Thursday, September 14, 2006
Stuart’s Place
Billing’s Bridge Plaza, 2323 Riverside Dr.
September 12th, 2006
Shawarma: 2/5
Mesa: 2/5
Experience: 2/5
Did you know that from my seat in the Billing’s Bridge food court I can see two McDonald’s restaurants? One I can see out the front windows in the parking lot. The other is right here in the mall.
The food court at Billing’s Bridge Plaza has other chain fast food places that you expect to find in a mall: a Timmy Ho’s and a New York Fries on one side. On the other side, you have the McDonald’s, followed by a Subway, then Manchu Wok, then Teriyaki Experience. But at the far end is a place you probably never heard of before: Stuart’s Place.
So here in a mall, amongst a Zellers, a Loblaws, an LCBO and a Hallmark store, is this little ma and pa shop. I thought I would have to try them out. I ordered some food and took a seat at the far and quiet end of the food court.
I ordered a mixed platter, but when I finally got to my seat, I realized that it was beef only. Already disappointed, I found out that the beef wasn’t the best. It was far too overcooked. It was tough and lacked flavour. Thankfully it was doused in a sesame sauce that resuscitated it enough to give it the faintest pulse. Maybe that’s why I got no chicken; they were trying to get rid of the beef.
The hummus tasted just like ground up chick-peas. And the rice dish was really just rice. The tabouli was fresh, but the funny thing about tabouli is that it gets better when it sits for a while, so the flavours can blend. The platter so far wasn’t promising.
I had seen some other salads on their counter which they gladly gave me the choice, which was nice. I was interested in some red looking stuff. I asked for a small sample. The lady added on a good mound. It was a stewed tomato based lentil dish. It’s nice to try new things, but wouldn’t bother with it again.
The people at the counter had been nice. I certainly got better service here than I would have gotten at the McDonald’s a few doors down. I’d hate to start my thoughts on Stuart’s with a “hey they are in a mall! That’s cool!” and end it with an “I’m eating a shawarma in a mall! That’s crap!”, but it’s true, in comparison to other shawarma places in the city, it’s hard for this place to match the atmosphere.
If you’re in the Billings Bridge Plaza, looking for some fast food, then Stuart’s is probably your best bet. But don’t expect the best Lebanese food. If you don’t happen to be starving while you happen to be at this mall, save your shawarma desires for some other time.
September 12th, 2006
Shawarma: 2/5
Mesa: 2/5
Experience: 2/5
Did you know that from my seat in the Billing’s Bridge food court I can see two McDonald’s restaurants? One I can see out the front windows in the parking lot. The other is right here in the mall.
The food court at Billing’s Bridge Plaza has other chain fast food places that you expect to find in a mall: a Timmy Ho’s and a New York Fries on one side. On the other side, you have the McDonald’s, followed by a Subway, then Manchu Wok, then Teriyaki Experience. But at the far end is a place you probably never heard of before: Stuart’s Place.
So here in a mall, amongst a Zellers, a Loblaws, an LCBO and a Hallmark store, is this little ma and pa shop. I thought I would have to try them out. I ordered some food and took a seat at the far and quiet end of the food court.
I ordered a mixed platter, but when I finally got to my seat, I realized that it was beef only. Already disappointed, I found out that the beef wasn’t the best. It was far too overcooked. It was tough and lacked flavour. Thankfully it was doused in a sesame sauce that resuscitated it enough to give it the faintest pulse. Maybe that’s why I got no chicken; they were trying to get rid of the beef.
The hummus tasted just like ground up chick-peas. And the rice dish was really just rice. The tabouli was fresh, but the funny thing about tabouli is that it gets better when it sits for a while, so the flavours can blend. The platter so far wasn’t promising.
I had seen some other salads on their counter which they gladly gave me the choice, which was nice. I was interested in some red looking stuff. I asked for a small sample. The lady added on a good mound. It was a stewed tomato based lentil dish. It’s nice to try new things, but wouldn’t bother with it again.
The people at the counter had been nice. I certainly got better service here than I would have gotten at the McDonald’s a few doors down. I’d hate to start my thoughts on Stuart’s with a “hey they are in a mall! That’s cool!” and end it with an “I’m eating a shawarma in a mall! That’s crap!”, but it’s true, in comparison to other shawarma places in the city, it’s hard for this place to match the atmosphere.
If you’re in the Billings Bridge Plaza, looking for some fast food, then Stuart’s is probably your best bet. But don’t expect the best Lebanese food. If you don’t happen to be starving while you happen to be at this mall, save your shawarma desires for some other time.
# posted by Ottawa shawarma @ 1:29 PM 
