Restaurant Review: FLAME Grill--Bar, Carbondale, Il.

My husband and I were looking for a  place to enjoy a nice dinner in celebration of our 36th wedding anniversary. We live in southern Illinois which has many places to choose from, but we tend to go to the same places every year and chose instead to try a place we had yet to visit.

I put out a request for suggestions from locals on my EVERYTHING IN MODERATION facebook page as well as my husband's personal page, and we found many great reviews/suggestions on many places we have yet to try.

So, I decided to begin reviewing some new places as well as places we already love.

I'm starting with our dining experience at Flame.

Flame Grill-Bar  located  at 501 E. Walnut St. in Carbondale, Il., opened in 2012 and has quickly become one of the most popular fine dining places in our area. It is easy to find and there is plenty of parking.

*Photo from Trip Advisor


Upon entrance, we were greeted by our server who led us to a comfortable booth in an artsy, eclectic, yet classy dining room. Dim lighting and light music playing in the background created the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner.

The dining area was very clean, and patrons were dressed nicely, but casually.

*Photo from Trip Advisor

Our server wasn't the friendliest- not very engaging- but was efficient. I do try to keep in mind that servers are individuals with unique personalities and also I have no idea what they are going through personally at the time we chose to come and dine, so with that in mind, our service was fine. She promptly took our orders and returned routinely for refills and to meet any other needs we had.

We did not have to wait long for any courses of our meal.

Our appetizer choice was the Classic Bruschetta and it was just delicious! The presentation was beautiful and unique. The price was $7.99 and there was plenty for both of us to enjoy.

*Photo from Trip Advisor

The perfect blend of flavors-- tomatoes, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, garlic, and balsamic vinegar to spoon onto the warm, crusty bread.

The entrees we chose were both steaks, but prepared differently. I  ordered the 12 oz. Grand Steer Top Sirloin.

 It was perfectly grilled with a crunchy outer sear while remaining tender and juicy inside--medium rare, just the way I  like it. I enjoyed the salty, but delicious seasoning and a generous serving size. My entree came with choice of potato and choice of salad or soup. I chose a Caesar Salad which was very good. Homemade croutons were a nice addition. The dressing was tasty and bold, so little was needed. I chose mashed potatoes as my side and was surprisingly disappointed. I LOVE mashed potatoes and just assumed they would also be great. I only ate a few bites of them. Something was off. Something more butter or salt couldn't remedy. My husband felt the same about his. I would recommend ordering the baked potato instead. My entree was $20.99 which included my steak, potatoes, and salad. It would have also included bread/butter (which I hear is delicious) but you must ask for it on the side-- no extra charge.

My husband ordered the Sirloin and Shrimp Asiago Steak. It was a 12 oz. grilled steak topped with grilled shrimp covered in a creamy Asiago cream sauce with grated Parmesan. He did not care for it. But I think it is just a taste preference, and no reflection on the chef. He took a chance on an unfamiliar combination of Asiago and seafood, and it so happened he didn't like that combo. He felt the cheese overpowered the dish. But again, just his preference, someone else may love that combination. His entree was $27.99 and also included a salad and potatoes. Bread would have also been included.

We were both too full for dessert and drank water and tea, so I can't review desserts or drink choices.

We visited on a Tuesday evening and it was busy enough for a weeknight. Reservations are not required, but I would suggest making them on a weekend or with larger parties. There is ample seating, however, always best to be prepared.

Dress was casual. You could come dressed up or casually dressed and would fit in nicely. This is a nice place to dine for a special occasion. Hours of operation are 11am-9pm Monday-Thursday. Friday and Saturday hours are 11am-10 pm. Closed on Sundays.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Atmosphere and bruschetta are worth a re-visit. Great steak. Good menu selections. Also different specials throughout the week.

Check out their website, or find them on facebook here.

Enjoy! ~Everything in Moderation.

