Would you believe that I often eat at the same restaurant more than once?
It’s true.
I even have a handful of favorites that I eat at regularly. One of those is Norman Quack’s Chophouse in Forest Lake. Not only is Quack’s just a ten minute (or so) drive from my house, but they also have a great Happy Hour and awesome weekly specials. The best deal in town might just be on Sundays for the 12oz Prime Rib with Hand-Battered Onion Rings for $11.99.
The last time we were there we ordered a double cut (24oz+) that was a real “Humunga Cowabunga”. Just look at this piece of meat!
I still can’t believe the size of this thing. Ginormous Maximus. Oh so good!
Article and photos by Kristi SauerCopyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
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Cuisine: American, Fish & Seafood, Steaks
Restaurant Features: Bar, Patio, Sunday Brunch Menu
Locations: Edina & St Paul, MN
Addresses & Maps:
Edina- 5034 France Ave South Edina, MN 55410 (952) 929-3764
St Paul- 917 Grand Ave St Paul, MN 55105 (651) 917-2345
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-12am Sun 10am-10pm
Links: Salut Website * Salut on Facebook
Atmosphere: Salut Bar Americain St Paul is located in the heart of Grand Ave, between Lexington and Victoria St. The inside of the restaurant is a big open space, with booths along the back wall and tables placed throughout the rest of the dining room so that each table had plenty of space. The lighting in the dining room is very soft and the walls are painted warm colors, giving it a cozy feel. The black and white checked tablecloths and the tables themselves are reminiscent of many cafes in France, helping to set the mood as a swanky French-inspired American restaurant. One thing that stood out that night was that it was uncomfortably warm inside the restaurant. I am not sure if there was a problem with their cooling system on this particular night or if it is always like that in the summer, but we honestly left as soon as our meal was done because we were all feeling too warm.
There is also a Bar, which is illuminated in a similar fashion as Chino Latino and Il Gatto, two of Parasole’s other restaurants that I have been to.
You can’t miss the patio, as you have to walk through it to get inside the restaurant
Menu: Salut’s Hor’sD’oeuvres include French Onion Soup, Soud du Jour, Ricotta Hushpuppies, Tenderloin Carpaccio, Five Spice Seared Tuna, Baked Brie, Pommes Frites, Crispy Calamari, Escargot Bourguignon, Truffled Deviled Eggs, Artichoke Pizza, Pizza Espagnole, Moules Cafe De Paris, Blue Crab Cake, and Charcutiere Et Fromage.
Raw Bar items include Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Le Grande France Platter (oysters, crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels and tuna tartare), Oysters Moscow, and Fresh Oysters.
Salad offerings are the A La Greque, Baby Beet, Salade de Canard, Salut Bleu, Caesar, Grilled Ahi Tuna Nicoise, Chicken Cobb and Seafood Louie.
Items offered only on the lunch menu include Chicken and Artichoke Crepes, Crepes Madame, Seafood Crepes, Eggs Benedict, French Country Omelette, and Smoked Salmon Omelette.
Sandwiches are served with either hand-cut fries or side salad. Choices include Le Pesto Burger, Cheeseburger Royale, French Onion Soup Burger, Burger Bar Americain, Steak Sandwich, Grilled Tuna Steak Sandwich, Knife and Fork Chicken Club, and Croque Madame.
Steak options at Salut include Steak Classique, Steak Au Poivre, Hanger Steak, and Petite Filet.
Fish dishes are made with fish flown-in daily. Options include Scottish Salmon, Pacific Ahi Tuna, Jumbo Shrimp, Grilled Rum Shrimp and Crispy Walnut Salmon.
Other Entrees include Pepita Poulet, Herb Roasted Half Chicken, Duck a l’orange, Braised Lamb Shank, and Cassoulet (traditional French stew).
Pasta dishes that are offered at Salut include Bolognaise, Smoked Chicken Fettuccine, Butternut Squash Tortellaci, Carbonara Milanese, and Champagne Shrimp Fettuccine.
Price guide: Appetizers $6-15 Salads $8-17 Sandwiches $11-15 Steaks $23-29 Fish $24-28 Pastas $16-18
Happy Hour:
- 3 – 6 pm daily
- Late Night: 10 pm – 12 midnight, Friday and Saturday
- $4 tap beers, well drinks and house wine
- $3 small plates
- $1.95 Oysters
Weekly Specials:
- Monday: Poulet Morrocain $17.95
- Tuesday: Shrimp Arrabiata $17.95
- Wednesday: Zee Walleye Feesh N Chips $19.95
- Thursday: Short Ribs $22.95
- Friday: Bouillabaise Seafood Stew $29.95
- Saturday: Cote de Boeuf Prime Rib $29.95
- Sunday: Steak Dianne $19.95
What we ordered: I started with a House Margarita, which was decent but only slightly tart and not overly strong.
My companions and I started with a couple of starters, such as the Pomme Frites. These were skinny-cut fries that had a justa hint of a batter on them which made them extra crispy. The order was served with a boat of homemade bearnaise sauce.
We also shared an order of the Moules Cafe de Paris. This was a big order of mussels steamed and then served in a broth of butter and wine with a sprinkling of green onions for garnish. The mussels were cooked perfectly so they were tender rather than chewy and the broth was very light. I enjoyed the mussels but would’ve like them even more in a sauce that had more flavor.
Before our meals were brought out we were served warm baguettes with whipped sea-salt butter. Simple but delicious.
Like usual I debated about what I was going to order, afraid of getting something boring. I ended up with the Steak Sandwich and ince I got to choose my side, I went with the Cream of Potato Soup. I was very happy with my choice, as the beef tenderloin was very tender and perfectly flavored with caramelized onion and melted gruyere cheese, served on a ciabatta bun. As per my usual when ordering steak, I requested freshly grated horseradish on the side. The cream of potato soup was also delicious.
A couple of my companions each ordered the Fork & Knife Chicken Club. You can see from the photo exactly why a fork and knife are needed for this beast of a sandwich; a giant grilled chicken breast atop a ciabatta bun with romaine then topped with thick-cut bacon and half an avocado. Side salad was chosen for the side item.
One of my companions ordered the Chicken Cobb Salad, which was packed with chopped chicken breast, bacon, avocado, hard boiled eggs, tomato, roasted beets, and bleu cheese crumbles.
Another companion ordered the Croque Madame, a fabulous spin on the traditional Croque Monsieur. Like the classic Croque Monsieur, this sandwich is open-faced with toasted ham and gruyere but then is topped with a fried egg. This is one item that would be great to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Mixed baby greens salad was choice of side.
