Sauce serves pizza, salads, and sandwiches. And to be honest, it is some of the best pizza I've had in a while. It's a nice thin crust (but not so crunch that it hurts your teeth), and the sauce they use has a great unique, slightly sweet flavor.
They also offer some unique pizza ideas, such as the chicken casesar salad pizza and the truffled arugala pizza. Everything I've tried there has been fantastic. And, I've heard it told that they make the best tomato soup ever had.
The next time you're in the mood for some casual and inexpensive Italian, head over to Sauce.
Red Trolley is a fun little neighborhood ice cream and coffee café. They make everything there onsite (including marshmallows). Every thing they offer is all natural with no preservatives or artificial colors.
They offer a wide selection and adventurous flavors of ice cream, gelato, and sorbets. I highly recommend that you try the chocolate covered sea-salt caramel. It's out of this world.
Their coffee is definitely the best in Denver. They have a clover coffee machine that is able to extract the perfect flavor from coffee beans. It only brews one cup at a time, so be patient with it, and you'll have the best cup of coffee you've had in your life. No need to doctor this coffee with cream or sugar. Even if you don't really care for coffee, you'll love this.
Run down to Red Trolley today. You'll be glad you did.
Riviera Maya, Mexico (close to Cancun. 25 minutes from Cancun airport)
Rating: 4
We stayed at the Hotel Marina El Cid in the Riviera Maya for a week. What a blissful week it was. The hotel is an all inclusive resort. You can however, get it without the all inclusive plan, but why would you?
We really enjoyed our stay. There are three restaurants to choose from, but we never really got bored (except with the buffet as that's the only one open for breakfast and lunch). But Alcazar is amazing. They have a wide ranging menu. They also have a Mexican restaurant that is pretty good. Overall the only thing lacking in the food area was vegetarian dishes. Most dishes had some form of meat in them (beef, chicken, pork, or fish). This made it a bit difficult for the vegetarians in the group.
We do recommend that you skip the one per stay "fancy" dinner you get at the marina restaurant. The food wasn't all that good, and the mosquitoes were horrendous.
Their alcohol selection wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't bad. They made a different version of a mojito, and it was pretty good. Their margaritas, however, left something to be desired.
We upgraded to the Platinum Club. No specific reason really, just that we wanted the bigger room. We loved our room. It was absolutely perfect. It was always cleaned and the mini bar restocked. If we needed anything, all we had to do was ask. We were even offered a pillow menu. It was fun to get to order what kind of pillows you prefer.
The only thing about the Hotel Marina El Cid was that we did have a teeny tiny issue. They offer an aroma therapy option. We ordered it three nights, and we never received it. This made us a bit disappointed, but it was something that we wouldn't have even wanted had they not offered it in the first place.
The hotel also has a selection of free water sports. You can check out kayaks for free, as well as boogie boards. The staff will also take you out on a Hobie Cat if you made a reservation. The ride would last for about an hour.
The beaches were nice, and private. There are no hotels close by, so "beach crashing" was not a problem. The sand in the ocean, however, is very rocky. We recommend that you buy some water shoes (before you go - we got ours at Wal-Mart for $5/each) for when you go to the ocean. The pool was nice and clean. It also had a water slide and a cliff diving area. Adults, watch out on that slide. You go fast!
Also, go into the little town (Puerto Morales) to go snorkeling. You'll get a cheaper rate, and more time in the water. The water by the hotel is also home to the second largest coral reef in the world. It's absolutely worth a snorkel trip (probably two). If you took your own snorkel equipment, you could probably even rent a kayak and kayak out to where the snorkeling is awesome.
We highly recommend that you stay at the Hotel Marina El Cid in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We loved our stay, and would happily return.
Serving only breakfast and lunch, "The Egg and I" is definitely an experience. They have a fantastic menu. The servers are always friendly, and the atmosphere is fun. It's definitely a place you mom and grandmother would love.
If you have one in your area, I highly recommend you go. The food is great. You'll be happy that you rolled out of bed a little early to head on over.
I recommend any of their egg benedicts (I'm a fan of the veggie, and my sister likes the crabcake.) Go visit "The Egg and I" for breakfast tomorrow. See you there.
I had heard some wonderful things about Brio, so needless to say, I was excited to go. I studied the menu online before we went, so I knew exactly what I wanted (although it was a tough choice).
We were seated right away, and had our choice of seating which was nice. (This could be because we went in the mid afternoon to a brand new location.) We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip appetizer. The dip portion was great, but the wedges of crisp bread were not crisp. They tasted a bit like they had been microwaved instead of baked.
