CombatCritic's TravelValue™

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Portland, OR: Do Not Miss This Swiss Delight In The Quaint Northeast Alberta Neighborhood

Swiss Hibiscus

4950 NE 14th Avenue
Portland, OR 97211
Northeast Portland, King
Phone: (503) 477-9224
Website: swisshibiscus.com
Prices: $$$$

Located in the up-and-coming, trendy Alberta neighborhood of Northeast Portland, I was surprised by Swiss Hibiscus' appearance, expecting an older chalet-style building adorned with flower boxes and Swiss flags, but it is housed in a small modern, multi-purpose building a half block off of the main Alberta Street drag on 14th. The restaurant is small with only six or so tables inside (seating around 25) and another three or four outside (if the Portland weather cooperates), bringing the maximum seating to around 40 diners. A reservation is a must during prime hours and can be made by calling the number above.

We started with the Swiss Fondue ($24) shared among three of us and there was plenty to go around. A blend of Swiss cheeses, white wine, and kirschwasser (a clear German cherry brandy), heated in a traditional fondue pot and served with plenty of chunky French bread pieces. It was a bit pricey, but delicious and as good as any fondue I have had.

For entrees, my friend's wife had the Emince Zurichoise ($14.50), thin slices of pork sautéed in a mushroom cream sauce reminiscent of Zurich and accompanied by handmade spätzle. Each entree was preceded by a cup of soup de jour (a creamy potato leek) or house salad with their signature dressing and their crusty, piping hot French bread.

My friend Mike ordered the special of the day, Chicken Valaisanne ($17.50), two chicken breast halves smothered with sauteed tomatoes and onions and melted raclette cheese perched atop a bed of spinach and accompanies by their famous rösti, crispy Swiss hash browns infused with bacon and onions ... YUM!

I had the traditional Wienerschnitzel ($14.50), breaded pork cutlets sautéed in and topped with browned butter. I ordered a side of the Zurichoise mushroom cream sauce ($2) for my schnitzel and rösti, a wise choice because it made for a perfect combination similar to the Rahmschnitzel sauce I have enjoyed in Germany on many occasions. The cutlets were smaller and thinner than most I have had, but after the fondue and soup, I was quite glad that they were not of the traditional behemoth variety and was able to finish my plate.

Schnitzel Sans Gravy

Schnitzel With Gravy

A delightful and fortunate find on Yelp, we enjoyed our meal immensely, the service was friendly and efficient, and the prices very fair for the quality of the menu offerings. The only drawbacks were the smallish size of the restaurant and the somewhat limited menu.

PS ...

On a recent return trip, so my wife could experience Swiss Hibiscus having been absent on my first visit, we had a similar albeit not quite as "perfect" meal. The service was as outstanding as the first time and Bridgeport IPAs ($4) were an excellent value.

We ordered the fondue ($24) of course, which was as decadent and delicious as the first time, but the Jägerschnitzel with Chanterelles ($19.50) special was a little disappointing. Do not get me wrong, it was tasty and a very good value, coming with their yummy rösti (crispy Swiss hash browns infused with bacon and onions) as well as a wonderful cup of soup and fresh, hot bread rolls, but it untraditionally prepared and the pork was a tad tough.

Having stuffed ourselves with bread and hot, gooey cheese, we spilt the schnitzel dinner into two reasonable portions (no split plate charge - the server actually suggested that we split it).

Schnitzel in normally breaded and fried, resulting in a crispy, tender boneless pork cutlet topped by a thick, rich mushroom (hunter's sauce) gravy. This cutlet came without the traditional breading and was chewier than any schnitzel I can remember having eaten ... and that has been many. The sauce itself was decent, but it was not very thick nor was it overly flavorful.

Taking this most recent trip into account, although not quite as good as the first visit, it was still an excellent meal and a very good value at a little over $60 including tip for a dinner for two, including drinks. So my rating remains unchanged ...

