Walter "The Prime Minister of the SBC" P.'s Profile

Ending my thirteen year relationship with Comcast was easy!

- Comcast never .....EVER...... offered any discounts.
- Comcast always increased their fees by 15% each year (save all your statements and you'll see a trend each year - sneaky bastards!).
- I lived with only one box in the house because it was so expensive to get second box.   They wanted $30.00 a month (plus service fees to host a second box).   Hell No!!!   The second box should be free!
- Did I mention.... they never ever offered any discounts?!!

Finally after researching the new AT&T U-verse, it made sense to make the switch over:

- Multiple level discounts because i'm already a AT&T customer:  residential, internet, and wireless.
- They offered more channels and included a second cable box for free.   I opted for the U200 package for $64.00 a month.   I'm not a total couch potato so its more than enough to catch all my favorite shows and movies.
- The new fiber optic line was installed in my neighbor making it available to get the high quality HD on two HDTV's.
- Netflix on demand and PPV friendly.   This is an important factor if you're going to trust your cable company.   Make sure they have reliable bandwidth to streamline your movies and PPV.  We tested out the PPV Pacquiao Vs. Cotto fight last Saturday.    And it worked out great!
- Installation at my house was done in 2.5 hours.   They were available on a Saturday.   And this is a plus when you have a busy work week.

Kudos for AT&T u-verse.

Now excuse me while I get my spank wire on in HD!

* gets hand lotion *

Like my fiancee', I'm a HUGE fan of bakeries!    Especially family owned bakeries.     Last summer this was a special treat that my lady presented to me during my Michigan vacation.    Shatila is the largest Middle Eastern bakery in Michigan.       Right when I entered, it reminded me of Goldilocks (the popular Filipino bakery restaurant in the West Coast).   The display cases were filled to the max with pastries, cakes, unique desserts, and sinful delights (some of them I can't even describe but looked delicious).  Colorful.  Sugary.  Temptation.   Oh Man!  This is a diet breaker!

The fat kid in me definitely sprung for joy as we started our selection.    Since we had just finished lunch, I was salivating for their baklava.    There was about twenty versions of it.     As always, we decided to order a grand selection and share each pastry.    We added some their fine cakes and had room for their pistachio ice cream!

Automatic four stars for the rich texture and right amount of sugar.    Nothing was over powering nor caked on.    I found their baklava to be moist on the inside yet crispy on the outside.     We made the attempt to take some home but ended up finishing everything.     That crispy texture really gets you, hence leaving nothing behind but the Styrofoam plate.

I'll save the last star for my return here.   And this time, I'll try very hard to bring home leftovers.

Yesterday was the grand opening!!!

It was way too packed for my co-workers and I to hit the deli for lunch.    So today we were able to sneak in before 11:30am to grab lunch!    

Tortas = $4.99 each
Super Tacos = $2.49 each
Enchilada Plate = $5.99 each

Deli Mex
Let's go far beyond the taqueria stands and Mexi-Cali places.   Mi Pueblo offers the multitude in homemade carnitas, Rajas En Crema, Mole Rojo, Carnitas De Puerco (shredded pork - my favorite), fresh beans, and flavored rice.   Bring home some fresh made torillas from their Tortilleria department and you've honestly delivered a Mexican dinner for tonight.    And don't forget the awesome display of Chicharon!  

Recommends for Meat Lovers:

Carnitas De Puerco - If pork can be shredded by a fork or by hand, this is going to be good.   I love shredded pork as much as I love Filipino Crispy Pata.   This is a big recommend if you're looking for an alternative to Filipino Lechon.    Cooked for hours, this carnitas was juicy with all its natural oils and fats intake - Giving you a mouthful of flavor.   Sinful.  But so dayam good!  At $5.99 a pound its well worth the extra calories!  

Definitely a great addition to East Palo Alto where there's limited eatery places.

And yes... they finally accept debit cards at the deli counter!

A dietitian was once addressing a large audience during dinner.

"The food we eat and digest in our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago.

Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Some Asian dishes are loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water.

But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have, or will, eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?"

A 75-year-old man in the front row stood up and said, "Wedding cake!!!"
---------------------------------------------

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!

I had to share that story!    So the wifey to be brought home some bundt cakes for our "after dinner" dessert.    Well,  let's just say we didn't even get to the main course that evening.

