Au Bon Pain (Orlando Airport, FL) – July 2014
I’d a
layover in the Orlando Airport, and there were few options for healthy food in
the terminal I was at. With short times
between flights, you want to be able to grab something which is both filling
and travels well (on the event that you need to take a portion with you). This was option which wasn’t bad.
With
any food vendor in an airport, the menu selection is limited. This had a lot of sandwich variations. I had a roast beef with an herb dressing on a
baguette. I wasn’t crazy about the taste
of the dressing, but I didn’t see anything wrong with it. I just didn’t think it paired well with the
meat. Having some cheese or some
vegetables on the sandwich would’ve made it more complete.
Overall,
this wasn’t too bad, and my hunger was satisfied. If in an area where a fun restaurant version
of this is available, I’ll try it out to get the full experience of what they
have to offer.
Green Acres Tavern (Routes
40 & 29, Greenwich, NY) – July 2014
I’d
just gotten off the plane in Albany and drove directly here in order to meet a
gathering of friends here. Due to the
lateness of the hour I called ahead to one of my friends to place a food order,
so it would be ready when I arrived.
When I got there, I learned the kitchen had forgotten about the
order. Inquiring when I could expect my
food, I was informed they’d just shut the grill down for the evening. There was no apology or no attempt to rectify
their mistake.
The
bar portion would still be open for another hour or so, thus I was able to have
a drink. It wasn’t even close to closing
when I’d finished half my drink and set it down in front of me to speak to my
friend next to me. In the moment I was
turned away, a server had come by and taken my glass, not even asking if I was
finished with it. Since it was right in
front of me and still half-full, it should’ve been clearly obvious I wasn’t.
A
friend at the other end of the table who now saw what had occurred inquired about
it, and was curtly told they needed to wash the glasses, yet didn’t pick up any
of the empty glasses in front of them.
Because
of the poor experience and complete apathetic service, this is a place I
wouldn’t recommend any one to go to.
Stewart’s Shops (Routes 40 &
197, Argyle, NY) – July 2014
While visiting the
area, I went to three different locations (Argyle, Hudson Falls, and West Glens
Falls) to get four milkshakes at various times (hit the Argyle locale
twice). One entry will cover all of these. Stewart’s is a regional chain of convenient
stores and gas stations in the area. As
they’re connected to a local diary, all locations have a section set aside for
patrons to get ice cream (whether cones, milkshakes, or make-your-own sundaes).
I like
milkshakes. At each place I visited, I
made sure to go in to have a peanut butter ice cream milkshake made fresh for
me. Every single one was a tasty treat.
The service at
Stewart’s was always friendly. There’s a
wide selection of everyday products available to stop in and grab, from milk
and bread, to beverages and other snack items.
Davidson Brothers (Glen
Street, Glens Falls, NY) – July 2014
I get
to visit the Glens Falls region once a year, and I make sure to stop into
Davidson’s because there’s always been great experiences. An old building on Glen Street was converted
into a restaurant and brewery years ago, and the business has thrived ever
since. Because there was an alleyway
between them and the adjacent building, Davidson’s was able to claim a portion
of this to make an outdoor patio area.
The
front of Davidson’s (which faces Glen Street) is where the beer brewing takes
place, and the glass windows allow those passing by to watch. Davidson’s recently opened a second location
to deal specifically with brewing, as the demand for their product was so high.
My
party was greeted with a smile by the hostess, who happily accommodated us by
adding more tables to us as additional member showed. Our server was Phil, and he did great filling
the orders of a bunch of rowdy forty-somethings. He checked on our status frequently, and make
sure everything we ordered came out to our liking.
As a
creature of habit, I have a particular meal combination which I get when I
visit. Even though Phil informed us the
menu had recently changed, I was still able to get my once-a-year treat. Starting off with an appetizer of Buffalo
Chips, it was followed by Black Forest sandwich as my main course, and then the
Tollhouse Pie as a decadent dessert.
Everything was delicious, and exactly how I wanted it to be.
