Foodie Interest
Had a report from some friends who went to the recently opened Texas Road House. Not surprisingly, it included the phrase “we won’t be going back” and they will return to their normal haunt of the Outback for that kind of meal. Sometime we can have a discussion as to why the trinity of Red Robin, Olive Garden, and now TRH always has jammed parking lots. In the case of the TRH it’s probably because they are new, but no matter the others continue to pack ‘em in.. and gosh, just wait - we’re on tap for a Buffalo Wings and Beer…
Haven’t had a chance to (properly) pen this review, but recently I joined a couple of former colleagues for kind of a “catch up” lunch we do from time to time. Normally we go to St. James Pub, but on a whim we met this time at Tearrific Café in San Souci. I had not been there (kind of by choice), so this was a good excuse to try it. Brevity will prevent my normal penetrating, detailed, and knowledgeable critique, so I’ll be short(er). On the window was a notice that a sofa bed was for sale, inquire within. Hmmm… also a sign advertising they have Bubble Tea. Once inside there is nothing impressive, just a kind of warehouse like high ceilinged room with several tables, and a desk to your left. It’s one of those places that you look at the plastic encased menu, order what you will, and go sit down and wait for it. And since they feature Asian cuisine there is the usual bewildering amount of choices. So there you are, first time customer with hungry people behind you and you’re trying to figure out which of the 75 items you think you want. There is an “Asian” side with the usuals of General Tso Chicken, Hot and Spicy everything (beef, chicken, shrimp), or everything with broccoli, mushrooms, or mixed vegetables. The other side of the menu is for “noodles” wherein you choose your noodle and then what type of everything you want with it. Readers will be proud of me that I didn’t bail out with chicken (in all senses of the word) fried rice. Threw caution to the winds, ordered Udon Noodles (which I remembered from some review) and Teriyaki Chicken soup. Friends ordered beef and broccoli, and H&S Shrimp. Whew! Order placed and nice lady pointed out the water cooler (or you can have soda from a case) and the utensils (metal, thank God). Went and sat down. Cutting to the chase, the main dishes arrive on real china, but the soup sides come in Styrofoam cups. Soup in Styrofoam just doesn’t do it for me. And, not unexpectedly the people who bring the food have no idea who oredered what. Friends dishes were piles of stuff with a generous scoop of white rice. Mine arrived in a big bowl, with a brown broth hiding generous chicken slices (of boneless breast), the noodles, and something that looked like it grows in your yard. Kind of stalky with green leaves at the end. The slices of chicken were too large for one bite. Have you ever tried to cut chicken in a rounded bowl with nothing to resist the knife? Kind of awkward eating. The Noodles were fairly thick and round, maybe soda straw like in diameter. I really couldn’t discern much taste. Anyway, I had a good time hearing about what’s going on “at work”. Being retired sort of isolates you.
Oh, I don’t know what to think about Tearrific, by the high noon time all the tables were filled, so they do have their fans. I suppose it’s no better nor worse than the several other options around here for this cuisine. What I had that day didn’t generate a desire for another round. I can always chicken out and go for the fried rice.
After attending to Royal Matters (see below) we took the FOJTY’s over to The Ruddy Duck for a quick dinner. Happy to report it was good, and we were seated way in the back so the live music was not intrusive. And they were featuring jazz, so that helped. I had a very good dish of pork short ribs in a nice tangy mustard sauce. MFO had some tasty vodka sauced pasta and there were two Pizzas. Plus a couple of beers.
Foodie Finally, we took the “kids” out for Brunch yesterday at the Dry Dock, and met some other friends. Brunch at the Dry Dock has always been enjoyable in the past and this was the first time we’ve been back in years. The “Blue Loon” which I always liked was gone from the menu, but most of the old standbys are still there. Also there is the complimentary Mimosa or Champagne, and the usual view which is bright and fresh in the morning. The food was good as expected, but I have to comment on the service. Our particular server used the words “you guys” (three ladies, and three gentlemen at the table) about, oh, maybe one hundred times. And, after the initial complimentary drinks were consumed, there was a constant barrage of “You Guys doin’ okay for drinks?”. And toward the end after we decided we’d do a “table” slice of Key Lime pie (which was very good by the way), we got the feeling that we were being hustled to leave (and yes, I know it’s a business and they need to turn tables). Anything else for you guys? Okay, I’ll get you guys your check. Plop! I will report that your loyal food blogger keeps his eagle eye out, and this behavior was not evident from any of the other servers at other tables who were courteous and tended to business.
Event Interest
Saturday night, your loyal food blogger donned the regalia (didn’t use Clark Kent’s phone booth) and did his first public appearance of King Oyster at the Leonardtown Beach Party, which included the “Running of the Balls” fund raiser for our local Rotary Clubs. It’s kind of interesting to be in costume (goofy crown, funny staff, oyster knife around neck) and see how people react. Kids go wide eyed, others smile, others give you that “are you crazy?” look, and some cross to the other side of the street. But by and large people are interested and want to know about the Oyster Festival. Some even asked to get their picture taken with the King. Buoyed by (perceived) public acceptance I even stuck my royal nose in Quality Street, Fenwick used books, and even Café Des Artistes. Paybacks for Mountain Tendergroins are hell, Loic. Oh, and I did get captured on film next to the announcer for the Running, our Superintendant of Schools. Modesty (and embarrassment) forbid me to include it..
General Interest (from Sotterley Plantation)
and I won't even remind you to
DFD
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