Thursday, December 31, 2009
REVIEW: Checker's Diner
Because I'm a viejito and not going out tonight, we stop @ Checker's Diner on Nacogdoches Road for supper. I have the chicken livers: they were dry. The gravy had a nice homemade taste but still did not liven up my dry, dry chicken livers. My sides of cabbage and yams were adequate. My cabbage had way too much tomato product and why did I order yams? Cornbread was also dry. Guessing this place was having a moisture problem tonight. Got a vanilla shake to-go. It was the best part of my meal. Fresh and tasty. Asked for a doggie bag since the Chow Chows would not appreciate protein going to waste. Our ever helpful waitress drew a picture of a doggie right on the box. Cute. 2.9 Stars out of 5.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
REVIEW: Hung Fung Restaurant
As my #kitchenremodel continues and I yet to break-in the new range, headed on over to Hung Fung Chinese Restaurant on Broadway for supper tonight. Had not been to this restaurant in years but in honor of my Jewish friend, ate here tonight. I will not return in a great many years to come. Started out with the won ton soup. What was that green stuff floating in my bland soup?For the main course had the Happy Family. The sauce was tasty but the shrimp had a soapy taste. The chicken was adequate and the beef was dry. The vegetables appeared to be still frozen in spots. Needless to say I have had better Chinese food at Pei Wei and I hate Pei Wei.Well at least we felt safe as we ate for a group of San Antonio Police SWAT dudes were eating at the table over from us. Notice the bullet proof vest protruding from the uniform of the one cop. 1.5 Stars out of 5PS: Waiter was quick and attentive and I guess I am as they say in AVENUE Q a little bit racist because I anticipated that this Asian dude would speak with an Asian accent and not a southside of San Antonio accent. Confused the heck out of me.
REVIEW: It's Complicated
So it was a two movie; two theater kind of day. First went to Sherlock Holmes documented here and then dragged to another theater across town to see "It's Complicated". First of all I thought it would be the AARP crowd in the audience for this movie, after all, Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin are all pushing retirement age. I was wrong. It was a mixed crowd and like Sherlock Holmes earlier in the day, was a sell-out. Even though I will forget this movie by next week, this movie had so many laugh-out-loud moments that it was easy to miss part of the dialogue. Seriously, there were so many side-splitting scenes that I didn't have a chance to take a nap like I had planned. John Krasinski of The Office fame, was an integral part of the success of this movie. He had several scene stealing moments and definitely has a movie career when The Office is long over. So if you just want to laugh-out-loud and have taken your geritol for the day, head on over to "It's Complicated". It will make you laugh and help you forget you now have to pay your VISA bill after buying all those Xmas gifts. 3 Stars out of 5PS: Alec Baldwin gets NEKKID in the movie. PPS: ...but it's a body double when it comes to the butt shot.PPPS: Watching people your parents age getting high is funny. PPPPS: The oldest son from WEEDS is the youngest son in this movie. Notice the tie-in to PPPS?PPPPPS: Steve Martin was WAY under-utilized in this flick. http://www.fancast.com/movies/Its-Complicated/151921/1219632029/Its-Complicated%3A-Trailer-1/videos
REVIEW: Sherlock Holmes
Even with having to sit on the front row and crane my neck upwards the 2 stories to see the screen, Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, was a very entertaining flick. We thought we got to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Park North in plenty of time to find decent seats but when we entered the actual theater it was already packed with moviegoers. People were not in a very holiday spirit mood as no one was accommodating in moving down a seat so we could have seats together. We had to sit on the front row and believe me, that will be the last time I do so even though a pitcher of Blue Moon beer and the "Italian Job" pizza made it a bit more bearable. I love how Director Guy Ritchie used the very Holmesian power of deduction throughout the movie. Holmes would analyze a fist fight for example, blow by blow, then execute it flawlessly all in the matter of a few seconds. The bromance between Holmes and Watson was a good call in the casting department. As partners in crime(fighting) they made a most excellent team.The plot was a bit contrived (save the world) but all in all this movie was a good exercise in holiday fun. You should see it, but not while seating in the front row. My neck will take days to recover from that experience. 3.6 Stars our of 5PS: Oh yeah---there will be another Franchise for Downey after this flick. PPS: I need to borrow Downey's personal trainer. Dude was ripped. PPPS: Rachel McAdams was very capable as the former lover of Holmes. PPPPS: The Villain, Mark Strong, utterly forgettable.PPPPPS: Kept thinking this movie was really made for Jason Statham with all the action and adventure. Maybe he turned it down?
