Gilligan's Island Bar - Beach, Beer and Ballyhoo!

WHERE WE WENT:   

Gilligan's Island Bar
5253 Ocean Boulevard
Sarasota, FL

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Q


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 6
Presentation - 6
Taste - 6
Price - 7
Service -8
 Overall - 6.5


Atmosphere - If you are looking for a place to kick back and not care about the world around you, you've found it. Describing this place in one word: chill. Great location on the main drag in Siesta Key. It's the kind of place you would imagine they wouldn't even require shoes. There's almost a much bar space as there is seating, including a sweet tiki bar area. They have a patio seating area and a back section where they have live music. I felt a little shocked that our server didn't have dreads. You get the picture.

Menu -  The menu did offer a bit of variety. Salads, burgers, seafood, and more. All of your typical beach eats are represented. However, there wasn't any single signature or stand out dish that would make you want to go here as opposed to somewhere else. 
 
Presentation - Honestly, a little boring. With as kitschy as the rest of the place was with the beach culture and island theme, we expected something a little more original than white plates and baskets.

Taste - The meal was a little underwhelming. The coconut shrimp were heavily battered and a little overcooked. The best part of that dish was actually the mango chutney dipping sauce, which I would recommend pairing with any seafood. Normally I would say you can't go wrong with cheese fries, but these tasted like they came straight out of a freezer bag. The cheese was a little bland too.


Price -The fries were definitely the right portion for the price, if only they were more delicious. The shrimp were a little overpriced. Not worth it in our opinion.

Service - Our server was great. He was a really chill guy who took good care of us but didn't hover.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Maybe. If Ballyhoo is there, we're there. If not, we might go back for the right drink specials. We would really wanna explore the rest of what Siesta Key has to offer before making a return trip.


Here's a link to their website:  
 http://gilligansislandbar.com/

Ciccio Cali - Dinner w/ Abby

WHERE WE WENT:   

Ciccio Cali
17004 Palm Pointe Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Mediterranean Wrap w/ Greek Yogurt Sauce, Black Beans, Yellow Rice, Hot & Crunchy Tuna Bowl


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8
Menu - 9
Presentation - 8
Taste - 8
Price - 8
Service - 7
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere - Ciccio Cali is part of a local Tampa restaurant group that manages multiple brands, all of which are very hip and trendy. The majority of the dining space is a shocking white that makes it appear much larger and fancier than it actually is.The tables are fairly close together which creates a crowded sense of intimacy. There is a lovely patio seating area and a second story balcony area that provides privacy for larger parties.

Menu -  This is one of those places where there is going to be something for everyone...even your picky, fad dieting friends. Sensitivity to gluten? Free range only? There are vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy options galore.They even have naturally sweetened organic sodas. You'll have choices coming out of your ears, but everything can be broken down into a few quick categories: Pizza, Salad, Wraps, Stirfry and Bowls. Pizza and Salad are pretty self-explanatory (at least we hope so). In the other areas, it's all about customization. Choose your base (rice, kale, spaghetti squash, noodles), your protein (chicken, tuna, steak, broccoli mix), and choose your style for sauces and fixings. The possibilities are endless with every taste profile imaginable (Latin, Asian, fusion). 
 
Presentation - The food looks so good that you're going to want to eat it with your eyes. Classic white dishes in funky shapes keep with the trendy vibe of the place.

Taste - If you're a fan of tuna, you'll want to try the Hot & Crunchy Tuna Bowl. We recommend it with Asian noodles and extra sriracha aioli. It is an explosion of your favorite sushi, tempura, and soba all in one. 
The Mediterranean wrap is a vegetarian paradise. The vegetables are fresh and crisp, and the white bean hummus is some of the best I've ever tried. The Greek yogurt sauce is amazing. The kind of amazing that would make your Nona proud. Get extra.


Price -It's priced comparably to other restaurants of its kind and the atmosphere is very nice. Fair.

