In Review

Origins Skin Care Products

2012-09-03T17:03:00.002-04:00

Now that I'm nearing a milestone that each one of us goes through, I couldn't help but feel the need to slow down the signs of aging on my face. After doing a rather cursory research online for skin care products, I decided to buy a few products from a well known brand that shall remain nameless. One month later my skin didn't show any improvement at all. With my skin having a tendency to get really oily yet flaky, red and itchy on certain areas on the forehead I needed something that had more natural ingredients. Origins' skin care products fit the bill.

Skin Cleansing/Exfoliating

Modern Friction is an exfoliant that uses white rice instead of chemicals to remove dead surface skin cells. The results are similar to a microdermabrasion treatment at a spa or clinic, except this costs much less and is gentler on the skin. After washing with this I like how fresh my skin feels without the dryness that often makes the remaining patch of dermatitis on my forehead red and itchy.

Clear Improvement Active Charcoal mask is a combination of activated charcoal and white china clay with other ingredients that draw out dirt deep from the pores. I use this twice a week (whenever I remember to do so, hehe). It makes my skin feel all tingly as it dries and after rinsing.

Eye Care

Plantscription Anti Aging Eye Treatment is an eye cream that's good for both day and night use. It contains anogeissus and is supposed to help reduce wrinkles around the eye area, along with puffiness and eyebags. Thankfully I don't have any wrinkles in this are yet and I'm hoping this product will keep it that way. As for my eyebags, I've seen some improvement.

Anti aging, Protection and Moisturizing

Plantscription Anti aging Serum with Anogeissus is a wrinkle reducing and erasing treatment for both day and night use. As far as wrinkles are concerned, the jury is still out on this one since I still see the major lines I have between my eyebrows and across the bridge of my nose. But I did notice that a small scar that I have on my right eyelid has become much less noticeable.

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Bright is a skin tone correcting serum that aims to remove dark spots to even out overall facial skin tone. It's main ingredients are Rosa Roxburgh, White Peony and Licorice, which all work together to lighten problem areas. I definitely saw an improvement just after a few days of using this one, particularly in one spot on my forehead that had turned dark after a pimple was taken out.

Starting Over Age is an age erasing oil free moisturizer that contains mimosa that can be used for day and night. I opted for the oil free version over the regular version since I do have oily skin. Like the Plantscription Anti aging Serum, I'm still waiting to see what the results will be.

High Potency Night-A-Mins is a renewal cream for night time use. It is a mix of vitamins A, C, E and H, minerals and replenishers that work together to refresh and renew the skin overnight. It feels quite cool on the skin when it's applied. I'm also still waiting to see the long term results.

I've been using all the above items for about a month and a half now with mostly positive results. I say mostly because as I've mentioned above, there are some products for which I'm still waiting on the long terms results. What I do like about all of them is the fact that the ingredients are mostly natural and can be seen right on the label. The previous brand I'd tried didn't even have instructions on how to use on the box or labels. The best part though was the great improvement this whole regimen has made on the stubborn dermatitis I have on my forehead. I've been going to a dermatologist for going on three years now for this problem, and although the other affected areas had cleared up, my forehead has bouts of flaking, itching and redness. But since I'd started using the abovementioned Origins products, I was surprised to see that it had almost cleared up. I'm hoping it will clear up permanently in the near future, with the help of these products.

after

before

Fifty Shades of Disappointment (Guest Blog)

2012-08-12T17:49:00.001-04:00

(Note: I invited two of my friends to guest blog on either of my blogs and they accepted. Here is a review by Diosa of Sense and Sensibility. I have known Diosa for several years now and she was my matron of honor at my wedding. She is a fellow book lover, fond of reading romance and suspense/mystery novels. For those who haven't read the book and plan to, spoiler alert ahead.)

It is in the best seller list for weeks. It was featured in Good Morning America. The author was interviewed in The View. What does this mean? I don’t know. But I thought I give it a try with all the hype and exposure it’s been getting from the press. With all the reviews and interviews, I thought what’s all the fuss about this book? I will check it out and see if I will like it.

This book is written by E.L. James. It’s a story of two people, thrown together by fate and their journey to finding themselves as they fall in love. Christian Gray is our hero, young mysterious and rich. A combination I would have fallen for. He met Anastasia Steele by fate, like it always goes, as a replacement for her friend to interview him for a paper assignment. As their first meeting progressed and described, I could not help myself wondering why there was no sparks there. Well, there wasn’t for me. I could not feel that “kilig” or shivers inside me. Perhaps it was just the beginning of the story, and I should give it more chance.

As the story goes, it also shows how their connection was getting stronger and stronger… supposedly. With Anastasia calling Christian while drunk and hung up on him at the end. And he tracked her cell phone and found her throwing up in the parking lot and so gallantly holds up her hair. I think it was so pathetic of him to do. Don’t get me wrong here but I love a man who shows their softer side to a woman when he is allegedly is a strong and mysterious guy. I dig that. But the manner that it was presented was too lame. Okay I did not get what the author is trying to present here. Forgive me.

