A Great Place to Dine

One of the dining rooms in George Martin's Strip Steak Restaurant

      

          I am a big fan of food, and an even bigger fan of eating!  I never really found a place where I was thrilled with their steak, until I found George Martin's Strip Steak Restaurant.  This restaurant is located in Great River (Long Island).  The first time that I went there, I was very surprised that this restaurant was located in the middle of a residential area.  I have been to Strip Steak for a couple occasions, and every time I was impressed.  This restaurant gives a "cozy" feeling when you walk inside.  It does not seem like a very big place, and there are three rooms.  Since the whole restaurant isn't just one big room, it gives that cozy feeling, almost like you are at home. 
          Every time I visit Strip Steak, I always order the Filet Mignon, because that is my absolute favorite!  The last time I had the chance to go to this restaurant was the beginning of this month, for my boyfriend's birthday.  He ordered the Strip Steak.  We ordered Chili Pop Shrimp for an appetizer, which is battered shrimp in a sweet and spicy chili sauce.  We shared the Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Hand-cut French Fries for our sides.  One of my favorite sides from this restaurant is the pan toasted green beans, made with bacon and blue cheese.  After we finished our dinner, we were so full that we couldn't eat dessert.  The best dessert that Strip Steak offers is the Hot Apple "Turnover", which is created with Granny Smith apples, golden raisins, cranberries, streusel, cinnamon ice cream, and whipped cream.  It is delicious!
          I have never been disappointed with this restaurant.  The food is to die for and the service is amazing.  In fact, for my birthday, my friends had to wait a couple of minutes for the table before I got there (it was a surprise), and they were offered a round of free drinks because they had to wait.  The only negative aspect about this restaurant is that it can be a little pricey, but it is well worth the money!  Next time you plan on having a nice dinner, try this restaurant!

George Martin's Strip Steak's Website


Vocabulary:

1. Thrilled (verb) - experienced a large spark of excitement.

Residential Area

2. Residential (adjective) - occupied by residents;  meaning: people who live there. (A residential area is an area where there are only houses, not buildings, offices, etc.)
3. Impress (transitive verb) - to affect deeply, to gain interest of something.
4. Cozy (adjective) - description of something that feels warm, intimate, close, and a feeling of comfort.

Filet Mignon

5. Filet Mignon (noun) - thick slice of beef cut from the narrow end of a beef tenderloin.
6. Appetizer (noun) - food that is normally served before the meal, and in a smaller portion size.
7. Sides (noun) - food items that are with the main dish, such as a vegetable or potato.

Desserts (not from Strip Steak)

8. Dessert (noun) - a treat that is served at the end of a meal, usually like cake, cookies, fruit, pudding, ice cream, etc.
9.  Disappoint (verb) - to fail to meet the wishes or expectations of something.

**A big fan refers to someone who really likes something, or an admirer of something.
**To die for is usually a phrase that is commonly used for someone to explain that something is so good, that it is worth dying for.

My birthday dinner at Strip Steak with my boyfriend, friends, and sister

Vocabulary Cloze Exercise:

Grammar Point - Capitalization: 
  
          As you read my blog, you will notice that the name of the restaurant that I went to is capitalized.  That is because it is a proper noun, and a specific place.  A specific place would be somewhere like Belmont Park.  It is not just any park, it is a specific one.  If I just said that I went to a restaurant, I wouldn't capitalize it because it is a general place, without a specific name.
           I also capitalized the names of the foods that were ordered, because they are the specific names of the items listed on the menu.  If I said that I wanted to order a filet mignon, I wouldn't normally capitalize it.  But since the menu treats it as their specific name for their dish, the words get capitalized.  For example, I once tried making a pizza-like dish with my crock pot, but it ended up turning out a different way than I had expected.  I ended up using it as a meat sauce, which I thought was actually very good.  I named the dish "Mommy Messed Up", so it gets capitalized because it is my specific dish!
           There are many other reasons to capitalize certain words, but we will focus on these today:
Specific places
Specific dishes

For help, refer to these rules.