Service -Our waitress was an absolute sweetheart. She was very friendly and attentive and full of helpful product knowledge and suggestions.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Absolutely. Everything was delicious. We'd really like to go back and try the brunch menu. They also have $2 Tuesday specials for drinks and small plates. Red and white sangria are included and we're intrigued.


Here's a link to their website:  
 http://cicciorestaurantgroup.com/restaurants/ciccio-cali.html

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill - Beach Day Eats

WHERE WE WENT:   

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
7 Rockaway Street
Clearwater, FL 33767

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Caribbean Grouper Sandwich, French Fries, Fried Clam Strips


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu -10
Presentation - 6
Taste - 7
Price - 7
Service - 8
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere - Frenchy's is an institution at Clearwater Beach. It's got a really chill vibe. Let's be real, it's impossible not to when you're actually on the beach. It's the kind of place that clothing is really optional, no need to cover up, and it's totally cool if you track sand in. It looks beachy with all of its bright colors. There's indoor and outdoor seating, but they might as well be the same thing. The whole restaurant is breezy and open. It's generally exactly the type of place we would like. The only thing that detracts from the atmosphere is the fact that it always is very overcrowded. The tables are tight together, constantly full. Even though it's a local joint, it seems very tourist-y.

Menu - Seafood! Seafood! Seafood! Being right on the water can have a serious effect on the fare served. The majority of the dishes involve some sort of seafood. They have everything from a Grouper Ruben to Tuna Poke to Calamari. If it's seafood they probably have it, or at least a version of it. You can get other meats. There's turf in the surf and turf after all. Vegetarian options are few and far between, and when you do find one, you better hope that you like fried food. While it's nice that there are some options, it would be better if they were healthy as well, a little something more than onion rings and mozzarella sticks. 
 
Presentation - The presentation was nothing special, just diner

baskets and wax paper. A place this chill can get away with it, but it is a little disappointing. Being such a beachy place and especially with the high tourist population, they have room for really fun presentation, like neon plates or logo napkins. You can even afford to be a little chintzy.

Taste -The grouper sandwich was good, but not the best one we've ever had. It was just a little basic. The french fries followed suit. The clam strips were the best part of the meal. They were light and crisp with a perfect balance of clam and breading, and the breading was well seasoned.


Price - It was honestly a little bit overpriced. You really can't expect anything else when you're sitting on the beach. That kind of proximity adds a little to the price, just like anywhere touristy. You're really paying for location and atmosphere as well.

Service -Our service was good. The entire section was slammed and it wold have been better of our server had a chance to take a breath. She constantly had a look on her face like she as trying to run through a list of things in her head to remember. And even with that she forgot to fill our drinks a few times.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yeah, it's got a great vibe and it's really convenient on a beach day not to have to travel off the beach.


Here's a link to their website:  
http://frenchysonline.com/

Taco Bus - "Keep It Chido"

WHERE WE WENT:   

Taco Bus
913 East Hillsborough Avenue
Tampa, FL 33604

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Chips and Queso, Vegan Steak Strip Burrito Prenado, Fish Tacos, Rice and Beans

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8
Menu - 9
Presentation - 6
Taste - 9
Price - 8
Service - 6
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere -  You cannot get more laid back than food getting served out of a bus. This seems exactly like something you would come across on the beach in Santa Monica. Off to the side, there's some outdoor seating, reminiscent of a tiki bar, with wooden raised tables and stool with a grass roof covering. There is a small indoor dining room as well for if the weather is inclement or if you

just like air conditioning. The atmosphere is just excellent. It's cool and unique and very Tampa. They have multiple locations around the city but this one is the best.

