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

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

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.

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

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.

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

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

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

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

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

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.

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

REVIEW: IKEA cafe

Battery is dying.

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

Battery has died.

Sent from my iPhone
Michael Saiz

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

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.

Sent from my iPhone
Michael Saiz

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

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)

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.

REVIEW: Dia De Los Muertos @ Market Square #SATX

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a time for family and friends to pray and remember those who have passed away.

Pix are here.

Wiki history is here.

I read about San Antonio's Market Square celebration including the participation of Las Monas Drum & Dance company.  I saw these guys at the Fiesta Night Parade and had to see them again.

Along with Ballet Folklorico, altars to the dead and food, I had to attend this special event today.  It's was lots of fun.

PS.  I used to dance Ballet Folklorico when I was in 5th and 6th grade.

PPS.  There are lot of pix but all worth it.

Posted via email from FoodAndHowToEat: It.