Restaurant Consumer Evaluation
RESULTS
Here they are!
Overall scores 1-100, 100 being most excellent. See score sheets on this webpage for current evaluation concerns that will change from time to time. Evaluators are not paid. They are consumers just like you who wish to exercise their right to opinions regarding what they pay for. Our hope is to call to task any establishment that is not operating fairly and with the health, comfort, and safety of the consumer in mind. We also enjoy bringing to public notice news of exceptional travel experiences. Information is listed in the following order:
Business, city/state, date of visit, evaluator, total score, comments (if any)
| Business | City/state | date of visit | evaluator name | total score | comments (if any) |
| COMFORT INN GUNTER | Montgomery Alabama | 6/14/01 | Jen | 90 | Food plentiful and tasty at the cont. breakfast. Above most Comfort Inns. |
| LIGHTHOUSE CAFE | Guilford CT 63 Whitfield St. thekeeper@lighthousecafe.com |
6/26/02 | Jen | 100 | We were there on "let's test this on family and friends night" 4 days before their grand opening. They let us in anyway. Wraps were packed/delicious, fresh ingredients. Corn bisque was perfectly flavored. Strawberry smoothie more like fresh strawberries than any I've ever had. Staff was psyched and eager, worried that they might not have done something right, eager to please. Stop here. |
| ATHENIAN DINER RESTAURANT | Middletown, CT, 864 Washington St., 860-346-2272 | 6/03 | Jen | 99 | Slow start getting waited on, all else was great. Large portions and hot food very hot. Jim and I could split a meal here. |
| MYSTIC PIZZA | Mystic CT 56 West Main Street |
6/26/02 | Jen | 99 | Hostess was a little snippy when after missing the "Please wait to be seated" sign we seated ourselves. "Did you seat yourselves?" she snapped. "Sure, we take our catechism from the movies" I said, wondering if she got the allusion. In the movie, Mystic Pizza, everyone seated themselves. They had about 1/20 the customers back then though, still, that's the way it was when I last ate here too. None of the beautiful stained glass windows and upgraded etched glass-partitioned booths. We ordered the large "house special" pizza--$15.95. Half HS and half cheese & pep. We had to taste the pizza that made them famous. Excellent. Waitress was around as much as you'd need her and kept glasses filled. It was a Thursday at 2pm and the place was hoppin with tourists and townfolks alike. The locals are still eating there. Mystic Pizza is deservedly still enjoying its celebrity status. We just saw the movie again this month on cable. |
| OLD SAYBROOK DINER | Old Saybrook, CT 809 Boston Post Road 860-395-1079 |
6/27/02 | Jen | 93 | Great food except for potatoes that were tough on the edges and tasted like those typical NY/CT paprika-loaded breakfast potatoes (whether they were or not). Manager's business end of the operation on the phone was too outfront and detracted from a quiet dining experience. Wide variety of delicious food. |
| MURRAY'S CAFE | DeFuniak Springs Florida | 6/13/01 | Jen | 95 | bonus points given for fresh/delicious food. Owner Richard Murray has great presence/friendly. |
| BEST WESTERN FORT WALTON BEACH | Fort Walton Beach Florida, Santa Rosa Blvd. | 6/6/01 | Jen | 73 | Cont. breakfast terrible. No butter (only whipped spread), no healthful cereals, no bananas, should have domes over breads to assure freshness and health. No manager or general manager present. Poor. When I complained at the desk I kept my voice low so as not to influence other guest experiences. That didn't seem to be appreciated. I would not come back here. |
| HOLIDAY INN COMMONWEALTH | Jacksonville Florida | 6/9/01 | Jen | 100 | "10" in all categories |
| RUBY TUESDAYS | Mariana Florida | 6/6/01 | Jen | 100 | We just try to slam the corporations if they deserve it. But we can't say anything but "great" about this and other Ruby Tuesdays we've been to. Cold food is always cold, hot food hot, buffet fresh, good value. |
| CAPTAIN ANDERSON'S | Panama City Beach Florida | 6/12/01 | Jen | 100 | decades of childhood & young adult memories didn't betray this pilgramage back to this renowned restaurant still deserving it's great reputation. We set a record for spending money but the $110 tab for 2 (no booze) was worth it. Excellent waiter, food superb esp stuffed lobster on my seafood platter. Rolls the best, desserts to die for. Jim had Scampy Imperial w/sweet buttery crab topping. They serve a massive number of people a day. Don't let the parking lot scare you. |
| 98 DINER | Panama City Beach Florida | 6/11/01 | Jen | 86 | Super fast. Restroom needed attention. Silverware wasn't in great shape. Good food. |
| 95 CORDOVA | St. Augustine Florida | 6/6/01 | Jen | 100 | On 10 critiquing points this fabulous restaurant rated 10. Taste and presentation the ultimate. Staff is superb. |
| CABOT LODGE North Monroe | Tallahassee Florida | 6/10/01 | Jen | 100 | One mustn't eat this well two days in a row |
| CAFE DI LORENZO | Tallahassee Florida | 6/9/01 | Jen | 81 | It was unthinkable that you didn't have iced tea! Improvise, run to the store! Waste basket looked like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks. Management needs to take charge. Silverware wasn't clean. The meal was ok. See if they've improved, email faithmaiden@hotmail.com |
| PERKINS | Peoria Illinois | 4/19/02 | Jen | 86 | Couldn't get attention for drinks but the food was ok but not as hot as it should be and not served at appropriate pace. Staff more interested in talking to each other than waiting the tables. This isn't usually the case at Perkins. Manager was a pleasant guy. |
| HOMESTEAD CASUAL FAMILY DINING | Woodhull Illinois | 4/21/02 | Jen | 85 | Plentiful and tasty Sunday buffet. We arrived 20 minutes before they break down at 2pm and everything was piled high and fresh. Didn't get much attention for drinks, but food was very good and we'd return. |
| MAPLE CORNER RESTAURANT | Covington Indiana 1126 Liberty Street |
