4168 W Broadway Avenue
Robbinsdale, MN 55420
Her perspective: B
I went out to lunch by myself and had been wanting to try this place for a while. I entered through the rear entrance (there are two entrances) and was greeted immediately by a busy server. She bustled a bit for a minute, then seated me after asking if I wanted to sit inside or outside.
The decor was that of a very nice cafe; casual, but elegant. The service staff is in casual attire and the kitchen is actually in the same room. They do have a small bar, and, I didn't notice it at first, but there is another room. Considering the room I walked into was quite small (only about 10 tables), it makes sense.
I ordered a lemonade and looked over the menu. It was a combination of things that I would expect to see on a fine dining lunch menu - from lobster bisque to seafood dishes. It was quite reasonably priced, under $20 for entrees. I ordered the chicken fettuccine and settled in to read my book.
This dish is very tasty. The pasta and chicken were tender, the chicken had a nice crisp to it like it was sauteed. The sauce was great! It almost didn't need any seasoning, but I couldn't taste any garlic. That was a bit disappointing since I like garlic so much, but the flavor was very good even without it. There was crumbled bacon mixed in and it was garnished with shaved parmesan. Very nice! I finished every bite, which is quite uncharacteristic of me. This is the kind of food I would expect from a fine dining restaurant.
Since I was reading, the server left me alone, only stopping by for the necessary check-back on my food.
I would definitely recommend this restaurant to others and would like to try it for dinner some night soon.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Champps, Maplewood - August 6, 2007
Her Perspective: C
His perspective: D
This restaurant is unique in that it has enclosed the bar so people can smoke. That's one reason William likes this place. We went for dinner and sat at the rail of the bar. We were greeted generally quickly by the bartender, who continued to be somewhat attentive throughout our visit. He was also very friendly. Since they serve Pepsi product, William couldn't get his usual Jack and Coke, so he settled for a beer. I ordered a cocktail I used to drink regularly, a Purple Rain. It was mixed perfectly. We got our drinks quickly and a few minutes later (the bartender had almost a full rail, so he was busy), he asked us if we would like menus. We looked them over and waited a few more minutes to order.
We started with southwest style Egg Rolls (similar to Chili's, but we wanted to compare) and cheese curds. The Egg Rolls are better tasting than Chili's, but most of them were refrigerator cold in the middle. The cheese curds were burnt. These were taken off the bill.
For entrees, I ordered the Cajun Shrimp Penne and William ordered the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. My plate presentation was sloppy with sauce slopped on the rim and even some sauce underneath the plate. I was very disappointed when I started eating because there was no flavor to the dish. Being that it's supposed to be cajun, I expected some spice and some flavor, but all I could taste were the noodles themselves. I pushed my plate forward and the bartender asked if I needed a box. I told him that there was no flavor to the dish and asked if I could look at the menu again. I ordered some potato skins. These were very hot and fresh, tasted decent, but they needed salt and pepper. However, a server had come by and taken our salt and pepper shakers to be washed. William's dish was also quite bland and needed salt, but we still had the shakers at that point.
Regarding value for the money, I would say they are somewhat overpriced. We were charged $6.29 for four potato skins. I would expect to get six for that price since it's cheap to make, especially since our food experience had been much less than stellar. The other dishes had a large amount of food compared to the price.
My dish was taken off the bill and the bartender even bought us a round of drinks. However, William had told him that he just wanted a Mountain Dew, but the bartender cracked another beer and told him it was on the house anyway.
Over all, we were very disappointed in a place that usually has much better food than this. The service was decent - nothing to write home about, but they did take care of us and whatever problems we had how I would expect a restaurant should.
His perspective: D
This restaurant is unique in that it has enclosed the bar so people can smoke. That's one reason William likes this place. We went for dinner and sat at the rail of the bar. We were greeted generally quickly by the bartender, who continued to be somewhat attentive throughout our visit. He was also very friendly. Since they serve Pepsi product, William couldn't get his usual Jack and Coke, so he settled for a beer. I ordered a cocktail I used to drink regularly, a Purple Rain. It was mixed perfectly. We got our drinks quickly and a few minutes later (the bartender had almost a full rail, so he was busy), he asked us if we would like menus. We looked them over and waited a few more minutes to order.
