April 28, 2007

JCrew - Better Check your Pockets


Before I launch into the story about JCrew and your pockets, let me first announce I'm sharpening my pencil as you read this for a super restaurant review next weekend. We'll be ferrying over to Martha's Vineyard to dine at one of Edgartown's most exclusive restaurants, so stay tuned next week!

So recently I purchased a few things from JCrew, from their online website. When the box arrived, I opened it up and tried on everything. Thankfully, it all seemed to fit just fine so far. Getting down to the last item to try on, I pulled up the pants and went to button them. Only, no button. Hello, button? But, I just bought this new thing and it's supposed to be all bright and shiny like, and, wtf happened? Thinking, did it get all busted up in the shipping and handling? Shaking the box and ransacking through the packaging a second time, I look down and stick my hands into my pockets of my button-less pants. What's this? A piece of paper it feels like, pulling it out I unfold it and read it aloud... "button fell off". Hmm, well yes, by George, that seems to be the case!I do believe you got it.

But, my shiny, new thing is not new? I just ordered it... my brain, it hurts from thinking about it. And do I return it back to them and need to fill out the return slip too? As if to say, hey guys, guys. Listen up for a second, you remember these pants that were supposed to go to returns? Well, can you please put them in the right bucket this time? I mean really. Is that so much to ask?

April 23, 2007

Homestar Runner

Homestar Runner aka Fluffy Puff Marshmallow or Lionel Ritchie
In case you aren't familiar with Homestar Runner and his gang, you really need to check out his web site. You can call him Homestar Runner, or Fluffy Puff Marshmallow, or Lionel Ritchie. But pretty much just Homestar Runner. Homestar will keep you entertained for hours, or as long as you have time to spend with him & the gang.

My personal favorite today on Homestar's site is in the 'Toons section. Here's a link to the 'Toons. Once you're there, check out An Important Rap Song. It's by Crack Stuntman, and if that doesn't make you laugh I'm afraid I can't help you either.

A huge "Thank You!" to my amazing friend who introduced me to this website!

The Roo Bar - Hip, Contemporary Cuisine



The Roo Bar serves up contemporary cuisine in a chic, upbeat and artsy atmosphere. It reminds me of TriBeCa Grill. Their Chatham location has great brick walls and very tall ceilings. The custom metal wine racks and blown glass lights are designed by local artists, and help give the restaurant its feel. The wine list is impressive, and offers many selections by the glass as well as bottle * gold star *.

We tried the calamari, which is served with avocado aoili and marinara dipping sauces. Mixed in with the calamari are pieces of pepper, which are also lightly battered and fried. We love the pepper, and the sauces are both great to pair with calamari.

The menu has lots of fun choices for appetizers and entrees. We try the lobster maki rolls, which have lobster tempura on the inside. They are delicious, and the tempura is still a little crunchy to give them just the right texture.

We tried a wood fired pizza, which sounded great from the menu description. Sadly, this was not our favorite dish, and we've had better pizza there before. We also tried a steak dish that was served with asparagus and mashed potatoes.

For dessert we tried the chocolate martini, which was out of this world yummy. The secret ingredient is ButterShots, which makes almost any after dinner drink even better.

The atmosphere at Roo Bar really enhances the meal, the background music is consistently good and the service and bartenders are top of the line, and smokin' hot!

MYSTERY DINNER GUEST SCORE:

Food - 7/10
Service - 9/10 - They are simply delightful!
Atmosphere - 8/10

April 18, 2007

Gerardi's Cafe - Authentic Italian Cuisine


Getting back to business... we recently dined at Gerardi's Cafe on Route 28 in West Dennis. Gerardi's is owned and operated by Diego and Sasha Gerardi, and serves up fresh and authentic Italian cuisine that will not disappoint.

Gerardi's is a teeny tiny restaurant with few tables and reservations are strongly recommended. They also offer take-out, which is great for summer nights when tourists are rampant on the Cape. When you walk in the door, you're met with aromas of baked tomato sauce, garlic, and freshly brewed Cappuccino. It feels much like a European bistro.

For an appetizer, we tried the Chicken & Prosciutto and shrimp parmegiana. Both were out of this world tasty. The house bread is served with herbed olive oil and just came out of the oven. We try the grilled steak medallions with risotto cakes special, and a veal parmigiana for our entrees. For good measure, we ordered the bruschetta with goat cheese.

For dessert, we tried the home made cannolis and cappuchinos. The cannolis were perfectly crunchy on the outside and deliciously creamy inside. Service was friendly and excellent, and the food just off the charts. Go now!

MYSTERY DINNER GUEST SCORE:

Food - 9/10
Service - 8/10
Atmosphere - If you get the booth, it's an 8/10

Goodbye O'Reilly, Hello Colbert

So this post goes not in the "Restaurant Review" category, nor in "Spring Training" (which are both overdue yet for posting...), but in the "random rant as needed" bucket.

Many of you are familiar with my failed attempts to contact Bill O'Reilly on subject matters of utmost importance. Topics like Michael Jackson, Ashley Olson, Coca-Cola advertising campaigns. Yet, all my correspondence went unresponded. Nothing. Nada. Such a busy man as Bill, consistently calling out people to come and rumble on his show, must not have time to review every letter and email sent to his attention.

Now someone else, hardly a newcomer to the scene, may be worthy of such attention. Yes, I am referring to the one, the only, Stephen Colbert. Quite simply put, the Greatest Living American today. And who could compete?