It is a sit-in local place. The decor is however what you see in chain fast food restaurants like McDonalds or Burger King. You order upfront and take a number. The food is served on your table. On the side is a serving bar with jalapenos, onion-tomatoes, salsa, cilantro, sour cream and drinks, which is all self-serve.

We usually order Pastor & Carnita Tacos on corn tortillas, since they are our favorites. Pastor is pork cooked in ginger, soy, citrus and roasted with pineapple. It is topped with cheese queso and guacamole and served wrapped in either flour /corn tortillas according to your preference. Exclusion of guacamole, enhances the pork flavor for me, rather guacamole masks the lovely original flavor of the tacos. Try ordering it this way. Carnitas is pork slow cooked in citrus, garlic, orange juice with a hint of coco cola. The pulled Rotesserie is not as good as Pork, for me.

Check http://www.fuegotortillagrill.com/FuegoMenu.pdf for other menu.
The breakfast tacos are worth a try. This is a good break from regular pancake breakfasts. Fuego Deluxe is what I picked and it was a filling sunshine breakfast. Make a note that breakfast tacos are served 24/7, so it doesn’t matter if you have then 8:00 in the morning or 4:00am they are always good and tasty. Do not ever miss Sopa, give a try to a cup of Tortilla soup.

In summary, If I were a first time visitor and that was the only chance I was ever going to visit this place, I would order pastor taco and a cup of tortilla soup for a meal. This should get you full, surely not heavy, and this must tell you a lot about the quality of food. Absolutely Delicioso!

When selecting a tent note the size of the tent/capacity, the material/ season of the tent and reviews. There are many different kinds of tents depending on seasons. The best thing to do is to select an all season tent, which will suit your needs in diverse climatic zones.

Once you have selected the model and brand, it is worth checking and comparing the prices on amazon.com. You may get lucky and find something cheaper on amazon. Memberships to campmor and rei can also help to get 20% discount coupons which could be used towards big purchases like a tent.

Tips when you set up a tent at the campsite:

• Choose a leveled section of the campground.
• Clean the section by removing any big stones, branches etc in the area that may hurt your back when you sleep.
• If there is a leaf padding, do not remove it; it will help your back.
• Know how to set up your tent before hand. Read the instruction manual if you are first time camper.
• Check your tent throughly so there are no tears and holes.
• Start to set up before it gets dark
• Keep the entry zips closed to avoid insects, mosquitos and small animals entering the tent.
• If its hot, open the sides, leave the mesh closed to avoid insects
• If the tent site has a slope, sleep in the direction of the slope such that your head is in the elevated end.
• Always set up the tent away from camp-fire, but not too far-away, so you can keep warm.

Once you have a tent, comfortable bedding is the next important step. Since you cannot carry mattresses, blankets or comforters with you, sleeping pads or air mattresses might be helpful. Inflatable cushions can also help for people who can absolutely not do without pillows. Sleeping bag helps the best on camping since you can pack yourself well inside the bag and protect yourself from the weather and insects if any. For people who do not like to be packed and like their arms and legs to be able to move while sleeping, sleeping bags cannot do justice. At many occasions we have carried blankets and comforters with us. But this will not help for backpacking, in that case sleeping bag is mandatory in cold weathers.

Other important tips:

*Try and avoid using any toiletries like aromatic body lotions etc. This may attract wildlife and call for trouble
*Avoid use of aromatic insect repellents
*Talk to the ranger/visitor center before using any aromatic candles or products. Especially in bear zones this is important to consider
*Do not store any food inside the tent
*Be mindful about the fact that if you have a tent-light inside or campfire light, people from outside, may be able see your shadows.
*Do not be noisy, maintain the peace of a nature place.
*Put off camp-fire before you go to sleep.

This home owned chinese restaurant is very near to San Francisco Airport. The interior and exterior is really simple, nothing fancy or china like. Chenung Hing is one amongst the many chinese restaurants on this street, however we loved it for its simplicity and very happy with the quality and taste of food. It seemed very authentic in taste.

The unique feature is they serve complimentary hot green tea in a steel tea-kettle. You sip it in the little tiny china cups provided on the table. Amongst the endless 4 page densely written menu (both in chinese and english) we selected Kung Pao Chicken since this is our favorite recipe and egg fried rice. The order came really quick and the waiter was really good. People on the table besides us ordered soup. The waiter was serving it with a ladle with a chinese elegance with one hand on the back and the other serving the soup with a laddle in the small soup bowls. The hand gestures were very elegant.

Kung Pao Chicken that we ordered was the best of all we ever had. We have eaten and PF Chang’s too and this one beats all. The chicken was cooked real soft and the sauce was not overwhelmed by butter/ grease. It felt very light while eating too and we could eat a larger portion that we regularly do. The portion size was big and we shared the rice and chicken amongst us two. Each entree was not more than $7 bucks and was hence the best deal we found.

Their pork and chicken seems to be famous here. Also many other Asians ordered seaweed, which seems to be a famous preparation too.

