Author Archives: steve

Smoke House Restaurant

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garlicbread

**** (4 stars)

I’ve been going to the Smoke House since I was a little kid. In fact the one that used to be in Encino was my parents’ regular Saturday night pilgrimage back in the 60s. The Burbank original carries on, pretty much unchanged since 1946. In fact, I’m not sure it’s had a refurbishment since then.

But it’s not new and trendy that one goes seeking at The Smoke House. It’s garlic cheese bread. This recipe has been keeping the place in business for close to 70 years. The bread is super fresh sourdough, coated with butter, garlic and a pungent, crumbly bright orange cheese coating that I’m pretty sure is a mixture of dehydrated cheddar (the stuff that comes in the packet of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese) and parmesan. The reason I can state this with some confidence is that I’ve been trying to duplicate it for 30 years, and I’m getting close!

There’s lots of other stuff at the Smoke House that’s edible: fish and chips, prime rib, crab louis salad, and some tasty cappuccino ice cream. But you wouldn’t go there just for any of that stuff. It’s that addictive orange powder that brings us back, year after year. Never change it!

Smoke House Restaurant
4420 W Lakeside Dr
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 845-3731
http://www.yelp.com/biz/smoke-house-restaurant-burbank

McCoy’s Bar & Grill

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Interior

**** (4 stars)

This is our go-to place whenever we’re flying in and out of MCO. My favorite is the salmon salad.

My wife loves the sampler, which allows you to select three small plates such as hummus, chicken wings or quesadilla. They’re served on a tower that is kind of fun. It would also make a good shareable appetizer for a party of three or four.

The recently remodeled and added a sushi bar, but I’ve never been to the restaurant when it was actually open, which is a shame. I wish they would extend the hours beyond dinner time.

Service is fast and efficient, so it’s possible to have a pleasant meal and still make it to your gate without a rush.

McCoy’s Bar & Grill
9300 Airport Blvd
Orlando, FL 32827
(407) 825-1340
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mccoys-bar-and-grill-orlando

Norman’s

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*** (3 stars)

I have to admit I don’t really get Norman’s food. I’ve been to a couple of special events here that I liked quite well, including a Paul Bocuse dinner that was superb. But it was Paul Bocuse’s food, for the most part, that made it so. The restaurant’s normal menu doesn’t do it for me. It always seems to me as if there is one too many spices in each dish, that somehow muddle the flavors. It leaves me yearning for something a bit simpler, where the quality of the natural ingredients is allowed to shine through.

Service is pleasant, although I’ve run into more than one server who was clueless about wine. One server had never heard of the expression “corkage charge,” which is a bit amazing for a restaurant of this caliber.

The room is pretty, although it can be noisy. If you’re staying at the resort, it’s probably worth trying. It’s certainly better than the dozens of steakhouse alternatives that surround it in the tourist area. But when I visit the Ritz I eat at The Vineyard, which has a better wine list and a subtler touch with the food.

Norman’s
4012 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 393-4333
http://www.yelp.com/biz/normans-orlando

The Vineyard Grill

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**** (4 stars)

This is the main restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, since Normans (which I’m not fond of) is independently operated. So this is the main place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some people list it as a steak house, but when you first walk in it looks a bit more like an upscale coffee shop dining room. I’m sure it has a very different atmosphere at various times of day, but I’ve always gone for dinner, when it transforms into a fairly upscale experience.

I’ve found all of the entrees to be reliable, but for me the highlight is the wine list (not surprising, given the restaurant’s name). The trick is to look beyond the least expensive selections, because the pricier wines are listed at a fairly reasonable markup for a restaurant in such a fancy environment.

The wine manager here is very friendly and knowledgeable, and can give you some guidance as to food pairings. We live in Orlando, yet make it a regular stop on the way back from the airport if we’re picking someone up, so that says a lot for a hotel restaurant.

The Vineyard Grill
4012 Central Florida Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 393-4648
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-vineyard-grill-orlando

That Little Mexican Cafe

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**** (4 stars)

The first time I went here I had pretty conventional Tex Mex fare, and it was fine. But on my return visit I decided to see if they could do authentic Mexican food, and I left quite impressed. I had the Pibil, a slow roasted marinated pork, somewhat like pastor. It was brimming with interesting spices and had a piquant tang to the barbecue-like sauce. Served with corn tortillas, it was delicious and authentic.