The last of us ordered the Seafood Louie Salad. This salad consisted of a bed of greens, then topped with grilled salmon, shrimp and blue crab. Tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions and Louie Dressing (mayo, lemon, chili, worcestershire). Served with toast.
Service: We had decent service at Salut. We had a reservation for a group of six and our table was ready for us when we all arrived on a somewhat busy Friday night. We did not see our server immediately and when we did she was busy getting our drink orders and didn’t tell us about the daily specials until just before we ordered our meals. Luckily there was a sign near our table that featured the daily specials so we could have time to decide what to order. Our food came out reasonably fast, appetizers followed by the entrees about 15 minutes later. One thing I thought was really nice is that the server wrote us all separate tickets, eliminating the need to split everything up ourselves at the end of the night. I always appreciate that when out with a big group!
Overall Impression: For the most part, I enjoyed my visit to Salut. I thought the food and service were good and the atmosphere was nice despite how warm it was.
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Cuisine: Fish, Seafood, Steaks, Sushi, Dessert
Restaurant Features: Banquet, Bar, Hotel
Locations: Edina & Minneapolis, MN
Addresses & Maps:
Edina- 3203 Galleria Edina, MN 55435(Edina Westin Galleria Hotel) 952.920.1142
Minneapolis- 800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55402 612.338.3300
Hours: Mon-TH: 11am-10pm FRI: 11am-11pm SAT: 4pm-11pm SUN: 4pm-10pm
Links: McCormick & Schmick’s Website * McCormick & Schmick’s on Facebook
Atmosphere: The Downtown Minneapolis McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant is located on Nicollet Mall at 9th St.. The restaurant is quite big, or so it seems. On the way to our table we walked by several curtained-off areas which I can only assume lead to additional or private dining areas.
My companions and I were shown behind one of the very last curtains and into a large dining room. Deep, rich colors on the walls and floor gave it a masculine feel which was softened up by the white tablecloths.
There is also a large Bar area at the Downtown location that has booths as well as seating at the bar. Much less formal than the dining room but just as cozy.
Menu: The Menu at McCormick & Schmick’s changes daily, depending on what type of fresh catch is available. The following is the menu that was available to me on the night of my visit in late May 2011.
Appetizers include Tempura Shrimp, Lump Blue Crab Tower, Fried Calamari, Duck Potstickers with Raspberry Hoisin, Crispy Thai Chicken Spring Rolls, Portabella Mushroom and Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Steamed Black Mussel & Clams, Crispy Fried Oysters, Crab Cake, Kobe Beef Carpaccio, and Coconut Fried Shrimp.
Offerings from the Seafood Bar include Malpeque Oysters, Deep Bay Oysters, Alpine Bay Oysters , and Spiced Jumbo Prawns.
Sushi and Sashimi includes Tuna Tartare, Salmon Lomi Lomi, Spiced Seared Ahi Tuna Tostada, California Roll.
Soups at McCormick & Schmicks inlcude New England Clam Chowder and Crab Bisque. Salad options are the Chopped, The Wedge, House, Caesar, and Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad.
This season’s Wild Features include Angry Tuna Roll, Wild Alaska Halibut & Salmon Baked in a Crispy Pastry, Wild Canada Whitefish, Wild swordfish Casino, and Wild Seafood Trio.
Seafood Specialties include Cashew Crusted Tilapia, Seared Sea Scallops, Parmesan Breaded Tilapia, Atlantic Salmon Stuffed with Crab, Chilean Sea Bass with Miso and Udon Noodles, Horseradish Herb Steelhead, Macademia Nut Breaded Halibut, and Blackened Catfish with Fire Roasted Corn Salsa.
Traditional Seafood Items include Rainbow Trout, Horseradish and Potato Crusted Red Snapper, Atlantic Salmon with Berry Sauce, Fried Shrimp Platter, and Wild Ahi Tuna.
Other Entrees include Petite Filet Mignon, Filet Mignon, Top Sirloin with Bleu Cheese Sauce, Lobster Steamer, Maple Brined Chicken, Shrimp Linguini, King Crab Legs, Kobe Burger with Mushrooms and Swiss, Tenderloin and Portabello Brochette, and New York Strip. Filet & Shrimp Scampi combo also available.
Desserts include Key Lime Pie, Apple Pie, Creme Brulee, and Chocolate Trio.
Price guide: Appetizers $-12 Sushi $9-14 Oysters $3+ Seafood Specialties $17-32 Entrees $14-47
What we ordered: We started with an order of Fried Calamari. Delicious! The batter was crunchy but the calamari was cooked perfectly; the rings were tossed with banana peppers and sprinkled with fresh parmesan. The order aame with fire-roasted tomato sauce for dipping.
We also ordered the Large Oyster Sampler, which came with eight oysters in total: Malpeque Oysters, Deep Bay Oysters, and Alpine Bay Oysters. I can’t honestly tell you which two varieties I tried but they were both fresh and delicious. I always top my oysters with lemon, cocktail and horseradish. I’ve said it before but I LOVE horseradish. Goes perfectly with oysters ;)
We also tried a couple orders of the Angry Tuna Roll. These fabulous rolls contained spicy tuna, then topped with more tuna, thin slices of fresh jalapeno, spicy mayo and flamed tobikko. I love spicy sushi and this really hit the spot.
We also ordered the California Roll, which I did not try. Nothing wrong with a California Roll every now and then but I would take the Angry Tuna Roll over this plain jane any day.
Just before our meals were served we were brought Sourdough Bread which was fresh and crusty.
I had a hard time deciding what to order for my entree. I love halibut and the Macademia Nut Crusted Halibut sounded really good but I was afraid it wouldn’t have enough flavor for me. The server assured me it was excellent so I did end up ordering it. The dish looked good but I was immediately disappointed by the somewhat small size, in comparison to my companions’ dishes. My piece of halibut was about 3″ x 1″, very lightly crusted and pan fried. It sat on a bed of steamed broccoli and atop the mango butter sauce. The fish was cooked just right so the texture was firm without being tough but the taste of the overall dish was very mild. Nothing wrong with this dish, just too boring for my tastes. For the money, it was about $3 per boring bite. Ridiculous if you think of it like that.
One of my companions ordered the Horseradish Hashbrown Crusted Red Snapper. I tried a bite of this and thought it was very good. The flavor of the horseradish was apparent but not overpowering, it really just enhanced the taste of the fish. The hashbrowns that were crusted around the fish were a nice compliment in texture, however my companion thought there was a little too much potato in proportion to the amount of fish. I liked it much better than my halibut.
