Regency Grill' Thai Kitchen
1111 E. Broadway (downtown, attached to the Regency Hotel)
10/19/07
Oldboy: 5 stars
The lesser known of the Thai restaurants in Columbia, greatly overshadowed by Bangkok Gardens. I have always enjoyed the food here. Average price with usually leftovers for a second meal. The decor is the usual Asian accoutrement's, though it does escape somewhat from the typical hotel restaurant atmosphere. You can chose your heat level, I usually go for a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. The spring roll was somewhat over fried and greasy. They have a good lunch deal, where you can pick two sauces from a list of six, and get a spring roll or drink included with the meal. The cashew chicken could have used a few more cashews, but had a good flavor. The heat level was just right for me, hot enough to make me sniff a bit but not enough to cover or distort the flavor of the food. One of my favorite Thai foods is the peanut satay; theirs came with three strips of grilled chicken and a tasty peanut sauce, though I prefer the peanut sauce to have bits of ground peanut mixed in it. Overall, decent food for a decent price, good lunch special.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Bread Basket Cafe
Bread Basket Cafe
220 S. Eighth St. (downtown, off the north side of the MU campus)
10/17/07
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
We went there in the evening and I got the feeling they do a lot more business during the day. Lots of seating and few people on a Wednesday night around 7 pm. Very reasonable and low prices, for the amount and quality of food you receive. Counter service rather than sit down and be waited on. I got a soup and 1/2 sandwich combo. The 1/2 sandwich was more like a full sandwich, with thick slices of homemade bread, though it was a little light on the meat. The bread was toasted/grilled, which gave it a little bit of a crunch factor. Overall, it was filling and tasty, good but not great. The soup came in a bread bowl with the extra in a cup on the side. Unlike other places that offer soup in a bread bowl, you got a full serving of soup. The soup was cheddar broccoli, warm and filling, though I would have liked a bit more broccoli in the soup. As much as I liked the bread bowl, I would have liked the option of just having the soup in a bowl to cut down on the number of carbs in the soup and 1/2 sandwich combo. It was good soup, had a nice taste and flavor, but it didn't make a great impression on me. The best features are the quality and amount of food for the cost.
220 S. Eighth St. (downtown, off the north side of the MU campus)
10/17/07
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
We went there in the evening and I got the feeling they do a lot more business during the day. Lots of seating and few people on a Wednesday night around 7 pm. Very reasonable and low prices, for the amount and quality of food you receive. Counter service rather than sit down and be waited on. I got a soup and 1/2 sandwich combo. The 1/2 sandwich was more like a full sandwich, with thick slices of homemade bread, though it was a little light on the meat. The bread was toasted/grilled, which gave it a little bit of a crunch factor. Overall, it was filling and tasty, good but not great. The soup came in a bread bowl with the extra in a cup on the side. Unlike other places that offer soup in a bread bowl, you got a full serving of soup. The soup was cheddar broccoli, warm and filling, though I would have liked a bit more broccoli in the soup. As much as I liked the bread bowl, I would have liked the option of just having the soup in a bowl to cut down on the number of carbs in the soup and 1/2 sandwich combo. It was good soup, had a nice taste and flavor, but it didn't make a great impression on me. The best features are the quality and amount of food for the cost.
The Pasta Factory
The Pasta Factory
1020 East Broadway (corner of Broadway and Hitt - downtown)
10/24/07
Oldboy: 4 stars
What we've often considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Columbia. However, on this particular occasion we were somewhat disappointed. Moderately priced, I got an appetizer, entree and desert for around $20 - $25. The amount of food is good, as leftovers were enough for a decent meal the next day. The service was decent, my water glass was usually kept filled, though we ended up waiting a bit near the end of dinner for the bill. My favorite part of the decor are the old belt-driven ceiling fans. We were never offered or received bread with our meal, which would have been nice to have to sop up sauce. The fried zucchini sticks were tasty, and not too greasy. I got the Straw & Hay Fettuccine for an entree, which was rather disappointing, in fact, it tasted better warmed up the next day. The sauce seemed to end up at the bottom of the bowl rather than coating the pasta, and it wasn't until I was scraping the sauce into the take-home container that I really tasted the parmesan in the Alfredo sauce. The prosciutto was somewhat bland as well, it needed a sharper, saltier taste to stand out. Walkabout's tortellini was also a bit tasteless, and I found it difficult to determine if they were stuffed with cheese or meat. The cheesecake was fairly decent, creamy and smooth with a good flavor. Hopefully, we just had an unusual bad day, as this place is usually pretty good.
