The Flagstaff House Restaurant

July 2013

Hi to all,

Donna And I wanted to celebrate our anniversary on a grand scale so after thinking of the many places to go out to eat, we came up with the one place that we have not been able to get to since we moved to GOD’S Colorado. 

The Flagstaff House Restaurant

1138 Flagstaff Road

Boulder, Colorado. 80302

303-442-4640

www.flagstaffhouse.com

Directions and Menu are on the web site

When I called to make the reservations, I was asked if this was an occasion we were celebrating, I said it was a wedding anniversary, and then they wanted both of our first names for the table.  Donna and I were very excited about going to a place we have been hearing about for years, everyone was all the rave about this place, also we have a family member that was a waiter at this establishment, when he was going to collage at C.U.. Well I had to get on the website and see what this place was all about. When you go to the home page you will see a wonderful glass structure with multiple level roofs and dining rooms. The building is set on the side on the mountain and more than likely you will be able to see out of one of the many big windows, and look down and see the wide expanses of Boulder Valley as the sun goes down and the Boulder lights come on. Truly, a picturesque moment.    The bar is beautiful and stocked with some of the most expensive high end liquor on the market, IE. If you’re a Bourbon drinker then they have Old Rip Van Winkle at $85.00 per glass. I went with cheaper Bourbon and it was only $58.00 a glass.  Their wine cellar is stocked with 12,000 bottles and if you can’t find a great wine here, you should just stop looking. 

When you arrive I suggest you Valet Park, remember the side of a mountain. When you walk in you can smell the kitchen and look out over some of the rooms and bar, very well done as far as atmosphere, it very nice and pleasing to the eye. The Kitchen is a bee hive of activity, including the worker drones coming and going quickly, When you make your reservation request a window table, more the likely you will get a table with a fantastic view, of the Boulder Valley.   Well the day comes to finally sit down and have dinner, we were met by one of many hostesses and they wished us a happy anniversary, we went to a window table and it was just as I described. Our waiter handed us a menu that was printed up with Happy Anniversary DONNA and STEVEN. I was impressed. We had our drinks and ordered our dinner. Our first course was Yellow fin Tuna & Hamachi Sashimi. Donna had Maryland Soft Shell Crab.  

Main course I had Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, Seared Rare, Coconut Crusted Oysters with Warm Cucumber and Wakame Salad, Red Pepper Nage. “OK”.. Donna selected The Main Day Boat Lobster, butter poached Crisp potato, Shmeji Mushrooms, Artichoke, Saffron Cream….Donna’s dinner was superb, as for my Tuna, I expected a tuna steak, what I got was four one half ounce  silver dollar size medallions that were cold and dry, the salad was cold and tasted like it was made two days ago. I am not happy,

 To make matters worse there was a family across the dining room that had a person who, I refer to as a low information voter for some reason thought that all of the people in this room will benefit and be enlightened by this person’s political opinion’s, along with insulting and uninformed observations of the other side of the political spectrum, clearly stultifying himself, loudly we heard all the bad and the ugly, in detail..   I expected a manager, or anyone associated with this establishment with an I.Q. above plant life to tactfully and quietly let this person know that he was disturbing EVERYONE in the room. However considering that we were in Boulder,,,, well, I leave the rest up to your imagination.  

Your Desserts are Pre – Ordered 

So we waited for the High Orchards Palisade Peach baked in brioche haystack mountain goat cheese ice cream. It is decadent. Dinner for Two was $375.00. With the tip.

 We left a lot earlier then I had planned, as I wanted to have a drink at this wonderful bar. However I knew that I could still hear this loud mouth buffoon being orally flatulent.

I had such high hopes for this place, from all I have heard from people that went there, telling me I MUST EAT HERE and I have not lived unless I experience The Flagstaff House, AH!..... Not so much!!!!!! So now this is what happened to me … YOU may have another, better experience, and I hope you do. Now I must tell you it pains me to put this to print. Unfortunately it will be years before I darken the door of this establishment again. Maybe I had set the bar too high, but if I am going drive an hour and a quarter  to Pay #375.00 for a nice romantic dinner with Donna… It damn well better be above the norm. Sorry for the bad review, but not really, what would think if I were not truthful?? All comments welcome at sjrago@comcast.net.

 Until next time

LIVE and EAT WELL

Steve                                                                                                                                 

Siena at the Courtyard

Oct 2012

Siena at the Courtyard

Restaurant

333 Perry Street

Castle Rock, CO

303-688-2622

www.sienacr.com

Menus for lunch and Dinner are

on the web site.

This Restaurant is Fun, Big, and Tasty.

If you’re going on a Friday or Saturday night

 MAKE RESERVATIONS. Sunday night has been the best night for us.

When you enter the Restaurant you will be met by a hostess at

a podium, they will be friendly and smiling behind them you

will see a big U shaped bar with all kinds of activity going on

in and around the back where the servers pick up their orders

for the tables. On the weekend nights there are two and some

times three Mixologists behind this very well run and stocked

bar. If you’re waiting for a table try the Manhattan or a Vodka

Martini.

When your server comes to the table they will ask if you want

to hear the chef specials. Pay attention because they are very

good and sometimes very different. The last time Donna and I

were at this restaurant we were given a pepper dew stuffed with

cream cheese, then Italian bread with olive oil, balsamic, spices

and chopped tomato bruschetta .

