Restaurant Review: Station 22 Cafe
Where: Provo, Utah
How to find it: http://www.station22cafe.com/
There are some things in this world I will never understand. Why do we drink aspartame if it's so bad for us? Why do some people seek for power they aren't qualified for, when all that means is a lot more stress and responsibility? Why does my toddler son hate sleeping so much? Sadly, today, I will get to add another question to the list. Why is Station 22 Cafe so popular? Seriously, that place is always packed, which is why we had to go on a weeknight.
Now, before I begin my complain-train, and before literally everyone in a ten mile radius around my house get's defensive, let me just say that I don't hate Station 22 Cafe. Am I disappointed? A little. Do I feel it's overrated? Yes. But just because something is overrated does not mean it's bad.
So lets start with what the restaurant does right. They have a lot of gourmet sodas. They prepare their food correctly, for the most part. They have fun antiques hanging on the wall. Can I stop being positive and happy now? Good, that's not my strength.
As for their two great sins, the food is bland, and the menu and decor feels unfocused.We had the poutine, Jack Kerouac burger and the Pig n' Cheese sandwich. Oh, and an in-house brewed root beer. And everything was bland! The only flavor that was added to anything was sugar. Everything felt like it was by-the-books American food, don't mess with it or experiment with anything, we want people to feel safe coming here.
The menu is large. When I first looked at it I was genuinely stumped as to what I should order. Everything sounded so good! But it felt unfocused. Sure there was a lot of burgers and sandwiches, so I guess it's a burger place. But there were grits and shrimp, poutine (again), chicken and waffles, and ten thousand types of soda. Which honestly, with the soda, you wanna know what all gourmet sodas taste like? Sweet. They all have the exact same flavor of way too much sugar.
I don't usually rag on how a restaurant looks, but it feeds into how I felt about the menu and restaurant as a whole. When you first walk in, it feels like you are walking into any number of trendy restaurants that use antiques to say "wasn't food just so much better in the 50's"? Only, once you look around, you realize that nothing actually goes together. The stack of old school speakers doesn't work with the cardboard cutouts of the deer, which don't go along with the highly abstract yet not non-objective art, which really has nothing to do with the leather bound books and a dead tree in the front. All these things feel nostalgic and comforting, just like the menu. And just like the menu, the decor also feels unfocused and bland.
If you have family visiting, and want to take them to a safe if slightly boring place, take them to Station 22 Cafe. If you want to go on an adventure, go literally anywhere else.
What is expressed here is only my opinion and should not be taken as an attack on your person or character. If you feel we ordered the wrong items from the menu, let me know in the comments, me and my wife are always willing to give anyplace a second try.
Parker Monson
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Unstable Unicorns: Initial thoughts
Guess what world? I crowdfunded a game on kickstarter.com, and it came in the mail this week! This is a massively momentous occasion, because the experience I have with this game will determine whether I continue to be a crowdfunding backer. So it is with great pleasure that I will announce, that "Unstable Unicorns" has sold me on crowdfunding, and I now have another pit to throw money into! (Remember folks, this blog is not about making responsible life decisions)
So what is Unstable Unicorns? (or UU as it shall heretofore be referred to). UU is a card game created by Ramie Badie, the man who created the clothing site "teeturtle.com". If you are a regular on tee turtle, you know that he has a penchant for taking the inherently disturbing (unicorns with chainsaws) and making it seem cute and harmless. And that's really what UU is at heart, a slightly disturbing game that's so darn cute, it seems innocent.
Before I get carried away, let me say that I have only played the two player version. This version of the rules has you take out about 30 cards from the base kit and any from the expansion sets which refer to those cards which were taken out. Also me and my wife did not play with any of the expansions we got, Apocalypse and NSFW, because it was a work night and our two year old was awake. Anyway, I'm going to talk about the game for a little bit now.
I won't go into a deep description of the rules, (you can find those here: https://www.unstableunicorns.com/pages/rules) but let me say, don't be fooled by the simplicity of the mechanics. On your turn, you draw a card, you play a card, if you can't/don't want to play a card, you draw another card. The first player to have seven unicorns in play wins. Seems easy enough, but understanding how card effects chain together lends a depth of strategy that I really dug into. Also there are special cards with "Neigh" in their title which you can play at any time to stop any other card from being played. Know when to play you "Neigh" and how effects will have synergy turns this into a deep strategy game. Or you can just play like my wife, and just not think to hard about it all.
