(Orange Beach)

Well, it has been a while and the big guy is back out tasting some of the best cuisine in our area.  This week he carried his empty stomach into the newest restaurant in Orange Beach Arigato Grill.   Arigato Grill is the only restaurant in Orange Beach that offers something for everyone in your group. Famously known for its New York inspired sushi rolls and homemade sauces, Arigato Grill offers some of the freshest and most creative sushi rolls around. Regardless of your Asian taste mood, Arigato Grill has selected the most popular cuisines from Chinese, Japanese and Thai cultures to satisfy the most adventurous cravings.  Enjoy your Asian infused meal in this elegant casual dining restaurant.

The big man began his meal with a choice of miso, tom yum, or hot and sour soup.  He chose the hot and sour which in his words, "Is the best in the area".  A nice balance of vinegar, a tasty broth, sweetness and white pepper made this a great beginning to the meal.

Next on his palate he chose the choice of two sushi rolls in which he ordered the Tuna Avocado and a Spicy Salmon roll.  He began with spicy salmon.  The first words out of his mouth were, wow and amazing!  He continued to talk about the perfect amount of spice along with the crunch of the toasted sesame seeds. It was then time for the tuna avocado roll was next.  These perfectly rolled and cut pieces of sushi arrived and his first word after taking a bite was "Fresh".  He continued on to the next course leaving nothing behind as usual.

Time for the entree.  I suggested he try the hot and spicy chicken which he greeted eyes wide and dug in.  Fresh carrots, celery, green peppers and onions stir fried to perfection in a spicy brown sauce.  There is a better chance of snow in Alabama in June than any of his meal being left on the plate.

Time for the report card:

Ambiance - 9.1

Cleanliness - 9.2* (based on health department rating)

Service - 9.7

Food - 9.6

Price - 8.9

Total - 9.3

Arigato Grill was a very pleasant experience and we recommend it to anyone craving Asian Fusion in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Area.  Please feel free to email us with your restaurant reviews to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

January 13, 2011

Divisional playoff football is upon us and this week we will be looking at Green Bay and Atlanta.  In the words of Bob Jenz.....

(Gulf Shores)

From the couch of FES.

The Arizona Cardinals, could this team really still win their division? Well, it is not impossible, that is for sure. They sit at 3-7, two games out of the lead and they play no better than a .400 opponent from this point on with 4 of those 6 being at home. Let's say they go 4-2 in that stretch. In my opinion that will be enough to win the division, YIKES! In comes San Francisco, what a disaster their this year.

Week 12 Monday Nov 29, 2010

They have found every way under the sun to lose a game this year and I think that will not change a bit the rest of the way. Take Arizona on Monday night.

(Gulf Shores)

From the couch of FES.

Does anyone play defense in the NFL anymore? No not at all. Is there a "best team" out there? No to that also. We have tried to crown some champions this year like New England, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, the Jets and the Giants and as soon as we do they get crushed every time because they cannot stop anyone. Which leads me to Green Bay. I think they are the only team out there that has not been handily beat in any game this year and they have improved every week on the defensive side of the ball so we will crown them the best team this week. The Packers travel to Minnesota this week and they have a chance to do the world a favor this week, put Minnesota out of their misery for good because I for one, along with probably most of the nation am tired of hearing about them and Brett Favre.

They had their chance last year and they messed it up royally. With that being said and the fact that nothing has gone as scheduled this year in pro football take Minnesota Sunday for one last horrah.

*The previous article was submitted by a Hobnogulfshores.com Member.  The views expressed here are not that of Hobnob Gulf Shores LLC or any of its partners or advertisers.  This blog is meant for entertainment purposes only.

(Gulf Shores)

From the couch of FES.

*The previous article was submitted by a Hobnogulfshores.com Member.  The views expressed here are not that of Hobnob Gulf Shores LLC or any of its partners or advertisers.  This blog is meant for entertainment purposes only.

August 17, 2010

My name is Paul Stone, and I have been asked to give the wonderful people at HobnobGulfShores.com some great tasting recipes. I have been working at restaurants on the gulf coast for the past four years, and working in Las Vegas prior to that. I also graduated from culinary school while in Sin City. I believe everyone can cook, but it sometimes seems overwhelming. That feeling usually leads to picking up the phone and ordering delivery. Well, for about half the price, you can fix it yourself, and it WILL taste better and be better for you. Oh yeah, it can be lots of fun too!

