Mark Bialczak


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A dinner fit for a bowling kingpin

April 25, 2014 8:24 am

I filled my plate to my liking.

I filled my plate to my liking. And I liked the shrimp, chicken soup, prime rib, salad, rib, roll, green beans and tiny bit of ziti hiding underneath it all.

Sometimes the meal is just right.

After all that dissing I had to do about our awful first dinner at the Syracuse Cheesecake Factory last weekend, it’s only right that I point out how good dinner was last night at Spinning Wheel in North Syracuse.

The occasion was our yearly bowling banquet, where all 60 league players show up to mark another seven months well spent together. The place was the down-home hall in the back of a complex that also includes a bar and children’s fun lot.

This was one tasty buffet, including peel-and-eat shrimp and prime rib. I filled my plate.

I'll call this one Light Beer.

I’ll call this one Light Beer.

The bar was open so we could spend a little of our prize money.

I caught the light shining on our table right behind my pint.

The whole season is broken into one sheet for each bowler to take home to note the season's progress.

The whole season is broken into one sheet for each bowler to take home to note the season’s progress.

Everybody gets a sheet that marks every game we’ve bowled this season.

My top average was in the first game each week, a pin higher than the last game of the night. The middle game averaged five pins lower than the first. I’ll analyze that until next season starts. The league treasurer told us all that we start all over again at Bowling Green on Aug. 28.

Do enjoy buffet dinners? Do you drink light beer or regular beer? Do you like participating in team sports?

Posted by markbialczak

Categories: iPhone Photography, Life, Restaurants

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37 Responses to “A dinner fit for a bowling kingpin”

  1. Your meal looks devine, Mark. So glad that you had a better experience on your next outing. It’s a bummer when eating out leaves a bad taste in your mouth. (Pun intended.) ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Like

    By earthriderjudyberman on April 26, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    1. Good one, Judy! That was a bitter night at The Cheesecake Factory, indeed.

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 26, 2014 at 9:58 pm

  2. Your scores are awesome, Mark! And improvement by 1.62 is a great way to go! I vary my bowling scores but rarely go over 130 or so, since I am a below average sport! I think the well rounded nature of your sports does lend a comparison to someone famous, as Beth mentioned! I am just not sure if I have another one in the back of my mind… Hmmm. Nope! Your plate looks similar to mine, when I visited the Whistle Stop restaurant (in my Easter post)! Rare prime rib, a bowl of salad and a huge baked potato! Randy (my generous brother) opened with a shrimp cocktail appetizer, so almost like your meal. I love buffets and this one looks like a quality selection, Mark!

    Like

    By reocochran on April 26, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    1. I used to play many more sports back in the day, Robin, but haven’t played softball, basketball or broom ball (like ice hockey but in sneakers instead of skates) in many years. I get my competitive juices out with bowling and golf, but in a low-key manner. And, yes, yay for shrimp cocktail!

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 26, 2014 at 4:21 pm

  3. Yikes, Mark! There’s enough blood in that shot to attract the Lost Boys. Bowling at Twilight Lanes perhaps? I kid because I know you won’t take me too seriously. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

    By Sandra on April 26, 2014 at 7:36 am

    1. Yeah, I rarely get a prime rib this rare, Sandra. Instead of a steak, it came with a stake. You started it!

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on April 26, 2014 at 7:41 am

      1. Good one! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

        By Sandra on April 26, 2014 at 7:45 am

  4. so, you are a multi-sport athlete. kind of like michael jordan ) looks like great food from a buffet, especially the beef and the shrimp and the beer. in this case, i would have gone for the light option. i love that ziti is hiding in the picture. and you are getting pretty good with the pics too.

    Liked by 1 person

    By ksbeth on April 25, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    1. First ever comparison with Michael Jordan for me! Thank you, Beth.

      Yes, the ziti was dwarfed by more formidable foods, and fast.

      My draft beer pick was Labatt’s Blue Light. Thank you, Canada.

      And I like taking pics more and more, thank you, Beth!

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 26, 2014 at 5:07 am

  5. That’s a plateful of goodness Mark. Makes me wish I had something better than the dish of Italian sausage and potatoes with assorted veggies I just stuck in the oven. My ulcer is acting up, and I don’t think hot sausages will help the situation much.

    Like

    By kyangel17 on April 25, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    1. Hot sausages can put you in a world of hurt, Angie, but maybe the potatoes and veggies will balance out the heat. I hope!

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 10:45 pm

  6. I do not drink beer I do not.
    I don’t like the taste a lot.
    Buffet dinners I would never shun
    That is why I weigh a ton.
    Team sports are not for me
    Sadly I have a bum knee.

    ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Like

    By Chatter Master on April 25, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    1. Thank you, Doctor Brown!

