Q-Tips Reviews

EDELWEISS GERMAN CUISINE 611 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34208, (941) 748-3838
www.edelweissbradenton.com

Q-TIPS SAY: EDELWEISS has good food. All homemade and the ambiance has a small cozy feeling to it. Mrs. Q enjoyed: Hunter Schnitzel – Served with Spätzle (German Egg Noodles in light
Butter and Herbs) and creamy Mushroom sauce. Mr. Q enjoyed: Sauerbraten Marinated in a tasty Wine & Vinegar marinade and served with Spatzle, rich flavorful Gravy and red Cabbage.
Both delicious and reasonably priced at around $16.00 Of course, the Q’s had to have a German Beer with dinner and enjoyed a light German beer. It was busy but they were able to seat us even tho we did not have a reservation. Mrs. Q says: German Food is delicious but heavy. She does not think she could eat this way often but it was enjoyable. Next time, she will try the homemade “potato pancakes”.

If you need a GERMAN FOOD FIX, EDELWEISS is a good place to go.

VENICE ART & CRAFT SHOW – Venice FL – When: Saturday and Sunday, Venice Avenue, between U.S. 41 Business and Harbor Drive

Q-Tips say: Go and enjoy! It is FREE Walked along enjoying the beautiful sunny, warm day eating our way thru the Show.  They moved the Craft Show to another street – crowded and busy. Near the end of the show they had various tastings: dips, olive oils, etc. Then, if time permits, stop at the Venice Jetty and see the dolphins – a fun day all around.

Off to visit our old “hood” we once lived and then find a restaurant that doesn’t have a “Sunday Buffet.”  Went past “Turtles” and saw our former condo and walked to Turtles Beach. Turtles Rest. had a “Sunday Brunch.” Then drove down the road to Ophelia’s but I was told they had a “Sunday Brunch” and just closed but will reopen for dinner at 5:00. Another favorite is “Miguel’s” but they don’t open till 5:00.  Off to Philippe Creek:).

REVELRY – 3005 University Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34243, (941) 355-1218, www.revelrypubandgrill.com

Q-Tips say: Good food, outstanding service, and a great selection of beer choices. Of course, they also have a “Full Bar”. The ambiance is nice and looks like it was recently remodeled.

Revelry offers Happy Hour from 11:30 to 7PM, Be introduced to a new craft beer every time you and your friends visit, They now offer what they call “6 by 6:00 for $10” every night. There are six entrées served between 4pm and 6pm daily for only 10 dollars.

Our entrees from the “6 by 6:00 for $10.00 menu” were enjoyed by all. Meatloaf, Fish, Chicken Special and Mrs. Q had the Bratwurst. She expected a Brat on a bun with some sauerkraut and fries(she requested fries instead of mashed potatoes). When the Brat meal arrived there were 2 large Brats with sauerkraut and fries and no bun. Just like she likes it. The serving was enough to take some home and enjoy the remainder for lunch. The waitress went and made stuffed olives for Mr. Q’s drink – now that is what I’m talking about – outstanding service. Hope Revelry Pub survives past the “busy snowbird season” – many times they don’t.

So go and enjoy! We and our friends certainly did.

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.

CAST: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Ewan McGregor, Abigail Breslin, Margo Martindale, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dermot Mulroney, Steve Heidebrecht, Sam Shepard.

Q-TIPS SAY: Mr. Q says: A chick flick. Mrs. Q says: A good movie but not a movie for everyone. Some great acting and some might get a nod for awards. It’s tiring. it’s full of despicable people, and can be depressing. This is a grueling story of the destructive force of addiction, danger of anger, the hurt of betrayal, and the pain caused by keeping secrets. Your family, no matter the problems, will look like Leave it to Beaver after you see this film. See it, enjoy the fabulous acting and be grateful that you’re family despite its problems is nothing like this family.

31th GREEK GLENDI – an authentic cultural Greek experience –
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34243 www.stbarbaragoc.org

Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday:11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday: 2/9/2014 Noon – 8:00 PM – Adult Admission: $4.00, Children under 12: free

Free on-site and off-site Parking! Shuttles available from Church of the Trinity, 7225 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd (1 mi. No. of St. Barbara’s)

Q-TIPS SAY: It is not FREE ADMISSION but this one is worth the admission fee. They offer a kid’s tent, vendors selling their goods that are made in Greece. Greek music, dancers and, of course, the food, beer, wine and soft drink bar, and a Flea Market. The food and vendor products are reasonably priced. Ample seating inside and out. We went and enjoyed. The Q’s chose the oven roasted Lamb Shank that comes w/choice of 2 sides – we chose the potatoes and green beans. The other choice was a Gyros sandwich and our pastry choice was Loukoumathes – Piping hot, light and fluffy honey puffs served with syrup and dusted with cinnamon. Everything was ok.