And this is where I get into praising the game. My wife has kicked my trash every time we've played. I always plan out my next moves well in advance, and she always finds a way to unintentionally wreck my plans. The game feels fair and balanced, because there's always uncertainty creating a fun back-and-forth, even with just the two player version. You are literally only one card away from losing it all or winning it all, and that makes it exciting at any given moment.
UU feels like a cross between "Killer Bunnies" and "Munchkins", except it fixes the major issues I have with those games. It's hilarious and whimsical like KB, yet who wins isn't left entirely to a roulette at the end of the game. Munchkins has a problem of nobody messes with anyone until a person is about to win, and then all the bad cards that can be played get dumped on that poor player. And the next player who's going to win. And the next. Until finally after artificially dragging out the game length for another hour, everyone has exhausted all possibilities and someone wins just by surviving. UU fixes this by making it a constant struggle. The do-bad-stuff-to-opponent cards aren't meant to be played at the end to keep someone from winning, they are meant to be played at the beginning and middle to give you an edge.
Honestly, I can talk about this game for a lot longer. And I probably will update this post as I get a chance to play with a larger group of people. Let me end with just saying that Unstable Unicorns is a well thought out, excellently executed game. It can be kid friendly, or decidedly un-kid friendly with the NSFW expansion, so pick your poison wisely. I recommend this game, maybe not to the super hardcore DnD/Arkham Horror crowd, but if you and your friends want to burn 30 minutes at lunch or are sick of watching Marvel movies, get Unstable Unicorns. Play it. Enjoy the game and the human interaction. You won't be disappointed.
*Edit: We have now gotten to play the game with multiple people and every available expansion pack. The only thing to note here is to make sure you are playing with a group of people who are good sports. The game can be confusing and sometimes what should happen when and how isn't self explanatory. This happens in every tabletop game, but in UU, there is not an extensive FAQ to resolve differences. So for the love of all that is holy, don't play with someone who will try to twist and argue the meaning of cards just so they don't get disadvantaged*
PS: Here's some artwork from the website, that appears on cards.
PPS: Seriously, I thought it would be find because I love "Cards Against Humanity", but if you or your friends lean even a little towards the straight laced side, stay away from the NSFW pack. You have been warned.PPPS: I might make a youtube video talking/showing this game. If I do I will provide a link to it.
So what is Unstable Unicorns? (or UU as it shall heretofore be referred to). UU is a card game created by Ramie Badie, the man who created the clothing site "teeturtle.com". If you are a regular on tee turtle, you know that he has a penchant for taking the inherently disturbing (unicorns with chainsaws) and making it seem cute and harmless. And that's really what UU is at heart, a slightly disturbing game that's so darn cute, it seems innocent.
Before I get carried away, let me say that I have only played the two player version. This version of the rules has you take out about 30 cards from the base kit and any from the expansion sets which refer to those cards which were taken out. Also me and my wife did not play with any of the expansions we got, Apocalypse and NSFW, because it was a work night and our two year old was awake. Anyway, I'm going to talk about the game for a little bit now.
I won't go into a deep description of the rules, (you can find those here: https://www.unstableunicorns.com/pages/rules) but let me say, don't be fooled by the simplicity of the mechanics. On your turn, you draw a card, you play a card, if you can't/don't want to play a card, you draw another card. The first player to have seven unicorns in play wins. Seems easy enough, but understanding how card effects chain together lends a depth of strategy that I really dug into. Also there are special cards with "Neigh" in their title which you can play at any time to stop any other card from being played. Know when to play you "Neigh" and how effects will have synergy turns this into a deep strategy game. Or you can just play like my wife, and just not think to hard about it all.
And this is where I get into praising the game. My wife has kicked my trash every time we've played. I always plan out my next moves well in advance, and she always finds a way to unintentionally wreck my plans. The game feels fair and balanced, because there's always uncertainty creating a fun back-and-forth, even with just the two player version. You are literally only one card away from losing it all or winning it all, and that makes it exciting at any given moment.
