What the Hell is Going ON???

Abuela's on Harvard and Richmond Roads

2011-10-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

As you have no doubt discerned, I love my Mexican food. And, to preface, the food here was excellent, though much more pricey than most places.

Service in this uppity establishment made me want to find a palapa with a food cart and be on my merry way.

We walked in to a half full place that had lost our reservation, which was only for eight. The server, though not awful, was incredibly odd. She kept making off the proverbial cuff semi-rude comments at the most inappropriate times and was awful about keeping us informed.

The drink order took an outrageous 15 minutes to fill, then the birthday girl ordered a nachos dish for an appetizer that took over 30 minutes. The regular salsa and tortilla chips that you might get at any Mexican or Tex-Mex style restaurant were in a ridiculously small tub while the three flavors of salsa were in small ramekins.

I am not being specific for reasons that should be obvious.

My suggestion is to find an authentic place run and staffed by people from south of the border abd eat some real food. The price will be better, the service is usually impecable and they do not skimp on the chips and salsa.
Stay away from this corporate misstep.

Burgers and Beer Downtown Willoughby

2011-09-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

A place called Burgers and Beer should be pretty damned easy to figure out, right? Well maybe so and maybe not, but this place gets rave reviews from certain segments of society so my friend and I decided to give it a try on September 27th at about 1:30 in the afternoon prior to going to a movie which started at 2:20. That was the first mistake.

I want to let you know that, although this place is right on the main drag, it is not easily accessible. Unless you know something of the area, there is very little parking in the afternoon nor do you know how to get to the place from the public parking in the rear of the buildings. That said, we figured on a relatively quick lunch in that there were very few people there.

We were quickly greeted and seated, but then things began to go awry. Our server asked for the drink order and my companion decided on an Appletini, I, of course, ordered iced tea. Within a few minutes the drinks were delivered and, while mine was correct, hers was a Willoughbytini, which was, obviously, not what she ordered.

I will come back to this at a later time.

Now back to this... The drink was offered to my friend to taste. If she liked it then she would keep it, if not, then she would be given her original order. She asked to keep this AND have her original, at least one at 1/2 price, or, more customer centered, FREE! It was after all the mistake of the establishment not the customer. After much maneuvering and bullshit, the drinks stood. My point is that if my friend had tasted the Willoughbytini and had not liked it very well, it could not have been served anyway, so what was the use of asking her to TRY it? It should have been offered, but, in fact became a stumbling point through which everything else flowed. The server said everything was already half price to which we stated then the free one wouldn't cost them as much. Not being outdone, she continued to argue with us which was a horror to my restaurant patron soul.

Anyway, we then ordered two of the burgers for which this place is "famous." My companion ordered an Italian Burger while I ordered the Portabella and Swiss. These were touted as stuffed beef on garlic Parmesan bread. Even though I no longer eat meat regularly, I though I would give it a try. Hell, it sounded damned good!

I have already stated that we were going to a movie and figured that a couple of burgers shouldn't take too long. Well we were sadly mistaken on that point as it took over 1/2 an hour for those orders to make it to our table. AND, shockingly enough for me, mine came out incorrectly. I was asked by the server if I would like lettuce tomato and onion to which I replied, "Yes." It came with none of the three, though she noticed the lettuce and tomato herself. When it came to the onion, I actually had to ask another server because ours was no where to be found.

Now on to the food... My companion immediately thought something was wrong with the burger because it tasted, "off." I thought it was the bread, which was so ridiculously large one side would have sufficed for the burger, AND it had very little flavor along with being very grainy. I finally took the bread away so I could taste the burger. The meat DID have a slightly rancid flavor, which our server said was probably due to the stuffing. I beg to differ in that I have never had portabella nor Swiss that tasted like rancid beef. Nor had my companion had anything that was part of the Italian Burger that would make something taste like rancid beef. I believe the beef was turning.

To make matters worse, we tried to leave but our server was busy talking to someone who had come in even though we had told her we needed to get moving in order to catch our movie. She got a very bad tip because she was a poor server. As we were walking out she made a rude comment about the tip.

Here is my advice to you. Think about what you are doing and how you are saying it, as well as to whom. We did not ask for much but you were unwilling to bend nor think about what you were saying. And, believing that you deserved any kind of tip just because you are a server is what has made the service industry the joke it is today. We do not OWE you anything. If your service is shit your tip will be shit as well it should be. You never came to us to say the food would be up soon, you never asked if we wanted something else when told the burgers tasted odd, you, instead had excuses and argument. If I had been by myself I would have left period. Count yourself lucky because in many establishments you would have been forced to proverbially eat that order. I am hoping you were just having an off day, but a burger joint selling underwhelming burgers is just unacceptable in every way.

AND THE WORST PART, at least for the server, is that the tip, regardless of food quality, would have very easily taken care of the three dollar drink if she would have read the situation more intelligently and been more attentive.... Oh well, I guess you live and learn.

Let's talk about Popeye's Chicken

2011-09-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

Popeye's is a staple in many areas but not here in Cleveland. It touts a Louisiana based cuisine that has little competition in other places. My son and I went to the one in East Cleveland...I must say, the chicken was excellent and the biscuits...holy shit!!!! They were like butter, and I do not eat those things any more, but he thought I should try them. Way to go EC.
Look down the road to Euclid. Ouch, what a difference. This place was the opposite. While East Cleveland was friendly and helpful, the Euclid store was bitchy and uncommunicative. When we asked for an extra few minutes to decide, the nasty clerk just left without saying a word. When we were ready, a short time later, it took her five minutes to finally come back. We asked about spicy and she acted as though we were speaking some kind of extra terrestrial language. She just continued to be a rude as she could be throughout the entire transaction. If we were not set on red beans and rice, which I love but do not eat often, we would have left early on.

The rice was quite good as it always is, but those biscuits were like rocks and lacked any type of flavor. I think it might be time for someone to go around and tell these corporate entities that they should begin to actually cater to their customers rather than to themselves for profit.

I am dismayed at the lack of intelligent, or even dingy decent, service there is in this United States. The consumer is supposed to be king, BUT corporations have taken everything away and made us into they very minions. How dare we let such things happen. Take back your rights consumers, damn.

Well, well, well. I'm about to get back at it. Pizza Hut et.al.

2011-09-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

My friends, enemies, and others, I am here once again to go on the rampage. I have found, through extensive buying and eating, though Pizza Hut is not what I would consider remotely healthy no matter how you proverbially slice it, that the above mentioned food joint has finally gotten too big for its britches.

For the last few months my son and I have eaten at the Hut about once a week. Though we love the pan and stuffed crust varieties, we have found that they have been lacking in other areas. Case in point, the cheese that is supposed to be one layer of the pie is often barely noticeable, in fact, as a youngster, I used to live for pulling the cheese off the crust and saving it for later, probably why I made it up to 245 pounds before finally giving it the good fight and losing 80 or so, but I digress. I can no longer do that with a regular pizza. Hell, I can barely do it with double cheese. Come on guys you can do better than that.

Also, it seems the wings that they seem to tout these days are not as important to them as their advertising might suggest. Three times now we have had substandard wings. The first time we ordered regular mild buffalo wings and were sent barbecue. When asked, the management stated that they did not have any buffalo so they sent barbecue. We said that was not what we ordered but they refused to acquiesce. I sent a communique to corporate and they completely glossed over the mistake. That was the take out place on Mentor Avenue. The next time was from the same place and the wings were tiny and bony. A complaint again and we were told it meant nothing because they did not advertise jumbo wings.

The next time we went, just two days ago, we sat in a restaurant. We ordered a pizza, 14 wings and a one trip salad bar. The pizza was fine, again not enough cheese, the salad was standard, but the wings, though very flavorful, were not a complete order. There was only one missing, BUT the server said nothing but, "Oh, I guess they have a problem counting back there." Then she chuckled. Never did she offer to bring out another wing. That's just poor service.
Then she told us to go up front to pay. There were three people not five feet from us, two of whom actually looked our way and were waved to by us to come to the register, that refused to stop whatever it was they were doing and come ring us out. Our "great" server finally did so after a five minute wait. Now mind you, there was only one other table in the establishment with customers and no one waiting anywhere else. What the HELL??????????

Jalisco Mexican Restaurant in Eastlake

2010-12-13T06:33:00.000-08:00

I haven't done this in a while so bare with me (or is that bear????hmmm?)..

Yesterday afternoon, about 2pm, I went Jalisco. I have been wanting to go since it opened a few months ago, but have changed entire eating style so it was not in the proverbial cards. There was absolutely NO ONE there except me and the workers (all of them cute younger guys, especially the one who was eating at a table near mine in the dining room and cleared my table, but I digress).

I ordered the dinner special and iced tea, brilliant for a winter's afternoon, but too bad. was given, surprise, surprise, a basket of tortilla chips and a carafe of salsa. My questions is this: What has happened to flavorful salsa at authentic Mexican restaurants? This stuff was bland as has been the case in the last five or six places I have eaten. I say authentic because everyone there appeared and sounded to be from an hispanic origin. AND why the hell do they have to ddep fry the tortillas? I personally think the tatse of the oil takes away from the flavor of the tortilla. Anyway, it was OK but nothing special.

The above goes for the entire meal. The guacamole, though, was superb. It had some residual heat, that I loved. Their sauce, though was very tomato-y. It was, in short, boring.

Now on to the positives: I love what they have done with the place as a whole. It is inviting and has great ambiance. The staff was attentive without being annoying, though my server stayed on his cell phone most of the time then went on break. Service was completed by another young gentleman who was much better than the first (in fact I told HIM to keep the tip but am unsure as to whether or not he unerstood what I meant, I think he did). My food was delivered by yet someone else, but it was hot and quick, probably took less than ten minutes.

I will have to go back when they are busy to see if things are different, but as far as food??? Maybe, they have decided to tone down the spice to make things more palatable for the general US taste, but I find it unexciting.

All in All

2010-10-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

I have had many comments of late from the haters of the world. For those of you, and you know exactly who you are, who have the audacity to call me names, and discuss weight etc. Fuck off. You have no idea what I am about or why I began this blog.

BUT, due to circumstances beyond your control, I will tell you.

I started this only because I got sick and tired of hearing people bitch about the "service" industry and doing nothing about it. I figured it would behoove everyone if SOMEONE had the BALLS to write about it. I took that upon myself and found, shockingly enough, that people agreed with me, OR vocally did not.

I don't care enough about you nasty talking individuals to discuss your aggravation, but, if you all will notice, I will post your comments.

You have as much right as I do to have an opinion, BUT remember, I have that right as well. If you don't like it.... go fuck yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yell Governmental Job readiness program. LNE Associates

2010-02-07T09:05:00.001-08:00

To Whom It May Concern:

It has come to my attention that there are certain jobs programs, specifically in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, being handled by private companies that are misusing tax dollars. I am an educator in a charter school in the city. Our ideal was to teach students the “life skills” needed to succeed in the world today. Of course, as with all good ideals, money and the ability to get it relatively easily by tapping into governmentally funded “pet” projects muddied the waters considerably. Our centers are now being geared more toward a traditional high school than the alternative pathway they should be, thereby, hurting still more of the most tenuous in our society. By that I mean: if we work to get these students to the next step, we may find a productive member of society, BUT if we keep holding them to some unrealistic standard such as attrition to college or passing some test of societal ideals, or even a trade school, we will lose them and quite often to the streets or our own back pockets.

The above is just a bit of background into why I am writing. The crux of the” what” is next. I personally know of at least one company that has use of stimulus funding in the form of youth job works programs, that is using funds incorrectly. Their programs are touted as job skills training and career readiness, while the reality is that, at least in one particular instance, one of the jobs sites is actually teaching how to “work the system.” LNE Associates in Cleveland, Ohio needs to be checked in order to determine if they are doing what is good for society and the clients they serve, OR just what is good for themselves in the form of government funding.

There is a client who works at a site in the City of Cleveland Heights that is my case in point. If it is happening for him, it is happening elsewhere. He has a schedule, set by LNE, which he has never been required to follow according to the job site coordinator. First red Flag! (A schedule must be followed if we are to get our clients to understand the importance of a work ethic). The schedule is to be 7AM to 11AM five days per week, which is a wonderful training experience. He went in his first day and worked for six hours, BUT according to the way his department does business, it was written down as eight because they got done with their work prior to the end of the shift. This is a government entity, which means I am paying for it with my tax dollars. If people are getting paid for 8 hours they had better be working for eight hours!!

This was not a singular instance. I have actually seen time sheets where the client has been signed for eight hours and has worked no more than three. I know this because I have actually seen him before and after the shift. Again, saying to a client that he is working the equivalent of an eight hour shift in two or three hours and actually paying him for the greater amount of time does not in any way help him learn a work ethic. In fact, it teaches him the absolute opposite.

Again, I want to reiterate that this is coming out of our collective pocket. We are paying taxes to support people who are getting paid for work they are not doing, some at a level of over $20.00 per hour. And we are funding a governmental jobs training program that is teaching its clients how to suck more money from the tax payers rather than contribute to the tax base. We really need to wake up and make sure this is stopped NOW!!!!!

Radio Shack again, this time in Goldegate Plaza

2010-01-01T13:54:00.001-08:00

I hate to have to write to Radio Shack again, but my hand has been forced. I and my significant other went to the store in Goldengate Plaza and were prepared to use the Customer Appreciation Dollars you sent. Lo and behold, yet another of our intended purchases was mis-marked. This time we were looking at headphones. The price on the ticket said 19.99 (and, yes, again we didn't read the small print, which, I might add is much TOO small to read for most people over 35, because we would have NEVER thought proverbial lightning would strike twice). I got to the register and in the midst of a hard sell on the $8 extended warranty when I said, "Why would I spend $8 on a $20 item?" He said, "Oh no, sir, that is ($54 or something like that I am unsure of the precise number). I was flabbergasted. I told him and the older gentleman behind the register to come look at their peg. They both noticed that it was mis-labeled, AND there were two other items on the peg. They had to search for a few seconds to find the correct item and couldn't find the right price for the one I attempted to buy.

In truth, this sounds like the old "bait and switch" tactic that is illegal throughout the world. Twice it happened in the last two times I was in a Radio Shack AND at two different stores. This reeks of something underhanded. Please send me a number of someone I can talk to to ensure that things like this cease. I am so angry right now that I am seeing red.

Apartment Fiasco

2009-12-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

At about 8AM on Tuesday the 22nd of December 2009, I was awakened to pounding on a door somewhere outside of my apartment. Knowing that the pest control people were supposed to be around sometime that day, I figured it was just them. That was until I heard the words most people only hear on "Cops." "Open up. This is the police." They continued to bang on the door louder and louder saying, "We're not going anywhere so open the door."

I was still on the couch when I noticed a young guy out on MY balcony with nothing on but boxers, mind you it was about 25 degrees at that time, knocking on my patio door. When I did not answer, he kept knocking AND made the attempt to open the door. Prophetcially, my roommate had made a comment about the door bar the evening before and how it was ridiculous, BUT he locked it anyway, which we do not often do when we are home. The lock on the door itself hasn't worked in more than three weeks and it took more than two of those to get the bar put in. J also decided to shut the shades, which, since were are on the upper floors, we also rarely do. It is strange how we were discussing it and it came to pass.

The bond he and I have get more and more strange with every passing day, though it is a good thing.

Anyway, after the guy on the balcony left toward the north, I can only assume he jumped back from whence he came, the police were knocking on MY door. I opened it and they asked if anything was happening. At that point they noticed another guy on my balcony and ran through my place pointing a gun at him through the slider. He began to move back toward the other balcony and was ordered to stop with drawn weapons. They opened the slider and pulled him in onto my floor and dropped him right there, handcuffing him and telling him that he had warrants in Cleveland and Euclid. They kept asking him if the other guy was with him to which he said no, of course.

They took him out of my place and I was about to go to the bathroom when I was told to stay where I was. I hate that after the trauma of someone trying to break into my house AND the police coming through my door, that I was being treated as a criminal. Oh, by the way, there were Euclid police AND Federal Marshalls. I told them that there was a "little" dude in only boxers on my balcony before the guy the caught, at which time they asked if I could identify a photo. I told them that was not possible as I did not see his face.

When my roommate got up to get something to drink, they had come back to my door. They looked at me and said, "Is that him?" First off, he was right in front of them from the time they walked in, secondly he is 6' 2" and would in now way be thought of as "little." They then decided to search my place, and left all the lights on, and ordered us to produce IDs. After checking us out, they decided we were good then apologized for the intrusion.

I thought, for some reason, that being high up in a "highrise" building might alleviate the problems involved in someone breaking in from the outside, I guess that was not the case.

Radio Shack on Lakeshore Blvd. in Euclid

2009-12-19T13:25:00.000-08:00

This is for everyone out there who has been ripped off by deceptive practices.

I am going to start this by saying I have never really like Radio Shack in the first place because they have a tendency, the sales people, to be somewhat condescending to the average Joe like you and me. I am no slouch when it comes to technology, BUT these guys seem as though they were breast-fed the stuff.

Anyway, this is about a particular place and incident.

On 12/16/2009, I went into the store with my latest love and we were looking around. He saw, and pointed out to me, a new Xbox 360 network adapter for $49.99. We had just purchased a used one for 60.00 at Game Crazy in Mentor-on the Lake, which is another story in and of itself but I will not go into that here. So after leaving we decided to take the other one back to Game Crazy so we could get the new one. (Mind you, we were both having bad feelings about the price but neither said anything to the other). He thought that the price was wrong, while I thought it would be changed. We were both wrong and right at the same time.

When we walked in on Friday the 18th of December at approximately 4PM, the price was still there above at least three of the items. This means, of course, that the price was there for three business days. We asked for the item and it was taken to the register and rang up at $89.99 with a total of $97.96. That, my friends, is a great deal more than maybe $56.00 out the door. I was so flabbergasted that it took me a minute to say anything. I actually didn’t think I heard him right. I said that it was wrong and showed him the price. He looked at it and saw what I was talking about. Then we both looked a little closer and found it was the wrong tag. Once again I want to remind you that it had been there for three days. He went back to the manager and came back telling me that it was too bad because it was the wrong tag. I reminded him that he also saw it incorrectly before very close scrutiny and said I wanted to speak with the manager myself. The manager would not talk to me. Two of the other employees also told me there was nothing they could do. One explained that it could have been a customer that made the price change. Once again, I want to remind you that the price had been there for at least three days.

I tried to take a photo of the mistake but couldn’t get to my phone quickly enough, AND when the employee, identified as 238(ACJ) on my receipt, attempted to remove the “wrong” price card, he had a difficult time doing so. This was my argument to the employee who said a customer could have done it. I said that it was obviously difficult for the employees to change so it would have been equally difficult, or actually more so, for a customer that has no idea how to make that change, and the fact that the store is quite small and the controller was right beside the register.

I am completely disgusted with the situation. I feel that I was a victim of bait-and-switch as well as out and out false advertisement. I really though Radio Shack, especially the one at 22318 Lakeshore Blvd. in Euclid, Ohio, was getting better. Honestly, the employee 238ACJ was helpful and very apologetic, but the case remains, it will be very difficult for me to shop there again, and, of course, since I wrote this letter, other people will know as well.

I ended up buying the controller for the higher price because we had taken the other one back, but I was highly aggravated. I truthfully think they should have honored the price on the tag. If one goes in there and they do not admit the problem occurred, please tell them they are not telling the truth. Watch those signs very closely.

For you, you should have made me happy to come back instead you made me feel like an idiot which means I will have to find somewhere else to buy my electronics. Not very smart in my mind.

Claddagh Irish Pub in Legacy Village, Lyndhurst Ohio

2009-10-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

A Sunday evening in the beginning of October seemed like the perfect time to try some place different, so... On October 4, 2009 at approximately 5:15PM we arrived at Claddagh. We were greeted quickly and with what appeared to be a genuine smile, thanks for that. We were seated at a high table in a corner with two other tables and the hostess apologized for the loudness around, asking if it mattered. We said it didn't, but by the time the meal was over the couples next to us were so loud we knew everything they felt and said. A band was supposed to have started on the other side of us and a wall at six but we were done and leaving by that time, thank God.

Anyway, I decided to order the Shepard's Pie, as it WAS after all an "Irish" establishment, while my companion ordered the shrimp and chips. I also asked for the seafood chowder which was quite tasty ( I would love that recipe).

The food did not take too long to arrive, so we were just about to be pleased. My plate was full and looked incredibly appetizing with piped browned mashed potatoes over ground beef with carrots, onions, potatoes and whatever else they could find (which is really what Shepard's Pie was all about in the beginning). BUT, upon looking at the shrimp and chips we were both dismayed. For $11.99 there were only six medium sized shrimp in a tempura batter on a very small bed of fries (oops, chips). Most places load a plate with chips and would have given at least eight shrimp for that price. I was shocked. To make matters worse, the "chips" were freezing cold. I have to say, though, that my pie was very good. It had some kind of undercurrent of sweetness that I was unable to place, but which gave it an excitingly odd flavor.

Our server was quite good during the meal but, now wait for it.... by the end, he seemed to have forgotten we were there. Why, oh why do these places not push the fact that a dinner is NOT over until the customers have gone? I hate that your tip suffered because you let the ball drop on the last play, so to speak.

Cabanas in Mentor Ohio

2009-09-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

Short answer: Fuck Cabanas. Long answer: You'll have to wait until I can pull it all together. Suffice it to say that this place was supposed to have been THE place to go for our 80s decade high school reunion and they fucked up so bad, I will NEVER go there again. Here is what happened, according to hearsay, then I will tell you what I saw for myself:

According to those running the 80s Decade reunion, this place was supposed to have given us with a wrist band decent drink prices as well as food prices. There was to have been a band, presumably paid by the bar as they brought in a HUGE crowd that would not have been except for the party. Anyway, let us understand that whatever the reason, they made some enemies and those of us who wasted a ton of money, should ensure we do not do so again any time soon. In fact, to bad you guys did what you did, because I ate some food that was quite tasty and planned to go back, dumbasses!!!!!

On Friday, we were supposed to have gone to the football game, we wanted to drink so left to Cabana's. While at the game we were given a "grab bag" with various coupons, etc. One of the coupons was from Cabana's for a $5.00 discount on food with a $15.00 purchase. We did just that. When we presented our coupon to our Cabana boy he told us the coupon was for the "next" visit. We didn't get the thing at the restaurant but somewhere else so this was our NEXT visit. That was the most weasly damned thing I had ever heard. We asked for our special drink prices and were told that the manager didn't know anything about it. The owner did but said it wasn't to be until after 9 pm. You guys really suck. I can't believe you all would use this thing that was so special to us just to get us in there then bullshit us once on site.

On the first night we were "holding court" at the last table to the north on the patio, We ordered the Island bread (or something like that) and Cajun loaded fries. Don't get me wrong; they were very tasty, but they took for freakin ever to get there. I DO hate it when people waste their time trying to call crawdads "langostino lobster." I realize most people are dumb as rocks, but please do not go toward the least common denominator. You really have a tendancy to insult those of us who just so happen to have a clue.

Now, flavor wise: I liked the idea. of pineapple with the "lobster" and the Alfredo sauce, though the Alfredo could have had a bit more parmesean and pepper. The bread, kind of a small very light pizza dough, was quite good. The fries were also quite delectable, but the service was horribly slow, even though our cabana biy was cute with is gapped teeth. But that didn't excuse the all around feeling of, "You are just a number, so eat, drink, and shut up."

There was superb conversation but the way they handled the specials overshadowed everything. You all snoozed in a major way therefore you lost!!!!

JT's Diner on Lost Nation in Willoughby

2009-08-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to hate this place because the last time I was there it was absolutely awful, BUT I think that may just have been my mindset at that time. JT's is not top of the line, white table cloth, or even bistro fine. It is exactly what is says, a DINER, greasy spoon all the way. They do not work with any sort of pretension, in fact it is the other way around so much as to be almost self deprecating, but it fucking works for some reason.

Three of us went at about eleven o'clock on Sunday the 2nd of August with the full intention of writing this review. The first thing to note is that parking is atrocious so I would suggest parking at the Dollar Store or, in fact ANYWHERE BUT their lot. The next thing I noticed was the fact that the place is incredibly loud. Everyone seems to be yelling, customers and staff alike. That brings me to another point, you better not be squeamish about language or take offense to people almost sitting on your lap, because it happens and you better not be bothered by it, damn it! The servers call each other dog-type names and will tell customers to shut the fuck up. Our server actually moved me over on my bench seat and sat down beside me to write our order. I any other establishment I would have been livid, here, it was not only OK, I was humored by it (go figure).

The food was priced decently and my eggs were actually cooked correctly for once. The sausages were huge and tasty. One of the party ordered eggs Benedict and she was happy. Our pancakes were just OK. The more fries were tasty but nothing exciting. As I already said, the place is s diner. The food was as it should have been and will definitely fill you up, but don't expect the Top of the Town, because it ain't gonna happen, my friends. The value was there and, if you can handle the vibe, I would suggest you at least give it a try.

One of the things that had me not wanting to go back is the feeling of being rushed in and out. Oddly enough, knowing that when we arrived, I was shocked that it took almost ten minutes before our server came over to ask for our order, but once she did the food was there in what seemed like two or three minutes. The are things all over the place telling you to eat, and get the hell out, "dork." So, again, prepare to be humored but if you are easily offended go elsewhere.

Yours Truly in Shaker Square

2009-08-01T03:33:00.002-07:00

On Wednesday, July 29, 2009, my youngest protégé and I went to the Yours Truly restaurant on Shaker Square in Cleveland. This place is an institution in the neighborhood and one I have been to in the past. I am not a big fan of American fare such as that gotten at chains, but I do not downplay the fact there are some that are daring enough to try something a little different, and the Monte Cristo, which is one of their signature dishes, has always been delectable any time I have eaten there.
On this evening, we arrived at about 5:45 PM on the way to a movie at Shaker Square Cinema, if you are Harry Potter fan, think twice before paying to see it, I was very unimpressed though liked all the others. We would have liked to sit outside but that was not an option so we went in. Immediately upon arrival my companion decided to try his burgeoning "pick-up" skills on the unsuspecting hostess. She was wonderful and had me laughing by her comment, "He’s learning." She then seated us at a table by the window, and our server very quickly greeted us. Hillary you were superb and should teach others how to do this.
We ordered drinks, all the while the youngster trying to pick her up as well. Nice try, kid. He decided on the Club and I on the Tuscan Chicken with corn chowder and a side salad. The club was not what we have come to know as the triple deck sandwich with turkey, ham, cheese, bacon, and the like. This was a large burger with melted cheddar cheese and bacon, more like a bacon cheddar burger, but call it what you any, it was definitely a meal. He also ordered a cottage cheese and fruit plate. My soup came out first and, though it was perfect in consistency, I found it quite boring, even after I added pepper, twice. I had the kid try it as well just so he has experience with flavors unfamiliar to his palate.
When all of our food arrived, it took a bit too long considering the lack of people in the place, it looked monstrous. The salad was nice with two slices of cucumber and two grape tomatoes and the dressing was served on the side, thank you for that because I forgot to ask. The youngster dug into his burger and kept saying how great it was. I turned my attention to the chicken, which was grilled in Extra Virgin Olive Oil along with fresh spinach and onions with a topping of red peppers and mozzarella cheese (I might have used a stronger cheese because the flavor was lost amongst the others). The flavors were incredible and, considering how much I hate chicken breast and its dryness, the chicken was perfectly done. The youngster liked it, too.
At the end of the meal, when so many others fail so miserably, our server stepped it up and was there at exactly the right time. Even though with tip it cost $35.00, it was worth it to have such a nice experience. Whatever you guys are doing, you are doing it right, kudos to you!!!!

you

2009-07-13T23:59:00.000-07:00

Again, you have absolutley no idea what I know or you would not have had the audacity to say what you did. I have been involved in the food industry for more than 40 years... you on the other hand are...?????? just take my speech for what it is do not think you are better because there is no way that you are. Now I am going to get.......... oh hell....fuck you!!!!!!

OOps, I am trying to respond to those wanting to negate me. I have tried to post your slams of me, but that has not been able to happen. Get over your superior selves and realize you are nothing more than me......

Some one has posted a comment, and what usually happens ( this time, too) they do not want their name(s) known,... anyway I have nothing to say to you, but I want to let your slam of me be seen. I cannot, for some reason, but, regardless of that, every time you say something, it works. It means someone is reading what I write, so... think about it.....

The Michael Jackson "send-off"

2009-07-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

I still think there may be more to this than we know. How interesting that there was a closed casket when there was no "disfiguring accident" (of course other than what he did to his beautifull face). But, that aside, I want to know why certain things tugged at the "heartstrings of America," as I heard said by one of the wonderful talking heads?

I do not prefess to know anything about the "real" life of Michael and his kids, nor do I really want to know. That is something that should have been and should stay private. That said, I am disgusted that they, meaning the family, the media, whomever, used Paris to fuurther whatever it was they were after. While the country seemed to find Paris' speech heartfelt and very tear inducing, I did not see that. In fact, I saw no REAL emotion at all. Again, I do not know the entire story, but there were NO tears and her sobbing was an act. She could be in shock, or any of a multitude of things, but the family FUCKED up by using her. AND, you, the rest of the nation, are a bunch of bleeding morons if that touched you in any way.

