Jurisdictional Limit

Daisy

2011-10-09T21:48:00.001-05:00

Enveloped

2011-10-09T21:29:00.001-05:00

Master Photographer

2011-10-09T21:23:00.001-05:00

The best photographers go to great lengths to get THAT photo!

Ultimate Driving Machine

2011-10-09T21:18:00.001-05:00

Just not sure this model year is...my humble opinion, look back to 2003. E39 enough said!

Background Blur

2011-10-09T21:02:00.002-05:00

f/5.6; 1/80s; ISO 200

Paparazzi

2011-10-09T20:50:00.001-05:00

Photography Safari Workshop

Tutti Fruiti

2011-10-07T21:36:00.003-05:00

Begin Oaks GC

2011-10-01T19:56:00.003-05:00

Their motto is "It's like being up North without the drive." Begin Oaks surely is that! Enough to distract me from my golf game. I played bogey golf today but enjoyed the walk through Begin Oaks. I think the next time I'm out to play, I'll need horse blinders to keep me focused! (My camera phone doesn't give this place justice.)

FMA Annual Golf Tournament

2011-09-25T21:01:00.004-05:00

Albertville, MN - The 2-man team of Ryan M and Ryan R finished tied for 6th posting a 38-36 (74). Compare that with the winning score of 63 shot by Andy and Mike at the par-71, Cedar Creek Golf Course.

The Ryans started uncharacteristically sluggish, but managed to manufacture an admirable turn-around posting even par on the back nine. Despite driving 10 of 13 fairways, the Ryans could not putt for dough!

Regardless, the Ryans finished 2nd place out of 11 teams...by way of raffle! 2nd place winners received $50 in prize money. 1st place a big trophy and bragging rights.

NOTES: The last FMA golf tournament was held in 2005. After a 6 year hiatus, the outstanding organisers of David O., Arnold T., et. al. decided last-minute to revive the FMA golf tourney. A good move for all golf enthusiasts living in the metro!

Eureka Springs (16-19 Sep 2011)

2011-09-21T19:41:00.004-05:00

Eureka Springs is a quaint, religious and historically rich town. Although it rained like cats and dogs the entire weekend, it didn't detract us from seeing much of the town and all its attractions.

One attraction that stuck out for us, Christ of the Ozarks. It resembles Rio de Janeiro's Christo Redentor seen here except Rio's is a lot larger.

Missoni @ Target

2011-09-20T12:00:00.002-05:00

Missoni was all the craze last week. At Target's flagship store, this huge doll was all decked in Missoni clothes. Check out the iPhone (not for sale)!

Cars & Cafe

2011-09-04T09:16:00.002-05:00

S-G-L

2011-09-02T20:16:00.003-05:00

Sand. Gap. Lob.

Wheels of Italy (27 August 2011)

2011-08-31T14:47:00.001-05:00

Maple Grove Days 2011 - Classic Cars

2011-07-26T23:12:00.000-05:00

Maple Grove Days 2011

2011-07-26T22:41:00.001-05:00

City festival

Cornoucopia of Fireworks

2011-07-26T22:20:00.003-05:00

Maple Grove Days 2011

2011-07-26T22:20:00.002-05:00

City festival fireworks...

Pierre Bottineau House

2011-07-20T11:41:00.002-05:00

First frame house in the MG township.

Minneapolis Monument

2011-07-19T19:34:00.004-05:00

Washington, D.C. has the Washington Monument. Minneapolis has it's own too!

Not really, just a post near the River!

NYC (19 May 2011)

2011-05-31T19:10:00.002-05:00

12AM: We arrive in NYC via LGA. It's wet but the rain has stopped.

1:20AM: Arrive in Lower East Side to see our friend Normie.

Shopping Day (14 Feb 2011)

2011-02-26T12:07:00.011-06:00

What do you do on Valentine's Day? You go shopping of course! This day we hit all the boutiques and shopping centres in Paris.

Beautiful dome inside Galeries Lafayette

First stop Galeries Lafayette for all the sales and clearances.

Lunch time, we head on over to Mollard. This is a hundred year old brasserie in the heart of Paris. Named Mollard after its founders, it is now a protected historical building, designed by E. Niermans, the same architect of Moulin Rouge. Inside, you'll discover intricate décor, offering numerous alcoves for dinners à deux. It's also a perfect resto for business meetings.

