Yet another freaking article about the Events Center, even though no funding source has been picked and the taxpayers have yet to vote on it. But this ignorant quote says it all;
Betty Kleine, who lives one street over on North Lyndale Avenue, favors the Convention Center complex site over downtown.
“We hope it comes here because we hate going downtown,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine adding an events center there.”
You HATE going downtown? Why? I’m baffled by this. While I can understand some dislikes about parking, etc., what part of DT do you specifically HATE? The great restaurants? Falls Park? Free outdoor art and music? The statue of David? Trust me, I have had my battles with DT entities, and I am critical because I want them to be the best, but I still think our DT is where it is at.
You know where I hate going? The arena and convention center. It’s like I’m going to Baltic or Crooks, because it is so desolate.
“I know we are talking about an Events Center, but, hey look over my shoulder at all these shiny pre-owned Harleys. How cool would you look driving up to the new events center in one of these?” – Â Jimmy E. (Image: Screenshot, Argus Leader video)
I also enjoyed the video of councilor Entenmann. It was so nice of them to interview him in his retail establishment right before Christmas and also feature him in the Sunday insert about top businesses in SF. Hey, but the news department and advertising department don’t influence each other. Yeah right. LMFAO!
The great restaurants?
For every GREAT restaurant DT there are 20 out in the “Urban Sprawl”, and a hell of a lot cheaper. I, like you, do like Touch Of Europe, and for a good date night restaurant, I’ll go to TOE or elsewhere in the great urban sprawl.
BTW. I do feel right at home at Falls Landing. My kinda place. So, while I’m their mingling with Joe SixPack, you and Sy have a 20 dollar cigar at Kant’s place. 🙂
Dude, hands down, the best places are DT, even though the best steak in town is where I work (not DT).
Parker’s is the best gourmet cuisine, TOE is the best atmosphere, Sushi Masa, best tasting food. Minerva’a has the best bar and apps.
Yeah, and they ALL have the BEST prices if you get my drift.
I’m glad you bring that up. I have always thought about doing a ‘values’ guide, and pointing out the best ‘value’ at each restaurant. Trust me, there is certain things that are a good deal.
You also must realize, restaurants make their money from selling soda and potatoes. Not meat.
You also must realize, restaurants make their money from selling soda and potatoes. Not meat.
And don’t forget wine. My wife and I have been to Parkers. Bring your VISA card. We paid $20.00 for two (small) glasses of wine. About $30 apiece for a tenderloin that quite frankly was not that good. About $150 for a 3 course meal. Good date, but ain’t goin back. Wife agrees.
So…give me a “VALUES” guide for Sushi Masa. Never been there. Don’t bother with Minerva’s. Been there. Done that. Way past that stage in our lives where we’re out to look the part.
Wow! That cracks me up. Parker’s is my favorite restaurant in town. Partially for service and ambiance, but mostly for the food. Is it expensive? Fuck yeah, because they don’t want podunk people eating their, and good for them. I’m not saying you are podunk, but it’s just nice going to a place where I don’t have to look at screaming kids and ‘Tap out’ t-shirts’ . The cooks on staff are fantastic also, and I often tell people to sit at the counter and watch them work, it is the appeal of the place. There is something about people cooking your food in front of you that is appealing, it’s artistic and reassuring at the same time.
When you go to a place like Parker’s, you will pay more, and you should expect more. It’s one thing to bitch about the price of a certain item, it’s an entirely different thing to bitch about service.
If your food sucks. Bitch. No doubt. No excuses. Don’t just walk out the door and tell your friends, “They suck.” Give them a chance to make that shit up.
Service? This is tough one. I have always got fantastic service at Parkers. Have they done ‘little things’ that were not good? Sure. That shit doesn’t bother me. But they have always made good.
I complained once about an app, and they took it off my bill (undercooked). They did the right thing, so what can I say.
