Cinco Ranchos Mexican Grill - CLOSED

There’s a space in the strip center that seems to have a destination fail to it. Nothing last long in this spot so I was a little hesitant to try Cinco Ranchos Mexican Grill. We went on a Saturday late afternoon. Always note that if there’s no hostess and you have to stand there and shout out for someone several times it’s probably best to just turn around and leave. We where finally greeted by whom I can only imagine was the manager and seated. The inside looked like a pop up restaurant that had a 24 hour challenge to open up. I’m still a little funny when it comes to cloth tablecloths and all this mismatched china. Almost felt like I was at a yard sale.

I printed a coupon from their website for a free queso ($3.95 value). It was watered down and didn’t taste like anything. The sauces where ok, but kind of the same. We where informed they make them all in house.

Anyway, while we looked over the menu I ordered a frozen mango margarita and D ordered a regular on the rocks both $3.95 each. Mine was good, his not so much, it just tasted like mix. (And a side note the manager was also our bartender/waiter/hostess)

As the entrée we went for the Fajitas for 2 $18.95 (Black angus beef and chicken). Served with beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, pico de gallo and tortillas. The beef was good, and the chicken was dry. Both lacked flavor and didn’t taste like anything. (He also told us it’s organic chicken and grass fed beef. I feel like this is becoming an informing meal.)

Well, sadly I won’t go back unless they make it a year. They really need someone to step in and flavor it up. The meat was really tender and good, so they are on a good track, just need to not skim it so much and they’ll have more people. In our area there’s lots of Mexican places to pick from and this doesn’t make the cut when the others are so much better. I wish them the best of luck I just don’t see them lasting long. If you go be sure to check out their site and grab you a coupon.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant (Town and Country Location)

We always love going to McCormick & Schmick’s they never a let down when we go. While we looked over the menu we snacked on the bread and butter and ordered a bottle of 2010 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc $39. Not usually the wine I would pick it’s a little more sweeter then we normally like, but it wasn’t bad.

For a starter we ordered the Lump Crab Tower $13.95 (Avocado, Mango, Orange Vinaigrette) Honestly I wouldn’t order this again it was a little bland and just blah.

We also shared a bowl of Lobster Bisque $11.95. We loved their crab bisque, which wasn’t on the menu this time, but the lobster won’t disappoint you.

D ordered the Stuffed Atlantic Salmon $26.95 (Lump Crab, Bay Shrimp, Brie Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables). We where so excited about ordering this because it was fantastic last time, but this time it was a little ehh. The waiter asked if we would like extra crab meat and we should have said yes. I don’t like that they scaled back to charge you extra now.

I ordered the Chef’s Recommendation Blacked Texas Redfish $27.95 (Skillet Blackened, Topped with Sautéed Lump Blue Crab and Citrus Butter). The fish was perfect the citrus sauce tasted like nothing except butter. When I asked the waiter what kind of “citrus” was used she said “oh there’s orange, lemon, lime, you know you’re common citrus flavors”. What?! Are you kidding me I wasn’t saying name all the citrus you know I wanted to know what the hell was in the sauce because it didn’t taste like anything. I concluded our waiter was good at making stuff up as he went along after the wine wasn’t what I described I was looking for and now this.

Overall we had a good meal, just had better in the past. We where informed they changed up the menu to their better, more popular selling dishes and I think it was a mistake. The miso cod was fantastic and it’s not listed nor where some of the other fantastic dishes I’ve had in the past. I think what he meant to say is it’s changed for the season.

Tree House - CLOSED

Hubby and I decided to try a new place that opened up in our area called Tree House Mexican Baja Grill. We mainly went because we had a coupon, I hate paying full price on a place I’m not sure if it’ll be any good. We went a Monday night after getting back in town so it was a little slow. The hostess was sitting at a table with her laptop so we had to wait for her to save her work before she greeted us. The inside has lots to look at and the floors where really slippery even wearing tennis shoes I almost fell twice before getting to our table.

Our waiter was also the bartender. I think they only had 2 guys on staff and they must have been helping in the kitchen too, because we didn’t see much of either one. We got chips and salsa while looking over the menu. Both of the dips where ok, nothing to wow about.

The happy hour margarita was $3.50. I thought it was ok, but hubby wasn’t over the moon about it.

For the entrée I ordered the Fajitas for 1 for $12.99. I really liked the beef better, but for the leftovers the beef had a meaty flavor and wasn’t as good. The chicken just had no flavor at all.

