You are reading I No Longer Blog Here – Goodbye!. Read more at FOODIES.

Met Carla and Paul for tapas at Oeno on Friday night. Jenni joined us, too.

I finally got to try the baked lavosh, which Jenni tried to order the previous week, but they were out. I’m glad they had some this time. The lavosh was yummy!

We also had the spinach dip. It was yummy the last time, so we ordered it again. We also had the pork skewers this time, but Brian did not like them. I thought they were delicious until I noticed that they were pink in the middle, and I like all my meats well done. Brian, on the other hand, didn’t like the flavor at all.

Carla had the strawberry dessert, which she said was very yummy. I wanted dessert too, but Brian was watching out for me and wouldn’t let me have any. I don’t know how Carla and Jenni do it. It’s completely unfair!

You are reading Tapas Part II. Read more at FOODIES.

I finally got to try AVI Seabar and Chophouse inside the Broadview Hotel downtown. Brian went there a few weeks ago with some coworkers. He thought it was really good so he wanted me to try it too. We had the opportunity to have lunch together yesterday after his training class so that is where we went.

I’m so glad that I got to try it because it’s great food at a reasonable price. Brian got the croque madame ($8), which is like a ham sandwich with gravy and fried egg. He likes their fries with truffle oil too. Brian loves their fries, though I’m not a big fan. I had a few bites of the sandwich and loved it, though. I thought it was possibly one of the most delicious ham sandwiches I’d ever had. Although, I could feel the richness of it and could feel the thousands of calories permeate my system. I can’t imagine eating that whole meal by myself, which is what Brian said he did the first time. He said he was miserable all afternoon as a result; but it was so good that he thought it was worth every single miserable calorie. LOL.

I ordered the coconut curry shrimp special ($8) which was really good, but also really spicy. They are serious about spicy foods in that kitchen. My mouth was on fire. The food was delicious, don’t get me wrong. I’m just a wimp when it comes to spicy foods. If you love spicy foods, I definitely recommend hitting AVI whenever they have the coconut curry shrimp special because you will love it. It’s the perfect blend of shrimp (big ones too, not those teeny tiny ones), shiitake mushrooms and snow peas (it looked snow peas, but I’m not really knowledgeable about veggies because I’m not typically a veggie eater; and I always confuse snow peas with string beans because they look a lot alike). I thought it also had some red pepper, tomato and potato. Everything worked well together and I actually liked the veggies and ate them. I would have finished the entire dish were it not for the inside of my mouth bursting into flames. LOL.

Overall I really liked the look and feel and of the restaurant. The place is decorated like any other chophouse, but I liked the nice touches like the stone wall with the fireplace inset. I thought that was really neat. I liked that the booths were separated by tall walls so as to afford diners some privacy. I also liked that there’s an upper level. It looked like they situated the bar up there, which Brian thought was a great idea because he felt that the drunk people should be separated from people who want to actually eat and enjoy their food. I thought it was good, but then you run the risk of drunk people falling over the railing at the patrons down below. Brian was like, “That’s why they made the railings high. See?” I was like, “Well, the drunk people still have to stumble down the stairs. There’s plenty of opportunity for them to fall over.” Ha ha ha ha.

We had an enjoyable lunch overall. It felt special because we rarely ever eat out for lunch anymore. Back in the day, we used to go for lunch daily checking out various restaurants downtown. Nowadays I just have a shake at my desk and work over lunch. Brian does the same. I’m actually glad that we don’t eat out for lunch regularly because it saves us both money and calories, but it also makes those times when we do get to eat out for lunch more special. When you do something all the time, you start to take it for granted.

Thank you for taking me to AVI for lunch yesterday, baby! I really enjoyed it. Mwah!

You are reading Finally Got to Try AVI at the Broadview. Read more at FOODIES.

Jenni and Anthony stopped by Fox & Hound on Friday night, but only stayed a few minutes. It was okay because we were meeting them at Oeno the next night. A friend of Jenni’s from work also joined us.

