Hello everyone…it’s been almost 2 years since we reviewed restaurants, and a lot have come and gone. Look for a batch of new reviews, coming soon.

Thank you for your patience.

Chelsea, aboard the Queen Mary (Long Beach, CA)
1126 Queen’s Highway, Long Beach, Ca. 90802 (562) 435-3511

Since John is covering the category of food, something I love, I thought I would help him out with places around the Los Angeles area. My fiancé and I decided to celebrate my new job at Bausch & Lomb with a nice dinner. After much research on the net I decided to try Chelsea about the famous Queen Mary. The restaurant setting is located port-side on the boat overlooking the Long Beach downtown skyline. Reservations are required at this restaurant which is one of four restaurants aboard the ship.

The restaurant was very small and clean with every table having a great waterside view. It’s located on the ship’s 4th floor so you had a great view. I ordered Chelsea’s signature dish which is the Cioppino, a blend of seafood including Shrimp, Scallops, Clams, Crab Legs, Lobster Tail, Mussels & Fresh Fish simmered in a broth of fresh Herbs, Tomato, Garlic And a Sauvignon Blanc Wine. All I can say is WOW! It was fantastic! Very filling and plenty of food. Rolls and a salad also come with this dish. The rolls were tasty, salad very crisp, and the seafood was magnificent. The service was great and we didn’t have to wait very long on our food to arrive. My fiancé ordered Baked Halibut, which is Alaskan Halibut in a Crisp Potato Crust with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis. Usually at nice restaurants you are given a small portion of pricey fish, but not here. She couldn’t finish her meal so I had to finish it for her (not complaining). That was some of the freshest fish I’ve ever had and the sauce…that sauce…we wanted a half gallon more to pour over the Halibut. Two very good dishes!! I also had rum and coke (with a lime) with my dinner. They were $5.50 a piece (not bad for LA) and they didn’t hold back on the rum either, so I was happy. The waiter was good about keeping the drinks coming and helpful about what to order. The total bill came to $85 with gratituity included. It was money well spent and I would definitely go back.

Food: (4.5)
Service: (4.25)
Price: (4)
Overall: (4.5)

Red City Buffet, 12551 Jefferson Ave #109, Newport News (757.877.7888, Fax 757.877.7885)

Announcing they had Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian Grill & American Food, Red City Buffet opened with a major faux pas when a vision impaired customer with a service animal was turned away because “no animals are allowed in the restaurant.” A local news program caught wind of it and broadcast it. While this experience may have left a bad taste in Stephen Banks’ mouth, other things didn’t set right with Randy, Sandi and I when we dined there Monday evening.

First off, unless you like seafood, there’s not a whole lot for you to eat. Other than the General Tsao’s Chicken, Chicken with Broccoli, Pepper Chicken, Pork Chop, and Roast Beef, almost every dish is shrimp, crab (or krab), or fish based. For Randy, who’s allergic to seafood, this was a problem. The General Tsao’s (or the stuffed mushroom caps) had curry in them, which Sandi is allergic to.

Other than those, let’s look at the food. The Roast Beef has to be carved by the buffet goers, and for some reason has been baked, covered in ketchup, taking on a very meatloaf like taste. The Mongolian Grill, simply put, isn’t. It’s a Japanese Grill, but with choices of shrimp, beef, or chicken that were paired with your choice of Chinese cabbage, carrots, or snow peas. There’s no selection of sauces to flavor with, and the sauce the cook used ended up making the dish sour, as if it were flavoured with Rice Wine Vinegar only. The sushi selection was sparse, because the sushi maker was also having to man the Japanese (Mongolian) Grill. The few pieces that were available were filled with avocado that had turned brown. The only bright spot were the chese wontons, which were perfect.

Missing were the traditional “potstickers” (fried dumplings), while Dim Sum was available. The sweet and sour chicken was tough, and greasy. The green beans had no flavour.

Service was spotty at best — while we had no problems keeping the table free of excess plates, we had to track down the server for refills to our drinks.

The bathrooms, normally not included in a review are mentioned here because they were in serious need of cleaning.

Overall, the $8.95 price wasn’t bad, but there does not seem to a single thing that Red City excels at; it’s almost as if, in trying to do so many things, they fall short in doing any of them superbly — a common downfall for many Chinese buffets these days.

Food: (1.5)
Service: (1.5)
Price: (2)
Overall: (1.5)

Wok “N” Roll Buffet & Grill, 2302 W. Mercury Blvd, Hampton, VA 23666 (757.838.6669, Fax 7570.838.6366)

Located in the former Old Country Buffet building, Hampton’s location of the Northern Virginia favorite Wok “N” Roll opened Sunday, July 9.

Sandi and I ventured out for their grand opening, which promised Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian BBQ & American Cuisine. Lunch Buffets are $5.95 and Dinner Buffets (as well as all day Saturday and Sunday) are $8.95.

Ever since the Mongolian BBQ in Riverdale Plaza closed, Sandi and I have been on the hunt for a decent replacement in Hampton. Unfortunately, this wasn’t it.

The word “Bland” is defined as “having little or no distinctive flavor.” It could also be used to describe most of the dishes served at Wok “N” Roll. What they call Mongolian BBQ actually isn’t. Sure, you can chose the meats and veggies you wish to have cooked, but it is done more Teppanyaki style (a la Japanese Steakhouse) instead of being cooked on a Mongolian BBQ grill, and you don’t have the option of various sauces or a good selection of ingredients. Of note, the chicken was cut into bite sized pieces by the chef, while the steak, about 1/4″ thick and 3″ square, was not. Wok “N” Roll does not provide knives, so it made eating the meat awkward at best.

The General Tsao’s chicken (one of the main draws to a Chinese restaurant) tasted like overly fried chicken bits in a barbeque sauce. The Green Beans suffered from the same fate as most of the other food: they had the texture of being blanched (some were over cooked, some were almost raw), but had no discernible flavor brought on by garlic, onions, ginger, soy, or even the beans themselves. My main item that I rate Chinese Buffets on is their Fried Dumplings (also known as Pot Stickers). Here, Wok “N” Roll was hit and miss. The first one I tasted was hot, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The next batch that were brought out were like eating thickened styrofoam. Yes, it had the same look as the one I had eaten not 10 minutes earlier, but it may as well have been a movie prop with the lack of proper taste, mouthfeel and the like.

