Sunday, November 2, 2014

French Taste in the Capital City

I had heard great things about Meritage and was happy to finally be able to try it. I went with my mom, husband and some family friends as we celebrated October birthdays.


We each enjoyed some inventive cocktails to start off the evening. I tried The Spaulding under the Champagne Cocktails menu and it was a nice blend of fizziness of champagne and the smoothness of the vodka with limoncello.


For those people who think they don't enjoy oysters or are afraid of the texture, I highly recommend Oysters Meritage as a beginner. The crunchiness of the breadcrumbs complimented the tarragon butter and oysters.


The Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls was a nice presentation as the soup arrived with just the matzo balls in the bowl and the server poured the broth over the balls at the table.


The Harvest Pumpkin Soup was served in a fun pumpkin shaped dish which arrived at the table with the top on and the server took it off at the table. It was topped with spiced creme fraiche and candied pecans.


My mother ordered a starter salad which was fresh and a nice way to begin a richer meal.


I chose the Roasted Massachusetts Monkfish served over fingerling potatoes with potato bisque and cabbage. The fish was savory, rich and well prepared. The dish could have used a bit more color as it seemed monochromatic.


Kevin chose the Moules Frites which included mussels steamed with smoked pancetta, garlic, tomato and white wine. It was served with frites and a side of bread to soak up the delicious liquid at the bottom of the dish.



Marlene chose the Pan Seared Atlantic Sea Scallops served with pork belly, squash puree, lentils, turnips and cider sauce diable.


We chose to order a side of sautéed spinach with garlic and shallots. It wasn't anything beyond typical.


I adore Brussels Sprouts so I was happy to see these on the menu. They were well roasted and of course smothered in butter.


The point in the meal that made this restaurant go from fabulous to one of my top five is the goat cheese from Zingerman's on the conclusions menu! Brilliant!


I was tempted to order each one of the dessert offerings. I often find only one or two desserts on a menu that I am drawn to but this time, I would have been happy with any of them.


My mother chose the Espresso Pot de Creme which was listed under the Amusements portion of the dessert menu. The coffee flavor was subtle and just the right amount for a smaller portion.


 I thoroughly enjoyed the Coupe de Mousse au Chocolat. It was incredibly light and the chocolate was not intensely sweet. The whipped cream and wafer on top completed this delectable dish!


Another tableside service was provided when Kevin ordered the Profiteroles. I found these to be some of the best I have ever had (it helps that they used Izzy's ice cream!). The chocolate sauce was poured at the table.


Meritage is a fantastic option for those looking for some fine french cooking in a more relaxed atmosphere in St. Paul. The oyster bar offers some options if you prefer to have some lighter fare or would like some late night dining.

http://www.meritage-stpaul.com/

Fresh Taste for Theatergoers and Beyond

Kevin and I took my mother for her birthday to Spoonriver prior to attending a play at the Guthrie.

The choice of cocktails were inventive, fun and fresh. The cocktail I ordered was Grey Gardens which consisted of Citrus infused Reyka Vodka in addition to cucumber, fresh dill, lemon and a splash of prosecco. It was a little strong for my tastes but certainly a clean tasting cocktail.


Kevin enjoyed the 2nd & Chicago which included Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Cointreau, and Lemon with a Vanilla Sugar Rim.


My mother's cocktail enjoyed the Minneapolis Mojito. It was made with Prairie Vodka, soda water, lime, candied cranberries and basil. This cocktail was a delicious blend of freshness along with a touch of sweetness with the candied cranberries.


For an appetizer, we opted for the Roasted Free-Range Chicken Quesadilla with Wisconsin Red Barn Cheddar Cheese and Butternut Squash-Poblano Pepper Spread. It was served with a side of Cranberry-Mango Salsa. We thought the poblano could have been stronger to balance the creaminess of the cheese and butternut squash.


Kevin opted for the Alaskan Fresh Cod Sandwich. The fish was crusted with cornmeal and it was served with housemade tarter sauce. It was flavorful while tasting much lighter than a typical cod fish sandwich. The accompanying tarter sauce provided a bit more flavor.


My mother chose the vegetarian dish of the day which consisted of "meatballs" which were made with walnuts and mushrooms. It was served with a fresh salad and rice.


Since I stopped eating meat, I was delighted to see so many items focused on vegetables on the menu. I ordered the Chicken Udon Noodle Salad but swapped the chicken for mock duck. Although mock duck may not look appetizing, it has flavor and texture which complimented the greens. The noodles with the peanut-lemongrass dressing completed this fine dish.