After Oeno we went to John Barleycorn’s to see Skrapyard perform. The two options we gave them last night were the Fabulous Fleshtones at RD’s in Mulvane or Skrapyard at Barleycorns. Jenni and Anthony didn’t feel like driving all the way to Mulvane since Anthony’s hotel was located in the Northeast part of town. Barleycorn’s, on the other hand, was just down the street.

Skrapyard didn’t start playing until after 11 pm, so we ended up staying later than I would have liked. Although, I got to listen to two of my favorite songs and meet Chuck’s girlfriend who seemed really nice, so it was all worthwhile.

Jenni and Anthony were tired and left during Deeds of Man. Brian asked me what time I wanted to leave, but I wasn’t ready yet. We didn’t stay that long after they left, though. As soon as Medicine Man started playing, I told Brian that we could leave once the song was over. But then, they started playing Electric Worry (Clutch cover), which is Brian’s favorite song that they play so we had to stay for that song too. We hurried and left toward the end of the song so as to avoid hearing another song that we might like and then end up staying even later. LOL.

You are reading Anthony’s Visit. Read more at FOODIES.

Two of the tables we needed were ready, but we were waiting for the people at that last table to leave so that the three tables could be put together. There were several things suggested like buying them a round of drinks at the bar so to get them to leave the table, but then we weren’t sure if they were of legal drinking age. They looked young, but appeared to be of age. However, they were drinking water and soda so we came to the conclusion that they probably weren’t drinkers. Stephanie knew who they were and she said they didn’t drink, so that idea was nixed.

It was terrible because the restaurant and the server couldn’t make any money while they were sitting there tying up a table. On a busy Saturday night, you want a continuous flow of people coming and leaving. When you’re done and you’ve paid, then leave so that the restaurant can get the next group in. If you want to keep your table, then order dessert or order some more drinks or something. At least make it worthwhile for the server and the restaurant. It wouldn’t have been as bad if it was during a slow period and there was no wait but, when there are starving people waiting for you, at least try to be considerate.

Half an hour later, they were still sitting there merrily chatting. We were like, chat at the bar or chat in the restaurant lobby. Just chat elsewhere so that we can finally get our table. Coley finally took matters into his own hands and spoke to the manager. Shortly after that, the manager went to speak with the group to politely ask them to leave. I’m pretty sure they weren’t happy about that, but we didn’t care. We’d been waiting a while and some of us were very hungry.

I didn’t get pictures of everyone’s food because Coley hates it when I do that. I didn’t get pictures of mine and Brian’s food because we always get the same thing. It’s really not that exciting. Besides, I think most of us were starving, so if I would have asked someone to hold off eating until I got a photo of their food they probably would have chopped my head off.

I did get a picture of Stephanie’s dinner because she ordered French fries — of all things — at a Mexican restaurant! LOL. She tried to order mac and cheese, but she was denied. No mac and cheese at Abuelo’s apparently. Not even for kids.

BTW, Brian and I are only supposed to eat out no more than once a month, but there were so many things that went on this month that I have lost count. Valentines week/month is almost worse than Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. I hit my lowest weight ever this month and promptly gained back the weight I’d lost and then some. I swore that I gained five pounds in the span of a week. Blech.

You are reading Gina’s Birthday Dinner at Abuelo’s. Read more at FOODIES.

Before mom could start the torta, dad had to grill the talong.

This is what the grilled talong looked like.

Then you open up the talong to prep it for the rest of the ingredients.

The scrambled eggs hold the ground pork in place. It binds the meat to the talong.

So when you flip it over, it doesn’t fall apart.

This is what the finished product looks like.

Here’s mom making some more. BTW, mom did a fantastic job on dinner last night. Everything was delicious. Even the bico, which I don’t normally eat, was very good. I actually took some leftover bico with me. I shared it with a couple of my coworkers this morning and they loved it too. I think I’m going to have to ask mom for the recipe and instructions.

You are reading Tortang Talong. Read more at FOODIES.

This has quickly become my most favorite chicken soup of all time. (Go to Sabor in Old Town Square if you want to give it a try. It’s delicious!)