Eventually, he showers her gifts like a laptop computer, which is not yet available in public but since he is a very powerful and rich man, he bought it for her so that he can communicate with her anywhere and anytime. He buys her an Audi car, just because he thinks that her old junk of a car could be dangerous, and so he says. Let me point out here that Anastasia being described as strong willed and independent woman who happens to be also naïve and “innocent”, have accepted all that gifts. Talk about a conflicting woman. I know that we all love that pretense that we are lavished by expensive gifts and flowers from a suitor. But I thought it was unfortunate that it was portrayed as it had.

And the least of my favorite part was how a modern woman naïve as she is was offered a sexual contract as degrading as this is. Christian offers Anastasia a contract to be his sexual slave for a period of time, and that she will be his becking call girl. Follow stupid rules such as, no showing of defiance (i.e., rolling of eyes) and is therefore punished. He was a man with mysterious dark past. He admittedly said that he is not capable of love. Now, I know some of you might say that he could be changed, even fantasized that he would conquer the world for her. But that is not how I see this whole thing. Christian has a bad habit when it comes to sex. He likes to torture women. Make them do things that an ordinary person would not like to do. So you see, if you are as naïve and innocent, oh ok virgin, as what Anastasia was described, I am betting that you would not do as you are told to do during sex like it is in the book. I wouldn’t. I don’t know about other people who are crazy enough to be “adventurous” in their sex life. But an innocent and a virgin… not happening.

I have to admit, this book is really not an ordinary love story. It was dubbed as mommy “porn”. However, I think that most of us ordinary married or even single ones would be appalled with the things they described here. I guess I am just one of those old fashioned people. But what happen to the romance? What happen to the wooing? What happen to the courtships? It was all defined here in a much different way. You see, this was a portrayal of an old and new romance. Anastasia as being the old, naïve, virgin woman and Christian as being the new, experienced, sexually driven man, while their connection is a tumultuous, chaotic and wild relationship, it was a turbulent one. And I think I prefer the old romance. But how we love strong mysterious rich men, who kept their feelings secret and would be later revealed at the end of the book. And by reading romance books helped us fantasized about them. We read books to escape the reality of our own turbulent relationships. Or to catch a glimpse of the world other than ours. Because we are all looking for romance.

For one thing, the romance aspect of a love story that this book is really about, is not clearly portrayed and way off my expectations. The impression it gave me is that, this is not a romance whether old or new, but it is a statement. A statement that means these type of books, I guess is the answer to women's desire to step up and be in control and open about what they wanted to read. I believe that this will allow us not to hide behind some cliche about romance and love story but be more daring without blushing as to what we are holding in our hands reading on the bus or train. I think this is our answer to literally on men's porno magazine without the... slutiness.

I have to admit that I’ve read more… stimulating “porno” books than that of Fifty. I’ve read books that lacks the more elaborate part and yet I felt… the intimacy. Even a simple kiss can be interesting from a very good story teller. Touching of hands and even the look could be more intimate than what I read from this book. Hay, its only frustrating to look for something that isn’t there. So what else can I say… its really a Fifty Shades of disappointment!

And by the way, I did not read the last book because I got really bored with the 2^nd that I only got to the first 3 chapters of it.

In this modern world we should expect to read more books about empowered, successful and dominant women not such trash as this Fifty Shades Series. I know a more interesting book to read than that of Fifty, “porno” or not.

Yabu

2012-07-07T23:29:00.000-04:00

On a recent trip to the Philippines I had a chance to have dinner at a restaurant that was new to me. Located on the second floor atrium of SM Megamall in Ortigas, tucked in among a row of restaurants offering varied cuisines is Yabu The House of Katsu. It is a casual Japanese dining establishment that offers various katsu dishes instead of just the usual sushi and sashimi that has become synonymous with Japanese cuisine.

From the glass front one immediately gets a view of the dining area which is split in the middle before coming together towards the back where the bar is located. The decor and furnishings are very simple, the only overtly Japanese related decorations being panels of manga along the dividing wall and bottles of Japanese liquor behind the bar.

manga panel on dividing wall

The menu is pretty straight forward, consisting mostly of either pork, chicken or seafood (fish or shrimp) katsudon. Katsudon is a traditional Japanese meal consisting of breaded, fried pork cutlet, egg and condiments over a bowl of rice. There are variations in the preparation and toppings used. At Yabu, they offer a number of variations as mentioned earlier. You can order different courses separately or have a set meal. The menu also offers some sushi and sashimi choices, as well as beverages (both alcoholic and non alcoholic) and dessert. Our group that time chose set meals, mostly the chicken variety. For my part, I chose the seafood and ebi special katsudon set. The seafood part in this case consisted of creamy dory. Of course, in keeping with the katsudon style of the meal, both the fish and shrimp were breaded and deep fried. The rest of the set consists of a cabbage salad, miso soup, pickled vegetables and assorted fruits. This restaurant offers unlimited rice and cabbage salad. Prior to the food's arrival, our waiters gave us these small bowls of toasted sesame seeds that we had to pound with cute little pestles then mix with a sweet sauce from a jar at our table. I don't know what exactly was in that sauce but it was a perfect accompaniment to the proteins in our entrees.