12/1/02 | Jen | 100 | One of those restaurants you hold out for when you're already hungry a whole state away. We drove through most of Illinois stomach's growling thinking, but we want the timing to be right for hitting that Maple-something restaurant around, where is it? ...Veedersburg? (close, but go back 8 miles) and then you see the sign and your patience pays off. The Maple Corner has a corner on great service, tasty fresh food, and fair prices. "Peggy" waited on us and took great care. What a cheerful person (but doesn't come across "affected." I had the fried chicken and although I usually only eat one piece of chicken these days, I ate all four. The breast was moist (rarely happens...I almost choke on chicken breast no matter how it's made and no matter how small the bites). Chicken gravy was tasty. I can't believe how many restaurants that consider themselves decent have the nerve to serve chicken and mashed potatoes with beef gravy. What a clash for the tastebuds. How substandard. You wouldn't find this at the Maple Corner unless the customer insisted. The salad was busy with vitamins, broccoli cooked to order, two homemade broad loafs (white and wheat) and dinner comes with ice cream but we passed. That Russian salad dressing is sweet enough. Everything about Maple Corner deserves praise and thanksgiving--and that's the weekend we were there. Life takes us good places. |
| CRACKER BARREL | Richmond Indiana | 4/18/02 | Jen | 96 | Iced tea fresh, not bitter; food delicious and hot, great apple butter, everything just fine. BUT unfortunately the restrooms needed attention so they were marked down 4 points. |
| TIPPECANOE PLACE RESTAURANT | South Bend Indiana 46601 620 W. Washington |
11/24/02 | Jen | 98 | We had to ask for beverage refills and the silverware was a point down for this nice place, but food was great and it was a decent-enough value for the money. |
| VERNON INN "The Greek Place" | 2663 Mt. Vernon Road SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
11/29/02 | Jen | 100 | A new find! A glorious experience! My spaghetti casserole was deliciouis, a rich meat sauce, not overloaded with oragano and the usual spice suspects. And there was plenty of it. Two kinds of hot breads, real butter, marvelous salad loaded with interesting detail other than iceberg lettuce. They wipe their silverware here (no water spots) and the waitress put up with my many special requests with a smile. The manager came over and talked awhile, was very friendly. This is a place that has clearly made and maintains a reputation and if you're ever in SE Iowa you'll do well to seek out the place. They're celebrating 26 years. |
| BEST WESTERN | Dubuque Iowa | 5/30/01 | Jen | 98 | Bacon not quite done enough to be healthful, good otherwise |
| GRILLE ON THE GREEN Bos Landen |
Pella Iowa 2411 Bos Landen Drive |
11/27/02 | Jen | 97 | If you can find this place you have too much time on your hands! Seriously, anyone would swear that the Grille on the Green is struggling NOT to be discovered. The lights weren't on, it was night, lights inside didn't show up outside, parking lot was understandably vacant because no one can accidently discover this place, and it was cold and the place is really more golf clubhouse than anything else. But it NEEDS to have a presence from the road and has absolutely none. Unfortunate for the many tourists nowadays in the Pella area--the national jewel in the crown of Dutch ancestry regions. Oh, food? So good they ought to act like they're in the business to make this a GO! Everything was delicious. Value, a "95"--good enough. Service great. Find it. |
| EAST BREMER DINER | Waverly Iowa | 11/06/03 | Jen | 60 | This was not a good experience. They advertise "potato skins" that are nothing like potato skins this seasoned traveler has experienced. They're simply sliced potatoes with the peelings still on (you know, like fried potatoes are cooked sometimes but they are not tastey like fried potatoes might be) and they tasted like packaged/frozen and had a spongey texture but when I complained, the woman (she said she was the owner but sure wasn't owner personality) said that they are fresh/homemade, took great offense at my criticism, and wasn't going to do a thing about this. When I said I wasn't eating them or paying for them she was resentful but begrudgingly said she'd take them off the check and grumbled away. I had waited around for her offer and when it didn't come I simply told her I wasn't paying for them. Service was very slow/poor and it was not crowded though she called it crowded. I will not go back. Eat at Martin's. |
| MARTIN'S BRANDENBURG German-American Cuisine |
Waverly, IA 215 E. Bremer Ave. |
11/5/03 | Jen | 100 | You'd expect to pay $24.95 for Jim's fine trout dinner at any restaurant with linen tablecloths and this atmosphere. $12.95 here and it included salad, an onion apple soup, and delicious bread pudding. The appetizer plate had a delicate sweet apple salad, carrot sticks, celery, fresh cheese blend and more. Try the Forelle in BraumBier (trout in dark beer sauce), Kartoffel salat (German potato salad), and the apple salad. The dinner menu is extensive, gourmet, ethnic, and affordable. Wartberg College is a Luthern school in Waverly. We had a Luthern day staying at the Wartberg hotel, eating here at Martin's, seeing the movie, Luther, at the splendid Palace Theater this evening, and beside our table was a glass case of Wartberg antiques and memorbelia. Our total bill was only $23. Martin's Brandenberg owners buy fresh produce grown locally by area farmers. If you're within 100 miles of Waverly, it's worth a dog-leg to see this town, arrive early, eat at Martin's Brandenberg, do the antique shops, see a movie at the independently owned and beautiful Palace Theatre. |
| RADISSON | Baton Rouge Louisiana | 6/2/01 | Jen | 59 | JUST PLAIN BAD. Dirty breakfast plates--oatmeal smudged on stack of clean plates, rotten bananas, their blender was broken, dirty table cloth, dirty knife, horrible cleanliness problems. Little management presence, slow service. Take my temperature if I ever go back here again. Horrible. |
| MULATES "The Original Cajun Restaurant" | Breaux Bridge Louisiana | 6/3/01 | Jen | 95 | Too smokey throughout. Decent food. |
| HAMPTON INN JAZZLAND | E. New Orleans Louisiana | 6/4-5/01 | Jen | 90 | Pleased |
