Random Taste for Thursday 9/29/16

[My ongoing series for 2016 continues ... with the THIRTY-EIGHTH of FIFTY tastes of FLORIDA (coming to you on sequential Thursdays.  All.  Year.  Long.)!]

Establishment:  Tropics Piano Bar and Restaurant
Location:  Wilton Manors
Meal:  Dinner
Drink:  Coca-cola
Appetizer:  Stuffed Mushrooms
stuffed with andouille sausage
Main:  Shrimp Bercy
jumbo shrimp dipped in flour and egg then pan sautéed in a white wine parsley lemon butter sauce served over angel hair pasta
Side(s):  Hot Cross Bun
Dessert:  Key Lime Pie
Server:  Giovanni aka "Gio"
Website:  http://www.tropicswm.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tropicspianobar/

According to a sign by the door, this establishment is itself a historical building for the island city of Wilton Manors, and according to a lot of recent press, it's a place that is a work in progress after a recent change in ownership (the third just since we made the big move here).  And the bottom line is that there IS still work to be done ... as to how those negatives affected the score, see below:

AMBIANCE:   8/10 (currently, the immediate vibe that is being throwing off is "hotel bar and restaurant" ... which isn't necessarily good or bad, but just an observation ... the lights are dimmed enough to make a person turn down the brightness on the old cell phone to avoid getting stares, and we were lucky enough to be eating during a piano playing session -- two rooms away so it wasn't overwhelming but was just nice background music ... a point is lost because the booth bankettes are too loose so that it's a luck of the draw as to whether the person behind you is one who moves around a lot and shakes the whole seat and a second point is lost because clearly some degree of updating still needs to be done)
FOOD:            7/10 (in descending order from best to worst -- the refreshing key lime pie [with sliced almonds that we first thought was coconut], then the shrimp bercy in a very light yet flavorful sauce [my first bercy, which is apparently an established french sauce], then the giant stuffed shrooms [which seemed like maybe they were frozen pre-fab and not homemade, so a point lost] and finally the rolls and spreadable whipped butter substitute [which came three in a basket for a table of two ... so we had to fight over who got the extra roll, so another point lost] ... plus, as much I liked my shrimp, they arrived with the tails on ... disguised in the breading and the dimmed light, which resulted in a final point lost)
SERVICE:      8/10 (the actual server did fine ... and the person whom we think was the owner/manager stopped by all the tables to say hello .. but a point lost for a missing host at the stand when we first arrived, and a second point lost because the owner/manager [dressed casually] didn't introduce himself as such, although we're pretty certain that's who he was ... [also see the bonus section below for one additional comment])
BACON:         6/10 (indeed, the menu has it in the usual places [burgers, salads, etc], but I didn't see it used creatively anywhere in any other dishes [I wouldn't have minded some in my bercy sauce, unless that would violate all things French] ... so just a few points off in this essential [to me] category ...)
BONUS:         6.5/10 (+3 for dealing well with a service escalation in that the other party in our group did not like the prime rib special and made it known as such, resulting in a return visit from the owner/manager guy, and +3 for, in the end, agreeing that we'd keep it on the bill because the boys would enjoy it [see photo below] and, for the first time in this series, a half point for being a place to which we *likely* return, if only because we believe in the commitment that the new management has to turning things around)

TroyScore:  35.5 out of 50 -- aka 71, a low C

Random Taste for Thursday 9/22/16

[My ongoing series for 2016 continues ... with the THIRTY-SEVENTH of FIFTY tastes of FLORIDA (coming to you on sequential Thursdays.  All.  Year.  Long.)!]

Establishment:  Zona Fresca
Location:  Ft Lauderdale
Meal:  Dinner
Drink:  Dr. Pepper
Appetizers:  Nachos with Steak (no Beans)
fresh corn chips, melted jack and cheddar cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and steak
Main:  Three Street Taco Platter
one each of Chicken Breast with grilled nopales cactus, avocado, cilantro, onions, and lemony dressing, Roasted Pork with pickled onions and cilantro and Baja Fish authentic Baja-style! fresh beer battered fish with shredded cabbage, pico, and our own tangy dressing
Side(s):  Chips and Guac
Dessert:  n/a
Server:  Francisco
Website:  http://zonafresca.com/locations/fort_lauderdale
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/zonafresca

