The Habit Burger Grill

The Habit Burger Grill

1817 E Guadalupe Rd

Ste 102

Tempe, AZ 85283

Companion and I were in the mood for burgers for lunch and decided to try a new place. We were promptly greeted from behind the counter with a nice big smile and a cheery hello.

We both ordered the #2 Double Char ($8.15) which includes fries and a drink. Companion added cheese and bacon to his sandwich. I asked for well done fries.

They have a drink bar where you can select whatever you like to drink. This was the first place I have ever seen that has pomegranate lemonade, which was a real treat.

We found seats and loaded up on napkins as well as ketchup for the fries and some salt. Unlike many burger places they do not season their fries, which I prefer to the usual salt shower used in some places.

In due time our burgers were brought out. Big, juicy burgers that oozed when you picked it up. The fries were excellent, and crunched when I bit into them. It was nice to get my food made my way instead of being what they thought I would want.

Companion’s burger was loaded with bacon and had cheese dripping off of it. Neither of us minded getting our hands a bit soiled eating such a big, excellent burger.

The place was spotlessly clean and a member of the crew even came by to make sure our lunch met our satisfaction.

The menu had quite a number of selections on it all of which were at an excellent price point. I’m already planning my next trip there to have the Tri-Tip Steak or the Portabella Char.

Dings - only one - they only cook their burgers medium or well done, and I prefer mine rare or medium rare.

4 stars

Zur Kate

Zur Kate

4815 E Main St

Mesa, AZ  85205

Five of us met at Zur Kate for a German dinner. The owner is from Germany, and we were looking forward to some real German food. For two of us, it started with 30 ounce steins of Warsteiner Dunkel beer. Dark, cold, and very satisfying. Live accordion playing was taking place in the room next to us, and we soon found ourselves toe tapping to the music.

Fresh rye bread was brought to the table. It was soft and delicious, though I would have enjoyed it more if it had been just a bit warm.

Our waitress was friendly and efficient. I ordered the Jagerschnitzel with spaetzle and a side of curry wurst. Companion 1 ordered the exact same dish, while companion 2 ordered the Leberkase with gravy. Companion 3 ordered the curry wurst with home fries and companion 4 ordered the zwiebel rippchen which is a smoked pork chop with grilled onions.

With the exception of companion 2, everyone enjoyed their dishes and were totally stuffed.

Companion 2 felt that the food needed more seasoning and was a bit dry. Then again, Leberkase is a finely ground sausage loaf that can easily be a bit on the dryer side because the meat is chopped so fine.

I got to taste companion 4's pork chop and it was absolutely delicious as well as mouth wateringly tender.

For dessert, I ordered the apple strudel and was unable to finish it because I was so full. Companion 1, 3 and 4 all ordered the Black Forest cake and pronounced it wonderful. (It had a touch of booze in it which may have caused them to say that)! Unfortunately, they were sold out of the cheese cake for the evening.

When the bill came I initially thought there must have been a mistake because the bill was so low and we ate so much, but reviewing it showed no mistake. The food was quite reasonable, especially since I would have liked a wheel barrow to get out the door.

The only fault I could find was that it was fairly warm inside. Even with the door open, the temperature was a bit too warm. A bit of air conditioning would have been really helpful.

Since every table was taken it was a bit noisy inside, but in truth, most German restaurants are not exactly quiet and they usually have an atmosphere of conviviality and fun.

Everything was clean, and service was as expected.

4 stars for good food, good atmosphere, and cleanliness.

Pokedon

Pokedon
1753 E. Broadway Road
Tempe, AZ

This review is written after dining at this establishment 2 days in a row. Some of this review reflects excellence, while some of it reflects problems which need to be corrected quickly if they are to stay in business.

Companion and I visited the first time and each ordered the large bowl combo. Lets break this down into actual food portions. You are first given a choice of white rice, brown rice, a spring mix of greens, or Wonton chips. Companion chose white rice and I chose the brown rice. Both were properly cooked and the person waiting on us filled the bowl 3/4 full with rice. Essentially, we were under the impression that they were trying to fill us up on rice.

Next was the protein selection. We were each entitled to 3 scoops. Companion ordered Tuna, Salmon, and Scallop, and I ordered Octopus, Tuna, and Spicy Scallop since I will never eat raw Salmon due to the possibility of parasites. The fish all seemed fresh though the Spicy Scallops did not seem to be very cold and were approaching room temperature.

