How will you have dinner tonight?

Chicago...in Marietta?

2008-04-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

It was Wednesday night and I was in no mood to cook. My good friend Rick mentioned Chicago Restaurant and I had to try it. It was kind of daunting to have to circumnavigate the construction that was taking place at Shallowford and Johnson's Ferry, but it was worth it. Just walking through the revolving door into the dimly lit cozy atmosphere made me appreciate the drive.
The interior was covered with a hardwood floor, even a raised tier of tables to help isolate some of the diner's from the outlying tables. Each table was lit by its own small lamp, giving a comfortable feel as I slid into the maroon suede backed booth.
I ordered a Bass Ale and a water, which arrived very promptly. For dinner, I ordered a full rack of the "Danish" BBQ ribs with garlic mashed potatoes and a salad with balsamic vinaigrette. The server informed me that Danish ribs are shorter but thicker ribs, so I expected a tiny plate.
The salad arrived first, kudos oh wise and powerful server, and it was delicious. The spring mix lettuce was crisp and fresh, topped with Gorgonzola cheese, tomatoes and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette complete with a fresh baked honey glazed croissant. Impressive.
The ribs arrived next, the full rack was enormous...a very healthy portion and worth the price of admission. The meat practically leaped off the bone and the sauce was a tangy sweet blend of BBQ flavors that was finished with fresh cracked pepper. The smoked flavor of the oh-so-tender meat blended miraculously with the sauce to make a symphony of taste,
The Garlic mashed potatoes were also wonderful. Russet potatoes, chunks of skin still in there, with black pepper and slightly sweet, slightly spicy roasted garlic, heated to perfection. I had asked for a side of au pouivre sauce to taste over the potatoes and just to sample for future reference, and it too was amazing...subtle...flavorful...and only a hint of the peppercorn spice.
I finished my meal with a slice of tiramisu. You know, when a restaurant makes their own desserts, I get kind of concerned about tiramisu because there are so many ways to mess it up. Chicago did it right. It was the perfect balance of creamy mascarpone cheese for sweetness, espresso, kahlua and amaretto with ladyfingers for texture that just sent my mouth on overload. If you are ever in Marietta and want a delightful meal, Chicago awaits you.

Coffee...sandwiches...and all that Jazzman's

2008-04-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

Alright, I know this is just another on-campus KSU eatery, but it is worth some mention. Jazzman's cafe in the social sciences building has continuously risen above the standards of the other food establishments in the student center. The staff has always been courteous and quick to help at the counter. The coffee is just so tasty and the food...well, the food is above "school food" standards and deserves some credit.
The sandwiches always have some variety to them, whether it is a buffalo chicken wrap or a chicken pesto sandwich, or even a vegetable hummus wrap. Of those, I enjoyed the buffalo chicken wrap, the crisp tenders slathered in the tangy spicy buffalo sauce with fresh lettuce and creamy ranch dressing really hit the spot.
They make some delicious fresh salads. My favorite is the chicken ramen salad with oriental dressing. Imagine fresh spring mix greens with peanuts, fresh cilantro, grilled chicken, and these ramen noodles drenched in a tangy sweet sesame-ginger dressing that sends the tastebuds soaring. Definitely good stuff.
Compliment any of your food selections with a fresh made pastry, smoothie, or cappuccino and its a winning mix in my opinion.
They open on weekdays at 7:30am and close at 8pm, but only during the school year. The food puts them on the top of the list right next to Hemingwayz in my opinion. Prices range from $3-5 breakfast and $5-7 for lunch/dinner items.

Los Reyes...standards just seem so, standard...

