International Food

Lin’s Buffet

W WT Harris Blvd
In The Furniture Plaza By RT77
Charlotte, NC 28269
All Photos Of Lins Buffet

So I finally got invited out for a meal and treated. My food budget has been on the rocks lately, so ill take the free meal and free content for our site.

This weekend past I had a chance to check out what I was told was a “new chinese place by the mall”. Lin’s Buffet is a chinese buffet that reently opened just on the East side of 77 right by the new Northlake Mall. The builders have done a good job of developing this plaza. This plaza is mostly furniture stores but does have a few nice buildings with new restaurants.

Lin’s is a nice large and roomy building with pretty much standard fare you’d expect in a buffet. On this first visit it was the weekend rate of $10.99, which means more meats and high end foods to sample. Im not so sure the difference in presented meats and platters added up to the extra $4 we paid, but it was overall pretty good quality choices.

The buffet had a number of the standard Chinese chicken dishes, with perhaps a better number of choices than you would expect, Tso chicken, sesame, orange, sweet and sour, black pepper and more all on the buffet at the same time. For higher end choices, rare roast beef, crab legs and more will make you happy with the $11 you spent.

While there wasnt even close to the huge array at Chen’s Bistro in the Promenade, it also wasn’t the $15 or $17 that Chen’s charges to offset the “buffet campers” pounding down crab legs like it was the “cure for ugly”.

The buffet was average size and had more entrees and meat than you may be used to getting, with a seperate area for salad and some deserts, though not many.

The one very nice benefit is the fact that the sushi is made while you wait and included. The staff, for the most part, doesnt speak english. I wont be presumptious and assume they all to speak Chinese, but definately not english in 2 of 3 cases of the staff. This fact is actually a bit annoying and affects the service and conversation you may be used to in your dining stop. I felt the staff was trying but disinterested since you cant reallly say hello and thank you.

The inside decor is a bit lacking. The restaurant really looks like it just opened or perhaps the decoration truck never arrived. Alot of blank walls, empty spaces and flat airport carpetting gives it a bit of a cafeteria feel. I think this to be a good choice for “power eating” of some decent platters, but it is not all that relaxing or comfortable a setting.

Some decent food, nice choices and all around general good quality of the buffet, though it is awful plain inside and not overly exciting or special. If you are near here and can find this hidden location then perhaps a one time visit to this borderline chinese stop. If you want sushi in your affordable buffet then perhaps a good choice. If you want a bit higher quality or more intimate setting I insist you goto Golden Taipei just up the road.

Ishi Japanese Restaurant

8109 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28213
704-921-9219
Ishi Photos In The Gallery

Finally got to Ishi Japanese Restaurant And Sushi bar after hearing second hand rave reviews from a few people including our own prior review here from one of our readers. I have also since sat with a family member who is a freshman at UNCC and her father both who raved that we must try Ishi as soon as possible.

The rumors of the incredible value at Ishi along with the great food made this possible as I am pretty broke lately for restaurant money.

unlike reviews of fancy uptown “bistros” and “4 star affairs” mine are dictated by what’s in my wallet this week and not checks being picked up by “the man”. This is envy talking I know, I admit that much, I am only jealous of larger dining budgets than my own.

This location is not what I excpeted as it is very tucked away in the back of the Home Depot plaza right next to Peak Fitness. The workout addicts must love having healthy, fast and very good food right next door to their daily routine.

I was a bit surprised by the small hole in the wall feeling of this location and the completely dated and worn decor inside. I knew this wasnt a dressed up perkins or upscale dining but it is such a roadside diner feeling i was surprised on how “casual” (run down) it was inside.

The location was clean enough and family feeling enough it is just time for it to find its way out of the 80s.

I want to rebutt this last sentecne and remind myself and my readers that with good enough food, who cares if the stools are from a 1970’s waffle house.

No booths inside is sometimes a bummer, since I was ther with the kids in tow the lack of booths is a bit of a discomfort. I know everyone reading doesnt really care but if asked would always choose a booth.