For me: French onion soup, salmon, and sorbet.

For wifey: Escargot, fish fricassée and
baked alaska flambee with grand marnier

After lunch we make our way to Rue Cambon. Shops like Chanel, Hermès and Christian Louboutin are ~~recommended~~ mandatory and required stops.

With all the shopping and walking, dinner time's a treat at Au Pied du Cochon. The famous Parisien brasserie is located in the heart of Paris in front of the Jardin des Halles between the Bourse du Commerce and the Church Saint Eustache. Owner and butcher specialist, Clement Blanc, wanted a restaurant to cater to all social classes. The fact is, he wanted a restaurant for his employees after a long day and evening's work. Au Pied du Cochon specialises in traditional French cuisine.

Pig trotter for me and duck confit for wifey.
Check out the "hearts" bread! Also had terrine
of pigs head and serrano ham and for dessert
chocolate fondant with raspberry sauce.

Today, Au Pied du Cohcon is a fun place to have dinner, especially Valentine's dinner! The resto was packed not only with couples but with families too. At the end of our meal, wifey got a cool treat. A single pink rose!

SI Location: Boracay

2011-02-25T15:50:00.003-06:00

It's about time they use this as a photoshoot location.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011_swimsuit/onlocation/philippines/

City of Light Revisited (12 Feb 2011)

2011-02-25T10:30:00.010-06:00

Yes, we visited Paris for the nth time yet again! This time we visit Paris the week of Valentine's Day. This trip though was much different than previous trips to Paris because we didn't have any arduous itinerary! We got to enjoy the city like two young Parisien lovers can. A stroll through Tulleries, dine at some of the finest restaurants in town (and in the world), roam the Louvre without running into tourists, hang out at some of our usual stomping grounds only we know and ~~wait for~~ watch my wife in some luxury acquisitions.

We left home Saturday afternoon and arrived in Paris Sunday morning to a still slumbering city. Streets were deserted all but for a few cars and early birds.

Here's a few photos from Sunday.

Opéra de Paris or Opéra Garnier in the distance.

Another reason why we're in Paris.
Last week of soldes (clearances and sales)!

It was cold in Paris too!

Of course, a trip to Paris is not complete without
a stop at our favorite restaurant, Léon de Bruxelles.

Super Bowl Ads

2011-02-08T11:45:00.002-06:00

For all the Super Bowl ads, see here.

My Faves:
1. VW 'The Force'
2. Chrysler 'Imported from Detroit'
3. GoDaddy.com, 'New GoDaddy.CO Girl'

Açaí in a Bottle

2011-01-27T06:53:00.000-06:00

(and Goldilocks!)

Spin Action

2011-01-26T00:04:00.002-06:00

Pão de Queijo

2011-01-23T21:41:00.002-06:00

We have this every morning in Brasil. However, you can have it any time of the day. Yum!

Brigadeiro

2011-01-22T22:18:00.001-06:00

...really good chocolates.

Tête à tête

2011-01-21T20:40:00.003-06:00

If you ever go to Mall of America (MOA), these two stores are directly across from each other!

The Dome

2011-01-20T08:19:00.000-06:00

...what dome?

TV Show

2011-01-19T08:02:00.000-06:00

Million Dollar Money Drop (Episode 11)

Second couple, Lana and Nathan win $300,000. I recognised Lana from this youtube video with David Choi. Lana's a famous Youtube singer/actress. Here's her youtube channel. Just curious if all the couples are real or actors.

Bygone Era

2011-01-18T12:25:00.001-06:00

Accumulation

2011-01-17T10:06:00.000-06:00

Zenon

2011-01-16T07:57:00.000-06:00

Snowscape

2011-01-15T09:23:00.002-06:00

Library Innards

2011-01-14T18:07:00.001-06:00

New Lego

2011-01-01T14:12:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T20:09:00.003-06:00

...welcome 2011!

Metro Christmas

2010-12-30T00:55:00.000-06:00

Metro Christmas

2010-12-29T08:07:00.000-06:00

Snow Canyon

2010-12-28T12:59:00.000-06:00

Galitos e Acai

2010-12-27T04:45:00.000-06:00

Wine Boxes

2010-12-26T20:03:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately, I'm only limited to two check-ins...

