Thursday, December 22, 2016
Fujiya Market
Fujiya Market 1335 W University Dr
Ste 5
Tempe, AZ 85281
Fujiya Market is a small hidden gem for those looking for Japanese groceries and or snack foods. They have a remarkable selection of items that one would usually find in a small corner market in Tokyo.
I was looking for cream melon soda, and even though they did not stock it they were more than willing to order a case for me which came in in less than a week.
They have wonderful homemade bento boxes that you can take home and warm up or take with you to any place that has a microwave. The bento boxes are really delicious and well made. Paired with a cold soft drink from their large selection or a cold Kirin or Sapporo and you have a wonderful lunch or light dinner.
They also carry a nice selection of snacks as well as a small selection of accessories that one would find in a similar type store in Japan.
There is also an area with table and chairs where you can heat up your selection and eat it on the premises.
For the person looking for Japanese foods and snacks this is the ideal place,
3 Stars
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Beaver Choice
Beaver Choice
745 W Baseline Rd
Mesa, AZ 85210
Five of us along with a
three year old visited the restaurant on a Thursday night to take advantage of
the all you can eat pierogi offer. Having written reviews for many years, this
restaurant presented me with a number of dilemmas in evaluating it.
The food represents a
number of disparate countries including Germany, Sweden, Poland and Canada.
While the food was tasty, the choices on the menu often led to confusion in
ordering, with customers wanting to change around a lot of dishes to suit their
tastes. Fortunately, we had an excellent waitress who did her best to keep
everyone happy.
I ordered the all you can
eat Pierogis, which comes with soup and salad. The salad is in a bowl on a
table at the end of the room, and is quite ordinary. The dressing is in two
squirt bottles that sit in a bowl of ice. The dressing is quite tasty, but the
seasonings in it blocked the spout, and then suddenly shot out of the bottle
drenching the salad.
Next, was the soup. It was
kept in an electric kettle with a broken lid. The soup was a traditional
European style borscht which had a chicken broth base, cabbage and thick sliced
beets. It was an excellent soup, though I would have preferred that the beets
were cut up a lot smaller and thinner.
What should have been the
high point of my dinner was a bunch of gummy, thick dough pierogi’s in a selection
of only 4 types. When I inquired about the selection since they advertise all
you can eat, I was told that they only put out 4 types because they can’t keep
up with the demand. In the hour and a half that I was there, I never once
observed the pans of pierogi’s get low enough that they had to be refilled.
Companion had the
Skomakarlada (Swedish Shoebox) which had a nice gravy and several nice medallions
but which was buried under a huge mass of mashed potatoes. Companion had asked
them to put some extra mushrooms on the plate, and was charged $1.75 for the
mushrooms that none of us could find.
Another companion had the
Hunter Schnitzel, which was a nice sized portion and came with two salads and a
huge portion of mashed potatoes with gravy. A heavy plate to say the least.
One of our companions was
a vegetarian and wanted the pierogi special, but was unable to eat the soup
portion owing to its base of chicken broth.
The high point of the meal
was the desserts. I had the Lingonberry Ice Cream which was excellent and the
best part of my meal. A number of others in our party ordered the same thing
after they saw mine. Companion had the Lemon Fluff, which was a beautifully
done and excellent tasting meringue.
The bill was presented and
I gave my Amex card. Their web site says that they accept it. I was asked by
our waitress to use a different card because Amex charges them 1% more than the
other cards. When I refused, they told me they would charge me 5% more on the
bill to cover my using Amex. This is the height of being cheap! Never in all my
days reviewing restaurants have I ever been subjected to something like this. I
have had places say that they don’t accept Amex, and that is their privilege,
but to add on a charge that isn’t even close to what they get charged smacks of
a place that is worried about every little dime and is worried about possibly
closing.
I cannot in all honesty
give this restaurant the rating that it should deserve. The food was very good,
and the service was adequate, but the place was more than half empty, poorly
decorated, and did not want to take a credit card that they clearly accept.
2 stars for quality of
food and service.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
First Watch
First Watch
1665 S. Dobson Road
Mesa, AZ
I had just returned from a trip to Orlando, Florida where
I was introduced to First Watch. Coming back to the Phoenix area I wanted to
see if the quality of the food was the same or if it varied with each location.
Companion and I arrived at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast. First
Watch serves breakfast and lunch at all times that it is open.
Our waiter arrived with a bottomless pot of good coffee
to start the meal. We were handed menus and were not rushed to make our selections.
I ordered eggs benedict florentine and companion ordered the bacado omelet with
avocado. We both ordered a muffin on the side.
My eggs were perfectly poached sitting on a bed of
spinach, tomato and avocado. Cutting into the egg provided a small waterfall of
yolk pouring over the other items.
Companion had bacon, avocado, and Monterey Jack on
homemade whole grain bread topped with sour cream and pico de gallo. Portions
were so large that companion was not able to finish the plate, and I barely was
able to finish mine.
For me, picking a perfect avocado is an exercise in
futility, and mine usually have a few spots that are less than perfect. I don’t
know what their secret is, but they go through tons of avocados and everyone is
perfect!
Each location makes all of its food from scratch, which
includes baked goods. Their muffins are most likely made somewhere in heaven
and should not be missed. Cut in half and slathered with real butter it is a
real treat.
Service could be better, but cleanliness is spot on and
food prep cannot be beat.
3 stars for now with the possibility of a 4th
on the next review.
Koreatown
Koreatown
1832 W Broadway Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85202
This is the “new kid on the block” and I wanted to see if
it lived up to all the hype I had heard about it. Companion and I went for
lunch, as we both are very fond of Korean food. On entering, we noticed quite a
few people eating their lunch there – hopefully a good sign of food to come.
We were seated quickly, and given menus. Our server
explained that they had only been open for several weeks and that many of the
recipes were from the owner’s family.
After ordering soft drinks, we placed an order for dac
bulgagi, which is a variant on the regular bulgagi in that it is made with
chicken instead of beef. While we were waiting we were brought about ten
banchan or appetizers that we could either snack on then or eat with the meal.
We did a bit of snacking and saved the rest for the meal.
The banchan was excellent, and particular kudos for the
kimchi, which is made in house. I could have easily finished several portions
of it.
In due time, the main course arrived – a large platter
heaping with steaming hot dac bulgagi. I’ve eaten this dish in many places and
this was some of the best I have had the pleasure of eating. The sauce was
obviously homemade.
It was hard to finish the pile of chicken, but we made a
valiant effort and in the end took a small box with us.
The owner visited our table to check on us and to let us
know that these were his family’s recipes. While we did not have room to eat
another bite, the flavor and quality of the food will encourage me to visit
again and try some other dishes.