I felt true emotion from Brooke, God Bless you, and Usher, and even Al Sharpton, even though I do not usually like what he sayd, wonderful speech though, dude.

I do not want to negate anything about Michael, but this was, as most things in his life, just another media field day. I applaude you, Liz, Diana and Quincy for having the class to stay the fuck home an mourn in your own way.

2009-07-08T02:01:00.000-07:00

fuck you!!!!! you have no idea what I know and/or do not. Until you know...keep your mouth shut... I have been in the field for more than forty years, ass.

El Patron (the patron) Mexican Restaurant in Mentor-on-the Lake, Ohio

2009-07-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

I am so ecstatic that we FINALLY have another Mexican joint close to home. I love the food and am still hoping to find those flavors I remember from my three months in Mexico City in the early nineties. I know it has been a great deal of time and my tastebuds have probably dropped off a bit, but I still hold a hope that they can be found, the flavors as well as my tastebuds. Anyway, I found out about this place on Father's Day as I walked to Marc's and noticed a new sign reading, "Grand Opening." I had a horrible premonition that it would also be their "grand closing," as there were no cars in the lot. I walked in to get a take-out menu and no one was inside either. I was immediately saddened.

We finally were able to get things together and go on July 5th at about 6:30 in the evening. One of my perennial companions and fellow foodie was there as were her husband (the winner of the Osborne Pool clock contest in GN) and my Godson whom I am NEVER able to get to go anywhere with people. This was a coup before it began, so I was excited. When we arrived I was immediately impressed by a completely different vibe than it had when it was JD's Posthouse. I felt oddly more inviting and less warehouse-like. The colors and arrangement made it more comfortable. We were quickly greeted and seated with salsa and chips on the able within maybe 30 seconds, as it should be in a good Mexican spot. The menu was huge with countless combinations ranging from vegetarian to seafood to steak and chicken. There were also burgers for the less adventurous. Even having a menu for tow or three weeks prior it was difficult to determine what I wanted to get, AND, with my kid who is nervous in public, it was doubly difficult. Oh, I want to add that what the husband of the party liked was the fact that all of the differing food stuffs were explained in the menu so one did not have to just guess when ordering a chalupa (flat tortilla with beans, lettuce tomatoes and cheese).

We began with what was supposed to have been two orders of the queso fundido ( a white cheese dip with chorizo, spicy Mexican sausage, and a health sprinkling of cilantro. Honestly the cilantro was wasted on this dish as it did not add to the flavor. Only one came out but it is so full of fat that it was better that way ( I love the stuff, but it is SOOOOOoo bad for a healthy diet). Three of us decided to order from the "dinner menu" which allowed for a choice of three things. Maybe a chalupa and a tamale and burrito, or taco and chimichanga and taquito, or... you get the picture. I ordered a chicken enchilada, vegetarian burrito and tamale, while my kid ordered a beef taquito, chicken and beef burrito and tamale. The companions ordered one combination and a fajita quesadilla.

While waiting we dined on chips and salsa. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the salsa as it had very little flavor. Mostly tomato puree and a slight bit of heat, didn't detect any onions or garlic and absolutely no cilantro. I would say it needs a little work. When the food arrived one of the first things noticed was the fact that everything was not "swimming in gravy" as one person put it. I had to agree. The sauce was just a covering rather than the pool it often is, a bonus in my book. My tamale was excellent, done just as it should have been. The vegetarian burrito, again, excellent. The chicken enchilada was no quite as good. The chicken was much too dry, as was the pork in someone else's burrito, and the enchilada sauce tasted like everything else. The rice served with everything was as usual quite bland but that is the nature of the beast. Now on to the sauce. Although I did like the lesser amount, it was no more than a tomato sauce. In fact, it kept reminding me of tomato soup. The fajita quesadilla was raved about from the beginning, except for the onions of which there were too many according to the "husband."

Oh, there was one thing that was really not good. The server, dropped a straw, yes it was wrapped but still, then picked it up off the floor and put it on our table. Though the straw itself could not have gotten dirty, the dirt from the floor was put onto our table. That is something that should NEVER happen.

All in all, it was well worth the fifty dollars we spent in total. I would definitely go back and have already told other to do so. The wait staff was quite pleasant and on their game. I just hope there is enough business in this area to keep them open. There are few kinks they need to work out, but I think it is a good place to go, AND how many times have you seen a Mexican place that had healthy alternatives? I know I haven't. Good job. Keep working on it and I will be back.

The Boathouse in Put-in-Bay

2009-07-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't know what to say. Most of the last few reviews have been much too good for my liking. I have had very little to say, which is, in truth what I always hope for wen entering any establishment, contrary to what you all may want to believe. Maybe all my bitching and complaining, I know that is basically redundant but we all feel the need to explain ourselves sometime and this must be mine.

I have to give you a bit of background before I get into what I thought about the Boathouse Grill and Bar on South Bass Island in the village of Put-in-Bay. Back in the mid 1990sIi worked at the school on the island for about two years, which means I also lived there. It was a wonderful place but in the winter it could make a person VERY stir crazy, especially when neither the planes nor the boats were running. An incredible feeling of claustrophobia could take over and it often did. Another thing is the fact that, being such a small year round community, less the 300 people when I was there, everyone knows your every move, often seemingly before you even do it. They say that familiarity breeds contempt and I can see that in some ways, which is part of the reason it took me nearly 12 years to return. within our first 1/2 hour on the island we went into a shop, the name of which escapes me, and I saw one of the sweetest people I have ever met (Sue you are still the best!) and got caught up on all the gossip of the past decade. While in her shop, I spoke to her sister-in-law (Karen I love you, too), who I used to work next door to and live next door to at one point. She brought me up to speed on a great deal of info. After that we were famished, which is not something that is rare when this companion and I are together. I also must tell you that I very rarely ate at any of the establishments because they were ridiculously priced in order to squeeze every buck out of what they termed the "tourons" (short for tourist morons).

After walking around the Boardwalk and realizing the overpriced shit there was not worth the Lobster Bisque I remember as being the best I had ever tasted. Instead we opted for the Boathouse on the east end of the village park. We made a wonderful choice, although the plexiglass next to the sidewalks at all of the bars was incredibly disconcerting. I blocked to breeze and was full of bugs, which is not a slam in any way, just an observation. I am sure it has to do with village rules and regs (maybe even ATF rules, who knows, our server didn't when I asked her).

Anyway, as I have written lately, it is difficult and damned pricey to eat healthy, but there was one choice on this very small menu (I want to applaud the Boathouse, as well, for not trying to please everyone and keeping the menu short and sweet) chicken breast wrapped in what appeared to be and tasted like a multi-grain tortilla then smothered in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, topped with cheddar cheese with lettuce . There were also some of those thin strangely colored tortilla chips, which were pointless in my mind. I never did like that much too red color of some of those, it gives me the creeps. The wrap was served with coleslaw and I ordered a small crab soup which was wonderful. The wrap was quite good, too (even though it was chicken breast which, to me, is perennially dry through no fault of any establishment, but since it is better for me I will choke it down on occasion). My companion ordered a Reuben which was served on an odd pretzel shaped egg bun. The taste was OK but the bun was great.

For around $25.00 in Put-in-Bay, in high season, it could not have been beaten. Kudos to whomever is managing the place at this point in time. I also want to ensure that our server is complimented. She was perfect with her timing and had a wonderful disposition which we all know is sadly lacking in many of our service establishments. The receipt says our server was Tatler, so... excellent job Ms. Tatler, thank you for helping to make this trip wonderful.

Upon our departure I realized that I really did miss it, but was afraid to come back. Thanks Terry, Sue, Amy and of course Karen for making it a homecoming of sorts. I miss you guys and really want to come back and spend some time with you.

Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

This is an open letter to every MORON who thinks it is right to make fun of a man who has just passed. It took less than two hours before some asshole sent me a "joke" by text. I do not find anything at all funny about the death of a man so young and troubled. Yes, he was eccentric and downright strange, BUT unless any of you were there to know exactly what he did or was going through, I find it in incredibly poor taste and, in fact, extremely bad Karma, to say anything. I do not profess to know more than anyone has heard in the media, but that is just it, "The Media." When will the general public begin to understand that the media is the great manipulator of our time? I am ashamed of humanity in more ways than I can count.

When I was kid, Michael was on the top of the world, and deservedly so. He was considered a genius. He was the biggest thing in the entire world. Fighting stopped and people got over their petty differences just to watch him perform. Lately, though, he became a caricature of himself due to conjecture. Leave the man alone, just like that old video said. In fact, "The Man in the Mirror," is what we should all be thinking of right about now.

Here's a thought... If anyone had a reason, or maybe thousands, to decide to fake his death, Michael Jackson did. Not Jim Morrison, or Elvis, or Tupac. They just had fame they couldn't handle (probably not Elvis on that point). Michael had fame, fortune, legal troubles, young children that have been pursued like so much game, and various family troubles, along with a world that lived to hate him in recent years. It is my sincere hope that he has found a way to outwit us all and has faked his untimely passing in order to find some semblance of normalcy, though with our technological world it would be difficult.

Godspeed Michael. I hope wherever you land it is better than where you were!!!!!!!!

The Deck restaurant and Lounge in Eastlake.

2009-06-21T14:58:00.001-07:00

Today, Sunday the 21st of June, six of us decided to do breakfast at the Deck. Since I have gone to the lbright side and stopped eating the trash food I had been consuming, I do not often go anywhere for breakfast, or anything else for that matter, but, once in a while is OK, so I agreed to go. I have to tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. Though as I have said on many occassions it is almost impossible to fuck up breakfast, so I shouldn't have been too surprised. Anyway, O ordered to eggs over medium, wheat toast, home fries and sausage links. Of course the eggs were not done correctly, they rarely ever are, they were much too runny for my tastes, but I was hungry so ate them anyway. The homefries were perfectly cooked and quite tasty without being ridiculously over seasoned. The sausage was, well sausage, nothing great but not bad either. One of the party who got ham, said it was cold as ice which leads us to believe it was cooked too far before the rest of the meal. That is a huge turn-off for a customer.

Our server was the proverbial jonny-on-the-spot. She was never far away AND even ensured that our order went in before the large table full of kids behind us. I give her kudos fo looking out for us and her expedience. She did hand things over railings and through other people, but if you go to this place, that is honestly what you should expect. This is no five start place. It is greasy spoon at it most real. We were seated at a picnic table on the deck (of the Deck, how odd). The ambiance leaves much to be desired, but, again, this ain't The Ritz, honey. Give it a try, what the hell.

2009-05-30T01:26:00.000-07:00

God Damn this fucking website as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just spent the past two hours writng something and it slammed me. Fuck you blogspot and fuck you the City of Cleveland. I want you all to know how much you suck. that said, I do have specifics, but I am not sure anyone will let them thorough. I will try.

What's next?

2009-05-30T00:53:00.000-07:00

I originally wrote this about the MORONS on the road, this is a rehash, so to speak. I was driving home yesterday and saw at least fifteen moronic things that make me wonder about the intelligence of the general public. Why, for instance, is it soo fucking important to get two cars beyond where you are that you get in between some one and make yourself and the vehicle behind you put one your brakes while traveling 60 plus? Another thing, While traveling east from MLK on Route 2.... The signs are up from about half way between the two, though they should be up from about 55th.... Why is it that even with that HUGE ORANGE sign saying that the RIGHT LANE ENDS ( you know what I am saying Sandy) people will.

l suddenly get into that right lane? Are people really that fucking stupid, I ask knowing full well they are.?

Going north on MLK from the hill down into University circle... First, I think the university circle rapid/bus station is horrendous. If I were from out of town I would be scared to death to go anywhere near that, really nice and inviting Cleveland (mind you I really love this city). Secondly, moving around the one way streets and the ridiculous pot holes ensures that you car, if driving it daily, will fall apart much more quickly than driving in the 'burbs ( one more reason to stay away). Lately I have been traveling north bound on MLK ( actually have been doing so for over a year now minus the time that Stokes was torn up near Euclid) and have found it backed up from around 105, just after the circle, which is another one of contention since people do not get the concept of YIELD, all the way to route 2/90. Fucking why?????? For GOD'S sake, the reason this roadway has no lights is to make it flow. BUT, fucking NO!!!!!! The retarded morons, yes I know that is redundant, stop the flow of traffic to let others get in. Do not fucking do that!!!!! This is not your little suburban world, nor is it your god damned neighborhood. Just fucking drive. There are natural ins and outs caused by that ridiculous light at the northern end. Don't' add to the stupidity. Some of you are afraid of a mean looking person, so what. He or she is driving a vehicle just like you. He or she will be just as unlikely to let someone in as you should have been, in fact he or she may be more aggravated hat you were dumb enough to let him in than if you had not.

Wake the fuck up and realize that "being nice" is not always what you think it is. Just fucking drive. Hell, pretend it is the seventies when we were all pretty much told not to stop at lights after a certain time, not that it is the same concept. Just GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And who in the fuck thought it would be a good idea to close the right lane between MLK and Eddy Road ( especially during rush hour since there seems to be nothing going on when I go by at 4:10 every day)??????? No one with any lick of sense, I am sure. Then they want to make Clevelanders feel comfortable by "moving" the bridge that they have already told us is not in very good shape and needs to be replaced. WHAT!!!!?????!!!!! This is a city in need of a huge revitalization. In fact, I don't know if I have already written about this, the mayor, Frank Jackson, was seen, by me, walking alone on Euclid Avenue near East 13th without any fanfare or entourage at about noon on a Sunday. In any REAL big city, that would never be allowed to happen. Though I find it quite cool, as I shook his hand and spoke to him for a moment, I also am saddened by the fact that the city is so complacent that he can walk around without anyone having ANYTHING to say. DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want us to do better.

AT&T

2009-05-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

U-Verse is the absolute worst excuse for an "upgrade" I have ever had the misfortune of being involved with. Yes, I know that preposition should not have been at the end of the sentence, but it worked for my point so, shut it! This is one of the world's largest companies, but since I got this shit fo service in December, I have had to call them at least 25 times and they have had to come out to "fix" one problem or the other eight times. Do NOT get this service. It is horrible!!!! In fact, If I didn't have an old sbc email, I would have switched to Time-Waqrner or something already. When I move from my current place, I will switch it. Anyway, I will explain more but have to come back to it.

I don't even want to write about this. I usually write about things that can be changed without too much difficulty (poor serving staff that can be trained to be much beter, cooks that should do just a bit more thinking, etc.) but I am sure this company will NEVER be consumer oriented until they, like Chrysler are forced to reckon with their holier than all of us attitude. I can only say I am sorry the monopoly ruling of twenty(no probaby thirty) some years ago did nothing but make them more haughty. Fuck you AT&T!!!!!!!!!!

To those at the Eatery

2009-05-10T02:56:00.000-07:00

I have been, lately, getting a TON of comments regarding the Lakeshore Eatery. Just to let you all know, I went there last weekend and it was quite good. I still have a HUGE problem with the way they greet their customers (We stood there for about five minutes before anyone even acknowledged we were there), but other than that, things definitely HAVE changed for the better. The food was excellent. They have those pancakes I have raved about with the malt, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah. The chicken fried steak, according to my cohort, was great. The server, once we got beyond the seating thing, was pretty damned good. I do plan to go there for this Mother's Day thing, though I do so with much trepidation. The place is small and there are about 15 of us who want to go. There are no reservations being accepted, though I understand the reasoning, I patently disagree with the decision.. I will tell you all how it goes.........

Oh, and I DO understand the concept of a NEW place, which I do believe I mentioned in my original blog. Yes, things need to be worked out, and it will happen, but some of the problems can only be dealt with if they are acceped to be such. Problems. And, before anyone gets an attitude, I do have a right to write about these things. I have been a cook since I was 15 and am now 45. No, I am not a chef nor would I want to be, which is why I do not do many four star places, but I honestly DO get it. I can only, right now, say you need to work on your staff. It is a work in progress, but it should not be glaringly bad as some things have been. I also must say, the you female when we left was perfect in her ability to be a bit smart-ass while being sincere. Kudos! Really, she was fun.

Thai Orchid in Mentor, Ohio

2009-05-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

Let me begin this by telling you what a blast this evening was. I was the recipient of an invitation to accompany my good friend and muse to the Thai Orchid with some of her oldest, don't take offense now, and dearest friends (in fact, they all started talking about high school, though that is quite another story). I never know what to expect when I meet another of the crew except that it will be exhilarating, interesting, hilarious and often downright fucking crude. I was definitely not disappointed. I am going to call this, "La Comida con las Bhutanas."

When we arrived, fashionably late of course, the three lovely women had already begun to eat appetizers. I was offered an egg roll which was quite good and even might be better than Hunan on Lakeshore, which I didn't think was possible. After a bit of humorous meet and greet, and the conversations got rolling, so much so that one of those there earlier forgot she had not yet ordered. Once that realization hit, we decided there was an overwhelming need for food. One ordered skewers, though that is not the correct terminology, another the Moosa Curry, or something like that, while other orders were the asparagus scallop, asparagus shrimp, and the Pad Thai.

While awaiting the arrival of the food, I was introduced to a word that will stay with me for some time, Bhuta, which I will not explain here, but will give you the hint I was too dense to get at that time (think Madonna and/or Angelina Jolie). The food arrived in the perfect amount of time and smelled heavenly. My dish, the asparagus scallop was a combination of crisp asparagus, perfectly cooked bay scallops, peppers, carrots, onions, mushroom, tomatoes (oddly) and tofu in a light sauce. It was excellent. Though I think the tofu would have been a bit more palatable if it had been in smaller pieces, as the consistency is a bit too mushy, yes that is a technical term damn it, for me. My colorful across the table new friend, I'll call her the Bhuta Queen, ordered the Curry. This dish is almost beyond description. It had the bite of curry, though not too strong, with tofu, peanuts, and veggies in a light slightly peanutty curry sauce. I know it sounds odd, but it was wonderful. The Pad Thai was also passed around the table by another of the Bhuta express, sorry about that choking thing. Let me tell you, real Pad Thai ain't nothing like that shit you get from the grocery store. The flavors were much more interesting at Thai Orchid. The skewers were also good, I guess, but Bhuta gorgioso never really did tell us. I am thinking the asparagus and shrimp was pretty tasty, too since nothing was left by the end of the meal. There was also an order of fried brown rice which was good alone but stupendous with the curry sauce drizzled on top. And, to top it all off, our service was excellent. The waitress was there when we needed her and she never hovered. When we had an odd way of paying the bill she did not bat an eye and took it up happily. Kudos to this place in all ways important. Oh, and the decor was inviting as well.

Sadly, though, there were a couple of things that were not great, I know you all expect this so sit back and let me do my thing. There were a couple of kids on the other side of the wall who decided we needed a bit of a serenade with spoons and plates or cups or what-the-fuck-ever, and they were part of the family I would suspect because they both went behind the counter, one without shoes, as we were winding down. And, most depressingly, there was a very nice bar that, now sit down, was NOT BEING USED. For fucking shame!!!!!!! Oh and I must mention those lovely lips, you know of whom I speak.

All kidding aside, I would definitely go back there and try as much as I could. I would just ask that they not let the kids be so annoying or be seen behind the counter without shoes.

To Whomever commented on the Breakwall

2009-05-02T04:25:00.000-07:00

I was shocked to get the comment you left, as it has been nearly two years since that was written. I well know that Bob owns and runs the tavern and also know how things work. For him, specifically, I have nothing but respect, but that day things were off. I have to say, though, that if one wants a very inexpensive breakfast with TONS of food, the breakwall is the place to go. No choices, which fits, but, who really needs a big menu for breakfast anyway, AND Bob is the only person who knows how to cook eggs in different manners. I know he likes his scrambled lightly so, due to his tastes, I also know he knows when I want mine over medium. Not hard, not easy, medium, damn it.

Thank you for reading the blog and remember to take it for what it is. It is my personal opinion on the day that I am there. It has nothing to do with the people, just the food and my opinion thereof.

Keep reading and please always feel free to add your comments.

I love Downtown April 25 and 26 2009; Cleveland, Ohio

2009-04-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 26, 2009

What can I say??? This event, though something I really want to do again, was a clusterfuck of epic proportions. From the word go, it felt incredibly lacking in organization. Well, as is usually the case, I should have gone with my gut, because it WAS NOT organized very well. From the very minimal information on the confirmation, to the missing signs, to the clueless trolley drivers, to the rude apartment managers, to the places closing up to two hours earlier than we had been told. AND, I'm told, this was not the first year for this. What the FUCK???

I want to thank the younger gentleman with whom we spoke AFTER the event, he even gave us a couple of commemorative T-Shirts, but, that, really, was it. Though there was a very bright spot in the leasing agent from 1900 Euclid Avenue. He was incredibly personable, well dressed and quite professional. In fact, they were the only place with refreshments, that we were able to see before it closed. We were led to believe all would have something. Oh, and the couple from Prospect Lofts was also quite nice and friendly. The people at Huron, though, were simply awful. The man was lounging on a couch and looked at as almost as an afterthought. Didn't even get up, and told us to go up to whatever floor and knock on a door. Just ridiculous for a paid tour, in my mind.

There happened to have been a leather convention in town on that weekend, and our tour trolley driver, the psycho woman I have alluded to , decided it was her place to make fun of them. Not very intelligent when You do not know who is on your trolley. THEN we waited in one spot for over twenty minutes. NOT what we paid to do this for. THEN she passed us up and if we hadn't screamed for her we would have had to wait yet again.

Even the beginning was awful. We arrived and did not know where to park because there were no signs for the hotel. At the Corner Alley, there was one sign outside but nothing to say where one would register. We just HAPPENED to overhear someone talking about in the alley to the left and up the ramp. Just one little sign would have been nice.

We ended up parking in the wrong lot and had to pay extra for the mistake, but, again, I think the package should have been much more extensively explained down to check-in times, the address of the hotel and parking garage, and, last but not least, people at the Wyndham that had a clue we were supposed to have been there. They looked at us like we were crazy when we went to the front desk, which is supposed to be a clearing house of sorts. They didn't know and it took at least fifteen minutes for them to find out that the "LIST" was in the restaurant. We had no idea where this restaurant was and were not told until the list was found. I feel it just "MIGHT" have been a bit more intelligent to have a copy at the front desk as well, but maybe I am a bit neurotic about things being well planned. Go figure.

It was still worth the night in the city but $20.00 each for that tour was a sham. AND that trolley driver needs to be taken from any route. She has no right to be saying the things she said. It gives the city an even worse name that it already has.

OH Canada and the Days Inn Clifton Hill/Casino

2009-04-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

I must preface this by saying I write a consumer advocacy blog back in the States and my sensibilities are in a bit of a quandry. There are things I really love about it but things also that get worse and worse every year. I have come with my familly and friends to stay at the above mentioned hotel for three years running now, but I think this will be the last one there. There is a young woman who was there, I think, each year, and she is great and will take time to explain, though I still disagree about the idea of NOT reserving rooms. I used to run a hotel in a resort area and we would definitely reserve a room for someone we knew had been to the hotel before. If we put anyone in that room prior to his arrival , we would just tell them that if they wanted to stay extra, they would have to move to another room. Never was anyone angry about that, but I digress, there was a younger woman behind the desk this morning upon check out that should be immediately fired. I wanted to come nack in to complain but was so disgusted, I though I might say more than was polite. She was very condescending to me when I told her that I would be paying for one room and the others in my party would take care of their own. My card had reserved everything, therefore I knew what would have been charged and how. She told me, "YOU WILL BE CHARGHED IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP!" I was done in a very haughty manner as if I did not know how it worked, and I was absolutely offended.

I then looked at my receipt and found something a bit amiss. When I asked she explained that the GST was charged on two different thing each day, parking and room. BUT, then she went on to explain that the taxes are paid by, "YOU PEOPLE TO PAY FOR WATER AND OUR STREETS YOU DRIVE ON SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THEM UP!" I don't know how accurate she was, but I am feeling it was not far off. Regardless, she has no place in the tourist industry if she has such disdain for the very thing that allowed her to have the job she used as a forum to be rude and disrepectful to me. There were also some problems in the rooms, though they were minor, but you all should look into them for your own safety and savings. Room 509 has a leaky tub spigot, room 511 has a deadbolt that does not work, and in room 507 there was water leaking around the light in the ceiling of the bathroom.

We are diligently looking for a different venue for next year all beacuse of the nasty female this morning. Oh, and I might suggest you try an affiliation with something other than Applebee's and Remington. We all had a horrible experience at Remington, two years in a row, and Applebee's especially the one that is "open" in the front of the hotel is a joke when we are there.
As you may notice, by my birthdate, I did not just fall off the turnip truck, and I just might have a bit of knowledge. In short, watch who you hire and make sure you NEVER assume someone is what you might perceive them to be. You have no idea who or what I am or do and/or how many people read what I publish. Think about it!!!!!

Sunrise Cafe on Euclid Avenue in Willoughby.

2009-04-08T15:11:00.001-07:00

Sunday 5 April 2009 at approximately 1:20PM. The Sunrise Café on Euclid Avenue in Willoughby, Ohio. You know, those restaurants in strip malls are an eclectic bunch. In my experience they run from outstanding to horrid. The Sunrise Café? In a word, BORING. The first thing we noticed was the fact that, with breakfast, just about everything cost extra. That includes sausage, potatoes, sometimes even toast. I hate that kind of thing as I feel it is just another way to rip off your customers. (Especially when, if you don’t care about the décor, you can go to the Offshore in Eastlake and get more food than we had for less than 1/3 of the price.)

We walked in and felt that “regulars” thing but it didn’t last very long. The hostess was friendly enough but looked somewhat shocked upon our entrance. Our server was a young gentleman who was very friendly (cute, too), and pretty good. He did what we needed him to do, though he asked twice if I wanted ketchup AND hot sauce and never did bring the hot sauce.

Anyway, we ordered in a way quite normal for us. One wanted the French Toast while I got pancakes, eggs over medium, and potatoes. My companion said the French Toast was horribly bland and the sausage was flavorless (a statement with which I concur), She also commented that the syrup was so cold it made the toast cold too quickly. My pancakes were incredibly fluffy, but the flavor was not great. Oh, it was OK, mind you, it just wasn’t like those I used to get at the Lakeshore and what I just recently had at that place in Chardon.
Our server asked us about a hundred times if we needed anything else, you know that’s an exaggeration and was more funny than a problem. When we told him no he asked how everything was to which we replied, “Just OK.” He repeated what we said then said the cooks would be crushed. Well……… Then, came the only thing really wrong; we got our bill and I was shocked. It cost over $20.00 for two people to eat breakfast and we had nothing extravagant. Absolutely ridiculous!!!!

Hibachi Japanese Restaurant in Painesville, Ohio

2009-04-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

On 28 March 2009, a group of us decided to go to the Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse on Mentor Avenue on the border of Painesville and Mentor. It started off poorly, as we had reservations and some of our party were late, which forced the rest to stay in the waiting area until everyone was there. Then, once we were seated, one of the party noticed that there was a plate that had something on it. “No problem,” we thought. “There’s another plate here.” Lo and behold, it was dirty, too. We all know the dishwasher heats up to a high enough temperature to kill whatever bacteria there might be, but that does not make it possible to eat off a plate that has fused on food, if you know what I mean and I am sure you do. That, though, was the end of anything that could be considered wrong.

First, let me explain that everyone sits around a grill that is used as cooking and stage show for the assembled guests. The server takes a group order and then comes back to check on drinks. Within about fifteen minutes or so the chef comes out with a cart or tray holding everything that was ordered in a raw state, except for the rice, which was pre-cooked. Then the show is on….

The grill has already been turned on by the server, which really is a misnomer in the she was only there prior to the actual cooking because our chef cooked and directly served as each item became complete. It is honestly very difficult to explain what all went on, but, suffice it to say, there was plenty. Oh, and a note of extreme caution, I decided to wear my hair down that day, not intelligent. One of the first things chef wild-man did was to flame up a stack of onion rings so that it looked like a volcano. The fireball was so intense that I felt as though my hair was about to go up in flames. In fact, I even expected Bill, our resident bald guy, to walk away with a singed scalp. (Sorry Bill I had to use you for effect, you know you love it, though.)

Anyway, He threw a bunch of veggies on the grill then all of the meats, which ranged from Filet Mignon through sea scallops, chicken, shrimp, and Mako shark. Each one was done in its own time, and timed to perfection. I have had scallops many a time, and even cooked them myself, and they were NEVER this melt in my mouth wonderful. I wasn’t impressed with the flavor or texture of the shark (that was the first time I had tried it), but it was done perfectly. The chicken, which is a perennial problem with me, was dry but that is chicken breast. The steaks were all done exactly as asked and the veggies were very good, too. During the cooking our chef flipped two shrimp at the guys in the group to see if they could catch them, I caught both while others were not so lucky. We started with a very simple beefy broth onion soup with fresh small pieces of mushroom, which we even got our, “I don’t want to try anything” companion to try, albeit without the onions or mushrooms. Although simple it was quite tasty.

