Go Gastronomy: Adventures in Taste, Travel, Transcendence

New Year's Greetings

2012-01-01T10:03:00.004-05:00

2012 is now here and while recently, 11/11/11 marked new beginnings for some, New Year's Day marks it for others. Wishing you many blessings, prosperity and happiness.

And if you're undertaking some resolutions for this new cycle, may you have the strength, tools, perseverance and support to stick to them, as benefits most.

A Blessing for the New Year

On the day when
The weight deadens
On your shoulders
And you stumble,
May the clay dance
To balance you.
And when your eyes
Freeze behind
The gray window
And the ghost of loss
Gets into you,
May a flock of colors,
Indigo, red, green
And azure blue,
Come to awaken in you
A meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
In the curragh of thought
And a stain of ocean
Blackens beneath you,
May there come across waters
A path of yellow moonlight
To bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
Wind work these worlds
Of love around you,
An invisible cloak
To mind your life.

-- John O'Donohue

Win a free dinner with a couple of my favorite DC dining divas!

2011-11-29T23:46:00.002-05:00

You know I love my Scoutmob dinner deals and my Scoutmob parties. Now they're combining the best of both worlds and hosting the ultimate Scoutmob Dinner Party hosted by a couple of my fave local gals, Lisa Shapiro of Dining in DC and Mary Kong of Girl Meets Food.

Mary, me and Lisa, along with Jenna Huntsberger
& Jason "Foodgeek" at one of our fun dinners.

All you have to do is answer a fun question of whom YOU would love to dine with (besides me, of course) and you'll be entered to win a Chef's Table Dinner at the legendary Cashion's Eat Place in Adams Morgan, courtesy of Scoutmob. Winners will be selected on sheer creativity, although you can, of course, pick me. =)

The link again: http://scoutmob.com/dc-dinner-party/?Referrer=gg1128.

Best of luck and hope to see you there!

This delectable black cod dish could be yours!

The cold is coming, so craving some comfort cuisine, Castellano style, at Taberna del Alabardero

2011-11-26T14:35:00.005-05:00

I've been fortunate enough to spend Thanksgiving with my sister in Michigan and a taste of some comfort food, Salvadoran style (her hails from El Salvador) and I'm excited to get back home to taste a few different comfort cuisines over the winter. While I got to practice speaking some Spanish this weekend, I figure why not also taste some Spanish? I'm craving some paella and when I get back to DC, I know exactly where to go: Taberna del Alabardero.

They recently launched Spanish Style Sunday lunches which offers a selection of 9 different succulent paellas at $22 per person:

Arroz Negro de Calamar, Mejillón y Gambas
Squid Ink Rice with Mussels and Shrimp

Paella Valenciana
Duck, Chicken, Seafood, Faba Beans and Vegetables

Paella de Carrillera y Queso Manchego
Pork Cheek, Fresh Vegetable and Manchego Cheese

Paella de Pollo y Chorizo
Chicken and Spanish Sausage

Paella de Pulpo Confitada
Grilled Octopus, Potato Confit and Paprika

Paella de Cangrejo de Maryland y Emperador en Adobo
Marinated Swordfish and Maryland Crabs

Paella de Pollo Moruno y Pimientos de Gernika con Alli Olli de Ajetes
Marinated Chicken and “Gernika” peppers with and Scallions Ali Olli

Arroz Abanda
Mussels, Scallops, Shrimp and Langoustines Paella

Vegetarian
Mushrooms, Faba Beans & Seasonal Vegetables

I am honored to have been invited to a tasting of several of these paellas and there was definitely not disappointed. Not that it sould be any surprise, but my favorite was the Paella de Carrillera y Queso Manchego with a most flavorful marinated pork cheek perfectly accented with the saltiness of manchego cheese.

The paella specials are available on Sundays, 11:30am-2:30pm. As you can see from the above video, they're made to order and take a little while to ensure diners the freshest and crispiest pans, so I highly recommend getting some of their delectable appetizers, like the Tortilla Espanola.

Anyone hungry yet? Who wants to come?

Conquering the West

2011-10-10T09:18:00.000-04:00

Not even 48 hours on the West Coast and I feel like I've conquered kitchens and and more everywhere almost every waking hour. A brief summary of what I've hit up . . . so far.

Breakfast at the Jet Rock Bar at National Airport - "Breakfast at a bar?" you ask? That's right. Sure, I could have gone the mimosa or bloody Mary route, but a bacon, mushroom & tomato omelet with well-done homefries and a side of $6 fruit salad really did the trick for my 25-minute flight to Philadelphia, especially considering we sat at the tarmack for about 20 minutes. Apologies to the passengers sitting by me, but I was starving.
Running into an old friend at the Philadelphia Airport - I never wanted a longer layover than Saturday morning. Tons of shops, tons of restos and tons to see were almost dizzying. I decided I was in the mood for a smoothie of some kind and on my way, I ended up seeing this guy coming out of a shop who looked quite familiar and apparently he thought so, too. It was Grant, the not-so-little brother of one of my dear friends from college. We'd befriended on Facebook a couple of years ago, so I at least got a semblance of what he looked like now, but he's hardly changed even from his teenage years and it was so great to see him, although briefly. Even though we were both ultimately going back to Northern California, unfortunately we weren't on the same flight. Such a bummer, but was nice to catch up, even for a little bit. Was worth missing out on a smoothie, especially for my next stop at . . .
Peet's Coffee at SFO - Insomnia the past week and intermittent yet uncomfortable napping on the flight made this pitstop a fortunate necessity. I don't know what it is about the ultra-caffeinated nectar from Peet's, but an iced non-fat mocha made me smile, especially while I waited for my brothers to pick me up.
Homemade Salvadoran sauteed beef w/ onions, beans and rice at Tia Sonia's - A pleasant surprise picking up one of my cousins at my step-mother's sister's house. They're Salvadoran and we walked in to a table full of food already laid out. Granted, Sonia wasn't expecting all of us to come by, but it didn't stop a couple of us from helping ourselves to the homemade goodness.
Burma Superstar - After picking up the entire crew and watching the Blue Angels at China Beach in Sea Cliff, we went to dinner at this San Francisco legend. We got there early, and thank goodness because we were a party of 6 and already 15 minutes before the place opened, the line hit the end of the block. We were second and they easily accommodated our large party. Service was great and of course the food was phenomenal. My brothers and cousins never had Burmese food before. And the best way for me to describe it was that it made Chinese food seem black & white. After the famous Tea Leaf Salad, Salt & Pepper Chicken, Crispy & Spicy Chicken, Curry Beef and Dried Fried String Beans, all with their Coconut Rice, they understood why. I'm proud of the kids trying the food with an open palatte, although I feel bad for my cousin, Melissa, who had a little trouble handling the spiciness.
But that's okay, we made up for it at our next stop, Genki Crepes, right across the street. Their strawberry, whipped cream and chocolate crepes were refreshing and filling enough for her. And there was plenty to share.
But ugh, I was so full the rest of the day and into the next morning. However, it didn't stop me from enjoying some of my dad's chicken adobo and my brother's pancakes and eggs. What is it about homemade food?
Arriving into Seattle that evening, I was still pretty full, but I ventured on straight to dinner with my favorite chef at a new place called Ba Bar. I had no idea what to expect, but the gourmet Vietnamese "street food" got my appetite going. It also didn't hurt to run into one of my favorite Seattle culinary socialites, Chris Nishiwaki. I couldn't help but eye the Spicy Pork Belly and I wished I had a better appetite to order the fried egg on top. Alas, it was perfectly crispy with some interesting flavors, and not spicy at all had Melissa been there. The show-stoppers of the table were the refreshing Cabbage Salad and Duck Confit Soup. Perfect for the cool fall Seattle weather. I wish I had more time (and appetite) to sample more.

Bacon Waffle Sundae from Skillet Diner
(Photo by Robin Leventhal)

Alas, we had one more pilgrimage to make at Skillet Diner. I've been a fan of Chef Josh Henderson and his amazing Air Stream for years and I was so happy to hear some great buzz about his diner. I was bummed I missed a trek the last time I was in town, so I wasn't going to miss it this time around. It didn't hurt getting to see him at the Fancy Food Show this summer and learning that the diner serves this heavenly dessert that I still dream about almost 5 years later of a tribute to his mother's chocolate pudding pie, deconstructed w/ chocolate nibs and sea salt. Darn right I ordered it. However, every time I even glance at this picture of the Bacon Waffle Sundae, my eyes state an OMFG and my tastebuds go on high alert. Don't even ask what my arteries do. Holy mother of goodness. And the concocted cocktails, one including Allspice Dram & Bourbon, were just brilliant pairings.

