The Steak & Seafood Company

The Steak & Seafood Co. One of St. George’s best kept restaurant secrets. Tucked away in the East Ridge Plaza (down by Jiffy Lube, Adrians, and the Army Recruiting Place), Steak & Seafood offers delicious food in a delicious environment! I have to say this about Steak & Seafood, they have the best salad I’ve ever had! No white lettuce pieces. Carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, with a yummy honey poppyseed dressing. So delightful—and I’m a picky salad eater! This restaurant has the best tunes! I don’t know what XM radio station it is, but it’s rockin’! The only downside to Steak & Seafood is that it’s only open from dinner, between the hours of 5:30-9ish. I know, ish. But find a night that works, visit the restaurant and take your time about it! The ambiance is romantic with little tea light candles and fresh flowers on the table, a gigantic fish tank near the entrance and cool looking wall hangings. Every time I go, just like everywhere else, I always get the surf and turf. Jumbo shrimp and a steak, with seasoned vegetables and rice. I’m not a vegetable kind of girl, but their vegetables are the only ones I always eat! Steak and Seafood is a little pricey; so if you need to save up, do it! Every time I go, I am never disappointed! I give this place an all around 9.

The Steak and Seafood Company is probably one of the best kept secrets in St. George... Not a lot of people would think to find delicious gourmet food across from a mall... But, alas. It IS there... and it IS delicious! ;)

When you first see this inconspicuous restaurant... well, at least when I first saw it, I thought... somewhere along the lines of a ghetto oriental food place. I know. I was quick to judge. You would think after all my food experiences, I would lay aside the outside appearance and only think on the inner deliciousness, but I was a little uneasy going in. The first thing noticed about this restaurant was the funky art pieces and fish tank. The decor is semi French country with a Utah twist. lol. If that is a style at all. There is a REALLY cool print on the wall that is a zebra AND a penguin... see if you can find it. :D The music they play is AWESOME... like every other song is an awesome jam from the 80's and 90's... and sometimes earlier. This is definitely a place that you can come and have a conversation with someone. It's quiet, and not usually crowded...

I guess you could say I'm adventurous when it comes to food. I try not to eat the same thing twice... unless its SUPER good... I also try to not eat the same thing as anyone I'm eating with. So far at the Steak and Seafood Co., I've had chicken 2 ways and the steak. I haven't been brave enough to eat any of the seafood yet, though I'm sure it's DELICIOUS! :)

This time around, I started with the French onion soup (sorry, no pic) It has to be #1 on the best French onion soups I've ever had-- #2 being the F.O.S. at Mimi's Cafe. Along with F.O.S., I am a connoisseur of sorts of pink lemonades. The pink lemonade here is #3 after In-N-Out (#1) and Olive Garden (#2). lol.

For dinner, I had the Pecan Honey Chicken with steamed veggies and rice. Have you ever eaten something and couldn't stop??? That is how every experience has been for me at the Steak and Seafood Co. The chicken is moist and mouthwatering... the steamed veggies are PERFECTLY seasoned and cooked... and the rice... well, it isn't sticky rice... (that’s how I like it) but It will do! :)

For desert... the French silk pie is a slice of heaven. Some may find it too rich, but i like my French silk like i like my men... dark and rich! lol... jk. ;) Overall, the food is always a homerun for me here at the S&S Co.

It's pretty pricey here... it's definitely not a place to eat when your wallet is looking a little thin. SO, the final score for me is a 4 for prices, a 7.59 for ambience, and a 9 for food taste and quality. Go to Steak and Seafood Company for an upscale meal and a nice place to sit and talk.

Panda Garden

So Karyn refuses to write the review first, citing that she would have to go in and fix mine…I admit, I am a blogger virgin. It’s been a while since our last review; don’t worry, we have eaten since then! But since I’ve had to write first, the reviews have piled up. But have no fear, they will be just as awesome (with a couple of tangents thrown in)!

