Archive for September 2011

 
 

Zibibbo

Zibibbo

How’s the vibe? In the zone

Worth the price? On the be back train

Service with a smile? For Sure

It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato. ~Lewis Grizzard

We visited Zibibbo this weekend looking for an answer. Was it as remembered years ago when the menu seemed a little distant to the young palate? Being somewhat new to the bay area I am having a blast hitting all these restaurants known to my partner for many years. We went to have a light lunch on a Saturday afternoon and ended up having an assortment of Antipasti, a platter of seasoned vegetables and an order of Charcuterie and Cheeses. We also added a couple of flights of wine. The Bordeaux and the Sauvignon Blanc. Oh….and I almost forgot the basil martini and a black cherry drink which started out interesting and got less that way as you drank it. Let’s start with the food which was good. Very good. It was simple and to the point but I can’t say there was one unenthusiastic dish or item on the cutting board. As far as the wine I have learned when you order a flight of wine you have some you like and some you don’t. Goes without saying. One common theme that we have discovered in our quest for excellence, and it is sad to say, is that most of the servers these days don’t know the product. Don’t know the menu or haven’t even eaten off of it. We hear a lot of “A lot of people order this” or “I hear it is good.” Not in this case. Now mind you the bartender doubled as our waiter, and in a restaurant that is as big as this one that was a surprise, but he knew the menu, he knew his drinks and he knew his wines . That’s impressive in itself. All in all for as simple as what we ordered I was impressed. I would suggest you check Zibibbo out if you are looking for simple but good quality food and wine. As far as a dinner the jury is out. We will let you know after we have more than just wine and cheese.

430 Kipling Street (between University Avenue and Lytton Avenue), Palo Alto, CA 94301

Cheers D-n-A

http://baybites.com Best SF Restaurants

About the Author

D-n-A

How To Deal With Poor Service In A Restaurant

Eating out is a very pleasurable experience. No matter what restaurant you go to, you will be looking forward to the food being of a high quality or of a particular style you love. You will be excited about going to a place where you will be waited on hand and foot by people who will be happy to accommodate your request for a new fork or directions to the bathroom. You will enjoy the feeling of going out and knowing you will not have to cook yourself or do the washing up and really taking a break from looking after yourself for a while.



The only thing that can really spoil any good meal out to a restaurant though is poor service. Of course bad food can spoil it too, but as long as you have good service you should be able to send your unsatisfactory dish back via your server.



What is poor service?



This is when your waiter or waitress spoils the enjoyment of your meal in any way. This might be simply because they got your order wrong, but it could also be because they were rude, they were inattentive or even too attentive and won’t leave you alone. It could be they dropped something or just that they forgot to bring you a glass of water. Basically anything that takes away from your evening. They should be ensuring that your meal is a joy from start to finish by ensuring the food, your comfort and anything else you need is dealt with.



How do you deal with it?



The worst thing you can do is just put up with it. You need to address any problems you have right away. If they forget your water, tell them immediately. So many people feel intimidated in restaurants, but the fact is most waiters and waitresses really don’t care about you; they just want to get paid for their hours. Perhaps the best restaurants in Brighton will have some more motivated staff that gets paid more but even they will likely do the bare minimum. All the places to eat in Brighton whether they’re British or Italian restaurants in Brighton should offer you excellent service so don’t let it happen, speak up!



Another thing you can do is to review or comment on them online. Most restaurants live and die by their online reviews these days and will check them every day. A damning review of their services should push them to improve. Not that your comments will help you on your night out but you may be able to help someone in the future. (Your ‘service to the restaurant going community’ if you like.)





About the Author

Sam Qam is a serious foodie. He has spent a lot of researching the best restaurants in Brighton and in the process has found that there are many restaurants such as certain Italian restaurants in Brighton which can offer you some serious savings.

Go Mad Over Your Birthday Party In NYC

New York City has always been a great place for celebration. People from all over the world visit this place and the ones who have never visited this place always dream to enjoy the cool life of NYC at least for some time. Tourist from the globe love to tour to this place regularly as it is a land of fun and celebration.