árvore de Natal

2010-12-25T16:41:00.000-06:00

World's largest floating Christmas tree on Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Lighting of this tree is considered the 3rd largest event in Rio behind Carnival and "Reveillon” or year-end party.

This Gaúcho is Home!

2010-12-25T14:54:00.003-06:00

...in time for Christmas! Merry Christmas to All!

Feliz Natal a Todos

2010-12-25T09:48:00.001-06:00

Feliz Natal do Brasil

2010-12-24T04:45:00.000-06:00

De nossa família ao seu, Feliz Natal para todos vós!

Paella

2010-12-23T05:44:00.000-06:00

Açaí

2010-12-22T05:42:00.000-06:00

Fila de árvores

2010-12-21T04:40:00.000-06:00

Oi!

2010-12-20T09:39:00.003-06:00

Boat Load

2010-12-19T09:38:00.001-06:00

Chimarro

2010-12-18T14:01:00.002-06:00

Three Point Three versus Two?

2010-12-17T12:25:00.000-06:00

Really now?

The Real McCoy

2010-12-16T06:11:00.000-06:00

Fogo de Chão

Time Lapse

2010-12-15T14:34:00.004-06:00

Credit: mbrenengen

Game Time

2010-12-14T06:38:00.002-06:00

SC Internacional meets TP Mazembe Englebert tonight in Dubai for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=254486/match=300140539/preview.html

Wow

2010-12-13T08:58:00.000-06:00

Rua

2010-12-12T14:06:00.000-06:00

Hunker Down

2010-12-11T04:52:00.004-06:00

Looks like the metro will get hit with a doozy today and tomorrow! Although the weatherman thinks the final total will be between 15 and 20 inches. Will it come close to 1991 levels? It's anyone's guess but one thing is for certain: most Minnesotans know when to hunker down.

(Source: startribune.com)

Trolley

2010-12-10T13:31:00.001-06:00

Cerveja

2010-12-09T05:59:00.001-06:00

Powdercoated

2010-12-08T05:54:00.000-06:00

City Jungle

2010-12-07T05:51:00.001-06:00

Miami Vice

2010-12-06T11:56:00.001-06:00

Pink Capella

2010-12-05T11:24:00.000-06:00

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-04T05:30:00.002-06:00

Tonight and tomorrow the metro should expect between 4 and 8 inches. It is without a doubt winter! If you drive an car or SUV with four-wheel/all-wheel drive remember it'll only get you through the snow but it's not going to stop you sooner. Keep a good distance between you and the vehicle ahead, press the brakes firmly (don't pump) and where ever you've got to go try to leave earlier or don't leave at all.

42,849

2010-12-03T08:26:00.002-06:00

That is the number of shutter cycles my camera has gone through. Not bad, about 10,000 cycles the past four years!

HDR - First Attempt

2010-12-02T14:28:00.000-06:00

Brasil

2010-12-01T15:20:00.001-06:00

Brasil

2010-12-01T07:47:00.002-06:00

Brasil

2010-11-30T09:25:00.003-06:00

Climb Attack of Serra do Rio do Rastro

2010-11-29T10:15:00.006-06:00

Gastronomic

2010-11-29T07:26:00.000-06:00

Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner for two. Muito bom! (Not that we have all four in a single day!)

Brasilian Gaúcho

2010-11-28T06:10:00.000-06:00

Rio Grande do Sol.

Sunny, Warm Day

2010-11-27T07:07:00.002-06:00

...calls for sobremesa! How about a goiaba gelato!

Reciclável

2010-11-26T01:09:00.000-06:00

After a splendid Thanksgiving dinner, don't forget to separate the recyclables!

Slim

2010-11-25T06:51:00.003-06:00

Austrian Air will equipe all of their jets with the Europe Seat. Designed by Recaro, these seats are much thinner than the usual fare. It said to provide additional legroom. Hopefully it's nothing like the Skyrider!

Check it out here: Austrian seat.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T06:09:00.004-06:00

(Last year's turkey we prepared.)

Porto Sunset

2010-11-23T10:21:00.001-06:00

Freddy's Steakburger

2010-11-23T05:01:00.005-06:00

Started in Wichita, Kansas, Freddy's steakburger is a winner!

