Showing: 1 - 16 of 16 RESULTS

Metropolitan Grill Seattle : Are the steaks worth it?

Metropolitan Grill Seattle

Steaks are the name of the game at Metropolitan Grill in Seattle and Kate heard about it and surprised me with a visit while we were in Seattle…

About Metropolitan Grill Seattle

Facade of Metropolitan Grill Seattle
Facade of Metropolitan Grill Seattle
Inside Metropolitan Grill Seattle
Inside Metropolitan Grill Seattle

Touted as having “the best steaks in town”, Metropolitan Grill has a rich history and heritage (aka atas as you can see from the picture above), being located at the historic Marion Building. Of course, many people come here for just 1 thing.

The steaks.

Steaks at Metropolitan Grill are prepared with much emphasis starting from its custom dry-aging process to its proprietary seasoning and specially selected mesquite charcoal to sear and seal in the flavours of the steaks.

But the real question is… are the steaks at Metropolitan Grill really worth it?
(The price especially!)

Lunch Menu at Metropolitan Grill Seattle
Lunch Menu at Metropolitan Grill Seattle

What we ate at Metropolitan Grill Seattle


We spent a total of $100USD (yes, we reiterate that its an atas place) for lunch and we ordered root beer, strawberry lemonade for drinks and the Works Burger, Filet Mignon 8oz for mains…

Warm breads with freshly made butter - this was really shiok! (Met Grill Seattle)
Warm breads with freshly made butter – this was really shiok! (Met Grill Seattle)
Strawberry Lemonade and Root Beer at Metropolitan Grill Seattle
Strawberry Lemonade and Root Beer at Metropolitan Grill Seattle
The Works Burger - 15 USD (Seattle Metropolitan Grill)
The Works Burger – 15 USD (Seattle Metropolitan Grill)
8 oz Filet Mignon - 56USD at Metropolitan Grill Seattle
8 oz Filet Mignon – 56USD at Metropolitan Grill Seattle

Let’s talk about the breads first. It was AWESOME! (Yes, it is strange for us to say that about breads at a steak restaurant) BUT YES! IT WAS AWESOME! Shiok because the breads were warm, lightly crisp on the outside and warm and fluffy on the inside. PLUS, the butter was just heavenly! It was fresh, natural and seemed like it was made in house. The last time we tasted butter like this was when we were in Poland where our friends made fresh butter right from the cow’s milk!

The Works Burger was great. Nothing fancy but it stays true to how an american burger ought to be. Juicy patty, cheese, buns and a HUGE portion at that. Typical american and we loved it!

Well, for the steak, we had high expectations for it and it met our expectations. Probably one of the best steaks that we’ve had as well. It was well seasoned on the outside and juicy, tender, flavourful on the inside. All that a “best steak in town” steak should be. But, it lacked the punch. It was good. Don’t get us wrong. But it lacked the “WOW, THIS IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!” reaction when we went in for our first bite.

For 56USD and 8oz, we sort of expected that.

Having finished our meal, our server came up to ask us whether we wanted some desserts. So we told him,

“If we were to only have 1 dessert, 1 that we MUST TRY, what would that be?”

He contemplated for a while and came up with 2 recommendations. The chocolate lava and five layer carrot cake. But we insisted on just 1 choice (because we were quite full and mostly because we were REALLY close to our budget) and he told us

“Then it has got to be the chocolate lava”

And chocolate lava it was. Turns out that it was probably one of the BEST DESSERTS WE’VE EVER HAD! (along with Turons from the Philippines)

Chocolate Lava Cake at Metropolitan Grill for 12USD
Chocolate Lava Cake at Metropolitan Grill for 12USD

The chocolate lava was unlike any chocolate cakes that we’ve ever tasted. It had so many different textures! On the outside it was cookie-ish and crumbly-ish. But when you go for the bite, the chewyness comes in with rich chocolatey taste! When you break open the chocolate lava, “molten chocolate” oozes out and when all these tastes and textures get swirled between your taste buds? Simply divine!

After our meal, we also spent some time to recall what we learnt during the Seattle Underground Tour in the morning. Which resulted in this…writings on receipts…

Final bill of $115 (including tips) returned in this holder with a nice little message from the general manager of Met Grill Seattle
Final bill of $115 (including tips) returned in this holder with a nice little message from the general manager of Met Grill Seattle

Location of Metropolitan Grill Seattle


The address of Metropolitan Grill is 820 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, United States

Conclusion

All in all, we were thoroughly satisfied with our visit to Metropolitan Grill. Perhaps you may wish to also lower your expectations of the steak. It was great nonetheless.

To answer the question of whether the steaks at Metropolitan are worth it?
The answer would be yes, but barely.

For us, the highlight has got to be the chocolate lava cake! Imagine us saying that its awesome even after our meals. Maybe it would have been “out of this world” if it was just taken as part of an afternoon tea!

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Related Posts

This is part of our coverage of San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver USA. Check out these posts if you’re visiting the West Coast of USA!

Top 5 Things to do and Attractions in Vancouver Washington USA!
Top 11 Things to do and Attractions in San Francisco USA
Top 8 Things to do and Attractions in Seattle USA!
Things to do and Attractions in Eureka California!
Metropolitan Grill Seattle : Are the steaks worth it?
Seattle Underground Tour by Bill Speidel : A tour not to be missed!
Seattle Space Needle , Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Monorail to Westlake Center
World’s first Starbucks in Seattle – Do not be confused!
The Crab Pot Sea Feast : A Seattle MUST TRY!
Pike Place Market : (Possibly) Seattle’s Top Tourist Attraction!
What’s YOU MUST DO at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf!
Pizza and beers at Umbria San Francisco!
Great Eastern Restaurant Chinatown San Francisco : Even Obama visits it!
The steep slopes of San Francisco : A Pictorial Post
San Francisco’s “Crookedest Street” at Lombard Street!
Scenic Oregon Drive from Vancouver to San Francisco!
Travel Through Time with Historic Monuments at Vancouver Washington!
Vancouver Washington’s Natural Wonders!
Catching Portland Winterhawks in action after Burgerville Meal!
Why You should eat at Beaches Restaurant than McMenamins in Vancouver Washington
Red Lobster….FINALLY!
Inn at the Market Seattle : All about Location Location Location!
San Remo San Francisco : Hotel with a PRIME location!
Palace Hotel San Francisco : A great mix of History, Class and Luxury!
Heathman Lodge Vancouver Washington : One of our best hotel stays EVER!
Hilton Vancouver Washington : Classy Stay & Room with a View!

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Seattle right here!

The next time you’re having steaks at Metropolitan Grill, remember to have the chocolate lava cake to round off a fantastic meal!

