Indochine Banh Mi
Variety: Vietnamese
Address: 1551 South Park Street
Date Visited: Thursday, June 14, 2012
Orders: Spicy BBQ Chicken Tacos, Buddha Bowl
Taste: 8 + 6 = 14/20
Portion Size: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Presentation: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Value: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Service: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: -
Final Grade: 76% (Good)
(Scoring:
100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good,
60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40%
to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: Neither of us had ever had Vietnamese food before, but this was a decent start. T's Buddha Bowl didn't have much flavour, but made her feel good (and healthy), hence the bonus point. J's tacos were interesting and tasty, but could have used a little extra sauce. Both meals were a little heavy on the bean sprouts, but otherwise, not a bad start. We look forward to another visit!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Review #38 - Cantina Mexicana
Cantina Mexicana
Variety: Tex Mex
Address: 1551 South Park Street
Date Visited: Monday, June 11, 2012
Orders: Pork Burrito, Beef Burrito with chips & salsa
Taste: 7 + 3 = 11/20
Portion Size: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Service: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -1
Final Grade: 69% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: "This one is probably going to end with vomit. I don't see how it can't." This is what T said after her first burrito. It certainly didn't help that they didn't take her onion allergy seriously (hence the negative point). To be fair, the Pork Burrito was tasty, but the Beef Burrito was nasty, even to a burrito connoisseur like J. The rice was nothing more than Uncle Bens and they didn't mesh well with the beans. Would have benefited greatly from some nice Mexican Rice. It also didn't help that the chips were totally stale. The place is only a few weeks old, so maybe they'll improve with experience, but they're off to a pretty rough start, by our account.
Addendum: The proprietor, via Twitter, has taken exception to my statement that his staff did not take the onion allergy concern seriously. To be clear: his staff did attempt to guide us through onion-free options, but unfortunately, they made a mistake. I stand by the statement, score, and negative point - people with dietary sensitivities need to be able to trust that the people who make their food know what they're talking about, or at least to admit when they're not sure so that the onus it put on the customer.
Variety: Tex Mex
Address: 1551 South Park Street
Date Visited: Monday, June 11, 2012
Orders: Pork Burrito, Beef Burrito with chips & salsa
Taste: 7 + 3 = 11/20
Portion Size: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Service: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -1
Final Grade: 69% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: "This one is probably going to end with vomit. I don't see how it can't." This is what T said after her first burrito. It certainly didn't help that they didn't take her onion allergy seriously (hence the negative point). To be fair, the Pork Burrito was tasty, but the Beef Burrito was nasty, even to a burrito connoisseur like J. The rice was nothing more than Uncle Bens and they didn't mesh well with the beans. Would have benefited greatly from some nice Mexican Rice. It also didn't help that the chips were totally stale. The place is only a few weeks old, so maybe they'll improve with experience, but they're off to a pretty rough start, by our account.
Addendum: The proprietor, via Twitter, has taken exception to my statement that his staff did not take the onion allergy concern seriously. To be clear: his staff did attempt to guide us through onion-free options, but unfortunately, they made a mistake. I stand by the statement, score, and negative point - people with dietary sensitivities need to be able to trust that the people who make their food know what they're talking about, or at least to admit when they're not sure so that the onus it put on the customer.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Review #37 - Brewdebaker's Tap & Grill
Brewdebaker's Tap & Grill
Variety: Casual Dining
Address: 287 Lacewood Drive
Date Visited: Friday, May 18, 2012
Orders: Sweet Potato Fries, Great White North Burger with Kettle Chips, Hot Chicken Caesar Salad, Mini Oreo Sundae & Mini Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Taste: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Portion Size: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 76% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: We'd never visited this particular establishment before, having visited previous restaurants in this location, but never Brewdebakers, as it conjures up images of beer-battered fish and only beer-battered fish (which, to be fair, is on the menu, but is far from the only item on, uh, tap). Because nothing in particular jumped out at us, we took advantage of the the three-course menu, which was a decent value compared to the regular cost of the mains alone. The food was...also decent. Nothing mind-blowing, but good enough. The Great White North Burger was ok, the Chicken Caesar was ok, the sweet potato fries were also ok, and the desserts were small but also ok. All in all, it was nothing special, but nothing terrible either. The service was pretty good and the waiter was kind enough to put our doggie bag behind the bar when we accidentally left it behind - nice touch. We're not in a hurry to rush back, but we won't avoid it all cost, either.
Variety: Casual Dining
Address: 287 Lacewood Drive
Date Visited: Friday, May 18, 2012
Orders: Sweet Potato Fries, Great White North Burger with Kettle Chips, Hot Chicken Caesar Salad, Mini Oreo Sundae & Mini Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Taste: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Portion Size: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 76% (Good)
(Scoring: 100% to 140% = Exceptional, 85% to 99% = Excellent, 67% to 84% = Good, 60% to 66% = Satisfactory, 50% to 59% = Marginal, 0% to 49% = Poor, -40% to -1% = Abysmal)
Notes: We'd never visited this particular establishment before, having visited previous restaurants in this location, but never Brewdebakers, as it conjures up images of beer-battered fish and only beer-battered fish (which, to be fair, is on the menu, but is far from the only item on, uh, tap). Because nothing in particular jumped out at us, we took advantage of the the three-course menu, which was a decent value compared to the regular cost of the mains alone. The food was...also decent. Nothing mind-blowing, but good enough. The Great White North Burger was ok, the Chicken Caesar was ok, the sweet potato fries were also ok, and the desserts were small but also ok. All in all, it was nothing special, but nothing terrible either. The service was pretty good and the waiter was kind enough to put our doggie bag behind the bar when we accidentally left it behind - nice touch. We're not in a hurry to rush back, but we won't avoid it all cost, either.
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