The Fat Greek; a band-aid not a cure (Restaurant Review)

Post by The Grumpy One

The Fat Greek

1831 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 201

Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

http://www.thefatgreek.net/

So let me start off by explaining the title of this post.  I know that sometimes my critiquing is a little critical, but when it comes to Greek food I am extra tough.  For you that don't know, I lived in Germany for a few years, and one of my greatest memories is the Turkish and Greek food.  I have tried to find restaurants to match the taste everywhere I live and visit, and I have not found anything even close yet.  So when I get a craving, I have to find what I call a "Band-aid" place.  Somewhere that will ease my craving but will not totally cure the craving because it's not the same.

So the outside is nothing special, however it did catch our attention, we weren't planning to eat here on this trip, but the place we were going to was closed, and we saw this across the parking lot.

So there is a little room inside to eat, but we had 6 people with us, and the large 10 person table was being used by two ladies (which we had to calm "The Pretty One" down, because he wanted to go off on them for being rude.) But we live in Hawaii, so eating outside is not that big of a problem.

So they have your usual Greek food.  I decided to have a typical Gyro plate.

I am going to rate everything on this plate from worst to best... The Salad, BAD!!! if you look close you will see the lettuce was brownish and a little slimy.  

The Garlic Fries, Not the best, a little flavorless, and you can tell they were frozen fries just heated up.

The Gyro, It was good, I have had a lot better, but it was still O.K., I just wish there was more...everything. I feel like they really skimped on the toppings.

Now the best thing about the whole meal, is not even in the picture. You can order a special dipping sauce for your fries. It is a tsatziki sauce with feta cheese in it.  If you order it though, order a couple of them, because it goes fast.

FINAL REVIEW... Eh! The food is O.K. but the price was outrageous.  The price is not even close to the quality, so I will say find somewhere else if you just need a Band-aid.

Wahoo's Fish Taco; Healthy can taste good? (Restaurant Review)

Post by The Grumpy One

Wahoo's Fish Taco

940 Auahi St.

Honolulu, HI 96814

http://www.wahoos.com/

Just like I said last time, I am really backed up with my review posts, but since it's a 4-day weekend, and right now I am doing nothing but watching a "Moonshiners" marathon on the discovery channel, now is a perfect time to catch up.

So "The Tattooed One" wanted to take me to this place.  I think he waited to take me without "The Pretty One" because he knows although I don't go out looking for healthy-ish food, unlike "The Pretty One," I will at least try it.

So From the outside it looked pretty promising. Now for those of you that will not be heading to Hawaii anytime soon, just go to their website on the top of the page and you will see some stateside locations (Sorry my Wahingtonians....the closest to you is in California.)

So for as promising as the outside looked, I would never imagine that the inside was going to be like this...

This is the counter area (and yes Kara...if you look close you will see that they serve Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.)

Now I am not necessarily a "Surfer Dude," but something about this place just seemed like my kind of place.

So the menu was a lot of healthy, seafood inspired tacos, burritos, and stuff like that.

The key to whatever you order is ORDER THE GREEN SAUCE.

Tattoo told me that and I didn't believe him, but please...trust me, and thank me later.

Now since I didn't trust him I only ordered a little on the side, but if I go again I will have it "Wet" (that means have it covered in sauce.) because it is so good.

So Tattoo kept telling me about the Outer Reef Burrito (So it's you choice of meat filling, with cheese, lettuce, white or brown rice, and your choice of black or cajun white beans.) But I also wanted to try the fish taco so I ordered both to be able to give a little more of a review.

So the fish taco was O.K. nothing special, but the outer reef burrito was really good, I just wish I had more than that little cup of green sauce, but even without it, the healthy food actually not just tastes good, but was really filling, but doesn't make you feel too sluggish afterwards.

So final say...The prices are a little high, I am not necessarily going to force a reason to be in the neighborhood just to eat there, but I have no problem going there again.  Also for you on the island, keep an eye out, because not only do they have their restaurants, but they also have mobile stands that they take to concerts and events on island.

