Danny Martinez

8.9

This review is not about the wine. This review is solely about tok which is possibly the best restaurant Kris has found independent of Danny. She doesn’t recall the origin; what she searched and when? Unsure. Though as the destination in Hoi An to celebrate 48 with Danny and his parents: exceptional. To be fair, this whole trip has been remarkable in only good ways. The White Lotus arrival at The Nam Hai. The upgrade to the three bedroom villa (compound). Nayuu and the origami welcome back … but we digress. tok and its chicharron and veggie chips. The ceviche and clams and prawns… plus cauliflower, flank steak, and last minute addition of mushroom ravioli. Everything was exceptional. More than 5 stars… 10 stars. All the stars! A requirement each trip back (we will return for 49!). — 2 months ago

Danny Martinez

9.1

Wonderful dinner with Alex, Esma, Alex’s parents Andrew and Sylvia and Kris at Mott 32. Started with the char siu and we worried it was not going to be enough food but thanks to Kris’s expert ordering, we were fully satisfied. Slight hiccup with our hairy crab dumping order but we had it and enjoyed it. Everyone loved the fried black cod, pea shoots, and short rib. The wine was light enough to carry a diversity of flavors but with enough flavor to stand ion it’s own. The wine ordering system was amusing (p.6 #4) — 2 years ago

Danny Martinez

9.2

Roganic at home, lockdown 2022. Days feel dark and we need to find a positive where we can … delicious food, good wine (super easy to drink: velvety, acidic, substance yet light). Need to see if they sell at Baker and Bottleman. — 3 years ago

Danny Martinez

9.2

Celebrating 47 a month later (post colonoscopy and 10 year anniversary celebrations). Staple favourite with my favourite person. We wanted a Gianni Brunelli and said so to the Somm; he then suggested this approachable delight. Great, great bottle. Happy and reasonable (for Otto e Mezzo!). ❤️ — a year ago

Danny Martinez

8.9

Gift card redemption on a rare Sunday evening out. Reasonably priced tasting menu and wine list — and all was delightful. All courses were quite nice, especially the ochazuke and “forest floor” dessert. The wine: light, flavorful, and very easy to drink. Would buy. — 2 years ago

Danny Martinez

9.4

Dinner sans Kris as she’s busy chaperoning interns… stopped by Watsons and randomly grabbed this wine before dinner and Blu House as they are still BYOB… turned out to be a great bottle of wine that was light/refreshing/easy to drink….will make sure to leave kris a glass to taste whenever she gets back.. also need to order some more to have at the house! As for dinner, pasta and ossobuco was delicious… will come back.. when it comes to dessert, I wanted to take the gelato in a cone for takeaway and they were adamant that I shouldn’t bc it would melt too quickly…I final won the argument and ended up getting extra gelato! Will save that for Kris as well. — 3 years ago

Danny Martinez

8.6

First off, let me correct the last bottle. Danny bought that one without me — it wasn’t from Toasst — and it’s better than this one 😉. As for this one, it is from Toasst. We did drink it at UH. Easy to drink. Very light. Some minerality. More juicy than the other, so not quite as balanced or complex. But can I drink this without question? Yes. But we don’t need to buy again. — 3 years ago

Danny Martinez

9.2

Our first time at Boka since the move — and it is just as lovely as we would want it to be… great service: both attentive but also non-intrusive. Solid people watching, and every dish was executed with precision. Kris picked the wine (perhaps with a bit too much assertiveness), though it was an Oregon Pinot from Dundee Hills… and, well, they reign supreme. They deserve the reputation. Thankfully Danny seemed to like it in the end (phew). He would order again! He would buy it for the house! Double phew. Anyway, it’s Danny’s last day of 42 and we are lucky to be in Chicago to enjoy this time with family and friends. And Oregon Pinot ;) — a year ago

Danny Martinez

9.5

Happy Boxing Day 2022 from 🇭🇰! Ok. Bottle is done. Meal is complete. Honest review to follow. One — this wine. Serve this to anyone and they will be thrilled with its drink ability and balance coupled with depth and refinement. It’s Brunello de Montalcino’s finest (according to Sr and Sra Martinez). While service was a bit slow — where were we to go? Nowhere other than to people watch and enjoy the show. Technically it’s still alba truffle season; one tagliatelle order later (don’t ask the price); so happy. A dual of meat dishes: delightful (though don’t leave Danny alone w pomme purée) — but at the end of the day, it is the desserts that reign supreme. The sgroppino! The soufflé! Pannetone with mascarpone cream! The box of chocolates and truffles (and a side of limoncello). Visit at Christmas, we insist. This was a lovely visit at a staple favorite. 5 stars! — 2 years ago

Danny Martinez

9.0

Great bottle Watsons recommended — 3 years ago