Sushi For Lunch...?

Well as you may know the Misses is pregnant and she has been feeling nauseas since day one, now that the baby is really doing some growing she has been feeling abit under the weather for that past few days, but she still drug herself out of the house to go and support one of my awesome coworkers at his drag show, unfortunately we didn’t stay since it was at a smoked filled bar, we opted to go play putt with a couple friends. Then we headed home just after midnight.

The next morning she wasn’t feeling any better, so she forgot to pack me some breakfast and I figured I’d just go out and grab a quick lunch. (Yes she does pack my lunch and breakfast on top of a bunch of other amazing things she does for me before i go to work) what can i say she is AWESOME!!!

Well after trying to find something for breakfast and realizing that our café was closed on the work campus i had to resort to the wheel of death (vending machine) I settled for a ham and swiss on rye which wasn’t the worst thing I have eaten but was on my top 10 list now, might have even bumped .25 hot dogs from the 7-11.

Give it 24 hours and I will know where this so called ham and swiss sets on the list. (side note; blog idea top 10 worst food ever eaten open discussion style) well I ate it and it got me thru to afternoon break when I ate some of my normal things; grapes and a banana. Side note while eating my banana I really wish my 3rd story office window would open....I love throwing banana peels at or out of things but especially out of a moving car, I always imaging/wish a car behind me is going to hit it and spin out and lose all their coins and yoshi or donkey kong will come from behind and steal them away....

Back to the main blog; see how easy it is for me to ramble....

After asking everyone to go and get something to eat with me I figured I would just go eat alone, until I found the spot I wanted to eat at, and I knew the first coworker I asked would definitely cave in and forget about his lunch that he brought to go and get some sushi.

I have heard a few good things about Origami sushi from coworkers and read a few good reviews so I decided to head out that way on my lunch hour (3:30pm). After running a little late on something I was doing for a customer at work, I sprint out to the parking garage and head over to the sushi place. It’s located in a little strip mall with a few other stores. The parking lot was small but rather empty. We walk in and its was extremely nice, like something you would expect down on bay street of somewhere off westshore. As our hostess showed us our seat, I notice the huge sushi bar, now I love watching my sushi being prepared an even like to talk to the sushi chefs (itamae). It’s about the experience but this go round it was about eating and heading back to work ASAP since I was strapped for time. So we decide to grab a booth.

They have a great looking menu, I mean everything has a picture beside it which makes the menus huge they come out in a 3 ring binder. I got their lunch special 3 rolls for 11.95 that comes with ginger salad and your choice of soup. I went with miso, and it was great along with the salad. I can say this place has great food, and the sushi is fresh I ordered an eel avocado roll, a tuna cucumber roll, and a spicy salmon roll.

After enjoying the soup and salad the rolls arrive and they look amazing, they fill a quite large plate. So I dig in, the eel was fresh and taste amazing. The wasbi and ginger mixed with soy sauce complimented the rolls perfectly. The tuna was tasty and had the perfect texture, the spicy salmon wasn’t as spicy as I had hoped for but the crunch that they add to the roll made up for what was lacking. The person I went with enjoyed their rolls just as much as I did.

Since this blog has been written I have been back three times or more, getting different rolls each time, I have tried their eel cucumber and a wakame roll. Which I have to say if you have never tried wakame, next time you are at your favorite sushi spot ask for it. It’s a sea vegetable, or edible seaweed. It has a subtly sweet flavor and helps burn fatty tissue. The wife has had their spicy chicken roll, since she is pregnant and can’t have any raw fish she settles for cooked rolls. Every time I have been the service was amazing as well as the food.

I can say that I will be back time and time again to Origami Sushi, it will be on my favorite place to go for lunch while at work list pretty much at the top. So if you are looking for a place to hit during lunch, someplace for date night, or just a fan of good fresh sushi be sure to check out; Origami Sushi at:

http://origamisushi.com/home

6507 west waters ave │ tampa fl 33634

$5 Burger Mondays

So since I started a new job, a few of my coworkers wanted to go out a grab some lunch. We decided on Burger Monger, which I have been wanting to try ever since I heard they serve Kobe beef burgers. We make plans to go the Monday after payday, which was perfect because if you know me I love to save money, shop sales, use coupons and basically try to save as much money as possible. Plus Mondays at Burger Monger are $5 burgers.

