I have had some comments from bloggers that they dont think I should reveal that I am a food critic. I DONT!!!! The only 1 exception was after the fact when I was getting no response from the restaurant or management. It was the following day when I contacted the corporate headquarters for the restuarant.
A few times I have told management about my reviews after I have eaten and paid. I will do this sometimes when I have been thoroughly impressed by a restaurant.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Handi
Still waiting on a phone.... I guess they are having problems with their phone lines so there is no contact # for the, yet.
Monday, November 10, 2008
New Pakistani Restaurant Hits North Phoenix: Handi Pakistani Restauant
This one is called Handi Pakistani Restaurant on Greenway just east of CaveCreek.
As soon as I have an address and a phone number I will post the full review
As soon as I have an address and a phone number I will post the full review
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Go to Kabuki in Westgate and Go to Bed Hungry....
Kabuki Japanese Restaurant
6770 N Sunrise Blvd
Glendale, AZ 85305
(623) 772-9832
Corporate Website: http://www.kabukirestaurants.com/
WOW! That is all I can say. I have been to hundreds of restaurants. Service can vary from place to place and but NEVER in the history of my eating (15-20 years) have I ever been refused a return when food is not up to par.
So we decided to try Kabuki in Westgate for the 1st time. I am always looking for good Sushi in the West Valley and there are a few decent places but nothing compares to Stingray Sushi in Scottsdale, AZ.
The hostess was the best part of the experience. She was courteous and smiling and actually was the most helpful to us in the end. Our sever was a nice friendly guy and overall I didnt have any problem with the service. I would have hoped he would have gone to bat for us a little more or even fluffed his Manager's response to not ruin our meal, but he was young and terribly honest.
We ordered a Fried Calamari appetizer and another dish with Tuna that I cant remember along with 3 rolls. The problem was that when the Calamari Appetizer came I was hit with a wiff of Fish!!!! It was very hard (over cooked). I tried a few pieces. I didnt really care for their version of a dipping sauce.
So as I do in any other restaurant, I told the waiter to take it back, and I would gladly order something else. He came back and said: "All I could do was get you 50% off because my manager tasted it, and he didnt think it tasted bad..."
WHOAAA!!!!
1) I was a restaurant manager for 5+ years and I have never eaten the food of a plate that came back from the dining room. I actually had a long talk one time with a bus boy who I caught doing that. I actually bought him dinner out of my pocket I felt so bad for him. I doubt the manager was hungry.....
2) Does it really matter what the manager thinks of the food, its what the customer believes.
I also NEVER returned food without going to the table and personally finding out whats wrong, show compassion for their unhappiness, and make them feel like we cared.
So after the waiter brought the dinner, by that time we started losing apetite. I finally told the waiter that I would like to see the manager. He comes to the table and the 1st words out of his mouth was :"Whats the problem here.... " with an attitude of disgust (like I would rather be sitting on a cactus then be here right now).
This type of service from a restaurant manager is completely un-accpetable. We ate maybe 25-50% of the food and paid full price for almost all of it. They did remove the Calamari but it really didnt matter... the damage was done.
I have been able to send back Lobster at Red Lobster. In this case it was an $8.95 calamari appetizer and I was actually going to buy something else.
This brings me to my question of the day.... Has the West Valley area around Westgate lost the customer focus due to the heavy tourist traffic.... Has anyone else had bad service here on in the Westgate restaurants... I would love to hear your comments.... post away!!!
6770 N Sunrise Blvd
Glendale, AZ 85305
(623) 772-9832
Corporate Website: http://www.kabukirestaurants.com/
WOW! That is all I can say. I have been to hundreds of restaurants. Service can vary from place to place and but NEVER in the history of my eating (15-20 years) have I ever been refused a return when food is not up to par.
So we decided to try Kabuki in Westgate for the 1st time. I am always looking for good Sushi in the West Valley and there are a few decent places but nothing compares to Stingray Sushi in Scottsdale, AZ.
