Ha’ penny

For five of us guys to manage a lunch together is nothing short of a miracle. Holiday season upon us I guess we all figured it would be nice to see each other prior to vacation time. Either that or we all were dying to get out of the office for a little while. Whatever the case it was nice to get together at Ha’ penny in downtown Boise.

I have only been to this establishment one other time and don’t remember a much about it. Yes, this is an Irish pub and Saint Patrick’s Day at Ha’ penny is deafening and standing room only event.
Today for lunch was quite different, very few people and a nice quiet place to congregate for lunch. As usual I ask the waitperson (politically correct?) for a recommendation. I was very surprised to see such a nicely proportioned menu. Great list of appetizers, salads, burgers and traditional Irish type dishes (lamb).
I decide on her suggestion and order the grilled cheese and tomato soup. Yeah, I caught a bunch of crap from the guys “did you order from the kids menu”, but was prepared for that and complemented my order with a pint of Guinness. The sandwich was good; Grilled cracked wheat sourdough with melted Tillamook Cheese. Soup on the other hand I would most likely pass on the next time. As I described to the guys, “it taste like spaghetti sauce”.
Other suggestions include the fish and chips and the Dublin dip. Fish appeared to be hand breaded and fried. The dip appeared to be sliced prime rib served with your choice of fries, chips or salad.

Good choices by all. Merry Christmas and thanks for lunch Jess!!!!

FINALLY!!!!

I took a client to lunch today as I have done many times before and surely will do many times again. As I should, I always give the client there choice of places to dine. Many times it’s all the same, Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s, Applebee’s, etc. Today however I “FINALLY” got someone to take me to their favorite place.

As are many Mexican restaurants these days, Felipe’s is located in a strip mall, located at 7959 Auburn Blvd in Citrus Heights, Ca. The neighborhood looks like one of those you wouldn’t want to be out after dark and the outside appearance of the restaurant makes you wonder if you’ve had a tetanus shot lately. Perfect, I’m convinced these are the types of places you'll find the best food.
I haven’t been keeping a record but I would guess lunch and Mexican food cross paths for me at least once a week. As I dine at these places I find the menus way too large for a gringo to find anything he might try other than the standard items recognized from dinning at the local Taco Bell. Don’t be afraid to ask the server for suggestions, you might find something that will become your new favorite. (Something other than a chimichanga or burrito)
As I go from state to state I find that Mexican food is completely different from one place to the next. Places along the Mexican border like San Diego, Phoenix and anywhere in Texas I have found to be the best. The farther north you go the worse it gets.

Oh, yeah….back to Felipe’s. As I’m looking at the menu I find it’s a quarter of the size of the typical menu and most everything is a restaurant special. The tacos, burritos and chimichanga are on the back of the menu and listed as side items. I order Carnitas and am overwhelmed with the amount of food that is carted to the table. As at most Mexican restaurants, this meal is served on a platter which appears to contain a half of pig, a pile of rice and more beans than a human body should digest in a month. The pork Carnitas are extremely tender and perfectly flavored. Paired with a side of Jalapenos this was by far the best lunch I have had in a long, long time.

As the governor of California (AKA the Terminator) would say, “I’ll be back”.

Not my choice…and I’m not going back….EVER!!!!!

Tonight I’m in Sacramento Ca. and meeting a couple of guys that are working on a project here in town. I decide it would be nice to treat them to dinner and get a project update prior to my meetings starting tomorrow morning. They give me the choice and I choose a place that always has good food for a decent price. I’m salivating on the drive to Outback, thinking of the seared Ahi Appetizer and a cold beer when I get the call.

Hey, instead of the Outback, why don’t you meet us next door at the Red Lobster? It felt like that scene from Happy Gilmore, “hey shooter……I’ll be at the Red Lobster….”

I reluctantly agree and figure there has got to be something on the menu that can cure my desire for Ahi. WRONG!!!! If your thinking what I was thinking your wrong too. This is not a seafood restaurant!!!!! This place is the McDonald's of the seafood restaurants or even worse, White Castle.