Ni hao! No, I wasn’t fortunate enough to go to Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics, but I was fortunate enough to go to Panda Garden—my favorite Chinese restaurant in St. George! There was a time when Panda Garden was frequented by yours truly at least three times a week. The guys usually know what I want to drink before I can even order! For those of you who are familiar with this restaurant, let me tell you, they’ve made some fantastic changes! Remember the big gold Buddha that used to greet you with a warm smile and a big belly? Well, he’s been replaced with a beautiful glass case full of treasures. With new tables, seats, wall covering, etc., Panda Garden is a brand new place! The food is good—my favorite is the char siu ribs. They used to come out in aluminum foil, and to my delight it was became a little game to see if I can unwrap them before burning my fingers. I know, sadistic. Now they come out on a nice white plate (see picture). I always order them. Just like I always order the sweet and sour pork, with the lo mein noodles and cheese wanton. The renovations to the restaurant even include upgrades to more modern crockery and more dishes like a teppanyaki plate. With the renovation, I give Panda Garden a 9 all around!

Panda Garden. I first visited this restaurant the second week I moved to St. George. I was living with an aunt, and she took me out to a Relief Society 'Lunch Bunch.' I remember thinking 'Why am I eating Chinese food with a bunch of old ladies?' However, the women at that lunch were HILARIOUS (if not contantly talking to me about their kids) and the food was good.

This experience was better. Company-wise it was nicer (Susi is relatively similar to me in age, and we have more in common... and she isn't constantly talking about her kids. Maybe because she doesn't have any...) and food wise... well, we're getting there. My first responsibility is to talk about ambience.

The first time I went to Panda, It was a little shocking. The walls were orange and covered in gold art pieces. There was a golden buddah at the entry and the seating was poorly laid out. This time, I was surprised and happy to see that they redecorated. Replacing the buddah is a red frog with a coin in its mouth for prosperity, instead of the orange walls, they've re-done them in a beige-y toupe, and the seating arrangements have been re-vamped with cherry wood and frosted glass art booths. Overall, i was impressed with the changes.

The food was good, and still is. I had the cheese rangoons and Japanese bento with Teri-beef. The rangoons were DELISH! I really liked the bento. The presentation was AWESOME... it came in a bento type tray. It was pretty good.

I think I have a biased opinion when it comes asian food in St. George. Coming from Hawaii, the community is such a melting pot of cultures, that I've had better. :) But it was good for St. George standards.

SO, the totals are 8's all around. :) Panda has good food, a beautiful restaurant and decent prices. Go and Enjoy!

Paradise Buffet

After months of finally talking about going to a steak and seafood buffet, Karyn and I drove down to Mesquite for some delicious dining at the Oasis. Yes, even with the absurd cost of rising gas prices, we journeyed down through the Gorge to a place that rivals the ugliness and desolation of other desert towns such as Quartzsite and Yuma, Arizona. But what's lacking in those towns, Mesquite makes up for casinos and buffets! Karyn had never eaten in Mesquite; I thought this was a travesty! One of the best things about the Oasis Paradise Buffet is the atmosphere. It's surrounded with these awesome chandeliers and mirrors that make the place look bigger than I am sure it actually is. One cute elderly couple couldn't find their seats. They wandered and wandered like they were lost in a tropical wilderness...:) Not to mention there's this tropical theme with birds of paradise flowers, greenery, and I think I even saw some parrots (maybe on our server's shirt?)..

