Hisses & Boos! Oohs & Ahhs!

Mini Reviews

(without much flare)

Hisses
To Perry’s Cherry Diner in Green Bay for intimidating the help. When my husband asked for no olives on his made to order gyros salad, the young girl working said the olives had to be on the side. He was puzzled and asked her if she could just serve the salad without any olives. She leaned in and told us the two men cooking in back yelled at her if she let the customer make changes, so could we please just let her “serve the olives on the side?” An older more experienced waitress might have handled the situation with a little more ease, but this girl was clearly intimidated by the very loud cooks/managers who could be heard arguing with one another about a procedure. Who could blame her?

Boos
To the Black & Tan Grille in De Pere for not allowing my mother in-law to make a substitution on a side dish. Not because they weren’t serving the side dish she wanted, but because the chef did not want the “integrity of his dish compromised” by an incompatible side. We dined there three times in one month after discovering the place because it was such an enjoyable experience, thought it is pricey. Dinner for two people was approximately $90.00 each time and we're not heavy drinkers. We thought it would be a nice anniversary dinner for my in-laws and brought them along on our fourth visit. We were stunned by the server’s insistence that what the chef says goes. My mother in-law simply wanted the onion haystack instead of potatos. Integrity of his dish? Unacceptable. This is De Pere folks. Upscale restaurants in large cities make accommodations, even if the chef thinks you’re a rube for asking. Too bad we have an extended family and friend boycott of the place because the food was very good.

Oohs
To Cy’s Asian Bistro in Neenah. Great service, fresh authentic food and quality ingredients. This is what I refer to as “Big City Thai Food” because for some reason all the Thai restaurants in small towns drown the noodles and meat in sauce and overcook the vegetables. Whereas, in larger cities (and at Cy’s) the emphasis is on fresh flavor, synergy of ingredients and wonderful presentation. It’s a family run business and is consistently the best Thai food I’ve had. Try the fresh spring rolls, the Pad Thai and the sticky rice with coconut ice cream! My friend Janice (the only true cook/foodie I’ve ever known besides myself) and I went for lunch and we felt like queens as we split two appetizers, soup, three entrees and desserts. So good! The iced coffee is perfectly prepared. It’s a regular stop for us on Friday afternoons. They don’t have fresh spring rolls on the lunch menu, but be sure to ask for an order. They’re happy to oblige.

Cy’s Asian Bistro
208 W Wisconsin Ave Neenah, WI 54956
920-969-9549

Ahhs
To School House Gems in De Pere. Shockingly low prices on gemstone beads. I bough a length of mid-quality kyanite for $11.00!!! Full service jewelry repairs and custom designs. My friend Kim found some neon yellow apatite and had earrings and a necklace made…beautiful. They’re down to earth and while the selection isn’t huge, it’s a great start. Natural rock and crystal lovers will be pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices. I found a beautiful crystal chunk for $30.00. At other stores it would have cost at least three times that amount. My only criticism is that not all of the pieces on the floor are priced and pieces not for sale are mixed in the for sale merchandise. It’s disappointing to bond immediately with a crystal only to find out it'll never go home with you! However, this is the place to stop for unusual pieces at nice prices.

School House Gems
309 Reid
De Pere 54115
920-336-4885

Double Hisses & Boos!
To Chef Chu’s in Green Bay for one of the most uncomfortable experiences we’ve ever had in a restaurant. We walked in and were seated next to the only other diners in the place. They looked very unhappy. All of the sudden it became clear why. We realized we had walked in during a brief lull of what was a full blown “rage-athon” by the middle aged male manager who was screaming at the top of his lungs at a young female bartender about how her mistakes cost him money. He was relentless in his high octave abuse. The line cooks and the hostess were clearly as uncomfortable as we (and the other couple) were. The bartender was crying (sobbing) and the manager yelled so loud and with so much force that spit actually flew from his mouth! She finally ran to the bathroom and he followed her and continued to yell through the door!!!!!!!!!!! It was abusive and sickening. The other couple got their check and left. Finally the guy stopped yelling and the red and puffy faced bartender came out of the bathroom. I pulled the hostess over and told her that what we just witnessed was beyond the pale. That losing money because of a bartender’s mistakes was the least of that manager’s issues. The energy in the place felt tight and stagnant and for us the experience was ruined. However, the service is usually right on and the food is always good.

