Her perspective: C+
His perspective: C
After having a bad experience at Grand Casino, Hinckley, we decided to try Treasure Island. We signed up right away for their membership program, Passport Club, and spent some time walking around to get familiar with the layout and find our favorite games. After playing for a couple of hours, we were rapidly running out of money.
We went back the following day because they were giving out quintuple points.
At one point I had $50 on me and decided I wanted to play Blackjack. I sat down at a $5 table and was doing quite well at first. I went through three dealers, and I was doing better than I had at Hinckley, but I walked away from the table with only $25. I think I'd stick to Blackjack at Treasure Island, though. They have the tightest slots of any casino we've been to.
One thing that was pretty nice is that you are allowed to walk around the floor with alcoholic drinks. At Hinckley, you have to stay in their lounge or at the rail of the bar if you have alcohol and at Mystic Lake, they only sell N/A beer and wine. Treasure Island did have complimentary soft drinks and coffee, like everywhere else, but they had a very nice nightclub at the front entrance and three other bars throughout. There's also a non-smoking gaming room.
We might go back for promotions, but probably not make it our regular place. We were hemorrhaging money there.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Grand Casino, Hinckley - July 7, 2007
Her perspective: C
His perspective: D
We have gone up to Hinckley several times in the last few weeks. Usually we lose money or break even. We've only won a couple of times.
The particular visit that I am reviewing was on Saturday, July 7. Being that the date was 7/7/07, they were having a special drawing and anyone who was a Grand Rewards member won something. We got there about an hour and a half before the drawing to find a line from the kiosks where you swipe your card winding halfway through the casino. We got in line and started to wait. After about a half hour, an employee came around saying that they were cutting off the line quite a bit ahead of us. There just wouldn't be enough time for everyone to get their ticket for the drawing. So, we got out of line and started playing some slots. A little while later, we heard over the PA system that due to the overwhelming response, they were going to pick 14 names instead of 7 to win $777 and that the line was still open. We went back to the line where there was another employee telling everyone that the line had been cut off. She also told us that the employee that had cut off the line earlier had been giving wrong information and we were not allowed back in line - not even for our other swipe. Part of the problem is that there are only 6 kiosks in the entire casino and one of them was down.
We were quite angry by this time since we were not allowed to participate in the promotion at all. We grabbed one comment card a piece and sat down in the bar to fill them out while having a cocktail. On our comment cards, we expressed how angry we were and both put in something about having more kiosks in more locations throughout the casino, especially when they have these kinds of special promotions.
We did still have the chance to swipe our cards for another promotion they are running this month, so we went back to the line and waited to use the kiosks. After we got our tickets we left.
We will probably go back for the next drawing, but we have decided to try out other casinos for a little while.
His perspective: D
We have gone up to Hinckley several times in the last few weeks. Usually we lose money or break even. We've only won a couple of times.
The particular visit that I am reviewing was on Saturday, July 7. Being that the date was 7/7/07, they were having a special drawing and anyone who was a Grand Rewards member won something. We got there about an hour and a half before the drawing to find a line from the kiosks where you swipe your card winding halfway through the casino. We got in line and started to wait. After about a half hour, an employee came around saying that they were cutting off the line quite a bit ahead of us. There just wouldn't be enough time for everyone to get their ticket for the drawing. So, we got out of line and started playing some slots. A little while later, we heard over the PA system that due to the overwhelming response, they were going to pick 14 names instead of 7 to win $777 and that the line was still open. We went back to the line where there was another employee telling everyone that the line had been cut off. She also told us that the employee that had cut off the line earlier had been giving wrong information and we were not allowed back in line - not even for our other swipe. Part of the problem is that there are only 6 kiosks in the entire casino and one of them was down.
We were quite angry by this time since we were not allowed to participate in the promotion at all. We grabbed one comment card a piece and sat down in the bar to fill them out while having a cocktail. On our comment cards, we expressed how angry we were and both put in something about having more kiosks in more locations throughout the casino, especially when they have these kinds of special promotions.
We did still have the chance to swipe our cards for another promotion they are running this month, so we went back to the line and waited to use the kiosks. After we got our tickets we left.
