As a New York transplant living in Dallas I was thrilled to know the existence of New York Style delis in Dallas. I approached with skepticism. After all, New York is New York and Dallas is...well...Dallas. We're talking apples and oranges here. Right? Much to my surprise four Dallas deli/restaurants come quite close to the real thing. Cindi's Deli, Deli News and Bagelsteins offer delicious, fresh bakery items like bagels, Danish, cakes, cookies and more, plus hamburgers, deli sandwiches, salads, omelets, and waffles at any time of the day. Search no more for your favorite Jewish favorites like Kosher hot dogs, blintzes, latkes, matzo ball soup, smoked salmon, chopped chicken liver, kreplach and beef tongue to name a few. Café Fino offers Italian deli favorites like pizza by the slice, calzones and pasta items. As for décor you'll find New York images abound to add flair. What's missing? The New York Times is no where to be had, the waitstaff lacks bad attitudes and puny portions do not reflect the New York-style best known for its mile high sandwiches. But, for homesick Yankees in need of a hometown taste-fix these 4 delis come as close to the real thing as you can get this far south of the Mason Dixon line. Dine in, take out or catering available.
Café Fino: 7522 Campbell Rd @ Coit/Pavilion West Shopping Center/Dallas, TX75248/Ph: 972 931-9500 Fax: 972-931-9504/ eat@cafefinodallas.com
Bagelsteins: 15757Coit Road @ Arapaho, Dallas TX 75240/972-386-5757/Fax 972-386-6082
Cindis Deli: Multiple Locations www.cindisnydeli.com 7522 Campbell Road, #117 (SW corner of
Campbell and Coit), Dallas, TX 75248/ (972) 248-0608
Deli News:12817 Preston Rd #129, Dallas, TX75230/ (972) 386-0300
Monday, September 10, 2007
Do Dallas Greek Restaurants Measure Up?
Compared to other major cities in America like New York or Chicago, Dallas does not have a large Greek population. Still, there are good Greek restaurants to be had. Here’s a quick review of 5 local Greek restaurants with plenty of Opas! See if any are your favorites. Similar dishes include gyros, souvlaki, lamb dishes, fish, roast chicken, moussaka, spanakopita, and pastitsio plus a variety of dips, spreads, feta, olives, pita and dolmas. How do they differ?
Nikolini: 3028 Hall Street, Suite #177, Dallas, TX 75204/214-953-0330
The food is totally authentic and organically prepared. You won’t get fast service here so bring good conversation, or a newspaper. Be patient. It’s worth the wait.
Kosta’s: 1050 W Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75075/ 972-424-6320
In a hurry for good Greek food this is the go-to place. The dolmas are home made and delicious. Live music on the weekends.
Zorba’s: 1501 Preston Rd, Plano, TX 75093/ (972) 250-0002 / www.zorbasplano.com
So far, my favorite of all Dallas Greek restaurants. Friendly service and a bustling atmosphere make this an exciting place to dine, mingle or people watch. The impressive menu includes grilled octopus deliciously done to perfection and not always found on other Greek restaurant menus. The tsatziki (yogurt sauce) and taramosalata are unquestionably better than other local Greek restaurants. All desserts are made on premises. Authentic wall decorations add nice flair. Live music and dancing on weekends. Call ahead to confirm times.
Greek Isles: 3309 N Central Expy Ste 370, Plano, TX 75023/972-423-7778
Excellent grilled fish, succulent lamb, gyros and more. The atmosphere is casual and the service is friendly. Try the Baklava ice cream for dessert!
Café Greek: 12817 Preston Rd Dallas, TX 75230/ 972-934-9767
I’m always partial to a buffet and so far this is the only Greek buffet in town. If you can’t decide then order from the menu. The dishes are impressive such as dolmas, spanakopita, roast chicken, souvlaki, rack of lamb and much more. Excellent service too.
Nikolini: 3028 Hall Street, Suite #177, Dallas, TX 75204/214-953-0330
The food is totally authentic and organically prepared. You won’t get fast service here so bring good conversation, or a newspaper. Be patient. It’s worth the wait.
Kosta’s: 1050 W Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75075/ 972-424-6320
In a hurry for good Greek food this is the go-to place. The dolmas are home made and delicious. Live music on the weekends.
Zorba’s: 1501 Preston Rd, Plano, TX 75093/ (972) 250-0002 / www.zorbasplano.com
So far, my favorite of all Dallas Greek restaurants. Friendly service and a bustling atmosphere make this an exciting place to dine, mingle or people watch. The impressive menu includes grilled octopus deliciously done to perfection and not always found on other Greek restaurant menus. The tsatziki (yogurt sauce) and taramosalata are unquestionably better than other local Greek restaurants. All desserts are made on premises. Authentic wall decorations add nice flair. Live music and dancing on weekends. Call ahead to confirm times.
Greek Isles: 3309 N Central Expy Ste 370, Plano, TX 75023/972-423-7778
Excellent grilled fish, succulent lamb, gyros and more. The atmosphere is casual and the service is friendly. Try the Baklava ice cream for dessert!
Café Greek: 12817 Preston Rd Dallas, TX 75230/ 972-934-9767
I’m always partial to a buffet and so far this is the only Greek buffet in town. If you can’t decide then order from the menu. The dishes are impressive such as dolmas, spanakopita, roast chicken, souvlaki, rack of lamb and much more. Excellent service too.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Lebanese Groov'in in Dallas: Eat, Belly Dance, Hookah!
Al-Amir Restaurant
7402 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX Tel: (214) 739-2647
http://www.alamirdallas.net/
If the Texas heat has made you weary and you can’t fathom mall-walking again just to cool off let Al-Amir Restaurant be your ultimate oasis. This Lebanese themed supper club is by far one of the best ethnic experiences in Dallas combining classic belly dancing entertainment and Middle Eastern dining with foods like shish-kabobs, hummus, babaganoush, tabouli, falafel and many other delectable items. My husband and I shared the shish-kabob, which along with the other side dishes and dips was plenty. For a bird’s eye view close enough to see beads of sweat on belly dancer foreheads I suggest making an advanced reservation. My husband and I were joined by 2 married couples and long time friends. In terms of a night out for the 6 of us Al-Amir exceeded our expectations and was a rare, exotic, affordable treat, vastly different than any place in town. If I didn’t know that I was in Dallas I could have easily been in Beirut. It appeared that Al-Amir is where Dallas Middle Eastern families dine and when the moon comes out where Middle Eastern young people go to shake their groove thang downstairs at the bar’s disco where the DJ mixes modern Arabic dance favorites with a few Salsa tunes for good measure. The result is an ancient primal beat that’ll keep you dancing no matter how left footed you are. And though I’m not an advocate of smoking, some of you might like to try hookah, the Arabic version of a water pipe with four arms to share with your friends and a selection of pleasantly scented tobaccos like apple and mint. Being a native New Yorker I had occasion to frequent many Middle Eastern supper clubs in Manhattan. I never expected to find one in Dallas with all of the cultural nuances. Al-Amir is actually better. Why you ask? For starters, Al-Amir is spacious with several dining rooms. Though the place became more crowded as the evening went on I never felt like a packed sardine being rushed out of my can. Some on-line reviewers of Al-Amir have commented on unfriendly service and improper bills, but I did not find that to be the case. However, word to the wise that your tip might be added on to your bill as it was for us. The drink mixologists were on their game, except for the fact that my chocolate martini was made with Hershey’s syrup instead of Godiva, but honestly that’s my only complaint. If you arrive early parking is free and in plenty otherwise you can valet. The bathrooms were clean whether at 7:00pm or at 11:00pm. Al-Amir gets my top score for being the most unique and ethnically authentic restaurant-entertainment experience in Dallas bar-none. Y=Best of the Best
7402 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX Tel: (214) 739-2647
http://www.alamirdallas.net/
If the Texas heat has made you weary and you can’t fathom mall-walking again just to cool off let Al-Amir Restaurant be your ultimate oasis. This Lebanese themed supper club is by far one of the best ethnic experiences in Dallas combining classic belly dancing entertainment and Middle Eastern dining with foods like shish-kabobs, hummus, babaganoush, tabouli, falafel and many other delectable items. My husband and I shared the shish-kabob, which along with the other side dishes and dips was plenty. For a bird’s eye view close enough to see beads of sweat on belly dancer foreheads I suggest making an advanced reservation. My husband and I were joined by 2 married couples and long time friends. In terms of a night out for the 6 of us Al-Amir exceeded our expectations and was a rare, exotic, affordable treat, vastly different than any place in town. If I didn’t know that I was in Dallas I could have easily been in Beirut. It appeared that Al-Amir is where Dallas Middle Eastern families dine and when the moon comes out where Middle Eastern young people go to shake their groove thang downstairs at the bar’s disco where the DJ mixes modern Arabic dance favorites with a few Salsa tunes for good measure. The result is an ancient primal beat that’ll keep you dancing no matter how left footed you are. And though I’m not an advocate of smoking, some of you might like to try hookah, the Arabic version of a water pipe with four arms to share with your friends and a selection of pleasantly scented tobaccos like apple and mint. Being a native New Yorker I had occasion to frequent many Middle Eastern supper clubs in Manhattan. I never expected to find one in Dallas with all of the cultural nuances. Al-Amir is actually better. Why you ask? For starters, Al-Amir is spacious with several dining rooms. Though the place became more crowded as the evening went on I never felt like a packed sardine being rushed out of my can. Some on-line reviewers of Al-Amir have commented on unfriendly service and improper bills, but I did not find that to be the case. However, word to the wise that your tip might be added on to your bill as it was for us. The drink mixologists were on their game, except for the fact that my chocolate martini was made with Hershey’s syrup instead of Godiva, but honestly that’s my only complaint. If you arrive early parking is free and in plenty otherwise you can valet. The bathrooms were clean whether at 7:00pm or at 11:00pm. Al-Amir gets my top score for being the most unique and ethnically authentic restaurant-entertainment experience in Dallas bar-none. Y=Best of the Best
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Will the Real Tzatziki Please Stand Up?
If you've ever had a Greek Gyro (prounounced Yee-ro) then you know about the creamy yogurt sauce that's traditionally served with it called tzatziki (pronounced dza-DZEE-kee). Judging from the Greek restaurants in our Dallas and Collin County area my guess is: 1) True Greeks are not making the tzatziki, 2) They've lost the recipe or 3) They have intentially pulled a fast one on us in order to save time and cut costs. No matter where you live the result of an improperly made tzatziki means that restaurant goers are paying for a diluted cultural experience.
