Dining Al Fresco …

JP Rennquist Apr 09, 2009 13 Comments

That ever expanding city within a city, or as I like to call it, SMDC-opolis played host to a shockingly pleasant dining experience today …

After the first dr visit of her 10th month of pregnancy my partner and I were both famished and agreed to visit that behemoth’s  hearthstone grill (I refuse to put the extra “e” on grill cause that just grates on me, they are trying way too hard to be something they are not).

Anyway, the food was really good. Nice variety, well prepared, and yeah, it’s cafeteria style, but the service was still really good and quick, and it’s nice to pick out your own serving sizes sometimes, especially when you’re rushed or have a big appetite.

And as my impromptu photo will attest, the view and ambiance were very very pleasant. Although, if you are a neat freak keep your food on the tray as the outdoor tables had a thin, barely noticeable layer of grime on them.

The cost for this very gastronomically and aesthetically pleasing lunch for two cost (that’s one giant and one very pregnant lady so we are talking appetites here folks.) Well, it came in well under $20.

So I’m wondering to myself, am I crazy, or did I just stumble upon a fantastic new lunch place? And even more shocking to me … did I just find the new best place to dine outdoors in the Twin Ports?

1st outdoor lunch of 2009 at the new(ish) SMDC clinic building

Our 1st outdoor lunch of 2009 at the new(ish) SMDC clinic building

Your thoughtful thoughts?

Recommended Links:


Outdoors, Restaurants

13 Comments

Pear Head

about 16 years ago 

I was just overlooking the outdoor seating arrangements today and thought they could be a nice place to relax for a bit, although I never tried it...

10 months of pregnancy though, huh?  That must be fun...

Barrett

about 16 years ago 

Why is this "creepy stuff"?

Calk

about 16 years ago 

I had lunch there once with a friend who works at SMDC and thought it was really grat food for a really great price. I'll be sure to check it out again, I love dining al fresco.

wildgoose

about 16 years ago 

Two points of clarification in three acts:

1) She's not 10 months pregnant, not yet, anyway, she's just in her tenth month.  Which is still very uncomfortable, as I am told on a regular basis.  And I appreciate that.

2) I find it creepy how much I enjoyed the meal, how pleasant it all was and the value DESPITE my ...

3) ... periodic disdain for how the now sprawling SMDC complex has crept all over the neighborhood throughout the course of my lifetime, sending out its little tendrils in all directions swallowing up houses, small businesses and even its own competitors in its quest for bigger and bigger buildings, parking lots and ... for whatever it is questing for.  Maybe just survival, I don't entirely know.  There are some good, good people there and even though I find fault with some of its methods and practices, I'm glad its there. I just find it creepy sometimes.

Misty

about 16 years ago 

You did not really have to say "that's one giant and one very pregnant lady" You do not really think I am giant do you? I feel a little insulted.. :(

wildgoose

about 16 years ago 

well ... I am not a beautiful pregnant lady so that must make me the giant.  And I'm guessing I am gonna be paying for this post for a long time to come ... 

(as he turns bright crimson from embarrassment)

Putting your foot in your mouth is one thing, putting your foot in your mouth online is a whole 'nother ball of wax, isn't it.

BadCat!

about 16 years ago 

(Disclaimer: I do nerd-work within one of the giant tendrils of SMDC)
I do know that smdc spent a lot of money making the hearthstone into something a lot better than the average hospital cafeteria. I think it might have something to do with the combination of the super new & shiny building, and moving all the cancer specialties to be within it. I've heard that cancer (and it's treatments) can really destroy your appetite - cafeteria food can do that too I'm sure. I've also heard rumors that pregnant women like food, and lots of it.

Calk

about 16 years ago 

What really cracks me up about SMDC is how First Street is two way in front of SMDC. SMDC is so powerful that the city did this to accommodate them. Wow.

tiogatime

about 16 years ago 

i agree that this is a find. i had lunch there with a friend who works at smdc. i had tilapia with jerk sauce and a black bean-rice-veggie combo that was wonderful, healthy, and ridiculously cheap. and the portion was so large i couldn't finish it.

toyota200x

about 12 years ago 

My mother was at SMDC and while letting her rest I did some exploring and found the Northern Lights Cafe. I went back & dined there about a month ago and was very impressed. NL Cafe is located off 3rd street and has some very extended hours [1am or so]. I had a tilapia with a large salad & it came to ~7 dollars. Another impressive note is that the 3rd Street Bakery has their bread in cookies in the restaurants. 

I really with that the Hospital had an online menu. They post the meals for today and tomorrow on a board outside the NL Cafe, but there isn't a different way of finding out what is being served. 

I need make it back for another excellent meal.

BadCat!

about 12 years ago 

They do have an online menu, but it's only for employees and can't be viewed from the outside (is posted on their intranet site).

toyota200x

about 12 years ago 

Thank BadCat, but DARN! How do we convince them to post it somewhere on the internet?

BadCat!

about 12 years ago 

I'm not in the power to do anything about it, so I'd suggest asking directly: http://www.essentiahealth.org/main/contactus.aspx

Leave a Comment

Only registered members can post a comment , Login / Register Here