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After experiencing wildly successful popularity last year for their Friday lunches, owner Rita Sturiale closed the cafe portion of this gift shop – café in roughly December to regroup. So it was delightful when The Sturiale Place reopened last month (May 2018) as warm and wonderful as ever for ambiance in the lovingly restored old house, hospitality, service and food. With a revised and bit expanded menu and a new young Chef in the kitchen, formerly Executive Chef at a Portland area McMenamins, this was a unique little gem before and the changes have polished it even brighter. Our first lunch after re-opening was as delightful as the others we enjoyed here last year (see my previous review for details). This time we enjoyed being able to try new menu items like green salad with Delicata squash and herbed goat cheese (half order $7.50), house made pappardelle with braised lamb Bolognese ($18) and mushroom Marsala on polenta ($13). As a great new surprise on the wine menu, manager Gina Sturiale (daughter of Rita) has added a really good white and red wine by the glass, like the nice Negroamaro my husband enjoyed, for as little as $5! The menu spans options from soup through appetizers and starter or main course sized salads through entrees to desserts. Prices range from $6 to $18. Total inside seating is limited to maybe 16 and maybe about that many on an outside deck. So this is not a place for big groups. It is likely not a kids’ destination either. As added treat they are now open on Thursday and Friday from 11 to 2 for lunch. And now reservations can be made via Open Table.

The Second Glass – Menu with Prices – 1540 S 2nd St Unit 110, Wilmington

My husband and I went to The Second Glass on a Friday night. This wine bar/ restaurant is located in the trendy South Front District. Hats off to the owners for preserving an old building. But, alas, the interior is devoid of old industrial charm. It has bright lighting and the kind of windows that one finds in new hotels.In fact, it looks like a restaurant that one would find in a hotel. There was some faint jazz in the background that added ambiance. The service was phenomenal. Our server was very friendly and attentive, stopping by to fill our glasses with the bottled water provided on the table. Wine is offered by the glass, half pours, and bottles, many of which were pricier than your average restaurant. I enjoyed a delicious Grenache and my husband had a beer. I guess we should have had “the second glass,” but maybe next time. We ordered the pimento cheese with pickles and warm water crackers. The cheese spread was on the mild side, but those pickles added zest. And, those house made crackers…..nicely salted and crunchy like nothing else that I have ever sampled. We also got the gnocchi, root vegetables, and mushrooms. Best gnocchi that I ever had. Imagine eating buttery, cloud-like pillows complimented by unctuous mushrooms, raw micro greens, and beet purée. You gotta try it! The Second Glass has vegan and vegetarian offerings as well as meatier plates. I look forward to attending their weekly wine tasting!

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard – Menu with Prices – 1010 Court St, Clearwater

So my family and I are waiting at the stoplight and we saw Rita’s and we decided why not let’s stop and try some after a long day at the beach. When we pulled up to the window the young lady that was serving us was so delightful. We ordered a strawberry shortcake milkshake, a chocolate milkshake, and an orange Rita’s ice cup. My family is very happy with the service and the quality of taste. Thank you ladies for such wonderful personalities and great service

Milad Betterday Kitchen – Menu with Prices – 905 W Alameda St, Santa Fe

Have the trout. OMG, one of the most interesting dishes I’ve had anywhere. Boneless, fresh, grilled, tender, seasoned by the heavenly gods of cuisine..& the rice – OMG who knew rice good be like this?! My dining experience was unique. My intent was to eat on their sweet patio with my book & my dog while my husband stayed in to watch Friday night PBS. However, the patio was fully booked so I ordered take away. Not wanting to waste my precious Canyon Road moments, I ordered a glass of wine so I could perch on a spare chair in the corner while I waited for my dinner. The server was super – I asked for something white & bright, & he said I got just the thing & quickly served me a delightful glass of Moschofilero – a Greek wine I’ve been meaning to try. As serendipity happens, a conversation sprung up between me & the woman dining with her husband nearby. Long after my dinner was bagged, we finally finished our delightful exchange.The star I docked is for the rest of the staff. I felt like I was an unwelcome intrusion. To be fair, my friendly pup visited a few folks, but I’m wise enough to ensure she doesn’t bother those who seem reluctant. In dog enthusiastic Santa Fe, we’ve always felt welcomed elsewhere. Or maybe they just didn’t like me;) However, when we return, I’ll put Milad high on the list. I got home with a rather cool dish in a dreaded take away container…and it rocked my socks. Can’t wait to dine in:)

The Broadway Wine Merchants – Menu with Prices – 17 Oakway Center, Eugene

I really enjoyed this neighborhood wine bar! I pass this spot every day and finally decided it was time to give it a try. While I didn’t get to the food (which looked pretty enticing with charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and other finger foods) the wine was excellent! The staff were extremely helpful in helping us decide on a glass, and there was quite a selection of house wines and other specials to try. There is also a wine store within where you can buy a bottle to take home (mostly upper end on pricing, but there is also quite the $10 selection as well) or they will open it for you there for a $5 corking fee. It is a nice, intimate space with Sunday mimosas and brunches, a T.V with the game on, and a great place for conversation. There are also tables outside to sit and watch the Oakway passerby! They also have a wine club and always seems to have events going on.