* use your imagination *

Definition of the Grand Poobah (from Wikipedia):

Grand Poobah is a term first introduced on the television show The Flintstones. Fred Flintstone and his friend Barney Rubble were members of the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes Lodge No. 26. The lodge is a spoof of men's clubs like the Freemasons, the Shriners, the Elks Club and the Moose Lodge. A high ranking elected position within this organization is Grand Poobah or Grand Imperial Poobah.
The term is derived from the name of the haughty character Pooh-Bah in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado (1885). In this comic opera, Pooh-Bah holds numerous exalted offices, including Lord Chief Justice, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Master of the Buckhounds, Lord High Auditor, Coroner, Archbishop of Titipu, Groom of the Back Stairs, and Lord High Everything Else. The name has come to be used as a mocking title for someone self-important or high-ranking and who either exhibits an inflated self-regard or who has limited authority while taking impressive titles.
=============================================

My Yelp Review....
I'm still not certain why this restaurant has such a distinctive name.    I was under the impression that I would walk into a group of beer drinking fools under a strict brotherhood or secrecy.   HA!   Sounds like something I started in the South Bay!   Instead I entered a sleek modernization of an Asian inspired establishment that fuses exquisite meats with the orient.    Thailand to be exact.     Our large group of 30 people gathered for a birthday celebration with a pre-fixed menu (dual selection from each category).   Since this my first visit I chose the following to tantalize my taste buds.

Appetizer - Pu Bah Beef Burner
Succulent and roasted medium well with fresh greens, red cabbage, and an awesome orchid craving of carrot.   This was a great opening dish and somewhat generous.   Some can consider this a meal already because of the lean large cuts.

Salad - Salmon Sashimi Salad
It's rare that a salad would out shine the entrée.   This was my favorite of the night, especially when salmon is one of my favorite fish.    Marinated with soy sauce and chef's secret blend of spices, this was enjoyed in its raw form (meaning the fish was served freshly uncooked).   If you're a big sushi lover, this would be a must try.    I really had to slow down and not inhale this dish.    I kept reminding myself that this must by indulged slowly.   Sorry no wasabi here.    Bonus points:   the organic greens did not have one drop of water.   This is a great sign that they spin dry their salads well.

Entrée - Free Range Rack of Lamb
I love lamb because of its gamey taste.    Sheared then oven baked to perfection, Grand Pu Bah ensured that the meat fell off the bone collecting all its natural juices once it hits your taste buds.   Dayam that was good.    For you hefty eaters, this is not a monstrous plate.   It came with two large cuts which is more than enough to capture your gamey experience.  

Great for Group Parties
Serbelle and I attended Jean N's 30th Birthday celebration here.    Jean had already made special arrangements with the restaurant by asking the owners if they could remain open until midnight.   This was a great call because we had the place to ourselves for more cocktails and music.   Since the theme of the party was "Totally 80's", it was so cool to see what people would "Bring Back".    Most of the girls brought back:  Fame, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper.   See attached pic.  

Deserves another visit:  Definitely, there's a Singha Crazy Crab on my hit list.  I'll be saving that one Yelpy star!

Great for UYE's:  For sure!   Hopeful the current SBC Grand Poobah John Michael would host one.

Parking - Luckily I found street parking next to the restaurant (I got to the event early).   I'd avoid parking across the street (Rhode Island St).   Locals had mentioned that the building owners are known to nark cars with the cops.   Unlike most places in SF, this has a pretty good neighborhood.    There were a lot of nighttime dog walkers here as well as clean forefronts.

Pho seems to be one of the top soups I have in mind when fighting the seasonal cold and flu season.

I've been driving by Pho Vi Hoa for over a year now and today was the day to get my Pho on!    Obviously I'm feeling under the weather and really needed that hot meal fix.

I ordered the # P12 Large combination of rib eye, tripe, and mixed vegetables.   I took it to go and I have to say it wasn't that bad.   Nothing spectacular, but it was enough to get me satisfied for a hot lunch meal.    Bring cash.  My meal was $7.00.

Parking:  Get here before 11:30am.   Parking is limited due to a small lot.

Un-huh un-huh un-huh...
just throw it in the bag...
Un-huh un-huh un-huh...
Just throw it in the bag!!!!

Fabolous - Throw it in the bag
http://www.youtube.com...

Last July 2009....
I'd rather drop here than at the casinos.  I have a fat wallet for Las Vegas Premium Outlets.   I had ideas on what to get the future wifey for her upcoming birthday.   Definitely Burberry.... Kate Spade.... some bling .... and added extras to go with the ring!    

TA-DOW!

Thanks Serbelle for helping a brotha out!
Thanks Alvin and Bobby (Lorilla brothers) for taking us out here!
.
.
.
.