2008-04-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

Let me begin by saying I want to keep all the Spanish words in this review to a minimum. I have read many reviews, some good some bad, and find myself wincing every time some reviewer finds it necessary to decorate every inch of their article with the language of the ethnic restaurant where they went to eat. This practice is pointless. If you want a feel for the food and the culture, eat at the restaurant then go meet and talk to the people from that country, get to know them. It is a rewarding experience. *Hopping off my soapbox now*
I went to Los Reyes after a long day of classes and tutoring for a beer and a great meal. The exterior and the interior had something in common, they captured the feel of every huge well-funded Mexican restaurant chain I had ever encountered before with unique and colorful decorations. The dining room with dimly lit with a star pattern over the ceiling and a bright mural over the far wall depicting a rural Mexican town and landscape dotted with some symbolic representations of the sun, corn and indigenous Americans. This visual ambiance was complemented with mariachi style music piped in through the sound system.
I ordered a 32oz dos equis beer and the "Bistec Picado Los Reyes", beef tips in a spicy sauce.
The beer as well as the complimentary chips and salsa arrived promptly. The salsa was fresh, mildly spicy and tasted of lime, not bad. The entree arrived within a few minutes on the expected nuclear hot plate that reminded me of my mortality and frailty. The flavor of the steak tips was nice, a light spice comparable to paprika (none at all), but a good combination of garlic, tomato, beef flavor, and onion with a hint of cumin. The accompanying rice was lightly seasoned with tomato and chicken stock. The refried beans were thick, tasty and a good addition. Overall, not bad. The service was okay, I did not get a check back from the server until after I finished eating and it took about 10 minutes for the bill....bad bad server, no cookie. I will not post the location etc as I actually reccomend Calzadore's over Los Reyes.

Taco-Mac Beer, Burritos and MORE BEER!!

2008-04-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

Beer! Glorious beer, so tasty and scrumptious!! *Cough!* So... I went to Taco-Mac in the hopes of a tasty evening meal after work at KSU. The ambiance inside the place is quite the contrast to the form-follows-function exterior. You get the "feel" of a sports bar when you walk in. Numerous TV's dot the walls, neon lights for various beer brands light up the area...then there is the wall of fame. Adorning one wall of this restaurant is a wide assortment of beer taps. Not just one row, but from waist height to ceiling, rows upon rows of beer taps. Above these are plaques for the people who have tasted at least 300 of the varieties of beer they carry. Next to the wall of taps is an equally impressive wall covered with reach-in cooler with every variety of beer you could possibly conceive of and more.
I sat down at the bar in front of this shrine to beer and was greeted immediately by the bartender. I ordered the flying gonzo stout beer, delicious dark brew with a rich body and full flavor that sent my mouth on overload. For food, I ordered a half pound of the boneless chicken wings with habanero bbq sauce. Just before the wings arrived, I ordered the Sweetwatter Happy Ending stout beer, another delicious move. The wings were spicy, tangy, sweet, with a good crunch and a slow burn that lingered until I dipped them in the HOMEMADE ranch dressing.
For dessert, I ordered the chocolate chimichange, a deep fried burrito filled with chocolate, nice flavor. The chocolate was diminished somewhat by frying, but the caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream really brought out the better flavors of the dessert.
Overall, this was a very good meal and I really enjoyed the environment. One a side note, beer connoisseurs-> this place is HEAVEN. They have a four page list of beers to choose from with accurate descriptions and pricing.

Location: 600 Chastain Road Kennesaw, GA 30144
Phone: 770-874-8771
Website: www.tacomac.com
Kids menu: small selection, but they have beer for mom and dad.
Best dish: Habanero BBQ boneless hot wings.
Price range:$6-$25.

O'chimpanzee's again? OH HELL NO! HOW REVOLTING

2008-04-22T08:06:00.001-07:00

I am breaking from the usual review style format to write about something very pressing and very important to me. For a long time now, I have realized the importance of many approaches when providing customer-service in and out of restaurants. As I write this, my mind races with several blood-boiling questions:

What defines a good experience?
What is the biggest priority when dealing with customers?
What sort of balance should be maintained as a salesperson when dealing with company pressures and guest satisfaction?
Why the fuck must everything be a walking billboard?