During
my meal I sampled some of the available home-brews, including the fabulous
Brown Ale, the thick & stouty Cohan’s Porter, and crisp-tasting Amber Ale.
Davidson’s
is a local favorite here, so it should be high on your list to go. Even you’re visiting anywhere close to the
region, then I highly recommend you drive just a little further to the center
of Glens Falls to go to Davidson’s.
Trust me, it’s worth the drive.
Eveready Diner (Albany
Post Road, Hyde Park, NY) – July 2014
We
were directed here by a local tip, and what a great find it was. The parking was good, and the exterior looked
nice, but we were really blown away by the interior. Done in a classic 1950’s style dinner, the
inside was bright and airy, with lots of interesting things displayed to look
at. My Dad was captivated by the bust of
Marilyn Monroe which was on the wall next near us.
The
service was friendly, and we were greeted with a smile. We’d come in for lunch, and were able to be
seated quickly. Looking at the menu,
there was extensive options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and everything at
a reasonable price.
Our
order came out to us briskly, and the portions were large. I had a buffalo chicken wrap and a side of
macaroni salad, both of which were very good.
My parents enjoyed what they’d gotten.
The food was delicious and filling.
This was a great find for us just passing through, but I’m sure from the
quality here this place is frequented by the locals.
There
is another location of Eveready up near Rhinebeck. We did notice it, and were sadden to see that
it had recently suffered extensive fire damage.
We certainly hope the Rhinebeck location can soon be restored. Until then, make the drive down to the Hyde
Park locale.
Battenkill Creamery (County Route
30, Salem, NY) – July 2014
I’d been informed
how good the ice cream was here, so that was enough for me to make the drive
over. A working farm supplies the milk
here, and there’s a converted section of a barn which serves as the shop. It’s clean inside, and there’s no “farm
smell” present at all. While you can go
inside the shop, there’s also a window to the outside which you can walk up
to. Over a dozen flavors of ice cream
await, and I went for the peanut butter milkshake, which was very good.
A cooler on the
other side of the shop has take-home containers of ice cream, as well as milk
and other dairy products. There are
other locally-produced items for purchase there, like cheese from Argyle Cheese
Farmer, jams, and breads. I was told the
chocolate milk produced by Battenkill Creamery was very good, so I had to by
large bottle. It didn’t even last the
car ride back to Argyle as it was so rich, smooth, and delicious.
When you’re out in
Washington County, it’s worth drive over here.
Cooley’s Stone House
Tavern (Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY) – July 2014
We
were looking for a place to get a decent lunch, and we chose here. From the initial look we thought it might
just be a bar, but it turned out to have a limited lunch menu. In addition to grill items, there were
sandwiches available.
There’s
a dining room in the back, but we were sitting in the booth by the bar. There’s no free refill on the soft drinks, so
that’s just one thing to keep in mind, especially on the hot days where you’re
really thirsty. I ate the BBQ wings with
a side of fries, which were tasty and chased away my hunger.
It
rained for a bit when we were there, so we ended up staying there for just a
little longer until the sky cleared. Not
only was the service friendly, but there was a good atmosphere from the
regulars hanging at the bar. This is
primarily a bar, and food being a secondary item, but it was a nice place to
go.
Cooper’s Cave Ale
Company (Sagamore Street, Glens Falls, NY) – July 2014
I get
to visit the Glens Falls region once a year, and I always make sure I stop here
for lunch. The food is always good, and
the service has continuously been top-notch.
This needs to be on your “must go to” list when visiting the area, and
it’s worth the drive from farther distances.
This
was originally an empty warehouse next to a set of railroad tracks which went
through the city. The railroad tracks
were removed and then paved to make a hike & bike trail. The warehouse first was just a brewery were
you could get beer and soda samples, and bring some home in your own “growler”
bottles. Soon a window facing the trail
opened, and ice cream was severed from there.
Cooper’s
Cave continued to grow and expand their operations as the years went on. Eventually a full restaurant was added, and
then a patio facing the trail to accommodate more patrons. The patio is designed with roll-down plastic
sheeting and heat lamps to allow dining in the cooler months. The restaurant entrance is designed to look
like the cave the establishment is named after.
