Well its December 21, 2012 and so far, no zombies, meteors, random fires, black holes, etc. Just a swarm of frozen H2O flakes falling from the sky. After being attacked by future snowman particles I've settled in to the nice, warm in doors. Christmas is fast approaching and I am sure about half of you have put off all the shopping, hoping the Mayans were right. Now that you are still alive, a scramble like none other before is the order of the day. Just three more days until the children of this country are doused in more toys than they need, blood sugar is raised by the hundreds of chocolate consumed and at least one person gets that ugly sweater from the one family member who just doesn't get it.
The hubs and I are spending Christmas Eve and the beginning of the day with his parents and family, then back up to my family. We have a tradition where we are allowed to open one present Christmas eve night, as a sort of teaser gift. Watching every Christmas movie known to man kind and drinking gallons of hot chocolate is how the few days before the holiday is spent.
Now, what are your traditions? Do you even have a tree? How do you decorate it? What is Christmas dinner like? Do you have to deal with family members who don't know what privacy, volume or deodorant is? Share your holiday stories and traditions below.
Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and may Kwanzaa be a good time of year for you.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Old Fashioned Christmas, London Ohio
After trudging through miles of cold, I am now toasty warm, back inside. The Old Fashioned Christmas was not what I expected it to be. There was a hay/carriage ride, some carolers, and hot chocolate or popcorn for a price or donation. It was very sparse in comparison to the last one I attended. It did leave me disappointed and wishing there had been more activity.
There was delicious hot chocolate, cookies, coffee and Belgian waffles provided by the London Coffee Peddler, or at least Mike, for the Trails of Madison County (I don't know their real name). The hot chocolate had some sort of spice in it which I am thinking is cardamom. It made it pleasantly delicious. The Belgian waffles had a light citrus flavor and made me regret getting the cookie instead.
There wasn't much of anything to look at or participate in. If you wanted to stand around for 45 minutes you could jump in a vessel drawn by horses to the other side of Main Street. But who has that kind of time while freezing your toes off. I did receive a free roll of wrapping paper, which are covering many gifts at the moment. There was pictures with Santa, for $5 and the shops stayed open a little later than usual.
All in all, it was just like a consumer's commercial all night. "Come in here and buy something" is really what it should be named. The last time I attended, there was free hot chocolate and at least 6 groups of carolers, a walking Santa, candy, cookies and all sorts of things. Now its just like a Christmas advertisement.
There was delicious hot chocolate, cookies, coffee and Belgian waffles provided by the London Coffee Peddler, or at least Mike, for the Trails of Madison County (I don't know their real name). The hot chocolate had some sort of spice in it which I am thinking is cardamom. It made it pleasantly delicious. The Belgian waffles had a light citrus flavor and made me regret getting the cookie instead.
There wasn't much of anything to look at or participate in. If you wanted to stand around for 45 minutes you could jump in a vessel drawn by horses to the other side of Main Street. But who has that kind of time while freezing your toes off. I did receive a free roll of wrapping paper, which are covering many gifts at the moment. There was pictures with Santa, for $5 and the shops stayed open a little later than usual.
All in all, it was just like a consumer's commercial all night. "Come in here and buy something" is really what it should be named. The last time I attended, there was free hot chocolate and at least 6 groups of carolers, a walking Santa, candy, cookies and all sorts of things. Now its just like a Christmas advertisement.
Rothwell's, London Ohio
After mixed reviews of this place from people around town, I decided to take my mother and try this place tonight. I heard it was rather pricey, especially for the area. Researching the menu online, it was no more expensive than Red Lobster or Ruby Tuesdays.
Upon entering, I was rather confused if the woman by the door was the hostess or a customer waiting on someone. (Seeing as how there was no hostess stand and she was wearing a jacket) The hostess stand is a wall table, by the men's restroom. We walked along a high wall to the main dining area. The bar is mostly closed off, which gives the impression of seclusion from the rest of the dining room. The tables are covered with white linen and....butcher paper. I see the idea for this, not having to spend so much money on the cleaning service, but I don't know if this works for the classy feeling they are trying to project. I had the impression that they are going for five star family restaurant, which is incohesive combined.
The menu had a wide variety of items, a long way from the eight they first started with, said one customer. The server did, what I always believe is the ultimate sin for a sever. While standing there, waiting for us to order, mom was making last minute decisions and she said that she could come back because she has another table she needs to get drinks for. As soon as I heard that, I didn't like her. That is one of the worst things to say to a customer. "Its ok, I have more important people than you to take care of" is always what goes through my head whenever a server mentions they have other people waiting for them.
I was really offended that our less than patient server gave us burnt cornbread. Yes, burnt. The bottoms were almost completely black. Of course this made it completely dry as well. It was extremely yellow and at first I thought it was some kind of lemon cake. I don't care who you are, how lazy you are, or ineptly ridiculous you might be, never, ever, ever serve anything burnt, especially to me.
