The Guide’s Inn
Ever heard of the Guide’s Inn? How about Boulder Junction? Both are in Wisconsin… The parents of a very good friend of mine decided that they wanted to escape the noise and hustle of a big city, so they packed up their belongings and moved to Boulder Junction, a small town in northern Wisconsin. That […]
Shochu
When I first spoke the name aloud, it sounded a bit reminiscent of the command necessary to beam a Klingon back aboard his spaceship. But although the name may have sounded strange, dinner at Shochu (Pronounced Show-chew) turned out to be one of the most gastronomically rewarding evenings I have experienced in quite some time. […]
Maijean
My mother had a phrase that she used when referring to something that she really liked and thought was really classy: “Simple Elegance”. And I would hope that she wouldn’t mind that I not only borrow it, but apply it to the restaurant at which Lauren and I had dinner just the other night. The […]
Montarra Grill
Including the one at Route 38 and Randall Road — where our journey began — we counted 35 traffic control signals (at least as of this writing), in a distance of approximately 25 miles — along with much windshield time — between there and Montarra Grill in Algonquin. That city is yet another gleaming example […]
100 South Chop House & Grill
A very long time ago, I had the pleasure of dining at what I considered to be one of the most impressive and exclusive feeling restaurants to which I had been. I have not had the pleasure of coming even remotely close to it ever since… It was the Twin Door Supper Club in Geneva, […]
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars
On the very eastern edge of Oxnard, in one of the most unlikely of places — at least from my point of view — is one of the very coolest restaurants at which I have had the pleasure of having dined: Tierra Sur. From the Herzog Winery website, I have lifted the following quote: “… […]
Al Capone’s Hideaway
The bend in the river gave no indication whatsoever of there being anyone around. I could easily imagine the prohibition era when this little spot on the river north of St. Charles was occasionally home to some of the nation’s most wanted… After my last dinner at Al Capone’s Hideaway, I remember lamenting about not […]
Topolobampo
It is surely a given that I am a difficult person to buy a gift for… even my mother would have told you that. Lauren would not disagree. But it is also a given that when Lauren gets a good idea for a gift for me, nothing can compare. (This page may contain affiliate links. […]
302 West (2006)
For some reason, this is a restaurant that will always have a place in my heart…no matter what. And no, that’s not a segue to some bad news about 302 West. I have enjoyed some very special moments and occasions there, and I remember how saddened I was with the passing of 302’s Joel Findlay […]
18 Esperienza
Somehow, even after a 4 ½ Zin rating – back in December of 2003 – the owner at what was then 18 North mistakenly got the idea that I had ripped his restaurant. After I reread my own review of 2003, I noticed only two things that I stated I was unhappy about: the way-overpriced […]