When it comes to quick tacos ... there are places like Taco Bell (the common denominator for the common folk) and sit down restaurants of Mexican or Mex-fusion persuasion ... and then there are the Tijuana Taxis of the world that seem like a frat boy's version of his favorite late night taco joint.  Into the mix comes Zona Fresca, a southern Florida mini-chain (with eyes at expansion ... a common thread in this series for many of these soFlo chains) and it has taken its place at the top of the pyramid because if provides an authentic taste via counter service.  It may not be as experimental as the taco food trucks in the scene, but it solidly scores (see below, remembering that a place without bacon automatically starts at a disadvantage on my scoring scale):

AMBIANCE:   9/10 (bright and fresh and clean, with a separate salsa bar and outdoor seating -- what's not to love! ... plus parking [not a lot ... but enough] and what sounded like authentic mexi-music playing ... just a single point lost because the line of those waiting to order backs up into the eating area)
FOOD:            7/10 (I was pleasantly surprised to see the tacos all came double wrapped ... and I really enjoyed the buttery texture of the not-chunky guac ... as for the individual types of tacos sampled, the fish was the tastiest, followed by the juicy juicy flavorful pork and last was the chicken -- a point comes off for that chicken one being overwhelmed by the cilantro, a second point gets deducted because the homemade chips weren't warm [which would have elevated the nacho appetizer], and a final point is lost because they contract with that *other* soda provider instead of with Coca-Cola)
SERVICE:      9/10 (it's another counter service location, but the gentleman behind the register was friendly and efficient ... and had a way of calling everyone "boss" with it sounding sincere and not cloying ... just a point lost because he touched the tip jar before taking the order ... I'm not even certain that it was deliberate, but more of a subconscious stroke of the container ... I would have tipped either way, but it was the only mildly off-putting part of the exchange)
BACON:         5/10 (this is the fourth Mexican restaurant in this series, and I'll say here what I said for two of the other three:  "it's a tricky category, as traditional authentic Mexican food is more about the fresh ingredients ... and although the menu includes many references to pork and carnitas and such, the reality is that I didn't see a single reference to bacon on the menu ... out of sensitivity to the culture and because of the high scores in all the other categories, I'll put a few points on the board") 
BONUS:         10/10 (+3 for having the audacity to make fun of the gringos not once, but *twice* on the menus [implying weaker taco and weaker beer choices], +3 for being popular enough to have lines yet efficient enough to move through them quickly [just during our meal, which was #395, they processed another 30 orders], +3 for the option of outdoor seating set back far enough from the main highway that it would feel like patio eating and +1 for being a place to which we will most definitely return)

TroyScore:  40 out of 50 -- aka 80, barely a B

Random Taste for Thursday 9/15/16

[My ongoing series for 2016 continues ... with the THIRTY-SIXTH of FIFTY tastes of FLORIDA (coming to you on sequential Thursdays.  All.  Year.  Long.)!]

HONORABLE MENTION BEST OF 2016 FOR APPETIZER

Establishment:  Primanti Bros.
Location:  Wilton Manors
Meal:  Dinner
Drink:  (Bottomless) Coke
Appetizers:  Fried Half Moon Mozarella, Two Spicy Meatballs with Marinara Sauce and Fried Zucchini Planks
Main:  Chicken Parmesan
Primanti style breaded chicken breast baked with tomato sauce and cheese
Side(s):  Salad (with Balsamic Dressing), Butter Bread and Pasta with Sauce
Dessert:  n/a
Server:  Eric
Website:  https://www.primantibros.com/locations/wilton-manors/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Primanti-Brothers-Pizza-Grill-of-Wilton-Manors/113491555350976

For two weeks in a row, I'm taking advantage of a loophole of sorts to stay true to this concept.  Primanti Brothers, based in Pittsburgh but apparently being franchised all over the country (a concept that drew complaints from some of my PA based FB friends when I checked in on social media), also has a pizza stand here in the FTL at the beach ... and once, while on vacation (aka drinking), I'm pretty sure that I stopped by for a slice or two of pizza.  But I had never set foot inside one of their bigger restaurant locations until this particular taste, so this feast will be allowed to count for this series.  And to see how that feast scored, see what follows:  

