Unsolicited Testimonials:
One thing people learn about me is that I am very loyal to businesses that make an effort to treat me well. I wind up being more than just a customer; people know me in several different restaurants and other types of businesses in St. Cloud. It gives me a sense of place to be greeted by name when I visit a favorite spot.
Even with my custom of getting to know the staff at restaurants and coffee houses, a few places stand out for making time to give me a good experience on every visit. I'm not talking about discounts or freebies, just kind attention to my likes and dislikes, courtesy and appreciation of my business. I'll list some really excellent people and places here now.
| Sammy's Pizza | Corks |
Sammy's: Great Pizza 
Steve Blitvich I found Sammy's Pizza in Waite Park thanks to a newspaper story about their 50th anniversary. The pizza was superb, and even better was the service I got that evening from Mallory. I asked if they had anchovies, and she said no, so I did without. The next time I was in, the co-owner, Steve Blitvich, recognized me and asked what I thought of the place. I said I wished he had anchovies for pizza, and he said he did; they weren't on the menu because he thought he hated them. So I got my anchovy pizza, and Steve made sure the whole crew knew he had anchovies available. The next time I came in, Steve noticed that his cook had put the anchovies on top of the cheese. He asked me what I preferred--anchovies on the cheese or under the cheese. I gave it some thought and said that the anchovies belonged under the cheese, with the rest of the toppings, so they would not dry out. So he notified the kitchen that anchovies were to be placed on the pizza before the final layer of cheese. I worked in the pizza business for a long time, and the way Steve thinks about these subtleties shows me that he's a master restaurateur. That's why I'm taking the time to tell you how much I like Sammy's Pizza. | Corks: Fine Food & Wine Shawn Petersen When Corks opened in St. Cloud in 2004, I hoped the food would be good enough to justify going there to try some new wines. Corks did better than that; my best fine-dining experiences have happened there, and a guest from New York City calls her meal at Corks the best she has ever eaten. The owner, Shawn Petersen, is the quintessential gracious host, and Doug's artistry in the kitchen almost makes the excellent selection of wines fade into the background. Despite the elegance of the atmosphere, Shawn remembers his guests. He keeps my wine preferences in mind while encouraging me to branch out with samples of new items he's proud of. Doug is willing to work with the menu selections to ensure that an entire meal appeals to his guests. Terri is my regular server, primarily because, three months after the first time she served me, she recalled my entire order from that visit when she next served me. In a city where many of the dining choices reflect the "practical" nature of the locals, Corks is a treasure that deserves your frequent patronage. When you visit, look around for me, and say hello to Shawn for me if I happen not to be there. |