Dreadful at Damon's...

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

I decided to take a run up to the Tea Party Convention in SC and found myself once again in Myrtle Beach.  I remembered when I was here early last spring that the options for food were few due to the off season.   

Apparently, it is just as bad in January.  

Let me explain.  When here the last time, several friends of mine and I visited Damon’s Grille which is within walking distance if it isn’t too cold; we didn’t walk but we could have.  Anyway, during that trip, the service left a lot to be desired, mostly due to the kitchen, and we almost left.  The manager, who was very cool, apologized profusely and before we even asked, cut us a 50% discount.  When the food finally arrived, it wasn’t bad.  So, no harm, no foul.

Fast forward to last evening.  Many of the same group with a whole lot more added decided to give it another try.  In total, there were about 100 of us gathered to hear a great speaker and watch a clip of a movie that is in the beginning stages of being produced.

The house did not have nearly enough staff for the gathering, so none of us blamed them.  However, the manager made an early decision not to stagger the orders, but instead to do them all at once.  Big mistake!  Outrageously long wait and almost everyone was getting rightfully irritated given we all wanted to get back to the convention center.

We were able to get a manager, (not the same guy from last year) to our table.  Just a very rude guy who shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes with an attitude that suggested it was too bad if we didn’t like it.

In the end, everyone at my table, including me, had waited well over an hour to get their food.  Except for me, (more on mine in a second) I don’t think any of them got what they ordered.  Fries were cold, there was cheese where there shouldn’t have been, etc.  I took one look at my order, a photo of which is at the top left, and tried one small piece; that was enough of that mess.  

What was supposed to basically be their answer to a “bloomin’ onion” closely resembled a brick made out of onion strips.  I was literally able to pick this monstrosity up in one piece.  In a word, it was NASTY! And don’t even get me started that they brought the wrong dipping sauce.

I asked my server, Krista, for my check and while she hadn’t had time to remove the brick, I mean the onion from it; she did not make me pay.

As we were leaving, there was some sort of massive leak pouring into the foyer from the bar area under the electric fireplace and the staff was in a real tizzy trying to douse that ‘fire.’

Suffice it to say, if I return for next year’s convention, and I likely will; I will opt for cold cuts or something microwavable from the nearby Piggly Wiggly, and I recommend others do the same. Whatever I decide, it won’t be Damon’s again.

That’s all I have to say about that.

"Melt" Yummy in Boynton Beach...

Written by The Patriots Press on . Posted in Dining Out

Hungry?  Craving outrageously yummy?!  

I have to say, I had the lunch of lunches today in Boynton Beach, FL. 

Now mind you, this place will never be on the prescription pad of your Cardiologist…cause mountains of yummy melted cheese, savory barbequed pulled pork, and Cole Slaw, all grilled up between two thick slices of buttered bread and called a 'grilled cheese’ is not going to please a dietician.  But for real, who cares what some health nut quack has to say?  I’ve tried healthy eating…didn’t make my taste buds dance.

Howevuh...I love me some good old fashioned yummy food, and I found it today.  Oh yes I did!  

All one has to do is take a drive to the intersection of Gateway Blvd. and Congress Ave. in Boynton Beach, Fl. and you will find a little place on the SE side called 'Melt.’  By the way, if you don’t live in So. Florida, no problema.  All you need to do is buy a plane ticket to Palm Beach International Airport, rent a car or take a cab, and find this place.  IMHO, it is worth the plane fare just to have lunch.  Really…I think prisoners on death row will start requesting last meals from this place before long.  

I’m even going to suggest that "The Donald” should probably stop by some weekend while his plane is being prepped up the street at PBI.

Okay, enough fluff, (I don’t get free meals for doing this)….but I think by now you get that I liked this place a lot.  I had the "pulled pork” sandwich off the regular menu, my friends had the BCT, (a bacon and cheese something or other that didn’t stand a chance with either Hamida, Neil, or Carmine) and we all shared the "Disco Fries.”  I really have no idea why they don’t just call them "insanely yummy, get your own/these are my gravy and cheese soaked fries,” but whatevuh.  Anyway, don’t leave without having them.

My friends, there are a whole lot of dining choices at that intersection and in that area of Boynton Beach.  But I’m here to say that while 'Melt’ just recently opened and this is the only location for right now, they need to start opening locations all over the place.  This first spot is going to have lines out the door every day once people try it even once.

I give them all five of my Stars for qualify, price, and service.  Don’t even think of eating lunch elsewhere in Boynton Beach.

You’ll find them at 1880 N. Congress Ave. in Boynton Beach.  Their phone is 561-806-6635, and you can visit their website here.  