You are reading Sancocho Chicken. Read more at FOODIES.

Had a great dinner at Bonefish with Misty, Cari, Stacy and Brian. Love, love, love Bang Wednesdays!

BTW, Brian and I finally got to try the chocolate creme brulee. We’ve been leery about trying it because it’s infused with Gran Marnier and we were always afraid that Brian would have a negative physical reaction. He managed to get a few bites before it started. He said it was worth it. I have to great. Best creme brulee ever!

You are reading Bang Wednesday at Bonefish. Read more at FOODIES.

After Brian helped me clean my office on Saturday, I rewarded him by taking him to Wasabi for a late lunch. The cleaning and organizing took longer than we anticipated, so we didn’t get to eat until 1:30 pm. We didn’t even completely finish, but had to give up because his blood sugar was about to bottom out. Yes, my office was that messy.

Anyway, when I checked in to Wasabi on FourSquare, it said that I hadn’t been there since July 2011. That was really impressive. As much as we loved eating sushi at Wasabi, we managed to stay away for six months. I guess when we say that “we’re not eating out” we really mean it. Wow.

Now let’s see if we can make it another six months without going back. =P

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For those of you who don’t know, Lonesome Spur is located in the town of Justin, the boot capital of Texas. It’s the home of — yep, you got it — Justin boots. The discount warehouse was right next the restaurant. We actually saw it on the drive up and I got very excited. That is, until I found out that they’re closed on Sundays. Such is my luck. Ugh.

I guess we’ll just have to make another trip back.

The food at Lonesome Spur actually wasn’t bad and the menu prices were quite reasonable. I wouldn’t mind eating there again.

Brian had the Justin scramble, which is the exact same thing he gets at every breakfast joint or diner that we go to whether or not it is on the menu.

Donna had an omelet.

David had chicken fried steak, which doesn’t really look as impressive as other chicken fried steaks that I’ve seen or eaten.

It looks like cousin Tracy had a bigger chicken fried steak. Hmmm?

I ordered the cowboy omelet minus the veggies. The only thing I had them leave were the tomatoes. So basically it just had ham, sausage, bacon and tomato. LOL.

I really liked the extra crispy hashbrowns. That was a good call by cousin Tracy.

Here’s our group at breakfast. I can’t wait to go back. Not so much to eat, but I want to go boot shopping. I heard you can get some really good deals from the Justin discount warehouse.

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This was the chocolate ganache…

This was the carrot cake…

I had half a slice of the chocolate ganache and a slice of the carrot cake. Both were delicious! I think the vanilla bean was probably equally yummy, but I didn’t get to try it. Brian had half a slice of chocolate ganache cake leftover and I was really tempted to eat the rest of it. I ran to the bathroom real quick (well, not so quick – Brian said that I tied up the bathroom and there was a line of people behind me wanting to use it) to brush my teeth and put my braces back in so that I wouldn’t eat his leftover cake. LOL.

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Oldwest Cafe was our stop in Denton, Texas. We couldn’t find a place to park at first and there was a fifteen to twenty minute wait for a table. I’m glad we stuck around though, because the food was great.

I found out about Oldwest Cafe through my Urbanspoon app. It had really good reviews. Out of 243 customer reviews, it had a 99% approval rating. I figured 240 Urbanspoon users can’t possibly be wrong so it was a safe bet. The fact that it was just down the street from our hotel was an added bonus.

This is a picture of my yummy hot chocolate.

This is David’s breakfast. Our server gave me an option of bacon, sausage or ham. I asked for bacon automatically because that’s what I always get. When they brought David’s plate out and I saw the huge slice of ham, I immediately realized that I made the wrong choice. LOL.

Brian ordered the “bandit,” which is exactly what he gets at every breakfast joint. He usually has to piece the meal together from side items listed on the menu. At Oldwest Cafe, they have at of those things that Brian gets as a menu item.

I had two eggs, hashbrowns, two slices of bacon and a side of French toast. It was yummy but, I must admit, I had ham envy. LOL.

You are reading Oldwest Cafe. Read more at FOODIES.