I hate waiting in line!
I hate watching people eat!
I hate getting rip off ...especially when I can tell the weight of crab.

After one month of comparing Crawdad House to Boiling Crab, the winner in this seafood battle is Crawdad House.
- Screw waiting in line, when Crawdad House does not have the high school crowd.  
- Screw watching people eat, when Crawdad House has immediate seating and you can be watching the Warriors and A's on their big screens (while eating).
- Screw getting ripped off...when the crab and shrimp portions are better and tastier.

I'll admit that I'm not a big fan of crawfish.    There's too much effort for so little meat.    I'm a dinosaur.   So I eat til I get full.      Crawdad House can withstand my enormous appetite with succulent crab and shrimp here.     The portions are bigger and better with their unique blend of spices and wholesome garlic (yes, they have a secret recipe).     Crab is at market price $10.99 a pound.     But there's one thing that separates Crawdad House from the others - They offer the infamous, " Buy Four Pounds of Crawfish or Shrimp, Get One Pound Free!"    That's one deal you can't miss!   Especially if you're going to dine with a large group.

This maybe Milpitas's Best Kept Secret.   But with its large dining area and beer /wine selection, this is going to big hit once the word gets out!

Great for Groups:  Yes!   They were able to accommodate 20 of us with no reservations on 11/06/09...   Anna D where are the pictures!!!

Dress Code:  None

Note:  For all you writers that gave this place two or one stars, please resign from Yelp.     Now!

Oh.... and one more useful, funny point (Thanks to Ron L for reminding me)..... Crawdad House does NOT charge for water..... unlike those Boiling Crab money grubbing bastards!!!!   Who the hell charges 25 cents for water!!!

11/16/2009
Last Monday, I brought in my HDTV for repair work.
Last Friday, it was finished and just in time for the Pacquiao Fight!

$440.00 repair work with repair warranty.   Hands down to Peter Moon for his professionalism and talent.    The replacement board for the my HDTV Samsung was about $300 and his labor was $150.    Discount was applied because of initial $50 diagnose cost.

Thank you Peter!   I'm am proud to have you as my list of expert vendors in my contact list.
=======================================
11/09/2009
$50.00 for Peter Moon to begin the investigation and trouble shooting of my 42" Samsung LCD HDTV.   I bought my TV in February 2007 from Circuit City for $2700.00 without the the extended warranty.    I'm not true believer of getting extended warranties because at the time they wanted $700.00 for a three year term and the program seemed rather shady (you send your TV out and wait for about a month according to Circuit City).     I wasn't in the mood to drop $3400 for the TV, so I made my purchase and enjoyed my Samsung for 2 years and 10 months before the screen crapped out.  See attached pictures.

So this morning I dropped off the TV and met Peter Moon.  Apparently, he worked on Ron S's family televisions.   So I'm hoping Peter comes through and saves my Samsung.     I'm not in the position to drop another $3K for a TV.    Especially when the LED tv's are on sale at Best Buy.   Somehow the HDTV industry is robbing the world.    My old college TV lasted 12 years before crapping out (it was a Sony 24" from Sears).   I'm so disappointed in Samsung.

Dammit.... it hate electronics.

* sigh *

I'll keep this posted once I hear back from Peter.  For now... 4 stars for his professionalism and first impression.

The filet mignon......

The rib eye steak.......

The prime rib.......

The cinnamon pineapple.......

Four and half stars for being the first and only Brazilian Steakhouse in San Jose.   I've waited three long years for one to open up in the South Bay.
No more shall I waste precious gas to drive up north just to get my Brazilian meats.

The prime rib is screaming here.  I love watching the natural juices trickle down the craving knife and land on my plate.   Its tantalizing and very much like getting a strip tease and knowing that you're going to get a happy ending tonight.  HA!
Asides from the meats, you gonna indulge on the freshly made corn bread.   It has a texture that's moist with a little bit of firmness.

Bonus Points:    
- Cigar patio in the back.  
- You can bring your own wine (corkage fee applies).    
- We paid only $35.00 a person during the restaurant week promotion.    Regular price is $45.00 per person (not including drinks and tip).
- We reserved the large private room at no extra cost.
- Kudos to Amanda Bear for bringing her vintage sexy wine collection from 1986.  
- Kudos to James G for sharing his collection as well.  See pics for details.

Parking:  I suggest parking at the nearby lots for only $3.00 bucks after 6:00pm.

Word to the Wise:
Please don't bring $3.99 wine to my dinner gatherings.   The corkage fee was $10 each bottle.  * cough * van * cough *