On Labor Day, Sept 1, we picked up our kids at the Dayton airport. We decided to stay in Dayton for diner and since none of us had been to the "Pine Club" we decide on it as our destination.
The Pine Club-1926 Brown St.,Dayton OH- 937-228-5371 is an institution in Dayton and is known throughout the area. It was opened in 1947 and has been in business, at the same location, ever since. It is a Steak House with a large bar, booths and tables and a menu built around meat, although there are a few fish dishes. They do not take reservations or Credit Cards and the usual wait is about 45 minutes to an hour. We lucked out and on this warm Labor Day evening we were seated immediately.
The menu offers most well known steak cuts and Marilyn and I shared a porterhouse, plenty for our appetite. We also shared an order of Lyonnaise potato's which served both of us with another helping left over. I ordered the wedge of Iceberg with the "red and blue dressing" a light "French" with gobs of blue cheese crumbles. It was excellent. There are several selections of vegetables and all this, salad, potato and veggies are included in the price of the dinner. The meal was good and the service was excellent but it is 90 miles round trip, from our home, and the Precinct, with better steaks and higher prices is only 2 block away. Maybe I'm just a home body.
The next night it was "JeanRo Bistro", written about before. It is fun, moderately priced and offers a cafe based menu with one or two specials. Located on Vine, between 4th and 5th it is easy to park, either on the street or under the Westin Hotel, right across the street. Having trouble seeing over my stomach I settled for French Onion Soup, always excellent there, and a salad.
Unfortunately we made up for it the next night with a visit to the "Orchids" Dining Room of the Netherland Plaza. For my money and taste this is the top "special occasion" restaurant in Cincinnati. The room is beautiful, quiet, and the service is in keeping with a top rate menu.
I started with Sweetbreads which were perfectly prepared and followed with a main course of grilled striped Bass and pieces of Alaskan King Crab. The plate accompaniments set off the diner and complimented the seafood. Others had Salmon, Veal and Lamb which universally met approval and raves.
To end the week of eating out we went on Friday night to "Primavista", also reported on earlier.
"Primavista is in the Queens Tower, atop Price Hill.
As with most good restaurants Friday and Saturday are the BIG nights. Primavista was crowded and although our reservation was promptly honored the kitchen delay was somewhat tedious. The owner told us they did 120 covers in one hour, a record and fairly impossible for any "cook to order" restaurant. They were gracious and we certainly will return and will recommend "Primavista" to everyone as one of the best Italian dinner places in town. I had excellent Cioppino with plenty of fresh seafood in a slightly spicy tomato broth, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Marilyn had her usual Veal Piccata. All diners come with a fair sized salad and plenty of hot bread with a garlic puree on the side.
As I have written before, I only comment on what I actually eat and how each place effects me at the particular time. The restaurant business is a difficult one with many variables from the parking to the dish washer. One has to love and be dedicated to try that line of work and stick with it.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Catching Up
As any of you, who have ever been away for an extended time, know it takes awhile to catch up. After seven weeks in the North Woods we now feel like we are close to there. Laundry, Marilyn's major home occupation, mail, bills and calls, we are current.
Add to this two political conventions and too much attack advertising plus a Granddaughter off to collage for her Freshman year and you see we have had a bit to do.
None the less we still eat out, almost always with friends, and so here is a rundown of places we have revisited and one new one tried, after reading the review.
Caulk Food+Wine- Newport, KY
We met our children there, our first night home and shared several dishes. It is the second time we have been to Caulk, the first we thoroughly enjoyed. Our evening, on this Friday was only fair. It was nice being with the family but the place was noisy, the service was slow and the portions fairly small. I found the wine had increased in price since our first visit and there were no bargains to my untrained eye and palette. I did enjoy the pulled Duck Bar-B-Q'ed sandwich and the trout, while good, was fairly skimpy.
Guenther's Steak and Seafood House-7886 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester (5130 777-8880.
