Date of dining experience: May 29, 2019
Place: The Tattooed Dog
Location: 11 Wentzville Bluffs Dr. #109 in Wentzville, MO
Appetizer: Soft Pretzels and Beer Cheese ($7) - The perfect way to start any meal in a burger bar or dive pub.
Entree: Benedicto Burger ($12) - Fried egg, bacon, yellow American cheese, roasted garlic aioli, and spring greens, served on a pretzel bun. If a burger at a restaurant has a fried egg on it, sign me up! The only criticism I could say at all about this restaurant is that the roasted garlic aioli does not have very much flavor.
Beer: A bottle of Elysian Space Dust IPA. It really surprised me that they did not have an IPA on draft, but a bottle is just fine.
This places markets themselves as "upscale dive grub" and they do not disappoint. The food was amazing, especially the fries. They come out piping hot because they are made fresh when you order them. I will definitely be back. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Happy Valley Brewery - State College, PA
Date of dining experience: May 24, 2019
Place: Happy Valley Brewing Company
Location: 137 Elmwood St. in State College, PA
Entree: Chop Shop ($25) - 14 oz. center-cut, wood-grilled French Berkshire pork chop with balsamic BBQ sauce, served with macaroni and cheese and haricots verts. This was one of the best pork dishes I have ever had. It was so tender and juicy at the restaurant (but did not heat up well). The macaroni and cheese was amazing! However, the haricots verts were soggy and bland. I little bit of salt helped them a lot. There are many other dishes to try, but I would have this again because the pork was perfect and the BBQ sauce used was exceptional.
Extra Side: Bacon-Sauteed Brussels - An absolutely delicious side dish! Next time I will substitute this for the haricots verts, even if there is a charge for it.
Beers: Whatever Floats Your Goat (New England Pale Ale) and Flying Hooves (English IPA). Both were very good and very drinkable.
Overall, I will return to this restaurant. It's a little dark for my liking, but sitting at the bar might be better than at one of the tables on the far wall. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: Happy Valley Brewing Company
Location: 137 Elmwood St. in State College, PA
Entree: Chop Shop ($25) - 14 oz. center-cut, wood-grilled French Berkshire pork chop with balsamic BBQ sauce, served with macaroni and cheese and haricots verts. This was one of the best pork dishes I have ever had. It was so tender and juicy at the restaurant (but did not heat up well). The macaroni and cheese was amazing! However, the haricots verts were soggy and bland. I little bit of salt helped them a lot. There are many other dishes to try, but I would have this again because the pork was perfect and the BBQ sauce used was exceptional.
Extra Side: Bacon-Sauteed Brussels - An absolutely delicious side dish! Next time I will substitute this for the haricots verts, even if there is a charge for it.
Beers: Whatever Floats Your Goat (New England Pale Ale) and Flying Hooves (English IPA). Both were very good and very drinkable.
Overall, I will return to this restaurant. It's a little dark for my liking, but sitting at the bar might be better than at one of the tables on the far wall. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Saturday, May 18, 2019
The Common Loon - Orono, ME
Date of dining experience: May 16, 2019
Place: The Common Loon Public House
Location: 36 Main St. in Orono, ME
Appetizer 1: Scotch Egg ($4) - A hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, then lightly breaded and fried, served with Worcestershire sauce. This was not the worst I have had, but definitely not the best. The egg was a little overdone and the sausage used had no flavor. This was also the first time I have had one with Worcestershire sauce instead of a grainy mustard, which was different. I didn't mind it, it just wasn't what I was expecting.
Appetizer 2: Fried Brussels Sprouts ($8) - Exactly as the name says, served with a spicy maple aioli. I really liked the larger pieces of this dish, but there were not many of them. The Brussels sprouts used were very small, so it was more like eating a crunchy salad. I think if large Brussels sprouts had been used they would have stayed together better in the fryer. The sauce was great.
Entree: Pub Burger ($8) - A grass-fed beef patty with cheddar and pickles, served with fries. This was one of the best burgers I have eaten in a long time, and the bun was awesome. I usually don't get burgers at restaurants because so many people screw up burgers, plus there are usually many different better options. There were not a lot of options at all at this place.
