Tuesday, March 9, 2010

New Orleans

Finally back, sorry for the wait. Well just got back from New Orleans and everything I heard about the food is true. Absolutely terrific! Cafe Du Monde is decadence at its best. Great beignets and coffee. As that old commercial used to say - you can't eat just one. "Luke" in the New Orleans Hilton on St. Charles Ave. was great. The food was terrific and the service was just as good. The staff was a blast. We were going to go to a different restaurant but the weather was terrible and the rain came down in buckets so we decided to go to the hotel restaurant which I typically stay away from for good reason. They are usually terrible but what a surprise. We didn't have reservations and they were packed so we found seats at the bar right in front of the gentleman shucking the oysters. He was a character - in a good sense and we had fun with him and the bartender. As we ordered the bartender made some suggestions and he was spot on. The food he recommended was great as was the wine he said would go well with our meal. Dessert was even better. I highly recommend Luke. We also found the Bourbon House on the corner of Bourbon St. and Iberville. We were headed to a different restaurant that does not take reservations but the line was around the block. We walked about half way up the street and found the Bourbon House. Another good find. Again we sat at the bar since they too were full but it was another great place to park for a meal. Two young men vacated their seats for us and we sat in front of the area where they shuck the oysters. We couldn't sit in front of all those oysters and not have a few and they were great. My wife J doesn't usually eat raw oysters but figured we were in New Orleans and she had to taste one, then two, then three. She loved them! Again another very good bartender that steered us to some very good meals. Well the following night we decided to try one of Emerill's restaurants - NOLA. Even had reservations. Well it started out fine and our waitress, who was one of three staff that we had waiting on us, was very pleasant and made some recommendations which we took since our luck so far was great. Unfortunately my wife was not crazy about the duck and our waitress, although trying to be polite and accomodating, had a bit of an attitude which just turned us off immediately. The food was good but not great and when we decided to forego dessert the attitude got a little worse. I guess you are not supposed to complain at Emerill's restaurants. This was the only meal or dining experience that we did not fully enjoy on our entire trip. We even stopped in a little local place on the out skirts of the Garden District for breakfast and the food and service was great. So my over all recommendation for New Orleans is - if you like to eat and love good food it is a great place to visit - I just don't recommend NOLA!! Too many other very good restaurants that want to present you with good food and a good dining experience. By the way some of the best entertainment is in the street as opposed to the clubs. Some of the street performers are just terrific and you wonder why no one has discovered them yet. Till next time. G & J

Monday, June 29, 2009

Bistro de leon

Well we did go back to "Bistro de leon" for dinner and we were not disappointed. The food was excellent and so was the service. We met the chef's (owner's) wife although we didn't get her name. She was very pleasant and actually a bit funny.

The meal itself was very good but the highlight of my meal was dessert which was their Lava Cake. It was absolutely terrific. It was warm, fresh and delicious and certainly not out of a box or the freezer. We enjoyed it so well we went back for breakfast the next morning.

Breakfast is a little different than most restaurants. Certainly a European flare and very good and again everything was fresh. I don't typically order french toast when I go out for breakfast since I make it at home and have very high expectations but this was melt in your mouth french toast. Although the french toast was very good I enjoyed the coffee just as much. I am so tired of getting second rate watered down coffee or coffee that has been in the pot too long. This was fresh and had a great flavor and actually had some body to it. They serve their coffee in small cups but keep it filled.

Just a note: I don't know how many times we go out to dinner and just don't have room for dessert but an hour later we are looking at each other saying "I wish we had a place that made good desserts". Well now we do!! Plus they make all of their own breads and pasteries.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Bistro de leon

This past Sunday we visited Bistro de leon (http://www.bistrodeleon.com/) for lunch. The restaurant is located at 12 Cathederal Pl. in St. Augustine, Fl. directly across from the main square. We got in just before a storm hit and we sat at a table in the front window. Great location during a storm. We were able to watch the rain come down and the trees sway in the wind.
This was our first visit to this french bistro and patisserie (bakery). It is set up very similar to bakeries and cafes in Europe. Nice place and clean. We had pate' with candied onion marmelade, the warm quiche lorraine and onion soup with side salads. All were very good. Prices are slightly high but not out of range for the area. Between us we had 3 glasses of wine and for dessert we had the creme brulle (excellent) and a pear tart which was also very good. The total bill was $73.00 with tax. Service was good but we got there between lunch and dinner so the menu was missing a few items. We weren't too thrilled about the lack of entrees but in this economic climate I understand that a lot of smaller restaurants are ordering only what they know they can move. In general it was a good experience and we will go back to try dinner.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Outback Crab Shack