My $30.00 crystal point from Schoolhouse Gems.

Koko’s Sushi Bar & Lounge

Koko Sushi Bar & Lounge
Rating:**1/2

(so, so close, but no cigar...yet)

I’ve neglected my readers for far too long! My four closest girlfriends, my mother, my brother and my grandmother are growing impatient! Hmm, I’ve not done much to let the masses know about this blog, but considering how often I neglect it…perhaps it’s all for the best.

Does this mean that I’ve stopped dining out and shopping? Unfortunately not. I’m sure many of the good business owners in our area will vouch for my addictions. My newest culinary drug of choice is the Toyko Skirt Steak at Kokos Sushi. It’s incredible. My husband and I have eaten at Koko’s no less than once a week for the past four months. Why then, with my addiction to “tender ribeye steak marinated in a delicious yet not overwhelming soy, ginger, mirin and basil sauce” am I only giving Koko’s two and a half stars?

It’s hard to say, but I’ll do my best. The décor is great even if the atmosphere is rather cool…and I don’t mean hip. I mean cool as in “cold shoulder/aloof.” The two exceptions would be the male servers who work weekday lunches. One is especially nice. He's warm, friendly and if the kitchen makes an error, he always apologizes. You never feel like a royal pain in the ass for pointing out that the steak you requested well-done was served positively dripping with blood. He has a good memory and always remembers our usual order. Unfortunately, he often works the noon hour in a moderately full restaurant…alone. If you go in the evening you can expect the service to be average. Unless they’re busy and then you can expect it to be poor.

I won’t make any more mention of the service except to point out that the waitresses seem bored and really can’t understand why they should have to refill your coke when it’s more fun to chat in the kitchen. But, please read on...there is some hope.

The food is creative and tasty if not consistently good. The specialty maki rolls take the cake for ingenuity and even non-sushi eating people will become addicted. The blending of Asian and America flavors is truly remarkable. The Big Bang with its scallop nestled in a Japanese pepper sauce, tuna tartar, green onion and lemon zest is a sure win. And what proud Wisconsin native wouldn’t just have to try the Packer Backer out of loyalty? With grilled salmon, mango, avocado, cucumber, sesame and miso ginger sauce, it could make a die-hard Bear Fan reconsider. The miso soup was an especially pleasant surprise since I’m not usually a miso fan. It has a mild smoky flavor and is not overwhelming at all. The Spicy Thai Shrimp soup is out of this world. Had a bad day and can’t wait to get home and curl up on the couch? Swing by and get a bowl to go. It’s nouveau comfort food! My husband loves the Green Bay Seared Ahi appetizer (Yellow fin tuna seared in a spicy pepper mixture, served thinly sliced with daikon radish) and believes the portion to be very generous for $9.00.

The lounge and dining areas are separated and this makes for completely different experiences depending on which room you’re in. Those who love a good martini will appreciate the inspired drink menu. Who could pass up something that tastes so deceptively non-alcoholic as the Punchtini? With Absolut Mandrin, Stoli Raspberry, cranberry juice, pineapple juice and orange juice...it’s the very grown up version of what we threw together at my eighth grade graduation party (yes, I did say eighth grade…I had some issues.) Seriously, I seldom do, but this is place to let loose if you feel like imbibing. Quality and creativity make for a nice cocktail.

The eclectic music floating out of speakers in both areas adds to the whole experience. Unless you're seated directly under one as my good friend Nancy and I were...but our server (the great lunchtime guy) was happy to turn it down a tad. Koko’s has received some good press on their Virgin Sushi nights and are doing their best to make trying sushi for the first time a fun and not at all intimidating experience. They do a good job trying to get people to see it’s so much more than “raw fish”.

