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| - I am reviewing the original Tempe location. Given all the great reviews this place has gotten, I was wondering what I could add that hasn't already been said. It's not only the only place in Tempe you can get a cornish pasty, but they are also freak'n awesome. The Lovely Bit of Salmon was my favorite, but alas given my newly discovered gluten intolerance I am not able to part-take in such loveliness any more: :(
But nevertheless, I still come here every now and then with my friends and husband. They all chow down on the yummy pasties while I chow down on my salads, sides, and soups. So, I decided to concentrate my review on those items. (Some of these dishes are not gluten free. I had them before I found out about my gluten intolerance.)
Soups:
They offer a variety of soups. I have tried: 1) the cream of leek, potato, and stilton, 2) the cream of tomato and crouton, and 3) the red pepper, black bean, rice, chicken, and jalapeno. They were all very good, but I was informed that only the red pepper one is gluten free. I had the first two before I found out about my gluten intolerance. Not only are their soups really tasty, full of flavor, they are all also accompanied by thick slices of fresh bread and butter, baked and churned in-house. Absolutely delicious! The are perfect accompaniments, and a bowl at $4.75 would make a tasty and light lunch that won't break the bank.
Sides:
The garlic mashed potatoes and the garlic roasted potatoes are also very good. Pretty much what you should expect. Creamy mashed potatoes and nicely roasted red potatoes with a hint of garlic. Not too garlicky.
The mushy peas is one of my favorite side dishes that they serve. I think I prefer them to the potatoes simply because they are something different that I can't get anywhere else. And these ain't no ordinary peas. They are huge for peas. Cooked really well. Not too mushy (overcooked), even though they are "mushy" peas. There is a great texture and freshness to this dish. The texture of these "mushy peas" is more like crunchy peanut butter than creamy peanut butter if we were speaking of peanut butter that is (it's an analogy. . . just go with it), and I think the freshness and the texture go hand in hand from not overcooking the peas.
The broccoli and cauliflower cheese bake is also a nice dish. It makes me think of mac'n cheese, but with cauliflower and broccoli instead of mac noodles. I dont think this dish is gluten free. It seems to be made with a cheese sauce that is thickened with a flour rue, then baked to give a nice golden, crusted top. It was tasty as well, but could have used a bit more seasoning. It was my least favorite of all the sides I have had.
All their salads are also pretty good. The veggies in the salad are pretty much the same regardless of which salad you get: ice berg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Except for the Greek and pasta. The Greek has feta and olives, and the pasta has a whole list of its own ingredients.
What differentiates the various salads are the additions and the dressing. Beside the basic garden and Greek, the three other salads to choose from are: 1) the salmon or chicken caesar, 2) the chicken tikka salad, and 3) the sausage salad. The salmon caesar is a great substitute for the Lovely Bit of Salmon pasty. The salmon is cooked very well. Juicy, not overcooked and not undercooked, seasoned just like the salmon in the Lovely Bit of Salmon. Ask for a side of the white wine and dill dressing that usually accompanies the Lovely Bit of Salmon and you will not regret it. That sauce is amazing. This is my favorite salad. The chicken tikka is also good. The chicken is marinated in a red rub or spice, like what you would find with tandoori chicken, and served on a salad with yogurt dressing. Finally, the sausage salad was not my favorite. They make the sausage in house, but I was a bit disappointed with the flavor and the way it was cooked. It was overcooked, very dry, and a bit off. I'm not sure if I would order it again. I've had it twice and it was the same both times.
Overall, this is one of the best restaurants in Tempe!
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