The Last Supper

Before I begin my journey to bring peace to the Middle East I want to fully indulge on the perfect chain restaurant meal. I am taking suggestions so let me know what you think my last meal should be before I begin my mission (of getting really tan that is) .

Happy Memorial Day - Hello Summer!

Hello Summer, my favorite time of year! Yup because in the summer my suburban lunch favorite, Panera, brings back my favorite salad, the Strawberry Poppyseed salad. This yummy, delicious salad is topped with strawberries, duh, blueberries, pineapples, manadarin oranges, pecans and chicken. Plus it is made with a non-fat special dressing. Perfect lunch on a hot summer day. Have that with their classic iced green tea and it is guaranteed to be a good day. They also add a tomato and fresh mozzarella salad for the summer. I am not a big tomato fan but that salad looks good too. This summer they have added a new low fat strawberry smoothie to the menu that I would like to try and a passion fruit bagel. I think the passion fruit bagel sounds very interesting. The Chicken Pomodoro Panini is another new addition to the menu that I would like to try in the near future. The only thing I am a bit afraid of with that is that the chicken is smoked and pulled. I am not really a smoked chicken fan. I like it grilled.

Seasons 52 - Outstanding

I have been spending lots of time in Hotlanta lately which is really good for this blog because it allows me to sample chain restaurants in other parts of the country. Lucky me. Most recently I had the honor to dine at what I think should be the new trend in chain restaurants. The place is called Seasons 52. It is called that because they change the menu 4 times a year to coordinate with the 4 different seasons and use fresh ingredients in all their food. What is simply amazing about this place is that everything on the menu is under 475 calories. What, that is like a Lean Cuisine meal. I can not believe this. The menu reads like every other chain restaurant menu. Sandwiches, big salads, Entrees, etc. This was not some crazy health food, granola loving place. Oh no, it is a beautifully designed upscale chain. I think I found my heaven.
To start I shared the specialty of the restaurant, flat breads. These are just long, flat pieces of specialty pizzas essentially. We got the Garlic Chicken one and it was very good. It is perfect for sharing among a group of 4 people. They also have edamame on the menu which is one of my favorite foods so I was really happy to see that. The starter salads they offer also look very nice.
I did not get one because I was getting a big salad as my entree. Now, you will not believe what kind of salad I got. It was called a Chicken Parm Salad. How cool is that? It was just grilled chicken, peppers, capers, shaved parmigiana cheese, and a lemon-pepper dressing. It was delicious and very filling! They also offer lots of sandwich's, chicken and pasta dishes, fish and even steak! And remember they claim everything is under 475 calories.
One of the coolest parts of this restaurant are their desserts. Again all are under their calorie guidelines. They are "mini indulgences" So cute! They are fun desserts served in what looks like a big shot glass. I think their are around 8 choices that your waiter comes over and shows you. I got the Pecan Pie with Vanilla Bean Moose. I was in Atlanta so I figured that was a good choice. Others that looked really good are the Red Velvet Cake, Old Fashioned Carrot Cake and Strawberry Mango Cheesecake.
To sum it all up, they need to open up more places like this very soon. If anyone from Seasons 52 is reading this, please open up in NY. I would go all the time.

Texas Roadhouse - Yeah It Rocks

So I have to admit I was reluctant to love this place. My family would not stop singing its praises. They would even drive almost 2 hours to the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania to get the ribs. When I finally had the chance to eat here I liked it but did not love it. That all changed last weekend when I was lucky enough to eat here again and my oh my was I wrong. This place really does rock and is awesome. Amazing food!

I will start with the best thing that they offer, the rolls. Wow! They are soft dinner rolls that are coated with butter. If that is not enough, these hot delicious rolls are also served with a cinammon butter that makes this tasty treat really feel like a dessert. The hostess brings you your rolls right as you sit down. They also have peanuts on the table and in barrels for you as you wait for your table. These peanuts are extra good because they taste like they swimming in a sea of salt.

As you can probably tell by the name, Texas Roadhouse, this is a BBQ place. Good ol'fashion food like steak, ribs and chicken. I get the Grilled BBQ Chicken and it is delicous. It is a nice piece of grilled, chicken in a tasty sauce. What I love about this place is the options. You can get either two side items or a side item and a salad. I opt for the two sides. I figure I can get a salad anywhere, might as well have fun with the sides. Last time I got a baked potato and applesauce. I am such a little kid when it comes to food, but hey applesauce is fun! Anyway you can also get a baked sweet potato, mashed, rice, veggies, even chilli. I might try the chili next time, I bet it is good. I have tried the steak here as well and it is really, really good. Much better than the steaks you get at typical chains. They have a few combo options on the menu so you can get steak and chicken, steak and ribs, etc. Oh boy! The ribs are supposedly, "fall off the bone" spectacular. I am not really into food on the bone so I just take everyone elses word on that.