And now, it's time to digest before tackling on even more yummy goodness.

I Love New York, but Damn!

2011-09-22T22:43:00.032-04:00

Waking up from a 10-hour slumber on my own bed, with the familiar view of downtown DC and the familiar sounds of sirens and kittens' paws thumping rapidly across the hardwood floors. It's good to be home.

Somehow, it's hard to believe the different worlds I was just experiencing a few hundred miles north of here, from the transcendental, to the fashionable, to the ideological, to the powerful, to the impecunious -- all of which offered its sense of inspiration and part of the diversity that makes New York the great City that it is. There really is a New York state of mind, and regardless whether it's the upper crust of the Upper West Side, the chic in Chelsea or the broke in the buroughs, New Yorkers have to have a particular resolve to deal with the every day. The traffic and subways alone could test the patience of Saint Jude.

Getting over there was treacherous enough. Even though I was staying in Brooklyn, I had to go into the City to pick up the keys. Knowing that the soonest I could get there would coincide with rush hour, I figured it'd better for me to take the Bolt Bus versus driving in on my own and luckily their stop was close to where I had to pick up the keys. For those who don't know it, Bolt Bus a great way to travel up and down the Acela corridor without having to pay Acela prices ($16-25 on Bolt Bus versus $178 for the Acela). Unluckily, the bus started having smoke emanate from the engine area (probably from the 45 minutes of traffic we had to wait when approaching the tunnel) and had to evacuate. But, back to the lucky part, we were just a few blocks from the stop anyway. If I were more strategic, I would have used my bigger suitcase and had a smaller carry-on.

While I really wanted to meet up with friends that night, I got last-minute notice about a film premiere for two of my mentors, so I had to hustle up about 25 blocks to the Directors Guild. It would have been a bit awkward to arrive with all my luggage and Brooklyn was too far away, so I stopped in at the Eventi Hotel which was gracious enough to allow me to store my luggage -- even though I wasn't staying there. I stayed at the hotel last year, and have friends and colleagues who stay there on the regular. There's a reason -- the fabulous rooms, ideal location (just a couple of blocks from Penn Station) and superb service, all at a reasonable rate. Same goes for just about all Kimpton Hotels, I can't recommend them enough. The only reason I wasn't staying at this hotel was because I had a free place to stay and for those who know me, that is my favorite 4-letter word.

So I made it to the premiere, albeit a bit late. Hay House is launching a new series of short films called Tales Of Everyday Magic. Friday night premiered films based on the lives and teachings of Wayne Dyer and Gregg Braden who also spoke afterwards. This was a great intro to the weekend to come at the Hay House conference where I got to see Cheryl Richardson, Doreen Virtue, Wayne Dyer, Gregg Braden, Robert Holden and the treasured Louise Hay, herself. The whole weekend was really inspiring given my own work and I got new knowledge and tools that I look forward to sharing in my own work.

Speaking of inspiring, I got proof of the power of leading by example. While walking down 6th to return to the Eventi and pick up my bags, I started getting kind of hungry for some of New York's finest food (shock!). There was a block or two of random people interspersed including cab drivers and pedicab riders sitting around and grubbing down on something in these circular aluminum containers, some wrapped by bright yellow plastic bags, that they were obviously enjoying. Tourists are one thing, they'll grab whatever they see on TV, but one thing I've learned from all my travels is cab drivers the world over know the true meaning of cheap and good food. It seemed a lot of them were choosing someplace nearby, and I had to find out what.

And then it appeared, the corner of 53rd and 6th, the magical cart of a few men working furiously over a small stove to assemble hearty Halal Food for an extraordinarily long line of people from what seemed like all walks of life. Now, there were a few carts across the street and down the block that looked similar, but perhaps it's the mob mentality, I figured I'd follow those that seemed to be in the know. This was the first I knew of anything like this and I didn't want to take any chances.

While the line was long, the wait surprisingly was not. Or perhaps I was just too occupied by watching all the people-watching and food-watching to have noticed. Either way, I had no idea what to get, so I ordered the combination chicken and lamb over rice and what I got was a circular tin full of Paradise. The meat was tender and flavorful (and I just love how prayer is incorporated into Halal practices) and the white sauce, whatever that stuff was, was magic. While I was already in bliss, the hot sauce also added an amazing touch, and I knew I couldn't get a better "Welcome to New York" experience.

Dinner from the Halal Cart on 53rd & 6th. One of the best New York finds. Ever.

How could one possibly follow up such an introduction with justice? As I resumed my stroll back to the bags, I found Wafels & Dinges, a Belgian waffle cart that brought me back to my childhood memories of going stopping by the "Scandinavian" town of Solvang when driving along 101 coming back home from LA. Ya, I know that Belgium is not in Scandinavia (at least I do now), but for some reason, my mother thought Belgian waffles were the appropriate treat for me whenever we'd stop there. And while the cart made me so glad to be a grown up, the very exuberant young man behind the counter made me feel feel like a kid again, excited about the wonders of what dinges combinations I could come up with. I settled on chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

OK, bags picked up and subway-bound, I forgot user-friendly the New York subway sytem is not. Stairs, tight-fitting ticket entrances, crowded spaces, especially on a Friday night, and even more stairs. Figuring out where my friend's place was as soon as I got off the subway was a big challenge in and of itself. I hadn't been there in a year and I had forgotten my way around. It didn't exactly feel like the kind of neighborhood you'd want to wander around late at night, especially with luggage and I was so grateful for my Windows phone w/ GPS. I had only veered off track for a couple of blocks but after all the Manhattan walking and stair-climbing with my luggage, I was ready to sit on a sofa or something. I finally found the place and climbed, guess what, more stairs. While I appreciate the quiet of a top floor apartment, having to climb up a four-story walk-up makes me rethink that. Talk about work out.

Speaking of work, I was so excited to see some clients that I usually only get to "see" via Skype or by telephone. A lot of events tend to happen during UN Week (usually around mid- to late-September) and it draws some of the world's best and brightest, including my clients. I love the coaching work I do and given the nature of some of the meetings that happen, I've found it (as have they) really beneficial to be able to meet in person. And I was so happy to get to see a former client from Seattle who has since planted roots in New York. I'm really proud to see the way she has prioritized her Self and is moving forward in the direction of her success. She is living proof that once you make a decision about your life, things really fall into place. This can go for success and happiness, like in the case of this client, or can go in another direction. It really is your choice.

There are other side meetings and conferences that occur, like the Social Good Summit, where I got to watch the CEO of Skype speak more about education technology of the future, hear more about the One Day on Earth project and learn about Jose Andres' new work on clean cooking stoves. I'll write a story on Andres' project for another publication, but I have to say, I am so relieved that there'll be another One Day on Earth project this year. I was so bummed things didn't work out last year, but I fully intend to participate this year, especially since on 11/11/11, I'll be in Sedona for The Gathering.

It was a quick afternoon before having to haul ass to the Clinton Global Initiative. I got to represent the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for one of the events, and then after-party at the MOMA. I wish more of the exhibit were open to look at, but all we could see were a few installations on the second floor. So instead, I had to check out the guests like Bill Clinton (of course), John Podesta, Heather Graham, Barbara Bush (former first daughter and granddaughter), and I'm sure many others that I just didn't get to see (mainly because I wasn't wearing my glasses). I did run into the guy who first introduced me to General Wesley Clark and he said the Crush List member was there, but sadly I didn't get to see him. At the very least, I got to cross off another item from my bucket list.

A few words, when I feel like I have no words

2011-09-11T10:48:00.000-04:00

Today I write from my hotel room in Somerset, Pennsylvania. I'm feeling emotional enough without having to struggle through thousands of others to get to the 9/11 Anniversary at the newly unveiled Flight 93 Memorial just a few miles away. I'm incredibly grateful to have made it to the Dedication Ceremony yesterday and witness a miniscule sliver of the best of humanity.

My friend and I drove about 3 hours from DC to Pennsylvania. It was a gorgeous morning and we felt disbelief about the severe thunderstorms predicted for the day. As we drove past Bedford and along the Lincoln Highway, the dark clouds appeared above the scenic foothills.

We exited into several miles of rolling foothills and traffic and when we finally parked and entered the Memorial, the sun was out and the temperature wonderfully pleasant. Sarah McLaughlin was singing I Will Remember You in her soothing and meditative melody. Amongst some of the moving speakers were George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and especially inspiring, Joe Biden. The Memorial consists of 40 white panels, angled like wings outlining the flight path. Several feet away lies a 17-ton boulder above the spot where the plane crashed. OK, I probably consider the Vice President's speech a bit more because I could actually hear him. Accoustics weren't exactly the best for those of us in the crowd and while I try to fenagle VIP status as much as possible, this was one event I was happy not to have been included.