You can choose from a plethora of sides all of which except Avocado are free. The Avocado is $1 extra. The crab mix was just fair, but the pickled cucumber and the seaweed salad were both excellent.

Next you get to choose a sauce from a group of 7 selections. Companion selected Ponzu mixed with House sauce, and I selected they Yuzu Vinaigrette. All the sauces were excellent and really buoyed up the proteins. It is noted that the fish is kept separate from the hot rice until this point.

Last was the opportunity to have any of 3 sprinkles on top. I chose sesame seeds while companion chose chopped sheet seaweed.

Since we ordered combo bowls ($2.50) we also received small bowls of Miso soup and our drinks.

We also ordered egg rolls ( 4 to a serving), which in reality were spring rolls. The "egg rolls" were fair at best, and after eating one, the rest were consigned to the refuse bin.

Portions on the first visit were of a good size and the waitress who served us was cheerful and willing to let us taste anything we asked about.

On the second visit I was alone and had a totally different experience. The fellow who served me skimped on everything including only putting a half scoop of Octopus in the bowl. When it came to the pickled cucumber and the seaweed salad he skimped again and said if I wanted more than he put in the bowl I'd have to pay for an extra scoop. The way he said it was a total turn off to me and  almost had me walking out. I again asked for the sesame seeds on top, and it almost looked like a sesame storm had hit the bowl.

The place is nice an clean, but unless they become consistent with portions they will not be around for long.

3 stars for quality of the proteins, flavor, and cleanliness. Hopefully if they get the portions straightened out I might be able to raise them to 4 stars.

Mora Italian

Mora Italian

5651 N. Seventh St.

Phoenix

This review reflects the soft opening before the formal opening. Soft openings give the staff a chance to work out any problems and the kitchen to perfect their skills. The restaurant is beautifully decorated mostly in black, red and white. The open kitchen is fun to watch and there's plenty of wait staff. Music plays in the background.

Companion and I started with the bread cart ($8/table). Some excellent artisan bread with 4 different toppings available. Artichoke Bomba, Marscapone Butter, Roasted Garlic Spread, and Eggplant Caponata. All of the spreads were beautifully made, with muted flavors and yet with distinction. The caponata was truly amazing, and the garlic, which I expected to be assertive was very mild and mixed with cheese.

Next was the grilled octopus with ceci beans, small potatoes and cured olives ($15.00). I’ve eaten octopus all over the world, and never have had one so tender that I did not need a knife to cut it. The octopus is slow poached in olive oil and has a wonderful flavor.

This was followed by pork and veal meatballs in a semolina pudding ($11.00). Included was broccoli rabe and pesto. The meatballs were tender and sauteed just until perfectly caramelized and brown. A real treat.

Frito Misto was next on our menu ($13.00). Beautifully tender morsels of calamari in a very light coating, fried to perfection along with rock shrimp and served with but a wedge of lemon. No heavy sauces here to disguise the perfectly seasoned calamari and tender shrimp.

Next, cavatelli with braised duck and black truffles ($21.00). Perfectly al dente homemade cavatelli swimming in a sauce of deep braised duck loaded with a black truffle flavor. How does one describe the melding of flavors that are in this dish. For a pasta lover, the cavatelli is wonderful, and for a duck lover the duck and truffles are amazing.

We took a break with spinach and ricotta gnudi ($15.00). Gnudi are essentially the filling of a ravioli minus the pasta wrapper. I’ve never eaten gnudi like these before. The word that comes to mind is ethereal. So light and smooth that you barely know you are eating them. This dish was perfection.

Also ordered was the seafood pizza napoletana ($17.00) A very thin crust pizza with clams, mussels, shrimp, and baby tomatoes in a lightly spicy tomato sauce. I thought it was terrific, and I can’t repeat the words that companion used to describe it in public!

Desserts: A cocoanut cake that is enormous, a salted caramel with whipped cream, and a sherbert/blackberry compote. All of which were too big to possibly finish.

The kitchen sent out a complimentary foccacia di recco. This was a gossamer thin pizza which is best described as the ultimate cheese crisp on crack. The filling is stracchino cheese and sea salt perhaps with a bit of ricotta?