If you are planning to celebrate your birthday in some other country this year and make it a memorable event for everyone, then consider New York. It is truly a fantastic place for any kind of parties. The NYC birthday party is nothing new to this place. People from every corner have been celebrating their big days at this place. New York City has everything to make your birthday party a fun filled event and very exciting.

New York has a great nightlife which can be a great way to celebrate your birthday. The lounges and bar can be the best places to spend your day and celebrate your special moment. The music and food in these places are really awesome and simply exhilarating. The event spaces in New York are yet other places where anyone can celebrate their birthdays as they are very beautiful and offers great services to make your birthday really very special. The restaurants can also be the perfect place to celebrate your birthday in New York. All kinds of restaurants are present in New York and you simply have to make your selection. The ambience in these restaurants is really very cool and it is a great fun to be there.

NYC birthday party can truly be a great time that will surely be remembered for your entire life. It is the best way to celebrate your birthday in style. New York birthday party can truly be the best thing ever had to you during your birthday. It can be the best present for you as it has a perfect ambience, superb restaurants, cool nightclubs and bars and amazing event spaces. Therefore, you merely have to make your selection.

About the Author

For more information about NYC Birthday Party, please visit our website.

Why Should You Hire A Restaurant Consulting Firm?

Want to own your very own enterprise? After all, who does not want to be his own boss and manage his “job” the way he wants to? If you are thinking of starting your own business, then restaurants is a very good place to start off. According to the latest statistics, on any day in the year 2011, the sales of the restaurant industry will be 1.7 billion dollars!

Thus you can see that this is a lucrative area of business where you can get back a sizeable portion of your investment back within a short span of time. But this is easier said than done. Most of you will not have the funds to take care of the entire financing. You will have to round up investors who will bail you out in this situation. Here again, you need to consider a key fact: why will investors risk their money on a venture by a person who is totally new to the industry? Why will they risk their money on that?

That is where a restaurant consulting firm comes into play. They have expertise in this field and they can help you to develop a complete business plan outlining the finances required, the business model, the projected profit, and so on. When you show an organized plan to investors that has been developed by professionals, there is a higher chance of them being interested in the project, thus taking care of the biggest headache – finance!

Restaurant consulting firms not only develop business plans but they can help out in other areas too. Menu planning, staff positioning, food truck consulting, concept re-positioning, brand creation; are some of the services that they offer. Your menu will need to be refreshed on a regular basis and that is another area where they excel in.

is one of the top players when it comes to consultancies and you will not regret your choice for sure! All you need to do is visit their website and check out the wide range of services that they have to offer you – you will know that you are dealing with experts!

About the Author

Looking for a restaurant consulting firm? The best way to search for them is to go online. However, you should not get swayed by fancy advertisements of restaurant services & then take a decision to approach them.

Interesting places to eat out in London

The city of London is a hub of activity – from business and commerce to visiting foreigners, from beautiful architecture to dynamic modern art. Something that brings all of the various visitors together is the art of dining. The city teems with all sorts of eateries – from tiny delis to family food chains to the elite fine dining experience.

If you’re looking to spend some time experiencing the finer things in life, then eating out in London is a sure fire way to do so! Not only is dining something that brings people together, but it’s also a great opportunity to mingle and enjoy beautifully prepared food. The cherry on the top of any experience like this would be to couple a really delicious meal with a view of the city.

Wagamama, Vertigo42 and Rhodes24 in London

One of London’s most popular Asian inspired restaurant chains, Wagamama, boasts a spot alongside one of the tallest buildings in the city. Here, you are guaranteed that you’ll experience consistency and quality – from service to the food itself. Their aim is to combine great, fresh and nutritious food in a sleek yet simple setting with helpful friendly service and value for money. So if you’re a lover of Asian noodles and intimate eating environments, Wagamama is well worth a visit. Also featured in the tallest building is a champagne bar, Vertigo 42 where you can enjoy a glass of France’s finest served with delicious light snacks. If you’re feeling in the mood to treat your taste buds, head over to Rhodes24, a Michelin star restaurant on the 24th floor. Chef, Gary Rhodes ensures that along with the incredible views of the city, you’ll enjoy classic British cuisine with a twist with an array of choices from his award-winning menu.

