Month: July 2015

It’s about that time for Happy Hour at Faultline!

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Did you know….

Native Americans made a corn beer long before Europeans found their way to America, bringing with them their own version of beer. Although most of that was brewed in the home during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries a fledgling industry began to develop from 1612, when the first known New World brewery opened in New Amsterdam (now Manhattan).

The “modern era” of American beer began in the nineteenth century. In 1810 only 132 breweries operated and per capita consumption of commercially brewed beer amounted to less than a gallon. By 1873 the country had 4131 breweries, a high water mark, and in 1914 per capita consumption had grown to 20 gallons (compared to about 21.5 today). Then came national Prohibition.

American beer was already changing before Prohibition. When German immigrants began arriving in the middle of the nineteenth century they brought with them a thirst for all-malt lagers and the knowledge to brew them. But by the end of the century a) drinkers showed a preference for lighter-tasting lagers, ones that included corn or rice in the recipe, and b) consolidation began to eliminate many small, independently operated breweries. In 1918 the country had only one quarter the number of brewers that operated 45 years before.(craftbeer.com)

Today’s Restaurant

Faultline Brewing Company – Santa Clara, Ca

Average Cost

$14-$30

Rating (1-10)

10

Recommended Dishes: 

Smoked Barbecue Ribs. Thai Chili Wings

It’s hot out here in the Bay Area and I need something ice cold going down my throat to calm down this fiery sun breathing down my neck.

Maybe an ice cold glass of cool water..

Better yet, a soothing cold glass of coke a cola with that great fizz down my throat..

!!Ching Ching

I’ve got it!

How about a nice ice cold sizzling brew going down my throat..

Let’s talk Faultline Brewing Company..

Continue reading “It’s about that time for Happy Hour at Faultline!” →

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Chinese Fast Food at it’s Best at Panda Express!

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Did you know….

The foundations for what we know as Chinese food were laid in the mid-1800s, when a huge influx of Chinese immigrants came to California during the Gold Rush, mostly from Canton (today known as Guangzhou). The newcomers started opening restaurants, and eventually began settling elsewhere thanks to the railroad expansion. That resulted in the establishment of Chinatowns all over the place (never forget, Jack Nicholson!).

In the 1920s, Chinese food started to catch on among the bohemians (who sometimes ate the food before it was cool… and burned the roofs of their mouths). It wasn’t until after World War II that it started to become more mainstream. Chinese chefs would often have two menus: one for Chinese people and one for Americans… but as its popularity grew, the American-tailored menu came to dominate.(thrillist.com)

Today’s Restaurant

Panda Express – Capitol and McKee Rd. San Jose,Ca

Average Cost

Less than $10 for 3 items and a side

Rating (1-10)

8.5

Recommended Dishes: 

Chinese Spare Ribs, Orange Chicken,Beef Brocolloi

Chinese food is a delightful meal that I have grown up with and it will always have a special place in my heart.

My mom used to bring Chinese food for dinner in the 80’s when she came home from work and we would always indulge in the sweet flavors of sweet and sour pork, or orange chicken and crunchy egg rolls.

I used to love dipping my egg rolls into sweet and sour sauce and then slurping chow mein while biting into the many different items that she was able to buy for us three growing teenagers without going broke.

“Hey Trev, that fast food Chinese Food is not authentic Chinese.. You American’s are fooling yourselves!”

“My dear Asian friend, I understand your point as I enjoy both sides of the coin..I’m going to talk about the American style Chinese food today. We’ll talk authentic on my next run..”

Anywhooo..

Let’s talk about it…

Continue reading “Chinese Fast Food at it’s Best at Panda Express!” →

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Have a Dinosaur Leg Taste at Menlo Park’s Connoisseurs’ Marketplace!

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Did you know….

The Austrian-born Bernays was the nephew of Sigmund Freud, and was quite good at using psychology to get people to buy a product or an idea. He was the guy who was hired by the Aluminum Company of America to use the American Dental Association to convince people that water flouridation was safe and healthy to the public. His campaign for Dixie Cups scared people into thinking the glasses they were drinking out of were unsanitary, and could be replaced by disposable cups. Bernays was hired by President Coolidge to help run his re-election campaign in 1924, and encouraged Coolidge to invite the country’s leading vaudevillians to the White House for a meet-and-greet over pancakes. This was one of the first known political pancake breakfasts that are now so popular among presidents and council members alike.