Yes, I have been to Red Lobster before but I bet the last time was over ten years ago. I am now reminded that there was a reason for this. Nothing has changed. Everything on the menu is the same over priced crap that’s been there all along. We had the mix and match appetizer (always a fan of this option) that consisted of calamari with vegetables and crab stuffed mushrooms. I have to give it to them; the mushrooms were not that bad. The calamari was tough and oily and the so called vegetables consisted of broccoli flowerets that had been dusted with flower and seasoning and fried. What’s the logic there? Find the healthiest veggie on the planet and equip it to kill you.
I don’t have the patients to go into great detail about dinner. Everything that came to the table looked and smelled salty and oily. I tried to go the healthy route and bypass all of the fried stuff but to no avail, it still sucked. I ate about four bites and I only did that to try not to offend my dinner guests.

Tomorrow night, something Better!! I wonder if there’s a good Sushi place in town???????

Eagle Rib Shack

In the mood for the best barbecue in the Boise Valley? Wherever you are in the valley it’s worth the drive to downtown Eagle for some finger licking deliciousness.

Last night I’m working later than normal and decide it would be a nice treat for the family to have some barbecue. There are two BBQ joints in Eagle but this one takes the gold medal. Walking in the door you will notice that the place is quite cozy and filled with the wonderful smell of BBQ. The staff is very friendly but almost too eager to take your order. Give yourself some time to look over the full menu, let people go ahead of you if you want. (This is a good opportunity to see what the regulars are getting)
On this night I order a half pound of the burnt ends, quarter pound of pulled pork and a large side of smashed potatoes. All of this will feed my family for under $17 and have a few leftovers. If this is your first visit try the special on the board; ¼ pound burnt ends sandwich with two sides and a drink. The pulled pork is ok but there are better things on the menu. If you decide on the pulled pork make sure to get extra BBQ sauce. They have a nice variety of sauces to choose from and make a spicy one that will get your attention.
Nothing has really changed in this place since the opened several years ago. I find this to be good in some regards and bad in others. People’s tastes are constantly changing and I think it necessary to cater to this by shaking things up a little. For this place I find the choice of side dishes lacking some what. The beans are just ok, Cole slaw could use some work and they really don’t have any vegetable to speak of. You can call the smashed potatoes a vegetable if you want but the amount of cream, butter, cheese and bacon will most likely cancel out any nutritional value. Personally I would like to get a bath tub full of them and roll around naked. Wow these are good but in the words of David Spade in Tommy Boy, “I can actually here you getting fatter”.

Free Lunch!!!

I often don’t pay for lunch out of my own pocket due while on the road or when home and having a business lunch. When I’m home and it comes out of my allowance I become pretty frugal. Sushi gets taken off the menu and I start clipping coupons or going to places I have been for years and know I will find a good deal.
Today is one of those days I’m in Boise, in a hurry and my allowance will likely take a ding. But wait, I have a punch card that’s full. That’s right, I have finally completed 10 lunches at Idaho Pizza Company on Overland and have been gifted a FREE LUNCH!!! I have been going there for years and will most likely continue until I move or die. They have always had a great salad bar, sandwiches and pizza. Lunch specials are under $7.00 and guaranteed to fill you past the comfort line weather you decide on the 2 topping mini pizza and salad bar (my choice), pizza buffet and salad bar, sandwich and salad bar or just the salad bar. Occasionally I find myself at the buffet but most time select the mini pizza with chicken and artichoke hearts. They have a cream sauce that can be substituted for the marinara that will expand the already plentiful variety of topping combinations.

Two Tips for you.
#1 - Be there by 11:30 AM or go late to beat most of the men and women of the National Guard or you will be in line for 10 minutes and the pizza at the buffet is gone as soon as it hits heated table.
#2 – If you’re looking to fill your punch card twice as fast; go on Wednesdays for double punch day. Take a friend or two.

Hungry Hunter - Bakersfield, CA

Ok, it's Monday on the road and back to the grind. I feel like a blob after relaxing and drinking beer all weekend. I hope you all share my pain. I ate enough food this weekend to feed a family of five for a week.