]]> http://archexplorations.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/cheung-hing-kitchen/feed/ 0 archanagawde http://archexplorations.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/89/ http://archexplorations.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/89/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:49:03 +0000 archanagawde http://archexplorations.wordpress.com/?p=89 Continue reading »

http://www.bridgeviewwine.com/kerbyvilleinn.php

Location: Kerby, OR

Vicinity:  50 miles from Crescent City & Jediadah Redwood Forest, about 20 miles from Oregon Caves National monument, 10 miles from Klamath National Forest

Price: $59.95/day for Merlot room

Best features: Price, home run business, Breakfast in Bed, pleasing and helpful Manager, French- Room interior, complimentary wine-tasting

Kerby is a little village located on Redwood Hwy (Hwy 199) in the Illinois valley (the valley that is surrounded by Klamath National Forest, section of Jedidah Redwood Forest, Six River National Forest and Seguina National Forest.  199 continue to meet 62 which goes all the way to crater lake. Since we planned to drive from San Francisco-redwoods-crater lake, we decided to stay in the Illionis Valley past the redwoods, before we drive to crater lake. This place is about 9 hrs from San Francisco, an hour from Jedidah Redwood Forest and 2 hours earlier to crater lake.

Kerbyville Inn Bed & Breakfast is a very small, yet cute little B & B on hwy 199. It is conveniently located on the Hwy, but once you drive in the parking area and to your little cottages/cabins, it feels very quiet and beautiful. The rooms have a tiny patio area in the front with chairs and little table and beautiful vines, flower baskets and other flowering plants. The site has beautifully placed garden elements like bird bath, glass butterflies, chairs, swings etc.  Besides, there are beautiful views in the background of huge mountains of redwoods.

The interior is cute with beautiful French style curtains, bedsheets, comforter, pillows, wall paintings etc.  Our room (Merlot Room) had a tiny tv, fan (no ac), dresser, night stand, 2 shades, eating table and 2 chairs, coffee maker and refrigerator (no microwave). The furniture was all wooden and has beautiful carvings/ nobs. The bed had a metal headboard and footboard which adding to the décor and the mattress was very soft and comfortable. The toiletries were not cheap, infact were spa standards. Our little bamboo basket included honey-almond shampoo, honey-suckle conditioner, French mulled oatmeal soap, chamomile facial cleanser soap, French clarifying bar and lavender scented make-up removing wipes.  It is definitely better than any standard hotel in that area.  3 sets of white towels, paper towels, bathroom tissue, hand soap is a default. The coffee basket included 2 packets of signature 100 % Colombian coffee (it was really good coffee), tea, sugar, creamers, alternate sweeteners and protein bars. The refrigerator had 2 bottles of chilled water. Each room has a pair of beautiful water glasses, wine glasses, French designed china cups and saucers, silverware and a wine-bottle opener.

The best part was the complimentary breakfast brought to your room. The manager Claudie is awesome. The day before she asks the time for breakfast and brings it at that perfect time. The first morning we were served Orange juice, toasted bagels, cup of berries, waffles, syrup, jellies-jams butter and cream cheese. The next day we were served quiche and blueberry bread. Claudie makes different things for breakfast everyday, which include omlets, frittattas, waffles, pancakes etc.Shelives on-site and is always accessible for questions concerns and is very pleasing and helpful (it was cold that day and I forget to bring any warm clothes, she even offered to give me her warm clothes to borrow).

If you stay at this B & B, wine tasting is free at the Binneville Winery which is 15 mins drive from the B&B.

For all this we paid $59.95 including tax for one day/night. It was worth the money.

Would have liked: AC and microwave in the room.

Pictures of other room:

Front Entrance of our room

Roses at the site

View behind the B&B

Other room

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Vietnamese

This is a tiny little thai place in Columbus, MS about 15 mins drive from Miss State Unv or Starkville. The restaurant is home owned and the service is very simple yet elegant. No fanciness or dress code. The waiter and owner is well dressed, speaks clearly and helps you choose what you may like depending on how you tell him.

We were 7 people who went to this place and each one ordered a separate menu. All of us were satisfied with the taste of our entrees. I ordered a sweet and sour shrimp soup. It is very sour, so make sure you like sour flavors before you order this. It is flavorful and fishy (shrimpy). My friends had ordered pad thai (very good taste, better than I ever had), chicken noodle soup with a thai twist, wonton appetizer (this is served with a lot of different thai dips, looks very presentable and tastes equally well). I ordered masaman curry for my entree and it was amazing. I love coconut flavor and the masaman has coconut + pineapple flavor in hot spicy thai sauce, the combination is orgasmic in the mouth with such different flavors at one time. Worth a try. When you order make sure you know the heat levels. I ordered thai hot and it is much higher in heat than Indian hot which I am normally used to. You may want to adjust your entrees accordingly.

The chicken noodle soup was bland, but I believe they make it hot according to your taste. Everything is reasonably priced on weekdays, perhaps a little high for a weekend. But, the taste is worth the spend.

