Raul Zambrana's World

STRAWBERRY BAR & GRILL

RIO BAR AND CAFE

VILLAGE CREPERIE CAFE

THE GLASS HOUSE TAVERN

5 NAPKIN BURGER  --  30 9th Ave. New York, NY 10036  (212) 757-2277  --  ... and I also found out why is called "5 Napkin Burger"...  The burger was rather small...  fast food burgers are bigger...  yeap!  five bites and I ate that whole burger... The burger is advertised as a 10 oz of pure ground chuck burger.  I think it is made with 5 oz of real meat and  5 oz of fat which disappears while is being cooked.  Don't get me wrong; the burger flavor was good.  But if I am going to be paying $20 for a burger and onion rings, I want to be satisfied and my belly full when I leave the place.  Nope... not at this place.   Even though I paid an extra $2.50 to replace the fries for the onion rings and all I got was 5 pieces of onion rings.  Even the fries portions where small and pathetic looking.  A burger that can be eaten in 5 bites + 5 pieces of onion rings = 5 Napkin Burger!  You can eat everything in the restaurant in 5 bites!  One napkin for each bite... Mystery solved!  Final Comment:  All I have to say is:  spend your money elsewhere.  There are many other great restaurants in the area where it will be cheaper and more satisfying.  Don't bother coming here.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

BECCO  --  (Italian) --  355 W 46th St.  New York, NY 10036  (212) 397-7597  --  We came here for dinner prior to seeing the show Equus (review available).  We arrived at 645pm and the place was packed.  We put our name on the list and decided to proceed to the bar... where is the bar?  Well, all the stools were taken by people eating at the bar and there is no place to stand at all... not to even have a drink...  bummer...  We had to stand in a narrow hall and just wait with waiters and everyone passing by... As more people showed up, you could tell we all wanted to have a drink but there was no place to go with some of the patrons having to go and wait outside.

The place seems to be small from the outside but once inside and your name gets called, the place is a maze... we got to sit in the very back room.  A nice, cozy two person table (and by cozy, I mean, very close to the patrons seated next to you) where the waiter had a hard time putting down the bread basket, juggling and moving  the water and wine glasses around to make room for it.  The bread was fab!  Very soft focaccia bread as well as the baguette; served with olives and some kind of spread which was superb!  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

EL DEPORTIVO  --  (Latin/Puerto Rican) --  701 9th Ave.  New York, NY 10019  (212) 757-6869 -- I finish my food and ready to leave as I want to catch the 1:15 train to Huntington.  My waitress is nowhere to be found until I get up and see her standing behind the bar area.  I put my suit jacket on, and look in her way.  One of the other waitresses yells at her (in Spanish): "table number two is ready to go!"  My waitress sees me and she continues about her business.  My waitress finally decides to bring me the check and I go over to the cash register to pay.  I leave her a tip but not because the service was good... believe me, if tips were based on service standards, she should be giving me money for putting up with her attitude!  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.  

DAVIDBURKE AND DONATELLA  --  (American -New)  --  133 E 61st Street  New York, NY 10021  (212) 813-2121  --  We did notice that the staff is very professional, each one greeting us as we walked into the restaurant.  The servers wore very nice uniformed suits.  The rest of the staff wore the typical tuxedo look.  Everyone was well-groomed and presentable.  I do have to give them credit because somehow they managed to move around the tables at ease without bumping into any guests at all.  We ordered Martinis and wanted to enjoy them for a little while.  Our server wanted to take our meal order...  However, here is my secret I do share with people (my parents taught me this!):  order the appetizer and do not order a main course.  Keep the menu with you.  Enjoy your appetizer and then, once you have finished it and you are ready, then make an order for the main course.  It is the best way to enjoy your meal, specially when paying top dollars to dine...  you are the customer... don't let them rush you...  Our knowledgeable server took our meal orders.  I ordered the yellow fish tuna as an appetizer while my dinner companion ordered the beef carppacio.  The wine list was superb.  Wines comes from all over the world; with different tastes to match every meal in the menu.  In fact, our server made recommendations for the wines based on the meal we ordered.  My wine was the Italian Tempranillo.  My diner companion had the Cabernet.  Both wines had the right taste to go with our meals.  Our server made fantastic suggestions.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.  