In the 1920s, Bernays was approached by the Beech-Nut Packing Company – producers of everything from pork products to the nostalgic Beech-Nut bubble gum. Beech-Nut wanted to increase consumer demand for bacon. Bernays turned to his agency’s internal doctor and asked him whether a heavier breakfast might be more beneficial for the American public. Knowing which way his bread was buttered, the doctor confirmed Bernays suspicion and wrote to five thousand of his doctors friends asking them to confirm it as well. This ‘study’ of doctors encouraging the American public to eat a heavier breakfast – namely ‘Bacon and Eggs’ – was published in major newspapers and magazines of the time to great success. Beech-Nut’s profits rose sharply thanks to Bernays and his team of medical professionals.

According to some paintings, one of the earliest turkey-leg wielders was Henry VIII, the corpulent 16th-century British king, who is sometimes depicted holding or chomping on a turkey leg. Some observers believe this is an anachronism and that the bird, which was native to the New World (and some sources disagree about that), didn’t make it to England till after Henry’s death in 1547.

But Bill Teel, an instructor in a class called History of Customs and Manners at Scarborough Renaissance Festival — where turkey legs have been sold since it began in 1980 — says that the turkey leg is appropriate to the Renaissance and to Henry’s time.(dfw.com)

Today’s Festival

Menlo Park’s Connoisseurs’ Marketplace – Menlo Park

Average Cost

Up to you but about $12 or less.. Better have cash..

Rating (1-10)

10

Recommended Dishes: 

Super huge sausage links, smoked turkey legs, or whatever fits your fancy..

It’s summer time and no better place to be in the sun than a festival with music and delicious food.

Here in the Bay Area there is usually a festival celebration of many kinds every weekend in the summer.

Jazz festivals..

Music Festivals..

Chili cookoffs..

Barbecue cookoffs..

Whatever the celebration, there is usually good music and great food.

Today we celebrate at Menlo Park’s Connoisseurs’ Marketplace!

Let’s talk about it…

Continue reading “Have a Dinosaur Leg Taste at Menlo Park’s Connoisseurs’ Marketplace!” →

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Starting my day at Bill’s Cafe!

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Did you know….

The Austrian-born Bernays was the nephew of Sigmund Freud, and was quite good at using psychology to get people to buy a product or an idea. He was the guy who was hired by the Aluminum Company of America to use the American Dental Association to convince people that water flouridation was safe and healthy to the public. His campaign for Dixie Cups scared people into thinking the glasses they were drinking out of were unsanitary, and could be replaced by disposable cups. Bernays was hired by President Coolidge to help run his re-election campaign in 1924, and encouraged Coolidge to invite the country’s leading vaudevillians to the White House for a meet-and-greet over pancakes. This was one of the first known political pancake breakfasts that are now so popular among presidents and council members alike.

In the 1920s, Bernays was approached by the Beech-Nut Packing Company – producers of everything from pork products to the nostalgic Beech-Nut bubble gum. Beech-Nut wanted to increase consumer demand for bacon. Bernays turned to his agency’s internal doctor and asked him whether a heavier breakfast might be more beneficial for the American public. Knowing which way his bread was buttered, the doctor confirmed Bernays suspicion and wrote to five thousand of his doctors friends asking them to confirm it as well. This ‘study’ of doctors encouraging the American public to eat a heavier breakfast – namely ‘Bacon and Eggs’ – was published in major newspapers and magazines of the time to great success. Beech-Nut’s profits rose sharply thanks to Bernays and his team of medical professionals.(americantable.org)

Today’s Restaurant

Bill’s Cafe – San Jose, Ca

Average Cost

$11-$30

Rating (1-10)

10

Recommended Dishes: 

Bacon and any breakfast dish you choose..Honey Oat Pancakes!

It’s breakfast time and I want something memorable today..

Something exciting!
Something delicious!
Something enticing!

There is no better breakfast location than Bill’s Cafe!

Let’s talk about it. ..

Continue reading “Starting my day at Bill’s Cafe!” →

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There ain’t no doubt that I love Chili’s Southern Smokehouse!

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Did you know….

