Pu Erh Tea

My new 'Favorite' thing: Pu Erh Tea

After reading The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See I was curious about tea. It was a selection for our book club and our leader brought us a sample. I liked it so much that I ordered some from Amazon. Then, my daughter got me a supply for Christmas.

Highly Recommend It!

Time for a 'cuppa'!

One of My Favorite Things

Grits with lots of butter and extra crispy toast! Yummmmm!

Had to order from Amazon. Can't find
the 'Old Fashioned' grocery story.

BOB EVANS Recommended

Bob Evans makes the best mashed potatoes. I do not think I will ever mash a potato again. You find them in the dairy case close to the meat section.

...and Bob Evans makes really good Breakfast Burritos. We keep them in the freezer as a 'go-to' when we are tired of the 'same-old, same-old'. We serve them with spicy tomato juice or salsa. You find them in the 'breakfast' freezer section. 

Then, we found a Bob Evans Restaurant in Branson, Missouri. Great food and good service. We wish we had one closer to us.

Try them all! You will like them!

Our New Favorite Topper

We started with honey on our biscuits and toast.  

Then, the 'aha'!  Why not add a little or maybe a lot of cinnamon to the bear. You cannot beat it!  It is delicious!  Our biscuits* now taste like cinnamon rolls!

The down side?  You could eat it so often that you wear your taste buds out with the taste of it? Not!!!!

*Heads Up!  Pillsbury Southern Style Frozen Biscuits taste like homemade.

Michaelangelo's Thumbs Up!

We met our cousins at Michaelangelo's in Conway before we went to see James Carville last week at the Reynolds Center at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway.

It is located in Downtown Conway. You can get to it by taking the I-40, Oak Street Exit.


We split the Chicken Parmigiana and each had a House Salad with the House Dressing on the side.  We always have the dressing on the side.  Usually, the waiter makes the salad and drowns the lettuce with the dressing.  I like to taste the salad with a hint of the dressing... usually a vinaigrette.  We had more than enough to eat and it was delicious!   It was Monday, raining, and not crowded.  Sometimes I find that if there isn't a lot to keep the waiter on his toes, the service lags.  Not so, this time!!!  The service was good even though our waiter had a "shadow" in training with him. 

Definitely going back...soon! 

Maddie's Place Thumbs Up!

Friends called..."Let's Get Together"!....which means let's eat out so no one has to cook.  "You decide where to go since you eat out more in Little Rock than we do."


We went through our lists: West Little Rock, Midtowne, Downtown, "Riverside" area.  Chuck had been to Maddie's Place in the "Riverside" area...foot of Cantrell Hill...for lunch.  He came home bragging about the Shrimp Po-Boy...best shrimp I have had in a long time.  He picked up a menu and we went with his choice.  We were not sorry.  

See a side note below...

The weather was nice so we sat outside on the patio.  We had a delightful waitress...thanks, Jennifer!  The food was superb: Grilled Shrimp Salad: 1/2 order Cornmeal Crusted Chicken Tenders w/Shoestring Fries (yes, 1/2 orders are available for a lot of the selections); Crawfish Po-Boy; Crawfish/Shrimp Po-Boy.


We were not disappointed.  We don't won't to over sell, but I think you won't be disappointed either.


BTW...this building was the old "Faded Rose" in the 70's/80's.  They moved in a renovated building next door.

The Pizza Cafe Thumbs Up!

The Pizza Cafe

Our favorite pizza; our favorite place to eat pizza!  It has to be.  We keep coming back for more.  

West Little Rock

We venture off thinking there must be another one so special.  We haven't found it.  

We have looked far and wide....

Way out Hwy 10

Pleasant Ridge close to I430

Downtown, River Market

....and all around!

Hillcrest Little Rock

Last night was "pizza night"!  We eat pizza at least once a week. We eat pizza when we are too tired to or don't want to cook/eat at home.  Where did we go?  Of course, our old stand-by and "favorite", The Pizza Cafe.  Yum-m-m-m!  

Sitting at the bar watching a basketball game-Beer in a mug from the fridge, a small dinner salad with ranch on the side and a 10" Supreme Pizza. It was not only Supreme; it was sublime.

Vacation Day at Dugan's Pub Thumbs Up!

Every once in a while Chuck and I take a day off and pretend we are out of town on vacation.  When in actuality, we are not.  


Wednesday was one of those days.  We wanted to make a trip to Artist Outfitters downtown.  With that in mind and it being close to lunch we went on vacation.  

Our stools were the ones on the right end of the bar.

We found the nicest out of the way pub to help us in our fantasy...Dugan's Pub on 3rd and Rock. What a great find! We got there about 11:30am to beat the lunch crowd, but didn't.  It was already crowded and all tables were taken.  No problem! Vacationers sit at the bar!.  We ordered Blue Moon beer on draft and were surprised at the generous serving.  We didn't have a designated driver so we didn't/couldn't finish them.  Never had Blue Moon before, but will have it again.


I got a Rueben...the best I have ever had!  I shared a bite with Chuck and he agrees.  He got fish and chips...why would you order anything else?...when in Ireland, do as the Irish do!  The cod was cod...not catfish, but good.  The fries were fresh and cooked just like we like them.  


We visited with Don Dugan, the owner, and immediately found a mutual friend connection.  We felt like we were in "Cheers", where everyone knows your name.


