Weekend Things (06.21.15)

After you are finished slamming your head on your desk repeatedly because you've realized the weekend is over, take a moment to pull it together and read a recap of some things from this weekend.

I Ate This Thing:  Fat Rooster

Do you like chicken tenders on a biscuit topped with an apple pepper jelly?  Or how about chicken tenders placed on top of sweet potato waffles with peanut and benne seed slaw and a side of whiskey watermelon? Do you like breakfast hashes, made with sweet potatoes topped with scrammed eggs, avocado, and veggies?  If you said yes to any of those questions, you need to take a stroll over to Fat Rooster in Delray Beach.   The "Hen Loving Waffle" (described above)  recently won best chicken sandwich in America by Restaurant Hospitality.  

 

I Watched This Thing:  Jurassic World

The fourth installment in the Jurassic franchise (yes, fourth) starring Chris Pratt, depicts a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park.  In order to drum up interest in the park after steady decline in visitors, scientists at the park genetically engineer a dinosaur, which, I'm sure you know, doesn't go so well.  The movie was entertaining, but, in my opinion, doesn't come close to the original.  I saw the movie in 3D and IMAX and recommend you do the same.  

I Drank This Thing:  Homefront IPA

Hops for Heros was created in 2011 by craft breweries with one goal in mind:  Support our men and women of the armed forces.  The result:  Homefront IPA.  A 6.2% ABV india pale ale aged on donated Louisville Slugger maple bats, brewed with donated hops and grains, then packaged in donated cans.  The beer is brewed at Cigar City Brewing in Tampa.  Proceeds from the 2015 release of Homefront IPA will beneft Soldiers' Angels, an organization whose mission is to ensure that "No soldier goes unloved."

K-Cup of the Week: revv® Coffee

Each week I review a new delicious K-Cup on an "official" coffee grading system that emphasizes four critical categories:  (1) Aroma; (2) Strength; (3) Taste; (4) Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup.  I will conclude each review with an Overall grade.  This week I go flying with revv® Coffee from Green Mountain Coffee.  

Aroma:  7

With a name like revv®, you would probably expect to smell motor oil seeping from your Keurig machine.  Nay.  You smell a fresh cup of coffee that is going to have you doing bicycle kicks throughout your office in no time.

Strength:  10

The coffee is called  revv®.  Green Mountain Coffee has its own website for revv®coffee which describes the coffee as a "high-performance brew with smooth balance and high-octane attitude."  I agree.  Drink one of these on Monday morning, you'll think its Friday.  

Taste:  8

I like my coffee bold; extra bold for that matter.  For what I consider to be an extra bold coffee, the taste is smooth.  I drink my coffee black, so if you like adding a tub of cream to your coffee, I'm sure the taste will be even smoother.    

Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup:  10

Green Mountain really grabbed my attention (which is quite limited) with  revv®.  I was looking for a coffee that said "You are going to dominate today, Josh," so I purchased  revv®.         

Overall:  8

If strength is what you are looking for, look no further than  revv®.  If you are looking for something a little lighter, you may want to look elsewhere.  If you are looking for decaf, hide from revv®. 

Weekend Things

After you are finished slamming your head on your desk repeatedly because you've realized the weekend is over, take a moment to pull it together and read a recap of some things from this weekend.  For more info on any of the things below, click on the photos.

Do this Thing:  Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Do this Thing Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

 
Hear This Thing:  A Thousand Horses, Southernality 

Hear This Thing:  A Thousand Horses, Southernality 

 
Drink This Thing:  Rebirth Pale Ale, NOLA Brewing Company

Drink This Thing:  Rebirth Pale Ale, NOLA Brewing Company

I Did This Thing:  Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens, Sushi & Stroll

Situated among gated communities, nursing homes, and a popular shopping mall, lies the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens -- 16 acres of beautiful gardens and a museum featuring collections which include 7,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including a 500-piece collection of tea ceremony items, more than 200 textile pieces and fine art acquisitions.  Once a month throughout the summer, the gardens are open to visitors in the early evening for "Sushi & Stroll."  I went next level for my stroll, enjoying a Sapporo, Saki, Dumplings, Sushi and a Stroll.  

 

I Heard This Thing:  A Thousand Horses, Southernality

Country music has seen a recent infusion of new influences such as rock, pop, R&B, and reggae.  A Thousand Horses (Nashville, TN) brings a twist of classic rock, blues, and country to their recent release, Southernality (Republic Nashville).  I recently saw these guys put on a great show, opening for Darius Rucker (whom for some reason still needs to be referred to as "Hootie" from Hootie and the Blowfish).   If you are a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, and/or Black Crowes, I recommend giving this album a listen.  Favorite tracks:  Travelin' Man and Landslide.

 

I Drank This Thing:  Rebirth Pale Ale, NOLA Brewing Company

NOLA Brewing Company (New Orleans, LA) brews this American-style Pale Ale using Citra and Simcoe hops (among others).  At 5% ABV, this beer offers a nice balance of hops and citrus, making it an ideal beverage on a hot South Florida afternoon (morning and/or evening for that matter).  A portion of the profits from Rebirth goes to The Roots of Music, an organization "empowering New Orleans youth while preserving musical heritage."  Cheers.

