Smashburger (Food)

Click here to the SmashBurger Site

Came in the back ally.  Think dirty thoughts now!

So it's been awhile since I've done this but let's talk food!  I work in a pretty nice part of town.  One of the perks of that is that I am near many interesting, niche fulfilling diners and restaurants.  Part of my personal quest is to constantly find new places to spend my precious lunch hour at.  It's amazing how you can pass by a place over 50 times before realizing there is a bagel store there or a Thai kitchen.  So I try to keep a look out as much as I can.  Now I had seen this place being put up during my drive to and from work. Eventually, it finally opened!

Click here to look at their menu

Now, I will admit, this particular trip is my 3rd visit to this establishment, this past Friday during my lunch break.  So I'm not a total newbie at this point.  Let me help you weave through the bombardment of food options and people. Despite the initial crowds dying down of people just wanting to see what Smashburger is about, there was still a respectable line.  A good sign! People are willing to wait to eat these burgers? Wild! After a decent wait, I finally had the opportunity to order.  For the sake of this review I kept things simple.  Water. Smashfries.  And a small Classic burger with jalapeños added.  After ordering, I paid and was given my number.  After sitting and displaying my number at the table end, my food was delivered to me  once it was ready and it as time to pig out.

My meal, hand delivered to my seat

Everything was great, frankly.  I honestly cannot recall another time I had seen such fresh ingredients on anything, let alone a burger.  That came through in the taste as well.  The burger was juicy and tasted like that just made it for me (technical true but let me fantasize).  The smashfries were also great.  It was lightly dressed in a special mix of rosemary, olive oil, and garlic.  So, yes it was very very good.

Let's talk about the overall setup and experience there.  Now first walking in, Smashburger is quite overwhelming.  There are so many amazing options that it can be very, very hard to know where to start.  They offer burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and hot dogs.  The burgers come in many sizes, depending on your appetite.  Personally, I am the type where I can't eat much in one sitting so I like how I can get a small patty. You can even double up the patties.  There are many styles too. Baja, Classic, Motor City.  On my 2nd visit there I had a Goat cheese and spinach chicken sandwich.  Guys - they have goat cheese!  So it can be overwhelming but ultimately Smashburger is best when you take some time to plan the ultimate burger or sandwich for you.

The evidence of lovely burger time!

Smashfries like WOAH!

Something else that's great are the prices.  This is an absolute great value.  As I mentioned above, there are many options to create your own burger, with prices that are within reason.  My meal was roughly $6.50.  With the quality and quantity of the food, I should have easily and gladly paid about $10.   It was quite amazing that I could pay so little for something so good.  I would easily recommend this for a family or for someone who'd like to take a group out.  You can impress them with your gourmand skills without draining your wallet.  Another thing I like is that it's not like a typical restaurant with a server attending you.  Call me cheap (mainly because I am) but it's nice to know that the price listed (plus tax) is what I pay for.  They do have a tip jar, so please treat them well if you're inclined.  But there is no obligation and I appreciate that. Despite a set up like that, I still had general servers checking on me.  It definitely felt like they knew I was there and were happy for that.

The final word is this.  Great food.  Great service.  Great prices.  And a set up that changes up the notion of the burger enough that it elevates it to a new experience.  Now, with that said.  Go eat there now!

Dusk Maiden of Amnesia (Anime)

Watch it on Hulu like me!

Despite the beginning of the new fall season, I haven't felt inclined to watch anything new.  No Modern Family or Parks & Rec just yet.  Instead, I've had a urge to watch someone more anime.  I didn't want to watch something terribly long, as it would take longer to get into the fall lineup.  After looking on Hulu for much longer then I should have, I settled on this little gem - Dusk Maiden of Amnesia.

Teiichi and Yuko

Dusk Maiden of Amnesia follows Teiichi, Yuko, Momoe, and Kirie, the members of the Paranormal Investigation club. After school, this team follows various rumors in school about ghost sightings and paranormal activity.  What's unique about the group is the Yuko is a ghost herself.  She can only be seen by those who are aware of her, and even then, they only see what they think she should be.  The first person to see Yuko with clarity is Teiichi.  The series follows the group as they investigate rumors, delves into how the group came together, and ultimately solves the mystery behind Yuko's death. 