To set the stage before I answer these questions, I need to relate an experience from my past. I used to work for Grady's American Grill many years ago in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the time, Grady's was a corporate concept under the Brinker International umbrella. They would used motivated sales contests to inspire the servers to push certain dishes onto the customers, offering prizes. When I started working for them, they ran a Salmon selling contest. It was national, so the person of all the stores who sold the most salmon in a month would win $250. I was young, new, and greedy so I utilized every adjective and persuasive word in my vernacular to inspire, coerce and otherwise hypnotize guests into ordering salmon. I ranked third in the store, even though I started a week late. At what cost?
One woman didn't like her Caesar salad because the salmon was overpowering. Another woman sent back her salmon because she never had it before and hated the strong taste. A man remarked that he should have gone with his first choice and ordered a slab of prime rib. How had I, a server, served these people? By dousing them with sales expectations and motivated product placement I gave them what *I* wanted, NOT what they wanted. These people did not have a good experience and it was my fault for doing the job the corporation told me to do. I had prioritized the motivated sales campaign over the guests and left them in the dirt. I had lost any sense of balance between corporate expectations and guest expectations. I had become the commercial.
Why am I telling you about Grady's when the title says something else?
O'Chimpanzee's (name changed to protect the not-so-innocent) has begun a campaign to "revolution"-ize their concept. They are remodeling their restaurants, retraining their crews, and restructuring their approach to be the "best in the class". What does this all mean?
When servers approach their tables they use motivated sales pitches to drive home the products offered into the minds of the guest with an expected 1 in 10 success rate, at what cost? see above. The most frequently used method is something akin to:
"Hey welcome to O'Chimpanzee's. My name is Lamefucktard. You know you could really go for a Banamonkeyslushie. It's delicious and made with fresh bananas. It's so refreshing."
formulaic indeed...you have....name product+describe product+reinforce pleasure from product= stupid billboard sign with an apron.
What is wrong with this approach? Well, according to any corporation seeking to sell a product...nothing. But ask yourself, dear reader, how many times have you heard this pitch? The radio? Television perhaps? On the phone maybe? How about on billboards? Maybe on the sides on trucks as they drive by flipping from one message to the next? What about bathroom walls? Oh and don't forget the coupon dispensers at supermarkets, not to mention commercials during the first 15 minutes of a movie.
Okay, so corporations who own these restaurants want to get the message out...nothing wrong with that. They use TV commercials, radio spots, mail out coupons, even phone surveys with some product placement. The REAL question is, why do people go out to eat?
First, they go out so they can avoid having to cook. Perhaps, they are traveling, moving, or just dog tired and want someone else to cook for them. Not a big deal, walk in sit down and BLAMMO hungry diner's paradise.
Second, they go out to spend time with other people. It's a birthday, anniversary, bridal shower, bachelor party, baby shower, secret romantic rendezvous, two angry spouses out to drink away their dissatisfaction for the loved one left at "home", etc.
Third, They enjoy the food and service of the establishment and just want to patronize a corporation they loyally love and adore because the corporation is so good at dictating exactly what they love and adore. Um, no.....not gonna happen.
In the first case...people are tired and want somewhere to relax and "get away from it all." If you have a server pushing this that or the other on them several times during the experience, how relaxed will they be? That Bananamonkeyslushie will do NOTHING for them, and if you keep pushing it on them...it will get shoved where the sun doesn't shine.
In the second case...people want to talk, to converse, to share meaningful dialog, to express themselves to one another, and to just be around people they care about. If a self-righteous overly aggressive company formulated Bananamonkeyslushie pusher comes to their table to interrupt their conversations about the husband who was found naked with her best friend, they will not score any bonus points, they will not pass go, and they will not collect a 20% tip.
I guess the major issue I am getting at is that these people, these human beings, these guests are there to enjoy themselves. So why not treat them like people instead of wallets with no brains?
Customer service truly begins when you start to find out what the guest wants and you get it for them, when you take interest in their dietary needs. When you unmask the server and show that it is a genuine compassionate person behind the apron whose only intention is to see those people leave satisfied. So take the Bananamonkeyslushies back to Shmuck E Sleeze where it belongs.

