Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article 1>,
> *"Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:
>
> > Steven said his pasta was passable. *Can't recall what he had. *We went for
> > lunch and I had salad and 4, 5 or maybe it was 6 bloody marys. *I napped
> > lunch off the rest of the afternoon IIRC.
>
> > Michael
>
> I think the technical term for that is "passed out."


The Brit term is "****ed" which is also pretty accurately
descriptive...

;-D


--
Best
Greg

Brawny wrote:

> On Feb 17, 11:48*am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
>
> > On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:12:13 -0800 (PST), Brawny >
>
> > >I would have graciously said "Thank you" and headed straight to the
> > >Capitol Grille.
>
> > Never seen one.
>
> Just because you nave never seen one doesn't mean the rest of the
> world hasn't.
>
> Lou...you need to get out more. *Capitol Grille along with Morton's,
> Flemmings, Ruth Chris's Steak are nationally known, very successful
> cloth napkin lunch/dinner restaurants.


Except that Lou lives in the Chicago metro area - as I do - and we
don't have to resort to over - hyped chain eateries that draw the
expense account businessmens' crowd. We've TONS of great eateries to
choose from, where we don't have to wait endlessly for a table and
spend a small fortune for a decent meal...

Maybe you're the kind that would pay $15.00 for a serving of crummy
Pad Thai at Vong's Thai Kitchen (or whatever the hell it's called
now), a fancy and trendy "Thai" place here on Rush Street, which chain
got it's start in NYC in the 90's. It's got cloth napkins too. Me,
I'd go down the street to a smaller place for excellent Pad Thai for
$6.95. No cloth napkins, but better service, no long waits at the bar
for a table , and FAR better value for money...I bet Lou would prefer
it too.


--
Best
Greg

The Cook wrote:

> We are getting to the 2nd generation of families who do not know how
> to cook. *When my younger son was in his teens (he is now 32) he went
> home with a friend and they were going to fix something to eat.
> Nothing to cook. No eggs, no milk, no flour, sugar. * Even then my son
> knew how to fix some things from scratch, or at least call and ask me.



I notice a lot of younger folks (in their 20's especially) do NOT know
how to cook, and thus order out or go out every night or get expensive
convenience foods...then they wonder why they are always broke (and
combine that with an expensive Starbuck's habit). Quite a few of them
said they were simply never taught to cook, both parents worked and so
were busy, etc...

It strikes me as odd, what with the increased attention to all things
culinary in the last 30 years that this would be so. I learnt to cook
a bit when I was I kid (I'm 50) and when I went out on my own I
eventually weaned myself away from canned soup and such. I'm an okay
cook. These kids, they can't even open a can...

One gal I know has a cupcake craving and spends quite a bit on
cupcakes - there are several cupcake shops around (it's the newest
fad, I guess) and at four or so bucks a pop per cupcake it adds up.
When I explained to her that she could easily *make* cupcakes that are
better - not to say cheaper - she said, "Oh, I never thought of
that...".


--
Best
Greg in Chicago

Sqwertz wrote:

> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:22:42 GMT, hahabogus wrote:
> > I don't dislike the olive garden...for a chain it's not that bad. *Some
> > folks ain't as food crazy as us and don't know it's bad and therefore
> > enjoy it. When I dine out with my son it is one of the regular choices he
> > makes.
>
> OG isn't bad the three times I've eaten there. *I think most
> people here just like to jump on the bandwagon and agree with
> everyone else that thinks it's bad just because it has a bad
> reputation - perpetuated by the band wagon.
>
> I suspect many of the people here can't cook as good as good as
> food they get at OG. *Side by side taste tests of their cooking
> next to a plate of OG, the OG plates would probably win the
> majority of the time.


Yup...in large areas of the country (like downstate Illannoy where I
grew up) OG and their elk would be a gourmet *treat*. And the chain
places would be superior to most of what's available locally. Believe
me, the dining "scene" in such areas is really dire...

I read the nooze from Iowa at times and there was a big hullabaloo
when Des Moines landed the first Cheesecake Factory in the state, also
when the first Starbucks opened in the state. This was only a coupla
years ago. There is some good food in Iowa, but having those two
national chains finally open in Iowa was a sign for many that Iowa had
"arrived"...something that civic boosters could point to with pride.


--
Best
Greg

Brawny wrote:

> On Feb 16, 6:55*pm, George Shirley > wrote:
>
> > Heck, a buddy of mine in college lived on pasta and a white sauce that
> > was just flour, milk, a little cheese, and some black pepper. He managed
> > to get by on that for about four years. I tried some once and couldn't
> > even swallow it, was nothing but flour all the way through.
>
> George...IF you have flour, butter and crean to your access....you are
> doing better than 90% of the people on this earth.