Also on the buffet was breaded octopus, which is an acquired taste in any restaurant. Unfortunately, here, the octopus was rubbery, chewy, and tasted like dried, tough fish.

Service was spotty, with plates being cleared within a reasonable time, but for drink refills, we had to flag down the server. The place wasn’t busy, so it was a matter of not paying attention to the stations.

Knowing the restaurant has only been open 2 days, I would normally give them leeway. Being that they are an established chain, however, well known in Northern Virginia/Washington DC, I feel they should not be having flavor issues at any time. It almost was as if they rushed to get this restaurant open (the seating [chairs, tables and booths] are the same from Old Country Buffet, while the hot tables have indeed been replaced) before the Wok “N” Roll in Newport News (in the former Ryan’s Steakhouse) had a chance to open.

I’ll give Wok “N” Roll another visit in about six months; perhaps by then they will have settled into a groove.

Food: (1.25)
Service: (1.5)
Price: (2.5)
Overall: (1.75)

Peking Restaurant, 122 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA (757.229.2288)

Peking Restaurant is best defined as a Las Vegas type Buffet in the Historic Triangle. Lunch is $7.99, while dinner is $10.99. There are three distinct areas within the restaurant: the Chinese buffet, the Mongolian BBQ, and the Japanese Hibachi & Sushi section.

Randy and I dined here for about the 10th time this evening, and found, as usual, the food to be fresh and plentiful. Being that it was 6:45 when we were seated, the restaurant was quite full, but the buffets were well stocked and, most importantly, clean. The selections of vegetables and meats at the Mongolian were tender and cooked to perfection. The sautéed spinach was not cooked so hard it turned to mush; it had a great texture in the mouth, as did the sautéed green beans. The General Tsao’s chicken, however, didn’t have the requisite “bite” to it and tasted like it had been dunked in ketchup.

The dumplings were fresh, hot and full of filling; the medium rare sirloin offered on the Japanese bar was tender and juicy. The sushi and dim sum bar was well stocked with the chef preparing additional offers before you eyes. He even took a request for a particular type of roll (the person was allergic to seafood, but enjoyed the Nori and rice with avocado).

Our server was quick the the drinks and refills, and kept the table clean.

Located in the Kingsgate Green Shopping Center, off Bypass Road in Williamsburg, this is a gem of a dining experience in Williamsburg, well worth the drive from Hampton to experience.

Food: (4.25)
Service: (4.25)
Price: (4.25)
Overall: (4.25)

Famous Dave’s Barbecue, 2430 Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge, VA 22192 Phone: 703.492.1300 Fax: 703.492.0651

When visiting northern Virginia, my friend Dave and I decided to take a chance on Famous Dave’s. After all, how could you go wrong with ‘cue, right?

We arrived at 6:45 on a Sunday night, and the place was packed. Our wait of 15-20 minutes, however, was not excessive.

Our server, explained the difference between St. Louis Style Ribs (more meat, less tender, more fat), and Baby-Back Ribs (less meat, more tender, less fat), took our drink orders, and left.

Dave ended up ordering the half-rack Baby Back Ribs (12.99), with sides of drunken’ apples and garlic mashed potatoes. I ordered the “take two”, consisting of beef brisket and bbq chicken quarter ($12.99), with sides of “firecracker” green beans and garlic mashed potatoes. Both came with corn on the cob and a corn muffin.

The food arrived almost immediately, and while everything tasted wonderful, I will say the corn on the cob had been overcooked, and that was a shame. Instead of being crisp and full of flavor, it was mushy and rather bland.

You have your choice of sauces on the table, and while nothing really needed it, I was compelled to use “Devil’s Spit” on the brisket. Trying a sample on my finger, it wasn’t much to write home about. Applied liberally to the brisket, however, produced a welcome burn on the taste buds.

Since we’d blown whatever diets we were attempting, Dave ordered the Pecan Pie ($5.29), while I ordered the Hot Fudge Kahlua brownie (also $5.29) that came with whipped cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

We never felt rushed — in fact, even though the restaurant was packed, the server offered coffee before delivering the bill. Mind you, we had no room for coffee, but it was a nice touch. Smokey Bones could take some lessons from Famous Dave’s.

If you visit, be sure to read the backs of the server’s shirts. They include sayings such as: “The only thing better than ribs. More ribs.” “Get Sauced.” “Make sure the fingers you are licking are your own.” and “Ribilicious.”

Food: (4)
Service: (4)
Price: (4.5)
Overall: (4.25)

Texas Road House, 109 Cybernetics Way, Yorktown, VA 23693-5615, Phone: 757-874-5500, Fax: 757-874-1592

Located on one of the main thoroughfares between Newport News and York County, Texas Road house is off the beaten path (in fact, you must turn and go through what appears to be a parking lot alley to get to the restaurant.

Upon arrival, there’s a warning on the door: NOTICE: Peanut dust everywhere!. That’s because you’ll find a bucket of the salted, roasted nuts on your table, and they’re not shy about telling you to brush off your shells into the floor.

Randy and I chose to dine at 5:45 on a Saturday, notoriously a busy time for most steakhouses, however, we were escorted immediately to a table for two. Our server, Steven, introduced us to their menus — while they do not open until 4 pm on weekdays, they start preparing everything from the rolls to the veggies to the salad dressings from scratch at 10 each day. On the weekends, they open at noon.

The servers are known to line dance (which, unfortunately, didn’t occur during our visit, most likely because the place was so busy); Steven “warned” us about that, and asked if it was our first time there. We said it was, and he stated the manager would be right over. Megan, the manager on duty, brought us a platter with samples of the fresh made sides: chili with cheese, red-skinned mashed potatoes, white gravy, brown gravy, green beans, a portabello sauce, and a barbecue sauce used with their grilled chops. It made for a wonderful way to chose which side(s) to order.

