Tuesday, May 31, 2016

PI Update: Best Steak On The Island

As you know, I attended the STK opening party last week but that was all about the ambiance and the drinks. I returned to STK on Pleasure Island this past weekend to try the food! Notice the front patio facing West End Plaza which was open for diners.  STK is located where Comedy Warehouse used to stand.
It's not unheard of for casual restaurants to have DJ's playing music but STK is the only upscale restaurant that I know of that makes a point of having a DJ playing during your meal!  It's an awesome experience and I got to experience DJ Freefall (USA) again during my visit.
The bar area, which I had been informed would be full of dining tables, actually had a large cleared out area that could represent a dance floor for those willing!
Oops! Forgot to get a picture of my filet mignon prior to it being consumed! It was melt-in-your-mouth tender and good flavor.
How did it compare to the steak I had a Morimoto Asia when they opened last September?
Or to the steak I had at The Boathouse when they opened last April? For steak quality, the winner is STK. For ambiance, the winner is STK. For overall presentation and flavor, the winner is Morimoto where the steak arrived at my table on a sizzling hot plate and an amazing Morimoto sauce on the side added even more flavor. While all three were good, they were certainly pricey too. As I've said before, you can get a flavorful steak at Texas Roadhouse or Logan's, with a salad, choice of side item and hot yeast rolls, for one-fifth the price! All three of these new venues merit your visit and the menu options go far beyond my choice of beef!

Monday, May 30, 2016

Concert Report: Summer Of Love (Independent Bar)

Kicking of the summer of 2016 at I-Bar by reliving the summers of 1989 through 1991, AAHZ-style!
Arrived shortly after 10PM to find AAHZ original DJ's Dave Cannalte (USA) & Chris Fortier (USA) taking turns playing groovy House tunes from back in the day!
At this hour the dance floor was just beginning to see some action.
But it quickly filled up!
The music all non-vocal up to this juncture!

Of course we will always remember Dave Cannalte as the Thursday night resident DJ at Mannequins on Pleasure Island!  PHOTO CREDIT: TRACY LULU BROWN
Coming on next to deliver a 2+ hour set, DJ Kimball Collins (T).
And Kimball would mix numerous Classic Dance songs into his selections!
Dance floor stayed busy!
Spotted in the booth: Independent Bar resident Lighting Tech Ernie
Spotted on the dance floor: AAHZ original Stace Bass
Spotted on the dance floor: Lanie & Heath
Spotted in VIP: DJ Smilin' Dan, smokin' hot Dana, DJ Jerry the Reverend with green hair, DJ Indie John
Spotted on the dance floor: Tracy
Spotted on the dance floor: Natasa
Spotted on stage: Official Photographer Brian Miller
Spotted on the dance floor: Myndi & Dana
Spotted by the bar: Stacey & DJ Def Jeff
Spotted on the dance floor: East Side Angie
Spotted watching Kimball blow the place up: DJ's Chris Fortier & Dave Cannalte
Spotted socializing: DJ Icey (USA)
Spotted taking a selfie: Krys Marie
Spotted on the dance floor: DJ Geebo
Spotted in VIP: DJ Leony (USA)
Spotted looking super cute as always: Lady V
Spotted on stage harassing Kimball: DJ Parry
I've been to all but one AAHZ Reunion event since they began having them but they've all been in the far-larger Beacham Theater. This far more intimate setting, where the DJ's are right there instead of up on a stage, created such a great vibe that's hard to replicate.
The crowd would agree!
Although everyone's hoping for a full-sized AAHZ Reunion event for maybe Thanksgiving weekend! Huh Kimball, can we, can we?

That euphoric look you get from House music!
Another event for the ages! Wow!
A good time was had by all!

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Club Report: Club Arctic (Carnival Victory)

Spending the night at Carnival Victory's dance venue, Club Arctic.


Early crowd on the dance floor on this 2-night sailing to Freeport, Bahamas.
Music selections led by resident DJ Verso (RO).
Two early EDM songs made the night seem promising!
The large dance floor is in lower pit area surrounded by raised viewing areas and a bar.
Before midnight the music went to nearly 100% Hip Hop.
But that's what the peeps wanted as the floor stayed jammed.
Beautiful club with etched metal walls in some areas and igloo-like block walls in other areas that changed colors!
With this being such a short cruise and with a corresponding lower price compared to longer cruises, this was a partying crowd!
A good time was had by all!

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Club Report: Sailaway Party (Carnival Victory)

As you know by now, I love cruising but what's unusual about this one is actually getting to sail from a port close to home. When Carnival Victory was offering a special 2-night Memorial Day weekend sailing to Grand Bahama Island, it was just too good to pass up!
As we departed Port Canaveral, DJ Verso (RO) above the pool deck kicking off the traditional Sailaway Party!
Dressed in bright red, Victory's animation team got the party going!
No musical surprises.  "Cha Cha Slide"!
"Cupid Shuffle"
"Wobble Baby Wobble"
We'll report on the party in the ship's dance club tomorrow ft. resident DJ Verso.
And as Disney Dream passed us by.....
A good time was had by all!