The
menu has an extensive selection of lunch and dinner items, as well as a
selection of their home-brewed beverages to go along with your meal. Many tempting desserts are available, or you
can step over to the trail area and get ice cream directly from the
window. Parking is extremely limited
next to Cooper’s Cave, so you might have to walk a few blocks to get there. It is worth it.
I had
the buffalo chicken wrap for lunch, and a glass of the amber ale. It was delivered promptly, hot and fresh, and
the server was very friendly. My meal
was delicious, and reminded me why this is the tasty treat I look forward to on
my yearly visit. While my server did
tempt with the dessert menu, I had my mind set on getting a milkshake and
sitting in the lounge chairs next to the trail in order to enjoy the cool
afternoon.
The
brewery section has a small gift shop where hats, shirts, and glassware can be
purchased. These make great souvenirs to
bring back, or to add to your collection.
If you’re a local resident, not only should you frequent the restaurant
and ice cream window, but get a growler (or two) so you can enjoy these
delicious beverages at home.
George & Son Diner
(Fairview Ave, Hudson, NY) – July 2014
We
found this place following a local tip, and it was a good find. This is tucked away at the far end of a strip
mall, and doesn’t look like much from the outside. The interior was simple, and uses the long
narrow space very well. The tables are
against one wall, while the kitchen area is along the other (a short wall
separates the food prep area from the dining area). While there’s a lot of Greek food, there were
other selections available. The buffalo
chicken wrap I had was very good. The
food came out prompt and fresh, and the service was nice.
In the
front by the entrance was a dessert case with a number of tempting items
available. One large pasty-looking item
was actually a variation of an apple pie which would be sliced in the same
manner as a cake. There’s plenty of
parking available, and the prices here were reasonable. This makes a good lunch destination, or a
good place for a young couple to meet.
Argyle Brewing Company
(Main Street, Greenwich, NY) – July 2014
Started
by a couple of Argyle residents, this establishment resides in Greenwich in
order to bypass the ordinances of not being able to sell alcohol in
Argyle. This is not a “brew pub” as
there is no food, this is a micro-brewery.
Six different brews are currently crafted here, and all can be taken
home in their marked growler bottles.
Standing
in the lobby, you can look through the glass walls to the rest of the building
where the beer making process takes place.
There are no tours back there, but the brew masters are more than happy
to explain the finer points of the process.
At
this point, Argyle Brewing Company doesn’t sell anything by the glassful (and
not sure if that is a future plan), but samples are available for tasting. I sampled four of the available
varieties. Altbier was a decent lager,
Oatmeal Stout was thick and heavy, and the Red Ale was very tasty. My favorite was the Brown Ale, which had the
right amount of “bite” to it so it was extremely pleasing.
Greenwich House of
Pizza (Route 29, Greenwich, NY) – July 2014
As a
quick and inexpensive dinner, we stopped here.
While the menu items included hot & cold sandwiches, Italian dinner
fare, and a selection of appetizers, we settled on a pizza to share. Because we couldn’t agree on what toppings,
as there were so many to choose from, we went with just extra cheese.
The
crust was thin, but not cardboard thin, and it had the correct amount of
chewiness. It was filling, but not
stuffing. All pizzas have a certain
amount of grease due to the way they’re made, and it was refreshing to have
something which had minimal grease.
This
has been in business for many years, and a local fixture. It’s good enough for light lunches, young
couples dating, or an evening out with the whole family.
Giovanni’s Pizza
(Kingsbury, NY) – July 2014
This
has been a fixture in the region for many years, and a great place for some
good food quick. This particular
establishment is the original, and they have locations in Glens Falls,
Saratoga, and other places. Delivery is
available from all locales, but this one has a decent-sized dining area.
Food
is made to order so it’s hot and fresh, and there are pizzas already made if
one wishes a quick slice. Because we
were here late in the evening, we opted for some slices of the BBQ chicken
pizza, with some jalapenos poppers as appetizer. Everything was tasty.