We both got the daily special: pulled pork on texas toast with red skin mashed potatoes and onion rings. The pork was unbelievably salty. It tasted like it sat in cooking liquid for hours while it reduced into a salt lick. I had to stop eating it because it was hurting my mouth having that much sodium and the flavorful gravy just made it worse. It made the texas toast extremely soggy. The potatoes were rich and delightful. The small amount of gravy on them gave them a little boost of flavor. The onion rings tasted beer battered and were crispy and light. I am still debating on weather of not they are homemade or frozen. For dessert I got the chocolate lava cake a la mode. Now I don't believe these people know what a lava cake really is. When you cut into it, its supposed to be flowy, gooey, oozy. But instead, there was just melted little pieces of chocolate and it was too moist to hold up the ice cream and started to collapse and get soggy. It needed to be much denser.
The staff acted really odd in general. It was like a bunch of little school kids afraid to come over and just kept pushing each other saying "You go!". They were aloof and stayed in the kitchen as much as possible. I know the place I work, all the servers are always talking to everyone. Each other, customers, even themselves (haha) but these acted robotic.
Overall I give them 3 stars. I wouldn't really want to go back unless maybe someone else was paying for it.
Upon entering, I was rather confused if the woman by the door was the hostess or a customer waiting on someone. (Seeing as how there was no hostess stand and she was wearing a jacket) The hostess stand is a wall table, by the men's restroom. We walked along a high wall to the main dining area. The bar is mostly closed off, which gives the impression of seclusion from the rest of the dining room. The tables are covered with white linen and....butcher paper. I see the idea for this, not having to spend so much money on the cleaning service, but I don't know if this works for the classy feeling they are trying to project. I had the impression that they are going for five star family restaurant, which is incohesive combined.
The menu had a wide variety of items, a long way from the eight they first started with, said one customer. The server did, what I always believe is the ultimate sin for a sever. While standing there, waiting for us to order, mom was making last minute decisions and she said that she could come back because she has another table she needs to get drinks for. As soon as I heard that, I didn't like her. That is one of the worst things to say to a customer. "Its ok, I have more important people than you to take care of" is always what goes through my head whenever a server mentions they have other people waiting for them.
I was really offended that our less than patient server gave us burnt cornbread. Yes, burnt. The bottoms were almost completely black. Of course this made it completely dry as well. It was extremely yellow and at first I thought it was some kind of lemon cake. I don't care who you are, how lazy you are, or ineptly ridiculous you might be, never, ever, ever serve anything burnt, especially to me.
We both got the daily special: pulled pork on texas toast with red skin mashed potatoes and onion rings. The pork was unbelievably salty. It tasted like it sat in cooking liquid for hours while it reduced into a salt lick. I had to stop eating it because it was hurting my mouth having that much sodium and the flavorful gravy just made it worse. It made the texas toast extremely soggy. The potatoes were rich and delightful. The small amount of gravy on them gave them a little boost of flavor. The onion rings tasted beer battered and were crispy and light. I am still debating on weather of not they are homemade or frozen. For dessert I got the chocolate lava cake a la mode. Now I don't believe these people know what a lava cake really is. When you cut into it, its supposed to be flowy, gooey, oozy. But instead, there was just melted little pieces of chocolate and it was too moist to hold up the ice cream and started to collapse and get soggy. It needed to be much denser.
The staff acted really odd in general. It was like a bunch of little school kids afraid to come over and just kept pushing each other saying "You go!". They were aloof and stayed in the kitchen as much as possible. I know the place I work, all the servers are always talking to everyone. Each other, customers, even themselves (haha) but these acted robotic.
Overall I give them 3 stars. I wouldn't really want to go back unless maybe someone else was paying for it.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thanksgiving Overload
As Thanksgiving comes to a screeching halt and the ever lingering drive to purchase more merchandise in the month of December than in the entire year becomes more apparent, everyone feels Christmas fast approaching. Though I have not been able to do many reviews, I am diligently searching for the "diamond in the rough". Unfortunately, my favorite coffee shop is temporarily closed pending relocation. Thus begins the quest for the "back up".
Although I am doing my best to stick with restaurants, mainly non-commercially owned and operated, I am eagerly waiting the major highlight of these cold months: Old Fashioned Christmas. I have heard it has changed since my last visit, but am looking forward to it nonetheless. I will be reviewing the different spectacles throughout the night and hopefully will post pictures of the event. If it is a disappointment, you will hear about it. It is promised to have food provided by the shops, activities and horses pulling some kind of apparatus.
Anticipating being bundled up and doused in hot cocoa, this girl is excited to relive the night for my readers. (however few and far between you might be) More reviews are to come as the remainder of the year treads onward. I hope you all had a happy thanksgiving.
Mini Chef
Although I am doing my best to stick with restaurants, mainly non-commercially owned and operated, I am eagerly waiting the major highlight of these cold months: Old Fashioned Christmas. I have heard it has changed since my last visit, but am looking forward to it nonetheless. I will be reviewing the different spectacles throughout the night and hopefully will post pictures of the event. If it is a disappointment, you will hear about it. It is promised to have food provided by the shops, activities and horses pulling some kind of apparatus.
