My recent restaurant experiences…
After re-reading several of my recent posts about restaurants, I clearly have not been happy with my experience at several of the places I have been.
This is horribly sad for me. I don’t mean to be a crank. But, I figure if I tell the truth and the restaurant reads it maybe they will make some changes. I also want to make diners aware of what kind of experience they could get if they go there. No fake Amazings!!! here. I love food and love to appreciate the food in Minneapolis and surrounding areas. If I say something was AMAZING, I feel that way wholeheartedly.
Most of my rank comments have been about the service and I have been pondering why I have gotten some not so great service these last few weeks. Is it because I am younger than most of the servers, my lack of fashion, or because I do a lot of happy hours? I don’t know what exactly it is. I always tip over 20%.
I should also mention that none of the restaurants know that I write a blog. I try not to be too descriptive in my posts to let them know who I am. That way my experience is not skewed by what they want my experience to be that might be different than a normal customer.
Come on restaurants! I am just like any other person who wants to have a reason to come back again. My wish right now is that I could write more complementary posts about the restaurants to get more patrons in them.
My challenge to you:
I am ready to be redeemed by a restaurant… Please let me know if you know of any restaurants with great service. I will go there and let you know about it.
Key’s at the Foshay
Key’s at the Foshay is one of the best kept secrets in Minneapolis. Not only do they serve breakfast all day, they also have amazing desserts.
The best part of this restaurant is their staff. They greet you and remember you from past visits. Ask you how you like items on the menu. Tell you stories. But, most importantly, make you laugh.
Be prepared Key’s you can’t get rid of me now!
Because Key’s knows how to treat a customer and friend
@mplsgossipgirl
Salut Bar Americain- on Grand
I had great company last night when I attended Salut in St. Paul. Thank goodness, because otherwise I would not have been very happy when I left there.
When I got to the hosts table I waited because there was no one there to help me. When someone showed up I said I had reservations under my name and I was not sure if anyone from my party was already there, thinking that this host would be able to show me where our table was. They just looked at me as if I had something on my face. Then said, “well, did you look in there to see if they are here?” So, we went on our way without help from the host.
It stared out pleasantly with water, some bread, and butter. Our waitress was MIA. We finally ordered drinks and meals. Then, the strangest thing happened. Our waitress came out with a small dish with some small bites, placed it in front of one of us, muttered something and left. It took us awhile to figure out if that was something that came with what one of us ordered or if it was just an add on to our meal. We finally decided to share it. It made for an awkward moment.
The people who enjoyed the main course were the ones that ordered burgers. They looked delicious. My suggestion would be the burger with swiss and onion I believe it is called the french onion soup burger. I was hungry for something on the lighter side and ordered a staple. A GREEK salad. What ended up coming out was a hodge-podge salad with something that they must have had left over. My Greek salad had no cucumbers and had both red and green peppers all over it. It was the majority of the salad. If you take a look at the menu it does not even mention peppers come on it. I wasn’t sure, therefore I did not question the salad I ordered. I thought I may have not read the menu correctly. How disappointing, I spent 10 dollars on a salad that I really didn’t like. I might have ordered something else other than a salad but they were a little bit out of my price range for a mid-week dinner with friends who are on a budget.
My wine was fantastic. I had the $6.00 Merlot and would recommend that as a cheap, good wine.
My advice, if you go there order a burger and not a salad.
because what is on the menu should be what you get.
@mplsgossipgirl
Hell’s Kitchen- The Worst Cocktail I have EVER had.
Good thing their tag line is damn good food. Last night I had quite possibly the worst cocktail I have ever had at a restaurant. It was actually worst than most of the stuff I had in college. So, you know it’s bad.
I ordered a Cosmo (raspberry, that was recommended by the person who made my drink). It was $8.50. I am expecting a good drink if I am going to pay that much. Well, Hell’s Kitchen did not deliver.
It was overly sweet and tasted like cough syrup with booze in it. I am not sure if the person who made it was actually a bar tender or if he was just helping out at the bar for that time. I hope for the restaurants sake that he is not a bar tender. They should not let him make any drinks anymore. I literally, not figuratively, could not drink it.
It was actually quite sad. The whole restaurant at 7:00pm was almost empty. I felt bad for the guy preforming because he was the best thing about my experience there. He was good! But, clearly something is going wrong if at 7 on a Thursday you can’t get people in to eat your food and drink your drinks when there is a good performer.
