tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.comments2010-02-12T12:40:45.690-05:00Winning in the Kitchen... One Recipe at a Timebakeet14http://www.blogger.com/profile/07561834750447911404noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-26551778857027225062010-02-12T12:40:45.690-05:002010-02-12T12:40:45.690-05:00Bravo for getting through all 26 - we'll have ...Bravo for getting through all 26 - we'll have to take you back to Wine Thief for sure, though. Maybe a time when you're already out our way!BeccaThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12385719458172340969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-80431255101356729042010-02-12T12:37:33.036-05:002010-02-12T12:37:33.036-05:00Congratulations on your feat! I'm super impre...Congratulations on your feat! I'm super impressed that you guys made it all the way to z :)BeccaThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12385719458172340969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-3468651297742384892009-12-31T23:17:04.420-05:002009-12-31T23:17:04.420-05:00I think it is only now (New Year's Eve) that i...I think it is only now (New Year's Eve) that it is occuring to me that Scott has finished his blog..at least the restaurants A-Z. I've gone to most of the restaurants with him and it's been an interesting experience. Some places that I thought I wouldn't like I actually did. It was great when we really liked the restaurant and not so great when we didn't, but we had our mission and now it is completed. I look forward to the next one..whatever Scott decides to do with his blog.<br />As for our last restaurant, it gave off a lonely feeling. It's a restaurant that would be enjoyed more if there were actually customers in it. The atmosphere had potential it was just missing the people. The food was great, but I agree with Scott..overpriced. They have an outdoor area for warmer weather which is great..don't know that we'll ever get back there unless it's to eat outside. The location isn't great either. Good for University City people though.<br />Thanks Scott for making 2009 another fun and interesting year for all the foodies out there!The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-31409111654787393012009-12-29T15:09:34.417-05:002009-12-29T15:09:34.417-05:00I missed my opportunity to vote, but if you haven&...I missed my opportunity to vote, but if you haven't already gone, I'd say to skip Zocalo. It's not bad, but it's not great, either. I occasionally go there for "celebratory" lunches, since it's 2 blocks from my office and very reasonably priced. BUT, the food is just OK, and the portions are rather small.marliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08018316125617515635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-60962502479391123052009-12-25T11:38:04.316-05:002009-12-25T11:38:04.316-05:00I was really disappointed in this place. I was thi...I was really disappointed in this place. I was thinking we were going to Ava (an Italian restaurant). It was the restaurant that won on the blog. I was expecting to be eating Italian so when we drove past to see that it was closed I was disappointed and the disappointment only increased when we got to Novita Bistro. We walk in and it had the feel of an Italian restaurant. They gave us bread with olive oil and olives. We receive the menu..and there are Italian dishes on there saying "Homemade"..I didn't really care for very many of the entrees so I got two apps..both very disappointing. One a traditional Italian dish and the other was scallops..they were the most pathetic looking scallops I've ever seen. I don't know how this restaurant has been open for two years unless people know what to order and stick with it. Looking forward to our last, but not least restaurant ending in Z. Let's hope we end it on a high note!The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-84628583685281657922009-12-12T00:43:30.526-05:002009-12-12T00:43:30.526-05:00When we first entered the restaurant, I thought it...When we first entered the restaurant, I thought it had promise..this was of course from an atmosphere point of view. They were going to sit us down at a not so great table so we asked for a different one..and I suppose it was better except for the fact that we could hear almost everything the couple next to us had to say..and so I figured I'd strike up a conversation with them while Scott was in the restroom. Nice couple, but she was a vegan..just sayin! Anyway, they both had burgers which looked good. Maybe I should have got one because the steak I ordered was pretty fatty. I was doing too much chewing and it reminded me of my first date with Scott when we went to Alma de Cuba. I ordered fried cow..it was supposed to be good, but it was gross. Anyway, the app at The Wine Thief was so/so. Scott's dinner was good. It's a nice neighborhood place. Can't say I'll be going back based on where it's located, but that doesn't mean others shouldn't try it.The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-92205065308210849152009-11-23T20:52:35.626-05:002009-11-23T20:52:35.626-05:00I've waited a long time to get to Vetri - as S...I've waited a long time to get to Vetri - as Scott has mentioned. I was looking forward to going, but I didn't know that we would be doing the tasting menu, but I knew we would be doing it right..not skimping on anything, but I didn't know just how far we would go. It was an amazing experience that I have to say I won't forget. Through our journey of trying different restaurants, Scott and I would often reflect on our dining experiences at previous restaurants that we went to from the blog. As we got further into the blog we often forget some of the restaurants we've been to because some of them weren't that memorable. I have to say this was a memorable dinner. It felt like a New Year's Eve dinner or what one should be like. It was very indulgent and felt like we were special (of course we know that already :) Like we were celebrating something wonderful..I like to think we were.