Restaurants and items are graded on a 1-5 scale:
5 = Wow !! Fantastic, I will be back be for more, and will be back often.
4 = Very good, well above average
3 = OK, shows some promise, but one or 2 things need to be improved.
2 = Edible, but just barely.
1 = Damn, I will never eat THAT again !
All restaurants are visited at least twice [anonymously] before a review is written. All meals and drinks are paid for in full.
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The Landing Restaurant 721.3028 reviewed July 2007
Editorial Note: in order to provide more information on the SMLdining site, guest reviews are both welcomed and encouraged. The first of those guest reviews is below. A tip of the hat to Jerry and Ferne for the great review, and congratulations on your anniversary !!
We celebrated our 39th Anniversary at The Landing last night....and it was just superb. The view of the Lake from a window table was very pleasant. Service was knowledgeable, friendly and attentive by people who obviously care about making the dining experience one to remember. Co-owner Tiffany Silva stopped by several times to make sure everything was up to expectations. Ours were high...and were met in every way.
I had the Pittsburg Fillet, a nicely-crusted, generous hunk of tender beef, all pink and juicy on the inside (order it medium rare!), artfully arranged with onion rings and asparagus intertwined to give it even more height than the thick cut itself. My wife had the fried oysters...a real plateful, with mixed fresh veggies that she declared, “...to die for.” We look forward to lunch today, which will feature the leftovers that would have put us beyond “full” last night.
Even the Caesar salad was special...crispy lettuce, a heavenly homemade dressing, an unusual piece of French-bread toast for a crouton.
We capped it all off with a marvelous medley of crème broulee’—three flavors served in a nifty tri-plex dish, each better than the last, in whatever order you try them. Outstanding.
Afterwards we stopped in the bar and enjoyed the summer evening air and some very pleasant and accomplished guitar. Can’t remember the dude’s name, but he’s a regular on Friday nights that has very broad appeal. Nice guy, too—we enjoyed chatting with him between numbers.
The Landing is just the place for a special occasion or to take visitors for another great memory of their SML experience. Don’t expect to get away cheap—but everything is so delicious, so artfully presented, so pleasantly served that you don’t mind paying the price for an exceptional dinner out.
Jerry & Ferne Hale
Harrison's at Sunset Cay 297.6109 4.5 / 5.0 reviewed July 2007
I have visited Harrison’s Restaurant 3 times since they have opened, and am impressed with the renovations done to the old Campers Paradise marina store and diner. You can’t help but be wowed when you walk in for the first time. The cool and airy interior is done in lots of wood and is dominated by a beautiful large flower arrangement in the middle of the room. The dining room – which was actually the old marina store - has plenty of panoramic windows for lake and boat watching while you dine. The entire restaurant is smoke free; so don’t worry about bringing the kids. Al fresco dining is an option if you chose to sit on the huge inviting deck.
One thing you notice right off is the tableware. The glasses, plates, and cutlery are all are top notch. This may not mean much to the average diner, or add anything to the food itself, but it certainly is a nice touch.
On my first visit I enjoyed Harrison’s Paradise burger. It was served hot off the grill with cheese and bacon and perfectly cooked medium as requested. Served with the burger were some great French fries. My lunch companion had the Cuban pork sandwich, and she pronounced it “very good” also. The sweet tea was just right, and the service was very professional without being pushy. The lunch menu also includes a trio [chicken, tuna, and shrimp] salad, along with a great looking cobb salad, a club sandwich, a chicken panini, a muffaletta that looked fantastic, a cheese steak made with sliced buffalo brisket, and the Versailles: a ham and creamed brie cheese creation served with dill mayo. lettuce, and tomato on a French baguette. Lunch for two with non-alcoholic drinks and a tip was in the $25 range.
On my second trip to the restaurant, I arrived on my boat early on the morning of the 4th of July, and was surprised to see about 20 others boats there also. There were plenty of slips for all of us however, and even a Harrison's employee out on the docks to help with both tying up and departing. I enjoyed the breakfast buffet, which had scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and all the fixings. It was a very well stocked and maintained buffet, and if its not going to be a part of the regular menu, I for one will miss it. My wife had the Farmers Breakfast which consists of 2 eggs, bacon, sausage, or ham, grits, and biscuit. Both my wife and I [and I’m sure many of you locals] were huge fans of the old Campers Paradise breakfast menu. Most of the items on that menu are available on the new Harrison’s menu, along with eggs Benedict, a create your own omelet, lox and bagels, and a steak and eggs breakfast. I did not see one of my old favorites – the fried bologna – but I probably should not be eating that anyway. :) Breakfast for two with coffees was in the $20 range.