I know about tzatziki. For about a decade in the late 80's and 90's I was submersed in Greek culture. I lived in Astoria, Queens New York. For those in the know, Astoria has the largest population of Greeks anywhere in the world outside of Athens…Greece that is, not Texas. Half the people I knew were Greeks and I mean the real deal. They spoke Greek, read Greek newspapers, listened to Greek radio, went to Greek churches, bought their bread and pastries at Greek bakeries, drank only Greek coffee, and ate only at traditional Greek restaurants, which were owned and operated by Greeks. After 20 years in the U.S. some of them still couldn't speak English but with all those Greeks around they didn't have to. So, I eventually learned to speak, write, dance, sing and cook the Greek way as taught to me not by books but by...you guessed it, Greeks. I made several trips to Greece too staying at least 2-3 months at a time and in all my days and nights, not even in the most remote island-mountain villages where goats outnumbered people, was I ever served the horrendously watery, flavorless slop versions of tzatziki that's being served up with an Opa! in our neighborhood Greek restaurants.
Tzatziki is traditionally served as an appetizer and can accompany foods throughout the meal. The key to great tzatziki is its thick, I mean very thick, creamy texture that allows it to be eaten alone, as a dip, as a spread, or a condiment. True tzatziki should be as thick as cream cheese. The best way to know if yours is thick enough is the spoon test. Stick a spoon straight-up in your tzatziki. If it stands vertically all by itself--bingo you're on your way to having the real thing. Years ago I learned to make this deliciously healthy, easy to make appetizer and love to eat it with vegetables, pita bread, or meats. Instead of the usual tomato sauce with pasta, try tzatziki. By the end of this article you will know how to make it and will love it too. Moms, as a nutritional dip it’s a great way to get your kiddos to eat more calcium and munch those veggies.
So how are divergent Dallas cooks spoiling the tzatziki? There are several things to avoid when making your own. Impatience. It will not help you make a true tzatziki or any Greek dish for that matter. The yogurt (puhleeze not sour cream) must be completely drained of its water. Do this by letting the yogurt sit refrigerated in a strainer either with a cheesecloth, a clean towel, or paper towels. No place other than Dallas, Texas was I ever served tzatziki made with sour cream. Gimme a break. No Greek person that I ever knew used sour cream in their cooking, or butter, or mayonaise, which some pathetic Americanized tzatziki recipes on the Inter-net have spouted. The next important thing to remember when making tzatziki is to thoroughly drain your cucumbers to remove as much of the excess water as possible. This takes time so go rent a movie while you allow your preferably shredded cucumbers to drain through a colander. Now that you've drained your yogurt and cucumbers you can be sure that your tzatziki will have a proper thickness however the remaining ingredients can not be excluded or else you'll lose authentic flavor. Garlic. Raw. Not powdered. Yes, Greek tzatziki is packed with healthy garlic. Olive oil. Not canola, or safflower or vegetable. Use only good olive oil from the first cold pressing, dark in color and rich in taste. Lemon juice. Greeks love lemons and you'll find them in many recipes. Here is a recipe for tzatziki. It's so easy you won't believe that you haven't made this before! And now that you know better you'll thumb your nose at anything less.
INGREDIENTS:
16 ounces (2 cups) of well-drained yogurt (full fat, low fat, or fat free)
4 to 10 cloves of garlic, diced
1/2 cup of peeled, diced or shredded cucumber
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
PREPARATION:
Prepare all ingredients in advance. Fold in the oil and lemon juice into the yogurt slowly so that its thickness is not broken down. Add the garlic and the cucumber incorporating slowly. Do not mix in a blender or food processor. Add oregano, mint or dill: Variations include 1 tablespoon finely chopped. Oregano is most commonly used.
OPA! ENJOY!
I know about tzatziki. For about a decade in the late 80's and 90's I was submersed in Greek culture. I lived in Astoria, Queens New York. For those in the know, Astoria has the largest population of Greeks anywhere in the world outside of Athens…Greece that is, not Texas. Half the people I knew were Greeks and I mean the real deal. They spoke Greek, read Greek newspapers, listened to Greek radio, went to Greek churches, bought their bread and pastries at Greek bakeries, drank only Greek coffee, and ate only at traditional Greek restaurants, which were owned and operated by Greeks. After 20 years in the U.S. some of them still couldn't speak English but with all those Greeks around they didn't have to. So, I eventually learned to speak, write, dance, sing and cook the Greek way as taught to me not by books but by...you guessed it, Greeks. I made several trips to Greece too staying at least 2-3 months at a time and in all my days and nights, not even in the most remote island-mountain villages where goats outnumbered people, was I ever served the horrendously watery, flavorless slop versions of tzatziki that's being served up with an Opa! in our neighborhood Greek restaurants.
Tzatziki is traditionally served as an appetizer and can accompany foods throughout the meal. The key to great tzatziki is its thick, I mean very thick, creamy texture that allows it to be eaten alone, as a dip, as a spread, or a condiment. True tzatziki should be as thick as cream cheese. The best way to know if yours is thick enough is the spoon test. Stick a spoon straight-up in your tzatziki. If it stands vertically all by itself--bingo you're on your way to having the real thing. Years ago I learned to make this deliciously healthy, easy to make appetizer and love to eat it with vegetables, pita bread, or meats. Instead of the usual tomato sauce with pasta, try tzatziki. By the end of this article you will know how to make it and will love it too. Moms, as a nutritional dip it’s a great way to get your kiddos to eat more calcium and munch those veggies.
So how are divergent Dallas cooks spoiling the tzatziki? There are several things to avoid when making your own. Impatience. It will not help you make a true tzatziki or any Greek dish for that matter. The yogurt (puhleeze not sour cream) must be completely drained of its water. Do this by letting the yogurt sit refrigerated in a strainer either with a cheesecloth, a clean towel, or paper towels. No place other than Dallas, Texas was I ever served tzatziki made with sour cream. Gimme a break. No Greek person that I ever knew used sour cream in their cooking, or butter, or mayonaise, which some pathetic Americanized tzatziki recipes on the Inter-net have spouted. The next important thing to remember when making tzatziki is to thoroughly drain your cucumbers to remove as much of the excess water as possible. This takes time so go rent a movie while you allow your preferably shredded cucumbers to drain through a colander. Now that you've drained your yogurt and cucumbers you can be sure that your tzatziki will have a proper thickness however the remaining ingredients can not be excluded or else you'll lose authentic flavor. Garlic. Raw. Not powdered. Yes, Greek tzatziki is packed with healthy garlic. Olive oil. Not canola, or safflower or vegetable. Use only good olive oil from the first cold pressing, dark in color and rich in taste. Lemon juice. Greeks love lemons and you'll find them in many recipes. Here is a recipe for tzatziki. It's so easy you won't believe that you haven't made this before! And now that you know better you'll thumb your nose at anything less.
INGREDIENTS:
16 ounces (2 cups) of well-drained yogurt (full fat, low fat, or fat free)
4 to 10 cloves of garlic, diced
1/2 cup of peeled, diced or shredded cucumber
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
PREPARATION:
Prepare all ingredients in advance. Fold in the oil and lemon juice into the yogurt slowly so that its thickness is not broken down. Add the garlic and the cucumber incorporating slowly. Do not mix in a blender or food processor. Add oregano, mint or dill: Variations include 1 tablespoon finely chopped. Oregano is most commonly used.
OPA! ENJOY!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Taste Galilee but Leave Your Passport at Home
Taste of Galilee/2301 N. Central Expway between Park and Parker/Plano, Texas
Ignite your taste buds, we’re off to Galilee but leave your passport at home. Whether by car, camel or donkey, if you love Mediterranean favorites like lamb, falafel, hummus and Baba Ganoush then drop everything and head to Taste of Galilee restaurant in Plano. The Biblically referenced land of Galilee is part of today’s northern Israel and a long time area of conflict between Jews and Arabs. Galilee is also a popular vacation spot for its natives, well-known for its gastronomic cuisine. Now, we too can have a taste of Galilee! Only a few weeks young the restaurant’s owner and staff are gracious and informative about the more than 28 items featured on the all-u-can eat buffet, which includes many traditional Mediterranean dishes that you’d find at just about any Lebanese, Turkish or even Greek restaurant for that matter. They even make their own yogurt! However, the owner who still has family in Galilee and visits every year has included several special family recipes strait from his Mama’s kitchen. Bravo! Thank you Mama! You can’t beat the lunch buffet at under $10. Though I am a fan of Fadi’s restaurant which has locations in Frisco and Dallas, they can’t hold a candle to the all-u-can eat concept for the same price at Taste of Galilee. Sorry Fadi’s, still love ya but Taste of Galilee has a slight edge. Being such healthy, authentic ethnic food for the price and only a few miles away, by car that is, I will certainly return to Taste of Galilee. The dinner buffet is around $14 and includes more items than the lunch menu such as shish-kabob and other succulent meat dishes. Taste of Galilee is a laid back atmosphere so come as you are. I strolled in wearing my work-out gear. The chandeliers give an ambiance of elegance and the piped-in Mediterranean music adds another layer to a fine cultural experience in our own community. Yankees Eat Rating/ 4=Very Good
Ignite your taste buds, we’re off to Galilee but leave your passport at home. Whether by car, camel or donkey, if you love Mediterranean favorites like lamb, falafel, hummus and Baba Ganoush then drop everything and head to Taste of Galilee restaurant in Plano. The Biblically referenced land of Galilee is part of today’s northern Israel and a long time area of conflict between Jews and Arabs. Galilee is also a popular vacation spot for its natives, well-known for its gastronomic cuisine. Now, we too can have a taste of Galilee! Only a few weeks young the restaurant’s owner and staff are gracious and informative about the more than 28 items featured on the all-u-can eat buffet, which includes many traditional Mediterranean dishes that you’d find at just about any Lebanese, Turkish or even Greek restaurant for that matter. They even make their own yogurt! However, the owner who still has family in Galilee and visits every year has included several special family recipes strait from his Mama’s kitchen. Bravo! Thank you Mama! You can’t beat the lunch buffet at under $10. Though I am a fan of Fadi’s restaurant which has locations in Frisco and Dallas, they can’t hold a candle to the all-u-can eat concept for the same price at Taste of Galilee. Sorry Fadi’s, still love ya but Taste of Galilee has a slight edge. Being such healthy, authentic ethnic food for the price and only a few miles away, by car that is, I will certainly return to Taste of Galilee. The dinner buffet is around $14 and includes more items than the lunch menu such as shish-kabob and other succulent meat dishes. Taste of Galilee is a laid back atmosphere so come as you are. I strolled in wearing my work-out gear. The chandeliers give an ambiance of elegance and the piped-in Mediterranean music adds another layer to a fine cultural experience in our own community. Yankees Eat Rating/ 4=Very Good
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Vietnamese: Zander's House Restaurant
2300 N. Central Expway at Park Road/ Plano, TX 75074/Phone: 972 943-9199
