8th- the scoreboard, minnetonka
11th- frankie's, new hope
14th- pizza hut, shakopee
15th- luci ancora, st. paul
16th- domino's pizza, prior lake
23th- amazing grace bakery and cafe, duluth
24th- new scenic cafe, duluth
24th- dubh linn irish pub/old goat restaurant, duluth
26th- pizza n pasta, shakopee
29th- santorini, eden prairie
30th- el azteca, apple valley8th- the scoreboard, minnetonka (b+)
i didn't know what i wanted for dinner because i oddly didn't have any cravings for anything in particular (usually i have very very specific cravings), or where i wanted to go. i ended up here due to proximity, a longer happy hour, and the knowledge that i would probably get the salad bar ($8.75) and have a few different things to choose from. a good idea if one's feeling kind of ambivalently indecisive about dinner.
i remembered i shouldn't order off the menu (though that happened so long ago, even i have to read back and check out why right now... ironically i almost reconsidered the super nachos, then i remembered the misnomer). so yes, salad bar, salad bar, salad bar, as (almost) always (sometimes i can't remember things like not to get said salad bar here).
(does the term 'salad bar' start to sound funny to you about now? maybe it's just the large amount of allergy meds i am on right now, but boy... it seems odd if you repeat it over and over. then again most things do...)
this place has a variable record of quality in my book, even for the same dishes (like the mexi-cheese soup- great on one visit, weird on the next). and so even though the hot entree was the same as last time, it was really quite good today (as opposed to inedible last time), and i even had seconds.
the soup i went for of the two choices was chicken tortilla, which other than tasting vaguely like spaghetti sauce was spicy and tasty with tender chicken. no avocado though. you had to crumble the huge tortilla pieces into the soup as they only has cups, not bowls. the strips were bigger than the cups. the other was ham and rice.
the salad bar had a more logical order this time, with the veg first then the cold salads (potato, cole slaw, that sort of thing) and other bits and pieces (pickled herring, for instance).
i was a bit hesitant to enter when i first got there as the parking lot was insanely filled with cars, but i figured that there was some sort of sporting event on that most people were watching in the bar, and the restaurant should be ok (it the masters golf tourney, see how much attention i pay to that?). and it started ok, but then as the restaurant filled up, i was unable to get my water filled for very very long stretches of time, and since that was all the service i required, that was disappointing.
mom had the half rack of ribs dinner ($11.95, i think it was), i had the half chicken ($10.95). the bbq wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. which is really funny as right after i wrote that, i went and looked at the original frankie's review i did about 5 years ago, and it's all the same thing only different... the food wasn't the same, the comment was,
anyway, the sven's bbq sauce they use was a bit on the bland side, and didn't do much for either meat. the best thing about the sauce was the aroma. but the salad seemed straight out of the packaged version that uses the oddly large bits of iceberg lettuce, carrots, and a few bits of red cabbage (with one wee tomato) and had really bad dressings- both the light ranch and the blue cheese were gross. i tossed (ha, ha) the salad after i tried the dressing on it.
the cheesy potatoes that come with the bbq dinners weren't really good either (though they needed to cut off some of the rotten bits *before* they put those in the oven). they were sliced potatoes baked with some cheese on top (see how brilliant they were with the name?). i picked off some of the cheese and ignored the rest- you know there's something wrong when i'm not eating the potatoes. the whole meal was missing seasoning, flavor, and... well, a bunch of other stuff. after adding salt and pepper and such (we got take out), it was still not tons improved.
let's just sum it up as this... the average breadsticks were probably the best thing about the meal. so yeah, disappointing. we had a $10 off $20 coupon here. i don't think i'd get another one unless maybe it was to try a pizza. and i don't hold out much hope for that at this point.
14th- pizza hut, shakopee (c-)
another work dinner from the hut. this time we went with the pasta selections- they have rotini in meat sauce, lasagna with meat sauce and chicken alfredo, also with, not surprisingly, rotini. i'm guessing an alfredo chicken lasagna comes next if they do a new one. anyway, for $13.99 with coupon we opted for the 'family size' meal that serves around 4 (two pans per order, and we got all three kinds. math is hard), depending on appetite size. with each family size order you get five breadsticks (very random number there- why not 4 or 6?) and marinara. i am not sure how many breadsticks you get with one pan, as 2.5 seems difficult to do. in all forms of advertising for this stuff it looks like you get a whole lot more than what's actually there. again, not surprisingly.
i only had the chicken alfredo, and it tasted like creamy... nothing (that is to say not chicken, not alfredo, and the pasta was not al dente). they needed to include some salt, pepper, cheese, and red onion flakes with their pickup orders for pasta- all of that may help. may. the breadsticks were edible and the marinara was not the worst i've ever had (high praise!). i'm just saying, this could've been a lot worse but i would like it to taste a bit more like food- they were the pre-made equivalent of a frozen microwave entree.
everyone else seemed to like it a lot more than i did, but then again they had the other pastas... just saying.
