Xapa to the World

  • Review: Taz Mediterranean Restaurant – Cincinnati, OH

    Taz Mediterranean Restaurant

    8950 Governors Way
    Cincinnati, OH 45249
    513 774 7600

    Website
    Facebook

    When I tell people that I like to use Groupons, the reactions run in a few directions.  Many people haven’t even heard of Groupons and think it’s a cool idea.  If the person is a regular Groupon user, the reaction is usually enthusiastic.  For businees owners, though, I think the reaction is becoming very mixed.  The heat comes when the users become just that, Users.  They abuse the system for their own personal gain.  I think the original intent was to provide a way for local and smaller businesses to get the word out about what they have to offer to a large group of people in order to have a new stream of loyal customers.  However, it’s a catch-22.  Many who now use Groupon are the modern-day coupon chasers, missing only the curlers, horn-rimmed glasses and bright red lipstick smashed beyond the lips.  Ok, ok, that’s a harsh image.  But in reality, businesses are re-thinking the use of Groupons to drive in new business.  It becomes a “hit and run” for the customers and then they’re gone, on to the next deal.

    This ugly picture is just to clarify that it is not what I do, nor what I think my friends do.  We don’t sit around and wait for a Groupon to come available from our already-favorite restaurant and then stock up on the deal.  I love to find a new place on Groupon in my area (and sometimes beyond it) so that I can explore and try out a new thing – with the hope that I can add the new place to my favorite places list.

    My friend  recently bought a Groupon for a local Mediterranean restaurant called, Taz.  Ever since I went to Cairo, I’ve been wanting some good Med- cuisine.  So, she invited me to head over to Taz.  It has a pretty good reputation for having wonderful Med- food.  Several friends said that we would not be disappointed and, in regards to the food, we weren’t.  I don’t like writing reviews that may be bad, but there are some things you should know.

    When we walked in, there was a “Now Hiring” sign on the door.  I’m hoping this explains the slow service.  If I’m remembering correctly, there was something blocking our way into the building – like a bucket and mop.  We had to step over it, or go out of our way to step around it.  It was awkward.  The exterior (which I don’t usually judge) gave no indication of “good food” being inside, but I don’t want to hold that against them.

    We were seated pretty quickly, given menus and brought our waters fairly quick.  But that was where the speed stopped.  There were only two other groups of 4 in the restaurant when we sat down.  A couple more came in by the time we received our food.  We didn’t know if we were supposed to wait for her to come back, or if we went up to the counter to order our food.  The waitress (the only waitress) was nowhere to be found, so I asked a guy who was standing in line what we were supposed to do.  He said that she would come to us.  At this point (maybe 15-20 minutes after sitting down with menus), we were talking about how the food would probably be amazing and stay our growing hunger.

    By the time she did get over to us to place our order, she was not very courteous – but, again, I’m hoping it was because they had just lost another employee and she was doing her best.  We waited for a long time again.  We ordered appetizers of yalanjie (stuffed grape leaves) and falafel.  They were delicious and we thoroughly enjoyed them.  It took a long time for them to come to us and they were quickly followed by our main dishes.

    I’m sorry that I can’t remember what my friend ordered, but she loved it.  I ordered a Kofta Kabab Sandwich.  I didn’t realize how much would be pickled though, so on my part, I was able to enjoy as much of my food as I could have (I’m allergic to vinegar).  But, it did taste really good and we were really glad of that.  However, with the wait, and the cost, it wasn’t worth much more than the Groupon, in our opinions.  We will continue our search for a favorite Med- restaurant.  There are a few in the area that we’re excited to try out too (Sultans, Aladdins).

    So, here’s the breakdown:

    The food: Very good.  Not as good as some other Med-cuisine I’ve had, but still, I can see why it has the reputation it has.
    The help: Our waitress was the only one in the restaurant.  I believe I saw someone in the kitchen, but really, there was no other visible life besides the other customers.  The “Now Hiring” sign suggests that they are aware they are understaffed and are working towards fixing that, but still, be prepared to wait.
    The parking: They have their own parking lot.
    The accommodations:  The interior was really lovely.  They had one sections, which we weren’t seated in, with couches and curtained off sections.  I think i read that they also have sheesha pipes available, but I didn’t see any out.
    The price: Kind of pricy.  The Groupon really helped.
    Returnability: Probably not.  If I have a group of friends who really want to go there, then I’ll probably go again, but there are other restaurants that have a little better reputation and image than this one.  I’d give it a 35%.

