Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Morimoto Hazelnut Signature Ale (Rogue)

Morimoto Hazelnut Signature Ale (Rogue)

Also known as Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar, this 22-ouncer was split by the wife and myself. Definitely a distinctive taste, sort of like a Newcastle on steroids. Although I will say that it was a little better at Morimoto when paired with two other great beers and some impeccable sushi.

The Rare Night Out: Tamarindos Mexican Restaurant

With a sixteen-month old at home, the wife and I don't really get to go out much. However, the other night was one of our friend's birthday parties so my sister-in-law was gracious enough to do some babysitting (thanks, Elio!). So out we went to Tamarindos Mexican Restaurant in Ambler for a night of drunken fun and frivolity.

Before I touch on the food, let me discuss the atmosphere. It was a good place for our party, in that they had the music pumped up pretty loud. We tend to get somewhat loud, especially at a BYOB. So I would imagine the customers were probably wondering why the music had to be cranked, but it probably saved them from having to hear a lot of voluminous (and sometimes crude - the cruder the better in fact) laughing and joking. If I were to have my druthers, however, I probably would have wanted them to turn it down a little bit. It was impossible to hear a person more than one seat away from you (I had to strain for a discussion with the person right across the table from me) and the waitress was helpless to shout out the specials (she had to do them twice, once at each end of the table).

Top Five Reasons...to Dump Andre Iguodala

1) He Is Holding the Entire Team Back - If I have to suffer through another season of Andre Iguodala bringing the ball up while Jrue Holiday, an emerging star, wonders what the F he is doing on the court, I will impale myself with a samurai sword. Holiday is the point guard and should therefore handle the ball, yet Doug Collins spent the whole season deferring to Iguodala, a guy who distributes the ball well yet has no business running an offense. He also plays the same position as Evan Turner, a guy who I was not a fan of in college and I don't know if he will ever be a star player, but at least he played like he had a sack in the playoffs. Thaddeus Young also gets minutes taken away by Iguodala. I don't know who you want on your team more, but I will take Young, the guy who was all over the court in Game 5 with the season on the line, instead of Iguodala, the guy who choked his way through the majority of the series, averaging about 6 points per game in the first three contests.

2) He Is Not a Leader - Maybe it isn't fair, but when you get paid the most money on the team, you are pretty much contractually bound to be the team leader. Iguodala? He ain't getting it done. If he was, there is no way Dwyane Wade gets away with throwing down a last-second dunk Wednesday night when the game was already decided. A real leader would have been running down the court to check Wade into the third row. Iguodala? He was most like trying to figure out whether he should or shouldn't wear his Urkel glasses during the post-game presser. After the game, the entire team, save a few guys who cherish their dignity (props out, Elton Brand), went over to the Heat slapping hands and hugging over the fact that they had just got unceremoniously dumped from the postseason. Ten seconds after the guy had clowned you with an unnecessary jam! Eh, I guess this will happen when your "best player" carries himself like he doesn't give a shizz!

Chain Reaction: Bertucci's Italian Restaurant

What can I say? I have always liked Bertucci's. I know it isn't authentic Italian, but their Rigatoni Abruzzi is one of my favorite meals. Well, I am glad to say that their pizza is just as good, whether it's made from some Sicilian dude fresh off the boat, a couple hombres hoping to get their green cards, or whatever.

Had it the other day when we went to Elio Totino's for a little Easter dinner. We bought a Roman-style sausage and pepperoni pie for $19, and with a coupon we also bought a large plain pie for $5. So it was $24.91 for enough pizza to feed an army. Not bad when you consider that they also provided us with about eight of their very delicious rolls along with some olive oil and a heaping helping of extra sauce for dipping (no charge for the additional red, a big plus).

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Once spent a whole summer in Margate drinking only Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It was enough to convince one that it's the only beer they offer. However, their Kellerweis and Celebration Ale are both standouts. As for this refreshing pilsner, it was just the ticket on a warm spring day.

The Freezer Case: Wegmans Thin Crust Specialty Plain Pizza

Okay, technically not a freezer case review, but close enough. You can find this "Thin Crust Specialty Plain Pizza" in Wegmans' prepared food section in a refrigerator case.

We were late eating dinner (which makes for a crabby nibble) and trying to get a few groceries when I decided to pick up a pie that I could pop in the oven as soon as we got home. We've had their regular (not labeled as specialty, whatever that means) pepperoni pizza in the past and always been pleased. However, it was a Friday, which means no meat, and you know I like a thin crust, so we decided to give this a try.

Tale of Pie: Marzella's Pizza

It had been a while since the last time I had eaten anything from Marzella’s. From what I remembered as a child the food was good and greasy. That still holds up today, the only thing missing was the big pig holding a pizza outside the restaurant.

We called ahead for pick-up and ordered a small pepperoni pie and a small steak Stromboli with sauce inside. When we went to pick-up the order the place was packed with people waiting to order their food. Although we had already placed our order we had to wait in line while people were deciding what to order, all I’m saying is get another register and help the 70 year-old lady out up front.