National Jelly Bean Day

Ah,  the simple pleasures in life. Go  out and celebrate.

An Olive in the Garden

Had a great experience yesterday in Bend, Oregon as we were deciding on where to eat lunch. Deb suggested the Olive Garden and since we were headed to Home Depot anyway it made good sense.



The parking lot was pretty busy as we expected at about 12:30, but in we went. You have to wait to be seated and as I was straining for a look at the daily lunch special board, a gentleman grabbed a couple menus and sat us in the last of 3-4 large rooms, saying it was alot less hectic in there. I thought, oh-boy, we will never see a server.

Our server, Jerry, immediately took up a extended conversation after I inquired further about the menu and soups that were available today.  We quickly settled on unlimited soup & salad, likely one of the main attractions at Olive Garden. Jerry went thru the soup list and assured me that the Zuppa Toscana, with potato, sausage & kale was the best of the best, slightly spicy with red chili flakes and guaranteed if I didn't like it he would buy it. He also said the next best soup was the Chicken & Gnocchi, (like a dumpling). I had that as my second bowl.

Deb picked Minestrone first and the Zuppa second. Did I mention it came with salad which was also unlimited and bread sticks. Jerry continued to spend alot of time chatting with us, shooting the breeze about Burns/Hines, Olive Garden and the food scene in general in Bend. He brought us some Marinara & Alfredo sauce for our breadsticks, (like who needs more of an excuse to eat another handful of those wonderful yeast & flour concoctions). The food was YUMMY!

Turns out Jerry Michaelson, (not related to Ingrid, that I know of), is the General Manager of this Olive Garden and he takes on a table every once in awhile to show his staff, (he says he has 140 employees), he has what it takes and he likes to lead by example. All of the well dressed (ties!) employees on this day seemed happy, engaged with their customers and very courteous.

Oh another famous Olive Garden touch is the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, pretty much applied to anything delivered to my table.

For $7.99, a nicely priced and enjoyable dining experience. Oh, Jerry picked up the tab for our lunch. He likes to engage with the customers. I hope he shared the $20 tip with his staff.

Jay Leno loves to bash Olive Garden during his monologue. I dont get it. It's one of his most popular targets. Obviously, he hasnt been in Jerry's place.

Cleanliness: A

Service:  A

Bathrooms: A

Food:  A

Dining experience: tops!

It's voodoo I say

Oh, this is a bad sign, a really bad sign.........say it aint so.

Its got to be a voodoo curse!

Asian night

Asian Marinated Pork Chops with Sesame & Peanut Noodles.
Made with enthusiasm in my kitchen.

Life is good!

Look what I just learned today, whoopie!

A Discount For AARP Members. Just show your valid AARP membership card when you purchase a Large or Extra Large Hot Coffee and get a FREE Donut!

Dateline: Eugene Oregon

There is a Federal Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon. No, I'm not wearing handcuffs. I'm there to present some info on a criminal case.

Evening one: Sweet Basil Thai, best Thai in Eugene and farther. Super fine presentation and so tasty. It's such a bummer that it is so dark in the dining area. I should have brought a spotlight.



Avocado Shrimp Curry




Pork with house special curry



Wild dish of the night, crispy trout

Lunch two:

The Jail, around the block from the Courthouse, this place was a dive, but quick good nice & spicy oriental style.




Order by the number on the poster on the wall.



I had a #9 Spicy Shrimp & Beef Yakisoba noodle

The lady at the register had this young child strapped on. Swinging left & right, during the lunch rush, the kid was getting a wild ride!

Snack time:

My daughter said head for Voodoo donuts.  Too hip for me, but we spotted this outfit claiming hot donuts at about 9 pm. 
Small world. The kid working the counter at Dizzy Deans Donuts has a dad who is the postmaster at Burns Post Office.

Dizzy Deans hot donuts

Debs favorite, egg crueler

Anyone can make a bacon maple bar. No I didnt try them.

Breakfast day 3:

Googled breakfast looking for the Best in Eugene.

Glenwood, Eugene Campus location

Sierra Madre Omelet, green chilies, jack & cheddar, olives, mushrooms sour cream & salsa.

Mushroom and Cheese with red potato

Doing my part, helping the economy

Hostess, has filed for bankruptcy protection two times in less than three years. Who wants to see an Amercian icon fail? Do your part to keep the American dream alive in the Hostess kitchen. I am.
Developed in 1919, hostess cupcakes is Americas best selling snack cake, followed by Twinkies, created in 1930 and Sno Balls in 1947.
Any questions?

Best dinner of the week. Move over Johnny Carinos.

Tonights dinner moves up to the weekly top yum-yum dish, so says Deb. Chicken Marsala and grilled asparagus. Oh my, thats a lick in the center of the plate. Sorry to see it disappeaar. I'll do this one again.

Salsa Grille, Fruitland, ID



 The Salsa Grille came highly recommended from the gas pump jockey at the Shell Station in Ontario, Oregon. Who'd a thought that kind advise would roll? This place has some of the best homemade chips around, and the salsa was pretty good. The menu had some really unique interesting dishes like mine:

Bistek Mexicana. Top Sirloin, green peppers, diced tomatos, onions, in a Mexican tomato salsa. A little spicy, very yummy.

Deb had:


Musketeer Platter. Pollo Asada, Carne Asada, Camarones Especiales, (bacon wrapped shrimp)

Mine was better than hers, but the garlic butter bacon wrapped shrimp were awesome.

I'm told the best sushi is in Hawaii

I normally dont post a dining spot unless I'm there doing the review.

But, since i'm not going to Hawaii anytime soon heres the scoop.

 Kevin & his family went here and said it was the best sushi on the planet. On the big island.

Gotta believe it, it's close to the water.