Tom Maher displays U.S.

history through childhood memories, 5a

page 4a
issue 16 volume 39
homestead high school
4310 homestead road
fort wayne, indiana 46814

Restaurant Review Verizon Music Center Tom Maher

Fr i d a y, M a y 1 5 , 2 0 0 9

by Cam kaminski they have a reservation. Appetizers and

writer
While not being the most easily located
or well known seafood restaurant in Fort
Wayne, Paula’s Seafood Restaurant and
Market, located on W. Main Street, pro-
vides a rewarding experience for those who
take the time to drive downtown.
After parking in the gravel lot out back,
customers are greeted with display cases full
of fresh salmon, shrimp and crab on ice and
the sizzling of fish amongst the ambience of
an often filled up restaurant. Reservations
are recommended; large parties often oc-
cupy the top floor on weekends, and occa-
sionally a small acoustic band will play in a
corner of the restaurant. As a result of the
noise level, Paula’s is not the best location
for an intimate one-on-one date; rather, a
group date or small party would be more
fitting.
Biaggis Ristorante Italiano Guests are seated very promptly, given
photo by arezoo nazari
drinks come swiftly upon ordering. Soups
and salads are around $5, while other en-
trées, such as the shrimp cocktail and clam
chowder, cost about $10.
Paula’s is not exclusively a seafood res-
taurant, however; many of the main entrées
include a selection of fine cut meats, includ-
ing filet mignon and rib-eye steak. After
appetizers are served, a bread basket is put
on the table to stave off additional hunger
while the main entrées are being prepared.
General waiting time is about 20 minutes,
but the restaurant offers a nice street view as
well as many paintings on the walls to help
pass the time.
The filet mignon is expertly cooked and
tender, overthrowing many meals other res-
taurants around Fort Wayne have to offer.
The bread basket is warm and lightly sea-
soned and the seafood is seared properly.
Paula’s has a casual and friendly atmosphere
and is certainly worth the price.

by Mary distler must create the combinations which determine if

the Spartana’s
writer the meal is appetizing or not.
Assistant Manager Dave Clayton shared that
There are two words to describe Flat Top Grill the restaurant has some special packages that ap-
as an option for a pre-Prom dinner: great and peal to prom goers. When a group makes reserva-
cheap. The uplifting atmosphere keeps spirits high tions with the manager ahead of time, they can
and a friendly staff puts customers in a good mood enjoy unlimited food and a drink for just $13.99
to party. The buffet offers wide varieties of rice, per person. That is a delicious dinner of fresh food
fresh vegetables, sauces and meats that one selects for two for under $30. With school IDs, rates can
prior to advising the chef how he or she would
like it prepared. The choices range from tradi-
tional stir fry to lettuce wraps with many options
in between. The only catch is that the customer
be reduced even more.
Jefferson Pointe’s Flat Top Grill usually fills up
quickly with prom attendees, so be sure to make
reservations ahead of time.
restaurant review
by Flor Ortega traditional spicy and hot Mexican dishes.
With all the chaos of planning the perfect Prom night, it’s possible writer Among recommendable meals are the carne
to have overlooked one important detail: dinner reservations. Do not asada and the chiles rellenos. The carne
fret, it is not too late to have the perfect meal to begin your evening. Walking into the doors of this pictur- asada consists of juicy pieces of beef with a
esque restaurant is like being sent into the side of cheesy beans, Mexican red rice and a
Getting a last-minute reservation may be difficult, but there is always heart of Mexico for a traditional meal, all variety of vegetables in order to form tacos if
the option of dining at home. To help in the search, the Spartana has done without the hassles of a plane flight desired. For those customers that are willing
taken the liberty of dining out ahead of time to rate and review local and language barriers. Complete with ma- to take on the hot and extremely spicy char-
restaurants of various cultures. All are moderate in price, accommo- riachi music, intricately decorated chairs acteristics of Mexican food, the chile rellen-
date large groups and in close proximity to the Grand Wayne Center. and tables, unique figurines, mesmerizing os are perfect. Consisting of peppers stuffed
paintings on the walls and a Spanish-speak- with cheese and cooked in an outer layer of
Biaggis Ristorante Italiano ing staff, Don Chava’s truly transports cus- egg whites, the dish is a customary Mexican
4010 W. Jefferson Boulevard 459-6700 - 11 minutes, 8.08 miles tomers into the foreign and culturally rich meal, served with the same side dishes as the
Sakura Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar country of Mexico. carne asada. To top it all off and complete a
For students looking to practice their savory meal are the tortillas made right in
5828 W. Jefferson Boulevard 459-2022 - 10 minutes, 7.06 miles
Spanish before prom and impress their dates Don Chava’s tortilleria.
Flat Top Grill with their bilingual abilities, the waiters are Upon the completion of a classic Mexi-
4140 W. Jefferson Boulevard 432-4100 - 10 minutes, 7.98 miles more than happy to take orders in Spanish. can meal, customers can bask in their enjoy-
Paula’s Seafood If one is not quite knowledgeable as to what able experience as they recollect the friendly
1732 W. Main Street 422-4322 - 15 minutes, 9.79 miles assortment of Mexican dishes can be taste- service, piquant atmosphere and delectable
fully combined with the sides, the waiters food all under the affordable price of $15.
Don Chava’s Mexican Grill
are well equipped with favorable sugges- As prom attendees leave Don Chava’s with
1234 N. Wells Street 423-6677 - 19 minutes, 11.57 miles tions. the Latin spirit alive in their festive moods,
times and Distances are measured from Homestead Don Chava’s menu consists of all of the they will be ready to dance away.