<br />Although I can't say that I tried anything exotically different or really decontructed, but it was all well excuted and tasty. <br />I know that Marc wasn't cooking for us himself..I still think it was an excellent meal.The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-66262232077775264322009-11-15T16:40:22.317-05:002009-11-15T16:40:22.317-05:00I really liked Uzu Sushi and have no complaints. I...I really liked Uzu Sushi and have no complaints. It was like going some place comforting..the music was comforting, the food was very good, the music was relaxing..its like the stress just melts right off you. It was like a little vacation and actually since the owner knew very little english, but extremely nice..yes, he even walked us to the door..it sort of felt like we were away.<br />In saying that, it was a monday night. It's highly unlikely to get that kind of attention any other night.The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-10758423455723132142009-10-27T21:47:59.845-04:002009-10-27T21:47:59.845-04:00Jennifer on Top Chef is the Executive Chef at 10 A...Jennifer on Top Chef is the Executive Chef at 10 Arts. She has no personality, but seems to be a top notch chef. It's too bad it was disappointing...and it sounds like it was all around "nothing special."Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07866892124972447118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-35028379425789198532009-10-25T20:57:46.319-04:002009-10-25T20:57:46.319-04:00I was totally disappointed by 10 Arts. Keep in min...I was totally disappointed by 10 Arts. Keep in mind, I'm very spoiled by Scott's cooking. So if it can't compete with Scott's cooking..its not worth the calories or the time it takes to eat it. <br />I had the salmon cerviche which was just very thinly sliced pieces of salmon with some citrus sauce..I can't believe that's all they could come up with. I think that even I could be more creative than that.<br />Scott and I both ordered the same entree which was blah. It's not that it wasn't edible, but it was so far from wow that I almost just wanted to push it around on the plate for entertainment value.<br />Now, where they came through was the "Happy Birthday" for Scott. I just wanted to bring some attention to Scott because it was a little over his half..yes, I missed his half birthday and I had to make it up to him in some way :) but really, I just did it because I wanted him to feel special.The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-8849442270437095692009-10-05T22:04:40.419-04:002009-10-05T22:04:40.419-04:00I love BBQ almost as much as Scott. I had never be...I love BBQ almost as much as Scott. I had never been to or even heard of Dinosaur BBQ in NY until I met Scott. Once I had BBQ at Dinosaur I became very spoiled with high expectations as to what BBQ should be. So when Scott suggested Sweet Lucy I wanted to be hopeful because the reviews were very good and Dinosaur is far away.<br />I thought Sweet Lucy's ribs were an ok sub for Dinosaur's. If I'm craving ribs and I can't go to Dinosaur BBQ I would go to Sweet Lucy's..unless some place new steps up to the plate.<br />All in all, the ribs were good..the sides not so great. The price was right though.The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-77432651940534418722009-09-11T22:49:19.219-04:002009-09-11T22:49:19.219-04:00Hmmm..what to say. Let's see, I had the hanger...Hmmm..what to say. Let's see, I had the hanger steak. Now, yes I did send it back, but really there was no point in them cooking it again because that was worst piece of meat. Very fatty..it was so bad that I couldn't even chew. The first thing they should be doing is getting quality meat. Focus on the quality of the ingredients. I can't say I'll be running back anytime soon. It was so cold in there that I felt like I needed a winter jacket. I don't like to be cold..at all..ever. So..between the bad steak, the cold and having a husband that can cook like a chef at Le Bec Fin..can't say there is a big reason to back.The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-17202942117559688172009-08-21T21:40:20.717-04:002009-08-21T21:40:20.717-04:00Leigh,