He was discussing a college bud, not 90% of the people on earth...


> You will swallow ANYTHING when you don't have any better to choose
> from.


Well...speak for *yourself*, lol...



> The recipe was fine. * *NOT a single person will force you to eat
> it. * Stop being a culinary butthole.


Wow, in my years of reading the same groups George posts on this is
the *first* time that anyone has ever flamed him - or even critized
him even. He's probably the kindest guy on Usenet...

I see you've not even been posting two months (at least under this
particular nic), maybe it's time you went back into your spidey
hole...



--
Best
Greg

Allen Prunty wrote:

> * To: rosie
>
> *> Hi Lou, OG has some ok stuff, but it is not Italian, I did have a
> *> pasta and seafood dish recently, it was fine, spagetti and mussels and
> *> shrimp *in garlic and oil. Not much they can do to that. Salad is
> *> pretty good, and Yeah, I like the hot bread. Oh almost forgot, toss
> *> some hot peppers on the pasta!
>
> Well not "authentic" but they definately are Italian inspired... which is
> "Italian" to most consumers.


Hmmm...so it's kinda like Mendelsohn's 4th Symphony, eh...???

;-p


* We do have a
restaurant that is a national chain
> called Bucca De Beppo (Joe's Basement in Italian) that, to me, is closer to how
> my granny cooks.


The Buca by me (Chicago north side) closed, we used to go there for
birthday dinners. The grub is served family style, plus which some of
the gang is vegan, so it served it's purpose. Not great, but
acceptable. I liked the fried calamari actually, and you could get
out of there with plenty of food and drinks for around $30.00 per
person, which is reasonable (some of the crowd would be so sozzled
anyways that the food part didn't matter). We could all walk to it,
too, I miss it a bit actually, the corny decor was fun. I read last
year that Buca was retrenching, don't know how they are doing now.
This one we went to was always packed, even on a winter week night...


--
Best
Greg

"Gregory Morrow" > wrote in message
...
Lou Decruss wrote:

> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:39:49 -0800 (PST), Brawny >
> wrote:
>
> >On Feb 16, 11:26 am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
> >> to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>
>
> >Lou...why don't you donate the cards to a homeless shelter and then
> >contact AA for help with your drinking problem?
>
> Why don't you donate your computer to AA and drive your car into a
> brick wall at 100 MPH.


Lol...

And who is this "Brawny"? Never saw 'im before...
====================================

I vaguely remember the name. However, she (I think it's a she) claims to
have killfiled me in 1994. I'd never heard of rfc in 1994 so it was very
forward-thinking of her

"Pennyaline" > wrote in message
...
> Lou Decruss wrote:
>> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 04:07:44 GMT, Puester >
>> wrote:
>>> And throw the $80 in the trash? Lou and his guests will find something
>>> edible there, even if it's not five star quality. Reread his post and
>>> you
>>> will note that he is trying to make use of the gift card he received.
>>>
>>> If the economic downturn we are currently in continues, people won't
>>> be so quick to throw money away, whatever form it takes.
>>
>> Thank you for adding something rational Gloria.
>
> <Gack!! Choort!!> Rational? What was rational about it? Chiding me for
> saying something I didn't say is in no way rational.
>

Short term memory loss, Penny? You wrote:

Pennyaline wrote:
> Lou Decruss wrote:
>> We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden.
>
> Dumb ass!

>
> Go someplace YOU like, cheapskate. Spend a couple of bucks, get food you
> don't mind eating, have some good wine, enjoy your friends and make a real
> night of it.

to which Gloria replied:

And throw the $80 in the trash? Lou and his guests will
find something edible there, even if it's not five star quality. Reread
his post and you will note that he is trying to make use of the gift card he
received.

