News feeds
E-mail alerts
Mobile
Text alerts
Twitter
Facebook
Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2007 > January > 31 > Entry
Has anybody else dined out for Restaurant Week?
I know most folks wait until toward the end of the week to go out to eat, but hey, it’s Restaurant Week, and I know some of you have taken full advantage already of the $20.07 price on three-course meals at more than 40 local eateries.
How was it? Which choice of entree did you like best? The rest of us would like to hear. Don’t make me beg …
I visited Jay’s Restaurant on Monday night …
… to kick off Restaurant Week in style, in part because Amy Haverstick, Jay’s daughter and the restaurant’s general manager, is the chair of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Week committee, which means she helped organize the event that benefits a local charity (this time, it’s Cox Arboretum). Being committee chair I think means she cajoled and begged and browbeat her fellow restaurant owners and managers to participate — but of course, I could be wrong about that. In any event, my Greek salad, perfectly cooked salmon filet and Baklava were indeed a bargain at twenty bucks, and the restaurant always knocks 25 percent off its wine list prices for bottles of wine sold on Monday nights. Heck, it was almost like stealin’ a meal. Almost.
So what have you liked? Where are you going next?
Thanks and cheers!
Mark Fisher
Comments
By Gail
February 6, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
I’m surprised at the negative comments regarding Carver’s…we went there last Friday night(two couples) and had an excellent experience. We all had the prime rib,(choice of vegetables or garlic mashed potatoes with it) which was perfect, they had various salads, all good, I had the tomato and zucchini soup, which was outstanding. The desserts were also good, we all had creme brule; my husband had the brownie with butterscotch sauce. The service was fine, I don’t like rushing through dinner and the Pinot Noir, one of their 5 recommmended wines, was so good we wrote down the name. Afterwards, drinks in the bar, very pleasant live music and dancing, were the perfect end to a delightful evening. Will definitely return.By Cathy
February 5, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
We went to Pacchia’s Jazz Room for their special encore offering of Restaurant Week on Saturday night. The butternut squash soup was delish. The “Tuna, Tuna, Tuna” appetizer was phenominal! Tuna seviche, pounded tuna, and seared rare tuna - fabulous! Finally, the Pasta Christine, which was terrific. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves- what a wonderful way to finish off a cold January week. Kudos to all restaurants that participated.By Nancy
February 4, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
We went with a group of 8 to Benham’s on Friday. The group split between the Chicken Cordon Bleu and the Pork Tenderloin with wild cherry Chutney. Favorable comments all the way around. The green bean salad with ham ribbons and saute’d onion viniagrette was a hit! Great job on their first participation.By Ann
February 3, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
I spent the last night of restaurant week at C’est Tout. John had the Crab Cake and I had the Chicken. The entire meal was fabulous!! We had a fantastic restaurant week. Thanks to all the restaurants who participated and the Miami Valley Restaurant Association!!By Ann
February 3, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Thursday night I went to El Meson. I ended up not having the restaurant week meal settling instead for my favorite Filet with Chipotle and Goat Cheese. My dining partner had the filet from the restaurant week menu which she thoroughly enjoyed.By Jim T.
February 3, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this
I wish I had read these comments before stopping at Carvers on Thursday night. It had been more than a year since we had been there and this seemed like a great time to stop there again. We were there early and there was no wait for a table, but there was a considerable wait for anything that might be construed as service. From reading Kate’s comments on the C’est McD on Wilmington Pike we should have gone there instead. At least we would have gotten a smile - something the folks at Carvers couldn’t seem to force themselves to do. It’s certainly our last trip to Carvers.By Kate
February 2, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
I thoroughly enjoyed my usual breakfast today at C’est McD’s on Wilmington Pike. Kitty was prompt with my bill, Carrie with serving and everyone had a smile for me. The price was great and I found the bacon cooked to perfection. I will return.By linda
February 2, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
we went to c’est tout sunday evening—yes, they are closed on mondays but what a great sunday option! the creamy garbanzo soup would have made a meal in itself. the other choice was a salad but who wants to be healthy?! next was a crusted tilapia with linguini and great vegetables. the sauce was outstanding—dominiq should bottle the stuff. the end of the meal was a tart tatin, which was also the end of me! a couple of bottles of clos pegase pinot and we were all happy campers! wednesday was meadowlark and wiley rides again! the fish was perfect and what is it about the frites and beets?! i did the sugar pie for dessert and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t deathly rich — more like my grannie’s custard pie. laetitia pinot completed the deal!By Jim
February 2, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
We went to Lincoln Park Grill last night, the first year they’ve participated. We chose it because it was close by. Salads were very nice, main meals also good, although my wife thought the Seared Tuna would have gone with the wasabi a bit better if it had been done with sesame instead of cajun spices. The deserts perfect. Portions were nice too, not too large. Wine selections were good. Our first time there, and first time going out as part of restaurant week, and we’ll repeat both.By Bill H.