MESKEREM 47  (Ethiopian)  --  468 W 47th St.  New York, NY 10036  (212) 664-0520  --  Ambiance...  eek!  A few pictures/posters in the walls all crooked.  Our group was big enough for the server to put us in the back room by ourselves.  We had to change about 3 of the 9 chairs in our table because they were loose and someone is going to have a hard fall, and a lawsuit in their hands soon.  We all ordered the Ethiopian beer, which is produced and bottled in Long Island... huh?  The beer was served rather warm...  I wondered if serving warm beer is part of the Ethiopian tradition or just a fluke from the restaurant.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

OLD SAN JUAN --  (Caribbean / Argentinian)  --   765 9th Ave.  New York, NY 10019  (212) 262-6761  --  We went there as a struck of luck, just walking down the street looking for a place to eat after a matinée on Broadway.  As a Puerto Rican, this was my cup of tea. So in we went...  I loved the typical Spanish music as it reminded me of my Grandmother who passed away a few months before.  The place has a bunch of old pictures and the ambiance is "corny" but for the typical Latino, it is ok.  We order the mix platter as an appetizer and not a disappointment at all!  It has everything a Puerto Rican could ask, empanadas, morcilla, pasteles and all of our typical food.  It is a huge plate and that alone, fed two people!  But we already ordered so we had the "Arroz con Pollo" (chicken with rice) and the Paella.  Yum, yum.... and the portions are huge!  Be ready to take a 'doggy' bag with you.  And the desserts are very good, most of them being homemade.  However, the service is VERY LACKING!  Waiters are unfriendly and disappear for periods at a time.  Because I spoke Spanish, we were treated a 'little better'.  I did recommend "Old San Juan" to friends.  They loved the food but hated the service.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

POMODORO  --  (Italian)  --  229 Columbus Ave.  New York, NY 10023  (212) 721-3009  --  We arrived at Pomodoro after seeing Damn Yankees at the NY City Center. It was a beautiful afternoon and we were looking for a restaurant with outside seating.  Pomodoro came to mind as we always see it but never eaten there.  And here is the problem that many restaurants do have... service is too fast!  Even though the waiter was professional and accommodating, he was not friendly but knowledgeable.  His first language was not English, which made it hard to understand when talking about the specials.  We felt rushed through the entire meal.  For the main course we ordered the "Gemelli al Giardino" (Pasta twists with sun dried tomatoes, broccoli and portobello mushrooms in a light parmesan garlic sauce) and the Special of the Day which was homemade ravioli pasta filled with chesses and crab.  Well, the "Gemelli" which is the dish I had was totally tasteless with too much pasta, no flavor, the sauce was too watery and at the bottom of the dish.  Also the dish was missing the sun-dried tomatoes.  The Special of the day was ok, with the raviolis filled with cheese tasteful but the ones filled with crab tasteless.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

SAL ANTHONY'S SQPR  --  (Italian)  --  133 Mulberry Street  New York, NY 10013  (212) 925-3120  --  We came here with some friends and I was not happy about it from the beginning...  First, this place does not look like a restaurant at all.  It seems that is more like a 'convention center' huge room turned into a restaurant when is not rented for special/private activities.  There is no 'Italian' ambiance to it at all...  just lots of tables and lots of waiters running around delivering meals and cleaning tables.  However, surprisingly enough, the place was packed.  What attracted us to it?  The food display outside...  I objected going in here but my friends say lets go in... so majority rules.  Second, Sal Anthony's is supposed to take reservations.  We did not have one and we just stood to the side of the Host stand for about 15 minutes. A very rude Host took care of people and the list.  I know it is a very stressful position trying to juggle large groups and making sure everyone is seated properly, but no need to be rude...   For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

SAMBUCA  --  (Italian)  --  20 W 72nd St. New York, NY 10023  (212) 787-5656  --  The menu is designed to be shared with your dinner companions; even though smaller portions are available for singles and couples.  The portions are small (for one person), medium (for 2-4) and large (5-6).  For dinner, we ordered 3 items: the pesto pasta rigatoni, the basil salmon and the veal wrapped in prosciutto and mozzarella, all in large portions.  There was so much food, that I brought a portion of leftovers home!  The pasta was a little in the hard side, probably needed a few more minutes to be properly cooked.  The pesto sauce was good even though too much of it and overwhelming.  The salmon was very good, tender and the basil flavor along with the mushrooms where fantastic. Our favorite was the veal.  That we had no leftovers of it!  Everyone had second portions and for a moment, thought about ordering another serving of the veal.  Lastly, the only reason I gave this review a 3-star is the service.  Even though the servers were knowledgeable and friendly, the method of serving got on my nerves!  Servers are supposed to serve from the right, but they kept crossing over our faces to serve the person next to us.  Some of the servers, when placing food down, refilling drinks and retrieving plates, will get an inch from my face, even though they could very well go around me and do the same thing.  Also, the waiter will be interrupting conversations to take our dessert/coffee order when we were not ready.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

