The Christmas Crustacean

Frasier: Oh, joy, Christmas Eve. By this time tomorrow, millions of Americans, knee-deep in tinsel and wrapping paper will utter those heartfelt words, 'Is this all I got?'
--"Frasier" (NBC)

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Radio City Music Hall flanked by very large Xmas ornaments, taken 2 weeks ago...
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Booth: Bones, it’s after midnight. Hm? Christmas Eve Day. Both an eve and a day, it’s a Christmas miracle.
Brennan: Still enjoying your medication, I see.
--"Bones" (FOX)

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The most common comment I get from folks who find out that I have a Christmas Birthday is always "Wow, that kinda sucks.. you must get screwed in the presents category only getting one gift huh?"

I always agree with them and bring up the "pair gifts" dilemma... socks, salt & pepper shakers, anything that comes in a set that can be split as One Birthday Gift and One Christmas Gift.   But truth be told, that really hasn't been my experience... my mother was always great about making sure I had birthday presents to open later in the afternoon (a tradition I enforce to this day.. I have 3 TVGal gifts sitting by our television unopened as I type this).  Really, the only sucky thing about the day is that I'm a bit overshadowed by that guy who died for our sins and all... I would pay a large sum of cash to legally have my birthday changed to sometime in June or July.... but it could be worse... let's face it, Feb. 29th (leap year) is obviously the single worst day to have a birthday on... once every four years? Yikes.... no thank you....

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Mary Alice: There's a reason people can't wait for Christmas, and it has little to do with family reunions or curling up with a cup of eggnog or that unexpected kiss beneath the mistletoe or receiving a present from that special someone. No, people look forward to Christmas because they know it's a time for miracles...
--"Desperate Housewives" (ABC)

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I would think July 4th would be a fun holiday to claim as a birthday... you'd always be invited to a BBQ, and who doesn't love fireworks at the end of a birthday every year?  New Year's Eve would be pretty okay in my book too... you'd always be invited to a party for sure (one of the other crummy things about the Xmas birthday..  very few restaurants and bars have been open over the years for anyone to buy me a drink or share a celebratory dinner... although there are a few open tonight that we'll hit after an early evening bowling match with friends).

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Prime Minister: Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around...

--"Love, Actually" (2003)

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As I begin my 49th trip around Sol, there isn't much bad about being born on Dec. 25th.. off the top of my head I can only think of a few things...

1. The TV Network Bravo is airing "Kathy Griffin: Tired Hooker" this morning at 10am.  On behalf of all of here at the TVGuy Mansion, a simple holiday message to Ms. Griffin and anyone working in the Bravo Programming Department....

Burn In Hell For All Eternity...

Thanks and happy holidays. Where were we? Oh yes, the list...

2.  Actually, that's about it.

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Anya: Oh, who ordered more chicken's feet? The ones we have aren't moving at all.
Xander: That's generally what happens when you cut them off the chicken.
Anya: Maybe we could do a holiday promotion -- one free with every purchase.
Giles: Oh, yes... dear holiday memories. Merry tykes by the fire enjoying their new Christmas... chicken feet.
--"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (WB)

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On the plus side last night on Gregmas Eve we had our traditional Stuffed Lobster Tails and viewing of "Love, Actually".  Since I don't have a picture of Hugh Grant handy, how about one of our Featured Crustacean Dish??

It was our fourth year of having the tails... I asked TVGal if she wanted something different and I couldn't finish the sentence without her shouting "Nooooo"... so the tradition continues for the foreseeable future... they are really fun to make and she proclaimed them a 10 out of 10... the recipe ensues...

Stuffed Lobster Tails

(courtesy Cooking Light)

Ingredients

• 6 frozen lobster tails, cooked, reserving just 4 of the empty tails to stuff.
• 2 cups crushed reduced-fat round buttery crackers (such as Ritz)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons fresh Parmesan cheese 
• 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted 
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
• 4 lemon wedges 

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Remove the meat from the cooked lobster tail and claws; chop meat. Set lobster tail shells aside. Combine the lobster, crackers, and the next 5 ingredients (crackers through Worcestershire sauce) in a large bowl. Divide the lobster mixture evenly among tail shells. Broil the stuffed lobster tails 8 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges. 

We also had a stuffed scallop, andouille sausage slices, buttery noodles and corn to complete the meal... but seriously, that lobster... really great.  And before you complain about the price of lobster tails, Kroger / King Soopers have them right now (and every December) for 2/$5.00.  No excuses...

With Hash Brown Casserole cooking in the oven and a Christmas Brunch just an hour away, I bid you all adieu, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a joyous Gregmas... 

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Brennan: Booth, who is a very honest person, says that at this time of year deception is necessary for the happiness of little children.
Booth: I'm being misquoted.
Sweets: Booth is absolutely right.
Booth: She got the jist.
Sweets: There is a fictional element to Christmas.
Brennan: You mean the whole birth of a savior rigamarole?
Booth: It is not rigamarole!
Sweets: No Dr. Brennan it's the feeling of Christmas. What people call the Christmas spirit. It's a kind of dream or hope we carry with us from childhood. But as adults...
Booth: Are you including you in that?
Sweets: As adults we're imbued by the pragmatic routines of daily life which make it difficult for us to regard anything with childlike wonder. But you know it's alright for us to try. We put on silly hats, drape trees in sparkly lights and wrap gifts in garish paper and that's good for us. It's not only alright to allow children the transient experience of innocence and joy, it's our responsibility.
--"Bones" (FOX)

Suited to a tea, part two...

Summer thistle shot during a hot air balloon chase downtime in Boulder...

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It's wintertime, and a middle-aged man's thoughts turn to Peppermint Hot Chocolate.  At least mine do.  TVGal and I are generally a cup of coffee in the morning folks, but December is a perfect time to mix it up... We have a ton of tea at the house, but haven't dipped into that beverage pool in some time....

My previous experience with the tea industry, documented here, kept me away from the leafy beverage for months....