One of my companions ordered the Sea Bass, which turned out to be one of the best dishes I tried. The sea bass filet was quite big in comparison to the halibut and it sat atop a bed of stir-fried veggies and udon noodles soaked in the delicious, flavorful Asian miso sauce. Once I was offered a bite I had to show restraint so I wouldn’t eat half the dish. A winner!
One of my companions started with the Chopped Salad and then had the Steak & Scampi Combo.
The Steak and Scampi combo is a great value, it come with the filet mignon, jumbo scampi-style shrimp, gruyere croquettes, and steamed broccoli. I tried a small bite of this steak and it was delicious; tender and juicy. A grilled Lobster Tail was added to the dish for an additional charge. The bite of lobster I tried was also excellent; sweet and succulent.
The steak and Scampi combo also came with Creme Brulee. This was creamy and cooked just right, with a nice crunchy layer of caramelized sugar on top.
We also tried the Key Lime Pie, a cheesecake-style key lime with a thick graham cracker crust. Oh, I love key lime and I love cheesecake. Great combo.
Another dessert we tried was the Apple Pie. The caramel drizzled on top gave this dessert a messy appearance but by all reports, it was very good.
Service: We had a reservation for dinner and were promptly seated. Our server was very good but our visit was a long, drawn out experience. We ordered many courses and ended up staying almost three hours for dinner. The kitchen seemed to take their time preparing our food, most of it being worth the wait. Toward the end of our night things started to seem very slow, it took 25 minutes to get our dessert after we ordered it, despite being the only ones left in our dining room at the time. When our server brought them out to us she said she made them herself, so I guess someone in the kitchen dropped the ball.
Overall Impression: There were many items that I tried at McCormick & Schmick’s that I thoroughly enjoyed and the prices seem reasonable for the portion sizes. Our server was great but the food did take a long time. I will definitely try McCormick & Schmick’s again in the future.
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Cuisine: American, Chops, Steak, Fish & Seafood
Restaurant Features: Bar, On-Site Parking
Locations: Lakeville & Little Canada, MN
Addresses & Maps:
Lakeville-11211 205th Street West Lakeville, MN 55044 (952) 469-2995
Little Canada- 235 East Little Canada Road Little Canada, MN 55117 (651) 483-9248
Hours: Mon-Fri 5pm Sat-Sun 4pm
Links: Porterhouse Website * Porterhouse on Facebook
Atmosphere: The Little Canada location of Porterhouse Steaks and Seafood is located just off I-35E at Little Canada Rd. When you walk in the restaurant, the dining room is to the left, the lounge os to the right. The dining room is warm and masculine, with dark wood lining the walls, and deep booths around the perimeter of the room. The lighting is very dim and the room seems quite dark (it was a challenge to get good photos).
In addition to booths there are also a handful of tables that can be arranged for larger groups.
The lounge area seats about ten around the bar.
Menu: Appetizers at Porterhouse include Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, Balsamic Sea Scallops, Smokehouse Shrimp, Shrimp Cocktail, Walleye Fingers, Spinach Artichoke ad Parmesan Dip, Grilled Chicken Satay Skewers, Blackened Sirloin Tips, Baltimore Crab Imperial, and Freshwater Split Prawns.
Soups include New England Clam Chowder and French Onion.
Classics and Lighter Fare include Cobb Salad, Beef Liver and Onions, Stuffed Chicken Florentine, Canadian Walleyed Pike, Boneless Pork Loin Chops, Top Sirloin and Petite Filet Mignon.
Porterhouse has a selection of fineAged Angus Beef with cuts such as Filet Mignon (9 or 12oz), Top Sirloin (12 or 16oz), Bone-In New York Strip, Porterhouse, and Ribeye (18 or 24oz). The signature steaks are the Black & Bleu Ribeye and the Tenderloin Imperial (filet mignon topped with crab imperial). Add-On options include Sauteed Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Bearnaise Sauce, Melted Bleu Cheese, Extra Potato, Vegetables, Walleye Filet, Smokehouse Shrimp, Lobster Tail, King Crab Leg, Prawns and Scallops.
Seafood and Fish dishes include Jumbo Freshwater Prawns, Jumbo Sea Scallops, King Crab Legs, Smokehouse Shrimp, Canadian Walleye Pike, Nova Scotia Lobster Tail and Daily Fresh Fish.
There are several surf & turf combos as well.
Price guide: Appetizers $8-12 Classics $14-23 Steaks $20-35 Seafood $21-42
What we ordered: We started with a few appetizers, including the Spinach Artichoke Dip. This dip was delicious, it was rich and creamy from the parmesan cheese and had large chunks of artichoke and spinach blended throughout. It was served with a loaf of hot baguette
We also tried the Cajun Walleye Strips, a serving of about eight nugget-sized pieces of walleye, lightly coated with flour and seasonings then pan fried. These were pretty good, flaky yet slightly crispy with just a hint of cajun seasonings. Served with tartar sauce.
The Smokehouse Shrimp also sounded good, so we got an order fo these. The order came with four large shrimp wrapped with bacon and coated with a smokey barbeque sauce then grilled. Mmm, these were great. I plan to make my own version on the grill often this summer.
After we finished our appetizers, a basket of bread and our salads came out. The bread was thick and dense.
My dinner also came with a salad and when the server explained the options, I knew immediately that I would be getting the Spinach Salad when I heard “warm sweet bacon dressing”. This salad was amazing! First of all, I think spinach and eggs so wonderful together and bacon goes fabulously with both. This salad had it all! The dressing was not like any I have had before and I instantly fell in love. It was served warm, thick and sweet with the true taste of bacon with a ton of crispy pieces of bacon on top of the spinach as well. I could eat a salad like this for breakfast or lunch every day!
This was my first visit to Porterhouse so I knew I would be ordering a steak and the Black & Bleu Ribeye is exactly what I was craving. They had two size options: 18 or 24oz. I thought these steaks surely had to be bone-in at those hefty weights and I ordered the big daddy at 24 oz. I typically order my steaks cooked medium but out server gave us the option of “plus” or “minus” since a steak so thick has a lot of room for cooking temps. I ordered mine “medium minus”. This steak was actually boneless and absolutely huge, a great value in comparison to other fine steak houses. I was already pretty full from appetizers and salad, but made room for a few bites of the most delicious, juicy, tender cut of steak. I was happy I ordered it medium minus, it was much more red than I usually eat it, but I found that I really enjoyed it like that. The bleu cheese that was melted on top was flavorful but not too overpowering. So good! Another of my companions ordered this same steak and also enjoyed the extremely tender cut.
