Honestly "I only want what's best for us,"

I am out of the country right now, but on my way to the airport, I decided to stop at Gilbert’s Grill in the Harbor Shops. When I entered I was aware that the place was clean, modern and the owner, Bob was at the counter. This was my first time here, but Bob treated me like I was in his family. Knowing that I was headed to Central America where the food is typically Hispanic, I decided to indulge my desire for a big juicy burger with cheese and bacon. It was awesome. A heart attack on a bun. They cut their own french fries, use good fresh dill pickle spears and the staff, Bob’s son, was highly attentive to our every need. I loved the place. My friends agree. My travel companion had a grilled Mahi Sandwich
that she said was the “bomb”. All Thumbs Up.

Ladies and Gentlemen It is now almost midnight and instead of going to bed, I feel compelled to scream out to you. This Comedy musical review dining was an un-believeable evening of hard belly laughs,and very good food. Mind you, I didn’t say great food but very descent. I had the broiled sea bass and my friend had the crab stuffed shrimp. Another friend of ours had the Beef Tenderloin which she thought a little undercooked. I also had their Maryland style Crab Cake which I thought to be excellent. But, and this is a BIG BUT, The songs about Justice Soto Mayor, Barrak Obama, Senator Larry Craig, Middle aged Women having hot flashes, gay cavemen, well I tell you folks, you just might laugh so hard that you might choke, on all that delicious food.
I swear to you that people were rolling on the floor with laughter.
Go There, You will have a fantastic time, Honestly

I have seen Dame Edna on the BBC, maybe you have too.
This whole restaurant is based on his television show.
So much Glitz and Glam. The waitresses (ours was a
Lucy look-a-like) was like a doll, just a perfect immitation.
The Comedy was adult in nature, but very funny.
The food was very good too. Entrees were Chicken Roulade, Blackened Salmon, Barbecued Baby Back Ribs,
Wild Mushroom Ravioli and a Cappuccino Brownie for desert. The prices were reasonable on the food, but the entertainment was priceless.

I went downstairs for lunch with my adult children. We ate
outside overlooking the water. Our waitress was a delightfully upbeat and cheerful person who was eager to please. Since daddy was paying, my son had a big juicy NY strip steak and my daughter who is not fond of Seafood ordered Shrimp. Everything was fresh and cooked correctly. You should see the size of the Tarpons
that swim just under our seats waiting for someone to drop a french fry or some bread. One such Tarpon breached the water and almost splashed us. This is a very casual restaurant downstairs for lunch, but they open the upstairs for dinner at 5pm and are significantly more upscale for dinner, very romantic. With the proper
expectations you will love this place.

I never like to find fault with a new management, they have done so many improvements to the decor and ambiance, and they are still trying to improve.
That being said, they need to rethink their menu. It seems that the current trend is for wood fired grills in many new restaurants. There is just one difficulty, the food tastes of smoke. It was quite pronounced in my entre. Also nix the fried yucca chunks, they tasted like fried cardboard. It would have been better if they just kept it plain and simple.

Please bare with me, because this may be rather long.
I have driven by this restaurant thousands of times, but I have never tried it.
Last night Chef Matthews was kind enough to host a dinner of my peers and me. I will begin with the positive,
The food was delicious, correctly prepared in spotless kitchens that you can see students learning their trade.
We took a tour of the classrooms/kitchens where the students were learning cuisines of the world, last night was India, they were learning a rosted Garlic and potato
leek soup, Curry Chicken and a cheese desert of some kind. Thjis is not the food you will eat however. The students themselves eat this.
There was a western US cuisine class which encompasses Tex Mex, BarBQue, and Pacific Northwest cuisines.
Everone was facinated with the Pastry, Desert and Bakery. They were making Baked Alaska.
Our dinners came from the A la Carte kitchen, where
third and fourth year students hone their skills.
I ordered a Pan Seared Red Snapper with tropical fruit salsa, curried Basmati rice pilaf with dried fruits.
It was perfectly prepared, the assorted hors d’ oeurves were delightful, Roasted Duck Breast with Mandarin Orange cream cheese on flat bread, Shrimp Escabeche,
Andalusian Gazpacho. The appetizers were Sesame crusted Diver Scallops, Barbeque Chicken Pizza, Grilled vegetables with tomato Coulis, and Baba Ganoush with pita.
Others in our party were treated to Penne Pasta Pomodoro, NY Strip Steak, and Chicken Breast stuffed with Prosciutto and Provolone Cheese.
The demonstration of the evening was at desert. They
prepared Crepes Suzette tableside, what a treat.
Now, for the challenges.
First, finding a parking space is a challenge. Students
at the Art Institute, where this restaurant is located, are arriving for their classes, and it was an extreme challenge to find an empty space.
Secondly, the wait staff are culinary students, not servers, they do not get paid, They try their best, but don’t expect polished servers.
Finally, The egos exhibited here by the instructors
made me cringe just a little. The instructors all must have Masters Degrees. Gordon Ramsey is their role model.
This is a not for profit restaurant. Every dollar is used in the operation of the school. They are only open when the students are there. They have no paid employees, so tip your server generously, please. Help these students who deserve our support.

Sette Bello is the most valuable card in the italian card game SCOPA. It is the gold lucky seven card and it means that you get an extra point.
This ristorante is authentic Sicilian. The owner Chef Franco is following his passion for providing the public with the very best food and service possible.
Open for both lunch and dinner, Lunch Mon – Fri 11:30 to 3 pm, Dinner Sun – Thurs 5 – 10 , Fri & Sat 5 – 11 pm
It is the real deal and real good too.