We will probably go back for the next drawing, but we have decided to try out other casinos for a little while.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Fieldhouse Sports Tavern & Grill - July 6, 2007
Fieldhouse Sports Tavern & Grill
(763) 533-3400
5632 W Broadway Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55428-3510
Rating: A-
I went to this restaurant on my lunch break from work with a friend. We were greeted and seated immediately and got to choose our table. The host was friendly, but seemed like she was bored. She did tell us the specials and our server's name. The server gave us some time to look at the menu before she greeted us, so we knew what we wanted to drink. By the time she returned with our drinks, we were ready to order. She took our order without writing anything down, but got everything correct. She came out a couple of minutes later with two new Cokes because she had noticed that the syrup had been running out when she poured our first ones, so she changed it and poured two new ones in case ours didn't taste right. I really appreciate how observant and guest-focused that was. She wasn't overly friendly, but she did take very good care of us. She checked back at an appropriate time (after we'd had a chance to taste our food, yet not just after we'd taken a bite.
I got the Smothered Chicken. My vegetables were incredibly tasty with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top. As my choice of potato, I got the waffle fries with seasoned sour cream (which tasted more like seasoned Ranch). Nothing good or bad about them, they were waffle fries... My chicken had some burnt grill marks on it, but having portobello mushrooms on it made it quite tasty.
I would definitely go back.
(763) 533-3400
5632 W Broadway Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55428-3510
Rating: A-
I went to this restaurant on my lunch break from work with a friend. We were greeted and seated immediately and got to choose our table. The host was friendly, but seemed like she was bored. She did tell us the specials and our server's name. The server gave us some time to look at the menu before she greeted us, so we knew what we wanted to drink. By the time she returned with our drinks, we were ready to order. She took our order without writing anything down, but got everything correct. She came out a couple of minutes later with two new Cokes because she had noticed that the syrup had been running out when she poured our first ones, so she changed it and poured two new ones in case ours didn't taste right. I really appreciate how observant and guest-focused that was. She wasn't overly friendly, but she did take very good care of us. She checked back at an appropriate time (after we'd had a chance to taste our food, yet not just after we'd taken a bite.
I got the Smothered Chicken. My vegetables were incredibly tasty with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top. As my choice of potato, I got the waffle fries with seasoned sour cream (which tasted more like seasoned Ranch). Nothing good or bad about them, they were waffle fries... My chicken had some burnt grill marks on it, but having portobello mushrooms on it made it quite tasty.
I would definitely go back.
Pirates of the Carribean 3: At World's End
Her Perspective: Wait
Synopsis: It is a dark time as the Age of Piracy nears to a close. Lord Cutler Beckett (TOM HOLLANDER) of the East India Company has gained control of the terrifying ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman, and its malevolent, vengeful captain, Davy Jones (BILL NIGHY). The Dutchman now roams the seven seas, unstoppable, destroying pirate ships without mercy, under the command of Admiral Norrington (JACK DAVENPORT). Will Turner (ORLANDO BLOOM), Elizabeth Swann (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY) and Captain Barbossa (GEOFFREY RUSH) embark on a desperate quest to gather the Nine Lords of the Brethren Court, their only hope to defeat Beckett, the Flying Dutchman, and his Armada. But one of the Lords is missing—Captain Jack Sparrow (JOHNNY DEPP), either the best or worst pirate ever, and now trapped in Davy Jones’ Locker, thanks to his encounter with the monstrous Kraken. In an increasingly shaky alliance, our heroes, including Tia Dalma (NAOMIE HARRIS), Pintel (LEE ARENBERG) and Ragetti (MACKENZIE CROOK), must first travel to dangerous, exotic Singapore and confront Chinese pirate Captain Sao Feng (CHOW YUN-FAT) to gain charts, and a ship, that will take them off to world’s end, to rescue Jack. But even if Captain Jack is successfully rescued, the gathering of the legendary Brethren Court may not be enough to hold back the fearsome tide of Beckett, Davy Jones and their powerful Armada…unless the capricious sea goddess Calypso, imprisoned in human form, can be freed and convinced to come to their aid. As betrayal piles upon betrayal, it becomes clear that Jack, Will, Elizabeth, Sao Feng, and Barbossa each have their own agenda, and no one can be trusted. Yet each must choose a side, and make their final alliances for one last battle, in a titanic showdown that could eliminate the freedom-loving pirates from the seven seas—forever.
