The Dakota...it is more than just great jazz

I have decided to start my blog with a few of my past restaurant reviews from my Facebook account that my friends found helpfully "tasty"! Hope you will enjoy the same experience.

We have a world-class chef in Jack Riebel at the Dakota Jazz. His menu intrigues, tempts and satisfies the soul. I had a beguiling dinner there last Thursday with a friend. I am normally rather loquacious ... his artistry deserves my silence ... broken by my mmmms. Jalapeno poppers, Walleye cakes, Caribbean Spiced Prime Rib of Pork and a heavenly Smoked Dark Chocolate Cake.

Jalapeno poppers...one thinks of breaded grease & slimy limp peppers stuffed with?? Well...Jack's are smoky, intense morsels roasted & stuffed with creamy Fontina, wrapped in crisps of Speck ham, drizzled with zippy chipolte cream in counterpoint to his perfectly fresh pico de gallo. The faint fire of the jalapeno plays a marvelous bottom note to the smoke of the ham & the tang of the sauces. Worth the trip alone!

Walleye cakes...I've had them elsewhere...and my first impulse was to avoid. But I decided to try...wished I had been eating at home so I could have cleaned the plate! 3 little cakes...not fishy...glossed with ancho chili tartar sauce and colorful tortilla slaw. Firm, not pasty. Jack handles fish with a deft and gentle touch! A little fire...big on taste!

Caribbean Spiced Prime Rib of Pork---WOW! Smoky, meaty pork served with a light black bean rice cake frosted by habenero banana salsa. (Highly addictive!) The plate is decorated by dabs of diabolo sauce around the edges; allowing the diner to pull in as much intesity as they desire. (This is a big serving...the guys should love it! No "why bother" small bites here!)

Finally...dessert. Smoked Dark Chocolate Cake. A dark, not sweet, intense cake with an interior more akin to a moist pudding. The cake has a fragrant froth/foam of Earl Grey and whipped cream along side. Crunchy, salty pecan praline bits beg to be eaten alone...but all together it is heaven on a fork! All floating on a port reduction. Thank you..thank you ... thank you. Head to the Dakota .... I highly recommend it.