Category Archives: Truffle

May 17, 2010
12:14 AM
by: Uhockey

The Inn at Little Washington, Washington VA

I wanted a special restaurant to celebrate with the entire family – something classic, somewhere classy, someplace where the four of us could sit back, eat great food, and be taken care of as we celebrated mom’s birthday, my completion … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Bread Pudding, Dessert, Foie, Food, Lobster, Pork, The Inn at Little Washington, Truffle, Vacation, Virginia, Washington

May 15, 2010
11:30 PM
by: Uhockey

Vidalia 24, Washington DC

…I’ll admit it, when I was originally planning my trip to Washington DC Vidalia was not on my dinner list – it was penciled in as a potential lunch. Of course I’d heard of RJ Cooper – a Beard Award … Continue reading →

Posted in DC, Foie, French Toast, Ice Cream, Pork, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Vidalia, Vidalia 24, Washington

April 8, 2010
10:47 PM
by: Uhockey

Forest Grill, Birmingham MI

Planning my trip to Michigan not only to see the Frozen Four but also to celebrate my mother and aunt’s respective birthdays I knew I wanted to take them somewhere special – I considered The Lark, Coach Insignia, The Michael … Continue reading →

Posted in Birmingham, Bread Basket, Bread Pudding, Dessert, Detroit, Foie, Food, Forest Grill, Gnocchi, Ice Cream, Michigan, Pork, Sweetbreads, Truffle, Vacation

February 19, 2010
4:54 AM
by: Uhockey

Vie, Western Springs IL

For the last meal of my vacation I volunteered to take my aunt someplace nice – we’d originally planned on Graham Elliot but their seasonal menu change left little to my Aunt’s liking and as such a change was needed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Coffee, Dessert, Foie, Food, Gnocchi, Illinois, Pork, Truffle, Vacation, Vie, Western Springs

February 18, 2010
1:17 AM
by: Uhockey

Alinea [2] Chicago IL

When I first ate at Alinea on August the 1st 2009 I stated it was the best dining experience of my life (http://uhockey.blogspot.com/2009/08/alinea-chicago-il.html), trumping an extended tasting at The French Laundry that cost twice the price…I knew at some point … Continue reading →

Posted in Alinea, Chicago, Coffee, Dessert, Foie, Food, Ice Cream, Illinois, Octopus, Pork, Tasting Menu, Truffle

February 17, 2010
3:31 AM
by: Uhockey

Restaurant August, New Orleans LA

Great parades, great people, amazing food – really, the most “fun” I’ve had on a trip in the past year…and to cap off a wonderful visit to New Orleans I wanted to do something special – to go out on … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Coffee, Crab, Dessert, Foie, Gnocchi, Louisiana, New Orleans, Restaurant August, Sweetbreads, Truffle, Vacation

January 2, 2010
3:42 AM
by: Uhockey

Sweet Revenge and Casa Mono, New York NY

Walking around the Bowery, SoHo, and then Tribeca after my meal at Ko I was surprised how many places had closed up their doors for New Years Day – the CBGB John Varvatos Store, 95% of the galleries, many restaurants … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Bread Pudding, Casa Mono, cupcakes, Dessert, Foie, Food, New York, Sweet Revenge, Sweetbreads, Truffle, Vacation

January 1, 2010
8:43 PM
by: Uhockey

Momofuku Ko, New York NY

On 12/19/09 I did it – I scored THE hottest reservation in New York City. I was post-call and groggy from a 30-hour shift, I clicked, and there was a little green checkmark for one – the 12:10 seating at … Continue reading →

Posted in Dessert, Foie, Food, Lobster, Momofuku Ko, New York, Pork, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Vacation

January 1, 2010
1:50 AM
by: Uhockey

Picholine, New York NY

I realize it is widely known that New Years Eve is second only to perhaps Valentine’s Day as the worst day for an gastronome to go out to eat – rushed service, inflated prices, servers who would rather be out … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Dessert, Foie, Lobster, New York, Picholine, Tasting Menu, Tiramisu, Truffle, Vacation

December 30, 2009
10:35 PM
by: Uhockey

Per Se, New York NY

…in traditional fashion I had planned far in advance – having always wanted to experience the madness of New York City at New Years I booked my plane tickets in late September and had arranged to stay with my friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Coffee, Dessert, Foie, Ice Cream, Lobster, New York, Per Se, Sweetbreads, Tasting Menu, Tiramisu, Truffle

