Post by ssmynkint on Jun 21, 2011 10:20:01 GMT -5
The Rice Plate
4762 Hwy 58
Chattanooga
L: 11-2:30
D: 5-10/9Su
Located in an innocuous older strip mall, The Rice Plate blends in with it’s surroundings. Entering into the larger dinning area, one faces a tikki bar set up for sushi preparation; a second dinning area with booths adjoins. Decoration is minimal.
The menu is essentially divided among Japanese: Hibachi: $6-13 lunch/$7-14 dinner and Teriyaki: same prices, with choices of vegetable or proteins, Sushi, all rolls: $4-11, and Thai. My companions, the TN Bears, our dining group’s resident sushi/sashimi experts, were not interested in the sushi offerings, so we ordered from the Thai selections.
Appetizers, $3-5, include typical items as well as Edamame, $3 and Seaweed, $3. The latter, crisp , green and salty was refreshingly dressed with a little rice vinegar and sesame oil. Basil Rolls, 2/$4were filled with shredded lettuce some chicken and a basil leaf; the shrimp was AWOL. The House Rolls, 2/$3, were stuffed with minced pork, noodles and lettuce and fried. Both were acceptable, but not noteworthy.
Two side salads, $3 & 4, and an entrée salad-veggies with chicken & shrimp with choice of Thai dressing-$9 are offered as are three standard soups, $3 for Miso, $9 for large Tom Yum
Four basic noodle dishes are listed, $10-12/$13-14, each with choice of protein.
The usual suspects are listed under Curry and Stir Fry, $10-13/$12-14. The Masaman curry, $13, far from being subtlety layered with flavors of herbs and spices, was bland, mild and monoflavoric. Of the vegetables in the curry, the chunks of potato stood out as they had been poorly prepped and had noticeable grey spots. Whole Ginger Red Snapper Curry, $14, was a adequately cooked filet of snapper-but not crispy- in a mild, slightly sweet sauce without a trace of ginger served over mixed veggies. I still have no idea to what the “Whole” refers. Chili Jam Chicken, $13, was sautéed chicken with bell peppers and onions in a sauce containing some fish sauce and a minuscule amount of brown bean paste (the Jam?), without presence of chili. A choice of salad or soup was offered with each entrée. The Tom Kha Kai had a thin broth, sliced white mushrooms (?), no herbage, a little coconut milk and the occasional piece of chicken.
All three of the entrees were ordered Medium Hot. We could detect NO heat. We were quickly supplied the chili paste/crushed pepper/pickled chilies we requested, but that obviously did not equal the cooked-in flavors the dishes should have had. When we inquired about the discrepancy in heat, we were told that next time we should ask for “Hot hot”.
Service was abundant, prompt and friendly. Although the staff’s English was fine, the vocal toning made understanding a little difficult, but by proactive communication (we didn’t expect mind reading) we didn’t have any problems.
Ambiance: O.K.
Service: Good
Food: Fair-Poor
Value: Fair
18-Jun, 11
4762 Hwy 58
Chattanooga
L: 11-2:30
D: 5-10/9Su
Located in an innocuous older strip mall, The Rice Plate blends in with it’s surroundings. Entering into the larger dinning area, one faces a tikki bar set up for sushi preparation; a second dinning area with booths adjoins. Decoration is minimal.
The menu is essentially divided among Japanese: Hibachi: $6-13 lunch/$7-14 dinner and Teriyaki: same prices, with choices of vegetable or proteins, Sushi, all rolls: $4-11, and Thai. My companions, the TN Bears, our dining group’s resident sushi/sashimi experts, were not interested in the sushi offerings, so we ordered from the Thai selections.
Appetizers, $3-5, include typical items as well as Edamame, $3 and Seaweed, $3. The latter, crisp , green and salty was refreshingly dressed with a little rice vinegar and sesame oil. Basil Rolls, 2/$4were filled with shredded lettuce some chicken and a basil leaf; the shrimp was AWOL. The House Rolls, 2/$3, were stuffed with minced pork, noodles and lettuce and fried. Both were acceptable, but not noteworthy.
Two side salads, $3 & 4, and an entrée salad-veggies with chicken & shrimp with choice of Thai dressing-$9 are offered as are three standard soups, $3 for Miso, $9 for large Tom Yum
Four basic noodle dishes are listed, $10-12/$13-14, each with choice of protein.
The usual suspects are listed under Curry and Stir Fry, $10-13/$12-14. The Masaman curry, $13, far from being subtlety layered with flavors of herbs and spices, was bland, mild and monoflavoric. Of the vegetables in the curry, the chunks of potato stood out as they had been poorly prepped and had noticeable grey spots. Whole Ginger Red Snapper Curry, $14, was a adequately cooked filet of snapper-but not crispy- in a mild, slightly sweet sauce without a trace of ginger served over mixed veggies. I still have no idea to what the “Whole” refers. Chili Jam Chicken, $13, was sautéed chicken with bell peppers and onions in a sauce containing some fish sauce and a minuscule amount of brown bean paste (the Jam?), without presence of chili. A choice of salad or soup was offered with each entrée. The Tom Kha Kai had a thin broth, sliced white mushrooms (?), no herbage, a little coconut milk and the occasional piece of chicken.
All three of the entrees were ordered Medium Hot. We could detect NO heat. We were quickly supplied the chili paste/crushed pepper/pickled chilies we requested, but that obviously did not equal the cooked-in flavors the dishes should have had. When we inquired about the discrepancy in heat, we were told that next time we should ask for “Hot hot”.
Service was abundant, prompt and friendly. Although the staff’s English was fine, the vocal toning made understanding a little difficult, but by proactive communication (we didn’t expect mind reading) we didn’t have any problems.
Ambiance: O.K.
Service: Good
Food: Fair-Poor
Value: Fair
18-Jun, 11