Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group - Hennepin Ave - Minneapolis, MN

When ever Parsasole decides to come out with a new restaurant, I'd be a fool not to try it. This unique and trendy hot spot is located in uptown, of course. With a modern diner vibe, this place has a scene to be seen. The entry way from the Calhoun Square entrance is decorated with bold colored lunch trays from back in the day, resembling Lego's in my opinion. The food was delicious and the prices were appropriate. I would love to return sometime for their Sunday Brunch.

      Pictured Above: Lunch tray entrance hallway, central dining room (vita.mn), condiments for the table, southwest veggie burger, turkey club
        For full menu visit: Uptown Cafeteria's Website

• Cuisine: American, Brunch 

• Favorite Food Items: French Fries and Ranch Dressing

• Price: $$/$$$ - Sandwich prices are a little more expensive than your typical diner would charge- ranging from $7.99 for a grilled cheese to $12-13 for a turkey club or tuna melt. Entrees such as mac 'n cheese will cost you about $10, but if you looking for something fancier like a grilled hanger steak, that will cost you close to $22. Brunch is a bit more affordable in the $3-11 dollar range. 

• Ambience:  This place definitely screams uptown. Very trendy atmosphere with open kitchen, diner like booths, and a full bar that has seating all around it. The uptown cafeteria even has rooftop seating for when the MN weather decides to behave. 

• Dress Code: Trendy-Casual-Hipster. Pretty sure you could get away with just about anything here. Seeing as it's located in uptown you'll be likely to see the hipster look more frequently then not. Jeans and a t-shirt are perfectly acceptable. 

• Shell's Rating: 3 out of 5 - Fun place to go for a small group. The bar scene seems to have a following and the food will fill you up. I would like to try this place out for brunch as I have heard mixed reviews. Compared to some of the other restaurants in the area, I would stop in here if I was hungry, in the area, and not dressed up. 

Prescott's - Crossroads Plaza/Broadway- Rochester, MN

I really have nothing but good things to say about Prescott's. The menu changes seasonally, but there are some regulars that always stick around. The chef here uses a wide blend of flavors that create amazing dishes with refined taste. I enjoy prescott's for a nice dinner when I am home visiting the family and have spent many special occasions here as well. 

    Pictured Above: Outside and Inside Tables (Prescott's Website), Table bread, house salad, filet mignon with garlic vegetable noodles, 

       chipotle chicken, London broil, chocolate cake, creme brûlée.
       For more menu options and information visit: Prescott's Grill Website

• Cuisine: Fine dining - Pasta, Steak, Chicken, Fish

• Favorite Food Items: Filet Mignon and garlic vegetable noodles

• Price: $$$- I would say this is one of Rochester's finer restaurants, not necessarily by ambiance, although that is not bad, but through service and cuisine. You certainly get  the delicious taste and a quality meal for the price. Most meals include your choice of soup or salad, which is built into the price.  

• Ambience:  I give the owner props for turning a bagel spot into a fine dining establishment. The bar is a key piece in the set-up of this quaint space. Purple lighting behind the wine bottles is a nice touch. Tables are typically adorned with a small vase of flowers. Mood lighting also makes this place a romantic date spot, as well as an impressive dinner location for any occasion, with the exception of your child's 5th birthday party. 

• Dress Code: Trendy-Formal. Wait staff is typically dressed in more formal dining apparel and the overall mood of this place would make you feel uncomfortable if you were wearing jeans and a t-shirt. So dress it up just a little bit when you head in. Nice jeans, a fancy top or sweater, and heels or cute flats for the ladies would be about as causal as you would want to be. For men I would recommend dress shoes, nice jeans or dress pants, and a button up or polo. 

• Shell's Rating: 5 out of 5 - If you have never been, this place is a must try while you are in Rochester. I always leave this place appropriately full, and pleased with the selection. The staff is very accommodating and friendly. I highly recommend the garlic vegetable noodles. I have been known to call in an order of those (they are a side item), to go, because they are THAT good. 