The side I chose with my steak was the Parmesan Bacon Mashed Potatoes. These were delicious, with each the flavors of the smokey bacon and creamy parmesan coming through the soft buttery potatoes.
One of my companions ordered the 24 oz Ribeye with a side of mushrooms. This was the same size and cut of steak as what I ordered, but it was much thicker and much more grisly. All the while I was oohing and ahhing about how tender my steak was, this companion struggled to cut through this steak with ease because of all the tendons. I was happy to share some of my more tender cut. If this were the only example of our steaks at Porterhouse that evening, we would have been disappointed. Not sure why the cut was so inconsistent with the other two 24oz Ribeyes we had amongst us.
One of my companions ordered the Tenderloin with a baked potato. This steak was also tender with a beefy, robust flavor. The potato it was served with was very big.
Service: We had very good service at Porterhouse Steaks and Seafood. The food was timed perfectly and our the server was very good about refilling drinks when needed. I loved that when ordering our steaks the server suggested we use “plus or minus” with the cooking temperature to get it just how we wanted it. She made sure to check back with us to make sure everyone had their steak cooked the way they wanted it and offered to cook any steak longer, if desired.
Overall Impression: I am glad to finally have tried Porterhouse Steaks and Seafood. I was impressed with the size and quality of my Black & Bleu Ribeye but wish that all of the 24 oz ribeyes were consistently as tender. The menu isn’t huge but offers a nice selection of steaks and seafoods, I will definitely be back to Porterhouse again sometime for dinner.
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Cuisine: American, Greek, Fish & Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Chops, Ribs
Restaurant Features: Bar, Happy Hour, Live Music, Patio, On-Site Parking
Location: Fridley, MN
Address: 6161 Central Ave. N.E. (Hwy. 65) Fridley, MN 55432 763-398-0088
Kitchen Hours: Mon-Tues: 11am – 9pm Wed-Thurs: 11am – 10pm Fri- Sat: 11am – 11pm Sun Brunch: 10am – 2pm Sun Dinner: 4pm – 9pm
Links: Shorewood Grill Website * Shorewood on Facebook * Google Map
Atmosphere: The main dining room is a cozy space, with rich, warm colors and murals on the walls, along with a fireplace and big booths.
The bar/lounge area is an extra large room with the bar centrally located. There are a number of large booths around the perimeter of the room, with several bistro tables spread throughout as well. There was a small stage at the front of the room where a band played later in the evening.
There is a patio that can be accessed from both the dining room and the bar with views of the small lake nearby.
Menu: Appetizers at Shorewood include Calamari, Shorewood Meatballs, Spanakopita, Saginaki, Gyros, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Kalamata Bruschetta, Crab Cakes, Shrimp Cocktail, Stuffed Mushrooms, Pita Bread & Spreads, Ahi Tuna, and Hercules Bites.
Salads include Greek Village, Peasant, Chopped, Caesar and King Louie. Soups include Chicken Orzo or a Soup du Jour.
Shorewood’s sandwich offers a handful of sandwiches such as Prime Rib Dip, Gyro, Black Angus Burger, Chicken Caesar Wrap, and Walleye Sandwich.
Entrees include Kebobs (chicken, beef or swordfish), Chicken in Phyllo, Athenian Lamb Chops, Gyros Dinner, Meatloaf, BBQ Ribs, Roasted Chicken, and Chicken Pot Pie.
Steak and Pork options include New York Strip, Steak de Greco, Grilled Ribeye, Filet Mignon, Prime Rib, Short Ribs, and Pork Chops.
Shorewood’s seafood options include Lobster Tail, Walleye,Grecian Shrimp, Crab Stuffed Salmon, and Jumbo Scallops.
Pasta offerings include Lobster Ravioli, Lime Chicken Tortellini, Theva Pasta with Lamb, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken Alfredo, and Mediterranean Pasta.
Children’s Menu has items such as Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken Tenders, Mini Pizza, Mini Prime Rib, Mini Burgers, and Mini Gyros.
Price guide: Appetizers $7-12 Salads $9-14 Sandwiches $10-14 Entrees $14-24 Steak $17-27 Seafood $18+
What we ordered: (In order of appearance) One of my companions ordered this Spinach Artichoke Dip, a creamy blend of cheeses baked in a ramekin and served with pita bread. I tried a few bites of this and it was very good. It had the rich flavor of artichoke, spinach, onions, parmesan and other cheeses and was baked until the cheese was a bubbly golden color.
My entree came with a salad, so I went with the Greek Salad, which was the basic salad with feta and pepperoncini. Crisp and fresh.
One of my companions ordered the New York Strip, prepared medium. This meal comes with both veggies and au gratin potatoes, but was ordered without veggies due to a food allergy; as you can see it was still served with a sauteed veggie medley.
Another companion ordered the Grecian Shrimp, a dish of shrimp baked with garlic butter and feta. These were delicious; the shrimp were decent sized and covered with feta. The meal was served with veggie medley and mashed potatoes.
My companions also ordered the Calamari, which came after their meals. I tried this and thought it was some of the best calamari I have had; the squid was cooked perfectly yet the batter was still crispy. It was served over a bed of sauteed banana and pepperoncini peppers, which was a nice tangy accompaniment. I could also taste a hint of lemon and I loved that it had little squids in addition to the rings. Served with a Crab Louie sauce, which was tangy and creamy. Huge portion.
Another companion ordered the Chicken Tenders, which came with six large, ordinary pieces of white meat chicken.
The guest of honor had the Seared Ahi Tuna, which came with two thick pieces of tuna seared on the outside and raw in the middle. The fish was served over thin slices of carrots and cucumbers and drizzled with wasabi mayo.
Another companion ordered the Stuffed Burger, which was still slightly pink in the middle along with the melted cheddar cheese. For some reason it didn’t come with any fries?
One companion ordered the Phyllo Chicken. I did not try this dish but it looked very good. It had a chicken breast stuffed with spinach, feta and pine nuts, then wrapped in the light and flaky phyllo dough and baked to a golden color. It was topped with a creamy sauce and served with veggie medley and mashed potatoes.
