A Creative Cookery

Groupon offered a deal on breakfast for Le Peep in Frisco, so my husband and I decided to give it another go. We first went a few months ago and while the food wasn't spectacular, the service was. We arrived around 10am on a Saturday morning and had a 25 minute wait.

Doesn't that mean the food and/or service is supposed to be amazing right?...

Coffee was average, french toast was bland until I put cinnamon apples on top, the hubby's pancakes were crumbly and when I tasted them, they were salty. He said McDonald's makes better pancakes. Overall, the food was not worth the wait.

Service was rushed, like she was flustered. Checked on us once - when I again asked for my apple topping - and then to give us a check. She apologized and was nice when we explained everything wasn't great, but kept directing the blame onto the product, never a cooks fault (really...). When we went up to pay the cashier asked how everything was and after hesitation my husband said it was fine. I followed with the comment of below average and that's my final answer.

We agreed their array of fancy toppings makes up for less than stellar food products which then I would agree with their sign that stated they were A Creative Cookery.

Old-fashioned coffee shop feel

My new favorite place to work and study...

On Mondays I get to meet my mentor for lunch in our historic downtown McKinney, TX. It's a quaint location locally known as 'The Square'. Antique shops (of course) and little restaurants tucked in between with lots of patios to enjoy. Since I work in the opposite direction, I have chosen to use Monday mornings as study time and then go to work after lunch. Someone recommended me to this new little coffee shop on the square called 'Snug on the Square'...

I might as well put my name on one of the chairs...

Currently on visit two and I'm hooked. The coffee (just brewed) is wonderful. My favorite is the Cookiedoodle. Strange name, but oh so good. I have to remind myself that it's not healthy to drink too many cups because it's just that good. This morning I enjoyed a fresh made breakfast sandwich. Really fresh - saw them crack the eggs and cut of the ham, mixed them together in the skillet, added cheese and placed the delectable bit in the middle of a soft yeast roll. Nearly melted in my mouth...

Oh yeah - service. Breath. Of. Fresh. Air. I'm sure I will be gracing the doorstep of Starbucks quite a bit less after being subjected to this kind of hospitality. I honestly felt like I was the only customer (when really there were many of us coming and going). The owner Sandra exudes kindness and Theresa even remembered me from last Monday morning - WOW! There is also a young man, TJ, who is friendly and welcoming.

They are only open for breakfast and lunch so I highly suggest you give them a try - and look for me on Monday mornings because I will be there unless I'm not in town!

Food for thought

As a graduate student at UNT, I am taking a class on how to do research for my thesis. I know it's a large undertaking (thesis), but I really don't want to have to take comps when I am all done taking my classes. No thank you. My thesis will have something to do with ongoing training in the workplace from the bottom level up and how effective the training is as the person progresses through their career. I'm still in the stage of research where I don't really have a title, just a big idea. :) In going through articles and journals I am coming across many interesting reads involving different levels of training in different areas. Since this research project will take me a couple years to write and involves lots of research I am reaching out to the readers to let me know of anything that is going on in their neck of the woods having to do with training in the workplace. I will keep posting and letting anyone know of neat articles I read and different places people can find public training - without having to go into a college to takes classes.

I read an article this morning from back in the late 90's about Denny's having to go through intensive diversity training due to 3 major diversity claims against in them in one year. I am currently looking for an update to see if the company is sticking to their guns and doing the training and how effective it has been throughout the past decade. Remembering back through all my training I don't believe I ever got any diversity training on the job. So I researched it - it's what I do now. :) I found a company that offers all kinds of training and even found one online for a reasonable fee. Here's the link if you want to share it with others. http://www.trainup.com/TrainingDetails/204917/Diversity-on-the-Job-The-Importance-of-Diversity-and-the-Changing-Workplace

I look forward to receiving any articles you might find to further my research for my thesis! Thanks!

Unique new grill

In Frisco, off Preston & Lebanon, there used to be a Blockbuster. I guess that location was not one of their more profitable ones and in the bankruptcy, it was closed. My best girlfriend and I have lunch together each week and take turns picking the locations. It was her week and she found out about this new restaurant that went into where the old Blockbuster used to go (great idea). It has an outside patio on the north side of the building so it's never too sunny. The menu layout reminds me of Pei Wei - menu boards with slideshow type pictures and all. Food was unique - served as a salad, a wrap, or a bowl with rice. I ordered the Salad Trifecta with steak and a chipotle avocado ranch dressing. The 2 sides that accompanied the meal were served in the same dish as the salad, just in the corners. Not sure I like that idea. I had the fresh fruit and chopped cucumber salad. They were both okay. The steak was cooked medium  and was very tender with good flavor. I need to remember to take pictures!

You order from the counter and take a number and the food is then delivered to you. The girl behind the counter was sweet, but not knowledgeable about the menu. I would have definitely had her take more menu training before putting her behind a register. The manager type person on the next register was constantly having to answer menu questions and explain things to her. A bit more training for the register workers in the future. There is a dining room attendant always roaming and ready to take away any dirty dishes which did not sit for long at our table. They were kind and asked nicely if we were done. I do enjoy that so if we want to stay and visit for a bit we are not surrounded by dirty dishes. Good job on that hospitality training. The drink station is in the dining room as self serve, and although I have been in some 'fast-casual' restaurants such as this one who refill your drink for you as a courtesy, this one did not. Being newly opened I won't fault them for not going above and beyond. The had garage doors that could be opened up to the patio when the weather is right, which is a very neat concept and reminds me a Twisted Root Burger. I will try this place again sometime soon and see what kind of improvements. they have made. The wraps looked very interesting.

Twistin' and Shoutin' at last

The hubby and I went to a festival this Labor Day weekend up in Oklahoma at the Choctaw Nation. Not sure what we were getting into, we had a nice surprise! We were able to see some cultural things about the Choctaw - stickball, dances, buffalo, and the way their heritage village looked. They also had more modern entertainment - a midway with rides, fair food, and concerts. There was Sara Evans, Josh Turner, Ricky Skaggs, Martina McBride, The Kingsmen (amazing quartet), Brit Nicole, and the Newsboys. It was a HOT and fun weekend. Although thousand of people were camping in tents and RVs on the grounds, we stayed about 45 minutes away in a comfortable Holiday Inn Express.

We are platinum members with Holiday Inn because we love their brand so much and can find them anywhere. 95% of the time, the hospitality is great. This weekend however, we found one of them 5% in McAlester, OK. The front desk clerk acted as if we were bothering her at check in (God forbid I give you my money). Being there 2 nights, the housekeeper is supposed to come and empty the trash, bring fresh towels, etc right? Not at this one I guess. The first morning, the lady in the breakfast area was polite. Second morning - complete opposite.

Since we were checking out anyway, the hubby found us a cute diner just inside town called Angel's Diner. It was painted pink with a teal '57 Chevy parked in the lawn. Inside was decorated like an 50s diner. LOVED IT!! Should have taken pictures... When we walked in, all the servers happily said 'welcome to Angel's - sit wherever you want' as we were choosing a table. Ordered breakfast - pancakes the size of the plate and fluffy - yum. Eggs done perfectly and bacon full of flavor. Took a little longer than most places, but you can't rush perfection and it was worth it. Coffee was so good I had 3 cups! Looking forward to have the opportunity to go back through McAlester just to eat at Angel's Diner!