Photo by Bryan Stevens Angkor Bistro in Johnson City offers some innovative Asian dishes.

In the crowded field of Asian-centric restaurants in the Tri-Cities, Angkor Bistro can lay claim to having carved out at least one unique niche. To my knowledge this is the only restaurant in the region with a focus on Cambodian (Khmer) cuisine and I can’t say enough food things about this delightful Johnson City restaurant.

The establishment’s website emphasizes that fact, spotlighting the fact that Angkor Bistro is the first eatery in Johnson City to offer a selection of popular Cambodian dishes.

Named for the ancient Buddhist temple, Angkor Wat, this restaurant is open for business in a small strip mall along North State of Franklin Road. The menu offers a selection of appetizers, salads, soups and entrées.

Angkor Bistro quickly shot to near the top of my favorite Asian restaurants soon after its opening. I’ve been working my way through the array of curry dishes available, but many of the noodle dishes and stir-fries have also won my approval.

The eatery’s focus on Cambodian culture and cuisine extends to the pleasant, tranquil atmosphere of the restaurant. The dining area offers modern design touches, including seating at contemporary-styled tables with geometric, bright yellow, utilitarian chairs. Bright leaf-green and pale-gray walls offer a neutral and tranquil atmosphere. Some framed artwork of Cambodian scenes are also displayed on the walls. Decorative touches include potted bamboo plants and Buddha figurines.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Massaman Curry at Angkor Bistro in Johnson City.

A sampling of recorded instrumental music plays softly in the background to offer a soothing, relaxing atmosphere for diners. There’s also a wall-mounted television in one corner of the dining area that plays a continuous loop of scenic Cambodian vistas interspersed with photos of menu items. Free w-fi is offered for the use of patrons.

The servers have always impressed me as polite, friendly, and attentive, but not at all intrusive. They are more than happy to answer questions about menu items and even make accommodations to personal tastes.

In addition to soft drinks, the menu offers a mix of other beverages, including Thai Iced Tea, Thai Iced Coffee and a variety of Bubble Teas, a Taiwanese tea-based drink mixed with fruit and milk and served over small, chewy pearls of tapioca.

I like to start off a visit with an appetizer, and Angkor Bistro offers a modest selection of tempting meal-starters, including Egg Rolls, Fresh Spring Rolls, Fried Pot Stickers, or Gyoza, Cheese Wontons and Fried Shumai Dumplings.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
A sampling of appetizers at Angkor Bistro, including Spring Rolls and Egg Rolls.

The Spring Rolls rank as my overall favorite among the appetizers. These meal-starters consist of rice-paper wrappers filled with chilled shrimp, cucumber, lettuce, cilantro, basil and carrots. These light, delectable morsels are served with a peanut-peppery dipping sauce.

On a recent visit, a friend and I shared an order of Fried Shumai Dumplings, which consisted of five crispy morsels served with a flavorful soy sauce for dipping.

The Egg Rolls, which feature wrappers loaded with minced meat, herbs and spices and fried to a crispy, golden-brown, are another favorite. The same soy sauce for dipping accompanied this appetizer, but upon request, a bottle of hot Sriracha sauce will also be provided to spice enthusiasts.

As I mentioned, the eatery’s curry dishes have become such favorites of mine that I am sometimes hesitant to branch out beyond them.  Some new house specials, however, have persuaded me to occasionally deviate from my fondness for curry. The Braised Beef Rice Noodle Bowl turned out to be an amazing discovery.

This dish starts out as a rice noodle soup blended with a harmonious array of many of the common ingredients found in the Southeast Asia region, including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, paprika, star anise and turmeric. These ingredients defined the color, aroma and amazing taste of this unique dish. Although the broth is red, it is not at all spicy like the kind of dishes flavored with hot chili peppers.

Still, I often find myself leaning toward the curry dishes. My favorite is the Panang Curry, which is an intensely flavorful blend of boiled potatoes, yellow onions, chicken and the perfect combination of spices. I’ve tried four of the five curry dishes. I still need to sample the Green Curry.

