Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Spiral Diner: I'll be going back for more!
Spiral Diner is a vegan restaurant which basically means that none of the menu items contain meat, milk or eggs. Spiral has received consistently positive reviews from non-vegans, so I think I expected the food to be OK. What I did not expect was for the food to be GREAT! I would have NEVER guessed the food was vegan b/c it is that good. You cannot tell!!
OKJenny and I met at Spiral for lunch and shared a few different menu items - all of which were impressively delicious! We started with a limeade drink. OKJenny tried the coconut limeade ($1.95) and I tried the agave limeade ($1.95). Both were tasty and refreshing! The agave limeade was a little less sweet which may be why it was our server's preference (I also preferred it slightly over the coconut). Next, we ordered a small hummus appetizer ($4.25) which is served with your choice of corn chips and/or corn or flour tortillas. We tried the chips and the flour tortillas and recommend the flour tortillas.
We ordered two entrees and shared both of them. First up was the McNutt burger ($6.95) which had a patty consisting of sunflower seeds, carrots, brown rice and spices. The burger comes on an organic bun, but our server suggested we order it on Spelt-Quinoa bread. We went with her suggestion and could not have been more pleased by the burger! It became an instant favorite of mine! It will be hard for me to try other items at Spiral because of how much I enjoyed the McNutt burger.
The second entree we tried was the "Ate" Layer Burrito ($7.95) which contained taco meat, mexican quinoa, black beans, tomato, diced red onion, avocado, corn, black olives, sour cream, and chipotle mayo. The burrito was really good, but OKJenny and I both preferred the burger. We did not have room for dessert but there were plenty of fabulous looking offerings that I intend to try on another visit.
Spiral's atmosphere was hip and friendly. Very cool vibe. I noticed they serve up a brunch on Sundays that offers, among other things, all you can eat pancakes for $5.95. Based on my experience, I would be willing to bet those pancakes are yummo! See you soon at Spiral!!
Spiral Diner and Bakery
http://www.spiraldiner.com/
1314 W Magnolia Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 332-8834
OKJenny and I met at Spiral for lunch and shared a few different menu items - all of which were impressively delicious! We started with a limeade drink. OKJenny tried the coconut limeade ($1.95) and I tried the agave limeade ($1.95). Both were tasty and refreshing! The agave limeade was a little less sweet which may be why it was our server's preference (I also preferred it slightly over the coconut). Next, we ordered a small hummus appetizer ($4.25) which is served with your choice of corn chips and/or corn or flour tortillas. We tried the chips and the flour tortillas and recommend the flour tortillas.
We ordered two entrees and shared both of them. First up was the McNutt burger ($6.95) which had a patty consisting of sunflower seeds, carrots, brown rice and spices. The burger comes on an organic bun, but our server suggested we order it on Spelt-Quinoa bread. We went with her suggestion and could not have been more pleased by the burger! It became an instant favorite of mine! It will be hard for me to try other items at Spiral because of how much I enjoyed the McNutt burger.
The second entree we tried was the "Ate" Layer Burrito ($7.95) which contained taco meat, mexican quinoa, black beans, tomato, diced red onion, avocado, corn, black olives, sour cream, and chipotle mayo. The burrito was really good, but OKJenny and I both preferred the burger. We did not have room for dessert but there were plenty of fabulous looking offerings that I intend to try on another visit.
Spiral's atmosphere was hip and friendly. Very cool vibe. I noticed they serve up a brunch on Sundays that offers, among other things, all you can eat pancakes for $5.95. Based on my experience, I would be willing to bet those pancakes are yummo! See you soon at Spiral!!
Spiral Diner and Bakery
http://www.spiraldiner.com/
1314 W Magnolia Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 332-8834
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Partons Pizza: Great Pizza Discovery!
I had never heard of Partons Pizza until two weeks ago when JLJen told me it was her favorite pizza in Fort Worth. WHAT???!!! Someones favorite pizza in FW is from a place I had never even heard of?? I must go quickly! Well, we went on a Sunday evening, and we too loved the pizza!