At buffets, it's always my rule to bypass the salad bar. Seriously, why pay money to eat greens? Go for the good stuff! I am reminded of what Grace Adler (from the tv sitcom Will and Grace) tells her boyfriend Leo when they go to the Plaza for a buffet lunch: "Okay, the key to a successful brunch strategy is knowing how to work the buffet. See, they put all the cheap stuff, like scones and muffins, in front. I mean, how many of those can you have? Eight? Ten? That's like four bucks. Meanwhile, the smoked fishes and other pricey items are around the corner." It's the same with the Paradise Buffet. Go for the pricey items, aka the seafood and steak! Isn't that the whole reason why you came? However, for those that like the salad bar, the Paradise Buffet's doesn't look too bad. Plus, it's end-capped with shrimp! So, like Grace Adler, I headed straight for the pricey stuff: steak cooked to order. I also pick up some tilapia, Paradise Buffet's "famous fried chicken" and some bbq ribs. With my usual glass of milk, everything on my plate was delicious! The steak was cooked how I wanted it, with just the right amount of juiciness (although a little too seasoned for me), the fish was good (even without tartar sauce), and the chicken and ribs were enough to make me want to go back for more. However, I didn't. I don't know what it is with me, but I can usually only have one plate. I think Karyn really hates going to buffets with me! She says I eat like a bird. I thought that my plate was pretty hearty. I did try their dessert bar. Come on, you can't not go to a buffet and not have some ice cream! I even made my own cone! I tried this raspberry cheesecake that was surprisingly good. And drizzled with sauce, what's there to complain about? On atmosphere I give the Paradise Buffet a 9. The ambiance was friendly and inviting and even though we were in a casino, I couldn't hear the clankity-clank of slot machines or the atrocious smell of stale cigarettes. On food, I give them an 8. Yes, I enjoyed it, but I thought it was steak and seafood night...When we went, it was steak and shrimp night. Had there been crab, I definitely would have had more than one plate! :) All in all, a great buffet.

But, I'm going to digress a little...I'm not going to lie to you, the whole experience was capped with a couple of stops on the way home. We ventured into the Starbucks located right outside the entrance to the Paradise Buffet. I bought these cute mugs (see picture) that I hope to use for hot chocolate. We also stopped at the local Wal-Mart. I believe that each Wal-Mart is different. Karyn will beg to differ with me, but I love the Mesquite Wal-Mart! There are things there that can't be found here in St. George. Oh, and did I mention that by Wal-Mart there's a Popeye's Chicken?! I was ecstatic! That's a good place. And Karyn says there's nothing in Mesquite...










If you go to Mesquite, NV- there are two things you'll notice. First, you'll observe it's literally in the middle of nowhere. Second, you’ll become aware that the only things in Mesquite are Casino/Resorts and a Wal-Mart. Now, I’m not prejudiced against small towns, but I have to admit that I have never sampled from the culinary offerings to be found in Mesquite. True, it is only about a half hour drive from St. George, but my laziness and aversion to paying for gas keeps me away. However, I think that I’ll have to visit more often since patronizing the Paradise Buffet at the Oasis Casino.

Susi and I hardly ever go to buffets. I think it’s because of the fact that Susi is physically unable to eat more than one plate of food even if we go to a regular restaurant. Why pay for a buffet, when you can go to a restaurant and actually get your money’s worth? Well, the answer to all of our problems was hiding in Mesquite at the Oasis. Had I known that all I had to do was find a steak and seafood buffet for Susi to eat more than one plate of food, I would have been looking a little harder.

Let me start with atmosphere. The only down-side to Paradise’s atmosphere is that it is located in a casino, and therefore reeks of smoke. I am asthmatic, and allergic to smoke to boot, so I wasn’t enjoying that aspect of our visit. Nevertheless, once you get past the smell, the Paradise Buffet is delightful! It is a island/vacation-y type theme. When you walk up to the cash register, the first thing that attracts your attention is the salad bar. The salad bar is crowned with the largest chandelier I’ve ever seen! It was insanity! (the size of it) Next, you’ll see that the room is covered in mirrors. There are good and bad things about that. I was never really able to determine the size of the room; because the mirrors are on the walls, ceilings, columns... you name it they put a mirror on it. It made the room look enormous; which was probably the point… BUT I could not for the life of me find our table. I had to retrace my steps around the salad bar in order to find it… and I wasn’t the only one that was lost in there either. There was an older gentleman and his wife that were extremely lost… Anywho…

Service was… good. It was basic service you find in any buffet. Our server, Laurie was really nice and kept my drink full.