Since it was my mother's birthday, we had to celebrate with something sweet! However, in reality, I never have to have an excuse to order dessert! My mother and I both ordered the oatmeal bar which was a combination of sweetness, some spices and a nicely toasted top.


Kevin tried the cheesecake which was creamy and complimented by the carrot cake crust, which was a nice alternative to the typical cheesecake crust.


The service was impeccable, the presentation was beautiful and the atmosphere was relaxing. I highly recommend this restaurant before you catch a show at the Guthrie. However, I also wouldn't want to limit it's reach to just being a place to go before a Guthrie show. It stands on its own beautifully.

http://spoonriver.com/

Classic Minneapolis Steakhouse


Kevin and I chose to dine at Manny's in downtown Minneapolis prior to going to a show at the Orpheum. The only other time I had dined at Manny's was many years ago and at their old location.

My first cocktail of the evening was called An Epiphany, which was created with Grey Goose La Poire Vodka, St. Germaine and Champagne. It was smooth and light without a strong sweetness.


We ordered the Maine Lobster Cakes for our appetizer. Although there were large pieces of lobster, the pieces felt rubbery.


As some of you may already know, Manny's is known for their large portions and their "meat cart." Each cut of meat is wrapped in plastic wrap and the lobster is still alive on the cart.

Kevin ordered the Double Cut Prime Rib and it's price was represented in its size! Once again, although Kevin enjoyed it, it wasn't the best he has had.


I chose the Small Filet Mignon and it was still more than I would ever eat at one time. I, too, found that it certainly wasn't the best filet I have had and yet cost much more than any other filet I have ordered at a restaurant.


The "small" side of loaded mashed potatoes was more than two people could ever eat and the bacon was a little too chewy for my tastes.


The special side for the evening was the roasted cauliflower with goat cheese. I didn't find it worthy of the goat cheese and I would have preferred it to be chopped and roasted rather than just on the outside in order to bring out the nutty flavor of roasting.


After the extremely large portions of the rest of our dinner, we chose to share the Key Lime Pie. Its consistency was more like custard and tasted as though gelatin was used to make it.


The overall mantra of this establishment was large portions in a traditional steakhouse atmosphere. I don't have a desire to go back and actually stopped eating meat after dining at this restaurant. It is overpriced for the quality.

http://www.mannyssteakhouse.com/



Northeast Minneapolis Institution



I had the privilege of going to Jax Cafe with my husband, mom and two friends, Ray and Floyd. It was a beautiful summer evening so I requested a table on the patio.



We began the evening with a Gorgonzola Cheesebread which was a nice alternative to the traditional cheese bread. It also offered less cheese so it wasn't a rubbery mess on top.

One of the special appetizers for the evening was proscuitto wrapped asparagus with Boursin cheese. I was drawn to the dish since I dearly love all three ingredients, however, the thickness of the asparagus was not to my liking and the presentation was lacking.


 The traditional Caesar side salad was good but could have used less dressing.


The cream of potato soup was your standard creamy supper club soup, as was the beef...



I did appreciate the variety of options in the bread basket. I am particularly fond of anything which resembles a pretzel so I enjoyed those the most.


My mother ordered the fish and it was done very well. There was a light sauce on top but nothing that overpowered the actual fish. The side vegetables were nothing extravagent or memorable.


I tried the bacon wrapped petite filet mignon which was done well and seasoned nicely. The potatoes were the standard whipped potatoes you would find at a supper club.


Kevin opted for the prime rib and they certainly give you your money's worth! He enjoyed it but didn't think it was any better than other places he has tried in the past.


The crispy hashbrowns were smothered in cheese, just like you may expect at a supper club which never seems to skimp on portions. It is definitely worth sharing with the table or planning on taking home at the end of the evening.


 My mother dearly loves au gratin potatoes so she had to give them a try.


The chocolate cake did not disappoint and I was pleased with the various textures represented in the layers. It is certainly worth sharing as it was very rich.


The traditional after-dinner drink of the Grasshopper most certainly didn't disappoint. It was smooth, creamy and worth every calorie! This would be enough of a dessert without anything else. It was especially refreshing on a warm summer evening while sitting on the patio.


The views as the evening progressed...




Overall, I can understand why Jax Cafe has been an institution for so long; however, there are other restaurants which offer higher quality with more creativity for the same price. I would recommend this place, particularly in the summer, for a lighter meal and/or drinks and appetizers. Even dessert and drinks on the patio in the later evening would be quite enjoyable.

http://jaxcafe.com/