July 31, 2010

Rialto – Yawn...

I’m going to keep this post relatively short because there isn’t that much to say about Rialto. The restaurant had no personality. Everything – food, décor, staff – was so muted and boring. The dining room has very low ceilings, dated faux-suede sage booths, and light yellow and white drapes on the walls…neutral and nothing more. The staff was very amateur, and our waitress couldn’t even describe the food. The only word she seemed to know was “beautiful”…that was her main response to our questions on various items on the menu. Um, thanks.

Heirloom Minestrone Soup - On the bland side. The fresh, clean flavor of the peas were the only thing that stood out.
Wavy Black Ink Risotto with Clams – the most successful dish of the evening despite the clumsy presentation. The razor clam was fresh and meaty, while risotto had a fantastic briny, shellfish flavor and depth.

Seared Salt Cod Gnocchi – the ratatouille was nice, but it didn’t compensate for the extremely dry gnocchi. The cod had this strange gummy saltiness to it, and I couldn’t eat anymore after a few bites.

Slow Braised Rabbit Leg & Grilled Rack Over Polenta - the rabbit was very tender, but there was a sweetness to sauce that I found to be too cloying. I would have much preferred a savory sauce/preparation.
Pistachio Olive Oil Cake, Toasted Almond Panna Cotta, & Chili Chocolate Sorbet – I really enjoyed the almond panna cotta and wished they would have just served that for dessert. The pistachio cake was topped with really sour pistachios…bleh. The chili chocolate sorbet was interesting, but didn’t really go with the rest of the plate.
Overall, my experience at Rialto wasn’t particularly good or bad, just ho-hum. It received a few awards several years ago, but my meal leads me to believe that the restaurant is now past its prime. I was bored and uninspired.

BITE METER: Rialto – 2.0 bites (out of 5)

July 21, 2010

Au Pied de Cochon – Just Let Go and Indulge

I was intrigued when I heard that Au Pied de Cochon was one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite restaurants. Given that the restaurant’s name means “At the Pig’s Foot”, I’m not surprised as Mr. Bourdain is known for his infatuation of all things pork. However, the restaurant is about more than pork; it’s about indulging in all things rich and comforting. The main menu is filled with a meaty assortment of pork, beef, and duck dishes (vegetarians need not enter). Foie gras even has its own section as a “meat” with over 10 menu items…a foie gras lover’s dream!
The restaurant has a lively yet laid-back feel. It is non-descript (no sign outside) but full of warmth as sunlight from the large windows and skylights cast a glow on the honey-colored wood throughout the dining room. The staff also provided excellent service in an easygoing manner. It was good to be in such a comfortable environment as I let go and ate myself senseless…

Foie Gras Poutine – poutine is to Canada as what chili-cheese fries are to the South. Up here, the Canadians top french fries with gravy and cheese curds...and Chef Picard then takes it one step further by adding a velvety slab of foie gras on top of it all. The gravy on this poutine was ABSOLUTELY MINDBLOWING! I don’t know if I can adequately describe it…imagine a gravy that’s thick, buttery, warm, creamy, and oh-so-savory, then multiply that goodness by 1,000. I cant' get over how good it was! Needless to say, I did not leave a single drop of gravy on the plate.
Plogue à Champlain – deliciously addictive! This dish consisted of a buckwheat pancake topped with cheese, potatoes, thick-cut bacon, and foie gras. And on top of that was Quebec maple syrup, chopped apples, and parsley. The contrasting sweet and savory flavors were in perfect harmony. It was like having dinner and dessert wrapped up in an exceptionally decadent bite! [Not surprisingly, I'm salivating as I write about this!]
Seafood Platter – the restaurant had a huge display of fresh/live seafood, so I thought it’d be a good idea to "balance" our heavy courses with a seafood platter...little did I know it'd be a gigantic mound of seafood! It was a heaping assortment of stuffed mussels, conch, razor clams, calamari, cherrystone clams, oysters, and even bowl of periwinkles sauteed in black bean sauce. Prepared with a number of different sauces and marinades, this was much more elaborate than the typical raw seafood platter. It’s now clear why this dish wasn’t served first. I did find all this seafood to be overwhelming though, and would have rather had the option to choose a few seafood items from the menu instead.
Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème – Luckily, I always have an extra stomach for dessert so I didn’t miss out on this luscious chocolatey goodness. It was so scrumptious with the graham cracker crumbles.
The restaurant also served this terrific spearmint green tea by Kusmi. I liked it so much that I found it online and ordered some afterwards. Too bad I can’t have that orgasmic poutine and plogue shipped to me as well. For now, I guess I’ll have to longingly count the days until my next visit to Au Pied de Cochon.