If the economic downturn we are currently in continues,
people won't be so quick to throw money away, whatever form it takes.

gloria p

Jill

"Pennyaline" > wrote in message
...
> Puester wrote:
>> Pennyaline wrote:
>>> Go someplace YOU like, cheapskate. Spend a couple of bucks, get food you
>>> don't mind eating, have some good wine, enjoy your friends and make a
>>> real night of it.
>>
>>
>> And throw the $80 in the trash? Lou and his guests will find something
>> edible there, even if it's not five star quality. Reread his post and
>> you
>> will note that he is trying to make use of the gift card he received.
>>
>> If the economic downturn we are currently in continues, people won't
>> be so quick to throw money away, whatever form it takes.
>
> I'm perfectly capable of understanding his post, thank you. He said loud
> and clear that he doesn't like Olive Garden but that he was treating his
> friends to dinner there because *he had gift cards*, that is, it's free.
> That has nothing to do with economy, my dear. If he was being economical,
> he'd have used some or all of the cards by now and wouldn't be inclined to
> **** about it. Thrift itself has its price, and a truly thrifty person
> never complains about that price. A cheapskate, however, ****es about the
> cost and value of everything.
>
> As to your comprehension of MY post, who suggested that he or anyone else
> "throw $80 in the trash"? Not I, hon! I told him to go to someplace he
> enjoys. Not once did I advocate throwing anything away, either literally
> or figuratively.

Turns out his friends love Olive Garden so it's a moot point. But since he
didn't care for it 10 years ago, I suppose he *could have* regifted the
cards to them (except they were leaving the country this morning) or someone
else and taken them to a different restaurant. Instead he simply wondered
what he could order for himself on the off chance there might be something
someone here recommended. No need to call him "cheap" for wanting to use
the gift cards. I truly dislike OG but if someone gave me gift cards I'd
find something to eat there. Or, as Goomba said, use it to order a nice
bottle of wine, maybe an appetizer (she can have my dessert LOL) and go
someplace else for dinner

Jill

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:45:28 -0500, Goomba38 >
wrote:

>Lou Decruss wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:34:29 -0500, "Nancy Young" >
>
>>> Don't get me started on the awful bloody mary I had there.
>>
>> One of our party had a margarita. They used sugar on the glass
>> instead of salt.
>
><sigh> the dumbing down of America... <sigh>

The dumbing down has been going on for a long time. 20 years ago I
ordered a spinach dinner salad. It came with a mayo based dressing.
Not a hint of bacon.

Lou

jmcquown wrote:
> "Gregory Morrow" > wrote in message
> ...
> Lou Decruss wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:39:49 -0800 (PST), Brawny >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On Feb 16, 11:26 am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
>>>> to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>
>>
>>> Lou...why don't you donate the cards to a homeless shelter and then
>>> contact AA for help with your drinking problem?
>>
>> Why don't you donate your computer to AA and drive your car into a
>> brick wall at 100 MPH.
>
>
> Lol...
>
> And who is this "Brawny"? Never saw 'im before...
> ====================================
>
> I vaguely remember the name. However, she (I think it's a she)
> claims to have killfiled me in 1994. I'd never heard of rfc in 1994
> so it was very forward-thinking of her

Might be psychic

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:48:35 -0500, Goomba38 >
wrote:

>Lou Decruss wrote:
>
>>> If the economic downturn we are currently in continues,
>>> people won't
>>> be so quick to throw money away, whatever form it takes.
>>
>> Thank you for adding something rational Gloria. We're far from poor,
>> but I still look at $80 as a lot of money. At minimum wage it takes
>> people 2 days to make that much.
>>
>> Lou
>
><gasp!> You're kidding?... hmmm.. no you're not. Wow. That puts things
>into persepective a bit for me.

I think it's up to $7.50 in my state. I don't know if that's a
national thing. Obviously you did the math though.

>Then again it goes back to the idea that minimum wage was never meant to
>be a wage a family could necessarily live off of. <shrug>

In Chicago you need to make almost $17 per hour to afford a 2 bedroom
apartment. I don't even see how that's possible, but that's what they
say. Two minimum wage people with even one child would have to both
work two jobs to pay rent and eat. Not to mention transportation,
health care, clothes, school supplies, etc.

We have a pretty nice lifestyle and it didn't come from tossing 80
bucks out the window.

Lou

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:19:14 GMT, Lou Decruss > wrote:

>On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 09:11:53 -0800 (PST), Brawny >
>wrote:
>
>>On Feb 17, 11:48*am, Lou Discuss > wrote:
>>
>>
>> Lou....you whine about everything!!
>
>You're the one bitching here.
>
>>Jewish princesses whine less
>>than you do! Your act is old, tired & dreadful.
>
>Then get a real news reader and killfile me.
>
>>I doubt that you would even know HOW to be a gracious dining
>>companion...
>
>When we left our friends last night they requested my cooking the next
>time we get together. I'm not only a good companion, but a fine host.
>Do you host or just brag about the restaurants you know about?
>

i'd be happy to be you guest, lou. i'll even pretend to be a
republican if you want.

your pal,
blake

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:57:00 -0500, "Nancy Young" >
wrote:

>
>"blake murphy" > wrote
>
>> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:34:29 -0500, "Nancy Young" >
>> wrote:
>
>>>Don't get me started on the awful bloody mary I had there.
>
>> what did they do to the bloody mary, nancy?
>
>Honestly, I don't know. It sounded good, as I recall. Something
>about being ... maybe ... a garden bloody mary? Sounded great,
>it had actual cherry tomatoes or whatever. The flavor was horrid,
>and I don't think it was the vodka.
>
>nancy
>

well, some folks think an olive in a martini is too many vegetables.

your pal,
blake

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 16:42:37 GMT, Lou Decruss > wrote:

>On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:34:29 -0500, "Nancy Young" >
>wrote:
>

>>Don't get me started on the awful bloody mary I had there.
>
>One of our party had a margarita. They used sugar on the glass
>instead of salt.
>

dear god. i hope they sent it back.

your pal,
blake

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:48:35 -0500, Goomba38 >
> wrote:
>
>>Lou Decruss wrote:
>>
>>>> If the economic downturn we are currently in continues,
>>>> people won't
>>>> be so quick to throw money away, whatever form it takes.
>>>
>>> Thank you for adding something rational Gloria. We're far from poor,
>>> but I still look at $80 as a lot of money. At minimum wage it takes
>>> people 2 days to make that much.
>>>
>>> Lou
>>
>><gasp!> You're kidding?... hmmm.. no you're not. Wow. That puts things
>>into persepective a bit for me.
>
> I think it's up to $7.50 in my state. I don't know if that's a
> national thing. Obviously you did the math though.
>

If there is a State minimum wage in place that's what employers are required
to minimally pay hourly employees. If there isn't, it defaults to the
Federal minimum wage.

>>Then again it goes back to the idea that minimum wage was never meant to
>>be a wage a family could necessarily live off of. <shrug>
>

I guess the alternative would be to let employers pay even less than minimum
wage if they want to. We all know they still (legally) do it with
restaurant servers here in the U.S. based on the assumption gratuities will
make up the difference. But that's another often debated topic!

Jill

In article >,
"Chris Marksberry" > wrote:
> Here are the locations for Capital Grille. We still have an used gift
> certificate for the restaurant.

> Chris in Pearland, TX

Not going to do you much good at mealtime, Kiddo! "-)
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com;pics of my no-knead bread posted
Laissez les bons temps rouler!

In article
>,
merryb > wrote:

> On Feb 16, 8:26*am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
> > We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden. *It's been at least 10
> > years since I've been to one because it sucks. *To use the cards up
> > we're taking another couple out tonight. *I'm looking forward to
> > spending time with our friends, but not the food. *Anyone know what's
> > the most edible thing on the menu? *Otherwise I'll just order a salad
> > to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>
> >
> > Thanks for and advice,
> >
> > Lou * *
(snip)
> as my previous experiences were only so-so. Good luck- what the hey- a
> free dinner is always ok!


My sister-in-law always said that a peanut butter sandwich is terrific
if you don't have to make it yourself. I'd add that if you share that
peanut butter sandwich with friends, well, hell, that's a party!!
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com; pics of my pizzas posted
Laissez les bons temps rouler!

In article >,
Lou Decruss > wrote:

> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:11:40 -0800 (PST), merryb >
> wrote:

> >We got a gift card for Xmas- I had a shrimp/saffron risotto- I think
> >it had asparagus in it, also. It was very good! I was quite surprised
> >as my previous experiences were only so-so. Good luck- what the hey- a
> >free dinner is always ok!
>
> Thanks merryb. $80 didn't cover it though. <g>
>
> Lou

Because yer a buncha lushes, Lou! If you'da just hung out in the lobby
instead of at the bar, you'd've been closer! "-)
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com;pics of my no-knead bread posted
Laissez les bons temps rouler!