15th- luci ancora, st. paul (a-)
we were unable to get into the original luci, so we went with this one. it wasn't a bad thing, as it's not that it's bad here, it's just more italy via california versus the more classical italian of the original. and bonus- tuesdays and thursdays, they have menu where you can get a four-course menu of all of the specials of the day (reduced in portion) for $20 each if you order it in even numbers. (they do this at the original one, too.)
we were both rather surprised that i wasn't allergic to anything on the menu (i did have the server doublecheck for hidden shellfish, due to my paranoia).
the first course was a crispy polenta triangle in a lemon cream sauce with bits of smoked salmon and capers. it offered interesting texture and flavor contrasts. the fish and lemon combo they presented was a nice twist on the classic concept and the cream sauce didn't overwhelm- there was just enough of it. . it seemed fairly large for a reduced size first course. in fact most of the courses did. the bread and butter are still quite good and came in handy for getitng every last bit of sauce here.
you do get a choice between of the say or one of two salads for the second course. i wasn't up for the proferred cold tomato basil soup, and went with a mixed greens salad with golden raisins and gorgonzola in a rather strong vinaigrette (and yes, i did choose it for the cheese in there, i am that predictable). more raisins or something sweeter or brighter would've balanced the dressing a bit better, but it was a small thing. the other salad was the cesare (as they spell it) in an anchovy dressing with house-made croutons.
the third course (they called it the 'pasta' course) was the table favorite, hands down- a very spring-appropriate risotto with asparagus. i was thinking it would just get a a few grates of the proffered parmesan reggiano before they went on to the other plate, and ended up not paying so much attention (i'm still allergy-med zoned out) to the grating process and ended up with extra cheese. not a hardship for me. this was a lovely and creamy dish and shows how to showcase a few great ingredients and make them shine.
back to salmon for the entree- this was on a bed of cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce and had a bit of light tomato-basil tasting sauce (tomato water maybe?). the salmon was a bit overdone for my taste, but others may find it just right, it also needed a bit more seaoning, i thought (one of the few dishes of the evening that did). though unless this course was going to be steller, it would end up suffering a bit in comparison to the risotto on that day. we ended up feeling a tiny bit let down by it, feeling we would've been happier had there had been no fourth course. (you see the same sort of thing on top chef a lot when they do the multicourse menus there.) it was pretty solid, just not as great as the risotto.
when i mentioned that it would save them tons of time if they gave us our own water, they went so far as to go to the original luci to get a carafe big enough for us. so that's service right there.
16th- domino's pizza, prior lake (c-)
because fate is cruel sometimes, it was time for yet another work dinner from a pizza chain, sandwiching a very good real italian dinner. apparently i've not eaten domino's for over seven years, mostly because i find it crap. well, found it crap. that should be past tense as i really can't recall the last time i had any before that.
the black olive and mushroom pie wasn't completely horrible so perhaps their ingredient and sauce switched helped a bit, but it was the same thing only different problem that the hut had... it doesn't taste like exactly like food. i expect to taste sauce, bread, cheese, olives and get at least texture from the mushrooms on this kind of pie, but didn't get much of the toppings and the sauce was kind of bland, perhaps those ingredients were there for color.
but really i wouldn't order it myself.
23th- amazing grace bakery and cafe, duluth (c+)
they have the potential to be amazing, sure. like the last time we were here. this time instead of splitting one sandwich, since we each wanted different things, we got two half sandwiches (most are $4.99 for a regular sandwich size half, there's $.75 extra for chicken salad, we had a buy one get one half off coupon). and both were... meh.
the bread was really good (both the french and honey) and would make some kickass toast (which would've made the sandwich better). both the tuna and chicken salad lacked things to distinguish them from any other bland salad- not worth the chicken salad upgrade price. it's gone downhill since my last sandwich here.
they do have an interesting variety of veg to put on the sandwich- you can choose up to four, but the quality was uneven- decent cukes and alfalfa sprouts, soggy tomato and black olives that were pure texture and no flavor- canned is my guess. i think they could also upgrade the cheese, the cheddar and provolone were around supermarket quality. could be worse, but could be better.
they were unprepared for the younger bits of the dfl convention nearby to visit in the numbes they did, so the service counter with the one sandwich person was not effective. they had one person who was on drinks who had nothing to do, really. why they couldn't help out on the sandwiches...?