AMBIANCE:   8/10 (it's a pizzeria ... that looks like a pizzeria -- so that's a good thing ... and this spot has a bar area, family tables AND booths so it's got a little bit of everything for everyone ... a few TVs help pull off the sports bar vibe ... and you can watch the food as it's being made [or just watch the guy working the pizza ovens all night long] ... it's a Pittsburgh based company, so the picture of QB Ben R on the wall makes sense, but a point has to be deducted for each of those sexual assault charges of his that are implicitly endorsed by featuring his photo)
FOOD:            7/10 (the more you feast, the more food you try, so the more likely you'll experience some variety in the quality ... starting at the high end of that continuum, there are the meatballs [so tasty and somehow so light and airy], the zucchini planks  [planks I say!] and the homemade bread ... more middling were the deep fried mozarella moons that were good enough, but about which I was expecting a gooey full half-a-cheese-ball instead of what arrived [so a point lost] and the chicken parmesan dinner, which seemed to contain chicken pieces about the same size as the chicken parm hoagie would have had [so another point lost as I expected *more* being a dinner portion ] -- plus a final point lost because the butter pads weren't spreadable [an established pet peeve of mine])
SERVICE:      8/10 (the server was friendly and kept very busy, making a point to stop by the table every time he passed, and the best part of the evening may have been when the other server dropped off some of the food and said, "you guys eat like I do" -- which I think meant that we ordered a LOT of food -- but there is a point lost for the timing of the delivery of all that food [I would have liked to have finished my salad before the apps arrived] and a second one lost due to the policy of charging $.75 for extra dressing [really?  are the customers *really* abusing requests for condiments and putting the business at risk?])
BACON:         8/10 (somehow none of the dishes on which we feasted included bacon, but it was listed on the menu a few times in a few ways [on salads, fries, sandwiches AND as a pizza topping], which means that there are points to be awarded in this category for sure)
BONUS:         10/10 (+3 for putting those zucchinis in planks [I've had sticks and circles and fries ... but never planks!], +3 for being the type of place where we almost expected to be referred to as 'you'uns', +3 for those meatballs [they *would* go out of business if they ever turned those into an all-you-can-eat special] and +1 for being a place to which we will definitely return [so as to taste the PA style hoagies if nothing else!])

TroyScore:  41 out of 50 -- aka 82, a low B

Random Taste for Thursday 9/8/16

[My ongoing series for 2016 continues ... with the THIRTY-FIFTH of FIFTY tastes of FLORIDA (coming to you on sequential Thursdays.  All.  Year.  Long.)!]

NOTE:  This establishment qualified for the REDEMPTION ROUND in 2017.   

Look for the updated "taste" here:  

https://50tastesofflorida.blogspot.com/2017/03/random-taste-for-thursday-33017.html

Establishment:  Miller's Ale House
Location:  Ft. Lauderdale
Meal:  Lunch on Labor Day
Drink:  Dr. Pepper and two sips of a Pepsi
Appetizer:  n/a
Main:  Zinger® Mountain Melt
medium garlic Zingers® piled over crispy fries and smothered with melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon and green onions.Side(s):  Ranch Dressing
Dessert:  n/a
Server:  Corey
Website:  https://millersalehouse.com/locations/ft-lauderdale/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Millers-Ale-House-181208372285760/

Full disclosure -- this was the FIRST time I set foot inside this particular (mostly) Florida chain of ale houses (as is required to be included in this series), but with 75 locations now all over this state and a few others, it is also very likely that I was once inside one of the Orlando editions of this business (because I'm pretty sure it's down the road from our corporate call center where I met a work colleague for appetizers a few years ago).  I was tempted by the menu to order the OssoBuco (pic below), but then the more I looked at it, the more it reminded me of a human heart, so I had to pass.  See here for how the food I DID order led to the score below:

AMBIANCE:   9/10 (I like walking in a place and the first impression I get is how I had no idea it would be soooo big and this was one of those places, with a big big bar in the middle and full dining rooms on either side of it ... as a sports bar, it had the requisite team things hanging all around ... and I was especially happy to see booth after booth after booth [I love me a booth] ... and there was a mini-arcade with a pool table and a Golden Tee to help promote the "bar" side of the "bar" restaurant ... a point lost for there being more TVs than customers [although the holiday might have had something to do with that)
FOOD:            6/10 (in the spirit of that full disclosure I mentioned above, this meal was eaten after a night out of bar crawling, so that may have affected my taste buds ... but a point lost for a registered item called a zinger [breaded chicken strips] that, quite simply, didn't have any "zing" ... another point lost for fries that just didn't seem like they were cooked all the way through [especially those underneath the zingers] ... a third point lost for there not being more zingers on the dish ... and a final point lost because you're always going to lose a point with me if you chose to serve Pepsi [boo!] over, Coke [yay!]
SERVICE:      9/10 (we actually met the server at the door, which he held open for us ... and I'm not sure if that was protocol or just coincidence and he was checking the weather right when we walked in ... for someone having to work on the holiday, he was very friendly and very smiley and joked about pulling up a plate to join us so he only gets a point docked because he free-refilled my Dr. Pepper with a Pepsi ... of note, when I pointed out the error, he immediately apologized and fixed it)
BACON:         9/10 (I found seven references on the online menu ... and I appreciate that the place is very versatile with its uses ... on top of fries, added to burgers and sprinkled on salads .. just a point lost because, as you can see from the picture of my main dish, it could have used a bit more of those applewood smoked bacon crumbles)
BONUS:         6/10 (+3 for keeping the pesky kids away from the pool table [only those 21 and over are permitted to play, according to a sign on the wall] and a +3 for having helpful checks that included the total of the bill divided by the number in your party so you didn't have to do any math)

