OK, this place is a rundown house.....get over that and get to the eating.
We started with cheese dip (this can be anything from runny to thick) today it had a tad too much water added, but, the taste is very good.
Chips were thin, fresh, and warm corn chips!
I went with the cheese enchilada plate with the green sauce. Very good. Came out on a hot plate, tasted very good.
My lovely wife had the chicken burrito appetizer with cueso sauce. It met her approval. Total cost $28 tax, title, and tip.
Rating: Not too bad.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Life Lesson
On a day that I hoped I would be the Big G in the 'hood. Someone pissed in my cornflakes and I am left with the words from a Howard Jones song:
Aspirations in the clouds but your hopes go down the drain.
This is a repeat of an earlier post that drew irate comments directed at another person/s. While I appreciate the frank nature of such comments I cannot allow those persons to go out on the proverbial gang plank for me.
Peace Out.
Aspirations in the clouds but your hopes go down the drain.
This is a repeat of an earlier post that drew irate comments directed at another person/s. While I appreciate the frank nature of such comments I cannot allow those persons to go out on the proverbial gang plank for me.
Peace Out.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Life Lesson
I don't know exactly where I might have heard this...my best recollection tells me it was possibly during a class on Ancient Philosophical Concepts -- I believe it was APC 504 taught by Professor RMS. It was about the time I was involved in completing my Specialist Dissertation in the fall of 1997.
Chew on this thought, it rang true for me this weekend and should be something all of us can learn from......"If you have friends and family that love you, that is all you need, from there you can move forward."
Enough said with that quote, the Prof got it right once again. Sheer genius on his part. Oft times we overlook the obvious when our emotions run amok.
Peace Out.
Chew on this thought, it rang true for me this weekend and should be something all of us can learn from......"If you have friends and family that love you, that is all you need, from there you can move forward."
Enough said with that quote, the Prof got it right once again. Sheer genius on his part. Oft times we overlook the obvious when our emotions run amok.
Peace Out.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Life Lesson
Professor RMS went deep into his philosophical trick bag yesterday afternoon to produce the following profound and deep thought:
We are told all our life (from birth to death) that if we work hard, get an education, gather all the experience and credentials we can; then we will have set ourselves up to get the job we want. Here is where the professor paused and finish it off with: "Of course that is until politics jumps in to screw it all up." I have paraphrased this from what memory I have of that important moment of time.
I will tell you that I hung on his every word as he shared little before heard profound statements about life as we know it. I hope to continue to share these snippets of philosophical wisdom with you as time goes on.
We are told all our life (from birth to death) that if we work hard, get an education, gather all the experience and credentials we can; then we will have set ourselves up to get the job we want. Here is where the professor paused and finish it off with: "Of course that is until politics jumps in to screw it all up." I have paraphrased this from what memory I have of that important moment of time.
I will tell you that I hung on his every word as he shared little before heard profound statements about life as we know it. I hope to continue to share these snippets of philosophical wisdom with you as time goes on.
Restaurant Report: Fazzio's
While contemplating dinner (a new Chinese place nearby had drawn our interest) my lovely wife pulled the name Fazzio's out of the air. Thoughts of fried eggplant and veal ran through our heads. This would prove to be another great call by my mate:
Here is the scoop:
Appetizer: Fried Eggplant that came out hot with a side of marinara sauce.
Salad: Fresh crisp lettuce, onion, cucumbers, croutons, and house dressing.....Creamy Italian (thin and light).
Main Entree: Paneed veal and fettuccine alfredo. It also came out hot with the alfredo sauce being light and tasty. The bread/butter served along with the salad deserves mention as it came out hot and the butter had garlic (lots) and herbs. A great compliment to the meal. We split the entire meal including entree and were quite full when it was over. Total cost: $32 tax, title, and tip.
BTW, it seems that restaurant reviewers have rating systems ranging from stars to beans, etc. While I haven't defined the entire scale as of yet, I will begin this evening by rating this meal: Freaking Excellent - my highest rating.
Here is the scoop:
Appetizer: Fried Eggplant that came out hot with a side of marinara sauce.
Salad: Fresh crisp lettuce, onion, cucumbers, croutons, and house dressing.....Creamy Italian (thin and light).
Main Entree: Paneed veal and fettuccine alfredo. It also came out hot with the alfredo sauce being light and tasty. The bread/butter served along with the salad deserves mention as it came out hot and the butter had garlic (lots) and herbs. A great compliment to the meal. We split the entire meal including entree and were quite full when it was over. Total cost: $32 tax, title, and tip.
