Dining Out: Awful Arthur's

I've eaten at the Tower's Mall Awful Arthur's twice in the last couple of weeks, and I have to say that the name is a total misnomer.

What might also be misunderstood is the cost. Sure, there were some pricier items on the menu, but I think it's all a matter of timing.

I went the first time during dinner happy hour, which - luckily - is not confined to the smoking bar area. The locally brewed beers were $2.50, and the one I had - a lighter ale - was quite good.

On the dinner menu were a number of items that broke the $10 range, sure, but there were also various salads, apps, and - most importantly - sandwiches that were $6 - $8 with a side. I had the catch of the day (which usually spells mucho dinero) for $7 with a side. Can't beat that.

After the good experience (despite somewhat mediocre service), I went back for lunch and found that the $6 items were gone, though there were still some $7 choices. I suppose I could have asked for a dinner menu, given that there were more "lunchy" items on the dinner menu than the lunch menu, but I went with the shrimp and scallop wrap for $7. It was quite packed with both, not some rice or lettuce filled wrap with a tablespoon of popcorn shrimp. I even took some home after the first half and a side filled me up.

So, with the right choices, Awful Arthur's doesn't have to mean an expensive dinner or drinking. Time it right and you'll get the best of both worlds.

Dining Out: Ukrops for Dinner

All right, so maybe eating at the Ukrops deli and salad might seem to fall a little short of dining out to some, but consider this: I've seen Chinese buffets with much less selection. While running errands, my wife and I lost steam to go home and cook (well, she lost steam, since I don't do much cooking).

Hark, close by loomed Ukrops and a tasty salad bar with plenty of extras, not to mention the grazing along the way. My watch read a little after 7pm, though I gave the time no notice. But then, heading in to see what sorts of muscle-building goodies the bakery offered as samples, we came across three different samplers, each of which was far larger than you might expect.

Admittedly, I had already stuffed my face with a spice cake and a little pound cake before getting to the salad bar.

When you get heavy extras, like tuna salad or noodles, you have to expect the price to shoot up. It's not exactly spinach leaves. Even so, I figured mine wouldn't be too bad, since I'd grown accustomed to around $5 - $6 a pound for salad.

And yet, ringing up with two huge salads and a dessert (as if the cake weren't enough) was just over $8.

What's going on here? I wondered, though of course I just quickly paid as if I were getting away with something that I didn't want the cashier to notice.

I guess the salad bar and select other items are 33% off after 7pm. I'm sure the hour was also the reason for such generous grazing at the bakery.

And sitting upstairs overlooking Franklin Rd is kinda nice, too. It was quiet, and the well-stocked accouterments upstairs leaves little to be desired.

So, lessen learned: if you want some good, cheap eats after 7pm, but don't want to go for the whole sit-down restaurant with the wait and the tip, then give Ukrops a shot.

Dining Out: Kabuki doesn't disappoint

Of course I've been to Kabuki's before: I've been in Roanoke long enough to have such an occasion come up. However, I hadn't been there in about two years when my wife and I went prior to seeing Star Trek as a part of our date night.

Anyone who's been to more than a couple hibachi grills knows that they are not all one in the same, despite inevitable similarities. The important part for me was that the portions remained large and the prices remained reasonable, and - in that regard - Kabuki certainly comes through.

With a drink, our final bill was a little under forty dollars before tip, which I think is pretty good for that sort of dining experience.

The taste - as I remembered it - was quite good. Our chef was a little on the taciturn side, which wasn't lost on another couple at our table. Albeit, it didn't help matters that three of the most docile little girls I've ever seen sat between equally docile parents. Even the pyramid of fire solicited only the most arbitrarily of smiles. (I think maybe there was some cough syrup or medication involved).

Though I was driving and couldn't partake to much of a degree, the array and originality of the alcoholic beverage menu intrigued me; when I return, I hope it's with a designated driver.

All things considered, while so many other restaurants are cutting portions while upping prices, it was nice to see Kabuki still packs on the good food and fun while not breaking the bank.

Dining Out: Thai Orchid

I must admit, I was aiming to eat at The Judge's Chambers based on a friend's suggestion, but since it was closed this last Saturday, we decided to try to the Thai Orchid right across the street on 1st in downtown Roanoke.