seafood and ebi katsudon set

Once the food arrived, it was like getting these bento boxes because each of us got a little tray containing our set meals. I have to say, just the sight and smell alone made me hungry! For the cabbage salad, each table has a choice between a vinaigrette or creamy style of dressing. The creamy dressing said sesame on the bottle, and not having had that kind of dressing before I decided to go for it. And I loved it! Such a simple sounding and looking salad, it really was just shredded cabbage, but with the dressing it was actually delicious. It made me glad to see that unlike most restaurant offerings in the same category as free bread, Yabu is offering something that's healthy. Once I managed to stop eating the salad, I sipped the miso soup. It was tasty but nothing really out of the ordinary, tasting like the usual miso soups offered at other Japanese restaurants. Moving on to the entree, I made sure to mix the egg and other condiments into the rice before digging in. I went for the fish first, dipping a piece into the sesame sauce we'd mixed earlier before taking a bite. And what a yummy first bite it was! The fish melts in your mouth, is not too greasy and is absolutely tasty. The rice was mixed with other seasonings as well so it was very tasty too without clashing or overpowering the other parts of the dish. There was also a little extra boost of seafood flavor from the addition of shredded bonito in the toppings. I think it was a good thing that we had to use chopsticks to eat. If I had a spoon that time I would've probably eaten faster and finished everything in my huge bowl. As it was, I did manage to eat more than half of the rice. It goes without saying that I finished everything else on my tray. Since we were all really full from our entrees, we sadly did not get to try any of their desserts. Maybe on our next visit.

seafood and ebi katsudon...yum!

The next time you find yourself in Megamall and hunger strikes, try out Yabu. It's got delicious Japanese food at a reasonable price that will surely satisfy your tummy. Two thumbs up and thanks to my friend Leah who recommended this restaurant. I'll definitely return to try other items on the menu when I'm back in the Philippines.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

Jersey Boys

2012-06-04T16:16:00.000-04:00

Four guys singing harmony under a streetlamp in Belleville, New Jersey started a musical sensation that spawned hits such as "Can't Take My Eyes Of You", "Earth Angel", "My Eyes Adored You" and "Oh What A Night". Their songs have remained hits that have been remade in the many years since they were released and are still enjoyed up to the present. They have made their way into movies and tv shows. The group also gained international success with their songs being translated into French, Spanish, German, even Chinese. This group is the Four Seasons and "Jersey Boys" tells their story.

The original Four Seasons was composed of Tommy DeVito, Nick Macioci (later changed to Massi), Bob Gaudio and Frankie Castellucio (later changed to Valli). But prior to that, it was just the trio of Tommy, Nick and Frankie, young men with hopes of making it big at a time when the only way out of Jersey was to get drafted or join the mob. In their case, they got into the music industry. The trio found its fourth member when the then unknown Joe Pesci introduced Bob Gaudio to Tommy. Bob, a songwriting prodigy who had become a one hit wonder at the age of 17, saw another chance at musical greatness after hearing Frankie sing and thinking to himself that he needed to write for that incredible voice. He and his bandmates then went on to create hit songs that, ironically, seemed to chronicle the struggles and successes of the group. Years later, Tommy and Nick have passed away and Bob doesn't sing with the group anymore, but the partnership he and Frankie sealed with a handshake all those years ago remain strong. They have reinvented the group into Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, and the music goes on to delight audiences both old and young from all over the globe.

The original Four Seasons

The show gave audiences a rocking good time, seeming more like a concert than a musical. I often found myself tapping my toes and humming along to the songs for much of the show. I'm sure some of the older crowd in the audience felt nostalgic as well. The whole experience was like being in a time machine, you really felt like you were there with the Four Seasons as they went through their struggles and triumphs. The writers brilliantly interspersed songs with snappy dialogue and narration that had the audience laughing, at times crying. They were able to tell the group's story without sparing even the not so pleasant details like the jail time spent by Tommy and Nick, Tommy's gambling problem, Frankie's divorce, as well as the fighting within the group that eventually tore them apart. Success sure was bittersweet for the boys from Jersey. I'd say it was definitely a plus for them to have Bob Gaudio writing the music. As an original member of the Four Seasons, he could definitely give authenticity to the story as well as the music. Kudos also goes to the cast members, especially the talented actors who played the Four Seasons. They had the sound and moves of the original group down pat that it was like watching the real Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli.

As I sang and hummed their songs on the way home, I can definitely say that "Jersey Boys" hit all the right notes on Broadway.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

Morton's The Steakhouse

2012-05-15T21:20:00.001-04:00

On our last wedding anniversary hubby and I made reservations at Morton's The Steakhouse for our post theater dinner. This restaurant is well known for their steaks and has numerous locations all over the US, as well as Canada and in parts of Asia. In New York, they have three locations - White Plains, Great Neck and Manhattan. The one we went to of course, was the one in Manhattan. Located off Fifth Avenue on East 45th Street, it's convenient to the Theater District.

