Omar’s Italian and Mediterranean Cuisine

Danielle and I recently visited Omar’s Italian and Mediterranean Cuisine located on Saint Charles Rock Road, in Saint Ann, Missouri. The restaurant had been recommended to us by friends of ours, and we had seen some of the good reviews left online. However when we checked in on Foursquare, we saw that reviewers had mentioned that the service was questionable.

Danielle and I waited 10 minutes before any wait staff waited on us. The managers stood next to the counter chatting, completly ignoring that we had not been waited on. The one and only waiter in the place glanced over at us a several times, before finally waiting on us. The food on the other hand was marvelous.

In the show How I Met Your Mother, Barney discusses the crazy/hot quotient, stating that the crazier a girl is, the hotter she has to be to pursue her. I think I have a similar quotient the food quality/service quotient. If a restaurant has horrible customer service but the food is incredible, the restaurant is worth it. However Omar’s failed this test. The food was above mediocre, however with the poor service it would be hard for me to justify going back. The restaurant does offer take out, and judging that wait staff do not have to be involved this may be an option we consider in the future.

If Italian or Mediterranean cuisine is what you’re looking for than the Olive Garden, or any other restaurant is bound to have better service.   

Excuse Me Sir…

May I have some more?

The Mormon commercials have drifted off the television, but in there place a new religiously commercial movement has begun. The Catholic Church has now released television ads, that encourage members that may have gone astray to come back to their home parishes.

The Catholic Church, just like the Mormons have even extended this marketing campaign to the world wide web. You can visit catholicscomehome.org to find out what you have been missing. It really is an extension of the social experience that happens on Sunday mornings during church services. Juxtaposed to these marketing campaigns which are overtly labeled with the church they represent are the anonymous ads that do not claim any persuasion of faith outside of Christianity. Specifically these ads feature a pastoral figure directly addressing the viewing audience. He talks about Jesus, and the love of Christ. Never mentioning what church, or even what denomination he is representing.

Is there a problem with these commercials? Are the anonymous commercials better or worse than the overtly denominationally affiliated commercials? Do these commercials make religion too commercial? These are all adequate questions to ask when seeing commercials like these. I would have to say that as a religious person myself I feel that these commercials may make the religious experience too commercial. There is no way to control where your commercial plays, and it feels weird if your church commercial plays and then a bank commercial comes on.

The fact of the matter is, the greater church is in crisis. The economy being what it is has affected churches just as much if not more than the average family. At the end of the day churches need funding, and income just as much as a business. So is it better to buy in to the idea that material items will bring happiness, or buy in to the idea that churches can do a better job with more money?

Please comment with what you think. I feel this is an issue that is rarely discussed, especially in the politically heated society we live in. If there is anything I will come out and say, it is that religion, and politics, should never dictate one another. Who you vote for, and who you pray to, should be separate decisions, The former should be public if you choose, and the latter should be a very personal and intimate relationship that is not made overtly public.

2011: A Year in Review

Food:

By far the best food experience from the year was Lulu’s Cafe in San Antonio, TX. This little dive in the heart of San Antonio, is famous for big portions, and great southern hospitality. The menu includes breakfast all day, and plate overflowing chicken fried steak. The premiere dish however is probably the 3 lb. cinnamon roll. This dish was featured on Man vs. Food in the second season, and is a feat for any sized appetite. Our family of five, was able to eat it 3 days after our visit. If you want good home cooking, and the “real” San Antonio; this is the place for you.

Arts:

I am not the biggest video gamer, trust me my brother reminds me of this often. However, a few months ago I was on the phone with him as he was playing Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I asked him if it was a game I would like. Much to my surprise he said I would, so I played it. It was not clear to me how much I liked this game until days later. The last time I had found myself thinking about a video game during idle parts of the day was after I played The Sims the first time. The endless possibilities that were in The Sims, is also present in Skyrim. My brother accurately explained the game as an MMO without the internet capabilities. The game provides a great escape for players, who don’t want to get bogged down by the internet aspect. If you want a game to escape into, this is that game.

Theology:

As of yet I have not written about this topic. I have not wanted to sound preachy, or whiny. To be honest 2011 has been a year of change for me theologically. I have found myself between two denominations, in the midst of a turbulent religious and political climate. I would love to write more about this topic, and soon I will. In fact if you are reading this, and have ideas on what you would like me to share my opinion on. I would love to know what you think, and what you find theologically captivating.

