Tag: eating

New Pepsi Logos and Other Pepsi News

pepsi_bottles

Above are the new Pepsi logos.  It appears that many people are unhappy with the change.  They think that it’s too drastic of a move and takes away from the classic Pepsi look that we’ve all grown up with.  I can’t say that I hate or love the new logo, but I like the subtle differences they have made between the various types of Pepsi available.  Notice how the regular Pepsi stripe is medium in size vs. the Diet Pepsi that is slimmer?  That’s kind of cool.  Of course, with Pepsi Max, a huge stripe only seems appropriate.

Some other complaints that I’ve heard about the new logo is that it looks too much like Obama’s logo or that it looks too much like Korean Airlines logo (yikes, it really does!).  Should Pepsi have spent millions developing a new logo?  I’m not sure.  You can still tell that it’s Pepsi that you’re buying, so brand recognition isn’t going to be a problem.  What do you think of the new look?

In other Pepsi news… Pepsi will release, in April, a product called Pepsi Throwback.  This Pepsi will be available for a limited time and will contain real sugar vs. the high fructose corn syrup that is currently used in American soft drinks.  They will also be releasing a Mountain Dew Throwback product during the same time.  Personally, I cannot wait to buy this at the store.  If you’ve never had Pepsi or Coke made with real sugar, you don’t know what you’re missing.  Both products will be available for just over a month but I’m hoping they are successful enough that they may become a regular product in the Pepsi line.

image_pepsithrowback1

New Downtown Eatery

Mike and I recently went to Hanny’s in downtown Phoenix for dinner before a show. I was very excited to try this place. I had been intrigued by this restaurant since I first heard that the old Hanny’s department store was going to be converted.

Likes: The atmosphere. The space itself (the items they restored and incorporated into the new space). The bathrooms.

Dislikes: The service. The service. The service.

I have to cut Hanny’s some slack. They are still in the soft opening phase but the level of service was really lacking! It took forever for our food to come and, when it did, half the order was wrong.

Will I go back? Yes. I may make a visit before the new year. When I do, I’ll be sure to write an updated review.

If you’re in the area, give it a try. If you’ve tried it, how’d you find the place?

Fast Food Habits

Given the state of today’s economy, I’ve started to eat at work more often than I used to.  Here’s a small chart that shows how much I’ve eaten at a fast food restaurant (without using cash) in the past 2 months.  Notice how it’s dropped off substantially.  Each point on the graph represents a visit to a fast food restaurant. 

ffgraph

I’m kind of amazed that I’ve ben able to do so well.  I cherish my time away from the office but sometimes you have to make sacrifices to save $$.

The “Happy Couple”

The picture below is of a couple that was sitting next to my friend Erin and me at La Grande Orange on Monday.  From the moment they came in they hardly said a word to one another.  It wasn’t a first date type of awkwardness.  Erin likened it to more of a ‘been married for some time and I hate you’ type of awkwardness.  She had a front row view while I had to rely on her commentary of what was going on at the next table.  As you can see from the photo, they are really just having a great time!

Click for Larger - Happy Couple

Banana Bread

Today I decided to use the bananas that I bought at the cargo store reefer sale this past week to make banana bread.  I’m not the biggest fan, at least that I can remember, of banana bread.  I figured why not give it another shot and make my own.  I found a recipe on AllRecipes.com that had pretty good ratings  The bread is currently in the oven baking.  One thing I just realized though, I didn’t technically measure the amount of bananas that I put in the batter.  I was supposed to put in 2 3/4 cups and after 3 bananas, I barely had 1 1/3 cups.  I put in 2 more bananas and never remeasured.  So, we’ll see if this comes out super banana flavored or totally gross.

–UPDATE–

Looks pretty good.  I haven’t sliced it yet, but if the outside is any indication, I think we have a nice loaf.

Banana Bread

Everyone Loves the Waffle House!

