INSTANT REVIEW: my own Caldo de Res with Cornbread

My Caldo de Res is super da bueno!!!  Cornbread makes for a most excellent sopping up bread.  I highly recommend it.

4.5 Stars out of 5.

PS:  Tomorrow my first batch of Pozole for the season.  Cold weather brings out the soup in me.

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INSTANT REVIEW: IKEA cinnamon roll

Cinnamon roll is super da dry.

We missed the free breakfast by five minutes. Boo!

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Michael Saiz

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REVIEW: Outback Steakhouse in the Forum

I already forget where it was we were headed but we ended up at Outback Steakhouse tonight.

You can't go wrong w/ Blue Moon Beer.  Love their giant mug.

Appetizer, the bloomin' onion, already documented here in my first Instant Review:  greazzzy.

House Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing: very tasty and fresh.

Medium Rib-eye Steak:  too well marbled.  Big glob of fat dead center of the steak made it instantly, almost, unappetizing.  When I dug around the fat I was happy with the actual taste of the steak.  Juicy and full of flavor.

Balloon Man, I guess his name was probably Bruce, was fluent in Spanish and rattled off the list of objects and animals he could create.  He was telling all of this to the three year old across the aisle and not to me.  Boo---I wanted to see if he could make a Chow Chow balloon doggy dog?

2.5 Stars out of 5

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INSTANT REVIEW: Outback Steakhouse

'bloomin onion is super da greazzzy

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Michael Saiz

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REVIEW: FORD Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony

Pix are here.

I was trying to think why I had never been to the Holiday River Parade in all my 15 years of living in San Antonio and then it dawned on me:  I am always away during the Thanksgiving Weekend.  Not away this weekend because I will see my mom and my bro on December 11th when he graduates with his PHD. Congratulate him why don't ya?  @TMarkM

They are selling tix for the parade but since these are desperate times, we opt for the part of the river where seating is free.  This part of the river only has a couple of the river trees lit up but hey, it is free and we camp out on a bench and have a pretty good view.

So it's super cold.  Well, it's cold for San Antonians so I dig out gloves and a wool cap.  My bald head gets cold easily. 

The parade was cool and all.  Got to see local fave @TheCletoShow as he was Grand Marshall.

Honestly?  I will probably skip this parade next year if I am in town.  I'll opt instead for the Fiesta Night parade in spring weather and not this parade in colder weather.

3.14 Stars out of 5

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REVIEW: Ilsong Garden ---now with pix---dammit Posterous

I asked for Barley Water not Budweiser.  No matter, could not convince the waiter otherwise and drank the Budweiser he brought me anyway.

I saw that this place off of 410 and Blanco was Zagat rated so I had to give it a try since I heart Korean food.  I think it's all the little side dishes they bring you.

Had the Beef Bulgogi. It's not the best I've ever had but it was pretty good. 

Side of Kim Chi was just OK but the potato thingy was really good.

I would recommend this place and will definitely try it out again soon.

Note to self:  must learn how to say Barley Water in Korean.

PS:  next time add sushi combo to your order.  Everyone else was doing it and it looked pretty good.

4.1 Stars out of 5

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REVIEW: Ilsong Garden

I asked for Barley Water not Budweiser.  No matter, could not convince the waiter otherwise and drank the Budweiser he brought me anyway.

I saw that this place off of 410 and Blanco was Zagat rated so I had to give it a try since I heart Korean food.  I think it's all the little side dishes they bring you.

Had the Beef Bulgogi. It's not the best I've ever had but it was pretty good. 

Side of Kim Chi was just OK but the potato thingy was really good.

I would recommend this place and will definitely try it out again soon.

Note to self:  must learn how to say Barley Water in Korean.

PS:  next time add sushi combo to your order.  Everyone else was doing it and it looked pretty good.

4.1 Stars out of 5

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REVIEW: My Own New Mexico Style Stacked Enchiladas

In order to expand my stomach for tomorrow's gorge fest, tonight I feast on a steamin' greasy plate of enchiladas. 