    Find more reviews and promos by clicking on the links to the right.  Go ‘head, you know you want to.

  • Review: Teak Thai Cuisine – Mt Adams, Cincinnati, OH

    Teak Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar

    1049-51 St. Gregory Street
    Mt. Adams, Cincinnati, OH 45202
    513.665.9800

    Website
    Facebook

    For my bff’s 26th birthday, a group of us went down for some dinner at Teak Thai in Mt. Adams.  Mt. Adams is like the college/young adult/cool place to go in Cincinnati.  I really like the area whenever I am down there (both day and night).  It’s up on a big hill in Cincinnati, so fairly close to whatever’s going on downtown.  It’s also a mishmash of residential condos/apartments/homes and small businesses with a bunch of restaurants and bars – yes, the bars are what really makes Mt. Adams.  The only one I’ve gone into down there is The Blind Lemon, which I love!  And I only ever get a virgin something or other, usually a piña colada, or when I’m really adventurous – a coffee.  Yep. I know, I know. I’m one wild child.  They also have some fun live music each night.

    But this is not a review on The Blind Lemon, or Mt Adams, no matter how fabulous I think they are!  This review is on Teak -yummy, spicy, lovely Teak.  Despite much discussion and debate, this WAS my first time at Teak.  I enjoy Thai food, although it isn’t my favorite East Asian cuisine.  I believe I only got one picture of my food, but I’ll go right into it.

    Matt and Lanna (birthday girl!) of BeardedLadyPics, got an appetizer of Gyoza, er, Dumplings, which were delicious.  As were the crab puffs (rangoon) that Amy got.  My lovely dish to your right is Yellow Pork Curry, with a spicy level of 4.  The levels here are 3-10 (I know, I was a chicken that night) and I have no idea what happened to 1 and 2. I feel kind of sad for them.

    My food was very good. The rice came with the meal and they even gave me chop sticks to eat with, so I was happy.

    The food: excellent (all around, people said they loved their food)
    The help: Our waitress had an accent, but she was very understandable, if that’s a turn-off for you.  She was very helpful and remembered what we ordered even if we didn’t.
    The parking: They have a parking lot across the street and down the hill a little.  There isn’t a ton of parking that I could see, so we parked on the street as usual.  You may have to drive up and down the hill a couple of times to find a spot if you’re not into parking garages (which there is one nearby).
    The accommodations:  Lots of tables inside.  There are two stories and I think the downstairs is more of a bar area.  There’s also outdoor seating which is open during the warm seasons.
    The price: Average.  I think my meal (and water) came to about $15 with tip.  I can’t eat sushi, so I can’t account for the cost there. Sorry.
    Returnability: Again, Thai’s not my favorite East Asian food, but if I’m basing it just on service, comfort, cost and quality, I would give it an 80% rate.  (It’s also a bit of a drive for me (~ 30 minutes) so that’s a factor as well.)

    Find more reviews and promos by clicking on the links to the right.  Go ‘head, you know you want to.

  • Review: La Comedia Dinner Theatre – Springboro, OH

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    765 W. Central Ave
    Springboro, OH 45066
    1.800.677.9505 or 937.746.4554

    Website
    Facebook

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    My mom’s birthday was at the end of February and we did a few things right around her birthday to celebrate.  But my sisters, mom and I really enjoy doing something “classy” and “girlie” every year, if we can, and this year, we decided to go to La Comedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro, OH.  It’s between Cincinnati and Dayton, a little closer to Dayton, and this was my first time going!  Mom had gone several years ago to eat and listen to a monk choir (no, they couldn’t talk…but they did the whole Hallelujah Chorus with signs.  Not sign language, but signs with the words and parts of words written on them. She said it was hilarious.)

    La Comedia is finishing up their production of Seven Bride for Seven Brothers (April 23rd).  It was such a fun show, but I’ll have to start at the beginning.

    La Comedia begins with a buffet dinner.  There are different sizes of tables available which you can keep for your whole party or you can mingle with some other groups.  We chose to mingle with others.  As a result, our seats were right up at the front, literally inches from the stage!  We sat with two couples – one, not so pleasant, and the other, who were no longer strangers by the end of the show. 

    Our server was a lot of fun too.  My mom, sisters and I can be a bit boisterous (all in good fun) and we play along with really anything – our server rose to the challenge.  She was great fun.  We started with our drinks and a salad.  I couldn’t eat all of it, because I’m allergic to vinegar, but I had never had cantaloupe on a salad before.  This one had Papaya Chutney Dressing and everyone (else) ooed and awed and yummed their way through it. 