Grammar Exercise:
 Highlight the words that should be capitalized.

park                    belmont park                       supermarket                       banana


walgreens           starbucks                              ragu sauce                           chiquita banana


pharmacy           store                                      kleenex                                greece


guatemala          gym                                        chuck e. cheese's                gas station             

         

Technology

       

          Now that we live in a world of technology, sometimes we tend to depend on it a little too much.  I often have arguments with my friend about the use of my planner.  He always asks me why I still use a paper planner instead of entering my information into my phone, where it will always be easily accessible.  Although I do appreciate many things that technology has contributed to, I will always stick to my paper planner.  I feel that it is easier to see my plans for the whole month right in front of me, rather than looking it up on my phone.  On my phone, I am not able to see the whole month's schedule on one screen.  I also fear that technology will fail, which will make me lose all of my information.  What happens if I end up losing my phone?  That will result in a loss of all of my important information.  I could lose my planner too, but I just feel more comfortable with the planner.
          The use of cell phones is also an example of technology that we sometimes depend on a little too much.  It is good to have with you when you are alone, because if you get stuck somewhere, you will be able to call someone for help.  There are not many pay phones around anymore, so if you do not have a cell phone, it could be a problem.  But going out to dinner, taking a walk, going to the park, and other activities usually involve using a cell phone at the same time.  Albert Einstein once said, "I fear the day when the technology overlaps with our humanity.  The world will only have a generation of idiots".  Is technology hindering our society or is it providing more opportunities for our futures?  Should we welcome new technology with open arms?  What do you think?

Check out this article about technology! Funny but true!!


Vocabulary:

Example of technology - computer

1. Technology (noun) - the use of science to invent new things.  

Example of technology - GPS (helps give directions when you need to know how to get somewhere)

Argument

2. Argument (noun) - a disagreement in conversation.

Planner

3. Planner (noun) - a book where plans or important things are written.  Most planners include a calendar inside.
4. Accessible (adjective)  - able to be easily reached or found.
5. Schedule (noun) - a plan of things that will be or need to be done.

Example of a screen - this is a TV screen

6. Screen (noun) - flat part of a computer monitor, phone, or other device that is where you can see the images, writing, or pictures.

Different kinds of cell phones

7. Cell (or cellular) phone (noun) - a phone that can be used wherever the person may be, not only at home.

Pay phone

8. Pay phone (noun) - a phone placed outside where anyone can use it by placing coins in the slot to pay for their phone call.
9. Overlap (verb) - to cover part of something.

These are two leaves overlapping in the middle

10. Humanity (noun) - state of being human.










Vocabulary Cloze Exercise:
Using the words above, write the word that best fits the blanks in the sentences.

1. John asked, "Did you see a  _______  ____________ nearby?  I need to make a phone call."
2. My friend and I got into an _______________ about where we were going to eat.
3. "I need my ______________ so I can see if I have anything important in my schedule for the month," she said.
4. Phones, computers, printers, cameras, cars, and Smart Boards are all examples of _______________.
5. When creating a Venn Diagram, the two circles need to _________________ in the middle.
6. I need a place where computers are _________________, because I need to be able to do my work.
7. Laura asked, "Can we go out to lunch tomorrow afternoon?"  I replied, "I am not sure, I have to check my _______________."
8. These discoveries will benefit all of _____________, not just the people in this town.
9. He always remembers to carry his _________   _________  with him when he leaves his house.
10. If the TV ____________ goes black, you may need to get it fixed.


Grammar Point (Direct Objects):

A direct object can be the nouns, pronouns, phrases, or clauses that receive the action of the verb.  To figure out the direct object, you can ask yourself whom or what was acted on the verb.  In this blog, there are many direct objects.  For example, look at the sentence, "I often have arguments with my friend about the use of my planner."
Subject: I
Verb: often have
Ask yourself...I often have what?  Arguments!
Arguments would be the direct object.

