Category Archives: On Eating Around

A quick list of food related Commentary, Rants & Raves

Me? At a Casino? Oh My…

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Being a fan of the Hash House from my time in Las Vegas – when looking for a place to eat while visiting the Mohiegan Sun Casino on Sunday with my Mom – I knew this Hash HouseIMG_9964 IMG_9965 IMG_9966 would work. My mom is a fan of down home basics, often with an italian flair – but basic american food works too. And thats that they do well here, hearty portioned and solid foods. While she went easy with eggs, the corned beef hash ( you actually get to choose from 4 types of hash including a vegetarian one), eggs over great potatoes. I opted for my general favorite the Friend chicken breasts and waffles (umm and by they way thats two breasts and 4 waffles – so be hungry or ready to share.) As expected the food was good – not overly spiced so most tastes will find it mild and may need a bit of hot sauce to heat it up. Portions are hearty as I mentioned above. Over all, given its in a casino attached to an arena – one of several good food finds!

My biggest beef, which they can’t control was having to through away my leftovers in order to enter the Arena to see the kids play post the Lacrosse game..

God-Kid Day Excursions in CT

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After living in CA for the last 25 years and not being back to visit family in over 6 years,  I wanted to get some time with each of my god-kids 1:1 while in town for my Mom’s 75th.IMG_0034

My god-son, Danny and I and I started our day last week with the ever popular breakfast and movie day. When trying to figure out where to go, he mentioned State Street Cafe and said the key words for me – old school! IMG_0029Well pegged that right. Not only does it have an old school diner feel, it is slowly weaving in new school treats like Chia seeds into the meals. We opted with the basics biscuits & eggsIMG_0031
with a hash side, and him getting omelette with some incredible potatoes, but from the looks of the other meals coming out of the openIMG_0033IMG_0032 air kitchen – its a try-all kind of menu. Sitting  directly next to a local cross-fit gym, the crowd is an electric mix of young and old, with the non-nonsense approach to eating that New Englanders do so well – but take it from me – this is not your “Mels Diner” type place..  so while it may not be fancy,  nothing about State Street dated – just good solid food.

State Street Cafe
346 State St, North Haven, CT 06473-3100 Hours 6:00AM – 3:00PM (203) 288-1425

 

Later that day, I started round two with my other god-kid Laura, IMG_0043be we opted for Sushi. Now face facts what does a 50-something gay man and a 15 year old young lady have in common? Food & boys. So after getting the low down on your new bf, and filling her in on mine and our little monster Dino. IMG_0045We started the food & nutrition chat; which even got her to try edamame for the first time, before starting back to her grandmothers house and dinner at my sister’s ( her mom’s). IMG_0044

So over all – we had a great day

Birthday dinner with the Gang at Broadway Prime

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Some of my friends and I, when we get together tend to aim towards a few favorite restaurants – but this week we went to a new place. Broadway Prime had been one on my list for a while to try as I havIMG_9750e been a huge fan of House of Prime Rib in San Francisco – so when one of us decided to pick Prime as the goto for a group birthday celebration, I was excited.

An easy drive south of San Francisco, located in a cute village like setting – it was easy to both find and park. With more than half of the group arrived -they seated us pretty fast up on the second level. (we weren’t happy they they had broken out group up into two tables which wasn’t what the host had asked for – but the only response provided was that we would have had to wait until the the other party ended) – not the nicest customer service (but I wasn’t the host so I didn’t say anything).

Now here is where the evening started to take a turn. With another large group up there and several smaller tables of 4, it looked like only one server was assigned. So it was well over 20 min before our drink orders were taken, then at least another 15 min for the food order. Luckily we were chatted and catching up and only a few side comments surfaced as to “gosh it was taking a while to get service”. Once the orders were placed, the meal came out pretty well timed after the salad course. IMG_9728

Ok so- the Strengths! The meats was great. At our table we had several different cuts, including one end cut, and everyone agr
eed they were moist, tender and had good flavor. The Baked potatoes were nicely steamy and melty good – always a treat when getting ready to toss some calories away.

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The Opportunities: Not all the plates arrived with hot food. Several of the meats were barely warm (including mine and I had the end cut) so that was a disappointment. The sides were on the bland side – both the creamed spinach and corn were lacking any “wow”. The spinach actually was almost pasty and lacked much in the way of seasoning at all. (maybe some nutmeg would have helped?) even salt and pepper at the table didn’t do much and again they weren’t particularly hot either.

We figured that they may have been hit with a rush, understaffed, or maybe the kitchen got slammed – but even the pop-overs which were good didn’t get to the table until well after we had started eating. I couldn’t see any bus-persons assisting and it felt as it we had one server to divide between the two large groups.

Overall – I would try the resturant again with a smaller group or a few couples when in the area. But not sure I would make it a destination again as a “must go to”.

 

 

Sometimes trying something new like @Sprig doesn’t leave a good taste in ur mouth

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Wow tried the food app service Sprig tonight and not impressed so far. After several recomendations earlier this week I placed my first order. 

 A short time later I happened to check email to find they issued a refund. Ended up calling to ask why a refund email was sent and about the status of the food.