Good - I wasn't sure exactly what to expect with this series, other then some sort of ghost element.  I ended up having a great time with this one.  It has a lot of cute humor between the surprisingly small cast.  The exchanges between Yuko and Teiichi are sweet, once you get past the creepy point of Yuko being a ghost.  In fact, the series deals with that issue head on, which I appreciate.  For being a shorter series, it was refreshingly succinct.  It didn't waste time with filler episodes and even had it's fair share of twists.  This is by no means an action packed, testosterone drenched series but the character interactions and development made this a great show to watch.

The Wiki Site

Another aspect were the various horror scenes.  For being a light hearted series, there was some brilliant and downright creepy scenes throughout.  Without much effort, this series seemed to be able to do it all.

Bad - Honestly, I found nothing bad with this series.  I liked everything about it. 

Someone is being a bit friendly 

Overall - Dusk Maiden of Amnesia is a solid choice.  I wasn't sure what to expect going into the series.  Thankfully I like anything, so long as the story is strong.  Dusk Maiden had a strong story, fun characters, and even pacing.  If you're looking for something fun, light, and quick, pick Dusk Maiden of Amnesia.  You will not be disappointed.  4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Similar to: Dorm, Toradora, Casper the Friendly Ghost (maybe), Typical ghost movies

Le Chevalier D'Eon (Anime)

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Hi Everyone! To start off, I know I promised to review the whole Red Riding series but, frankly, I watched it so long ago and I've been itching to move forward.  I did watch all three and I will say if you are looking for something dark and gritty with little hope or light, watch Red Riding.  It was done very real and felt very true to life.  Moving onto the next thing, I invested a lot of my time into Le Chevalier D'eon. At times, it was very interesting, but often I found I had to force myself to sit and watch this anime.  Let me explain way!

Lia's lifeless body

Actually before I explain my feelings, let me explain this anime.  Le Chevalier D'eon follows the very real personage of D'eon de Beaumont, a knight serving under the 18th century king of France, Louis XV.  The series starts with D'eon looking to avenge his twin sister Lia.  She was found floating downriver in a wooden coffin, the word 'Psalms' scrawled across the lid in blood.  Louis allows D'eon his quest so long as he also serves to help the country of France as well, as a spy across France's boarders.  What follows is a long road of treason, betrayal, and magic, that leads as far as Russia, only to come back to the king's doorstep.  D'eon and his fellow spies - Robin, Durand, and Teillagory - find themselves fighting against the undead and the possessed.  The group has a very unlikely aid in their battles though - Lia.  She is able to possess her twin brother and use her unique magic to defeat them effortlessly.  This still isn't enough for the group to overcome all that befalls them throughout their journey.

Good - This anime is unique in many ways.  First is the plot and setting.  I never imagine the Japanese would invest so much into exploring the past of the French.  It was nice to watch something not set in the far off lands of Japan.  Because to that, I feel the cultural aspects of France would be interesting to both countries.  What is new and strange to Japan would hold True of the U.S..  The story overall was pretty interesting too.  I may not have been a fan of the constant new missions, but they proved interesting and developed both the plot and character development.  The animation was good.  Unique compared to the overly cartoony and caricature style you usually see.  It helped add some realness to the series events. 

Maximilian Robespierre

Bad - So I didn't mind this series much but ultimately I felt like I wasted my time.  I never felt very invested in the series.  I was more obliged to watch it since I had started it.  Though I mentioned earlier above, I didn't mind the twists and turns, I felt that weren't helping with the main plot.  I think this anime could have been done more efficiently in 12 episodes and not 24.  Other would disagree the 24 was need to delve in the history and motivations of the players.  I think you could still have a heartfelt series in half the time though.  Another thing that turned me off about the series was the ending.  It was just flat out weird and felt like a let down.  Now, Le Chevalier D'eon has the unique challenge of trying to tie in historical events into his milestones, so I won't fully fault them.  Still 24 episodes, roughly 12 hours of my life, and I feel like that could have done better.

D'eon de Beaumont

Overall - I don't think you should spend time watching this anime.  Maybe if you knew the history for France more, or wanted to watch an anime set within a real historical framework, it might work.  Personally, I was drawn the occult aspects of the show and the political chess game  was interesting.  Ultimately though, none of that drew me in.  Watching any type of TV is meant for entertainment and fun.  I had neither through out the time I watched Le Chevalier D'eon. I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars. You could do worse watching this, but really you can easily do better.