CAPTAIN DONUT!

If you were on the island a bit before noon today and saw a crazy woman making a U-turn on Padre Blvd...I admit, it was me.  I had been to CVS to pick up some prescriptions after finishing up Zumba and a work-out at Olympian Fitness Gym of Port Isabel.  I was icky sweaty and my hair was poking out all over the place and I had no intention of stopping between leaving CVS and taking a peak at the ocean (as I do every time my wheels drive onto the island) by driving down to a beach access on Gulf Blvd.  Beautiful day for the beach I'll say...so my thoughts were happy as I turned onto Padre off of Amberjack.  That's when I did a double-take and impetuous U-turn.  I saw the new doughnut shop!!!  I had heard good things so, despite most certainly returning every bit of calories I had just burned off right back onto my butt, I decided to walk into this new potential den of iniquity...the first doughnut shop on the island since we've lived in the area. 

One of the things I missed about Austin when moving here was the absence of local doughnuts (that I know of); not even Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts...nada, zip, nothin'!  I do NOT count Wal-Mart doughnuts AT ALL.  They suck and are a total waste of calories.  HEB will do in an absolute craving pinch, but really, nothing to write home about.  I'm a lemon filled doughnut NUT and very rarely HEB has them so I cave.  I also really like a good yeasty glazed doughnut.  HEB's just don't do it for me.

So, I carefully stepped out of my car and surreptitiously looked around to see if anyone was watching me....I darted into the brand new Captain Donut!  It does not look like much from the outside - pretty mundane - but then you walk in...and inhale the dizzying delicious scent...and see the shining Pandora's case is in front of you...and smiling sirens are welcoming you.  OMG...what HAVE I done?  It would have been better not to know!
(not really)

I truly didn't expect much in the way of selection or extreme freshness considering it was nearly lunch time.  Boy was I in for a surprise!  Clean, new, lots of choices, nothing industrial looking in the case.  Yee Haw!!!  Donut nirvana!

After chatting with a couple of people in the shop, and the lovely Ms. Madie who created the S'mores Donut, I decided on a couple of donuts to go.  I got one of the basic glazed donuts and one of the aforementioned S'mores Donut.  I snapped some cell phone photos, and took my carefully packaged bag of donuts and left.  I fully had every intention of waiting to get home before I touched the bag.

The sirens of Captain Donuts.  Madie apparently spends her
time thinking up awesome donut concoctions.  Isn't that the cutest
apron and hat???

Then, imagine, the yeasty smell of fresh donut molecules sensuously winding their way to my nose, saying silently "come on Debbi, open the bag...just try a bite...just a bite".  Well, let me tell you, that glazed donut was out of the bag and in my belly before I hit the bridge.  I am so ashamed. (not really)

FRESH yeast donut with a delicate, not sloppy, sugar glaze.  Oh my.  Never would I have had the ability to eat just a bite.  It was a damn good donut.  I closed the bag and placed it out of my reach when I stopped at the light before the bridge.  Whew...close call, I could have inhaled the second one too had I had more immediate access.  I have no donut will power when the donut is as good as that glazed donut! (note I am officially changing my spelling from doughnut to donut because it is Captain Donut after all)

I made it home, fixed a cup of coffee from the last in the pot (love thermal coffee carafes - fresh coffee at noon, brewed at 6am), took a picture of the remaining donut and sat down to savor it. 

Imagine my surprise when I noticed it was gone...before even half my coffee was gone.    I am such a pig.  I had really not expected to love the S'mores donut because I'm not a huge fan of the usual chocolate glaze on donuts.  However, this was thin and tasty and added to the taste of the donut instead of overwhelming the donut.  These dudes (and dudettes) are awesome donut makers!  I hope and pray they make it.  Winter Texans...prepare to have coffee and donuts all Winter long down here.  We must keep this place in business for those times of utter and abject weakness when I turn into Homer Simpson and walk/drive in my sleep to get the donuts!!!

Next time I'm going earlier... I want to see every single option they have...including the Kolaches!!!
Until then, Bon Appetit, Y'all!!!