Yarumba...Miami for Delicious

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

During the past several weeks, I’ve been spending a lot of time down in Miami Lakes, and as a result, I’ve had the opportunity to check out some of the local eateries in the area.  Generally, if you stay away from the fast food chains and visit the places with all the trucks parked nearby, you’re probably going to be in for a treat because of the heavy Cuban and Hispanic influence in the area, and they really know what to do with food.  I’m happy to report that I found such a place.  Two actually, but just one that I’ll describe today.

Yarumba!  It sounds like a hot, steamy, Hispanic Salsa Dance; and I’m here to say, the food is as satisfying as such a dance might be.  Located about a third of a mile west of El Dorado Furniture on the south side of SR826, (aka NW 167th St. and Palmetto Blvd.) Yarumba is a great place to eat before or after you visit my friend Gustavo Perez at El Dorado Furniture to find something new to add to your Casa.

The first time I visited Yarumba, I opted for the Sancocho Dominicano, (Dominican Soup).  When it arrived and I saw the size of the bowl, I started wondering how many others might be joining me because you could almost swim in it.  Glad I didn’t though, because this soup was just amazing with chunks of Yucca, delectable Beef, (I swear it was Oxtail) and several other veggies swimming in a broth that, while it wasn’t what I’d call spicy, it politely woke up my taste buds.  The accompanying dish of white rice added nicely to an already smooth body and texture of the broth.  

Several of us decided to visit again the other day, and they just out did themselves.  While I considered another round of the 'Sancocho,’ I remembered that the Sopa de Pollo, (Chicken Soup) had also looked inviting, so that is where I went on this visit.  I’ve had Chicken Soup before, good Chicken Soup I might add; however this has to be some of the best Chicken Soup in Miami.  Delicious, loaded with veggies and a ton of chicken, and the ever present side of rice was mui bueno.  One of my associates also ordered the 'Mofongo’ with beef dish, which among other things had plantains in the mix.  At his urging, I sampled it; now I don’t really speak Spanish, but “Mofongo” must translate to delicious, because this was 'to die for’ yummy.  The only 'problem’ with it was that I wanted a whole lot more of it, pero; no ai tiempo.  Next time I’m in the area, you can bet where I’ll be having lunch or maybe dinner.

And no discussion of this establishment would be complete without mentioning the staff.  All of them excellent; however our server Lupe, was a sweet and attentive as she is drop dead gorgeous.  

The combination of generous sized servings, delicious food, and terrific staff earns Yarumba all 5 of The Patriots Press Stars.

They are located at 4740 NW 167th Street in Miami, FL 33014 and their phone number is 305 622 9700.

 

Terra Fugeddaboudit

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

The other evening, I attended a meeting with several friends and when it was done, a few of us decided to grab a quick bite to eat at a local outdoor mall, so we drove to the new Delray Marketplace in Delray, FL.  

If you haven’t been down the Marketplace since it opened last spring…ya gots to.  Everything about it is very eye appealing and inviting, and I can’t wait to check it out around the Holidays.

Anyway, we all parked and looked around at the various offerings.  Burgers, Pizza, Asian Fusion; decisions, decisions.  While I’ll readily admit that I do have some favorites; pizza, burgers, and bacon being among them, ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you that I like pretty much anything and am usually satisfied just hanging out and relaxing over a beer or a glass of wine with friends.

Anyway, we decided that Terra Fiamma looked worthy of our time and money.  It offered warm and welcoming open flame lanterns, a humongous protecting umbrella, and there was ample seating available.

Mind you, we arrived around the 8:30 time period and the day was winding down for them, i.e., they weren’t real busy.  In fact, we were among the 20 or so patrons in the entire place that I could see.

Charley's Steak House, It's What's For Dinner In Tampa

Written by David DiCrescenzo on . Posted in Dining Out

Travelling as I often do, I find myself in lots of different restaurants in different cities.  On Thursday evening, we stopped by Charley’s Steak House in Tampa, FL.  Entering this establishment, one is immediately caught up in the inviting, rich wood paneling and aromas dancing around the foyer. 

Not really hungry and thinking only of having a glass of wine or two and maybe an appetizer, we proceeded to the enormous bar area.  I have to say; whoever decorated Charley’s knows what a Steak House should look like.

Sitting at the bar, we were quickly greeted by veteran Bartender Kristian.  Kristian is as polished as he is knowledgeable and helped us in the selection of our wine…a 2002 Opus.  After carefully uncorking it, he proceeded to strain the contents into a breathing carafe to remove any sediment that may have been present.  The wine was delectable, and we shared a bit of it with some nearby diners.  One of those, my new friend Maria, agreed that it was indeed very good.