The menu, which I have scanned and linked to here to save me time in explaining it, is packed with huge and wide variety of great lookig plates. This statement lends to the fact that this place would be a great fast and healthy lunch stop. A lunch stop with a seeming endless variety of choices keeps the patrons coming back over the long haul.

Everything on the menu here is basically between 4.50 and 8.00 which means 40-50 things to choose from for under $7, not many restaurants can say that. I had the Habachi Steak, which means Sirloin steak cut into small pieces and laid on top of fried rice (Japanese fried rice so its basically white rice), this is served with japanese style sweet carrots. These carrots are round carrot sliced and boiled with a sweet flavor. I could take or leave the carrrots, which I imagine all men agree about all carrots in the world, but they were good enough and original.

The habachi steak was without a beter way to put it, the best meat i have tasted in the last few years. I was lucky enough to get to atend the grand opening samplign at the “texas land Company Steakhouse in Concord, at which i had lobster and a T-bone steak. The meal was free as it was a training night for the staff, but would have cost about $40. The Habachi Steak was far better tasting and perfectly cooked soft beef for all of $5. The flavor of the steak and hw tender it is cooked will really impress anyone who sits and orders it.

The major problem with this meal was the fact that it was exceptinal steak pieces on top of essentially white rice and steamed sweet carrots. After eating me meal I could have easily finished my Wife’s, reached over and finished both the plates of the patrons behind me, and still wanted desert. The meal is so “not filling”, while at the same time so delicious that I may order 3 plates on my next visit. This lack of filling food really creates a hole in the “affordable” menu.

If you are going looking for a light lunch, healthy meal or fast high quality taste for somethin orginal to eat this place is a exceptional choice. if you just done doing “negatives or Powerlifting legs” at Peak Fitness and need a heavy filling meal? this place will likely leave you still very hungry.

My Wife had Teriyaki Chicken and Shrimp ($9) which was the same rice with sweet carrots served with chicken and shrimp that has been stir-fried. Again the meat was excellent and the rice and carrots god enough but the meal not very filling. We did determine that the steak was by far the best choice of the two plates and that is the recomendation.

We got out the door for $20 with the tip on the table $23 and was very pleased with the taste though I had to make sandwiches at home 2 hours later.

The steak was one of the best things on any of my plates since moving to Charlotte. The steak and healthy taste was very good, perhaps too good, since it just reinforced the problem that there wasnt enough to fill me.

I will go back and explore this huge menu as well as the excellent sushi choices and have a beer and sushi afternoon. I have given up on the great low prices on the menu though since I expect tohave to order twice.

Amazing tender flavor, great taste, low prices and huge menu including great sushi choices. The food just didnt fill me up and the portions were not nearly big enough for any hunger beyond light lunch.

Jaimama Restaurant And Bar

3 Stars

Charlotte Critic
1626 East Blvd
City: Charlotte 28203
(704) 358-8188

Restaurant Review For Jaimama Restaurant And Bar
When riding down East Blvd on a Friday or Saturday night, Jaimama could be my venue of choice. It has all of the right stuff: food, libations, music, and a friendly atmosphere. Although East Blvd is known for it’s selection of great restaurants, you can sometimes be overwhelmed by what they have to offer. I recently visited Jaimama, where a fine dining experience awaits you. The restaurant specializes in what Jai, the owner, considers coastal cuisine. The menu hints of Caribbean, American, and Soul food all served in a magnificent presentation. The food was okay, not spectacular, but the entertainment set Jaimama apart from the rest of East Blvd. The waitress was amicable and courteous; however, it took almost an hour before the food came out, and it didn’t seem “hot off the grill”. At -20 for an entrée, I expect better service and quality of food. I selected the crab cakes, which were again not the best I’ve had, but certainly edible and creatively arranged along side of a vegetable medley with yellow and white rice. I was accompanied by several friends, one who had the stuffed trout which came out cold, and she politely sent it back. On the upside, the other two dishes that came to the table were the red beans and rice and a seafood salad which received positive reviews. I tasted the red beans and rice, and they were well seasoned and very pleasing to the taste buds. I ordered dessert, a well produced bread pudding with raisins and vanilla bean ice cream. That was quite tasty. Some of the recipes may need to mature a bit. Over time after a little more experimenting with the menu items and flavors, I foresee Jaimama perfecting most of their dishes. The ambience and atmosphere are the most appealing characteristics of this cozy Dilworth establishment. The interior design is elegant yet hip, classy but interesting. You can tell that someone spent a lot of time working on the inside of the building. The walls are done in a radiant, rich orange complemented with dark shades of brown and black. Pictures hung on the walls are indicative of the type of entertainment that you can expect later on. Overall, the surroundings were extremely relaxing and comfortable. I felt like I was on vacation in a Coastal American city. After eating I wasn’t so sure if I would recommend the restaurant for patronage, but around 9 PM the band began to play. Six men took the stage, and dinner was all of a sudden a thing of the past. You have to give credit to Ms. Clemmons for one thing, she knows how to have a good time. The band, lead by Kenny Carr who is a native of Charlotte, was awesome to say the least. They were just down right funky combining Rhythm and Blues with Jazz to create a unique sound that you had no choice but to snap your fingers to the harmonious sounds. It was nice to have a drink, coffee or martini, and sit back and enjoy the performance. Three stars (out of five) for Jaimama. If you’re out and about one weekend looking for a nice place to hang, stop by 1626 East Blvd. It’s definitely worth a try.

