Every once in a while it pays to go back to a place that you have been before, and last night that visit took me to Il Gatto.
I was extremely pleased to find that the Happy Hour has been extended out to the part of the restaurant by the window, instead of just to the small bar...this to me is a big plus.
The biggest surprise of all is when I found out that Tim McKee is now in the kitchen of Il Gatto. I could hardly contain myself as he walked around the restaurant many times talking with the patrons and just watching the whole scene. Yes, I am a name dropper and to this I will take bragging rights.
Oh yes lest we forget the food! My dining companion ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. I ordered the special which was a 10" pizza with a glass of wine can you believe $10.00...such a deal.
Not a noodle was to be found on my friends plate which is always a good sign. I love pizza and had no trouble finishing. Yeah, no weight watchers yet.
Our server found out that my friend is expecting a baby...and to add to the celebration a wonderful ice cream dessert appeared at out table...what a surprise! (how did she know I just adore ice cream)
I kind of new that Il Gatto had potential and now I'm certain of the fact. Yes this will not be my last trip, I have the feeling that this will be one of my go to restaurants when I want something good, not to expensive and comfortable. This might break my rule...never the same restaurant twice, but what the hey, rules are made to be broken.
Well till next time or the next feeding frenzy...ta ta
Calhoun Square
3001 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Tel: 612-822-1688
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Minnesota State Fair
I know this post is a little bit late, but better late then never.
The day was beautiful not very hot, just perfect. Needless to say going to a fair with friends is the best. Taking the bus is a treat in itself.
Lets get to the food! Once you get inside the gates its a free for all...lots and lots of people, the smell of every food imaginable on a stick, and miles to walk to get to it. But a burger it was, but here is the twist, garlic french fries. There was so much garlic, you could scare a vampire away for days, if necessary. The best part of this tasty treat was sitting in a building that had karaoke. I know you are scratching your head by now and I did the same, actually I wanted to cry out..take me away. The entertainment was not bad, there are actually some pretty talented people out there and had the courage to get up and show it off.
OK, after all of this I need something sweet (if only I could have a martini). Over to the chocolate covered waffles topped with whipped cream and sprinkles..how in the world can you put this on a stick. It was delish, yummy, terrific!
OK, gang back on the bus we can worry about our clogged arteries tomorrow.
Can't wait for next year!
The day was beautiful not very hot, just perfect. Needless to say going to a fair with friends is the best. Taking the bus is a treat in itself.
Lets get to the food! Once you get inside the gates its a free for all...lots and lots of people, the smell of every food imaginable on a stick, and miles to walk to get to it. But a burger it was, but here is the twist, garlic french fries. There was so much garlic, you could scare a vampire away for days, if necessary. The best part of this tasty treat was sitting in a building that had karaoke. I know you are scratching your head by now and I did the same, actually I wanted to cry out..take me away. The entertainment was not bad, there are actually some pretty talented people out there and had the courage to get up and show it off.
OK, after all of this I need something sweet (if only I could have a martini). Over to the chocolate covered waffles topped with whipped cream and sprinkles..how in the world can you put this on a stick. It was delish, yummy, terrific!
OK, gang back on the bus we can worry about our clogged arteries tomorrow.
Can't wait for next year!
Pizza Luce/Hopkins
One more restaurant to visit...why...because when friends get together, what do they do, they eat or drink or both.
Went to Pizza Luce in Hopkins, which is open maybe about 2 weeks. My immediate complaint, we were seated by the hostess, she left us with menus, but that is where the service ended. After about 5 minutes sitting in a restaurant that was not very busy I had to go over to the bartender and ask if anybody was waiting on the tables in the bar? After about 2 minutes a very lovely waitress came over, and the service was good from there on.
We started with an appetizer of Artichoke Dip, all I can say is somebody went wild with the Miracle Whip...Yuck. My friend said he was there during the week and tried the olive tapenade and was disappointed with that also.
Pizza Luce is noted for there pizzas serving several varieties, all sounding quite good. We decided to have the Maximus since it had everything you could think of as a topping, everything except some seasonings. I am sorry to say this pizza was bland and that is hard to believe. To me the best pizzas are at Crave, Buco and Broders, they encompass everything a pizza should be and they do it well.
People make mention of the Happy Hour and the $3.00 wines, not to sound overly critically, that is all they were worth.
I guess you can tell by now this is not a place that I will be going back too.
Just as well the weekend ended on this note, I wanted to start a fast anyway!
Just in case Pizza Luce is located at
210 North Blake Road
Hopkins, Mn
(952) 767-0854
Went to Pizza Luce in Hopkins, which is open maybe about 2 weeks. My immediate complaint, we were seated by the hostess, she left us with menus, but that is where the service ended. After about 5 minutes sitting in a restaurant that was not very busy I had to go over to the bartender and ask if anybody was waiting on the tables in the bar? After about 2 minutes a very lovely waitress came over, and the service was good from there on.