There’s a reason they call it the Paradise Buffet. Aside from the obvious attempts to make it look like a luau, the food is WONDERFUL! They have a custom order steak bar, and seafood for days… It was AWESOME!!! I have all kinds of seafood, most of which I had no idea what it was… whatever it was, it was scrumptious. Unfortunately we went on a Friday, which is shrimp day. Apparently if you go any other time they have crab legs. We will definitely need to do a re-visit so I can get me some crab.

Taken as a whole, The Paradise gets an 8.999 for food, a 10 for affordability (just $15.00) a 7 for atmosphere (I had a hard time with the smoke) and a 7 for service. Paradise Steak and Seafood Buffet is aptly named. Go and enjoy!!!

Benja Thai & Sushi

I had a roommate, Madoka from Japan, that couldn't pronounce my name. (It's pronounced sue-see). So, I told her it was just like Sushi, but without the 'h.' Let's just say, she never got it...:)

My post comes several days after our excursion to Benja's. Sorry Karyn.

Definitely the best sushi in St. George. I had had one of those days where I needed the dessert first. Remember my philosophy? I went for the mango rice. It is definitely the creamiest, delightful dessert that includes mango, rice, and coconut milk. What's not to like? Whenever I go to Benja's, I always get the same thing: sweet and sour chicken. I love it. It's comfort. However, much to my dismay, our darling server Alex (whom I really do like), brought me this cashew chicken dish with rice. It was sooo not what I wanted. It had cashews (duh), mushrooms, green peppers, onions, and carrots that were stir-fried together with chicken. It wasn't bad; just not what I was in the mood for.

I give the food a 7; only because I got what I didn't order. I understand that Alex was trying to broaden my horizon and give me an adventure--I just didn't want my server to take creative license in changing my order. The tempura roll I ordered was fantastic! A definite 10! Just the right amount of spiciness...I give a 6 to dining atmosphere. We were seated next to a window and we weren't the only guests. There was a pesky little fly that wouldn't leave. Also, can't Benja's take their music off repeat? It sounds like an Asian Enya.

Until next time!

Benja Thai and Sushi. I feel like someone knew that I was coming to St. George, so they set up a restaurant with all of my favorite types of food crammed into one place. If you are an oriental food lover, as I am, Benja’s is the restaurant for you.

Let me begin with the atmosphere… as soon as you walk in, it is clear that it is an oriental restaurant. The pictures of Thailand, decorative wall hangings and water feature all add to the pleasant and ‘Zen-like’ feel.The servers are always very pleasant and helpful. The seating is cozy and comfy…

There are a lot of things I like about Benja’s… They have a VERY extensive sushi menu… I think I’ve tried all of the rolls they have to offer… I like to think of myself as somewhat of a sushi connoisseur… and Benja’s is the best St. George has to offer. I do have favorite 'rolls' here. Try the Bangkok Roll or the Geisha Roll. They are DELICIOUS!!! Or, if you aren’t into ‘spicy’ sushi, (The Geisha Roll isn’t that spicy, I promise!!!) try the Spider Roll, or the Philly Roll. For the full menu, visit their website at www.benjathai.com OR you can download the pdf by going to: benjathai.com/benjasushi.pdf. Trust me; you can’t go wrong with the sushi at Benja’s. They also offer new rolls every week or so, so go check it out.

If Sushi isn’t your ‘bag’, the regular menu features an array of Thai food that is to die for. Here is the actual menu: benjathai.com/dinner.pdf. You WON’T be disappointed by any of the regular menu items. My ‘usual’ (yes, I DO have a usual here) is the Pad Thai.

There are 3 things I like about Benja’s food that I have to tell you.

First, the food is consistently good. You won’t catch them ‘on bad day.’ They simply don’t have them. The food is ALWAYS good.