Pizza and beers at Umbria San Francisco!

Pizza Umbria San Francisco

Having watched “Friends” and remembered how much pizza and beer is part of the American culture (observe Joey in “Friends”), we approached our friendly concierge at Palace Hotel and asked where we could have some pizza and beer in a casual setting, we were referred to Umbria, within walking distance of Palace Hotel.

Entrance to Umbria San Francisco
Entrance to Umbria San Francisco
Menu of Umbria San Francisco where we had beer and pizza
Menu of Umbria San Francisco where we had beer and pizza

Umbria is located at 198 2nd St, San Francisco, California 94105 and it serves up authentic italian cuisine – the ones where you’ll have a waiter come up to you and introduce the day’s menu and start off the meal with bread and appetizers…

Inside Umbria Ristorante San Francisco
Inside Umbria Ristorante San Francisco

After looking through the menu, we ordered exactly what we came for… Ice cold beer with authentic Italian Pizza…so we ordered 2 Peroni beer (off the tap) with the Pizza Bianca Con Arugula E Prosciutto – Fresh mozzarella, fontina cheeses, prosciutto, arugula, shaved parmesan and white truffle oil.

Menu of Umbria Ristorante San Francisco - we ordered the last item
Menu of Umbria Ristorante San Francisco – we ordered the last item
Italian Peroni Beer from the tap at 6USD each (Umbria San Francisco)
Italian Peroni Beer from the tap at 6USD each (Umbria San Francisco)
Pizza Bianca Con Arugula E Prosciutto - Fresh mozzarella, fontina cheeses, prosciutto, arugula, shaved parmesan and white truffle oil (Umbria Ristorante San Francisco)
Pizza Bianca Con Arugula E Prosciutto – Fresh mozzarella, fontina cheeses, prosciutto, arugula, shaved parmesan and white truffle oil (Umbria Ristorante San Francisco)

Frankly speaking, this was one of the best pizzas we’ve ever tasted! The crust was soft and fluffy with rich aromatic smell (and taste) of the cheeses on each bite. The white truffle oil did not taste like conventional oily stuff eventhough you could see the oil, you taste only the fragrance of the white truffle. And when all these tastes (fluffy crust, cheeses and white truffle oil) came together. It was perfetto and mamamia!

While we were eating at the restaurant, there was also a homeless guy who kept peering at us through the windows. One of the waiters saw this and gave the homeless guy some food and sent him away. Great restaurant with extraordinary heart, we must say.

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Related Posts

This is part of our coverage of San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver USA. Check out these posts if you’re visiting the West Coast of USA!

Top 5 Things to do and Attractions in Vancouver Washington USA!
Top 11 Things to do and Attractions in San Francisco USA
Top 8 Things to do and Attractions in Seattle USA!
Things to do and Attractions in Eureka California!
Metropolitan Grill Seattle : Are the steaks worth it?
Seattle Underground Tour by Bill Speidel : A tour not to be missed!
Seattle Space Needle , Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Monorail to Westlake Center
World’s first Starbucks in Seattle – Do not be confused!
The Crab Pot Sea Feast : A Seattle MUST TRY!
Pike Place Market : (Possibly) Seattle’s Top Tourist Attraction!
What’s YOU MUST DO at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf!
Pizza and beers at Umbria San Francisco!
Great Eastern Restaurant Chinatown San Francisco : Even Obama visits it!
The steep slopes of San Francisco : A Pictorial Post
San Francisco’s “Crookedest Street” at Lombard Street!
Scenic Oregon Drive from Vancouver to San Francisco!
Travel Through Time with Historic Monuments at Vancouver Washington!
Vancouver Washington’s Natural Wonders!
Catching Portland Winterhawks in action after Burgerville Meal!
Why You should eat at Beaches Restaurant than McMenamins in Vancouver Washington
Red Lobster….FINALLY!
Inn at the Market Seattle : All about Location Location Location!
San Remo San Francisco : Hotel with a PRIME location!
Palace Hotel San Francisco : A great mix of History, Class and Luxury!
Heathman Lodge Vancouver Washington : One of our best hotel stays EVER!
Hilton Vancouver Washington : Classy Stay & Room with a View!

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals at Palace Hotel San Francisco right here!

So the next time your pizza and beer cravings hit you in San Francisco, head right down to Umbria and cure the hunger pangs. Remember, one pizza is more than good for 2 to share!

Red Lobster….FINALLY!

Red Lobster USA

The last time we were in USA, we kept seeing Red Lobster’s advertisement on TV but did not get the opportunity to try it! This time…hahaha (sinister laugh for the lobsters) we finally got to savour some fresh seafood from Red Lobster!

Facade of Red Lobster - We went to the one near Westfield Mall in Vancouver Washington
Facade of Red Lobster – We went to the one near Westfield Mall in Vancouver Washington
Inside Red Lobster Restaurant
Inside Red Lobster Restaurant
Another view inside Red Lobster
Another view inside Red Lobster

What we had at Red Lobster Seafood Restaurant

For starters, we had the mussels and the salad…

Salad from Red Lobster
Salad from Red Lobster
Mussels as starters at Red Lobster USA
Mussels as starters at Red Lobster USA

So we had the mussels with butter garlic sauce and the signature salads. While choosing the dressings for the salad, we were given a choice of about 8 dressings to choose from. In the end, Tom chose the most unhealthy ones (ranch and blue cheese) while Kate initially had the idea of just going light with vinaigrette dressing. Unhealthy Tom decides!

As for the mussels, it was baked a little too dry and we don’t think the mussels were “fresh out of the tank” fresh, though some of the mussels still tasted good. The other thing we didn’t like about this starter was that the bread was really salty! Have some drinks on hand to curb the overpowering toasted salty bread!

Red Lobster USA: Wood Grilled Lobster Shrimp and Scallop - $25.99 USD
Red Lobster USA: Wood Grilled Lobster Shrimp and Scallop – $25.99 USD

As for our mains, we went for one of the signature seafood combos – the Wood Grilled Lobster Shrimp and Scallop. Recommended by our waitress, we decided on it since there was “lobster” in it. Can’t go to Red Lobster and not have lobsters right?

Turns out that the recommendation was spot on! Every single one of the seafood on this plate was fresh! The lobster and shrimp was succulent and firm, yet crunchy and bouncy on the bite. Same goes for the scallop and the taste was sweet and natural – YUM!

Pumpkin pie in a jar 5.49 USD (Red Lobster USA)
Pumpkin pie in a jar 5.49 USD (Red Lobster USA)

Since it was the holiday season, we went for one of the holiday treats – Pumpkin Pie in a Jar. We didn’t really enjoy this dessert simply it was too overpowering. Overpowered by the cinnamon, whipped cream and much too sweet for our liking. Didn’t really taste the pumpkin as well. Sad…

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Related Posts

This is part of our coverage of San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver USA. Check out these posts if you’re visiting the West Coast of USA!

