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Restaurant Reviews

My Srasa Kitchen Review

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Srasa Kitchen Sweet Potatoes

[4.49/5] In case you didn’t know, I’ve been getting fat. Like real fat. All the times I’ve gone out to eat has taken a toll on me and I’ve been trying to find more healthy options. This doesn’t mean I’ve stopped eating “unhealthy”, it just means I am being more cautious of what I consume. Perhaps, healthy eating on weekdays and fatting out on weekends is the plan. Today is a weekday so let’s discuss Srasa Kitchen.  

Food (65%) 
Taste to price 4.5/5
Quality to price 4.5/5
Portion to price 5/5
Average = 4.67

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3/5
Promptness 5/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%) 
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4.5/5
Kitchen area 4.5/5
Average = 4.33

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [3.04]+[0.8]+[0.65] 
 = 4.49

The Pluses…  

+ Let me get this off my chest, I’m probably killing them! I’m burning a huge hole into their COGS lol. I’m the customer that takes all the freebies (ie veggies and toppings) maximizing my dollar. 
+ Frikken clean! Both the kitchen and the dining area. They do a really good job maintaining the restaurant. Kudos to the staff. If you told me they opened yesterday, I would believe you. That’s how clean it is.
+ The ASSEMBLY PROCESS is efficient and fast! They’re set up like Chipotle so you go in and pick what you want, then checkout. 
+ MENU is easy to follow. If you’re indecisive, then you won’t have to worry. There’s a few protein choices and if you’re unsure about the veggies, get all of them! If you’re even more unsure, go with one of the FIXED BOWLS coined “Inspired Bowls”. 
+ Very VEGETARIAN friendly. Not sure about Vegan. 

The Negs…

– PARKING can be an issue if you come during peak hours. The parking lot is just too small for this strip to accommodate all the businesses. 
– This is a CASHLESS BUSINESS. No cash is accepted here. Easy for the business, but can be an inconvenience for the customers. 
– Restaurant HOURS. Be aware they’re closed during the weekends. There’s been plenty of times I’ve rolled up and found the closed signed staring at my face. And I stare back with the saddest of sad faces.

In Conclusion…

If you’re like me looking for a healthy lunch then look no further. Srasa Kitchen delivers exactly that. Opening during the weekdays and closing on weekends, it’s pretty clear who they’re mainly marketing to, corporate workers nearby looking for some healthy, fast grub. They don’t fail in this department. And in case you’re wondering “Srasa” means fresh in the Cambodian language setting up their brand identity right from the get go. For me, as long as their food stays “Srasa” I’ll keep coming back. This is one of the many reasons to come here. 

#ChowYouLater

  • For more information on Srasa Kitchen you can visit their website at www.srasakitchen.com located at 225 E Middlefield Rd, Mountain View, CA 94043

My Halal Gyro Express Review

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[4.04/5] I get around. By that, I mean I’ve been getting around restaurants for lunch hours. What I look for is the perfect mix of protein, veggies, and carbs without breaking the bank. Weekday lunches are key to staying healthy and disciplined for whatever diet/fitness/fiscal plan you’re on. With all of that said, that mindset brought me to Halal Gyro Express.

Food (65%) 
Taste to price 4.5/5
Quality to price 4.5/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.5

Cleanliness (15%) 
Bathroom n/a
Dining area 2.5/5
Kitchen area 3/5
Average = 2.75

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.93]+[0.7]+[0.41] 
 = 4.04

The Pluses…  

+ Nice, visual MENU. As soon as you walk in to order, you’ll see a huge colorful menu hanging up on the wall. Even better? The images are of their real dishes so there are no surprises. What you see is what you get.
+ Superb VALUE. I like to keep my lunches around $10-$12 so naturally my eyes will gravitate towards the entrees within that price range. By process of elimination, #7 1x LAMB TIKKA, 1x CHICKEN TIKKA, w/ RICE & SALAD is my go-to since it has a little bit of everything. At $10.99, that is a steal of a deal. There so much to like about this dish. Flavorful and packed with lots of Afghan spices. 
+ They didn’t have to do this but I found it a kind gesture of them to bring the food to you instead of yelling the number out at the counter for you to pick it up.

The Negs…

– Could be cleaner. At times when you walk in, there are people’s leftover trays and plates on the table. The staff tries their best to keep it clean but it gets so busy they don’t get the chance to.
– The FOOD TEMP could be hotter. It’s happened more than once, so I’m pretty sure it’s how they intend on serving it. 
– Not really the restaurant’s fault but the PARKING can get packed during lunch hours. I’ve seen people park on the Nicholson and walking over so you have to factor that into your time. 