For our meals we ordered the pasta carbonara and the mushroom ravioli with brown butter sauce. The carbonara was fantastic. However, our waiter brought the mushroom ravioli with alfredo sauce (there are two types of mushroom ravioli on the menu. They have different sauces and different fillings).
I was highly disappointed in the mushroom ravioli with alfredo sauce. The sauce was very overwhelming. The two did not work together.
Also, even though the waiter was aware of his mistake, they did not make any offers to take a percentage off the bill or bring a free drink or dessert.
I guess I have to go back to Brio to try what I ordered in the first place, but I was pretty disappointed in the customer service. Give it a try yourself, and please tell me what you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts good and bad.
Hapa Sushi and Sake Bar in Greenwood Village is a new branch on the Hapa chain.
This was our first excursion to a Hapa, and we were thrilled with the experience. Living in Colorado, it is often difficult to find good fish, seafood, and sushi. But Hapa definitely makes the cut.
They offer many different kinds of sake, both hot and cold. And the menu for sushi and rolls seems to go on forever. The atmosphere is one of urban living in a suburban area, which makes a fun change.
The food though, is delicious. We tried several different kinds of sushi rolls and all were excellent. We also tried two different kinds of sake and enjoyed both.
If you are ever craving sushi, head on over to Hapa Sushi. You'll be in for a treat.
All major credit cards accepted
Reservations: necessary
Entree price: US $10 - 18
La Cabrera in Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina is a tiny restaurant on the corner of Cabrera and Thames. It grew to be so popular that they opened another restaurant less than a block away. At first I was a little skeptical of La Cabrera. I thought that it was only popular because it was mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide, and most other restaurants (and hotels) we've been to that were featured in the Lonely Planet, we were disappointed in. However, our neighbors recommended that we give La Cabrera a try. They also said that one steak was enough for two people.
The atmosphere at La Cabrera is a bit crowded and noisy, as is the one at La Cabrera Norte (but not as much). At La Cabrera, you can see the kitchen from your table and the space is small and cramped - but the food makes up for it. The atmosphere at La Cabrera Norte is a little bit better, it's still crowded, but it is much bigger.
After walking past La Cabrera on several occasions and seeing that it was always packed - no matter what time or day of the week, we decided to give it a try. We are so glad that we did. We're also glad that we ordered one steak for the two of us to share.
We ordered the filet. We got four. All of which were perfectly cooked and very tender. Aside from being surprised at the amount of steak we were given for our US $17, we were also given eleven small salads, sauces, and toppings. All types were represented including: pesto, roasted garlic, caramelized onion, mashed potato, applesauce, carrots, tiny baked potatoes, a green salad, and much more.
We were so full from dinner that we didn't order dessert. This time. Go to La Cabrera. In fact, make a special trip if you have to. Your taste buds and the meat lover in you will thank you.
El Quincho del Tio querido
Bompland 110
Puerto Iguazu
54.3757.420151
www.eltioquerido.com
Rating: 3
At El Quincho del Tio querido you'll find the biggest restaurant in town. Out front is the grill where all the meats are cooked and you get a quick glimpse as you walk in. They also have a live band who serenades you while you eat. The atmosphere is open and welcoming and the servers are very nice and friendly.
When we were looking for a place to eat dinner, and asked locals for recommendations, they all suggested El Quincho del Tio querido. One night, we decided to go with a few of our friends. There were five of us, and we decided to order the complete Parrilla for four, and a few salads as well. When the meal came, we were served a mini table grill filled with all kinds of meat and organs as well. (This is part of the Parrilla completa. You will be served organs. In this case it was kidneys, intestine, and some other unknowns.) The vegetarian options at El Quincho were limited to spaghetti with pesto. (And, I don't really recommend it. The noodles were very overcooked, and the pesto was more olive oil than pesto.)
In all honesty, the food was good. But it wasn't exceptional. The music was ok, but it wasn't exceptional. Unfortunately while we were there it was all covers of 80s tunes, and no real traditional Argentine music. However, this did offer us the change to sing along. One person in our group even got asked to sing on stage.
We had a great time while eating at El Quincho, even though the food wasn't the best. If we go back, it would be to remember our experience, not because the food was that good.
What did I like so much about Confiteria Ideal? The fact that it is a place where people go to dance. They don't put on shows for tourists as a draw. They are actually a milonga (a place where locals go to dance tango).