In
addition to pizza, some of the available menu items are hot & cold
sandwiches, wings, and Italian dinners.
Everything is inexpensive, so this is a good bet for young people having
an evening gathering, or for families seeking a place for dinner.
Rudy’s Country Store
& BBQ (IH-35, Round Rock, TX) – July 2014
My
friend was visiting the area for the first time, and she wanted to experience
some “genuine Texas barbecue,” so I took her here for lunch. There’s a number of Rudy’s locations in the
Austin metro-plex (and some beyond that), and many of them I’ve visited, so
knew the good quality which could be obtained here.
I
showed my friend the “country store” aspect (whatever you needed at the corner
store), and the long tables with gingham table clothes in the indoor dining
area, plus the patio section with long picnic tables. As we filtered through the queue, I explained
the posted menu, and pointed out the Cutter Cam.
Being
called up to the next available station to place an order, I’ve always been
greeted with a smile and friendly attitude, and this was no exception. I pointed out that my friend had never been
here before, so the server gave us the full experience. He grabbed samples of each of the top-selling
meats and most-popular sides for my friend to try, as well as explaining the
ordering process. It was all information
I knew, but the delivery of the information by the server enhanced the fun of
the experience.
The
moist brisket was what my friend wanted, and she rounded that out with some
cream corn. I got my usual turkey, and
side of potato salad. Everything
delicious, and the Rudy’s sauce made it even tastier. My friend was very impressed with the sensory
experience her taste buds had, and it lived up to her expectation.
Rudy’s
is a great destination for a hearty lunch or dinner, as well as a place to get
breakfast tacos on the way to work. The
prices are reasonable, and the quality is high, so it’s a great place to get
good food fast. Whether its friends
meeting for lunch, or you have a large family to feed, you’ll get good value
for your dollar here. One location is
pretty much like the other, so you’re going to get good service at no matter
which one you visit.
Chisholm Trail Crossing Park (Chisholm
Trail Road, Round Rock, TX) – July 2014
Located right of
Chisholm Trail Road, this park contains statues commemorating the pioneers who
traveled this area during the 19th Century cattle drives. Each statue has an informational plaque about
the history of the Chisholm Trail.
Brushy Creek
crosses to the north, and on the other side of the road is where you’ll find
the actual “round rock” the city is named after. This served as the marker for the pioneers,
as it a recognizable mark which allowed them to tell water depth (if it was
safe enough to cross). Even today the
water level can vary during different times of the year.
A few hundred feet
to the east are the marks made by the wagon trails going down the stream
bed. Because the wagons traveled a
consistent route, the continued motion of the wheels wore down the rocky bed to
create the ruts which are still visible today.
This is a
municipal park, so it can be visited at any time. Of course the best is during the early part
of day before it’s gotten too hot, so you can take some time to absorb the
history.
Mansfield Dam Park (Austin, TX) –
July 2014
At the turn of the
20th Century, Austin used to be subject to frequent floods, so a
series of dams were built to control the Colorado River, which created the
Highland Lakes. Mansfield Dam was the
largest of all these, and Lake Travis formed behind it. On the west side of the Dam is a small area
with views of the area downriver, as well as a municipal park that is open
during the daylight hours. There’s a $10
admission per carload to get into the park, which is where the boat launches
and picnic areas are. It also provides
the best views of Lake Travis.
Thanks to the
drought conditions the area has been under for the past few years, as well as
the new housing developments in the area, the water levels have been
significantly reduced (at least 30-40 feet below where they should be). This has created many new islands on Lake
Travis which weren’t previously there, and extended the shore lines. (To get an idea of that for those who weren’t
familiar with the area, I’ve attached some older pictures for comparison
purposes.)
When first
uncovered, these new islands were chalk white, but have slowly had grass,
shrubs, and other plants return to their surface. As far as the water level is concerned, you
can start to get an idea of the winding path the Colorado River before the dam
was constructed.