Beers: I had many different local brews, as well as an old standard not regularly available. I started with a delicious Gearhead Ale from Black Bear Brewery, which was sort of a light Scotch ale or darker red ale. Then I went through a series of tastings with more hops: Phoenix IPA (New England-style) from Marsh Island Brewing, Tubular IPA (New England-style) from Orono Brewing Company, and Post Ride Snack (a session IPA) from Maine Beer Company. All of them were very good, and the Phoenix IPA was especially drinkable. I ended the night with an Old Speckled Hen (ESB-style) from Greene King in England.
Had I been alone, I probably would not have chosen this place, mostly because I was in Maine and they did not serve any dishes with lobster. However, I was with a group of people. We had great conversations, watched some hockey, and tasted many different fantastic beers. If I ever make it back here I will be sure to try one of their brick oven pizzas, which is probably what they are most known for. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: The Common Loon Public House
Location: 36 Main St. in Orono, ME
Appetizer 1: Scotch Egg ($4) - A hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage, then lightly breaded and fried, served with Worcestershire sauce. This was not the worst I have had, but definitely not the best. The egg was a little overdone and the sausage used had no flavor. This was also the first time I have had one with Worcestershire sauce instead of a grainy mustard, which was different. I didn't mind it, it just wasn't what I was expecting.
Appetizer 2: Fried Brussels Sprouts ($8) - Exactly as the name says, served with a spicy maple aioli. I really liked the larger pieces of this dish, but there were not many of them. The Brussels sprouts used were very small, so it was more like eating a crunchy salad. I think if large Brussels sprouts had been used they would have stayed together better in the fryer. The sauce was great.
Entree: Pub Burger ($8) - A grass-fed beef patty with cheddar and pickles, served with fries. This was one of the best burgers I have eaten in a long time, and the bun was awesome. I usually don't get burgers at restaurants because so many people screw up burgers, plus there are usually many different better options. There were not a lot of options at all at this place.
Beers: I had many different local brews, as well as an old standard not regularly available. I started with a delicious Gearhead Ale from Black Bear Brewery, which was sort of a light Scotch ale or darker red ale. Then I went through a series of tastings with more hops: Phoenix IPA (New England-style) from Marsh Island Brewing, Tubular IPA (New England-style) from Orono Brewing Company, and Post Ride Snack (a session IPA) from Maine Beer Company. All of them were very good, and the Phoenix IPA was especially drinkable. I ended the night with an Old Speckled Hen (ESB-style) from Greene King in England.
Had I been alone, I probably would not have chosen this place, mostly because I was in Maine and they did not serve any dishes with lobster. However, I was with a group of people. We had great conversations, watched some hockey, and tasted many different fantastic beers. If I ever make it back here I will be sure to try one of their brick oven pizzas, which is probably what they are most known for. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Monday, May 13, 2019
Atlas - Corning, NY
Date of dining experience: May 11, 2019
Place: Atlas Brick Oven Pizzeria
Location: 35 E. Market St. in Corning, NY
Appetizer: Garlic Bread Sticks ($4.95) - Baked fresh with garlic butter and served with a side of marinara. A standard item for a pizza place, but theirs were really good and appeared to be made of pizza dough.
Entree: Audry and I split a couple of small premium pizzas ($9.95 each). The Prosciutto Basil - tomato sauce, prosciutto, sauteed green peppers, garlic, fresh basil, Asiago, and their own cheese blend - was my favorite of the two. You can't go wrong with some ham and peppers, but add on basil and garlic and you have a wonderful mix of flavors. The other pizza, the Roasted Garlic - extra virgin olive oil, fresh roasted garlic, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese - was also good. However, though I keep trying sun-dried tomatoes in dishes, I really think they make dishes too sweet and detract from the flavors of the other items. If I was to order the Roasted Garlic pizza again, I would order it with tomato sauce in place of the sun-dried tomatoes. I think it would make the flavors of the feta cheese and fresh roasted garlic pop a little more.
Beer: A old standard, Magic Hat #9. Delicious and smooth, as always.
Overall, I would try this place again. As far as pizza goes, it's pretty good, especially for a smaller operation. As I mentioned above, there is one thing I would change about one of the pizzas, but that is just my personal preference. You are free to think whatever you want about sun-dried tomatoes. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: Atlas Brick Oven Pizzeria
Location: 35 E. Market St. in Corning, NY
Appetizer: Garlic Bread Sticks ($4.95) - Baked fresh with garlic butter and served with a side of marinara. A standard item for a pizza place, but theirs were really good and appeared to be made of pizza dough.