Randy ordered the 6 ounce sirloin ($7.99) with a house salad, and a sweet potato, then he added a side of green beans. I ordered the 11 ounce sirloin ($12.99) called the “Hearty Cut”, a house salad, loaded baked potato, and like Randy, a side of those wonderfully seasoned green beans.

The hot rolls that were delivered were as promised: HOT. They were served with a cinnamon butter. The salads arrived in short order and you could taste the freshness — from the croûtons to the addition of chopped boiled egg — something you normally don’t find on a house salad. The Ranch dressing was tangy and went well with the crispness of the lettuce.

The steaks arrived — Randy had requested Well (which is hard for a restaurant to do without drying the steak out), while I ordered Medium-Rare. Both steaks were tender and cooked perfectly. There seems to have been a rush on sweet potatoes, for it was about 5 extra minutes before Randy’s potato arrived, but that wasn’t a problem. The problem was what to do with all the food. We were STUFFED, and unfortunately had no room for dessert.

If you’re in the mood for a steak, an EXCELLENT choice would be Texas Roadhouse.

Food: (4.75)
Service: (4.75)
Price: (5)
Overall: (4.75)

Captain George’s (Various Tidewater locations and now one in South Carolina)

Noted for the large seafood buffet ($23.99) our destination last night was something not to be missed. Yes, it’s Father’s Day weekend. Yes, it’s high school graduation weekend. Still, our server (Corey) ended up making us feel like we were the ONLY table he was waiting on. Plates where cleared, drinks were kept topped off, crab shells evacuated — all almost without even knowing he was there.

The buffet is standard for those who have been in the Hampton Roads area for any time. We start off with 10 feet of salads (and two types of soup: she-crab and clam chowder), then we hit the seafood: fried shrimp, oysters, clams, scallops; steamed shrimp, snow crab legs, baked fish, prime rib, etc., finishing off with six feet of desserts.

If you go for the seafood, it’s wonderful. The prime rib simply put: isn’t. Steer clear of the non-seafood items and you’ll have a great dining experience.

Food: (4.25)
Service: (5)
Price: (4.5)
Overall: (4.5)

Rom Thai, 7512 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23525 (757.480.7900)

Located in the Wards Corner Shopping Plaza, Rom Thai occupies space formerly home to O’Briens Bar. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday - Friday from 11:00am - 2:30pm, and for dinner Monday - Thursday from 5:00pm - 9:30pm, Friday from 5:00 pm - 10:00pm, Saturday from 12:00 (Noon) - 10:00pm, and Sundays from 12:00 (Noon) - 9:00pm.

The restaurant is cozy, located in the far corner of the shopping plaza. The walls are decorated with murals painted in gold and flesh tones of what I guess is a Thai celebration.

Our party of four started with two appetizers: Rom Thai Spring Rolls (Chicken) ($4.95) and Satay (chicken on a bamboo stick) ($6.95). The Spring Rolls were crisp, hot, and flavourful, without being greasy. Duck sauce was provided for those who wished a little more flavour. The Satay were grilled marinated chicken served with peanut sauce and garnished with a cucumber salad — they also came with two toast rounds. While tasty, the dish did include a bit of curry that wasn’t mentioned on the menu. (I mention this because one of the diners is allergic to curry and suffered some mild, unpleasant side effects due to consumption.)

We were served family style the three main dishes we ordered: Garlic and Pepper Beef Stir-Fry ($11.95), Kai Himaparn ($11.95), and Pad-Thai ($10.95). The Garlic and Pepper Beef Stir Fry was served with Jasmine steamed rice, and was hot, tender, and full of exotic tastes. The Kai Himaparn (a stir-fired chicken with cashews, carrot and celery) was also served with the Jasmine steamed rice, and was equally enjoyed by all. The Pad-Thai, a traditional dish made with stir fried small rice noodles, bean sprouts, green onions, ground peanuts, eggs and chicken, almost overflowed the serving dish.

We all ate, and ate, and ate. None of us had room for dessert, which was a shame, for Rom Thai offers a fried banana dessert, a Nun & Monk (a sticky rick with mango, which is traditional), and Tempura Ice Cream (available in Mango, Green Tea or Strawberry flavours).

We were seated promptly; however, due to a large party back in the Sunset Room (Rom Thai’s banquet facility), it took a little longer than normal for our appetizers and food to arrive. Still, it was a pleasant dining experience, and I look forward to a return visit to further explore their menu.

Rom Thai accepts American Express, Discover, Master Card and Visa for orders over $15.00. Personal checks are not accepted.

Food: (3.25)
Service: (3)
Price: (3.5)
Overall: (3.25)

American Cafe (Greenbrier Mall, Chesapeake VA)

Residing in what used to be a Chinese eatery for many years, the American Cafe has filled a hole made when Ruby Tuesday’s became basically a burger joint. They’re currently running a $12.99 special that allows you to choose between a number of “starters”, an “entree”, and a “dessert”.

I ordered the Spinach con queso, the Southwest BBQ Chicken (with fries), and the Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie.

Randy odered the Pototo Cheese soup, the chicken pot pie, and the Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie.

A couple of notes here: while there are a number of great “starters”, the entree selections are all chicken based, and the desert options are the afforementioned pie or a S’mores Sundae.

The potato soup was thick with cheese and chunks of potatoes, with crumbled bacon and chopped scallions on top. The Spinach con Queso was large enough to have served two people easily.

The chicken pot pie tasted strangely of nutmeg, but was served in a large bowl covered in pastry.

The Southwestern BBQ Chicken was pounded thin. I was afraid it would be dry, but the sauce and grilling method made it tasty and juicy. The seasoned fries overflowed the plate.

Dessert came out as two big honkin’ slices of Reese cup Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie — so large, in fact, that we couldn’t finish it all.

Service was a bit on the slow side, but since we weren’t in a rush, it was nice that the restaurant wasn’t trying to treat us like cattle.