4 stars for good service, good food, and cleanliness.
Christopher's and Crush Lounge - CLOSED
Christopher’s and Crush Lounge
2502 E Camelback Rd. Suite #102
Phoenix, AZ 85016
As part of Phoenix Restaurant Week 2016, this restaurant
was one of several chosen to be reviewed. Companion and I arrived at 5:30 with
reservations and were immediately seated. During this week, participating
restaurants serve a prix fixe menu, and those who don’t get to eat in some of
the more pricey venues get to enjoy them at lower prices.
Our waiter was immediately at our table and introduced
himself. I explained that we were there to try the special menu and we were
handed both the special menu as well as the regular menu and the rather large
spirit list.
We started with cocktails – myself with a Beefeater extra
dry martini with a double olive and companion with a pink squirrel. We were a
bit surprised at being told that the bar did not have all the ingredients for
the pink squirrel, and that it also did not have a blender. Yet, by doing some
judicious substituting and some excellent shaking, they were able to come up
with a very close substitute for the pink squirrel.
Next, we ordered appetizers. Companion had a large diver
scallop, properly seared and perfectly cooked and served with tiny ravioli’s in
an excellent sauce. I ordered the cassolette of mushrooms with port sauce. This
was a mélange of wild mushrooms including a very young king mushroom in an
almost sweet port sauce that was anything but overwhelming and allowed the
essence of the mushrooms to come through. I appreciated that the mushrooms were
not overcooked and still had good texture.
For the main courses, companion had a very tender petite
fillet served over gratin potatoes that had just enough cheese to give flavor
without overwhelming the potato. It was interesting that the potatoes were
sliced paper thin, were properly cooked, yet still had texture. My main course was
the breast of duck with sherry sauce. Duck should be cooked rare or medium
rare, and I was not disappointed. The sauce was excellent as was the bed of
baby asparagus the duck was served on. A nugget of roasted garlic provided a
perfect counterpoint to some of the flavors.
Christopher’s is noted for some of its desserts, and we
were not disappointed. Companion had a lemon tarte with berry sauce. The plate
also had the base of a tuile covered in a lemon/lime foam that was outstanding
and easily cleaned the palate. For myself, I had the gateau marjolaine which
had some of the most decadent fudge on it that I have ever eaten, along with a
deep chocolate glace sitting on the same tuile unfolded with I believe walnuts
underneath it. A sprinkling of fresh berries finished the plate.
An excellent pot of French Press coffee finished off the
meal.
As is expected in a restaurant of this caliber, service
is polished and cleanliness is on point. Companion only had one complaint and
that was with the continuous water to wash hands in the restroom. Companion
felt that it was impossible to open a door without it having been touched
before by someone who use the restroom first and had not yet washed their
hands.
5 stars for excellent service, excellent food,
cleanliness and atmosphere.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Chambers Meat Company
Delivery only at this time - Opening a shop in downtown Phoenix shortly
This isn't a restaurant, so why am I reviewing it you may ask. This is one of the only sources of Mutton available off the reservations, and one of the only sources in the entire U.S.
I ordered a Leg of Mutton and a Slab of Ribs. Due to a small mix up, the order was delivered the next day instead of on a Friday, but with a new business, some small problems are bound to crop up. They take most credit cards including Amex.
The Leg weighed at least 5 pounds, and looked very nice. It came wrapped in white butcher paper, which was another minor problem. Since the Mutton arrived in the evening, it was placed in the refrigerator till the next morning. Unfortunately, the paper had bled through and then stuck to the meat. A bit of washing removed all the paper, but I have suggested that they look into a different type of wrapping which will not leak.
After the leg was washed up, I vacuum packed it and placed it in the freezer for a later time when I have enough people to eat it. We were only 5, and it could easily have fed 8.
Next were the ribs. Another small mistake here because only 1/2 slab was delivered instead of the full slab. Contacting the owner resulted in an email apologizing and letting me know it would be made up on the next order.
The ribs were of a nice size, and had the chine bone removed as I had asked for. This results in an easy to cut rack. It was seasoned the night before cooking with onion powder and garlic powder only. I have a weakness for lamb with garlic.
I cooked the ribs in my smoker without smoke at 275 degrees for an hour and a half. Taking the ribs off the smoker, I was greeted by a wonderful aroma. Cutting the ribs apart in the kitchen was a breeze, and I could not resist having a taste. I should point out that other than in the U.K., I have never been able to obtain or eat Mutton, so this was going to be an experience.
The ribs were flavorful and tender, having been cooked to medium rare. The meat is slightly more to the tooth than lamb ribs, but not by a whole lot more. We all agreed that the flavor was excellent and the only thing left was a nice sized pile of bones.
One of my companions renamed the ribs as lambsicles, as they have a long bone with meat on it when ends up in a small chop. These would be great to informally nibble on while watching a game or even playing one. Served with a bit of Patak chutney and some hot mustard and this is a real winner.
4 stars until they get a storefront at which time I will re-review them.
This isn't a restaurant, so why am I reviewing it you may ask. This is one of the only sources of Mutton available off the reservations, and one of the only sources in the entire U.S.
I ordered a Leg of Mutton and a Slab of Ribs. Due to a small mix up, the order was delivered the next day instead of on a Friday, but with a new business, some small problems are bound to crop up. They take most credit cards including Amex.
The Leg weighed at least 5 pounds, and looked very nice. It came wrapped in white butcher paper, which was another minor problem. Since the Mutton arrived in the evening, it was placed in the refrigerator till the next morning. Unfortunately, the paper had bled through and then stuck to the meat. A bit of washing removed all the paper, but I have suggested that they look into a different type of wrapping which will not leak.
After the leg was washed up, I vacuum packed it and placed it in the freezer for a later time when I have enough people to eat it. We were only 5, and it could easily have fed 8.
Next were the ribs. Another small mistake here because only 1/2 slab was delivered instead of the full slab. Contacting the owner resulted in an email apologizing and letting me know it would be made up on the next order.
The ribs were of a nice size, and had the chine bone removed as I had asked for. This results in an easy to cut rack. It was seasoned the night before cooking with onion powder and garlic powder only. I have a weakness for lamb with garlic.
I cooked the ribs in my smoker without smoke at 275 degrees for an hour and a half. Taking the ribs off the smoker, I was greeted by a wonderful aroma. Cutting the ribs apart in the kitchen was a breeze, and I could not resist having a taste. I should point out that other than in the U.K., I have never been able to obtain or eat Mutton, so this was going to be an experience.