We started with southwest style Egg Rolls (similar to Chili's, but we wanted to compare) and cheese curds. The Egg Rolls are better tasting than Chili's, but most of them were refrigerator cold in the middle. The cheese curds were burnt. These were taken off the bill.
For entrees, I ordered the Cajun Shrimp Penne and William ordered the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. My plate presentation was sloppy with sauce slopped on the rim and even some sauce underneath the plate. I was very disappointed when I started eating because there was no flavor to the dish. Being that it's supposed to be cajun, I expected some spice and some flavor, but all I could taste were the noodles themselves. I pushed my plate forward and the bartender asked if I needed a box. I told him that there was no flavor to the dish and asked if I could look at the menu again. I ordered some potato skins. These were very hot and fresh, tasted decent, but they needed salt and pepper. However, a server had come by and taken our salt and pepper shakers to be washed. William's dish was also quite bland and needed salt, but we still had the shakers at that point.
Regarding value for the money, I would say they are somewhat overpriced. We were charged $6.29 for four potato skins. I would expect to get six for that price since it's cheap to make, especially since our food experience had been much less than stellar. The other dishes had a large amount of food compared to the price.
My dish was taken off the bill and the bartender even bought us a round of drinks. However, William had told him that he just wanted a Mountain Dew, but the bartender cracked another beer and told him it was on the house anyway.
Over all, we were very disappointed in a place that usually has much better food than this. The service was decent - nothing to write home about, but they did take care of us and whatever problems we had how I would expect a restaurant should.
Spamalot - August 4, 2007
Synopsis: Monty Python's SPAMALOT is the outrageous new musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic “Monty Python and The Holy Grail.” Directed by Tony Award-winner Mike Nichols, with a book by Eric Idle and music and lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Mr. Idle and John Du Prez, Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences everywhere are eating up Spamalot.
Her perspective: A
As a fan of Monty Python, I was thrilled to be able to see this show. It was technically perfect, the acting was superb and the jokes were delivered in the true style of Monty Python. They even used John Cleese's voice for the voice of God.
The program had us rolling before the show even started with "fake" show description and credits. In the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it was "llamas" and jokes about people being sacked. In this program, it was something about Finland, entirely set in a sauna.
I was impressed that most of the actors playing the Knights of the Round Table looked remarkably like the orginal actors from the film. Except for Lancelot who looked like a dead ringer for Bruce Campbell.
There was a good amount of audience participation, including the Holy Grail being hidden under seat D101, a sing-along after the bows and confetti falling from the ceiling.
I loved this play! If I had more money, I'd go see it again, but I'll settle for the shirt, buttons and coconuts I bought as souveniers for now.
Her perspective: A
As a fan of Monty Python, I was thrilled to be able to see this show. It was technically perfect, the acting was superb and the jokes were delivered in the true style of Monty Python. They even used John Cleese's voice for the voice of God.
The program had us rolling before the show even started with "fake" show description and credits. In the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it was "llamas" and jokes about people being sacked. In this program, it was something about Finland, entirely set in a sauna.
I was impressed that most of the actors playing the Knights of the Round Table looked remarkably like the orginal actors from the film. Except for Lancelot who looked like a dead ringer for Bruce Campbell.
There was a good amount of audience participation, including the Holy Grail being hidden under seat D101, a sing-along after the bows and confetti falling from the ceiling.
I loved this play! If I had more money, I'd go see it again, but I'll settle for the shirt, buttons and coconuts I bought as souveniers for now.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Day by Day Cafe - August 5, 2007
477 7th Street West
St. Paul, MN 55102
Ok, I know the blog title is An EVENING in the TC, but sometimes you just gotta write a place up regardless of the time or location.
In this case, we stopped in for breakfast at the Day. We've been here a few times previously (and recently) but today was an exception.
I used to rate this place as one of my top 5 favorite places to eat (not always the best places). In the last year it moved to the top 10. Today it got bumped off the overall top 25 (and I really do have a list).