My most recent visit introduced me to the Red Curry, which is moderately spicy and features green bell peppers, yellow onions and squash sauteed with chicken and spices. I found the Red Curry a strong, sharp, fresh and flavorful dish, and a definite rival with the Panang Curry for my favorite. I prefer chicken as the protein for the curries, but other options include pork, beef, shrimp and tofu.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
The Red Curry at Angkor Bistro is exceptional.

Several Cha, or Stir Fry, dishes are also available, including Snow Peas Stir Fry, Ginger Chicken, Bamboo Shrimp, Pineapple Fried Rice, Chicken Basil and Pork in Chili Paste. Most of the stir fry dishes can be ordered with the same choice of proteins —chicken, shrimp, pork,  beef and tofu — as are offered with the curries.

The stir fries and curries are accompanied by a choice of rice: jasmine, brown, fried or, for a modest additional charge, coconut rice. It’s worth the extra cost to get the coconut rice, but I’m also a big fan of the jasmine rice.

In addition, the menu offers a handful of noodle stir fries, including Drunken Noodles and Phad Thai.

Most of the dishes I have tried have been served warm, but Angkor Bistro recently added a cold salad dish to the menu that I think is a real winner: Vermicelli Rice Noodle Salad. This salad features lettuce, basil, cilantro, cucumber slice, ground peanuts and vermicelli noodles to which a couple of egg rolls, cut into bite-sized portions, are added. Chicken, pork or shrimp can be added to the salad, too.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
The Pad Thai at Angkor Bistro in Johnson City.

If I’m feeling extra hungry, I also like to add a bowl of soup to my meals when I visit Angkor Bistro. Choices include Tom Kha, a delicately seasoned soup blended with chicken, coconut milk, mushrooms and other vegetables, as well as the Tom Yum, an aromatic and hearty soup of plump shrimp, mushrooms, scallions and various herbs and spices in a rich, savory base. Tom Yum is a staple at most Thai restaurants, but this is one of the best I’ve sampled anywhere. I relish every spoonful of this bold soup.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Tom Yum Soup at Angkor Bistro.

Angkor Bistro deserves a loyal embrace from lovers of Asian cuisines. Give them try and get a taste of the cuisine of Cambodia. If you go, let them know they were highly recommended.

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AT A GLANCE: Angkor Bistro, 600 N. State of Franklin, Johnson City.  929-1001. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Menu items $7.59 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

This column is also available at http://www.cartercountycompass.com/

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Bamboo Shrimp at Angkor Bistro.

 

 

Enjoy cuisine of Germany at Johnson City’s Freiberg’s German Restaurant

Why wait until fall to celebrate Oktobefest? The cuisine of Germany has been available in the Tri-Cities since 2008 when Freiberg’s German Restaurant in Johnson City has been serving plenty of bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel and much more.

Andreas Herholz and his wife, Michele, opened Freiberg’s in 2008. The restaurant’s atmosphere encourages patrons to unwind and enjoy a leisurely meal in pleasant surroundings designed to imitate the exterior of a small German town.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Bratwurst paired with fries and sauerkraut.

In fact, according to a story on the restaurant’s menu, the restaurant is named after a little German town in the Saxon region of East Germany. The town’s chief claim to fame was silver mining, which spanned 800 years of the town’s history.

The dining area is located on two levels and offers a rustic atmosphere highlighted by terra cotta and cream walls, wrought iron railings, cuckoo clocks and chandeliers fashioned out of antlers. German flags are also displayed on the walls. The restaurant is a great destination if you’re getting together with a group of friends for a fun lunch or dinner. The restaurant also regularly offers live entertainment, which enhances Freiberg’s desirability as a lively, fun dining destination.

