Hunter B.'s Profile

Have to agree with Jay on this one. We also liked Flavors a lot more than Red Chilies. We didn't have any issues with service at Flavors, but the place was nearly empty when we had dinner there. (Update: It was July 4th, and several East Indian families started arriving around 8:00 as we were leaving.)

The food was fantastic. Actually replaced our previous favorite Indian restaurant (Sitar, another area code ... never mind). Why? Because the food was light and perfectly cooked and seasoned.

For instance, the veggie samosas had a crisp, thin "shell" yet the contents were fluffy, not mushy. Many times the shell is more like the hard ends of an egg roll, overly deep fried and have a heavy filling. Not so here. This set the tone for the other dishes we had as well.

Same applies to the garlic naan. Not greasy or floppy.

Tomato soup -- delicious taste, and just the right amount of spice. We loved it so much we were ready to go to Flavors' nearby Indian grocery store (in same strip mall) to see about a take-out portion.  

I normally avoid tandoori because it's often dried out and leathery. But I got the mixed grill to sample the variety here and was blown away by the tenderness of the chicken and lamb. It's how tandoori should be.

Another favorite was the navratan korma. Again, not heavy, you could tell the vegetables were fresh, well seasoned, just the right portion.

There were cleaned plates and no leftovers here. We will definitely be back as this first visit outshined two trips to Red Chilies. Still looking to try other Indian restaurants, but for now, this is the one to beat. Highly recommended.

Even with a lengthy wait on my last visit, I've never had a bad time at North Bowl. The hour-plus wait for the lane still didn't kill it, because on Friday at happy hour, it's what you expect. That's why they take reservations. We didn't make one this last  time, but did on a previous group trip and it was super smooth. Call in advance if it's a concern.

I don't worry about hipsters. And if you do, then what are you doing in NoLibs anyway? When I've gone here with friends, I'm focused on our group, the lanes, the pitchers, the tater tots and pretzel bites, the tunes, and if there's a wait, the pool tables. In that order. And it's served me and the different crews I've been with very well -- no matter how bad we all are at bowling. Can't recall anyone not having a blast there.

Service downstairs has always been fine to excellent on my visits. The upstairs is no problem either because the bar is steps away from your lane. The place is clean, the equipment is in top shape, and it's a very different vibe than your PBR-league bowling alleys. I'm okay with either type, but given a choice, I'll take North Bowl every time (it wins for all the reasons above). And every trip back to Philly, I do. Highly recommended.

After a few more visits, and better experiences with some rolls, Osaka is nearly tied for first place with Koja II. I love me some Kamikaze Roll, and I'm still a big fan of the gyoza and shumai here, as well as the sake list. Add in the 40% off, and the great food becomes an even better deal.

Service is very efficient. I believe we've had the owner the last couple times, since that looked like him in the Folio Weekly feature a while back (which led us to Osaka in the first place). Not so much a warm, friendly fella. I've started calling him the "Sushi Nazi" ala Seinfeld, but that's an exaggeration. Unless he checks out Yelp, in which case I'm screwed.

I also want to compliment Osaka on a clean interior, including the washrooms, and damn fine music. I'd get rid of the LCD TV showing Headline News constantly, but that seems like a theme here in Jax. I swear, 8 of 10 restaurants have a flatscreen in the dining area. WTF?

So, since it's closer to home, Osaka has wooed us away from Koja II with the charms described above. Loved the sushi at Koja II and plan to return but lately I've wanted to avoid dumpy interiors.

I have to agree with Layla on this one -- except I don't see Zaitoon as a place for kids (unless they're graduating from med school*).

We finally got over to Zaitoon for dinner and it was another one of those wish-we'd-gone-much-sooner moments. It was a special experience befitting a special occasion. Here's the breakdown ...

Hostess was very friendly. We had no reservations, and it's not a huge place, seating only about 60 or so, but we didn't wait long at all for one of the large, cozy booths to open up. (There's also a fair amount of patio seating for milder weather.) So far, so good.

While we waited, a couple came in, reviewed the menu, and left, quietly remarking that it was too expensive. To be fair, the prices are higher at Zaitoon than at, say, Hovan or Hala. But while they all have hummus on the menu, that's about where the similarities end. Zaitoon is to those places as Cantina Laredo is to La Nopalera.

On to the food: Best vegetarian dolmades we've had in this area -- and beyond. They're plump, and the pine nuts and being served cold put them right over the top. The complementary starter, tapenade and oil with the fresh-baked pita and bread, was also a treat. Nice wine and beer list -- mmmm, Warsteiner. They also have sangria and a full bar.

I'm still thinking about the meat combo entree, mostly because the lamb was exceptionally flavorful and perfectly cooked. The kefta (ground sirloin and pork) was tasty too, but the lamb was still the star on that plate. The dish was rounded out with basmati rice, veggies, and a very good roasted beet and walnut salad with feta. I'll get that again.

As for LDC, the vegetarian tasting plate included more of those divine dolmades, plus hummus, falafel, and another best-in-show winner: spanakopita that trounced a lot of other versions, because it was light, crispy, full of high-quality feta, and even held up well to reheating. It's also worth noting that Zaitoon offers an entree vegetarian plate of the day, different than the tasting plate.

For dessert, we really liked the kanafi, which looks like a bird's nest and is a sweet cream center, wrapped in shredded phyllo dough strings, warmed and served with sweet syrup. I hadn't had it before, but would certainly get it again, and maybe request a bit more of the syrup.  

Our server was terrific. Actually, everything was. This is a nice option to have outside of the usual upscale destinations St. John's Town Center, and Zaitoon is also open for lunch. I'll be sure to update this review, since we'll definitely be going back. Highly recommended.
     
* Punchline supplied by LDC.

Another fine pizza option. Sweet. My complaints about NY Style pizza are on the wane, and I'm happy to say that DaVinci's is part of the solution.

The crust here is excellent. It's thin yet not soggy or slippery and can hold up to the toppings, which, by the way, include Italian sausage the way it's meant to be served on a pizza (in crumbles rather than coins). What's also nice about the crust besides flavor is the texture, due to cornmeal (I think).

If there was one thing I'd change, I think the sauce could a bit more assertive with the seasoning. Not trying to sound like an actual chef here, or implying that I've got a better sauce recipe, but LDC makes a sauce that has drawn raves far and wide. That's another story. My point is that the slices really perked up after I added a little garlic and oregano, and hit the wow level I was hoping for initially. Anyway, that was an easy adjustment and one I don't mind making.

I went with Noreaster #2 on this mission, and he concurred with the big thumbs up assessment. I've also been told that others from our region are wild about the pies here.  

DaVinci's is a small storefront, with a bar and about 5 stools in front for on-the-spot eating. Their specialty is delivery and take-out. I'm sure they do well with that. I'm just out of range at home, but from work, this is a fin choice I'll surely be making again.

The lunch specials are pretty reasonable, too. Under $5 for two plain slices and a can of soda.

Looks like I'm going to have to start 2009 with a best of the beaches pizza battle, pitting this fine establishment against the other current top contenders (Milano's at the beach and D'Fontanta's). In the meantime, DaVinci's is easily among the top three. Highly recommended.