November 8, 2009
5:30 PM
by: Uhockey

Conviction, Toronto ON Canada

Present in many incarnations since debuting in 2005 as a Bakery and Bistro, Marc Thuet really doesn’t need much of an introduction in Toronto’s dining scene. Classically trained, uniquely creative, and often cited as a master of complex flavors, Thuet’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Pudding, Breakfast, Canada, Conviction, Dessert, Foie, Food, French Toast, Pork, Sweetbreads, Toronto, Truffle, Vacation

September 24, 2009
11:13 PM
by: Uhockey

Restaurant Guy Savoy, Las Vegas NV

In September of 2008 I had reservations for dinner at Guy Savoy. At the time the menu seemed extravagant and the restaurant appeared to be a perfect way to cap off a great visit to Las Vegas – unfortunately some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Dessert, Foie, Las Vegas, Macaroon, Nevada, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Sweetbreads, Truffle, Vacation

September 23, 2009
11:31 PM
by: Uhockey

Joel Robuchon at the Mansion, Las Vegas NV

Opulent, over the top, indulgent – take your pick of these and any hundred other adjectives to describe “The Chef of the Century,” Joel Robuchon. At $385 a head Mr. Robuchon’s American flagship represents the ultimate in excess in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Buttercake, Coffee, Crab, Dessert, Foie, Food, Ice Cream, Joel Robuchon, Las Vegas, Lobster, Macaroon, Nevada, Octopus, Pork, The Mansion, Truffle, Vacation

September 11, 2009
10:41 PM
by: Uhockey

L2o, Chicago IL

An obvious fan of food blogs, French chefs, and seafood I will fully admit that I’ve been a stalker of Chef Laurent Gras’ L2O Blog and Facebook page since shortly after the restaurant actually opened for business – hype, smart … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Chicago, Croissant, Dessert, Foie, Food, Ice Cream, Illinois, L2o, Lobster, Macaroon, Pork, Souffle, Sushi, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Vacation

August 2, 2009
12:37 AM
by: Uhockey

Alinea, Chicago IL

Greatness comes in degrees, especially in dining – what is great to one may taste ‘fishy’ or ‘bland’ to another; words like “challenging,” “avant garde,” and “evolutionary,” however, are far less open to interpretation are palate. Having experienced refined “greatness” … Continue reading →

Posted in Alinea, Bread Basket, Chicago, Coffee, Dessert, Foie, Food, Grill, Ice Cream, Illinois, Pork, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Vacation

July 31, 2009
11:15 PM
by: Uhockey

Spiaggia, Chicago IL

I’d almost given up on “haute Italian” before my May trip to New York. After less-than-amazing experience for excessive prices at Valentino, La Botte, and Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles/Santa Monica and vastly better quantity/quality experiences at “mid-range” Italian places … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Chicago, Crab, Dessert, Food, Gnocchi, Ice Cream, Illinois, Italian, Lobster, Octopus, Pork, Spiaggia, Tiramisu, Truffle

July 31, 2009
4:27 PM
by: Uhockey

Hot Doug’s, The Art of Pizza, Vanille Patisserie, Chicago IL

While the “Chicago Steakhouse” holds some significance, ask most persons what they think of when they hear the phrase “Chicago Style” and you get pizza and hot dogs or hot dogs and pizza – simple “common” American comfort foods served … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Croissant, Dessert, Foie, Food, Hot Doug's, Illinois, Italian, Macaroon, Pizza, Pork, The Art of Pizza, Truffle, Vacation, Vanille Patisserie

May 18, 2009
4:30 PM
by: Uhockey

Le Bernardin, New York NY

Having had my first “Michelin Three Star” experience at the famed French Laundry in February – further enhanced by a requested extended tasting menu specially prepared by Chef Lee himself – I was thrilled to find out that reservations at … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, Crab, Dessert, Foie, Food, Le Bernardin, Lobster, Madeline, New York, Truffle, Vacation

May 3, 2009
1:03 AM
by: Uhockey

The Dining Room, San Francisco CA

Chef Ron Siegel needs no introduction – from his time at Aqua to Charles Nob Hill to The French Laundry to his fame as the first American winner on Iron Chef – the man clearly knows his way around a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, California, Dessert, Foie, Food, Ice Cream, Lobster, Ritz, San Francisco, Sushi, Tasting Menu, The Dining Room, Truffle, Vacation

April 30, 2009
11:34 PM
by: Uhockey

Manresa, Los Gatos CA

Due to his recent appearance on Iron Chef and Manresa’s recent appearance on the list of the 100 best restaurants in the world, David Kinch needs no introduction – a Californian chef from California with training that runs through some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bread Basket, California, Dessert, Foie, Food, Los Gatos, Madeline, Manresa, Octopus, Sushi, Tasting Menu, Truffle, Vacation