Posted on June 27, 2008 at 1:18 p.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 2/5  Service: 3/5  Value: 4/5  Overall: 3/5

Went here for the first time today. I have to say that I'm not an Indian food expert, so I don't have much to compare it to - but the food here was really good. Unfortunately, I like to try a little of everything at a buffet the first time I go, which caused me to eat way too much due to the variety (and that's even without eating all of the meat products they had available).

I wish I could name some of the dishes that I enjoyed most, but it's hard to recall their names. Suffice it to say this place is definitely worth a try. The restaurant is very spacious and clean - overall a pleasant experience that I expect to repeat in the future.

On Flavors Indian Restaurant

Posted on June 9, 2008 at 11:31 a.m.

Food: 2/5  Vibe: 3/5  Service: 4/5  Value: 2/5  Overall: 2/5

Not a fan of their watery, flavorless, marinara...I mean, "salsa". Cheese tastes like the processed junk you get out of a can with a black & white label marked "CHEESE", although not quite that good. Guacamole actually wasn't bad, if a bit too salty. I really can't remeber ever going to El Fenix (regardless of location) and ever thinking "wow, that was a good meal".

On El Fenix Mexican Restaurant (Addison)

Posted on April 19, 2008 at 2:23 p.m.

Food: 5/5  Vibe: 2/5  Service: 4/5  Value: 5/5  Overall: 5/5

I heard from a friend that this place had vegan soy toppings (cheese, pepperoni, sausage) as options, so I was extremely interested in trying it (being vegan and all). Anyway, it's been about a year since I've had cheese on a pizza, and let me just say that this was the best pizza I've had in a long time, regardless of the cheese. I've yet to find any other pizza joint in the area that has this as an option.

The thin crust was extra crispy, just enough sauce so that it was not dry, but not too much to make it all soggy and floppy. The sauce had a great flavor (which I think is often overlooked, as it seems most places with crappy sauce just try to cover it up with more cheese).

For those of you that have had vegan cheese in the past, you may know how's often difficult to get that melty-gooey texture of cow-cheese, but whatever cheese they use is just about as good as it gets (I had to call back and confirm that I really did get the vegan cheese and pepperoni).

Anyway, to the previous comment about service - like Alan said, this is clearly a take-out joint, there are a few small tables available to sit down if you wanted just a quick eat-and-go, but it's not like you would actually ever plan on eating there.

I suspect their cow-cheese pizza is just as fantastic if you're not into the vegan soy thing, so don't get all bent-out-of-shape about the fact that they offer this.

I wish it was a little closer to home, but it says something given that I'll be frequenting this place, even if it's a 15 minute drive.

On Pizza By Marco (Dallas)

Posted on February 28, 2008 at 2:43 p.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 3/5  Service: 2/5  Value: 3/5  Overall: 3/5

I'd just like to second this comment about the service stinking here. Even when the service happened to be attentive, no one ever seems to give a rat's * whether or not you are there.

All of the food was great. The cheese plate is phenomenal - good selection (smoked Gouda yum). Jalapeno soup is superb (most of the time) - just enough kick to let you know it's there. 3 cheese grilled cheese was absolutely great - almost too much cheese. Veggie burger is really good - one of the better homemade vb's in Dallas. Also, portabella mushroom sandwich was wonderful. The breads they use are extremely fresh - not sure where they get them, but they add quite a bit to the overall quality of their sandwiches. Oohh, and the portabella fries are a must-have - breaded and fried just right.

Wednesday nights used to be half-price food, which made the reasonable prices even more so, but we haven’t been back in a while, so I can’t guarantee they still do this. We haven’t been back mainly b/c the indifferent service eventually overshadowed the food.

Bar service is generally much better than table service – if you can grab a seat at the bar, do so. Decent selection of draft beers, plus their mixed drinks are not bad (I don’t remember which days they have mixed-drink specials, but they make a good mojito).

On The Meridian Room

Posted on February 26, 2008 at 10:31 p.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 5/5  Value: 4/5  Overall: 4/5

Mattito's is a great place on so many levels. First and foremost, the food is fantastic. Chips are always fresh and just right on the 'crisp' factor - salsa has just enough kick with a unique (read not tomato sauce) flavor. Queso is good - but ask for their special version which is a mixture of queso, sour cream, black beans, and guacamole (I think they generally use meat instead of beans, but we don't eat meat).

