I have been wanting to try this place since I moved to the square about a year ago. My best friend from home and i were having a much needed catch up dinner, and i thought this would be a great place to do so. I made a reservation and we were seated right away. It was a gorgeous day out, so we opted to sit outside.
We both ordered wine....and we both had cork in our glasses. It was kind of gross. And the thing is, this was not cheap wine. So that was kind of bad. I ordered a plainer pasta with a tomato basil sauce and my friend got the ravioli in vodka sauce. I was happy with mine, but it didn't blow me away. My friend was happy with his.
The service was good, and I don't have any complaints there. We weren't even tempted by the dessert menu altho my friend did order some dessert wine. AGAIN...CORK IN THE WINE! EW! I don't understand the deal with this place and cork!
Overall, I had a great time here but I don't think I'll be back. The prices are way too high and the quality of the food doesn't really match. Next time, I'll skip it and try one of the other delicious places in the square instead.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Blue 13
I think I was still full from HB, but I was dying to see what everyone was raving about at Blue 13. I went with my friend from work, and we had a delightful time!
This wasn't my favorite meal of the week for several reasons. We started with the two apps, which were deconstructed caprese salad and truffle mac and cheese. The latter was great, if not a little bit heavy (although it IS mac and cheese!). I wasn't sure if the chunks of chicken were the best idea, but it worked. The deconstructed caprese was alright. The pesto was awesome and the rest was just "meh". To be honest, it just seemed a little pretentious. We both ordered the scallops, which were perfect. They were just the right amount of buttery and cooked to perfection. No complaints here. We got each of the desserts and split them (apple tartin and chocolate molten cake). They were both good, but by no means a grand finale (after those scallops!).
Where I really have to pick a bone is with the service. It was very attentive, but our waiter really irritated me. I wasn't in the mood to drink and neither was my friend, and he must have asked us 7 times if we wanted any wine. DUDE. We said no. He just kept pushing the booze on us, and I understand that a table of yelpers wasn't going to give him the biggest tip for the prix fixe, but come on. I was ready to snap at him and tell him to stop asking us! It just left me feeling very irritated.
I'd come back here for sure, but I'd hope for another waiter.
This wasn't my favorite meal of the week for several reasons. We started with the two apps, which were deconstructed caprese salad and truffle mac and cheese. The latter was great, if not a little bit heavy (although it IS mac and cheese!). I wasn't sure if the chunks of chicken were the best idea, but it worked. The deconstructed caprese was alright. The pesto was awesome and the rest was just "meh". To be honest, it just seemed a little pretentious. We both ordered the scallops, which were perfect. They were just the right amount of buttery and cooked to perfection. No complaints here. We got each of the desserts and split them (apple tartin and chocolate molten cake). They were both good, but by no means a grand finale (after those scallops!).
Where I really have to pick a bone is with the service. It was very attentive, but our waiter really irritated me. I wasn't in the mood to drink and neither was my friend, and he must have asked us 7 times if we wanted any wine. DUDE. We said no. He just kept pushing the booze on us, and I understand that a table of yelpers wasn't going to give him the biggest tip for the prix fixe, but come on. I was ready to snap at him and tell him to stop asking us! It just left me feeling very irritated.
I'd come back here for sure, but I'd hope for another waiter.
Home Bistro (HB)
This was the kind of meal that just makes you happy. I went with two of my best friends and we were very excited about trying this restaurant. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by both a smile and a delightful aroma. It was then that this food was going to be spectacular.
We were lucky enough to be seated right in front on this platform...so we were in the window basically (my friend even joked that we were like restaurant mannequins!). Our waitress was really fun and slightly crazy (in a good way). We immediately realized that this was a restaurant with an unpretentious air to it. It's all about the food, and not about putting on a show.
We ordered two orders of the bacon-wrapped dates and one order of the artichoke fritters. WOW. The dates were incredible, with just the right amount of brown sugar on them, and the artichoke fritters were outstanding as well. What really surprised me about the appetizers was that the portions were so big! We couldn't even come close to finishing the dates, and even each took some home.
For entrees, we ordered the mussels with truffle fries (a special they added yesterday), the salmon, and the pork. These were all truly culinary delights. There was literally a mountain of mussels in a delicious sauce, perfectly seasoned. TRUFFLE FRIES? um. Need I say more?? Life changing. The salmon was also wonderful, with a delicious crusted rub on the top of the fillet, and amazing lentils underneath. Finally, the incredible pork chops. Yes. Plural. There was seriously enough food for a small army. The pork had baked apples, chorizo, and cabbage around it. YUM. We were so happy.