I happened to be up front for the portion of the memorial where the names of all the passengers and crew were engraved and witnessed its unveiling by the dignitaries listed above, along with Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Tom Ridge. Shortly after, the families walked over and took time to see their loved one's names. Some walked to the boulder and others walked through the crowd in order to exit. People graciously parted a path to let them through and spontaneously clapped as each person walked through. I wasn't sure if it would be embarrassing for them, it wasn't exactly a celebratory moment, but it felt right for us. We were celebrating. Celebrating the thoughtfulness and courage of their loved ones, expressing gratitude for their inspiration to us on how to be brave and reminding us on the priority to love. Those final moments were not only spent on thwarting the hijackers but expressing love and gratitude to their families. You have a few minutes left to live, how else would you want to spend it.

Next to me was one of the Shanksville volunteer firemen who was a first responder. Family members who recognized him expressed their own gratitude to him. Others were too lost in their grief and faced the crowd with tears in their eyes. One son couldn't even look up as he entered and one mother stopped before us and said, "Thank you all!"

The families were promised 30 minutes of private time at the Memorial, but we waited at least an hour. Vice President Biden, who was previously Pennsylvania's senator, hung out with the families for an extensive amount of time. Some in the crowd grew impatient, but quite frankly, he was doing the right thing. This was their moment, their day.

Personal Philosophy

2011-08-31T09:49:00.001-04:00

I happened to find this little gem during one of my random time-suck internet rabbit-hole sessions, and figured I have to share because it speaks so well about my philosophy on life:

“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever
situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of
our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by
our disposition.”

– Martha Washington

A Delicious Dedication

2011-08-12T14:03:00.010-04:00

He's gone. [And] my heart is shattered in a million pieces.

Above is a tweet I happened to see during my usual Sunday evening routine of working on the computer while watching 60 Minutes. I didn't know Jennifer Perillo very well; we had only met briefly at the Eat Write Retreat Conference early this summer so I didn't understand what she was writing about. It's weird how social media lets you track innumerable people, whether they be old friends, strangers or acquaintances and I knew she and some other members I knew from the food writing community had just attended another great conference called the Big Summer Potluck. Guess I wasn't the only one who didn't know what was going on because other tweeps inquired what that meant until Shauna Ahern (aka @GlutenFreeGirl) broke the news that Jennifer's husband passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Soon after, the outpouring of sympathy on the internet over the next few days was unavoidable even from my own little sliver of the community that I know. I can't imagine how saturated all her message-media must have become with notes expressing support and offers to help in some way, any way.

Even during such a devastating time, Jennifer responded with absolute brilliance. Late Tuesday night, she posted on her blog about something she'd been wanting to do for some time, make his favorite pie. For those who were asking what we could do, she aked us in return to make Peanut Butter Pie on Friday (today) and share it with someone you love.

While I couldn't think of a more perfect dedication from a food writer/editor/maven, I hummmed and hahhhed about the idea for a while. Speaking of love and loss, my love of cooking was lost during my own marriage, and since it ended, I've spent the past few years coping with a slight form of stage-fright whenever I start cooking anything beyond bacon and eggs. But this is about healing, right? Even though I, too, had been flung off the flying carpet of love into what felt like a never-ending free-fall, I've had to force myself to figure out how to walk on solid ground again. While I still can barely crawl in the kitchen, I decided, whatever I can do to help someone in her healing process, is simply what I must do.

Folding in whipped cream to lighten up the PB mixture

as my laughs with Veronica lightened me up.
(Photo credit: Veronica Silva)

Last night, my friend, Veronica, in town from Chile, was coming to stay with me and I thought she'd be a perfect person to share the pie with, and even better, to share the pie-making duties with. Interspersed through our laughter, were memories of those dishes I'd been holding off on making that eventually became too late: pastitsio for Tomi, who went back to Croatia to care for his sister during the Yugoslavian Wars and never came back; sloppy Joes for Eric before I stopped cooking; the final version of my "Everything Tastes Better with Bacon" Apple Pie for the patient neighbors and colleagues that helped me recipe-test for the Queen Anne Farmers Market Blue Ribbon Pie Contest before I moved out of Seattle; or that dinner I was thinking about cooking for a friend after returning from the Middle East, but now won't.

Cooking for others is notoriously one of the two most unselfish acts one undertakes. (You'll have to read Anthony Bourdain's books or use your imagination to figure out the other.) Seeing others enjoying my cooking, that I admit is a completely selfish joy. Cooking together, on another hand, can be one of the most joyous experiences -- as long as it's with the right person. Veronica was heaven-sent, no pressure, just full of fun and light.

Needless to say, it was a slight roller-coaster for me last night, and even today as I write this and taste the pie. While I may think of love and loss, I feel only love. Today, while I may not be sharing my pie with that "special someone," I am sharing it with many special someones, that bless my (almost) every day. For my roommate, my neighbors, my colleagues and friends, I love you.

I modified Jennifer's recipe a bit by subtracting half the sugar,
but adding Reese's Peanut Butter Cups on top.

If anyone ever wonders what makes me happy,

it looks something like this.

Commemorating the Civil War After 150 Years in 100+ Degrees

2011-07-22T19:02:00.001-04:00

This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of the first major battle of the Civil War, the Battle of First Bull Run or to Confederate sympathizers, the Battle of First Manassas. Union and Confederate reenactors, Civil War enthusiasts, historians and the curious from around the country are braving the record-breaking heatwave to commemorate the occasion.

Since my brother and cousin happen to be in town, we couldn't resist braving the heat and checking it out, either. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, it's surreal to be in such close proximity to the actual locations we've read about in our history classes, let alone to witness the time period, itself, in such a three-dimensional way.

To say it was "hot" is an understatement. At 9:15am, the temperatures were already at 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, there were air-conditioned shuttles to take us around the sites. Sharon, a very kind volunteer, gave us a wonderful orientation of the area as we rode to downtown to watch the beginning of the parade. Her family had lived in the area for five generations and her perspective on the "War of the Northern Aggression" was pretty eye-opening to those us who've grown up with a more Yankee education. One of the docents on board, emphasized the importance of the "truth" in our education system, and had we had more time and known a bit more Civil War facts, we might have pressed on his definition of the truth.

Union Soldiers battling the heat for the Reenactors Parade

(Photo credit: Ben Domingo)

About 1200 marchers (soldiers and civilians) were expected in the parade, but we saw maybe 120 from our perspective in downtown Manassas. I suspect many just had to avoid the heat, and given the oppressive uniforms and costumes, I don't blame them. My family and I were barely coping in our own light clothing, umbrellas and free-flowing bottles of water.

Interviewing a Civil War private about

how he got involved in reenacting

(Photo credit: Ben Domingo)

We also walked around Camp Manassas where vendors and reenactors set up authentic-looking tents to sell their wares or expound their knowledge. One camp ~~acted~~ -- er, served as the Undertaker and educated anyone who would listen about the history of embalming and burials of soldiers back in the day.

Wish I could say, "been there, done that," but I'm really curious about the reenactment of the actual battle taking place at 9:30am this Saturday and Sunday. If there's one thing inspiring about these soldiers, if they can battle the heat now and 150 years ago, so can I.

New Mobile Deals That You Don't Have to Pre-Pay with ScoutMob

2011-07-20T12:11:00.000-04:00

ScoutMob, the newest iteration in the Online Coupon craze, launches in DC today and where better to try it than an old DC stand-by like Georgia Brown's downtown, just a couple of blocks from the White House. This place was a treat to me when I first came to DC, and I cannot rave enough about their biscuit-battered French toast during their weekend jazz brunch.

The cool thing about it is you don't have to pre-purchase the deal. You just show up and show the coupon from your mobile phone either with their iPhone or Droid app, or your email.

Later this week, they'll be featuring Ben's Chili Bowl. Explore DC's tasty history like a tourist, but pay like a local.

http://scoutmob.com/revel/gogastronomy

Don't live in DC? ScoutMob is also in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, and other major cities across the country, so you can even use it while you travel.

And it's more than just savings. Each day of the week, they'll feature stories about things to do wherever you are. Worth checking out.

