Don't remember if I've blogged before about Noodles and Company, the new casual dining place in town. There are two locations, one in Mason and one in Hyde Park, where I am now (killing some time before an 8:00 outing). Don't get them confused with Nothing But Noodles, which was horrible. There was a Noodles and Company in Madison back when I went to school there, and it was a favorite of mine back then. Casual dining is a great way to go, because it allows me to come in and dine in and meanwhile do some blogging without feeling weird. All they need now is some wifi! I've also made them part of my strategy to eat better, since sautéed noodles aren't breaded and fried. I also like their food a lot, so it's a win win for me.
Today I'm enjoying their "Trio" combo, which is a small portion of noodles, a meat, and a side salad. They advertise it as "balance" for your meal. Perfect, as I'm trying to find a sustainable way for me to eat better. It really beats doing what other places are doing, that is making larger portions and charging more for them. They're probably a bit pricey, as my noodle/salad combo came out to ~$7 without a drink, but I'm willing to pay a little more for good food that won't kill me. Wish there were more places with that model!
My favorites so far: Pasta Fresca with chicken and the Japanese Pan Noodles with beef. Tried the Indonesian peanut, it was really good but slightly spicy for my tastes.
10 comments:
ya know what i love?
noodles.
I know the development chef at Noodles & Co rather well-I used to work with and for him at Givaudan. (the one I know has been at Noodles 2.5 years; there are just 2 chefs/developers.). He's pretty much my culinary/development career mentor.
No kidding! I was eating there today and wondering what makes it so much better than Nothing But Noodles. I'm thinking maybe it's the flavors, the texture, what? Do you know?
If the Noodles chef is mentor, that just gives you another leg up to be my personal chef someday :)
I actually thought they were pretty good value since they tell you not to tip.
I <3 anything with peanut sauce.
i've been waiting for what martha's comment was. i knew she'd have something to say.
i have yet to try either noodle place.
I don't know the difference between the two companies (b/c I know nothing about or anyone at Nothing but Noodles), but I know a lot of the practices of Noodles & Co. I think it has to do with they use good ingredients, make the products in house (they don't manufacture most of it in a common place and ship it out - they order in common ingredients and follow a recipe in each restaurant). Both the chefs there are big on flavors coming from the ingredients rather than, well, flavors (they still use some flavors, like in the meat).
Oh, do you ever eat the bread? I've been told that it's not good (and therefor don't order it).
Can't say I've ever tried the bread. But I wouldn't order noodles at Panera either.
ok, now i really really liked Nothing But Noodles - i liked the atmosphere, the basil pasta, the location. Ah well... i guess i'll try your new noodles place. Where is it in Mason?
Karen, you are the first person I know that LIKES Nothing but Noodles. Everyone else I know that has gone there told me how horrible it was. (when you get 10 people telling you not to try someplace and no one offering up a good review, you don't check it out! I admit it, I've never been there to give my input, but enough people who's tastes I trust/are similar to mine really did not like it).
Check out Noodles & Co! I believe they are good, I know their ingredients are good. I have only been there once or twice and commented back to Ken that they were off - it actually caused their other chef to come here and retrain the staff at both locations(to be fair, I went within weeks of them opening in this region and they were still working the kinks out. The Japanese Pan noodles sounded fabulous, still do, and I need to go back and see if they corrected it).
Shoot, Dale, I don't like eating the bread from Panera!! hahaha.
The good Noodles is on Tylersville Road just before the mega strip mall with the target in it. There's also one in Hyde Park by the Chipotle.
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