The restaurant's trademark red awning over a pair of heavy dark wooden doors leads to a small vestibule and another pair of doors leading to the restaurant itself. The very first thing that hit me was how dimly lit the interior is. The place was quite busy when we got there but the ambience was pleasant and not loud. The host podium is flanked by the bar on the left and what appeared to be a merchandise counter on the right. We got there about half an hour before our 6:30 reservation but were immediately seated when we declined the option of sitting at the bar. I caught a glimpse of the main dining area as we were lead to our table, and saw that it was divided into two sections. The larger half had booths on the sides with individual tables in the middle. The smaller half where we were seated had individual tables along one side and a row of smaller tables running along the opposite side. These tables tend to be a little tight, with a tendency for guests to accidentally intrude on their neighbor's space as well as offering little privacy for your dinner conversation. The walls were decorated with black and white pictures of people and places in the past, like the one right next to us of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and former NYC mayor Fiorello La Guardia.

Their menu offers quite a selection of meat, seafood and combination entrees, along with appetizers, drinks and desserts. Not feeling like having appetizers, we just shared a bowl of their Baked Five Onion Soup which is by far the best onion soup I've had. I loved the savory blend of herbs in the broth, unlike the usual onion and saltiness of other onion soups I've had. They also give out what seemed to me like an onion focaccia bread which might've tasted better if it was still warm. For our entrees I ordered the Braised Beef Short Rib & Jumbo Sea Scallop "Surf and Turf" while hubby decided to try the Center-Cut Prime Ribeye, done medium well. For sides we ordered Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes and Sauteed Spinach & Button Mushrooms. After asking for a recommendation from our waiter I also ordered a glass of pinot grigio to go with my entree. The short rib came with its bone already taken off the meat and set to the side, resting on a bed of mashed potatoes. Next to it were the scallops which were done perfectly. I was very happy with my choice as both items were really delicious. The same goes for the rib eye that hubby had, done to order, juicy and flavorful. I loved the sauteed spinach and button mushrooms, which were cooked just right and made a perfect counterpoint to my savory entree. I now regret not having had my unfinished portion put in a doggie bag. Oh well. Our entree portions were just right, but to my dismay somehow we just didn't have any room left for dessert. I guess we'll just have to go back another day to try the souffle I was eying.

Despite the rather dark interior and tight squeeze at our table I enjoyed our dinner at Morton's. This was, in addition to the good food, in large part to the staff whose service get a two thumbs up. Our waiter in particular was friendly and attentive without being intrusive, making sure that everything was going well at our table and seeing to our needs promptly. Our food and drinks arrived in a short amount of time, served in a pleasantly courteous manner. Being on the pricier side, we may not be able to dine at Morton's as often as we'd like, but our first time there was definitely the perfect end to our anniversary.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

Shake Shack

2012-05-06T14:56:00.000-04:00

One sunny, yet rather chilly and windy day in late April my husband and I went to the city to watch a musical. Since we were going to catch a matinee on a weekend, we got there a few hours before the show and decided to have lunch somewhere in the city. He had been talking about taking to me a place that he thought has really good shakes. Little did I know that he was talking about the Shake Shack.

The Shake Shack is a relatively recent addition to the NYC food scene, having opened its doors in 2004 in Madison Square Park. In addition to its original location which is still drawing crowds, there are six more locations throughout New York City. They have also expanded to other locations along the East Coast as well as the Middle East. Although the shakes here are good, the Shake Shack is actually famous for its burgers. Aside from the usual hamburger and cheeseburger, they offer three specialty burgers as well as several hotdog options with names like Mutt and Shack-cago Dog. Plus, I've heard that every Fourth of July they offer an outstanding corndog, or so Claire Robinson of the Food Network says. Sides are limited to either plain fries or cheese fries. I wonder why no onion rings? Their cold menu include the usual ice cream cups and cones, shakes, and the more unusual frozen custards and concretes, which are dense frozen custards blended at high speed with add ons. For drinks they offer sodas, juices, iced teas, beer and wine. And I was amused to see that they even have items on the menu that are especially for dogs. That's right, not only dog owners get to order and eat at the Shack, but their four legged companions as well. Well maybe not to eat in, but they can order a doggie bag for sure. Doggie bag, get it?

The shack we ate at was the one on 8th Avenue and 44th Street in the Theater District. It's a rather small space considering the volume of people who enter and want to eat on the premises. Just like in the Madison Square Park location, the lines at this one went all the way out the door and possibly around the corner on really busy hours. All glass walls facing the streets let people see right into the restaurant and diners to see out. It's a very simple, no frills affair inside, with an order counter along one wall that is in front of the kitchen. Immediately facing the doors is a wall with a huge menu that also displays some Shack merchandise as well as the condiments counter below. The rest of the space is devoted to booths, tables and chairs. I was happy to find out that they have a bathroom as well, unisex and quite clean. Since we got there during the lunch hour it was really full capacity, I'd say even beyond full capacity as some people stood to the sides holding trays of food while others guarded tables to quickly grab a spot as soon as it was vacated. So this is definitely not a place to go to if you're the type who hates crowds or jockeying for a seat, or the type who likes eating at a leisurely pace in peace and quiet. But it sure made for some interesting observations in social dynamics. The majority of customers at that time were tourists, with a group of guys (seemingly European) who were making a bit of a spectacle of themselves. I could only laugh to myself and shake my head.

