Chevy's Fresh Mex

A month ago or so, Chris and I had the opportunity to stop at the Palisades Center Mall in Nyack, NY.  If you've never been there, it's worth the trip.   There are four levels.  Four.   Macy's is located on three of them.  There's also a Target, a Home Depot, a Burlington Coat Factory and a Loew's AMC theater with 21 screens and an IMAX theater.   For fun, there's a carousel, a ferris wheel, and an ice rink.   Seriously...an ice rink.

They have an overwhelming number of dining choices, from fast food like Burger King and KFC, to The Cheesecake Factory and Dave and Busters.  There's at least three Asian restaurants, a Tony Roma's and Coldstone Creamery.  Ok, that last one isn't a restaurant but it is delicious.   Chris and I picked Chevy's Fresh Mex.  I had eaten at the Manhattan location once before and recalled it being pretty good.  We reviewed the menu and decided to try.  It was early for dinner so the restaurant was virtually empty and we were seated immediately at a booth located near the bar and not far from the kitchen.

Our server, who I won't name here, was very personable, very likeable.  She was prompt to our table once we were seated, but it all fell apart after that.  She said she was going to get our chips and salsa, and didn't come back.   We ordered Margaritas and were sitting close enough to the bar that we could see when they were "up" and would have gotten them faster if we had retrieved them ourselves.   Our Server was nowhere to be found.  She finally did return to take our meal orders which thankfully were served by a kitchen staff, otherwise who knows when we would have gotten them?  Meanwhile, we did see her go by us several times (without asking how we were doing) or talking to other Chevy's staff.  At one point she and some servers were congregating near our table (closer to the bar).  While there, she did make chit chat with us while she applied her lip gloss.  She applied her lip gloss on the floor, in front of customers, while talking to customers.  I don't need to see that.

Dinner ends and Chris is entitled to a choice of small dessert.  He chose the fried ice cream, a wonderful traditional Mexican treat.  Off she went to place that order.   Tick tock.  I went to the bathroom and back.  Still no ice cream.   Oh, there she is!  And she has ice cream!  And...there she goes...right by our table.  She scurried past us to a secret staff nook on the other side of the restaurant and from his vantage point, Chris could see her EATING THE ICE CREAM.  She served herself FIRST!  Maybe she was going to pass out from lack of calcium.   For the second time that meal, Chris mentions to a manager that we haven't received something we ordered and that staff scurries off.  Meanwhile, Server of the Month comes back to our table with....the check.  She brought the check BEFORE the dessert.   Chris reminded her that we were waiting for ice cream and without missing a beat she says she knows and it's coming, but still reviews the check with us and how to give her feedback on line with their rating system.  Is she serious?  We just pointed out that we didn't get our dessert, does she REALLY want us to rate her now? 

I know I didn't talk about our food.  Unfortunately, the enjoyment of the food was overshadowed by our "service".  The food was actually pretty good.  The salsa is fresh, has heat and is quite delicous.  I got the Mar y Tierra Combo which includes a grilled fajita chicken taco, a steak fajita, and a shrimp and crab enchilada.  Chris and I debated over me getting the shrimp and crab enchilada entree because it sounded so delicious and interesting on the menu.   In the end, we were glad I got the combo because only having one of those enchiladas was enough.  I would have been disappointed with a plateful of them. 

Chevy's offers a 3-course meal deal for $11.99:  small app, entree, and a mini-dessert.  Chris got this and chose the tortilla soup, the chicken fajita tacos, and, as mentioned, the fried ice cream.  Overall, the food was very good but nothing of note.  We've had better tortilla soup elsewhere, but everything is indeed fresh and nicely presented.  The entrees were served by the kitchen staff so at least those items got to us promptly.

We were so displeased with our service, Chris went to the website and offered our feedback.  He got an email response almost immediately, followed up by a phone call from the restaurant manager.  Chris got to speak to him directly and share our disappointment and constructive criticism.  As a result, we have a free meal waiting for us at Chevy's.   Now THAT is excellent customer service. 

ADDENDUM:  Chris stopped by that particular mall about 2 weeks ago and found out that Chevy's is closed in that location.  Booo no free meal!


http://www.chevys.com/

Boston Cream

We took a semi-impromptu trip to Boston, MA recently.  It was supposed to be work-related for Chris but that got cancelled.  We decided to go anyway as it was a beautiful fall day.  I will skip the stuff that happened while we were preparing to go and resulted in us not getting there until after 4pm....but once we got there it was great.  We parked at the underground parking garage at Boston Common, visited the Cheers bar, and walked to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.  

Google says it's only 1.4 miles from Cheers to Quincy Market but it felt like 12.  There was a hill which I was not happy about.  While wandering Quincy Market and all its glory, we had dinner at Boston Chowda.  We shared their combo meal of a generous cup of chowder, a lobster roll, and a soda.  Everything was delicious but not the best we've ever had.  The lobster roll could have used a touch more mayonnaise.  Chris thought the roll they used, though delicious, was not the right roll.  They used a soft hoagie-type roll so there was lots of bread surrounding the lobster salad.  Chris felt the traditional hot dog roll would have tasted better, especially with the less mayonnaise. 