by Arezoo nazari If a party wants more of an informal dinner,

writer
For couples looking for an elegant, laid back
environment, Biaggis offers just that. With ap-
petizers ranging from $7 to $17, the restaurant
provides various pastas, seafood and grilled spe-
cialties. If one is looking for a light pasta dish,
the spaghetti marinara is a recommended entrée.
However, the heavy creams and delicious tastes
of the farfalle alfredo and chicken cannelloni are
other options if one is not worried about fattening
ingredients. The traditional chicken and eggplant
parmesans are always a safe option if one is uncer-
tain about what they want to order. If someone
prefers food that is grilled rather than fried, the
chicken marsala will be a pleasant choice for those
who like the taste of caramelized onions and sau-
téed mushrooms. However, if one is looking for a
more classic Italian dish, the chicken marsala has
an unusual taste that most may not be too fond of.
Entrée prices range from $10 to $23.
Biaggis also offers pizza, which is freshly prepared
with handmade dough. If one is looking for a veg-
etarian dish, the mediterranean pizza or the mar-
gherita pizza is the way to go. On the other hand,
if one is more interested in meat, the sausage and
pepperoni pizzas are also tasty. The price of pizza is
lower than a majority of the entrées, at $10.
To top off the meal, a tirami su is highly sug-
gested. There are a variety of cakes, puddings and
ice creams that are also available. However, one
does not have to worry much about the prices of
desserts because all of the dishes are $5.99.
Reservations can be booked several months in
advance. In previous years, weekends in May have
always been busy with prom parties. The restau-
rant has designated tables for large groups of 12
to 15 people. Biaggis is already expecting to ac-
commodate 15 to 20 prom parties from various
schools tomorrow night. This year, the number of
reservations continues to soar, which is no surprise
to the employees. Sakura Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
photo by nicole ivanovic

by Nicole Ivanovic are less than fifteen dollars. To start out, an

Writer
For a unique spin on a pre-prom res-
taurant, Sakura Japan is the place to go.
In the restaurant, you are submerged in a
Japanese atmosphere, complete with bam-
boo and decorations. There is a room where
guests with special reservations can sit to
experience a traditional Japanese dining
atmosphere, including sitting on the floor.
“If large groups, like [groups of ] prom stu-
dents, make reservations, we will normally
seat them in the special room to give them
the full experience,” Michael Tam, Sakura
Japan host, said.
The menu at Sakura offers a full range
of foods offered in Japan, including sushi
and tempura. The dinners are affordable for
families that want to try Japanese cuisine.
Flat Top Grill The prices at Sakura Japan attract a wide
variety of people since most of the entrees
photo by margaret distler
authentic appetizer is the tempura. Tempu-
ra is an assortment of vegetables and meats
lightly fried in a special batter. An entrée for
two is the bento box, which is a sampling
of rice, meat, sushi, steamed vegetables and
a sauce. The bento box comes in a type of
lunch tray, with different compartments for
the different foods. If one orders enough su-
shi for four to five people, the food comes
in a wooden boat. The hibachi chicken or
steak is a good starter meal for those that are
new to Japanese flavors. The meat is tossed
in a flavorful but light sauce. With the en-
trees come soup, salad and rice, which all
give you a light experience of how the foods
in Japan taste.
With fast service and an affordable menu,
the experience at Sakura Japan is a memora-
ble way to start any special evening. Sakura
Japan should be number one on your list of
places to eat before prom.