I was reading this month’s issue of Details magazine and they had a story titled “Breakfast in America” where they list all these high end breakfast places around the USA. The every end they have a sidebar section titled “The Ultimate Classic: Waffle House”. They proceed to list American chefs from some high end restaurants that eat at the Waffle House. Here is part of that list.

David Myers – The Hungry Cat and Sona, Los Angeles – “Eggs over easy with grits and hash browns scattered, smothered, and covered.”

    Dean Fearin – Fearing’s, Dallas – “Eggs over easy with bacon, extra-buttery grits, and a side of extra-crispy buttermilk waffles with extra butter and syrup.”

      Kevin Rathbun – Rathbun’s and Kevin Rathbun Steak, Atlanta – “Double hash browns double-covered with onions and cheese and topped with two eggs over easy with chili on top.”

        Waffle House

        Helping You to an Early Grave

        hhelperSo, here is an image of the nutrition facts from a box of Hamburger Helper Beef Pasta. I will admit that this was one of my most favorite varieties of the Hamburger Helper brand and that I’ve had it more times than I can remember. Sad really, considering one could make this in a much healthier fashion.

        Look at the sodium content of one serving! What’s scary about that is what they say is a serving size. Who can eat only one cup of this and be full? I could easily eat half the box, which would be almost 3 servings. My whole daily serving of sodium would be captured in my dinner meal! No way is that good for the heart and blood pressure.

        I’ve never really been one to read the Nutrition Facts on foods, but I’m doing it more these days. It can be an eye opening experience!

        hhhand

        Restaurant Review – FEZ

        One of my favorite restaurants in the Phoenix area is FEZ. It is located on Central Avenue half way between Thomas and Indian School.

        FEZ serves traditional American fare but with a twist. Think of pizzas made on pita bread, salads with spiced pears, dried fruits and nuts mixed in, and burgers/sandwiches served on ciabatta bread with various types of soft cheeses. The food is fresh and different. I have yet to try something on the menu I did not like. They have sweet potato fries that are killer and desserts that make you wonder why you even ordered regular food.

        Another thing that FEZ serves up well is ambiance. The decor is modern but comfortable. Subdued colors mesh well with the candle light and painted cement floors. The music is an interesting mix of techno and dance, but at a level that doesn’t distract from the conversations being had at the tables. FEZ is hip and cool without being pompous and pretentious.

        If you’re in the area, pay this place a visit. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

        FEZ Restaurant & Bar
        3815 N. Central Avenue
        Phoenix, AZ 85012
        ph: 602.287.8700

        Restaurants

        So, what I was doing while at work today was researching restaurants in the Phoenix area. I was looking specifically for places that have food for under $20 as I am dirt poor but, I still want to go out every so often. I also wanted to shy away from the chains and explore what Phoenix has to offer. I mean, we’re a city of almost 3 million, there’s bound to be good eats somewhere!

        I found some very interesting places that I’ll have to check out with friends in the near future. Here’s a small list:

        - Cibo – Italian pizza joint in a historic 1920s home.
        - Albuquerque Tortilla Co. – based in Albuquerque, NM, they offer the best in New Mexican cuisine (even in take home and reheat containers… Score!).
        - Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles – no explination needed.
        - Coronado Café – good old fashioned home cooking.
        - Fry Bread House – Indian Native American fry bread done in many different ways, not just dessert.
        - Mrs. Whites Golden Rule Cafe – Soul Food!!

        Once I visit these places, I’ll give my own reviews for you all here.

        – Sent From My SideKick 3 –

        Tsingtao

        Ah, well I’m sitting here drinking a Tsingtao, a beer made in the PRC (People’s Republic of China). Let me just say that it’s pretty good. I wasn’t too excited about it, but I must say that I’m pleasantly surprised.

        I have some Kirin Ichiban (not sure if it’s spelled like that) to drink. That’s some good beer!

        Anyway, that’s all for now. I just wanted to inform you of these two new (to me) beers. I highly recommend you go out and find some to try.

        Later.