Monthly Archives September 2013

TraVigne- St. Helena, CA

On our last trip to Napa, we stopped in for a late dinner at TraVigne. It had been a long day of travel, tastings, and negotiations. Italian sounded like a good food choice…some comfort food and good glass a wine that you can actually enjoy instead of spitting out. The surroundings are gorgeous and while the entrees didn’t quite live up to my expectation of Italian comfort food, the desserts definitely helped all of us unwind from our work-mode funk.

TraVigne has the most amazing outdoor space, but it was a bit chilly the evening we were there, so we opted for indoor seating. The stone patio softly glows with the warm round hanging bulbs...

Naha- Chicago, IL

On one of our adventures to Chicago, we were fortunate to have Mike’s parents join us for the trip. They aren’t used to eating the modern cooking techniques like gastronomy that Mike and I thrive on, so luckily Naha was our “good food of Chicago” introduction. We had dinner reservations just a few hours after we landed. Mike and his father, Clifton, share the same birthday week 40 years apart. A trip to Chicago was the perfect way to celebrate for both of them. It was a beautiful weekend and the weather was so nice that we decided to walk from The Drake to Naha. It was a wonderful way to take in the sights on the way to dinner. We arrived at an attractive corner restaurant with glass windows and a few tables out on the sidewalk...

Elk River Inn & Restaurant – Slatyfork, WV

A few years back, Mike decided to make a “ski date” for us with two good friends. We went to a local mountain near our house, the boys set the girls up with lessons, and left us on the bunny hill to fend for ourselves. Long story short, his addiction to snowboarding began and if I wanted to spend any time with my fiancée in the winter months, I had to figure out how to ski.

The following winter, we booked our first trip to Snowshoe, West Virginia. It was opening weekend, and we were the first to arrive of our foursome at the resort. I had never heard a snow making machine before, but it was intense and even more thrilling to watch. We walked around the village like two kids in Disneyland...

Araxi – Whistler, B.C.

Ah, the curious culinary talents of Whistler. We were so fortunate to spend a week in January in the most beautifully stunning and sometimes terrifyingly big mountains of Whistler. I didn’t grow up in winter sports and only took up snowboarding in the past year in order to enjoy some non-wine time with Mike. Whistler boasts over 130 restaurants so even if I’m not the best boarder, I can still enjoy some great food, right?

Araxi was on our list for one of the “big dinners”, as in expensive and dress nice. I had heard about Araxi years before when one the Hell’s Kitchen winners was supposedly going to head up the kitchen. In reality, they don’t… executive chef James Walt does...

Corduroy- Washington, D.C.

We were invited to Corduroy by a few friends in the wine business. One of them lives in the D.C. area and always has a great recommendation for food. She’s also a great cook, so she knows good food. We arrived at Corduroy before everyone else and snagged a seat at the bar for a drink while we waited. It was a great little spot, neither too big nor too small, with a sleek, black marble counter. Everyone else ended up being very late, so we were able to drink two glasses of wine and cocktail each until they got there. It was very comfortable and I honestly could have stayed there all night.

Once all our party finally arrived, we were moved downstairs into a more traditional dining area...

Range- Washington D.C.

Conceptually, this restaurant seemed fabulous. An area of town with little choice when it comes to dining options and located inside the popular Chevy Chase Pavilion. You know you will have patrons from the mall, but also the bizarre addition of hotel guests also located inside. What could be bad? The execution. It was scattered and awkward. To be honest, I felt kind of awkward sitting in my “booth”. It wasn’t really a booth, but more like the table and bench seats you would find at any mall food court. Yes, Range is in a mall, with the Embassy Suites guest hallways directly in front of you for your viewing pleasure during the meal. I felt like I was making a pit stop between errands, on display, and spying on hotel guests...

Benny’s Chop House- Chicago, IL

Here we are back in the culinary mecca that is Chicago! I love it here just because of the food. I’ve been so fortunate to experience what I feel is the best of Chicago. Benny’s Chop House is definitely included and puts a high class modern touch on the traditional steakhouse. Never once did I feel like I was just in a steakhouse. The service is absolutely first class. You want to see some professionals work a dining room? Benny’s is the place. We were spoiled rotten and felt like we were VIPs at the hottest spot in town. Their talent is making everyone in the room feel that way. The place fills up to the brim on Friday nights and the bar area is bursting with very smartly dressed couples.

Wet-aged, dry-aged, and all natural USDA Prime cuts are offer...

The Inn at Vaucluse Spring- Stephens City, VA

We discovered this hidden Inn a few years back. We don’t live far, so we’ve never actually stayed there overnight, but we have eaten dinner there quite a few times. It was the bee’s knees when we first started going. It was something different within a comfortable driving distance. The owners are the most pleasant people and waitress we always seemed to have so warm and welcoming. We love out-of-the-way places and the Inn at Vaucluse Spring offers a large old farm house setting to dine in. Mike grew up in a similar house and he’s even commented that certain details, like the big floor to ceiling doors and doorknobs, remind him of his old home. It’s quaint and grand all at the same time...

Volt- Frederick, MD

We’ve been to Volt twice now, once for the regular menu, and once for their Table 21 seating. Table 21 is a 21 course tasting menu with special 8 person counter seating around the Volt kitchen. Upon entering the historic row house, you are escorted to the bar and lounge area to the left. There you will find a television displaying all the action going on in the kitchen. Yes, it’s prep work, but I find that soothing after spending my youth in the restaurant industry. I’ve actually never tried their cocktails either of my trips. It was summer both times and I prefer to start those evenings with a good Sancerre. I’m not sure if it was our timing or if it’s something they just do, but about a drink later, they will escort you to your table...

Press- St. Helena, California

As far as distinct Napa scenery, it doesn’t get any better than Press. The long line of open windows on the back wall let in the most amazing breeze and really give an outdoor feel to the plush inside setting. I really got the feeling of being on “vacation” while sitting at my table. We have been fans of Brian Flannery for some time now. Press just happens to feature Flannery Beef in their menu. Everyone likes their meat cooked a different way, but Flannery Beef is melt-in-your-mouth worthy at any temp.

As you may have read in previous postings, we have staple dishes that we enjoy at steakhouses. The chopped salad definitely made our order...