GOOD EATS
BY Chef Robert Andres Olivares
A MUST STOP FOR TRUE GOOD EATS
RIO LOUNGE & GRILL
Brazilian Steak House
15910 Ventura BLVD suite 101
Encino CA 91436
I don't know if I have the words to truly convey to you how much I enjoyed myself tonight. When I first saw the place I was amazed at its decor. The bar stood in the center, there were booths for large parties on the side of the restaurants. It is the perfect place for a date and the service we got was truly impressive. Our waiter took the time to explain to us what everything was since we were new to Brazilian food.
We started off with bread and an assortment of dips. A salsa type vinaigrette, some yucca powder, a mulageta pepper based salsa and an herbed oil.
My cousin Opted to order a Brazilian beer Xingu "black beer" Normally I tend to stay away from dark beer but this was sweeter. Although it was dark it wasn't a strong over powering flavor like most dark beer.
Our appetizer platter came next. With Chicken and Shrimp satay's in a grilled pineapple base. Crab Cakes and chicken wings.
Next we served Samba Salad with garbanzo beans, olives, beets coated in a very tasty dressing.
Since we wanted to try everything we opted to order the "The Rio Experience" all you can eat barbecue. With 17 items to choose from there was plenty to try. Our waiter brought us a small tricolor pillar that pretty much acted as a food stop light. The small sign was turned so that either the red or green side was showing to let him know when we wanted more food or when we wanted to call it quits. We managed to try 12 out of 17 items and still managed to eat black beans, spinach, carrots and plantains.
We had Garlic Picanta, tenderloin parmesan, Turkey fig wrapped in bacon, marinated leg of lamb with dende, Oregano Chicken thighs, Kielbasa, quail with sweet onions and herbs, Rio Sirloin, Duck leg with sweet chili glaze, Filet mignon wrapped in bacon, Honey spicy chicken thighs and finally Mahi Mahi with ginger and coconut.
I have to say this has been the best place I have critiqued, not only was the food great but the Chef took the time out to talk to us. .I use to be the Head Chef of a small restaurant and I know how hard it is to run even a small kitchen. So for him to come out of the kitchen and make sure that we were satisfied was something that so far no other restaurant has done? I truly cannot tell you how much I liked this place and I recommend that you come eat, laugh and enjoy. With friends, family a date this is a place to be, it is an Experience.
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Northridge
19400 Plummer Street
Northridge, CA 91324-2142
Phone: 818-725-2620
Fax: 818-725-2645
Having worked for the Macaroni Grill puts me in a unique place in which to critic from. Behind the scenes I have seen how everything is created from start to finish and at one time or another I have been able to sample every item on the menu. When you first walk into the grill you notice that it is big, but still feels cozy complete with a fire place. It’s a great place to take a date because you get to talk and watch your food getting made especially if you get to sit in one of the booths that run the length of the kitchen.
Let’s start with appetizers.
If you cannot decide try our Romano's sampler it comes with fried olives stuffed with asiago cheese, fried mozzarella, Calamari and pepperoni bread. It’s a great way to start off the evening while you look over the menu.
Let’s get to the food; this all depends on what you’re in the mood for. From Pizza I recommend the Barbecue Pizza. The Barbecue sauce is sweet and just a tad bit spicy. Serve with a thin hand rolled crust no presses here. Or if you’re not in the mood for a pizza try the Chicken Calzonetto. It is like a sandwich if you want a basic explanation it is grilled and filled with chicken, roasted tomatoes, spinach and is very filling.
Let’s move over to Pasta I love the Sausage and Peppers Classico Sliced Italian sausage sautéed with onions and bell peppers served with penne pasta and a spicy arrabbiata sauce, topped with feta cheese. There is also the Pasta Milano is Chicken and sautéed mushrooms tossed with bow tie pasta, garlic cream sauce and sun dried tomatoes it is one of my favorites.
Onto the grill now there is a great selection to choose from on the grill itself.
On of my favorites in the Honey Balsamic Chicken. It is a grilled chicken breast serves with cappellini pasta tossed with garlic; sun dried tomatoes and parsley served with a generous portion of carrots and broccoli
To the meat of the matter the Tuscan Rib Eye is a must for steak lovers. That or a Filet Katarina. The Rib Eye is grilled to perfection and for my money that is on the rare side.
The Filet Katarina is served with mash potatoes, bruschetta bread and when it comes to filet trust me on the rare side is the best way to enjoy such a tender piece of meat.
Finally Desserts
Hands down my choice is the Smothered Chocolate Cake. It is covered with chocolate, nuts and served with whipped cream it’s a must for Chocolate lovers
So in closing like always live, eat and enjoy
The Wood Ranch
Northridge
9301 Tampa Avenue
Northridge CA 91324
(818) 886-6464
Where do I begin? The Wood Ranch is a nice restaurant a quite place if you’re trying to get to know somebody. So it is a great place to take a date. In my trips to the Wood Ranch I have always been pleased not only with the food but with the service.
You are greeted within a few minutes and to me that initial contact is important because if I am not greeted by my server within five or six minutes of sitting down I leave. I have worked in restaurants to long and I know that no matter what I will not wait around for someone to get a chance to talk to me. I guess being a Chef has made me somewhat picky when I go out to eat.
First you are brought soft warm garlic rolls and you get a chance to order your first drink, soup, salad or appetizer. I highly recommend their Tri Tip and Mushroom Soup by the way. After that you can move on to a few of my favorites. Those of you who read my page regularly know what's coming. Try the Tri Tip Roast and Baby Back Combo. The Tri Tip is Tender the Ribs seem to drip with meat. I say drip with meat because the meat seems just to fall off the bone.
You might also like to choose the T bone or Top Sirloin both are great pieces of meat and served with two sides I recommend the Ranch Fries, incredible Mashed Potatoes or the Baked Beans
I haven't had a chance to try any desserts here yet so for that I am sorry I will get around to it after all I love trying new places which is why I made this page so please live, eat and enjoy
Mom and Pop Restaurants
River Kware
18157 Parthenia St. Northridge
(818) 701 1617
for light fare me and my friends ate like kings. We had Thai Egg Rolls, and the Appetizer plate with had fried Won Tons, Fried Shrimp, Egg Rolls and Fried Broccoli. While I drank my Budweiser I savored the Barbecue Pork, Barbecue Chicken, Pad Thai Noodles and a bowl of Steamed Rice. On my second trip I had to try the Spicy Squid and a small bowl of steam rice. I also had an occasion to try my cousins Crab Fried Rice, It seems every time I go back I am reminded of why I like to eat there in the first place. The restaurant is unassuming but the food is wonderful. It has the Mom and pop relaxed feel to it that you can take friends to and talk about old times with; Or you can take a date for the quite surroundings and have an intimate dinner for two. Just because you on a date doesn't mean you have to break yourself. A date is about getting to know each other, talking and laughing deciding if you want to see each other again. It's not a show place for how much money you have because when you find that right person all that shouldn't matter. Enjoy the food complimented by a cheerful service staff and the great prices this place is a great place to go when you don't want to be at home cooking.
P.S every time we go for lunch with each beer we get a chilled mug which I have never gotten anywhere else.