LikestoEatout wrote:

Max & Erma's - Just the Greek diner type of fare. Nothing special but nothing really bad.

Max & Erma's is a corporate chain in the Chilli's, Applebees, TGIF mode.
http://www.maxandermas.com/

Agreed. Myself, I don't think Greek diner when I think of Max & Erma's. I think corporate chain in the Chili's/Applebees/TGIF mode. Not bad.

"Greek" diners, on the other hand, okay, perhaps, yes, I have issues with them, I admit, but I've yet to find one around where I live that didn't have such bad food I can't even count on a salad, a BLT, a grilled cheese, a cup of chicken noodle soup, or a cup of tea to be decent.

We really are talking about Greek-owned family style restaurants, right? The ones with 20 page menus, most of which (aside from breakfasts and salads) are prepared somewhere in a commissary and then shipped to the restaurant in a vacuum-packed bag to be lovingly heated and served?

Omega being the paragon of such places in this neck of the woods.

I actually eat semi-regularly at one for lunch. They have a "small" Greek salad and soup combo that I like well enough despite the salad being exactly the same as every other salad they serve, except with an industrial Greek dressing, and the addition of some feta, greek olives, and a few anchovies, proving that anchovies overcome all. I guess it is a guilty pleasure, of a sort.

Cafe Smilga is now on my list to try. I can share some info, mostly old, on a few of the other places, but I definitely do not have much good to say about any of the corporate places mentioned.

I stopped going to Pappadeaux a few years ago when I actually tried their awful gumbo and had an iffy plate of oysters along with it - was trying to have a quick, light dinner and it was disastrous. Went a few times before and had varying degrees of success with their fish. Hard to say how good the fish really was, since it was always glopped with sauce to the point of disappearing. Between that and the crowd, it dropped off my list. Maybe if it was more convenient I might give it another shot, but probably not. Pier 34 in Lisle is a much better fish choice and not so crowded the last couple of years (the opening of Catch 35 in N'ville seems to have cost them a lot of business). Parker's Grill (1000 31st St, Downers Grove) also has decent seafood and the strange distinction of being one of the few places in the US that has the DOC stamp for their Neapolitan pizza, which is decent. Not the best Neapolitan pizza around by a long shot, but enjoyable.

Used to go to Sher-e-Punjab, but as Indian places proliferated I stopped, maybe 10 years ago. Tried to go a month or two ago, but they would not let me bring wine. Not sure if that was a commercial decision, or if it is a Muslim place. Did they serve alcohol, Jim?

Have not been to Saffron since it was renamed so maybe it is better, but the previous place in that location was a prettied up and spiced down, fancy Indian place where one paid for the decor and not the food. Too much butter and not enough spice.

Kohinoor (2309 Maple Ave, Downers Grove), on the other hand, is a little hole-in-the-wall doing only vegetarian food that has never gotten anything but good reviews. Another place I have meant to try for years, and never quite made it to.

New Madras Palace has an unfortunate location for me, being pretty much next to Taco Grill and Katy's, so when I drive over there, it would require a superhuman effort to go to New Madras. Have had my eye on Shikara, though, and may try that sometime. And in back of Shikara there lurks the Royal Buffet (1400 W 75th, Downers Grove), a place that has received some positive mentions here from those who consider themselves connoisseurs of the buffet. As much as I generally distrust buffets, some of the posts did make me think it would be worth going, at least once.

I used to know the guy who did the original menu design for Noodles & Company, and actually used to go there once in a while, when it was new, until I realized everything tasted pretty much the same (except the mac and cheese, which is not so much a dish as a dairy fat sampler), and there were much better options. Last I heard, the guy who designed the menu was in rehab, make of that what you will.

I am not a fan of Clara's. Sauces are either too creamy or too salty, tho the place is sort of a cult. The only thing I really like are the family pictures on the wall, where everyone, the baby, the grandma, the adult males and females, look like they need a shave, has a square jaw and a set to the mouth that looks like they just pulled a cigar out for the picture. The baby picture is particularly sweet, so, go, look at the art, and then head up the street to Suparossa (6310 Route 53, Woodridge) if you must have Italian. Suparossa is not great, but is better, cheaper and less crowded than Clara's, though I would not go out of my way to go there, either.

As far as Italian is concerned, I am mildly optimistic about the two new Capri outlets around here - Capri Classic at 17W400 22ND St, Oakbrook Terrace, and Capri Ristorante at 5101 Main Street, Downers Grove. I know the one in DG is the same family that has been opening and closing Capris around Chicago for years (and I think it is the original Mom and Dad with one of the sons - the Mom is pretty old now, but was always a darned good cook, unfortunately rarely in the kitchen any more), and I bet the Oakbrook location is another branch of the family, since they have closed or sold their Naperville places. They also still have a place in Burr Ridge, at 324 Burr Ridge Parkway which I have only heard a few, mixed reports about. Anyone have an update on any of the Capris?

dicksond wrote:
Used to go to Sher-e-Punjab, but as Indian places proliferated I stopped, maybe 10 years ago. Tried to go a month or two ago, but they would not let me bring wine. Not sure if that was a commercial decision, or if it is a Muslim place. Did they serve alcohol, Jim?

hard to tell about the alcohol, by the cash register/server area there was a bottle of something diplayed, as well as what appeared to be a bottle of beer. Even with it being St. Patty's Day, and me typically in the mood for a drink, I didnt indulge.