While I was here
this time to show my out-of-town guest the area, I also showed her pictures
from earlier years to get a perspective of how quickly the face of Lake Travis
has changed. Standing on the new shore,
we could look across at The Oasis and Steiner Ranch Steakhouse (both of which
will provide a different view of the lake due to their elevation). Also viewable is the wide beach area of
Hippie Hollow (which is a clothing-optional location).
The small area at
the top of Mansfield Dam is where you can clearly see how previously Route 620
went across here, before being diverted to how the road is now. That section is free to stop and park.
Carabarra’s Italian
Grill (Route 183, Austin, TX) – July 2014
This
is one of the best places where I’ve ever had Italian food (counting both
national chains and local establishments).
My (now ex-)wife and I would go here every year for our anniversary dinner,
because we knew we’d get friendly service and excellent food. We never had a bad experience here. Carabarra’s is a casual location so it’s
perfect for an evening family meal, as well as couples dressing a little nicer
to have a more elegant date night.
Because there’s carpet and lots of other soft surfaces, the noise level
is low so quite conversation is possible.
When
my friend came in from out of town, this was the best place to treat her to for
her birthday dinner. We started with an
appetizer of zucchini sliced like fries, which was very tasty. My friend the special which paired lasagna
and grilled chicken together, which she enjoyed, although her side of spinach
had way too much garlic for her taste. I
got my beloved chicken parm dish, with some minestrone soup.
The
menu items are varied, so you can find something you like for just about every
Italian food taste. The portions are
large, and extremely filling, so we ended up getting take-home boxes. There’s also a list of decadent desserts
(which we didn’t have room for this time), but I’ve had in the past so I know
how good they are.
Shogun Japanese
Restaurant (Stone Hill Center, Pflugerville, TX) – August 2014
A
recommendation of a friend brought me here for the first time, and it ended up
being a good tip. It was a Friday evening
when we arrived for dinner, and we able to get seated quickly out on the
patio. It wasn’t covered, but since it
was a cool night with a nice breeze, it was comfortable being there.
The
menu’s had an extensive listing of various types of sushi and shashime, as well
many other types of dishes. My friends
order the California Rolls. I ordered
Chicken Yakitori, which was breast meat on a skewer, covered in a teriyaki-like
sauce with sesame seeds. It was very
tasty, although it was difficult in separating the meat from the stick. At one point, I’d applied so much force that
the piece of chicken went flying off the stick, which left a brown sauce mark
where it bounced across the table. Our
server was Christina, and I’m sure she was quite amused by that. I know I was.
There’s
a lot of different menu choices here, so this is a place I expect to return
to. The prices were reasonable, and good
for a family evening out and couple looking for a light meal before heading out
to the movies. Being located in a large
shopping complex, there’s lots of parking available. This is also open for lunch.
Maudie’s Milagro
(Davenport Village, Route 360, Austin, TX) – August 2014
This
is located out in Davenport Village, west of Austin on 360, and it is *so*
worth the drive. Maudie’s is my favorite
Tex-Mex place in Austin, and this is my favorite location. Because it’s a little farther out than the
other locales, this one has been a “special place” for me, as I’d only go there
my birthday dinner. The food here is the
exact same quality as any other Maudie’s, but the location with its outdoor
seating and nice view is part of what makes it special to me.
I’ve
always had superb service and excellent food at this location too. I make a point of letting my servers know
that. As this was a treat for me, I went
for what I considered my comfort food:
Josie’s Enchiladas. These are
cheese enchiladas covered in queso. What
more cheese heaven can you get? I always
sack the beans for extra rice, as the rice mixes well with the remaining cheese
once the enchiladas have been consumed.
My friend got the beef fajitas, which smelled excellent when they were
delivered.
Maudie’s
has an extensive list of menu items, from different types of enchiladas, to
fajitas and a plethora of Tex-Mex dishes.
I freely admit I haven’t tried them all, but there’s something from
every taste. The interior of the 360
location has a lot of earth-tones (browns and such), which make the atmosphere
very calming. As the dining area faces
west, this also keeps the area in more subtle light, enhancing the romantic and
relaxing feel.