1020 East Broadway (corner of Broadway and Hitt - downtown)
10/24/07
Oldboy: 4 stars
What we've often considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Columbia. However, on this particular occasion we were somewhat disappointed. Moderately priced, I got an appetizer, entree and desert for around $20 - $25. The amount of food is good, as leftovers were enough for a decent meal the next day. The service was decent, my water glass was usually kept filled, though we ended up waiting a bit near the end of dinner for the bill. My favorite part of the decor are the old belt-driven ceiling fans. We were never offered or received bread with our meal, which would have been nice to have to sop up sauce. The fried zucchini sticks were tasty, and not too greasy. I got the Straw & Hay Fettuccine for an entree, which was rather disappointing, in fact, it tasted better warmed up the next day. The sauce seemed to end up at the bottom of the bowl rather than coating the pasta, and it wasn't until I was scraping the sauce into the take-home container that I really tasted the parmesan in the Alfredo sauce. The prosciutto was somewhat bland as well, it needed a sharper, saltier taste to stand out. Walkabout's tortellini was also a bit tasteless, and I found it difficult to determine if they were stuffed with cheese or meat. The cheesecake was fairly decent, creamy and smooth with a good flavor. Hopefully, we just had an unusual bad day, as this place is usually pretty good.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Gibson Girls Cafe
Gibson Girls Cafe
3412 Grindstone Parkway (attached to the Ice Chalet Antique store)
Sept. 19th, 2007
Oldboy: 3 1/2 stars
A lot of expectations that didn't materialize. Homey atmosphere, though the booth was a bit cramped, with mostly an older & middle aged crowd. The service was just about the best we've had anywhere, definitely the high point of the whole experience. The prices were fairly average to low/average, my meal, and entree with an appetizer cost around $12. The atmosphere and advertising suggested home-cooking, and the food came out looking definitely homemade. The soups (choice of 4 from the "largest soup bar in Columbia") were tasty, but not the spectacular we were expecting. The chili was more soupy and mostly beans, though the steak soup was a nice, dark thick soup with decent chunks of meat in it. The onion rings were hot, home-made, and just a touch too salty. The roll also was nice and "fresh from the oven" warm, but once again, did not have the outstanding taste we were expecting. My entree, a chicken fried steak, was not made on a production line, but had a touch of heavy handed saltiness to it. The mashed potatoes were real, not from a box, and either they or the gravy suffered from just a touch too much salt as well. The portions were just enough to fill, but nothing left over for a doggy bag. We had a lot of expectations here, the smell and the visual of homemade food had us anticipating more than what we actually received. Other than the great service, a bit of a disappointment.
3412 Grindstone Parkway (attached to the Ice Chalet Antique store)
Sept. 19th, 2007
Oldboy: 3 1/2 stars
A lot of expectations that didn't materialize. Homey atmosphere, though the booth was a bit cramped, with mostly an older & middle aged crowd. The service was just about the best we've had anywhere, definitely the high point of the whole experience. The prices were fairly average to low/average, my meal, and entree with an appetizer cost around $12. The atmosphere and advertising suggested home-cooking, and the food came out looking definitely homemade. The soups (choice of 4 from the "largest soup bar in Columbia") were tasty, but not the spectacular we were expecting. The chili was more soupy and mostly beans, though the steak soup was a nice, dark thick soup with decent chunks of meat in it. The onion rings were hot, home-made, and just a touch too salty. The roll also was nice and "fresh from the oven" warm, but once again, did not have the outstanding taste we were expecting. My entree, a chicken fried steak, was not made on a production line, but had a touch of heavy handed saltiness to it. The mashed potatoes were real, not from a box, and either they or the gravy suffered from just a touch too much salt as well. The portions were just enough to fill, but nothing left over for a doggy bag. We had a lot of expectations here, the smell and the visual of homemade food had us anticipating more than what we actually received. Other than the great service, a bit of a disappointment.