As for the wine question. What I often do is check out the price of wine in a liquor store after buying it in a restaurant. If a glass costs as much as what I can buy a bottle for, I agree, thieves. If it costs 50% of a bottle, I’m cool.
Remember, restaurants have to make money to.
Poly, we should do a ‘tour’ sometime, my treat, I will learn you about service and food.
I have often told people, the key to good dining is reading the menu thoroughly.
order a drink right away, and tell your server when the menu is laying at the end of the table you are ready to order. And always ask stupid questions. I love them. Personally, I like showing off my food knowledge. I have not struck out, ever. If I recommend something, it’s golden.
We should hit lunch at Masa some time, it will be fun times.
I was a sushi virgin until earlier this way, and the pair of wonderful women who took it from me were oh so gentle. The best thing to do is to buy as a group instead of individual platters. If there’s 4 of you, get 5 or 6 different orders and share.
I also thought it was interesting how they showed all the property owners out by the Arena and some of those are the 30 homes they want to buy up at 125K a pop. I’m sure they’ll all cooperate and won’t want any more than that.
Entenmann used to be a downtown supporter, but has since pushed the Mayor pretty hard on the Arena site, maybe he’s got something in mind for his old store. I thought this quote from the same piece was equally moronic:
“Entenman also sees the area’s street network as an advantage for the Arena site. “There is so much of the infrastructure that’s already in place such as streets,” he said.
Like downtown doesn’t have streets? Granted, it doesn’t have a goofy 45 degree angle street going right by his property, but it’s not like downtown is undeveloped.
I also thought this was a good quote:
“Today, the area “is still kind of limping along and nothing has really ever taken flight out there,” said Brockhouse, a principal with Bender Commercial Real Estate.
Brockhouse doesn’t envision much more development if an events center is built there.
“I really don’t see much growth out there because of it,” he said. “I really don’t.”
Brockhouse has way more cred than Entenmann on this topic.
and Poly, once again you paint downtown as overpriced when you went to one of the top 3 most expensive places in town on a date. Minerva’s isn’t Applebees, why do you demand they price match when they aren’t in the same league?
When’s the last time you even thought about going to the Arena area for a special occasion not involving a concert or game?
Come on, Sy, even you have to admit that the streets surrounding the Arena are more accommodating for heavy traffic.
14K people come and go every day in downtown so I’d say that = downtown can handle heavy traffic.
Plus, per the 2025 Transportation plan, the bulk of the planned projects are aimed at making access from the edges of the City into the center and back out much easier and more efficiently. So traffic as defined by larger metros won’t be as much of an issue here, if at all.
We don’t have a traffic problem, we have a small town driver problem that one only has to take a run to Sam’s Club on a Saturday to experience.
This quote is a bit of a doozy too:
“If it goes there, I think, first of all, the property values are definitely going to increase in that area and land is going to be more viable,” Huether said. “I think it is going to extend far beyond just that area, and that includes the downtown and the mall area. … You’re going to see the impact throughout the city if the new events center is built out there.”
That’s the same Mayor who said we would “trust the experts” on the site selection. Brockhouse is the only commercial real estate expert quoted in the story and he says we won’t see squat happening out there.
and Poly, once again you paint downtown as overpriced when you went to one of the top 3 most expensive places in town on a date. Minerva’s isn’t Applebees, why do you demand they price match when they aren’t in the same league?
Same league? I like a great meal as well as anybody. Nothin wrong with throwin value into the equation tho. Just because we’re eatin in a hundred year old bldg with “ambiance”, does that mean I should pay $12 for 3 ounces of wine out of a 33 ounce wine bottle that cost $30 to $40 dollars?
When’s the last time you even thought about going to the Arena area for a special occasion not involving a concert or game?
Well…let’s see. Breakfast can be kinda special. Ever been to Rosie’s? 🙂
And Lunch? Nothin wrong with Buffalo Wild Wings. Can eat there 4 or 5 times for your one time at Minervas or Parkers. 😉
And you ain’t lived til you’ve had a Get N’ Go Pizza washed down by a couple of $3.00 Fat Tires at the Sport Bowl Lounge.
