Thursday, May 27, 2010

Wednesday Dinner5/26/10


OH Good Morning and Happy Thursday!! Another day, another dollar! I am so tired and ready to enjoy my 4 day weekend; I hope you are looking forward to it too. FYI Summer is around the corner! Are you ready? Anyway this weeks "Wednesday Dinner" was old school style. I am not sure how many of you remember "Pioneer Chicken" (I know, I know). I remember "Pioneer Chicken" when I was a little kid, well unfortunately business for them was big in the 80's and 90's but then came along Louisiana Fried Chicken (hahaha). Most of the "Pioneer Chicken" locations have closed down, the only one that I know of now is the one that sits on San Vicente between Fairfax and Olympic. So let the "Wednesday Dinner" story begin: Yesterday I ate solo which was fine with me because lately I've just been in one of my moods (I'm feeling much better today). Upon walking in I noticed "Pioneer Chicken" was clean and empty and there was a meeting going on in the back, what type of meeting you ask. The health inspector was there grading them, and the grade given was a "B". Not sure what the grade was prior to the B, but I guess what I don't know won't hurt me. So it was time to order and here is what I ate:


No#5. 3 chicken strips, french fries, coleslaw, biscuit, and a drink

"Pioneer Chicken" has a lot going on on their menu (fish, shrimp, gizzards, and desserts) a little strange but I decided to stick to what I know. It took about 7 minutes for my food to come out and when it did it looked good. The only issue I had was that my fries were a little too crispy for my taste. The chicken strips were good they were nice size and seasoned well, the coleslaw was good, the biscuit was fresh and soft and the drink was yummy (Fanta Strawberry). To accompany my food I had hot sauce, ketchup and honey. "Pioneer Chicken" is ok; I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. My total came to $7.50 which isn't bad for the amount of food I was given, the only suggestion I would give on visiting "Pioneer Chicken" would be just to remember your child hood, if you ever ate there as a child. If you would like to get on the "Wednesday Dinner" dream team drop me a line wednesdaydinnerwithash@yahoo.com and follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/wednesdaydinner. In closing I would like to leave you with this "Too much of one thing is just that, too much". Until next week-Ashley

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Wednesday Dinner 5/19/10

Gooooooood Morning and Happy Thursday!!!! I hope you are getting and enjoying all you can out of life!!! This weeks "Wednesday Dinner" was all about me, it was short and straight to the food and that worked just fine for me. Yesterday I had Lunch-er (late lunch, early dinner) at "Versailles" (http://www.versaillescuban.com/menu_b.html), "Versailles is one of LA's most talked about Cuban Restaurants. I went to the one on La Cienega in Los Angeles, at night "Versailles" reminds me of something out of the movie Scarface. I have been trying to get back to "Versailles" for quite sometime but yesterday was the day and I am so glad that I went. I wasn't really in the mood to have luncher with anyone else, sometimes we all just need to spend quality time with ourselves and that was exactly how I was feeling. When I arrived at "Versailles" it wasn't to crowded but it wasn't too empty either, I was handed a menu and seated right away. While I was looking at the menu the waiter bought over some bread, now this bread was some type of french baquet and was buttered generously and had a hint of garlic to it. It was soft and toasty and was really good, by the time I looked up I had eaten 3 pieces of it and I was only given 4. So now it was time to place my order and here is what I ate:


7a Bistec de Pollo (Chicken Steak)- Tender chicken breast grilled to perfection topped with garlic sauce and garnished with white onions, served with rice, black beans and fried sweet plantains.

