As the 6-ton NASA satellite plummets to Earth with officials unable to pinpoint where it will make its final resting place, Jim and I figure the odds are against us that we would get hit by it, we decide to go out for dinner. Jim's only request was that he wanted to go somewhere that had some atmosphere. Thinking I'd like to stay close to home, I suggested Jojo's (as I describe it as the 2 Vine of the Eastside).
Just a hop, skip and jump from home, we walk into the restaurant and as usual, the bar is packed and full of fun energy. Instead of trying to struggle to the bar to get a drink, we approach the host stand to be seated and have a cocktail at the table. No wait, we head right in to the table.
We are seated at one of the crescent shaped banquettes in the back part of the restaurant. The dining area is appropriately lit, a little on the loud side from the bar, but certainly not a deal breaker. Our waitress approaches the table, I order my old and trusted friend, Stoli Martini (always on the rocks, a little dirty and of course, please don't skip or skimp on the olives) and Jim orders a Jojo house specialty cocktail. While we wait for our cocktails, we look over the menu.
Our waitress arrives with the cocktails then describes the nightly specials (and I didn't even have to ask if there were specials, we are off to a good start). We place our appetizer order and sit back and sip our libations. During this time, I notice the table next to us is about to be seated. The host seating the guests appeared maybe to be the dining room manager as he was dressed differently from the rest of the staff. Much like a mother duck, he was in front and the 3 guests followed behind to the table. The host presented the table, turned and walked away. The 3rd guest wasn't even at the table yet, and the host has now "passed" the guest as he walked back to the front of the restaurant. Ok... this wasn't my experience; I only observed the situation, but really? The host can't even wait at the table for all the guests to be seated or even pull a chair out for a guests? Again, not my experience, but it does goes to show that really good, consistant dining experiences are far and few between. Enough said, at this point, I am well into my cocktail.
Our appetizers arrive, Tuna Tartar and Figs. The Tuna Tartar, a generous portion of fresh, melt in your mouth Ahi tuna took center stage on the plate with alternating slices of cucumber and tomato surrounding it like a sunburst, drizzled with a refreshing Green Goddess dressing. Yum! Yum! The Figs, 3 to the serving, arrive warm, stuffed with Stilton blue cheese wrapped in crispy Prosciutto. I would highly recommend either for a starter. While enjoying the starters, we place our dinner order and grab a refill on the cocktails, no need to complicate things; we stick with our same cocktail.
Dinner arrives soon after the apps but not before our cocktails. Keeping it simple, I ordered the Chicken Cutlets. Two over-sized tender cutlets blanketed with shaved parmesan fill the plate along with Arugula greens dressed with lemon vinaigrette. Jim ordered one of the specials, NY Strip, prepared medium with mashed potato and broccolini. When the plate arrived, the broccolini was replaced with asparagus. Jim, preferring asparagus, did not mind the substitution. The steak was tasty and tender.
Following dinner, Jim, who would rather start with reviewing the dessert menu before the main dishes, accepts the waitress' offer to have a look at the dessert menu, we also order coffee. Ultimately, we decide to share a piece of carrot cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting. The cake was moist and the frosting not overdone with chocolate, more than a whisper of chocolate flavor, but not too much as to overpower the taste of the carrot cake. It was a nice combination of both flavors.
Overall, it was a great dining experience, the food was tasty and the service was excellent, a nice change from the past few experiences we've had recently. As for the satellite, we heard it landed somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.
Date: Friday, September 23, 2011.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Peaches Cafe
Jim and I went into Peaches Cafe in Webster for a quick dinner Saturday night only because we had dropped Phoebe off at Pet Smart in the same plaza for her first haircut and we were hungry and it was convenient. Both Jim and I have been there before, Jim, a lesser fan of the place than I.
My past experiences with Peaches has been, OK with decent food. Wait staff isn't the sharpest but then again, it’s a Diner. Atmosphere is better than average for a Diner, which is typically old, tired looking. Color scheme is nice, the upholstery is new and overall generally clean looking, however, the lack of decor, bare walls and inkjet printed signs in the place really cheapens the look and feel of the place.
This evening's meal was simple; Jim ordered soup and the meatloaf platter (mainly because he needed something soft to eat due to having had a tooth extracted recently). I ordered the Cajun chicken sandwich with french fries instead of the standard potato chips it comes with, which I have had a few times before. Because I despise ketchup, I always order 2 sides of mayonnaise when I order fries, as this is what I prefer to dip my fries into. Our dinners arrive. Jim's was at best luke warm, and he sent it back with the request to "pop" it in the microwave quickly and mine arrived with potato chips and no mayo sides. As she sat my plate in front of me, I said, "I ordered fries with this" and she said, "I thought you did.... you can keep the chips and I will get you some fries." Well.... if you thought I did, then why would you deliver the dish without checking and I get to keep the chips?! Lucky me, a freebie! (At the end of the meal when we were presented with the check, I noticed on the guestcheck the waitress had not ordered the fries). Again, it's a Diner, but regardless, I still expect the basics of good service... anyway.... she took Jim's plate and returned back with a small bowl of fries and my mayo sides. She arrived back with Jim's plate in a timely fashion, nuked and now hot. My sandwich was tasty, well, I should clarify, the actual part of the sandwich that had chicken on it was tasty. The chicken portion in the past has always been plentiful, most times, larger than the bread it comes served on. Not tonight! The portion of chicken was enough for only half the sandwich.