Oh….and my lab loves Covell Lake, goose shit, City of Sioux Falls septic pool and all.
Poly & Sy, I didn’t mean to turn this into class warfare.
Not warfare, I just don’t like Poly’s constant & incorrect rampage that downtown is nothing but uber expensive shops and restaurants.
Here’s a tip Poly, if you’re going to have 2 or more glasses of wine at a restaurant, just go ahead and buy the bottle, ask the server and they will tell you what is a good one for what you want to pay.
and L3wis, you’re spot on about Parker’s. The fishbowl seats are the bomb.
I haven’t been to Parkers although I have tried (they were too busy to accept any more reservations – which tells me they are doing something right).
My last outing at TOE was very disappointing however. I was in a group and out of 8 meals they missed one so he sat there for 10 minutes waiting for his steak while everyone else ate. On another one, a steak which was ordered medium well showed up so bloody that I think it was still quivering. It was sent back and when it returned it was warmed up a tad but still undercooked.
The service was slow, drinks were empty long before refills were brought, and the dressing choices on the salads weren’t even right.
To make matters worse, when the check came it simply had a total written on it so nobody had any idea if they were charged the right amount for drinks etc.
As for my meal, I had chicken primavera and it was average at best. I’ve had better meals at Applebees, and the fact I actually left somewhat still hungry was as huge turnoff. I’m not a huge eater and not a huge guy, so when I finish my meal and am looking for more it is bad thing.
I’m not saying I won’t go back, but they didn’t impress me this time around. Also, I’m not sure I could give them any points for atmosphere aside from the jazz music (when it happens to be playing). I guess the bricks on the walls are neat and the dark basement feel is ok, but if you are sitting near the steps you will end up wearing your coat because everytime someone opens that door the frigid air comes blasting down the steps. The back section with the stained and worn out couch reminds me of a frat house, so that leaves the center section as the only acceptable place to sit.
As to Minervas, they are ok, but I find them to be a tad overhyped. Truth be told, I would rather go to Foleys as I have had better meals there and parking is surely a lot more convenient. I really don’t see downtown as the foodie mecca it is made out to be. Sure there are some great places, but the same can be said for almost every part of town aside from the Empire Mall Food Court.
Never been to Parkers…I actually have no idea where it’s at.
Parkers is on Main, across from Home Federal. It used to be House of Soccer (mexican food).
A couple of their chefs took off and formed Bros Brasserie, which I’m told it very good as well. It’s in the old Kristina’s cafe.
I don’t know about a foodie mecca, but I’d say there’s a better concentration of more diverse restaurants in downtown than in any other part of the neighborhood.
Here’s the list from DTSF:
http://www.downtownsiouxfalls.com/dining
Sushi Masa and Taste of the Big Apple are two excellent spots that aren’t on their list as well.
Sy: I’d say there’s a better concentration of more diverse restaurants in downtown than in any other part of the neighborhood
I assume rather than neighborhood you meant city? I’d disagree with that. There really aren’t that many places listed if you think about the size of area they mention – although I fully realize they haven’t included everything. I didn’t realize Monks served food though – and I have to disagree with you that “Taste of the Big Apple” is excellent. Their pizza is average at best and I’d take a Red Rossa over them any day of the week. Frankly Taste of hte Big Apple reminds me a lot of the pizza I make at home… out of a box, but opinions vary so I guess that is merely a difference of opinion.
Now if you take the same geographic area as downtown and mark the center point at Sioux Falls Ford, I think you would find just as much diversity and just as much quality.
Just a few in that area that I can recall off the top of my head include:
Granite City
Carnaval
Carinos
Foleys
Outback
Texas Roadhouse
Chevys
Mixed
Chilis
Applebees
Old Chicago
Puerto Vallarta
Spezia
That Japanese place I can never remember next to Spezia
There are even horrid places like Royal Fork and 30 others that are either fast food or not within my short term memory, and a new Buffalo Wild Wings under construction, half a dozen pizza places, and almost everything else diversity wise.