I like Hell’s Kitchen for breakfast. I did write another review about Hell’s Kitchen that was glowing. But, I doubt I will ever go there to get a drink again. I am very glad that I didn’t choose the bar tenders choice drink because I wonder what kind of drink I would have gotten then.
The happy hour menu looks good… so maybe I will give it a try.
Let me know if you have had a drink there and what it was like.
Because booze should taste good.
@mplsgossipgirl
Cooking Shows on @tpt
If you are a foodie and like to cook, here is something that you may not know about. Every Saturday on TPT2 or Twin Cities Public Television they have a series of cooking shows such as America’s Test Kitchen, Simply Ming, and Essential Pepin to name just a few.
They really teach you how to cook like a real chef would. Happy TV watching day. Hopefully, the snow stops soon.
Because learning how to cook one dish well is something everyone should know, just in case the President comes to dinner.
@mplsgossipgirl
Fish Fries Minnesota
It is Catholics favorite time of the year Lent! The Catholics give up eating meat on Fridays but they get to have something delicious instead: FISH!
You don’t have to be a Catholic to enjoy the fish fries around the state during the Lenten season. Welcome one and all to the fish fries!
A full list can be found at The Catholic Spirit.
Here is a few of my picks:
St. Albert the Great Catholic Church
2836 33rd Avenue South
Minneapolis
612.724.3643
4:30-7:30PM
They feed about 700 people every Friday night. It is the Twin Cities most popular fish fry. They have bingo and many other activities but be prepared to stand in a line.
Any of the VFW’s are a great spot to go because you can get beer as well. Richfield VFW is always highly rated. Beer always enhances the flavors of the fish or at least that is my perception. Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington is another hall open 5 to 9 PM at 1114 American Blvd. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations.
If you are looking for something other than fish, head over to Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul from 11:00-6:30PM. You can also get them to-go by the dozen. On 401 Concord St.
My best suggestion is to try out a parish in your community. There is nothing better than meeting your neighbors over a great meal.
I would love to hear about your Fish Fries. Leave me a comment or find me on twitter @mplsgossipgirl.
Because food brings people together
@mplsgossipgirl
Primebar Takes Over Il Gatto Spot in Uptown
As many of you have heard from Stephanie March who writes Foodie File on @mspmag Primebar is coming to Minneapolis in Il Gattos Uptown location.
Primebar has a location in Dallas and is a national chain and I wonder how that will do in Uptown. It is a self proclaimed contemporary ale house. I think uptowners are more of a non-contemporary crowd, but maybe I am wrong. It does have a late night menu listed and I think that will help. But, the prices are a little bit over what uptowners like to pay unless the food is worth it. Hope they bring their A game! The ambiance at the Dallas location looks like it would fit in here and I hope they keep that similar at this location. Look at Primebar Dallas Here.
I am looking forward to trying Primebar! Let me know what you think @mplsgossipgirl and any readers from Dallas, Texas tell me what you think of your location.
Because really? Can there be too many bars?
@mplsgossipgirl
Tonight @Gather
If you haven’t been yet! Get there and get there tonight! I have had some great food here and the guest chefs are a lot of fun.
Get a cocktail with Prairie Vodka as well. A couple of month ago I had a Banh mi there once that rocked my world.
James Beard Semi-finalist Russell Klein of Meritage is the chef-in-residence tonight @Gather at the Walker.
There will be samples of:
Crispy Frog Leg
and
Oysters
Tonight from 5-9PM
Because Yummy!
@mplsgossipgirl
Starbucks Blonde Roast
Want to try something new? Try Starbucks Blonde roast.
I am usually a dark roast neighborhood coffee drinker but when I was out of my neighborhood I tried this because of a suggestion from a Barista.
It was much different than I expected and would drink it again when going to a Starbucks. I personally like the Veranda blend best but the Willow is good as well.
Give it a try.
Because drinking coffee is like therapy.
@mplsgossipgirl
Kowalski’s
I have been shopping at Kowalski’s for years and love the stores.
I recently discovered something that I thought I would share. When you walk in the door at any Kowalski’s there will be a box with fliers, books, and RECIPES! I am sad to say, that I just discovered the recipes. It is nice to be able to walk into the store take a look at the recipes and choose something that has all the ingredients in the store. This week I grabbed one for meatballs.
Thanks Kowalski’s for making meals easy!
Because anything that makes life easier is something to say thanks for.
If you know any other helpful discoveries like this one. Tweet me!
@mplsgossipgirl
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