Boccone, Selden NY

Boccone, Selden NY 
8 out of 10

This was an unexpected surprise. The ironic part is, that I wasn't even going to review this place, but the food and the service were so good that I decided last minute that I had to share what a great find Boccone in Selden NY is. Excellent service and excellent food are hard to find. If we leave a restaurant experiencing just one, we are content. When we are lucky enough to get both pieces, we just had an exceptional time.

Boccone had some really classy touches, like lemon/lime infused water instead of just the standard plain water. A stunning white stone wall, that sparkles with the high hats. A full bar to the rear, and happening vibe. People were sitting down, carrying out, and enjoying a great bite with friends in the neighborhood hot spot. 

The SERVICE:
A manager on the floor overseeing everything, and checking in with the tables to make sure all the guests were happy. The waiter was attentive, and friendly. The staff behind the pizza counter thanked us for coming, and asked if the food was good. This felt like eating at your brother's restaurant. Remember they had no idea that they were being reviewed. This was great service!

The MEAL: 
The food at Boccone was delicious, and the portions were huge. 

Tortellini Bolgenese was rich, and bursting with meat. The sauce felt classic, and brought images of Nonna in the back stirring the pot. 

Chicken Francese w/ Roasted Potatoes was far better than we have tasted in five star restaurants. The chicken was tender, the coating perfect, and the sauce was creamy with bursting with lemon. It was that sauce that prompted this review.  Some places just can not make sauce. We have become so used to undercooked, over floured, or slimy corn starched lemon sauces, that discovering this perfectly balanced sauce in a strip mall was so unexpected.

The roasted potatoes were also a must try! The pizzas, rice balls and assorted italian specialties in the pizza window were hard to resist, and we look forward to trying them out in the near future! I gave them a rating of 8 out of 10, because we did not sample enough of the menu to fully review them. 

Cheers to Boccone in Selden NY! Amazing service & amazing food.    

www.bocconepizzaselden.com

Check out my other reviews at www.Kris10.us

Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ

Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ 
07.23.13 Rated 8.5 out of 10 

We headed out on a Tuesday morning, around 10:00am, the morning rush hour traffic had subsided, and we were on our way from Long Island, to The Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, and we drove through some heavy down pours. The rain did not dampen our mood at all, because we were staying at Trump Taj Mahal, an enormous world class resort with everything we could possibly desire on-premise. The casino gaming floor spans 167,000 square feet, featuring over 2,500 slot machines, 186 traditional gaming tables, and 54 poker tables. A plethora of dining options, bars, entertainment, spa and many other amenities, mean that staying at Trump Taj Mahal is sure to be amazing regardless of the weather.

We crossed into the The Taj main entrance at 2:00pm, and were instantly struck by the glamour of the resort. It appears we were just in time for a huge rush of people looking to check in early. Valet parking was a parking lot. When we finally navigated our way to an attendant, we were greeted very warmly and offered assistance with our bags. The wait for early check-in was over 30 minutes. The lobby staff were calm, courteous and professional the entire time. In the future we plan on checking in at 4:00pm (the actual check in time), when there was no line at all.

As we soaked up the thrill of the casino and made our way to our room, we noticed a few things. First, the sparkle of the common areas impressed us. They were beautifully designed and kept immaculately clean.  The friendliness of the staff was notably better than other resorts. The ample security made us feel safe. Even the security officers were formally friendly and added to the warmth of the establishment. The warm, friendly and fun environment at The Taj is rare. Finally, the options for dinning seemed endless. We could embark on a culinary trip to the Far East to satiate our hunger for Asian cuisine, with ocean fresh sushi and sashimi and a whole Peking duck at Dynasty. Relax away the stresses of the week with a specialty drink at Moon At Dynasty. Dress to the nines for an Italian feast at Il Mulino New York, a traditional white table cloth experience with tuxedo-clad waiters. The Hard Rock Café, The Rim Noodle Bar, Sultan’s Feast Buffet, The Ice Cream Bar, White House Sub Shop, Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy, Starbucks Coffee and more, ensure that any craving will be met.

We could not wait to see our room, and then come back down to explore. High above the city on the 81st floor in the Chairman Tower, our room offered spectacular views of the city and bay. The room was clean; the furniture in good condition, a huge TV, and the overall size and layout were thoughtfully constructed. The room was well lit, perfect temperature, quiet, and everything we expected from a place that bares the Trump name.

The sweet sound of the casino was calling us, but we had to resist for a few moments and make a quick stop at the Trump One service desk to get our player cards. Getting the cards was very simple. They were running a promotion for a free T-shirt for new members. The process to get the T-shirt was a little confusing, and took longer to explain than the entire process of getting the player cards. We checked out one of the rewards kiosks to confirm our accounts were online and then we eagerly started to survey the gaming floor. The casino felt massive, with a good variety of games. We focused on the tables and spent most of our time at "Let It Ride". Once we were situated the drinks were flowing, the conversation with the other guests and staff engaging, and our luck was good!

We had to tear ourselves away from the games to get ready for dinner at Robert's Steakhouse. After a quick trip to our room to change, we were back on the main level for a fabulous dinner. Tucked away in a quiet area just off the Trump Taj Mahal casino floor is the premier destination for an uncommon, luxury dining experience at Robert's Steakhouse of New York. The dry-aged prime steaks prepared by Executive Chef, Will Savarese, were simply amazing. Every steak enthusiast must taste one of these masterpieces of juicy rich flavor before even entering a debate about what defines a good steak. (Click here for full review of Robert's Steakhouse of New York).

After dinner, we headed out to the boardwalk to enjoy the excitement of the carnival just steps away from The Taj. While we strolled along the night lights, and inhaled the fresh ocean air, we spoke about how ridiculous it is that we do not come to The Taj, Atlantic City all the time. The drive was a little frustrating at times, but as soon as we crossed the final bridge, we felt all the stress of life start to leave us. A wonderful place for us to recharge, relax, and just enjoy each other in this playground on the beach. The noon-check out gave us ample time to fill up on a hearty breakfast at the buffet, another lucky stop at the tables, and shopping. We wished we could have spent a week there to experience everything. The luck of The Taj was with us as the drive home was a breeze, (even the city construction and cross island were clear). 

A huge thank you to Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ for the opportunity to review their Hotel and Casino so I can share it with the 359 million active users on Google Plus!  www.trumptaj.com

To view additional pictures of me on this trip see www.Kris10.us