The Kirby Grille

We recently visited Grand Haven as an overnight get away. We tried to find the place of our first date and we picked a place that was now a high end grille. Later we determined that we were a block off of our calculations, but the place we actually went to back then is now closed.

So we ended up in this fine dining place. The entrees were $26 on up. Sides were all $6 each. But who cares? We don't do it everyday.

First off, my wife was intrigued by the espresso martini. She's a coffeeaholic. And it was wonderful. I had a beer. Not a craft beer that tastes like Squirt, but real beer. And then we both opted for the sirloin. And then mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus. It came family style so there was much more that two people could eat.

The atmosphere was very nice. Our server was very bland but very knowledgeable and I guess that's enough. He was very efficient and that is all one can ask.

Our steaks were very good, but certainly not medium as we ordered. No pink at all in the steak. Usually medium has a pink strip in the center. But this was medium well and that's generous. The mashed potatoes were so-so but the asparagus was great, but asparagus is hard to make badly.

So for dessert my bride had the Creme Brûlée. She does anytime she can. She is an expert. And this was the best she ever had. For dessert I had a real martini. Gin and vermouth, not the wannabe martini's with vodka. And yes "shaken, not stirred." Ben brought it to the table and shook our martini's for us.

Yum Yum. My Favorite dessert. 

 This is a great place for a fun time. And a great meal. All of it was awesome. So there it is.

Grade. A-

Pita Pit

I was recently in Ft. Myers Florida and one evening my brother and sister in law took me to a little spot they enjoy. It was called the Pita Pit. I suspected we would all be getting veggie falafels, but man, was I wrong. 

First one gets to choose the meat they desire. I chose Prime Rib. They throw that on the grill.  And then it gets a little subwayesque. Then there are decisions; I chose spinach, cucumbers, pickles, tomato, provolone cheese and mayonnaise. And then they put this amazing masterpiece together. It turns out like a burrito but much more tasty. And the pita has been specially designed so there are a couple flaps that hold it all together. 

They are lots less carbs with this meal than a burrito would be and this is a lot more enjoyable. One bite and I was hooked. Delicious. I can't recommend this place enough. I don't know if they are a chain or if this is it, but I suspect there is more than one. I wanted to get the address, but they didn't didn't have a business card. So I don't know the exact address but it is located at the corner of Fowler and Colonial.

This is delicious stuff and I can't recommend it enough. One of my only complaint is that there is not one in Greenville, Michigan. 

Grade: A-

Bravos!

Bravos!
East Beltine
Grand Rapids, Michigan

We were able to dine her with two of our dearest friends. I should mention that first. Because after all, they were the most important part of this meal. Anyhow, with reservations we were let into the restaurant.

Billy and I both got the Lasagna, which the obligatory gay waiter explained that was sort of their premium product. When it arrived, I was taken aback at the size of it. It was the size of a wet burrito in a Mexican Restaurant. It was very tasty, and although I never thought I could finish it, I did. So that says something about how tasty it was.

Bill's wife Sandy elected a chicken dish and she shared a small portion of it with me. It was very delectable indeed.

The lasagne was a nice sized portion. And it was tasty indeed. But seriously, reservations?


The Good: Easy parking. Great informative service.

The Bad: It's noisy in there. The acoustics leave a lot to be desired. It was difficult to carry on a normal conversation without practically hollering across the table.

The Ugly: For a just average loud restaurant experience, it requires reservations. Bravos!, you ain't all that. You are not a notch above Chili's or the Outback. Don't kid yourselves. But the food was really good.

The Egg and I

The Egg and I
Pensacola, Florida.

While we were in Pensacola on our last venture, we stopped to a place near our hotel for breakfast one day. We ended up eating there three times. It was wonderful.

A nice clean atmosphere with a terrific menu that offered lots of interesting options. My wife is more of an experimenter, so she usually jumps around a menu. I tend to find something that is very good and order it every time. 

Penny tried lots of stuff. Pecan Pancakes being one of her favorites. But everything here was interesting and good. 

It is a breakfast/lunch place as the sign says. But it has a loyal following. Once we got there early and there were people lined up. They didn't open till like 8 or 9 which I thought was weird for a breakfast place. And after they opened the place filled up quickly. No dinner menu. 

