Ambrosia Greek Eatery Review

A counter-serve eatery with the traditional blue/white decor, Ambrosia isn’t really “fast food” but rather falls into the category of casual food quickly.

We had quite a sampling at our table, including the appetizer combo, and the Kalamata olive spread was the standout.  Very nice.

My personal selection was the “Greek Burger” – beef patty served “Greek style” which was sliced as if it were gyro meat, and placed on a pita with traditional toppings of tzatziki, tomato, and onions.  The patty was slightly seasoned and quality beef.

I took a side of “Greek Fries” (always will) seasoned french fries topped with herbs and feta. With extra tzatziki, you could construct your own version of poutine, ala Greek, but I didn’t, instead using the spread as a nice dip for the fries.

Four persons, $62 including fountain drinks.  Worth it.  The food was great, and the service accommodating. See their menu below or on their site. Catering, too, of course!

A counter-serve eatery with the traditional blue/white decor, Ambrosia isn’t really “fast food” but rather falls into the category of casual food quickly.

We had quite a sampling at our table, including the appetizer combo, and the Kalamata olive spread was the standout.  Very nice.

My personal selection was the “Greek Burger” – beef patty served “Greek style” which was sliced as if it were gyro meat, and placed on a pita with traditional toppings of tzatziki, tomato, and onions.  The patty was slightly seasoned and quality beef.

I took a side of “Greek Fries” (always will) seasoned french fries topped with herbs and feta. With extra tzatziki, you could construct your own version of poutine, ala Greek, but I didn’t, instead using the spread as a nice dip for the fries.

Four persons, $62 including fountain drinks.  Worth it.  The food was great, and the service accommodating. See their menu below or on their site. Catering, too, of course! Ambrosia Greek Eatery Review

My Lai Lai Chinese Hawker Review. As I lived in China for a bit, I was used to recalculating prices in my head, based on the RMB or HK $. So I automatically did that by looking at the prices posted here. Of course, I was wrong.

The food was tasty, freshly prepared, but very expensive for what it was. It may be that since several of the food outlets here have gone out of business, the remaining ones are charging by the “flinch method,” or what they think they can get away with. I wish the industry would get together and decide what are spring rolls and what are egg rolls. I generally consider the former, cold in rice paper wrappers; the latter deep fried. Do you disagree?

The tables were full. I was the only non-Asian customer, so apparently, my offense at the prices was unique.

I like going to this pan-Asian-themed grocery store, it’s unique and also has some of the freshest and widest variety of seafood and fish I’ve seen in the region.

But I won’t eat at the hawker stalls again.

As I lived in China for a bit, I was used to recalculating prices in my head, based on the RMB or HK $. So I automatically did that by looking at the prices posted here. Of course, I was wrong.

The food was tasty, freshly prepared, but very expensive for what it was. It may be that since several of the food outlets here have gone out of business, the remaining ones are charging by the “flinch method,” or what they think they can get away with.

The tables were full. I was the only non-Asian customer, so apparently, my offense at the prices was unique.

I like going to this pan-Asian-themed grocery store, it’s unique and also has some of the freshest and widest variety of seafood and fish I’ve seen in the region.  Visit the mall here.

But I won’t eat at the hawker stalls again. Lai Lai Chinese Hawker Review

Byrd’s Hot Chicken Review. We’ve all read about the supposed “chicken wars” between the major fast-food chains. There’s a new entrant, and without a doubt, they are the sure winner!

Byrd’s Hot Chicken, a mini-chain with locations in SoCal and Chicago, does one thing and does it well, chicken sandwiches, in your choice of heat level, ranging from none to so super it will make you sweat say some.

The sandwiches are very crispy fried tenders on a nicely toasted bun, topped with pickles and slaw, and is that garlic aioli? (Tenders can also be ordered bunless or in a bowl-type meal. I tried two variations of the sandwich, no-spice, and medium, and the heat on the spice version does come with each bite, but more than that, it stays with you, pleasantly. It’s the chicken itself that has the spice, it’s not just in a spread like the one big chain.

Crinkle-cut fries were my choice of side along with the ultra-creamy slaw. The fries, like the chicken, were perfectly cooked and nicely seasoned. A ramekin of slightly spicy dipping sauce is included. Such a nice chain from the ubiquitous ranch most places insist on serving.

