After an especially hard workout at the pool this morning, BK and I went to EAT Café on Magnolia in North Hollywood, which is close to the Y, for breakfast. We have gone there various times before but I haven’t written about it. This is a great place for breakfast for many reasons. The restaurant is very small with only 9 or so tables and a few outside. I think much of their business is carry-out as I saw many people coming in and picking up food.
Today I decided to have a scramble with mushrooms and cheddar cheese. This comes with a choice of potatoes, Ned’s shreds or fruit. Then there is also a choice of toast, all kinds and I picked an English muffin. First the scramble was perfectly done and tasted delicious. I ordered Ned’s shreds which are shredded pieces of zucchini that are fried up like potatoes. I love them. They are a bit greasy but a great substitute for potatoes – not many carbs. I asked for my English muffin well toasted and often that doesn’t happen but here it came just right. In fact, the waitress told me that she would be a little late with the muffin because she was toasting it twice. I also like that they have orange marmalade jam packets, my favorite treat with English muffins.
BK ordered the 222 which consisted of two eggs, two pieces of sausage and two huge pancakes. She said her scrambled eggs were perfect as was the sausage. The pancakes were delicious as I had to take a taste also. They do make all different kinds of pancakes, including chocolate chip, so I have to remember this place when my family visits me. The coffee is also very good as was the service.
When coming on the weekend, expect to wait. However, we went at 10:30 on a Tuesday morning and there was a place to sit. If ever in the North Hollywood area and you want breakfast, this would be a good choice. Prices are moderate. Eat is at 11108 Magnolia Blvd.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
By Brazil
A group of women that I used to work with have been going out to lunch roughly once a month for quite a while now. Many of us are no longer are working together but this fun time is a way for us to keep in touch and I love it. Every time we go, one person picks the restaurant. Since we all live in different areas, this also gives us a chance to visit other places in the LA area. This time we went to Torrance to the By Brazil BBQ. Originally we were going to a vegan restaurant but that was closed on Sundays so we went to a steakhouse instead. As can be seen, we have eclectic tastes.
Brazilian steakhouses are very interesting. The first one I went to was in Niagara Falls. If you like meat, you need to try any Brazilian steakhouse and I don’t think you will be disappointed. First there is a “salad” bar which does have some fixings for salad and also has various salads like macaroni, potato and tuna salad. However, it is more than that. There was beef stroganoff which appeared to have a consistency more like a soup. I didn’t have any but others in the group declared it was very tasty. I did have the white rice which I covered with very good black beans. They had a black bean and sausage dish, garlic bread and delicious little cheesy rolls. They also had lasagna. There were plantains and yucca and more that I can’t remember. The only small complaint that I could make about the salad bar is that the plantains were mushier than I like. I would have liked them to be more solid and crispy.
Although you could just order the salad bar and hot buffet ($14.99), that isn’t why anyone would come to this restaurant. It’s the meat, it’s all about the meat. The man comes around throughout the meal with skewers of meat, all kinds of meat. You can have as much as you want, whatever you want. When you are finished, you turn this large spool over so the red side is up and then they don’t come to your table anymore. We started off with chicken thighs which were so tender, tasty and delicious. Then he came around with various steaks and would cut off what you wanted – tri-tip, top sirloin, skirt steak and I don’t remember the others. If you wanted it rare, as I did, he brought rare. If you wanted it more well-done, he gave you that. He sliced off as much meat as we wanted and he kept coming around at intervals that were just right. He also had sausage, which I didn’t have but BK loved. And there was marinated pork. I loved all the steaks except the skirt steak which I thought was rather tough. All the others, and I ate them all, were as tender and flavorful as could be.
There is a Brazilian steakhouse closer to my house which I have wanted to try. After this experience, I absolutely will go there. The cost for the entire meal including the hot buffet and salad bar is $19.95 which is very reasonable. This was a very nice experience, not only because the food was very good but also because the company was great.
Brazilian steakhouses are very interesting. The first one I went to was in Niagara Falls. If you like meat, you need to try any Brazilian steakhouse and I don’t think you will be disappointed. First there is a “salad” bar which does have some fixings for salad and also has various salads like macaroni, potato and tuna salad. However, it is more than that. There was beef stroganoff which appeared to have a consistency more like a soup. I didn’t have any but others in the group declared it was very tasty. I did have the white rice which I covered with very good black beans. They had a black bean and sausage dish, garlic bread and delicious little cheesy rolls. They also had lasagna. There were plantains and yucca and more that I can’t remember. The only small complaint that I could make about the salad bar is that the plantains were mushier than I like. I would have liked them to be more solid and crispy.
Although you could just order the salad bar and hot buffet ($14.99), that isn’t why anyone would come to this restaurant. It’s the meat, it’s all about the meat. The man comes around throughout the meal with skewers of meat, all kinds of meat. You can have as much as you want, whatever you want. When you are finished, you turn this large spool over so the red side is up and then they don’t come to your table anymore. We started off with chicken thighs which were so tender, tasty and delicious. Then he came around with various steaks and would cut off what you wanted – tri-tip, top sirloin, skirt steak and I don’t remember the others. If you wanted it rare, as I did, he brought rare. If you wanted it more well-done, he gave you that. He sliced off as much meat as we wanted and he kept coming around at intervals that were just right. He also had sausage, which I didn’t have but BK loved. And there was marinated pork. I loved all the steaks except the skirt steak which I thought was rather tough. All the others, and I ate them all, were as tender and flavorful as could be.
There is a Brazilian steakhouse closer to my house which I have wanted to try. After this experience, I absolutely will go there. The cost for the entire meal including the hot buffet and salad bar is $19.95 which is very reasonable. This was a very nice experience, not only because the food was very good but also because the company was great.