Top 5 Things to do and Attractions in Vancouver Washington USA!
Top 11 Things to do and Attractions in San Francisco USA
Top 8 Things to do and Attractions in Seattle USA!
Things to do and Attractions in Eureka California!
Metropolitan Grill Seattle : Are the steaks worth it?
Seattle Underground Tour by Bill Speidel : A tour not to be missed!
Seattle Space Needle , Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Monorail to Westlake Center
World’s first Starbucks in Seattle – Do not be confused!
The Crab Pot Sea Feast : A Seattle MUST TRY!
Pike Place Market : (Possibly) Seattle’s Top Tourist Attraction!
What’s YOU MUST DO at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf!
Pizza and beers at Umbria San Francisco!
Great Eastern Restaurant Chinatown San Francisco : Even Obama visits it!
The steep slopes of San Francisco : A Pictorial Post
San Francisco’s “Crookedest Street” at Lombard Street!
Scenic Oregon Drive from Vancouver to San Francisco!
Travel Through Time with Historic Monuments at Vancouver Washington!
Vancouver Washington’s Natural Wonders!
Catching Portland Winterhawks in action after Burgerville Meal!
Why You should eat at Beaches Restaurant than McMenamins in Vancouver Washington
Red Lobster….FINALLY!
Inn at the Market Seattle : All about Location Location Location!
San Remo San Francisco : Hotel with a PRIME location!
Palace Hotel San Francisco : A great mix of History, Class and Luxury!
Heathman Lodge Vancouver Washington : One of our best hotel stays EVER!
Hilton Vancouver Washington : Classy Stay & Room with a View!

All in all, we were happy that we finally got to eat at Red Lobster. The mains were really good but the rest of the dishes were sort of disappointing. If you ask us, we’d probably not return to Red Lobster again. But as for its neighbour – Olive Garden, we’ll definitely go try the other dishes when we return to USA.

Things to do and Attractions in Philadelphia, USA!

Independence Hall Philadelphia

There are so many things to do and attractions in Philadelphia and it has got to be one of our most favourite city in the United States! You can find history, a modern city and best of all good food all right here in Philadelphia!

What to do in Philadelphia, USA?

Philadelphia is the bed rock of American History. Follow the heritage trails and you will be able to visit world renowned attractions such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. But if you prefer modern buildings, a few blocks down and you’d be in the Comcast Center. And if food is your thing, Reading Terminal Market boasts of some of the best foods in the city. So there is definitely no lack of things to do in Philadelphia!

1. Heritage Trail / Historic District in Philadelphia

The best thing we liked about Philadelphia is that its history is intertwined with its modernity. The heritage trail (and Historic District), located near to the modern buildings boasts of the most significant monuments in American history. The Independence Hall and Liberty Bell tells of the story of America’s road to freedom while the Betsy Ross House flew the first flag of the United States of America!

Independence Hall Philadelphia
Independence Hall Philadelphia
The Liberty Bell Philadelphia
The Liberty Bell Philadelphia
Betsy Ross Flag with 13 stars
Betsy Ross Flag with 13 stars

2. Philadelphia – A Modern City

Besides being rich in history, Philadelphia is also a modern city in its own rights. An excellent example is the Comcast Center which boasts of screens on its walls that look as though it is painted in the same colour as the rest of its wall…

Comcast Centre Screen as part of the wall....
Comcast Centre Screen as part of the wall….
Animation at Comcast Center Philadelphia
Animation at Comcast Center Philadelphia

What to eat in Philadelphia

If food is your thing, look no further than the Reading Terminal Market! It boasts of the best French-dipped sandwich and ice cream with a rich (in both sense of the word) history! While you’re in Philadelphia, dont miss out on the best nachos ever @ Elvez! Last but not least, what would a visit to Philadelphia be without trying its world famous Philly Cheesesteaks!

Dinic's Roast Pork and Beef @ Reading Terminal Market
Dinic’s Roast Pork and Beef @ Reading Terminal Market
Beef Sandwich topped with Roasted Pepper and Pork Sandwich with Spinach @ DiNic's
Beef Sandwich topped with Roasted Pepper and Pork Sandwich with Spinach @ DiNic’s
Bassetts Ice Cream - America's Oldest Ice Cream Company
Bassetts Ice Cream – America’s Oldest Ice Cream Company
Peanut Butter Swirl with Rum and Raisin @ Bassetts Ice Cream
Peanut Butter Swirl with Rum and Raisin @ Bassetts Ice Cream
Chocolates Galore at Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia
Chocolates Galore at Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia
Original Elvez Guacamole Nachos
Original Elvez Guacamole Nachos
Philly Cheese Steak
Philly Cheese Steak

Other Attractions in Philadelphia

There are other attraction in Philadelphia such as the City Hall, Rocky Statue & Museum of Art (Rocky ran up and down the steps here at Museum of Art).

Another view of the City Hall Philadelphia
Another view of the City Hall Philadelphia
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Rocky Statue Philadelphia
Rocky Statue Philadelphia

Hotel Deals in Philadelphia

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Philadelphia right here!

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

There are indeed so many things to do and attractions in Philadelphia! Do take your time to enjoy these attractions and unforgettable photo moments the next time you visit these attractions in Philadelphia!

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…or does it?

View of New York New York and Excalibur from Hooters Hotel Las Vegas

Ah ha! Thought we will be revealing all we did in Vegas didnt you? Well…as they say, “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” or does it really?

Well first, let us give you the low down of how you can arrange your own trip to Las Vegas!

Planning

As we have mentioned in our post about “How to successfully plan your own holiday and vacation”, it is always important to plan early and plan ahead!

As usual, Kate did ALL the planning! But it is important to note these few points as they can really help you stretch your buck…

Hotels

Did you know that the price differs ALOT if you stay in the same hotel on weekdays compared to weekends? Prices can differ by as much as up to 50%! Usually, hotel rates are cheaper from Sundays to Thursdays (mondays to thursdays for some hotels) and the prices sky rocket over the weekends (for obvious reasons – weekend getaways!)

Also, there are many fabulous hotels that do not cost a bomb. Try searching for hotels in Vegas and list them according to price. You will realise that cheap hotels that have excellent hotel facilities do exist in Vegas. This is because they usually attract tourists with low priced stays and free tickets to headline shows so that you will spend at their “you know what”. So try to snatch those good deals but dont fall prey to “you know what”!

