Most Unique Restaurant

There used to be a Chinese restaurant in Bawlmer called Mee Jun Lowe's that used to provide what was one of the more unique dining experiences; the lone waitress (for about 20 tables) was a Cherokee named Irene who spoke fluent Mandarin and Yiddish and indulged in relentless shouting matches with the cooks. The food was great, the ambience was entertaining, and you could almost be guaranteed that you'd wind up having people at your table that you didn't know.

The most interesting recent experience has been at a Chinese/El Salvadorean restaurant. No, this is not fusion cuisine from ****! The owner/chef is El Salvadorean and he started his professional career in a Chinese place; both cuisines are represented on the menu, but separately. Good food (the Salvadorean is, I didn't try the Chinese), terrible neighborhood, and it's so pink in there you have the illusion of sitting in the middle of a wad of bubblegum while watching Spanish soap operas on the telly.

Talk about a disorienting experience(you should excuse the expression), a couple of years ago, a beau and I stopped in a Chinese restaurant outside of Bawlmer. It was late in the evening and we had been on a long day-trip, so I was a little fuzzy-brained around the edges. I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to the music at first, but then it struck me as being a little odd - I'd never heard of a Chinese waltz. I started listening a little more closely and then started laughing hysterically; they were playing mariachi music! Like I said - dis-orienting.

[Mezzaluna]

We had a Peruvian/Chinese place here in Milwaukee until about 2 years ago. Seemed like a strange combination, but the two cuisines were both good. I learned that a lot of Chinese merchant marines married South Americans over the years. For example, I had a friend in college named Jerry Lopez who was Chinese and hailed from Hong Kong. I believe his grandmother was a laundress on board a Chinese ship, and married a Colombian.

[This message has been edited by Mezzaluna (edited 11-29-2000).]

When I first moved to Alaska I noticed the "Chefs Kitchen". It was closed for repairs due to a fire, it seems it was the type of place where for 14.95 you could get a steak and for 11.95 you could get it and cook it yourself. How could a fire start in a place like that?
There was also the Jewel Lake "Pizza and Tea Garden". Sometimes you just can't decide between pepperoni and lo mein!
And lest we forget Mr. White Keys "Fly by Night Club" where the feature item on the menu is Spam, always was and always will be. I offer you a review.....

Fly By Night Club
Anchorage's most distinctive bar is Mr. Whitekey's Fly By Night Club (Tel. 907-279-SPAM).

The "Gormay Kweezeen" menu features Spam with Nachos and Cajun Spam. Anything with Spam is half price when ordered with champagne. There's also a 50-cent "Budweiser tax" for those who order Bud in spite of the huge selection of imported and microbrewery beers.

Mr. Whitekey's "Whale Fat Follies"—presented most weeknights in summer—is a hilarious satire of everything Alaskan, including spawning salmon, duct tape, and Skinny **** 's Halfway Inn. Newcomers to Alaska may be baffled by the inside jokes, but the more time you've spent here, the funnier it is. A nonsmoking show plays Tuesday nights. After the Follies, Mr. Whitekey usually holds forth on the piano, with witty patter and a tight rock/blues/jazz band.

3300 Spenard St.
Anchorage, Alaska
United States of America

Telephone: +1 (907) 279-7726

the most unique place i have been in is in mt.dora, fla. it is a small bistro called shiraz. sits three stories up in the air overlooking a large lake. the chef is from key west,trained in calif. his menu and place is so cool. his wine cellar sits in the very middle of his floor with his dining room wrapped around. serves items like caramel brie with raspberry jalepeno dipping sauce and wonderful flights of wine from all around the world. a jack daniels brownie cake that is absolutely to die for.
the service is imppeccable all nesteled in a
small die that wraps with antiques stores nesteled in a new england setting.. looks llike quincy market. this town is incredible - home to one of the largest fine art shows there is in fl.
i am getting hungry.

------------------

Ditto on Shiraz.. Great place.
Danielle

hey danielle when did you get the chance to eat at shiraz, THE PLACE IS SO COOL AND ROMANTIC .
Mt. DORA is incredible for restaurants.. an inn there called the lakeside inn which has been there for 101 years. they still have some of the orignal furniture. the rest. is 5 stars and is called Beauclare's .. now tell me is this southern enough? FOOD IS EXQUISTE.. ALL WRAPPED AROUND A HUGH OLD TIME VERANDAH WHERE YOU SIT IN ROCKING CHAIRS AND WATCH SUNSETS. IF ANY OF YOU GUYS EVER GET TO FL. BE SURE AND GO.

------------------


[This message has been edited by katz (edited 12-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by katz (edited 12-12-2000).]

In Kamloops we have lots of unique restaurants, the most unigue/interesting would have to be either the Mongolian Grill or the Dutch Pankoeken Haus (pancake house). Also another unique restaurant is in Kelowna, it is called Greeko Amigo, I've never actually been there but judging by the name it sounds interesting.

[shroomgirl]

Oh Coolj~ Greeko Amigo....can you imainge the food...refried spanokopita, carnito gyros, tortilla/pita hey no difference, guacamole with yogurt and cucumber,
both cuisines use oregano and garlic So hey why not!

[momoreg]

CoolJ,

I was just trying to remember the name of a restaurant where we ate in BC, but I couldn't. Then you mentioned the Mongolian Grill. I think that's the place. We ate there at Whistler. You pick up a plate and fill it with whatever you want, then you walk over to the flattop, where they cook it for you. Is that the place I'm thinking of? Very unique concept.

[Mezzaluna]

We have a Mongolian BBQ here in Milwaukee. My husband and I go there often. Easy to get just what you want. It's one trip at lunch, unlimited at dinner, with unlimited trips to the small Chinese buffet any time.

[Isa]

There was a Mongolian BBQ place here a few years ago. We tried it. Once. We had to grill the meat ourselve at the table. I have reservation about paying for a meal I have to cook myself.

There was a place in Houston called the Happy Panda. It was a Chinese Buffet and had about 75 different items on it. It looked pretty authentic and most of the customers were Chinese. I could only go there once because I wasn't a Happy Panda, I was a Stuffed Panda. I stay away from "all you can eat" places because most of them serve mediocre food. If the food is good, then I tend to overeat.

"I can't eat anymore, but I could taste some more."