. To me, what makes a good burger is the bun. And anything toasted with butter is a great start. Topped with melted white cheddar (yum #1), bacon (yum #2) and house-made pickles (yum #3) every single bite of this sandwich was unbelievably perfect. The side of bacon-fried French fries didn't hurt matters, either. The agnolotti was a great second choice. Baconless, the little pasta were filled with a cheesy center and smothered in a buttery kim chi sauce. Sounds a little odd, right? But oh, so tasty. Loved the crisp vinegary flavors of the cabbage with the richness of the sauce.
We could have done without the dessert, but couldn't say no. I was underwhelmed by the panna cotta - seemed too firm to me and too big of a portion for my liking. The apple sorbet was tasty and very tart, but next time I'd probably try something different or skip dessert entirely. They did bring us some homemade cookies though, and those weren't anything to frown about.
All in all, I loved this place and their celebration of the pig. It might be hard to find a burger as tasty as this one, and I know that it will be a craving on those mornings when salty, greasy burgers are mandatory (aka, hangovers). Can't wait to take my boyfriend here when he gets to town. This has definitely become an instant favorite in my book.
We could have done without the dessert, but couldn't say no. I was underwhelmed by the panna cotta - seemed too firm to me and too big of a portion for my liking. The apple sorbet was tasty and very tart, but next time I'd probably try something different or skip dessert entirely. They did bring us some homemade cookies though, and those weren't anything to frown about.
All in all, I loved this place and their celebration of the pig. It might be hard to find a burger as tasty as this one, and I know that it will be a craving on those mornings when salty, greasy burgers are mandatory (aka, hangovers). Can't wait to take my boyfriend here when he gets to town. This has definitely become an instant favorite in my book.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
5-8 Club - Champlin, MN
A co-worker asked me to lunch yesterday and suggested the 5-8 Club near our office. I had heard of the "Juicy Lucy" from the Travel Channel show Man v. Food and must admit that a cheese stuffed burger sounded just up my alley. I realize that the Champlin location is not the original, so I wasn't expecting the full experience that the 5-8 surely promises.
Walking into the place was a little sad, I have to say. Granted, it was the noon hour out in suburbia so I couldn't realistically think it would be packed to the gills with starving students and burger connoisseurs. The place was empty, and the customers that were there appeared to be a little bit senior (ok, a lot bit senior). Service was friendly enough but I got a little bit of the "what are you doing here?" vibe. Everyone else seemed to be regulars.
I couldn't bring myself to order the JL during the lunch hour - I didn't think a grease filled belly would help me stay focused and alert on the job. So I opted for the buffalo chicken sandwich. The bun was good, which is always the most important part of any sandwich or burger. Soft, kaiser style. The chicken was swimming in sauce, which was definitely spicy. It was tasty, but maybe a little messy for a professional girl like me. I should have known better. The little slide of cole slaw was yummy (I do love anything that lives in a mayo-based sauce) and the fries were a little short of fresh tasting. Also, the iced tea wasn't fresh, it was out of the machine, which surprised me - most joints like this have a fresh brewed pot 'o tea.
Not sure that I'd want to frequent this place on the lunch hour, but I'll surely give the original 5-8 a try some weekend so that I can experience the world famous Juicy Lucy.
Walking into the place was a little sad, I have to say. Granted, it was the noon hour out in suburbia so I couldn't realistically think it would be packed to the gills with starving students and burger connoisseurs. The place was empty, and the customers that were there appeared to be a little bit senior (ok, a lot bit senior). Service was friendly enough but I got a little bit of the "what are you doing here?" vibe. Everyone else seemed to be regulars.