24th- new scenic cafe, duluth (b-)
i've been wanting to try this place for at least a few years, but have never managed to get here before. we tend not to stray far when we hit duluth, apparently. it's not quite as touristy as many places between two harbors and duluth, not cute, but more rustic with a lot of wood and natural decor (and art from a nearby school on the walls). it was nice to get away from kitsch.
right now they still (rightly) are going from the winter menu, the spring produce isn't seasonal up here yet. since it was a very raw day, we both opted for bowls of soup ($4). for what most people charge for a cup, you get a really large bowl with a roll from the new french bakery (we had two each, actually) and some very good butter. we went with the asparagus puree, which was all vegetarian from what we could tell.
the soup did bring out the best in the aspargus, and went well with the day where you think spring but the weather isn't cooperating, quite. it was very good, it maybe needed a bit more seasoning or if the asparagus were more roasted and the onions more carmelized for more flavor. mom would've liked it thicker, i would've liked it unhealthier (a bit of butter in it, perhaps, or cream) and without the bit of onionskin i found in it. it was probably the only one in the pot, of course...
mom was going to get the grouper sandwich, but i convinced her to try something new- the seafood albondigas off the starter menu, deep fried spicy meatballs with a mix of lobster, crab and shrimp (yes, i like to live vicariously through others) that comes over a mix of cinlantro-flavored spicy red beans and rice. bell pepper was on the menu, there were peas in it instead. there were about half a dozen or so meatballs and some wee crab claws and a few other seafood bits on top, too ($10). it was a sizeable portion for the money, mom really liked them. but most things taste good deep fried, n'est pas?
i also opted for a starter, the northern waters (as seen in the canal park area, i've had their stuff before) smoked salmon, served with an interesting mix of boursin cheese, and rosemary browned butter apple sauce with some toasted baguette ($8). a very nice looking plate that tasted fine, too. the bread fell apart a tad too easily in a few places, but that's all.
for dessert, we opted to split the triple berry (raspberry, blueberry and blackberry) pie with as seen in city pages "100 favorite dishes" ($4). you get whipped cream or ice cream, we got the ice cream. the pie was very good indeed- especially as both of us are not fond of pie crust, and we ate most of that (except the crimp area) quickly, too). the ice cream tasted too bought (vs. made).
the food was perhaps worth the wait, the service is another matter. they didn't staff up (so there were major waits even when we got there and it wasn't very busy at all... it got worse as the place filled up) and the staff they do have is perhaps too new to know much about the menu- though they did ask the kitchen when we had specific questions about items with no problem.
water service was grim. the server kept saying they'd fill the glass up right away, and only actually did so once... and since they were busy i didn't get to wave anyone down for it. i left thirsty and was not happy with that. if i didn't have a bottle of water in the car i would've tracked down a pitcher and gotten my own. so major points off for that.
i wonder if they do better when it's either dead (and no one's there so you get a lot of attention from the very few servers) or during the height of tourist season when they're slammed but ready for it.
24th- dubh linn irish pub/old goat restaurant, duluth (d+)
since i knew the food was not going to be the highlight here (we won tickets to the comedy show and had to get there early and just decided to get something), i went with what i thought would be reliable- beer battered fish and chips, half order ($8.95, though we did have a buy one get one). the fish was light and tender and crispy, too bad i dropped about a third of it on the floor. perhaps that was the result of the hardcore cider ($4.75). the fries were served cold, they did replace them with some fresh out of the fryolater.... and it made a world of difference... well, it went from inedible, to tolerable. not sure if they make their tartar sauce, but it had red onion in it.
mom ordered the mistake, er, the reuben with very light rye sauerkraut and thousand island (hold the swiss) and irish potato salad ($8.98). the corned beef is braised with smithwick and was good. the fail was in the bread- it tasted more like white than light rye, and we were told that the bread is never toasted enough for anyone... which seemed odd. they should get different bread, as it didn't even taste like rye... just kind of like that weird bread that's white but has wheat it in. it was odd. mom thought it was the worst reuben she's ever had.
it seemed odd that their heavily fried menu touted the 'fresh and local' angle, but hey, my sandwich tasted fresh. it could have been from local fish for all i know.
service was a bit slow for the not so many people but seemingly quite a few servers.
random thing- they have a specialty beverage called the hot butt.
26th- pizza n pasta, shakopee (b+)
had a surprise work meeting during dinner (which someone brought), so once more to the veggie pleaser with two kinds of olives, onions, and mushrooms. not the most exciting and extensive mix ever of veg, i will say. i think they got it with extra cheese, it tasted better than i remember (and apparently the cheese would be the only reason for that, no?). and it's way better than the other pizza alternatives nearby and such (see earlier in the month).