His Perspective: D
Where to start...
There is usually a line on Sunday mornings. Some days the line is shorter than others and you get seated rather quickly. Today was short, and we were seated perhaps 10 minutes after arriving. We ordered drinks right away.
The drinks arrived a few minutes later, and we placed our orders. Maryanne specifically asked for peanut butter with her meal when we ordered. She ordered a short stack of french toast, I ordered my fav meal there called the Heart Stopper: 3 eggs, 4 bacon or sausage, hashbrowns with cheese and toast. Got mine this time with sausage.
25 minutes later our food was delivered... They were busy but not overly so, and the food we ordered was generally rather quick to prepare, so I can't figure out why we had to wait 25 minutes for food. Other people arriving and being seated after us were served their food before us, so maybe there was just a mix up in the kitchen. Regardless, that generally shouldn't happen.
Food was delivered, Maryanne had to ask again for peanut butter.
Being a general gentleman, I waited to start eating until she had everything she needed and started eating her meal.
10 minutes later, she was angry enough to go find someone to get her peanut butter for her. She started asking two different waitresses, but they both turned and walked away while being asked. That's rather rude in my mind, and very poor customer service regardless. Maryanne ended up walking over to the cashier and asked. They walked back into the room we were seated in and Maryanne was given two cups of peanut butter from the cabinet in our room, not 15 feet from our table.
She had to ask 5 people for something that was already in our room, easily within reach.
Now I understand that by waiting for her my food got cold, but I can still tell if something is under or overcooked. My eggs were overcooked, sausage and hashbrowns were undercooked.
Her short stack of french toast was more like a loaf of french bread (more the shape of the loaf actually) sliced horizontally down the middle. She had two of these slices, one half the size of the other. I thought the menu said 'stack'.
I had to wait for a drink refill more than 15 minutes.
We had to wait 20 minutes to pay our bill (pay at the table, but the neither the waiter or waitress that were serving us seemed interested in stopping back, not even to check on the food). He asked if we needed change, and I said 'Absolutely yes we need change.' Our bill was $19.05, and we paid with a $20 bill. He counted out our change and walked away.
To be honest, I wouldn't have minded the long waits for things if the service was even close to spot-on. Instead the service only highlighted all the other flaws in our meal, and actually made us both rather angry and quite eager to leave.
If you're a regular, you'll get better service because the wait staff knows your face or knows you by name, and tends to serve you better. If your an infrequent customer or first timer, try not to go during regular meal times when they are busy. That perhaps might get you adequate service. Also, we always sit inside the building instead of the outdoor area in back of the restaurant, and I've always noted faster service outside than in. Perhaps in a few months we might go back again, and if we do I'm sitting outside weather permitting.
If you like the food, then go to Mickey's instead. Same food (or better), faster service.
St. Paul, MN 55102
Ok, I know the blog title is An EVENING in the TC, but sometimes you just gotta write a place up regardless of the time or location.
In this case, we stopped in for breakfast at the Day. We've been here a few times previously (and recently) but today was an exception.
I used to rate this place as one of my top 5 favorite places to eat (not always the best places). In the last year it moved to the top 10. Today it got bumped off the overall top 25 (and I really do have a list).
His Perspective: D
Where to start...
There is usually a line on Sunday mornings. Some days the line is shorter than others and you get seated rather quickly. Today was short, and we were seated perhaps 10 minutes after arriving. We ordered drinks right away.
The drinks arrived a few minutes later, and we placed our orders. Maryanne specifically asked for peanut butter with her meal when we ordered. She ordered a short stack of french toast, I ordered my fav meal there called the Heart Stopper: 3 eggs, 4 bacon or sausage, hashbrowns with cheese and toast. Got mine this time with sausage.
25 minutes later our food was delivered... They were busy but not overly so, and the food we ordered was generally rather quick to prepare, so I can't figure out why we had to wait 25 minutes for food. Other people arriving and being seated after us were served their food before us, so maybe there was just a mix up in the kitchen. Regardless, that generally shouldn't happen.
