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Seven Stars (AKA: New Lily's Garden)

Visited: January 22, 2010
Guests: CD
Overall: We'll go back.

We loved Lily's Garden when it used to be on Putnam Pike in Greenville, but it closed a while back and we've been mourning the loss ever since. So when the owners of Lily's Garden opened Seven Stars on George Waterman Ave in Johnston, we couldn't not try it.


SusieB's review:
Holy crap, we ordered a lot of food! Where to even begin . . . the edamame, shrimp nime chow and veggie nime chow (somehow, we were served 4 orders of nime chow instead of the 2 that we ordered, but I wasn't complaining, I love leftovers!) were all pretty typical of this sort of restaurant, and were all really tasty. M and I shared a bowl of Cambodian rice noodle soup - imagine the typical "bowl" of soup that you would get in a restaurant, then multiply that by 3 or 4, and that's about how big this was. It's definitely meant as an entree, so we both had a small bowl of it and then both brought leftovers home. It was SO good, both before and after I added hot sauce to it (M is rubbing off on me), and I plan to order it often in the future. After all of this, we still had dinners coming - I had chicken pad thai, and after I finished eating it looked like I hadn't even touched it. I think I got 4 more meals out of the leftover pad thai alone. The decor isn't overly impressive, but it doesn't have to be - this is very much a casual place. The staff is SO friendly and nice - when we mentioned how much we used to love Lily's Garden, the owner came out to say hi and chat with us about what dishes we'd like to see on the menu! It's in the strip mall with Pick n Pay, it's BYOB, it's ridiculously inexpensive (all of this food, including days and days of leftovers = $20 each, including tip), it's delicious and I can wear jeans and sneakers. Needless to say, this is my kind of place.

Gina's Review:
I have to start by saying that I love all BYOB places. I'm not sure why, but they are just more enjoyable and fun. Cousin Donna and I split the Fried Nime Chow and the Crab Rangoons both of which were very yummy. We also ordered a Side Salad w/ Ginger Dressing and I must say that we were both dissappointed. The greens were very fresh, but the problem was the dressing. It was not the traditional ginger dressing and it was very bitter. And I'm sure it didn't help that the greens were literally floating in the dressing. I wanted to order the Spicy Pepper Shrimp, but it wasn't on the menu and when we mentioned this to the owner and told us that he could make it for us anytime! Yeah!
I also had the Shrimp Pad Thai and was very happy with it and would definitely order it again. The portions are enormous so I would definitely split entrees. And even when you split you will have leftovers. I will be ordering take out very soon!

LD's Review:
This is Lily Garden reincarnated. The girls & I went to dinner here last Friday night and I must say that it was a great way to end a very long work week. Where to begin...First of all don't be put off by the fact that it is located in a corner of a mini strip mall, it is very bright and clean inside (which a huge plus in my book). It is BYOB which I love, saves you money and you can bring your favorite beverage! Now to the food. It feels like we ordered the entire menu. We shared shrimp & veggie nime chow, good so good, fresh & tasty. Although we ordered one of each we ended up receiving 3 shrimp orders and 1 veggie. We didn't care, leftovers are a good thing. Oh yeah we also ordered edemame(?). On top of this we were given free soup while we waited!! What's better than that. Believe me I was quite full after all of this but no....I had also ordered one of my two favorite dishes Thai Red Curry with Shrimp. Unbelievably good but what a huge portion, so of course that went home with me. There were a few to goes that night. Our waiter mentioned to the owner that we patrons of Lily Garden and the next thing we knew he was at the table to say hello and welcome us. When we mentioned that we were fans of the black pepper shrimp that they served at Lily Garden and that we couldn't find it on the menu he told us that he could make that for us anytime. Yeah!!!! I am so looking forward to going back. Next time I'm going for the Shrimp with Lemongrass!!! Now to the best part the cost..cheap, cheap, cheap. This restaurant is a winner in my book.

NYLO

M's Review:
Night on the town with friends leads to our car being dropped off with the valets next to a big ultra modern-looking building that houses NYLO, a new-ish hotel and restaurant/nightclub. It's hip, it's fresh and it's fun.* One drawback: there's a $5 cover and a handstamp, which can be an issue if you're not expecting either. Plan for at least 2 showers to get the ink off.


D's Review:
Thanks for the picture M, I owe you one!! Now on to the review

Yeah I guess it's hip, fresh, fun (not so sure). The decor seems to be an homage to Rhode Island the Ocean State. Beach theme, tables with shells sitting on a fake driftwood base, coral chandeliers you get the idea. Although I loved the white & blue directors chairs. In an ultra modern NY loft style hotel I would have expected the lounge/bar to have the same feeling. You can get a beach theme almost anywhere in New England. I did however love the outdoor patio. As far as a $5 cover charge, this is a lounge/bar. Great you get to pay for the privilege of entering and then buying an overpriced drink. I get the handstamp simply because the restrooms are located in a hallway outside of the actual lounge/bar area. They have a dj who mixes music. Nothing special. And believe me it is so loud (including in the restroom) that if you have any intention of talking to the people you are there with forget it.