Monday, September 17, 2007
My Kitchen
My Kitchen
located at My House
As many people that have come over to my place and/or have eaten my cooking, I thought I'd toss this in for kicks. Price: reasonable, often free, though the host really hopes that patrons offer some sort of compensation (money, reciprocal meals, etc.). Amount: usually all you can eat, and even sometimes leftovers or take-out (bring my containers back please!). Decor: well, I have two other "gentlemen" roomates, need I say more? The food, well, people always come back and I have frequent requests. One often requested menu selection is my African groundnut soup. In fact, I served this to the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars band when they performed during the Roots, Blues & Bar-B-Q festival. I spent 2 years in Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps Volunteer. They liked it a lot, and dedicated their oncore song to "the white man who cooked us food!" Several band members came up to me afterwards and said that my food gave them the "power" to perform well. Groundnut soup is actually a sauce served over rice, but good by itself, with onions, butter beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, chicken, lots of peanut butter and red pepper. Another often requested dish (especially by 2nd Best Man & Ferretman in St. Louie) are my pot-stickers or dumplings. Pork stuffing and I like them fried after cooking them in boiling water. I learned how to make these from fellow graduate students from China (I amazed one of my Chinese roomates, Dr. Gu, by making dumplings as fast as he did). A dish I've taken to many a company picnic and social gatherings and have had a lot of requests for the recipe for are my baked beans. These are slightly spicy, sweet sticky baked beans, in a cast iron pot cooked in the oven for at least 6 to 8 hours. Friends know that at birthday time all they need to do is tell me the type of cake they want; chocolate with extra chocolate seems to be popular. People don't go hungry here, and they keep coming back, so the food must be good!
located at My House
As many people that have come over to my place and/or have eaten my cooking, I thought I'd toss this in for kicks. Price: reasonable, often free, though the host really hopes that patrons offer some sort of compensation (money, reciprocal meals, etc.). Amount: usually all you can eat, and even sometimes leftovers or take-out (bring my containers back please!). Decor: well, I have two other "gentlemen" roomates, need I say more? The food, well, people always come back and I have frequent requests. One often requested menu selection is my African groundnut soup. In fact, I served this to the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars band when they performed during the Roots, Blues & Bar-B-Q festival. I spent 2 years in Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps Volunteer. They liked it a lot, and dedicated their oncore song to "the white man who cooked us food!" Several band members came up to me afterwards and said that my food gave them the "power" to perform well. Groundnut soup is actually a sauce served over rice, but good by itself, with onions, butter beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, chicken, lots of peanut butter and red pepper. Another often requested dish (especially by 2nd Best Man & Ferretman in St. Louie) are my pot-stickers or dumplings. Pork stuffing and I like them fried after cooking them in boiling water. I learned how to make these from fellow graduate students from China (I amazed one of my Chinese roomates, Dr. Gu, by making dumplings as fast as he did). A dish I've taken to many a company picnic and social gatherings and have had a lot of requests for the recipe for are my baked beans. These are slightly spicy, sweet sticky baked beans, in a cast iron pot cooked in the oven for at least 6 to 8 hours. Friends know that at birthday time all they need to do is tell me the type of cake they want; chocolate with extra chocolate seems to be popular. People don't go hungry here, and they keep coming back, so the food must be good!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
New York Deli
New York Deli
1301 Vandiver Dr.
Sept. 12th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 1/2 stars
OK Deli-style food, fairly limited menu I thought. Not a very large place, limited seating. I think they do most of their business early in the day, we got there around 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, they were out of hero/sub buns for the sandwiches. My Miracle Mets sandwich was tasty, but a bit sloppy. I had asked for mayo and it seemed a bit runny. However, the amount of meat was definitely on the thick side. Two sandwiches, some Tortellini and Macaroni salads, two slices of cheesecake (had to try cheesecake from a NY-style Deli!) and a couple of drinks cost us just over $30. I thought both the salads were good but not great. The cheesecake was also ok, but nothing to write home about. I enjoyed the food, but it wasn't anything that I thought was outstanding.
1301 Vandiver Dr.
Sept. 12th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 1/2 stars
OK Deli-style food, fairly limited menu I thought. Not a very large place, limited seating. I think they do most of their business early in the day, we got there around 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, they were out of hero/sub buns for the sandwiches. My Miracle Mets sandwich was tasty, but a bit sloppy. I had asked for mayo and it seemed a bit runny. However, the amount of meat was definitely on the thick side. Two sandwiches, some Tortellini and Macaroni salads, two slices of cheesecake (had to try cheesecake from a NY-style Deli!) and a couple of drinks cost us just over $30. I thought both the salads were good but not great. The cheesecake was also ok, but nothing to write home about. I enjoyed the food, but it wasn't anything that I thought was outstanding.