Hemingwayz in earnest review

2008-04-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

"Chow, Surf, and Chill," said the motto as it quaintly hung below the Hemingwayz name. The walls were painted shades of red and orange reflecting the light from the huge windows, giving an overall warm welcoming feeling. I made my way across the hardwood floor past the comfy booths to gaze at the menu covering the wall. Who needs waiters? I ordered my lunch at the counter and waited with hunger and baited hope for a good lunch.
My Kilamanjaro Chicken wrap and fresh made potato chips were up and ready at the pickup counter within a few minutes. I took my basket of goodies over to the small table of condiments and found the seasonings they set aside for the chips: ranch, BBQ, jalapeno, "secret spice" and cheese flavors lined the table top. A little spice later I sat down and began to devour this rare treat.
The wrap had a nice combination of flavors: the tangy creamy spice of the volcano sauce balanced the crisp texture of the fried chicken and lettuce while the creamy ranch cooled everything off with a nice finish of dill. I couldn't taste the provolone but who cares, it was good. the chips were next, crisp, hot and fresh...very nice. overall, a good meal and worth the price of admission.

KSU campus next to student dormitories and North parking deck.
phone 770-795-9299
hours Mon-Thu 7:30am-9:30pm Fri 9am-9pm
Kids menu? no, it's on a college campus
Best dishes: Kilamanjaro chicken, the Cubano, Chicken lips
Price range: $4.69-$5.29

Open Seasonings at Calzadores

2008-04-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

Calzadore's, the deer hunter as named under the sign, is a tiny little place tucked away on Johnson Ferry road near Shallowford in the Kroger mall. It seems I have a knack for finding restaurants by Krogers. Anyways, this place is notable for Mexican food and ambiance.
It was lunchtime and I had just finished a trip through everyone's favorite nightmare, Wal-Mart. The interior was dimly lit with a sort of "hacienda" feel to it. Stucco or pseudo-stucco covered the walls that were pervaded with the soft rounded arch motif, decorated with deer head trophies, Mexican sun emblems and landscape paintings reminiscent of the Mexican countryside. Quiet romantic music played which was overshadowed by the big screen TV showing a futbol game with two of the Mexican league teams kicking around their fates. The manager and a few of the servers were cheering on the game, yes this definitely had a homey feel today.
My server came over very quickly after i sat down and came back instantaneously with a beer before I could finish ordering it. They offer a number of American domestics, but what is the point of that when going to an ethnic restaurant? Their selection of Mexican beers is good, Dos Equis, Dos Equis Amber, Corona Light&extra, Carta Blanca, Negro Modelo, Tecate, and Bohemia. I don't want to leave out their very nice selection of Tequilas for shots or margaritas, but since I don't drink tequila...I will.
The menu sports a nice variety with many options outside the expected echiladas, tacos, rellenos, burritos, chalupas, and fajitas. To be different I ordered Camarones al Chipotle. shrimp cooked in a creamy chipotle sauce. The food arrived before I could finish the beer, great timing!
The shrimp were good-sized, plump and tender. The sauce was a creamy spicy cheese based sauce with that light smoked flavor from chipotle peppers. The accompanying rice and beans had much more flavor than I had come to expect from other Mexican restaurants. Overall a very delicious entree.
For dessert I ordered another negro modelo and some flan. The Mexican caramel custard came out chilled with whipped cream. The flavor with smoky sweet with a caramel finish and a rich pudding texture. Fantastic! A great finish to a great meal. I must say this is among the better Mexican restaurants around.