The early years
While Chili’s was founded by Larry Lavine, it’s Norman Brinker that gets the credit for Chili’s being where it is today. Norman Brinker was an industry pioneer that served as President of both Jack in the Box and Burger King. He also founded Steak and Ale and helped get Bennigan’s off the ground. We can also thank Norman Brinker since he was the one that brought us the salad bar.

When Norman Brinker bought Chili’s from Larry Lavine in 1983, the chain had grown to 23 locations in the Southwestern part of the U.S. The original focus was on Chili’s original “Big Mouth Burger.” Brinker added Sizzling Fajitas to the menu in 1984 and Baby Back ribs in 1986.

Upside down picture in every Chili’s restaurant
No one is quite sure how it came about, but every Chili’s locations has one upside down picture hanging somewhere in the restaurant. Each sign is painted in red and green and hung upside down. The tradition looks to have influences of Chinese culture as the Chinese word for ‘arrive’ rhymes with the word for ‘upside down’. The upside down picture symbolizes that good luck will arrive and it’s a subtle way that Chili’s is greeting all those that arrive at its locations.(fool.com)

Today’s Restaurant

Chili’s – San Jose, Ca (Eastridge Loop)

Average Cost

$11-$30

Rating (1-10)

9

Recommended Dishes: 

Southern Smokehouse Burger

Anyone with a couple of kids has either heard of Chili’s or been to Chili’s.

It is a great place for family, groups as well, or just going by yourself for a quick bite or drink during Happy Hour.

I have been eating here for years and you can always count on them to add new delicious items to the menu as time moves forward.

They have great salads, chicken fingers and on today’s discussion; great hamburgers!!

Let’s talk about it..

Continue reading “There ain’t no doubt that I love Chili’s Southern Smokehouse!” →

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Mendoza’s on McKee is the place to be!

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Did you know….

The history of enchiladas can be found pre-Colombian times when the Mayas first invented the tortilla. In the time of the Aztecs, they would wrap tortillas around small fish or other bits of meat. There is also evidence that they would fry the tortillas in grease, then put them on a plate and pour salsa over the top, add cheese, then another tortilla, cheese, salsa and so on. They would then top the stacked enchilada with a fried egg and some lettuce.

The history of enchiladas is actually quite interesting. It’s progressional history, I might say. We have taken an ancient dish, gave it a name; (in 1885, the word enchilada first appeared in print, meaning “chili filled”) and transformed it. We now stuff tortillas with cheese, shrimp, beef, pork, and the most famous of all, the chicken enchiladas. We have taken something from the past, and brought it through to the future. The Tex Mex enchiladas that are drowning in red sauce are a far cry from the Aztec times, but the enchilada has survived anyway.(claimjumper.com)

Today’s Restaurant

Mendoza’s Restaurant – Mckee Rd. San Jose,Ca 

Average Cost

$11-$30

Rating (1-10)

9

Recommended Dishes: 

Carne Asada Burrito, Chicken Enchildas

If you live in California or Texas then you definitely have had your fair share of Mexican food.

You probably have a few favorite Mexican restaurants that you dine at on a regular basis; and you even have your favorite dishes that you order regardless of the Mexican dinner location.

Maybe you like dry burritos, or wet burritos, or taquitos or tacos…

Bottom line, Mexican food is delicious and here in the Bay Area we have many restaurants to choose from and you will see me write about my fav’s here and again.

Today we will talk about one of these restaurants close to my stomachs heart and that is Mendoza’s Restaurant in San Jose, Ca.

Let’s talk about it…

Continue reading “Mendoza’s on McKee is the place to be!” →

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Fillmore San Francisco Jazz with Pizzazz!

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Did you know….

Though jazz and classic blues are really early twentieth-century black music innovations, certain characteristics found in jazz do have their roots in much earlier musical traditions. Call and response, improvisation, the appropriation and reinvention of elements from Western art music: black music in the twentieth-century has never held a monopoly on these musical practices. For instance, the era American historians call “antebellum” (roughly 1815-1861) holds much of interest to researchers looking for the deep roots of jazz.