We started with an appetizer of Artichoke Dip, all I can say is somebody went wild with the Miracle Whip...Yuck. My friend said he was there during the week and tried the olive tapenade and was disappointed with that also.
Pizza Luce is noted for there pizzas serving several varieties, all sounding quite good. We decided to have the Maximus since it had everything you could think of as a topping, everything except some seasonings. I am sorry to say this pizza was bland and that is hard to believe. To me the best pizzas are at Crave, Buco and Broders, they encompass everything a pizza should be and they do it well.
People make mention of the Happy Hour and the $3.00 wines, not to sound overly critically, that is all they were worth.
I guess you can tell by now this is not a place that I will be going back too.
Just as well the weekend ended on this note, I wanted to start a fast anyway!
Just in case Pizza Luce is located at
210 North Blake Road
Hopkins, Mn
(952) 767-0854
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Part 2 Another Wine Tasting
Since the day was still young, why not try another winery...OK lets go.
On to Waconia to the Parley Lake Winery and Deardorff Orchards & Vineyards. From listening to conversations around me this was the 1st anniversary, opening last year on September 4th. Again the same premise $5.00 for your choice of 4 out of 6 tastings and best part you get to keep the glass..Yippee!
What I liked about this place beside the wines, is that you could take your tasting, go outside walk around or go to the little store selling various apples and then come back for your next tasting. Must admit there wines were much better then Woodland Hill. For just being open for a year they were doing a great business. The best of my 4 pics was the Frontenac Rosso which is their gold medal winner, the worst was the Syrah which is a California grape trucked in and crushed at Parley.
The day is not over yet, on to the Island View Golf and Country Club. The last stop to top off a great day. One must end the day with an appetizer and a drink, just in case you have not had enough during the day.
Again a lovely way to spend a Saturday during the Fall and not too expensive!
My last comment...another day like today I will be on the road for a new liver or can somebody point me in the direction of AA or maybe Hazelden!!!!!!
Parley Lake Winery
8350 Parley Lake Rd.
Waconia, MN 55387
(952)442-2290
On to Waconia to the Parley Lake Winery and Deardorff Orchards & Vineyards. From listening to conversations around me this was the 1st anniversary, opening last year on September 4th. Again the same premise $5.00 for your choice of 4 out of 6 tastings and best part you get to keep the glass..Yippee!
What I liked about this place beside the wines, is that you could take your tasting, go outside walk around or go to the little store selling various apples and then come back for your next tasting. Must admit there wines were much better then Woodland Hill. For just being open for a year they were doing a great business. The best of my 4 pics was the Frontenac Rosso which is their gold medal winner, the worst was the Syrah which is a California grape trucked in and crushed at Parley.
The day is not over yet, on to the Island View Golf and Country Club. The last stop to top off a great day. One must end the day with an appetizer and a drink, just in case you have not had enough during the day.
Again a lovely way to spend a Saturday during the Fall and not too expensive!
My last comment...another day like today I will be on the road for a new liver or can somebody point me in the direction of AA or maybe Hazelden!!!!!!
Parley Lake Winery
8350 Parley Lake Rd.
Waconia, MN 55387
(952)442-2290
Wine Tasting...A Beautiful Day
Everybody should have a day like yesterday...great weather, good company and lots of wine.
My excursion took me first to Delano which is about 45 minutes from Minneapolis, just a beautiful drive through the rolling hills, with some trees just starting to turn colors. Needless to say after 45 minutes of sitting in a car, one would like a little sustenance. Park the car walk the 3 blocks of Delano and decided on a place called Three Crows On River Street. I am not usually at a lose for words to describe a place but this one leaves me speechless. It was a throw back to old times, neighbors getting together..let me explain..the music was loud but where was it coming from? upon further investigation it looks like a group of musicians got together on a Saturday morning for a jam session. There were about 8 people with various instruments playing and singing there little hearts out.
Let's get to the important stuff THE FOOD. You had your choice of breakfast served till 2 or lunch that started at 11..everything sounded great. Both PHM and I decided on their sandwiches..his a panini with artichoke and parmesan cheese...PHM commented this is so good I am going to try it at home..guess that speaks for itself. I chose the Ruben (not having great expectations), but I must admit quite tasty with the best part being the cheddar cheese...delish. Just goes to show, you can't judge everything by first impression.
On to the Woodland Hill Winery which might be the first on the Minnesota Wine Trail. The cost to sample their wines is $5.00 for 7 tastings, in addition you could also purchase a glass of wine for $5.00. Yesterday we were lucky enough to watch the stomping of the grapes...How many people remember the old I Love Lucy segment with Lucy stomping the grapes..This was nothing like that. We did the tastings not sure I liked their wines but I did find one that would be suitable for a glass to take outside to watch people stomp the grapes in a Tupperware barrel. All in all, a beautiful day + going to a new place, what could be better, would certainly recommend this as a day trip to everybody, unless of course you don't drink wine!