We read the review in the Steak Issue of "Cincinnati Magazine" by Donna Covertt and so we were anxious to try Guenther's. We did not find it a special as did Ms Covertt. The seafood delivery truck had not made an appearance when we arrived at 7:15, it did get there as we were leaving after 9. Therefore they could not prepare either the crab cakes or the "Louis" salad, a disappointment. Their house salad is good and ample. I settled for Calf's Liver which was prepared correctly, with sauteed onions and a bacon strip but which was sinewy, as sometimes happens. The hash browns were fairly ordinary, not comparable to my favorites at the "Rustic Roost" in Iron River WI, a long drive for potatoes. Marilyn gave me a taste of her steak and Jeff Ruby doesn't have to worry. As Donna reported it is a bargain compared with other steak houses and the atmosphere, a local neighborhood place for dinner, not a steak emporium, is very pleasant. Our server and the Manager couldn't have been more pleasant and accommodating. If we are on our way to Middletown or Dayton we may try it again but it is a long way from Columbia Parkway.
Terry's Turf Club-Eastern Ave.
Terry's is Terry's. I have written about it before. It remain a good Bar and Hamburger join, with other sandwiches, for the non believers. The Hamburgers are some of the best around and rival the Anchor Bar in Superior, WI. Go early or late if you want to avoid the the wait and throw your peanut shells on the floor.
Aqua Restaurant-1020 Delta Ave-Mt Lookout Square
We went on a Friday night and found a nice crowd but, again, a high noise level. Maybe it has something to do with my age or what restaurants want to encourage.
The food was excellent, I had a mixed platter of Sushi and California, or other, Rolls while the others had hot entrees including chicken and fish. Their food is done correctly and served attractively by, in our case, an attentive, pleasant and helpful waiter; in fact he put together my Sushi combination which I enjoyed immensely. We should go more often
Cumin-3520 Erie Ave- East Hyde Park
Cumin is a regular stop for us. We always have a good time and are treated as the regulars we are, although everyone seems to get the same treatment. There were three of us and we divided 3 main courses, which followed our cocktails.
The three selections were a grilled and marinated Flank Steak, Cauliflower on a bed of rice with a light sauce and a spinach and Indian Cheese combination the name and spelling of which I am currently at a loss. This was accompanied by Paswami Nan, oven-baked flat bread stuffed with raisins and pistachio nut pieces. Plenty of food for a good tastee dinner.
I think I'll stop for now as my eyes, and probably yours can use a rest. More at the next posting.
Add to this two political conventions and too much attack advertising plus a Granddaughter off to collage for her Freshman year and you see we have had a bit to do.
None the less we still eat out, almost always with friends, and so here is a rundown of places we have revisited and one new one tried, after reading the review.
Caulk Food+Wine- Newport, KY
We met our children there, our first night home and shared several dishes. It is the second time we have been to Caulk, the first we thoroughly enjoyed. Our evening, on this Friday was only fair. It was nice being with the family but the place was noisy, the service was slow and the portions fairly small. I found the wine had increased in price since our first visit and there were no bargains to my untrained eye and palette. I did enjoy the pulled Duck Bar-B-Q'ed sandwich and the trout, while good, was fairly skimpy.
Guenther's Steak and Seafood House-7886 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester (5130 777-8880.
We read the review in the Steak Issue of "Cincinnati Magazine" by Donna Covertt and so we were anxious to try Guenther's. We did not find it a special as did Ms Covertt. The seafood delivery truck had not made an appearance when we arrived at 7:15, it did get there as we were leaving after 9. Therefore they could not prepare either the crab cakes or the "Louis" salad, a disappointment. Their house salad is good and ample. I settled for Calf's Liver which was prepared correctly, with sauteed onions and a bacon strip but which was sinewy, as sometimes happens. The hash browns were fairly ordinary, not comparable to my favorites at the "Rustic Roost" in Iron River WI, a long drive for potatoes. Marilyn gave me a taste of her steak and Jeff Ruby doesn't have to worry. As Donna reported it is a bargain compared with other steak houses and the atmosphere, a local neighborhood place for dinner, not a steak emporium, is very pleasant. Our server and the Manager couldn't have been more pleasant and accommodating. If we are on our way to Middletown or Dayton we may try it again but it is a long way from Columbia Parkway.
