Thai Sookdee Restaurant

*** (3 stars)

This is a completely mediocre Thai restaurant with one killer dish: Pad Thai. Their preparation of it isn’t even exactly traditional, but it is delicious, with medium dark noodles that really sop up the flavorful sauce. Unfortunately every thing else on the menu is quite forgettable. Our strategy is to order the Pad Thai delivered, and then add our own accompaniments.

Thai Sookdee Restaurant
1016 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-8012
http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-sookdee-restaurant-evanston

Siam Splendour

**** (4 stars)

A pretty decent Thai restaurant that has parking, quite the novelty in Evanston. The barbecued pork skewer appetizer and the Thai salads are the stand outs, and the Pad Thai is pretty good, too. The chive dumplings were doughy and undercooked. Extensive menu, so there’s lots to explore.

Siam Splendour
1125 Emerson St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 492-1008
http://www.yelp.com/biz/siam-splendour-evanston-2

El Tovar Dining Room

**** (4 stars)

I had fond memories of this dining room from a trip thirty years ago when I was freshly married. In particular, the morning toast, which seemed to have been deep fried in bacon fat stuck in my mind (and arteries, I’m sure). Fortunately (or not, as you view it) the toast is gone, but the place still holds a certain charm. Along with the Awahnee at Yosemite, it’s the only remaining grand hotel in a national park. There’s something deliciously decadent about fine dining in the midst of hikers who’ll be having beans and sleeping in a bag. While breakfasts in the dining room are no longer special, dinner is still an event.

We had a lovely table next to a widow and watched a storm come in. We shared salmon and trout croscanti as appetizers. Both were really excellent. Dinner was salmon and Filet Mignon, also good. Because the hiring is seasonal, the wait staff is often recently trained, but our waiter was an expert, and also an interesting fellow. He had studied Physics in college and knew all about Niels Bohr and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and had even visited Copenhagen to see Bohr’s Institute. Chatting with him turned a pleasant evening into an also memorable one, and made the meal as special as the setting.

El Tovar Dining Room
Village Loop Dr
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
(928) 638-2631
http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-tovar-dining-room-grand-canyon

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

**** (4 stars)

This is a beautiful (if barren) setting, and the hotel creates a delightful oasis, with wandering lanes linking the room, and a pleasant pool. If the weather is hot, that does mean a hot walk to the main building for meals, but that’s why you’re here, I suppose. Dinner in the dining room is good, if not inspired, and if the weather permits the outdoor dining is delightful, with live music, and a view of the craggy surroundings. Breakfast is a nice buffet. Compared to other Four Seasons, the resort seems a bit short on amenities, as beyond hiking in the desert or swimming in the pool, there is little to do. But for a relaxing getaway, it’s a pleasant place. Wifi is free.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
10600 E Crescent Moon Dr
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
(480) 515-5700
http://www.yelp.com/biz/four-seasons-resort-scottsdale-at-troon-north-scottsdale

Little Hollywood Land Movie Museum

**** (4 stars)

This place is a hoot. Our tour group stopped here for lunch, and they cast us in a pretend movie, providing costumes for everyone. The graciousness and enthusiasm of the staff turned what could have been a forced, tacky experience into a lot of fun. Afterward we had a buffet lunch that was… delicious! They make a mean homemade barbecue sauce, and also had some great salad dressings. I was skeptical, but I’d go back.

Little Hollywood Land Movie Museum
297 W Center St
Kanab, UT 84741
(435) 644-5337
http://www.yelp.com/biz/little-hollywood-land-movie-museum-kanab

Alinea

** (2 stars)

I’ve eaten at some great restaurants all over the world, and I don’t get Alinea. It’s simply irritating. Yes, a few courses are knockouts. But there are also clunkers. The real problem, though, is the didactic nature of the place. We were instructed in how te eat almost every bite: “Put the whole thing in your mouth” (it was huge), “Inhale this smoke while you take a bite”, “”Don’t injure yourself on this ridiculous spike we served it on.” Then came dessert. They rolled out a rubber sheet, and several “chefs” literally smeared various stuff all over it in from of us. I am not making this up. Not only is this not the best restaurant in Chicago, it’s one of the worst fine dining experiences I’ve had in Chicago. Service is stiff, the decor is austere, I just don’t get it.

Alinea
1723 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 867-0110
http://www.yelp.com/biz/alinea-chicago

Les Nomades

*** (3 stars)

Not one of my favorites in Chicago. Service is stuffy and controlling, the pacing of dinner is too fast, and there isn’t a knockout dish on the menu. The decor is nice, and I suppose it’s a good place to impress a date or business associate, but there is better French food to be had in the Chicago area. Restaurant Michael in Winnetka, for example, offers a better meal at half the price.

Les Nomades
222 E Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 649-9010
http://www.yelp.com/biz/les-nomades-chicago

Quince

**** (4 stars)

Quince is almost a great restaurant. The service is superb. The dining rooms are homey and a touch formal. And the food is good. There’s just no over the top dish to take it to the next level. A good reliable upscale meal in Evanston, better than Oceanique, not as good as Stained Glass.

Quince
1625 Hinman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-8400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/quince-evanston-2

Chef’s Station

**** (4 stars)

I love the outdoor ambiance of this place on a nice evening, although inside is cozy and pleasant, too. Service is great: professional yet friendly. It’s a good sign when I see the same personnel year after year. The food is really top notch, and I feel under-appreciated, as this is a much better meal than at Oceanique, and it’s actually even more French than that place. One of the best upscale dining experiences in Evanston for sure.

Chef’s Station
915 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-9821
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chefs-station-evanston