Deb, I don't know much about you, but you have given out so much good info in the early stages of the tournament that I would take the idea that others have mentioned and just start a post with questions that people want to ask you. I don't know if it will take off or not, but I know as the tournament gets closer for me (I go in late April) I will be sure to look for your input on things. I think in some way you have earned a small little spot in this forum. We will wait and see how people react and hopefully you will appreciate the thought behind it.....
Great job Deb, it is well appreciated. As it is with all the info provided by the local posters. You all are great representatives, of a great City. Thanks
You flatter me. I'm just a full-time (no talent) bowling geek and housewife with time on my hands. If I can help I will. I want you all to fall in love with the great southwest and bowl your heart out at nationals.
Ask away.
Deb
I agree with Doom that there may be other locals with helpful information but in my viewing of the forum you have always seemed to address various bowlers questions very well. It makes sense for the people who understand the usefulness of your information to have a more direct way to address their questions than for you to scan through various other posted topics. I can't wait to get out there and see that part of the country myself and hopefully some good bowling will come out with me!
I knew I wasn’t the only one that appreciated your inputs. Just 23 more days until our teams fly in and we are looking forward to checking out all the places you have suggested.
Ditto for Deb! And a question for you Deb: What do you know about Tuscano's - the Brazilian steakhouse down by the Stadium? Have heard it is good and within walking distance of Stadium. What are chances of getting in there around 9:30 or 10 on a Saturday night? Looking for a place to celebrate in style ... or drown our sorrow.
BTW, Albq. is awesome. By chance in 2000 we bowled the weekend the Sweet 16 was at The Pit and us Cheeseheads all got to see the University of Wisconsin beat Purdue to go to the Final Four. What a place to watch hoops! Most awesome live sporting event I've ever seen.
We are staying at the Country Inn and Suites North of the city. What is that area like and what restaurants are around there? Also is Laundry's Steak restaurant good?
I would also like to say thank you for all of your valuable information. Thanks
Riggs: Ditto for Deb! And a question for you Deb: What do you know about Tuscano's - the Brazilian steakhouse down by the Stadium? Have heard it is good and within walking distance of Stadium. What are chances of getting in there around 9:30 or 10 on a Saturday night? Looking for a place to celebrate in style ... or drown our sorrow. BTW, Albq. is awesome. By chance in 2000 we bowled the weekend the Sweet 16 was at The Pit and us Cheeseheads all got to see the University of Wisconsin beat Purdue to go to the Final Four. What a place to watch hoops! Most awesome live sporting event I've ever seen.
Tucano's is great! Mark and I visited there to check it out at the request of another poster who wanted the scoop. It's two blocks from the Convention Center, so it's a nice short walk. Makes a lot more sense to walk there than to try to find new parking when you're already parked. The restaurant is open until 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and they will seat up to 10:45 p.m.
It's a traditional Brazilian Churrasco. Their website is www.tucanos.com, and you can view the menu at the site.
Regarding The Pit, they're making renovation plans right now, and the local fans are fearful of it losing its "working class" atmosphere in favor of cushy seats and fancy skyboxes.
Enjoy your trip!
Deb, we are staying at an Extended Stay hotel on our trip there. Since I wasn't given the address of how close it is to the stadium, do you have any good or bad things to stay about those hotels that you know about? I am not sure how many are in that area, but if you comment on ones you know about, it may make me feel more comfortable about our arrangements as they now stand.
Thanks!
Junior: We are staying at the Country Inn and Suites North of the city. What is that area like and what restaurants are around there? Also is Laundry's Steak restaurant good?
Country Inn & Suites is in a decent area of the city with some commercial/industrial businesses. I'd stay there without thinking twice. I like the chain, and I've had good experiences when I've stayed in them in the past. It's right on the frontage road to I-25, so you can get around without having to use the interstate much. I like the frontage roads, especially during rush hour. I'd rather deal with red lights than tailgaters. From that hotel, you're within two-three lights of just about any type of food you'd want to eat. Restaurant Row is on the west-side (southbound) frontage road between San Mateo and Montgomery. Landry's is on the east-side (northbound) frontage road. By the way, the frontage roads are named the Pan American Freeways.
As for Landry's, I've never eaten there. I moved here from Maryland's Eastern Shore, and when I asked about going there for seafood, my husband told me it'd never be good enough - flown in vs. fresh from the bay, ya know. He said he went there once with a group from work and thought the food was OK, but very overpriced. So, that's the only opinion I can offer. We think the best "chain" steak to be found in town is Texas Roadhouse, which is on the same stretch as Landry's near San Mateo Blvd.
Hope this helps!
Zima Boy: Deb, we are staying at an Extended Stay hotel on our trip there. Since I wasn't given the address of how close it is to the stadium, do you have any good or bad things to stay about those hotels that you know about? I am not sure how many are in that area, but if you comment on ones you know about, it may make me feel more comfortable about our arrangements as they now stand. Thanks!
If it's the one by the Sunport, it's probably your basic airport hotel facility. That's the only Extended Stay I found when I did a search, so I'm going to assume that's the one. It'll be close to downtown and the convention center, and you shouldn't have too much trouble navigating the streets in that area. I'd wager that restaurant pickings are probably slim. I don't go to the airport area much, but I've never seen a large selection of eateries. You should be able to use the city transit system to get from the airport area to the convention center area. The main bus terminal is only two blocks from the convention center, so it'd be an easy walk from there. If you'll be driving, you'll want to head north from the hotel until you can intersect with Martin Luther King Blvd. Head west on MLK, and you'll run smack into the entrance ramp for the convention center parking structure.
Hope I've helped.
Since you've all been so kind and appreciative of my efforts, I have a favor of my own to ask. While you're at the Convention Center, please pick up a copy of "In The Pocket". It's the newsletter for the Central New Mexico USBC Association, and I'm the editor of it. The USBC folks have been gracious enough to allow us to distribute the newsletter at the venue. The publication is in its infancy, and I'd appreciate any feedback from bowlers on how to make it a better tool for getting information out to the sanctioned bowlers in our association. I'd also appreciate any suggestions on how to use it to entice new bowlers to join a league.
Thanks,
Deb, if you want a great resource for what you're trying to do, try our new association secretary in Madison, WI - Bill Dennis. You can see his work at bowlweb.com - he created the site. In his first year he is doing lots of new stuff here, including an e-newsletter. You can contact him at mba (at) charterinternet (dot) com
Tucanos, I have not had a good churrasco since I left Brazil, will definitely give it a try. I echo Rigg's comments, I was also in Albuquerque in 2000, and fell in love with your city. It still rates high on my list of cities to retire in. Do the Scorpions still play hockey there, went to a playoff game in 2000, being a New Englander I miss my ice hockey.
PS My sister lives in Pasadena on the western shore, and I have friends that live in Cambridge, on the eastern shore. I miss my crab cakes
Thanks for the information Deb. As usual you have given me at least what is asked and even a little more. I will make sure to pick up a newsletter when I am in ABQ!