In short, Koko’s is a fun new place and when the food is on…it’s on! However, the service is inconsistent and this is a real negative. The odds of having a fantastic meal are about 7 in 10 which keeps us coming back. However, when the kitchen makes a mistake and the servers are gently told (very nicely and gently told), they (except our one lunchtime guy) never ever apologize and usually get a little defensive. This makes it difficult to give Koko Sushi Bar & Lounge the rave review they deserve on a good night.

With a little work on the service and consistency among the chefs, this could be one of the best places for a reasonably priced meal in the area.

If you visit the nicely done website you’ll no doubt be impressed by the menus. The variety ensures that everyone in your party will find something. http://www.kokosushi.com/

Note: They used to bring complimentary Seroogy’s chocolate dipped strawberries (one for reach member of your party) after your meal, but we found out last night that they no longer do it. However, they did a smart thing and added the strawberries to the ample dessert menu for only $1.00 apiece. For a Seroogy’s chocolate dipped berry plated on white with a little fruit puree…it’s a fair deal.

I'm with you Koko's, but please get with the Customer Service program!

Koko Sushi Bar & Lounge 2066 Central Drive Bellevue, WI 54311Tel: (920) 884-9332http://www.kokosushi.com/
Hours: Mon - Wed 11:00am - 10:00pmThur - Sat 11:00am - 11:00pm

The Red Silk Purse

The Red Silk Purse

Rating *****

I think I may have to rename my blog. I feel many more of these more personal musings coming on, but I can’t help it! My husband thinks I should call it “All About Self Absorbed Me.” An unfair comment, yet isn’t there a grain of truth in all unfair comments? Plus, my love of commas is truly getting out of hand!

My latest rave is about my purse. I found the purse at Primal Eye (see address below). As soon as I laid my eyes on it, I knew it was going to be the start of a great relationship. The tiny prosperity coins on the sides only sealed the deal. I love this purse for lots of reasons; it’s red, it’s silk, it’s unusual, it’s roomy and it was only $21.00. In the days of $1800.00 Prada satchels…it’s a steal.

However, the main reason for this outpouring of devotion is that the purse has made me a man magnet! I, at 5’1 (and a half) and moving along well past plus sized model proportions, have become an absolute…man draw. I love it! My husband just poked his head in my office to ask what’s for dinner. I ignored his question and told him I was finally going to let my readership in on the secret of my newfound popularity.

He pointed out that my seven regular readers will be deeply disappointed when Oprah comes a calling and they find out I pulled a James Frey. I indignantly reminded him that he has been with me on at least nine occasions when men (rugged looking manly men) have taken a second look and complimented me…or at least the purse. Not to mention that women actually cross streets to ask me where I got it.

Needless to say, he didn’t have to be reminded of the time I left my purse sitting on the table at Fetaz Mediterranean Bistro (great gyros, felafel, hummus, salads and super fast) while I went to the counter to see about a fruit salad. He was reading the newspaper and a handsome male server stopped to fawn over the purse. Fearing that now he was becoming a man magnet, he explained loudly to the entire place that the purse “belongs to my wife!”

He just left my office in a huff when I suggested that if men come up to a woman and stare longingly and lustfully at her purse in front of her 6’3 218 pound husband, imagine what they do when he’s not around? I love sending him off with a little something to think about. I’ll do damage control later. He’ll be getting chips and my famous onion-cucumber dip. What? Don’t all couples have make-up dip?

I’m officially letting all women in on the secret of the red purse. If you carry this purse, I guarantee you'll begin having conversations with men the minute you arrive on the scene...wherever it is. Waiting in line at stores is the best. There I am, standing in line wearing my yoga pants, t-shirt, and no make-up (except lipstick-I LOVE lipstick) looking rather frazzled and usually in a hurry, only to find myself the object of lots of male attention! Men of all ages, races, sizes, and professions cannot resist staring and eventually commenting on it. Some even sheepishly joke with one another about how they’ve never noticed a purse in their lives and now they want to look at mine!