chocolate milkshake, shake stack and fries

To make ordering a little faster, menus are handed out to those in line in addition to the huge menu on the wall and small ones in front of the order counters. I decided on the Shake Stack, a combination of the 'Shroom and cheese burgers since I do like mushrooms and this one sounded yummy. Jojo had the Double Cheeseburger. We also ordered cheese fries and a chocolate shake to share. After placing our orders we were handed what looked like a cellphone to let us know when our food was ready. That's when we faced the seemingly impossible task of finding a place to sit down and eat. This was one instance where it certainly pays to be aggressive. Not having done this in a while, I was a little slow in snagging us a spot while hubby waited for our food. Thankfully after less than five minutes (though it felt longer than that) we were able to grab some counter space right against one of the glass walls. The patty in my burger was well done instead of the medium well as I'd ordered, but it was juicy, indeed yummy and just the right size. Same goes for the accompanying portobella mushroom stuffed with melted Muenster and Cheddar cheeses. That was the cheesiest burger I'd ever eaten and is now definitely on my favorite burgers list. The fries were good, done just right with real cheese on it and not the cheese spread that's more common at most fast food joints. The shake was thick and creamy, and gave both of us brain freeze after a few sips (hehehe). Jojo liked his double cheeseburger too, which he seemed to inhale as I savored mine. Guess he was starving by then.

Though I would have liked more room to sit and be able to eat at a more relaxed pace, I still give the Shake Shack thumbs up for their food. I definitely want to go back for more. Next time though, I think I'll have everything to go.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

Bobby's Burger Palace

2012-01-26T15:41:00.000-05:00

On a recent stroll through the mall I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Bobby Flay's culinary empire had reached Long Island in the form of his burger joint named what else, but Bobby's Burger Palace (BBP for short). Located in the space formerly occupied by another eatery, it's tucked away in a side corner on the first level of Roosevelt Field Mall.

Upon entering, patrons are herded right away by "ropes" to a path of sorts towards the cashier that passes directly in front a giant replica of their menu. To the right of the row of registers is a small display of some of Bobby's cookbooks as well as sauces and ketchups on sale, just in case anyone wants to take home a bottle or two. The main dining area's lay out and decor give the place the vibe of an after office hours bar for young professionals rather than a fast food burger joint. It's well lighted, airy, with a relaxed atmosphere that's not hectic or crowded, although the latter could be due to it being slow at the time. The kitchen is partly visible from the tables where one can see and smell the orders being cooked. I liked their version of counter seating that was done with a long, curvy kind of counter top unlike the usual boring straight counters lined with stools.

The menu is a pretty straightforward selection of several kinds of burgers, some other sandwiches, salads, the usual sides, and beverages. Their beverage selection has an alcohol menu that includes wine and beer, as well as spiked milkshakes. I was quite tempted to try one of those but held back since I was the designated driver that day. Their food items are definitely on the pricier side compared to fast food burger places, which I guess they are aiming to be a more upscale version of.

We had a bit of a wait at the cashier before someone came to take our orders, as no one was manning the register. Good thing one of the staff saw us and asked us if we were being helped. Not a deal breaker but definitely not good customer service in my book. The rest of our experience with the service was much better though. The servers we had were fast, friendly, didn't hover and quick to please. Once we had placed our orders we were given a number which we took to our table. Our food and drinks came in just a few minutes, which I liked. I did notice though that neither the burgers nor the fries were piping hot when we got them. For this first visit I had the Dallas burger, described on the menu as a spice crusted burger with coleslaw, monterey jack cheese, bbq sauce and pickles. My husband had the Palace Classic Burger which is their take on the classic cheeseburger. It has american cheese (he loves american cheese), lettuce, tomato and red onion. We shared an order of their french fries that came with the BBP Fry Sauce and each had a dark chocolate milk shake, his with whipped cream on top. I liked their portions, not too large and not too small but just right. The burger was done properly and wasn't dry, the bun soft and just the right complement to the fillings. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to taste all the flavors properly since I had a cold. But my husband and I both agreed that they were burgers done right. The shakes were nice and thick, not too sweet. However, I was a bit (un)pleasantly surprised by the fries, which I felt were rather over done and tasted like ordinary home made fries. I was expecting something of higher quality considering they're supposed to be a step above fast food fries. The sauce was good though. Too bad we didn't notice the beer battered onion rings right away or we would've had those instead.

Overall I was satisfied with my first experience at a Bobby Flay eatery and would definitely go back and try the other things on their menu. For a decent burger in a bit more upscale atmosphere, Bobby's Burger Place gets my vote.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

One Summer

2011-08-09T16:03:00.000-04:00

I've recently rediscovered our local library, thanks to all the papers I had to write for my English class last semester. I was particularly delighted to find out that part of the fiction section features newly released books. Most of the popular titles are included, and I was ecstatic to find a couple of my favorite authors among them. Thus I was able to read "One Summer", a heartwarming must read from David Baldacci.