I ordered the Lobster Ravioli, which I liked very much. The portion came with 4-5 large raviolis filled with a cheesy lobster mix, then topped with a creamy rosa sauce and a small about of lobster meat. I loved every bite and was still hungry when it was all gone (and it is very rare that I finish my entree!) It would’ve been great to have bread with this meal but it was not brought out until after we already ate.
Another companion ordered the Chicken Pot Pie, which I tried and thought was very good. There was just the right amount of vegetables and chunky white chicken to the creamy chicken soup. It had a flaky, buttery crust baked on top, then sprinkled with parmesan. Total comfort food!
Another companion ordered the Gyro Appetizer. I did not try this at all but it looked like standard gyro meat and fixings,
A couple of my companions ordered Flaming Cinnamon shots which were quite spectacular when set on fire (at the bar only).
Service: The service that we experienced at Shorewood Bar & Grill was beyond disappointing; it was downright appalling. Our party consisted of fifteen people, with a reservation made four weeks in advance. We arrived on time to be seated in the lounge, with one large booth (seats 6-8) and a handful of 2-person bistro tables for our party. It was very awkward from the get-go, with there being no good way of arranging the tables so that everyone was included. Our server was a new employee, having just started at Shorewood the week prior. She was nice and sweet and I can cut her a little bit of slack because she was new, but Shorewood should know better than to put a newbie with a group so big on a busy weekend night. I guess Shorewood’s mentality with new wait staff is “sink or swim”?
Our biggest problem of the night wasn’t necessarily with our server; it was more the bad timing of the food. We all ordered within a half hour of our arrival, with the server starting at one end of the party and then finishing at the other end. Logical, right? The first four people to order received their salads about 43 minutes after ordering. Not even two minutes later their entrees showed up, but no sign of the calamari that was ordered as an appetizer. The timing of the food was just totally off! Someone did bring the calamari right out to us after inquiring to its whereabouts and we were not charged for it. This first group that got their food also had a serious problem: After requesting “no vegetables” to the server due to a food allergy, the steak entree showed up with vegetables. This mistake could have turned into a scary and life-threatening situation real quick. About twenty minutes later (an hour after ordering), the second wave of food arrived to those in the middle of the seating arrangement, myself included. It was not for another 30 minutes beyond this point that the last section of our group received their food, approximately 90 minutes after ordering. Our bread wasn’t served to us until the second time we requested it, and it came after the meal.
All the while we were waiting (and waiting!) for our food, the people who arranged the party spoke with the management to express their unhappiness with the chain of events. I am not sure of how that situation was remedied but I personally never saw the management once that evening, nor did they come to check with the guests in our party. I think that personal tough was warranted in this situation and being accustomed to good service most places I go, I expect it. They did, however send in a few additional servers to check on us after the first two hours and these girls were very nice. At the end of the evening someone in our party passed my card along to the management and let them know that I was there and I was doing a review for this blog; the management sent our server over to me and asked if he could by me a drink since he knew I was writing a review. I find it kind of insulting that they thought maybe they could keep me quiet by buying me a margarita.
Overall Impression: Very mixed. I thought the food was really good but the service was terrible. As much as I liked the food, more importantly to me is how the service is and how the restaurant made us feel. I know I personally never felt like my business was valued or appreciated and I think it is safe to say the same for the majority of the people in our large party. The fact that our party was so big was a factor in the quality of service (I can only assume), but to me that shouldn’t matter. I have been to plenty of restaurants as part of a large group and most have done a great job. Shorewood has a long way to go with their service before I would consider going back.
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Cuisine: American, Fish & Seafood, Steaks, Dessert
Restaurant Features: Banquet, Happy Hour (bar only), On-Site Parking, Patio, Sunday Brunch
Location: North Oaks, MN
Address: 5959 Centerville Road North Oaks, MN 55127 651-426-9222
Hours: Mon-Thurs 5-9pm (Bar 4-10pm), Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm (bar 4-11pm) Sun 10am-8pm
Links: Tria Website * Tria on Facebook * Google Map
Atmosphere: Tria is located at Centerville Rd and County Rd J in a large, beautiful building that more closely resembles a modern mansion than a restaurant. There are six dining areas within the property. The main dining room is just inside the entrance; a homey room with arched entries, fireplaces and wooden floors.
Another popular area at Tria is the Bar, which is where we sat. The beautiful wooden bar is the center of the room, with big booths running along the wall.
This is one of the areas available for private dining
Private Dining Area at Tria ~ North Oaks, MN
Here is another dining space.
Additional Dining Area at Tria ~ North Oaks, MN
Menu: Appetizers at Tria include Bruschetta Boursin, Seared Scallops, Escargot, Beef Bites, Crab Cakes, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Dijon Chicken Bites, Walleye Fingers, Chicken Tenders, Calamari, Shrimp Pronto Pup, Mushroom Puff, Wild Mushroom Flatbread (bar only, and Prosciutto and Arugula Flatbread (bar only).
Soups include Cream of Wild Rice and Brie, French Onion, and the Scallop and Cucumber. Salad offerings are the Caesar, Wedge, Spinach and Roasted Beet.
Casual Classics include Chicken Pot Pie, 1/2 lb Burger, Chicken Club, Walleye, Prime Rib Dip, and Baked Mac N Cheese.
Tria’s Entrees include Tournedos of Beef (choice of Dijon Cream, Bearnaise or Sauteed Mushrooms), Walleye (broiled, blacked or pan fried), Veal Scaloppine (piccata, marsala, caprese), Chicken Penne, Pappardelle Pasta, Chardonnay Chicken, Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Stuffed Chicken, Pork Shank, Steak Frites, 6 oz or 9 oz Filet Mignon, 14 oz Ribeye, New York Strip, Lamb Chops, Venison, Salmon, Seared Ahi Tuna, Halibut, Sea Bass, Scallops, and Shrimp Scampi.
Desserts include Artisan Cheese Board, Homemade Ice Cream (pistachio white chocolate, ), Homemade Sorbet, Hot Fudge or Mixed Berry Sundae, Chocolate Lava Cake, New York Cheesecake, Creme Brulee, Chocolate Decadence, Apple Tart, and Chomeur Pudding. There are also a number of dessert wines and ports.
