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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Lawrence, Kansas: Price Increases And Poor Service (Literally) Left A Bad Taste In Our Mouths

Zen Zero
811 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: (785) 832-0001
Website: zen-zero.com
Prices: $$$$

Unfortunately, Zen Zero is owned by the same group that poorly manages Genovese (and La Parilla), a very sad excuse for an Italian restaurant a couple blocks down the street on Massachusetts. I hesitate to spend our money at Zen Zero only because of the unpleasant experiences we have had at Genovese, but there are not many options when it comes to decent, reasonably priced restaurants in Lawrence, so we bit my tongues and returned after a long layoff.
Zen Zero's decor is modern, yet cozy with hints of Asian influence in select pieces of art on the walls, warm Earth-tone colors and an open kitchen emitting exotic sounds, smells, and flames as chefs prepare meals in view of customers. As you can see from the photo below, the lighting is much brighter than I remember, ruining the ambience we used to enjoy beside hurting my light sensitive eyes.
Our server arrived with a customary basket of Asian rice chips, light and crunchy, which are tasty but an accompanying sauce to dip in would have been nice, but seemed as though she did not seem overly eager to be there or serve us.
Sunday night used to be Zen Zero night in our house where draught beer is on special for $3.00 a (American) pint. They do not have a huge selection of drafts, a pale ale, a wheat, and a seasonal (e.g. Oktoberfest, Irish Red). I ordered the Irish Red (normally $4.50), two total over the entire meal. My wife had water.

The Fried Pork Momos (now $4.99) come with four dumplings and two sauces, a mildly spicy red tomato chutney and an almost white sauce that reminded me of very well-blended hummus. The Fried Chicken Spring Rolls (now $4.29) come with a sweet and spicy sauce infused with chili peppers. They were savory and crunchy, containing ground, seasoned chicken and, beside the small portion, they were also good. But having lived in McLeod Ganj, India for two months last year, a Tibetan colony and home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, I ate Tibetan food three times a day, every day. An order of momos there consists of eight, double the number at Zen Zero, they are much better, and only cost $2.50, one-quarter the price at Zen Zero.
Meeting with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama - McLeod Ganj, India (December 8, 2014)
My wife ordered a vegetarian dish, Phad Phak Ruam Mitr ($7.99), a mixed vegetable stir-fry with broccoli, onions, garlic, carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, Napa cabbage, scallions, baby corn and tofu and served with Jasmine rice. It was light and not too spicy for an Italian not used to eating hot and spicy foods (penne arrabiata is as hot as it gets in Italian cuisine). The vegetables were fresh and crisp, and the sauce light yet complex enough to satiate the palate, but it left a strange aftertaste unlike when she has had it in the past. She could barely eat it and the server did not bother asking how our meal was or if there was a problem with the dish, bringing a to-go container and making us box it up ourselves.
I love curry and Zen Zero's Massaman curry (now $8.29, $10.28 with beef), a coconut curry from Southern Thailand with potatoes peanuts (no pork option), was as good a I remember. Having ordered my curry with the customary beef (an extra $2.99), the curry was rich and well seasoned. A thick red curry, Massaman comes with tofu or meat (other than pork - $1.99 to $3.99 extra charge for meat or seafood) with potatoes and peanuts in a huge bowl served with Jasmine rice. Not overly abundant in the beef department, I was not too disappointed because the thick curry sauce was nearly as good as the best I have ever eaten (the best was a similar curry at a small Vietnamese restaurant in Palos Verdes, California back in the late 1970s).
Our appetizers took quite a while to arrive and our entrees took even longer. I watched my wife's Phad Phak Ruam Mitr sit on the counter for at least ten minutes until my curry was finally ready, all the while our server was too busy talking on her cell phone to bring us our food and we had to wait even longer after my curry was finally ready.

When we had finished, I gave our server a coupon we had received (2nd dinner half-off with purchase of an entree and two drinks), she told me she did not think we could use it. I asked, "Why?", and she told me "You have to order two drinks to get the deal". To which I replied, "We did, I had two beers" (and a couple appetizers to boot) to which she responded, "I'll have to check with my manager to see if it's OK". Really? I should not have been surprised because Zen Zero is owned by the same group that owns Genovese where we had a similar incident a while back (they also refused to honor a coupon). I find myself wondering why the owners bother printing coupons if they are just going to have their servers hassle customers who try to use them.