Cadillac Ranch - Mall of America, Bloomington, MN

Having been away from Minnesota for so long, I welcomed any new dining experience that comes my way. While doing some shopping at the MOA, we decided it was time to grab a bite. All parties involved were feeling American food and this is where we ended up.

     Pictured Above: Restaurant's main dining room & bull riding inside the main room (google photos), wedge salad, chicken wild rice 
         soup, cowboy bites.
         For more menu options and info visit: Cadillac Ranch at MOA Website

• Cuisine: American - Burgers, sandwiches, pastas, steaks, salads, and many sharable appetizer options.  

• Favorite Food Items: Cowboy bites with fries and chicken wild rice soup

• Price: $$- Price is about what you'd expect to pay at a place like this. Food options similar to what you may find at a TGIF, or Granite City. Most meal items are in the $8-12 range, with steak meals ranging from $20-33. I'd say the average tab for a two person meal including drinks would cost you about $26.

• Ambience:  The bar set up in this place seemed like a entertaining place to hang out with friends on a thurs-saturday night...if you are in the mall already. The decor was impressive and the bull machine was entertaining to observe to say the least. If you are looking for a place to have a nice quiet dinner though, you may want to pass on this place. Lots of energy here.

• Dress Code: Casual would be just fine. Being located on the 3rd floor of the Mall of America, I'm sure this place has seen people dressed in a variety of options. 

• Shell's Rating: 2.5 out of 5. The food was average. Many of the items on the menu looked like things I could get at your average american bar and grill. I gave it 2.5 for the fun atmosphere and decor. I would be willing to give this place another chance if I was in the area and their happy hour specials looked appealing. 

Maracas- S. Palm Canyon Dr. - Palm Springs, CA

Allison, Jill and myself, stumbled across this little gem on our way to the palm springs airport. We were in a rush and the service was great at accommodating. Our food came out hot, and as ordered in maybe 10 minutes at most. The wide selection on the menu made it difficult to decide what to order. I was pleased with my choice of the barbacoa bowl, but will be excited to try something new next time, seeing as there were many tasty looking items on the menu.

     Pictured above: Outside Restaurant View (Tripadvisor.com), Barbacoa Bowl, Tortilla Soup, and Tostada Salad.
        For more menu options and info visit: Maraca's Website

• Cuisine: Mexican- Tacos, Bowls, Soups, Salads, Burritos... you get it.

• Favorite Food Items: Barbacoa Bowl and Chips and Salsa

• Price: $$- Lunch specials are reasonably priced between $8-10 for bowls, salads and tacos. Dinner specials including meat focused dishes can peak at $19, but other dinner entrees are in the $10-14 range. Large quantities means you definitely get your money's worth, and leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

• Ambience:  Inside it was decorated with mexican details and props, vibrant colors and seating on the smaller size so I could imagine this place could fill up quickly. I wouldn't visit this place for the scene alone, but the food was good enough to bring me back. Outside on a nice day or evening would be my preference. Cozy spot for people watching and enjoying the outdoors. 

• Dress Code: Whatever you have on is fine...

• Shell's Rating: 3.5 out of 5 - Good food, good service. Salsa was delicious and we went through a few bowls for sure. The only thing about having a mexican restaurant in palm springs is that you are surrounded by a lot of other delicious mexican restaurants. If you have tried many other's I would recommend you give this place a shot. The menu is a good size, offering quite a variety, however it is missing some of the fan favorites that other restaurants offer. 

Katsuya @ LA Live - Los Angeles, CA

Now that I am a sushi connoisseur, I thought I'd test out the "go big or go home" of sushi restaurants. For sure a little on the pricy side, but if you go with a group of 4 you should be able to split a few things and save some money. Kelin and I dined her prior to a concert at the Staple Center. A great place to pass time and get a great meal in the area. There are many locations and I would be willing to test the others out based on my experience here.