Does bacon really make everything better? My not-so-fashionably late entrance to Gluten-Free Girl's Pie Party

2011-07-19T21:21:00.002-04:00

Those who know me shouldn't be surprised about my tardiness. Try as I might, "prompt" is not a characteristic I'm often called. So, is it any shock that I show up late to a party, even if it's a virtual one?

Virtual party? Yes. Shauna Ahern, notably known as the Gluten-Free Girl "hosted" a virtual Pie Party so she and some of her friends could share tales of their pie-making adventures and invited everyone and anyone. I'd been looking for an excuse to practice making this special pie and this seemed to be as good as any. Unfortunately it required a particular ingredient that I didn't get until last week when Josh and Greg from my favorite Seattle food truck, Skillet Street Food, came to DC to showcase their yummy Bacon ~~Jam~~ -- er, Bacon Spread (thanks USDA) for the Fancy Food Show. Timing couldn't be more perfect (well, unless it were BEFORE the pie party), but at least the bake sale to benefit the DC State Fair was coming shortly.

I first came up with this recipe a couple of years ago in Seattle when my friend, Jenise, who was the Chef Event Manager for the Queen Anne Farmers Market asked me to enter their inaugural Blue Ribbon Pie Contest. The rules were simple, it had to be a fruit pie and it had to be entirely from scratch, including the crust. Eeek!

I'd never participated in such a competition before. I'd never even baked a pie. Hell, I don't even like fruit pies! Yet, I felt compelled to challenge myself -- that, and Jenise is a very persuasive friend, so I decided to make mine with bacon out of spite.

After several trials and errors, and very patient colleagues and neighbors who tasted and offered input, this is a rough guide (not a recipe) to my current iteration. If you're interested in tasting future attempts, please let me know.

Falling for Food Trucks - El Floridiano

2011-07-19T12:35:00.001-04:00

El Floridiano - Delicious pressed sandwiches based on Cuban tradition, although sandwiches go beyond the Cuban and Leche con Pan, but a couple of Asian inspired sandwiches that I look forward to trying in the future. Quality ingredients, especially the pork loin which is marvelously marinated, but the bread is toasted at such a low temperature that it dries out the bread more than it toasts it, causing a huge crumby mess all over your clothes and in your wake as you bite. Best if you're eating outside and don't have to vacuum, and the birds appreciate it, too. Prices are $7 for sandwiches, which I think is fair for that pork loin marinade alone, despite the extra cleaning you or your office janitor have to do.

TIP: Don't eat at your desk or you'll be vacuuming crumbs from your keyboard for days.

Comfort & Convenience at Local Sheratons

2011-07-14T16:47:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Travel Onion, a site that features some of the "world's best travel blogs," I was invited to tour a couple of the Sheraton Hotels in Tyson's Corner and the Dulles Airport area. As much as I love to travel and as much as I consider the DC Metropolitan area, I was grateful for the opportunity to get to know these properties as they wouldn't have been on my list otherwise. I'm a fan of staycations, and in fact that same evening I was checking into a hotel in Dupont Circle.

Previewing the Sheraton Premiere as Tysons Corner Transforms

The first and last time I was at Tysons Corner, Virginia was about four years ago when I first started coming to DC for work. I had no orientation of my way around the city, let alone any of the suburbs, but I scored a ticket to the YouthAIDS Gala which happened to be in Tysons Corner. As we drove through the town's shopping center, I noticed that there wasn't just one but TWO Macy's, and not far apart from each other. I mean, I guess I understand about Starbucks having locations, some on the same block (to alleviate lengthy lines, they say), but what would justify two Macy's in the same mall? My friends informed me one was newer and catered to a more upper-scale crowd.

The indoor and seasonal outdoor pool help make the
Sheraton Premiere a great staycation location

Perhaps this is a similar goal for the city as a whole and the Sheraton Premiere. Tysons Corner will soon have not just one, but four stops along Metro's upcoming "Silver Line," which is no wonder since it is already home to the largest shopping center in the state of Virginia and the DC Metropolitan area. Pooped out super-shoppers can find a comfortable base that features not only deluxe rooms with gorgeous views, but two pools (indoor and outdoor), a racquetball court, whirlpool and sauna. And, while the Metro won't be stopping there for a couple more years, there is free parking and shuttle service ready to take you anywhere within the surrounding area.

Sherton staffmember welcomes guests
into the Club Level Lounge

The restaurant offers decent appetizers and a special concoction called the "Sheratini." The hotel also offers a Club Level with a gorgeous lounge serving breakfast or hors d'oeurves, beverages, newspapers and what seems to be very attentive service.

The $20 million renovations will begin in November and are projected to end February 2012. A few of the updates will include a more open check-in area, a larger Link@Sheraton (internet/business center) space, a swankier lobby bar/reception space and most exciting, a state-of-the-art gym and spa available for hotel guests. Unfortunately, there aren't plans to open the gym and spa to the public since there will be a 24-Hour Fitness opening nearby.

Quaint Convenience at the Sheraton Herndon Dulles Airport Hotel

Travelers to Dulles Airport generally have to add an extra 30+ minutes to their commute time in order to accommodate the long distance from DC, the expansive walking, extra-long security lines and those dreaded people-movers to get to the gates, which is even more extraordinarily painful for those crack-of-dawn flights. Luckily there's the Sheraton Herndon Dulles Airport Hotel with its convenient location and very special Park & Stay Hotel Package where guests can sleep in a bit longer in one of the comfy Sweet Sleeper Beds, hitch a ride on a complimentary shuttle and leave your car safely parked at the hotel for up to 14 days. Weekend rates begin at a mere $79 per night, which is a steal considering a taxi from DC runs about $75 each way and airport parking would cost about $20/day, it pays for itself in 4 days, let alone having the convenient location and luxurious night's sleep. When making your reservation, use Rate Plan code LPARK. Even if you don't have such an early morning flight, Starwood Preferred Guest members can enjoy a late checkout of 4pm, so you can begin your vacation before leaving for your vacation.

Sheraton's comfy Sweet Sleeper Bed

Both hotels offer the well-known Sheraton comfort, from the beds to linens to service. They're conveniently located for Tysons Corner shopping, long days or nights at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Virginia wine country touring, or early morning flights out of Dulles Airport.

Look Out Weekend Cuz Here I Come -- to a pool near you

2011-05-28T19:01:00.005-04:00

After such an eventful couple of weeks, I am so grateful for a weekend to chillax – and a 3-day weekend at that. The highlight of which, amongst outdoor movies at my friends’ backyard and the Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride along the Mall, is the commencement of pool season.

Pool season is a whole new concept for me, in which swimming pools in the area (perhaps the East Coast in general) open between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. Growing up on the West Coast, this was never a big deal. We always had the beach and which was a destination year-round. In Southern California, pools are open year-round and Northern California upward, pools are a rare luxury as are days warm enough to use them.

In DC, pools are a necessity. It’s May and friendly reminders that I live in a converted swamp are already starting to creep. The air-conditioning has been turned on (and it’s working this year!), I think I’ve found a good hair cream to control the way my hair apparently frizzes in the humidity, and I’ve been granted access to a pool in one of those gated communities in the suburbs. Opening day is today, and I cannot wait!

Before I take a dive, below are some highlights from the past couple of weeks, as a preview of a few more thoughtful posts I hope to write out over the weekend if my fingers don’t get too wrinkly:

Winning a blind wine-tasting party with my friends’ garagiste wine. OK, it’s a pretty exceptional and award-winning garage wine called Northwest Totem Cellars, but more heartfelt because I helped crush and bottle the wine. As the winner, I received a bottle of all the other contenders, and the honor to host the next party. Feel free to drop me a line if you'd like an invitation.

National Archivist David Ferriero & Chef
Jose Andres discuss the new What's
Cooking, Uncle Sam? exhibit.

Attending a reception announcing the upcoming, What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam? exhibit at the National Archives, which will look at the history of the influence food has had on the country, and the influence the country has had on food.
Strolling and munching throughout the Smithsonian National Zoo at their annual Zoofari event, possibly one of the most exceptional and dizzying fundraisers I’ve ever been to, where it seemed a couple of hundred of DC’s restaurants and drink purveyors offered tastes of some of their finest bites and sips.
And if I didn’t get enough to eat at Zoofari, the very next day I got to work behind the scenes for the inaugural Eat, Write, Retreat, a conference for food writers/photographers/bloggers. I was lucky enough to get to work behind the scenes and get an interesting perspective on this unique type of conference that offered lots of hands-on workshops, tours, and lots and lots of eats. Oh, and received an extraodinary abundance of culinary schwag! I still have yet to pore over everything.