BITE METER: Au Pied de Cochon – 4.4 bites (out of 5)

July 20, 2010

Ferreira Café – An Almont Tart that Outshined Everything Else

After eating so much French food, I decided to dine at a Portuguese restaurant to change things up a bit. Ferreira Café opens out onto the sidewalk under a cobalt blue awning and has a chic Mediterranean vibe. Unfortunately, the restaurant's host wasn’t very personable, and the wait staff seemed scattered. At least I found the food to be enjoyable as it got progressively better with each dish…

Portuguese-style Oysters (cooked with chorizo, cheese, and tomato sauce) – I usually prefer oysters raw, but thought “When in Rome…” After trying the Portuguese-style oysters, I still think they are better raw. The toppings completely overwhelmed the oysters, and all I could taste was salty tomato sauce. The only way I could even tell there was an oyster in there was the slight oceany taste on the finish.
Fleur de Sel Roasted Sardines with Tapenade – nicely roasted, plump sardines with just the right amount of salt and olive oil. Simple and appetizing.
Porcini-crusted Roasted Black Cod on a Port Reduction and Mashed Potatoes – beautifully cooked piece of cod…perfectly even, super moist, and served at the right temperature. A feat given its enormous size. I expected an earthy flavor from the crust, but couldn’t taste the porcini and thought the fish needed a tad more salt.
Grilled Giant Tiger Prawns with Tomato Risotto – I’m always a sucker for big, juicy prawns and these did not disappoint. I also loved the tangy tomato risotto. It was delightfully light and vibrant for a risotto. A fantastic pairing with the prawns.
Almond Tart with Port-poached Pears – the best part of the meal. This almond tart was AWESOME! I can’t remember when I’ve had an almond tart *this* good. I loved the combination of the brittle crust with the warm, sweet almond filling and the ripe poached pears. The pear sorbet was also a welcome addition and a smooth palate cleanser. Since Ferreira Café boasts the largest collection of ports in North America, I had to get a glass with dessert. I can’t remember the name of the port I had, but I recall being pleasantly surprised at how light it was and how well it complemented the almond tart.

While the seafood was good at Ferreira Café, I will forever remember it for its amazing almond tart.

BITE METER: Ferreira Café – 3.0 bites (out of 5)

July 19, 2010

Pâtisserie de Gascogne – Tasty Breakfast Bites

We headed to Pâtisserie de Gascogne for a casual breakfast. B was jonesing for a croissant, I wanted to try a Montreal bagel, and we both needed our daily caffeine fix. The Laurier location (there are 2 in Montreal) had a large selection of sweet and savory items, as well as a nice outdoor seating area.

The croissant was quite tasty – light and flaky but still giving a bit of that buttery goodness with each bite.
I had heard that Montreal’s bagels were different (and some claim better) than those found state-side, so of course I had to taste one for myself. Traditional Montreal bagels are handmade, boiled in honey-water, topped with sesame seeds, and then baked in a wood-fire oven. This results in a denser, crunchier, and slightly sweet bagel. My verdict: Montreal bagels *are* better! The bagel’s firm texture was a perfect complement to the layers of cream cheese, lox, and capers inside.
By some miracle I had enough willpower to resist their sweet pastries.
BITE METER: Pâtisserie de Gascogne – 3.5 bites (out of 5)

July 18, 2010

Marché Jean-Talon – King of All Farmers’ Markets

I was awestruck by the bounty of fresh and vibrant produce at Marché Jean-Talon. The produce was beautifully displayed in several stalls under a massive tent. All of the fruits that I sampled were bursting with flavor – if only I could shop here every weekend! The perimeter of the market is also surrounded by specialty shops selling cheese, pastries, meats, and anything else your heart could desire.

So many bright colors and types of produce…and all so neatly stacked!
Even plain cauliflower looks pretty
A bell pepper fiesta!
Even the potatoes show up in colors. Purple potatoes are especially fun!
Baskets of darling little heirloom carrots
Enormous bread selection inside Boulangerie Premiére Moisson
Pâté anyone?
So many cakes and pastries, so little time.

Needless to say, I was giddy as I walked around sampling all the wonderful food at Marché Jean-Talon. I loooove this place! I also went to Marché Atwater during my visity, but it’s much smaller and more crowded with tourists than Marché Jean-Talon. [Tip: Marché Jean-Talon is further from Montreal’s downtown center, but an easy trip on the subway with its own stop.]

BITE METER: Marché Jean-Talon – 4.5 bites (out of 5)

July 17, 2010

Toqué! – Fine Dining With a Relaxed Elegance

After arriving in Montreal, B and I quickly got dressed for dinner at Toqué. This was my first time to Montreal, so it was a treat to dine at one of the city’s top restaurants as an introduction to its food scene.

