This is the first time that I ran out of room talking about a restuarant, but I did want to mention the location.
2451 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55405-2605
(612) 374-8998
Make the trip it is worth the visit!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Rinata
Last night I went to Rinata with my fellow foodie PHM. To my surprise when I arrived PHM was sitting at the bar which is a little bit odd but I went along with the program and pulled up a chair.
The most enjoyable thing about sitting at the bar is being able to talk with the bartender and watch the making of the drinks and just various chit chat. More about this in a minute.
Rinata has a terrific deal on Sunday nights, a 4 course meal for $20.00...yes that's right only $20.00. If that is not enough there is a happy hour every day from 4:30 to 6, $3.00 drinks and appetizers.
We both tried the 4 course dinner and with the expertise of John were able to make the best selections. I started with the sausage and apples on to a caesar followed by fettuccine with clams, just a great choice. PHM had the olives, the caesar and the ziti,and I believe he is still raving about the whole meal. We both ended the meal with the chocolate ricotta cannoli, can you believe.
If you do make the visit start your meal with the Italian martini oh my it was delish.
Back to the bartender, little did we know that John is the owner of Rinata. He made sitting at the bar so enjoyable with comfortable conversation and little tidbits about other restaurants. After reading his bio I can understand the draw of neighborhood people to this place, especially on a snowy Sunday night, the place was quit crowded.
I look forward to many more visits to Rinata and enjoy each one the way I did last night.
The most enjoyable thing about sitting at the bar is being able to talk with the bartender and watch the making of the drinks and just various chit chat. More about this in a minute.
Rinata has a terrific deal on Sunday nights, a 4 course meal for $20.00...yes that's right only $20.00. If that is not enough there is a happy hour every day from 4:30 to 6, $3.00 drinks and appetizers.
We both tried the 4 course dinner and with the expertise of John were able to make the best selections. I started with the sausage and apples on to a caesar followed by fettuccine with clams, just a great choice. PHM had the olives, the caesar and the ziti,and I believe he is still raving about the whole meal. We both ended the meal with the chocolate ricotta cannoli, can you believe.
If you do make the visit start your meal with the Italian martini oh my it was delish.
Back to the bartender, little did we know that John is the owner of Rinata. He made sitting at the bar so enjoyable with comfortable conversation and little tidbits about other restaurants. After reading his bio I can understand the draw of neighborhood people to this place, especially on a snowy Sunday night, the place was quit crowded.
I look forward to many more visits to Rinata and enjoy each one the way I did last night.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
BLVD (the second time)
I went back to Blvd for a second visit but this time for lunch, yes i know this went against my rule...no second visit.
As with the first visit the wait staff could not be nicer, great attitude, but that is where it ends.
My visit was mainly to have the Lobster Mac@Cheese which was just heavenly as i remembered it. I specifically asked the waiter if the mac was still the same recipe as when it opened and was told they made a few changes but assured me it was the same. I went so far as to describe the chunks of lobster and again assured it was the same.
The dish arrived and lets just say I could have spent my lunch hour looking for the lobster. Chunks have been reduced to shreds.
Please go back to the original recipe it was heavenly. It does not pay to skimp!
I tried to post my comments on the BLVD website but for some reason it was not accepted. I wonder if they are just accepting compliments and the rest go my the way side...One can only wonder
TTFN
As with the first visit the wait staff could not be nicer, great attitude, but that is where it ends.
My visit was mainly to have the Lobster Mac@Cheese which was just heavenly as i remembered it. I specifically asked the waiter if the mac was still the same recipe as when it opened and was told they made a few changes but assured me it was the same. I went so far as to describe the chunks of lobster and again assured it was the same.
The dish arrived and lets just say I could have spent my lunch hour looking for the lobster. Chunks have been reduced to shreds.
Please go back to the original recipe it was heavenly. It does not pay to skimp!
I tried to post my comments on the BLVD website but for some reason it was not accepted. I wonder if they are just accepting compliments and the rest go my the way side...One can only wonder
TTFN
Sunday, November 7, 2010
39 Steps/Sea Change
I went to see The 39 Steps, at the Guthrie on Thursday night. Since this was a movie by Alfred Hitchcock at one time, I was not sure how it would translate to a play. I can't say that I ever laughed at a Hitchcock movie but the play is a slapstick comedy performed by a cast of just four. Last word if you can get to see, do not miss.
Pre-theater (I always wanted to say that) was spent at Sea Change. Since I was there fist I seated myself at the bar to wait the arrival of PHM. I started with my favorite....Lemon Drop done to perfection. While I am waiting my mind wanders to Where are we going to eat tonight..boy was I in for a surprise. Phm arrives and it is Lemons Drops for both. It is approaching time to think about food...my question...any idea where you would like to eat...that is when the menus for Sea Change was requested. I know better then to get my hopes up but it was a step in the right direction. Decision made, we are going to stay at the bar (excitement abounds).