Food was delivered, Maryanne had to ask again for peanut butter.
Being a general gentleman, I waited to start eating until she had everything she needed and started eating her meal.
10 minutes later, she was angry enough to go find someone to get her peanut butter for her. She started asking two different waitresses, but they both turned and walked away while being asked. That's rather rude in my mind, and very poor customer service regardless. Maryanne ended up walking over to the cashier and asked. They walked back into the room we were seated in and Maryanne was given two cups of peanut butter from the cabinet in our room, not 15 feet from our table.
She had to ask 5 people for something that was already in our room, easily within reach.
Now I understand that by waiting for her my food got cold, but I can still tell if something is under or overcooked. My eggs were overcooked, sausage and hashbrowns were undercooked.
Her short stack of french toast was more like a loaf of french bread (more the shape of the loaf actually) sliced horizontally down the middle. She had two of these slices, one half the size of the other. I thought the menu said 'stack'.
I had to wait for a drink refill more than 15 minutes.
We had to wait 20 minutes to pay our bill (pay at the table, but the neither the waiter or waitress that were serving us seemed interested in stopping back, not even to check on the food). He asked if we needed change, and I said 'Absolutely yes we need change.' Our bill was $19.05, and we paid with a $20 bill. He counted out our change and walked away.
To be honest, I wouldn't have minded the long waits for things if the service was even close to spot-on. Instead the service only highlighted all the other flaws in our meal, and actually made us both rather angry and quite eager to leave.
If you're a regular, you'll get better service because the wait staff knows your face or knows you by name, and tends to serve you better. If your an infrequent customer or first timer, try not to go during regular meal times when they are busy. That perhaps might get you adequate service. Also, we always sit inside the building instead of the outdoor area in back of the restaurant, and I've always noted faster service outside than in. Perhaps in a few months we might go back again, and if we do I'm sitting outside weather permitting.
If you like the food, then go to Mickey's instead. Same food (or better), faster service.
Margaux - August 4, 2007
Her perspective: D
A brasserie is an informal French cafe serving beer, wine and simple, hearty food. I wish I had known this before I went, it would have changed my expectations. I was expecting a fine dining restaurant from what I had heard about this restaurant.
The waitstaff was somewhat casual, which didn't seem to fit to me. The floor had obviously not been swept and there were ants running around under our table. The appetizer plates were sitting on the table as part of the setting under the folded napkin. Both of our plates were dirty and mine was chipped. I also noticed that all the tables had linens except for the largest table in the center of the main floor dining room which seats 10 comfortably.
Our server did not seem very knowledgeable, although she seemed pleasant enough and did seem to really be trying. However, she was quite inattentive.
We did not get our bread until shortly before we got our appetizer, which leads me to believe that, even though we had a reservation, they were not ready for us. However, it was served hot and was very good. Our escargot was tasty, very hot and not gritty, but the menu stated that they would be in garlic butter. They were served mostly in olive oil with a little bit of butter and little bit of garlic - not what we were expecting. We did not get a salad included with our entree, which is unusual for even the low end of fine dining. My friend and I ended up sharing a 14 oz. ribeye. It was cooked perfectly and was very tasty - served with mashed potatoes, asparagus and a very well done bearnaise. The meat was quite tender. We both really enjoyed it.
At one point, I noticed the host running down the stairs to seat a party that was waiting at the door. On his way down, he picked up a small ramekin of ketchup that had apparently fallen off a plate earlier. It appeared to have fallen upside down, but he just picked it up and no one ever cleaned the ketchup up off the stairs. I was hoping that no one would slip and fall.