Menu - Anyone who likes Mexican food should be able to find something they like at Taco Bus. They have a build your own menu setup where you choose your dish, then your protein, then your toppings, so you can completely customize your meal to your tastes. You can get your protein done up in a burrito, taco, quesadilla, tostada or more. The offer chicken, beef, carnitas pork, shrimp, fish, and (amazingly) an equal number of vegetarian options like tempeh, butternut squash, rajas, tofu and my favorite, vegan steak strips. Of course they have the classic sides like refried beans and rice and appetizers like queso, guacamole and ceviche. They have some awesome, traditional beverage options as well, like Jarritos and flavored waters. (I recommend the cucumber/lime).
 
Presentation - The presentation is very basic. Black, square,

styrofoam plates and plastic utensils are standard. Honestly though, fine china from a big yellow school bus would be ridiculous.

Taste - The chips were obviously homemade and delicious. It makes a huge difference when the chips are fried up in house. All of the produce is incredibly fresh. The veggies have a fantastic crunch and are a really light, bright addition to the otherwise heavy Mexican dishes. The fish in the tacos had an excellent flavor profile, the only problem was that it wasn't quite firm enough and was a little on the mushy side. The taste however completely made up for it. The vegan steak strips are amazing. It was definitely some of the best soy protein I've ever eaten. It was seasoned perfectly and textured to be just like steak. Someone who didn't know that it was vegan could have easily taken a bite and never been able to tell the difference. One of the little touches that I think really add to the flavor is the large, whole cilantro leaves that they use as a garnish. The flavor just explodes in your mouth.


Price -The price is really quite good. The only thing I would ask is that sides be included. Other than that, it is very reasonable. The portions are huge, I can pretty much never finish what I order.

Service - With every other aspect being as great as it is, the service is a little disappointing. They were slow, like very slow. And when we went to check on our food, they were super standoffish and made it clear that they did not want us approaching the window with any questions. The first time our food came out, I watched them walk around with it and try to figure out who it belonged to. I tried really hard to get their attention but they ignored me. They went around with our food three times. They had to reheat it, but we did finally get it.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
For sure! The food is no frills, but delicioso. This is definitely going to be one of our regular spots. I hear that the service is much better at other locations.


Here's a link to their website:  
 http://www.taco-bus.com/#!

The Captain's Table - A Taste of Home

WHERE WE WENT:   

The Captain's Table
1110 Beck Avenue
Panama City, FL 32405

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Shrimp Po' Boy, French Fries, Cheese Grits, Hushpuppies

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 6
Menu - 7
Presentation - 5
Taste - 6
Price - 7
Service - 6
 Overall - 6


Atmosphere - The Captain's Table 's one word summation would be "dive." It's an old building, with peeling paint and in great need of renovation. Any little bits of decor are of old Florida photos, preserving the history of the town, which would be cool, if the amount was not so sparse. The idea could be executed really well,

if it seemed like there was any conscious effort to create a theme. It really looks like someone found a few old photos and keepsakes in the attic and just strew them around where they landed. The tables and chairs are old and rickety with torn cushions and wobbly legs that make you pay attention to your balance all meal. In spite of all of these really unappealing aspects, Captain's Table does manage to maintain an air of small town charm. This is the kind of place where the servers know you and you run into your neighbors on a Sunday afternoon. The chairs may be wobbly, but if you're from around here, then they're probably the same ones your great-grandparents sat in. It's located in the fantastic, historic old neighborhood of St. Andrews, surrounded by other quaint pieces of the town's history.

Menu -  There is pretty much all the kinds of seafood that you'd want. Since it's in the Panhandle, you know that anything you order is going to be super fresh. The oysters on the half shell are always the star. There are some standard options available in case you're not a fan of fishy fare. If you are a strict vegetarian though, good luck. You'll be relegated to maybe three choices, one of which is a less than appetizing side salad. While there is an abundance of seafood options, nothing is particularly unique or creative. There isn't any spark of culinary genius that you'd find in the big city.
 
Presentation - It's exactly the kind of presentation you would expect from a dive caliber joint.