After perusing the menu the decision was made, I ordered the fish and chips and my fellow foodie ordered the pork sandwich. Granted the fish and chips is not the humongous plate that you might get at Brits, it was more an appetizer portion, but good. The pork sandwich was more substantial but the one request I heard...where's the sauce. With the food over still time for another little something. The bartender, named Daniel came over with many suggestions but it was decided that Daniel would come up with an original creation. Oh Yeah, delish...
I am now ready to sit for 2 hours and watch anything they decide to put on the stage.
Ta Ta for now!!!
Pre-theater (I always wanted to say that) was spent at Sea Change. Since I was there fist I seated myself at the bar to wait the arrival of PHM. I started with my favorite....Lemon Drop done to perfection. While I am waiting my mind wanders to Where are we going to eat tonight..boy was I in for a surprise. Phm arrives and it is Lemons Drops for both. It is approaching time to think about food...my question...any idea where you would like to eat...that is when the menus for Sea Change was requested. I know better then to get my hopes up but it was a step in the right direction. Decision made, we are going to stay at the bar (excitement abounds).
After perusing the menu the decision was made, I ordered the fish and chips and my fellow foodie ordered the pork sandwich. Granted the fish and chips is not the humongous plate that you might get at Brits, it was more an appetizer portion, but good. The pork sandwich was more substantial but the one request I heard...where's the sauce. With the food over still time for another little something. The bartender, named Daniel came over with many suggestions but it was decided that Daniel would come up with an original creation. Oh Yeah, delish...
I am now ready to sit for 2 hours and watch anything they decide to put on the stage.
Ta Ta for now!!!
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Bloomington ChopHouse
Last Saturday I along with PHM took advantage of a Groupon Deal for the Bloomington ChopHouse. Not sure if expectations were high or just did not know what to expect, but when you can have $60.00 worth of food for $25.00 you call that a deal.
The interior is very pretty, but it is unfortunate that when you go for lunch on a Saturday you can only eat in the bar. The bartender told us that business is not as good on weekends as it is during the week, so they close the restaurant for lunch. The menu online is a bit different then what you will see when you sit down and ready to order. Again, according to the bartender they are making adjustments and updates all over.
It is unfortunate that when you go to an American restaurant, that the menus range only around burgers, salads and maybe brunch i.e eggs etc. It is sad that somebody cannot come up with something a little bit more original or add a little more of a selection. This being a steak house why not add a steak sandwich or a small fillet, I am sure the prices would not fluctuate by much. We ordered the burger, which was OK but again nothing special. I also ordered the mac and cheese that was supposed to have lobster in it but as much as I searched I could not find a piece or junk, what I did find was shreds.
There was a minor little mishap when I wanted to pay with my Groupon coupon. I printed out the wrong section so when I handed it to the bartender he told me that this is not what they usually accept. I managed to stay calm and asked to see the manager. I was sure that the bartender did not know what he was talking about. Christian Heldstab came over and showed me what they need to be able to process and it was not what I presented. Christian was so patient and much to my surprise realized that I did make the purchase and told me to email him the number. By no means did I think that I was going to leave this restaurant with our paying, but Christian handled the situation. I could blame all of this on old age but prefer to say it is a pitfall of multitasking or not paying attention.
Granted The Bloomington ChopHouse might by good for dinner but I am sure that I will never go back to find out.
Bloomington ChopHouse
Located within the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington
3900 American Blvd West
Bloomington, MN 55437
952.830.5200
The interior is very pretty, but it is unfortunate that when you go for lunch on a Saturday you can only eat in the bar. The bartender told us that business is not as good on weekends as it is during the week, so they close the restaurant for lunch. The menu online is a bit different then what you will see when you sit down and ready to order. Again, according to the bartender they are making adjustments and updates all over.
It is unfortunate that when you go to an American restaurant, that the menus range only around burgers, salads and maybe brunch i.e eggs etc. It is sad that somebody cannot come up with something a little bit more original or add a little more of a selection. This being a steak house why not add a steak sandwich or a small fillet, I am sure the prices would not fluctuate by much. We ordered the burger, which was OK but again nothing special. I also ordered the mac and cheese that was supposed to have lobster in it but as much as I searched I could not find a piece or junk, what I did find was shreds.
There was a minor little mishap when I wanted to pay with my Groupon coupon. I printed out the wrong section so when I handed it to the bartender he told me that this is not what they usually accept. I managed to stay calm and asked to see the manager. I was sure that the bartender did not know what he was talking about. Christian Heldstab came over and showed me what they need to be able to process and it was not what I presented. Christian was so patient and much to my surprise realized that I did make the purchase and told me to email him the number. By no means did I think that I was going to leave this restaurant with our paying, but Christian handled the situation. I could blame all of this on old age but prefer to say it is a pitfall of multitasking or not paying attention.
Granted The Bloomington ChopHouse might by good for dinner but I am sure that I will never go back to find out.
Bloomington ChopHouse
Located within the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington
3900 American Blvd West
Bloomington, MN 55437
952.830.5200
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