We've been to Kohinoor a number of times and really like it but it's a real hole in the wall with an eclectic array of tables and chairs (maybe 6 tables total). The food can be a little on the greasy side. No buffet here, just a small menu.

dicksond wrote:We really are talking about Greek-owned family style restaurants, right? The ones with 20 page menus, most of which (aside from breakfasts and salads) are prepared somewhere in a commissary and then shipped to the restaurant in a vacuum-packed bag to be lovingly heated and served?

Omega being the paragon of such places in this neck of the woods.

I actually eat semi-regularly at one for lunch. They have a "small" Greek salad and soup combo that I like well enough despite the salad being exactly the same as every other salad they serve, except with an industrial Greek dressing, and the addition of some feta, greek olives, and a few anchovies, proving that anchovies overcome all. I guess it is a guilty pleasure, of a sort.

I only quoted this to keep things under control.

The best of the "Greek-family-style" places in the area is IMO Steven's. I'm sure most everything is as you've described, but things are a little fresher and tastier there than at places like Omega.

I also prefer Suparossa to Clara's, but I'd go to Angeli's (corner of Chicago and Naper) before I'd go to either.

I will never again set foot in Kohinoor. If you want to know why, ask in a PM and I'll tell you in private.

Sher e Punjab can be incosistent, but at a minimum I've always had good meals there. Don't know what happened with Jim...maybe he doesn't like Indian food? I've had two OUTSTANDING meals at Shikara, and one abysmal meal there. The difference in food quality and preparation between the great and abysmal meals makes me wonder what's going on in the kitchen...

Royal Buffet is also an interesting place. Amongst my Asian friends, there is a love-hate relationship that is age-dependent...the over-35 crowd thinks it's the best and most authentic buffet in the entire Chicago area, but the under-35 crowd dislikes it because you can wait a LONG time to be seated, and it's not exactly the cleanest of places. Me? The food is great, and I like the show put on by the old ladies fighting over crab legs!

I like pretty much all food, at least food thats well prepared.

it was just a bad day for lunchfood all around for me yesterday, the steak tacos I got to get the memory of Sher e Punjab out of my mind had to be the worst tacos I have ever eaten(fatty, flavorless, nasty).

I might have to try a couple of the other Indian spots, and order off the menu.

Royal Buffet is ok, I like the selections, and for Ameri-Chinese food there are alot of options. However with Chinese Kitchen, Lao, Katy's, and Fabulous Noodles all in striking distance I rarely go there.

dicksond wrote: Pier 34 in Lisle is a much better fish choice and not so crowded the last couple of years (the opening of Catch 35 in N'ville seems to have cost them a lot of business). ?

Pier 34? is that Chinns 34th street? If so I havent been there in years. The food was always good, but its a really small restaurant.

I actually considered a return trip there when I was picking where I wanted to go for my 40th b-day dinner on Monday night, but decided against it.

It's Chinns, and it's still good, even though the dining area has all of the ambience of a Denny's.

saps wrote:It's Chinns, and it's still good, even though the dining area has all of the ambience of a Denny's.

Actually, I believe that is completely intentional, the white paper on the tables, basic decor and furniture, menu simply printed on sheets of paper. The Denny's comparison is not quite right in that Denny's has a color scheme meant to make you slightly uncomfortable over time, and this help turn the tables, while Pier 34 seems to be using the Fiestaware palette. They are trying to reproduce a simple, seaside fish place feel, but I do agree that they could upgrade a bit both in the decor and the ways they prepare the seafood. Having said that, they have a concept - very fresh seafood, simply prepared, minimal trappings, that they stick to, and I respect that. As for it being small, it used to always be terribly crowded, and it may look small when you come in, but it goes way back and I bet they have closer to 100 tables, than 50.

Tried to go to Kohinoor last night and it seems to be gone now.

Almost went to Royal Buffet, but I blinked at the door. Call me a wimp.

Then we decided on Sher-e-Punjab (spellings vary, btw, some of the signage at the shopping center says Sher-a-Punjab), but I was tempted to look at Bok Choy Cafe, just around the corner from Sher. The list of Indo-chinese specials out front (chili chicken, chili shrimp and variations on that) seemed more appealing, given Jim's review. Gotta like a place named after cabbage, right? Completely empty, and a worrisome concept once we were inside - Chinese, Thai, Filipino, some interesting Korean, and who knows what else. Basically Pan-Asian, which always scares me. Had some Singapore Rice Noodles (rice noodles, light curry, shrimp, bbq pork, peppers and onions). It was good, though the Bride insisted on mild seasoning, so the peppers were sweet and not chili. Also Bangkok Wings - nice, meaty and crispy, deep fried with a sweetish dipping sauce, even though the menu said it was hot and I asked for it as hot as they would make it. Decent chili oil solved that. The star of the show was the Thai Basil Eggplant - rich, dark, flavorful with big basil leaves to brighten things. Pretty sure they used soy, and not fish sauce, which I would have preferred, but it still was quite good.

