Fresno Dining Reviews

[legalbeagle]

Finding this board and reading through the various posting has provided us with an 'insight' into Fresno restaurants prior to going. We have also learned of places to go that we would probably have never gone had it not been recommended as it was.

With that said, we would like to post this and see what other 'new finds' we might come across from others who recommend. If you have a restaurant that you're inthralled with or know an 'out of the way' secret place, we encourage you to post your review. We are even interested in hearing reviews and experiences from already established restaurants in the area to spot inconsistencies or continued excellence.

We've been in Fresno for several years and have found many places we consider favorites and frequent. Our favorites, in order, are: Flamenco (new favorite just added); Campagnia; Samba; Max's Bistro; Slates; Cracked Pepper Bistro; Elderberry House; Parma; and the Manhattan.

Last week, we went to the recently opened Rhema's (Cedar/Shepard). The owner, Bill, greeted us at the door and quickly gave us a run down of his 'small plates' concept. The dining room we sat in was sparsely decorated and the style a little confusing. Our waiter was courteous but had to go to the kitchen to get answers to our questions a couple of times. We had several of their small plates selections: we split a salad (mixed greens with a prommagrannte (sp?) dressing. While very tasty, the portion size of the split salad was almost non-existance (adding a little more leafy greens would have given it more body); for our small plates, we had the Filet (very nice presentation, small 3 oz portion, tasty cheese reduction sauce), the salmon (also about 3 oz and cooked to perfection but salty), the NY steak (about 4 oz cut in half and presented layered with cheese potatoes) and we finished with a slice of cheesecake (very rich and fresh) and bread pudding (obviously in-house made and to perfection). Bill stopped by our table several times to check in on us. The place was not busy at 6:30PM with only two other tables of two occupied (granted, it was a weekday) and the food came out quickly and fresh. Our bill exceeded $70 (w/o tip) and we left a little 'hungry'. The 'jury is still out' on this restaurant. We'll have to visit there again prior to finalizing our thoughts. While not in the greatest location, the place has excellent potential. We hope that our next visit will leave us with a more impressionable experience.

[mydj2000]

I don't know if the restaurant GoodFellas in Old town Clovis has been mentioned in any of the boards but that is a good place to dine too. We tried it last week and wasn't disappointed. It is family dining and so they serve a good size serving of food. There was only 1 table occupied when we got there so hubby and I were thinking...might not be good since there's nobody around. When food started coming, we decided that we spoke too soon. Most entrees come with a pasta meal (unusual combination) of your choice from the set and 2 salads and soup plus plentiful bread included. I ordered pot roast which tasted home cooked and came with veggies (tasted sauteed instead of regular steamed or boiled veggies) and the pasta meal I chose to go put with it was spaghetti in marinara sauce. Hubby ordered chicken parmigiana and stuffed ravioli for his pasta. There was summer and green salads and soup was thick, hearty Tortilla soup. They served toasted garlic bread (and of course we asked for more). Paid about $45 with tip included which wasnt bad for all that food. Service was efficient and friendly and place was clean. We rated it 9 out 10 just because they're only open Wed to Sat for dinner only.

[cocktailqueen77]

So I am guessing that GoodFellas is an Italian restaurant? Where is it located in OTC?

[mrsmegawatt]

I believe it's at the corner across from DiCicco's, in front of the Clovis Cole Hotel. It's upstairs. Haven't tried it yet.

[mydj2000]

Had dinner @ Rhem'a last night and husband and I were somewhat disappointed. I don't think it was that great. The food presentation was nice. I expected small portions but it would have been good if they were more generous with the bread so we can mop off the sauces from our plates. I was telling my husband during the meal that most french meals will have a whole baguette laid on the table and the French just break off chunks off it to mop their plates. We had to ask for more bread 2 more times after the initial serving. The waiter made a mistake of giving me a Cabernet instead of the Sauvignon Blanc that I asked for. The owner pass by our table twice to ask how food was but he didn't chat with us they way he did with the other 2 couples who were obviously "loaded" because they ordered champagne and the more expensive food on the menu. Hmmm... was it because hubby and I shared the salad and ordered the cheapest item on the menu? We gave it a rating of 5 out of 10.

Rumba, the other restaurant next door, is a better place. We dined there last week and the waiter was friendly and accomodating. Mario, the owner chatted with everyone no matter what they ordered nor how they were dressed. Food was perfect and atmosphere was light and fun. My husband said he had the best chicken he ever tasted. I had tapas, little servings as expected and it was just right. Decor and atmosphere is exactly what we've been looking for in a restaurant. We rated this a 12 out of 10.

[FAT Traveler]

I agree with you about Rhema. We were very disappointed with the food and the decor can only be described as.....well...cheap. The service was fine but for four of us the bill was around $200 and so not worth it. I have heard good things about Rumba, but haven't tried it yet. We won't return to Rhema.

[ahmward]

I actually became ill after dining at Rhema. I had the salmon cooked three ways and only ate 1.5 of the triple entree. The preparations were all too sweet. There was overhead music and the kitchen staff was listening to a different station. We could hear both from our table. I won't return.

