El Camino Real

Basically by chance, I've been to this place three times in the last few weeks.  I don't feel like going too into depth about the place, so I'll make it quick.

The Bar:  The bar does not have a single rotating tap.  The only things worth drinking here are Legacy Dear Abbey Dubbel or the Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, and even those can get old if you come too often.  It's also overpriced; $7 and $6 respectively for the aforementioned beers. Here's the redeeming quality that makes it all worthwhile: half priced pints, pitchers, and margaritas from 5-7 on weekdays.

The Food:  The menu is split into two separate sections, Mexican and Texas.  I've had the barbeque and a burrito, and both were good.  The menu is a mixed bag with some great deals and some overpriced dishes, so chose wisely.  You will also save money by ordering your sandwich and sides separately, which is really strange.  If you take a moment and check out the menu, and ask your server a few questions, I'm sure you will be happy with your choices.

My conclusion is that El Camino Real is a fine place, as long as when I go, it's happy hour, and my visits are not too frequent.  $2.50 endless chips and salsa are an excellent appetizer, with green and smoked red salsa.

Best Bars in the City

Since Lana gave me a shoutout, I have gome from one to six subscribers in Google reader. That's pretty cool.  Google reader's trends and recommendations also give me some things to look at when my friends aren't writing enough blogs.  It's pretty fun.

Remember that list of the 50 best bars in the city?  I disagree with a lot of the rankings. Overall, I still think it's a pretty good list.  But really...Grace Tavern #1...and the Abbaye at #28?  The Abbaye is one of my favorite bars.  Memphis Taproom and Johnny Brenda's are also great; my biggest grip is that they are a bit overpriced.  And amid all of those bars, not including Manny Brown's and Eulogy is a mistake.

Besides the point, I haven't been to a lot of the bars on the list, and I would like to change that. Lots of new places have opened up too:  Devil's Den, Local 44 and El Camino Real (The only one of these three I've been to.)  I want to start going to bars that I haven't been to before instead of staying with the ones that I know are good.

What are your favorite places? Where's the best happy hour?  Am I crazy to put this much thought into it?  By the end of the year, or at some point, I'd like to be able to compile a list like this of my own.  Seriously though, leave a comment and tell me where I should get my next beer.

Ekta

As my friend John Mallinen put it, "I'm just way into the idea that I can eat bomb-ass Indian food without even leaving my house." And here it is: Ekta is the new king of 19125 delivery Indian food. This new joint opened recently on Girard Ave and only a few blocks from Tiffin. And I've heard that a few people from Tiffin left and started Ekta, but I'm not sure, and it doesn't really matter.

Ekta has a good variety of veg options. Overall, it has standard, but great Indian options. Lentils, Paneer, lamb, and chicken are served with fresh vegetables in various curries. Best of al, each dish is made to order. The main downside of Ekta is that it has no atmosphere. Two small tables are crammed into the front of the kitchen, leaving almost no room to eat at the restaurant.

Here's the bottom line: Ekta offers fresh, healthy, delicious Indian food, and it's cheaper than Tiffin. The main dishes are just as good, if not better. There is no reason, however, to eat at the restaurant. If you're trying to go out for Indian food, Tiffin should be your option. Still, be lazy, order Ekta delivery, and enjoy the goodness from your own couch.

A copy of the menu can be found here.

Essentials: 250 E Girard Ave

Phone: 215-339-9613

Avg Ent: 6-11

Reservations: N/A

BYOB: Doesn't really matter...

You kept it as long as you could

For a long time, I was one of the few among my friends who has not been in bike accident.  As of this morning, I proudly join your ranks.  Despite my slow and careful commute to work, I wiped out on the corner of Coral and Susquehanna when I hit a patch of ice while turning.

I nearly did a full on faceplant, and my immediate first thought was to check if I had all of my teeth.  

I'm not sure if this picture shows really how fat my lip is right now.  It's all up in my face!

The Kitchen

It's been two weeks at my new(ish) job. I am getting used to it and my daily routine.  Waking up early and then working for eight hours was difficult for the first week.

Now, I'm into waking up early.  Each morning I get up, grab some coffee, drum on the back of my head, put on some tunes, and make breakfast and lunch.  These condiments are essential:

Saracha make my breakfast spicy and delicious. (Unless it's cereal. I don't mix the two.  But I could...)  The questionable yellow substance is some delicious aioli Lana made for me.  She's great like that.  It's soo good.  Really, she could sell the stuff. 

The above picture is blurry because in the morning, before I have my contacts in, any picture that I take is going to look blurry to me.  I have to trust auto focus; this morning, it deceived me.

The fridge is also well stocked:

It's not really that well stocked.  Unless you're only looking at the beer selection.  I was.  Enjoy.

Goals for 2009

I recap from 2008 goals: I had seven goals. I achieved five. If I was batting .714 in the majors, I think I would be doing alright. Sidney Crosby is only shooting .120 this season, but he is visibly upset about it. Enough about sports though.

The two that didn't make it are big contenders for 2009. Here's my list of goals for the New Year:

Finish all 90 lessons of Pimselur French
Find a house that I want to buy
Multiply a cell
Go to a country that I've never been to
Play Roulette in Las Vegas (and not lose too much money)
Read the bible for at least one minute each day
Take a graduate class in the Fall
Complete the Philadelphia Triathlon

I made a list a while ago of my goals, but I lost it. I think I've mostly got the gist of it. It's going to be a good year.

It is important to realize that resolutions or goals should never set one up for failure. I believe that I can accomplish all of these goals. But it's also a stretch. I am trying to grow myself, live my life, be totally happy, and full of joy.

Pandora Radio

I've started work. Things are going pretty well. Does anyone use Pandora anymore? I'm moving around a lot, and on a lot of different computers, and would love to have some music to listen to. Unfortunately, my radio stations on Pandora aren't that great. Any suggestions?