Taste Of Havana

2.5 Stars 

Charlotte Critic
5534 Albemarle Rd
Charlotte 28212
(704) 535-0223
Menu Features: pulled pork, tres leches,flan

Restaurant Review For Taste Of Havana
So off to the Central Ave area of Charlotte by Eastland which is pretty much a slice of Mexico,
and it turns out alot more of latin flavor as we go after Cuban food for lunch. Today adventure is off to ‘Taste of Havana’ for one of the few places to get authentic Cuban style and
carribean food. The menu was a general assortment of latin syle food and alot of the basics. This location is on Abermarle in a plaza on the corner. The inside is
pretty simple and has the layout to be a great location
and spread if they put in the effort. We ate in the afternoon at 3-4pm and the entire location was pretty much empty at an hour like that.
The location is wide open spaced with plenty of seating and pretty simple (too simple decor.
The sound of great Carribean style music and simple white cloths on black tables and chairs is comfortable but not
all it could be. I was really surprised that such a strong and traditional cultural theme would have such a simple
decoration inside. The service was very relaxed, very friendly but very informal at the
same time. I actually had to go ask for my check to get going at the end.
This isn’t a dig at the service, just not what you may be used to in a high service setting at another location.

Ropa vieja recipe from our latest review My wife enjoyed the Ropa Vieja which is traditional shredded beef and a
popular Cuban dish.This s served in a simmering oval dish with spices sauce an vegtables.
You then can spread it over your white rice and black beans. Here is the recipe for Ropa Vieja in our blog! Wife loved it, and thought it tasty but not my style.
Serving seemed a bit small for 9$, and really presented like you made it yourself at home. I had the Lechon Asada, or pulled pork. Mine was a plate
covered with soft shred pork that was pretty salty and really tasted great.
I was sad that such good tasting meat was served on a boring plate with 2 lime slices and 3 onion rings on top. This is also accompanied by a plate with a block of white rice and black beans in a mini bowl.
The food was basically what I eat served to me at home or at my
inlaws and really lacked presentation or anything to put it over the top. If you never get authentic Cenral or South American food then this is a good
starter course as to what your Cuban friends or
South American neighbors may be eating nightly, but the downside is the fact that it is presented
like you are eating over a friends house too, (without the large portions). We also took the time to taste the tres leches or 3 cremes, which is a
very popular latin cream cake served with whip cream and though not my favorite personally
my expert panel says it was top notch. We also were treated to the flan
which was incredibly sweet but again a hit at the table. With the check coming in at for two plates and deserts (with fruit smoothy drinks too),
it was a pretty hefty check for just pulled meat with white rice. While authentic and tasty with great deserts, the simplistic servings, bland setting
and large check at the end kinda balanced it out to a very average final word.
3 stars sounds abot right, and for my money places like Golden Taipei
or Zapatas would be a much better way to spend my Wont return, but not really out right “let down” either.