Taste - We'll start with the good. Captain's Table has some of the BEST cheese grits ever. In the South, we take our grits pretty seriously, and these are serious. They are the perfect mix of creamy and cheesy. The hushpuppies are also delicious. They are have a nice after-kick to them. What wasn't so great was the po' boy. There wasn't a ton of shrimp and the bread was kinda stale. Where the bread was stale, the french fries have the exact opposite problem; they were soggy. While it's great that the hushpuppies and cheese were yummy, if you're a seafood restaurant then your main shrimp should be amazing.

Price -The price is good. It helps that the food comes fresh out of the gulf. It's pretty comparable to any other similar place in the same market.

Service - Our waitress was kind of flighty. It took her a long while to come over and greet us and take our drink orders, and it was not a particularly busy time. My drink sat empty for a while, a couple of different times. She wasn't very friendly either. Not someone I would ask for their section.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Meh. It's a part of the community and it's at a great location. It wouldn't be our first choice for dinner, but it works.

Flight - One Year Anniversary Dinner

WHERE WE WENT:   
FLIGHT
39 South Main Street
Memphis,TN 38103


WHAT WE ORDERED:
Soup & Salad Flight - Seafood Gumbo, Lobster Bisque, Harvest Salad 
Steak Flight- Boursin Stuffed  Filet w/ Red Wine Bourdalaise and Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Elk Chop w/ Kahlua Glaze and Truffle Mac & White Cheddar Cheese, Bison Cut w/ Crispy Onion Strings 

Seafood Flight - Shrimp and Grits w/ Tasso Ham, Lobster Biscuit & Gravy, Sea Scallop Benedict w/ Quail Egg
Anything But Chardonnay (ABC)- Waterbrook Sangiovese Rose, Conundrum White Blend, Loosen Brother Riesling
Wonders of the World- Perrin, Antinori, Mollydooker Shiraz
Dessert Flight- NYC Cheesecake, Warm Turtle Tart,

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu - 10
Presentation - 10
Taste - 9.5
Price - 9
Service - 9
 Overall - 9.5


Atmosphere - From the moment you walk through the heavy oaken door off of South Main, you know you are in an establishment that exudes class. The deeply stained wood that is present throughout the bar as well as the spacious booth seating just looks expensive. Starched white table cloths are spotless  beacons in the sea of all black waitstaff meant to ensure that your every need is met.The space itself is particularly narrow, but maximized with outdoor, cafe style seating as well as a small balcony seating section. The decor is simple elegant. Everything about FLIGHT is class, well almost. The only thing that was out of place were the TVs at the

bar. While I know people watch sports at the bar, they just seemed unnecessary.

Menu - The menu is unique in the manner that it is set up because of the unique concept of the restaurant. The concept pretty much sells itself. Every time you go to a restaurant there is always a few things that you have a hard time choosing between and you always wonder if you got the right thing. Well flight allows you to get smaller portions of multiple dishes (or drinks) so that you don't have to wonder. You can pay a higher price and have any dish in an entree sized portion itself. They have soup and salad flights, and entree flight with three dishes a piece: Steak, Loin, Fish, Seafood, Feathered. Each flight's dish has the main protein and accompanying side. Some of the most appetizing offerings are Elk Cut with Truffle Macaroni & White Cheddar, Fried Chicken & Buttermilk Waffle, and Sage-Crusted Australian Lamb Chop with Mint Jelly and Loaded Potato Croquette. Because they aim to please, if a single flight is not wholly appetizing, you are free to mix and match dishes to create your own. Each flight is also listed with a recommended wine flight to accompany it. The drink menu is extensive with over a dozen wine flights, both red and white, as well as a wide selection of beer and cocktails.

 
Presentation - The presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Each flight was served on a wooden plank base in miniature white bowls, plates, and dishes. The wine flights came with a card that detailed the origin of each vino along with a brief description of its flavor. Every single course looked positively artful in the color pallet and the method in which it was arranged. It honestly looked so good that you'd hesitate to eat it.