Secondly, you can order any of the items on the regular menu with whatever meat you prefer. I lean towards chicken, but they also offer beef, pork, and crispy or soft tofu. Their crispy tofu is delightful, and the pork is also wonderful. Like I said… they’re always good… :)

Lastly they offer a ‘hotness’ level for all of their dishes. You like it mild, they make it mild. If you would prefer it to burn your face off, they do that too. (It won’t LITERALLY burn your face off… you know what I mean…) I like this feature of the ordering process, because I LOVE that burning sensation of a spicy Pad Thai. As I always say… ‘It hurts so good!!!’ lol… ;)

All in all, I highly recommend Benja Thai Sushi. The food gets a 10; service a solid 8.5, prices a 6… (They are a little pricy) and atmosphere is a 9. :) For good Sushi and Thai food, Benja’s is the clear choice!

The Players Sports Grill

One of the newest joints in town, Players Sports Grill, is definitely one of the hot spots. With scores of flat screen tv's playing your favorite sport, and the industrial lighting of make of the restaurant, the atmosphere of Players is one of fun. Take some time to go over the menu--it's 6 pages (front and back)! Our server Adam, was one for great advice on food! The lettuce wraps with the spicy chicken were fantastic! Going in I knew that I wanted a hamburger. It's my standard choice. Depending on the hamburger will determine how I enjoy the restaurant and if I return. I just wanted a plain cheeseburgr, but there's nothing plain at Players. I opted for the Burger of Champions--8 oz. of prime beef topped with a fried egg, tomatoes, cheese, and onions. I was a little skeptical about the fried egg; it just seemed unnatural. However, much to my delight, it was awesome! And the fries had just enough seasoning. :) My only regret was that I was too full to try one of their desserts! For those of you who know me, I usually eat dessert first then the rest of my meal. It's my philosphy that you can always take your meal home in a take out container, but you can never take your ice cream. It will melt! As I contemplated Players, it seemed like a place you could go to just unwind after work. If I were a drinker, this would be my place to come relax (there's at least two pages of drinks to choose from--from Grey Goose Martinis, to all sorts of vodka and mojitos, to beers and wines) and throw one back. On atmosphere I rate Players at a 8 (only because golf was playing on every single tv), a 10 for service (even two of the managers came out and asked how we were doing), and a 10 for food. Forget Iggy's, Player's here I come! Scroll down to see pictures of our adventure. Thanks Karyn! -Susi

Today for lunch, we ventured out to the Players Sports Grill. Players is a brand-new Sports Grill that has opened up in St. George. Susi and I ended up having to go to take a few pictures for work, so we decided to stay and check it out.


Let me begin with the outside of the building… its typical Southern Utah landscaping… gravel, pointy bushes, and large rocks. Then, as you walk towards the front of the building… LO AND BEHOLD, it’s a revolving door! :) I can’t say enough how much I LOVE revolving doors… Oh to be young again! Lol… Anyway… As soon as you walk in (through the awesome revolving door…) the restaurant is VERY clean and well decorated. I really liked the wood floors, and there is a wood inlay of their logo which is way cool too…





We were seated promptly by our server Adam, and he got us drinks right away. We ordered the lettuce wraps for an appetizer… they were good. I’ve had better, I’m not gonna lie, but they were tasty. I ordered the Custom Calzone with Pepperoni, (REAL) Canadian Bacon, Italian Sausage, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and Olives. Susi ordered the Champion Burger. The Calzone was DELICIOUS! The crust was freshly made, and did I mention that the Canadian Bacon was REAL Canadian Bacon??? To say the least, it was definitely well worth the $7.85 I paid for it. Susi’s burger looked really good too, and the fry I stole from her was perfectly seasoned. Adam was very nice and recommended both of our meals and the appetizer.

Everyone was extremely nice to us, keeping our drinks full, and just overall making sure we were enjoying the experience. By and large, I would say that this was a GREAT experience. We will definitely be revisiting this one! Food gets a 9 for taste, presentation, and diversity in the menu, Service gets a 10 (Thanks Adam!), and Atmosphere gets a solid 8.5. For a good meal, a cold drink, and sports, I’d say Player’s is the way to go!

-Karyn

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FORE!!