Zombie Fingers; Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies (Recipe Post)

Post by The Grumpy One

So it was quick, but I am already posting my last Halloween type recipe.

This concept can be used with a lot of type of cookies, but instead I decided to try a Gluten Free type of cookie.

Not just that, but this cookie is almost purely organic (everything but the vanilla and the almonds)

Using organic was my choice for everything but the Peanut Butter, it is very important that you use an organic or oil free peanut butter.

So you need; 1 cup of Brown Sugar, Slice Almonds, 2 Tablespoons of Vanilla Extract, 2 Eggs, 2 Cups of OIL FREE Peanut Butter, and Half a Cup of Sugar.

Start by preheating the oven to 350.

While that's heating up, mix all the ingredients but the almonds together.  You could probably use a hand mixer...but that is kinda ridiculous to me, just grab a spoon and stir everything together for about a minute until it become a dark brown mixture.

Now layout some Parchment Paper on a cookie sheet.

Start rolling little fingers about the size of your finger (I have big monkey paws so I made them the size of my pinky.)

Once those are laid out, open the bag of almond slices, and put one on each finger like a finger nail.  I pushed them in a little bit just to make sure they didn't fall off after they were baked.

Now just remember when you put them down, they are going to flatten a little, so leave a little room for them to spread.

Put them in the oven for 7-10 minutes depending on the size you made.

Just let them cool, then serve.  Like I said, you can use the finger concept with other cookies, and if you want a little extra flair, you can put a little red jelly on the bottom to look like blood.

I hope you enjoyed, and now to think of what to make next week.

Soul De Cuba; More than just a good sandwich (Restaurant Review)

Post by The Grumpy One

Soul De Cuba

1121 Bethel Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

http://www.souldecuba.com/

So now that I am back from vacation, I think the people in the office are trying to help me catch up on new restaurants.  Because of this, I am behind by four reviews, so hopefully I can get all four done this weekend.

So this one started off by "The Girl" wanting to take me, "The Pretty One," and "The New Person" (she doesn't have a nickname yet because she is new to the office and we don't know if she is part of "The blog" yet) out for Boss Apreciation Day. Originally we we going to go to an Irish Restaurant, but they were closed. So we went across the street to an Irish Pub, but they weren't serving food.  So "The Pretty One" and the bartender suggested Soul De Cuba just a few blocks away.

This is one of those places that you will walk by and not even know it's a restaurant.

The inside on the other hand, reminded me of a very quaint cafe where at night they stack up the tables and chairs, and turn it into a Salsa Club. Now I have never had Cuban food before (unless you count a Cuban sandwich, which is delicious) so I was excited when I read that "Soul de Cuba Cafe offers a unique dining experience combining exquisite traditional Cuban dishes and specialty drinks in a fun, entertaining, service oriented atmosphere."  So originally I was just going to order one thing like usual, but "The Pretty One" started us all off by ordering appetizers which consisted of three things; 1.  Croquetas De Jaiba (Crab cakes seasoned with tomato sauce, cayenne, onions and green bell peppers.) 2. Papa Rellena (Light and fluffy mashed potato croquette stuffed with seasoned ground beef breaded and lightly fried and served with homemade mango and habanero salsa) and 3. Fried Plantains (which are...Fried Plantains.)

Overall all three were good but since this is a review, I will rank them from worst to best.  The Plantains made this way always just taste like squishy warm bananas to me. The Crab Cakes were good, I just wish they had a little more flavor (which are a lot better with the salsa on it.) but the Papa Rellena...Incredible....like a fluffy little meat pillow (which just like my Pizza Bowl idea, I should trademark the meat pillow idea too.) So starting off I was really  optimistic. Then came my main meal.

I got the Soul Cubano sandwich (serrano ham, manchego cheese, tender roast pork and salami dressed in cilantro and roasted garlic aioli on pressed cuban bread served with mixed greens) It would have just been an O.K. sandwich, but the roast pork texture and flavor made it SOOO good (so for you keeping track, yes that is so with three O's.)

