Review #74 - Chef Abod Cafe & Catering

Chef Abod Cafe & Catering
Variety: Mediterranean, Turkish
Address: 3217 Kempt Road
Date Visited: Friday, November 4, 2016
Orders: Sambusa, Fatayer

Taste: TBA
Portion Size: TBA
Presentation: TBA
Value: TBA
Service: TBA
Bonus: TBA
Minus: TBA
Final Grade: TBA
(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: Apparently, when T is busy and I get together with the guys, our "thing" is to eat Turkish food. Or, at least that's how it's worked the past two times we've done it.

I suggested this place because when I used to live in the North End, I'd walk by this place on my way to and from the grocery store. Ah, the days when I didn't have a car. Anyway, we never stopped in, so I suggested it because one of my friends works just down the street from it. Apparently, Chef Abod used to be the personal chef of a Prince in Saudi Arabia - pretty cool!

The parking lot was "a little snug" (that's being pretty generous), but it was nothing compared to the size of the booths inside. None of the four of us are huge, but we're not tiny either. Sitting side by side, the person on the aisle definitely had to sit with a cheek dangling. Amplifying matters was that there was nowhere to put our coats, making us feel even more crammed in. We asked if we could move to one of the nearby tables instead, but the server said it was "really messy back there" and asked us to stay where we were while he cleaned it up. Thankfully, he got to work and we were able to move before our food was served.

Heading in to the restroom to wash up, I almost jumped out of my skin after seeing the terrifying decoration on a shelf under the mirror. I can't even describe what the heck this thing was - a candle, maybe? I should have taken a photo of it but I just needed to get the hell out of there. That thing haunts my dreams!

I was having trouble deciding what to order - the daily special was fish, which I don't eat - so I selected a couple of appetizers to try and get a variety of what was available. I selected the Sambusa and the Fatayer. That was a mistake - I didn't really understand they were both pastries, one fried, the other baked. So, I basically got two plates of almost exactly the same thing. The insides of both didn't taste like much, except the spinach, which wasn't to my liking, so I pawned it off one someone else. I was also a little disappointed because I'd ordered a mango milkshake and got a mango juice instead...which tasted like it came directly out of a tetra pack.

I fear I might not have made the best choices when it comes to this restaurant and will hold off on giving it a score until my next visit. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their orders, so I think it's worth another try.

Final Verdict: TBA

Review #73 - Turkish Delight Restaurant

Turkish Delight Restaurant
Variety: Mediterranean, Turkish
Address: 5680 Spring Garden Road
Date Visited: Thursday, August 18, 2016
Orders: Chicken Doner Kebap

Taste: 9/10
Portion Size: 9/10
Presentation: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 41/50 x 2 = 2% (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: T was otherwise occupied, so I got together with the guys and headed downtown after work to try Turkish Delight. This place has been there for what seems like forever, but none of us had ever been there before.

The decor was nice but not overly upscale. In truth, it was pretty casual. The service was pretty casual, too. But, for a dinner out with the guys, it worked.

I tried the special of the day: the Chicken Doner Kebap, which was basically seasoned, diced chicken served on rice and with a side of Turkish salad. It didn't blow my mind, but having recently been over to the Mediterranean, it was pretty much true to form. It was a little pricier than I think it should have been, but I left feeling a little happier (and healthier) than I would have been had we just grabbed burgers instead.

All in all, it's not somewhere I'd take T if I was trying to impress her, but next time we're in the mood for a kebap, we'll likely give it a shot.

Final Verdict: Casual, decent Mediterranean food. Glad I finally tried it!

Review #72 - Gingergrass Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant

Gingergrass Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant
Variety: Thai/Vietnamese
Address: 1284 Barrington Street
Date Visited: Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Orders: Pineapple Curry combo, Peanut Curry combo

Taste: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Portion Size: 7 + 6 = 13/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 6 + 6 = 12/20
Service: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Bonus: -
Minus: 2
Final Grade: 66% (Satisfactory)

(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: I'd had the food several times when my colleagues ordered take-out and it was always very tasty, so we decided to stop by for an in-person taste test. I really wish we hadn't.

It's hard to think of a polite way to say that this place is a bit of a dump has seen better days. Ok, I guess it wasn't that hard. It's a little tired. It feels like you're sitting and eating in a stranger's living room - and they're sitting there staring at you, hoping you'll get the hint and get out. The atmosphere isn't exactly what I'd call welcoming. And the bathroom...oh man. Just. Don't. Do. It.

That said, the food was pretty tasty - not the best Thai in town, but enjoyable nonetheless. The portion sizes weren't huge, but there was just enough to stop us from going across the street to grab a slice of pizza afterwards. The presentation was nothing special, and neither was the service. So given all of that, the price wasn't right.

We weren't blown away, and we were certainly uncomfortable. That's not a winning combination. So for that, we have to dock a couple of points.

Final Verdict: An uncomfortable visit, but the food is decent - stick to take-out.