36 Hours in San Antonio, Texas.

The "36 Hours" feature of the New York Times  has a nice hook. Every week the article reviews a different city, but with the premise, "Where should I go if I only have a weekend?"

This week they spent their hours in San Antonio, and as usual, listed the ten or so places to visit, including a few restaurants. As regular readers know, I like San Antone and am fortunate enough to visit a couple times a year. I have reviewed a  few San Antonio restaurants and a hotel or two. Also, we have a few regular readers from the Alamo city who comment. Okay, one reader, and he's my son.

Anyway, here is the unedited-and-without-comment list of the New York Times, "36 Hours in San Antonio."

For the full list and descriptions see the NYTimes / SanAntonio:

• La Villita historic district / shopping
• Il Sogno Osteria / restaurant
• Casbeers at the Church / music
• Pearl Brewery / historic site
• The Cove / Burger
• Museo Alameda / Art
• River Walk and Alamo
• Aldaco’s Stone Oak / patio dining
• Green Lantern / cocktails
• Smokehouse / barbecue
• Brackenridge Park / walking 
• Riverwalk Vista Bed & Breakfast / B&B
• Valencia Riverwalk / smaller hotel
• Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa / new hotel on the northside

Final note: The Marriott Hill Country is new and by the looks of it pretty spectacular. It is on the north side of the city and a bit of a drive into the Riverwalk area. But if you are looking for a weekend resort-type stay, the hotel should has wonderful views of the Hill Country and outdoor activities available.

The Risen Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalen

oil on canvas (61 × 50 cm) — 1638

Royal Collection, Buckingham Palace, London 

Rembrandt

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Happy Easter to all, thanks for stopping by and for contributing through the comments.

Domino's Pizza. The New Deal.

So I finally had a chance to order the new Domino's Pizza.

I have been wanting to try it ever since they launched their "new pizza recipe" ad campaign a couple months ago, but just haven't had the right time. In case you didn't see the ad, Domino's ran a very self-critical ad on television and more completely on YouTube. The criticism came from actual  focus-group customers as they were tasting the pizza. At least, according to the ad. If you like advertising, it's worth a viewing.

Domino's made it clear that they were changing everything about the pizza recipe, especially the "cardboard" tasting crust and "ketchup tasting sauce.

The campaign was so successful that they saw an immediate increase in sales. This quarter's sales were above expectations, according to the Wall Street Journal.  Next-quarter sales will indicate whether it was a change for the better, a marketing ploy, or a change for the worse. A good ad will bring in new business but the product must match the promo otherwise customers feel duped and go elsewhere.

Rating the pizza:
1. Ease of order: A+
I ordered online and changed my order by phone. Since I had entered my phone number online they knew who was calling and which order to change. It was seamless. The only way it could be easier is if they could read your mind, it's that good.

2. Delivery: A+
Phone call prior to delivery. Delivered hot and as we ordered.

3. Crust: B
I am judging this based on delivery-pizza quality standards. And by that standard it was good. Not great. But good.

4. Sauce: C+
It actually tasted like pizza sauce but it was a little too intense on the pizza/tomato flavoring, in the tomato paste kind of way. Hard to explain. Very processed texture. The sauce was the weakest element to me.

5. Cheese and toppings: B
We had pepperoni, sausage and chicken toppings and they were good. The box bottom was a little greasy from the cheese drippings. That's a good sign to me.

Was it New York style pizza oven pizza? No.

Did they make changes and live up to the ad campaign. I would say yes. I would order Domino's again.

Final note: I tip my hat to Domino's for taking a risk with the product and marketing. Was it all dreamed up by the ad agency? Maybe, but it was believable, and they were willing to take a commonly held negative, the crust, and turn it into a positive with a "we heard you, try us again" approach.

Domino's YouTube ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH5R56jILag

Agree? Disagree?
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PS -- the occasion for the pizza delivery was that my son was home from Philly for Easter and he, the wife, and I were watching American Idol. I'm pulling for the boy from Fort Worth, Crystal, and the big guy.