THAI BASIL --  (Thai)  --  860 9th Ave. New York, NY 10079  (212) 397-2036  --  This a great little place!!!  One of those "hole-in-the-wall" discoveries I am so proud to find in Manhattan!  Don't be fooled with the ugly store front... once you are inside, the place is nicely decorated with very comfortable seats, nice floors and very clean!  The staff is very nice and friendly, constantly filling your glasses of water and checking that everything is well.  As for the food, we loved it!  We had the chicken satay and the "curry puff" (stuffed ground chicken, potatoes and yellow curry powder with cucumber sauce) as appetizers and they were delicious.   The portions are rather good for each person.  They also offer Thai beers (which always goes great with a hot curry!).  The price is very reasonable.  All the appetizers range between $3-6 and main courses between $9-15, which for Manhattan, this is a bargain for the quality of the food served.  Our total bill was only $32.50 for two!  For the full review, click on the restaurant name above.

 THE MODERN  --  (French/American)  --  9 W. 53rd Street  New York, NY 10019  (212) 333-1220  --  We came here to attend a wedding reception.  The first impression is how nice, modern and beautiful this place is.  We were taken to a private room which was nicely set up with a bar and nice, simple table arrangements.  The staff was very professional and well-groomed. We started with appetizers which consisted of small steak cuts, risotto rice, shrimp, quiche and sandwiches.  They were little bite sizes, pass by the servers as we enjoyed "Iron Horse" California Sparkling Wine.   We took our seats and dinner started.  The presentation of the food as well as the serving were very well coordinated.  The servers will come table to table and place the food to all 6 people at the same time while the other server will offer more wine.  The bathroom set-up was very European or very "Ally McBeal"... in other words, unisex.  The toilets are completely enclosed so there is no risk of seeing anything and both share the sink/mirror area.  It is funny to see the 'typical American' women noticing men next to her and they put their makeup away fast!  he,he,he...  But, since I lived in Europe, I am used to it.  I think Amercans are not 'ready' for sharing the bathrooms.  Anyway, the only problem is that as the night progressed, the toilets became a little "dirty" and no personnel came by to clean them.  Not bad for men but for women...  heh....  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

U SO BO SO Korean BBQ RESTAURANT  --  154-01 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354  (718) 888-7955  --  I went to the bathroom and saw one of the servers using the toilet.  When he came out, he did not washed his hands.  He just went right back to the kitchen and to serve patrons in the restaurants.  What!  Luckily, he did not serve us but I kept my eye open for anything that he touched that came our way.  How disgusting!  No wonder why they have to put those little signs in the bathroom that say:  "Employee Must Wash Hands".  Speaking of bathrooms, the mop in a bucket with dirty water adorn the corner as a decoration piece as well as an overflowing trash can.

However, if we pass that, the food was great.  We started with steamed dumplings and the seafood pancake where quite tasty and the best part was the bean curd and hot and spicy sauces.  We ordered beef and chicken for the main course to be shared.  Our table grilled was turned on and the beef started to cook.  However, for a table of 4 people, the side dishes (vegetables, potatoes, etc.) were quite small.  Each one of us was allowed to have only a bite each.  Otherwise, you will be taking someone else portion of the side dishes.  But the beef and chicken were quite good with strong and tasty Asian spices.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

SEAFOOD BARGE  --  (Seafood)  --  62980 Rte 25  Southold, NY 11971  (631) 765-3010  --  After spending the day at Orient Point and Greenport, we decided to stop at this seafood restaurant on our way back home for lunch.  It is right on the water and easy to see in the Port of Egypt.  Plenty of parking all around.  We came at 2pm which is pretty dead and we had a great table with a view of the pier and Shelter Island.  The only thing I wish is that they had an outside seating area.  They do have a patio but no access and, in a beautiful day like today (sunny and 70'), it would have been great to be seated in an outside table, enjoying the views of the Sound and all the boats passing by.