It cost us all about $200.00 and they do add an 18% “gratuity,” which has always bothered me, as they probably would have gotten more with out the addition. For the price, the food and the show were definitely worth it and we would all like to go back again.

Mama Santa's Restaurant in Little Italy

2009-03-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

The famous Mama Santa's, yes that's Santa's not Santo's as many would have you believe, in the Little Italy section of Cleveland just south east of University Circle, is not at all what I had been led to believe. The prices were too high, the ambience was atrocious, at least in the dungeon-like room in which we were seated, and the spaghetti sauce was good, but tasted like Chef Boy-ar-Dee again. I don't get it. Is this the way "authentic" spaghetti sauce is supposed to taste? Does that mean the shit from a can we have been eating since we were kids is actually the RIGHT sauce? Holy Shit, I hope not, but I do know that the previously mentioned chef wasa real guy and got his start right here in Cleveland, I belive it was splled something like Boyardi. Anyway, I wanted to get the ball rolling before I got into the specifics, of which there were more good than bad.

On Saturday the 21st of March at approximately 2:45 PM, I arrived at Mama Samta's with a young protege. He and I walked in and were immediately greeted by a young woman behind the pizza counter who told us to go to the end of the counter and wait to be seated, which was obvious due to the sign stating such, but I must admit the youngster probably looked a bit confused which was why she made her comment, but I digress as I often do. (I have to leave this for now but will try to get back to it before Tuesday.) we were taken to a room to the left rear of the interior and, as I said before, it was very dungeon-like. It had very dark paneling and just "felt" odd. Maybe because it was also very high ceilinged, I don't know. Anyway, our server was right there and was great throughout the service. She was not too distant nor too "there." She offered explanations when asked for information and made my companion feel comfortable. Kudos to you. (By the way, I screwed up on the tip becuase I wasn't thinking right, sorry.)

I ordered, and I am reading this off the ticket, veal pizzioli, which was a wonderful mixture of peppers, onions, mushrooms and veal slices in a white wine sauce. I loved the veal and thought the flavor of the entire dish was great, of course sans the spaghetti side. I even forced, yes forced, my companion to taste the shrooms, even though he had an aversions to them, and he liked them. He ordered an antipasto salad and a small pizza with pepperoni and sausage. The salad was on a "regular" salad plate with "some" meat and cheese. J asked, at one point, where the meat went, and our server told him there was more there, than there actually was. I was a bit unhappy about that, because there was very little meat and cheese on the plate for and extra$5.95, but, live and learn.... We both shared our food, as I have alluded to earlier. I liked the flavor of the pizza, but can not, in all truth, tell you I REALLY liked it. The sausage tasted like nothing more than gorund pork. My companion said it tasted like ground beef. He may have been right, but it don't think it was beef, as such, anyway (again) I would order that pizza versus most others I have had, ut definitely without the susage.

Now my problem: for almost $40.00 for the two of us, I would not waste my time going there again. I have had the same flavors much closer to home and they did not tout themselves as being "Little Italy". For the price and the flavor you might as well go to Tizzano's, which, as I said some time ago, must have been a fluke when we went. In fact, Chef Boy Ar Dee was pretty good, too.

Maple Leaf Restaurant in Chardon, Ohio.

2009-03-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

I want to start this with the preface that I am not out to purposely hurt anyone, nor am I a disgruntled anything so keep you suppositions to yourself. You were not there so until you actually go with me, what you have to say about what I say is merely your opinion ABOUT my opinion. Go out and get your own.

Now, let us get down to business. How many times have I said, the service in the service industry sucks these days? I know I can't even remember, since it is something I see on a daily basis. That said, this place was not the worst I have been to , but it, on the other hand, was certainly no where near the best. My cohort and I were out that way and wanted somewhere to eat, AND, being the basically only non-fast food joint around, we went there. I immediately got the "family restaurant" feel. It was very open, which you all know I don't really like, and seemed to be quite casual. I also got the feeling of being an "outsider" because there was a couple sitting in the first booth and they did not take their eyes off of us from our arrival to departure. It was a bit creepy.

We were quickly seated by a young woman who was to be our server, though she seemed a bit confused as to where to put us even though there were only about three full tables when we walked in. She never introduced herself so I cannot tell you who she was except to say she was the one without noticeable tattoos. We were seated at the very small booth nearest the restrooms. We noticed that the menu allowed for an all day ordering of breakfast, and I was quite into that, but it said, even though all day breakfast was on the menu, no sides were allowed after two. I found that a bit odd in that all the sides were on one or more of the meals. Anyway, I ordered the Hilltopper, which was two eggs (over medium of course) with hashbrowns, a sausage patty and pancakes. My companion ordered French Toast with a side of wheat toast and sausage patties. I did not realize until I got the bill that everything on hers was a la carte, what a rip.

The meals were OK size wise, though not the huge quantity we sometimes get. My eggs were almost done and the hashbrowns could have been left off, not a very good flavor to me. In fact they had a slightly woody taste that I could not figure out. BUT the sausage was very good and the pancakes were excellent. I haven't had pancakes that good since Patty used to cook breakfast at the Lakeshore. They didn't even need syrup.

The French toast was good as well. It was made with a French bread, which was a plus. The syrup was quite good also, as well it should have been since we were in Chardon.

There were, of course, some problems. I alluded to the "family" style of the place and my reason is this: The two servers had a very loud conversation throughout the restaurant which I found to be somewhat off-putting. Our particular server never came back to check on our food once. She didn't even say anything to us until we had been sitting ready to leave for about five minutes or more. I began to wonder if she and the other were "family" of the owners, because I would never allow such informality in a place I owned. (Which is probably why I wouldn't want to own one.) Another problem, though I know it can't be helped sometimes, was the fact that the woman's restroom was out of order and the sign on it said to use the men's. Can you just say, "disgusting?" I must say, I understand the thought, but... Oh, and speaking of the restroom, the other server was on the far side of the partition in the room and was talking to some of the other customers about the bathroom problems, loudly enough so that we could hear her, AND the man I assume was fixing the problem came waltzing through the dining room with a drill and snake rather than going through a back door. A little thought about where you are might have made that go a bit better, don't ya think?

When we were leaving, I paid the bill and my companion stayed at the table so I could get some change for the tip, which was minimal because of the lack of good service. On our way out the door, my companion told the server to have a good day and she didn't even have the courtesy to look up and acknowledge us, though she did say something on the lines of, "you, too."

I want to re-iterate the fact that she was not the worst by a long shot, but she seemed so preoccupied that maybe she should not have been there that day. BUT, again, if you want wonderful tasting pancakes, go to the Maple Leaf Inn in Chardon. In my mind you will not be disappointed in the food over all.

Reiter Dairy in February and March 2009

2009-03-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

I am writing this to let you know of a company for which I suddenly hold in very high esteem. Two weeks ago, on Sunday 15 February, I asked a friend to do me a favor and buy me a half gallon of skim milk from the new Heartland Dollar Store on Lost Nation in WIlloughby. I tasted it soon after it arrived and noticed something strange flavorwise.I thought it might just have been my tastebuds due to smoking over the weekend and some pretty hot salsa.
I then put it out of my mind for a few days before trying the milk again. This time the taste was unmistakably wrong. It had some metallic thing going that was obviously quite off. I poured the huge glass down the sink and did what I always do, I wrote to the company to let them know of the problem. In all sincerity, though, the taste really freaked me out a bit and I wanted to have it tested but that costs money I didn't have at the time.

I contacted Reiter Dairy through their website and wrote to a vice president as listed there-on. Within a day or so, a couple of guys had begun trying to get ahold of me. Finally, one of them wrote to my email address, ( I did, as you already know, write to them using the web, so, one would think one would try to use the same method of communication, but that just seems like common sense...oops I forgot.) Anyway, I spoke with a gentleman on Wednesday afternoon and he assured me he or another guy would call me the next day, now get this, to meet me and come pick up the questionable milk. Whoda thunkit???

It actually happened AND they gave me coupons for free Reiter Dairy products. I want you all to know that this is the kind of company for whom we should fight. The larger organizations would never do something so consumer savvy, in fact they have even completely blown me off at atimes. A company willing to go the proverbial extra mile is one with whom we should do business. Of course this is depending upon what the fuck was really in that milk????????????????

boogie moe this is for you!!!

2009-02-28T06:10:00.000-08:00

There is one website that has the pulse of the industry, it is the society of field inspectors.com. I believe it is sofi.com but do not really use it that much any more because i am getting disgusted with the entire industry. They have a tendency to want more for the same or less and have not yet gotten the fact that it costs more to do the inspections due to fuel prices. I kinda feel that if they want cheap labor then they should expect shit for quality... Take care and GOOD luck.

Today I will post my FIRST Guest review.... The Nauti Mermaid Downtown Cleveland

2009-02-23T16:09:00.000-08:00

I am posting this just as it was written, and I want to give kudos to the writer. Excellent story Katie, keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!

The Nauti Mermaid...Thar She Blows

I will start out this review of The Nauti Mermaid by saying, my husband and I don't get out much; so when we do we try and make it special. We dress up and save up for a nice dinner rather than just throw on the standard tshirt and jeans. Tonight however, we were graciously given a gift certificate and decided to try out The Nauti Mermaid. We dropped the kids off for the weekend with my Sister in Law, and set out for what we thought would be a 'fine dining' experience. I mean, the place is located in the 'posh' warehouse district of Cleveland. I squeezed into my spanx and put on my most uncomfortable pair of heels and off we went.
We arrived on West 6th at about 7:30, the time I had made our reservations for. The only parking available, besides metered street parking; was a lot directly across from the restaurant for a posted 'special event' $8. What special event? Our first date since September? We paid the man and found a spot, which being Cleveland at 7:30 on a Saturday night shouldn't have been easy, but we had our pick of the lot. Come on Cleveland, pick it up a bit! I digress. We walked across the street to our restaurant; pulled open the heavy doors to what should have been our first sign of disaster, a large deep sea diver greeting us on a bench. What we saw when we walked in was nothing close to what we expected. We walked in with 'deer in headlights' looks upon our faces and were greeted from a voice in the back, "Sit wherever you want!" I kept my mouth shut about our reservations, clearly they don't take them. There were approximately seven booths along one wall and one located in a window cove for 'people watching'. The voice from beyond that told us to sit anywhere finally came up and told us again to sit anywhere we would like. My husband suggested the window booth, but were told they like to save that for bigger parties. Mind you, it was us and one other full table in the joint. So, we walked to the last booth and sat. I had a direct view of the kitchen and the 'chef'. The left side of the restaurant had the bar and two what looked to be card tables with folding chairs. Nice, real classy. The walls were covered with whatever the owner could find in the "So You Want to Open a Key West Restaurant" catalog. The sound system was blaring the 60's station from XM/Sirrius Satellite radio.
Our waitress (dressed in a tshirt, jeans and a hoodie) finally came over to us and asked us for our drink orders. I went in with the intention of ordering a glass of wine with dinner, but upon sitting down decided against it and ordered what will be the worst coke I have ever had in my life. My husband asked if they had a certain beer, to which the waitress got a dumbfounded look on her face and responded with, "I don't think so, I've never heard of that". He ordered a Bass instead. When our drinks were brought we were asked if we wanted anything to start with. We hadn't really looked at the menu yet, so asked for a minute or two. Well, we got 10! When she finally came back from doing god knows what; we were only the second couple in the place, we ordered an appetizer(crab cakes) and our entrees(crab leg dinner and fish tacos).
Our Crab cakes came out on a plastic platter. We laughed at the size, they were no bigger than a quarter and there were only three! They came on the side of mixed greens with walnuts, grapes and a raspberry vinaigrette of sorts. The salad part was quite good. The crab cakes on the other hand were overly spicy and mushy. My dinner also came with a side salad, which was basically iceberg from a bag with generic croutons and a plastic cup of Italian dressing.
We sat for a bit before our entrees came out. I was facing the kitchen and at one point looked up to see the 'chef' staring at me, which was VERY creepy. I saw my husbands fish tacos come out first and go under an off heat lamp. Five minutes later my entree came out. I had to hold in my shock and laughter when my dinner was presented. I had ordered what was listed on the menu as "1 lb Alaskan King Crab Legs". What I was given was a plastic platter of ONE leg on a bed of shredded iceberg. I also had two side choices, I chose the roasted red skinned potatoes and deep fried corn on the cob. The roasted potatoes; usually my favorite, were not in fact roasted but fried chunks. The corn may have been fried, but just looked to be browned under a broiler. We knew no one would believe us when we told them that there was only ONE leg on my plate, so we took a picture before I began eating. I would've had better luck at Red Lobster. My husbands fish tacos were cold and bland and came in a foil lined plastic basket. The tacos came with a side of fries which amounted to nothing more than a handful. Overall the food was a big disappointment.
We were asked for our gift certificate before we even got a chance to review our bill. it was only after it was 'processed' that we got our bill with our remaining balance to pay of $8.80. We spent a total of $70 on dinner that night. $9.95 on our crab cakes, $29.95 for my crab leg and $9.95 for my husbands cold, bland fish tacos. We left laughing and with the intention of never returning.

Eat n Park in Willoughby.

2009-02-16T15:41:00.000-08:00

Today's preface is this: Lisa, this has absolutely nothing to do with you and/or any of your colleagues except one.

Whomever the guy was walking around in his tie and acting somewhat managerial, your skills are sadly a bit too over the top. You may be wonderful with your staff, but I and my table thought you were incredibly overbearing and downright fucking loud. For God's sake, man, walk the extra three steps and tell the hostess what tables are empty. There is no reason for you to have had to yell it across the entire restaurant. What kind of clod taught you that something so ridiculous would be the right most expedient and all around best way to keep things moving? I cannot even imagine a training program that would tell its people to yell across a crowded room. If that is the case, you did it right. If, as I suspect, that is not the case, then you need to re-think the way you do things and be a bit less boisterous.

I really don't want to write much more about this place. One of the three ordered from the menu and it took about twenty minutes, for fucking French Toast and scrambled eggs. Our buffet was not one of the better ones. The eggs had a very strange consistency even for powdered and... Hell, it really isn't worth saying. It is a cheap place to go and if you remember that, well, there you go.

Noosa on Mentor Avenue in Mentor, Ohio.

2009-02-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

As is often the case, I want to preface this with a comment. I do not want anyone to get the wrong impression of this writing. Although much of what went on was incorrect, the place itself deserves a second chance because, and I've said this a thousand times or so, breakfast is a very difficult thing to fuck up, though.....

I have to tell you, this place has been on our radar for quite some time but we could think of no real reason to go until this past Sunday. After one of our patented long nights (early mornings), we decided we needed breakfast. Well, you all know I like to try different things so, while wracking my brain trying to come up with something new, I suddenly remembered seeing something about a brunch starting at Noosa. I made the suggestion and all involved agreed. We arrived at 10:55 and we happy to see that the doors were open due to the fact that the sign on the door advertised the brunch from 11 until, I think, 4. We walked in to a very nice looking bar but saw no one around. We roamed toward the hostess stand and were quickly greeted by the only server. She showed us to a table deep in to the place, which was nice all around. Linen tablecloths, though covered by paper that reminded me of a doctor’s examination table, appealing décor, and an all around comfortable ambiance, as well as the shiny bar, made our introduction to Noosa quite worthy of note.

The first thing I looked for was the buffet table… There was none. I assumed, giving purpose to the old adage of “ass out of U and me,” that a brunch would be a buffet, so ingrained it is in our collective psyche. Anyway, disappointment was soon evident among the three of us when we were presented with a cheap cardboard menu including about ten choices. They were somewhat interesting; with an eggs Florentine and a couple of interesting omelets, but the prices were absolutely not breakfast fare for the general area. In fact, I could have gotten three breakfasts for what I paid for one there. It would have been comparable in size, too and probably served a great deal more quickly, but as usual, I digress.

By now all of you know one of my perennial party likes things plain, so, when ordering her “Noosa Breakie,” which was nothing more than eggs, toast, potatoes, and sausage, she pointedly asked if there were anything in them, making specific mention of onions. The server returned saying that there were not. She also, my companion that is, made sure to mention that she wanted her eggs scrambled, and that was it. I as usual ordered my eggs over medium as always and the other ordered a “Noosa Scrambler.” Mind you there was nothing really, “brunch-like” on the menu; it was all just typical breakfast fare with a slight upscale flair.

As I alluded to earlier, it took quite a bit of time to get our food AND when it arrived, the server asked our “I just want it plain,” person if it was OK that her eggs came with peppers, onions, etc. She replied, “Of course not that’s why I made sure you understood that I wanted them ‘Just Scrambled.’” Once the server left again, she said that the potatoes were probably full of thing, too. She was right. The scrambler was good according to that part of our party. My eggs, as is often the case, were not done correctly. The yolks were hard, therefore NOT over medium, but I expect them to be wrong because they are more often wrong than right, just not for $8.50. I want to tell you, though; I thought the potatoes were wonderful. They had just the right seasoning with some onions, peppers and maybe a bit of garlic. If it weren’t so expensive, I would go back just for those.

The service was fine, in general, and should have been since no one else even came in while we were there. I felt badly when I saw her trip coming out of the kitchen but she did not get hurt. I wish she would have actually asked the cook about the potatoes rather than just answering. I also think it would behoove her to get a better handle on the ins and outs of the menu, but she was honest about the fact that she had not done a brunch before.
I, and my companions, would like to return for the regular service, possibly sometime in the summer when we can sit on the patio. We looked at the other menus, which were behind the hostess station, and they seemed to have decent prices, not outrageous for the fare and perceived, “Upscale ness,” of this martini bar. BUT do NOT go to the brunch. Truthfully, if it wasn’t as late as it was, I would have suggested we go someplace else because of the buffet thing. If you are from the area you know damned well a brunch should include a buffet. I feel like we were victims of the old “bait and switch” advertising tactic and it pissed me off. $34.69 for three breakfast meals that were just meals??? Not on my budget!! Re-think your strategy folks.

Ruby Tuesday's in Mentor, redux.

2009-02-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

As you all know, I don't often review or write about a place more than once unless there is a need to do so. You also know that I rarely like the corporate-like entities. Ruby Tuesday's is a cut above the norm AND one that I think deserves another review. Sunday afternoon February 1st 2009, most people will know it as Super Bowl Sunday, since I have no feelings one way or the other about cry-baby athletes making more in a season (and bitching about it) than I will in a lifetime of education, the game means nothing to me, but I digress. I went to the Ruby's on Diamond Center Drive in Mentor at around noon. I was in the mood for a salad bar and knew from a previous trip that theirs was one of the best in the area. I was not disappointed this time either, but I will get to that.

When we arrived there were about seven or so people, all of one party ahead of us, some even slightly behind. I opened both of the entry doors for a young female, maybe about 20ish, and she said nothing while brushing past me into the restaurant. She did not even acknowledge I had done so. In fact, she even had the audacity to glare at me when I told her she was welcome. No wonder people say our youth have no manners. It is fucking true. But, that aside, because I do not want this to be about the assholes of the country, AND it had nothing to do with the restaurant, just some cloddish patron, I will get to the experience. After the rude girl and her family were seated, though no one said they would be right with as us they should have, we were seated at a requested table between the salad bar and the bathrooms. The booths seemed a bit too small, but for two, they were just fine. We were given menus and quickly brought our drinks. Our server asked if we were ready to which we answered in the negative. She gave us a few minutes and asked again, chuckling with us when we said we really hadn't yet gotten anywhere. She commiserated with us regarding the myriad choices and we promised her when she came back in about two MORE minutes we would be ready, which we were, kind of...

Anyway, after vacillating quite a bit, I decided on the New Orleans Seafood with a salad bar, of course, and my companion ordered the Top Sirloin with a salad bar as well. Most of you who know this particular companion are wondering what she could possibly garner from a salad bar when she doesn't even like dressing on her lettuce, but, and this is what I mean, the bar at Ruby's even has enough choices to make her happy. I'm telling you, it is that good and looks just wonderful, to boot.

My food came out after my second trip to the bar, yes I was full, but had to at least try it. When I saw the plate I almost laughed because the shrimp were so small and the rice that was supposed to have been brown looked like nothing close, though it was pleasing to the eye with its many colors of pepper. The Tilapia was done just right and though the shrimp were small, they were not bad in the divine Parmesan cream sauce. The sauce was so creamy it almost had the consistency of pudding but not quite as thick. My partner's steak was very tasty, but I really do not like cheap cuts such as sirloin, way too chewy for me, thank you very much.

For once, OK not only once but one of the few times ever, our server stayed with us as she should have. She did not leave before giving us the check and she still checked on us after dropping it off. Now for something that I thought, at first, was off-putting. (It grew on me after I realized how cool, albeit lazy as hell, it was for the average diner.) The check was split amongst the two of us including the tax as to what each of us ordered. This way we did not even have to try to split it ourselves, though I would like to look at the tax thing a little more closely. Then at the bottom there is a breakdown of different tip percentages and what they would be. Wow! People really don't have to think at all any more do they? Anyway, I DO believe it will alleviate a great deal of bitching so... what the fuck!!!! Above is a copy of the receipt just so you can get an idea of what I mean..

Muldoon's Salooon and Eatery on East 185th Street in Cleveland, Ohio

2009-01-19T15:37:00.000-08:00

Oh My GOD!!! You all are going to have to sit down while you read this, not that many people read things on their computers while standing, but you know what the hell I mean. I think I finally found a place that actually has all of the things a service industry/restaurant should have and all at the same time. I am happily shocked that it came from such a non-descript place as Muldoon's. Truthfully the only thing I have ever thought of the place was that is was a great place to be on St. Patty's Day, and I think I was there sometime in the early 1980s when 3.2 beer was still available, though it WAS St. Pat's so I could easily be mistaken. Regardless, this is the place to go. I will tell you all more about it in the next day or so, but I just wanted to get this down right away, and to our server, Cindi, thanks for catering to us so well. You said just the right things at just the right time and seemed genuine without being condescending, well maybe a little bit at the end, but in general, you were probably the best server I have had since beginning this blog three years ago or so.

This makes two in a row, but, what the Hell, it is a new year after all, and, really, maybe some people actually DO know what they’re doing? It’s a stretch, but it’s possible, right?

Anyway, one of my protégés and I, the most promising I might add, had just completed some inspections and as is always the case, we decided to get something to eat. We happened to be in the 185th street area, therefore I mentioned Muldoon’s. Since he has lived in the area for some time, he said that he had always wanted to go, so we did. We walked in from the south side of the building’s parking lot right into a portion of the dining room. The woman who was soon to be our server greeted us and told us she would “follow” us to wherever we wished to sit. We picked a booth in the section between the bar and the section through which we had entered.

From the outside, the place looks almost like any other cinderblock building, but the interior is very much the Americanized version of the Irish Pub. The beaten hardwood floors and many humorous drinking signs make it feel like you are in a far different place than that through which you have entered from the outside, but I digress. We were handed a menu with and extra piece of paper showing the specials. I found the menu very eclectic and happily interesting with varied fare from burgers to grouper including a large appetizer menu. (I know some of you have heard that many restaurants are serving Tilapia or other fish as Grouper so I pointedly asked whether or not the fish on the menu was truthfully Grouper. I was assured that, to our server’s knowledge, it actually was at least sold to the chef as such.)

I noticed an interesting looking thing that piqued my interest. Irish egg rolls. Can you imagine? Well, these guys did and they were something I could not pass up, even with my health kick of late. They were served cut diagonally in half with a soufflé cup of 1000 Island Dressing and over a bed of shredded lettuce. The lettuce should have been left off because, I am beginning to really detest the incredible waste that is propagated in the industry just for garnish, but it DID look good. The rolls themselves looked too imperfect to have come pre-made, though it is certainly possible. They contained a tasty mix of corned beef, Sauerkraut and Swiss cheese wrapped in an egg roll deep-fried to a golden brown.

After taking some time to peruse the menu, and still honestly not internalizing much of it, we made our decisions. D ordered the Ultimate Nachos and the Mighty Marty Warrior Burger, along with a side of fries for a cost of $2.25. Upon ordering, I thought it was ludicrous to pay extra for the fries, that was, of course, until I saw the burger. I ordered the Pan-fried, Lemon Pepper Grouper with fries rather than the steamed veggies. The nachos came out first and the plate was ENORMOUS. There was enough food on that plate for at least three people to have a meal not just an appetizer. It was a plate of nachos covered in a cheese sauce and other melted cheeses along with scallions, chopped tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, and chili, as well a two soufflé cups each of a nice mild but tasty salsa and sour cream.
The within another five minutes or so, out comes the entrees. As I already mentioned, the burger was quite large, in fact my protégé could not even get his big mouth around it, nothing personal my boy. My fish, though nothing to look at, was large enough to cover half the plate from end to end (a typical large dinner platter you see in most restaurants). D raved about the taste of his burger and I was thoroughly impressed with the taste of the Grouper, though I have to say it was overly “blackened” on the thinner edges. I have to complement the chef on his ability to season the fish with out taking away from its delicate flavor. D took more than half of the nachos home with him but we finished everything else. And at $36.35, I really think the price was quite decent. As you all know, I am not usually one to rave about a place, but these guys did everything just right. From the original greeting to the perfectly timed service to the genuine attitude of the server to the flavor of the food, I was happy with the experience from beginning to end. All I can say is: GO!!!

Come on people!!!

2009-01-15T17:11:00.000-08:00

I know this is not my usual post, but, tough shit! I want to know who all these people are that drive around a place like Greater Cleveland that do not know what to do when it snows. I DO realize there are some who have never driven in this shit, but holy SHIT!! Have you never heard of adverse driving conditions? Are some of you really that fucking stupid?

The road is covered with snow, that is a fact. It will take more time to stop, that is a fact. Driving close to another vehicle is not intelligent, that is a fact. Put them all together and you have a reason that traffic gets backed up. Is this rocket science? Seemingly it is because for the last two days at least one moron has to drive too quickly or drive too close or various other things that make absolutely no fucking sense, Dale I know it ain't you.

I think we should require everyone who gets a license in this area, or even moves here, to take some kind of class, not I am not going to pay for it, explaining that FACTS that things get a bit rough during a snow storm. Slow and steady works. (those of you who have been around are saying, "No shit.") Why do some of you think you need to pass someone? Oh, I forgot. The idea that you have a four-wheel drive SUV makes you impervious to the weather, right? That may be so, in a relative sense, but you cause a bunch of shit that could have been avoided if you had maybe used a fucking blinker or maybe didn't turn into my lane with only inches to spare. You, shockingly enough, are not the only person on the road. AND, nothing is that important that you need to put your, or anyone else's, life on the line just to get somewhere quickly. Just relax and let it go as it goes.

Have a nice, albeit frigid, day.

Dannyboys Restaurant in Rocky River, Ohio

2009-01-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

Hello all of you wonderful people in reader-land. I know that was a bit over the top, but what the hell.. So, off we go on yet another adventure. This time we decided to take a trip somewhat outside of the normal review zone. We had a plan to go to the IX Center to walk around the RV show. That, my friends, is another ball of wax, but suffice it to say, watch closely when going. The show cost something like $11.50 but when pulling up, with only three hours left of the entire thing, we saw a sign denoting an $8.00 parking charge. It only costs $10.00 to park at the fucking airport for 24 hours AND they have other options. We turned around and left.

Since we were already on the west side of town, AND some show or another was talking about various types of pizza, we decided to go to Dannyboys Italian Restaurant. I had accidentally found out about this place through an inspection I had done in Avon Lake about four years ago. I was hungry and noticed a sign for inexpensive slices of pizza. I went in and was rewarded with the hands down best slice of cheese pizza I had ever eaten. The store in Avon Lake has since closed and I have been planning to go to the original in Rocky River for sometime. Sunday, 11 January 2009 was that day.

It was not easy to find our destination, though admittedly it might have helped if we had an address and knew where we were going, but we called for directions, thanks Katie, and were led in street-by-street, turn-by-turn. The restaurant is in a non-descript strip mall with two other stores. Upon walking in, one notices a somewhat cluttered entryway that feels very homey and not at all off-putting. There are menus right there available for take out.

The place is not very wide but is deep. I have to say that I loved the atmosphere and the overall feel of the place. On the wall when you first walk in there are tall bar type tables with chess boards set up. What a wonderful idea for those waiting to pick up a pie. You walk up two small steps and you are in the main dining area. If I am not mistaken there were only about ten tables but, truthfully, that is all that could fit. Not that they were stuffed in there or anything, but none more would have been possible. The way it is set up is perfect for what it is from the glass block around the top of the wall to the green, black and red color scheme.

We were immediately greeted by a very friendly young woman who told us to sit where ever we would like and that our server would be with us shortly, which was absolutely true. We ordered drinks while perusing the menu. We decided upon some appetizers as well as a plain double cheese pizza. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Toes while my companion ordered the Garlic Cheese Bread. There were even cards on the table to take up our time should we have needed a diversion, again, what a nice touch.

I know what you all must be thinking by now, when is the bottom going to fall out? Nothing ever really goes this well. Well, in part you would be right, but, in actuality, there was nothing glaringly wrong at Dannyboys. I did not like the fact that the bathroom door did not latch and it seemed as though it needed to be cleaned, which should have been no problem considering there were about four or five females working the floor (way too many servers for the size of the place). Two should have been more than enough, but that is how I see it and it is not my restaurant.