First let me say that Partons is a total dive. Located in SW Fort Worth off Cherry Lane in a strip mall between a rough looking bar (the Silver Dollar Saloon) and a suspicious looking "massage parlor." Once inside though, it isn't a bad place! Checkered table cloths, booths, salad buffet and a pizza buffet.
I typically order from the menu rather than eat from a buffet, but at Partons, there was no reason not to eat the buffet because you can request any pizza you want and they will make it fresh and put it out on the buffet. It is like a custom buffet! Even if the pizza you request has unusual toppings - they will make it for the buffet!
We loved the pizza! The crust was thin and crispy and the toppings were great. The tomato and Bacon pizza had a surprise sauce and that surprise was ranch dressing. Yummo! The pizza was salty but I think it was probably because most everything we ate had bacon or pepperoni on it! Bacon was definitely a favorite ingredient which made FWJoey very happy!
Cost of the buffet was $7.40 each and worth every penny! It included the salad bar (which I didn't eat b/c i am not a fan of salad bars but everyone else in our party enjoyed it) and a drink.
Partons does not serve alcohol but you can bring your own beer or wine. If you bring wine, I suggest taking your own corkscrew and I will also warn you that the only glasses they have are frosted beer mugs. Yep, that's right - no wine glasses. Must not be a wine drinking kind of place! Oh well, if you are like us, you'll drink your wine from a good ol' frosty mug!
Partons Pizza, 2813 S Cherry Ln, Fort Worth, TX 76116
(817) 244-5152
First let me say that Partons is a total dive. Located in SW Fort Worth off Cherry Lane in a strip mall between a rough looking bar (the Silver Dollar Saloon) and a suspicious looking "massage parlor." Once inside though, it isn't a bad place! Checkered table cloths, booths, salad buffet and a pizza buffet.
I typically order from the menu rather than eat from a buffet, but at Partons, there was no reason not to eat the buffet because you can request any pizza you want and they will make it fresh and put it out on the buffet. It is like a custom buffet! Even if the pizza you request has unusual toppings - they will make it for the buffet!
We loved the pizza! The crust was thin and crispy and the toppings were great. The tomato and Bacon pizza had a surprise sauce and that surprise was ranch dressing. Yummo! The pizza was salty but I think it was probably because most everything we ate had bacon or pepperoni on it! Bacon was definitely a favorite ingredient which made FWJoey very happy!
Cost of the buffet was $7.40 each and worth every penny! It included the salad bar (which I didn't eat b/c i am not a fan of salad bars but everyone else in our party enjoyed it) and a drink.
Partons does not serve alcohol but you can bring your own beer or wine. If you bring wine, I suggest taking your own corkscrew and I will also warn you that the only glasses they have are frosted beer mugs. Yep, that's right - no wine glasses. Must not be a wine drinking kind of place! Oh well, if you are like us, you'll drink your wine from a good ol' frosty mug!
Partons Pizza, 2813 S Cherry Ln, Fort Worth, TX 76116
(817) 244-5152
Winslow's Wine Cafe: Not Really Lovin' It
After having dined at Winslow's Wine Cafe a couple of times, I think I have determined I like it, but don't love it.
Reasons why I like it... (1) Atmosphere is great! Better than many places in Fort Worth. The space is small so it gets crowded, but still has a good vibe. Once temperature drops, the cool patio will offer more space. (2) Food is good and reasonably priced. On our first visit FWJoey and I shared the very tasty roasted yellow tomato soup ($7) and the chicken pesto pizza ($13). We enjoyed the pizza but noticed the couple next to us enjoying their pizza even more - they had ordered the Jim Bowie which contains BBQ chicken, cheddar cheese, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos. We made a mental note to try the Jim Bowie next time. I have also had the summer gnocchi ($14) which appears to be a seasonal dish. I enjoyed the flavors and ingredients of the dish which included gnocchi pasta, pine nuts, zucchini, summer squash and extra virgin olive oil, but the gnocchi seemed like it was more firm that it should have been.. I haven't eaten alot of gnocchi in my days so I am not really sure how it needs to be prepared, but this gnocchi's texture was vastly different than the gnocchi I have enjoyed at Taverna. I still liked the dish though and would probably order it again if I were dining with someone who did not want to share a pizza.