David Baldacci first came to my attention as a spy thriller author, dealing with black ops and intrigues mostly in the world of espionage and counter intelligence. Think James Bond, Jason Bourne and the like. Being a great fan already of his books in this genre, I was surprised to see this book that was definitely different. Out of curiosity, I decided to give it a try.

The novel revolves around the Armstrong family as they try to pick up the pieces after the devastating loss of Lizzie Armstrong, mother of three and wife to Jack Armstrong. Jack, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness, is thought to be the one to die first. But in a twist of fate, Lizzie dies in a car accident. The children are split up to live with various relatives, while Jack is put in hospice care to wait for his final hours. Miraculously though, he recovers with no trace of the illness that supposedly leaves no survivors until now. This starts the family's journey of finding peace and togetherness again after getting past all the anger and grieving they go through at first.

I managed to finish the book in one afternoon, and I have to admit I had a box of tissues next to me the whole time. I confess to being one of those people who cry at sad and sappy tv shows, movies and books. This book definitely belongs in this category, along the lines of book adaptations I would expect to see on the Hallmark Movie channel. It was a good novel to read on a lazy afternoon, a nice break from my usual murder mysteries and spy thrillers. In comparison to Baldacci's other books though, I have to say that I prefer his thrillers to this one. It was a good effort, the writing was solid and hooked you right in. I just found it a little hard to believe some parts of the story, some of the actions of some of the characters. They help heighten the drama that takes place for sure, but a closer look makes the reader feel puzzled at how it makes sense. An example is Jack's mother in law Bonnie, who I guess is the main villain. Her actions for most of the story show her to be angry and spiteful towards Jack. Then at the end she says that she really does love her son in law and harbors no ill feelings. I'm like, what? I guess grief can really make people act in an illogical manner. Another thing I noticed was Baldacci's use of a particular story devise that reminded me of another novel which, coincidentally, also had a character's death as the jumping off point of the plot. The "dying man's letters to his beloved wife" concept is given a different spin in "One Summer", but I didn't really think they added much storywise. Their value perhaps lie more in their dramatic effect.

Overall I do recommend including "One Summer" in your reading list. A nice family drama to while away a hot summer day. Don't forget the tissues.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

P. F. Chang's

2011-02-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

For my birthday this year, I was treated to lunch by hubby at P. F. Chang's. I'd heard about this restaurant before and knew there was one in the city. Good thing though there also happens to be one on Long Island, in Westbury. It's located at The Source, a mall that used to house Fortunoff department store.

The P. F. Chang's in Westbury, NY is a good sized restaurant that gives off a cozy vibe that feels intimate in a spacious environment. There are two entrances, the main one in front facing the street and a kind of back entrance coming in from the mall. Coming in from the main entrance we were greeted with the usual hostess podium in front of a glass divider. As we walked past this area we come upon the bar followed by a wood divider that separated it from the main dining area. The entire restaurant is done in dark paneling, with soft overhead and wall lighting. There are booths lining the walls on two sides, separate tables in the center between the bar and the kitchen. The kitchen is partly visible from the dining area, but not enough to be able to see your food being actually prepared. In keeping with the Chinese theme, decor is mostly of the faux terracotta soldiers and horses type. The most noticeable of these are the two gigantic (no other word can describe them) horses that flank the divider between the bar and the main dining area. They were so huge they looked more like elephants. I found myself imagining bringing one home and putting it on the front lawn, hehehe.

The menu offered a good sized selection of appetizers, entrees, desserts and drinks. For starters Jojo ordered the Steamed Pork Dumplings. These are six pieces per order with an accompanying dipping sauce of soy sauce and chili oil. Reminiscent of siu mai, these were very tasty and we could've each eaten a dozen of them easily. But we restrained ourselves enough to order entrees. Jojo, as per usual, ordered Chicken Lo Mein and Chang's Spicy Chicken, which is their version of General Cho's Chicken. I was torn between getting the Cantonese Scallops and the VIP Duck. I was remembering the Pecking duck I'd tasted back in Hong Kong that was utterly delicious. But I was watching my cholesterol and decided to be a good girl. So Cantonese Scallops it was. I also ordered a side of Spinach Stir-fried with Garlic. The serving sizes were not humongous as per the usual in most restaurants but were good enough for the two of us. Jojo was actually thinking the noodles might not be enough for the two of us but we really got our fill from everything we ordered and even had to doggy bag some of the food. I loved everything we ordered, except for the scallops. I guess they were aiming for subtle seasoning, maybe in the hope of letting the natural flavor of the scallops come through. Unfortunately, for me, that didn't happen. Instead I got a rather bland dish that left me deeply regretting passing on the duck. The only good thing about that dish were the snow peas which were perfectly done. Happily, that was the only disappointment. The Lo Mein was very flavorful without the usual greasiness of this noodle dish. I loved their version of General Cho's chicken, which was tender and not overly breaded, unlike the usual take out version. The side dish of spinach really was garlicky as advertised, just the way I like garlic dishes to be. To round out our meal we ordered The Great Wall of Chocolate for dessert. This is a huge slice of six layers of rich chocolate cake covered in chocolate ganache, served with sliced strawberries, blueberries and peaches in raspberry sauce. Being chocoholics, it was a natural choice for hubby and me. And boy was it heavenly! The combination of the rich chocolatiness of the cake and the fruits and raspberry sauce were perfection. The only thing missing was coffee but I decided to pass on it since I was already near to bursting by this time.