Entree: Audry and I split a couple of small premium pizzas ($9.95 each). The Prosciutto Basil - tomato sauce, prosciutto, sauteed green peppers, garlic, fresh basil, Asiago, and their own cheese blend - was my favorite of the two. You can't go wrong with some ham and peppers, but add on basil and garlic and you have a wonderful mix of flavors. The other pizza, the Roasted Garlic - extra virgin olive oil, fresh roasted garlic, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese - was also good. However, though I keep trying sun-dried tomatoes in dishes, I really think they make dishes too sweet and detract from the flavors of the other items. If I was to order the Roasted Garlic pizza again, I would order it with tomato sauce in place of the sun-dried tomatoes. I think it would make the flavors of the feta cheese and fresh roasted garlic pop a little more.
Beer: A old standard, Magic Hat #9. Delicious and smooth, as always.
Overall, I would try this place again. As far as pizza goes, it's pretty good, especially for a smaller operation. As I mentioned above, there is one thing I would change about one of the pizzas, but that is just my personal preference. You are free to think whatever you want about sun-dried tomatoes. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Lento - Rochester, NY
Date of dining experience: May 10, 2019
Place: Lento
Location: 274 Goodman St. N. in Rochester, NY
Appetizer: Cheese plate of Dulcinea, Chevre, and smoked Gouda, all from New York state, with bread. We also ordered a couple fried cheese-stuffed olives that came with a delicious hazelnut anchoiade. By now you know I don't discriminate when it comes to cheese, but the hazelnut spread went exceptionally well with the Chevre. Of course, liking the Chevre the most is probably due to my preference of soft cheeses over hard ones.
Entree: Hand Made Potato Gnocchi ($24) - Grilled and sliced chicken, broccoli, crimini mushrooms, San Marzano tomato sauce, basil, and Italian cheeses. I could not have asked for a better dish to pair with my wine. I have noticed that I do like to order items made in-house, whether that be entrees, salad dressings, or any other item. This dish is definitely a must-try.
Wine: I started with a quartino of a delicious Malbec from Argentina, then moved to a quartino of a lighter Super Tuscan with the appetizers before ending on a wonderful glass of Grenache from Spain. A beautiful sampling of some great dry reds.
I highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in Rochester, but be sure to plan ahead as getting a table can be hard and they might also reserve spaces at the bar. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: Lento
Location: 274 Goodman St. N. in Rochester, NY
Appetizer: Cheese plate of Dulcinea, Chevre, and smoked Gouda, all from New York state, with bread. We also ordered a couple fried cheese-stuffed olives that came with a delicious hazelnut anchoiade. By now you know I don't discriminate when it comes to cheese, but the hazelnut spread went exceptionally well with the Chevre. Of course, liking the Chevre the most is probably due to my preference of soft cheeses over hard ones.
Entree: Hand Made Potato Gnocchi ($24) - Grilled and sliced chicken, broccoli, crimini mushrooms, San Marzano tomato sauce, basil, and Italian cheeses. I could not have asked for a better dish to pair with my wine. I have noticed that I do like to order items made in-house, whether that be entrees, salad dressings, or any other item. This dish is definitely a must-try.
Wine: I started with a quartino of a delicious Malbec from Argentina, then moved to a quartino of a lighter Super Tuscan with the appetizers before ending on a wonderful glass of Grenache from Spain. A beautiful sampling of some great dry reds.
I highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in Rochester, but be sure to plan ahead as getting a table can be hard and they might also reserve spaces at the bar. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Friday, April 12, 2019
Chowder Pot - Hartford, CT
Date of dining experience: April 11, 2019
Place: U.S.S. Chowder Pot IV
Location: 165 Brainard Rd. in Hartford, CT
Salad: A very nice Caesar salad.
Entree: A perfectly prepared, and surprisingly large, piece of barramundi, served with delicious tomato basil rice. The flavors of everything went very well together, especially when a lemon slice was squeezed over the fish.
Beers: Hanging Hills New England IPA and Naughty Nurse Amber Ale, both of which were very delicious and just what I was looking for.
