Friday, June 27, 2014

House of Asian In Forest City, North Carolina

I have traveled to North Carolina for the last fourteen years to keep up with my family. I've visited a few really cool places like Downtown Charlotte, Blowing Rock, Tweetsie Railroad, and Boone. And, when I do go, I ALWAYS stop at one of my most favorite cities in the whole world, small town Forest City, NC USA. It has the Andy of Mayberry feel all over. I've often thought I would like to retire there but, reality bites and I probably would go stark ravin' mad with all the coziness after a few days. So, I just drop in from time to time and mosey down Main Street to check out all the super trendy merchants and restaurants.

Usually I stop by the (always crowded) old time soda fountain in Smith's Drug Store. However a couple of years ago, a bit farther down Main, I found the House of Asian. No more favorite pimento cheese sandwiches, chips, and malts from Smith's. I am hooked on everything the HOA has to offer. This year I got the usual Fried Egg Rolls along with some Tom Yum Soup and Hibachi Shrimp (see first two pics below). WOW!!! All three were absolutely Di vine! Rolls are always expertly fried, never greasy. The soup was a little pricey at $3.99 but well worth it.  And, the grilled shrimp with carrots and mushrooms plus their special mayo Asian sauce and fried rice were out of this world. No small town cookin' here. This place is the BIG TIME! I think I enjoy it so much because you can tell someone really CARES about the various Asian cuisines they are cookin' here! Vietnamese, Thai, or Japanese...try it and you will see what I mean.  Hopefully, the remaining pics will take you back to your good ole memories from any town Main Street USA. These are mine...


 







House Of Asian on Urbanspoon

Monday, June 2, 2014

Rocky Mountain Grill Pearcy, Arkansas

Driving 'round the Hot Springs area the other day, we noticed a nice, little restaurant on a hilltop in Pearcy, AR Pop. 3,903. Looked friendly enough and as they always say, you never know what's 'round the corner unless you go 'round it. So, we screeched on our brakes, turned 'round, and came upon a very delightful meal. Mike had the Steak Special which was melt in your mouth tender and cooked to perfection. I had the Fried Catfish Dinner with a perfectly loaded sweet potato and all was scrumptious. Salads were great, soup was delicious, and the bread loaves were Di vine. Oh, and did I mention my most favorite food in the universe was on the menu. Yep, they had To Di For Hushpppies, and we will be back.



Rocky Mountain Grill Incorporated on Urbanspoon

The New (But Not So New) Cilantro's Grill...

Cilantros Grill on Urbanspoon
Yesterday at 3 pm on a Sunday, I might add, Chili's in North Little Rock had a 35 minute waiting line! Gee, when can a couple get a nice leisurely meal, at a supposedly off hour in one of the oh so busy local restaurants??? Because, heaven forbid, we certainly don't try to get in at normal eating hours from 11-2 or 5-7 when there usually is an even longer wait. So, instead of waiting (with no available waiting chairs in sight) we wandered down the street to the new Cilantro's Grill in the Lakewood Village strip mall. Should have waited the 35 minutes at Chili's.

At Cilantro's we were immediately taken in and whisked away to the very back area of NOWHEREVILLE. In fact, we were the only souls back there for the longest. No one knew we were back there until they brought another couple back who got there food long before we did. Service was bad,  the kitchen was slow, and no one cared if we had chips, refills, or our ordered food. And, I might add, Cilantro's Grill is just another of many authentic Mexican restaurants in the area. I ordered the Poblano Queso Fundido which was an appetizer with corn tortillas. Pretty good. Mike had the Fish Tacos, order of two, which were tasty as well with a delightful side rice dish. But, considering the cold shoulder and delayed treatment, we will not return for a very long time, if ever. I try hard not to ever say never. Besides, I like El Porton (which is not too far away on Int 67/167 ) for authentic Mexican food. They are good and they care. I do like the shade of green on the walls at Cilantro's Grill...