BTW, it seems that restaurant reviewers have rating systems ranging from stars to beans, etc. While I haven't defined the entire scale as of yet, I will begin this evening by rating this meal: Freaking Excellent - my highest rating.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Restaurant Report: Italian Pie
Dinner last night: Cindy and I split a Lasagna Dinner. It came with a small Italian (could have chosen a small Caesar) salad, the Lasagna (nice portion, could of used more red sauce {sweet} inside, my best guess would be that it is pre-made and then cooked in their oven), and an order of garlic bread that resembled a cheese pizza (breadsticks was the alternative). All this for $9.95 and both of us were quite full. While this is not four-star dining,......all in all for the price it was a good meal.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Taco Loco Truck
Yes, a real Mexican Taco Truck near the corner of Canal Blvd. and Robert E. Lee in the Lakeview area of NOLA.
Having heeded the words of people on the local food board on www.nola.com I saved room after breakfast Saturday morning to stop by and order some grub.
Being very unsure what to order and not wanting to seem like a neophyte I got in line and ordered two tacos. One steak and one shredded beef. This is the authentic stuff people. Wrapped in small soft tortillas these tacos came with the onion, cilantro, and a hot sauce. The taste was "wonderful"! It was like putting your toe in the water to check the temperature. The temperature or should I say the taste was just right! Time to venture in for a swim the next time I am able to find the Taco Loco Truck.
BTW, enjoyed the steak better than the beef, cost $1.50 each.
One of my boys said "When it comes to Taco Truck food: It's not the entry thats bad.......its the exit."
Having heeded the words of people on the local food board on www.nola.com I saved room after breakfast Saturday morning to stop by and order some grub.
Being very unsure what to order and not wanting to seem like a neophyte I got in line and ordered two tacos. One steak and one shredded beef. This is the authentic stuff people. Wrapped in small soft tortillas these tacos came with the onion, cilantro, and a hot sauce. The taste was "wonderful"! It was like putting your toe in the water to check the temperature. The temperature or should I say the taste was just right! Time to venture in for a swim the next time I am able to find the Taco Loco Truck.
BTW, enjoyed the steak better than the beef, cost $1.50 each.
One of my boys said "When it comes to Taco Truck food: It's not the entry thats bad.......its the exit."
Winzying and Standridging!
Throughout life you meet individuals who for some reason or another give you pause to think about life. These individuals can in some way set a standard (maybe even principle) of living that one can either espouse to or run from.
Enter Mr.'s Winzy and Standridge each in their unique way have characteristics that we have been able to identify and label. If you ever engage in these behaviors you maybe quickly and succinctly be called out as either Winzying or Standridging depending on the given situation.
Enter Mr.'s Winzy and Standridge each in their unique way have characteristics that we have been able to identify and label. If you ever engage in these behaviors you maybe quickly and succinctly be called out as either Winzying or Standridging depending on the given situation.
An important point to note is that these two individuals did not write the book on their behaviors, in fact, you yourself may know a person or persons that exhibit these same behaviors.
Here is a breakdown:
Winzying - is the process of being late or not even showing up for events you are invited to attend and have agreed to attend. This often happens at a 50% or higher rate. Now, you may know someone like this, but, this is how Mr. Winzy differs from others and thereby renders himself unique: Mr. Winzy has no recollection, no remberance, no idea that he has committed himself to be at any event he misses. If he is late, it is as if he is not late. Maybe he did not remember the time that he was suppose to be there, so being there whenever he arrives is in fact being on time.
The final and most important aspect of this characteristic is that when you are late or if you have not come at all and you are confronted with the knowledge of your lateness or abscense you offer no excuses. I would described this as "situational amnesia" a.k.a. Winzying.
Standridging - most prevalent in marriages. This is where the person agrees to attend an event and doesn't. Or begs off attending altogether. In either case the person uses the standard "I have (or I had) to do something with the family" excuse. This excuse is used at an extremely high rate - 99% or higher. While it is admirable that someone is focused in on their family, at this high a rate it is a cause for concern amongst fellow friends who know that this is strictly a "control" issue.
Haven't we all suffered from situational amnesia or lack of control in our lives?
Restaurant Report: Peppermill
Tried the Peppermill on Sunday morning for Breakfast and came away quite impressed and happy.
I had two eggs scrambled with sausage, hash browns (seemed to be homemade in a home fry kind of way), and a biscuit. Cindy went with the Blueberry pancakes. As usual we split the two meals to get a wider range of tastes.