    When it came time to the main course, three, yes three, large buffets were wheeled out onto the stage.  We were dismissed by table to go dig in – there were very strict rules.  But the food looked and tasted delicious.  Here’s what was on the menu:

    Beef Tenderloin (carved by a chef)
    Smoked Sausage and Apples (most of us decided the sausage was the only edible part of this duo)
    Country Fried Chicken
    Fried Norwegian Cod (a La Comedia staple)
    Homemade Cornbread (my favorite part!)
    Pinto Beans served with Peppers and Onions
    Beef Stew with Buttered Noodles
    Mashed Potatoes
    Chicken Gravy
    Seasoned Corn
    Broccoli with Bread Crumbs
    Sweet Potato Soufflé (yum yum and…yum)

    Gluttony, thy name is Sarah

    I will unashamedly post what my plate looked like after sitting down.

    Despite having a decided formal feel, there were a lot of homey things about it.  For one, when you share a table with strangers, you kind of get the family-type feel with them. (Well, in our case, some of them).  This may just be a side-effect of sitting with my family – we know no strangers anyhow.

    Also, there was a quite a bit of passing of dishes.  We were frequently asked by the staff to pass down a salad to our table-mates and then pass up any dirty dishes to them. 

    When it came time for the show, I had to put my camera away, sadly.  We were so close that I thought for sure one of the Brothers would flip right onto our table.  And if our dirty dishes hadn’t been passed around and sent off to the kitchen, one of the brides could have ended up with leftover sweet potato on her skirts.  But they did a great job!  I have seldom gone to a show that I didn’t enjoy, but it sure is nice when the troupe performing is so skilled and really into their performance.  Those guys would really, really dance!  We all agreed that some more harmony and blending would have been nice in the songs, but they all did an excellent job. 

    So, here it goes:

    The food: excellent, unless buffets aren’t really your thing.  Except, I will say, this was ten times better than any normal buffet style restaurant.
    The help: They were 92% attentive.
    The parking: they have their own parking lot.
    The accommodations:  Several sizes of tables and levels (at various costs).  Our table could fit 10, 5 on each side.  It would have been snug if we had that last couple with us.  I saw several people up front who turned their chairs to face the stage, since there wasn’t much eating during the show.
    The price: Cost for an individual is between $60-$70.  If you have an Entertainment Card, you can get the Buy One, Get One Free deal.  This doesn’t apply to the White Christmas or Christmas Carol shows in December.  There are other deals and discounts you can check out here.
    Returnability: For my first time going, I’d love to go back.  The couple at our table has gone to several shows, and they said there was only one time they were so bored that they left at intermission.  It’s kind of pricey (although, now we do have an Entertainment Card.  For very special occasions, and a favorite show – I would say, most definitely!

    Find more reviews and promos by clicking on the links to the right.  Go ‘head, you know you want to.

  • Catch Up

    Hey everyone!  I recently went to three new and yummy restaurants/venues.  So, at some point soon, I will get my blog caught up with a few reviews for y’all. 

    Also, I will be on “stay-cation” next week and I’m so looking forward to that.  I’m going to check out some places around town (and a little beyond) that I’ve been longing to get to.  So, yeah, stay tuned!

  • Pumpkin Recipes

    When I was in Japan, one thing I fell in love with is eating pumpkin.  Not pumpkin pie, not pumpkin cookies, not even pumpkin bread.  While I brought to them the joy of baked pumpkin seeds, they brought a delight of eating pumpkin slices, usually sweetened and steamed.  My mouth-waters just thinking about it.  I think it’s terrible that we don’t regularly eat more of the pumpkin, but gut it, cut holes in it, and shove a candle down the center of it – and this, only once a year.

    I didn’t know that the pumpkin was edible until I went half-way around the world.  America…this is not acceptable!

    So, I started a blog just for pumpkin recipes.  Yes, I will have dessert recipes on there, but I’m excited to hunt for recipes that are for side-dishes, pasta, and more!  Check it out here:

    http://cookinpumpkin.wordpress.com/

    I don’t have much on there right now, but don’t worry, more will come!

    Also, if you have any recipes, please feel free to shoot them over to me.  Thanks!