Location 3165 Johnson Road., D-2 Marietta, GA 30062
Second Location 2731 Sandy Plains Road. Marietta, GA 30066
Phone: (Johnson Ferry) 770-641-8625
Phone: (Sandy Plains) 770-578-0710
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-10:30pm
Sat 11:30am-10:30pm
Sun 11:30am-10pm
Kids: small menu but a lot of a la carte stuff available
Best dishes: fajitas, camarones al chipotle
Price Range: Lunch $4.50-7.25 Dinner $6.25-18 (fajitas for two)

Unlucky says it best...New Lucky China

2008-02-25T10:07:00.000-08:00

I had seen this tiny little restaurant as I entered Kroger on many occasions. Nestled near a pet shop and Kroger, this hidden getaway should stay hidden. I entered a gorgeous interior with beatiful backlit murals on the cieling and walls of dragons or fish ponds, surrounding with well-crafted Chinese merchant ships in framed glass cases on the walls. The booths and tables were all of a dark-wood finish with ornate partitions between the booths.
The menu sports the expected variety of Chinese dishes from egg rolls to Moo Goo Gai Pan. I was greeted and seated cordially by my server, who promptly took my order. I started with hot and sour soup, which arrived within two minutes. It had the textural elements of egg drops, tofu, bamboo in a medium brown lightly spicy broth that rated overall as an okay presentation of a popular soup. I ordered the Twice Cooked Pork as my entree, which arrived about ten minutes after I finished my soup. The dish visually sported an eye pleasing combination of sliced pork, cabbage, waterchestnut, bamboo, green bell peppers, crushed red pepper, and mushrooms; all of which were in a mildy sweet and light spiced sauce. The bitterness of the cabbage offset the sweet of the sauce and the spice was so mild it was barely noticable. While the service was expedient, the entree lacked the grandeur of the ambiance around me. Perhaps the constant nattering and loud exclamatory conversation between the floor manager and one of the cooks across the restaurant in one of the booths didn't help. For a conversation that was taking place at work, it struck me as two friends just "cutting up". It took a more deragatory tone when I answered a cell call at the table and I heard repetitions of "No, I am already here!" exclaimed mockingly in my direction. Bad form. If you like visual ambiance but no substance, then try this restaraunt....but bring your own food.

Location:2960 Shallowford Suit 201 Marietta, Ga 30066
Phone (770) 565-9666 carryout at your own risk
Hours: Lunch Mon-Sat 11:30-3pm Sun 12-3pm

Dinner Sun-Thurs 4:30-10pm Fri 4:30-11pm Sat 3-10pm

Kids: not really
Best Dishes: General Tso's Chicken, otherwise your guess is as good as mine
Price Range: Lunch $5-6 Dinner $8-14

A great big slice of something good

2008-02-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

The first time I went to Johnny's Pizza, it was at the recommendation of the lady at the Tag Office just a few doors down. I felt very welcomed by a warm inviting atmosphere as I left the cold winter air behind me. On the walls hang pictures of various parts of New York, some local teams, a few pictures of someone's family, and framed plaques of beer logos. Classic rock played at a moderate volume as I scoped out a nice place to "seat myself." The varied T-shirts and jeans of the waitresses and cooks told me that this was definitely casual dining.
I ordered a draft India Pale Ale (never checked the brand) which arrived promptly. As I sipped this delicious micro brew, I ordered Johnny's Italian Special Calzone, stuffed with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions and green peppers. As I waited the expected 15 minutes for it to bake I looked at the condiments for my table. In a caddy against the wall there shakers of salt, pepper, garlic powder, romano cheese, crushed red pepper, and a dry Italian herb blend. they had thought of everything.
The calzone arrived hot to handle and delicious with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. The ingredients were fresh: the peppers were crisp, the mushroom firm and earthy, the sausage had just enough bite to it, and the pepperoni was so much more than a slice of grease. Since then, i have been back for more and even gotten a pizza for takeout. They will not fail to please the pizza hungry person in you.

Location: 2970 Canton Highway Marietta, Ga; Canton at East Piedmont
Phone: 678-797-0505 (carry out or dine-in only)
Service: good, efficient

Hours: Mon-Thu 11-9

Fri 11-10
Sat 11-9
Sun 11-9

Kids: 12 and under, very small menu, but they have PIZZA
Best dishes: Johnny's Italian Special Calzone, Johnny's White Pizza
Price Range: $4.59-$8.29 regular entrees; $9.99-$21.49 for pizzas (slices around $4)
Takeout: absolutely...no delivery but worth the drive

Oooooh Ahhhhhh Asahi!

