betsygee

Hell's Kitchen is wonderful in my opinion for bfast ... haven't been there for lunch. I believe they do use sauces quite a bit, though, which may be a 'mayo' type issue for you. This would be a hike from the Hyatt, as it's "north" on Hennepin, over Washington, on (bascially) the corner of 3rd NORTH and Washington (across from the Monte Carlo, down the street from the Hyatt), but I strongly recommend Moose and Sadie's for bfast and/or lunch. It used to be a coffee house, now has been rehabbed into a marvelous light, organic, but not "too-too" place for excellent coffee and amazing food. The chef is from a noted cafe in So. Minnie ... and her food is truly amazing. Last week the offererings ranged from their usual pizzas to a Nori and brown rice/spinach lunch plate. Great! For typical bfast food, I'm wondering if there is still a Key's on Nicollet? For lunch, Masa on Nicollet is wonderful, fairly high-test but recognizable Mexican ... great flair! Have fun going native! -B

Hi Everyone: I started this post and have fallen off the wagon in checking back! Sorry to hear about Oceanaire, but yeah, to me it's always felt like a 'better for a one-time, big-bang, big-buck' visitor. I never did get to Nochee that night ... but ended up at Babalu instead, where I've now gone twice. I like that place! even though the service is 'iffy'. You have to like LOUD but the food in general is always right on. Five of us met for my niece's 31st birthday and had a blast between the mojitos and the wine list and the amazing appetizers. We ordered 3 main courses and about 6 of the appetizers and honestly, could have fed about 12 people. Crazy! The black beans rock (as they should) and the speciality dishes were all good ... shredded pork assemblies, the fish options, the 'stew' options ... whoa. Great for the price and the music/atmosphere. And it's nice to have something that different in Minnie (in my opinion). I've also been adoring the burgers at Joe's Garage lately! Honestly, they're the best I've had (except for the Fugaisse burger) for over a year ... the 'rueben burger' is my fave with that great lil' 'kraut sauce on top. YUM. In NE, I'm still diggin the fish-n-chips at Whitey's; and lunch at Fugaisse (for whatever reason, I always have a better experience at lunch there). Fugaisse, actually, is EPIC. Really ... absolutely ever morsel I've had there is perfect and tasteful and artful and different (but oolala, the art on the wall hurts me). The Sample Room has a better wine list finally ... so I get there about once/month now again and although I can't deal with eating at Nye's anymore ... their drinks still rock my world. That's it for now ... I have GOT to get to Alma!

I was just in Phoenix for work and had two epic experiences to note (and I was so surprised ... I just didn't realize P had so much goin' on with foodies!). #1 was Quiessence (www.thefarmatsouthmountain.com OR www.quiessencerestaurant.com). WHOA! $28 cab ride to get there but worth every cent. It was a rainy night (yeah! in Phoenix!) so we couldn't see the entire layout, but it's a charming farmhouse/restaurant set-up with healthy, hand-grown (not organic per 'rules' but absolutely no bunk added!) food served in luxuriously detailed presentation. The server was fabulous, the hostess gracious, the setting a farmhouse-type place (by SW standards, not Midwest) in a charming garden with tresses, hideaways, and quaint paths. The wine list was impressive and affordable but not "too-too", the little taster course was tantalizing, the gnocchi made me want to cry! with joy, and the chicken (petite) was ... well, indescribable! I think between my amazement as 'lucking out and finding it' and my joy at being served portions that were just right of flavors that made me smile constantly ... I'd have to say it was yes ... perfect. Loved every bite and second of the night! #2 was Camus in the hotel where I stayed. Who KNEW a place in a hotel would/could be this great? I stopped in for a simple meal and ended up with a meal EXPERIENCE! starting with their Mexican Martini ... so smooth, so chilled, so perfect! and a meal of their pear, pecan, bleu salad (a typical salad, but my gosh! they did it beyond the norm) which had perfectly crisped field greens, with a spicy/carmelized/toasted pecan crumble and a bleu cheese sprinkle that was a fine, and perfect quantity addition. The dressing was a simple glaze of flavor ... amazing. The main course was just a sandwich (again, remember, I'm thinking it's a basic hotel restaurant!) of braised pulled beef with melted brie on a sourdough baguette ... wonderful! the meat was so tender and the flavor so balanced. A side of pomme frites with a dip of amazing aioli made me so happy! and it was accompanied by a glass of Spanish red wine that was smooth, peppery, and a perfect temp. The service was epic, friendly, but also 'clear' about things ... and because I couldn't resist the dessert, but wanted to bring it up to my room, they made me a little caramel cup that held a pistachio creme brulee. OHMY! What a great few days to be 'on the road' for work!

Hi: Thought I'd start a topic to check back with regarding notes on various TC area restaurants. It's hard to weed through the Chicago posts all the time as I miss those options significantly! So ... to start ... anyone familiar with Nochee for their food? I've heard the atmosphere is fun, but worth it for dinner, too? Thanks!

I haven't dined there, so am happy to read your thoughts on the place. I've met one of the owners at my job once, and he was a wonderful, kind hearted person ... food from the soul of a good person can't be bad! -Betsy

Hi: When I lived downtown Chicago, I loved to hop the train and/or bus and head up to Wicker Park to go to: Blue Fin, 1952 W. North Ave. (near Damen), 773-394-7373, & check out metromix.com They'd often have amazingly fresh tuna options ... sometimes $$ but always great. The service is fun and lighthearted, the menu explanatory, the sushi chefs cool to watch. The atmosphere is more, as the reviews say, 'date-like' but I never knew what that really meant. I usually went alone and had a fine time. Music is contemporary ... all around a fun atmosphere for fantastic sushi (there's a great martini special there during the week, too). Have a great time; I miss living there a lot! -Betsy