The Virginian-Pilot
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HAIL SENOR CESAR CARDINI! He's the Italian-Mexican chef who gave the world Caesar salad. It all started in a Tijuana restaurant in 1924. Our Caesar salad taste test got started earlier this month as readers nominated nearly 50 restaurants for their Caesars, and 50 people applied to be testers.
On a recent Saturday, the four testers visited the restaurants with the most reader nominations. They saw four very different Caesar salads. They conquered them all in a single evening. They filled nearly 100 pages with critiques.
Five hours after taking the first bite, they declared a winner.
999 Waterside Dr
Norfolk
www.vintage-kitchen.com
Price $7.95
Score 86
What the judges said
"An amazing dressing and salad. There's a smoked chile taste and bits of crisped Parmesan and garlicky croutons. The balance of flavors shows a great knowledge of the culinary arts." - Micah
"Mint has been added to offset the heat. The mint scores big!" - Jim Spruance
"This is a different and unique twist on the 'classic' Caesar salad. It had a surprisingly good flavor." - Jim Ralston
"Unconventional and amazing. Filled with mouthwatering surprises. I'll be back!" - Karen Micah Howerton
3900 Atlantic Ave
Virginia Beach
www.isleofcaprivb.com
Price $9 per person
What the judges said
"Being made tableside and with traditional ingredients, the flavor was well balanced, and you could almost taste each ingredient used." - Jim Ralston
"The croutons had plenty of flavor, and they were large enough that you could taste them over the dressing." - Micah
"I liked the long, full leaves of fresh romaine." - Jim Spruance
"Very good. Very refreshing. This salad has enough of all the elements that constitute a great Caesar salad. I'll be back!" - Karen
Enrico's Ristorante
4012 Colley Ave., Norfolk, (757) 423-2700
Price $6.95
What the judges said
"I could smell the garlic aroma - which I love - when the plate hit the table." - Karen
"You can definitely taste more garlic in this dressing; it's light and enjoyable." - Micah
"A balanced dressing." - Jim Spruance
"The croutons were garlicky in flavor and had a nice, slight olive oil aftertaste." - Jim Ralston
Fellini's
3910 Colley Ave., Norfolk, (757) 625-3000
Price Side, $5.50; small, $7.50; large, $8.50
What the judges said
"I found the dressing very oily and overpowering to the other ingredients." - Karen
"The croutons were very well spiced, and they weren't overpowering." - Micah
"I liked the fact that anchovies could be ordered separately, and when they arrived, they were whole and not broken." - Jim Ralston
"A good value, and easy to share." - Jim Spruance
Delicious
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