2008-02-13T15:56:00.000-08:00

The words “Japanese Steak and Sushi” stuck out in large lettering near the top of the building as I made my way across the parking lot. As I approached, I made out the little circular emblem and the “Asahi” name that I had missed seeing the many times I shopped at the Kroger nearby. The first impression of the generic words “steak and sushi” might lead a diner to believe that the food might be just as simple. This idea is far from the truth.
Asahi offers a delightful combination of the expected hibachi menu for most Japanese steak houses in the U.S. with some not-so-regular Japanese dishes and very artful sushi. While many of the menu selections cater to the very specific hibachi-lover, there is a selection of Udon (various noodle soups), Tempura (fried meat and vegetables), and Katsu (fried steak, chicken or fish). On the other side of the restaurant is the sushi bar with a large selection of different sushi, sashimi and specialty rolls catering to many different palates. The kids have a very small selection of four dishes, but it is easy to see that the show at the hibachi is much more entertaining for them than the food.
As I opened the door to the foyer, I felt like I walked out of the Kroger parking lot and into a slice of Japan. The deep-green urn-shaped fountain that greeted me by the door trickled the peaceful welcome that echoed amid the décor. Light wood paneling with small shuttered windows lined the walkway to the last entrance to the restaurant. Yes, there is the door to the parking lot and a door from the foyer to the restaurant, almost like an airlock separating two incompatible environments. The walls throughout the restaurant were decorated with minimalist art and some cultural renderings, like one large painting of a sumo wrestler lining the back wall.
The host-stand stood next to a display case with some Japanese figurines and mock representations of some of the unknown Japanese dishes such as Udon (noodle based soup, very unlike Ramen). I was greeted quickly and took my place in one of the four sections of the “hibachi side” of the restaurant. Each section has two eight seat tables with the large flat top grill for which so many Japanese steak houses are known.
I began dinner with the house sake and an order of Gyoza, a steamed/fried/sautéed dumpling filled with a combination soy sauce, minced ginger, shredded cabbage and pork. The soup that came with dinner arrived before the appetizer and it was a tasty miso soup, a combination of seaweed, tofu, sliced mushroom, and green onion in a mild chicken based broth. The appetizer arrived as I made it through half of my soup; a very good reason I recommend the appetizer by itself on another occasion as dinner is plenty of food. The gyoza were delicious with a light savory blend of tangy, salty, and earthy flavors. They were served with a mild slightly-sweet ginger-soy sauce that complimented them well as a dip.
The house salad arrived next. It was a blend of chopped iceberg lettuce, shredded carrot, shredded purple cabbage, a slice of cucumber, and a few sliced mushrooms. It was topped with a creamy ginger dressing with a light tang that reminded me of rice wine vinegar blended with the tangy sweet taste of fresh ginger in mayonnaise. It was a little basic but I didn’t expect extravagant to arrive as a freebie with my meal.
My entrée was shrimp and sirloin steak as sizzled seared and sautéed on the big grill table before me. They were served with a combination of veggies: zucchini, carrot and bean sprouts, as well as fried short grain rice with some soy, egg, onion, and carrot. The combination of fresh ingredients with simple seasoning really was refreshing. The entrée was served with 3 sauces: a mustard sauce similar to a hot Chinese mustard, a ginger sauce with a pungent blend of soy and fresh ginger, and a white sauce with a mild composite of ginger, mustard and mayonnaise. Although the meal could easily stand alone without any of the dipping sauces, they were a nice compliment.
Although I did order and eat a delightful dinner in the hibachi end, I would like to stress that so many of these places offer a good quality meal at these tables that the show itself is truly the spectacle. James Robert, our tableside chef, produced a wondrous spectacle of flying knives, flipping spatulas and well-timed humor that kept us all laughing. I do recommend this restaurant as an experience.
· Food: Japanese-hibachi and sushi
· Service: Very good
· Location: Shallowford and Sandy Plains intersection in Marietta
· Phone: (678) 560-0015
· Hours: Mon-Thurs 4:30-10
Fri-Sat 4:30-11
Sun 4:30-9:30
· Kids: 10+under, limited menu
· Best Dishes: Extensive sushi list, Gyoza, Anything Hibachi is a safe bet
· Take-out: Yes
· Price range: Sushi $5-12/order, $20-42 for combo meals(some 2 or more)
Remaining menu $12-35 Early bird specials M-Th 4:30-5:30

