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Saturday, September 30, 2017

MARGARITAS

MARGARITAS
808 SHERIDAN STREET
HONOLULU, HI  96814
808-330-6880
HOURS:  Monday thru Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM / Closed Sunday

So excited to learn that a new Mexican restaurant had opened up in Honolulu.  Maybe this would be the one I thought.  Something that can rival San Diego, Los Angeles or even Arizona Mexican food.  I crave good Mexican food after living in San Diego a good part of my youth.  Did Margaritas fulfill my dream?  Answer is no.  Unfortunately this place did not deliver on the authentic Mexican flavors. The food was not bad.  Just not at the level of the taco shops that I love.  We started with Chips n' Salsa which was a small portion but the salsa was good.  Had just a hint of heat.  They did replenish our chips throughout our meal.  The Chicken Taquitos ($9) were not bad at all and I would order these again.  The Street Tacos ($10) were pretty tasty little tacos.  For some reason I did not care for the taste of the Shredded Beef.  The Burrito ($11) with Shredded Beef did not satisfy me or my co-worker on taste.  While the Burrito was filled with a good amount of beef, the flavors just were not there to make me come back for another one.  Last up were the Tacos ($7.50).  Went for one Chicken and one Beef.  Again, I did not care for the taste of the beef.  The Chicken however was moist and flavorful.  Not bad.  Service was excellent.  Margaritas does a good job with Mexican but it is just not the stuff I crave.

MARGARITAS

MARGARITAS AT 808 SHERIDAN
MARGARITAS MENU


SPECIALS
CHIPS N' SALSA
SMALL PLACE WITH BAR
STREET TACOS
THE BURRITO
SHREDDED BEEF BURRITO
CHICKEN TAQUITOS
CRISPY BEEF AND CHICKEN TACOS

SPAGHETTINI WITH CHICKEN

SPAGHETTINI WITH CHICKEN
DINNER AT HOME

My lovely bride cooked up Spaghettini with Chicken, Asparagus and Tomatoes.  This is one of her and my Daughters favorite dishes from California Pizza Kitchen so she decided to duplicate their recipe at home.  Pretty good eats!


GAINEY RANCH GOLF CLUB - SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

GAINEY RANCH GOLF CLUB
7600 E. GAINEY CLUB DRIVE
SCOTTSDALE, AZ  85258
480-951-0022

Enjoyed a round of golf at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona.  This resort type course is challenging.  The heavy rough is difficult to hit out of and makes what looks like an easy course more difficult.  The Lakes course is one of three 9 hole tracks and is the one I enjoyed most.  




















Sunday, September 24, 2017

ALTO RISTORANTE AND BAR - HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE AT GAINEY RANCH

ALTO 
HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT AND SPA AT GAINEY RANCH
7500 E. DOUBLETREE RANCH ROAD
SCOTTSDALE, AZ  85258
480-444-1234

Loved the ambiance, food and service at Alto.  Had a great waiter named Booker who seemed to be very knowledgeable on all of the dishes, ingredients and where everything came from.  Started my dinner with the Chef's Salumi and Cheese.  I was blown away by the clean flavors of the Salami and Prosciutto.  Tasted like Italy so I asked Booker where it came from.  He said they bring it in from Tuscany, Italy.  Tasted like it for sure.  The cheese served was one of my favorites on earth and it costs $49 per pound in Hawaii.  I got two nice pieces on the platter and was upset that I could not finish it all.  It was a Truffle Cheese that is just amazing when served on a good toasted bread and with jam as provided.  The bread was also incredible and the butter was salted to perfection.  This could have been my dinner and I would have been so happy and content.  Probably one of best meals in a long time and I only had an appetizer and wine.  Booker told me about the Chef's Special which was a Clams, Mussels and Scallop pasta with fresh made Spinach Linguine and a Lobster sauce.  I went for the special and loved it.  Loved every bite but was so full on bread, cheese and meats that I barely put a dent in the pasta.  Still enjoyed every bite.  This was a great meal.  I would definitely recommend Alto and if you can ask for waiter named Booker.

ALTO RISTORANTE AND BAR

ALTO MENU
OUTDOOR SEATING WAS PERFECT ON THIS NIGHT.  ENJOYED A NICE JORDAN CHARDONNAY
BREAD WITH BUTTER AND OLIVE OIL
SALUMI AND CHEESE WAS AMAZING

SOUTHWEST BISTRO - HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE AT GAINEY RANCH

SOUTWEST BISTRO
HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT AND SPA AT GAINEY RANCH
7500 E. DOUBLETREE RANCH ROAD
SCOTTSDALE, AZ  85258
480-444-1234

Loved my lunch at the Southwest Bistro at the Hyatt Scottsdale.  Great service by smiling and very attentive staff.  The Steak Fajitas were fantastic.

SOUTHWEST BISTRO

SOUTHWEST BISTRO MENU
OPEN KITCHEN 
DELICIOUS!
WISH I COULD HAVE MADE THIS DINNER


HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT AND SPA AT GAINEY RANCH

HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT AND SPA AT GAINEY RANCH
7500 E. DOUBLETREE RANCH ROAD
SCOTTSDALE, AZ  85258
480-444-1234

Enjoyed my stay at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch.  Great resort with incredible pools, great restaurants and a lively lobby scene with what looked like to be great entertainment at night.  Wish I could have stayed up to enjoy the happenings at this place.  Rooms are nice, clean and bright.  Do not recommend paying extra for the Club Level as the food was not that good and the extra price does not include alcohol.  Beer and wine will run you about $4 each in the Club Lounge.  The lounge was very comfortable with a nice view of the garden.  Indoor and outdoor seating made this nice but at $50 per day extra was just not worth the price.  Staff was friendly and the golf cart driver who drove me to the golf course was exceptional gentlemen who understands what service is all about.  Lots going on here with entertainment, wine tasting dinners and lively scene.  Wish I had my family to enjoy this as I really did not get to indulge in the fun.  Did however enjoy a couple of great meals at the restaurants.  Highly recommend this property if you are staying in Scottsdale.

HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT AND SPA AT GAINEY RANCH
VIEW FROM OPEN AIR LOBBY
LOBBY BAR GETS PRETTY HAPPENING AT NIGHT
LOBBY SEATING AND STAGE FOR LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY
CLUB LEVEL LOUNGE
CLUB LOUNGE OVERLOOKS GARDEN
KING BED ROOM
SMALL WORK AREA AND REFRIGERATOR UNDER TV
SMALL BATH 
LIKED THE SHOWER 
LAKE VIEW ROOM
GONDOLA RIDERS GO BY MY ROOM IN EVENING
SPENT TIME ON THE BALCONY WATCHING THE GONDOLAS AND ENJOYING SOME VINO
WITH TUNA SPREAD AND CRACKERS
POOL AREA