Posted on August 8, 2008 at 5:17 a.m.

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

I remember when this was still "the media bar" and you could catch a drink with Dale Hansen mere minutes before the late sports report.

Solid bar. Among the best martinis in town. Despite reputation as a dive, has a remarkably good kitchen - and not just the legendary pizza.

On Louie's

Posted on August 8, 2008 at 5:11 a.m.

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

The classic dive.

On Lakewood Landing

Posted on August 8, 2008 at 5:05 a.m.

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

Beer selection is great, if not as wide as Gingerman. Upscale pub grub is great. One of the few places in town to get a cheese plate right. Highly recommend the frites.

Only complaint is terrible acoustics that make it impossible to hold a convo when crowded. But then there are always Capitol, Idle Rich and the place across from IR - all basically the same place. Capitol is least crowded but give it time.

On The Old Monk

Posted on July 28, 2008 at 5:14 p.m.

Food: 2/5  Vibe: 1/5  Service: 3/5  Value: 4/5  Overall: 3/5

Needs more air conditioning.

On Wang's Chinese Cafe

Posted on July 28, 2008 at 5:13 p.m.

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

First, if someone tells you to meet them at Wang's off NW Hwy, they probably mean Howard Wang's and not this joint.

Portions are generous; everything is fresh; and spicy means spicy.

On Howard Wang's China Grill

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 10 a.m.

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

The main reason I go on picnics.

On Brothers Fried Chicken (Dallas / Fitzhugh & Gaston)

Posted on July 5, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.

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

Always delish, and the service is always attentive and genuinely friendly (as opposed to the forced uncomfortable chatter you get many places).

Often really crowded prime-time dinner, although they do have a large common table you can sometimes sneak into.

We prefer it for a late supper, as their sides and appetizers steal the show from the entrees anyway. They rock the deviled eggs, although the portion seems to have gone heavier on the salad garnish at the expense of the eggs. Flatbread pizzas are great and light enough to leave room for more. Spinach dip and/or hummus come with cracker-crisp pita bread.

New dish for us tonight was the gouda grits. And they were the star of the night.

On Kitchen 1924 (Closed)

Posted on July 1, 2008 at 1:51 p.m.

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

I've been a long-time Bob's zealot, but a dinner with a group of pals last night may have turned me around.

The bone-in fillet may well have been the best steak I've ever had. Really well-flavored, tender and cooked perfectly.

And while there was no Bob's carrot, the array of sides presents a lot of variety and decadence. We shared potato croquettes, creamed corn and broccolli. Only the broccosparagus was unremarkable.

Appetizers were excellent too. The Jumbo shrimp cocktail had a great remoulade. Garlic bread with blue cheese was fought over.

Salads went beyond the usual lazy wedge. I had a great pile of alternating layers of tomato and red onion smothered in Gorgonzola dressing.

The service was excellent -- not over-officious like at many pricey steak houses. The server even helped us play a prank on the pennypincher in the group by faking a higher tab when presenting the check.

Highly recommend, although I also recommend an expense account. Food prices are a decent value, but even more so than most places, the wine markup was extreme.

On Nick & Sam's

Posted on June 13, 2008 at 12:19 p.m.

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

Ate at the new locale last night. I'll confess I'd never been to the Greenville location because I've always been a die-hard Izmir guy.

But I've got to say that I think that Ali Baba is better, especially if you like things a little less oily. And certainly a better value, as their prices are about 25% less. Only thing they lack is that to-die-for Russian Chicken Salad.

Service is good, if a little clueless (read: High School kids) and you can't help but notice that the decor still feels a bit like a chain (the Carrabas that recently vacated).

But the food is first-rate. Particularly enjoyed their hummus (less oily, but served with a side of oil for those who like such things), falafel (very crispy) and the veggies/rice that sided my kafta kabob were flavorful and cooked perfectly.

On Ali Baba (Lakewood)

Posted on March 21, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.

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

This once-favorite is becoming more like "just another Black-Eyed Pea" every day. The days of the extra side seem to be over; the food isn't as good as it used to be; and the long-time staffers seem to be gone. No more barrel of peanuts either.

Recent visit for to-go yielded mashed potatoes with the gravy left out (sacrilege!), but an inexplicable extra bag of bread to make up.

On Dixie House Restaurant