Food: (4)
Service: (3.25)
Price: (3.5)
Overall: (3.5)

Lillian’s Seafood Restaurant (1312 George Washington Highway, Chesapeake, VA 23323. 757.485.7060)

A couple friends accompanied Randy and me to Lillian’s last night. The restaurant, online, is listed as being a “Seafood Restaurant”, but the sign from the road also promotes steaks, seafood and buffet.

Randy ordered the Carolina-style pulled pork barbeque ($8.99) which came on a platter with french fries, three hush puppies, and a container of cole slaw. While the pork was plentiful, in a vinegar based sauce, the fries were limp, the hush puppies had been deep-fried a bit long (to take on a slightly burnt taste), and the cole slaw could have used more dressing.

The other couple and I chose the seafood buffet ($15.99). In addition to the regular salad bar, they were fried oysters, friend chicken, barbeque ribs, crab cakes, sauteed scallops, fried fish, steamed shrimp, fried shimp, fried scallops, corn on the cob, cooked potato wedges, green beans, clam chowder, and assorted desserts. Here, the restaurant ran into the same problem as most steam-table buffets. The green beans were mushy, the potatoes were greasy, and the sauteed scallops were rubbery. The fried chicken was peppery and perfectly cooked; the fried shimp were awesome, and the ribs were sauced, but not overdone. The desserts were lacking, however. Perhaps if they had been kept cool, they would have maintained their taste. Sliver thin slices of chocolate merrangue pie do not taste good when warmer than room temperature.

Service was adequate, but nothing to write home about. The restaurant wasn’t even half full, but we ended up having to track down the server to get the plates cleared from the table, and for the check.

Food: (2)
Service: (1.5)
Price: (2)
Overall: (2)

514-C South Van Dorn Street, ALexandria, VA 22304 (703) 751-3133

I was fortunate enough to be invited for sushi with Neil in Northern Virginia on Sunday. The restaurant is relatively non-descript in a strip mall, next to a kebob shop. We were seated in front of the bar where we could see the sushi, sashimi, and rolls being prepared to order.

Both of us ordered the Salmon sampler ($15.95). The sampler came with a bowl of what I think was miso soup (slightly different from what you get at Japanese Steakhouses, as this had tofu in it), as well as an iceberg lettuce salad with ginger dressing. The soup was hot and tasty, and the salad had a nice crunch to it. The server also brought us a small bowl of edamame, and two small fried wonton like pieces filled with cream cheese.

I’ll admit it was a bit of a challenge to not look like a novice, with chopsticks being the only utensils provided, but I managed. Neil, having eaten there frequently, is the chopstick expert, even though I managed to hide my ineptitude.

The platters arrived, almost overflowing with wonderful delicacies (sake [norimaki], nigiri, and temaki) . The salmon was fresh and firm. The rice was just sticky enough. The nori, however, was more than just a bit tough, which made eating the temaki rather difficult. The platter was finished with a serving of wasabi and ginger, along with a daikon salad.

The dining was an experience that was nice on a Sunday evening. When I’m next in the area, they’re sure to be on my list!

Food: (4.25)
Service: (4.75)
Price: (4.25)
Overall: (4.5)

4108 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23508

Perhaps the worst experience I’ve ever had. Blue Shirted employee took order (2 double cheeseburgers, large fries, medium drink). Line continued behind me. She left the line to go box fries; kept telling her employees “please pick fries from left to right, front to back so everyone gets hot fries”. Problem was fries were not hot. Took over 8 minutes to get my double cheeseburgers, which were so cold the cheese didn’t even partially melt. Fries were at room temperature. Customers behind me wondered where she went as she didn’t say “Line is closed”, “I’ll be right back” or anything. Customers were forced over to the remaining open line (at 11:45 AM! ONE LINE OPEN!) where they were subjected to a longer wait than should have been. No explaination, no apology, nothing.

The lobby tables were FILTHY, and it was quite evident that they had not been wiped down in some time, with food debris, spilled drinks, etc. on them. Regardless of the fact that this is the closest restaurant to campus where I work, I doubt if I will be making a return visit. After today’s experience, I certainly can’t recommend anyone else eat there either.

Food: (0)
Service: (0)
Price: (0) [What price can you put on cold, tasteless food?]
Overall: (0)

Went with some friends to the Isle of Capri Italian Restaurant, located atop the Holiday Inn Sunspree on Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach VA.
The atmosphere makes dining a pleasure. I ordered the veal marsala ($18.95), while Randy ordered the Chicken Milanese ($15.95), and Nellie & Louise both ordered the veal chop ($27.95).

Most things on the menu are a la carte where there are bountiful appetizers and salads (the Caesar salad is prepared tableside and is $6.95 per person (minimum 2 persons)).

Since it was Louise’s 85th birthday, she indulged in a bottle of White Zinfandel ($20) which she found crisp and delicious. The servers kept our glasses full, the bread plate replenished, and we never wanted for anything.

Our server even surprised Louise with a special piece of birthday cake that was served with a raspberry reduction.

The cost for the dining experience for 4 was (after tip) $160, but it was a night to remember.

Food: (4.75)
Service: (5)
Price: (4.25)
Overall: (4.5)

Dynasty International Chinese Buffet on Northampton Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA has been purchased by China Garden Buffet.

I don’t know if this means China Garden will be improving their buffets, or if it spells the end of the great times I’ve had at Dynasty.

More to come.

Freemason Abbey, 209 West Freemason Street, Norfolk, VA 757.622.3966

Before attending a local theatre production seven of us decided to venture near downtown Norfolk for dinner at the historic Freemason Abbey restaurant.

A bit of history (from their website): The Freemason Abbey building was built, and originally dedicated as a church in 1873 by the congregation of the Second Presbyterian Church. In 1902, the congregation sold the property to the First Church of Christ Scientist, who occupied the building until 1948. From 1948 through 1987, it served as a meeting hall for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In early 1988, the planning of the Freemason Abbey Restaurant & Tavern began.

The waiter took our drink orders and left us to ponder the menu. It ended up that three of us ordered the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, two of us ordered the Chicken Rockafellar, one ordered the prime rib, and one ordered the chicken alfredo.