Taste - We began with the soup and salad flight. The harvest salad was bright and fresh, a great summer salad. The lobster bisque was smooth and rich, the best I've ever had. Only the seafood gumbo fell a little flat. There was something missing that could have kicked it up a notch. As far as the seafood flight goes, everything was amazing. The sea scallop and quail egg were cooked to perfection and covered in the rich hollandaise sauce. The shrimp and grits had a spicy, smoky flavor that you would swear just came right up out of the bayou. Being from the South, I'm quite particular about my grits, but there were no complaints to be made. The

lobster biscuit and gravy was fantastic in flavor, but the biscuit just need to be a bit less soggy and a bit more flaky. All cuts of meat in the steak flight were the ideal medium rare. The bison was nicely seasoned with plenty of juice, accompanied by miniscule onion straws, a simple but welcome addition. Potato puree set off the taste of the succulent filet very nicely as well. The best of the three was the elk chop with was rich and dense with a bit of a bite from the kahlua glaze, that was nicely paired with the truffle macaroni's mild creaminess.

Price - We splurged with this meal. FLIGHT is by no stretch of the imagination inexpensive. Each entree flight will run you upwards of $30 before you ever touch appetizers, desserts, or libations. You're paying for presentation, fancy ingredients, and atmosphere. And it is without a doubt worth it. FLIGHT isn't an everyday restaurant option (unless you're a much higher pay grade than us), but it serves its function well and is comparable to other restaurants of its caliber. 

Service - Our waitress was excellent. She was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. When we told her it was our first time there, she was happy to explain the concept and walk us through the menu. She made suggestions but wasn't pushy and was happy to answer any of our questions.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Absolutely. Birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations of any kind would immediately bring FLIGHT to mind. We would want to save it for a special occasion. Also, we'd be sure to make reservations again, because we were certainly glad we had done so this time.


Here's a link to their website:  
http://flightmemphis.com/

Chiwawa! Midtown - Lazy Day Lunch

WHERE WE WENT:    

Chiwawa! Midtown
2059 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104


WHAT WE ORDERED:
Macho Nachos, Elote, Vegetarian Quesadilla


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 8
Presentation - 8
Taste - 8
Price - 8
Service - 7
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere - The first two words that come to mind when you think about Chiwawa! Midtown should be "laid back." The inside of the restaurant is spacious with the majority of the the tables and booths up against the walls. There's also equally comfortable outdoor seating for when the weather is really good. Extra large windows all the way around the place give it a very open air feel. Almost the entire decor it light wood. You get a sense that you walked off the street of midtown Memphis and somehow got transported to a surf shack on the Cali coast.

Menu - Before even being able to look through your choices of food, you could easily get caught up in the aesthetic appeal of the Chiwawa! menu. I have never been one to like orange, but somehow it works here. The menu itself is very manageable, just one full page. It is anything but boring. Bright colors, an easy-flowing layout, and a variety of nifty fonts are an eye catcher for certain. The actual edibles listed on the menu are just as captivating. Chiwawa! serves a mix of traditional Mexican and American street food such as elote, chicarrones, or even gourmet hot dogs. There are dozens of choices contained in the three categories of antojitos, tacos, and perros calientes, but if you can't find one you like you can also build your own. Some of the mouth-watering highlights include: Juan-tons (chorizo, chicken, poblano crema, cream cheese and salsa roja in a wonton wrapper), Taco de Madre (brisket, carmelized onion, tomato chiptole sauce, cotija) and the Tijuana Dog (chorizo-charro bean chili, queso blanco, chili fried onions, pickled jalapenos). They also have an expansive menu of equally delicious sounding cocktails and unique shooter such as the W.C. Handy (Tennessee Apple Moonshine, Sour Apple Pucker, Lemon Lime Fresca, Homemade Sweet & Sour, Blue Curacao).
 

