Frequently, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter has lunch at a local restaurant and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
I am nothing if not honest. So, I am compelled to tell you that the restaurant at the center of today’s review was not my first choice.
Last Monday was Cinco de Mayo. Now, as a Mexican food lover, I don’t need a reason to eat chips and salsa, tacos, enchiladas, etc. But on this day of significance in the Mexican culture, it wouldn’t have felt right not eating at one of the (way too) many Mexican food restaurants in our area. So, a friend and I headed to a place where I had not been.
Closed.
Seriously? On Cinco de Mayo, a place which serves Mexican food isn’t open until 4pm? Seems like a wasted opportunity to me, but whatever. My friend was tight on time, so we didn’t have the flexibility of going to another Mexican restaurant. However, there was a restaurant in the same strip mall as our original choice. So, we walked across the parking lot, bummed but hungry.
Biscotti’s at Lewis Gifts (5807 Youree Drive #4218) has been around a long time, but on this day, I would be a first-time visitor. As its name implies, the eatery is inside – and is an extension of – Lewis Gifts. I guess the thinking is that you can eat and shop all under one roof. I had a feeling this “lunch” was going to cost me a pretty penny, as my friend can’t resist a gift shop.
We walked in Biscotti’s at 12:30 and found a restaurant full of guests. In fact, of the several tables and booths, only one was available. As the sign by the door read, the protocol is to seat yourself. So, that’s what we did.
Biscotti’s is fancy without being fancy, if that makes sense. The dining area looks like what I imagine a French Bistro resembles. Quaint and sophisticated, yet casual and comfortable. One thing lacking was music. There were enough people for voices to fill the air, but it would have been nice to hear some soothing sounds.
It took a while for our server to greet us and take our drink order. During the time we waited, I noticed there were only two servers, and at least one of them – our server – was also playing cashier. I will tell you up front that our service wasn’t the best. However, I don’t put all the blame on our server. The restaurant was understaffed for the size of its lunch crowd. We ordered water with lemon, but the lemon never came, and I didn’t think it was worth burdening an already overworked server by asking a second time.
I was pleasantly surprised by Biscotti’s menu. It was divided into Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Deli Sandwiches, “Design Your Own Sandwiches or Wrap”, Panini Sandwiches, and “Burgers & More”. Quite the variety for a restaurant which only serves lunch (11am-3pm). In addition, according to the menu, there were specials and soups on the chalkboard. However, that chalkboard was on the other side of the dining room. We were too far away to read what it said. I might suggest Biscotti’s come up with another way to let customers know about those “specials and soups.” Maybe put them on a chalkboard at the restaurant’s entrance.
My friend and I love avocados, so choosing from the four appetizers was easy. We agreed on having Fried Avocado Wedges ($9). Because the restaurant was so busy, we placed our order for the appetizer, and our meal, at the same time. I chose The Cuban ($15), while my friend went with the Roast Beef & Cheese Melt ($14).
The purpose of an appetizer is to hold you over and get your pallet ready for your main course. However, our appetizer arrived with our sandwiches. Oh well. The presentation of the appetizer made up for the fact we would be eating everything together. We received a plate with four hot, perfectly fried green avocado wedges, each divided by small servings of lettuce. The avocados were outstanding, but just as good was the Basil and Lemon Mayo dipping sauce. If you’re an old timer, you remember the Green Goddess salad dressing at Murrell’s. It was so good, you could drink it. The same for Biscotti’s Basil and Lemon Mayo. Next time, I may ask for a glass full of it.
The presentation of The Cuban was just as impressive at the Fried Avocado Wedges. My plate was filled with two huge diagonal sandwich slices (which came with a very small dill pickle), and Sun Chips (For $2, I could have substituted French fries). The Panini bread was cooked to perfection—not too hard and not too soft. It was filled – and I mean filled – with ham, pulled pork, Muenster cheese, pickles, and Cuban spread. The sandwich was love at first bite, as it was hot (thank goodness) and delicious! There wasn’t one overwhelming taste. The meat and condiments blended well to make for a smooth-tasting sandwich.
My friend’s Roast Beef & Cheese Melt wasn’t as big as my Panini, but it wasn’t small, either. The sandwich had Roast Beef with horseradish mayo, caramelized onions, and provolone cheese, grilled between two slices of sourdough bread. My friend said it was warm, and had a lot of beef. She said her sandwich had good flavor, and the bread tasted fresh.
Biscotti’s menu encouraged us to ask our server about dessert. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for sweets.
The cost of our meal before tax and tip was $38. I thought that was a reasonable price for the quality and quantity of our food. You may wish to note that the suggested tip on the receipt was based on the after-tax amount, and not the pre-tax amount.
I don’t hesitate to give Biscotti’s at Lewis Gifts Three Forks. Everything except the service (again, not all the fault of our server) was excellent. In fact, most of our experience was so good, by the time we left, I had forgotten it was Cinco de Mayo.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit for lunch?
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