Price guide: Appetizers $7-12 Entrees $15-30 Desserts $3-9
Happy Hour:
- Early Bird M-F 4:00-6:30
- Late Night M-Th 9pm-close Sunday 8pm-close
- Bar Area Only
- 1/2 price Salmon Creek Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, Michelob Golden Light, House Rail Cocktails
- $3 off Appetizers
Weekly Specials:
Wednesday- Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes $18
Thursday- Prime Rib with Twice Baked Potato, Green Beans and Popover Queen Cut $20 King Cut $24
Friday- Cioppino $27
Saturday- Beef Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes $24
Sunday- Prime Rib with Twice Baked Potato, Green Beans and Popover Queen $20 King $24
What we ordered: My companions and I visited Tria during Happy Hour, so we ordered several appetizers, including the Chicken Dijon Bites. These little bites of white meat chicken were mixed with a flavorful, creamy dijon mustard sauce along with sauteed mushrooms and spinach. Delicious and low-carb! Came with a long slice of toasted ciabatta.
We also tried the Artichoke Dip, which was also very good. The blend of cheeses, spinach and artichokes was baked in a ramekin with breadcrumbs on top. It was served with a plate-full of golden baguette toasts. Both the dip and the toast were wonderful, just wish there was more dip for all the toast ;)
We also had the Beef Bites, mmm mmm mmm. The bites of beef were tender and juicy, seasoned with Montreal spices and cooked in a red wine reduction, then served with a side of bearnaise and extra-long slice of toasted ciabatta. Delish!
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Beef Bites at Tria ~ North Oaks, MN
And last but certainly not least of the appetizers is the Wild Mushroom Flatbread. I like everything I tried but this definitely stood out, it was fabulous! The flatbread was topped with chive oil, fresh garlic, wild mushrooms and boursin cheese, then baked to a crispy golden brown and topped with fresh sprouts. The pizza was light and very flavorful and I absolutely loved the cheese they used, it had much more to offer in the flavor department than any ordinary mozzarella. I might dream about this pizza, it was that good.
We also ordered a Burger with Bacon and Bleu Cheese. The burger was 1/2 lb of beef topped with extra thick slices of smokey bacon and bleu cheese crumbles on a fresh, toasted bun. The entire thing was very good but the bacon was outstanding.
We were definitely full from our appetizers and wine but when I heard they had a list of homemade ice creams and sorbets, I had to try one. Our server ran down the list of flavors and once I heard “pistachio” I was sold. This was no ordinary pistachio ice cream. It was a scoop of frozen heaven in a dish and I am an ice cream lover to the core. It was rich, creamy and packed full of small pieces of pistachios and the white chocolate was infused into the pistachio cream. Heavenly!
Service: We had excellent service at Tria. We wanted to take advantage of the happy hour specials so we sat in the bar; fortunately we arrived early enough that a booth was available. Our server greeted us right away and told us about the happy hour specials. Our glasses of wine arrived within minutes so we enjoyed it while we looked over the appetizer menu. Our server was great about checking on us even when the bar area became busy, all requests were taken care of quickly.
Overall Impression: I am glad I finally tried Tria; the food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. I am still thinking about the Wild Mushroom Flatbread and the Pistachio Ice Cream, but would also like to have dinner there next time I visit. Looking forward to the patio when it gets a little warmer too!
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Disclosure: I was invited out to do this review and my meal was provided by the restaurant. All opinions are my own.
Cuisine: American, Dessert, Italian, Pasta, Steak, Chops
Restaurant Features: Bar, Banquet, Catering, Happy Hour, Kids Menu, On-Site Parking, Patio
Location: Apple Valley, MN
Address: 15435 Founders Lane Apple Valley, MN 55124 952-891-6569
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11a-9p Fri-Sat 11a-10p Sun 10a-9p
Links: Enjoy! Website * Enjoy on Facebook * Google Map
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Atmosphere: Enjoy! is located in a very large, impressive building about 1/2 mile south of Country Rd 42 off of Galaxie Dr. and Founders Ln. The restaurant is divided into seven distinct areas, The Conservatory (pictured below), The Upper Dining Room, The Grotto, The Vintage Room, The Water’s Edge Patio, The Bar Patio, and The Lounge. We ate in the lovely Conservatory which had a beautiful fireplace complete with a large-tile mosaic painting. One highlight of the room was the magnificent domed skylight. In addition to having tables, this area also has high-backed booths which offer a sense of privacy.
The Upper Dining Room is another one of the many seating areas at Enjoy! that is perfect for groups, offering larger booths and tables that can accommodate many.
Enjoy! also has The Vintage Room available for Banquets and larger parties. The Lounge is also a big, beautiful area and is also the place to go for a great Happy Hour.
Menu: Enjoy! just unveiled their new menus within the past few weeks with a great selection of favorites as well as many new items. The Lunch Menu is served Mon-Sat 11am-3pm and includes Bruschetta, Calamari, Mozzarella and Artichoke Bake, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms and Crab Cakes for Appetizers.
In addition to many of the pastas, salads, seafoods and meats that are offered at dinner, Enjoy! has a nice selection of Specialty Sandwiches on the Lunch Menu: Prime Rib Dip, Chicken Cashew, BLT, Ultimate Grilled Cheese (cheddar, fontina and bacon), Turkey Club, Chicken Bacon Avocado Wrap, Pulled Pork, Grilled Chicken, Reuben, Rachel, Beer Battered Cod, and Open Faced Turkey. Burgers are also offered at lunch; Juicy Lucy, Avocado Bacon, Crispy Cheddar, Black and Blue or Build Your Own.
The Dinner Menu is served after 3pm and has starters such as Bruschetta, Calamari, Mozzarella and Artichoke Bake, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, Seared Scallops, Crab Cakes, Tenderloin Tips, and the Warm Cheese Sampler.
Grilled Flatbread options include Pesto Chicken, Mushroom and Garden (olive, artichoke, tomato, garlic).
Enjoy! also offers salads including the Caesar, Iceberg Wedge, Strawberry Spinach Salad, Chopped, Avocado and Crab, Tenderloin, and the Enjoy! Salad (pear, gorgonzola, walnuts). Soups offered are French Onion, Tomato Basil and Lobster Chowder.
Classics are the Chicken Pot Pie, Grilled Chicken Sandwich or Build-Your-Own-Burger.
Pasta dishes at Enjoy! include Cannelloni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Spicy Sausage Penne, Short Rib Lasagna, Shrimp Angel Hair, Seafood Fettuccine, Lobster Ravioli, and Duck Risotto.
Meat Entrees offered are the Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Piccata, Oven Roasted Chicken, Flat iron Steak, Sirloin, Filet Mignon, New York Strip (14oz), Ribeye (16oz), Veal Marsala, Lamb Chops, Pork Chops and Prime Rib.