Now all that being said I would give it another try perhaps for drink and app's. I'm always up for that.

SusieB's review:
I love the funky painting on the way in! I thought it was a photograph, actually, but God knows I was in no shape to remember by the time we wound up here. The $5 cover made no sense to me, I didn't get what I was paying for - the unoriginal DJ? Whatev. Drinks were priced according to the style of the place, and were average for a clubby lounge like this. I adore all things ocean-themed, so I really liked the decor (except the chandeliers, which reminded me too much of those antler things you see in hunting lodges), I just didn't think it really fit here. NYLO = New York Loft = exposed brick and similar modern goodness, so that's what I was expecting to see. The patio was fabulous in every way, and more along the lines of the style I was expecting; somehow NYLO has managed to make sipping drinks along the banks of the Pawtuxet River chic, and that's no small feat. Overall, the drinks were great, the staff was friendly and super-helpful. I'd definitely go back.

Gina's Review:
Hmm. Not sure where my review went, but I will add another. The best part of NYLO is the outdoor deck. Very spacious and loved the fact that they didn't block the water the view of the water.


*Evidence of hip-ness; funky painting on the way in!

Trio

Visited: Friday, August 21, 2009
No Guests
Overall:

Gina's Review:
There was nothing on the menu that screamed "order me" so we ordered a few appetizers (grilled scarmorza, crab cakes, gansett pizza & steamed mussels). The tastiest thing actually was the Grilled Scamorza, it was a little overpriced for the amount, but I would order it again. I was not really impressed with the rest of the food; however, our server, Sheila, was very good. The best thing about Trio is the outdoor patio, with its relaxing atmosphere.

SusieB's review:
I love, love, loved the atmosphere and decor at Trio. The patio looked cramped from the outside, but it really wasn't; I was comfortable and didn't bump against anyone. And all of the staff that we encountered were very friendly and helpful. The sangria was tasty, but should have had fruit in it (there was none). I agree with G - the scamorza was delish, but maybe a little overpriced. The crab cakes were also really tasty, but could've used some more crab. My house salad was fantastic, with candied pecans and a really yummy balsamic vinaigrette - my favorite thing I ordered. The Gansett Pizza was a huge let down. Too much cheese and not enough flavor. The menu overall was kind of a let down for me, actually. I would definitely go back for drinks, but probably not for dinner. Although the website says the menu is seasonal, so I could be persuaded to try again in the winter.

LD's review:
Summer, the beach, an outdoor patio, food, drinks---Is there anything better than that? Trio's patio is comfortable, airy, open, just a real delight. Our server Sheila was very professional. We let her know that we were just relaxing and not in any hurry, she understood and just checked in with us very once in a while.
We ordered the white & red sangria. I had only the white which was refreshing however there was a serious lack of fruit. Sangria should have fruit in it!! We ordered two different appetizers, the grilled scamorza (a cheese like mozzarella) and the crab cakes. The flavor of the cheese was excellant, smokey and yummy. However, the portion was very small, two slices. The crab cakes were two 3oz patties which I thought could have used more crab. In addition the remoulade sauce was not as spicy as I think it should be. M & I decided to split the BBQ chicken pizza and a greek salad. The pizza has roast chicken, carmelized onions, cheddar cheese, smoked mozzarella and a vegetable slaw on the top (which at first threw me) but then I tasted the pizza with slaw on it. Yummy. The greek salad was very nice, not a huge portion but to split it was perfect. The only thing lacking were the kalamata olives which are supposed to be on it. If they were there I didn't notice. The dressing however was so good. If you were to choose this salad for a lunch or light dinner you would need to add some type of protein.
Overall I enjoyed Trio but some of this could be attributed to the company. Good friends make everything better. I would love to try Trio again maybe later in the fall.

M's review:
Ok, so the highlight of the night was 3 of us killing two carafes of sangria ($15 apiece) followed up by potent irish coffees and gin & tonics.
G let me try some of her mussels, which were mounded so high in the dish I almost couldn't see her sitting behind them. What I am trying to say is that Trio served us a lot of food and booze without batting its proverbial eye.
The outdoor patio was great and judging from the well designed and very contemporary interior, I can see how the colder months would be great here too.

Buttonwood Farms

LD's Review:
Buttonwood Farms in Griswold CT has got be hands down the best ice cream in the area. My favorite is the Almond Joy. It is so good you need a moment alone. And if the ice cream is not enough in July/August they do this incrediable Sunflower for Wishes. They plant over 300,000 giant sunflowers which bloom all at once and then they cut them to sell and donate the money for wishes for children. Well worth the drive.