The chicken toes were nothing more than breaded planks with a medium Buffalo sauce, too hot for me as I am into the wimpy “mild,” but it did have a great flavor AND unlike many places these days the toes actually came with blue cheese dressing and celery at no
extra charge, though at $8.95 that is the way it should be. There were five or six planks served over multi-colored tortilla chips with a large piece of folded “bread” (their dough), four celery sticks and a small plastic soufflé cup of dressing. More food that we could hope to eat. On top of that came the garlic bread. This was the size of a pizza. Although it
was good, there was very little garlic. I would not order again unless I wanted a pizza without sauce and/or topping, which is what it tasted like. Again, it was good just not
garlicky enough. The pizza was nice and sloppy, as I had hoped; in fact we had to eat it with fork and knife, very un-pizza-like. The flavor was not quite what I had remembered though. The sauce was a superb very tomatoey tasting mixture with just the right spice, but it seems as though the cheese mixture has changed since that first piece I had those
years ago. It could have also been that I burned some of my taste buds off with the Buffalo sauce, who knows?

I would love to get a Dannyboys out here in our neck of the woods, not that we really need another pizza joint. The menu is large and diverse and, I think they would be a welcome addition to our neighborhood, maybe in the old bank across from Osborne Park? Short of that, take a little jaunt and go if you get the chance. It is worth the drive.

One thing you might want to keep in mind is that this venue is not very good for those with mobility issues as there are a couple of steps. They may be small, but so is the dining area and the entranceway, thereby making for some issues.

Latest flurry of comments

2008-12-30T19:56:00.000-08:00

I have to say, after all of the time I have been doing this, I am happy someone is reading. I do not know why the sudden hatred, nor do I really care, but I would like to be sure that people actually read what it is I have written rather than making things personal. Noting I have written, nor ever will write, is ever personal. I write from my own particular experience at that specific time. I do not have anything against, or for, any person or establishment. In fact, I know many people who absolutely disagree with my thoughts regarding places about which I have written. So be it.

The Lakeshore Eatery is a place I really want to like, and I DO like their menu. It just so happens that I have had things go wrong both times I have been there, BUT, I have said that I really like their chicken fried steak as one of the best I have ever tasted.

Just take what I write as something one person thinks. I am only me and my comments are not meant for anything more than just that. MY COMMENTS!!!! You do not have to agree. But, anyone who thinks that I do not have the right to voice those comments needs to not be in a business where they are catering to that very same public. Everyone needs to have the proverbial cojones to accept criticism on whatever level that may be, me included. I can easily accept someone not liking what I have had to say, but to personally call me out of my name, is something that proves how petty people can be.

My true purpose is only to say that things can be better. If you have read most of my postings, you would know that the thing I have found most lacking in our SERVICE industry is the lack of SERVICE. Could this be a reason our country is beginning to founder? Maybe!!!

Please feel free to leave whatever comment you wish. I do not have fear of people saying they think I am wrong. Just, please, do not make it personal. I have nothing against you or yours, do not have anything against me or mine.

I will continue to write things as I see them AND, for those of you who tend to like to see things as they were in your mind rather than how they actually were, I have no time for you. I have no reason to make things up, nor time to do so. I am ALWAYS with someone else with whom I consult before my writing.
I do not mean to offend, just speak the truth as I, and I mean I, see it.

Tizzano's redux

2008-12-29T16:34:00.000-08:00

Though there is no reason, I need to comment upon the comments left on the previous entry. I do not know to whom she is referring, but not one of us swore at our server and in fact, I was exceedingly polite as was she. I never ordered a veal anything and we were never told about the place being only open for the party and family take out until AFTER we got our food. As far as my experience, it does not take a rocket scientist to decide whether or not you like something food wise. But, I have been involved in various capacities in the food industry for over 30 years, so I truthfully do have some right to comment, as anyone really does in a free society. I did not personally slam anyone as was done to me and would not do so knowingly, but that is the nature of the beast. Every one is entitled to his or her opinion but one should reserve that for something one can actually prove or disprove from their own experience.

Tizzano's on Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe

2008-12-27T13:24:00.000-08:00

Honest to God, for the first time ever, I do not know where to begin. This was the worst clusterfuck of an outing I can ever imagine at a restaurant so close to home. I have known of this place since I was going to skate across the street at United Skates of America. How in the hell it has been able to stay in business, doing things the way they were done when we were there, is beyond any stretch of the imagination.

It was early in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and one of the party wanted Italian. As is often the case I wanted to try something different but in our little part of the world. We tried to go to Dino's but it was packed so decided to go to Tizzano's. We walked in to a very dingy vestibule and tried to read the specials board. It was in a dark, unlighted area and the writing was somewhat smeared (first clue). After a few seconds, a nice woman came out and asked us if we were from the "party of eight," to which we replied that we were not. She continued talking about the party while she seated us right next to the only other table in the place. Mind you the eight top for the party was already set up and ready to go (second clue). We sat down and ordered drinks which came out oddly. The coffee came out alone and then she went back to the kitchen for the iced teas (third clue). She then began searching for menus when she could only find two and those she did find had black marker on various old items. It looked incredibly shabby (fourth clue). By now we should have realized this was destined to be a horrible experience, but we were hungry and just wanted to get some food.

I want to make sure you understand that this is an ITALIAN restaurant before I begin this next piece. I have to stop here for a minute because, I swear to you, this was so fucking bad that I cannot even keep it all straight in my head.

OK, there were some thing listed on the menu of which we were unsure so we asked the server. She seem quite knowledgeable about the various cuts of pasta, though we were to question that later. We asked about the "home made" options on the cavatelli and spaghetti. She said they no longer carried the "home made" option because it was too costly to keep if not being used (fifth clue). Then in the next breath, to one of my companions, she said the cavatelli, or some other pasta I am not completely sure of the type, was "home made." Wouldn't you thin she would have immediately offered me that when I asked for "home made" if that was an option? Hummmmm????? I ordered a salad and spaghetti with meatballs, another ordered rigatoni and meatballs, the other ordered fettuccini Alfredo. The salads were Ok and soup came with the rigatoni. This soup could have been nothing more than a mish mosh of leftovers. The potatoes looked as if they had been home fries and the veggies were so mushy as to be the consistency of baby food, BUT, it really tasted all right. We were also given three pieces of what tasted like a sour dough bread with butter pats, cut not pre-packaged, in a ramekin on the side. The bread was gone, the salads and soup were gone and our server was gone. Meanwhile people kept coming in to order things like gift certificates or to go stuff, like catering type pans full of various items. So, I decided it was time to hit the restroom, bad idea. It was dingy and looked dirty before I even entered. There was no light, not that there should have bee in the middle of the day, but there was also no switch to be found. I had to let the door shut and search in the second area but the commode to find a light switch. Once I looked around with the light I was disgusted by the grime just about everywhere. Then the paper towel dispenser was empty and the towels on the back of the toilet had water marks on the top.

I got back to the table and the food was still not there. I would like to remind you again that this is an Italian restaurant and we ordered pasta of which they told us none was "home made." This means that even if they had to boil it to al dente it should have taken no longer than about 12 minutes for large rigatoni. It had already been more than 25 minutes. One of the party also ordered a meatball sandwich and lasagna to go but that is for a later portion of this fiasco. So... since we were still awaiting our entrees, we asked for more bread, it was delivered but without more butter, we had to ask. While the server was talking to another customer, leaning on the counter in the "bar" looking area, I attempted to get up and ask for more butter, then she walked toward the south side of the building behind the counter. We did not see nor hear from her for another about ten minutes. This is about thirty five to forty minutes since our order and we still have not gotten our entree. (All of us have been asked why we even stayed to which we answer that we had too much time invested and just wanted to eat, though that is unlike any of us.)

When the food finally came out one of our party, and shockingly enough it was not even me, said, "This better be damned good food for all the time it took to get here." Our server looked genuinely flummoxed. She said that they probably shouldn't have opened except for,here we go again, the party that was supposed to come in. For fuck sake, we had been there the better part of an hour and the party was still not there but that was how we were greeted. Did they not have a time for this supposed party?????

The food was in no way worth the wait. It wasn't horrible, though the Alfredo was incredibly salty and something that member of our crew would never get again from there, but it sure was nothing to write (home) about, which is why this has taken so long to complete. The spaghetti sauce tasted like nothing more than a tomato puree with some minced garlic. In fact the only way I tasted the garlic was when a chunk got stuck in my teeth. My other companion noticed the fact that the meatballs could not have been made in house. They were too consistent in size and had the flavor and texture of any one of the mass produced brands. For an Italian restaurant, come the fuck on!!!!

When told, upon our food actually arriving, that we wanted to ensure it didn't take the same amount of time for the to go order, our server came back telling us it had been taken off the menu because it had yet to be started. The meatballs had to probably be no more than microwaved and the lasagna should have already been done. WHAT THE FUCK???????????? The owner came out and apologized, not for the incredible amount of time it took, for the fact that we were angry. I ask you this, who the fuck wouldn't be angry? His pants were so black near the left front pocket it looked as if he were a mechanic rather than a restaurant owner. Try an apron. Now the topper. One of our group asked for a take home container. You guessed it, they had none, though they said they were doing take out orders. She was given a wooden salad bowl wrapped with foil. The server wanted to wrap it for her but she, rightfully, said she would rather do it herself.

I do not recall if I spoke of the freezing temperature as well, but It was incredibly cold. We were told that the back door was open due to deliveries or some such thing.

We left without so much as a tip more than a dollar for the server. As I said before, she was nice, but she was absolutely not a very good server. She should have apologized to us profusely about the time, but, instead, all she said was, "I just work here." That is never an excuse which is why it is used in so many comedy routines.

I sincerely hope this was a fluke, but if it was not, how in the HELL have you guys stayed afloat for this long???????

Cracker Barrel in Willoughby, Ohio

2008-12-23T07:20:00.000-08:00

Not that I have to really tell you, BUT do NOT go to this place if you want to eat healthy. It is impossible! I am not in any way saying this to be mean, just honest. They do, of course, offer salads and such, but why in the HELL would you go to Cracker Barrel to eat a fucking salad? That would be the ultimate DUH thing to do!

Anyway, before I continue on this rant, I want to let you know how this went. I first have to say I really hate having to travel through the store portion of the place before getting to the restaurant portion, but, since it is a necessary evil, I will do it when need be. I also want to say Merry Christmas, with finger raised, to all of you out there who think you are the only person in the world. It is nice (he said very sarcastically) to know that this supposedly most joyous of seasons brings out the absolute worst in a huge array of people. Do not think you can push through me! A simple, "sorry," or, "excuse me," would suffice, but NO some of you need a slap in the fucking face to get it. One day you might just get what you deserve, but, I digress.

On this very blustery day, 16 degrees at the warmest and 20-30 mile per hour winds with a bit of Lake Effect snow, reminiscent of our trip to the Mexican place last year around this time, we decided to go to Cracker Barrel. We were immediately greeted and seated, the hostess had a bit of an accent so it was difficult to understand her when she asked us if our seats were all right, but I figured it out and we said, "OK." Within seconds our server, and I won't use names anymore unless it is completely positive, Sharon showed up and asked for our drink order. She was back in the perfect amount of time but we had still not decided upon our food. She left us for another couple of minutes and was back when we needed her to be. I also need to add that this woman had the most incredible personality. She was bubbly without being overbearing and just exuded friendliness. She seemed like someone I would invite into my living room to join in a gathering I might be having. She had what I can only describe as the "Robin Swoboda" kind of way about her.

The food we ordered was pretty damned good. My partner ordered a strip steak with corn and baker, while I ordered the Grandpa's breakfast with grits, that phenomenal hash brown casserole, and chicken fried chicken. The food came out in about eight minutes, which was incredibly fast and it was all done as we wished. In fact, my companion liked her steak more than the last one she had at Texas Roadhouse. I liked everything I had EXCEPT the gravy. I would prefer just a pepper gravy rather than the sausage gravy, but that is just my preference. Other than that, the over medium eggs were just that and that casserole... Damn! And, for some reason, their grits always taste better than mine. Oh, I would also not recommend the chicken fried chicken. It was to floury and very dry even though deep fried.

Sharon came back, conversed with us about doing "donuts" in the parking lot(s), and left our check when we were ready for it. My companion asked for a "doggie bag," which took a bit too long, but all in all it was a pretty good experience. I, for one, will not be going back there any time soon if I want to continue my healthy ways, but that should not dissuade you in any way. If you like good old, gut-busting, rib-sticking, American Fare, get your ass in gear and go to the Cracker Barrel in Willoughby.

Anthony's on Vine Street in Eastlake, Ohio

2008-12-15T15:28:00.000-08:00

14 December 2008. Anthony’s Family Restaurant on Vine Street in Eastlake at approximately 1PM.
The purpose: Late Breakfast
The Participants: Johnathan and Jodie
Feel the Mission Impossible Theme in the background of your mind.

No, it wasn’t really like that. Anyway, We arrived and the first thing asked was whether or not they had all day breakfast, the answer, thankfully, was yes. I have been on a major health kick for a couple of months and have done well with weight and medical numbers, but, damn, sometimes I just need some shit food. Well that’s what they had and what I ordered.

I would like to warn you that the front parking lot is small and felt confusing but that is another thing, just be prepared. Now we go on to the rest of the place. I believe I have written about this before, but I really hate the wide-open spaces some of these places put off as comfortable. I prefer a few walls here and there to break up the room, but, as is usually the case, that is just my opinion. My companion actually made a comment that it was nice and cozy feeling. Maybe the huge Christmas tree in the center and the eight or so hanging fake plants made her feel that way.

We were quickly seated at a decent sized booth and given menus after being asked for our drink orders. I really didn’t look at the entire menu too closely as I only wanted breakfast, which was on the back. The slight perusal I did give it showed typical “family” restaurant type of fare. There were omelets, French toast, Hotcakes, and steak and egg meals, along with the obligatory artery bomb of Sausage Gravy and Biscuits. I ordered eggs, sausage, two hotcakes and a side of hash browns. My cohort ordered her normal French toast with sausage. My iced tea seemed to be a bit old but it was OK. I was slightly shocked that no potato came with either meal but did with about eight on the top of the menu.

It took seemingly about four freaking hours for the food to get to the damned table because we were fucking hungry. Actually it was probably more like 10 minutes. Everything came out warm, except the syrup, which was even on the menu as being “our own warm syrup.” The eggs, which I ordered over medium as always, were underdone, but the sausages, which were about double the size of most, were great. My side of hash browns was just the way I like them, but too much to finish. They were crispy on the outside and almost like mashed potatoes on the inside. There was no seasoning to speak of, but I like that as well. My friend was happy with her French toast because, for a change, it did not have any powdered sugar covering.
Our server was OK at Anthony’s this day. She seemed a bit stressed a couple of times and asked a question she didn’t wait for us to answer, which is actually quite typical when it comes to the, “How is everything today?” thing. She placed our check on the table before asking if we needed anything else including drinks. Kind of like, “It is time for you to leave now, so get a move on.” Too many times I have had to wait for my bill, this time it seemed like they just wanted us out. Oh, well. Maybe there is a happy medium somewhere. I will continue my long-suffering search and let you know, as usual, about the journey. Thanks for ending another year with me and a beginning another.

Days Inn Canton Ohio

2008-12-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

Today, my friends (at least some of you are) (friends I mean), we take a look at something a bit different, though still in the service field and not much away from the restaurant tours I usually Take you on. (I know that wasn't grammatically correct, but too fucking bad.) Four of us decided to go to Canton to see the Jeff Dunham comedy show, he's good but I would advise you not to watch any of his specials first as it is much too predictable when you've seen the shtick. Anyway, due to the fact that we figured it to be a late evening, we decided to stay the night in the city. This small motel was on Convenience Street (I think it was Street) on the south side of the Belden Village Mall.

My first impression of the place was borne out countless times throughout the night an morning, but I am getting ahead of myself. We arrived and drove around the building looking for an entrance. The lobby sign was over the very non-descript door, about maybe 6 inches by 12 inches, but nothing looked like any lobby you have ever seen. Just one single door without a glass wall. In short it was not very inviting, in fact it seemed somewhat backward, oops, we were in Canton afterall.

Suffice it to say, this place was not somewhere I would even deem a one star place. There was mold around the tub and many small holes in the walls along with bottle caps on the floor. I really don't want, or need, to write more. If you have to stay in Canton, either insist you inspect the room first, or, better yet, go somewhere else.

Larchmere Tavern on Larchmere Blvd. in Cleveland.

2008-11-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

At approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday 20 November 2008 a colleague and I decided to go to the Larchmere Tavern for an in-between work and Open House dinner. We walked the six blocks or so to help us keep more awake for the two hours to come, but enough on that.

The place is very quaint. It has probably been used for the same thing since the twenties or so and looks it. One can imagine a speakeasy or gin joint, as they were called at various times in our history. The heavy wooden doors on the front of the building gave entrance to the relatively spacious foyer and two rooms of nearly the same size. To the rights were about four tables and four or five booths and the bar, on the left was a room with only tables and booths. It took a few minutes before anyone acknowledged us, but when the young man did, he was friendly enough and told us to sit where we liked, motioning toward the bar side. It appeared as though we were too early to sit anywhere but in the bar area. I chose the first booth near the entrance, and, unlike the last thing of which I wrote; there were no untoward breezes to make you freeze when someone entered the premises.

We were asked for our drink order to which my companion requested coffee and water. I opted for only water. Our server, and bartender as he was the only person on the floor, filled them with ease and speed. He left us menus. Cardboard and not very classy if I may say so, not that I am really asking anyone’s permission. The dinner menu was relatively small but quite well appropriated with thirty-four choices including salads and appetizers running the gamut from wings to lobster bisque to Maple Leaf Duck Breast. They also had a 50 bottle or so wine list that was nice for those of you in that wine (o) category. Sorry, I just can’t seem to stomach that crap. Anyway, we said that we may have a third join the party but decided to order anyway, good thing because she didn’t make it.

I ordered the Simple Salmon, which came with a Red Wine Risotto, Shiitake Mushroom Marmalade Balsamic at $15.95. My coworker ordered, first, the Maple Leaf Duck Breast, then, when he realized it was duck and not chicken, even though he actually did SAY duck, changed it to the Chevre Stuffed Chicken Breast. We were given a basket of very crusty bread that must have been a ciabatta but it seemed a bit more airy. It had a wonderful taste, though would have been better served with an infused olive oil rather than the tasteless butter in accompaniment. My companion had to ask for water more than once, as our server was busy with other things. We even asked for the pitcher to stay on the table and were told that, “I’m really not supposed to do that.” I cannot imagine any reason as to why that would be the case, and, truthfully, I was somewhat offended to think that we couldn’t be “trusted” with a water pitcher.

It took very little time for the meals to arrive. They came out steaming and actually stayed hot throughout the entire meal. A very nice touch and something I have not seen in quite some time. Mine was wonderfully presented and looked scrumptious. My companion’s came out looking good, but certainly not like chicken breast. I looked more like duck but was stuffed as the chicken on the menu stated. It was the size of a duck breast, or maybe Cornish hen. Maybe it was a “chuck”, I don’t know. He said it tasted more like duck than chicken, but…. Anyway, my risotto was the perfect consistency but incredibly bland. The glaze was out of this world and indescribable. The salmon was, I shit you not, the best I have ever eaten. The flavor was no different than ever really except for the Mushroom Marmalade but it was done to absolute perfection. You know I hate to use that word ever, but, in this instance, it fits. The fish was flaky and moist with no hint of the usually dryness associated with most salmon one might get at another place. I figure it was fresh which allowed for it to be done without thawing or “pre-cooking” by microwave thaw.
I would highly recommend this place for an upper end dinner when you want to do something a bit special. I want to put out just a bit of warning to the server, though. You were only OK at best. Considering there were only about four people at the bar and your other table left, we should have been better served. We had to ask, twice, for more water, and you made us sit for too long before bringing us our check. This is my perennial bitch, so I do not understand why servers and managers don’t get it. It is not only you, but certainly, this does not put you above the crowd. Keep up the good work on the food and do some more work on service.

The Kirtland Diner on Chillicothe Road in Kirtland, Ohio

2008-11-16T11:53:00.001-08:00

On Sunday, 15 November 2008we decided to try a new restaurant in Kirtland. My sister had heard about it from a co-worker and, since we are always looking for something a little different, we decided to give it a try. For any of you who know anything at all about Route 306 and Kirtland, you know about the Kirtland Hill. Well, if you look back at your almanac, that was the day of the first real snow storm in the area and when we left, people were inching down the hill as if it were an ice sheet, probably because it was. Where the heel were the plows I ask, because every time I saw the news on the day before ODOT spokespeople were talking about how they were already preparing. Not the morons in Lake County, I guess. But, that is for another writing. Let us get to the Kirtland Diner, shall we?

This is a little hole in the wall directly across from the Kirtland Schools complex in the shopping center that has come and gone and come again and gone again...you get the picture. We think it is maybe in the spot that used to house the hobby shop but were not really able to tell for sure. Anyway, we entered and were immediately told by a young and seemingly nice female that we could sit wherever we would like. There were only about ten or twelve different tables and one taken when we arrived, so we had our choice. Within seconds, though, while we were still deciding where we wanted to sit, another female, older and much more gruff acting, asked us what we were looking for, she had obviously not paid any attention to her co-worker who had spoken to us just moments prior. I found that a tad rude, but was willing to overlook it as the second female not hearing the first one. We took a four top near the door. The place has no windbreak at the front door so each time it opened we were chilled anew, but that was our fault. The owners, though, might want to think of putting up some kind of wood partition or a space heater to alleviate the frigid burst of air when the door opens.

We had already seen the menu, so I was immediately ready to order but not so my cohorts. Our server just so happened to be the older woman of whom I have just written. She immediately offered coffee all around to which two agreed and two declined. She brought the iced tea but not the coffee until the second trip. Since this was an all-day breakfast joint, I decided to order my perennial favorite, the chicken fried steak and eggs. I find it much more realistic and fair to compare and contrast and restaurant if I order the same thing. When I told her the order, I said "over medium" but she asked me how I wanted my eggs. This, to me, is a pure case of, "it's all about me." My reasoning is this: She got involved when we first arrived, didn't pay attention when I told her what I wanted, then did the same thing to two of the other people at the table. When you are a server, pay attention to the customers, do NOT just try to remember what you are supposed to say. It comes across as, on the best side, a bit dim witted, on the worst side, quite rude. They ordered an omelet, French Toast and the Breakfast Special respectively.

My chicken fried steak came out with the French Toast, first. She put the steak in front of another of our party, but I put it where it belonged and went to get another syrup for the French Toast when there was one right in front of her. Sadly, it took another about four or five minutes for the remaining two of our party to get their food. I tried a bite of my toast, which had no butter, or fake oil crap that is on most, but it was hard and cold, a thought mirrored by the omelet portion of our party. My Chicken Fried Steak came out as two rather smallish patties covered by brown gravy. I have NEVER seen brown gravy on that before, but though, "What the Hell?" It wasn't bad at all, just not expected. The patties themselves were nothing exciting. In fact, I figured out that they tasted like On-Cor Salisbury Steak with a light breading. Again, not bad, just strange. They had home fries hat were like thick potato chips and my eggs were under done. When she came back with the other food she looked at me as if to say "What do you think you are doing moving the food around?" First off, it really shouldn't have made any difference, secondly,do not ever look at a customer as if you might want to argue with him over some thing you may have done mistakenly. All in all, the food was OK according to the others, and the price was not bad, but the server and the toast??????

As is quite often the case, our server fell off at the end, not that she was that good to begin with. I heard another patron verbally request for her to come to his table and wait more than five minutes for her to do so. He told her his coffee was cold and it took her another five to get back to him with a warm-up. Mind you, this place is not bigger than an average living room, so I have no idea what her problem could have been. While that was happening, we were awaiting our check. She never asked how we wanted it split, which she should have, and as is often the case, we had no idea what cost what, so it was difficult to split the bill. I hen requested a copy of the bill and she looked at me again, like when she came back and the steak was moved, as if I had just fallen from the sky. When she finally returned she had re-gained her composure but the damage was done.

I would suggest that anyone wanting some typical greasy spoon type breakfast might want to try this place out, but, be warned!! Do not sit near the front door and try to make sure you do not get the server we had. Also, like with other places about whom I have written, do not expect your food to arrive together or quickly. This is not rocket science, but these places seem to assume it is.

This Election The Day of 04 November 2008

2008-11-04T16:30:00.000-08:00

The election of 2008 is now coming to a close. Before you all read this it will have been decided, at least we hope. I have to say, and the majority of you would agree, this has been the most exciting, and at the same time exasperating, time I have ever seen in the politics of the United States of America. We have a man who is considered black on one side and too white on another, of course bringing up the race card for no fucking reason what-so-ever. We have a decorated war veteran, whom, it seems, wrecked three planes out of stupidity or arrogance. I am not sure which. We have an old guard democrat on the side of the “black” man and a neophyte governor of our largest yet smallest state on the republican side. Anyone who has been under a rock for the last couple of years needs me to say something about the absurdity of it all. The rest of you need to sit back and chuckle and/or share my angst with regard to some of the other stuff.

Barack Obama… The name has conjured some incredibly varied ideas amongst our fellow countrymen. First people played upon the “Muslim” ness of the name. Come on you fucking morons.. The man was named after his father. Did he choose the name? I’m thinking, now stop me if I could be wrong, he did not. Did you, George Bush, the one in the White House right now, choose your name??? Then they said his pastor was wrong for being fiery and making anti-American statements. While I do not fault their logic on the “anti-American” part, I do wonder how these very same people who had a problem with him being Muslim can complain about his Christian pastor. Is there something not a bit oxymoronic about that? Both religions want their followers to testify about the virtues, not denounce their membership. The man has said he is a Christian, so… he is a Christian. We have no reason to doubt him.

That aside, I am watching the early returns at just 7:30 EDT. What I am seeing, though far from conclusive at this point, shows me that we as a nation are a bunch of fucking morons. We are voting along racial lines and some of us still believe the BULLSHIT that was started earlier in the race. Why, if that is not the case, did the McCain camp bring up that asshole preacher? No other reason that to "remind us that Barack is too radical...etc." Fuck them!!! Maybe we need something a bit more radical. Obviously these war loving motherfuckers haven't done much but keep us ridiculously in debt AND have us in a very precarious world position. If something drastic were to happen, we would not have the troops to do much. Go fucking going!!!!!!!!!

I feel we are on the cusp of a new world order but I hope it is the correct path. I think if McCain and his people, especially that freak Palin, get into office, we will immediately be written off by the global community and be on our own for truly the first time. Even our staunchest allies will not be able to continue to support such a ridiculous regime. They say they are not Bush, well, I doubt that, and those of you with a brain will agree with me.

I know there are some of you voting for the McCain ticket almost purely on the Right to Life Issue. I am a Right to Life (er) myself, but backyard abortions and unwanted babies, no matter how repellent we may think it is, are worse. I work with many children who were probably unwanted and definitely not correctly cared for. Though I would never wish to have not had the pleasure of working with them, I hate to think of the horrors they have been through in their lives.

I am off on a tangent, but I cannot bear to think of our country being run by a cry baby little rich boy. Barack is a self-made man who has gone through some shit my friends. Who among us has not? Not many. Yes, McCain was a prisoner of war, but read some of the things people who were there with him have to say. Pick up the Rolling Stone issue number: 1063 and read the Make Believe Maverick article. It will open your eyes, but I hope it is not too late.

I hope against hope that we do the right thing and give this a chance. I mean, why would anyone be dumb enough to agree with a statement such as that made by the Republican camp regarding how Barack wants to NEGOTIATE rather than jump into war. Are we not, in general, taught from early on that fighting is not the answer? Of course we are. On the other hand there are still a great many folks that will tell there kids to go ahead and "beat the shit out of," that faggot, that sissy, that nigger, that jew, that towel head, that dyke, and many more. I hope we really don't want people like that running our country. I sure as fuck don't. I have just used words I absolutely despise, and you all should hate them as well, but some of these folks you are voting for believe in them with all their ridiculous little minds. Let us move beyond small mindedness and into a bright new future....

Lakeshore Eatery-Revisited 19 October, Mentor, Ohio

2008-10-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

I must preface this by saying that I was asked to go back and give this place another chance. My companion and I went to the Lakeshore Eatery in Mentor, Ohio at approximately 6:15 on Sunday 19 October 2008 for my second go round. I do have to say that this place heart, but…. well, read on and decide for yourself.

We had heard some family members had just gone there so we called them to save us seat. By the time we had arrived, they had already gotten some bread and placed an order. We seated ourselves after being greeted by the hostess. I noticed that we had no menus and went back to the front door to request them. The hostess insisted that she had left some on the table, which was not something I would call intelligent. She wasn’t quite rude about it, but arguing with a customer for any reason is not acceptable. In seconds she realized I was right, which was obviously why I came up to the front end to begin with, and handed me two menus.

