Author Archives: steve

Skogen Kitchen

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Smoked panacotta
Chilled asparagus soup
Scallop Crudo
Deviled Eggs
Caesar Salad Lyonnaise
Menu 7/2019
Exterior
Interior
Patio

***** (5 stars)

Really fine dining in Custer! This is obviously a labor of love, and the wonderful food and service show it. Deviled eggs are a spicy highlight. We also enjoyed the Salad Lyonaisse and the scallop crudo. Short ribs were a home run, too.

There’s an excellent wine list.

The outside patio offers quieter seating than the busy interior space. The servers and owner were extremely friendly. A real gem.

Skogen Kitchen
29 N 5th St
Custer, SD
57730
(605) 673-2241
https://www.yelp.com/biz/skogen-kitchen-custer

Ship Tavern

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Slow Roasted Prime Rib
Burger and onion rings
Pretzels
Bar
Bar
Interior

**** (4 stars)

You might expect an upscale hotel like The Brown Palace to have an equally upscale dining room, but this tavern is actually more like a 60s BBQ joint. The entree selection is somewhat limited, but there are lots of sandwiches and sports-bar-like appetizers. The prime rib was truly delicious, and they make a great burger. There is also a nice selection of whiskey. Service was friendly and helpful.

Ship Tavern
321 17th St
Denver, CO
80202
(303) 297-3111
https://www.yelp.com/biz/ship-tavern-denver-5

Bánh Mi Cali

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Banh Mi
Banh Mi with veggies outside to go
Exterior
Interior

***** (5 stars)

Wow! Great bahn mi sandwiches! The key is fresh bread, and this place is baking their own, so it’s super fresh and perfectly crusty.

The roasted pork is very savory, and the veggies crisp and bursting with flavor. I also liked that they offered to pack the veggies separate from the sandwich for to-go orders, to keep everything fresh.

Best banh mi I’ve had ever!

Bánh Mi Cali
5210 W Colonial DrSte 154
Orlando, FL
32808
(407) 866-0208
https://www.yelp.com/biz/b%C3%A1nh-mi-cali-orlando-2

Tomodachi Restaurant

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Exterior
Interior

**** (4 stars)

This is an excellent choice for a neighborhood sushi restaurant, as evidenced by its popularity. The quality and variety of the fish is excellent. Just be aware that portions are very large, so don’t over-order like we did. For example, an order of salmon sashimi included eight pieces! Service is on a tag team basis, and worked very well.

Tomodachi Restaurant
2779 Agoura Rd
Westlake Village, CA
91361
(805) 777-7578
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tomodachi-restaurant-westlake-village

Julio’s Agave Grill

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Enchiladas Sauzas
Queso fundido
A photo at Julio’s Agave Grill
Interior
Patio

**** (4 stars)

A delightful outdoor patio is the highlight of this neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Chips and salsa are complimentary. Queso fundido was and interesting, complex recipe that included mushrooms. The cilantro rice is particularly as rly good. Margaritas are potent! Service was attentive and friendly.

Julio’s Agave Grill
2809 Agoura Rd
Westlake Village, CA
91361
(805) 370-0145
https://www.yelp.com/biz/julios-agave-grill-westlake-village

Brent’s Deli – Westlake Village

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Exterior
Tuna melt
Half pastrami
Tuna melt
Interior

**** (4 stars)

Absolutely classic delicatessen with excellent quality ingredients and traditionally huge portions. The pastrami is the best I’ve had anywhere, tender and very flavorful. It’s great that most sandwiched are available in half portions with soup or salad. Split pea soup was thick and flavorful, with lots of meat. Very efficient service. Come at an off-time or be prepared to wait!

Brent’s Deli – Westlake Village
2799 Townsgate Rd
Westlake Village, CA
91361
(805) 557-1882
https://www.yelp.com/biz/brents-deli-westlake-village-westlake-village-2

Tuscany il Ristorante

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Lobster fra Diavolo
Bar
Exterior
Patio

***** (5 stars)

Really excellent restaurant with traditional Italian dishes and some modern dishes too (Chilean Sea Bass with miso glaze).

Your meal begins with complimentary bruschetta and is accompanied by focaccia bread and garlic rolls.

Caesar salad is absolutely traditional.

The lobster fra diavolo was the best I’ve had, served in a unique presentation, with a whole lobster, split and out of the shell, on one side of the plate, and the pasta and assorted shellfish on the other side. Really excellent.

The extensive winelist has some real depth, especially on the Italian offerings, which are reasonably priced.

Service was really top notch.

Tuscany il Ristorante
968 S Westlake BlvdSte 4
Westlake Village, CA
91361
(805) 495-2768
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tuscany-il-ristorante-westlake-village-2

Pink’s Hot Dogs

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Marth Stewart Dog
Onion rings and Chili Cheese Dog
Interior
Exterior
Interior

*** (3 stars)

Pinks it world famous, because it’s quite a draw for Japanese tourists. I had the Martha Stewart, which turned into a hot mess, with the bun disintegrating as soon as I tried to pick it up. That, plus about a cup of mayonnaise made it pretty unappealing. Also, the hot dogs have a weirdly soft texture.

Better was the chili cheese burger, with my favorite ingredients (basically the works) standard. But Original Tommy’s has nothing to worry about as far as the chili goes.

Onion rings were excellent, nice and crispy.

Pink’s Hot Dogs
709 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA
90038
(323) 931-4223
https://www.yelp.com/biz/pinks-hot-dogs-los-angeles-4

The Grill on the Alley

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Exterior
Interior

**** (4 stars)

This location is far from an alley, like the original in Beverly Hills! The building and it’s interior design is exceptional.

The menu is very similar to the original, although the preparations are slightly different.

My favorite item is actually the creamed spinach that comes with the steaks. It has the perfect balance.

Service is friendly and professional.

The Grill on the Alley
120 Promenade Way
Thousand Oaks, CA
91362
(805) 418-1760
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-grill-on-the-alley-thousand-oaks-5