Bombay Bistro

Bombay Bistro (Fairfax, VA)-http://www.bombaybistro.com/

I found this place on Washingtonian and thought I should give it a go.  After checking out the menu I wasn’t really sure if I wanted lamb or goat curry.  While I take a few more minutes to decide, I went ahead and order the Taj Mahal (Indian beer). I asked the waiter for his opion if the lamb or goat would be better. He suggested the lamb so, I went with Lamb Rogan Josh.  Eric ordered Rava Onion Masala Dosa (crepe filled with onion and potato masala). The lamb had really good flavor but it was smaller than I thought. I actually finished the whole thing and was still a bit peckish and from what I understand the Dosa was not the greatest (apprarently there’s some place in MI that has really good Dosa). Overall the price for the amount of food was not that impressive and certainly not enough for me (the Dosa was big and was cheaper).

I give it a 3 out of 5 cherries

The last night in Chicago

Bubba Gump (Chicago, IL)-http://www.bubbagump.com/
I went here the same day as Ja Grill. After the long walk looking for Kingston Mines I needed the whirlpool more than ever. After some relaxing time, it was time to go and check out the Navy Pier.  Here’s a picture of it when I was standing at one end of the pier. 

I’m a bit surprise that everything shuts down so early around there…on the pier. Anyways, Bubba Gump was still open and willing to serve food and beer (Thanks, guys!). I had one of “tall” Summer Goose Ale, ordered Hush Pups and Bubba’s far out dip (spinach, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and jack cheese). The hush pups surprised me since I wasn’t expecting it to be fish or some sort of seafood….it also had corn as well…hhhmmmm. Anyways, the food was good…..I didn’t even looked at the menu…I just wanted some beer.  It’s one of those nights that I wish I was in the mood to enjoy the place. The staff seemed really cool for that time of night and were good laughs. Oh, let mention the sign…that’s on the table…that says “Run Forrest Run” and “Stop Forrest Stop”…for the waiter/waitress to stop or go if you need them.   Well, that pretty much wraps up my trip to Chicago. I look forward to going there again but next time, I will be hanging out at some local pubs.

Ja Grill

Ja Grill (Chicago, IL)-http://www.jagrill.com/ 
After a few days downtown Chicago I’ve decide to head near Sheffield/Lincoln Park area for some food. I came across this Jamaican place. It’s a small little place and if I’m corrent they have a lounge downstairs. After reviewing the menu, my officemate decided on Jerked Catfish as a starter and I went for Curry Goat as my meal ( this came with rice/beans, cabbage/carrots, plantains and some bread) and a couple of Red Stripes (Jamacian beer).
The jerked catfish was nothing special. It was two pieces of fish…I couldn’t really tell the spices on there and it came with some dipping sauce (which was good). The dipping sauce should of been the marinate for the catfish. When the entree came everything was on one plate….I don’t usually mind my food touching each other but I wasn’t keen on having my curry mixed with cabbage, rice and plantains…if you know what I mean. Anyways, the curry was good and the goat meat (I hope it was goat meat) was tender. They also dropped some sliced pepper to make it extra spicy and man those peppers were SO HOT….Overall it was a good meal.

I give it a 2 1/2 out of 5 cherries

 

 

 

 

 

Tizi Melloul

Tizi Melloul Mediterranean Restaurant (Chicago, IL)- http://www.tizimelloul.com/
The decor is gorgeous…..reds, golds, browns.  Here’s a picture of it:

This place is a bit pricey…average about $35 per person for dinner but will worth it. To be honest I wasn’t really hungry even after walking all over Chicago (had a really late lunch…one of those 5 meats subs from Quizznos). Anyways, I ended up ordering a couple of appetizers. Fire-roasted Prince Edwards Island Mussels and Grilled Lamb Tenderlion….and Stella Artois (I would normally order the type of beer of the base on the restaurant but I really fancy stella since I haven’t had one in awhile). The mussels were so yummy and spicy. It had a light and clean taste to it. It’s served on a hot flat iron pan with harissa butter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harissa). The mussels portion were generous as well. Next came the lamb….cooked medium (per ordered) with a special version of moussaka..it was made with potatoes and some sort of cheese…..I don’t think I have to tell you that I was “snack your mama’s mama good”. 
Now, my friend had ordered Pear Salad and the Mussels. When her salad came the pear was poached (she had this salad when she came here in Jan and it was just the regular pear. They poach it for the summer time). She was very surprise and didn’t like the taste of it. Anyways, the manager/owner (Mike) was there and he replaced with another salad that she ordered.  Our waitress (Alexis) even came over and said that we can call ahead next time and let them know when we were coming in and they would make sure to have fresh pear to make that salad for her. Mike came back over to make sure everything was okay and check on his other customer regularly. He even served them food. Not to mention that he turned the AC down when he notice that some of the us were a little cold (didn’t think we catch it, did you?).

Thanks, Tizi Melloul for the great experience….now bring out the belly dancers!

