Thursday, June 14, 2012
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
It flopped like a pancake.
The Original Pancake House (Rancho Santa Fe)
When we lived in Carlsbad, for a treat, we would go to the Pancake House for breakfast. We seemed to remember we liked it....well I am blogging about it so we remember next time that we don't.
We were seated after a short wait....nice. Immediately asked if we wanted drinks...ok a bit hasty, but thanks.
I ordered a coffee (that comes with whipped cream) and Steve a hot chocolate. My coffee shows up naked. The hot chocolate comes with whipped cream, but this one came with the cream all down the side smeared and mashed on the cup...not even an attempt to wipe it off before dropping it at the table and scramming.
So we waited, and waited, and waited. Steve said he would let me do the talking for fear what would shoot out of his mouth. At that point I suggested we get up and leave...he hesitated...he really wanted pancakes.
We remained seated, frowning until our poor server showed up at the table. I looked at him and said, Alex, I hope you can make this right. He replaced Steve's hot chocolate and told me the "whipped cream" was actually just their creamer in the little metal dispenser....not whipped.
While he was rectifying Steve's mangy hot chocolate another server came to the table to take our order. Now I'm really confused. We started in the vortex of hell; now we have two people taking care of us?
We ordered, I asked for whipped cream for my coffee and we hoped breakfast would be better than how this event began.
I got eggs and corned beef hash with potato pancakes. Eggs were fine...corned beef hash was mashed up like dog food and tasted like raw onions. The potato pancakes were sweet; it just tasted weird.
Steve ate his chocolate chip pancakes without a peep, but when I asked him later how they were he said: how will remember next time that this place sucks? I told him I'd blog about it!
Ugh. Sometimes I wonder if my standard's are getting higher or if these places are getting worse.
All I know is that it wasn't worth eating there and now it's off our list!
When we lived in Carlsbad, for a treat, we would go to the Pancake House for breakfast. We seemed to remember we liked it....well I am blogging about it so we remember next time that we don't.
We were seated after a short wait....nice. Immediately asked if we wanted drinks...ok a bit hasty, but thanks.
I ordered a coffee (that comes with whipped cream) and Steve a hot chocolate. My coffee shows up naked. The hot chocolate comes with whipped cream, but this one came with the cream all down the side smeared and mashed on the cup...not even an attempt to wipe it off before dropping it at the table and scramming.
So we waited, and waited, and waited. Steve said he would let me do the talking for fear what would shoot out of his mouth. At that point I suggested we get up and leave...he hesitated...he really wanted pancakes.
We remained seated, frowning until our poor server showed up at the table. I looked at him and said, Alex, I hope you can make this right. He replaced Steve's hot chocolate and told me the "whipped cream" was actually just their creamer in the little metal dispenser....not whipped.
While he was rectifying Steve's mangy hot chocolate another server came to the table to take our order. Now I'm really confused. We started in the vortex of hell; now we have two people taking care of us?
We ordered, I asked for whipped cream for my coffee and we hoped breakfast would be better than how this event began.
I got eggs and corned beef hash with potato pancakes. Eggs were fine...corned beef hash was mashed up like dog food and tasted like raw onions. The potato pancakes were sweet; it just tasted weird.
Steve ate his chocolate chip pancakes without a peep, but when I asked him later how they were he said: how will remember next time that this place sucks? I told him I'd blog about it!
Ugh. Sometimes I wonder if my standard's are getting higher or if these places are getting worse.
All I know is that it wasn't worth eating there and now it's off our list!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
"Ortega" some may take it, but I'll leave it.
Ortega's, a Mexican Bistro
I had been working a little later on Monday, so once again our dining options, outside of chain restaurants, were quite limited. Steve decided he wanted Mexican. I can always go for some carnitas, so I was up for the suggestion.
I was telling one of the managers at work that we were going to grab some Mexican food. As he shoveled a tiramisu into his gaping hole, I figured, Ben likes food, he has a large gut, he may know a good place to eat and Steve and I could have a dining adventure.
He suggested Ortega, yes, like the boxed taco shell brand, and at this point, we should have gone to the grocery store for a pound of ground beef and a taco kit.
They were open til midnight. Thought if this was a good experience, we'd have one more late night dining joint to add to our list. You can never have too many.
We were one of two or three tables eating. The rest of the customers were sitting at the bar drinking. I tell you this detail, because this information helps to support my utter dissatisfaction.
I ordered a cup of soup and the carnitas platter. Steve decided to give chicken mole a shot.
The soup came after a very long wait and unfortunately there was a miscommunication and I received the wrong soup. When the waitress finally reappeared, I explained that I may have asked for the wrong soup. She offered to bring a cup of the other. This is when the waiting began. I repeat, A CUP OF SOUP!!
Remember only four other people ordering food in the entire restaurant!!!!