  • Discussion Questions: Mansfield Park

    Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen

    1. Mansfield Park was written after a silence of more than a decade. During this period, Austen moved several times, saw the deaths of her father and a potential suitor, and became the dependent old maid we find so often among her more pitiable characters. The Napoleonic Wars continued; England embarked on imperialistic adventures. Austen followed both with interest. Do you see evidence of these things in the novel?
    2. At the heart of its plot, Mansfield Park has three sisters. What kind of family life do you imagine would account for Mrs. Bertram and Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Price? Find something good to say about Mrs. Norris.
    3. Fanny is an Austen heroine who, throughout the course of the book, has nothing to learn. In this she stands in sharp contrast to Emma Woodhouse. Do you like Fanny as well as you like Emma? Less? More?
    4. In one of the book’s most famous scenes, Fanny sits wilted in the heat at the Rushworth’s estate, while the other characters come and go around her. Discuss the ways this epitomizes the entire plot of the book.
    5. The various roles played in The Lover’s Vows often result in Austen characters who are, under the cover of the play, allowed to act in ways more congruent with their real natures than polite society permits. They perform themselves.Meanwhile, William H. Galperin suggests that, when Fanny Price insists she cannot act, she is actually demonstrating her “inability to know one is always acting.” Galperin speaks of “a fundamental duplicity in which one literally performs one’s inability to act.”

      Think about this until your head explodes.

    6. Plato has suggested that one cannot be both a good actor and a good citizen. What do you imagine he meant? Discuss the relevance of this to Mansfield Park.
    7. In most books, the villains are identifiable through their mistreatment of the hero/heroine. In Mansfield Park, the Crawfords are among the tiny handful of people who see the value of Fanny Price. Are they ever unkind to her?Why is Fanny so little moved by their interest and esteem?

      In your opinion, is any of this esteem genuine?

    8. The Crawfords are superficially the most attractive characters in the book. Where do their virtues become vices? Answer the same question with regard to Fanny and Edmund.
    9. Kingsley Amis said, “Edmund and Fanny are both morally detestable and the endorsement of their feelings and behavior by the author . . . makes Mansfield Park an immoral book.” Do you agree? Is there any difference in your mind between Austen herself and the book’s narrator?
    10. Earlier Austen novels suggest a society in positive transformation; earlier heroines struggle towards the possibility of improvement. In contrast, Mansfield Park is about a society threatened with transformation. Fanny Price makes no positive movement. She protects Mansfield Park by her resistance, by her refusal to change. In the end, the society represented by the estate of Mansfield Park will not and cannot be saved? What in that society seemed valuable to you? Is there anything to regret about its loss?

    From Reading Group Guides.com

  • Reflections on the Planning

    I love and hate that God asks us to do things that are way outside of our comfort zone.  My pastor has mentioned often that he is a huge introvert and really doesn’t like getting up in front of people.  But God called him to be a pastor and he’s an amazing one!  For me, I can’t stand planning things.  Even planning a get together with friends drives me nuts!  I would much rather someone else make all the decisions and let me know where I need to be when and what I’m supposed to do.  And yet, inevitably, I will feel God say to me, “Sarah, I think you could plan such and such.  You know, I really want you to plan such and such.  It would be great for you if you would plan such and such.”  And I start down the fairly stressful path of planning an event. 

    I don’t do this often.  It’s really God who has to convince me that it’s something I need to do.  But He did so back in November of last year.  If you can’t tell, something that weighs heavy on my heart is the atrocity of human trafficking.  I’ve been in exposure and awareness mode for the last few years – learning as much as I can, attending various events, getting connected with others who are concerned about it as well.  But, as I helped out with a Fall shopping day for Stop Traffick Fashion, I really began to feel like it was something our church needed as well. 

    And I cringed.  I would have preferred to tell the ladies in my church about it and then they plan it.  I would even have consented to talking about it in front of the church (another thing I’m not a huge fan of doing), but with the words coming out of my mouth, the task was placed in my hands.  Our WMU leader was really excited about the idea, because she had been reading a couple of articles recently about human trafficking in the church women’s literature.  God was in this.  I’m not saying that I did it all – by no means – Brenda Heckman and Julie Johnson (Christmas tablecloths and all *wink) and Amy Jones and Jo Collas…they are some amazing ladies.  I’m so grateful to have them as role models to learn from, especially in regards to unity of kindred women and…the dreaded – hospitality. 

    I am not practiced in hospitality at all.  I can’t remember what all is needed to make people feel comfortable.  For me, I go to an event to learn something and to network…and I assume everyone else is there for the same reason.  Shocking, but that’s not really the case.  Thankfully, the ladies mentioned above organized the food and decorating and there wasn’t much for me to do on that part besides being a grunt and moving tables and chairs. 

