Yes :-) Mary H's review (Jan 8th 2007)

Two enthusiastic thumbs way, way up for this new restaurant. It’s not Asian or Italian but an eastern European restaurant. Think Borat with the best borscht around, fantastic, attentive service, and very delicious food! You will see!

The daily lunch specials are not to be missed. I enjoyed “plaffe” (translated means, rice pilaf) with vegetables and large chunks of beef, a small healthy salad which consisted of small chunks of tomatoes, cucumber, apple and salad leaves in a light dressing and a cup of borscht. What is not to love?

The chef/owner reminds me of the Swedish Chef from Sesame Street, a jolly, warm fellow who is a fantastic cook and eager to please. The waiter/owner is a delightful, knowledgeable restaurateur with great plans and is fun to talk with. He has transformed what once was the China Best restaurant into a colorful interior, that is already a warm and delightful spot. Watch for implementation of a number of interesting and delicious ideas—chocolate,oil and cheese fondue; cakes and baklava for dessert and a wine bar.

Be sure to try Paradise, at least once! You will be glad you did.

Yes :-) Fred and Susie Pfursich's review (Mar 20th 2007)

The food at Paradise is superb! Our taste buds are still exploding with the fabulous flavors. I ordered the Kiev Cutlet (served with grilled veggies and rice) and my wife had the Beef Stroganoff (served over crisp potato slices). Both dishes were so delicious and so flavorful – we can’t wait to go back again. Victor (the owner) treated us so well and he explained how all the dishes were prepared and the ingredients used, etc. It was truly a great dining experience. Two thumbs up, baby!

No :-( Sara's review (May 16th 2007)

It’s not a strong no, but I don’t think I will be back to Paradise. I had a gift certificate to use there, and I think I might have been more disappointed had I actually paid for the meal, but as it was, it was just ok.

We ate lunch there. Whatever the special was, we were not told about it. The lunch menu is a bit limited as well. It was a late lunch—about 1:30 in the afternoon and we were the only ones in there. Since I can’t have a lot of dairy, my options were a bit more limited in what I could order with lots of things being sour cream based. I’m sure those things are fine for anyone who doesn’t have an issue, but I decided on getting the hamburger—- or what I thought was a hamburger.

The “hamburger” is actually more like a steak sandwich. It was a pretty good steak sandwich though, and although I wished that the meat were trimmed a bit better, the seasoning was good and the peppers and bread were also good. Nothing completely spectacular, but good. However, it didn’t come with anything else, so I wasn’t completely full after eating it. My husband ordered the same thing and had similar thoughts.

We ordered my daughter the small “healthy” salad, which looked pretty good. She liked the apple slices. Although the menu listed “pickles” as an ingredient, they are actully cucumbers. Very fresh cucumbers, so really, the opposite of pickles. That salad was worth the $3.50 though, as the small size is still a decent portion. I don’t know if I would necessarily label the place as “kid-friendly,” having not seen the dinner menu, but I suppose it would depend on the kid.

However, what makes me come down on the side of a “no” reccomendation is somewhat vague. I just had an overall odd feeling while eating there—maybe it was the limited menu options for myself, maybe it was being the only ones in the place, maybe it was the stained carpet or maybe it was the religious items scattered throughout. Normally, I’m not one to weight a meal so much on atmosphere, but there was something off about it. Sorry if that’s not specific enough, and maybe the dinner hour is better, but I don’t think I’ll be back to find out. I guess if you’re someone who really likes Eastern European food, then it’s a good place for you to try out now that the other places in town that had it are no longer open.