Food: 6/10 Presentation: 4/5 Decor: 4/5 Service: 4/5
Total: 18/25: B
After eating at the Cheesecake Factory several times I come to one main conclusion about people. Give them average food but with huge portions at a fair price, and they'll think the place is amazing.
The decor in the new Cherry Hill, NJ location is very nice. Very open and spacious. All the locations I've been in are good. One common theme I've noticed is that they are all very noisy.
The service was prompt and attentive including a large party of 20 we had once. Everything arrived quickly and glasses were continuously refilled. Minor note, refills on sodas are not free. But you do get a giant cup.
The menu is enormous. It has just about anything you would want from sandwiches to pizza to full meals. It covers American food and touches of other ethnic foods. So, anyone can find something to eat.
The quality is completely average. Nothing special or stands out. What does stand out is that the portions are huge. Most meals are enough for two. And the prices are very reasonable. Finally, the cheesecake is pretty excellent. Who else has dozens of varieties of cheesecake?
Given they don't take reservations (except for big parties) and there seems to always be an hour or more wait, why go? I've asked myself that for years. Honestly, there is no reason to wait for this food that is completely comparable to Fridays or Houlihans. I think people have convinced themselves that the Cheesecake Factory is a real restaurant and not another Applebees. Maybe someday people will get it and the wait will go down to something reasonable. So, if you can get in with a minimal wait, then go for it. Otherwise, head somewhere else.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Crowne Plaza Hotel - Silver Springs, MD: B+
I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Silver Springs, MD for a week on business. Overall, it is a good hotel that has only a couple of areas for improvement.
The room size was good. Given this is right next DC, I expected the rooms to be a bit smaller. But they were what I would consider a standard size room. It had plenty of room for a desk, sofa, and chair along with a king bed. The heat/AC worked fine.
The bed was solid with plenty of support. It was a bit too firm. But it was a quality bed. Oddly, it had 4 half size pillows. They worked but I can't figure out why they don't have full size pillows. Included in the room were several items to help you sleep. It came with ear plugs, an eye mask, a lightly scented "linen" spray, and a CD with relaxation techniques and some soft music. A very nice touch.
Always a source of anxiety, the alarm clock was extremely complicated. The manual should have been included in the room. The alarm clock had a touch screen which I've never seen before. It took me 10 minutes to figure out how to turn the radio on instead of the CD player for the alarm.
The TV could use a few more channels and reception on a couple of channels was fuzzy. The hotel also has free wi-fi access throughout (including the restaurant). The desk and chair were comfortable for laptop usage. A few more outlets would have been good.
The bathroom was a normal size and perfectly clean. All the normal personal care items (soap, etc.) were included and were of good quality. The coffee maker in my room didn't work.
The decor in the room was fine. What was odd was the choice of "castle brick" wallpaper in the hallway. It was truly hideous.
The restaurant in the hotel was pretty good. I ate there three times. The crab cakes used jumbo lump meat and had little filler. They were very good. The filet minion was very good and perfectly cooked. The chicken picatta was also very good with a fine caper sauce. One disappointment is the salad. It looks like basic iceberg lettuce salad mix from the super market with a slice of cucumber, some soggy crutons, and some canned sliced olives. Dressing was on the side and home quality. Another problem was the side vegetables. They were cooked well it's just they looked very tired. It was puzzling since by looking at them you'd think they were cooked to death either by boiling or steaming. Instead they were crisp. Odd.
Again, a pretty good hotel with little to detract from it. Perhaps a better choice of wallpaper and a bit more detail in the kitchen could help. But, definitely a good choice for the area.
The room size was good. Given this is right next DC, I expected the rooms to be a bit smaller. But they were what I would consider a standard size room. It had plenty of room for a desk, sofa, and chair along with a king bed. The heat/AC worked fine.