What...you take a ladle and dip it in a vat, pour that substance into a cup, and send it out to the customer...I'll even give the cook time to scratch his ass and type a text....and give the server time to flirt before she runs it to the table....7 minutes tops!
Instead, as I assumed would happen, our food arrived and then shortly after the soup.
So I graciously and semi-annoyed, but trying to mask it, refused the soup. Commented that I really didn't want if after the fact, since my food had already arrived.
We ate in silence; displeased with our entrees. Had a feeling they were trying to have a "nouveau" or should I say, "nuevo" Mexican cuisine from various exotic regions of Mexico, when their cook is probably some disgruntled guy from Tijuana that would prefer to make street tacos.
We declined dessert; let's not add salt to the wound. No comment was made about the soup, but luckily it was not on the bill. What went wrong here? Lots of things!
The food, the expediting of the food, and the servers lack of communication with the customer to create a more positive situation.
So, no, it was not worth eating here....it actually sucked....and now I think Ben sucks too!!!
I had been working a little later on Monday, so once again our dining options, outside of chain restaurants, were quite limited. Steve decided he wanted Mexican. I can always go for some carnitas, so I was up for the suggestion.
I was telling one of the managers at work that we were going to grab some Mexican food. As he shoveled a tiramisu into his gaping hole, I figured, Ben likes food, he has a large gut, he may know a good place to eat and Steve and I could have a dining adventure.
He suggested Ortega, yes, like the boxed taco shell brand, and at this point, we should have gone to the grocery store for a pound of ground beef and a taco kit.
They were open til midnight. Thought if this was a good experience, we'd have one more late night dining joint to add to our list. You can never have too many.
We were one of two or three tables eating. The rest of the customers were sitting at the bar drinking. I tell you this detail, because this information helps to support my utter dissatisfaction.
I ordered a cup of soup and the carnitas platter. Steve decided to give chicken mole a shot.
The soup came after a very long wait and unfortunately there was a miscommunication and I received the wrong soup. When the waitress finally reappeared, I explained that I may have asked for the wrong soup. She offered to bring a cup of the other. This is when the waiting began. I repeat, A CUP OF SOUP!!
Remember only four other people ordering food in the entire restaurant!!!!
What...you take a ladle and dip it in a vat, pour that substance into a cup, and send it out to the customer...I'll even give the cook time to scratch his ass and type a text....and give the server time to flirt before she runs it to the table....7 minutes tops!
Instead, as I assumed would happen, our food arrived and then shortly after the soup.
So I graciously and semi-annoyed, but trying to mask it, refused the soup. Commented that I really didn't want if after the fact, since my food had already arrived.
We ate in silence; displeased with our entrees. Had a feeling they were trying to have a "nouveau" or should I say, "nuevo" Mexican cuisine from various exotic regions of Mexico, when their cook is probably some disgruntled guy from Tijuana that would prefer to make street tacos.
We declined dessert; let's not add salt to the wound. No comment was made about the soup, but luckily it was not on the bill. What went wrong here? Lots of things!
The food, the expediting of the food, and the servers lack of communication with the customer to create a more positive situation.
So, no, it was not worth eating here....it actually sucked....and now I think Ben sucks too!!!
Ventured to the "City" for a nosh.
City Delicatessen
Since I work late, we find ourselves eating at odd joints at odd hours. There is a new york style deli we thought we would give a try and I must say, it was a bit peculiar, but not too bad.
I decided to go with a staple corned beef sandwich with swiss on rye. It was pretty good though the corned beef was a little bit tough....Steve had the pastrami; a much better choice.
It's funny. We eat at these places, try to branch out and try something new. We eat, we're not completely disgusted, but we never suggest returning for another meal. The staff were nice, a bit eccentric, but at 10:30 on a Sunday night, I think they were just happy to have some customers spending money.
Not sure if we'll go back. It was worth eating there, but maybe just once.
Since I work late, we find ourselves eating at odd joints at odd hours. There is a new york style deli we thought we would give a try and I must say, it was a bit peculiar, but not too bad.
I decided to go with a staple corned beef sandwich with swiss on rye. It was pretty good though the corned beef was a little bit tough....Steve had the pastrami; a much better choice.
It's funny. We eat at these places, try to branch out and try something new. We eat, we're not completely disgusted, but we never suggest returning for another meal. The staff were nice, a bit eccentric, but at 10:30 on a Sunday night, I think they were just happy to have some customers spending money.
Not sure if we'll go back. It was worth eating there, but maybe just once.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Going to "Canada" for a gyro was a good idea
Canada Steak Burger
Needed to get a bite to eat and didn't want to spend a lot of money or make it a three act play trying to figure out where to go.
I started out by searching for hot dogs in San Diego; they don't exist. This led to my least two favorite sites: urbanspoon and yelp. And like with any focused search, I ended up looking for places to eat hamburgers.
I came across the site for a hamburger joint with a funny name: Canada Steak Burger and they sell burgers and Greek food....ya got that from the name, right?