Everything was good and warm. Service was excellent. Blueberries for the pancakes were actually a warm sauce as the pancakes were straight up buttermilk. Combining the sauce with the warm syrup they provided produced a nice taste. All in all a strong recommendation for breakfast at the Peppermill!
I had two eggs scrambled with sausage, hash browns (seemed to be homemade in a home fry kind of way), and a biscuit. Cindy went with the Blueberry pancakes. As usual we split the two meals to get a wider range of tastes.
Everything was good and warm. Service was excellent. Blueberries for the pancakes were actually a warm sauce as the pancakes were straight up buttermilk. Combining the sauce with the warm syrup they provided produced a nice taste. All in all a strong recommendation for breakfast at the Peppermill!
Restaurant Report: Mandina's
Friday night's dinner was at the lengendary Mandina's. Cindy and I were expecting big things and came away a wee bit disappointed.
We started with the Onion Rings that were big and unfortunately, luke warm. They tasted good, but, not being hot or near hot was a let down.
Follow that up with the trout menuiere (which was good) and french fries that were just warm. I wondered how long they had sat under the heating lamp. You could tell the flavor was there, just not the warmth.
We started with the Onion Rings that were big and unfortunately, luke warm. They tasted good, but, not being hot or near hot was a let down.
Follow that up with the trout menuiere (which was good) and french fries that were just warm. I wondered how long they had sat under the heating lamp. You could tell the flavor was there, just not the warmth.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Restaurant Report: Drago's at the Riverside
Ersters, Ersters, and more Oysters!
Dined at the "pre" Opening Party of Drago's in the Hilton Hotel at the River on Poydras Street!
Venue: very sleek, very hotel sleek!
Everything at the Pre-Opening Party was Buffet style (service at tables will be the normal pattern once the restaurant officially opens) with a few hundred in attendance. Seating space was limited, however, we were lucky enough to be allowed to sit with two very nice couples enjoying their repast.
Nice long Oyster Bar where you could pick up Char-grilled or Raw Oysters. This is probably the only place you really need be, anyway! Char-grilled were awesome, as usual. That garlic butter concoction is outstanding. The raw ones were huge. This family obviously has the "in" with Oyster fishermen as they always get the biggest and best around.
We did venture out to get some lobster (always good), some fried shrimp (good) and some friend shrimp with a sauce (buffalo type - spicy) on them that were (very good). Add to that a sort of rice dish (spinach? with it) that was excellent, too.
All in all this is a don't miss spot.
Our evening was especially nice having met the two couples that shared their table with us. A night to remember!
Dined at the "pre" Opening Party of Drago's in the Hilton Hotel at the River on Poydras Street!
Venue: very sleek, very hotel sleek!
Everything at the Pre-Opening Party was Buffet style (service at tables will be the normal pattern once the restaurant officially opens) with a few hundred in attendance. Seating space was limited, however, we were lucky enough to be allowed to sit with two very nice couples enjoying their repast.
Nice long Oyster Bar where you could pick up Char-grilled or Raw Oysters. This is probably the only place you really need be, anyway! Char-grilled were awesome, as usual. That garlic butter concoction is outstanding. The raw ones were huge. This family obviously has the "in" with Oyster fishermen as they always get the biggest and best around.
We did venture out to get some lobster (always good), some fried shrimp (good) and some friend shrimp with a sauce (buffalo type - spicy) on them that were (very good). Add to that a sort of rice dish (spinach? with it) that was excellent, too.
All in all this is a don't miss spot.
Our evening was especially nice having met the two couples that shared their table with us. A night to remember!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Monkey Principle
This is a principle or theory, if you will, that explains how a leader deals with problems:
People in leadership positions are confronted daily with the fact that people under them, people in supervisory positions over them, their customers, the law enforcement community, any and all other interested parties to their line of work will come to them with a monkey. Some in fact come with more than one monkey. Their objective: They will be trying to give you the monkey(s).
Sometimes you will take the monkey and pass it on to someone else. Sometimes you will take the monkey. Sometimes you will give the monkey back.
Lets examine what happens as a result of each of the three scenarios.
You pass the monkey to someone else. First, the person that brought the monkey is happy (they now have no monkey). Secondly, you are happy (or maybe not, depending on how person receiving monkey acts) to no longer have the monkey. Lastly, the person with the monkey is probably not happy.
You take the monkey. This is worst case scenario...being left with the monkey makes more work and often becomes complicated as you try to cage the monkey.
