chicken – Page 5 – Loving Food, Fashion, & Life

Loving Me Some Japanese Hibachi

Posted on April 4, 2013 by LFFL

Prepping meat Japanese-style

Chicken Teriyaki

Mmmmmm…….Chicken Teriyaki, mixed vegetables, rice with yellow sauce, and Brussels sprouts. I love going to a good Japanese steakhouse. You sit at a table with at least 10 other people, who you may or may not know, and watch as fire shoots into the air and your dinner is made right before your eyes.

It’s a really fun experience—until we get to the part where the cook wants to throw shrimp or some other object of food into your mouth (and by your mouth, I mean my mouth). Some people like this, but I don’t see the appeal. I mean, 99% of the time the piece of meat ends up down your shirt or on the floor—not to mention everyone looks like hungry seals with their mouths wide open.

I always take a pass on myself, personally, but I’ll watch this maddening game as the cook makes his way around the table and I’ll laugh and clap with the rest of them—but I really just want to eat already.

So please just stop trying to convince me, Mr. Cook Chef Sir, to try and catch a food object with my mouth like an animal! When I politely shake my head ‘no’, that means move on to the next person—not fixate on making me look like the spoiled sport! Does it look like I want to fish meat out of my bra at a 10-top table of people!!! You’re really starting to TICK ME OFF!! JUST STOP ALREADY AND PUT MY FOOD ON MY PLATE!!! I’M STARVING FOR PETE’S SAKE!! I’ll take some more of the yellow sauce on my rice though, please.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, go eat at your local Japanese Hibachi steakhouse and take pictures of everyone with their mouths wide open.

Take-Away Life Lesson: Start throwing shrimp back at the chef.

Postin' Up Shop At The Cracker Barrel

Posted on March 28, 2013 by LFFL

Grilled Chicken n’ Summertime Vegetable Salad

Smothered Grilled Chicken Tenderloin

Grilled Reuben Platter

Meatloaf Dinner

Farm-Raised Catfish Platter

Chicken n’ Dumplins Platter

Homestyle Chicken

Momma’s Pancake Breakfast

Turkey n’ Dressing

Fried Pork Chops

Meatloaf Dinner

Friday Fish Fry

Chicken Tenderloin Dinner

What can I say? I love food. This is sad proof I was eating at the Cracker Barrel on almost a daily basis (and these are only from some of my visits). I was on a roll—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’m smart enough to know that when I’m on a first-name basis with the entire crew that it’s time to start reeling it back in. You know you’re hangin’ out way too much when you know the dishwasher’s name who stays in the ‘back-of-the-house’ and never comes out to see the light of day.

I was also too afraid to count how much money in total I spent from all my visits—so I opted not to. Why do I want to feel the pangs of knowing I could have purchased a new car at this point? I try my best to not over-do it, but in the end I just love food too much. And I love life too much not to enjoy it!

So, if you have nothing else to do today, move into the local Cracker Barrel (or one of your favorite homestyle eateries) and get to know the crew.

Enjoy the scrumptious cell-phone-quality pics. Wish you could have been there! What are some of your daily favorite eateries?

Take-Away Life Lesson: Bring an overnight bag and just spend the night on the Cracker Barrel porch.

Fogo de Chao

Posted on March 14, 2013 by LFFL

OMG! Who’d ever thought you could have herds of meat coming at you on sticks all at once?! I just love this place!

I mean, I already love buffets as it is for the obvious reason that I can eat as much as I want—so, naturally, I was in heaven.

The salad bar is a help-yourself kind of thing, but the side dishes are brought to your table on an ongoing basis by the gaucho chefs. It’s great. As soon as you’ve eaten one side item, they automatically bring out another replacement—you don’t have to say anything. And this goes on the entire time you’re there. They might as well bring me 3 baskets of warm cheese bread off top because the first basket is devoured within 15 seconds of me sitting down. For reals!

So if you decide you don’t want anymore side items brought to your table, just make sure you don’t eat the next side plate they bring out. Because if they see you’ve eaten all your bananas—you’re definitely getting another plate of them!

As for the meats on a stick! There are at least 15 different types of meat to choose from. YES! And all guests have their own personal disc at their table that has a red side and a green side. Just flip it to the green side when you’re ready for the gaucho chefs to head your way with meat on a stick.

And they won’t stop coming at you until you flip the disc back to the red side. So be warned. It’s just constant as long as your disc is on the green side. I made the mistake of forgetting to flip it back over to the red side and had a plateful of meat. Woah!

So, if you have nothing else to do today, take a trip to your local Fogo de Chao and have some fun eating yourself into oblivion.

Take-Away Life Lesson: The only difference between lunch and dinner is the price. Lunch is always less expensive. So go during lunch, if you can, for the exact same experience and exact same food. That’s right.