A Moment to Savor, from Malaysia with Love

2008-01-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

It was Sunday afternoon, and I had been looking forward to this dinner all week. I have lived in Marietta for months, and my friends ordered delivery from Rhasa Sayang many times. Each time was a delight in a bag. In November, they took me to the restaurant for my birthday, and it was no disappointment. Their menu sports a wide variety of Chinese, Thai and Malaysian dishes. On the Chinese side of things you see many of the classics like: Egg Drop Soup, General Tsu Chicken, and Hot and Sour Soup. In each section there is a nice variety of vegetarian dishes and even a “Vegetable Lover” section on the menu. There should be something on the menu for everyone. On Sunday, I journeyed alone to try something different (and to get the last info I needed to write this article).
I parked in the spacious lot just across from the typical mini-mall exterior and took the steps from the mundane bitter cold into elegance. The dining room is well furnished with dark-stained wood chairs and paneling with an art-deco finish to the upholstery in the booths. Each table is set far enough apart to give the diners ample space to enjoy their meals. Quiet instrumental music added a peaceful feeling to the dining room. This restaurant has come a long way from its tiny-hole-in-the-wall beginnings. Originally, it was a tiny little place on Holcomb Bridge Road with décor that did little justice to the food they served. I was greeted quickly and very courteously by the manager, Daniel, to be seated in a booth across from the mirror covering the far wall that added to the ambiance.
My server arrived in a timely fashion, and I proceeded to torture him with the ever-dreaded question,”What is your favorite dish?” To be fair, I clarified that I had eaten the Rendang Lembu (slow cooked thai beef) and wanted something different. His apprehension faded, and he suggested the Malaysian chicken and shrimp in a fresh mango sauce. I agreed and quickly requested some extra spicy sauce on the side. I also ordered a cup of the hot and sour soup as a starter.
The soup arrived in less than five minutes with a nice cold Tiger beer; the beer selection is limited to domestics, but they do have a few imports. The soup had a nice basic flavor, mildly tart with thinly-sliced bamboo, sliced mushroom and a little pork. I could see the universal egg drop and thick texture as typical of this soup, but it didn’t have any real spice to it. No restaurant is perfect. I finished the soup and set it aside only to note that the cup disappeared from view almost as fast as I had moved it.
My entrée arrived a few minutes after I had finished the soup (great timing!). Just looking at the presentation of the meal, I hesitated to eat it; it was beautiful. The lightly battered and seared shrimp and chicken lay under an array of julienne cabbage, carrot, cucumber and fresh mango. The whole ensemble was drenched in this delicious spicy-sweet sauce that slightly resembled plum sauce in flavor. Each bite was an explosion of flavors. The crisp texture of the shrimp and the chicken with the crunch of the fresh cabbage balanced well in the combination of tender tangy light pine of the mango in the sweet burn of the sauce. I used the side of spicy chili sauce very sparingly, as the dish had plenty of heat on its own. The steamed short-grain rice served to “sop up” every delicious bit of sauce on my plate. It took a great deal of willpower to eat only half in order to save room for dessert.
I ordered the fried banana with green tea ice cream for dessert. It came out about ten minutes later and was also an eye-catcher. In a long rectangular dish they arranged five tempura-style battered and fried nuggets, lightly drizzled with honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds, next to two scoops of creamy sweet green tea ice cream. The bananas were still hot so it took a little time to eat them but all in all it was delicious.
If you are planning a nice meal with someone special, an exotic family dinner or even take-out, this is definitely the place to go. They do deliver within eight miles of the restaurant, but do not let that deter you from the delightful experience in their dining room. The service and ambience make it worth the trip. From start to finish, my experience at Rasa Sayang was definitely worth repeating.