 Donna had the Pan Roasted Scallops served in a lobster mascar

pone cream sauce over lobster raviolis, Classic northern Italian

cooking with a light cream sauce. I ordered a dish that is seldom

seen outside the Italian community and is known as a southern

Italian dish. Seafood Fra Diavolo translation (the devil’s brother),

 this dish has Large shrimp, mussels, calamari and lobster

over angel hair pasta with a spicy tomato sauce with roasted

“HOT” peppers, NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. I ordered

mine extra hot and they put peppers on top for me. I sent my

compliments to the chef. I will suggest that if you are going to

try this dish make sure you have bread to eat with it.

The menu satisfies a wide range of taste and is sure to please. As

many times as we go to this establishment we only could have

room for desert once and that was shared, GET THE CHEESE

CAKE... All the servers are friendly and fun. But if you are

lucky enough to have Daniel as a server you are sure to have a

great dinner and he will take care of you like family. Donna and

I love this place and will be back many more times so you may

see us there, come over and say hello.

Until next time Live and Eat Well

Any and all comments welcome,, sjrago@comcast.net

Steve

Tasty House Chinese Restaurant

June 2013

Hi to all.

This month Donna and I want to tell you about some very good Chinese Food from

Tasty House Chinese Restaurant

804 N Ridge Rd, Castle Rock, CO 80104

(303) 663-8138

www.tastyhousecastlerock.com

Menu and map are on the web site.

From 1959 to 1967 my Father would take my Mother and I out to eat every Saturday evening in China Town in Lower Manhattan and because my dad liked to go to different restaurants every week, we have had a wide array of Chinese food and we have had the honor and pleasure of getting to know and befriend the owners of the restaurants we liked. This is one of the childhood memories that I can look back on and treasure. Now I want to let know that Tasty House is a place that you can treasure.

This establishment is set up and feels like you are in China Town. The menu will do the same. They have a good size dining room so large families, no problem.  I have always started off with an appetizer, so I have my favorites, so the Boneless ribs, Cheese Wonton, and Fried Dumpling are mouthwatering. Then move on to the soup. Since I was old enough to order for myself it was always Egg Drop soup, however I have tried the Seafood Soup here and I am going to tell you it is fantastic, unfortunately it only comes in quart size so you are going to have to bring the leftovers home, there will be leftovers.

Moving on to the main course, there are so Many things to choose from that it is not possible to list all the great dishes they have, I will just list some of my favorites, It will take some time for you to do, but please try the Roast Pork Lo Mein, House special fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, I love the roast pork egg foo young, best ever! Donna likes the sesame chicken, the sea food dishes are wonderful, Pork with garlic sauce. And general tso’s chicken, if you are going for lunch you will order of the lunch specials, service starts at 11.00 AM. They have a full service Bar if you want a cocktail before dinner, There is a children’s menu so bring the kids. A small note if you live in the 5 mile delivery radius. The food is delivered hot.

Unfortunately for Larkspur and Bell Mountain it’s not an option. I will recommend dinner here to all; it’s worth the drive and the time. Order on line and you food is ready when you get there to pick up and run home. Just putting this to print is making me think, CHINESE TONIGHT.  Any and all comments welcome at sjrago@comcast.net.

Until next time

Live and Eat Well

Steve

Edelweiss Restaurant.

May, 2013

Hi to all

Edelweiss Restaurant

34 E. Ramona

Colorado Springs, Colorado. 80906

719-633-2220

http://www.edelweissrest.com

Lunch and Dinner Menus are on the website.

Donna and I are wanderer’s  and when we first moved out to God’s Colorado, we were running around Colorado Springs  looking for a martini bar a friend told us about, Well after many U turns and backups we found this wonderful looking “Gaststätte”  Restaurant/ Bar  That looks as if it should be in the mountains Germany . Well it was late in the afternoon and we needed to eat anyway so we parked the car and went in.  When you walk in to the foyer the atmosphere and aroma is ideal. Had you not known better, you may   think you in Germany.

Well Donna and I wanted to dine outside as it was a beautiful day and we sat at a table in the garden, now this is no ordinary garden. This a place to relax and have a drink and laugh with friends, The minute you’re here you feel welcome and comfortable. When we sat down and ordered drinks, a couple came out and in full Alpine regalia with an accordion singing light hearted German songs, some of the crowd, and my wife Donna started to sing along in the native German. Between songs they would walk up to the tables of the people that sang along and have conversation. It was very enjoyable. Since that day we have been back many times to eat and sing.

Dinner was very good I had “Rahmschnitzel’ breaded boneless pork cutlet sautéed and topped with a mushroom cream sauce, house spatzle and fresh vegetables. $16.95

Donna had “COGNAC SCALLOP OF VEAL” - Tender veal cutlet sautéed with artichoke hearts and mushrooms, served with a cognac cream sauce, house spätzle and fresh vegetables. $18.95.

Now all that read these reviews know by now that I am not of German ancestry,

So I must defer to Donna, who is German.   I asked her about the many dinners that we have tried at this wonderful place and Donna and I have yet to be disappointed. The fair is authentic and the atmosphere is fun,  The salads are good for a lighter appetite.  The appetizers rang from Soup to sampler plates, Try the Flammkuchen..

“THE FOOD IS DELECTABLE”

The combination Plates are a good place to start, if two people order different plates the couples can share the orders and taste a number of items on the menu.

If you are planning to go here to eat< I will suggest that you check the menu on line and also the map, this place is tucked away in a little street off Tejon street.

 It is worth a trip, Donna and I like this restaurant and we recommend it highly.

Any and all comments to sjrago@comcast.net

As always until next time

Live and Eat Well

Steve