Author: gatorgirl.outoftheswamp@gmail.com

Billy Goat Tavern – Chicago, IL

There is a famous place in Chicago, near the United Center, that is known for their cheeseburgers called Billy Goat Tavern.

Billy Goat Tavern has a rich history that dates back to 1934, starting with the Greek immigrant who started the bar to the Billy Goat that fell off a truck and wandered inside. There is still a goat on display in the restaurant.

What I also learned is Billy Goat Tavern was also made famous on Saturday Night Live. It was the “Cheezborgor, Cheezborgor” skit.

The place was packed. It seemed like everyone had the same idea. They have burgers and hot dogs on the menu. I went for a cheeseburger. They grilled them up to order so there was a slight wait, but I figured it was going to be worth it.

The fresh beef patty came out of a huge fresh bun. After seeing how big the bun was I wish I had ordered a double patty.

They have a topping bar that you can use to customize your burger or hot dog to your liking. I kept mine simple with just adding some relish. I did not want to take away from the flavor of the meat. The burger was extremely juicy. It did not take me long to scarf it down.

I also got some French fries. They were hot and crispy. The perfect companion to a cheeseburger.

Now before I left Chicago I did visit another location of the Billy Goat Tavern. This time it was their location inside O’Hare airport. I figured it would be perfect to enjoy on the plane.

This visit I ordered a cheese dog paired with cheese fries. The hot dog was covered in liquid cheese. It made such a mess when I took a bite. There was so much cheese it oozed everywhere. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a cheese dog.

For the French fries, the cheese came on the side, so I had to dip the fries into the cheese. I would have preferred the cheese be poured over the fries.

I really enjoyed both of my visits to Billy Goat Tavern. It will definitely be my new go-to restaurant for when I am at the airport.

Check out their history at www.billygoattavern.com

Enjoy!

T

Eataly – Las Vegas, NV

I have read about the Italian eatery called Eataly for a few years now. I was excited when I went to Las Vegas and got to visit their 37th location. It is located in front of the new Park MGM hotel and casino (formerly the Monte Carlo).

It smelled so good as soon as I walked through the door. It was so overwhelming I did not know where to start. I decided the best way to start was to just walk around and get the lay of the land.

Gran Caffe Milano

I started off here so I could get a glass of wine. I tried the Lambrusco. It is a sparkling spumante that looked a little like grape juice. It was sweet but not overpowering.

Il Fritto

I strolled over to Il Fritto because they were serving up a variety of arancini. I have never seen so many different kinds of rice balls. I ordered two different varieties.

They also gave me some fresh made Italian bread. Cutting open the crispy crust revealed the soft center. They had an olive oil station where I was able to mix fresh extra virgin olive oil with cracked pepper and Parmesan cheese. This was the perfect blend to dip my bread in.

Arancini Di Funghi – This was a mushroom rice ball. It was full of earthy flavor that was also creamy from the cheese they included.

Arancini Ragu alla Bolognese – The rice was mixed with a Ragu sauce that had pieces of tender meat throughout.

Pizza Alla Pala

I could not leave Eataly without getting a pizza. I got eggplant, basil, and mozzarella cheese on my pizza. They hand tossed the dough in the air. It was fun watching them do that. Then they placed the pizza in one of their wood burning brick ovens.

The pizza came out looking perfect. The crust was puffy with a slight char from the oven. The taste of the dough was amazing; it was light and sweet. It was great with the fresh mozzarella. The fresh basil added intense flavor that was fresh and inviting.

Il Gelato

Even with all the wonderful things I had eaten, I needed to finish off my Eataly experience with some homemade gelato. They make fresh gelato and sorbetto every day. There were so many wonderful flavors to choose from.

I did a double scoop so that I could at least try two different flavors:

  • Pistachio – this had full size pieces of pistachios that were directly from Italy.
  • Mint Chocolate Chip – this had big chunks of creamy dark chocolate pieces.

Both gelatos were super creamy. The natural flavor was really intense.

There was one last thing I had to do before I left Eataly. There is a mosaic tile bull on the floor near the exit to the casino. This lucky bull is a replica of one that is in Milano. Legend has it if you spin three times on top of it you will have good fortune. So, since I was in Vegas I figured I would give it a shot.

