NinjaGourmet

Authentic Chinese Food

2010-04-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

Location: Chinatown garden 618 h stret
Date: April 16, 2010

Egg drop was slightly salty, lacking full integrity and creativity.

The spicy cucumber appetizier wwas lightly and appropriately seasoned, a fine snack that was a good preamble to the meal.

The bean curd was mild, lacking sugar of too much Chinese food in the USA. The beef was also tasty overall, creating a fine meal.

3.5 ninja stars

Faccia Luna - Good way to Return to Leavened Bread

2010-04-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

Faccia Luna Pizzaria
2909 North Wilson Boulevard, Arlington
April 6, 2010

The bread had integrity, being firm with a moderate amount of butter that enhances but does not overwhelm the garlic bread. Still, charging extra for bread was not the best. The salad was a fine, tasty and varied mix of greens, surprisingly delightful dates, tomatoes and salmon (though Salmon was not fully cooked). The pizza had a tangy sauce, solid crust and fine cheese. The spinach was also fresh.

The cake, while not having the 7 layers that the menu claimed, was richer than Monopoly man.

Considering Ninja and other ninjettes were enjoying leavened bread, the meal was filling and a decent value.

3.5 ninja stars

NinjaGourmet: Cafe Oggi - That's Def Not Amore - That's Just Bad Food

2010-04-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

NinjaGourmet: Cafe Oggi - That's Def Not Amore - That's Just Bad Food

Oh No Not Assaggio

2010-04-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

Assaggio
McLean, VA
Date: April 1, 2010

The mushroom and cauliflower and mushroom mix was a sour mess n that lacked sufficient contrasts to bland veggies. The sardines provided an un-artistic display of two whole fish, lacked any seasoning, and had an uncreative lettuce. The sardines were too salty and tasted almost as bad as it looked. Ninja would have had better sardines by buying sardines in a can at a local convenience or drug store.

The salad kept the pattern of bland, tired food with a parsimonious portions.

Part of the dessert almost redeemed the lack of quality. The cinnamon ice cream was almost divine, with the sweet cinnamon. The chocolate ice cream, however, lacked anything special and had an almost gooey texture.

As Ninja and Ninja's date, the Ninjette, had religious obligations, neither was able to sample the bread or pasta that the Italian restaurant served.

Also, service was outstanding even providing chocolate sauce when Ninja wanted some chocolate milk. Still, servers failed to recommend tasty food off the menu, either showing bad judgment and worse food.

Overall disappointing experience. Ninja would have had better food had Ninja had canned soup and ice cream. For a fraction of the price.

2.25 Ninja Stars

Whitlow's is a winner for brunch

2010-03-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

Whitlow's
Location: Arlington (Clarendon) ,VA
Date: March 28, 2010

A bar known for music, singles and drinks on the nights, Whitlow's transforms to a family friendly restaurants with strollers, babies, couples, and even some walkers in the morning.

The brunch had a great variety of food, from fairly fresh fruit, breads & bagels, decadent cakes, and fish. The salmon was particularly satisfying; I enjoyed the perfectly salted lox with capers, the soft, flaky and tasty baked salmon. The eggs were somewhat tired, though. The cakes were fantastic, with a variety of sweet layers. The bagels were soft and full.

The price of $16 was perfectly reasonable considering the fairly highly quality of food and variety.

3.25 Ninja Stars

Rock Bottom - March 26

2010-03-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

Rock Bottom
Location: Arlington (Ballston), VA
Date: March 26, 2010

Mahi mahi was drenched in mayonnaise drivel, exasperating an almost sour fish that barely seemed to approximate mahi mahi. The beans were mediocre. The so called “ pineapple cole slaw seemed to have no fruit. The salad was a more than ample portion, the honey mustard lacked sweetness of honey nor the tartness of mustard, just a fatty mess. Citrus ginger dressing was little better. Thre dressings seem to be using the same fake milky mush . It makes me noxious writing. Still, the place is a bar, and the special hefeweizen was a subtle sweetness, not even needing customary orange that other hefeweizenequire. Port was too tart

2.75 Ninja Stars

Rock Bottom, Arlington (ballston) VA

2010-03-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

Rock Bottom, Arlington (ballston) VA
Date: March 26, 2010
Mahi mahi was drenched in mayonnaise drivel, exasperating an almost sour fish that barely seemed to approximate mahi mahi. The beans were mediocre. The so called “ pineapple cole slaw seemed to have no fruit. The salad was a more than ample portion, the honey mustard lacked sweetness of honey nor tartness of mustard, just a fatty mess. Citrus ginger dressing was little better. Thre dressings seem to be using the same fake milky mush . It makes me noxious writing. Still, the place is a bar, and the special hefeweizen was a subtle sweetness, not even needing customary orange that other hefeweizenequire. Port was too tart.