This was a great experience! I sat at the bar, which I love, especially for lunch, because it is a much more laid back experience. I will definitely be returning to this restaurant when I am back in the area in about a month. I just hope the barramundi is available again as it was a lunch special and not on the regular menu. I highly recommend this place. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: U.S.S. Chowder Pot IV
Location: 165 Brainard Rd. in Hartford, CT
Salad: A very nice Caesar salad.
Entree: A perfectly prepared, and surprisingly large, piece of barramundi, served with delicious tomato basil rice. The flavors of everything went very well together, especially when a lemon slice was squeezed over the fish.
Beers: Hanging Hills New England IPA and Naughty Nurse Amber Ale, both of which were very delicious and just what I was looking for.
This was a great experience! I sat at the bar, which I love, especially for lunch, because it is a much more laid back experience. I will definitely be returning to this restaurant when I am back in the area in about a month. I just hope the barramundi is available again as it was a lunch special and not on the regular menu. I highly recommend this place. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Monday, April 8, 2019
Terra - New York, NY
Date of dining experience: April 6, 2019
Place: Terra Winebar and Cicchetti
Location: 222 W. Broadway in New York, NY
Salad: Cesare ($14) - Caesar salad with Parmesan, anchovies, and garlic. An absolutely perfect salad. Good anchovies really make a great Caesar salad, and there is no such thing as a great Caesar salad with anchovies!
Paste Entree: Orecchiette Salsiccia Rapini ($16) - A delicious pasta with Italian sausage, garlic, and broccoli rabe. While this was very good, I would have liked it even more if it had some sort of sauce with it.
Wine: A very good Chianti.
Overall, the food was great. The atmosphere was good as we were out on the sidewalk patio, but the service was a little lacking. It seemed as though they were under-staffed for the evening and it took us forever to order after being told the specials. There were a lot of people who arrived at the same time, so I understand being a little slow. The food and atmosphere were so good, I will definitely eat here again. I just hope the service is a little better the next time. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: Terra Winebar and Cicchetti
Location: 222 W. Broadway in New York, NY
Salad: Cesare ($14) - Caesar salad with Parmesan, anchovies, and garlic. An absolutely perfect salad. Good anchovies really make a great Caesar salad, and there is no such thing as a great Caesar salad with anchovies!
Paste Entree: Orecchiette Salsiccia Rapini ($16) - A delicious pasta with Italian sausage, garlic, and broccoli rabe. While this was very good, I would have liked it even more if it had some sort of sauce with it.
Wine: A very good Chianti.
Overall, the food was great. The atmosphere was good as we were out on the sidewalk patio, but the service was a little lacking. It seemed as though they were under-staffed for the evening and it took us forever to order after being told the specials. There were a lot of people who arrived at the same time, so I understand being a little slow. The food and atmosphere were so good, I will definitely eat here again. I just hope the service is a little better the next time. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Webster's - State College, PA
Date of dining experience: March 22, 2019
Place: Webster's Bookstore Cafe
Location: 133 E. Beaver Ave. in State College, PA
Meal: Pesto Eggs ($8) - Scrambled eggs with turmeric and garlic powder topped with basil pesto and provolone on a bed of locally grown greens, flanked by pickled red onions and avocado slices, and drizzled with spicy Thai-hini. This was an absolutely delicious and creative way to serve eggs!
Coffe: A great cup of simple, black coffee!
The atmosphere of Webster's is amazing. You walk in to see what appears to be an old bookstore. I never would have guessed their food and coffee were so good! The tables are off to side near a little stage area. I will definitely be returning here, especially if they have a performance of some kind. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: Webster's Bookstore Cafe
Location: 133 E. Beaver Ave. in State College, PA
Meal: Pesto Eggs ($8) - Scrambled eggs with turmeric and garlic powder topped with basil pesto and provolone on a bed of locally grown greens, flanked by pickled red onions and avocado slices, and drizzled with spicy Thai-hini. This was an absolutely delicious and creative way to serve eggs!
Coffe: A great cup of simple, black coffee!