If you are visiting Vegas there is plenty to do. I recommend you put Eataly on your list. Check them out at www.eataly.com

Enjoy!

T

Searsucker – Las Vegas, NV

I was invited to a special dinner when I was out in Las Vegas. A big group was getting together at Searsucker inside Caesars Palace.

The restaurant was beautifully decorated. Their were reclaimed wood signs on the walls that had a variety of inspirational quotes on them.

Since we were a large group, we had a fixed menu that was created by Chef Stephen La Sala. It was a selection from the menu. Each course was set up family style so we just shared it around the table.

First out was the salad. This was fresh field greens that was tossed with candied walnuts and goat cheese. The salad was covered in a champagne vinegar dressing. The dressing was great; it was sweet and tangy at the same time. The walnuts added crunch and sweetness. The goat cheese crumbled throughout added a creamy texture.

The meats and sides came out at the same time. I made sure I tried a little of everything. The flatiron steak was the first item I tried. The steak was very tender and juicy from the beer marinade they used. The flavor from the grill enhanced the savoriness of the meat. They also had some crispy potatoes on the side of this platter.

The next thing I tried was the chicken. This roasted chicken was seasoned with lemon and garlic. The chicken was extremely moist. There was a savory flavor to the overall chicken. They served blistered tomatoes on the side along with arugula that added a peppery element.

The also brought out a fresh salmon. They grilled the salmon perfectly creating a great sear on the outside. They served cannelloni beans with smoked bacon on the side. The bacon added a salty taste to the sweet, creamy beans.

There were two separate sides that they brought out to the table. The mashed potatoes were amazing, some of the best I have every had. The potatoes were tremendously creamy. They drizzled a little sour cream on top so it added even more creaminess and a little tang too.

The Brussels sprouts were delicious as well. They roasted the sprouts till they got crispy around the edges. They also included walnuts, which was a nice crunch factor. They tossed the sprouts with a Serrano vinaigrette before cooking them. This vinaigrette added extra savory flavor to the dish.

I really enjoyed everything that was on this menu. I would want to go back to try their regular menu. You should check them out at www.searsucker.com

Enjoy!

T

Hash House A Go Go – Las Vegas, NV

Many years ago I visited Hash House A Go Go in Las Vegas after seeing them on The Food Network. Now they have expanded to several locations throughout the country. I was back in Vegas and visited one of their newer locations at the Rio Hotel and Casino.

I had worked up a big appetite for breakfast. It was hard to decide what exactly to order. After reading the menu a few times I decided to order the corned beef hash. The portion size was huge. It came out in a giant cast iron skillet.

The corned beef is made fresh so it does not come out as crispy as other hashes. The meat was tender and moist. They covered it with Swiss cheese. The flavor pairing of the meat and cheese was perfect.

They served a huge portion so I made sure I shared some. They also included seasoned potatoes underneath all of the corned beef and cheese. They make homemade biscuits that came on the side. The biscuit was flaky but also very dense. It was the perfect vehicle to spread their homemade strawberry jam. And I cannot forget about the two eggs. You can get them cooked any way that you would like.

Hash House A Go Go is known for their fried chicken. Lucky for me I also got to try Andy’s Sage Fried Chicken. This was another huge portion of food. It is hard to believe that one person could eat all this food.

The breading is extra crispy. They use cornflakes for the breading. That crispy layer helped lock in the juices from the chicken as it cooked. The chicken was very tender and moist. The seasonings they added to the breading carried through to the chicken.

Check them out at www.hashhouseagogo.com and see if there is a location near you.

Enjoy!

T

Villa Berulia – New York, NY

So if you have been reading my blog lately you will see that I have been on an Italian food kick during my travels. There is something about Italian food that is comforting and is a great go to meal.

While visiting New York again I went to a wonderful Italian restaurant called Villa Berulia. It was a quaint place that was actually much larger inside than it appeared outside.

I started off with a glass of Merlot as I looked over the menu. I also enjoyed the fresh made garlic bread. The bread was loaded with garlic and had a nice crunch.

