Restaurant Review: Katie's Pizzeria Cafe

My friend at work had ranted and raved about this place so Moe and I decided to give it a try on one of his days off.  I immediately loved this place as soon I stepped in the door.  From the street, it looks nothing more than a hole in the wall.  However, once you walk in, it is a long narrow restaurant with a one of kind atmosphere.  The tables are a eclectic assortment of dinning room tables and chairs. The tables are of varying lengths and chairs of varying heights.  The walls are covered in antique mirrors and decorations.  The menu is an assortment of artisan style pizzas.  We ordered two without knowing how big they were.  Next time we would easily be able to split one with enough left over to take home. We ordered the seasonal pizza which was butternut squash with a balsamic reduction (not on the regular menu).  It had a goat cheese spread as well as arugula scatter across the pizza.  The other favorite was the toasted ravioli.  If you go to the restaurant, this is a MUST ORDER..

• Gorgonzola and Artichoke Toasted Ravioli - served with a pesto dipping sauce. Price $8.00

Another favorite was...

• Prosciutto, Sliced Apple, Fontina Cheese Pizza - Price $16.95.  This was a sweet and salty delight which has inspired numerous homemade pizzas since I tried it. 

Katie's Pizzeria Website

- Miss J

Restaurant Review: Mad Tomato Italian Kitchen

Moe had this past Friday off so we decided to meet our good friends, David and Jaime, for dinner at Mad Tomato.  My coworker had raved about this place so I've been looking for an excuse to try it out for several months.  The weather was terrible on Friday with a huge ice storm so we almost had to cancel.  However, Moe took the metro so I wouldn't have to pick him up and David and Jaime met us at the restaurant.  I was so glad it worked out because #1) we had so much fun catching up with friends and #2) the food was AMAZING.  The atmosphere was very fun and cozy and the food was all organic with all in-house made pastas.  Here were the favorites of the table....

• Lasagna del Giorno - changes daily but Friday's night special had onions and bell peppers in a wonderful homemade marinara sauce.  Price @ $18.00
• Lobster Ravioli - served in a basil, butter, brandy, tomato cream sauce.  Price @ $20.00

- Miss J

Restaurant Review: Mosaics

I have loved moving to Saint Louis. It has been of course very hard to leave my family, but it has been a great opportunity for Moe and I to expand our horizons and explore a new city, 100% on our own.  One of the things that surprised me the most, other than the weather, was how much of a foodie town Saint Louis is.  When you ask anyone advice on what to do on a weekend, it almost always involved eating and drinking.  One of the first restaurants Moe and I went to in Saint Louis was Mosaic, a tapa restaurant downtown.  We absolutely loved it!  We went with another couple and shared everything so we got to try an assortment of things.  This week, WUMCHA, Washington University Medical Center Housestaff Auxiliary, hosted "Taste of the Town" at Mosaic in Kirkwood.  Although this is a new location, the quality and service was just as outstanding as the downtown location.  Here are a few of Moe and I's favorites from the menu.... 

• Rain Crow Ranch Grass fed Tenderloin - served with roasted mushrooms, wilted spinach, fingerling potatoes, blue cheese butter, and a Merlot reduction.  Price $16.50
• Pulled Korean BBQ Pork - Apple - served in a baked Fiji apple with a goat cheese creme fraiche.  Price $10.00
• Maple Sherry Glazed Scallops - served with brown sugar cured bacon and candied sunflower seeds.  Price $13.50
• French Toast Bread Budding - served with Baileys and Kahlua, banana gelato, and a plantain chip.  Price $7.00

Mosaic Website

- Miss J

Restaurant Review: Remys Kitchen and Wine Bar

Remys is one of my favorite restaurants in Saint Louis.  It is located in Clayton, the business district, which is also where my company's headquarters is located.  It is very much a foodie area that is filled with quaint restaurants and wine bars.  I went here with my girlfriend Holly, and then recently with Moe and a group for New Year's eve.  The first time the food was amazing and the service was fabulous.  The second time the service was a bit slow; however, I think that comes with the territory when you go out on New Years Eve.  I actually ordered the tenderloin kabobs which is a small plate.  When my food arrived the $25 fillet Mignon showed up. I told the waiter that I didn't order the full tenderloin.  He apologized and asked if I wanted to keep it and he'd just adjust the bill.  Of course I said keep it.  It was the best steak I have ever had and the best part was it only cost me $8.50!

Here are a few of Moe and I's favorites from the restaurant...

