The Rice Plate is at 4762 Highway 58
A few days ago we ventured over to 4762 Highway 58 to visit the Rice Plate. A very nice lady (Susie), who appears to be either the owner or manager, said they had been open for two weeks.
The restaurant looks much nicer inside than on our visit to the former tenant, China Star. This looks more upscale than China Star. Not that this is a fancy restaurant; it isn’t by any means; simply nicer.
As we were perusing the menu our server asked if he could get us something other than water. He then named off a few drinks and one happened to be Thai Tea. Of course, I love Thai Tea, so immediately ordered it. When he brought Wayne’s diet coke I was told they were out of Thai Tea. I was offered something they didn’t even have.
Later when Susie came around she asked if everything was OK so I mentioned the Thai Tea and she immediately went to the kitchen. Seems they were definitely out of Thai Tea, but she asked that I try their Thai Coffee. I appreciated her efforts and took the coffee, which was delicious. I have had that before at other Thai restaurants, and this was just as good as any I’ve been served.
Wayne decided he wanted to try the Shinobi (chicken, steak, shrimp - $15.99), on the Hibachi menu. This is served with soup, salad, fried rice and vegetables (onions, carrots, zucchini). I wanted to try the Thom Kha Kai soup, but when I ordered it, the server said it comes with the meal. That surprised me since we weren’t ordering a Thai meal, but that was OK – I love the soup – but Wayne would have preferred the Miso, but the server said we couldn’t have that. The Thom Kha Kai was prepared with small pieces of chicken, but no mushrooms to speak of.
The salad is nothing more than plain iceberg lettuce and one grape tomato sliced in half. The dressing had a nice, sweet flavor, but was very thin.
The Shinobi was an extremely large serving so it was a plus that we were sharing. Even at that, it was more than we could eat. The shrimp was my favorite. The beef was a bit tough, although the chicken was quite good. The chicken was tender with a hint of sweetness. I was still eating, when I went for a potty break. When I returned my plate was gone – shrimp and all!! I said to Wayne, “where’s my plate, I wasn’t finished eating”. He said the server came by, picked up my plate and glass; he stopped him saying, “she wants to keep that”. The server put the empty glass down, and went to the kitchen with my plate. Wayne assumed he was putting it in a carry-out box. No such luck. He tossed my plate!! Can you believe it? I was not happy. Why would he think I wanted to keep an empty glass and not a FULL plate of food?
When the server came by I asked about my food, he just glared at me. Wayne said, “I told you she wanted to keep it”. The server just looked at me again as if he was at a complete loss for words.
As we were leaving, Susie asked if we enjoyed our meal. I told her the food was good, we really like it (although the rice was a bit dry), then I explained my issue. She tried to have us wait so they could prepare another plate, but by then I had had it.
Other items on the Rice Plate menu include Thai items such as Panang Curry and Salmon Curry, Pad Thai, Spicy Basil Noodles, and Stir Fry including Cashew Nut Chicken, Fresh Ginger Chicken and House Fried Rice. We ordered from the Hibachi section, while there is are also Teriyaki selections including chicken, scallops and tofu. Entree prices range from $7.99 for the Teriyaki Tofu to $15.99 for the Shinobi.
There is also a kids menu for $4.99, appetizers, soups and salads. I called in advance to see if they had sushi and was told “yes”. On arrival, after being seated, I asked for the sushi menu. I was told the menu was in the little stand on the table. It was a list of eleven rolls such as California, tuna, cucumber and several others. No other items.
The Rice Plate is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 2:30 PM for lunch and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM for dinner. Sunday hours are 12:00 noon to 2:30 PM for lunch and 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM for dinner.
Rice Plate is a locally owned restaurant, but if you go, DO NOT leave your plate, even under someone else’s watchful eye – EVER!! It may disappear.
Share your opinions with us at Chattanooga Dine Out
cdojanet@epbfi.com