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This restaurant was the first stop on my mother's 70th birthday celebration weekend for 11 people. We chose this restaurant for lunch because we were going to be checking in at the resort later in the day.
There were good things about the food, such as the Black and White Soup, which was a mix of black bean and potato leek soup. They put them side by side in the bowl and somehow they manage to stay separated.
The people that ordered burgers were pleased with them. A couple of us ordered the Chicken Cordon Gouda which was grilled checken breast, ham, smoked gouda, lettuce, tomato and a roasted garlic spread on marbled rye bread. I noticed how dry the whole thing as soon as I took my first bite. I immediately asked the server for more garlic spread, hoping that would help, but by the time she came with it, I was done!
All in all the food was okay, it's what happened with the tip that was not. We didn't realize until we got home that the tip was already included in the bill, so we had also tipped on top of that. We called the manager as soon as we realized and they said it was their company policy to highlight or circle the tip so it's obvious. This was not done, so they refunded the automatic tip and the tip we left. We are very happy about the way they handled this; they did what was right.
www.eagleridgeresortonline.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
Chancery - Kenosha, WI - ONE REQUEST
Grilled Chicken Breast!
We enjoy eating here for a lower cost alternative, but it's really hard to find something healthy to order. I'd like to eat healthy and still be able to eat out. I know you have fish and it's usually very good, but please consider adding a grilled chicken breast! Sometimes I'm not so adventurous about ordering fish.
We enjoy eating here for a lower cost alternative, but it's really hard to find something healthy to order. I'd like to eat healthy and still be able to eat out. I know you have fish and it's usually very good, but please consider adding a grilled chicken breast! Sometimes I'm not so adventurous about ordering fish.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Molly Cool's Seafood Tavern - Milwaukee, WI
We had to be in Milwaukee and wanted seafood, so we searched Open Table and came across this restaurant. I had never heard anything about it before, but the menu was just what we were looking for. Lately we seem to be choosing restaurants from Open Table; we are obsessed with earning points.
The first impression of the restaurant is very nice, except it was $5 to park right in front of the restaurant and for that $5 you have to park your own car!
The server first tried to seat us in the area with all the TV monitors, but we asked to be moved. The TV free section is very nice and a totally different atmosphere.
We first learned that it was "2 for 1" Happy Hour for rail and call cocktails, tap beer and house wine. We all ordered the wine. The waiter brought us each two glasses at the same time. At first I didn't like that idea (thought I would drink it too fast), but we were three people, so how else could it have worked? The house wine is very reasonably priced, so this was a great deal!
We each ordered an appetizer and shared. We had Fried Green Tomatoes with a remoulade sauce, PEI Mussels in a champagne cream sauce and Today's Razzle Dazzle Ceviche.
The tomatoes and mussels were excellent, but the ceviche was barely edible. First I should have asked what "Today's" meant and I probably would not have ordered it. I like ceviche made from lobster and shrimp plus lots of tomatoes and cilantro. This was basically fish pieces in a tomato based sauce (very watery) and that's basically it. No onions, tomatoes or cilantro. I believe what I like is Mexican ceviche; maybe this was some other version.
We were here on Thursday night which is Crab Lover's Thursday. You can get 1-1/2 lbs. of Red King Crab Legs for $19.95. What a deal! Especially when you see how much 1-1/2 lbs really is. We dine at Bob Chinn's a lot and their crab legs run between $35 and $50 for about the same amount. They started charging a premium for getting the crab legs without the knuckles, which just drives my husband crazy. It's not that he's totally against paying $50 for crab legs without the knuckles, but if you order the cheaper ones, all you get is knuckles. (Note to Bob: please bring back the price with the combination of both).
Our guest has also had crab legs at Bob Chinn's may times and he was very pleased with these crab legs and the quantity he got. He was actually surprised that they were as good as Bob Chinn's, maybe not as big, but tasted just as great.