Zen Zero had become a staple in our house and we may likely be returning in the future even though they have raised their prices rather significantly in the past year and the service was not nearly as good as it used to be. Good restaurants are not abundant in Lawrence, particularly downtown, but Zen Zero is a welcome option, albeit a bit pricier than in the past.

I gave Zen Zero 9 Bombs Out Of 10 in a past review, but with deductions for their price increases, the delays in receiving our appetizers and entrees, the weird aftertaste in the Phad Phak Ruam Mitr, and being hassled by the server for using a coupon ...

CombatCritic Now Gives Zen Zero 6 Bombs Out Of 10 ... Bombs Are Good!






Six Bombs Equates To:
"Good To Go"


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Zen Zero Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Zen ZeroZen Zero

Title: Lawrence, Kansas: Price Increases And Poor Service (Literally) Left A Bad Taste In Our Mouths

Key Words: travel, value, product, restaurant, menu review, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Zomato, zen zero, zen, zero, Lawrence, Kansas, Massachusetts, Thai, Nepalese, Japanese, 66044, CombatCritic, TravelValue

Translation for Civilians: G2G = "Good To Go"

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Lawrence, Kansas: Overrated, Overpriced, and Underwhelming: This Bakery Sells Burnt Bread

1900 Barker Bakery And Cafe
1900 Barker Avenue
Lawrence, KS 66046
Phone: (785) 424-7609
Website: 1900barker.com
Prices: $$$$

Only bread, pastries, and coffees/teas available here, no real food, so think "European" style cafe, not the American variety where you can find a sandwich, soup, or more on the menu.
I thought the other popular bakeries in town - if you live in Lawrence, you know which two I am thinking about - were expensive, until I stopped by 1900 Barker this morning.
I had heard they were a bit pricey, but that is an understatement! I paid $9 ($8.50+tax) for a loaf of (burnt) apple and raisin wheat bread, the most I have spent in my life in any of the 41 countries I have visited, including Switzerland, for a loaf of bread. Seems rather excessive to me.

It also seems as if everyone is giving 1900 Barker 5/5 Stars, jumping on the bandwagon for a new business off the beaten path. I think 5 Stars (Yelp, TripAdvisor, Zomato, TABELog) are given out willy-nilly by far too many reviewers, but my ratings are based on "value", hence the name of this blog: "TravelValue", what you get in terms of quality, service and price. So based on their absurd prices alone, I cannot give them more than 4 Bombs (2 Stars), especially when I take into account that the bread was burnt, even more so on the bottom than the top.
I hope they succeed, I really do. I hate for any business to fail (with a couple of exceptions in Lawrence, but that's another review or two), particularly when they have large sums invested in a venture (the place used to be a run down laundromat). However, after the novelty wears off, people will require more value for their dollar. So, unless they bring their prices back down to Earth and stop burning the bread, I unfortunately do not see this venture being a long-term success.

CombatCritic Gives 1900 Barker Bakery And Cafe 4 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!
Four Bombs Equates To:
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Title: Overrated, Overpriced, and Underwhelming: This Bakery Sells Burnt Bread

Key Words: 1900 Barker Bakery And Cafe, 1900, Barker, bakery, cafe, bread, coffee, pastries, Lawrence, Kansas, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, product, restaurant, menu review, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Zomato

Translation for Civilians: BOHICA = "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again!"

Friday, January 8, 2016

Colorado Springs, CO: Gut Food, Gut Service, Gut Prices ... UWE's IS THE BOMB!

Uwe's German Restaurant
31 Iowa Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 475-1611
Price Range: $$$$