UU feels like a cross between "Killer Bunnies" and "Munchkins", except it fixes the major issues I have with those games. It's hilarious and whimsical like KB, yet who wins isn't left entirely to a roulette at the end of the game. Munchkins has a problem of nobody messes with anyone until a person is about to win, and then all the bad cards that can be played get dumped on that poor player. And the next player who's going to win. And the next. Until finally after artificially dragging out the game length for another hour, everyone has exhausted all possibilities and someone wins just by surviving. UU fixes this by making it a constant struggle. The do-bad-stuff-to-opponent cards aren't meant to be played at the end to keep someone from winning, they are meant to be played at the beginning and middle to give you an edge.
Honestly, I can talk about this game for a lot longer. And I probably will update this post as I get a chance to play with a larger group of people. Let me end with just saying that Unstable Unicorns is a well thought out, excellently executed game. It can be kid friendly, or decidedly un-kid friendly with the NSFW expansion, so pick your poison wisely. I recommend this game, maybe not to the super hardcore DnD/Arkham Horror crowd, but if you and your friends want to burn 30 minutes at lunch or are sick of watching Marvel movies, get Unstable Unicorns. Play it. Enjoy the game and the human interaction. You won't be disappointed.
*Edit: We have now gotten to play the game with multiple people and every available expansion pack. The only thing to note here is to make sure you are playing with a group of people who are good sports. The game can be confusing and sometimes what should happen when and how isn't self explanatory. This happens in every tabletop game, but in UU, there is not an extensive FAQ to resolve differences. So for the love of all that is holy, don't play with someone who will try to twist and argue the meaning of cards just so they don't get disadvantaged*
PS: Here's some artwork from the website, that appears on cards.
PPS: Seriously, I thought it would be find because I love "Cards Against Humanity", but if you or your friends lean even a little towards the straight laced side, stay away from the NSFW pack. You have been warned.PPPS: I might make a youtube video talking/showing this game. If I do I will provide a link to it.Thursday, December 14, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review
To start off, let me have you sign this agreement. It pretty much states that I will not spoil anything about the latest installment in Disney's Star Wars franchise, and you can hate me for my opinion! Also I reserve the right to ignore you.
________________________ ____________________
Your Name Date
Got that all out of the way? Good. Don't expect to see to many of these, I'm not much of a "go to the theater" guy. But my work rented a theater for their employees tonight, and the stars aligned to bring us a baby sitter. Also, one last thing, keep in mind that I'm not a Star Wars fanboy. In fact, I feel like a lot of the time the series hasn't lived up to its potential. Now that you know where I'm coming from, let me say that this is a clear step up from "The Force Awakens".
It's hard for me to talk about this movie without spoilers. There's awesome fights, actual acting and character development, shirtless Kylo Ren (if I start seeing licensed axe spray with Kylo on it...), and there's explosions. Lot's and lots of explosions. Visually the movie is a treat, and not just because of Sith nipples. For the first time I actually felt like this universe was real. There is an excessive amount of care lavished on the creatures, aliens, sets, props and costumes. As far as the world building component goes, they have put the visual medium of cinema through its paces.
Also while we are ranting about the visuals, there are themes and motifs which feel purposeful. The use of darkness, light and color often tries to be directly pertinant to the story. This is not a film which only knows how to make pretty shots yet not construct a scene, (ehermm Zack Snyder *cough cough*), everything has a purpose and I'm sure the fanatics on the internet will be writing many blog, video and...cartoon essays on it.
But all is not well in the kingdom. The story starts to break down after some scrutiny. Most stories do, but this breakdown comes from what I feel are unfulfilled promises. I can list at least four characters who we were promised development, impact and purpose and they just didn't get to deliver. That's not to say the movie is terrible in the character/story department. I loved what they did with Adam Drivers Kylo Ren, Mark Hamills Luke Skywalker, Oscar Isaacs Poe Dameron and John Boyega's Finn. The actors delivered solid performances, the characters were given interesting situations to act and react in, and in general they were a joy to watch. If anything, there are too many interesting characters, so some just aren't going to get the time they deserve.