| LEGAL SEA FOODS | Prudential/Hynes Convention Ctr area, Boston, Massachusetts | 6/30 | Jen | 100 | This was Jim's favorite "eats" on this 3.5 wk trip with some mighty fine eating. The 1 1/2 hr wait was worth it because we had comfortable bench seating while we waited and much consumerism to observe. My Fisherman's Platter was perfect except the fries were cold. Haddock was substantial, all fish fresh, cooked to perfection. Rolls are delicious. Restaurant pleasant, great staff who support each other in food delivery and attention to tables. I like that relatively new concept we've seen more of over the past 10 years. Everything was a "10". They give you their printed pledge and live up to it. |
| MARCHE | Boston, Massachusetts, Prudential Center, 800 Bolyston Street, 617-585-0047 | 6/29/03 | Jen | 95 | Very croweded. They can't keep up. I can hardly breathe in ther--unfortunately! Because this is a great place for what might be quick great food if only the lines weren't so long. Their peach and coconut cakes are splendid. Moist. I mammoth piece is a whole meal and cost only $2.68. If you're lucky enough to walk by off dinner hours, dive in for a delight of some kind. They have sandwiches, fruit, desserts, drinks, and more. |
| NOVEL | at the Boston Public Library, main downtown library, Boston, Massachusetts | 6/24/03 | Jen | 100 | Kind of makes me wish I'd never given anyone a 100 before. Absolutely every item on this buffet was superb. A substantial, brave and hearty soup; nothing too mature or unripe on the glorious salad bar that redefines salad bars. All the breads are substantial and flavorful; you need healthy teeth and an appreciation for great breads. There's true comfort good here but nothing common. Don't overload on this or you won't have room for some fine dessert. Iced tea is a light loose-leaf tea. The lunch buffet was $15.95 and worth it. They automatically add the tip. Wish they wouldn't. I leave more than their 18% if service is great--yes even at buffets, and expect to leave way less if it isn't. This is not a good policy. Jim's teapot was twice the size of typical. If in the Boston area, I'll go out of my way to eat here again. |
| MICHAELS STEAK & RIBS | Hyannis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Rt. 28 | 7/03 | Jen | 100 | The house salad was the least impressive on our trip--all iceberg lettuce, rather wilted and aged, skimpy on anything extra. No bread with chowder or salad. Waitress's many trips back and forth in our area didn't bring her back to out table to fill iced tea or water glasses long empty; dirty dishes sat around as well. The place was attractive and comfortable enuogh and seemed clean except the menu was sticky w/something and I had to ask for a wetnap to clean it. I hate it when that happens. Peas & carrots were mundane at best; I couldn't eat them. Jim's duck w/orange glaze was quite tastey, my prime rib was delicious. A very mixed eating event achieving a 65% on food and flavor and presentation but a 30% on service and that is pretty bad. |
| SUNRISE CAFE | Lanesborough, Massachusetts 01237, 545 S. Main Street | 6/19/03 | Jen | 100 | On 10 criteria, these folks ranked 10 for a top score. The best bacon I've had in months. Eat here. |
| MORGAN HOUSE | Lee, Massachusetts 33 Main Street / 01238 |
7/3/02 | Jen | 96.5 | Plentiful, delicious turkey gravy. Silverware quality not as exceptional as this fine establishment would make one anticipate. Wasn't aware of management but we didn't need anyone either. |
| CAFE BELO | Milford Massachusetts | 6/30/02 | Jen | 100 | What an unusual and delightful time we had. Brazilian food cooked and served by Brazilians! Marvelous little buffet, delicious chicken lasagna, pork prune pineapple, beef, chicken on a spit, potato salad nothing like anything I've had before. Great. You buy by weight. Help yourself. We were met with enthusiasm at the door. No one in the place spoke English and the only problem that caused is that no one understood when we were done that I'm a reviewer and praised them. Very inexpensive. People--give Cafe Belo your business. |
| BOBBY HUDPUCKER'S GRILL & PUB | Pittsfield, Massachusetts East Street |
7/2/02 | Jen | 87.5 | In any restaurant that has the potential of being a winner there always seems to be something that saves them. I subtracted points for 1) the extremely long wait at the door without any acknowledgment or "we'll be with you in a moment" and no one but us in line. 2) little to no choice for salad dressings. 3) too long a wait before ordering. We added bonus points for the quality of Jim's dinner (sole oscar) My ribs were terrible--the worst ever. Steak fries were pretty tasteless. Salad was limp and only iceberg lettuce, not much dressing. Service mediocre at best. No manager in sight. I probably ranked them too high. Jim's satisfaction with his dinner carried much weight. |
| DEWEY'S AT CROWNED PLAZA HOTEL | Pittsfield, Massachusetts | 7/01/02 | Jen | 85 | If we were ranking attitude and service this place would get a goose-egg at the start, but they came around. Extremely SLOW, especially with the salad that took a half hour. Also had to wait a long time for drink refills. They rarely checked on us before the meal arrived or while we were eating. Tables all around us remained unbussed for 45 minutes. The place was kind of a mess. The food was great. Value for the money was around a "95" but I'm scoring them "85" overall. |
| HOLIDAY INN BEACHFRONT | Gulfport Mississippi | 6/5/01 | Jen | 71 | Butter wasn't available and they even advertise on their menu "fresh cremery butter!"; manager had to go to the store for it. This is an abomination. No smoke-free section. Should have stated that the hashbrowns are spicy. Too much paprika. I wouldn't go back. |
| HARRAHS | Vicksburg Mississippi | 6/1/01 | Jen | 90 | Not very attentive on the beverages; service ok, but otherwise, great food. |
| HOTEL ST. GENEVIEVE CAFE | Ste. Genevieve Missouri | 5/30/01 | Jen | 72 | Delicious food but too much smoking. Couldn't get any attention, very poor service, no management presence, waitress attitude not conducive to a pleasant consumer experience. |
| INN STE. GEMME BEAUVAIS | Ste. Genevieve Missouri | 6/1/01 | Jen | 100 | Excellent pace, service, food. |
| KRISLYN'S CAFE | 256 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa, New York 12020 hotshot9@mycap.rr.com 518-885-8508 |
