OK, so I’m going to just come out and say it, although it’s really an absurd statement: the best steak I have had in a long time was served at a restaurant inside of a combination bowling alley-kids arcade in the middle of nowhere Georgia. Yeah, really. I don’t usually order steak all that often (and will probably be doing a lot less of it on doctor’s orders), but I had said steak before the eat-less-red-meat suggestion and I hadn’t even ordered the steak in the first place.

Alright, here’s the back story: My mom came from California a few weeks ago for a visit with me and the kids. One afterno

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The historic center of downtown Waukesha continues to be an incubator for interesting restaurants. The newest is Key Westconsin (331 Riverfront Plaza, Waukesha), which offers the flavors of Key West in Wisconsin. Located along the Fox River just across from Waukesha State Bank, it is a light and airy place. The bar boasts a “Gilligan’s Island”-like thatch roof. The menu focuses on seafood, with lunches that offer lobster roll sliders, a shrimp po’ boy and a scallop BLT. Dinner options include crab cakes, tropical shrimp and scallops West, which come in a lime hollandaise sauce. Meatier options include a chicken breast and a New York strip steak. Prices are moderate and there are pleasant walkways along the nearby river. It’ Full Post…

Victory Lane Motorsports Cafe, 3801 Easton Blvd., has a new owner and look. Mona Fickes became the owner of the restaurant and bar about two months ago. She closed the place for a couple weeks to remodel it, changing the theme from racing to one that encompasses all sports. Because it’s a neighborhood place and the name is familiar, she said she chose to keep the name. The menu has been bulked up a bit and hours have changed.

The menu includes appetizers, pizza, cavatelli, sandwiches, chicken and more. A kids’ menu is also available.Tuesdays are bike nights, and the grill is filled with hamburgers and pork chops that night.

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One of the nice things about my boss is that every month or so he insists on treating his employees to lunch out of the office. It isn’t a business meeting but rather a nice leisurely getaway from the grind of the cubicle world. Where we are located does not have a ton of variety amongst restaurant selections, or so I thought. Until my co-worker introduced us to The Cottage in Wellesley’s Linden Square complex of shops and dining. Opened just a few years ago, with original roots in California and another location just opened in Newton’s Chestnut Hill, it obviously has expanded quickly. I lea

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Among the few area restaurants devoted to vegetarian food, most have basic settings. One exception is Café Manna, which opened in Brookfield Town Centre in 2008. Located in the building just east of Sendik’s Market, Café Manna is an inviting place to dine.

The completely vegetarian menu uses organic ingredients whenever possible. Items are color-coded to indicate raw, vegan or gluten-free options. One specialty is the raw tacos.

A complimentary starter of pita chips with cashew/coconut hummus arrives immediately. Savor this as you explore the recently updated menu.

New items include raw tamales, a “meatball” sub and the “black and white” entrée, which offers black bean and quinoa cakes served over white hominy hash. One item t Full Post…

Some days are meant for soup.

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