First of all, thanks for chiming in -- was...Leigh,<br /><br />First of all, thanks for chiming in -- wasn't expecting that at all. The biggest problem with our waitress wasn't that she was slow -- I saw that she had the whole dining room so I'm willing to give someone leeway for that -- it was that she just seemed plain miserable, as if the restaurant was the last place she wanted to be. It didn't exactly make us want to be there either as a result.<br /><br />As for the food, not sure what more there is to say. I know many people who have told me they had good meals at MT, I simply didn't. This blog certainly isn't supposed to be a comprehensive restaurant review based upon multiple visits, just my one take based upon one meal on one night. Obviously, some places will perform better than they really are, some will perform worse. <br /><br />Regardless, it was very nice of you to chime in with your thoughts.<br /><br />Scottbakeet14https://www.blogger.com/profile/07561834750447911404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-65000273188342893212009-08-21T18:17:49.112-04:002009-08-21T18:17:49.112-04:00This was my second time at Memphis Taproom for din...This was my second time at Memphis Taproom for dinner. The first time I thought it was pretty good. The waitress was friendly and I was catching up with a friend so we prob. stayed a little too long..but the waitress was cool about it.<br />The second time around, I ordered the same thing, the burger. Very good burger..I really liked it. It wasn't your typical burger..it consisted of brisket and a few other meats. I liked how creative it was..and I like brisket.<br />Anyway, the waitress this time around wasn't so pleasant. I was unimpressed with the pickles but I don't really eat pickles..it was the blogger who wanted them because he heard good things about it. I wasn't impressed. The water was a bit gross and my gin and tonic..not great. PLUS..it was FREEZING in there. I felt like I was in a meat locker..wow. The waitress said she would try to warm it up a bit..I don't know that I felt a change though.<br />As for the weather..that couldn't be helped. <br />Overall..the rest of the menu wasn't impressive. If I were ever to go there again, I'd go for the burger..that's it.The Wife of the Bloggernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-64759997381489636552009-08-21T13:49:42.064-04:002009-08-21T13:49:42.064-04:00Hey Scott,
Quite a list of negatives, holy cow, w...Hey Scott,<br /><br />Quite a list of negatives, holy cow, where to begin?<br /><br />Warm water: Totally unacceptable and unbelievably embarrassing. Apologies galore. <br /><br />Bitchy waitress: We don't really have one of those, so I'm sort of surprised by your comments, but will look into the allegation. Are you an especially sensitive flower about service?<br /><br />Not ample portion of food: This isn't something that we ever hear from anyone or experience ourselves. Apparently yours was the one bonk performance on this front. I truly do apologize, it's certainly not the norm.<br /><br />Hot pickles: Not sure what to tell you dude, they're hot when they come out of the kitchen. We warn people.<br /><br />The rain mid-meal: You can't blame us for the weather, we're not that powerful (but it would be kind of cool if we were).<br /><br />Hope you'll give us another chance, your experience is highly out of our normal way of conducting business, it'd be nice to be able to right some of these wrongs for you. <br /><br />Cheers, Leigh@MTLeighhttp://www.memphistaproom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-57711290376706280522009-08-21T10:25:37.640-04:002009-08-21T10:25:37.640-04:00That's really, really too bad about the Memphi...That's really, really too bad about the Memphis Taproom. I've only been there once, but I rather liked it. I did go for brunch though, so I wonder if that made any significant difference. Bummer.marliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08018316125617515635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-9566022342518725072009-07-27T19:16:17.867-04:002009-07-27T19:16:17.867-04:00I had a pretty bad week and I was kind of unsure a...I had a pretty bad week and I was kind of unsure about how the Oyster House would be. I wasn't expecting to be pleasantly surprised..and I was..really, I was! I don't think I've been this excited about food or a restaurant in awhile (please note that Scott's cooking doesn't count - it's very predictable meaning it is ALWAYS good..most times it's better than eating out plus he's cute and he's mine)<br />Back to the restaurant, I highly suggest trying it. I agree that it was a bit pricey, but it's something you don't or can't get all the time. I can't say that it took them a lot of work or thought to create the dishes, but they brought Cape Cod or Martha's Vineyard right to our door step and I couldn't be happier about it.<br />Two thumbs up! I even liked our overly energetic waitress..she definitely wanted us to be happy. When we couldn't get the smallest piece of lobster out of it's shell she took it back to the kitchen and cracked it for us. Are you convinced yet? You should be..The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-15524145017066984692009-07-13T19:42:01.337-04:002009-07-13T19:42:01.337-04:00I thought the food was very good, but since I was ...I thought the food was very good, but since I was having some kind of allergy attach that was a bit of a joy kill. It figures..of course something like that would happen on my birthday. <br />I do have to say that I didn't have the olive bread so I can't state whether that was wonderful or not, but everything else was very good. <br />I was very disappointed by the lack of candle on my dessert. I mean..really..how hard is it?? So we sent it back for the candle and they put it on the side of the plate. Not in the dessert. <br />Would I go back..yeah, but I wouldn't be running due to cost and I wasn't totally in love with the atmosphere. The sky lights were nice, but the rest was rather plain.