TroyScore:  39 out of 50 -- aka 78, a high C

Random Taste for Thursday 9/1/16

[My ongoing series for 2016 continues ... with the THIRTY-FOURTH of FIFTY tastes of FLORIDA (coming to you on sequential Thursdays.  All.  Year.  Long.)!]

Establishment:  Qbar Burgers and Blues
Location:  Ft. Lauderdale
Meal:  Dinner
Drink:  Beer Flight (four 5oz drinks)
from left to right in the photo:  Hollywood Stout, Mutha Fuggle EPA, Schofferhofer and Left Hand Milk Stout
Appetizer:  small (?!) meat & cheese charcuterie board
Main:  The King
1/2 lb. burger with duck bacon & cheddar cheese on a fresh toasted bun
Side(s):  Shoestring fries
Dessert:  n/a
Server:  Lynn
Website:  http://qbarfl.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/qbarfl

Earlier in this series, the "taste" was Sage French Cafe (#18), and this establishment is right next door -- which makes sense as it is owned by the same people (and as it serves as the bar for that restaurant).  Taking New Orleans as inspiration, it features live music every night of the week, and offers more than just the usual items on the bar menu, including chili and gumbo (although neither person in our party actually ordered either of those specialties).  Notwithstanding that oversight, see the details making up the score below:

AMBIANCE:   8/10 (it was the kind of place to take someone for a conversation over drinks ... and even when the live music started, it wasn't too overwhelming, what with the stage being positioned *behind* the bar ... the chandeliers were something to see, and all the pictures were taken in that glow ... a point lost because it was a bit sticky when we first arrived [although the AC did kick in at some point], and a second point lost because neither the bar's website nor its facebook page was updated with performers, so we didn't know what live music to expect the night we arrived)
FOOD:            8/10 (I'm not complaining, but that charcuterie plate that's pictured is a *small*! ... and every single thing on it was the perfect way to start a meal ... extra nice touches were the pear pieces with the blue cheese crumbles and a healthy sliced mini loaf of warmed toasted bread ... interestingly enough, it was so unexpected that it raised the bar a little too high for the burger, which was good, with fresh toppings that made me think "picnic" as I was eating it, but I was expecting a bit more panache when it came to plating, so a point lost there ... and a second point lost because the fries were a bit straightforward and could have used a little adventurous upgrade of some kind)
SERVICE:      10/10 (for the last few weeks, we've been on a run of servers who do well representing their profession, and this place's staff continued the tradition ... she was low key in a good way [I'm slowly beginning to realize that servers who rush make guests feel rushed, something I wish I had known back in my server days], and although I thought I heard her sigh when the beer flights were ordered [that's a lot more work on her part], she more than made up for it with her approach throughout the night, including knowing the menu items well enough to tell us the temperature to order for the sandwiches ... and it may be something simple, but it's endearing to hear someone take the time at the end of the night to say, "come back any time ... see you soon")
BACON:         9/10 (two words for you:  DUCK BACON! ... which, thankfully, is not trying to pass off something like turkey as bacon [which is a peeve of mine], but is, instead, a fattier and richer bonus bacon, as seen on my burger [even if it did taste like ham ... maybe because it looked like ham] ... just one point lost because I didn't have the courage to add regular bacon TO the duck bacon as an extra topping, since I didn't know what to expect with the duck bacon in the first place)
BONUS:         7/10 (+3 for having a well established dog-friendly approach that includes a special menu of quality homemade food just for puppies, +3 for all of those draft beer choices, shown on the chalkboard in the photo and +1 for being a place to which we will return, with friends, to listen to live music again)

TroyScore:  42 out of 50 -- aka 84, a solid B