Purse envy…the dark side of female behavior. I must address it. When I’m being hoisted onto the shoulders of male admirers and paraded through the bank like a goddess, women have either one of two reactions. The nice and normal women scoot over and get in on the purse excitement…it’s contagious. However, the nasty ones give me the once over, quickly assess me as a non-threat, and start all kinds of strange “look at me, look at me” posturing. They flounce their hair, run their hands over their legs to adjust stockings, and well, you get the picture. Anyway, it’s all in vain. Once a man has been magnetized by the purse and then held captive by my charm, it’s all over but the crying.

My husband sometimes watches from afar and then mimics me later. “Oh, you like my purse? I do too! Isn’t it the best! I love, love, love it! Ooooh, do you like my smile? I think I’m so cute when I smile. Please sir, tell me how cute I am. Oh, you want to make love to me? Here? Oh my, my, my…big fella, you’re just incorrigible! What? You want to see me smile again? Hee-hee-hee! Now stop it you! Oh, there I go again being cute, I can’t help it! I’m so adorable.”

I think he exaggerates slightly, but I do counter compliments on my purse with enthusiasm. Speaking of enthusiasm, I must confess that when the first red purse began to show signs of wear and tear, I panicked. I raced over to Primal Eye (an ironic name considering…) faster than Cinderella at midnight and was told they couldn’t get any more from their supplier!!! Oh Hell!! Fortunately, my husband insisted that the young staffer didn’t have a clue and that I go in the next week. He’s usually right, so I did.

I’m ashamed to admit that not only did I buy all three they had in, but I bought two other purses as well! Let it be known that the black one (see picture) has already begun to work its magic. At my last playwright’s group in Madison, I put copies of my play in it and my personal things in the red one. One of the men complimented the black purse and when I set the red one down next to it, he did a double take and agreed with me that it was “pretty fantastic” too!

So, there you have it folks…more self indulgent ramblings to follow!

My Primal Eye collection!

Primal Eye
(Shop for fun & functional art, bath items, gifts, lighting and furniture for the casual lifestyle-and of course purses)
128 N Broadway Street
Green Bay WI 54303

Fetaz Mediterranean Bistro

(Try the gyros, house cut fries, quiche of the day and baklava)

229 N Washington

Green Bay WI 54301

920-432-3382

The Acupuncture and Herb Center

The Acupuncture and Herb Center

****

This is a rather self indulgent review, but since Dr. Hou gets four stars, I assume he’ll forgive me!

I’ve been working out and eating reasonably well, but I’m not losing weight as fast as I think I should. While having a midnight snack, I found myself pondering the idea that something could be seriously wrong. When I expressed concern to my husband of my fear that the only thing standing between me and svelte is a sluggish thyroid, he innocently (so he would have me believe) suggested that I try a food log. This was “just in case” I think I’m eating less than I am. A shadow of darkness must have passed over my otherwise cherubic face because he felt obliged to throw in the comment that it must be my thyroid since there’s no doubt “you’re an exercising maniac.”

I, in the sweetest and non-defensive tone I could muster, basically told him to go “take care of your own gut!” Poor guy. He thought he was just helping out and ended up being told he’s looking a lot like Homer Simpson. Well, maybe the anorexic version, but still.

Then, in a tone that clearly indicated the conversation was over he suggested I see doctor if I was that concerned. I decided to go to the acupuncturist and just knew he was going to confirm my suspicion that my weight battle is glandular. Sleek and leggy here I come!

I arrived at the clinic and began telling Dr. Hou my suspicions about my thyroid. He checked the pulses of various meridians, looked at my tongue, eyes, felt the temperature of my hands and feet and then he began to frown. In fact, he looked quite perplexed. Wow, he must be wondering how to break the bad news. My thyroid must be shot to hell! I began imagining how we would get it working again and how in a matter of weeks dozens of pounds would roll off my body into the ethers never to be seen or heard from (?) again! I could start a Thyroid Awareness campaign so other women wouldn’t have to suffer over their weight the way I have! I might even be on Oprah! Not to mention all my new clothes! I’m thirty-seven and my life was going to change forever!

