Okay, we like Tommy Bahama's for the cocktails, but the food is great too. It's not as great as it once was, but it is still very good. When we are in Destin, FL, we always go to Tommy Bahama's. When we went to Palm Desert, CA, we had to try it out. We liked the cocktails--we went twice.
On the first occasion, I had a coconut cocktail thing that was delicious. I also had a Vodka martini and that was great too. I ate the 20oz. Porterhouse. I know, I should have had seafood, but I'm just jaundiced toward sushi. The Porterhouse was excellent. I didn't take any home for lunch. I can't remember what the regular copilot or the others had, but I do know, I'll go back. Tommy Bahama's is a consistently great restaurant. It isn't the top of the line, but it isn't average. It is really great food in a really great atmosphere. Did I say there was live music. Always live music at Tommy Bahama's.
The second occasion, we went after eating dinner at Arnold Palmer's. I'll write about that experience later. I had a BBC--very nice and rich drink. The regular copilot had a Lemon Drop martini. I was good for her. Someone had the Key Lime pie. I was happy with the drinks. Go to Tommy Bahama's, it's a great and fun place--you can't go wrong.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Castelli's Palm Desert
Still in Palm Desert -- actually, I'm back and reminiscing. We visited Castelli's Italian Restaurant in Palm Desert, CA. This is a fantastic restaurant. The service is personable, the wine list is extensive, and the food is wonderful.
Since we had been overextending with appetizers, we went for the entrees early. I wish I'd tried one, but when you are eating out all the time, you don't want to ruin the meal with too much. I had the Godfather's Dinner: PRANZO DEL PADRINO. Described as "The Best of 3 Worlds! Tenderloin Beef Spiedini, Shrimp Scampi and Vitello alla Piccatina." Hey, this really was the best of the three. This way I could try a selection of their Italian fare. It was a great choice. The meal comes with a pasta dish. The basic pasta offered was with a marina sauce. I chose the Fettuccine Alfredo. It's supposed to be their signature pasta.
The Fettuccine Alfredo was stupendous. I'm a fan of white sauce (Northern Italian cuisine) and this was excellent. The pasta was homemade and the sauce tasted very rich and buttery--perfect. The focus of the restaurant was more Southern Italian, but I was pleased with the choices and the meal.
The presentation of the meal was excellent. The three meats were placed artfully on the plate. The scampi was like a lobster and very good. The veal was slightly over spiced, but authentic. The tenderloin was cooked properly and a great cut. I took the leftovers back for lunch and a very pleasant lunch it was. I can't remember what everyone else ate, but I was very pleased with my meal.
We ordered a bottle of their house Italian Chianti--it was a great choice. We also had the after dinner Cappuccino Roma. It was pleasant, but I liked the dinner best.
I was also pleased with the service. You can't go wrong at Castelli's--I want to go again.
Since we had been overextending with appetizers, we went for the entrees early. I wish I'd tried one, but when you are eating out all the time, you don't want to ruin the meal with too much. I had the Godfather's Dinner: PRANZO DEL PADRINO. Described as "The Best of 3 Worlds! Tenderloin Beef Spiedini, Shrimp Scampi and Vitello alla Piccatina." Hey, this really was the best of the three. This way I could try a selection of their Italian fare. It was a great choice. The meal comes with a pasta dish. The basic pasta offered was with a marina sauce. I chose the Fettuccine Alfredo. It's supposed to be their signature pasta.
The Fettuccine Alfredo was stupendous. I'm a fan of white sauce (Northern Italian cuisine) and this was excellent. The pasta was homemade and the sauce tasted very rich and buttery--perfect. The focus of the restaurant was more Southern Italian, but I was pleased with the choices and the meal.
The presentation of the meal was excellent. The three meats were placed artfully on the plate. The scampi was like a lobster and very good. The veal was slightly over spiced, but authentic. The tenderloin was cooked properly and a great cut. I took the leftovers back for lunch and a very pleasant lunch it was. I can't remember what everyone else ate, but I was very pleased with my meal.
We ordered a bottle of their house Italian Chianti--it was a great choice. We also had the after dinner Cappuccino Roma. It was pleasant, but I liked the dinner best.
I was also pleased with the service. You can't go wrong at Castelli's--I want to go again.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Armando's Mexican Restaurant in Palm Desert
I'm still in Palm Desert, California. You'll find Armando's Bar and Grill on El Paseo in Palm Desert--that's the main drag. Just taking a leisurely stroll down the street is a great pastime. You'll find every store imaginable--prices, that's something else.
But when you are ready to eat, try Armando's. You'll save bucks and have a great meal. The Margaritas were recommended to us. There is a house limit of three. The reason is they are the strongest Margaritas I've ever tasted. You won't find many other Margaritas more powerful unless they just add tequila to the ice. They were everything they were described to be. You need to try them.
