Two dining sections designed as a dining loung with sofas, arm chairs and individual TV trays.
A comfortable and home-like seating designed for practical and enjoyable dining ..
a relaxed casual atmosphere.
" .. unlike its modest exterior, inside, a warm, cozy, pleasant environment, a prestigious chef and incredible gourmet food".
BCRM 11-05
In over two decades as a food critic, I described some as "good", few as "very good", and very few as "excellent". This is the first time I say, beyond excellent, "this is the best food I ever had anywhere in North America. NYG-FC 12-05
".. the food is out of this world, I agree .. this guy (the operator) received the highest appointment a chef could dream of, perhaps the highest appointment a chef has ever received in the history of North America. He was flown overseas to cook one royal summit dinner for a king and the secretary of the state in a rich oil country ..
.. but he (the operator) may have a problem with those who would associate this caliber of qualification with an expected image of tuxedo reception, fancy chandeliers and gold plated spoons .. no, it’s a simple casual place, nice though .. but simple .. and I like that .. he would come over and talk to the customers, even at times would bring one of the plates or a drink himself ..
.. he cooks everything himself - he commented, it isn't something that will make me rich, it's a small operation, a secluded destination facility in a modsest low foot traffic location and small capacity .. just a job good enough to raise his son; and he seems to enjoy it .. (most of the time, he said with a smile).
A very nice guy and
a great cook, and
that’s the biggest
asset of the place.”
Rose G. Roddseith,
Van. Stn. cook show
June 05
Please visit the critics page ..
I also included an "oooops" page admitting to our few mistakes, errors and oversight cases .. (certainly any restaurants gets its share of frequent errors or complaints, in fact I know that some fancy places have it too often) .., we had very - very few cases of simple kitchen errors, less than half a dozen in several years since we first opened July 02. and surely it would have been fair if I had ignored them considering the overwhelming positive performance..
we learn & listen!.
Of course, it's your assessment that counts.
Fully licensed, with a unique selection
of martinis and cocktails.
Plenty of parking space, Townsite plaza, on the corner of Millstone and Townsite Rd where you can sit and relax with Egyptian coffee, sheesha (water pipe) or a meal outside at our little patio.
Join our VIP patrons list ..
We invite our loyal regular and supportive friends who dine at Friends to join our email list.
This "kept confidential" list will allow
us to notify you of special events and special offers .. e.g. extra belly dance nights, programmes for Valetine, new years eve .. and similar event. An averegae of only a few emails a year, and they are sent as CC so that no one else would see your address. Please click HERE.
Please note that depending on traffic, the page may take a minute to download.
A sample of a typical meal at Friends.
2 course .. 1st course to the right, a selection of veggies, usually about 6 or more (and no cheap frozen carrots & corn mix !!) .. in this case: spinach, asparagus, sweet green peas, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower all of the above) with Friends' own mashed potatoes and Egyptian red fasoulia (we also often use okra, long beans, purple peas, yellow & purple cauliflower, red okra and more) .. grilled to perfection with imported herbs.
The second course above, the meat (in this case lamb), with Egyptian rice, kale and white asparagus.
To the right, a sample of Paul's daily lunch specials: eggs, salad ingredients, meat (in this case beef), veggies and a mango-apple pie.
A complete, delicious and affordable 2 course (but not too heavy) lunch.
Friends toast, not your typical French toast .. a combination of eggs, cheese, black berry, strawberry, blue berry, mango and chocolate.
One of Paul's signatures ..
You'll notice Paul's fascination with chocolate, coffee, herbs and Liqueurs throughtout his recipes.
The 2 photos above represent a sample of the 2nd course (the meat platter) of 2 different entrees .. duck (an Egyptian recipe) and pork Africano steak. With either dinner, you would get the first platter with a variety of veggies, and today's bonus that may be Friends mashed potatoes grilled with onions, herns and Paul's sauce; or a serving of today's pasta ..
We have the testimony of the even the owners of the major - large local restaurants who actually even dine here regularly, some even daily. True!
At Friends, you' ll get true 5-star dishes with individualized service. And, it's a fun, cozy, small, and casual yet very enjoyable place to dine. Try us.
