A quick run through on restaurants already reviewed and since revisited one or more times.
Antiquities: Still good, but perhaps 3-4 times in one year is too much for this type of restaurant.
Noda's: Disappointing this time around. Out of some of the best stuff very early in the evening. Even the presentation wasn't as bright as the first visit. Not sure about another visit. (Noda's closed not long after this review.)
Saggio's: Initial revue still holds true. It is what it is, and that means fun, value & satisfaction.
Cafe Da Lat: Remains our favorite "go to" place in town.
Showing posts with label Albuquerque Dining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Albuquerque Dining. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2009
Vernon's Steakhouse
The full speakeasy drill here; secret password and all that. We went with Devin & Deb for Dev's birthday. The majority verdict was excellent all around. Decor was great. Table furnishings top notch. Service excellent. Bone-in rib eye: Peg says the best she's had. Veal Marsala for Devin, which he loved. Surf & Turf for Deb...again thumbs up. My filet mignon was pretty (in fact, gorgeous), but not a lot going on in the taste department.
All in all, it felt like a fine dining experience should and the cost was commensurate. Somewhat north of $300 for the table. The layout of the room is a bit eccentric. Ell-shaped, which puts the piano man out of sight for a good portion of the room. Ambient noise is high. Again the service was excellent. Attentive without being overbearing.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A Tale of Two Italians
That's two Italian restaurants. During Balloon Fiesta Peg & I have little energy left over from the store, so we eat out most nights. We recently ate at a couple of contrasting places on successive nights with interesting results.
We had planned to go to Saggio's in the university area, where I could get my favorite mussels with red sauce & pasta, but Peg bumped into a couple of old friends from Cloudcroft and we decided that Saggio's wouldn't be their cup of tea. Instead we went to Paisano's in the northeast heights.
We have been going to Paisano's for, probably, 30 years and I still get lost because I can't remember if it's on Eubank or Juan Tabo. (It's Eubank near Snow Heights.) Paisano's has always featured fresh homemade pasta and, in recent years, has offered half portions on most of their entrees. They seem to have cut down the menu choices quite a bit of late. There is a nice basket of bread on the table with a dish of spices and a big bottle of olive oil so that you can dip as much as you like. Jim, our waiter, was affable and attentive throughout the meal, and we had a fine time with our friends.
In the final analysis, however, I was disappointed in the meal. While the half portion always seemed to make sense in the past, paying $5.50 for a salad that is free with the full portion seems a bit much. I had sea scallops with red sauce. Two medium large scallops. A decent portion of linguine but, unusual for their vaunted pasta..."clumpy". The sauce was kind of sweet with what I guess was touch of cream and (mea culpa) reminded me just a bit of Spaghettios. I won't speak to my companions' dishes, but no one went out of their way to comment favorably.
The next night Peg & I decided to go to Saggio's. It is across from UNM on Yale Blvd. It is part sports bar and part counter service Italian Restaurant. Where Paisono's is a quiet sitdown place with Italian opera playing in the background, this place is noisy, sometimes frantic with Dean Martin playing on the speakers. The main room is a large, tall open space with kitschy accents and amusing character murals on the walls and ceiling. The clientele is much more eclectic than Paisano's. University students and university characters, mostly but not exclusively youngish make for interesting people watching. We find the way things run here a little stressful. There never seems to be enough time to really see all the menu items that are hand lettered all over the wall behind the order takers before you have to step up and make your choice. There is always the anxiety of worrying whether a table will be free. After ordering you have to take your ticket to the bar if you have ordered beer or wine.
I get around the problem by always ordering the same thing. There are restaurants all over town where I only order one or two particular items. From experience, I know that experimentation will just result in disappointment. Here I order "Josie's Special" and two glasses of wine. A beautiful decorated peasant bowl of linguine with a dozen or so mussels in spicy hot red sauce with fresh tomatoes and a nice piece of bread. It is, hands down, the best Italian mussels in town. I have almost never finished all the pasta.
Peg experiments more here and had a shrimp puttanesca with calamata olives and capers, mild red sauce and linguine. She loved it.
In an interesting comparison to the previous night, we shared a Caesar Salad. It was cheaper, bigger, and better. In fairness, however, Paisano's house Chianti was only 50 cents more per glass and much the superior wine.
These two restaurants are entirely different animals, but the bottom line is that I come away from Saggio's happy and satisfied. Paisano's currently disappoints expectations. For price comparison: Paisano's $75 w/tip, Saggio's $39 no tip.
We had planned to go to Saggio's in the university area, where I could get my favorite mussels with red sauce & pasta, but Peg bumped into a couple of old friends from Cloudcroft and we decided that Saggio's wouldn't be their cup of tea. Instead we went to Paisano's in the northeast heights.
We have been going to Paisano's for, probably, 30 years and I still get lost because I can't remember if it's on Eubank or Juan Tabo. (It's Eubank near Snow Heights.) Paisano's has always featured fresh homemade pasta and, in recent years, has offered half portions on most of their entrees. They seem to have cut down the menu choices quite a bit of late. There is a nice basket of bread on the table with a dish of spices and a big bottle of olive oil so that you can dip as much as you like. Jim, our waiter, was affable and attentive throughout the meal, and we had a fine time with our friends.
