Monday, July 25, 2011

Crystal Park Cantina - 2.75*

Crystal Park Cantina
178 Crystal Park Road
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
(719) 685-5999
http://crystalparkcantina.com/ (not working)


Attire:            Casual
Company:      My Husband










RATINGS
The Grub:                    2Try It…
Service:                         4Gotta go!
Atmosphere:                3 - Savor It…
Cost/Value:                  $$ - Got a few bucks / Value 2 (O.K.)

 
Ratings Key

General                      Cost/Value (based on a party of 2)
1 – No go…                 $ – Pinchin’ pennies (less than $10)
2 – Try it…                 $$ – Got a few bucks (less than $20)
3 – Savor it...           $$$ – It doesn’t hurt to drop a few (less than $50)
4 – Gotta go!          $$$$ – I just got a bonus ($100 +)


 

REVIEW
Nestled on the east end of Manitou Springs, right in the heart of a residential neighborhood, a great location for the locals and tourists.  This Spanish style building sits on the side of Crystal Park Road, leading up to one of my favorite neighborhoods in the area.  The new owners did a number on the inside of the restaurant, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, it was beautiful.  I immediately funneled out to the massive patio with tons of seating to enjoy the beautiful summer weather.  Although the patio does overlook the road, it was surprisingly quiet and peaceful.  We were greeted right away by our server who provided excellent service and was great at exploiting the menu to its fullest.  Overall, the experience was very nice.  Friendly staff and beautiful atmosphere!

The Grub
Was O.K.  The chips and salsa, superb!  I have to give this cantina props on their salsa, it was beautifully complex and full of flavor.  The chips were fresh and crispy, and the salsa added a spicy pepper flair, with a great balance of cilantro and garlic.  My fish tacos were good, I was happy that I was able to get the fish grilled instead of fried.  I was missing a nice fruit salsa to top the fish tacos, the cabbage with fish was somewhat bland.  The tacos came with rice on the side as well as beans, and a dapple of salsa (pico) and guacamole.  The beans were lacking in smokiness, but entertained a slight pork flavor.  The rice, strange, to say the least…I did not find the rice drenched in butter to fit a Mexican restaurant.


So Great…
The salsa and chips, great job!  Perfect balance of flavors in the salsa and the chips were hot and fresh.  The service, very friendly and attentive staff and beautiful atmosphere and location!

The Bummer…
My expectations after the flavors I encountered with the salsa were high for the main course.  I found the flavor combinations in the beans and rice to be strange and non-harmonious at all.  I would highly recommend creating signature salsas for your dishes, especially a mango salsa for your fish tacos.  Let me know when it is on the menu! J

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

7-11 Slurpee Review!

Date Visited: Monday, July (7) 11, 2011
Heard About Via:  Co-worker

7-11
Downtown Colorado Springs
Attire:            Ball Gown (not really) 
Company:      3 Inconspicuous Co-Workers

RATING – 4/4 Stars
The Slurpee:                 2 Try It… Service:                         4 Gotta Go!  (They didn’t have to deal with us, just smile and wave)
Atmosphere:                  2 Try It…
Cost/Value:                    $ - Got a few bucks




Ratings Key

General                                               Cost/Value (based on a party of 2)
1 – No go…                                         $ – Pinchin’ pennies (less than $10)
2 – Try it…                                          $$ – Got a few bucks (less than $20)
3 – Savor it...                                       $$$ – It doesn’t hurt to drop a few (less than $50)
4 – Gotta go!                                        $$$$ – I just got a bonus ($100 +)




REVIEW
Monday was 7/11 – Slurpee Madness – and upon my departure of the office, it was decided that a review must take place of the Slurpee.  A favorite pastime of mine as a child, this treat has inconspicuously moved into my subconscious, but it arose when an invitation came across my iPhone from a co-worker of mine.  “Bing!” and it read – “Trip to Seven Eleven for the free Slurpee Special.”  Then it hit me, today is… 7/11.  I accepted.  The rest is history.

The Slurpee
It all depends on your “flav” – I am a berry girl…but that one was exploding and making strange sounds when the lever was pulled.  I then had to divert my selection to the Piña Colada flavor.  Interesting that 7-11 found this to be a lucrative flavor for the 7 year old market.  There must be something behind this.  The Slurpee was good for about 10 minutes, until it melted.  Then I found myself drinking a cup of syrup flavored like a Piña Colada – depressing.  It was trashed, not worth my calorie count for the day…

So Great…
The selection, and the thing was free, I don’t think you can beat that and if you are complaining, shame on you, just make fun of the experience… 

The Bummer…
The exploding berry flavor.  I was hoping to have flashbacks to childhood when I pulled that lever, that was interrupted by an awful sound that got me some looks.  No more to say…

GO get yourself a Slurpee today!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Camping Recipe - Tacos with Mango & Avocado Salsa

Who said that when you go camping hot dogs and s’mores are the only things that have to be on the menu?!  We had a really nice camping trip with the parents this weekend in a yurt west of Ft. Collins, it was quite the experience and we were able to enjoy a wonderful meal.  This meal is simple and lacks the herbs that I would normally like to add, but who wants to fool with that stuff when you’re camping, right?  Taka a break, check it out below.

What you will need (Serves 4-6):

The Tools                                                            The Food
Cutting Board                                                       1 Package 6” Corn or Flour Tortillas
Chopping Knife                                                    1 Can Fat Free Refried Beans or Black Beans
Cooking Oil                                                         1 Can Diced Tomatoes
Skillet                                                                   1 Mango
Spatula                                                                 2 Avocados
Mixing Bowl                                                         1/2 Lime
Salt & Pepper                                                       3 Bell Peppers – 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 red
Propane Stove                                                      2 Cups Shredded Mexican Cheese
Propane

1. Start heating the skillet over the stove.

2. Open the can of diced tomatoes and pour them into the mixing bowl.  Dice the avocados and mango and mix in with the diced tomatoes.  Squeeze the lime and add 2 tbsp lime juice and salt and pepper to taste.