I have put off going to Zander’s House Restaurant for months. I remember the previous horrid August Moon Chinese restaurant that was there. The scarcity of cars in Zander’s parking lot made me timid, too. When their sign looked as though it had been hit by lightening I thought that the place might be cursed. I recently had lunch there and am happy to report that my mojo is intact and I’m still sufficiently quirky enough to write these reviews. I had the beef over vermicelli with fresh vegetables which was delicious and satisfied for the entire day. Though I’m not a big fan of beef (and I moved to Texas?) I was feeling a little risqué and gave it a whirl. I expected dry and tough but was pleased to get piled high, tender and thinly sliced. Lunch specials range around $7 and include popular noodle bowls and other Vietnamese specialties. A nutritious value; I don’t know how they can afford to be so generous with their portions, which includes salad too. The lime and chili sauce was a perfect compliment. The place bustled with an Asian crowd whether business types or families with youngsters. The owners, the Bui family, hail from New York where they successfully operated a Vietnamese style restaurant for many years--- no small feat! As to the authenticity, freshness and presentation of the food I must give sufficient props. Service is friendly and prompt however the voluminous space can make it somewhat loud. As spacious as it is many tables are stacked and waiters insist upon scrunching customers. I was practically elbow to elbow with two guys who slurped rather loudly which made it difficult to read the newspaper, eat and decompress for an hour. Next time I will be more insistant about choosing my own table. Yankees Eat Rating = 4 Very Good
I have put off going to Zander’s House Restaurant for months. I remember the previous horrid August Moon Chinese restaurant that was there. The scarcity of cars in Zander’s parking lot made me timid, too. When their sign looked as though it had been hit by lightening I thought that the place might be cursed. I recently had lunch there and am happy to report that my mojo is intact and I’m still sufficiently quirky enough to write these reviews. I had the beef over vermicelli with fresh vegetables which was delicious and satisfied for the entire day. Though I’m not a big fan of beef (and I moved to Texas?) I was feeling a little risqué and gave it a whirl. I expected dry and tough but was pleased to get piled high, tender and thinly sliced. Lunch specials range around $7 and include popular noodle bowls and other Vietnamese specialties. A nutritious value; I don’t know how they can afford to be so generous with their portions, which includes salad too. The lime and chili sauce was a perfect compliment. The place bustled with an Asian crowd whether business types or families with youngsters. The owners, the Bui family, hail from New York where they successfully operated a Vietnamese style restaurant for many years--- no small feat! As to the authenticity, freshness and presentation of the food I must give sufficient props. Service is friendly and prompt however the voluminous space can make it somewhat loud. As spacious as it is many tables are stacked and waiters insist upon scrunching customers. I was practically elbow to elbow with two guys who slurped rather loudly which made it difficult to read the newspaper, eat and decompress for an hour. Next time I will be more insistant about choosing my own table. Yankees Eat Rating = 4 Very Good
Thursday, June 28, 2007
5 Rules For Eating Out: Case of the Bicker Sisters
Recently, my husband and I had lunch at our usual weekend haunt known for its New Orleans flair. When we arrived some of the lunch crowd had subsided but it was still busy enough that we had to wait a few minutes to be seated in one of three dining rooms. No sooner had we ordered our food when two women were seated in an adjacent booth behind my husband. We couldn’t see them. We could hear them plenty…and therein lay the point of this story. Now, I am not so unreasonable that I don’t expect to hear a laugh, a word, or sentence, or two from a nearby table. However, I don’t expect to hear the entire conversation and in this case, the entire feud.
One woman spoke loudly and at a fast, almost nervous rate. Her tone and pitch suggested a friction between them that was about to explode. For the first few minutes they made general chit-chat about their kids, their husbands and a possible trip to New York. Then, everything changed and out came the emotionally loaded pistols. Turns out ,these two women were sisters…bickering 20-something sisters. They bickered about this and that, about how one never phoned the other enough, how she felt shut-out, what their mother had said, and about things that had happened years ago.
“Oh, this is gonna go south real fast,” I said to my husband.
“It had the tell-tale signs from the start when they told the waiter, we’re going to be here for about 2 hours and we don’t plan to order anything.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” I whispered.
And sure enough things got worse and stayed loud. Said the one sister to the other,
“….and I don’t know if it’s because of your immaturity and lack of experience but…”
“You are so hurtful,” retorted the other sister.
My eyes bulged and I mouthed, ‘Oh my gosh,’ to my husband. He nodded his head in disbelief at such an embarrassing public display.
Our food arrived.
“Is there anything else I can get you,” asked our waiter.
“No, but I have to say….we’re enjoying the show.”
“The show?”
“Yes, the people in the next booth are quite loud,” I pointed.
The waiter asked if we wanted him to tell the squabbling sisters to keep it down, but we said no. Honestly, a part of me was agitated at the extreme rudeness and the other part was curious to hear how far things would go. The feud became so loud that we could scarcely hear the conversation at our own table. I looked around the dining room and others were agitated as well. Even fussy children weren’t as loud as these two grown-ups. We were further shocked when overhearing that one of the sisters was a teacher for the past seven years. I expect better public behavior from a teacher than that! Forty-five minutes later, the bicker sisters were still at it and in my opinion had made no progress to resolve their dispute. My head hurt. Before we left and purely from curiosity, I walked to the back of the dining room to find out if I could still hear their every word. Somewhere around four tables back from our booth I could no longer hear verbatim, but I could distinguish their voices from the others in the dining room.
And now some general rules to remember when dining out:
1. A restaurant makes money when you order food
2. The bulk of a waiter/waitress’s income is based on tips which is relative to the bill
3. People go out to eat to have fun, relax and enjoy time together
4. Leave your unresolved personal and family arguments at home or save it for the therapist’s
office
5. If the entirety of your table conversation can be heard by others then you are speaking to
loud.
Cheers!
One woman spoke loudly and at a fast, almost nervous rate. Her tone and pitch suggested a friction between them that was about to explode. For the first few minutes they made general chit-chat about their kids, their husbands and a possible trip to New York. Then, everything changed and out came the emotionally loaded pistols. Turns out ,these two women were sisters…bickering 20-something sisters. They bickered about this and that, about how one never phoned the other enough, how she felt shut-out, what their mother had said, and about things that had happened years ago.
“Oh, this is gonna go south real fast,” I said to my husband.
“It had the tell-tale signs from the start when they told the waiter, we’re going to be here for about 2 hours and we don’t plan to order anything.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” I whispered.
And sure enough things got worse and stayed loud. Said the one sister to the other,
“….and I don’t know if it’s because of your immaturity and lack of experience but…”
“You are so hurtful,” retorted the other sister.
My eyes bulged and I mouthed, ‘Oh my gosh,’ to my husband. He nodded his head in disbelief at such an embarrassing public display.
Our food arrived.
“Is there anything else I can get you,” asked our waiter.
“No, but I have to say….we’re enjoying the show.”
“The show?”
“Yes, the people in the next booth are quite loud,” I pointed.
The waiter asked if we wanted him to tell the squabbling sisters to keep it down, but we said no. Honestly, a part of me was agitated at the extreme rudeness and the other part was curious to hear how far things would go. The feud became so loud that we could scarcely hear the conversation at our own table. I looked around the dining room and others were agitated as well. Even fussy children weren’t as loud as these two grown-ups. We were further shocked when overhearing that one of the sisters was a teacher for the past seven years. I expect better public behavior from a teacher than that! Forty-five minutes later, the bicker sisters were still at it and in my opinion had made no progress to resolve their dispute. My head hurt. Before we left and purely from curiosity, I walked to the back of the dining room to find out if I could still hear their every word. Somewhere around four tables back from our booth I could no longer hear verbatim, but I could distinguish their voices from the others in the dining room.
And now some general rules to remember when dining out:
1. A restaurant makes money when you order food
2. The bulk of a waiter/waitress’s income is based on tips which is relative to the bill
3. People go out to eat to have fun, relax and enjoy time together
4. Leave your unresolved personal and family arguments at home or save it for the therapist’s
office
5. If the entirety of your table conversation can be heard by others then you are speaking to
loud.
Cheers!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Alert! Random Act of Kindness Found
I diverge for a blog-moment from my usual restaurant reviews to report on a random act of kindness. I must admit, as a rule, I’m a little cynical. Whether it’s because I lived in New York for the first 31 years of my life and my street smarts get the better of me, or because I watch too many true crime stories on television, I don’t know. From boy scouts crossing old ladies to the other side of the street, to people adopting animal shelter pets at the eleventh hour before the big adios, I know that people do good deeds. Sometimes these do-good stories make the last 30 seconds of the news so that we don’t all commit suicide from the despair of listening to 28 minutes of daily terror reports. Oh yeah, people hold elevator doors and occasionally let me line jump them at the super market if I only have a gallon of milk, but heck, that isn’t anything that I haven’t done for others a million times. Still, I have to wonder, if no one were looking, or if the other person never said thank you, would there be good deed doers at all? What happened recently at a Chinese Restaurant gave me a much needed dose of refreshed hope. For you fellow skeptics, be on the lookout—unmotivated, uncompensated human kindness exists-- and for no other reason except because it feels good to be kind. Case in point, this random act...
It was lunchtime on a Tuesday and I had an hour to kill before my chiropractor appointment, so I decided to grab a bite at a restaurant that I had hadn’t yet reviewed. As for style and ambience the place was akin to Shrek's swamp...okay at least a dark alleyway. The food however was stellar, but I digress. I sat in a torn up booth, alone, at the back of the restaurant and surreptitiously scribbled my notes. I ordered 3 different items. As each item arrived I’d pause to taste and then write some more. I’d occasionally glance around at my surroundings and noticed several groups of patrons enjoying their lunch. This place was obviously a well kept secret among hard-core Chinese foodies intent on a delicious bargain. In one corner of the restaurant sat the lovers, probably in their early 20’s. They giggled and flirted. In another corner sat 5 techie guys dressed in polo shirts and Dockers. They looked like professional eaters and hadn’t seen a ray of sunshine in years. At another table were two golf guys. They intermittently discussed their swing and upcoming business trip to Chicago. In another booth was an older gentlemen, I’d say in his late 60’s to early 70’s. He was at the end of his meal and his bill was already on the table. He wore a tweedy sort of jacket that kind of reminded me of an English professor I once had. By the time my second entrée arrived I noticed that the older gentlemen had left and his table was being cleared away. The head waiter came to my table and in his broken English pointed to where the man had been seated and asked me,
“Did you know that man?”
