http://www.menuism.com/users/Batona

Welcome! Batona is using Menuism.

Menuism is a free service that lets you keep track of all the restaurants you love and want to try. Review restaurants, rate the dishes, or just keep a private note. Join today to create your own dining journal and follow Batona's good taste.

Eating Since: Mar 26, 2008

Batona

is currently eating corn chex

"in search of good food"

I like food . . . good food. I worked in restaurants until my late 20s, even managing a few. I had an entry date at the CIA, but while waiting for it to roll around, decided to leave the industry.

I love dining out!

Cuisines:
American, Fast Food, Seafood, Hamburgers, Pizza, Italian
Locations:

Stats

Reviews 70
Helpfulness 100%
Friends 1
Fans 1
Profile Views 582

Recent Activity

April 29
Batona added a gutcheck 04:37AM
April 26
Batona added a gutcheck 09:45AM
Batona reviewed a restaurant 05:37AM
Batona added a gutcheck 03:05AM
April 23
Batona added a gutcheck 07:11PM
April 22
Batona added a gutcheck 04:23AM
April 21
Batona added a gutcheck 08:36PM


My Reviews (70)    rss feed

Showing
1 - 10 of 70
****
Malaga, NJ

Pegasus Restaurant

Apr 26, 2008 Link

Big Menu

When I first moved to this area I used to dine at Pegasus II, which was in Vineland. I always liked that restaurant, but sadly, it went out of business several years ago.

Later when I met my wife, she introduced me to the original Pegasus. It was every bit as good as II.

Greek-owned, there are plenty of Greek specialties on the menu. The list of daily specials is two pages. There is a lot of seafood. A few years ago I discovered their stromboli. It is hard for me to pass them up when I dine there.

There are three dining areas: the diner part, the dining room, and the greenhouse. The greenhouse is typically used for larger parties and families.

Service is usually nothing spectacular. Prices are reasonable. The restaurant is clean. One will experience a wait at peek times (Friday and Saturday evenings).

What I ate:
  • *****

    This is big enough to feed four. Seriously!

    The dough is perfectly prepared. It is stuffed with ham and pepperoni, some sauce, peppers, onions and mozzarella cheese. Awesome!

    The nice thing about ordering this is that there are leftovers aplenty. We have noticed this slows down service, but it is oh so worth it.

Extras:
I came here for
a family meal
My meal cost
between $10 and $25
I tipped
more than 18%
Was this helpful?
Yes No (1 of 1 people found this review helpful)  
Add a Comment
*
Vineland, NJ

Bennigan's Grill & Tavern

Apr 19, 2008 Link

Not Impressive

Once upon a time I was a fan of Bennigan’s and Houllihan’s and other places like this. The atmosphere was fun and there was a lot of merriment. That seems to have changed over the years.

This location opened a couple years ago as part of the area’s growth. We dined here with my in-laws. We had a decent meal, but nothing special. We have re-visited a couple times since. Each time the experience seems to slip.

We gave it Bennigan’s another attempt last evening. It may be our last.

My son and I were seated at a table that was not clean. It took a few minutes, but eventually someone came and pushed the crumbs onto the floor. The table was seated right by the kitchen, so we had plenty of foot traffic throughout the meal. That included a dishwasher who mopped the floor with smelly water. And the mopping continued most of the meal. What we didn’t understand is that the guy kept mopping near us. He would mop down away and then come back. He did this multiple times. Lovely.

Our waitress, Ikeirra, was very pleasant and upbeat. She served us our drinks right away. Then there was a wait for food. Gert had ordered fried mushrooms as an appetizer. They didn’t come. After a bit our dinner was served, but no mushrooms. I suspect Ikeirra forgot to order them. She rushed the order and when they were served, a lot of grease was added to the basket. Splendid!

Gert and I both ordered the French Dip. Eh . . . There was certainly nothing memorable about the sandwich. The au jus, otoh, was incredibly salty. I am sure they use a package and this thing was nearly inedible. It is not recommended.

The children had mac-and-cheese and a grilled cheese. Both were adequate.

The mushrooms, in addition to be greasy, were not particularly tasty. Stems were left on the ‘shrooms, the batter greasy, and other than looking good, did nothing for us.

So, two out of the four items ordered were not good and the cleanliness of the restaurant was less than appealing. It will take a while, a long while, for me to want to return.

What I ate:
  • Bnow-gdgar3bltaby-apxr80x80
    *

    Salty salty salty! The meat was not particularly great, the cheese melted so much it “disappeared”, and the bread not fresh.

    Blech!

  • *

    Greasy. The stems are left on. Really greasy. Were not delivered as an appetizer, but after our meal had been served. My wife and I each ate one and refused to finish the rest.

  • Citolkdgar3yojaby-apxr80x80
    **

    This looked good, but the bread was not tasty. This was served with french fires (passable) and a large shamrock cookie.

  • C6afjqdgar3yojaby-apxr80x80
    ***

    The mac and cheese met my daughter’s liking. She ate it. It tasted packaged, but there was nothing wrong with it. A piece of butter bread was served with it along with a side. Beetle selected cinnamon apples. They came with raisins and a large shamrock cookie.

Extras:
I came here for
a family meal
My meal cost
between $10 and $25
I tipped
between 15% to 18%
Was this helpful?
Yes No (1 of 1 people found this review helpful)  
Add a Comment
***
Cape May Court House, NJ

Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers

Apr 13, 2008 Link

Decent

If you have been to one Wendy’s, you have been to them all, unless something is seriously amiss. Happily, this Wendy’s is clean, service is speedy, and the food is fine. That’s what I expect.