With New Mexico red chile sauce; big chunks of chuck hamburger meat and a trio of assorted shredded cheese all stacked (estilo Nuevo Mexicano) on corn tortillas, this meal tonight served it's purpose.  Side splitting good.

With a side of jalapeno tamales from Delicious Tamales, review to follow tomorrow, this meal was oh so good.  I had to roll myself to the living room for the Spurs game.

4.8 Stars out of 5

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REVIEW: Tip Top Cafe

Thanks to the pricey prices @ Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, we ended up at this favorite tonight for a far better meal I am sure.

Obligatory Onion Rings and Chicken Fried Steak are always superb.

Pineapple Upside-down Cake was a bit on the dry side.

Waitress was slow and old as usual but heck when you've been working there for 50 years, you'd be slow and old too.

4.2 Stars out of 5

PS:  Have always giggled that the bathrooms are on the outside in this restaurant. 

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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REVIEW: The Blind Side @ the newest Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Note to Sandra Bullock:  I forgive you for "All About Steve".  This is the kind of movie you should make going forward. 

This movie was just shy of being sappy and a degree less of being over sentimental and enough feel good to make me recommend it to my friends.

Things were just too safe and too perfect for my own protection.  I needed a bit more grit but left with the first 'feel good" of the season.

Note to Tim McGraw:  more Tim McGraw next time.

Movie:  3 Stars out of 5

So we went to the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema @ Park North.  The original @ Westlakes is just too far from where we live to make the trip worthwhile. 

It's always nice to be able to drink beer with your movie but then again we already can do that @ Rialto or @ Bijou movie theaters in our hood and as I found out today, for a lot less.

Seems the menu was a bit on the pricey side so we only got beer (blue moon) and queso w/ chips instead of eating there as we planned.  These are desperate times after all.

Still it's nice to have another movie option.  We usually wind up @ AMC 24 because I like the extreme stadium seating.  The seating @ Alamo was equally nice as they have a mini aisle for the waiters that spreads out the rows and makes it so that you have no view obstruction like you find @ Quarry Market Cinemas. 

Theater: 3.2 Stars out of 5

PS:  They had these quirky old timey ads and promos going on before the movie started including one that promoted their Beer Growler ala ipod commercial style.  Cute.

PPS:  it's always disengaging to enter a theater during the brightness of day and then exit during the darkness of night.

PPPS:  It's difficult to take pix of your food in a darkened theater only on an iPhone with no camera flash.

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REVIEW: The Barn Door Restaurant NOW with pix

Not sure what happened w/ pix from earlier post?  Here they are now.

Got invited to this #saladdressingtweetup at the Barn Door on North New Braunfels and since it's just down the street from me, I had no excuse not to attend.

Met @Janellerp; @bkearney and @MomonMars and had a great time. These girls were a lot of fun and are a must follow on Twitter.

Had the rib eye steak and it was full of flavor.  Last time I was at this restaurant the rib eye steak was not as tasty but tonight it was melt in your mouth delicious.  I ordered the smaller rib eye but as you see it filled my entire plate.  Everything at this restaurant is of a generous portion.

But of course we came here for the salad dressing.  I made the mistake of calling it Green Goddess to the waitress.  The correct name is Creamy Garlic dressing and of course it is divine. Bernice called it Happiness on a Plate when accompanied by the handmade rolls as tweeted here.

This restaurant is definitely a mainstay in San Antonio.  Prices are reasonable and I recommend you try this place if you have not been lately. 

4.4 Stars out of 5

PS:  5 Stars out of 5 for the company and new friends made.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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REVIEW: The Barn Door Restaurant #saladdressingtweetup

Got invited to this #saladdressingtweetup at the Barn Door on North New Braunfels and since it's just down the street from me, I had no excuse not to attend.

Met @Janellerp; @bkearney and @MomonMars and had a great time. These girls were a lot of fun and are a must follow on Twitter.

Had the rib eye steak and it was full of flavor.  Last time I was at this restaurant the rib eye steak was not as tasty but tonight it was melt in your mouth delicious.  I ordered the smaller rib eye but as you see it filled my entire plate.  Everything at this restaurant is of a generous portion.