Again, I must say that I like the eclectic nature of the menu, but I WAS hoping for all day breakfast. It wasn’t mentioned on the menu and I was not in the mood to ask. Our server, Emily, was there quickly to take our drink order, but then seemed to forget we were there for a while. She brought out our seatmates’ spinach dip appetizer, which came out with what appeared to be freshly fried tortilla chips (a nice, albeit inexpensive, touch), then left. I tried the dip and thought it was quite good. The consistency was nice and creamy with the correct amount of spinach. I believe there was a type of pico de gallo on top, which I would have left off, that tended to take away from the flavor of the cheese and spinach, but in all I would probably order it again. Emily put the appetizer down on the table and began to walk away. My mother spoke up saying that we needed to order. She, the server, immediately returned and was not in any way nonplussed.

We both ordered the tilapia with a citrus glaze and choice of two sides. I got the mashed potatoes and the soup of the day, broccoli cheddar. My partner asked for home fries and we got the salad to take home. Our server must have been quite new to the field just because of her actions, but she tried and I give her kudos for that. We had her running a bit because she kept forgetting things such as the bread that was supposed to have come with our meal. I had been told that this bread was “really good,” to which I must disagree. It was OK, but not what I would call, “really good.” Rumor had it, also, that it was “homemade.” That, I found out, was not QUITE true. The fact is that it is made elsewhere and BAKED on premises. I don’t truthfully care where it is made as long as it is good and this was, as I have already stated, just OK.

The first thing that came out was the soup. I have tried the broccoli cheddar soup in numerous establishments and am always on the hunt for one that sticks out. This wasn’t it. While it had a nice flavor, the consistency was WAY off. It took me through most of the dinner before I could think of something with a similar feel. Grits! Can you imagine a soup that has the consistency of grits? Well, this was it, AND it wasn’t from the tiny little pieces of the broccoli florets either. Our entrees came out quickly there-after, which was a welcomed change from the first trip.

Although it stated on the menu that the fish was to be served with tartar sauce I had to request that, AND my mashed potatoes came out sans gravy. I tasted them and they really didn’t need anything, but one would have thought they would ask if I wanted some. I requested both gravy and tartar sauce; it was cheerfully delivered to me without question. The entrée was another matter. Both my companion and I took a bite of the fish and immediately looked across the table at one another. There was something odd about its flavor. To me, it tasted very “fishy.” Tilapia is supposed to been a very mellow flavored fish, which is why I ordered it. The sauce, also, was a shock. I expected a more lemony flavor, while it actually almost tasted like an orange marmalade. Way too sweet for fish. It was a nice try, but I did not like it.

I know you are all waiting for SOMETHING, aren’t you? Well, my friends you are not to be disappointed by this guy. I had about three bites of the fish and guess what??? It was not done. Can you imagine how freaked out I was inside to know that I had already eaten part of the stuff and found the rest uncooked? Probably not, but let me tell you, luckily I was tired and in a mellow mood. I told the server to say something to the “chef,” and said I did not want the fish. She said she would do so, BUT came back with a full priced bill. Come on, now. I know she was new, but SOMEONE should have told her something like that is not going to fly.

I went to the hostess station and told her about the underdone fish. She said she would discuss it with her manager and came out of the kitchen giving a “clandestine” thumbs-up, I suspected meaning that my dinner was to be “taken care of.” Although I DO like getting free stuff, I would much rather things be done correctly. Before we left, the “chef” came out to apologize for the fish, “getting away” from him. I did appreciate that! When I was exiting the restaurant, another nice little touch, the hostess said she really hoped I would give them another chance. Two chances, twice wrong… I don’t know.

The Election of 2008 Continued...

2008-10-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to work for this campaign in various ways since probably before December, and have, generally, been proud to be a part of it. I believe in Barack and what he ultimately stands for, but feel some parts of his campaign are falling completely short.

In truth, I feel Barack would serve the public better as a kind of latter day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He has the speaking ability to inspire people. What we really need is a vocal person outside of the political realm who has the power to get those within the government to, “sit up and listen.” Being in politics stunts his ability to say what he really feels, but being on the outside he can jazz people without kissing ass to those in whom he doesn’t believe. I know as well as you, that people say they do not kiss ass but they all do. They have to in order to win a presidential election. Everyone ever in the White House, sans possibly George Washington, had to do some ass kissing to sway the “undecided” voter and garner enough support to win. BUT, that is not why I am writing, maybe I will go further with this at some later date. I want to speak, specifically, about the Lake County, Ohio Chapter of the Democratic Party and more specifically the campaign for Barack Obama.

During the primaries, I began getting the word out to support Obama. I live in a very conservative area and some of my friends were afraid of me putting an Obama sign in my front lawn. They truthfully thought someone would vandalize my house due to my political statement. My mother even worried so much she would not put one in her yard. That, my friends, is disgusting. Anyway, I began contacting the Campaign Headquarters in Painesville with requests for yard signs. There weren’t any I was told about ten times. I also has offered to canvas, but was never called until the last minute. I had even met a few of the people more than once and, while at the building, they walked right by me without so much as a nod of the head. Those of you who know me, know just due to the way I look, I kind of stand out. But, even if that doesn’t work, at least acknowledge someone regardless of whether or not you know him if he is in a building where you are either volunteering or actually getting paid to be an asshole.

I must admit, I kind of gave up after about a month of trying. I kept on telling people what I believed and attempted to get them to understand the reasoning behind where I stood. I never backed down for the Obama part of the campaign; I just gave up on the Lake County portion.

Now, in the throes of the last month of this campaign, I have been out getting people to show their support. I have been putting signs up, where requested, AND getting more and more people asking for said signs. The problem: There, AGAIN, are no signs. WHAT IN THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE????????? During a political campaign, folks want to show their support with yard signs. As was stated to me by a community GOTV person, “I’m really not a sign person…” I don’t give a FUCK if you are or not. MY people want some damned signs. Add that to the fact that some of them are being stolen, hopefully its just kids being kids. The fear one of my helping supporters has is it’s a racist thing. Well, being in North Willoughby she might just have a point. I know the racism is out there, but it is much more difficult to teach and old ignoramus new tricks than the proverbial dog, so I just say what I have to say to them and move on.

I happened to have been at the new headquarters in the Colonial Plaza in Mentor on about four occasions and that was no better than Painesville. There is a young woman who wears small dark framed glasses (she sits at the first desk on the left as you walk in) who is one hell of a bitchy little thing. I asked for signs one day and she went into this long diatribe about how there were none anywhere. I asked why that was the case and she again started saying things that had no bearing on my request. A woman standing behind me was so disgusted that she told me she needed to go live somewhere else. “This county is so backwards I feel like I am living in a different time.” I told her I still had some of the round stickers from the primary and she offered to pay me for them. I, of course, would not accept money for them but handed over six of my last ten. The next time, there I had actually reserved 10 signs (I know I am saying the word a lot, but this is my LARGEST complaint) When I arrived; they were not even ready for me. Another woman who was there before me had ordered one and wanted another. Our snotty little woman told, “You ordered one you’ll get one.” I was absolutely taken aback by her unmitigated rudeness. You are supposed to helping drum UP support for our candidate not pissing people off. Again, What the FUCK is wrong with you people?

I need at least ten more signs. Obviously some one is having a problem with how well Barack is doing or they would not mean anything. Let us show our support. GIVE ME THE FUCKING YARD SIGNS!!!

All right. I just had to vent, but come on. Let’s make sure the people running portions of this campaign get some kind of a clue. There is no reason we should ever have to go through such bullshit just to show our support to the most important candidate ever to hit the presidential trail.
Oh, and Barack, make sure you stand by what you believe. I know you will be pressured and have to compromise, but do NOT compromise on your basic beliefs, it will show. I have faith in your commitment and your humanity. (Though your comment and word usage during the first debate with that little troll McCain regard hunting down and “killing” bin Laden was a bit disturbing and, to me, seemingly out of character.) Let’s continue to fight the good fight and turn the United States into a country with which we can be proud!

This Election we are going through.

2008-10-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

It seems almost like a chore any more to be going through this infernally long election process. I have been a guarded Obama supporter since he began running, but I have become almost completely disenchanted with the entire thing by now. Don't get me wrong, The McCain/ Palin juggernaught scare the absolute fucking HELL out of me. Those two, I think, would usher in an era here-to-fore unknown to the people of the United States of America, then of course the world at large. I believe all the post-Armaggedon movies we have seen would be a walk in the park compared to what these two will cause, but that if for another time.

I began to worry about Barack almost right off the bat. I had read a series of Novels, and I need to stress that they were NOVELS, by Tim LeHayne and another guy of whom I cannot recall at this moment, about the "rapture and End Times as supposedly predicted in the Bible. It was calle the "Left Behind" series. They were incredibly thought provoking and something I had not really delved in to before. The thing that had to do with Barack, I know you were wondering if I had a point, was the description of the "Anti-Christ." Now don't get me wrong, I do not in any way see him as such, but the description in those novels fits his ascension to the top almost to a "T".

Burgers and Nuts on Euclid Avenue in Willoughby

2008-09-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Burgers are burgers my friend no matter what you do to dress them up, but this place is doing one hell of a job trying to do just that. My perennial cohort and I decided to get something to eat as we often do on a Sunday afternoon. She wanted Chick-Fil-A but then remembered their archaic notion of being closed on Sundays. As we were driving I remembered that someone had told me about the place call Burgers and Nuts so we decided to give it a try.

At the second interior vestibule door there is a note reading something like, this is not part of a franchise and is in fact the only Burger and Nuts store no others like it, yadda, yadda. Family owned and operated, to which we found a working owner on duty while we were there. The clipping from a local newspaper was on the wall and my companion noticed who he was due to the photo in the paper.

Be prepared before you go, this place is not inexpensive. In fact we spent almost $20.00 on two burgers, one order of fries and two milkshakes. That is way too much in my mind. BUT, I must say, the burgers were huge and there is a list of about fifteen things you can get as topping without extra charge, no cheese is not one of them it costs something like $.75. Some of the offerings were: raw onion, pickles, sauteed onion and mushroom, japalenos, tomatoes, A-1 sauce, and the general condiments. ( I might suggest they try somethings that are a bit less standard in order to give them an edge.) Two patties of 1/2 pound total pre-cooked weight is the "regular" burger. A "small" burger is 1/4 pound which is what I will get if I return. The order of fries was served in a Styrofoam cup, I HATE those things, overflowing in to the paper bag, which was our service "platter." The milk shakes, were hand dipped, which really doesn't make any difference to me, and also overpriced for more than $3.00. All of the table in the place were dirty as well. We had to ask for a towel but the young lady behind the counter graciously came out to clean herself, though she only cleaned that one table.

The outing was interesting but not overly exciting. I would probably return and try something else but, again, a burger is a burger is a burger, UNLESS you do something exciting to the beef itself. AND, due to my companion's odd manner of eating burgers, COMPLETELY PLAIN, she knew immediately that there was nothing special about the seasoning, if there was any at all.

Oh, the nuts part of the name is due to the fact that there is a bucket of peanuts on each table for your munching pleasure.

Well, on the very next Wednesday, I just happened to be watching Fox 8 when they began talking about their Hot List. Much to my surprise, I've always wanted to use that phrase and never had a place to put it but it definitely fits here, I heard them speaking of "The Best Burger in Cleveland." I was not really paying attention as I was reading my most recent Rolling Stone, but I heard them say something about 5 Guys, Burgers and Fries (or something very similar). I looked up and thought they must have been mistaken. The film of the place looked EXACTLY like this place of which I had just written. Their note stated that they were THE ONLY ONE. BULLSHIT!!!!! I now feel completely hoodwinked and would never go back there. In fact, I think I will contact 5 Guys and tell them how their concept has been appropriated and others are pawning it off as their idea. This is one for the books. I feel that they think we dumb-ass Willoughbyians are not "worldly enough" to get out a find that something exists in the larger world. Shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The worst part of this is that these fuckers LIED to us!!!!

El Rodeo on 615 in Mentor, Ohio

2008-09-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

I have written about this place before, so I will keep this very short and sweet. I love the authentic fell and flavor of El Rodeo, but I think the building is looking a bit tired. It needs a good paint job in the men's room and some of the booth seats are in bad shape with many cracks, etc. I also think their salsa is not very tasty.The only thing I could taste was some heat and cilantro. The tomatoes seemed to have been overpowered which should never be in a tomato based anything. But the food, as always was enough for two meals or more and it was damned tasty.

But, today, I am writing for one purpose. Our server, Andrea, was superb. She did leave us for a bit too long between our queso fundido and ordering, but that was minor. When she brought out our food and we, as usual, marveled at the size, she suggested we eat the plated with the lettuce first and bring the other home as THAT plate was easier to warm later without wilting anything. I have never had a server say something like that. It was incredibly refreshing. Good for you Andrea. Keep up the good work and thanks for your advice. Kudos to you.

Alice's Italian Side Restaurant on Euclid Ave. in Willoughby

2008-09-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

Alice??? Oh, Alice??? Are you in there somewhere? If you can hear me, kindly tell your female wait staff to light a fire under her ass and actually act like she might give at least half a shit about her customers. I don't know whom our server was, but she was server as well as hostess and, it appeared, trainer all in one. Most importantly, though, was that there were only three other tables full, AND they were also only couples, when we arrived and they were on dessert. Another couple arrived after us, about five minutes, and had salads and soup before we did which was ridiculous, BUT as you have seen here before, they looked to be "regulars." I fucking HATE when we are treated as second class to the regulars. You fucking idiots must remember that the regulars keep coming back regardless. It is the new folk to whom you must cater. They bring you new business which is the life-blood of any establishment (except the corner bar of course). 6:10 pm on Wednesday, September 3rd was the first and probably last time we were at the above named shit hole.

As you have already surmised, we were not impressed with our service, and how many freaking times have harped on this blog about service? When will these service business owners get the clue that the “service industry” is actually about the SERVICE?

Anyway, The place was not busy BUT those there appeared to be “regulars.” The menu is much like what one would expect with various pasta, fish, meat and chicken dishes. There were no written specials, except for lunch, but we were told three of the four chicken dishes that were regularly at least $11.50 were on special for $7.99. I again decided to get a chicken dish. Hey, I know how I constantly bitch about the dryness, but I guess even I have to admit that sometimes, a place CAN get it right (and that breast is better for your health than most others, or so they say).

The menu showed that each dinner came with “A fresh garden salad and hot Italian bread,” so we were expecting to be quite full by the time our entree actually arrived. Upon the arrival of the server to take our order, we had decided to get Chicken Tosca and Shrimp Alfredo. When asked what we would like on our salads, we were also asked if we would like some mozzarella cheese topping to which we both agreed (Mind you we were told nothing about a charge for this cheese AND there was nothing on the menu stating such a thing). My companion ordered her salad with nothing while I requested French and Bleu Cheese dressings (I was told they had no French). The server said nothing more and returned with the bread as well as our salads. The bread was NOT warm AND was not crusty AND was served with freaking MARGARINE instead of butter. Come on an Italian restaurant worrying about calories or something. What the Hell is wrong with you people? Margarine is worse for the body than real butter anyway. I had to actually request butter but was gladly given some pats by the trainee server. (I must admit that those butter pats tasted as if they had been in the fridge or freezer for some time as they had a flavor unlike “sweet cream butter” as stated on the wrapper.) Thank you very much to the “trainee” because you tried like crazy to be nice and helpful unlike your colleague.

When the entrees finally arrived, about twenty-five minutes after ordering, which was entirely too long for what we requested, I was astonished. My companion got a decent sized serving while my Chicken Tosca was minuscule. There were three very small, maybe silver dollar sized, pieces of egg battered chicken breast. I was perturbed with the size for $7.99 and would have sent it back for $11.95. This is chicken breast not veal or any other of the “better” cuts of meat, AND at least 25% of the size was from the egg batter.

The flavor of my Chicken Tosca was so good that I almost forgot how small it was. It had, to me, the perfect mix of lemon and white wine for a divine flavor. The spaghetti tasted to be made in-house and the sauce was quite good as well. (If only there were more of the Tosca.) My companion’s Alfredo, on the other hand, was nothing more than “OK.” I tasted it as well and was not at all impressed. There was very little flavor for an Alfredo AND it appeared as though it had been under the heat lamps for quite a while before making it to our table. The top was dry and much of the sauce had dripped to the bottom. The shrimp was also flavorless. I would say a bit more Parmesan would help the flavor but it didn’t even have the richness and Alfredo is made to have. Zappatelli’s is 10 times better.

Now on to the bill, which took forever to arrive as our server chatted with various customers, including taking someone she called her “cousin” up to the front and giving him a cookie rather than taking care of customers, US, who had been there for nearly an hour and were obviously ready to leave. I looked at this thing and found, in the middle of the regular order and the drinks, a charge for $2.25 that said “3ch.” First off, there were only two of us so 3 of anything made absolutely no sense. Secondly, we ordered nothing extra. I was finally able to get the attention of our server and when asked she provided this reason: “Oh, that is for three cheeses. One each for the salads and one for the bleu cheese.” We both were flabbergasted. She never mentioned a charge for the cheese on the salad, nor is it mentioned anywhere in the menu, AND she never said bleu cheese DRESSING would cost more. Had we been told we would have probably kept the order as is but to be blindsided by such bullshit is absolutely another matter.
I have already spoken to several people and told them to at least be leery of this establishment if not avoid it altogether. Let us remember that the customer is first. This means EVERY customer, not just those in your comfort zone. You may have been in your current place for eight years but I would not plan on many more if you keep up the way things were on the day of our visit.

JDs Post House in Mentor on the Lake, Ohio (New Owners)

2008-08-29T12:49:00.001-07:00

I need to start this with a bit of a diatribe. I am getting a bit worried about my connection with some people of late. It seems that personal censorship is becoming more important than telling the truth is some circles. I understand certain things, but buck up and don't bow to pressure. This is a service and people, you know it as well as I, look forward to the next issue to see what we have to say. Let us not disappoint them.

Now on to my latest restaurant adventure. Sit back, my friends, and come along for a ride you probably won't believe. I love starting things that way. It gets the mind working before I write much of anything.

JD's Post House was never a place I would send anyone for any reason. In its past incarnation it was superbly BORING! Well, let me tell you, I don't know what they did, but I was actually impressed with this, supposedly, "New Management and Ownership." I can't, for any reason understand why they would have left the name, though. Anyway, that is not important we went on 29 August 2008 at approximately 1:30PM and it was quite full. I still do not like the "ambiance of the place, but that is just one of my quirks.

The menu is not overly large, but it is quite eclectic. They have everything from a chicken broccoli Alfredo to broiled scrod and baked salmon. The have rib eye steaks and breaded ocean perch. I would have preferred a list of the specials at my table as there were about 10 of them and I could not remember even one. The sever didn't list them for us either, but that is the ONLY thing she did wrong.

My companion and I decided to order an appetizer and got the Brown and Tan Beer Battered Onion Rings and I ordered the Jack and Bleu Cheese sticks. The onion rings were most certainly NOT beer battered since their coating was a type of BREADING, but the cheese sticks were a welcome change from the everyday poppers and/or mozzarella sticks. They had a nice buffalo flavor on top of a light breading. Very interesting but a bit pricey at six for $5.00.

I vacillated between a fish sandwich, because I saw someone eating one on the way in, and the chicken parmigiana, because I have been wanting spaghetti for quite a while. I got the chicken parm and J ordered the club from the specials board, good memory on her, huh? Each entree came with soup while mine also had salad (soup and salad on my order was supposed to have been endless but I was not asked about more, though I did not inquire either) while my cohort's had fries (interestingly coated with something to add flavor) and a dessert. J didn't say much about her chicken noodle soup but my clam chowder was excellent. I would suspect it came from somewhere pre-made and probably needed to be reconstituted, but, who cares, it was great. My salad was a cut above the norm as well. It had a sprinkling of grated cheese, I would say a cheddar/jack mix, as well as pieces of bell pepper, cucumber, red, onion, cherry tomatoes, and grated carrot. Good job on that!

Our server, Kim, or so it says on our receipt, was "Johnny-on-the-spot" throughout our stay. She was not overbearing nor was she distant. She asked us how we wanted the food delivered, things like whether or not we wanted to have our soup wait until the entrees, which was a nice touch. She kept our rather large table cleared of excess plates and she was just pleasant all around. I would suggest you ask for her when eating there.

The food was quite tasty as well as being enough for about four people. I took more than 1/2 of my entree home as it was just too much, AND I was supposed to have had fresh bread, too (not that I could have eaten it anyway). I rarely order chicken anything in a restaurant because it is always breast and always dry, but this was absolutely not. The breading was nice and light AND very good and the marinara sauce was very tomato tasting, which I love. My companion's club was huge and made with only two pieces of bread, another welcome difference from the norm. She said it was excellent. We definitely would go back again AND I have already told family to go themselves. Good job you guys!

There were a couple of things that you should work on though. One is the fact that J was never offered her "free" dessert. Another was the fact that I was never offered more salad nor soup and my bread never came to the table. These are slight mistakes but can make a place look bad, as there were three different things within our two orders. Pay a bit more attention to the details and you will be alright. I have to say this as well: When we were leaving, I made it a point to say, loudly enough for the hostess to hear, "Oh, you WERE supposed to have gotten dessert." She ignored us. Not a good idea. I would also suggest that she pay more attention to those coming in. They were only there for about two minutes, but the hostess did not acknowledge them until after she rang out our check. That would have bothered me had I been them. It only takes a second to turn, smile and say you will be right with a new customer.

IHOP/Denny's

2008-08-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well, here goes again. I am not shocked at what has happened, but it DOES make me wonder how it can continue. My perennial companion and I decided we wanted some breakfast in the middle of the afternoon on a Monday. We were driving down the road in Willoughby so the thought of IHOP hit us. Yes, we have NEVER had a good experience there, BUT the food is most often good. So, we decided to try once again. Bad fucking move!

We walked in and were quickly greeted by someone not in uniform but in some casual dress. We suspected that she was possibly a manager. She correctly asked us if we wanted a booth or table to which we were noncommittal. The booth she led us to had some noticeable things wrong, which we saw upon approach. My companion noticed a red stain, while I noticed a spot in the center. The stain was just that but the spot was syrup.

That same “manager” came up and attempted to ask us what we wanted to drink. I tried to get her to wipe the table but instead she kept on talking. When I tried to stop her again, she gave me a look that could stop a train. My cohort noticed the look as I did. She acted as though I had yelled at her, which is absolutely not the case; we only wanted the table cleaned so we would not have to touch the syrup. She stalked (and that is the only word I can use to explain it) away and took about five minutes to return with a rag. My friend watched her walk around much too much to “find” the wet rag. When she returned, I asked for a manager, to which she replied that she was one. I then tried to explain that she had handled that poorly as I was only trying to get her to understand that the table needed to be cleaned. She then AGAIN talked over me saying that I had spoken out of turn. We, obviously, go up and left. I think this is finally the last fucking time I will go to that place.

Due to this bullshit, we decided to go to Denny’s right down the road. Now, as you know, the food quality at Denny’s has gone downhill recently, but we wanted breakfast. We were quickly greeted and seated, at a CLEAN table mind you. Our server, Sonya, was bubbly, knowledgeable and nice without seeming fake in any way. She was that way throughout. As you can tell, this is NOT at all about the food this time; this is purely about the service. Anyway, I just want everyone to know; the Denny’s on Euclid Avenue in Willoughby has an incredibly wonderful server by the name of Sonya. If you get the chance, sit in her section and tell her I sent you. You will not be disappointed. As for IHOP; it is no wonder your staff is so fucking bad, your management team is obviously filled with bitchy morons.

Lakeshore Rib Cook-Off III

2008-08-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true, I am back again for another installment in the ongoing “Battle of the Neighborhood Rib-Cookers.” (For lack of a better phrase.) This time, the annual Lakeshore Lounge local rib cook-off was held on 16 August 2008 with the following participants: Tony, Bill, Roger, Curt (stand-in Adam), Tyrone (son Tim), and Ryan. I will, for the sake of privacy, only write of them as A, B, C, D, E and F so as not to COMPLETELY offend anyone.

As usual, I took my time, allowing some of the patrons to have a bit of fun at my expense. I line up each sauce and go through them once, eliminating those that make me cringe immediately. Next I go through again to determine which I think has the next worst flavor and so on. My preference is always for a bit of sweetness without an overpowering heat, just enough to let you know its there, you know. That fake smoke flavor, although just a hint of it is fine, is one of my immediate turn-offs. Anyway, it usually takes me a good twenty minutes; mind you I only get 6 pre-sauced ribs, to make my decision. That, of course, is why people find it humorous. Some think I take it very seriously, that is not the case; I just don’t like to make snap judgments when it comes to food, especially when some of the “Rib-Cookers” DO take it incredibly seriously. Come on guys, a little levity here would be nice!!!!!

I first want to make a statement here regarding this year’s festivities. Denny and Sharon usually run this thing like a well-oiled machine. That was not the case this time. In fact, I think it has become nothing more than a popularity contest. All of the cookers were lined up in alphabetical order AND their names were on the voting ballots, which made it too easy to know which rib was whose. I never want to know for whom I vote until the end but that is not the case with many folks, and to my mind the results proved that.

We arrived at about 3PM on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon and the smells on the back patio were wonderful. All six cookers had ribs burning, two cookers per grill (this fact will become more important when I tell you of the drama). I had a couple of beers before getting my “judges” order. I sat down with my note page and my six ribs and began tabulation.

As is always the case, there was one that immediately tuned me off. It had a very odd flavor and I, in fact, didn’t even finish it. These ribs ended up winning the popular vote by some twist of fate, as everyone I talked to had the same comment as I about the flavor. The remainder of the judging took a bit more time.

One of the five remaining choices had a superb flavor, F, the ribs were just a bit underdone but they were best flavor wise. My second, was C. These ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce was pretty tasty. (Two of us actually decided to mix the two for our take-home order. We got the ribs from C and had the sauce from F, which made for a really good overall slab.) I choose E as my third because it was different. It had all of my pre-requisites and something else, which I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Anyway, it was the third best. I have to admit, though, that I went back and forth between E and D but found D to be boring. B was quickly out of the running because it just wasn’t very good. It wasn’t as if it had an “ewww” flavor it just wasn’t what a rib should have been.

Now let us get to the drama, by the way, Dale, nice wearing of the sauce all day! There seemed to be one of the cookers who was constantly doing something to aggravate some of the others. First off, he did not seem to be very clean with his area, nor self, actually. Secondly he kept taking over the half of the grill reserved for another cooker. This may seem like small potatoes, and it is when we think of the global problems we have, BUT in a cooking contest the last thing you want is someone else’s stuff mixing with yours. Come on, man, have a little common courtesy. Then there was the IDIOTIC racist joke that was told at full voice by one of the cookers. How is it you do not realize that it is 2008 and stupid ass jokes like that are not acceptable anywhere! I want to start ranting here, but I will leave it alone as that would prove no purpose.
My end note is this: Tyron and Bill, maybe you guys have something there. As far as I know, no one else rated two slabs mixed as did you two. Regardless of the outcome, you two had at least three or four people thinking you were “up there.” Maybe you should team up for the next try. As for the cook-off as whole, some things should be changed before next year (a blind ballot makes imminently more sense). I hate it when popularity, or whatever it might be, overtakes the true meaning of the cook-off.

Lakeshore Eatery on Lakeshore Blvd. Mentor. 08/02/2008

2008-08-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Hold on to your hats (and various sundry other clothing items/body parts) this one is going to give you fits. I want to preface this, though, by saying that they can't have been open for more than two or three days, BUT that does no excuse some of the things about which you will read. I also want to put this out and thank the woman (and I believe it was her daughter) who sat directly behind me for her input and allowing for me to use her experience here as well. Thanks so much!

Anyway, as soon as we sat down we noticed that the prices seemed a bit much. For instance, as grilled cheese is $3.99 with only lettuce, tomato, and pickle chips. No potato chips or fries or anything else. In fact, we also noticed, as I wanted breakfast, that according to the menu, nothing even came with toast. I asked because I wanted the chicken fried steak and eggs, but there was nothing with which to soak up the egg yolk unless I wanted to pay an extra $1.29. That to me is ludicrous. Come on now, every egg breakfast comes with toast unless it comes with pancakes.

I forgot the thing that started this out to be a huge damned mistake. Very soo after we were seated there was a constant banging coming from the other side of the wall in the kitchen. After about five minutes of constant noise I finally got to our sever and told her to tell them to stop whatever it was they were doing. She came back to inform us that they were using the wall slicer to cut potatoes for fries. It was 1:00 in the after noon for fuck sake. You do that kind of prep work in the morning before customers arrive so they aren't bothered by such a thing. Come on...THINK!!!!!

I have to admit, though, that my chicken fried steak was better than normal. It seemed to be hand breaded and a bit better cut than I am used to. The gravy was not as good as plain old pepper gravy mix, but all in all it was all right.

I digress. We arrived at about 1pm on Saturday August 2nd, 2008. There were about four tables in the main room and one table in the front room occupied. There were at least six employees milling about in various places. One was at a table near the register, two young people, one male and one female were behind the register seemingly doing nothing and there seemed to be three servers. Were immediately greeted and taken to a booth at the front. I actually liked the fact that they had turned the liquor bar into a breakfast bar type area. And the natural light from the plate glass window was a plus.

