Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Jake Kulju

MURRAY’S
26 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402

While the slogan “Home of the Silver Butter Knife Steak” might not make much sense to you at first, when you come out of this place it will be the only thing on your mind. Murray’s hides itself in Minneapolis’s bustling downtown skyline, and serves up steak so tender you can cut it with a spoon. If you like steak, you’ll love Murray’s.

by Paul A. Greenburg

Court of Two Sisters
613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Only at Court of Two Sisters in the French Quarter is buffet brunch served daily. The buffet is the most extensive and lavish in the city. The restaurant boasts well over a century of experience in feeding the masses. Egg dishes, seafood, carved meats, fresh bakery items, salads and fruits populate the mouthwatering spread. Still, it is the home-churned vanilla ice cream with praline sauce that goes down so easily with the Dixieland jazz as background music. Find a seat in the aged courtyard, and plan to return for dinner, if only to sample the bacon-wrapped oysters en brochette.

by Daniel Rosenstein

AZUL
500 Brickell Key Dr Miami, FL 33131
(305) 913-8254

One of my favorite chefs is Chef Clay Conley. He definitely knows how to cook up a feast with a blend of Mediterranean flavors with Asian influences. I love their scallops. There is a huge white marble open kitchen and raw bar vie for your attention with the floor to ceiling windows that showcase the picturesque bay views. Their wine list features more than 700 world-class wines. The award-winning wine list encompasses a mix of current releases, to classic vintages from the finest producers, with the latest boutique wineries worldwide.

The experience of this restaurant is definitely unforgettable. The atmosphere and service will get your spirits in an exciting mood. Though I do highly advise to check on dress requirements unless you know you are dressed appropriately.

by Lottie Tagupa
ROY’S - KO OLINA
92-1220 Aliinui Drive
Kapolei , HI 96707

The newest of Roy Yamaguchi’s multitude of restaurants, Roy ’s Ko’Olina continues the tradition of exciting upscale eateries across the nation. This restaurant is located in the resort area of Ko’Olina on the 18th hole of the Ko’Olina Golf Club. The décor has an open air contemporary flair that takes advantage of the wonderful golf course and resort views. The style is Hawaii Regional Cuisine and the flavors are fresh, innovative and bold. Fresh fish and island ingredients are the basis of a flavor menu. Popular choices include Roy ’s Original Hawaiian Blackened Island Ahi Spicy Soy Mustard Butter or Roy ’s Classic Roasted Macadamia Nut Mahi Mahi Lobster Butter Sauce. Reservations recommended.

by Nicholas Gill 

The Refectory
1092 Bethel Road
Columbus, Ohio 43220
Northwest
614-451-9774

Longtime Chef Richard Blondin and The Refectory has been on the Columbus Dispatch’s Top Ten List every year since 1982. Its exquisite décor and food are matched by a manner that isn’t at all stuffy and they even encourage walk-ins. Their collection, which features more than 20,000 bottles of wine, have lead to a Wine Spectator Grand Award and a Best Award, as well as Four Diamonds from AAA. Blondin is a native of Lyon, France, and studied under chefs Pierre Orsi and Paul Bocuse. The classical French restaurant is set in an 1800’s church, with the main dining room being set amidst the beams and arched ceiling where congregations once were held. Dining here is almost a spiritual experience.

by Amy Cynkar
TIO PEPE
10 East Franklin Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Pepe’s intimate Spanish basement setting works extremely well with the restaurant’s regional Spanish cuisine, making it one the most popular, and on weekends, one of the most crowded spots in the city. Start off with a glass or two of their famous red or white fruit-infused sangria, followed shortly by the very flavorful Seafood Bisque. You won’t be disappointed with the tasty Paella a la Valenciana, a saffron-seasoned Spanish rice dish with chicken, veal, lobster, chorizo, shrimp, clams and mussels, followed by the popular pinenut cake roll for dessert. Tio Pepe is a great place to go when someone else is picking up the bill, and is often dubbed one of the best “special occasion” restaurants in Baltimore.

by Katharine Branham

THE FISH
309 Gray Street, Houston, TX 77019
The locals call it Fish in Midtown. The tables are all covered in black table cloths and red lights provide a unique ambience. There are plenty of booths to add a cozy feel. The service is excellent at the bar and table. Most favored Sushi is what ever is in season. The Sushi is flavorful. You can’t go wrong with anything here. The finger foods are excellent. Some favorites include spicy scallops, cucumber rolls, and fresh water eel. They have a great bar with lots of fun people. An oversized fish aquarium is the focal point. This is a Hollywood style Sushi stop that adds a classy touch to the already beautiful Midtown.

by Nicholas Gill

Nida’s Sushi
59 Spruce St
Columbus, OH 43215
It’s just a small collection of appliances and a bar that takes a form of a stall in the North Market. Surprisingly Nida’s is quite good though and is great for take out too. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the product and the craftsmanship. The selection is somewhat limited to standard maki and nigiri, and they will even sell you sushi grade fish and all other sorts of accessories.

GENKI
3188 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30035
(404) 844-8319
Despite its traditionally Japanese fare - including rice and noodle bowls as well as sushi - Genki is best if you usually order your sushi with extra ketchup. Ignore the small, tough nigiri and go for the most Americanized of the maki selections. Items like the super crunch, with cream cheese, avocado, salmon, remoulade and teriyaki sauce come off well, as do the broth-heavy noodle bowls. Don’t come here expecting authentic Japanese; do come here expecting a drum-and-base crowd, friendly service and a few hits in the food department.

by Amanda Knoles

AKI SUSHI BAR AND BAI PLU THAI RESTAURANT
1626 East Seventh Street
Long Beach, CA
(562) 436-8180

Located near Long Beach State University, this laid-back restaurant features a sushi bar with chefs who delight in creating off the menu specialties for patrons who can’t decide what to order. Fresh fish is served up in myriad sushi, sashimi and roll selections, and there’s an extensive list of Thai dishes for those who prefer vegetarian or cooked entrees. Deep fried whole fish is featured frequently as the house special. Happy Hour offers select rolls for $5 plus discounted beer, wine and sake.