Review #9 - Rogue's Roost

Rogue's Roost
Variety: Pub
Address: 5435 Spring Garden Road
Date Visited: Monday, August 16, 2010
Orders: California Wrap, Chicken Caesar Wrap

Taste: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Portion Size: 8 + 9 = 17/20
Presentation: 8 + 9 = 17/20
Value: 7 + 9 = 16/20
Service: 8 + 9 = 17/20
Bonus: -
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: Our first "Excellent" score to date! The pub fries are delicious vessels of mashed potato goodness and both wraps were tasty and filling. Slightly more expensive than it should be, but an overall enjoyable experience

Review #8 - Swiss Chalet

Swiss Chalet
Variety: Chicken and Ribs
Address: 3462 Kempt Road
Date Visited: Thursday, August 5, 2010
Orders: Classic Hot Chicken Sandwich, Summer Sensation (1/4 Chicken with Cucumber Tomato Salad, Fries & Ice Cream Sundae)

Taste: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Portion Size: 9 + 9 = 18/20
Presentation: 8 + 9 = 17/20
Value: 8 + 9 = 17/20
Service: 8 + 9 = 17/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: -1
Final Grade: 84% (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: Always a good experience, and a nice portion size. Bonus point for the waitress paying attention to a friend's order before bringing it out and insisting that the cook prepare a new stir fry because the first one "didn't look right." Down a point, though, for my vegetables being served stone cold as a result.

Review #7 - The Italian Market

The Italian Market
Variety: Italian
Address: 6061 Young Street
Date Visited: Sunday, June 20, 2010
Orders: New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich & Lemon Meringue Pie, PLT (Proscuitto, Lettuce & Tomato, we think) Sandwich & Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Taste: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Portion Size: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Presentation: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Value: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Service: 7 + 8 = 15/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 75% (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: More of a specialty grocery store with a cafe attached, the place still has a nice atmosphere and nice Italian foods. The lemon in the pie was a little bitter and the olive paste in the Muffuletta was a little strong, but overall, an enjoyable lunch.

Review #6 - Boston Pizza

Boston Pizza
Variety: Casual Dining
Address: 1858 Granville Street
Date Visited: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Orders: Garlic Fingers, Fettuccine Carbonnara, Fettuccine Alfredo

Taste: 6 + 7 = 13/20
Portion Size: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 6 + 6 = 12/20
Service: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: -
Final Grade: 68% (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: Not much to say here - it was an average meal. Not outstanding, not terrible, but the Carbonnara was a little on the weak side. Bonus point for sitting us near two sweet TVs showing World Cup soccer.

Review #5 - Athens Restaurant

Athens Restaurant
Variety: Greek
Address: 6273 Quinpool Road
Date Visited: Thursday, June 3, 2010
Orders: Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo

Taste: 8 + 4 = 12/20
Portion Size: 8 + 5 = 13/20
Presentation: 7 + 5 = 12/20
Value: 7 + 6 = 13/20
Service: 2 + 2 = 4/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 54% (Marginal)

(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: Usually a satisfying dining experience, this visit was very disappointing. They've seemingly changed the formula of their normally excellent Fettuccine Alfredo - the sauce was virtually tasteless. Perhaps the worst part of the dinner was the service. They weren't busy, yet the waiter was incredibly slow, and in no hurry to take the orders, deliver the food or bring the bill. To make matters worse, half of our group (we were there with others for a birthday) received their appetizers a full 20 minutes before anyone else received a scrap of food.

Review #4 - Victor's

Victor's
Variety: Casual Dining
Address: 5657 Spring Garden Road
Date Visited: Friday, May 28, 2010
Orders: Sliders, Asian Nachos, Fries Combo, Pierogies, Meatloaf

Taste: 7 + 6 = 13/20
Portion Size: 9 + 8 = 17/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 8 + 7 = 15/20
Service: 7 + 9 = 16/20
Bonus: -
Minus: -
Final Grade: 75% (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 unavailable, so M joined J as a guest reviewer. J ordered three appetizers instead of a meal and enjoyed them, but found the Asian Nachos (fried wontons covered in peanut butter sauce) a little weird. M said the mashed potatoes were a little bland and the meatloaf needed a bit more zip.

Review #3 - Cousin's Restaurant

Cousin's Restaurant
Variety: Diner
Address: 3545 Robie Street
Date Visited: Friday, May 7, 2010
Orders: Chicken Parmesan, Hot Turkey Sandwich, Carrot Cake

Taste: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Portion Size: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Presentation: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Value: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Service: 7 + 7 = 14/20
Bonus: 1
Minus: -
Final Grade: 71% (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: A nice family-run diner, probably hasn't changed much in its 45 years in business. The food was good but not great. A little sparse on the home fries with the Chicken Parmesan, and the Carrot Cake was a little small, but we still left satisfied. Bonus point for bringing over a whole pitcher of water instead of having to refill the Dixie cup-sized glass every two minutes - nobody else had one, never hurts to ask!