Presentation - For self-proclaimed "street food", the presentation was pretty solid. The Macho Nachos were piled high with chicken, queso, chorizo chili, jalapenos, iceberg lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and shredded cheese on a snazzy rectangular plate. The dish looked well-balanced and the colors were great. The quesadilla was delicious looking and garnished with fresh cilantro with salsa roja and sour cream in silver bullets on the side. The star was the Elote covered in crema sprinkled artfully with cotija and chili lime salt.

Taste -The elote was amazing! I could close my eyes and taste a hot summer day in Mexico City. All the flavors blended together expertly; the crunch of the corn, acidity of the chili lime salt and mildness of the crema. The Macho Nachos were also delicious. The mondo mound of toppings insured that there was never a flavorless

bite or a bare chip in sight. The quesadilla was one of the best I've ever had. It was slammed full of multiple rich cheeses, sauteed spinach & mushrooms, and black beans.


Price -This was actually one of the pricier Mexican restaurants we've been to. Generally you can count on low costs and huge portions when you venture south of the border. Chiwawa! is worth the upcharge. The portions are still sizeable but you can tell it wasn't slapped together in two seconds from vats of indistinguishable mush.

Service - Our server was great. He was helpful, friendly and attentive. We never had to ask for refills and he checked up on us a good amount.


WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. The food was great, the atmosphere was fun, and the pricing wasn't too bad. We wanna go back for happy hour and try some of the unique drink specials they have.

Here's a link to their website:  
 http://chiwawamidtown.com/

Automatic Slim's - Sunday Funday Brunch

WHERE WE WENT:   

Automatic Slim's
83 South Second Street
Memphis, TN 38103

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Cinnamon Roll Waffle w/ Cream Cheese Glaze, Scrambled Eggs, Blackened Salmon Eggs Benedict, Mimosa, Bloody Mary


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu - 9
Presentation - 7.5
Taste - 8
Price - 7.5
Service - 8
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere - Walking by Automatic Slim's you would never know that the hole in the wall you're walking past a culinary treasure trove. The inside of the restaurant is like a hipster-swank bar, exactly the kind of place you would expect downtown. The gold coffered ceiling, wood paneling, and varied ornamental paper light fixtures create a fascinating space that could be a bar or a coffeehouse. The narrow building is made more expansive by a higher level of seating. The decor is folksy and very Memphis. There are depiction of guitars in multimedia all over. The bar is a beautiful backdrop to the lower level. It is instantaneously cozy and comfortable.

Menu -   We have only knowledge of the brunch menu, but it in itself is enough. That could be the entire restaurant. There are classic breakfast offerings like sausage and biscuits, french toast, and chicken and waffles that are your typical home cooking. On the other hand they take some classic dishes and turn them on their head. Dishes like blackened salmon eggs benedict and Manhattan cherry-infused waffle with bourbon syrup put a gourmet twist on the foods you know and love.
 
Presentation - Presentation honestly wasn't anything particularly special. Basic white, round plates served as the base for each dish. The waffle and eggs looked as though they were just plopped on the plate with no garnish of any kind. The benedict was a little better. It had a great color palette and different textures distinguishable and at least looked as if there was at least some effort in arranging it.

Taste -The hollandaise sauce on the benedict was rich, creamy and delicious without being too heavy or overpowering the salmon had an excellent, fresh taste (even though it was not blackened as the name would suggest). The only complaint for the dish is that there wasn't nearly enough of it. The cinnamon roll waffle was absolutely scrumptious. Two of breakfast's heavy-hitters blended into one 

culinary masterpiece. The cream cheese glaze with so good, the waffle didn't even require syrup. The scrambled eggs however were not on the same caliber as the rest of the meal and kept it from scoring higher marks. They were dry and kind of spongy. If you are going to serve brunch, you gotta know how to cook your eggs. The drinks were outstanding. It's hard to mess up a mimosa but the bloody mary is trickier. They use a proprietary blend of ingredients including a dry rib rub from Alfred's down the block to rim the glass. It is a true local specialty.