<sf> wrote in message ...
> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:15:58 -0700, "Dale P" > wrote:
>
>>"sf" wrote in message ...
>>> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:26:18 -0700, "Dale P" > wrote:
>>>
>>>>Bucca De Beppo was right up there among the worst restaurant meals I
>>>>have
>>>>ever had. Large portions of bad food is what they specialize in.
>>>
>>> What makes it bad to you? I hate lightly seasoned food. What is it
>>> that you didn't like?
>>>
>>> --
>>There was just the two of us, and we went for lunch. We were aware
>>beforehand that the meals were large and are to be shared, family style.
>>Not a problem. We ordered a salad, and a chicken and pasta dish (penne, I
>>think). The salad was set in front of us. It was a very large bowl of
>>very
>>tired and turning brown iceberg lettuce. Not at all what I would call a
>>good salad. We ate what we could of it, and then they brought the main
>>dish. My first comment was "where is the piece of chicken?". Well, we
>>did
>>find it buried in a pile of pasta with very little sauce. There was
>>literally one small piece of chicken. The rest was bits of chicken (like
>>it
>>had been in the food processor) in the sauce. I could certainly have
>>whipped up a better lunch than this for next to nothing in cost. Of
>>course,
>>they packed the extra food into containers for us to take home. It was
>>promptly disposed of when we got home.
>>
>>I did think the decor was fun. Kind of tacky, overdone Italian.
>>
> OMG, it sounds perfectly awful! If my DD didn't say how much she
> liked it I'd think it was a horrible place (I didn't know it was a
> chain when she told me about it). I guess it's one of those
> establishments that varies from location to location.

We used to get the pizza to-go from Bucca. Not bad, IMO.

IME, their food is OK overall--certainly better than OG. Yes, fun decor. We
always enjoyed eating in the "Pope" room.


>>We do not eat out often, and I certainly want something better than that
>>when we do. Maggiano's Little Italy is a much better chain with decent
>>entrees that we enjoy sharing. Plus it is a much classier joint!!
>
> I've been to the Maggiano's in Santana Row... it was good, IMO.
> Didn't know it was a chain either. Thanks for the info.

I've only ever had Maggiano's brought in for a work lunch when I lived in
Houston. I thought the food was good, for a chain.

Mary

jmcquown wrote:
>
> "Arri London" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> >
> > jmcquown wrote:

> >> >
> >> > Stick with the soup, salad and breadsticks. A friend took us there a
> >> > couple of weeks ago as a well-meant 'treat' and that's what I ate.
> >> > There
> >> > is no Italian food at Olive Garden.
> >>
> >> I don't think anyone here believes the food at OG is "Italian"
> >>
> >> Jill
> >
> > This very kind woman certainly did. That's why she wanted to eat there;
> > she 'loves' Italian food.
> >
> Yabbut... she's not an rfc'r! That's what I meant by "here".

Yes I knew that...really LOL.
>
> > The company does well for a reason...
>
> Sure they do. So does McDonald's but I don't want to eat there
>
> Jill

That is also true. We go there twice a year when they do the McRib
thing. My mother likes those so we eat them.

Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
>
> Yup...in large areas of the country (like downstate Illannoy where I
> grew up) OG and their elk would be a gourmet *treat*.



When did they start serving game meat? Do they serve
bison/buffalo, too?

gloria p

Lou Decruss wrote:

> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:48:35 -0500, Goomba38 >
> wrote:
>
> >Lou Decruss wrote:
>
> >>> If the economic downturn we are currently in continues,
> >>> people won't
> >>> be so quick to throw money away, whatever form it takes.
>
> >> Thank you for adding something rational Gloria. *We're far from poor,
> >> but I still look at $80 as a lot of money. *At minimum wage it takes
> >> people 2 days to make that much.
>
> >> Lou
>
> ><gasp!> You're kidding?... hmmm.. no you're not. Wow. That puts things
> >into persepective a bit for me.
>
> I think it's up to $7.50 in my state. *I don't know if that's a
> national thing. *Obviously you did the math though.
>
> >Then again it goes back to the idea that minimum wage was never meant to
> >be a wage a family could necessarily live off of. <shrug>
>
> In Chicago you need to make almost $17 per hour to afford a 2 bedroom
> apartment. *I don't even see how that's possible, but that's what they
> say. *Two minimum wage people with even one child would have to both
> work two jobs to pay rent and eat. *Not to mention transportation,
> health care, clothes, school supplies, etc. *


IIRC the median price for a one - bedroom apartment in the Chicago
metro area is around a thousand bux. In my area (North Side, by the
lake), that's about the lowest rock - bottom price you can find for a
small one - bedroom place. So a person has to make at *least* 40+K to
afford that, and on that dough you are going to have a *very* minimum
lifestyle...you'll live like a college student on a strict budget.

Gentrification has pretty much moved out anyone who was "working
class". Heck, it's moved out a lot of the gays who originally moved
into my East Lakeview nabe 25 - 30 years because it was a relatively
affordable place. Many have moved north to Andersonville, but that
area is now pricey...there has been a great reduction in rental
housing.


> We have a pretty nice lifestyle and it didn't come from tossing 80
> bucks out the window.


Yup...


