Thank You!!

I just wanted to post a quick thank you to my friend Courtney for gifting me some great new business cards to promote my blog.

THANKS COURTNEY!!

Courtney's blog is listed at the bottom of mine,so follow the link and check it out!

Sushi Zhen

What can I say about this tiny little place? I really do mean tiny!

I'm not all that adventurous sometimes,but tonight decided to try the YakiSoba,with chicken...its's good,yep,and the dinner size serving is more than enough to share.I wasn't sure what to expect,but going by a reccomendation from my bank teller,I figured I'd give it a try.

YakiSoba is basically buckwheat noodles and an assortment of veggies stir fried with a cubed chicken breast tosssed in,but it's a very satisfying meal.It's not spicy,so if you like spice you may have to add some at the table,or ask the cook to add spice.

I normally go for the tempura rolls,which totally rock by the way.

I did not have a coupon for them tonight,so suffered through paying full price,the total I belive came to around $14.00,which is kind of pricey,but for the amount you get,and the fact that it's more than enough to share,it might not be that bad of a price.

Check them out if you're in downtown Brighton,they are located in the plaza with CVS,at the corner of Main and Grand River.

Stucchi's Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt

MMMmm...who doesn't like ice cream?

Today was my second visit to Stucchi's,for those who've never heard of it,it's a little ice cream place in Dexter,located next to Bush's on Ann Arbor Rd.

If you're still missing Stone Cold Creamery in Howell,this place is a good substitute.The ice cream is not as creamy smooth,but it's still pretty darn good.I highly recommend it.My favorite is the White Russian Fudge.Hubby's fav. is the Coffee and Cookies.

This isn't a soft serve stand,this is all hand dipped ice cream and frozen yogurt.

Tuesday's are buy one get one free day,so stop in and check them out.

Why not make a little trip of it and check out Huron Camera for all your photographic needs too.There are several little shops and stores worth browsing in.I've become rather fond of Dexter myself.

Crossroads Grill

This is a fairly new place,located at 138 W Higland Rd,Howell.It's in the plaza with the Howell Kroger store.

I have never been here before,so thought what the heck,let's try it!

The waitstaff was very polite,although when we got there,we wanted a booth,and even though many were empty,the staff had not cleaned them yet,so we were left with the only booth available.The set up is a bit noisy and echos from the high ceilings,there are no TV's blaring,or even over head music.

I ordered the bacon burger with cheese,and some chili cheese fries,my husband ordered the gyro and a side of fries.

When we ordered,I told the waitress we had a coupon,the waitress insisted we had not spent enough,hence the reason my husband ordered fries...when the bill came,we had indeed spent more than enough,because the lady forgot to add in the beverages while we were ordering....

The burger was very good,and I like the fact that they sent it to the table open faced,so that the lettuce and toppings were still nice and crispy.The bacon was normal bacon,and not that precooked paper thin stuff you would normally see.

The gyro was a true greek gyro with lamb rather the beef or chicken,and tasted great,according to my husband,I'm not much of a fan of gyros,so I'll take his word on that.

The fries were WAY overdone,and definitely had been in the fryer too long,I like them crispy,but that was a bit rediculous.

Overall the visit was ok,and the prices are fairly low.I was somewhat disappointed in the lack of menu choices other than sandwhiches.But for the most part,I would say,if you have a coupon,or are in the area,it's an ok place to stop in for lunch,just don't ofer the fries.

The coupon I used was from a fundraiser book that you see people standing outside stores selling to support our troops,if you see one,go ahead and pick it up,there's some good deals in there.

Howell Taco Bell

Well,I'm always up for trying to menu items,so yesterday was the new Fully Loaded Nachos at the Howell Taco Bell.

Not sure how I feel about them,the nachos were ok,but for being "fully loaded" seemed to lack toppings.There may have been a bit of everything on them,but the amounts were so skimpy that you can't tell.I would have liked to see added extra beef and extra of just about everything but the refried beans.If you're going to call something "fully loaded" at least load it up!

They come served in a taco salad bowl,which they could have skipped and just served like the normal nachos.