We ordered the "Tuna Tartar" as an appetizer and it was just delicious.  For the main course, we both had the "Grilled Salmon" with fresh vegetables, and creamy polenta.  The salmon was cooked to perfection, crispy outside and medium rare inside.  The vegetables very tasty with a combination of grilled green beans, zuchinni, tomatoes and others in olive oil.  However, I was looking forward to the polenta but there was none... hum....  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

BRANDY HO'S HUNAN FOOD  --  (Hunan/Chinese)  --  4068 18th St.  San Francisco, CA 94114  (415) 252-8000  --  An upscale, hunan food restaurant with a very trendy atmosphere to it.  The service is just fantastic.  Our server always had a great smile in her face when she came over, very witty and friendly.  We had no reservations but were seated immediately.  The very extensive menu took a long time to go over.  In the meantime, we ordered drinks and I had a Tsing-Tao beer which I missed much as I used to live in China and that was my drink of choice when out with friends.  For the appetizers, we ordered the Onion Cake with Peanut Sauce, Steamed Dumplings, Egg Rolls and Deep Fried Dumplings,  The appetizers alone where very tasteful, filling and enjoyable!  It was more than enough for 3 people and I already felt satisfied.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

El TORITO --  (Mexican)  --  1590 Bayshore Hwy.  Burlingame, CA 94010  (650) 692-3113  --  Two words for you:  HAPPY HOUR!!!!!  The best in town!  Great priced drinks and 1/2 price appetizers/menu at the bar (with ample seating area) from 4-7pm on weekdays, with live band on Fridays/weekend and a taco stand that serves fresh tacos of your choice.  However, for the amount of times I've been here, I never manage to get a grip on when exactly the fresh taco bar is open and available and when is not... does not seem to be consistent but that could be just me.  But when is open, nice fresh tacos made for you (chicken, beef or fish) and then you add your condiments.  I usually order the "appetizer sampler" when I go with someone else.  It is enough food to feed two people at least - it consist of nachos, tamale, tacos, and many other items.  Usually $12 but at happy hour is only $6.00.  Many other items only cost between $3 to $7 depending on the order.  Happy hour prices on alcohol as well....  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

GLEN ELLEN INN   --  (American/French)  --  13670 Arnold Dr.  Glen Ellen, CA 95442  (707) 996-6409  --  There is inside and outside seating.  The outside seating in front of the restaurant is very casual with the usual car noise from the street.  However, if you go towards the back, there are tables in the back balcony, which is more secluded and intimate.  And even a few steps down, there are tables in the grassy area and next to the fountain which is even more romantic and intimate.  If you have a dog, you are welcome to sit in this part of the restaurant and if the owner happens to be around, he will stop by to say hello with his own dog.  Just be aware that the temperature in Glen Ellen drops drastically after sundown, so if you plan on sitting outside, bring a light jacket or sweater as heaters are not provided.  We opted to sit inside.  The decor was very tasteful, with nice seating arrangement but could see a little trouble if the restaurant is full as tables are close and in that case, I would prefer to be outside. But as we were the only patrons inside, we had the whole place to ourselves which made it very relaxing.  The bathrooms were nicely decorated; with an antique style to it and very clean.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

JOE'S CABLE CAR  --  (Burgers)  -- 4320 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94112  (415) 334-6699 It is not a 5-star restaurant, so get used to the 'cozy atmosphere'' (in other words, closeness with those seated around you).  Depending at what time you arrive, the wait will be a short or long one.  The short waits are available at off peak times (before lunch and between lunch and dinner or for those who order takeout over the phone).  Otherwise, you will have to wait.  The parking lot is a small one so you might have to go further down the street and walk back.  The best part is that the burger beef is 100% USDA ribeye and chuck steak.  You can see the butcher cutting the meat as you wait for your table.  And everything is freshly made.  Oh... did I hear a few people complaint about the price?  Oh... ok...  go to McDonald and get leftover fat and cow intestines and bones crushed into your meat... oh yes... that is soooo much healthier for your kids and you, rather than the 100% top rated beef...  (have you seen the movie "Super Size Me?"  Then rented it, watch it and you will know exactly what McDonald burger patties are all about.. then come and talk to me about Joe's Cable Car burgers quality!)  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