Friday, December 18, 2009
Overheard on Facebook
I love my comfy sweater, I love my comfy sweater. How cute are these boots? How cute are these boots? (And by 'comfy,' I mean 'tasty.' And by 'sweater,' I mean 'cheeseburger.' And by 'are these boots,' I mean my 'is my face.')
Ha Ha Ho Ho----so funny!!!Thursday, December 17, 2009
SPECIAL GUEST REVIEW: Pho VN Bistro
I like to think I played a part, somehow, on where my good friend Shiloh @mytwinsnme ate tonight. I have been on quite the Pho kick here of late because of the cold weather.
What follows is her review of Pho VN Bistro on Bandera Road. I hear it's in a gas station? If it weren't on the other side of town I would try it myself tomorrow but kitchen remodel awaits me. ---> "It was awesome!! Boys cleared their bowls!! Definitely gonna have to go back!! I can't wait for my leftovers tomorrow!!" <---Thanks Shiloh.INSTANT REVIEW: McDonald's hot chocolate.
Super da better than Starbucks & cheaper too!
Sent from my iPhone
Michael Saiz
REVIEW: Springhill Suites by Marriott, Flagstaff
Who knew there was a jewel in the middle of nowhere Arizona? OK---in the middle of Flagstaff, AZ? Was in Flagstaff for the recent Doctoral graduation of my brother @TMarkM documented here. When we were in Flagstaff in May for his Faux Graduation we stayed at Little America Flagstaff but wanted to stay somewhere that was not right out of 1963. As always I wait till last minute to find a hotel but that didn't seem to matter as Winter graduations are not as busy as Spring graduations. I wanted to stay somewhere new. Found out this place was recently modeled and I was sold. The joint was completely modern and comfortable and rate appropriate too. Free Wifi. Free breakfast buffett. I recommend this place anytime you might be in Flagstaff. It was convenient to everywhere we needed to be. OK, everything is real accessible in a small city like Flagstaff but this hotel right off the freeway made it seem even more so accessible. Only complaint? Forgot to bring my trunks for the indoor heated pool and you can't find swimming trunks at stores in the middle of December in Flagstaff. 4.4 Stars out of 5
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
SNOWMAN HUMOR ((NOGALLERY))
Couldn’t find these on these all on the web together but thanx to Shiloh, here they are for your enjoyment.
Monday, December 14, 2009
INSTANT REVIEW: Magnolia Pancake Haus
Super da over-rated. 2.2 Stars out of 5
Sent from my iPhone
Michael Saiz
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Thoughts, Reflections and Pictures of Dr. T. Mark Montoya (or) Mark's life as a professional student finally comes to an end. #NAU #FLG @TMarkM
Pix are here.
You can see the commencement here if you like. Mark gets his name called at 95.38. http://extended.nau.edu/TVS/commencement/index.aspx?playVideo=%2fcommencement%2f2009-12-11+1.Morning_300kbps.flv My brother Mark has worked hard for many years to get to this point of his life. He is the first Montoya and the first Saiz in our family to get a doctorate. It has been an incredibly difficult goal to attain. We are all incredibly proud of Mark and wish him only further success in his career. Now a bit of advice: move to a real town with an International Airport so we can see each other more often. Seriously, consider a city with a moderate clime too. PS: Love you Mark.
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