Chain Gang #3

Because of what some have started to call "Stormageddon" here in the northeastern US this February, I have found myself stuck at the Hampton Inn next to the Philadelphia airport for two days to end out this week. The hotel has no restaurant, of course, and the only thing within walking distance is the Ruby Tuesday next door.

Now, I haven't been to a Ruby Tuesday restaurant in a while and may have just missed the memo about their improved menu, but I'm guessing, instead, the cooks at this location must have just been on-the-ball today. There wasn't a shift change between my lunch and dinner visits, so I couldn't tell if that was a factor. For lunch, I had a turkey and avocado sandwich on a delicious pretzel bun. The chunk of turkey they gave me was grilled to perfection with some amazingly scrumptious seasoning. The warm avocado topped it off for a very surprising experience.

Image courtesy RubyTuesday.com

Dinner started out with a Sam Adams seasonal ale, which just so happened to go very well with the Chicken Fresco entree.

Chicken Fresco
A fresh, all-natural grilled chicken breast topped with vine-ripened tomatoes, lemon-butter sauce, and a splash of balsamic vinaigrette. With steamed broccoli and white cheddar mashed potatoes.

The chicken was grilled right on the outside and incredibly moist on the inside, the balsamic vinaigrette had that certain sharp taste that seemed to mix perfectly with the beer, the steamed broccoli couldn't have been cooked better, and the mashed potatoes...what I would give to have some more of those mashed potatoes!! Absolutely brilliant, all around.

If you find yourself in the area, especially if you're snowed in with nowhere better to go, I hope you get a chance to experience this food at its best.

P.S. Skip dessert; my Blondie for 1 came with partially-melted ice cream and a slice of brownie cake that was burnt on the inside from whatever microwave they used to heat it with.

A Panda Wearing a Sombrero

Have you finally been sent somewhere in the southern US (sun, at last!)? Do you happen to be in Phoenix and also happen to be staying at the Crowne Plaza on West Peoria Avenue? Good, you're in for a treat.

Trusty ol' Yelp.com led me to find a great little dive with Asian/Mexican fusion food called Chino Bandido. They have two locations in the greater Phoenix area and one happens to be only three or four miles from that Crowne Plaza, so you may be able to get the hotel shuttle to drive you, but I personally had a friend pick me up at the hotel, so I can't be certain. The restaurant is a dingy little place in an even sketchier part of town (there were a few police helicopters with spotlights doing fly-overs just down the street), but the quality of food, on my visit, far surpassed the appearance of the shop.

You walk in and, if it's your first time at the place, the staff walks you through a sampling of six menu items before showing you how to order. I followed the advice of quite a few Yelpers and ordered the Jade Red Chicken; I was not disappointed! The statue of a panda in the next room, wearing a sombrero, is also not to be missed (it's better when you walk in and there are three small kids crawling all over it!).

Also featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," hosted by Guy Fieri, episode DV0305 titled A World of Flavors.

[ Google map ]
[ Yelp review ]
[ website ]

Boise Bento

Who knew downtown Boise was so adorable? If you're staying at the Owyhee Plaza and want some decent Asian food, wander over a couple blocks and go to Zen Bento (10th and Main). Matt suggested this one to me, and it was a winner! While it's not really bento boxes, its pretty tasty. Veggies and your choice of protein (I chose tofu today) over rice and your choice of sauce over all of it. They also have sushi and gigantic cookies (it was hard to restrain myself). Best of all, it's all under $10!