LA SALSA - TUCSON, AZ

I love this restaurant; great food, reasonable prices (even without a coupon), clean eating area, friendly service and an awesome salsa bar.

We used to go to the one at Grant and Swan but they now close at 8pm (which sometimes makes it tough for us to get there in plenty of time to leisurely eat; since we often don't have our afternoon coffee till 5:45 pm.) and the food seemed to slip a bit in quality. so now our favorite location is at Speedway and Country Club.

I had the 3 pepper fajitas platter with carnitas. There was so much tender and flavorful pork that Bill now has a left-over lunch from what i couldn't eat. With this platter, I got black beans, rice, sour cream, guacamole and tortillas. Delicious. Bill got the firebowl which is a combo of rice, beans, chicken and loads of vegetables; corn, broccoli, peppers, onions and tomatoes.

And the restaurant is big enough so that its never crowded. a real winner.!

THE PAPERBOY

What a messed up and muddled and confusing movie. As fantastic as the performances were, it did not make up for the lack of a good narrative.

John Cusack portrayed a monster of a man; no morals, always sweating and open-mouthed, gross and crude and cruel. It is such a non-Cusack type role that he was mesmerizing and he did it so well. He is on Death Row accused of murdering a sheriff and he has become engaged to Charlotte who is a perpetually horny, white trash talking, sleazy and sexy and dumb  lady played  by Nicole Kidman. Another acting job which was unbelievably superb and a role that i would never have imagined Kidman to be even OK in; she shined as Charlotte.

So into this situation comes a reporter from the Miami Times to find evidence that John Cusack (Hillary in the movie) is not guilty. Why he would want to do that - its never made clear. The reporter is excellently played by Matthew McConaughey. His brother  Jack who lives in the small Florida town is acted by Zac Efron who is a dull- at best- actor.  Naturally, Jack gets a big crush on Charlotte.

The scenes become more and more bizarre with hog-tying and male rape and blow jobs in the prison visiting room and romping through alligator swamps looking for witnesses to the killing of the sheriff and additional murders and throat slicings and inane scenes between Jack and the black maid who works at his house. This role is acted by Macy Gray and her annoying voice. Plus she narrates the film and i find this technique highly distracting.

This movie was a 2 according to Bill and I gave it a 3; only because Cusack and Kidman were so fantastic.

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

What a terrific, unique,beautiful, tragic and fun movie. The actors were NOT trained actors and i think this led to the believability of the film and the relationships.

It takes place at the time of Hurricane Katrina and in a community called the Bathtub. In an area of extreme poverty, this was one step below that. The events take place right before and after the hurricane and is mainly the friendship and mentoring and relationship between a small girl called Hush Puppy (she is about 7 or 8) and her alcoholic father. But its also about the Bathtub's response to the hurricane and the community and fellowship they had. Its also about the physical changes to their way of life and about their reaction when they were forcibly removed from their shacks to live in shelters (this didn't last long).

and it was also - very mesmerizingly and gently and magically presented- about Hush Puppy's survival and her adaptation to the changes in her life situation.

A fabulous movie; both of us rated it a 10. The movie is only about 100 minutes but by the time i could quit sobbing and drooling and blowing my nose and searching for my kleenix and chortling through my snot, it approached 115 minutes. These weren't just tears of sorrow either which is why the movie was so grand.

PHO #1 - TUCSON, AZ

What a terrific discovery. We were going to eat at Yoshimatsu with Jean and Tim but it was very crowded with a 30-40 minute wait due to Parent's weekend at the University. So we headed to one of their favorite restaurants and it is now one of mine.!

excellent Vietnamese food. Bill and I have passed the corner (Stone and Grant) but the building right by the sign is an old almost windowless dark place which was not appealing in the least. However, the restaurant is behind this building and is very bright with a super attractive entrance. And the inside is large with lots of tables and booths.

The menu is extensive. Bill and I ordered 2 entrees to share. The bun with shrimp, egg rolls and pork was the best i've ever eaten. Lots of glass noodles with lettuce and cucumber and carrots and peanuts and bean sprouts and grilled onions and the fish sauce was excellent; very impressive flavor.