SAFFRON  --  (American (New)  --  13648 Arnold Dr.  Glen Ellen, CA 95442  (707) 938-4844  --  This is a dinner only, small, well decorated restaurant in a little corner easy to miss.  But it is worth the stop and enjoy!  We were there early (opens at 5pm) as we went wine tasting all day and needed food badly.  Our waitress was very friendly, always checking on us that we had enough water on our table (we skipped the wine for this one as we had enough already).  The tables were spread out which makes it very convenient for a romantic dinner.  It is a very small but specialized menu.  For the appetizer we order two different salads.  The salads were fresh and dressing just enough amount without overtaking on the flavor.  Then we order the pork chop and the seared Ahi Tuna.  Needless to say, we used the bread to clean the sauces off the plate as they were just fantastic!  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

AYARA --  (Thai)  --  6245 W. 87th Street  Los Angeles, CA 90045  (310) 410-8848  --  A great place, with great decor and great food!  Love the Singha Thai beer!  However, service is too rushed and too fast!!!  Even though the servers were very friendly and nice, we hated the fact that we are still eating appetizers and the main course selection arrived, it sat there for a long time and we had to send it back to have it reheated.  We even mentioned it to the server as she delivered the main course (we told her we were still eating our appetizers and that the service was too fast - plenty of empty tables too!) but did not get the message and left the food on the table.  But complied nicely when we sent the food back to be reheated.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

CALIFORNIA MARKET RESTAURANT  --  (American)  --  120 Highland Dr.  Carmel, CA 93923  (831) 620-1234  --  The restaurant is "sold" as a place to see the sunset and enjoy a nice, leisurely early evening dinner.  Well, if you are not seated outside (and not the tables stuck in the corner by the wall, which is the one we got) you really don't get to enjoy the sunset at all or just partially.  However, you do get to enjoy a great view of all the hotel rooms and balconies!  Only a very small amount of tables do get to enjoy the sunset and the rest of the patrons, I guess they can see it another time.  Our server was very professional but he will disappear for at least 10-15 minutes at a time.  We finished our initial drinks and we sat there with empty glasses for a long time waiting to even make an appetizer order.  We had two baskets of bread served by the bus boys before we got offered another drink or even anyone came up to mention the specials and take our meal order. For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

HAMBURGER MARY'S  --  (American / Burger)  --  8288 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046  (323) 654-3800  -- Burgers and Onion Rings... yum,yum,yum.....  Good and fast service.  I always order one of their specialty burgers.  My last one was the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger. As the name states, totally greasy, fatty, and the most delicious burger I had in a very loooong time!  Worth the artery clogging fat for taste... he,he,he...  Prices for a burger range from $6.00 to $9.99.  The portions are huge and I can never finish the entire burger.  The onion rings are super thick, big, tasty, crispy and yummy as well as the fries.  We also had nachos to start with and they were ok... not the best but eatable. A veggie burger and no-carb burger version available for the healthy conscious.  The best part of this restaurant is the bathroom... yeap!  When you go in the bathroom there is a crystal ball in the ceiling and ABBA songs play in the background.  A mini-disco of its own... cool!!!  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

PORTABELLA  --  (Italian)  --  Ocean Ave & Monte Verde  Carmel, CA 93921  (831) 624-4395  --  After it was recommended by our hotel reception desk staff, we decided to give it a try.  And we do not regret it!  As it was a cool night, we opted to sit inside.  We sat in the back room, which feels like you are outside as it has clear ceiling and patio doors that open up and bring fresh air.  Also it is heated on cool nights.  This is a very dog friendly restaurant as there were two very well behaved dogs in this back section.  Waiters worked the way around them and even brought water bowls for them.  In fact, a child came over with a family and the dogs were better behaved than the screaming, annoying child.  Our super friendly waitress was accommodating, knowledgeable and professional.  She got us our selected wine and we were taking our time enjoying the wine before ordering dinner. She never rushed us and was letting us enjoy the moment, which gets a 5-star on my view.  By the way, I like the fact that they offer wine in 2oz bottles if the full bottle is not an option.  The wine selection is fantastic with many different wines from California regions.  To start, we ordered the "Quattro Funghi alla Panna" (PortaBella, Crimini, Porcini and Oyster Mushrooms, sauteéd with Marsala and Garlic * Walnut Biscuit) and the "Fresh Goat Cheese Ravioli" (Hazelnut Beurre Brun Sauce * Sweet Basil).  WOW!  It was very tasty and we wished we had more... not that the portion was big, just that we wanted more of it as it was super delicious.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