If the food alone isn't enough to part friendships with this place, the owner is! The former owner of Charlie Brown's downtown on Goodman St which was know for its great breakfast's... this guy should have quietly gone into another line of business that does not include him being around or near customers after closing his downtown location. He is Creepy! (Yes, capital C!) When he greets you at the door, he extends his hand for a shake. I'm not against hand shaking; however, his delivery is awkward, creepy and not very genuine. I'm there to satisfy my hunger, not to add new names to my Holiday card list. Each time I go there, I make a point of never making eye contact with him as to avoid the shake. Guess it's a no-brainer... food: just OK, service: roll the dice, owner: Creepy. Much like Jose Cuervo, whom I parted friendships with years ago, I think I have added Peaches to my parted friends list. Sorry Charlie.
Date of tragedy: Saturday, September 17, 2011
My past experiences with Peaches has been, OK with decent food. Wait staff isn't the sharpest but then again, it’s a Diner. Atmosphere is better than average for a Diner, which is typically old, tired looking. Color scheme is nice, the upholstery is new and overall generally clean looking, however, the lack of decor, bare walls and inkjet printed signs in the place really cheapens the look and feel of the place.
This evening's meal was simple; Jim ordered soup and the meatloaf platter (mainly because he needed something soft to eat due to having had a tooth extracted recently). I ordered the Cajun chicken sandwich with french fries instead of the standard potato chips it comes with, which I have had a few times before. Because I despise ketchup, I always order 2 sides of mayonnaise when I order fries, as this is what I prefer to dip my fries into. Our dinners arrive. Jim's was at best luke warm, and he sent it back with the request to "pop" it in the microwave quickly and mine arrived with potato chips and no mayo sides. As she sat my plate in front of me, I said, "I ordered fries with this" and she said, "I thought you did.... you can keep the chips and I will get you some fries." Well.... if you thought I did, then why would you deliver the dish without checking and I get to keep the chips?! Lucky me, a freebie! (At the end of the meal when we were presented with the check, I noticed on the guestcheck the waitress had not ordered the fries). Again, it's a Diner, but regardless, I still expect the basics of good service... anyway.... she took Jim's plate and returned back with a small bowl of fries and my mayo sides. She arrived back with Jim's plate in a timely fashion, nuked and now hot. My sandwich was tasty, well, I should clarify, the actual part of the sandwich that had chicken on it was tasty. The chicken portion in the past has always been plentiful, most times, larger than the bread it comes served on. Not tonight! The portion of chicken was enough for only half the sandwich.
If the food alone isn't enough to part friendships with this place, the owner is! The former owner of Charlie Brown's downtown on Goodman St which was know for its great breakfast's... this guy should have quietly gone into another line of business that does not include him being around or near customers after closing his downtown location. He is Creepy! (Yes, capital C!) When he greets you at the door, he extends his hand for a shake. I'm not against hand shaking; however, his delivery is awkward, creepy and not very genuine. I'm there to satisfy my hunger, not to add new names to my Holiday card list. Each time I go there, I make a point of never making eye contact with him as to avoid the shake. Guess it's a no-brainer... food: just OK, service: roll the dice, owner: Creepy. Much like Jose Cuervo, whom I parted friendships with years ago, I think I have added Peaches to my parted friends list. Sorry Charlie.
Date of tragedy: Saturday, September 17, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Lilian's Restaurant & Party House Penfield, NY
Located at 2200 Penfield Rd next to CVS, Jim and I walk into the restaurant and ask to see a menu. The fare offered Ukrainian and Italian specialties. Never having been here before, we decided to give it a chance. The hostess walked us into the over-lit main dining area where only 2 other tables were seated. The chairs were comfy and new but the style was something like you would see at the Rent-A-Center showroom. Overall, the space appeared clean, a few stains on the carpet, but I'm never a fan of carpeting in a restaurant. The decor looked like it was bought at the Dollar Store or maybe even a garage sale. Plastic flowers and fruit on a ledge that ran the length of the dining space, a large mural depicting a European landscape with plastic greens and grapes running along the top and finished with faux columns on either side. A few under scale framed pieces finish off the decor. I will however throw a bone to them, the wall colors and finishes were done tastefully.