Seafood and Fish selections at Enjoy! are the Tilapia, Mahi Mahi, Pecan Crusted Walleye, Crab and Brie Stuffed Salmon, Halibut, Sea Bass, Seared Scallops, and Lobster Tail.
Side dishes include Fingerling Potatoes, Parmesan Leek Hash Browns, Mashed Potatoes, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, House Cut Fries, Boursin or Bleu Cheese Bubble Bread, Fettuccine Alfredo, Herb Risotto, Asparagus, Mushrooms, Green Beans, and Broccolini.
Desserts at Enjoy! are heavenly. Options include Maple Creme Brulee, Chocolate Molten Lava Cake, Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Bread Pudding, Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Upside Down Walnut Crusted Apple Pie, Hot Fudge Sundae and Italian Gelato or Sorbet. There are also a number of dessert coffees, drinks, cordials and ports.
Kids Menu items include Buttered Noodles, Spaghetti, Penne & Cheese, Chicken Fingers, Grilled Cheese, Mini Burgers, Grilled Chicken, and Beef Tenderloin. Served with drink and ice cream sundae.
Price guide: Appetizers $7-12 Sandwiches $ Pastas $13-23 Entrees$ 17-29 Seafood $17-29 Desserts $4-7 Kids Menu $5-10
Happy Hour:
- Sunday-Thursday 3pm-Close Friday 3-6:30pm
- Specials available in the Lounge Only
- $3- Opulent martinis, Jameson, Beefeater, Captain Morgan, Michelob Golden, Miller Lite, Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss, Sam Adams, Summit Epa,
- $4-Canyon Road Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, white zinfandel, Bass Ale, Amstel Light, Blue Moon, Ranger Pale Ale
- $5- Enjoy! Wines- Chardonnay, Cabernet and Syrah, Guinness and Stella Artois
- $6 Any signature martini or cocktail, French Onion Soup, Emjoy! Salad, Spinach Salad, Bruschetta, Chicken Tenders, Garden Flatbread
- $7 Lobster Chowder, Mozzarella and Artichoke Bake, Calamari, Bubble Bread, Pesto Chicken Flatbread
- $8- Fish & Chips, Crab Cakes, Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, Seared Scallops, Garden Shrimp Flatbread
- $9 – Tenderloin Tips, Shrimp Cocktail, Mushroom Flatbread, Black & Blue Flatbread, Warm Cheese Sampler
Sunday Brunch:
- 10am-3pm
- Adults/ $21.95 Kids 3-11/ $11.95
- Assorted Muffins and Pastries, Yogurt Parfait Bar, Fresh Fruits, Antipasti, Shrimp Cocktail, Enjoy! Salad, SunDried Tomato Pesto Salad, Scrambled Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Sausage, Parmesan Leek Hash Brown Potatoes, Sausage Penne, Chicken Rigatoni, Tilapia, Eggs and Omeletes (cooked to order), French Toast, Belgian Waffle, Carved Beef, and Chocolate Fountain.
- Includes Orange Juice, Coffee, Champagne or Mimosa.
What we ordered: We started with a couple of beverages, I had the House Pinot Noir and my companion had the Raspberry Mint Long Island. Oh, was this yummy! It was sweet and fruity yet still packed quite a punch. You’ll feel real good after a couple of these!
We also got this complimentary basket of different breads, French, Sourdough, Pumpernickel, and a Flatbread Cracker. All were very good, it was nice to have a variety to choose from.
We tried the Calamari, which was extremely tender. The strips were thick and cooked perfectly without any hint of chewiness. The outside wasn’t as crispy as I like it but since that would mean overcooking it, I’ll take it tender over chewy any day! It was served with two dips, the spicy marinara and a lemon herb aoili. Both were excellent!
We also got the Tenderloin Tips, a great choice if you want mouth-watering, tender beef. These bite-sized pieces were pan-seared in a tangy bourbon sauce, topped with green onion and tomato and served with a creamy horseradish sauce for dipping. These were great!
My companion also tried the Lobster Chowder. This soup was extremely enjoyable; the sweet and tender bites of lobster were the star of this dish with the corn, potato, and leeks cooked al dente to create a nice contrast in texture to the creamy broth.
There were so many temptations on the menu that when I saw the special Tasting Menu featuring a sampling of regular menu offerings, I knew it was the perfect choice for me. The first course had a sample of the Enjoy! Salad, Lobster Chowder and Bruschetta. I loved every bite of the Lobster Chowder, as described previously. The Enjoy! Salad was also very good; a mix of greens with gorgonzola cheese, slices of pear, candied walnuts and tossed in a citrus vinaigrette. One of my favorite salads! The Bruschetta was also delightful, a combo of fresh tomato with basil served over grilled french bread then drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Reminds me of summer!
The main course included a sampling of Halibut, Canneloni and Chicken Picatta. The Halibut was a thick sampling of the filet, seared to an appetizing golden brown and served over a creamy mustard sauce with asparagus tips. The Canneloni is one of the signature dishes at Enjoy!, a tube of pasta stuffed with ground beef, pork, tomatoes, ricotta then topped with mozzarella and served on a bed of spicy marinara. This was wonderful, a real classic. The ground meats were very flavorful but one of my favorite aspects of the dish was the combination of red and white sauces. The third item of this sampler and my favorite of the three was the Chicken Picatta. This decent-sized pounded chicken breast was served over a creamy herbed risotto and topped with a light and creamy lemon butter caper sauce. This was so delicious! The lemon was apparent without being overpowering and the capers provided just a hint of saltiness.
The dessert course also had three delicious samples: the Chocolate Bread Pudding, Maple Creme Brulee and Espresso Cheesecake. I started with the Chocolate Bread Pudding. This had a good taste but the texture of it was slightly hard so I moved on to the creamy creme brulee. I loved it! It was very creamy but didn’t have the eggy texture that custard often gets. It had a candied sugar crust on top that gave just a hint of crunch to contrast the creaminess. The third dessert sample was the Cheesecake, a bite of heaven supported by a crunchy oreo cookie crust then topped with an espresso glaze. Mmmmm
After much deliberation my companion ordered the Sea Bass for an entree. Oh My was this delectable! The filet itself was perfectly cooked, light and flaky, served over a bed of delicious veggies. The roasted brussel sprouts, swiss chard and crispy bacon bites were tossed in a creamy citrus butter sauce; every bite was wonderful.
We shared this Coffee with Bailey’s for an after-dinner drink while enjoying our desserts
My companion also ordered the Key Lime Pie, which was exceptional. It was creamy and tart yet sweet. Scrumptious!
