Sardine Bistro & Bar, Madison, WI

Well, after a number of years living in Madison (over two separate stints), I think I've finally found my favorite restaurant. This is a big deal as I almost never choose favorites... and even saying that, I still have some caveats, but this is it for me in Madison. I might even be done looking (not least of which due to me moving back to CHI).

First, this place is right on Lake Monona. You can sit inside a very nice old-school warehouse space that's been updated to a French bistro theme, or even out on the deck, overlooking the lake (and some parking). 

Second, they do drinks right and have a happy hour everyday (at the bar, 4-6pm). I'd been in once before but didn't stay to eat or drink anything. It was a snowy spring day and with the happy hour bar seats all taken, I didn't think I'd get in very quickly. So, I left that day and made a mental note to return - boy am I glad I did.

Third, the menu is really well done and easy to find something. Take your pick... 

Finally, this staff is the real star and one of the main drivers of me anointing it with "favorite" status. Now don't get me wrong... there are many good restaurants in Madison. I've already written about some here on this site, like A Pig In A Fur Coat... but Sardine is hands down the best staff I've come across in all my time in Madison (though a few others come very close too).

I think, in general, restaurant staff service has gone down since the pandemic began, and who can blame these workers? But, it's noticeable now that we're coming out of it. And an all-star staff like the one at Sardine stands out like a beacon of light.

They helped me from the jump, even though I was dining solo at the bar. Water, drink, salad and main, plus dessert with decaf espresso (who even orders that?!). As one example, there is a fantastic woman clearing plates behind the bar who's not much taller than the bar. She literally has to get on her tip-toes to see if you're done with your food. But, every time I cleaned a plate (and I cleaned them!) or got to halfway on my water, she was right there to clear it away or refill. 

The rest of the folks behind the bar were equally great in their own ways. Friendly, talkative, willing to explain things. It was great. I even mentioned this to one of the bartenders before I left and they mentioned that they all love working there. It shows. I loved being a guest too.

For those curious about my meal choices, I did the House Greens to start - delicious and seemingly so simple. Then I went all-in on a Ribeye with their Steak Frites. I asked them to sub the Frites out for Fingerling potatoes and they obliged (though did have to check with the kitchen). The steak was cooked to my order and served with my side and a mustard sauce (didn't need that!). 

Something about those fingerlings too. Take a good look. I can only presume they were placed raw into a very hot skillet or pan and roasted off in an oven. They outsides were very crisp and the insides perfectly tender. Now how many times have you noticed the potato enough to think about and comment on it?!

To be fair, I wasn't planning to go in and have a 3-4 course meal, with a drink and coffee, but the place makes you want to stay longer & order more. It's genius really.

So, I wound up getting something with chocolate for dessert in the form of their Opera Cake. It was not too big or not too small, but just right. Delicious too... and went very well with that decaf espresso I'd ordered.

To say I would go back is an understatement. I am trying to think of reasons to go back now. I'm sure a happy hour burger visit is in my future before too long. And I think folks in Madison and the surrounding area should check this place out for yourselves - now!

Martina, Minneapolis (Linden Hills), MN

This might be my first restaurant post where I have no pictures of the food, only the drinks. Its certainly not b/c the food was not good - in fact, it was excellent. I think it's simply that the drinks got going quickly (first meal of the day) and by the time the food arrived, I tore into it.

Here's there brunch menu, in case you want to gaze...

At brunch, drinks are the only way to begin, right? Well, we wasted no time... speaking of wasted... this was the friends selection, then my 2nd drink, a pretty spicy Bloody Mary (beer was first drink)...

What was also great about Martina, besides the drinks and food, maybe even more-so than them, was th space. It's just really well done for decor and it makes being there that much more enjoyable. If you don't believe me, take a look below, and then go for yourself.

Lovely dining area...

Glorious kitchen...

Oooh, firewood! (but that also means they have some wood-roasted options on the menu!)

Even the patio is on-point...

I would be back in a NY minute.

El Milagro Asadero Bar, Aguascalientes, MX

Any place that has a reference to Jordan is already high on my list of favorites! Not sure why they had this on their wall.

But, we had come for lunch and were promised steak. They do not disappoint. It's one of the places where you pick out your own meat and they grill it for you. You get some simple "snacks" at your table while you wait for your hunk of grill beef, alongside some grilled veggies, like onion, and cactus/nopalito.

Waiting for food!!!...

Finally!!!! Ribeye!

I inhaled almost everything in front of us. It was a great way to "lunch", perhaps only missing a nap room for after.

Chimichurris, London, UK

Where do you go for dinner when you're in London for the first time, with a friend/coworker? Well, we tried about a dozen places near us, making calls, looking on Open Table for a reservation, but no luck. London has a lot of people, and it looks like most of them like going out on a Friday night. I get it.

Luckily, my fellow traveler found this little place, with great reviews close to our AirBnB. We decided to jump in stomach-first and try London's Argentinian offering. Boy, am I glad we did.