Gina's Review:
I absolutely adore this place! The ice cream is out of this world. So far my favorite flavors are: sunflower, maple walnut and almond joy. Take a cooler with you because you will definitely want to take ice cream home with you and fyi if you call ahead with your order they will get it ready ahead of time and deep freeze it...now how's that for service!

SusieB's review:
I didn't make it to the annual sunflower extravaganza this year, but I have been in the past, and demanded that ice cream be brought back for me this year! Honestly, their ice cream is worth the hour drive it takes us to get there (but it's a pretty drive!), and worth the ridiculously exorbitant prices. Seriously, if the ice cream wasn't as fabulous as it is, I would call this highway robbery, but it's excellent, and I only get it once or twice a year, so it's a great treat. Sunflower is the best flavor by far.

Crazy Burger

Visited: Friday, June 19, 2009
No Guests
Overall:

LD's Review:
Crazy Burger has a total hippie vibe which I loved. The outdoor patio is the place to be in the summer. We had the sweet risotto-corn fritters (yummy) and the lucky latkes (just ok). My burger was the chicken fajita. The flavor was there but the burger was just a little mushy. CB is a byob kind of place so the drinks are always good!!! Looking forward to going back.

Gina's Review:
The outdoor patio at CB is definitely a must during the summer. It has a great cottage garden feel. The fritters were fabulous. Unfortunately, I ordered the Crazy Mushroom Burger and was not crazy at all about it. It was mushy with no flavor; however, as the resident vegetarian of this group I would definitely go back. I love that it is BYOB place and the atmosphere is relaxing. Plus, service was great.

M's Review:
Love this place. Apparently, so does the Food Network, because Guy Fieri will be featuring Crazy Burger on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives shortly. LD is right; the outside patio rules. We all had our own six packs, which made it an affordable night with the girls. I thought the chicken fajita burger was great, but I put Tabasco on it.

SusieB's Review:
I was just psyched that we got a sweet table on the patio with no wait, on a beautiful Friday night! Crazy Burger is BYOB, and B we did, and that is never a bad thing, in my book. I wanted to order approximately 3/4 of the menu, but I don't think even I would've been able to eat all that. The menu, while undoubtedly catering to the veggie crowd, also has a great selection of equally-interesting and diverse animal protein-based burgers and treats, too. We decided on 2 apps to share and I went with the chicken fajita burger (we're not so good at this restaurant review thing yet, so yes, three of us all ordered the same damn thing). The fritters were fabulous, but the latkes and my burger were all the same consistency: gummy mush. The latkes didn't have enough flavor, in my opinion, but the flavor in the burger was great. I'm big on texture, though, and this was just off. But alas, I somehow managed to finish the whole thing and I can't wait to go back to CB and try more fun selections from their diverse and exciting menu.

Kon Asian Bistro

Visited: Friday, July 10, 2009
Guests: CD
Overall:

LD's Review:
What can I say about Kon? The restaurant sits in a corner of a strip mall in EG however the atmosphere inside is very NY trendy. Large Buddha, a water feature, gold silk lantern style fabric hanging from the ceiling. The food however... We tried 3 different sushi rolls which were just average. For dinner I had the Thai Red Shrimp Curry which is one of my favorite dishes. I did enjoy it however not enough to venture to Kon again.

Gina's Review:
The restaurant itself was very nice. It's unfortunate that it is in a strip mall. I guess because a few of my friends had raved about this place I was expecting something different. Also, I was not a fan of the sushi.

M's Review:
It's not a good sign when the bartender thinks you're an underage narc trying to order a martini. LD and I got to Kon early and narrowly escaped being served a drink made with lychee fruit. Kon is touted as Pan-Asian, but honestly, what is this fusion trend happening with sushi? The chicken pad thai wasn't bad, but for the amount of money we spent, I should have been able to pick out the chicken I wanted to eat on the way in.

SusieB's Review:
But the NARC-scouting bartender did give is a sample of celery and pepper flavored vodka, which was really not the way I wanted to start off the night. Blech. I kind of liked the sushi. I mean, it wasn't the best spicy tuna I've ever had, but it also wasn't bad. Maybe I'm too easy to please, sushi-wise. I forget what my entree was called, but it involved chicken, pineapples and cashews and was served in a halved pineapple, and that fact alone makes it excellent. I narrowed it down to two and asked the waitress which I should get and she chose this one. I liked it, but I also felt like I could've totally made it at home and it would've tasted just as good, if not better. I shudder to think what the other option might have been like. Kon is pretty, though. Strip mall outside forgotten, it's a nice-looking restaurant, but the food is just good. Perhaps the owners should have invested less in decor and more in their chefs. I would go back if others in a group really wanted to (who am I kidding, these three are the only ones I ever go out with), but overall, I don't feel the need.