My most favorite dip ever,
taramasolata (aka Greek caviar)

If only it could have stopped there. After a day of “rest” at the office, I got to celebrate the first anniversary of Agora Restaurant with a truly phenomenal Greek/Turkish dinner. They even had my favorite dip, taramosolata, aka Greek caviar, which rivaled Kokkari’s in San Francisco. (This reminds me, I may have to plan a lunch while I’m there next month.) They also offered Turkish coffee after dinner and those that were willing to stay got to see me relive an old childhood talent.
The next evening, I got to join a hundred or so of Washington’s LGBT community’s most influential at the exclusive Cosmos Club where a party was held to welcome The Advocate’s new DC Bureau Chief, Andrew Harmon. Names and faces were a virtual who’s who of DC’s power-gays and supporters, including Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, but the highlight for me was meeting NPR’s White House Correspondent (and sometimes Pink Martini guest singer), Ari Shapiro. I now understand the big crush Oprah feels for her designer Nate Berkus. I just couldn’t stop gushing over the guy. As for dining, the appetizers and wine were certainly plentiful, but I just couldn’t focus on them.

With one of my celebrity crushes, Ari Shapiro.
In case you're wondering, he's married -- to another man.

As if this weren’t enough, the following evening was spent at Medium Rare, a new kind of steakhouse with a new kind of prix fixe menu of salad and steak for $19.95. There is no choice, with the exception of how your steak is to be cooked, and despite the restaurant’s name, you don’t have to order it medium rare (although, optimally, you may want to). There is one kind of salad, with a subtle Dijon vinaigrette, and the steak comes with fries (no, I didn’t ask for them to be well done) and there is one kind of sauce – and you want it. You once you taste it, you will want to bathe in that sauce. It is that good and I am salivating from just the memory of it.

Is it no wonder why I am feeling quite intimidated to put on my bathing suit for the first time since Christmas? However, after spending a long hot and humid day visiting the expansive Mount Vernon Estate (yes, the one from the history books), there’s not much else I’d like to do than splash in a pool.

Tutoring technology over time at Mount Vernon.

Ardeo+Bardeo = One doubly-good reason to visit Cleveland Park

2011-05-07T19:25:00.001-04:00

I have to admit that my heart sunk a bit when I found out some good friends were moving out of their conviently located (to me) U Street Corridor home to Cleveland Park. They may as well be moving all the way to Cleveland, Ohio, I feared, perhaps the same way Manhattanites feel when friends move to Brooklyn. I guess with their expanding family and having to steer the kids away from broken beer bottles from the night before, it makes sense.

I didn't know much about the neighborhood except, the Metro stop, Two Amy's Pizza and a mysterious place I kept hearing about called Ardeo+Bardeo. I'd probably heard about the Ardeo, the American bistro years before or even Bardeo, the wine bar, but I don't hear too many equations as restaurant names, so I was intrigued. Turns out this past fall, owner and well-known restaurateur, Ashok Bajaj, decided to not only renovate the two enterprises, but conjoin them into one.

The result is two doors leading into a spacious establishment with an extensive zinc bar replacing the wall that originally separated Ardeo and Bardeo. The Ardeo/restaurant side on the left first greets diners with a long 14-seat community table with a mirrored wall and then expands into a more traditional dining area decorated with a mural of black & white 1950s-style diner photos accented by cocoa-colored walls and seating. The combination exudes an almost schizophrenic reaction between the elegant decor and the nostalgically casual art. The slightly smaller Bardeo/bar side on the right is decorated with those same cocoa-colored walls, but accented with smaller black & white photos along the same theme. My favorite decoration of that side is the stone pizza oven where Chef Nate Garyantes (formerly executive sous chef at Minibar) and his team toast up some divine pizzas and flatbreads that even Two Amys regulars would salivate for. Upstairs also has a nice-sized dining room and small bar that could be used for private parties. And just in time for spring, is the new patio to enjoy our wonderful spring weather.

Their savory snacks can turn a happy hour into an elated one. In particular, I enjoyed the sweet, salty, tangy and textured combination of the pork belly, pineapple and ham skewers, while the sundried cherry and garlic flatbread intrigued me to the wonders of that clay oven. The involtini of burrata with spring vegetables wasn't very steady, so a bit messy to eat, but realized later it was because the burrata is house-made and super-fresh (forgiven!). The steak on top of fingerling "crostini" was topped with a horseradish creme fraiche, that even a typical steak & potatoes Idahoan would salivate for, although anyone who dines with me would know I would have preferred my potatoes a bit more crostini-like (crispy). And while the menu offers a nice selection of charcuterie, the horseradish potato salad that accompanies the house-cured bresaola (air-dried beef) may steal the show. However, the one dish not to be missed, regardless of how warm it may be outside, is the new potato and parmesan soup. Perfectly balanced, seasoned, textured and tasty, all my taste-buds sang with happiness at every sip. I almost want winter to come back just so I could have some more to warm me up.

So, now on to that clay oven and those pizzas I've been hinting about. It's not surprising a Jose Andres alumnus would come up with some innovatively tasty takes on typical topping combinations. After the pork bell/ham/pineapple skewer, I was more than excited to try the duck ham, pineapple, fontina, foie gras pizza. The Shakey's Hawaiian pizza that I grew up with, it was not. While it was certainly as lush as it sounded, seeing the foie gras melted everywhere made me question if it was the best use of such a premium product. Perhaps next time I should do a comparison of bites with the foie and without. The wild mushrooms, black garlic, sottocenere, fontina pizza is an excellent choice for mushroom lovers and offers a similar full-palette sensation that the potato soup did. Devout meat-lovers pizza fans can rejoice with the soppresatta, pancetta, house bacon, bresaola pizza, a bouquet of the wonders of meat. New England pizza fans would think we flew north for the dinner with the rock shrimp, lemon, garlic, creme fraiche pizza. Of course, traditionalists will love their fresh and flavorful mozzarella, tomato, basil pizza.

If you want pizza and don't want to deal with the Two Amys crowd, Ardeo+Bardeo is a very worthy alternative. I, for one, now look forward to visiting my friends after their move, and can't wait to introduce them to this place.

Sentimental for Seattle -- One Year Later

2011-05-01T18:40:00.003-04:00

A year ago today, I was scrambling around my apartment packing up the last of my belongings, while giving away as much as I could, prepping for my going away/birthday party and slipping in a lunch date at the Ballard Urban Picnic (BURP!) with an old friend.

Getting giddy w/ some gal pals

Having two weeks (not together, mind you), wasn't very much time to get it all together, especially considering I was still working full time. I couldn't really get organized to advertise, post and sell everything in the timing I wanted to and I ended up just giving most everything away. When I say most everything, I mean everything except books, kitchen supplies and clothes. It was time to let go and start a new life.

Toasting w/ my dear friend, Ross

Of course, I needed to celebrate

and offer gratitude to my old life, too, so I invited a few friends over. Since I was going rogue from Seattle, it was only appropriate that the man called "Seattle's Rogue Chef," Gabriel Claycamp, show off some of his culinary skill for a Filipino feast. It was nice not to have to cook, especially since most of my stuff was gone, and I'm grateful to him and his team for taking care of that for me . . . and that pineapple cake.

The party was so cool, we had to tweet about it

It was so great to see people who've meant a lot to me over the years, like former colleagues, fellow entrepreneurs, walking buddies, classmates, students, and even an old friend I knew in college. New friends, came, too, who even took the time to brag about how cool the party was, on Twitter.

One last goodbye kiss from Sebastian

Words can't express all the love I still feel for my friends back in Seattle. (I almost want to say "back home," but it's not -- and it feels weird that it isn't.) For those that were able to make it and those that made it in Spirit, thank you. To Alyson, Phillip and David, thank you guys for helping me finish setting up. To Alyson, Inti and Rebecca, thanks for bringing the boys and young fun to the party. To Ross for representing one of my dearest families. And an extra special shout out to John, Patricia, Jenise, Mike, Keren and the lovely Miss Traca for sticking around until the wee hours of the evening (and morning) to help me finish up the clean-up and pack-up. T-Grrr and I would probably not have made the flight (or my deposit back) without you.

The next morning was surprisingly easy and even got captured in the New York Times.

KFC's Double-Down's Got Nothin on Duffy's Monster Burger

2011-04-24T19:47:00.003-04:00

Holy moly, I thought I'd heard it all, but Duffy's Irish Pub in the U Street Corridor serves the Monster Burger which is a 1/2 pound burger that uses grilled cheese sandwiches (with tomatoes, I might add) as its buns is something else. I already consider a grilled cheese sandwich indulgent, but two? And then for them to embrace a whole 1/2 pound of beef?

