ING Cafe
What an interesting concept. Financial services and coffee (and baked goods, etc.!). Would it just be a novelty? How long could it last?
I first ran across the ING Cafe a few years ago on a visit to Philadelphia. I had breakfast there and looked over the various ING brochures. The concept of the Internet only bank was still kind of new then and I was inspired to sign up for an account.
When I visited Philadelphia again in January 2008, I made sure to stop by the ING Cafe, but it wasn't open yet when I stopped by. Luckily, I had to make a return trip in February and this time it was open. Not only open, but they were having Sunday special and a coffee, tea, and two muffins were only $4.00! What a bargain!
ING Cafe brews up Peet's Coffee and has Internet access to check your ING accounts or for other purposes.
Additional locations in Chicago, New York City, Wilmington, and Los Angeles.
Meal: afternoon snack
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 24 February 2008
Address: 1636 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Website: http://home.ingdirect.com/about/about.asp?s=INGDIRECTCafe
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Quote of the Day: 23 February 2008
"Mussels in Chocolate." You flinch? But that's only because you are gastronomically unadventurous. (Your Saturday evening visits to the Koh-i-Noor Balti House do not count. These days conveyor-belt curry is as safe a taste as Mozart.)
- James Hamilton-Paterson. (2004). Cooking with Fernet Branca. Europa Editions, New York: 2005. p.15
Looks like a bookstore ... but ...
No, it's not a bookstore, or even a library ... it's "Back to the Grind", a delightful little coffee house, breakfast nook, etc. in Riverside, California. Located in a historic niche in Riverside just around the corner from the Mission Inn, Back to the Grind has been around since 1996.
I stopped in for breakfast a couple of times during a trip to Riverside and it was always great. The library ambiance was conducive to reading and it was a great place for coffee, a danish and a bit of relaxation before starting the day.
Look closely at the bookcases in the picture and you'll find a host of curious little knickknacks and doodads!
Meal: breakfast
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 23 July 2007
Address: 3575 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92501
Website: http://back2thegrind.com/
I stopped in for breakfast a couple of times during a trip to Riverside and it was always great. The library ambiance was conducive to reading and it was a great place for coffee, a danish and a bit of relaxation before starting the day.
Look closely at the bookcases in the picture and you'll find a host of curious little knickknacks and doodads!
Meal: breakfast
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 23 July 2007
Address: 3575 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92501
Website: http://back2thegrind.com/
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Pie in the Sky: Woods Hole, Mass.
One word: sea ice. Ok, that's two words, but it will give you an idea of how cold it can get in Woods Hole in February. I was there in mid-February 2007 and had a great time. Yes it was cold, but there sure weren't any crowds!
It's also true that there's not a lot open at that time of the year, but one year 'round option is Pie in the Sky. Just a quick, brisk stroll down from the Swope Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory, past Eel Pond and there you are.
The Pie in the Sky opens early and also has free Internet access for the online road warriors.
Great staff and coffee and killer baked goods will start your day off right - and they're open til 10 pm, so also a great place to end your day!
Meal: breakfast/snack
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 11 February 2007
Address: 10 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543
Website: http://www.woodshole.com/pie/
It's also true that there's not a lot open at that time of the year, but one year 'round option is Pie in the Sky. Just a quick, brisk stroll down from the Swope Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory, past Eel Pond and there you are.
The Pie in the Sky opens early and also has free Internet access for the online road warriors.
Great staff and coffee and killer baked goods will start your day off right - and they're open til 10 pm, so also a great place to end your day!
Meal: breakfast/snack
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 11 February 2007
Address: 10 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543
Website: http://www.woodshole.com/pie/
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Quote of the Day: 17 February 2008
"Caviar is sometimes eaten by chess players as a way of rapidly consuming a considerable quantity of easily digestible protein, without any of the stupefying effects of a bona fide meal. It is an excellent cold weather food. It is not available on cross-channel ferries such as this one, though in many respects it would be an ideal mid-journey picnic. There is, however, a deliriously vulgar 'caviar bar' at Heathrow Terminal Four, just to the right of the miniature Harrods."- John Lancaster. The Debt to Pleasure. Henry Holt and Company: New York, 1996, p. 13
Monday, February 11, 2008
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: St. Louis
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Look in the sky! Is it Ice cream? Is it frozen yogurt? No, it's frozen custard! Not really soft serve ice cream, but something all it's own!