This location is one I sometimes stop at on my way back from a day of geocaching in Cape May.

What I ate:
  • ***

    Well prepared, fries crisp (Wendy’s does not salt them), and beverage filled to the brim. All served speedily.

Extras:
I came here for
a meal on the go
My meal cost
less than $10
I tipped
no comment
Was this helpful?
Yes No (1 of 1 people found this review helpful)  
Add a Comment
***
Cape May, NJ

Zoe's

Apr 13, 2008 Link

Decent

Sometimes one needs a sandwich in a town full of fine dining. Zoe’s fills the bill.

Zoe’s took over a longtime diner that never stood out as anything special. Zoe’s offers spruced up sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. in this small Beach Drive diner in the thick of everything.

The very first time I brought my wife to Cape May we dined here. It holds a special place in her heart.

Looking for a good sandwich in the middle of the day without being gouged? Zoe’s is the place.

Extras:
I came here for
a family meal
My meal cost
less than $10
I tipped
between 15% to 18%
Was this helpful?
Yes No (1 of 1 people found this review helpful)  
Add a Comment
***
Philadelphia, PA

Pat's King of Steaks

Apr 13, 2008 Link

Famous Cheesesteaks

Pat’s was the first real cheesesteak place I dined at in Philly. I recall my friend Craig taking me here. It seems to be the most famous. Other friends of mine came into town not long ago and wanted to go to Pat’s.

Pat’s is good, but Geno’s is across the street and it is a little better.

The Franklin Institute commissioned a video called Anthem that it used to show in its IMAX theatre. There was a sequence from Pat’s in there.

Extras:
I came here for
a meal on the go
My meal cost
less than $10
I tipped
no comment
Was this helpful?
Yes No No votes yet.  
Add a Comment
****
Philadelphia, PA

Geno's Steaks

Apr 13, 2008 Link

An Institution

Geno’s, located in South Philly, forms a formidable intersection with Pat’s across the street.

The layout here is better and I prefer the steaks here, although there is nothing wrong with Pat’s. As a previous reviewer commented, the bread is good.

As for the racist comment . . . that is not warranted. It is requested that one orders in English. Food is not denied if it is not. An inquiry into the sign found it to be acceptable.

Anyhow, back to the food . . . good! While it is a touristy thing to do, when in Philly, treat yourself.

Extras:
I came here for
a meal on the go
My meal cost
less than $10
I tipped
no comment
Was this helpful?
Yes No No votes yet.  
Add a Comment
****
Cape May, NJ

Axelsson's Blue Claw

Apr 13, 2008 Link

Forgotten Cape May Restaurant

The Blue Claw is off the island, and as such, is often forgotten. It should not be for the Blue Claw offers an excellent menu that one should definitely try.

Being Cape May, the Blue Claw specializes in seafood. Fresh seafood. Well prepared seafood. Tasty seafood. But if you enjoy steaks, lamb, pork, etc., you won’t be disappointed here as the chef is quite capable.

The Blue Claw and the accompanying Clipper Ship Pub, are one of only three places I have found with Pilsener Urquell on draught. That’s a highlight for me.

Extras:
I came here for
a family meal
My meal cost
between $25 and $50
I tipped
between 15% to 18%
Was this helpful?
Yes No No votes yet.  
Add/Show Comments (1)
****
Philadelphia, PA

White Dog Cafe

Apr 13, 2008 Link

Good Food

I came here several years ago with a large group. I had heard of the restaurant prior to coming here and was eager to dine here. I was impressed.

I had a lamb dish that was expertly prepared. As I recall, the salad I had was delicious!

This is a “trendy” type of place and I actually knew one of the waiters here. I like to try new places, so how frequently I would return I am not certain. I haven’t yet. But I would welcome the chance to do so if provided the opportunity.

Service was good. We had a dining room off the main area and we were cramped. It looked as though the rest of the restaurant was equally cozy.

Extras:
I came here for
a business meeting
My meal cost
between $25 and $50
I tipped
more than 18%
Was this helpful?
Yes No No votes yet.  
Add a Comment
****
Philadelphia, PA

Jim's Steaks

Apr 13, 2008 Link

South Street Staple

When folks think of Philadelphia, they think of cheesesteaks. South Street is a frequent meeting place when I am in the city and folks want to eat cheesesteaks. Jim’s is as convenient as they come.

Personally, I prefer Geno’s and Pat’s, but there is nothing wrong with Jim’s. The steak is plentiful . . . the cheese and onions too.

It is always crowded here, given the location. There may be other things on the menu, but I have never tried any. I normally order a cheesesteak with fried onions and peppers topped with ketchup. Good stuff!

Extras:
I came here for
fun with friends
My meal cost
less than $10
I tipped
no comment
Was this helpful?
Yes No No votes yet.  
Add a Comment
***
Cape May, NJ

Pilot House, The

Apr 13, 2008 Link

Fun

There was a time when The Pilot House was about the only place to eat off season. That is no longer the case.

This is a fun place to get a casual meal in expensive Cape May. Sandwiches, pastas, and the like are fare here. I always felt they made a decent crab cake . . . that is what I normally order when there.

I have fond memories of watching the 1992 NCAA basketball tournament with friends each day at The Pilot House. Good times! The Pilot House doubles as a bar after hours.

Extras:
I came here for
fun with friends
My meal cost
less than $10
I tipped
no comment
Was this helpful?
Yes No No votes yet.  
Add a Comment