The Pre-Minervas Blog

For all of you non-Sioux Falls savy readers out there, Minervas is THE prime fine dining restaurant in the city. Or so I've heard.

I have yet to experience the thrilling food that will (hopefully) tantalize my tastebuds and leave me hungry (but not litterally) for more.

I decided to poke around on their website for some standard run-of-the-mill info. I ran into professional photos, hours, dinner and lunch menus, and a full wine list. The wine list especially perked my interest with many familiar as well as unfamiliar names. I am anticipating the formal wine service with high expectations.

A whole wine bottle for little me? (I am after all, 5'0 and weight a smidge over 100 lbs). No no. My guests for the evening are two good friends, Christine and Ryan. Christine shares a love for wine with me as well as a background in restaurant experience as well. And Ryan well, Ryan loves food. Neither have been to Minervas and it will be a new and exciting experience for all!

Watch for the review that should be posted no later than this Friday!

"Hi how are......'WATER!'"

The opportunity of being a server can be very rewarding. On a daily basis you have the chance to meet great people and hear amazing stories. Unfortunately, servers also put up with a lot of rude and intrusive guests.

And there's always a few in the bunch; the guests that everyone on the waitstaff wants to kill.

More specifically, these are the people that think they should have it all: the perfect waiter, the cut of steak from a heifer that shits diamonds, and of course, a price they see fitting to pay when the show is over and done.

Here are a few helpful hints from an experienced server:

1) Your server cannot read minds. Ask nicely and you shall receive.
2) If you only order water, be happy with the damn water. It's not a complicated beverage. Don't tack on modifiers like no ice, little ice, extra lemons, etc.
3) The staff is, essentially, there to make you happy. But don't abuse this privilege. Be respectful and courteous while treating yourself to an enjoyable evening.

So the next time you're out, keep it simple and keep it easy. Everyone should have to wait tables for one week before they die. And if this task was even remotely possible, the restaurant business would be a whole different game.

Things you will always find in a restaurant

Things you will usually (if not always) find in a restaurant:

1) Drama
2) A drunk guest
3) A drunk employee
4) Lists that never get done
5) Empty boxes (if you're moving, have your friend save them for you!)
6) Someone who speaks very little (if none at all) English
7) Lovers
8) Plenty of sharp knives. So be nice to the kitchen and waitstaff.
9) Little children screaming at their parents
10) An explosion of crumbs and ground in noodles into the floor once the screaming children and stressed-out parents have left
11) Servers left phone numbers instead of a tip (oh the stories)
12) Enough cigarettes in the coat room to feed your addiction for half a year
13) Haters (see # 7)
14) A shortage of salt and pepper shakers/grinders (because guests have and more often than not act upon the urge to take them as "souvenirs")
15) Guests who think their server will not realize these salts and peppers are missing after they have left

And the list goes on and on...

"Shaken, not Stirred"

At least that's how James Bond prefers his martinis. But I bet he's never had one from an anonymous casino and bar in Sioux Falls.

Nestled into the Beakon Centre, Martini's Casino & Lounge is a destination no bigger than a few hundred square feet. The lounge and casino, conveniently separated by the bar, each appeal to different crowds. The lounge area forms an inviting atmosphere created by dim lights of hazy yellows and reds. The casino, on the other hand, is illuminated with neon lights and the glow of video screens. And last but not least, the area that ties it all together, is the bar.

The bar area is tidy yet small, but still manages enough room for countless flavors of vodka and top shelf alcohols. Overwhelmed with many delicious sounding choices, I settled on the Peppermint Patty Martini just in time for the holidays. It is sophisticatedly shaken with White Creme de Cacao, White Creme de Menth, more cream, and garnished with a pattern of chocolate syrup. Thicker than the average martini, it will coat your mouth and tummy with warmth. Another drink I sampled, which my bartender personally recommended, was the Bubblelicious Martini. Composed of Midori, bubble vodka, pineapple and cherry juices, this martini is a work of art. Beside the visual appeal, it not only smelled like bubblegum but also tasted like bubblegum.

On the other side of the room from this bar is another bar. However, is is not your average bar. Instead, it is a free-of-charge candy bar. Items include M&M's, pretzels, cheese puffs, and even an occasional Twinkie. And germaphobics don't need to worry. The restrooms are clean and the casino supplies ample hand sanitizing systems for all.


These systems work to everyone's advantage whether they are a smoker or non-smoker. Because of South Dakota's unique laws regarding public smoking compared to the rest of the states, smoking is allowed. One downside to such a great casino and bar is the poor ventilation.

On the other hand, because Martinis is a small and fairly new establishment, it is rarely busy. Therefore, if the number of bar patrons is low, chances are the number of smokers will be too. However, the fact is is a fairly empty bar can cause issues. Ladies, be warned. Because the bar is so little, making an escape from a man who is not Prince Charming is not only difficult but IMPOSSIBLE. Speaking from experience, Martini's is not the place you can get lost in a crowd because simply put, there is no crowd.

But don't let this scare you. Martini's is a place to relax with friends and have a few premium made from scratch drinks. The best part is, if you gamble and support the casino with approximately a minimum of 10 dollars, the bartender just might set you up with a free tab for the evening.

I dare James Bond to find a better martini.


Martini's Casino & Lounge
4823 S. Louise Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD
605.275.4823

Hours:
Monday-Sat: 8am-2am
Sunday: 12pm-2am

Smoking: Yes

*As I was talking to one of the head bartenders, he informed me that Martini's picks up a guest's tab on an individual basis. In other words, be polite and start with a minimum of 10 dollars on the casino floor. The max amount of free drinks is three (at the price of seven dollars apiece) so don't be stingy. Be respectful and support Martini's if it is a place you enjoy visiting from time to time.
**Also, if your tab for the evening is free, don't forget to tip!

Coffee Slut

According to some people, coffee is a disgusting blend of bitter beans but to others, like myself, coffee is comfort. And comfort is a warm feeling of familiarity to us all because it is consistent. Although I don't consider myself a full-blown coffee slut, I do enjoy a good brew when the mood strikes. One late night I set out to find a tasty cup of coffee for a little pick-me-up and found myself at the Starbucks on 41st and Louise Ave.

Being in the holiday spirit, I ordered a "tall" (a "small" in my mind but otherwise known as a 12oz.) seasonal Peppermint Mocha. I thanks the baristas and walked out. Immediately after the first sip I was disappointed. My coffee had the temperature of a cup brewed by a frozen Eskimo who would be thankful to have any minuscule amount of heat in a drink. It was lukewarm at best. I gulped it down as fast as possible to prevent it from icing over like a pond in December.

I returned the next day at 10am to again test drive the same drink. The shop was quite busier compared to the previous night and was filled with bleary-eyed business folk. Trial two was warmer, but not by much. I was once again served a tepid drink.

Sad to say, but this Starbucks is a letdown in both price and quality. A painful total of $3.48 was sacrificed for each attempt that produced a cold drink, and because it was cold, a thick drink, and because it was thick, a gritty drink.

I recently took a road trip and needed a warm cup of caffeine to keep me awake. And the crappy cup of automatic Cenex-style cappuccino I paid for one dollar and some odd cents was a much better deal.

Needless to say, I will not be returning for a comfy cup of coffee to the fancy money-sucking corporation know as Starbucks. Cenex here I come.