Review: Amco Enameled Lemon Squeezer

I love lemon juice and love lemony things, but the task of getting the juice out (sans seeds) was always a bit tough.

I thought I liked my wooden lemon reamer, but nothing compares to this baby: http://www.amazon.com/Amco-Enameled-Aluminum-Lemon-Squeezer/dp/B0002V23BG

It’s powerful, tough and can get the juice out of lemons and limes and oranges easily. The only con is that it does take a powerful grip to use. This can be tough if you’re not too strong, but other than that, it works great.

I got mine at World Market and I see them everywhere. Definitely worth the $$.

Best Dinner in Tucson?

I  live in Tucson and I eat around town quite a bit, however, I still cannot find food that surpasses Wildflower. while there the other night, we not only got amazing service but the food was outstanding. Again.

I had the salmon (so good!). I lived in the Pacific NW for 10 years so I know good salmon and what I had at Wildflower was the closest I've gotten in years. Of course nothing is going to beat something caught fresh that morning and expertly prepared, but the Scottish organic salmon was very good.

Also, I had the affogato (espresso over ice cream) and it was terrific. Again, I haven't had it since I moved here several years ago, but I can say this was delish!

Best Biscuits in Western North Carolina...

And it's not even a breakfast place!

RED DAWN

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They serve a little basket of these gems before dinner (which is pretty delicious, too). I will go back just for these. Super light, a little salty and served with fresh Amish butter. YUM! http://frogsleappublichouse.org/

OH NO... Red Velvet Wine Bar in San Diego Closed?

Say it isn't so... I just found out that one of our favorite spots in San Diego has closed its doors. So sad. This place was killer...great wine list, cozy setting, nice food (actually really nice) and walking distance in Little Italy. Total bummer.

San Diego needs more places like this...

Boo hoo!

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Restaurant Review: Santa Fe Grille, Santa Rosa, New Mexico

OMG, I don't think it could get much worse. On a trip east from Tucson to NC (see other reviews), we spent a night in Santa Rosa, NM. While not a large town, it had a nice Hampton Inn and they referred us to the Santa Fe Grille.

We drove up to a restaurant that had bright lights and a diner feel. We still decided to try it. Mistake #1.

My husband ordered tacos and I ordered a fish fillet. Both Mistake #2.

We each had one beer and were informed by a card on the table that there was a two drink maximum. We didn't want more, but just the chastising of "don't even think about having more than two drinks" made us feel unwanted and uncomfortable.

This place serves the unlucky tourists who roll through town to stay in one of the many hotels they have. Unfortunately it's not a good choice and as we go back through we've decided to spend the night in nearby Amarillo, TX with more options and drive right on by Santa Rosa.

I suggest you do the same.

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Tucson Restaurant Review: Harvest Restaurant and Miguels

Are there foodies in Tucson? Recent vists to Harvest & Miguels leave questions…

As a self-proclaimed foodie, I was dismayed at my latest restaurant visits to two old standbys here in the Tucson area: Harvest Restaurant and Miguels.

Let’s start with Harvest. Harvest is literally moments away from my front door and we visit frequently. Although it used to be a winner, the last few visits have been disappointing. Especially the last visit: We ordered two carry-out hamburgers on a Saturday night and the order took nearly 1.5 hours to be ready plus the burgers were burned and the fries ice cold. Say what? I’m scared to try it again after this last horrible showing. They usually have great, fresh fare, but lately things are uneven. I’ll stay tuned, but right now I’m a little gun-shy. And a note, in case anyone from there cares: Please put some good salads on the dinner menu! They’ve all disappeared (Farmers Salad, for instance).

Miguels: Miguels was one of those places where you just knew you’d have a great meal and a killer margarita. Although more Latin than technically Mexican food, they still have good, salty chips and a nice guacamole. Unfortunately, they were nearly out of the organic tequila we like, so the ‘ritas were a bit light in flavor. But of bigger disappointment were the dinners: I ordered the bacon-wrapped prawns and my hubby got the chicken enchildas. Two of our former favorites–you know, the kind where you look forward all day to eating them?

