maithai reataurant

MaiThai Restaurant is a Thai restaurant located at 11406 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin. They have a pretty extensive menu and if they serve a delicious satay.

I love Thai food! I especially love satay. MaiThai's exquisite satay is just a mile from my house.

The food is fresh and tasty and this mid-priced establishment. The drinks are reasonably priced.what is family owned and operated, and the service is excellent. If you want a nice taste of Oriental, check it out.

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Notes: MaiThai is a pun, or at least, a play on words. The mai tai, while sounding Polynesian, not Thai, is actually an American alcoholic drink developed at two competing bars: Don the Beachcomber and Trader Viv's, both of Oakland, California.

Danny's, a diner?

OK, I am going to lodge a formal objection here. Danny's restaurant advertises itself as a diner. Danny's, while serving fair food at relatively cheap prices is not, repeat not a diner!

Officially, a diner is a prefabricated restaurant, usually in size similar to a single wide or double wide trailer that could be towed behind a truck. The reason is, the diner, which originated in New England, Worcester Massachusetts to be precise, were prefabricated and shipped by rail or towed by truck to their permanent location.

I will submit that many of these diners were later expanded or replaced by additional construction. Diner served diner food! Diner food is usually abundant, good, and most of all, cheap. I will admit that Denny's restaurant serves diner food and is similar to a diner ... but come on guys! A restaurant chain is the antithesis of the diner spirit. At best, Danny is could be considered a "diner style" restaurant.

Pie Rush Wednesday at Jacksonville's Village Inn Restaurant

I previously extolled the virtues of the Village Inn Restaurant, Jacksonville's sole remaining diner.

When I was in there yesterday, Kevin, the manager reminded me about Pie Rush Wednesday. Every Wednesday, from 10 AM to 10 PM a slice of pie from their pie rush menu is free with your meal. But, to get your free slice of their mouthwatering pies, you must eat in their dining room... sorry, no take-out!

Now, I have to explain something. I was in the Village Inn on Easter Sunday. I was absolutely amazed. Victoria, my usual waitress, was fully dedicated to fetching and delivering pies to the hundreds of people who ordered them in advance, and stopped in to pick them up. I want to tell you, the Village Inn is famous in the Jacksonville area for its superb pies.

I also wanted to say hello to Holly, a delightful waitress who took care of me when Victoria was not there. So, hi Holly, and I'll see you guys in a couple of days.

Coss Creek Barbecue & Steakhouse

Did I once say that Jacksonville was a restaurant wasteland? I take it back. Not true. Do not miss Coss Creek Barbecue & Steakhouse at 850 Lane Ave. in Jacksonville. Angie waited on us, in this establishment managed by Gene Eller. What a great experience.

I went with a friend and we started out with superb onion rings and deep fried alligator tail. Alligator tail is a Florida specialty that can be real hit or miss. Sometimes it can be like chewing shoe leather. Not here. It was tender, juicy and delicious. It might be the best alligator I have ever eaten.

For the main course, I had lemon chicken and blackened shrimp while my friend had teriyaki chicken and blackened shrimp. It was mouth wateringly incredible. In fact, Tiff and I were so stuffed that we did not have room for dessert. We will make another trip there just to try the dessert menu.

I would classify this restaurant as mid-priced. The whole bill ran to about $60. About $17 of that was alligator tail and a onion rings. Their appetizers are a little on the pricey side. The entrées were not that expensive.

In all, I would give it 4.5 alligator tails out of a possible 5.

Village Inn on San Jose

I have found another oasis in the great gustatory desert of Jacksonville.

Allow me to introduce you to the Village Inn on San Jose Blvd. not too far from Baymeadows Road.

If you've ever been in New England, you know that diners are everywhere. They were my favorite places to eat in Connecticut. Well, Florida is no rate restaurant capital. Jacksonville is particularly bad. But this place stands out.

Victoria greeted me at the door and waited on me. She was delightful. My usual diner fare in Connecticut was eggs benedict minus the Canadian bacon, corned beef hash, toast and a Coke. It was spectacular. You also get free pie on Wednesdays! I indulged myself with a glorious chocolate truffle pie that was amazing.

Kevin, the general manager, stop by during my meal to see if everything was okay. A delightful guy runs a very tight ship.

I definitely had that, probably on Saturday. Enjoy this one.

Steak & Shake and a shaggy dog story

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011

You can have your $100 a plate dinners. When I was rich and stupid, I did. It's fun. But now, post-stroke, I am definitely a man on a budget. But I still like to eat. So, question: Where can you eat for under $10? Answer: Steak & Shake.

The first one I ever ate at was with my friend Arnie, in Chicago. I had never been to one. Outstanding burgers. Very good hot dogs -- particularly the chili dog. They serve a need chocolate malt!

There is a great one by I-295 and San Jose. I have gotten to know the staff a little. Ashley is delightful! When she's not around, Britney often waits on me.

I ended up talking to Ashley because I had a humorous "Ashley "story.

My family and I lived outside of Detroit. We owned a dog, a Siberian husky to be exact. We also had brand new next-door neighbors whom I had not met yet. I was out in the yard one day calling our dog... "come here, Ashley," I called several times. You see, our dog was named Ashley. The kids named her, not me.

Anyhow, the new neighbor runs out the back door. "Why do you keep calling my daughter?" He said. I think he thought he had a creepy neighbor. That is, until I explained that I had not yet met his little daughter, but Ashley was my dog! We both had a good laugh.

Enza's: A slice of heaven in Jacksonville.

In a previous post, I lamented the disappearance of il Falco restaurant in Connecticut. I admit, there was an ulterior motive behind making that post first. I have found its missing twin! And, it's much closer to home (for me). My new "dining room away from home" is Enza's in Jacksonville, FL. This place is amazing, and it is situated in a veritable restaurant wasteland. I now get to have my weekly veal saltimbocca again, a pleasure absent for far too long.

Despite my ranting and raving, veal is not the only entrée. A quick perusal of the menu reveals a wide, mouth watering selection of meat and fish dishes. Be careful. It's very easy to stuff yourself before the main course arrives. Enza's is extremely generous with its portions. Antipasto, soup and salad choices are all excellent. And, to finish off, desserts, such as the tieramisu, are amazing.

Enza is the General Manager of this family affair. Husband, Chef Mike is, you guessed it, head chef, assisted by chef de quisine, Julio. DaughterStephanie, a truly delightful young lady, is maître d' and wait staff manager. You'll probably run across Phil, longtime family friend, scurrying drinks or food to one of his tables. But like all staff at Enza's, he always has time to say hello. Other family members scurry purposefully about, seeing to every guest's needs.

Enza's has a full service bar next to the dining room. I don't drink much anymore, but an examination of the selections reveals it to be quite extensive and the wine list is impressive. If it is busy (as is often the case), and you are in a hurry, the dining room menu is also available at the bar, and the service is just as gracious.

Now I am hungry! Although I ate there last night, I think I'll make it two in a row. I did promise to take my daughter, Kimberly.