Karen "spaflam" F.'s Profile

Yay to Rebecca Michaels for expanding the Flying Monkey empire.  The new space is small, but so cute - and the color scheme continues the theme.  You can get all the goodies you know and love from the Reading Terminal location here in the gayborhood.

Go, monkey, go!

Went here today for lunch with an old, old friend who I haven't seen for about 15-18 years.  (Really.)

We both had lunch specials - He got a 3 roll for $13 and I got a 2 roll for $10.  Both came with a choice of soup or salad and we both had a good (albeit generic) fresh salad with tasty dressing.

The Ginza roll was excellent - cooked salmon, mayo, oinion and tempura flakes.  Crunchy and very Americanized - but good.  My yellowtail roll was just OK.  I can tell the quality of this place is not high end - but for a cheap sushi lunch I would, in fact, go back.

Service was unassuming and prompt - the large dining area was not even close to busy - maybe 4 tables occupied.

I would never waste my money on all-you-can-eat sushi (or all-you-can-eat anything for that matter) since I don't go for quantity - I need quality.  This place is OK - but no holy grail.

When they're hot - they're HOT - and sooooooo delectable when fresh out of the oven.  these pricey, large, thick, butter-laden cookies scream with flavor and taste sublime.  Oh, my hips!!!!

I attended a large (260 mostly women) function all day today at the Meadowland's Country Club.  While valet parking is (and was) available, we parked in the large lot and walked over.

The building outside is stone and beautiful as are the (golf coursey) grounds.

The facilities are very lovely although a bit dated looking.  For instance, I would not have my wedding here but a Bar/Bat Mitvah or corporate function would be fine.  It's just not "slick" enough (in my humble opinion) for a wedding.

The food and service were very good.  While continental breakfast and lunch were both provided, breakfast was not big deal  (Literally juices, coffe & danish - that was IT.)

Buffet style lunch service was tasty and nicely presented.  The eggs florentine (served for 260) was a bit cold, but tasted wonderful.  Homemade tune & egg salads were tasty and the green salad bar had numerous tasty toppings.  All fresh.  All great.

A giant fresh fruit display walong with delectable (and some still warm) homemade cookies and (not warm) brownies.

A nice place to host an affair.

Also - Membership is reduced from $1500 to $1000 due to the recession (a house membership does NOT include pool access, and you have to spend $125 a month on food from Dec - Mar).

Since we live in Center City I doubt we would ever join here - but I sure would consider having an event here - if they'd let a non member do that.

At last - I am a Tony Luke's virgin no longer.  And what a way to go.  It was a gorgeous day in November for philly and DH & I went to Tony Luke's but the line was so long that we decided to go acrosss the street to the sports bar.  Afetr a round of fried goodnees - DH had the cheese fries and I had some really outstanding O-rings - we were on to our main attraction.

DH had a cheese steak with Provolone and it was terrific.
I enjoyed a garlicky plate of Veal Scallopini that was kickin' in old school.  This was THE $#!T - for real.  Mushrooms, green peppers, onions and tender veal (wish there had been a bit more of that) in a garlicky, olive-oily sauce that reminded me of how my Nonna woulda done it.

Um.  If I'd had an Italian Nonna.

Can't wait to go back and try the Chicken Sandwich with Spinach.

I am sold on Tony Luke's.

This is the Chipotle where I had my Chipotle cherry popped.

This was from back in my Manhattan days - and I ate here for lunch quite a bit.  While I must admit to liking Qdoba a tad more - Chipotle is my go-to place for a Burrito Bol (Naked Burrito) with Chicken, Black Beans and Guacamole.

It's fast and cheap - but watch those calories - I never get cheese and rarely get sour cream so I can justify that guac!

This branch of Chipotle is in a stand-alone building (did it used to be the Pizza Hut - I forget).  It has a cool-gray ambience - a bit industrial looking.  I usally get take out, though so I don't really care.

The lines at lunchtime can get really long but they move quickly.

A cheaper (albeit longer) way to get to NYC from Philly.
The trenton train station which used to be a total pit is now barely tolerable.

It's efficient - when its on time (and it is more timely than Amtrak - at least it seems so to me.)

the trains, however are really dirty and gross.

A real treasure in San Francisco - great for tourists and locals alike.  Great scenery, a pagoda and plants and a "zen" garden feel.  Don't miss it!  (And you really can have tea there!)

I am going to be generous and give Tony A.s 4 stars (they may only deserve 3) as related to the DELIVERY ORDER we had for a large catered party (25 people) tonight.

Our group of professionals met at a nearby office complex so we needed a place that could deliver and provide a low cost alternative to Pizza.

We ordered a large hoagie tray (2 large platters) with Italian hoagies and Turkey & Provolone (no onions) with oil & mayo on the side.  Also we had 1 tray of wraps, vegetarian (GREAT - full of spinach, eggplant, peppers etc.) and Chicken Caesar wraps.

Additionally there was a large bowl of romaine salad with tomato, cucumber, sliced bolied eggs and sides of 2 dressings.

The pasta salad was not great - overly dressed in a vinegary dressing.  Yuck.

The dessert tray of brownies and cookies (Sugar, Chocolate Chip and White Chunk macadamia) were very yummy.

All in all a great experience.  Everything arrived on time and as we specified.  I can not speak for the ambience of the dining room as I ahve never set foot in the place.

This McDonalds was the first fast food restaurant in D-town and it is still there today.  As McDonald's go it is well run and fairly clean.  It is, however, a McDonald's after all and I just can't stand their food.  Maybe the fries are OK, but I am not a fast food lover.