My husband got the Florida Stuffed Grouper with shrimp, crawfish & brie cheese served with garlic mashed potatoes. He loved it. I had a taste too and it was unbelievably good.
I ordered the Parmesan Horseradish Crusted Halibut served with mashed potatoes, asparagus and stone ground mustard beurre blanc sauce. I was worried about the sauce, but the mustard was very mild and actually the sauce was very good. I loved my choice, but I think I would have to choose the grouper next time.
Besides the great service Ben gave us, the best part of this meal was the price. For 3 people (12 glasses of wine) the total before the tip was only $127. You can't beat that and it makes paying $5 for parking much more palatable.
Can't wait to return. There is so much more to try - Lobster Lovers Sunday (1-1/4 lb lobster for $19.95) and many more appetizers.
http://www.mollycools.com/milwaukee/index.html
The first impression of the restaurant is very nice, except it was $5 to park right in front of the restaurant and for that $5 you have to park your own car!
The server first tried to seat us in the area with all the TV monitors, but we asked to be moved. The TV free section is very nice and a totally different atmosphere.
We first learned that it was "2 for 1" Happy Hour for rail and call cocktails, tap beer and house wine. We all ordered the wine. The waiter brought us each two glasses at the same time. At first I didn't like that idea (thought I would drink it too fast), but we were three people, so how else could it have worked? The house wine is very reasonably priced, so this was a great deal!
We each ordered an appetizer and shared. We had Fried Green Tomatoes with a remoulade sauce, PEI Mussels in a champagne cream sauce and Today's Razzle Dazzle Ceviche.
The tomatoes and mussels were excellent, but the ceviche was barely edible. First I should have asked what "Today's" meant and I probably would not have ordered it. I like ceviche made from lobster and shrimp plus lots of tomatoes and cilantro. This was basically fish pieces in a tomato based sauce (very watery) and that's basically it. No onions, tomatoes or cilantro. I believe what I like is Mexican ceviche; maybe this was some other version.
We were here on Thursday night which is Crab Lover's Thursday. You can get 1-1/2 lbs. of Red King Crab Legs for $19.95. What a deal! Especially when you see how much 1-1/2 lbs really is. We dine at Bob Chinn's a lot and their crab legs run between $35 and $50 for about the same amount. They started charging a premium for getting the crab legs without the knuckles, which just drives my husband crazy. It's not that he's totally against paying $50 for crab legs without the knuckles, but if you order the cheaper ones, all you get is knuckles. (Note to Bob: please bring back the price with the combination of both).
Our guest has also had crab legs at Bob Chinn's may times and he was very pleased with these crab legs and the quantity he got. He was actually surprised that they were as good as Bob Chinn's, maybe not as big, but tasted just as great.
My husband got the Florida Stuffed Grouper with shrimp, crawfish & brie cheese served with garlic mashed potatoes. He loved it. I had a taste too and it was unbelievably good.
I ordered the Parmesan Horseradish Crusted Halibut served with mashed potatoes, asparagus and stone ground mustard beurre blanc sauce. I was worried about the sauce, but the mustard was very mild and actually the sauce was very good. I loved my choice, but I think I would have to choose the grouper next time.
Besides the great service Ben gave us, the best part of this meal was the price. For 3 people (12 glasses of wine) the total before the tip was only $127. You can't beat that and it makes paying $5 for parking much more palatable.
Can't wait to return. There is so much more to try - Lobster Lovers Sunday (1-1/4 lb lobster for $19.95) and many more appetizers.
http://www.mollycools.com/milwaukee/index.html
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wine Knot - Kenosha, WI
First, let me start by saying we really do like this restaurant, just for the fact that they try to stay a little creative, but they are just not consistent enough with the quality of their food. Not just that, but many times what you actually get doesn't necessarily match what's on the menu. I don't mind a change, but the server should let you know about the change when you order.
We ate here over the summer and sat outside. It was a very nice experience and we had no complaints that day, but this particular day was terrible.