Only to be told the order was cancelled with a vague mention that its a rare occurance but during my order placement an item ran out. 
But that doesnt explain why the system doesnt trigger a call, or text about placeing a substitution on the 86’d item. 

The phone support didnt seem very concerned and while they did offer some credit they didnt even have curtesy to initiate a “we can have an order out to you asap if you choose a replacement on us” instead he wanted to play word games about my telling him what I wanted as if it was on me that the error was made and to correct it.  I think more training is needed. 

I still think its a good concept but needs some work in its customer engagement and technical engineering. Unclear if I will risk another attempt in the future. 

   
 

Sunshine Cafe – Palm Springs

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Obviously I like a range of food if you ever have read my posts. So it often won’t matter if its high end or down home – as long as its good. Sunshine is a regular goto for us when in Palm Springs. Its got the attitude I like in a no-frills kind of place; great menu options and now serves dinner. From super breakfasts to burgers to full out dinner combo’s this is homestyle dining.  Located in the Cathedral City side of Palm Springs – this little cafe is tucked away across from Digs. Has on street parking as well as off street. My suggestion is not go if you are in a hurry – not because they are slow, rather they have a good crowd and turn tables quick -but they won’t rush you while you are eating. Great place to take a minute and eat, share and laugh.

Sunshine Cafe

www.sunshinecafe.com

36815 Cathedral Canyon Dr

Cathedral City, CA 92234

New Years at Manos Nouveau

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IMG_8670I waited a few days now to write this post as I struggled on how best to describe our experience at Manos Nouveau but this image I snapped in the men’s room seemed to echo my feelings.

We had been several times before so knew that it’s food was good. We made plans for the Christmas Eve special since we were planning to attend the Castro Theater later that night to see the SFGMC perform. We arrived on time and were seated within 10 mins. and thats when things started to go off kilter. Wth only one waitress and one hostess we expected a lot of movement.

IMG_8672 Our drink order was taken (they don’t serve much in non alcoholic beverages other than sparkling waters (bottled) and some “soda” specials so I started off that they didn’t have Iced tea for my meal as I don’t drink much in the way of sparkling beverages nor nor did they offer to let me make my own.)

Since it was a limited adaption of the regular menu – we placed our orders pretty quickly – then waited.. and waited… the appetizers arrived finally about 20 min later and as expected they tasted great… but 45 -50 min later we were still waiting for our meal to arrive (reminder timeline: Seated by 6:45, apps by 7:10, entree by 8:00)

There also seemed a lot of confusion – first we asked our hostess for some bread (they don’t serve any but do have crostini (bread toasted) since my app  needed some crunch to be better enjoyeIMG_8673d.

Then our waitress came to the table around 7:45 after a gentle side comment from me on the way to the restroom about our appreciating a status update. She explained that they were being plated now and would be up shortly. About 4 minutes later the Chef/Owner (?) came table-side to apologize and explain our ticket had been lost and that he would gladly comp us what we had eaten so far (apps) given we had a time line or he would go back and make our dishes himself.

I looked up and mentioned (in a rather casual was as I wasn’t yet annoyed either), that the waitress had just explained our meals were being plated less than 5 minutes ago and his response while not intending to be (perhaps) came out rather defensively dismissive, saying that he was the chef and knew best on what was up in the kitchen. We did a time check and agreed to let him prepare our plates, yet 5 mIMG_8675in later – our meals arrived.

So obviously – it was a mixed-bag night. The food was good – I can’t by any measure take that away. But the service seemed off. The Chef did reduce the cost of our bill (10%) for some for the trouble which was appreciated.

 

Manos Nouveau
3970 17th St (b/t Hartford St & Market St )
San Francisco, CA 94114
Castro

A “Bit O Country” in Palm Springs

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I liked the food here.

It’s not fancy and definitely not about being trendy.File_001 Its falls into the retro classic diner style places I went growing up. the coffee is hot and strong, the eggs good and lots of menu options. They have a great front seating area with a view and a smaller “railway diner” indoor seating space. Great “morning after” place. Love the ” 6 egg” option and the sausage patties were real patties.

Bit O Country http://www.yelp.com/biz/bit-of-country-palm-springs

418 S Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262  (760) 325-5154

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Varuni Napoli

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Being allergic to Hazelnuts mean I’ve never had the pleasure of trying Nutella. But of course anything with chocolate I’m always drawn to. The fact that they have got tubs of it around here is amazing.

I wish I’d run into this place when I first got here to Atlanta back in the summer for this temporary work assignment. I would have come much more often. I liked the off-beat and quirky fast-paced friendly vibe of the place. Not to mention, it smells great when you walk in. In the way that only an open wood fired kitchen can be. The pizzas have nice crust and flavor all the way around. The antipasto plate was a much welcome suprise find on the menu. I like the fact that they try unusual combinations, so overall definitely a fun place to go from date night to boys (or gals) night out.

1540 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
For more info: http://www.varuni.us

   
    
   

By the slice…

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My fave food hint;

When buying more than one slice of something at your better bakeries; when you can ask for it as one big “slice”. Then once home, you can cut as needed and it will stay fresher longer. Of course, that is if you can resist eating it all.

Chocolate, Chocolate chip bread from CEG Bakery in Atlanta; 2591 Piedmont Rd NE Ste 1115, Atlanta, GA 30324