Chris-Rachael Oseland
-
The Basics
-
Chris-Rachael on Patch
-
More Stuff
Comments
-
On the article Parkway North High Lunches Full of Fast Food and Sugary Snacks
-
On the article Hokkaido Offers Good Chinese and Mediocre Sushi
Chris-Rachael Oseland
3:51 pm on Tuesday, February 22, 2011
ReplyI have to agree with Chris about it being so-so.
Mom and Pop, the steam trays were kept full and the ingredients in them were generally high quality, but there was absolutely nothing Japanese about the offerings. As a Chinese buffet, it's a good rendition. As a sushi restaurant or Hibachi grill, it's disappointingly sub-par. If I hear there's significant change in the next few months, I'll cheerfully return for a follow-up review.
-
On the article IceKitchen Earns an A+
Chris-Rachael Oseland
6:21 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
ReplyAmanda, I didn't see a kid's menu. I wouldn't say they're actively child unfriendly, but families aren't their target demographic.
-
On the article IceKitchen Earns an A+
Chris-Rachael Oseland
4:18 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
ReplyI humbly disagree, Adam. I know it's popular to dislike trendy places. Heck, I did my best to set them up for failure by showing up at 3 in the afternoon on a Monday. Good service and better food won me over.
I can't consider any place where the most expensive thing on the menu is only $15 to be overpriced.
-
On the article IceKitchen Earns an A+
Chris-Rachael Oseland
6:28 pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2011
ReplyI was surprised enough I went back a second time before writing this review. I really hadn't expected them to live up to their reputation and thought it might be a fluke.
-
On the article Pironne's Pizza Offers Ordinary Cuisine
Chris-Rachael Oseland
9:47 pm on Wednesday, January 19, 2011
ReplyI'm relieved to hear someone say Pironne's isn't what it used to be. I heard good things and was quite looking forward to trying out a well loved local spot, and therefore left feeling a little confused by all the praise. Fingers crossed they're going through a rough patch and might be back to their old standards in a few months.
-
On the article Harrah's Buffet is Half Decent
Chris-Rachael Oseland
11:05 am on Monday, January 17, 2011
ReplyI completely agree about comparing apples to apples, Susie. I've enjoyed some truly stellar weekend brunch buffets at high end hotels. Harrah's had the same price point, but nowhere near the same quality.
If eating at Ice Kitchen, I wouldn't have tried anywhere near as many different foods, but I suspect each item in my much smaller selection would be better executed. I'll find out in the next two weeks when I stop by there for a review.
-
On the article Jimmy's Restaurant Deeply Disappoints
Chris-Rachael Oseland
11:26 am on Saturday, November 27, 2010
ReplyRoberta, I respectfully disagree. As a reviewer, it's my job to tell people what my anonymous experiences were at a restaurant. I don't announce I'm a reviewer and ask for special treatment. I go in expecting the same dining experience as anyone else.
If any restaurant needs a consultant brought in to help them figure out problems with their staffing and food quality, they should hire one. This wasn't an ambush. It was a normal weekday lunch.
-
On the article Jimmy's Restaurant Deeply Disappoints
Chris-Rachael Oseland
6:44 pm on Friday, November 26, 2010
ReplyHi folks,
I've received some personal emails as well as the comments here. If you've seen my other restaurant reviews you'll know that when the food is good, I positively gush. When it's average, I say so. This is the *only* altogether terrible dining experience I've had in Des Plaines. Honestly, that's a compliment to our local dining scene.
Just as my editor hesitated to publish this, I hesitated about writing it up at all. We're in a bad economy and it's particularly rough on people in the service industry. Jobs are hard to come by and negative reviews can hurt.
On the other hand, there are so many genuinely good restaurants in Des Plaines I felt being dishonest about my experience at Jimmy's would be a disservice to the honestly great places where you get good food and customer service. Go try Mehanata or Sugar Bowl. You'll be glad you did.
Chris-Rachael Oseland
-
On the article Highwood Halloween Festival Will Break Jack-O-Lantern World Record
Chris-Rachael Oseland
8:24 am on Saturday, October 23, 2010
ReplyI've received two emails from people quite upset with my phrasing in this article. I want to make a public apology for my perceived insensitivity towards diabetics. My father has type two diabetes which is controlled through a rigorous daily regimen of exercise, a very limited diet, and daily drugs. He's thankfully not insulin-dependent, but that's only because of a great deal of hard work. A close family friend is a pre-diabetic who checks her blood sugar daily and has made significant lifestyle changes since her diagnosis in order to avoid becoming fully diabetic. I have nothing but respect for the hard work and lifestyle choices necessary to keep diabetes under control.
Sincerely,
Chris-Rachael Oseland
Chris-Rachael Oseland
3:35 pm on Friday, June 3, 2011
Thanks, Melissa. I was very surprised by the differences between Parkway North and Pattonville. Both serve Maryland Heights, but the kitchens and policies were night and day.
Kim, the day I showed up the salad bar lines were about the same length as the lines for the snack bars. Relatively few kids went through the main school lunch line.