CombatCritic Gives Swiss Hibiscus A Nearly Perfect 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better

Nine Bombs Equates To:

"U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"

Read Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp - Elite '14/'15/'16/'17/'18

Read Chris S.'s review of Swiss Hibiscus on Yelp

Tabelog - Official Judge (Bronze)

Zomato - #1 Ranked Foodie

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Swiss Hibiscus

Title: Portland, OR: Do Not Miss This Swiss Delight In The Quaint Northeast Alberta Neighborhood

Key Words: Swiss Hibiscus, Swiss, hibiscus, Switzerland, German, French, Austrian, Alberta, Portland, Oregon, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Lawrence, Kansas: Not Bad, But Overpriced By $10 To $20 Per Night

Baymont by Wyndham Lawrence

740 Iowa Street

Lawrence, KS 66044

Phone number (800) 337-0400

Website: wyndhamhotels.com/baymont

Prices: $$$$

At nearly $80 per night for a motel in the seediest part of Lawrence, Kansas, I was not overly impressed.

The front desk clerk was extremely helpful, friendly and professional - a good start. However, the room was very basic, relatively clean and the wi-fi and cable worked just fine, but because we were on the ground floor, the noise from the people upstairs was significant.

Breakfast was a bit better than your ordinary "continental" variety, but not by much. They had biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs, but the biscuits were as hard as rocks and the eggs were left extremely dry by the Sterno-fueled warming pan. We were told that they "normally" offer bacon and sausage as well, but because they had been throwing away so much as of late, they decided to stop doing so during the week.

I would expect to pay no more than $60 to $70 max for a room of this quality in the Midwest, so I cannot in good conscience give them more than an "average" rating.

CombatCritic Gives Baymont by Wyndham Lawrence 5 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Five Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Continue Mission"

Friday, October 19, 2018

Ryan Air's Conflicting And Confusing Carry On Policy Deciphered (1 NOV 2018)

Ryan Air's carry on policy is confusing with conflicting information on its website.

Some current web pages claim that there is a 35 x 20 x 20 cm (13.75" x 7.85" x 7.85") maximum for small bags:

https://www.ryanair.com/us/en/plan-trip/flying-with-us/baggage-policy

But, if you dig into the FAQs, you will find a new 40 x 20 x 25cm (15.75" x 7.85" x 9.75") maximum for small bags ("New Baggage Policy" - Effective 1 November 2018):

https://www.ryanair.com/us/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview#2-0.

So I asked: "Which is it Ryan Air?"

Here is the answer I received from Zamasiba, a Ryan Air Support Agent:

Zamasiba: Hi, my name is Zamasiba, welcome to Ryanair Customer Support. I would be happy to help you with your query. Please stay connected while I review your query and reservation details.

CombatCritic: Your new online baggage policy (eff 1 Nov 18) does not state the maximum dimensions of a “wheelie bag” allowed as cabin baggage for priority customers. Is the max still 55x40x20cm?

Zamasiba: Yes, it is.

CombatCritic: Thanks! One of the screens on your website (with opposing information – on one it says that the small bag must be 35 x 20 x 20cm and on the other its says that you have increased it to 40 x 20 x 25cm) has the following note:

---------------------

Please note: Flights to/from Israel

If you have purchased "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" or Plus/Flexi Plus/Family Plus you can carry the following on board:

• One small bag e.g. handbag, laptop bag etc. not exceeding 35cm x 20cm x 20cm

If you have not purchased "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" or a Plus/Flexi Plus/Family Plus and are flying to/from Israel you can carry the following on board:

• One cabin bag, not exceeding 55cm x 40cm x 20cm in size and up to 10kg in weight.

• 1 small bag e.g. handbag, laptop bag etc. not exceeding 35cm x 20cm x 20cm

Customers travelling to and from Israel who present at the airport with a 2nd larger cabin bag (exceeding 35cm x 20cm x 20cm) may drop this bag off at the check-in/bag drop desk, for an airport checked bag fee of €40 or at the boarding gate, for a gate bag fee of €50.

