Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Taco Bell Beef Isn't Really Beef -- I KNEW IT!!!

This isn't the most noteworthy news.  After all, did any of us REALLY assume that Taco Bell used real ground beef in their amazingly cheap (yet delicious) food-like offerings?

Nope, me either.

Here is a listing of what is in their "Ground Beef" that's really called "Taco Meat Filling."  Personally, I'm just relieved that there isn't any horse...
Beef, water, isolated oat product, salt, chili pepper, onion powder, tomato powder, oats (wheat), soy lecithin, sugar, spices, maltodextrin (a polysaccharide that is absorbed as glucose), soybean oil (anti-dusting agent), garlic powder, autolyzed yeast extract, citric acid, caramel color, cocoa powder, silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent), natural flavors, yeast, modified corn starch, natural smoke flavor, salt, sodium phosphate, less than 2% of beef broth, potassium phosphate, and potassium lactate
How's that for a list?  Nothing says yummy taco like "autolyzed yeast extract."

Hit the jump for Taco Bell's response:

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Starbucks to Introduce Larger Cup; My Bladder is Too Small

Taking a page from their awesome April Fools joke, when they announced the creation of a 128oz. "Plenta" cup, Starbucks has announced that they are actually introducing a larger cup.

This new cup size, known as a "Trenta," will be (only) 31oz. and will be used for cold drinks only.  But to give you an idea of the size.  It is over 50% larger than their "Venti" cups which are only 20oz. The additional price should be about 50 cents more than a "Venti."

To be honest I'm glad about this.  Whenever I've ordered an iced coffee, I've always felt a little jipped, due to the fact that 70% of the drink appears to be ice.  Fortunately, now I'll get plenty of caffeine.  Unfortunately, I don't think my bladder can handle the extra volume of liquid -- time to grab a table close to the bathroom!

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Nook

Score:
Atmosphere: 4.5/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 13/15

Price: $ (under $10)
Kid Friendly: Yes.  A hi-chair and a kids meu are available.

Conclusion:  Yay, I have a nearby non-starbucks coffee choice!Warm decor, good food (and coffee) and a friendly staff make this place worth visiting again and again.  Next time I'm coming here for lunch to try the Pesto Turkey sandwich!

Click the jump for my detailed review and info about The Nook:


Wednesday, January 5, 2011

National Whipped Cream Day!

Yes, you read the headline correctly.  Today is National Whipped Cream Day! 

It's a day of celebration!  It's a day of sweetness! So grab a loved one and some whipped cream and nibble... So, go get some whipped cream!

Here's a quote from the article:
 On this day, January 5 in 1914 Aaron “Bunny” Lapin was born in St. Louis Missouri. He ultimately developed the aerosol spray cream which was then and still known today as “Reddi-Wip.” Back then, spray creams had already been available for a few years but the canister always had to be taken back to factory to get refilled. Bunny invented the convenient single-use can and we celebrate his birthday in honor of his accommodating contribution to dessert lovers.
And here's a link to the article: http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/01/05/national-whipped-cream-day-happy-whipped-cream-day/

Wine Wednesday: Wily Jack Cabernet

When it comes to food, I'm not terribly snooty -- I'll eat anything as long as it tastes good.

But when it comes to my wine, I have a little bit of attitude.  I don't care if it's cheap or expensive, I just want the wine makers to deliver a good product.

So, when I saw the Wily Jack website I was worried.  Their homepage focuses on the label and not the wine.  Here is the first sentence of their homepage -- I kid you not:
Wily Jack wines have packaging that is graphically compelling and entertaining, with stories that chronicle the life and wisdom of Wily Jack.
Yeah, their website boasts that their wine bottlesthey have stories that chronicle the life of Wily Jack -- a fictional character.  Seriously, if I wanted to read while drinking -- I'd stick with Playboy Cosmo.

Click the jump to read the rest of the review and the score.