Chicago-Style Hotdogs for Father's Day

This is another simple recipe that the kids can help put together for Dad--especially if he is a baseball fan. This little lunch consisted of the hotdogs, and peanuts (needed to get some Cracker Jacks), some chips, POWERADE for the beverage and a baseball cupcake and Baby Ruth candybar for dessert. I purchased the little picnic set at Wal-Mart, complete with condiment dispenser, hotdog basket and liners.

 Except for the cooking of the hotdog, the kids could help put this all together for Dad...and a great gift idea would be to throw in some tickets for a ballgame or purchase a t-shirt of his favorite team as I did. GO CARDINALS!

 I'm really not a hotdog lover, mainly because they are not healthy at all, so again, enjoy  in MODERATION. But trust me--you'll never eat a hotdog any other way again, once you taste this one!

The secret begins in the hotdog itself. DON'T be tempted to save a little $$ and buy the cheapest ones out there...BIG MISTAKE! Also, ALL-BEEF wieners are the way to go.  My favorite brand is this one:

Costs a bit more, but so worth it!

Boil water and then reduce heat and place dogs in to cook for 5 minutes, until done and remove.

Or go ahead and grill em up!

You begin building  with a poppyseed bun (for the traditional recipe--but I could not get my hands on a bag, here, so I had to go with the plain)

Add 1 T. yellow mustard.

1 T. sweet green relish (the brighter green , the better)

1 T. chopped onion

4 Tomato wedges

1 dill pickle spear

2 sport peppers *I didn't add them for my Dad

1 dash celery salt

You'll notice that no ketchup is on this dog...you won't miss it!

A HOMERUN!

Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day treat! Double Your Pleasure: A&W Root Beer Float & Root Beer Float cake

I put this together for one of my cooking segments I did on our local morning news shows last year.

I shared simple ideas that kids could make for Father's Day. I found the free printable tags online (sorry, I no longer have the link), but I think kids could make it themselves.

I added a previous post about root beer.....that includes a ROOT BEER FLOAT CAKE.

 If Dad loves root beer, this would be a great treat for him!  ENJOY!







Unlike the majority of society, I'm neither a Coke or Pepsi girl. I prefer Sprite or Root Beer. But actually, I prefer a Root Beer Float if I'm gonna' bother drinking soda!

For many decades in my small town, we've had an A&W drive-up restaurant, complete with car hops. Mike's Drive-In is a southern illinois landmark, located in West Frankfort, Il. They still serve the beloved A&W Root Beer and the RB Floats in a frosty mug! People travel for miles to enjoy this treat that takes us all back to a simpler time.

Several years ag my husband and I went for a little getaway to celebrate our  anniversary and part of our trip included "Antiquing" In Historic Cape Girardeau, Missouri. I found an old A&W mug to serve my float and I couldn't wait to bring it home, wash it up and enjoy my float in a frosty mug-all proper-like.

I made it, took the photo, and then before I could lick my lips, Big AL took it and woofed it all down!

His response when he laid the empty mug back on the counter? "Man, that was good!"

For the root beer lover in your family, especially DAD on Father's Day, double his pleasure with the cake and a frosty mugged-float!

(You'll be the favorite child ;) )

All you need is:

1 A&W mug (yeah, it makes ALL the difference)
2 scoops FRENCH VANILLA Ice Cream (I used Blue Bunny)
And enough A&W Root Beer to spill over the top of the mug so you can lick it off the side when no one is watching!

Rinse mug and freeze till frosted!
Put in ice cream.
Pour on Root Beer.
Serve with a spoon and a straw.
Hide it in another room till you're ready to share!

And now for the cake:



Root Beer Float Cake

You will need:

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
1-3/4 cups cold root beer, divided
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 envelope whipped topping mix


Directions:

In a large bowl, combine dry cake mix, 1-1/4 cups root beer, oil and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 minutes. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, combine the whipped topping mix and remaining root beer. Beat until soft peaks form. Frost cake. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 12-16 servings.

*I found this recipe in my Taste of Home Cookbook.

*This cake has a mild root beer flavor, not at all overwhelming.
You can also use your own icing recipe and add a little root beer to it.