If thats not a great logo.... I don't know what is.

So we are released to lunch and we all pile into a co workers new SUV and make way for some grub. As we pull up the lot was packed, but we walked into a very small line, that soon changed as people were waiting behind us and out the door (looks like we made it just in time). I walk up and place my order for the $5 burger and their smallest order of fries(1/2 pound) and I choose what I wanted on it from what seemed to be an endless list of options, I went with cherry wood smoked bacon, grilled sweet onions, grilled mushrooms, mild cheddar cheese, and a side of bbq. I get my number grab my drink and go take a seat with the coworkers. We start doing our normal lunch routine of belittling one another. Not to long after I got to the table the food was brought out and that stopped all the talking. The burger looked amazing as did the half pound of fries.

Talk about an amazing looking burger.

I took one bite and knew I would probably never find a burger to top this one. When I first saw Burger Monger I thought; Why open a burger place next to a McDonalds? Well because this burger would destroy ole Ronalds any day!!! They have been in that location for awhile now and I bet they have did a lil Hamburgling of McDonalds business. I mean this burger melted I'm my mouth like butter does on corn on the cob. The taste was amazing, from the bun to the toppings it all complemented this marvelous burger creation. The fries were great, they were hot and not greasy, not overly salty and I mean it was a half pound of spuds.....can't go wrong right? So if you want to have the best burger for under 20 bucks go check out Burger Monger at;

http://www.burgermonger.com/

10412 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa 33618

Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm

Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

Phone #: 813-968-6860

Philly Lacks Phlava

This is one of the few restaurant reviews I have left to post, still working hard on the new clean eating goal, getting better and better ever day. I was cleared by the cardiologist so that's a plus. I hope to be in the best shape of my life by the time my baby is born 1/1/2012!!

So me and the Misses were out and about running some errands our normal weekend activity. When I got a craving (and I'm not the pregnant one) for a Philly Cheese Steak, after searching for a place close by I broke my code of going to small locally owned restaurants and went to Philly Phlava on the corner of Dale Mabry and Fletcher.

First off the place is small and covered floor to ceiling with signs and posters. Decorated with stainless steel and plastic. The overall look of the place you would think they have to know what they are doing with the sandwiches.We decided to share a sandwich with (onions, peppers, shrooms, and provolone) and some cheddar bacon fries.

 After overcoming the "sticker shock" we take our seat and wait for the food, now I've heard a few good things about this place so I hoped for the best. After realizing they charge for just about everything, air seems to be the only free thing there. Our food came to the table. It was very fresh and hot.

The quality of the food I would have expected from a sandwich truck not a place with philly in the name, the fries were boring and without the cheese and bacon I would have left them in the basket. I rarely ever give bad reviews and this one isn't "bad" really but more of a warning that you can get the same quality from the mall's food court or a sandwich truck for a better price. Their big thing is their rolls and those were just a little better than average.

So until I can find a really good Philly I will just stick to making them at home. So if your out and about and want to see what Philly Phlava is all about by all means stop in and see, but I won't be back. You can find it at; 13149 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618

A turn for the Healthy!

Well it looks like my recipes from here on out are going to be more on the healthy side. Last Thursday I got a call from my doctor after seeing them that Wednesday and being in the ER twice a few months back complaining of chest pains. That while we are trying to figure out the root of the chest pains, they found out I have a fatty liver and if I don't change a few things around I'm gonna be in well.....not the best shape. So now I plan to correct all the food and lifestyle mistakes I can. Especially since I found out about 5 weeks ago I'm going to be a new Daddy!!!

So I doubt I will do 1 restaurant review a month now. I have about 3 that im still writing, but after that it will be slim to none. I now have to rework all the amazing things I cook on a regular basis so it is liver and calorie friendly, but now I'm on a mission!! I have been eating healthier for the past 6 to 8 months but I have slacked on portions, caloric intake, and exercise. Well its changing, I plan to make my self write down everything I swallow, work out for at least 6 hours a week.So I'm going to post before and after shots (& maybe progress pictures too)....