Terry's Turf Club-Eastern Ave.
Terry's is Terry's. I have written about it before. It remain a good Bar and Hamburger join, with other sandwiches, for the non believers. The Hamburgers are some of the best around and rival the Anchor Bar in Superior, WI. Go early or late if you want to avoid the the wait and throw your peanut shells on the floor.
Aqua Restaurant-1020 Delta Ave-Mt Lookout Square
We went on a Friday night and found a nice crowd but, again, a high noise level. Maybe it has something to do with my age or what restaurants want to encourage.
The food was excellent, I had a mixed platter of Sushi and California, or other, Rolls while the others had hot entrees including chicken and fish. Their food is done correctly and served attractively by, in our case, an attentive, pleasant and helpful waiter; in fact he put together my Sushi combination which I enjoyed immensely. We should go more often
Cumin-3520 Erie Ave- East Hyde Park
Cumin is a regular stop for us. We always have a good time and are treated as the regulars we are, although everyone seems to get the same treatment. There were three of us and we divided 3 main courses, which followed our cocktails.
The three selections were a grilled and marinated Flank Steak, Cauliflower on a bed of rice with a light sauce and a spinach and Indian Cheese combination the name and spelling of which I am currently at a loss. This was accompanied by Paswami Nan, oven-baked flat bread stuffed with raisins and pistachio nut pieces. Plenty of food for a good tastee dinner.
I think I'll stop for now as my eyes, and probably yours can use a rest. More at the next posting.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Back to Earth
"The time has come the Walrus said to talk of many things"
Were back home, in Cincinnati, after a wonderful 7 weeks at Camp Nebagamon, in Northern Wisconsin, where we are the Staff Grandparents for a camp of approximately 400 different boys, ages 9 to 16 and a staff of about 120. It is fun, rejuvenating and a real change from our time at home.
Before I start on my review, or comments, of local eating establishments I'd like to mention a couple of places we ate during our summer jaunt.
A lot of Northern Wisconsin "dinning" is at "road house" places, often built around a thriving Bar business. The menus are heavy on steaks, pasta, Walleye and other local fish, mostly fried.
Three dinners of note, two in the region and one on the way home, were good enough to mention and worth a stop if you are in the vicinity.
"Wild Rice" in Bayfield, WI. can hold it's own anywhere, in ambiance, service and food. Three of us visited and had; Crab Ravioli, Wild Rice Soup, a cheese platter, Bison Fillet,Salmon and Apple Crisp with homemade Ice Cream. All delicious, beautifully prepared and presented.
"Le Bistro"- 1409 Hammond Ave. Superior, WI is a new venture in an old and somewhat run down town. They serve lunch and diner and we at there for both. Lunch is basically lite fare, salads, sandwiches, a daily Quiche etc. In the evening the menu has an extensive, imaginatively prepared, selection and a very nice, small, wine list. We sample, sauteed Walleye with fresh tomato's, capers and white wine, Ossa Buco, Roasted herbed chicken, Salmon and a nice fillet.
Interesting food in Superior WI.
"Dominic's Trattoria"- 200 South Brentwood, Clayton, MO.-314-863-4567. Dominic's run two restaurants in the St. Louis area, a region know for Italian food. The more formal is "on the Hill" with table side preparation and upscale prices. The Trattoria is in an Apartment Building in Clayton with a good sized menu covering all the Italian standards. We went, with our Granddaughter, a Senior at Washington U, and the three of us shared everything, which was nicely divided by the kitchen or server. After drinks, the only time all summer I paid more than $5 for my Bombay, we divided two excellent salad, one basically poached asparagus and fresh tomato's while the other was an Italian Salad Nicoise, heavy on excellent tiny green beans(haricots verts). The three pastas, also divided were Lobster Ravioli, Gnocchi Bolognese and an interesting Angle Hair and Calamari presentation.
