961 W. Ray Rd
Chandler, AZ 85225
Peruvian food is a real treat for me, so 6 of us descended on Tumi's to try the food.
We started off with Jarra de Chicha Morada o Maracuya - a pitcher of purple corn drink. It was unanimous that the flavor was wonderful. The sweetness was not overbearing as the passion fruit drink was.
Next was an appetizer. We ordered Anticuchos which were 3 skewers of heart, grilled with a touch of vinegar and some Peruvian spices. It came with a sauce that (for me) was liquid fire, and some kernels of Peruvian corn which had been softened by boiling in water. Most of us loved the Anticuchos and we all discussed how they got it so tender.
Next were the main courses, and this is where some had a few problems. Companion ordered Tallarin Salteado de Mariscos - Linguine with sea food sauté with onions and tomatoes and cilantro mignonette and instead was given Saltado de Mariscos - Seafood sauté with onions, tomatoes cilantro mignonette and French fries. Companion did not enjoy the dish but chose to not send it back. Companion felt that some components of the dish were not cooked enough.
Another of our group ordered the Cau Cau - Cow tripe on Aji amarillo and turmeric sauce mixed with Potatoes cubed and mint mignonette. This person felt the taste was excellent but the tripe needed a bit more cooking.
Yet another member of our group ordered Lomo a Caballo - Premium beef loin strips sauté with onions, tomatoes, cilantro mignonette and French fries, fried sweet plantains, sunny side up egg. Unfortunately, the egg was tremendously overcooked and there was a large amount of onion on the dish.
Still another member of our group ordered Lomo Saltado - Premium beef loin strips sauté with onions, tomatoes, cilantro mignonette and French fries. The member enjoyed the entire dish.
Our group vegetarian ordered Causa Rellena de Camaron - Two layers of mashed potatoes seasoned with lime and aji and filled with shrimp creamy. The presentation of the dish was first class, though the portion size was a bit on the smaller side.
For myself, I ordered Picante a lo Tumi - A melange of assorted seafood served with a yellow pepper sauce, rice and fried yucca. My food was delicious.
The biggest problem was the waitstaff. When bills were presented they were all mixed up and it took quite a bit of time to straighten them out.
3 stars for the good food, but could have been 4 stars had the service been proper.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Friday, August 18, 2017
California Fish Grill
6150 Slauson Ave
Ste 107
Culver City, CA 90230
Companion and I were in the area and decided to have some fish items for dinner. The Fish Grill is an interesting concept. Customers order from a large selection of items posted on a huge board at the front of the restaurant. They then (hopefully) look for and find a table to sit at while waiting for their order to be ready. Disks with lights and buzzers are given to each person who orders, and they are thus notified when their items are ready.
We started with a basket of calamari. They were beautifully cooked and perfectly seasoned. Two types of tarter sauce are available - regular and New England style, with the latter being more highly seasoned and with a bit of lemon in it. Packets of malt vinegar are also available as is ketchup and an assortment of salsa's.
Companion ordered the grilled Barramundi with chimichurri sauce along with sweet potato fries and balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts and a bowl of clam chowder. Unfortunately, the barramundi was dry and the chimichurri sauce was devoid of flavor. To their credit, they immediately took back the fish and asked companion to order something else off the menu. This is how a customer that is not happy should be treated.
I ordered the Giant Shrimp with garlic butter, sweet potato fries, balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts, and Parmesan string beans. The shrimp, while nicely grilled and tasty were butterflied and still had the shells on. It would have been nice if the menu mentioned that the shells were included as the first bite was what informed me of that fact. The fries were quite ordinary and rather flaccid unfortunately, but the Parmesan string beans were dynamite. Perfectly cooked with not a drop of extra oil on them they had wonderful flavor and are highly recommended. The Brussels sprouts had good flavor and were nicely cooked.
Getting a table may be a bit difficult but fortunately, they have take out ordering.
Sanitation was excellent and food was brought out in a timely manner. Customers then picked it up on large sheet pans for their table.
4 stars for quality of sea food, responsiveness to customers, and excellent sanitation
Ste 107
Culver City, CA 90230
Companion and I were in the area and decided to have some fish items for dinner. The Fish Grill is an interesting concept. Customers order from a large selection of items posted on a huge board at the front of the restaurant. They then (hopefully) look for and find a table to sit at while waiting for their order to be ready. Disks with lights and buzzers are given to each person who orders, and they are thus notified when their items are ready.
We started with a basket of calamari. They were beautifully cooked and perfectly seasoned. Two types of tarter sauce are available - regular and New England style, with the latter being more highly seasoned and with a bit of lemon in it. Packets of malt vinegar are also available as is ketchup and an assortment of salsa's.
Companion ordered the grilled Barramundi with chimichurri sauce along with sweet potato fries and balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts and a bowl of clam chowder. Unfortunately, the barramundi was dry and the chimichurri sauce was devoid of flavor. To their credit, they immediately took back the fish and asked companion to order something else off the menu. This is how a customer that is not happy should be treated.