Car Rental

It is advisable to rent a car in Las Vegas, simply because walking in the hot Nevada sun is not what you want to do, especially in the summer months.

In addition, with the mobility of a transport, you can visit hotels and restaurants outside of the strip which Kate and I were able to do.

Plus, parking is usually free at the hotels!

You can do so by visiting the car rental companies online and look for cheapest rate available. Also, you can just pop by the car rental booths when you land at the airport. Booking online could be cheaper given that there are deals going on every now and then. You could also save the hassle of wondering whether there are cars in the cheaper categories available.

Btw, it would be good to download USA maps to your GPS so that you would travel easy as well.

Tour Packages

If you are visiting Vegas for the first time (and probably the last time if you are from a distant land), make sure you sign up for the visit to Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam! The prices are relatively acceptable and they offer you a hassle free option to visit these world-renowned locations!

Having given some tips before hand, this is the low down of where we visited…

The Lowdown

Kate and I landed at the McCarran International Airport and got the keys to our car at the car rental booth. It’s a breeze if you have booked it online in advance.

We tried several hotels this time round and spent our first night at Hooters Hotel…

Room at Hooters Resort Las Vegas
Room at Hooters Resort Las Vegas

The view from our room was awesome as well…

View of New York New York and Excalibur from Hooters Hotel
View of New York New York and Excalibur from Hooters Hotel

As it was the summer season, the water in the pool was exceptionally cold! We think it was purposely chilled to make sure that the guests were not chao ta (smelly dry or burnt in hokkien) under the hot sun…

Swimming pool of Hooters Hotel Las Vegas
Swimming pool of Hooters Hotel Las Vegas

After a nice refreshing swim and some drinks by the pool, we headed out to see the sights on the Strip…

M&Ms World Las Vegas
M&Ms World Las Vegas
Harley Davidson Cafe Las Vegas
Harley Davidson Cafe Las Vegas
View of the Strip - Paris and Planet Hollywood
View of the Strip – Paris and Planet Hollywood
Another View of the Las Vegas Strip
Another View of the Las Vegas Strip
Fountains of Bellagio
Fountains of Bellagio
Exterior of the Hooters Hotel at night
Exterior of the Hooters Hotel at night

We returned back and enjoyed the famous hot wings from Hooters

Yummy wings with Hot Sauce from Hooters Hotel
Yummy wings with Hot Sauce from Hooters Hotel

**After the first night in Vegas, we actually drove to California before returning back to spend a few more nights in Vegas. We will talk about LA,Hollywood and Santa Monica in another post…

The next day, we headed out to Hash House a Go Go to check out this restaurant as introduced by Man vs Food on travel channel.

Big O'crispy hand hammered pork tenderlion sandwich with Macaroni and Cheese on the side (Hash House a Go Go Las Vegas)
Big O’crispy hand hammered pork tenderlion sandwich with Macaroni and Cheese on the side (Hash House a Go Go Las Vegas)

For more about the whole experience, check out the entire post here.

The following day, we checked into the Excalibur (increasingly better hotel each day; and thus the cost)…

Room of the Excalibur Hotel Las Vegas
Room of the Excalibur Hotel Las Vegas
View from the room of the Excalibur Las Vegas
View from the room of the Excalibur Las Vegas

At this juncture, we should remind our readers to always try to “negotiate” with the receptionist for a better/higher room with a good view of the strip. They are almost always able to do so on weekdays and off peak periods when occupancy is low.

View of the pool of the Excalibur
View of the pool of the Excalibur
External View of the Excalibur
External View of the Excalibur

At various hotels, they have various affliation with shows about town. At the Excalibur, we were able to get half priced deals for the stand up comedy “Defending the Caveman”…it was pretty much enjoyable although we dont really recall much about the show today…really one of those shows where you want to have a good laugh and let your hair down…

Defending the Caveman by Kevin Burke
Defending the Caveman by Kevin Burke

The next day, we took the option of going to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Along the way, there was an opportunity to visit the Hoover Dam as well…

Iconic Hoover Dam on route to Grand Canyon
Iconic Hoover Dam on route to Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam Sign
Hoover Dam Sign
Majestic Grand Canyon - South Rim's Widest and Deepest portion
Majestic Grand Canyon – South Rim’s Widest and Deepest portion

For more about what we did at the Grand Canyon tour, click here.

The last hotel we visited was the MGM. The best of the 3 hotels on our list this time round…

Room of MGM Hotel Las Vegas
Room of MGM Hotel Las Vegas

There was even a day bed in the room which added to the chic factor…

Spacious living space at MGM Hotel Las Vegas
Spacious living space at MGM Hotel Las Vegas

MGM Hotel has the best swimming pool on this trip to Vegas. It boasts of a 6.6 acre swimming area!! That is about 6-7 football fields!! We had an enjoyable time in the lazy pool and visiting different themed pools which was really cool…

On the way back, we were invited to rate an upcoming TV serial and vouchers were given to us in return. So we set down and were greeted by this…

Device to rate TV serials
Device to rate TV serials

It was really quite simple, all of us would watch the show (this time it was Hawaii Five O!) and rate it by turning the knob according the how good each part of the show was.

We recalled that the show was quite raw in that not all the special effects and sound effects had been added in. There were some parts that were quite boring as well (that was when we turned the knob to 0). However, the show eventually screened and is into its second season! 😮

Remember at the start of every MGM movie, there was a lion bursting unto the scene? These are his grandchildren at MGM!

Grandchildren of the original MGM Lion
Grandchildren of the original MGM Lion

We understand that they do not reside there but at a nearby facility and brought over to the hotel…

In the evening, we caught a magic show by Nathan Burton…it combined magic with comedy and was pretty much enjoyable.

Magic Show by Nathan Burton
Magic Show by Nathan Burton

On our last night, we enjoyed the famous fountain show at Bellagio…

Fountains of Bellagio
Fountains of Bellagio

For more details of the Fountains of Bellagio, click here.

Overall, Las Vegas is a great place to spend your holidays. Food and stays are relatively cheap and plenty of international shows and musicals abound. Just make sure that you limit your time at the tables and you’d surely enjoy the holidays at Vegas!

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Huge Portions of Food! Man vs Food Las Vegas – Hash House a Go Go and Nascar Cafe

Man vs Food Las Vegas – Hash House a Go Go and Nascar Cafe

Travel Channel’s Man vs Food has led us to 2 eat outs in Las Vegas!

Though there were many foods introduced in this episode of Man vs Food Las Vegas, we managed to visit 2 of them and we didnt regret it at all!