The food was good, the service was great (the waitress actually recommended the Soul Cubano and it was remember, So with three O's good.) however, the parking in that area is scarce and expensive (in fact there was a local girl outside screaming at the parking meter because it was so expensive.) and the prices were a little too high for me.

So overall, I am glad I ate there once, but because of the parking, prices, and location (I really hate going downtown unless I have too.) I will probably never eat here again.



Peanut Butter Pumpkins (Recipe Post)

Post by The Grumpy One

It's still October, and for you that missed last weeks post, I decided to make Halloween Themed snacks for my recipes this month.

Now this week is just like last week's bugs, yes you can call them Halloween-y...but you can also call the Fall-ish.

For you that are sick of Peanut Butter because of lasts weeks post, I am sorry, I will try to make a different type of flavor next week.

Now this seems like a lot of work, but really they are pretty easy, and they look kinda cool.

So the Ingredients are; Pretzels, 1 Bag of White Chocolate Chips, 1 Bag of Peanut Butter Chips, 1 can of frosting (I used cream cheese flavor), 1 cup of Peanut Butter, and Orange food Coloring (Or 3 yellow drops to every 1 red drop) you actually don't need the coloring but if you use it, the paste works better than the gel.

So just like last week, start by putting both bags of the "chips" in a pot on LOW. Don't forget to stir....constantly.

I used level 1 because of the chocolate burning accident last week.  It is a lot slower, but if you have enough time to read my post, and try out the recipe...you probably aren't stressed for time.

 Once that is a nice smelling brown goo....add about a cup of peanut butter. and keep stirring until it's melted.

Now you can leave it in the pot and turn off the heat, or you can do what I did and transfer the "goo" to a mixing bowl.

Mix in the frosting and the orange food coloring.  Remember, to make orange its about 1 red drop for every 3 yellow drops.  Also remember (I know there is a lot to remember.) you don't necessarily need food coloring, it will just be the difference between bright orange pumpkins, or some that have been faded in the sun a little.

Once that is all mixed together you might want to cool it off in the fridge for a few minutes since you are about to use your hands. Talking about hands...wash them before this next step...it's flu season.

O.k. with hands washed... put out wax/parchment paper and start rolling out little balls of the mix. 

Now a little warning, these are pretty potent, so you don't want to make them too big, in this case, bigger is not better.

Once the balls are on the paper, take a butter knife and cut the lines for the pumpkin.

Now break the curls of the pretzels, and use them for the stem of the pumpkins. 

This recipe made about 40 "perfect" sized pumpkins.

It sounds like a lot of work, but actually is real easy and quick once the chips are melted.

Now since I am having problems with my computer at home, I am posting this from work the day after I made these. 

I brought about 30 or so to work and I have 6 left.  Not the best thing I have made, but still o.k., I think the big selling point for these are they look really cool, so if you are having a party I think they will be something people talk about.  Until next week, now I have to find something Halloweenish that doesn't have peanut butter.

Movies! The best of COMEDY! (It's a list people!)



Post by The Pretty One

 My Top *insert number here* Favorite Comedy Movies...

(in no particular order)

-ISH

I don't really have them in any particular order but I won't let the list go past the 10 in any particular category... then again, I can't promise that either...

#1 Get Him To The Greek (2010)
"Arriving This Summer (Hopefully)"

Synopsis: A record company intern is hired to accompany out-of-control British rock star Aldous Snow to a concert at L.A.'s Greek Theater.

The great sequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall, starring Russell Brand and Jonah Hill (when he was fat and funny). As with all the movies on my lists, I can watch this over and over and back to back. The special features give you the full music videos for Infant Sorrow, which are hilarious!

Diddy plays an amazing role that kept me laughing my ass off for the whole movie.

I have literally downloaded Infant Sorrow music and I sing it out loud while driving down the road.

#2 Dumb & Dumber (1994)
"If they each had half a brain, together they would still only have half a brain."