In Conclusion…

“Express” would be the perfect word I’d use to describe a restaurant like this. There’s a NY feel to it but at the same time, it’s embraced the Silicon Valley culture. The concept is simple. You go in, order your food, and go out. All set. Mission completed. No frills, thrills, spills or hassles. What you see is what you get. For that reason, Halal Gyro Express has become one of my go to restaurants for lunch.  

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My World Wrapps 2.0 Review

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[4.62/5] I’m in a conundrum ya’ll. I don’t like salad, I don’t like eating “healthy”, and I don’t want to have to pay an arm and a leg for quality ingredients but I need to lose weight especially when summer’s coming up. Lol I try not to look at the scale but I’m pretty sure I’ve ballooned into a big ball of lard. When cooking at home isn’t an option and time at a premium, what is there to do? Not trying to sound like an ad but the solution is World Wrapps.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4.5/5
Quality to price 5/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.67

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4.5/5
Promptness 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4.5/5
Dining area 4.5/5
Kitchen area 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]= [3.04]+[0.9]+[0.68]
= 4.62

The Pluses…  

+ Great MENU. The average ticket price is probably around $12.50. There’s something for everyone. It doesn’t matter what your diet needs are, they have a item for you. In addition, there’s a kid’s and drink menu.  

+ REWARDS PROGRAM coined the WW Perks. Some of these wraps and bowls can get pricey but the good thing about it are their rewards system. You get a free bowl/wrap every 8th visit. If you’re like me, this can be done within a week lol.

+ QUALITY. Just look at the list of ingredients on the menu. When I see quinoa, brown rice, and avocado I’m thinking quality and the best part are their prices. They’re pretty good when considering what actually goes in these wraps.

+ Well developed RECIPES with their own spin. Equally impressive are their understanding for ethnic foods. They could easily water it down with fillers like corn, carrots, and potatoes but nope they did their research. For example, a Vietnamese wrap contains mint, cucumber, glass noodles, etc. you know the things that makes it Vietnamese. Kudos!

+ HOUSE FLATBREAD. You gotta try it. I’ve never tasted flatbread like that before. It’s fresh, chewy (the good chewy), and warm. You see them throwing them into the press which I appreciate because you see the work put into it.

+ CUSTOMER SERVICE. The staff actually enjoys each others’ company and are happily there to greet and serve you. I like that they go to every table asking how the meal was. That doesn’t even happen at some of the upscale restaurants I’ve been to.

+ CLEAN. Again, kudos to the staff. I noticed the staff checking on the bathroom every so often to make sure it’s spotless. Good job guys!

The Negs…

– No major negatives here.

In Conclusion…

There’s a lot to rave about World Wrapps. Seriously, this is my kind of place and they earned themselves a loyal customer. The customer service is on point and the food is made in a way that’s enjoyable for those who aren’t fans of salad. As mentioned, there’s something for everyone whether you’re on a vegetarian, paleo, keto, gluten-free diet, it’s all there. Because of this, it’s easy for me to keep coming back because I get to lose weight without compromising taste.

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My Chicken Meets Rice Review (Santa Clara)

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[4/5] Chicken Meets Rice (CMR) meets Rich. This marks my first SF Bay restaurant review. I spent the last couple of months getting acclimated and adjusting to the local lifestyle. The Asian food here blows Boston out of the water so rather than giving every place 5 stars, I had to adjust accordingly. 

Food (65%) 
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%) 
Bathroom n/a
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.8]+[0.6] 
 = 4

The Pluses…  
+ Great Lunch MENU! Minimalized and simple. It’s just fried or poached chicken. On salad, brown or white rice. Simple, easy, quick decisions to be made.
+ The POACHED CHICKEN. You have to try it. The texture of the meat is amazingly tender. The taste is what chicken is supposed to taste like and complementing the rice perfectly. Comforting in every way. Mmmmm.
+ OPTIONS. Surprisingly for such a simple menu, there are many ways to customize your order. You can go no/with skin, white/dark meat, and there’s even a tofu option for veggie lovers. CMR doesn’t leave anyone behind. 
+ SAUCES! I have a confession to make, I’m a sauce man and not just any sauce, but the right sauce for the right moment. CMR has allows this to happen. My musts are the SWEET CHILI and the SAVORY GINGER. 
+ COMPLIMENTARY BROTH where the condiments and utensils are. Take advantage of this. 
+ QUICK SERVICE. You get your order within minutes. 