Rock Bottom Brewery
Prior to going to hear Kate Clinton, a very funny comedienne, four of us decided we would eat in Long Beach where she was performing. First we thought we would find a place at Shoreline Village which isn’t far from the convention center but, as so often happens in LA, especially on the 405, the traffic delayed us quite a bit. We found the Rock Bottom Brewery directly across the street from the convention center and decided that would be a good place to go - and it was.
I didn’t realize until today that this was a chain and that they have a restaurant in Milwaukee but this is the only one in the LA area. Although they brew their own beer, none of us imbibed but instead drank sodas and ice tea which were fine. BJ and I each ordered the Brew Burger with cheese and we had the fries. We could have had their homemade chips but they were made with vinegar, not pleasant for us. We also could have had fruit or brewery slaw but, being the health nuts that we are, we chose the fries. The hamburgers were very large on a very nice bun (remember I like soft buns and this one was perfect). It came with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions on the side. The burgers were very juicy and delicious. The one complaint was that they were not done as we ordered. BJ ordered hers medium well and it was cooked medium and I ordered mine medium and it was definitely medium rare which actually is OK for me. If you go there and get a burger, order it more well-done than you would like and it will be perfect. The fries were seasoned and tasted very salty but they weren’t greasy at all. BJ had a side of BBQ sauce and she liked it and said it was a tangy sauce rather than a sweet one.
M ordered a Rueben sandwich. She said that she realized if you want an authentic Rueben, you need to go to a deli. She liked the bread and the sandwich was OK but not like you would get at Jerry’s. She didn’t care for the seasoning on the fries. BK had Classic Mac and Chicken. That came with a side Caesar that had real Parmesan cheese sliced on the top but seemed to be too light on the dressing. Although she liked her dish, she felt it could have been called pasta and chicken with a little cheese. She had expected true mac and cheese with chicken added but she liked the meal.
We were all very full and mostly satisfied. We opted out for dessert. Our server was pretty good as was the food. I would go there again and again get a hamburger although they have many other interesting items on the menu. The prices are in the upper medium range – our burgers cost about $9, the Rueben was about $10 and the mac and chicken was about $13. The Rock Bottom Brewery is at One Pine Avenue directly across from the Long Beach Convention Center.
I didn’t realize until today that this was a chain and that they have a restaurant in Milwaukee but this is the only one in the LA area. Although they brew their own beer, none of us imbibed but instead drank sodas and ice tea which were fine. BJ and I each ordered the Brew Burger with cheese and we had the fries. We could have had their homemade chips but they were made with vinegar, not pleasant for us. We also could have had fruit or brewery slaw but, being the health nuts that we are, we chose the fries. The hamburgers were very large on a very nice bun (remember I like soft buns and this one was perfect). It came with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions on the side. The burgers were very juicy and delicious. The one complaint was that they were not done as we ordered. BJ ordered hers medium well and it was cooked medium and I ordered mine medium and it was definitely medium rare which actually is OK for me. If you go there and get a burger, order it more well-done than you would like and it will be perfect. The fries were seasoned and tasted very salty but they weren’t greasy at all. BJ had a side of BBQ sauce and she liked it and said it was a tangy sauce rather than a sweet one.
M ordered a Rueben sandwich. She said that she realized if you want an authentic Rueben, you need to go to a deli. She liked the bread and the sandwich was OK but not like you would get at Jerry’s. She didn’t care for the seasoning on the fries. BK had Classic Mac and Chicken. That came with a side Caesar that had real Parmesan cheese sliced on the top but seemed to be too light on the dressing. Although she liked her dish, she felt it could have been called pasta and chicken with a little cheese. She had expected true mac and cheese with chicken added but she liked the meal.
We were all very full and mostly satisfied. We opted out for dessert. Our server was pretty good as was the food. I would go there again and again get a hamburger although they have many other interesting items on the menu. The prices are in the upper medium range – our burgers cost about $9, the Rueben was about $10 and the mac and chicken was about $13. The Rock Bottom Brewery is at One Pine Avenue directly across from the Long Beach Convention Center.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Last day in Las Vegas – September 23, 2009 (4)
The best laid plans of mice and whoever – we didn’t go to the Paris. I was ready to leave the city but I wanted to go to that café. When we left the Luxor – a hotel where we will never return – we saw a lot of traffic on the Strip. They are, for a change, constructing and so many lanes are closed. I looked at that and decided to leave the city. I had been asked to review some out-of-the way places in Las Vegas so we decided to look for a place for breakfast. Bonnie took out Jack (our name for our GPS) and found a place called the Original Sunrise Café. We hoped that the place still existed and that it really was a restaurant. If you are one who has read my travels before, you will know that Jack is not always accurate but that was not the case today. We were directed to a mini-mall and there was a small restaurant with people sitting outside and enough people on the inside as well for us to take a chance.
The Original Sunrise Café has no ambiance but it doesn’t need it. They were voted one of the healthiest restaurants in Las Vegas. Don’t think this is health food place because it isn’t. However, they offer healthier choices. That doesn’t mean we chose the healthy way. Bonnie had The Original which is a sandwich on a Kaiser roll. Cut the roll. Put one egg fried with the yolk broken hard. Top that with American cheese, although she had a choice of maybe 6 different cheeses. A sausage patty topped with another egg and another American cheese and topped off with the top of a very good Kaiser roll. She loved it! This came with quite good shredded potatoes. I had the Complete Breakfast with two basted eggs done perfectly, Canadian bacon, the non-greasy shredded potatoes and a toasted Sesame seed bagel with cream cheese. I was given a choice of bacon, Canadian bacon, or sausage. I was also given the choice of potatoes or fruit. The coffee was also excellent.
The Original Sunrise Café doesn’t look like much but it is really a very good place for breakfast and probably other meals as well. This very unassuming restaurant is located at 8975 S. Eastern Ave in Las Vegas, the actual city rather than the strip. In fact there was not one slot machine in the place. Our bill, including tax, came to a little over $20. It is south of the city which makes it somewhat, but not really, on the way. Use a GPS or mapquest or google maps and remember that it is in a mini-mall. This was a great way to end our over-eating trip.
