Anthony's HomePort Olympia - Olympia, WA

Anthony’s HomePort Olympia
704 Columbia Street Northwest

Olympia, Washington 98501

On a recent trip to the Pacific Northwest, we had the distinct pleasure of eating at Anthony’s on Bud Bay in Olympia, Washington.  There are three locations and this one sits on Bud Bay overlooking the port.  The restaurant is gorgeous – all fish themes from the fish patterned carpet to the booth leather and there are ceiling to floor windows so you can watch the boats in the port as you eat.  The day we went was the only day that didn’t rain on this trip.  It was gorgeous and sunny and sitting in our booth watching the boats, bathed in sunshine, we were warm for the first time in days!  The kitchen is in the center of the restaurant and has open walls so you can watch the chefs at work and see the many dishes they prepare.  The wait staff was friendly and quick, the tables had white tablecloths and napkins and our glasses were kept brimming throughout our meal.

They were having their oyster festival and after reading through the many delicious options, including an impressive gluten free list, we ordered oyster burgers and the fried oyster platter.   The food came quickly and we enjoyed everything.

The oyster burgers were composed of fried oysters on a whole grain bun with a garlic aioli sauce, lettuce, and tomato.  It was served with long, crisp, hot fries, and a pickle.  The oysters were perfectly fried and absolutely delicious.  The sandwich itself seemed to melt in your mouth and we enjoyed every incredible bite.  The oyster platter came loaded with lightly fried oysters, fries and salad.  The oysters were delectable and the only regret we had was that we were too full to order another plate of them!

For dessert, we tried the Sour Cherry Buckle and the homemade chocolate chip and sour cherry ice cream.   The buckle came hot with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream on top.  Already full from the oyster feast we determined to only have a taste, but after one taste it was impossible not to eat the whole dish!  The cherries were incredibly flavorful, sour and tangy, the cake was light and delectable and the ice cream completed the whole thing perfectly.  The sweet cold vanilla against the warm sour cherries – heaven!  The chocolate chip and sour cherry ice cream was unlike any ice cream we’ve ever tasted.  The complexity of flavors was amazing.  It was tart and sweet and the chocolate was dark and slightly bitter making the whole experience extraordinary.  We ate all of that too, and frankly if nobody had been around, I think we might have licked the bowl!  Heaven!

So this is a keeper.  If you can find your way to one of the three locations of Anthony’s in the Olympia, Washington area, don’t miss it!  Check out their menu online and prepare for a great experience!

Sweet Inspirations - Chehalis, WA

Sweet Inspirations
514 North Market Boulevard
 Chehalis, WA 98532


On a recent trip to the great Pacific Northwest to visit family, we ate at Sweet Inspirations in Chehalis, WA.   Chehalis is a small town and Sweet Inspirations is located in the downtown area.  It was raining the day we went – but it rained every day we were there so we were cold and ready for a welcoming lunch.  The restaurant is inviting and has a country décor complete with a small gift shop and appealing signs posted all over the walls. 

We ordered the Veggie Supreme sandwich, the Reuben, Fried Clams, and the Shrimp Salad.

The Veggie Supreme sandwich looked luscious served on whole grain toast and full of cucumbers, sprouts, tomato, avocado, cheddar and Monterey jack cheese, and was accompanied by the house made potato chips.  The menu said the sandwich came with their “signature Greek dressing” and unfortunately it was so drenched in it that I couldn’t pick it up and had to send it back.  Everyone was very nice about it but it was disappointing to have to wait for another sandwich while everyone else enjoyed their lunch.  When I got the new plate – sans the dressing – the sandwich was delicious.  The vegetables were crisp and fresh and the bread was delightfully grainy.   The chips were large and crunchy and wonderful dipped in ketchup. 


The clam plate was disappointing.  The clams were in the fryer too long and were tough and rubbery.  They were served with tartar sauce instead of cocktail sauce which seemed odd, but if the clams had been good we could have overlooked that.  The fries were limp, soggy, and unappetizing.  They were made from fresh potatoes and evidently the idea of twice frying to get a crisp product has not made its way to Chehalis yet.  We wouldn’t order this again.


The Reuben was delicious.  The bread was toasty warm and crisp, the cheese gooey and the pastrami was savory and delicious.  It was served with a house salad that was fresh and crisp with homemade honey mustard dressing that was better than average.


The shrimp salad was fresh with mounds of small shrimp.  Every bite had shrimp in it which we loved and the homemade ranch dressing was delicious.  The salad was large and certainly enough for a meal. 