In the final analysis, however, I was disappointed in the meal. While the half portion always seemed to make sense in the past, paying $5.50 for a salad that is free with the full portion seems a bit much. I had sea scallops with red sauce. Two medium large scallops. A decent portion of linguine but, unusual for their vaunted pasta..."clumpy". The sauce was kind of sweet with what I guess was touch of cream and (mea culpa) reminded me just a bit of Spaghettios. I won't speak to my companions' dishes, but no one went out of their way to comment favorably.
The next night Peg & I decided to go to Saggio's. It is across from UNM on Yale Blvd. It is part sports bar and part counter service Italian Restaurant. Where Paisono's is a quiet sitdown place with Italian opera playing in the background, this place is noisy, sometimes frantic with Dean Martin playing on the speakers. The main room is a large, tall open space with kitschy accents and amusing character murals on the walls and ceiling. The clientele is much more eclectic than Paisano's. University students and university characters, mostly but not exclusively youngish make for interesting people watching. We find the way things run here a little stressful. There never seems to be enough time to really see all the menu items that are hand lettered all over the wall behind the order takers before you have to step up and make your choice. There is always the anxiety of worrying whether a table will be free. After ordering you have to take your ticket to the bar if you have ordered beer or wine.
I get around the problem by always ordering the same thing. There are restaurants all over town where I only order one or two particular items. From experience, I know that experimentation will just result in disappointment. Here I order "Josie's Special" and two glasses of wine. A beautiful decorated peasant bowl of linguine with a dozen or so mussels in spicy hot red sauce with fresh tomatoes and a nice piece of bread. It is, hands down, the best Italian mussels in town. I have almost never finished all the pasta.
Peg experiments more here and had a shrimp puttanesca with calamata olives and capers, mild red sauce and linguine. She loved it.
In an interesting comparison to the previous night, we shared a Caesar Salad. It was cheaper, bigger, and better. In fairness, however, Paisano's house Chianti was only 50 cents more per glass and much the superior wine.
These two restaurants are entirely different animals, but the bottom line is that I come away from Saggio's happy and satisfied. Paisano's currently disappoints expectations. For price comparison: Paisano's $75 w/tip, Saggio's $39 no tip.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Best Japanese in Albuquerque?
We finally got out to the wilds of Rio Rancho the other night for a visit to what has been touted as the best Japanese restaurant in Albuquerque. Noda's is tucked into a nondescript mini mall in the sea of new construction near Intel. While, for people who live in this area, a trip across the river into Albuquerque is routine the reverse isn't true. Especially for those of us who live in the older parts of the city, venturing out there has a surreal quality. It is like dropping through a synchronastic infindibulum to "some other place".
Well, we found Noda's with no problem. It was right across the parking lot from a bra store. While the exterior isn't prepossessing this interior is just fine. Simple, clean, with muted colors. Calm and relaxing. I have been told that it is difficult to get a table at this popular spot, so I guess that the four of us were fortunate this particular Thursday evening as Noda's was less than half full for the two hours we were there.
My son and I love raw fish. Our wives, not so much; but they usually find something satisfying at the sushi restaurants that we frequent. Now here I must emphasise that, although Noda's is frequently listed with sushi restaurants, it is not one. Noda's has a few rolls, but it is a Japanese restaurant known for it's incredibly fresh sashimi and some original takes on the theme.
My son had a two fish entree which came with a vegetable tempura served in a boat. The ladies made a meal of various appetizers while I went for the most expensive item on the menu ($27) which was the sashimi platter.
The bottom line is that this was the best sashimi I have ever had in Albuquerque. The kind that makes me close my eyes and hum as I am eating it. The Ama Ebi (sweet shrimp) came with raw heads. That was interesting, but I prefer the heads fried crispy in a salt crust to contrast with the sweet bodies. Even the salmon was about the cleanest tasting that I have ever had. That said, I still think that it belongs in creamed salmon and peas over toast and not on my plate. I'll request something else be substituted next time. There was more than enough on my platter and I did not feel shorted at all. The shiso leaves were real instead of the plastic faux leaves you get elsewhere. Wonder of wonders, the wasabi had some of the real stuff in it and wasn't entirely dyed horseradish.
Truthfully, I was kind of lost in the experience and did not pay a lot of attention to what everyone else was having. I know that my son enjoyed his meal as much as I. There was an eel dish that I have heard touted and it was better than the overly sweet eel that is usually encountered. The tuna carpaccio, which has been praised elsewhere, was a disappointment to me. I am usually disappointed in any dish that involves cheese at a Japanese restaurant and this tuna and mozzarella combo is best left to a really good Italian chef.
In the end, yes, I think this is the best Japanese restaurant here. The owners and staff are accommodating, helpful and friendly. The interior decor is pleasant and does not upstage the food. I did not find it as expensive as I was led to expect ($160 w/tip for 4). I will be back, and while I may experiment with an appetizer or two, this will be my sashimi place from now on.