But TVGal received some tea as a gift from coworkers so we'll be having a tasting next week to complete my Tea Trilogy.. but to have a Trilogy, you need a part two... and the tea boxes in our work lunchroom have been bugging me for awhile...

I know what you're thinking... TVGuy, there is no way you can complain about boxes of tea.  It's not possible... Is there nothing so trivial you won't whine about?

No. There isn't.

Let me explain...

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Look, I realize marketing folks have it tough these days, what with millions of customers from all walks of life sampling their products.. but the tea gurus at Bigelow aren't really even trying most of the time.. and yes, I have examples....

Let's start with a simple one...

___

The Tea: Peppermint Herb Tea

The Description on the Box: Refreshing Peppermint

TVGuy: I think I'll decide whether its refreshing or not, but I can live with it... but this is about as good as it gets.. it's all downhill from here.. for example...

___

The Tea: Orange Spice

The Description on the Box: A zesty blend of orange & spice.

TVGuy: I'm not sure here, but I believe that the two ingredients here are "orange" and "spice".

Look, when you are buying Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream you know it has mint and chocolate chips.. it's not on the carton top saying "A blend of chocolate chips and mint". McDonald's Cheeseburgers aren't a "blend of cheese and meat".  We all get it.  We've been to grade school... Is there anyone who reads "Orange Spice" and has any questions about what we're dealing with here?  I'm quite certain they won't possibly repeat their mistake though.. let's move on....

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The Tea: Cranberry Apple

The Description on the Box: Blend of cranberries and sweet apples.

TVGuy: Okay, we get it. It's cranberries and apples.... what else could it be????????  I'm not making this up, this is what's on the box... 

Just give us some credit here... if it's "Cranberry Apple" tea, everyone can figure out that the ingredients are "cranberries" and "apples".... seriously, enough with this... moving on...

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The Tea: Cinnamon Apple

The Description on the Box: Blend of apples and cinnamon.

TVGuy: Look, if you can't think of anything to put on the box text-wise how about more pictures of apples? Or cinnamon?  But if the person drinking your product doesn't know that Cinnamon Apple Tea contains "cinnamon" and "apples", maybe they shouldn't be handling hot liquids at all, right?  I mean, you aren't even trying at this point... that's beyond lazy.  Why not just call your beverage "Liquid With Stuff In It"??

I'm just glad we're done with this.. next!

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The Tea: Fruit & Almond

The Description on the Box: Blend of fruit and almond.

TVGuy:  AAAIIEEEEE!!!!!!!

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The Tea: Cozy Chamomile

The Description On The Box: Calming chamomile for quiet moments...

TVGuy: Actually, wouldn't it be for anxious moments?  If I'm already calm, I don't need chamomile for a "quiet moment".  You need it to make you less anxious... I know I'm right here...

Let's move on to the website descriptions, where we delve in depth into the exciting world of tea branding....

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The Tea: Ginger Snappish

The Description on the Box: Snappy Ginger Herb Tea with Lemon.

Website Main Description 1: A snappy ginger herbal tea with lemon.

TVGuy: So apparently it's a ginger tea with lemon... huh.  Who saw that one coming? Hard to figure with all these baffling tea terms like "ginger" and "lemon".... let's see if they delve deeper into these flavors...

Website Main Description 2:   This delicious caffeine-free herbal tea is a blend of ginger with a hint of lemon.

TVGuy: WE KNOW. IT TASTES LIKE GINGER AND LEMON.  FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY, PLEASE STOP !!

Ahem... please excuse me, where were we....

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The Tea: Pomegranate Pizzazz

Website Main Description 1: Refreshing sweet & tart taste of pomegranate.

TVGuy: Huh. That's not bad. Maybe they've got the kinks worked out....

Website Main Description 2: At last, the power of pomegranate in a tea bag... impossible, but true!

TVGuy: Then again...

Website Main Description 3:  Leave it to Bigelow to blend 100% natural herbal tea with real fruit juice for a whole new concept in fresh brewed tea!

TVGuy: How is this even one iota different than Apple Tea, Lemon Tea, Blueberry Tea, Peach Tea, Unicorn Tea, Strawberry Tea, etc etc blah blah blah.... you take fruit and blend it with the damn tea... you aren't splitting any atoms here folks....

Website Main Description 4: Specially created for today's healthy lifestyles, this delicious tea is scrumptious either hot or iced and is great for the whole family... perfect for the kids....

TVGuy: Memo to Bigelow... if it's good for the whole family, that's all you need to say.  That includes the kids.  "Whole" = All the members of the family.  Okay?

Drives me nuts... and yes, I made up the "Unicorn Tea" two sentences ago.. just wanted to see if you were paying attention....

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The Tea: Chamomile Mint

The Description on the Box: Comforting chamomile & "mmm"-mint.

Website Main Description: Soothing chamomile with a taste of mint.

TVGuy: And we're back to the creativity of a rock again... Chamomile. Check. Mint. Check. Got it.

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The Tea: Pumpkin Spice

The Description On The Box: Autumn spiced tea.

TVGuy: Do seasons have flavors?

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The Tea: Eggnogg'n (here we go...)

The Description on the Box: An "eggceptional" winter tea.  (Kill me...)

Website Main Description: An "Eggceptional" Tea.

TVGuy: I'm imagining the focus groups are pretty much made up of preschoolers over at Bigelow...

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The Tea: Earl Grey

The Description on the Box: Tea perfectly flavored with natural bergamot.

TVGuy: Umm... I'll take your word for it that it's "perfectly flavored" but I think the bigger question is what the hell is Bergamot??  Whether it's natural or not, I've never seen that word before. I'm a little scared to tell you the truth... it could be those little plastic things on the ends of shoelaces... maybe the excretions of the African Dung Beetle... or something magical... like the essence of a rainbow, or a leprechaun's daydreams....

Either way it's going to be quite the discovery... I feel like Neil Armstrong getting ready to step foot on the lunar surface...

Let me head to Google.. back in a second...

(Googling...)

Oh. It's an orange.  Well that sucks.  Next....

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The Tea: Plantation Mint

The Description on the Box: You will find Plantation Mint a delightful flavor surprise.

TVGuy: No I won't. I expect it to taste like... you know... Mint.  There will be no surprises here... unless of course you are African-American and wondering what the hell the word "Plantation" is doing as the name of a product in the 21st century.... let's wrap this up...

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The Tea: "Constant Comment"

The Description on the Box: Tea flavored with oranges and sweet spice.

TVGuy: This is apparently their best selling tea, and I have no idea what the heck "Constant Comment" means in reference to drinking tea.  None. I mean, I literally can't hazard a guess.  Can you?

(waiting....)

I didn't think so... let's head over to the Bigelow website and see if we can't suss this out.... because it absolutely cannot, under any circumstances, be that people 7 decades ago were so incredibly boring that orange flavored tea caused them to talk about nothing else... please, let it be anything but that...

From the site...


Over 60 years ago my mother, Ruth Campbell Bigelow changed the way we drink tea in the United States. An avid tea connoisseur, Ruth thought tea drinkers like herself would enjoy a more zestfully flavored tea. Happening upon a special colonial recipe that called for tea to be blended with orange peel and spices, she decided to try and re-create what she felt sounded like a wonderful idea. After much trial and error in the family kitchen, she finally hit upon what she thought was the best tasting recipe. After sharing samples with family, friends and acquaintances, one of them reported back that her new tea had caused nothing but constant comments. 

That... well.. uh... hmm... honestly, that really doesn't make any sense at all...

That's ridiculous actually...

(1941 - Bigelow Kitchens)

Ruth: Here... try my new tea!
Carol: Sure... (takes a sip)
Ruth: Well??
Carol: It's good.. tastes like oranges.
Ruth: And???
Carol: Umm... (takes a second sip)... some spices too?
Ruth: Very good... what else??
Carol: Well.. it's hot?
Ruth: And???
Carol: Er... I don't know what else you want me to say here...?

Ruth: It's a lovely tea isn't it?

Carol: Sorry?

Ruth: Don't you have some other things to share?
Carol: No. Not really.
Ruth: That can't possibly be true.. come on now.. give me your thoughts...
Carol: I'm uncomfortable right now...
Ruth: Feel what the tea feels...
Carol: You're a very odd person...
Ruth: Looking into the cup of tea what do you see?
Carol: Listen.. it's just tea...
Ruth: And you can't stop commenting about it can you?
Carol: No, you can't stop commenting about it... you are constantly commenting about that damn tea..
Ruth: The flavors remind you of a long sunday drive don't they?
Carol: I'm very, very uncomfortable....is there anyone else in the house?
Ruth: It's just us... and that wonderful tea...
Carol: (loudly) Help? Anyone?
Ruth: That's some tea though right?!
Carol: You've been drinking, haven't you?
Ruth: Yes! My new tea!
Carol: That's not what I meant...

Regardless, we'll give it a try in the TVGuy TasteTestLabs next week...

Now go sit by the fire with a cup of tea why don't you.....

____________________
Sam:  Nobody got hurt at the Boston Tea Party. The only people that got hurt was some fancy boys who didn't have anything to wash down their crumpets with. We jumped out from behind bushes, while the British came down the road in their bright red jackets, but never has a war been so courteously
declared. It was on parchment with calligraphy and "Your highness, we beseech you on this day in Philadelphia to bite me, if you please..."
--"The West Wing" (NBC)

Rude Awakenings...

The Road to Maroon Bells from this Autumn....

______________

Over the years I've given a dollar here or there to folks who ask for it... you know the ones... outside of stores, pushing shopping carts filled with the debris of others... but there is one group I will not give a second thought to..

The CardboardSignAtTheIntersectionGuy

Why? 4 reasons...

1. I've seen one guy sit down in a wheelchair after walking twenty feet at a brisk normal pace... pull an artificial limb out of a backpack, take off a shoe and shove the thing over a foot.  I've also seen them rifle through a backpack of twenty or so different signs, as if they are deciding what mood they are in and what neighborhood fits their tales of woe... I've also seen them listening to iPods worth more than my television set while answering their 3G Smartphones... In other words, I don't believe any of them.

2. The times I've offered to give them food or gift certificates have ALWAYS been met with "F* You, I want money".  Charming.

3. I've also had friends offer them work around the house, raking leaves or cleaning a cluttered garage only to be met with "F* you, I make 80 dollars an hour on this streetcorner"..... Lovely.

4. I simply can't stand the slow walk of shame as they walk by your car to ensure that you see them... I love being made to feel guilty for finishing high school and having a job... and being shamed into where I give my money to people less fortunate than me... nice...

Are some of them truly down on their luck? Of course... but there are city services.. go take advantage of them... and get out of these dangerous highway intersections and overpasses before you get hurt... unless your 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is parked nearby, then by all means have at it...

I've given people with pretty elaborate "I need 10 dollars for gas, here's my business card/phone number/whatever and I'llPayYouBackTomorrowPromiseThanksSoMuchStranger" stories 10 or 20 bucks and never heard back from anyone... I chased a guy once who took my 20 then turned around 2 minutes later and hit the same person with the same story... I took off my coat and glasses and went past him again and he started with the tale of woe once more.. I of course let him hang himself and then said I'd need my 20 bucks back... he wasnt very happy with me but I was quite a bit larger than him and my expression let him know that running away wasn't a good idea either....

My point being, I don't trust anyone anymore...

I bring this up because last night during the Broncos game I was out on my deck talking on my phone and a 45 year old guy dressed in business casual with a name tag on a lanyard said "hey, I thought I heard someone talking" and was looking at me.. I told the person I was talking to on the phone that I'd call them back and asked him what was up... which led us to this exchange....

GuyWithProblem: Hey, I ran out of gas... can you spare 10-15 dollars?

TVGuy: Umm... where is your car?

GuyWithProblem: Its at the stadium... (I live blocks from Sports Authority Field at Mile High)

TVGuy: I'll bring you down something.. hold on...

(one minute later)

GuyWithProblem: Hey, Thanks....

TVGuy: I have to ask... where's your wallet? You left the house without it?

GuyWithProblem: Yeah, totally forgot it.. and all my friends are at the game or watching it and can't help (holding his phone out)

TVGuy: Well, I have to tell you everyone I've ever given money to in this circumstance has totally screwed me...

GuyWithProblem: Oh, no.. not me...

TVGuy: So you'll pay me back...

GuyWithProblem: Oh yes, of course I will!

TVGuy: Well, where do you live?

GuyWithProblem: Not far, Lakewood (western suburb of Denver, 2-5 miles away)

TVGuy: 10-15 bucks seems a little excessive... I mean, a gallon and a half is getting you to the mountains...

GuyWithProblem: (hadn't thought that through apparently) well, I live pretty... far away....

TVGuy: How about 3-4 bucks.. that will get you 15 to 20 miles or so...

GuyWithProblem: Okay...(somewhat dejected..)

TVGuy: (hands over money)

GuyWithProblem: Thanks! (begins walking away)

TVGuy: Hey! Should we not talk about how you'll be paying me back?

GuyWithProblem:  Well, that was for 10-15 bucks... this is only 4, right?  You want this money back? Seriously??  That's pretty fuckin' cheap...

TVGuy: (wondering if I murdered him with my bare hands and tossed him between two tailgating trucks if anyone would notice) No, of course not.. could I get you a couple of beers for the walk back to the car while I'm at it?

GuyWithProblemNoLonger: (perks right up) Heck yeah!

TVGuy: I'll be right back down with a six pack...

GuyWithProblemNoLonger: Alright!

I of course never went back down... 

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I told TVGal a slightly less detailed version because she HATES when I speak up to total strangers in public... I do it probably more than I should.. but I can't stand rudeness and I won't abide by it if possible... if it's a 320 pound guy walking around with a machete, hey, the world is your oyster fella.... but if its a 165 pound 5'1" woman picking up a food order....

(a month ago... Papa Murphy's....)

I'm standing in line, and I'm next up after the lady at the register is done.. the door opens to my left and a VERY large couple, one of them quite blind with cane and sunglasses steps in behind me... I smile and turn back to the register, eager to snatch up what has easily become the favorite "delivery" pizza of those us at the TVGuyMansion... 

But wait...

The door opens again and the aforementioned 5'1" woman comes in and stands off to my left, looking up at the menu over me... as the woman in front of me leaves the register she darts in front of me and begins describing her pickup order to the cashier...

Flabbergasted, I turn behind me and the woman standing next to the blind guy shrugs her shoulders as if to say "some people, what are you going to do?"

Well, this is what you do...

TVGuy:  (twenty seconds into her order)  Excuse me...

WomanObliviousToAll: (continues ordering)

TVGuy: EXCUSE ME!

WomanObliviousToAll: (stops and looks at me)

TVGuy: I'm certain given your advanced age that you are familiar with the concept of the "Line", where people start at the back and move forward in a polite fashion...

WomanObliviousToAll: (shrugs and turns back to complete order)

TVGuy: (raised voice) You realize you cut not only in front of me, but a GOD DAMN BLIND GUY.  I mean, you're going straight to Hell, you know that right?

WomanObliviousToAll: (turns) You're an asshole...

TVGuy: And you're a (I really can't type what I said.... sorry...)

WomanObliviousToAll: What??

TVGuy: How about you get in the back of the fucking line sweetheart?

WomanObliviousToAll: Fuck you... (pays cash for her order.. the cashier wants her to leave immediately  and gets her stuff swiftly.... she grabs it and walks past me without looking at me... gets to door, pushes through it and yells several obscenities at me as she walks to the car running in the lane next to the store)

TVGuy: (to the cashier) Sorry about that....

Cashier: No, I didn't know she cut... I wouldn't have... 

I cut her off, paid for my food and walked out.. the woman left in the store and the blind guy both applauded, which made me feel as if I 'd done the right thing.... as I walked out of the store the car containing the linecutter was gleefully still there.... and of course I couldn't resist...

TVGuy: (at open car window) Hey!

WomanObliviousToAll: (looking out, recognizing me and scowling) What??

TVGuy: The cashier said you dropped ten bucks in the store.. I think its at the counter...

WomanObliviousToAll: (wary, but happy about the upcoming "windfall")... okay...er.... thanks...

Of course I made that up and I hated to do that to the cashier, but it seemed the easiest way to inconvenience her and not have to swear anymore...

I've promised TVGal that these things will happen less in the future... wish me luck...

____________________
Sara Sidle: What do you think caused these marks?
Hodges: Give me more time. I'm not a miracle worker.
Sara: Well, that's obvious, Hodges. If you were a miracle worker, you wouldn't be rude.
--“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (CBS)

Beat TVGuy 2011 Emmy Contest

Guanella Pass a few months back....

______________

Better late than never, it's time once again for the Beat TVGuy Emmy Pool Contest...

the top 3 people who beat my score will win fabulous prizes... it's free to enter, you have until Sunday at 4pm MST to get your picks in, same rules as all previous Beat TVGuy Contests... (and yes, I need to know who you are to play...).  Email your entries to denvertvguy@gmail.com


Good Luck!

TVGuy Free Emmy Contest Ballot

Best Comedy Series
Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation
30 Rock

Best Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men

Outstanding Lead Actor - Comedy
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Louis C.K., Louie
Steve Carell, The Office
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
Amy Poehler, Parks & Recreation


Outstanding Lead Actor - Drama
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Michael C Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Timothy Olyphant, Justified

Oustanding Supporting Actor, Drama
John Slattery, Mad Men
Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age
Walton Goggins, Justified
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife

Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama
Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

Oustanding Supporting Actress, Drama
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Margo Martindale, Justified
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife

Outstanding Supporting Actor - Comedy
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Chris Colfer, Glee
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ed O'Neill, Modern Family

Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy
Jane Lynch, Glee
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

Updated: TVGuy Pix..

Best Comedy Series

Modern Family

Best Drama Series

Mad Men

Outstanding Lead Actor - Comedy

Steve Carell, The Office

Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy

Laura Linney, The Big C

Outstanding Lead Actor - Drama

Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Oustanding Supporting Actor, Drama

John Slattery, Mad Men

Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama

Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife

Oustanding Supporting Actress, Drama

Margo Martindale, Justified

Outstanding Supporting Actor - Comedy

Ty Burrell, Modern Family

Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy

Jane Lynch, Glee

Letters, we get letters...

Chili and Pepper....

_________________


It's been awhile since we've opened up the TVGuy mailbag, so let's start our engines and get roaring out of the gate with a positive, well-written missive that will be sure to get us thinking...

>So you don't like bicyclists? Go F*ck Yourself...
--(comment from Blogger - Aud123)

TVGuy: Not exactly the tone I'd been hoping for... perhaps another...

_______

>Your an ass.
--(comment from Blogger - heysus)

TVGuy:  Yeah, not getting off on a positive note here... I got a lot of flak from my blog entry stating that many bicyclists didn't follow the rules of the road... and observing the ones in Boulder the past few weeks they seem to have it down pat.. but Denver's bike riders pedal as if they are drunk, entitled and just plain rude...

Oh, and "heysus"?  It's "you're", not "your".... drop me a note and let me know how that GED went for you... I hear that can be a tricky test....

_______

>I read you were getting a new TVCat... if so, has he fit into the TVGuy family as well as his predecessor?
--kathy44@******.com

TVGuy: Well, we got two cats.. we had "Chili" picked out but then a stray kitten basically jumped in TVGal's purse... his name was "Pepper", and if that isn't the Feline Gods telling you something, I don't know what is...

Their pictures are above, but I'll add another below.. you tell me, are they getting along??

They've been nothing short of a delight... the "TVCat" moniker has been retired in honor of Yellow Kitty... but I'm sure some sort of nickname will manifest itself at some point....

_________

>You're on a desert island.  You have a case of 1 alcoholic beverage and 1 non-alcoholic... your choice? (If you choose water I'll vomit onto my keyboard.)
--catherineD@****.net

TVGuy: I'm tempted to choose water just so you have to buy a new keyboard....

Before I answer, this is a good spot to again state that these emails are just segments of a larger email... if someone just emailed me the above question with no explanation we'd all have to agree I have pretty strange friends..

Anyway...

Non-Alcoholic is simple... my favorite beverage on this planet has been and shall always be Apple Juice.    Oh sure, Orange Juice gets all the good press but AJ kicks its butt both alphabetically and flavorically.. (I know that isn't a word but it sounded fun in my head so sue me...)

Nothing is more refreshing to me than AJ and that's been true for the better part of four decades now and I see nothing coming down the pike to change my mind...

However...

Favorite Alcoholic Beverage?  It changes so often that I'm not comfortable picking one for all eternity (how long am I on this island anyway?)....

But two weeks ago TVGal and I were out and about and a waitress recommended a Strawberry Beer to us... it was 9 dollars (!) so I balked but she talked me into it... I've stated it publicly many times and I'll do so again.. I like fruity beer.  Sue me.

And this one (Samuel Smith's Organic Strawberry Ale) was the finest one of its kind, and there might not be one even close enough to rank number two.  We had one again last night with dinner and TVGal's smile went on for about 20 minutes...

It's utterly delicious.  And that's all I've got to say about that....

_________

>How's the 12 week fitness regimen going?
--JT55@*****.com

TVGuy: Well, it's not at all actually... had some wrist pain which prevented any serious exercise and summer's minefield of tasty treats stopped it pretty fast in its tracks...

But TVGal and I have a trip in October and we need to get in shape pronto... so today is actually day One of 63.. a 9 week serious attempt to get into something resembling swimsuit shape... And since being accountable to all who stumble across this blog does seem to motivate me... my weight / fat percentage as of this morning...

Day 1:
Weight 216.2
Body Fat%: 23.8

That's about as much as I've weighed this century... 223 is my high, and my recent trip to Vegas didn't help matters (screw the gambling, damn the food out there is just crazy good...)

So I have 9 weeks to get at it.. wish me luck...

______

>Do fish get thirsty?
--mlc1992@*********.com

TVGuy: I know that this is one of those "funny" questions that pop up from time to time, but I'll do some research in the TVGuy laboratories and come up with a definite answer, okay?

Here's what I've come up with so far...

Experiments have been performed to evaluate the effects of temperature-induced changes in functional gill lamellar surface area on the distribution of ionocytes and branchial chloride fluxes in goldfish (Carassius auratus). In fish acclimated to warm water (25°C), the ionocytes were scattered along the lamellae and within the interlamellar regions of the filament. In cold water (7°C), the ionocytes were largely absent from the lamellae and filaments but instead were mostly confined to the outer regions of an interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) that formed within the interlamellar channels. Using a time-differential double fluorescent staining' technique, it was determined that in fish transferred from 25° to 7°C, the ionocytes on the outer edge of (and within) the ILCM originated predominantly from the migration of pre-existing ionocytes and to a lesser extent from the differentiation of progenitor cells. Despite the greater functional lamellar surface area in the warm-water-acclimated fish, there was no associated statistically significant increase in passive branchial Cl– efflux. Because the paracellular efflux of polyethylene glycol was increased 2.5-fold at the warmer temperature, it would suggest that goldfish specifically regulate (minimize) Cl– loss that otherwise would accompany the increasing functional lamellar surface area. In contrast to predictions, the numbers and sizes of individual ionocytes was inversely related to functional lamellar surface area resulting in a markedly greater ionocyte surface area in fish acclimated to cold water (5219±438 compared with 2103±180 μm2 mm–1 of filament). Paradoxically, the activity of Na+/K+-ATPase (as measured at room temperature) also was lower in the cold-water fish (0.43±0.06 compared with 1.28±0.15 μmol mg–1 protein h–1) despite the greater numbers of ionocytes. There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of Cl– uptake in the two groups of fish despite the differences in ionocyte abundance. It is possible that to maintain normal rates of Cl– uptake, a greater ionocyte surface area is required in the cold-water fish that possess an ILCM because of the unfavorable positioning of the ionocytes on and within the ILCM, a structure lacking any obvious blood supply.

I hope that answers your question....

_______

>I saw a picture on your Facebook page that had a lightning bolt hitting Denver during the daytime... how on Earth did you do that?  Any help you can give is greatly appreciated...

--amy*******@yahoo.com

TVGuy: I'm assuming you meant this one.....

Pretty happy with that one, not going to lie... at night you would just put your camera on a tripod and take 3-8 second shots during a storm and you're bound to get some good bolts... during the day you can't do that so just do what I did... take 100 pictures one after another and hope to get a bolt in the shot... 

You could get Neutral Density filters and get all crazy, but shooting lighting during the day is like trying to catch a bullet out of a gun with your hand... hard to do and painful to attempt... 

_____________

Off to the midwest next week.. St. Louis, Indianapolis, Monmouth, Davenport and Chicago... yes, I know, why travel when the humidity and temperatures together will be well over 1 billion percent??  It's the only time I could go... but I'll enjoy seeing some old friends, eating at Bazbeaux Pizza (ah, the memories) and taking about 1,283,435 photos... Ill update the blog when I return.. until then, keep those letters coming... unless you're a psychotic bicyclist....

______________________
Andy: I could use a good man to help me get my project on wheels. I'll keep an eye out for you and the chessboard ready. Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. I will be hoping that this letter finds you, and finds you well...

--"The Shawshank Redemption" (1994)

Lodo Bites (kind of): Part 2 of 2

Wine Loft hallway with mirrors...

__________

Date: June 21, 2011

Event: LodoBites

Location: Downtown Denver

The Participants: TVGuy, TVGal, BeardedJeff, PregnantRobyn, WithBabySusan, EverybodyLovesRobert, WeaponsBob, TheFetchingGretchen, MarMan, JustinMac, Justin'sGirl

To recap, we're breaking down Lodo Bites, a restaurant "Food Crawl" in downtown Denver.. 4 hours, 11 people, 20 restaurants.... we're 1:50 in and we've completed the first 10 so we're a touch ahead of schedule... let's hit the second ten, shall we?

Restaurant: Wazee Supper Club

Menu: Pizza, Cookies

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 2

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 4

Notes: The last two years they've served pizza and cookies which on paper sounds good but the results have been less than favorable... I think the place is wildly overrated and the pizzas are very pricey... but some people swear by it.. this year we have the same cookies (which kinda suck) and the pizza which is just okay.. the line was really slow, as always... moving along...

Restaurant: Ocean Prime

Menu: Tuna Tartare

Been Here Before?: No

Would I Return? (1-10): 5

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 2

Notes: This place was packed, and we were told to "just go stand somewhere, order some drinks and there is someone walking around with tuna"... not a good first impression.. after 5 uncomfortable minutes we skedaddled out of there... there are some places that are LodoBites "friendly".. this isn't one of them.... they really shouldn't even attempt it next year...  (having said that, I'm sure the food is great and the space is cool and I'll dine there eventually..)

Yes, we thought Ocean Prime had the Award for Worst LodoBites Experience sewn up... and yet, our next stop took it to a new level....

Restaurant: Lime

Menu: Margaritas

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 1

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 1

Notes: I have a non LodoBites story about Lime that I'd like to share first... TVGal's ex-Boss knew someone there and had me call him to perhaps help with some special birthday touches for TVGal's Birthday pub crawl... he said no problem, I'll hook you up.. just let them know to contact me when you get here...

Flashforward to her birthday.. we get there, tell the hostess that we are here for a special day and would you please be so kind as to call (can't remember his name now so let's go with Edgar) the manager.. we sat outside, ordered a margarita and Edgar showed up... and sat down at our table...

....and never left our side for 90 minutes....

Easily one of the weirdest restaurant experiences I've ever had.. he dominated the conversation, bored us to tears and was generally a very odd fellow... btw, nothing "special" occurred.. no discount, birthday cake, muffin, snack, mint, lozenge, moist towelette... nothing.  (Well, if you call the really bland food special, then fine...)

As we left to go across the street it felt like he was going to join us... seriously... he sort of shadowed us up the sidewalk and there was a moment where we thought he was coming with us (again, none of us had ever met him or knew him before this night)... fortunately someone distracted him with a restaurant question and we quickly made our exit...

Where were we.. oh yeah, LodoBites..

Anyway, every year Lime does a margarita for their LodoBites entry... this year the experience can be summed up in 3 quick bullet points....

1. It was loud in the basement bar where you were supposed to go.. like, "you can't talk to the person next to you" loud... the DJ up in the corner had his little stereo cranked to a setting approaching "Bleeding From Your Ears", and it really kinda sucked.. it's not a club folks, its a restaurant... and it was 8pm on a Tuesday... what the hell?

2. The bartenders who were giving out all the complimentary drinks were also swamped with other customers because Tuesdays is "$1 taco night" at Lime, so the place was packed.  The LodoBites folks were basically an afterthought to the barkeeps, and why not as they weren't making a lot on tips certainly... but maybe next time have one person there with some pitchers made up that could keep things moving... it was a crowded mess....

3. The margaritas kinda sucked.  Most of our group took two sips and then toddled off to the next location... (on the flip side, I really like their $1 tacos and the lime shooters... but I would avoid the downtown location like the plague from this point forward and stick to the alternate locations...)

Hands down the worst of our 20 locations... moving on...

Restaurant: Bistro Vendome

Menu: Duck, Gazpacho

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 1

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 6

Notes: The reason I rank it so lowly on the "Would I Return" scale is that it just isn't TVGal's cup of tea... It's a lovely space and I'm sure a very good restaurant... but French Food just isn't our bag...

Restaurant: Euclid Hall

Menu: Sausage, Bratwurst, Chicken/Waffles, other apps...

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 10

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 6

Notes: As a caveat, I'm just going to come out and say that Euclid Hall is not only my favorite new restaurant in Denver, it might very well be my favorite restaurant period.  But it was really warm in there, they had $1 beer tastes out of a glass the size of a thimble, and it was their first year and they had everyone off to the side in an odd space (rather than the more desirable upstairs area) but none of that mattered once the waves of apps came out....

I don't need to drag this out other than to say that is some of the finest food being served anywhere by anyone... bravo.  My wife despises fish and yet had four Fish n Chip bites (eight million better tasting that it sounds) on our last visit and the best thing I've eaten this year was their Cauliflower Salad.  (Believe me, I know.. weird, right?)

Restaurant: The Wine Loft

Menu: Mushroom Bruschetta, other apps

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 10

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 8

Notes: Quiet location, great space, table filled with apps... always fast, good and fun. (As an aside, best sangria I've ever had in my life is here.. it has bananas in it for god's sake.... bananas!)

Restaurant: Dixons Downtown Grill

Menu: Aztec Chicken

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 2

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 5

Notes: Dixon's frankly has sucked hard the previous two years.. so went in with a little fear... actually the food wasn't bad... I really don't have anything else to say here...

Restaurant: Backcountry Provisions

Menu: 5 different sandwiches, beer

Been Here Before?: No

Would I Return? (1-10): 10

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 10

Notes: By now we are ahead of schedule and our swelling bellies can be seen from space.... so as we went into Backcountry for the first time (with that name we had no idea what to expect.. jerky? Trail Mix?) we were floored by the giant table of sandwiches set in front of us.. of course, we were so full that we barely could look at them, but they seemed delicious anyway... I'd def. go back to try one... also, the manager was beyond friendly, and very gracious with his pitcher of blueberry beer. Yes, blueberry.

Look, I know that liking fruity beer is somehow admitting you are little less of a man... you know what? So be it... I could have drank a gallon of that beer... I love Apricot Beer, Beer with Lemon or Orange Slices in it, hell, I've even enjoyed a strawberry offering... and I don't care. Sue me.  Viva la Fruit beer!

Anyway... 

Restaurant: Big Game

Menu: Cocktails, Sliders, Sushi (ran out of)

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 9

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 7

Notes: Big Game (the game refers to giant televisions with sports on them, not the heads of antelope affixed to the wall) was a superstar last year... this year they were running a little low on food due to it being later in the evening but I won't hold it against them.. still seems like an excellent place to eat and drink and watch a game.... we'll just have to get there earlier next year...

Restaurant: McCormick's Fish House

Menu: Martini

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 7

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 7

Notes: Like Dixon's, McCormick's had frankly sucked the previous two years... crappy fried appetizers and other thoughtless offerings.... which sucks, because McCormick's has a great Happy Hour and a pretty good rep amongst my friends.. this year thankfully they diverted everyone to the attached Cruise Room Martini Bar for an adult beverage and left the food behind... good idea folks...

At the bar we took an informal poll and the winners seemed to be Euclid Hall and Wine Loft.. the losers were clearly Ocean Prime and Lime... but we were all stuffed to the gills, happy, and pleased... all of us vowed not to eat again until late Autumn, and we began departing for the night...

Which makes what happened next sort of insane... 

JustinMac and Justin'sGirl went to another restaurant (Linger) and ordered a drink... and ceviche.

Yes, more food.  Because why go to 20 restaurants when you can visit 21?

See ya next year LodoBites...

_____________________
Rachel: You are having a party tonight?
Joey: I am kind of having a thing for the Days of Our Lives people.
Rachel: And you weren't gonna tell us? How did you think you were gonna get away with that?
Joey: I do it every year.
Rachel: You do it every year?
Joey: I didn't have to tell you that!
Rachel: That's why you got us tickets to that play! To get rid of us!
Joey: Yeah...
Rachel: And last year, is that why you sent us to that Medieval times restaurant?
Joey: Yeah...
Rachel: And the year before that, when you set up that nightime tour of that button factory!
Joey: I can't believe you guys went for that one!

--"Friends" (NBC)

Lodo Bites (kind of): Part 1 of 2

Neon sign at the Restaurant "Fuel", shot during Doors Open Denver last Spring....

__________

11 intrepid explorers... a 4 hour dining tour of downtown (LoDo) Denver... since the rest of you couldn't make it, let's break it down as the evening unfolded shall we?

Date: June 21, 2011
Event: LodoBites
Location: Downtown Denver
The Participants: TVGuy, TVGal, BeardedJeff, PregnantRobyn, WithBabySusan, EverybodyLovesRobert, WeaponsBob, TheFetchingGretchen, MarMan, JustinMac, Justin'sGirl

20 restaurants in four hours with a large group... can we do it? Let's find out.. first stop...

Restaurant #1: My Favorite Muffin
Menu: Bagel Sandwiches, tiny cakes and... of course.. Muffins.
Been Here Before?: No.
Would I Return? (1-10): 7
Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 6
Notes: Our first stop of the night... we met here because of its proximity to Union Station/Light Rail.  WeaponsBob and TheFetchingGretchen met us at stop 2 because.. well, there wasn't beer at stop one and they were having a pre-party of sorts... I'd had this chain's muffins before and thought it was a little out of place for LodoBites... TVGal did not though... actual conversation as we walked to Light Rail...

TVGuy: Our first stop is kinda weird though right? Although their muffins are pretty good...
TVGal: (immediately) Oh, they're my Favorite Muffin!
TVGuy: (pause) Um...okay, you win...well done.

The quartered bagel sandwiches were just fine and the muffins were... well, pretty damn tasty... but a weird starting point and we didn't linger...

(I suppose I should explain this to the uninitiated... you buy a very inexpensive ticket and then walk around Denver and have appetizers/beverages at up to 20 different restaurants... it's our favorite summer activity for sure and always fun even if some of the restaurants treat the evening like gum on their shoe... good conversation, great weather, and always some surprises.. let's continue...)

Restaurant #2: Wynkoop Brewery

Menu: Craft Beers / Dessert

Been Here Before?: Yes.

Would I Return? (1-10): 9

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 9

Notes: The best eateries cordon off an area so you don't bother the regular diners, and make everything run smoother... Wynkoop gets huge marks here by having an entire private room for the participants... you had a choice of light or dark craft beer and two desserts... mini strawberry shortcakes (assembled for you personally) or a Black & Tan Brownie.  I cannot resist brownies at any time and wish they were on every restaurant dessert menu instead of Pistachio-glazed-encrusted-salted-gelato-cream-pie SprinkledWithCinnamonAndEssenceOfElderberries.  Anyway, this brownie was absolutely freakin' delicious... and I just checked and it's on their regular dessert menu (with ice cream!) and if you don't like it I'll eat the rest and pay for it.... I had dreams about that brownie last night.. seriously... 

We're off to a good start but the crowd wants something savory.. our next stop should hit the spot...

Restaurant #3: Keg Steakhouse

Menu: Orange Slice Martini, Steak Bites, Key Lime Pie, Shrimp Cocktail

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 9

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 9

Notes: Our 3rd year here... TVGal was praying that the Orange Slice Martini would make a return appearance, and it did not disappoint... the Steak Bites were scrumptious and they put you in a back of the restaurant area that kept you from the other patrons... the only downside.. you had to choose 1 of 3 appetizers... always a bummer with food this good... (although EverybodyLovesRobert (Jeff's brother) had all three apps and didn't apologize for a second.. well done...)

Restaurant #4: Fado Irish Pub

Menu: Beer

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 5

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 3

Notes: Booo... no food... just a 7 ounce beer... always kinda disappointing... no need to dwell...

Restaurant #5: Tavern Downtown

Menu: Various Sliders, Mac n Cheese, Fruity Frozen Slurpee Alcoholic Shot Thingees....

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 10 (summer) 8 (winter)

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 10

Notes:  All other restaurants, take note.. this is how it's done... rooftop deck (maybe the best in Denver, other than the TVGuy Mansion's Deck), private area for LodoBites, Misters cooling down everyone, 3 different sandwiches, Mac n Cheese, Pizza (surprisingly good Margherita slices), some sort of frozen berry/orange/lime shot things that were crazy yummy... and giving away coozies, water bottles and other things... I implore you LodoBitesOrganizers.... these people should be in the Lodo Bites Hall Of Fame and forced to participate every year... 

Restaurant #6: Vesta Dipping Grill

Menu: Seafood Ceviche Shots

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 7

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 5

Note: Great place, good food when you dine here.. but they've done the seafood shot two years in a row and for people like TVGal (hates fish) a waste of time... we didn't dwell here... (although points for WeaponsBob and his FromTheBar WhiteSangria that was really really good)

I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of a sangria groupie... anyway...

Restaurant #7: Celtic Tavern

Menu: Potato Skins, Bread Pudding, Small Sandwich

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 7

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 8

Notes: Individual plates that were served briskly by attentive staff... nice pub that we need to frequent on a non LodoBites night... they get that you are not in a leisurely mood to sit and hang out.. it's LodoBites people.. we've got a schedule to keep!

Restaurant #8: H Burger

Menu: Sliders, Fried Jalapeno Slices

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 10.  (translated to English, hell yeah..)

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 8

Notes: A table was set up but in a high traffic area.. the restaurant doesn't really have a place to put a LodoBites crowd... but no matter... TVGal and I think that this place does the best burgers in town (hell, maybe ever) and their slider tonight was so yummy my toes curled... and the fried jalapeno slices.. wow, my tounge is still on fire (pleasantly so)... we love this place wholeheartedly.. if you've never been, get the Liquid Nitrogen Milkshakes and thank us in the morning... Viva La H Burger!  Wait, where was I...

Restaurant #9: ChoLon Bistro 

Menu: Wine OR appetizers

Been Here Before?: No

Would I Return? (1-10): 6 (Cool architecture inside...)

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 5

Notes: They jammed you into the bar area, and gave you a choice of wine or apps... since there was no food available we went with wine... then JustinMac informs the group that one of the best things he's ever eaten were the dumplings... we never saw those, but the potstickers that came out looked just killer... BeardedJeff gave them a 9.5 out of 10... regretting the wine over food decision, we move forward....

Restaurant #10: Rio Grande

Menu: One Shrimp, Chips & Salsa

Been Here Before?: Yes

Would I Return? (1-10): 7

Restaurant's Effort During Event (1-10): 3

Notes: I like Rio Grande (a chain restaurant) admittedly more than most because while they are known for their very potent margaritas (slightly overrrated in my opinion) I think their green chile is one of tastiest things I've ever put in my mouth... I could eat their shrimp enchiladas once a week for the rest of my life if that chili was served on the side... 

Anyway, they did get points for having everyone go upstairs away from the other diners.. but then you were given a single shrimp (admittedly not bad) and then pestered (by every waiter who has ever worked there seemingly) to order drinks.. they are just rounding you up and trying to get you to buy their 3 dollar "mini" margarita... it kinda sucked and it was loud and crowded and we got out of there quickly... 

Tomorrow... Restaurants 11-20...

___________________
Marshall: Just a Burger? Robin, it's so much more than "just a burger." I mean... that first bite - oh, what heaven that first bite is. The bun, like a sesame freckled breast of an angel, resting gently on the ketchup and mustard below, flavors mingling in a seductive pas de deux. And then... a pickle! The most playful little pickle! Then a slice of tomato, a leaf of lettuce and a... a patty of ground beef so exquisite, swirling in your mouth, breaking apart, and combining again in a fugue of sweets and savor so delightful. This is no mere sandwich of grilled meat and toasted bread, Robin. This is God, speaking to us in food...
--"How I Met Your Mother" (CBS)