It took about 5-7 minutes for my food to come out and when it did a big smile came over me, I knew that this food was going to touch my pallet and I would be in heaven. The food came out and it was hot, smelled good and looked so yummy, I had to wait about 2 minutes after my food to get my black beans (why, I don't know) but that was fine because it gave my chicken a chance to cool down. I mixed my black beans and rice together for 2 reasons 1. it taste great together and 2. that 1 extra dish out of the way. The chicken looked just like it was described on the menu "grilled to perfection", topped with garlic sauce and white onions. The chicken was seasoned so well and so tender, with the onions, sauce, rice and beans I was in a foodie’s heaven at that moment. The plantains were soooo DELISH and another one of my favorites, because I didn't get that many with my meal I had to ration them out. I asked the waiter could I have 2 extra plantains (because really 2 more was really all I wanted) he told me I would have to order a side which came with about 9 pieces, ahhhhh no thanks. So I was pacing myself with luncher and before I knew it was FULL, I was able to conquer half of my meal and that was my limit. If I would have taken another bite I would have exploded at the table, the total for my food was $14.25 which in my opinion wasn't bad at all because I have left over’s. The service was good and I enjoyed my food. If you are not familiar with "Versailles"get familiar and get familiar QUICK! If you like cuban food there is no reason for you not to try this place; they have 5 locations in Southern California. Ladies and gentleman if you are trying to think outside of the box for a dinner date this would be a great place!!! All in all dinner was bomb.com and I will definitely be going back to "Versailles". If you would like to get on the "Wednesday Dinner" drill team drop me a line wednesdaydinnerwithash@yahoo.com and follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/wednesdaydinner. Spread the word about my blog!!!! In closing I would like to leave you with this "Expectation is a set up for disappointment" Until next week, it’s all love -Ashley

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Wednesday Dinner 5/12/10

Gooooood Morning and so it is Thursday again, and you are reading another one of my amazing food blogs (hahahaha). But anyway, I hope all is well and that things are going great for you. This week I've been really unbalanced but now I've put things in perspective and I am feeling much better. This weeks "Wednesday Dinner" was at one of my favorite places and with one of my favorite food buddies S.(Dot) aka Stephanie. I have been trying to get back to this place for a minute since Stephanie and I hadn't gone together in like a year. So last night we had dinner at "The Counter" (http://www.thecounterburger.com//). "The Counter" is a very sheik and hip build your own burger restaurant/bar serving burgers, fries, along with beer and wine only. They have quite a few locations through out Southern California and their most recent location is in L.A. on Sunset. Stephanie and I met at the one in El Segundo, when we arrived it wasn't too crowded but it wasn't empty either. There was no wait and I noticed that they had a DJ in the corner playing all the hip hop jams, it was crazy but I enjoyed it. "The Counter" has a little menu for you fill out with what you want on your burger and they have a selection of pre made burgers also. They also serve chili cheese fries, sweet potato fries, onion strings, burger in a bowl, shakes and some dessert items. I was STARVING last night, for the past 2 days I was dieting so my mouth was watering and I was ready to grub. It took Stephanie and me no time to decide what we were going to have on our burgers so here is what we ate:


Ashley- 1/3lb Turkey Burger with Swiss Cheese, Organic Lettuce Mix, Tomato, Grilled Onions, Avocado, Pickles and Russian Dressing on a English Muffin


Stephanie- 2/3lb Beef Burger (well done) Lettuce, Tomato, Grilled Onions, Avocado, Pickles and Russian dressing on a Wheat Bun