6/03 | Jen | 100 | hot dogs w/special secret ingredient sauce (of course you can get the ingredients if you ask) were delicious. Not your normal skinny green dogs that make you wonder if wallpaper paste was dumped into the mix. The homemade potato salad was much like my own and that's saying something. The two in charge were delightful, talkative, "present." |
| SPRINGBROOK iNN | Caledonia, New York | 6/15/03 | Jen | 95 | Jen loved her honey grilled porkchops,Jim his shrimp pasta dish. |
| D&R DEPOT RESTAURANT | Leroy, New York, 63 Lake Street www.dandrdepot.com | 6/16/03 | Jen | 98 | Overseasoned ham, sweet potato and veg. dinner loaded with paprika. They had to do it over. Leave paprika completely off of my food. It's the chef without taste attempt to season. Dreadful. Once they cooked it my way (and they were willing to) it was darned decent. |
| CAFFE LINDA | Manhattan, New York City, New York 145 E. 49th Street / 10017 |
6/22/02 | Jen | 100 | Jim's red snapper was "best fish I've had in years--maybe since that great place in Sligo Ireland in 1989." Too bad we had to pay for refills via Coke cans. I don't like cans brought to the table. I asked for broccoli well done and it was not. But they still get a "100". That's how great Jim's fish was. |
| LEXINGTON GRILL | Manhattan, New York City, New York Lexington Avenue 212-753-1515 |
6/17/02 and 6/19/02 | Jen | 97 (avg of two) | Both visits I was put-out by the necessity to walk outside of the restaurant and way down the hall and several steps to the womens rest room. All restaurants should have rest room facilities inside their own space. The food is great, drinks are overpriced. A bit pricey all-round even for NY. Wait staff hovers a bit. |
| SMITH & WOLLENSKY | Manhattan, New York City, New York 797 3rd Avenue |
6/20/02 | Jen | 95 | If you're paying $102.30 for two without alcohol plus a $22.00 tip, the place BETTER get all "10s" and this did on the individual ratings. However, for overall value for money spent, we gave it a 90, therefore the average score of 95. But people don't go to S&W for "value". It's an evening's entertainment to see these old waiters, good ole boys of Manhattan, serving like hit men for the family. They probably take their work more seriously than I've seen in my life. |
| VULI ITALIAN RESTAURANT | Manhattan, New York City, New York 134 E. 48th St. |
6/19/02 | Jen | 88 | Stop breathing over our shoulders! Silverware ranked down, everything a little lower than we hoped, food ok. For as much as people have to pay to eat in NY, there's no excuse for not doing it well. They got an 8 instead of a 10 on most categories like taste, freshness, service attitude. Sure 8 is OK, but it's too easy to be a 10 so let's go for it. |
| OLD BROOKVILLE FAMILY RESTAURANT | Old Brookville, Long Island, New York 319 Glen Head Road / 11545 |
6/21/02 | Jen | 100 | I cannot say enough about this place! Food cooked to perfection, a huge variety, appreciative management. If I'm ever in the area I'll go out of my way to return to the Old Brookville Family Restaurant. |
| DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT & FISH CO. | Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York, 111 W. Broadway/ 11777 | 6/25/02 | Jen | 96 | Could have asked to refill the drinks, other than that, high scores. |
| J.D. GREENERY | Sayville, New York 183 West Main Street 631-567-0121 631-567-0121 |
6/23/02 | Jen | 80 | Spent $48+ for bad service attitude--couldn't get attention! 8 pts off for bringing me egg plant instead of broccoli and thinking that would be no big deal. When I said I don't eat egg plant nothing else was offered. Management didn't come around; I didn't get the feeling there was someone in charge. Other food was great. |
| LUIGI'S RESTAURANT | Schenectady, New York, 1125 Barrett St. | 6/18/03 | Jen | 99.5 | There's a reason why many around here said "Luigi's" when I ask where to eat and write home about it. I'd like to have some of that lasagna now! |
| VAN DYCK RESTAURANT & BREWERY | Schenectady, New York | 6/17/03 | Jen | 85 | Jim's dinner salad was "the best" he said; my garden salad was decent. Roast beef sandwich on homemade white bread was fresh, moist, delicious. Service was only average. Fine for the money. |
| BABES | Utica, New York 80 Genesee Street |
6/15/02 | Jen | 94 | Wait person didn't come around much but food was good, restrooms marked down just a tad. |
| BRINKLEY'S RESTAURANT | Cincinnati Ohio, 4747 Montgomery Road, 513-351-7400 in Norwood | 9/5/03 | Jen | 100 | When I ordered the pork chop (singular on the menu) I expected one pork chop. Not only were there two but they were "Iowa chop" size with bones wrapped in a deliciously grilled pineapple ring, all of it on a creekbed of apple-mango puree and a sprinkle of toasted cashews. I thought, this can't possibly be as good as it looks. They brought out the steak knives but I had already cut (if that's the word) into the expertly cooked chop and the butter knife slid right through it like it would warm butter. Every pork chop lover must try this. Jim's sauteed lemon sole was "wonderful". The Chef's Garden (their salad bar) was something I only see on the big screen and ask, "And where can you eat like that?" This double aisle row of fresh-as-you-can-imagine salads and gourmet sides is only $9 extra or free with the main entres. They've taken "salad bar" to six new levels of superb. From fine cloth napkins and decent heavy flatware to very attentive service, everything about this place is quality. It is located in the equally marvelous Quality Hotel in Norwood. I've stayed in Quality Hotels before. I can't believe this is part of the same hotel chain. Eat here then sleep here. |
| THE TOP | Bexley Ohio | 7/7/01 | Jen | 97 | decades of reputation validated again; greatest steaks & sides/service. |