Tonight a co-worker of mine dine at the Hungry Hunter in Bakersfield, CA.. I have been to this chain on two occasions prior, this one and another in Temeculla, CA.. As we walk in the door I am reminded of what has drawn me back. They have a great dinner salad!!!!! Although it's not the blend of mixed greens I have preached before, it's a nice mix of lettuce with a variety of toppers on a tray. The "table side salad bar" I believe it's called. Try it with the blue cheese salad dressing and all available toppings, the vinaigrette could use some work and I was disappointed there wasn't any bacon!!!!
They have a great appetizer menu as well. I have tried most of them in the past and just having a sampler platter available makes my heart go pitter pat. Or maybe that's the partial block in my arteries. Anyway, tonight we bypass the apps and plunge full on into dinner.
I am usually disappointed with something on every menu and tonight is no different. I was in the mood for a fish dish of some sort but they only had the pretzel crusted Mahi Mahi to choose from. Not what I was looking for but what can you expect from a place that advertises to have the "World's Best Prime Rib to go"? So I order up the Black and Blue Rib eye. A 12 oz. Cajun spiced chunk of fatty, flavorful deliciousness seared in a cast iron pan and topped with blue cheese crumbles and onion straws all rested on a bed of mashed potatoes. Oh yeah, and a crown of steamed broccoli.
Dinner arrives as we finish our salads followed by our second round of Newcastle Nutbrown Ales (always a good choice to wash down a steak). I brushed off the onion straws and dove into the broccoli..............................ha....I mean steak. Broccoli had no flavor and was overcooked (at least that's what I'll be telling the wife). The steak was cooked perfectly and had a nice use of Cajun spices. Not to salty and blended well with the blue cheese.
Next time I'm in town and want a steak and salad I will remember this place.
Next time I want fish????

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Today is Thanksgiving and my favorite holiday of them all. It’s always on a Thursday filled with food, football, friends and family. I am usually the cook but this year I have been given limited duties as we are headed to our friends place to indulge in the celebratory feast. I have merely been tasked with Sweet Potato Pecan Pie, Key Lime Pie and my favorite, Three Mushroom Dressing. The pies completed last night and the dressing this morning I sit with a beer in my hand watching football. Again, how can you beat this?
I will not let it ruin my day but have been very disturbed with our society this year. It seems as if most everyone is beginning to look past this wonderful holiday to get to the over commercialized one that follows. I have seen Christmas lights being put up or already up and shelves stocked high at the stores with the Christmas goods. Yes, tomorrow is the day that is dreaded by some (husbands) and most anticipated by others (credit card companies), “Black Friday”.
Today is the day we give thanks and indulge in our turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Yep I said turkey, not chicken, not pork, not beef; this is the most traditional dinner day that dates back to the pilgrims. We all know the story and have followed with the traditional turkey dinner through our childhood and beyond. Again, why is it that I am now seeing the change? I spoke with my mom this morning and took a dagger to the chest. My sister is making a prime rib today?????
Ouch Stacy, that hurts. I feel bad for my brother who drove all the way over there only to be disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, I love prime rib as much as the next guy but come on. IT’S THANKSGIVING PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!! We stuff ourselves with turkey, mash potatoes and gravy, dressing, cranberries, rolls, salad, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, etc. Loosen those pants and get with it.

In today’s busy world we tend to loose focus on the things we should be thankful for. Regardless of your tradition or if you choose to have beef instead of turkey, take a minute to stop and give thanks.

Ever been to Donnie Macs???