There was one condition that had to be met for a black tradition unique to North America to develop. There had to be a creole population in place, i.e. a population of blacks born not in Africa but in America. Historically, and for various complicated reasons, slaves in the United States began reproducing their numbers after the closing of the African slave trade in 1808. The creole birthrate actually climbed in the United States, as opposed to most Latin and Caribbean American colonies. Unlike in Brazil or Cuba direct African infusions into black American culture were much less pronounced in the early and middle nineteenth-century. After 1808, blacks in North America began remembering–as well as forgetting–African musical traditions, reinventing them to fit their needs in an entirely different American context. This is an important thing to remember, especially if you hold with Amiri Baraka that “Blues People” have always been curiously American “Negroes.”(allaboutjazz.com)

Today’s Vendors

New Orleans Catering – Seafood Gumbo

Aroma Concessions – BBQ Oysters

Fillmore Jazz Festival – San Francisco, Ca

Average Cost

Free for the Festival. Beer $8 and food venues vary but around $10-$12

Rating (1-10)

10

Recommended Dishes: 

There will be different food vendors every year so go with taste buds and enjoy the shows!

Sunny weekends are great for barbecue and festivals!

This 4th of July weekend is one of the best festivals in the Bay Area held off Fillmore street in San Francisco..

What festival? The Fillmore Jazz Festival with all types of live Jazz music with great food and alcoholic beverages galore!

Let’s talk about it…

Continue reading “Fillmore San Francisco Jazz with Pizzazz!” →

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The Music goes Boom Boom Boom at the Redwood Room!

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Did you know….

The English translation of al pastor is “in the style of the shepherd.” Mexican shepherds adapted the Lebanese style of spit-roasting lamb, using pork instead, and al pastor tacos became a beloved Mexican food the world over.

Tacos al pastor are made from thin strips of pork that have been marinated in spices and chiles and then stacked onto a long spit called a trompo. In many — but not all — cases, a pineapple and onion are placed on top of the spit. As the meat cooks, the outside layer gets crispy from exposure to the heat. The taco-maker shaves off the outer layers straight into tortillas, and might top the pork with sliced pineapple, onion, cilantro and salsa.(huffingtonpost.com)

Today’s Restaurant

Redwood Room – Clift Hotel – SF

Average Cost

$11-$30

Rating (1-10)

9.5

Recommended Dishes: 

Tacos, Any Appetizers

Happy 4th of July everyone!

We just spent the day at the Fillmore Jazz Festival here in San Francisco and boy was that a blast!

Now after taking a nap in our room at the Clift Hotel…

I decided to come down for a drink and a small appetizer at the Redwood Room while my wife is sound asleep upstairs.

She’s light weight when it comes to alcohol and boy did we get our fill at the Festival.

I’ll write more about the festival in my next blog.For now, let’s talk about the Redwood Room…

Continue reading “The Music goes Boom Boom Boom at the Redwood Room!” →

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I’ll Drive in Traffic Bumper to Bumper for a Massive Meal at Claim Jumpers!

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Did you know….

Founder, Craig Nickoloff, opened the original Claim Jumper Restaurant in Los Alamitos, California on September 27, 1977. Today, there are 43 locations throughout Arizona, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.

Claim Jumper Restaurants are popular with a large audience including families, children, seniors and business professionals. Our friendly environment is ideal for celebrating special occasions, hosting a business lunch or gathering for a delicious meal with friends and family.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, Claim Jumper offers a selection of freshly prepared items using only the finest ingredients available. Favorites include Certified Angus Beef® and USDA Choice steaks, fresh fish, rotisserie chicken, baby back pork ribs, fresh baked pot pies, specialty salads, wood-fired pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, burgers and more. Claim Jumper’s baked goods and desserts including our Six-Layer Chocolate Motherlode Cake, I Declair, Scratch Carrot Cake, Jumper’s Mud Pie and deliciously rich cream cheese pies are popular favorites with our guests. (claimjumper.com)

Today’s Restaurant

Claim Jumpers – Fremont,Ca

Average Cost

$11-$30

Rating (1-10)

9

Recommended Dishes: 

Ribs, Shrimp, Pizza, Pot Pie

So it’s my son’s graduation from college and man am I stoked!

Time for the hen to leave the nest and fly on his own..

Time to get some hair on his chest..

Time to celebrate his great accomplishment!

One place that we hold our big celebrations is at Claim Jumpers in Fremont,Ca.

Great food, large portions and a massive size restaurant for plenty of room to enjoy with family and friends.

Let’s talk about it…

Continue reading “I’ll Drive in Traffic Bumper to Bumper for a Massive Meal at Claim Jumpers!” →

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