Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Get an ear-full!


Sorry, studs. Giant earrings are the gem du jour.


$2, fabuless.comTortilla soup did not come with the traditional, delicate spicy, smoky, somewhat sour and totally delicious broth made with dried pasilla peppers. It was basically a thick Texas chili with tortilla strips thrown in.$20, T.J. MaxxJEWEL OF INDIASome things were fine. The hot wings had a nice crispiness and a pleasant mix of hot and sweet. The flatiron steak was tender and moist and came with good, hand-cut fries. But little oversights crowd everything. The hot wings do not come with carrots and celery, and small dinner salads arrived slightly after our entrees.So cute we could cry. Glittery teardrops give a sparkly spin on fancy frocks or classic jeans.BIG-HEARTEDIHOP restaurants nationwide are celebrating National Pancake Day Feb. 23 as a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network. Guests can receive a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes, from 7 a.m.- 10 p.m. at IHOP's 1,400-plus locations in the United States.ROYAL TREATMENTBLUE CRUSHThe burgers may be the safest bet. A bacon avocado burger (which you can also get with a chicken breast instead of beef) was tender and juicy. The homemade guacamole that the menu touted didn't taste like the real thing, but it wasn't bad.Multi-hued teardrops add a splash of spring color to still-drab days.Tuscany owners Mark Eaton and Guy Wadsworth commissioned the chandelier, which depicts an ancient grapevine with water running through its roots. It was created by Tom Holdman of Holdman Glass.Log Haven in Millcreek Canyon, was recently named one of the top 50 "most romantic" restaurants in a poll done by OpenTable Inc. The list of winners was compiled from nearly 4 million reviews for more than 10,000 restaurants in all 50 states (801-272-8255).Going eco-chic doesn't have to be dull. Forget earth tones and pick shiny metallic leaves.A NEW LEAFEric's took over a corner strip mall spot in late 2009 that had housed the nice Mexican place Casa Diegos. The ornate chandelier and colonial archways of the Mexican motif still linger in the space, joined now by a long mural of zoo animals and a large bar that must be about 18 feet tall. The menu, which is just as eclectic, could be described as Applebee's-esque: burgers, salads, sandwiches, a token smattering of Mexican and ribs.Fun bamboo doorknockers are a celeb fave. Doused in a bold hue, they're a daily Do.$12, shopthelook.netDREAMY DROPLETSIn addition, IHOP's "Stacks for Good Acts" Online Contest invites good Samaritans to submit a story of 250 words or less about a good deed they or someone they know did in 2009. Entries will be judged on emotional impact, originality and entertainment value. One grand prize winner will receive free pancakes for one year. Deadline is Feb. 19 (www.IHOPPancakeDay.com).$12, lulus.comSeasoning seems to be the weak link for Eric's. The three cheese and chicken chimichanga - a guilty Tex-Mex pleasure in which a whole burrito is deep fried - was stuffed with a bland mix of chicken cooked with celery and onion, what tasted like cream cheese, and no hint of any chili powder, cumin or chunks of green chile. The 6- year-old me might have liked it. The current me did not.e-mail: vphillips@desnews.comIn return, they can make a donation to support local children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network. People can request a wake-up call that morning from celebrity callers Steve Young, Marie Osmond or newly crowned Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron, at www.IHOPPancakeDay.com.Land jet-set style with turquoise and gold chandeliers. Elegant, but not too fussy.HOOP IT UP

So cute we could cry. Glittery teardrops give a sparkly spin on fancy frocks or classic jeans.




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