Modern steakhouse with an International flare on Lincoln Road.
What we had:
I had the ancho and coffee rubbed buffalo filet with chipotle mole butter. I liked mine--the buffalo was butter knife tender, if on the tasteless side with no accompanying fat, but was rich and velvety with the added butter.
My DH had the ancho and coffee rubbed bone-in filet mignon with chipotle mole butter. The coffee taste was a bit aggressive for my Dearest Husband's taste, but the steak was nice and buttery. The bone was a bit cumbersome, but too intriguing of a menu choice to pass up.
We did have a gripe with the steaks--they tasted a bit flat. Needed some salt or acid or something. At this price point ($50), one expects absolute perfection, and that's not what we got. Don't get me wrong; the steaks were good, but were missing that little something to make them truly great.
We split the truffled mashed Yukon Gold potatoes and sauteed Brussels sprouts with onions and bacon, topped with almonds. The truffle mashed was silky, rich and delicious, but the real star of the meal was the sprouts. These sprouts were sauteed to nutty golden perfection, which was bolstered with sweetness from the onions and rich smokiness from the bacon, with the almonds lending just the right amount of crunch.
We also had a trio of chocolate dessert--chocolate lava cake, ice cream and a wafer and mousse sandwich. Although chocolate is neither of our favorite, this was a nice dessert and not too sweet.
The table snacks- wasabi peas, spiced hominy and fresh corn nuts- were a nice addition, and the bread was fresh and plentiful.
We also had sommolier-recommended wines from Argentina, which were both nice. Can't remember the names, but they were great.
Décor:
Rich blacks and ivories with gorgeous warm lighting reflected off of multiple smoked glass and lighted acrylic surfaces.
Service:
Great; from the hostess to the sommolier and bussers. We had reservations for my birthday and everyone was very friendly, attentive and gracious.
Overall impressions:
Not bad. Not our favorite steak in town--that honor still goes to Bourbon Steak--but not a bad alternative on this side of town. This would make a great date or hang out after work for an expensive drink place.
Rating:
3.5 out of 5 salamanders
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Brio Tuscan Grille
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I'm pretty sure this is a large chain--we went to the Gulfstream Village location--but it was nice to visit an Italian restaurant to spark our own imaginations for new & different pasta variations.
What we had:
I had the Pasta Brio- rigatoni with grilled chicken and seared mushrooms in a roasted red pepper sauce. This was a nice dish, with moist chicken and a great sauce.
My DH had the Pasta Alla Vodka- delicate handmade pasta filled with ricotta with crispy pancetta, garlic and basil in a tomato Parmesan cream sauce. This was a great dish, with soft pillowy cheesy purses, nice bacon smoke and a great light sauce. The only gripe was that there wasn't more.
The table bread is nice and fresh.
We also had some sort of chocolate cake with caramel dessert shot, which was pretty great.
Apple cider martini- cinnamon spiced apple cider with spiced captain Morgans rum and brandy. It wasn't horrible...at first. Then, the drink warmed up and all I tasted was alcohol. My DH assured me I was crazy, and the drink was just fine.
Trivento Reserve pinot noir from Argentina. My DH really enjoyed his glass of wine; I thought it smelled like nasty vinegar.
Décor:
Obnoxiously Tuscan.
Service:
Great. Our waiter was very personable and gracious.
Overall impressions:
Not bad for an Italian chain & the price was great ($50).
Rating:
3.75 out of 5 salamanders
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
What we had:
I had the Pasta Brio- rigatoni with grilled chicken and seared mushrooms in a roasted red pepper sauce. This was a nice dish, with moist chicken and a great sauce.
My DH had the Pasta Alla Vodka- delicate handmade pasta filled with ricotta with crispy pancetta, garlic and basil in a tomato Parmesan cream sauce. This was a great dish, with soft pillowy cheesy purses, nice bacon smoke and a great light sauce. The only gripe was that there wasn't more.
The table bread is nice and fresh.
We also had some sort of chocolate cake with caramel dessert shot, which was pretty great.
Apple cider martini- cinnamon spiced apple cider with spiced captain Morgans rum and brandy. It wasn't horrible...at first. Then, the drink warmed up and all I tasted was alcohol. My DH assured me I was crazy, and the drink was just fine.
Trivento Reserve pinot noir from Argentina. My DH really enjoyed his glass of wine; I thought it smelled like nasty vinegar.
Décor:
Obnoxiously Tuscan.
Service:
Great. Our waiter was very personable and gracious.
Overall impressions:
Not bad for an Italian chain & the price was great ($50).
Rating:
3.75 out of 5 salamanders
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Moshi Moshi
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Sushi joint on Biscayne Blvd. in Upper East Side/MiMo.
What we had:
Volcano roll
Jumbo BBQ eel roll
California roll with snow crab
Edamame
The rolls were good. Not the best I've ever eaten, but good quality with nice tight wrapping. My sushi-hating DH even enjoyed his Cali roll (which had fresh crab meat).
Décor:
Warm and small with anime movies or Asian TV projected on the walls.
Service:
Prompt.
Overall impressions:
Not a bad little place, and sine it's in walking distance, we should go more often.
Rating:
3.75 out of 5 salamanders
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
What we had:
Volcano roll
Jumbo BBQ eel roll
California roll with snow crab
Edamame
The rolls were good. Not the best I've ever eaten, but good quality with nice tight wrapping. My sushi-hating DH even enjoyed his Cali roll (which had fresh crab meat).
Décor:
Warm and small with anime movies or Asian TV projected on the walls.
Service:
Prompt.
Overall impressions:
Not a bad little place, and sine it's in walking distance, we should go more often.
Rating:
3.75 out of 5 salamanders
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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