Friday, February 18, 2011

Ace




When I moved to Palm Springs two weeks ago, I went to the local 24 hour fitness because that was the gym I went to in Phoenix. Upon exiting my car, I noticed that the gym was directly next door to a movie theatre. I could smell the sweet sweet buttered popcorn wafting through the air. This was not good. I knew I must find a new gym immediately for fear of saying I was going to the gym, but actually bingeing on fake butter and hot dogs in a dark theatre where no one could see the shame and guilt all over my face. 

So, I decided to find a new gym. 

{We're getting to the macaroni and cheese part, I promise.} 

Based on Yelp reviews, all of the gyms in Palm Springs are super horrible. 

So, I chose based on location. 

I signed up on Wednesday, and decided that signing up for a gym membership is pretty much the same thing as a workout. 

And a workout= a REWARD! 

And a reward=Macaroni and Cheese.

I knew just where I wanted to go. 

I have been reading about the Ace Hotel and their restaurant, The Kings Highway Lounge, for about a year on trendy blogger blogs. All the cool hipsters are going. While I usually want to push hipsters on the ground and kick them in the junk, this place looked super cool and had delicious macaroni and cheese on the menu. I phoned in a to-go order (I had my gym clothes on, otherwise I would have dined in. Yes, I had gym clothes on even though I was only going to sign up. Wearing gym clothes automatically makes you skinnier. Duh.) while driving down Palm Canyon to the Ace. 

 I must admit. I was a bit worried after the phone conversation I had with the employee who took my order. 

Tay- "Hi. I'd like to place a to-go order."
Ace- "What can I get for you?"
Tay- "I would like an order of macaroni and cheese and would like to know what is in your steak salad."
Ace- "Ummm, it has steak and salad."
Tay- "Yes, I'd gathered that from the item name, 'steak salad,' what are the other ingredients?"
Ace- "Umm, I don't know."
Tay- "Wellllll, can you ask someone?"
Ace- "Ok. Hold on.................................. I think it has goat cheese on top."
Tay- "Seriously? That's all you've got for me?"
Ace- "Yep."
Tay- "Fine. I'll take the steak salad. Medium rare."

The steak salad was delicious; the macaroni and cheese was a bit bland (I think it could have used more depth of flavor in the white sauce) but was all better with some seasonings added at home. I loved the pasta to cheese ratio and the bread crumbs. Overall, it was a good to-go experience and I'll definitely be back for another side order of the Macaroni and Cheese. It was creamy and comforting and just what I needed after a long, hard workout gym sign up.

2 comments:

  1. Totally agree, signing up for the gym is the same as working out!

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  2. "Push hipsters on the ground and kick them in the junk."

    Hilarious. And I feel the same way :)

    I'm going to make one of your mac and cheese recipes for the offspring this weekend. I have a cold and some warm, cheesy pasta will hit the spot.

    Hope everything is going well in Cali!

    Tracey

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