In Miss Vinegar's informal opinion, one of the signs that real variety in food* offerings is developing in a given location seems to be the proliferation of sushi. Whereas not too many years ago the mere mention of the word would wring fishing-bait jokes out of a large segment of the population, today Miss Vinegar's town of residence offers the stuff at five or so Japanese restaurants and at least as many supermarkets. Indeed, teka maki is one of the few Japanese terms Miss Vinegar knows (samurai, Takanohana, Ju-On, tempura, miso...er, Keroppi, Masi Oka...).
The question, then is where best to enjoy these seaweed-shrouded portents of good things ahead, and Miss Vinegar's lunch break pointed her in a good direction.
Ben Gui Sushi
Old Country Plaza, Starkey Road, Roanoke, VA
The Food--Ben Gui offers a range of dishes, from tempura and noodles to more kinds of maki than Miss Vinegar has seen at any other sushi place. The lunch menu is quite affordable, with a weekday special on two kinds of maki with miso soup and salad.
The Service--Excellent.
Ambience--Miss Vinegar won't lie: she's been waiting all week to go to Ben Gui for good food in peaceful, pretty, elegantly spare surroundings.
Special Touches--A very interesting-looking sushi bar.
Overall: ***1/2 (three point five stars out of five)
*Those who sneer at Miss Vinegar for meaning by this "snobby food" aren't entirely wrong.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Funni Business
Miss Vinegar finally roused herself last weekend to take a solo Christmas shopping trip to Winston-Salem: no PoBoy, no WingDing, no Doctor Calamari. And while the actual shopping left something to be desired (note to Aveda: Christmas is NOT the time to make your stocking-stuffer sized lotions and potions disappear!), she did skip the food court and toddle off to a nice little place in Hanes Mall itself.
Concord Bistro & Café
Hanes Mall, Winston-Salem, NC
The Food--Miss Vinegar was drawn in by the promise of inexpensive pasta, and the fettuccine alfredo was absolutely wonderful at a good price. The bread...not so good, even when dipped into the alfredo sauce.
The sweet tea, Miss Vinegar notes with relief, was nearly perfect.
The Service--Prompt and polite, though the cafeteria-style setup of the restaurant doesn't really allow for much actual service.
The Ambience--Here the Concord Bistro shines: with its brick arches and homelike wooden tables and chairs, the place has actual rustic charm even as it offers a view of the mall outside.
Of Note--Miss Vinegar is aware that she cares more about matters of spelling than most. However, when a menu board--a menu board someone undoubtedly had to pay for-- offers "Fetecunni," it gives pause. (All right, Miss Vinegar was exercising her art of understatement. It draws the eye like a bad automobile accident. Truly: "fetecunni"? "-cunni"??)
Overall: *** (three stars out of five)
Concord Bistro & Café
Hanes Mall, Winston-Salem, NC
The Food--Miss Vinegar was drawn in by the promise of inexpensive pasta, and the fettuccine alfredo was absolutely wonderful at a good price. The bread...not so good, even when dipped into the alfredo sauce.
The sweet tea, Miss Vinegar notes with relief, was nearly perfect.
The Service--Prompt and polite, though the cafeteria-style setup of the restaurant doesn't really allow for much actual service.
The Ambience--Here the Concord Bistro shines: with its brick arches and homelike wooden tables and chairs, the place has actual rustic charm even as it offers a view of the mall outside.
Of Note--Miss Vinegar is aware that she cares more about matters of spelling than most. However, when a menu board--a menu board someone undoubtedly had to pay for-- offers "Fetecunni," it gives pause. (All right, Miss Vinegar was exercising her art of understatement. It draws the eye like a bad automobile accident. Truly: "fetecunni"? "-cunni"??)
Overall: *** (three stars out of five)
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