JULY 5, 2014

My son needed donuts after his haircut so we nipped across the street to visit The Captain!  Happy to find lemon-filled (delicious) and our regular faves glazed and chocolate frosted.  My gaze lingered longingly on the giant cinnamon rolls...and my bright idea was to buy two of them "for my husband"...yeah, that's the ticket.  Here are couple of photos - they were all gone lickety split...with fingers licked as well!  Still havented tried the Kolache...but I will!

Delicious 1/2 dozen from Captain Donut...yum!

Cinnamon rolls so big 2 barely fit in the box!
(I was happy they didn't have raisins...that would have been a no-go for me)

Gabriella's - a Family Favorite

The teen chose Gabriella's for his birthday dinner and Mom and Dad were very glad!  We realized we had not eaten there since last Fall!  The last couple of times we went, it was soooo crowded, we just couldn't handle the wait.  Shocking to us all when we realized how really long it had been!

I have heard, during the Spring, that the family owning Gabriella's has, or is, phasing out of day-to-day operations (or maybe sold?).  I don't really know since it was hearsay.  I do know the menu was the same, the quality of the food was the same, and the service, while slow in the beginning, picked up to a level not usually experienced (Gabriella's is known for being slow because they make everything upon ordering).  We've never minded because the quality was so worth it.  After a few missteps in the first 15 or so minutes... attempting to seat us in a booth that was so tight my chest would have been sitting on the table, getting a table finally, waiting while others seated after us were served their drinks...after all of that...the rest of the visit worked like a well-oiled machine.  Once our waiter, Hector, arrived...smooth sailing!

Ian asked to start with Calamari with their spicy Marinara Sauce.  I swear it is the best on the island.  What pushes it into the #1 position is the awesome sauce and the perfect breading.  Yummmm.

Next up was the family serving of salad with a small antipasto plate of cheese, pepperocini, and olives. 

Then delicious crisp garlic bread to dip into their SUPERB balsamic and toasted garlic and herb dipping sauce.  Holy smokes I could drink it ... it is that good. 

As soon as we were finished, out came our main dishes.  Perfect timing.  Drink refills, extra bread...ready to dig in. (I get euphoric when I have good service)

My husband ordered a Classic Calzone.  Served on a pizza platter (it is so huge) with a ginormous pile of french fries.  There was so much food he ended up opening the calzone and eating all of the good stuff out of the middle and left about half of the crust.  I tried the calzone crust and dag nab it, it was better than mine.  It was really delicious.

Ian had the ravioli platter with marinara sauce.  Choices were Marinara, Alfredo, or toasted ravioli.  He likes the marinara with a bunch of cheese on top.  He ate every bite (and he didn't wait for the photo before he dug in).  Possibly for the first time ever he said he was too full for more bread and didn't want dessert.  Wow!

I had the Carbonara (the photo didn't turn out - darn cell phone) with bacon and chicken and a opulent asiago sauce...OMG - to die for.  I am the only one who needed a to-go box.  I filled up on Calamari and salad and couldn't even eat half of my main dish - and there was enough for two or three people really.  I enjoyed having it for lunch the next day though!

Except for the missteps to start...it was a wonderful birthday dinner for the boy.  We got stuck on the bridge ... endlessly it seemed... on the way home, but the sun was starting to set and it was beautiful...lots of boats fishing.  I just didn't give a hoot...could have sat looking out at the Laguna Madre for 30 more minutes if needed!

Thanks Gabriella's, for another incredible evening!

Bon Appetit, Y'all!!!

Travaasa Spa - Austin

I joined my friend, Diana, and two other ladies for a day and night at Travaasa Spa on Lake Travis last week-end.  It was a special birthday for my friend and her oh-so-thoughtful husband treated her and 3 of her friends to a very nice evening and day of pampering.

The girls are ready to hit the road - Diana had no idea
what we were doing or where we were going.  It was
a successful surprise!

I was not focused on photos so I have a mix-up of pictures from her camera, my camera, and my cell phone!  The resolution is low, but it is what it is!