I was so satisfied that I drove all the way home without stopping which is unusual for me. I am glad to be home and will especially like going to sleep in my comfortable bed.
The Original Sunrise Café has no ambiance but it doesn’t need it. They were voted one of the healthiest restaurants in Las Vegas. Don’t think this is health food place because it isn’t. However, they offer healthier choices. That doesn’t mean we chose the healthy way. Bonnie had The Original which is a sandwich on a Kaiser roll. Cut the roll. Put one egg fried with the yolk broken hard. Top that with American cheese, although she had a choice of maybe 6 different cheeses. A sausage patty topped with another egg and another American cheese and topped off with the top of a very good Kaiser roll. She loved it! This came with quite good shredded potatoes. I had the Complete Breakfast with two basted eggs done perfectly, Canadian bacon, the non-greasy shredded potatoes and a toasted Sesame seed bagel with cream cheese. I was given a choice of bacon, Canadian bacon, or sausage. I was also given the choice of potatoes or fruit. The coffee was also excellent.
The Original Sunrise Café doesn’t look like much but it is really a very good place for breakfast and probably other meals as well. This very unassuming restaurant is located at 8975 S. Eastern Ave in Las Vegas, the actual city rather than the strip. In fact there was not one slot machine in the place. Our bill, including tax, came to a little over $20. It is south of the city which makes it somewhat, but not really, on the way. Use a GPS or mapquest or google maps and remember that it is in a mini-mall. This was a great way to end our over-eating trip.
I was so satisfied that I drove all the way home without stopping which is unusual for me. I am glad to be home and will especially like going to sleep in my comfortable bed.
Las Vegas – September, 2009 (3)
This morning we didn’t leave until a little later and we drove to the Rio. Even though we had vowed not to eat any buffets ever again in our lives – we are prone to making those type of impossible for us statements – we couldn’t pass up the one at the Rio. Much of that has to do with price. Another part is that I like to eat a little bit of a lot of different foods. Unfortunately, I do eat a little bit of much too many different foods. We got there just after breakfast so we had to pay the lunch price of $16.95. Before I even go on, let me say that this is an amazing buffet for that price and, if you like large buffets with very good food, the Rio is the place to go.
There are 11 different food stations serving ethnic and American food. They were carving roast beef (too well done for my taste) and ham. I did what I usually do when entering a buffet – I cruise through the situation to decide what I want to eat first. Lo and behold there was lox and both onion and smoked salmon cream cheese. But where was the bagel? I put the lox and cream cheese on my plate and went looking for the bagel. Then I asked and she said that breakfast was over. I replied that I had lox and cream cheese but nothing to put it on. She went to look for a bagel and told me they were all gone. I found that weird. I did put it on a small roll and that worked.
I also had sushi which was very good. They were making this Japanese dish (I forgot what it is called) where you put all the vegetables into a bowl and the meat as well and then they stir fry it. It looked very good but I didn’t get it. I did have a delicious sweet potato dish and some excellent mushroom rice. Carbs, anyone? They had many different kinds of sausages that Bonnie really liked. I was more careful this time and didn’t really overeat but I ate enough. There was also an excellent salad bar with many different salads. Since I didn’t want to overeat, I skipped the salads.
For dessert I had no sugar added chocolate gelato that was wonderful. We also liked the cookies. There was an array of pies and cakes ( some sugar free), bananas foster and so much more. If you want to go to one buffet that doesn’t cost a fortune and is very good, this is the place.
The Rio may have a wonderful buffet but the gambling left a lot to be desired. I lost again. This has not been a profitable trip for me. Well, there is always tomorrow.
I went back to the hotel and again went to the pool area to relax. Again I enjoyed it and Bonnie joined me a little later. We were not hungry at all before the show so we decided to wait to eat until after it. Criss Angel is quite a performer. He teamed up with a group from Cirque de Soleil (sp?). It was a spectacular production with pyrotechnics, lots of fog, and lots of booming noise, much to Bonnie’s chagrin. It was a rather dark story but the dancing was magnificent and his illusions were breathtaking. I sort of wished we saw more of the illusions but we both really enjoyed the show.
By the time it was over, we were hungry and went to the Pyramid Café at the Luxor. Bonnie ordered an appetizer of meatball sandwiches. She got four of them and they were very good. I felt more like a snack than real food so I ordered nachos and got enough to feed four. They were also excellent. The only soda they have here are Pepsi products and our waitress was nice enough to go to the bar and get me a bunch of limes to put into my soda. I think the prices are a bit steep but the portions are very large and we thought the food was quite good.
Tomorrow morning we leave. The check-out time is 11:00 and we are planning on going to my favorite restaurant here - Mon Ami Gabi, a café at the Paris. They have fantastic French onion soup and the crispiest frites I have ever had. That will be our last meal here. I will not be posting this until after I am home since I no longer have internet access.
There are 11 different food stations serving ethnic and American food. They were carving roast beef (too well done for my taste) and ham. I did what I usually do when entering a buffet – I cruise through the situation to decide what I want to eat first. Lo and behold there was lox and both onion and smoked salmon cream cheese. But where was the bagel? I put the lox and cream cheese on my plate and went looking for the bagel. Then I asked and she said that breakfast was over. I replied that I had lox and cream cheese but nothing to put it on. She went to look for a bagel and told me they were all gone. I found that weird. I did put it on a small roll and that worked.
I also had sushi which was very good. They were making this Japanese dish (I forgot what it is called) where you put all the vegetables into a bowl and the meat as well and then they stir fry it. It looked very good but I didn’t get it. I did have a delicious sweet potato dish and some excellent mushroom rice. Carbs, anyone? They had many different kinds of sausages that Bonnie really liked. I was more careful this time and didn’t really overeat but I ate enough. There was also an excellent salad bar with many different salads. Since I didn’t want to overeat, I skipped the salads.