The Negs…
– At $10.95 I want to see another group of veggies. The meal already comes with carrots and cucumber but why not add a cherry tomato, a slice of lotus, daikon, anything really. One more veggie could make a big difference in value. 
– Not a dealbreaker but you gotta have CHOPSTICKS. I can’t believe I’m bringing this one up, but these rice meals are perfect for chopsticks. Yes, there’s a difference between stabbing and grabbing 🙂 

The Neutrals…
o The poached chicken here is what makes this place truly special. To be honest, if you cook at home often, you can buy the chicken @ $3.50 to go, take a bunch of sauces with you, and make a home version for much cheaper. Just cook rice and add your favorite veggies. That is, if you have the luxury.

In Conclusion…
It’s easy to see why this is my kind of restaurant. It offers a balanced diet in the major food groups. The restaurant knows exactly what it is and doesn’t try to conform to others. 9 out of 10 times I’ll go with the poached chicken. I haven’t needed a reason to try the fried chicken. With all that said, this makes a highly desired destination for your lunch break making it repeatable time and time again. Chicken Meets Rice, now that I’ve met you I think I want to take our relationship to the next level. Call me, maybe?

#ChowYouLater

  • Chicken Meets Rice Bowl
  • Chicken Meets Rice Wall

Sumiao Hunan Kitchen Cambridge

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[4.18/5] I was wrong, like dead wrong. When I first came to Sumiao Hunan Kitchen for their soft opening last year, I was not impressed. Mainly because it had the makings of a PF Changs clone. You know very well what I mean, overly fancy interior decor serving small portioned, okay chinese food at ridiculous prices. I told myself I would not go back there. That was then. A year later, to my surprise a few friends of mine convinced me to go back. Read more to find out how they’ve changed my initial impressions.  

Review #057
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining. 

Food (65%) 
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4.5/5
Promptness 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Cleanliness (15%) 
Bathroom 4.5/5
Dining area 4.5/5
Kitchen area 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.9]+[0.68] 
 = 4.18

The Pluses…  
+ Great place for any occasion and any time of the day, really. Lunch, Dinner, Seasonal, as well as Drinks Menu galore. Perfect restaurant for dates, family, and friends. The AMBIANCE makes this a special one. You’ll see a mixed crowd of both Chinese and non-Chinese which tells me this restaurant offers something for everyone. The energy is great and when I went, they had LIVE MUSIC playing. I couldn’t ask for a better night out. 
+ Free WIFI. What Chinese restaurant offers free wifi do you know of?
+ QUALITY dishes. Each one was actually SPICY which is what I liked. None of that weak sh*t! I had the BEEF STRIPS W. PICKLED RADISH, HOMETOWN SAUTEED EEL POT, and the HOT KISS. They were all oh so delicious. Because these plates were so good, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d get these dishes again within a heartbeat. 
+ For a restaurant of this caliber, I was surprised by the PORTION SIZES. Lets just say ‘skimping’ is not in their vocabulary.
+ CUSTOMER SERVICE. Full wait staff with knowledgeable bartenders. You will see lots of staff walking around available for any need. They’re also friendly which can make a difference. Waiting 30 minutes for water shouldn’t be an issue.
+ Full Service Bar. Great variety of Chinese themed cocktails, both Chinese and local brews. Try the JASMINE TEA LAGER, the beer I never knew I wanted. Ever since then, I’ve been looking for it but have come up disappointed at the packaging store. Tell me where I can find this!
+ CLEAN! It’s just as clean as it first opened and a year has passed. Amazing job.
+ Somewhat open kitchen over by the corner. Open kitchens are always a plus for me and even better when staff are fully uniformed because it tells me they take cooking seriously. 

The Negs…
– No major negatives here.

The Neutrals…
o PRICEY. Be warned that it is on the pricier side but for good reasons, not without merit. You get exactly what you pay for here which means a fully staffed restaurant, quality, authentic foods, and extra clean facilities. If you can find me a restaurant that offers all that at low prices feel free to call me out!

In Conclusion…
Do not underestimate the power of word of mouth and restaurants listening to their customers needs. It’s amazing to me what Sumiao has done the past year. It’s like they read the reviews and have a team working to make adjustments. That, to me, speaks volumes. Prices maybe high, but honestly I can’t think of another Chinese place that offers a similar overall package as Sumiao Hunan Kitchen. They really outdid themselves here. I don’t see another restaurant contending with them for years to come.  Until then, I will keep coming here for one of the best Chinese food the Boston area has to offer. 