     Pictured Above: Outside of Katsuya in LA Live, Main Dining Room (photos provided from google), Popcorn Roll (my fancy photo work)
        For more menu items and info visit :Katsuya's Website for L.A. Live

• Cuisine: Sushi - Robata Meat and Seafood, Rolls, ... if you don't like fish you could still enjoy this place.

• Favorite Food Items: Popcorn Roll (special), Edamame (you don't need to order your own as they give you a decent size for free), Sunset Roll

• Price: $$$- One of the pricers places to find sushi, but if you've never been I'd say the food is good enough to dish it out. Starter plates range from $6-16, including soups and salads, as well as seafood apps and veggies. Sushi rolls will be between $5 for a cucumber roll to $18.50 for a rainbow rolls which includes a "chef's assortment of sashimi". Main dishes for other cuisine selections such as beef or chicken are in the $15-32 range, and other seafood options will run you about the same. There is also the option for a fixed plate selection set at $25 per person.

• Ambience:  True to LA fashion, this location at LA live was fairly sized. The space was divided into a main dining room,a bar for meals and drinks, lounge area for happy hour, and outside dining for those warm summer nights. The decor had a white base with dark wood and rock accenting. Modern art with Asian influence throughout. 

• Dress Code: Trendy to Upscale, however on the night of a Laker game, I hardly think they would refuse service to someone wearing a jersey. On the other hand, I don't think you would feel out of place if you sported that little black dress either. 

• Shell's Rating: 4 out of 5 -The food was delicious, the service was efficient and I enjoyed the vibe. A fun spot for a night out in the LA Live area- perhaps before a concert or sporting event, as it is located right across from the Staples Center. I was seated at the bar as we did not have a reservation, but the lounge spots for happy hour looked inviting and I would be interested in dining at one of the other Katsuya locations such as The Americana in Glendale, or perhaps downtown LA near Hollywood and Vine. 

Citrone- Orange St. - Redlands, CA

Right in the middle of Redland's "Restaurant Row", as I like to call it, lies Citrone. One of the city's more upscale fine dining establishments. I had heard many rumors about this place, most of which you can ask me if you really want to know, but I decided to test it out for myself. I went with Jill and we each got our own salad, and then split an entree. Seeings as I am writing this entry so late, I cannot recall if we had dessert or not, however the death by chocolate cake on the menu would have been my first choice.

           Pictured above: Dining Room (Picture from citron website), Citrone Salad, California Salad, Monterey Chicken
        For more menu options and information visit: Citrone's Website

• Cuisine: Fine Dining- Steaks, Pastas, Chicken...and other expensive fanciness.

• Favorite Food Items: California Salad, Monterey Chicken

• Price: $$$- Lunch fare can be a little less pricy with salads ranging from $9-11, however if you wish to add chicken that will be an extra $5. A little ridiculous if you ask me based on the portions provided. Other lunch plates such as pizzas, sandwiches and entree items range from $10-20. Dinner menu kicks it up a notch with pastas, chicken, steak, lamb, and catch of the day ranging from $15-48. There is also a recommended $20 plate minimum charge.

• Ambience:  The atmosphere at Citrone is modern in comparison to many other eateries in Redlands. The space is narrow with tables more along the wall than a wide open space.The kitchen is open to the restaurant so if you are near it you can watch the action. I personally enjoy the high ceilings and brick walls that create a "loft" like vibe. Nice place for a date night, if you don't mind spending the extra cash.

• Dress Code: I would not dream of walking into this place with a t-shirt on. If you insist on going more casual, nice jeans, fancy top and heels for the ladies. Men- dress pants and a button up, or nice jeans, dress shoes and a polo or sports jacket if you wish you "dress it down". 

• Shell's Rating: 3 out of 5 -The atmosphere is unique in that I don't feel like I am dining in the inland empire. I think it would be a fun spot for an upscale date if I wanted to stay local. If I was looking for a place with great food, trendy atmosphere, and worth the money, I think I would rather drive into LA.