Outback Crabshack (www.outbackcrabshack.com) Is on CR-13 in the northwest corner of St. Augustine, Fl. Go to the web page for directions. This is shorts and tee shirt dining at its best. Located on six mile creek off the St. John's River (accessible by boat). If you like to eat with your hands and drink a cold Bud or Corona, this is your kind of place!! The menu goes from burgers to fried gator tail and their signature dishes are terrific. Fried or boiled platters (low country boil style) of shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, boiled potatoes, onions and corn on the cob. If the menu says it is for 3 people it is realy for 4. They have a large outdoor patio area with wooden picnic tables and paper towels on the table. This ain't fancy but it is good and it is fun!! Great place for a group of friends or family. When you are finished eating they have a verrrry long dock for walking off some of that meal. You might even catch a glimpse of a gator or two. On the weekends go on the off hours between lunch and dinner (about 3:00 to 3:30) otherwise it can be very crowded. Prices are good and so are those platters!!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Donovan's Irish Pub (http://www.donovans-irishpub.com/) is located at 7440 U.S. 1 N., St. Augustine, Fl. at the south retail complex at the Palencia Community. We had a chance to meet the owners, Michael and Maureen. Very nice people! Maureen is obviously the operations and The Irish half. Michael is the meet and greet half. Donovan's is a new establishment and they are about to celebrate the restaurants one year annivesary in June.

I don't know that I would call it an Irish Pub but more a restaurant with an Irish theme. It is a nice casual place and very clean! They have a full bar and a handful of beers on tap including Guiness. After all what would an irish place be without Guiness on tap??

We had a very interesting appetizer - Danny's Fried Dill Pickles, 6 very large spears ($5.99). Very interesting and good (you have to like dill pickles) with a very crisp tempura type batter.

J had the Beer Battered Fish and Chips ($12.99) and said it was excellent! I tried it and it was definitely very good as was the fish inside. Plus they had malt vinegar on the table. I had the Savory Shepherd's Pie ($10.99) good not great and could have used a little more vegetables and a little less mashed potatoes plus a little more pepper in the stew. We did not try dessert since the portions are substantial and just didn't have room. We did however try their Baily's Irish Coffee. I watched the bartender make it and he was not cheap with the Jamesons Irish Whiskey.
In general we had good food, good service, good prices and the owners stopped by several times to chat and see if everything was OK. Also, the food quality was very good and they didn't appear to skimp on anything. We would go back!!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Restaurant comments and reviews


Zhanras (http://www.zhanras.com/) is just outside of the St. Augustine Historic District on A1A. Just over the Bridge of Lions on the north side of A1A. Zhanras has been here for a couple of years and started out as a tappas restaurant. It is a fun concept where you can order several or many appetizers to share. If you are really hungry you can just keep ordering. You don't have to order everything at once and you can also change your wine selection to fit what you are eating. Recently they have also added full entrees for those who don't care to share or just want a full meal. They have a good variety of food and it is very good. Zhanras has a full bar, a good wine selection and a very good list of specialty martinis. Service is normally very good and the staff is friendly and helpful. Pricing is fair for what you are getting. Martinis are a little high for the area but oh so tasty. There is additional seating in the bar at tall bistro tables and there is a cigar bar in the back. Not being a cigar smoker I have never wondered into the cigar bar so I won't comment on it. Not your typical St. Augustine restaurant... a step up! It's a great place to experiment with different foods and chat with friends.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Restaurant Comments and Reviews

O.C. Whites (http://www.ocwhites.com/) is in the St. Augustine, FL Historic District on a triangle across from the public marina. The food is good and has a fairly varied menu. They want you to think that they specialize in seafood but I have yet to find anything on the menu that is fresh caught but the food is good. Service is good but on occaision can be just OK. This is a good place for that lazy afternoon lunch. We have never been rushed and they have a very nice outdoor patio area, part of which, is covered by old jasmine vines. Pricing is reasonable for the area and for what you get. They also have live entertainment on the patio.



J.P. Henley's (
http://www.jphenleys.com/) is also in the St. Augustine, Florida Historic District across from the public marina. This is more of a pub than a restaurant, but if you like beer this is the place to go. I believe the count is 50 types of beer on tap and 120 types of bottled beer, including a few interesting combinations of their own. They have a decent variety of wine available and the food is very good, not your typical pub fare. Service is very good and they will let you sample anything on tap before you decide. A few flat screens on the walls for viewing the latest game but they also have a separate dining area in case you don't care to catch the game. This is a fairly new new establishment. Very nice inside and very clean. Beer pricing is a little high but what a selection!! Happy Hour is at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday!