Panera Bread for Paninis

Panera Bread, well-known for providing freshly baked artisan breads and delicious food made from the highest quality ingredients has GREAT Paninis.

Prices and availability vary for different locations, for instance the prices in the malls and airports seem to be too expensive, but good deals (~$8US) can be found at various locations with great quality and service. They call you by your name. No place in Jamaica compares as yet since they fail to get the bread right, which is key.

Café Fusion on Ruthven Road

Two friends, Cameca Samuels and Leisha Patrick fused their dreams into a Café. They were a nominee for Jamaica Observer’s Mogul in the Making last year. Though not educated in the Culinary Arts, Leisha is the Chef with skills acquired from working at restaurants in the United States. Initially, Cameca, an Interior Decorator managed the marketing and maintenance of the business and ofcourse kept it looking cosy for customers.

Café Fusion has been open for a little bit over a year now on 12 Ruthven Road. It seems Cameca has become extremely busy with Interior Decorating, so Leisha is now managing the business for the most part. A bit evident in terms of the wall decor looking a bit lacklustre. But not to worry, a piece or two from GW Art will be there soon.

I visited last Saturday for a Sub Sandwich. Leisha seemed to be the only person working but she greeted me upon entry, seemed calm and was quite pleasant. There was a slow flow of customers, which she seemed to be handling well. I was made aware she has an assistant, so perhaps she was on a break.

The Café felt comfortable while I waited on my Turkey Sub, but I didn’t have time to eat there so ordered my Sub Sandwich to-go. I got it quickly. It did not look appealing and the Sub bread was flat, but it was tasty and quite filling.

The cost was $650JMD, less than most places for that size. So since the Sub was tasty and I was full afterwards, accompanied by great customer service, looks didn’t matter. I was quite satisfied and would return.

Fresh Eats from Y.not.pita and Subway

Y.not.pita in Courtyard 71 on Lady Musgrave Road and Subway in Liguanea, continue to be two of the few places that prepare food right in front of your eyes. The service is good at both establishments. There is a wide variety of toppings for sandwiches at Subway and wraps at Y.not.pita. However they both lack a variety of cheese. Subway only had the White American cheese two weeks ago and the Cheddar cheese was finished at Y.not.pita 3 weeks ago. I expected better from Subway, being an American franchise that usually offers four types of cheese. Despite that issue, the wraps and sandwiches were tasty, fresh and filling from both. The Italian herb cheese bread from Subway was awesome!

They also offer Pizza and Salads, various combos with drinks and Soup (Y.not.pita) or Chips (Subway). So persons can get a decent meal or combo for $1200JMD or less. Subway also gives customers punch cards, so after a few meals you can get one free. Keep it fresh!

Napa Chicken and Portobellos from Applebee’s ATL

For just $11.49US, I enjoyed a Grilled Chicken breast topped with Portobello mushrooms and onions smothered in a rich red wine sauce and parmesan cheese.

This was served over sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, red onions and crispy red potatoes.

The dish was so savoury and imagine I had it for take-out!

A full belly for just 490 calories. Thank you Applebee’s!

20141222_170527-1

Shake Shack on Peachtree Rd. in Atlanta Serving Kid’s Size Burgers

20141222_170527-1 I heard that Shake Stack was a hot spot in New York and decided to go to the franchise in Atlanta. I was extremely disappointed. Firstly, it was in a highly upscale plaza, but when you enter persons are practically sitting on top of each other. They definitely needed a bigger spot. Also, combos are not available. Everything has to be ordered separately, hence hiking the price. Perhaps their burgers are considered gourmet, since one of the least expensive burgers that I ordered, the Shack Burger costed $4.99US that was a regular cheese burger. Friesn costing $2.90 US and my Strawberry shake ($5.15US) was additional. So I exprected a decent size burger with the name, ‘Shack Burger’. When it arrived, it looked like a slider! The Shack Stack Burger (Veggie burger with Portobello Mushrooms) for $9.15US that my friend ordered was practically the same size, with the patty being slightly bigger. Perhaps they were putting all their customers on a diet to fit into their small seating space. Thankfully, the burgers at least tasted good. Drinking a milk shake with their burgers is highly recommended to help fill the void.

Rich, creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Applebee’s! Learn how to make your own here

 

The Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Applebee’s was on point! A warm crock of creamy spinach, tender artichokes, and melted cheeses, served with freshly made Spicy Chipotle Lime Salsa and tortilla chips. Try to make your own as an appetizer for your guests on Christmas Day while they wait for the big dinner.

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

(original url: http://www.allthecooks.com/hot-spinach-artichoke-dip.html)

—————————-

INGREDIENTS

8 oz – pkg cream cheese

1/4 cup – mayo

1/4 cup – parmesan cheese

3 clove – garlic

1/2 teaspoon – dried basil

1/4 teaspoon – onion powder

1/4 cup – romano cheese

14 oz – can artichoke hearts

1/2 cup – frozen chopped drained spinach

1/4 cup – mozzarella cheese

1 salt

1 pepper

—————————-

DIRECTIONS

1. Pre-heat oven to 350*

2. Grease small baking dish

3. Drain and chop Artichoke

4. Drain and squeeze out water from spinach

5. In bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayo, parmesan and Roman cheeses, garlic, basil, salt and pepper

6. Add in Artichoke and spinach

7. Transfer to baking dish and top with mozzarella

8. Bake for 45 min till it’s golden and bubbles

Recipe found with Cookpad (http://cookpad.com/en)

IHOP’s Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Pancakes for Christmas!

IHOP is still holding strong for breakfast! A friend ordered fish and chips and the fish seemed to be frozen and heated up so the inside was not heated through, but who goes to IHOP and orders fish and chips?! Serve her right.

I ordered the Split Decision Breakfast with eggs, 2 bacon strips, French toast, switched the sausage for ham and the regular pancakes for the Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Oh my, presentation was lovely and it tasted divine! I made sure to eat it as it was served so all that raspberry goodness didn’t have time to make the pancakes soggy and I could enjoy those white chocolate chips inside. That Christmas special is a winner!

Service was awesome too!

Ruby Tuesday in ATL just Average

On Saturday, I just needed a quick, late afternoon lunch. Decided to dine at Ruby Tuesday, since it was at a location close to some stores I needed to go to. I was greeted pleasantly and seated quickly but had to wait too long for a waitress to take my order. I requested same and one came shortly after with a smile and apologies.

I ordered the New Orleans Seafood (Spicy broiled Tilapia topped with sauteed Shrimp and rich Parmesan cream sauce served with a choice of two sides) for $14.99US +tx. I have to mention the bread biscuits that followed. Soft and flavourful. Best I’ve tasted. I would take those over garlic bread any day. The food came in a reasonable amount of time and was hot! Loved that. The dish looked nothing like the picture on the menu though. The presentation was not appealing and the portion size of the Tilapia that was not even near spicy, could be slightly bigger. The fish and shrimp were overcooked and the sauce was nothing to write dear Ja about, but it could be eaten and satisfied my hunger.

The atmosphere was decent with a little sports bar and there was a fresh garden bar that looked interesting and more appetizing.

Average food chain restaurant. Not likely to return.

Location: 3010 Panola Road, Lithonia, GA 30038

Telephone number: (678) 418-0847

Date and time of visit: 19/12/14; 3:50pm