Cafe Berlin
Cafe Berlin
Corner of Providence and Walnut
Aug. 18, 2007
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
One of several places in Columbia that serve breakfast and lunch only. Cafe Berlin is a bit different in that it leans more to the organic and healthy fare. Lots of bran and fresh squeezed o.j. The prices were average to above average. The decor was a touch eccentric and pleasant enough surroundings. I liked the Eggs Benedict, very tasty with thick chunks of sliced ham. The amount of food was average, but no real left-overs.
Corner of Providence and Walnut
Aug. 18, 2007
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
One of several places in Columbia that serve breakfast and lunch only. Cafe Berlin is a bit different in that it leans more to the organic and healthy fare. Lots of bran and fresh squeezed o.j. The prices were average to above average. The decor was a touch eccentric and pleasant enough surroundings. I liked the Eggs Benedict, very tasty with thick chunks of sliced ham. The amount of food was average, but no real left-overs.
El Jimador
El Jimador
3200 Penn Terrace (back behind Golden Corral on Clark Lane)
Sept. 7th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 stars
This is just another of the typical pseudo-Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants that seem to abound in the U.S. Not that it isn't decent food, it just isn't REAL Mexican food. Average price and decent decor, but seen it all before. The food was ok, nothing outstanding. Typical chips and salsa to begin with. The margarita had a goodly amount of alcohol in it. Enough food for some leftovers, if we had wanted to take any of it home. Again, average food, average price, same as every other place.
3200 Penn Terrace (back behind Golden Corral on Clark Lane)
Sept. 7th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 stars
This is just another of the typical pseudo-Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants that seem to abound in the U.S. Not that it isn't decent food, it just isn't REAL Mexican food. Average price and decent decor, but seen it all before. The food was ok, nothing outstanding. Typical chips and salsa to begin with. The margarita had a goodly amount of alcohol in it. Enough food for some leftovers, if we had wanted to take any of it home. Again, average food, average price, same as every other place.
La Acapulquena Taqueria
La Acapulquena Taqueria
5695 E. Clark Lane (just off the Lake of the Woods exit)
Sept. 15, 2007
Oldboy: 6 1/2 stars - REAL Mexican food
When you see the people to whom the food is indiginous hanging out outside and eating inside, that's usually a good indication that the food served is the real thing. The times that I've visited this restaurant, about the only people I've seen there have been members of Columbia's Mexican and Hispanic population. The place is in a small strip mall just off the north side of the Lake of the Woods exit on the east side of Columbia. The location is the former Dragon Sea Chinese restaurant (which I liked). Good prices, the amount of food we got for $20 was two meals with lots of leftovers. Not much of a decor, basic tables and booths with some Mexican decorations and two tv's tuned to the Hispanic channel. But what makes this place special is the food. This isn't your Taco Bell fast food, or the pseudo-Mexican or Tex-Mex you find at most other supposed Mexican restaurants in the area. Yes, they have all the usuals: fajitas, enchiladas, burritos and tacos. The things that make this place REAL Mexican is the ingredients and how they are made. For instance, you have a number of choices for the taco meats, including chorizo, beef intestine, beef tongue and pork intestine. The tortillas are homemade. Real corn-husk wrapped tamales. Baracoa with goat meat. I especially like the variety of sauces available; the standard red salsa, a tomatillo green salsa, a hot jalapeno salsa, guacamole, and a spicy smokey chipotle sauce. If you want REAL Mexican, this is the place to go.
5695 E. Clark Lane (just off the Lake of the Woods exit)
Sept. 15, 2007
Oldboy: 6 1/2 stars - REAL Mexican food
When you see the people to whom the food is indiginous hanging out outside and eating inside, that's usually a good indication that the food served is the real thing. The times that I've visited this restaurant, about the only people I've seen there have been members of Columbia's Mexican and Hispanic population. The place is in a small strip mall just off the north side of the Lake of the Woods exit on the east side of Columbia. The location is the former Dragon Sea Chinese restaurant (which I liked). Good prices, the amount of food we got for $20 was two meals with lots of leftovers. Not much of a decor, basic tables and booths with some Mexican decorations and two tv's tuned to the Hispanic channel. But what makes this place special is the food. This isn't your Taco Bell fast food, or the pseudo-Mexican or Tex-Mex you find at most other supposed Mexican restaurants in the area. Yes, they have all the usuals: fajitas, enchiladas, burritos and tacos. The things that make this place REAL Mexican is the ingredients and how they are made. For instance, you have a number of choices for the taco meats, including chorizo, beef intestine, beef tongue and pork intestine. The tortillas are homemade. Real corn-husk wrapped tamales. Baracoa with goat meat. I especially like the variety of sauces available; the standard red salsa, a tomatillo green salsa, a hot jalapeno salsa, guacamole, and a spicy smokey chipotle sauce. If you want REAL Mexican, this is the place to go.