“No,” I said. His eyes looked incredulous. He didn’t seem to believe me.
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t know him,” I repeated. “Why?”
“He just paid for your meal.” I was speechless (a rare occurrence).
“What?”
“Yes, he said that he wanted to pay for your meal and to tell you happy Mother’s Day.
I’m not a mother and it was long past Mother’s Day. I was at a loss for what to say next. I laughed.
“I guess it’s my lucky day.”
The other restaurant workers gathered around to hear about this rare occurrence. A total stranger buys lunch for another total stranger and doesn’t stick around to receive gratitude or recognition for his kind deed? It’s almost old-fashioned…and it felt really nice. My eyes started to brim with tears. For a few seconds I sat frozen with amazement. Why? What had I done to make this man do something so nice? I hardly noticed him—hadn’t so much as nodded in his direction to acknowledge his presence. Maybe I reminded him of someone—an unrequited love, a far away daughter, a deceased wife? Could he somehow tell that I wasn’t yet a mother and longed to be one--did he know my sadness? Or, maybe it was because we were both dining alone? Or, maybe….he just wanted to be kind. After a few seconds of mind racing my shoulders relaxed from around my ears and I simply enjoyed the fact that someone cared. I had a bounce in my step for the rest of the day.
It was lunchtime on a Tuesday and I had an hour to kill before my chiropractor appointment, so I decided to grab a bite at a restaurant that I had hadn’t yet reviewed. As for style and ambience the place was akin to Shrek's swamp...okay at least a dark alleyway. The food however was stellar, but I digress. I sat in a torn up booth, alone, at the back of the restaurant and surreptitiously scribbled my notes. I ordered 3 different items. As each item arrived I’d pause to taste and then write some more. I’d occasionally glance around at my surroundings and noticed several groups of patrons enjoying their lunch. This place was obviously a well kept secret among hard-core Chinese foodies intent on a delicious bargain. In one corner of the restaurant sat the lovers, probably in their early 20’s. They giggled and flirted. In another corner sat 5 techie guys dressed in polo shirts and Dockers. They looked like professional eaters and hadn’t seen a ray of sunshine in years. At another table were two golf guys. They intermittently discussed their swing and upcoming business trip to Chicago. In another booth was an older gentlemen, I’d say in his late 60’s to early 70’s. He was at the end of his meal and his bill was already on the table. He wore a tweedy sort of jacket that kind of reminded me of an English professor I once had. By the time my second entrée arrived I noticed that the older gentlemen had left and his table was being cleared away. The head waiter came to my table and in his broken English pointed to where the man had been seated and asked me,
“Did you know that man?”
“No,” I said. His eyes looked incredulous. He didn’t seem to believe me.
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t know him,” I repeated. “Why?”
“He just paid for your meal.” I was speechless (a rare occurrence).
“What?”
“Yes, he said that he wanted to pay for your meal and to tell you happy Mother’s Day.
I’m not a mother and it was long past Mother’s Day. I was at a loss for what to say next. I laughed.
“I guess it’s my lucky day.”
The other restaurant workers gathered around to hear about this rare occurrence. A total stranger buys lunch for another total stranger and doesn’t stick around to receive gratitude or recognition for his kind deed? It’s almost old-fashioned…and it felt really nice. My eyes started to brim with tears. For a few seconds I sat frozen with amazement. Why? What had I done to make this man do something so nice? I hardly noticed him—hadn’t so much as nodded in his direction to acknowledge his presence. Maybe I reminded him of someone—an unrequited love, a far away daughter, a deceased wife? Could he somehow tell that I wasn’t yet a mother and longed to be one--did he know my sadness? Or, maybe it was because we were both dining alone? Or, maybe….he just wanted to be kind. After a few seconds of mind racing my shoulders relaxed from around my ears and I simply enjoyed the fact that someone cared. I had a bounce in my step for the rest of the day.
Sushi: 9 Fish
3211 Preston Road/Frisco, Texas 75034/ 214-618-FISH (3474)
http://www.ninefishrestaurant.com/
It’s jazz! It’s urban chic! It’s 9 Fish of Frisco! This hip sushi and grill restaurant is as pleasurable as it is deliciously memorable. Live jazz weekends and trendy patrons create an unrivaled atmosphere. The sushi bar is my favorite place to sit and the sushi chefs can be quite entertaining …especially when you do saki shots with them. As for the sushi—in a word—fabulous! Plus, there’s many grilled menu items too. Some of the best martinis I’ve ever had. Located off Highway 121 and Preston Road, just north of Stonebriar Mall. If you’re tired of your same old corner sushi hangout then you must try 9 Fish. You won’t be disappointed! That’s a promise! Yankees Eat Rating = 5 Impeccable
http://www.ninefishrestaurant.com/
It’s jazz! It’s urban chic! It’s 9 Fish of Frisco! This hip sushi and grill restaurant is as pleasurable as it is deliciously memorable. Live jazz weekends and trendy patrons create an unrivaled atmosphere. The sushi bar is my favorite place to sit and the sushi chefs can be quite entertaining …especially when you do saki shots with them. As for the sushi—in a word—fabulous! Plus, there’s many grilled menu items too. Some of the best martinis I’ve ever had. Located off Highway 121 and Preston Road, just north of Stonebriar Mall. If you’re tired of your same old corner sushi hangout then you must try 9 Fish. You won’t be disappointed! That’s a promise! Yankees Eat Rating = 5 Impeccable
Thai: Banana Leaf
www.thaibananaleaf.com 17370 Preston Rd., Dallas 75252 betw Campbell and Frankford 972-713-0123/972-735-8778
You’ll taste why Banana Leaf has earned its share of community kudos. For less than $10 you are served delectable dishes served with soup or salad and of course, rice. The soup was a pleasant surprise of the non-ho-hum variety, sort of lemony and herbishly refreshing. The curry is hot-hot-hot, but oh so delicious and cured my sinus headache. They can turn down the heat if you ask. Don’t go if you seek chic décor to impress your guests but do go if you want terrific Thai food and gracious service. Yankees Eat Rating 4=Excellent
You’ll taste why Banana Leaf has earned its share of community kudos. For less than $10 you are served delectable dishes served with soup or salad and of course, rice. The soup was a pleasant surprise of the non-ho-hum variety, sort of lemony and herbishly refreshing. The curry is hot-hot-hot, but oh so delicious and cured my sinus headache. They can turn down the heat if you ask. Don’t go if you seek chic décor to impress your guests but do go if you want terrific Thai food and gracious service. Yankees Eat Rating 4=Excellent
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Ethiopian: Queen of Sheba
14875 Inwood Road, South of Beltline/ Addison, TX/ 972-980-9450/ http://www.thequeensheba.com
It’s socially acceptable to eat without utensils at Queen of Sheba. In fact, there are none. When I heard that there was an Ethiopian restaurant in Addison I couldn’t resist. Though the portions appear small don’t be fooled. We left stuffed to our eyeballs! If you like it spicy you’ll love Ethiopian food. Lamb, chicken and vegetables are marinated in a combination of indigenous and unpronounceable spices plus some common ones like cardamom, clove and cinnamon. Everything blends to a perfection that makes your capillaries sing Zippity-Do-Dah! Throughout the millennium the Ethiopian people have endured the ravages of food shortages and found a way to survive with the amazing Maskal Teff grain. This grain is integral to Ethiopian cuisine and its use has been recorded as far back as the ancient civilizations of Abyssinia. What’s so important about the Teff grain? Lots! The small grain is ground into flour and made into crepe-like pancakes called Injara which is steamed and then rolled. Injara is spongy, hot air infused, instead of baked and expands inside your stomach to create that feeling of fullness. The Injara bread is your plate—that’s right no plates, or utensils! Just tear off portions of your bread and use as a utensil and to also mop up that yummy, spicy goodness. Teff is highly nutritious and gluten free and thrives in difficult climates predominantly in Ethiopia and Eritrea. However, the restaurant owners, who are Ethiopian, told us that because of famine in Ethiopia no foods are allowed to be shipped outside its borders. Maskal Teff consumed in the U.S is grown in the Midwest. The staff is super friendly. You’ll feel like extended family. If you’ve never had Ethiopian food they’ll walk you through. The décor is Greco Roman. Queen of Sheba is top notch and a very classy place for any night out or for your next party. Live music and dancing too! Yankees Eat Rating = 5 Impeccable
It’s socially acceptable to eat without utensils at Queen of Sheba. In fact, there are none. When I heard that there was an Ethiopian restaurant in Addison I couldn’t resist. Though the portions appear small don’t be fooled. We left stuffed to our eyeballs! If you like it spicy you’ll love Ethiopian food. Lamb, chicken and vegetables are marinated in a combination of indigenous and unpronounceable spices plus some common ones like cardamom, clove and cinnamon. Everything blends to a perfection that makes your capillaries sing Zippity-Do-Dah! Throughout the millennium the Ethiopian people have endured the ravages of food shortages and found a way to survive with the amazing Maskal Teff grain. This grain is integral to Ethiopian cuisine and its use has been recorded as far back as the ancient civilizations of Abyssinia. What’s so important about the Teff grain? Lots! The small grain is ground into flour and made into crepe-like pancakes called Injara which is steamed and then rolled. Injara is spongy, hot air infused, instead of baked and expands inside your stomach to create that feeling of fullness. The Injara bread is your plate—that’s right no plates, or utensils! Just tear off portions of your bread and use as a utensil and to also mop up that yummy, spicy goodness. Teff is highly nutritious and gluten free and thrives in difficult climates predominantly in Ethiopia and Eritrea. However, the restaurant owners, who are Ethiopian, told us that because of famine in Ethiopia no foods are allowed to be shipped outside its borders. Maskal Teff consumed in the U.S is grown in the Midwest. The staff is super friendly. You’ll feel like extended family. If you’ve never had Ethiopian food they’ll walk you through. The décor is Greco Roman. Queen of Sheba is top notch and a very classy place for any night out or for your next party. Live music and dancing too! Yankees Eat Rating = 5 Impeccable
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Indian: Chettinaad Palace
2205 N. Central Expy/Plano, Texas 75075/469-229-9100/www.chettinaadpalace.com
