The "Sushi Verdict" is in!

What can I say, it was a dirty job with some very "fishy" characters, but I have reached a decision and let there be no doubt that "pound for pound and roll for roll", Sushi Creek is the Valleys best overall sushi restaurant! I give it 2 thumbs up, 5 stars, 2 snaps up in a circle, etc. Make no mistake, Sushi Creek delivers!!

Does it have the glitz and glam of a Pure in Scottsdale or the trendiness of a Mill Ave Ra? No it does not. What it does offer is great service, great sushi, and great prices.

I am reminded of the old adage, "you get what you pay for" and how it has bit me in the toosh on more than one occasion. However, with Sushi Creek, you get MORE than what you paid for.

The Sashimi and Sushi items both offer a very generous cut, the Softshell Crab is without question the best in the area. In my opinion the key to the Softshell Crab is to keep it fairly simple, dredge it in a lightly seasoned flower, toss it on the grill and serve when ready. It always irritates me when a restaurant tries to glam up the entree's and apps too much. Enhance, don't change the flavor and always let a quality fish or shellfish stand on it's own.

The various signature and traditional rolls did not disappoint as the creativity of the Sushi Creek team really shines through. The French Kiss and Dynamite are just 2 of the very wonderful offerings, I would mention more, but feel you need to get out there and find out for yourself.

If you are looking for fresh sushi with great service, hop on the 202 or head south on Ellsworth.

Meet the team.

A few questions.

Is it really so hard to be nice to someone for no other reason than to simply be nice?

Why is it so important to be the center of attention? What are you seeking? What are you lacking?

Does it make you feel good to point out someone elses failure or imperfection?

For me, I prefer to be nice. It feels really good.

USACares and the Home Sweet Home Campaign

The Home Sweet Home Campaign is rocking along.

Kudos to Beth Van Hoose and the Home Sweet Home Campaign on the tremendous success of their Schools That Care T-Shirt Design contest. Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills took a red eye flight from New York to present the winners.

Pictures here

USA Cares, 50 States in 50 Days.

Please visit OurSoldiers.org

I would like to introduce a brand new site that is just a huge breath of fresh air. The Home Sweet Home campaign and OurSoldiers.org was inspired by our dear friends whom recently returned home after 2 combat tours in the Middle East. Please take a few minutes and browse the site.

Call Me Dan and take a look.

I am a real FAN, NOT a Fanatic, but you can't deny Tanya Rocks.

Dan has declared this weekend, "Tanya Weekend", what exactly does that mean you ask? I am only listening to Tanya's music. I have been a fan since I saw her on Hee Haw in 1970 something. Then through mutual friends at time I was very sick, laid up in a less than perfect military hospital, I got a card from Tanya. Talk about a pick me up.

What brought on "Tanya Weekend" you ask? Well, I was simply toiling away, got on a conf call and as I was on hold for the host to login, the background music was Tanya singing "What's your mama's name", so I took that as a sign. Only Tanya Tucker music the entire weekend.

Call Me Dan, I would appreciate it.

Great simple recipe for the grill

Hey everybody, just wanted to drop a very simple and easy to prepare new Dancipe.

1 Port tenderloin
2 jars or cans of Black Cherries in JUICE, not glaze or pie filling. ( I prefer Trader Joes Marano Cherries)

Marinate the tenderloin overnight in a dish or bowl so the loin is completely covered.

Remove Tenderloin from the dish and toss on the grill leaving the cherries in the dish. (I prefer to cook on charcoal or wood)

Heat skillet or saute pan and toss the cherries in with a dash of your favorite seasoning salt until the juice begins to thicken. (I prefer Nicks seasoning made in Madison, IL at Hamilos Bros)

When the tenderloin is done (and don't overcook and dry it out), remove and let it sit for about 3 min, then slice. Place on your favorite serving dish and and drizzle the cherry sauce over the pork.



Call Me Dan and enjoy, it's a party in your mouth!

Been absent.

Hey everybody, sorry I have been a bit inconsistent lately on posting but transitioning to new DP developers and rolling out the new Podmaxx site, I have been up to my eyeballs in tempermental devs and programmers. Just keep the messages coming, the energy has been fantastic and your emails have produced some great new product ideas. And for your info, we are perfect on hitting milestones to date.

See you all at the next group planning update.


Call Me Dan

USA Cares

Hello everyone, I wanted to take a minute to talk about a great organization that I can't even begin to say enough about, USACares.Org.

The impact this organization has had is incredible. No way should a returning veteran, especially one returning from two years of combat have to face a foreclosure. Giving a hand up, not a hand out.

How about this...

Let's make today, "Random act of kindness day", do something nice for a stranger, someone you know, friend, relative, etc. Just do something nice for someone else. It feels pretty darn good.