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Ganko Ittetsu Ramen – Brookline

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Ganko Ittetsu

[4/5] I’ve been coming here for quite some time. I first heard about this place in an article from Eater Boston ranking the top ramen shops in the area. After trying out a few places, I was getting disappointed but kept on trucking trying to find my go-to ramen joint. Does Ganko Ittetsu deliver? Well, you’ve stumbled across the best review. Read more below.

Review #056
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom n/a
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.8]+[0.6]
 = 4

The Pluses…  
+ Simple, easy MENU to follow. It’s literally a piece of paper printed on both sides. Nothing fancy or gimmicky. Just 6 types of ramen soups, sides, and a beer section. They don’t waste time trying to sell anything else, they know exactly what they are. I like it!
+ Clean, nice, modern interior and AMBIANCE.
+ I only come here for the GANKARA MISO RAMEN. I don’t even need to try the other soups. This one is nicely spiced and rich in pork flavor. The egg is perfectly cooked, and the egg noodle texture has the right amount of chew for my liking.
+ For a tiny place, they are very efficient with handling the WAIT TIME. You can join the wait list on Yelp, check in, and walk around the area. They’ll text you when the table is ready. Fortunately there’s lots of window shopping and people watching in the area to kill time.
+ The wait team works really well together. Speedy, responsive, and harmonious like synchronized swimmers 🙂

The Negs…
– No major negatives here. If I had to knit pick it would be that the broth can be salty but I found this to be true at 95% of ramen places I’ve been to.
– Parking can be difficult. There’s public parking in the back and street parking but these fill out quick especially during weekends.  
– This place is small. Anticipate sitting close to strangers and moderate wait times.

Shake it off!

In Conclusion…
Yep, all it took was one visit to Ganko Ittetsu and I was hooked. Ganko Ittetsu Ramen, imo, is one of Boston’s best ramen shop. It’s no surprise why people keep coming back here including myself. They offer a very solid experience: delicious ramen, ambiance, service, and speediness. They know exactly what they are and they don’t try to be anything else. I’ve been coming here for years so I’d say it’s worth a stop.

#ChowYouLater

  • Ganko Ittetsu - Gankara Miso
    Gankara Miso
  • Ganko Ittetsu - Shio
    Shio

Sheger Cafe – Cambridge

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[4.21/5] This is part 2 of my quest in search for Boston’s best Ethiopian Restaurant (you can check out my other review of Habesha by going to my profile). Who would have known, a conversation with an Ethiopian Uber Driver got me here. At first, seeing the scarce number of reviews I was a little skeptical but this is what I do to help my fellow restaurant enthusiasts. How did Sheger Cafe do?

Review #055
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.17

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4.5

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.71]+[0.9]+[0.6]
 = 4.21

The Pluses…  
+ GREAT MENU. Easy to read. Simple layout with just enough images to make a sound decision on the order. Good variety for Ethiopian food beginners and authentic cuisine seekers alike.
+ Awesome customer service. I was greeted with a nice smile and the waitress answered my questions and even recommended me her favorites.
+ Feels much like a family business which I always have a soft spot for.
+ For the main entree, I had #18 THE ULTIMATE COMBINATIONS OF SHEGER CAFE and THE KITFO SPECIAL. See attached video. That explains it all.
+ Keep in mind, the KITFO SPECIAL is raw. If you’re going to have Ethiopian food, you have to accept going raw (lol). I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of flavor and fresh, red meat. The KITFO SPECIAL has got to be a staple to the order.
+ Great portions. If I’m at an Ethiopian restaurant and I don’t take anything home, then it ain’t an Ethiopian Restaurant.  
+ Great ambiance. Just like Habesha, there is a big screen TV playing contemporary Ethiopian music. Various Paintings/Photos on the wall are cool.  
+ Very CLEAN restaurant and bright atmosphere due to lights and interior colors.

The Negs…
– Not really their fault, but parking in the area can be a little tricky.

The Neutrals…
o They don’t have a real sign outside. It may be a little difficult finding this place since the previous tenant’s sign (Oriental Market)  is still up.
o I had the HONEY WINE. That was my first time having it. My best description is it tastes like a mix of apple cider vinegar and honey. A little too sweet for me as I prefer my drinks on the dryer side. Spoiler alert: there is no alcohol in it.
o When you walk in you’ll see a Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Set which was pretty darn cool. Makes me wonder if they hold a ceremony on some days. I’d love to watch and drink it.  

