Polly's e-mail of the week\Restaurant Reviews

I received this interesting e-mail from the Executive Vice President of Mercedes Restaurants:

Dear Polly:

I heard through a friend that you recently ate at Bud's and were dissatisfied with the cost of your meal. I would like the opportunity to discuss this with you to find out what happened that evening. On just the information you wrote, I figure your bill should have been around $80.00.

Please call 676-6443 and leave me your phone number and a time it would be possible to call you.

Thanks,
Steve Shaw
Executive Vice President
Mercedes Restaurants, Inc.

Give the guy credit for customer service! I doubt there are many Executive Vice Presidents who would try to track down an allegedly unhappy customer in the bloggersphere! Mr. Shaw is referring to my January 9th post. I can't return your call and remain anonymous, Mr. Shaw, but I will republish my "review" of Bud's. Our bill may have been $80.00, but with tax and 20% tip we paid $90.00 (I checked the credit card statement) on the nose.

I wrote...

...A rather dull weekend. Just the way I like 'em. Slept in both days. Glorious. Never got around to doing laundry, cleaning my house, or disassembling the Christmas tree. Even better.

My Significant Other (S.O.) and I did get out last night. We had dinner at Bud's, coffee at Starbucks, and then saw Fun with Dick and Jane at the Rave. Dinner at Bud's was just okay. We had an appetizer of calamari, shared a porterhouse steak, and ordered a side of sauteed mushrooms. Our tab, with tax and tip came to $90.00. We had two beers as well, and our steak came with a house salad and some very good bread. Nonetheless, the decor, ambiance and quality of food doesn't come close to F. Scott's or some of the other numerous steakhouses in town. Some of them significantly less expensive. There was a decent crowd, but no where near what V.O.P.s used to draw in...

If it's any comfort Mr. Shaw, I didn't give high praise for the movie either.

There has been some chatter from readers about the new Mexican Restaurant on University, Vallarta's. (This blog attracts a lot of "Foodies" I tell you!) I ate there recently, quite tasty. Better than Jalapeno's or Fiesta Ranchero by far. Loved the shrimp burrito. If you want REAL Mexican cuisine you must venture to La Mexicana located on Jefferson and Mary. Not the best part of town, but not the worst either. Finally tried it after Bill Dennis wouldn't stop blogging about it. La Mexicana has AUTHENTIC Mexican food at dirt cheap prices. If they ever get wi-fi, I will probably live there. However, Vallarta's is more comfy and better for bigger groups. La Mexicana has about five tables.

After being pestered by co-workers for about a year, I finally ventured up to Seven on Prospect. I heard it was good but expensive. Polly is very cheap, spending money is painful. I agree with everyone. Seven on Prospect both good AND pricey. I loved everything I tried. I had the shrimp bisque, an amazing pasta dish which was called Pasta Gregiore (well, something "Greg" anyway). I've never had chicken so tender or tasty. Remembering marsala sauce and mushrooms in that dish are making my mouth water as I write this. Moreover, the pasta was aldente and not mushy! My Significant Other (S.O.) was good and had fish, salmon something. It looked amazing, but I didn't want to use up any stomach space for responsible, healthful fish when I could fill up on the Gregsomething Pasta. S.O. paid and would not share the total with me. Classy. However, S.O. did say that it was significantly less than Bud's. I'm guessing our two entrees were about $15.00 a piece, the bisque was $7.00, I had a Diet Coke, and S.O. had beer. We were served warm bread with butter and an olive spread. We were way too full dessert. I'm guestimating the total was around $50.00. An entire week's worth of groceries costs me the same, but I will be back nonetheless.

A tasty steak dinner for two, I can easily prepare at home for around $25.00. I wouldn't know where to start in order to prepare seafood bisque or Gregorysomething Chicken Pasta at any price.

Hey, Bill!

Heard you moved into a place down by the river. So, we want to know when and where is the house warming party?

As you can see, Scarlet got an arm wax and a new dress just for the occasion.

I Miss Dave's Blog

I really, really, REALLY miss it in fact. I kind of considered myself a part of the Dahl Family. Uh, actually, that might freak them out a bit. What I mean is checking up on the Dahl's always cheered my day. It also reminded me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to stop wallowing in my petty problems. I can't think of a better example of grace, strength, and even happiness found while facing adversity than the Dahls. Despite having a young son struggling with Batten Disease, the Dahl Family boldly marches through life heaping unconditional love on their kids while swatting down any barrier to joy that dares to cross their path. Their kids Clifford and "One-eye" are adorable.

My pathetic understanding of Batten Disease: It is a rare but fatal disease that slowly dissolves brain tissue. To me, it sort of sounds like Alzhiemer's that strikes young kids. If you want a better, more scientific explanation, click here.

I don't know why Dave gave up his blog - heaven knows he has a lot on his plate. I just want him to know that he is missed. So, To: Dave, Corrina, Clifford and One Eye - I just want you to know that I say a prayer for your wonderful family every day. Hope all is well. Stay strong.

Historical Society Thinks Buildings are More Precious than Children

Old, abestos buildings housing Peoria's kids six hours a day must be saved at all costs. District 150 must be stopped from destroying 19th century schools ill equipped to serve 21st century children. I heard on news radio this morning that the Peoria Hysteria Society is attempting to have three schools declared historical. Such a declaration would block District 150 from demolishing dilapidated schools in order to build schools designed to better educate children.

Gosh, if the Hysterical Society finds these old schools so precious, why don't they make an offer to buy them? Don't have the funds? Well, why don't you raise the necessary funds to buy them? Oh, there aren't nearly enough people willing to donate their hard earned dollars to save these old schools? Guess what? THEN YOU ARE (OR SHOULD BE) SCREWED.

Don't get me wrong. I love old buildings. Give me brick. Give me hardwood. Crown moulding. Cornices. Trees. Love and need all of them. However, if giving up my charming older home was necessary in order to provide a better education for my offspring, I would give it up. Kids come first. At least kids should come first. I notice the three schools the Hysterical Society are trying to save are in the poorer areas of town. Huh. I wonder how many Hysterical Society members have children enrolled in those schools?

Schools are meant to serve and educate students not monuments. I don't care if Whitter School was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and he built it all by himself by hand (no, he didn't do either) if there isn't anyone out there willing to pay for the property, it has to go. It is more important to invest in the future than preserve the past.