740 replies to this topic

[f0xym0p]

Has anyone been to the Philosopher's Stone? It replaced Bayou Kitchen on 7th Street in Elizabeth. I'm not quite sure if it is a full restaurant or just a bar.

[fulcrumsf]

f0xym0p, on Jul 7 2005, 09:42 AM, said:

Has anyone been to the Philosopher's Stone? It replaced Bayou Kitchen on 7th Street in Elizabeth. I'm not quite sure if it is a full restaurant or just a bar.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I've been there, the food is good for bar food, and the service is ten times better than the Bayou Kitchen was. I always had horrible service when it was the Bayou Kitchen.

[f0xym0p]

fulcrumsf, on Jul 7 2005, 12:02 PM, said:

Yeah I've been there, the food is good for bar food, and the service is ten times better than the Bayou Kitchen was. I always had horrible service when it was the Bayou Kitchen.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What kind of food is it?
I went to Bayou Kitchen and I thought it was good and I liked the casual atmosphere, but it was priced too high for what I got and our service was awful, too.

It looks like this new place is doing well as everytime I go by there are a lot of people out on the patio.  Maybe I'll give it a try this weekend.

[jb4563]

I'm tired of all these anti-chain snobs...

McComick and Schmicks is wonderful!

[fulcrumsf]

f0xym0p, on Jul 7 2005, 12:11 PM, said:

What kind of food is it?
I went to Bayou Kitchen and I thought it was good and I liked the casual atmosphere, but it was priced too high for what I got and our service was awful, too.

It looks like this new place is doing well as everytime I go by there are a lot of people out on the patio.  Maybe I'll give it a try this weekend.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Typical bar food, I had the Rebuen with fries I think, and we had stufffed peppers for an appetizer, Some of my friends had the Philly Cheese Steaks and I think a Chicken Cordon Bleu. The food I thought was similar to Jack Mason's.

[Miesian Corners]

jb4563, on Jul 7 2005, 05:47 PM, said:

I'm tired of all these anti-chain snobs...

McComick and Schmicks is wonderful!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nah, it's ok, but I'd say wonderful is pushing it.  I do appreciate their el cheapo happy hour bar food.  You just can't beat a half-pound cheeseburger and fries for $1.95.  There are several U.P. posters who can vouch for me on this one (you know who you are).

[dubone]

Miesian Corners, on Jul 7 2005, 07:48 PM, said:

Nah, it's ok, but I'd say wonderful is pushing it.  I do appreciate their el cheapo happy hour bar food.  You just can't beat a half-pound cheeseburger and fries for $1.95.  There are several U.P. posters who can vouch for me on this one (you know who you are).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

all i can say is that i ate there for the first time tonight.   it was one of the best seafood dishes i have ever had.  the restaurant was packed, which has to be good for downtown pedetrian activity and nightlife.

i dunno about a 2 buck cheeseburger... but my 20 buck grouper was damn good.

[Miesian Corners]

dubone, on Jul 7 2005, 10:18 PM, said:

i dunno about a 2 buck cheeseburger... but my 20 buck grouper was damn good.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...snob comes out...I like Aquavina better.  Gotta admit M&S is good, but can't help myself when it comes to handing over the hard earned cash.  I like it to go to a locally owned eatery.  Kinda like keeping it in the family.

[f0xym0p]

$1.95?!? When exactly is happy hour?

[UptownGrrl]

f0xym0p, on Jul 8 2005, 08:52 AM, said:

$1.95?!? When exactly is happy hour?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But, don't forget the two drink minimum...

[dubone]

Miesian Corners, on Jul 7 2005, 08:36 PM, said:

...snob comes out...I like Aquavina better.  Gotta admit M&S is good, but can't help myself when it comes to handing over the hard earned cash.  I like it to go to a locally owned eatery.  Kinda like keeping it in the family.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i haven't tried aquavina yet.  we walked around after dinner last night and saw some places we intend to go this summer.  aquavina was one of them... but with you recommendation, we'll bump that to the top of the list.

I noticed tables in the old ratcliffe building, but it was empty and closed.  was that a restaurant recently?

[UptownGrrl]

dubone, on Jul 8 2005, 09:09 AM, said:

I noticed tables in the old ratcliffe building, but it was empty and closed.  was that a restaurant recently?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Was that Ratcliffe on the Green - formerly Irish Blessings? Ratcliffe on the Green is the same group that runs Bonterra in Dilworth. Wonder why it was closed?? It hasn't been open very long. Irish Blessings didn't last long in that space though. Sort of an awkward space for a restaurant. And, always really pricey given the small size and location.