Fairway Grill is the whole reason why this blog was started. I absolutely love the Fairway Grill! It's one of the staples in St. George cuisine. Well, I don't know if you can call it cuisine, but it's good home cookin'. I usually flip flop between a few of the entrees. They have a great hamburger with those awesome steak fries; or try the Navajo taco--loaded with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, olives, and sour cream all on a delicious scone (it comes close to the real thing). But on this particular night, I was craving some pork chops. Hence, the whole reason for going to Fairway. Karyn and I walked in to the golf atmosphere restaurant. With golf paraphernalia on the walls, 50s and 60s music playing in the background, an awesome golf and tee water feature, this is the place to come for an Arnold Palmer after a long day on the course! But I digress...upon placing my order (I didn't even open my menu, that's how much I love this place!) I told our server that I wanted the pork chops. Besides my mom's pork chops, this is the only restaurant I've found that makes them just the way I like them, nice and juicy, with mashed potatoes and country gravy on the side! But to my consternation, dismay, and distraught, they no longer serve pork chops! Well, they do, but they're now a special. WHAT?!! That meant that I had to pick something else? Our server, Nicolas, whom I've known for years, gave me more time to decide. All I wanted was pork chops! Seeing my obvious displeasure, he asked the cooks if they could go and look in the walk in for some pork chops. And lo and behold, yes, you've guessed it, there were some! So, the cooks being awesome, cooked me up some pork chops with mashed potatoes and country gravy! I died and went to heaven! Because of what Nicolas and the cooks did, Fairway Grill has my continuous love and support! I've always loved that place (I went there for my birthday lunch), but I love it even more now! On a scale of 1-10--10 being the highest--I give it a 10+ for service, a 10+ for food, and an 8 for atmosphere. If you're in the mood for pork chops, or a nice meal in a nice restaurant, go to Fairway Grill.
-Susi

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The Fairway Grill... Yes, it is true that this restaurant is what inspired us to start this blog. I have to admit that the food there is alright. To tell you the truth, a lot of the time it's under seasoned and generic. BUT Susi loves to eat there, so we go. I don't really have a 'usual' order... well, there or anywhere. I've tried the Alfredo, the Navajo Taco, The Caddy, The Burger, The Arnold Palmer (Turkey Dinner) The Chicken Picata, and the steak... I'd say they all average a 6-7 on a scale of 1-10. The food is good on most days and since I've visited there more than once, I obviously like it enough to pay for it again and again. ;) I'd say the star on this menu is the Buffalo wings. They are DELICIOUS... and a close second would be the scones-- Powdered Sugar and Honey Butter on a perfect piece of 'Indian fry-bread' or as we call them: scones. The ambiance is a sort of golf, southern Utah, and aquarium hodge-podge. The service is (and always is) wonderful. We always get top of the line service when we go to the Fairway. The prices are fair as well... SO, overall... Fairway gets a 7 for food, a 5 for atmosphere, and a 9 for service. :) Decent food, and great service is what to expect at the Fairway.

-Karyn

Food Critic Wannabe's

Ambrosia. Chow. Grub. Whatever word you use, it's still food. According to dictionary.com, it's "any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, promote growth, etc." According to Susi, food can be anything an organism partakes of that is beneficial or good for the body, provides nourishment and satisfaction. And boy, do I like to partake! I often joke with family and friends that I am a "hamburger conniesseur." I love them! I can go to the fanciest restaurant and still order a hamburger! My friend Karyn and I have started this blog after a delightful dining experience. I've always wanted to be a food critic and only in the wonderful world of the world wide web, can I be! Each restaurant visited, Karyn and I will share our own critique about the service, atmosphere, and of course, food. Enjoy!

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Hi, my name is Karyn, and I'm addicted to food. Not just any food... I love EVERY type of food... Hawaiian, Mexican, Italian, Greek, Brazilian, American, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino... you name it, I'll eat it... or at least try it. :) A lot of people look at me and just see a Polynesian girl with an affinity for Oriental foods... but in actuality, I like to describe myself as an explorer of the culinary arts. I've (also) always wanted to be a food critic... to be paid for eating awesome food! :) So, as Susi and I pave the culinary roads for you, we invite you to join us in the ups and downs of eating in St. George, UT and wherever else we go.