We were transported to the spa by a driver in a very nice black Suburban (or some other brand - but you get the gist).  We enjoyed a bottle of champagne as we were enroute to the spa...woo hoo! 

Our driver opening the champagne

We checked in and were driven to our accommodations in a golf cart and after checking out our fabulous rooms, decided to head to the bar for a drink!

One of our extremely comfy rooms!

After being side-tracked by the view from the patio, overlooking the Cypress Creek arm of Lake Travis, we were escorted to the bar by a staff member who was recommending a special cucumber drink. 

On the restaurant porch prior to dinner.

We ended up with a concoction (not the cucumber drink) that knocked my socks off...not in an alcoholic way, but just the best drink I have ever had in my life (and let me tell you, in my younger days, I have had a LOT of drinks!).

The birthday girl and our bartender

I can't even remember what the bartender called it, but I carefully watched everything he did.  Since I don't know the name, I'll call it the Travaasa Lemon Drink...that's how we all referred to it at the table as we ooohhed and aaahhhed over the fabulous flavor.

Very entertaining bartender!  We would have enjoyed
having him join us for dinner I think!  Or maybe it was the
cocktail talking :-)

Here's what was in it:

St. Germaine Elderberry Liqueur
Fresh Lemon Juice
Gin
Sweet and Sour
Topped with Champagne and
A Lemon Twist, squeezed until the lemon essence floated on the liquid.

Served in a Martini glass... it was AWESOME!!!

We would have continued with those I imagine, but he used the last of the St. Germaine's Liqueur.  So, we moved on to the Cucumber Cocktail.  It was refreshing...and had I drank it first, I would have likely enjoyed it immensely.  Unfortunately, it was a slow second to the fabulous first drink.  Being the rare drinker that I am, I was already slightly tipsy from the champagne and the cocktails.  I was ready to focus on dinner!

I was feeling pretty darn happy by this point!

Being a spa, the menu incorporated full nutritional value of each item.  We were on an all-inclusive package so we could choose pretty much what we wanted...so we all had appetizers, main meals, and dessert.  Of course!  We started with bread and olive oil with a peach vinegar...delish!  I loved that they used so many local sourced and organic products.  Made it all the more special!

Sharon perusing the menu

We all selected the same appetizer - it sounded so delicious.  Good choice - it was just the perfect size and the flavor was pure delight.  Due to my somewhat tipsy state, I don't remember everything that was listed on the ingredients...but the gist was Butter Lettuce Cups (3 on the plate) with a morsel of filling including grilled portabella mushroom chunks, ginger, and I don't know what else.  It was just delicious and we all ate every bite.  I don't think anyone had anything to say that wasn't pure positivity!

Butter Lettuce Cups - you pick them up and eat like a taco.
Absolutely delicious!

My friend, Sharon, and I selected the grass-fed Texas Wagyu New York Strip (described by the waiter as the same style of beef as the Japanese Kobe - the cows were treated and fed the same, just here in Texas).  The sides were itty bitty Brussel Sprouts from  Oak Hill Farms, a small serving of poblano scalloped potatoes, and a sauce of ancho aioli.  I ordered my steak medium and Sharon wanted hers "pink on the inside".  Mine, in the center, veered closer to medium rare, but that was okay.

The potatoes were decadent - I would kill for that recipe!  I am not a brussel sprout fan, but these were so tiny and deliciously and lightly prepared that I ate every bite of them.  They smelled NOTHING like brussel sprouts (I hate the smell normally).  Awesome sides.  The flavor of the beef when I put it in my mouth was simply outstanding...perfectly seasoned, eye-rolling delicious.  Then I chewed and I chewed and I chewed...and my (and Sharon's) steak was so tough we could barely swallow.  She had to spit out several pieces into the bar napkins (bless her heart she was trying to hide it, but it became apparent that something was wrong).  Now, mine, on the end where I started was not THAT bad - and I was taken in by the flavor of the meat.  But, I couldn't eat the middle of the steak at all.  I stopped trying when I shook the entire table trying to slice through it - that tough.  Very sad.  Thank goodness that this $36 piece of meat was in the inclusive plan - if I'd had to pay for that out of my pocket I would have been pissed.