 

 I have already cut out soda months ago along with fried food... So this is my farewell to junk food, huge portions of red meat, restaurant food, loads of my wife’s homemade baked goods and all other sorts of delicious-ness I have come to love, but it will all be worth it to be 100% healthy again and I get back into the shape I use to be so its a win, win. I just have to REALLY stick with it this time instead of losing some weight and being satisfied and going back and eating not so great and just maintaining the weight I lost but not losing any more. I have to do it, not only because I want to look and feel better....because I'm going to have a new baby in Jan!!! So wish me luck and pray for me! I hope all these changes come easy for me. So be on the look out for healthier recipes and more blog of my babble!
 
I will leave you with a recipe my wife made me the other day, I have to say this is by far better than i ever expected, and is my new favorite "healthy" lunch.
 
Orchard Chicken Salad

3 c apples (your choice), chopped small

½ lemon juice (to stop the apples from browning)

½ c celery, chopped small

4 c baked chicken (topped with basil, parsley, & rosemary) cut into cubes

¼ c golden raisins

¼ c dried cranberries (I used dried cranberries infused with cherry juice)

¾ c mayo (or just enough to incorporate everything together)

½ ts celery seed

salt & pepper to taste

Mix everything together and spread onto a whole wheat tortilla. Top with spinach, tomato, or cheese if you like.

Eat & Enjoy!

BBQ Month!!!

Well I came upon a tweet stating that May is national BBQ month, so of course it being one of my top 3 foods I'm gonna celebrate! First day of May  me and the Misses hit up Best NY Pizza to split a personal BBQ Chicken pizza, wasn't bad but definitely nothing to write home about. Now most of their food is amazing but this barley held me over for a week on my BBQ fix.

We were out looking for Farmers Markets and yard sales both without any real luck. Stopped at a Farmers Market on the corner of Henderson Rd. And Linebaugh needless to say we won't be back, although the price was right the quality was way wrong! So for the first time ever my urbanspoon app came in handy and actually gave me a listing for a place I wanted to go without me searching for the name specifically. We headed down Linebaugh to a place called Cally"s Sticky Bones BBQ, we found it without too much trouble.......

We pull into a parking spot in the little strip mall and walk in, the place is decorated nice, but that means nothing to a BBQ connoisseur like myself, I will buy BBQ from a rusted out road side smoker if it taste good enough. We place our orders for BBQ Beef Brisket sandwiches, some sides and we take our seats, and notice the place is empty...

 We notice that they were having some big pig roast off that day so I figure this could explain the emptiness of the place. They have awards and plaques all around from cook offs they have won. Soon the food was placed in front of us.

Like I said we both got the beef brisket sandwiches and I got cole slaw and beans the misses went with potato salad.

They serve their BBQ dry, and I prefer it that way. It let's me taste the quality of the meat, the smoke, and the rub, and it gives me the option to put whatever sauce I want on it. Plus most all BBQ places I've been to have a plethora of sauce to choose from, this stood true for here.

Most of their sauces were the same as every place else, nothing to write home about but over all good. Then I tried their swine sauce, and it was a nice mix of carolina style sauce mixed with some southern BBQ flare. So make sure to try them all when you stop by.

The brisket had a nice smoke flavor, but needed more bark in my opinion. Over all I was very pleased with the quality of the meat, not too greasy, not too much smoke flavor, and not too much added flavor the quality of the meat and wood really shined through. The sandwich was just the right size too, plus add in the side of slaw and beans the lunch basket was perfect. I can say that the meat made up for where the sides lack, now they were good just nothing I was wanting to get the recipe too, but do we really go to a BBQ place for the sides?


Heres something I'm going to try and do when I write a review of a restaurant, get a copy of the menu and scan it for you guys! I know I like seeing a menu befor I venture to a new place so wish me luck on getting/remembering to do this everytime.

They have great prices and add in a daily special you can't go wrong! So if you're craving BBQ and are down by Linebaugh/Armenia area, definitely give Cally's Sticky Bones BBQ a try located at; 2313 W. Linebaugh Ave. Tampa, Fl 33612

Taco Taco........Bus.?.

So if you Live in Tampa (and I happen to) you've heard about the 24/7 Taco Bus and if you haven't you need to figure out why? Its kinda like a landmark around these parts.