I ordered the Half Portion Caesar Salad. I forgot that I've ordered this before and really do not like it. The dressing is very bland and doesn't remind me of any type of caesar I've ever tasted before.
My husband got the crab cake, which we have had many times before. It was a little over-cooked, but no where near as bad as the rest of the meal.
For entrees my husband got the Cajun Monkfish Oscar, which is served with crawfish tails and hollandaise sauce, dirty rice and asparagus. I got the Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut served with roasted red potatoes, asparagus, lemon infused beurre blanc topped with crispy capers.
First we were quite surprised when our server put down the two plates in front of us. Mine was a good-sized portion of halibut and you could barely see the monkfish on my husband's plate. We both looked at each other in disbelief. In both entrees, the fish was ok. In other words, it was not fishy. That's always a first step for me, because I'm very choosy where I order fish from. There are some places I would never dream of ordering fish from. I've always trusted Wine Knot for fish and I've never been disappointed. The problem was not the fish, but all the sides. My roasted potatoes tasted as if they were days old and were reheated in the microwave. They were actually disgusting. The asparagus were basically raw. My husband's dirty rice also tasted as if it were reheated. It was so dry, it was barely edible. And this was a Friday night! You would expect the turnover would be such that fresh ingredients would be used - no need to reheat. Not that there is ever an excuse for reheating.
So, this tells me that the quality has really gone down. I think that's the beginning of the end.
Eventually people catch on. Will we give it another chance? Not sure. Too bad.
www.wine-knot.com
We ate here over the summer and sat outside. It was a very nice experience and we had no complaints that day, but this particular day was terrible.
I ordered the Half Portion Caesar Salad. I forgot that I've ordered this before and really do not like it. The dressing is very bland and doesn't remind me of any type of caesar I've ever tasted before.
My husband got the crab cake, which we have had many times before. It was a little over-cooked, but no where near as bad as the rest of the meal.
For entrees my husband got the Cajun Monkfish Oscar, which is served with crawfish tails and hollandaise sauce, dirty rice and asparagus. I got the Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut served with roasted red potatoes, asparagus, lemon infused beurre blanc topped with crispy capers.
First we were quite surprised when our server put down the two plates in front of us. Mine was a good-sized portion of halibut and you could barely see the monkfish on my husband's plate. We both looked at each other in disbelief. In both entrees, the fish was ok. In other words, it was not fishy. That's always a first step for me, because I'm very choosy where I order fish from. There are some places I would never dream of ordering fish from. I've always trusted Wine Knot for fish and I've never been disappointed. The problem was not the fish, but all the sides. My roasted potatoes tasted as if they were days old and were reheated in the microwave. They were actually disgusting. The asparagus were basically raw. My husband's dirty rice also tasted as if it were reheated. It was so dry, it was barely edible. And this was a Friday night! You would expect the turnover would be such that fresh ingredients would be used - no need to reheat. Not that there is ever an excuse for reheating.
So, this tells me that the quality has really gone down. I think that's the beginning of the end.
Eventually people catch on. Will we give it another chance? Not sure. Too bad.
www.wine-knot.com
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wildfire - Lincolnshire, IL
We have been to this Lettuce Entertain You restaurant many times over the year. 99% of our visits have been positive, so that's pretty good. This visit was no exception.
We made reservations through Open Table, which is just about the greatest way to make, modify and cancel reservations. I just wish every restaurant used this system.
We were three people and got seated in one of the u-shaped booths, which are my favorite. The restaurant is always so busy that I hate sitting out in the middle of the room in a regular table. It's better to be off in a corner.
We started by sharing their Spinach Salad, which I always have to have whether I'm here for dinner or lunch. It's a combination of spinach, bacon, mushrooms, radishes, eggs and a warm mustard dressing, which they toss right at the table.
I had the halibut special, which was served with a buerre blanc sauce. The fish was a good-sized portion and prepared perfectly. I chose wild rice for my side and it went well with the fish.
