Rainforest Cafe - San Antonio, TX

I really wanted to blog this place because it is so cool inside! I love the jungle theme. We ordered drinks - the Cheeta Rita. Mrrrrroooooooooowww. They were a tastier version of your standard Margarita. But, when the waiter came back to take our order he said they were all out of crab. So that meant no Crab and Artichoke Dip - booo! We decided to finish our drinks and try out another restaurant. A place that had a fully stocked kitchen, with all the crab our pretty little hearts desired! Melissa Good Taste was not happy, one thumb up for cool atmosphere and tasty beverage.

The River Walk - San Antonio, TX

The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del Río) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath downtown San Antonio, Texas. Lined by bars, shops and restaurants, the River Walk is an important part of the city's urban fabric and a tourist attraction in its own right.

The River Walk was the idea of architect Robert Hugman in the late 1920s. As an alternative to paving over the troublesome San Antonio River, Hugman drew out a plan he called "The Shops of Aragon and Romula" which allowed for both flood prevention and commercial development. Hugman maintained his office along the shallow river, despite warnings that he would be "drowned like a rat" and its early reputation as a dangerous hole. Hugman persisted, and his office can still be found next door to another early presence on the River Walk, the landmark Casa Rio restaurant.

Cool huh? Very pretty and lots of fun places to eat. Food Blogger heaven!

The Alamo - San Antonio, TX

I learned that Texas entered the United States as a result of a treaty between the United States and the Republic of Texas. As a result, Texas is the only state in the United States that can fly its flag at the same level as the United States flag when they are flying side by side. I never knew that!

Texas Bound!

I am off to Texas! Be back soon - hopefully with lots of foodie posts!

Dona Esther Mexican Restaurant - San Juan Bautista, Ca

I got up and got going Saturday morning and rode both of my horses. Freckles finally is working someone on the ground so he is on the fast track to show time! James saddled up Roddy and I caught Missy, my new horse, and we took them on a trail ride. Those horses have a lot of energy! By the time we unsaddled my brother and I were both starving! And so guess what we both were craving... Mexican food!

Make your way to 25 Franklin Street in downtown San Juan Bautista. There you will find where I have consistently eaten at least 2 meals a week for the past 20 years. James and I were seated in the dining room to the right and immediately were greeted with a basket of chips and salsa. The chips were fresh and they tasted especially delicious. The salsa is not the best but it definitely does the job.

I usually order the same thing every time I go to Dona's - the Shredded Beef Enchilada with extra sauce. For the sake of the blog I decided to branch out and try something new. I have always wanted to try the Lobster Enchilada so I figured today was the perfect day to do it! Doesn't it look amazing? Lobster meat is stuffed in a flour tortilla with Monterey Jack cheese and green sauce served with rice and beans. OMG - it was awesome! I have been truly missing out on this for a long time. My new favorite thing! My brother got the old faithful - Shredded Beef Enchilada and it didn't fail. Always delicious and even came with extra sauce, something my family always requests.

Today was a good day. The chips were fresh, salsa decent, our entrees tasted on point and we were in and out within 30 minutes! Great job Dona's! If you have never been to Dona's you need to try a few things, the items we ordered today of course, but the Nachos Supreme and believe it or not the Homemade Pasta Soup really hits the spot! They have a pretty awesome catering business that they do that as well, in fact they do a fabulous job and the food never fails to impress. They have full bar located on the side of the building that serves up some pretty stout Margaritas, along with other potent concoctions. On a sunny day stop by and eat in the outdoor patio and enjoy the beauty of San Juan Bautista. Two thumbs up!

A recipe every gal should know...

Thanks to my cousin Allison for sending me this recipe! Lets give it a go and see how it stands the true chocolate test! Comments are appreciated if you actually try it out!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

a small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug


Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!


Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?


Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

The Elegant Touch - Hollister, Ca

I went on a house search on my lunch break today and had only about 20 minutes to grab something to eat back at my office. I was driving downtown and decided to pull into The Elegant Touch located at 601-A San Benito Street.

Desserts!

I don't normally go to The Elegant Touch for lunch for one reason and that reason only - the lack of available parking! There is bank located on the corner, and there are several other buildings surrounding the restaurant taking up all the available spots! You have to really luck out to find an open parking space around noon time. But, they seem to always have a special and today was no exception.

Click on the Photo to read the Weekly Specials!

Yum yum - Tomato Basil.

I ordered the Half and Half to-go. My half sandwich was a Tuna Melt and my half soup was Tomato Basil - available everyday. The sandwich was nothing to write home about, the bread was barely toasted and cheese barely melted. The tuna salad mixture was nice though, it had huge chunks of celery making it a nice crunchy texture. The soup was excellent. Hands down best Tomato Basil I have yet to have anywhere else in Hollister. They included Saltines and a juicy dill pickle in my to-go package, that was really nice!

All in all, The Elegant Touch is a fine place to drop in and order your meal, whether you take it to-go or sit and eat in. It does tend to be extremely busy during the lunch hour and it fills up in a hurry because there is limited seating. I don't mind that you have to stand in line and order your meal at the counter either, in fact I think it helps you receive your order faster. The dessert display is conveniently located where you stand in line where you order - forcing you to drool profusely and then order as many sweets you can get your hands on! For the price of $7.50 - the Half and Half gave me enough energy to get me through my day, and write this post! Melissa Good Taste gives it 1.50 thumbs up!

-MD

The House Search

I have been looking at houses and that has been "eating" up my Melissa Good Taste time! The time I have to try new restaurants has been replaced with looking at houses to buy... I have not forgotten about you loyal readers! I will hit you with some new posts soon!