We are two regular folks who are reporting on places we go to eat around the Phoenix
valley. He loves spicy hot food, she, does not. She was brought up eating food such as rattlesnake, frog legs, sourdough pancakes, BBQ venison, tacos, salads. The other was brought up eating spicy hot Mexican food and spaghetti, roasts, tacos, hamburgers, BBQ, salads. Our rating for a restaurant goes like this:
1-5 with 5 being the highest number in terms of really great in that division and so on.
We have:
Food [F]:
Ambience[ A]:
Service [S]:
Price $ [$8 and under]
$$ [$9-$15]
$$$ [$16-$22]
$$$$ [$23 up]
China Joy
F-4
A-3
S-5
P-$$
Fabulous Chinese food in Cave Creek. The Garlic Chicken is NOT fried with the resulting sauce dumped on it. China Joy's Garlic Chicken is delectable with nuances of garlic in a sauce that is absolutely perfect. The House Fried
Rice has large shrimp and a delicate flavor. Not overpowering. We didn't care for the
soft noodle Chow Mein. The noodles were rather wide and more of a meal than a side dish. However the flavors of all the food blended together well and we left very satisfied. Prices were easy. For three dishes with the accompanying tea, it came to about $25 plus tip. And we had a bit left over to take home for lunch the next day for one of us.
Very attentive staff, however we sat by the front door, so it was kind of noisy. We will definitely go back.
Restaurant 28
F-3
A-3
S-5
P-$$
Great soul food. Located at Peoria and 51st. This small, homey restaurant is a family affair that serves up good soul food. We had Catfish, batter fried, with a GREAT flavor, collard greens, a tad salty but really good, flavorful hush puppies and red beans and rice, which was much too salty and wasn't eaten because of it. The sweet tea has a great pizzazz to it. I think they mix lemonade with the sweet tea. My partner had the house special of BBQ pork, which was tender with a nice vinegary BBQ sauce, 'dirty rice' which was seasoned with Cajun spices, and much appreciated and liked by this person who loves flavorful hot foods and green beans. The green beans tasted a bit like canned, but they were eaten. Peach cobbler, average, with too much sugar and sweet potato pie, not enough spices and felt like glue in the mouth, ended the meal. It was good but kinda pricey. Ambience was 'down home in the kitchen'. Friendly patrons, friendly staff, nice place to go get a bite.
Perisan Room
F-3+
A-2
S-2
P-$$$
We went to this much acclaimed restaurant in Scottsdale. Walked in and we were
seated fairly quickly. It was a spring day so it was rather chilly outside. The
warmth inside at our table was much appreciated and we said so.
When seated, warm pita is brought to the table, with a plate of fresh basil and
sliced onion to pile on top. It was ok, but having large leaves of basil to
eat was strange to us. Basil has a very strong flavor. This was no exception.
We ordered our meal, it came, one was adas polo, a rice dish, plus other off-the
-beaten-track food for us. When he served our meal, the air conditioner came on. We were
directly underneath the outlet.
There was no way were were going to hurry and eat. Our food was getting cool.
We couldn't find the waiter. Finally a waiter showed up.
We told him it was too cold where we were sitting and our food was getting cold.
He said he would talk to someone about it.
Another 5 minutes, it was still pouring
cold air on us and by now, our food was cold. We hailed the waiter, he said the
table next to ours were hot, so they turned it on. My partner went to speak to the front
desk since our waiter wasn't doing anything about it. No help. We got up to leave.
We spoke to the manager who was just 'sorry' about the whole thing. Apparently
he was not going to take anything off the food bill for food we could not eat because it
was cold, so he asked my partner what they thought should be done. They replied saying
we should not have to pay for food we could not eat. The manager was argumentative. He finally
agreed, we left. We will NEVER be back and we suggest you do not go either.
Cattleman's 83rd Ave Peoria
F-2
A-4
S-3
P-$$$
The atmosphere was great for this family style restaurant. We sat in a booth.
We ordered a full rack of baby back bbq ribs to split. The fries were great. The ribs were MUCH too salty and a little bit tough. Service from the waitress was great, however there
was a large party that came in and she was helping that waitress. The 'helper' boy who
was to bring us drinks and such, was terrible. Upon speaking to the waitress, apparently
Cattleman's hires younger kids to work. Some do work, some don't. She was saying that NO ONE
wanted him assigned to them because he was so lazy. We saw that to be true.
It was too pricey for what we got. We won't be back.
Pane e Vino, Scottsdale
F-4
A-5
S-3
P-$$$$
We had a 'coupon' we bought via the internet thru one of the radio programs.
It was worth $50 for this restaurant. Lving in Phoenix, Pane e Vino was pretty
far for us to go. Using our trusty GPS, we found it. Very nice atmosphere. We
went for our 9th anniversary. When making the reservations, I specifically
told the person taking the reservation it was our anniversary.
We were there early, as he gets off work at 1:30, so we eat early. We had the place
to ourselves. Nice booth they put us in. Bread was brought, with olive oil and
balsamic vinegar. I ordered potato gnocchi, he ordered whatever. I can't remember.
His was ok, mine was WAY TOO SALTY.
While I was singing him his happy anniversary song, [
and I'll tell you what
it was if you are interested], our main waiter saw something important was going on and
avoided coming over. However, in the middle of the song, the water boy came to fill
our glasses. The management at Pane De Vino really needs to inform ALL staff on when
NOT to approach a table. It was a rude interruption that spoiled the song and the mood.
Creme brulee for dessert was excellent, tiramisu they said they are known for, was dismal.
I could not taste the coffee flavor, it was very bland and too much whipped cream.
For us, it was so bad, we are trying to sell the other $50 card we have. [buy it for
$40].
Home Buffet, Bell Rd
F-3
A-3
S-4
P-$$
We bought several 2-fer-1 coupons to Home Buffet, not ever having been there.
Surprise! It's actually good. Different days have different menus. Sundays
are a good menu day, as are Monday nights and others. Depending on what you like.
I thought the food would be bland, however it is not. And they have broccoli
salad, which I love and they always seem to have popcorn shrimp.
You can't beat it for the price,
and it's a great place to take everyone after church service. We have yet to go
for breakfast. For dessert, if you like chocolate,
get that chocolate pudding cake, hopefully its had time to sit in the pan and get
all gooey. Get the stuff around the edges. yummmmmm.
AVANTI refuses to honor their certificate. Has FOREVER lost my business!