Friday, March 2, 2012

Bridget's Steak House


We enjoyed Bridget's in Ambler during Ambler's January Restaurant Week, when they offered a $29, three course menu that was unbeatable!

We started off with the spring rolls, made with pulled pork and an amazing dipping sauce; as well as the flat bread of the day, which was BBQ chicken. Both delicious!

We both ordered the filet as our entree, which was clearly the right choice. The steak melted in your mouth, the mashed potatoes were to die for and the green beans were cooked perfectly. We both cleaned our entire plates!

For dessert we had the bread pudding (perfectly sweet without being sticky, sickeningly sweet) and the bananas foster which had a perfect banana taste and sweetness.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn


When visiting Disneyland, you have numerous choices of hotels for your stay.  If you'd like to save a few bucks and get a hotel with a limited budget, the Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn is ideal.  For under $100 per night, you get a room that is only a 5 minute walk to the front gate of Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney.  In addition, if you have a car, you get free parking included.

The rooms themselves are definitely very simple, but they are clean and functional.  The bed is comfortable and the sink being outside the bathroom is helpful for saving time in the morning for one person can shower while another uses the sink.  The one negative about the room is that there is no safe in the room.  They do advertise that there is a safe to keep your valuables in at the front desk, but it is only large enough for something the size of a wallet, not anything like a laptop.

One thing to note is that you will be charged $5/night extra for a "mandatory resort fee".  While I think these fees are bogus at all hotels, you can't beat the overall price for this location with free parking.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Cafe Merlot at the Bernardo Winery

If you have time (at least an hour, but give yourself up to two hours), head to Cafe Merlot for breakfast or brunch with your loved one or your family.

The small cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, great service, fantastic coffee, a large selection of teas and delicious food. However, the small kitchen means that it will take a while for your order to come to your table.

That said, order coffee or tea (they will keep refilling it for you) and sit back and relax with your loved ones.

We ordered brunch, but we noticed couples ordering a bottle of champagne and a fruit and cheese platter and sit back and nosh and chat and then maybe order a breakfast entree to split.

I ordered the Bacon Florentine Eggs Benedict, which was decadent and delicious - and humongous! The table also ordered the oatmeal (which was fantastic), the breakfast burrito, and a couple of omelets. All of which were delicious and left us full and satisfied.

Also, after brunch, if you walk down a few shops, you can do a wine tasting of the Bernardo Winery wines.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen


 Gumbo Ya-Ya
 Creole Onion Soup
 Drunken Chicken
Blacken Chicken Carbonara
In Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is a great find. There is an outdoor and an indoor dining area. The outdoor dining area has heat lamps for cooler evenings in California, and is great for people watching. The indoor dining doubles as a dueling piano bar in the evenings.

We started our meal with the Gumbo Ya-Ya, a chicken and andouille sausage gumbo, which was delicious. It was creamy and had layers and layers of flavors.We also had the Creole onion soup, which was NOTHING like a French Onion Soup. This was creamy and rich with an onion flavor but without those stringy onions in the soup.

For dinner we ordered the Drunken Chicken and the Blackened Chicken Carbonara. The Drunken Chicken was fantastic -  the chicken perfectly cooked and the mashed potatoes delicious. The carbonara, on the other hand, left something to be desired. I've had blackened chicken before and this wasn't very blackened, just seasoned. The carbonara sauce was good, though.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Disney Cruise Line: Parasailing on Castaway Cay


Parasailing on Castaway Cay is an amazing experience.  For those who have never been parasailing before, let me assure you that it is quite a calm experience and there really is nothing to be scared of.  You'll take a ride out a bit from the island and then take turns, either solo or in tandem, going up in the air.  

Your guide will safely strap you in to the parasail and gently send you into the air.  Once up high, you'll get an amazing view of the island, the ocean and of course your Disney cruise ship.  It feels wonderful being up in the sky like that and it will create a memory you'll never forget.  After about 7 minutes, you'll be slowly brought back onto the boat, and at no time will you land in the water (unless you specially request it).

We'd definitely recommend anyone going on a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean to take advantage of this experience and we promise you won't be sorry.


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Castaway Catamaran Sail and Snorkel to Shipwreck Cove - St. Thomas


We knew that snorkeling was something we'd like to try during our Caribbean Cruise.  There are many choices for this, and we decided to go on the Castaway Girl, departing from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.  This ended up being an excellent choice!

You take about a 20 minute ride out to the cove for your snorkeling.  You should be aware, depending on the sea, it can be a rough ride, but not unpleasant.  Once there, you receive instructions on how to snorkel including safety information as well as how to enjoy yourself in the water.  All of the equipment you'll need is provided. 

Once in the water, your tour guide will take you around the cove explaining the different sea life you're seeing, which cannot be fully appreciated in just photos.  She also shows a shipwreck under water that she'll swim through.  This was definitely a very exhilarating tour that we'd recommend to others looking for a snorkeling trip in St. Thomas.  

After everyone got back on the boat, there was plenty of Rum Punch to go around (and other non-alcoholic drinks for kids).  Refills were unlimited and simple trail mix snacks were provided as well.