Going back through my reviews from 2007 I found that I visited entirely too many restaurants even though I took nearly three months off this summer. There have been some diamonds in the rough but many, many disappointing experiences. Here’s a quick glance back at where we ate in 2007 (in date order):

1. Enjoy! in Apple Valley, MN.

On January 20th, 2007 we joined up with Aaron, Mindy, Chris, Laura, and Josh to celebrate our close birthdays together. Kim and I had visited Enjoy! in 2004 with my parents and found it mediocre. After reading that Enjoy! had revamped their menu, most likely to compete with the Copper Bleu in Lakeville, we decided to give it another shot and weren’t disappointed.

2. Tandoor Indian Restaurant in Bloomington, MN

On February 2nd, 2007 we met up with Tim and Meredith for an evening of Indian food in a busy strip mall next to a Red Lobster in Bloomington, MN. Three of us thought the food was pretty decent and one of us (Kim) didn’t care much for it.

3. Houlihan’s in Eagan, MN.

On February 16th, 2007 Kim and I tried out the chain restaurant Houlihan’s located right off of 35E in Eagan. Even though I normally despise chain restaurants, this one was far from your usual experience at Chili’s or Applebee’s and we were thoroughly impressed. While we haven’t been back yet, we are planning on it again soon. It currently resides in the top three of our favorite restaurants.

4. El Patio Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Lakeville, MN

On April 20th, 2007 Kim and I went out to El Patio to try it out after reading that Steve Eck and the Star Tribune thought it was noteworthy. The only noteworthy item I could find at this location was that the Star Tribune’s reviewers don’t know their ass from third base about food and shouldn’t be trusted, ever.

5. Two Guys from Italy in Apple Valley, MN

On June 19th, 2007 Kim and I visited this restaurant which went on to become one of our most popular reviews of all time with over 10,000 views and many comments from both visitors and staff. I had my reservations about the restaurant well before I stepped inside and within seconds my opinions were cemented with a sub-par experience and one we will never repeat. Comments from both visitors and staff center on the confusing ordering system, lack of quality food and the fact that the owner has failed in numerous other ventures following the success of his location in Edina that the one in Apple Valley apparently doesn’t even come close to achieving.

6. Tucci Benucch at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.

On June 29th, 2007, Kim and I joined up with Laura while Chris was out of town on business and enjoyed an excellent meal in this chain located in the Mall of America. The service was friendly and prompt and the food was definitely better than we ever expected. Chris hates The Mall and will probably never step foot inside again but Kim and Laura are chafing at the bit to get back to have another great meal — maybe while he’s out of town again this spring ;)

7. Satay 2 Go Asian Cuisine and Bakery in Apple Valley, MN.

I had several readers recommend that I try out Satay and for whatever reason it took me several months to get out and get there. All I can say is that I regretted not going there earlier and Kim and I have returned almost weekly to visit this little gem located in the parking lot of Home Depot. This is only Apple Valley restaurant to achieve a spot on our top restaurants list and currently sits as #1 for many reasons including superior service and unbelievably good food.

8. Luxury Sweets Gelateria in Apple Valley, MN.

Kim is more of a sweet treats fan than I am but I enjoy a good gelato or ice cream now and again. This is the only location in Apple Valley where you can get homemade gelato in a large space across from Kami Japanese Steakhouse. I’m surprised they are able to sell enough to survive in their location, especially that another restaurant Jan’s Brown Bag Deli closed its doors so quickly after opening, but they have and they are keeping their loyal customers returning time and time again for those treats.

9. Brianno’s Deli Italia in Eagan, MN.

Another reader recommendation ended up drawing me into this tiny little spot hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Cliff Road just off of Cedar in Eagan on July 19th, 2007. I ate some absolutely excellent sausage, peppers and onions but Kim’s sandwich wasn’t anything but ordinary. If you’re looking for a nice place to get some Italian foods, good meats and some treats, this is your place.

10. Bucky’s Soup Sandwiches Salads in Apple Valley, MN.

On September 23rd, 2007 after much dieting and eating salad, I decided to sneak in to Bucky’s to try out one of the newest restaurants in town. While it was probably too early to give them the fairest of reviews, I was not impressed at all at their offerings and haven’t returned since. It was overpriced and so limited that I honestly have no desire to even give it another chance, especially after they attempted to astroturf on my site with several fake comments posted on my site to try and drum up a positive spin. A big no-no in my book.

11. Copper Bleu in Lakeville, MN.

While I didn’t eat at the Copper Bleu in 2007 (instead we were there way back in December of 2005 on their opening weekend), it was one of the biggest stories in the South Metro when it closed its doors. The debt incurred from the expensive (and ugly) structure was too much to overcome being based out of a Cub Foods parking lot deep in South Suburbia.