The third option: giving the monkey back is preferable. However, if some one that is a supervisor over you brings you a monkey oft times you are stuck with that monkey. Unless you can hand it over to someone else.
You seem to get many more monkeys (disproportionally) from persons over whom you have supervisory position. The reason being is that these people have probably created the monkey.
Words of Wisdom?
Do not take Monkeys.
A Barrel of Monkeys is NOT FUN.
Peace Out!
People in leadership positions are confronted daily with the fact that people under them, people in supervisory positions over them, their customers, the law enforcement community, any and all other interested parties to their line of work will come to them with a monkey. Some in fact come with more than one monkey. Their objective: They will be trying to give you the monkey(s).
Sometimes you will take the monkey and pass it on to someone else. Sometimes you will take the monkey. Sometimes you will give the monkey back.
Lets examine what happens as a result of each of the three scenarios.
You pass the monkey to someone else. First, the person that brought the monkey is happy (they now have no monkey). Secondly, you are happy (or maybe not, depending on how person receiving monkey acts) to no longer have the monkey. Lastly, the person with the monkey is probably not happy.
You take the monkey. This is worst case scenario...being left with the monkey makes more work and often becomes complicated as you try to cage the monkey.
The third option: giving the monkey back is preferable. However, if some one that is a supervisor over you brings you a monkey oft times you are stuck with that monkey. Unless you can hand it over to someone else.
You seem to get many more monkeys (disproportionally) from persons over whom you have supervisory position. The reason being is that these people have probably created the monkey.
Words of Wisdom?
Do not take Monkeys.
A Barrel of Monkeys is NOT FUN.
Peace Out!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Restaurant Report: The Steak Knife
Restaurant Report:
Tonight we dined at the Steak Knife located in the old Voodoo BBQ space located in West End.
Don't know how long they have been open at this location? Make over of the Voodoo BBQ space was nice, definitely upgraded the space, but, still not as classy as former Harrison Ave. location.
Meal:
Crabmeat Au Gratin - nice amount of crabmeat and cheese, thick consistency, not much taste.
Prime Ribeye - ordered medium, was very chewy, on closer inspection too much pink.
Potatoes Au Gratin - again nice amount of potatoes and cheese, thick consistency, not much taste.
FYI
Crown & Coke: $7
House Merlot: $6
Tonight we dined at the Steak Knife located in the old Voodoo BBQ space located in West End.
Don't know how long they have been open at this location? Make over of the Voodoo BBQ space was nice, definitely upgraded the space, but, still not as classy as former Harrison Ave. location.
Meal:
Crabmeat Au Gratin - nice amount of crabmeat and cheese, thick consistency, not much taste.
Prime Ribeye - ordered medium, was very chewy, on closer inspection too much pink.
Potatoes Au Gratin - again nice amount of potatoes and cheese, thick consistency, not much taste.
FYI
Crown & Coke: $7
House Merlot: $6
Starbucks
Isn't it enough that they have addicted us to their various coffees and teas? Isn't it enough that they charge out the ass for their coffees and teas?
Isn't it enough that they are everywhere?
Isn't it enough that they charge out the ass for their coffees and teas?
Isn't it enough that I feel like I am having dessert when I drink their coffees and teas?
Isn't it enough that they serve desserts?
Isn't it enough that they serve breakfast type food?
Isn't it enough that they serve lunch type food?
Isn't it enough that they charge out the ass for their coffees and teas?
Isn't it enough? Apparently not! They invented their own language when it comes to sizes..........Tall, Grande, and Venti......seriously, what was wrong with good ole small, medium, and large?
You can have no-fat, whole, decaf, soy, sweet n low, splenda, sugar free syrup.
So an order of a Venti No-fat Decaf Cinnamon Dolce Latte with sugar free syrup is a mouth full. My thoughts are that if you are paying out the ass for their coffees and teas they ought to make it easier to order!
Maybe I will start a Starbucks Anonymous so that I can ween myself and others of the addiction of these coffees and teas. I will begin by saying I know I have a problem! 11 steps to go.
Peace Out
Isn't it enough that they are everywhere?
Isn't it enough that they charge out the ass for their coffees and teas?
Isn't it enough that I feel like I am having dessert when I drink their coffees and teas?
Isn't it enough that they serve desserts?
Isn't it enough that they serve breakfast type food?
Isn't it enough that they serve lunch type food?
Isn't it enough that they charge out the ass for their coffees and teas?
Isn't it enough? Apparently not! They invented their own language when it comes to sizes..........Tall, Grande, and Venti......seriously, what was wrong with good ole small, medium, and large?