[Ross Facione]

I just had dinner at Cracked Pepper Bistro yesterday evening and I must confess that this establishment is one of Fresno's hidden treasures that has yet to be exposed to the masses. Chef Vatche was kind enough to recomend one of his new dishes. I took his recomendation and ordered the Pistachio Encrusted Prawns with a Mascarpone Pesto Risotto. Words can"t begin to explain the euphoria one may feel when consuming this dish....yes, that good. I had ordered a bottle of Westbrooke Cab. that served as great compliment to my dish and yes you can mix a red with fish. Cracked Pepper Bistro just recieved their Wine & Beer liscense and they have an excellent sellection of about 40 carefully chosen labels. Yes everyone.... they now have wine!

[mrsmegawatt]

I love Cracked Pepper! That new dish sounds wonderful! Time to return! We took our kids there for their first fine dining experience, ages 16 and 19. They're completely hooked, begging to go back. Their eggplant appetizer is amazing!

[sillyrabbit]

Thanks for the info! Has anyone tried the deli in the OSH shopping center?

Legalbeagle: What have you enjoyed at Campagnia?

If you have a hankering for a great steak salad, I've had two lately worth mentioning: Bleu Pear Steak salad at Vini Vedi Vici, and the beef salad at B&K with lots of lime. Very different, but each was delicious in its own right.

[legalbeagle]

I've had their stuffed chicken with a wine reduction sauce (incredible!), their applewood cooked, bacon wrapped filet (decent steak, good value), and their spicy bow tie pasta dish (very flavorful); these are the dishes that first come to mind. They have a salad that has pears, strawberries, nuts and greens (not sure what it's called) that is amazing!

We haven't been to Vini Vedi Vici yet and are planning on going. Haven't really heard much about them. Any feedback/recommendations would be appreciated.

[sillyrabbit]

Thanks for the info on dishes to try. I haven't been happy with what I ordered there in the past but will try some of the dishes you mentioned.

I prefer VVV for lunch. The bleu pear steak salad is great (last time I went, all three of us ordered it and cleaned our plates) and I recall that some of their daily soups are good. They also make good lemon drop martinis that aren't too sweet. The patio gets packed on summer evenings, but it's fun to people watch there.

[PolarBear]

Haven't been to VVV in years and didn't realize they were even open for lunch. Thanks for the tip, SR, will have to pay them a visit in the near future.

[PolarBear]

Thanks for the report, could you tell us which corner it was on? Google provided nothing and 411 had no listing for them.

In a promo mag for the upcoming Home & Garden show this past week was a listing of all the cooking classes that were going to be held. One was by Michelle Marquez, new chef of Pangea that is a new venture in the Fig Garden center. Supposedly a small plate/tapas venue, believe it's a partnership with one of the Campagnia people. I'll try to swing by this next week and see if they indeed have opened yet.

If you like dim sum (cart service) give the Imperial Garden a try on Sat or Sun. CA Plaza, east side of Blackstone just south of Herndon.

Downhill alert: Had a disappointing staff luncheon at East-West (Nees E of First) last week. Psyched up for their Hot Steak Salad only to find out it's not available until after 4 PM. Went with one of the specials, shrimp and green beans, nothing special. One in our group ordered the chicken tenders from the "West" menu, these were gawd-awful, not only greasy breading, but fatty meat (???) and a flavor that just made them inedible. Learned later that day from my BIL that they have a new chef that does the steak salad for the evening menu, and he no longer uses the quality filet, substituting a lesser cut, surprisingly he is supposedly from the now closed Imperial Dynasty in Hanford.

[legalbeagle]

It's in the OSH shopping center where Yosemite Ranch is (a little east). I also noticed another restaurant under construction called "Rumba Latin Fusion". Not sure what it's about but I'm keeping an eye on it.

I've heard of Pangea (read about it in the paper about a year ago) and was recently in Fig Garden (about two weeks ago) looking for it. I found them to be under construction and pretty much doing the framing. It would be interesting to see how far they've come along (or if they're open!). Yes. I've also heard that it's tied in with Campagnia.

I've also heard about another restaurant that will open in Fig Garden that will be featuring american comfort foods. I understand that the folks at Slates are somehow tied into that.

Went to the East-West about 6 months ago and found everything to be dismal. No intentions on returning.

[PolarBear]

Found Pangea's space (diagonally across from Wine Styles, no sign up yet) yesterday, interior walls aren't finished, one of the workmen said they're shooting for mid-June.

[mixnblend]

I'm not sure if its been posted yet, but passed by the former building of East-West and it is now closed. Another restaurant is set to takes its place and it looks to be a teppenyaki place.

[spicegirls]

I heard the folks from Edo-Ya are taking over the East-West space, asap.

[PolarBear]

Is that the one at First and Nees, or the East meets West at West and Bullard?

[spicegirls]

That is for the one on First/Nees. I hear they have been wanting to find a space in that part of town for quite some time.