Various Dining Escapades

[bam bam]

Friday's--Charlies. I consumed a 28 oz t-bone steak. My friend "t-bone" ordered one as well but everyone decided I should be called t-bone. he jumped up and down and the rest of restaurant decided his nickname would be Koko The Monkey. I finally let him be T-bone, although I finished more of my steak than he did.

Regardless, $41 for a steak at Charlie's borders on outrageous. Although Ms. Dottye did tell us the story about Roberto Duran eating two t-bones and drinking a gallon of orange juice prior to the "no mas" fight. It was like the 200th time I had heard the story but first since Katrina. So I guess it was worth it. And maybe we should nickname Duran "t-bone".

Saturday--The Saloon. South Philadelphia. I went to Game 3 of the World Series. Hung out with Jamie Moyer and Digger Phelps pre-game. Of course the game didn't start until 9:30 (who says baseball isn't fan friendly?). I had the Osso Bucco. we drank a bottle of Ruffino Gold Label Chianti. Overall, a great experience.

Sunday-Sandy's Beef and Ale. Bucks County Pennsylvania. My high school classmate bought this neighborhood standby and like most people I went to high school with managed to f-ck it up. As I left I told him it was good but no way on God's earth, I'll ever return.

Monday--Paschal's Terminal D Hartsfield Airport Atlanta. This Atlanta soul food spot opened in a location in the Airport. I had the best collared greens ever. The fried chicken was fairly bland and the mac and cheese was subpar. The menu touts the original location's role in the civil rights movement. Apparently MLK and Medgar Evers and a bunch of other black people ate there. There's a quote on the menu about how the food is served with " dose of protest and a pinch of freedom" and a big steaming pile of self-righteousness.

Tuesday---Coop's. French Quarter.-- Duck Quesadillas were outstanding. Gumbo was a little overseasoned. Fried Chicken was far superior to the dreck I was served in Atlanta. Best restaurant jambalaya ever. It is moist and falvorful and not dried out like most. Very underrated restaurant. Well worth hitting while in the Quarter.

[hungryone]

Bam, I'm gonna be stuck in the ATL for a layover on Sat. Was Paschal's worth it? Tell me what else was on the menu in addition to the items you tried. Sorry, I'm just not gonna eat collard greens before a transatlantic flight.

One Flew South (sit-down, upscale) in the international terminal doesn't open until Nov 4th, so I'm stuck with the food court/atrium options.

[TulaneRebel]

How about this elusive Game 5

[Schuarta]

Coops has been my favorite "low class" (local joint ?) place for a long, long time.

[NoNoNanette]

Coops has been my favorite "low class" (local joint ?) place for a long, long time.

I like Coops, too, Art.

Next time you're in town, check out the DEJA VU on Conti. Breakfast 24 hours. Good sandwiches. Neat local joint. It's right across from the Prince Conti/Bombay Club.

[bam bam]

Bam, I'm gonna be stuck in the ATL for a layover on Sat. Was Paschal's worth it? Tell me what else was on the menu in addition to the items you tried. Sorry, I'm just not gonna eat collard greens before a transatlantic flight.

One Flew South (sit-down, upscale) in the international terminal doesn't open until Nov 4th, so I'm stuck with the food court/atrium options.

Basically, you have your standard airport kiosk food such as turkey sandwiches, salads etc surrounded by about 3 soul food entrees (in addition to the chicken, there was a smothered pork chop and fried catfish) and a bunch of sides. I wasn't too impressed and even I were forced to pull a Tom Hanks and live in Terminal D at Hartsfield, I probablt wouldn't eat there again.

[bdavid]

If you are taking a transatlantic flight you should be able to go into the Crown Room (you may be a member anyway), where you can drink for free. Last time I was there they had upgraded their food items, too, at least later in the day. Breakfast still is pretty poor compared to the World Club or President's Club.

[EatinAintCheatin]

If you are taking a transatlantic flight you should be able to go into the Crown Room (you may be a member anyway), where you can drink for free. Last time I was there they had upgraded their food items, too, at least later in the day. Breakfast still is pretty poor compared to the World Club or President's Club.

The days of getting Crown Room access just with a transatlantic ticket are long over. You either need to be a Crown Room member or have a First/Business Elite class ticket.

Gone too are the days when you could sweet talk some of the airport staff into letting you in the room. Every person who enters is logged into the computer with their flight.

[bdavid]

Well, if you fly at all, it's worth $400 a year. I don't have elite status any more with Delta -I used to get the Crown Room membership free then - but even now when I only fly maybe 20 times a year I use it practically every time. Crown Room memberships get you access to Northwest and Continental's clubs too - those three have it all over the United, USAir and American clubs, in my opinion. Not only is it a haven in a horrid place, but the agents in the clubs have the time and the inclination to help you if you have a flight problem. By the way, it's even worth buying a day pass - usually $40-$50 - if you are stuck in someone else's hub.

[hungryone]

Delta's running some sort of Crown Room promo with discounted annual membership, which would be great, except that it offers no lounge at FCO (the other end of my journey). The layover's just over 2 hours, so I'll just suck it up and power-walk laps of the terminal in preparation for the subsequent 9 hours in a metal tube. Now if y'all have any secrets for wrangling a first-class upgrade, I'd love to hear 'em. I won't have medallion status 'til I return from this trip, so I'm stuck.