Sweet Inspirations boasts a bakery on site and the display had large cinnamon rolls, brownies, several types of pie and an interesting looking bar call a Nymo bar.  We ordered a cinnamon roll and asked to have it heated and a Nymo bar.  The cinnamon roll was good, warm, and gooey and the icing was sweet, but not cloying.  The Nymo bar was a disappointment.  It had a chocolate coconut base, and a white middle layer that the waitress said was Bavarian cream, but which turned out to be extra sweet buttercream.  The whole thing was topped with a hard layer of chocolate so when you tried to bite or cut the bar the top slid off.  It was too sweet and after one tiny taste we had had enough.

The restaurant was charming with its old brick walls and quaint country décor but it was cold inside, which was uncomfortable.  Overall the vegetable dishes were delicious, the salad and vegetarian sandwich were very fresh and wonderful.  But the clam plate overall was awful and the cookie bar not enjoyable.  Would we go back?  Well, it’s Chehalis, Washington, and frankly there aren’t many options so probably yes.

Pinocchio in the Desert - Palm Springs, CA

Pinocchio in the Desert

134 East Tahquitz Canyon Way  

Palm Springs, CA 92262

A casual, seat yourself eatery, Pinocchio in the Desert offers a delightful street side covered patio in addition to a seating area inside.  It offers breakfast, lunch, and all day happy hour that is sure to please.  The indoor portion of the restaurant offers the same street views and airy feel with more climate control which would be great for the hot summer lunch hours, but we visited Pinocchio in the Desert when it was warm and comfortable so we chose to eat outside.  Looking around the patio we noticed overhead heaters for cold desert nights and fun straw umbrellas for hot desert days.  Regardless of the season, the patio customers will always be comfortable and we liked that consideration a lot.

The atmosphere is playful and the décor is minimal with the occasional vintage tin movie poster on the walls. Merchandising is offered from the expected t-shirts and glassware to the not so expected sunglasses and Pinocchio noses.  A ceramic statue of Marilyn Monroe greets customers on the sidewalk and is frequently featured in touristy pictures.  She is a well-known icon of this part of downtown. 

We were greeted with prompt service from the casual wait staff.   Our drink order was taken quickly and we looked at the menu trying to decide what to order.  We loved the large goblets our drinks came in, but were disappointed that the water ordered without lemon came with it and the soft drink that should have been Dr. Pepper was actually Diet Coke.  This was quickly changed, but kind of set the tone for what we were going to experience.  

Fun goblets for soft drinks and colorful straws
contribute to the atmosphere of Pinocchio.

We decided on the California Omelet which has artichoke, avocado, tomato, and is covered with Swiss cheese and served with home style potatoes and sourdough toast.  Much like with the drinks, we found that our omelet wasn’t exactly as ordered.  The tomatoes were supposed to come on the side, but were forgotten although a few made it into random bites.  Our server offered to remake it, but it was easy enough to eat around them.

California omelet

We also ordered the short stack of pancakes which came with two eggs and three slices of bacon.  This was pretty basic and we felt it was an ordinary breakfast offering we could have gotten anywhere.  The eggs were cooked as ordered and the bacon was crisp and hot.  The pancakes were good, albeit a little generic.

Short stack, eggs, and bacon

After we paid our check, we lingered on the patio enjoying the weather and the passersby.  It was such a nice place to brunch in spite of the service snafus and it completely captured the essence of our vacation – relaxation, warm weather, and good food!

Trio - Palm Springs, CA

Trio
707 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92262

Trio is a Palm Springs gem located in the swanky Uptown district.  A good friend heard rave reviews about Trio and we decided to eat there our last night in town. It was the perfect ending to a great vacation! The restaurant is medium sized with a mix of indoor and outdoor patio seating.  The décor is contemporary and colorful.  The outside patio offers a nice mix of contemporary plastic tables and chairs with fine linen and silverware.  

The menu has many great offerings with some American classics like pot roast to unexpected combinations like crawfish pot pie.  When we arrived, our beverage order was promptly taken and we were given warm bread with butter while we perused the menu.  We ordered the Yankee Pot Roast, Australian Sole, Roasted Half Chicken, and the special of the day – Swordfish.  These were all recommended to us by our sweet and very helpful server, Joy.  She also brought us two of the house cocktails.  Amie’s Black Widow which consists of Grey Goose, vanilla vodka, lemon juice, agave, and Chambord – we lucked out and had the drink actually made by Amie!  It tasted like a lemon drop with an extra punch.  We also tried the Scottylicious, a fun drink created by a former bartender at Trio consisting of Pearl Cucumber Vodka, Cream De Noyaux, agave, a splash of lime, pineapple juice, and cucumber.  It tasted kind of like watermelon and was a beautiful pink color. It was so good we didn’t even get a picture before it was all gone!

