Jay "jdisco - ABCDEFART" D.'s Profile

Disneyland, the happiest place on earth is one thing; but, when I saw McComick and Shmick's, on my approach, my heart skipped a beat faster than the banter between any 2 famous sidekicks:

Mulder and Scully.  Unrequited relations.
Xena and Gabrielle. Unrequited lebianism.
Batman and Robin. Unrequited brohams.
Starsky and Hutch.  See Batman and Robin.
Bert and Ernie.  They already have hands up their asses.
Frodo and Sam.  Hobbits aren't real, and neither are Bert and Ernie.
Rivers and Gates  This is first ballot HOF, son!

The restaurant is large and busy and loud and casual given the number of people that had spent the day toursiting and conventioneering (I just made up words).  There are locals too, the better-dressed ones out having an evening in the Anaheim Garden walk.

The service was friendly and quick and he really did seem like he did enjoy what he was doing.   Customer service in the Disney area takes skill given the number of people that pass through daily.  You've got to have your game on.  Thanks for your service!  You were duly rewarded also with a nice tip.

I'm a devoted believer with more faith to McCormick and Schmick's than Tebow and a Hail Mary.  I've been to a number of the locations now and each time, I've been duly satisfied.  I was disappointed a bit, when I didn't see a Squid Ink Risotto that I had at their Beverly Hills location, but the 27 day, dry-rubbed ribeye turned that frown upside down along with having my girl's 5-year old take a smell of my Maker's Mark whiskey and scream, "oooooh, chemicals!"  With that primordial excitement of a child in the vicinity that oozes Disney, how can you not have a good time?

Read this: 3-stars as A-OK is generous.  Generous.  Thankfully, happiness that exudes from the the happiest place on earth nearby (Disneyland) just drowns the vicinity.  It's hard to be frustrated.  Unlike enthusiastic kids, I gotta keep it real for the adults.

The Sex.

-  Within 3-4 long Anaheim walking blocks of Disneyland.  
- If you can't hang walking, then take the hotel/Disneyland shuttle service to and fro! $3/adults and $1 kids.  Route 6.
- Clean rooms.
- I slept really well. Nice firm beds.  Clean sheets! Nice pillows.  
- We got a Groupon for about $78 dollars a night!  I never checked what the normal rate was.  I'm afriad to ask. HA
- Parking was easy and plentiful.

The drugs.

- With a groupon, you should come out ahead, but we didn't feel like it since we got what we paid for --$78/night??.  Is this what $78/night is like?
- The hotel needs a makeover in the shadow of other bigger hotels nearby.  Every hotel chain you can think of is nearby..
- Old rooms needing a makeover, but it's ok.  We just needed a good bed and shelter.
- The a/c worked its hardest during the absurdly hot January day and night, but wasn't cool enough for the Fonz.  So we opened our sliding glass door all night, which made the room cooler than the a/c could ever do   Camping is what I said, we went camping, which wasn't a problem since we were on the 7th floor if security is an issue with you.
- Breakfast? None.  Then again, hey, we got what we paid for? It's an old hotel.

The Rock-N-Roll.

Clarion, I'm ok with you since we cleaned up nice and slept well and were well-rested.  No complaints there.  We walked.  We shuttled.  We took advantage of all the amenities.  The hotel staff was fine.  

If I find myself making rational reasons why you're ok, then we're ok.  I'm not a fan, but the groupon really makes decisions-making easier.  Will I hit you up again, maybe? We can talk about it.

I've been a here a few times now.  It's all good and tasty stuff, but for the price, I'm not that excited.

Once during happy hour, I ordered the half dinner plate of Squid Ink Linguini $16.50 since I had delicious memories of a squid ink risotto I had once at a place in LA.   A full order of Squd Ink Linquini is about $24.00.  I didn't necessarily whince at the price since I was fully aware of where I was eating.  But I did whince, when I felt like I was provided a 1/4 order.  Hrmm... at a few fork-full of linquini.  

Was something amiss? Did someone or me for that matter misunderstand what half-order/tapas style/happy hour portions mean? I'm not sure.  Again, I didn't necessarily whince at the price since I was fully aware of where I was eating.

One night I had arrived for dinner with friends from out of town.  We all had a great time, service was awesome, and the food tasted great.  The plates that were memorable were:

- Charred Bone Marrow
- Cutting Board - charcuterie of meats, artisan cheeses, mustards, spreads and pickles
- Local Clams
- Taglietelle of house made spicy pork sausage
- Pork Belly
- Dutch Apple Pie

However, given that one experience, I felt it's all somewhat overpriced.  Maybe it's just me.

O'setra? Nope, Not Irish.
Olestra. Nope, you're thinking of Olestra, a fat substitute in potato chips.
Olvera? Nope, that's a kicking historical old town main street in Los Angeles.
Aloe vera? Nope, that's a healthy plant extract from succulents.

Osetra.  More like et cetera.