With regards to service, I was quite satisfied. I don't know if it was due to the restaurant not being busy when we were there, but our server was attentive and quite prompt. I liked that we didn't have to call attention to our drinks when we needed refills. When we asked to have some of the extra food doggy bagged, I was pleasantly surprised when our server did it for us. Usually these days, they just bring you the containers and bag and you have to pack the food yourself. Our server even folded the paper bag in such a way that made sure it wasn't going to spill open. Just a little thing but it was nice to have that kind of service.

Overall I definitely enjoyed our first time at P. F. Chang's. And I'm glad to know that the next time I'm craving Chinese food I won't have to go to the city. So, any one up for some Chinese?

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

Boulder Creek Steakhouse

2011-01-12T15:33:00.000-05:00

When craving a steak with all the usual trimmings, one of the places we like to go to is Boulder Creek Steakhouse. A pretty straight forward looking establishment along Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square, NY, it's like an Outback Steakhouse that's a little rougher around the edges (in a good way of course).

When you walk in, you're immediately greeted by this glass enclosed square fire place in the middle of the reception area. I've never seen this fireplace actually going, but then again we haven't been there during the winter season. Off to the side of this fireplace, towards the right is a small alcove serving as the seating area. It has simple cushioned benches lining the walls that are adorned with some rustic decor pieces. Opposite the waiting area is the bar with the usual accoutrements, including large flat screen tvs strategically arranged for the various patrons to watch whatever channel(s) they may be tuned to. For some reason, I find that these tvs are almost always tuned in to sports channels, regardless what restaurant it is. The rest of the restaurant is divided into various sized booths with a few tables scattered here and there. I have to say I like that they have more booths than tables since I prefer to be enclosed in one rather than be in the more open table set up. All along the walls you'll see old signages that appear to be from old ranches or mines, or advertising various items dating from gold rush days. There are also various implements used in mining like pick axes and the like. Nothing fancy, and interesting enough to keep you entertained for a bit while you wait for your food.

The menu itself is typical steakhouse fare with prices in the mid range level. Their prices have actually gone up a bit in the past year but are still reasonable enough for the quality and quantity. There are the usual selections for entrees (steaks, chicken, seafood), sides, soups, sandwiches, beverages and desserts. They also have a kiddie menu featuring the usual mac n' cheese, chicken fingers and fries among other things. My husband, typical of the male species, likes meat. So he always orders, without fail, the biggest steak available. This would be the 20 oz porterhouse. He likes it medium well, with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. This steak is huge, and comes to your table sizzling on a hot plate. For its size, it comes done as you ordered it which I like because no one wants their steak under or overdone. It's also very flavorful, having just the right amount of seasoning with just enough fat still on it to give it that extra oomph. Eating this steak might make your cardiologist have palpitations but it just tastes good so what the heck! Their garlic mashed potatoes aren't that creamy or smooth, you'd still feel some teeny tiny lumps in there. But I don't mind, for me the texture is just fine and the flavor is spot on.

Aside from the steaks other items on the menu that we've tried are the buffalo wings (my favorite), french onion soup, and crispy fried calamari. The buffalo wings can be ordered either mild or hot and comes with the usual blue cheese dip and celery sticks. Although it's an appetizer I've ordered this as my main course and the amount of wings was just right. The french onion soup comes in either a cup or bowl, quite tasty and is my husband's favorite. And we both love having calamari, which used to come in these really big rings of fried squid goodness and marinara dip on the side. For some reason though, when we last ate there, the squid seem to have shrunk in size along with the amount you get in one serving. Guess this particular appetizer is a victim of the recession? Thankfully, despite the 'shrinkage', it remains as yummy as ever.

So if any of you happen to be in this area and you're in the mood for some hearty food and good drinks, head on in to Boulder Creek Steakhouse for a flavorful meal with good value for your money.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

Step Up 3

2011-01-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

The third in the Step Up franchise, this promised to be the biggest and baddest of all. Slicker moves, more foot stomping beats, and the added innovation of being shown in 3D. After having seen it (admittedly, only on DVD), I must say in some ways it delivered, in some ways it didn't.

For those of you not familiar with the preceding Step Up movies, it's basically all about a young guy passionate about dancing who gets drawn into the world of dance battles. Not having actually witnessed one myself, I'm not so sure if such dance battles do exist in real life. Said young man pursues his passion for dancing while trying to balance the other things going on in his life such as school, a job, disapproving parents. Of course there is the romance angle that no movie seems to ever be without. And there is also the baddie, a rival dancer with his own crew who wants to out dance our hero and keep him from realizing his dreams and getting the girl. Of course, this being a dance movie, a whole lot of dancing goes on in between scenes where there are dramatic moments or romantic highlights. In the end, all's well that ends well and our hero gets to dance into the sunset with the girl.

