Monday, December 14, 2009

Google Maps Compendium of Food Blog entries



Dear fellow PM's,

Please take advantage of the Google Map I have created to go along with this here food blog. This is a public map, can be accessed from internet-enabled smartphones, and can be opened up to contributions from any one of you. If anyone is interested, I can send out some invites and put you on the editors' list. The map has interesting restaurants as well as airports and hotels that we frequent.

Have at it [ here ]!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Fo Sho go to Burrito Joes...

Like the title for the post? I should be in marketing....
In Albany, NY, down a small alley right off of Pearl St., you wouldn't even notice a tiny restaurant known for its cheap, tasty burritos. See the small sign in the middle of the alley picture? Yeah, that is Burrito Joes. The guy behind the counter is none other than Joe the owner, and he recommended the BBQ chicken burrito. It was great. It came along with chips which were completely unnecessary because the burrito was enough. The great thing about Burrito Joes is that it is cheap. My burrito would have originally cost me only four bucks, but with the extras it was more like six. When I ate there, I was staying at the Hampton Inn in downtown Albany,NY, and the restaurant is no more than 2 to 3 blocks from the hotel. Pearl St. is a great area of downtown to get something to eat, but I recommend Burrito Joes for the price, distance, and taste. Enjoy suckas.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Breakfast Solution!

Hi Y'all! (I've been spending too much time in the south this week...)
I've managed to write out a guide to cooking non-instant oatmeal in a coffee pot on my personal blog. I highly recommend this method as it has become my new favorite morning ritual. Lately I haven't been going out to eat as much, but I think this is a wonderful solution to the breakfast/saving money problem that plagues all of us. If you try it out, let me know if it works for you!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Once a Funeral Parlor, Now a Bar

I've got no photo for this place, except one of the menu, so I'll pass on that. When in Springfield, IL and walking around down near the capitol building, make sure to swing in to Norb Andy's Tabarin (closest guess on translation is "tavern," but I have no idea which language). Monday night $5 martinis are super strong (try the caramel apple martini; girls at the bar said it was their absolute fave). I only found this place because my presenter had to pee, so we stopped in the only place that seemed open on a Monday night. Cool partially-underground bar with an Irish/nautical theme. Opened under new ownership just about a month ago, so stop in and buy some beer or other beverage.

Jeremy, the owner, is super nice and is a skilled bartender. Tell him you work with Josh, the guy from Gainesville, Florida, as in "The Gainesville Murders." He may remember the conversation.

Don't Get Sand in Your Wine

Beachfront Italian cuisine. Sirena Ristorante.

Tucked away next to a group of high-priced condominiums above shops and other restaurants, this place is a little expensive for our general price range, but not abnormally expensive for upper class beachfront restaurants. Anyway, the food is really delightful and, on a Wednesday evening, the service was quick and friendly.

The mushroom ravioli was yummy and the view out onto the cold New Jersey shore was really peaceful after what had been a somewhat hectic day. When at the Holiday Inn in Long Branch, NJ (seminar hosted at Monmouth University), this place is only a short 5-10 minute drive away. Beware of the crazy left/u-turn setups in this small town; you've got to use arterial "exit ramps" in advance for either of the afore-mentioned turns. It's insane and will probably also drive you that way.


Books, Books, Everywhere Books!

I have never been anywhere as uniquely- and well-decorated! Found out about Library 2 from the front desk staff at the Hampton Inn in Voorhees/Cherry Hill, NJ and was surprised, when I got there, at their nonchalant attitude when telling me about it. This place has the epitome of a unique fine dining experience. The walls, shelves, and even parts of the ceiling/support beams are covered in books. Strange, however, for a place that is lit mostly by candlelight. Fine art, fine literature, and fine decor really make this place special, in my opinion.

Unassuming from the outside, Library 2 is an upscale restaurant with a steakhouse theme. Looking at the partial menu above, you can see that many of the entrees at this place focus on meat and seafoods, but don't give up, my little veggies, the salad bar that is included in each entree price is to die for! About $12 on its own, the salad bar is worth every penny, even without a tender beef or chicken main dish. Super fresh ingredients, fresh baked breads and rolls; and rolls of cheese with knives to cut your own servings...this thing has it all.

It's a bit pricey to visit this place, but I would suggest going at LEAST once in your time with BER. I plan to return and will, most likely, just get the salad bar and fill up on that alone. Just trust me on this place.

Bright Beacon of Bethlehem




Pizza, a staple of any meal, is one of your choices for a quick, cheap, meal while out on your lunch break in Bethlehem, PA. Ask any of the hotel staff or the locals and they'll tell you: Lehigh Pizza's the best in town. Luckily for us, it's also a very short walk from the Comfort Suites.

Sizable slices and fair prices can't really compare to the one thing I really love about their pizza; the relatively unique toppings choices and combinations. The veggie slice is my favorite so far, but there are lots to choose from. Also, they serve beer, but I wouldn't recommend that during a lunch break, haha!

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