Chettinaad Palace is named after the region of Chettinaad located in the South-East of Tamil Nadu state of India. Authentically prepared dishes reflect the region and its people who are mostly vegetarian. This is the real deal! Other menu offerings include fish, seafood, chicken and beef dishes as well as Vindaloo (delicious!), Vathakulambu, and Karakulambu. If you’ve feared trying Indian food because of its tendency for fiery spices, this region’s flavor isn’t known for dragon breath. Indian food uses a cornucopia of spices such as coriander, cumin, pepper, fenugreek, and anise. Affordably delicious daily lunch and Sunday buffets feature Chettinaad Idlis, Dosas, Biryani, Vegetarian Curries, Chettinad Pepper Chicken and many other scrumptious Indian favorites. You’ll want to sop up every last drop with delicious Naan bread! In case you have room for dessert Mango or Pineapple Kesari awaits, along with Gulab jamun, Payasam/Kheer, Almond or Mango Kulfi. Good prices, portions and service. Chettinaad Palace received an A inspection rating from the Plano health department while others…not so much Check it out for yourself at https://forms.plano.gov/health/restaur.html#Indian. Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Chettinaad Palace is named after the region of Chettinaad located in the South-East of Tamil Nadu state of India. Authentically prepared dishes reflect the region and its people who are mostly vegetarian. This is the real deal! Other menu offerings include fish, seafood, chicken and beef dishes as well as Vindaloo (delicious!), Vathakulambu, and Karakulambu. If you’ve feared trying Indian food because of its tendency for fiery spices, this region’s flavor isn’t known for dragon breath. Indian food uses a cornucopia of spices such as coriander, cumin, pepper, fenugreek, and anise. Affordably delicious daily lunch and Sunday buffets feature Chettinaad Idlis, Dosas, Biryani, Vegetarian Curries, Chettinad Pepper Chicken and many other scrumptious Indian favorites. You’ll want to sop up every last drop with delicious Naan bread! In case you have room for dessert Mango or Pineapple Kesari awaits, along with Gulab jamun, Payasam/Kheer, Almond or Mango Kulfi. Good prices, portions and service. Chettinaad Palace received an A inspection rating from the Plano health department while others…not so much Check it out for yourself at https://forms.plano.gov/health/restaur.html#Indian. Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Friday, June 1, 2007
Tomo Sushi Bar & Hibachi
2205 N. Central Expy/Plano, TX 75075/ 972-578-0981
If your in need of a new after-work Happy Hour hangout Tomo Sushi Bar & Hibachi could be it! For late night fun after 11:00pm there are $1 sushi specials and free Karaoke. Play it safe and call to confirm times and days before you bring your posse. As a self-confessed sea urchin fanatic Tomo Sushi didn’t disappoint. Sushi rolls and sashimi are artfully displayed. Customers can’t contain themselves and readily respond with delighted surprise and exclamatory approvals. The staff is attentive and friendly. The prices are competitive and the bar is large and well stocked. For those concerned about cleanliness, Tomo received an A inspection rating from the Plano health department while others around town did not. Check out the ratings for yourself at https://forms.plano.gov/health/restaur.html#Chinese/Japanese. Yankees Eat Rating 4=Very Good
If your in need of a new after-work Happy Hour hangout Tomo Sushi Bar & Hibachi could be it! For late night fun after 11:00pm there are $1 sushi specials and free Karaoke. Play it safe and call to confirm times and days before you bring your posse. As a self-confessed sea urchin fanatic Tomo Sushi didn’t disappoint. Sushi rolls and sashimi are artfully displayed. Customers can’t contain themselves and readily respond with delighted surprise and exclamatory approvals. The staff is attentive and friendly. The prices are competitive and the bar is large and well stocked. For those concerned about cleanliness, Tomo received an A inspection rating from the Plano health department while others around town did not. Check out the ratings for yourself at https://forms.plano.gov/health/restaur.html#Chinese/Japanese. Yankees Eat Rating 4=Very Good
Vietnamese: que Huong Pho Noodle & Grill
240 Legacy Drive/ Plano TX/ 972-527-4444
If you’ve got a hankering for truly authentic Vietnamese food then come to Que Huong Pho Noodle and Grill at the Asia World Market Center near Central Expressway. If you’ve never tried Vietnamese food then be adventurous and give it a whirl. Unlike, Thai food, which is often too spicy for some people, or Chinese food which can be too salty, Vietnamese cuisine is an in between that’s just right….Goldilocks would agree! From steaming noodle bowls with fresh vegetables and herbs, stir fry dishes, or traditional Vietnamese BBQ, this menu is loaded with nutritious choices. Escape the hot outdoors, rest your tired tootsies and languish a while with a fresh coconut drink or a fruit smoothie while watching television on the flat screen TV. Serves lunch or dinner. Eat in or take out. Décor is sparse and unimpressive but compensated by abundant ethnic flavor, affordable prices and hassle free service. Yankees Eat Rating 4=Very Good
If you’ve got a hankering for truly authentic Vietnamese food then come to Que Huong Pho Noodle and Grill at the Asia World Market Center near Central Expressway. If you’ve never tried Vietnamese food then be adventurous and give it a whirl. Unlike, Thai food, which is often too spicy for some people, or Chinese food which can be too salty, Vietnamese cuisine is an in between that’s just right….Goldilocks would agree! From steaming noodle bowls with fresh vegetables and herbs, stir fry dishes, or traditional Vietnamese BBQ, this menu is loaded with nutritious choices. Escape the hot outdoors, rest your tired tootsies and languish a while with a fresh coconut drink or a fruit smoothie while watching television on the flat screen TV. Serves lunch or dinner. Eat in or take out. Décor is sparse and unimpressive but compensated by abundant ethnic flavor, affordable prices and hassle free service. Yankees Eat Rating 4=Very Good
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Middle Eastern: Ali Baba Cafe
Ali Baba http://www.alibabacafe.com/
19009 Preston Road, #209,/Dallas Texas 75252/ 972-248-8855
If you blink you might miss the Ali Baba Cafe, tucked inside the far corner of a strip mall. As hungry Yankees in big D we’re always on the hunt for the next great ethnic eatery. “Hey, Middle Eastern,” I shouted. Assuming that I meant food, my husband, Joey had enough time to screech a hard right into the parking lot. Ali Baba’s is run by a lovely Syrian family who make every effort to greet their customers. The walls are dotted with what appear to be family photos from life in the old country. Authentic Syrian and Middle Eastern music sets the mood perfectly. Open Sesame because here is the real Ali Baba treasure trove---the food! Authentic Middle Eastern dishes include Eggplant Dip, Falafel Fritters, Tabbouleh, Roasted chicken, lamb and beef dishes all freshly prepared with heady aromas and exotic spices like cumin, smoky paprika, and curry. The portions are hefty. Do yourself a favor and wear your elastic waist pants! We had the Mezza appetizer which includes an assortment of popular Middle Eastern favorites like Hummus, Babaganoush, and Tabouli. The Tabouli was packed with fresh parsley, I thought perhaps a little too much, but it tasted wonderful and besides parsley is loaded with vitamins A and C. Also included with the appetizer were olives, dolmas (okay so those were from a can) and pita bread. Halfway through our appetizer our entrées arrived. Like two thieves, we were already stuffed. Still, we couldn’t resist diving into the golden, creamy richness of Chicken Curry served with rice. We managed to find room in our tummies to try the baklava. Delish! Why not choose a cultural theme for your next family night out? We’ll definitely go to Ali Baba's again! Prices are reasonable. Other locations at 955 E. Campbell Rd. #200, Richardson and 1905 Greenville Avenue, DallasYankees Eat Rating = 4 Very Good
19009 Preston Road, #209,/Dallas Texas 75252/ 972-248-8855
If you blink you might miss the Ali Baba Cafe, tucked inside the far corner of a strip mall. As hungry Yankees in big D we’re always on the hunt for the next great ethnic eatery. “Hey, Middle Eastern,” I shouted. Assuming that I meant food, my husband, Joey had enough time to screech a hard right into the parking lot. Ali Baba’s is run by a lovely Syrian family who make every effort to greet their customers. The walls are dotted with what appear to be family photos from life in the old country. Authentic Syrian and Middle Eastern music sets the mood perfectly. Open Sesame because here is the real Ali Baba treasure trove---the food! Authentic Middle Eastern dishes include Eggplant Dip, Falafel Fritters, Tabbouleh, Roasted chicken, lamb and beef dishes all freshly prepared with heady aromas and exotic spices like cumin, smoky paprika, and curry. The portions are hefty. Do yourself a favor and wear your elastic waist pants! We had the Mezza appetizer which includes an assortment of popular Middle Eastern favorites like Hummus, Babaganoush, and Tabouli. The Tabouli was packed with fresh parsley, I thought perhaps a little too much, but it tasted wonderful and besides parsley is loaded with vitamins A and C. Also included with the appetizer were olives, dolmas (okay so those were from a can) and pita bread. Halfway through our appetizer our entrées arrived. Like two thieves, we were already stuffed. Still, we couldn’t resist diving into the golden, creamy richness of Chicken Curry served with rice. We managed to find room in our tummies to try the baklava. Delish! Why not choose a cultural theme for your next family night out? We’ll definitely go to Ali Baba's again! Prices are reasonable. Other locations at 955 E. Campbell Rd. #200, Richardson and 1905 Greenville Avenue, DallasYankees Eat Rating = 4 Very Good
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Japanese: Deep Sushi
Deep Ellum/2624 Elm St , Dallas , TX , 75226 / 214-651-1177
An oncologist and fellow sushi lover told me about this place. I figured if it met with his high standards it must be fantastic. It was just what the doctor ordered! Fabulously fresh, almost melt in your mouth sushi rolls and sashimi. We could hardly contain ourselves from ordering everything. The staff was friendly and prices were competitive. The décor, however is deeply urbanesque and by that I mean crappy, painted, cracked concrete floors and your basic no frills tables and wooden chairs. But, if you’ve read my previous blogs you know that for me, while décor and atmosphere are important, I’m there for the authentic food experience! Think of Deep Sushi as your friendly neighborhood sushi joint. You’re in the heart of Deep Ellum baby, so guzzle down some Saki, don’t look at the floors, and rock on with your bad self…..live music on Fridays too! The location is ideal for lunch if you work at the hospital nearby, or are out on the town for day or evening of frolicking fun! Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
An oncologist and fellow sushi lover told me about this place. I figured if it met with his high standards it must be fantastic. It was just what the doctor ordered! Fabulously fresh, almost melt in your mouth sushi rolls and sashimi. We could hardly contain ourselves from ordering everything. The staff was friendly and prices were competitive. The décor, however is deeply urbanesque and by that I mean crappy, painted, cracked concrete floors and your basic no frills tables and wooden chairs. But, if you’ve read my previous blogs you know that for me, while décor and atmosphere are important, I’m there for the authentic food experience! Think of Deep Sushi as your friendly neighborhood sushi joint. You’re in the heart of Deep Ellum baby, so guzzle down some Saki, don’t look at the floors, and rock on with your bad self…..live music on Fridays too! The location is ideal for lunch if you work at the hospital nearby, or are out on the town for day or evening of frolicking fun! Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Kiku Sushi & Grill