TUTTO MONDO  --  Dolores St at 7th Ave.  Carmel, CA 93922  (831) 624-8977  --  What attracted us to this restaurant was the Italian decor.  Well, lets just say this is the only thing that is nice about this place...  For lunch, we ordered the "Turkey Panini"  served with salad and choice of bread and the "Quattro Stagioni Pizza" (prosciutto, mushrooms, tomatoes and sausages with mozzarella cheese).  Lets start with the sandwich... a "panini" should be a warm bread but it was not.  It was like a sandwich I would make at home and the side salad did not have any dressing.  The bread was more like a baguette and there was more bread than turkey.  The pizza was just horrible!  The sausages were like something taken out of the freezer section in a grocery store, the prosciutto was overcooked, and the pizza dough was not fresh, it was a bad frozen premade one which felt more like eating a toasted bread/cracker with cheese on top.  It was a horrible lunch, totally dissatisfying, service was horrible and not a place I would go back ever again...  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

LOU MAINATI'S PIZZARIA  6649 N Lincoln Ave.  Lincolnwood, IL 60712  (847) 673-0800  --  The pizzas were so good!  We had the Chicago deep dish pizza.  Three of sausage and two of green peppers and onions.  They were gone in what it seemed a few minutes.  Great sauce, great crust and flavor left me with the desire for more.... even though I was quite full.  Afterward, we stay there for about an hour just talking and finishing our wines.  We were left alone and no one rushed us out... even though refills on our pitchers of water would have been nice. For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

JAMESON'S CHAR HOUSE  --  1702 W Algonquin Rd.  Mount Prospect, IL 60056  (847) 956-1500  --  For the main course I ordered the Tilapia fish.  Hum...  even though the fish was moist, it felt like it was the Jameson's version of 'fish and chips'... the deep-fried. breaded Tilapia was huge.  It took the whole plate.  For the vegetable side dish:  3 very thin, grilled and oily slices of zucchini.  I did enjoy the Tilapia (would have probably enjoyed something else better) but the plate look very pathetic.   As for drinks for the meal, we ordered the house red wine...  hum...  lets just say it was just "cheap" tasting that came from a box...  ok... maybe the leftover, rejected grapes from a winery...  but it was just yuk!  And it will set you back $6.50!  Not worth it...   Finally, for the service, this is what got to me...  The server (Jeff) although friendly and witty, but not professional at all, will POKE... YES, POKE ME in my arm so I can move out of the way so he could put things down on the table.  By the third time he did that (and it was not a slight poke, it was a hard poke!) I was getting ready to explode!  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

LE CENTRAL   --  (French)  --  112 E 8th Ave.  Denver, CO 80203  (303) 863-8094  --  Here is "Le Central" menu concept: it changes daily.  The menu includes a different type of meat (lamb, chicken, beef or pork), fish and vegetarian dishes all cooked with different sauces and side dishes.  In addition, to help with the budget, they also offer a "price fix" menu with a choice of an appetizer, main course and dessert for $19.95.  As it was a very cold day, we order soups to warm up.  I ordered the onion soup which was very rich, creamy, cheesy and delicious.  My friend order another soup which was not that good but our very accommodating and friendly server changed it right away to the onion soup.  We also order the warm brie appetizer with toasted baguette which was super delicious.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.

RIALTO'S CAFE  --  (American)  --  934 16th St.  Denver, CO 80202  (303) 893-2233 --  Looking for a place to eat after a super-early flight that did not offer any food, pretzels or snacks (unless you are willing to shell out $6.00 for a box of high calories, preservatives and high fat snacks), we left the hotel and walked down to the 16th Street Mall.  At this point anything sounds good.  But we settled for Rialto's Café, conveniently located in the middle of the open-air mall and attached to the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.  Rialto's Cafe has a very nice ambiance; very airy and open with high ceilings, a nice bar area, comfortable chairs and great décor.  It felt nice and comfy to be in the restaurant.  We sat down and they had a lovely breakfast brunch with huge omelets, pancakes and a nice Bloody Mary's open bar.  Yeap!  Who knew!  For $5.99 you get to have as many as BM's you want with different types of vodkas, toppers and spices to add at your leisure.  Nice.  For the full review, click on the restaurant name.