Monday, February 25, 2019

Mora Italian 3rd review

This is my third review of Mora Italian.

Is Mora starting to slip? I find myself wondering, as I have taken away one star this time.

We ordered a melange of items with the idea of trying some old favorites as well as seeing what is new on the menu.

First up was the bread board and the salumi with cheese. The bread board was nothing like it used to be, and the salumi was sparse to say the least. Not a good start to our meal. Fortunately, the Sangria Mora has not changed and is still excellent.

Next was the Lobster Gnudi, the Fritto Misto, and the Pomodoro. In my previous review I described the Gnudi as ethereal and what I would love for my last meal. Unfortunately, these were heavy and gluey. The Fritto Misto was totally different. The octopus was vile and our waiter informed us that they were going back to the original recipe because they had complaints about this interpretation. I gladly added my complaint to the list. The pomodoro too had changed, as the seasoning in the sauce was not the same. Instead, it seemed like an ordinary pomodoro and not the super sauce that was originally with it.

Eggplant Parmigiana was adequate as was the Torchio. The cauliflower was nice, and the potatoes were perfect.

Desserts were Apple Cheesecake (ordinary), Budino (excellent) and Gelato.

Scott was nowhere to be found. I am hoping that this is not going to be a case of absentee ownership, as a meal that cost $226 plus tip should live up to its reputation. The food has definitely changed and not for the better. Portion sizes seem smaller and the attention to detail that was there when Scott was in the restaurant seems to have vanished. I'll check in again in the future to see what is happening in this restaurant.

4 stars

White Spot

White Spot

45373 Luckakuck Way
Chilliwack, BC V2R 3C7
Canada


Companion and I stopped in to have breakfast here.

We were seated immediately and given menus as well as cups of coffee to warm up with. 

Companion ordered the Bacon, Broccoli and Cheese Scramble and asked for a substitution of fruit for the potatoes.

I ordered the Eggs Benedict and instead of the endless hash browns, asked for them to substitute fruit.

It was nice to see that there was no problem substituting fruit for the hash browns. Items were brought relatively quickly and were properly served.

The premises were clean and service was good.

3 stars

A & W

A & W

45801 1st Avenue
Chilliwack, BC V2P 1R3
Canada

As an American, I thought I had eaten in most of the fast food places around, and had never thought much of A&W in the states. The rootbeer in the U.S. was not particularly exciting or memorable to drink anymore.

What a difference!

This A&W has become my favorite fast food restaurant in Chilliwack.
Let's start with cleanliness. The place is clean enough to eat off the floors, though I wouldn't recommend it!

Their burgers are amazing, and cooked to order. Actually, everything there is cooked to order and comes to you piping hot. 

Then there is the rootbeer. Nothing like what is served in the states. This is the rootbeer I remember having as a child - served in a frozen mug it is outstanding. Even the diet version is excellent.

While they also serve breakfast, I had yet another burger for breakfast.  They also now have a vegetarian (vegan) burger that is just as wonderful as their beef burger.

Best of all, they raise their own beef, grow their own veggies, and are wonderful people to deal with.

Right on the edge of getting 5 stars, I can only give 4 to a fast food place.

Ricky's All Day Grill

Ricky's All Day Grill

45389 Luckakuck Way
Unit 100
Chilliwack, BC V2R 3S9
Canada


Companion and I at breakfast at this location. We were seated immediately and were given our menus.

Companion ordered a Brekkie Bowl, which contained potatoes with peppers and onions, scrambled eggs, tomatoes and green onions, with toast on the side. Companion opted not to have the sauce on top, and there was no problem having it that way.

I opted to have an omelet, and selected the Mega Mushroom and 3 cheese. It was a lovely omelet, properly cooked and served. All this was accompanied by some excellent coffee.

The place was clean, service was good, and the food was properly prepared.

3 stars

Almost Home Restaurant and Steakhouse

Almost Home Restaurant and Steakhouse
3310 Market ST NE
Salem, Oregon 97301

Companion and I were traveling from Canada to the lower U.S. and stopped in for dinner.

I will preface this review by saying that anytime I am in this area I will make it my business to come here for my meals!

This is a small diner with a big heart. No matter what you want to eat, if it is on the menu it will be beautifully made and served hot and perfect. I felt like I was eating at home the food was of such character.\

Companion ordered the turkey dinner at regular price. Our server informed us that there was a special on for the turkey dinner and our bill would be reduced if it was ordered. The dinner included even more food as well as dessert for a lower price!

I ordered the apple-cranberry pork, and was amazed at how wonderful the flavor was as well as the more than adequate portion size.

For dessert, even though we were both stuffed, we had homemade pie which was absolutely delicious.

Probably best of all was our waiter. Not only was he knowledgeable, but was so wonderful in his service. He was working multiple jobs at once, yet showed no sign of being tired or of being lazy.

Because of his excellent service, I left him a very big tip. He not only helped make our meal with his service, but he is such a terrific asset to the restaurant.

4 stars for cleanliness, excellent food, and terrific service.

Voila French Bistro and Wine Bar


10135 E Via Linda
Ste C120
Scottsdale, AZ 85258


Companion and I went to this Bistro for dinner. Personally, I felt that I was at a small Bistro in Paris near the Champs Elysees.

I started with a dish of piping hot escargot. They were loaded with lots of garlic and parsley and were wonderful. Some have complained that the snails are on the small side, but the small ones are much more tender and flavorful than the giants. I used some of the wonderful hot bread they brought to soak up the liquid in each divot and washed it all down with a lovely glass of Beaujolais. Companion enjoyed a big bowl of onion soup with croutons on top as well as a goodly amount of melted cheese.

For my main course I had assorted seafood and fish in choucroute. For those who don't know, choucroute is actually of German origin and comes from the Alsace-Lorraine region. It is characterized by serving your order with sauerkraut.  Unlike typical American sauerkraut, this is much more delicate and compliments the food well.

Companion had a nice plate of boeuf bourguignon, which was a special of the day. Companion stated that the meat was so tender than no knife was needed.

Dessert was also special. I had a Grand Marnier souffle that was so light as to be considered to be ethereal.  You took some to your mouth, and it just disappeared. Companion had a apple crumble with ice cream.

I don't know what kind of coffee they use, but it was delicious and was a finishing glory to this wonderful meal.

Service is unrushed and everything is clean. Needless To Say, the food was outstanding.

I give out very few 5 stars, but this was definitely one of them.

C-Lovers


C-Lovers
7670 Vedder Road
Chilliwack, BC

I have had the pleasure of eating here numerous times. It is a smallish restaurant that serves an assortment of fried items.

Their special of $14.99 for all you can eat fish and chips runs all day every day, and cannot be beat! If you prefer a different type of fish other than white fish, they have Cod, Haddock, Halibut, Salmon, Prawns, Oysters, and Chicken. I’m pretty sure this will satisfy just about any fish lover.

Also on the menu are Onion Rings (a huge plate of them) Zucchini Sticks, Battered Mushrooms, and my favorite, Deep Fried Pickles. Available sides are a creamy coleslaw, mushy peas, chowder, and for the young crowd a deep fried hot dog.

The all you can eat includes all the pop you can drink, or for a few dollars extra you can have a sleeve of beer with your meal. Also available are assorted beers both domestic and imported.\

I like my fish with malt vinegar, and it was no problem for them to provide it to me.

The place is clean, service is excellent, and food is hot and excellent value.

4 stars