WokStar--Lenior City

As each week passes, I see the new trend of restaurants popping up.   That's right....walk up to the counter, order your food...and then search for a table.    With WokStar prices, I would expect a waitperson to greet and seat!   

Prices start about 8 bucks for lunch plate.  Every thing else is a la carte, four buck for two eggs rolls, ( I only wanted ONE but had to buy two), soup extra, brown rice extra.    This was NOT the lunch special I am used to seeing.  

On to the food, it was good, no complaints about that.    Need a refill...go get it yourself.   One visit was all I needed to determine that isn't my type of  non-service restaurant.     I paid for linen napkin service at a comparable restaurant but received drive thru attention.  

Lemon Grass Thai & Sushi--Knoxville

What a beautiful restaurant and what a beautiful presentation of lunch!   The daily lunch special was probably one of the most attractively plated meals I have ever received.   Lemon Grass Thai & Sushi DOES it RIGHT. 

The Daily Lunch Box Special!  

Arriving at the door, the daily special was listed.    All this...for $7.95...I couldn't believe it.   The next overwhelming feature was the quality of the food.   Fresh....Hot and properly prepared.    Chicken with beans, Thai Tempura,  Coconut Vegetable soup..although the daily special board listed Tom Hum Kung Soup..they had sold out.  Also....the California Roll...House Salad with Ginger Dressing and Jasmine Rice.  I didn't believe that I could eat it all....but somehow, I managed!  The Chicken with beans was a perfect temperature and had just been prepared...and the flavor of the Coconut Vegetable Soup would knock your flip flops off...it was so good. 

Coconut Vegetable Soup was pure velvet and chocked full of flavor

The Entrance, stuck in the middle of the Cedar Bluff Shopping Mall was a little underwhelming, but the interior was one of the nicest Asian restaurants in this area.    Beautiful, to say the least...and the white table cloth draped tables also was a treat. 

The Entrance

The Sushi Bar

The Wine and Beer Service Area

Lemon Grass Thai and Sushi serves wine and beer...no liquor, but I haven't really found a cocktail I prefer with Thai food. 

I would highly recommend this place as a NOT MISS restaurant....you won't be sorry...oh, and one last thing, I find that if you pay CASH, you receive a 5% discount.   Lemon Grass Thai does accept Debit and Credit but do feature the cash discount.    Seems to be a trend with many restaurants "up north". 

Ayala's--Lenoir City

It  keeps getting better in Lenoir City.    Another Mexican restaurant that is better than the last!  I guess we are just fortunate not having to drive into Knoxville and/or Oak Ridge.  

We arrived about 5:30 PM on a Sunday holiday weekend.   When arriving, the restaurant was relatively quiet.   It didn't take long before the crowds started to show!  

We were immediately seated and our waiter brought by great tortilla chips and a muy bueno salsa.  I might add, this is not like what you would be accustomed to.  No chunky tomato version, but a genuine Ranchero salsa.   Smooth, with a great kick in the pants.   Nice, smokey, and seasoned just right.   While we enjoyed the salsa, we also ordered Guacamole Dip for $2.50.   Probably the freshest guacamole I have had in recent memory.  

Browsing the menu, the Pollo Loco and Enchiladas Suizas popped out.   The Pollo was served with an outstanding sauce (I would call gravy).   The onions and mushrooms were sauteed until golden and the onions were caramelized.   The sauce covered a very tender double chicken breast.  Included  with the plate was rice and beans for the Daily Special at $7.50.  Checking the menu, I see that dish is normally $9.75.     Suizas were moist, flavorful, and the chicken was melt in your mouth tender....not overly spicy...just a nice amount of heat from the enchilada sauce. 


No dessert ordered this night...but a great deal about $40 including a pitcher of Top Shelf Margaritas.   Definitely a return visit will be scheduled.    Very Nice Lounge and Outdoor seating available since Tennessee Restaurants are non smoking.      Another Ayala's  Restaurant has now opened in Tellico Village....must stop by for lunch next time.