      I think illustrating your poem would be fun for the artist who lives in a BlogHead world. Just saying …

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 5:04 pm

      1. Ha! I could give that a try. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

        By Chatter Master on April 25, 2014 at 11:22 pm

  7. WOW! Bowling, golf, you do it all! (Now, bowling is one I actually like a lot, though I rarely get over 140.) At buffets, usually the only food I like is mashed potatoes and soft rolls, so with that in mind, I think they are rather expensive for only getting two items… but I do usually like them there. As to your beer question, I like light beer with a slice of lemon but I also like the dark, amber ale that kicks your butt after just one or two. Not that I do beer very often anymore, but back in the day. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

    By rachelcarrera on April 25, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    1. Yes, Rachel, I agree about the saying that comes up more and more. Back in the day, indeed.

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 3:50 pm

      1. LOL! I know. It makes me sound old, though I don’t feel old, so I guess I’m still good. ๐Ÿ˜‰

        Like

        By rachelcarrera on April 25, 2014 at 4:09 pm

      2. I would guess that you’re still good, Rachel. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

        By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      3. Aww… *BLUSH*

        Like

        By rachelcarrera on April 25, 2014 at 4:27 pm

  8. As stated on our lunch on Wednesday, I would roll my eyes to see my scores. However, one can only get better as the season goes on. I love my crafts, the porters and IPA’s especially.

    Like

    By Christopher S. Malone on April 25, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    1. You are crafty, beer-wise, Chris, but bowling not so much. Enjoy your weekend, my friend!

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 3:56 pm

  9. Wow! That’s food from a buffet. Looks good.

    Like

    By silentlyheardonce on April 25, 2014 at 11:49 am

    1. It was a great buffet for sure, Kim. The prime rib was perfectly done to my liking.

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 11:51 am

  10. no bowling here, Mark, but some time spent at the ranch is Always needed! ;- )
    Have a great weekend! ( spring is finally here and the weather is just fab! )
    /anna

    Like

    By inte fan gรถr det det on April 25, 2014 at 8:51 am

    1. You will have to explain the ranch to me sometime, Anna. In an English post, perhaps? ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m glad that Stockholm has found its spring, and vice versa. Have a great weekend.

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 9:06 am

      1. Oh, I thought that was te right term….. I mean the driving range!!!!!! Before hitting the golf course!!!
        ( made my first play and had 35 p!!!! Very happy sepcielly since I’m not well and havent been playing since last july! )

        Like

        By inte fan gรถr det det on April 25, 2014 at 9:11 am

      2. I get it, the golf range! Wow, great on the 35! Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, Anna. Get better before summer, can you, my friend?

        Like

        By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 9:22 am

      3. I dont really know….I’ve been on chemotherapy but had to stop that because of an allergic reaction, now they will try something else…so I guess i just have to go with the “flow” and hope for the best!
        ( and to do my best to have a GREAT TIME EVERYDAY!!!!! :- )

        Like

        By inte fan gรถr det det on April 25, 2014 at 9:29 am

      4. I did not know, Anna. That news makes me sad and worried. I am praying for the best for you here.

        From your blog, I do see that you are doing your best to have a great day, ever day. –Mark

        Like

        By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 9:32 am

      5. mark, I hope this will pass, its just that the docs dont know how to treat this….
        BUT- I do however- continue to live as Life will go on for ever!!! HAVING A GOOD TIME and try to see the best in things- everyday Always. ( even the Days when i cant get out of bed i try to make a joke out of it- otherwise I would die… )
        Thanks for your thoughts!
        Good to have a friend across the bog ocean! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

        By inte fan gรถr det det on April 25, 2014 at 9:45 am

      6. I admire and respect your attitude, Anna. Be strong forever!

        Like

        By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 9:47 am

      7. I will!
        ๐Ÿ˜‰

        Like

        By inte fan gรถr det det on April 25, 2014 at 9:48 am

  11. I don’t feel like I get my money’s worth at most buffets, but then it balances out with having a teenager. Light or regular, it’s all beer to me. The only team sports I participate in are trivia games, and even then I am in it more for “me” than the team.

    Liked by 1 person

    By NotAPunkRocker on April 25, 2014 at 8:47 am

    1. You are the best kind of teammate to have on trivia night, Sheena. The team with the most “I know, I know members” usually wins!

      Like

      By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 9:07 am

  12. May the best of your past … be the worst of your future. Mark you are so lovely. Merci ~ enjoy your weekend my friend … c

    Like

    By artourway on April 25, 2014 at 8:28 am

    1. Thank you for the translation, K. My Google French to English didn’t get it exactly right yesterday! You have a great weekend, too, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on April 25, 2014 at 9:08 am

      1. Some things get lost in translation Mark …C See you soon

        Like

        By artourway on April 26, 2014 at 5:41 pm

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