I have spent quite a bit of time in Germany over the years, so I know good, authentic German food when I see and eat it. THIS IS THE REAL DEAL! I been eating at Uwe's for many years and very little has changed over the decades ... authentic German food, friendly and efficient service, large portions, and very reasonable prices. What more could you ask for?
The restaurant is not impressive to look at, being in a small 1950s era strip mall off of Pikes Peak Avenue with an interior that looks like it has not been updated since the 1960s. But looks are deceiving because their fresh bread, delicious salads, frothy beer, zesty goulash, rich sauces, tender schnitzel, succulent bratwürst, and homemade späetzel are everything you would expect at a restaurant in Germany. In-fact, the owner, Sabina and her husband (the chef), and most of the employees have a German accent, always a good sign.
My favorite is meal the wiener (veal) schnitzel cordon bleu, two breaded veal cutlets stuffed with ham and cheese then baked to gooey perfection, served with a side of Hunter's (mushroom) sauce, crispy home fries, and veggie of the day. Meals are preceded by fresh pumpernickel bread and either a salad, an assortment of German potato salad, pickled green beans, crisp greens, tomatoes and cucumbers topped with a light vinaigrette dressing, or you can have soup, either goulash or their soup of the day (if available).
Jägerschnitzel (Jaegerscnitzel)
The roulade is a traditional German stuffed beef roll with thinly sliced beef wrapped around pickle, bacon, onion and mustard, topped with a light sauce, and accompanied by German potato dumplings (spätzel) and red cabbage. For those with a zest for the spicy, the Hungarian paprika schnitzel is a good choice and the Jäegerschnitzel, breaded pork cutlets (2) covered with a thick mushroom (Hunter) sauce, is always a hearty, filling, rib-sticking meal.
Uwe's has a nice selection of wine and beer, domestic and import, with the Wärsteiner Dünkel, a dark, frothy, delight being my go-to beer for German meals. You can even get a pitcher of Wärsteiner in a traditional ceramic German decanter for around $15. Desserts are traditional and inexpensive with warm apple strüdel and ice cream taking center stage for those with massive appetites and room left over for their sweet finish.

Lunch is an even better value with slightly smaller portions and greatly reduced prices, but do not plan on getting much done that afternoon. As I mentioned earlier, the service is always excellent and, as you would expect in an authentic German restaurant, very efficient with little small talk while remaining friendly and helpful.
I have many excellent meals in Germany and Uwe's ranks right up there with some of the best, so if you like German food, do not miss a trip to Uwe's while in Colorado Springs. Because of their great food, excellent service, and outstanding value, I have no choice other than to give Uwe's my highest rating ...

CombatCritic Gives Uwe's German Restaurant 10 Bombs Out of 10 ... BOMBS ARE GUT ... And A Spot On CombatCritic's WALL OF FAME!




Ten Bombs Equates To:



"Phonetic spelling of the acronym HUA, which stands for 'Heard Understood Acknowledged.' Originally used by the British in the late 1800's in Afghanistan. More recently adopted by the United States Army to indicate an affirmative or a pleased response." - Urban Dictionary

"The Department of Military Science and Leadership, University of Tennessee claim HOOAH 'refers to or means anything except no' ... Regardless of its meaning ... the term is an expression of high morale, confidence, motivation and spirit." - WarChronicle.com

"The U.S. Air Force stole 'HOOAH' from the Army because we were part of the Army until 1947 and rather than waste a bunch of time coming up with something new and unique, we said 'screw it, let's go with HOOAH' ... thanks Army ... HOOAH! - CombatCritic

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Tabelog - Official Judge (Bronze)

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Title: Gut Food, Gut Service, Gut Prices ... UWE's IS THE BOMB!

Key Words: Uwe's, Uwe, German, restaurant, 80909, Colorado Springs, Colorado, springs, schnitzel, weiner, Jäeger, Jäegermeister, Wärsteiner, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Zomato

Translation for Civilians: HOOAH - "Sehr Gut!"

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Colorado Springs: Went Twice, Closed Both Times - Stop Wasting My Time!

Duca’s Neapolitan Pizza
12229 Voyager Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
Phone: (719) 487-3200
Website: ducaspizza.com
Prices: $$$$

My son and I tried to eat here twice during my recent visit to Colorado, but on the night I got into town (Wednesday), they were closed when we arrived shortly after 8pm. We returned the following Sunday at around 5pm hungry for a Neapolitan pizza, but they were again closed so we gave up on Duca's.

How is the pizza? No idea and I guess I will never know because they will not be open long if paying customers arrive to find the doors locked. 

I checked their prices online and they are not unfair, but I cannot tell you if this is a good value because I COULD NOT TASTE THE PIZZA. For example, a Margherita pizza in Naples (hence their name, Neapolitan: "someone or something from Naples, Italy") runs around €5 to €6 which equates to around $5.50 to $6.50 (today), so $6.95 is not unreasonable. 

American "Neapolitan" pizzas tend to average 12" in diameter, but if you order a pizza in Naples, you will never get a 12" pizza unless it was a mistake. True Neapolitan pizzas are at least 13" to 14" in diameter and you would never find chicken on a pizza in Naples, particularly the "BBQ" or "Buffalo" or variety as is the case at Duca's.

A pizza place that closes at 8pm? Give me a break and stop wasting my time!