Personally,next time I would just go ahead and order the regular Nachos Bell Grande and leave it at that.

I was not impressed at all with this new menu item.

New Century Buffet

For those who have not yet found it,this little place is in Howell,in the plaza at Grand River and Latson road,on the South side.

We have been here several times,and today's visit was not at all a disappointment.The food was fresh and hot,and the waitresses were promt at clearing away all plates.

It's an interesting mix of Chinese and American fare,and for the size of the restaurant the variety is pretty good.

If you haven't had the cocanut shrimp,I highly reccomend trying it.

I can't resist the string beans,I don't know what it is about them,but I always have to go back for seconds.

For sushi fans,the sushi bar is fully included in the price of the buffet,a rarity in a buffet place.Be sure to tip the sushi chef,he deserves it.

The tables thus far have always been clean,and the staff seems eager to make patrons happy.The dinner price is only $10.00 per person,and it's all you can eat,so there really is no way to not get your money's worth here.Skip the beverage and opt for water,and you can save a couple of bucks.

I didn't even use a coupon! BUT,if you know of one,send the info my way!

The only real dislike I have for New Century Buffet is the roast beef,which isn't really roasted,it's steamed,and it's rather tough and bland,and you have to slice it yourself.So I just steer clear of it and enjoy the other options.

Not quite local

OK,we went to the Bavarian Inn for dinner yesterday while we were in Frankenmuth.

Upon being seated in our booth,the first thing I noticed was the overhead lighting at the table,no not the style,or lack there of,but the DUST.The lamp shade was very dusty,looking around the place,all the lighting appeared to be rather dusty,and in need of a good cleaning,for the lights being so close to your head at the tables,you'd think they would at least dust them once in a while.

OK,so the "Ultimate Family Meal" seems a bit pricey for what you get.You get a sampling of five meats,ok,BUT,for $22.99 a person,plus the cost of seperate beverage,it really doesn't seem like it's worth it.

You don't get a choice of the sides,they just bring you a tray full of sourkrout,buttered noodles,stuffing and squash...a bit of cole slaw,and a bean salad that left a bit to be desired.The squash was good,but I generally like squash anyway,the rest of the sides left me looking for better food.The veal patty,at least that's what I think it was,was overcooked and dried out,the chicken was ok,but it's really hard to mess up fried chicken.The bratwurst tasted like Bologna stuffed in a sausage casing with a little spice thrown in.

The waitperson was more than polite,but when the bill came,it was like sticker shock.
A coupon saved us $6.00,but dinner for two,and the bill was still over $50.00! The meal was mediokre at best,and definately would not be my top choice for dinner again in the future,even if they lower the per person price,they would have to do a lot to improve the food to make it a good value.

If you dare to go for a visit,be sure to pick up the new 2010 Entertainment book,the coupon from the book gives you a free upgrade from the Chicken Dinner to the Ultimate Family Dinner.

Brighton McDonalds

Ok,this is the location on Grand River,just west of the downtown area.

First,I want to say that the staff is friendly and polite,while not falsely covering up each individual's personality.I love that in any place I go.

Second,I must say that the management should really enforce some type of rule for staff members that have wounds on thier hands.

STAFF;you should really be wearing food service gloves if you have a cut of any kind on your hand,regardless if you are cooking the food or just bagging it!

The food was fresh and hot,but I could not get past the image of the young man with the cuts on his hand handing me my food.

Sorry,McD's you get a failing grade in my book on this visit!

Intro

Hello there,if you're reading this,welcome to my blog.

My goal is to introduce you to local(Livingston County area) restraunts,burger joints and in general great or not so great places to eat.

As I visit new places,or follow up on suggestions from anyone who sends me a must see,I will post my opinions here,for all the world to see.

SO,if you want to send me a name or two of you favorite places that you think are worth me checking out,just send me an email!

All suggestions must be within the Livingston County and surrounding area.

Before anyone asks,no I am not a professional chef,nor am I paid by anyone,I am however,someone who enjoys good food and excellent service.