For some reason, I had pictured a formal and reserved French restaurant, but Toqué was quite the opposite. The décor was contemporary and had an open feel with high ceilings and lots of light filling the dining room. The staff was youthful and friendly. The restaurant’s vibe was one of relaxed elegance. And the same can be said about the food. It was sophisticated and modern French cuisine, but with more restraint and a lighter touch.

Amuse Bouche – chilled tomato soup with herb foam

Princess Scallops marinated with rhubarb water, radish, strawberries, wasabi mousse – colorful presentation. The rhubarb water enhanced the sweetness of scallops while also making it refreshing. However, if eaten with more than one piece of strawberry, the taste of the scallop was lost.
Steamed Razor Clam, coriander, escarole, ginger, spicy soy vinaigrette – the clam was steamed to perfection and had the most amazing texture – soft and chewy without being rubbery. The clam’s delicate sweetness was balanced perfectly by the restrained use of spicy and savory Asian flavors.
Foie Gras, green apple essence, potato confit, asparagus, peas, turnips – WOW, I never knew foie gras could taste like spring! The foie was amazingly light and elegant with just a hint of sweetness (as opposed to the usual additions of strong sweet or salty ingredients with foie gras). I was told that Chef Laprise doesn’t season the foie with anything to keep it super plump and luscious. Beautiful dish!
Ribeye Carpaccio, white asparagus, popcorn powder, shitake mushrooms, miso, wasabi infused oil - the BEST CARPACCIO to have ever graced my lips! I don’t even know where to start – there was so much complexity and layers of flavor in this carpaccio. I especially loved the earthy richness of shitake mushrooms with the beef and that hit of flavor from the miso. I also appreciated the cleansing bites of herb provided by the chopped scallions. The portion size was perfect for this robust dish.
Squab, turnips, heirloom carrot, pearl onion - it was bold move to include the squab’s clawed foot in the dish and definitely made for a striking presentation. The leg was awesome with that lovely rich taste of dark meat, while the other parts of the squab were super moist and tender from being sous vide.
Hercules Cheese, mushrooms, asparagus, fried shallots, wildflower honey – much more fun than your ordinary cheese plate. I was impressed by the paper thin slice of cheese given how large the cheese wedge was. Lovely combination of flavors and textures – velvety cheese, juicy mushrooms, sweet honey, salty and crunchy fried shallots.
Rhubarb Sorbet, Meringue on Strawberry & Maple Foam – the meringue was light and sweet, but the rhubarb sorbet was too tart for my taste.
Overall, I was impressed by my dinner at Toqué. It was evident how much care and technique went into each course, and I could taste the freshness of the seasonal ingredients. The food was relatively light yet had so complexity. Each bite brought in different elements of the dish, continually building on the sophisticated flavors…and kept my taste buds intrigued. The ~$100/person price for the meticulously prepared 7 course Chef’s Tasting Menu also kept my wallet happy. I have yet to find this caliber of food for that price in the U.S.

BITE METER: Toqué! – 4.2 bites (out of 5)

July 16, 2010

Polly’s Pancake Parlor – Pancake Heaven

I’ve tasted a lot of great pancakes, but none have come close to the heavenly pancakes at Polly’s Pancake Parlor. The restaurant is a rustic log cabin nestled in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire and has a quaint small town feel.

An order of pancakes comes with 6 pancakes that you can mix and match with different batters (plain, buckwheat, oatmeal, whole wheat, cornmeal, oatmeal buttermilk) and various fillings (blueberries, walnuts, coconut, chocolate chip). Be sure to check their specials too – fortunately for me, they had strawberry pancakes as a special that day. I usually find strawberries to be too tart in pancakes, but Polly’s strawberry pancakes with plain batter were to die for! Ridiculously light and fluffy with a soft and natural strawberry sweetness…absolutely sublime!

To ensure your pancakes are eaten warm, they serve you 3 pancakes first, and then rest of your order once you finished the first half. So thoughtful! In addition to the Plain Battered Strawberry Pancakes, I also ordered Blueberry Whole Wheat Pancakes, and Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes, which were also tasty, but much more dense and filling than their fluffy plain batter. I also loved their bacon - super crispy just as I like it.

I really wish Polly’s weren’t so far away because they may have forever ruined all other pancakes for me. I will always be dreaming of those plain battered strawberry pancakes. *sigh*

BITE METER: Polly’s Pancake Parlor – 4.5 bites (out of 5)

July 12, 2010

Scotty’s Beachside BBQ – Casual Lunch with a Fantasic View

On our way to the airport from Princeville, B and I stopped at Scotty’s Beachside BBQ for a quick lunch. It’s a casual restaurant with a fantastic view of the beach, allowing us to enjoy one last look at the beautiful blue waters before our flight (it's always so hard to leave Hawaii!). I also appreciated how the dining room is tiered so everyone in the restaurant has a view - great thinking!
Sandwich Sampler with Grilled Chicken, Pulled Pork, BLT, and Beef Brisket. The tender pulled pork sandwich was my favorite, so I’d recommend just ordering with that and a side of their tasty baked beans.