3. Add the turkey meat to the skillet and cook until brown.  

4. While the turkey meat is cooking, slice the 3 bell peppers.

5. After the turkey meat is cooked, set aside and add the bell peppers to the skillet, cook until sautéed appropriately.

4. Remove the bell peppers from the skillet and add in the refried/black beans, turn the heat down to low and heat up.

5. In two 6” tortillas, spread on the refried beans or add the black beans.  On top of the beans add the turkey meat and bell peppers.  Top the tacos off with the avocado & mango salsa and cheese.

ENJOY!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Pikes Peak Brewing Company - 4/4*


Date Visited: Sunday, June 26, 2011

Heard About Via:  Twitter @cspringsbeer

Pikes Peak Brewing Company
1756 Lake Woodmoor Dr
Monument, CO 80132
(719) 208-4098
http://pikespeakbrewing.com/

Attire:            Casual
Company:      My Husband

RATING – 4/4 Stars

The Beer/Food:                     4 Gotta Go!
Service:                                   3.5 Savor It…
Atmosphere:                          4 Gotta Go!
Cost/Value:                           $$ - Got a few bucks

Ratings Key

General                                     Cost/Value (based on a party of 2)
1 – No go…                               $ – Pinchin’ pennies (less than $10)
2 – Try it…                                $$ – Got a few bucks (less than $20)
3 – Savor it...                             $$$ – It doesn’t hurt to drop a few (less than $50)
4 – Gotta go!                              $$$$ – I just got a bonus ($100 +)

REVIEW
On a whim, I decided to go check out this brewery that I heard about on Twitter via @cspringsbeer on Sunday.  I had the day off from running, just took a V02 Max test and we had 3 hours before we had to be over to the in-laws for dinner.  I proposed my master plan to my husband and he said “sure!”  I didn’t expect us to be there for almost 2 hours, we had such a great time chatting with the staff and the owner, Dan.  We also met some really great locals that we chatted with and one that we can hopefully help promote his company.  All in all, we had a GREAT time and I would strongly recommend this brewery to you for both beer, and yes, the food (it was yum!). 


The Beer/Food
I really appreciated the level of service that was offered to us upon entering the brewery; I really didn’t know what I wanted, as I really don’t drink beer much anymore.  I was asked to describe flavors that I liked and I wound up with a glorious Belgian Ale before me.  First of all, I really enjoy the fact that it comes in a giant wine glass (wink wink) and the body of the beer does not feel like it is adding to “my body” as I am drinking it…  I apologize, but I cannot and will not pretend to review beer, I will look like an idiot.  But, what I will attempt to do is on a scale of 1 to 10 tell you how good this beer was compared to other Belgian Ales I have tried in the past, 9.  Does that work?  It was good.  I got to sample a lot of their other beers, which were excellent as well, I have to give them 4* for the delivery on their specialty, their beers.



We hadn’t eaten lunch, so I was starving, when we first got there it appeared that they did not have food, but then a glorious moment happened, I saw food on the menu, yes!  As I was scanning over the menu I found a lot of great choices and settled on the soup.  Much to my dismay they were out for the day, so I decided to pass on the food all together.  First of all, I feel like I am committing a sin by drinking a beer (yes, I know…strange) and then to add on a pulled pork sandwich…I would not be feeling good about myself that day.  In the midst of conversation with a local, the owner’s wife came zooming around the corner with Turkey Panini’s in hand!  She was so excited to announce that she could provide a meal for my husband and I.  I have to admit I was somewhat skeptical as they arrived, but thought…why not?  All I have to say is that the sandwich was freakin’ fantastic…I was blown away.  The cracked pepper, the bread and the cheese were the perfect combination of flavors, this baby was great.  Now don’t get me wrong, you won’t be getting gourmet, as chips and a pickle come on the side…but this Panini hit the spot!


So Great…
The beer!  I have to say that besides Bristol, this is some of the best local beer I have had in a long time.  Now, I don’t get out much (beer wise), but I really, really enjoyed this beer!  Beyond the beer was a team of great owners who really care about what they are doing and have taken a giant leap of faith for something that they believe in.  With that combination you get passion, and passion equates to excellence.  
The owner, Dan, having fun!
The owner Dan and his wife are fun loving and joyful sprits ready to serve and welcome you in to try their beer and food.  We had such a nice time talking with the locals and laughing with the staff and owners, this experience was above and beyond my expectations for the day.  I was having so much fun, I even kinda blew my cover…not sure if that was the Belgian Ale or the fun I was having…

The patio!  Beautiful, have to come back just to sit outside, we didn't that day because of the heat, but a must!!





The Bummer…
This is my least favorite section, but one that I feel is necessary.  This is the whole reason I am “undercover.”  I want to bring real reviews from me to you.  I am not a fancy food critic, when I walk in the door I am just another customer, therefore, I get to report to you the “real” experience that I had.  My only 2 critiques would be for such a great Turkey Panini, find some great Kettle chips or a different kind of chip, it would dress up your sandwich more and compliment something great that you already have going for you.  My other thought is on the food…if you have food on the menu, I would try to have it there if people want to order it.  If it is a pain to stock all that food, just do “specials” of the day, that way you don’t feel the pressure of having to stock such a variety of menu items all the time.

Great job guys, we’ll be back! J