Our drinks arrived in short order (the Cranberry Cosmo from the bar was said to be quite top notch). Our dinners, however, were a bit slow in getting to us, as we arrived at 6:15, and it was 7:10 before the food arrived to the table. It should be noted that this wasn’t the server’s fault — he kept the appetizers (curried potato soup) and salads (for those of us who ordered it) and the drinks coming to the table.

The curried potato soup had slight pumpkin overtones, and while creamy, could have used a few more whole pieces of potato to encourage a more satisfying mouth feel. The salads, served with a mile long list of salad dressings, consisted of a slice of iceberg lettuce (versus a wedge, consider running a head of lettuce through a slicer set at about 1/2 inch), two slices of cucumber, a cherry tomato, a log of cheddar cheese, some grated carrot, and a sesame/multi-grain cracker. Dressings were served on the side in a small cup.

When the main courses arrived, the reaction was positive for the most part. The Chicken Rockafellar (Diced chicken tenders sautéed with spinach, wine, garlic, bacon and Alfredo sauce. Tossed with rotini pasta) ($14.95) was plentiful, hot, and satisfying. The only suggestion that could be made is to offer grated Parmesan once served. This dish was a hit.

The grilled pork tenderloin (taken from the “Lighter Fare” section of the menu [referencing smaller portions, not lower calories]) ($8.95) was served in a Balsamic Vinegar reduction and a side of fresh steamed green beans. The pork was tender and plentiful; the reduction was a tangy, tasty addition. The beans, however, hadn’t been steamed quite enough, leaving them “squeaky and overly chewy” according to one of our diners.

The Chicken Alfredo ($8.95) was served in a large bowl with fettuccine, large strips of chicken, and plenty of creamy alfredo. One of those “can’t miss” dishes on a menu.

The Prime Rib ($15.95) was a 10 ounce cut, served with a scoop of redskined mashed potatoes and a side of green beans was the only disappointment of the night. The prime rib was neither tender, nor juicy, and while edible, wasn’t something that would be ordered off the menu again. The diner stated it had the texture of being the final end piece of yesterday’s prime rib.

Our recommendation is to go to the Abbey and enjoy yourself. Plan on taking your time — while we were there, there were at least three large parties going on, which probably slammed the kitchen, delaying our meals.

The pasta dishes are superb, the pork cooked to sheer perfection. Be sure to try their Freemason Abbey Onion Soup, which, for $3.95, runs a close parallel to what I enjoyed in Paris.

Food: (4)
Service: (4.5)
Price: (4.5)
Overall: (4.25)

Village Inn, Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA.

Regardless of the time of day or night you visit the Village Inn, expect the place to be jumping. The food is hot and fresh, the servers are (for the most part) friendly, and be sure to leave room for the pie.

One of the best items on the menu are the ham and chesse crepes, which are crepes filled with scrambled eggs, diced ham, coverd in a cheese sauce and served with hash browns.

Their skillets are also overflowing with food, such as the Ultimate Skillet which has the scrambled eggs, ham, cheese, and veggies, along with a side of both sausage and bacon.

Pies are made fresh daily and change with the season; you can order just a slice, or take a whole one home with you.

Food: (4.5)
Service: (3.5)
Price: (4)
Overall: (4)

Logan’s Roadhouse, Military Highway, Norfolk, VA

On the site of what used to be Darryl’s, a steakhouse of mammoth proportions.

A group of 8 of us dined yesterday on some of the freshest beef this side of… well… this side of a cow.

The entrees are reasonably priced ($10 and up) and come with your choice of two of their sides. Salads were loaded with veggies; baked potatoes truely were loaded; sweet potatoes were tender and covered in brown sugar and butter. The beef was out of this world; the New York Strip, Prime Ribs, Sirloins and Ribeyes were cooked to order, and gave a great “mouthfeel.” The Prime Rib came with a cup of “au jus”, but horseradish wasn’t offered.

Please pay close attention to what Logan’s has printed in their menus as to the cooking temperatures. What is Medium Rare at some restaurants is actually referred to as Medium at Logan’s. One would have to wonder, then, if Rare really is tartare.

Our server seemed a little out of sorts, but it could be that it was due to the restaurant being so busy. What they say about “the fresher the food - the better the business; the better the business - the fresher the food” holds true here.

I saw a sign by the servers pick up window that holds true, and I believe they abide by it: “If you’re not proud of it, don’t serve it!”

Desserts ($4.99 each) were huge and made for sharing. We had cheesecakes and a brownie a la mode with enough to share between all of us with some left over.

How could I forget the yeast rolls? These are simply little bits of heaven you can butter and devour.

Food: (4.5)
Service: (4)
Price: (4.5)
Overall: (4.25)

Look for more to come soon…we’ve been busy and haven’t had time to write them up.

Originally reviewed on July 12.

Sandi and I went for a follow up visit today, and the restaurant seems to have had its service take a turn for the worse. Our server, “Jill” should not have been surprised to only receive a 10% tip — it took her 10 minutes to come to our table to take our drink orders, another 10 minutes to come back to take our food order, and after delivering the food, we saw her once before practically having to flag her down to get the bill. Maybe she was new. It certainly wasn’t becuase the restaurant was busy; there were plenty of empty booths and tables.

We both ordered Creole Romano which was hot, zesty, and wonderful as normal. The food quality has remained top notch. At $7.95 a serving (half of which each of us took home), it’s a bargin by any standard.

We’ll have to drop back by unannounced at least once more. Fellini’s has the potential to be a top notch eatery with a bit more attention to detail.

Food: (4.5)
Service: (1)
Price: (4)
Overall: (3)

Tokyo Japanese Steak House (http://www.tjsh.com), Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA.

TJSH was chosen for a blind review this evening; the location has only been open for 2 weeks. Situated between Goodman & Son’s Jewelers and Bank of America, this storefront eatery is the second restaurant (the first being in Alexandria) to be associated with the name.