The atmosphere of Webster's is amazing. You walk in to see what appears to be an old bookstore. I never would have guessed their food and coffee were so good! The tables are off to side near a little stage area. I will definitely be returning here, especially if they have a performance of some kind. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Smokey Bones - Pittsburgh, PA
Date of dining experience: March 20, 2019
Place: Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill
Location: 1030 Pittsburgh Mills Blvd. in Tarentum, PA
Entree: Morning Glory Burger - A 1/2-lb. medium rare burger with American cheese, bacon, chipotle ketchup, fried egg, and pickles. One of my favorite burgers anywhere that offers it! My only pseudo-complaint was that the egg was entirely cooked. I like for the yolk to be a little runny when I bite into it. It adds so much more flavor to the overall experience, especially with a burger that has a perfectly pink middle.
Sides: Natural Cut Fries and Big Cheese Macaroni - The fries were really good; piping hot and just the right amount of crunch. The macaroni was okay, but not worth the price as an ultra premium side item.
Beer: Bones Brew - A really nice amber ale that drinks more like a lager; very light, but with a pretty good flavor.
Overall, I would recommend trying this place out. I would eat here again and try some more of their BBQ-type items and house-made baked beans. They also have a ton of specialty cocktails that looked very intriguing, but I wasn't in the mood for that type of drink after driving three hours. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill
Location: 1030 Pittsburgh Mills Blvd. in Tarentum, PA
Entree: Morning Glory Burger - A 1/2-lb. medium rare burger with American cheese, bacon, chipotle ketchup, fried egg, and pickles. One of my favorite burgers anywhere that offers it! My only pseudo-complaint was that the egg was entirely cooked. I like for the yolk to be a little runny when I bite into it. It adds so much more flavor to the overall experience, especially with a burger that has a perfectly pink middle.
Sides: Natural Cut Fries and Big Cheese Macaroni - The fries were really good; piping hot and just the right amount of crunch. The macaroni was okay, but not worth the price as an ultra premium side item.
Beer: Bones Brew - A really nice amber ale that drinks more like a lager; very light, but with a pretty good flavor.
Overall, I would recommend trying this place out. I would eat here again and try some more of their BBQ-type items and house-made baked beans. They also have a ton of specialty cocktails that looked very intriguing, but I wasn't in the mood for that type of drink after driving three hours. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Tattered Flag Brewery - Harrisburg, PA
Date of dining experience: March 5, 2019
Place: Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works
Location: 1 S. Union St. in Middletown, PA
Appetizer 1: Squeaky Cheese ($9) - Breaded Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds served with Tattered Flag vodka sauce. These were very good and the vodka sauce was even better!
Appetizer 2: Brewers Nacho Basket ($10) - Tri-color corn tortillas topped with beer cheese, beer-braised pork, tomato, green onion, and sour cream. This is always a delicious dish, but don't let it sit too long as the chips can get quite soggy.
Taco Tuesday: Chicken Taco ($2) - Honestly, one of the best tacos I have ever eaten! It was so simple, yet so good. The shredded chicken was fresh, tender, and very flavorful. Top it with just a little bit of lettuce and cheese, served with a few chips and some salsa and sour cream, and you have a great taco! Audry had the fish taco and said it was very good as well, even though it was a bit spicy.
Entree: Alligator Gumbo - This dish was on the featured menu, so you better hurry in if you want to try it! While not quite as spicy as I would have liked for a gumbo to be, it was still very tasty and really hit the spot for a New Orleans Fat Tuesday type of meal.
Draft Beer Samples (not in any specific order) - My top three favorites in order are #5, #8, and #1:
Live Music: Bourbon Street Band - Being Fat Tuesday, the brewery had a live New Orleans style band and plenty of Mardi Gras decorations. The music was very good, but this is also my favorite style of music, so there may be a little bias there. To top it off, the singer did a really good Louis Armstrong impression at times. I would definitely listen to this band again!
Reason for Going: Audry and I decided to go here over our spring break to participate in the Paint Night, where you are lead through the process of painting a piece of art. We used the company Yaymaker and our painting was called "Tranquility and Balance On A Rainy Day." It was such a fun experience that we will definitely be doing it again, so I highly recommend trying out one for yourself! We decided to go early to have dinner at the same place beforehand and are very glad we did!
This was an amazing dining experience with everything you would hope for with a night out. It had live music, a fun atmosphere, excellent service, great food, plenty of draft beer options, a very enjoyable experience in the Paint Night, etc. I highly recommend both this location and participating in a Paint Night, especially if you have never done one and would like to try something new. Whether you try one or both, let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works
Location: 1 S. Union St. in Middletown, PA
Appetizer 1: Squeaky Cheese ($9) - Breaded Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds served with Tattered Flag vodka sauce. These were very good and the vodka sauce was even better!