Our food came very quickly and we wasted no time digging in.  The Yankee Pot Roast was served with two carrot spears and a few pearl onions over a bed of sour cream mashed potatoes.  The pot roast was tender and had a rich flavor. The mashed potatoes were made from red potatoes and the skins were left on adding a nice complement to the smooth, creamy texture. 

The Australian Sole is oven roasted with parsley, capers, lemon zest, bread crumbs and butter, then served over a bed of Israeli Couscous.  The buttery bread crumbs gave the sole a wonderful crunch.  The couscous had a great flavor and paired well with the fish.

Marinated in garlic, lemon, and olive oil, the Roasted Half Chicken was everything we hoped it would be and more. Large enough to share, the chicken was served with sour cream mashed potatoes and green beans.  The green beans were kind of bland, but we found they were a great way to cleanse the palate between bites of chicken and mashed potatoes.  Half of this great meal was boxed and taken home to be consumed as a midnight snack.

The Swordfish special plate was everything a special should be – delicious and well presented.  Served on a bed of rice and with asparagus, the swordfish was a huge cut of thick, moist, flavorful heaven.  The Yankee Pot Roast was delicious, but I really wish I had ordered the Swordfish – it was that good!

For dessert we ordered from the verbally presented dessert menu.  Pistachio gelato and a crème brulee type custard were ordered, consumed, and enjoyed.  The pistachios in the gelato were kind of gummy so we didn’t eat them, but the gelato itself had a rich flavor that was not too sweet, but most enjoyable.  The custard had a nice body and was topped with a dollop of whipped cream. 

Trio has become a must hit for us when visiting the Palm Springs area.  No detail was missed and we not only enjoyed the food, but also the atmosphere.  Unlike so many other Palm Springs eateries in that area, Trio hits the mark with the upscale service without the pretentious atmosphere.

Thai Tip

Thai Tip

1512 Wyoming Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM 87112

Thai Tip is located in a non-descript strip mall that frankly we’ve driven by many times and never noticed.  We got the referral from the many incredible reviews we’d seen about the place and decided to try it.  The restaurant is small – only 11 tables, and the décor is pretty typical of an Asian restaurant.  Plastic placemats featuring food dishes, photographs of food plates on the walls and charming flowers made of folded ribbons on the tables.  There were the requisite golden dragons but other than that, it was pretty basic.  It was very clean though and we were happy to see that.

The menu is large and varied with several different kinds of noodle dishes, curries, vegetarian offerings – a wide variety of plates to try.  The servers were prompt and attentive and very clear in telling us that “Thai hot” is not “New Mexico hot” and that their dishes tend toward the fiery side.  For that reason, you have the option to choose how hot you want the food.  We thought we wanted medium heat because we are seasoned hot chili eaters, but the waiter cautioned us and advised us to go with the “mild to medium” choice.  We did and were glad we didn’t go any higher.  The food was spicy hot, but not searing and we loved it.

Here’s what we ordered:  We tried two appetizers, the Fishcakes and the Fresh Spring Rolls. 

The Fishcakes came four on a plate with a spicy/sweet dipping sauce adorned with cucumber slices and sesame seeds.  The cakes were fried and had a nice chewy texture and the flavor was mild and delicious.  The sauce made the perfect compliment.  They were very good. 



Fishcakes



The Fresh Spring Rolls were the largest ones we have ever seen!  Big fat rice paper covered bundles of napa cabbage, cucumbers, carrots, and shrimp.  The dipping sauce was the same spicy/sweet sauce that came with the fish cakes.  We devoured them and they were fresh, crisp, and delicious.

Fresh Spring Rolls

For our main entrees we ordered Eggplant Curry and Pad Thai.  I know, I know, Pad Thai is the quintessential Thai dish that is so overdone, but it looked wonderful with shrimp and we just had to try it.  Anyway, the entrees were served in charming blue and white china bowls, the Pad Thai dish shaped like a fish.  The rice for the Curry was delightfully shaped into a heart on the plate and we were impressed.  I mean, taking that extra moment to do that – terrific.

