I'm going to lose track of all the places I've been eating, but I'll try to keep up and keep you apprised. I've been going to Yamoto for 15 years or so. It is a Sushi and Hibachi Japanese style restaurant on the Eglin Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. The sushi is the best, but you won't go wrong with the Hibachi. The prices are home town and not vacation subscription.
We ate at the Hibachi and had a great chef. I had the Hibachi steak and a spicy tuna hand roll. The Hibachi was less than $20 and the food was overwhelming. It was good quality. The spicy tuna hand roll was perfect with firm fresh tuna and a nice spicy sauce. I want another one right now--that's how good it was. I think I'll go for the sushi next time and tempura to check that out.
No one had a bad meal and the company was pleasant. Even better, Yamotos is really trying hard to create some atmosphere, all their waitresses wore Yukatas with sashes--kind of fake Kimonos, but most Americas won't notice the difference. The effect was nice. Yamotos is a great restaurant.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Arnold Palmer's in Palm Desert
Still reminiscing about my trip. We went to Arnold Palmer's for dinner on our last night. The atmosphere was upscale and pleasant. The walls are covered with pictures of Arnold Palmer and his greatest moments. My BiL is a real golfer, so he knows all the stories and was a wealth of information about Arnold. The bathroom has a score card of Arnold's best game ever. It's golf stuff.
Still, if you don't like golf, the food is great. The wine menu is adequate and the wines are good with a great variety. I had a Brut split with my appetizer. The split wasn't that bad, but it wasn't as good as the split I can get back in Wichita at WCC or the Candle Club.
I had a bowl of crab bisque for an appetizer. The bisque was great, but the crab was sparse. I can get a great bisque anywhere, but one with sufficient meat is rare. Enough said.
I had the lamb chops as an entree. They were excellent, but only two and the plate was bare. I also shared a plate of mashed potatoes. They were very good, but mashed potatoes are mashed potatoes. If you mess them up, you are an idiot.
So, I liked Arnold Palmer's. I'll go again, but they aren't that special. The meats are well prepared and properly prepared, but don't expect anything special or unusual.
Still, if you don't like golf, the food is great. The wine menu is adequate and the wines are good with a great variety. I had a Brut split with my appetizer. The split wasn't that bad, but it wasn't as good as the split I can get back in Wichita at WCC or the Candle Club.
I had a bowl of crab bisque for an appetizer. The bisque was great, but the crab was sparse. I can get a great bisque anywhere, but one with sufficient meat is rare. Enough said.
I had the lamb chops as an entree. They were excellent, but only two and the plate was bare. I also shared a plate of mashed potatoes. They were very good, but mashed potatoes are mashed potatoes. If you mess them up, you are an idiot.
So, I liked Arnold Palmer's. I'll go again, but they aren't that special. The meats are well prepared and properly prepared, but don't expect anything special or unusual.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tommy Bahama's Palm Desert
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.
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.
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.
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