Reasons why I don't love it... Unimpressive Management. On both visits, there seemed to be confusion and disorganization in the hostess area. Since this is your first impression of the restaurant, it does not make a good one. First visit, I chalked the confusion up to being a new restaurant. But my second visit was last week and the place has been open long enough to know how to prepare and implement and wait list.
After a very long wait to be seated for dinner, I noticed the manager seating a couple that had come in after FWBrooke and me. The hostess noticed it too and came over to the bar to apologize to us. She said the manager did not realize people were on a wait list so he did not realize we were the next couple who should have been seated. I am sorry, but it should have been obvious that there was a wait list due to the number of people lingering around the hostess area waiting to be seated. Not to mention the fact that Winslow's doesn't take reservations. I asked the hostess if the manager was aware of what he had done and she assured me that he was and that we would be seated for dinner next. I would have certainly let this seating mistake slide if the manager had been respectful enough to come over and apologize for his mistake. He did not do so. He knew we were unhappy and failed to come speak with us. Huge management mistake. Others I know have had negative experiences with the management at Winslow's.
Second reason I don't love is Winslow's is because you cannot purchase the wines from their retail store (which is located in the front of the restaurant) to consume at their restaurant. They won't let you. They sell one of my favorite Napa merlots, Parcel 41, in the retail store for about $22 (it is four dollars less at Central Market which is where I will continue to buy it), but it is not an available option to enjoy with a dinner at Winslow's. That is just plain dumb.
Winslow’s Wine Cafe , 4101 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
817-546-6843
Hours: 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 4-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Reasons why I like it... (1) Atmosphere is great! Better than many places in Fort Worth. The space is small so it gets crowded, but still has a good vibe. Once temperature drops, the cool patio will offer more space. (2) Food is good and reasonably priced. On our first visit FWJoey and I shared the very tasty roasted yellow tomato soup ($7) and the chicken pesto pizza ($13). We enjoyed the pizza but noticed the couple next to us enjoying their pizza even more - they had ordered the Jim Bowie which contains BBQ chicken, cheddar cheese, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos. We made a mental note to try the Jim Bowie next time. I have also had the summer gnocchi ($14) which appears to be a seasonal dish. I enjoyed the flavors and ingredients of the dish which included gnocchi pasta, pine nuts, zucchini, summer squash and extra virgin olive oil, but the gnocchi seemed like it was more firm that it should have been.. I haven't eaten alot of gnocchi in my days so I am not really sure how it needs to be prepared, but this gnocchi's texture was vastly different than the gnocchi I have enjoyed at Taverna. I still liked the dish though and would probably order it again if I were dining with someone who did not want to share a pizza.
Reasons why I don't love it... Unimpressive Management. On both visits, there seemed to be confusion and disorganization in the hostess area. Since this is your first impression of the restaurant, it does not make a good one. First visit, I chalked the confusion up to being a new restaurant. But my second visit was last week and the place has been open long enough to know how to prepare and implement and wait list.
After a very long wait to be seated for dinner, I noticed the manager seating a couple that had come in after FWBrooke and me. The hostess noticed it too and came over to the bar to apologize to us. She said the manager did not realize people were on a wait list so he did not realize we were the next couple who should have been seated. I am sorry, but it should have been obvious that there was a wait list due to the number of people lingering around the hostess area waiting to be seated. Not to mention the fact that Winslow's doesn't take reservations. I asked the hostess if the manager was aware of what he had done and she assured me that he was and that we would be seated for dinner next. I would have certainly let this seating mistake slide if the manager had been respectful enough to come over and apologize for his mistake. He did not do so. He knew we were unhappy and failed to come speak with us. Huge management mistake. Others I know have had negative experiences with the management at Winslow's.
Second reason I don't love is Winslow's is because you cannot purchase the wines from their retail store (which is located in the front of the restaurant) to consume at their restaurant. They won't let you. They sell one of my favorite Napa merlots, Parcel 41, in the retail store for about $22 (it is four dollars less at Central Market which is where I will continue to buy it), but it is not an available option to enjoy with a dinner at Winslow's. That is just plain dumb.
Winslow’s Wine Cafe , 4101 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
817-546-6843
Hours: 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 4-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
http://www.winslowswinecafe.com/
