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Village Corner

sand dabs

Of my many favorite spots to stop for a family get together in Carmel, one of them has to be – or at least used to be – Village Corner.  Just a great place to go for a good Bloody Mary and a great breakfast. (This page may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure about […]

The Office

old office building

At the heart of the matter was a reunion of sorts. It had been years since three amigos from college days had taken the time to get together for a beer and yuks about things we used to do. I had not yet been to the suggested meeting place: a new St. Charles venue called […]

Village Tavern & Grill

place setting

Imagine if you will, a parking lot so full of cars — parked erratically and in every conceivable spot at various angles — that when a place becomes available, getting your car into it is more dangerous than fighting three heavyweight boxers for the last seat in musical chairs… Imagine the Village Tavern & Grill. […]

Venice Tavern

venice tavern exterior

It was the least likely night for us to go out for dinner — Sunday being a night when Lauren and I would rather just stay home and relax. But alas, the refrigerator was bare and we decided to venture out instead. I had visited Venice Tavern on several occasions during the summer months. What […]

Flagstone Pub and Grill

flagstone

For many years I have been a big fan of the Little Owl… No, not the bird, the restaurant and bar. Well, Flagstone Pub & Grill is right next door… Anyway, many years ago — when draught beers were still less than a dollar — I would visit often and order the Italian Beef and […]

18 Esperienza

18 north church st charles

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 […]