Two Nights at Two Restaurants. How'd we do?

The tried and true worked again. Ruffino's and Mi Cocina's.

For many years our family has gone out for dinner on Christmas eve. It started when the children were young, because, we thought, getting them out of the house, fed and maybe a little tired would help later getting them to bed and to sleep. And also for the simple reason that everyone had been busy preparing for the holidays, especially mom. It's also a nice lead up to midnight mass nowadays and gets everyone in a calm, more Christmas-like frame of mind (the Cabernet doesn't hurt either).

For the last 10 years we have gone to the Macaroni Grill on University because it was open and no one else was. This year we arrived around 7:30 and found a waiting list of 45 minutes. My daughter loves Ruffino's so we changed plans and drove south and east about a mile to Forest Park. The food was great, as usual. The restaurant was busy but well staffed. Our table and its setting were perfect. Four of us ordered the Roasted Chicken Tagliatelle, a breast of chicken with pasta in a creamy mushroom sauce -- and served very hot. Ruffino's is a good restaurant in a dining atmosphere and everything is done well . . . except the rolls, which taste like a store bought variety. They lack flavor, texture and temperature -- bad idea at an Italian restaurant. Total tab after tip, about $165, including a beer or two, one glass of wine and no dessert. A much better choice than Macaroni Grill and well worth the extra expense.

Second restaurant -- 5 days later, at Mi Cocina's downtown. 6 adults, 1 child. Friday night, 15 minute wait. Great food, great service. Good price. Mi Cocina's is a good restaurant, too. Not great, but good. They know who they are and what their patrons want: hot tasty Mexican food, fresh corn chips, good salsa. The server was perfect and the other staff make it a great evening eating out. A little less expensive at $130 with tip, including a few bottles of beer and a Mojito ... (one guess who had that).

I love trying new restaurants but during the Christmas holidays, I stay with what I know everyone will enjoy.

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The picture is Trastevere in Rome (across the Tiber), a great place for restaurants in Italy.

17 Ways To Get Free Books

Every once in a while you stumble upon a website that has interesting and helpful information in a easy to read package. I think The Frugal Panda is one of those sites. What first caught my attention was their headline advertisement (see my headline above) . It has all the basic components of piquing curiosity:

• everyone stops at the word "free". It doesn't have to be at the front of the sentence. You still see it and stop.
• men like lists, and "17 ways" incites list curiosity.
• the word "books" shows that it's not just a tease to attract me to the site. If I like books, I am interested, if I don't, I move on. You could change the word to "furniture" or anything else and the people interested will continue. But, "17 Ways to Free . . ." doesn't work for me because it is not specific enough, especially for internet advertising.
  

But as important as the headline, the site delivered as promised. At first glance and in the detail. Here's the link:

17-ways-to-get-free-books

What do you think?

Taquiero San Antonio

On the western side of Camp Bowie Boulevard is an old Taco Bell or some-such that has been converted into a pretty good Mexican restaurant.

We had lunch there yesterday, and if it weren't for the fact that I live on the exact opposite side of town I would go again. Order-at-the-counter and limited seating, but good tacos, with beans and rice at a very reasonable price. If you're looking for made-at-your-table guacamole or unlimited chips, salsa and pico de gallo, go elsewhere. Taquiero San Antonio reminds me of the restaurant you pull into when traveling in mainland Mexico -- good, homemade, inexpensive food and friendly service.

Just as we were leaving I noticed what most people were ordering to go: piping hot, home made tamales. They looked very good.

The menu is as expected: tacos, enchiladas, quesidillas, tamales, with your choice of 5 or 6 meats. They all looked fresh. The tortillas weren't the best I have had at like restaurants but good enough. Chips and salsa are extra and probably not worth it, the salsa is the chili-sauce and not great for dipping tortilla chips. Again, stick to what they do well.

Try them next time you are on the west side of Fort Worth. I will go back for the tamales, especially.

Taqueria San Antonio
7905 W. Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth
817-560-8000

The image is unrelated except that it is Christmas season; it is The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Caravaggio. You can see a larger and clearer image at http://www.artbible.info/art/large/433.html