D ordered the Enchiladas al Carbon $9.99 (Corn tortilla filled with beef, or chicken fajita meat, topped with gravy, melted cheese and chile con carne.) We didn’t care for this, there wasn’t much meat, and it didn’t have any flavor.

I more than likely won’t be going back. The location is in a high turnover area so I don’t see this one lasting longer than the lease they signed anyway.

T.G.I. Friday’s

I honestly can’t remember the last time I had been to a T.G.I. Friday’s. I know it’s been at least 8 years, but could be longer. They’ve really tried to make a comeback in the last few years, updating their menu, look and specials. If you have been to Chili’s they are similar, except their menu is a little more all over the place. Personally I prefer Chili’s, but it’s worth giving T.G.I. Friday’s a chance if you haven’t been.

My favorite part of the meal was the Strawberry Lemonade Slush, it’s a little steep for $3.39, but you get free refills and I think I drank 3 glasses while we where there.

As for the meal they have specials such as 2 for $10 or 3 for $12 and so on. We chose the 3 for $12, which overall I think was a really good deal. The waiter said the portions are full size which I agree with when I saw them.

 

Spinach Florentine Flatbread $7.19 (saved $3.49 with combo deal) (Oven-baked crispy flatbread topped with our creamy spinach & artichoke heart spread and bruschetta mix of diced tomatoes, garlic and freshly chopped basil). Wasn’t too bad, I think it could have used a little dipping sauce because it tasted dry.

We also had the Crispy Green Bean Fries $6.59 (saved $2.49 with combo deal) (Crunchy green bean fries breaded and fried to a golden brown. Our cool and creamy Cucumber-Wasabi Ranch dip adds just a touch of spicy.) I really liked the wasabi ranch dip. The green beans where a little oily, but crispy non the less.

For the entrees we ordered the Bruschetta Chicken Pasta $12.59 (saved 6.12 from combo)(Multi-grain angel hair pasta tossed in Bruschetta marinara – made with sliced garlic, basil and Roma tomatoes – topped with fire-grilled chicken breast. Drizzled with balsamic glaze and sprinkled with Parmesan shavings). Wasn’t bad, I would order again.

We also got the Parmesan-Crusted Chicken $9.19 (saved $3.47 from combo) (A sautéed chicken breast basted with Caesar Vinaigrette dressing, then finished with a Parmesan crust topping. Served with three-cheese tortellini tossed in spinach Alfredo sauce and a side of our fresh tomato Mozzarella salad). I wish the chicken was a little bigger and the salad was just ehh it really needed more mozzarella and they only had 4 ravioli. The dish was just lacking something I can’t put my finger on it. 

Desserts where really good! We shared the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake $5.49 (saved additional $2.67) (A delicious cheesecake made with real vanilla beans, layered with white chocolate mousse and baked in a vanilla graham cracker crust. Topped with white chocolate shavings and served with a fresh strawberry).

I got the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie $5.09 (saved $1.92 from combo)to go to take home to my hubby because I was stuffed after everything we ate. (Chocolate ganache layered with peanut butter mousse in a peanut butter graham cracker crust. Topped with whipped cream and a peanut butter cup.) This was really rich, but if you’re sharing it’s just the right amount of sweetness.

Couple of tips- Be sure to sign up for the Stripes Card on their website you get coupons for free items and to skip the wait line, each time you go you earn points towards free items. Also sign up for their email alerts and you get free coupons too.

Overall would I go back? Not unless it’s for one of the combo deals. Our original bill came to $52.92 and then knocked off $20.16 savings from doing 2 combo meals for a total of $35.46 for 2 people.

Oceanaire

We usually don’t like going in town to the Galleria area because there’s so many people and the traffic is a nightmare, but since it was a Thursday and we where going for lunch we took a chance. We also figured the prices for lunch would be a little better than the dinner prices since we hadn’t been here before. I read a few reviews that since Landry’s took over the Oceanaire restaurant that the quality had gone down, not been here before I can’t tell you, but I can tell you the service is soooo slow. It was almost a 2 hour lunch with only maybe 10 other tables in the place filled with 1 waiter per tables it shouldn’t be this slow. I think our waiter hid more than anything. I should have taken a picture of the size glasses we had for water and tea. I almost asked him to leave the pitcher at the table so I could drink out of that, but I didn’t.

The restaurant is beautiful with silver, blue brown as their color scheme.

We where brought hot sourdough bread with soft butter and a plate of vegetables. Which maybe I’m not super fancy, but I didn’t understand this. I though they where pickled, but after the loud crunch from the carrot my husband took a bite of and him saying it tasted like a plain carrot I changed my mind.