We asked for a dessert menu which mentioned that a list of dessert wines, cognacs and ports would be on the wine list. When I asked to see the wine list again to see the dessert wines and ports, the server stated that she might need the bartender to come out and talk to me about them since they just printed new wine lists and these were not listed on there anymore. When she returned, she was carrying a bottle of port, mentioned two more and did not mention any dessert wines at all. I ordered the flourless chocolate cake and a drink on the dessert menu called Vanilla Royale with vanilla cognac and espresso. My friend ordered a Keoke Coffee. When our drinks arrived, mine was room temperature and served in a snifter. I was confused since the menu had stated there would be espresso, I was expecting a hot coffee drink. The server seemed confused as well. She stated that she had never served one of them before and that's what the bartender gave her. She asked if I wanted something else and I asked if they had Godiva liqueur. She said yes and I ordered a Godiva and coffee. She served the cake without any forks and I had to ask her for them. When she brought my new drink, it looked white, which made me think that they had used Godiva White, which is not what I had asked for, but something I would still enjoy anyway, so I didn't press the issue. The chocolate cake was very good, not too rich, but still rich enough to require coffee with it. We took our time and savored each bite. However, there was a hair on the rim of the plate when it was served. We could see back into the kitchen and only one chef was wearing a hat or hair restraint.
To sum up, I was not impressed with the decor, atmosphere or service. The food was great, but I'm concerned with the numerous health code violations I saw. I will most likely not be back any time soon.
A brasserie is an informal French cafe serving beer, wine and simple, hearty food. I wish I had known this before I went, it would have changed my expectations. I was expecting a fine dining restaurant from what I had heard about this restaurant.
The waitstaff was somewhat casual, which didn't seem to fit to me. The floor had obviously not been swept and there were ants running around under our table. The appetizer plates were sitting on the table as part of the setting under the folded napkin. Both of our plates were dirty and mine was chipped. I also noticed that all the tables had linens except for the largest table in the center of the main floor dining room which seats 10 comfortably.
Our server did not seem very knowledgeable, although she seemed pleasant enough and did seem to really be trying. However, she was quite inattentive.
We did not get our bread until shortly before we got our appetizer, which leads me to believe that, even though we had a reservation, they were not ready for us. However, it was served hot and was very good. Our escargot was tasty, very hot and not gritty, but the menu stated that they would be in garlic butter. They were served mostly in olive oil with a little bit of butter and little bit of garlic - not what we were expecting. We did not get a salad included with our entree, which is unusual for even the low end of fine dining. My friend and I ended up sharing a 14 oz. ribeye. It was cooked perfectly and was very tasty - served with mashed potatoes, asparagus and a very well done bearnaise. The meat was quite tender. We both really enjoyed it.
At one point, I noticed the host running down the stairs to seat a party that was waiting at the door. On his way down, he picked up a small ramekin of ketchup that had apparently fallen off a plate earlier. It appeared to have fallen upside down, but he just picked it up and no one ever cleaned the ketchup up off the stairs. I was hoping that no one would slip and fall.
We asked for a dessert menu which mentioned that a list of dessert wines, cognacs and ports would be on the wine list. When I asked to see the wine list again to see the dessert wines and ports, the server stated that she might need the bartender to come out and talk to me about them since they just printed new wine lists and these were not listed on there anymore. When she returned, she was carrying a bottle of port, mentioned two more and did not mention any dessert wines at all. I ordered the flourless chocolate cake and a drink on the dessert menu called Vanilla Royale with vanilla cognac and espresso. My friend ordered a Keoke Coffee. When our drinks arrived, mine was room temperature and served in a snifter. I was confused since the menu had stated there would be espresso, I was expecting a hot coffee drink. The server seemed confused as well. She stated that she had never served one of them before and that's what the bartender gave her. She asked if I wanted something else and I asked if they had Godiva liqueur. She said yes and I ordered a Godiva and coffee. She served the cake without any forks and I had to ask her for them. When she brought my new drink, it looked white, which made me think that they had used Godiva White, which is not what I had asked for, but something I would still enjoy anyway, so I didn't press the issue. The chocolate cake was very good, not too rich, but still rich enough to require coffee with it. We took our time and savored each bite. However, there was a hair on the rim of the plate when it was served. We could see back into the kitchen and only one chef was wearing a hat or hair restraint.
To sum up, I was not impressed with the decor, atmosphere or service. The food was great, but I'm concerned with the numerous health code violations I saw. I will most likely not be back any time soon.