The other dish was rice with sugar cane shrimp, fried tofu, marinated pork and other food but i can't remember what it was now; a big variety- sort of like a mini-smorgasbord plate. This was very good also.

I haven't been totally satisfied with the other Vietnamese restaurants we have been to and now i know why; Pho #1 IS number one. (quick p.s.- the bathroom was the most gleamingly brilliant clean place i have seen at ANY asian restaurant.)

AMELIA GREY'S CAFE - TUCSON, AZ

This restaurant used to be inside the antique store on Speedway and Rosemont. Now its moved to its own building on Campbell and Fort Lowell. The best words to describe the atmosphere is cute, darling, precious, feminine, frilly. There are antique decorations throughout and vintage and art deco like pictures on the wall. And a big display of tea cups and saucers because Amelia's serves high tea in the afternoon.

You go up to the counter and order and they bring the food to your table. Cosmo and I had a great table in a small nook of the place behind a wall which helped to lessen the din which got to a pretty high decibel level around noon.

The menu is large with a good selection of salads, soups and sandwiches. Unfortunately, all their offerings have names like Aunt Thelma's tuna and Brother Dan's buffalo chicken and daddy david's corned beef; a little too cutesy for my tastes.

I had a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant (thanks Aunt Becki) which came with a small mound of kettle chips and for a dollar extra i got some potato salad. The portions were big and my sandwich was brimming over with the chicken salad which was very flavorful. All white meat and it wasn't swimming in mayo and there was a nice addition of grapes and chopped pecans. The potato salad was ok.

Cosmo had an albacore tuna melt. she liked it but wouldn't order it again. The cheddar cheese was not melted enough.

We also got dessert which was a big disappointment as it looked so attractive in their prominently displayed dessert case by the cashier. The piece of key lime pie was only identifiable by the brilliant green coloring. There was maybe a hint of lime in the bite right at the center of the cake. I ordered a pumpkin creme puff. The pastry was too thick and chewy and the inside was just pumpkin pie filling.

Because the prices were reasonable and the lunches quite good, i would come back here again to try some other entrees. They are open from 7 am to 5 pm and have a few breakfast selections.

ROMA IMPORTS - TUCSON, AZ

This was our first visit since moving back to tucson about 3 years ago. We used to eat here every so often during tucson #1 but it was a long and complicated drive but now its a breeze and so we will frequent it a lot more. They have made lots of changes. The dining area is bigger and they painted the walls a burnt amber color with lots of pictures of Italian related things.

and the take-out frozen section is immense and has expanded beyond lasagne, ravioli, spaghetti sauces, etc. It now has 2 whole cases just for desserts; there are way more cheeses and now they have breads and appetizers and soups and the entrees are incredible - calzones, pizza, special chicken dishes, roast pork wih special glazes and sausages galore.

We took home a quiche and meatballs but eventually we'll work our way through their entire selection. The atmosphere is so jolly and friendly and lighthearted and it really improved our mood since we went there upon Bill's suggestion as both of us were in self-pitying poor me no-trips-are-planned luxury "problem" spaces. and the lunch at Roma's totally changed our perspective.

We shared a special Roma sandwich which is different varieties of salami and cured meats with their topping of vinegared and pickled pepper and pepperoncini, and olives and celery and onion. Oh wow- double wow. This sandwich was so incredibly good and all the ingredients were balanced in bread that was crusty and fresh.

We also shared 2 sides; potato salad (wonderful) and a basil, tomato and mozzarella salad (superb).
i am hungry just writing this review and i'm smiling too.
you will also if you eat here.

On Friday and Sat. they stay open for dinner till 8pm.

MAY'S COUNTER CHICKEN & WAFFLES - TUCSON, AZ

I have never figured out why Bill likes this restaurant and why he thinks the chicken is some of the best he's ever eaten. Its usually always noisy. Last night they had 4 TV's blaring and each had a different sport game on. The bar was jammed. I think its just a U. of A. booze spot and that the food is considered sort of an afterthought.