Appetizer 2: Brewers Nacho Basket ($10) - Tri-color corn tortillas topped with beer cheese, beer-braised pork, tomato, green onion, and sour cream. This is always a delicious dish, but don't let it sit too long as the chips can get quite soggy.
Taco Tuesday: Chicken Taco ($2) - Honestly, one of the best tacos I have ever eaten! It was so simple, yet so good. The shredded chicken was fresh, tender, and very flavorful. Top it with just a little bit of lettuce and cheese, served with a few chips and some salsa and sour cream, and you have a great taco! Audry had the fish taco and said it was very good as well, even though it was a bit spicy.
Entree: Alligator Gumbo - This dish was on the featured menu, so you better hurry in if you want to try it! While not quite as spicy as I would have liked for a gumbo to be, it was still very tasty and really hit the spot for a New Orleans Fat Tuesday type of meal.
Draft Beer Samples (not in any specific order) - My top three favorites in order are #5, #8, and #1:
- Tattered Flag Because I Was Inverted (Mango) - IPA - Milkshake - 6.6% ABV
This beer was conditioned with 300 pounds of mangoes and loads of Tahitian vanilla beans. - Tattered Flag Teutonic Knight Hefeweizen - Hefeweizen - 5.4% ABV
Unfiltered and hazy with heavy notes of banana balance well with the Hallertau and Tettnang hops. - Tattered Flag Silent Professional - Charlie - IPA - New England - 8.2% ABV
A complex IPA hopped aggressively with simcoe and ekuanot. - Tattered Flag Fatum Blackberry Lactose Sour - Sour - Fruited - 6.1% ABV
This lactose sour ale has 300 pounds of blackberries added to it. - Tattered Flag Alive Day (2019) - IPA - American - 6.5% ABV
Hopped with Idaho 7 and Denali, this NEIPA has a hint of vanilla from the Tahitian vanilla beans it was conditioned upon. - Tattered Flag Blue Raider Kolsch - Kolsch - 5.2% ABV
This golden color German ale is designed to be easy drinking. This Kolsch has a touch of Huell Melon hops for a crisp, clean finish. - Tattered Flag TMI PA - IPA - American - 6.5% ABV
IPA, generously hopped with Falconers Flight hops. Juicy, dank, hoppy, awesome. - MIX: Half #5 and half #1 - Very delicious!
I'm really glad they allowed me to mix two beers. The vanilla bean IPA mixed very well with the fruity mango IPA milkshake.
Live Music: Bourbon Street Band - Being Fat Tuesday, the brewery had a live New Orleans style band and plenty of Mardi Gras decorations. The music was very good, but this is also my favorite style of music, so there may be a little bias there. To top it off, the singer did a really good Louis Armstrong impression at times. I would definitely listen to this band again!
Reason for Going: Audry and I decided to go here over our spring break to participate in the Paint Night, where you are lead through the process of painting a piece of art. We used the company Yaymaker and our painting was called "Tranquility and Balance On A Rainy Day." It was such a fun experience that we will definitely be doing it again, so I highly recommend trying out one for yourself! We decided to go early to have dinner at the same place beforehand and are very glad we did!
This was an amazing dining experience with everything you would hope for with a night out. It had live music, a fun atmosphere, excellent service, great food, plenty of draft beer options, a very enjoyable experience in the Paint Night, etc. I highly recommend both this location and participating in a Paint Night, especially if you have never done one and would like to try something new. Whether you try one or both, let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Monday, January 28, 2019
Jean Louis - Pittsburgh, PA
Date of dining experience: January 23, 2019
Place: Jean Louis
Location: 3271 W. Liberty Ave. in Pittsburgh, PA
Appetizer: Salade Nicoise (the original from the Riviera) - Olives, tuna, potatoes, jidori egg, green beans, and anchovies tossed in a delicious dressing!
Entree: Sea Bass (special) - Perfectly charred cut of fish served on a bed of spinach with kalamata olives. A very delicious meal for any fish lover!