My husband had the Trio of Beef special, which I believe they have had everytime we've been there the last several years. I normally get this, but I was trying to make a healthier choice. This is three filets (3 oz each I believe) and you can get your choice of topping, such as a horseradish crust, mushroom, blue cheese, bernaise sauce and a few others.
One thing you can't pass up when you dine here is dessert. They all look so good when they bring you the platter and they are HUGE. My favorite is a big chocolate cookie pie served warm with ice cream on top. It's unbelievable.
Other than Lincolnshire, there are locations in Chicago, Oak Brook, Glenview, Schaumburg and one in Minnesota, Georgia and Virginia. When is Kenosha going to get a restaurant like this????
http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/lincolnshire/menus
We made reservations through Open Table, which is just about the greatest way to make, modify and cancel reservations. I just wish every restaurant used this system.
We were three people and got seated in one of the u-shaped booths, which are my favorite. The restaurant is always so busy that I hate sitting out in the middle of the room in a regular table. It's better to be off in a corner.
We started by sharing their Spinach Salad, which I always have to have whether I'm here for dinner or lunch. It's a combination of spinach, bacon, mushrooms, radishes, eggs and a warm mustard dressing, which they toss right at the table.
I had the halibut special, which was served with a buerre blanc sauce. The fish was a good-sized portion and prepared perfectly. I chose wild rice for my side and it went well with the fish.
My husband had the Trio of Beef special, which I believe they have had everytime we've been there the last several years. I normally get this, but I was trying to make a healthier choice. This is three filets (3 oz each I believe) and you can get your choice of topping, such as a horseradish crust, mushroom, blue cheese, bernaise sauce and a few others.
One thing you can't pass up when you dine here is dessert. They all look so good when they bring you the platter and they are HUGE. My favorite is a big chocolate cookie pie served warm with ice cream on top. It's unbelievable.
Other than Lincolnshire, there are locations in Chicago, Oak Brook, Glenview, Schaumburg and one in Minnesota, Georgia and Virginia. When is Kenosha going to get a restaurant like this????
http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/lincolnshire/menus
Thursday, September 10, 2009
David's Bistro - Antioch, IL
One day I was driving through downtown Antioch and noticed this restaurant, which I had never noticed before. Maybe it was the tables set up for outdoor dining that caught my eye. Either way, I was excited! A new restaurant to try. I immediately got on their website, which is very nice, and saw what they had for dinner. It seems that David owned this restaurant for a while, but I'm a little unclear as to what the name was.
The food looked very interesting, a little more creative than normal, so we decided to go there for dinner the following Sunday night.
There are two sides to the restaurant -one side is very bright and the other side has more subdued lighting and just has a more romantic atmosphere. We were disappointed that we were put on the "bright" side. Next time we will insist on the other side.
There are many choices for appetizers, which are very reasonably priced. For example a Crab Cake is $5.99 and a Ahi Tuna Martini is $6.99. We started with a Bacon Scallop Puff Martini, also only $6.99 and it was very good.
For my entree I had the Shrimp and Lobster Newburg (served over sticky rice with a madeira wine cream sauce). This was priced at $19.99, which I think is a reasonable price. The servings are not huge, but it was satisfying.
My husband had Lamb Chops (crusted with pine nuts and pecans with a tarragon cream sauce) also priced at $19.99. He's not a huge fan of nuts, but did enjoy this dish.
For a Sunday night, they were surprisingly busy. And because of this I thought the service suffered a little.
All in all it was a good experience and we will definitely be going back soon.
http://www.davidsbistro.com/
The food looked very interesting, a little more creative than normal, so we decided to go there for dinner the following Sunday night.
There are two sides to the restaurant -one side is very bright and the other side has more subdued lighting and just has a more romantic atmosphere. We were disappointed that we were put on the "bright" side. Next time we will insist on the other side.