The bed was solid with plenty of support. It was a bit too firm. But it was a quality bed. Oddly, it had 4 half size pillows. They worked but I can't figure out why they don't have full size pillows. Included in the room were several items to help you sleep. It came with ear plugs, an eye mask, a lightly scented "linen" spray, and a CD with relaxation techniques and some soft music. A very nice touch.
Always a source of anxiety, the alarm clock was extremely complicated. The manual should have been included in the room. The alarm clock had a touch screen which I've never seen before. It took me 10 minutes to figure out how to turn the radio on instead of the CD player for the alarm.
The TV could use a few more channels and reception on a couple of channels was fuzzy. The hotel also has free wi-fi access throughout (including the restaurant). The desk and chair were comfortable for laptop usage. A few more outlets would have been good.
The bathroom was a normal size and perfectly clean. All the normal personal care items (soap, etc.) were included and were of good quality. The coffee maker in my room didn't work.
The decor in the room was fine. What was odd was the choice of "castle brick" wallpaper in the hallway. It was truly hideous.
The restaurant in the hotel was pretty good. I ate there three times. The crab cakes used jumbo lump meat and had little filler. They were very good. The filet minion was very good and perfectly cooked. The chicken picatta was also very good with a fine caper sauce. One disappointment is the salad. It looks like basic iceberg lettuce salad mix from the super market with a slice of cucumber, some soggy crutons, and some canned sliced olives. Dressing was on the side and home quality. Another problem was the side vegetables. They were cooked well it's just they looked very tired. It was puzzling since by looking at them you'd think they were cooked to death either by boiling or steaming. Instead they were crisp. Odd.
Again, a pretty good hotel with little to detract from it. Perhaps a better choice of wallpaper and a bit more detail in the kitchen could help. But, definitely a good choice for the area.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
New Golden Dawn Diner: F
Food: 2 Presentation: 1 Decor: 1 Service: 2
Total: 6/25: F
The New Golden Dawn is on Route 38 in Maple Shade, NJ. The Newness is relative. It's been there as long as I can remember, at least 25 years. I've been here a few times over that 25 years and never had been impressed. But sometimes you can't go back to the same diners every couple of weeks so you head back hoping for something different. It wasn't.
The place needs some serious updating. It looks like a very run down place. The service didn't help. It was just a bit too slow that night and not enough attention to detail. I felt as if our server had something better to do.
I ordered fried shrimp for dinner. First came a basket of worn out bread. It just didn't look fresh. Maybe it was. I didn't chance it. Next was a very normal salad. Finally came the fried shrimp. Now, I want some large or jumbo shrimp fried up. That's not what I got. I got around 30 very small and anemic shrimp. I mean, many were less than 1 inch long. They were battered en mass and deep fried together. You couldn't even tell which ends were the tails. And many were stuck together creating two headed or tailed shrimp. What a mess. What chef or owner would think this was good?
Fortunately, my wife got a chicken ceasar salad. The chicken was actually spiced and grilled very well. She enjoyed her meal while I barely stomached mine. A very different set of experiences.
Given my order, I'll never go back. I can only imagine what other horrors lurk on the menu.
Total: 6/25: F
The New Golden Dawn is on Route 38 in Maple Shade, NJ. The Newness is relative. It's been there as long as I can remember, at least 25 years. I've been here a few times over that 25 years and never had been impressed. But sometimes you can't go back to the same diners every couple of weeks so you head back hoping for something different. It wasn't.
The place needs some serious updating. It looks like a very run down place. The service didn't help. It was just a bit too slow that night and not enough attention to detail. I felt as if our server had something better to do.
I ordered fried shrimp for dinner. First came a basket of worn out bread. It just didn't look fresh. Maybe it was. I didn't chance it. Next was a very normal salad. Finally came the fried shrimp. Now, I want some large or jumbo shrimp fried up. That's not what I got. I got around 30 very small and anemic shrimp. I mean, many were less than 1 inch long. They were battered en mass and deep fried together. You couldn't even tell which ends were the tails. And many were stuck together creating two headed or tailed shrimp. What a mess. What chef or owner would think this was good?