Price - Automatic Slim's was a little pricier than we would have liked considering that your entrees do not come with sides; they have to be paid for separately. While the food and drinks were both delicious, what you're really paying for is the location and the atmosphere. It could definitely have been worse for being in the hear of downtown.

Service -We sat at the bar to avoid the half hour plus wait time. The bartender Celia was a fantastic server. She was friendly and attentive even though she had multiple drinks to make constantly. She chatted with us and had a great pour. We would ask for her again.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. Because it's pricier, it wouldn't be our regular hangout spot, but on a Sunday afternoon when you want to splurge, you've got a spot. We need to get a couple of friends together and tackle the 100 oz mimosa bong. We watched Celia put a couple together, and they don't skimp on the bubbly.


Here's a link to their website:  
http://www.automaticslimsmemphis.com/index.html

Fuel Cafe - Our First Vegetarian Meal

WHERE WE WENT:   

Fuel Cafe
1761 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN
38104


WHAT WE ORDERED:
Quinoa & Red Bean Chili, Gourmet Grilled Cheese w/ Tomato and Arugula, Hot Apple & Brie Baguette w/ Balsamic Side Salad


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation - 9
Taste - 8
Price - 8
Service - 7
 Overall - 7.5


Atmosphere -  Fuel Cafe is a re-purposed old gas station from years gone by. The concept for the restaurant is a really cute one, but it is only half-heartedly realized. The walls are overly dull with a few scattered pieces of art that seem disjointed. Everything appeared to be a little shabby and of ill repair. Fuel Cafe definitely exhibited character though. The counter was reminiscent of "the good ole days" when you would go down to the local drug store and pay a visit to your friendly neighborhood soda jerk. It was cozy and unique, but the concept could have translated much better into the actual execution.

Menu -  If you're an alternative eater, then you'll be right at home here. This place is vegan and vegetarian heaven, especially for people like me who are still vegetarian fledglings and miss the taste of some dishes.  They have light fare like salads and brie & fig jam crostini as well as heavier options such as vegetarian walnut "meat" loaf or tomato & provolone baguette. Carnivores, don't feel left out. Fuel Cafe has something for you too! Hot turkey sandwiches, bison burgers and tuna melts are just a couple of the dishes filled with meaty goodness. (There's even bacon.)  Because of their commitment to healthier eating they guarantee all of the animals

are grass-fed and they'd be happy to tell you exactly where they source their meats from. They have options for vegan cheese and sour cream along with gluten-free buns. One of the more interesting offerings is naturally flavored and sweetened sodas as well. 
 
Presentation -All the dishes came presented on solid white, vintage, diner-style plates and bowls. Plain and simple, letting the food speak for itself. Each dish had excellent color and texture and there is no better word for the cup of chili other than adorable with its soda crackers sticking up adorably. But most importantly, when you looked at the food and immediately wanted to dig in.

Taste - The gourmet grilled cheese was altogether a good sandwich. The tomato and arugula were excellent additions both in terms

of flavor and color. However, the bread was over-buttered and became soggy easily. While it tasted good, it seemed like something we could have simply made at home. The fresh cut french fries were excellent; crisp, delicious, and light without too much grease. The vegetarian quinoa chili was some of the best I've ever eaten, including recipes with meat. It was even as good as my Pawpaw's. The quinoa made the texture spot-on and there was enough spice to kick it up, but not enough to make me want to stop eating it. Easily some of the best comfort food I've had, vegetarian or otherwise. The hot apple and brie baguette was good. The cheese was obviously of a high quality and the acidity of the thinly sliced granny smith apples cut through the richness perfectly. Topped with arugula and balsamic vinaigrette, it was a delicious summer sandwich. The only complaint was that the bread-to- filling ratio could have been better. Always a fan of a good baguette, I just think there should have been more inside it to even out the proportions.


Price - The price overall was pretty agreeable. There were a few items on the menu that seemed a little steep, but nothing so bad to deter us from returning. Also, it's worth paying a little more for quality, organic vegetables and responsibly raised meat.