--------------------------

My question is: Are the max dimensions on small carry ons to/from Israel 35 x 20 x 20cm or 40 x 20 x 25cm?

Zamasiba: They are 40 x 20 x 25cm

CombatCritic: Thanks again. Will I receive an email documentation of this chat which I can print and take with me on our trip to Israel in case gate agents are as confused as customers by your conflicting online baggage policy information? You really need to update your website to ensure that all baggage policies are identical.

Zamasiba: Yes, it will be sent at the end of the chat.

CombatCritic: Finally, do you have links to Ryan Air approved cabin bags we can purchase online? Thank you very much Zamasiba!

Zamasiba: Unfortunately not.

NOTE: UNFORTUNATELY, THAT WAS NOT A TRUE STATEMENT AS YOU CAN FIND RYAN AIR APPROVED CABIN BAGS FOR SALE ON THEIR WEBSITE IN SIZES THAT ARE GUARANTEED TO BE ACCEPTED ON ALL RYAN AIR FLIGHTS (CLICK HERE).

CombatCritic: Cheers! Have a nice day (or evening)!!

Zamasiba: You are welcome. If there's anything else I can assist you with please come back to us.

Thank you for using our Live Chat Service.

BOTTOM LINE: "Priority" customers can carry on one bag not exceeding 10kg with dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (aka "wheelie bag") and one small bag with dimensions 40 x 20 x 25cm (effective November 1st, 2018).

Unfortunately, there is still conflicting information on Ryan Air's website, even within the very same FAQs:

We have increased the size of the free small carry-on bag by over 40% from 35 x 20 x 20cm (14,000 cm³) to 40 x 20 x 25cm (20,000 cm³).

All passengers are entitled to bring 1 small personal bag on board which must fit under the seat in front of you (35cm x 20cm x 20cm). Examples include, handbag, laptop bag and small back pack.

Fix your damn website Ryan Air and, please, stop posting conflicting polices!

CombatCritic Gives Ryan Air's Website And Their Conflicting Baggage Policies 1 Bomb Out Of 10 And A Spot On My WALL OF SHAME ... More Bombs Are Better!

One Bomb Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Fucked Up Beyond All Repair"

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

San Fernando, CA: Shiver Me Timbers, This Chubasco Blew Me Away!

Chubasco Restaurant
11220 Laurel Canyon Blvd
San Fernando, CA 91340
Phone number (818) 361-7408
Prices: $$$$

What a great little place! With an unassuming store front in a small strip mall with far too little parking, Chubasco serves top-notch, authentic Mexican food at a very reasonable price.

"A chubasco is a violent squall with thunder and lightning, encountered during the rainy season along the Pacific coast of Mexico, Central America, and South America" (Wikipedia).

With a plane to catch at Bob Hope Burbank Airport just a few miles away in two hours, I needed something quick and tasty. I ordered two crispy shredded beef tacos ($2.25) and a cheese and onion enchilada ($3) à la carte as well as a side order of guacamole ($1.95). They brought me a complimentary basked of fresh, warm chips and some salsa (green or red) to eat with my guac.

The guacamole was the size of a $5 - $6 order at most places and seasoned perfectly and tacos were spot-on with hot, crispy shells, an abundance of shredded beef, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and grated queso fresco (fresh, white cheese). I added a little of the guacamole and some salsa, making these the perfect tacos, the tacos that I have been missing since moving to the Pacific Northwest.

The enchilada had plenty o' cheese and onion, the homemade red enchilada sauce was sublime, a perfect blend of chiles (not tomato) and spices, and it was topped with more cheese and broiled before serving.

All in all, for just $12.50 including tax, this was one of the best values, when it comes to meals, I have had in recent memory. The service was fast and friendly and the place clean although very basic, with just a few small tables and chairs.

CombatCritic Gives Chubasco Restaurant 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Nine Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"

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