Mixed Feelings at Restaurant 224 - A Gem for Some, A Miss for Others
Review:
During a recent visit to Restaurant 224 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, my expectations were tinged with excitement, largely due to the establishment's glowing Google reviews and the eager recommendations from the younger members of our group. Our party of eight, spanning generations from the 20s to the 84s, anticipated a dining experience that would cater to our diverse tastes and expectations.
The majority of our group, six to be exact, left satisfied, praising the meal with no reservations. Their satisfaction speaks volumes of the restaurant's ability to deliver enjoyable dishes to a wide range of palates. The affordability of Restaurant 224 is undoubtedly its crowning glory. The ability to serve a hearty and fulfilling meal for eight under $100 is nothing short of remarkable in today's dining scene, a factor that understandably makes it a hit, especially among the younger crowd who had frequented the establishment on numerous occasions.
However, dining experiences are multifaceted, and ambiance plays a crucial role in the overall impression. Unfortunately, for two of us seated near the kitchen, the experience was marred by an uncomfortable soundtrack of continuous sneezing and other unappetizing sounds emanating from the kitchen. This not only dampened our spirits but also raised concerns about hygiene practices within the establishment, a critical factor for any dining experience but more so in these times.
As someone who values cleanliness and consistency in dining establishments, my experience at Restaurant 224 fell short of expectations. Despite the restaurant's commendable consistency in food quality, as reported by my companions, nothing on our table struck me as exceptional or memorable, aside from the price point.
In conclusion, Restaurant 224 presents a paradox of sorts. It stands as a testament to affordability in dining without significant compromise on food quality, making it a potentially great choice for those less perturbed by the nuances of dining ambiance and kitchen hygiene. However, for patrons like myself, who place a premium on cleanliness and an all-encompassing dining experience, it may not hit the mark. My rating of 3 out of 5 reflects this dichotomy—a place of great value yet room for improvement in ensuring a uniformly enjoyable experience for...
Read more(Menu number) Chef’s special Beef rice noodle soup 224 special (shrimps, meatballs) rice noodle soup Vietnamese spring rolls (shrimps, pork) And also a 1 person set A, wonton soup medium (which also has the meatballs), and a Vietnamese coffee which is sweet, rich and marvellous. The beef noodle soup is sweet (the staff said they make the beef soup fresh everyday with bones, ox tails and because it has lots of gelatin, they do not put it into the fridge which will become jelly, so they spend hours early before the shop opens to get it ready) and cherubic, the beef is chewy and tastes fantastic. 224 special noodle soup does not have the beef soup base which would be plain compared to the beef noodle soup. It has a plate of sprouts and vegetables for you to add on. The spring rolls are crazily good! We love them. The sauce is sweet and probably with peanuts. The 1 person set with fried rice, sweet and sour pork, barbecued pork (Char Siu), deep fried chicken balls and deep fried shrimp balls. We had the bench / booth seats which are red and very comfortable. When we paid the bill, the staff reminded us that we could have the fortune cookies. One of the slip inside had my birthday numbers in it. It is really a special day. Happy All...
Read moreWent in here for my first meal in Saskatoon. After a long day of flying and being awake for over 15 hours at that time, the restaurant was my first stop before exploring the city. Thr atmosphere inside is quite nice, a lot more spacious than it appears form the outside looking in. The gentleman who sat me down was very helpful and had great attitude, recommending dishes whilst chatting a bit too. He was very much on top of his duty and checked in with all the tables consistently to provide water and services. The food was quite nice, nothing over the top but very delicious, and the selection combining Vietnamese with other East Asian dishes meant you have lots of options to select from. I'd definetly recommend visiting this place as the service, speed of food, and taste all but makes for a nice experience. Also, the prices are pretty cheap compared to Toronto, so even though there may be less Asian culture in Saskatoon, the food was also a lot cheaper than the hundreds if not thousands of restaurants in...
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