The Mirage Mediterranean Bar & Grill This new downtown restaurant featuring Turkish–inspired cuisine has the potential to be an oasis – but not without some changes in the kitchen. I […]
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Posted inFood & Drink
Nothing fuzzy about Fuzzy’s vodka
With spring comes the inevitable pollen crush – and a steady stream of new products. Here are a pair from the past week: Fuzzy Zoeller Vodka While the name of […]
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Random bites: Sugar Daddy’s
Sugar Daddy’s Wine & Food Bar I’ve been into this downtown newcomer a half dozen times, scoring a delicious small plate and glass of wine as an appetizer before heading […]
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Random bites: Cilantro’s, McDonald’s hoopla
Cilantro’s Mexican Cantina and Grill This new location of an old favorite has taken a definite step up in new digs located on Bay Street between Ruth’s Chris Steak House […]
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Moa better beers
Many exotic critters are native to the Down Under nations of Australia and New Zealand. These animal oddities — koala bears, kangaroos, penguins — crop up on wine labels to […]
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Seductive Saracina
The label “Saracina” may not be a household name, but if I mention “Fetzer,” most wine drinkers would recognize the name. But the Fetzer family, particularly former CEO John Fetzer, […]
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Random bites: Bayou Cafe, Mirage, Cilantro’s
Bayou Cafe I have high expectations when I see Cajun food on a menu,. After all, it’s a cuisine built around integrity, tradition and freshness. That’s not what I found […]
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Kao and a schizophrenic Foodie!
Kao Thai Cuisine The best sweet and sour chicken I ever tasted was prepared at a Szechuan Chinese joint in, of all places, New Orleans. Since then, I’ve looked long […]
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Learning to like LIOCO
Among the new class of wine makers are upstarts who eschew the expense of vineyards, fancy tasting facilities and big payrolls. Instead, these newcomers settle into readily available warehouses and […]
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Random bites: Rancho Alegre’s new location
Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant This little southside restaurant has been, without question, one of my favorite destinations for great value and excellent food. Now, a second, larger and squeaky clean […]
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Release the kraken!
Yeah, you’ve got more to do on St. Patrick’s Day than read my column. But hey, you might be reading this while you wait for the parade to begin. That […]
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Random bites: Firefly Cafe, Vic’s wine dinner
Firefly Cafe During the brief respite from cold weather last week, I went al fresco and stopped by Troup Square’s Firefly Cafe for a quick, quiet lunch. I was tempted […]