Pasta Palooza, Unity Church, Dallas, TX

This annual event for $20 as a fund raiser for Singing Unity Choir, is the best deal in town for fine food, and singing wait staff, all volunteers of the Choir - for sure; All on Forest Lane.

Neil's meat sauce as one of 3 choices for the pasta toppings, is not to be missed, unless of course you are vegetarian, as Neil is the Choir director.

If you are vegetarian you have two choices: Susan's pasta premavera with Alfredo sauce, or Marianne's marinara. You will be in heaven after any of these 3.

The Cesar salad however I rate in the top 3 in this city. The others are professionally prepared and so close in my 5 star salad rating I could not distinguish one from the other as to which is better. This one is the best - I like the black olives and grape tomatoes added in - this on e I would give 5 Star if served on china.

the cake for desert was a white cake with a lemon cheese cake like filling 1/2 inch wide of the filling no less !... I am impressed, and stuffed.

Since Susan make the veggie premavera I am a bit biased. I just like meat sauce better than Alfredo. (Did you know that pasta premavera originated in NYC in the mid 1970's?)

We heard from country favorites, the King himself made an appearance, with a live band, Opera arias, pop favorites, show tunes, barbershop quartet, even live musical stage pieces acted in front of us.

I tell you - as this event is sold out, if you can get tickets for next years - buy them them NOW !
You can't get a better deal in all of Texas - and that's a big deal..

2 Very Happy Dragons 5 Star...

Gloria's, Addison.TX

Many Locations - lower Greenville, Addison, and Midcities, 10 in ~ DFW, each of three 4 we have enjoyed all have their own 'feel'. My fave is the Addison one, just off of Beltline and the N Dallas Tollway.

Plantains fried with sour cream; pupusas: corn meal with cheese or meat inside; black bean dip, lots of happy eating people, dancing and live music.

My Favorite is the grilled Cornish Game hen with black rice & beans with fried plantains.

Susan's is the tortilla soup - even the small 'cup' is a meal with heaps of chicken, potatoes, & slices of avocado - we are both 5 star on this soup.

Gloria's is one our most favorite places to eat. Drinks are available if one likes, live music at various time too. The food is wonderful, but veggies need to be a bit selective. Vegans if you eat corn chips, rice and beans you are in for a treat.

So a big 4+ with all the limitations of whiteness - flour, and sugar ingredients. Great place.

the waiters are really comfortable folks, attentive, yet keep out of your way, not pushy, nor invasive. This waiter thing is definitely a delicate line to walk, they need to get the job done, but to interrupt one's conversation to do it - I find is invasive and obnoxious. These folks do this dance very well.

2 Very Happy Dragons 4+

Ferrari's Italian Villa, Addison, TX

Located in Addison, on Midway Rd., just south of Beltline Rd.


This 5 Star rated restaurant didn't make it in our book. It is only our tastes, yours may agree with the many who feel it is 5 star. Francesco Secchi is from Sardinia, the owner and very gracious people.



The wait staff are friendly yet leave you to your intimate conversations.

The decor is marvelous, the food was as good elsewhere not more outstanding, it was very well prepared.

The Aniti pasto selection is unparalleled, but in the winter cold in just not our thing, so we took to the soups - very tasty.



Veggies can select well here.

The downfall for us is as with most Italian places, the whiteness of the pasta, the sugar. These in atmosphere like this will get us a 5 star rating but must give it a 4+



2 Happy Dragons 4+

Dixi House, Lake Wood area Dallas, TX

This one is located in what I call Lakewood Center, or a strip mall of restaurants, a fan repair store, bank, yoga center, and a few healers. Great area. Older East Dallas community.

The Dixie house one of Gene Street's, is sort of like a Black Eyed pea, a family place for sure, but fun with a bar, and old pictures on the walls. This place is not a corporate store, it has personality.

The best fried Chicken by Susan's tastes. Great veggies too: baked potatoes, black eyed peas, green beans, lots of choice if you are veggie lover.

Old city decor, dim lighting, many choices of entrees. $10 each with drinks, the bar is more, of course.

2 Very Happy Dragons a solid 4 + higher if it were a newer place.

Rise n1, dallas, TX

Located off Lovers and Innwood in N Dallas, TX, This place is first class. The souffles are beyond description if you've never tried on. There are breakfast souffles, lunch souffles, dinner souffles, and desert souffles. There's definitely a souffle you'll love.
decor is 5
service is friendly
food is a 5

Healthy? well many not the best as it is made with white flour and white sugar.
so while this is a 5 star restaurant we give it a bit less. Veggies can get along fine, if they don't mind eggs, and sugar, and butter. Vegans go elsewhere as the temptation is just too much.

Price is about $30 for two for lunch.

2 Very Happy Dragons 3+ based on the "whietness" of ingredients.

Madras Pavilion, Richardson, TX

Wonderful at about $12 a head for the lunch buffet. Totally Vegetarian, South Indian cuisine. Located on Coit and Beltline near Whole foods. The atmosphere is simple tables and booths with white tabel clothes. Very little in decor. Pleasant.

Wonderful goodies:
Rasam (pepper water)
Sambar - light veggie broth with hing or Asafotedia, lentils, veggies
Iddlys (fermented rice and lentils steamed like UFO's) ,
Masalla Dosha (crepes with spiced potatoes)
Curried veggies,
lightly fried doughnuts,
many more veggie delights.
The coconut chutney has been heated down - very nicely.

I would like them to take the sushi picture off their web site, it is misleading, I think.

The dried potato & veggie dish was excellent but to hot for Susan.
When she gets food too hot she just shuts down, loosing her appetite.
Susan does like salsa's though...

so we give this one low grade but if you like South Indian food - don't miss it...

1 Very Happy Dragon... 1 miserable Dragon
we a 2+ but for South Indian food lovers a 5 -

Best Thai, Addison. TX

This restaurant is now located east of Midway on Beltline Rd. Comfortable decor, relaxing atmosphere. The food is well prepared inexpensive and very Tasty.

Brown rice, pad thai, fresh spring rolls, beautifully decorated, casual quiet, did I say relaxing? Yes, the wait staff is polite, quiet yet friendly.

We love this place, it is one of our favorites. Lots of choices for Veggies, and for meat & sea food lovers. Beer and wine are available, but the tea is wonderful.
2 Very Happy Dragons 5