Rodeo or Rode-don't

So my partner and I decided to try the new restaurant on the Drive, Rodeo.  They did a great job with the decor.  The menu was simple, but had a nice Southwestern Flair and adequate choices.  Personally I think they should have spent a couple of bucks to have them professionally printed, but I figured they probably go through some menu changes, so no biggie... the HP inkjet in the office will do.

It was a Sunday afternoon and there were only 10 other people in the restaurant.

Now understand I had a 20 year career in Food and Beverage, so I always wait for a restaurant to be open a couple of weeks.. let the hoopla die down and give them a chance to really get their sh!t together.  I should have waited longer.

We were greeted by a bartender.  Now the fact that they only have a beer and wine license doesn't stop them from having a full bar built and a bartender to spend his day dusting it.  We were then seated by a host.  A drink order was taken and we were informed that our waitress would be with us shortly.  So far everything is on cue.

We ordered the Guacamole, which came out promptly.  It has a hint of cumin, giving it a nice Southwestern flavor.  There was a good ratio of chips to dip.....  Ah, if only I had known that was to be the highlight of the meal.

We waited almost an hour for our "entrees."  Now you notice the quotations?  Are sandwiches really entrees?  My partner had ordered pulled pork barbecue.  Those of you who cook probably realize that this is already prepared.  Imagine Sissy Tyson saying, "It's hog boiling time," like in Fried Green Tomatoes.  I had ordered the "Po Boy," - a fried catfish sandwich.  After being told it was coming out several times and inquiring several times, it finally came out.  (There are still only 10 people in the restaurant, not 10 tables - 10 people).

Mine was disgusting.  They actually left the skin on the catfish.  My partner's was okay, nothing to complain about.  He would have liked it a little more juicy, but all he had to do was request more barbecue sauce).

The worst part of the experience was the lack of effort to resolve the problem.  Therefore the management was either off that day or just ineffectual.  No offer of dessert or meal comp...  My partner is not one looking for freebees in any way, but if no offer is made, he can't be gracious and turn it down.

The bottom line here is if you want to spend too much money to sit for hours waiting for a sandwich, there is another restaurant to add to your list.  Yeah, I don't either.

Wilton Manors: Portrait of a Gay Ghetto

For  a long time I have been threatening to write a blog.  Most of the time I'll start, but then lose interest, let's see how this goes. :)  

When you're young, gay, and living in a small town, you dream of living somewhere where you will be accepted.  When you're middle aged and have traveled, your requirements are slightly higher, at least, we would hope.  Now I lived in Hollywood, Florida, for many years prior to moving to Wilton Manors.  I thought it would be so great to live near so many gay restaurants, stores, and nightclubs.  Well, I've lived here for quite a few years now, and have realized that much of the starry eyed view of Wilton Manors was really due to Beer Bust at Jackhammer's.   If you're moving here from Nowhere, U.S.A., it's like making a pilgrimage to the Promised Land, but you will soon realize that after 40 years of working out and eating nothing but Fat Free, Carb Free Manna, you'll be a little jaded.

Rule #1, Only Your Mother Cares Who You Are on the Inside.  Everyone else cares how you look on the outside.  You will soon learn that Ghetto has a caste system.  Jocks, Bears, Leathermen, Queens, and Nondescripts.  Nondescripts are actually the largest caste, containing those who do not fall under any of the other labels.  There is a subdivision of the Nondescripts, known as the WannaBees.  WannaBees lack the necessary qualifications to make it into an upper caste, but try very hard.  A moderate percentage of WannaBees do make the caste change.