I got to try their original steakburger with fries and a drink. Freddy's steakburgers have a similar look and taste to In-N-Out and Five Guys restaurants. Named in honor of WWII veteran Freddy Simon, his two sons share their dad's famous steakburgers to us in 8 states.

Travel Tray

2010-11-22T06:29:00.007-06:00

Traveling light requires compromises on what you can bring. A travel tray is not essential but provides one place to find your hotel key, jewelry, coins and cell phone all in one place.

You can probably find a travel tray at your local men's department store, leather specialty store or better yet online.

For those of you who wish not to bring one (or buy one), then you can always make one. You can use a variety of materials (paper or thin cardboard). In the photo above, I used paper from a catalog book. I used just one sheet but to make it sturdier grab several sheets. With tape (or stapler - best), tape (or staple) the four corners. Then crease the four sides and voila, you've got yourself a travel tray!

Feliz Natal in Brasil

2010-11-20T14:45:00.002-06:00

PA, Brasil

2010-11-15T19:52:00.004-06:00

Yellow Brick Road

2010-10-25T20:21:00.001-05:00

It really does exists! =)

"There's a new sheriff in town..."

2010-10-25T19:59:00.004-05:00

Wyatt Earp keeps a watchful eye at Legends

Wine Tasting

2010-09-25T14:08:00.003-05:00

Betz BeSoleil Grenache (Washington state)
Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos Domaine William Fevre (France)

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta (Chile, not pictured)
Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva Rioja (Spain)

Host, Ryan & Ann whipped up an awesome dinner and as usual, paired it with some good wine! My favorite: Apalta. Thanks Guys!

Chicago Visit (15-17 July 2010)

2010-07-18T20:02:00.009-05:00

Drove over to Chicago for business and pleasure. While we were there, we stumbled upon a movie production set right on Michigan Avenue!

I would say what movie it is here, but not sure if MB would be okay with my disclosure. Let's just say it's an action movie. A trilogy where more than meets the eye!

Last photo looks like...

Changes

2010-04-11T20:49:00.006-05:00

Haven't blogged for the longest time. Well, that's because we made the move out to the 'burbs! That means heaps of time away from the computer and more time devoted to home projects. However, we're somewhat situated, so I thought I'd chime in here.

Yesterday evening we went to watch Martina Navratilova and Lindsay Davenport play a little exhibition tennis at Eden Prairie High School. It was absolutely incredible to see a living legend and future legend play tennis! They were in town for a charity event and a co-worker of mine had free tickets for us. Who would miss an opportunity to see these two tennis greats? Not us for sure! Interestingly, they played inside the high school gymnasium on SportCourt modular flooring. If you've been to the Aquatennial tennis event, it's the very same material.

Unfortunately, yours truly forgot his camera and could only snap a couple photos via his phone.

Check'em out!

Lindsay Davenport

Martina Navratilova

Summer

2010-02-17T19:15:00.004-06:00

...would be nice, but spring will do too!

Las Vegas Trip w/ Cat (25 January 2010)

2010-01-27T20:22:00.005-06:00

There's still time to do stuff before we go back to reality, but the girls don't get up early enough, so about the only thing we do is enjoy our digs and the amenities in Wynn and Encore. While the girls window shop, I make a trip to the Ferrari dealership and showroom to feast my eyes on some red-hot Italian thoroughbreds! Bellissimo! No photos allowed but I caught one buzzing by on the Strip a day earlier. A baby blue top down!

It's a nice trip out to catch up with Cat and to see the Strip and the newest attractions!

(For more photos from Las Vegas make the jump here.)

Las Vegas Trip w/ Cat (24 January 2010)

2010-01-27T20:21:00.009-06:00

Tired, sore but still defiant in checking everything on my list of To-dos and To-sees, Cat and I make our way out to see the Strip while wifey sleeps in and gives herself a spa treatment. Wise choice enjoying the amenities of Encore. Cat and I walk through Palazzo, Venetian and Harrah's to catch the monorail to MGM Grand. We walk over to Excalibur and to Luxor. We catch a quick bite at Luxor before making our way thru New York-New York, past Monte Carlo and finally to the new addition to The Strip, City Center.