Romeo's Euro Cafe is Top Shelf!

Romeos Euro Café-- http://www.eurocafe.com/Static/About_Euro_Cafe.html

Charming, fun and quaint are the first words that come to mind when you walk in to Romeos. Well, maybe I should add, “Super Yummy Sweet”, as the many wonderful desserts they offer are in full view as you walk in.

The menu was as advertised, very euro cross cultural. However, it had a very definite Greek influence in a great many of the dishes. They offer a very limited yet diverse selection of micro brews and wine, but the fun really begins when you see the menu.

We got the ball rolling with the Feta Dill Fritter and Eggplant Cappicola appetizers.

The Feta Dill Fritters were a very simple pastry ball filled Gyro meat, Feta, Pine nuts and Spinach. It was a true burst of flavor in every bite and the texture from this fantastic combination leaves you wanting more after every bite. Served with a wonderful side of Tzatziki Sauce (yogurt sauce) it’s an item I can’t recommend enough. Two thumbs up, 5 stars, however you choose to rate it, it’s just darn good.

Now, the Eggplant Cappicola was indeed a pleasant surprise. I really didn’t know what to expect here as I knew the quality of the cappicola ham would make or break this dish. That question was answered with my first bite, the cappicola was TOP SHELF. Eggplant wrapped around sliced cappicola and provolone and deep fried. Enough said, well let me add one more thing. They did serve a very tantalizing little marinara sauce on the side. This sauce would taste great on a catcher’s mitt. Fabulous!

Let’s get ready to rumble and talk ENTRÉE!!

After going back and forth and again and again with our top 5 choices, then our top 3, then we narrowed it down to one, only to have our server convince us to try “her favorite”, the Pasta Rustica.

This concoction of Italian sausage, Jumbo Shrimp, Zucchini, Mushrooms and Sweet Red Peppers tossed in Ziti with a Pesto Cream Sauce was true delight. The flavor blast this dish provided was beyond description. In my opinion, it was the sausage that really brought it all together. Very lean and exhibiting a very subtle yet full blast of flavor is how I described this fantastic naturally encased delight.

Dessert? If I talk about the Lemon Curd Tart or the endless layers of Devils food, Chocolate Mousse, Cheesecake I will have to leave and get a carryout, IT WAS THAT GOOD.

So often the difference between a great or bad dining experience comes down to the service as we all know, well, I don’t even know where to begin. Per her words, she was 83 and hailed from Massachusetts originally. She was the true “icing on the cake”. Pay her a visit and let her know that, Dan sent you.

My opinion on Facebook

I have never been real big on the whole social network stuff like MySpace and Facebook, but I was recently coaxed into joining Facebook and I jumped in head first.

Well I have to admit, at first it was very nice reconnecting with old friends and classmates, exchanging pics of our families and catching up on life in general. Then it happened. The "food flinging", the "passing out drinks", "snow ball fights", etc, etc, etc. It's insane and can be very overwhelming!!

So here's the deal according to me, Facebook really can be alot of fun, but if you fling food, or any of that other crapola, you can no longer Call Me Dan. Think about it.

Smile

I want everyone to do me a favor tomorrow and simply smile and say hello to the first stranger you see.

Replay Radio is Rockin!

Add free music to iPod or favorite player.

Wow my new friends at Applian Technologies have created the most incredible internet recording software we have ever tested. You can record any and all of your favorite AUDIO AND VIDEO. Move it to your iPod or favorite handheld media player if you choose. This app rocks.

See for yourself, take the trial for a test drive.

I love "MyPetBaRock!"

I was recently surfing all of the various collectibles and stuff that come out every few years when a new president is elected or makes a mistake, lol. Anyway, I ran across this cool and unique take on the famous pet rocks.

MyPetBaRock I placed my order.

I can admit it, I LOVE THIS YouTube Vid.

Try something different in 2009?

I was watching a news show last night and they were discussing former V.P. candidate Sarah Palin and her recent interview. Why? Because several idiot journalists around the country just can't seem to move on and forward. Whether you liked her or not, leave her family (particularly her children) alone. The election is long gone, history was made by both Republicans and Democrats.

Find some new headlines that aren't so TIRED.

My next observation is the always ongoing obsession with the First Lady's wardrobe and all the energy that is put into wondering who she'll be wearing. Who cares! We as a country are facing a lot bigger issues than the First Ladies hem lines or if she picked the right shoes to wear. I am not singling out Mrs. Obama at all, First Ladies have been scrutinized up and down over their wardrobes since Martha Washington danced with George at the first inagural ball.

To all the First Ladies past and present I say, "Please, Call Me Dan"