Overall, 2.50 jinja stars

Joe's Burgers in Mclean, VA

2010-03-24T19:59:00.001-07:00

For burgers, Joe's brought a simple burger to the next level. The huge burger truly seemed to be a half-pound of beef, with a hearty flavor enhanced with the special Joe's sauce. The burger had a thick, doughy roll with sufficient veggies a firm and thick tomato slice. I regret that I had put ketchup on the burger, which detracted and masked the bodacious burger.

The Chinese chicken salad, however, lacked any unique seasoning, just an anemic ginger dressing, lettuce and some soggy noodles. It's a shame to have such weak veggies in a salad with fresh chicken with perfect subtle seasoning and a smoky flavor.

The fries, while looking promising with green seasoning, were bland and greasy.

The music was boring, a small notch above muzak. We did appreciate the skins posters. .

For the carnivore, this food was almost superb, especially considering the relatively reasonable price in high rent neighborhood. If desire more than meat, this may not merit special consideration.

3.25 ninja stars

M's Pub

2010-03-21T00:19:00.001-07:00

M's Pub
Location: Omaha, NE
Date: March 21, 2010

The rolls were wonderfully warm with a fine butter spread. The salad, however, lacked any originality, and was simply one type of lettuce with no other vegetables, and a lukewarm unimpressive dressing. The mashed potatoes were more liked butter with a little potatoes. The steak was sensationally seasoned, provided a kick to a fine and well made steak. One expects tasty steak in Omaha, and M's does not dissapoint. Overall 3.25 ninja stars, with the steak and fine service making up for weak sides.

Taste of Morocco

2010-03-13T21:11:00.000-08:00

Date: March 13, 2010
Location: Clarendon (Arlington), VA

The chicken dish featured a light, sweet sugar coating a doughy topping, but the chicken itself was overly mushy. The lamb was fattier than some contestants on the biggest loser, with the peas and carrots surrounded in fatty vacuous mix. The potatoes were surprisingly good. The lamb was almost on the sour, leaving a bad aftertaste. Overall, the food had a bored, tired taste. Even tea lacked any unique flavor. The ambiance had some paintings of Morocco and some fine couches. Yet, the window view next to bars detracted from the ambiance.

The only saving grace of the restaurant was the fantastic and taleted belly dancer, who used her clothing as a prop and managed to balance a sword on her stomach. If only the food had the dexterity, precision, and creativity that the belly dancer displayed.

While the food was mediocre, the dining experience was pleasant and entertaining.

2.25 ninja stars

Absolute thai restaurant

2010-03-09T21:16:00.000-08:00

Location: Gallery Place / Chinatown, Washington, DC 521 G Street NW

Date: March 7, 2010

The service was excellent, fast and pleasant.

The tofu was a tady on the spicy side, with a little too much pepper; while the menu stated the food would be fairly spicy, it was very spicy. The tofu was well-seasoned and had integrity to the dish. The spring rolls had a slight sweet taste and fullness, and didn't have the greasy texture of spring rolls of other restaurants. The drunken noodles had a mild flavor with slight hints of sweetness.

The food was well-priced, well presented and well portioned.

3 ninja stars.

Circus Circus Buffet - Clowning Around in Quality

2010-03-08T00:39:00.000-08:00

Location: Las Vegas, NV
Date: March 7, 2010

The buffet was analogous of one going to a singles event, and seeing lots of people who were lacking looks, smarts, charm, and depth, with only a handful of people showing any potential. While the buffet had a variety of food items, such as dough and drab egg rolls, salsa, and pizza which ninja didn’t attempt to eat, the quality left much to be desired. The salad items were decent, with the beets and lettuce being at least somewhat fresh. The entrees and side items were poorly presented and tasted worse. The baked fish lacked any flavor except for the sour onion, the sauce on the pasta seemed barely better than ketchup and the broccoli with cheese was watery.

At least the dessert was decent, with a little gooey though decent creme pie and tasty sweet ice cream. Though it's tough to mess up chocolate and vanilla ice cream. The price was very good for Vegas, at less than $15 for all you can eat and drink (non-alcoholic beverages). If you want to simply over-fill your stomach, this is not a bad option. If you want to eat decent food outside of desserts, look elsewhere.

1.75 ninja stars

Fabulous Four Sisters

2010-03-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

Hearty, lightly and appropriately flavored beef with a perfect enhancement of greens and onions and perfectly ripe tomato slices, and a flavorful sauce. The chicken, while a smidgen too fatty, had a fine texture with notes of hickory. The spring rolls had a thick, somewhat sweet flavor, though maybe slightly too heavy. Overall, the place served fine food. One could see the reason the place was crowded, at the tail a recession and late at night.

Also, reasonable price.