We decided to take a chance and go on a little adventure. As we drove through the neighborhood, I noticed there were more "adult stores" than cars on the highway during rush hour. We slowly drove by, craning our necks to check it out before we made a committment. Oh boy, only two guys in there and it looks a bit scary.
We saw it through, parked the car, and heading inside. I couldn't resist #8: the gyro/spanakopita combo meal. It came with a Greek salad and fries and yes, it's like they know me, the tzatziki and dressing were on the side!!!!
We really enjoyed it...and the fact that we ate for under $20 curtailed buyer's remorse. My only disaapointment came fronm the spanakopita. It had really large chunks of onions and red peppers. In all the years and all the spinach pies, I've never encountered on with peppers in it. It was also packed by the time with left....craziness!! As one of my coworkers says "for the money" it was worth eating there. Thanks for the adventure San Diego!!
Needed to get a bite to eat and didn't want to spend a lot of money or make it a three act play trying to figure out where to go.
I started out by searching for hot dogs in San Diego; they don't exist. This led to my least two favorite sites: urbanspoon and yelp. And like with any focused search, I ended up looking for places to eat hamburgers.
I came across the site for a hamburger joint with a funny name: Canada Steak Burger and they sell burgers and Greek food....ya got that from the name, right?
We decided to take a chance and go on a little adventure. As we drove through the neighborhood, I noticed there were more "adult stores" than cars on the highway during rush hour. We slowly drove by, craning our necks to check it out before we made a committment. Oh boy, only two guys in there and it looks a bit scary.
We saw it through, parked the car, and heading inside. I couldn't resist #8: the gyro/spanakopita combo meal. It came with a Greek salad and fries and yes, it's like they know me, the tzatziki and dressing were on the side!!!!
We really enjoyed it...and the fact that we ate for under $20 curtailed buyer's remorse. My only disaapointment came fronm the spanakopita. It had really large chunks of onions and red peppers. In all the years and all the spinach pies, I've never encountered on with peppers in it. It was also packed by the time with left....craziness!! As one of my coworkers says "for the money" it was worth eating there. Thanks for the adventure San Diego!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Late night "URBN" eating
I know I've complained about the high/drunk food critic giving their disillusioned opinion about food, but if you can't be a hypocrite...then what's the point of having an opinion?
Yesterday was our work party where I ate little all day and then pounded four beers in a hour. Yes, I've still got it, but today I have drinker's remorse. We moved the party to a coworker's house and while commuting to the new party location, Steve commented," maybe drink water for the rest of the night?" I, of course, agreed, but couldn't resist keeping the drunkenness going and indulged in one more beer. Miss Lightweight did a number on herself and then decided some late night dining was in order.
We stopped at URBN Coal Fired Pizza; owned by a fellow New Havener. He has several places; one which used to be our favorite...duh...but slowly got bit by the San Diego critics' need for a thicker crust, more cheese, and less burnt bottom. Whatever!
So I sat my drunk ass down and waited to get my glutton on.
We were so tickled to see they had Foxon Park sodas. We weren't so tickled when we realized we paid $3.50 for that pint size soda.
The salad was delish....capresse meets panzanella...nothing wrong with that!!
The Gassosa soda was gassy and lemony and thirst quenchingly sweet!
The pizza....remember....for San Diego...hit the spot. My only complaint: not charred enough and a bit too salty. Someone went a little crazy with the Romano cheese.
It does sort of break my heart and makes me happy all at the same time. Let's face it..it's a New Haven eatery, not a unique San Diegan restaurant, but it was definitely worth eating there.
Yesterday was our work party where I ate little all day and then pounded four beers in a hour. Yes, I've still got it, but today I have drinker's remorse. We moved the party to a coworker's house and while commuting to the new party location, Steve commented," maybe drink water for the rest of the night?" I, of course, agreed, but couldn't resist keeping the drunkenness going and indulged in one more beer. Miss Lightweight did a number on herself and then decided some late night dining was in order.
We stopped at URBN Coal Fired Pizza; owned by a fellow New Havener. He has several places; one which used to be our favorite...duh...but slowly got bit by the San Diego critics' need for a thicker crust, more cheese, and less burnt bottom. Whatever!
So I sat my drunk ass down and waited to get my glutton on.
We were so tickled to see they had Foxon Park sodas. We weren't so tickled when we realized we paid $3.50 for that pint size soda.
The salad was delish....capresse meets panzanella...nothing wrong with that!!
The Gassosa soda was gassy and lemony and thirst quenchingly sweet!
The pizza....remember....for San Diego...hit the spot. My only complaint: not charred enough and a bit too salty. Someone went a little crazy with the Romano cheese.
It does sort of break my heart and makes me happy all at the same time. Let's face it..it's a New Haven eatery, not a unique San Diegan restaurant, but it was definitely worth eating there.
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