--
Best
Greg

Puester wrote:

> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
> > Yup...in large areas of the country (like downstate Illannoy where I
> > grew up) OG and their elk would be a gourmet *treat*.
>
> When did they start serving game meat? *Do they serve
> bison/buffalo, too?


Lol...

Substituting "elk" for "ilk" is something I "learned" on the
alt.radio.talk.dr-laura group, I just realized that after I had hit
the "send" button. Years ago someone mistakenly wrote "e" instead of
"i" when they were writing "ilk" and we all picked it up, kinda like
"froup" instead of "group" I guess. Old habits die hard and all that
jazz...

;-)


--
Best
Greg

kilikini wrote:

>> Oh Gawd how I miss the days... *sigh* I'm currently drinking some
>> raspberry flavored tea with lemon ;(
>>
>> Michael
>
> I love raspberry tea. Get up and grab another mug for me. :~)
>
> kili

When I recently tried Cheesecake Factory for the first time (What!? No
Dr. Pepper!? lol) I found out they only serve a raspberry flavored iced
tea. Now while I liked it to a degree (a bit Snapple tasting) I have to
say I wish they'd had plain sweet tea also? I just wasn't it the mood
for that Snapple like taste.
I survived by ordering the mojitos

"Goomba38" > wrote

> When I recently tried Cheesecake Factory for the first time (What!? No Dr.
> Pepper!? lol) I found out they only serve a raspberry flavored iced tea.
> Now while I liked it to a degree (a bit Snapple tasting) I have to say I
> wish they'd had plain sweet tea also? I just wasn't it the mood for that
> Snapple like taste.
> I survived by ordering the mojitos

Heh. Well, I don't like fruit flavored iced tea, either. Heaven
forbid it's mango, yuck. But they do have green tea iced tea,
which I liked a lot.

nancy

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:39:39 -0800 (PST), Gregory Morrow
> wrote:

>Lou Decruss wrote:

>> Yes, they're good at Dread Lobster which is 100 times worse. *We went
>> to one a few years ago with this same couple. *It was my turn to
>> spring and they got to chose the place. *They love dread lobster. *So
>> we landed at one in an upscale Chicago suburb. *Our party was 3 white
>> people and a Puerterican. *The staff and other patrons were 98% black.
>> The obvious discrimination in the quality of our service was enough to
>> make me never return. *
>
>
>Oh gawd, remember that Dread Lobbedsteer was Sheryl Rosen's favorite
>place for her annual birthday dinner with the "girlfriends"...

Although I think she actually could cook, her passion for RL was kind
of weird. It was probably the "lots and lots" of belly filler she
liked.
>
><chuckle>
>
>I think the last time I ate at one was in Bloomington Illannoy c.
>1978, and even then I thought it sucked (or maybe I just hated it
>because *everything* in Bloomington sucked, lol). And I was a kid from
>the prairie sticks who knew *nothing* about seafood...

Bloomington, Peoria and most central Illinois cities are mostly
trashy. Parts of Rockford have become quite nice though. But the bad
areas have just as much crime as Chicago.

Lou

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:20:09 -0700, Pennyaline
> wrote:

>Lou Decruss wrote:

> > At minimum wage it takes
>> people 2 days to make that much.
>
>Which has what to do with MY post, the one Gloria was responding to?

A whole lot more than you calling me a cheapskate.

Lou

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:22:51 -0700, Pennyaline
> wrote:

>Lou Decruss wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:48:08 -0700, Pennyaline
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> Lou Decruss wrote:

>> One of the dumbest posts I've seen here.
>
>Really? Could you pull your head out of your cheapskate ass and explain why?

No.

Lou

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:00:43 -0800 (PST), Gregory Morrow
> wrote:

>Brawny wrote:
>
>> On Feb 17, 11:48*am, Lou Decruss > wrote:
>>
>> > On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:12:13 -0800 (PST), Brawny >
>>
>> > >I would have graciously said "Thank you" and headed straight to the
>> > >Capitol Grille.
>>
>> > Never seen one.
>>
>> Just because you nave never seen one doesn't mean the rest of the
>> world hasn't.
>>
>> Lou...you need to get out more. *Capitol Grille along with Morton's,
>> Flemmings, Ruth Chris's Steak are nationally known, very successful
>> cloth napkin lunch/dinner restaurants.
>
>
>Except that Lou lives in the Chicago metro area - as I do - and we
>don't have to resort to over - hyped chain eateries that draw the
>expense account businessmens' crowd. We've TONS of great eateries to
>choose from, where we don't have to wait endlessly for a table and
>spend a small fortune for a decent meal...
>
>Maybe you're the kind that would pay $15.00 for a serving of crummy
>Pad Thai at Vong's Thai Kitchen (or whatever the hell it's called
>now), a fancy and trendy "Thai" place here on Rush Street, which chain
>got it's start in NYC in the 90's. It's got cloth napkins too. Me,
>I'd go down the street to a smaller place for excellent Pad Thai for
>$6.95. No cloth napkins, but better service, no long waits at the bar
>for a table , and FAR better value for money...I bet Lou would prefer
>it too.