The
covered patio area is open to the outside, which a nice view of the Texas Hill
Country. Shades are pulled down in the
later part of the day in order to block the hot glare of the sun, but to keep
the view visible. This also has the
added bonus of keeping the interior portions of the restaurant cooler.
Not
only is this a good destination for a casual lunch with the family, and a
romantic evening out, this also is a place to stop off to avoid the rush hour
traffic on 360 to get a relaxing drink or quick snack.
Poke-E-Jo’s BBQ (IH-35
& 79, Round Rock, TX) – August 2014
There
are many places in Round Rock to get BBQ, and this is one of my regular destinations. Part of a regional chain, this particular
located can be found in a strip center off of IH-35, so there’s a lot of
available parking. The interior is done
in hard wood (walls and floors), and the furniture is plain but simple. There’s a section in the front, separated by
some partitions, which serves as a perfect location for large parties or
evening Meet-Up groups.
Food
is obtained cafeteria-style, as you slide your tray down the shelf. The meat is sliced right there in front of
you (to ensure freshness and accuracy of your order. The employees scoop your chosen sides on to
your plate. I’ve found the service
always to be friendly, and everything done with a smile. I know what I want, but I have observed if
others had questions, the employees were more than happy to answer them.
The
prices are reasonable, and this is definitely a place to satisfy your
inner-carnivore. I got the turkey plate,
which was a half-pound of moist deliciousness.
The sides of corn-bread stuffing and mashed potatoes covered in melted
cheese, plus a piece of Texas toast and a drink, completed my dinner. Every bite was tasty, and the meal was
filling without making me stuff.
Besides
turkey there’s beef brisket, pork ribs, sausage, and chicken breasts
available. As each of the dinner plates
come with two sides, there’s over a dozen to choose from (including mac &
cheese, and green bean casserole, besides what I mentioned above). While I haven’t gotten any, some desert
options like banana pudding can be obtained too.
Outback (IH-35, Round
Rock, TX) – August 2014
This
has always been a decent destination for good food, and I’ve been going to this
place now and then for a few years now.
Being a national chain, the food you get at one location is going to be
pretty much just like any other location, but the service can vary from place
to place. I’ve always had decent server
here, and on the few times there was a mistake it was quickly corrected. That goes a long way towards my continued
patronage.
I
usually get the Alice Springs Chicken, which is a nice breast layered in BBQ
sauce, or the prime rib done medium rare.
Tonight was in the mood for lighter fare, and went for a bowl of chicken
tortilla soup. It was tasty, and was a
nice change of pace. I washed that down
with an Aussie Rum Punch. As a
connoisseur of Caribbean rum punches, I needed to do a taste comparison. The Aussie Rum Punch wasn’t as “thick and
pulpy” as what’s made in the Caribbean, but the cranberry-heavy flavor made it
tasty alternative.
Surprisingly
for a Friday evening at dinner time this place was far emptier than I
expected. We were able to be seated
immediately, and service was quick and attentive.
Pluckers (183 &
Burnet, Austin, TX) – August 2014
One
good review of this place deserves another, as I had another visit with
excellent service! Surprisingly not
crowded on a Saturday afternoon, it was great to meet my friends here and be
able to have normal conversation. Many
times on the weekend it tends to be a bit noisy (usually due to enthusiastic
reactions from sports fans), but I never found it to be a problem.
This
locale is my favorite of all the Pluckers location in Austin, as it was the
first one I visited many years ago. The
continued good service on every visit has kept me coming back. On this visit, we were seated immediately,
and our order was quickly filled.
Everything was correct when it came out, and our server kept coming by
at regular times to see if we needed refills or any additional items.
One
thing I noticed on this visit was some quick action by other employees. When a server spilled some drinks near the
bar, which caused ice cubes and liquid to cover that section of the floor,
other employees made sure customers didn’t walk through the section. This allowed for a quick clean-up, and kept
any accidents from happening. You can
gauge how your service is at a place, but another way is to see how a place
reacts when something goes wrong. The
prompt resolution of this spill was an example of the prompt resolution you’ll
get on those rare occasions your order isn’t right. That’s another reason why this place is so
awesome.
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