At City Center, you've got the Mandarin Hotel, Aria Resort and Casino, Vdara Hotel and Spa, Harmon Hotel (slated to open late 2010), Crystals entertainment and retail shops and Veer Towers. Cat and I have a field day taking photos here and spend much of our time checking out the shops and restos at Crystals. The LV (oh for you not versed in the fashion shorthand, that's Louis Vuitton) and Prada stores are two floors worth of retail space! However, Prada store isn't open yet. Everywhere we went there's a picture to be snapped! Also visited two galleries, Dale Chihuly's glass sculpture gallery and Richard MacDonald's bronze Cirque Du Soleil-inspired statutes. After spending much of time at City Center we take a taxi back to Encore. I cannot walk no more!

In the evening and with a rested and renergised Wifey, we head to TI to see the Sirens. This time, the show is a go! Not too cold and hardly any wind, the Sirens bring a refreshing change to a badly needed renovation at TI.

After the Sirens show, we head over to Palazzo for dinner at Grand Lux Cafe. Next stop: a trip to downtown to enjoy the Fremont Street experience. $70 million light canopy, $17 million in upgrades and 550000-watt sound system, the Fremont light experience is a place not to miss! Then we head over to Golden Nugget's The Tank. Folks staying at the Golden Nugget can enjoy the pool and swim down a water slide right through an aquarium housing some 300 animals from around the world including sharks, rays and other exotic fishes.

What a day and an evening, so we hail a cab back to Encore. Voltaire, our cabbie takes us back to Encore. Before turning in though, we have dessert at Wynn Cafe. Cat's treat!

(For more photos of City Center and the rest of the strip make the jump here!)

Las Vegas Trip w/ Cat (23 January 2010)

2010-01-27T20:20:00.008-06:00

Supposedly the morning is reserved for Cat and wifey to shop. I'm not sure what happened and they only manage to window shop. So we grab some tickets from Tix 4 Tonight. From there, we walk over to The Mirage to grab Cat's tickets. Then we visit Caesar's Forum Shops, Bally's, Paris and then Planet Hollywood where we have our lunch at Pampas before watching our evening shows.

After our evening shows, we meet up hoping to catch Sirens at TI. But yet again, cold weather and high winds cancel yet another evening show. Oh forgot to mention, wifey and I watch The Jersey Boys at the Palazzo. Yeh, Jersey Boys is probably an oldies show, but an interesting story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

So from TI, we catch the Fountains at the Bellagio and the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Famished, we have dinner at Serendipity 3 in front of Caesar's. My advice, don't even bother going here. Go to the original in New York. Service at their Las Vegas location is in one word: poor! Even if closing time is near, a waiter should never hurry a customer to hurry up. The list of complaints is long and I'd rather not bother spending more time talking about it. We walk the whole way back to Encore. Somewhat of a bad decision as wifey pays a price the next day: sore legs and feet! Actually, that goes for all of us!

(For more photos, make the jump here!)

Las Vegas Trip w/ Cat (22 January 2010)

2010-01-27T20:19:00.009-06:00

Wifey and I take a trip out to Vegas to see our Aussie friend and world traveler, Cat! She's traveled all over Asia, South America and now she's winding her year long travel through North America. Our reunion with Cat comes 3 years after we left Australia!

It's Cat's first trip out to Vegas so wifey and I are her personal tourist guides!

We arrive in the evening at Macarron and check in to our digs at Encore. Our room faces Circus Circus, downtown and the snowy-capped Spring Mountains. It's not the brightly-lit Strip view, but it's all good because our room's the "Panoramic King Suite" replete with a living room, king-sized bed, rotating LCD TV, a bathroom bigger than our bedroom, and a view of the only golf course on the Strip, The Wynn Golf Course.

It's still early, so we head out to the nearby attractions. Dinner is simple. We grab a bite to eat at the Fashion Mall and catch up with Cat and all her travels. Unfortunately, we don't keep track of time to grab half-priced tickets at Tix 4 Tonight. No worries, there's tomorrow! I also hoped we'd catch the Sirens at TI but due to high winds the outdoor show is canceled. No worries, we have 3 more days in Vegas! The backup plan, head over to the Venetian and Palazzo to view the innards and check out the shops.

Knowing we have a full schedule tomorrow, we turn in early.