The restaurant is immaculately clean, and the bathrooms have to be seen to be believed. Essentially, each person has their own private little bathroom!

Dings - only one - the music needs to be turned down. Companion and I both left with the beginnings of headaches from it and had difficulty conversing during the meal.

5 stars for outstanding food, cleanliness, and excellent service

Max’s Mukhaase African Restaurant

Max’s Mukhaase African Restaurant

1245 W. Guadalupe Road

Mesa, AZ  85202

A group of eight of us arrived for dinner at 6:00. The place, while small is comfortable and friendly. We were delighted that Max personally came out to wait on our table.

Most of us started off with soft drinks. I had a homemade ginger beer (non-alcoholic) with mango juice. For those not familiar, ginger beer is like a hyped up ginger ale, made with lots of real ginger and very spicy. This was a terrific drink that was made for sipping and not drinking. Powerful but delicious.

I ordered a plate of fried plantains with peanuts for the table. When my bill arrived later, it was not on the bill, and I told Max that he made a mistake. He informed me that it was on the house.

Main courses were varied and were, for the most part enjoyed by all. I ordered goat soup with fufu (pounded starch in the shape of a large dumpling). It was totally delicious. Companion ordered peanut butter soup with chicken, which was not enjoyed as much because of the oil that was released from the peanuts that floated to the top.

Another companion ordered a goat stew, which was accompanied by a mixture of beans and rice and was pronounced very good. Yet another companion ordered tilapia which was nicely fried and plated.

Also ordered was fried rice and chicken which was quickly devoured.

I also ordered a homemade ginger beer with pineapple that was a wonderful accompaniment to my goat soup.

By the end of the meal we were all so stuffed that we could hardly move.

The place is clean, and service is on the slower side due to each dish being made to order.

I must add that Max is a terrific host. He seems to always have a smile on his face, and will do whatever is necessary to make his guests happy.

4 stars for excellent food, good service, and the big smile on Max’s face.

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

The Keg

The Keg

23 S. McClintock Drive

Tempe, AZ  85281

It was birthday time, and we decided to try The Keg for our dinner. The Keg has a birthday club which I highly recommend, as one dinner is free for the night. In honesty, it is only the main course that is free, with all side dishes and entrees additional cost.

We started off with cocktails - I ordered a chocolate martini and companion ordered a brandy alexander. Both cocktails were full measure and properly made. The barkeep definitely knows how to make a good cocktail and not skimp.

Next came appetizers. I ordered escargot with mushroom caps and companion ordered calamari with ginger sauce and feta sauce. Both appetizers were excellent and I could not resist dipping a piece of the fresh warm bread into the sauce. I'm not sure they would have to wash the plate after that!

Next was the main course. Companion ordered the 14 oz prime rib and pronounced it the best ever. It was served with asparagus and a side of mushrooms. The meat was so tender that companion could have eaten it with a spoon.

My main course was the 20 oz bone in rib steak, which is supposed to be the king of steaks. It was well seasoned. Unfortunately, mine was the joker of steaks. Filled with streaks of sinew that were virtually impossible to cut through or chew. I ordered a side of bearnaise sauce which came in a little metal pitcher that could hold about 2 oz and which was filled with about 1 oz of a very poor, tasteless bearnaise sauce totally devoid of any tarragon taste or champagne vinegar. My side dish was pencil asparagus that were properly cooked though no hollandaise sauce was offered with it, and a pile of limp, flaccid green beans that I'm sure saw a better life the day before.

As befitting a restaurant with a bill over $100, the place was spotless as was the bathroom. Service was paced and not rushed.

This is a mixed review in that one meal was outstanding and the other was poor to be generous. I have eaten USDA good steaks that were more tender than what was served to me. If I were the inspector for USDA I'd grade the steak as utility grade it was so poor. The manager came over and inquired about my steak, which I was busily trying to saw through. When I told him how poor it was he said he would come back and check on it, but he never came back and I have taken the remains home in the hope that a truly sharp knife will allow me to cut it up and feed it to my dogs. This is not meant to be an exaggeration nor a put down of the restaurant, but a plea that they either change their purveyor or inspect their meat more thoroughly. It was a very disappointing birthday.

3 stars for cleanliness, service, and some parts of the meal
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