Review of Papps Casual Dining – Pickering

Our family’s search for new restaurants to visit recently took us to the ‘newly-renovated’ Papps Casual Dining & Banquet Hall.

Okay, maybe it was the coupon we found that convinced us to try it … in any case, we dropped by to see if this restaurant was worthy of our repeat business.

Details: Papps Casual Dining & Banquet Hall, 1755 Pickering Parkway, Unit #20, Pickering ON, 905-239-6878.

Ambience:  While Papps has been in Pickering for a while, new ownership took over in the Summer of 2009 and renovated to try and bring new life to the establishment.  Walking in, it looked like any other normal bar/restaurant.  However, when touring the banquet facilities, that’s where the renovations could be noticed!  Booths were comfortable, waitress was friendly and prompt.  A group of guys at the bar were a bit loud but it was bearable.

Kids Stuff:  Kids place-mat doubled as a colouring page with used crayons provided.  TV’s all over the restaurant provided Incredible Dad with entertainment (the hockey game was on)… much to the chagrin of Clean Mom…

Kids Food:  Kids combos included all the regular staples (pizza, pasta, burger, etc.), drink and ice cream dessert.  At $6.99, price was a bit steep.  Kids ordered a buttered pasta with chicken which was actually quite tasty, nice surprise!

Coolest Thing About Restaurant:  Parents’ meals were also quite tasty (Milano Veggie Sandwich, Linguine Carbonara) which we weren’t expecting!

Worst Thing About Restaurant:  The toilets in the men’s washroom were disgusting… and I lost at paper-rock-scissors so I had to take Ballet Girl to the washroom… fun…  (see below for some strategies on how to win at Rock Paper Scissors)

Tips to Consider: Definitely look for the ‘Buy One Dinner, Get One 50% Off with purchase of a drink” coupon in the coupon packages you get in your mail-box to save a bit of money.  Ask your waitress for some tips on what meal to order; she steered us away from several dishes on the menu.  While not on the menu, you can order a small Kids Caesar Salad to get some vegetables into the kids for only $2.50.

Grand Opening Pictures: Here’s a link to pictures of their Grand Re-Opening in September 2009.

RPS (Rock Paper Scissors) Strategies: Taken from Graham Walker’s full article over at WorldRPS.com, here are (what I think) the top 3 strategies you need to know.  Check out the full article for even more great tips!

1 – Rock is for Rookies
A common mantra is “Rock is for Rookies” because males have a tendency to lead with Rock on their opening throw. It has a lot to do with idea that Rock is perceived as “strong” and forceful”, so guys tend to fall back on it. Use this knowledge to take an easy first win by playing Paper. This tactic is best done in pedestrian matches against someone who doesn’t play that much.

2 – Scissors on First
Play scissors as your opening move against a more experienced player. Since you know they won’t come out with rock (since it is too obvious), scissors is your obvious safe move to win against paper or stalemate to itself.

3 – The Double Run
When playing with someone who is not experienced at the RPS, look out for double runs or in other words, the same throw twice. When this happens you can safely eliminate that throw and guarantee yourself at worst a stalemate in the next game. So, when you see a two-Scissor run, you know their next move will be Rock or Paper, so Paper is your best move. Why does this work? People hate being predictable and the perceived hallmark of predictability is to come out with the same throw three times in row.

Overall Experience:  Food was better than expected, cleanliness of washroom was worse than expected, price (even with coupon) was higher than expected at $52 for the four of us (tax and tip incl).

So would we come back?  Perhaps … to try out their patio in the summer.

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Other Posts That Might Interest You:

1. Review of Great Wall Buffet – Pickering
2. Review of Pickering Markets – Pickering
3. Review of East Side Mario’s – Pickering