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A TASTE OF SARCASM
The one perplexing thing was the chicken. It was remarkably flavorful, yet it didn’t seem smoked or marinated or herbed in any discernable way. When I asked Janet what the chicken was flavored with, she just smiled and said “nothing.” It was a Hutterite chicken, she informed us, “Just a happy chicken.” Bottom line: This was one of the best lunches I’ve ever had. Next time I’m in Rapid and someone asks where we should eat, I will politely, yet firmly, insist on returning.
It’s the facts...
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Delmonico Grill underwent major renovations earlier this year, reopening in March. Although the eatery has been a Rapid City staple since 2007, this gave new owners Barb and Ben Klinkel the chance to put their personal spin on the business.
Really, the steak tips could have been a meal itself, but then it would have been a mighty short review, so we ordered the Chicken & Belly Salad and the “On Green Dolphin Street” Burger as well. As we perused the possible sides for the burger, Lobster Mac & Cheese caught my attention. I asked Janet if it was an upcharge, as the rest of the sides looked pretty standard. She said it was, but assured us it was well worth it. Once again, Janet was right. This was unlike any macaroni and cheese I’ve ever eaten. First of all, talk about lobster meat. In our soup cup-sized dish were two intact (shelled) claws, and several more good-sized chunks. The lobster texture was perfectly tender and the mac and cheese had just a hint of savory lobster flavor. The cheese sauce that coated the macaroni was rich, without being heavy, and once again, we felt satisfied before even digging into our main dishes. Not that it was a chore to do so. We decided to swap out the beef for a medium rare buffalo burger. It was served on an incredibly soft bun that managed to maintain its integrity under the blend of caramelized onions, crimini mushrooms, and poblano cream sauce. (On a sidenote – I think poblanos are one of the most underappreciated and underutilized of the pepper universe. It was nice to see them used in a multitude of tasty ways during this meal.) The salad was served with two pieces of crispy pork belly on top, which we naturally ate first. The belly had a nice char on it, although it was just a tiny bit on the dry side. Finally, we attacked the pile of arugula, chicken, apples, crispy leeks, and bleu cheese. The salad had a nice balance of flavors, with the apples adding a sweet crunch that countered the generous portion of what tasted like a very good bleu cheese.
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Produce is sourced from local farmers markets in summer months.
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Dakota Seafood provides most of Delmonico’s seafood, which is flown in fresh daily.
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Every weekday, Delmonico features a $6.25 half sandwich and soup or salad lunch, plus an $8 lunch feature. Friday’s $8 Mussels & Fries has been a hit.