Synopsis: The cross-country adventures of two good-hearted but incredibly stupid friends.

An immediate classic. I know many girls are going to disagree with me here, calling my choice "stupid" or "dumb"

But the name of the movie is DUMB & DUMBER! That's the point. It's stupid funny and I love it! A lot of one liners in this film have been the entirety of conversations between me and my friends. and I can't wait for the sequel! ---> Dumb and Dumber To

#3 Super Troopers (2001)

"Altered State Police"

Synopsis: Five Vermont state troopers, avid pranksters with a knack for screwing up, try to save their jobs and out-do the local police department by solving a crime.

I think this was the first movie that made me fall on the ground laughing. I'm serious! I think I came close to dying from lack of oxygen!

This is also their best movie. I have seen all the others including: Puddle Cruiser, Beerfest, Club Dread, The Slammin' Salmon. There may be others but these are what I can remember... and Super Troopers was BY FAR the best! I still repeat movies lines from this!

#4 Not Another Teen Movie

"If You Liked Scary Movie we don't give a shit"

Synopsis: A send up of all the teen movies that have accumulated in the past two decades.

Ok, so if Super Troopers was the first movie to make me almost die from laughing, this would be the second! I repeat a line in this movie, bare minimum, once a week... and it's usually the same line:

So when "Jake" and Ricky both realize that they want Janey:

Ricky Lipman: I am *not* going to let you hurt Janey again. Okay? Besides, I love her.
Jake: Well, so do I.
Ricky Lipman: [slight pause] Yes, but I'm the best friend, and I have been in front of her face the whole time, and she just... hasn't really realized it yet, but she will.
Jake: Well, I'm the reformed cool guy, who's learned the error of his ways. She's gonna forgive me for my mistakes, and realize that I really love her.
Ricky Lipman: [pause] Dammit, that's true.

they race down the steps from prom and the Jock makes it through and the dork friend runs into a locked door and he screams, "Ahh, fire hazard!"

That line right there, for some reason, made me loose my shit and I have never looked back.

#5 Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
"The story of a man who could only count to #1"

Synopsis: #1 NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. But when a French Formula One driver, makes his way up the ladder, Ricky Bobby's talent and devotion are put to the test.

Quot-astic movie!@! I hear people quoting Ricky Bobby just when I walk down the hall!

Ricky Bobby: Here’s the deal I’m the best there is. Plain and simple. I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence.
Ricky Bobby: Well let me just quote the late-great Colonel Sanders, who said…”I’m too drunk to taste this chicken.”
Ricky Bobby: [after a girl flashes him] Please be 18.
Ricky Bobby: If you ain’t first, you’re last.
Ricky Bobby: Did that blow your mind, because that just happened.
Ricky Bobby: [extending middle finger] Losing is never fun, but here’s a little something to keep your spirits up. It’s real nice, I got it at Target. It was on sale.
Ricky Bobby: Dear Lord baby Jesus, or as our brothers in the south call you, “Jesuz,” we thank you so much for this bountiful harvest of Dominos, KFC, and the always delicious Taco Bell. I just want to take time to say thank you for my family. My two beautiful, beautiful, handsome stricking sons, Walker, and Texas Ranger, or TR as we call him. And of course my red hot smokin’ wife Carley, who is a stone cold fox.
Ricky Bobby: Well look, I like the Christmas Jesus best, and I’m sayin grace. When you say grace, you can say it to grown up Jesus, or teenage Jesus, or bearded Jesus, or whoever you want.
Ricky Bobby: Dear 8 pounds 6 ounces baby Jesus, new born, not even spoken a word yet.
Ricky Bobby: I wo - I wish I could crawl into one of those right now. I’d eat my way out from the inside.

QUOTES! QUOTES! QUOTES!

There are so many more... Help me out and remember some for me!

#6 Zoolander

"3% Body Fat. 1% Brain Activity"

Synopsis: At the end of his career, a clueless fashion model is brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

When this movie came out, I don't think a week went by for an entire year where me and my friends didn't constantly quote this movie back and forth.