Fortunately, my wife got a chicken ceasar salad. The chicken was actually spiced and grilled very well. She enjoyed her meal while I barely stomached mine. A very different set of experiences.
Given my order, I'll never go back. I can only imagine what other horrors lurk on the menu.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Alan Morse - Four O'Clock and Hysteria: A-
Music: 8/10 Production: 5/5
Total: 13/15
Alan Morse is the highly talented guitar player from Spock's Beard. He breaks out with a fantastic solo album. Spock's Beard is a great prog rock band. Unfortunately, Alan and his brother Neal on keyboards and vocals split a few years ago. SB lives on with Alan and isn't quite as good.
For Alan, his solo album is a jazz rock tour de force. He's managed to assemble another fantastic lineup of musicians. Everyone in the band is a virtuoso in their own right. But, the music is led by Alan and some amazing guitar playing. A couple of songs pay homage to old Yes, but mostly it's original and moving.
The production on the album is sparkling and crystal clear. Anyone who wants to learn to record and master should put this on their reference list.
Overall, if you want to hear some great jazz rock, this is a great album to get. Highly recommended.
Total: 13/15
Alan Morse is the highly talented guitar player from Spock's Beard. He breaks out with a fantastic solo album. Spock's Beard is a great prog rock band. Unfortunately, Alan and his brother Neal on keyboards and vocals split a few years ago. SB lives on with Alan and isn't quite as good.For Alan, his solo album is a jazz rock tour de force. He's managed to assemble another fantastic lineup of musicians. Everyone in the band is a virtuoso in their own right. But, the music is led by Alan and some amazing guitar playing. A couple of songs pay homage to old Yes, but mostly it's original and moving.
The production on the album is sparkling and crystal clear. Anyone who wants to learn to record and master should put this on their reference list.
Overall, if you want to hear some great jazz rock, this is a great album to get. Highly recommended.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Octopus Project: B
Music: 8/10 Production: 3/5
Total: 11/15: B
The Octopus Project sounds like an 80s video game. It beeps and buzzes. And it uses that basic synth sound we're used to hearing out of an old TV while playing Atari. Accompanying this is modern guitars, bass, piano, drums, and a drum machine. Except for the last song there are no vocals. It makes for very unique listening. Some songs rock. Others make you want to get up and dance. The whole thing runs out of steam a bit at the end. But with 9 really good songs out of 13, it's a very fun album to listen to. Definitely worth a listen and something you'll dig up every now and then for the sheer fun of it.
Total: 11/15: B
The Octopus Project sounds like an 80s video game. It beeps and buzzes. And it uses that basic synth sound we're used to hearing out of an old TV while playing Atari. Accompanying this is modern guitars, bass, piano, drums, and a drum machine. Except for the last song there are no vocals. It makes for very unique listening. Some songs rock. Others make you want to get up and dance. The whole thing runs out of steam a bit at the end. But with 9 really good songs out of 13, it's a very fun album to listen to. Definitely worth a listen and something you'll dig up every now and then for the sheer fun of it.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga: C
Music: 6/10 Vocals: 3/5 Lyrics: 3/5 Production: 3/5
Total: 15 of 25: C
The release of Spoon's "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" got a lot of indie hype. They were on the cover of many indie and mainstream music mags. Given this I had to see what the buzz was about.
First, this certainly isn't mainstream rock music. It's a medium tempo, laid back rock music. The singer has a catchy voice which is a bit rusty sounding. The music itself ranges from simple guitar to some horns, hand claps, piano and strings. It works but clearly isn't traditional. Listening to it, I try to image even how they went about writing it.
Two songs that clearly stick in my mind are "Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" and "My Little Japanese Cigarette Case". Both are very catchy and have some great little hooks in them.