Catfish Corner Restaurant
Catfish Corner Restaurant
6307 Leupold Court (off Rt. B)
Aug. 29th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 stars - average
On entering the Catfish Corner Restaurant one enters a family dining atmosphere that evokes what Cracker Barrel wants to be. A sort-of quaint, down home feeling with decent food, friendly staff and pleasant surroundings, though it did have a slight slapped-together industrial feel to it, a box building slapped down on a cement pad. Lots of family groups and older couples, this place didn't seem to have much of a college crowd to it. I bought $19 worth of food, as we wanted to try a variety of things, which provided some leftovers, though just getting a regular filling meal would likely have provided few leftovers for an average/average-high cost. The food was decent, plain, filling fare. The jalapeno hushpuppies lacked bite, the fries weren't that great, and the only thing that really excited me were the Boudin Balls (sausage and rice filled cornmeal balls deep fried - imported from Louisiana the waitress said). If I really, really craved catfish/seafood I would consider returning, if only for the Boudin Balls. The main problem with this place is its location, out of town on Route B towards Hallsville (past the Quaker and 3M plants).
6307 Leupold Court (off Rt. B)
Aug. 29th, 2007
Oldboy: 4 stars - average
On entering the Catfish Corner Restaurant one enters a family dining atmosphere that evokes what Cracker Barrel wants to be. A sort-of quaint, down home feeling with decent food, friendly staff and pleasant surroundings, though it did have a slight slapped-together industrial feel to it, a box building slapped down on a cement pad. Lots of family groups and older couples, this place didn't seem to have much of a college crowd to it. I bought $19 worth of food, as we wanted to try a variety of things, which provided some leftovers, though just getting a regular filling meal would likely have provided few leftovers for an average/average-high cost. The food was decent, plain, filling fare. The jalapeno hushpuppies lacked bite, the fries weren't that great, and the only thing that really excited me were the Boudin Balls (sausage and rice filled cornmeal balls deep fried - imported from Louisiana the waitress said). If I really, really craved catfish/seafood I would consider returning, if only for the Boudin Balls. The main problem with this place is its location, out of town on Route B towards Hallsville (past the Quaker and 3M plants).
Chinese-Wok Express
Chinese-Wok Express
422 East Broadway
many times but last time Aug 28th
Oldboy: six stars - Best Hot & Sour soup in town!
The only reasons the Chinese-Wok Express didn't score higher was due to they only take cash and the restaurant's size/decor. The Chinese-Wok Express is probably the smallest hole-in-the-wall, almost a dive, Chinese food place in Columbia. The place is small, only about 8 small tables, without much decor. They do mainly a take-out business. Average prices for a decent amount of food, I usually have a second meal out of it. The Chinese food part of the menu is average, but a touch above the others in some ways. The sweet & sour sauce has both pineapple and pepper chunks in it, unlike most places that put either only one of the two or none in their sauces. What I like most about this place is its hot & sour soup and its Vietnamese offerings. The hot & sour soup has a fantastic zip to it, good taste and makes my lips burn. The Vietnamese dishes are good, I like the soups especially; you get a container of broth and a large container of noodles, vegetables and meat/tofu. They don't have as abundant a menu as the all-Vietnamese places in St. Louis do, I'd almost like to see them go entirely Vietnamese. An MU Anthropology prof who worked in SE Asia also speaks highly of them, another point in their favor.
422 East Broadway
many times but last time Aug 28th
Oldboy: six stars - Best Hot & Sour soup in town!