12. California Cafe at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.

On November 8th, 2007 Kim and I happened by what appeared to be a cute little restaurant in The Mall. With good experiences in the past at other Mall locations we figured it couldn’t be that bad. Unfortunately we were wrong and we are again on high alert when looking around the Mall of America for a place to eat.

13. Stephano’s in Burnsville, MN.

On December 1st, 2007 we joined up with Chris and Laura for what we expected to be an excellent dinner at Stephano’s in Burnsville, MN. Unfortunately what we experienced was nothing short of a pile of shit and by far one of the worst experiences in recent memory. The choice quote from my review was:

An absolute fucking disappointment and one that I will never repeat. Honestly, we’d probably be better off eating at Two Guys from Italy and any of you that read this site frequently know just how much it pains me to say that. Fuck, I just threw up a little in my mouth.

Regular contributer Tearitup, reading about our poor experience had to verify it for himself and also had a sub-par experience, especially for the prices they were charging. I am still, to this day, embarrassed for suggesting that people go there and I apologize to anyone that have been misled by my suggestion.

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We’re looking forward to another great year in 2008. If you have any suggestions for new (or old) restaurants for us to visit, please send them along.

Happy New Year everyone!

Kim and I exchanged gifts last night over a dinner of stuffed portobello mushrooms, grilled asparagus tips and polenta. We had a great time and we both ended up with some nice gifts for each other.

I bought Kim two Godiva chocolate covered strawberries. I really wanted to get her the half-milk half-white ones but they were only offering dark or milk. I also got her two pieces of strawberry cheesecake chocolates that looked delicious. I heard no complaints about those treats so I guess they were :)

I went over to Old Navy and saw a really nice red sweater on sale that I knew would make Kim’s face brighten up. I also picked her up a game she had on her Amazon wish-list, Pit. She explained it to me and while it sounds boring I’m sure it will be quite a bit of fun when we get a couple of us playing.

I looked for a romance novel she was interested in but I couldn’t find any copies at Barnes and Noble and because I’m a last minute shopper I didn’t order it from Amazon in time. She’ll live — she has enough books.

Kim owned me with some great gifts including more used books from the Xanth series (I am missing only a few now), the first season of Rescue Me (from my wish-list), Sellevision (also from my wish-list), some sugar free candies (gum, twizzlers, and some Werther’s Originals — although they can’t be original if they’re sugar free!)

I started reading Sellevision last night (as I’ve enjoyed all of his other books that I’ve read) and was instantly into the book. I had to tear myself away and head to bed. I’m sure I’ll finish it tonight and get into some of the other books I plan to read over the next few days.

This morning I got to work and had several treats and gifts from co-workers. Andy owned me with The New Pornographers album Mass Romantic from the Amazon music store. Natasha had a bottle of homemade spicy olive oil with more red peppers than I can ever imagine putting into a bottle this size! There were also some candies and other treats that I passed off to others so I wouldn’t be tempted to cheat :)

Enough about me, what did you all get?!

Kim, Josh, Chuck and I went out to the Minnesota Timberwolves game vs the Phoenix Suns tonight at the Target Center.

Kim entered a 100 word essay contest at work and ended up winning some absolutely fucking pimp tickets to this game. While neither of us are basketball fans and we had to skip out on our first RollerGirls game of the season (to which we have season tickets) but figured we couldn’t pass up this near one-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The tickets were third row to the left of the basket and offered an excellent view of the court. We were so close that we could hear the players talking on the court and while we couldn’t have reached out to touch them we certainly could have nabbed a flying ball thrown at an unruly fan ;)

Kim, Josh and I went to Hooters across the street before the game because there was no wait as opposed to Applebee’s. The service was slow and the food was terrible but it was Delightfully Tacky! BTW, if you go there and like hot sauce please refrain from ordering their Three Mile Island sauce or you’ll find that it’s more like ketchup than hot sauce.

We met up with Chuck and headed into the venue. We were stopped at the entrance to our section by a friendly usher, Dennis, who according to Josh was originally assuming we would be sitting in the cheap seats before reading our tickets and then taking extra special care to direct us toward our seats.

We sat down and enjoyed taking close-up photos of the warm-ups. We ordered a cheese and fruit plate along with a water that ended up paying several dollars more because the waitress walked off with the cash I paid her without giving change. I guess they’re used to being tipped by the high-rollers more than I thought she deserved.

The game was great from what Josh says — I only paid the closets attention during the last 5 minutes or so. Josh assumed that the Wolves would get rocked but at half-time changed his tune when we were right on top where we ended the game.

I’d go back if we got free tickets, in the same great location, but I’ll certainly take baseball or football tickets over those any day :)

See all the pictures from tonight’s game here (camera).