In the end, the quirkiness is fun but not lasting. It's good for a few spins. But ultimately isn't an album I would want to replay 6 months from now.
Total: 15 of 25: C
The release of Spoon's "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" got a lot of indie hype. They were on the cover of many indie and mainstream music mags. Given this I had to see what the buzz was about.
First, this certainly isn't mainstream rock music. It's a medium tempo, laid back rock music. The singer has a catchy voice which is a bit rusty sounding. The music itself ranges from simple guitar to some horns, hand claps, piano and strings. It works but clearly isn't traditional. Listening to it, I try to image even how they went about writing it.
Two songs that clearly stick in my mind are "Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" and "My Little Japanese Cigarette Case". Both are very catchy and have some great little hooks in them.
In the end, the quirkiness is fun but not lasting. It's good for a few spins. But ultimately isn't an album I would want to replay 6 months from now.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Chris Cornell - Carry On: B+
Music: 6/10 Vocals: 5/5 Lyrics: 4/5 Production: 4/5
Total: 19 of 25: B+
Chris Cornell has the best voice in rock. But, he's getting older (born 1964) as are his fans. Audioslave had minor success. The thought of creating the next Soundgarden is probably impossible at this point. So, Chris is evolving and somewhat mellowing. Are 14 year olds going to be cranking Carry On? No. But I will.
From a musical standpoint, the instruments paint more of a canvas for Chris' voice than stand out on its own. A few exceptions such as "No Such Thing", "Ghosts", and "Your Soul Today" show some good talent by the band. But in the end it's Chris' voice and lyrics that sell this album.
The lyrics are mostly fantastic. A lot of well written material on loves gained and lost, and on lifes trials and successes. I especially love the "Arms Around Your Love" speaking of your ex moving on and feeling the guilt and jealously that it brings. The flip side is covered on "Ghosts" where the ex comes calling but you're not the same person and have moved on.
A few bad songs sprinkle the album. "Poison Eye" kind of rocks but the lyrics and hook just don't sit well. Chris also delves into some bluesy country type songs that are okay. In fact, "Finally Forever" and "Safe and Sound" both kind of sound the same at the start.
Two interesting footnotes for the is album. Chris does a great cover of Micheal Jackson's "Billie Jean" sung with much angst and power. This album also has the James Bond theme song "You Know My Name" which is great for Bond but not so great for music.
Overall, I really like this album and recommend it. It's not going to blow you away. But it's solid and very enjoyable.
Total: 19 of 25: B+
Chris Cornell has the best voice in rock. But, he's getting older (born 1964) as are his fans. Audioslave had minor success. The thought of creating the next Soundgarden is probably impossible at this point. So, Chris is evolving and somewhat mellowing. Are 14 year olds going to be cranking Carry On? No. But I will.
From a musical standpoint, the instruments paint more of a canvas for Chris' voice than stand out on its own. A few exceptions such as "No Such Thing", "Ghosts", and "Your Soul Today" show some good talent by the band. But in the end it's Chris' voice and lyrics that sell this album.
The lyrics are mostly fantastic. A lot of well written material on loves gained and lost, and on lifes trials and successes. I especially love the "Arms Around Your Love" speaking of your ex moving on and feeling the guilt and jealously that it brings. The flip side is covered on "Ghosts" where the ex comes calling but you're not the same person and have moved on.
A few bad songs sprinkle the album. "Poison Eye" kind of rocks but the lyrics and hook just don't sit well. Chris also delves into some bluesy country type songs that are okay. In fact, "Finally Forever" and "Safe and Sound" both kind of sound the same at the start.
Two interesting footnotes for the is album. Chris does a great cover of Micheal Jackson's "Billie Jean" sung with much angst and power. This album also has the James Bond theme song "You Know My Name" which is great for Bond but not so great for music.
Overall, I really like this album and recommend it. It's not going to blow you away. But it's solid and very enjoyable.
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