Vallarta Mexican Grill Review

Your dining experience begins just moments after you are seated, when Jorge brings you a complimentary cup of chicken soup.

Martin is the friendly and energetic owner of Vallarta Mexican Grill, located at 5510 Spalding Drive, Norcross, GA 30092. If you have grown tired of Texmex that all tastes the same, give this place a try. The restaurant is tucked back into a very small strip center, and it is smaller than the usual Mexican restaurant. Location, location, location it’s not, but the food and everything else makes up for it.

My wife and I arrived at 5;15 PM this Saturday. There were people already eating. Once seated, we noticed more people coming in and lots of them. They just kept coming. By about 5:45 PM the restaurant was at capacity with a line going out the door. So, arrive early, or be prepared for a wait. The wait is more the result of the food than the size of the restaurant.

We ordered a combination plate with cheese enchiladas. In a word, Excellent!!!!! Also, their cheese dip and Guacamole dip is equally good. Everything is fresh made, and the flavor is there to prove it.
The prices are most affordable, better than other Mexican restaurants we have been to. Free refills on Margaritas too!! They have a very friendly service staff, and the almost cramp quarters seem to be appreciated by their patrons. It reminded me of the Mexican restaurant version of a Cheers atmosphere. It’s a fun place, we liked it. Bottom line, noticeably good food for a more than fair price, and I recommend it. But what do I know? I know what I like.

River House Seafood Of Savannah

By Leonard Moody

As much as I might want say about this restaurant, it might still be too little.  I had just arrived in Savannah at lunch time this past Monday and I was hungry. 

I wandered briefly in and out of the interesting shops on River Street, before settling on River House Seafood & Bakery of Savannah for lunch. Forgive me, but I am from the South, and I do love fried shrimp.  I know broiled is better for me. 

I guess that is the closest I will come to an apology for loving fried food. You guessed it, I ordered the  local wild caught fried shrimp.  It came lightly breaded, and and I am declaring here and now, that it was the best tasting fried shrimp I have ever eaten.  I’m not just being nice, it really was. 

I grew up on the coast of Florida, which allows me to have a heightened appreciation for fresh seafood, because I was raised on it.  This was as good as it gets. You may want to take a break from the boiled, broiled and baked routine just long enough to experience this for yourself.  Also the Savannah red rice was very tasty. Round it out with a  Ceasar salad and warm, fresh, in house baked bread, and this was a lunch to be remember and talked about.

The restaurant is located in a old brick building that dates back to a time when cotton was king, I can’t say River House of Savannah is a well kept secret, however, because it is known far and wide for serving some of the freshest local seafood available.

Also try the Pecan Encrusted Tilapia or Shrimp and Low-Country Grits with Tasso Gravy.  These are just a few of the dishes they take great pride in.  They have sea food Po-Boys, Pizzettas and Low Country Boil.

Your trip to Savannah wouldn’t be complete without trying some of their famous Chocolate Cheesecake, a Savannah original, or their pecan pie. I’m sure these will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Can’t hold it all? They offer mail-order service on many of their classic pies, cakes and breads. The next time you are in Savannah, stop in and give this place a try. I’m sure you will like it.  But what do I know?  I know what I like…enjoy!

Restaurant: River House Seafood

Location: 125 W. Riverstreet Savannah Ga 31401

Phone: 800 317-1912

Web: www.riverhouseseafood.com 

Mediterranean Cafe with a Sophisticated Touch

Red Brick Oven

By Leonard Moody

I had the pleasure of eating lunch at this restaurant all the way out in Suwanee, Georgia just this past week. I had heard about it from a friend of mine who had eaten there and told me how different and good the food was. I’ve heard that before, but I went there. After I left, I could imagine a small Mediterranean fishing boat crew of times past eking out their living in a symbolic sea, surrounded by giant corporately owned fast food fry shacks that loomed like giant waves. Yet, this little restaurant thrives.

In the name of increased profits in most cases, and in others a desperate attempt to survive the economy, many restaurants today prepare food that is just good enough to sell. It tastes ok, but not great, good enough to sell, but not to tell. These kinds of places are on every corner. Given that, when I walked into Red Brick Oven, I wasn’t expecting much.

The longer I was there, the more this place grew on me. The surroundings are simple, clean, with a feel of a Mediterranean cafe and coffee bar, with seating both inside and out. When you enter the restaurant, look for the chef in his trade mark red beret. He is Marcel Baghdadi, owner and operator of Red Brick Oven, and is of Mediterranean decent. He has worked with chefs from all over the world since his youth. Some of you will remember him from other restaurants he has owned in Buckhead, such as Le Rendez Vous and Le Midi.

The food is decidedly Mediterranean, with a touch of sophistication. The fare ranges from salads and soups to sandwiches and pizza. I ordered the Paris Sandwich, made from sauteed beef tenderloin strips (that were actually tender), onions, mushrooms, bell pepper, and melted cheese. You could think of it as an upscale cheese steak. As I watched this chef prepare my food in full view, I could tell he was a man with a passion for cooking. After a couple of bites, it was clear to me that he also has a passion for great taste and quality. It was delicious! Everything was prepared fresh. Everything. Even the flat bread was baked fresh. They make their own bread dough on the premises. Marcel later told me that “quality” was everything to him and to his family. “I want to control quality” he said. “It has to come from the heart.”.

I was especially happy to find a restaurant of this type and quality here in the suburbs because let’s face it, for the most part the suburbs have become a vast culinary wasteland of bottom line focused fast food drive thru’s, and “so so, me too” quality corporate owned bar and grills. Red Brick Oven does it right, the old way, fresh, slow and good. But what do I know? I know what I like… enjoy.

Red Brick Oven is located at 415 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Ste 500 Suwanee, GA 30024 Phone: (678) 546-4848. Check out their entire menu and hours of operation online at www.redbrickoven.us.

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