Sides: Epinards a la Creme (creamed baby spinach) and Chou-Fleur de Bruxelles (Brussels sprouts) - both perfectly prepared and just the right flavors to accompany a nice piece of sea bass.
Wine: A delicious bottle of Italian Sauvignon Blanc.
Dessert: Cheese tray - Four select cheeses with dried fruits, nuts, and honeycomb as accompaniments. The perfect way to end an excellent meal!
I simply cannot say enough good things about Jean Louis! It is also the perfect place to go if you are looking for a place with expertly-crafted cocktails. I will definitely be making more visits to this restaurant. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: Jean Louis
Location: 3271 W. Liberty Ave. in Pittsburgh, PA
Appetizer: Salade Nicoise (the original from the Riviera) - Olives, tuna, potatoes, jidori egg, green beans, and anchovies tossed in a delicious dressing!
Entree: Sea Bass (special) - Perfectly charred cut of fish served on a bed of spinach with kalamata olives. A very delicious meal for any fish lover!
Sides: Epinards a la Creme (creamed baby spinach) and Chou-Fleur de Bruxelles (Brussels sprouts) - both perfectly prepared and just the right flavors to accompany a nice piece of sea bass.
Wine: A delicious bottle of Italian Sauvignon Blanc.
Dessert: Cheese tray - Four select cheeses with dried fruits, nuts, and honeycomb as accompaniments. The perfect way to end an excellent meal!
I simply cannot say enough good things about Jean Louis! It is also the perfect place to go if you are looking for a place with expertly-crafted cocktails. I will definitely be making more visits to this restaurant. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
HQ Southern BBQ - Evansville, WY
Date of dining experience: January 20, 2019
Place: HQ Southern BBQ
Location: 70 Curtis St. in Evansville, WY
Appetizer: Some very tasty cornbread was brought out while waiting for the entree.
Entree: The Sunday Special ($17) - Pulled pork and brisket with a choice of sauce (I chose wet) and two sides. While the zucchini fries were wonderful, the mac and cheese was amazing. It was so good that I ordered a second side of it!
This restaurant happened to be within walking distance of my hotel, but I had already checked it out when looking for local food options earlier in the day. A nice couple who gave me a ride from the airport to my hotel also recommended I eat here and that I had to try the mac and cheese. They were not wrong as it was probably the best mac and cheese I have ever eaten. Should I ever find myself in this area again, I will be returning! Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Place: HQ Southern BBQ
Location: 70 Curtis St. in Evansville, WY
Appetizer: Some very tasty cornbread was brought out while waiting for the entree.
Entree: The Sunday Special ($17) - Pulled pork and brisket with a choice of sauce (I chose wet) and two sides. While the zucchini fries were wonderful, the mac and cheese was amazing. It was so good that I ordered a second side of it!
This restaurant happened to be within walking distance of my hotel, but I had already checked it out when looking for local food options earlier in the day. A nice couple who gave me a ride from the airport to my hotel also recommended I eat here and that I had to try the mac and cheese. They were not wrong as it was probably the best mac and cheese I have ever eaten. Should I ever find myself in this area again, I will be returning! Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Little Szechuan - State College, PA
Date of dining experience: December 28, 2018
Place: Little Szechuan
Location: 228 W. College Ave. in State College, PA
Appetizer: Vegetable Spring Rolls ($1.29 each) - A perfect starter for any meal, each served with a duo of sauces.
Entrees: Audry split a few excellent items, served with rice:
Place: Little Szechuan
Location: 228 W. College Ave. in State College, PA
Appetizer: Vegetable Spring Rolls ($1.29 each) - A perfect starter for any meal, each served with a duo of sauces.
Entrees: Audry split a few excellent items, served with rice:
- House Spicy Chicken ($13.50) - A delicious dish, served with just the right amount of flavor from the spices and oils.
- Roast Duck Chinatown Style ($15.99) - Half a duck, bone in, perfectly prepared with a wonderful crispy skin.
- Plate of spinach sauteed with garlic and shallots
Drink: Hot Green Tea - A great beverage for any meal!
This was my first time eating at the actual restaurant, though I have eaten Little Szechuan as takeout before. I must say that the food is much better at the restaurant, but that is probably true of all takeout establishments. The atmosphere is also wonderful, which you completely miss out on otherwise. I will be returning here for future meals. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Duffy's Tavern - Boalsburg, PA
Date of dining experience: December 27, 2018
Place: Duffy's Boalsburg Tavern
Location: 113 E. Main St. in Boalsburg, PA
Appetizer: Smoked Salmon Bruschetta ($13) - goat cheese, capers, olive oil, and balsamic reduction. This was a delicious take on the classic bagel and lox breakfast item I love so much.