In Conclusion…
They opened about 5 months ago and it’s still a relatively unknown. At less than 20 reviews, I have to say this place is very underrated and a very much a hidden gem. I’m glad I was one of the first to step foot. I owe that Uber driver a glass of Honey Wine and I will gladly come back here. In all, Sheger Cafe is a must visit if you’re into Ethiopian foods.

#ChowYouLater

Mala Restaurant – Allston

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[3.95/5] Mala Restaurant holds a special place in my heart. No really it does. This restaurant along with some other ones made up some memorable, euphoric times I had when my GF and I first met. This was one of our go-to restaurants and after a long stint, we recently went back. What are my thoughts? Should you visit? Here we go.

Review #054
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.75

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.75]+[0.6]
 = 3.95

The Pluses…  
+  HUGE MENU. I can’t say I’ve tried everything as I usually skip all the hoo-ha and go straight to the MALA SPECIAL POT and BARBECUE aka the lone menu page that comes with a black marker.  
+  The black marker is for making your own MALA XIANG GUO. Use it wisely my friend. See my picture for a cheat sheet of what I usually get. I would also add some meats such as LAMB, GIZZARD, SAUSAGE, and/or QUAIL EGGS.
+  Flip over the SPECIAL POT Menu and you’ll find the BARBECUE side which I also highly recommend. Their skewer beats most places specializing in Chinese BBQ. You can’t go wrong with any of the meats.
+  Great for groups. Dishes are generally served FAMILY STYLE here. This is the type of place you want to try as much food as possible and the only way to do that is to (1) have a Kobayashi stomach, or (2) bring a group of 4 or more.
+  Because I had the luxury of being in a group, we ordered the FRESH FISH WITH CHILI SAUCE. I have high tolerance for spice and if you do too, then I’d suggest the EXTRA SPICY option. If you’re a fan of TILAPIA and SPICY OILS then this is a good one to get.
+  I love the CHINAWARE. They make great photos and it adds onto the ambiance (see pics).

The Negs…
– Flavoring of foods can be inconsistent at times. In the past I’ve had my dishes overly salty and bland on other trips. Either way, it still tastes good, just be aware.
– No alcohol here. This is kind of a bummer but it’s pretty common in most modern Chinese restaurants. I would love to see some Peppercorn Bloody Mary’s in the future 🙂

The Neutrals…
o You can count on this place being packed. Plan accordingly during lunch/dinner times especially on the weekends.
o You can always tell what kind of restaurant a place is based on the customers and for this one, it’s as authentic as a small city like Boston can offer. You will find the majority of customers, international students from China. They’re friendly and nice 🙂

In Conclusion…
After coming here for years, I look at Mala like the start of a phase, much like what Iron Man is to the MCU. The success of this restaurant opened doors for the Chinese hot pot and spicy bowl type of restaurants. Nowadays you see a plethora of them on Harvard Ave and they are difficult to miss. If you don’t know where to start, Mala Restaurant is not a bad place to begin. After years of coming here, they still got it. And if you’re on a date much like I was, grab some rolled ice cream or bubble tea afterwards and explore the bars. There’s a lot to do and make the night a memorable one.

#ChowYouLater


Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant – Malden

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[3.78/5] An Uber conversation brought me here. What started off as the usual Uber ride turned into a discussion of the best places for Ethiopian cuisine in the Boston area. The driver was from Ethiopia and he revealed, I mean mentioned (:P), Habesha along with Addis Red Sea and Shegar Cafe. Now if you know anything about me, then you will know this means I need to go on a mini Ethiopian restaurant tour. First stop, Habesha.

Review #053
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining. Full Service Restaurant.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3/5
Promptness 3.5/5
Average = 3.25

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3.5/5
Dining area 3.5/5
Kitchen area 3.5/5
Average = 3.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.65]+[0.53]
 = 3.78

The Pluses…  
+ I enjoyed the presence of the owner. He came to our table and asked us how the food was and whether we needed anything. Much appreciated!
+ We ordered the HABESHA SPECIAL and the GORED GORED.  
+ The HABESHA SPECIAL was cooked to my liking, lots of flavor and spices which were so comforting and earthy. INJERA was warm too!
+ As for the GORED GORED, that was my daredevil move of the day, as (1) it was my first time having it and (2) it’s raw! I’m usually hesitant and finicky when it comes to the unfamiliar and raw, but this one here turned out to be a great decision. Think of a spiced up beef tartare. Lots of turmeric, spice lovers rejoice!
+ They have Ethiopian Beers and HONEY WINE (TEJ)!
+ When I go to an ethnic restaurant, I always enjoy and desire to learn more about the culture and traditions. For that reason, I liked that the wait staff had on traditional clothing and the TV blasting Ethiopian music videos.