2012, will hopefully bring a more prosperous, and more comfortable life for my wife and I. With that I hope 2012 will bring amazing new restaurants, amazing new artistic experiences, and maybe even a little theology to top it all off.

Nick and Elena’s Pizzeria

Located in North Saint Louis County, Nick and Elena’s Pizzeria is by all definitions a “dive.” Located just south of the restaurant is an abandoned gas station, that often hosts parked work vehicles. Located just north of it is a small liquor store. It ‘s address is 3007 Woodson Road. With all those factors going against it, Danielle and I often drive by, and see tons of cars in the parking lot, so we had to check it out for ourselves.

We “Googled” the restaurant and found several sites that featured great reviews of this place. Many people claiming it was the best pizza in St. Louis. Which, as a St. Louis transplant I must admit is a bold statement, Imo’s pizza is a St. Louis staple. Nick and Elena’s touted home made toasted ravioli, and amazing thin crust pizza. As a great lover of pizza ( I have tried many different types), I was skeptical. However, Nick and Elena’s Pizzeria was amazing. Danielle and I tried there toasted ravioli, and I guarantee you, you will never eat Imo’s non-homemade toasted ravioli ever again after you have Nick and Elena’s. As for the pizza, if you are in the mood for thin crust, or they also offer New York style, this is the place for you. The sausage is homemade Italian sausage, and the sauce is amazing! I was well satisfied, and Danielle was as well. We will definitely be back.

If you have any other pizza places you think Danielle and I should try in the St. Louis area, just comment on this post, or if you have been to Nick and Elena’s Pizzeria, and want to suggest something to us we would love to hear from you. If you would like to know what restaurants we have been to recently follow me on Twitter, or Foursquare. We will be traveling this weekend. We will be in Branson, MO, Fort Worth, TX, and San Antonio, TX. If you have any suggestions for us, just put ‘em in the comments box.

A Movie Moment

Best Motion Picture:

1. The Descendants
2. The Help
3. Hugo
4. The Ides of March
5. Moneyball
6. War Horse

Above are the films nominated for a Golden Globe for best picture. I have to this date seen only two of these films. War Horse is due out this holiday season. As of this moment I am confident that the film that will win is Hugo.

Hugo is an incredible film, that for any film lover is a cherished piece of art. Martin Scorsese has captured the essence and majesty of the film making medium. Coming from someone who has taken a film history class three times, this film made all those lectures pay off. At many points in the film I was repeating lines of dialogue as if I knew exactly the story they were telling. I must be honest when I first read the synopsis, that simply said something to the effect of; a boy living in a Paris train station in the 30′s, I was skeptical. However, after I saw Hugo I knew the film would not only be nominated for awards but would win awards. I would provide a full review, however I feel, that if you do not know what this film is truly about it is more exciting to be surprised by it.

The other auteur that graces this list of course is Speilberg, and although I have not seen the film, I do not believe that War Horse will out shine the true beauty that was Hugo. Please if you have other opinions I would love to hear them, please comment below.

Next up, Danielle and I went to an incredible Italian restaurant, with some of the best pizza St. Louis has to offer. Check back tomorrow for that review…

City Diner

As you can see from my Twitter feed, I recently visited the City Diner. The diner has been a St. Louis staple for many years. It is located at 3139 South Grand, its just south of Tower Grove Park. It is a true Diner, serving breakfast all day, and featuring a full menu. From burgers, to chili fries, to Seafood, the City diner has it all.

On this particular visit I enjoyed a  pesto chicken salad. I featured the typical salad attributes, with grilled chicken on top, and a pesto sauce. The salad was great, as well as the atmosphere of the restaurant. Service was quick, and the server was very kind and patient with the table. We had a split check, and before we got our food I spilled my water, causing a large mess, that the waitress quickly assisted in cleaning. The place was pretty crowded (typical of a diner), but the noise level was not at all ridiculous.

If you happen to be in the Tower Grove Park area, the City Diner is a great place to get a good breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The City Diner also serves a Thanksgiving feast on Thanksgiving day. You cannot pass up this St. Louis staple.

Follow me on twitter, or Foursquare, and if you see a restaurant you would like to know more about, just send me a message, and I will write about it on here. Or if you know a restaurant I might like, I would love the suggestion. There is no type of food I am not willing to try. Enjoy!