reviews

So, trying to determine if I want to take this blog in another direction or just start a new one, but I am interested in more or less documenting the time spent here in the Pearl and the many many yummy meals we shall eat. Give it a try here anyway.

In our scant 2 weeks here (has it been that long already?) we have eaten at 4 local establishments. There are many more to try of course, but that is limited by my (and Tia's) general food frugality. It is hard to want to drop $60+ on a meal out for two very frequently, so a lot of restaurants are kind of out to begin with.

Lets start with our very local neighborhood brew pub: Bridgeport. Happy hours x 2. For $20 (including tip) we had a brick oven cheese pizza, a spinach artichoke dip, and two drinks. Not too shabby and, most notably, the food is quite good.....especially for bar eats. The pizza has a nice char on it and the spinach dip is plentiful, gooey, cheesy and the chips are warm and crunchy with just enough salt. Have had both items twice and the quality seems consistent. Of lesser success were the nachos, which like many nachos fails to deliver the heat and ALWAYS look and smell better than they taste. Still, it is a screaming deal at $6 for a mountain of calories. The catfish bites were also just mediocre. A nice crisp on the outside and a little bite to the dipping sauce, but lacking in overall flavor. Great beer btw.........and at $2.75 a pint during HH, worth every penny!

Last week we were wondering around hungry with no real direction other than we didn't want to drop a lot of coin (no easy feat in the Pearl) and we happened on the local Hawaiian place: Hawaiian Time. Certainly nothing to look at, and the location gets a lot of car traffic, but it isnt exactly a pretty place to sit outside of to eat. But, for what it is, it isn't bad. I would eat there again, which says something. I thought the food was plentiful (copious actually) and reasonably priced ($8 for a regular sized plate........I am fearful of seeing what the large plate looks like). But, you have to kind of be in the mood for that kind of food since it is SO carb heavy (2 scoops white rice and macaroni salad) and meat heavy. Not for the slim of waistline. Was a bit disappointed that they offered no fish option (I prefer the mix plates when I eat Hawaiian food), but the meat offers were solid and well seasoned if a little on the tame side (they do have Siracha though, bonus for that).

Stopped at Silk, the upscale Vietnamese restaurant by the owners of Pho Van last night. It was a very trendy, somewhat loud place that was full, but able to accommodate a table of three at 7:30 on a Friday. It is more expensive than eating at Pho Van but, depending on what you order, not that much more. 3 people with a non-alcoholic drink each, one shared appetizer, and 3 main courses for about $46 is, I think, not unreasonable. The salad roll appetizer was good, if a bit small. Was very fresh and cool, but the sauce was a little strong on peanut flavor and was all sweet with no counterbalance (would have worked better if the rolls were spicy). The vermicelli bowls were both ample in size and proffered up a fair amount of meat and fresh veggies. The vegetarian curry was a bit less successful and a bit one-note in flavor. Had to ask for Siracha which improved my meal significantly. Overall, I would have to say that I have had better, but it wasn't by any stretch bad.

Finished up the evening with a trip to a local ice cream establishment, Cool Moon, with a myriad of pretty incredible flavors. Sampled a lemon hefeweizen, ginger cookies and cream (Tia's choice), lavender lemon, and thai chili spice with cashews (my choice). I have to say that I have NEVER had anything like it. It was cool and sweet initially, with a significant background heat, but not excessive. It lingered, but didn't send you running for water. The cashews added a nice textural and flavor component as well. Overall quite excellent. Tia's was more or less standard sweet, but with a mild, not overpowering, ginger kick. Very refreshing. Big thumbs up.