Shrimp Pad Thai

The Pad Thai was slightly sweet, spicy, and very flavorful.  The noodles were cooked perfectly – not overdone and pasty, but more al dente.  There were 8 large shrimp and we would have been happier if the tails had been removed, but they were still delicious.  The Curry was spicy and warm and the eggplant perfectly seasoned.  We loved both dishes and would happily order them again.  In fact, we took the leftovers home and enjoyed them the next day with the same gusto. 

Eggplant Curry

For dessert, we chose the “To Die For” sweet coconut rice and mango which is advertised on the tables.  And we chose the sweet coconut ice cream with banana wontons over sweet rice.  Both dishes were incredible.  The banana wontons were so gooey on the inside they were like melted bananas.  They and the sweet sticky rice were served warm, dripping with coconut sauce with scoop of housemade coconut ice cream on top – heavenly.  The mango and rice dish featured warm sweet sticky rice covered with the same coconut sauce and half a mango sliced on top.  The sweet cool mango in combination with the warm gooey rice was delicious.  We were stuffed from our meal, but found it impossible to stop eating the dessert.  We didn’t want to miss a single bite.

Sweet Rice with Mango (left) and Sweet Coconut Ice Cream with Banana Wontons

Overall, Thai Tip impressed us immensely.  A tiny gem of a find in a non-descript location.  Look for it, go in, sit down, and prepare for a wonderful experience!

La Salita

La Salita Restaurant

1217 Eubank Blvd NE

Albuququerque, NM 87112

La Salita is located in a strip mall in northeast Albuquerque.  Parking was crowded but not impossible.  The entry way into the restaurant has a very small area for patrons to wait for tables.  There are a couple small benches but you’ll probably have to stand.  We waited for about 15 minutes at 6:00 p.m. on a Friday night.  Décor is traditional New Mexico with a very western feel, artificial flowers, a view of soda machines and racks of Styrofoam cups in the back of the dining area and a big sign advertising their salsa.  While we looked through the menu we were served a very small bowl of chips and a dish of salsa.  The salsa was delicious, thick and spicy, but not hot and the chips were average.  This is a very casual restaurant and wait staff was dressed in jeans and tennis shoes.  We asked our waitress what the specialty of the house was and were directed us to their chile rellenos.  She explained that they were all hand dipped and they had several varieties.  We ordered:

Regular Chile Relleno with beans and papas – The plate presented with the rellenos deep fried and beautiful.  However, there was a lot of crunchy breading and the flavor of the chile was lost, and it wasn’t hot either in flavor or temperature.  The menu said the dish would come with “hot sour cream” but it was the regular refrigerated variety.  The papas were also deep fried and somewhat greasy.  The cheese was not gooey but came rather rubbery and congealed, which was unappealing.  Rating – Good but not great.   Reminded us of fair food.

Chile Rellenos

Blue Corn Enchiladas with beans and rice – The enchiladas were good but made with ground beef rather than shredded so a little disappointing.  The flavor of the chile was good, thick, and chunky.  It looked just like the salsa that came with the chips earlier, and we deduced they were the same thing.  The refried beans were delicious and the rice was unremarkable.  Rating – Good but not great.



Blue Corn Enchiladas



Other comments – Our dishes were served one at a time with a couple minutes between, which seems to be the trend there.  Every table was served one plate at a time with trips back to the kitchen between.  Also, one large party behind us had 10 people and some people were half way through their meal when the last person was served.  Someone was vacuuming the rug beside our table as we ate – very annoying.  We were given the option of getting our sopapillas at the beginning or end of the meal.  We opted for the end and finally got them with the check.  They were good and hot and worth the wait.





Five Star Burgers

Five Star Burgers

5901 Wyoming Blvd., NE

Albuquerque, NM  87111

Five Star Burgers is located in a strip mall in northeast Albuquerque.  It’s a small restaurant but there is room to wait in the entrance.  We waited for about 10 minutes during the lunch rush on a Saturday.  The atmosphere is contemporary and streamlined, full bar with sports TV and bar stools.  The tables are close together, but weren’t annoyingly close.  We ordered:

Green Chile Cheeseburgers with Fries – Despite the crowd, our burgers arrived quickly and hot.  They were large and dripping with cheese.  The fries were served in charming small fry baskets lined with parchment paper and came with sides of ketchup and green chile mayo for dipping.  We’ve had burgers in a lot of places but none like these!  The beef was delicious, perfectly cooked, hot, and steaming and we devoured them.  There was no talking at our table!  The fries were crisp, long, and thin.  The chile mayo was delightful for dipping but the fries were scrumptious without any embellishment.  Overall the food was fabulous!  Rating – Terrific!