Though the poor weather and notoriously scant downtown traffic many weekends meant we were the only patrons for lunch. The restaurant was nice and clean, to include the bathrooms, with a smattering of Thai decorations and with a uniformity that was pleasing and conveyed professionalism.

The owner/server was a quiet man who spoke very good English; service was prompt, but - again - we were the only customers. I imagine it could get a little slow if the place were really busy.
My wife and I shared the spring rolls with peanut sauce for an appetizer, and then the dinner portion of the Massaman Curry. The spring rolls were very flavorful, though mild (I suppose we could have requested spicy, but didn't).

The curry was also quite good. Not the best Thai I've had in Virginia, but right up there. The dinner portion was just right for the two of us.

Our lunch came to about $20, which is a little pricey for having had water and sharing an entree, but certainly not bad for such unique food so well prepared, either.

Well illustrated menus, mild food, and the owner's skill with English would make Thai Orchid an easy choice for any beginners wishing to give Thai a taste without knowing much about the food.

Dining Out in Roanoke: Grace's Place Pizzeria

Grace's Place is within walking distance, but I still drive because that's just what we do sometimes. Parking can be a bear in Grandin Court (all the more reason to walk) but we found a spot open and perused the restaurants for dinner.

I've actual been to Grace's before, but that was before I wrote reviews, so - other than what I ate - I probably couldn't tell you much.

Last night, though, Grace's was pretty packed. Oh wait, that's pretty much any night, which is good and bad. Bad in that the place gets a little cramped, but good in that you can have a meal with the security that collective wisdom speaks to the place's finer qualities, which in Grace's case is certainly the food.

That's not to say that the wait staff isn't nice - they are - nor that the restaurant is unkempt - it's rather tidy by my reckoning. It is a little tight, though, which could make grazing the medicore saled bar a little burdensome, so I stuck with ordering some real food and sitting in a booth.

My wife and I split the spinach artichoke dip for our app and then split the vegetable primavera sub. The dip was quite good, with rugged little toast pieces in lieu of chips. It was a little oily, so this is not a diet food, to be sure.

The sub, though, stole the show. Subtleties liked the roasted red peppers and basil really set if off, and I considered pulling the whole "What's that behind you?" trick on my wife to get a bit of her half, but I figured she wouldn't fall for it anyway.

The meal was quite reasonable, our bill was $13 and change minus the tip. The service was good, and the food came out incrementally, as expected, so none of that "he's your app with your meal" stuff.

We'll definitely hit up Grace's again sometime, though - judging by the mad rush of people to fill our parking spot when we left - we'll be walking next time.

Dining Out: McAllister's Deli

Towers used to be the red-headed stepchild of malls back when I lived in Roanoke in 2000. Back then, Tanglewood was still happening, and all of the mall walkers relegated themselves to Crossroads.

Now, though, Towers is getting some new things and coming up, albeit somewhat slowly. I had a chance to go to the newish restaurant, McAllister's Deli, in between the Colonial Ave main entrance and CiCi's Pizza. The place is big, with tons of seating that you mosey through on your way to the ordering counter in back.

Being a vegetarian, I love the fact that they serve veggie chili, not to mention it's quite good. The veggie spud and a macadamia nut cookie completed my meal, which I actually split with my wife, since it was large enough to fill my plate.

The staff was mostly teens, who were nice and helpful, busing the table and refilling drinks without being in any way overwhelming. It was a little tough interpreting tipping etiquette, though, since my receipt had no slot for tip, and I never carry cash. I guess next time, I'd tip much like one might in a Chinese buffet place.

The environment was nice: good lighting, nostalgic pictures and memorabilia adorning the walls without it being too busy like in the fictional "Shenanigans" from the film Waiting. The price - especially considering my wife and I were sharing - was very reasonable - rounding out at around $10 - $11 for the both of us, though we drank water and the coffees we'd brought with us.

So while I can't speak much to the rest of the menu, McAllister's spuds and chili proved well worth the visit, as did the welcome courtesy of the staff and the roomy, clean dining area.