Dining Out- Week of January 1st, 2005

1/1/05

Richard Walker's Pancake House
Crystal Lake, Illinois
.

The Dutch Harvest

Oven baked pancake filled with broccoli, tomato, onion and mushroom topped with Havarti cheese.

What a marvelous way to start the New Year. A delight. The tangy Danish Havarti was the perfect taste to bind together the fresh veggies piled high into a fantastic golden crust.

Green Street Café
McHenry, Illinois

They should be proud to name the Green St. Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup after themselves. So thick those abundant still crisp pieces of broccoli had no chance of moving.

Dilar Café Restaurant
Richmond, Illinois

Chicken Breast De Jonghe

Chicken breast slices cooked in a butter, olive oil, bread crumb and herb sauce.

I’d hate to know the nutritional information on that sauce. That’s why it was so good.

1/2/05

Wanderlust Coffee Gallery
Muskego

The Turkey and Provolone on Wheat Sandwich was forgettable and is best so.

1/4/05


Los Mitos
Milwaukee- Jefferson, between Mason & Wells

Bread, Tomatillo and Olive Oil
Mirroring his other place, Il Mito, meals start with hot rolls to mop up the well seasoned tomatillo and mild oil.

Lobster Bisque
Very good, although strangely more watery than water. Included with entrée.

Grilled Baby Pork Ribs Topped with Barbecue Chimichurri

I look down at this rack; white table cloth, white napkin and shirt and tie in peripheral vision; wondering how I was going to eat this. Didn’t matter, it was too good to be concerned with anything else. Besides, the ever so tender meat effortlessly pulled off the bone. It was wonderfully tasty made all the better and broader with the chimichurri. Served with equally lip-smacking-goodness steamed spinach and pureed sweet yams.

Décor: The cuisine is Argentinean with a California fusion but the décor looks more Moroccan with deep rustic colors, unrefined wood and wall tapestries.

Service: Really good although I was bothered when asking for feedback on several entrees to get responses “heard its good” and “it looks good”. Try it all!
Would like to go back for: Grilled pizza.

4 ½ out of 5 stars

1/7/05

Winestein's Cafe
Oconomowoc

Chili
Fair enough; dominated by beans garnished with a dollop of sour cream but missing cheese and green onion as listed.

Upper Oconomowoc
Panini of honey glazed ham, havarti cheese, sliced pear, candied walnuts, onions and apricot mayonnaise.

As I suspected the pear/walnuts/mayo would carry this sandwich. They lent a sweet tartness but were all centered on it in the preparation. Served with Asian coleslaw that was both crispy in texture and taste.

Décor: One of the nicer counter service places with terra cotta colored stucco, dual-tone woodwork, fireplace and leather chairs.

3 ½ out of 5 stars