Category: Food

Fish & Chips, IHOP Style

Yes, you read that right. Not only does IHOP serve fish & chips, but your intrepid diner actually ate them. I’m going to be brutally honest here: They were pretty damn good! Now, it was midnight and I had already had a few pints, but overall I really enjoyed them. The batter was a bit generic, but the fries were good and the fish was excellent. I wouldn’t tell you to go out of your way for a plate, but if you’re there and breakfast foods don’t sound appealing, go for the F&C. Oh yeah, special shout out to our server, Sherman, who handled a table of ten with 6 separate checks with good cheer and fantastic service. Give that man a raise IHOP Corporate!

IHOP (Watt & El Camino, various locations)
Food*** Service **** Ambience**

Family Dining: Michelangelo’s

Mrs. CoolDMZ and I are inventive and skilled chefs, which mitigates the fact that as a family of 4 we don’t eat out terribly often. Our forays as a family into the local dining scene could probably benefit other family units who are considering eating out and don’t want to waste the trip. First up, midtown darling Michelangelo’s on 17th and I.

At first glance, Michelangelo’s doesn’t seem like the kind of place that little kids would enjoy or be enjoyed at–it’s small, the tables are close together, and its clientele enjoys fine dining at the kind of out-of-the-way restaurant that features a handwritten nightly specials sign and a wine list. However, the clientele is also the midtown laid back crowd, so a few kids enjoying a meal in a funky restaurant is more likely than not to be mild entertainment.
Continue reading “Family Dining: Michelangelo’s”

Today Streets of London, tomorrow the world

CoolDMZ makes headlines again… If any readers were participants in last night’s Streets of London Sunday night pub trivia contest, I hope you enjoyed getting schooled in ridiculous fashion by CoolDMZ and his siblings and parents, hereinafter the “CoolDMZ Good-time Family Trivia Band.” Our group–my parents, my brother and sister and her fiancee, with the collective power of our above average IQs and specialized tools like my brother with the rock trivia knowledge and my mom with the… remembering of stuff that happened before 2003 (Haille Selassie!!!) got 25 out of 30 and the tiebreaker, taking the house for all it was worth, which was 2 British-themed dinners to be consumed at a later date.
Continue reading “Today Streets of London, tomorrow the world”

How do you pick your favorite watering hole?

Got together with some pals for post-work drinks at Bandera. While it had been about a year since I had last clinked glasses there, it seemed pretty much the same. The big rectangular bar is ideal for people watching. Or flirting. Not so great for finding a seat when it’s crowded, but that makes customer interaction all the more likely.

I asked the bartender who she thought made up Bandera’s clientele. She told me an interesting tale:

Several years ago it was the college crowd who monopolized the bar/restaurant, which wasn’t the demographic Bandera was going for. So, they started to close the bar at early, to discourage the late night/early morning, age-21-ish crowds. They also started requiring entree orders to sit at the tables – including the ones in the bar area (and they still do that) to get rid of hanging-outters in favor of actual restaurant patrons.
Continue reading “How do you pick your favorite watering hole?”

Free Coffee (sort of)

You regulars know that Peet’s Coffee & Tea is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. They are offering free cups of coffee every day from 1pm to 3pm (this week Garuda, next week Major Dickason’s!). Here’s a calendar to keep track (also available in the store).

You’ll notice that they are also offering a free 1/4 lb of coffee on Fridays from 1pm to close. It’s vague on the signs in the store, but worth noting this detail:

COMPLIMENTARY BEANS
Every Friday take home a complimentary bag of beans with any purchase, as you take a journey through Peet’s history.

This is a cool gesture and all, but the words “free” (or in this case “complimentary”) and “purchase” shouldn’t be used in the same sentence. Unless it’s “no purchase necessary” of course.

Jimboy’s Grass Valley – A giant history taco

Checked out Jimboy’s Tacos second-newest location in picturesque Grass Valley this weekend, and let me tell you, it’s a treat. The same menu, the same addictive taco, the same distinctive taco sauce, with a few wonderful additions: free refills, which for Jimboy’s lovers is like manna from the heavens, and a delightful decor more appropriate for a sit-down taqueria than a fast-food joint. And along with your local boosterism you get some historical photos and one big lesson: as it turns out, the original Jimboy was a Grass Valley native! Though Jimboy himself is no longer manning the grease station (thanks MTSac), his name lives on. And after 50 years it’s finally come back full circle. And I am seeing an additional benefit of the Sunday taco sale–next time you’re making your way back from the North Shore enjoying some great skiing, stop off for a six pack of ground beef goodness (and the other kind of six pack too–they serve Cerveca). West off the Brunswick exit in Grass Valley.

So Sad, So Very Sad

My attention was just directed here by the future Mrs. Eats and my day is nearly ruined. Bravo Ristorante, on Fiar Oaks Blvd, wedged behinds Swanson’s Cleaners, is closing its doors. I am so sad to see Bravo go. It was, in my opinion, the best Italian food in town. The atmosphere was charming, the piano music properly cheesy and the service was as good as any restaurant in town. Their dishes were simple and elegant without much in the way of flair or fusion. It was simple, Italian dining at its best and we are poorer in spirit and in stomach now that Bravo Ristorante is gone. Good bye old friend, I’ll be missing you.

I’ll drink to that…

KCRA.com reports that Chico State has canceled the remainder of its 2006 softball season after a high school recruit was admitted to a hospital for an alcohol overdose. Glad to see that dry campus thing is going well.

Which reminds me…while there has been a ban on alcohol at sporting events on California State University campuses, our own Sacramento State has decided to stay wet.

The fact that Sac State will continue to allow the sale of alcohol on campus is good news for students who enjoy washing down their pizza with a beer.

Amen.

Last chance to gaze on the grotto?

I read in this morning’s paper that Vitoon “Vic” Assavarungnirund, owner of Thai Cottage, is going to be moving his popular restaurant to the former location of Thai Palms, which he also owns.

Thanks, Mike Dunne for a great bit of trivia–the grotto in back is part of Chicken Ranch Slough, which you can get a pretty good aerial view of couresy of Google’s satellites.

Gut Budget-Gourmet Wraps

For about $5 you can grab a very tasty treat from Gourmet Wraps in Town & Country Village on Fulton Ave. Wedged between a Starbucks and Jamba Juice (come on, what isn’t wedged between a Starbucks and Jamba Juice these days?) you’ll find a nice little storefront offering gyros, falafel, and cheesesteaks…yes, that’s right, cheesesteaks. This afternoon, the future Mrs. Eats and I grabbed a bite there with great results me the chicken gyro and her the chicken schwarma. Both of us full, satisfied and not too light in the wallet. Don’t let the girl working the front counter throw you off either. Sure, she might be dressed up to go clubbing at some Armenian disco, but she’s not afraid to dig elbow deep into some yogurt sauce and give you the daily specials. Trust me, the “price is right” for this “deal of the century;” you won’t “press your luck” by eating a “hot potato” at this fine establishment. (RIP Peter Tomarken)

Gourmet Wraps- Town & Country Village, Sacramento
Food*** Ambience** Service***
GUT BUDGET RECOMMENDED