nicolrenee

I know, I know. It's a Denny's, what more can one say. The ambiance is what it is, the wait staff will be surly when present, but you have to admire their loyal following and cheap food.

Most of the time I give Denny's a pass, preferring my own cooking at home where I don't have to tolerate slow service and frequent returns of dishes for failing to meet my special requests. There was a time during the coldest part of the year this year though when my gas line broke and I had to hoof it to a hotel for a few days until it was under control. Denny's was close, and it had omlettes 24 hours, and I had a craving.

I went in, cringing, and asked for the veggie omlette with no cheese, expecting the worst. I am forced to admit that it was one of the best omlettes I have had that were not made in my own kitchen. I am impressed.

Whether it was a fluke at this location or is a consistent theme I have no idea, but it is worth going over to see. I never thought I would see a day when a Denny's hired someone who could actually cook, but it may have actually happened. Go figure.

Fadi's has sprung up all over the metroplex and I can see why. Their huge cafeteria style selection of mediterranean favorites is for me almost like a kid at Christmas with a stack of presents around him just waiting to be unwrapped. My favorite dish is the vegetarian sampler. It depends on my mood as to how many salads I get, but I always get the hummus and baba ghanouj with a bit of tabouleh. Their tabouleh has more parsley than most here in Dallas are accustomed to, but it is quite good, and I highly reccommend it.

Next comes their cauliflower which, I would guess, has been sprayed with olive oil and broiled to perfection until golden brown. If you don't typically like cauliflower, then it's because you've never had it like this.

The greens are usually done well, not overcooked as they often are in other cafeteria settings, though the green beans are often too soft for my taste and the potatoes, though usually tasty, are inconsistent in texture and are as likely to be too dry as not. The rice is light and gently flavored, quite good.

Almost all of the veggie selections have a taste of lemon, the cauliflower and pomegranate eggplant being the exceptions. They are still good, though.

Though as a vegetarian I have never tried any of the more carnivorous options, I can say with confidence that this is a great place for a vegetarian to grab a meal. The best time to go is at night though. The food is more consistently up to standards than during the lunching hours.

From the outside, it is easy to give this pizza place a pass. From the road, all you see is a big sign that says Pizza and it isn't until after you enter and see them menu that you discover that this gem actually has a name. This is a take out only kind of place, so don't run over expecting the dine in experience, but I have to tell you, the food is well worth taking home! Whether the restaurant is named or nameless, the food speaks for itself. All ingredients are made fresh from scratch from the pizza dough to the sauce to the sauteed spinach with garlic & olive oil that you can have topping your favorite pizza pie.

The brainchild behind this business is a Greek man who owns and operates the business with his wife, who is the primary customer contact when you go in. You can order ahead or come in and watch as your pizza dough is deftly tossed in the air, covered in just the right amount of your favorite toppings, and baked to perfection in the hearth oven. The crusts on the pizzas are to die for, just thin enough, just crispy enough, and the man behind the chef's apron minds the pies well enough to pop air bubbles as they come up wherever possible so you have an even crust.

Oh, but there is more! They have a good selection of hoagies and have some delightful hummus served with home made pita. I have not yet tried their tabouli or baba ghanouj, but if it is even a fraction as good as the rest of the food, you will not be disappointed. For the lactose intolerant, they will make you a pie with no cheese without even blinking that will be one of the best you have ever had. My fave combo so far is sauteed spinach, mushrooms and olives. Yum, yummie, yum!

Whether vegan or carnivore, sandwich lover or pizza fan, this little hole in the wall place has got what you want and at a good price to boot. Go grab a pie, eat a slice, and you will be just as hooked as I have become. No lie.

I popped in Cafe Lago one evening on a whim on the way home after a visit to my eye doc, who is in the same strip. I was pleased that the gent at the counter was happy to answer my multitude of questions about items on the menu and their ingredients, and also happy to find a number of vegetarian options available. After much deliberation, I took home the vegetable stir fry, bruschetta (wth no cheese...allergies) and their home made foccaccia bread. One of the chefs in the back had an incredulous look on her face when it was explained to her that the bruschetta, because of my allergies, had to come without the usual slice of fresh mozzarella, but she did prepare it as I wished.

Let me begin by saying that the flavors of the food I had were good. However, for the price, I certainly expected much larger portions. The veggies were pre-mixed with a good brown rice, and though tasty, is a technique used by many people on a budget to make their dollar go a little further. I don't like to see that at a restaurant, particularly not when paying a premium price.

The Bruschetta turned out to be four very small pieces of bread (well, two slices cut in half more than likely) brushed with garlic and toasted with a tiny dollop of tomatoes & basil, certainly not worth even a fraction of the price I was charged. The foccaccia bread sticks were also tasty and a somewhat better value, but drier than I expected.

I might try them on another day for breakfast since I understand that is when their biggest crowds are there just to see if the portion to price ratio is any better or if it is better on a dine in than a dine out experience, but I have to say based on my first experience I can turn up better in my own kitchen and for a fraction of the price. It just isn't worth the expense for the convenience of having someone else do it for me.

I discovered this joint when a jazz band I enjoy, The Freddie Jones Quartet, was playing there. I went not knowing what to expect and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. The stage for music is small and the sound system not up to snuff, but the cafe has good enough acoustics that the bands by and large can overcome that issue. The staff is very attentive and courteous and the veggie burgers are outstanding. The staff is happy to accommodate any special dietary needs as well for those among us who have dietary allergies. I have visited there several times since and an impressed with the quality and consistency of both the service and the food. Though I have not yet been there on a hopping weekend night where reservations are required for dinner, I can say easily that this is a fabulous weeknight date night place to go and share a good meal, fine music, and a libation, if you so choose.