Randy and I decided to give it a try; I had the (Teppanyaki) Hibachi Steak, while he had the (Teppanyaki) Hibachi Chicken. Our server was “Kim” (whom we later found out was from Korea, as one of the diners at our station spoke Korean), and our Teppanyaki chef was “T.K.”

Bearing in mind the location had only been open a short period, and that it appears that “T.K.” was the only chef working this evening, both Randy and I came away somewhat impressed. T.K. will be able to grow into the show of the Teppaynaki Chef, making it his own. The egg acrobatics were wonderful, as were the slicing of shrimp to make “bunnies”.

Randy found the “clear soup” to be bland and not to his liking. I, on the other hand, relished the spicy bite of the broth, with the thinly shaved mushrooms and scallions. Next, the regular salad with sesame dressing, and then the show. There were eight of us at T.K.’s station; one ordered shrimp; one steak and shrimp; one scallops, four of us steak, and one chicken.

The fried rice and vegetables were cooked (along with the accompanying knife work) and dished out. Unfortunately, the vegetables only consisted of zucchini and onion. (Other Japanese steak houses have started including yellow squash, carrot, etc. to add a little zip and extra flavor — it might be something TJSH should consider.) The main courses were served up, then sautéed cabbage.

Randy’s chicken was prepared two different ways for him - Hibachi Style, and Terriyaki style. All the main courses came with mushrooms unless you specifically asked for them not to be included (as one of our diners did). If you opt not to add the fried rice, you will be brought a small bowl of steamed rice with a dash of toasted sesame seeds on top.

The Chicken ($11.95 in Hampton Roads) and the Steak ($14.95 in Hampton Roads) were both very good deals. The website only mentions prices from the Alexandria location.

With the loss of decent Chinese food on the Peninsula, the addition of a Japanese Steakhouse fills the void quite nicely. Once the restaurant works out some minor kinks (such as the fact that we went without silverware, napkins, or plates for the first 15 minutes we were there … even after the salads had been delivered), Tokyo can provide a much sought-after dining experience.

Food: (4)
Service: (3)
Price: (3.5)
Overall: (3.5)

Meskerem Restaurant (2434 18th Street, NW Washington, DC [202-462-4100])

Ethiopian dining is an experience, so when a friend of mine offered to take me to what he called “the best Ethiopian restaurant within 50 miles”, I was intrigued.

Located in the heart of the Adams Morgan district, Meskerem is a storefront restaurant that offers three levels of dining — the main floor, a sub dining area, and a balcony.

My host and I were seated on opposite sides of a low table. Ethiopian food is served “family style”, off one large dish. We both ordered iced tea ($2 each) which was very heavy on the lemon flavoring. My host ordered the Tomato Salad, which was diced tomatoes tossed with onions and green chili on a dressing of olive oil and lemon. ($5). The tomatoes were plentiful, looked quite fresh, and came in a large bowl. Interestingly enough, it also came with a fork. More on that in a minute.

I ordered the Alitcha Watt (extra lean chopped beef, simmered in a mild and flavorful onion and herb sauce) [$11] while my host ordered the Sigana Atkilt (lamb meat slowly cooked with string beans, carrots, and potatoes in mild sauce) [$10.50]. The server brought out this huge plate/bowl combination, lined with a piece of injera (which is akin to a crepe, made from grain of the Ethiopian region, or you could request it to be made of wheat, which has fermented). On the injera were three sauces: one made of chiles, one made of lentils, and one that tasted to be made of potatoes. The Alitcha Watt and Sigana Atkilt were brought out in bowls. The Sigana Atkilt was poured out of the bowl into the middle of the injera, while the Alitcha Watt was divided between the two sides of the injera.

The restaurant has this to say about Ethiopian dining:

Dining in Ethiopia is characterized by the ritual of breaking injera and eating from the same plate, signifying the bonds of loyalty and friendship. The quintessence of those bonds are often demonstrated in the form of gursha-that is, the placing of food in the mouth of another diner from one’s own “hand.”

Injera, the traditional Ethiopian bread, is part of every entrée. It is a large crepe/pancake upon which the various stew-like dishes are served. The traditional way of eating is with the fingers, which is in itself a delicate art. In this manner, a bite sized piece of injera is broken off to pick up a mouthful of the chosen dish.

As you can tell, by reading, standard Western utensils are not provided — which made for (1) a more sociable dining experience and (2) perhaps a more “authentic” dining experience.

My beef was wonderful — in almost a curry sauce. While I’ve never been a fan of lamb, the Sigana Atkilt could change my mind. Lamb cooked to perfection with carrots, green beans, and potatoes in a very light sauce — nothing overpowering each other. A delight to eat.

My one complaint was that our beverage glasses sat empty for 10 minutes after our main course had arrived. That could have been because a party of 15 had arrived and the restaurant was scrambling to get them set up upstairs. Other than that, it was a very pleasant dining experience… one I hope to have again in the future.

Food: (5)
Service: (3)
Price: (4)
Overall (4)

China Garden (Pembroke Mall, Town Center, Virginia Beach, VA)

Has anyone else noticed how difficult it is becoming to find a Chinese restaurant that isn’t (1) a poor buffet or (2) overpriced as heck?

China Garden has many restaurants in the Hampton Roads area — it’s almost like a local chain.

Sandi and I dropped in this evening. Buffet dinner was $8.95 per person (add $3 per person if you wish to add Snow Crab legs — which we opted not to do). Something has happened to China Garden, and it’s not good. They’ve stopped offering their Mongolian BBQ (even though the cook top is still there — though contractors were there this evening to discuss its removal). Their food quality was not up to snuff. Let’s examine:

1. Almost all the food (including the General Tsao’s chicken) was just bland. No pop, no zing, no fire. The ribs tasted as if they had basted in ketchup. The green beans had a certain amount of crunch, but no flavor.
2. Most of the food had the taste of being on the steam table too long…or fried too long (or even in the case of the sweet and sour chicken, the texture of being re-fried to heat it back up).
3. Food, such as the Coconut Battered Shrimp, had a rubbery texture which wasn’t pleasing to eat.
4. The sushi/California rolls were the best part of the meal. They tasted fresh.
5. The ice cream machine was not producing ice cream. Ice milk perhaps; or maybe something had happened to the mix. But the overly large ice crystals gave the a granulated texture instead of a smooth, creamy texture one expects of soft-serve ice cream (this was true of both the Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream)
6. China Garden used to offer cheese cake (Sara Lee) but have stopped. Dessert consisted of questionable looking pudding, jello, bananas cut up in a glaze, two types of custard pastries, and the aforementioned ice cream.

