BONEFISH GRILL - Sunrise, FL

So I got this coupon in the mail:

2 people, shared starter, 2 salads, 2 entrees and a shared macadamia brownie dessert at $18.00 per diner. Now I'm not much for chain restaurants but this was one well aimed marketing attack and I had to go.

We were promptly lead to a table by a nice hostess and served by Kathleen, a well-groomed, friendly server. All servers and hosts wear uniforms that remind me of what kitchen staff should wear and keep them tidy and clean. Fresh Ciabata is served with a small plate of olive oil infused with salt and herbs, very nice.

Last night we went for it and started with their "Singapore Calamari" which in essence were fried calamari with a sweet & tangy "Asian" sauce. This was very filling but a bit too greasy for my taste.

We each had a BONEFISH (house) Salad with the house dressing a nice sweet vinaigrette. It included mixed greens, cherry tomatoes and whole, pitted black olives. This was quite refreshing.

We decided to try the grilled Long-fin (Tilapia) with potatoes au gratin and the shrimp & scallop grilled skewer with a veggie medley. The fish came with a tiny bowl of what Kathleen called their "Pan Asian" sauce with some wasabi-mustard in the center; this is a nice, sweet sauce that reminded me of eel-sauce. The dish was well executed and rich.

However, the skewer was a different story; first, the scallops were perfectly cooked yet the shrimp were very over-cooked and chewy. This could be due to the difference in thickness of the two foods that are forced to share a skewer and spend the same time on heat. Also, the veggie medley was not much of a medley but rather some buttered up, salty broccoli florets and a couple of julienned pieces of carrot. All this was server with lemon butter in a tine saucer which really does not fit in with any part of this dish.

The highlight of the evening was the dessert, a rich, chocolate brownie with macadamia-nuts & whipped cream topping it off and served next to a raspberry sauce and vanilla ice-cream. This dessert is enough for 4 adults to share so we took half of it to reheat another day. It is well executed and satisfying; the only part that was a letdown was the cream which was over whipped and not exactly fresh.

Conclusions:

-Decor is well put together, nice rustic feeling with some metallic accents.

-Audio system sounds good although the restaurant is a bit too loud due to reflective surfaces; I did not see the rack but speakers are nice Klipsch units and well integrated into the dark ceiling. TVs are located in the bar, playing sports but hard to see from the dining room.

-Service is friendly, staff is well dressed and nice looking

-Value At $20.45 with a soft drink, before taxes and tips not bad the quantity of food and great service; however, quality is so so.

I don't see going back in my future

Chitralada Thai, Pemboke Pines, FL

I recently returned to this hole in the wall establishment, located on the SE corner or University Drive and Pines BLVD, after a long hiatus. Five of us got together for this culinary experience and we dined family style, moving dishes around the table.

The former owner, Paul Triam, decided to retire and move back to Thailand, selling his restaurant to his friends from neighboring Burma (now Myanmar). The new owners kept most of Paul's menu intact and added some unique Burmese dishes.

One such surprise was the Tea-Leaf Salad, lephet thoke. Taking time to chew and taste each bit of this will help you uncover a complex, rewarding mix of greens, nuts and spices. Keep in mind that due to the nuttiness of the salad it is richer than most and is best used as a shared appetizer.

We tried a variety of wonderful soups with one standout that is a staple of this establishment, the Sunflower Soup. It is made with coconut milk and small bits of chicken. This one is a must try in my book.

Burmese egg noodles are interesting although a bit too close to Italian or Chinese noodle dished to really make a splash. The Thai Masaman Chicken though is brilliant with pieces of avocado really giving the sauce a nice bump on the old taste-meter.

We decided to try the Burmese Chicken & Potato Curry but replaced the chicken with Tofu as one of us is a vegetarian. This turned out a success as each chunk of Tofu was crispy on the outside and creamy inside with a nice, curry flavor.

At this point we were full and even had some left over (my lunch the next day) but had to leave room for dessert. The Crispy Bananas with Home-Made Coconut Ice-Cream is always a hit and a must try at this place.

Conclusions:

-Location is a real hole in the wall, no thrills, quite and simple

-Owner and family provide a nice, friendly service although not all have complete grast of English

-Cost is roughly $20.00 per person based on meal with non-alcoholic beverages, quite the value for the quality of food served

This one is all about the food, no fancy audio system or large flat panels here, just simple folks that are proud of their cuisine and execute it well every time. I suggest coming hungry and trying a soup, appetizer, and a dessert, not just an entree. If you like it hot do not be afraid to ask but beware, you may get what you asked for...