This site explains direct object in more detail.


Grammar Cloze Exercise:

Pick another sentence in my blog and see if you can break it down to find the direct object.  If you have trouble, refer to the website above for help.  Here are some more to practice (underline the direct object in each sentence):
I will do the first one:

1. The dog drank some water.
(dog is the subject, drank is the verb) (What is the dog drinking?  Water!)

2. The speaker read his speech to the crowd.
3. The girl played the piano nicely.
4. Brian called his teammates to the field.
5. She watched the show.
6. He walked to the park.
7. The cat chased the mouse.
8. The car started.
9. The pilot flew the plane.
10. The boy caught the ball.

Party Time!

        
          I never realized how much work is put into creating a party.  I am deciding to throw a party for my boyfriend, because he is turning 30.  I don't want to spend a lot of money renting a hall or fancy place, so I will decide to just have it at our house.  This is my first time in charge of everything for a party, so I never realized how much was involved with the whole ordeal.  I have to make sure we have food, so his sister-in-law will be making ziti, and I am ordering sandwiches and salads.  I ordered a cake from Cold Stone Creamery, but I will make cupcakes as well.  The cake I am ordering is cookie dough flavored, which sounds appetizing!  I also will be making chocolate covered things like strawberries, pretzels and Oreos.  Of course, I will have chips, snacks, and drinks too.  Along with all of the food and drinks that are involved, I have to make sure the house is spotless and decorate too.
          Everyone was already invited, and I have just about everything I need for his party.  Unfortunately, my son won't be able to be there, which he is a little upset about.  He will be at his father's house for the weekend.  The party is on Saturday, so I hope that everything goes smoothly.  I'm very excited to see the how it goes!


Vocabulary:

1. Party (noun) - a social gathering, sometimes for a special occasion.  For example: birthday, holiday, graduation.

Party (birthday)

2. Rent (intransitive verb) - the use of property temporarily (only for a certain amount of time)  in exchange for money.

Hall

3. Hall (noun) - a large building or place used for things such as parties or events.
 4. Fancy (adjective) - not plain, rich-looking.
5. Involve (transitive verb) - to require, include
6. Ordeal (noun) - difficult experience.
7. Appetizing (adjective) - good taste or smell, makes people want to eat it, scrumptious, yummy.
8. Spotless (adjective) - perfectly clean.
9. Invite (verb) - to ask to go somewhere or do something.
*Throw a party means to create a party or put a party together, usually for someone.

Cold Stone Creamery's Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Vocabulary Cloze Exercise (answer the questions using the vocabulary words listed above):

1. Where can you have a party that will be large enough for a lot of people? ____________________
2. What do you call something that is perfectly clean? ________________________
3. If you want to use property only for a certain amount of time, what can you do? _______________
4. If you ask someone to come to a party, you will ________________ them.
5. What is a big social gathering, usually for birthdays or special occasions? ___________________
6. If something smells and looks good to eat, it is __________________________.
7. What is the opposite of plain? ___________________
8. I did not know how much was going to be ________________ed with the whole ______________.



Grammar Point (future verb tense):

          This blog features some examples of future verb tenses.  As a reminder, a verb is an "action" word, that tells what something or someone is doing.  When learning about verb tenses, there are four different types: simple, progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive.  Today we will focus on simple future verb tenses.  A future verb tense is a verb form that marks an event that has not happened yet, but is expected to happen in the future.  A simple future verb tense follows this pattern: subject + auxiliary verb + main verb.  To make this clearer, let me give you an example.

Nancy will make cupcakes.
Nancy = subject
will = auxiliary verb
make = main verb

This means, Nancy did not make the cupcakes, but she will be in the future.
"Will" is a common auxiliary verb that is used in the future tense.

For more practice with future verb tenses, visit this page.


Grammar Exercise:

          Find all of the simple future verb tenses that are listed within the blog entry.  After doing so, write a short paragraph focusing on things you will be doing.  Make sure to keep your writing in the simple future verb tense.