Category Archives: American (New)

Maxine’s on Shine

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Exterior
Interior
Three cheeses

***** (5 stars)

This is a great neighborhood place, with artisinal food and live music. Sunday Brunch is definitely bustling, and is not a place for intimate conversation!

The cheese plate offers a nice selection with appropriate accompaniments. Deviled eggs were also nicely done, with some exotic spices.

Hot chicken and waffles relied on a spicy barbeque sauce rather than a Nashville preparation.

Service was attentive, and the music was good.

Maxine’s on Shine
337 N Shine Ave
Orlando, FL
32803
(407) 674-6841
https://www.yelp.com/biz/maxines-on-shine-orlando

Sides Hardware and Shoes – A Brothers Restaurant

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Grilled cheese
Chicken sandwich
Interior

**** (4 stars)

This cute little vintage building near the center of Los Olivos offers excellent salads and sandwiches.

I tried the chicken sandwich on our server’s recommendation, and it was great; such a delicate batter on the chicken, and the slice of bacon steak was tender and not overwhelming.

The grilled cheese was also very nicely done.

Service is prompt and efficient.

Sides Hardware and Shoes – A Brothers Restaurant
2375 Alamo Pintado Ave
Los Olivos, CA
93441
(805) 688-4820
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sides-hardware-and-shoes-a-brothers-restaurant-los-olivos-3

The Gathering Table

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Fondue
Hamachi
Octopus
Exterior
Interior

***** (5 stars)

This terrific restaurant in The Ballard Inn is very popular, so be sure to make reservations. The atmosphere is a cross between modern and colonial, and the food is 100% creative.

We loved every course. The standouts were the best tomato soup I’ve ever tasted, and some incredibly tender octopus. The hamachi was also melt in your mouth tender. Service was an efficient team effort.

The wine list offers a nice selection of local bottles and some French wines, but very little variety by the glass.

Highly recommended.

The Gathering Table
2436 Baseline AveThe Ballard Inn
Solvang (Ballard), CA
93463
(805) 688-7770
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-gathering-table-solvang-ballard

Element 47

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Dessert
Scallop
Amuse bouche
Lobster terrine with citrus
Bar
Outside seating

**** (4 stars)

This is a pleasant restaurant in Aspen’s most famous hotel. It’s probably not quite as good as that description would suggest, but perfectly adequate.

We had the five-course tasting menu, which was well presented, but without any real knockout courses, although there were tasty components in each.

We also had both the sommelier and premium wine pairings. In each instance the premium wines were MUCH better. Service by the sommelier was friendly and informative.

Food service was pretty slow, but the lovely outside summer dining area provided a pleasant venue to pass the time.

While neither the meal nor the wines were knockouts, the pricing was certainly fair for what we were served.

Element 47
675 E Durant Ave
Aspen, CO
81611
(970) 920-6330
https://www.yelp.com/biz/element-47-aspen-2

Desert Bistro

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Hawaiian sea bass
Bison
House salad
Citrus salad
Bruschetta
Ground pork in phyllo dough
Bread service
Exterior
Entry
Dining room

***** (5 stars)

Fantastic gourmet dining in the heart of Moab. Truly creative cuisine artfully presented.

The citrus salad is really refreshing. My bison tenderloin was tender and perfectly cooked.

Extensive wine list. Friendly service.

Desert Bistro
36 S 100th W
Moab, UT
84532
(435) 259-0756
https://www.yelp.com/biz/desert-bistro-moab

El Moro Spirits and Tavern

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KFC (Korean Fried Cauliflower)
Honey Sambal Lollipops
Smoking Hot Toast
Wall o’ booze
Interior

***** (5 stars)

Really nice selection of small plates, larger plates, sandwiches, cocktails and beers. Limited and somewhat eclectic selection of wines.

We loved the lollipops, a spicy take on chicken wings using drumsticks and a wonderful sweet/spicy sauce, plus a green curry dipping sauce. The Korean Fried Cauliflower was also great.

The bar offers an enormous collection of spirits, and some talented mixology.

El Moro Spirits and Tavern
945 Main Ave
Durango, CO
81301
(970) 259-5555
https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-moro-spirits-and-tavern-durango

Trio American Bistro

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Elk
Copper River salmon
Focaccia bread
BLT Soup
Mussels
Exterior
Open kitchen
Interior

***** (5 stars)

Delightful gourmet food in the center of Jackson Hole. Really nice wine list.

The place is popular and can get noisey, so I suggest sitting at the counter that looks into the open kitchen and the wood fired oven.

Excellent mussels were a great appetizer. Salmon and elk were both good entrees. Friendly and professional service.

Trio American Bistro
45 S Glenwood Dr
Jackson, WY
83001
(307) 734-8038
https://www.yelp.com/biz/trio-american-bistro-jackson

Slippery Otter Pub

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BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger
BBQ Chicken Hawaiian pizza
Beer samplers
Sign
Exterior
Interior
Bar

**** (4 stars)

More of a sports bar/fantastic restaurant than a pub, but they do have a great selection of beers on tap. BBQ chicken Hawaiian pizza was okay but the crust want great. The BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger was excellent. Friendly service and open late.

Slippery Otter Pub
139 N Canyon St
West Yellowstone, MT
59758
(406) 646-7050
https://www.yelp.com/biz/slippery-otter-pub-west-yellowstone

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

Pearl District

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Bar
Patio
Duck confit pancake
Ahi crudo
Interior

***** (5 stars)

This cozy, stylish spot offers an interesting menu and an upscale experience at reasonable prices. Be aware that although the food is sophisticated, portions are very large, so don’t over order.

We liked everything we had. My favorite was the duck confirm pancake, which was more like a quesadilla.

Save room for Spanish coffee. How can you pass up anything where the second ingredient is “fire”!?

Pearl District
982 S Westlake BlvdSte 8
Westlake Village, CA
91361
(805) 230-9944
https://www.yelp.com/biz/pearl-district-westlake-village-2