The dessert was the interesting part of the evening. By the time we had ordered dessert they were out of the bread pudding, so they had a rhubarb/lemon meringue pie and a chocolate bundt cake that had "fallen apart" and wasn't being served. We tried the pie...and it was bad. There wasn't a crust, so there was literally rhubarb in a bowl with some eggy product on top. It had a mucusey consistency, so it was kind of unpleasant. We asked the waitress if she could just scoop some of the chocolate bundt onto a plate, and she did! That was much better, and we all got our chocolate fix.
I will DEFINITELY be back here. A lot. I highly recommend it!
We were lucky enough to be seated right in front on this platform...so we were in the window basically (my friend even joked that we were like restaurant mannequins!). Our waitress was really fun and slightly crazy (in a good way). We immediately realized that this was a restaurant with an unpretentious air to it. It's all about the food, and not about putting on a show.
We ordered two orders of the bacon-wrapped dates and one order of the artichoke fritters. WOW. The dates were incredible, with just the right amount of brown sugar on them, and the artichoke fritters were outstanding as well. What really surprised me about the appetizers was that the portions were so big! We couldn't even come close to finishing the dates, and even each took some home.
For entrees, we ordered the mussels with truffle fries (a special they added yesterday), the salmon, and the pork. These were all truly culinary delights. There was literally a mountain of mussels in a delicious sauce, perfectly seasoned. TRUFFLE FRIES? um. Need I say more?? Life changing. The salmon was also wonderful, with a delicious crusted rub on the top of the fillet, and amazing lentils underneath. Finally, the incredible pork chops. Yes. Plural. There was seriously enough food for a small army. The pork had baked apples, chorizo, and cabbage around it. YUM. We were so happy.
The dessert was the interesting part of the evening. By the time we had ordered dessert they were out of the bread pudding, so they had a rhubarb/lemon meringue pie and a chocolate bundt cake that had "fallen apart" and wasn't being served. We tried the pie...and it was bad. There wasn't a crust, so there was literally rhubarb in a bowl with some eggy product on top. It had a mucusey consistency, so it was kind of unpleasant. We asked the waitress if she could just scoop some of the chocolate bundt onto a plate, and she did! That was much better, and we all got our chocolate fix.
I will DEFINITELY be back here. A lot. I highly recommend it!
Venus
This was a spectacular meal.
Three of my friends and I decided to try this place for Yelp Eats. I was shocked when I walked in, because the place was practically empty! Our server, George, was super nice and immediately took drink entrees. I had a white wine, although I can't recall what it's called, but it was delicious.
For appetizers, we got the saganaki, the calamari, and each of the salads. The presentation of the cheese was so fun (they lit it on fire!). I love when food creates a spectacle. The calamari was perfectly cooked and seasoned extremely well. I liked both of the salads, but they weren't as wonderful as the other apps.
Our entrees were: pastitsio, vegetarian moussaka, roasted lamb leg in foil, and lamb chops. I ordered the moussaka, which was amazing. The vegetables were delicious, and the overall flavor was so delicious. Both of the lamb dishes and the pastitsio were fantastic as well. I particularly loved the lamb chops.
For dessert we had the custardy dessert (can't remember the right name for it!) and the baklava. Both were stellar. Just as we were finishing our desserts, George came by with glasses of dessert wine, on the house. What a nice touch. He was so friendly and did a wonderful job with the service. He was attentive without being invasive, which is so key!
Definitely check this place out, whether this week for the 3 courses prix-fixe or for another occasion. It's completely worth it!
Three of my friends and I decided to try this place for Yelp Eats. I was shocked when I walked in, because the place was practically empty! Our server, George, was super nice and immediately took drink entrees. I had a white wine, although I can't recall what it's called, but it was delicious.
For appetizers, we got the saganaki, the calamari, and each of the salads. The presentation of the cheese was so fun (they lit it on fire!). I love when food creates a spectacle. The calamari was perfectly cooked and seasoned extremely well. I liked both of the salads, but they weren't as wonderful as the other apps.
Our entrees were: pastitsio, vegetarian moussaka, roasted lamb leg in foil, and lamb chops. I ordered the moussaka, which was amazing. The vegetables were delicious, and the overall flavor was so delicious. Both of the lamb dishes and the pastitsio were fantastic as well. I particularly loved the lamb chops.
For dessert we had the custardy dessert (can't remember the right name for it!) and the baklava. Both were stellar. Just as we were finishing our desserts, George came by with glasses of dessert wine, on the house. What a nice touch. He was so friendly and did a wonderful job with the service. He was attentive without being invasive, which is so key!
Definitely check this place out, whether this week for the 3 courses prix-fixe or for another occasion. It's completely worth it!