1/2 French Fries & 1/2 Onion Strings

At "The Counter" they have 3 different sizes of meat; 1/3lb, 2/3lb and 1lb, I was hungry but I didn't want to over do it so the 1/3lb was just enough for me. We also shared fries and onion strings. I love the fact that the "The Counter" has so many different items for you to top your burger with for example; grilled pineapple, jalapenos, salsa, fried egg, bacon and many other options. They also serve chicken and veggie patties along with the beef and turkey. The waitress was cool the only thing I didn't like was that they brought out our fries and onion strrings before the food came out, we explained that we wanted them with our burgers and then the onion strings and fries were brought out 2 more times before they got the message. OMGeeeeeeeee my burger was soooooo good; I was in heaven once I took my first bite. Everyone knows I prefer turkey burgers over beef and this was a reminder of why I do. The turkey patty was seasoned well and all the toppings just flowed and made this burger YUMBO. Although trying my burger on an english muffin was a first but it was great. When my burger came out Stephanie said "That looks good" and it sure damn was! Stephanie's burger also looked good but it was a little big because she was only able to finish half (hahaha). The onion strings and fries were good I think next I am just going to stick with just fries. Over dinner Stephanie and I talked about relationships because that is what is consuming our lives right now (hahaha). And we just had all around girl talk. I was sooooo full and I thought I would have been able to finish my burger but sadly I didn't, I felt kind of crazy asking for a box because I literally had 1 bite left. I knew that last bite was going to be soooooo good later on last night but I never got it to I was so full I tossed and turned all night. Over all dinner was great, "The Counter" is one of those all purpose places its good for dates, family dinners, girl’s night, and guy’s night. "The Counter" is not expensive the total last night was $31.55 which is about $16-$18 per person including tax and tip. If you are not familiar with "The Counter" step your game up!!!! Thanks Stephanie for coming out!!! If you would like to join the "Wednesday Dinner" step team drop me a line wednesdaydinnerwithash@yahoo.com and follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/wednesdaydinner. In closing I would like to leave you with this "You deserve what you tolerate" until next week 2 fingas- Ashley

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Wednesday Dinner 5/5/10

Good Morning and "How you doin" in my best Wendy Williams voice! I am up, refreshed and ready to make things happen. This weeks "Wednesday Dinner" was short and in honor of Cinco De Mayo. Yesterday I went to one of my favorite taco spots, "Los Taco's" located in WeHo (that's West Hollywood for you lames) on Santa Monica Blvd. "Los Taco’s" is open 24 hours and in my opinion has the best chicken taco's. "Los Taco's" doesn't have a website but here is a yelp link (http://www.yelp.com/biz/los-tacos-w-hollywood). The first time I ate at "Los Taco's" was about two years ago, I was out with my friends and we went after we left the club. It was about 2am and the placed was packed, they have 1st come, 1st serve seating and when we arrived the line was out the door. My friend urged me to try the carne asada taco's but instead I decided to go with what I know and order chicken taco's and that’s when I feel in love with "Los Taco's". Ever since then I've been going to "Los Taco's" and only ordering the chicken taco's and yesterday was no different. Yesterday when I arrived it wasn't crowded with people dining inside but there were quit a few people coming in and ordering for take out. "Los Taco's" is cash only operating business and the inside is very clean and neat (when it’s not busy). I didn't take much time looking at the menu because I already new what I wanted to eat and if you can't tell yes yesterday I had dinner by myself. So here is what I ate:

1 Chicken Taco
1 Medium Lemonade


OMGeeeeee this chicken taco is just DELISH!!! Its kind of served open face but not really because you can tell it’s a taco. The shell is fried just right; not to crunchy and not to soft, the chicken is season well and its served with just the right amount of lettuce, tomato and melted cheese, the taco was also served with a few tortilla chips. "Los Taco's" has a great tomato salsa and you can get as much sour cream as you want and some taco's just need sour cream on them. Each bite of my taco was soooooo yummy and when I was done I was sooo FULL. The lemonade was awesome also, not to sweet and not to bitter, it hit the spot. “Los Taco’s” is pretty cheap; my taco and drink came to a total of $5.21 but I noticed that nothing on the menu was over $10.00 with combination meals starting at $8.95 which isn’t bad. If you aren’t familiar with "Los Taco's" get familiar!!! Like I said they are open 24 hours. If you would like to get on the "Wednesday Dinner" spreadsheet drop me a line wednesdaydinnerwithash@yahoo.com and follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/wednesdaydinner. In closing I would like to leave you with this "Success requires no explanation and failure allows no alibi's" until next week -Ashley