February 1, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
Four of us went to Le Bistro last night and all had the 2007 special. It was outstanding as was the service. Had not been there in awhile, but it is going on my “A” list of where to dine. Bill H.By Renee
February 1, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Went to Racquet Club and had a terrific experience. What a great chance to go inside the beautiful private club. I had the chicken and it was outstanding! The added on 20% and paying with credit card were not an issue. It is after all a private club the rest of the year. I will definitely go back next time!By Anonymous
February 1, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
We went to Carvers with our friends. I will not go back to Carvers. The waiter clearly was not happy we were doing the “cheap” meal; the service was not only really slow, the bills were wrong, and the waiter even informed me that I mispronouced “meritage”! (An American word that combines Merit and Heritage. It is not pronounced with a French accent.) The food was good - nice large bowl of tomato based soup, a nice spinach/cranberries/almonds salad, and a good sized, but very salty, steak - I ate half. No more Carvers for us.By denise
February 1, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
We went to The Wellington Grille. The salads were a little skimpy but the main courses were plentiful. I had the penne with ham and peas. The flavor was wonderful and the sauce coated the noodles well and was rich and creamy. The chipotle-glazed ahi my husband had was cooked to perfection and delicious. The panna cottas were just the right size for such a rich dessert. Service was good and a good time was had by all. Highly recommended.By Kim
January 31, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Tonight, I went to the Racquet Club. I had reservations for 7:30, but got there a little earlier and they were able to seat me. I had the mixed green salad, sirloin, and the cheesecake. It was pretty good until the end when they tacked on a 20% gratuity. I don’t like any place that does that. Also they don’t like taking cash, so if you use cash take the exact change.By Kim
January 31, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
I ended up at the Carver’s on Monday night after going to C’est Tout and finding out it was closed and not getting an answer on the phone from the Blue Moon. I suppose they were closed on Monday too. I couldn’t get into the dining room for 90 minutes, so the hostess suggested I go to the lounge. I had the spinach salad, the New York Strip, and the Cream Brulee. The meal was pretty good, but there was too much of a time lapse between courses. I had the Merlot on the suggested list and it was okay, but came a bit late.By Peggy Marler
January 31, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
My dining partner and I went to El Meson and had a great dinner—-She had the swordfish entree and I had the filet entree—-both were wonderfully prepared and delicious!!!By Ann
January 31, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Tonight’s dinner was at Meadowlark. I always enjoy anything Wiley puts together and tonight was no different. I can never say no to the Frites and Beets…I think I’m addicted to the Caper Mayonnaise. Next up was the Pork Shoulder which was just fantastic. Fortunately, my dining partner and I agreed to have both desserts…the Chocolate cake had a little spice to it and was a nice fit with the Guiness Ice Cream. The Sugar Cream Pie was not nearly as rich as I was expecting. We had a nice conversation with the table next to us sharing restaurant week experiences. And of course ran into several people that we know. Now to decide where to eat tomorrow night…By Audrey
January 31, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
I dined with a companion at Villa di Giovanni’s on Monday night. For $20.07, we both had a house salad, house wine, and lasagna. The perfect meal at an incredible price. It was delicious! Give “The Villa” a try.By Scott
January 31, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
I also went to Jays and had the Salmon and split a bottle of Pinot (a delicious and heart healthy meal). My wife had the open faced chicken ravioli. As much as I love salmon, I was sort of envious of her plate. I ate her leftovers for lunch the next day and even warmed up it was as good as it looked the day before. Yes, a great deal for the price. Jays was pretty full Monday night and, as always, the dining experience there was relaxing and enjoyable.By Bill
January 31, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
Had dinner last night at Meadowlark. Always love the Frites and Beets, those things are addicting! The gulf fish was perfectly cooked and if I find a pint of that Guiness ice cream that was served with the stout chocolate cake look out! Enjoyed the Chenic Blanc and Aussie blend they are pouring by the glass also. Hope to make it to a few more this week.By Mark
January 31, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
We went to Coco’s last night after getting a 6 pm reservation on short notice. The restaurant was full, but everyone who came in seemed to be accommodated within a short period of time. We had the roasted garlic bruschetta for an appetizer, a side salad with blue cheese and crumbles followed by the Crostini macadamia nut tilapia for the main course. My wife had the molten chocolate cake and I had the carrot cake for dessert. It was excellent! Most importantly, the service was terrific and very friendly. We let them know we had tickets for “Aida” at the Schuster, so they did a great job making sure we had our food on time without a rush. We really recommend Coco’s in the Oregon for a special night out!By Ann
January 31, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
My first stop this restaurant week was Pacchia. The 3-course menu allows you to select from three choices for each course. I started with the 5th Street Salad, followed by the Tuna, Tuna, Tuna which used to be on the Jazz Room menu. My selection for the main course was the Chipotle Chile and Negra Modelo Braised Beef Short Ribs served with roasted corn and green chile mash. YUM!!!! You can get their Featured Dessert, a Hazelnut Chocolate Torte, for an additional $3.00. The same menu is offered in both Pacchia Prima and the Jazz Room. Definitely worth the trip Downtown!By Dennis
January 31, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
Had a wonderful dinner last night at Blue Moon. Terrific mushroom soup with a nice kick of white pepper and loaded with vegetables - matched very nicely with a Tasmanian Pinot Noir. The Ancho Chili Sirloin was done perfectly. Rich and hearty with just the right chili/cumin heat to warm up on a cold!!! night. The pasta dish was rich and creamy with the wine sauce blending beautifully with soft fresh mozirella. Randy’s (the waiter) enthusiasm was very contagious. I recommend making reservations (walk ins had to wait 30-45 minutes). Also Hayden(?), the owner’s son, did an excellent job talking to customers and keeping the water glasses full. He has the personality to be running the front of the house in a few years. On Tuesdays (not just during restaurant week) all bottles of wine are half price. They are also doing the same menu at lunch for $12.07. Great deals are all around.