The ribs were flavorful and tender, having been cooked to medium rare. The meat is slightly more to the tooth than lamb ribs, but not by a whole lot more. We all agreed that the flavor was excellent and the only thing left was a nice sized pile of bones.
One of my companions renamed the ribs as lambsicles, as they have a long bone with meat on it when ends up in a small chop. These would be great to informally nibble on while watching a game or even playing one. Served with a bit of Patak chutney and some hot mustard and this is a real winner.
4 stars until they get a storefront at which time I will re-review them.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
San Diego Bay Restaurant
San Diego Bay Restaurant
9201 S Avenida Del Yaqui
Guadalupe, AZ 85283
Five of us arrived at 6:00 for dinner. As all of us were driving, we all stayed with soft drinks or iced tea. The restaurant is a little hard to find, as it is in a courtyard, but once inside, we were made welcome and comfortable. We started out with the Molcajete de Camarones, lots of shrimp in a hot molcajete (mortar like container) with loads of flavorful sauce. Two of us shared one portion, though in reality three or four could have shared it. Of note was the freshness of the shrimp. We also ordered Guacamole, which was perfectly made. Other orders were for Calamari, which was cooked to perfection and served with a nice sauce on the side.
Main courses ordered were Chile Rellenos con Queso, Green Shrimp (shrimp in green chile), and drowned shrimp and San Diego spiced shrimp. As you will note, shrimp figured heavily in our ordering because it was so fresh and so good.
All the main courses came with beans and rice as well as the choice of flour or corn tortillas (freshly made of course).
Dessert was an excellent flan that was cooling for some of the spice we ate.
The restaurant was clean and service was relatively quick.
4 Stars
9201 S Avenida Del Yaqui
Guadalupe, AZ 85283
Five of us arrived at 6:00 for dinner. As all of us were driving, we all stayed with soft drinks or iced tea. The restaurant is a little hard to find, as it is in a courtyard, but once inside, we were made welcome and comfortable. We started out with the Molcajete de Camarones, lots of shrimp in a hot molcajete (mortar like container) with loads of flavorful sauce. Two of us shared one portion, though in reality three or four could have shared it. Of note was the freshness of the shrimp. We also ordered Guacamole, which was perfectly made. Other orders were for Calamari, which was cooked to perfection and served with a nice sauce on the side.
Main courses ordered were Chile Rellenos con Queso, Green Shrimp (shrimp in green chile), and drowned shrimp and San Diego spiced shrimp. As you will note, shrimp figured heavily in our ordering because it was so fresh and so good.
All the main courses came with beans and rice as well as the choice of flour or corn tortillas (freshly made of course).
Dessert was an excellent flan that was cooling for some of the spice we ate.
The restaurant was clean and service was relatively quick.
4 Stars
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Republica Empanada
Republica Empanada
204 E. 1st Avenue
Mesa 85210
We arrived at the restaurant at 6:00 and were seated in a few minutes. We were asked if we had a reservation, which we did not. By 6:15 we understood why a reservation is a good thing since the place was packed.
Companions 1 & 2 and myself started off with an order of Maduros (Sweet Plantains), and companion 3 started with Tostones (Unripe Plantains that are deep fried and salted). The Maduros were beautifully cooked and came with some crema. Delightfully sweet and slightly chewy they were a real hit. Companion 3’s Tostones were cooked properly, but companion felt they were a little dry. A loan of some of our crema solved the situation nicely.
Since they had so many varieties of Empanadas on the menu, we ordered a large assortment. The Pernil (pork shoulder) was perfectly cooked with wonderful flavor, and the Mushroom Chicken was so good that extra was ordered to take home. The Boricua was very tasty having been cooked in a Sofrito sauce along with a ham hock. The Ham and Mozzarella cheese was tasty if not a bit unusual. One of our party was a vegetarian and was pleased that the menu had a nice amount of dishes that were compatible with that life style.
Next, on to the dessert empanadas. Once again, we ordered an assortment to try. The Fig with Mozzarella and Dulce de Leche was outstanding, as was the Plantain and Crème Cheese. The Guava preserve and Mozzarella had a wonderful strawberry flavor that was quite intense, especially since it was ordered with Ice Cream and Whipped Cream. We also ordered the Banana Crème Empanada as well as the Baked Apple and Caramel Empanada.
We couldn’t leave without ordering some extra to take home. We left with several bags with more Maduros, Mushroom Chicken, and Plantain and Crème Cheese. Other companions also took home doggy bags which will not be touched by any dog if it knows what is good for itself.
The place is kept spotless, and fortunately only had one television on the wall which was showing the soccer game.
Service was reasonably quick considering how many people were there, and was always with a smile!
Prices are what can only be described as cheap, with most items in the area of $3.75. My suggestion would be to make a reservation, then run, don’t walk to get there and prepare to stuff yourself. It is rare for me to give 5 stars to a little restaurant that doesn't have a fancy interior, but this is an exception I gladly make.
5 stars for outstanding food, great prices, good sanitation, and the wonderful smiles.
204 E. 1st Avenue
Mesa 85210
We arrived at the restaurant at 6:00 and were seated in a few minutes. We were asked if we had a reservation, which we did not. By 6:15 we understood why a reservation is a good thing since the place was packed.
Companions 1 & 2 and myself started off with an order of Maduros (Sweet Plantains), and companion 3 started with Tostones (Unripe Plantains that are deep fried and salted). The Maduros were beautifully cooked and came with some crema. Delightfully sweet and slightly chewy they were a real hit. Companion 3’s Tostones were cooked properly, but companion felt they were a little dry. A loan of some of our crema solved the situation nicely.
Since they had so many varieties of Empanadas on the menu, we ordered a large assortment. The Pernil (pork shoulder) was perfectly cooked with wonderful flavor, and the Mushroom Chicken was so good that extra was ordered to take home. The Boricua was very tasty having been cooked in a Sofrito sauce along with a ham hock. The Ham and Mozzarella cheese was tasty if not a bit unusual. One of our party was a vegetarian and was pleased that the menu had a nice amount of dishes that were compatible with that life style.
Next, on to the dessert empanadas. Once again, we ordered an assortment to try. The Fig with Mozzarella and Dulce de Leche was outstanding, as was the Plantain and Crème Cheese. The Guava preserve and Mozzarella had a wonderful strawberry flavor that was quite intense, especially since it was ordered with Ice Cream and Whipped Cream. We also ordered the Banana Crème Empanada as well as the Baked Apple and Caramel Empanada.
We couldn’t leave without ordering some extra to take home. We left with several bags with more Maduros, Mushroom Chicken, and Plantain and Crème Cheese. Other companions also took home doggy bags which will not be touched by any dog if it knows what is good for itself.