But of course we came here for the salad dressing.  I made the mistake of calling it Green Goddess to the waitress.  The correct name is Creamy Garlic dressing and of course it is divine. Bernice called it Happiness on a Plate when accompanied by the handmade rolls as tweeted here.

This restaurant is definitely a mainstay in San Antonio.  Prices are reasonable and I recommend you try this place if you have not been lately. 

4.4 Stars out of 5

PS:  5 Stars out of 5 for the company and new friends made.

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REVIEW: A Dong

The Beavis and Butthead in me wants to go: "Uh huh huh huh, you said dong."

This Vietnamese Restaurant is now in the Forum and since we were in the area and it's new, we gave it a try.

Of course I had the pho with assorted meats.  One of the phos on the menu had fish balls.  Insert Beavis and Butthead joke here.

My pho was really tasty although it could have been more stove hot for me.  Plenty of assorted meats.

The garnishes were fresh: lime; mint; cilantro and jalapenos.  What?  No beansprouts. The dipping sauce was fresh and handmade.

PS:  A progression of Asian peeps made it into the restaurant throughout the evening.  Always a good sign.

3.8 Stars out of 5

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REVIEW: Earl Abel's

Again, was trying to make it to Thousand Oaks Restaurant on Austin Highway but there was not ONE open parking spot.  By default we ended up at Earl Abel's.

Papas were dry.  Pork Chop was thin. Grape Jelly? Eggs were dry.

Highlight of the breakfast was a Brent Barry sighting.  Who knew he still lived in San Antonio.  I wanted to say Hi and maybe get a picture with him but in the end didn't want to disrupt his family time.

Brent is tall.  Duh?

2.2 Stars out of Five.

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PIX & THOUGHTS OF THE ROCK 'N' ROLL SAN ANTONIO MARATHON.

If I had entered the marathon, I would still be running it right now.

Really?  Who schedules a run @ 730A on a Sunday?

Missed this thing last year when I slept in on a Sunday and woke up to the news that they had a winner already and it was only 930A. 

Seriously though, this thing was super fun.  The announcer was super funny and made the wait super fun.  Wish I didn't get stuck in traffic and miss some of the bands.

Next year we all run?  We have a 365 days to get in shape---right?

Pix are here.

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REVIEW: Waffle House---Austin, TX

OK I want to know why San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the nation does not have a Waffle House? 

At IKEA again Friday night.  Designing a kitchen is arduous work.

Hungry and not wanting to eat at the IKEA cafeteria again, we stop at Waffle House near the airport.

Had the All Star Breakfast:  2 eggs over easy; toast; hash brown; bacon and of course the waffle.

First thing I noticed when they finally bring my waffle is that the waffles are now thin.   So wrong.

Meals here are always good and quick.  Our waitress repeatedly reminded us that she was new and working a different shift.  Oh Wanda the Waitress.

4 Stars out of 5

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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REVIEW: Classics, Burgers and Moore---in Kerrville TX.

So we had just hiked the Lost Maples State Natural Area documented here and we were ravenous.  In Medina Texas we stopped at Keese's Bar-B-Que.  We were never acknowledged and the place was not particularly busy.  We left.

Headed to Kerrville and we stumble upon this place.

Burgers were fresh and tasty.  My onions rings were heavenly.  Prices were reasonable.

This place was GOOD. It could have been because we were famished?  No matter, this place in Kerrville gets my seal of approval.

4.5 Stars out of 5

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REVIEW: LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA

Pix are here.

Peak Season is over.

This drought has been especially brutal this year on Lost Maples State Park near Vanderpool, Tx. I am told the colors are not as vibrant as in past years but what is this high desert, city boy to know?  Everything looked really pretty.

This park must have been designed by a 23 year old.  The trails are mostly primitive and there are some very steep sections of the park.  I kept seeing old people and kept having to remind myself that if they can make it up to the summit, so could this man.