Our server was helpful, and we never needed to ask for refills or to have plates taken away.

If you’re in Pembroke Mall and have to have a buffet, go to China Garden. Otherwise, perhaps you might be advised to look elsewhere.

Food: (0.5)
Service: (3)
Price: (3)
Overall: (2)

Stack ‘Em High (Outer Banks, Nags Head, NC 2 Locations)

Known throughout the Outer Banks for breakfast, Stack Em High is located at Mile Post 9 and also at Mile Post 4.5.

Randy and I swung in the Mile Post 4.5 location, as it was on our way out of town.

He ordered the Country Ham omelet with hash browns and toast. I ordered the Short Stack, 2 eggs, and country ham.

Stack ‘Em High is not a buffet, in fact, when you enter the restaurant, there is a sign telling you as such; what I didn’t expect, however, was the manager to be as rude as he was. There was an older couple ahead of us who had a couple questions about menu items. The manager flat out said (and this is a direct quote): “What, you can’t read and understand a menu? I became manager here so that I wouldn’t have to answer people’s questions. I have people who work for me that do all that.”

Excuse me? Sounds to me like business could be falling off if this attitude prevails.

Next, the food. While the servers were helpful, the food was less than desirable. The omelet was runny in the middle, with the minced country ham left almost floating in either grease or egg by-product. It was hard to tell which it was. The “hash browns” weren’t. They were potatoes that had been cut into coin shapes, and tasted as if they had been boiled briefly and then tossed on the griddle. Think “mushy cottage fries” and you’ll get the idea. The toast, however, was thick cut and crunchy.

The short-stack (3 pancakes) were tasty, the eggs done perfectly, but the country ham was a bit of a let down. For the extra money it costs for the ham, one does not expect more than half the slice to be fat, which this one was. Discounting the fat and the bone, there was less than 1/3 of the “country ham steak” that was actually consumable.

While we may have caught the restaurant on a bad morning (the manager seemed to be busy text-messaging someone on his cell phone, and was consistently abrupt, not only with customers, but with his employees as well), I think if we are to try “Stack ‘Em High” again, it will be at Mile Post 9 — perhaps their food is better, along with their atmosphere.

Food: (2)
Service (1.5 - the servers were standard, but the manager ruined the experience)
Price: (3)
Overall: (2.25)

Red Dog Saloon (1421 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA [757.625.0259])

Trying to find a decent Prime Rib in Tidewater can be a daunting task. The former wearer of the crown, the Restaurant at Lake Wright, went under then the Clarion chain decided to “renovate”. That was supposed to take six months to a year. The restaurant closed December 28, 2002, never to reopen. Supposedly in Fall 2005 they will be opening a new restaurant, “Damon’s”, but that’s for a different review.

Back to the Red Dog Saloon. Formerly “The Maxx” and formerly “Elliot’s”, Co-owner Steve De La Cruz has a wonderful bar and dining experience. Weekends see “Burgers at the Bar” for $5. Tuesdays are $2 Nathan’s 1/2 beef hot dogs. Sunday and Monday is $10.99 12 ounce Prime Rib special, served with salad, potatoes, and garlic bread.

The salads were a bit nondescript, being iceberg with cherry tomatoes. The potatoes were mashed, red-skinned, and quite good. The spotlight shines, however, when it comes to the beef. The prime rib is slow roasted to retain its juicy flavor. It’s then seared on a grill, covered in a minced garlic sauce, giving a perfect, delectable flavor, even for those who aren’t garlic fans. (Suggested hint: offer horseradish with the prime rib). The garlic bread was crunchy and well seasoned.

Our server was a bit overwhelmed (it was her first night) but made sure our drinks were kept full and checked on us often. Even with as busy as the Red Dog was (there is both indoor and outdoor seating), we never went wanting for anything.

Hampton Roads: You have a new crown holder and dining place for Prime Rib. Visit the Red Dog Saloon. Often.

Food: (5)
Service: (3.5)
Price: (4.5)
Overall: (4.25)

New Garden Buffet (1062-A W Mercury Blvd., Hampton, VA 23666 [757.825.8777])

Attempting to fill a niche for good Chinese food, New Garden Buffet moved into the old Good Wood Store in Riverdale Plaza (the plaza formerly home to Mongolian BBQ and soon home to Pho” 79).

A word to the restaurant: While I understand you may be trying to raise extra funding by having candy and toy machines at your front door, you really need to rethink the machine with the containers of “slime and maggots” which is largely printed on the card. While it may be a fun toy for the children, it’s hardly appetizing for your guests.

The buffet is reasonably priced at $7.99 (not including your drink). Options such as General Tsao’s chicken are spicy; Peanut Butter Chicken is cooked just right so that you don’t get a “burnt” nut taste. The green beans were good, as were the cheese wonton. The “Fried Dumplings” (also known as pot-stickers) however, were disgusting. They had the appearance of sitting out under a heat lamp too long, and the pork filling had developed a soured taste.

Over 100 items are on the buffet, including a salad bar, a small sushi/california roll offering (with wasabi and pickled ginger), as well as an entire buffet line devoted to desserts. What we thought was vanilla pudding turned out, in fact, to be banana flavored. A nice surprise.

Our server kept our plates cleared and our glasses full. Considering this Chinese buffet is still the new kid on the block, with a few minor changes, they stand a good chance of going up against the other two major Chinese buffets in the area (China Garden and Szechuan Inn) and coming out the leader.