Woodland Hill Winery Three Crows
731 County Road 30SE 225 River St N
Delano, MN 55328-9319 Delano, MN 55328
My excursion took me first to Delano which is about 45 minutes from Minneapolis, just a beautiful drive through the rolling hills, with some trees just starting to turn colors. Needless to say after 45 minutes of sitting in a car, one would like a little sustenance. Park the car walk the 3 blocks of Delano and decided on a place called Three Crows On River Street. I am not usually at a lose for words to describe a place but this one leaves me speechless. It was a throw back to old times, neighbors getting together..let me explain..the music was loud but where was it coming from? upon further investigation it looks like a group of musicians got together on a Saturday morning for a jam session. There were about 8 people with various instruments playing and singing there little hearts out.
Let's get to the important stuff THE FOOD. You had your choice of breakfast served till 2 or lunch that started at 11..everything sounded great. Both PHM and I decided on their sandwiches..his a panini with artichoke and parmesan cheese...PHM commented this is so good I am going to try it at home..guess that speaks for itself. I chose the Ruben (not having great expectations), but I must admit quite tasty with the best part being the cheddar cheese...delish. Just goes to show, you can't judge everything by first impression.
On to the Woodland Hill Winery which might be the first on the Minnesota Wine Trail. The cost to sample their wines is $5.00 for 7 tastings, in addition you could also purchase a glass of wine for $5.00. Yesterday we were lucky enough to watch the stomping of the grapes...How many people remember the old I Love Lucy segment with Lucy stomping the grapes..This was nothing like that. We did the tastings not sure I liked their wines but I did find one that would be suitable for a glass to take outside to watch people stomp the grapes in a Tupperware barrel. All in all, a beautiful day + going to a new place, what could be better, would certainly recommend this as a day trip to everybody, unless of course you don't drink wine!
Woodland Hill Winery Three Crows
731 County Road 30SE 225 River St N
Delano, MN 55328-9319 Delano, MN 55328
Monday, September 6, 2010
Rojo Another New Restaurant in the West End
Yes another visit to the West End...What can I say, when a new restaurant opens I want to be there first. Not only to be the first but when I can do it for lunch that makes me a happy camper.
Rojo is open just about a week and from the sounds of it they are still fine tuning the menu. The service was good, friendly and attentive but not to the point of hovering. There was no problem or attitude when we asked many questions about the menu, especially a rundown of the different Margaritas.
So, let me start by saying the Rojo Margarita was delish! My next visit I would like to try the Strawberry Jalapeno Margarita sounds just yummy. While sipping on our Margarita's we were served warm chips and salsa. For the main course PHM chose the Black Chile which consisted of cubed pork with a Pasilla sauce. I order the shredded chicken Chimichanga. Both dishes were served with rice, but not just any rice the flavor was simply sweet and tasteful. I will admit I am not much of a fan for Mexican food but the flavors were so delightful I wanted to lick the plate.
I very rarely ever go back to the same restaurant twice but I might make the exception for Rojo.
Rojo is located at
1602 West End Boulevard
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
When one is at the West End a visit to Love Culture is a must. The prices are unbelievable. My favorite is the costume jewelry...granted it will only last for a season but with these prices...who cares. Love Culture is located on the next block from Rojo...a definite must.
I would like to see more stores open in this area or else it is going to become an up scale food court.
The day does not stop there. A drive through the back roads to Excelsior and then a stop in Wayzata is a definite must. While in Wayzata stop at Sunsets for a beer or glass of wine to talk over the events of the day or solve world affairs. No matter what you talk about it is a wonderful way to end a fun filled day!
Rojo is open just about a week and from the sounds of it they are still fine tuning the menu. The service was good, friendly and attentive but not to the point of hovering. There was no problem or attitude when we asked many questions about the menu, especially a rundown of the different Margaritas.
So, let me start by saying the Rojo Margarita was delish! My next visit I would like to try the Strawberry Jalapeno Margarita sounds just yummy. While sipping on our Margarita's we were served warm chips and salsa. For the main course PHM chose the Black Chile which consisted of cubed pork with a Pasilla sauce. I order the shredded chicken Chimichanga. Both dishes were served with rice, but not just any rice the flavor was simply sweet and tasteful. I will admit I am not much of a fan for Mexican food but the flavors were so delightful I wanted to lick the plate.
I very rarely ever go back to the same restaurant twice but I might make the exception for Rojo.
Rojo is located at
1602 West End Boulevard
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
When one is at the West End a visit to Love Culture is a must. The prices are unbelievable. My favorite is the costume jewelry...granted it will only last for a season but with these prices...who cares. Love Culture is located on the next block from Rojo...a definite must.
I would like to see more stores open in this area or else it is going to become an up scale food court.
The day does not stop there. A drive through the back roads to Excelsior and then a stop in Wayzata is a definite must. While in Wayzata stop at Sunsets for a beer or glass of wine to talk over the events of the day or solve world affairs. No matter what you talk about it is a wonderful way to end a fun filled day!
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