• Pan Seared Scallops and Spinach - served with a tomato balsamic vinaigrette and goat cheese.  Price $10.50
• Grilled Beef Tenderloin Kabobs - served with a tamarind honey glaze on arugula and a carrot salad.  Price $8.50
• Grilled Chicken Chermoula Flatbread - served with a North African spicy sauce, red and yellow peppers, feta, and mozzarella cheese.  Price $8.50
• Hummus - "house speciality" served with flat bread and feta. Price $5.95 
• Warm Apple & Golden Raisin Bread Pudding - "Remy's classic" served with brandy hard sauce. Price $6.50

Remys Kitchen and Wine Bar

- Miss J

Restaurant Review: Bristol Seafood Grill

Last week, I went out to dinner with my co-workers to a seafood restaurant in Creve Coeur.  I had eaten a HUGE lunch so wasn't very hungry.  I had heard from numerous people that the crab cakes were to die for so I decided to go with the appetizer portion with a side salad.  It was a perfect portion for my hunger level.  I also threw in an impromptu order of lobster bisque which was awesome, but unnecessary as I ended up taking home one crab cake for Moe.  Overall, I was impressed with this restaurant and plan to take Moe sometime when we are in the mood for some good seafood.  I would warn everyone that it is pricey, but the happy hour special at the bar was reasonably priced if you are interested in some house wine and appetizers. 

- Miss J

Bristols Seafood Grill Link

Baby greens salad with watercress, pine nuts, feta, and honey balsamic vinaigrette

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes (baked, not fried) served with creole remoulade and mango tarter sauce

Restaurant Review: Aya Sofia

Tonight Moe and I went our for dinner and drinks with another couple from our apartment complex.  We always hangout with them at the dog park, but it was nice to get out of the building and have a chance to talk while our dogs were not off chasing squirrels or making a scene - mostly my dog :)  In attempt to try new things, we went to Aya Sofia, a Turkish Mediterranean restaurant in South Hill.  We were worried it was going to be packed but with it being the day after a long weekend, we were one of few hitting up the restaurant scene on a Tuesday night.  It was amazingly too cold to sit on their amazing patio so we sat in a comfortable booth inside.  Ciara and I had a glass of the house red which was a wonderfully mild Malbec.  Moe of course hit up a Schlaflys, and Samir had a glass of Riesling. 

We started off with the Ezme Meze Platter which was a combination of humus, biber ezme, and babaganus.  Biber Ezme is a pureed roasted red pepper with garlic, breadcrumbs, olives, and cheese.  Babaganus is of course pureed grilled eggplant is one of my all time favorite snacks.  All were great but my favorite would have to be the humus and the unlimited amount of warm pita that the restaurant provides! 

Since Moe and I decided to split a meal, he ordered a small Turk Salatasi which had lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese tossed in a lemon vinaigrette. I had the soup of the day which was a pinto bean vegetable soup.  It was loaded with flavor and even Moe who hates beans said it was enjoyable.  Minus being served too hot (temperature not spice), this was my favorite food of the meal. 

Moe and I split the Akdeniz Usulu Tavuk which was a pan-seared chicken breast with basil, sun dried tomatoes and sauteed potatoes with a lemon, garlic, butter sauce.  Please note that we didn't even attempt to pronounce this one.  We did the point and nod when we ordered to avoid embarrassment at butchering the name despite the menu having the pronunciation spelled out next to each word.  The server also offered to split the meal and add extra vegetables (a $2 surcharge which was worth it).  Our meal was awesome.  The chicken was very tender and the sauce was flavorful.  I always fear that when I see lemon as a primary ingredient that it will be too overbearing; however, the flavors complimented each other well. 

Overall the meal was great and we will definitely be making it back to try out some of the other menu items.  I must say though, it is hard to go wrong with good company, wine, and humus in my book! 

For those of you that live in the area, you should check this restaurant out!

Aya Sofia's Homepage

Ratings
Moe, 8 out of 10
Miss J, 8.5 out of 10

- Miss J

Restaurant Review: Basil

This week is Dine Originals in Columbus.  It is similar to restaurant week where you can order a three or four course meal for $15-35 per person depending on the restaurant.  Generally there is a preset menu you can select from.  Since I love food, I always use these events as an excuse to go and try a new restaurant.  Moe and I went to Basil in the Short North this past weekend.  I have been dying to try it for some time so I was so excited when I called and found out they had a cancellation and could fit us in! 

Soup:  Moe got the Tom Ka soup (a full flavored soup made with your choice of chicken or vegetables; stewed in rich broth of coconut milk, galingale root, citrus leaves, lemon grass, mushrooms, green onions and cilantro*) and I got the vegetable soup (spiced chicken broth with ground chicken, vermicelli & mixed vegetables*).  Both the soups were full of flavor; however, my preference was the Tom Ka.  It was so unique and I wasn't a fan of how much garlic was used in the vegetable soup. 