I have already discussed the menu, which is oddly eclectic, and its prices. After about ten minutes we ordered, my companion got the Pot Roast Dinner while I ordered the chicken fried steak and eggs over medium with a single pancake. Hers came with mashed potatoes and green beans while mine came with hash browns. While waiting for our order, we heard some problems coming from the table behind me. The woman, whom I have already mentioned, said something about how it was ridiculous to pay $7.49 for chicken fingers and get no fries with it. Then within minutes she called the server over again. She said that her hashbrowns were raw and that her sausage gravy just tasted, "bad." To a person like me, obviously, this was just a precursor of things to come.The server, Donna, never seemed to be very sincere to begin with but sounded even worse when confronted. The woman behind me just told her to take it all back. while the other female with her completed her meal.

You can probably already see where this is going, but I need to write it nonetheless. Thinking of that above, you are not going to believe this. When my hash browns arrived I took one bite and thought the same thing the woman behind me thought. The fucking potatoes were raw. I told the server and she went back with them, wanting to take the entire plate. We had already waited for over 1/2 hour so I told them to just bring me more. Then our "regular server came back and attempted the same thing. I was getting a bit irate by this time and just put my hand over hers and said, "Leave them!" It took more than 25 more minutes before she returned, and we had to ask at that, with the check. Now, sit back and hold on.... THEN she came back yet again with my has browns (Home fries, whatever). Can you even imagine something so idiotic? I told her to just take them off the bill which took another ten minutes. My companion decided, for curiosity sake, to try them. Guess what??? They were just as raw. To make matters worse, when I sent them back, I could hear the cook complaining that there was "no way they could be raw." Obviously they need someone back there who might be able to tell cooked from raw potatoes.

As I said before, I realize they are in their infancy, but some of these things are inexcusable. Get your shit together folks. I want to say the same thing my fellow patron said to me before she left, "I really wanted to like this place." It didn't happen. I might try back in a couple of months to see if they have gotten a clue or four (if they are still open), but it won't be until then.

Chipotle on 306 at 1PM on Friday August 1, 2008.

2008-08-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

I don't honestly recall if I have written about this place before, but this time I was forced. My Godson, Jr., has been making me go here lately as it is one of his favorite places to eat.I have never been a real fan because the uses too much cilantro AND the burritos are juts too ungainly. He turned me on to the bowl concept and it became better.

Anyway, we went at a very busy time and I ordered "off" the menu to get a quesadilla, not that it should have been difficult in a place that has grills, tortillas and cheese. The problems began when I noticed other people's orders being pushed up next to then beyond ours, Junior had already ordered his meal but I was afraid it would be lost int the mix so I asked him to watch it. By the time my order came to me, three other people had gone beyond us.

I watched them pull the quesadilla out of the warmer at the beginning of the line then put it on the working surface. I asked for chicken, mild and corn salsa. They complied by ripping the qeusadilla apart and shoving the requested stuff inside then putting it back together. I think they should have put all that stuff in BEFORE putting it in the warmer so it could have all cooked together. This was not earth shattering but the next was the proverbial icing on the cake. I watched closely as they attempted to bag my order. On the bottom, where they had unwrapped and, attempted to, re-wrapped the tortilla there was a space of about 6 inches diameter that was just tortilla. They were putting it in the bag and I was so stunned I almost let them before asking for it to be re-wrapped COMPLETELY. The look on the female's face told me she had no idea of what I was speaking. I explained as best I could while being beaten back by the growing crowd and after three tries got her to see that my quesadilla was open to the elements. I know my kid likes this place, but I won't soon return.

Panera in Mentor, Ohio

2008-07-29T07:33:00.001-07:00

I really hate to do this to Panera, but sometimes things just force my hand. I want to preface this by saying that they have the absolute best Asiago Cheese bagels I have found thus far. They also have some pretty wonderful broccoli cheddar soup. I had some of their "signature green tea" once, though that was horrible but that was another time.

My friend and I were shopping at the Points East Plaza when we decided it would be nice to have some nice and hearty soup, the day was about 95 but sometimes it just doesn't matter, you know? So... we went to one of our favorite soup spots, Panera. I was busy filling out an entry for a free gas card when my comrade called me to her side. She pointed toward the pastry case with a look of utter disgust on her face. It took me a couple of seconds to register that which was distressing her but when I did I am sure my look was no less horrified. There buzzing around the strawberries on what I would suspect were Strawberry Cheese Danishes, were about twenty small insects. My companion thought they were ants, but when I tapped the glass they flew off. Fruit Flies!!!!. I know that sometimes happens, but it was absolutely disgusting. We were both actually about to buy some pastry but immediately decided against it, probably for a good long time, in fact.

We placed our separate orders and when I was finished I told the young lady what I had seen. I said it very discretely so as not to shock other customers. She told another young female. Then I saw a larger man with a bald head go over toward the case. I figured they had at least removed the offending pastry. I was wrong. When I left, approximately five minutes later, the pastry, as well as the flies, was still there. I am also posting a photo which is not very clear, but you can see the dark spots on the strawberries where they should not be. Those are the offending insects. Shame on you guys for not making sure that was taken care of as soon as I mentioned it. This will make me thing twice before coming back again.

Charlotte's Ice Cream on Lost Nation in Willoughby

2008-07-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

It has finally happened you all. I found a place with nothing to complain about. Granted it is not a sit down restaurant but so what. I have hoped for years that someone would be able to open the place and make it work. These folks seem to have done just that. I have been twice and think their ice cream is the best around. It has that wonderful creamy texture that just makes your mouth water, in fact mine is doing so as I write.

The first time I tried just a plain vanilla cone, which is the tell-tale sign of good versus OK or even downright awful ice cream of custard. It tasted almost like custard but not quite. Truthfully, on that first trip, the place didn't even yet have a name to my knowledge.

The second time I tried a butterscotch flurry type of thing. It was incredible. I asked a woman, whom I suppose might just have been Charlotte, whether or not they served custard. She informed me that their cream was as close to custard as one could get without being so because it was very high in milk fat. Oh hush you weight conscious people. I am watching my waist (grow and grow and grow) too, but sometimes you just have to indulge.

Anyway, I recommend this place very highly and think you would do yourself a major disservice if you missed giving them a try. Oh, and on an added note, I just drove by this evening, Tuesday, July 15th and noticed a few classic cars parked in the lot to the south. Good idea.

Good luck guys, and keep up the good work. Help those kids back there get a bit more organized, though.

The Market on East 9th and Chester Downtown Cleveland.

2008-06-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

My perennial food companion and I decided to look at some downtown apartments for me and had the preconceived plan to also go to The Market. Honestly I would have never known of its existence without the "heads up" given by a former student and burgeoning friend, Brandon. I really want to put his full name in here but don't like to do such things as it can be misconstrued, so... dud you know who you are and so should everyone else who was there with us today, June 9, 2008 at approximately 3:45pm until about 5:00pm while the cooking class was in session (no Rachael Ray, that woman you know?). Anyway, upon entering the building we noticed that I was quite reminiscent of a place we had gone to in Toronto the previous summer. It had the feel of a type of cafeteria with stations set up for specific types of cuisine. Unfortunately we arrived after the lunch hour which precluded us from partaking of the cafeteria fare. We definitely want to go back for that, BUT would probably not go back for what we did end up ordering.

I ordered a lump crab cake appetizer for $12 while my companion ordered the meatball sliders. As is her norm, she asked, very specifically I might add, if there were "chunky tomatoes in the sauce and/or onions in the sauce." The guy who told us "no," was the bartender. Don't get me wrong, he was a very nice guy with a superb knowledge about the area and encyclopedic ability to recall information about his wines, but J never eats anything with "chunky tomatoes or noticeable onions." Brandon returned to tell me they did not get the shipment needed for the crab cakes so I ordered the Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps.

I know you can guess that something else went wrong and you would be correct. You all know by now that my proverbial black cloud of food problems follows me always (a la the non-existent crab cakes) and often takes in those I am with. The meatball sliders most certainly DID have exactly what was asked so they were only 1/2 eaten. This was a minuscule portion of about a six-year-old's handful of garlic fries, which were very good, and two meatballs (total) sliced in half on a small bagel-like bun covered with a provolone-tasting cheese (which was embedded with the onions and chunks of tomato). I liked the flavor but it was not I ordering. Regardless, $8.50 was nearly highway robbery for such a small portion. I could have done about 15 of those for that amount.

I digress. My wraps came out with a small portion of each: breast meat chicken, some thin pasta, carrot sticks, chopped shallots, Asian Cole slaw, and leaves of maybe a bib lettuce with a sweet and very slightly spicy sauce for drizzling or dipping. I actually liked it quite a bit. It didn't take much work in the kitchen, but it was well presented and have just enough of a difference to make it worth my while. Again, though as with the other order, $8.50 was a bit much.

Brandon was wonderful to us. He explained what goes on at The Market. He told us of various happenings along with the bartender. They both made us feel, "right at home," which is something we don't often see in the retail food world. The bartender and Brandon are enough to make us come back, but the intriguing nature of what the place offers at lunch make it even easier. Prices, though guys...come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday, my friend. I wish you all the best the world has to offer, you deserve it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kleifield's restaurant in Downtown Willoughby, Ohio

2008-05-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

As soon as we walk into this place we felt as though we had entered some kind of, "you are not a regular so don't breath," zone. All eyes were upon us and they never stopped. There was nothing telling us whether or not to seat ourselves, as I have already written this is becoming more and more of a problem, so we decided on a four top. There may have been seating for about thiry in this place, if that. After sitting down we waited to be acknowledged. We arrived at about 1:15 PM an no one said a word to us until about 1:40. In fact we were just about to get up and leave when the server, Sheila, was friendly enough, but slow as HELL. She spent a great deal of time talking to all of the regulars while at the same time absolutely ignoring us.

When we finaly were able to order drinks after 20 minutes or so she took the order then took more than five minutes to get them to us, then she left. No asking about whether or not we were ready to order, which we were. Two of us ordered the Chicken Fried Steak and eggs while the other got a French Toast. I must say the prices were about $2.00 less than the more well known places. The flavor was nothing to, "write home about." But the value was pretty good. As I have said many a time, with breakfast it is difficult to do anything wrong. They did nothing wrong but it was kinda, nothing. the "homefries" were actually pretty bland.

My suggestion: Do not go there unless you are "one of them." Nothing is exciting enough to make the LOOKS worth your while.

Wendy's in Mentor on the Lake, Ohio

2008-05-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

What can I tell you??? The fast food world gets worse and worse every day due to lack of professionality, not that I really expect much. The days of kids working toward something and doing as told must be gone.

On Saturday evening, May 24th, 2008, I went to the above mentioned fast food establishment at approximately 10:30pm. When I pulled up the the drive-thru ordering area, I asked for a Chicken Club and a #1 (the number one at this particular store is a single meal) with no pickle, tomato or mustard. I also asked for two of the new strawberry milkshakes. Mind you went to the Burger King right next door first but at that time they said their milkshake machine was down for the night. The female at the window asked again, "So, that's two sandwiches and one milkshake?" I told her that was not the case. I asked for two milkshakes two sandwiches AND an order of fries (which I always thought actually came with the value meal???) Can you guess what happened? Well, of course you can.

I got to the second window, after paying (and you know they never tell you to move up to the next window. They ASSume you already know what to do, well, I don't always remember and therefore feel a little stupid sitting there.) and was handed the two shakes and a very small bag.
There was only one sandwich in it, the club. I had to knock on the window to get the attention of the female, blond, thin with black clothing, she came back and noticed I was to get another sandwich. I said to her, "AND fries, too." She moved away and came back WITHOUT the fries. I told her I needed one order to which she replied that I did not order them. At this point I was quite annoyed. I had asked specifically three times now to be sure I got my fries but now I was being told I never even ordered them. How can one spend over $11.00 on two shakes and two sandwiches?? You know, I never even got a receipt after that. The female finally agreed to get me an order of fries but not without show definite attitude.

When I got home and opened my burger, insult was added to injury as my burger had on it tomato, mustard and pickles.

Buffalo Wild Wings on Mayfield Road in Lyndhurst (I think).

2008-05-16T09:37:00.000-07:00

On 13 May 2008 my protege and I decided to go somewhere after our latest inspection, as is the case every time. While driving north on Warrensville Center we decided to go east on Mayfield. The entire area is traffic HELL so I figured, "Why not?" Driving down the road D was attempting to figure out where he wanted to eat when we simultaneously came up with what we called BW3 as it used to be termed.

Well, upon entering, about 4:30pm, I noticed menus and grabbed two so we could get an idea of their offerings. I have only been to one of their establishments twice, therefore am unschooled in the way things work. It was painfully obvious after about fifteen minutes of waiting and NO ONE even acknowledged that we were there. Since there were other folks sitting there, I figured we were waiting for a host or hostess. There was no sign say to seat ourselves (or not) AND the guy behind the counter didn't even look our way. This is a horrific way to start a dining experience. I finally heard another customer ask where she could sit and the counter moron told her to seat herself anywhere she wished. Thanks for telling us, ass!

We decided to sit on the second level between the counter and the patio because we saw a server there. I asked if the seat was available to which she replied, "Sure, but it's going to take a little bit to get to you because I'm the only one here and these guys are before you." She did, though, immediately take our drink order. I ordered my normal iced tea and D got his regular fruit punch. It took about 10 minutes before we actually got the drinks, but our server then took our order. (My iced tea tasted like soap and it took about another 15 minutes before I could get to the server to make a change.) We found out that it was "Wing Day" as stated by our server, Jamie. There was nothing on the table or anywhere in our dining area to say that so we had no way of knowing. (You all need to remember there are people out there who are not familiar with your regular specials, so maybe you ought to make it easy for them. Feeling uncomfortable because you are not a "regular" is one of those reasons people stay away. You are NEVER too good to find a new customer.)

D ordered 6 honey barbecue and 6 spicy garlic while I ordered 12 mild. He got Queso Cheese Fries (I hate the redundancy here since queso IS cheese), and I ordered some garlic breaded mushrooms as appetizer. They came at the same time, therefore should not have been considered appetizer.

They finally came out about 15 minutes after our order, this is 40 minutes after we arrived, mind you. Jamie forgot our bleu cheese, which we both ordered AND forgot to bring my other drink. Then when we were done she gave us our check and asked if D wanted a to go cup for his punch he said yes. 10 minutes later while waiting to pay the bill, she arrived without the cup.

I have to say, she tried but I cannot say she was good. Memory works in some instances, but I only saw her write something down on our original order. It might help to do so more often when running like that. Also, she did what most do and left us to sit around after the bill was given to us. I fucking HATE that.

So, after more than an hour and a quarter we finally left the establishment. The food was pretty good but the service was appalling. I would not recommend this place to anyone just because of the service. Maybe others are better, but management should be ashamed of the way in which this place is run.

KUDOS to every one on OH2/I 90 at 4:45pm on 4/29/08

2008-04-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

I was never more impressed with an entire bunch of people as I was at about 4:45pm on OH2/ I 90 east bound near Eddy Road on Tuesday 4/29/2008. Someone on the east side of Eddy did something that caused a very volatile situation. Within seconds there were nearly 50 vehicles that needed to stop on the proverbial dime. Although cars were at various angles and in non-existent lanes, no accident occurred. Everyone was paying enough attention to avoid what is often deemed the inevitable. Kudos to you Cleveland Eastbound on I 90 drivers. Kudos to you.

Deeker's (Formerly Gatsby's) in Mentor, Ohio

2008-04-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

I have got to tell ya....oops, hello everyone. I hope you all have been doing well. If you want to continue that way, I would suggest you avoid Deeker's Side Tracks on Station Street in Mentor. My perennial companion and I jokingly said we would join my niece and her friend when we found out they were going there to watch my youngest niece and nephew. When we got on the road we decided, "What the hell, since we're already dropping off recyclables we may as well give them a try." They even had a sign out front advertising the fact that there was a Saturday and Sunday lunch.

On 27 April 2008 at approximately12:45PM we entered the cavernous building. This place is huge with two indoor bars and one outdoor. My sister and her crew were practising their volleyball technique for future games with other local businesses, I think. Anyway, we were going to sit inside but it was a BEAUTIFUL day and there were only two or three people in the place so out we went. Our server, Amy as it said on the ticket since she did not introduce herself, was pretty good in the beginning, but she fell apart with lightening speed.

We ordered some incredibly easy food AND an appetizer of wings (garlic Parmesan and mild). I ordered a "Deeker's Melt" Which was supposed to be Roast Beef, Ham, Bacon, Pepperoni and cheese on ciabatta bread. The bread was most definitely not ciabatta and beyond that it was horrifically boring. I did not want the bacon, but for some reason this thing had NO flavor beyond the pepperoni, and the chips which Amy said were "Great" sucked. They were made, supposedly, in the Deeker's kitchen but were over done and flavorless. My companion ordered deep fried breaded cod. It was fine. The wings were actually quite good in flavor for both styles. We had a problem with Amy remembering we were there. I had to wait nearly ten minutes before I could get her to come and refill my Iced Tea. We also had to ask twice for extra napkins. Instead of checking on us she stood under and awning to the north and smoked a cigarette then went inside again without checking on us.

My companion had to go inside to get the check and get us a box, which was entirely too small and Amy was told so but she obviously knew best and gave us the one we knew was wrong. THEN to top it all off, she gave us the wrong bill, by about $10.00 extra even after asking what we had a reading it back to us. This place may be decent, but It will take me a very long time to go back there. Thanks Amy.

Spyro's Restaurant in Willowick, Ohio

2008-04-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, April 13, 2008 at about 5:30 PM we decided to go to this little place, that has just recently opened, in the Unique Thrift Store Plaza on Lakeshore Boulevard. W#e had made the attempt a few weeks ago, but they were not yet doing business. The first thing I noticed was how large and almost cavernous the place seemed. I appeared to have been some type of party center or other large open floor type of entity. This large open floor plan was nice to look at BUT it made the experience entirely too loud. I would suggest more furniture and/or decorations to alleviate the echo.

We walked in and, has happened a couple of times lately, there was no one there to tell us whether or not to wait to be seated. There was a sign but it was not immediately noticeable. We were seen by our soon-to-be sever who happily asked us whether we preferred a booth or table. That was a very nice change from many places about whom I have already written. Tracey was very friendly and nice acting without seeming to be in any way fake. Again, that was quite a decent change of pace in this day and age of unfriendly as well as incompetent service.

The menu was interesting in its eclectic feel. They had everything from seafood, to prime rib to various other fare, including an all day breakfast, I love that in a place. They even had a full service bar, hummm?

I wanted the Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs, but the gravy was a sausage gravy which I was not feeling at that particular moment, besides which, I was interested in the supposed, "best soup in town, " that was advertised as an accompaniment to every dinner. I ended up getting spaghetti and meatballs with a salad and the soup while my companion ordered pancakes and eggs. It was then that we noticed how incredibly loud the dining room was. For each second we did not speak to one another, and even when we were talking, we could hear most every thing being said around us, especially by a family to west side of the room. Two small boys and woman and man, talked, continually as if they were the only folks there.

Our food came out and was quite good regarding quantity, factually we both brought home more than half of what we ordered. My salad had cheese, onions, tomatoes, and croutons which was nice (I've used that term way too much during this, but it somehow just fits this time). I tried both of the soups of the day. Since they were offered with each entree they were in a central location in steam pans which was yet another "nice" touch (meaning no one would have to wait for the "bottomless" bowl of soup). There was a potato and cabbage with mushrooms that was very tasty and a chicken noodle with, I believe she said dumplings. The dumplings, if that's what they really were, tasted more like bits of flour mixture dumped into a pot in small pieces. The consistency was off and the flavor was almost non-existent. The pancakes were huge and flavorful according to my companion.

Now we have to talk of the ambiance, or lack there of. The first thing we both noticed, other than the fact that it was echo-ie, was that there was a voice way over all others. This voice belonged in a bar or bowling alley or the like but not in a restaurant. We found that it was Kimberly, another server. Although she was in no way rude except in one instance, she was way too fucking loud. She also was seen doing one of the things that absolutely boils my blood with wait staff. While taking an order she pulled up a chair and sat next to the table. Sorry, but if you can't take standing on your feet get another damned job. You might think it denotes friendliness; I think it denotes audacity.

Another thing she did, though not completely her fault, happened to the family right behind my partner. They, too had two young sons and got an order that was done incorrectly. One of the boys had ordered a burger (see that I did NOT say CHEESEburger) which came out with cheese. Well, when asked to fix it, the sandwich came back in a minute or less to which the family commented on the speed. Kimberly, in her brilliance, stated something on the lines of that being what they do. The family was not amused. Upon examination of the burger it was seen that the kitchen had only scraped off the cheese. That is a litigatable offense. What if that kid had been allergic to cheese. AND what fucking MORON would think it OK to just scrape it off anyway???

You had better think about what you are doing. I talked with the man at the register and mentioned Kim's behavior and he said that people seemed to like her as a "pick me up." My suggestion is that she could be the "pick me up" girl without being overbearing and honestly not too observant (regarding the cheese scrape incident).

Tracey, you rock! Keep up the good work.

Cleats Restaurant in Mentor, Ohio.

2008-04-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, 6 April 2008, my cohort and I decided to try the new Cleats Sports bar and grill. It is in the same building that housed Hooters last, which I never patronized. It has a very interesting interior but quite dark. We sat in a slightly raised area in the southeast corner of the dining room that was also near the restroom.

Upon arrival we were not greeted quickly enough to determine whether we should seat ourselves or wait. When someone did come up to us he should a slight haughtiness in the way he said, "I will seat you." It was just somewhat odd that no one was right there nor was there a sign denoting whatever. Our server, Sarah, was right there and took our drink order. She returned quickly and took my order for an Artichoke Spinach dip. The dip was somewhat boring but the chips, I believe they were pita chips had some grated Parmesan and were very tasty. There were large pieces of artichoke that made it feel venue made, but the flavor was just off, which could have been explained by the diced tomato. Tomato at this time of year does nothing but take away from the flavor. Plus, it took entirely too long. 17 minutes is much longer than it should have needed.

The menu was somewhat eclectic, but basic American fare. When my companion asked about the Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwich, which, mind you she wouldn't even have DREAMT of ordering a couple of months ago, the server explained it as a slightly spicy and not at all sweet BBQ, which was not accurate. I ordered the Roast Caesar Sandwich. I decided to order it even though the menu did not really explain the meat or enough of what to expect on it.

The meat ended up being roast beef which was OK. The pork sandwich was good but absolutely NOT spicy and did have a slight sweetness. The mound of fries looked like Everest. Honestly, I would like to go back and try the wings because we kept seeing them come out. Our service was somewhat slow and what I would term VERY slow on the appetizer side, but all in all the food was good enough to warrant a return visit.

Panini's in Willoughby, Ohio

2008-03-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to find my original partner in these endeavors and have a meal. Althoug, it has been quite some time, things have, obviously, not chnaged since we spent our time bitching but not doing anything.

Our meal began with a quite decent hostess seating us where we requested, rather than someplace inadequate as is often the case. The booths in this place are enormous, which is nice when the room is needed. Our server, Janelle, was very pleasant and there when she needed to be. When asked about a specific item on the menu, she proved to be knowledgeable, if a bit unable to understand the original question. It was not entirely her fault that she did not quite get what was asked, as the volume in the place was above what one would consider normal. Fie on us for going to a "sports bar" during March Madness.

Anyway, we looked over the menu and decided to order Paninis. These sandwiches are packed with a seemingly odd mixture of food. They have fries, coleslaw, lettuce, tomato (awful at this time of the year), and cheese with a choice of meat (including egg, which was even more odd). My companion ordered a steak panini which we were told was, "Not like a real steak but kinda like the steak burgers they have at Steak and Shake," while I ordered the Steak and egg. Then I ordered a cup of the New England clam chowder. We were told that they had run out of the calm chowder. Mind you, we were the at about 1PM on Good Friday, which is one of the major, "no meat" days for those of a certain religion. What in the hell would have allowed for these people to have run out of something like that so early in the day? I certainly don't know.

The sandwiches came out and looked truthfully massive. In fact, when I took my first bite, I felt as though it would have been better to be a snake so I could unlock my jaws and get my mouth around it. The shocking thing I found was that is was utterly tasteless. The coleslaw was a vinegar based thing, not creamy as I think would have been better, and the fries added nothing. The "steak" was OK, but nothing more. It is someplace I wouldn't mind going, but not for a meal when you might want to catch up with someone. The food was marginal, at best, but the atmosphere, if in the partying mood, was good. Not a family kind of place, in my estimation.

At $17.00 for two meals and two fountain drinks, the price is not bad, but, again, it wasn't something I would write home about, so to speak. The calm chowder thing, though, is moronic, don't you think?

Best Friends Restaurant on Center Street in Mentor, Ohio

2008-03-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

Best Friends, huh? I guess I was very easily able to understand that when noticing that a table or two were obviously friends with our server, whose name we were never given. The letters on our ticket were, MF, which is how I will refer to her from here on.

We arrived at about 3:45 on Wednesday afternoon to a dining room about half full on the south side and no one on the north side. MF presented us with our menus and immediately got our drinks. She was then back in less than two minutes asking for our order. I always appreciate expediency but that was a bit too fast. The menu was full of a decent variety but most was just typical American Grill Fare. The one item that was glaring, to me, was the grouper. I have been told, on many occasions, that grouper has been nearly fished out and is terribly hard to come by even in Florida where it is most often served. It has been found that the grouper on the menu is usually something more like tilapia which is MUCH less expensive and lower quality. I have to believe that they do not REALLY have that fish in their freezer or walk-in.

Anyway, we both ordered the Fried Fish platter with breaded scallops, breaded perch, breaded shrimp and "fish and chips." Fish and chips is a meal of fried fish and fried potatoes it is not a type of fish which is how it was written on this menu. Also, speaking of the wording of the menu, it is somewhat hard to decipher. It says that entrees are served with "choice of potato, salad, soup, and rolls." It is one that could have been read in various ways. I thought it meant that we could have a choice of the various thing AND get rolls. My companion thought it meant that we got everything, which was actually the truth. I would suggest the word "AND" between everything to clarify.

When we placed our order MF asked if we actually wanted the salad, then did the same about the soup. We had already asked, therefore understood we got it all, so why would she ask if we wanted it. It came with the meal regardless, so it should have been expected that we DID in fact want it. She delivered the meals, without the bread, and I had to ask for them. Again, she said, "Oh did you want the rolls?" Well, yes! It said the meal came with them so they should have been delivered without question. Very odd in my book.

The meal itself was no more than OK. I did like the vegetable soup which had a slight tomato base and the scallops were quite good, and I rarely order deep fried anything. BUT the shrimp were fucking awful. The menu just read, "breaded shrimp." The garbage we got was coconut shrimp. Luckily neither of us is allergic to coconut, in fact I actually like it sometimes when done correctly, but we did not expect it AND this version was horrid. When we told the female at the cash register she just nodded and said, "That's what most people say. We ran out of the other stuff and had to use that." I don't know about you, but I find that quite moronic. You don't just "give" people coconut shrimp as a substitution. Ask them what they might want instead. Hell, breaded shrimp is usually as savory dish and this was sweet beyond anything intelligent. Regardless of the name of your restaurant, everyone in NOT your friend, therefore, you should not expect us to be fine with whatever substitution you might want to make.

Though our server seemed to have too much time to chat, she was pretty good about being where she needed to when she needed to.

Lucio's in Eastlake is Open Again

2008-03-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

On Monday, March 3rd, 2008, a companion and I decided to see if Lucio's on Lakeshore Boulevard in Eastlake, had re-found its glory of a couple of years ago. To preface the remainder of this review, I must tell you that I thought Lucio's had the BEST pizza in the area bar none. That was until about a year or so ago when something happened. I did not find out that new ownership had transpired until I had decided to attempt to find another spot, not that it really mattered by then. The next thing we knew, the entire place was closed with stickers on the windows about inspection problems. That was kinda scary for those having eaten there, no?

Anyway, we decided to find out if the Kamron of, "Kamron's Back," fame on the sings on the windows and door, was the reason things were so good years ago. (I may have spelled his name wrong but it is not on purpose.) We were the only people there sans a single man sitting in the 1st booth in front of the cash register. As soon as we were seated our server, Makenna, took our drink order and got same. Very quickly three more tables arrived, of whom she must have known relatively well because they conversed, quite loudly, about things one just doesn't usually know about one's server. My complaint, which is minor here, is that it is very loud in this restaurant. You feel as though you are part of every conversation whether or not you want that, AND Makenna needs to stand when talking to people not sit down at their tables. I feel that a server sitting at the table shows a type of either preferential treatment or over-friendly confidence that someone wants you that close to them.

