Abuela's on Harvard and Richmond Roads

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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!!!

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

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.