The menu is classic and the food excellent. There are all your favorites and some Mexico City norms. The TexMex usual is all there, but the quality is excellent and the amounts are uncommonly large. We had a concaso appetizer that was filled with sausage and cheese. It was a meal in itself. The regular copilot had a shrimp cocktail that was more akin to a ceviche with shrimp and tomato sauce. It was equally excellent.
The ladies ordered fish tacos and the gentlemen chimichangas. Half of a chimichanga was plenty--they were completely filled with shredded beef and chicken. We had enough for two lunches.
If you want a great TexMex meal with excellent service and at a reasonable price, you should visit Armando's. You won't be disappointed.
But when you are ready to eat, try Armando's. You'll save bucks and have a great meal. The Margaritas were recommended to us. There is a house limit of three. The reason is they are the strongest Margaritas I've ever tasted. You won't find many other Margaritas more powerful unless they just add tequila to the ice. They were everything they were described to be. You need to try them.
The menu is classic and the food excellent. There are all your favorites and some Mexico City norms. The TexMex usual is all there, but the quality is excellent and the amounts are uncommonly large. We had a concaso appetizer that was filled with sausage and cheese. It was a meal in itself. The regular copilot had a shrimp cocktail that was more akin to a ceviche with shrimp and tomato sauce. It was equally excellent.
The ladies ordered fish tacos and the gentlemen chimichangas. Half of a chimichanga was plenty--they were completely filled with shredded beef and chicken. We had enough for two lunches.
If you want a great TexMex meal with excellent service and at a reasonable price, you should visit Armando's. You won't be disappointed.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Grill-a-Burger Palm Desert California
I'm reporting from Palm Desert, California on a trip for fun and golfing. I flew my aircraft out to Scottsdale on Sunday, then to Palm Desert on Monday. You should be able to see the updates on the flights at www.ldalford.com after I get back.
We went to a great Italian restaurant in Scottsdale, but I couldn't appreciate it--the golf course drink lady made WCC H2Os that were more like triples. Holy smoke. I was trying out some new golf clubs--they help, but not really enough.
The first night in Palm Desert, we went to Grill-a Burger in the Plaza de Monterey. Okay, if like hamburgers, this is the place for you. I'm not an especial fan, but if it has avocado on it, I can't help myself. This place has a Holy Moly! burger with guaca that is awesome. I also ordered sweet potato fries and avocado fries for the table. I've never had avocado fries--they were great.
Our waiter was great. Our food was great. I recommend Grill-a-Burger just for the fun menu and the place. It's a hole in the wall. By the way, the hamburgers are large. The regular copilot split hers with our other lady traveler--good choice.
We went to a great Italian restaurant in Scottsdale, but I couldn't appreciate it--the golf course drink lady made WCC H2Os that were more like triples. Holy smoke. I was trying out some new golf clubs--they help, but not really enough.
The first night in Palm Desert, we went to Grill-a Burger in the Plaza de Monterey. Okay, if like hamburgers, this is the place for you. I'm not an especial fan, but if it has avocado on it, I can't help myself. This place has a Holy Moly! burger with guaca that is awesome. I also ordered sweet potato fries and avocado fries for the table. I've never had avocado fries--they were great.
Our waiter was great. Our food was great. I recommend Grill-a-Burger just for the fun menu and the place. It's a hole in the wall. By the way, the hamburgers are large. The regular copilot split hers with our other lady traveler--good choice.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Newport Grill
Here is a new restaurant review. I promised something new. Newport Grill in Wichita, Kansas is one of my favorites. It has the best martinis in the city and the bar tenders know how to make them properly. They stuff their own olives with blue cheese and then know to shake them the proper amount of time.
On this visit, I had a straight vodka martini with potato vodka (they have a great variety of alcoholic beverages). The regular copilot had the Black and Blue--that's a very dirty martini with stuffed blue olives. I like the stuffed blue olives too just no dirty in my vodka. The martinis were excellent, as usual, and consistent.
We also had the steak tartar, tuna tartar, shrimp cocktail, and ceviche. These are all appetizers. So, we like appetizers especially raw ones. The steak tartar was excellent. We always ask for more toast points, mainly because we like them and secondarily because the second batch is usually softer, and I like them softer. The regular copilot likes them crustier. The steak tartar at Newport Grill is European style. I mentioned before the steak tartar at The Candle Club is American style. I like them both. European style tends to have more spices in the steak and usually capers and onions.
The tuna tartar has fried crisps with it. The flavor was excellent. Their ceviche is more prepared than I like it. The best US ceviche I've had was at Ruth's Crisp. Newport Grill's was pleasant, but not my favorite. The shrimp cocktail was typical and US style. It's one of the regular copilot's favorites.
All in all this was a pleasant evening. We sat at the bar, but if you want to get a table, make reservations.
On this visit, I had a straight vodka martini with potato vodka (they have a great variety of alcoholic beverages). The regular copilot had the Black and Blue--that's a very dirty martini with stuffed blue olives. I like the stuffed blue olives too just no dirty in my vodka. The martinis were excellent, as usual, and consistent.