For dessert I had no sugar added chocolate gelato that was wonderful. We also liked the cookies. There was an array of pies and cakes ( some sugar free), bananas foster and so much more. If you want to go to one buffet that doesn’t cost a fortune and is very good, this is the place.
The Rio may have a wonderful buffet but the gambling left a lot to be desired. I lost again. This has not been a profitable trip for me. Well, there is always tomorrow.
I went back to the hotel and again went to the pool area to relax. Again I enjoyed it and Bonnie joined me a little later. We were not hungry at all before the show so we decided to wait to eat until after it. Criss Angel is quite a performer. He teamed up with a group from Cirque de Soleil (sp?). It was a spectacular production with pyrotechnics, lots of fog, and lots of booming noise, much to Bonnie’s chagrin. It was a rather dark story but the dancing was magnificent and his illusions were breathtaking. I sort of wished we saw more of the illusions but we both really enjoyed the show.
By the time it was over, we were hungry and went to the Pyramid Café at the Luxor. Bonnie ordered an appetizer of meatball sandwiches. She got four of them and they were very good. I felt more like a snack than real food so I ordered nachos and got enough to feed four. They were also excellent. The only soda they have here are Pepsi products and our waitress was nice enough to go to the bar and get me a bunch of limes to put into my soda. I think the prices are a bit steep but the portions are very large and we thought the food was quite good.
Tomorrow morning we leave. The check-out time is 11:00 and we are planning on going to my favorite restaurant here - Mon Ami Gabi, a café at the Paris. They have fantastic French onion soup and the crispiest frites I have ever had. That will be our last meal here. I will not be posting this until after I am home since I no longer have internet access.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Las Vegas – September, 2009 (2)
After a pretty sound sleep, I was raring to go this morning. OK – let’s say after creaking my body out of the rather hard bed, I was raring to go this morning. We got moving quite early for us in Vegas (8:30 out and about) because we had decided to buy the $29.95 special buffet here at the Luxor. That meant that we would be able to go to the buffet all day long, come in any time and eat. We had decided this was a good deal and we would try it today so we wanted to get there early. One reason we decided on this is that it cost us almost that much for a lunch. Another reason is that we are not the eaters we used to be and so, although we like buffets, we never eat enough or we stuff ourselves. This time we wouldn’t have to stuff ourselves and we know we would get our money’s worth.
Well, the breakfast brunch was a real disappointment. If we would not have bought the day pass, it would cost $13.95. Having gone to many breakfast buffets here that are close to that price, we both felt this was inferior. I don’t remember everything I ate but all tasted OK. It was just that there weren’t the choices we expected. There were no made-to-order omelets, something we always expect. They had little bagels and cream cheese packets like we get at our free breakfasts at a Hampton Inn but there was no lox or no capers. There were plain all ready made plain omelets. They had tiny cheese blintzes that were quite good. There were nice desserts – donuts, sweet rolls - but Bonnie felt they tasted rather stale. If you are in Las Vegas, go to any other breakfast buffet – not this one.
I mentioned that yesterday I lost my shirt. It was a nice shirt – one I wear when I go out to a nicer place rather than a jean or khaki shirt. Bonnie suggested that I go back to New York New York and ask at security if anyone had turned it in. I thought that would be an impossibility but we went there. I went to security and the 55 year old security man (he volunteered his age after we sort of did some cutesy banter) called in and said they had a yellow plaid men’s shirt. I told him my shirt was yellow, green, blue and white stripes but the stripes are not all the same so maybe someone thought it was plaid. He said he would have them bring it up. I didn’t tell him my shirt is not a man’s shirt, especially when he said it is an XL. So, they brought up the shirt, rolled in a ball in a bag, and it was my not plaid, not men’s yellow, green, blue and white striped woman’s XL shirt that I love. And today, so far, I am ahead $15 so I am not losing my shirt. I am back!!!
Later, we went for lunch to the lunch buffet. This was much better as there were many choices. They had various ethnic stations. I did not care for the Chinese egg roll or fried rice but I did like the chow mein soft noodles. Bonnie really liked the meatballs. I liked the Mexican food. The desserts were small, which I like on buffets, and very good. We both especially liked the chocolate mousse. They have a very small salad bar with few made salads and not much to put on the lettuce as well. This is due to their remodeling the salad bar so, if anyone comes here in a few months, I would imagine that it would be completed and there would be more salad. The lunch meats looked good but we didn’t have any. Lunch, for $14.95, is well worth it. I hope tonight they have carved meats.
I went to the pool and it was just wonderful. I didn’t go in the pool but I did go in the spa and sitting around the pool was so relaxing. I may go tomorrow also.
I will continue this after dinner.
I am stuffed. I will never do this again. Meaning I will never get the buffet special. I have no self-control. I ate so much today that my loosest pants are tight. Dinner is well worth the price. They have made-to-order steak, which I did not have because there was a line waiting, and excellent, tender prime rib done rare as I like it. The steaks were being grilled on a flame and so if you wanted the prime rib cooked more, they would put it on the flame and cook it. There was peeled shrimp, carved turkey breast, much more salad, BBQ ribs and chocolate lava cake, a favorite of mine. They had some of the same food from this afternoon but there was enough more to make it a different buffet for us. We went at about 8:00 and when I went for dessert, it was very empty. Since the buffet is open until 10, I thought that was not very good. The ice cream and frozen yogurt left a lot to be desired. Otherwise, it was well worth the $19.95 that they charge. The whole thing is a good deal except for the overeating part. I feel there are truly many other buffets that may cost more but, if one wants a buffet, they are wonderful – the Paris for one.