There were many Italian favorites to choose from. It really came down to what sounded the most intriguing. There were two appetizers that I ordered for the table. I thought these would be great start to the meal. The Clams Oreganata sounded really delicious and not something that I had before.

These are clams that are sprinkled with seasoned breadcrumbs and then baked till crispy on top. These little morsels were so tasty. The clams were tender and full of oregano flavor.

The other appetizer was fresh avocado slices that were topped with fresh crab and shrimp. The avocado was soft and creamy. It went really well with the sweet lump crab meat. The shrimp were tender and sweet too. The combination of ingredients worked perfectly together.

For my main dish I ordered the chicken picatta. The chicken was thinly sliced and lightly breaded. Even with as thin as the chicken was it remained juicy and tender. The overall flavor of the dish was rich and savory thanks to the wonderful sauce that was poured over the chicken. There were a few capers in the sauce that added a slight salty taste when they were part of the bite.

There was a pasta that came of the side. It was chopped up into bite size pieces which made it a little easier to eat. It was only in garlic butter but there was enough of the sauce from the chicken that I was able to mix in the pasta. It was really good and could have been a dish on its own.

I was able to save a little room for dessert, especially when they rolled out an entire cart.

I had to go after the red velvet cake. It was a huge slice that luckily I was able to share with the table.

The cake was moist but slightly dense. It had a rich velvet texture. The cream cheese frosting was sweet and extremely creamy. It was slightly on the thick side. It went perfect with the coffee and Baileys that I ordered.

This was a great restaurant and I would definitely want to go back for another meal. Check them out at www.villaberulia.com

Enjoy!

T

Mojo’s – Lakeland, FL

Watching football on Sunday’s is a tradition across America. Having a fun place where you can watch the game and have great food is a must. I found that place in Lakeland, Florida called Mojo’s.

They were founded in 2008 and are known for their ice cold beer. I was very excited to see that their wings have won tons of awards.

Their menu is cute and creative. It’s a newspaper!

I was thrilled to try their red raspberry sangria. It can be ordered by the glass or the pitcher. Naturally, since it was game day I ordered the pitcher. They use raspberry liquor, cherry juice, and cranberry juice and mix that with Merlot and fresh squeezed oranges. It was the perfect amount of sweetness and great for a warm Florida afternoon.

For an appetizer, I ordered their potato chips and queso. It’s a unique combination. They make homemade potato chips that are really addicting. The queso has a chili mixed in that has a little bit of spice. I enjoyed how the spicy queso and the sweetness of the sangria complemented each other.

Since their wings have won awards I knew I needed to try these. There are several sauces to choose from so it’s good they can be ordered in increments of 5. I was able to try different flavors:

  • Hot
  • Garlic Parmesan
  • Sweet & Spicy Plum

The Hot is a traditional Buffalo wing sauce. It was not too spicy; it was the right amount of heat. The kick came from the vinegar in the sauce after I was done eating the wing.

The Garlic Parmesan was a creamy sauce with minced garlic mixed in. It was a little salty but the creamy sauce added a buttery flavor that balanced out the salt. I imagine this sauce would be amazing on pasta.

The Sweet & Spicy Plum is their take on an Asian sauce. The spice was not to hot and the sweet came from the plum sauce that was mixed it. I could really taste the plum. This sauce was my favorite. I liked how unique the flavor was. It was great on the crispy skin of the wings.

I had a great time at Mojo’s and I definitely want to visit again because their burgers looked really good. Plus the staff was fantastic. My waitress, Tiffany, was great!

For a fun time watching football or playing pool on the patio – Mojo’s is a must visit. Check out their website at: http://www.getmojod.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

 

Gaspar’s Grotto – Tampa, FL

Ybor City is a historic area in Tampa, Florida. In the late 19th century, this was home to many cigar manufacturers. Though the area has changed over the years, you can still find a few shops where a cigar can be rolled right in front of your eyes. Now Ybor City is filled with restaurants, shops, and night life. The original Columbia Restaurant that I have previously written about is located in Ybor City.

I was not sure what I was hungry for when I got there, but after walking around I saw Gaspar’s Grotto. The pirate flag caught my attention. The entire restaurant is pirate themed.