I think the man and woman running the place are Chinese, but am not sure.

Would have ordered the Indo-Chinese stuff, but could not find it on the menu. After I ordered I went back out front to see if I had read the sign correctly, and I had, but for some reason they do not tell you about those specials inside. They also have another set of offerings on their takeout menu, so take the menu as just suggestions and ask for anything else that comes to mind. Bok Choy Cafe also has another location in Bolingbrook, near Boughton and I355, offers WiFi, and has a little lounge type place where you can sit and read, and surf. Not sure about that concept in a restaurant, and how it gets used.

Worth a visit, particularly for some of the Thai, Korean and Indo-Chinese stuff, IMO.

Bok Choy Cafe
2117 63rd Street
Downers Grove, IL 60516-2313
(630) 960-9882

dicksond wrote: As for it being small, it used to always be terribly crowded, and it may look small when you come in, but it goes way back and I bet they have closer to 100 tables, than 50.

perhaps it was just my perception, when I went it was always packed, and it has been at least 10 years since I have been there. I did think about it for dinner on Monday, but just cant pass up on the big Chinn's in Wheeling even if it is a bit farther to drive.

Great information for the Indian places. I have been looking around for information on Shikara, since it's right down the road and sometimes my longing for Indian goes through the roof.

Indian Harvest on Ogden, beside the Binny's and City Market, has a running buffet special and moved into a larger facility. Does anyone have comments on this restaurant?

Ms. Corn & I are fond of Shar-E-Punjab's lunch buffet, not least because it's very convenient. I generally need a curry fix 2-3 times a month, and they provide two of the meals, though I don't care for the goat curry, and I always eat too much bread. I prefer to think the lentils make up for it.

Indian Harvest is definitely a cut above S-E-P in ambience, service, and interesting preparations. I believe they were in the strip mall across the street, and left behind their vegetarian restaurant in that space. Foods seems less fatty to me, maybe a little more spicy. They bring out a plate of chicken also, but not with the usual red spice on board. (By the way, what's up with all the sliced onion on the plate?)
And they have a liquor license.

C&T

Corn&tomatoes wrote: By the way, what's up with all the sliced onion on the plate?

My understanding is that the onions perfume the tandoori chicken as it's brought to the table, and it's insurance that the chicken doesn't burn on the superheated slab of iron under it. Which begs the question -- why does tandoori chicken always have to be served like Chili's fajitas?

Indian Harvest is pretty good, but my go-to place for a Napervillian Indian buffet is Dakshin. Dakshin tends to have more variety than the other places in the area, supplementing the regular stuff (chicken tikka, veg or meat biryani, palak paneer) with a lot of unique stuff. This is due in part to their Indo-Chinese offerings, of which I am a big fan, e.g. hakka noodles, cauliflower (or chicken) manchurian, etc. During the weekends they also have a made-to-order dosa station, stuffed with your choice of onions, potato, etc., and these tend to be my favorite dishes of the buffet. Crisp, full of steamy potatoes and spices, and dunked in sambar. Awesome.

The only downside is that if you have a favorite dish that you expect each time, there's a chance they won't have it because they rotate so much. This isn't a problem for me because, 1) I was, for a time, quite bored of the staple Indian buffet dishes, and 2) I go a lot, and if I miss a dish, I'll catch it next time. Haha. Also the weekend buffet is like twice as big as the weekday lunch buffet, so go during the weekend to get the full spread.

Decor? Hmmm, not really. In fact it's tucked in the back of a near-dead strip mall. But it's an Indian buffet, and a dang good one.

mike

Dakshin Indian Cuisine (same parking lot as Gemato's BBQ)
1570 West Ogden Ave
Naperville

jimswside wrote:really curious to see how you liked this place as it is near my work, and would be a welcome addition as the good lunch options in the area are sparse at best.

Several things at Smilga are very good, but I recommend against lunch here if you need to stay awake in the afternoon! See the Smilga thread for more.

I went to Clara's with a group. Two of us had the special -- pork in port wine sauce. It was delicious. Homemade fettucine and a few pieces of thinly sauced pork in a sauce that was to die for -- rich, deeply flavored with port wine and mushrooms.

I was looking for homemade pasta, so had the spinach rotini with vodka sauce. It was very good, but a bit too heavily sauced for my liking.

Other party had lemon chicken, with homemade angel hair. It was also very good, although the chicken could have been a bit moister.

Service was great. They don't take reservations for fewer than 6 people, but you can call ahead and put your name in.

Overall, a good experience and I will go back.

Clara's Pasta Restaurant
6740 S Rte 53
Woodridge
(630) 968-8899