Service - Our server was polite and attentive, but no stretch of the imagination could label her as friendly. She brought our food, but her hospitality seemed strained at best. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt because we went in an hour before close and were the only ones there. However, money is money and having worked in the service industry no matter the situation, your mantra should be, "smile like you mean it."

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
For sure! It's quirky, quaint and delicious. Being vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or even just organic can be really difficult. This place makes it easy and appetizing. Everyone should give it try though. Next time, I want the vegan cheesecake! Bonus, if you can't make it to midtown, they have a food truck.


Here's a link to their website:  
 http://fuelcafememphis.com/about

Sekisui Midtown - Asian Eats

WHERE WE WENT:   
Sekisui Midtown
25 S Belvedere Blvd
Memphis, TN

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Miso Soup 
-The Saint (Blue Crab, Crunchies, Eel Sauce w/ Smoked Salmon & Spicy Mayo on top)
-The Serpent (Crab, Cream Cheese, Avocado, Smelt Roe w/ Eel & Eel Sauce on top)
-Red Birds (Crunchy Crab, Mayo, Sweet Chili Sauce w/ Shrimp on top)
-Grizzlies Roll (Shrimp Tempura, Smoked Salmon, Mayo)


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 6 
Menu - 9
Presentation - 9
Taste - 8
Price - 7
Service - 7
 Overall - 8

Atmosphere - Sekisui Midtown is ... interesting. Walking in, you are immediately greeted by a beautiful water feature built into the wall. The best design aspect is the bar. Set against the wall is all of the alcoholic offerings and in front of that is a display that showcases all of the fresh ingredients that go into their hand rolled sushi. One flaw in this design is that it can only be seen from one angle. It would have been much more enjoyable if it were placed centrally in the dining room so everyone could appreciate watching the sushi be rolled. Apart from the sushi bar, nothing at all indicated that this was an Asian restaurant. Each wall was a different color and an eccentric collection of art adorns

the walls. Some sections seem like they could be from the future, others look retro. The music was an odd hodgepodge, none of which was Oriental. It was also incredibly dim and the seating was very tight. Not only was the theme not congruent with the type of food being served, there was no distinguishable design theme at all.

Menu - The menu is, in one word, large. They have an extensive drink offering including hot and cold sake, along with signature cocktails. Unless you come in knowing exactly what you want, it will take forever to sift through the dense list of Nigiri, Rolls, hot and cold appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees. While we appreciate all the choices, including uncommon options like tofu tempura, it is just a bit overwhelming.

Presentation - Sushi is as much art as it is food. The presentation of our sushi at Sekisui Midtown did not disappoint. The rolls themselves were absolutely gorgeous. The colors were vibrant and everything looked incredible. They were plated on a flat black cherry wood panel. The minimalism of the dish directed the attention directly to the rolls. The sauce dishes were the only embellishment, with the Sekisui logo painted on the bottom.

Taste - Each of our rolls was delicious. Seafood has to be very fresh and well-prepared to avoid any unappetizing tastes or odors, and this was prepared skillfully. The sweet chili sauce in the Red Birds Roll had a flavor that was different from any other sushi we've ever tasted. The eel sauce was delicious. The rice was delicious and sticky, not too dry. Another standout was the signature Sekisui Punch, a mixture of coconut rum, pineapple rum, orange juice, Sprite and grenadine. One of the best cocktails in Memphis.


Price - Everything on the menu appeared reasonably priced and comparable to other restaurants of its kind. We have seen better prices though.

Service - Our server was very pleasant, but also very awkward. She

lingered after we had finished speaking to her and created a little bit of an uncomfortable feel. She did however, take decent care of our needs.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes, but next time we'll look at the menu online first and know what we want before we go in. Seriously. Look at the menus.


Here's a link to their website:  
 http://www.sekisuiusa.com/go/