You'd bet right.

About 10 years ago I attended a corporate Christmas party for an
international company. There were several hundred people there,
mostly sales people who got transferred out of Chicago. For grins I
asked anyone I talked to (many) if they missed Chicago and why.
Nobody missed the weather <g>, but almost all of them missed the food.

Here's a fabulous Czech place about 20 minutes from the medical
district. I'm 6'3" 200 pounds and I can't even come close to
finishing a combo meal. (lunch the next day) Insane prices at chain
steakhouses don't mean much to me when I can go to places like this.

The site is rather crappy, but the food is incredible.

http://www.moldaurestaurant.com/

Here's another awesome place:

http://www.bohemiancrystal.net/

Lou

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:57:28 -0500, Goomba38 >
wrote:

>kilikini wrote:


>When I recently tried Cheesecake Factory for the first time (What!? No
>Dr. Pepper!? lol) I found out they only serve a raspberry flavored iced
>tea. Now while I liked it to a degree (a bit Snapple tasting) I have to
>say I wish they'd had plain sweet tea also? I just wasn't it the mood
>for that Snapple like taste.

A summer or two ago, I happened to eat at a Cracker Barrel in East
Texas, where they sweeten their tea with (What tastes like) the
syrup from canned fruit cocktail. It was a very hot day, and I drank
about a quart before our meals came. By the time we reached the
point for dessert, I was on the edge of passing out. Turns out the
sugar plus the lisinopril (ACE inhibitor) blood pressure meds I was
taking pooled their efforts to lower my blood pressure to an
unsafe level. Scary, that. Keep this in mind if you OF's are on
ACE blood pressure meds like Accupril.

A-

Friends help you move. REAL friends help you move bodies.

jmcquown wrote:
>
> "Pennyaline" > wrote in message
>> <Gack!! Choort!!> Rational? What was rational about it? Chiding me for
>> saying something I didn't say is in no way rational.
>
> Short term memory loss, Penny? You wrote:
>
> Pennyaline wrote:
>> Lou Decruss wrote:
>>> We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden.
>>
>> Dumb ass!
>
>>
>> Go someplace YOU like, cheapskate. Spend a couple of bucks, get food
>> you don't mind eating, have some good wine, enjoy your friends and
>> make a real night of it.
>
> to which Gloria replied:
>
> And throw the $80 in the trash? Lou and his guests will
> find something edible there, even if it's not five star quality. Reread
> his post and you will note that he is trying to make use of the gift
> card he
> received.
>
> If the economic downturn we are currently in continues,
> people won't be so quick to throw money away, whatever form it takes.
>
> gloria p
>
> Jill

Okay, sooooooooo... at what point did I advocate "throwing $80 in the
trash"? I advised that he go where he LIKES to go, and made no
suggestions as to what should be done with the gift cards.

So, Jill, seems my memory is fine. Cogent responses to my post are in
short supply, though.

Lou Decruss wrote:
> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:22:51 -0700, Pennyaline
> > wrote:
>
>> Lou Decruss wrote:
>>> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:48:08 -0700, Pennyaline
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Lou Decruss wrote:
>
>>> One of the dumbest posts I've seen here.
>> Really? Could you pull your head out of your cheapskate ass and explain why?
>
> No.

No surprise.

arthur alexander wrote:

> A summer or two ago, I happened to eat at a Cracker Barrel in East
> Texas, where they sweeten their tea with (What tastes like) the
> syrup from canned fruit cocktail. It was a very hot day, and I drank
> about a quart before our meals came. By the time we reached the
> point for dessert, I was on the edge of passing out. Turns out the
> sugar plus the lisinopril (ACE inhibitor) blood pressure meds I was
> taking pooled their efforts to lower my blood pressure to an
> unsafe level. Scary, that. Keep this in mind if you OF's are on
> ACE blood pressure meds like Accupril.


