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Kate's avatar

That sparkling apple cider is my FAVORITE. Still haven't been to the orchard though. 🤦‍♀️

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Professional Contrarian's avatar

We should go . . .

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Stephany Harvey's avatar

Damn, girl! One of those El Presidente pics looked like what I sat through at the plastic surgeon’s office (the one that I DIDN’T chose).

And Prime and Providence has lost me forever. Once, for getting into an argument on Facebook, defending their food against my review, and second for that reason you listed. (Yes, I DO know how the dish is supposed to taste). And that explains a lot. There are too many good restaurants to chose.

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Professional Contrarian's avatar

What's the "damn, girl" for? lol

I'm admittedly curious how that argument went! Prime and Providence could be the most amazing food in town, but I've balked at 801's prices most of my life. I go to Harbinger and Oak Park maybe once a year, if that. I was raised eating at home or at cheap chains. I'm not sure I'll ever be OK with meals over $100, even for two. Sometimes, I just grin and bear it.

If a restaurant can serve something that tastes expensive while making me feel like I don't have to dress up, that's more valuable to me than food that I'm supposed to ooo and aaaaah over. I get fine dining and why it is what it is. I get the precision it takes, the skill, the research, the ingredients, all of it. I'm simply not willing to participate when a meal costs more than my utilities.

We ate pizza from Chef Jacob at Crafted last night, and I'm still in awe of it. That, right there, is the perfect dining experience. I'll probably blog about it lol

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Stephany Harvey's avatar

“Damn, girl” was straight up complimentary…speaking truth.

The argument was that I must have never had trout almondine before, if I hadn’t liked his. I think he’d probably argue a lot with anyone who has done “fine dining” outside of Des Moines, sadly.

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Stephany Harvey's avatar

To say nothing about the destruction of those green beans…

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