The DEAR Ladies Book Club eats out each month and reviews a book which was read by everyone. As the months pass by we seem to have opinions not only about books, but also about the restaurants at which we eat. So be ready everyone for some up to date, honest, culinary reviews.
Pros and Joes - Sports Bar/Restaurant with pool tables
May 2010
P&J's is a sister restaurant to O'Shea's across the street and I must say they have definitely have targeted a different crowd, therefore a nice addition to the Brooks restaurant scene. Our group had reserved the room off to the side and the only drawback is that the heavy curtains which used to be there were gone so the noise of the restaurant carried into our area.
Ambiance: This venue is quite large and as a result it is difficult to have a cozy feeling without spending a fortune on decor, which they didn't, so it lacks in this department. The tight referee's shirt on our waitress wasn't very becoming but that probably wasn't her choice of size...although she wasn't big...the shirt was just too small.
Rating 6.5/10
Wait Staff: I think our waiter was new to the industry but she was quick to get our drinks and orders. She also had the support of her supervisor who was friendly and professional in her advice.
Rating 8/10
Food: Hit and miss was the daily special. Hits - Nathan's Franks, chippers, and the fish basket, deep fried dill pickles. Misses - sweet potato fries(soggy), Caesar salad( tasted like old bagged lettuce and too much dressing).
Rating 6.75
Would we go back...yes
Starbright - Chinese buffet or menu service
April 2010
Apparently the Starbright is under new ownership once again but thankfully Selena(original owner) is still keeping tabs on the place.
The ambiance of Starbright hasn't changed with new owners so the feel is pretty much the same as it has been for years. Our club members noticed that Valentine and Christmas decorations adorned the tables and walls and it would be the end of April. Rating 4.8/10
The wait staff was pleasant, engaging and very helpful. When the restaurant emptied soon after our arrival the wait staff was sent home and we had the coffee shop side staff look after us which was fine. 7.2/10
The food was generally very good and thought to be as hot as could be expected given that it was a buffet. The small buns with sesame seed on top were excellent. 8.5/10
Would we go back...definitely!
O'Shea's
O'Shea's has become a bit of a regular spot for our book club. The wait staff is very good. Since the food can be hit or miss, the wait staff often has to deal with problems arising from the kitchen. This past month, everyone who had ordered a salad, received a salad that was, "old lettuce from a bag smelly." As usual the wait staff was great about returning the salads and getting something different to replace them, but it is a nuisance. The rest of the food was excellent and the Quesadilla was highly recommended. The corner where we meet is very private and we usually stay later than most patrons, but we are never rushed out. The only drawback of the "corner" is that it can be quite cold, even with the fireplace running. Better curtains might help keep the place a bit cozier.
Ambiance-7/10
Wait Staff - 8.5/10
Food - 6.4/10
Would we go back? We always do!
The Codfather
May 2011
We met at 6:30 at one of the newer restaurants in town, The Codfather. The first thing we noticed was the huge menu. With a menu as big as they have, there is hardly a need for any other restaurant to be in business. I think this is about the third Newfoundland-inspired food establishment to grace our city, but I think it is number one in popularity and taste.
The entertainment they provided was second to none. As we discussed our book, Nefertiti, a rough looking fellow entered the restaurant and did his best to swindle the waitress out of whatever she had in her till. When she refused to tell him the amount of cash that she had in her till, he left the premises and proceeded to try and get into her car. When she went to the door and said that it was her car that he was trying to break into, he said it was his car. I wonder who we should believe...not!
After a call to 911, our local constabulary arrived about 20 minutes later. They weren't too concerned for our safety since he had left the premises, but it turned out that he was a person of interest and had they been a little quicker to respond, they might have nabbed him, since he had been chillin' at 7-11.
Ambiance - The restaurant has been renovated and expanded since it was Dingwall's Cafe and is very pleasant. They had a soundtrack of seagulls and the ocean which was a nice touch. The temperature was just right and the west windows created a bright and cheery atmosphere.
8/10
Wait Staff - Excellent. Friendly and capable. The only small glitch was that one member order a takeout meal for her husband and our server forgot to order it prior to our leaving. I think that all of the excitement was more that enough distraction to explain this very small moment of forgetfulness. To compensate, our server gave the takeout meal to Jan for no cost! Brilliant.
9.5/10
Food
For some of us the night was a culinary treat as we got to try Newfy Fries for the very first time. Home-cut fries, topped with dressing and then smothered in gravy was a real caloric indulgence. As for the taste, very good, plenty sagey and nicely salted. For the three of us who shared our first-ever Newfy Fries, they were on the house.
Once again,brilliant.
I heard no complaints from anyone in the club about their food and really enjoyed my Atlantic clam strips. The Caesar salad was fresh and tasty. What I did notice was that most everyone ate everything on their plate - always a good sign.
8.8/10
Would we go back...Absolutely
