Olive Garden (Portland Maine)

Chicken & Gnocchi

A creamy soup made with roasted chicken, traditional Italian dumplings and spinach. Warm rolls with creamy butter and and house salad. 

SERVICE: I've been here many Olive Gardens and always find the staff great. Very customer focused . As with a number of eating spots, fresh bread and butter are brought to the table to warm the spirit and welcome the guest. Love it!

QUALITY: I chose this meal because it is a staple at the Olive Garden. And bcause this is a busy spot the produce, etc always re-fresh quickly.

ATMOSPHERE:  The attention to cleanliness and decor lend to a fun and relaxing experience.

VALUE:  The prices are average. The meals are well worth this price.
 

Would I pay a return visit:  I don't get to the States that often, but when i do this spot is on my list.

LILY'S

Pear & walnut salad

The salad was mixed with greens, goat cheese and cranberry citrus dressing. Soup of the day was vegetable beef.

SERVICE:  This server was young and did a good job.

QUALITY:  This is my first visit back since the disastrous fish/steak meal. My choice this time was much better. Everything was fresh, fairly tasty and appetizing.  The salad used walnuts, and I knew that but found the taste too bitter, it would have been better to use pecans or almonds.

ATMOSPHERE:  We ate on the deck and what a great place to be on a summer evening. Overlooking the lake and enjoying those having fun swimming.

VALUE:  I find Lily's a bit high in price for the quality, but the surroundings balance off the price.

Would I pay a return visit:  I will but will be more conscience of what I order.

LEMON GRASS/PEPPERS PUB

Ginger Beef

Tender beef sautéed with green peppers, red onions and bok choy tossed with fresh ginger in a savoury sauce.

                      

SERVICE:  Oh my, was this guy funny! He had us in stitches. And the bonus was that he was a great server too. Thanks Mike.

QUALITY:  The presentation was most appealing. Veggies were fresh and tasty.   The beef full, full of flavour and tender.

ATMOSPHERE:  What a great job the developers did when renovating these old ware houses on the Saint John waterfront.  Sitting among bricks, planks and history is just too nostalgic.

VALUE:  The price was a high average and worth the money. The food was well prepared and well presented.
 

Would I pay a return visit:  Our last visit to Lemon Grass did not impress our group and so it was a long stretch between visits.  I'm not sure if there was a change in staff/management but this visit was one to bring us back again.

Osaka Hibachi (Moncton)

Sukiyaki 

 

Marinated rib eye beef, miso soup, salad, grilled vegetables and fried rice

SERVICE: The server was sweet but a little busy for much attention. The fun was in the cook/entertainer who "performed" our food directly in front of us. This is a teppanyaki grill and it was great fun.

QUALITY:  Every thing tasted great.  The beef must have been marinated because it was easy to eat without much cooking.  The veggies were perfect, my perfect, a little crunch with lots of flavour.

ATMOSPHERE:  Bright, friendly, a different set up for the customer.  The seating was a bar style surrounding a grill.  We had a great time.

VALUE: The price was on the higher end but not highest. Lots of food and a great taste. Yes, go for good food and good value. 

Would I pay a return visit:  For us, this was a different experience and we will do it again.