If you really want to see tango dancing the Buenos Aires, Argentina way, head to Confiteria Ideal. If you go on a Thursday or Friday, it is highly likely that there will even be a live orchestra playing. Also on weekends (Thursday and Friday included) the Unitango brings in professional dances. These professional dances usually dance two or three songs (around 1:30 or 2:00 am). That's it. They don't dominate the place; they aren't there for tourists. These professionals are there for the locals who want to get better.
Please visit Confiteria Ideal for some real tango. Keep in mind that the orchestra doesn't start playing until around midnight, but if you want a seat, you should get there early (around 10:30pm or so). Enjoy your visit!
Check out these videos to see what I'm talking about:
215 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 629-0150
Rating: 5
Just a few blocks from the most famous sites in Philadelphia, you'll find the city's best pizza. Pete's Pizza Joint is a tiny shop, but it's big on taste. We found it thanks to a local who recommended it to us. We asked where we could get the best Phili-cheesesteak sandwiches in town. We were directed to Pete's. The sandwiches were so good that we went back the next day for more. While we were there, we also decided to try the pizza. Now, I'll be honest here. Pete's pizza was the best pizza I think I've ever tasted. It was so good in fact, that we made a special trip to Philadelphia when we were next out to the East Cost area.
If you're ever in Philadelphia, go to Pete's. While it doesn't have the best atmosphere, it has great food, and great prices. Heck, if you're ever in Washington DC, go to Philadelphia for pizza. Tell Pete that Carrie and Jonathan sent you.
11211 S. Dransfeldt Rd. Suite 100
Parker, CO 80134
720.851.1005
www.junzrestaurant.com
Rating: 5
After having eaten at Junz, in Parker Colorado, it is hard to find good sushi anywhere else. Junz is absolutely fantastic. All their food is freshly prepared (the sushi right in front of you). Chef Jun combines a hint of French cuisine with his Japanese speciality. I have eaten here many times, and have yet to order something that I didn't like. They offer a full menu plus hundreds of different kinds of sushi.
If you're ever anywhere near Junz, please go. You'll find some of the best food, amazing service, and great prices you can. Go to Junz as soon as you can. When you go, be sure to try the Philadelphia roll and the tofu and vegetables roll. (And anything else you can possibly get your hands on.)
My first Korean food experience took place at "Korea House". We were taken there by some friends of ours who are Korean. That was a good sign to me. I ordered a soup that had no meat and no shellfish. (Actually, our friends ordered it for me.) My soup was very heavy on the rice and light on the vegetables. But, the vegetables were very good. And, I was a little unnerved by the raw egg that came on top. The broth came in a separate dish, and when I poured it on, it cooked the egg, but not quite enough for my taste. It was good, but it wasn't excellent. All my friends really enjoyed their meals. I would go back, but I would try something else next time. So, if you're wanting to try Korean food, give Korea House a try.
Quintessence is a raw food restaurant. For those of you who don't know, yes, this means that nothing is cooked. Everything is raw.
Quintessence offers a wide selection of everything from salads to Indian and Mexican food. On this trip, we got to try four different meals and two appetizers. The nachos are fantastic. I highly recommend them!
Quintessence is not only vegetarian, but vegan as well. So if you're feeling the pressure to find a good raw or vegan restaurant, Quintessence is a great bet. The one disclaimer I have to offer is that the food can be a bit heavy. When some of the dishes are mainly nut based (with nut- "bread", "cream", "meat") it can be a bit heavy. But the taste is absolutely delicious.
3410 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 377-4244
fax: (303) 399-9704
Corner Colfax and Cook
Closed Sundays
Takes all major credit cards
No reservations
Tommy's Thai is the best Thai restaurant I have ever eaten at. And I've been to several as Thai is one of my favorites. The atmosphere at Tommy's Thai is one of cool sophistication. It is newly remodeled and very modern and clean. The staff is all super friendly (and Thai). I have yet to order something that I didn't like. The Tom Kha Gai soup in particular is fantastic.
Tommy's Thai also offers every dish available in a variety of meat and vegetarian options. Nearly every dish on the menu can be made with any (even combinations) of the following: chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, vegetables, and tofu. I love it when there are options - especially when the options are on every selection. Most dishes also come custom spiced: mild, medium, hot, thai hot. They even bring you your own spice try so you can add more if you'd like.
Parking may be a bit of an issue, but it's worth the walk (if you have to park down the block). If you're ever within a 50 mile radius, I recommend you stop by Tommy's Thai. It will be worth your drive.
