Scottsdale - Stax Burger Bistro

Should you ever find yourself in Scottsdale, AZ and in the mood for burgers, I highly recommend going to Stax Burger Bistro. It is an elegant, fairly modern looking establishment that serves some killer food.

Granted, they're more like sliders than burgers, but that just means that you can try out a few different flavors for your meal, instead of just one. This is always a win in my book.

At the time, I believe I tried the Lamb, Buffalo and the Exotic of the day — which was Elk. And they were all rather delicious, if I may say.

Unfortunately, I don't recall what my friend had at the time, but I do recall that everything we tried was very tasty.

So, should you ever be in Scottsdale, give it a try.


- d.

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Stax Burger Bistro
4400 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Slight delays

Dear readers (however few of you may be left), I deeply apologize for leaving this blog languishing the way it has.

I keep thinking of these great restaurants I go to that I'd love to share with the rest of you, and really have no excuse not to get on with my writing.

So, without further ado, here we go....

- d.

Austin - Pho Van

Should you some day find yourself in Austin and looking for some Pho, this is the place to go.

Pho Van is a nondescript Vietnamese restaurant in a small strip mall in north central Austin.

Many years ago, this restaurant established itself in my repertoire as one of the staple Vietnamese restaurants in Austin. There are a few good places - but somehow, I just keep coming back here.

And I'm going on 5+ years of attendance here.

During my extravagant eat-out-for-lunch-every-day days, there were a few weeks when I'd frequent Pho Van more than 1-2, maybe 3 times in a week.

My personal favorite is #28-with-eggroll (Or depending on the day and the old lady's mood, #29-with-chicken - the end result is the same, it's all about guessing the correct item to order). I have had several other items on the menu, including several of the bowls of Pho - and it's all good.

During both lunch and dinner, it's not unheard of for the place to be crowded - although I haven't ever seen a line. Possibly this is the hidden gem that everybody wishes they knew of (and here I am, giving away the secret, go figure).

I can not speak highly enough of Pho Van - it should be a staple restaurant for any Pho lover in Austin.


- d.

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Pho Van
8557 Research Blvd
Austin, TX 78758

New York - Seoul Garden

One of our last nights in New York consisted of eating at Seoul Garden, a restaurant with pretty good Korean cuisine near 32nd St and Broadway.

This restaurant is one of those well-hidden treasures. You walk into a fairly nondescript entry way, up several flights of narrow stairs and round a corner, before you're greeted with a large sign proclaiming the name of the restaurant. The difficulty of finding it does not seem to impact the amount of customers they get, however - as the restaurant was full when we arrived for a somewhat late dinner time.

I don't have many Korean restaurants to compare this to, but the interior seemed on par with several of my other favorite restaurants back in Austin - subtle decorations, mostly utilitarian chairs and tables, some with the built-in griddle.

The food was tasty - I tasted several of the dishes that were ordered, and it was good. Flavorful. I wasn't very impressed with the Beef Bulgogi, however. Seems I lucked out on ordering this time - the beef lacked seasoning, and seemed a bit plain. (There was no sauce to go with it — this may be a regional standard, though. I'm used to it, and missed it.

I'd recommend the restaurant again   I'd probably go back and try some of the other items on the menu before making a final judgement on Seoul Garden.


- d.

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Seoul Garden
34 W. 32nd St.
New York, NY 10001

Jersey City - Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory

After landing in New Jersey and taking the exciting ride with a private taxi service to our friend Agnes' apartment in New Jersey, we headed off to breakfast. At a pancake factory.

A quick jaunt down the road, through some parks and past some of the more interesting Mexican restaurants I've seen (The name was "Bubby's Burritos"), we walked up to a nice brownstone building on the corner of Grand St. and Jersey Avenue.

My first impression was "It's busy." - we arrived during what seemed like lunch rush, but it was long after the lunch rush has ended most other places I've been. Which just goes to show that their food is good. And it really is.

So good we went back the next day.

The first day I ordered an omelet. Their menu is so big, I can't remember which one I ordered. But there was pancakes. And that's important. I think the only thing bigger than their omelet seletion, is their pancake selection - I counted 31 different pancakes you can order. Phew.

The second time we went back, I ordered some scrambled eggs with cheese and delicious sausage combination. I have no idea what it's called on the menu, but the sausages that came with it, were huge. And delicious. The meal is so big, I ended up sharing it with Krista.

And of course, there were pancakes.

If you ever find yourself in Jersey City and are looking for breakfast (or dinner, or just pancakes - no time required), head on over to the Brownstone. You won't regret it.


- d.

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Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory
426 Jersey Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07302

New York - Ferrara Bakery & Cafe

Along Grand street in Little Italy sits Ferrara Bakery & Cafe.

I don't know much about it. We came across it on our way from Chinatown through Little Italy to head back uptown Manhattan after having visited Wall Street and the Brooklyn Bridge.

What I do know about it, is that it's the first place in the US that I've had a proper Mille-feuille. I'm familiar with it from my childhood in Norway, where it's simply called Napoleon-cake. Their service isn't half bad, either. (The staff did seem a bit rushed at times, though.)

My friends ordered the Raspberry Mousse and the Tiramisu, while I shared the Trio of Miniatures with Krista. Our Trio consisted of the Mille-feuille, a Cream Puff and a Cannoli.

Based on the comments around the table (and my own tasting), I would highly recommend any of the pastries mentioned above.

I'm definitely going back here when I have an opportunity to.


 - d.

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Ferrara Bakery & Cafe
195 Grand Street
New York, NY 10013-3717

New York - Café Espanol

I usually have a rule against frequenting a restaurant that calls itself an "eatery" - and I have a rule about not frequenting places whose website features music that can't be stopped....

However, despite Café Espanol violating both of these rules, I would eat there again.

Their menu claims to have over 50 Tapas dishes, the paella I tasted was tasty and I realized that I don't like filet mignon as much as I thought I did. (Maybe I'm a simpleton, but give me a medium rare ribeye, and I'm in heaven)

Despite this revelation, the food was great. The wait staff was attentive (although my water did run low once), the ambiance good and the spirits ran high. Maybe there's something to this eating out with friends thing. (I realize the latter doesn't mean much for the restaurant, but I'm a sucker for good company.)

I ordered the Prime Filet Mignon Al Café Español, which was good. Maybe even very good, although see earlier disclaimer about my meat preference. Krista ordered mussels in either the green or garlic sauce, and has a newfound love for them. I would give that dish a big win.

Others at the table ordered various paella's and chicken dishes - I don't recall them all, but I do recall everybody praising their food as we stumbled back to the subway station, fat, dumb and happy.

The only drawback to Café Espanol could be that it's a fair way south, depending on where in Manhattan you start out. Although with the right metro card, it's totally worth going here.

Who am I kidding? It's still worth going. Bring some good friends, and for an extra bonus, order some wine.

You'll have a party before you know it.

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CAFÉ ESPAÑOL
172 Bleecker St.
New York, NY