Plugs for the local businesses

Time for some referrals because they scored well on my wallet: 1. Gracie's Deli, 10 am to 9pm, Located on Romick Parkway/Bright Road. This quaint little deli/bistro features a good range of Amish Cheeses, Meats, jams, noodles, breads, pies as well as a good range of ice-creams and sandwiches. There have been a lot of recommendations to DRIVE 3 hours to Amish Country for their Trail Bologna, well Trail Bologna came to me, really good meat. In addition, my new favorite there is the Blueberry Ice-cream, wow, smacked my tastes buds with a beautiful creamy but not overpowering, swirl of blueberry and waffle crumbs. I give Gracie's Deli : MUST STOP BY. PS: They have Hooters girls at their charity car wash. Just in case there are readers who erhm ... idolize busty girls in scanty bikinis. 2. Flippin Jimmy's : Located at 110 W North St, Fostoria. The big boss knows my appetite for the simple favorites. Flippin Jimmy's is the place, in his words, "A GOOD greasy burger and Fries." Mind you, he is an advocate for gym time and exercise for a healthy lifestyle. I MUST try this place out, they toppled the health guru to the dark side. Yeah!! Fantastic burgers and excellent crispy bold fries. The burgers are reminiscence of the old drive thrus on roller skates. And they have the huge tv, plus I changed the channels to ESPN. The sweet tea is a great companion to any of the items on the menu. Chicken chunks are excellent, better than the other chains. Not too greasy and still moist. Plus free WI-FI. My only stink with them, the closed COFFEE bar. This coffee junkie was cheated of liquid diesel. Flippin Jimmy's get a: Back flip. 3. Jim's Hot Dogs. Located: at the North End of Findlay on Saturdays. Location can vary. I am a glutton for HOT DOGS, especially if I am swept home to 8th Avenue and 42nd Street NYC. So on a rare Saturday morning, I stumbled upon a rainbow coloured umbrella and the familiar aroma of meat in a bun, I had to narrowly kill 3 cars, cross 4 lanes, zip across the parking lot and screeched to a halt with 2 wide-eyed, wet pants monkeys in the back seat. "Hit me up with 2 dogs and a bag of chips for them" The first bite, snapped the skin a little, was surreal. The outdoor tables and the passing traffic may helped with the 10% NYC experience, nah. These are great dogs. In the meantime, 2 other customers pulled up, an elderly man and lady in executive attire. The range of customers tells the story, the FOOD RULES! Jim's Dogs definitely packs the BITE!

4. Buckingham Enterprises

Located at: http://buck-33.blogspot.com/.

This is the man for custom jewelry, but best for Masonic Jewels. A lot of beautiful and intricate pieces.

Buckingham Enterprises gets a Hat Tip.

Sorry Detroit

I feel for the motor city and their losing streak.

Detroit Car makers
Detroit Lions
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Tigers

Finally the light that would have been their only salvation, the Detroit Red Wings, who kept me up for the last week, fell gracefully to the smaller, younger but mightier Penguins.

Let's just say, the Kid grew Wings and won the STANLEY CUP.

LET'S GO PENS!!
What a game!
The tear jerker, when Lemieux raised the Cup.
And the unfortunate thought that this is it, no more hockey.
All the hard work staying up late has come to this, the Holy Grail that hockey greats exchange spit. The cheering and pounding of fists, the white towels that used to be in the kitchen.
This is the end of the season.
I can sleep tonight.

ps: now I am in a drought of sports entertainment until August, when FOOTBALL season starts!!

Game 5!!

Penguin's Recipe for Success.

Evgeni Malkin's mother's lucky borscht

Thursday, June 04, 2009
By Bob Batz Jr., Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Red Borscht

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin loves his parents, Natalia and Vladimir, being here from Magnitogorsk, Russia,to watch him play -- in great part because his mom can cook for him. Just after scoring a hat trick in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Malkin told the Toronto Sun that was the key to his success: "Every time before a game, I get great cooking. Great Russian food" (that day, a beef entree with soup).
His mom says (via the translation of Penguins sales account executive George Birman) that this is her son's favorite.

1 pound any kind of meat, cubed (approximately 1 1/2-inches)
3 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 medium head cabbage, cored and shredded
8-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 medium beets, peeled and shredded
3 carrots, peeled and shredded
1 teaspoon white sugar, or to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
6-ounce can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup sour cream, for topping
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Fill a large pot halfway with water (about 2 quarts), add the meat and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cover the pot. Add the potatoes and bring to a boil. Add the cabbage and the can of diced tomatoes and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the beets, and cook until tender. Add the carrots, the white sugar and the raw garlic. Stir in the tomato paste and water until well blended. Add skillet contents to the soup and bring to a boil, cover and turn off the heat. Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. Taste, and season with salt, pepper and additional sugar, if desired.
Ladle into serving bowls, and garnish with sour cream and fresh parsley.
-- Natalia Malkin, via the Pittsburgh Penguins
First published on June 4, 2009 at 12:00 am

Thank you, Post-Gazette.

I hope his mom made enough for the whole team!