McKinney/ 1751 Eldorado Pkway/Eldorado Crossing Center/ 972-548-8887
Kiku is our new favorite all-u-can-eat sushi buffet. Only 40 days young, the headset donned staff at Kiku are eager to please and serve their customers. The all-u-can-eat buffet at an introductory price of only $19.99 for dinner is a breathtaking display of sushi rolls of the more expensive variety and large slices of sashimi, plus plenty of grilled and cooked items for those who prefer cooked sustanance. The immaculately kept buffet overflowed with savory items like large shrimp, king crab legs, red clam, mussels, baby octopus, snow crab legs, oysters, beef items and shabu shabu. There’s no skimping here. A first for me was jelly fish salad. It’s nice to know that those dastardly jelly fish are good for something! For dessert a lovely display of fresh fruit, and ice cream flavors like red bean, green tea and mango. Kiku means chrysanthemum in Japanese. This motif is carried throughout to the lovely décor. Chrysanthemum tea is also available. Ranked against other sushi all-u-can-eat buffets that we have frequented, notably Osaka in Plano, our former favorite, and Tokyo One in Addison, Kiku is better. Lunch buffets are $12.99 but contain fewer of the more expensive items found during dinner. Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Kiku is our new favorite all-u-can-eat sushi buffet. Only 40 days young, the headset donned staff at Kiku are eager to please and serve their customers. The all-u-can-eat buffet at an introductory price of only $19.99 for dinner is a breathtaking display of sushi rolls of the more expensive variety and large slices of sashimi, plus plenty of grilled and cooked items for those who prefer cooked sustanance. The immaculately kept buffet overflowed with savory items like large shrimp, king crab legs, red clam, mussels, baby octopus, snow crab legs, oysters, beef items and shabu shabu. There’s no skimping here. A first for me was jelly fish salad. It’s nice to know that those dastardly jelly fish are good for something! For dessert a lovely display of fresh fruit, and ice cream flavors like red bean, green tea and mango. Kiku means chrysanthemum in Japanese. This motif is carried throughout to the lovely décor. Chrysanthemum tea is also available. Ranked against other sushi all-u-can-eat buffets that we have frequented, notably Osaka in Plano, our former favorite, and Tokyo One in Addison, Kiku is better. Lunch buffets are $12.99 but contain fewer of the more expensive items found during dinner. Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Tei Tei Robata Bar
2906 N Henderson Ave , Dallas , TX , 75206-6403
We went here because everyone raved about it so much. This area of Dallas is hip-deep in with social-climbers and young money, fashionable beauties of both sexes. Kobe beef cooked on hot rocks was unbelievable melt in your mouth tender. A bevy of fresh sushi, sashimi and yummy grilled plates please all taste buds. We went on a weekend for dinner and the place was packed. The service was a bit slow as a result. For those who like to be at the sushi bar you’ll find ample seating. We were with two friends and sat at a table this time. A local Fox channel 4 morning anchorwoman sat behind us with her friends. Tei Tei’s is good but in my opinion the bill is steep because of the location and stylish décor. If you want to pay for that then by all means do so but if awesome sushi is your desire just know that there are many places in town for far less money.
Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
We went here because everyone raved about it so much. This area of Dallas is hip-deep in with social-climbers and young money, fashionable beauties of both sexes. Kobe beef cooked on hot rocks was unbelievable melt in your mouth tender. A bevy of fresh sushi, sashimi and yummy grilled plates please all taste buds. We went on a weekend for dinner and the place was packed. The service was a bit slow as a result. For those who like to be at the sushi bar you’ll find ample seating. We were with two friends and sat at a table this time. A local Fox channel 4 morning anchorwoman sat behind us with her friends. Tei Tei’s is good but in my opinion the bill is steep because of the location and stylish décor. If you want to pay for that then by all means do so but if awesome sushi is your desire just know that there are many places in town for far less money.
Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern: Fadi's
Uptown/3001 Knox St., Suite 110/Dallas TX 75205/(Knox and Central Expressway)/214-528-1800/ http://www.fadiscuisine.com
A doctor friend told us about Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill and we’ve loved it ever since. Don’t wear tight clothing. You’ll want to try everything. This place is a truly authentic smorgasbord run by a Middle Eastern family. You’ll definitely hear Arabic conversations flowing from the kitchen. The food is always fresh and without tons of oil. The menu bulges with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites like meat kabobs, pitas, roast chicken, fish, lamb, a variety of vegetable dishes, salads, fresh herbs, couscous, hummus, Baba Ghanouge and more. The warm pita, desserts and Turkish coffee are a treat too. Freshly made juices make your cells do a happy dance. We’ve also tried their location in Frisco and were equally pleased. Fadi’s is casual and served cafeteria style. The wait staff is gracious and helpful. Don’t be surprised if the patrons in another booth strike up a conversation with you. Good food at great prices makes you want to do that! Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
A doctor friend told us about Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill and we’ve loved it ever since. Don’t wear tight clothing. You’ll want to try everything. This place is a truly authentic smorgasbord run by a Middle Eastern family. You’ll definitely hear Arabic conversations flowing from the kitchen. The food is always fresh and without tons of oil. The menu bulges with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites like meat kabobs, pitas, roast chicken, fish, lamb, a variety of vegetable dishes, salads, fresh herbs, couscous, hummus, Baba Ghanouge and more. The warm pita, desserts and Turkish coffee are a treat too. Freshly made juices make your cells do a happy dance. We’ve also tried their location in Frisco and were equally pleased. Fadi’s is casual and served cafeteria style. The wait staff is gracious and helpful. Don’t be surprised if the patrons in another booth strike up a conversation with you. Good food at great prices makes you want to do that! Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Cuban: Cuba Libre
Uptown/2822 N. Henderson/Dallas TX 75206/214-827-2820
We’ve frequented this place on a number of occasions. Joey once lived in Miami for 5 years and adores Cuban food. Some say there is a long wait to be seated here, but we’ve never had a problem before 5:00pm. In Dallas when dining out, timing is everything. The happy hour crowd is a fun group of young, casual professionals that often overflow to the outside patio. The Mojitos are terrific. The guacamole is by far the best we've ever had. Try the Cuban sandwich for sure. Other entrees include fish, chicken and burgers. Though we like Cuba Libre the food verges on being too Americanized for our authentic cultural quest. For starters there are no fried plantains and no Cuban coffee. Cuban cuisine is never low calorie so don’t count, just enjoy. The parking is valet, unless you’re lucky enough to find a free spot curbside, or willing to walk a few blocks. The exercise will do you good! Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
We’ve frequented this place on a number of occasions. Joey once lived in Miami for 5 years and adores Cuban food. Some say there is a long wait to be seated here, but we’ve never had a problem before 5:00pm. In Dallas when dining out, timing is everything. The happy hour crowd is a fun group of young, casual professionals that often overflow to the outside patio. The Mojitos are terrific. The guacamole is by far the best we've ever had. Try the Cuban sandwich for sure. Other entrees include fish, chicken and burgers. Though we like Cuba Libre the food verges on being too Americanized for our authentic cultural quest. For starters there are no fried plantains and no Cuban coffee. Cuban cuisine is never low calorie so don’t count, just enjoy. The parking is valet, unless you’re lucky enough to find a free spot curbside, or willing to walk a few blocks. The exercise will do you good! Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Japanese/Indo-China/Vietnamese: Steel
Steel Restaurant & Lounge
Oak Lawn / Turtle Creek/Highland Park/
3102 Oak Lawn Ave/Dallas, TX 75219/ 214.219.9908/www.steeldallas.com
Steel takes the art of dining to a higher level than most Asian places we’ve found around town. But, then one would expect high standards from this part of Big D! Rarely have we ever had such a memorable dining experience. The manager and wait staff were extremely attentive and made us feel like the most important people in the room. The décor is high class Zen. The clientele was sophisticated and fashionable. We went for the sushi. In a word…stellar! Did you know that raw quail egg atop uni (sea urchin) is an aphrodisiac according to the Japanese? We couldn’t resist a try and once swallowing thought we felt an unmistakable tingle as it squirmed its way down. Their wine and sake menu is impressive. If you’re not a sushi fan then try one of many authentically prepared dishes. For dessert have the Chocolate Sushi Roll. Go to treat yourself. You work hard and deserve it. Or, if you’re a hard-working social climber, go to see and be seen among Dallas’ more elevated crowd. Perhaps you’ll also see a local sports figure or television personality. The bill won’t be cheap, but then quality rarely is. Yankee Eats Rating = 5/Impeccable
Oak Lawn / Turtle Creek/Highland Park/
3102 Oak Lawn Ave/Dallas, TX 75219/ 214.219.9908/www.steeldallas.com
Steel takes the art of dining to a higher level than most Asian places we’ve found around town. But, then one would expect high standards from this part of Big D! Rarely have we ever had such a memorable dining experience. The manager and wait staff were extremely attentive and made us feel like the most important people in the room. The décor is high class Zen. The clientele was sophisticated and fashionable. We went for the sushi. In a word…stellar! Did you know that raw quail egg atop uni (sea urchin) is an aphrodisiac according to the Japanese? We couldn’t resist a try and once swallowing thought we felt an unmistakable tingle as it squirmed its way down. Their wine and sake menu is impressive. If you’re not a sushi fan then try one of many authentically prepared dishes. For dessert have the Chocolate Sushi Roll. Go to treat yourself. You work hard and deserve it. Or, if you’re a hard-working social climber, go to see and be seen among Dallas’ more elevated crowd. Perhaps you’ll also see a local sports figure or television personality. The bill won’t be cheap, but then quality rarely is. Yankee Eats Rating = 5/Impeccable
Sushi: I Love Sushi
North Dallas/18101 Preston Rd. #101/Dallas Texas/ 972-248-2100
