Category Archives: American (New)

Bandera Restaurant

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**** (4 stars)

I love the atmosphere of this place, which is intimate and fairly dark, with spotlights aimed at the tables rather than the diners. The live jazz is just the right volume, giving the place a supper club feel.

The menu is similar to Hillstone’s and Houston’s, which isn’t surprising since it’s affiliated. A couple of our favorite starters from there appear here. The spinach artichoke dip is creamy, and served with sturdy tortilla chips perfect for dipping. Also included are sour cream and a salsa with just a hint of heat. House smoked salmon is very smokey, delicate and flaky, served with crisp toast and a mayo and dill based spread.

Bandera’s Caesar salad isn’t for purists, as it uses kale, and the croutons are made from a fairly sweet corn bread. Ours were heavily over-dressed, but when the waitress noticed we weren’t enjoying them she immediately had them remade with about one fifth the dressing, and they were much better.

A house specialty is the enchilada, which is available with steak or a la carte. It’s a bit unusual in that it’s stuffed with squash, but is quite creamy, cheesy and satisfying.

Much of the menu is given over to burgers and other sandwiches, so the price for dinner and a show can be quite reasonable.

Service was super attentive without being intrusive.

Waits can be long, so reserve ahead, despite the fact that their reservation system doesn’t work as well as opentable.

This is definitely a great place for live jazz in a supper club atmosphere.

Bandera Restaurant
535 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-3524
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bandera-restaurant-chicago

Caprino’s Italian

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**** (4 stars)

Caprino’s is a much better restaurant than anything that has previously occupied this space. Run by Chef Stefano, who previously had the restaurant at the entrance to Summerport, and also has Stefano’s Grill in Dr Phillip’s Marketplace, Caprino’s strikes a balance between neighborhood Italian restaurant and sports bar.

The space is still the amalgam of Rialto’s ornate fine dining restaurant wrapped around a somewhat incongruous bar dotted with big screen TVs, but this serves the menu well, with its emphasis on combining traditional Italian dishes with sports bar food.

Whether your party wants wings, hoagies, pasta or pizza, there is likely something for everyone. And at the higher end, the beef is reportedly all prime; it and the seafood are butchered on site.

Our server was friendly and well-informed, and the service in general seemed quite polished for a restaurant open less than two months. On a moderately busy Friday night the kitchen was having trouble keeping up, which caused some service issues, but presumably these will be corrected.

The pizza is thin crust and has an authentic Naples taste to it. We tried two specials: the osso buco was heavily over-salted, but the lobster ravioli was well-prepared. Caesar salad is conventional and includes house made croutons.

Desserts are the same offerings as at Stefano’s Grill. The tira misu was generous.

Wine by the glass selections are somewhat limited, but there is a nice list of 29 bottles for $29 each, and also extensive cocktail offerings.

Chef Stefano was circulating throughout the dining room on the night we were there, and his hands on approach has certainly improved the experience at this neighborhood restaurant. So far it’s paying off with increased patronage.

Caprino’s Italian
7782 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Ste 140
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 500-3663
http://www.yelp.com/biz/caprinos-italian-windermere

Labriola Ristorante & Cafe

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**** (4 stars)

This is one of the best places for outside dining in the Magnificent Mile area, because the sidewalk cafe is actually a balcony far above Grand Street, so there’s no automobile traffic.

The usual pasta dishes are on offer, but we concentrated on appetizers, and loved everything we tried, particularly the zucchini blossoms, which were very lightly fried and stuffed with a creamy smoked mozzarella that was delicious.

The ricotta appetizer was also excellent, with fresh honey and crusty toasted bread.

Clams and mussels are served in a garlic laced broth that’s not too rich.

We also shared a pizza. The offering changes weekly, so your mileage may vary. We loved the authentic Naples-style crust, but didn’t care for the raspberry and onion based sauce on our particular offering.

There are some nice selections on the wine list, and the service was friendly yet professional.

Labriola Ristorante & Cafe
535 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 955-3100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/labriola-ristorante-and-cafe-chicago

CityVu Bistro

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**** (4 stars)

This is probably your best choice for dining in Holland. There is a nice view, and the menu offers and excellent variety of well-prepared food. We particularly liked the salmon spinach salad and the San Francisco flatbread. Inside can be noisy, so sit on the terrace if it’s not too sunny.

CityVu Bistro
CityFlatsHotel
61 E 7th St, 5th Fl
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 796-2114
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cityvu-bistro-holland

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant In the Vineyard

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**** (4 stars)

Tabor Hill wines share the characteristic struggle of other Michigan wineries, where you can sense the winemaker struggling to overcome difficult growing conditions for vinifera. However the real highlight at Tabor Hill is the restaurant and the ambience of the property. A leisurely lunch on the patio overlooking the vineyard can’t be beat. We enjoyed the charcuterie plate, the fish tacos and the orange shrimp salad. Service was friendly, and the view can’t be beat.

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant In the Vineyard
185 Mount Tabor Rd
Buchanan, MI 49107
(800) 283-3363
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tabor-hill-winery-and-restaurant-in-the-vineyard-buchanan

Slate Restaurant

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***** (5 stars)

After reading some mixed reviews I wasn’t expecting that much, but my first visit, at lunch, was exceptional.