Oh yea – and you can park within 50 feet of the door at pretty much every one of the above even when it is 12 degrees outside with 25mph winds.
Come to think of it, you could probably put the center point at Scheels and find much of the same… the one thing our city is not short of is resturants. We have a lot of good ones and a lot of bad ones, but you don’t have to drive far to find something that should appeal to almost anyone.
Tokyo is the one your reaching for, Costner.
Out of your list, all but 5 are national chains. I guess I don’t consider them all that diverse as they all are basically carbon copies of each other’s menus. Sure one might have a Mexican vs. Australian vs. Italian themes, but they are all more about the mass production than differentiating. Now they all have corporate quality controls in place so it tastes the same here as it does in Kansas City or San Diego, but honestly..do you actually get a memorable meal at these places or are you happy just because you’re full and not disappointed?
As for the others, Carnival and Foleys are both teetering, more for their high break even points than food quality. Haven’t been to Mixed yet, but I hear it’s good. Puerto Vallarta is authentic and to quote the AL foodies: “Yummy”. Spezia has been and still is a good example of a unique and high quality, local dining option.
There is a Tokyo downtown too isn’t there?
It just bothers me how much some of our city council and our own Mayor can be so Anti-Downtown. Even I know it shouldn’t be at the Arena and the Arena is what, a little over 3x my age?
Sy: honestly..do you actually get a memorable meal at these places or are you happy just because you’re full and not disappointed?
In most cases I might agree with you that it comes down to not being disappointed, but some of hte best meals I have had in the past few years have come from the Outback (their Victorias Filet is still one of the best I’ve ever had, and that bread is downright amazing), and from Texas Roadhouse (I had the best sweet potato of my life there about six months ago).
Truth be told the only complaint I have with either is probably the wait times, because when it comes to Texas Roadhouse it isn’t uncommon to wait at least an hour if you don’t call ahead, and the waiting area on a Saturday can easily be shoulder to shoulder.
I guess I’m just not as food-centered as a lot of people, because I’m very comfortable in a national chain. I don’t go there because it is safe, I go there because I actually enjoy the food. There are chains I avoid and there are chains I really enjoy – but I’ve also been to a Minervas in Sioux City many times and I wouldn’t say that detracts from the Sioux Falls Minervas in any way.
Then again, when it comes to memorable meals for me, most of the memories involve the situation and people I was with. Some of the best times I have had came at an Applebees, and although I can remember having a good time and the people I was with, I couldn’t begin to tell you what I ordered.
For me at least, there is a lot more to the experience than simply the meal itself although obviously the meal is a key factor. I don’t think I’ve ever had a fantastic meal at Tre, so I don’t go there unless I’m meeting a group there and someone insists on it. On the other hand I don’t think I’ve ever left the Inca disappointed, so I’m more than willing to go back.
Costner, you are right about one thing, the company you keep.
Best nights to go out to eat is Tuesday or Wednesday nights, no wait. Tip percentages are usually higher on those nights for waiters also, because people who go out to eat a lot have figured out they won’t have to wait and get better service on those nights. Friday and Saturdays are overrated. I knicknamed friday night “10 percent Friday.” Because that is the average tip.
some of the best meals I have had in the past few years have come from the Outback, and from Texas Roadhouse.
Hey…me too.
Then again, when it comes to memorable meals for me, most of the memories involve the situation and people I was with. Some of the best times I have had came at an Applebees, and although I can remember having a good time and the people I was with, I couldn’t begin to tell you what I ordered.
For me at least, there is a lot more to the experience than simply the meal itself although obviously the meal is a key factor.
Very well put Costner. BRAVO
I agree 2x. Going out to eat with friends washes away everything else. It’s funny, because when you wait on ‘families’ who are not close eating out, it shows, you can tell they all are uncomfortable, but when friends or close family go out to eat, it is totally different.