Like I said I have heard about it, but never have I tried it. Not because I didn't want to, its just a little ways from my usual stomping grounds and I usually get sidetracked and end up going elsewhere when we plan to go there.

That all was gonna change, after waiting for the mail to run (new company I work for mails checks) we head out to do some normal saturday errands. While out and about I ask the misses if she's up for some mexican food, and her being my wife she said of course when am I not! So we head down toward Hillsborough Ave to this famed Taco Bus, now don't let the name fool you......well it is a bus, but also a sit down restaurant. We pull up and the place is packed, and from what I've heard this is to be expected.

As we walk in there are only 2 seats left and there at the bar so we grab a menu and take a seat. More people walked in and soon had frowns on their faces that they had to either stand and eat or sit out side (a big no no in florida unless its water side or night).

We look over our menus and with some help from out waiter we go with the carne asada burrito combo with rice and beans. Our waiter took our order then rushed off to do the other 99 things he was doing. The food is made in an old bus out on the side of the building and they have a few updated buses too, but the original bus is still where the magic happens.

This hangs on the wall across from us, gotta love tampa and CL!

As me and the misses set there at the bar and look over the other menu items and notice the breakfast part of the menu (note to self come here for breakfast). We tried their hibiscus lemonade, which wasn't half bad. Our food comes, it smells delicious and looks great. Even though its on styrofoam served with plastic utensils, it's all about the food and nothing else here at the Taco Bus.

We both unwrap our burritos and take a bite, the burrito was over flowing with beef, with hints of tomato, onion, shredded cabbage, cilantro, and cheese. As I drew closer to the end of this fantastic burrito the ratio became closer to even, instead of the hints of toppings like it started, but there's no complaining here! The veggies tasted so fresh, well everything tasted fresh. Something you wouldn't expect from the name, but I've grown to realize to expect the unexpected. We made no joke about devouring our lunch combos. The food is better than any Mexican food I have tried in Tampa. It blows Moe's, Chipotle, and all the other chains away. From fresh food, to great atmosphere and the biggest one its ALWAYS OPEN!

As we polished off the plates thoughts of something sweet entered my head. I has saw a small dessert section of the menu so I reached and grabbed one. The only hard thing was to place the order, our waiter as mentioned above was doing about 100 things from the normal refills, to plating food, on to planning a catering event with the table behind us. He soon came over and asked how everything was, and took our order for Tres Leches Cake which the menu noted it was baked in-house so we gave it a try. Now I have wanted to try Tres Leches Cake for awhile but never got a chance until now. As hard as it was to get the waiters attention I can say this, our order was taken quickly our food and dessert was brought even quicker and drinks never went dry.  Back to the dessert, he placed it in front of us and we dug in, then stopping to take a pic, what can I say when the food is this good I almost forget about doing this.

We finish our dessert and pay our tab and head out to finish up our Saturday. So if you're looking for Authentic Mexican  for a great price and a fun location; Be sure to check out the Taco Bus at 913 E. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa FL 33604
813-232-5889 Their site is; http://tampatacobus.com

They also have a newer St. Pete location at; 2324 Central Ave St. Pete, St. Pete FL 33712. I haven't ate there so its on you to go and try it.

So if you're craving authentic mexican style food from ceviche, tacos, burritos, chilorio, and quesadilla be sure to stop in at the Taco Bus.

Tortilla soup recipe

Chicken:

1 (14oz) Chicken breast

Lime

Cover chicken with lime juice, then sprinkle with cilantro, marjoram, basil, paprika, dash of oregano, and black pepper.

Soup:

Evoo

1/4 c onion

1/8 c carrots

Squeeze 1/2 lime

3 tbls Cilantro

1 tbls Marjoram

1 tbls Basil

1 tbls Paprika

1/2 tbls Cummin

Dash celery seed

Dash sage

Salt

20 Grinds of pepper

1 can (14.5oz) Chicken broth

1 can (14.5oz) Fire roasted tomatoes

1/2 c Frozen corn

1 can (15.2oz) Black beans, rinsed

1/2 c Water

2oz diced green chilies

Bring to boil

Bake chicken on 350 till it reaches a temp of 160-165, shred in food processor.

Grill 4 corn tortillas on stove top, put shredded chicken in bowl, pour soup over chicken, cut/break the tortilla in to triangles and serve on top with a lime wedge.

