Category Archives: American (New)

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

Trenchermen

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***** (5 stars)

Trenchermen provides a very interesting menu in a great environment that is a mix of retro and modern.

The very reasonably price four course menu offers a nice way to sample (rather large) tasting portions of two appetizers, and entree and a dessert. Having complete flexibility of wha tot choose from the menu is really a nice idea. Our eight choices were:

Shrimp was served on interesting toast, and with a lemon curd garnish, it was good, not superb.

Ham was thin sliced and served with a BBQ-like sauce, very good.

Carrots with exotic spices were accompanied by wonderful English pea falafel.

Pickle tots were more like potato puffs, with very little pickle flavor.

Cauliflower was a spectacular slice of a whole cauliflower, browned on both sides and served with tangy relish. This was stellar.

Double burger was perfectly cooked, served with spectacularly crisped steak fries and the most delicious “burger sauce” for dipping I’ve ever tasted. This was addictive.

Basque cake had a wonderful buttery crust and came with delicious poppy seed ice cream.

The cheese plate included three American artisanal cheeses, but the highly was the accompanying house-roasted nuts.

The focus here is on cocktails more that the rather eclectic selection of wines. Service was very friendly.

Trenchermen
2039 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-1540
http://www.yelp.com/biz/trenchermen-chicago

Amazing Kale Burger Lunch Counter

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**** (4 stars)

It’s always a pleasure to eat where the employees are really passionate about what they do, and that epitomizes The Amazing Kale Burger. From the moment I walked in I felt right at home, and my server’s enthusiasm for the food was very clear.

I tried the Vaden, which is served with a beet-based BBQ sauce. The kale burger patty is quite delicious, with all the ingredient in balance, and a nice crust from cooking. The accompanying lettuce and tomato were quite fresh, and the BBQ sauce was delicious. The bun was a bit small, sturdy and dry for my taste, but I can see where others might like it.

For a side dish I had pickled asparagus, which was tossed with yellow peppers and extremely fresh oregano bits. It was delicious.

House made mint tea was pleasantly unsweetened.

The kale burger was one of the better vegetarian patties I’ve had, and I’d often choose it over a meat patty if it were available elsewhere. Coincidentally, I ate here on national burger day!

Amazing Kale Burger Lunch Counter
741 Howard St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 660-4330
http://www.yelp.com/biz/amazing-kale-burger-lunch-counter-evanston

21c Museum Hotel

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***** (5 stars)

I love this unique boutique hotel, where every wall is filled with captivating modern art. There are extensive galleries off the lobby and downstairs, and many different media are represented. There is also an excellent restaurant, Proof on Main. Many of the city’s most interesting attractions are within two blocks. This is definitely the place to stay when passing through Louisville.

21c Museum Hotel
700 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/21c-museum-hotel-louisville

Proof on Main

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**** (4 stars)

This excellent and popular restaurant is lively and fun. There is an interesting wine list with more countries represented than any list I’ve see (Armenian wine, anyone?) Menu selections are limited, but constantly changing, and there is a special three course dinner every Sunday night. An excellent choice in Louisville, and a no-brainer if you’re staying at the wonderful attached 21c Museum Hotel.

Proof on Main
21C Museum Hotel
702 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
http://www.yelp.com/biz/proof-on-main-louisville

Etch

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***** (5 stars)

The food at Etch is astonishing. Seriously. This was one of the best meals of my life. Every flavor component of every dish was surprising, complex, and worth savoring. Some dishes–such as the cauliflower appetizer–had different flavor combinations at different ends of the dish. There wasn’t a single element of anything we tried that didn’t contribute to the whole.

An interesting wine list and knowledgeable servers complement this amazing food. And the ambiance is upscale, trendy, yet not too loud to have an intimate conversation. This restaurant would be a major weekly temptation if I lived in Nashville. Truly memorable.

Etch
303 Demonbreun St
Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 522-0685
http://www.yelp.com/biz/etch-nashville

Tempo Bistro To Go

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**** (4 stars)

This small shop offers delicious sandwiches and salads made to order from very fresh ingredients. I had the BLT (a surprising offer from a mostly vegetarian place) and it was quite good. I found the inclusion of cheddar cheese odd, and would omit it on a future visit. The green salad was mostly spinach, very fresh, and came with a delicious miso dressing option.

There are only a few tables in side, and a few more out back, so a lot of orders are to go.

Temp Bistro is definitely a great choice when looking for a healthy alternative.

Tempo Bistro To Go
1516 NW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 336-5834
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tempo-bistro-to-go-gainesville

Atlanta Grill

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*** (3 stars)

There’s nothing particularly impressive about the food here, especially given that it is in the Ritz Carlton.

The meal begins with a bread basket with excellent biscuits and corn bread. We tried three appetizers, charred octopus, fried green tomatoes and shrimp cocktail. All were fine.

The bone in “prime” striploin I had as an entree was truly the toughest piece of meat I’ve ever been served, literally uncuttable with a steak knife.

Side dishes were grilled asparagus (nothing special) and caramelized Brussels sprouts (the highlight of the meal).

The inedible steak was promptly removed from the bill, which was representative of the overall excellent service we received. This was particularly true of Brian, the sommelier, who is extremely knowledgeable.

The winless is fairly broad, although pricing is high and inconsistent, with some wines prices at up to four times retail.

The outdoor balcony offers a pleasant if noisy view of Peachtree.

Atlanta Grill
The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
181 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 659-0400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/atlanta-grill-atlanta

Norman’s

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**** (4 stars)

A recent visit here showed much improvement. Clearly ownership has taken a renewed interest. The food is consistently good if not stunning, and service is a lot more professional.

General Manager and wine director Yusuf Yildiz clearly knows his stuff, and has great plans for a new wine room, storage and emphasis on depth of the wine list, coming in August 2015. I look forward to seeing if Orlando can finally add a truly world class wine list to its restaurant portfolio after several decades without one.

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