March, 2009
Hamilton, NJ
Obviously you don't expect much of the chain restaurants and their bars, and previous experiences have upheld this low expectation, if such expectations can be upheld. Maybe you downhold low expectations? Regardless, Longhorn had something new to offer.
The "top shelf" Long Island iced tea.
Yes, for only fifty cents more, we could experience the upper echelon of the LIIT. Had to ask, what's the difference? Our waitress told us that the regular LIIT was made with a mix, but the top shelf one was made with premium alcohols mixed by hand. Well, now you had the attention of the committee at large! Bring those immediately and spill them everywhere!!
It was at this time that a discussion of the necessity of the foam at the top of the glass ensued. Perhaps a new rating category? We shall see.
So the sipping of the TSLIIT began. Quite nice was the overall impression! Very smooth. A superior beverage by all accounts...except...where's the signature kick? Food came, drinks emptied...nothing. So we decided to get a second round, some sticking with top shelf, some trying the lower shelf for comparison's sake. (Comparison: Bottom shelf very similar to other chains' lemony attempts.) Two LIITs down, no one is feeling it.
So the quality was there, but what was the point? If you're just looking for a tasty drink, enjoy a Pepsi or a Shirley Temple. But that's not why the LIIT was invented. We know what we're looking for.
Taste: 9
Throwdownability: 9
Kick: 6
Quantity: Average
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Plumstead Grill
January, 2009
Cream Ridge, NJ
I've thought long and hard about how a town would have come to be called Cream Ridge. It stands to reason that some cream and a ridge would be involved, but therein lies the problem. Oak Ridge I can see. That would be a ridge of land, maybe the top of a small hill, where one would find some oak trees. Oom papa mau-mau. Creamtown would work -- the town that was known for making some of the best cream in...New Jersey. (?) But Cream Ridge? A ridge of land where, what, the cream stream flows through? Hardly likely. But intriguing...really, what would be the downside of a stream of heavy cream running through your back yard? Large pants, I guess. But I digress.
After driving and driving and driving through what seemed to be turning into the pine barrens of NJ, we arrived at -- fittingly -- a giant log cabin. Inside the woodsy theme continued as we were led around the very large, centrally-located bar (good sign). We immediately ordered out LIITs and got to work.
Upon first sipping looks were exchanged. This was a strong one. Not as sweet a taste as others by far, but also not a fluffy drink. More of a call-your-best-friend-to-check-in type of drink, with a long-term kick to it. "Would you like another?" said the waiter. Uh, no, thanks. With a proper LIIT, you only need one. (You want three, but you only need one.)
And they had mozzarella sticks, so life was good. But that's a whole different committee.
Taste: 7
Throwdownability: 7
Kick: 8
Quantity: average
Cream Ridge, NJ
I've thought long and hard about how a town would have come to be called Cream Ridge. It stands to reason that some cream and a ridge would be involved, but therein lies the problem. Oak Ridge I can see. That would be a ridge of land, maybe the top of a small hill, where one would find some oak trees. Oom papa mau-mau. Creamtown would work -- the town that was known for making some of the best cream in...New Jersey. (?) But Cream Ridge? A ridge of land where, what, the cream stream flows through? Hardly likely. But intriguing...really, what would be the downside of a stream of heavy cream running through your back yard? Large pants, I guess. But I digress.
After driving and driving and driving through what seemed to be turning into the pine barrens of NJ, we arrived at -- fittingly -- a giant log cabin. Inside the woodsy theme continued as we were led around the very large, centrally-located bar (good sign). We immediately ordered out LIITs and got to work.
Upon first sipping looks were exchanged. This was a strong one. Not as sweet a taste as others by far, but also not a fluffy drink. More of a call-your-best-friend-to-check-in type of drink, with a long-term kick to it. "Would you like another?" said the waiter. Uh, no, thanks. With a proper LIIT, you only need one. (You want three, but you only need one.)
And they had mozzarella sticks, so life was good. But that's a whole different committee.
Taste: 7
Throwdownability: 7
Kick: 8
Quantity: average
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