Category Archives: American (New)

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

Bar Louie – I-Drive

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Exterior
Interior

**** (4 stars)

This location is a bit of dejavu, since it is almost the same as the previous Bar Louie on Sand Lake Road. No doubt this is a better spot for the evening tourist trade. The large bar makes it good for groups, and the many roll-up doors are nice on cooler evenings. The menu is the same as other Bar Louies, with a mix of bar foods and burgers. A few of my favorite items from the past have disappeared or been simplified, but it’s still probably one of the better choices in the tourist corridor.

Bar Louie – I-Drive
8510 International Dr
Orlando, FL
32819
(407) 553-8502
https://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-louie-i-drive-orlando

Burntwood Tavern

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Exterior
Interior
Bar
Exterior
Impossible burger

**** (4 stars)

It’s nice to see a new place in the old Stonewood building. The decor has been brightened and opened up, and it is distinctly more casual now, more like sports bar food than fine dining. The new floor plan makes better use of the outside dining area, which is quite pleasant.

Service in the weeks after opening was fairly good, and will probably get better. The menu is basic burgers and salads. They have the Impossible Burger, and it was nicely cooked.

The manager seemed to be very engaged, which is a good sign.

Burntwood Tavern
5078 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL
32819
(407) 776-9991
https://www.yelp.com/biz/burntwood-tavern-orlando-2