Review: I thought the movie was rather uneventful and boring. Captain Jack Sparrow did not have nearly as much of the quirkiness that we came to love in the first movie and the story didn't go anywhere. It was a very weak story line that was incredibly predictable. While it did have some good action sequences and great actors, there wasn't much they could do with that script. They spent a lot of time on repetetive conversations and not much time trying to further the story. I was very disappointed. On this series, I would have recommended that they stop after the first one. The sequel was not as good and the third was dreadful. If you are a huge Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom fan, by all means go see it, but wait until a dollar theater or video. If not, don't bother. It's a waste of time and money.
Synopsis: It is a dark time as the Age of Piracy nears to a close. Lord Cutler Beckett (TOM HOLLANDER) of the East India Company has gained control of the terrifying ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman, and its malevolent, vengeful captain, Davy Jones (BILL NIGHY). The Dutchman now roams the seven seas, unstoppable, destroying pirate ships without mercy, under the command of Admiral Norrington (JACK DAVENPORT). Will Turner (ORLANDO BLOOM), Elizabeth Swann (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY) and Captain Barbossa (GEOFFREY RUSH) embark on a desperate quest to gather the Nine Lords of the Brethren Court, their only hope to defeat Beckett, the Flying Dutchman, and his Armada. But one of the Lords is missing—Captain Jack Sparrow (JOHNNY DEPP), either the best or worst pirate ever, and now trapped in Davy Jones’ Locker, thanks to his encounter with the monstrous Kraken. In an increasingly shaky alliance, our heroes, including Tia Dalma (NAOMIE HARRIS), Pintel (LEE ARENBERG) and Ragetti (MACKENZIE CROOK), must first travel to dangerous, exotic Singapore and confront Chinese pirate Captain Sao Feng (CHOW YUN-FAT) to gain charts, and a ship, that will take them off to world’s end, to rescue Jack. But even if Captain Jack is successfully rescued, the gathering of the legendary Brethren Court may not be enough to hold back the fearsome tide of Beckett, Davy Jones and their powerful Armada…unless the capricious sea goddess Calypso, imprisoned in human form, can be freed and convinced to come to their aid. As betrayal piles upon betrayal, it becomes clear that Jack, Will, Elizabeth, Sao Feng, and Barbossa each have their own agenda, and no one can be trusted. Yet each must choose a side, and make their final alliances for one last battle, in a titanic showdown that could eliminate the freedom-loving pirates from the seven seas—forever.
Review: I thought the movie was rather uneventful and boring. Captain Jack Sparrow did not have nearly as much of the quirkiness that we came to love in the first movie and the story didn't go anywhere. It was a very weak story line that was incredibly predictable. While it did have some good action sequences and great actors, there wasn't much they could do with that script. They spent a lot of time on repetetive conversations and not much time trying to further the story. I was very disappointed. On this series, I would have recommended that they stop after the first one. The sequel was not as good and the third was dreadful. If you are a huge Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom fan, by all means go see it, but wait until a dollar theater or video. If not, don't bother. It's a waste of time and money.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Governors Fine Food & Drink, St Paul - June 26, 2007
His Perspective: D for the food, B- for the drinks
Lemme explain... They make some STRONG drinks here, regardless of what drink you order. And they are very well priced to boot, so you can get well lubricated for $20 or $30.
That said, the food and service are terrible. I ordered a simple Hot Turkey Sandwich. It's supposed to be slabs of turkey in thick bread with mashed potatoes and loads of gravy. That's what I got, and a lot of it, but there wasn't any flavor to it. That and the exposed potatoes were crunchy and hard, as if they sat under a heat lamp for too long before being served. Either that or they were instant potatoes and they just didn't have enough water ( I really couldn't tell). This is one of those meals I order at places that I'm not sure about, because you can (at least in part) judge the quality of the menu and staff by how well it is prepared and how it tastes. This is especially the case since it's such a simple menu item to prepare (in my mind anyway). They did a rather poor job overall in my mind.