Anticipating being bundled up and doused in hot cocoa, this girl is excited to relive the night for my readers. (however few and far between you might be) More reviews are to come as the remainder of the year treads onward. I hope you all had a happy thanksgiving.
Mini Chef
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
London Coffee Peddler, London Ohio Update
I figured I would do an updated review on the London Coffee Peddler because of the seasonal menu. Mike puts out seasonal menus for beverages and, let me tell you, the chai menu is nothing short of amazing. I am very weary about chai at places because I have experienced people who had no idea what this beverage entails. Either watered down, overpowering, or just plain disgusting has always been my experience.
I ordered a caramel and vanilla chai to test out the new-ish menu. It was amazing. The spices were not overpowering, the caramel and vanilla were more than just subtle hints of flavor. It was the first chai I have actually liked that I didn't make myself. I am excited to try more of the seasonal beverages.
Now this places is not just amazing coffee and chai. Mike provides customers with soup of the day, sandwiches, oatmeals, cookies, muffins, danishes and a lot more. This is one place I HIGHLY recommend people trying. It is on high street next to Subway, across from O'Conner's. And yes, that was a plug.
I ordered a caramel and vanilla chai to test out the new-ish menu. It was amazing. The spices were not overpowering, the caramel and vanilla were more than just subtle hints of flavor. It was the first chai I have actually liked that I didn't make myself. I am excited to try more of the seasonal beverages.
Now this places is not just amazing coffee and chai. Mike provides customers with soup of the day, sandwiches, oatmeals, cookies, muffins, danishes and a lot more. This is one place I HIGHLY recommend people trying. It is on high street next to Subway, across from O'Conner's. And yes, that was a plug.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
New List
Since I am living closer to Columbus now, I will be starting a new list. So comment below to tell me where to go!
Red Brick Tavern - Anonymous
Red Brick Tavern - Anonymous
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
China Panda, Athens Ohio
This place was such a disappointment that I am not even going to bother with describing to food, service nor the decor or staff. The hubs was very excited to take me here, having gone with friends and knowing my endless love of Chinese cuisine. I was anxious to go and finally, tonight, we got the chance. I was wanting to try something new and different, but the first plate we received was the downfall of this ''restaurant''.
Now, I have been toned down when it comes to my disappoint and disgust with the places I review. I have been told I have high standards, can be impossible to please and in a way am ''snobbish'' toward some things. I have been working on having an opened mind but not even the most nonjudgemental person could look past not one, but two insects in a dish.
That is right. After consuming just one beef roll filled with green onion, I made the sickening discovery that there were two, what looked like young cockroaches in the sauce. I was repulsed and immediately stopped eating. The hubs, wanting to give this place a second chance, convinced me to stay and at least finish the dinner. Reluctantly I waited to my entree.
I ordered crispy duck. This sealed any doubts I may have had about not coming back here again. They deep fried the duck and served it hacked into bits with the bones still intact. There was no sauce nor appeared to be any seasoning on it and it was served with plain rice. I was greatly offended at the lack of care this place had.
Now I have been to places that made me wait 45 minutes for microwaved food that had hair in it, places that refused to serve me because I was not a local and even a place that got everything I ordered wrong. But this, this topped them all. The dish was taken off the bill but nothing will take away the disappointment and disgust of this meal. I will not be giving this place a second chance and am strongly advising any and all persons who planned to or do frequent this establishment to cease their patronage.
As for a rating, I give it -5 stars. Seeing as how 5 star is the highest rating I give on my blogs, a negative 5 is the worst rating you can get. I don't appreciate being served bugs and leaving a restaurant queasy. My stomach hasn't settled in the past 3.5 hours since I ate there.
Now, I have been toned down when it comes to my disappoint and disgust with the places I review. I have been told I have high standards, can be impossible to please and in a way am ''snobbish'' toward some things. I have been working on having an opened mind but not even the most nonjudgemental person could look past not one, but two insects in a dish.
That is right. After consuming just one beef roll filled with green onion, I made the sickening discovery that there were two, what looked like young cockroaches in the sauce. I was repulsed and immediately stopped eating. The hubs, wanting to give this place a second chance, convinced me to stay and at least finish the dinner. Reluctantly I waited to my entree.
I ordered crispy duck. This sealed any doubts I may have had about not coming back here again. They deep fried the duck and served it hacked into bits with the bones still intact. There was no sauce nor appeared to be any seasoning on it and it was served with plain rice. I was greatly offended at the lack of care this place had.
Now I have been to places that made me wait 45 minutes for microwaved food that had hair in it, places that refused to serve me because I was not a local and even a place that got everything I ordered wrong. But this, this topped them all. The dish was taken off the bill but nothing will take away the disappointment and disgust of this meal. I will not be giving this place a second chance and am strongly advising any and all persons who planned to or do frequent this establishment to cease their patronage.
As for a rating, I give it -5 stars. Seeing as how 5 star is the highest rating I give on my blogs, a negative 5 is the worst rating you can get. I don't appreciate being served bugs and leaving a restaurant queasy. My stomach hasn't settled in the past 3.5 hours since I ate there.
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