The hostess was the best part of the experience. She was courteous and smiling and actually was the most helpful to us in the end. Our sever was a nice friendly guy and overall I didnt have any problem with the service. I would have hoped he would have gone to bat for us a little more or even fluffed his Manager's response to not ruin our meal, but he was young and terribly honest.
We ordered a Fried Calamari appetizer and another dish with Tuna that I cant remember along with 3 rolls. The problem was that when the Calamari Appetizer came I was hit with a wiff of Fish!!!! It was very hard (over cooked). I tried a few pieces. I didnt really care for their version of a dipping sauce.
So as I do in any other restaurant, I told the waiter to take it back, and I would gladly order something else. He came back and said: "All I could do was get you 50% off because my manager tasted it, and he didnt think it tasted bad..."
WHOAAA!!!!
1) I was a restaurant manager for 5+ years and I have never eaten the food of a plate that came back from the dining room. I actually had a long talk one time with a bus boy who I caught doing that. I actually bought him dinner out of my pocket I felt so bad for him. I doubt the manager was hungry.....
2) Does it really matter what the manager thinks of the food, its what the customer believes.
I also NEVER returned food without going to the table and personally finding out whats wrong, show compassion for their unhappiness, and make them feel like we cared.
So after the waiter brought the dinner, by that time we started losing apetite. I finally told the waiter that I would like to see the manager. He comes to the table and the 1st words out of his mouth was :"Whats the problem here.... " with an attitude of disgust (like I would rather be sitting on a cactus then be here right now).
This type of service from a restaurant manager is completely un-accpetable. We ate maybe 25-50% of the food and paid full price for almost all of it. They did remove the Calamari but it really didnt matter... the damage was done.
I have been able to send back Lobster at Red Lobster. In this case it was an $8.95 calamari appetizer and I was actually going to buy something else.
This brings me to my question of the day.... Has the West Valley area around Westgate lost the customer focus due to the heavy tourist traffic.... Has anyone else had bad service here on in the Westgate restaurants... I would love to hear your comments.... post away!!!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saddle Ranch Chop House, Scottsdale, AZ, Best "Meat"
Saddle Ranch Chop House
4321 North Scottsdale Rd.Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480.429.2263
Fax:480.874.4855
Website: http://www.srrestaurants.com/
Ladies: forgive me for the reference here but Saddle Ranch Chop House has some of the best meat in town, but not the edible kind. I am not referring to the prime aged beef that you would get in a Scottsdale chop house, but rather the 2 legged kind. I would best describe this place as Hooters meets Sports Bar meets "I call myself a steak house but I wouldnt know good steak if it hit me in the ^&*"
The table we got was next to the bar and I could see all the bar patrons scouting "meat". It was right next to a circular bull pen which contains an electric bull that patrons can ride as the rest of the bar cheers them on. There at 72" flat screen TV's all over to watch a multitude of sporting events.
By having Chop House in the name, I imagined a country western ambience but still high quality steaks. I would rate the steak quality to that of Sizzler, Golden Corral, Red Lobster, or Olive Garden. So it would be below Outback but not quite as bad as Denny's or IHOP.
The service was what you would expect from a TGI Fridays/Hooters. The waitress did a good job in that sense so I wont talk bad about the service. A few issues I faced
4321 North Scottsdale Rd.Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480.429.2263
Fax:480.874.4855
Website: http://www.srrestaurants.com/
Ladies: forgive me for the reference here but Saddle Ranch Chop House has some of the best meat in town, but not the edible kind. I am not referring to the prime aged beef that you would get in a Scottsdale chop house, but rather the 2 legged kind. I would best describe this place as Hooters meets Sports Bar meets "I call myself a steak house but I wouldnt know good steak if it hit me in the ^&*"
The table we got was next to the bar and I could see all the bar patrons scouting "meat". It was right next to a circular bull pen which contains an electric bull that patrons can ride as the rest of the bar cheers them on. There at 72" flat screen TV's all over to watch a multitude of sporting events.
By having Chop House in the name, I imagined a country western ambience but still high quality steaks. I would rate the steak quality to that of Sizzler, Golden Corral, Red Lobster, or Olive Garden. So it would be below Outback but not quite as bad as Denny's or IHOP.