I have a couple of complaints. There are moments where it feels a little to much of Empire Strikes back. Also, one of the longstanding flaws with the magic system is revealed. Namely that there are no laws with the force. Characters can just do things with little to no explanation. But these are minor complaints. This movie isn't one of my favorite movies of all time, in fact, I'll probably forget about it in a week or so (or I would if my culture would let me). But, Star Wars The Last Jedi is a wonderful experience which I fully recommend going and seeing in theaters.
Parker Monson
P.S.: Some scenes might be a little too intense/scary for the little guys. Just be aware of how sensitive your child is and realize that it might be better for them to wait until they are like I don't know, 10 or 12?
P.P.S.: If anyone wants a spoiler review, leave a comment or something and I'll write one.
________________________ ____________________
Your Name Date
Got that all out of the way? Good. Don't expect to see to many of these, I'm not much of a "go to the theater" guy. But my work rented a theater for their employees tonight, and the stars aligned to bring us a baby sitter. Also, one last thing, keep in mind that I'm not a Star Wars fanboy. In fact, I feel like a lot of the time the series hasn't lived up to its potential. Now that you know where I'm coming from, let me say that this is a clear step up from "The Force Awakens".
It's hard for me to talk about this movie without spoilers. There's awesome fights, actual acting and character development, shirtless Kylo Ren (if I start seeing licensed axe spray with Kylo on it...), and there's explosions. Lot's and lots of explosions. Visually the movie is a treat, and not just because of Sith nipples. For the first time I actually felt like this universe was real. There is an excessive amount of care lavished on the creatures, aliens, sets, props and costumes. As far as the world building component goes, they have put the visual medium of cinema through its paces.
Also while we are ranting about the visuals, there are themes and motifs which feel purposeful. The use of darkness, light and color often tries to be directly pertinant to the story. This is not a film which only knows how to make pretty shots yet not construct a scene, (ehermm Zack Snyder *cough cough*), everything has a purpose and I'm sure the fanatics on the internet will be writing many blog, video and...cartoon essays on it.
But all is not well in the kingdom. The story starts to break down after some scrutiny. Most stories do, but this breakdown comes from what I feel are unfulfilled promises. I can list at least four characters who we were promised development, impact and purpose and they just didn't get to deliver. That's not to say the movie is terrible in the character/story department. I loved what they did with Adam Drivers Kylo Ren, Mark Hamills Luke Skywalker, Oscar Isaacs Poe Dameron and John Boyega's Finn. The actors delivered solid performances, the characters were given interesting situations to act and react in, and in general they were a joy to watch. If anything, there are too many interesting characters, so some just aren't going to get the time they deserve.
I have a couple of complaints. There are moments where it feels a little to much of Empire Strikes back. Also, one of the longstanding flaws with the magic system is revealed. Namely that there are no laws with the force. Characters can just do things with little to no explanation. But these are minor complaints. This movie isn't one of my favorite movies of all time, in fact, I'll probably forget about it in a week or so (or I would if my culture would let me). But, Star Wars The Last Jedi is a wonderful experience which I fully recommend going and seeing in theaters.
Parker Monson
P.S.: Some scenes might be a little too intense/scary for the little guys. Just be aware of how sensitive your child is and realize that it might be better for them to wait until they are like I don't know, 10 or 12?
P.P.S.: If anyone wants a spoiler review, leave a comment or something and I'll write one.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Restaurant Review: Good Move Cafe
Where: Provo, Utah
How to find it: http://goodmovecafe.com/
Okay, let's just get this out of the way. Yes, after only one review in Champaign Illinois, I have moved back to Provo Utah with my family. No, it wasn't because the food was awful, it was actually quite delicious, I just didn't have a chance to write about it. I'm a programmer, and this is where I got a job.
Last night we went to the "Good Move Cafe". We saw this place under construction before we left and were really excited to try it out. "Good Move Cafe" is this really interesting blend of hangout spot and restaurant. The food is varied, more on that later, but what you will immediately notice upon walking in is that there are literally walls upon walls of board games and card games. You can play any of the games for as long as you want for a small $5 fee per person, and if you order food, that price starts going down.
