Yumness

Little Buddha, Big Taste

Mel K. — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:52:06 +0000

Little Buddha in the Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas has created a lush and romantic space with deep red silk and velvet. Even the lobby area makes you feel like you just received your membership card to a secret society. There is a Buddha overlooking the dining room area and there is nothing little about him. He is a huge stone statue and he makes you feel like you should bow to him, but don’t. You’re friends might make fun of you, but you might also be able to impress them with your ninja-like use of chopsticks.

I started off my meal with a cocktail named Euphoria, and I really think the name is overstepping a little bit. It was peach vodka but it tasted like strawberry flavored water. However, I did like the bite size fresh strawberries floating around in it so I made sure to suck them out. Then I ordered the Wok Fried Edamame and shared the Tuna Tataki with a friend. The Edamame were very good even though they lit my mouth on fire. The way they were seasoned was sweet and salty, but if you wait a minute, that heat hits you and doesn’t stop punching. I have a very low threshold when it comes to spicy food, so I can taste it right away. The Tuna was more calming. The raw fish was sliced thin and had a tasty dipping sauce that made the whole meal. I was also lucky enough to try the Wok Fried Chicken Lettuce Wraps. My kind friend wrapped the chicken up in the lettuce leaf and dipped it in the creamy peanut sauce for me. It was delicious. I would’ve traded my Euphoria for a plate of it, but behaved instead.

Then, my entrée came. I chose the Mongolian Style Beef. The meat was very moist and the rice noodles were a nice accompaniment. The menu said it was spicy but after I offered all of the chili peppers to a friend and my mouth got over its anger at the edamame, it wasn’t so bad. I mean, there was a little kick but I was able to taste the subtle sweetness of the meat.

Apparently, Little Buddha was voted Best Asian Restaurant in Vegas three years in a row, and I kind of believe it. Almost everyone I dined with (there were eight) was very happy with their meal, so if 6 out of 8 people liked it, then it is worth a “Best of” distinction. A big Buddha, fresh sushi, tasty lettuce wraps…what’s not to like?

Mel’s: Great name, wouldn’t you say?

Mel K. — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:35:50 +0000

My friends all call me Mel, so when we saw a diner in Pigeon Forge, TN with that same name, we just had to stop in and grab a quick bite. Mel’s Diner is a traditional ’50s diner with metal decor and primary colors adorning the walls and menu.

Like every diner in America, it offers milkshakes that people will order with most any dish. You are at a diner after all! I ordered the chocolate because I always do, even though I did see that they offer pineapple, Oreo, Reese’s and chanana, which I think is chocolate and banana. It was creamy and thick, and I was thankful for that metal tin that holds the remainder of the shake. I wanted to make sure I got it all. You can’t waste chocolate.

For dinner, I ordered a chicken cheese steak with peppers and onions. The chicken was seasoned and came in a crusty and crispy hoagie roll. It was more than I could eat, but it was a great diner meal. Mel’s Diner also offers all the regular diner fare like burgers, hot dogs with an array of toppings, breakfast and sandwiches. They even have taco salad and fried bologna sandwiches. I don’t advise eating those together though.

So next time you visit Pigeon Forge and get sick of riding the coasters and listening to the banjo players at Dollywood, go back in time and visit Mel’s Diner. They even have printable coupons on their website. Maybe I should tell Guy Fieri to add this as a stop for his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives…

Getting Wild at the Wildhorse Saloon

Mel K. — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:02:45 +0000

During a quick stay in Nashville, TN, we stopped into the Wildhorse Saloon where there is good food, live music, cold drinks and line dancing. What else do you really need?

The night we were there, they didn’t have a scheduled concert but the live music was supplied by an artist named Les Richardson who played a variety of songs that I would have filed under country music and classic rock. His covers were the perfect background tunes for me to enjoy my cold beers and hot wings. I ordered their Blazin’ Buffalo Wings and they were served in a guitar-shaped metal basket with celery, carrots and Bleu Cheese dressing. The wings were sweet and saucy at first and then got hot, which surprised me a little bit. It was like a smack in the face. You know it’s coming because you said something wrong but it still surprises you when it arrives. They were very good though, one of the best, hotter, wings I have ever tasted. I don’t eat much hot food because I think the heat takes away from the taste, but these wings I actually enjoyed until the spice kicked in. Also, I made sure to ask for more celery to cool my taste buds down a little bit. Thank God for the celery and the beer. They both assisted in lessening the pain I felt in my mouth and on my lips.