Normally, I would have complained - but it was my friend's birthday and I didn't want to do anything to rock the happy boat we were riding on thanks to those great cocktails, the awesome environment, and the bonhomie of good conversation with good friends.

Diana and Melinda had a preparation of Pan Seared Gulf-caught Black Drum served over kale and topped with roast oyster mushrooms with an herb beurre blanc.  Both agreed the kale was not tasty at all (not bad tasting, just not flavorful) and was tough to chew.  I tried a bite of Diana's and I had to agree. The black drum and the oyster mushrooms were outstanding and perfectly prepared.  One would hope that everything would be awesome in a destination resort restaurant of this calibre.  Pity.

We all selected the same dessert - which was declared 100% fabulous by all four of us!  It was listed as pound cake with almond paste, fresh strawberries, and a ganache topping.  The portion size was perfect and it was not highly caloric.  Very, very tasty.  A perfect ending to the meal.  We sat there for two hours eating and talking.  Absolutely wonderful dining experience (sans the meat and kale issues)!

This was delicious - just the right size.
White plates in a dark restaurant...
just don't photograph well and
no matter what I did, I couldn't make
it look better.  BUT, it was good!!!

We sat on our patio and drank another bottle of champagne until nearly midnight, listening to the cicadas in the trees and enjoying a peaceful and star-lit Texas Hill Country night.  We retired to our two rooms and climbed into supremely comfortable beds with exquisite sheets and a glorious down comforter.  We slept peacefully under a whirring ceiling fan with a chilly air conditioner.  Heaven!

The front porch - one room on the right and the other on the left
made it feel like it was all ours.

The next morning, after showers in the gorgeous bathroom, and coffee on the patio (they provided Texas Coffee Traders Breakfast Blend in the rooms) we walked up the hill to the restaurant for brunch.  We sat on the patio overlooking a gorgeous valley and the lake.  It was cool and lovely...so spa-like!

The balconies were lovely in the morning - overlooking
hiking trails and nestled in the tree tops

We all selected omelets for breakfast.  Diana and I had more coffee and Melinda and Sharon had freshly squeezed orange juice (they said it tasted freshly squeezed, so I assume it was). 

Sun in our eyes as the sun rose...but still a lovely cool morning
for breakfast on their patio

Diana had a spinach and cheese omelet and the rest of us had ham and cheese. With a side of chunky breakfast potatoes (perfectly prepared) and a side of delicious whole grain toast for me and apricot and pecan scones for the rest of the girls - we had an enjoyable hour preparing for our day and ridding ourselves of any lingering hangover effect!

My usual - I dug in before realizing I hadn't taken a photo...
oh well...

The girls said this scone (Apricot and Pecan) was outstanding.
There was apricot jam on the side as well.

View from the breakfast table

We walked over to the spa and got the tour of the pool area, locker rooms, and boutique before Sharon and I were in line first for our awesome facials.  O*M*G - that was an incredible experience.  I have had many a spa massage, manicures, pedicures...but never EVER have I had quite that luxurious of an experience.  I felt like a limp piece of linguine after that!  My aesthetician, Cat Cat, had the hands of an angel...with just the right pressure for the arm and hand massage I enjoyed while my white clay mask was doing its thing...whatever kind of pack she put on my eyes completely obliterated the puffiness...I was so renewed!  Sometimes people come out of facials looking like someone has beat them up.  I felt like I glowed!

View from the pool area

At infinity edge of the pool

We met up with the girls and enjoyed a sample of all the appetizers pool-side (no photos - my brain was mush and I didn't even consider it) since we'd had a late breakfast.  The beautiful infinity pool overlooked that same fabulous view of Lake Travis and the canyon leading down - you felt like you were in the middle of no-where...when you were, in fact, not far from the intersection of Volente Road/Anderson Mill Road and RR 620!  Wonderful location.

Sharon and I nibbled, drank sodas, cucumber water, and were lazy as we waited for Diana and Melinda to complete their treatments.  We nixed the pool as we didn't want chemicals to touch our beautifully treated faces!