They focus on the egg. And whatever they do that involves an egg, they do it very well. We went there three times and look forward to maybe stopping here again when we are there in July. 

So yes I recommend this spot if you ever need breakfast or lunch while in Pensacola, Florida. 

Not to mention that I love that they are inspired for their name by a great Hollywood film. 

We love it and will be there again. 

Grade: A-

McGuire's

McGuires
Pensacola, Florida.

We went to this place because our daughters who have lived in Pensacola for a number of years raved about the place. It touts itself an Irish Pub and is well known as a premier eating establishment. 

It is a nice place with an interesting atmosphere. The wall are covered in dollar bills. There are sharpies and staplers strategically place around the restaurant and people sign a dollar bill and find a place to staple. The walls and ceilings are covered. It's crazy. And no, you won't find a bill with my name on it there. 

But the wait staff were outgoing, and the young lady we had as it turned out was from Rockford. The next town west of us! How crazy is that?

So we ordered. I ordered some brouchetta. I happened to mention out loud that the only place I really  liked it was from The Twisted Rooster and that is how we found out our waitress is from Rockford. And honestly, if you are from out of town and can't effectively take something home and warm it up later, this is not the place for you. Huge portions. You will never leave here hungry. Never. 

And they do serve alcohol with a large beer and wine menu.

It was good food, but my complaint is that honestly the portions were too big. No one could eat this at one setting. And one pays a wee bit extra because of the portion size. 

So if you are hungry in Pensacola this is the place for you. Well worth the visit. The food was good. Everyone was satisfied. Great wait staff. And the cool thing is, to tip, just pull a few buck off the wall.

Grade: B+

The Melting Pot

The Melting Pot
in front of Celebration Cinema
on the East Beltline,
Grand Rapids, Michigan

My wife has always raved about this place. She's gone a couple times before. We have talked about going, but hey, she has always said it's pricey and it's fondue. So how good could it be I asked myself.

Well how about fricking great?

So here's the thing. We ordered the French Quarter entree, which meant it was New Orleans cajun. It definitely bit back, but we both kind of like that. Me more than her. We both like stuff that says, "Hey let's talk about what 'Spicy Hot' means.

So the opening course was a cheese fondue they conjured up according to my wife's direction. And then we were given a course of apple pieces, veggies, and pretzel bread.

The main course was of course our entree. It included pieces of beef, pieces of pork, and shrimp. The entree appeared pitiful. But I was nearly stuffed when this was over.

And finally they brought the dessert course. I don't eat sweets. So this was not a big deal to me.
But they mixed up a combination of chocolate and peanut butter, and Bailey's and other cool stuff in the fondue pot and then set a plate of banana chunks, marshmallows, brownie, cookie, strawberries, and rice crispy treats.

I walked away a better person for have eaten here. I was full. I was undoubtedly $80 to $100 bucks lighter. But sometimes it be like that. Try it once.

And then like us, we'll take people to The Twisted Rooster and then hit The Melting Pot for dessert.

Grade: A-

Johnny's Barbecue

Johnny's Barbecue
Cullman, Alabama


We had to spend a night in Cullman, Alabama. We've done this before, but this time couldn't find the nice hotel we had last time. But I digress. When my wife asked the toothless one at the desk who was on the phone, for a good local place without a beat she said "Johnny's, a mile down the road." So we went. We always want to try local places.

I have been to barbecue joints all over the south: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida etc. So I was anxious to try a barbecue joint in Alabama that I have not tried.

So we went to Johnny's. The locals filled the place. My wife ordered the half chicken and I had the ribs. The ribs were bland at best. I asked for 'no ice' in my Diet Coke. Our totally toothless waitress asked, "No Oz?" So to me Oz has munchkins and a Wizard and stuff, so I have to process before I answer, "Yes, no ice." And even though I asked for extra sour cream and butter for my baked potato, I didn't get it.

Penny's half chicken was dry and tough. Hey, she didn't order chicken jerky, but that's what she got.

So if you ever have to spend a night in Cullman, Alabama, and you might if you are headed to Florida's panhandle from Michigan, avoid Johnny's. If you want better cuisine, find a McDonald's.

And seriously Cullman, they invented these things called dentures. Check it out.