So, in the upcoming weeks, months, years, decades, whatever, I will be posting some recipes for you to try at home……..Recipes Delivered. 1-800-CALL-PAUL.

Probably the most delivered item in the Universe is pizza. Who doesn’t love pizza? I would eat it everyday if I could. No really, I would. We will begin our series with a real crowd pleaser…PIZZA. I have an awesome pizza crust recipe that’s as easy as it gets. I use the following items when preparing pizza dough:

1. Stand mixer. I use a Kitchen Aid, but any mixer will be fine. You can knead the dough by hand if you don’t have a mixer, but your forearms are going to get tired. But go for it Popeye.

2. Rolling pin. Any shape, make, or year will do. If you don’t have one, no problem. Pull the roll of plastic film out of the box and use it. I’ve done it, it works.

3. Pizza stone. If you like a crispy crust, then you need a pizza stone. If your too cheap to dish out 20 bucks, then you can dig up a paver from your back patio(wash first) and use it, once again… done it. You can use a pizza pan or cookie sheet as well, but if you do, go buy a frozen pizza.

4. Cornmeal. Gotta have it for a crisp crust.

1 pack Active dry yeast

1 cup Warm water(not hot, not cold) warm to the touch, not scalding. Seriously!!

1 tsp Sugar

Gingerly, mix these three together. Let stand 12 minutes. Should be some foam on top. After the yeast gets some head, mix in 1 teaspoon olive oil(or whatever you got).

3 cups Bread flour. All purpose flour will work in a pinch, but bread flour is what you need.

2 tsp Salt

Here is where you can add your own flavor. Crushed red peppers, oregano, basil, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, any seasoning you like, put it in it. I like adding grated parmesan cheese and red peppers. Just do it in moderation until you do it a few times

On low speed, with the dough arm mix flour, salt, and your secret seasonings until mixed(15 seconds),add your yeast mix slowly. Raise speed and let everything get incorporated for a few minutes. If there is still some flour visible, you may need to add a little(1 or 2 teaspoons) to the mixing bowl. Those of you cheap, I mean purist, mix everything in a bowl until incorporated, then move to a counter top and start kneading. Mix for ten minutes after everything is incorporated. Don’t cheat on the time, the dough needs a good workout. Trust me again.

It should smell awesome. Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and place somewhere warm. If you don’t cover it, a crust will form. I turn my oven on 472 and put the bowl on a burner. Let the dough sit for 50 minutes, give or take. The dough should have proofed(puff up).

Divide dough into two pieces, and form them into balls, I said balls. You need to get all the air bubbles out of the dough so work the dough on a counter top for a minute. Try to make the dough round, it will be easier to make a round pizza later. If you have round plastic containers, spray them with non-stick spray, put dough in and cover. If not, spray some plastic wrap and cover dough. Place in fridge for at least an hour, so the dough can rise again. It will be good for two or three days in fridge.

To cook:

Set oven on 475, make sure pizza stone is in oven getting hot.

Throw some cornmeal on the counter, start rolling out the dough. Roll and rotate. Repeat. You should be able to get a nice 12-14 inch pizza. Roll out to your liking. You can make it thinner or thicker, experiment, since you’ve got about .60 cents in your two crust. Once your crust is formed, get a pizza pan, baking sheet(turned upside down), or pizza peel and dust with cornmeal.

Place dough on peel or whatever.

Lightly brush crust with oil with a brush or paper towel. Don’t go crazy with the oil.

With a fork, dot the crust with holes lightly. If not, you may get some air pockets which will suck.

Cover crust with marinara(recipe next time), leave the outer ring sauceless. Put on your toppings of choice, cheese that sucker, cook for 8-10 minutes(depends on how thick your crust is). Practice makes perfect.

*The previous article was submitted by a Hobnogulfshores.com Member.  The views expressed here are not that of Hobnob Gulf Shores LLC or any of its partners or advertisers.  This blog is meant for entertainment purposes only.