I heard that I Love Sushi had revolving trays of all-u-can-eat sushi. Like a news reporter on a breaking story, nothing can make me race faster than that lure. I went for lunch and settled in at the sushi bar (of course) with the latest local, snarky rag-mag and waited for the trays to begin their parade. It never happened, though there were signs boasting $1 sushi specials posted about the place. Maybe the all-u-can eat feature is for the dinner crowd. The décor was minimalist and the piped in music was akin to adult contemporary chart-toppers from the 70’s. I adore the stinking rose and have been known to eat garlic sandwiches, so I had the Garlic Tuna Roll as an appetizer. For an entre I ordered the Tokyo Tower Roll, which in its initial presentation is not really a roll as it is a multi-colored mountain layer of spicy tuna, salmon, crab meat, caviar, and rice. “Oh how pretty,” I exclaimed when the sushi chef handed it to me. Like a fanciful child, I imagined how I’d eat down the layers of my fish tower like a triple scoop ice-cream cone, but with chopsticks. Just when I was about to dig in a waiter instantly sidled me. With an intent look and in broken English he tried to tell me something. I didn’t understand and simply smiled. Mistake. He knocked down my tower! With a fork and knife he was on a mission to mix-up the plated elements to a consistency of jumbalaya. Obviously, the protocol here is that Tokyo Tower Roll should be demolished before it can be properly enjoyed. So, in case you don’t want your tower knocked down be advised. The Tokyo Tower Roll was spicy, delicious and quite satisfying. While you’re there, enjoy a long list of other favorites like sashimi, caterpillar roll, spider roll, and for the less adventuresome there’s always the tame cucumber roll. Feeling dangerous? Try the Heart Attack roll, the James Bond roll, the Texas roll, or the Horoshima roll. Feeling frisky? Then try the Sexy roll or the Pretty Woman. The fish is fresh, presented well and with attentive, friendly service. Prices are competitively priced. Korean brother and sister owners also have another location in Denton. Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
I heard that I Love Sushi had revolving trays of all-u-can-eat sushi. Like a news reporter on a breaking story, nothing can make me race faster than that lure. I went for lunch and settled in at the sushi bar (of course) with the latest local, snarky rag-mag and waited for the trays to begin their parade. It never happened, though there were signs boasting $1 sushi specials posted about the place. Maybe the all-u-can eat feature is for the dinner crowd. The décor was minimalist and the piped in music was akin to adult contemporary chart-toppers from the 70’s. I adore the stinking rose and have been known to eat garlic sandwiches, so I had the Garlic Tuna Roll as an appetizer. For an entre I ordered the Tokyo Tower Roll, which in its initial presentation is not really a roll as it is a multi-colored mountain layer of spicy tuna, salmon, crab meat, caviar, and rice. “Oh how pretty,” I exclaimed when the sushi chef handed it to me. Like a fanciful child, I imagined how I’d eat down the layers of my fish tower like a triple scoop ice-cream cone, but with chopsticks. Just when I was about to dig in a waiter instantly sidled me. With an intent look and in broken English he tried to tell me something. I didn’t understand and simply smiled. Mistake. He knocked down my tower! With a fork and knife he was on a mission to mix-up the plated elements to a consistency of jumbalaya. Obviously, the protocol here is that Tokyo Tower Roll should be demolished before it can be properly enjoyed. So, in case you don’t want your tower knocked down be advised. The Tokyo Tower Roll was spicy, delicious and quite satisfying. While you’re there, enjoy a long list of other favorites like sashimi, caterpillar roll, spider roll, and for the less adventuresome there’s always the tame cucumber roll. Feeling dangerous? Try the Heart Attack roll, the James Bond roll, the Texas roll, or the Horoshima roll. Feeling frisky? Then try the Sexy roll or the Pretty Woman. The fish is fresh, presented well and with attentive, friendly service. Prices are competitively priced. Korean brother and sister owners also have another location in Denton. Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Mediterranean: Avanti Euro Bistro
5001 Addison Circle/ Addison, TX 75001/ 972.386.7800 /http://www.avantirestaurants.com/
The menu strives for Mediterranean i.e.: fettuccini, ravioli, steaks, salmon. The cuisine was tasty but overall too Americanized for my more authentic sensibilities. The wines were pricey. Maybe we shouldn’t have ordered three bottles! I felt crammed in and our waiter could barely keep up with the busy dinnertime pace. The loud, live music made it difficult to talk to our guests. This place is known around town as a top favorite and other restaurant reviewers attest, including Zagat. Avanti is chic with sleek décor and stylish devotees who like to show some skin and flash the cash. Go to impress, but for truly authentic Mediterranean food at considerably lower prices there are better eateries. Still, it deserves praise. Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
The menu strives for Mediterranean i.e.: fettuccini, ravioli, steaks, salmon. The cuisine was tasty but overall too Americanized for my more authentic sensibilities. The wines were pricey. Maybe we shouldn’t have ordered three bottles! I felt crammed in and our waiter could barely keep up with the busy dinnertime pace. The loud, live music made it difficult to talk to our guests. This place is known around town as a top favorite and other restaurant reviewers attest, including Zagat. Avanti is chic with sleek décor and stylish devotees who like to show some skin and flash the cash. Go to impress, but for truly authentic Mediterranean food at considerably lower prices there are better eateries. Still, it deserves praise. Yankees Eat Rating = 4/Very Good
French: Lavendou
North Dallas/19009 Preston Road, Suite 200/Dallas TX 75252/972-248-1911 www.lavendou.com
This lovely French bistro is where we’ve come to celebrate many of our own wedding anniversaries. We’ve never been to France but it must be like Lavendou. From the unhurried pace, to the lavender sheaves and cozy décor, you’ve entered a different world unlike other restaurants. The mood is pleasant, the wait staff is educated about the menu and wines; they're refined, but never haughty. The French are known gastronomes that savor their meals sipping wine throughout many courses. You will too. The food is traditional Provencal. For starters, you’ll want to try the Left bank French Onion Soup, the Foie Gras and the Escargots. That alone could suffice for a meal. Note that everything is a la carte. Rack of Lamb with Ratatouille or Roasted Duck with Cassis Sauce are also favorite entrees. Everything is delicious here. It’ll be difficult to decide what to order. If you think you’d like a soufflé the staff says, “Merci, please order in advance.” Reservations are suggested, and required for High Tea since everything is made fresh. Lavendou serves lunch too. You could easily drop a Ben Franklin or two here, but well worth it for such a memorable meal that is without a doubt authentically French. Yankee Eats Rating = 5/Impeccable
This lovely French bistro is where we’ve come to celebrate many of our own wedding anniversaries. We’ve never been to France but it must be like Lavendou. From the unhurried pace, to the lavender sheaves and cozy décor, you’ve entered a different world unlike other restaurants. The mood is pleasant, the wait staff is educated about the menu and wines; they're refined, but never haughty. The French are known gastronomes that savor their meals sipping wine throughout many courses. You will too. The food is traditional Provencal. For starters, you’ll want to try the Left bank French Onion Soup, the Foie Gras and the Escargots. That alone could suffice for a meal. Note that everything is a la carte. Rack of Lamb with Ratatouille or Roasted Duck with Cassis Sauce are also favorite entrees. Everything is delicious here. It’ll be difficult to decide what to order. If you think you’d like a soufflé the staff says, “Merci, please order in advance.” Reservations are suggested, and required for High Tea since everything is made fresh. Lavendou serves lunch too. You could easily drop a Ben Franklin or two here, but well worth it for such a memorable meal that is without a doubt authentically French. Yankee Eats Rating = 5/Impeccable
Italian: Campisis
Campisis Egyptian Lounge “The Original” 5610 E. Mockingbird Lane/Dallas, TX 75206/ 214-827-0355/Multiple locations www.campisis.us
I’ll probably get some flack for this review but, I’ve got to be frank. I get a little hot under my collar when it comes to Italian food because being Italian myself and a New Yorker, I have had the best. Since being in Dallas I've been disappointed by what is so loosely referred to as Italian cuisine. Try as I might, since 1998 I have yet to find pizza that is sensational. My husband Joey hails from Chicago so he longs for deep dish pizza, but he likes NY style too. So, when our Dallas pals told us that Campisi’s was the place to go for the best pizza and Italian food in town we didn’t hesitate. “Go to the Egyptian room,” they said. Excooze me. This is good Italian food? Umm. No. Feh getta bout it! My Italian relatives would agree too. This would never pass in NY’s Little Italy—oh my heavens no! The pizza was cracker-crust thin and cut into little squares. The sauce tastes like it was poured straight from a can. Hey, nostalgic movie buffs—Think Saturday Night Fever. John Travolta strutting his stuff down Brooklyn Avenue shoving two stacked slices of pizza into his mouth with one hand. Huge, macho slices that don’t make you feel like you just got heisted by a couple of wise-guys. That’s real pizza. Once you’ve eaten it there are few competitors. After two bites of Campisis famous pizza I wanted no more. The second bite was only to confirm what I tasted the first time. Joey, who isn’t Italian by any stretch, continued to eat his saucy squares undaunted by my rants. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs. I figured, how bad could they screw that up? First, I was served garlic bread that was unequivocally Texas toast, and then a sopping wet salad of iceberg lettuce with a tomato fragment and other scant garnishes. Please, Campisis, show some respect for your well paying customers and feed the cheap, un-nutritious iceberg lettuce to starving park squirrels and rabbits. When my pasta arrived it was a glommed pile and the meatballs didn’t taste homemade. I guess to be somewhat fair I should mention the history of Campisis. It’s known as a landmark, opened in 1946 by Papa Joe Campisi who apparently introduced pizza to Dallas. Dallas you got a bum rap on that one. In true mafia-esque style Campisis has had its share of tragedy and blood-shed. It’s reported that Lee Harvey Oswald dined at the ‘orginal’ on the eve of JFK’s assassination. Other sources say that Jack Ruby ate here before he killed Lee Harvey Oswald. Will the real bad guy please stand up? Whoever it was I hope it wasn’t their last meal. I also heard that a famous Major League Baseball Umpire was shot outside the restaurant and the cast of the Sopranos supposedly ate there. Embellished reality, or not, the Campisis chain is all over town and run by third and fourth generation family. Critics are generous word-smyths and faithful diners bring their families. I wonder if any of them can tell me what Italian food has to do with Egyptians, especially when the walls are dotted with mobster décor. The menu is loaded with many Italian favorites, but come on, no Gelato or Cannolis? What gives? They have New York cheesecake. Points for that one. The service wasn’t great or friendly. The parking is lowsy. Good thing we didn’t have to wait to be seated. For you more conservative, family types, (and by family I don’t mean La Cosa Nostra) if you Google their website don’t be surprised to stumble upon relative and Playboy’s Miss February 2005, Amber Campisi. Is that what happens to graduates from Dallas' prestigous, high tuitioned Southern Methodist University? I wonder what Papa Joe would think? As for rating: I say it's fair to poor. Joey says its average. The verdict... Yankees Eat Rating = 3/Average
