Il Fornaio
Carmel-by-the-Sea must have at least as many restaurants as I once counted in the Tri-Cities area of northern Illinois, oh, so many years ago. Or, perhaps as many beers as the Super Bowl will sell in New Orleans this February 9th… in the first five minutes of the game! But I digress… Il Fornaio Beckoned […]
C Restaurant + Bar
On a whim – as is often the case for us – we headed to California this past October. We had longed for the ocean breezes and the crash of waves on the shores of the California coast. Of all the many stops in the Carmel area, one memorable venue in particular was the Intercontinental […]
Catch
Although I cannot be certain, it would appear from the menu that Catch Restaurant acquired its name because of its heavily laden / abundant-with-seafood menu selections. On our first day in Carmel during a recent trip for an anniversary celebration, we were casually strolling along the south side of Ocean Avenue and passed a restaurant […]
Zealous
It is always an easy decision when determining just how Lauren and I will get to Chicago for a lunch or dinner. Taking the train is the only choice. It is generally always on time and the trip is – with the exception of finding a parking place at the station in Geneva – hassle-free. […]
Francesca’s Famiglia
Of the half-dozen or so wine dinners which Lauren and I have attended, it would be very difficult to select the one that was head-and-shoulders above the rest… Having said that, last night’s wine dinner at Francesca’s Famiglia was akin to sitting in the first base box seats in Wrigley Field during the World […]
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (small plates)
The first time I was introduced to something called “small plates”, I had no clue as to what they were all about. That was more than… well, it was a very long time ago! Especially at Fleming’s Steakhouse, the concept seems to be enjoying a reappearance of late… Well-Plated Eye Candy With a tight economy […]
Bistro One West
It has always been an odd sensation for me to walk in to a building that has previously housed another restaurant — let alone three or four other restaurants. For instance, take Bistro One West… Recent events have been a painful reminder that nothing lasts forever. Excellent Location for a Restaurant So, I suppose it […]
Niche
In what may quite likely be my final review of 2010, it is interesting that I find myself back in Geneva. Lauren and I are at a restaurant now called Niche. Located there are twelve “survivors” from former Geneva favorite 302 West. Greener Pastures They came to roost at Niche after fleeing their former place […]
Trattoria Isabella
Let me share a fun place with you. It’s in Chicago. You’ll enjoy some of the best Italian cuisine available in Chicago, and you’ll have fun while you’re there. It’s a restaurant called Trattoria Isabella… Always On the Lookout for Great Dining Venues Being able to jump on a plane and head to a distant […]
Shiraz on the Water
Daniel (Danny on the Money), Richard (Northern Sky Designs) and I go back a long ways… but it had been way too long indeed since the three of us had actually gotten together — especially for something that was not work-related. Calls had been placed to both of them months ago proposing a get-together, with […]