125 W Station Square Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 232-0302
Rating: 4
Houlihan's is located in the area known as Station Square in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. They have a great menu full of lots of vegetarian options as well as meat, chicken, and fish. Everyone can find something to love at Houlihan's. If you bring the kids there are plenty of kids options as well. Be sure to try their almond crusted brie appetizer. It's fantastic. They even offer a 32 ounce Long Island Iced Tea for around $6.
We went with a group of 6 of us, and we didn't have to wait long for food at all. We probably waited about 20 minutes. The waitress was awesome, and always prompt with everything, including refilling water.
If you find yourself in the Station Square area of Pittsburgh, pop on in to Houlihan's. Your stomach will thank you.
Red Star Tavern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania restaurant review
Red Star Tavern
240 W Station Square Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412.394.0100
Rating: 0.5
We visited Red Star Tavern for a late lunch on a Friday. We were there at two o'clock. The restaurant / tavern was not full, so we thought that our 45 minute time frame would not be a problem. We ordered two salads and water. The water came fairly soon, but our salads were another story.
After we waited for 30 minutes, the waitress came by and said that the food would be out very soon. We reminded her that we were on a time constraint. After another 30 minutes, the waitress came by again. She said that the food would be out in 5 minutes. 15 minutes later, we told her we had to leave, and that we were already late. She came back by and said that they were just putting together our salads and "they take 2 seconds to make". We decided to wait and take our salads to go. But, when they still weren't out after 15 minutes, we asked to talk to a manager. By this point, we had waited for 1.5 hours for salads.
When talking to the manager, he did not apologize. He said "I just don't know what to tell you." We eventually got our salads comped, but we were so late for our meeting, that we could not longer go.
As far as the food goes, those salads were definitely not worth waiting 90 minutes. We ordered two different salads, but received almost identical salads. And, some of the toppings listed were not on the salads (avocado, corn salsa, and salad dressing).
I also got up to see if they were really busy and I just couldn't see the people. I wanted there to at least be a reason why our food took so long. I counted a total of 25 people in the restaurant. There is no reason that 2 salads should have taken that long.
We talked with some people that night who said that they got up and left after waiting an hour for their food. Other people told us that the night before was the same story.
I really suggest that you avoid eating at Red Star Tavern. I also recommend that you avoid eating at Bar Louie. The two are one restaurant with one kitchen, but two names.
If you have had a better (or similar) experience at Red Star Tavern or Bar Louie in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, please leave a comment and let us know.
A'Manger
Charcas 4001
at Malabia
Reservations: not necessary
Subte: Scallabrini Ortiz
Price: US $ 5-8
Rating: 4
A'Manger is a fun little cafe where everything is homemade - including the cheese and meats. There is a wide selection of sandwiches (close to 40), and you also get your choice of four different kinds of bread. There are main dishes, plently of appetizers, and tasty desserts as well.
When you walk into A'Manger, you first see their market where they sell their homemade cheeses, meats, breads, olives, etc. There are a few tables in the adjoining room.
The food at A'Manger is great. Everything we tried we loved. In fact, we liked it so much, we went back there three times. Be sure to try the apple and onion chutney. It's fantastic.
A'Manger also offers catering. Keep that in mind for your next party.
Uru Recoleta
Vicente Lopez 2132
Across the street from the Recoleta Cemetary
(5411) 4804-9844 www.us-cueros.com.ar
If you are looking to bring home a souvenir of your time in Argentina, a leather jacket is a must. At Uru Recoleta you can choose from over 200 styles and over 30 colors and types of leathers. But that's not even the best part about Uru Recoleta. Uru will custom make your jacket to your measurements. Normal service for a custom made jacket is 24 hours, but if you're in a rush, they can do it in as little as 5 hours. And with prices starting at US $100, it's difficult to find something better.
When you arrive at Uru, you are greeted by one of the customer service representatives. Odds are, there will be at least one who speaks English as well. Then he or she will ask you what type of jacket you're looking for. You can get everything from fir, fir lined, suede, or leather. They offer so many styles that it will take you a long time to browse through them if you go in without an idea of what you're looking for.
I knew exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a ¾ length nice leather jacket. I was shown the 4 styles they offer in that length, tried them on to see which I liked best. When the one I wanted had a back detail I didn't really care for, I asked if that could be changed. I was told that it would be no problem to make that change.
Once I had made my decision for type of jacket, they took my measurements. Next, they asked what changes I would like (both in style and in fit). Then I got to choose my leather. They offer calf, antelope, and lamb leather, all of which are a completely different look and feel.