The SMARTEST kids in the WORLD –& how they got that way by Amanda Ripley

Mrs. Q says: Great book about education and what the author found out that really matters.

Follow three American kids who move to other countries for one year. One from Oklahoma to Finland, one from a high achieving Minnesota suburb to South Korea and one from Pennsylvania for Poland – on student exchange programs. Follow them and find out how they did and combined with the authors investigative research what is really important.

South Korea has the lowest teen suicide rate but it turns out they have the highest young adult suicide rate, Why? And are the Koreans really happy with their education system? Do richer school districts always do better than the poorer areas irregardless of what country you are in?

Could the American charter schools work? Is a great “football program” really important? How about all that praise we give our America kids – everyone get a trophy- win or not. Are we preparing them for real world life when they don’t learn how to fail when they are younger?

Finland required a matriculation test for 160 years, it was a way to motive kid/teacher toward a common goal to actually mean something. Korean rerouted air traffic for their graduation test. Polish kids studied fro their tests on nights/weekends and arrived for the exam wearing suits, ties dresses.

What about the teachers? HS in Korea, Finland & Poland had a purpose just like high school football practice in America. There is a big important contest at the end, the score counted.

In America some of us believe that our kids would get a second/third chance. But in real life that doesn’t always happen. Why is it some American parents go to the teacher and ask “why did you give my child an F”?Instead of asking the child/and teacher “why did you get this F”? Why do American parents readily show up for sporting events w/cameras, etc but fail to show up for school conferences? Do we give some of our aspiring teachers a second/third chance even tho they do not do well to become teachers? Or do we just pass them along till they get their teaching certificates? And yes, by all means let us pay the students to go to class ??? but can that actually make them study and become successful adults in the real world?

Read The SMARTEST KIDS in the WORLD and see if you think other countries have a better educational system and why? Or do they?

WASABI– 5770 Ranch Lake Blvd., Bradenton FL- 941-755-1053
Hours, M-Th 11 am – 10 pm, Fri & Sat. 11 am – 10:30 pm, Sun. 12 Noon – 9:30 PM

Q-Tips say: A new restaurant that opened and we always like to try and support the locals.

Mrs. Q says: The new restaurant is absolutely exquisite the way it is decorated. WASABI offers Hibachi Dinners (where they cook at the table), Tempura & Katsu, Sushi & Sashimi & varied Lunch Menu and a full bar. The Q’s stopped for a to-go Lunch order and put in the fridge for dinner. The food was ok.
They certainly go out of their way to make you comfortable and happy. If you choose to eat in the Sushi/Sashimi area and someone in your party wants a Hibachi order they will cook it and bring it to your table so they can enjoy with the Sushi/Sashimi eating friends or the other way around. So go and give the new local restaurant a try, you might like it. I’m sure they will do well during the “Prime Snowbird” season but will they survive the hot summer season after the “Birds” are gone is the question. Only time will tell.

400 Beach Seafood & Tap House – 400 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701,
(727) 896-2400 400beachseafood.com

Q-TIPS SAY: We decided to go for a light lunch after seeing the Chihuly Museum which is a few doors down. The service, food and ambiance is outstanding. Show them your Chihuly Museum tickets and you will get !0% off your bill. Great for kids since they have fish on the walls and a TV monitor with fish swimming about. Outdoor seating, free WIFI and full bar, great menu, FREE VALET PARKING. Mr. Q enjoyed his Island Seafood Chili Bowl of Soup $6.95 (It is not chili but a tomato based soup with seafood). Mrs. Q enjoyed her lightly breaded Crispy Buffalo Shrimp w/Blue cheese dressing $7.95.

400 Beach Seafood offers an Early Dinner Special: Two entrees for $25.00(not per person – two meals for $25.00), I believe soup/salad is included & a Happy Hour 2 for 1. The Entrees have a variety of choices.

We enjoyed the ambiance, food, service and want to go back for the Early Dinner and Happy Hour Special.