The place is kept spotless, and fortunately only had one television on the wall which was showing the soccer game.
Service was reasonably quick considering how many people were there, and was always with a smile!
Prices are what can only be described as cheap, with most items in the area of $3.75. My suggestion would be to make a reservation, then run, don’t walk to get there and prepare to stuff yourself. It is rare for me to give 5 stars to a little restaurant that doesn't have a fancy interior, but this is an exception I gladly make.
5 stars for outstanding food, great prices, good sanitation, and the wonderful smiles.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
The Stockyards
The Stockyards
5009 E. Washington
Phoenix, Arizona
85034
Companion and I arrived at 5:30 to try the menu for
Phoenix Restaurant week. While this is created by and supported by the Phoenix
Restaurant Association, each restaurant creates its own special menu which has
3 appetizers, 3 main courses, and 3 desserts on it at a prix fixe. The idea is
for people to try the food at a special price. Of course, some places provide
less than their usual portion size or quality just to get customers in
unfortunately.
We were seated immediately as we had a reservation
(recommended). Our waiter was extremely nice and friendly. When we found that
there was a problem with our table rocking, our waiter arranged for us to go to
another table in a different section of a different waiter. This is true
customer service. Our new waiter was just as nice and friendly as the first one
was.
A basket of warm biscuits and corn bread muffins was
brought to the table and was served with honey butter with a drizzle of honey
on top of it. The first basket was emptied in short order. I ordered a Beefeater
martini, and it was made to perfection with a double olive as I asked for and
just a wave of the vermouth bottle over the glass. It was ice cold and really
started the meal off nicely. Companion just asked for a Shirley Temple to start
with and received it in short order.
Next were the appetizers. I ordered the house salad with
honey mustard dressing. I was pleasantly surprised that the dressing coated all
the salad and wasn’t just drizzled on top. The other surprise was the slices of
ripe tomato on the plate instead of the requisite cherry tomato that most
places put on their salads. Companion ordered the tomato soup, which was
nothing like Campbell’s! It almost seemed to be made on a minestrone base and
was definitely not something from a local purveyor. While companion felt the
soup wasn’t what they wanted, I tasted it and found it to be delicious and well
made.
At this point, companion decided to order an alcoholic
drink that is old time and that is often used as a test of how good a bartender
is. A Brandy Alexander was ordered, and other than being presented in the wrong
glass, had the proper taste. A touch of nutmeg on top was all that was missing.
It should be noted here that the drinks have a full pour in them – no skimping
here.
For our main course, we both ordered the prime rib. Mine
rare, and companions medium well. I ordered the veggies with mine instead of a
starch, and companion ordered a starch. The slabs of beautiful beef came out
cooked exactly as we asked for, and the veggies (Pattie pan squash, slivered
carrots and baby zucchini) were perfectly cooked. No limp, soggy veggies here.
They were delicious, as was of course, the meat. Everything came with the
proper accoutrements and was nice and hot.
For dessert, we both ordered the cheesecake with berries.
Companion asked for some whisky whipped cream as well and was happily accommodated.
The cheesecake was tall, dense, and a large flavorful portion. Doggie bags were
brought home, and if the dog touches it he’s in trouble!
The restaurant was clean and efficient though just a bit
loud. My only ding is the use of serrated knives. With a beautiful cut of beef,
one does not need a serrated knife which tears the meat apart. Just a nice
sharp knife will do nicely.
5 stars for excellent food, great service, overall
cleanliness, and an honest barkeep.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Baby Kay’s Cajun Kitchen
Baby Kay’s Cajun Kitchen
2051 S Dobson Rd
Mesa, AZ 85202
I had not eaten at Baby Kay’s since it was located at Town and Country Shopping Center a long time ago. It was time for a new review.
Companion and I arrived at lunch time and were seated immediately. Our waitress took our orders for drinks and provided the requisite menu’s for us to peruse. Most of the food on the menu appeared to be authentic Nola, at least if the taste held up to the descriptions.
Companion wasn’t up on Cajun food, and asked if she could sample one or two things she was considering. Because heat from spice was not something companion enjoyed, she wanted to make sure she would be able to eat what she ordered. Our waitress promptly brought out 3 small cups with etouffee, jambalaya, and swamp water (gumbo for you northerners). Companion tasted all 3 and decided on the etouffee. I couldn’t resist tasting them also. The jambalaya had some nice heat but no tomato in it, and the gumbo was true to tradition.
We each started with a cup of etouffee. We were brought plates with some excellent garlic bread on it along with a small bowl of the etouffee. Adding a bit of hot sauce to it and I was in New Orleans! A wonderful broth loaded with crawfish tails with a nice ball of white rice in the center. Companion ate her bowl without hot sauce and fell in love with it. This was the start of a wonderful lunch.
I got the combination basket which had fried shrimp and fried oysters in it along with the most unusual cole slaw I have ever eaten. There is no doubt in my mind that the chef who prepared this basket really knew what he was doing, as the shrimp and oysters were cooked to perfection. Companion had never eaten fried oysters before, and after one taste pronounced them delicious and decided to help me eat mine! The word thief comes to mind. The breading was perfect, and the oysters were a nice size and perfectly creamy. The shrimp, which most places overcook until they resemble something made from butyl rubber, were beautifully prepared, and were delicately tender. As for the cole slaw, what made it so unique is that it is prepared using green olives as one of the seasonings. It was highly unusual, and I still haven’t made up my mind whether I like it or not. I’ll probably have to go back a few more times to sample it some more.
We finished off lunch with their bread pudding in a puddle of whisky sauce. The bread pudding was dense, covered in pecans, and had coconut in it. I was so full that I could only eat a small amount of it, and companion asked for a box to take it in.
There was only one downer for the lunch, and that was a Sazerac that was ordered from the bar. Unfortunately, it just didn’t make the grade and had to be sent back. My understanding is that they used to have a bartender that made a terrific one, and when she left they stopped making the drink. I’m hoping in the future they get a bartender that can make a proper Sazerac cocktail.
The place was clean, airy, with excellent service. Those who wish to can eat outside. Each table had a selection of hot sauces, mostly from Tabasco. I would suggest that they have some Louisiana Hot Sauce available also, as it has a totally different flavor than Tabasco.
For those who might be inclined to say that this is an expensive place to eat, may I remind them that this is the desert and sea food has to be brought in and is also costly. It all adds up in the end.
4 Stars
2051 S Dobson Rd
Mesa, AZ 85202
I had not eaten at Baby Kay’s since it was located at Town and Country Shopping Center a long time ago. It was time for a new review.