The next day I went back to pick up my jacket. It fit perfectly. It was exactly what I wanted. And for about US $200, I am bringing home a custom made leather jacket.
Uru makes more than just leather jackets as well. You can get leather anything...purse, wallet, pants, skirt, vest, shoes, scarf, belt, and more. So whatever leather (or fur) your heart desires, it can be found at Uru Recoleta.
El Quincho del Tio querido
Bompland 110
Puerto Iguazu
54.3757.420151 www.eltioquerido.com
Rating: 3
At El Quincho del Tio querido you'll find the biggest restaurant in the small town of Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. Out front is the grill where all the meats are cooked and you get a quick glimpse as you walk in. They also have a live band who serenades you while you eat. The atmosphere is open and welcoming and the servers are very nice and friendly.
When we were looking for a place to eat dinner, and asked locals for recommendations, they all suggested El Quincho del Tio querido. One night, we decided to go with a few of our friends. There were five of us, and we decided to order the complete Parrilla for four, and a few salads as well. When the meal came, we were served a mini table grill filled with all kinds of meat and organs as well. (This is part of the Parrilla completa. You will be served organs. In this case it was kidneys, intestine, and some other unknowns.) The vegetarian options at El Quincho were limited to spaghetti with pesto. (And, I don't really recommend it. The noodles were very overcooked, and the pesto was more olive oil than pesto.)
In all honesty, the food was good. But it wasn't exceptional. The music was ok, but it wasn't exceptional. Unfortunately while we were there it was all covers of 80s tunes, and no real traditional Argentine music. However, this did offer us the change to sing along. One person in our group even got asked to sing on stage.
We had a great time while eating at El Quincho, even though the food wasn't the best. If we go back, it would be to remember our experience, not because the food was that good.
Gurruchaga 1493
Corner Gorriti
(multiple locations)
4511-4444 www.romario.com.ar
Large pizza price: US$ 10-15
All major credit cards accepted
Reservations: not necessary, but the place does fill up
Rating: 3
Romario is a fun pizza place that offers diners a choice between 40 different kinds of pizza (most of which are only 1-3 toppings), and one choice of beer (but you can choose between three different sizes). The pizza (and calzones and empanadas which they also offer) are all cooked in a brick oven. The pizza is great! One large pizza is definitely enough for two people to share.
Romario is very bright. I mean that literally. Everything is orange (both inside and out). The atmosphere is a little bit loud, the music is very loud, and the staff is fun and boisterous.
I rate Romario a 3 because it was a bit loud for my liking. The food is good, but it isn't the best pizza I've ever had. Romario does have several locations, and odds are you'll run into at least one of them during your time in Buenos Aires. So, if you do, stop in and grab a pizza and a beer.
Gorriti 5092
At Thames
Phone: 4833-7832
www.restaurantrave.com.ar
Credit cards: accepted
Reservations: recommended
Price: US $8-15
Rating: 4
Two important tips when visiting Rave restaurant in Buenos Aires:
1. There is a minimum of 20 pesos per person (so you must order at least 60 pesos worth of food / drink if there are three people going).
2. If you so desire it, you can have dinner in bed. They have a bed set up in the restaurant with privacy curtains where you can take your dinner.
Rave has a super fun atmosphere. All the lighting is red and subdued. The lights that hang from the ceiling are covered in red paper, and the candles on the tables are red oil candles.
The menu at Rave offers several options for everything from: chicken, beef, pork, fish, pasta, and vegetarian. Three of us went to Rave: one person ordered chicken, and two of us ordered pasta. Everything was amazing. The pumpkin ravioli (pumpkin and mozzarella filling inside spinach pasta, and covered in pesto) was amazing.
But, the best part of the meal was dessert. Be sure to save room for the tiramisu! Definitely visit Rave for a meal, but if for some reason you can't make it for a whole meal definitely go out of your way for their dessert!
Honduras 4999
At Serrano
Phone: 48310743
www.malasartes.com.ar
Reservations: not necessary
Price: US $3 -10
Transportation: Plaza Italia
Credit cards NOT accepted
Rating: 4
Malasartes is a fun find in the middle of Plaza Serrano. We went on a busy Sunday afternoon during the bazaar. The cafe / restaurant was packed (as was everything else around).
At Malasartes you'll find everything from great sandwiches (Argentina style) to full plates of food, and even tapas. But one of the best things you'll taste at Malasartes is the frutilla (strawberry) liquado. A liquado is similar to a smoothie, but it's made with water instead of milk, and no sugar is added.
