A group that I belong to has been meeting regularly at this location. I have eaten there several times now, and I must say the food is excellent.
Today, I had two fish tacos, which were excellent and came with a small salad also. That along with a bottomless iced tea plus tax, tip, and license plate came to $17, which was quite reasonable.
I am also very fond of their fried artichokes as well as their shishito peppers with Canadian bacon and goat cheese.
They have no problem splitting dishes between two people, including cutting one of their enormous burgers in half and splitting it along with the fries between two people.
I have not tried the pizza yet, but from what everyone says, it is delicious.
For smokers, they have a smoking area out on the patio complete with ashtrays. Its a bit warm in the summer, but delightful the rest of the year.
Their beer list reads like a who's who in the world of brewing, and while I have not counted, it looks like they have over 40 beers available.
The place is clean and amiable.
I suggest you run, don't walk to this great place. It's informal and the food is great.
4 stars for atmosphere, cleanliness and quality food
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Sunday, May 19, 2019
The Capital Grill
The Capital Grill
2502 E Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Companion and I arrived for a dinner reservation at 5:30 and were seated immediately. We were
immediately brought warm bread and lavosh along with butter lightly salted on top. Drinks were ordered.
Companion ordered a Pink Squirrel, which we were surprised that the bartender knew how to make. I ordered a Beefeater martini very dry with a double olive. Both libations were well made.
Companion ordered Lobster Bisque, which came out like a deep pink pool of elegance sporting nice immediately brought warm bread and lavosh along with butter lightly salted on top. Drinks were ordered.
Companion ordered a Pink Squirrel, which we were surprised that the bartender knew how to make. I ordered a Beefeater martini very dry with a double olive. Both libations were well made.
pieces of lobster in it. Dry Sherry was nicely poured over the top as a finishing touch. I ordered a crab
meat cocktail, which was adequate but nothing to brag about.
Next came main courses. Companion ordered the Porcini rubbed Bone In Ribeye, cooked rare. It
arrived perfectly cooked rare, but not blue. For myself, I ordered the Broiled Lobster, which also came
out cooked to perfection. It is easy to ruin a lobster by undercooking or overcooking it, but this was
carefully watched. It was served with lots of melted sweet butter, which apparently all restaurants are
now doing. I added my own salt to it which brought out that buttery flavor that I sought.
arrived perfectly cooked rare, but not blue. For myself, I ordered the Broiled Lobster, which also came
out cooked to perfection. It is easy to ruin a lobster by undercooking or overcooking it, but this was
carefully watched. It was served with lots of melted sweet butter, which apparently all restaurants are
now doing. I added my own salt to it which brought out that buttery flavor that I sought.
Side dishes were Wild Mushrooms and Creamed Spinach. The shrooms were nicely cooked, and while
not necessarily wild (the same are available in most markets) nonetheless had good flavor. The
creamed spinach was adequate. It lacked finishing flavor and the requisite creaminess. Perhaps they
could get the recipe from Lawry’s Prime Rib for there's, which is the standard yardstick for comparison.
not necessarily wild (the same are available in most markets) nonetheless had good flavor. The
creamed spinach was adequate. It lacked finishing flavor and the requisite creaminess. Perhaps they
could get the recipe from Lawry’s Prime Rib for there's, which is the standard yardstick for comparison.
On to dessert. This was the one area that the meal failed totally in expectation. Companion ordered
Creme Brulee, which is not a difficult dessert to create. The first thing noticed was that the dish was
warm. The creme was eggy and lacked vanilla. Worse, it had never properly set, and was watery.
Probably as a result, the crystalized sugar top was very thin, and had no snap or crunch, which is a
signature of this dish. If this is the best the pastry chef can do, perhaps its time to look for another one.
For myself, I ordered vanilla ice cream with strawberries and aged balsamic vinegar on top. The
“homemade” ice cream had an odd flavor and while I know that an aged balsamic is costly, I had to
wonder if they could spare it.
Creme Brulee, which is not a difficult dessert to create. The first thing noticed was that the dish was
warm. The creme was eggy and lacked vanilla. Worse, it had never properly set, and was watery.
Probably as a result, the crystalized sugar top was very thin, and had no snap or crunch, which is a
signature of this dish. If this is the best the pastry chef can do, perhaps its time to look for another one.
For myself, I ordered vanilla ice cream with strawberries and aged balsamic vinegar on top. The
“homemade” ice cream had an odd flavor and while I know that an aged balsamic is costly, I had to
wonder if they could spare it.
Overall service was excellent and attentive. The premises were spotless and the restrooms were
properly maintained with good sanitation.
properly maintained with good sanitation.
With the exception of the dessert, the meal was excellent and had the dessert been up to snuff,
would have been given 5 stars.
would have been given 5 stars.
4 Stars for excellent meal except dessert, excellent service and excellent cleanliness.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Happy Bao
66 S Dobson Rd
Ste 112
Mesa, AZ 85202
3 of us stopped in for a quick lunch. They have an assortment of bao's including soup bao's from Shanghai.
We were seated as soon as we walked in. An assortment of soft drinks was ordered, though I opted for water.
The Xai Long Bao was nicely made, but I found that they stuck to the plastic sheet placed in the steamer pot, and as a result, a lot of the liquid filling did not make it to my mouth. Perhaps they will abandon the plastic for the traditional leaves that are usually used and which the dumplings don't seem to stick too very much.
One of our party ordered the fried rice and pronounced it well made and satisfying.
I ordered the pork belly, and noticed the flavor of 5 spice was fairly obvious, but the taste was really up to snuff. Both myself and another in our party ordered the Xai Long Bao. While the flavor was spot on, the lack of soup was noticeable and was truly missed.
The place was small, but reminded me of numerous shops both in Hong Kong as well as in Shanghai, where there are huge dumpling houses.
This is a nice addition to the mall, and I wish them success in their venture. I will return and re-rate this business.
3 stars for nice service, cleanliness, and tasty food
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
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
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.
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
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
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