We went on a date to this place. After 3 yrs of marriage, it is imperative every married couple does this to relive some of the moments during the days of courtship. What better place that Cafe Capri we thought.

Reservations are a must. The first time we went we expected to enjoy some walk-in good Italian food and wine. “45 mins wait’ she said and we turned around. This time we made a reservation 1 day in advance. Same day reservations get full by evening, so book a day in advance.

The atmosphere I assumed will be quiet, romantic and that there will be candles and music with lighter melody. For some reason, none of this is true. The seating is very tight and the restaurant is very narrow. Please ask for a booth. the tables are very non-private. Waiters, busers, water-servers all of them serving at one time occupy the little room between the tables. A mob of people is waiting in the congested waiting area, at the door and outside the restaurant. It is very strange and uncomfortable to see all these people if you are the one who gets a table right near the door (yes there is one and its weird). Yet, the place has a good ambiance, perhaps due to its location in an old building with architectural details on the ceiling and the dim lights. Not to forget, there is a second floor to this place too. This helps them manage the overload of people they have, but I guess this one is for big groups.

From my visit I can say that the place is super-busy and there is noise of plates, glassware, kitchen, waiters, orders, people, kids and the background music. Good! if you like buzz. However, once you get your booth it seems private, quiet and nice.

Disappointingly, they serve bread when you order a meal and it is 1/2 fresh bread for 2 people. Yes, so its limited. Every dinner order comes with bread and salad. The portion size is small, just enough for one meal and so the prices are comparatively high. Entree’s range from $9.25-$13.99, and the variety is limited to pastas (there must be around 15 kinds of pasta recipes). The choice seems limited and consists of 4 types of appetizers, 4 types of deserts and a range of good wine ($6.00-$10.00 a glass). The taste is really good. All the ingredients seem fresh and everything looks and tastes like its made from scratch.

Overall, if you have a good company and/or good reason then this is the place for good food.

Everyone who has spent a few years in Mumbai will know this place. Apart from the beautiful shoreline, the old British architecture, the princess street, Crawford market and crowded trains, food is a big thing in Bombay. There are several recipes that are characteristic of Mumbai: like the wada paav, chaat and the Paav Bhaaji!!. And if you die for a delicious meal of paav bhaaji then Cannon is the place to go. Its one of the best streetside pavbhaaji’s I have had. The taste is soooo goooodd, no wonder this place starts 8:00 in the morning and works non-stop serving people until late in the night. And all that it is famous for is Paav bhaaji (bun bread roasted in butter served with a  delicious heavily spiced mix of mashed vegetables, served with onions and lemon). Even the thought is making my tummy cry for a plate now!!

 If you walk through the subway (underground way) across the street from CST station, the tunnel opens up to this place right in front. There is no way for you to miss it. It was 15 rs. (45 rs=$1) a plate 2 yrs back and I am very sure the price has not gone above 40rs. now. Trust me, its worth a spend! No special seating, no waiters, no queue. Just push your hand in the crowd with a 50rs. bill and say “ek paav bhaaji”, someone will grab the note/bill and hand you back the change and a paav bhaaji plate..go enjoy! they don’t need to see who their customer is, nor you want to see who your vendor is, all you care about is FOOD and all that you are connected by is FOOD!!. Rest your butt in the nearest public bench or the tree circle and enjoy! ask for more and more and more bread until you are full in your stomach, heart and mind!

So, before you start your Bombay tour next time, stop at Cannon for a brunch!! No, dont skip a breakfast, nor miss lunch….i will tell you more places as we move ahead in the blog.

COLLEGE STATION, TX

The first time we drove pass this place, we thought it was some kind of junk yard. All you could think of buying would perhaps be some antiques, old cast iron stuff etc. It’s location  in Bryan is also right where all houses and shops are not in much a good condition. So then, why did we ever stop at such a place. It was for the Social arranged by the “Genetics Program” for Vikram and I being his better half got to attend. Well, we thought it certainly had to be a good place if recommended by a renowned program of TAMU and in believing so we were right.

The chicken oil company is the oldest restaurant in College Station-Bryan community which maintains it’s originality by retaining its look the same as it was back then. It’s sister restaurant “Dixie chicken” is is in the Northgate area of College station and they both look amazingly old, junk and haunted!!

 What would be the best thing to eat? For me its the hickory smoked chicken sandwich, my all time favorite buffalo chicken sandwich and  lightly salted homemade fries. Although the place a bit expensive that other common sandwich and burger places, you won’t regret that for the ambiance you get in return. Try going on a football game weekend. We did! and it was FULL of people in maroon and white!! GO GO GO TAMU!! teens, graduates, parents, grandparents, children and almost every other age and category you can find!! As you wait for your order on the table, sipping your drink you can easily keep yourself busy appreciating the unique interior until someone taps on the counter and calls your name LOUD!!Sometimes there is live bluegrass music too!