Companion and I arrived at lunch time and were seated immediately. Our waitress took our orders for drinks and provided the requisite menu’s for us to peruse. Most of the food on the menu appeared to be authentic Nola, at least if the taste held up to the descriptions.
Companion wasn’t up on Cajun food, and asked if she could sample one or two things she was considering. Because heat from spice was not something companion enjoyed, she wanted to make sure she would be able to eat what she ordered. Our waitress promptly brought out 3 small cups with etouffee, jambalaya, and swamp water (gumbo for you northerners). Companion tasted all 3 and decided on the etouffee. I couldn’t resist tasting them also. The jambalaya had some nice heat but no tomato in it, and the gumbo was true to tradition.
We each started with a cup of etouffee. We were brought plates with some excellent garlic bread on it along with a small bowl of the etouffee. Adding a bit of hot sauce to it and I was in New Orleans! A wonderful broth loaded with crawfish tails with a nice ball of white rice in the center. Companion ate her bowl without hot sauce and fell in love with it. This was the start of a wonderful lunch.
I got the combination basket which had fried shrimp and fried oysters in it along with the most unusual cole slaw I have ever eaten. There is no doubt in my mind that the chef who prepared this basket really knew what he was doing, as the shrimp and oysters were cooked to perfection. Companion had never eaten fried oysters before, and after one taste pronounced them delicious and decided to help me eat mine! The word thief comes to mind. The breading was perfect, and the oysters were a nice size and perfectly creamy. The shrimp, which most places overcook until they resemble something made from butyl rubber, were beautifully prepared, and were delicately tender. As for the cole slaw, what made it so unique is that it is prepared using green olives as one of the seasonings. It was highly unusual, and I still haven’t made up my mind whether I like it or not. I’ll probably have to go back a few more times to sample it some more.
We finished off lunch with their bread pudding in a puddle of whisky sauce. The bread pudding was dense, covered in pecans, and had coconut in it. I was so full that I could only eat a small amount of it, and companion asked for a box to take it in.
There was only one downer for the lunch, and that was a Sazerac that was ordered from the bar. Unfortunately, it just didn’t make the grade and had to be sent back. My understanding is that they used to have a bartender that made a terrific one, and when she left they stopped making the drink. I’m hoping in the future they get a bartender that can make a proper Sazerac cocktail.
The place was clean, airy, with excellent service. Those who wish to can eat outside. Each table had a selection of hot sauces, mostly from Tabasco. I would suggest that they have some Louisiana Hot Sauce available also, as it has a totally different flavor than Tabasco.
For those who might be inclined to say that this is an expensive place to eat, may I remind them that this is the desert and sea food has to be brought in and is also costly. It all adds up in the end.
4 Stars
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Defalco’s Italian Grocery
Defalco's reminds me of many Italian deli's in New York. Racks of Italian foods that are often hard to find, and a long line to get waited on.
The sandwiches are food of the Gods. Well stuffed with premium ingredients, some are so big that they consist of more food than many third world countries eat in a month! Their hot sandwiches evoke wonderful memories of sandwiches eaten many years ago in New York, and the wonderful aromas made my stomach rumble in anticipation of the food it was soon to receive.
If you find that a sandwich is too much to eat, you can get a half sandwich for a few dollars less. Several selections on the menu are vegetarian, including an excellent eggplant parmigiana and an outstanding grilled portobello mushroom sandwich with goat cheese.
For those from back east, they serve a terrific sausage, pepper and onion sandwich which will bring back memories of places long gone. They also have sausage and meatball sandwiches that i was hard pressed to try and finish. However, leave room for dessert. Traditional Cannelloni, Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Napoleons - all wonderful. Of course, its even better with a cup of cappuccino or espresso or a latte to help wash it all down.
Lest I forget, they also have a selection of calzones as well as pizza's and pasta's.
They stock a wonderful assortment of Italian food stuffs ranging from olive oils to boxed pastas along with an excellent wine section. In addition, Defalco's produces some of it's own pastas as well as it's own homemade sausages.
While there is not an abundance of tables, you can eat on the premises if you wish. Defalco's is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. so you can eat lunch or dinner there. Be prepared for portions that are large - in fact many of them could easily be split between 2 people.
To be honest, nothing about Defalco's is cheap, but then again, you are getting premium ingredients in large quantities for that premium price.
Other than it is hard to find parking and the sometimes a long line one has to wait in to get service I can't really find anything to complain about. Good food, good service worth waiting for, and good attitudes all add up to a solid 4 star rating.
The sandwiches are food of the Gods. Well stuffed with premium ingredients, some are so big that they consist of more food than many third world countries eat in a month! Their hot sandwiches evoke wonderful memories of sandwiches eaten many years ago in New York, and the wonderful aromas made my stomach rumble in anticipation of the food it was soon to receive.
If you find that a sandwich is too much to eat, you can get a half sandwich for a few dollars less. Several selections on the menu are vegetarian, including an excellent eggplant parmigiana and an outstanding grilled portobello mushroom sandwich with goat cheese.
For those from back east, they serve a terrific sausage, pepper and onion sandwich which will bring back memories of places long gone. They also have sausage and meatball sandwiches that i was hard pressed to try and finish. However, leave room for dessert. Traditional Cannelloni, Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Napoleons - all wonderful. Of course, its even better with a cup of cappuccino or espresso or a latte to help wash it all down.
Lest I forget, they also have a selection of calzones as well as pizza's and pasta's.
They stock a wonderful assortment of Italian food stuffs ranging from olive oils to boxed pastas along with an excellent wine section. In addition, Defalco's produces some of it's own pastas as well as it's own homemade sausages.
While there is not an abundance of tables, you can eat on the premises if you wish. Defalco's is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. so you can eat lunch or dinner there. Be prepared for portions that are large - in fact many of them could easily be split between 2 people.
To be honest, nothing about Defalco's is cheap, but then again, you are getting premium ingredients in large quantities for that premium price.
Other than it is hard to find parking and the sometimes a long line one has to wait in to get service I can't really find anything to complain about. Good food, good service worth waiting for, and good attitudes all add up to a solid 4 star rating.
Crazy Chicken & Crab - CLOSED
Crazy Chicken & Crab - CLOSED
1825 W Chandler Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85224
I and two companions arrived promptly at six for dinner, and entered a mostly empty restaurant. We were seated immediately and ordered assorted soft drinks.
We all started off with the egg rolls ($2.99), which were provided with a dipping sauce of sweet chile, a usual Thai ingredient and not at all Korean. I must say that none of us were impressed by the egg rolls. They were properly cooked, but were lacking in flavor.