I’ll probably get some flack for this review but, I’ve got to be frank. I get a little hot under my collar when it comes to Italian food because being Italian myself and a New Yorker, I have had the best. Since being in Dallas I've been disappointed by what is so loosely referred to as Italian cuisine. Try as I might, since 1998 I have yet to find pizza that is sensational. My husband Joey hails from Chicago so he longs for deep dish pizza, but he likes NY style too. So, when our Dallas pals told us that Campisi’s was the place to go for the best pizza and Italian food in town we didn’t hesitate. “Go to the Egyptian room,” they said. Excooze me. This is good Italian food? Umm. No. Feh getta bout it! My Italian relatives would agree too. This would never pass in NY’s Little Italy—oh my heavens no! The pizza was cracker-crust thin and cut into little squares. The sauce tastes like it was poured straight from a can. Hey, nostalgic movie buffs—Think Saturday Night Fever. John Travolta strutting his stuff down Brooklyn Avenue shoving two stacked slices of pizza into his mouth with one hand. Huge, macho slices that don’t make you feel like you just got heisted by a couple of wise-guys. That’s real pizza. Once you’ve eaten it there are few competitors. After two bites of Campisis famous pizza I wanted no more. The second bite was only to confirm what I tasted the first time. Joey, who isn’t Italian by any stretch, continued to eat his saucy squares undaunted by my rants. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs. I figured, how bad could they screw that up? First, I was served garlic bread that was unequivocally Texas toast, and then a sopping wet salad of iceberg lettuce with a tomato fragment and other scant garnishes. Please, Campisis, show some respect for your well paying customers and feed the cheap, un-nutritious iceberg lettuce to starving park squirrels and rabbits. When my pasta arrived it was a glommed pile and the meatballs didn’t taste homemade. I guess to be somewhat fair I should mention the history of Campisis. It’s known as a landmark, opened in 1946 by Papa Joe Campisi who apparently introduced pizza to Dallas. Dallas you got a bum rap on that one. In true mafia-esque style Campisis has had its share of tragedy and blood-shed. It’s reported that Lee Harvey Oswald dined at the ‘orginal’ on the eve of JFK’s assassination. Other sources say that Jack Ruby ate here before he killed Lee Harvey Oswald. Will the real bad guy please stand up? Whoever it was I hope it wasn’t their last meal. I also heard that a famous Major League Baseball Umpire was shot outside the restaurant and the cast of the Sopranos supposedly ate there. Embellished reality, or not, the Campisis chain is all over town and run by third and fourth generation family. Critics are generous word-smyths and faithful diners bring their families. I wonder if any of them can tell me what Italian food has to do with Egyptians, especially when the walls are dotted with mobster décor. The menu is loaded with many Italian favorites, but come on, no Gelato or Cannolis? What gives? They have New York cheesecake. Points for that one. The service wasn’t great or friendly. The parking is lowsy. Good thing we didn’t have to wait to be seated. For you more conservative, family types, (and by family I don’t mean La Cosa Nostra) if you Google their website don’t be surprised to stumble upon relative and Playboy’s Miss February 2005, Amber Campisi. Is that what happens to graduates from Dallas' prestigous, high tuitioned Southern Methodist University? I wonder what Papa Joe would think? As for rating: I say it's fair to poor. Joey says its average. The verdict... Yankees Eat Rating = 3/Average
Thai: Samui Thai
5700 Legacy Dr. Suite A1/ Plano, TX 75024/ 972-398-3178
906 W. Mc Dermott Rd. #104/Allen, TX 75013/ 972-747-7452
Whether you’re dining for a business lunch, or dinner, a happy hour and some light bites, or just to kanoodle with your sweetie, we love this place! Samui Tai gets our vote as one of the best in Dallas. Freshly made Thai food is impeccably done by using fresh herbs and delivered always piping hot from the kitchen. From pot sticker appetizers, to Moo Fye pork entrées, savory Noodle Bowls and an awesome Chilean Sea Bass that’s to die for. Plus, Curry dishes in a coconut crème sauce that never wimp out on intensity. You’ll want to lick your plate clean, and everyone else’s. To less adventurous pallets, no need for the fire department to be on standby, just tell your waiter to adjust the heat and they’ll gladly oblige with a smile. Sumui Tai often gets excellent local reviews and is a Zagat favorite too. Thirsty? The bar is well stocked with a variety of beer and top shelf liquor. Try an apple martini or a stripper-tini—ooh la-la!. Don’t forget dessert. Our favorite is the fried cheese cake with mango sauce and coconut ice cream. The chocolate crème brule looks small but for those who like to share their desserts its rich enough to satisfy two. Always excellent service. Upbeat, stylish décor. We’ve never had to wait to be seated. Affordable prices suitable to the good value and portions. Two locations. http://www.samuithai.com/. Yankees Eat Rating = Y
906 W. Mc Dermott Rd. #104/Allen, TX 75013/ 972-747-7452
Whether you’re dining for a business lunch, or dinner, a happy hour and some light bites, or just to kanoodle with your sweetie, we love this place! Samui Tai gets our vote as one of the best in Dallas. Freshly made Thai food is impeccably done by using fresh herbs and delivered always piping hot from the kitchen. From pot sticker appetizers, to Moo Fye pork entrées, savory Noodle Bowls and an awesome Chilean Sea Bass that’s to die for. Plus, Curry dishes in a coconut crème sauce that never wimp out on intensity. You’ll want to lick your plate clean, and everyone else’s. To less adventurous pallets, no need for the fire department to be on standby, just tell your waiter to adjust the heat and they’ll gladly oblige with a smile. Sumui Tai often gets excellent local reviews and is a Zagat favorite too. Thirsty? The bar is well stocked with a variety of beer and top shelf liquor. Try an apple martini or a stripper-tini—ooh la-la!. Don’t forget dessert. Our favorite is the fried cheese cake with mango sauce and coconut ice cream. The chocolate crème brule looks small but for those who like to share their desserts its rich enough to satisfy two. Always excellent service. Upbeat, stylish décor. We’ve never had to wait to be seated. Affordable prices suitable to the good value and portions. Two locations. http://www.samuithai.com/. Yankees Eat Rating = Y
Chinese: Tong's House
North Dallas/1910 Promenade Ctr./ Richardson, TX/Ph: 972-231-8858
The phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ applies here. If you need to impress then know in advance that Tong’s House is short on style. For starters paper napkins, booth cushions that should have been thrown out but were salvaged with red masking tape and an unimpressive strip mall location. But, no one is disgruntled by these shortcomings for long because they’re too busy eating freshly made, authentic Chinese food. For more than 20 years the Tong family has covered their bases with fine Szechuan, Hunan and Cantonese dishes that keep people coming back for more and at a price that can’t be beat. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Insiders tell us Tong’s House is where the local Chinese go to talk business over dim-sum. I went for lunch and while Asian diners were in short supply there were plenty of tables filled with hungry men talking about work and golf. For an appetizer try the spicy shredded pork ear. The Kung Pao Chicken wasn’t as spicy as I thought it would be but still a delight. Next time I’ll ask Mr. Tong to please turn up the heat. Good portions. Service is friendly and quick. Yankees Eat Rating = 4 Very Good
The phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ applies here. If you need to impress then know in advance that Tong’s House is short on style. For starters paper napkins, booth cushions that should have been thrown out but were salvaged with red masking tape and an unimpressive strip mall location. But, no one is disgruntled by these shortcomings for long because they’re too busy eating freshly made, authentic Chinese food. For more than 20 years the Tong family has covered their bases with fine Szechuan, Hunan and Cantonese dishes that keep people coming back for more and at a price that can’t be beat. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Insiders tell us Tong’s House is where the local Chinese go to talk business over dim-sum. I went for lunch and while Asian diners were in short supply there were plenty of tables filled with hungry men talking about work and golf. For an appetizer try the spicy shredded pork ear. The Kung Pao Chicken wasn’t as spicy as I thought it would be but still a delight. Next time I’ll ask Mr. Tong to please turn up the heat. Good portions. Service is friendly and quick. Yankees Eat Rating = 4 Very Good
Sushi: Yokohama
North Dallas/19009 Preston Rd., #115, Dallas TX 75252/Ph: 972-733-0223/ Fax: 972-733-0503
These folks do sushi right. With only 20 minutes to spare before my next appointment I wasn’t sure that I could be served during the bustle of lunchtime. The fabulously authentic sushi chef didn’t disappoint and worked his medium of fresh fish wonders to perfection like an artist uses paint, or clay. My first question upon entering any sushi establishment is always, “Do you have uni?” For those who don’t know, uni [oo-nee] better known as sea urchin is a delectable velvety treat, mousse-like in texture with a taste that is sometimes referred to as nutty. Uni is sold at market price and is usually a must have item for die-hard sushiologists. Before you start salivating, fair warning that not all sushi bars stock uni. Yokohama does and it was bliss. They also have many of your favorite sushi and sashimi regulars. Why be normal? Burst out of your comfort zone and try the Yokohama specialty roll for a pretty in pink version of spicy tuna roll wrapped in soybean paper instead of nori (seaweed). Traditional décor, hardwood floors, soft lighting and cloth napkins all add nice touches that make me want to go back. The prices were reasonable too. Yankees Eat Rating Scale: 4 = Very Good
These folks do sushi right. With only 20 minutes to spare before my next appointment I wasn’t sure that I could be served during the bustle of lunchtime. The fabulously authentic sushi chef didn’t disappoint and worked his medium of fresh fish wonders to perfection like an artist uses paint, or clay. My first question upon entering any sushi establishment is always, “Do you have uni?” For those who don’t know, uni [oo-nee] better known as sea urchin is a delectable velvety treat, mousse-like in texture with a taste that is sometimes referred to as nutty. Uni is sold at market price and is usually a must have item for die-hard sushiologists. Before you start salivating, fair warning that not all sushi bars stock uni. Yokohama does and it was bliss. They also have many of your favorite sushi and sashimi regulars. Why be normal? Burst out of your comfort zone and try the Yokohama specialty roll for a pretty in pink version of spicy tuna roll wrapped in soybean paper instead of nori (seaweed). Traditional décor, hardwood floors, soft lighting and cloth napkins all add nice touches that make me want to go back. The prices were reasonable too. Yankees Eat Rating Scale: 4 = Very Good
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