It's not Jane and Michael Stern but thus ends my summer addition of "Road Food".
Were back home, in Cincinnati, after a wonderful 7 weeks at Camp Nebagamon, in Northern Wisconsin, where we are the Staff Grandparents for a camp of approximately 400 different boys, ages 9 to 16 and a staff of about 120. It is fun, rejuvenating and a real change from our time at home.
Before I start on my review, or comments, of local eating establishments I'd like to mention a couple of places we ate during our summer jaunt.
A lot of Northern Wisconsin "dinning" is at "road house" places, often built around a thriving Bar business. The menus are heavy on steaks, pasta, Walleye and other local fish, mostly fried.
Three dinners of note, two in the region and one on the way home, were good enough to mention and worth a stop if you are in the vicinity.
"Wild Rice" in Bayfield, WI. can hold it's own anywhere, in ambiance, service and food. Three of us visited and had; Crab Ravioli, Wild Rice Soup, a cheese platter, Bison Fillet,Salmon and Apple Crisp with homemade Ice Cream. All delicious, beautifully prepared and presented.
"Le Bistro"- 1409 Hammond Ave. Superior, WI is a new venture in an old and somewhat run down town. They serve lunch and diner and we at there for both. Lunch is basically lite fare, salads, sandwiches, a daily Quiche etc. In the evening the menu has an extensive, imaginatively prepared, selection and a very nice, small, wine list. We sample, sauteed Walleye with fresh tomato's, capers and white wine, Ossa Buco, Roasted herbed chicken, Salmon and a nice fillet.
Interesting food in Superior WI.
"Dominic's Trattoria"- 200 South Brentwood, Clayton, MO.-314-863-4567. Dominic's run two restaurants in the St. Louis area, a region know for Italian food. The more formal is "on the Hill" with table side preparation and upscale prices. The Trattoria is in an Apartment Building in Clayton with a good sized menu covering all the Italian standards. We went, with our Granddaughter, a Senior at Washington U, and the three of us shared everything, which was nicely divided by the kitchen or server. After drinks, the only time all summer I paid more than $5 for my Bombay, we divided two excellent salad, one basically poached asparagus and fresh tomato's while the other was an Italian Salad Nicoise, heavy on excellent tiny green beans(haricots verts). The three pastas, also divided were Lobster Ravioli, Gnocchi Bolognese and an interesting Angle Hair and Calamari presentation.
It's not Jane and Michael Stern but thus ends my summer addition of "Road Food".
Monday, July 28, 2008
Matzo Marbles
If I ever get to understand why the computer works some times and doesn't others I will have mastered a who new area. In the mean time here is a very short update.
Several weeks ago, Camp Nebagamon, where Marilyn and I spend as much of the summer as we can, served Matzo Balls, golf ball sized, and ran out before everyone got some. To remedy the situation last week they served Matzo Ball Soup with the Matzo Balls the size of Marbles, not even shooters, there were plenty left over.
Here are some places we have eaten since last writing:
The "Deep Lake Lodge"-Ironwood WI. Lakeside rustic dining room with OK food,
"White Birch"- Solon Springs, WI. Our son Charles says it has the best salad bar in the North Woods and he may be right. At least around here,
And Belisio- Duluth MN. Acceptable Italian Food, slightly pricey for this part of the world and spotty service,
The "Anchor Bar"-Superior WI, Outstanding Burgers and Fries in an old Great Lakes sailors waterfront bar.
More later when we hit a few more spots.
Several weeks ago, Camp Nebagamon, where Marilyn and I spend as much of the summer as we can, served Matzo Balls, golf ball sized, and ran out before everyone got some. To remedy the situation last week they served Matzo Ball Soup with the Matzo Balls the size of Marbles, not even shooters, there were plenty left over.
Here are some places we have eaten since last writing:
The "Deep Lake Lodge"-Ironwood WI. Lakeside rustic dining room with OK food,
"White Birch"- Solon Springs, WI. Our son Charles says it has the best salad bar in the North Woods and he may be right. At least around here,
And Belisio- Duluth MN. Acceptable Italian Food, slightly pricey for this part of the world and spotty service,
The "Anchor Bar"-Superior WI, Outstanding Burgers and Fries in an old Great Lakes sailors waterfront bar.