The gourmet salad bar consists of fresh-cut vegetables, assorted cheeses, cured meats, and Brazilian sides.
The side dishes that are brought to your table consist of warm cheese bread (my favorite), garlic mashed potatoes, crispy hot polenta, and carmelized bananas.
The meats include–filet mignon, rib eye, top sirloin, bottom sirloin, beef ribs, lamb, chicken, pork ribs, pork loin, and sausage.
Desserts include my favorites of South American Flan and Signature Papaya Cream among other delicious goodness.

Melting Pot Fun

Posted on February 19, 2013 by LFFL

Cheddar Cheese Fondue

Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue

House Salad

Spinach Mushroom Salad

Breast of Chicken, Teriyaki-marinated Sirloin, Citrus-marinated Pork Tenderloin, Breast of Duck, & Potstickers

Pure Chocolate Milk Chocolate Fondue

Cheddar Cheese Fondue with Cheddar & Emmenthaler Swiss cheeses, lager beer, garlic & seasonings served with chips. bread, apples, & veggies.

Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue with Fontina & Butterkase cheeses, spinach, artichoke hearts & garlic served with bread, chips, apples, & veggies.

House Salad with crisp Romaine & iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, croutons, sliced egg with ranch dressing.

Spinach Mushroom Salad with portobello mushrooms, red onion, chopped bacon, & Roma tomatoes with warm, burgundy shallot vinaigrette.

Breast of Chicken, Teriyaki-Marinated Sirloin, Citrus-marinated Pork Tenderloin, Breast of Duck, & Potstickers with potatoes, mushrooms, & broccoli served with 7 different sauces.

Chocolate Milk Chocolate Fondue served with strawberries, rice crispie treats, cheesecake, marshmallows, brownies, & pound cake.

When I first tried this restaurant, I really didn’t know what to expect. I listened intently to the server so I would know how this is supposed to work. And, oh my goodness, the cheesy fondue he stirred right before my eyes was to die for. I dipped just about everything into it and had a blast. The same thing happened for dessert with the chocolate fondue. I went to town dipping all sorts of things into that pot of chocolate goodness. I was in heaven.

But who knew I’d be forking over money to a restaurant for the honor of cooking my own food at my table? So, basically, I pay the restaurant, they bring me raw meat on a tray with skewers, and I cook it myself to the desired temperature then eat it. Wow. Now that’s different. I’m so used to paying restaurants to cook for me that I didn’t realize I’d been doing it wrong all along all these years. I mean, the stove is actually inside your table and you cook right on top of it for crying out loud. It was pretty funny when I thought about it. Definitely something different for me to try.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, take a trip to The Melting Pot and tell them you can’t wait to give them your hard-earned money for a tray of raw meat to cook for yourself.

I’d definitely go again. It’d be a fun date night with someone.

Take-Away Life Lesson: Ask how much they charge to bring your own pots and pans from home to use. Might as well since you’re cooking your own food anyway.

Good Eatin' At Houston's

Posted on February 7, 2013 by LFFL

Chicken Tenders Dinner

Club Salad

Pork Chop

Hand Filleted Fresh Salmon

Chicken Tenders with honey dijon sauce, Hand-Cut French Fries, Red Beans & Rice, and Garlic Cheese Toast.

Club Salad with crispy chicken, smokehouse bacon, avocado, egg, & tomato with buttermilk garlic dressing; Garlic Cheese Toast; and Tortilla Soup.

Best Pork Chop double-cut and grilled with Hand-Cut French Fries.

Hand Filleted Fresh Salmon grilled over hardwood with Asparagus and Hand-Cut French Fries.

I can honestly say I have tried everything on the menu at least once at Houston’s and I have never had a bad meal. Everything just tastes so good!—with the exception of the couscous. A girlfriend and I tried the couscous years ago and it was the nastiest stuff we had ever tasted. Maybe it was just how they chose to make it at the time but, suffice it to say, I never ordered it again to this very day.

And I made the mistake of thinking ALL couscous everywhere in the world tasted this way and would avoid it like the plague—but that is not the case, people. That’s just how traumatized I was at the time. But maybe they make it different now—of course, I wouldn’t know because I never ordered it again.

But other than the couscous, all the food is great! The service can be sub-par at times, but the excellent food is what keeps me coming back. Just find a favorite server you like and always request that server to wait on you. That’s what I do.

They also have some items that are not on the menu that you would never know about unless you’ve been a regular customer for years (like back when these things used to be on the menu). But I have the inside scoop, y’all. The chicken tenders made their way off the menu years ago, but they actually still serve them by request! Spread the word. Holla, holla! One of my faves. Just ask the server what else they serve that’s not on the menu. Any good server will tell you.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, Google the nearest Houston’s restaurant and treat yourself to some fabulous food.