Then, we slowly made our way to the Welcome Center where Diana's husband was waiting to pick us up.  What a fabulous experience!  Thank you Gerald for including me in your wife's birthday celebration.  It was a memorable experience!

SHRIMP HAUS RESTAURANT

Friday night was my second visit to Shrimp Haus Restaurant located at Schlitterbahn at the Beach.  It's open year round, regardless of the Schlitterbahn operating hours.  The first time I went, was after an afternoon at Schlitterbahn and the teen and I sat outside overlooking the Boogie Bahn.  Not much choice but to sit outside because, of course, no wet swim suits in the inside restaurant.  Apparently they expect you to check in (in your wet bathing suit which requires you to go inside) so they didn't "know we were there"...despite making multiple eye contacts with wait staff.  The service was not great so I never went back again.   The food, that time, was good but not really outstanding.  Some of my opinion of the food might have been tainted by the exhaustion of a day in the sun...and slow service.  The teen had a burger and said it was good.

What a difference a crowd of thousands makes vs the peaceful post-Spring Break crowd.  Friday night was one of the best evenings out I've had in quite a while.  Mostly due to the happiness-invoking voice of the ever-lovely Leslie.  She's popular here on the island.  She performs covers of a wide variety of popular music and every song was performed in an exceptional way!  Gorgeous voice.  I'd heard about her, but never heard her live.  I could have stayed for hours...she's good and she's funny in between songs - sharing interesting news tidbits.

We sat next to the big picture windows and since DST is in full effect, it didn't get dark for quite a while...and we had a nice dune and sea grass view out the window when seated.  If I stood I could see the ocean.  Nice.

Our waiter was very attentive and had quite the dry sense of humor.  He asked how I was doing and I said fine and responded..and you?  He hesitated and said "okay...I have a pulse" with a totally straight face.  We laughed...a pulse is good to have!  Nice guy and the first waiter I've ever had shake my hand when we were leaving.  You meet all kinds...but most importantly - he provided excellent table service.

The food was good.  I specifically went for shrimp.  They serve shrimp a heck of a lot of ways at Shrimp Haus.  You know my standard though - when I am doing a comparison, I get fried shrimp.  They have an every night special of All U Can Eat Shrimp for $14.95...includes a trip to the nicely outfitted salad bar, French Fries, and a loaf of bread.  I don't know why I got that...because I couldn't even eat all that they brought me the first trip.  I could have saved a buck and just bought the fried shrimp platter for $13.95.  I know better.  The shrimp were quite large and nicely fried - not overly battered as I frequently see.  Good tartar sauce - which is good because I don't eat cocktail sauce on my fried shrimp.  I'm picky about my tartar sauce and this met my high standards.  It was a very good fried shrimp dinner.

All U Can Eat Fried Shrimp

The teen had the grilled shrimp - $14.95.  Normally that is served with rice and some steamed or grilled veggies I think.  I am pretty positive that's what I got last summer out on the deck.  My boy doesn't eat vegetables though, so he ordered it with just French Fries.  SHOCKINGLY, he complied with my suggestion that he go check out the salad bar...he got one with his meal and I thought there might be SOMETHING he could nibble on.  I nearly fell out of my chair when he came back to the table with a salad plate with green leaf lettuce and mushrooms piled on it.  It had no dressing, but he ate half of it.  Maybe he is growing up.  I encouraged him to just squeeze some lemon on it since he doesn't like dressing, but, although he squeezes lemon all over his shrimp AND his French Fries (???), he refused.  Later he said "I didn't realize lettuce was so dry".  I had to chuckle.  He said the grilled shrimp were really good...and he polished them off in no time flat, so they must have been!  He actually ate most of my fries as well as all of his.  They were pretty tasty too...not that I'm a huge FF fan.

Grilled Shrimp and French Fries...normally rice and veggies!