Coca-cola products on tap, including Dole Lemonade, which was a nice complement to the spice.

I was struck by the immaculateness of the restaurant, and the meticulous nature of prep and packaging as I watched the extremely cheerful and polite employees serve us.

Byrd’s will be my chicken of choice going forward. No question.  Byrd’s Menu. Byrd’s Locations.
Byrd’s Fried Chicken Review

Byrd’s will be my chicken of choice going forward. No question.  Byrd’s Menu. Byrd’s Locations.
Byrd’s Fried Chicken Review
Byrd’s will be my chicken of choice going forward. No question.  Byrd’s Menu. Byrd’s Locations.
Byrd’s Hot Chicken Review Byrd’s Fried Chicken Review

t Francis Hermitage Review. Superb. Amazing. Spectacular. Service, food, and ambiance. Run by the sisters of St Francis’ order, the cafe offers French cuisine on small plates or complete dinners. Everything is organic and most source hyper-locally, with bread and pastry products, bakes daily on-site.

We chose breakfast items, tho it was past noon, fried eggs, an apple, cheese, and onion omelet, with fresh ciabatta and an order of fried potatoes. Excellent Guatamalen coffee was served in individual French press pots, and accompanying dairy products, cream, and butter, were everything you’d expect it to be.

The restaurant / order is in the very small town of Gays Mills, Wisconsin, the heart of apple country, population of 500 about an hour east of the city of LaCrosse.

They have special multi-course dinners on holidays.

Be sure not to miss this gem.  Menu and hours. Take out menu below.
St Francis Hermitage Review

St Francis Hermitage Review. Superb. Amazing. Spectacular. Service, food, and ambiance. Run by the sisters of St Francis’ order, the cafe offers French cuisine on small plates or complete dinners. Everything is organic and most source hyper-locally, with bread and pastry products, bakes daily on-site.

We chose breakfast items, tho it was past noon, fried eggs, an apple, cheese, and onion omelet, with fresh ciabatta and an order of fried potatoes. Excellent Guatamalen coffee was served in individual French press pots, and accompanying dairy products, cream, and butter, were everything you’d expect it to be.

The restaurant / order is in the very small town of Gays Mills, Wisconsin, the heart of apple country, population of 500 about an hour east of the city of LaCrosse.

They have special multi-course dinners on holidays.

Be sure not to miss this gem.

Lake Perch and Fries Appetizer.

Friday afternoon, the weekend of local college graduation and the Red Pines Bar and Grill Review was jammed and hopping. No chance to sit outside and enjoy the views of “Lake Onalaska” which is actually the Mississippi River.
Not sure how long they have been open, but they didn’t exist when I lived in La Crosse 50 years ago.
Northwoods cabin chic decor, coupled with the usual sports on TV and lit beer signs.

One of the longest menus I have ever seen for a casual dining spot. Lots of choices in nearly every category of food you can think of, including fresh water fish.

I went for the Lake Perch appetizer (five pieces and fries) (they also offer a dinner size). Perch will be my first choice if there aren’t bluegills on the menu, another diminutive freshwater lake fish.
The fish was good, had been given a choice of battered or pan-fried, and I went with the former, it didn’t overwhelm the fish not taste of beer, thank goodness.

The downside of the food? Extrude fries. Those formed mashed potatoes sent thru a french fry mold and seasoned. Just don’t like them, but many places serve them. I’d guess they are 1) cheap 2) easier to prepare than freshly cut fries..

So I didn’t finish them. The downside of the place? Crowded. Very noisy. Chaotic service. Four different servers worked our table, but all were pleasant and helpful.
I’d go again for the food, but at a different time of day.
Daily Menu  Beverage Menu   Delivery Menu

Lake Perch and Fries Appetizer.

Red Pines Bar & Grill Review

Red Pines Bar & Grill Review

Friday afternoon, the weekend of local college graduation and the Red Pines Bar and Grill Review was jammed and hopping. No chance to sit outside and enjoy the views of “Lake Onalaska” which is actually the Mississippi River.
Not sure how long they have been open, but they didn’t exist when I lived in La Crosse 50 years ago.
Northwoods cabin chic decor, coupled with the usual sports on TV and lit beer signs.
One of the longest menus I have ever seen for a casual dining spot. Lots of choices in nearly every category of food you can think of, including fresh water fish.