Eat and Enjoy!

Give me a reason

Well again you should already know this (if you've been reading) I got a new job, and we went out to Cooters for a celebration. Well I finished my first 40 hour work week in a few months, and it felt great. All that time in the office I wanted to let loose and relax a bit, but I'm not a drinker (anymore) so bars and clubs have gotten old anyway. I really wanted another reason to celebrate too!

I couldn't find any place better to relax a bit other than a small restaurant. I found a new pizza place out of a local paper I wanted to go to a few months back, so I decided to go there, but after some last minute reading and reviews I opted to go to our favorite pizza place. Plus we haven't ate pizza from anywhere else in about 2 years if not longer. Since I already knew the quality of the food, and they opened a new dining room and released new pizzas for the experience. I wanted to check it out.

So I invited a friend, me and the misses head to the spot.  I get there a few minutes late (its one of the things I do).... We meet our friend outside and my wife gives him the first of a new cupcake recipe she had just baked. Then we head in. Welcome to Best NY Pizza, the greet you when you walk in the door. The place has a upscale pizzeria feel to it, with a casual dining room right inside the front door, a short walk and we reach the new dining area. I have to say it was very nice, from the dim lights, the candles, soft music playing and an amazing visual attraction (you'll have to go to find out what it is). We are greeted and promptly seated in a nice booth. As we start going over the new part of the menu. I end up going with a my favorite pizza "The Best"  in their personal size, my wife went with their new "Mexican Taco" pizza, our friend opted to be the different one and got a Philly Cheese Steak. We placed the order and got a few garlic knots to hold us over until dinner came.

After some great conversation and admiring how nice the new dining area was. Enjoying the amazing garlic knots, our dinner arrives. The pizza looked wonderful and the cheese steak was equally as appealing. See for your self;

The Best

Mexican Taco Pizza

Philly Cheese Steak

My "Best Pizza" is always wonderful, so much flavor and the perfect texture every time. This time was even better since it came right from the oven into my mouth!! The "Mexican Taco" pizza looked even better in person than it did in the menu picture. The taste was perfect, a great balance of everything you would think of in a taco pizza. From what I was told the Philly cheese steak was good, but the bun was soggy, sorry for that Norm. I said their Pizza was the best, and the other food was great...lol

So if you're in Tampa and want the most amazing pizza in the city, a great atmosphere, or order the pizza to take home, make sure to stop into my favorite and soon to be your favorite pizza place; Best NY Pizza located at 14741 N Dale Mabry, Tampa Fl. 33618

Make sure to say hello to the chef, Norm did!

Since we're on the topic of pizza I might as well post a recipe. The beginning of April I bought a 20lbs beef brisket for my wifes birthday. I cut half of it for smoking and the other half to try to make corned beef. Back on yopic, after we had the smoked beef brisket the fiorst night we had plenty of leftsovers, so it was time to get creative. I whipped this beauty up one night and cant wait to make it again. It was the best leftovers have ever tasted. I also plan to try this with chicken, and it would probably work well with pork if thats youe thing(its not mine).

BBQ Brisket Pizza

Pizza dough:

1/2 tbls Basil

1/2 tbls Cilantro

1/2 ts Rosemary (broken up in hand)

20 grinds Pepper
1 box jiffy pizza crust

Mix dough per the instructions on box, add the above ingredients.

BBQ Mix:

1/4 cup Bbq sauce

Splash Favorite vinegar

1/2 tbs Worcestershire

1tbs Garlic

1/4 tbs Apple juice

1/2 cut red onion

Pizza Sauce:
1/3 cup Favorite tom sauce (I prefer homemade)
1/4 cup Bullseye BBQ sauce
 1tbs minced garlic
Splash worcestershire
 Splash garlic red wine vinegar
 Fresh ground pepper
 Pinch dill
Pinch marjoram
 Pinch cilantro
 Pinch thyme

Italian mix shredded cheese to top

1 1/2 lb well smoked beef brisket

Melt remaining fat off in skillet. Chop it up, put in a bag with bbq mixture, thoroughly coat and set aside. Spoon pizza sauce on crust then add beef and onion mixture from bag, top with cheese and bake 15-20 min.

Eat & Enjoy!!