We recommend Dugan's.  You will not be disappointed!

Capers! Always A Favorite

Our friends were here from Hot Springs.  We decided to visit over a nice dinner.  Neither of us had been to Capers in a while.  She and I like to have lunch there as it was the favorite place to lunch for her and her Mom.  It is also a great place to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries.  Capers has discovered a secret that keeps people coming back for more: friendly wait staff, great service and best of all great food.  We tried to think if we had ever been disappointed.  We could not.


We took advantage of a bottle of wine for 1/2 price offered Monday through Thursday.  Our selection of an Italian Wine, Sartori Pinot Grigio, was enough for all of us to share a couple of glasses each. Two of us ordered Chicken Picatta; one, a Shrimp Cocktail and House Salad with the House Dressing, a Champagne Vinaigrette and lastly one, Scallops on the Savor the City menu.  All reported their choices were excellent.  We shared the Lemonade Pie that came with the Savor the City menu order.  We remembered it as the Icebox Lemon Pie made with Eagle Brand Milk. It was a good ending to a nice evening.


Bon Appetite
! 

Riverfront Steak House North Little Rock Arkansas

What a great end to the celebration of our 25th Wedding Anniversary.  Chuck's sister, Peggy, and brother-in-law, Del, treated us to a wonderful meal at the 
Riverfront Steakhouse 

at the 
Wyndham Hotel 
in North Little Rock.





We didn't get there early enough, but the lobby bar looked like a great place to have a before dinner drink and people watch.  Maybe next time.*


Always the best steak in town.  Just a few comments from us.  We would suggest that you make reservations and ask for a specific area of the restaurant for your seating.  You can do this at Opentable.com or by calling the restaurant*.  There are two or three choices: the back of the room just inside the entrance and behind the cashier, the front of the room closer to any live music and salad bar or the front side for more intimate dining.  All seating is good.  It just depends on your personal preference.
*If you call, you can find out if there is an event at the Verizon Arena and the best time to beat the crowd.


Be sure and take advantage of the free valet parking.  It's worth it. At peak times a place to park is had to find.


How can you fault the food and service?  You can't. . .both are first rate.  However, a word from the wise.  If you are ordering a fillet, find out if it is a thick or thin cut.  I ordered mine cooked "Medium".  It was well done because it was a thin cut.  It was still tender, but I would have preferred "Medium"  Where as Chuck ordered his "Medium" and it was perfect because it was a thick cut. 


The menu is "ala carte".  The baked potato was perfect. (We split it because we just can't eat a whole potato anymore.)   I ordered Sautéed Fresh Asparagus - Served with Hollandaise Sauce.  I would not order it again. . .just don't think it was worth the extra cost.  I might try the Sautéed Fresh Wild Mushrooms next time*.
*Chuck put his card in the bowl for a free dinner for two.  We are counting on being lucky.  We are ready to go again.  

August 3, 1985

Happy 25th Anniversary!

Starbucks at Barnes and Noble

Yum!  Tall Skinny Latte with two Splenda and an Apple Purse.  You can't beat it...






...unless it is an frapuccino with an Apple Purse!...or maybe two Frapuccinos and two Apple Purses for Two. 





And then again it's hot so let's make that a shaken iced tea with one Splenda.


Meet you there!

Cantina Laredo - Viva Mexicano!

Last night we were treated to dinner and conversation by two of our favorite people at one of our favorite restaurants, Cantina Laredo at Midtowne Little Rock. 


The occasion-our 25th Wedding Anniversary.  Here's how our evening went:


We would like a booth, please!  (We like booths...for conversation and privacy.)

Lynne:  What is that in the bowl? "An avocado and a lime".  It must be to entice you to order quac.  We opted out for cheese dip...delicious!

Drinks:  Pinot Grigio for me, 

virgin pomegranate margarita*, 

and 2 beers.

      *could have been better with tequila! :) 

Lynne:  I am going to have the new CILANTRO CHICKEN SALAD-Fajita chicken with black beans, red pepper, monterey jack cheese, and avocado with cilantro-lime dressing..that is, unless you want to split?


Chuck:  No, I am going to try something different...which ended up being 
TAMPICO-Grilled chicken breast topped with sautéed artichoke hearts, mushrooms, spinach, red bell peppers with sour cream-poblano sauce and monterey jack cheese


On previous visits we split the Botanos Platter and the Fiesta Grill.  These were by far better selections than what we had on this occasion.  


Lynne:  The salad was in a neat bowl that appeared to slant toward you...that's all I can say for the salad.


Chuck:  The TAMPICO was just fajita chicken with a little sauce and potatoes on the side.  It really didn't taste Mexican.


While we were somewhat disappointed in our entrée selections last evening, the atmosphere, service and DESSERT made up for it.  DO NOT, repeat DO NOT miss the Mexican Apple Pie. How can you beat apple pie sizzled at the table in Mexican Brandy Butter Sauce and topped with cinnamon ice cream?  It was delivered with four spoons and was shared by all.


Friends were heard to say:  Her: "C'mon Brooks you have to try the Sauce.  It is to die for...no apples for me, just sauce.  Brooks: "Hmmm, the ice cream is good."


We highly recommend the experience, especially with two of your favorite friends. The wait, if there is one, is reasonable as are the prices...and did I say the service was excellent.  We had the cutest waitress who was not only charming but was knowledgeable on the menu. We will return.