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Restaurant review: - 9/1/2009 3:52:19 AM

Alphascendant

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Had a couple of interesting experiences at a couple of restaurants on this road trip. Maybe the powers to be at CM could begin a category for restaurant reviews.

Prime Rib and Wine House in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Have driven by that place every year for the past seven years and not once stopped, looked too fancy for my blood. So this year I stopped. It was under construction, so was seated in a large room that had been seperated from it's other half by a piece of plastic. There was another family sitting on the other side of the dining area, and as the waitress walked by, she dropped some food on the carpet, but did not pick it up. I figured maybe she was at the end of her shift and in a hurry to leave so didn't take the time to clean it.

I ordered a seafood combination as an appetizer and the prime rib for the main course, along with a glass of six grape wine that happened to be the highlight of the experience. The waitress questioned me whether I could handle the main course because the appetizer was large, and without being rude my desire to have both, I politely said yes, as it shouldn't have been her concern whether I could eat all of the food, just bring it on, I was starved!

I waited for some bread, but it did not come. After sitting there with my little glass of wine for over thirty minutes, waiting for something to munch on, out came the appetizer, I can't remember the different things on it, a couple of them were okay, some of them were not, and the serving was made to look a lot bigger than it was with sauces, dipping stuff and some veggies.

After eating what looked attractive, it seems that the waitress was waiting to see if I would finish it and still want the prime rib, of course I said yes. Then came the bread, then the soup, and the prime rib was so-so. Not such a great dining experience, other than discovering the tasty wine. I was anxious to leave that place, and then, of course, the credit card was declined, which took another thirty minutes to settle. Nope, won't ever be stopping there again, would much rather buy a steak and charcoal and head to the park. I've hit a lot of steakhouses on this trip, few were excellent, most so-so, and the steakhouse which was actually a sushi bar in Salina, Nebraska caught me off guard, but a pleasant experience neverthless. I was expecting my steak to come out of the kitchen in one piece.

Does anybody else think that a restaurant review section here would be cool?

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RE: Restaurant review: - 9/1/2009 4:09:29 AM

Level

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A thread, yes. An entire section, I don't think CM would do, and I don't think it'd get enough posts to support one.

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RE: Restaurant review: - 9/1/2009 5:57:30 AM

DarkSteven

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There are only a couple that I'd mention:

Westcustogo Inn, Yarmouth Maine. A high class restaurant with good food but the prices are very reasonable. Celebrities such as Fred Allen and Portland Hoffa ate there ( others from the 1950s era did as well - those are the two I remember). The waiters wear full dinner outfits. The prices were about $7 for a meal (This was in 1990 - I haven't been back in Maine since). I spoke to a manager and he said that he wanted to provide families with an eating out opportunity.

The Dushanbe Teahouse, Boulder, Colorado. A major must-see if you're in Colorado. The walls are hand carved by Tajik craftsmen and show typical Islamic artwork (elaborate geometric designs religiously avoiding depiction of anything natural). There are chess tables for you to play chess while waiting, mimicking an Eastern European coffeehouse. The food is an eclectic mix of Eastern European, Indian and Asian, and some WTF things like Mexican and Jambalaya. The servers are CU-Boulder students that don't quite look at home in their elegant outfits. Prices run about $12-$20 for an entree. As befits a restaurant that lives in the same city as Celestial Seasonings, the herbal tea list is extensive.

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RE: Restaurant review: - 9/1/2009 7:39:05 AM

daintydimples

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The Dushanbe Teahouse, Boulder, Colorado. A major must-see if you're in Colorado. The walls are hand carved by Tajik craftsmen and show typical Islamic artwork (elaborate geometric designs religiously avoiding depiction of anything natural). There are chess tables for you to play chess while waiting, mimicking an Eastern European coffeehouse. The food is an eclectic mix of Eastern European, Indian and Asian, and some WTF things like Mexican and Jambalaya. The servers are CU-Boulder students that don't quite look at home in their elegant outfits. Prices run about $12-$20 for an entree. As befits a restaurant that lives in the same city as Celestial Seasonings, the herbal tea list is extensive.

Sounds like my cup of tea.

I recently went to the Melting Pot in Indy.

http://www.meltingpot.com/locations.aspx?z=47901&n=398894

Great place if you like fondue. A bit pricey, but a nice romantic couples thing to do.

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RE: Restaurant review: - 9/1/2009 1:25:45 PM

Lashra

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I took my male sub to Berkley Springs West Virginia last weekend for his bday. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, the Panorama at the Peak, here is their website: http://www.panoramaatthepeak.com/

The place is on the side of a mountain with a beautiful view of the valley below. From the outside it does not look like much BUT once you get inside it is a delight. The food is all organic and locally grown, served fresh daily. The food is nothing short of excellent and so is the service. The chef will even come by to see how you liked the meal. You do have to have reservations and make them well in advance, or you will be waiting for quite awhile. Here is a tip if you like french onion soup, try it, it is the best I have ever tasted anywhere.

Take a camera for pictures on the overlooking the valley, it is gorgeous especially when the sun goes down.

~Lashra

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RE: Restaurant review: - 9/1/2009 9:12:45 PM

TheHeretic

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With no idea of what we were walking into besides a nice, sit-down dinner, we ate at Tao at the Venetian in Las Vegas, and it was a marvelous experience. Not cheap, but very comfortable elegance, and the food was fantastic. Certainly the best dinner out the wife and I have had in years.

Reservations suggested, unless you run as lucky as we were that evening.

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RE: Restaurant review: - 9/2/2009 10:02:18 AM

lockemann

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Fire & Vine in Virginia Beach is a fantastic place to go if you appreciate great food. I went there with my wife about a year ago, and the food and service was amazing! They have a very extensive wine list(5000 bottles), and the staff is quite helpful in suggesting what pairings work well. They serve organic foods, and everything is cooked over a wood fire. My Filet Mignon was from a local ranch raised cow... fantastic flavor and it was cooked perfectly.

The cost is higher than average, but still affordable. Great place to eat!

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RE: Restaurant review: - 9/2/2009 10:12:06 AM

Navina

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If you ever end up in the southern part of Texas, Mumphord's BBQ in Victoria is fantastic. The menu is limited, but everything is made fresh right on the premises, service is almost immediate because they have such high traffic, and the staff shoots the breeze with you over the counter while they put your food together. Oh, and the kitchen is like a kitchen in someone's home, so it fits in with the "you're eating at someone's home" decor. Prices are pretty low; in the $6.00 to $9.50 range, and you get a VERY full plate.

There's a sushi and hibachi place here, too, called the Tokyo Grill. Very good prices for sushi, the waitstaff is fantastic, and there is a decent wine list. Just avoid the plum wine; it tastes like Kool-Aid and kills the taste of whatever you order.

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RE: Restaurant review: - 9/2/2009 11:59:04 AM

MistressKaren51

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Should you happen to be traveling through west Texas and find yourself in a town called "Andrews", don't miss out on stopping at Buddy's Drive In. Steak fingers are the specialty here and no one makes them like Buddy's. I lived in Andrews for 16 years and had been away since 1986. Two years ago I went back just to relive old rodeo memories and Buddy's is still there. The steak fingers are better than ever and they still pile your plate full. Check out this link: http://www.caver.net/buddy.html There are pictures of the building, very unimpressive but the food makes up for it. Service is always great and the folks there are very friendly.

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