Tomorrow we are going to drive to the Rio but not having any more buffets. I will not be writing any more posts from Las Vegas as I will not have access to the Internet. I have lost $9.50 today but I got my shirt back. It was a good day.
Well, the breakfast brunch was a real disappointment. If we would not have bought the day pass, it would cost $13.95. Having gone to many breakfast buffets here that are close to that price, we both felt this was inferior. I don’t remember everything I ate but all tasted OK. It was just that there weren’t the choices we expected. There were no made-to-order omelets, something we always expect. They had little bagels and cream cheese packets like we get at our free breakfasts at a Hampton Inn but there was no lox or no capers. There were plain all ready made plain omelets. They had tiny cheese blintzes that were quite good. There were nice desserts – donuts, sweet rolls - but Bonnie felt they tasted rather stale. If you are in Las Vegas, go to any other breakfast buffet – not this one.
I mentioned that yesterday I lost my shirt. It was a nice shirt – one I wear when I go out to a nicer place rather than a jean or khaki shirt. Bonnie suggested that I go back to New York New York and ask at security if anyone had turned it in. I thought that would be an impossibility but we went there. I went to security and the 55 year old security man (he volunteered his age after we sort of did some cutesy banter) called in and said they had a yellow plaid men’s shirt. I told him my shirt was yellow, green, blue and white stripes but the stripes are not all the same so maybe someone thought it was plaid. He said he would have them bring it up. I didn’t tell him my shirt is not a man’s shirt, especially when he said it is an XL. So, they brought up the shirt, rolled in a ball in a bag, and it was my not plaid, not men’s yellow, green, blue and white striped woman’s XL shirt that I love. And today, so far, I am ahead $15 so I am not losing my shirt. I am back!!!
Later, we went for lunch to the lunch buffet. This was much better as there were many choices. They had various ethnic stations. I did not care for the Chinese egg roll or fried rice but I did like the chow mein soft noodles. Bonnie really liked the meatballs. I liked the Mexican food. The desserts were small, which I like on buffets, and very good. We both especially liked the chocolate mousse. They have a very small salad bar with few made salads and not much to put on the lettuce as well. This is due to their remodeling the salad bar so, if anyone comes here in a few months, I would imagine that it would be completed and there would be more salad. The lunch meats looked good but we didn’t have any. Lunch, for $14.95, is well worth it. I hope tonight they have carved meats.
I went to the pool and it was just wonderful. I didn’t go in the pool but I did go in the spa and sitting around the pool was so relaxing. I may go tomorrow also.
I will continue this after dinner.
I am stuffed. I will never do this again. Meaning I will never get the buffet special. I have no self-control. I ate so much today that my loosest pants are tight. Dinner is well worth the price. They have made-to-order steak, which I did not have because there was a line waiting, and excellent, tender prime rib done rare as I like it. The steaks were being grilled on a flame and so if you wanted the prime rib cooked more, they would put it on the flame and cook it. There was peeled shrimp, carved turkey breast, much more salad, BBQ ribs and chocolate lava cake, a favorite of mine. They had some of the same food from this afternoon but there was enough more to make it a different buffet for us. We went at about 8:00 and when I went for dessert, it was very empty. Since the buffet is open until 10, I thought that was not very good. The ice cream and frozen yogurt left a lot to be desired. Otherwise, it was well worth the $19.95 that they charge. The whole thing is a good deal except for the overeating part. I feel there are truly many other buffets that may cost more but, if one wants a buffet, they are wonderful – the Paris for one.
Tomorrow we are going to drive to the Rio but not having any more buffets. I will not be writing any more posts from Las Vegas as I will not have access to the Internet. I have lost $9.50 today but I got my shirt back. It was a good day.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Las Vegas – September, 2009 (1)
Since we have been driving to Las Vegas on a somewhat regular basis – maybe 3 times a year lately – or maybe I should say we have been driving on highway 15 more than I ever thought, we now have a standard place we stop, always going and often coming home as well – Peggy Sue’s Diner. This is just a cute restaurant if you like 50’s décor and attitude. The food is pretty good but it is the atmosphere that brings us in. Also, it is just about ½ way to Las Vegas from our house. And the service is usually pretty quick. Today it took us 4 ½ hours to get to Vegas, including our stop for breakfast.
Speaking of which, I had poached eggs – done perfectly for me – hash browns that were OK – perfectly crisp bacon and a slightly underdone English muffin. Bonnie had a good cheeseburger with OK curly fries. We both had diet Coke and left happily full after listening to all that great music in the background. They also give you a tiny Tootsie Roll after eating if you go into the very glitzy and fun attached store.
Our experience, so far, has not been great here at the Luxor. Without going into detail, this hotel just isn’t quite up to the standards of a luxury Las Vegas hotel. We also had some minor problems getting our room and that has been disappointing. We have decided not to stay here again and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
For dinner tonight, we decided to walk over to the Excalibur and go to their coffee shop, the name of which escapes me at the moment. I was shocked at the amount of smoke that I could smell. When the waitress came, I asked if we were sitting in the smoking section. She responded that the smoke comes from the casino which was plenty far from our booth. I think they need a better air filtering system, if they even have one. I ordered French onion soup and it was very good. Bonnie had chicken tenders and she rated them an A- to B+. We also ordered Diet Pepsi and the big plus was that she also brought a carafe so we could fill our own glasses as needed.
Tonight, I lost my shirt in the casino - literally. It is sitting over some chair in some casino. Boo Hoo. It is very hot here and very cold inside so I took my nicest shirt to wear inside as we roamed around. When walking back, I realized that my shirt was not with me. I also lost over my allotted amount of money today. I am now out $35.06. Boo Hoo again. Tomorrow will be a better day!
Speaking of which, I had poached eggs – done perfectly for me – hash browns that were OK – perfectly crisp bacon and a slightly underdone English muffin. Bonnie had a good cheeseburger with OK curly fries. We both had diet Coke and left happily full after listening to all that great music in the background. They also give you a tiny Tootsie Roll after eating if you go into the very glitzy and fun attached store.