The salsa here is quite good, a homemade version more about the herbs and spices than tomato sauce. Chips are fairly sturdy, and also seem homemade.

The margaritas are excellent. They’re hand shaken and poured over the rocks, and have just the right level of tartness, and a good balance of tequila to juice.

Service is friendly and attentive. Brunch is available on the weekends.

That Little Mexican Cafe
1010 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 905-1550
http://www.yelp.com/biz/that-little-mexican-cafe-evanston

Andy’s Frozen Custard

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**** (4 stars)

This place is incredibly popular, rain or shine there is always a line, and always people eating on the tables out front. The custard is tasty, especially the concretes, which are mixtures of custard with interesting debris thrown in, like cookies pieces or fruit.

The only problem is that if ice cream isn’t exactly health food, I don’t know what to call frozen custard. The best plan is to order a small, eat half (or less) and then take the rest home and put it in the freezer. This works great, because the custard won’t get rock hard, due to the incredibly high fat content. So save the other half for a later–much later–date.

Andy’s Frozen Custard
719 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-8009
http://www.yelp.com/biz/andys-frozen-custard-evanston

Michael Jordan’s Steak House

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***** (5 stars)

I have to admit that I went to an Adobe Road Wine Dinner here, rather than experience the normal dining room offerings, but usually group events don’t offer a place its best opportunity to shine.

Boy did the chef knock it out of the park. I’ve been to hundreds of wine dinners and this had to be at the very top. Duck with cherries and dijon mustard; hickory smoked lamb chops with mint, watermelon and tomatoes; wagyu beef with black carrots. I’m not sure which course was the best.

Service was prompt and friendly, and the private room was perfect for a group of twenty. I will definitely go back to check out the regular menu, because there is some serious talent behind the scenes here.

Note: the bar was absolutely packed on a Wednesday night after work, so if you’re into that scene, it’s the place to be.

Michael Jordan’s Steak House
505 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 321-8823
http://www.yelp.com/biz/michael-jordans-steak-house-chicago

Other Brother Coffeehouse

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***** (5 stars)

This is my favorite coffee house in Evanston. They are so friendly, and there is considerable artistry to the way they assemble the drinks.

Macchiatos are made the authentic way, and nicely decorated.

The base coffee is much less bitter than Starbuck’s so pretty much any variant turns out better.

There is also a small assortment of packaged salads by The Growling Rabbit, which are quite good.  I particularly like the Quinoa Salad.

Other Brother Coffeehouse
1549 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-5399
http://www.yelp.com/biz/other-brother-coffeehouse-evanston

Farmhouse Evanston

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**** (4 stars)

This place is the second outpost of Farmhouse, and it has been an instant success, packed every time I’ve looked in. The theme here is local sourcing, and nearly everything on the menu–even including the wines, beers and spirits–comes from nearby.

We shared the stuffed trout and a burger. The trout was served on black quinoa with a red berry sauce. The berry sauce made the otherwise fairly bland dish pop, but there could have been a bit more than the little drizzle. The burger was thick, perfectly cooked, and on an excellent bun. Accompanying fries were a bit thin and limp for my taste.

Ambiance is lively, and the spirits list is very interesting. This explains why the bar is so packed. Definitely a place to check out when in Evanston.

Farmhouse Evanston
703 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 492-9700
http://www.yelp.com/biz/farmhouse-evanston-evanston

The Lucky Platter

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***** (5 stars)

Wow, this place was a double surprise. From the name I thought it would be Chinese, and from the decor I thought it was a greasy spoon. And in fact there is plenty of diner food on offer here, but there are also some amazing dishes.

I opted for the portobello sandwich, which was fabulous. The bun was perfectly grilled, the mushroom had a delightful texture, and the crispy thin onion rings added just the right amount of crunch. The sauce gave it a nice kick, and lettuce and cucumbers added a refreshing layer of cool. Wow, after writing that I’m ready to eat another one.

My sandwich came with a choice of fries, and I selected the gingered fruit. Double wow! The cantaloupe, strawberries, plums and pineapple had been coated with a ginger sauce, and then perked up with cilantro and green onion bits. Creative and delicious.

I’m definitely headed back here to check out breakfast.

The Lucky Platter
514 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 869-4064
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-lucky-platter-evanston