It’s Wednesday before Thanksgiving and I’m back in Boise before lunch. Wanting to get the long holiday weekend kicked off with a bang, three of us from the office have some catching up to do and head for “Donnie Macs Trailer Park Cuisine” on Garden St in downtown Boise.
I have been to this place several times. Not enough to be considered a regular but enough to know what to expect when going there. It’s easy to be confused as a first time customer. You walk in the door and are sometimes greeted by a young girl that somewhat resembles a human pin cushion. Ever seen “Hellraiser”? Anyway, once your seated watch yourself, most of the benches are on wheels. Lock the wheels unless your neighbor is up for bumper cars.
Service is slow when they are busy so expect to take a full hour to do lunch. I have had several things on the menu from the Chili dog to the salads to burgers and have enjoyed them all. This day, I build my own burger which I do on most occasions. Try the blue cheese and bacon or pepper jack and jalapeno. The jalapenos on the burger are not that hot but you will feel them when they make there exit. The burgers are different and great. A grilled ciabatta roll with a nicely proportioned all beef patty. The fries are tasty as well; try the sweet potatoes fries if you like that sort of thing.
I have yet to bring my kids here but plan to do so. It’s a fun place and if taking the kids try and get there at an off time to have a chance at dinning in the car. You'll see what I mean.

Elephant Bar Restaurant Anyone???

Tonight I dine in Sacramento, CA at the Elephant Bar Restaurant on Arden Way. I have seen this chain before around CA and NV but have never had the opportunity to check it out.
First impression. Looking at the exterior of this building I was thinking it was the type of place that would require the sale of one of my children to eat there. Not so. I must say I was very impressed with the average cost per plate.
The wait staff was all very prompt and friendly. They sat us in the bar area at our request, we ordered a beverage and appetizer but did not get the pressure to order the main entree as you would in other establishments. I was a little confused by the menu at first. “What kind of restaurant is this”? The items on the menu didn’t seem to fit any type of theme but as I continued to browse I became impressed with the overall selection.
The artichoke and spinach dip arrived just after the beverages and the entrees shortly after. When I say shortly after I don’t mean everything arrived at the same time (Restaurant pet peeve #1). Appetizer was good but nothing I would classify as a must have. For an entree I had the Pad Thai with Shrimp. Nice blend of vegetables and tofu accompanied by a sweet, yet gently spiced sauce. Shrimp were blah, small, lacking flavor and a little overcooked. All in all this was a good dish. I wasn’t licking the bottom of the bowl but would try it again, most likely with chicken the next time. Total cost for two people with dinner, drinks, appetizer and tip <$60.
The worst thing about this place tonight was the other patrons. This is no fault of the restaurant but some people are socially retarded and when you get two of them together, watch out. About the time I dove into the entree I was beginning to think I was attending the Jerry Springer Show. Tube tops should not be part of your wardrobe……ever, especially when grossly overweight and dinning out at places other than the Waffle House. Jerry, Jerry, Jerry………

The Food Court...Really???

I never thought I would have to eat at the Food Court in the mall again. Sure when I was a teenager this was cool right. Hangin' out with your friends at the mall and grabbing a slice from Sbarro’s.
Now day’s things have changed for the worst from what I can tell. The healthiest thing in the food court in the Boise mall is Blimpie? Loaded with all fast food franchises it’s no wonder more than half the population of the US is overweight. It’s enough to make you sick when you see kids that are 8 years old, obviously overweight, and the parents are feeding them McDonalds!! It’s sad because the kids don’t know the difference.
Yes, the wife and I feed the kids and ourselves at the Food Court and this day we are almost as bad as the rest of the parents there. I chose Panda Express, stayed away from the fried stuff and somewhat enjoyed it. Wife and kids decided on A&W and had a couple of bites each before it ended up in the garbage.
If a pig suddenly flew out of my ass or I was forced by gun point to eat there again I would probably end up at the Blimpie, Taco Time or Panda Express.
As you readers head out for the shopping extravaganza that is about to take place, you might want to think about Old Chicago or Cheesecake Factory as alternative options to the Food Court. If the court is your bag……….pull up a food stained chair and watch out for……………. what ever that green stuff is on the floor.