The Coffee Cup - August 4, 2007
1446 Rice Street
St. Paul, MN 55117
Her perspective: D
I went in for a quick breakfast, but there was almost nothing quick about it. I went in and sat down at the counter. The busser brought me silverware right away and asked if I wanted coffee which he got right away. However, I burned my mouth on it; it was too hot. I decided quickly, but it was like pulling teeth to get the attention of a server. When she finally came over, I asked if I could order. She seemed like she really didn't want to be there. In fact, she paid more attention to the guy sitting next to me, who sat down after me. She also kept trying to fill my coffee cup when I had only taken one or two drinks from it. I also had to ask her for my check.
The food was pretty tasty and cooked properly. The eggs were fluffy, the toast was lightly toasted with a good amount of butter and the bacon was crisp.
We have been to this restaurant a couple of times before and had always had good service. I would like to believe that this was an abhorration and will most likely not get repeated. I'm giving this server the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps she was just having a bad day, but it will make me think twice before sitting in her section again.
St. Paul, MN 55117
Her perspective: D
I went in for a quick breakfast, but there was almost nothing quick about it. I went in and sat down at the counter. The busser brought me silverware right away and asked if I wanted coffee which he got right away. However, I burned my mouth on it; it was too hot. I decided quickly, but it was like pulling teeth to get the attention of a server. When she finally came over, I asked if I could order. She seemed like she really didn't want to be there. In fact, she paid more attention to the guy sitting next to me, who sat down after me. She also kept trying to fill my coffee cup when I had only taken one or two drinks from it. I also had to ask her for my check.
The food was pretty tasty and cooked properly. The eggs were fluffy, the toast was lightly toasted with a good amount of butter and the bacon was crisp.
We have been to this restaurant a couple of times before and had always had good service. I would like to believe that this was an abhorration and will most likely not get repeated. I'm giving this server the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps she was just having a bad day, but it will make me think twice before sitting in her section again.
The Bourne Ultimatum - August 3, 2007
Synopsis: Matt Damon returns as the trained assassin Jason Bourne. All he wanted was to disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly-trained killers. Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. Now, in the new chapter of this espionage series, Bourne will hunt down his past in order to find a future. He must travel from Moscow, Paris, Madrid and London to Tangier and New York City as he continues his quest to find the real Jason Bourne - all the while trying to outmaneuver the scores of cops, federal officers and Interpol agents with him in their crosshairs.
Her perspective: Wait/Must Own
Very good action flick. Good story line, it kept moving and kept my attention the whole film. Matt Damon was excellent, as always, and the other actors were great as well. The action was very well choreagraphed. However, there was quite a lot of extraneous camerawork during the fight scenes. I understand that the director wanted to portray how frantic the characters and the action was, but it was too much. If it had been a less talented actor, I could have seen using the camerawork to "hide" the fact, but it wasn't needed with Matt Damon.
They never really did explain the whole program that he had joined or what they had done to him that made him lose his memory. They also hinted at a personal relationship between Bourne and Nicky Parsons, but they never explained that, either. Even though these left me feeling unsatisfied, I still enjoyed the story.
All in all, if you're a fan, go ahead and see it in the theater, but if you just want to see a good action flick, buy it on DVD. This is one for the video collection.
Her perspective: Wait/Must Own
Very good action flick. Good story line, it kept moving and kept my attention the whole film. Matt Damon was excellent, as always, and the other actors were great as well. The action was very well choreagraphed. However, there was quite a lot of extraneous camerawork during the fight scenes. I understand that the director wanted to portray how frantic the characters and the action was, but it was too much. If it had been a less talented actor, I could have seen using the camerawork to "hide" the fact, but it wasn't needed with Matt Damon.
They never really did explain the whole program that he had joined or what they had done to him that made him lose his memory. They also hinted at a personal relationship between Bourne and Nicky Parsons, but they never explained that, either. Even though these left me feeling unsatisfied, I still enjoyed the story.
All in all, if you're a fan, go ahead and see it in the theater, but if you just want to see a good action flick, buy it on DVD. This is one for the video collection.
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