The first beer I chose to try was the Yazoo Pale Ale which came in a souvenir pilsner glass that had the bar’s logo on one side and name and location on the other side. It was a perfect souvenir since TK tries to purchase a pilsner glass at every location we visit, but the beer wasn’t my pint of porter, which was actually my fault. I should have known because I don’t usually like pale ales, but I was able to switch to Blue Moon and continue to slap my knee, sing along and line dance. The bars are called “honkey tonks” down in Nashville and they have the personality to assume such a cool distinction. The upbeat music, the friendly people and the no-nonsense food give Nashville a distinct personality that permeates through the city itself. For instance, the instructor who taught everyone the nightly line dances actually came over to my mother and I and honestly thanked us for getting up and joining in the routine. It was my pleasure. All of it was.

Best Donuts Ever…No, Seriously!

Mel K. — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:43:46 +0000

While strolling through the streets of Gatlinburg, TN, we came across The Village Shops. This little fantastic cul-de-sac housed dozens of little quaint boutiques and one marvel in particular: The Donut Friar. My dad heard about this place on television and just knew he had to find it while we were in Gatlinburg. Lucky enough for us, we found it on our first day in town.Click to view slideshow.

The owner gets up at 3 a.m. to bake that day’s selection and then the shop opens at 5 a.m. for the morning commute to who knows where because they are in the Smoky Mountains. I just wonder what they must taste like that early in the morning when they are fresh from the oven…OK let me stop because my mouth is going to start to water.

When you walk in the wooden door to The Donut Friar, you can smell the hundreds of donuts for sale. In the display case, the donuts were all nestled nicely just waiting for lucky visitors to come pick and eat them. And, I was there to assist them with this goal.

There were several varieties to choose from and they were all around $1. I chose the chocolate iced cake donut and was so glad I did (still am!). The chocolate icing was gooey and sweet and the cake was dense yet light. It was most certainly the best donut I had ever eaten.

These donuts were so good that we decided we would come back the day before our departure to pick up a dozen to eat on our way back to NY. The second donut I chose, five days later, was the chocolate iced chocolate cake donut and it was delicious too. Even after the donut had been in the fridge, the cake wasn’t stale and the icing wasn’t flaky. Just perfect.

However, I have done my research and found out that The Donut Friar does not ship their donuts to New Yorkers who need them, so I am asking, nicely, if anyone goes to The Donut Friar in The Village Shops, can you please bring me a cinnamon cake donut? That is the one kind that I didn’t get to taste and it may just haunt me for the rest of my life. I’ll even give you my address or you can give me your address and I will just come to your house…I am being totally serious.

Moral of the story: Donut Friar = Best Donuts Ever!

Tennessee BBQ

Mel K. — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:22:10 +0000

When we arrived in Gatlinburg, TN and settled in at the Westgate Smoky Mountains Resort, we found their restaurant. It was called the Smokehouse Grill and it served “award-winning” barbecue (notice the quotes). When the waiter finally noticed us and listed the three beers they had on tap, we started off with some Fried Dill Pickles. They were crunchy but the batter was made of cornmeal and I thought it tasted weird and was not a successful dish. But, the spotlight of the meal was the Smokehouse Feast for Two and we ordered two of them because there were four of us. The ribs were falling off the bone, just the way I like them. They were zesty without too much spice and were moist but not fatty. Delicious, but not hot. They were room temperature. The fried chicken was good, crunchy and moist, like the pulled pork that was piled on the side of the over-sized skillet. The brisket was the worst of the bunch because it was dry. The mac and cheese was good and gooey but it wasn’t anything serious and neither was the corn that was sprinkled on two sides with heavy spices. The highlight of the meal was obviously the ribs…and the fact that we paid $2.50 for a pint of Sam Adams Summer.

Heading South to Bob Evans

Mel K. — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:06:42 +0000

Another stop we made while traveling down to Tennessee was at Bob Evans and they were just sweet as pie there. So nice, that our waitress was named Penny and she complimented me on my hair. OK, back to food…I ordered the Cheddar Baked Potato Soup for my meal and it was delicious. There were big chunks of potatoes and smoky cheddar cheese rounded out with crumbled salty bacon and some scallions.

I know you are wondering why I am reviewing a franchise, but some people don’t have the option in their lives to eat at big fancy restaurants where the potatoes are priced separately from the steak and the wine is only sold by the bottle. Some people like their steak on the same plate as their starch and look for reviews to find out if that steak is any good before they spend the $14.99, and that is where I come in. So there it is…

P.S. Bob Evans also has good pies, but I am not into pie so I am just taking their word for it.

Road Trip = A Visit to Cracker Barrel

Mel K. — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:08:20 +0000

On our way to Tennessee, we stopped at the first Cracker Barrel we came across in Clinton, NJ. It was set up the same as all of the other Cracker Barrels I have been to throughout the years. This time though, they had a mini-yard sale outside on the porch. I couldn’t find anything that interested me because I don’t decorate in cows, pigs or western gear, so we went inside to eat and decided to shop in their country store on the way out. When we sat down, I ordered the Ham N’ Biscuits with Macaroni & Cheese. The macaroni and cheese was creamy and good, just like it is supposed to be at a southern-themed restaurant. The biscuits were fluffy and the ham was salty goodness until it started to get cool, then it was tough to tear through. So I just finished up my mac & cheese until I got full and then I tried to forget that the ham disappointed me. The Razzles and giant Sweet Tarts they were selling in the country store helped me forget all about the ham. Cracker Barrel is still one of my favorite places to eat and stop while on a road trip because I do love a good theme.

