Review: Spencer’s Restaurant in Palm Springs

The following is the review my wife wrote on the Open Table site.

“I tried to make a careful and informed choice for a restaurant for my husband and me to celebrate my birthday. Spencer's received many positive reviews for both food and atmosphere, which was frequently described as romantic.

My first mistake, I believe, was agreeing to take an inside table. To me it did not provide the special feeling I was looking for. If I go there again I will wait for an outside table to be available.

At a restaurant described as perfect for couples and romantic, I did not expect to have a family with children seated less than two feet away. It is probably just my expectations that made the experience more negative than it ordinarily would have been.

Food and drink was a little more positive.

I had mushroom risotto with grilled shrimp. I enjoyed it as a very good dish but not outstanding. My husband had a steak with a baked potato which he enjoyed but again not outstanding. For an up-scale restaurant, the presentation on the plate was very dull. The service was excellent. Not rushed, but with a feeling being able to relax rather than being slow.”

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I was less impressed with the whole experience than my wife.

Quiet?  No.

Romantic?  Not really.

I thought the service was slow.

Our drinks took so long, I thought the bar was several blocks away.

Directly over my wife’s head was a mirror wall which gave me
a great(?) view of the kitchen doors.  It took so long to get our
dinner, every time a server came out the doors I found myself
praying it was our food.
That’s very distracting when you’re having drinks and dinner
with a beautiful lady.

My steak was tender and perfectly cooked, but, the
presentation would have given Chef Ramsey apoplexy.

My wife, being the very generous person she is, gave them
3 stars.

I would probably say closer to 2.

JMNSHO

9/11 … WHAT A WAY TO START YOUR BIRTHDAY !!!

Our oldest son Michael will never be able to forget September 11^th, it’s his birthday.

He was born September 11, 1971.  September 11, 2001 was his 30^th birthday!

He was working at the construction site of the co-gen plant next to the Boston Airport.  Boston Airport is where some of the hyjacked flights originated.  His boss had given him the day off to celebrate his birthday.  He slept a little late.

When he got up he turned on the TV and, at first, thought he had tuned in to another “disaster” movie.  It didn’t take long to realize he was watching breaking news.  He immediately called his mother who had just gotten up and turned on our TV, since it was three hours earlier here on the west coast.  She immediately woke me up and at first I thought she was kidding.

What a way to start a day.

What a way for the families of the victims to start their day.

What a way to start your birthday.

This morning we are watching all the programs about the 10^th anniversary of September 11^th and Michael is trying to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of his birthday.  Talk about conflicting emotions and déjà vu !

I’m not quite sure how to feel about all this, but, I AM sure Michael has VERY mixed emotions.  Bonnie has tried to reach him, in New Mexico, on the phone.  No luck, yet.

Our prayers go out to all the families of victims of the September 11^th attack.

Our prayers go out to everyone affected by this horrendous event.

Our prayers go out to all Americans.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Thanks to all those who read this.

Thanks to all those who pass it on.

Copy and Paste as much as you like.

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

1 Peter 5:10  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

A Little Humor To Lighten Things Up

 1.        Birds of a feather flock together and _ _ _ _ on your car.

  2.       A penny saved is a government oversight.

  3.       When I’m feeling down, I like to whistle.  It makes the neighbor’s mean dog run to the end of his chain and gag himself.

  4.       The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing, at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the most tempting moment.

  5.       The older you get the tougher it is to lose weight because your body and your fat cells have become such great friends.

  6.       The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

  7.       He who hesitates is probably right.

  8.       Did you ever notice?:  the Roman Numerals for forty(40) are “XL.”

  9.       If you think there is good in everybody, you haven’t met everybody.

10.       If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

11.       The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.

12.       Did you ever notice?:  When you put the words “The” and “IRS” together they spell “Theirs.”

13.       Dogs Beg … Cats Demand.

14.       There’s always a lot to be thankful for, if you take time to look for it.  For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt.

15.       What’s the secret to facing a birthday?  Accepting mortality?  Aging well?  Looking towards an uncertain future with optimism?

I’d have to say … beer.

I know … it’s been a while … here goes

Disneyland …

                        The weekend of 3/19-20/2011, in honor of my wife’s birthday (I won’t say which one), we went to LA.  We left San Diego very early Saturday morning and arrived at Disneyland right after the gates opened.  We had already purchased 2-day park-hopper passes online, so we didn’t have to wait in a ticket booth line.

            We met our son, daughter-in-law and 2 grandkids at a coffee shop inside the park.  The weather looked threatening in the morning, so the crowds were lighter than usual.  The first rides we all went on only had 10 minute lines.  Those were two of our all time favorites:  Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.  After those we had breakfast at a small café near there.  Very good food and reasonably priced, considering where we were.

            We saw the revitalized Captain EO.  Michael Jackson before his life started to deteriorate.  It is still an excellent show and well worth taking the time to see.  Unfortunately, the updated Star Tours had not opened yet and Splash Mountain was closed for maintenance (two of my personal favorites).

            The Main Street Emporium was getting a face lift (a new facade).  Saturday it was completely covered by a artists rendering on canvas of the new look.  They took down the canvas on Sunday, probably because of the gusting wind, and we got a look at the actual construction, which appeared to be almost done.

            After staying overnight at the Embassy Suites near the John Wayne Airport in Irvine, on Sunday morning we drove back up to Anaheim.  First Bonnie and I went back to Disneyland to catch a few things we missed on Saturday.

            Between the Main Street Train Station and Main Street, opposite the lost & found, is the hall of history and Moments with Mr. Lincoln theater.  We had not seen this in about 10 years.  I still can’t leave that theater without having to wipe tears from my eyes.  Keep On Dreaming, America !

            I remember Disneyland as it was back in 1955-1956.  The biggest attractions in Tomorrow Land were the House of Tomorrow and Mission to the Moon, which later became Mission to Mars after we actually went to the moon.<G>

            The big attractions in Adventure Land were The Enchanted Tiki Hut and The Jungle Cruise.  They are timeless and still there.  We went to both of them Sunday morning.  Later came the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House.  For reasons I, personally, don’t understand, it’s been renamed Tarzan’s Tree House.

            I think the only thing left of the original Fantasy Land is the entrance, Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the Merry-go-round.  The rides may have changed but the area still has that feel of “childhood revisited.”

            I don’t remember much about Frontier Land.  I do remember the Mine Train (slow) which was replaced by Thunder Mountain (fast).  The Frontier Land Shooting Gallery is now Frontier Land shooting Exposition.  Name change for it’s own sake?

            About Noon we went over to the second park, Disney’s California Adventure.  It was rainy, cold and very windy.  There is a lot of construction going on and many areas are blocked off.  By the time we got over there, in spite of the weather, most of the rides had long lines. We just wandered around for a while, had some chowder on the “Wharf” and about 3 O’Clock headed for the barn (home, to you city slickers).

            All-in-all a pretty nice trip.  Eric and family bought Bonnie a nice lanyard (I think that’s what they call it) and some Disney Pins to give her a start on “trading.”  That’s the latest Disney thing.  I believe, so I wouldn’t feel left out, Elle gave me a Jessica Rabbit pin from her collection and I promptly put it on my hat.  When we got home I also put the Mater and Grumpy pins, given me by Bonnie some time back, on the hat.  I don’t think I’ll ever trade those three.

            I’m beginning(?) to ramble so I’ll go now,

            Red.