On a not really too cool fall night, we drove out to the iconic Ted Drewes location on Chippewa St. in St. Louis (on the old US 66 route none the less).
The stand (no indoor seating!) was packed with people milling about and waiting to place their order. I'm sort of a plain vanilla person, so that's what I ordered. True to form, my custard arrived thick and creamy, upside down with s spoon stuck inside to let everyone know just how thick and creamy it was.
A perfect bit of nostalgia that's great for summer days, but oh oh, those summer nights!
Meal: after dinner snacks
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 13 September 2007
Address: 6726 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63109
Website: http://www.teddrewes.com
Look in the sky! Is it Ice cream? Is it frozen yogurt? No, it's frozen custard! Not really soft serve ice cream, but something all it's own!
On a not really too cool fall night, we drove out to the iconic Ted Drewes location on Chippewa St. in St. Louis (on the old US 66 route none the less).
The stand (no indoor seating!) was packed with people milling about and waiting to place their order. I'm sort of a plain vanilla person, so that's what I ordered. True to form, my custard arrived thick and creamy, upside down with s spoon stuck inside to let everyone know just how thick and creamy it was.
A perfect bit of nostalgia that's great for summer days, but oh oh, those summer nights!
Meal: after dinner snacks
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 13 September 2007
Address: 6726 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63109
Website: http://www.teddrewes.com
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Grove Cafe on Chestnut St. San Francisco
The Grove Cafe is one of the nicest little places on Chestnut St. (which has quite a few actually!) to get a little something at nearly anytime during the day. On my recent trip to San Francisco, I stopped in for breakfast on a couple of occasions. On other trips, it's just been a stop off for coffee or a little something after dinner.
Service has always been friendly and helpful (including making my custom scrambled eggs seen in the picture). The thick grilled toast is also great.
It's also a great people watching place as the SF laptop crowd conducts all kinds of business at all times of day.
A breakfast highlight is the funky orange juicer that squeezes your juice while you wait.
Meal: breakfast/after dinner snacks
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 16 January 2008
Address: 2250 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123
Website: N/A
Menu: http://tinyurl.com/2ue97d
Service has always been friendly and helpful (including making my custom scrambled eggs seen in the picture). The thick grilled toast is also great.
It's also a great people watching place as the SF laptop crowd conducts all kinds of business at all times of day.
A breakfast highlight is the funky orange juicer that squeezes your juice while you wait.
Meal: breakfast/after dinner snacks
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 16 January 2008
Address: 2250 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123
Website: N/A
Menu: http://tinyurl.com/2ue97d
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Joe Aguilar's Templo Del Sol: Authentic Mexican
Templo del Sol is one of those Mexican restaurants that's just plain comfortable. Located near the UC Riverside campus, you don't come to Templo del Sol for fancy tables or trendy lighting tricks.
Seating is your basic laminated tables and pull out chairs, but what you lack a hip atmosphere, is made up in great service (some reviews have noted that the service is slow, but I was there with a party of eight and the service was quick, efficient and cheerful) and even better food.
All the traditional dishes are here: enchiladas, tacos, burritos (including their deep fried burrito - or chimichunga as they're often called "back East"), and the like. Dishes come in combos or a la carte in generous portions. My dish of choice? The polle en mole, with just the right amount of chicken and accompanied by rice and beans.
Prices are low and the food is great! So next time you find yourself in the Inland Empire, stop by!
Meal: lunch
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 24 July 2007
Address: 1365 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92507
Website: N/A
Seating is your basic laminated tables and pull out chairs, but what you lack a hip atmosphere, is made up in great service (some reviews have noted that the service is slow, but I was there with a party of eight and the service was quick, efficient and cheerful) and even better food.
All the traditional dishes are here: enchiladas, tacos, burritos (including their deep fried burrito - or chimichunga as they're often called "back East"), and the like. Dishes come in combos or a la carte in generous portions. My dish of choice? The polle en mole, with just the right amount of chicken and accompanied by rice and beans.
Prices are low and the food is great! So next time you find yourself in the Inland Empire, stop by!