They are Hash House a Go Go and the Nascar Cafe…

Hash House a Go Go

Hash House a Go Go is located at 6800 West Sahara Ave, Las Vegas NV 89146 and its hours of operation are as follows…

Breakfast & Lunch 7:30am-2:30pm

Dinner Monday-Thursday 5:30pm-9:00pm
Dinner Friday & Saturday 5:30pm-10:00pm
*Closed Sunday Nights

As with all famous eat outs, there was a queue at Hash House a Go Go. We waited for about 10 minutes and got our own seats, being shown to our seats by the friendly waiter at Hash House a Go Go.

The first thing we noticed about this restaurant was that there was no pretense and was totally casual. Everyone was having fun, enjoying their food and the company they had.

We browsed through the menu and laid our eyes on the

Big O’crispy hand hammered pork tenderloin sandwich ($13.95) as well as the Sage Fried Chicken stacked with bacon waffle, hot maple caramel reduction and crowned with fried leeks ($16.95).

We waited in anticipation as we saw huge portions of food being served to the other tables and we were not disappointed when ours arrived…

Big O'crispy hand hammered pork tenderlion sandwich with Macaroni and Cheese on the side (Hash House a Go Go Las Vegas)
Big O’crispy hand hammered pork tenderlion sandwich with Macaroni and Cheese on the side (Hash House a Go Go Las Vegas)

Have you seen this piece of pork tenderloin? It is HUGE! Have you ever seen a piece of patty that exceeds its bread buns by this much? Check out the portion of the macaroni and cheese as well!

Taste: Just as the name suggests, the pork tenderloin was cripsy and juicy. There was something about the flatness that made the whole sandwich that extra palatable. The mac and cheese also went well as a side. Yum!

Man vs Food Las Vegas – Hash House a Go Go and Nascar Cafe
Man vs Food Las Vegas – Hash House a Go Go and Nascar Cafe

Our first thought (could be yours now) is that “How can fried chicken go with waffles and sweet maple syrup?!” The answer: YES!

Taste: Again, the fried chicken was juicy and cripsy (telling us why its famous) and the waffle had bacon in it! Take a look at this!

Sage Fried Chicken stacked with bacon waffle, hot maple caramel reduction and crowned with fried leeks (Close Up at Hash House a Go Go Las Vegas)
Sage Fried Chicken stacked with bacon waffle, hot maple caramel reduction and crowned with fried leeks (Close Up at Hash House a Go Go Las Vegas)

The maple syrup blended well (not too sweet) with the fried chicken. The fried leeks was for us, the secret ingredient that brought these sweet and savoury food pieces together! Each mouth brought out the aroma of the fried leek (unlike anything we’ve tried) while the tastes of the bacon waffle and fried chicken sort of explodes in your mouth as you chew! Wow!

We’ve got to say that Hash House a Go Go is one of the best restaurants we’ve visited in the states. We were pleasantly surprised by the ingenuity and innovation that the restaurant has placed into its food. Needless to say, the taste also had the ‘wow’ factor and we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience there.

Nascar Cafe – Closed

Nascar Cafe at Sahara Hotel (Closed)
Nascar Cafe at Sahara Hotel (Closed)

The Nascar Cafe used to be located at the Sahara Hotel. However, the hotel has since closed and hopefully the cafe has relocated as well. (if our readers do know of the relocation, leave your comments below)

The main reason why we popped by at the Nascar Cafe was because of the challenge introduced in Man vs Food Las Vegas!

In each episode of Man vs Food, there would be a food challenge for host, Adam Richman. In this episode of Man vs Food, the challenge was to finish eating “THE BOMB”!

What is “THE BOMB”? It is actually a 2 feet, 6 pounds burrito…

The Bomb at the Nascar Cafe - MVF Challenge
The Bomb at the Nascar Cafe – MVF Challenge

Coincidentally, we met with a challenger of the MVF challenge and there was even a table allocated just for the challenger. This challenger had finished about a quarter of the bomb and we could see that he was totally “bombed”…and here’s the reason why…

Fillings of "The Bomb" at Nascar Cafe
Fillings of “The Bomb” at Nascar Cafe

“The Bomb” is filled with loads of ingredients including fillers such as rice (rice?!), beans, meat and the wrap. On the top, it is covered with cheese, dressing and olives!

Although the price of “The Bomb” is just $19.95 (good for many), we decided to go with the baby burrito (the smaller version of the bomb)…

Baby Burrito @ Nascar Cafe
Baby Burrito @ Nascar Cafe

We were really really glad that we didnt take up the challenge. Not only because if we did not complete the challenge we would have to take a picture wearing a pink T-shirt that says “Weenie”. BUT because we even had trouble finishing this quarter of the bomb! Kate and I both at that!

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Remember to leave your comments for 2bearbear Singapore Travel Blog in our comments section below!

Of course, if you can finish the challenge, the prize at that time was to have unlimited rides on the now defunct roller coaster of Sahara Hotel.

Overall, thanks to MVF, we were able to experience 2 unique and memorable restaurants in Las Vegas!

Cheers!

Have you noticed these iconic McDonald’s Restaurants?

iconic McDonald’s Restaurants

Through our travels, we have noticed a few outstanding McDonald’s restaurants…

Broadway McDonald’s

Iconic McDonalds with many light bulbs at its entrance NYC
Iconic McDonalds with many light bulbs at its entrance NYC

This McDonald’s was featured on the travel channel’s McDonald’s special. It is easily recognised by the light bulbs used to show the red and yellow colours of McDonald’s. When you actually stand below these bulbs, you can really feel the heat! We wonder what’s the cost of lighting up these bulbs annually…perhaps its time to switch to LED for energy savings!

The Original McDonald’s

The replica of the Original McDonald's @ Downey, California
The replica of the Original McDonald’s @ Downey, California

This particular McDonald’s has 2 stories to tell. For one, if you look closely at the top of the M, there is a mascot that most people do not recognise and associate with McDonald’s today (unlike Ronald McDonald). His name is Speedy and was the first mascot used by McDonald’s before he was replaced by Ronald McDonald.

The other thing particular about it is that it is a replica of the original McDonald’s at Downey, California. This was taken along the way on one of our trips around USA. Immediately, we stopped by and had to take a photo of it. Again, this was also featured in the Travel Channel’s McDonald’s special where the arches, if you notice, have not yet combined to form the golden arches (M) we know today. Although from a distance, when the arches overlap, the golden arches can still be seen.

If you have seen other outstanding McDonald’s restaurants, do share it with us through your valuable comments below!

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

The Origin of the Original Buffalo Wings – Anchor Bar Buffalo New York

Disappointing Buffalo Wings from Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)

Ever wondered what is the origin of the world famous buffalo wings?

On our trip to the Niagara Falls, Kate and I thought that since we’re so close to Buffalo city, perhaps we could taste the world renowned buffalo wings?