Private Dining – Merging Business with Pleasure

An interesting way to enjoy dining out would be to book a private dining venue such as one of the above. Private dining rooms can be used for any occasion – from romantic rendezvous, to family dinners to entertaining clients or colleagues. If you do choose to merge fine dining with business, there are venues that cater to all your executive needs. You’ll find that through a bit of research into the properties that offer this kind of service, you can get the best of both worlds and combine conferencing and all the business facilities you’d expect in an office, in a private dining room. This helps to create an intimate atmosphere and turns a business endeavour into something that all parties will not only enjoy, but remember too. Imagine admiring the panoramic view of London while benefiting from the latest state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities, lecterns, projectors, plasma screens, DVD, players and satellite and broadband connections.

The fantastic thing about private dining in London is that the views and the great cuisine are ever present, meaning you don’t have to limit this experience to evening only. A private English breakfast buffet for your morning meeting, or an executive lunch just in time to catch the sun setting over the Thames is a great ice-breaker, deal-sealer or recreational opportunity. Another reason to experience this kind of fine dining in London is that you’ll be mixing and mingling with some of the business world’s elite as many private dining venues are actually a part of serviced office spaces. This means the office block building features shared business facilities such as conference rooms, and in some cases, shared private dining venues. This sets you on a par with international businessmen who operate from the hub of the commerce centre that is London.

About the Author

Tower 42 offers incredible panoramic views over London from their private dining venue, Rhodes24. Visitors can also enjoy spectacular vistas from Vertigo42, the building’s decadent champagne bar. The world-famous Asian chain, Wagamama in London is also nearby. Find out more about this interesting business and lifestyle venue to enjoy a meal in London.

Guero’s Taco Bar: Catering

Everyone loves being invited to a party and eagerly looks forward to dressing up, mingling and of course, sampling the delightful food on offer. However, on far too many occasions, party food fails to live up to expectations and indeed is often plastic and lacking flavor. This is why you need to sample an authentic taste of Mexico in the form of Guero’s Taco Bar and more pertinently, the catering part of this restaurant. Austin is regarded as one of the best places in the United States to taste the delicacies of Mexico. By now, Guero’s has garnered an impressive reputation as one of the premier Mexican restaurants in all of Texas. When you consider the level of competition, this is no mean feat.

Simple But Delicious

The catering component of Guero’s is now receiving more attention due to the combination of delicious tacos and burritos among other delights on their menu as well as the top notch service. The key to serving hundreds of people at functions with efficiency and skill is by keeping the menu simple but mouthwatering and Guero’s catering does just that. Party attendees have a choice of finger foods including tamales, guacamole, burrito pinwheels and quesadillas.

What’s On Offer From Guero’s Catering

These should cause sufficient salivation and sustenance to nourish the guests before they tackle the tacos, burritos and tamales on offer. The taco buffet in particular is always a huge hit with patrons able to choose between chicken and beef al carbon with rice, beans, chili con queso, a choice of three salsas and chips rounding off a fabulous meal. Every single bite taken by guests will take them one step closer to Mexico as the flavors and spices are among the best outside of Tijuana.

Restaurant Quality Buffet

Guero’s has extensive experience when it comes to catering and has often taken care of events with several hundred guests. When you ask Guero’s Taco Bar to cater at your party, they will prepare the requested food fresh in their restaurant kitchens before delivering, serving and cleaning up afterwards. Each meal served at a function catered by Guero’s will taste the same as it would if you had elected to eat inside the restaurant itself as all the ingredients and recipes for the food were brought up from Mexico by their expert team of chefs. It does not matter if you book Guero’s for a small gathering or a large soiree, you will still receive the same five-star level of service and food from their dedicated team who join forces to ensure all guests enjoy a memorable evening and wake up with the taste of Mexico still on their lips the next morning.

About the Author

Jeff has been writing about Mexican food for 3 years.

Satellite Internet Finding the Best in Fine Dining

Let’s face it. We all love to eat and we love to eat well but sometimes it’s hard to know where to go to find reliable, delicious and well-presented food. Luckily, many restaurants are now putting their menus online and with the ease of your satellite internet connection you have access to some of the best food that the city has to offer.

