Kazablanka Grill & Bar 5801 Rockville Road.
Before I get into our review this week I would like to announce that today; the 14th of August is our 8th Anniversary. Yay.
I am not sure how Pat decided on this particular place. The only thing I can figure is that he saw it in his travels and thought it sounded interesting. Well it was definitely interesting. Some may say it was fascinating. It has a great lay out and could probably seat over 150 people. The bar has plenty of seating and located on one end so the other dining area can be used for family dining. It also has a big deck. Of course the deck could used some work. The whole joint could use an overall but it is clean. They offer a $6.99 lunch buffet, but we decided on ordering from the menu.
The menu is quite large and they offer several specials. The prices are excellent as well. After much deliberation Pat decided on Lasagne, which came with a side salad. Our wonderful server/ bartender went to the buffet and made it for him.
It took me nearly as long to order and I was just looking at sandwiches. The sandwiches come with no sides and are all $7.49 and most sides are $1.50. So that is just a bit cheaper that other joints. I decided on a new addition. A hand breaded cod sandwich. I also got a side of coleslaw and our server brought it out with Pat’s salad.
The slaw was homemade and pretty good. I don’t think Grandmas should be worried but it was better than most. I must admit I was not prepared for my sandwich.
I have never seen such a poorly presented sandwich. Four ounces of fish on 8 ounces of bread. The cold set consisted of one small piece of iceberg, one tomato slice and a few scraps of onion. Oh yes and a big solo of mediocre tartar sauce. I was more bemused than angry. Who could ever say that this plate was something they would admit to creating. It is all well and good to control portions. I further understand how two ounce cod loin portions seem attractive to control cost but couldn’t you find a smaller hoagie bun. If you insist on a 4 oz cod sandwich why not a round bun? Of course this is just a rhetorical question because who ever is in charge of your kitchen either doesn’t know any better or doesn’t care. Also it is doubtful they will even read this. I just chuckled and cut half of the bun in half and used that to make my sandwich. It made a nice size sandwich that way. However after all that the fish itself was pretty bland. The tomato tasted fresh though.
So Pat was the big winner. He got a double side salad and enough Lasagne to take home for a second meal for $10.49. I got a average at best sandwich, some assembly required, for $7.49. I also met a very charming lady who served us our food and drinks and made me a very nice Margarita for $5. In a Mason Jar.
Well I don’t have much to add. I can’t recommend the cod sandwich but the Lasagne is pretty good. If that cod portion had been 6 ounces or more and fit the bun like other places I would not have said a word. Except that it would probably still be bland
Caplinger’s Fresh Catch Seafood Market 7460 North Shadeland Ave.
This joint is the real deal. Not only is it a premier facility for fish mongering it is also a pretty nice little place to get a fresh fish feast. In addition to a set menu of favorites they also offer the guests the option of picking from their large selection of fresh product and having it prepared for a flat $2.50 fee.
Just about any fish product you might desire I think you can find here. From whole Grouper to U 10 scallops to 4 count shrimp. Trust me that in itself is rare in Indy.
I am a very simple fellow. Show me a fish market or a sausage shop and I am a happy man. Give me the opportunity to eat some of my favorite foods at said location and my eyes become as big as a full moon. In other words I invariably over order, and subsequently over eat.
As soon as I walked in I saw a sign on the first cooler cabinet advertising Blue Point Oysters for $1.59 each. That was my mandatory “first course”- 6 fresh Blue Points; shucked for free.
A delightful combination of sweet and briney. A great start to any meal.
After that was ordered I inquired about the sandwiches. They offer a Caplinger’s Special for $ 4.99. I thought it might be an ever-changing special but I think it is a constant Basa sandwich. For the sake of brevity when you think of Basa think bottom feeder. Think catfish. It is a sweet, and firm white fish. In addition to the sandwiches they also offer the same fish choices in a dinner. Now that comes with a bigger portion and 2 hush puppies and choice of 2 sides. I am ashamed to admit that I forgot that they offer hush puppies as a side. I wanted to try the Special sandwich.
I try not to engage in superlatives. However I do admit that when I bite into something I really enjoy I act like a 13-year-old boy who kissed his first love. That being said. My first bite into my Basa sandwich was damn near perfection. Soft, sweet and tender,with a slight hint of heat and a crisp,salty breading. Oh- the bread. To me it was an excellent accompaniment to the fish. Again the bread is from Roll With it Bakery in Irvington.
You would think that all of that food would satisfy me. But oh no. You see when I review a joint I feel compelled to try as many food items as possible. Hey. You must suffer for your craft. So I had to try the Chowder. Clams, potato and cream.
This was a delicious display of simplicity. True to their description. Great hunks of clam. Tender pieces of ‘tater and…of course cream. This is a great example of chowder. Thick, and wonderful.
By now you would think that I have consumed enough. Oh no. I had to try their “New Recipe” crab cake. A 4 oz. cake made exclusively of lump meat. That is all I can say about that. They produce a thick cake full of lump meat that is really a good buy at $6.99 for an add on.
Pat naturally opted for the cod sandwich. He couldn’t try any of the chowder; because of onion.
Well boys and girls if you like fish. If you think you like fish this is the joint you must go to. Fresh oysters, yellow fin tuna. Hell the list goes on. Even Pat; the most critical fish fiend in the city liked the cod sandwich.
Ode to the Hush Puppy
I think that I shall never see
a treat as tasty as the Hush Puppy.
Its shape is compact and really quite spherical.
It’s flavor is sweet and truly most lyrical.
Its reputation has been tarnished and maligned for years,
but the taste of one can bring a grown man to tears.
For all you folks who like a plate of fried fish
you can’t help but grin when puppies are added to the dish.
Be it catfish or cod. Crappie or gill
You must admit hush Puppies just add to the thrill.
So whether you eat in a restaurant or pub
If they don’t give you hush Pups your fish is just grub.
If they’re not Deeps;then they are….Shallos.
That was pretty lame I know;but the place,Shallos,in Greenwood is anything but.They stock 500 bottled beers and 36 on draft.They were no longer serving the IPA I wanted to try so the Bartender offered me several suggestions and even gave me a few samples.I ended up drinking 3 beers,in ascending ABV;so by the time I finished I was quite happy,as well as hoppy.But;being the responsible drinker that I am,I ate-and quite well I must say.I ordered their burrito.I knew I wouldn’t get an “authentic” burro,but that’s not what I wanted.I wanted a midwestern version;and I wasn’t dissappointed.I received a big burrito stuffed with well seasoned meat,smothered with a good enchilada sauce,garnished with crisp lettuce and diced tomato.It was a really good-looking plate.I’d planned on taking a picture of it but I forgot until I was half way finished-oops.But I did discover that the slightly spicy and sweet tastes of the southwest marry quite well with the bitter hoppiness of an IPA.As for Patrick he had an IPA too and opted to try a battered cod sandwich.Now this guy loves cod I think we’ve covered that before,he’s probably eaten deep-fried fish everywhere that it is offered in Indy.And Paddy declared that this hunk of battered and deep-fried cod was the best he had ever tried.So there you have it.Unless you live in Elkhart try Greenwood’s Shallos for an honest lunch and a good beer,or 2.