    My primary task was organizing speakers and getting the word out to the community.  I may not have done the last part as well – and really the first part, I’m thinking went exactly as it should have gone, but nothing like I planned.  I was anticipating having a speaker share at each hour something in regards to human trafficking.  Emily would share about Stop Traffick Fashion and Hagar International.  I would talk about the Christian responsibility and upcoming events in the community.  And the one I was most excited about, a Hamilton Police Officer would come and share about human trafficking in our community, state and nation. 

    It was awkward trying to figure out how we were going to stop everything and have everyone listen to a speaker for all of 5-10 mins and then go on their way with eating and shopping.  The only really solid group of “fresh” people was right between 10:30 and 11:15.  So, I asked for Officer Collins to share with everyone what she had been researching.  And it was great!

    I wasn’t surprised that, as a local police officer, there wouldn’t be much experience with human trafficking.  I would be surprised if even the local sheriff’s department had any experience with human trafficking.  Our wonderful local sheriff isn’t that keen on the rights of illegals – no matter what condition they are in.  So, I wasn’t surprised when she shared that she got wide eyes and remarks of disbelief or discredit from fellow officers when commenting that human trafficking may be an issue in Butler County, OH.  She talked about not finding much information within the department to go off of, so she began to broaden her scope to the state of Ohio and then to the US.  She was surprised to find that Toledo is #4 in Top Cities of Human Trafficking.  Ohio is #7 in the US for human trafficking.  It’s an issue in every city (which would include Fairfield and Hamilton…”every” being an all-inclusive term).

    I think that about 50 people came to the event.  Most of them bought something from STF.  But what I’m most excited is how God brought me to a job where I would meet this police officer, who I could then coordinate with and share a concern and a need in our community with.  And that she would then become interested in the issue and maybe work on spreading it to the rest of the department. 

    I don’t know what this means for Butler County.  I don’t know if we’re on the edge of something starting or if it will take a few more years for anything to get going.  I don’t know what my part will be or if I will even have a part in it.  But I know that I am available to God – even if it involves more planning – that I will keep going until He stops me. 

    Related Articles

  • Japanese Earthquake Mar ’11

    It’s unreal to think of what has happened in the northeast Japan.  I never got that far north when I lived there, but I did go through Tokyo for a few days around Christmas/New Year’s.  The earthquake has devastated the northeast.  I spent most of my time in the west, so the areas I lived in and became familiar with didn’t even feel the tremors.  I can’t really even express what I’ve been feeling and thinking for the people of Japan.  It’s strange to think of their clean and organized cities being in disarray and disaster.

    In church, we sang “Draw Me Close to You” by the Katinas.  I loved that song before going to Japan, but we also sang it there in Shimonoseki Christ Bible Church – in Japanese, of course.  Whenever I hear it, I feel a swell in my heart for the people in that congregation.  (I have the same thing happen with “Amazing Love” and some friends in CN.)

    I can just imagine God, in heaven, drawing close to the people of Japan and waiting for them to come the rest of the way.  Less than 1% of the Japanese are Christians and many of them live in the East.  Please be in prayer for the people of Japan – that God would use this tragedy as an opportunity to draw them close to Him, to make them aware of who He is and what He can be for their life.  Before it’s too late.

  • “Out of Bondage” Human Trafficking Event « Fairfield First Baptist Church Blog

    If you haven’t already said that you can come, sign up on our Facebook page.  Follow the link below!

    This event is being held at my church, Fairfield First Baptist Church.  We have some speakers and shopping provided by Stop Traffick Fashion!  Pass the word along to your friends too!

    “Out of Bondage” Human Trafficking Event « Fairfield First Baptist Church Blog.

  • Review: Paint by the Glass – West Chester, OH

     

    A month or so ago, I logged into my email and found a Groupon in Cincinnati, OH for Paint by the Glass in West Chester, OH.  I had never heard of this place, but I love painting and upon reading more information, I was pretty sure I’d have a good time.

    Here are the specs: 

    Paint by the Glass
    8179 Princeton-Glendale Rd.
    Suite G.
    West Chester, OH 45069
    (on 747, it’s across from the Kroger)
    513.874.1101
    Facebook

    The schedule really varies, so I’m not going to put their hours up.  Generally, the adult classes are in the evenings and the kids classes in the afternoon (2pm) but you’ll have to go to the website to check out the calendar.  The calendar features which painting they are working on which night, so you can choose the class you’d prefer to attend. 