A few nights ago, the girlfriend and I stopped in for Happy Hour before checking out Anthony Bourdain at Spreckles nearby.  Sure, let's check out the wine tower that Osetra boasts about.  Well, it is a tall (about 30-feet tall at least) wine tower case that employees must suspend themselves along each side with wires above the dining crowd.  Maybe 5 years ago I'd be impressed, but after seeing Hollywood stunts, hidden wires, Hong Kong martial arts movies and Mission Impossible, I'm desensitized.  We ordered.

1) Seafood Napoleon - layers of lump crab, spicy tuna and guacamole. Drizzled with wasabi oil.
2) Lobster Bisque    
3) Chesapeake Crab Cake  - pan seared white lump crab finished with fresh mango chutney. Served with a Russian remoulade.
4) Oyster Rockefeller  - Not on the menu, but we asked for it.  Oyster half shells topped with butter, parsley, herbs, bread crumbs and broiled.
5) Among many drinks of whiskey and glasses of wine.

The two of us ordered a number of Happy Hour items shown above that totaled about $100 bucks.  Happy Hour means that select items were 50% off.  Not ballers by any means, but a $100 Happy Hour for 2 is relative high, even if you offset our drinks.

The joint is nice, classy, and busy as you can see that there are regulars.  The bartending staff is awesome and friendly.  That said, it's a good place, no beef (it is a seafood place, pun) about it.

You don't have to cry to dad because mama let you down.  It's okay because Mama is gonna make it right.

She filled my sad, emo and hungry tummy with her eggs benedict ala California.  A simple combination that can be failed.  The ingredients (eggs, turkey slices, avocado, English muffin, hollandaise sauce) are brilliant individually as culinary superheroes outright, but in combination, the open face-served sandwich is superb like the Justice League.  The sum of the parts is greater than the whole.  In fact,, get the whole order and save the rest for home.  The half order is only half the fun.

As far as sidekicks go, the hash browns weren't thin at all.  I have a weak spot for McD hash browns (not eggzachary a good comparison), so my impression of Mama's hash browns were great!  I apologize for my low bar of comparison.

The joint is decorated in friendly small town local and similarly the staff is awesome and friendly.

The bottomless coffee is local from the La Costa Brewing Company.  Not this is entirely a secret at most places, but if the coffee is bottomless/unlimited, you might as well get a cup to go.

I'm eggcited.
I'm going for the fatty french toast next.
I've got my eye on you.

Sub-urban Outfitters.

Even suburban kids are fashionably conscious too.

I wish I was a vet, so I could take care of all the lovely cougars.  Later in the evening,  the exit of the cougars gives way to ladies and coeds.  

Among all the women, the veteran mougars or manthers (veteran men) may linger a bit longer to prey on the younger coeds.  Actually this is a good thing as, as fetching as the coeds are to the older fellas, your life becomes easier.  After buying the gals a few drinks in their attempts to lure the fetching gals, the manthers move on rejected and dejected.   This is where you as swoop in to close escrow as the bionic man (younger, better faster, stronger).  

Hey ladies? How you doin'?  This is the art of the game.  Who said it can't be fun and affordable?! :D

OooooHHHHH!

It's Trivia night on Tuesday Nights!

What rock can float on water?
Pumice.

I knew this and you can take that answer to the bank or spend it on the Tuesday night special:  2lbs of chicken wings and a pitcher of craft beer for $20.

...

Bonus Question.

Which celebrity was a pro-tennis star?
Chevy Chase.  I honestly thought he played pro basketball as Fletch? HA

This Harney is just like its sister restaurant in Old Town.

Larger. Check.
Ooontz Ooontz. Check.
Modern Decor. Check.
Full bar. Check.
Trendy. Check.
Miso. Check.
Harney. Check.
Decent Sushi. Check.
Decent Sashimi. Check.

Except for a two (2) things -

First, it's near the Oceanside Pier. Walking distance is nice.

Second thing, Harney is filled with Camp Pendleton Marines.  Ooohrah.  Buy one a beer or two and thank her/him for their service.

If you're in North County, Oceanside isn't new to you.

If you're not from North County, overall, Harney is not a bad place to spend a buck and some time.

How to enjoy Legoland.

Good ----  
You love Legos and can let go of any other park experience because Legoland just isn't that park juggernaut that may influence your thoughts in thinking this park is less than what it really is.

Better---
You drive a Volvo and get premier parking close to the front next to the handicap peeps, but sometimes non-Volvo drivers park in the wrong spots. Dicks.  Consider the large and small of Legoland.  It's small enough to wander several times throughout the day akin to some thing local, which very much makes it uniquely Carlsbad because the other parks are in England, Denmark and Germany.  If you have an appreciation of things European and understand that the park is unrelated to Ikea, you're off to a good start.

Best----
Bring a kid.  Watch them get giddy.  Much like how the kid rides his/her first "roller coaster" and actually thinks they accomplished something huge.  Bring a child where every experience is something new and that smile is genuine.  

Plus, its got its share of MILFS.