The Negs…
– As others mentioned, the wait staff appeared a little disinterested. Service was not slow by any means, but some enthusiasm and a smile could go a long way.
– Menu could have been written clearer. For instance, some of the entrees were for two people. Some language denoting this and pictures would help a lot.
– This is minor, but I wished there were more traditional themes and decor throughout the restaurant.

In Conclusion…
I haven’t been to many Ethiopian restaurants, but I can say I’ve ventured enough to call myself a fan of Ethiopian Cuisine and this is prior to my food tour. The uniques use of spices and food prep always brings me back to the Ethiopian restaurants. Habesha delivers in the food and did not disappoint one bit. Come here for the food. However, if you want ambiance, a place to feel like you’ve escaped to Addis Ababa for a split second, there are better options…

#ChowYouLater

Crying Thaiger – Malden

by 34 Comments

[4.78/5] I don’t go to Malden often but when I do it’s for Boda Borg, meeting friends, or shopping at Hunt’s Photo. I have yet to find my go-to restaurant when I’m in the Malden area and the search have continued for some time. The next stop is Crying Thaiger. Are you the one?

Review #052
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 5/5
Portion to price 5/5
Average = 5

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4.5/5
Average = 4.25

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 5/5
Kitchen area na
Average = 4.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [3.25]+[0.85]+[0.68]
 = 4.78

The Pluses…  
+ AMBIANCE, Ambiance, Ambiance! The moment you walk in, you start to realize this isn’t your typical Thai Restaurant. This place is gorgeous. Designed with instagram in mind, there’s a backdrop for group photos and Halloween themed decorations which all play a role into building great ambiance.
+ ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Whoever designed their interior, picked out the dinnerware, tables, and wall art deserves an applause. The balance between modern and traditional decor is not easy to do.
+ Real flowers were used on the table. I always admire restaurants that do this. It’s a small detail but it can be an expensive one for restaurants. This tells me how serious the owner is to the customers.
+ MENU. I could spend hours going through the menu. There’s so much to discuss but I’ll keep it short. Lots of pictures, easy eye navigation, lots of creative concepts you do not usually see at a Thai Restaurant.
+ A SPECIAL MENU and LUNCH MENU are major pluses. The DRINK MENU is icing on the cake. Yes, they serve staples like Thai Iced Tea and most importantly alcohol, as in, CRAFT BEERS, THAI BEERS as well as a decent list of WINE varieties. How many Asian restaurants offer this?!
+ With so many positives, I haven’t even mentioned the food yet. I ordered the SPICY NOODLE SOUP and the SUKI SEAFOOD SOUP. Both were fresh, flavorful, and with a good variety of meats. They tasted exactly as described in the Menu.  
+ Awesome PRICES! Wow, a place that doesn’t overcharge. If anything, I wonder given all the cosmetic work and overhead costs, why we’re not charged more. I’m used to the other way around where restaurants go cheap on everything yet charge premium prices for food. This is rare for a restaurant to do this. I admire the integrity.
+ Quick, friendly, attentive waiters/resses. They were always aware of customer needs.

The Negs…
– There’s really no major negatives here, but if I had to nitpick, the COLOR CHANGING PURPLE DRINK is indeed a cool concept as it literally changes color once you squeeze some lime in but it tasted a little off. It’s missing a couple of more ingredients to get right. To me, it was like sugar water; I admire the effort though. Don’t let my opinions stop the creative work, keep it up!

In Conclusion…
The Crying Thaiger left me bawling at their brilliance. This restaurant is a rare site balancing the intricacies of traditional and modern Thai elements. I love the Metal Thai Cups and the contemporary bowls the foods they’re served in. The dishes were delicious offering quality ingredients at more than reasonable prices. These little things add up together compiling a memorable experience for me. As a restaurant enthusiast, I was geeking out. There’s so many positives and talking points of this place, I can’t even fit it all in trying to keep it under 600 words. You have to visit for yourself. Earlier, I was going on about not having a go-to in Malden. Well, look no further, I’ve found it.

#ChowYouLater