Friday, February 19, 2010

Sangria's Restaurant - Morgan Hill, CA

How happy do I look at BINGO? Sheesh! What a day. Jennifer won big however, I did not. Onto the food...

So we went to this place Sangria's in Downtown Morgan Hill after our BINGO experience, and let me tell you it was an experience. Enough said. Located 17415 Monterey Road, you have to walk upstairs, through a hall and make a left. Kind of strange to get there but once your in, it is nice. "Would you like a glass of our homemade Sangria" they ask as you walk in. "Yes, yes I would." I was excited to try it but was disappointed when it tasted just like punch. $8 for punch!


They brought out some tortillas and salsas. Have you ever tried to dip a corn tortilla in salsa and not drip it across the table and then into your mouth? I am pretty sure it is impossible. We saw tostadas on the menu so we asked her to please bring us out some of the crispy shells. Much better. The red salsa was good, the green one not so much.

Guacamole! The photo kind of looks like an action photo right? It kind of was, it was made table side. After the our waitress left we added the red salsa to it because it needed something. It needed a lemon squeezed into too. But it was still tasty - I love guacamole.


I ordered the Pescado del dia: Pan seared whitefish served with a roasted garlic sauce, capers, chorizo and vegetables. I like all fish and I like all cream sauces. But this one, seemed off. Was it the fish? The texture, maybe it was a touch undercooked. I don't know, it just wasn't me.


My mom's order was next, she selected the Chile stuffed with Seafood: Fire roasted Poblano stuffed with shrimp, red snapper and chayote squash. I know poblanos are not to be too spicy but this one was, even for my standards. My mom can barely even have Mild Sauce at Taco Bell so she struggled with this one.


This is Jennifer's order of the Salmon Tacos. A pretty dish, she said it was ok. Kind of hard to mess this simple dish up! I think she also put more of that red salsa on it though!

Sangria's was an interesting experience. The building is pretty, it had a beautiful wooden bar area - I liked that. The idea of serving just corn tortillas with a drippy salsa is a challenge for all involved though. The actual sangria actually bummed me out - I think it was going to be a Signature Drink! Anyhow, if you want to check out something different, try it - you be the judge.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Ojai Pizza - Ojai, CA

Another cute place in Ojai... It is amazing how many great restaurants are located in one small, little town. I have been to most but haven't hit them all up yet. Ojai Pizza is located on the main drag and it usually pretty busy.

Everytime I have picked up an pizza from here it has been BBQ Chicken Pizza - Southwest Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, Red Onion and BBQ Chicken. This pizza is so delicious. They really pack the ingredients on there. One slice really does the trick for me. You pretty much have to eat it with a knife and fork.

Not much to say except it is really tasty pizza. I always pick it up to-go but have always been greeted by a friendly staff, prices are affordable and families seem to really enjoy hanging out there. There are other Specialty Pizzas on the menu that include the Santa Monica and the Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza. Yum yum!

Savory Cafe & Bakery - Ventura, CA

Melissa Good Taste had to take a quick trip to Southern California for potential exciting plans! The weather was beautiful so I went back to a wonderful spot I had been to before. Located at 419 East Main Street you can sit outside on the sidewalk or inside the patio.

Inside the restaurant it is lime green and brick - sounds like an odd combination but it works. Just beyond the eating area there is a bakery with cases filled with all kinds of delicious looking baked goods.


So, I ordered the Crab Cakes. I am sure you not surprised. I was a little bummed that I got there after they were serving breakfast because they serve the best Crab Cake Benedict I have ever had, ever! It was seriously amazing. Another great breakfast order is the Huevos Rancheros - Scott ordered it last time I was there and it was equally delicious. Since it was lunch, I got the Crab Cakes with mixed greens. Still wonderful but definitely not topping the Benedict. My suggestion: get there for breakfast!

I love this little Cafe. I will return, hopefully next time I can snag an outside table next time. Did I mention how much I love Ventura?