     This latest incarnation of Step Up is no exception to the formula, and there are no surprises as you watch the progression of the story. If you were hoping for a great story line that would really hook you in and keep you glued to your seats, forget about it. But if you watch this expecting to be wowed by some of the sickest dance moves ever, then sit back and relax. This movie delivers on its promise when it comes to that.
Granted that stunt doubles were used in some of the routines (like the parkour and capoeira sequences), most of the dancing here was done by the actual actors/dancers themselves. That in itself just amazes me. I don't know much about dancing and I usually have two left feet. But I do love to watch others bust a move and boy did these people do it and how. The choreographers for this sequel put together routines that incorporated a lot of different elements, a lot of different styles. So you don't get to see just the usual hiphop and breakdancing moves. Some of the things they did here makes you wonder, how on earth did they do that? It kinda made me understand why they would show this movie in 3D.

     There were some characters and sequences in the movie that I particularly loved. One of these is Vladd (Chadd Smith), the robot master. What he does is not your usual run of the mill robot moves like they did in the 60s. To say that he moves like he's a real robot would be a gross understatement. You just have to see him to understand. I also found it so very cute that they had a few kids in this movie who also showed the grown ups a thing or two about dancing. Talk about future talent, we got a preview right there. And lastly, although it was kinda cheesy, I found the Moose (Adam G. Sevani) and Camille (Alyson Stoner) dance sequence cute. I can't say that it fit really well in the movie, but that particular sequence reminded me so much of all those old musicals starring the likes of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Not that the Moose and Camille sequence can hold a candle to anything by these legends. But it captured the spirit of those classic musicals, for which I give a kudos to the writers or directors or whoever it was responsible for including it in the movie.

     All in all I would say this movie lives up to its genre and makes for an entertaining movie. Whether you love to dance, can actually dance or just love seeing other people get their groove on, this is one movie you might want to see.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

Side Comment

2011-01-06T14:12:00.000-05:00

I know I started this blog out as a "review " of books. But then again, with all the different things out there that I'm interested in, I thought why limit myself to just books? So as a way to include everything that catches my attention, I've decided to reinvent this blog into a kind of smorgasbord commentary, if you will. A kind of eclectic review of whatever gets caught in my radar that inspires me to write. This can turn into a very mixed bag of odds and ends, but I think that kinda makes it a little more exciting. Don't you think?

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

The Crepes of Wrath

2011-01-04T21:29:00.000-05:00

     Murder mysteries and food are two things that have evolved into a tasty combination in this particular genre of fiction. Not that it's the first of its kind I think, but I have to say that among the authors out there, Tamar Myers is one of the best of the bunch.

     The main character, Magdalena Portulaca Yoder, is a Mennonite woman with Amish ancestry. How's that for a potent mix in one's heritage. In this, the ninth of Ms. Myers' Pennsylvania Dutch mysteries, Ms. Yoder yet again manages to get involved in solving the murder of one of the members of their very close knit community. And when I say close knit I mean they're bound by blood and not just by social ties. Though not a member of law enforcement or trained in any way to do detective work, Magdalena does manage to solve the case. There is the usual getting into danger right before the murderer either confesses or tries to get away. This kind of scenario can tend to get rather dull and hohum after reading so many novels of this kind, but the way Tamar Myers goes about telling the whole tale makes it so entertaining.

     What initially drew me to this series is the way the titles were made. I love any play on words like puns or parodies. Each title of the Penn Dutch series is a pun or parody of a well known title of a movie, book or play. The other thing was that each title also relates to cooking, to food. Now I know there are other series out there with the same combination, but somehow this one really appealed to me. The way the characters are drawn, the interactions between them, show (for me) such silly wit and humor that I can't help but laugh while I'm reading. Magdalena's quips that her fellow Amish and Mennonite find so bewildering make for some hilarious dialogue. Myers pokes fun at the community and culture, but not to the point of being irreverent or insulting. In a way, she invites you to take a peek at what it's like to live in such a society from an insider's point of view.

     Though admittedly not in the league of Doyle or Christie, Myers' Penn Dutch series makes for an enjoyable (and tasty, if you are ever inspired to try the included recipes) way to pass an afternoon.

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.

Mystery Loving Feline's Debut

2010-12-05T22:52:00.000-05:00

While doing laundry this morning, my mind was wandering over random thoughts. Among those random thoughts, two ideas stuck and this blog is the result of one of them. Being a book lover, specially of the mystery genre, why not start a blog on books that I've read! Admittedly, the reviews will not be those of a professional critic. The critiques/comments will be subjective at best. But it does seem to be a natural progression to bring together two things that I like to do - read and write. So in the next few days hopefully I will find time to get started on this new blog of mine. And this being my intro to this venture, I would also like to state as a disclaimer that all comments and statements made in this blog are my personal views and opinions and do not in any way claim to be of a professional nature. Any one who wishes to post a comment, whether in favor or in disagreement are most welcome to do so as everyone is entitled to one's own opinion. I only request that such comments should be made in a mature and courteous manner. In other words, let's play nice, ok? That said, wait for further posts.....

© Margj Castillo, In Review, 2010 - Present.