Next, companion #1 ordered the calamari ($7.99). This was a high point of the meal. Done in a fashion I had not seen before, they were long strips of thicker calamari (perhaps cut from the tubes of larger ones?), lightly breaded and lightly fried. I'm not sure just how they were cooked, but they were perhaps the most tender calamari I have ever eaten. It was served with a mayonnaise based spiced dipping sauce that was nicely complementary to it.
Companion #2 ordered the sweet and spicy chicken ($9.99) along with the egg fried rice ($3.99). She pronounce the rice to be excellent.
Companion #1 made the mistake of ordering the shrimp for $12. For the price, companion got 8 shrimp that when the head and tail were removed were no more than a U-30. Fortunately, I had ordered a bowl of egg fried rice to share with companion and that became most of companions meal.
For myself, I ordered 1/2 garlic soy sauce chicken ($9.99) and 1/2 sweet and spicy chicken ($9.99). The garlic chicken was acceptable though the only dark meat I could find was a single drum stick. The sweet and spicy chicken was so drowned in sauce as to be almost inedible.
True Korean fried chicken is an experience that you never forget. The chicken pieces are given a light coating of either cornstarch or rice starch and are then deep fried. Allowed to rest and cool, the chicken is then deep fried a second time, which removes any fat from under the skin and makes it super crispy. Unfortunately, this is not the case here.
The chicken is chopped into relatively small pieces, then battered and fried. With so much batter on it, the sauces coat the entire piece of chicken and becomes overpowering. I took a doggy bag of the sweet and spicy chicken home, and rinsed it in the sink to remove most of the sauce. Tomorrow I will briefly refry the chicken and put an acceptable Korean sauce on it.
Companion #2 ordered Mochi for dessert. Since mochi is Japanese, I was a bit surprised to find it on the menu. Based on the flavors available and based on looks and taste, I was quite sure the mochi came from Mekong Market or LeeLee's.
Inspection of the restroom was a very unpleasant affair, as the aroma made it impossible to stay in there for any amount of time.
Service was fair though a few things were not correctly served. I would have expected much better food for a bill of $54.90 plus tip.
2 stars for service and appetizers.
1825 W Chandler Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85224
I and two companions arrived promptly at six for dinner, and entered a mostly empty restaurant. We were seated immediately and ordered assorted soft drinks.
We all started off with the egg rolls ($2.99), which were provided with a dipping sauce of sweet chile, a usual Thai ingredient and not at all Korean. I must say that none of us were impressed by the egg rolls. They were properly cooked, but were lacking in flavor.
Next, companion #1 ordered the calamari ($7.99). This was a high point of the meal. Done in a fashion I had not seen before, they were long strips of thicker calamari (perhaps cut from the tubes of larger ones?), lightly breaded and lightly fried. I'm not sure just how they were cooked, but they were perhaps the most tender calamari I have ever eaten. It was served with a mayonnaise based spiced dipping sauce that was nicely complementary to it.
Companion #2 ordered the sweet and spicy chicken ($9.99) along with the egg fried rice ($3.99). She pronounce the rice to be excellent.
Companion #1 made the mistake of ordering the shrimp for $12. For the price, companion got 8 shrimp that when the head and tail were removed were no more than a U-30. Fortunately, I had ordered a bowl of egg fried rice to share with companion and that became most of companions meal.
For myself, I ordered 1/2 garlic soy sauce chicken ($9.99) and 1/2 sweet and spicy chicken ($9.99). The garlic chicken was acceptable though the only dark meat I could find was a single drum stick. The sweet and spicy chicken was so drowned in sauce as to be almost inedible.
True Korean fried chicken is an experience that you never forget. The chicken pieces are given a light coating of either cornstarch or rice starch and are then deep fried. Allowed to rest and cool, the chicken is then deep fried a second time, which removes any fat from under the skin and makes it super crispy. Unfortunately, this is not the case here.
The chicken is chopped into relatively small pieces, then battered and fried. With so much batter on it, the sauces coat the entire piece of chicken and becomes overpowering. I took a doggy bag of the sweet and spicy chicken home, and rinsed it in the sink to remove most of the sauce. Tomorrow I will briefly refry the chicken and put an acceptable Korean sauce on it.
Companion #2 ordered Mochi for dessert. Since mochi is Japanese, I was a bit surprised to find it on the menu. Based on the flavors available and based on looks and taste, I was quite sure the mochi came from Mekong Market or LeeLee's.
Inspection of the restroom was a very unpleasant affair, as the aroma made it impossible to stay in there for any amount of time.
Service was fair though a few things were not correctly served. I would have expected much better food for a bill of $54.90 plus tip.
2 stars for service and appetizers.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Habbouz Tunisian Cuisine - CLOSED
Habbouz Tunisian Cuisine - CLOSED
7816 N. 27th Avenue
Phoenix
Sometimes we come across a gem in the rough, and this is Habbouz.
Companion and I arrived for a 5:45 dinner and were promptly seated. The rough part of this restaurant is that it is sparsely decorated and looks more like a little nook than a restaurant. It is located in a strip mall with a number of other ethnic places.
Companion started with a soft drink, and I ordered hot tea. The tea came in a small cup with a number of mint leaves in it. Not being the biggest fan of mint in the world, on a personal level I didn’t care for the tea, and it was removed from our bill at the end.
The menu has a fair number of lamb dishes on it. Deciding on what to eat from such a delicious looking menu was difficult, but we both settled on the lamb shank. When places offer lamb shanks I usually order them as cooking them properly takes lots of time and seasoning them properly takes a good hand. With the exception of the lamb shanks which must be cooked in advance, everything else on the menu is cooked upon ordering. While this might take a little extra time, it is well worth it.
In short order, two beautiful plates of lamb shank were placed in front of us. The shank was nestled in a bed of what was perhaps the best couscous I have ever eaten. Also on the plate was a small salad with green olives in it that were wonderful. On the side, was a serviette of sauce to slather on the lamb and couscous. To say that this was delicious would be an understatement. The restaurant uses very little silverware, and gives patrons plastic ware to eat with. In truth, this is the real test of whether the meat is tender or not, as plastic is known for breaking on tough meat.
Touching the meat with the plastic fork resulted in it almost falling off the bone. Rich with flavor it was truly succulent. Some like their couscous dry, and some prefer it with more sauce on it. I ate it both ways and can honestly say it was wonderful either way you ate it. The portions on the plate were so large I was unable to finish the food. Companion took a doggy bag home.
We had an assortment of dessert items including some truly wonderful baklava that again, is made on the premises and was similar, yet different from any I had ever eaten before.
