Kudos to Italian Village Chicago, IL

I was once again in Chicago and needing a good meal, went to the oldest Italian restaurant in the city.   It is three restaurants on three floors.  Very charming with good food to match.  The portions are huge and everything that came out of the kitchen looked better than the next.

The best part of a wonderful young waitress with a Russian accent, she was the best.  She is a 10 in service, from her smile to us asking all sorts of questions about the food, she is what makes Chicago food servers rate so high in my book.

Next trip I will be back.

On my watch list for Wild Tunas Phoenix, AZ

After my wild about Wild Tuna blog where I was a raving fan, I went back to see what else I could find that was going to wow me again.  Well.. after the waitress spilled her tray and soaked the booth right next to us and then proceeded to swear in front of me and my family, served the wrong beer I thought we were off to a terrible start.

She did gain her composure, said she was sorry, but the magic I was hoping for never appeared as it did the first time.  The sushi was good, just was not made with the same care that I saw during my first visit.  The sushi was not all sliced the same size, the pieces were not evenly rolled.  It was just an off night for their entire team. They are now serving lunch and will have to see if that will once again wow me.

Not terrible, just was not able to be consistently good.  But I will try them again.

Kudos to Chompies at PV mall in Phoenix AZ

We went to Chompies at PV Mall for fathers day.  It was packed, but got us in, in less than half hour.  The food was great, if not better than any other time we have been.  The chopped liver, corned beef and potato knish are all the best. Double yum. yum

The half sour pickles and a Dr Brown soda, spending time with my dad. Ah the good times.

Blah to RA restaurant at Kierland in Scottsdale, AZ

We went for lunch, the decor is great. We had high hopes.  Ordered the bento boxes, grilled salmon and shrimp tempera,  they both arrived cold, and limp.  Try two was better but not great.  Would go back to Wild Tuna before a repeat to RA.  The food had very bland taste.  The sushi, Viva Las Vegas, at the next table looked good, but was not impressed with the bento box lunch we had.

Kudos to Matt the manager at the Claim Jumper at Deer Valley AZ.

Claim Jumper was out next stop for dinner  and the place was hopping. The pear salad was excellent and the soup was very good.  The steak came cold and underdone.  The rating was not headed in a good direction.  But the training in customer service came through and right away Matt the manager came by, wisked it away, brought a new one, stayed until we tasted.  Then offered a free desert to the problems.  Bravo…. Big Kudo to exceeding expectations.

We will be back.  They have raised there prices, so they are getting on the pricey side.

Kudos to L’Amore on Lincoln drive on Phoenix, AZ

It is a nice Italian restaurant, like back east style.  Great bread, crisp salads, the pasta dishes are excellent, the sauces light and plate licking good.  This is a local gem used by all the regulars that are greeted by the owner by name.

Even the lunch menu and service is top notch.  Hard to find really good lunch places here in town these days.  They also have a nice patio area and an old time bar area that people actually come to eat at the bar.

On my return soon list.  Kudos to L’amore Italian done right.

Blah  to McGraths Fish house in N Scottsdale

It was just blah. I had great hopes for the N Scottsdale location.  Entering the restaurant was almost empty, hum … but the place looked great.  Service was average.  I had to find the front desk person to seat us.

The clam chowder was ho hum, the fried oysters were good but not outstanding, we also ordered the salmon. OK  it was not bad, just not interesting, or have that yum factor.

So over all an OK but blah average dinner and it was a lot of money….so not on my must return list.

Continued Kudos to Valle Luna restaurant on Cave Creek Rd in Phoenix, AZ

Valle Luna is our old tried and true Mexican restaurant and as much as we have tried many others, we still come back time and time again to Valle Luna.  There is just something about the place that makes you feel like a your favorite local tavern or place the family can kick back have really good Mexican food and still get out for $50 bucks.

The chimichangas and their sizzling skillets are tops. The plates are over sized and the chips and salsa are delish.  The kids menu is very good.  The drinks are well made.

Over all a night our at Valle Luna is a family favorite

Kudos to Basis in Phoenix, 7th st and Thunderbird

Basis is the kind of local gem that we all hope to have in our neighborhood.  It is in a non descript strip mall with a Safeway. Don’t let that turn you off.  The transformation starts when you enter the door.  The decor is pleasing and upscale. It is a bustling bistro that serves excellent food and wine. 

My preferred business dinner local or a nice dinner out.  I have never been disappointed.  Sort of California cuisine meets the southwest flavors. Sort of on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for.

Kudos to Acura of North Scottsdale. 

After spending the last few weeks looking for a car at various dealerships, my hat goes off to my sales person Richard S at Acura North Scottsdale.  He definitely gets a kudo by himself in my book.  He was the perfect blend of professionalism with a very nice approach. Highly recommend due to my experience with him.

I also want to give a kudo to his sales manager Ray S.  He did a great job in the negotiation and bringing this to a successful close.  So I told him I was impressed enough to spread the word, he expected me to say 4 or 5 people, I said to at least 20 people.  I don’t think he understood that I am a blogger and can really spread the word far past the typical word of mouth.  So If you car looking to buy a Acura see Ray and tell him you were referred by the woman who “spreads” the word around.  Inside joke.  I bet he will drop $250 off  or more off the price for your best deal.    Ah the power of the Internet.

Kudos for an excellent buying process Acura of North Scottsdale.