Joe:
Anniversary tonight! We found ourselves at Tucker's tonight. We had been there just nine years ago, so I guess it was time to go back.
We arrived and the host seated us immediately, and told us that our server, Matt, would be with us soon. Shortly after, Matt came over and introduced himself. Maybe it's just me, but this is an important thing for me. He got our drink orders and was back promptly. While we decided on our dinner and placed the orders, he was friendly, joking with us, and generally great.
I ordered the chicken parmesan and salad. The salad came with bacon, eggs, and all sorts of other goodies on it. It was very good, but compared to the croissant that also came out... That roll was amazing. I could have been happy with just a pile of those dropped in front of me!
My first complaint of the evening was that the entrée came out while I was only about half way through my salad. (I had already finished the croissant, of course!) I got down to about a fourth of the salad left before I abandoned it in favor of the chicken-ey goodness that was wafting it's scent at me.
The chicken was very generous. It was larger than my hand, and covered in gooey parmesan, sitting on a huge pile of pasta and covered in marinara sauce. I was thrilled to see it, and even happier to eat it!
Matt was terrific throughout the evening. My glass never reached empty, he brought us an extra pepper shaker when I was too clueless to notice the pepper mill sitting next to me (until after he brought the replacement. He didn't even laugh at me!). He was friendly throughout and even offered a to-go cup of tea when we were preparing to leave. 22% tip, and well deserved.
The restaurant had undergone a redecoration since our last visit nine years ago. It appeared upscale without being snobby. As my wife put it, classy, without being clah-ssy. HA! (I will take this out if you want me to, honey!)
My biggest disappointment is that we hadn't been enjoying Tucker's more over the last several years. It was the first restaurant I ate at in Anderson (I had a job interview there before we moved down) and I wish we had been going back more. Definitely a winner tonight, and an excellent place to celebrate sixteen years with my beautiful wife. I will most certainly be going back again.
Carolyn:
Today, 16 years ago, I married my husband... and to celebrate we chose Tuckers. When we first walked in we were immediately greeted by a door greeter and the host. The host showed us to our table and told us that our server, Matt would be with us shortly. Matt arrived within minutes and took our drink orders and returned quickly. As it had been about 8 or so years since our last visit. Some things had changed. I ordered the heart healthy grilled chicken and steamed veggies. Carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and snow peas. I had to ask Matt about the steamed veggies, because each restaurant has a different view of steamed vegetables... he was knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. He also informed me that the chicken was served with a marinade and pineapple on top... just in case I preferred something different. I liked that he wanted to make sure we knew what we were ordering.
The salad quickly arrived and was topped with bacon, eggs, and some type of nut. I ordered my salad without dressing... I rarely ever order dressing... its too heavy. The salad was absolutely fabulous! I added a little pepper, as I always do, and it was awesome! Our entrée arrived before we were finished with the salad... I liked that. I hate to finish the salad and wait for what seems like forever for the main dish. The grilled chicken with pineapple was tender and I loved the sauce that it was marinated in. I have to ask what the marinade was next time... The croissant was flaky and good.
The atmosphere was nice, kind of like a family dinning room... the decor was tasteful and nothing seemed out of place. The wait staff was dressed professionally, and Matt our waiter never let our glasses of tea go empty. The visit for me was a 5 out of 5.