While driving past the Harrison's one early evening, I noticed they had grouper listed as an special entrée. Since grouper is one of my all time seafood favorites, I had to stop in and try it. Mmmmmm .. I was glad I stopped ! It was prepared blackened, which is not as easy as one might think to prepare. Some chefs tend to allow the spiciness of the seasoning overpower the delicate flavor of the grouper. But this portion was perfect. My wife had the salmon filet, and she pronounced it delicious and perfecly cooked also. Also on the dinner menu are prime rib, filet migon, a southern fried chicken, a vegetable aglio fettuccini, a chicken puttenesca, Maryland crab cakes, and last but not least – a kangaroo steak. [It was very hard not to insert a joke here.] Most entrees, which come with soup or salad, potato or veggies, and dinner rolls, are in the $15 to $25 dollar range.
Harrison's at Sunset Cay is not only a great looking restaurant; it tastes as good as it looks. It deserves our SML dining support. I am awarding them 4.5 out of 5 stars. They did not score higher only because I think they are just a tiny bit too expensive. It’s all about cost perception however. This restaurant in Vegas, Boston or even Charlotte with these prices would be packed to the gills every night and be considered a huge dining bargain. Rest assured I will be back at Harrison's – especially on the nights they have grouper – many many times !!
MICHAEL'S PIZZA & PASTA 297.8900 4.75 / 5 reviewed June 2007
Michaels Pizza & Pasta, located on the Hales Ford Center at 164983 Moneta Road, can flat out make some pizza pies !! I moved here from Chicago, where deep-dish pizza is a religion, and I’m here to tell you that Michael’s pies would be a big hit in the Windy City. I, along with friends and family have had all recently tried the large “round and thin” 17 inch versions of the double cheese, the cheese and fresh tomato, the cheese and pepperoni and the old standby: cheese and sausage. All of the pizzas were piping hot and served with plenty of the freshest ingredients. The sausage in particular is amazing: thinly sliced and full of many flavors. Some of our group would gave preferred a slightly thicker crust, but no one left any crusts on the plates. Pizza is defined by its dough and this dough transforms into a thin and flavorful crispy treat. I’ve not tried all the Lake pizza places, but this, to me, is the best pizza parlor so far.
On another visit, we sampled the veal parmigiana plate, the baked lasagna, the fettuccine alfredo, and the baked stuffed shells. I’ve been eating veal parmigiana since I can remember. I’ve often called it my favorite food, although lately some fresh grouper would take that spot. This version of veal parmigiana is hearty and satisfying. The lasagna and stuffed shells were cooked perfectly, and the red sauce [or gravy] was just right. I was told that the fettuccine alfredo was “perfect”. All of us ended up with doggy bags. All dinners come with a house salad, a side of some good pasta, and some great little garlic knots/rolls that have just the right amount of garlic and go well with the sauce.
Michael's is a great Italian restaurant. You should give it a try .. but get there early .. its gets crowded !!
NOBOLOGNA SUBS AND DELI 721. 1414 5 / 5 reviewed May 2007
Call it whatever you want to: torpedo, hoagie, hero, grinder or rocket: this is THE place on the lake if you want a great submarine sandwich. And a lake has to have subs .. right ? I myself am partial to the #5 [aka the Super] which is stuffed to the gills with provolone, salami, boiled ham, capicola, proscuitto, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. It's huge: 18" - and is served on fantastic bread which I'm told is "imported" from somewhere up near Charlottesville. This baby is as good as any sub sandwich I have EVER had. Also offered at Nobologna are other great cold subs, [my wife loves the roast beef and the turkey] along with a new selection of panini sandwiches - the Ruben is simply fantastic. The sandwiches are complimented by some great seasoned fries. Diane [who owns the sub shop / deli with her husband Richie] are also branching out into catering, and now offer salads, large and small deli meat platters, roast beef and gravy, [yum] peppers, sausages and onions, and other great dellcacies that will make your summer party a huge hit. If you like subs - and who doesn't ? - you have to try this place. Look for the flagpole and the blue buliding and stop in ! And remember .. you can't go wrong with the #5.