The atmosphere at Malasartes is fun as well. The inside is almost all exposed brick, and there are a few different levels of seating. One level has couches and recliners for you to relax in while sipping a drink or munching on a sandwich. The tables are very close together though due to the large number of people who flock to Plaza Serrano both for its nightlife and its Sunday bazaars.
When you visit Malasartes, be sure to order the frutilla liquado; your taste buds will thank you for it.
Bar Uriarte gets rave reviews in the Lonely Planet guide for Argentina (hence the reason that we went). We had a great time at Bar Uriarte, and we happened to hit happy hour (from 8.30 - 10.30 pm) where you can get 2 martinis for US $10.
The atmosphere at Bar Uriarte is very posh, but still fun. There are two dining rooms (one with couches where you can sit and eat, one that is a regular type seating), as well as a beautiful outdoor courtyard lined with trees and vines, and a large fireplace. Definitely sit outside if there's a table open. And, there's also a separate kids' table outside if you brought the kiddos along, but don't want they to sit with you all through dinner.
Our meals were all good. Try the pork ribs - they're excellent. Vegetarian options are limited so be aware of that. Bar Uriate does get bonus points for their atmosphere and desserts. Try the molten chocolate cake; it's fantastic!
Sudestada (located in Palermo) is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in all of Buenos Aires. However, I don't really know why. Maybe we went in expecting too much. We had tried to get in to Sudestada without reservations twice. We were not successful either time. But, when we finally made it to Sudestada, we were disappointed.
Sudestada boasts a fusion of Thai and Vietnamese food. Their food was ok, but it wasn't outstanding. There was only one vegetarian option on the menu - the vegetable wok stir fry. It was good, but it had no spice at all (even though the menu said it was of "medium spice"). Also the grilled chicken with tropical fruits was not quite as expected. It was served in a hollowed out pineapple (so it earned major points for presentation), but it lacked flavor. Also, the only tropical fruit it had was pineapple. And to add a tiny twinge of disappointment, not only was there no Thai iced tea on the menu, but the server didn't even know what it was.
The atmosphere in Sudestada is what I imagine a diner in the 1960s to look like. It left much to be desired. We won't be returning to Sudestada. Even though we love Thai food, and we haven't run across any other Thai restaurants in Buenos Aires, we'll refrain from Sudestada. With so many amazing restaurants in Buenos Aires, why return to one that was only mediocre?
Viejo Agump is an Armenian restaurant in the heart of Palermo Viejo. It is a really fun place that is quiet and "happening" at the same time. The walls are decorated with Armenian art and books, and the little cutouts in the wall are filled with fun finds from Armenia as well. At night, this restaurant turns into a bit of a club with a small dance floor and a bar, but they still serve their great food.
We visited Viejo Agump for lunch one day. We ordered the small sampler platter and suplimented it with an order of falafel. We had several plates of Armenian goodness served to us. All of it was excellent. But best of all, was the fresh home-made pita bread. Fantastic.
If you like middle-eastern cuisine, then make a trip to Viejo Agump in Palermo Viejo. Order some extra grilled eggplant for me.
www.cafetortoni.com.ar
all major credit cards accepted
Reservations: necessary for shows
Rating: 3
Cafe Tortoni is the most famous cafe in all of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and as such it has a huge draw of tourists. Cafe Tortoni is fully aware of this. I do recommend going, but go for a cup of bad coffee rather than going to see the shows and eat bad food.
I'm very happy to have experienced Cafe Tortoni while we're here. I was fortunate enough to go twice.
The Cafe Tortoni offers two shows nightly, one at 9pm and one at 11pm. The shows vary depending on time and day of the week. Check the website for details. We went one night to the Retango show, and had dinner before the show. The Retango show was more of a survey of music with a few musicians and a singer, and they threw a couple of tango dances into the mix every 3 or 4 songs. The cost of the show was 50 Pesos per person, and that did not include dinner. So, we all ordered dinner, and none of us were particularly thrilled about the food we got. I recommend just ordering a drink if you go to one of the shows at Cafe Tortoni. Skip the meal.
I chose to go again, so that I could experience the atmosphere. Cafe Tortoni does have a great atmosphere. It feels very old-world style, and you know that famous people from all over the word have flocked to where you're sitting now. This time, I just ordered cafe con leche (similar to a latte in the US). Honestly, it was the worst cafe con leche I've had in all of Argentina. But, nevertheless, I'm still happy to have gone.