Truthfully, there is no need for dessert here, the rolls are enough of a dessert.

Of course there are a few downfalls to this place. The biggest being the wait. It is always busy, probably because it is so good. I recommend doing their call ahead seating. Another downfall is the clientel. I have to admit this place does not attract the classiest people in the world. Last time I saw a guy that really looked like ZZ Top. It was kind of scary. I think you just have to go and not pay attention to who is eating around you.

Supposedly they also dance here, kind of like Coyote Ugly. I think that is kind of cheesy.

The Day Is Finally Here!

It is finally May, 15th, my 1 one year anniversary at the Post and the Grand Opening of the California Pizza Kitchen in Murray Hill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A coincidence, I think not!


I am sure I will be here at least once before the end of the week. I would go tonight but the elitists that I work with refuse. Whatever, they do not know what they are missing.


Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza, Spinach Artichoke Dip. Thai Crunch Salad, here I come!

Thanks to my biggest supporter, he let me know that the opening was actually a big event in Murray Hill. Check out this link for pictures of the Grand Opening. I can not believe I was not invited.

http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====273840&nbc1=1

Coffee Fun In The Great State of CT

I had the opportunity to explore the great state of Connecticut this weekend and explore what they had to offer in terms of coffee. My first stop was the one I was most excited about. Imus Ranch coffee. Yes you read it right, I was going to be able to support my man Imus and his ranch for kids with cancer simply by ordering a cup of Joe. I ordered an iced coffee and much to my dismay it really was not that good. First big mistake, they served it in paper soda cups. Not the typical clear plastic ones that iced coffee is served in. Just by seeing that I knew the coffee was not going to be good. It was just kind of blah. Nothing exciting about it at all. Of course I recommend going there though to support Imus and his charity.

Now, my second stop in coffee exploration came to my by surprise. I was going to just get Dunkin Donuts for breakfast but I found this Tim Horton place. Wow, lucky me. It was awesome! At first the name scared me because it sounded like someone one of my friends would date or maybe it was too much like Bobs Big Boy, but I am glad I decided to try it. It is essentially a coffee and donut place with a small town feel to it. They have all your standard quick breakfast fare like donuts, bagels, muffins, etc. I looked it up on the Internet and they started in Canada but now have outposts throughout NY, New England & Pennsylvania.

Anyway the coffee was wonderful! First, they used small pieces of crushed iced instead of cubes, similar to the way they make it at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. This really was a treat. I ordered a Mint Chocolate Iced Coffee and it was AMAZING!!! They put actual chocolate in the iced coffee. It tasted better than any latte I had at Starbucks ever. I also was able to sample a "Cappuccino Supreme" that was fantastic. This was similar to a frappaccino but half the cost. Really tasty! If you see one near you, definitely stop in and try it.

Chain Your Mom

It is almost Mother's Day. If you have not bought your mom a present yet, hurry up, you only have a few more days. There is a new Barbra Streisand CD out so that is always a good choice. I know my mom would be happy with that.

Of course besides getting the lady that brought you into this world a present you should probably take her out to brunch or lunch or dinner and really, what better place to do that than a Chain Restaurant.

So, here is my list of chains your should take your momma to this Mother's Day.

1) Grand Lux Cafe - it is Mother's Day, everyone could use a little bit of excessive opulence. Plus this place has a great brunch menu and awesome lunch and dinner entrees. Really, something for everyone.

2) Joe's American Bar & Grill - They have a special menu for Mother's Day plus a brunch menu that includes a free drink! Awesome! It is also a nice atmosphere and pretty reasonable.

3) Maggiano's - This is a nice dinner choice. The atmosphere is very cozy, and nice. Mom will feel very at home here. It is almost like eating in Carmela Sopranos kitchen.

4) Cheesecake Factory - It is probably going to be packed on Mother's Day, but so what, it is worth the wait and Mother's Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in a cheesecake like the White Chocolate Raspberry one. Yum!

5) IHOP - Maybe she should not have grounded you so much and you would have taken her to one of the choices above, but really it would be kind of fun to get all you can eat pancakes for breakfast. Mom would love it!

Fox Sports Grill - Not Impressed

I feel bad saying this because I should really love the Fox Sports Grill. It is owned by News Corp, has a nice ambiance, a nice menu but it is just so blah. I mean the idea of a nice sports bar is something I should love, but Fox Sports just falls flat. I have only been here a few times and each time I left with a kind of empty feeling.

My first complaint about this place is not about the food, no, instead it is about the placement of the TVs. I just don't get it. It is not that easy to see a game from every seat in the bar and restaurant. I mean you are a sports bar you should be able to see a Yankee game from every seat if that is what you so chose. Very annoying.

