Red Rocks Cafe (Again!)

This is the first for this blog -- I'm reviewing a restaurant that I've already reviewed. Though I've tried to keep this from happening, there are two things that I couldn't overlook.

1) I knew that my last visit to Red Rocks wasn't representative of the typical visit
2) I didn't have a chance to visit a new restaurant last weekend. (Hey, it's not like I get paid for this!) :)

So, here's my most recent review.....

My wife and I met some friends at Red Rocks for dinner last weekend. Just an informal gathering to catch up, and eat some good food in the process.

Though we didn't have any reservations, we were quickly seated and given a quiet booth. Our waitress came by and took our drink orders, and we went back to chatting and glancing over the menu.

After we got our drinks we settled down to looking at the menu, and the waitress was attentive, but not pushing us to place our orders. What was I in the mood for? Steak? Naa. Sandwich or Burger? Not again. Seafood? NOPE! So, I decided to get a pasta dish. After we made our decisions, and placed our orders, we went back to talking.

A while after we placed our orders our food came, and I was handed a massive plate filled with Southwestern Chicken Ravioli. This ravioli didn't taste like any other I've ever had. It's filled with smoked chicken, black beans, jack cheese, and jalapeno. And it's topped with a creamy tomato sauce with a hint of cilantro.

Really, it's hard to describe the flavors that washed over my palate. I tasted the sweetness of the smoked chicken balanced with the spice of the jalapenos, and the texture of the black beans was in contrast to the creaminess of the melted jack cheese. All topped with the tomato sauce that was simply delicious.

I've never had a ravioli like this, and I really hope I don't -- I like to think that it's made fresh every day from scratch at Red Rocks. And if it isn't, I don't want to know. As far as I'm concerned, this should be their signature dish.

After I devoured my ravioli like a ravenous animal, I took a chance to sit back and relax with a decaf coffee and a slice of carrot cake.

Though the carrot cake was good, and I'll probably order it again, it doesn't compare to the carrot cake at Mickey and Mooch. Nonetheless, this is a great cake, moist and sweet, and with enough frosting to make me forget I'm eating a cake -- with shredded carrots! (REALLY -- Who thought of that??)

So, all in all, Red Rocks has redeemed itself in my eyes. They still have quality entrees -- though the price is a little more than I'd expect.

Score:
Atmosphere: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 12/15
Price: $$$ (Entree, coffee, dessert and tip put it at just over $20 per person)

Conclusion: I've been here several times, and this place has good food and a great atmosphere. I'll be going here again soon.

Restaurant Info:
Red Rocks Cafe
8712 Lindholm Drive
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-892-9999
http://www.redrockscafe.com/