From November, 2007 issue, MetroFamily

Let your appetite take flight when you enter the atmosphere of the Saturn Grill in Nichols Hills. Here, you can reach for the stars, or at least the Saturn ring, and grab one of the daily specials to satisfy your hunger.

My daughter, Mandy, her friend, Tabitha, and I were excited to eat at the Saturn Grill—it's one of Tabitha's favorite restaurants. I have heard nothing but good things about many of their dishes.

We knew the restaurant did a brisk business, especially during the lunch hour, so we decided to have lunch after 1pm and even then we got the last table for four. They offer outdoor seating as well, but be prepared to wait or take your food with you during the rush hour.

While standing at the counter to order, I noted what other diners were enjoying. MFM Publisher Sarah Taylor has commented on how good the strawberry and spinach salad is. It's topped with pecans, coconut, and a lime poppy seed dressing. A lady in line mentioned her love of the portabella mushroom sandwich topped with spinach, tomato, Swiss cheese, and pesto mayonnaise.

Mandy had stars in her eyes when she saw cheese tortellini ($7.25) on the menu. This large bowl of tortellini is served with a pesto cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and parmesan cheese.

Tabitha ordered the half sandwich with salad ($7.50), choosing the grilled chicken sandwich and tomato mozzarella salad. The sandwich is served with spring lettuce, tomato, melted Swiss cheese, and honey mustard on flat bread. The tomato mozzarella salad is mixed greens with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil, pesto, parmesan cheese, and the house vinaigrette. Her salad was large and the ingredients looked fresh and crisp.

I decided to try the seared Caribbean jerk chicken sandwich ($7.50). The chicken is topped with grilled onions, tomato, spring lettuce, and curry lime mayonnaise and is wrapped in flatbread and served with a side of mustard potato salad. The mustard potato salad had a little more tang than I like, but it was nice and chunky.

We also shared a tomato basil and fresh mozzarella pizza ($7.25). This pizza doesn't come with sauce. Instead, the flavorful pizza is a crisp crust topped with slices of Roma tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese. I enjoyed it and look forward to trying a different type next time—maybe the rustic Roman pie or grilled chicken alfredo.

Don't forget the dessert menu. The girls decided we should try the New Jersey cheesecake ($3.25) and the chocolate dipped cannoli ($2.50). After all, what is dessert without something chocolate? The cheesecake had a rich, creamy consistency and was served with strawberries. The crisp pastry shell of the cannoli was filled with sweetened, whipped ricotta cheese and mini chocolate chips. Both desserts were rich and filling, so it was easy to share them and avoid feeling guilty.

Annie's Restaurant Rating

4 of 4 forks

Saturn Grill

6432 Avondale Dr, OKC

405-843-7114

Hours

Monday-Saturday 10:30am-9pm

Prices

$3.95-$8.95

Children's menu: $4.50 for choice of mini cheese pizza, ham and Swiss sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich, or triple-layer peanut butter and jelly sandwich, all served with fountain drink and cookie

Annie Nashert has a husband and teenage daughter who assume everybody has homemade dessert nightly. In addition to serving as Food Editor, Annie operates a small cookie-baking business and whatever other creative opportunities come along. Have a recipe to share? Contact her at FoodEditor@MetroFamilyMagazine.com.