The service was what you would expect from a TGI Fridays/Hooters. The waitress did a good job in that sense so I wont talk bad about the service. A few issues I faced
- I Ordered a 12 oz steak Medium and got a Medium Well 8 oz steak
- My wife order an 8 oz Medium steak that was just shy of well done.
- Baked potato instructions were very simple yet still messed up
The manager did touch our table, when he realized that it wasnt up to par for us. Any self respecting manager would either re-cook the steak, or at least not charge for it. He made it very clear (trying to be slick the way he said it, but I am a foody and saw right through it) that for our poor meal experience he would offer us a dessert. When we explained that for health reasons we cant have desserts (diabetes), he said he would bring it to the table and we could choose to eat it or not. His choice was a 3 foot tall mound of cotton candy. I ended up passing it over to the bar next to me and told them to pass it around. I sure as hell wasnt going to eat straight glucose. He was basically pretending to care by offering a gesture.
So lets see.... I paid $29 for a steak that sucked and his way to appease me is to give me whipped sugar (for an insulin dependent diabetic) which cost him ($.50) as opposed to an $8.00 loss... my final bill was $72 and I left without really being satisfied. Even if he actually felt bad for us having a poor meal, I might not have even wanted it off the bill. The offensive part was that he thought he could appease me with a 50 cent dessert.
To put this all in perspective. I guess for some people that like places like sports bars, and want that Hooters environment and kind of miss their life in Nashville, this would be sophisticated steak that they would enjoy. I have been to steak houses accross the country but I have never rated on this low.
Pro's
Hot Chicks
Big TV's
Free drinks while you wait for a table (supposedly)
Con's
Reminds me of Hooters
Their steak is not worth it
Toooooo Expensive for Hooters.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Bravi Tuscan Kitchen: Has this gem lost its luster???
Bravi Tuscan Kitchen
5940 West Union Hills Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 588-3000
http://www.bravionline.com/
This used to be one of the best Tuscan style Pizza places in Phoenix. I would drive up from Goodyear to 59th Ave & Union Hills whenever I had an excuse to.
The bruschetta was spectacular and the Pizza was like none other I had before.
Then I guess the owner decided to expand.....
We got really excited that he opened on up on Northern Ave & 101 much closer to us.
We got in the 1st week they were open and the pizza was burnt, and the cookies were stale. The bruschetta was ok, but wasnt quite like we expected.
Yesterday I said, I would avoid the Northern location and head out to the original one on 59th ave. WOW! The pizza has fallen to the quality of mall pizza but still above frozen grocery pizza. The cheese appears to have been changed from 3 cheese to what seems to be cheap mozzarella. They over cheesed it so you couldnt really taste the tomato sauce. The pizza was so big it wouldnt fit on the plate so it sort of hung off the plate and grease was dripping on to the table.
The dough was so thin, that many times, if you try to break off a slice of pizza, it would tear from the weight of the cheese and the excessive grease. Even the bruschetta bread wasnt toasted properly so at the end of the meal, it was mushy bread with the tomatoes. it used to be able to withstand a full lunch and still be crunchy and yet soft.
I guess that is what happens when you expand too quickly and forget your original customer base. I wish the owner all the best. Is it possible that both these incidents are isolated..... perhaps. But perception is reality and right now this beautiful pizzeria has been demoted to mall food.
Anyone have similiar or different experiences recently????
5940 West Union Hills Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 588-3000
http://www.bravionline.com/
This used to be one of the best Tuscan style Pizza places in Phoenix. I would drive up from Goodyear to 59th Ave & Union Hills whenever I had an excuse to.
The bruschetta was spectacular and the Pizza was like none other I had before.
Then I guess the owner decided to expand.....
We got really excited that he opened on up on Northern Ave & 101 much closer to us.
We got in the 1st week they were open and the pizza was burnt, and the cookies were stale. The bruschetta was ok, but wasnt quite like we expected.