More later when we hit a few more spots.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Summary of first 3 weeks
I am enjoying our wonderful summer break at Camp Nebagamon for Boys, you can Google it if you have any interest. We have been here, as camp Grandparents, 264 Campers and 120 Staff for almost 3 weeks and have another 4 to go.
We eat a lot of meals at Camp, which serves good, boy friendly food, tonight it's Pizza, but also hit the surrounding area.
On this post I intend to only list the names and places we have eaten, away from camp, and may give more details on several after I return home, and am in front of my own computer.
Here is the list so far:
"Harvest", Madison WI, first class
"Boat House", Barkers Island, Superior WI, on the harbor with good food
"Culver's", Superior WI, every time we pass and like the "flavor of the day", which is often
"Blue Max", Fish Lake MN, new owners of this road house, not worth extra 2 gallons of gasoline
"Road House", Hawthorne WI, US53 and County B. Clean, new, accommodating and decent
"A & W, Iron River WI, US 2, stick with the root beer
"Wild Rice" Bayfield WI, a must if you are within a hundred miles, outstanding
"Big Daddy's Burger", Duluth MN, new to us with great burgers, fries and other dishes
"Le Bistro", Superior WI, one year old with interesting food at both lunch and dinner
"Spooner Market and Grill, Spooner WI, Harvard grad gone north to raise her family. Only dinner Friday and Saturday, changes cuisine every week.
I believe there may have been one or two others but at least this is a start.
More later but now have to get out on the lake for another beautiful afternoon.
We eat a lot of meals at Camp, which serves good, boy friendly food, tonight it's Pizza, but also hit the surrounding area.
On this post I intend to only list the names and places we have eaten, away from camp, and may give more details on several after I return home, and am in front of my own computer.
Here is the list so far:
"Harvest", Madison WI, first class
"Boat House", Barkers Island, Superior WI, on the harbor with good food
"Culver's", Superior WI, every time we pass and like the "flavor of the day", which is often
"Blue Max", Fish Lake MN, new owners of this road house, not worth extra 2 gallons of gasoline
"Road House", Hawthorne WI, US53 and County B. Clean, new, accommodating and decent
"A & W, Iron River WI, US 2, stick with the root beer
"Wild Rice" Bayfield WI, a must if you are within a hundred miles, outstanding
"Big Daddy's Burger", Duluth MN, new to us with great burgers, fries and other dishes
"Le Bistro", Superior WI, one year old with interesting food at both lunch and dinner
"Spooner Market and Grill, Spooner WI, Harvard grad gone north to raise her family. Only dinner Friday and Saturday, changes cuisine every week.
I believe there may have been one or two others but at least this is a start.
More later but now have to get out on the lake for another beautiful afternoon.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Summer Schedule
We leave tomorrow for our wonderful summer position as Camp Grandparents at a boy's camp in very Northwestern Wisconsin. It is a dream about time, place and over 300 health, smiling young people. What more can anyone wish. We will return a little before Labor Day.
Before leaving we had Hamburgers at "Terry's Turf Club", still our favorite ground beef emporium and a wonderful Italian meal at "Prima Vista". In our absence you'll have to keep them in business so they will be thriving when we return. Don't stop eating out and have lots of good , interesting meals.
If we go anyplace special in the "North Woods" we'll post when we get home.
Till then, have a good summer and enjoy all the fresh produce which becomes available during the next two months.
Before leaving we had Hamburgers at "Terry's Turf Club", still our favorite ground beef emporium and a wonderful Italian meal at "Prima Vista". In our absence you'll have to keep them in business so they will be thriving when we return. Don't stop eating out and have lots of good , interesting meals.
If we go anyplace special in the "North Woods" we'll post when we get home.
Till then, have a good summer and enjoy all the fresh produce which becomes available during the next two months.
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