Many search engines such as yelp are geared towards helping you find a specific restaurant based on factors such as ambiance, type of cuisine and proximity to you. Fans rate and review the restaurants so that you have real people commenting on their experiences. A satellite broadband connection allows you to download as many menus as you’d like with no interruption, that way you can compare locations and see what restaurant is better suited to your craving.

Another great resource is the Zagat guide which is a nationally acclaimed rating scale for restaurants and is a wonderful source of information in terms of how expensive a particular restaurant is, what sort of food they offer and the quality of service. They are accessible online via your satellite connection and are definitely worth checking out before you head out. The great thing about the wealth of restaurant guides offering their free reviews is that it enables you to discover new cuisines that you might not have tried otherwise. If someone recommends a delicious Cuban restaurant or raves about a Peruvian place, it makes the experience less risky as you know that the food comes highly recommended.

Thanks to the fact that all this information is available via satellite internet, you are not only limited to the city that you live in but can find a great gourmet experience pretty much anywhere you go. Meaning that if you are away on business or on vacation, you simply have to put in your destination and the sites will generate lists upon lists of delectable cuisine based on your specific criteria. You should definitely venture outside of your comfort zone and try a cuisine that you are not necessarily familiar with. The experience of dining out and discovering new and unique dishes is truly a treat and thanks to satellite broadband is an easy and enlightening endeavor.

Eating is such a social experience and one that should not be taken lightly. Look for great ambiance, service and most of all trustworthy delectable cuisine when you go out. Surprise a date with a great new fusion restaurant or impress a client with the hottest Korean Barbecue place in town. The possibilities are endless and tapping into them will prove to be a truly deliciously rewarding experience.

About the Author

For more ways in which satellite internet can help you find great places to eat in your area check out wild blue internet. Also look into wild blue for fast, reliable service.

Eat Out for Sunday Lunch in Birmingham Bar

There are some English traditions that most of us simply couldn’t do without, and why should we? There’s nothing quite like tucking into a delicious traditional Sunday lunch Birmingham with friends or family as a way of catching up and rounding off the weekend. One bar is particularly passionate about food of all shapes and sizes, and so naturally they invite everyone to visit their bar to enjoy a Sunday lunch menu and unrivalled selection of beverages. This team are of the belief that a Sunday lunch should be a time of rest and relaxation.

That’s why they’ve refined the perfect ambiance which combines a lively atmosphere with the luxury of an establishment staffed by professionals with many years of experience. Of course, if you’re used to having Sunday lunch at home don’t be put off; they’ve created sumptuous dishes cooked in house to deliver that distinctive level of homemade nourishment.

Eating out is fantastic way of breaking from the routine whilst still doing those things that you like, such as eating with family. Very often Sunday is the only day when the whole family is together, so it’s important to make the most of it. This particular specialist is able to offer a recently refurbished restaurant that adds a touch of class to any weekend occasion.

Perhaps you’ve had a difficult week and want a break from the cooking? Professional chefs like these are highly qualified and this team have devised a menu designed to offer something for everyone, no matter their age.

Eating out is an exciting change for the kids too – a treat before the winter cold sets in. And with a regularly updated selection of special offers, a bar like this could help you save money and treat the family, all in one go!

Because this particular bar is situated centrally with easy access from Coventry and Birmingham you don’t have to travel far or remain hungry for long. But as with any establishment, the only way to really find out whether they can match your home cooked Sunday lunch Birmingham is to put them to the test. Visit your chosen bar’s website to find out how.

About the Author

Written by Joel Tarplin on behalf of Cellar Bar, a fantastic restaurant to enjoy during your weekend breaks.

