Review #63 - Ristorante aMano

Ristorante aMano
Variety: Italian
Address: 1477 Lower Water Street
Date Visited: Thursday, June 18, 2015
Orders: Pizza Quatro Carni, Pizza Pollo

Taste: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Portion Size: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Presentation: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Value: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: -
Final Grade: 85% (Excellent)

(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 place always seems busy, but we were surprised that we were able to walk in and get a table on a Thursday evening...until we figured out there was a big food truck party elsewhere in town that evening. Whatever, it worked for us! We were offered a table indoors or outdoors and T decided she wanted to take advantage of the harbour view in their courtyard. After five minutes, we figured out what there were few other people out there at that time - the sun was on the other side of the building and it got really cold, really quick! The restaurant had a supply of pashminas in a nearby basket for this reason (bonus point!), but we very quickly joined the others who moved inside into the warmth. Unfortunately, most of the tables were already spoken for, but we were seated at the bar on comfortable stools and a beautiful chandelier just inches away. This new space gave us an interesting vantage point (and new appreciation) for skilled bartenders who don't have a lot of space to work with!

The decor of the restaurant was elegant but comfortable. The volume of the music was just right, and as more people entered, it got pretty loud but never really to the point of having to shout. Essentially, it just sounded like we were at a party where everyone - the patrons and staff alike - smiled and laughed the entire time. After taking it in for a couple of minutes, T said "I love everything about this place."

J ordered the Quatro Carni (four meat, pictured left) pizza - salami, pancetta, prosciutto and italian sausage, exactly what the doctor had in mind when he suggested that J watch his cholesterol! It was a little salty but the it was a delicious combination and the crust of both pizzas was obviously freshly made and damn tasty. T has a bit of a prosciutto hang-up so she didn't much care for it, but was delighted with her Pollo (chicken, pictured right) pizza, which was generously dressed with goat cheese, grape tomatoes and cilantro. It was a bit busy for J, but perfect for T. So, we both left happy, and with plenty of pizza left over for the next day's lunch.

Final Verdict: Excellent pizza, excellent atmosphere, but make sure the patio isn't too cold before you sit down!

Review #62 - Tarek's Cafe

Tarek's Cafe
Variety: Mediterranean
Address: 3045 Robie Street
Date Visited: Friday, June 5, 2015
Orders: Half & Half (Beef and Chicken Shawarma), Chicken Souvlaki

Taste: 8 + 7 = 15/20
Portion Size: 10 + 7 = 17/20
Presentation: 8 + 7 = 15/20
Value: 9 + 8 = 17/20
Service: 8 + 8 = 16/20
Bonus: 3
Minus: -
Final Grade: 83% (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: Situated in a little strip mall on Robie Street near Young Street, we'd driven by Tarek's many times but had never actually gone in. We'd stopped into the neighbouring Subway a couple of times, but...yeah, we just never really thought about going until their fluorescent roadside sign said "Why not give Tarek's a try?". We had plans to have dinner with C&C, who live in the area, so...why not? As it turned out, they were big fans and were glad to join us.

Walking in, we were a little taken aback by the ambiance. First, there was an old cabinet packed to the brim with a bunch of dry and canned goods available for purchase - pasta, and the like. Next, lining almost the entire length of the room was a huge lunch counter with a bunch of guys working fast and furious - one of whom looked up and flashed a quick smile and bid us welcome before returning to his task. Then, there were a handful of quaint tables with beautiful floral paintings directly on the tabletops. In truth, it didn't feel as though the decor was particularly calculated, it was more of a lunch counter - which was part of the charm.

When we went up to the counter to order, the smile guy dropped everything to take our order. We were a little overwhelmed by the massive menu on the board above the counter so we asked for his suggestions, noting T's onion allergy. For J, he suggested their most popular item, "The Half and Half," which was a plate featuring both chicken and beef shwarma. Sold. He had to think a little harder about a suggestion for T, as he wanted to ensure she could have something without onion. He ended up suggesting a modified chicken souvlaki - modified in that he would prepare it personally and omit a couple of things to ensure it was onion-free. Few places go to such lengths to ensure her allergy concerns are addressed, so we immediately made a mental note to give them a bonus point.

When contemplating beverages, smile guy nodded to a cooler with his head and said "Just take what you want, we trust you." Although our table was well within eyeshot of the lunch counter, that friendly attitude counts for something. Bonus point #2.

When J's plate arrived, it was a MASSIVE mount of meat, rice, tzatziki sauce, hummus, salad and pita bread (see below). The salad was kinda buried under the mountain of food and he literally had to dig for it. The rice was ok but could have used a bit more spice. The beef shawarma was a highlight - thinly sliced and well-seasoned - while chicken was good but nothing special, ditto with the salad. The tzatziki sauce was really good, particularly when applied to the meats. The hummus was good, but there wasn't really enough pita to scoop it up.

In truth, T felt a little awkward reviewing her chicken souvlaki because they took such care to take her allergy seriously. In a word, it was good, but it was really just a wrap and it didn't come with anything, so she left a little hungry. Still, she enjoyed the experience - particularly the sweet painted table tops (bonus point #3), and looks forward to a return visit. We both do.

Final Verdict: Go hungry and with an open mind and you will probably leave happy!