    My friend, Lanna and I went the Saturday before Valentine’s Day and had a really great time.  The painting was called “Love Tree”, for obvious reasons.  I was surprised to see so many men there, but it was a predominantly Valentine’s Day theme, so, I’m sure many of the guys were forced into it.  I did see one couple in particular, where the guy was just observing his SO painting and didn’t seem to be much preoccupied with anything else.  Anyways, since I’m not really a fan of Valentine’s Day, to spend an evening doing something crafty with my best friend was all I could have asked for this year!  We also sat at a table with a cool, trendy Christian couple and had a lot of fun talking and joking with them.

    Here’s how it went:

    At each table there was an easel with an unpainted canvas, an assortment of brushes, and a plate with all the primary/secondary colors and white.  Oh, and of course, a cup of water.  On the canvas, as shown to the right, the basic picture is sketched in pencil, so it’s like a paint-by-number without the numbers.  I wasn’t sure how I would feel about that, but it was really nice.

    The artist (I forget her name! boo) was really great at helping us through the process.  It’s been ages since I’ve painted on canvas, so getting the pointers was really helpful.  Like, wetting your brush before blending colors.  When I paint on wood, that’s not helpful, because then it thins out the color which means I have to do multiple coats and if it’s a blended color, I don’t always have a lot of it.  But this tip was good for both surfaces: Start from the furthest area “back” and come forward.  Basically, start with the background and build on top of it. I usually do this when I paint on wood, but I wasn’t thinking about it for canvas.

    So we built and built and painted and painted and blended and blended.  At this point, we took a “break” and were able to eat some of the yummy hors d’oeuvres they were serving; chocolate-covered strawberries, meatballs, veggies. 

    By the way, they serve wine and such in the evenings.  If you’re not savvy to that, they also have pop available (not a huge selection, but good enough).  They also have a kids class called “Canvas & Cocoa” which is in the afternoons on Saturdays, with age-appropriate paintings with a drink/snack served as well. 

    I’ve also seen a “Canvas & Causes” class posted on their calendar where certain amount of the class fee goes to a good cause.  The painting seems to be related to the cause. 

    While we were painting, the artist/teacher was painting along with us, at pace, so we could see technique, ask questions about brush selection and blending, etc.  What I really enjoyed about the class is that everyone was of a different level of ability.  No one was excluded.  Also, you could choose whatever colors you wanted, and the style of painting could be whatever you felt most comfortable with, or maybe thought would best fit your home decor.  She coached but didn’t dictate or criticize.  I felt like I was back in any of my high school art classes where creativity and exploration was encouraged and only technique was taught. 

    Oh, and if you’re worried about drying time, don’t be.  They have blow-dryers handy to help you get your painting nice and dry for the ride home. (Acrylic paint is a quick dry-er anyways) 🙂

    I am fully expecting to go back sometime.  My only negative is the cost.  $35 for one class, and as far as I could tell, that didn’t include the drinks. (I had to pay for my Coca-Cola.)  So, here’s the breakdown:

    The class:  Really fun. Casual. Definitely felt like an art studio.  Our class was scheduled to go from 6:30p-8p. I don’t think we left until a little before 10p.  But they were gracious hosts and didn’t make us feel rushed or try to shove us out the door.
    The food: For hors d’oeuvres, excellent.  Just don’t go expecting them to take care of a meal.  You’re there to PAINT not dine!
    The help: Everyone there was great.  The artist/teacher, it was apparently her first night, and she did a wonderful job!  Whenever we needed something, extra paint, another plate, more water, a paper-towel, etc, they were quick to get it to us.
    The parking: It’s in a strip-mall across from Kroger and there is lots and lots of parking in the lot there.
    The accommodations: The room is narrow but it’s easy to get yourself around the table to the food, drinks, restroom.  I was sitting pretty close to the artist/teacher, so I didn’t have any problems seeing.  I didn’t check from other parts of the room though.
    The price: For the adult class, it’s kind of pricey, by my scale.  $35 for adult classes. $17.50 for Canvas & Cocoa.  There is also the option to schedule a private party, but there are no pricings available on the site for that.
    Returnability:  It was a lot of fun.  And if I see a really wonderful painting on their calendar, I may fork over the moolah, if I have extra in my budget.  But really, to go back on a regular basis, it’s more than my budget of a post-college grad paying off student loans.  I’m more open to the Canvas & Cocoa though…so long as I can kidnap a kid to take with me. 🙂

    from the Paint by the Glass Facebook Page (click picture to view)