Our experience, so far, has not been great here at the Luxor. Without going into detail, this hotel just isn’t quite up to the standards of a luxury Las Vegas hotel. We also had some minor problems getting our room and that has been disappointing. We have decided not to stay here again and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
For dinner tonight, we decided to walk over to the Excalibur and go to their coffee shop, the name of which escapes me at the moment. I was shocked at the amount of smoke that I could smell. When the waitress came, I asked if we were sitting in the smoking section. She responded that the smoke comes from the casino which was plenty far from our booth. I think they need a better air filtering system, if they even have one. I ordered French onion soup and it was very good. Bonnie had chicken tenders and she rated them an A- to B+. We also ordered Diet Pepsi and the big plus was that she also brought a carafe so we could fill our own glasses as needed.
Tonight, I lost my shirt in the casino - literally. It is sitting over some chair in some casino. Boo Hoo. It is very hot here and very cold inside so I took my nicest shirt to wear inside as we roamed around. When walking back, I realized that my shirt was not with me. I also lost over my allotted amount of money today. I am now out $35.06. Boo Hoo again. Tomorrow will be a better day!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Cafe Aldente
As we were going to lunch today, one of our neighbors asked where we were going. When we said we were going to lunch, he strongly suggested we try Café Aldente which is located in the same mini-mall as Chin Chin on Ventura but way in the back. We asked about the type of food and he told us they make the best lentil soup and Greek salad he has ever had. He also said their pastas are delicious. I am not the biggest fan of Italian food, especially when I am watching carb intake, but I am a fan of going to new places and I like lentil soup so we took his advice.
I really wonder how anybody finds this restaurant. It is truly hidden behind escalators. We walked in and saw a menu on the wall. There were no other patrons there but it was after 3:00, a little late for lunch and too early for dinner. They had some lunch specials but we were too late for them. The menu is definitely eclectic – skewers, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and paninis, chopped salads of all kinds. The walls had movie posters in Italian but we ended up choosing Mediterranean which is surprising for me. We each ordered lentil soup and then shared chicken skewers.
First we were served 4 small garlic rolls that were really good. Then they brought the very large bowl of lentil soup. This soup has no animal fat or dairy products and it is pureed. My mother-in-law used to puree all her soups and this was thick as were hers. It is probably made from yellow lentils and had a light Mediterranean flavor. Both of us really liked the soup and I was looking forward to the skewers. Much to my surprise, we were served a chopped salad that was quite full of small cubes of fresh vegetables. The problem with the salad was that it had a dressing which to me tasted mostly of vinegar. I hated it and did not eat the salad at all and actually B ate a little and did agree with me about the dressing. One plus was that they divided our meal for us which was great. We each got a skewer with chicken, onion and green and red peppers which we asked him to leave off and he didn’t. The skewer was atop some good rice which was very buttery. There was also a roasted tomato which I didn’t taste. We also got some nice pita bread and a small but sufficient amount of good tasting hummus.
I didn’t care for the taste of the chicken. I can’t really explain why but there was some flavoring that I didn’t care for. I do eat Mediterranean food but I didn’t like this. It was all white meat and there was plenty of it. I felt some was dry but B did not find hers to be like that. We had too much food and brought some home which B can eat since I will pass.
The food was OK. The service was iffy. I had to ask to have our table washed. I was not offered a refill for my iced tea until we had finished eating. We told him that we wanted to take the remainder of our food home and he forgot to give it to us. When B went to the register to charge the bill rather than wait for him to come, after signed the receipt, she had to ask him for our take-home which he had for us. I see no reason to go back there. However, they have some nice specials. On Tuesday night, kids eat free with one adult meal. The specials on Tuesday are pasta dinners for $7.95. Since I didn’t eat a pasta meal and I know the garlic rolls are delicious, I can’t really say whether or not this is a good deal.
I really wonder how anybody finds this restaurant. It is truly hidden behind escalators. We walked in and saw a menu on the wall. There were no other patrons there but it was after 3:00, a little late for lunch and too early for dinner. They had some lunch specials but we were too late for them. The menu is definitely eclectic – skewers, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and paninis, chopped salads of all kinds. The walls had movie posters in Italian but we ended up choosing Mediterranean which is surprising for me. We each ordered lentil soup and then shared chicken skewers.
First we were served 4 small garlic rolls that were really good. Then they brought the very large bowl of lentil soup. This soup has no animal fat or dairy products and it is pureed. My mother-in-law used to puree all her soups and this was thick as were hers. It is probably made from yellow lentils and had a light Mediterranean flavor. Both of us really liked the soup and I was looking forward to the skewers. Much to my surprise, we were served a chopped salad that was quite full of small cubes of fresh vegetables. The problem with the salad was that it had a dressing which to me tasted mostly of vinegar. I hated it and did not eat the salad at all and actually B ate a little and did agree with me about the dressing. One plus was that they divided our meal for us which was great. We each got a skewer with chicken, onion and green and red peppers which we asked him to leave off and he didn’t. The skewer was atop some good rice which was very buttery. There was also a roasted tomato which I didn’t taste. We also got some nice pita bread and a small but sufficient amount of good tasting hummus.
I didn’t care for the taste of the chicken. I can’t really explain why but there was some flavoring that I didn’t care for. I do eat Mediterranean food but I didn’t like this. It was all white meat and there was plenty of it. I felt some was dry but B did not find hers to be like that. We had too much food and brought some home which B can eat since I will pass.