MariaD’anna cafe – Menu with Prices – 300 Tamiami Trail North, Trinity Plaza-corner of 3rd ave north, Naples

Entering, you transition from busy 9th St S to a tranquil tastefully decorated place. Basic white with touches of blue and yellow. Between the decor and the soft background music you start to relax immediately. We enjoyed a glass of wine while we perused the menu. For starters my wife ordered the mushroom soup and I ordered a salad. After we ordered we were served a Chef’s gift of Potato salad that got your palette ready to enjoy some new flavors. My wife said the soup was the best she has had. The salad comes in small or large. I am glad I ordered the small, if I had the large I wouldn’t be able to eat anything else. The salad was a work of art and truly remarkable. Our appetizers were accompanied by fresh house made bread Nina followed up with the Polish Pierogis. I was surprised because she had never had a Pierogis before, she loved them. I had the Pork tenderloin cutlet. It was lightly breaded and tender, accompanied by mashed potato, crispy onion and a small serving of Hunters Stew, all excellent. Nina finished up with an Espresso and Creme Brûlée, while I finished our bottle of wine. A great dinning experience. Farm to table ingredients expertly prepared and served. We will return. PS.The owner/operators, Maria and her husband are delightful people.

Armada Wine & Beer Merchant – Menu with Prices – 1129A State St, Santa Barbara

Stumbled upon this wine bar on my bday looking for a drink and something small to eat before dinner. I was greeted by one of the owners w/ a warm smile that welcomed me and my husband to the bar and made us feel like old time friends. I had a great roseâ?? and my husband had a red. Their prices are extremely reasonable considering the Santa Barbara area. They definitely have a focus on 8-12$ wine by the glass w/ happy hour offering wine at 6.50 a glass! Itâ??s always nice to save some money on wine however these gals that own the place make you feel like a friend not just a customer. Itâ??s obvious they are loved by many. Most of the bar is surrounded by locals who patron them daily (I know this b/c Iâ??ve been here multiple times in two week #mudslide) Thatâ??s what makes it a very cool wine bar… kinda like cheers but most patrons younger than 50. If you are visiting SB this is a must stop for wine! Iâ??ll be back for sure! Thanks for the hospitality Jamie & Tucker you guys a awesome!

Vitale, Spa Café – Menu with Prices – 4012 Central Florida Pkwy, Orlando

Milestone birthday spa day. Went to the cafe for lunch. At first glance e it doesnt look like much but it was delightful. We ordered the lettuce wraps to start. I couldn’t decide between two dishes. The winning choice was the blue crab salad and omg it was on point. Fresh lump blue crab and a good portion too. Top that with Alvacado and lots of other yumminess plus a champagne vinaigrette dressing. I was full! Fiance ordered their burger and he said it truly was one of the best burgers. Very good portion and tender. I enjoyed a glass of wine with my salad. You can sit inside or outside OR lounge by the pool and have it brought to you. I am very happy that we went. Also so glad that this place is 5 minutes from the house. I may be in trouble now that I know what delicious goodness awaits.

Porterhouse Steak and Seafood – Menu with Prices – 189 E Kings Hwy, Shreveport

This restaurant is new to the city, however the restaurant is owned and operated by a seasoned chef. There’s not ONE item I have tried that has disappointed me. The dessert prepared by their in-house pastry chef is one of a kind. Though fries are a simple side, Porterhouse’s hand-cut fries are simply amazing!! They’re open Saturday and Sunday for brunch (also very tasty). Not to mention, Porterhouse has daily $10 lunch specials Monday- Friday. The low lit restaurant is perfect for a romantic evening or a quick lunch. If you’re pressed for time during the work day, you can guaranteed your food will be out promptly and FRESH. To all the non meat eaters: his sautéed veggies are highly impressive therefore you don’t need a steak!! There’s nothing Chef Wil can’t do. Ask for the barbecue shrimp and tell him Jori sent you ? The staff is amazingly attentive and they aim to please. Every visit deserves 5 stars. Every visit earns 5 stars!