We ordered a white pizza with extra cheese and sausage which came out in about fifteen minutes. While waiting Makenna turned on the juke box, which was entirely too loud, but she did turn it down, some, after realizing it was up that high. The pizza crust was out of this world. I do not know if it was the mix of spices in the sauce or what, but I would come back just for that. The cheese was only mozzarella, which is boring and not what they used to have when I really liked the place and the sausage left something to be desired, but, I think, if they upgraded the sausage and added some sharp provolone or other cheese to the mix, the pizza would top anything in the area, and believe me I have looked.

Keep on working to get back and, hopefully, you will make it. Maybe you want to try something to deaden the sound somewhat, though.

El Charrito on Euclid Avenue on the Willoughby/Wickliffe border.

2008-02-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

I have been hearing about this place for quite some time and even knew about its local for I would say a decade or more, but, as is often the case, had neven been there until yesterday the 10th of February 2008. Almost like the fiasco at Applebee's a month ago, we decided to venture out in a blizzard. The temperatures were in the single digits AND we drove into more than one whiteout situation. When it comes to food, none of us take the intelligent way out, Fuck no!!!! We wanted food and that was that. Off to El Charrito we go.

I called earlier to ensure that they would be open, that should have been my first clue. The man who answered had a much too midwestern accent to work at or run a mexican place although I have been pleasantly surprised on different occassions by such things, that is most often NOT the case. Anway, we arrived after about 45 minutes, it should have taken about 20 and could not find the drive, so we kinda made our own. We paerked in front and went in to this very small place that had more a feel of a take out joint than an eat-in, sit-down restaurant. In fact, at just shy of 6 feet and over 200 pounds I felt like a damned giant.

Our server was a younger female while the only other person there was a man of about mid thirties to early forties. They were right on the ball, as they should have been due to the fact that we were it, but she was already a bit on the slow side. She took our drink orders and it seemed much too long before she came back with them.

I ordered an appetizer of quesadilla with onions, tomato, beans, andshredded beef, that was supposed to have come with sour cream. The sour cream was missing and I had to ask for it twice AND explain that it was on the menu as an accompaniment. The item, though, was very good.

I then ordered a combo platter, the El Charito dinner. It was bland as hell as was the slase we were served with our obligatory tortilla chips. I ordered a side a guacamo;e as well which was a horrific slpa in the face. It was no more than a rounded teaspoon, that's right TEA spoon of a guac without any flavor at all beyond the avocado for $1.50 or something ridiculous like that. Oh, and everything for the quesadilla cost at least $.75 extra. Talk about nickle and diming one to the poorhouse. My one companion got the tortilla soup which she did really say much about and a chimichanga with a red sauce rather than the white sauce we had both seen most often on such a deep fried burrito. The last of our group does not try too many things so she ordered a plain burger with fries. She said the fries were good.

I case you couldn't tell, I'm not going back there. It couldn't have had anything to do with the weather, in fact that should have made it better. Whoa!!!!! I almost forgot the worst part of this. The server not once but twice, that I saw, leaned over me to place a plate and my straw was touched by the armpit of her hoodie. That has got to be the next most grotesque thing I have seen after that idiot whom picked the napkin off the floor and put it on our table at Key West Cafe last spring. I had to request a new straw once than an entire new drink, which she was only going to refill.

Pay attention to what you are doing. That should have NEVER happened and I would have immediately fired her for such stupidity. Move things out of your way if you must but do not reach over things that are sticking up. If that had been a candle would you have reached the same way?? If so you would have been putting out you sleeve. Think!!!!!!

Erie Waters Bar and Grill in Euclid, Ohio

2008-02-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

On 31 January 2008, two students, two friends, and I went to dinner at the Erie Waters Bar and Grill on Shore Center Drive in Euclid, Ohio. When we arrived, it was obvious that it is more Bar than Grill. We entered at about 6:10pm. Upon entering, we did not know what to do, as there were no signs saying whether to seat ourselves or wait for a host/hostess. If you want to tout yourself as a restaurant, don’t make people feel uncomfortable as soon as they arrive. I wanted to leave immediately, but we were all too hungry.

Once we were seated a young woman with glasses came over to take our drink order. She did not introduce herself and sat on the booth behind us to take the order. That is OK in a bar atmosphere but absolutely not in a restaurant. She came back and forgot my iced tea. I don’t know how that was possible when there were only two lemonades, one iced tea, and the two others were water. When she came back for our food orders she forgot her order pad. Come the fuck on! We ordered bar type food as it was probably the safest thing to do. I forgot to mention the fact that I felt the need to sterilize my hands after touching the menus, as they were so disgusting. Anyway, we decided to get 30 wings, a basket of fries for three of us. One ordered a Philly Steak sandwich, and I ordered a French Dip. I must admit, this was about the best French Dip I have ever eaten, though the jus was a bit too fatty. It had grilled onions and mushrooms and was topped with a mild white cheese. I am not exactly sure what cheese it was, but maybe a Monterey jack, or mozzarella or very mild Swiss. The fries, though obviously frozen, were actually quite good as well. I heard the Philly was also good. I tried the wings which were also good, but average.
The problem with the wings was this: The menu shows pricing for 10, 20, 30, etc. Each higher quantity gets a slight discount, but the rules to get the discount are sure to chase more people away than they bring in. We wanted to get each ten a different flavor so we see what they had to offer. Instead of trying to build a new customer base, we were told that in order to get the discount we had to order all the same flavor. That is asinine! The sauces are already made all you have to do is cook the wings, which only entails dumping them in a deep fryer, as there was no breading, and waiting about ten minutes. You then dump them in a bowl with the sauce and toss for a minute or less. I almost would have brought other people here because of the French Dip, but this idiotic wing rule, absolutely changed my mind. Too bad for you.

Cleveland Foodbank in Cleveland, Ohio

2008-02-01T12:45:00.000-08:00

I want to begin this statement by saying that this was a VOLUNTEER effort. For the last couple of weeks, two of my students and I have been volunteering at the Cleveland Foodbank. I wanted them to have the exposure to a work type environment while I was there to work right alongside. The beginning of our experience, meaning the orientation and training with Ms. Tiffany Williams on 1/22/08, was wonderful, BUT that is where it ended. On our first foray into the warehouse, we were instructed regarding our, “job.” The woman who told us was decent as well as was Ms. Williams. After about an hour and ½ of work, FREE work mind you, an older, gray haired gentleman was driving by on his forklift, something we saw him do, mostly without a load, for most of the time that day, (In fact, I would estimate it at about 75%.) said something regarding my folder which was on a box. I said it was mine and he said, “Move it.”

I have no problem following direction from someone with more experience, BUT being treated as though I am to jump to someone’s order just because, is not what I wanted these kids to get out of this experience. The man could have asked, but he ordered. I was there to volunteer and it was very difficult to come back but the kids wanted to. Too bad for us.

The second day, 1/24/08, after doing what they had asked, two of the workers, the one from the previous day and a younger man, ordered us to take down two entire rows we had stacked on a pallet. Again, and order!!!!! Both men had ridden around us on their forklifts at least five times but never said anything until AFTER to boxes were stacked. This is rotten. If they wanted it moved they should have done or at least asked. It is very disheartening as a volunteer to watch the people who actually get paid doing nothing but riding around a complaining about what we just did for FREE.

The last day we worked, and it probably will be the last day because these people should have no contact with the public whatsoever. The woman in the warehouse section where we worked was fine, the men, on the other hand, need to learn some people skills. Honest to God, I would have fired both of them for treating a volunteer such as they treated us. Anyway, Mr. Friendly, as I have sarcastically named the guy from the first day, told the boys what to do while I was doing some observational paperwork. There are tables in the warehouse with scales to weigh various cartons. Now, these scales are steel, with nicks and scrapes, but very sturdy. They are probably able to weight more than 300 pounds, but I admit I do not know. I was using one of the scales to write my observation and this man decided he had to prove his “superiority” by telling me I shouldn’t write on the scale. I am sorry, but there is absolutely NOTHING you can say that would justify such an, “I more powerful than you so you WILL listen to me,” statement. The scale was about eight inches taller than the tabletop which made it much easier on my back to write.

Your organization really needs to find a person that has people skills as a volunteer supervisor in the warehouse. These men might be great behind the scenes, but they had definitely given me a “teachable moment.” I have gone on. At length, with my kids how the manner in which these men treated us is most definitely NOT the way they should act in any supervisory position. I would love to continue working with your organization, AND bring even more kids, BUT I will not subject them to the above mentioned men.
Volunteers need to be treated very well due to what they do. Do not EVER make me feel as though you consider yourself superior in any way. No one is better than anyone else and, if you want to see it from my eyes, we are the ones giving our time away while they were getting paid, so who is better in a Karmic sense?

Fitness Quest or fitnessquest.com

2008-01-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

Hello,
I did finally get my bike, thank you. BUT, I have a problem, I know it is shocking, the seat adjustment knob is broken, in fact I cut my finger on the damned thing while trying to tighten it. The plastic was shattered when I pulled it from the box.

This is not my original reason for writing, though. I have a huge problem with your method of shipping Before I go on, I need to add that Fitness Quest is probably one of the best companies I have ever dealt with, and I write a consumer advocacy blog that this letter will be on, with additions. UPS, the company that was supposed to have done a pick-up said they were at the designated spot three times and they were NEVER there, as far as I could determine. There were no labels or other door hangers, etc. to say they had made an attempt, yet we checked online with the tracking number and they said they had been to the house three times. I was even home all of one of the days and no one ever knocked, therefore, they out and out lied. This is not a company you want to deal with as they make you look bad. Again, someone may misconstrue what is written on my blog to be detrimental to you but that is not the case. This is about your choice of carrier. I would seriously consider switching to some other company.

Thank you for your incredibly wonderful assistance with my bike, which is my favorite piece of workout equipment. I tell everyone I know whom wants a stationary bike to purchase the one I have.

Fitness Quest has been more than helpful and they stand behind their products. Anything that has gone wrong with my stationary bike has been happily replaced without any problem.

The problem, as above, has ALWAYS been about the shipping. UPS has fallen and is, in my opinion a horrible company. When I attempted to ship my item originally, they told me it would cost over $100.00. That was absolutely ludicrous when it was only $100.00 to buy a new one. Fitness Quest had them come pick it up from me for only a little over $30, so what kind of bullshit were they trying to tell me. They quoted me a price on weight, then re-canted telling me it dealt with space of the box. The fucking box was only 10 inches wide!!!!! The guy, I am thinking the manager, of the unit on Mentor Avenue in Mentor by Wendy's, said due to the odd shape they would charge me "potential weight" or some bullshit like that. So you are telling me that a pillow, which would take up more space then my bike box, wold cost me over $100.00 to ship UPS. Fuck that. Come on people. Anyway, this is being sent to UPS as well, but, in the mean time, I suggest looking into DHL or someone else.

Mantel's Restaurant in the Eastlake Raddison.

2008-01-20T09:33:00.001-08:00

My companions and I decided we wanted to try something a bit different for a change and thought the Sunday Breakfast Buffet at Mantel's would be just the ticket. I must say that we did start out impressed as it was in a upscale looking dining area, thought the area is a bit too open for the liking of two of us, as we feel it should be separated from the main hallway of the hotel by some glass walls or something of the sort, with a hot area, continental area, and an omelet/waffle station just outside the 1/2 walls of the dining area. All in all, for the $12.50 price, I think we did quite well. The food was decent, though the eggs had been in the pan for way too long and the French Toast tasted as though it was just smashed bread, in other words no egg flavor. I particularly liked the fact that they had chopped artichoke hearts as part of the ingredients for omelets, odd choice, but different.

Our server, whom had a bit of an accent, probably European, was very nice to begin with but soon completely disappeared. She came to the table to try to take a plate we were still using but was no where near when there were plates that obviously needed to be taken away. She served us on cup of juice and water but never asked if we wanted more. Then at the end of the meal, she kept trying to take my signed charge slip.

The tip is on that slip and she should have never asked for it while we were still seated. She did it once and I told her to leave it be. Then, as soon as we stood up, she took it from the table. That is poor form. Wait until your people have left their table before taking the check back. Your tip was based on your service and nothing else but do not presume that I should tip you at all. If I ever go back and you do that again, I will leave you nothing.

AAA in the Cleveland area, again.

2008-01-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

I really don't know what the hell is going on, but AAA is getting worse and worse. This is twice within one fucking week that they have not done what it is they are supposed to do. I went through their travel department to find a hotel in the Columbus area, mind you that is about 3 hours from my home, and was very specific in my request. Though they told me it was POSSIBLE, that part of my request might not be able to be granted, it WAS one of the mot important points I had made.

When I go out of town and go out drinking, which we planned to do, I smoke cigarettes. I know the country is going against that but there ARE still approximately 30 million smokers here in the United States, which is a large group of people to put on a proverbial "do not serve" list. When we arrived at the designated hotel, Quality Inn Suites on Clara Street, at approximately 1:30 AM Friday morning, we were told that the entire hotel was non-smoking. I was quite perturbed. The only place to smoke was out the front and around the corner. No windows opened and there were no balconies. We stayed for only the one night then went next door to the Comfort Inn to get a smoking room. I was told that they were both owned by the same company but the differing franchise made it what it was.

The problem with AAA is that I was told by the night clerk, upon arrival, that the place had been non-smoking since FUCKING MARCH of 2007. That is 10 months. I would think that AAA might know something like that, wouldn't you?

Now to the hotel itself: I walked into the vestibule and there was a "night window." It had a tray that was stuffed with a towel and the clerk was trying to say something to me. The speaker did not work and I could not understand what he was saying. Ultimately I did get it and he was telling me that the door was open, a sign would have helped that. Then, after we got into the room, I found that one of the beds had a cover, under the comforter, that had a cigarette burn in it. If they actually went non-smoking in March, then maybe, just maybe, they should have gotten new blankets without holes, don't ya think? I have a couple of photos to show you that prove what I mean.

This shit is fucking ridiculous.

AAA in the Cleveland area

2008-01-08T15:11:00.001-08:00

See... It really ain't all about food! This one has to be told, though.

I have been a "member" of AAA for approximately 18 years, give or take a few here and there, and they have most often been my savior in unfortunate times. This time, however, they were absolutely, RIDICULOUSLY horrible. Of course, I must preface this by saying that the people I spoke with at the AAA office were all very polite and apologetic, BUT that does not mitigate the difficulties I encountered.

I noticed a strange driving sensation this morning, 8 January 2008, at about 7:35. I knew, but hoped against the fact, that it as a flat. It was all the more annoying because I was no more than a five minute drive from my destination, if the tire had not blown. I know from past stupidity as a much younger person that one does NOT drive on a flat unless it is unavoidable, so I called for assistance, after discovering I had neither jack nor spare. After all, that is the reason one pays for AAA is it not?

I called, I am going to say, about 7:45 and spoke with the first person, I did not records the names though I should have. She assured me that my tow would arrive by 8:30something. Well, that did not happen and an electronic voice called to tell me the driver had been "unavoidably detained" and would be there in about 20minutes. I called in twenty five and was told he would be there in twenty MORE. This, if you are following is more than 45 minutes AFTER the original 45 I was told. I called AGAIN in another 25 and was told he was actually en route. Twenty minute after THAT I called again and was told he was, "on site." That would have been difficult to miss as I was there with the vehicle the entire time and gave them the EXACT address of where I was sitting. If you have been adding this you will see that I was there for nearly 3 hours waiting for a pick-up and tow. Mind you, I had been listening to the traffic reports all morning and knew there was nothing going on AND it was one of those VERY rare 65 degree winter days, even with sunlight. He finally made it about ten minutes AFTER he was supposedly on site. In fact, he turned down the wrong street even though I gave them superb directions, down to the number of lights, and stop signs.

My first number was 87 and I used it until I finally arrived at work about 10:25 which was incomprehensible. The driver was very friendly and courteous, so I do not know where to place the blame, BUT someone dropped the ball in a major way on this. There is NO way I should be charged a tow from this fiasco. Then, you guys at AAA (and it was you guys not the tow operator because he said he could have found me any number of better and cheaper places to go) gave me an option of places to have the tire fixed. I do not know much about such places in the city so went by your word, BUT I did question the suggestion. She told me, "Conrad's on Chester." I actually knew where that was and said, "There has to be something closer than downtown." She said, "That's not downtown." Bullshit!!!!! The damned place was at East 17th and Chester, DOWN fucking TOWN. Get a clue you imbecile. If you are going to work for a place like the American AUTOMOBILE Association, you maybe ought to know your city.

Anyway, they were supposed to call me at some point during the day, it was only a damned flat tire. I finally got the chance to call them at about 2pm. They said they didn't know if they would have the chance today to get the tire fixed. They had had it since maybe 11 and it was only a damned TIRE!!!!!. I said that was unacceptable and called AAA back. I had the thing towed back to the NTB in Mentor and it was fixed in less than 30 minutes. The driver of the last run was Bryan from Madison Avenue Auto Service. He was there as I arrived, within fifteen minutes of my call, and drove myself and my vehicle back without question. The ticket number on the last one was 827 and there was one in between that was something like 707.

Another thought or two: I asked what company would be arriving during my first 3 hours and was told they did not know. I was passed by at least six different tow trucks while waiting and two asked if I needed help. If they had been unscrupulous in any way, they could have said they were AAA, and took off with my vehicle. You, as AAA should ALWAYS let your customers know what company will be there to take their vehicle. This is a safety factor as well as a property saving one. One of the people I spoke with even argued saying that they, "weren't allowed to give out that information." I honestly told her something like that sounded impossibly idiotic. What company would not want its customer to know its name?????? I wish to God I could remember who told me that but she was the only one who was bitchy in any manner. I think she was the third person to whom I spoke this morning.

TJs on the Avenue in Mentor, Ohio.

2008-01-07T15:01:00.000-08:00

This place never ceases to amaze me. It is just a single place without corporate ties, as far as I know, that has some of the best Italian food I have ever eaten. One of my goals is to find the best veal parm in the area, well, bar none, this has been consistently THE best. I have tried many places and, except for some cooked especially for me by the owner of the Lakeshore Lounge, nothing can touch TJs.

My companion and I went on Sunday, 6 January 2008, at approximately 4pm. There were a few people in the waiting area which was confusing at first, but when we asked one of the servers told us to just go up toward the seating area and we would quickly be given a table. She was absolutely correct. Our server was quick to tell us she would be right with us and she was.

Jackie took our drink order and immediately returned, after dropping a plate behind us and making sure we knew that she was trying to entertain the dining room. She then dropped her pen and in a most endearing and self-deprecating manner said it was "just one of those days." We ordered a Veal Parmigana and a Chicken Francaise. My companion LOVED the bread sticks, I, though knowing full well how bad it is for me, would have preferred to have extra butter, but thought better than to ask. She returned within about two minutes with our salad which was quite decent in size and had cucumber, red onion as well as diced tomato and black olives.

Our meals arrived just as the salad was complete, perfect timing, which seems to be very rare these days. My companion's meal occupied two plates to ensure the distinction of the flavors I would imagine, while mine was on one large platter. The pounded was about eight inches by about four and covered, not overbearingly, with a WONDERFUL tomato sauce and some mozzarella cheese. This came with a healthy side of freshly made pasta. The Francaise was pounded chicken breast nearly the same size with a light breading and a lemon based sauce. To me, the lemon was overpowering and took away from the taste of the chicken and the breading, but I don't like chicken breast anyway.

Our server was there when we needed her and was incredibly personable. She acted as if she was truly interested in our opinions and that she could be our friend for the moments we were within TJs. I have to say that in the past year or so that I have been writing these, Jackie is probably the BEST server I have encountered. Managers, use her to show others how it's done. In fact, if you read my other writings here, you will see you might want to hire her out as a consultant. Kudos to you, Jackie. Thanks for a wonderful experience, and kudos to the cook as well.

One suggestion: Tell people where the bathrooms are upon their seating. I hate to have to look around and then walk to explore, especially in a dining room as open as TJs.

(Buggsy (Lori) was that you I saw in the kitchen with your coat on? If so and you own or manage this place, you have done a superb job!)

Red Robin in Willoughby redux

2008-01-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

I have neither been to nor written about Red Robin in some time, but this is needed. Five of us decided to go to Red Robin to have something to eat, obviously or we wouldn't have gone there. We sat down and were quickly greeted by our server, Pamela. She was at the next table taking an order but excused herself from the for a second to tell us she would be right with us, very nice touch, Pamela. She placed the order of the other table and was quickly with us taking our drink order. While we awaited our fifth person we had ample time to peruse the menu. When he arrived we were all ready to order.

I have for years told people, raving, about the Pot Roast "Burger" at the above mentioned restaurant and was, in fact, trying to order something else this time but could not get that flavor out of my head. I and one of my companions also ordered a cup of soup. Well, our server fell after this point. She never brought our soup until the entire meal came out. We had to ask for refills on our iced tea. She poured my tea over the floor and spilled it without wiping it up, and those fucking tiles are slick under the best of circumstances. She reached instead of walking around the table to serve, we were at a round table in the first section after the bar, therefore there was no reason to reach except poor training or abject laziness

(And on those tables, they are HORRIBLE!!! The first two six-top rounds nearest the kitchen are too big to be up front. My coat was stepped on at least twice by other servers and I had it as close to the chair as possible AND the server at the 1/2 booth behind me kept leaning over to talk to the other party while making me almost smell her ass. Move the big tables to the back where there is less traffic, because this was constant, In fact, we even moved the empty chair to the side nearest the 1/2 booth table because one of our party was almost hit by bussers and servers three times. )

So... my Pot Roast comes out and I am happy as a proverbial lark. Silly me. This thing was awful. It was dry and tasteless. I was appalled, but the rest of the table found it semi-amusing, that was until the one with the pulled pork realized her sandwich was dry as hell, too. She did, though, say it was fine AFTER she ordered more sauce. Here's a thought, serve it with extra sauce, that way you get the best of both worlds. For fuck sake, you charge enough for the burgers. Everyone else said their stuff was OK, but not really worth the money.

Oh, and another thing. Pamela, do not EVER put your fingers on the paper when serving the basket. Put your fingers UNDER the paper. It was obvious, at least to us, the our server was new, but if that was that were truly the case she should have told us. Watching her with her serving tray was almost painful. I was sure something was going to drop because she has not yet learned the art of balance.

Please do something. Pamela was very nice, but her skills were awful. She asked me a question from across the table, and, any of you that have ever been there know that place is ridiculously noisy, AND this was about 5:30 on a Saturday evening. I do not go to Red Robin often but this was awful, and it never has been before. I must tell you all, now, to be careful, while earlier I suggested it as a place to go for the "upscale burger experience." Too bad. Quality and service are what it is all about and you failed on both.

Zeppe's/Flavor's on the Vine in Eastlake, Ohio

2008-01-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

I want to preface this by saying it is not my normal review type writing. This is more a specified discussion about man's inhumanity to man, in a microcosm sort of manner. This is also not at all about me but a couple of friends and their experience, written by me but FOR them:

On 20 December 2007, my husband and I were shopping, Christmas obviously, at the WalMart in Eastlake for two hours or so and decided we needed to eat something. We wanted to get something quickly so figured that closer would be better. Neither of us having been to Flavors on the Vine, our decision had been made. We lit up cigarettes when we got into the car and proceeded to drive basically around the corner. We were not done with our smokes at this time so pulled in to the first open parking spot. There were quite a few vehicles moving about so it was somewhat confusing, making our choice semi-spur-of-the-moment. We sat and chatted while finishing our cigarettes, then got out of the car to go to our destination.

Within seconds, a man from the Zeppe's outlet, also within the plaza, came out of the store SCREAMING at us with profanity. He was a middle-aged guy with black hair who looked as if he may have had some Mediterranean background. He yelled that we need to move our car. He then ACCUSED us of waiting until he had gone into the back of his establishment until we got out so we could, "sneak," into the other place without his knowledge. It was nothing of the sort. In fact, we had not even noticed him NOR his establishment. We were of one mind and that was sitting down to eat. This man followed us and continued to scream. We both felt extremely helpless as we were so astonished at his disrespect.

I tried to explain to him that we did not know what he was talking about when he, with the most audacity I had seen in years, stated, "Shut up! You're a scumbag." I was more than appalled, actually I was aghast, even horrified. Mind you, I and my husband drove up in a nice new Cadillac, and he is 83. The worst part of this was that he had just recovered from a stroke and I did not want to rile him by getting angry myself. He has owned establishments in the past himself and would NEVER have acted in such a manner.

While we continued toward Flavors, the man continued to verbally assault us. At that point, my husband decided to move the car. Thankfully the "madman" finally left us alone. The staff at Flavors, our server and the hostess, helped to redeem the evening. They were so friendly our psyches were almost healed.

When we left the restaurant, we DID notice a small sign attached to the building stating that it was a specified parking zone. Honestly, we did not notice it. If we had, we would not have parked there. BUT, regardless of what we did, the man should not have acted in the bullying manner he did. I my estimation, this man should, AT LEAST, be reprimanded, I would prefer fired, as that is what I would do if I were his boss. If, perchance, he is the owner of the franchise, he should have some consequence that shows him people so NOT act like that while representing Zeppe's.

Bahama Brezze in Orange Village, Ohio

2007-12-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

On December 23rd in the Northern portion of the United States, the name alone sounds thoroughly inviting. Just say it to yourself, "Bahama Breeze." I conjoures up the... Never mind. It was just a restaurant.

We have been trying to get to this place for some time but either schedules or weather or something always keeps us away. Well, by God, not this time. Seven of us took two cars and drove the twenty miles to this chain restaurant off Chagrin Boulevard in the Beechwood/Woodmere area, not something to be taken lightly at the height of the shopping season.

Somehow we were luck,y traffic-wise. We arrived at approximately 2pm to a mostly empty parking lot and an interior with less then 10 tables occupied. We were greeted relatively quickly, but the hostess was on the phone rather than acknowledging us immediately. We told her, twice, that there were seven of us, then told the woman who was to seat us, Mia, again that we were seven. What do you think they did? Exactly. Proving some cosmic interpretation of seven we did not understand, Mia took us to a six-top. Instead of doing what we did and look around for an easy solution, of which we had three within 30 seconds, she had to go back to the hostess. When she returned, she had us put two tables together which had a bench on one side a three chairs on the other. I guess seven still equalled six in her mind. I gave her a few seconds to correct herself, but she walked away while I was still standing. I went to another table, one at which we would have seated ourselves if given the chance, took a chair and some silverware and proceeded to sit at the end of the table. Something like this should never happen. If there were billions of people in the place and it was wildly busy, something that idiotic should still never happen, but twice in a span of 1 minute. Come on, now..

Adding insult to injury, I had checked the website the day before at approximately 5pm. I found exactly what I wanted but go to the restaurant and they did not have my entree listed on the menu. It was a seafood paella, therefore I was relegated something less intriguing. There, again, is absolutely NO reason it should have been on the website and not on the menu. Updates should be simultaneous. Anything short of that makes the public think there is little though coming from the top, which actually may be that case from what I have seen.

I ordered the Crab Claws, St. Thomas and iced tea while others ordered the jerk shrimp and tostones for appetizer. These items took at least 20 minutes to arrive which is entirely too long for appetizers. Though I must say they were all very good. Also ordered were a couple of Ultimate Pina Coladas (superb) and a Rumrunner (also wonderful). The entrees, though were something else all together.

I got the Steak Kabobs which were tough and quite boring as was the rice accompaniment. Another had the Mahi which had little flavor as well as the jerk chicken pasta. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the main courses. I think if I come back I will just get appetizers, they took as long as a main course anyway, because they were so much more flavorful. No on was really impressed, but the ambiance was nice. It would be a great place to go in the summer with the open patio.

Our server, Kai, though generally quite nice and efficient, at first, did what the majority of servers do in today's markets. She left us alone to wonder if she had gone on break at the end of the meal. One of the group even asked if maybe they left people like that to have them order more drinks. The problem with that was she hadn't been around in about 15 minutes to even ASK IF we wanted more drinks. I have written about this very problem at least 30 times over the past year or so, but these dumb ass managers seem to think it is OK. It is not. The place has potential but the greeting and serving staff need training, as does the management, obviously, or the under staff would be doing things correctly.

I might come back, but as you have probably already deduced, it would be for the style not the substance.

Applebee's Restaurant on Mentor Avenue in Mentor, Ohio.

2007-12-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

Sunday the 16th of December was quite the day in our part of Lake County, but we just HAD to go out. The morning was fine but the forecast was for a blizzard. Strangely enough, the blizzard actually happened, which DID make it fun to watch the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills battle it out at Cleveland Browns Stadium while eating at the above named Applebee's. The game, though, was about the only thing that could have been deemed fun about the experience.

I must admit that I am not a big fan of chain restaurants to begin with, BUT I have been happily surprised on more than one occasion. This, as you already get the drift, was not one of them. The first thing I would like to say is that, having a wonderful greeter is a superb start, and these guys had one, but it must be followed up by comparable service. The next thing, though our server was there quickly to take our orders for drinks, is that you need to pare down that monstrous menu. Whether they admit it or not, no one wants to spend twenty minutes looking back and forth just deciding what to get. I personally hate that. The server must have been used to it, though, as she took about 15 minutes after we said, "two or three more minutes," when we had been asked if we needed more time. The problem with giving extra time is that the customer then finds something else intriguing, thereby needing yet more time AND becoming more aggravated.

