Greco Roman

Restaurant: Greco Roman, Trooper, Pa

Review: Greco Roman has been in Trooper for a number years and this was not my first time stopping in.  The interior appears like a diner setting with some aspects that go with their ethnical theme.  They also promote their specials which bring new dishes in constantly, and their large banquet room which can be rented.  One of my favorite items about the interior is the flowers on each table.  Each is a rose bud that is crafted out of wood.  They even sell the roses as you first walk in.  It is a subtle touch that adds to the family ownership vibe.

My meal began with a small Caesar salad.  This was simple and to the point. The dressing came on the side and it contained all the anticipated elements of a Caesar salad.

The next dish that we ordered was the Zucchini Chips.  This was an item on the menu that initially drew me back in for another bite.  The zucchini was coated with the perfect amount of breading that created a wonderful flavor. The sauce that was served with it tasted similar to a tzatziki sauce.  However, this was a bit thicker than other ones I have tasted.   Yet it still tied the flavors together very well.

Lastly, we ordered a Greek Calzone.  Another item on the menu that drew us back in was their gyros.  This dish, which can also be made as a Stromboli, is for the most part, all the contents of their gyro wrapped into one.  It was an awesome twist on a classic dish.  I classify myself as someone who doesn’t often seek out meat based dishes.  However, this meat filled dish hit the spot. The only down side was that the sauce served with it was not spectacular.   It didn’t wow me but honestly, the calzone was so good that I didn’t even feel a need for any added flavor.

Eat Again? Considering this is not my first time at this venue, I most certainly will find myself stopping back in.  It has a calming atmosphere that is often filled with locals and regulars.  One thing to note is, if you are trying to eat a bit healthier, it may be a little hard at Greco Roman.  They do have some healthier options. Yet, it is the kind of place that you have to bring an appetite to and a willingness to indulge.

The Persian Grill

Restaurant: The Persian Grill Lafayette Hill, PA

Review: This past Friday myself and a friend went out to lunch at The Persian Grill. We both were craving some authentic Indian style food but after a few minutes of google searching, we found ourselves on our way to this Persian, Indian and Greek mixed restaurant. I was beyond satisfied with my overall dining experience, everything from the atmosphere to the unique style of food.

My meal began with some Persian Tea, this was satisfying in a very unexpected way. I originally had ordered the drink because it said that it came with a rock candy stirrer which was intriguing. Yet, that was only half the flavor. I am a big fan of herbal teas and this had some complex flavors but as the rock candy dissolved into the tea, the flavor also changed which made it even more enjoyable.

For an appetizer we ordered Panir Sabzi which was, “imported bulgur cheese, radish, scallions and on a bed of watercress” (The Persian Grill menu). They served everything with a side of pita bread which actually tasted more like nan. I would describe this salad as very clean, it made me feel good and I loved the mix of flavors. Also I found it very interesting that there was actually no dressing on it but eating the salad alone or pairing it with pita concluded for a great choice in appetizer.

My entree was a lamb plater. Originally I had looked around the restaurant and saw that most people were eating gyros but seeing as I was still looking for a hint of Indian flavor I decided on this instead. Again I was shockingly impressed. The lamb was juicy and tender and the basmati rice along side with a grilled tomato was the perfect combination of flavor for my craving. We also ordered Maust-O-Khiar sauce which tasted very similar to tzatziki sauce. It didn’t really blend well with my choice of a meal but that aside it was very enjoyable and refreshing.

Finally for dessert we ordered Baklava which was an almond based Persian Pastry. This was a great close to our meal. I haven’t really had much experience with different forms of this dessert but I would say it most certainly satisfied my taste buds.

 Eat Again?: Eating at The Persian Grill again is not even a question. I would go back for the tea alone. It was a meal that left me not feeling gross but content and happy while still trying new and intriguing foods.