Yesterday I said, I would avoid the Northern location and head out to the original one on 59th ave. WOW! The pizza has fallen to the quality of mall pizza but still above frozen grocery pizza. The cheese appears to have been changed from 3 cheese to what seems to be cheap mozzarella. They over cheesed it so you couldnt really taste the tomato sauce. The pizza was so big it wouldnt fit on the plate so it sort of hung off the plate and grease was dripping on to the table.
The dough was so thin, that many times, if you try to break off a slice of pizza, it would tear from the weight of the cheese and the excessive grease. Even the bruschetta bread wasnt toasted properly so at the end of the meal, it was mushy bread with the tomatoes. it used to be able to withstand a full lunch and still be crunchy and yet soft.
I guess that is what happens when you expand too quickly and forget your original customer base. I wish the owner all the best. Is it possible that both these incidents are isolated..... perhaps. But perception is reality and right now this beautiful pizzeria has been demoted to mall food.
Anyone have similiar or different experiences recently????
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Marcellino's Italian Cuisine: Our #1 Pick for the Finest Italian Cuisine outside of Italy
http://www.marcellinoristorante.com/
1301 E Northern Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 216-0004
Get directions
WOW! Hands down this has to be one of the most incredible Italian experiences I have had since my last trip to Rome.
To start with I got to meet the Owners: Sima and Marcellino Verzino. It really shows that they just love Italian food and love to entertain. I basically felt I was in their personal home.
Decor is nice and elegant without being too over the top. This is the only Italian Restaurant to date that I have experienced that is using the team approach of 2 servers per table. Service is International Level!
The food: All his food is fresh and homemade. I tried his one of 7 dinner specials which was a filet filled tortellini, and my wife's was a porcini fettucine in a white truffle oil and lobster. No food compares to Chef Marcellino.
Appetizer Prices run from $9.99 and up.
Dinners can range from $19.95 - $39.95 with some specials exceeding $50.
Desserts are in the $9.95 range.
Whats not good: This is hard. I guess this place only had 1 item so far that I didnt like as much. The beef carpaccio seemed a little too thick by a few millimeters. It could be broken with a fork, but with more work, and the knife was recommended. I am used to carpaccio that I could break with anything -- super paper thin.
Pros:
Incredible Service
Great Food
An Italian Experience
Cons:
Price - although well worth every penny.
I am making this my special ocassion place. Although expensive in cost, it is all worth it. Oh an ask them for their homemade Lemoncello before you leave (as long as you have a designated driver). If you dont know what Lemoncello is..... google it :)
1301 E Northern Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 216-0004
Get directions
WOW! Hands down this has to be one of the most incredible Italian experiences I have had since my last trip to Rome.
To start with I got to meet the Owners: Sima and Marcellino Verzino. It really shows that they just love Italian food and love to entertain. I basically felt I was in their personal home.
Decor is nice and elegant without being too over the top. This is the only Italian Restaurant to date that I have experienced that is using the team approach of 2 servers per table. Service is International Level!
The food: All his food is fresh and homemade. I tried his one of 7 dinner specials which was a filet filled tortellini, and my wife's was a porcini fettucine in a white truffle oil and lobster. No food compares to Chef Marcellino.
Appetizer Prices run from $9.99 and up.
Dinners can range from $19.95 - $39.95 with some specials exceeding $50.
Desserts are in the $9.95 range.
Whats not good: This is hard. I guess this place only had 1 item so far that I didnt like as much. The beef carpaccio seemed a little too thick by a few millimeters. It could be broken with a fork, but with more work, and the knife was recommended. I am used to carpaccio that I could break with anything -- super paper thin.
Pros:
Incredible Service
Great Food
An Italian Experience
Cons:
Price - although well worth every penny.
I am making this my special ocassion place. Although expensive in cost, it is all worth it. Oh an ask them for their homemade Lemoncello before you leave (as long as you have a designated driver). If you dont know what Lemoncello is..... google it :)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Restaurant Owner Goes above and beyond....