Companion also ordered a second meal just to take home for the next day. I noted that on the menu they sell merguez sausage. For those not familiar with this, it is a lamb sausage that is nice and spicy. Not with heat, but with flavor. It does have a small amount of berber seasoning in it which gives it just a tiny bit of heat. I ordered a portion of it to take home and it was excellent the next day.
Were this food to be served in any fancier place, it would be packed with patrons and would be a top pick for any food critic.
4 stars for friendly, excellent service, wonderful food, and a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this place.
7816 N. 27th Avenue
Phoenix
Sometimes we come across a gem in the rough, and this is Habbouz.
Companion and I arrived for a 5:45 dinner and were promptly seated. The rough part of this restaurant is that it is sparsely decorated and looks more like a little nook than a restaurant. It is located in a strip mall with a number of other ethnic places.
Companion started with a soft drink, and I ordered hot tea. The tea came in a small cup with a number of mint leaves in it. Not being the biggest fan of mint in the world, on a personal level I didn’t care for the tea, and it was removed from our bill at the end.
The menu has a fair number of lamb dishes on it. Deciding on what to eat from such a delicious looking menu was difficult, but we both settled on the lamb shank. When places offer lamb shanks I usually order them as cooking them properly takes lots of time and seasoning them properly takes a good hand. With the exception of the lamb shanks which must be cooked in advance, everything else on the menu is cooked upon ordering. While this might take a little extra time, it is well worth it.
In short order, two beautiful plates of lamb shank were placed in front of us. The shank was nestled in a bed of what was perhaps the best couscous I have ever eaten. Also on the plate was a small salad with green olives in it that were wonderful. On the side, was a serviette of sauce to slather on the lamb and couscous. To say that this was delicious would be an understatement. The restaurant uses very little silverware, and gives patrons plastic ware to eat with. In truth, this is the real test of whether the meat is tender or not, as plastic is known for breaking on tough meat.
Touching the meat with the plastic fork resulted in it almost falling off the bone. Rich with flavor it was truly succulent. Some like their couscous dry, and some prefer it with more sauce on it. I ate it both ways and can honestly say it was wonderful either way you ate it. The portions on the plate were so large I was unable to finish the food. Companion took a doggy bag home.
We had an assortment of dessert items including some truly wonderful baklava that again, is made on the premises and was similar, yet different from any I had ever eaten before.
Companion also ordered a second meal just to take home for the next day. I noted that on the menu they sell merguez sausage. For those not familiar with this, it is a lamb sausage that is nice and spicy. Not with heat, but with flavor. It does have a small amount of berber seasoning in it which gives it just a tiny bit of heat. I ordered a portion of it to take home and it was excellent the next day.
Were this food to be served in any fancier place, it would be packed with patrons and would be a top pick for any food critic.
4 stars for friendly, excellent service, wonderful food, and a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this place.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Valley Plaza Tempe Food Truck Festival
Valley Plaza Tempe Food Truck Festival 2/21/2016
3115 S. McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282
I arrived at the festival at about 5:30. A large crowd of
ASU students had shown up, and were queued at each vendor.
I started with Aioli Burger. On the good side, they
cooked my burger (white truffle swiss burger) medium rare as I had asked for.
Also on the good side, the burger was of a good size, had good flavor, was juicy
and was on a nice bun. However, all is not necessarily good in whoville. The
first ding was that there is no price list to be found anywhere – not on their
web site nor on the truck nor on any sign near the truck. Patrons have no idea
what they are paying for anything, and the vendor is able to change prices at
will. The second ding was that when you present a credit card, they present you
with a portable screen on which are listed various tip amounts. Only upon
reading through the screen did one see the small print that said “No Tip”. Tips
are for service rendered, and after 18 years of this type of work, I’ve yet to
understand why some people just put their hands out and expect a tip for taking
an order and nothing else. There is also a large tip jar on the counter which
people were stuffing with bills. Personally, I just don’t understand this.
Unfortunately, tables were not exactly in excess, and
most people either ate in their cars or standing up. The ding for this is upon
the organizers, who should have made sure that more than 4 tables were
available for a crowd this size.
Next was Cousins Maine Lobster. At $17 for a lobster
roll, it was a bit exorbitant and I didn’t have my banker with me to foot a
loan. I only saw 3 people in the line for this truck. In speaking to people in
the area, it was almost unanimous that they were way overpriced. Currently,
fresh lobster is going for $11.95 a pound locally, and I’m quite sure the rolls
did not contain a pound of lobster on them. On the plus side, they had their
prices posted prominently on a large electronic screen for all to see.
Right next door was Kick’s Frozen Yogurt. It seemed a bit
redundant to have their truck there when the actual physical location of Kick’s
is in the same shopping center. Unlike most of the other vendors, they only
take Visa and Mastercard. Kick’s had a selection of flavors available.
Continuing around, I next came to Modern Tortilla. They
had a good sized sign out front with the prices on it, albeit in small, but
readable printing. Polling those who were eating there, most of the people were
enjoying the food and felt that it was properly priced. In fact, a number of
people felt that it was actually a cheap place to eat at. Portion sizes were
nice, and while I did not have room to actually taste it, it smelled quite
good.
Last but certainly not least was Bang Bang Dumpling, a
truck that came in at the last minute when Bites Donuts was not able to attend.
A small menu was posted outside with some of the prices,
however, more food was available than was on the menu, causing people to have
to ask prices or worse, ordering food without being aware of how much they were
spending. While I only was able to speak to 5 people who had the food from this
truck, they all liked the flavors, but felt the portion size was a bit on the
skimpy side.
The trucks certainly attracted a good crowd from ASU, and
I certainly hope they will continue in the future, but please – post your
prices as well as what credit cards you accept. The customer behind me in line
wanted to pay with cash and was actually worried that they might not accept it!
3 stars for a good effort.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
550 N Hayden Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Companion and I arrived
for a 5:00 dinner reservation just a bit early. We were asked to wait in the
bar, which would not have been a problem except that every seat was already
taken with people waiting. After a short wait, we were seated at our table.
The bar waitress arrived
quickly and took our drink order – 20 year old port for myself and a pink
squirrel for companion. The port was a Graham and was excellent, and companion
loved the pink squirrel. It is notable that the bar has a large stock of premium
single malts, ports, and other spirits. Best of all, they have a bartender that
has knowledge of what is being served and knows what he/she is doing.
We started our dinner
with a bowl of chowder – Manhattan for companion and New England for myself.
The chowder had lots of chubby clams and potatoes in it, and instead of being
thick and goopy (is that even a word?) it had a nicer, thinner texture that was
very enjoyable.