We ate slowly and enjoyed watching several couples get up and dance up by the stage...it was very pleasant!  Tropical exposed wood decor, lots of "port hole" shaped aquariums (including one submarine-shaped aquarium suspended from the ceiling), great view...all add up to a nice alternative to my regular haunts.  Most people probably don't think of going to eat at Schlitterbahn...but it is worth the trip in my opinion!  It's on the south end of the island, ocean side, and you can't miss the big Schlitterbahn entrance.  The restaurant entrance is to the right of the water park on the 2nd floor.  There is an elevator for those who can't or don't want to use the stairs.


Casual yet "nice" place to dine on an off-season night!

On the way home I asked the teen what he thought about Leslie's singing.  He said "I liked it...actually, her voice sounded kind of angelic."   That is high praise from a hearing impaired individual who didn't like ANY music until about 5 years ago!

All-in-all, I think we both had a nice evening.  Our total bill was $36.37 plus tip...not a bad Friday night's meal AND entertainment!  The sign says Chuck and Leslie play every evening Tuesday through Saturday.  I'll make it a point to go again.  I want to try their Shrimp Scampi and their Shrimp Nachos.  Leslie singing will likely lure me back sooner rather than later!

SPI FLIP FLOP FOODIE RATING:

3 – Pretty Yummy - I feel my flip flops wanting to head back from time to time!

ANOTHER NEW KITCHEN GADGET

You have heard me say, on more than one occasion, that the proper tool is everything.  When I recently made a 3-layer cake...and found that it was not centered on the cake round, there was not a darn thing I could do about it.  I thought to myself "why didn't you order that cake lifter you have on your wish list BEFORE you made the cake?"  Hindsight is, as they say, 20-20. 

So, I went ahead and ordered one from Amazon and selected the Nordic Ware Cake Lifter.  I'd never actually seen a cake lifter and wasn't sure what to expect ...or even if I was wasting $10 on the purchase.  Boy howdy was I wrong to doubt myself.  This tool looks like it is meant to do the job!  It is huge...obviously big enough to slide completely under a 9 inch cake.  It is very sturdy with a rubber/silicone handle for comfortable gripping.  It's like a big ass old spatula!  The description said it had a folding handle for easy storage - which is of prime importance in my tiny kitchen.  Alas, that was an incorrect statement.  No folding handle.  It is made of a non-stick material but they recommend using a cooking spray to insure the transfer occurs without sticking.  Also, many folks recommend for removing 12 inch pizzas from the oven.  Great!!!  Love a multi-tasking tool.

Not only was my Hummingbird Cake off-center, I nearly broke one of the layers in half by trying to lift it off the cooling rack.  It seemed like such a dense sturdy cake, I thought I could do it...and I saw it starting to crack immediately, requiring a return to the cooling rack, and flipping upside down between two racks to transfer it to the cake in the correct position.  The entire endeavor would have been so simple with this cake lifter!

I can't wait to make another layer cake...this also should solve all those tricky problems involving icky icing smears on your serving platter too (well, I hope).  I'll certainly give you an update after I've used it a time or two and put it through its paces.  If it works as well as I think it will, you'll be wanting to get one too.

Last good thing...it says, right on the front "MADE IN U.S.A." and that's what I like to see!

BON APPETIT, Y'ALL!!!

PIRATE'S LANDING....THERE'S A DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE



My photo from Sand Castle Days 2010



We headed over to Pirate's Landing for a Friday night dinner before the hoards of Spring Breakers land on South Padre Island.  We will be avoiding the island restaurants at all costs for the next 9 days as college students descend on the annual tradition known as Texas Week on South Padre Island.  Bikini clad girls, lots of drinking, sunburned bodies...they will be populating every eatery in a 5 mile radius of the beach.  We stay home or go away during that time of year :-)  We are happy to have them...but we don't care to join them (well, the teen might, but he won't).

Anyway, we delightedly hopped into the car and headed to Pirate's Landing in Port Isabel.  I last blogged about it in September 2010....and really didn't think I'd be blogging about it tonight.  However, <imagine the sound of Obi Wan Kenobi's voice>

"I feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced."

It isn't Alderaan exploding but....our waiter, Shawn, informed us the complimentary yeast rolls were "no longer" as of April 1st.  NOOOOOOOOOOO.......