Great view, efficient service, and decent food for a reasonable price.

BITE METER: Scotty’s Beachside BBQ – 3.5 bites (out of 5)

July 11, 2010

Helicopter Ride Over Kauai

One of the best (and only) ways to see Kauai is by helicopter since over 70%(!) of the island is inaccessible by car. Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands and has the most diverse terrain. After researching various helicopter tour companies, I decided to go with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. They’ve received lots of accolades and seemed to have the best reputation for service, experience, and safety.

B and I were fortunate enough to be seated in the front of the helicopter with the pilot. By far, the best seat in the house with open views in all directions (unlike the back row seats). FYI – you can’t reserve the front seats. The seats are assigned by the computer based on weight, and you’re more likely to sit in the front if you’re lighter.

Our ride
















This is river where Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark was filmed. Many movies are filmed in Kauai, the most famous being Jurassic Park.
Waimea Canyon, ‘the Grand Canyon of the Pacific”

Picture-perfect mirror lake in the middle of a forest

Cascading waterfalls

The jagged Napali Coast (western side of the island), makes me think of folds of molten chocolate.

I especially loved flying through the narrow valleys.

The most amazing part of the flight – flying into the middle of the island and being completely surrounded by waterfalls. Our pilot performed a smooth 360 turn so we had a total panoramic view of all the falls. With almost 800 inches of rain each year, this is the wettest spot in the world!
The helicopter ride was spectacular and well-worth the $200/person. [Tip: Book online to save 10%.] I would highly recommend Blue Hawaiian Helicopters…the staff was professional, the helicopters looked new and felt safe, and the experience was mesmerizing.

BITE METER: Blue Hawaiian Helicopters – 4.5 bites (out of 5)

July 10, 2010

Kauai Grill – Lost in Transit

Kauai Grill is celebrated Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s first restaurant in Hawaii. I’ve been to many of his restaurants around the world and feasted on some incredible meals (especially at his signature restaurant in New York). However, I find that Jean-Georges’ vision seems to get lost on his island outposts. As with my experience at his restaurant in Bora Bora, I found myself disappointed with the food at Kauai Grill. It was a sloppy shadow of the Jean-Georges empire built on exciting flavors and precise techniques.

Ginger Ahi Tuna Tartar – I actually ordered this appetizer from the bar while watching the sunset before dinner, and ironically, it was the best dish of the evening. It was refreshing yet bursting with flavor. I loved the balance of the sweet ginger with the salty soy sauce and the spicy chili oil…all enhanced by the creamy avocado. The sliced radish was a creative idea for crispy “chips” to eat with the tartar. Btw, the Jean-Georges ginger margarita cocktail was AWESOME with this (as well as on its own!)
Black Bean Braised Octopus – while I liked the strong taste of the fermented black bean sauce with the tender octopus, the octopus was way too salty to thoroughly enjoy. This dish would have been so much better had they not killed it with salt and balanced it with more acidity.
Seed & Nut Crusted Moi in Brown Butter Emulsion – as you can see, this dish did not look very appetizing…way too much brown on the plate and reminded me of something I did NOT want to be thinking about at the dinner table! Unfortunately, it didn’t taste very good either. The fish was mushy despite the seed crust, and the flavors were flat and uninteresting.
Butter-Poached Kona Lobster with Artichoke Hearts and Yuzu Aioli – the lobster was cooked to perfection…sweet and succulent with a delicate buttery flavor. However, the accompanying components were all wrong with the lobster. The yuzu aioli was too heavy, especially since the lobster was already poached in butter, and the bland artichoke hearts were a strange pairing with the lobster. I wished they had added something bright or more complex to complement the lobster.
Bruléed Banana Bread with Caramel Ice Cream – the banana bread was a little dry, but had nice flavor and tasted good with the caramel ice cream.

To sum it up, the food wasn’t bad, but it still needs refinement and didn’t live up to the Jean-Georges name. The dining room also lacked personality. It felt hollow and out of place for Kauai with its flashy decor of red lights and large swanky booths. The service was also quite amateur. Our waiter was slow, inattentive, and wasn't knowledgeable on the wines or food. Even the hotel’s other restaurant had more proficient waiters.

Based on my experience, I’d recommend ordering the restaurant’s tuna tartar and the Jean-Georges signature cocktails from the St. Regis hotel bar instead of dining at Kauai Grill. The atmosphere on the bar’s terrace is much more open and pleasant. [Tip: If you do decide to eat at the Kauai Grill, make sure to request a table by the window with your reservation. Like every other place inside the St. Regis, the views are gorgeous.]

BITE METER: Kauai Grill – 2.5 bites (out of 5)