We also had the steak tartar, tuna tartar, shrimp cocktail, and ceviche. These are all appetizers. So, we like appetizers especially raw ones. The steak tartar was excellent. We always ask for more toast points, mainly because we like them and secondarily because the second batch is usually softer, and I like them softer. The regular copilot likes them crustier. The steak tartar at Newport Grill is European style. I mentioned before the steak tartar at The Candle Club is American style. I like them both. European style tends to have more spices in the steak and usually capers and onions.
The tuna tartar has fried crisps with it. The flavor was excellent. Their ceviche is more prepared than I like it. The best US ceviche I've had was at Ruth's Crisp. Newport Grill's was pleasant, but not my favorite. The shrimp cocktail was typical and US style. It's one of the regular copilot's favorites.
All in all this was a pleasant evening. We sat at the bar, but if you want to get a table, make reservations.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Birthday Cigar
I didn't eat anywhere of real note on my trip, so I don't have any new restaurants to report. I do have a cigar update. I received an ATF Garcia and Garcia Limited Edition My Father cigar for my birthday. I smoked it while drinking cappuccino and Remi Marten XO Cognac.
I prepared the cigar with a 3/8 inch punch and lit it slowly with a wooden match. The cigar was very robust. It was a rich cigar with a very even burn. It tasted of strong coffee and cocoa and was a powerful cigar. It was a perfect dessert cigar. I can't recommend it to the mellow smoke crowd, but for those who like a strong cigar, it was perfect. It was a long lasting smoke, but did not taint the pallet so much that it stayed with me for hours.
The cappuccino and Cognac went perfectly with it. My thanks to the gift bearers who provided me a great cigar.
Remember, if you want to try Cognac, always drink it from a brandy snifter. This is true of brandy and any similar liqueur. You will not be pleased, or you will be more pleased by the drink if you have it in the proper glass. This is also true for many liqueurs. A splash in a tall glass does not bring out the essential aromas of the drink.
I prepared the cigar with a 3/8 inch punch and lit it slowly with a wooden match. The cigar was very robust. It was a rich cigar with a very even burn. It tasted of strong coffee and cocoa and was a powerful cigar. It was a perfect dessert cigar. I can't recommend it to the mellow smoke crowd, but for those who like a strong cigar, it was perfect. It was a long lasting smoke, but did not taint the pallet so much that it stayed with me for hours.
The cappuccino and Cognac went perfectly with it. My thanks to the gift bearers who provided me a great cigar.
Remember, if you want to try Cognac, always drink it from a brandy snifter. This is true of brandy and any similar liqueur. You will not be pleased, or you will be more pleased by the drink if you have it in the proper glass. This is also true for many liqueurs. A splash in a tall glass does not bring out the essential aromas of the drink.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Repeats and a Promise
I haven't been going anywhere new for a while--that's my excuse. I've been to the Wasabis on the east side every Friday for the last few weeks. I even took a whole group there--I can't help that I need a sushi fix every week. I'll tell you I've set on a couple of dishes as the perfect combo for the winter. I can't remember the name of the dinner Japanese bento boxed meal. It typically comes with tempura, fish or meat, pickles, sushi, shashimi, sweet fruit, and rice. A bento is a lunch meal in a box (typically cold), while the dinner is a typically hot and cold mix. To make one at Wasabis you just order the sushi combo A and one of the boxed dinner meals. I like teriaki beef--ask for it medium rare and it comes close to a real Japanese dinner. Wasabis could be more of a "yes" restaurant, but it is not bad. For example, they won't make special rolls or allow mixtures of shashimi on their main shashimi set. So, I'm stuck in a rut. I like hot and cold especially for dinner in the winter and of course, I must have hot saki. The Japanese culture is fantastic at keeping the hot and cold part of a meal in balance.
I also had steak tartar at the Candle Club again during Cigar Night. I confirmed that a small brut Flexinet is the best with steak tartar and the Candle Club's steak tartar is one of the best. I smoked a couple of high end Partagas that night and I'm smoking a Partagas number 10 right now. Plus, the Candle Club does a great job making drinks just the way I like them.
I will be going to Oklahoma City soon and will try some dining there. I hope to give a report on some new restaurants. That's my promise. I'll get to some other restaurants in Wichita soon--that's the plan. Until them--great eating, drinking, and cigars.
I also had steak tartar at the Candle Club again during Cigar Night. I confirmed that a small brut Flexinet is the best with steak tartar and the Candle Club's steak tartar is one of the best. I smoked a couple of high end Partagas that night and I'm smoking a Partagas number 10 right now. Plus, the Candle Club does a great job making drinks just the way I like them.
I will be going to Oklahoma City soon and will try some dining there. I hope to give a report on some new restaurants. That's my promise. I'll get to some other restaurants in Wichita soon--that's the plan. Until them--great eating, drinking, and cigars.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)