Derek Zoolander: I'm sorry that good-looking people like us made you throw up and feel bad about yourself.

Derek Zoolander: What is this? A center for ants? How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read... if they can't even fit inside the building?

Derek Zoolander: Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty.

Derek Zoolander: There was a moment last night, when she was sandwiched between the two Finnish dwarves and the Maori tribesmen, where I thought, "Wow, I could really spend the rest of my life with this woman".

Derek Zoolander: I can Dere-lick my own balls, thank you very much.
Derek Zoolander: A eugoogolizer--one who speaks at funerals. Or did you think that I'd be too stupid to know what a eugoogoly was?
Derek Zoolander: Words can only hurt you if you try to read them. Don't play their game.
Derek Zoolander: Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features doesn't mean that we too cannot not die in a freak, gasoline fight accident.
Mugatu: Todd! Are you not aware that I get farty and bloated with a foamy latte?
Mugatu: I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! I invented the piano key necktie, I invented it!

EVEN MORE QUOTES...

I am beginning to see a pattern here where the quotes make the movie for me. I am seeing a lot of the same people in my favorite comedies. And if I didn't have my friends to quote them back and forth with me, then they probably wouldn't make this list.

Pat, Bake, Tyler... you guys probably can attest to this the most!

Oh yeah... can you say sequel? ---> Zoolander 2



#7 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
"They bring you the news so you don't have to get it yourself."

Synopsis: Ron Burgundy is San Diego's top rated newsman in the male dominated broadcasting of the 1970's, but that's all about to change when a new female employee with ambition to burn arrives in his office.

Ron Burgundy: Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means a whale's vagina.
Ron Burgundy: What? You pooped in the refrigerator? And you ate the whole... wheel of cheese? How'd you do that? Heck, I'm not even mad; that's amazing. How 'bout we get you in your p.j.'s and we hit the hay.
Ron Burgundy: I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker.

Brian Fantana: No, she gets a special cologne... It's called Sex Panther by Odeon. It's illegal in nine countries... Yep, it's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good. They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

Ron Burgundy: Oh Audrey - I look like hell! I got bags under my eyes. What's that? Well if you were a man, I'd punch you. Punch you right in the mouth. That's bush. Bush league. YOU HEAR ME? AUDREY! LOOK AT ME! I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Alright?

Ron Burgundy: You stay classy, San Diego. I'm Ron Burgundy?

Ron Burgundy: You are a smelly pirate hooker.

Announcer: You're watching Channel 4 News with five-time Emmy award-winning anchor Ron Burgundy and Tits McGee.

Office worker: Smells like Bigfoot's dick.

Brick: LOUD NOISES!

Seriously, how you someone NOT like this movie? And they're making a sequel!! ---> The Legend Continues...

#8 Hot Rod

"Smack destiny in the face"

Synopsis: Self-proclaimed stuntman Rod Kimble is preparing for the jump of his life - to clear fifteen buses to raise money for his abusive stepfather Frank's life-saving heart operation.

Andy Sandberg does some really funny stuff. His work on the digital shorts on SNL are just as legendary as some of the movies on this list. If you like half of the movies on this list then I totally recommend this movie.

#9 Wedding Crashers

"On July 15th, they're coming to your wedding...with or without invitations."

Synopsis: John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey, a pair of committed womanizers who sneak into weddings to take advantage of the romantic tinge in the air, find themselves at odds with one another when John meets and falls for Claire Cleary.

So this movie was not only funny, but started off with plenty of naked girls. Got me interested pretty quickly, especially in 2005 when I was barely in my 20's.

#10...

I'm leaving this spot open, because there are so many others I can think of that I would love to add to this list:

So this always happens to me... I am trying to make a list, and I come up with like a million others that I want to put on it. So suck it... This is my list and I know there are other great movies and many should be on this list and blah blah blah...

What other movies should've I had up here? I will be adding other movie lists soon about other genres so keep your pants on! And remember:

COMMENT PEOPLE!!