Osaka Sushi, Plano, TX

We went here for lunch and for someone who does not eat sea food, i was scared i would return back hungry. They have other options in addition to sea food - chicken, noodles in various varieties and their dessert and ice cream is amazing. I loved the custard puddings and flan. Even if only for the flan, i would go back there! Since i did not sample the seafood, i cant comment on that!

They are located at:

(972) 931-8898

5012 W Park Blvd
Plano, TX 75093

Gits Products

Since we do not have a grinder and i have already spoiled 2 blenders trying to make the dosa and vada batter, i decided to try out the ready mixes at least until we get a grinder.

We tried out several mixes from the Gits brand and i am quite happy with most of them. The best part about these mixes is that one does not need to soak the lentils overnight and then grind them and leave it out to ferment which means a lot of planning ahead ! The Gits mixes allows one to spontaneously decide on having dosa, idli or vada at the spur of the moment.

1) We tried out the uttappam mix and it came out pretty good. One just needs to add onion, tomatoes, green chillies and coriander leaves. It would be something that i buy again
http://www.gitsfood.com/index.php?action=product&mode=V&type=PDS&id=112

2) We got a small pack of the upma mix free with the rava idli mix and it was quite good. However, since upma is easy to make i do not think that buying the mix makes that much of a difference.
http://www.gitsfood.com/index.php?action=product&mode=V&type=PDS&id=106

3) We also tried the rava idli mix and that is our favorite. It turns out just awesome and we have bought several packs of this so far. I would definitely recommend it.
http://www.gitsfood.com/index.php?action=product&mode=V&type=PDS&id=110

4) Medu Vadai mix - Since my husband loves vadas, we took this mix and i was very happy with the results. Definitely worth buying!
http://www.gitsfood.com/index.php?action=product&mode=V&type=PDS&id=105

5)Idli mix - this is one mix that i am not too happy with the results. They are times when the idli tastes a little lumpy and you really dont get the taste of idli. It is just ok.
http://www.gitsfood.com/index.php?action=product&mode=V&type=PDS&id=102

6) Dahi vada mix - I tried this mix out and loved the results. Another of my husbands favourites!

http://www.gitsfood.com/index.php?action=product&mode=V&type=PDS&id=113

I probably should try out the other mixes that they have but certainly Gits is a very convenient option!

Chiquita's, Mena, AR

We had lunch at Chiquita's and enjoyed it. Its the equivalent of a McDonalds and serves mexican food. The prices are low and the serving sizes are small to match the price. Its definitely worth a visit.

They are located at:

703 Highway 71 N Ste D
Mena, AR 71953

Chings Secret products

Of late i have tried quite a few Chings secret products and have been very happy with the results. For starters, i have always liked their Hakka Egg Noodles and Hakka Veg Noodles. They come out perfect. I tried the Schezwan sauce and have used it for fried rice and noodles and i loved it.

I tried out the schezwan sauce mix (made paneer schezwan) and manchurian sauce mix (made vegetable manchurian) and they both came out amazing - just the kind you get back in India. I am yet to try out the Paneer chilli sauce mix but based on the results that i have seen so far, i am sure it is also pretty good. These mixes contain recipes at the back of them that are easy to follow and easy to make.

Other than that, i also tried out the Hot Garlic instant noodles and it wasnt so good but still eatable. I remember i absolutely hated the Schezwan instant noodles.

I also bought the green chilli and red chilli sauce that i use when i make gobi manchurian and its pretty good although i think any brand would do. Of all the products, i found the sauce mixes awesome especially because it is so hard to replicate the that taste.

Queen's Restaurant - Queen Wilhelmina Lodge State Park, Arkansas

We went to Queen Wilhelmina State Park over the thankgiving weekend and ended up having a few meals from the restaurant in the lodge. The nice part is that they have buffets for all three meals as well as the option of ordering a-la carte. The breakfast buffet spread is pretty standard with offerings of fruit, cereal, milk, coffee, orange and apple juice, yogurt, bread, butter, jam, hash browns, sausage, bacon and eggs. My husband tried out the omelets and he liked it. We had dinner there and the buffet had options of lots of desserts, salads and some kind of beef and pork. Not so much for someone not too fond of American food. The salads and dessert was very good!

All in all, i found it better than Petit Jean but it probably is because i am more used to American food now than i was then.

They are located at:

3877 Highway 88 West
Mena, AR 71953
www.queenwilhelmina.com/lodge

Poor Richard's cafe, Plano, TX

We went out for a team lunch to this place and i absolutely loved it. The food was good and the owner was quite friendly. When he realized that some of us had our birthdays coming up he gave us a coupon for a free entree. They have quite a variety of food and i tried out the chicken and i loved it!

They are located at:

2442 K Avenue
Plano, TX 75074
(972) 423-1524

Addis Ababa Ethiopian Restaurant, Richardson, TX

We went here recently and i had the Doro tibs which is basically small chunks of chicken sautéed with onions and bell peppers served with salad and ethiopian bread called injera that reminds me of dosa only that injera is much more sour. The food is pretty ok. The service was a little slow.

My husband had the Gored gored which is lean beef cooked in a spicy sauce and it was really spicy. Not something to be had by people who cant handle spice. Overall, its worth trying it for a different experience.

Their contact details are:

(972) 480-0100

Richardson
100 S Central Expy
Richardson, TX 75080
www.addisababarestauranttx.com