The menu’s Vorspeisen, or Appetizers, section offers Saxon Potato Skins, Frittierter Blumenkohl (Fried Cauliflower), Frittierter Kaese Platte (Fried Cheese Platter) and Pretzels with Beer Cheese. The Fried Cheese Platter is an innovative twist on a traditional meal-starter favorite. Three different mixtures — Ham and Swiss, Blue Cheese and Cream Cheese and Spinach — provide the fillings for these ample wedges of cheese fried to a golden-brown crisp. Diners can also start off a meal with a cup or bowl of Linsensuppe, or Lentil Soup, which consists of lentils stewed with carrots, onions, potatoes and a blend of spices.These hearty appetizers are another reason to make a trip to Freiberg’s in the company of several hungry friends.

Choosing a main course involves careful contemplation of the array of options. German fare is largely a “meat and potatoes” affair, with some cabbage tossed in for good measure. The menu offers Suppen and Salate, or Soups and Salads, as well as a variety of sandwiches, Bratwurst (Grilled Pork Sausage Links) and other entrees. The main selection of Hauptspeisen, or Entrees, includes a variety of pork, beef and chicken dishes accompanied by a selection of traditional German side dishes.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Try Freiberg’s in Johnson City for a taste of German cuisine.

The items include Goulasch, which is actually a Hungarian dish described on the menu as “too good to be called a stew.” There’s also a nod to its origins in Hungary, as well as the proviso that it was perfected in Germany.

Other classic German fare includes Huehnchen (Chicken) Schnitzel; the Boulette (German-style Ground Beef Steak smothered in onions); Jaegger Schnitzel, which is a hand-breaded pork tenderloin topped with onion, red wine and mushroom gravy; and the Freiberg Schnitzel, which is served smothered with roasted onions and the restaurant’s creamy beer cheese sauce.

One of my favorite dishes has been the Schnitzel with Spicy Paprika Sauce. I’ve also enjoyed the eatery’s delectable Sauerbraten, which consists of a tender beef roast soaked for three days in Freiberg’s signature marinade, then slow-cooked for hours and topped in its own gravy. Pair the Sauerbraten with Rot Kohl (Red Cabbage) or Sauerkraut, as well as Brakkartoffeln (Fried Potatoes with Onion and Bacon) – these are delicious – or Bavarian Potato Salad for a flavorful, filling meal.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
The Pork Schnitzel with Spicy Paprika Sauce goes great with Sauerkraut and Bavarian Potato Salad.

For dessert, Freiberg’s offers its own take on Apple Strudel. The strudel consists of a large pastry filled with apples, cranberries and nuts, and it is topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Much German fare lends itself to consumption with beers, and the restaurant offers an impressive selection of German and other imported beer.

The restaurant also offers a lunch menu. All the dinner favorites are present at more modest prices. Even better, the portions are still quite ample.

There’s also a Kinderkarte, or Children’s Menu, so bring along the entire family.

I’ve always been impressed with my visits to Freiberg’s, and I am already looking forward to returning and sampling more of the items on the menu.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                                                                                                                           The Sauerbraten at Freiberg’s German Restaurant in Johnson City is a classic German version of tender, slow-roasted roast beef.

White Elephant a welcome gift for Elizabethton diners

 

Photo by Bryan Stevens
The Italian Sub at White Elephant Fresh Market in Elizabethton.

It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room when it comes to downtown dining in Betsy.

With a winning combination of fresh-made sandwiches and good-to-the-last-spoonful soups, The White Elephant Fresh Market in downtown Elizabethton has been winning over diners since its opening last November.

The White Elephant is a partnership between co-owners Michael Henley and Erik Kitchens. They’ve created a wonderful addition to the downtown Elizabethton dining scene with a creative menu of hearty sandwiches, sensational soups and, now on Saturdays during the Carter County Car Club’s weekly Cruise-in, a variety of tempting hot dogs.

I’ve enjoyed a handful of visits since this eatery’s opening, and my most recent one has reminded me that I need to frequent this eatery more often.

“We’re still building up our clientele,” Henley said, noting that business has been good since opening back in November of last year.