That (sweettea with meds) is a very unusual reaction. In fact, in my
years providing health care I can't say I have ever heard of it?
I can think of other reasons it might have felt the way you did though.
When it is hot, your blood is up at the surface of your skin (that
flushed look, you know?) and that does take some volume out of play.
Along with that lisinopril lowering your blood pressure chemically, you
also did it it with the heat.
Reminds me of my college Anatomy/Physiology classes, which the students
renamed "How to Kill Someone Off 101" because we were always learning
little ways that could be used to do in someone.... mixing hot showers
with a bucket of ice water over someones head was discussed.

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:19:51 -0500, "jmcquown" >
wrote:

>
>"Pennyaline" > wrote in message

>> As to your comprehension of MY post, who suggested that he or anyone else
>> "throw $80 in the trash"? Not I, hon! I told him to go to someplace he
>> enjoys. Not once did I advocate throwing anything away, either literally
>> or figuratively.
>
>Turns out his friends love Olive Garden so it's a moot point. But since he
>didn't care for it 10 years ago, I suppose he *could have* regifted the
>cards to them (except they were leaving the country this morning) or someone
>else and taken them to a different restaurant. Instead he simply wondered
>what he could order for himself on the off chance there might be something
>someone here recommended. No need to call him "cheap" for wanting to use
>the gift cards. I truly dislike OG but if someone gave me gift cards I'd
>find something to eat there. Or, as Goomba said, use it to order a nice
>bottle of wine, maybe an appetizer (she can have my dessert LOL) and go
>someplace else for dinner

Pennybrain and a few others are so goofy it's not worth the time
typing much. We talked to the friends Saturday morning and they had a
few errands and packing to finish up before they went out of town. So
Louise said: "hey guys! we've got these gift cards,,,,,wanna meet at
OG for an early dinner so you don't have to cook tonight before you
leave?" They said: "sure what a nice idea"

So now I'm cheap, have a drinking problem, and have taste in ass
disease. Bunch of assholes.

Lou

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:35:34 GMT, blake murphy >
wrote:


>i'd be happy to be you guest, lou. i'll even pretend to be a
>republican if you want.
>
>your pal,
>blake

That would be fun Blake, but I'm not republican. I just hate the
Clintons. I'm hoping to vote for Obama.

Lou

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:10:00 -0600, Melba's Jammin'
> wrote:

>In article >,
> Lou Decruss > wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:11:40 -0800 (PST), merryb >
>> wrote:
>
>> >We got a gift card for Xmas- I had a shrimp/saffron risotto- I think
>> >it had asparagus in it, also. It was very good! I was quite surprised
>> >as my previous experiences were only so-so. Good luck- what the hey- a
>> >free dinner is always ok!
>>
>> Thanks merryb. $80 didn't cover it though. <g>
>>
>> Lou
>
>Because yer a buncha lushes, Lou! If you'da just hung out in the lobby
>instead of at the bar, you'd've been closer! "-)

I know. I should have been a cheapskate and used the cards myself by
sitting at the bar drinking well brand gin all by myself. For 80
bucks I could have got a pretty good buzz going.

<burp>

Lou

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:07:40 -0500, "MareCat"
> wrote:

>I've only ever had Maggiano's brought in for a work lunch when I lived in
>Houston. I thought the food was good, for a chain.
>

We were there about 6 weeks ago. It's better than OG for sure, but
still a chain.

Lou

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:41:13 -0800 (PST), Gregory Morrow
> wrote:

>
>IIRC the median price for a one - bedroom apartment in the Chicago
>metro area is around a thousand bux. In my area (North Side, by the
>lake), that's about the lowest rock - bottom price you can find for a
>small one - bedroom place. So a person has to make at *least* 40+K to
>afford that, and on that dough you are going to have a *very* minimum
>lifestyle...you'll live like a college student on a strict budget.
>
>Gentrification has pretty much moved out anyone who was "working
>class". Heck, it's moved out a lot of the gays who originally moved
>into my East Lakeview nabe 25 - 30 years because it was a relatively
>affordable place. Many have moved north to Andersonville, but that
>area is now pricey...there has been a great reduction in rental
>housing.

I'm more familiar with prices in the medical district area. A 2
bedroom dump goes for about 900+. Plan on holes in the walls and
ceilings. Anything nice is about 1200. Rehabs start at 1500. You
and I have talked about Berwyn before. A rehabed 2 bedroom starts at
1000, but a young woman has to be pretty careful at night there.

Lou

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:04:01 -0700, Pennyaline
> wrote:


>So, Jill, seems my memory is fine. Cogent responses to my post are in
>short supply, though.

That's because your post was so off the wall it doesn't make sense to
waste too many keystrokes on a nutcase with dragon fingers.

Lou