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Gallagher's Steakhouse - Las Vegas, NV

When we read: Meat and potatoes with Park Avenue flare! A table at Gallagher's Steakhouse, a New York City original since 1927, guarantees you an evening with sizzle featuring only the finest dry-aged beef and fresh seafood. We were sold! The finest place to dine inside the New York New York - ooolallaaala!

I was really excited to take a picture with this menu because the New York version of Gallagher's Steakhouse is so famous! I have watched the Travel Channel review on them and it was so interesting. Established as a speakeasy during the prohibition years, Gallagher's Steak House is celebrating 81 years of operation. They are best identified by its signature meat aging room stocked with the best USDA Prime dry aged beef.

Inside the dining room. We had a quaint little seating area. They really pack you in!

Guess what Melissa Good Taste ordered first! Of course the Clam Chowder - I shared. I have said this time and time again... Clam Chowder should not be all about potatoes. The flavor was decent but it truly was a Potato Chowder. Not a lot of seafood action going on there.

Another easy guess on an order of mine - the Crab Cake Appetizer. I let a few bites slip away but for the most part I enjoyed this solely. These crab cakes were pretty delicious. Very much the real deal. No bread crumb or cracker filler just sweet delicious crab. What a treat.

And can you believe I ate this too?!! Well, not the whole thing but I certainly made my mark. Like I said this weekend I was really going for it! The meat was not quite medium it was more to the well mark. The meat was sadly not as tasty as I had anticipated. The shoe-string onion rings made a special spot in my heart. Yum!

All in all the meal was pretty good. The setting was beautiful: dark woods, low lighting and pictures of famous baseball players and race horses lining the walls - very New York. I thought most of the food was just ok, except for those stand out crab cakes! I would return to dine because of the atmosphere. Maybe I will venture off my seafood kick and try something new, they had a Mahi Mahi special that night that I was tempted to try too!

Gonzalez Y Gonzalez - Las Vegas, NV

Staying at the New York New York you given quite a few options of sit down restaurants. There are a lot of fast food but we wanted to sit down, relax after the flight and conversate. So we chose Gonzalez Y Gonzalez - the zing of saucy Southwestern fare complete with an outdoor courtyard, tequila bar, lanterns, and piƱatas. We though this might be a fun option!

Made it to New York New York - all checked in and ready to get another snack!



Gonzalez Y Gonzalez seemed perfect for an appetizer and a beer.


This photo on the wall cracked me up! I had to take a picture of it. So cute.


Decent chips and salsa: the one to the left mild and the one to the right, knock your socks off!


Gonzalez Combination Sampler: Gonzalez Nachos, half beef and half chicken, Honey-Chilpote wings, chimis and shrimp ceviche, served with sour cream, chipotle chile and guacamole.

Can you tell the theme of the trip is clearly not healthy eating! Holy Moley. You only live once! This restaurant was just ok. Not authentic Mexican by any means. It served its purpose by being great filler but that is where it ended. Fun setting, great Mexican flair decor. Might return if in Vegas to cure a hankering of chips and salsa and a beer.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Sharks Cage - San Jose Airport



So we rushed, rushed, rushed to get to San Jose in time to catch our Southwest flight to Vegas and low and behold... we hit a snag! We were loaded up on the plane and then they decided the weather was too bad in Las Vegas so our flight was delayed. The rain supposedly was messing things up at the McCarran International Airport. They let us get off the plane and explore the airport awhile. First stop, Shark Cage Sports Bar for the essentials on any adventure: a cold beer and super nachos! They were exactly what they were supposed to be, messy and delicious! Not an everyday treat, but they sure hit the spot! An hour and a half later we re-boarded the plane and off to Vegas we went!

Last minute to trip to VEGAS!


I placed my bets for the Super Bowl, and ate plenty of food too!
Reviews to follow... Stay tuned!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Do you Zumba?

What is Zumba you ask?

The Zumba program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. The Zumba goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked.

And I am hooked! Check it out yourself! It is a fantastic workout, I know I must have looked silly trying to rock my best Salsa moves... but who cares? It is fun!