She got a garlic Swiss cheese burger and fries. She said it was good (and she ate the whole thing, which is unusual for her) but she thought it would have more flavor to it, and it was kinda small she thought, and I agreed.
We've eaten here before (a few months ago) and we both thought the food was much better the first time around. The only reason we didn't go back sooner was that the service sucked before. Tonight was better, but we did spend a lot of time waiting for our server to come back to the dining room, and we had to ask and re-ask for a few things.
I had an empty glass sitting on the edge of the table waiting for a refill for almost 20 minutes (no really, I timed it) and she had to ask and re-ask for dressing. After the server came and got my glass, it sat on the bar for another 5 minutes before the barman washed it. I got my drink (just a Coke) 10 minutes after that. We were about ready to leave at that point, and I was kinda disappointed. Also, When I first got my Coke, I had to ask if it was Pepsi or Coke because it didn't taste right. I thought it might be Pepsi, and she couldn't tell. Our server confirmed it was Coke though. Sure tasted odd at any rate...
This time around, not only was the service bad but the food wasn't all that great either. Still, it was only $26 for the two of us with her drinks. That's a good deal if you don't mind bland to average food and slow service.
I doubt we'll be back for a months (except maybe for Happy Hour) same as last time.
You know, I wonder why they call it Governors Fine Food & Drink since it isn't really fine at all. Oh, and if you note the time of this post you'll see that it's quite early in the morning. I've got a headache and heartburn from dinner and I can't seem to stay asleep. That should give you an idea about just how bad the food was.
Lemme explain... They make some STRONG drinks here, regardless of what drink you order. And they are very well priced to boot, so you can get well lubricated for $20 or $30.
That said, the food and service are terrible. I ordered a simple Hot Turkey Sandwich. It's supposed to be slabs of turkey in thick bread with mashed potatoes and loads of gravy. That's what I got, and a lot of it, but there wasn't any flavor to it. That and the exposed potatoes were crunchy and hard, as if they sat under a heat lamp for too long before being served. Either that or they were instant potatoes and they just didn't have enough water ( I really couldn't tell). This is one of those meals I order at places that I'm not sure about, because you can (at least in part) judge the quality of the menu and staff by how well it is prepared and how it tastes. This is especially the case since it's such a simple menu item to prepare (in my mind anyway). They did a rather poor job overall in my mind.
She got a garlic Swiss cheese burger and fries. She said it was good (and she ate the whole thing, which is unusual for her) but she thought it would have more flavor to it, and it was kinda small she thought, and I agreed.
We've eaten here before (a few months ago) and we both thought the food was much better the first time around. The only reason we didn't go back sooner was that the service sucked before. Tonight was better, but we did spend a lot of time waiting for our server to come back to the dining room, and we had to ask and re-ask for a few things.
I had an empty glass sitting on the edge of the table waiting for a refill for almost 20 minutes (no really, I timed it) and she had to ask and re-ask for dressing. After the server came and got my glass, it sat on the bar for another 5 minutes before the barman washed it. I got my drink (just a Coke) 10 minutes after that. We were about ready to leave at that point, and I was kinda disappointed. Also, When I first got my Coke, I had to ask if it was Pepsi or Coke because it didn't taste right. I thought it might be Pepsi, and she couldn't tell. Our server confirmed it was Coke though. Sure tasted odd at any rate...
This time around, not only was the service bad but the food wasn't all that great either. Still, it was only $26 for the two of us with her drinks. That's a good deal if you don't mind bland to average food and slow service.
I doubt we'll be back for a months (except maybe for Happy Hour) same as last time.
You know, I wonder why they call it Governors Fine Food & Drink since it isn't really fine at all. Oh, and if you note the time of this post you'll see that it's quite early in the morning. I've got a headache and heartburn from dinner and I can't seem to stay asleep. That should give you an idea about just how bad the food was.
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