| FRACASSO'S VILLAGE PIZZA | Center Village, Ohio, 3099 South SR 605, Galena OH postal | 5/3/02 | Jen | 95 | They have a system that works even at 7:30pm on a great-weather Friday night in May when people are itchin' to get out and the place is screamin' with kids. This is a place where all the local political, little league, and church leaders gather, guaranteed hot food hot, fresh ingredients, pizza that's fab, and my favorite hot ham and cheese sub anywhere with their homemade italian dressing all over it. Spaghetti is good but sauce would taste common to most diners I think and I don't like their meatballs but I don't go there for spaghetti. I go for pizza (Jim's vegetarian was delicious) and for the ham and cheese sub. Wheel of Fortune struggles to be heard overhead and the cash register sings like a battle of the bell choirs. I take people I like here. People who like who they are seem to come here with others just like them. They're talking about the election, the baseball game, they're trying to get away from CNN, they want to drive in the country to get here, they've worked hard all week, they need a break. Fracasso's is a break away from routine and worth a 25 mile trip to get there. Since it's a family place first I think they should make the place nonsmoking; they allow smoking everywhere and therefore I'm knocking 5 pts off their overall score. 95. Pretty darned high for a pizza place though. |
| BEXLEY'S MONK Restaurant and Grill | Bexley (Columbus suburb), Ohio 2232 East Main Street 614-239-6665 |
2/19/03 | Jen | 100 | It's been perhaps 20 years since I've dined at Bexley's Monk, a place you won't see along Main Street if you pass the address. It's at the end of a little high-level strip mall in semi-pricey Bexley Ohio (on the mid-east side of Columbus). Back then I had a mediocre meal and wasn't driven to return. Today's visit was a different story. Everything superb. My lunch at noon served well as "dinner"--the main meal of the day. Pork chop with asparagus and red peppers cooked to perfection: maintaining their color and flavor but not hard as driveway gravel like in most upscale restaurants with gourmet chefs. This chef is brave enough to prepare dishes tastefully regardless of trends and norms. The vegetables were truthfully the best I've ever tasted. The waiter was having a good time (I love to be around waitoids like that) and was well-mannered and talkative (the perfect profile, didn't over-chat). Darn, I'm trying to remember his name. Kind of tall, dark curly hair, ask for the guy with the dancing eyes (if he sees this I'll bet he blushes even if he isn't the blushing type). He heard the strange details of my order and got it right. I'm high maintenance and he seemed pleased to meet the challenge. My pork chop was indeed "medium medium well", juicy, but done. And it rested on a bed of apple-cherry compote (plenty of it!) that had used the perfect kind of apples and cherries. Most of the time apple anything contains apples that are too hard or swimming in a gooey unholy mass of glue--even in fine restaurants. Jim's pasta special pleased him as well and since this turned out to be the main meal of our day we shared dessert--a delicious apple crisp with cinnamon ice cream. We will soon return. For a tip our waiter got my last 6 gold dollars. |
| BOULEVARD GRILLE | City Center Mall, Columbus Ohio 43215 | 8/5/03 | Jen | 70 | There's nothing I'd like better than to write positive reviews for anything at City City Mall in downtown Columbus. City Center still seems new to me and when I worked downtown I loved to go there. It's a huge community investment and it was quite upscale when it opened in the mid-80s which seems like yesterday. They've been struggling lately though the management has done a great job of camoflauging empty storefronts. It still looks full to the public. But I can't wholeheartedly recommend the Boulevard Grille. The potato soup was described by the waiter as a puree-type soup but it tasted more like gravy to me and who wants to eat a bowl of gravy. I like my potato soup with chunks of vegetables in it--at least potatoes. Two bites was all I could take. The hot rolls were delicious but didn't come until the soup disappeared and replacement salad half gone. That salad was decent. Mixed greens, fresh. I ordered burger and fries today thinking that the quality of a burger can tell you alot about the quality of their food across the menu. The burger was very ordinary; I wouldn't call it delicious and I do call delicious burgers delicious any time I get the chance. Fries were good, not the industrialized seasoned fries so many restaurants have gone to. But fruit flies liked something here. No possible crave taste here. I left over half of each item ordered. My waiter was forgetful and neglectful. I left only a 10% tip. If he was horrible I would have left a penny. He seldom came by, never offered to refill my iced tea. Too bad. I'd like to find something to praise. Can't do it. Maybe the rolls. |
| BREAD AND BETTER | 443 East Main St., Columbus Ohio 43215 | 1/15/03 | Jen | 100 | The news at 5 covered this restaurant with pictures that made your mouth water so Jim and I drove the 23 miles to this almost-downtown minority-owned (that's a plus for us) establishment hoping to find meals and breads homemade and not from packages shipped in from the south side of Chicago. We got more pleasure than our check bargained for--that's for sure. Everything delicious. Service prompt enough to begin with though it took an awful long time to get the extra bread I purchased to take home. Don't know what the problem was there. Iced tea was fresh, Jim was offered a large basket of hot tea selections that also included hot cocoa options and herbals. Fresh carnations at each table, attractive lighting in an already sunlit room right on Main Street in the revitalized and beautiful as never before part of old Columbus. A stylish place, help not just polite and well-mannered but extra friendly. Everyone else eating here on Monday at 2:30pm was nice to be around as well. The place was full this late past lunch. We were the only white folks in the place but that's just because of the hour and the insiders, I'm sure, know the best time to come. It was coincidence. I hear there are long lines at lunch time and especially for SOUL FOOD Thurdays. That menu for this week: porkchops w/gravy; chicken/gravy; cabbage; macaroni & cheese; cornbread; baked sweet potatoes in addition to their menu items. My "Urban Waltz" consisted of a "nuts & bolts" salad of mixed spring greens, mandarin oranges, golden raisins, candied walnuts, blue cheese, topped with a grilled chicken breast and served