I had a $5 off coupon which was the only reason Bill was able to persuade me to eat here. He had what he always gets -  a chicken breast and a bowl of collard greens. I frustratingly scan the menu for something i might like and this is what i always do. I settled on a shrimp po'boy with fries - i think i could have gotten a 'tossed' instead. i'm assuming that tossed is the newest foodie in word for salad or maybe its coleslaw.

The fries are horrid;  coming from a frozen bag of crinkle cuts. There were lots of shrimp on the roll and they were good. i ended up eating them without the bun after peeling off most of the breading. This is the same breading that they put on the chicken which i think is too thick and tasteless. I asked for a side of the sauce they put on the sandwich which they called 'container' sauce (another foodie in word i'm sure) but was really remoulade and that was very good. I dipped everything in that - very creamy and spicy and lots of flavor.

bill didn't think the chicken was as good as its been on other visits. And he had to get up in the middle of the night to take a Tagamet. so i think he's finally changed his opinion about this place because he said he'd be ok if we didn't come back for a year.!!

PARADISE BAKERY AND CAFE - TUCSON, AZ

This is the first time i have been disappointed eating here. During Tucson #1 - i ate at the one at Ina and Oracle a lot and was always satisfied. Then they closed. However, during Tucson #2 Paradise opened on Broadway and Wilmot and I've gone there twice and been satisfied. (as an aside, they are soon to open another cafe on Grant and Swan).

The Northwest location restaurant came back on oracle and Wetmore and i've eaten here several times and been satisfied. So what happened??

I ordered half a sandwich and a salad. I picked the chicken and walnut and crisp apple salad which was good but was pretty skimpy on the dressing (an apple cider vinaigrette). And the sandwich was a total loser; a panini with turkey, herbed cream cheese, spinach and cranberry sauce. The bread was stale and way too thick for the filling which was almost non-existent. In fact, the 1 razor thin slice of turkey was so pathetic (didn't even cover 1/2 of the bread surface) that i thought of taking it back and the reason i didn't was because i was there with a friend; we were deep into some sort of philosophical analysis of something weighty and profound (!?) and i didn't want to take the time to sort out this sad bird state of affairs.

The lack of turkey was accompanied by a smear of cranberry sauce and i never could taste any cream cheese. But there were a lot of spinach leaves.

I was excited about going to the one at Grant and Swan since that's so close to our house but now i'm having second and third thoughts.

LOOPER

I didn't even read reviews before seeing this movie because it was science fiction and starred 2 good actors and the plot seemed intriguing - time travel is outlawed in the future so bad guys are sent back in time and loopers kill them. Loopers get rewarded handsomely and live for 30 years and then they meet their future selves and to connect the loop they  both die. These were  good enough  reasons to get us to want to see the film.

Well, in spite of the 95% of reviewers who thought this movie was original and clever and fantastic and full of twists and turns, i was bored. We both gave it a 5.

Part of the reason was that i got lost in the "action" after Joe's future self appears and he gets away so Joe is unable to kill future Joe in order to complete the loop. Joe is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and future Joe by Bruce Willis. In order to have Gordon-Levitt look like a young Bruce, they did wierd and distracting things to his face; his nose was a different shape and they changed the shape of his eyes and it looked like he was wearing eye make-up. it was very unnatural looking and seemed to get more noticeable as the movie wore on.

I don't know why the producers didn't get another actor to do the young Bruce who already resembled him in some facial and head features - like in the wonderful Men in Black 3- Josh Brolin didn't get all made-up wearing facial prostheses and eye liner to look like Tommy Lee Jones and yet he was perfect because he used his acting ability plus having a similar physiognomy to begin with.

And then as the movie progressed to its dull ending, i got even more confused when some sort of redemption moral lesson was introduced. and I never knew who was chasing who or why. Huge disappointment.