Entree: Swordfish ($25) - served in a wonderful mustard cream sauce with rice pilaf and green beans. This dish is probably one of my favorite ways to prepare swordfish. The fish itself is really easy to overcook, and once you do it's over, but they prepared it perfectly. I was a little worried that the mustard sauce, prepared using a grainy dijon, would be overbearing, but it was not! It was just the right amount of mustard flavor to keep the fish interesting with each bite, and just the right texture to pair perfectly with swordfish.
Wine: A very nice, light Syrah that paired pretty well with the appetizer and swordfish, as well as Audry's entree of duck breast.
Dessert: Cranberry White Chocolate Bread Pudding - Wow! The flavor was perfect and not too sweet. It also paired really well with Audry's dessert, which was the trio of creme brulee (vanilla bean, lavendar, and chocolate).
I was very impressed by the atmosphere and quality of food at Duffy's, especially after having recently eaten at an unimpressive wine bar. Duffy's will be at the top of my list the next time I have visitors in town. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Duffy's Boalsburg Tavern
Location: 113 E. Main St. in Boalsburg, PA
Appetizer: Smoked Salmon Bruschetta ($13) - goat cheese, capers, olive oil, and balsamic reduction. This was a delicious take on the classic bagel and lox breakfast item I love so much.
Entree: Swordfish ($25) - served in a wonderful mustard cream sauce with rice pilaf and green beans. This dish is probably one of my favorite ways to prepare swordfish. The fish itself is really easy to overcook, and once you do it's over, but they prepared it perfectly. I was a little worried that the mustard sauce, prepared using a grainy dijon, would be overbearing, but it was not! It was just the right amount of mustard flavor to keep the fish interesting with each bite, and just the right texture to pair perfectly with swordfish.
Wine: A very nice, light Syrah that paired pretty well with the appetizer and swordfish, as well as Audry's entree of duck breast.
Dessert: Cranberry White Chocolate Bread Pudding - Wow! The flavor was perfect and not too sweet. It also paired really well with Audry's dessert, which was the trio of creme brulee (vanilla bean, lavendar, and chocolate).
I was very impressed by the atmosphere and quality of food at Duffy's, especially after having recently eaten at an unimpressive wine bar. Duffy's will be at the top of my list the next time I have visitors in town. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Nudo House - St. Louis, MO
Date of dining experience: December 21, 2018
Place: Nudo House STL
Location: 11423 Olive Blvd. in St. Louis, MO
Appetizer: Spring Rolls ($2 each) - one chicken, one shrimp, and one pork; wrapped beautifully in fresh rice paper with lettuce, cilantro, and rice noodles; served with a delicious peanut sauce. The spring rolls alone would be reason enough to go back, but the rest of the menu is just as good!
Entree: 3-1-Pho Shizzle ($14) - rare flank steak, chicken breast, shrimp, rice noodles, bean sprouts, cilantro, Thai basil, jalapenos, and citrus, all served together in an aromatic broth.
Drink: Long Thailand Iced Tea - A wonderfully creamy and very tasty take on a classic alcoholic drink.
With so many other options on the menu that I want to try, I will definitely be a return customer. Try Nudo House STL out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Nudo House STL
Location: 11423 Olive Blvd. in St. Louis, MO
Appetizer: Spring Rolls ($2 each) - one chicken, one shrimp, and one pork; wrapped beautifully in fresh rice paper with lettuce, cilantro, and rice noodles; served with a delicious peanut sauce. The spring rolls alone would be reason enough to go back, but the rest of the menu is just as good!
Entree: 3-1-Pho Shizzle ($14) - rare flank steak, chicken breast, shrimp, rice noodles, bean sprouts, cilantro, Thai basil, jalapenos, and citrus, all served together in an aromatic broth.
Drink: Long Thailand Iced Tea - A wonderfully creamy and very tasty take on a classic alcoholic drink.
With so many other options on the menu that I want to try, I will definitely be a return customer. Try Nudo House STL out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
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