They probably have the most extensive menu of 'by design' vegetarian menu options at a Mexican food place (and 'by design' I mean not having to say "without the meat please"). Enchiladas Hongos (mushrooms) - perfectly marinated & sauteed with a spicy tomato-based sauce. Enchiladas Avocados - with thick, fresh slices (not just filled with gauc like you might get at other places).

In the case that we do make a substitution for our 'meat', the black beans fill in nicely in tacos and the GREAT taco salad - which is served in the large, very crispy (and delectable) taco bowl. One more thing to be sure not to miss is the Citrus Vinaigrette dressing - which tastes great just about on anything - not just salads.

As far as everything else about the restaurant - the price is right - especially considering the close proximity to Turtle Creek and many other places that probably charge extra just for their location. The waitstaff is always friendly and attentive. Plus, if you ever needed a place for a large party, Mattitos is the perfect place, as there are several large rooms that can be separated to accommodate large parties.

All in all, by far our favorite Mexican food in Dallas. Without a doubt you should give it a try.

On Mattito's

Posted on February 25, 2008 at 10:58 p.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 5/5  Value: 3/5  Overall: 4/5

Went to Shinsei last Saturday. Since they don't take reservations for parties < 8, I was prepared for a lengthy wait (got there @ 7:00). Sure enough, it was going to be 45 minutes -1 hour to get a table - which I didn't mind, since I expected as much.

Luckily, there was a cozy bar upstairs to wait in (and when I say cozy, I mean - if it weren't so crowded, it would have been a nice loungy place to sit and wait, but with it being quite busy, cozy meant packed almost shoulder-to-shoulder). This sardine-effect didn't last too long for a couple of reasons: 1)Lots of people must have gotten there right before us, because the place started thinning out (either people getting tired of the wait, or getting a table) and, 2)(perhaps most important) the bar had some stellar drinks to hold our interest until our table was ready - the Saki-tini and (...somesuch name)Limeade hit the spot.

As far as the food goes, I must put an asterisk on this review by saying we are vegetarian, so meat & fish were off the table. So, we generally judge a restaurant's cuisine based on most of the sides and some starters. In this case, all were absolutely wonderful and unique. The chili edemame was a twist to the usual we found to be just spicy enough, without being overbearing. The vegetable tempura was perfectly battered and fried - not at all greasy - plus, some veggies you wouldn't normally get (sweet potatoes and large avocado slices were particularly great). One last veggie surprise was our side-order of brussel-sprouts. I love them, but my partner hates them - but these were marinated and cooked in such a way that I thought they were the best thing I ate all night, and my partner liked them. Any place that can get her to eat and like those things is doing something right.

The cucumber & avocado rolls off the menu were very well prepared, and "Elvis", the sushi chef, was very generous in preparing a special roll off the menu for us after learning we were vegetarian. Hopefully you can take this review coupled with someone that actually tried the fish and get a better idea of the overall quality of the food.

At last, our dessert we sampled was another off-the-menu item - the "carrot donuts" - which again isn't something a little off the beaten path. They were basically little donut-holes filled with a carrot filling (almost tasting like carrot-cake), dusted with powdered sugar and served in a little to-go box with a spiced milk-shake on the side. Yum.

The waitstaff was very friendly and accommodating, and even with the wait, we never felt like things were taking too long. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves throughout our visit and look forward to going back.

On Shinsei

Posted on November 17, 2007 at 12:28 p.m.

Food: 5/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 5/5  Value: 4/5  Overall: 4/5

St. Pete's is our favorite hangout/restaurant in Deep Ellum. The food is always outstanding...and they have quite a variety of options. From classic bar food to steaks, seafood, and really great pastas. My favorite, the "Diablo" pasta, is a very spicy marinara-like sauce that has great flavor, and heat. If you really like spice, go for the "Diablo Tempestuous", which kicks it up a bit with Habanero peppers - I love spicy foods, and this is just about too much for me. Pizzas are great, as well as their Veggie Burgers.

The waitstaff and bartenders are always very friendly and attentive - which is another big reason that we frequent there so often.

It also has one of the few patios in Deep Ellum, which is nice.

Overall, I highly recommend Pete's to anyone looking for a nice restaurant with great food with a laid-back, friendly atmosphere.

On St. Pete's Dancing Marlin