So a quick check on google led us to Anchor Bar on Main Street…

Mdm Teressa Bellissimo credited to have created the buffalo wings (Original Buffalo Wings Anchor Bar)
Mdm Teressa Bellissimo credited to have created the buffalo wings (Original Buffalo Wings Anchor Bar)

Legend has it that one day the son of Mdm Teressa Bellissimo (who created the world renowned buffalo wings) returned one day with his friends. In order to feed her hungry guests, she deep fried some wings (in those days, in the 60s, wings were meant for the broth of soups) and covered them in a special sauce and served them with a cheese dip. Voila! The buffalo wings was born!

Legend of the buffalo wings below Mdm Teressa's statue (Original Buffalo Wings Anchor Bar)
Legend of the buffalo wings below Mdm Teressa’s statue (Original Buffalo Wings Anchor Bar)

Kate and I keyed in the address into our GPS and headed over to Anchor Bar. We were there earlier than our usual dinner time in order to avoid the peak hour crowd. However, there was already a queue for dinner at about 6pm!

Inside Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)
Inside Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)

We parked our car (glad we came early, when we left, there were no lots left!) and took some time to look at the menu and placed our order. It took us about 20 minutes before we could get in!

We ordered the buffalo wings and seafood supreme with a couple of drinks. By the time we were seated down, it did not take that long for the food to arrive.

Yummy Seafood Supreme Pasta $17 USD (Anchor Bar Buffalo)
Yummy Seafood Supreme Pasta $17 USD (Anchor Bar Buffalo)

You know we always give our honest to goodness reviews to our readers so that they get the most informative source right from 2bearbear.com.

However, this time, we have got to say that the buffalo wings were a let down. The wings were overly fried and completely lost its moisture. The meat was tough and to be honest, this was one of the worst wings that we’ve tasted. The steep price (almost $1.20USD per mid wing) did not help as well. The sauce and dip did help somewhat but the meat itself was beyond salvage.

Disappointing Buffalo Wings from Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)
Disappointing Buffalo Wings from Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)
Over-fried Crabcakes Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)
Over-fried Crabcakes Anchor Bar (Home of the Original Buffalo Wings)

2 things came to rescue our night though;

1. The Seafood Supreme pasta was surprisingly good! The creamy sauce left one craving for more. The shrimp was also a highlight of this dish. It was really fresh and succulent! Although the serving was a huge one, Kate and I wiped it clean to the bowl!

2. There was live jazz music that set the mood for the evening. We remembered a young musician joining the team for the first time that evening and he played mightily well. Everyone in the audience cheered him on and that made the night really memorable.

We think that the buffalo wings must have been good before, perhaps given the crowd, the wings were fried in bulk and in advance. Hence, the poor texture.

When you’re in buffalo, give it a try though. If you experienced the lousier version, at least you could boast and say that you have tasted the original buffalo wings at Anchor Bar, Buffalo, New York!

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Philadelphia Attractions! – Liberty Bell Independence Hall Philly Cheese Steak Reading Terminal Market

Philadelphia Attractions Liberty Bell Independence Hall Philly Cheese Steak Reading Terminal Market

To round up our list of things to do and attractions in Philadelphia, we are going to cover Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross and the American Flag as well as all the yummy stuff at Reading Terminal Market!

We start our historical trail at the independence hall and it all starts here, at the independence square…

Picture of the Independence Square Philadelphia
Picture of the Independence Square Philadelphia

While we were there, the independence hall was under renovation…

Independence Hall Philadelphia (under reconstruction)
Independence Hall Philadelphia (under reconstruction)

We were led into the hall where the declaration of independence was signed…

Hall where the declaration of Independence was signed
Hall where the declaration of Independence was signed

We were told by the tour guide (who by the way is very very knowledgeable) that there are currently 2 actual pieces of articles from George Washington’s time. The rest of the tables and chairs re-modeled to resemble what it was like during that time. So the two articles were…

The painting seen here taken with our Philly Bear from Radisson Hotel

Painting from George Washington's time
Painting from George Washington’s time

and the chair which George Washington sat on…

Chair with a sun that George Washington sat on
Chair with a sun that George Washington sat on

We were told by our guide that George Washington often questioned whether the sun was a rising sun or a setting sun. The answer was obvious…a rising sun…

Next, we were told a piece of information that even most Americans would not know. The declaration of Independence was actually completed on the 2nd of July 1776! Then why was the declaration of independence only signed on 4th of July 1776? According to our guide, it was time taken to amend from the version that Thomas Jefferson had originally drafted. Some of the things like abolition of slavery as well as the mention of the tyranny of the king were removed from the final version…

Next we were led upstairs…

Going upstairs of Independence Hall
Going upstairs of Independence Hall

The long room upstairs of Independence Hall Philadelphia
The long room upstairs of Independence Hall Philadelphia

Other stuff upstairs…

Piano Independence Hall Philadelphia
Piano Independence Hall Philadelphia
Study Table Independence Hall Philadelphia
Study Table Independence Hall Philadelphia
The arms in the Ammunition Room @ Independence Hall Philadelphia
The arms in the Ammunition Room @ Independence Hall Philadelphia

The signer was fashioned to commemorate the fore fathers who signed 2 important documents in the history of America – The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

The statue of the Signer Philadelphia
The statue of the Signer Philadelphia
Plaque of the Signer Philadelphia
Plaque of the Signer Philadelphia

What we really like about Philadelphia is that life in the city is so delicately interwoven and intertwined with its history. Just a few blocks away, we are along the historical trails where we arrived at the Betsy Ross House. We were just in time for the daily flag raising ceremony at about 10am.

Flag raising ceremony Betsy Ross House Philadelphia
Flag raising ceremony Betsy Ross House Philadelphia

You would almost certainly notice that there are only 13 stars on this flag. This was because it represents the number of states then that participated in the movement…

Betsy Ross Flag with 13 stars
Betsy Ross Flag with 13 stars

Next we visited the liberty bell with its infamous crack…

The Liberty Bell Philadelphia
The Liberty Bell Philadelphia

Well we didn’t exactly catch the crack (because of the crowd) as we took it from the back angle. There were many stories in the hall that leads up to the bell which tells of why the bell cracked what happened when they rang the bell when the declaration of independence was read and so on…

Hallways of stories about the Liberty Bell
Hallways of stories about the Liberty Bell

There were many recollections and many interesting snippets about the Liberty Bell, do spend some time reading them!

Next we headed to the famous Reading Terminal Market!

Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia
Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia

The reason why we were here was because of Man vs Food (MVF)! At that time, we were still having our Starhub Cable TV, so we watched MVF every Wednesday. This episode recounted the French-Dipped Sandwich of DiNic’s!