Food: Malaysian, Chinese, and Thai
Service: Top notch
Location: 1425 Market Blvd. #1390 Roswell, GA, 30076
Phone: (770) 643-8812
Website: http://www.rasasayangrestaurant.com/
Hours: Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30 AM - 2:30PM
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 4:30PM - 10:00PM
Friday & Saturday 4:30PM - 10:30PM
Best Dishes: Lobak Roll (shrimp & pork eggroll), Rendang Lembu (spicy slow cooked beef), Malaysian Chicken and Shrimp in Mango Sauce, Tom Yum Soup, Rasa Sayang Kari Beef (Malaysian beef curry with veggies)
Kids: Half portions of any entrée.
Takeout/Delivery: Yes! They deliver within 8 miles of the restaurant.
Price Range: $5-$20 (A bargain for the quality)

Oh uh yeah....O'Charley's

2008-01-20T07:42:00.000-08:00

It was Wednesday night and I was on my way home to Marietta, Ga. I was starving after a long day. As I was going towards the intersection of Shallowford and Sandy Plains, I saw O’Charley’s restaurant and decided it was worth a shot. I admit that although the well-groomed exterior with a few trimmed and neat juniper bushes with the nice blend of brick and wood paneling on the building was inviting, I had my concerns about another corporate-based quasi-fast-food nightmare. What the hell, I thought, a beer and some deep fried appetizer might hit the spot.

The cheery pop-music piped into the lobby and the warm smile of a very friendly hostess greeted me. I skipped the wait, which looked like maybe ten minutes anyways, and went straight to the bar. Being on a wait seemed like a good sign at 8:30pm on a weekday, most places tend to slow down around that time.

The bartender greeted me with a smile and very quickly made sure I had a menu and a beer in hand. Their draft beer selection could use a little work; the basic domestics and maybe one pseudo-micro-brew made by Bud is a little limiting. They did have some nice varieties of bottled beers including Guinness-in-a-can which scored a few points, but it was Miller time. The bartender was very patient and answered all my questions with a sharp honesty you only get from someone who isn’t out to sell you a used car. I started off ordering the Caribbean Coconut Shrimp appetizer and with some not so subtle coaxing turned it into a full dinner. I ordered it with the chicken enchilada soup and a side of fries.

The soup and some warm rolls with a mildly sweet whipped butter showed up within a few minutes of ordering, another server brought the food which scored a few more points for service. The soup was tasty and bared some distant resemblance to something similar I had at Chili’s years ago. Dinner arrived within a minute of the soup. (bad bad bad naughty kitchen and servers… no cookie for you) Switching from my half-eaten soup to the shrimp and fries I took my first bite and the soup incident was quickly forgiven. The shrimp were good sized and fresh; the coconut breading was crisp and was complimented well with the spicy-sweet mango “Caribbean dip.” After two more beers, some lightly salted fries and good conversation . . . it was time for dessert.

I ordered the Cinnamon Sugar Donuts at the suggestion of the bartender and the hostess nearby. They came out hot, tasty and with a delicious cream cheese dip. Overall, not a bad dinner if you forgive the “soup-us interruptus.”

Food: American Service: Good

Price Range:$6-18 Carryout:Yes C.Cards:Amex,MC,Visa

Wheelchair Access:Yes Kids:Definitely

Location:3550 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, GA 30066 Phone:(770) 579-2690

Open for: Lunch and Dinner Parking: Good

Vegetarian Selection: Not very good.

Website: http://www.ocharleys.com/

Best Dishes: Caribbean Coconut Shrimp and Kickin O’Tenders