Beer Time and “Scenery”

All the meetings are wrapped up and things went well. Clients want to celebrate with a Shiner and some “Scenery” before I head back to Idaho. As it was with lunch, I’m out with the same clients and now have the rest of the staff in tow.
“Scenery”, got to have scenery. Bone Daddy’s has a couple of locations in the Dallas area and one in Austin. For this particular occasion we are indulging ourselves at 1720 William D Tate Av in Grapevine. It’s hard to call it dinner when the first 6 courses are the same thing. Shiner has not yet worn out its welcome with me so it suffices as the drink of choice.
The attire for the wait staff, again 100% female, is similar to that of our lunch time location only a little skimpier. Not sure how they get into those clothes but it must require assistance. Spandex would be considered baggy in comparison.
Football, basketball and any other sport you can think of in addition to Sportcenter play on the 12+ flat screen TV’s in the bar. Most of the attention in the place in on the wait staff as I hold mine firmly on the start of the Oregon – Arizona football game.
I shy away from the menu and order a 7th Shiner. The staff is growing hungry and order some appetizers consisting of chips and queso, tailpipes (a heavily breaded stuffed with barbeque brisket and assorted veggies and cheese) and hot wings. Yep, got to have wings!! I have had them here before and already know they are not breaded and pack a certain amount of heat in addition to a little tangy barbeque sauce. They are also obviously not hormone free or they are really the wings of a small prehistoric bird. The tailpipes I will not eat again but the chips have a just the right amount of salt and seasoning and the queso is not too shabby either.
Most of the crew has faded away to their families and those of us left are on round 9 or 12 when we decide to split a full rack of baby back ribs with sides. Now, I am one who really enjoys a great rack of baby backs but have stopped ordering them when out to dinner. In my mind, “I make some damn good ribs” and see no sense in ordering ribs that I will only disappoint me. These ribs have been ordered for me and I could use something to soak up the Shiner. I inhale the Mac and Cheese and start into the ribs. Juicy and falling of the bone; not to saucy and taste delicious.
Of course………………everything tastes good when you’re drunk and hungry. Next time I will order them somewhere between Shiner number 4 and 8. Until then, I will be glad not to visit the state for another month or so. They will need this time to replenish the supply of Shiner and me to detoxify.

Lunch time with Clients

While in Dallas meeting with this particular client it’s never a surprise to go to the same place for lunch every time. These guys like “scenery” as they like to call it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad place to get away from the meetings for a while. Twin Peaks has a couple of locations around Texas, this particular one is located at 2601 Stemmons Freeway in Lewisville. I’ve never been to this place and not seen it almost full at any time of the day. Similar to a Hooters the crowd is predominantly male and the wait staff 100% female from the short shorts to the lumber jack type shirts tied perfectly to accent and lift the “twin peaks”.
The food on the other hand could use some work. I have had several of the items on the menu during my occasional visits to the peaks, but this time I wanted to try and keep it healthy with a salad (to offset the large amount of Shiner Bock on this visit to Texas) which I hadn’t had here before. The “Colorado Cobb” as the call it is loaded with the usual Cobb toppings, yes bacon too, with choice of dressing that I was smart enough to get on the side. A decent salad overall but would advise them to use a blend of greens other than the tasteless iceberg lettuce so many establishments use these days to keep costs down.
I did manage to get an appetizer and picked off the plate my client ordered as well. My choice…………wings. Yep more wings. Just like everywhere else I go there breaded with a ho-hum sauce and not worth getting again. Client plate? “Pulled Pork Nachos”. Yeah baby that’s what it’s all about!!! Crispy chips pilled high with handfuls of slow roasted pork, melted cheddar cheese, barbeque sauce, hot peppers, dill pickles, tomatoes and other delightful toppings. So much for a health lunch. Only thing missing on the nachos……………you got it, Bacon.

Ever had a Clif Bar for Breakfast??

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I would agree with them, whoever they are. On the days I eat breakfast I feel much more charged up and think clearer.
The problem is who has time to sit down for breakfast on a regular weekly basis, especially while on the road. Certainly not I and I would imagine not many of you either.
Occasionally when I’m at home I can manage a piece of peanut butter toast on the way out the door but in most cases I have a Clif bar on the way to the office.
As a Hilton Honors member I stay somewhere in the Hilton family most everywhere I travel (may as well earn something for traveling). In most cases with the Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn will give you a “complimentary” breakfast. Most of the time the food served is similar to cardboard and is surely not what I would call a healthy breakfast.
So, while on the road I take Clif Bars with me and have been doing this as a meal supplement for several months. I believe I have tried almost ever flavor they make but have settled on the four best that I look for each time I’m at the store. Black cherry Almond, Blueberry Crisp, Apricot and Cranberry Apple Cherry. Chocolate Chip Nut or Banana Bread will do in a pinch.