I was so excited that when Dr. Hou asked me what I ate in a typical day I could barely remember. Good thing I’d decided to follow my husband’s advice and write it all down. I took out one of my four notebooks and proudly listed my daily intake and the carefully measured quantities. He began to frown and by time I reached my pre-afternoon workout snack he was pushing my hair aside and hurrying to put tacks along the meridians in my ears. I leaned over to accommodate him and said, “Ok, now how long until these help my thyroid and I start losing weight Dr. Hou?” I mean, now that I had a book tour to plan, an upcoming appearance on Oprah and all the other things that go along with being an inspiration for all women, time is of the essence! Dr. Hou said, “Keep these in for a week.” A week! My wildest dreams come true! Who says you can’t wake up thin! Thank you! Thank you! It was all I could do not to throw my arms around him! I could barely contain my newfound enthusiasm for life!

Then Dr. Hou gently put his hand on my arm and said, “Nothing wrong with thyroid, appetite the problem, keep these in for a week, come back next week and we put in the other ear…pinch daily and decrease the appetite. Big appetite the problem. Not thyroid. Thyroid healthy and vigor.” Oh. So much for my new line of inspirational note cards.

Despite the fact that my view of the road was blurred by tears of humiliation, I managed to arrive home safely. Wouldn’t you know, my husband didn’t have the courtesy to be buried in a book or absorbed in an episode of the Family Guy as I walked through the front door. Nope, he actually had the nerve to jump off the couch, greet me and ask, “So, what did he say about your thyroid babe?” “I DON’T CARE TO DISCUSS IT!” I yelled. I threw my purse on the table and went up the stairs two at a time (I really do work out you know) and stomped into my office.

He followed me and was extremely convincing at feigning his concern, “Babe, you have to tell me what’s wrong. Are you ok?” I showed him the tacks. "These are what’s wrong! Dr. Hou thinks I have a big appetite and need to pinch my ears whenever I feel like eating! I’m never going back!” I spun around in my office chair and though it shames me, I’ll admit I rather childishly kicked the file cabinet.

My husband said nothing for a minute or so and then all of the sudden began to laugh so hard I cried! Now I have to suffer his numerous comments about my “glands” To make it worse, if I’m eating so much as a carrot stick he dashes over, pinches my ears and says, “My woman has a healthy appetite!” He’s also made a few comments about how maybe he’s been pinching me in the wrong place all these years! He says he should have known, since I’ve never grown so much as one promised inch…upwards! Now I get my ears pinched as well as my most well….ample area…just in case. It’s a good thing I’m secure in the fact that he loves every single pinchable inch of me!

Hmm, like I told a good friend, the tacks were a dud and I ate the caramel to prove it. He thought this was wildly hilarious. I’m still not sure why.

It should be said that of course I’m going back to Dr. Hou. I like honesty in an acupuncturist. He’s not only a wonderful acupuncturist to me and many of the Green Bay Packers, but to the average person as well. He is thorough, has an excellent beside manner and all he asks of me is that I be patient when it comes to healing deep seeded physical/emotional issues. I think he means my weight, because several years ago when I went through a brief bout of a condition called “no periods, but not pregnant” he quickly got me on track or should I say back on my courses! He also told me to relax about my weight. Apparently I may have too much damp, but I have “sparkling alert eyes” indicating my general good health. He’s a wonderful practitioner who cured a friend of migraines permanently, helped my mother with chronic back pain, helped another friend with her painful fibromyalgia and has a stellar reputation in town. He has twenty-five years of clinical experience and comes from generations of family practitioners.

His office is immaculate, his healing table sheets are a soothing pink and the music is very relaxing. He’s professional and direct (obviously). Unless we’re talking about my weight issues, he is nothing short of a miracle worker…and well, enough said. I have a friend coming over in a few minutes. Funny, I didn’t know until she was coming (until ten minutes ago), but I baked a cake. Could that be part of the problem? Sorry, Dr. Hou…Against my cookbooks, the tacks didn’t stand a chance.


Dr. Hou and Dr. Zeng D.O.M., L.Ac
The Acupuncture and Herb Center
450 North Military Rd Suite 8
Green Bay WI 920-713-6880

Also in Appleton:
2911 N. Ballard RoadAppleton WI 920-832-8888