Phoenician Garden

06/23/09

First restaurant I ate at in Fresno

by samina96

The service here is great--particularly when you have children. While we were waiting for our food, they brought some snacks over for our children and while we were having after dinner coffee they brought watermelon for our kids.

Try the fattoush salad--it has a great homemade dressing with it. The rice and veggies that come with the entrees are very flavorful. Overall, always a pleasant visit at the Garden.

PS: They do great catering too.

• Pros: calming, beautiful yet unpretentious atmosphere
• Cons: portions are big--you will have a lot of leftovers!

06/22/07

ok place

by kh060

Its alright. Food was ok, I had the mixed variety kabobs. I am a chef myself and i thought they could be a little bit more tender and have a little bit more flavor. Service was ok, maybe it was just me and my date and because we are of a diferent ethnicity who you would not see much eating there but everyone else was greeted politely and when they left where told thanks for comming and so on. Our waitress's personality was dry and hardley said anything to us and when we left, nobody said anything or paid attention. Should of just dine and dashed and nobody would of cared i guess.

• Pros: Flavorfull salad
• Cons: kinda cost too much for kabobs and chuck peas

03/30/07

Best Restuarant in Fresno

by chefprix

I wandered into this restaurant on Feb. 14 without realizing it was Valentine's Day. The whole restaurant was decorated in a most romantic way. My clothes were more like a homeless person's. The hostess came up, and asked very nicely "Do you have a reservation?" I have been to this restaurant before and always considered it one of the very best in Fresno. No reservation was ever needed before. I was tired after working all day and my hair was out of place and unshaven.

I was surprised by the reservation question and then seeing all the beautifully attired couples with a red rose in a vase on every table, with hearts and balloons beautifully arranged, it then occurred to me that it is Valentine's Day!! The natural thing was to leave. I was totally out of place. But I was hungry. It's also my birthday.

I said "no." She proceeded to explain to me gently that it would cost each person $29.95. The choices were enumerated for me and the dinner would be served with a glass of champaign and a dessert. I said "fine." I was seated at the best table available at that time rather than the open ones by the door. I chose the lamb chops. The dinner was exceptionally well prepared despite the big crowd in the restaurant. The dessert was specially designed for the evening. I would gladly pay $50 and still not necessarily be able to find a better place in Fresno to eat that particular evening.

This is written because after factoring in the courteous service, the exceptional tastes and the cost together with the special circumstance of my terrible appearance, I have to say that this must be the "best restaurant" in Fresno.

• Pros: Everything is excetional
• Cons: Nothing