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The first thing I noticed on the front of the menu was that they are known for their sangrias. They make a homemade red and white every day. Depending on how thirsty you are you can order them by the glass, half carafe or pitcher. I just went for a glass.

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I started off with the red. This version was not overly sweet. They used a unique blend of watermelon and honeydew for the fruit decoration. It made the drink feel more tropical. It paired great with the appetizer I started with.

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My bartender recommended I try the Tostones with Mojo marinated shredded pork. This pork was served on top of fried plantains with a spicy salsa and a guava sour cream drizzle.

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The pork was juicy and shredded to perfection, no need for a knife at all. The salsa had a huge kick but then the heat was softened by the guava sauce. The fried plantains reminded me of potato pancakes, except that they were a little sweet. They tasted amazing dipped in the guava sour cream.

It was time for a drink refill. This time, I went for the white. I knew I had to try their other option. The white sangria is much sweeter than the red.

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This one also had the melons on top.

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One of the other items that Gaspar’s is known for is the Cuban sandwich. Of course I had to try that. The bread was toasted and the cheese melted wonderfully around the meat. The sandwich was much bigger than I was expecting so I had to take half of it back home.

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The sandwich came with fried plantain chips. These chips were slightly sweet and lightly salted. They were extremely addicting. I could not stop eating them. They were better than any kettle chips I have had.

If you want great food and drinks Gaspar’s Grotto is a great spot. Plus with their outside seating area you can enjoy an array of live music. Visit them at www.gasparsgrotto.com

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Enjoy!

T

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Scarpa’s – Lakeland, FL

Some friends of mine knew how much I loved Italian food and told me that I needed to join them at Scarpa’s in Lakeland, Florida. They absolutely love this place so I knew I would love it too.

As soon as I walked in I was greeted by a giant chalkboard filled with their daily specials. As soon as I saw arancinis on the board, I knew I would be getting these for sure.

The restaurant is slightly small inside so it is necessary to make a reservation. They do have a beautiful wine cellar with several great options to choose from.

I ordered a glass of their Rose Prosecco. It was pretty in color and light in flavor. It is not as dry as other Proseccos can be.

The fresh bread they brought to the table was amazing. This Italian bread was crispy on the outside and soft and warm inside. They served it with a side of seasoned olive oil. I could have eaten the entire basket so I had to pull myself back.

As planned I ordered the arancini. Two huge rice balls came out on the plate. I could not wait to see the chef’s interpretation. The breading on the outside was very crunchy. Inside was the cheesy rice. There were no peas or chopped meat which was ok because they used a ton of cheese that made it super creamy. The flavor was great on its own but the pasta sauce they served on the side was a nice complement to the cheese.

The eggplant rolatini came out fore I could finish the arancini. This was considered an appetizer but I thought it was big enough for a meal. Two large pieces of eggplant was plenty for me. The eggplant was sliced very thin and breaded just enough to get crispy on the outside. Inside the eggplant was loaded with a soft, creamy cheese mixture. The cheese had a sweet taste. It had pasta sauce drizzled on top along with a little extra cheese. The flavor was great and the cheese made the dish extremely filling.

The few things that I had a Scarpa’s were wonderful. I want to make sure I make another visit to try some other items. I heard the Parmesan crusted grouper is amazing.

Check them out at www.scarpasitalian.com and make sure you have a reservation.

Enjoy!

T

Rocca Ristorante – Burlingame, CA

Just a little south of San Francisco is an area called Burlingame. I found a quaint little Italian restaurant called Rocca Ristorante. It is located on the main street among several other cute restaurants and shops.

The restaurant was a little small inside so I was glad I made a reservation. There was a great bar when I walked in that had a beautiful mural painted on the wall. It reminded me of some of the restaurants I visited in Barcelona.

They brought some wonderful fresh bread to the table, along with some fresh olive oil and Italian spices. The focaccia bread had great flavor and was elevated when I dipped it into the olive oil mixture.

I started off with a cocktail, a raspberry cosmopolitan. I had not had one of these in a long time. It brought back wonderful memories of the first time I ever had one during a trip to Hong Kong. It was the perfect blend of sweet and sour. The fresh raspberry puree made it taste fresh.