with a citrus vinagrette though I exchanged ranch dressing for mine because of allergies. That came with a half sandwich ham and cheese on egg bread that was off the charts delicious and fresh. The Urban Waltz is a half sandwich and half salad or soup combination for $6.50 and I was quite full but had to have the chocolate cake and took half of it home. Three layers, white icing inbetween and chocolate on top. There's a great welcoming feeling when you walk in--from staff to fellow diners alike. Other diners smiled and said hello, we entered into enjoyable cross-table conversation. The chairs are comfortable! They close at 3pm in the afternoon gosh darn it. We'd go for supper as often as the 23 mile drive would allow. Karen Whitson, owner, was out front talking with customers and still excited about her place now open just one year this February. I'm thrilled with the place. Can't wait to go back. RETURN TRIPS REPORT. Service always seems to be very slow. |
| BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE, EASTON TOWN SQUARE | Columbus Ohio | 5/15/02 | Jen | 98 | I expected them to get a "100" but they didn't ask to refill my iced tea! For a $51 tab for two (without alcohol) you are entitled to great expectations. Brio didn't let us down. The grilled salmon w/asparagus, shoe-string potatoes, romano crusted tomatoes (no one does them like Brio), hot bread was all a 10. Best salmon anywhere. Waiter could have used some personality but that's ok, he was down to business. |
| DEL MATTO'S Fine Roman dining featuring seafood, steaks & pasta 4882 E. Main St., 614-866-0650 |
Columbus Ohio | 9/17/03 | Jen | 100 | When I was in high school, many of the kids I went to school with (who had more money than we did) talked about eating at Del Mattos, just the next school district over from my Eastmoor High School. I was in the 11th grade in 1961 when it was built exactly as you can imagine--very 60s looking. Nothing about Del Mattos (inside, outside, menu, or owners) has changed. In this case, this is good. Like the handful of restaurants that have remained with the same architecture and furniture, this grabs our attention as we drive by and most of these places tend to have a drastically diminished patronage. But Del Mattos has been well-kept and the menu is as spectacular as the reputation-building one they had in the 60s. Dare to go back in time. No cobwebs or broken down chairs here. Santo Del Matto, the owner, is justifiably still proud of this Columbus landmark and now that I can afford to eat anyplace I want, I can eat here and enjoy the moderate price range. My spaghetti was probably the best I've ever eaten--piled high. Everything homemade. Delicious meat sauce on top, all of it perfectly prepared. Hot bread was a substantial loaf and they brought me plain butter on request instead of their herb butter. Ice tea was fresh, not bitter. Jim and I were quite impressed. A conversation with the owners afterward provided a tour of their private party area and the assurance that the Del Matto couple remain dedicated to their restaurant, their loyal patrons, and keeping the 43 year old restaurant in good shape and providing much that can't be found anyplace else. Eat at Del Matto's tonight. Have spaghetti and meat sauce. Delicious salad of fresh greens plus. No huge advertising campaign keeps people coming back here. Just common sense and good taste. |
| THE MAD GREEK RESTAURANT DELI & TAKE OUT | Columbus Ohio far east side, 4210 E. Broad St, Whitehall (Columbus really) |
9/16/03 | Jen | 100 | This week, being my week to cook&pay, I decided on something fun. Every night I'm taking Jim to a restaurant we've never gone to. This night it was a curious little place on East Broad that has been there perhaps only 9 months or so. The Mad Greek is the size of a typical fast-food but this is the farthest thing from typical or fast food. Approach the patio of diners at the front door on this perfect late summer evening, blue sky, the building postcard blue and white, Greek music wafting out of the speakers, and you can imagine being in Greece, right here in the middle of one of the most pedestrian communities in America. There is little that can entice me toward Whitehall Ohio. But The Mad Greek will for as long as will both shall live. Enter the building and you're faced with a huge glass display case of not only everyone's favorite Greek desserts (baklava, galaktobouriko, and rice pudding, strawberry shortcake, lemon shortcake) but pans of delicious home made Mediterranean favorites that come with soup or garden salad and pita bread. Tonight's special is stuffed peppers w/stuffed tomato and I ordered it and ate every bite. I phoned to ask when they'll be serving stuffed peppers again and they asked to take my name and call me when they have them. Their idea. The peppers were sweet, firm, delicious. I didn't realize the special would be this hearty so I ordered hand cut fries as well. Your quest ends here--there ARE good fries in Columbus. This is the place. The salad was mixed greens, cucumbers, tomato, but I asked for more tomato and the waiter brought far more than I'd expect. House dressing is like a more interesting ranch. I'll get that again. Jim greatly enjoyed his Chicken Kabob: chicken tenders, onions, green peppers, grilled with Mediterranean herbs, topped with lemon sauce, served on rice pilaf. Iced tea was fresh, not bitter. Service was immediate and ever-hovering but not in-your-face. I should have left more than 20%. A marvelous place and we can't wait to take friends here. Much for the money. Our bill was only $22. Khaled Ballouz and Nikias Chalkias are the owners. Chalkias also owns Fisherman's Warf now located in Bexley on E. Main St. in Columbus. We're going there next. |