You can have no-fat, whole, decaf, soy, sweet n low, splenda, sugar free syrup.
So an order of a Venti No-fat Decaf Cinnamon Dolce Latte with sugar free syrup is a mouth full. My thoughts are that if you are paying out the ass for their coffees and teas they ought to make it easier to order!
Maybe I will start a Starbucks Anonymous so that I can ween myself and others of the addiction of these coffees and teas. I will begin by saying I know I have a problem! 11 steps to go.
Peace Out
Thursday, May 10, 2007
What has happened to the French Fry?
What in God's name has happened to the single most important side dish(at one time) in American cooking? Heck, in some circles it might have been considered above side dish. Didn't everyone order a Hamburger and Fries or a Cheeseburger and Fries. It was if you could not have one without the other.
What in God's name has happened to my major craving as an 8 year old boy? Craving, so much so, that my parents had to me bring to a Doctor (it was a set up, of course) who told me that if I continued to eat the fried potatoes that it would not bode well for me for my physical well-being in the future? He then ordered me off the french fries!!!!
Here it is in a nutshell.........Fries were Commercialized. Huh? Because they were not the "main" dish they have been tinkered with, toyed with, and basically ruined. The burger became the "be all to end all". Restaurants, fast food places, and the cooks at home began building a better mousetrap, oops, burger. Everyone wanted to cook the best burger and so all the attention went to the burger. Big, small, square, sirloin, steak, etc., etc., etc. French fries fell by the wayside. Until the better burger quest eased and some fast food idiot decided to tinker with the fry.
Lets see they crinkled them, they steak sized them, they put bumps on them (Burger King's fuck up), they made them thinner, they made them fatter, they made them so they were not all potato, they made them so they would cook faster, they put creole seasoning on them, they put old bay on them, they put a lot of shit on them, they up sized them, they biggie sized them, they made them out of sweet potatoes, and we basically ruined them. A telling tale that things were going South for the French Fry occured when someone came up with the brilliant idea to put chili, cheese, and onion on them and thereby smothering the taste of the F. F.. It was if the F.F. could not make it alone. I want to believe that someone was just trying to help the poor F.F.
So I say (read sarcastically) -Thanks to each and everyone that participated in or contributed to the demise of the French Fry.
Where can you get a good F. F. these days? Help me out people, WHERE?
Somebody please help me!!!!!!
My only hope is that all these fancy restaurants that are now touting "frites" will do honor justly to the French Fry. This is my prayer.
Peace Out
What in God's name has happened to my major craving as an 8 year old boy? Craving, so much so, that my parents had to me bring to a Doctor (it was a set up, of course) who told me that if I continued to eat the fried potatoes that it would not bode well for me for my physical well-being in the future? He then ordered me off the french fries!!!!
Here it is in a nutshell.........Fries were Commercialized. Huh? Because they were not the "main" dish they have been tinkered with, toyed with, and basically ruined. The burger became the "be all to end all". Restaurants, fast food places, and the cooks at home began building a better mousetrap, oops, burger. Everyone wanted to cook the best burger and so all the attention went to the burger. Big, small, square, sirloin, steak, etc., etc., etc. French fries fell by the wayside. Until the better burger quest eased and some fast food idiot decided to tinker with the fry.
Lets see they crinkled them, they steak sized them, they put bumps on them (Burger King's fuck up), they made them thinner, they made them fatter, they made them so they were not all potato, they made them so they would cook faster, they put creole seasoning on them, they put old bay on them, they put a lot of shit on them, they up sized them, they biggie sized them, they made them out of sweet potatoes, and we basically ruined them. A telling tale that things were going South for the French Fry occured when someone came up with the brilliant idea to put chili, cheese, and onion on them and thereby smothering the taste of the F. F.. It was if the F.F. could not make it alone. I want to believe that someone was just trying to help the poor F.F.
So I say (read sarcastically) -Thanks to each and everyone that participated in or contributed to the demise of the French Fry.
Where can you get a good F. F. these days? Help me out people, WHERE?
Somebody please help me!!!!!!
My only hope is that all these fancy restaurants that are now touting "frites" will do honor justly to the French Fry. This is my prayer.
Peace Out
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
My first blog
It certainly isn't like giving birth, my wife tells me (although she doesn't really know either). But hey I believe I am giving birth to this blog. It is a big deal! Ok, its just words, more like ramblings or musings on lots of stuff from food whoring, food snobbery, sports, life, and more. Come along for the ride! Peace Out!
That was FUN!
That was FUN!
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