<br />I like Supper's atmosphere much better and hope to go back eventually.The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-82006268669617909262009-07-13T10:40:32.865-04:002009-07-13T10:40:32.865-04:00Of course! We love to have special guests, especia...Of course! We love to have special guests, especially since you were with me when we went to the "original" Sansom St. OH a few years ago. Talk about a depressing atmosphere - sheesh.bakeet14https://www.blogger.com/profile/07561834750447911404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-51705533255663475722009-07-13T10:35:13.744-04:002009-07-13T10:35:13.744-04:00If you decide to go to the Oyster House for "...If you decide to go to the Oyster House for "o", I might invite myself along!marliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08018316125617515635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-89585338725424503502009-07-05T22:05:40.073-04:002009-07-05T22:05:40.073-04:00At first, I thought that after looking at the menu...At first, I thought that after looking at the menu that I was in for a disappointment. It was a very small and nothing sounded very good. Ugh..I wasn't sure what I wanted..actually my first thought was nothing..absolutely nothing. To be quite honest, I've been so bored with food and restaurants in general. Nothing excites me very much anymore. I go through these phases..it's not uncommon. I can never predict when it's going to happen, but when it does it stinks.<br />So Meme was a nice surprise. The waiter was nice. He looked like Dr. Mark Green on ER. He presented the menu like it something to pay attention to. For one of the first times, I paid attention to what was suggested and it paid off. I did have the best pork chop of my life..seriously. <br />Scott's duck was pretty good and I don't eat duck. I think we were both pleased and would recommend it to someone else. <br />Even my wine was good! Of course the company was the best part of the entire evening though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-6567386527725017972009-06-14T19:49:02.825-04:002009-06-14T19:49:02.825-04:00I liked the atmosphere because I love dining outsi...I liked the atmosphere because I love dining outside..but not at just any place though. Le Virtu put some thought into and didn't stick you out on the sidewalk. They had a lovely little patio..actually a rather large patio that was covered. I really liked..very relaxing. As for the food, I like the app that we got and I can't complain about my drink because it was a mixed drink..a gin and tonic, thank you very much. If I can't or don't recognize some of the wines, I go my summer back of a gin and tonic..and it was good (yes, you can actually mess up a gin and tonic) I do have correct what husband said..I DID NOT have bow tie pasta at all..not even close, but since he was so hungry he prob. didn't even notice my dish. My dish was called Pappardelle con Funghi e Tartufo Nero (house-made pasta): wide ribbon pasta with porcini and cremini mushrooms and black truffle.<br />It was fair..not outstanding flavor, but not horrible either. It looked better than Scott's dish. I did try a tiny bite of Scott's dish (I have an allergy to lamb) and wasn't impressed at all. <br />I would say that if you are looking to sit outside have some drinks and apps..it's not a bad idea, but don't invest in the entree. Besides..you make a nice dinner out of apps and drinks..don't knock it till you've tried it.<br />PS..I wasn't in the mood for dessert, but Scott wanted one so I picked one that seemed interesting. It was GROSS!The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-90898279879701556542009-06-02T20:02:29.178-04:002009-06-02T20:02:29.178-04:00Kanella was fair. I wasn't impressed and it didn't...Kanella was fair. I wasn't impressed and it didn't make me feel excited about eating out. The company (Scott)was the only thing good about it. The waiter was ok, the food was so/so, the atmosphere not good because we sat outside and right across from us was a loud bar. I was happy to be finished my meal and to get the heck out of there. I wouldn't go back..I want to be excited about going out to eat.The Wifenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-78053943344335984462009-06-02T14:06:57.798-04:002009-06-02T14:06:57.798-04:00I really don't like eggplant, either, and I always...I really don't like eggplant, either, and I always feel bad about it because everyone else seems to love it. Eh.<br /><br />Sounds like I might be glad we missed this...Greek is hit or miss for me, especially when I'm not in the mood for lamb.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07866892124972447118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438527540807301393.post-12333822473850713812009-05-20T22:23:59.685-04:002009-05-20T22:23:59.685-04:00I have so say that I don't get around to having ch...I have so say that I don't get around to having cheesesteaks for several reasons..I got sick to my stomach off of Jim's steaks..way too greasy and the other reason is the waist line. I'm thinking that I might be due for a cheesesteak soon, but it sounds like it will be another long wait since John's is only open during limited hours. I asked Scott to bring one home for me, but he said no :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com