Dinic's Roast Pork and Beef @ Reading Terminal Market
Dinic’s Roast Pork and Beef @ Reading Terminal Market

We took the liberty of ordering both the Pork and the Beef sandwich topped one with roasted pepper (Jalapeno – chilli pepper) and the other with Spinach.

Beef Sandwich topped with Roasted Pepper and Pork Sandwich with Spinach @ DiNic's
Beef Sandwich topped with Roasted Pepper and Pork Sandwich with Spinach @ DiNic’s

We didnt regret it! In fact, even as we’re writing this post, we’re feeling hungry!! The roast was tender and flavourful while the peppers really packed a punch (definitely not for those who do not take chilli). The spinach also complimented the sandwich really really well.

Not only was the food good, there was some eye candy for Kate as well…

Handsome Owner of Dinic's
Handsome Owner of Dinic’s

As we ventured along the walkways of Reading Terminal Market, we stumbled unto another gem…

Walkways of Reading Terminal Market
Walkways of Reading Terminal Market
Bassetts Ice Cream - America's Oldest Ice Cream Company
Bassetts Ice Cream – America’s Oldest Ice Cream Company

The ice cream was o so good! It was because of the high content of butter in Bassetts ice cream, so do take note – especially for those who are watching those calories! The ice cream parlour also packs in alot of history, being established in 1861 and serving in this same spot for a long long long time now…

Peanut Butter Swirl with Rum and Raisin @ Bassetts Ice Cream
Peanut Butter Swirl with Rum and Raisin @ Bassetts Ice Cream

There was also chocolates galore here in the Reading Terminal Market…

Chocolates Galore at Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia
Chocolates Galore at Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia
Chocolates Galore again at Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia
Chocolates Galore again at Reading Terminal Market Philadelphia

After the delights, we took a walk along the river and caught a glimpse of the USS New Jersey

USS New Jersey Philadelphia
USS New Jersey Philadelphia
Olympia Steel Warship and Becuna Submarine Philadelphia
Olympia Steel Warship and Becuna Submarine Philadelphia

Along the banks, we saw the Olympia (World’s oldest steel warship afloat today, since 1892) and the Becuna Submarine used during WW2.

Olympia and Becuna Comparison
Olympia and Becuna Comparison

Further on, we walked by other memorials such as these Vietnam and Korean War Memorial…

Vietnam War Memorial Philadelphia
Vietnam War Memorial Philadelphia
Korean War Memorial Philadelphia
Korean War Memorial Philadelphia

On the last day as we walked about town, we came by the famous Philadelphia Stock Exchange…

Philadelphia Stock Exchange
Philadelphia Stock Exchange

Rounding up the trip, there was just one last thing we had to do…that is to enjoy a Philly Cheesesteak!

Philly Cheese Steak
Philly Cheese Steak

Philly Cheese Steak from the road stalls, the way the locals have them

Road side stall for Philly Cheese Steaks!
Road side stall for Philly Cheese Steaks!

Philadelphia has got to be one of our favouritest place in USA. It has got a rich history, modern architecture and great food. It is a must visit place when you are in the USA!

You can read about the other 2 Philadelphia Posts here

If you like our content, click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Things to do and Attractions in Philadelphia USA Part 2 – Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Museum of Art,Rocky Statue, City Hall, Elvez,Schuylkill River Trail,Independence Hall

Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Museum of Art,Rocky Statue, City Hall, Elvez,Schuylkill River Trail,Independence Hall

There are so many things to do and attractions in Philadelphia! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Philadelphia!

Venturing on, we passed by the Franklin Institute where we caught a glimpse of Benjamin Franklin seated near its entrance…

The Franklin Institute Philadelphia
The Franklin Institute Philadelphia
Statue of Benjamin Franklin Philadelphia
Statue of Benjamin Franklin Philadelphia

There were also tonnes of statues along the way, commemorating different people and events (Philadelphians, care to help us name them?)…

Statue Philadelphia
Statue Philadelphia
General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Statue Philadelphia
General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Statue Philadelphia
Eakins Oval statue philadelphia
Eakins Oval statue philadelphia
Close up of Eakins Oval statue philadelphia
Close up of Eakins Oval statue philadelphia

We then saw an iconic structure…the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Museum of Art

It was here where Rocky (in the movie) ran up these steps (known as “Rocky” steps) as he trained…which is why the Rocky statue is also situated nearby…

Rocky Statue Philadelphia
Rocky Statue Philadelphia

We had a refreshing view of the river along the Schuylkill River Trail…

Along Schuylkill River Trail Philadelphia
Along Schuylkill River Trail Philadelphia

Near the waterworks was a familiar figure…

Abraham Lincoln Statue Philadelphia
Abraham Lincoln Statue Philadelphia

Although not nearly as large as its Washington counterpart, but just as iconic.

On the way back, we also saw a statue of Joan of Arc…

Statue of Joan of Arc Philadelphia
Statue of Joan of Arc Philadelphia

as well as the St. Paul and St. Peter Church…

St. Paul and St. Peter Church Philadelphia
St. Paul and St. Peter Church Philadelphia

We also caught another view of the City Hall as well as the Independence Hall which we intend to visit the next day…

Another view of the City Hall Philadelphia
Another view of the City Hall Philadelphia
Independence Hall Philadelphia
Independence Hall Philadelphia

A wonderful sunset drew the day to a close as we ended our dinner at Elvez, a mexican modern restaurant…

Sunset Philadelphia USA
Sunset Philadelphia USA
Elvez - Mexican Modern Restaurant Philadelphia
Elvez – Mexican Modern Restaurant Philadelphia

To our surprise, the restaurant was fully packed for dinner and we were advised to return an hour later. We didnt make a booking because we didnt know if our hunger would over come us. Still, we saved the space in our tummies and returned to Elvez at about 8:30pm. It was still very crowded but the friendly staff gave us a cosy table for 2…

There are several famous foods at Elvez and we tried the 2 Nachos, namely Macho Nachos as well as Nachos with Guacamole…

Macho Nachos El Vez Mexican Restaurant Philadelphia
Macho Nachos El Vez Mexican Restaurant Philadelphia

Macho Nachos has got to be the best Nachos we’ve ever tasted. All the ingredients used were fresh and the flavours bursts in your mouth literally as you enter for the first bite. Hints of lime, mighty cheese, a little bit of spice,olives,fresh tomatoes and the meat all blended together to give that WOW taste…you’ve got to try it if you’re there!