CombatCritic Gives Duca's Neapolitan Pizza 1 Bomb Out Of 10 ... You Know The Rest







One Bomb Equates To:

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Title: Colorado Springs: Went Twice, Closed Both Times - Stop Wasting My Time!

Key Words: Duca's Neapolitan Pizza, Duca's, Duca, Neapolitan, pizza, Naples, Colorado Springs, Colorado, springs, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Zomato

Translation for Civilians: FUBAR = "Fucked Up Beyond All Repair"

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Monument, CO: Oh Brothers, $19 For A $10 Pizza Special?

Borriello Brothers
15910 Jackson Creek Pkwy
Monument, CO 80132
Phone: (719) 884-2020
Website: borriellobrothers.com
Prices: $$$$

Beware when ordering "specials" and adding extra ingredients. Our $10 18" one-topping pizza specials skyrocketed to $19 because the $1 extra toppings we were quoted turned out to be $3 each on an 18" pizza.
The pizza is average and the Genoa salami I paid extra for as a "specialty topping" was used very sparingly. I may as well have ordered a cheese pizza because there was hardly any of the up-charged salami anywhere to be found.
My son is vegan and ordered his pizza without cheese, but having added red pepper, roasted tomato and fresh basil, the "$10 special" ballooned to $19. I can buy an entire basil plant for a little more than $3, so charging that much for a few measly leaves is unconscionable. His pizza was also burnt on the bottom, so we had to wait an additional 20 minutes to get an edible pizza while mine grew cold to the touch.

It is difficult to find good pizza anywhere but on the right and left coasts and I was left unimpressed after this experience. My son also told me that the last time he went there he asked if he could substitute an additional topping seeing that he cannot eat cheese and asked that the mozzarella be excluded, but he was told, "no you cannot" ... UNSAT. 

CombatCritic Gives Borriello Brothers 4 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!








Four Bombs Equates To:
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Borriello Brothers Real NY Pizza #6 Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Title: Oh Brothers, $19 For A $10 Pizza Special?

Key Words: Borriello Brothers, Borriello, brothers, brother, pizza, pasta, Colorado Springs, Colorado, springs, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Zomato

Translation for Civilians: BOHICA = "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again"

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Lawrence, Kansas: Siam Feeling My Arteries Clogging After Eating Their Curry

Thai Siam
601 South Kasold Drive
Lawrence, KS 66049
Phone: (785) 331-2525
Website: Don't Have One
Prices: $$$$

This review will be shorter than most because I only had takeout for myself this time and the last time I tried to eat there, the lady would not let me in because I was there eight minutes before opening at 5pm, so I left. I should not have returned ... fool me once, shame on me (you know the rest).
I ordered egg rolls (2 for $2.25) and the Panang Beef Curry ($9.99). When I asked what was in the curry, I was told that there was "beef, curry, Thai basil, carrots and peanuts". I love beef, curry, basil and peanuts, but I do not like cooked carrots and they REFUSED to substitute potatoes or green peppers for the carrots. "We do not make substitutions" - not very flexible.
When I got home I found no peanuts in the curry, but in addition to the carrots there were red and green bell pepper and sliced jalapeños. No substitutions? Let me just say that it was not great. 

There was far too much fat (oil) floating on top and not nearly enough beef in the curry. I will say it once again for the second time in a week ... "hey Wendy, where's the beef?". In fact, there was so much oil that I skimmed 3-4 ounces off the top (see photos), all I could, and there was still too much fat. The flavor, once de-fatified, was not bad, but I can get a much better and cheaper Panang Beef Curry at Zen Zero for $1.70 less and I do not have to eat carrots.
The egg rolls were egg rolls, possibly made in house, but much like the curry, too greasy. I can feel my arteries clogging as I sit here writing this two hours later. If I die of a heart attack in my sleep tonight, tell my wife to sue Thai Siam.


CombatCritic Gives Thai Siam 3 Bombs Out Of 10 (Feeling generous, I rounded up to 2 Stars Out Of 5 for this Yelp review) ... More Bombs (or stars) Are Better!




Three Bombs Equates To:

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TripAdvisor - "Top Contributor" ... 60,000+ Readers And Growing!

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Thai Siam Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


Title: Lawrence, Kansas: Siam Feeling My Arteries Clogging After Eating Their Curry

Key Words: Thai Siam, Thai, Siam, Thailand, Chinese, Lawrence, Kansas, Kasold, curry, fat, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Zomato

Translation for Civilians: SNAFU = "Situation Normal, All Fucked Up"