The only reasons the Chinese-Wok Express didn't score higher was due to they only take cash and the restaurant's size/decor. The Chinese-Wok Express is probably the smallest hole-in-the-wall, almost a dive, Chinese food place in Columbia. The place is small, only about 8 small tables, without much decor. They do mainly a take-out business. Average prices for a decent amount of food, I usually have a second meal out of it. The Chinese food part of the menu is average, but a touch above the others in some ways. The sweet & sour sauce has both pineapple and pepper chunks in it, unlike most places that put either only one of the two or none in their sauces. What I like most about this place is its hot & sour soup and its Vietnamese offerings. The hot & sour soup has a fantastic zip to it, good taste and makes my lips burn. The Vietnamese dishes are good, I like the soups especially; you get a container of broth and a large container of noodles, vegetables and meat/tofu. They don't have as abundant a menu as the all-Vietnamese places in St. Louis do, I'd almost like to see them go entirely Vietnamese. An MU Anthropology prof who worked in SE Asia also speaks highly of them, another point in their favor.
Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q
Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q
213 Business Loop 70E & 3804 Buttonwood Dr. (Nifong area)
Sept. 5th, 2007
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
Having lived in Texas for about 7 years, I'm a bit particular about my BBQ. Buckingham's has about the best BBQ in Columbia (though Smoking Chicks - review to come - is pretty close). Reasonably priced food that usually gives you a second meal out of it. The Nifong location is a touch larger and more pleasant surroundings. I'm more of a wet-rib fan instead of the dry-rubbed ribs Buckingham's does, but still pretty good eats. The sauces are ok, but a bit mundane. Good smoke and flavor for all their meats, I prefer the brisket and spicy sausage. Although the meat is good, I really like their sides, especially the horseradish slaw. I also like the french fries with the skin on. The sweet potato sides are a good addition. Good friendly service.
213 Business Loop 70E & 3804 Buttonwood Dr. (Nifong area)
Sept. 5th, 2007
Oldboy: 5 1/2 stars
Having lived in Texas for about 7 years, I'm a bit particular about my BBQ. Buckingham's has about the best BBQ in Columbia (though Smoking Chicks - review to come - is pretty close). Reasonably priced food that usually gives you a second meal out of it. The Nifong location is a touch larger and more pleasant surroundings. I'm more of a wet-rib fan instead of the dry-rubbed ribs Buckingham's does, but still pretty good eats. The sauces are ok, but a bit mundane. Good smoke and flavor for all their meats, I prefer the brisket and spicy sausage. Although the meat is good, I really like their sides, especially the horseradish slaw. I also like the french fries with the skin on. The sweet potato sides are a good addition. Good friendly service.
Felini's Restaurant
Felini's Restaurant
700 Broadway (downtown)
Aug. 16th, 2007
Oldboy: 5 stars
Felini's recently underwent a change, from an Albanian restaurant to more of a Greek/Mediterranean menu. Hopefully the change will bring in a bit more business, it would be a shame to see this place close. A pleasant atmosphere and friendly waitstaff. The prices are moderate to moderate-high ($6-$20 range). As in many Mediterranean restaurants, while you wait for your food you get bread with olive oil. I would have liked a more flavorful olive oil for the bread dip though (I know olive oil, having done quite a bit of research on it in the Middle East). Get the Saganaki (flaming cheese), it is a cultural experience, where else can you get hot, flaming Greek cheese? More lamb dishes than most places. The food was flavorful, nicely presented and the portions were good, enough for a little bit of leftovers. I really like the piano cake, though it was just a touch dry.
Walkabout: 5 Stars
We went to Felini's because I sometimes work with the owner's wife. One day during lunch, I was eating my standard lunch and she whips out a gyro, which in my opinion is a completely unreasonable failing in break-room etiquette. I of course accussed her of being mean and this led to the conversation were I found out that her husband owns Felini's and that I used to work with her brother-in-aw, small world. Felini's greatest strength is atmosphere and location. The prices and the service were both standard, no surprises. The food lacked the final touch; the piano cake, like Oldboy mentioned, was good but dry. I ordered the gyro platter which was good but difficult to eat. We received bread and oil to start with, but also like Oldboy wrote the oil was bland. I would have preferred paying more and getting more in both quantity and quality. The only reason I can see going there again is if I was trying to impress someone I just met, otherwise I would go to International Cafe.