If you can’t find anyone to go with you, go out by yourself. I always do. Eat directly at the bar if nothing else. That’s what I do sometimes, though I usually eat in a booth in the dining room. It’s what I deserve. It’s not as weird as you would think it would be. Trust me.

Take-Away Life Lesson: Do not need to be afraid of couscous. Not all couscous tastes the same. Lesson learned.

Fabulous Eating At Capital And Longhorn

Posted on January 29, 2013 by LFFL

Cedar Planked Salmon, Mac & Cheese, Porcini Rubbed Delmonico, Potatoes

Spinach Salad & Proscuitto Wrapped Mozzarella

Filet Mignon, Green Beans, Au Gratin Potatoes, Mac & Cheese

Cedar Planked Salmon with tomato fennel relish made with North Atlantic salmon with fennel pollen, roasted on a cedar plank & finished with lemon mosto & tomato fennel relish; Macaroni & Cheese; Porcini Rubbed Delmonico steak with 12-year aged balsamic; and Au Gratin Potatoes with a combination of cheeses, topped with fried onions & potatoes.

Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella with vine ripe tomatoes served with crostini, fresh basil & a balsamic glaze; Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing made with spinach, onions, mushrooms, chopped egg, & smoked bacon.

Sliced Filet Mignon with cippolini onions & wild mushrooms; French Green Beans with roasted tomatoes & fennel; Au Gratin Potatoes with a combination of cheeses topped with fried onions & potatoes, and Macaroni & Cheese made with campanelle pasta tossed in Mascarpone, Havarti, & Grana padano cream sauce topped with Panko bread crumbs & grated white Cheddar.

The food at Capital is always phenomenal and the service impeccable—at least the one in my hometown is! You’re really missing out if you’ve never experienced The Capital Grille.

White Grilled Chicken & Stuffed Portabella and Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms at Longhorn Steakhouse

Grilled Chicken & Stuffed Portabella and White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms

Salmon

Sierra Chicken & BBQ Chopped Salad

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Grilled Chicken & Stuffed Portabella topped with mushroom sauce with a side of Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Green Salad, and Grilled White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms served over four melted cheeses.

Salmon well-done and extra crispy with a bourbon marinade served over rice; Mashed Potatoes; and Caesar Salad.

Sierra Chicken with tomato basil salsa; Mashed Potatoes; and BBQ Chopped Salad with mixed greens, bacon, Cheddar Jack cheese, tomatoes, fire-roasted corn, red onions, and chipotle ranch, topped with crispy tortilla strips and a BBQ drizzle.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes.

I have to say I absolutely love Longhorn Steakhouse! I get the same thing every time—either the salmon or any of the chicken dinners. Just amazingly good!

So, if you have nothing else to do today, find the nearest Capital Grille and Longhorn Steakhouse and plan to have yourself a good time.

Take-Away Life Lesson: You definitely need plenty of money for The Capital Grille—we’re talkin’ top-star-quality all the way, baby! But you deserve it!

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Food Adventures

Posted on January 22, 2013 by LFFL

Bone-in Pork Chop with sautéed Brussels sprouts, herb whipped mashed potatoes, and ham hock sauce.

Now that’s what I call a pretty pork chop. I barely wanted to cut into it. Needless to say, I eventually did and enjoyed every delicious minute of it. Mmmm Mmmm!

Chicken Fettuccini with wood-fired chicken, bacon, spinach, and smoked tomato cream sauce; and Macaroni & Cheese with fiore pasta, four-cheese sauce, & bread crumbs.

All I can say is this pasta fest was as good as it looked. But if you ever have to get up from your table to go track down your server because he doesn’t come back to the table for an eternity, it can take away from the experience. Needless to say, wasn’t happy about that.

Super Chief Philly Steak Sandwich with cheese, onions, mushrooms, & green peppers with a side of Tuxedo Fries.

I absolutely love this steak sandwich. Grab your food at the counter and make yourself at home at a table in front of a 5o-inch television screen and watch a game while you eat. This place is tucked away in a corner so it’s hard to know this place exists if not by word-of-mouth.

Kona Grill Macadamia Nut Chicken — Macadamia Nut Chicken

Macadamia Nut Chicken with garlic mashed potatoes & haricots verts served with shoyu-cream sauce & pineapple-papaya marmalade; Tomato Basil Bisque with onions, garlic, spicy croutons, & parmesan cheese; and Chicken & Vegetable Potstickers with soy sauce.

Of course, I had to take half of this yummy eating at the Kona Grill in a to-go box with me. And wouldn’t you know as I’m walking down the street, a homeless guy around 25-30 years old begged me for my leftovers. He Continue reading “Food Adventures” →