The White Elephant has been offering a menu of hot dogs targeted for Saturday’s downtown Cruise-In, which brings a lot of traffic and potential customers to Elk Avenue.

The all-beef dogs are all-natural and nitrate-free. They include the Volcano, which is smothered in the White Elephant’s homemade Pimento Cheese, and the Gut Grenade, which includes such trimmings as chili, kraut, onions, mustard and more of that Pimento Cheese. There’s also a Naked Dog, which is just plain, as well as the Sir Slaws Alot, a dog piled high with White Elephant’s wonderfully tangy Blue Cheese Slaw.

Through the week, the White Elephant focuses on the sandwiches and soups.

Sandwiches include a range of both hot and cold sandwiches, including an Italian Sub, Reuben and a Kentucky Hot Brown, which is served open-faced on white bread with applewood-smoked turkey and bacon, covered in cheese sauce and diced tomatoes.

Photo by David Thometz
Michael Henley works on one of the hand-crafted sandwiches that are the specialty of the White Elephant.

My first visit at the White Elephant introduced me to this eatery’s version of The Muffaletta, a New Orelans-inspired sandwich made from olive salad, bologna, salami, ham and provolone cheese served on ciabatta bread with cheese and pepperoni baked in. This sandwich provided a fantastic fusion of some zesty flavors.

My most recent visit with a friend took place on a sunny spring afternoon. The soup of the day during our visit was Chicken and Dumping Soup, and I immediately wanted to try a bowl.

This soup featured an assortment of herbs and vegetables, including onions, carrots and celery, in a savory, creamy broth. My bowl contained several tasty, fluffy dumplings and I savored every spoonful.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
A bowl of Chicken and Dumpling Soup at White Elephant Fresh Market.

On previous visits, I’ve enjoyed bowls of the rich and hearty Broccoli Cheese Soup, which has been a big hit with regular customers. Other recent soup offerings have included Summer Squash Delight, Maryland Crab, Tomato, Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice, Chicken Tortilla and Cioppino, which is a type of Seafood Chowder.

Of course, I wanted to pair my soup with a sandwich, so I contemplated several of those listed on the menu, including the Turkey Reuben, French Dip and the Golden Gobbler, which features applewood-smoked ham and turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese and honey-dijon mustard, all served on white bread. The MD Pit Beef Sandwich, which features pit beef on a roll with horseradish mayo and thinly slice onions, also tempted me.

On the recommendation of another customer at the counter, I chose the Italian Sub. This cold sandwich is served on a toasted sub roll and features salami, prosciutto, capicola ham, lettuce, tomato, onion and oil and vinegar dressing. This is a great sandwich for those who enjoy zestier flavors.

My friend considered the Vermont, which offers applewood-smoked turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon and maple-grain mustard on white bread, but decided on the White Elephant’s version of the Monte Cristo. This sandwich evolved from the French croque-monsieur, which is essentially a fried ham and cheese sandwich.

Photo by David Thometz
A tasty version of the famous Monte Cristo is one of many sandwiches available at White Elephant Fresh Market.

At the White Elephant, the Monte Cristo is served on buttery, toasted white bread, piled high with applewood-smoked ham and turkey, cheese and Dijon mustard and accompanied by a small container of currant jelly on the side.

Customers can also choose a “build-your-own” sandwich option that gives them the flexibility to choose their own breads, cheeses, meats and vegetables.

In addition to bags of potato chips, the White Elephant offers a couple of side dishes, including Potato Salad and Blue Cheese Coleslaw. I love the slaw, which is a refreshing blend of tangy blue cheese and creamy dressing tossed into a classic cabbage slaw.

Nothing that I have tried at this new establishment could be considered average or ordinary. Everything I’ve sampled has some creative flair that stands out.