Service: I had made a reservation and despite being late, my table was waiting for me when I got there. The hostess checked our coats right away and shortly after we were seated we were greeted by our server. We took our time looking over the menu however the server really helped by highlighting the special features and making other recommendations. The pacing of the food was just right, giving us time to finish each course before the next arrived. Overall I was very pleased with the service, it certainly made the experience even more enjoyable.
Overall Impression: I was very impressed with Enjoy! and can honestly say it is one of the best (new-to-me) restaurants I have tried in many months. The facilities are gorgeous and the perfect place to have a group dinner or event. The new dinner menu is impressive, as are the Chef’s Special Features; we enjoyed everything we tried. I have not yet eaten at Enjoy! for lunch but all of the sandwiches sounded wonderful and the best part about lunch is that it is guaranteed 45 minutes or less or it is free! I look forward to going back once the weather warms up so I can enjoy the patio too!
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Cuisine: American, Steak, Chops, Ribs, Fish, Seafood, Pasta
Restaurant Features: Bar, Banquet, Buffet, Kids Menu, On-Site Parking, Pull-Tabs, Sunday Brunch
Location: Maplewood, MN
Address: 2999 Highway 61 North • Maplewood, MN • Phone: 651.482.0384
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am – 9pm Fri- Sat 11am. – 10pm Sun Brunch 10am. – 2pm Sun Dinner 2pm -9pm
Links: Gulden’s Website * Gulden’s Facebook Page * Google Map
Atmosphere: Gulden’s is located on Hwy 61 (just south of 694) in Maplewood, near Maplewood Mall. The upper level of the restaurant is separated into a couple of large rooms. The main dining rooms are found to the left of the main entrance and the bar is located to the right/back. The decor is very basic, with vinyl booths and plastic laminate tables. The tables can conveniently be arranged to accommodate larger parties. Gulden’s has been family owned and operated since 1934.
Gulden’s Lounge is in a separate space adjacent to the main dining room, with a full bar and plenty of tables to sit at. They also offer pull-tabs.
Gulden’s also has a large lower-level that is used for banquets and weddings (up to 190 guests).
Menu: Appetizers at Gulden’s include Chicken Wings, Chicken Tenders, Onion Rings, Cheese Sticks, Potato Skins, Garlic Toast, Garlic Cheese Toast, Mini Tacos, Italian Fries, Frog Legs, Cheddar Jalapeno Poppers, Nachos Supreme, Chicken Nachos, Quesadilla and Jumbo Shrimp
Soup and Salad options include Caesar, Taco Salad and Salad Bar. Soup changes daily
Gulden’s sandwiches are served with fries and include the Gulden’s Club, Reuben, Prime Rib Dip, Sirloin Sandwich, Fish Sandwich, Hamburger and Gulden’s Cheeseburger.
Prime Cuts include Top Sirloin, Texas Top Sirloin, Filet Mignon, Smoked Pork Chops, Porterhouse, Steak and Shrimp, Steak Oscar, Prime Rib (12 oz, 16oz, 20oz), and Pork Ribs.
Fish and Seafood dishes include Jumbo Shrimp, Scrod Oscar, Frog Legs, Broiled Walleye, and Seafood Combo.
Gulden’s also has a variety of chicken and pasta dishes including Chicken, Ribs or Steak Combo, Chicken Oscar, Texas Chicken, Marinated Chicken Breast, Ravioli, Fried Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo, Tortellini Alfredo, Pasta Primavera, and Cajun Chicken Alfredo.
The Gulden Specials include your choice of one entree, with choice of potato and soup or salad. Entree choices include Alaskan Pollack, Popcorn Shrimp, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Zander Filet with Almonds, Liver & Onions, 8oz Sirloin, 10oz Ground Sirloin with Mushrooms, BBQ Pork Ribs, Homemade Lasagna, Surf & Turf and Chicken Kiev. All are $11.95
Kids menu items include hamburger, grilled cheese, mini corn dogs, chicken fingers, deep fried fish, spaghetti with meatballs, macaroni and cheese
Price guide: Appetizers $5-9 Salads $7-9 Sandwiches/Burgers $8-9 Prime Cuts$14-25 Seafood $15-18 Chicken/Pastas $10-16 Kids Meal $5
Early Bird Specials: Served between 11am-5pm, all come with choice of potato and soup or salad for $8.95: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Alaskan Pollack, 6 oz Sirloin, 8 oz Ground Sirloin with Mushrooms, Lasagna, 1/4 Fried Chicken,and 4 oz Chicken Kiev.
Happy Hour: Monday – Saturday 11:00am. – 7pm. Wing specials all the time in the lounge.
Sunday Brunch:
- $12.95/ Adults $9.95/Seniors $6.95/ Kids 5-12 Free/ Kids 4 and Under
- 10am-2pm
- 2 kinds of Scrambled Eggs , Homemade Bread Pudding, Eggs Benedict, Roast Turkey,
Sausage, Baked Ham, Bacon, Chefs Choice Entrée, Smoked Sausage , Au Gratin Potatoes, French Toast, Mashed Potatoes, Hashbrowns, Stuffing, Homemade Carmel Rolls , Hot Vegetable, Fresh Fruit, 20 Item Salad Bar, Pies/Bars/and all the other goodies
What we ordered: We started with this complimentary basket of French Rolls. They were soft and warm on the inside, crusty on the outside.
The soup that was offered the night of our visit was Clam Chowder, which my companion and I shared. The soup was pretty good, thick and full of chunky vegetables.
Even though I was tempted to order the Reuben, I ended up ordering the Prime Rib Dip. Excellent choice! This was real prime rib, thinly sliced and piled (PILED!) high on the toasted kaiser roll. It was served with au jus and I also asked for a side of freshly grated horseradish. The sandwich came with a pile of crispy shoestring potatoes. I would definitely get this sandwich again, it was excellent (and only $8.95!)
My companion ordered the Fried Chicken Meal, which was also very good. It had a thick, crispy batter on it and was fried until it was a perfect dark golden color. Very juicy on the inside!
Service: We arrived long after the dinner hour and had to wait nearly five minutes at the host stand before we were acknowledged. Once we were seated, our server was very friendly and had several recommendations. Drinks were filled in a timely fashion and other requests were also quickly satisfied.
Overall Impression: I literally have driven by Gulden’s on 61 hundreds of times and had only been there one other time almost a decade ago. Glad I finally stopped in and I will be back. The decor at Gulden’s is nothing fancy but the food was pretty good and was reasonably priced.
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