FRANCISCO'S - TUCSON, AZ

This is a small neighborhood Mexican restaurant mostly peopled by Mexicans. Its located at Pima and Alvernon and we love this place. The prices are very reasonable; the food always good; the atmosphere lively and friendly and the portions are large.

There are maybe 10 tables in an L shaped room and a few counter seats. Lots of pictures on the wall and red and white checked tablecloths; what my mom would have called oilcloths. During the day the restaurant is called Frankie's and they serve breakfast and lunch. I've never been there during those hours.

I always order the same thing; tres tacos dorados. 3 crispy tacos with chicken and potato smothered in lettuce and queso fresca with sides of sour cream, tomato, grilled onions (so sweet!) and avocado. The dish also has beans and rice which i always give to Bill. He always gets the same thing too! dos tacos francisco's style with carne asada. His tacos are on soft flour tortillas.

There is always a big pot of charro beans that you can help yourself to and a nice salsa bar with several varieties and pickled onions, cucumbers, radishes and cilantro.

We always leave this place happy and content having communicated with the little bit of  Spanish that we know. On this night, we finished the gustatory evening with a stop at U-Swirl yogurt at the El Con mall. We have finally finished our punch card so the next visit will reward us with a 16 oz. free yogurt.

BEYOND BREAD - TUCSON, AZ

We usually eat at the restaurant on Speedway and Wilmot because its on our way home from our Mt. Lemmon hikes. They have 2 other locations; on the northwest side and on Campbell.  I love this place; very reasonably priced delicious food, great variety, big portions and i have never experienced other than friendly smile-filled efficient service.

For the first time, i ordered their classic Mac n' Cheese which was delicious. The only other casserole i've had that was better was the one made by Rob, our friend who moved to Vermont. The white cheddar sauce was just rich enough and there were lots of crunchy garlic bread crumbs on top. the dish was accompanied by 2 slices of buttery and toasted and oozing with goodness garlic toast.

I also had a small green salad which was a big soup bowl filled with lettuce and carrots and cucumbers and grape tomatoes. Their thousand island dressing (which they call russian) is excellent. bill had a greek salad; almost as high as the Parthenon. He ate steadily for 15 minutes and i swear the mound of lettuce and artichokes and feta cheese and kalamata olives was just as high as when he started.

Since our last visit (which was before our Portland trip) they have remodeled and it has a nice spacious and light atmosphere and the bathrooms are pretty awesome. The stalls are a silvery metallic finish and the sinks are nice and deep.

END OF WATCH

Jake Gyllenhaal (love his shaved head) is Brian Taylor and Michael Pena is Mike Zavala who are partners on a beat in South Central L.A. They are not detectives or members of the vice squad or part of the fraud unit; they are just cops on their beat. This movie shows the whole range of situations they have to handle; doing a welfare check on an old lady, going to a party where neighbors have complained about the loud music, rescuing children from a burning house and of course drugs, guns, and cash which they referred to as the 3 food groups.

The chemistry and compassion and friendship and bonding between these 2 partners is so totally believable. and the dialogue and banter of Brian and Mike is very funny and fast and witty and gross and sexist and racist and non-ending. That's one of the reasons why i liked this movie so much; the connection between the 2 cops.

There is also a story line about drug cartels that gets slowly developed during the film and is the contributing factor to the ending of the movie. Because Brian wants to get off the police force and get into law and criminology, he's ambitious and this leads the pair to get involved in a drug situation that had been handled by the feds and which they shouldn't have poked their noses into.

This ending is not the final scene in the movie which is a perfect closure to the story. The acting and music was great. I only had 1 major criticism; the film was shot in that shaky 'blair witch' fashion which drove me nuts at the beginning. Towards the end i either got somewhat used to it or that gimmick was used less but i wish it had not been used at all.

The only other 2 criticisms i have is that i can't believe that Brian did not know Spanish; working in South Central L.A.??? and there's a scene towards the end where they walk into an ambush and they are in a wide open courtyard and 6 gangbangers with machine guns and other lethal weapons are firing at them and the only injury is a bullet wound in Brian's hand! huh?

Bill gave it an 8 and i gave it an 8.5.