| PANERA EASTON TOWN SQUARE | Columbus Ohio | 4/26/02 | Jen | NA | [NOTE: We left without transaction, they make it too difficult!] Throughout these start-up years at Panera, I've eaten there several times, always at edge over things I've never bothered to look at closely. This trip in I paid attention. First, I'm put off by the need to get into two different lines because they have a line for sandwiches and eating-in and another line for bread and rolls that you're taking home. I've asked for clarification on that three times at three different Paneras and gotten the same story. Yes, you actually have to get into the two different lines. This shows no respect for the customer's time or comfort. Secondly, the food. You can't exactly get it your way. On this trip at the Easton store I noticed they have ham, they have cheese, they have hot sandwiches, you can get a hot turkey sandwich for example but you can't get a hot ham and cheese sandwich. The young woman behind the counter said we don't do hot ham. So I had to find something else to order. I ordered a sandwich (don't remember what) on a toasted bagel. "We don't toast bagels but you can, over there at the toaster" (across the room). I asked "So how am I supposed to toast the bagel on an already-made sandwich." The question seemed to stump her, then she came up with the brilliant idea "Well I can give you the bagel, you can go over there and toast it and bring it back here and then we'll make your sandwich." I'm thinking--by then the bagel is cold. But already my patience with this totally mismanaged place is destroyed, I walked out, "I'm not putting up with this!" I said to the clerk, and I will NEVER return to a Panera Bread Company restaurant (ha!) again unless I hear there's been a shake-up! They are not customer friendly. And their product isn't exceptional enough for me to work at putting together my own meal. |
| MAX & ERMA'S | Gahanna, Ohio Stoneridge |
7/12/02 | Jen | 91 | Onions not as ordered--twice, tiny amount of onion rings and fries (WOW, remember the good old days of Max & Ermas when it was far too much?), tomato on the burger should embarrass them out of business. There's no excuse for serving hard thin tomatoes. Get a new resource. Good waiter made things right but kitchen needs help and management needs to watch closer. |
| TAT Ristorante di Famiglia | Columbus, Ohio 1210 S. James Road 614-236-1392 |
9/27/03 | Jen | 95 | I ate the first pizza of my life at the TAT on the east side of Columbus on East Main Street when I was about 9 years old and I threw a hissy fit exclaiming that my mouth was on fire and I never wanted another bite of that stuff. I wonder how many I've eaten since then? TAT has remained very popular since their family started in the business in 1929 (quite before my time, thank you) and there's a reason. Nowadays their restaurant is well-appointed and wait staff wear black and white and ties. The place was full; we took the last available table. Owners are hovering with water and ice tea and coffee when waiter isn't. The wait for the food was fairly long but like a goofball I ordered pork chops (which were ok...better than most, but not the best I've ever had). I need to go back for pizza and another time for spaghetti. My huge baked sweet potato was perfectly well done which apparantly isn't easy since most places deliver them too mushy. The atmosphere here is reason enough to return to give them a fair review. |
| O'CHARLEY'S | Gahanna Ohio | 4/22/02 | Jen | 99 | Until this date I've never rated O'Charley's since it's my favorite chain restaurant. But since they deserve that status with me, this night we decided to fill out the forms and bring them the attention they deserve. The food is ALWAYS, without exception, outstanding, fresh, delicious. Hot food hot, cold salads cold and fresh. I had ribs. You never have to return an under-baked potato here. They got one point off because I get tired of explaining to the staff that when I say "butter" I mean butter. There is only "real" butter. There's no such thing as unreal butter. That's called "spread" or margarine or something else. Service is always splendid. |
| FIVE POINTS COUNTRY MARKET COUNTRY BUFFET STYLE RESTAURANT |
Mansfield Ohio 3369 N. Main St., SR 13 N |
11/24/02 | Jen | 91.5 | "Buffet" usually means you serve yourself but you do not here. I'd prefer they offer the true buffet experience. I wanted less of some things and more of others and that's the joy of a buffet. The ham was especially delicious and the parsley potatoes a real treat. But lemon pie (delicious--truly tasted homemade) was extra money and I had to dig out more money after the presumptuous cashier charged me only for dinner. The pie is a "7" when almost all lemon pie anywhere is a "0" it's so terrible. This is quite decent. Cold water faucet didn't work in the restroom so we took off a couple of points for that and Jim says the water didn't work well in the men's room either. Management presence was so upfront that once we got to the dining room in back we were kind of forgotten and had no drink refills offered so there goes another point shaved. Overall value was about a 9--not bad. The reason we won't go back is because they were cramming their own religious music down our throats--unfortunately. They have a right to do that--it's their own restaurant--but it's not a good idea nor is it the right thing to do. If they want to be a Christian experience they should warn those of other faiths by putting a warning on the sign. I took 5 points off for that social error. Too bad. Quite a mixed experience here. Give it a try. This is a thumbs up. Considerably out of town--way out in the country, which is a plus. |
| JODY'S RESTAURANT | Mt. Vernon, Ohio, 109 S. Main St. 43050, 740-397-9573 | 2/7/03 | Jen | 99 | It was THursday, 11:00am, there were already diners for lunch, the lunch buffet was ready, we chose that because of the bean soup and cornbread available, along with a fairly pleasant spread of decent food for lunchtime and an independent restaurant we don't find often enough on our Main Streets USA. Chicken, chicken gravy, potato salad, chicken salad, breads are far better than the norm but the apple pie IS home-made and kicks! It is almost as good as mine and people eat mine in lieu of sex. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Darn it anyway, I had to knock off one point because they had no butter--only the other stuff. Butter is a matter of taste and those of us who prefer it say it's a matter of good taste. But more importantly, although it isn't good for you, it IS healthier than margarine. They must learn to give customers a choice. It matters greatly. I guess I'll have to try to remember to take in my own butter when I go back to Jody's because I WILL be going back to Jody's. A 99 is a great score. |