When visiting Buenos Aires, you have to take time to visit Cafe Tortoni...if for no other reason than everyone will ask you about it when you get home.
Here's our video from the tango show at Cafe Tortoni:
Los Maestros is yet another pizza place in Buenos Aires. On every corner you will find either a parrilla or a pizza place. Nothing really stood out about Los Maestros pizza for us, except for the fact that it's served on a hot cast iron pizza tray to keep the pizza hot and the crust crispy.
We tried the Choclo (sweet corn) and the mushroom pizzas. I would absolutely recommend the mushroom pizza, but I caution you against the corn pizza. They say that it has a white sauce...but it's not. It still has your basic red sauce, but then it's piled high with creamed corn. Not the tastiest pizza I've ever had.
So, give Los Maestros a try, since they have a quite a few choices. But, I wouldn't make it my pizza place of choice.
Charcas & Thames
Pizza, Pasta, Salads, Empanadas
Transportation: Plaza Italiz
Entrees: $5-8 USD
reservations: not necessary
Rating: 4.5
Tonno is a wonderful neighborhood pizza place. Their pizza is excellent, their empanadas amazing, and their salads yummy. You get to choose which ingredients you want in your salad (which is fun and a nice change). After trying the empanadas at numerous other places, we learned that Tonno is definitely the place to go for the best empanadas. Why go somewhere else when you know that a pizza place knows their way around cheese and dough?
The pizzas (and empanadas) are all wood fired in an open oven. They also serve garlic breadsticks with your meal. Tasty tasty tasty. And the atmosphere is fun and relaxed. Check out their lunch specials where you can get a pizza, a drink, and a coffee for $5 USD!
We love Tonno. We've been there more than once already, and we'll definitely be going back for more!
Address Peru
Location Peru & San Telmo
Subway stop San Juan
Reservations not necessary
Phone 1143627979
Prices: entree price: $5-10 (USD)
Rating: 4
Origen was a fun find close to the antique market in San Telmo square. We stopped here for a "quick" lunch before heading to the market. Our quick lunch wasn't so quick, but the food was great. Their selection is rather small, but it is all organic, and very fresh.
The food at Origen was great. We all ordered salads, but others around us ordered everything from pasta, pizza, and dessert. It all looked really tasty. We'll have to return to Origen for their organic coffee, food, and carrot cake.
Bio was a fantastic find by our friends Kevin and Annmarie. Even though we went without a reservation, we were still able to be seated rather quickly. All four of us ordered something different, and we all agree that all four entrees were excellent. The bread that they brought out before the meal was great as well. They also bring out little cups of gazpacho with the bread which was a fun, and refreshing change.
We would definitely return here, and in fact, I'm looking forward to our next trip "across the tracks" and into Palermo Hollywood.
Address Costa Rica 4901
Location At Thames, Palermo
Transportation Metro: Plaza Italia
Reservations Reservations recommended
Phone 11/4832-2726
Prices Main courses US$5-US$12 (£4.20-£6.35)
Rating: 4.5
LeLe de Troya is a really fun restaurant. There is an outside patio and 4 inside rooms to choose from. Each room has a different color theme. Everything in the room is in that color: the walls, chairs, napkins, tables, candles, and chargers. They have a really good menu with lots of selections. You can even choose your own sauce with their pasta selections.
I had the chickpea and goat cheese tart, and Jonathan had the black ravioli (this time stuffed with salmon with a pistachio cream sauce). I thought mine was excellent (not quite a tart as in pastry, more a tart in shape). Jonathan's was a bit fishy, but still very good.
The best part about LeLe de Troya is the bread. They bring you a basket with four different types of bread, and this spread to put on it. The spread is pumpkin with spices and it is absolutely fantastic! One of their breads tastes a bit like stuffing (and it has mushrooms, onions, and peppers in it) and it was a fun, unique flavor.
We will definitely go back to LeLe de Troya. The service was great, the food was excellent, and we had a really fun time.
