Dinner -- 6/4/08

Saffron's Persian Cuisine
131 W. Market St.
Louisville, KY 40202

502.584.7800

http://www.saffronsrestaurant.com/

6:00 - 7:15 PM

Ramona: Absolut Mandarin Cosmopolitan, Beef and Chicken kabob, saffron rice, Persian ice cream (with saffron, rosewater, and crushed pistachios).

Jim: Absolut Mandarin Cosmopolitan, rack of lamb, saffron rice, grilled vegetables, Persian ice cream (with saffron, rosewater, and crushed pistachios).

Shared: watercress and feta cheese with pita bread, quail in carrot sauce, Cantina Zaccagnini (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo -- Italy) 2003

This was an absolutely exquisite meal. We ate here last year, and decided this was the first place we would go to upon arrival in Louisville.

Maher was an attentive, friendly, and gracious server. He never hovered, but he always knew when we needed more bread, or wine, or dishes removed.

One of the finest restaurants we have experienced anywhere. We plan on visiting again on Sunday night. This is a meal that needs to be savored, and it is a meal that deserves a 30% tip. Normally not open on Sunday, the owner told us he would open for the AP readers. I hope we can spread the word and get a good crowd.

If you ever visit Louisville, KY, Saffron's must be at the top of your list for dining. A unique and wonderful experience.

-Jim

Dinner -- 6/3/08

Calhoun's Restaurant
400 Neyland Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37902

865.673.3355

http://www.calhouns.com/

Ramona: 1/2 slab ribs, cole slaw, beans, Long Island tea

Jim: Fried catfish, cole slaw, Tennessee corn pudding, iced tea

One of our favorite places in Knoxville, and visiting the grandchildren makes this an added treat.
Langston was a great waiter -- he always kept my iced tea glass full.

Their ribs are terrific, among the best anywhere. The catfish was tasty and three good sized pieces were more than filling.

-Jim

Lunch -- 6/3/08

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
#TN-0222
7531 Barnett Way
Powell, TN 37849

865.938.2007
866-345-GUYS

2:00 -2:55 PM

http://www.fiveguys.com/

Ramona: "little" cheeseburger with mushrooms, onions, and ketchup, diet Coke

Jim: Cheeseburger, mushrooms, ketchup, iced tea

Shared: large french fries

These were far and away the best hamburgers we have ever had, and there are a few great hamburgers in Waco -- Captain Billy Whizbangs, J&R Burgers, Kitoks, and (in a pinch) Whataburger. The fries were spectacular.

The manager told us that 18 locations would soon open in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, so that is good news.

Lunch -- 6/1/08

Noshville Delicatessen
1918 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203

615.329.6674

http://www.noshville.com/

11:00 -- 11:45 AM

Ramona: Reuben sandwich and fries, diet Coke

Jim: Canadian bacon and sunny side up eggs, rye toast, coffee

One of Ramona's favorite places in Music City from her days at Vanderbilt University. An old fashioned deli with pickles on the table and a no-nonsense deli menu. Breakfast all day. Food was great, and so was the coffee. Great service, too.

-Jim

Dinner - 5/31/08

Cracker Barrel #372
W. Memphis, AR

5:45 - 6:30 PM

http://www.crackerbarrel.com/

Ramona: Country Pork Chops, fried okra, hash brown casserole, iced tea

Jim: Chicken Fried Chicken, baby carrots, fried apples, iced tea

Shared: Blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream

We left for Louisville, KY and a week of grading essays for the AP English Program. Cracker Barrel is a great and dependable place to stop for meals on the road. The food is good, portions reasonable, and the service good.

Breakfast is also especially good!

-Jim

Dinner -- 5/30/08

La Fiesta
3615 Franklin Ave
Waco, TX 76710

254.756.4701

http://www.lafiesta.com/

Ramona: Chicken, spinach and mushroom enchiladas, black beans, rice, sopapilla, iced tea

Jim: Chicken enchilada, bean burrito, soft chicken taco, rice, beans, sopapilla, iced tea

Shared: three dips and chips (queso, spinach)

Mexican food is not my favorite, but we do like La Fiesta, so it was time for us to head south of the border for a Mexican dinner. The appetizer (three dips) was great, although we substituted a second serving queso for the third dip on the menu. The chips were fresh and warm, and the platters were great! The sopapillas were a little small, but we were so stuffed it really didn't matter.

-Jim

Dinner -- 5/28/08

Cheddar's Waco
4208 Franklin Ave
Waco, TX 76710
254.741.1411

http://www.cheddars.com/

5:30- 6:50 PM

Ramona: Margarita Swirl, Grilled Chicken Oriental Salad, iced tea

Jim: Dijon Chicken, broccoli rice casserole, baby carrots, iced tea

After a tough week wrapping up a minimester class and an on-line graduate class, there was no way we could cook tonight. Cheddar's is always our first choice in this situation, and as we've said many times, we have never had a bad meal here. We also were seated immediately, so that was a plus. If you ever have a choice among chain restaurants, Cheddar's should be number one.

-Jim