Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

This year? I read that they closed the entire chains -- did one survive as an independent or something? Curious....

We had 3 of them shortly after they opened near us --- Muncie, Greenwood, and Fishers. When they first opened and buffett was involved with the enterprise, we liked it...a lot. We ate there frequently opining that the only thing that was needed was an ocean/lake view...

After Outback pulled it ... the food went down hill and sadness ensued. The death of it was that when we they stopped playing Buffett or similar, and started chasing the 18-34 year old crowd. The food suffered, the feeling was lost....and the empty seats showed it.

But -- it was good while it lasted ...

 

I think they could serve shoes --- and they'd taste better just with that view....Well composed photo too

 

A good friend of mine owns an ice cream shop in Florida, and serves gelato. He uses top-quality dairy ingredients, and flavors that come from the local grocery. He does not cut corners. Yet routinely his customers compared his gelato to what they had as "Not as good as we got in Italy..."

The irony is the gelato in Europe is made with dry mixes. This was told to us by one of, if not the top producer of ice cream-making machines, so it comes from a reputable source.

The fact is simple...Sitting at Campo de’ Fiori the food becomes part of the experience, and there is no way to recreate that experience looking over a parking lot in a strip mall.

 

A few miles north of Lahaina is my favorite place to be. Enjoy!

 

Gelato - Elmer's glue with some flavoring mixed in. Ugh!

 

I have to admit, I never had Gelato. The difference is less air is whipped into it and perhaps uses a higher butterfat 'mix' -- which gives you that gummy texture you mention.

Personally, I like the plain ol' 10% butter fat ice cream. The best I've probably had came from a place down in Florida near "The Villages" call Mystic Icecream --- If you are near there, it's worth a trip.

Some (many or most) of the flavors there are aimed at adults, by that I mean they are aimed at 21+ and you will not find superman or bubble gum ice cream here. You WILL find Bananas Foster (my favorite) or Irish ice cream. All of it made on-site (the Emery Tompson machine behind the counter in Fruitland Park does it all) and it is all very good. Be sure to have a designated driver. Yah. Pro-tip: Ask when "adult" flavor they are getting near the bottom of the barrel

The owner I knew years ago has retired, although I think he is still involved in the karaoke nights and such. He aimed the shop very much aimed at the retired hippie crowd, but considering it is near the worlds largest 55+ community that is good business.

We visited in January 2020, and I noticed some changes. But not in the product. I'm not sure what its like today. I'd love to find out.

 

We stay in Kaanapali, but we love coming up to Napili.

 

I'd love to see some interior pics!

 

Ugh I'm in the market for a new tow vehicle but used car prices are nuts,

 

Day off tomorrow --- Thinking of the Duesenberg/cord museum in Auburn Indiana...

 

The grille on that car is so futuristic. I was a happy to see (back in the 90's) when Plymouth introduced the PT Cruzer and the prowler. The latter is certainly not practical, but it showed an interest in style again. Of course then chevy did the HHR...Same they were not that good of a vehicle.

For a brief moment in time, I hoped that style was starting to take some points.

Today, and I mean this quite literally --- there is none. Look at the Rav4. I really didn't look around when I bought mine --- I wanted a Toyota for its reliability. Little did I know that there are probably a half dozen other Cute-Utes out there that look exactly the same. Everything is pretty uninspired.

Responsible Sweeney has taken control of the discussion today. Were going to look at "Senior Living Centers" today instead. I have a feeling I'm going to be in a bad mood by evening.

 

This is with one of the seats removed.

95B04E87-CC4B-4C98-AC45-23E7DDF14EF1 by Tour 931 posted Feb 20, 2023 at 2:26 PM

The backseat is down and made into a bed with an ice cooler at the feet.

430A979B-AA4D-4018-A5D4-F13FFCAF7C01 by Tour 931 posted Feb 20, 2023 at 2:26 PM

 

" I have a feeling I'm going to be in a bad mood by evening."
Sweeny just stare into Ken & Peggy's pictures..... calm.. serene... that'll turn that mood around !!

 

That is good advise there.