As others have stated, the space is gorgeous, with an appealing mix of stone, wood and metal, and divided into a number of dramatic spaces.

The menu is oddly arranged, but so are the menus (and especially wine lists) at sister restaurants Luma and Prato. The affectation doesn’t impact the food quality, which was creative and top-notch.

We started with the deviled eggs and the watermelon salad. The eggs were dyed pink with beet juice, but were otherwise normal and delicious. The watermelon salad contained watermelon chunks, pickled rind, olives and feta. We ordered it because it sounded bizarre. It turned out to be bizarrely delicious, one of the most creative dishes I’ve had in a long time.

For entrees we had the shredded pork sandwich and the Mahi Mahi sandwich. Both were excellent, although I let the Mahi sit a bit too long and the papaya chunks soaked into the bread and made it a bit soggy. Best to eat this dish when it arrives.

The accompanying salad of mixed greens was plentiful and nicely dressed with an interesting vinaigrette.

Service was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. I have nothing negative to say about this new restaurant, especially considering this was their first week of lunch service. I will be back soon.

Slate Restaurant
8323 W Sandlake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 500-7528
http://www.yelp.com/biz/slate-restaurant-orlando

State and Lake Chicago Tavern

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**** (4 stars)

At first glance this place appears to be a fairly ordinary tavern likely to have a sports bar menu, but the food and ambience are both better than that. The stylish surroundings and pleasant lighting create a relaxed dining environment, and the menu offers some interesting and healthful items.

Yes, they’re known for their hamburgers and pretzels, but I had something completely different. I started with the charred broccoli, a generous serving that’s lightly seasoned and nicely cooked, although I could have done with a bit more char.

As a main course I had the Cobb salad. I like it when a Cobb is served un-tossed, as was the case here, allowing me to pick and combine ingredients at will. The perfectly seasoned avocado, bacon, cubes of Parmesan cheese and house-made ranch dressing were standouts.

Service was friendly and attentive. Altogether the meal was a very pleasant surprise.

State and Lake Chicago Tavern
theWit Hotel
201 N State St
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 239-9400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/state-and-lake-chicago-tavern-chicago

Tru

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**** (4 stars)

I’ve been to Tru four times over a period of seven years, and I think it is the most variable restaurant I’ve ver been to. One time I’ll have a three Michelin star experience, the next I can’t imagine what they were thinking.

On my first visit, every aspect of the food and service was perfect. Upon returning a year later, virtually every one of nine courses was a saucer of goo. A couple years after that we returned to have one of the most visually stunning meals I’ve had anywhere, accompanied by perfect (and not stiff) service.

But my most recent visit was again a disappointment. Aside from a couple of minor elements (walnut bread with the optional cheese course) nothing stood out gastronomically, and the service was stiff even though it was a quiet night. Worst of all was our inability to keep our wine glasses filled with the two expensive Burgundies we ordered. The sommelier placed them on the far side of the room, and then disappeared for fifteen minutes at a stretch. We finally took to just asking passing waiters to refill our glasses. After the  third such time, you’d think someone would have taken the hint.

I’m sorry if this seems petty, but when you’re spending over $1000 on a dinner for three people, the food and service need to be home runs. I’m sure I’ll try Tru again, but I’m going to give them a few years to go through another revolution.

Tru
676 N St. Clair St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-0001
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tru-chicago

The Gage

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**** (4 stars)

This is a great go to place for after work drinks and dinner. I like to sit in the corner of the side room where you are somewhat isolated from the noise in the bar and the rather load back rooms.

I’ve liked all the appetizers and main courses I’ve tried on several visits, and most dishes are very shareable, so you can try a variety. The wine list is extensive, and there are some great selections by the glass, including a terrific Madeira.

Service is professional and knowledgable. And of course there’s a hug and boisterous bar if you’re just looking for a drink.

The Gage
24 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 372-4243
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-gage-chicago

Mizuki Grill

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*** (3 stars)

With three sushi restaurants now within a two block radius, it’s hard to understand why this former Mexican restaurant (I know the decor looks Italian, but whatever) has become a combination sushi and American concept.

We didn’t try any of the American items, but the sashimi and sushi we had was all fine, although nothing stood out as particularly remarkable.

The salmon and hamachi appetizers were fairly similar, the main difference being minced onion on the salmon and jalapeño slices on the hamachi. Ceviche was served in a martini glass, and was mainly about lime juice and cilantro, which pretty much overwhelmed any fish flavors.

Rolls were somewhat more interesting. The Summer Roll (which according to our waitress “everyone orders”) was a balanced blend of tuna, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro and tempura flakes, topped with spicy mayo and sitting in eel sauce. The White Dragon was shrimp tempura with avocado, topped with eel and eel sauce. A few bits of the eel had a nice char that increased the complexity of the flavors.

The place is huge, with five dining rooms, although not all are furnished, and only two were in use. Service was efficient. The wine list is limited, and there are no sparkling wines, the best match for sushi. There are a few beers and sakes also available.

Mizuki Grill
474 Central Ave
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 926-7598
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mizuki-grill-highland-park