This pirate obviously had
a premonition of things to come



I had just ordered my usual Chef Salad and the teen had ordered his usual burger on the same delicious bread that they make the yeast rolls from, and our waiter was obviously finished when the teen piped up "Mom, what about the rolls?" and I said "I'm sure the rolls will come."  I looked up and the expression on Shawn's face was "uh...oh..." and I said "what, not during Spring Break?" and I quickly scanned the other tables...no rolls on any tables.  I'm now hearing the soundtrack from Jaws playing in my head...in full force alarm by now.  He then explained that they would no longer be complimentary as of April 1st but he would get me a basket tonight.

Whew...and then my brain flickered on "well, hell, I'm not coming here any more" (those little voices in my head get real sassy from time to time) ...and then, I thought, "oh, don't be stupid" (I guess that was the "other" voice - the voice of reason). 

We had great service, we had excellent food, but disappointingly, the rolls we had avidly awaited were hard...like they had been left in a warmer too long or had been microwaved to get them warm.  They literally crunched when the teen used a knife to cut them open (normally we pull the tender yeasty rolls apart - but not tonight).  Was this some kind of reverse psychology thing, I wondered?

He ate two, I ate a half...it wasn't worth the calories to eat them - they were that bad.

I appreciate the attempt to make me happy - and tipped accordingly.  However, if I had paid for those rolls, as I assume you will be required to do after April 1st, I would have returned them and refused to pay for them.

That little bit of negativity aside - I ate every bite of my delicious Chef Salad...the ham and turkey were fresh and tasty, good crisp lettuce, lots of bacon, red onion, cheese, black olives, a bell pepper ring (I had them hold the tomato...not a fan).  The plate was a small round plate on top of the previous platter that they used to serve the salad on...I guess everyone is making cuts everywhere.  I understand - and it was actually a more appropriate sized salad because I ate it all and felt full - and I used to leave some on my plate because it was too much.  I'm good with that...and the price of groceries is hitting everyone hard.

I admit to not liking change...unless it is for the better.  I hate to see the loss of the delicious rolls simply because I've been eating them for ten dang years!  Read my first post about Pirate's Landing and you'll see - the rolls are what I first raved about.  Fortunately, the excellent service prevails and the great location and view cannot be denied. 

Of course, I will return...after all I'm a Frequent Diner Card holder...I probably won't hold this against them.  But, I know there are going to be some unhappy Summer tourists...and I immediately texted my older children and my husband informing them why there had been a shift in The Force...in case they had felt "something".  I can't print what my oldest son texted back.  It's just too...ummm...well, let's leave it at "too bad"!

I still give Pirate's Landing the same Flip Flop Foodie rating.  No change there...just a touch of sadness.  I still love their tee shirts!!!  They are a hoot! 

SPI FLIP FLOP FOODIE RATING:

3 1/2 – Pretty Yummy - I feel my flip flops wanting to head back quite frequently!

DADDY'S SEAFOOD & CAJUN KITCHEN

UPDATED 6/22/2013

Didn't realize I had not reviewed the new location.  The previous location closed and they moved to a wonderful spot in the old Garcia's at 1808 Padre Blvd.  The ambiance is supremely superior to their old locale and they continue to have their great daily specials and fresh seafood.  After many visits, I continue to get my red beans and rice fix there for $5 bucks ($7 after 4:00).  Can't beat it!  My son enjoys their burgers and fries and their Shrimp Po'boy.  My husband enjoys many of their blackened fish dishes and also digs the red beans and rice special.  This location change has really upped my appreciation of this restaurant in the Dirty Al's chain of dining.  Good and fresh...excellent service.  Definitely upping the rating to a 4!

Previous Review Below with Updated Rating and Address:

Finally had the opportunity to have lunch at Daddy's Seafood & Cajun Kitchen.  Everyone always ranted and raved about them...but every time I went there it was so crowded in the parking lot, I didn't stop in.  Of course, that's a good sign...but I don't like to wait...so I just didn't go. 