When Kelly finally came back my companion and I had decided to just get the "Choose Three" combos. We both got burgers and the steak fajitas, while I got the dip and she got something I cannot recall. The cheese dip came out with a very strange salsa that contained a sweetness we ascertained had to be balsamic vinegar, what an odd flavor with the dip. The burgers were just OK and the fajita wraps were actually quite good.

Now the real problem. While we were eating one of the other servers was heard very loudly complaining about the "fact" that she had been stiffed by another patron AND that she had made only five dollars. We heard her say this at least seven times in less than five minutes. Frankly, I could not care less how much someone makes AND I most certainly do not want to hear some server talk about another patron. She was by the bar and we were in the booth closest to the door. I told our server to have the other female talk less loudly and Kelly only said that she was, "pretty loud, huh?" Then, Kelly made another faux pas when she began to complain about her lack of tips as well due to the weather. We were out in it, so were well aware of what was happening.

Kelly left, we thought to get our check, it took her another ten minutes to get back to us. For fuck sake there were only about ten people in the place. One would have thought she just might have been able to get the check before the dawn of the next millennium. Come on people. Train your servers to keep an eye on the customers rather than each other. Although the check was not huge, $35.00 is $35.00.

Family Foods in Mentor, Ohio

2007-12-17T15:46:00.001-08:00

I am the first person to want to help the small local business, but, you as that business better do some, at least minor, ass kissing to keep me from going somewhere with better selection and cheaper prices. You all fucked that one up on Saturday the 15th of December 2007.

I go into the store at least three times a week for various sundry items and have since before the fire. In fact, I like most people in the area were greatly saddened when your establishment burned and took seemingly forever to re-open. Now, I am sorry I even cared. For the past few months I have been noticing and attitude amongst some of your employees, including some behind the counter near lottery. Most of the time, though, it has been the younger females. Many times they will talk amongst themselves rather than acknowledge their customers. (I really hate to have to make someone acknowledge my presence especially when I am their customer and directly responsible, in however a slight manner, for them having a job in the first place.)

There are a few very competent and nice employees you have, such as: Donna, Laura, and the two guys you have working in your deli. John in the meat department is also always nice. You, Frank, are usually decent, too, but what you did and the way you acted on the day I previously mentioned is something I will have a hard time letting go. When I waited in line to buy $100.00 worth of the new lottery tickets for gifts, as well as $30 more in other items, you made me feel, not only like some kind of moron but, like a criminal. You stated that one is not allowed to use "credit" to buy lottery. For one, and I tried to tell you this but you refused to listen, I do not USE credit in your establishment. It was a debit transaction just like everything else I always do there. Next you got a bit snippy and walked away. The woman handling the remainder of the transaction asked me to write a check. For some reason I have never been able to write a check at Family Foods since you re-opened, which is not important here EXCEPT to say that is why I ALWAYS use the debit card. The check wouldn't go through and you, thereby, added to my embarrassment, Thanks!!! You then came back and acted just as shitty. I saw nothing written anywhere on the counter and have never seen such a thing. Do not assume people know things.

This rule about credit and lottery may be a law, and I am having a very hard time finding it, but I know for sure that is not the case for debit, which is checking with less hassle. Thanks for pissing me off so much that I will go just about anywhere but your store, at least for a while. I write four blogs and DO have a readership, so I want you to know my word of mouth is out. It is very disheartening for me to think that I CONSTANTLY told my friends and family to go to your store because you were local and small and then you were so incredibly fucking rude to me. In fact, the entire reason I was there to begin with, and I had already been three other places with lottery, was that I wanted a local business to get whatever commission might be had if one of my tickets won. All this was about keeping small business intact. I have cannot remember EVER being more disgusted by a local business in this neighborhood. I am ashamed of myself for ever having stuck up for you and will let everyone know I was mistaken about Mentor Family Foods. Good Job!!!!!

Hunan Lake Chinese Restaurant in Mentor, Ohio.

2007-12-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

This is nothing more than a small storefront in a small strip center, but, I shit you not, this place has the best Chinese food I have ever eaten bar none. I stopped in this evening, Tuesday the 11th of December at about 6PM. There were three people sitting in the dining room awaiting food, while the wonderful proprietress, I presume, was seated behind the counter as is almost always the case. I ordered Pork Lo Mien and two egg rolls which came to $8.55. I pulled out eight singles, then went to put it back to get my credit card, (Though I know it would have probably cost 1/2 that amount or more to do a credit sale, she still didn't have to do it.) but she told me the $8.00 would be just fine. I swear I haven't had someone do that for me in at least 30 years. It made my heart swell with pride that this place is right here in my neighborhood.

Not only was that about the nicest thing anyone has done in a long time, BUT this place also make the absolute BEST egg rolls I have EVER eaten. I don't know what they do, but none are even close to as good. The Lo Mien was, and usually is, pretty damned good, too. Good job guys. Keep it up. And you Ms. Owner, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made my year by that small gesture.

Mr. Petie's Restaurant in Shoregate. Willowick, Ohio.

2007-12-01T14:33:00.000-08:00

This is the place I wrote about a couple of moths ago that ignored me when I was attempting to find out if they had a to go menu. Organization is not one of their better qualities as this visit proved, but it did have some redeeming qualities.

We arrived at about 12:30 on Saturday, 1 December 2007 to a relatively un-busy place (yes, "un-busy" is NOT a word but it works in this instance). Again, someone was standing at the register and looking the other way. My companion asked politely if we should just seat ourselves, to which she replied, with almost a shocked look on her face, "Sure, sit where ever you want." The was a sign that stated Wait to be Seated, but it was not in a very noticeable place. The menu was quite impressive for a small family style restaurant, but, as Gordon Ramsey often says, there was too fucking much on it.

Our server, Shelby, who never even told us her name, was, all-in-all, very likable, though she began our experience by say she was, "not really here right now," which was painfully obvious in more ways than one. She took our drink order and returned quite quickly, but seemed to take forever to return for the food order. When she did arrive we ordered an appetizer as well as our entrees because we thought we may have to wait forever again. I was in the mood for something so got the appetizer sampler with chicken planks, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks. they were what they should have been, but something stuck out. The barbecue sauce was very interesting, my companion absolutely loved it. I found it to be quite flavorful but maybe a bit too much vinegar. It was lightly sweet with a slight hint of heat that came a bit later. She was happy she ordered the chicken and ribs, knowing they would come with that sauce. I ordered the lambs shanks dinner with rice.

Each dinner came with soup AND salad as well as a roll and I paid only $7.99. I must admit the food was more than enough for the price, in fact I brought more than 1/2 of everything back home. My companion said her ribs and chicken were just fine and she really liked the mashed and gravy. I thought the mashed potatoes tasted like boxed but she was not so sure. My lamb shank (though it was listed on the menu as plural AND the listing for omlettes had an apostrophe, I hate when people add an apostrophe where it does not belong) was quite tender and done, but it had a very slight fishy kind of flavor that was off-putting. Whatever sauce they used had very little flavor and the rice was exceedingly boring as was the cole slaw. The soup waas nother thing I could have done without. My companion's Italian Wedding Soup, she thought was very good, my chicken noodle, on the other hand, was no more than OK. I know how difficult it is to keep noodles from getting overdone after sitting in a pot all day, but this was only 1PM and the shells they use, poor choice to begin with, were the consisteny of mashed potatoes. Too bad, because the flavor was pretty good considering it was made from a commercial base. There were actually veggies and some peices of chicken in the broth. Maybe you guys should use different noodles and not keep it on the steam table all day, just a thought. The quality was kind of like comfort food with a twist that they just couldn't quite pull off.

At the end of our meal we asked for boxes, which seemed to take an awful long time, that were deliveered without fanfare. As soon as I had put my food in one of them, Shelby came by and took my plate out of my hand. She said nothing and, in all honesty, I didn't even know she was there so it kind of made me jump. Efficiency is one thing but that was a bit over the proverbial top. Next time announce to you patrons that you are going to take a plate. She did it again a short time later when she took my companion's plate before she was finished with her mashed. Relax a little kiddo. If you want a great deal of food and are not very picky about the quality, by all means go to Mr. Peties, but if quality is more important than quality, spend you money elsewhere.

Zappatelli's Restaurant in the Plaza at Old Johnnycake and Mentor Avenue in Mentor, Ohio.

2007-11-13T05:24:00.000-08:00

Wow, is about all I can say. This place is such a small unobtrusive space that one would never expect the quality of food coming from the kitchen. Actually, "hole-in-the-wall," is a more apt description. The restaurant is nothing more than two small store fronts in a strip plaza. It is very small with no more than maybe twenty tables total and room for no more than 100 on the very far outside.

I have to be honest. I do not, at all, like this place, ambiance wise. It is much too small and there are WAY too many people, workers I believe, milling about. Given that, the entire place feels like breathing too hard may bother those dining near you, too many workers gives and air of even more confinement.

We arrived around 5PM on Sunday, Veteran's Day, November 11, 2007. The place was full but not packed as we were seated quite quickly. In fact, we were told to sit where ever we wanted. We choose the four-top with the extensions on each side in the entrance portion of the restaurant. Our server was right there as she should have been and got our drink order quickly. She gave us the extra time we needed, then proceeded to take our order. We asked for garlic bread, which she said she did not think they had, BUT that she would ask. (This is an Italian restaurant after all.) It was not on the menu but was definitely available. She apologized and told us she was new and had never before been asked that question. We requested two orders. The bread was nothing more than a hoagie roll split in two and glazed with a garlic/butter sauce, probably that which is put on the white pizza.

Our other companions ordered a pizza, telling us they were looking for one that was, "sloppy." They ordered extra cheese on the entire pie with pepperoni and onions on one half, then Italian sausage and mushrooms on the other. It came out on a raised pie-plate which was brilliant as it allowed for more space than would have occurred with a typical pan on the table. My perennial companion and I ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo. I shit you not, this place has the best Alfredo I have ever eaten, and I have been searching since the early nineties with a friend of mine name Michelle Asberry.

These plate were the size of freaking Texas. In fact, we brought so much home that we made a shrimp Alfredo on Monday with only Jo's leftovers and mine are still in the freezer.

The food was only part of the experience, though. One of us was having a bit of trouble keeping food on the plate or in the mouth. Spillage upon clothing was the order of this person's meal. We asked for extra napkins, more than once and were obliged. The guy in the baseball cap even brought a wet towel to our, "let us make it into your mouth," challenged friend. (I must say, though, I had a part in the food on her shirt as I tried to eat my Alfredo and it kind of splashed on her chest, but that was not my fault, you understand.)

Anyway, for the price you cannot beat this place. Four to five meals for less than $30.00 is incredible. And the two with the pizza and salad cost less than $20.00.

If you can handle feeling cramped. go NOW to Zappatell's. The food is so good you will forget the feeling of claustrophobia.

Flavors on the Avenue in Wickliffe

2007-11-06T05:18:00.000-08:00

On Sunday the 4th on November, we went to what might arguably be the worst restaurant experience yet. According to my companion, whom you all know is just getting her complaint wings, no one should EVER eat there. I whole-heatedly agree.

We were greeted quite quickly, almost too fast in fact because the differing doors for entrance and exit seemed to be backwards from most and, beside that, just useless. There was no flow inside that would indicate the need for and "entrance" and "exit" specified door. Wasted space and therefore cost, in my book. The place also just felt slightly unkempt upon first impression which was not far from the entire impression by the time this fiasco was done.

We were seated at the table labeled "3", which I am telling you because the name of our server was never divulged to us. As we were about to sit at the booth, my companion noticed that there was a fork and a bottle of ketchup on the floor under the table. the table was clean as were the benches, but they were still wet. The busboy should have noticed the items on the floor as well as done a better job of drying the seats. We ordered our drinks which were my perennial iced tea and her coffee with ice water. The tea came out and was bad, in my opinion so I only drank the one sip before ordering. I figured I would give it a second chance in a minute. We then ordered our food and did breakfast just because we could.

When our food was delivered it looked to be somewhat appetizing but I immediately noticed that my eggs were not done enough. Before I had even gotten to sit down, upon my return from the restroom, all proverbial heel broke loose. Our server, whom had presumably already picked it up once. tried to put the syrup container on our table and the top came off. This resulted in a splatter which encompassed the entire table, most of the floor, my companion's shoes, and who knows what else.

The imbecile, that called herself our server, did nothing to make our stay better. I did what I could and moved our food to another table. She did nothing of the sort. In fact, she should have at least offered us something off of our meal. It did not happen.

When we finally did get to eat, our food was nothing more than OK. Breakfast is never anything more than OK anyway, but it was that. My eggs were done incorrectly. The sausage was quite shitty (meaning an AWFUL FLAVOR). The fucking asshole server did nothing to make us feel better. No one at all treated us as if anything had even happened. Just a slight, "sorry." would have helped. There will be no next time at this place. Hell, thanks to my comment, I even forgot the food was fucking ice cold by the time we got to it. Any server worth a shit would have thought of that and made some gesture to fix the situation. Someone had to have seen what happened other than our felllow diners.

You guys really need to get it together. This place absolutely sucks and everyone I know has already been told such. Keep up the shitty work!!!!

Jalapeno Loco in Mentor, Ohio

2007-10-29T05:28:00.000-07:00

October 28th, 2007 was the second time my companion and I had a meal at Jalapeno Loco. In fact, we bot remembered it as the place that had THE BEST chicken tortilla soup, it still is. What we did NOT remember is the incredible quantity of food, but I will get to that.

This place is so large that it almost feels that you are on your own private patio, the patio comment is due to the large skylight in the main section of the dining room. Upon our arrival at about 2pm on a Sunday, after a rip-roaring Saturday night/Sunday morning Halloween party, we were immediately greeted and taken to our seats by a cute little guy with a goatee. He asked our preference of seating, a major plus, and seated in a table maybe one off from the one we had occupied on our previous visit. Our server was there within one minute of our getting situated. She did not give us her name but was identified, according to our checks, as server #4. She did everything in the proper time frame without being overbearing or too distant. A slight mistake was made when I asked if Guacamole came with the entree I ordered and she said it did not. I then asked for a side of the same which cost me about $3.50, not a bad price considering it was about 1/2 cup full of the stuff. Also, though no fault of the servers, they kitchen never gives me enough warm tortillas when I order the queso fundido, which here is called "melted cheese with chorizo."

Anyway, Jen ordered the Tortillla soup and a combo, while I order the queso fundido and the large combo, which at $8.99 was the most expensive thing I saw on the menu. Each came with various things such as a beef taco, beef enchiladas, chile relleno, these thing were huge and very tasty unlike those over-breaded monstrosities at Don Tequila's. She had a shredded beef enchilada which had, "excellent flavor." In fact, my companion kept raving about it throughout the majority of the meal.

When our food arrived, we were stunned. Each of us received two FULL plates of food to go along with that we already had. I am not kidding when I say that it was lucky no one else was with us. No one else could have fit their plate on our table. My companion placed a to go order as well, which, surprisingly, came with tortilla chips and salsa. I though that was quite a nice bonus and do not remember seeing it before.

Needless to say, we took a great deal of food home. Truthfully, I have had two more meals from it and there is still a little more to be eaten. Wow!!!

Our server, the enigmatic #4, did kind of fall off at the end, not so much different that most everywhere. We had to ask for to go containers and had to wait for the to go order, which is why it is always placed with the regular order so it is done when we are. I realize there is a slight language difference but #4 was quite adept at English. She seemed to be the only server on the floor and was all over the place rather than in a certain section, which could have made it difficult to remember where she was. But, that is the fault of management. This was a WONDERFUL experience except of the minor mistakes. I would recommend this place to anyone, and not just those wanting Mexican fare.

Longhorn Steakhouse in Mentor, Ohio

2007-10-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I was a bit skeptical of this establishment. On of my usual cohorts on these expeditions recommended Longhorn as a place with excellent service and superb food. Although she and I usually agree when we are together, such is often NOT the case when we dine with others, for some unknown cosmic reason.

Anyway, another of my usual companions and I decided to go to the Mentor location on Wednesday, 24 October 2007 at approximately 5:30PM. Surprisingly, this was not a bad time at all. We walked in and were immediately seated by a cheerful, yet not overly so, hostess. In about two minutes, our server was walking by saying, "I'll be with you guys in a minute." The way she said it sound a bit abrupt at the beginning but seemed to be her manner rather than any type of attitude.

Sarah, came back and took our drink order and returned shortly to inquire about appetizers. We said we wanted none but requested information regarding the risotto special. She gladly went into the kitchen to determine the ingredients. We had, meanwhile, decided against it, choosing something else. She returned with the explanation and a loaf of warm bread, which could have been a bit more flavorful or had a butter with flavor, though I did detect a very slight hint of lemon. Hopefully, this flavor was infused in the butter on purpose rather than the butter being stored too closely to lemon in the walk-in. My companion ordered a sirloin and shrimp while I ordered a 12 oz. prime rib, medium rare both of us wanted to have the mashed potatoes just due to craving. She often refuses her second side because she has such odd tastes. I told her, once again, to get it anyway and take it home. After all, it is part of the meal and they will charge regardless. Very few are the restaurants that will take something off the ticket if you don't want it but most will surely charge you if you want something extra.

The food was brought to our table in about 15 minutes and was done the way we asked, except my medium rare was rare without the medium. The mashed potatoes were phenomenal as we both agreed. My companion said her shrimp was great and the steak was good. Our server ended up being the best I have had in some time. She was there when we needed her and not overly attentive. She answered questions when asked and provided information when deemed necessary. AND, most importantly, especially of late, she did NOT forget about us at the end. Kudos to you Sarah. The cooks need to pay a bit more attention to the medium rare order and the storage of delicate foods, but all in all this was a pretty damned good experience. Jen, thanks for the recommendation.

Burgers and Beer and Breakfast in Willoughby

2007-10-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 21st, two companions and I went to the above named establishment at about noon. They serve a weekend breakfast until 1PM so we figured we would try them out. For any of you who have gone to anything in Downtown Willoughby, you know that the parking is awful, but it is not a very long walk throughout the entire area. We parked in the large public lot by the Willoughby Brewing Company and walked through the alley. By the way, whomever owns the property with the high fence that effectively cuts the rear of the Burgers.. place off from the parking lot should be drawn and quartered. What possible use would having an 8 foot fence without access have to you? It would be nice to make the entire area much more pedestrian friendly then it MIGHT just pick up and become a "Little Coventry."

The menu is quite ordinary fare and appeared to be very reasonably priced. There was nothing over $6.00 on the menu, at least not that I noticed. Our server, Lois, was right there to take our drink order, which was two iced teas and a coffee, there is a reason I am actually writing this. She dropped them off and, before we were even ready to order came back to ask, "How is everything?" We turned to each other with that, "What the fuck?" look and said, in one voice, you know the one that says, "Did you really ask what I think you did?" "Uh, yeah."

She told us that the tea was unlimited refill so we should "drink up." I honestly think it was because she realized she had not yet taken our order before asking the pat question about how good things were. I ordered two over medium eggs, I know that shocks those of you regulars to my ranting, pancakes, sausage and a side of home fries. My companions ordered scrambled eggs with sausage and French Toast AND biscuits and gravy respectively.

None of us could come up with anything better to say than that everything was, "OK." The home fries were thin which I like but had no seasoning. The pancakes were fluffy but blah. The sausage gravy was boring without much sausage flavor. The French Toast was thin sliced bread that anyone could make at home. Worst of all was the fact that there was very little yolk in my over medium eggs. It is not difficult to do, people. Just cook them about a minute longer than over easy, 30 seconds each side. I do not want the albumen to be runny in any way but the yolk should be.

Lois must have stopped by at least four times asking what she had done wrong, because we DID laugh after her original strange question. Then we did not want more tea, and did not complete our meals. She was a bit too neurotic to be waiting tables, especially ours. Relax woman, it is only a little restaurant.

Just, OK is all I can say.

Lakeshore Lounge on October 12th

2007-10-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

I have got to tell you all, this place should not equate to what I have to say. Every time I go to this hole in the wall BAR, and let me tell you it IS a BAR, I am incredibly impressed with the food I get.

This time, on the Oktoberfest Weekend, I was surprised to have had the $11.00 plate. I was able to have a piece of the schnitzel, the brats, some potato pancake, a bit of sauerkraut, German Potato salad, and a portion of Slovenian sausage. For the price no one in this world or any other could have gone wrong. My companion and I did what we usually do and went in with a supposition that things would go wrong. It was not the case, for once.

The food that was presented to us was phenomenally huge. I cannot understand how one person could even think of eating the quantity all at once. The next thing, and all important, is that the flavor was out of this world. I have NEVER tasted veal that was nearly as good as that that they were able to procure. I have been to many a place and they usually placate me when asked. The people at the Lakeshore Lounge actually served me some veal, while the others often say it is veal and ultimately serve a pork patty, well beaten.

I believe that places such as this are the ones that we should all patronize. Without the non-corporate entities this country will fold, AND if this place continues to serve food that is ANYTHING like that which I had the ability to eat, the country is sorely lacking in a culinary action that should make the best of chefs jealous.

I want to re-visit the schnitzel. I love veal and have RARELY been able to find it, rightfully so because of it outrageous price. The flavor is very distinct. It is just like a bite beyond regular beef.

The cuts that were made of the schnitzel at the Lakeshore Lounge were incredible. They told me they had gotten some cuts, through a distributor I do not recall, that were not prepared. Then they added their own breading, (very understated and, obviously to most whom have a clue, not overpowering) which included an egg wash, that only enhanced the meat. I know some have a problem eating BABY COW, but, so be it. Veal is the ultimate meat in my mind.

For the rest of you, and I know who ou are, BLOW ME. The little guys should run the world. At least I know their food is what I expect, unless you are lying to me as well.

Shoregate

2007-09-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

I am ashamed of myself for this, but I do not remember the name of the little Family Restaurant in Shoregate by Giant Eagle but here goes anyway. Don't go there. If their front end is any indication of the other goings on, one should not even entertain the thought of giving them money.

I walked in at about 3PM and was stared at as if I had just landed from Mars (both customers and staff like it was some kind of private club). I politely asked the server whom happened to be behind the counter, and less than three feet from me, if they had a take-out menu. The hostess also looked when I asked. NEITHER FUCKING ONE OF THEM even acknowledged I had spoken. I stood there for a couple of seconds waiting and was about to ask again when the server attempted to push past me. At that point I made sure they knew they had made a mistake and loudly informed them that they had just lost a potential customer or 10. Bad business. Whomever owns the place better do some house cleaning, NOW!!!!

Bravo in Mentor Again.

2007-09-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

You know... sometimes I think I have a sign on my forehead that says, "Go ahead, fuck with me. I like it." No matter who I may done with, something is bound to be wrong. Not just minor shit either. It is always something ridiculous.

On Wednesday evening, September 12, 2007, we had reservations at the Mentor Bravo restaurant. We had no problem being immediately seated and our server was quite good, at first. Latisha was very friendly and quick with an answer to any of our questions, one of which was, "What are Tuscan Mashed Potatoes?" She replied that they were nothing more than regular mashed potatoes, which you guys should say instead of the idiotic moniker that means nothing. Anyway, there were five of us dining in commemoration of my mother's 63rd birthday. Mind you, I had over $85.00 in gift certificates from a previous trip to the same place, that was horrible (meaning the last trip to Bravo).

We ordered drinks which were served quickly and then an appetizer of spinach- artichoke dip which was excellent, although I do not really like the flat bread with which it was served. We were also given some superb crusty bread with a wonderfully flavorful infused oil for dipping. It was not the same thing we had on our last visit as this was divine and the stuff the earlier time was oil and nothing much else. The appetizer came out in seemingly seconds which was a wonderful surprise.

Four of the group ordered fillets of one ilk or another. One ordered the petite fillets with accompanying shrimp while the others just ordered the steak dinner. For the price, though, everything should have come with a salad and not have an extra charge. What the hell is wrong with you trying to charge more for a fucking SALAD?

The arrival of the food is when things started to go badly, and they just kept getting worse. My order of the chicken scampi was all right. I continue to try chicken breast because I know it is better for me, but I have NEVER tasted one the did not remind me of sandpaper. It is ALWAYS dry as some proverbial desert and this was no exception. The flavor of the pasta was boring (in fact, I should have poured the remaining oil from the bread over top and it would have been much better.), but the shrimp were quite good.

Two of the fillets came out perfectly BUT two of them were blatantly wrong. One was so wrong that it was a completely different dinner than that which was ordered. The petite fillet(S), meaning more than one, came out as one fillet and without shrimp. Dumb fucking move. To make matters worse, it was underdone as well. My mother's steak came out almost rare and she ordered it WELL DONE. I know that is something one does not normally do in a restaurant BUT she wanted it that way and so it should have been done. When the server was confronted with the mistakes, she happily agreed to fix them and even left the mistaken fillet with my other companion telling her she was more than welcome, "to nibble," while she was awaiting the correct meal. It was said that the correction would take, "four minutes," which was pretty close. She ordered it medium and, I know this is going to be hard for you to believe, it came out fucking bloody rare. So..., not only did they fuck it up the first time, they did it twice. BRILLIANT!!!!!

Then, as I have bitched about numerous times within this blog, the server fell off. Up until this point she had made only one mistake which was to give one of our party a Miller Lite when he specifically asked for a Bud Light and did so in front of everyone and loudly enough that we could all hear. (On that note turn the asinine music down a bit so people can actually hear what they are saying to one another.) Once the service was generally complete, Latisha "forgot" we were still her customers. We sat there for about 15 minutes before she finally returned with our check, which was over $160.00. This is a constant problem in eating establishments across the country. TEACH YOUR SERVERS TO CONTINUE TO BE ATTENTIVE!!!! The tip is not only for the beginning but for the ENTIRE service. Latisha would have gotten a 25% tip but, due to the ending, she got less then 15%. I am betting that she complained to people about it, too. Just remember, you have to work for your gratuity it is not a guarantee.

Bullshit with Geico

2007-09-12T04:38:00.000-07:00

I know it has been some time my friends but, hopefully it will be worth the wait. My first bitch is about Geico, that insurance company of the asinine commercials. (Speaking of which I believe their commercial budget must be why they SUCK at paying claims correctly even when their insured admits fault. Hummmmm????) BUT, before I get to that, I want to direct you to my other blog at schoolhouse.blogspot.com This fucking place has gone absolutely apeshit and I want things to be know before it gets to be too late.

Rooster's Wings in the Biddulph Plaza Cleveland, Ohio

2007-08-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

My young companion and I were doing a West Side inspection today when we entered an obviously brand newly renovated space that was doing business as a wing restaurant named Rooster's. First impressions helped us return after inspecting the space, honestly the best in the entire shopping center in looks and definitely smell. (Though, nothing personal at all, the smell had nothing to do with food it was the smell of fresh lumber.)

D decided to get wings, as well he should have at such an establishment, while I opted for a more tame, since we did have to go back to the school building and spend another three of four hours, prime rib sandwich with CHEDDAR cheese and grilled onions. He got 10 Medium wings. I will give them kudos for their choices of wings as well as the size which were larger than most I have seen in recent years. It also appeared as though they had some kind of breading on them as well as the sauce. That is the way I like them best, but, alas, I did not eat them my companion did. He said they were very good, though. One more good thing, the ribeye, though very thin (I knew it would be so since that is always the case with the sandwich cut) was done, as best it could have been, to my "medium" specification, there was some pink in it, That has to be the first time I have ever ordered a prime sandwich and actually seen pink. Good job whomever cooked it.

Now for my suggestions:
First I would like to see a larger cut of prime rib for $6.99. (I mean this might have been 4 ounces but I doubt it after fat removal and such.) I could see the price if something came along for the ride but that is not the case here. In fact, that is the main compliant I have. Everything seems to be ala carte. (There were specials but our server did not explain nor even mention them, her only mistake.) Everything has to be ordered and costs extra. That is a sneaky sham in my mind. When one orders a steak sandwich it ALWAYS comes with mushrooms and onions if requested and very rarely does such a thing cost extra. No fries or even chips were offered. Truthfully I couldn't even find a listing for fries on the menu. Can you imagine paying $.49 for sauteed onions. Hell, I could saute about six onions for $.49!!! That is ludicrous. See, the prices look good until you begin adding things that should already be there. Then, I ordered Cheddar cheese and was given American. That was another server mistake since it was on the bill her way and not mine. She did not write down the order, which is something all should be required to do regardless of perceived ability to remember as my case will point out.

I believe the owner's name is Ron and he came to the table for an introduction. I liked that a great deal. He was very personable and wanted to know what we thought, and we told him. He agreed about the lack of sides without Ala carte and said that is just the way the corporate office out of Columbus works. I told him I would write to Columbus then.

Makia, our server, was good but seemed extremely shy, which is I believe why she made the two mistakes she made. She will get better and should be nurtured on her way.

Otherwise, there were way too many people milling about. I counted at least 6 females just standing around while we were waiting for our food. They were talking loudly at the bar and that, to me, is incredibly annoying. If one hears another customer's life story, that is one thing, but when you find out personal things about your servers, for instance that Makia had some argument with someone about her "baby," that is quite uncalled for. Have them congregate some place else or shut the hell up.