The prawns were cooked fine, but unfortunately the yummy, complex sweet-yet-spicey barbeque sauce they usually serve with it was missing. This tasted like they dumped a pump of KC Masterpice on the plate and put everything on top. Truly a disappointment. Where did that amazing sauce go?

My husband said the same of his dish–the complex flavors that we had come to know and love with Miguels were gone. In their place were ordinary bland food. While edible, it sure isn’t the Miguels we have visited so many times and enjoyed. Either their chef was off (on a Saturday night at prime-time season in March?) or they’ve gone the way of so many formerly good restaurants and tightened their belt so far as to squeeze out all of the flavor.

As a great town, Tucson has its own charm and its own restaurant flavors. We have lots of great food here (no, not just Mexican) and it makes me sad when those I know and trust start favoring saving money over delivering quality. Either the chefs or managers were not on their toes for these recent visits and unfortunately, most won’t give you a second chance. Especially during the key season of March here in southern Arizona. Buck up! Get your acts together and re-join the special few we’ve all come to savor.

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Review: Chef's Table, Waynesville, North Carolina

I recently wandered into this restaurant and was literally salivating at the chance to eat there...BIG mistake.

First of all, the service could not be more rude. We were asked three times by everyone we encountered if we had a reservation. No, we didn't. Oops, we realized (after being treated like silly children who should know better) that this was our first error.

Second, as the website claims "Sit and sip wine while watching the chef worlk in the open kitchen," This is a NO-GO. Obviously this chef and staff did not want us to sit at the kitchen bar. We got dirty looks and looks of disdain by trying.

While a server did his best to accomodate us and was friendly, we decided not to stay. We've eaten in numerous wonderful restaurants and many no-so-fab. I can tell you when a meal starts off like this, it doesn't get much better.

Oh yeah, it was a Wednesday and most of the front of the house was empty save for one couple and a large dinner party. There was plenty of room for us, but if the kitchen is thrown by two extra diners, forget it!

Too bad, so sad.

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Review: SNAPPY'S of Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Snappy's is an institution in Maggie Valley. This small, kitchsy valley town of mostly summer and fall homes has housed this Italian restaurant for several years. I first visited almost 20 years ago on a visit to my boyfriend's parents summer home. I loved the salads, homemade dressings and pizza.

Since then, admittedly my tastes have refined and changed (thank a 10-year stint in foodie mecca, Portland OR for that). I still looked forward to visiting this little cafe on my recent visit. Mostly things are the same. Still in a strip mall storefront with very little to entice passersby to come in, but still a pretty good choice for simple pastas, salads and pizza.

Our first order of salads, pizza and garlic bread sticks was good, basic food. Not amazing, certainly not memorable, but good enough for a go-to, close-by carry-out option.

WEALTHY WAHM

Our second order was the ravioli (cheese and spinach), more breadsticks and salad. The antipasto salad was good and the homemade dressing pretty good (I can make better, but that's being picky). Breadsticks could use more flavor. These are your basic white bread, doughy sticks with pats of butter. Not bad, no great. The spinach ravioli was a surprise. It was light and very flavorful. The cheese ravioli was disappointing--heavy, not homemade and boring. You can get this stuff in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Blah.

Our next visit got experimental with ordering the salmon and sweet potato. An interesting duo, I agree and a true disaster. The salmon was nearly white, not a rich pink, horribly "fishy" in smell and taste and just plain awful. The potato was not cooked thoroughly, but did come with some brown sugar and cinnamon to top it. Also, Snappy's forgot to include my dinner salad, so all-in-all, a real mess.

Bottom line: Stick to the basics like pizza and salads and simple pasta. Skip anything more than that.

EDIT: Later, we went back for salad and they actually remembered they had shorted us a salad and had a note posted with our name! They made good!