| CAFE RIGSBY | New Albany OH | 5/8/02 | Jen | 100 | I'll start with my only criticism. The service is almost too good. They kept breaking into our conversation (at least 4 wait-staff)on poetry as extreme sport: difficulties on the road to the avant garde, which is what I really wanted to talk about over delicious hot bread and potato leek soup that was as deceptively simple as the walls here. (You'll see when you go.) So, yes, the staff is quite present and friendly; management participates and even hovers. The music is not trite and is at the right level. Jim's ceasar salad was served amusingly on the plate in all its separate clustered components: a stack of full-leaf romaine hearts, olives in a gang to one side, croutons on the other, fresh shaved cheese on top, you cut and mix, quite nice. Our broiled salmon was cooked to perfection on a bed of fresh cooked mixed vegetables that hadn't danced together long enough to look the same. They still enjoyed their individuality. I liked the people I saw there, the clean bare windows, the comfortable wood chairs that cradle you. Jim went to the restroom eager to find something to complain about. A "10" there too. Oh well, we'll come back in pursuit of finding SOMETHING they'll do wrong. It certainly won't be the to-die-for lemon tart. Oh yum. |
| CRACKER BARREL | St. Clairsville, Ohio | 7/6/02 | Jen | 99 | Until I hear their policy against gays & lesbians isn't cured (I hear they're better now) we've lifted our boycot against CB and are happy to eat their good apple butter. Some of their fare is common but much is delicious. They should improve their silverware. Restroom could use a little attention when we were there. |
| HENRY'S RESTAURANT | west of West Jefferson OH US 40 | 3/02 | Jen | 65/100 | Go for prize-winning pie; that's what they're famous for. Looks like an abandoned 60s gas station you wouldn't be caught dead in. You'll love this place once the strawberry rhubarb pie hits your mouth. They don't try to be anything they're not. But they have to get a 003 on decor, 80 on much of the rest of the menu if you like plain granny food. It's the most terrible looking restaurant I've ever been in serving the greatest desserts. Yes, it's enough to save them. Worth seeking out. A unique experience. A short-story writer's dream. Some film-crew somewhere is looking for a place like this. |
| MATSOS RESTAURANT | 154 W. Liberty St., Wooster Ohio 44691 | 9/02 | Jen | 100 | Every aspect of my hot ham and cheese "grinder" (sub) was not only fresh but was of highest quality ingredients. The finest ham and cheese sub I've ever experienced. Served open faced, you may choose to eat this with knife and fork. The menu is quite interesting and extensive and includes true Greek specialties like dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves). This place makes both me and my husband happy. Can't wait to get back! RETURN TRIPS: In general have found some poor service, bread that never comes, and very little attention coming to our table. Disappointing. |
| THE ICE HOUSE TAVERN | 209 Main St., Brookville, Pennsylvania 15825 | 7/5/03 | Jen | 100 | Fresh homemade fries, quality chicken salad with dark green vitamin-filled lettuce and great service, prices so low that I worry about their livelihood. In a sweet little town, this great food is nestled between two antiques shops |
| MAXMILLIANS at the Clarion Bel Aire Hotel | Erie, Pennsylvania | 6/15/02 | Jen | 99 | Food wasn't very hot but it was good; drinks came late, fairly good value for the money. |
| P.J. HARRINGAN'S BAR & GRILL at the Ramada Inn |
State College, Pennsylvania | 7/05/02 | Jen | 97.5 | Waiter didn't come around enough, food good but nothing to rave about, silverware could be nicer. |
| NORDIC LODGE | Charlestown, Rhode Island 178 E. Pasqueset Trail / 02813 |
6/29/02 | Jen | 84 | This is a terribly low score for how long the ride and the difficulty in finding the place--for nearly anyone, especially first-timers. If that's supposed to be part of the charm, I'm not charmed. Buffet is famous and you immediately see why. It is kept full; they rarely run out. For buffet food the taste is pretty good, much of it at least satisfactory averaging about a "7". But the CRAB CAKES ARE TERRIBLE--the worst excuse for crab cakes I've ever experienced. They should stop serving them until they change the recipe. We had a 2 hour wait once we found the place and waiting outside on the patio surrounded by some interesting grounds, animals fenced in around back, choices for places to sit/walk. The price is outrageous even considering that lobster is included. They should have a no-lobster-included price perhaps. I don't like lobster anymore but had to pay for my neighor who ate two lobsters plus several plates of food. It's an experience, I guess I'm glad we went, but I won't go back. Not good value for the money. |
| 84 HIGH STREET CAFE & CATERING | Westerly, Rhode Island 84 High Street / 02891 |
6/27/02 | Jen | 100 | Roasted half chicken perfectly herb-seasoned, breast moist (that's unusual), white chocolate hazelnut mouse cake is fabulous and I'm very hard to please on desserts. Waitress, Dawn, was delightful. We gave them straight 10s all across the score sheet. It's a joy to watch the chefs cooking right in front of you (including the hard-working owner who took a few minutes to come over and talk to us). |
| MARIA'S SEASIDE CAFE | Westerly, Rhode Island 132 Atlantic Avenue / 02891 |
6/28/02 | Jen | 94 | Ranked fairly high but service, management presence, and silverware shaved off 3 pts. "10s" on food. It is becoming clear to me that many restaurant owners work on perfecting their menus, at least certain meals, only to have the experience rated down a tad for serivce, presence, cleanliness, silverware condition. Too bad. This was a decent experience. |
| VENICE RESTAURANT | Westerly, Rhode Island U.S. 1-A |
6/27/02 | Jen | 92 | Oh, they just got an "8" on food taste and keeping beverages full. Service was ok. All that for $55. |
| HOLIDAY INN SELECT (Airport) | Memphis TN | 6/1/01 | Jen | 97 | Marked down only for lack of management presence while we were there. Fine place. |