There’s not a lot of seating, with only about four small tables in the dining area. The decor is completed with a vintage soda chest at the back of the eatery. A refrigerated glass display case at the front of the eatery showcases the meats and cheeses used for building the sandwiches. Decorating the walls are such items as nostalgic state license plates and shelfs displaying vintage soda bottles.

The eatery also enjoys a brisk carry-out business, and I am very impressed with the neat, precise way that the sandwiches are packaged neatly and precisely in white butcher paper.

It’s a certainty I will be back for future visits since there are still several sandwiches and soups I haven’t yet sampled. If you’ve not made a trip to the White Elephant, make a point to do so in the near future. Let them know they came highly recommended.

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AT A GLANCE: White Elephant Fresh Market, 602 E. Elk Ave., Elizabethton. 518-1111. Menu items $7.99 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                                                                                                                    Unwrap a Muffaletta and a side of Blue Cheese Slaw from White Elephant Fresh Market.

 

 

Dixie’s Diner expands Stoney Creek dining options

 

Some friends and I made it a point to dine at Dixie’s Diner on Stoney Creek in Elizabethton this past week.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Dixie’s Diner is located at 1791 Highway 91, Elizabethton.

The meal marked our first visit to the restaurant, which was opened last fall by owner James Harris. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed and told to seat ourselves at any of the eatery’s booths and tables. Banner-sized placards with big, friendly letters promoting slogans such as, “Live life with a twist,” and, “Here, everybody’s a regular,” adorn the wood-plank walls. The chair and benches are upholstered in dark burgundy vinyl. The dining area isn’t showy, but it is cozy, comfortable and clean, and the wood-plank gives the room a rustic touch and imparts a bit of a golden glow to the lighting.

The menu at Dixie’s Diner isn’t elaborate, preferring to keep the focus on burgers, sandwiches and a few country-style dinner platters. In addition to lunch and dinner, the restaurant also offers breakfast all day with a menu of traditional favorites such as biscuits and gravy, hash browns, pancakes, omelets and French toast.

The motivation for our recent visit was to show solidarity with the restaurant’s effort to support paper carriers let go by the Elizabethton Star. It’s rare to come across a business with a conscience these days, but the owners of Dixie’s Diner made a wonderful gesture by setting aside half of the proceeds to be divided among the roughly 16 carriers affected by the decision made by the Alabama owners of the formerly locally-owned newspaper.

The cause was particularly close to my heart since I was among the dozen employees let go in a massive purge a couple of months ago. This new weekly blog was born of that decision after I had numerous people request that I continue my weekly discussions of regional restaurants.

The day I learned of the decision that I was no longer needed at a paper with which I enjoyed a 20-year history was, understandably enough, a difficult one. Thankfully, several local restaurants made it a little more bearable. Jiggy Ray’s, a new pizzeria in downtown Elizabethton, treated me and several co-workers to a free lunch when the manager discovered what had gone down at the newspaper. It was a much-appreciated gesture. I’d encourage everyone to patronize Dixie’s Diner and Jiggy Ray’s, as well as Sycamore Drive-In in Elizabethton. Sycamore Drive-In owner Gary Hicks has been very outspoken in his support for all the community workers who were adversely affected by the decision, which was made by distant corporate heads from Alabama who had made no more than a couple of visits to Elizabethton and no attempt to actually get to know their new employees.

But, stepping back off of my soap-box, the main focus of this weekly endeavor is to introduce readers to some suggested dining destinations.

Dixie’s Diner, although tucked away up Stoney Creek beyond both Unaka High School and Unaka Elementary School, is worth the drive.

My friends and I were treated courteously and attentively by the servers, who also helped by making some recommendations on menu items.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Meatloaf, Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes at Dixie’s DIner.

 I chose the Meatloaf Dinner, which is accompanied by a choice of two sides, which can include French Fries, Green Beans, Onion Rings, Corn, Fried Okra and Mashed Potatoes. I chose the Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes.

Other dinner platters that got my notice included Hamburger Steak Dinner, Pork Chop Dinner and a large and small Chicken Tender Dinner.