I'm really glad I finally got the opportunity to go!  I had a GREAT lunch plate of red beans and rice...generous serving - filled with spicy and delicious sausage - and two fabulous cornbread muffins (and I do mean fabulous dahlin!).  It was too much for me - but I just kept eating because it tasted so good.  I liked the "kick" of the spice - it enhanced the flavor, while not overwhelming the taste.  Just delicious.

Their online menu says this lunch special is available every day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. DINE IN ONLY ... and it's only $5.00!!!  There are other lunch specials Monday through Friday...but our friendly waiter recommended this when I asked if their red beans and rice were really good...and he said yes...so I asked "how big is the bowl?" He responded by pointing out the special and said it came with the cornbread and it was delicious.  He was right on target.  A big old glass of Diet Coke for $2.25 and I walked out of there filled to the gills and happy as a clam for under $10 tax and tip included.

I can't believe I waited so long to get there...and I won't take so long to get back!

My friend didn't have such a great experience - they misunderstood her request not to have salt added to her fried shrimp after it came out of the fryer...and brought her grilled shrimp because "they can't do fried shrimp without salt".  I would have complained...but she didn't.  The price for her large plate of fries and skimpy amount of shrimp was a bit much in my opinion....but I don't recall the amount.  She said she loves their fried shrimp and the grilled shrimp was okay.  Just not what she was hoping for.

So, one happy camper and one not-so-happy camper today.

You'll find Daddy's on the west east side of the main road on the island at 3409  1808 Padre Blvd.  So head on over and laissez les bon temps rouler...y'all!

SPI FLIP FLOP FOODIE UPDATED RATING:

4 – Lip smackin’ - good quality – flip flops will definitely be parked under their table again!



Bon Appetit, Y'all!!!

New Kitchen Gadget Part Two

nice even slices of garlic

The second kitchen gadget I obtained with my Christmas gift card to Macy's was a Martha Stewart Garlic Press/Slicer.  I have a garlic press...but it doesn't work very well.  It seems to leave more garlic than it presses.  My son has a great one he inherited from his fraternal grandmother and it really pushes the garlic all the way through.  Mine did not.  So, I tend to smash, peel, and chop - not a huge hardship...but I'm a big believer in tools that can make the job easier, faster, and neater.  I hate slicing garlic...I'm not one of those people that can bam, bam, bam, slice, slice, slice and come out with perfectly even thin slices of garlic <picturing Martin Yan....wow, that dude can chop!>.  I'm a great slicer on larger items...but not garlic.

When I picked up this product in the store and saw it did both pressing and slicing...and it had a little cleaning tool, well, I mulled it over ... picking it up, putting it down, picking it up again.  It was $19.99 at Macy's in Austin ($17.99 online) and I finally decided to go for it. 

I gave it a try Monday morning.  First, I tried pressing without peeling.  Despite many television chefs telling you to just drop the unpeeled garlic in the press and go to work pressing...I've not been so successful with that.  This one did press it through with a bit of effort ...but not as well as a peeled garlic clove.  That, it did quite well!

nice little bits of pressed garlic

The slicer did a great job (obviously I used a peeled clove for that).  Nice even slices.  It says on the packaging "as thin as 1/16th of a clove.  Hmmm, not sure what they mean by that...there seems to be a potential for 8 slices...no adjustment appears available.  Still, 8 slices is good and they are all uniform...which I like.

The cleaner attaches in the handle and does take a little tug to get it out

It's nice having a tool that does more than one thing.  The teen will enjoy using this as well because he has limited knife skills.  We love to slowly crisp up garlic slices in hot olive oil to use for bread dipping with some balsamic vinegar drizzled in....especially with homemade focaccia bread!  It's great to bite into that crunchy, thin slice of crisp garlic.  This tool will likely work very well for that purpose!  Yum...just thinking about that makes me hungry.  I might have to throw together a batch of dough to use this week for dipping and for Friday night pizza! 

a sleek, easy-to-clean multi-tasker...love it!

Obviously, I'm happy with my purchase.  Love it when a tool works the way I think it should!  Thanks, Martha!

Bon Appetit, Y'all!