Of course we didn't stop there. What better to accompany such a monstrosity? Cheesy tater tots and peppery buffalo wings.

Worth it? Definitely, especially when washing it all down with a pitcher of beer. Maybe not the wings so much, not because they were bad, just a bit too peppery for us. (Yes, there was an "us." Think I could have eaten all that by myself? -- OK, ya you're right, I probably could have.) I'll have to try the Sweet & Spicy or the Chesapeake Wings next time.

Duffy's Irish Pub
2106 Vermont Ave, NW
Washington, DC
202-265-3413

Dukem = Awesem!

2011-04-24T12:50:00.001-04:00

As open-minded as I claim my palate to be, Ethiopian is one cuisine that usually escapes my repertoire. I tried it once in college as part of a dinner for the Phelan Multicultural Community (PMC) Program that I was a student of at the University of San Francisco. For some reason, I didn't care for it at the time. I mean, I loved the process of tearing off pieces of the injera, a spongy type of flatbread, to pick up morsels of savory dishes lying on top of a layer of more injera. What wasn't to like, especially given back then, when I would have had munchies for all sorts of culinary delights. One of life's mysteries, I guess.

My friend, Wine Diva Deb, came to town this weekend from Seattle and we were trying to figure out where to go for dinner. I wanted to take her someplace that was "very DC" and she was craving either Ethiopian or Thai. Now, while I may not have experienced much of the cuisine, I at least know this. DC is THE town for Ethiopian food here in the US and I happen to live in THE neighborhood to enjoy the best it has to offer.

The best of the best I hear from native Ethiopians and food fans alike is Dukem on U Street, NW & 12th. Aside from it's authentic cuisine, it's simply delicious. We had no idea what to order (Deb was only a little more seasoned than I), and she came up with a great idea, just ask the waitress the most popular dishes. I was a bit apprehensive, only for fear of ending up with the Kitfo (beef tartare). I did try it before back in Seattle with my friend Traca, and thought it was delicious, but could only go as far as a couple of bites versus a whole dish. Luckily, the lovely waitress recommended one of the combination samplers(!).

Behold #27
Six dishes of yumminess (clockwise from the top): cabbage, minchet abesh (chopped lean ground beef braised in milled ginger and garlic sauce), tibs (cubed lamb with onion, rosemary, jalapeno pepper and spicy awaze sauce), tomato salad, lamb wot (stew), spicy splint lentils & greens; (center): doro wot (chicken stew simmered in berbere/red pepper sauce with garlic & onion).

Served with a glass of Ethiopian honey wine and/or Ethiopian beer and you have an excellent meal.

Dukem
1114 - 1118 U St., NW @ 12th
Washington D.C. 20009
Tel: 202-667-8735

Did I Miss Something (A Poem for Easter)

2011-04-24T07:34:00.003-04:00

Jesus of Nazareth spoke last week
On a hillside out in the country,
I was there and had a pretty good seat
But I kept thinking...

He should dress better,

And speak louder and more formally

(Did he say blessed or blest?)

On such an important occasion.

And the audience should dress better;
And some of them are noisy,
And some of them are the kind of people
Who don't really belong here at all.

And it's hot,

And it's dusty,

And the sun's in my eyes.

(Should I move to a better spot?)

It's funny though...
Many people didn't notice any of this
And seemed quite inspired-
And some were actually healed.

I'm starting to think I missed something.

-- Gary F. Mills (Christian Science Sentinel)

Springtime!

2011-03-22T09:42:00.001-04:00

Yes, spring has sprung in DC.

Burger Power

2011-03-19T21:56:00.016-04:00

Some days, I just crave a really good burger. OK, I didn't exactly today, but after two long hauls between DC and the Dulles Airport area in one day and an extended hunt for good food on the way home, I ended up at Silver Diner in Clarendon.

I've heard good things about the place, so was grateful for the opportunity to finally try it. Problem was I had no idea what to try. Thankfully, I followed the waiter's suggestion and got the Top Hat Burger. Onion rings, honey mustard, cheddar cheese, and bacon over an "all natural, hormone-free" beef patty. Fries were crispy, too.

I like that this place prioritizes fresh, local and natural ingredients. Service was excellent, too.

NOW in Print!

2011-02-05T17:07:00.001-05:00

That's right. I have a story out in the new NOW Washington DC Guide, available at hotels in the DC metropolitan area and online.

Read about DC's very own Top Chef All Stars (Carla Hall, Mike Isabella, and Spike Mendelsohn), on page 71 of their Winter Guide.

Top 10 Memories/Dreams/Discoveries for 2010

2010-12-31T16:50:00.000-05:00

As 2010 draws to a close, I'm taking a look back at some of the year's great experiences, a few lessons learned and a few changes in life.

Service work with indigenous Mayan people (January) - a long-time dream of mine that I hope to expand in the future.

Tulum, Mexico

The cross-(2)country drive from Washington state to Washington, DC (August) - Special shout-outs to Wyoming, South Dakota and Alberta. I'll be back.
My high school reunion (October) - 20 friggin years!!!!!!!! I had such a wonderful time, not only that evening, but getting to collaborate with two amazing women whom I didn't really know back then, and am glad to know now. Getting to see my old best friends and the after-party at Denny's, also highlights.
Moving to DC (April/May) - While the process was as painful as could be (physically, mentally, emotionally and especially financially), I made the decision last November while working here that whatever it took, I was going to move in 2010. Gratitude to Bill & Melinda for the job and JS for the home. Of course, thank you to the very dear friends I have here, this place would be nowhere near as wonderful without you.
I really do love New York (September) - A couple of magical weekends that included The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, UN General Assembly, Clinton Global Initiative, Climate Week and one of the most best parties I've been to in a long time courtesy of Kimpton Hotels and the Eventi Hotel. Another reason why I love New York? It's an easy and cheap bus ride (or a super-fun drive with a friend).
Racquel's College Graduation (June) - I'm so proud of my little sister (and brother who graduated last year). It was a great reason to venture to Southern California and see my family. Even prouder she's now studying at one of the top graduate schools in the country. Added bonus: she's just a couple of hours by plane, so I look forward to a few flights between the two of us.

Waking up the artist within (all year) - I'm finally writing more, got to "act" in my first indie, explored photography enough to get a piece of work displayed, and interior decorating (still a work in progress).

Mis nuevos amigos (March) - Definitely one of my biggest highlights of the year was getting to Los Amigos Invisibles show at the Black Cat in DC, and even hang out backstage for a bit.

An evening Avec Eric (May) - Hanging out with Eric Ripert, the sexiest man in the culinary world.
Ta-ta to T-Grrr (September) - The most bittersweet of all, I had to bid farewell to my most beloved and devoted companion of the past 11.5 years. I'm so grateful for the time we had together and that I could be with him when he made the transition.

T-Grrr and my sister, Racquel

At the End of the Year

The particular mind of the ocean

Filling the coastline's longing

With such brief harvest

Of elegant, vanishing waves

Is like the mind of time

Opening us shapes of days.

As this year draws to its end,

We give thanks for the gifts it brought

And how they became inlaid within

Where neither time nor tide can touch them.

The days when the veil lifted

And the soul could see delight;

When a quiver caressed the heart

In the sheer exuberance of being here.

Surprises that came awake

In forgotten corners of old fields

Where expectation seemed to have quenched.

The slow, brooding times

When all was awkward

And the wave in the mind

Pierced every sore with salt.

The darkened days that stopped

The confidence of the dawn.

Days when beloved faced shone brighter

With light from beyond themselves;

And from the granite of some secret sorrow

A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,

For all we loved and lost

And for the quiet way it brought us

Nearer to our invisible destination.

~ John O'Donohue

Starveless in Seattle

2010-12-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

Yay! I'm back in Seattle and I'm excited to see dear friends and visit a few old haunts. A popular question while living here, or when I have friends coming to town, is where are my favorite places to eat. I often have difficulty answering, mainly because I hate having to compete for a seat and second, I appreciate a certain level of anonymity, especially for breakfast spots when I just want to be able to roll in casually without having to primp myself, just hiding under a baseball cap. But since I no longer live here, I will happily share a few spots that I've been craving, aside from the usual suspects listed in all the "top lists" and guidebooks, including a few of my secret spots that for some reason tend to fly under the radar.

Breakfast/Brunch:

Voula's Offshore Cafe (North Lake Union/Wallingford) - Not exactly a secret, especially after it was featured on the Food Network. This family-owned institution has a special place in my heart. The guys behind the counter and the waitresses running around all treat me like extended family. And Niko's hash browns are both plentiful and wonderfully crispy. My main issues with the place are figuring out whether to dive right into my usual Smokey the Salmon, indulge in a Chinese Pancake or try one of their tasty specials.