While we wandered Quincy Market, prior to deciding upon Boston Chowda, we saw people carrying white pastry boxes with "Mike's" on the lids.  This caught my eye because A. it's pastry and 2. clearly these people knew something we didn't.  While in line at Chowda, I noticed that the couple in front of us also had the same box.  They were nice enough to give us directions to Mike's Pastry, which they said was quite close, and closed at 9pm.  It was only 6-ish at the time so we were in good shape.

We left indoor market and wandered the night streets a bit.  We walked to the North End Harbor and enjoyed the lights on the dark water.  We took some pictures as light and my amateur skills allowed.  As it got later, we decided to try to find Mike's before we hit the road.   We headed out NOT from the spot where we received the directions, so that alone should tell you something.   An hour and a half later, with an unplanned/unguided tour of the financial district under our belts, we finally asked a security guard where to go and then confirmed directions along the way with a couple walking toward us...who were holding a Mike's box. 

We finally found the Little Italy section of Boston, where Mike's is located.  Even though it was getting close to 9pm on a Thursday, the streets were bustling with pedestrians.  People were wandering, touring, and heading to or from one of the many delightful restaurants along Hanover Street.  We pressed forward, very concerned that we would not get to Mike's before 9pm.   We needn't have worried.  At 8:55pm Mike's was PACKED.   The floor is wide open, no tables to get in anyone's way.  There also didn't seem to be a discernable line, just a mass of people moving forward to the display cases.   We peeked around shoulders and hips to get a look at what was offered and first thing Chris notices is that there are no prices showing.  This concerns both of us, but for different reasons.  Chris is concerned because he doesn't like to spend money.  I am concerned because I dont have any. 

Everything in the cases is HUGE.  Enormous, if you will.  Seriously.  Their cannoli are the size of my 2 year old niece's thigh.  I then assumed, of course, that the prices would match.  I ordered a piece of cheesecake (I would liken the size to the portions at Cheesecake Factory.  You could feed 4 people.) and a pecan-caramel brownie.  The brownie was easily 2 inches thick, if not more.  So, literally, it was a 2x4.  The 2 luxurious, decadent desserts came to only $7.50.  I was thrilled and then wished I had ordered a third item.  Chris got a profiterole, a giant cream puff essentially.  It was the size of a softball and covered in chocolate.  He also got one of the giant cannolis.  His total was about $8. 

I am not normally a fan of cannolis, finding the filling too sweet, but this cannoli really was delicious.  Just sweet enough, just riccotta enough.  The profiterole, however, was beyond heavenly.   Rich, creamy, chocolatey, with light pastry....y u m.  Chris always picks the best stuff.  My cheesecake was divine.  It was moist without being mushy.  It was glazed with strawberry juice and a giant piece of the fruit.  The brownie was very good, but I think (for me) too sweet with both caramel and pecans together.  Don't get me wrong, I ate it anyway but for me it was just "ok".  

I told the lovely lady behind the counter that we had been searching all night for Mike's because we saw the people with the boxes. In her gorgeous accent (Italian I assume, but maybe Greek) she said, as she handed me my order, "There.  Now you have box too." 

If you were concerned about my comment regarding the crowd, don't be.  They had at least a half dozen busy bees behind the counter waiting on people.  That large crowd was nothing for them and we waited no more than 5 minutes to be waited upon.  I would like to pop in there some time when it isn't so busy (if that ever happens) so I can take time to puruse the cases and the shelves of cookies behind them.  For now, we can puruse the website:  http://www.mikespastry.com/index.html.

If you are in Boston and can get to the Hanover St. area, it's worth it.  You will have Mike's and another bakery, Modern Pastry, to satisfy your sweet tooth along with at least a dozen fine looking restaurants that Chris and I can't wait to try.  Here is a helpful list: http://www.bostoncitylinks.com/italianrest.html.  We were intrigued by the Cantina Italiana, both for price and menu offerings. 

That area is also wonderful just for wandering.  Venture off of Hanover St. and there is cobblestone, Paul Revere's House, and delightful nooks and crannies of smaller restaurants, bars, and neat apartment buildings. 

We  must have walked 6 miles out of our way to get to Mike's, when we were only about 3/4 of a mile away at the Market.  It was well worth it but 2 weeks later, my back still hurts.  If you're going to wander aimlessly (and lost) around Boston, please wear proper footwear.  Thank you.


http://www.bostonchowda.com/

Hot in Cleveland -- Flannery's Pub

We made a second trip to Cleveland earlier this week.  Chris had a "run" to Erie, MI and instead of going north to Detroit, we stayed in Toledo then headed into Cleveland to explore the parts we didn't see the first time.