Meal: lunch
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 24 July 2007
Address: 1365 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92507
Website: N/A
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Savory Metro - Coffee and more in Takoma
Sister location to the original Savory Cafe located just across the DC-Maryland line in Takoma Park.
Savory Metro is the perfect spot to stop for coffee, tea, or something more filling - eggs, baked goods, etc. on your way to or from the Takoma Metro stop.
I'm a tough sell when it comes to coffee. I like what I like and am especially hard on "neighborhood" coffee houses that try and pass off weak, cold coffee as an "alternative" to Starbucks. Savory Metro passes my test with a good cup of basic joe - nothing fancy for me - and they didn't look at me funny when I wanted my "here" coffee in a "to go" cup!
Internet access, bulletin boards with the types of postings you find only in the Takoma/Takoma Park area (or maybe Berkeley!). A great little neighborhood spot!
Meal: coffee
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 30 January 2008
Address: 314 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012
Website: N/A
Savory Metro is the perfect spot to stop for coffee, tea, or something more filling - eggs, baked goods, etc. on your way to or from the Takoma Metro stop.
I'm a tough sell when it comes to coffee. I like what I like and am especially hard on "neighborhood" coffee houses that try and pass off weak, cold coffee as an "alternative" to Starbucks. Savory Metro passes my test with a good cup of basic joe - nothing fancy for me - and they didn't look at me funny when I wanted my "here" coffee in a "to go" cup!
Internet access, bulletin boards with the types of postings you find only in the Takoma/Takoma Park area (or maybe Berkeley!). A great little neighborhood spot!
Meal: coffee
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 30 January 2008
Address: 314 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012
Website: N/A
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Las Campanas Restaurant @ The Mission Inn
Las Campanas Restaurant, located in the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, California, offers a great dining experience.
Part of the pleasure of Las Campanas is dining outdoors under the palms of the Mission Inn. If you're lucky and you get one of the clear and dry Southern California nights, you'll be especially happy while enjoying the excellent meal.
The chips, served with a trio of salsas, were crisp and not too salty.
For an entree, I chose my favorite, chicken enchiladas. Served with sides of refried beans and rice, a glass of California Pinot Noir made for the perfect meal.
Meal: dinner
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 22 July 2007
Address: 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 92501
Website: http://www.missioninn.com/restaurants-las-campanas.php
Part of the pleasure of Las Campanas is dining outdoors under the palms of the Mission Inn. If you're lucky and you get one of the clear and dry Southern California nights, you'll be especially happy while enjoying the excellent meal.
The chips, served with a trio of salsas, were crisp and not too salty.
For an entree, I chose my favorite, chicken enchiladas. Served with sides of refried beans and rice, a glass of California Pinot Noir made for the perfect meal.
Meal: dinner
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 22 July 2007
Address: 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 92501
Website: http://www.missioninn.com/restaurants-las-campanas.php
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Red Square Euro Bistro: A little bit of Moscow in Denver
Tucked away on Larimer St. the Red Square Euro Bisto is everything a Soviet ere restaurant wasn't! Great food in good quantities and a fun, lively atmosphere.
For starters, I had Schi, the classic Russian Soup made with cabbage, carrots, potatoes, red peppers, beef bouillon, and sour cream. For an entree, Grilled Rack of Lamb (served with sautéed baby zucchini, roasted shallots, orange-fennel reduction).
The staff was knowledgeable and well-versed in the menu. Most importantly, our water was able to guide us through the selection of vodkas on the menu. Our choice: Prazdnichnaya.
Meal: dinner
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 5 Oct 2007
Address: 1512 Larimer St # 38R, Denver, CO 80202
Website: http://www.redsquarebistro.com/
For starters, I had Schi, the classic Russian Soup made with cabbage, carrots, potatoes, red peppers, beef bouillon, and sour cream. For an entree, Grilled Rack of Lamb (served with sautéed baby zucchini, roasted shallots, orange-fennel reduction).
The staff was knowledgeable and well-versed in the menu. Most importantly, our water was able to guide us through the selection of vodkas on the menu. Our choice: Prazdnichnaya.
Meal: dinner
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 5 Oct 2007
Address: 1512 Larimer St # 38R, Denver, CO 80202
Website: http://www.redsquarebistro.com/
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