3.8 Ninja stars

Champps - Gastronomic Chumps

2010-03-01T21:08:00.000-08:00

Champps

Location: Reston, VA
Date: March 1, 2010

The food was as creative, original and satisfying as a subpar romantic comedy / “chick flick”. The chili was tepid, boringly bland, and watery. There was a near complete lack of spices or flavor. The meat was fatty, the beans sparse, and the chives insufficient. The salad was marginally better than the chili. The salad was an uninspiring mix of iceberg lettuce, carrot shavings, and tomatoes. The vegetables seemed to be a few days removed from fresh. The honey mustard dressing had at least a semblance of sweetness.

At least the server was courteous and accommodating. Ninja requested another order of chili when the first batch of chili had cheese, which Ninja will not eat due to religious reasons. The waiter quickly provided a near batch of chili.

Overall though, it was a lackluster meal. One could easily understand that the restaurant was near empty this Monday night.

1.75 ninja stars

Mr. B's

2010-02-27T20:07:00.000-08:00

New Orleans, LA
Feb 27, 2010

Service was a litte short at times.

Thye bread was the standard warm crusy french bread. The fish was flaky, wonderfully mild, flavorful yet did not have the 'fishy' flavor. Veggies had a slight flavor. The dessert was decadent, a tremednous mix of vanilla ice cream, raspberry and chocolate chunks. I only wish I had eaten slower to better savor the food.

4 Ninja Stars

Old Biloxi Schooner

2010-02-27T19:50:00.001-08:00

Location: Biloxi, MS
Date: Feb 27, 2010

The chicken had a rich, tangy flavor. The onions provide needed enhancements to the simply made grilled chicken. The flavor from the onions, and other sauces made rice rich in texter with hearty flavor. At times, the chicken was a little too fatty.

The veggie medley was a straightforward mix of unseasoned cauliflower, carrots and brocoli.

The fried okra was in an underwhelming item, with a faint salty flavor enveloping a semblance of the okra.

Ninja note that this review was limited due to religious reasons - Ninja has taken vows not to eat sellfish, thus ninja is unable to appropriately test the menu.

Service was friendly and accommodating. The ambiance was casual, and the customers seemed regulars. Picutres of various sboats enhanced the experience

The Big Easy - New Orleans, LA

2010-02-26T22:14:00.001-08:00

The hush puppies had a rich not overly decadent flavor, with subtle hints of spice. The gravy provided a fine foil that perfectly complimented hush puppies. The “po boy” featured wonderfully soft roast beef with a sweet gravy, enclosed in a warm and French read. The fries were slight above qadequate, with a just over frozen flavor.

Outstanding service. The tasty take on food was buttressed with a deep top 40 mix, of upbeat r&b, rab, reggae and country. There was not wait, which was much better than the hour wait in the Bourbon Street touristy area of New Orleans.

The only issue was the constantly opened door.

The price was also reasonable.
3.75 Ninja Stars

Chinatown Express 6th & H NW Wash DC Feb 24 2010

2010-02-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

The roast duck was a smidgen too salty, though had sufficient smoky flavor with note of oak. The roast duck had a remnant of actual meat overwhelmed in a sandwich of fat and skin.

The soup was somewhat bland, lacking pizzazz or unique flavoring. The myriad sauces provide a strong supplement that enhances that flavor of the plentiful rice in the roast duck dish.
The overflowing free tea was a simple and helpful touch. The service was lightning fast and efficient, though the servers were no always able to communicate about the dishes the restaurant served.

At the same point, the meal for two (including tip and DC food tax) costs a reasonable fifteen dollars. Overall, the food was a fairly appropriate rendition of authentic Chinese food (e.g., the food did not have the cavity-producing sugary drivel that is far too common in American Chinese restaurants) in a pseudo “Chinatown” in Washington, D.C.

2.5 ninja stars. For a quick lunch in Chinatown/Judiciary Square/Union Station, this meal commands commendable value and taste

Intro / Chevy's at Merrifield

2010-02-13T23:45:00.000-08:00

This blog will provide reviews of various restaurants, mostly in the DC-area.

The restaurants will be a mix of so-called casual dining, formal, and others.

Blog sport Ninja Gourmet

Date: February 13, 2010
Restaurant: Chevy’s
Location: Fairfax (Merrifield< VA

Appetizers: The chips were overly salty, while the salsa had a spicy kick. Chips were more than sufficient, and waiter agreed to provide more chips gratis.

Main Course: The veggie fajitas resulted in a mediocre meal. The sweet corn much smartly placed in a corn husk was a pleasant gastronomic surprise not uncommon in US Mexican restaurants. The rest of the package was a standard fare of mushrooms with too much cheese, beans, guacamole, etc. The fajitas were simply lacking originality, unique flavors, interesting texture, and any semblance of creativity. Such numbingly normal fare is expected in a “Mexican” restaurant serving Tex-Mex food. The Ricky Martin and stale American Pop music set the tone for the restaurant and the meal.

Beverages: the pineapple-coconut margarita provided a fresh and unique twist the standard ‘rita, with the sweet flavors overwhelming any taste of tequila.

Nine Stars: 2 out of 5 with five being grand emperor, and one being neophyte ninja