[fulcrumsf]

UptownGrrl, on Jul 8 2005, 10:18 AM, said:

Was that Ratcliffe on the Green - formerly Irish Blessings? Ratcliffe on the Green is the same group that runs Bonterra in Dilworth. Wonder why it was closed?? It hasn't been open very long. Irish Blessings didn't last long in that space though. Sort of an awkward space for a restaurant. And, always really pricey given the small size and location.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes it used to be Irish Blessings, that location doesn't really provide any parking solutions for the clientel that would normally eat there. It also doesn't have much residental or nightlife foot traffic on that side of Tryon yet which doesn't help.

Aquavina located on the other side of the Green is more vissible on College and also has a valet service, which helps out a lot Im sure. And Fuel gets alot of the daytime traffic.

Edited by fulcrumsf, 08 July 2005 - 10:19 AM.

[monsoon]

I had dinner at the Dilworth Shomars (east blvd) last night with a bunch of people.  I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of food, service and the very reasonable prices.  Its probably why it was the only restaurant that was completely packed with people while the rest on the street were almost empty in comparison.

[dubone]

shomars is an interesting phenomenon.  it is pretty popular at quite a few of their locations.

their "show me showmars" line in their tv ads is one of those that sticks in the brain for hours and you have to purge it somehow.   maybe that is why their so popular.

i think a lot of the restaurants on that stretch of east blvd stay busy... cantina, city tavern, brixx, [and non-local chains like outback and moe's], etc.

[Mobuchu]

This isn't very new (little over a year I think), but Arpa at the bottom of Interstate tower has great Spanish food.  They are actually moving to where Sonoma's was at Trade and Church and will open there early August.  Going from about 40 seats to 160 in the new location.  The old one will still remain for catering parties I think and Sonoma is gone.  Give it a try if you get the chance.

On the BBQ note: I dont know how this compares to other places mentioned earlier in the thread, but Harpers in South Park (owned by same company as Arpa) has some Great BBQ.  I tried it last week and will be very impressed if the other restaurants taste better then Harpers...

[f0xym0p]

monsoon, on Jul 8 2005, 12:35 PM, said:

I had dinner at the Dilworth Shomars (east blvd) last night with a bunch of people.  I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of food, service and the very reasonable prices.  Its probably why it was the only restaurant that was completely packed with people while the rest on the street were almost empty in comparison.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have never been to that location, but I noticed from an ad that they have vegetables and table service at night. I don't believe any of the other locations have that.

[Miesian Corners]

UptownGrrl, on Jul 8 2005, 10:03 AM, said:

But, don't forget the two drink minimum...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, grrl, there is no minimum.  On second thought maybe there is, but I've yet to visit and have less than 2 drinks.  Happy Hour is from 5 to 6:30.  Oysters, wings, salmon patties, shrimp quesadillas.  All $1.95.  For those out SouthPark way, they do it there too.  And although I've not tried it, I hear Sullivan's in South End has a similar deal for happy hour.

dubone, I think you'll enjoy Aquavina.  It's owned by Stefan LaTorres (also owner of LaTorres on 5th St).  Got some wild artwork.  The wall mural was misunderstood by many when the place first opened, so it was "touched-up".  Let's just say it looked anatomically "masculine".  Rest assured, you may now have dinner there and not look at a giant set of...  

I had lunch at Ratcliffe just last week, so maybe they closed for the week of the 4th.  Lunch was great and the portions were huge.

Showmars is always a great standby.   I'm especially fond of flounder night (and I am gaining the weight to prove it).  I wish the one on East Blvd served breakfast like the one on 7th Street, though.  They have a great cheap breakfast.

[fulcrumsf]

I just at at this place called NoFo located next door to The Visulite Theater on Elizabeth. Although I believe this place used to be located on Hawthorne somewhere, I have never eaten at it's previous location. NoFo is like a giftstore/bar/resturant. They have a $1 menu item everyday from 5:00pm-6:30pm. When I got there I had just missed the $1 specials. We ordered the Calimari, Southwest Springrolls an Scallops as our appetizers. The Calimari was great, lightly breaded deep fried, tossed with capers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, lemon, parmesan and olives -$8.50. Southwest Springrolls served with creamy cucumber salsa & spicy garlic sauce - 8.50 Full order, half order - 4.75. I highly recomend getting their Peanut-sesame-soy sauce for dipping. And the Scallops were pan seared served with spinach in a light olive oil -$8.50. But we only got 3 scallops.

I realy liked this place and recomend it to anyone. Servings were smaller on  some of the appitizers like the Scallops, but more plentyfull on the Southwest Springrolls and the Calimari. The atmosphere was a little trendy but the prices were not too bad. And the service was good.

You can view their menu at www.nofo.com

[f0xym0p]

Yeah, I went there for brunch on Sunday. I thought it was delicious and reasonably priced. Their menu is kind of small, but they have daily specials and variations. The decor is very cute and artsy-trendy and they have a store attached with all kinds of neat things, including some gourmet food items and treats for your dog or cat. I think it will go along great with the Elizabeth Ave redevelopment.