They sat us promptly, service was almost like family, the food was all very phenomenal and authentic (as far as I can tell), and it was a very warm, busy space to be in... which is perfect for London.

First Night:
Start with an Argentinian beer...

A couple beef empanadas to split...

T-Bone!!! with a tomato and Oregano salad on the side

OMG - for dessert - ice cream on a chewy cookie and frozen in chocolate. KMN.

Then the Second Night:
Queso fun... this was delicious with toast points.

A very tasty, though poorly colored for photos, pasta

And their version of Wiener Schnitzel... but with beef.

Again, all the food was very good. If I had anything to do over, I would get another steak on the 2nd night... it was that good. Perhaps one of the top three steaks in my life. I'm not kidding about that.

Luna Mexican Kitchen, San Jose, CA

If you're going to be in San Jose for an evening, I would highly recommend this little neighborhood spot for dinner (or brunch). On SJ's "Alameda", it seems to be ideally situated for this neighborhood, and others as well.

We decided to hit up this new spot before a San Jose Earthquakes match, and boy were we glad we did. I'm not sure there was a better way to kick of the night. Ole!

To start, it's a great little building with a to-go window ("para llavar") out front. Seating out there for waiting on the tables too. An indoor seating area, plus full bar... and a lovely outdoor patio, with shade and cooling to accommodate the outside temps on most any night.

We decided to get some drinks, and instead of the 20-30 minute seating wait, we were shwon a table before our first sips could start working. Fine by us.

We went all in for their guacamole to start... and then something never seen before by yours truly for the main course...

Who doesn't enjoy food served in a molcajete?!

For dinner, we were drawn to the backside, 2nd page of their menu, filled with an item listed as "Parradillas". These appeared to be large, multi-person serving vessels for all kinds of meats or veggies. They had me at "meat vessel".

We went for the moderately-priced fajita-style version - which came with both chicken and steak, guac, sides, and rice+beans too.  Hay ca-rumba, I'm gonna be full.

I think this big box on the bottom keeps the food hot... or just keeps it at the right height to kep grabbing more cooked meats. Either way, I'm good.

If you don't like what you eat off the parradilla, it's pretty much your own fault. I mean, you ordered the proteins, and you put it all together yourself. So, get after it! Get in their and make yourself a little taco. In this case, I don't mind doing the work for my dinner, it's fun.

Should you go? Well, I'd say - Venga! Venga! Venga!!! I haven't found a place like this one yet in my time in San Jose. They seem to have their formula down and it's a good one. Food, drinks, service, atmosphere, and a little Latin flare... plus the parradillas.

Now, I don't link websites too often, but theirs includes much better everything than this blog post - pics, menus, etc. Check it out - https://www.lunamexicankitchen.com/

Alvarado Street Brewing, Monterey, CA

You know what's great about America?! Beer.

More to the point, that fact that in almost any US city (major or not in most cases) you can now find a local brewery to head out to for some unique, often regional, takes and tastes of the brew we all love so much. Like the friends in Indy that often take vacations just to try beer makers, I've found I can find and almost always enjoy trying a new brewery anywhere I travel.

Recently, the weekend involved a short day-trip to Monterey CA. It happens to be home to the Alvarado Street Brewing company. I had been there about four years ago as the restaurant was just opening, but knowing how good it was then, and wanting to try more, I hit up on this trip too.

Of course, you might say, "But MK, you're not trying anything new!' Au contraire! Not only can a menu of a great establishment change in 4 years, but the beer menu should be changing all the time, year-round. I was not disappointed in this trip to ASB. I did have to wade through a shit-ton of beers in the IPA family (gross!), but it wasn't too strenuous.

They have gorgeous building in downtown Monterey. At least 3 distinct spaces - main floor, outdoor patio and upstairs landing...

I was also able to try about 6 different brews until I found a lovely Nitro Stout. Not too heavy for the day, but a bit heavier than I would normally go in the heat of summer (luckily, it was 6- degrees in Monterey this day).

I also chose a nice Hanger Steak offering from the menu. Well-cooked steak, but the real treat were the lowly potatoes cooked in duck fat. They almost melt in your mouth. I was delighted by this simple side...

I had decided not to get dessert here, but would have had no problem if I was forced too...

Finally, to hit the restrooms you have to go upstairs to a small landing/hallway. As I was washing my hands, a man came into the restroom with a stark white parrot on his arm, er, shoulder. It was pretty odd to see, and I wanted a picture, so I waited out on the landing (separate from the actual bathroom) until they came out. What the parrot did while the man was using the facilities, I'll never know.

Anyways, it seemed like everyone wanted to get a look at this "Emotional Support Parrot", so the guy set his bird on the railing for all to enjoy. Not the oddest thing I've ever seen in a bar, but it sure won't let me forget about ASB anytime soon...

Alvarado Street Brewery - do it up!