Mercato Centrale Review Mercato Centrale is the place to go in Florence for all of your food needs, whether you are going to pick up fresh produce or proteins to cook at home or in your Airbnb, or whether you want a quick meal from one of the dozen-plus vendors on the second-floor food hall.

I ate there three times during my recent week in Florence, including the proverbial charcuterie tray, ham and cheese panini, focaccia-like pizza slice, and a truffle sampler tray.

All were fresh, prepared to order, and delicious.

Tho I experienced many fine restaurants in Florence, this is the place that will stick in my memory forever.

Mercato Centrale is the place to go in Florence for all of your food needs, whether you are going to pick up fresh produce or proteins to cook at home or in your Airbnb, or whether you want a quick meal from one of the dozen-plus vendors on the second-floor food hall.

I ate there three times during my recent week in Florence, including the proverbial charcuterie tray, ham and cheese panini, focaccia-like pizza slice, and a truffle sampler tray.

All were fresh, prepared to order, and delicious.

Tho I experienced many fine restaurants in Florence, this is the place that will stick in my memory forever.

Everyone advises to steer clear of restaurants immediately outside of tourist attractions (they overcharge! they take advantage) but this eatery just outside the Colosseum seemed like just the perfect place for a little lunch after learning all about gladiators, lions, and such.

I went with the burger described as CHIANINA BURGER 200gr, TOMATOES, LETTUCE WITH HOMEMADE ARTISAN BREAD, Chianina being a particular breed of Italian steer, formerly used as a work animal, but now raised primarily for beef.

It was accompanied by lightly fried potatoes, reminiscent of the souffle potatoes one finds in New Orleans, just as light, but not as puffy.  They were delicious as was the burger.

I have found burgers in Italy to be a “denser” grind than in the US, which makes for a far more satisfying “chew.” 200 grams is just over 7 ounces, a weighty patty. Menu.

Discovered this gem walking through the Trastevere neighborhood on a Saturday. The entire area was busy with pedestrians and this restaurant was no exception.What attracted me? The menu board listed “spaghetti and meatballs” the first time I had seen that offered in the three weeks I had been traveling. I’m a big fan of meatballs, make them often at home and am always looking to compare restaurant styles and ingredients to my own, to see if I can learn something I can improve on. These were good, not heavily spiced, kinda small, but in a tasty red gravy. The pasta was done perfectly, of course.
Our fluent English-speaking waiter made the day pleasant, despite being slammed with work. He paid enough attention to get drinks flowing, good explanations of menu offerings, and prompt responses to the slightest requests.
Finished our meal, rarely have dessert, but a flavorful frozen concoction covered in nuts caught my eye. It was superb.
I only take exception to one incident. In a “tipless society” he wanted to make sure what we understood if we tipped on a card, the management would take half, so we should tip in cash.
He said this to all the tables within earshot.
In a “tipless society” I left ten percent. Under my coffee cup saucer. We had barely stood to leave when he scoured the table, pushing aside placemats, flatware, cups looking for the money.
When he found it, he audibly complained in Italian to a neighboring table, about “cheap Americans.”
Ruined a pretty darn good day.  But full menu here.

Open daily 10A – 2300

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Almond Gelato with Nuts

Osteria del Borgo Review. Perfect. Perfect ambiance, perfect service, perfect food. If I’m driving, my car will make a u-turn anytime we go past a restaurant serving steak tartare. Can hardly find it in the US anymore, so I was delighted to see it here.
Almost always on the appetizer menu, in the past, I’d like to follow it up with beef carpaccio as the entree, but couldn’t here, no matter, the tartare was the perfect texture, perfect seasoning. Nice accompaniment, lightly fried strips of a variety of vegetables.
This is a cute little romantic hideaway, the inside is dark and inviting. Good wine list too.
I’ll be back someday, I am sure.

Steak Tartare, Crispy Vegetable Strips

Reception is on the 5th floor, press the appropriate bell to the right of the outside door to be buzzed in.

Conventient to the train station, one minute walk to Mercator Centrale for all your food or shopping needs.

Very nice people.  I will be back.