700 Broadway (downtown)
Aug. 16th, 2007
Oldboy: 5 stars
Felini's recently underwent a change, from an Albanian restaurant to more of a Greek/Mediterranean menu. Hopefully the change will bring in a bit more business, it would be a shame to see this place close. A pleasant atmosphere and friendly waitstaff. The prices are moderate to moderate-high ($6-$20 range). As in many Mediterranean restaurants, while you wait for your food you get bread with olive oil. I would have liked a more flavorful olive oil for the bread dip though (I know olive oil, having done quite a bit of research on it in the Middle East). Get the Saganaki (flaming cheese), it is a cultural experience, where else can you get hot, flaming Greek cheese? More lamb dishes than most places. The food was flavorful, nicely presented and the portions were good, enough for a little bit of leftovers. I really like the piano cake, though it was just a touch dry.
Walkabout: 5 Stars
We went to Felini's because I sometimes work with the owner's wife. One day during lunch, I was eating my standard lunch and she whips out a gyro, which in my opinion is a completely unreasonable failing in break-room etiquette. I of course accussed her of being mean and this led to the conversation were I found out that her husband owns Felini's and that I used to work with her brother-in-aw, small world. Felini's greatest strength is atmosphere and location. The prices and the service were both standard, no surprises. The food lacked the final touch; the piano cake, like Oldboy mentioned, was good but dry. I ordered the gyro platter which was good but difficult to eat. We received bread and oil to start with, but also like Oldboy wrote the oil was bland. I would have preferred paying more and getting more in both quantity and quality. The only reason I can see going there again is if I was trying to impress someone I just met, otherwise I would go to International Cafe.
Q's Chinese Restaurant
Q's Chinese Restaurant
4004 Peach Ct. (Nifong area)
Aug. 17th, 2007
Oldboy: one star
Located at the end of a small stripmall in the Nifong area, the decor was about the same as many small Chinese restaurants, maybe a touch more upscale. The table was elegantly set, and the other patrons were a mix of older folks and a few college kids or families, some getting take-out. The service was average, I didn't have to wait too long for refills on my water. The prices were slightly higher than other Chinese restaurants in the area, and the amount of food was average, with not much leftover to take home (one of my favorite aspects of Chinese food is leftovers). My major problems with this place was primarily the food. I ordered Hot & Sour soup, shared the Bao Bao [appetizer] platter, and Kung Pao Chicken. The Hot & Sour soup had flavor, but no heat what-so-ever. No "Hot" in the Hot & Sour. All the offerings on the appetizer platter were overfried and greasy, and nothing stood out. Finally, the Kung Pao Chicken had a "spicy" icon next to it on the menu. There was one lone little red pepper in the dish, and even that barely made my lips tingle. This was the most bland and tasteless dish I have ever had at a Chinese restaurant. The sauce, the chicken, everything was bland. For being listed as a "spicy" dish, this missed the mark by miles. Kung Pao Chicken also is supposed to have peanuts sprinkled over it, and there were only a few. I ate about 4 bites and let Walkabout take the rest home. When I push away a spicy Chinese dish, that really means something. I mentioned all this to the waiter when he came to clear away our plates and inquire on the food, if he told the manager or cook, I don't know, and they didn't offer any compensation to make up for it.
4004 Peach Ct. (Nifong area)
Aug. 17th, 2007
Oldboy: one star
Located at the end of a small stripmall in the Nifong area, the decor was about the same as many small Chinese restaurants, maybe a touch more upscale. The table was elegantly set, and the other patrons were a mix of older folks and a few college kids or families, some getting take-out. The service was average, I didn't have to wait too long for refills on my water. The prices were slightly higher than other Chinese restaurants in the area, and the amount of food was average, with not much leftover to take home (one of my favorite aspects of Chinese food is leftovers). My major problems with this place was primarily the food. I ordered Hot & Sour soup, shared the Bao Bao [appetizer] platter, and Kung Pao Chicken. The Hot & Sour soup had flavor, but no heat what-so-ever. No "Hot" in the Hot & Sour. All the offerings on the appetizer platter were overfried and greasy, and nothing stood out. Finally, the Kung Pao Chicken had a "spicy" icon next to it on the menu. There was one lone little red pepper in the dish, and even that barely made my lips tingle. This was the most bland and tasteless dish I have ever had at a Chinese restaurant. The sauce, the chicken, everything was bland. For being listed as a "spicy" dish, this missed the mark by miles. Kung Pao Chicken also is supposed to have peanuts sprinkled over it, and there were only a few. I ate about 4 bites and let Walkabout take the rest home. When I push away a spicy Chinese dish, that really means something. I mentioned all this to the waiter when he came to clear away our plates and inquire on the food, if he told the manager or cook, I don't know, and they didn't offer any compensation to make up for it.
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