Bay Cafe (Fisherman's Terminal/Magnolia) - This place is the culmination of just about everything I want in a restaurant: good food (including hash browns!), great view, excellent service, easy parking, and decent prices. If it's in season, I usually go for the halibut & eggs. The prime location where the Alaskan fishermen dock (including those on Deadliest Catch), gives the restaurant prime access to fresh halibut, and other seafood. If not, the California Scramble is a solid choice. Many of the staff have worked at the restaurant for over a decade, and some over generations including a mother-daughter waitressing team. The decor is really no-nonsense. It's about the food, silly, but you get so much more. Sometimes super-quickly, too.

Dahlia Bakery (Belltown) - The casual darling of the Tom Douglas empire. I stop here as often as I can for one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Seattle. Their housemade English muffins w/ organic eggs and artfully put-together combinations that change weekly make this place so irresistable in the morning. And if I feel even more indulgent, I grab one of their famous Triple Coconut Cream Bites -- ok, two.

Le Fournil (Eastlake) - Home of my favorite chai in Seattle and their Croque Fournil Special (ham, egg & swiss on a toasted croissant) make this a dear spot to stop and sip for breakfast. They also have a delightful selection of pastries and sandwiches, so it's good for lunch, too.

Dinner:

Art of the Table (Wallingford/Greenlake) - Quite possibly, my ideal dinner spot. A quaint, tucked away restaurant with some of the most clever dishes I've ever had that is truly dear to my heart. I love Chef Dustin Ronspies' cooking, especially his creative Monday Happy Hour. You never know what you're going to get, but rest assured, it'll be good. My recommendation: get one of everything.

Tidbit Bistro (Capitol Hill) - I fell in love with this darling place when it first opened in the sleepy part of North Capitol Hill, but so did everyone else, and it had to expand into a larger space in the more bustling Pike/Pine Corridor of Capitol Hill. The food is still wonderful and the owners still dear. I still love their food, especially the divine grilled Cesare Salad (actually better than mine) and Mushroom Crostini. One of the best happy hour deals in town, before 6:30p.

There's more, stay tuned . . .

Living a Life of Yum

2010-11-10T01:28:00.000-05:00

It's been an embarrassingly long stint since my last public post where I shared one of my many "Come to Jesus" moments during my Renegade Road Trip. I really freaked out after sharing a truly personal experience publicly, which likely shocks some of you who actually read my blog or see my Facebook or Twitter postings where I give the impression that I can easily share myself freely. No one believes me when I confide that I'm actually really shy. I mean, it's easy to write about food I eat, places I go, things I see and events I experience, but to share my deeper feelings publicly creates a whole anxiety I've chosen to avoid most of my life. Perhaps this is ironic since that post has drawn the most supportive commentary from readers publicly and privately.

But I'm a Feeler, as was blatantly pointed out by some recent personality and strengths tests that I had to take for my new team in DC. Not exactly a shocker, but it's an adjustment for me to own that label. Proudly? Not yet, but I'm working on it.

When I first came up with my blog's subtitle "Adventures in Yumminess," I wasn't just referring to the taste of food, but meant it as a metaphor about savoring the deliciousness of life. We experience so many moments of pleasure, and of pain, and then they go, like a bite of food. The memories linger, but the moments pass, and sometimes I'd like to capture them through words or photos.

So I'll be expanding the scope of this blog to capture those times when I live a life of YUM, whether through food, travel or other unimaginable moments of joy I get blessed to experience every now and then. And my hope is you get inspired to take some time to savor such occasions as they happen in your life -- and capture them, so the wonderful memories can live on.

In the meantime, I may post-date some of my writings that I've been hiding all this time. (Yes, I think some of us bloggers do that on occasion. Shhhhh...) Or, at the very least, this will get me to write more often without limiting my topics to just food and travel, two of my biggest, but not my only joys in life.

It Really Does Get Better

2010-10-29T10:23:00.001-04:00

Read my post for The DC Ladies about overcoming my development years and more importantly, overcoming my high school reunion. There is a bonus pic of one of those awkward high school photos I am incredibly embarrassed about.

Homecoming w/ Bill Johnson my senior year

Looking Back

2010-08-04T11:39:00.000-04:00

Still at the Outlaw Inn
Kalispell, MT

I wondered if there is some kind of metaphor about going backwards in order to move forward, and perhaps, sometimes, you really do need to go back into your past and ponder the reality of past events. It's easy to get caught up into the emotion while you're in it, and it is only after some time that you can look back and realize things like others' actions weren't about you, that you have some (if not all) accountability, that things were actually happening for the better, or it's just time to get over it. Regardless of the situation, it usually comes down to the latter option. And not to dismiss what ever pent up feelings of hurt and betrayal we may feel, there does come a point when we not only have to forgive our perpetrators, but ourselves.

I am not one to preach about religion, but I will caveat that over the years, I've been drawn more and more to a sense of spirituality. I mean, when it comes down to severe moments of pain, don't we pray to some kind of God for mercy? Or even during moments of extreme pleasure, how often have we or our partners screamed some declaration to God?

Kidding aside, I've found there is a power to prayer whether it's to some greater power or a promise or intention to ourselves. So this said, I share a Buddhist prayer I was taught a couple of years ago that's helped me (and several of my clients) get over many of the difficult events, people and obstacles in life, especially caused by ourselves, so we could move forward into our journeys, without the extra baggage of emotional pain we have a tendency to carry around.

Buddhist Forgiveness Prayer

If I have harmed anyone, in any way,
either knowingly or unknowingly,
I ask for forgiveness.

If anyone has harmed me in any way,
either knowingly or unknowingly,
I forgive them.

And if there is a situation I am not yet ready to forgive,
I forgive myself for that.

For all the ways that I harm myself,
judge or be unkind to myself,
negate, doubt or belittle myself,
I forgive myself for that.

Sometimes you have to go backwards in order to move forward

2010-08-04T00:56:00.000-04:00

Outlaw Inn
Kalispell, MT

It felt very strange to drive west from Canmore to Banff. Not only was I backtracking, but I felt like I was going the wrong direction. Most people think of going west for new direction, new start. I, however am going east. Not "back East," but more like "forward East." But once I got to Banff, I felt a strange sense of calm. It's a cute village, more extensive than I thought it would be. What is it about ski-town villages that bring so much charm. Doesn't matter which country.

I didn't spend much time there. Just had breakfast at this cute cafe, outside in the cold crisp air and warmed by the newly cleared sun. Got to plan my day thanks to free wifi and decided to go to the hot springs up the hill and go up Sulphur Mountain. I wish I had done it the other way around. I was rather underwhelmed by the hot springs. I mean, it was nice to be in warm water, but I didn't quite feel the healing powers they say hot springs are supposed to bring.

They say hot springs help cure various ailments and I wondered if it would help heal my broken heart. I stepped in with that intention, hung out and even swam in the pool a bit I didn't like the heat of the water in my face, however. Overall, underwhelming. Physically, my neck still hurt, so not sure what the point was of the springs.

Afterwards, I decided to ride the gondola up the Banff Mountain and then hike up Sulphur Mountain. It felt strange going in my own gondola, without all the groups and families and couples going together. Just me and luckily my iPod, so I had such a wonderful soundtrack for my ride and my hike. I was disappointed to find out I could have saved the $30 and hiked up, but I didn't want to spend that much time anyway.

What was I thinking just wearing my fliip flops? I guess I was just so focused on the hot springs and I didn't realize how much mroe there was to do up top. I simply thought it was a simple ride, oooh and ahhhh and then come down. It ended up being a bit like Grouse Mountain which offered so much more than just nice views. I hesitated about the walk to the other summit. It seemed so much further and higher. There was a sign about wearing proper footwear and a picture of a hiking boot and then of a person falling. Not exactly encouraging for a gal still dripping from the hot springs. I kept hearing, "I have everything I need," and I really could do it. That happened with this path in Uxmal which was supposed to be a metaphor for life, wearing what I thought were the wrong shoes, but I still did it. And, with going up the summit, I still did it. And I was neither cold nor uncomfortable.

Leaving Banff, I decided it was time to head back to the US and my goal was to get as far south down Montana as possible. It was about 2pm and if I were to resume my easternly direction, I would have hit Calgary around rush hour and then headed south for the border. If my experience the night before of the standstill Calgary traffic were any indication of what I would have to deal with, then I thought it'd be better to keep going west and then take the alternative highway through Radium Hot Springs.

