On my way to the Oasis Grill in South Lowell for a bite of Brazilian, I noticed something stirring in the old Mickey's Bar and Grill. Poking my head inside the defunct storefront, I learned that Stir busts onto the scene tomorrow (give or take a few days). Yes it's a martini bar and yes the walls no longer scream Shamrock Shake. No menu yet to share, but my first hit tells me Stir is geared towards the post-collegiate crowd. Finally restaurateurs seem to be getting the message: this town can only handle one Blue Shamrock and one El Rincon. But two Oles? Yes, Stir feels like an Ole remake. I reserve further comment until the doors swing open. My trip to the Brazilian churrascaria (rotisserie) was not as swinging as I'd hoped. You've got to bring an appetite to Oasis and perhaps I left mine out on the rain-slicked streets. Bistro Boy thought his beef was very flavorful and the juicy chicken wings made me smile. The lamb was too dry, but we blamed it on the end slice that fell onto our plates from the passadore (meat waiter). Fresh pineapple and numerous rice and bean medleys (all part of the pay-by-weight buffet) tasted clean and perfectly palatable. Watching a waiter remove a skewer of meat from a wall of flames and whack off a few pieces with a large blade is great, cheap theater. The Egalitarian feel of this no-frills joint dovetailed perfectly with our quiet Sunday afternoon mood. But I wished the food transported me a little further South than Spaghettiville. Buffet goers beware: this food becomes a compost pile quickly. Best to return to the buffet multiple times to savor the subtle flavors. Go for a bargain, not to be bowled over.

You asked for it, someone's doing it. A 30-something apps and ambiance lounge is slatted to open on Market Street, where Simba and Dark Intentions once stood, in Downtown Lowell. Savanna Palace boasts gourmet dishes, a two-tiered stage and multiple bars for a mature crowd. Work crews have been demoing the space all winter long and I for one say bring it on. I'm not sure what the 411 is behind the operation, but it's a promising second wind and in "this economy" we'll take it. Perhaps before Savanna comes to town the long-awaited jazz club The Back Page, next to the Blue Taleh, will kick out the jams in Kearney Square. When that happens, coupled with the new re-tooled Mickeys-turned-martini bar on Central Street (anyone know when this is opening?) spring time will be the right time for making whoopee. Who's ready?

 

We are three days into Great Plates and I am raring to go. I tweeted about the hot chocolate that Centro is featuring for its dessert course yesterday and yapped about La Boniche's menu on WCAP's "Dining with Deano," but forgot to protect my base. Sorry fellow foodies. Without further ado here is the rundown on GP. It's a two week eating spree offering a prixe fixe menu for lunch and dinner starting at $7 and cruising on up to $33. No big surprises this year: Cobblestones, Caffe Paradiso, Ricardos, Centro, Olympia, La Boniche, Athenian Corner, Mambo Grill are all back for more. Where's the Old Court? There is some new blood this year: Mama Lia's,  Dharma Buns and Ole. Big ups for Lowell Beer Works for making the scene. The big questions (someone posited last night ) is the deafening absence of some fave DTL joints: Blue Taleh, Cavaleiros and Estogo. Where are you guys? Too costly I presume. But really it can't be more than a $150 to toss your name into the ring. Would be nice if some ethnic restos opted in. The long-forgotten Oasis or the still new to the game Tabocas.  I'm thinking Viet Thai and Pho Da Lat would be nice additions too. One wonders if these establishments were even approached. Not complaining, just saying! Check out the menus here and plan your attack. Return and give us a review too. We love that kinda stuff.

I finally emerged from my soup coma. You feel me? If you were at last weekend's Soup Bowl Competition at Lowell Winterfest you do. There were some great soups — Mambo Grill, Cobblestones, Egg Roll Cafe, Centro and Ricardos, take a bow. But only one winner. I was a judge this year and found it harder than getting out of Lowell at 5 p.m. on a Monday to select a single soup for culinary excellence. Ahhh, but someone had to do it. 

 There are two kinds of foodies -- those who eat anything at anytime and the ones who pretend to be into "all kinds of stuff" but secretly draw the line at squid ink. Peeshaw. Childsplay. I met with the hardest core of the bunch yesterday, Y Sok Woodward. The chef/owner of Rebel Caterers in Lowell took me to Hong Cuc on Dutton Street for "The Sandwich." This Vietnamese classic called banh mi is made with four different kinds of meat (headcheese among them). Let's clear this up right now, I don't know what's in this mystery meat (actually I think it's pig's ears) and I don't want to know. And you shouldn't either if you want to get behind this sandwich. 
I love the way the flavors and textures coagulate. The crunchy French roll is the closest thing to a baguette I've found in the 978. See those vegetables in the middle? They've been pickled to zesty perfection. Pork, chicken, ham and headcheese (there it is again) are layered on top of a pate and mayo spread -- a genius combo. Cilantro is thrown in for good measure and thank God for that. The herb brings a clean flavor to this ethnic creation. You'll feel like Anthony Bourdain eating the banh mi on the streets of Vietnam. Just don't scrutinize the ingredients and you'll love it. Can you do that? By the way it's a mere $2.50. You've got nothing to lose.