Another tip!! Put one in you golf bag and eat it at the turn in place of a hotdog. They go great with beer.

Check out thier web site for nutritional information. http://www.clifbar.com/

Dinner Time!!!!!!

Dinner has got to be the best meal. The variety is endless but the best part is you get to add cocktails!!
How many of you have had breakfast for dinner? Nothin’ beats bacon, eggs, hash browns and an ice cold Black Butte Porter.

Tonight I meet a good friend of mine, his wife and small child at one of the best restaurants in the world. My world anyway! Still in the Dallas area and we meet at Fogo De Chao (4300 Beltline Rd, Addison, TX). WOW!!!!! If you have never been to Fogo you must visit sometime in your life. I have been to similar places as well but always find myself wanting to take up residency at Fogo. Tonight was no exception. Here’s my take.
I didn’t even have to order dinner. If you have been to Fogo you know the routine. Sit down, order a drink, eat a half dozen “little puffy clouds from heaven” (puffed pastry with cheese inside) and your off to the most creative salad bar around. (Can’t describe it, you just have to see it.)
Once you’re done with your salad and third drink you do nothing other than flip your coaster from red to green and hold on. It’s like you just stirred up a hornets nest. The waiters come at you from all directions with huge skewers of meat, one after the other, would you like this sir, would you like that sir and all you can say is YES, YES, YES, PLEASE GIVE ME MORE. Next thing you know your plate is heaping with rib eye, filet, garlic rib eye, sirloin, garlic sirloin, pork ribs, beef ribs, parmesan crusted pork loin, (I can’t believe it, I’m still salivating) chicken drums, sausage, etc and yet you still cringe when your buddy turns the stopper back to red.
So you make it through the first plate and just now notice they brought your side dishes consisting of Polenta cakes, mashed potatoes, fried bananas and something else. Oh yeah more “little puffy clouds”.
Time to wrap things up with a final drink and few nods for additional meat of choice. I would have never ordered dessert on my own but was persuaded to split a crème Brule’ with my buddies wife. Very good and light after a gastrological nightmare of a meal such as this. Good thing I’m in a hotel tonight. I’ll have to sleep with the window open to provide adequate ventilation from the noxious fumes. Hope I don’t wake the neighbors.
Tonight’s favorites; Puffy clouds, polenta cakes, parmesan crusted pork lion, filet (duh) and garlic sirloin.
Fogo has an extensive wine list that I have yet to entertain. I am a wine drinker but mostly on the west coast. When in Texas I drink “Shiner Bock”. Mmmmmmmm.

So So Lunch

I really expected that my first blog entry would be in regards to the best or worst meal I had ever had. Not the case. Today I’m just north of Dallas, TX and in a hurry to get back to my meetings. I pop into the local Bennigan’s (2215 Grapevine Mills Cr.) for a quick bite and this is my take.
Friendly wait staff with a nice atmosphere for a national chain establishment. I order an appetizer consisting of hot wings and southwest egg rolls and a spinach chicken salad.
(If you become a regular reader of this blog you will see I eat a lot of Hot Wings. I like to try them all but rarely find them that appealing. I don’t believe a wing should be breaded, it should be deep fried and crispy and it should be hot but not so hot you’re screaming for an snow cone while your sitting on the porcelain thrown the next day.)
Bennigan’s wings? Breaded, not crispy and very mild. Blahhhhhhh.
Southwest Egg Rolls? Fried is good. Sauce served with them lacks flavor.
Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken? Good use of ingredients from the sun dried tomatoes to the bacon. Chicken was Blahhh but how can you have a bad salad when you add bacon to it. This salad came with sweet-pepper vinaigrette dressing that would be good in moderation. Note to self; Dressing on the side.