Upscale Burgers and Funny Fries

Mel K. — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:06:02 +0000

While in Phoenix, we took a short pitstop at Delux Burger, which was situated within a small strip mall. The location was posh with a limited menu and big prices, for a lunch. However, the beer menu and happy hour events were extensive. When we got our burgers, they were juicy and thick, but the fries were piece de resistance. We got a mix of sweet potato and regular fries, and it arrived in a shopping cart small enough for the Geico gecko. It was adorable and memorable, but unfortunately, it didn’t help TK forget that he paid fifty bucks for lunch. Aw well.

Forget the Steak, the Dessert was Delish

Mel K. — Sun, 02 May 2010 03:00:28 +0000

While in Atlantic City for a few days, TK and I had a meal at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse because apparently, we like to spend a lot of money on food. Well this meal wasn’t too bad on the wallet but it did make a nice dent to my hunger, mmm hmmm.

We started out with the crab cakes as an appetizer. They were flaky with big chunks of crab and just a little pepper kicks you in the face at the end of your taste, but it was just the right amount so I wasn’t uncomfortable.

Then I ordered the Petit Filet and it was served on a sizzling plate of butter. What’s not to love about that? The steak was seasoned well with just salt and pepper. It was delicious and just the right size. To accompany our steaks, we ordered broccoli and mashed potatoes. The broccoli was crunchy, well done and seasoned right. The mashed potatoes were tasty with the mix of garlic and butter to fit the meal just right. It is essentially steak and potatoes after all!

For dessert, I had one of the most delicious dishes I have ever eaten…thus far. It was the Caramelized Banana Cream Pie and it had a flaky crust, light cream and blow-torched fresh bananas. Oooohh it was crunchy and creamy and sweet and salty, and just all around good. Even the sugar that wasn’t on the pie was caramelized. They went all out. I know it is a high-end steakhouse but this dessert should not be skipped when eating at Ruth’s Chris.You will truly be missing out.

Food for Yards, Beer for Miles

Mel K. — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:44:18 +0000

While on our vacation in Arizona, we took a trip to the Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale and stumbled upon a great place called The Yard House. As soon as we walked in, the host was as friendly as ever asking TK about his favorite kind of beer and with his answer of New Castle, the host suggested a beer called Moose Drool, which is made at Big Sky Brewery in Montana. TK loved it because he loves brown ales. The bar had 150 beers on their million dollar tap system so the menu read like Santa Claus’ list of gifts for the frat guys of the world. Unlike TK, I ordered a more female brew with my choice of Lost Coast Great White, which is a wheat beer with citrus flavors and aroma of fresh cut flowers, interestingly enough. It was crisp and since there were so many other beers to try, it was a great starter beer.

Then, in order to not get drunk in 10 minutes, we ordered the lobster, crab and artichoke dip. It was creamy with chunks of delicious lobster and crab in a cheesy dip that we sopped up with tortilla chips and bread. We were big fans of this salty, gooey starter. Along with the appetizer, TK ordered a chowder and I ordered a salad. My salad had corn and cheese in it, which was a welcome surprise and TK’s New England clam chowder was chunky, creamy and wonderful.

After another choice of beers where I got the Four Peaks Sunbru and TK got the Rogue Hazelnut Brown, we ordered our entrees. TK got the Parmesan Crusted Chicken, which he made sure to tell me was delicious and I got the Jerk Chicken with Shrimp Stack. My entree was swimming in tomatillo and chili sauces. The spice was a little too much for me. The shrimp was good but I ran out of steam quickly so I couldn’t finish the rest of my meal.

But, I had room for dessert, which I had to wait a little while for because our knowledgeable and friendly waiter, Dustin arranged for us to get a tour of the keg room by the manager, Matt. He was very accommodating and made sure we got the VIP treatment. He even asked if I had a sweater because he was worried the keg room would be too cold for me. Well, it was freezing but to be in the company of 150 full kegs of cold beer was well worth it. When we got back to the table, we chatted with Matt for a bit while I ate my mini chocolate souffle. The center of this cake was so moist and creamy, it was a great almost ending to our meal. I say almost because we ordered another round of beer. It was Pyramid Audacious Apricot for me and another Moose Drool for TK. I think this beer was my favorite of the night, so it was a good idea to end with it.

The customer service at this location was phenomenal from the host that suggested a beer to the waiter that was on top of everything to the manager that took time out of his evening to give us a free tour. Any time a Yard House is in close proximity, we will be heading back. There are more than 100 beers left to try…