Next, we also tried the famous original Elvez Guacamole Nachos…

Original Elvez Guacamole Nachos
Original Elvez Guacamole Nachos

Again, the ingredients were fresh and the portions were huge. The taste of the guacamole didnt disappoint and went interestingly well with the Nachos. Another favourite here…

We accompanied our dinner with a couple of drinks…

Cocktails at Elvez Philadelphia
Cocktails at Elvez Philadelphia
Sangria at Elvez Philadelphia
Sangria at Elvez Philadelphia

In our next post, we will give the details of the heritage trails (independence Hall, liberty bell, betsy ross house)

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Doumar’s – Inventor of the World’s First Ice Cream Cone

Doumar’s – Inventor of the World’s First Ice Cream Cone

We were told by our friends that Doumar’s was a local cafe in Virginia that invented the world’s first ice cream cone! Of course we were excited to visit it, not only because it invented the first ice cream cone in the world, but also because it is a first hand experience of American-styled diners (not your usual Billy Bombers, New York New York kind). The authentic American-styled diners!

As we approached the place, it was not that easy to find Doumar’s, it sort of like blended into the neighbourhood. We were expecting it to really stand out, i mean, it’s the INVENTOR OF THE WORLD’S FIRST ICE CREAM CONE!!

The Signboard of Doumar's
The Signboard of Doumar’s

The restaurant was full when we got there. As it was our first time there, we really did not know if we should queue or eat in the car like many other diners in the parking lot (they actually serve you at your car! ) But we thought that we came all this way, we should just dine in.

The wait was quite fast (compared to some wanton noodles stalls in Singapore) and we were seated within 15 minutes. Doumar’s felt homely and was somewhat close to what we had expected. People were chatting happily, enjoying their burgers, shakes and ice cream. The current owner, (still a Doumar) walks around like a celebrity (we reckon he is in his 80s) with many diners wanting to have a photo with him.

Crowded Doumars
Photos inside Doumars Ice Cream
Photos inside Doumars Ice Cream
Poster in Doumar's Ice Cream
Poster in Doumar’s Ice Cream

We had the cheeseburger and meat with slaw burger which were reasonably priced at $2.4 and $4 respectively. We also had 2 large cups of Banana and Strawberry Milkshake! Yum!

Cheeseburger with Fries Doumar's
Cheeseburger with Fries Doumar’s
Meat with Slaw Burger (Doumar's Ice Cream)
Meat with Slaw Burger (Doumar’s Ice Cream)
Thick Strawberry and Banana Milkshake. Yum! (Doumar's Ice Cream)
Thick Strawberry and Banana Milkshake. Yum! (Doumar’s Ice Cream)

We shared one ice cream cone thereafter and we were happy that we were now part of history! Of course we took a photo of the machine that took the world by storm – The world’s first ice cream cone machine!

World's First Ice Cream Cone Making Machine at Doumar's
World’s First Ice Cream Cone Making Machine at Doumar’s

We were told that this manner of ice cream cone making is still the same today! Talk about lasting inventions!

We would definitely recommend going to Doumar’s for a bite if you are in the vicinity of Virginia. It is a homely American Diner’s with lots of history minus the pretentious hype when restaurants get famous. Opened since 1904, we’re happy that popularity did not influence this wonderful diners. Definitely worth a trip to be part of history!

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Stuff Yourself Full at Golden Corral Buffet!

Golden Corral Buffet

Kate and I have been watching lots of American Drama/ Sit-Coms lately and the Golden Corral Buffet commercial kept popping up (along with chillis and subway…), argh…consumerism…

Yeah…we couldnt resist consumerism, so we went to Golden Corral to give it a try…

Entrance to Golden Corral
Entrance to Golden Corral

Golden Corral is really cheap for a buffet, it costs around 10-15 bucks per person. (Depending on Lunch or Dinner and your location). Here you can really enjoy an all American meal at a fraction of the price.

Inside Golden Corral
Inside Golden Corral

At the restaurant, we could see many families enjoying the food and having a good time. We also do see many with obesity issues in the restaurant…the price of consumerism…

The food itself was ok. Liked the fried chicken and the cuts of beef. Yum. In general, the food was not that fantastic but it more than made up in variety. There were asian, italian and of course american food served here. Kate and I tried the foods that we like for the first round and those that tasted good, we went for the second round…here are the foods we had

Healthy Vegetables @ Golden Corral
Healthy Vegetables @ Golden Corral
Creamy Soups @ Golden Corral
Creamy Soups @ Golden Corral
Tom's first round Meats + Receipt at Golden Corral!
Tom’s first round Meats + Receipt at Golden Corral!
Kate's first round at Golden Corral - Healthy Choices
Kate’s first round at Golden Corral – Healthy Choices
More Chicken and Pizza at Golden Corral!
More Chicken and Pizza at Golden Corral!
Desserts @ Golden Corral
Desserts @ Golden Corral
More Desserts @ Golden Corral
More Desserts @ Golden Corral

Overall, it was a good place to hang out and have a variety of foods. The price was really economical and makes it a very family friendly venue without causing a hole in the pocket. But if you really want to make your money’s worth, have lunch there and save for dinner!

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Cheesecake Factory USA – Where Penny from “Big Bang Theory” works

The Cheesecake Factory

Kate and I have been catching up on Big Bang Theory the last couple of weeks. In the show, Penny (the lead actress) works in the Cheesecake Factory.

So Kate and I were excited and really wanted to see how the Cheesecake Factory was like and how its food tasted. So after an exhausting day of shopping at the mall, we decided to have a break at the Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory

The decorations were quite country with woody tables. Even the menu had a country feel to it. We ordered a meal which came with a chicken wrap, the cheesecake as well as the coke.

The Meal at Cheesecake Factory
The Meal at Cheesecake Factory

The total bill was $18.70 USD! After conversion, that’s about $25 SGD! So it was quite expensive in a sense that we paid a restaurant price but had “fast food” dish. But what the heck…we were in America…

Char Grilled Flat Bread Tex Mex Sandwich from Cheesecake Factory
Char Grilled Flat Bread Tex Mex Sandwich from Cheesecake Factory

The wrap was actually good! It was the char grilled flat bread Tex Mex Sandwich. The veg had a real crunch to it and the sauce went really well with the chicken. Yum. Next, we had the chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake @ $6.99 USD.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory

The cheesecake was really rich and you could taste the bits in the cheesecake. Worth the bucks I’d say.

Overall, it was a little bit on the ex (expensive) side. However, the taste of the wrap as well as the cheesecake did gave us a real surprise. We would definitely try the other cheesecakes if we have the opportunity to visit the Cheesecake Factory again!

If you like our content, do click below to “Like” us on Facebook Today!

[Going on Vacation?] Your support helps to keep our content on 2bearbear.com fresh each week! 🐻🐻✈️🧳Buy us a Coffee☕🍩🥐 OR
This is default text for notification bar