Next came an order of
Steamed Mussels. They were satisfactory except that many of the shells did not
have a mussel in them. Our waitress made things right very quickly by bringing
us a steaming hot new order to replace those. The mussels were cooked perfectly
and came with a broth and a melted butter cruet to dip them in. Best of all,
the mussels were totally clean with not a drop of foreign material in them.
On with the salad,
perhaps the only weak point in the meal. Two problems presented themselves –
first was that the salad itself was either torn into small pieces that were
hard to get on the fork, and other pieces were too big to be put in ones mouth
without being cut up. The second problem was that we selected the house
vinaigrette, which just really wasn’t to my personal taste. Not wanting to be a
complainer, I ate the salad and accepted it as part of the experience.
The main course arrived
next – baked stuffed lobster. Each lobster was stuffed with a mixture of crab
meat and scallops, then covered in bread crumbs and baked. The lobsters are
smaller ones – about 1 ¼ pounds I would guess, but after the appetizers and the
salad they were more than adequate. The lobsters come with a candle heater with
drawn butter in it. I prefer a good salt butter to eat with my seafood, and
somehow, miraculously, a small packet of Maldon Sea Salt appeared from my purse
to help with the butter. The lobster was delicious and nicely cooked. Our
waitress, when serving it took the hard parts apart for us so the eating it was
simple and non-messy.
Our only unfortunate
part of the evening was that we were seated next to a buffoon cardiologist that
insisted on recounting his latest surgery experiences to his table in loud
enough tones that the entire dining room found out about his sutures. I did not
allow that to affect my appetite though.
Service and cleanliness
were excellent as was the food.
5 Stars
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Couscous Express - CLOSED
Couscous Express
1915 E. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
This restaurant has been reviewed by Zagat’s and
others, and unless this was an off night the restaurant is not deserving of
some of the praise that has been given it.
I was looking forward to eating at this
restaurant. I and two companions arrived for dinner at 6:00 on a Saturday
night. Parking is difficult at the restaurant and we ended up parking next
door.
The decor was reminiscent of a typical place in
Morocco, with wall hangings and hookah's along with lots of pillows being the
main decorations. We were seated immediately and were promptly brought some
very nice mint tea that was heavily sweetened. The tea was also available
unsweetened.
After a very short wait, we were brought bowls
of fava bean soup. The soup was a bit spicy, with notes of onion, cardamom,
cinnamon and possibly a touch of clove. The spice didn't come into play until
after it had been swallowed, when the slow burn started in the back of one's
throat. Companion #2 could not eat the soup because of the amount of heat. No
other soup was offered to her.
Next came a dish of two homemade pita's which
seemed to be made of whole wheat and were unlike any other pita I had ever had.
Each one was approximately 1 inch thick. Along with the pita's came a plate of
hummus. The hummus had the usual flavors of garlic and possibly tahini, but it
also had some other spices added to it that changed its character totally from
the familiar to the unfamiliar. It was o.k. as hummus goes, but the smooth,
creaminess that I crave in a good hummus was missing, and was replaced with a
grittiness that was not to my liking.
The owner came over and asked what we wanted to
order. We had no menus and none were offered, so we told him to surprise us.
This was a mistake on our part.
After a reasonable time, a tagine was brought
out with veggies and some lamb along with a dish of couscous. The lamb, what
there was of it, was flavorful and nicely cooked. However, at least half of it
was bone. We did not bother to complain because we figured that there would be
other dishes coming out and we would not be going away hungry. Another mistake
on our part.
The owner certainly surprised us by not having
another dish to serve to us. He claimed that there was 1.5 pounds of lamb in
the dish. I claim that there was.5 pounds of bone in the dish. On top of that,
he claimed that this dish was our entire dinner and there was nothing more
coming out of the kitchen.
We asked about dessert, hoping that it would
help us all fill up. We were brought a plate of small rope like pastries that
appeared to have been fried, then coated in a light semi-sweet sauce and
covered in sesame seeds. Each of us took one to eat, and we unanimously agreed
that they were inedible.
We asked for our bill, and at $56.00 were
startled at the cost, especially since we were all still hungry. Companion 1
said she wished she had stayed home.
A $5 tip was left.
2 stars for flavorful food, no star for service,
and no star for portion size.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Oasis Bakery & Cuisine
1639 E Apache Blvd
The restaurant has two rooms, one with regular tables, and one in which guests are able to sit on the floor.
We started out with a plate of hummus (4.99). Startlingly smooth and beautifully not over spiced, this was to portend the start of a really good dinner.
For main courses we ordered Mandi Meat (Roasted Lamb w/basmati rice 13.99) , Zerban Meat (Lamb w/raisins, nuts, potatoes in a tomato based sauce 13.99), Falafel 5.99, and Areekah (Bread w/dates, honey, and cream 7.99)
The portions were large, and the lamb was cooked perfectly with wonderful flavors. The Areekah served as our dessert, and is almost addicting to eat. Once you start, you cannot stop.
Our only disappointment was with Falafel. It was on the dry side and was obviously made from a mix rather than fresh fava beans.
All this also came with complimentary salad with two types of dressings available and on the plate.
To be honest, this is going to become one of my new must eat at places because the food is so very good.
It is also worth noting that they also serve a breakfast menu which includes Shakshuka, which is a must have middle eastern dish of eggs cooked in a tomato base with spices. I personally cook this at home, and have never found any place that cooked it in the U.S.
I highly recommend this restaurant for a wonderful experience of eating middle eastern food.
4 stars for cleanliness, portion size, and wonderful flavors.
The restaurant has two rooms, one with regular tables, and one in which guests are able to sit on the floor.
We started out with a plate of hummus (4.99). Startlingly smooth and beautifully not over spiced, this was to portend the start of a really good dinner.
For main courses we ordered Mandi Meat (Roasted Lamb w/basmati rice 13.99) , Zerban Meat (Lamb w/raisins, nuts, potatoes in a tomato based sauce 13.99), Falafel 5.99, and Areekah (Bread w/dates, honey, and cream 7.99)
The portions were large, and the lamb was cooked perfectly with wonderful flavors. The Areekah served as our dessert, and is almost addicting to eat. Once you start, you cannot stop.
Our only disappointment was with Falafel. It was on the dry side and was obviously made from a mix rather than fresh fava beans.
All this also came with complimentary salad with two types of dressings available and on the plate.
To be honest, this is going to become one of my new must eat at places because the food is so very good.
It is also worth noting that they also serve a breakfast menu which includes Shakshuka, which is a must have middle eastern dish of eggs cooked in a tomato base with spices. I personally cook this at home, and have never found any place that cooked it in the U.S.
I highly recommend this restaurant for a wonderful experience of eating middle eastern food.
4 stars for cleanliness, portion size, and wonderful flavors.
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