Alright stop. If you happen to find yourself in Talkeetna, Alaska you are probably already pretty adventurous, in which case you don't need any advice from me. However, if you find your adventurous spirit hungry you would be a fool not to head over to Wildflower Cafe. It's right on the main drag in Talkeetna.
We stopped in one day because there was enticing outdoor seating. We went back the next 3 days because the food was unbelievable. In fact, I still dream about it.
The fish is bought fresh daily and you can tell. I am very picky when it comes to seafood, and it doesn't get any fresher than this. On day 1 I ordered the blackened salmon sandwich with aioli and house salad with homemade vinaigrette. Damn! The salmon was so tender that it flaked off in my mouth and it was perfectly seasoned. So fresh that there wasn't even a trace of what people like to call "fishiness," which, by the way, should never be present in fresh salmon. Even the mixed greens salad was so good that I wanted to eat my husband's. day 2 I ordered the crab cakes. YUM. Lump crab delicately mixed with scallion and mayo and lightly fried, served with grain mustard. Day 3 I tried the halibut sandwich. Prepared perfectly and equal to the salmon in every way except for flavor. The salmon was hands down the winner here. Local beers on tap and warm friendly service at Wildflower.
Oh, and the owner/chef used to be the personal chef to George Bush Sr., you know, the smart one.
Wildflower Cafe
Main Street
Talkeetna, AK
(you'll see it)
Sunday, March 22, 2015
KAZE
I have been to Kaze in Cincinnati a number of times, but it was during my lunch date with myself a few days ago that I realized just how much I enjoy this restaurant. Now, the key to understanding Kaze's success is to understand that downtown Cincinnati is experiencing a major upswing, and with any good city revival comes mass openings of establishments ranging from yummy to yucky. In an effort to grow the city quickly, many of these restaurants are missing the mark, or failing to capitalize on the late night crowd for example.
Kaze feels superb to me because as one of the first "new restaurants" in Over the Rhine, they have stuck to their swords and continue to deliver on their initial promise of quality food, exceptional service, a cleanly establishment, and most importantly…a late night menu!
The hostess was at her desk and welcomed me. I chose a seat at the sushi bar. She brought me water and an edamame amuse bouche…nice touch. David, my server was prompt. He let me know about the weekly Ramen special, which is available every Friday, and dropped off cocktail lists and menus.
Kaze offers an extensive beer and wine selection. There is a nice nod to local breweries like Madtree and Rhinegeist, as well as a bottle of Opus One…if you're feeling frisky. If sake is your thing, or if you're entertaining your in-laws for the first time and need to liven up the party a bit, they offer it by the bottle or glass. I stuck with a glass of Malbec, $10.
The sushi rolls are available as a full or half order, which makes sharing perfect. I ordered a half of the blackened salmon roll, with cucumber, avocado and tobiko, $8. The salmon was charred nicely and spicy without being overpowering. YUM! I also had a half OTR roll, with tuna, avocado, cucumber, scallion and ponzu, $8. It was very tasty, and Chef Hideki assembled them right in from of me, fun. If you go, please try the Brisket Buns. Thinly sliced bbq brisket with kimchi stuffed inside 2 sticky buns. $8. They are sweet and delectable.
If you go at night sit outside around an open fire pit, the perfect setting for late night chats with friends. Open T,W,TH,Su until 11pm. F,S until midnight. Closed on Mondays.
Kaze
1400 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.898.7991
Kaze feels superb to me because as one of the first "new restaurants" in Over the Rhine, they have stuck to their swords and continue to deliver on their initial promise of quality food, exceptional service, a cleanly establishment, and most importantly…a late night menu!
The hostess was at her desk and welcomed me. I chose a seat at the sushi bar. She brought me water and an edamame amuse bouche…nice touch. David, my server was prompt. He let me know about the weekly Ramen special, which is available every Friday, and dropped off cocktail lists and menus.
Kaze offers an extensive beer and wine selection. There is a nice nod to local breweries like Madtree and Rhinegeist, as well as a bottle of Opus One…if you're feeling frisky. If sake is your thing, or if you're entertaining your in-laws for the first time and need to liven up the party a bit, they offer it by the bottle or glass. I stuck with a glass of Malbec, $10.
The sushi rolls are available as a full or half order, which makes sharing perfect. I ordered a half of the blackened salmon roll, with cucumber, avocado and tobiko, $8. The salmon was charred nicely and spicy without being overpowering. YUM! I also had a half OTR roll, with tuna, avocado, cucumber, scallion and ponzu, $8. It was very tasty, and Chef Hideki assembled them right in from of me, fun. If you go, please try the Brisket Buns. Thinly sliced bbq brisket with kimchi stuffed inside 2 sticky buns. $8. They are sweet and delectable.
If you go at night sit outside around an open fire pit, the perfect setting for late night chats with friends. Open T,W,TH,Su until 11pm. F,S until midnight. Closed on Mondays.
Kaze
1400 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.898.7991
Welcome to my Food Blog
Hi there and welcome to my food blog! My intent here is to brag, wax, and gush about the delicious food I have had the privilege to taste and hopefully enjoy…but mostly to brag. My intent is not to destroy or tear down someone's work, as I believe that anyone with the cojones to get out there and create something beautiful should be encouraged to continue down that path.
Over are the days of slimy, quirky, jerky food critics who amass nothing but a following of people who are, unfortunately, not dining out to savor an experience, but rather to search for short comings. Ew.
I try to enjoy every meal I eat. I LOVE to eat! I am a non discriminating eater. I have raved about the burger at White House Tavern, db, and Steak and Shake. To me food is like a work of art, and I can't be told to like it, or to despise it. I like what I like, and my hope is that you will like what I like. Bon Appetit!
Kimberly
Over are the days of slimy, quirky, jerky food critics who amass nothing but a following of people who are, unfortunately, not dining out to savor an experience, but rather to search for short comings. Ew.
I try to enjoy every meal I eat. I LOVE to eat! I am a non discriminating eater. I have raved about the burger at White House Tavern, db, and Steak and Shake. To me food is like a work of art, and I can't be told to like it, or to despise it. I like what I like, and my hope is that you will like what I like. Bon Appetit!
Kimberly
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