Cuisine Review

The typical question I get over and over is where I eat, or where someone should go. It is rare I get to go to the same place more than two times a year unless it is one of my tried-and-true, I-can-rely-on-it places.

I spend a great deal of time reviewing some 24 restaurants a year and that is a lot of venturing out. So, to answer the question of where I tend to eat on a regular basis, here are some answers. These are chosen because I can rely on them, the food is consistently good or excellent, they have some atmosphere and the service is friendly.

Liquid- I came up with the idea for this column while sitting at Liquid on a recent Saturday night. First I like the comfy, Zen-like interior and cozy seating arrangement. It is tight, but sometimes I like getting to know my neighbor, and discussing what is what on our plates and comparing meals.

My last visit was during the GMAC Bowl weekend and we enjoyed getting to know visitors from Tulsa who had read about Liquid online during their trip planning. I can eat piles of sushi, and Liquid’s quality is the best I have seen and the rolls are huge.

I typically get the loco kamikaze – a roll with tuna, cream cheese and crunchies, tempura fried with a spicy sauce, which is awesome. The spicy tuna and avocado roll is another great one. The menu is quite inventive, with good specials.

Taqueria at the Bike Shop - I reviewed this place a couple of months ago, and at the time they were only open on Saturday and Sunday. They have now gone to serving dinner seven days a week.

This is a place I hesitate to say I frequent because it is quiet in there and I do not want to see it packed. I am so glad to have authentic Mexican downtown. No more runny cheese dip for me. Their chips are hot, crispy and salty. Nothing disappoints.

This past time (the day after I ate next door at Liquid) we began with chips and salsa verde and some of the best guacamole, all freshly made. They have some stuffed jalapeno peppers (no, not hot poppers from Sam’s) that are fresh peppers, stuffed with a spicy cheese mixture and tempura fried.

The sauce served with it was not the consistency of, but tasted similar to hot pepper jelly. And the mole sauce on the special of the day, chicken and green chili enchiladas, was as authentic as you can get.

219 - I have never had a bad meal or service at 219, but then again I have been eating there since they opened and consider the staff friends. Wraps, salads, paninis and some awesome specials are served up in a recently expanded space.

The market next door is connected to the main restaurant, and the expansion also affords a courtyard for dining in nice weather. The market seems to be doing well, with pantry and grocery items in addition to home prepared breads, pies and casseroles from some of the farmer’s market vendors. Don’t miss things such as the cheeseburger wrap, a special on Wednesdays, or the pot roast with carrots and potatoes served on Thursday (and this runs out quickly).

I tend to get one of the wraps, one I call the Mediterranean with eggplant and feta, the Thai chicken or chicken salad on greens. The market side also has a “make your own salad” that allows you to choose from a large list. And they are open on Saturdays from 9-2 on the market side.

Mellow Mushroom - You may think sometimes they are baking more than they are making your pizza, but the staff is nice and the crust is always a crisp, soft on the inside honey wheat brown. I cannot get past the Magical Mystery Tour pizza with spinach, pesto, mushrooms and jalapenos. My children get calzones that are huge and tasty. Thank goodness they are opening up a location in Midtown that, while I am sure will be just as packed as the current one, will be closer to me.

Osman’s - I do not get a chance to eat at Osman’s very often, but when I do, it is always excellent. My problem is that a reservation needs to be made and I always think of Osman’s at the last minute. Maybe it is the location that makes me forget them sometimes.

I would like to have their gorgonzola sauce on everything, but it would take away from the wonderfully grilled veal chop, so when I want it I get a steak instead. And their gnocchi is as good as any I have had. And of course the family of owners is friendly.

Los Arcos - This local family runs a sharp operation with the freshest food available. Many times Rob Holbert and I will meet there simply to gorge on their guacamole made at your table. The place is always crowded, yet the servers constantly hustle to get you everything you need.

I especially like the fried grouper tacos, their shrimp dishes are said to be excellent as well. Hell even the “number” items are 10 times better than those you find in most every other Mexican restaurant in town.

Dew Drop Inn - I know nothing really needs to be said here. I went the day after the Lagniappe Christmas Party with a group of hung-over sales girls. I have never seen so many onion rings and jalapeno poppers eaten so fast in my life, chased down with Diet Cokes. The shop-worn inside is charming, the dogs excellent and the price just right.

There are plenty more on my list, use these up, post them on your fridge or throw this away. I will give you another list in a few months.

Kinnon Phillips is Lagniappe cuisine editor. Contact him at kphillips@lagniappemobile.com.

Archives