bouchon Santa Barbara – Menu with Prices – 9 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara

This is the restaurant to stop by if you’re ever in the Santa Barbara area. Came here on a Friday night and you can make reservations online through open table to save your spot so you don’t have to wait, although there were a few open tables when we got there (around 7:00 pm). They have a small and simple menu but their wine selection was huge. I usually don’t drink wine so I had no idea what to choose, but the server recommended some wine to us and it was amazingg. I wish I took a picture of the name but you can ask what you like (sweet, bitter, white or red wine) and I’m sure you’ll love what they recommend. They give you a sampler to make sure you like it before getting a whole glass (or bottle) of the wine. We got the Dungeness crab cake and I definitely recommend this for your appetizer. Although it is kind of pricey for one crab cake, it literally melts in your mouth and your taste buds are just exploding from the flavors and sauces all mixing together. If it weren’t for the price, I would have ordered more because of how good it was. For entrees we got the duck entree which has been on their menu for the longest and the wagyu steak. Both are very delicious, if you like duck and are willing to try it I would definitely recommend it. There’s an inside dining area and a small patio area for you to dine. We opted for the patio area which was super cozy and the weather was nice. The host/servers there were even sweet enough to put a card with the chef’s signatures on our table with rose petals around it after telling them it was my boyfriend’s birthday! They put his name so it felt even more specialized so that was really nice. Overall the experience ane atmosphere was very pleasant and the servers and host were accommodating and friendly. If I were ever in the area again, I would definitely come back here.

Défi Cuisine Corp. – Menu with Prices – 208 W Water St, Syracuse

Defi is a gem–by far the best restaurant I’ve been to in Syracuse! The food is delicious, expertly prepared, and beautifully presented. They use fresh local ingredients and the menu changes weekly. We chose the 5-course fixed-price menu, but there are also a la carte options. Our dinner included tarts with goat cheese, peas, lemon and micro greens; incredibly tender rolled pork loin stuffed with sausage with coarse mustard; beets and tuna tartare on a lemon emulsion; roast duck legs with stew vegetables and sauce over savory gnocchi (which is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted); and a crepe wrapped around sweetened house-made ricotta for dessert. We ordered the wine pairings for first four courses, and they were delicious. A co-owner is a grade 3 sommelier, which I think means that he knows a lot about wines from around the world and has exceptionally good taste. The wines were extraordinary and a bargain at $7/glass. We didn’t order a mixed drink, but a person nearby ordered one that looked delicious. The waiter/bartender talked about how he made the drink; he seemed just as invested in creating delicious cocktails as the chef was in preparing sublime food. We sat at the counter, which gave us a chance to chat with our waiter, the chef, and the sommelier. It was a delightful experience and I can’t wait to go back.

Mariscos El Culichi – Menu with Prices – 2901 W Expy 83, McAllen

We went to check this place out because we heard it was a good place for food and entertainment. We were not disappointed with the entertainment because it was good and we enjoyed it. However they gave us a drink menu which contained numerous wine selections on it. My wife loves wine so she ordered a glass. After about 15 minutes waiting for it she finally got it. When it was time for her to order another one they brought it back and my wife immediately noticed it had been watered down. When I finally found the waiter and told him about it he said there is no way they would water it down. So I asked him to go ahead and just bring her another glass. He left and came back and said they had ran out… so it made my wifeâ??s claim pretty substantial. Even then we tried to give this place the benefit of the doubt and my wife ordered a different wine from the menu. The waiter came back and said they had absolutely no wine but that they had beer. I like beer and thatâ??s not an issue but why provide a wine menu if they donâ??t have the wine and are willing to add water just to Make a glass. Ridiculous place because of that.

Laporta’s Restaurant Menu with Prices 1600 Duke St, Alexandria

This was next to our hotel and had decent reviews, so we booked a table to avoid walking further on a very hot week-end. The restaurant at 6:30 pm seemed a little dirty; the bases of the tables and window sills on the glass doors were dirty. We must have had a new waiter; he never brought us bread, asked when we were almost finished eating if our food was ok, and asked if we were ready for dessert although we obviously had food on our plates that we were still eating. For wine he gave us by the glass menus, and when my husband asked him for the more extensive wine list he said the very limited menu by the glass was all they had,we had to ask about all the wine bottles in the restaurant for him to remember they had a larger by the bottle wine list. The food was decent, presentation was nice. Although our waiter knew we are having dessert, he seemed to forget, had we finished our wine we would have skipped dessert. The Jazz was very nice until their vocalist joined in, ruined the ambiance of the bass and pianist. So we were disappointed in our restaurant choice. Too bad, they tried but need some help.