Food: (3)
Service: (4.5)
Price: (3)
Overall: (3.5)

Warrior Grill (401 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach [757.498.0323])

Located in a rather non-descript strip mall, behind a Ruby Tuesday’s and beside a Cold Stone Creamery, the Warrior Grill encompasses the necessary ingredients to make a fine Mongolian BBQ. There is a philosophy of “know one thing and do it well.” Warrior takes it to heart.

Beside the various veggies, thinly sliced meats and sauces, there is a very small salad bar. They know what they know, and their intentions are to keep them as fresh as possible.

Lunch or dinner starts off with egg drop soup or hot and sour soup. Fresh, hot sesame bread is delivered to the table and you’re on your own when it comes to what you desire in your Mongolian BBQ. Remember: it’s all you can eat, so try a variety of veggies, try the chicken, try the pork, try the beef (if your dietary regulations allow it). Try the garlic water, ginger water, lemon water, oyster sauce (I’m not quite sure what is in it, but it’s wonderful).

The servers are efficient and do not interfer with a good dining experience, though on a recent visit, we had to ask more than once for a refill on water.

Still, it’s a nice break from the norm if you appreciate Asian influenced foods.

Your meal is concluded with cookies, delivered with the bill. Normally chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin.

Food: (4.5)
Service: (4)
Price: (4)
Overall: (4.25)

Cracker Barrel (Power Plant, Mercury Boulevard, Hampton, VA)

A group of four of us decided to venture to Cracker Barrel on a Sunday evening around 6. Putting our name on a list (even though the place didn’t appear that packed), it was a 30 minute wait – not bad, as we were able to wander through the store (which, I do believe, is intentional planning on their part).

Once seated, our smiling server (Andrea, I do believe her name was) took our drink orders and the difficult part – choosing what to order.

Doug ordered the Cajun Catfish; Sandi, the kid’s shrimp plate; Randy ordered the Barbequed meatloaf; I ordered the Sunday special, the double battered fried chicken.

The portions were excellent; the food (and biscuits and rolls) came out hot and steaming. Doug’s Cajun Catfish was a bit smallish for a catfish fillet, but unlike most places that say their food is spicy, this one actually had a welcome burn to it. The fries were crisp, but the cole slaw was standard fare. Sandi’s kid’s shrimp plate came with a side of hashbrown casserole, a cheesy concoction that was quite good.

Randy’s barbequed meatloaf could have used a bit more barbeque sauce, and it was served with homemade mashed potatoes, corn and beans. My double battered fried chicken was two nicely sized boneless chicken breasts, fried to perfection. It, too, came with too sides that were freshly prepared.

All of us had saved room for dessert, but that’s another food location for a different review. Overall, from start to finish, we were there about 75 minutes, which given that 30 minutes of that was pre-dining wait, was quite reasonable.

A downside of Cracker Barrel restaurants is that they are noisy by nature. VERY noisy. So if you’re wanting an intimate dinner, go elsewhere. If you want good country cooking, and don’t mind a place that can put the “DIN” in dining, check them out.

Food: (4)
Service: (4)
Price: (4)
Overall: (4)

Royal Buffet (952 E. Columbus Street, Kenton, OH 43326 [419.673.0882])

Located in part of the old Kmart building (also previously occupied by and Town and Country), Royal Buffet opened in the summer of 2004.

I do believe they are the only buffet game in town — and they’re not too bad. The buffet, coming from a larger city, was kind of smallish, but the food was diverse.

The General Tsao’s chicken had a hint of welcomed spiciness. The honey chicken, however, was overpowered by a ketchup taste. The sauteed green beans were perfect; the mongolian beef was tender, but the sweet and sour chicken tasted as if it had been sitting under a heat lamp a little too long. The cheese wontons had also been a little overcooked, but the wonton and eggdrop soups were wonderful.

There were crab legs on the buffet which, if eaten immediately off the buffet were tolerable (this is Ohio, people, fresh isn’t an option) but if they sat, even mere minutes, they became rubbery. It’s a nice touch, however.

Royal Buffet provides a full service menu for those who want to take away.

If I had to criticize one thing, however, it would be the service. One of our dining members ALWAYS had to ask for a refill on their coffee, while another had to prevent an over-zealous server from removing the plate they were trying to eat out of.

The fortune cookies were humorous, but stale (there’s an old wives-tale that if you eat the fortune cookie, the fortune will come true).

If you’re passing through Hardin County, stop by the Royal Buffet. Keeping what I said in mind, you too can have a great meal.

Food: (4)
Service: (1.5)
Price: (4)
Overall: (3)

Romano’s Macaroni Grill (Town Center, Virginia Beach)

Randy and I ended up at Romano’s Tuesday evening for a dinner. Carrie was our server; she was friendly and efficient. We both ordered sweet iced tea ($1.99 each) (which could have been sweeter, but was tolerable). Randy ordered “Mama’s Trio” ($12.99), while I ordered the Veal Saltimboca (also $12.99).

Carrie brought us a loaf of steaming hot bread to go with the olive oil and cracked black pepper. Some grated Parmesan cheese would have made a nice addition, but the bread was tasty.

Randy’s dish consisted of Lasagna, Chicken Cannelloni and Chicken Parmesan. The plate had just come out of the oven, which meant it was piping hot, just the way Randy enjoys his pasta. The Lasagna was served in a individual bowl, and appeared to be quite good, as it quickly disappeared, as did the chicken Parmesan. The Chicken Cannelloni was a bit too heavy in garlic and spinach for Randy’s liking, but I found it quite pleasing.

My veal saltimboca was perfect. The prosciutto was crisp, the veal tender, the angel hair perfectly al dente, and the bed of spinich with the garlic cream sauce that covered it all was, to use a cliché, simply to die for.

The restaurant was hopping with customers, but luckily for us, we didn’t have a wait, and we arrived around 6:30. This was one of the times when lots of customers ensured fresh, good food — it did mean that the time it took for the food (and the bread) to arrive at the table was longer than normal, but that was acceptable.

It may be a chain, but the warmth exuded by the servers and the quality of the food make Romano’s a destination slightly out of the ordinary.

Food: (4)
Service: (4.5)
Price: (3.75)
Overall: (4.25)