I couldn't bring myself to order the JL during the lunch hour - I didn't think a grease filled belly would help me stay focused and alert on the job. So I opted for the buffalo chicken sandwich. The bun was good, which is always the most important part of any sandwich or burger. Soft, kaiser style. The chicken was swimming in sauce, which was definitely spicy. It was tasty, but maybe a little messy for a professional girl like me. I should have known better. The little slide of cole slaw was yummy (I do love anything that lives in a mayo-based sauce) and the fries were a little short of fresh tasting. Also, the iced tea wasn't fresh, it was out of the machine, which surprised me - most joints like this have a fresh brewed pot 'o tea.
Not sure that I'd want to frequent this place on the lunch hour, but I'll surely give the original 5-8 a try some weekend so that I can experience the world famous Juicy Lucy.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Maple Tavern - Osseo
On the first day of my new job, a couple colleagues treated me to lunch at a newer place near our office in Brooklyn Park. Located on 93rd just across I-169 in Osseo was Maple Tavern, a somewhat randomly situated bar/restaurant with ample parking and a (faux?) brick exterior. Once inside, you can tell the place is brand spankin new. The wood floors are shiny and polished, lots of new flat screen TVs tower above the bar, and the menus didn't appear to have been handled too many times as yet.
The place was nice, but seemed stark. There were lots of tables and chairs, so it didn't provide for a cozy feel that you might expect from the wooden interior. Nonetheless, it was clean and the service was attentive, although our server seemed to have been sippin' on some kind of special Kool-Aid that I'm not sure I'd want to share.
The menu was a nice size. I can't stand those places with pages and pages of crap. Burgers, sandwiches, what you'd expect. I had a side salad and the spinach artichoke wrap. Salad was nice, fresh lettuce and not the pre-packaged, stinky stuff you find at lots of places like this. The wrap was pretty good, not as delicious as I had hoped, but the spinach artichoke dip that was meant to be the sauce was pretty tasty. One of my colleagues did order her meal sans tomatoes, and that request went ignored, which is aggravating considering how light the traffic was at the time.
The happy hour menu looked pretty decent, and I'd be more inclined to stop in for a beer and an appetizer - maybe a burger even - than go back for a sit-down meal. All in all, the place was nice, clean, but could use some with the "come in and stay a while" vibe. Might just be because it's a new joint.
The place was nice, but seemed stark. There were lots of tables and chairs, so it didn't provide for a cozy feel that you might expect from the wooden interior. Nonetheless, it was clean and the service was attentive, although our server seemed to have been sippin' on some kind of special Kool-Aid that I'm not sure I'd want to share.
The menu was a nice size. I can't stand those places with pages and pages of crap. Burgers, sandwiches, what you'd expect. I had a side salad and the spinach artichoke wrap. Salad was nice, fresh lettuce and not the pre-packaged, stinky stuff you find at lots of places like this. The wrap was pretty good, not as delicious as I had hoped, but the spinach artichoke dip that was meant to be the sauce was pretty tasty. One of my colleagues did order her meal sans tomatoes, and that request went ignored, which is aggravating considering how light the traffic was at the time.
The happy hour menu looked pretty decent, and I'd be more inclined to stop in for a beer and an appetizer - maybe a burger even - than go back for a sit-down meal. All in all, the place was nice, clean, but could use some with the "come in and stay a while" vibe. Might just be because it's a new joint.
Ready to eat!
Having just landed in Minneapolis for the next big adventure, I thought this would be the perfect time to start cataloguing my Minneapolis St. Paul dining and/or imbibing experiences. New to the Twin Cities, I'm starting out fresh with little to no knowledge of the restaurant scene around these parts. I made a goal before moving here to try some place new at least once per month, and based on what I've seen and heard, I think this will keep me busy for quite some time.
Whether it's a sipping a latte in a funky coffee shop, dining with the elite at the city's finest white table cloth establishments, or chugging local brews at the neighborhood bar, count me in. Everything and anything goes.
Whether it's a sipping a latte in a funky coffee shop, dining with the elite at the city's finest white table cloth establishments, or chugging local brews at the neighborhood bar, count me in. Everything and anything goes.
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