Mayfest
This festival is so much fun!!! As a resident of Lincoln Square, I had to check it out with some friends. My roommate wanted to visit a friend who was working at the festival, so all the more reason to head over.
I have to say, I'm not always a fan of crowded outdoor festivals, but this one was so much fun. We were there on a Friday night and sure, it was packed, and the crowd was rowdy, but not in an obnoxious way. It seems like a huge hassle to get beer, but it really isn't bad. Getting food was fine too. And, believe it or not, everyone working there was friendly.
If you can stand the crowd and the lack of space, definitely check out Mayfest this year!
I have to say, I'm not always a fan of crowded outdoor festivals, but this one was so much fun. We were there on a Friday night and sure, it was packed, and the crowd was rowdy, but not in an obnoxious way. It seems like a huge hassle to get beer, but it really isn't bad. Getting food was fine too. And, believe it or not, everyone working there was friendly.
If you can stand the crowd and the lack of space, definitely check out Mayfest this year!
Over Easy Cafe
OH. MY. GOD. BEST. BRUNCH. EVER.
Today was my last Friday off from work (sigh), and I decided to celebrate with one of my best friends and some delicious brunch. She raved about Over Easy and I just knew I had to try it!
As soon as I walked in, I got a really good feeling. I think the way Over Easy is decorated is great. I love the "curtain" of eggs right when you walk in. I was seated immediately and two different people asked me if I needed coffee. And, I had barely sat down and we had water.
I ordered the weekly special of Blueberry/Peach Cobbler French Toast. DELICIOUS. It was the perfect amount of food and I literally cleaned my plate. My friend got the Sassy Eggs, which were also delicious!!!! I thought that they cooked everything perfectly and each dish was bursting with flavor. I also really liked the coffee.
Our server was super friendly. She was super attentive and made sure everything was ok (it was amazing). And the owner even came by to talk to us, which was a nice touch.
By the time we had finished paying there was a line outside, but nobody rushed us out, which I really appreciated. I will definitely be back here soon, and highly recommend this place to anyone who loves brunch!
Today was my last Friday off from work (sigh), and I decided to celebrate with one of my best friends and some delicious brunch. She raved about Over Easy and I just knew I had to try it!
As soon as I walked in, I got a really good feeling. I think the way Over Easy is decorated is great. I love the "curtain" of eggs right when you walk in. I was seated immediately and two different people asked me if I needed coffee. And, I had barely sat down and we had water.
I ordered the weekly special of Blueberry/Peach Cobbler French Toast. DELICIOUS. It was the perfect amount of food and I literally cleaned my plate. My friend got the Sassy Eggs, which were also delicious!!!! I thought that they cooked everything perfectly and each dish was bursting with flavor. I also really liked the coffee.
Our server was super friendly. She was super attentive and made sure everything was ok (it was amazing). And the owner even came by to talk to us, which was a nice touch.
By the time we had finished paying there was a line outside, but nobody rushed us out, which I really appreciated. I will definitely be back here soon, and highly recommend this place to anyone who loves brunch!
Kit Kat Lounge
This is a fabulous place to get martinis. The boys and I were out dancing this Sunday, and we had heard that Kit Kat had half priced martinis. YUM.
I have to start by giving major props for the service. They were packed inside, and we got there a little late so the patio had just been put away/cleaned up. We asked if it would be possible to sit outside and they made an exception and set us up right away. Not only did they do that, but when our orders were taken, we were warned that last call was in 15...so we got to order two rounds at once. They still brought the martinis out in separate rounds, but we were all ordered up and taken care of. I thought that was really great, especially because the waiter was incredibly busy as it was. AND he was nice.
I ordered the lava lamp martini first. There is a jello shot in the middle of the martini! Awesome. Delicious and whimsical. For my second, I had the root beer float. Also delicious. We were a fairly large group with lots of different martinis and everyone was really happy. The bachelorette is also an awesome drink and is highly recommended.
Kit Kat is definitely a must for martini lovers!
I have to start by giving major props for the service. They were packed inside, and we got there a little late so the patio had just been put away/cleaned up. We asked if it would be possible to sit outside and they made an exception and set us up right away. Not only did they do that, but when our orders were taken, we were warned that last call was in 15...so we got to order two rounds at once. They still brought the martinis out in separate rounds, but we were all ordered up and taken care of. I thought that was really great, especially because the waiter was incredibly busy as it was. AND he was nice.
I ordered the lava lamp martini first. There is a jello shot in the middle of the martini! Awesome. Delicious and whimsical. For my second, I had the root beer float. Also delicious. We were a fairly large group with lots of different martinis and everyone was really happy. The bachelorette is also an awesome drink and is highly recommended.
Kit Kat is definitely a must for martini lovers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)