This is an article I found in the Arizona Republic.... I think this will be my next review:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2008/07/17/20080717phx-restaurant0718.html
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2008/07/17/20080717phx-restaurant0718.html
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thai Elephant, Phoenix, AZ
Thai Elephant
20 W. Adams St.
(NE corner of 1st Ave. and Adams St.)
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-252-3873
Pros: Healthy and Delicious
Tasty
Decent Priced
Cons: Downtown Phoenix Parking
This was definitely an interesting thai experience for me. They are located in Downtown next to the US Bank Building and across the street from Ernst & Young. Most thai restaurants are heavy on sauce and rice. This place only served with a small bowl of rice. The entrees are not as saucy as most thai dishes, even the curries. But the flavor is nice and the food is super fresh. They have added a lot of veggies to their foods that make this even more satistfying because it doesnt make you feel super full. Most Entrees run between $10 and $15, which is about standard for thai food.
Here's the real surprise. This is the first Thai restaurant that actually offers proper service. She checked back with us, corrected any issues, and always said "Please" and "Thank You".
It was service with a smile.... No this is not a TYPO... its real. There is finally a thai restaurant in AZ that offers customer service with their meal.
When I was their, they had a couple come in right before closing. When they were asked if they want Take Out or Dine in, they said they would get Take Out because of how late it was. The server offered to stay late and told them they were welcome.... WOW! That doesnt happen often. I have been to many that say, sure i can place an order this late but you must do it TO GO!.
This will definitely be a good night spot for me when I have to go to Phoenix Suns games.
Try them out, and I would love to hear your feedback!
20 W. Adams St.
(NE corner of 1st Ave. and Adams St.)
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-252-3873
Pros: Healthy and Delicious
Tasty
Decent Priced
Cons: Downtown Phoenix Parking
This was definitely an interesting thai experience for me. They are located in Downtown next to the US Bank Building and across the street from Ernst & Young. Most thai restaurants are heavy on sauce and rice. This place only served with a small bowl of rice. The entrees are not as saucy as most thai dishes, even the curries. But the flavor is nice and the food is super fresh. They have added a lot of veggies to their foods that make this even more satistfying because it doesnt make you feel super full. Most Entrees run between $10 and $15, which is about standard for thai food.
Here's the real surprise. This is the first Thai restaurant that actually offers proper service. She checked back with us, corrected any issues, and always said "Please" and "Thank You".
It was service with a smile.... No this is not a TYPO... its real. There is finally a thai restaurant in AZ that offers customer service with their meal.
When I was their, they had a couple come in right before closing. When they were asked if they want Take Out or Dine in, they said they would get Take Out because of how late it was. The server offered to stay late and told them they were welcome.... WOW! That doesnt happen often. I have been to many that say, sure i can place an order this late but you must do it TO GO!.
This will definitely be a good night spot for me when I have to go to Phoenix Suns games.
Try them out, and I would love to hear your feedback!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Marrakech Morrocan Experience! Las Vegas, NV
Editors Note: Website not working at time of publishing
*** Some people have indicated that they are offended by Belly Dancing... um ok. Everyone for themselves, if you are then please miss out on this "experience". For the rest of us, who can appreciate the Arts, see the pics below:
This gem found of the Las Vegas strip on Paradise Rd is quite an experience. They take you back to the true Moroccan dining adventure (or so it appears. I have never been).
It is a 6 course PriceFixe menu at $39.99 per person.
Although thats a little pricey but its great for romantic dinners or just someone wanting a break from buffet food. Courses may change, but this is what we had
Course 1: Shrimp Scampi with Bread
Course 2: Veggies Grilled with Hummus
Course 3: Lentil Soup
Course 4: Filet Mignon Kababs
Course 5: Grilled Cornish Hen with CousCous
Course 6: Apple Pastry with Cinnamon & Powdered Sugar
All I can say is that the service was worth every penny. The service was that of any 5 star restaurant. You have to be very open minded for this one because you are sitting on the ground and most of your meal is eaten with the hands. They will explain when you get there. I dont want to spoil the fun.
Belly Dancing Live: I missed one of them, my camera was acting up, but here is what it is like:
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