Everything in existence has an equal opposite. Hot and cold, earth and air, matter and antimatter, yin and yang, and so on. Often these two things can be found very close to one another, bound by their natures as they are.
This is the case with the Little Venetian restaurant, as it is in the same strip mall as the Taste of Scandinavia, which I have found lacking. The Little Venetian restaurant makes up for the failures of the Taste of Scandinavia. This strip mall will be spared the flames when The Time is upon us.
When I came to the strip mall I was not impressed. Generic store A, generic store B, generic liquor store, and so on. It looked like a strip mall. Pane glass and nondescript white-grey wall. You can imagine my surprise when my view of all that strip mall glory is suddenly impeded by a small garden. It was green and warm and happy to see me, and in return I was warmed and happy to see it (if not greened, whatever that would even mean). I followed the small pathway through the trees up to the door and entered the establishment, where my swarthy companion awaited my arrival.
The interior of the establishment was a warm light orange-red sort of color, and decorated with family pictures and Italianish artworks. Nothing stood out but nothing was lost for clutter, either. Overall the atmosphere was comforting and it felt like someones home as much as it felt like an eating-hole.
The girl at the counter was pleasant, and had all of her fingers, which pleased me as I had been previously informed that this was not always the case considering the history of the establishment. Suffice it to say that the regular sized Venetian is closed now and the Italians are a wonderful and diverse addition to the rich tapestry that is America.
Anyway, they had all of the daily specials displayed on plates so that you could see exactly what you would be ordering, and I saw a lamb flank. Flanks being the best way to serve meat, that is what I ordered.
It was everything I could have hoped for and more. It had gravy that was delicious. It had carrots that were delicious. It has potatoes that were delicious. It was everything I had not to grab the bone of the meat and gnaw on it for every last ounce of flavor (and the marrow).
My companion told me, as he stroked his thick mustache, that he enjoyed this establishment because it didn't focus on the cooking tradition of just one region of Italy, like most places, but instead offered traditional dishes inspired by both the Northern and Southern regions. This meant absolutely nothing to me, so I mostly tuned him out and wondered why he had ordered French onion soup.
I'm sure it was delicious too. I'm not fond of onions or the French.
Overall the Little Venetian greets its customers with a casual environment, a good combination of self-service and being waited upon, and amazing food. I will definitely return to this unexpected locale.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Luna Rossa Wine Bar
Stillwater, Minnesota is and has been home to some of the best restaurants in Minnesota. It has a lovely riverside setting and a historic downtown area. Luna Rossa Wine Bar is one of the newest entries into a highly competitive and highly taxed downtown that seems able to accommodate all types of fare.
First let me say this really wasn't a wine bar, unless you consider a wine bar to be a place with a safe, uninspired, and limited wine selection. That said, the wines they do have are all decent wines and prices asked are on the high end of fair.
The space was really trying to be something nice and succeeded for the most part. The areas closer to the street were nice and open, there were some cozy booths also. Each table has plenty of space, and the owners had the foresight to have an extra chair at the end of each booth. There is a half-open kitchen and a small bar area also.
We just went there for lunch, and we will have another review after going there a few times. The lunch special was a pasta bar which both my friend and I opted for. We started with Calamari though, and I can honestly tell you it was the second best Calamari I have had in Minnesota besides Osteria I Nonni. The pasta was fine, as expected since we were choosing our own ingredients. Ingredients used seemed of good quality, and the pasta was a nice al dente.
Service was sub-par, especially given adequate staffing and a small mid-afternoon clientele. We sat around for quite a while before our order was taken. Food came with good timing, and then we waited a while for our check. Our server seemed a bit grumpy (it's not our problem that you're bored working the day shift). Pricing was fair for what we had.
The owners also have restaurants in Champlin and Maple Grove along with something else in Stillwater (I think it was a Gelato bar or something). I hear the Champlin restaurant is quite good. I'll make a few trips back to this one for dinner and get a better feel for the menu.
Website: http://www.lunarossawinebar.com/
First let me say this really wasn't a wine bar, unless you consider a wine bar to be a place with a safe, uninspired, and limited wine selection. That said, the wines they do have are all decent wines and prices asked are on the high end of fair.
The space was really trying to be something nice and succeeded for the most part. The areas closer to the street were nice and open, there were some cozy booths also. Each table has plenty of space, and the owners had the foresight to have an extra chair at the end of each booth. There is a half-open kitchen and a small bar area also.
We just went there for lunch, and we will have another review after going there a few times. The lunch special was a pasta bar which both my friend and I opted for. We started with Calamari though, and I can honestly tell you it was the second best Calamari I have had in Minnesota besides Osteria I Nonni. The pasta was fine, as expected since we were choosing our own ingredients. Ingredients used seemed of good quality, and the pasta was a nice al dente.
Service was sub-par, especially given adequate staffing and a small mid-afternoon clientele. We sat around for quite a while before our order was taken. Food came with good timing, and then we waited a while for our check. Our server seemed a bit grumpy (it's not our problem that you're bored working the day shift). Pricing was fair for what we had.
The owners also have restaurants in Champlin and Maple Grove along with something else in Stillwater (I think it was a Gelato bar or something). I hear the Champlin restaurant is quite good. I'll make a few trips back to this one for dinner and get a better feel for the menu.
Website: http://www.lunarossawinebar.com/
Alta Vista Premium Malbec (2005)
This was another interesting Malbec, although I'm not sure if I'd ever purchase this one for myself. Most Malbecs are better consumed after a good 30 minutes or so of breathing. This one not so much.
The nose, prior to aeration was simple with a bit of cedar. The body was wonderfully lush with dark fruits and just a hint of vanilla-like cedar. The finish was long, mild, with a somewhat cooling sensation.
After aeration the nose yielded the dark fruits with the cedar. The body unfortunately mellowed out to a point of being uninteresting. The finish also became simply unimpressive.
No website.
The nose, prior to aeration was simple with a bit of cedar. The body was wonderfully lush with dark fruits and just a hint of vanilla-like cedar. The finish was long, mild, with a somewhat cooling sensation.
After aeration the nose yielded the dark fruits with the cedar. The body unfortunately mellowed out to a point of being uninteresting. The finish also became simply unimpressive.
No website.
Finca La Escondida Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (2005)
For those who don't like the traditional big, bold, high cedar Cabernet Sauvignon flavor, this is a good option.
The nose of this one mainly yielded dark fruits, with just a whiff of cedar. The body was light, with plums, blackberries, and currants. The finish was short and mild.
No website.
The nose of this one mainly yielded dark fruits, with just a whiff of cedar. The body was light, with plums, blackberries, and currants. The finish was short and mild.
No website.
Domaine Maltoff Bourgognes Coulanges-La-Vineuse (2000)
This was a pleasant Pinot Noir.
The nose was a bit earthy, with whiffs of mushrooms. The body was a bit generic, but pleasantly so with reminders of the nose. Low tannins, and low acid. The finish was long and mild.
No website.
The nose was a bit earthy, with whiffs of mushrooms. The body was a bit generic, but pleasantly so with reminders of the nose. Low tannins, and low acid. The finish was long and mild.
No website.
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