Thursday, January 22, 2009

El Sarape ¾

5409 Capitol Blvd SW, Tumwater

Date of visit: 1/22/09

What we had: Tamale/enchilada combo, enchiladas verde, taco salad, wings, quesadilla, kids nachos

I don't even know where to start.

A chicken taco salad was ordered, but ground beef was served. The two enchiladas combo was ordered, but only one arrived on the plate. The quesadilla ended up being 1/2 instead of a whole one. The kids nachos consisted of tortilla chips with a sprinkling of cheese melted over it.

Service was on par with the food. The restaurant wasn't even 1/2 full and it took 20 minutes before someone came to take our order. The chips and salsa weren't refilled and there were only 3 sets of silverware available for our party of 6. The kids wanted dessert (they were still hungry after those crappy nachos) and when a menu was requested, the waiter sped through the offerings. We decided to go elsewhere for dessert.

When paying for the meal, the cashier asked how the food was and we mentioned the discrepancies on the bill (being charged for 2 enchiladas when only one came) and unsatisfaction with the meal. She nodded and ran the transaction without a word.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Three Doors Down ^^^^

1429 SE 37th Ave, Portland

Date of visit: 1/4/2009

What we had: Tortiglione With Vodka Sauce And House Made Sausage, Bucatini with meatballs, cocktails

Great location, just off Hawthorne- lots of interesting storefronts nearby. Perfect restaurant for a special occasion. Attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable waitstaff. You will need to hunt for street parking though.

The requisite bread was served with a white bean spread that was pretty tasty and a nice change from your usual butter or infused oils.

I was enjoying my whiskey sour with their house made blood orange sour mix so much that I didn't inquire as to how my gf liked her tequila-with-something drink.

The flavors in the tortiglione were intense and well-layered. This is their signature dish and doesn't disappoint. If you can't handle a little heat though, you'll want to pass on this one.

The bucatini is only offered on Sundays so I thought I'd give it a try. Thicker than spaghetti and hollow, it's like a long macaroni. The sauce was very good. Tomato-based, but not too acidic or sweet, fresh basil. Two giant, delicious meatballs. This is the dish you wish your grandma made on Sundays.

Dingo's ^^½

4612 SE Hawthorne, Portland

Date of visit: 1/1/2009

What we had: Lime chicken burrito, Grilled sashimi-grade ahi burrito, Arnold Palmer.

olyfoodiesidekick enjoyed the lime chicken burrito. Their burritos are good-sized with rice, beans, lettuce and pico de gallo. Their lime chicken offerings seem to be the signature dishes.

I take issue with the fact that they specifically state "sashimi-grade ahi" then cook the pieces of tuna to death. If you're using good ahi, you lightly sear it so it DOESN'T take on the canned tuna fishy taste.

The Arnold Palmer I ordered was good. Fresh lemonade and iced tea, no powdered mixes here.

Friends rave about the happy hour at this place. So I guess, come for the booze but don't expect great food.