We went on a Friday because we are told the lines to get into the park are crazy during Peak Season.  Friday was perfect as we didn't have much company on the trails.

See this is fun and exciting because the seasons are non-existent in San Antonio.  People say it goes from Hot to not hot.  Or that it goes from Summer to Winter back to Summer.  Any bit of autumn like reminders, like leaves turning red and orange, is a welcome distraction to the next heat spell.

So if you are in shape and like the great outdoors, most definitely head 75 miles to the west of San Antonio and indulge in some great changing of the seasons.  Otherwise, do a Google search for "leaves turn red".

PS:  Note to future self---when you see the steep trail ahead signs turn back around.

PPS:  Note to future self---bring two gallons of water---per person.

PPPS:  Note to future self---bring a lunch---beetles and butterflies just doesn't cut it.

PPPPS:  Note to future self---bring a walking stick.  Or two.

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REVIEW: IKEA cafe

Battery is dying.

99 cents for Sweedish meatball meal. You can't beat that?

Battery has died.

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Michael Saiz

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REVIEW: Blanco's Mexican Restaurant

We were headed for Thousand Oaks Cafe on Austin Highway but the joint was hopping for breakfast. and we literarly could not find a parking space.

Ended up at this restaurant instead. Have not been here in years.

Since I did so well on my diet these last few weeks I decided I could be a little piggy today.

Picadillo taco was delicious. Although I like my picadillo with papas, this one was seasoned just right.

Carne Guisada breakfast taco was OK. Had to season it with their green sauce.

Barbacoa taco was simply bland. The pico de gallo was dull looking & bland as well. I didn't eat it all.

3.2 stars out of 5

PS: when I worked at the funeral home on Austin Highway in the late 90s we used to go here after our morning meetings. I would always order bacon tacos. Just bacon. It was a special order. One day I walked in and bacon taco was on the menu. I was so happy.

PPS: Alamo Heights High School athletic type girl eating breakfast with your team. I did not need the peep show everytime you crossed your legs.

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Michael Saiz

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REVIEW: Weezer - Ratitude

I remember buying the first Weezer CD (the Blue Album) from a Wal-Mart during a midnight grocery spree.  I remember being surprised that Wal-Mart even carried the CD, this being 15 years ago and I was plumb in the middle of the bible belt or at least the bible buckle, in Amarillo, Texas.

A lot has changed in that 15 years.  I wrote off Weezer somewhere along the way as irrelevant as my musical tastes developed.  I came back in 2005 for their Make Believe CD which included Beverly Hills and Perfect Situation.  Also enjoyed last years CD, (the Red Album) which included Pork and Beans.

I didn't even know they had a new album out until my brother @TMarkM tweeted about it yesterday.  He is a die-hard Weezer fan.  I'm sure they have some name for that but of course I don't know the name.  Weezerheads?  LOL.

Anyway their new CD Raditude dropped sometime this week.  I especially like the album cover but hate the name Raditude after all these guys are all middle-aged and that sounds way too sophomoric to me.  Wait?  I'm middle-aged.  Crap!

My fave song on the CD so far is (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You to.  This song is fast, infectious and catchy as all heck.  Unmistakeably Weezer even with the acoustic guitar.

Another good song is The Girl Got Hot which has that stadium rocking vibe that is popular right about now.

Can't Stop Partying to me sounds like some version of a Linkin Park song.  Is it just me?  And what's with the rap interlude in the middle.  My sources tell me it's Lil' Wayne.  Audible sigh.

Another track worth mentioning is Love Is The Answer with it's Indian Sitar influenced melodies.  It's OK but will need to grow on me as it's a bit to mellow for me.

Overall this album is a return to form for Weezer and the more I listen to it, the more I like.  You should give it a try.

3.98 Stars out of 5

PS:  Found their recent Letterman performance--->

(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To by Weezer  
Download now or listen on posterous

101-(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To.mp3 (5807 KB)

The Girl Got Hot by Weezer  
Download now or listen on posterous

103-The Girl Got Hot.mp3 (5432 KB)

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