Yesterday was our 13th wedding anniversary and we went out to a new downtown St. Cloud restaurant, Mi Famiglia. We like to go spend big bucks on good food once a year on June 24, and while usually we go to Minneapolis or somewhere further for this, this year we decided to try this elegant new place right here in town. I'm proud to say we spent more bucks than ever right here in town.
The wine was fabulous--can't even remember the names of the reds we got but they were Italian and about $9 a pour.
Good thing for big napkins! He was embarrased by the mess he made, though he enjoyed the food but not as much as the same dish at our favorite-ever restaurant, the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin, Wisconsin. Oh, behind me in the kitchen Elijah's trying the leftovers of this cold for breakfast. His review in a minute...
For dessert I had the frozen limoncello with Earl Gray tea, and that was an amazing combination. Yum! Somehow I made room. George had coffee with chantilly, a pastry and cream thing with raspberries. He says it was "a lovely pastry but only problem was it had sat in the fridge for a couple days."
All in all we liked Mi Famiglia and will definitely go back when we're feeling wealthy or have a big celebration again, but the main complaint I have about the restaurant is the service. For one, it should've been slower. (I know, very un-American of me, but they should've given us at least 20-30 minutes between courses so we could digest, instead of bringing the next item on top of the last). Also, our waiter was very nice and attentive enough, but when you're working in an Italian place where a table for two nets you a minimum $25 tip, please don't say "eye-talian", "lemonchello" (for limoncello), and please don't ask us if we're "still working on that". Aargh! George puts that to improper training, not the waiter's fault. Of course, here in St. Cloud you don't want to be pretentious, but it is an awfully elegant restaurant and it cost us much more than many other elegant restaurants we've been to. Service ought to be impeccable in a place like that, we think.
But who are we to say? We only dine like this about once a year. (But that's going on at least 13 times now...)
In conclusion, I'll offer up our secret(s) to a lasting marriage, at least 13 years' worth...First, take your vows as sacred because there will be many times when that's all you've got. Second, be grateful for the other person as often as you can remember to be. And last, serve the other gladly. I learned the last one from my husband, who has truly taught me the meaning of kindness and service and love. He learned that from his parents, who have been married 51 years now with many more to come. (Oh, and his parents love good food, too, so once a year treat your wife big-time!)
We really enjoyed the restaurant, quiet with only 5 tables filled on a Tuesday night. It's a fairly large place so seemed rather barren, but still beautiful and very classy. The bathroom was even so lovely I just had to twirl in my dress in front of the long mirror!
The wine was fabulous--can't even remember the names of the reds we got but they were Italian and about $9 a pour.
For our antipasto, the Clams Adeline (the owner's grandmother's stuffed clams) were amazingly good, and the prosciutto-wrapped melon nice and simple. The Casa Insalata (house salad) was okay, a little strong on the balsamic. We were glad we shared the salad, as it was huge.
For the entree, George had the Frutti de Mare, which came in a huge bowl. Here you can see him working his way through the mussels, clams, scallops and shrimp in a red sauce with black noodles...
Good thing for big napkins! He was embarrased by the mess he made, though he enjoyed the food but not as much as the same dish at our favorite-ever restaurant, the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin, Wisconsin. Oh, behind me in the kitchen Elijah's trying the leftovers of this cold for breakfast. His review in a minute...I had the pan-seared scallops and saffron risotto. The scallops were tender and the risotto flavorful but a little mushy. My Sicilian friend Susan (hi Susan!) does a better job with risotto. It needed salt, too; I was a little disappointed and so full from the bread and antipasto anyway.
Here I am trying to get through the entree,
mainly because I was stuffed by this point...
For dessert I had the frozen limoncello with Earl Gray tea, and that was an amazing combination. Yum! Somehow I made room. George had coffee with chantilly, a pastry and cream thing with raspberries. He says it was "a lovely pastry but only problem was it had sat in the fridge for a couple days."
And I've just heard him say behind me, "Eli, I'm not sure if it's good or bad that you like expensive food." The Frutti de Mare (fruits of the sea, btw) gets a mm, mm good from him!
All in all we liked Mi Famiglia and will definitely go back when we're feeling wealthy or have a big celebration again, but the main complaint I have about the restaurant is the service. For one, it should've been slower. (I know, very un-American of me, but they should've given us at least 20-30 minutes between courses so we could digest, instead of bringing the next item on top of the last). Also, our waiter was very nice and attentive enough, but when you're working in an Italian place where a table for two nets you a minimum $25 tip, please don't say "eye-talian", "lemonchello" (for limoncello), and please don't ask us if we're "still working on that". Aargh! George puts that to improper training, not the waiter's fault. Of course, here in St. Cloud you don't want to be pretentious, but it is an awfully elegant restaurant and it cost us much more than many other elegant restaurants we've been to. Service ought to be impeccable in a place like that, we think.
But who are we to say? We only dine like this about once a year. (But that's going on at least 13 times now...)
In conclusion, I'll offer up our secret(s) to a lasting marriage, at least 13 years' worth...First, take your vows as sacred because there will be many times when that's all you've got. Second, be grateful for the other person as often as you can remember to be. And last, serve the other gladly. I learned the last one from my husband, who has truly taught me the meaning of kindness and service and love. He learned that from his parents, who have been married 51 years now with many more to come. (Oh, and his parents love good food, too, so once a year treat your wife big-time!)
Comments
My husband Nathan and I have the same tradition of having an obscenely expensive meal once a year. Our 7 year anniversary (itch itch) comes in August, and we're trying to decide where to go. Any suggestions? Will probably head to the Cities. Our all-time favorite in Minneapolis is Solera but we've actually been there 3 times in the last year, so we really should pick somewhere new. ;)
I have to agree, the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin Wisconsin is BY FAR my favorite restaurant. I love the environment, the atmosphere, the service, THE FOOD, the view!! All of it. I'm new to the TC area and would love to know your fav. spots (like the HVC) Thanks so much!!!
Miranda
We've been wanting to try Spoonriver near the new Guthrie theater, as the chef Brenda Langton is great (her Cafe Brenda is good for semi-wierd vegetarian stuff).
Thanks for all the comments! My husband says in this post I mentioned way too many times how we spent so much money at Mi Famiglia. Oh well! It was kind of shocking, and fun to do...