 

One of my friends, a burger connoisseur, studied the those options on the menu. Burgers come in two sizes – 4-ounce and 6-ounce patties – and are served with fries and a drink. Any of the burgers can also be ordered as a double with two patties. Options include Hamburger, Cheeseburger and Bacon-Cheeseburger. He chose the latter.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Dixie Diner’s Bacon Cheeseburger with a side of Crinkle-cut French Fries.

My other friend considered some of the sandwiches, including the BLT and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich. In the end, he chose one of the dinner platters and ordered the Pork Chop Dinner. For his two sides, he choose Fried Okra and French Fries.

About the only other items on the menu are a couple of dinner salads and a two-Hotdog Platter. We chose to share an order of Onion Rings among the three of us. Our food arrived speedily.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the meatloaf consisted of two muffin-shaped servings of meatloaf topped with ketchup. Every restaurant serves its own version of this comfort food classic, and I enjoyed the muffin-sized meatloaf servings. The meatloaf at Dixie’s Diner is firm, flavorful and not at all greasy.

My friends also reported satisfaction with their meals. The burger aficionado enjoyed his order, which featured a six-ounce patty, topped with an ample amount of bacon and cheese, and served on a sesame-seed bun.

Photo by David Thometz
The Pork Chops Dinner Platter accompanied by French Fries and Fried Okra at Dixie’s Diner.

My friend who ordered the two pork chops was also pleased with the only minor complaint being they might have been cooked slightly too long. The thinly-sliced chops were still well seasoned, flavorful and paired nicely with the Mashed Potatoes and the golden-brown Fried Okra.

I also like the nicely seasoned Green Beans and the Mashed Potatoes that came with my Meatloaf.

Although we were all just too full to indulge, Dixe’s Diner does offer some sweet at the conclusion of the meal, including Funnel Cakes, Snow Cones and Ice Cream. We’ll try to get back for some of those sweets in the near future. I’d also like to make a return visit and try the breakfast at Dixie’s Diner.

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AT A GLANCE: Dixie’s Diner, 1791 Highway 91, Elizabethton. 474-0080. Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Menu items $7.59 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

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Do you have a restaurant you would like spotlighted? Post a message in the comments or send email to diningdestinations@wordpress.com

 

 

 

Try Paragon for classic diner fare with flair

 

A friend and I enjoyed a recent Saturday afternoon meal at the Paragon Diner, a new eatery in Johnson City. This restaurant, which opened for business in late 2013, offers classical diner fare with flair for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We enjoyed every aspect of the visit, including friendly service, good-tasting food and a welcoming and well-considered dining atmosphere.

The new diner, which is owned by Peter Simeon, Gus Coubis and Harry Arsi, offers a diverse menu. In addition to classic American diner cuisine, there’s also a nod to some Greek and Mediterranean dishes, including Baked Spinach Pie, Souvlaki, Gyros, Eggplant Parmigiana, Fettuccine Alfredo and Greek Style Spaghetti.

Located in the building that formerly housed the Atlanta Bread Company, the Paragon Diner has transformed its surroundings with well-planned focus on a stately but inviting interior design. The walls are painted dark taupe-gray and sage green, and are contrasted with white brickwork and trim as well as some tin-stamped paneling. Some unframed canvas works of art are displayed on the walls.  There’s a white-brick corner fireplace that lends the entire dining room some cozy comfort. Artistic light fixtures, ornamental faceted sunburst mirrors and floor-length windows draped with white linen curtains complete the tasteful decor. Seating is available at tables and various booths and half-booths.

Upon entering the restaurant, you can’t miss the large glass display that showcases the restaurant’s delectable assortment of cakes and pies.

Photo by David Thometz
The display case of delicious desserts at Paragon Diner in Johnson City.

Asked whether we preferred a table or booth, we chose the latter and were quickly seated. Our server, Tiffany, provided menus and took our drink orders.

