Author Archives: steve

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

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**** (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

El Tovar Dining Room

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**** (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

Siam Splendour

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**** (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

Thai Sookdee Restaurant

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*** (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

Kafein

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**** (4 stars)

Dumpy old furniture, cave-like ambiance, everything you expect in a college-oriented coffee house. I love it. The food, whcih takes awhile since there’s often not much staff, is surprisingly good, the coffee drinks are Starbucks-killers, and the wifi is free. My favorite coffee house in Evanston.

Kafein
1621 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 491-1621
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kafein-evanston

Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge

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*** (3 stars)

I’ve never cared for places that try to do both Chinese and Japanese cuisines, because they tend to do neither all that well, and Koi is no exception. On a nice summer day it’s pleasant to sit in the front room with the floor to ceiling windows open, but don’t expect to get life changing sushi here. For the price I expect more.

Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge
624 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-6969
http://www.yelp.com/biz/koi-fine-asian-cuisine-and-lounge-evanston