I made sure to order a bowl of the minestrone soup since I love soup so much. The soup was loaded with vegetables from beans to potatoes. The only thing that was missing was a little pasta. Normally I find that in minestrone soup. There was a savory taste to the broth that I thought had a comforting feeling.

For my main dish I ordered the gnocchi. As anyone who reads my blog will know, gnocchi are my favorite. These gnocchi were actually filled with butternut squash. They offered two different options for sauce. It was a tough choice so I asked the opinion of my waiter. He said to go with the pesto sauce. This sauce was slightly creamy. The gnocchi themselves were pleasantly sweet. It was balanced out by the herby nature of the pesto.

This dish was extremely rich and it filled me up fast. Naturally I could not finish it but I knew what I would be having for lunch the next day.

I did get to try the Tortellini alla Casalin. Talk about another extremely rich dish. These tortellini were stuffed with meat and cooked in a cream sauce along with peas, mushrooms, and pancetta. I could tell right away that this pasta was homemade. There was tenderness to the dough. The meat filling was savory and had a creamy texture. It went perfectly with the savory sauce that made the dish so filling.

These filling dishes made it so I was not able to order dessert. I would want to come back just to try a few of those sweet treats on the menu. If you are in the San Francisco area and want to get away from the crowds and tourist spots, head a little south, past the airport to Rocca Ristorante.

Visit their website at www.RistoranteRocca.com

Enjoy!

T

JCT Kitchen – Atlanta, GA

There is this great farm to table restaurant that I got to visit in Atlanta recently called JCT Kitchen. It’s located in an area that use to be old factories and now it is being transformed to a popular hangout.

The restaurant inside is beautifully decorated with reclaimed wood, flowing curtains, and cozy lighting.

The choices that the chef had on the menu the day I visited were unique and not found at many restaurants I visit. Everything from rabbit to swordfish,  no matter what type of protein you prefer there is something for everyone on the menu.

My table started off with a few appetizers. We started with the deviled eggs. These delicate eggs came out topped with thin slices of country ham and drizzled with olive oil. The filling was extremely creamy and fluffy. The ham added a slight salty taste.

The other snack that came out was the toast. This is a very vague name to be sure. What this dish contained was a toasted slice of baguette topped with out of the ashes (which is goat cheese), celery and a fresh apple salad. The cheese was so creamy with a slight tang. The celery added crunch and the apple salad offered a sweetness that counter balanced the cheese.

The final starter was the Stracciatella. Stracciatella is a buffalo cheese. They make this cheese fresh. It comes with African squash and a hazelnut drizzle. It is served with a fresh flatbread. This cheese too was super creamy and had a mild, light taste. The squash had a savory taste that paired well with the cheese. The flatbread was soft and had a great taste from the light grilling they did to it.

One of the most popular dishes at JCT is their fried chicken. I was able to try one of the wings because one of my dining partners ordered this dish.  The breading on the chicken was extremely crispy; I love that with fried chicken. That crispy outer layer helps seal in the juices and flavor. As soon as I took a bite the juices just flowed out. The chicken was cooked perfectly. The flavor that the chef captured in this chicken proves why this is their most popular item.

I ordered the Gulf shrimp for my dinner. This was their version of shrimp and grits. The shrimp were chopped up into pieces, which made it a little easier to eat. These shrimp were mixed with red mule grits and shrimp bordelaise. They also added a generous amount of cheese in the grits as well. That cheese made the grits really creamy and salty, which was the perfect accompaniment to the fresh shrimp. The dish is rich so I was not able to finish the whole thing.

We shared a few sides around the table. The macaroni and cheese is a must try. This cheesy goodness was blended with bacon. That crispy, salty bacon flavor was fantastic with the cheese. They cooked it in the oven to create that wonderful crispy top layer.

The other side was the Brussels sprouts. These were paired with apples from Georgia and tossed with chili honey. They were roasted to create those crispy edges on the Brussels sprouts. The sweetness of the apples offset the bitterness from the sprouts.

The food I got to enjoy was extremely filling. Because of that, I had no room for dessert. That was a bummer because many of the desserts sounded wonderful. I would definitely come back to JCT and would bring more friends with me. Check them out at www.jctkitchen.com

Enjoy!

T