Indian Beverages are simply Delicious

With summer temperatures regularly topping 110 degrees, the people of India have concocted a wide variety of cold beverages to help them beat the heat. If you like to sample international cuisine, you might try some of these delightful drinks during the next heat wave in your own part of the world. Next time you feel that summer thirst reach for your favorite exotic Indian cooler. From an assortment that includes various flavors of lassi, Thandai, shiquanji, cold coffee, and a variety of shakes known as sherbets, you will find your favorite Indian chiller.
A favorite at Indian restaurants is Mango lassi. You can make it yourself using yogurt, some ice, peeled mango, and sugar in your blender. Lychee juice or syrup is often substituted for or added to the mango. Try adding a pinch of cardamom powder for that distinct Indian taste. Strain it from the blender through a sieve into a glass for a refreshing summer treat. Experiment with other tropical fruits to find the flavor you like the best.

Indian cold coffee is both sweet and refreshing. Try using Bru instant coffee with chicory added hot to milk, crushed ice, and sugar. Blend it in a blender until frothy and serve chilled. Your guests will love this exotic alternative to the usual cola at your next outdoor party or barbecue.

Thandai or Nut Milk is popular in India’s sultry summer heat and is often served at festivals and special occasions. It is made from milk, cashews, blanched almonds, pistachios, poppy seeds, and sweetened with honey. The milk is diluted with water and boiled with cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and the nuts.  After this mixture is boiled for several minutes, it is strained through a cloth, the honey is added to taste, and is then served poured over crushed ice. The nut pulp is saved and used to thicken Indian curries and in baking.

Fruit flavored milk shakes are popular summer drinks in India. Milk and sugar are blended with the fruit in an electric blender Add more fruit and less milk to make it thicker and fruitier, if you like. Any fruit that you like can be used. In India, the most common fruit shake is mango and usually contains Lychee juice or syrup but you can substitute your favorite tropical fruit for the mango. If you insist on having the typical Indian variety and cannot find fresh mangoes at your local grocery store, you may be able to find canned mango or mango juice.
In cooler weather, or as a breakfast drink, you may like try ginger or masala tea which is brewed using tea leaves, pepper, cloves, cardamom powder, ginger, and aniseed. Milk can be added and it is usually served hot and sweetened with honey.

Whatever you decide on as your favorite Indian beverage will become an exotic alternative beverage choice that will delight your guests and become a special treat to be added to your drink specialties that will soon make you famous. Perhaps it was the Indians who coined the phrase, “variety is the spice of life!”

About the Author

Turns out a blender and some spices is all you need to make some of the most delicious Indian beverages. Here’s all that you need to know about Indian coolers and shakes. Read on.

Everything About Iced Tea

Who doesn’t like to drink tea? Whether it’s early in the morning or after a long day at work, this beverage can pick you up whenever you’re feeling down. It’s an instant energizer and many people cannot do without it. There are different varieties of this beverage available and they all have a distinct quality about them. Iced tea has been around since the 1800′s and there are millions of people who prefer this to the usual steaming cup. If you are a staunch believer in serving and drinking hot tea, you still cannot ignore the fact that the iced variety has carved out a place for itself in today’s world.

Why has it become so popular?

Firstly, the fact that it is served chilled is a vital factor. In hot weather, you will usually grab an aerated drink to quench your thirst. These drinks have no other benefits other than the fact that they cool you down. You will not even think of drinking a steaming hot beverage on a sultry day. However, iced tea can be the perfect substitute for a soft drink! It’s cold, it’s fresh and it’s different. At a time when aerated drinks are facing a lot of scrutiny over the additives used, iced tea is a much safer bet.

People have written a lot about the health benefits of downing this beverage. Iced tea has health benefits that could fill a booklet! It has antioxidants that protect the human body from a variety of diseases. The antioxidants which are present in tea are called flavonoids. They protect us against cell damage and also help in reducing the risk of developing cancer. Iced tea, specifically, has been proven to keep breast, colon, stomach, and prostate cancer at bay. It also strengthens our immune system and reduces white-cell damage caused by smoking or drinking.

There are some good online stores that sell different varieties of iced tea. All you need to do is find a site which gives you value for money. The “Raspberry Cooler” is a big hit with adults and children alike. This unique flavor is available on select online stores and you can purchase six filters for just $8.95! The ‘Mango’ flavor is also quite popular and is a sweet black tea which leaves behind a slight taste of mango in the mouth of the drinker. There are loads of flavors to choose from!

About the Author

Shangri La has a wide range of award-winning iced tea flavors. So take your pick!