Our table setting was basic: square table, linen napkin, white linen tablecloth and votive candle centerpiece, which was not lit -- I suppose it was already bright enough, didn't need to add to it. If only they had stopped there. Overlaying the white linen tablecloth, there is a .5mm white plastic covering -- maybe they had just finished some overhead painting and didn't want to get paint on the tables and just forgot to take them off. If laundering the linens is eating a hole in the expenses, try simple white butcher paper instead.
The menu offerings were uncomplicated and the prices fair. I couldn't help but notice they advertise on the menu that soft drinks only include 1 free refill (for selected beverages). I also couldn't help but notice on the menu under the Ukrainian Favorites offerings was Lilian’s Pork French. I had always been under the impression that "French" or egg batter dipped style cooking was primarily a western NY style of cooking, but I guess the Ukrainians beat us to it.
Our waiter, which was the only one working that evening, approached the table and took our beverage order. I just stuck with water; I assumed they were unlimited refills. Jim ordered a diet soda. The soda arrived in a timely fashion and we placed our order. We both decided upon the Combo Platter, three stuffed cabbage rolls and four potato pierogies. We asked if soup or salad accompanied the entree and they were included. I ordered a salad and Jim, the chicken soup. Hot rolls and butter arrived soon after the placement of the order. The salad was fresh and the soup really tasty. The entree's arrived quickly after. The portions appeared to be small but we didn't leave feeling unsatisfied. While eating our entrees a table of 7 was seated. A gentleman at the table asked the waiter if there were any specials, the waiter described the specials to the table... because the dining area was lacking in diners, you couldn't help but overhear. I found it rather interesting that the waiter did not share with us the evening’s specials. We didn't specifically ask if there were any specials, but I always expect that if specials are being offered, it is the responsibility of the waiter to communicate those. Lesson learned.... ask about specials.
Once the entree was placed in front of us, the waiter never approached the table again, except to clear our empty plates while asking if we would be interested in coffee. During the dinner, a woman who may have been the owner did refill Jim's soda, but sadly, I guess water was not on the free refill list. I never got a refill so I had to drink my partner’s water instead.
So, if you find yourself hungry in Penfield and don't mind poor service and atmosphere is not on the top of your list but you do want decent tasting food at an affordable price, you might consider Lilian’s. Or you could always check out CVS next door and ask what's on special in their frozen foods.
Our table setting was basic: square table, linen napkin, white linen tablecloth and votive candle centerpiece, which was not lit -- I suppose it was already bright enough, didn't need to add to it. If only they had stopped there. Overlaying the white linen tablecloth, there is a .5mm white plastic covering -- maybe they had just finished some overhead painting and didn't want to get paint on the tables and just forgot to take them off. If laundering the linens is eating a hole in the expenses, try simple white butcher paper instead.
The menu offerings were uncomplicated and the prices fair. I couldn't help but notice they advertise on the menu that soft drinks only include 1 free refill (for selected beverages). I also couldn't help but notice on the menu under the Ukrainian Favorites offerings was Lilian’s Pork French. I had always been under the impression that "French" or egg batter dipped style cooking was primarily a western NY style of cooking, but I guess the Ukrainians beat us to it.
Our waiter, which was the only one working that evening, approached the table and took our beverage order. I just stuck with water; I assumed they were unlimited refills. Jim ordered a diet soda. The soda arrived in a timely fashion and we placed our order. We both decided upon the Combo Platter, three stuffed cabbage rolls and four potato pierogies. We asked if soup or salad accompanied the entree and they were included. I ordered a salad and Jim, the chicken soup. Hot rolls and butter arrived soon after the placement of the order. The salad was fresh and the soup really tasty. The entree's arrived quickly after. The portions appeared to be small but we didn't leave feeling unsatisfied. While eating our entrees a table of 7 was seated. A gentleman at the table asked the waiter if there were any specials, the waiter described the specials to the table... because the dining area was lacking in diners, you couldn't help but overhear. I found it rather interesting that the waiter did not share with us the evening’s specials. We didn't specifically ask if there were any specials, but I always expect that if specials are being offered, it is the responsibility of the waiter to communicate those. Lesson learned.... ask about specials.
Once the entree was placed in front of us, the waiter never approached the table again, except to clear our empty plates while asking if we would be interested in coffee. During the dinner, a woman who may have been the owner did refill Jim's soda, but sadly, I guess water was not on the free refill list. I never got a refill so I had to drink my partner’s water instead.
So, if you find yourself hungry in Penfield and don't mind poor service and atmosphere is not on the top of your list but you do want decent tasting food at an affordable price, you might consider Lilian’s. Or you could always check out CVS next door and ask what's on special in their frozen foods.
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