I ordered the Giant Shrimp with garlic butter, sweet potato fries, balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts, and Parmesan string beans. The shrimp, while nicely grilled and tasty were butterflied and still had the shells on. It would have been nice if the menu mentioned that the shells were included as the first bite was what informed me of that fact. The fries were quite ordinary and rather flaccid unfortunately, but the Parmesan string beans were dynamite. Perfectly cooked with not a drop of extra oil on them they had wonderful flavor and are highly recommended. The Brussels sprouts had good flavor and were nicely cooked.
Getting a table may be a bit difficult but fortunately, they have take out ordering.
Sanitation was excellent and food was brought out in a timely manner. Customers then picked it up on large sheet pans for their table.
4 stars for quality of sea food, responsiveness to customers, and excellent sanitation
Monday, August 14, 2017
Carolinas - Mesa
1450 S Country Club Dr
Mesa, AZ 85210
For those of us that have lived in the valley for a long time, Carolina's in the South Phoenix area was the Mecca for Tortillas. Huge, soft, hand stretched and made with real lard, they had a flavor that couldn't be beat. Time has taken it's toll on the original Carolina's and it is a bit run down, with occasional bullet holes in the outside of the building.
Welcome a new Carolina's on the East Side. Located almost at the intersection of Country Club and U.S. 60 is a beautiful, shiny rebuilt building with lots of parking and plenty of tables to sit at. The same menu items are available and have the same wonderful home made taste.
Companion and I arrived for lunch, and the place was packed. However, we were still able to find tables to sit at. Companion ordered a Carne Asada burrito and was not disappointed. Companion did point out that it would have been nice to have had guacamole on it, and I pointed out that it was available and just had to be asked for.
I ordered the Chicken Chimichanga with 2 toppings. I must confess that this was the best one that I have ever had the pleasure of eating. It was totally filled with pulled chicken, wrapped in one of their fabulous tortillas, deep fried, then covered in sour cream and guacamole. There is a salsa bar that only has one type of salsa, but it had great flavor.
Drinks are sold either as regular or large. You take your cup to the beverage counter and fill your cup with whatever you wish to drink. Refills are free.
I must mention the wonderful flour tortillas that they make. Each one is hand stretched, enormous, and made the original way with a little lard in it which gives it the flavor that so many tortillas are missing. Warmed up, they make a fabulous munch in front of the idiot tube at home. We ordered a dozen to take with us.
Service is fast. We had our food in spite of the noon rush in less than 10 minutes.
Dings - only one - I wish they had some limes available to put on your food. They do have lemons, but in Mexico you will never find a lemon - only limes.
The place was beautifully clean, and there is an outdoor large patio where you can enjoy your food when the weather moderates. Much as I hate to say it because it will bring even more people, I highly recommend Carolina's for some wonderful food.
5 stars
Mesa, AZ 85210
For those of us that have lived in the valley for a long time, Carolina's in the South Phoenix area was the Mecca for Tortillas. Huge, soft, hand stretched and made with real lard, they had a flavor that couldn't be beat. Time has taken it's toll on the original Carolina's and it is a bit run down, with occasional bullet holes in the outside of the building.
Welcome a new Carolina's on the East Side. Located almost at the intersection of Country Club and U.S. 60 is a beautiful, shiny rebuilt building with lots of parking and plenty of tables to sit at. The same menu items are available and have the same wonderful home made taste.
Companion and I arrived for lunch, and the place was packed. However, we were still able to find tables to sit at. Companion ordered a Carne Asada burrito and was not disappointed. Companion did point out that it would have been nice to have had guacamole on it, and I pointed out that it was available and just had to be asked for.
I ordered the Chicken Chimichanga with 2 toppings. I must confess that this was the best one that I have ever had the pleasure of eating. It was totally filled with pulled chicken, wrapped in one of their fabulous tortillas, deep fried, then covered in sour cream and guacamole. There is a salsa bar that only has one type of salsa, but it had great flavor.
Drinks are sold either as regular or large. You take your cup to the beverage counter and fill your cup with whatever you wish to drink. Refills are free.
I must mention the wonderful flour tortillas that they make. Each one is hand stretched, enormous, and made the original way with a little lard in it which gives it the flavor that so many tortillas are missing. Warmed up, they make a fabulous munch in front of the idiot tube at home. We ordered a dozen to take with us.
Service is fast. We had our food in spite of the noon rush in less than 10 minutes.
Dings - only one - I wish they had some limes available to put on your food. They do have lemons, but in Mexico you will never find a lemon - only limes.
The place was beautifully clean, and there is an outdoor large patio where you can enjoy your food when the weather moderates. Much as I hate to say it because it will bring even more people, I highly recommend Carolina's for some wonderful food.
5 stars
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