Hanging at Houlihans

Caught Happy Hour at Houlihans in Eatontown NJ. Houlihans is a great example of how chain type restaruants have improved over the years. Chains used to be bad food, noisy and expensive drinks.
Now, lots of chains have happy hours, good food and drink specials. Houlihans is an example, a clean neat well run chain that while still hitting hard in the wallet for mixed drinks and wine, has beer specials and a happy hour menu, many flats screens and the popular Buzztime trivia game.
Pork Slider AAA
Parmesean French Fries AAA
BBQ Chicken Flat Bread AAA
Egg Rolls AAA
Buffalo Bleu Salad AAA1/2
Service AAA  Overall AAA

Hitting it at Hillstone

A business trip into NYC  took us to 53rd St & 3rd Ave. We took the Sea Streak from Atlantic Highlands. At $43.00 round trip per person Sea Streak is pricey, but no better way to get to NY. The only other way into NY that isn't a major aggravation is to drive to Staten Island, take the ferry and the subways. Takes much longer than Sea Streak, but the only set back is the freaking $12.00 toll at the Outerbridge. Criminal!!!  Anyway, we hoofed it 20 blocks from 33rd St. Settled our business and looked around for a place for lunch. Right on 53rd & 3rd is The Atrium, an impressive indoor mall that includes the awesome Hillstone. Surpised to find out that Hillstone is a chain formally called Houston's Steakhouse. Naturally, it was insanely expensive but on this afternoon was worth it.
Seared Tuna Roll $19.00 very generous portion and fabulous.    AAAA
Hillstone Club Salad  $16.00  extremely fab salad presented perfectly. AAAA
Bloody Mary's AAA   Service AAA     Overall AAA1/2     Higly Recommend

On the Death March back to the Sea Streak we had a pit stop at Benjamin at 33rd & 2nd Ave.
A typical East Side Irish joint with a brogue for a bartender who poured a perfect Guiness
that included an imprinted shamrock. How do they do that?     AAA

Exile at Main Street

Hit the Main Street Bar and Grill for a quick lunch the other day. Located just North of the Asbury Park Circle in Ocean Township NJ.  Main Street is the kind of place where the bartender cooks your food right in front of you on a grill behind the bar. Most concerning to us was the one corner of the bar that was dedicated to everything Red Sox. Oh boy, food better be good!! Although somewhat pricey for this type of venue the food was very good.
Spicy Shrimp Quesadilla  $12.99.  Very tasty and real spicy. AAA 
Grilled Chicken Wrap served with FF and cole slaw. $11.99 AAA
Service AA1/2
Overall AA1/2
We'll forgive the Red Sox, but just a bit expensive!!

Running Amuck with KathyMetz!!!

Had a grand time with old friends on Friday night at the home of John & Kathy Cordes. Kathy Metz outdid herself with a top notch homemade buffet. John was a gracious host and a great bartender to the likes of : Debby  (Dolan) & Tony Fortuna, Jodi (Pulice) & Greg Smith, Elaine (Coakley) & John Smyth, Barbara (Nilsen) & Mark Hanley,   Patty (Arnone) and Butch Esposito and of course the always wacky McGee. All were belting out ancient oldies such as Benny and the Jets, Scarlet Ribbons and many others.The highlight was a surprise call to Pam Cuthbert in Arizona who got to hear old friends say hello for the first time in ages.This was one of those parties that started at 7:30 PM and broke up about 1:30 AM.. Seemed like 5 min had gone by.
Buffet  AAAA  Entertainment AAAA

Company AAAA

Jose Tejas ---- Woodbridge NJ

Lucked out with a table for 5 at Jose Tejas to celebrate Mal- Pal 25th birthday. Jose Tejas is an extremely popular Mexican themed place in Woodbridge. The kind of place where people wait outside in hopes for a table. We were truly lucky to get a table in 15 min.
A round of Frozen Margarita started us off along with twin baskets of warm chips and salsa.
The crew demolished Shrimp and Crawfish Quesadilla, a not so good soggy mess, that we had to use a knife and fork to eat. On the up side the were a variety of Enchilada's, of chicken, cheese and fish. All very good, and served with rice and beans. The supper upside was it was the first the five of us had been to dinner in a long time.

Happy B'day Mal-Pal!!!!    Enjoy your new flat screen.

Shrimp and Crawfish Quesadilla  --    A
Chicken Enchilada -------------------    AAA
Cheese Enchilada --------------------     AAA
Seafood Enchilada -------------------   AAA

Service Very attentive --------------- AAA

Parnells Irish Pub - NYC

We recently visited Parnells Irish Pub in NYC. Parnells is located at 51st & 1st Ave. A not so typical East Side Irish Pub due to it's regulars. A self described reincarnation of the Algonquian Round Table.
They must be pretty bright because on this day they were debating Henry VIII and his war on the catholic church, all with Irish accents and with half or a complete load on. Very amusing group of Irish curmudgeons who perfectly complimented the authentic Irish atmosphere.
Pulled Pork on Texas Toast- Very nice presentation of a very good sandwich.   AA1/2
Penne Irish Pasta - Hits the mark with very fresh ingredients AAA
Service - Bartender paid a little to much attention to the Irish Floor Show. AA
Overall -  AA1/2