Chianti Grill

Chianti Grill
2050 North Snelling
Roseville, MN 55113

Catching up with Aaron J last night. We went to the new location for the Chianti Grill up in Roseville. In their previous location, Ian and I would stop in occasionally after going to The Source to look at comic books or magic cards. Our regular order was house red wine (can you guess their house? Chianti of course!!), maybe a flatbread pizza (shrimp and pesto - spectacular!), and the most amazing chocolate cake EVER. It was gigantic and paired so well with the wine, that we ordered it every time. And we're both a little spazzy about dessert!

Now the space is lofted, and very open, and really really beautiful. But it has certainly lost some of its previous cozy qualities that brought us back over and over. I ate a salmon salad, which was perfect. Crisp and flavorful greens, a light and sweet dressing, and just the right amount of salmon that it made for a delicilious, fulfilling meal.

Experience Ratings:
Ambiance/Space: 8
The place is welcoming, well lit, and well decorated. The bar area is tucked back just slightly for a separation from the dinner crowd which keeps you in touch with the rest of the restaurant, yet lets you sit a bit more casually in a high backed booth. All around, very nice and very comfortable.
Bathrooms: 7
Unremarkable. Clean, big, well-decorated. And since the place is brand spankin' new... they better be clean!!
Food/Drink: 7
Good here, good at the last location. Yum Yum Yum. The salad was the only thing I have ever ordered that wasn't off the happy hour or dessert menu though because I think their prices are just a little high. Somehow, I let the Downtown Minneapolis places off the hook for their pricing. If it were even just slightly less expensive, it'd be my watering hole.
Service: 9
They notice when we need them, and leave us alone when we don't!
Overall: 7
Just lovely! The prices keep out the hipsters and us youngins though. I think I'll drive to Upown next time.

Christian Truckstop & St Clair Broiler

Well, it's time to update on a few restaurants, and announce to the current hypothetical audience that I will be trying out a bit of publicity. So sorry, world of nobody, I might invite a few real viewers in.

Nelson Brothers Restaurant & Bakery

aka: The Christian Truckstop
950 State Hughway 24
Clearwater, MN 55320

If you're heading north or west on I-94, this is the pit-stop to make. Its just outside the cities a ways, so wait to use the bathroom just until you're a bit uncomfortable and you'll be right here!! Their fritter bread is sinful and they use it all over the menu. I used to get the Monte Cristo sandwich which is an amazing combination of sandwich and sweet for the most amazing plate fulla guilt you'll ever try. This place uses their fritter bread for the sandwich of turkey, ham and cheese, sprinkled with powdered sugar. Dip it in jam for the final touch. Now that I no longer eat bird, I have branched out, and tried a few other delectables including a few appetizers and breakfast plates. The onion rings are giant slices of sweet white onion in a batter that is heavy and light and sweet all at the same time (however that works). Their Nachos are made with what seems like bbq or chili meat. We call them Minnesota nachos because they taste like... home! Or your high school basketball tournament.

We've gone a few times and I can't quite remember all of my other dishes, but next time I'm trying their home made sausage made with wild rice. There is something a little freaky about pressed meat tubes, but if we're goin for home cookin and Minnesota foods, wild-rice sausage made without poultry sounds good to me!

Experience Ratings:
Ambiance/Space: 6
Its a rest-stop on the busy interstate, HOWEVER! It is a huge restaurant with skylights and huge windows, rustic log tables and chairs (which are surprisingly comfortable), and rooms behind rooms which make you forget there's a gas station right there.
Bathrooms: 1
Ick. No separate bathrooms from the stop though. Nasty, and usually busy with a tour bus of 11 year olds. Horrible.
Food/Drink: 8
Its all so delicious. Its all SUPER greasy though. Would you expect otherwise though? It is true to itself as a diner! The variety and creativity and home-made-ness of everything acually pushes it above the bar though as diners go.
Service: 5
It's a busy place and full of travellers. The servers are overworked and make no secret of the fact that they don't care at all.
Overall: 6
Worth stopping while travelling! Might want to consider louder music for the rest of the drive though, to avoid the nap your body will REALLY want to take.

P.S. - If you're wondering why we call it the "Christian Truckstop", it is because there are Jesus Fish all over all of their billboards.