Don’t look for refills, as soon as your food comes the bread is swept away, which then turned our waiters face to annoyed when I asked for more. The bread is hot and really good.

We ordered 2 appetizers, Fried Red Chili Calamari with Warm Asian Vegetables $10.95 and a Cup of New England Clam Chowder $5.95. The calamari had well reviews and we love trying calamari so we gave it a shot. The breading was really good and I felt like you got a good amount of calamari on the plate. The sauce was good too, but didn’t overly wow me. I would order again over the chowder. Nothing is wrong with the chowder it just is really thick and creamy, but seems like there’s not much flavor or filling in there.

For the main course we ordered the Seafood Mixed Grill $28.95 (Grilled fish of the day (Golden Tile), shrimp and baked stuffed shrimp). I don’t feel like we got $28 worth of food, but it wasn’t bad just a little bland. The fish was a hair overcooked. The rice looked full of flavor, but didn’t taste like anything. The asparagus where cooked perfectly which is rare to find.

We also ordered the Seared-Rare Hawaiian Yellowfin Ahi Tuna $19.95 (Wakame Seaweed, pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce). No complaints with this dish the fish was fresh and I would order it again.

Another rave review from previous diners was the Mac & Cheese $7.95 (Applewood Smoked Bacon, Smoked Gouda & Jalapeno). The menu promised spicy, but I can tell you there was no jalapeno, but an overwhelming applewood smoked bacon taste. Although good, I would order again, just be sure they kick it up a little.

Will I go back? Um probably not. The atmosphere was really nice and some of the food was good, but for the price there are way better place in town to eat at. The only discounts I saw online where 10% off if you’re a member of AARP.

Nagoya

We’ve been to Nagoya a few times now (Click HERE and HERE) and still can’t get enough of this place! I took a friend of mine that hadn’t been yet for lunch.

Since I remembered the Bunny Roll $13.95 (shrimp, lobster, crab meat) was so good I ordered another one.

We also tried out the Coconut Shrimp Wonton Puff $6.50 (Deep fried shrimp wrapped in coconut "cream cheese" - served with mango sauce (5 pcs). These where pretty good, but you have to like sweet stuff. The coconut on the shrimp is sweet as well as the mango sauce, but overall the flavors worked really good together, just tasted more like a seafood dessert.

We each ordered a Yakiniku Bento box $9.50 which came with soup, salad, California roll, tempura vegetables, and a spring roll. I kind of forgot to take a picture before I started eating, so there’s a little more food then what you see below. For the price you can’t beat it and it’s really filling. The beef was so tender you could cut it with a fork.

Can’t wait to go back and try some of the other things they offer. Don’t forget to follow them on Twitter or Facebook you’ll get monthly coupons. Check out their website and view the newsletters for the monthly discounts.

Buca Di Beppo

It’s been a really long time since we had been to Buca Di Beppo. After dinner tonight I don’t understand why we haven’t been back in so many years. The food is huge family style portions at a reasonable price and the flavor is amazing! The restaurant is a maze to get through as they take you to your table you pass through the kitchen and several of their themed rooms. It’s really neat, but there’s so much to look at you are almost overwhelmed.

We where having our last big meal for a while and planned on taking home a bunch of leftovers so I wouldn’t have to cook for a while, but of course we had to taste everything!

For an appetizer we went for the Buca Trio Platter $19.95 (Fried Calamari, Fried Mozzarella and Stuffed Mushrooms served with marinara, pesto cream sauce and spicy marinara sauce for dipping) Wow this was all really good!

For our main course we ordered the Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken $21.95 small $32.95 large (Breaded chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto, baked and topped with marinara, served on a bed of pesto cream sauce.) The chicken was really moist and we just loved the flavor of the pesto cream sauce which really made the dish.

I ordered the Spicy Chicken Rigatoni $18.95 small $29.95 large (Tender chicken breast sautéed with garlic and red pepper, tossed with peas, a spicy rosa sauce and imported Italian rigatoni pasta.) Oh how I loved this dish! So full of flavor and it does have a kick. The pasta is home made which gives it a nice light taste you just can’t stop eating it.

On top of all that we also ordered a small side of Fettuccine Alfredo $14.95. Loved the creamy white sauce you just can’t go wrong with Alfredo.

As you can see it’s all family style and you eat as much as you like (or should I say can). When they bag up your left overs be sure to ask for some extra bread.

I just loved everything about this place. I also appreciated that when I asked for extra marinara sauce or extra pesto on my chicken to go they didn’t charge me extra. Big bonus in my book! Be sure to sign up online for their email newsletter they send out coupons every once in a while. Can’t wait to go back!