As I’ve mentioned, the menu’s quite extensive, so it took some time to study the offerings, which included appetizers, breakfast favorites, salads, sandwiches, burgers, paninis, wraps and triple-deckers. The menu also listed Greek and Italian specialties, hot open-faced platters, poultry, steaks, chops, seafood and pasta.

We began the meal with a shared appetizer, which include Spinach Pie, Potato Skins, Chicken Tenders and Chicken Quesadilla, as well as Baked Feta Cheese and Olives. This last item, which also came with our server’s recommendation, sounded quite unique. This meal-starter features two slabs of baked feta cheese served on a bed of mixed greens and garnished with sliced black olives. The tangy cheese was warm and delicious and went well with the olives and greens, which had been drizzled with olive oil. Although delicious, it was a lot for two diners; I’d recommend this appetizer for a small party of four or five.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                               Baked Feta Cheese and Olives makes a nice appetizer for sharing.

We then turned our full attention to choosing our main dishes. Some of the specialty sandwiches got my notice, include the Monte Cristo and Chicken Cordon Bleu, as did some of the Greek and Italian specialties. I also considered several of the pasta dishes, including St. Luis Pasta, which features Grilled Chicken, spinach and tomatoes in a spicy Cajun cream sauce served over fettuccine pasta, and the Pasta Portabella with Chicken. The Center Cut Marinated Jumbo Pork Chops and the Filet of Sole Florentine also vied for my attention.

I decided to try the Gyro Platter, which is accompanied by a small Greek salad, sauteed vegetables, pita bread and tzatziki sauce.

My friend ordered the Chicken Breast Florentine after also considering the Chicken Marsala and Mediterranean Shrimp.

I also added a cup of soup. The selections available during our visit were Beef and Noodle and Chicken and Rice. I chose the Beef and Noodle. My friend added a cup of the Chicken and Rice Soup to his meal.

The soup arrived ahead of the main meal. The Beef and Noodle was a hearty mix of bowtie pasta, celery, carrots, peas, corn, green beans, onion and beef in a tomato-based broth. The Chicken and Rice Soup featured the same vegetables as those in the Beef and Noodle Soup, but in a milder chicken broth.

Photo by David Thometz
Lamb Gyro Platter

The main dishes arrived quickly, and we were impressed with the ample portions. The lamb gyro was heaped on a bed of seasoned rice, accompanied by sauteed green beans. The Greek salad consisted of mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes and black olives with a zesty Greek dressing. The pita bread and tzatziki sauce provided the traditional accompaniment for the lamb gyros.

My friend enjoyed the Chicken Breast Florentine, which featured layers of feta cheese and mounds of sauteed spinach over a chicken breast.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Chicken Breast Florentine

 

Of course, after passing by that display case of desserts on our way into the restaurant, we could not resist trying some of these sweets. In addition to fruit-topped cheesecake, the available desserts included Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Hummingbird Cake and Italian Cream Cake.

I chose a piece of Strawberry Shortcake, while my friend ordered the Black Forest Cake. My Strawberry Shortcake arrived as a tall wedge of cake that featured layers of strawberry mousse between the white cake. The outside of the cake was dusted with slivered almonds, topped with fresh strawberries and more sliced almonds and drizzled with a vanilla syrup. The cake was sweet, moist and delicious, a perfect end to the meal. My friend also liked the Black Forest Cake, which featured a rich, decadent melding of dark chocolate with sweet cherries.

 

 

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Sample a delectable dessert at the meal’s end, such as this Strawberry Shortcake.

We left very impressed. Paragon Diner should be a wonderful addition to the Johnson City dining scene. We have already returned for several additional visits. If you go, let them know they were recommended.

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AT A GLANCE: Paragon Diner, 2010 Franklin Terrace Court, 631-0628. Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrees range from $5.95-$17.95. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

 

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If you would like to recommend a restaurant for this weekly exploration of regional dining destinations, send an email to diningdestinations@wordpress.com or call me at 423-725-2666.