BTW-On Sunday’s for $25/person unlimitted glass of house red and white wines, an assortment of specially prepared hors d’oeuvres and belly dance performances at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

I give it a 5 out of 5 cherries

Swissotel-Chicago, IL

Swissotel (Chicago, IL)-http://www.swissotel.com/EN/Destinations/USA/Swissotel%20Chicago/Hotel%20Home/Hotel%20Home.htm

After a few hours at the office I finally made it to the hotel.  The hotel is near the Navy Pier and very close to Michigan Ave.  I had the corner room (Primere Room) which was a decent size. It’s sort of L shaped with windows all around. The bathroom and entrance was at one end and the bed/desk/chair/TV was at the other. King size bed (which was really big considering it was just a little’ole me (everything was so soft and they use down comforter and pillow not just some crappy comforter and pillow), 30″ something LCD or Plasma tv (really cool to hook your laptop to and watch movies), iHome radio (you can hook your iPod to), mini fridge etc….everything will cost you.  The bottle of FIJI water was$6. If you move anything in the fridge it will cost you….I was afraid to lay on the bed just in case it cost extra…..haha. I think they also charge you for using the toilet paper as well….just kidding….There’s also a separate shower and tub. I would recommend this type of room since I think it’s roomier. It’s what you can expect from a Luxury hotel.  If you like to know more detail of the room then just leave me a comment and I can tell you.

BTW-Don’t open the mini fridge…they will charge your room.

Here’s some pictures. Sorry it’s kindda crappy…I took it with a camera phone.

Fly the friendly skies

Alright, I made it on the flight and landed safely in Chicago (on time). 
Let’s start from the beginning…..Dulles Airport Daily parking…if you are planning to park in garage 1 then, park on level 3 towards the back because that’s where the terminal walkway is *note: daily parking rate is $17 per day. Now the fun part (I’m flying United)…finding the check-in area….which is ALL the way at the end of the bloody airport!! While I going through the e-ticketingself check-in I almost hit yes to it asking if I wanted to pay for the extra leg room ($30 something…that they automatically selected and you have to unselect it…tricky, tricky)…my legs aren’t that long…haha…I didn’t take it of course which was a good thing because the flight wasn’t full. I guess that’s the benefit of taking 6AM flight. I moved to the extra room area anyways and had the whole row to myself.  The morning had to be one of the best days to fly. The clouds are look like fresh 3 feet of snow. They also had XM radio on the plane..my, my times have changed. The flight attendance are usually funnier in the morning as well which helps. All in all it was a great flight.

Asian Festival 2008

Asian Festival (DC) will be held in Reston, Va on August 9-10, 2008. I was a bit disappointed last year since they didn’t have some of the food vendors as they did the year before….some of the Thai street food I was looking forward to…. I am hoping that they will have more this year.  If not at least go there for the sticky rice and mango. They actually cook the sticky rice there and cut the mango…can’t get any better than that. Also, check out some of the martial art stuff. Mark it on your calendar!!!  
http://www.asianfestivaldc.com/

Tippy’s Taco House

Tippy’s Taco House (Warrenton, VA)- http://www.tippystaco.com/
Goosh, I went here for the first time a few weeks ago after a hard day of haggling at the mattress place (Mattress Authority….should I blog about that??). It was raining so I couldn’t get the mattress at the time. Figure I get something to eat…..again, after much driving around looking for a place end it up here….the FISH TACO signed may of helped in the decision making.  It’s a little place with a foosball and pool table on the left hand side as soon as you walk in.  You place your order and then just take a sit.  They also have a jukebox as well.   

I must be honest I was not sure about the fish taco. It’s made with fried cod….with shredded cabbage, pico degallo and the chipotle sauce in a soft taco shell….it was SMACK YOUR MAMMA GOOD!!!! Of course to wash all that down with a nice cold Corona.  Also tried the Guacamole taco and that’s really good as well. The guacamole tastes fresh.  Seems like they actually fried the cod once you put the order in and it’s not just sitting there under some light bulb.  

Good food, service and price.

I give it a 4 out of 5 cherries

The Woodstock Cafe and Shoppes

The Woodstock Cafe and Shoppes (Woodstock, VA)-http://www.cafeshoppes.com/index.php
I had stopped in here once about a month ago. Now if you have ever been out that way, you know there’s not much out there . This is a great find! So. if you ever get out that way or lost in that area…stop by there and say hi to the good folks.

When I first walked in, I thought they just sell coffee and muffins. It looks like a coffee shop that also sells wine…… Anyways, they actually have food as well. I ordered the Jeremy Smithfield and it came with a side salad with the house balsamic dressing. While I waited for the food, I was checking out the wine selection. They had these two bottle of wines that was called “Evil” and “Bitch”….they both were from Australia..oh, you Aussies, you. Anyways, the guy who was in charge of the wine area pointed them out and put them together and suggested that they would make a great pair as a gift for your special someone….haha. Let’s get back to the food….so, my sandwich arrives at the table (they give you this thing like Corner Bakery does so they can find you).  The pork was so tender and the combination of cheese and spicy mustard…how can you go wrong…ooohhhh soooo good!!!! I even had the salad which as amazing as well.

I addition to selling food, drinks, and wine. They also sell books (contribution goes to RESPONSE,  a charitable organization dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault in Shenandoah County), Antiques and Arts.

Now I won’t usually rate a place without going there a few times first but I can already tell you here that the food and the service won’t change. They take pride in who they are and what they do. Also, the price is great for the quality of food.  This truely is a great place!  So………

I give it a 5 out of 5 cherries

Camry Solara

Just a quick shout out to my girl on I495 in the left merge lane this morning…you know who are….Now you know that your in the lane that have cars coming off I66 to and they HAVE to merge on to I495, right? So, why is it that you feel the need to not let people in? Here’s a thought…..move to another lane so you don’t cause more traffic : )  Also, get off your mobile. There’s no need to drive and talk on the phone at the same time……we’re not that good at multi-tasking.