There are many choices for appetizers, which are very reasonably priced. For example a Crab Cake is $5.99 and a Ahi Tuna Martini is $6.99. We started with a Bacon Scallop Puff Martini, also only $6.99 and it was very good.
For my entree I had the Shrimp and Lobster Newburg (served over sticky rice with a madeira wine cream sauce). This was priced at $19.99, which I think is a reasonable price. The servings are not huge, but it was satisfying.
My husband had Lamb Chops (crusted with pine nuts and pecans with a tarragon cream sauce) also priced at $19.99. He's not a huge fan of nuts, but did enjoy this dish.
For a Sunday night, they were surprisingly busy. And because of this I thought the service suffered a little.
All in all it was a good experience and we will definitely be going back soon.
http://www.davidsbistro.com/
Friday, September 4, 2009
Whistling Swan - Door County - Fish Creek, WI
This inn & restaurant is located in the heart of Fish Creek. We have dined here many times before, but we have never stayed at the inn. It's a charming building.
The menu is not huge, but is is very creative.
We started with Angus Beef Potstickers serviced with a sweet chili dipping sauce. They were pretty good, but did not really exhibit the creativity we've come to expect.
For entrees, we both chose fish. There are two fish items on the regular menu. My husband had the Andouille Encrusted Escolar and I had the Grilled Sturgeon.
You don't find sturgeon very often and the two or three times I have had it, I really liked the taste and texture of the fish. I just did not like it this time. Maybe it was the cut, but it seemed darker in color than I remember. It was served with a sweet potato blini, heirloom tomato, purple broccoli, dill creme fraiche and osetra caviar. The blini was the best part of the dish! The sauce was pretty good, there was not enough to help mask the taste of the fish.
I tasted the Escolar and it was outstanding. The andouille crust was not spicy at all. It was served with a corn, pepper and yukon potato succotash, chive aioli and a red hot butter sauce. My husband really liked a lot.
When we visit Door County I always say that I'm going to have dessert at least one time during our week-long trip. Bread pudding is my favorite dessert and as it always happens, it's not on the menu at many places, so I end up choosing a dessert at the last restaurant we visit before we go home.
So, here we are again, at dinner the last evening and what do you know? They have bread pudding! Unfortunately, it was Huckleberry Bread Pudding with peaches, nectarines and ice wine sabayon. The bread pudding itself was okay, but the peaches and nectarines were too big and not soft enough for my taste. Oh well, there is always next year.
www.whistlingswan.com
The menu is not huge, but is is very creative.
We started with Angus Beef Potstickers serviced with a sweet chili dipping sauce. They were pretty good, but did not really exhibit the creativity we've come to expect.
For entrees, we both chose fish. There are two fish items on the regular menu. My husband had the Andouille Encrusted Escolar and I had the Grilled Sturgeon.
You don't find sturgeon very often and the two or three times I have had it, I really liked the taste and texture of the fish. I just did not like it this time. Maybe it was the cut, but it seemed darker in color than I remember. It was served with a sweet potato blini, heirloom tomato, purple broccoli, dill creme fraiche and osetra caviar. The blini was the best part of the dish! The sauce was pretty good, there was not enough to help mask the taste of the fish.
I tasted the Escolar and it was outstanding. The andouille crust was not spicy at all. It was served with a corn, pepper and yukon potato succotash, chive aioli and a red hot butter sauce. My husband really liked a lot.
When we visit Door County I always say that I'm going to have dessert at least one time during our week-long trip. Bread pudding is my favorite dessert and as it always happens, it's not on the menu at many places, so I end up choosing a dessert at the last restaurant we visit before we go home.
So, here we are again, at dinner the last evening and what do you know? They have bread pudding! Unfortunately, it was Huckleberry Bread Pudding with peaches, nectarines and ice wine sabayon. The bread pudding itself was okay, but the peaches and nectarines were too big and not soft enough for my taste. Oh well, there is always next year.
www.whistlingswan.com
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