For Friday lunch we ended up at Crackers and Co. Although we were seated quickly, the location of our table was in the middle of a lot of traffic made up of waiters, waitresses and customers. Initially for a table of 10, the table was just big enough for the 8 of us that made it.  But besides the location, the service was fast considering the restaurant was crowded.

I ordered a Cracker Club with a side of fries and a pickle. Everyone else ordered specialty sandwiches. They were well proportioned and very fresh. The fries were crunchy and not over cooked. Besides sandwiches they also offer salads and soups as well as other dishes. In the end I left feeling full. I would suggest anyone who hasn’t tried Crackers & CO. to give it a try.

A distinctly European flavor form the pretty waitresses to the names on the menu.

I had the Athena….Rye bread with marinated slaw, melted Swiss cheese & French mustard, it tasted great.  My wife had the Cobb Salad, it was piled high. The price is slightly high but probably worth the extra service and quality.

I would surely recommend this location if you are looking for upscale casual.

We went back to Pastis on the occasion of a co-worker’s birthday.  I noticed that the decor has basically remained the same, as has the menu.

I tried the ‘Berlin’ sandwich.  A bratwurst with onions, and strangely, provolone cheese.  The sausage was pleasantly smoky-tasting, and the onions were crisp, but the cheese was patently needless.  It only made the roll greasy.

It came with a fruit cup, which was slightly improved from last time.  The strawberries are still cut wafer-thin which means they keep poorly.

Our waitress seemed very punctual and attentive, but the kitchen itself seemed to take a long time with our dishes– odd, given the simplicity of most of them and the fact the menu is relatively short.

I wish Pastis had wowed me recently, but it seems to be moving into more the realm of ‘competent’ than amazing.  I also still wish for a more diverse menu– sausage may come on many varieties, but it’s still fundamentally a narrow selection for hot lunch items.

For one of our co-workers birthdays, we decided to go to Pastis. Their menu offers a euro grill cuisine. They have a decent menu consisting of salads, entrees, and specialty sandwiches. Mostly everyone ordered one of their unique creations. I had the Madrid. This sandwich consisted of turkey, prosciutto, mozzarella cheese, basil, tomatoes, and a pesto spread served on toasted whole wheat bread.  It was the same thing I ordered my previous time eating lunch there. The sandwiches come with your choice of fruit, coleslaw or fries. The waitress was pleasant to deal with and kept our drinks full.  With 12 people seated at our table, the food came out at the same time and didn’t take too long. Although their desserts looked very appetizing , we decided to skip it and collect the bill.

The food at Pastis is different from any in the valley. It’s quality and freshness is evident in their dishes. I would recommend trying them out for lunch or going there during happy hour, which offers discounted drinks as well as appetizers. Happy Birthday Tyson!

Pastis is a clean deli offering entrees for lunch and dinner. The Stuffed Pastis Burger is a thick, well-done patty on a soft white bread roll. It is topped with tomato, cabbage, and mayo. The dish comes with a side of thinly sliced fries and ketchup. It was a good meal, although, a slice of cheese on the burger would have been nice.

Of their five locations in the valley I have eaten at two. One in Scottsdale and one in Chandler. Both were equally as good and offered a nice variety of traditional dishes and some rather unique ones. The European/home-style feel can be seen throughout the restaurants from the architecture of the buildings themselves to the interior decor. But besides the look of the place, the food is great as well as the service. On both occasions the cafe was quite busy but the staff seemed to have everything under control.

I ordered a grilled cheese with 3 different cheeses and a clam chowder appetizer. My friend who joined me had one of their specialty sandwiches. Both were cooked well and did not taste as if their were from a chain restaurant. The waitress was pleasant to speak to and always kept an eye on our drinks. The majority of people eating there was mostly families, and a younger crowd.  I haven’t been back to Mimi’s in a while and I have yet to have dinner there but I would definitely suggest you try it if you haven’t already.

This past weekend I went to 98 South in historic downtown Chandler. I will definitely be returning in the near future. The food was out of this world and the service was excellent. After being escorted by the hostess, I ordered a house chardonnay from their extensive wine list. They also have and a full bar with a Moroccan/French theme throughout restaurant.

My meal started with a lobster shrimp bisque which was very light and filled with chunks of shrimp and lobster. My friend who joined me stared with turkey sliders, which he finished in about a minute.  The waitress was constantly checking up on us and making sure our water was always filled and if we had any other requests from the bar. Then came the main coarse. I selected the fillet mignon with melted blue cheese over pan seared fries and cauliflower covered in an amazing cheese and bacon sauce. It was probably one of the best pieces of meat I ever had. It was cooked medium rare and it was so tender I could have probably gotten away with not using a knife. My friend had seared salmon over linguine, which he claimed was amazing as well.

We didn’t think we were up for dessert until we saw the dessert list. I ended up getting creme brulee with fruit compote and my friend got a piece of chocolate cheese cake. Again both were absolutely delicious and didn’t leave us feeling bloated or stuffed. Each of the portions where perfect and I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone!

Pastis is located on Val Vista Road just south of the 60 in Mesa, AZ. It is right across the street from Dana park. This restaurant is a must try to all.  The menu features about a half a dozen sandwiches, some entrees, and a some desserts. The place also has a small store to purchase meats, candy, jams, breads, and other items.

I went with my fellow coworkers Friday and enjoyed it so much I decided to return the next evening with my wife. I had the Italian sausage sandwich.  The sandwich was served on a toasted gyro bread and came with fresh onions and hummus.  The portion was very large and tasted great. Best Italian sausage I have had in Arizona. We also decided to get a dessert.  We went with the crepes. They come in a few flavors. You get to pick two.  We went with the strawberry. These were also excellent. Everything there seems real fresh and the cooks know what they are doing. If you like good food give this place a try. All 7 of my coworkers and my wife loved the place and we will all return.