Chicken Lettuce Wraps never tasted better!

In addition to my insight on food, recipes and restaurants, I thought I would include a category on stellar happy hours with great food deals! Besides, happy hour is my favorite time of the day. Lets start it off with a china bistro staple, P.F. Changs. Two words, half off. Lettuce wraps are even tastier when they are only four bucks!



Below is a list of some of their appetizers offered during happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Prices range from $2 to $6.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Seared Ahi Tuna

Dynamite Shrimp

Crispy Green Beans (my favorite!)

Salt and Pepper Calamari

Spring Rolls

Dumplings

Spare Ribs

To find a location near you, check out http://www.pfchangs.com/pfc/locations.aspx.

It is pumpkin season!

As we approach the holiday season, many people have the sudden urge to bake and I am certainly not an exception. One of my favorite holiday ingredients to bake with is pumpkin. So far this season I have only made one pumpkin dessert but I wanted to share it with anyone who is looking for a sweet treat. It combines the delicious flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon with a yellow cake crust. Follow the three easy steps and your mouth will be watering in no time! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Cookie Bar Bake at 350° for 60-75 min

Crust

1 yellow cake mix (Pillsbury) reserve 1 cup for topping

½ cup butter or margarine (melted)

1 egg

Mix and spread in butter/floured 9x13 pan

Filling

1 29oz can of solid packed pumpkin (large can)

3 eggs

½ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar packed

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 ½ tsp. cinnamon (or pumpkin spice)

Pour over cake mixture

Topping

½ cup chopped walnuts

¼ cup butter or margarine

remaining 1 cup of cake mix

Mix until crumbly, sprinkle over pumpkin mixture

Welcome home Chipotle!

Chipotle finally comes to Eugene and it seems to be a big hit! Could that have anything thing to do with the free food and drinks? Maybe. But, either way, customers seemed excited as they waited anxiously in line for their free burrito.

I was one of the many customers today at the pre-opening for Chipotle on Coburg Road. For me, there was no promotion necessary because I have been eating at Chipotles around the Portland area for awhile and have been awaiting the Eugene store's grand opening.

For those of you not familar with Chipotle, it is a trendy Mexican grill offering a variety of burritos, tacos, bowls and salads. The style of the restaurant is simple and unique, using metal and wood as their textiles of choice. According to their Web site (www.chipotle.com), they believe the food tastes better in a cool environment, so that is the inspiration behind the design of each restaurant. Chipotle values quality food that is natural, unprocessed, organic and sustainable. I think this type of product line will mesh well with the Eugene locals.

Now for the food - I am obviously bias because I have been eating at Chipotle for a couple years, but I think it is pretty darn good. Customers have a choice of beef, chicken, pork or vegetarian. These protein choices can then be combined with veggies, rice, pinto or black beans, cheese, lettuce, salsa, a corn mix, guacamole and sour cream. Your meal is prepared right in front of you, similar to the style of a Subway or Qdoba. My personal favorite is the chicken tacos with a side of guac and their fabulous tortilla chips. The food is good, served quick and there is a lot of it. One perk is Chipotles have their liquor license, so you can order a refreshing Corona on the side to pair with your Mexican meal.

The new Chipotle is located on Coburg right next to the car wash, across the street from the Verizon Wireless store. It is also right across the street from a Baja Fresh, I wonder how much this will affect their business?

Be sure to bring you appetite for their grand opening tomorrow, June 4, from 11a.m. -8p.m. for FREE FOOD!

For all those new to Chipotle, I would love to hear your feedback! Let me know what you think...

www.chipotle.com

Worth the wait - Dickie Jo's Burgers

I give thumbs up to the new 1950's diner-style restaurant in Eugene on 13th and Pearl, Dickie Jo's Burgers. It is not your typical diner with all the poodle skirt fluff; it is trendy and updated with some delicious burgers and ice cream.

This restaurant is another "Westraunt Concept" prototype of Phil and Jim West and first of its kind, so give it a chance. It is an affiliate with local restaurants, Mucho Gusto and Fina Taqueria. Yesterday was only their fifth day open, so there are still have some quirks to work out, but I have no complaints.



The menu is similar to any other diner with hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, onion rings, wedge salads, sandwiches and chili. The price point is not too bad, at about $6 - $8 for a meal. All their meats are naturally raised and made special for this restaurant without all the injected hormones. Always a plus!

Coming soon to the menu: a chicken salad and a chicken salad sandwich.

The best part of this place is their ICE CREAM. If you want rich, creamy, thick ice cream, this is your place. I had a chance to talk to the owner about their specialty, "It is made with some of the best flavors and is like Haagen Dazs coming out of a soft serve machine." He explained that is it traditional ice cream, served softly. As for me, it is quite honestly the best ice cream I have ever had!

Perks other than the food

- Two big screen televisions

- Great dining experience with an upbeat staff

- Fun, classic tunes, not your typical 50's genre.

- Refillable drinks, try the lemonade!

- Food served to you in 10 minutes or less (once the kitchen quirks are worked out)

I recommend everyone check this place out because I plan to go back. The owner assured me that everything will be running smoothly soon and he plans to open more Dickie Jo's if this one is a hit! I wish them the best of luck!