We were a little hesitant about this setup at first because we have an 18 month old with us. Fortunately they have games for all ages, and we were able to distract him with "Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots" and "Let's go Fishin' board game". For this gaming aspect alone I recommend it as a date night, family night out, or let's-get-away-from-the-family-with-a-group-of-friends night.
On the topic of the food, it was all delicious! Christina had the gnocchi with a cobb salad. This was my first introduction to gnocchi and I could not be happier! It was homemade and served with homemade cream cheese and fried apples. It was seasoned with earthy herbs, which balanced out the potential overbearing sweetness of the apples and did a good job of tying the whole dish together. I had the Rueben sandwich with a side of salad. The Rueben was a little to salty and the sauce was a little bland, or maybe just overpowered by the corned beef. It was still delicious and probably the best Rueben I've ever had. But it illustrates the one problem I had with the food. In general, it is a little too under seasoned. Everything was cooked to perfection, the ingredients tasted fresh, it was just a little bland for my tastes.
One last point to consider is the general atmosphere. Usually, board/tapletop game shops are kind of sketchy and filled with twelve year olds who think they need to prove themselves by dropping f-bombs every other sentence. And don't even get me started on the college aged dudes who hang out all day. What I'm trying to say is that places like Good Move Cafe usually aren't very classy. However, that was not the case with our experience last night. There were lots of families, we didn't feel judged for having an 18 month old, and it was very bright and spacious.
In closing, the food was above average, the atmosphere was great, and they have a ton of awesome games for all ages. It's reasonably priced and I definitely recommend going, just don't go alone.
Parker Monson
Where: Provo, Utah
How to find it: http://goodmovecafe.com/
Okay, let's just get this out of the way. Yes, after only one review in Champaign Illinois, I have moved back to Provo Utah with my family. No, it wasn't because the food was awful, it was actually quite delicious, I just didn't have a chance to write about it. I'm a programmer, and this is where I got a job.
Last night we went to the "Good Move Cafe". We saw this place under construction before we left and were really excited to try it out. "Good Move Cafe" is this really interesting blend of hangout spot and restaurant. The food is varied, more on that later, but what you will immediately notice upon walking in is that there are literally walls upon walls of board games and card games. You can play any of the games for as long as you want for a small $5 fee per person, and if you order food, that price starts going down.
We were a little hesitant about this setup at first because we have an 18 month old with us. Fortunately they have games for all ages, and we were able to distract him with "Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots" and "Let's go Fishin' board game". For this gaming aspect alone I recommend it as a date night, family night out, or let's-get-away-from-the-family-with-a-group-of-friends night.
On the topic of the food, it was all delicious! Christina had the gnocchi with a cobb salad. This was my first introduction to gnocchi and I could not be happier! It was homemade and served with homemade cream cheese and fried apples. It was seasoned with earthy herbs, which balanced out the potential overbearing sweetness of the apples and did a good job of tying the whole dish together. I had the Rueben sandwich with a side of salad. The Rueben was a little to salty and the sauce was a little bland, or maybe just overpowered by the corned beef. It was still delicious and probably the best Rueben I've ever had. But it illustrates the one problem I had with the food. In general, it is a little too under seasoned. Everything was cooked to perfection, the ingredients tasted fresh, it was just a little bland for my tastes.
One last point to consider is the general atmosphere. Usually, board/tapletop game shops are kind of sketchy and filled with twelve year olds who think they need to prove themselves by dropping f-bombs every other sentence. And don't even get me started on the college aged dudes who hang out all day. What I'm trying to say is that places like Good Move Cafe usually aren't very classy. However, that was not the case with our experience last night. There were lots of families, we didn't feel judged for having an 18 month old, and it was very bright and spacious.
In closing, the food was above average, the atmosphere was great, and they have a ton of awesome games for all ages. It's reasonably priced and I definitely recommend going, just don't go alone.
Parker Monson
Friday, October 13, 2017
Restaurant Review: Tara Thai
Where: Champaign, Illinois
How to find it: http://tharathairestaurant.com/
Today my wife got to take me out to one of her favorite restaurants of all time, Tara Thai. I'm usually a big fan of what I find in Thai restaurants, and this one was no exception. While my own wussiness diminished some of the flavors, fresh ingredients and excellent preparation have ultimately won me over.