The food was OK. The service was iffy. I had to ask to have our table washed. I was not offered a refill for my iced tea until we had finished eating. We told him that we wanted to take the remainder of our food home and he forgot to give it to us. When B went to the register to charge the bill rather than wait for him to come, after signed the receipt, she had to ask him for our take-home which he had for us. I see no reason to go back there. However, they have some nice specials. On Tuesday night, kids eat free with one adult meal. The specials on Tuesday are pasta dinners for $7.95. Since I didn’t eat a pasta meal and I know the garlic rolls are delicious, I can’t really say whether or not this is a good deal.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Brats Brothers Gourmet Sausage Grill
B dragged me kicking and screaming into this very small restaurant on Ventura Boulevard. Brats and sausages are not my favorite things. I sometimes eat brats when I am at a cook-out in Milwaukee, especially when that is all that is offered or if they have been sufficiently burnt. B is a brat lover so when she read about this place, she wanted to go. Then when we got a coupon for the restaurant, I caved in and off we went after an hour exercising in the pool. She caught me at my hungriest, most exhausted time of day.
A few disclaimers – the first being that I would not be a good judge of brats since I apparently, as B tells me, only like the white ones. I am not sure I even know what that means. We never had brats when we were growing up so I am new to this “delicacy?” My second disclaimer is that I like soft, squishy, white buns. I know that isn’t gustromically (new word I invented) correct as we should all love wheat or many grained rolls. I am not opposed to them but not when I am eating hot dogs – soft and squishy like at the ballpark, or at least as it used to be at the ballpark. My third disclaimer is that I have been watching my carb intake and haven’t had anything other than lower carb bread in a while. My fourth disclaimer is that I really like Hebrew National hot dogs and that was the kind they had.
The menu is on the wall in this tiny restaurant. Orders are taken at the register and then delivered to the table. All sausages are homemade. There are two tables for four and three tables for two. There are also some in a fenced off area outside on Ventura. Luckily for us, there was only one other table taken when we arrived but all were filled and there were a few take-out orders while we were there. There are 20 different kinds of brats and 2 kinds of hot dogs. Some of these are called exotic and they are, featuring ostrich, wild boar, buffalo and lamb. There are also turkey and chicken brats. You can either get just the brat and bun or you can get a combination which includes 2 sides and a drink. The sides are Grandma’s sauerkraut (ick on sauerkraut), roasted red potatoes, red cabbage salad (another ick for me), beef chili, potato salad and cheese spaetzle.
I was very excited when I saw they had hot dogs so I ordered the All American, a grilled Hebrew National dog. Both of us chose not to get the combos since none of the sides appealed to me and B didn’t want any. She chose the Big Cheese which is labeled as a Swiss cheese infused pork brat. We shared a bag of chips at my insistence and they were terrific. We also had our usual Diet Coke which came in a can.
When the food was served, I was dismayed. The bun is not soft and squishy but more like a Kaiser roll hot dog bun. The hot dog was large with both ends hanging out. They serve nothing on the meat unless you order such things as sauerkraut, roasted peppers and onions or grilled onions as toppings. They have 4 different mustard types and ketchup. I put Dijon mustard on my perfectly grilled hot dog – the outside just burnt perfectly. I took a bite into this crunchy bun and loved it. The entire combination was perfect. (Remember disclaimer 3 and 4). B loved her brat which she had with whole grain mustard. I tasted it without the bun and told her I couldn’t taste the cheese and it didn’t taste like a brat to me. B said that was because I only like white brats. OK. She said she could taste the cheese and the brat was a very good. She also loved the bun. She would return there in a minute to try other brats. I would go back also for my same hot dog.
Brats Brothers is at 13456 ½ Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. They are open from 11:30 – 7:00 every day but Sunday when they are open from noon to 4:00 PM.
A few disclaimers – the first being that I would not be a good judge of brats since I apparently, as B tells me, only like the white ones. I am not sure I even know what that means. We never had brats when we were growing up so I am new to this “delicacy?” My second disclaimer is that I like soft, squishy, white buns. I know that isn’t gustromically (new word I invented) correct as we should all love wheat or many grained rolls. I am not opposed to them but not when I am eating hot dogs – soft and squishy like at the ballpark, or at least as it used to be at the ballpark. My third disclaimer is that I have been watching my carb intake and haven’t had anything other than lower carb bread in a while. My fourth disclaimer is that I really like Hebrew National hot dogs and that was the kind they had.
The menu is on the wall in this tiny restaurant. Orders are taken at the register and then delivered to the table. All sausages are homemade. There are two tables for four and three tables for two. There are also some in a fenced off area outside on Ventura. Luckily for us, there was only one other table taken when we arrived but all were filled and there were a few take-out orders while we were there. There are 20 different kinds of brats and 2 kinds of hot dogs. Some of these are called exotic and they are, featuring ostrich, wild boar, buffalo and lamb. There are also turkey and chicken brats. You can either get just the brat and bun or you can get a combination which includes 2 sides and a drink. The sides are Grandma’s sauerkraut (ick on sauerkraut), roasted red potatoes, red cabbage salad (another ick for me), beef chili, potato salad and cheese spaetzle.
I was very excited when I saw they had hot dogs so I ordered the All American, a grilled Hebrew National dog. Both of us chose not to get the combos since none of the sides appealed to me and B didn’t want any. She chose the Big Cheese which is labeled as a Swiss cheese infused pork brat. We shared a bag of chips at my insistence and they were terrific. We also had our usual Diet Coke which came in a can.
When the food was served, I was dismayed. The bun is not soft and squishy but more like a Kaiser roll hot dog bun. The hot dog was large with both ends hanging out. They serve nothing on the meat unless you order such things as sauerkraut, roasted peppers and onions or grilled onions as toppings. They have 4 different mustard types and ketchup. I put Dijon mustard on my perfectly grilled hot dog – the outside just burnt perfectly. I took a bite into this crunchy bun and loved it. The entire combination was perfect. (Remember disclaimer 3 and 4). B loved her brat which she had with whole grain mustard. I tasted it without the bun and told her I couldn’t taste the cheese and it didn’t taste like a brat to me. B said that was because I only like white brats. OK. She said she could taste the cheese and the brat was a very good. She also loved the bun. She would return there in a minute to try other brats. I would go back also for my same hot dog.