Photos of Encore, make the jump here!)

Help Haiti

2010-01-14T21:34:00.003-06:00

A couple days ago, Haiti experienced a devastating 7.0 earthquake. There are people missing, trapped and in need of medical aid. Now and in the coming days, relief aid will pour into Haiti to help all those affected. Pray for all those affected. And if you can contribute some money I urge you to do so to organizations like International Red Cross, UNICEF, other NGOs or other reputable organisations participating in the relief effort.

New Year's Day at Macomb's Residence (1 January 2010)

2010-01-10T17:11:00.009-06:00

New Year's Day, wifey and I traveled up to Blaine to be with our good friends, Ryan & Ann and their daughter, Avery. We didn't see them since November and we had Avery's Christmas gift to give. Was Avery in for a treat! I didn't see it, but according to wifey and Ann when she opened her present she was so wide-eyed she couldn't wait to try her new dresses. We got her a little pink chest filled with 3 dresses (Princess Aurora dress, Snow White dress and Cinderella dress). It was déjà vu when she started asking me to take photos of her and her new dresses! Just like her Tita!

Ryan & Ann treated us to a delicious dinner of turkey, beans and sweet potato. To soak'em all down, champagne and riesling .

After dinner, we went downstairs to play with Avery and her new Play Doh set. I think the adults had more fun than Avery did!

New Year's Eve at Sanchez Residence (31 Decembre 2009)

2010-01-09T17:10:00.002-06:00

For New Year's Eve, wifey and I trekked to Eden Prairie to join the Pinoys at the Sanchez residence. As always, Pinoy food is always served! In fact, Chris & Faye treated all of us to several pinoy dishes. The most popular being Chris' sisig. The two big trays he served them in went in a hurry. Special thanks to Albee & Bianca for hosting!

Golf (28 Decembre 2009)

2010-01-09T17:07:00.003-06:00

I'm always tickled whenever I play golf in December. It's just unheard of while at home in the frozen "tundra!" This day, we played 9 holes at GC. It would have been 18 holes but I wasn't sure I'd last and this was my first time on any course for the past couple years. How was it? Not bad at all. My golf game held up fairly well. Driving was average, fairway to green was average, chipping was decent but putting needs practice. Regardless of my score I was happy to be out on the course!

As you can see the fairways are brown and dry. According to my dad GC is under new management. Unfortunate. Hopefully, new management will respond and do what needs to be done to make this place a shot-maker's paradise again.

For lunch, we had fish tacos at Baja Fresh.

For dinner, Punjabi Indian cuisine. Lamb curry, lamb tikka, masala, Tandorri chicken, rice, and naan. To wash them all down, mango lasi! There's also a wide assortment of wines too!

Beverly Hills (27 Decembre 2009)

2010-01-08T17:05:00.012-06:00

Sunday is a free day for us. So we head up to Newport Beach for seafood Vietnamese style, a stop at Mater Delarosa, a drive to Beverly Hills, walk and shop on Rodeo Drive and dinner at Din Tai Fung.

Lunchtime, we have ourselves lobster Vietnamese style. A pleasant surprise is our waiter (or head waiter that is) knows how to speak Tagalog. Much better than me for sure! I was so stuffed after this meal I knew I could not eat anymore.

Hoping to walk off what we ate, we went to Mater Delarosa (originally called Monte Olivette) in Sierra Madre. Mater Delarosa is a retreat center open to many ecumenical groups. Unfortunately, it being the Christmas holidays they were closed. Too bad because being situated right at the footsteps of the San Gabriel Mountains, Mater Delarosa has commanding scenic views of L.A. It's also a great place to walk and enjoy nature around you.

Off to Beverly Hills we go! A scenic route to take is Coldwater Canyon Drive. "Champagne wishes and caviar dreams" as Robin Leach would say. Beverly Hills is quite the neigbhorhood! After walking around, we drive over to Rodeo Drive to shop. Yeh, I said shop!

From Rodeo, we drive over to Arcadia for dinner at Din Tai Fung for dim sum. This place is packed. We have to wait 45 minutes before we get seated. It's worth the wait but my day and the past week of eating copious amounts of food is enough to make me hurl on the way home! No worries, I now know my limit of eating food. That was it!