Let's start with the one negative. I tried the "Garlic Pepper Stir-Fried" and my wife got the "Yellow Curry". Both were incredibly spicy! To the point that it kind of killed the other flavors! That may be because I haven't eaten many spicy foods since getting married. Either way, the flavor loses some points by being overwhelmed with heat, especially when we both chose the "mild" option.
You all done writing me off as a pansy? Good, let's get into the reasons why I will be coming back. One, their ingredients were some of the freshest I have ever tried. We had an appetizer of spring roles. The fresh, crisp lettuce combined with the carrot and tiny shreds of meat (I think it was beef) to create a cool, refreshing taste and feeling. Seriously, I could eat hundreds of their spring roles and never get sick.
The appetizers are not the only foods that receive points for freshness. The chicken in my curry was actual chicken, not tasteless, texture-less mystery meat trying to be chicken. The tofu my wife had was the best tofu I have ever had, and it was the right kind of tofu for the dish. Usually store bought tofu is falling apart even if it's supposed to be firm, and it has air pockets in the middle that lend it a strange texture. Not Tara Thai's tofu, it was smooth, firm, no air pockets in the middle, and served as a suitable substitute for more typical proteins.
I also saw that same care in my dish. Instead of feeling like I was eating a kitchen sink, every ingredient felt hand picked, especially as I ate the green pepper. Now, I don't usually like green bell peppers. It's too bitter and earthy for my taste. But in the overbearing spice of my plate, it shined and provided my mouth a much needed relief, soaking up the heat in crunchy, moist goodness. So there you go, I learned how to use green bell peppers at home!
In closing, Tara Thai showed excellence in the freshness of their ingredients, the excellence of their preparation, and the careful deliberation with which their dishes were put together. I chose a dish that was too spicy for me, so if you are a wimp like myself be warned. But otherwise, go there, give them money, and eat their food already. You both deserve it.
Parker Monson
Where: Champaign, Illinois
How to find it: http://tharathairestaurant.com/
Today my wife got to take me out to one of her favorite restaurants of all time, Tara Thai. I'm usually a big fan of what I find in Thai restaurants, and this one was no exception. While my own wussiness diminished some of the flavors, fresh ingredients and excellent preparation have ultimately won me over.
Let's start with the one negative. I tried the "Garlic Pepper Stir-Fried" and my wife got the "Yellow Curry". Both were incredibly spicy! To the point that it kind of killed the other flavors! That may be because I haven't eaten many spicy foods since getting married. Either way, the flavor loses some points by being overwhelmed with heat, especially when we both chose the "mild" option.
You all done writing me off as a pansy? Good, let's get into the reasons why I will be coming back. One, their ingredients were some of the freshest I have ever tried. We had an appetizer of spring roles. The fresh, crisp lettuce combined with the carrot and tiny shreds of meat (I think it was beef) to create a cool, refreshing taste and feeling. Seriously, I could eat hundreds of their spring roles and never get sick.
The appetizers are not the only foods that receive points for freshness. The chicken in my curry was actual chicken, not tasteless, texture-less mystery meat trying to be chicken. The tofu my wife had was the best tofu I have ever had, and it was the right kind of tofu for the dish. Usually store bought tofu is falling apart even if it's supposed to be firm, and it has air pockets in the middle that lend it a strange texture. Not Tara Thai's tofu, it was smooth, firm, no air pockets in the middle, and served as a suitable substitute for more typical proteins.
I also saw that same care in my dish. Instead of feeling like I was eating a kitchen sink, every ingredient felt hand picked, especially as I ate the green pepper. Now, I don't usually like green bell peppers. It's too bitter and earthy for my taste. But in the overbearing spice of my plate, it shined and provided my mouth a much needed relief, soaking up the heat in crunchy, moist goodness. So there you go, I learned how to use green bell peppers at home!
In closing, Tara Thai showed excellence in the freshness of their ingredients, the excellence of their preparation, and the careful deliberation with which their dishes were put together. I chose a dish that was too spicy for me, so if you are a wimp like myself be warned. But otherwise, go there, give them money, and eat their food already. You both deserve it.
Parker Monson
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