Brats Brothers is at 13456 ½ Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks. They are open from 11:30 – 7:00 every day but Sunday when they are open from noon to 4:00 PM.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Big Wangs
Today I was feeling foul – or fowl – after having a cold, muscle clinching, joint locking morning at the pool. It was time for lunch and my mood left a lot to be desired. We wanted to stay in the NoHo area because B had to return and pick up some books at the library. I was too hungry and nasty to go to the library first so I drove up Lankersheim and parked where there were a number of restaurants. We saw a Panara and decided to go there for some black bean soup which they advertise on their Tuesday menu. We walked in and there appears to be no black bean soup on the board. I accuse B of making a mistake in the day. True to form, she gets a menu and shows me that she was correct. I ask the person behind the cash register if they have black bean soup. She replies that they will have it later. I, in my way – remember my mood – told her that will not help me now. I looked at B and said that we should leave. B was fine with that. I said goodbye and the woman said amazingly – you’re not staying? I said no because we came for black bean soup and you don’t have it. Out we walked and she stood there with her mouth open. I think another rather disturbing fact about this is that Panara is supposed to have the freshest food but it was obvious that they were getting rid of yesterday’s soup before they put out today’s.
That left us still hungry so we walked a little and saw Big Wangs. We had no idea what to expect. We walked in and found a sports bar with quite a nice menu. Usually we don’t frequent sports bars but the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament is on and I am a fan so we decided to stay and my mood began to improve. It improved even more when very quickly we were asked what we wanted to drink and we got our Diet Cokes, very large glasses, rather quickly.
As I perused the menu, I saw some very unusual items. Cheeseburger quesadilla as well as other fillings but no plain cheese or chicken - buffalo chicken they did have. They had about 4 different kinds of sliders. B picked the meatball sliders which come with fries. Since this is a wing place, I chose the wings without any sauce. They had 7 different sauces. I sat and pondered these for quite a while – quite a while since it took quite a while for the waitress to come and take our orders. I decided on Teriyaki sauce on the side.
We also waited a bit longer than usual for our meal but it was hardly noticed. I had a second huge glass of Diet Coke and watched the tennis matches while B played with her iPhone. My mood was now curmudgeonly as usual. B’s meal came with 4 very good sliders filled with Italian meatballs which she loved. She said she would go back there and have them again tomorrow. The fries looked very good as they were the thinly sliced ones. However, B said that some of them were crispy but many were somewhat soggy. She said they needed to change their oil. OK. I have no knowledge that old oil causes soggy fries but she knows.
My wings consisted of 6 of the leg part, none of those parts that have no meat. That was a big plus. They were very good, not very greasy but also not very tasteful. I think that is because all of their sauces are very tasty. The teriyaki was and that helped the wings considerably. My meal was an appetizer so it came with two pieces of celery and two pieces of carrots and some nice ranch dressing. I chose the wings with the bone in but they also have boneless wings.
They have two soups – chili and French Onion. They have some salads and some wraps and sandwiches as well as pizza and the unusual quesadillas. It is a sports bar so there are TVs all over. Prices are reasonable enough. Many things had double entendres – such as the name of the restaurant – their motto, “size matters” - the restrooms called cocks and chicks – this is a macho rather sexist restaurant but there were plenty of women in there. I would go back at lunch if I was in the neighborhood but not anywhere close to happy hour because I think the place will really be jumping and loud. I left there feeling much better than I did when I came in.
Web site: http://bigwangs.com
That left us still hungry so we walked a little and saw Big Wangs. We had no idea what to expect. We walked in and found a sports bar with quite a nice menu. Usually we don’t frequent sports bars but the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament is on and I am a fan so we decided to stay and my mood began to improve. It improved even more when very quickly we were asked what we wanted to drink and we got our Diet Cokes, very large glasses, rather quickly.
As I perused the menu, I saw some very unusual items. Cheeseburger quesadilla as well as other fillings but no plain cheese or chicken - buffalo chicken they did have. They had about 4 different kinds of sliders. B picked the meatball sliders which come with fries. Since this is a wing place, I chose the wings without any sauce. They had 7 different sauces. I sat and pondered these for quite a while – quite a while since it took quite a while for the waitress to come and take our orders. I decided on Teriyaki sauce on the side.
We also waited a bit longer than usual for our meal but it was hardly noticed. I had a second huge glass of Diet Coke and watched the tennis matches while B played with her iPhone. My mood was now curmudgeonly as usual. B’s meal came with 4 very good sliders filled with Italian meatballs which she loved. She said she would go back there and have them again tomorrow. The fries looked very good as they were the thinly sliced ones. However, B said that some of them were crispy but many were somewhat soggy. She said they needed to change their oil. OK. I have no knowledge that old oil causes soggy fries but she knows.
My wings consisted of 6 of the leg part, none of those parts that have no meat. That was a big plus. They were very good, not very greasy but also not very tasteful. I think that is because all of their sauces are very tasty. The teriyaki was and that helped the wings considerably. My meal was an appetizer so it came with two pieces of celery and two pieces of carrots and some nice ranch dressing. I chose the wings with the bone in but they also have boneless wings.
They have two soups – chili and French Onion. They have some salads and some wraps and sandwiches as well as pizza and the unusual quesadillas. It is a sports bar so there are TVs all over. Prices are reasonable enough. Many things had double entendres – such as the name of the restaurant – their motto, “size matters” - the restrooms called cocks and chicks – this is a macho rather sexist restaurant but there were plenty of women in there. I would go back at lunch if I was in the neighborhood but not anywhere close to happy hour because I think the place will really be jumping and loud. I left there feeling much better than I did when I came in.
Web site: http://bigwangs.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
