Tag: discover healthy food

Restaurant Review: Gators – Randolph

gatorsRoad trip food = greasy joints along the way.

On our way between Grand Tetons and Uinta Mountains, we were hungry for something else than what was packed. So, we opted to stop at Gator’s in Randolph Utah. Perhaps not the best choice.

Klint had the Gator Burger:

1/4 lb patty
Swiss and cheddar cheese
Diced white onion
Shredded lettuce
Thick slice of ham

Overall a tasty burger.

Jen had the Chicken Finger Basket:

Lightly breaded chicken breasts were actually really good. The extra black pepper in the breading was really good and added some good flavor.

But, the fries were DISGUSTING. Limp, mushy, oil tasted old. Not sure why I ate them other than I was hungry.

We definitely agreed that next time, we’ll continue to Evanston, WY and get something more reasonable there instead of stopping in Randolph, population 500.

Restaurant Review: Ruchi Indian – Folsom

ruchiEver want to know where there is good food? Ask a local.

I’m in Sacramento area and consulting with a technology company. Not be cliché, but I asked one of the engineers for a recommendation for good Indian food in the area. I’m glad that she didn’t get mad at me for singling out her ethnicity. Actually, I know that she was pleased I asked.

I picked up an order to go and headed back to my hotel room for a FEAST!

  • Chicken tikka masala
  • Vegetable Samosas
  • Naan
  • Basmati Rice
  • Mint curry sauce

Fantastic meal!

If you find yourself in Folsom – which is northeast of Sacramento – go to Ruchi Indian. You’ll be glad you did!

 

Recipe: Chef Salad

chef saladHome from a week of vacation and eating out, so our first dinner is naturally a chef salad. Light, healthy and tasty.

The key to a great salad is the ingredients:
Rosemary sun dried tomato ham cubed
Salsalito turkey cubed
Red leaf lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Avocado
Black olives
Diced pepper jack
Balsamic and blue cheese dressing.

Great to be home and eat something on the lighter side.

Restaurant Review: Donuts – Seattle

One of the oldest vendors in Pikes Place Market, the Doughnut shop is quite a charming little place. Klint said that the doughnuts were amazing… warm, crispy on the outside, moist on the inside.

While I didn’t eat the doughnuts, I loved the smell… ahhhhhh. Plus it was really fun to watch them make the doughnuts. I wonder how old that equipment is?!

Restaurant Review: Boat Shed – Bremerton

boat shedTaking the ferry from Seattle to Bremerton is divine on a sunny afternoon. Classic way to start a dinner date in the Puget for sure! Destination: Boat Shed. A local hot spot.

Dinner started off with the customary calamari. Delicate squid battered but not fried long enough… bummer. The aoili was pretty authentic and the wasabi mayo had the right amount of kick.

Clam chowder was categorical for the restaurant’s location. Creamy. Chunky. Texture. Clam bite surprises in all the right places.

Coleslaw contained some of its own surprises. Napa cabbage added to the traditional green and purple cabbage with carrots. Instead of a heavy mayo medium, the rice vinegar-ish sweet Asian tang had a mild bite… Black sesame seeds for added crunch.

Though the beer batter was more doughy than flakey, the halibut was moist and bursting with natural flavor.

Cobb salad was piled high with tomatoes, cucumber, egg, bacon, and blue cheese crumbles. A healthy serving of grilled chicken and an added serving of chilled bay shrimp. Voila! A perfect cobb salad, Seattle style.

Service was great. Our server was funny and scarce. The water-bearer was on the ball and didn’t let the randomly angled umbrellas stop him. Definitely take advantage of outdoor seating if a nice day. Great views and elegant boats whisping by.

Do differently: Request calamari be cooked for 60 seconds longer. Not get fish and chips, rather get grilled salmon or halibut, etc. Ask for the bread earlier… very tasty.

Overall rating: 3.5/5
Food: 3/5
Service: 4.5/5
Price: $25 per person

Restaurant Review: Red Mill Burgers – Ballard

red millIngredients for one of the best burgers, ever:

  • Juicy burger patty
  • Flame broiled Anaheim chile
  • Red Mill mayo sauce
  • Tomato
  • Lettuce
  • Jack cheese
  • Kaiser bun.

Fries were so-so. But, what a tasty burger! The Verde Burger at Red Mill Burger is a must eat if you find yourself in Ballard, north of Seattle. Plus if Oprah says it’s one the 20 burgers to eat before you die, then you know it’s good!

Do differently? Keep the red onion, which is standard issue. We usually request to have onion removed because of the overpowering taste, but seems like this Verde Burger would be even better with the onion.

Another point: Even though they’re screaming busy ALL the time, service is great. Small place has enough tables because they’re turning fast. Tables outside for sunny days.

Overall rating: 4/5 stars
Food rating: 4.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Price: $8

Restaurant Review: Thai Ginger – Seattle

thaigingerFor fabulous Thai, always ask a local for a recommendation. Talked to my friend, Mike Whitmore, for a good recommendation. He didn’t let us down!

Apparently, Thai Ginger has a couple of locations. We went to the one in the multi-story mall downtown. At first, we were a little dubious because it WAS in a mall. But, sure am glad that we carried on with the recommendation.

The meat was tender. The veggies fresh and crisp. The sauces flavorful. The ambiance easy-going, welcoming and well-lit.

This picture is of the appetizer sample platter. The cucumber vinegar sauce at the top of the picture was ah-maze-ing. Gotta reverse engineer that recipe for sure!

Yep, we’ll go back to Thai Ginger when in Seattle again.

How do you say “bon appétit” in Thai?

Restaurant Review: Cafe Olga – Orcas Island

Upon the recommendation of a friend, we took the ferry to out to Orcas Island for the day. I wish that we had more time on the island to explore, but we’ll go back another time!

We did find a great spot to stop for lunch. Cafe Olga looks like an old barn. A relaxed atmosphere, great staff and fabulous food. I had an amazing Thai pasta dish with spicy prawns. Divine!

The hubby enjoyed a turkey sandwich that was an explosion of flavor with every bite. He’ll be talking about that sandwich for a long time, I bet.

For a treat to-go, the hubby grabbed a cinnamon roll. Enormous, cinnamony goodness. Bring on the sugar coma!

The restaurant was full of local art work, trinkets, jewelry, ceramics and more to buy.  Complete with a nice detail of lavender at the door. Quaint. Charming. Highly recommend to check it out if you’re going to Orcas Island. I’ll be back…

Restaurant Review: Pancake Chef – Seattle

pancake1First stop after landing in Seattle, breakfast.

Jen had the Buen Sabor omelette. Overall, pretty tasty. Would’ve like to have more chorizo for flavor and jalapeno for kick. The hash browns weren’t very flavorful, even with a healthy dose of Tabasco.

Klint had the bacon and eggs. Pretty much THE best bacon ever. Managed to get a hair in the eggs… of course. The pancakes were dense and spongy, but the raspberry and boysenberry syrup were excellent.

Truly the best part of breakfast was the people. Our darling waitress proudly told us she’s the owners daughter, so to her everything is great on the menu. The guy sitting next to us over heard that we were new in town, so he offered up advice and loaned us a pen.

pancake2In the end, an okay spot. Only reason why we’d go back would be because of not knowing about other options.

Overall rating: 3/5 stars
Food rating: 2/5
Service: 4/5
Price: $21 including the tip