After reading many menus in the bustling district surrounding the Arcade, we decided upon Flannery's.   It wasn't an easy choice, because this particular area has many yummy restaturants that hopefully we'll be back enough times to try out:  The Chocolate Bar, Harry Buffalo, Lola, and Fat Fish Blue just to name off a few.  East 4th St. is a great place to start. It's a block-plus of groovy restaurants with outdoor dining.  Very Greenwich Village-ish (or Lark St.-ish for the Albany-ians). 

Flannery's is on the corner of E. 4th St. and Prospect Ave.  It's roomy inside, lots of table and bar space, gorgeous dark wood, lots of windows, and an outside patio.  It was such a beautiful day they had the doors opened leading directly to the bar from the patio, so perfect if a big crowd showed up.   Lots of room and no barriers.  Everyone can mingle and move in an out of the bar area with ease.

Chris and I were greeted by Mary, with a genuine "Hello Friends!".    We ate outside, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.  I will admit, I was in a "mood" and just wanted comfort food.   I debated the mac and cheese and the St. James O'Rings (dipped in Guinness).  They offer a nice selection of traditional Irish fare such as Shepherd's Pie and Irish Stew, all of which sounded delectible,  but I decided upon the Ribeye Cheesesteak (Chicken is also an option) .  Chris went more traditional and got the Fish n Chips. 

Our meals were served promptly, were neatly presented, and the portions were generous.  My cheesesteak was exactly how I like a hot sandwich or burger: messy.  It was cheesy and had onions and red peppers falling all over.  I love that.  The meat was tender and delicious.  The FRIES were fantastic.  I don't know what they do to them but they had such a wonderful taste, even without any condiments.  YUM!  Chris' fish was golden brown,  crunchy outside and moist inside.  He got 2 large pieces and he couldn't finish both even with me sneaking tastes.  The condiment caddy offered malt vinegar which he used for his fries.  I didn't care for it but he loved it and since he was going a more traditional route, that makes sense.  

We got two generous meals for under $25, great service, and lovely atmosphere.  If you're in Cleveland, we highly recommend Flannery's for some great casual dining.  Say hi to Mary for us.  :)

http://www.flannerys.com/

Applebees

I've never been a fan of Applebees.  I've always found their food to be mediocre at best.  I mean, it's fine for convenient slightly-above-Friendly's food but it's not "great".  Since I've started dating Chris I've eaten there three times.  Three times more than I needed to, but like I said, it's convenient and it has that 2 for $20 deal which is nice.  1 appetizer and 2 entrees (from a limited menu) for $20.  Since I eat very selectively and in small portions, being able to save on dining out is not only preferable, it's a necessity. 

Applebees also offers a $6.99 all-you-can-eat lunch menu.  You can create a duo from soup, salad, pasta and sandwiches and eat til you're busting at the seams.  They also have a "pick two" lunch menu where you get 1 serving of 2 items.  This menu has the same categories with slightly different choices, but still a rather good selection.   

I got the Spinach Salad with Grilled Shrimp: deep green spinach, roasted red peppers, slivered almonds, bacon pieces and Warm Bacon Vinegrette topped with six yummy grilled shrimp served in "lunch portion".  It was fresh, crunchy, flavorful, and pretty.  I LOVED IT.  The online menu says it also has red onion but I will be honest, I don't remember an onion.  Really doesn't matter to me, the salad was delicious. It's not often I get to rave about a salad and I raved about this one.  I also got two of the French Dip sliders served on soft "mini buns" which were not like hamburger buns at all.  They were more like biscuit you'd get in Cracker Barrel.  This is not a bad thing, but they were doughy in the middle which I didn't think worked well on a French Dip.   The meat was ok, nothing special.  At least it wasn't dry, even without the au jus.  The sandwich was good but not "great".

Did I mention I loved the salad?

Chris also got the Spinach Salad but his did not have shrimp, nor is that option offered on the all-you-can-eat menu.   I did share mine, though.  He had 2 orders of the French Onion Soup and chose the Caesar Salad the second time.  He deems the soup "nice" (which is a HUGE compliment from him).   It was flavorful and cheesy.  Not bad for chain restaurant French Onion.

Our only complaints about the visit were these:

The wait for our food seemed extraordinarily long, at least 20 minutes from the time we gave our server the order.   Granted it was lunchtime on a Friday, but there was not that many customers in the restaurant.  We were perhaps one of 4 tables of people.  Plus, we ordered soup, salad, and sliders none of which take that long to prepare. 

Our other issue was that they ran out of bread.  Our dishes were served with soft, seasoned bread sticks.  When Chris' second round of lunch came, our server informed us that the kitchen had run out.   Run out?  At Noon?   Granted, she brought us extra bread when it did become available but running out of bread one hour after opening is inexcusable. 

We shared all of this on the Applebees website, per the request on the receipt.  Hey, maybe I'll win $1000.  I'll go buy some bread.