29th- santorini, eden prairie (c-)
since i've been somewhat disappointed in their cooked to order here before, this time i decided to go with a new strategy- premade things. in this case the selection of three spreads with pita ($7.95 listed on the menu, they charged $8 on the slip... only a $.05 difference, but major points off). same thing only different as the gardens of salonica version.
the 'spicy feta... creamy feta with olive oil and hot peppers' which other than the peppers was not so spicy and the feta being not the best ever (sheep's cheese feta rocks) was good.. the 'taramosalata... red caviar, potatoes and onions' it tasted nothing like potatoes, and the caviar lended color only. to me it tasted like tasted like flavored mayonnaise, and considering the ingredients that's just weird. not that i don't like mayo, but it's not what i expected. the 'kalamata and goat cheese tapenade... chunk olives, herbs, garlic and fresh goat cheese' was mostly olive and garlic-forward. the goat cheese and herbs are lost. they were also served with weird tiny forks, like shrimp forks, which is not very handy for spreads.
and since i tend to love it i also got a side of potato salad ($3). still good, though less egg yolky plate licking tasty than previous outings. and it was served room temperature. interesting. and for a change, i opted for a girly drink, a ginger peach cosmo ($9). it was heavy on the vodka and light on anything that tasted of ginger or peach or the white cranberry juice. i wasn't sure why there was pulp in it, as none of the ingredients listed was citrus. i expected it to be much sweeter, like i expect of all girly-sounding drinks.
as you can see, my strategy didn't quite work. it'd put my dinner in the average category. mom liked what she ordered better, the 'nicklow’s deluxe salata... greek salad of romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, olives, shrimp, crab claws, boiled eggs and nicklow’s potato salad. served with a traditional creamy lemon olive oil dressing.' ($15). she gave it a 'b,' to me the potato salad seemed an odd addition and looked messy in the rest of it. and the eggs were missing,
better service from the wait staff this go around, though. they had enough staff to handle the additional people there for the dining out for life event (why we were there in the first place). waters were filled, there was no post-check wandering off, we got our food in a somewhat reasonable amount of time. though the bread service was just kind of dumped and some random cheese thrown on plates with no explanation or anything (and the bread tasted stale/rewarmed in the microwave- odd texture).
so it doesn't look like my plan was successful. so perhaps i should decide if it's smart to return. but then i'd miss the egg salad. decisions, decisions.
30th- el azteca, apple valley (b)
this place has some awesome sauces. i almost thought that if i had one of their top notch ones, like the mole poblano or the cheese one that was with their chimichanga and some of the chips that would be enough. those two have some serious depth to them (which is difficult in a cheese sauce) but are smooth and perfect.
but the sauce that was the spinach burrito that i got on my choice from the vegetarian selections ($7.99) couldn't cut the bitterness of the spinach... but at least they used fresh spinach in it. i think it was a pico de gallo, but since their menu was not very specific about some of the menu items and i didn't ask, i am not sure. tomato was in it for sure, my best guess is some sort of smooth tomato salsa or a ranchero sauce. i think maybe a shot of lime and/or seasoning would've gone a long way towards cutting the bitterness.
the other two items were tastier, and one of them didn't even have a sauce. i would've enjoyed the mole poblano (again, no description, just a guess) even without the cheese enchilada, as mentioned. that sauce made that part of the dish.
the quesadilla filled with mushrooms and cheese was sauceless, i loved the cheese and just the right amount- enough to make it gooey without getting in the way. the sauteed mushrooms seemed to be fresh... and the whole reason i went with this option was the mushrooms. oddly it wasn't flat, but kind of puffy so the texture was more interesting than the usual quesadilla.
i would maybe just go a la cart with the quesadilla and try to get a side of the mole perhaps with chips (which could use a little salt for my taste, served with a mild salsa and some sort of ranch dressing sauce that seems to be popular in the south metro)... or try something new.
the chimichanga ($6.99 for lunch) had that killer cheese sauce (after a tasted i really wanted to grab that off the other plate, but restrained myself, having at least some cheese at my disposal) but the beef had a bit of gristle in it. with it you get rice or beans and a crema salad, which i believe is not defined on the menu but looks like a standard sort of side-salad iceberg lettuce mix with cream dressing.
we had what i would guess was new server, so there was a few problem areas like water refills and such. they weren't polished yet, they needed an extra hand also i think. the music was not as loud this time, though, so at least we could hear them, mostly.
oh... and about that vegetarian selection on the menu? tilapia tacos... fish are not vegetables- why do i keep having to mention this? sigh. move that out of there, please. and also move your menu to pdf files. their web site is a hot flash mess. if you have to add directions on how to see the tiny words on your menu that's a big huge sign that perhaps that you need to have that go away quickly. no one on a mobile can see it well i would guess, plus words are cut off on the bottom of the menu... and the navigation is not so much there. but the grade doesn't reflect the bad site... bad.
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