Great Awakenings in Pacific Grove, CA

Shown here is "The Works" omelet. Not only did this dish hit the spot, there's enough here to feed a bear. It's a bargain, too, at $12. We waited about half an hour for a weekend brunch, but it was worth the wait.

The Reuben at Gunther's in San Jose...

...featuring both pastrami and corned beef for $15. A little on the salty side, but the meat is juicy and tender. I went here yesterday for lunch and it wasn't crowded. Mine didn't come with Russian dressing, but that was fine with me.

Cafe Chenar--Phoenix, AZ

What a delightful lunch we had here yesterday! Shown is the Uzbek Plov, featuring beef, rice, carrots and chickpeas. Delicious! It seems you can't go wrong no matter what you order, though. We also got chuchvara (small, meat-filled dumplings) and skewers. The bone-in chicken kebabs are an outright steal for $4. The chicken skin is crisp and the meat falls off the bone. 

Flower Child--Phoenix, AZ

Jenny and I went to Flower Child in Phoenix, AZ yesterday for lunch. If only we had a Flower Child in the Bay Area! I had the Thai Cashew Bowl, a warm bowl whose main event is the firm red quinoa. Jalapeno peppers gave it just the right amount of kick. There was something in this dish that gave it the flavor of steak. Jenny had Mother Earth (sweet potato, portobello mushroom) and enjoyed her lunch, too. 

Shown here is a jar of kombucha, $6 on tap. Jenny didn't care for the drink, as it had the flavor and bitterness of a weak beer. I enjoyed it for the novelty and the subtle apple flavor.

The pork-duck burger at Verge Restaurant in Los Gatos

It's an interesting idea, but it was a bit dry and flavorless. Also, it was a bit odd to have something fibrous in a burger. The base is a fried mac and cheese slab, which the kids loved. The dining experience was good overall!

Pineda Tacos--Minneapolis, MN

I went to this restaurant on the Minnetonka border with my family after a Vikings game--a three-touchdown drubbing by the Bills. Our early dinner here at Pineda Tacos was one of the few things that went right that day. I live in the Bay Area in California and have easy access to quality Mexican food. Yet, the burrito we had at Pineda can stand up against anything I can find at home. Tender meat, a hot shell and a full tummy. What more could I want. There's a full array of salsa choices, too.

Gold Nugget--Minnetonka, MN

Gold Nugget is a great spot to meet an old friend, which is what I did here Friday. This place has good food, friendly service, ample parking and a noise level on the lower side for a sports bar. Shown here is the Bacon Me Crazy burger, which my buddy tells me was delectable. We got shakes, too, and people were slurping them to the last drop.