RESTAURANT: Howard Johnsons, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Howard Johnsons; 318-255-5901 (call for hours)

LOCATION: 401 N. Service Rd, Ruston, LA 71270

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 7-13-06

PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Key Lime pie

OTHER GREAT FOODS:

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: The noon buffet was satisfactory, but uninspiring

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A

SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: N/A

SERVICE: Good

UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: N/A

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Or go get The Collard Patch the only story cookbook devoted solely to collard greens and cornbread. If you think you don't like collards, you haven't tasted these collards!

We are available for professional mystery shopping for your restaurant either as a spot check or for a regular program of excellence.

CLOSED RESTAURANT: La Bella Vita Italian Grill, West Monroe, LA

THIS RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED.

RESTAURANT: La Bella Vita Italian Grill; 318-998-6900; call for hours

LOCATION: 407 Constitution Dr. (Restaurant Row on south service rd.), West Monroe, LA 71293-8036

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 7-14, 15, 16-06

PRICE RANGE: Very reasonable

FAVORITE FOOD: They have added a set of delicious sandwiches for lunch. We tried the Club and the Hot Ham and Cheese. They were DElicious! We look forward to trying their other new sandwiches.

NOTE: The real secret to the sandwiches is to ask them to be put on Gambino's bread with some of their Tiger Sauce on the side. That puts them over the top! You gotta try 'em!

OTHER GREAT FOODS: The daily soup and salad for lunch. Their steaks with herb butter are outstanding! Try their healthful offerings. They are both healthy and very well seasoned.

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: La Bella Vita Grill doesn't have any mediocre food!

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Delicious food and excellent service

SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: Carly, Kathryn, and Stephanie

SERVICE: very good

COMMENTS: Great food and service. We'll be back.

By the way, they have wireless Internet (WiFi). You can spend the afternoon in their sports bar doing business on the Internet, answering email, checking the scores, or stock prices, and drinking cappuccino or whatever you like. Life is sweet.

Get This Amazing Southern Cookbook, Flavored with Love, Now!

We are available for professional mystery shopping for your restaurant either as a spot check or for a regular program of excellence.