Appetizer:  Moe got the vegetable tempura which was deep fried and heavy (as expected).  I got the crispy rolls (crispy rice wrapper stuffed with ground chicken, vermicelli, egg & bean sprouts; topped with tart plum sauce & ground peanuts*).  It was heavy as well but because it was a small portion it didn't leave me with a overwhelmingly full feeling. 

Main Course:  We ordered the yellow curry and the Key Mow.  Yellow curry was a traditional chicken with red skin potatoes in a yellow curry sauce.  The Key Mow was a wide rice noodles tossed with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, bean sprouts, and Thai basil.  Since Moe and I are just venturing into the Thai world and tolerating spicy foods, we ordered everything medium (which we were super proud of ourselves for)!  To my surprise, I thought they had the perfect amount of heat (Moe thought the Key Mow was a bit hot but he wasn't sure if it was because he burned his tongue on the soup or if it really was hot).  Both entrees were outstanding; however, I would say the yellow curry chicken was my favorite!

Dessert:  The restaurant gave us a voucher to the attic to get a cupcake.  The Attic was a vintage store next to Basil that I had never seen before.  Moe ended up buying a tie and tie clip in addition to getting a red velvet cupcake to go! The store was relatively inexpensive so whenever I am in need of some good costume jewelry or vintage clothing, I will definitely keep this place in mind. 

All in all, I would DEFINITELY recommend this to any of my friends and family.  Moe and will be making another dinner reservation there in the near future!

- Miss J

http://www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com/

http://www.basilshortnorth.com/

*Dish discriptions from the Basil menu.

Restaurant Week

Today is the start of restaurant week in Columbus, Ohio.  It is my favorite week as I love food and I love eating out!   It is a great opportunity to try restaurants that normally you might not be able to afford.  There are approximately 40-50 restaurants that participate.  Each restaurant comes out with a Prix Fixe Menu which costs either $15-$35 per person.  Generally, it is a three course meal with a choice of 2-5 choices per course.  Moe and I have reservations at Hyde Park with my parents tonight.  I have been wanting to try their steak forever but have always been worried about money.  For $30 per person, I get lobster bisque, Bacon-Wrapped Twin Filet Mignon, and raspberry cheesecake.  Sounds like a deal if you ask me!

- Miss J

http://restaurantweekcolumbus.com/

Restaurant Review: Trattoria Roma

One of the resident's Moe works with swears by this restaurant. Moe and I decided to give it a try as I had a $25 gift certificate to use.  We didn't have a reservation, but when we arrived, we were seated quickly.  It was a small cozy restaurant with dim lighting that created a romantic atmosphere.  I again ordered a glass of Cabernet sauvignon and Moe got the Insalata Della Casa.  We started out with bread which Moe loved, but I thought was a little heavy on the butter/oil and garlic.  I ordered the special which was a ravioli stuffed with butternut squash in a Gorgonzola cream sauce.  I thought the ravioli was fabulous but the sauce was a bit heavy. I was only able to eat about 1/4th of the meal before I had to call it quits because it was so heavy.  Moe got the Parmigiana Chicken which is predictable.  Moe rarely ventures far from the traditional "Chicken Parmesan" on the menu.  However, because he always order it, he has somewhat become a connoisseur for this entree.  His favorite is at Martini Italian Bistro; however, he said this was a close second.  Although, I wasn't a huge fan of the Gorgonzola sauce on my dish, I think I would definitely want to come back and give this restaurant another try.

http://www.trattoria-roma.com/

Restaurant Review: Figlio

Moe and I made a pact this summer that until we moved out of Columbus for his residency that we would try to go to a different restaurant every time we go out to eat.  This past Friday, we decided to go to Figlio in Grandview.  I have heard from all my friends that this place is one of their top five places in Columbus so I was excited I finally took the time to make a reservation and go.  We went with another couple and were seated right away.  We sat in the window right by the front door so it was a great spot for "people watching" - one of my favorite activities of dinner.  I ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to start which was fabulous (I ended up ordering three by the time dinner was up).  The atmosphere was laid back and inviting, and although we were one of the louder tables in the restaurant, I didn't feel like we were out of place.  

I started with the balsamic salad with pine nuts, gorganzala cheese, and sundried tomatoes, and Moe had the strawberry salad both of which we thoroughly enjoyed.  I ordered the Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Pizza for my entree which was fabulous.  It was the perfect size and had a nice blend of flavors.  The crust was really thin as well which didn't leave me with the uncomfortable "stuffed" feeling.  I could only eat about three-fourths the pizza, but the rest of the table had no problem finishing it off.  Moe ordered Chicken Diablo Pasta which had a nice kick, but wasn't too overpowering.  Overall, we enjoyed our dining experience and would DEFINETLY recommend this place to any of our friends!


http://www.figliopizza.com/