Friday, March 29, 2024 Mar 29, 2024
61° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Restaurant Reviews

Food Feedback Friday

Get out there and eat.
By Nancy Nichols |
Image

Have you all melted into a pool of sweat? I see cars in restaurant parking lots so you must be eating. You are not reporting. Oh, wait. I received a rant via email. I’ll share it with you.

Hey TEN(Ramen), how you doin’? I thought I would check you out for lunch today. First off, where are you? I cannot see you from the street and there is only one sign on the property that says TEN(with no ramen). Very Zen, that TEN, but maybe not so helpful as one is driving by. That’s OK, I’ll walk around aimlessly (since there is only one non-directional sign on the property indicating your presence). Hey, this is that walkable DFW stuff, right? Ok, so that’s not working, either. Let me go into this shop. What? By the grocery store? Ok, walk down to the grocery store. Still don’t see no TEN (Ramen). The helpful person at the grocery store points to a dark door and window across the parking lot. That’s it, she says. I walk up and, lo and behold, there is a very large sign for TEN—right behind a large structural beam that makes it impossible to see from the parking lot. Ok, let’s walk in and take a look. Maybe sixteen feet by five feet of open space. Poorly functioning AC. Five people behind the counter. No hello. Where is the menu? Oh, it’s on an iPad Mini. 5 types of Ramen in small print. No scanning from dish to dish, looking for this or that ingredient that piques your interest. Nope, must read through each menu item to see what it contains. Now attempting to look at other menu options. Other options on menu not working. Or is it just me? Who knows. All of the non-chain restaurants that I have been to that have had self-ordering systems either ditched it quickly or went under before they could do so. Really starting to notice the humidity. “Is there any seating?” I ask. “No.” That voice in the back of my head is getting louder: “You vill stand here and you vill eat your hot soup in a hot space und you vill like it!” Or not. I left without ordering, took a hop, skip and jump to Smoke, walked in to a cool room, prompt service and excellent food. Maybe I should like that it is hard to find. Maybe I should like that it is small and hot. Maybe I should like an unfriendly menu and staff. Maybe I am just not hip enough to get TEN (Ramen), but with Monkey King and Tanoshi turning out great things with smiling faces, I don’t have to be.

The only other report written last week concerned Malai Kitchen’s July tasting menu. A party of four was “wowed by the creativity and stunning presentation.” A grilled scallop grilled scallop with nuoc cham was a “personal favorite” and the wine pairings were “spot on.”  This little spot just keeps getting better.

To get you motivated to dine out this hot weekend, I present this earworm.  Sing it and eat it.

Related Articles

Image
Arts & Entertainment

Here’s Who Is Coming to Dallas This Weekend: March 28-31

It's going to be a gorgeous weekend. Pencil in some live music in between those egg hunts and brunches.
Image
Arts & Entertainment

Arlington Museum of Art Debuts Two Must-See Nature-Inspired Additions

The chill of the Arctic Circle and a futuristic digital archive mark the grand opening of the Arlington Museum of Art’s new location.
By Brett Grega
Image
Arts & Entertainment

An Award-Winning SXSW Short Gave a Dallas Filmmaker an Outlet for Her Grief

Sara Nimeh balances humor and poignancy in a coming-of-age drama inspired by her childhood memories.
By Todd Jorgenson
Advertisement