As evidenced by the many punctilious posts at his blog, Pete Cherches is more of an epicurean than a gourmand. His deep appreciation of fine cuisine comes across with either assignation; plus, it’s hard to imagine him going Travis Bickle on the bit. Vicarious gustatory thrills exist in abundance over at Word of Mouth, though it’s often a place I forget to frequent. Ergo, this post as a placeholder for an convenient link. And, as is probably predictable, I’m also curious to hear about readers favorite restaurants from their own locales (hell, we’ve chewed the cud about pretty much everything else, so why not food?). Here in the Twin Cities, my top three haunts are:
Chai's Thai: a tiny establishment nestled in a storefront nook on the West Bank. Delicious, cleverly cobbled dishes, impeccable presentation (shaved ribbons of carrot & radish garnish nearly every order) & starving student prices have made it my first choice for Asian eats in Minneapolis. The gratis Dum-Dum pops w/ each bill are a nice parting touch. Menu tip: their Massaman Curry (finest I’ve yet tasted in my thirty-five short years on the planet).
Puerto Azul: Puerto-Rican cuisine served w/ home-cooked panache in a converted Saint Paul residence made to resemble a South Miami bodega. Meats and seafood are the menu focus w/ sides of plantains and sofritos a must. My pick is their Mango Salsa chicken. The buck-fifty excised for extra salsa might seem exorbitant, but it’s really a pittance considering the electric effect the substance has on taste buds.
Lotus, Uptown: an incongruous hold out from less-gentrified times encircled by a sea of high-end hipster restaurants and hangouts. A décor of neon and Formica isn’t much to look at and the menu in sum can be hit or miss, but the marinated beef spring rolls and Vietnamese barbecue chicken plate are old reliables when a double-digit bill isn’t desirous.
Pete's never steered me wrong yet. A few weeks back, we took my niece to Caracas, a small Venezuelan place specializing in arepas based on his rave - absolutely fantastic! Plus he's a funny cuss.
Posted by: Brian Olewnick at June 13, 2007 7:20 AMI neglected to point out that that’s Pete pictured in the bowtie & glasses above, traveling under one of his fatherly aliases so as maintain anonymity in the presence of suspicious restaurant staff. Who the rented family is with him, I’m not sure.
Brian, the pics of those arepas look positively mouthwatering.
They taste even better, really corn-y. The one I had (that Pete pictures) with sweet plantain, avocado and a semi-sweet Venezuelan cheese was great. Next time you're in town, remind me and we'll hit it.
Posted by: Brian Olewnick at June 13, 2007 12:34 PMSounds like a plan, Brian. I still remember fondly the Chinese smorgasbord Pete organized around a Vision hang several years ago. He ordered for all of us w/ the precision & poise of a classical conductor: the menu his baton, the cherry-picked courses corresponding to symphonic movements. It was like watching a maestro at work & one of the best meals I’ve ever had in the city. Though self-deprecating quipster that he is, Pete would probably shrug off all the praise.
Posted by: derek at June 14, 2007 8:32 AMYeah, I've been to one of the Vision hang lunches and it was great! It was very modern Brazilian food. Then just before catching Ornette at Carnegie Hall, Pete took Cem, my friend Santiago and me to a great Japanese place. I can still taste the spicy mustard they gave us.
Posted by: Gerardo Alejos at June 14, 2007 2:24 PMMr. Cherches and I like the poetry of Russell Edsen and cuisine of Istria. Anyone who is familiar with Albona Ristorante Istriano in North Beach gets a thumbs up in my book!
Posted by: Surfer at June 15, 2007 11:07 AMOh, shit, I somehow stumbled onto a bon vivant thread. Anybody know how I can get back to cranksville?
Posted by: walto at June 15, 2007 12:23 PMOh Walto, it's much nicer here in Margaritaville. Crushed ice cocktails of various stripes and extractions are being served out on the cabana. Loosen the belt on your cranky pants, kick up your heels & stay awhile.
Posted by: The Nuge at June 15, 2007 12:29 PMI don't think Pete appreciates the reference to his least favorite non-existent entity in the title.
Posted by: soz at June 15, 2007 5:07 PMThat's okay, G*d loves him anyway.
Posted by: Rev. Pearly Whites at June 16, 2007 3:02 PM.................................................. © 2003 - 2006 bagatellen ..................................................