Now the food. I once got this appetizer there that was skillet cornbread. I mean what is that really. I guess it is my own fault for ordering it. It sucked. I am looking at the menu online now and they actually have some cool things on the menu like Chicken Lettuce Wraps, BBQ Shrimp and a Mozzarella Bake. Maybe if I go back I will try one of those options.

Truthfully, I do not even remember what I ordered as an entree here. I think it was a Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich. Anyway the fact that I do not really remember what I ate is a big deal. I always remember my meals. I might forget most of my friends birthdays, but food, I remember. Anyway, similar to the appetizer options there actually are a a lot of cool options on the menu. Maybe my problem with this place is that I compare it to Cheesecake Factory because they have similar price points and Cheesecake just blows it out of the water. I bet that is what it is.

I also went here once with my friends for a drink. What a terrible scene. I mean yes, it is in a mall in Rockland County but still it was pretty bad. The only people in there were underage tools. No thank you.

I actually think that if this was not in the mall and perhaps a free standing restaurant it would be a lot better. I am sure some of the locations out West are a bit cooler.

Lenny's - It's Freakin Good

I had a special request for a post about Lenny's so here it goes.

A lot of my co-workers spoke so highly of this place but I was a bit apprehensive about it. You see, Lenny's is a bagel and sandwich shop and I am really not a sandwich person. I am so picky about what type of meat I like that I am always scared to try a new sandwich place because I think the chicken will be gross and hard or cold, yuck. Also I do not really eat cold cuts, so I am really limited in my sandwich options. Anyway, the first time I went I only got a bagel, it was OK nothing special. But, I was impressed with the cleanliness of this place. A lot of the NY sandwich places can be a bit dirty.

On a random day this winter I got to looking at the menu more and saw that there were a lot of options on the menu for me. I was assured by, I think Princess Lovey Dovey, that they chicken was top quality so I give it a try. Wow, much to my surprise I was in love. The chicken was good! Yippee!

Now I pretty much only get two things here. The classic, which is chicken, sun dried tomatoes, lettuce, onions and a little bit of fresh mozzarella. I also add some balsamic vinegar to give it some more flavor. You can pick whatever type of bread you want with your sandwich. I always get the wholewheat wrap now. I figure it is the healthiest choice and really brings out the flavor of all the stuff inside. Another great wrap here is the Chicken Terriyaki. It is chicken, terriyaki sauce, fresh mozzarella, lettuce and onions. I interchange between the two depending on my mood.

Other things I like about this place is that they have a quick and easy delivery service. Also, many cute boys go here at lunch. It is fun to see the boys who work at Rockefeller Center here in their suits.

One annoying thing about this place is that after you order your sandwich and pay they call out your number. Always, my sandwich takes so much longer than everyone elses.

Right now Lenny's is only in NYC but I think they could expand to places like Boston & LA.

Oh it is also cool because they have clippings of NY Post Page Six sightings of celebrities at Lenny's on the walls.

Dunkin Donuts - I think I love you

Nobody just likes Dunkin Donuts, you either love it or you hate it. I am proud to say that I love it. It really is one of the greatest places ever. They were one of the first people to introduce the Coolata that really revolutionized coffee drinking in the East.

I can probably write about it forever, so for now I am just going to highlight some of my favorite things and memories of this place.

1) Drinking Coolatas in the summer with my mom. These things are really the most delicious thing on the menu. When I found out just how many calories were in them I stopped drinking but if you really want a cooling, relaxing treat, go for it!

2) Having Nina drive the block to Dunkin Donuts on the way to school and drinking my iced coffee in my Journalism class while everyone else looked on in jealousy because they did not live near the Dunkin Donuts like I did.

3) Having Nina and Josh go and get us Dunkin Donuts on Sunday mornings. That was nice. She made eggs too!

4) French Vanilla Iced Coffee - when it is made just right, it is perfection!

5) Whole Wheat Bagles and Cream Cheese - With my iced coffee, it is the perfect Sunday breakfast.

6) Frosted Donuts with sprinkles - so yummy, what a treat!

7) Munchkins - When I first started at the Post I brought then on meetings, it was my signature move! Now I rely on adult beverages.

8) Going on dates with the sketchy kid I met at Dunkin Donuts. I do not know how many other places where you can be totally out of it the day after Halloween with sparkles still on your face and end up meeting a sketchy dude who is still in his Halloween costume that you only will refer to as Dunkin to your friends.

9) 3:00pm coffee runs to Dunkin for myself and the Finance boys. Yes, they never get it right when I order it but I like the 3:00pm coffee runs. It is cute.

10) Dunkin Smoothies - Thanks for advertising!!!!!!!!!!!!! They really are tasti and delicious and cost less than most other smoothie places.

America Runs on Dunkins and I like to run so we really are a perfect match.