Well, we found Noda's with no problem. It was right across the parking lot from a bra store. While the exterior isn't prepossessing this interior is just fine. Simple, clean, with muted colors. Calm and relaxing. I have been told that it is difficult to get a table at this popular spot, so I guess that the four of us were fortunate this particular Thursday evening as Noda's was less than half full for the two hours we were there.
My son and I love raw fish. Our wives, not so much; but they usually find something satisfying at the sushi restaurants that we frequent. Now here I must emphasise that, although Noda's is frequently listed with sushi restaurants, it is not one. Noda's has a few rolls, but it is a Japanese restaurant known for it's incredibly fresh sashimi and some original takes on the theme.
My son had a two fish entree which came with a vegetable tempura served in a boat. The ladies made a meal of various appetizers while I went for the most expensive item on the menu ($27) which was the sashimi platter.
The bottom line is that this was the best sashimi I have ever had in Albuquerque. The kind that makes me close my eyes and hum as I am eating it. The Ama Ebi (sweet shrimp) came with raw heads. That was interesting, but I prefer the heads fried crispy in a salt crust to contrast with the sweet bodies. Even the salmon was about the cleanest tasting that I have ever had. That said, I still think that it belongs in creamed salmon and peas over toast and not on my plate. I'll request something else be substituted next time. There was more than enough on my platter and I did not feel shorted at all. The shiso leaves were real instead of the plastic faux leaves you get elsewhere. Wonder of wonders, the wasabi had some of the real stuff in it and wasn't entirely dyed horseradish.
Truthfully, I was kind of lost in the experience and did not pay a lot of attention to what everyone else was having. I know that my son enjoyed his meal as much as I. There was an eel dish that I have heard touted and it was better than the overly sweet eel that is usually encountered. The tuna carpaccio, which has been praised elsewhere, was a disappointment to me. I am usually disappointed in any dish that involves cheese at a Japanese restaurant and this tuna and mozzarella combo is best left to a really good Italian chef.
In the end, yes, I think this is the best Japanese restaurant here. The owners and staff are accommodating, helpful and friendly. The interior decor is pleasant and does not upstage the food. I did not find it as expensive as I was led to expect ($160 w/tip for 4). I will be back, and while I may experiment with an appetizer or two, this will be my sashimi place from now on.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Truth About El Pinto Restaurant
I took a party of 9 to El Pinto in the North Valley the other night. The truth about this "world famous" Albuquerque institution is that it is more ambiance than substance. The grounds and dining patio are wonderful. However, the food is really over-priced for what it is (ordinary at best). I've been coming here since the mid 70's and it has grown to hold almost a thousand diners. Everyone seems to recommend it to visitors. Even the President has dined here. The enjoyment of being with good friends in a beautiful setting on a lovely summer night combined with good Margaritas, great chips and salsa allowed us to overlook a long wait, disappointing food and slow service. We had more time to enjoy each other. That said, I don't think I'll be back.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Antiquity Restaurant
We went to Antiquity for Dan's birthday last night. Four of us had a wonderful time, enjoyed great service, and had a darned good meal.
For starters we had New Mexico's own Gruet sparkling wine with appetizers, which included Oysters Rockefeller, beautiful fresh and briny raw oysters, and stuffed mushrooms.
In the past we have had a hard time passing up the Chateaubriand here. This time, although we all stuck with beef, we (variously) had Steaks au Poivre (extremely tender medallions),the Henry IV (on a bed of artichoke leaves, topped with an artichoke heart & Bernaise sauce), and a petite Filet Mignon. A nice bottle of Zinfandel accompanied these very well.
We spent two wonderful hours and a bit over $300 enjoying ourselves immensely. Our server was attentive without being intrusive and the owner was a gracious host. The ambient noise can get a bit loud, particularly in the room with the big table, but we were having too much fun ourselves to really notice.
I consider the menu here to be kind of "Rat Pack" retro...which I, obviously, love.
You can check out the menu yourself at: http://www.themenupage.com/antiquityrestaurant.html
After dinner we strolled the short block to the plaza. The night was soft, a band was playing in the gazebo, and people old and young were dancing in the grass. What a great night!
For starters we had New Mexico's own Gruet sparkling wine with appetizers, which included Oysters Rockefeller, beautiful fresh and briny raw oysters, and stuffed mushrooms.
In the past we have had a hard time passing up the Chateaubriand here. This time, although we all stuck with beef, we (variously) had Steaks au Poivre (extremely tender medallions),the Henry IV (on a bed of artichoke leaves, topped with an artichoke heart & Bernaise sauce), and a petite Filet Mignon. A nice bottle of Zinfandel accompanied these very well.
We spent two wonderful hours and a bit over $300 enjoying ourselves immensely. Our server was attentive without being intrusive and the owner was a gracious host. The ambient noise can get a bit loud, particularly in the room with the big table, but we were having too much fun ourselves to really notice.
I consider the menu here to be kind of "Rat Pack" retro...which I, obviously, love.
You can check out the menu yourself at: http://www.themenupage.com/antiquityrestaurant.html
After dinner we strolled the short block to the plaza. The night was soft, a band was playing in the gazebo, and people old and young were dancing in the grass. What a great night!
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