Hours Mon-Sat 12:30-3:30pm, 4-7:30pm for teatime, and 8:30pm-2am
Address El Salvador 4618
Location At Malabia, Palermo
Transportation Metro: Plaza Italia
Reservations Reservations highly recommended
Phone 11/4831-7176
Prices Main courses US$8-US$12 (£4.20-£6.35)
Credit Cards AE, MC, V
Rating: 3.5
"Cluny" is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in all of Buenos Aires. And, it just happens to be a few blocks from where we are staying. We went there one night with friends, and all of us were pleased with our dinner. There are not very many vegetarian options (but I have yet to find a restaurant in BA that has a large selection - besides the all vegetarian restaurant I haven't been to yet). I ordered the pumpkin ravioli, it was great, with large amount of filling, a light sauce that didn't overpower the delicate pumpkin. Another person ordered the ravioli negras (black ravioli). It was stuffed with lamb. The whole filling was lamb - they didn't skimp here either. Jonathan ordered the duck, and it was good: not greasy. The sauce could have been a little more fruity, but it was good.
Overall, we all enjoyed our experience at "Cluny". Unfortunately it wasn't so great that we're aching to return. In fact, I don't know that we will, because there are so many restaurants to choose from. We are happy to have gone there, and probably would go back if there weren't so many more options in BA for us to try.
I've been fortunate enough to eat at Rioja twice now. Both times I ordered something different, and everythign I've tried has been absolutely exquisite. Rioja is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in all of Denver. The food is fresh, unique, and absolutely divine on the palate.
We went one time during the Taste of Denver 5280. This meant that for two people we were able to try two appetizers, two entrees, and share a dessert. We thought everything was fantastic. We would most definitely return, and try some new things, and return to our old favorites.
Don't wait to go to Rioja, go as soon as you possibly can. You'll become a regular customer. Trust me.
I wish that I could give P. F. Chang's a better rating. But as far as this experience goes, I can't.
We ate lunch at the P. F. Chang's located at E-470 and Smokey Hill in Aurora, Colorado at 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2008.
In the beginning, everything went great. We were seated immediately, and our server came and took our drink order fairly quickly as well. However, after that the service went downhill dramatically.
We had to wait 30 minutes for our appetizer to arrive. There were only a few tables occupied, so I don't know why it took so long for 2 spring rolls to arrive. Then, we had to wait another 20 minutes for our food to arrive after they'd cleared the appetizer plates. When we were finished eating, it took our server 10 minutes to arrive with a box to box up leftovers, and then another 15 minutes after that to return with the bill.
The food was really good. I would order the same thing again (vegetarian lettuce wraps, and double pan fried noodles with chicken and shrimp). However, the service was extremely disappointing. We were seated at 2:00 pm and did not leave until almost 4:00 pm.
I would recommend the food at P. F. Chang's absolutely, but I cannot recommend the service (at least at this particular location). If their service were better, they would have been sure to receive a higher rating.
When I was in London in January 2003, we found a flyer for a Jack the Ripper walking tour. We decided to go, as it was only £3 and we only had to pay if we really liked the tour. Since none of us had any money at the time, we thought that that sounded like a good idea. Our guide then was an amazing storyteller. It was what he did for a living being one of the Yeoman at the Tower of London. He guided us through the places where Jack the Ripper walked, stalked, and killed his victims (in sequential order). As we walked, he told us little tidbits about London itself, about the area of town we were in at the time, and about Jack the Ripper himself of course. After a 3 hour walk that ended sometime after 10:30pm, I paid the £3 because I'd had a great time. I learned a lot; I was very entertained, and felt like I had seen a lot. I had also been given the guide's guess as to who Jack really was, backed up by his "facts" and was completely convinced. It was a wonderful time. It was so wonderful in fact, that I wanted Jonathan to experience it as well.
While searching online for a Jack the Ripper walking tour in London, I came across the London Walks website (and a few others of course). I couldn't find one from the tour I'd taken before, so I thought we'd go on the London Walks version. We met Judith at the designated area (along with about 60 other people), paid our £5, and were ready to go. Thankfully, they split the mass of people into two groups. I knew right away that Judith was more academically oriented than my previous beefeater guide, but I was hopeful that she would be a good storyteller as well. After the first stop, Jonathan mentioned that he felt our guide wasn't really telling us a story. We hoped it would get better. Unfortunately, it didn't. Judith took us to only two of the actual locations, and didn't tell us stories. She talked. She talked as though reading a text book to us out of order. The very last stop of the tour lasted for 20 minutes where she told us who might and who wasn't actually Jack the Ripper. The problem was that she was just giving facts without having a way for her audience to relate the facts to what we'd just been told on our walk.
If you go to London, I highly recommend taking a Jack the Ripper walking tour. However, I am afraid that I cannot recommend that you take the one lead by Judith with London Walks. While she is a very nice person, and full of information, she wasn't able to capture the audience's undivided attention.
Hapa Sushi
Korea House