 

I Read This Thing:  Dave Grohl breaks leg after falling off stage in Sweden, finishes concert anyway (by Alex Young, Consequence of Sound)

Dave Grohl, the leader one of my favorite bands of all-time, Foo Fighters, took a spill on Friday night at the band's show in Gothenburg, Sweden. Based on video taken from the show, it appears Grohl tripped over himself and tumbled off the stage as he was attempting to do one of his infamous run/leaps to another part of the stage.  Like the living legend he is, Grohl, after receiving medical attention, returned to the stage to finish the show.  While Grohl was seeking medical attention, drummer, Taylor Hawkins led the rest of the band in cover songs until Grohl returned to finish the set. Apparently, the band has already cancelled two shows on its tour as a result of Grohl's injury. This video shows Grohl singing the band's hit song, My Hero, on one leg.  In the video, Grohl hilariously recounts what happened behind the scenes while he was receiving medical attention.  Note:  The video contains language that may be unsuitable for some readers.  

 
 
 

K-Cup of the Week: Dunkin Donuts Original Blend

Each week I review a new delicious K-Cup on an "official" coffee grading system that emphasizes four critical categories:  (1) Aroma; (2) Strength; (3) Taste; (4) Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup.  I will conclude each review with an Overall grade. This week I tackle a legend in the coffee business:  Dunkin Donuts and their Original Blend K-Cup.  

Aroma:  7

Each time I drop a "DD" Original Blend K-Cup in my Keurig and the coffee starts dripping into my cup, I am transported to a Dunkin Donuts store.  Unfortunately, there are no donuts waiting for me when my coffee is done brewing.  The DD K-Cup gives off that fresh coffee pot scent that is familiar when you stroll into a Dunkin Donuts.  Best part: You are the first customer in line every time.  No waiting behind Mr./Mrs. Over-the-Top catering order for the office! 

Strength:  6

Dunkin Donuts' Original Blend isn't the strongest coffee out there.  If you want to hover over your own body, you should try  Black Tiger or even DD's very own Dark Roast.  

Taste:  10

I love overhearing others get involved in the  Starbucks vs. Dunkin Donuts debate (and yes, I used "vs." instead of just "v."  This is Anything But Law.  If you want to see a "v." go read a casebook). This is a K-Cup review, so I won't go there.   All I know is that this is a delicious cup of coffee.  I drink my coffee black, not with a scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream like I've witnessed others do at 7:30 am. I find the taste to be very rich and smooth.

Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup:  7

This is a tough category to grade for this particular K-Cup.  It's Dunkin Donuts!  They don't need to have the face of a tiger on their K-Cup (or do they).  I wouldn't mind seeing Michael Vale on a K-Cup reminding me that it's "Time to Make the Coffee."

Overall:  9

This is a true go-to K-Cup.  Until recently, these K-Cups were only available at Dunkin Donuts.  However,  I recently purchased a pack of K-Cups at my local Publix.  I will say that the K-Cups purchased at Dunkin Donuts taste better than the K-Cups I purchased at Publix.  

K-Cup of the Week: Black Tiger

If you read my first blog post, you already know that I drink a ridiculous amount of coffee.   Each week I review a new delicious K-cup on an "official" coffee grading system that emphasizes four critical categories:  (1) Aroma; (2) Strength; (3) Taste; (4) Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup.  I will conclude each review with an Overall grade.  This week -- Coffee People's Black Tiger. 

Aroma:  6

Black Tiger is not an aromatic coffee -- at least not to the point of making others in the office think they are in a coffee shop.  

 Strength:  9

This kitty purrs.  Black Tiger is an "extra bold" blend that will make you believe you are ready to out run a tiger.  As Dr. Seuss once said, "one cup, and your up."

Taste:  8

The Black Tiger sure does have a bite.  I drink my coffee black, like the tiger herself.  Therefore, the taste is likely stronger than when it is diluted with a gallon of milk (as many so-called coffee drinkers prefer to drink their coffee).  

Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup: 9

With a name like Black Tiger, you know the coffee has to be good.  My only question is why the tiger looks like a typical tiger, and not an actual black tiger. 

Overall:  9

This is one of my go-to K-cups.  If you need a real pick-me-up, try Black Tiger.  

K-Cup of the Week: Dark Magic

I drink a ridiculous amount of coffee.  In fact, I like to have just enough coffee where I begin to levitate above my own body. 

Each week I plan on showcasing a K-Cup that helps me achieve this goal.  This week, Green Mountain Coffee’s Dark Magic.

I will review the delicious cup on an "official" coffee grading system that emphasizes four critical categories:  (1) Aroma; (2) Strength; (3) Taste; (4) Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup.  I will conclude each review with an Overall grade.  

Aroma:  8

Dark Magic doesn’t quite sting the nostrils, but the office will know you are drinking some Joe.

Strength:  8

I usually drink 2 cups of coffee at the office.  After the second cup of Dark Magic (20 ounces deep), I begin to levitate. This is a bold coffee.  Amazon's tasting notes provide that Dark Magic has "Spellbinding complexity.  Deep, dark and intense."

Taste:  7

Not bitter, but not the smoothest coffee I have ever tasted.

Marketing Tactics that Forced Me to Force My Office to Purchase Said K-Cup:  6

It's hard not to be intrigued by a beverage called Dark Magic.  Anything magical at the office is a must try in my opinion.

Overall: 8

If you are looking for a reliable, bold coffee for your Keurig morning routine, give Dark Magic a try.