I debated strongly about making a stop there. It seemed like such a large town to celebrate the natural resource. What would happen if I were to go twice in one day? But I was so underwhelmed with the first time, would the second be any different? I decided to move on.

The border was a step up from a gas station at an abandoned ghost town. There were 3 car lanes available, but barely any sign of life. When the red light turned green and I pulled in next to the stand, the lady questioned my citizenship. I suppose I didn't exactly fit the typical Montanan profile. But I handed her my US passport. Every answer I gave her led to more questions. I suppose I do have a puzzling story that could only arouse suspicion.

Where do you live? - Washington, DC
(? why does the car have Washington state license plates)

Do you have any tobacco or alcohol? - No! (my one fib)

Where is the car from? - Seattle, I just moved to DC and I'm driving it over

If you're going east, why on earth are you coming from Canada? - I love Vancouver and I decided to check out Banff
(This led to a thorough inspection of the vehicle.)

How long were you in Canada? - 3 days (I had to think about it for a bit, since I really didn't have much concept of time. Hence, arousing even more suspicion.)

What were you doing in Vancouver? - Pride weekend (She didn't seem to like my answer, not sure whether it was because she didn't know what "Pride" meant -- this is rural Montana after all -- or because she thought she'd have to let some queer into the states.)

Why are you going this way? - I've already been to Eastern Washington and I'm not going wine tasting, so why not. It's my summer vacation. Oh, and I didn't want to go through Calgary during rush hour.

What kind of work do you do? - I work at a non-profit.

What kind of non-profit? - Philanthropy

What does that do? - We help fund charitable organizations
(At this point, she does catch me in my one fib. I did have a bottle of wine that I was bringing for my friends whom I would be staying with at Yellowstone. Thankfully, she ignored it)

What non-profit? - I tell her, she never heard of it, so I explain the history of the founders and tell her that I transferred from the Seattle office to the DC one.

How much cash do you have?

Why are you driving?

For how long?

. . . and the questions persisted, which luckily the physical evidence corroborated. And, it's not like anyone could make my story up. I have to admit, it was nice not having to worry about anything (except the wine). Had this been 10 years ago, my attitude would have been far different, especially with British Columbia's very liberal medicinal marijuana laws.

For the Love of Granny

2010-08-01T14:40:00.000-04:00

It's really hitting me that I'm taking Granny away from Seattle for good. She's been such a great car and the idea of letting her go was incredibly difficult. She's my first car, and we were meant to be together. Even now, through this cross-country drive, I believe we are still meant to be.

The back license plate cover says my alma matter, but the front says Kirkland Toyota. I'm sure, if anyone ever bothers to notice, it appears odd since she's a Volkswagen. I keep it on there for symbolic reasons, which remind me of how some things really are destined.

Living in San Francisco, I never felt the need to own a car. As soon as I knew I was moving to Seattle, looking for a car was an even bigger priority than looking for an apartment. For some reason, I had always wanted a Jetta. I generally always liked sedans (no, I'm not a sports car or minivan kind of gal), 4 doors, compact and practical. I liked Jettas specifically because I found Toyotas and Hondas too suburban and common, while the more luxury BMWs & Mercedes too materialistic. The first car I drove was an Audi, and it had so many problems, it was called an Ouchie. Jettas just seemed to provide a fun combination of unique style without the flash, and the skillful German engineering without the escalated price tag.

When it came time to buy my car, I had a tough decision about getting a Jetta or something more practical. I was moving to Seattle without a job and I wanted to be practical about this investment. I'd never actually owned a car before, let alone gone through the whole dealership negotiation, so I had to prepare myself. I had no need getting something brand new, so finding something 2-4 years old was just fine with me. I researched Jettas and Audis and their respective longevity. Keep in mind, I'd be moving out without a job, so I really had no idea how much I could really spend. It would just be based on my savings, and I decided it might be better to make the practical decision, and buy Toyota.

Most dealerships listed their available cars online so I could do my research and selection while from San Francisco. I saw a Jetta at this Toyota dealership and noticed their Corollas, too. A Corolla would be a more practical decision, both from a logistical and financial perspective, and they had one in black that met my basic requirements. I made an appointment one weekend when I was flying up to see it. I had my car loan set up with my credit union and was ready to purchase right then and there, barring some bad situation in my test-drive. Showed up that Saturday morning and it turned out the car had been sold the night before, to my disappointment and to the dealer with whom I'd been corresponding.

My boyfriend (now ex-husband) noticed the Jetta and pointed it out to me. It was the one I had originally seen online and opened me up to Toyotas instead. I thought it was too expensive, but he convinced me to test drive it anyway. "For shits and giggles," he nudged. As I drove it, the bright blue lights and perfect fit with my body just felt like Fate. I kept telling myself, "Don't fall in love. Don't fall in love," so I could contain my excitement from the dealer next to me. When we returned to the dealership, he asked me what I thought. I looked as nonchalant as I could and told him it was fine, but it's too bad it costed almost twice as much as the Toyota I was originally going to buy. He said it was because of all the bells and whistles, the heated seats, sun and moon roof, 6-cd stereo. If he had known that I actually dreamed of having heated seats but non-leather (which I didn't know was possible), which the Jetta had, the negotiations would not have gone as well. After about 3 hours, I got the Jetta for only $500 more than the Toyota's price. I named her Granny because she's epitomizes many of the qualities I'd like to be when I'm older: practical, just enough style, can fit in anywhere, and with all the bells and whistles.

As I was saying

2010-08-01T11:29:00.000-04:00

That rainstorm was a "friendly" reminder that this city where I left my heart is also known as the rainiest city in North America. A fact simply proven yesterday.
That aside, I still love Vancouver. Top ten reasons why:
10. No high fructose corn syrup. Seriously, it makes a difference. Just taste the Heinz ketchup here.

9. Great public transportation.

8. Beautiful high-rise buildings, most of which are residential.

7. Pretty money.

6. If you see a well-dressed man, wondering if he's gay or European is futile.

5. It's safe. Far safer than the United States. Although to be fair, Seattle is pretty safe, too.

4. Hiking up Grouse Mountain.

3. Midnight Market, just like in Asia.

2. Hot dog vendors. There's Japadog, but even the regular vendors have outstanding dogs, grilled to perfection with a variety of delicious sauces.

1. Style. Everyone here has got style, even the elder ladies.
I admit, not the most clever or most thought out right now. Just want to get this done so I can go watch the parade and play on the beach.

A few reasons why I think Vancouver is Cooler than Seattle

2010-07-31T22:37:00.000-04:00

Random cafe patio on Davie St.Vancouver, British Columbia

Don't get me wrong, I really like Seattle. And there are things about the town that I can even say I love. But the truth is, Vancouver is way cooler. WAY. It's got a cosmopolitan/European flair with American conveniences, and certain civilities that tend to be lacking in American culture. It's also just incredibly gorgeous, with the beautiful highrise buildings and majestic natural backdrop of mountains and water. It also helps that you don't really need a car here as so much is within walking distance and the public transportation is comparative to New York.

I've learned not to bother coming here with an agenda. Just walking down the block can offer amazing sites and sounds, and if you're willing to walk even further, you can transport across so many different worlds, cultures, artforms and celebrations.

Last time I was here, back in late September, it was just a one-day stop on a cruise. I guess my friend and I really needed a vacation because we hadn't had time to even think about our Vancouver stop, let alone plan it. We got off the ship, grabbed a map, and realized our choices were to turn left, right or forward. We chose left. In a span of about 8 hours, we hit the Gastown District, Chinatown, the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China Parade, the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens (gorgeous), Restaurant Salt, a 1st American Peoples Celebration, Anti-Iraq War protest & rap contest, Downtown, Japadog, and waterfront. I also want to include Stanley Park and the Sea Wall, mainly because we got such an incredible view from the ship, that we couldn't have gotten otherwise from land.

(Holy $&!t, just heard super-loud thunder. Must get back to hotel before rain hits.)

For the Traveler

2010-07-31T11:48:00.000-04:00

Every time you leave home, Another road takes you
Into a world you were never in.

New strangers on other paths await.
New places that have never seen you
Will startle a little at your entry.
Old places that know you well
Will pretend nothing
Changed since your last visit.
When you travel, you find yourself
Alone in a different way,
More attentive now
To the self you bring along,
Your more subtle eye watching
You abroad; and how what meets you
Touches that part of the heart
That lies low at home:

How you unexpectedly attune
To the timbre in some voice,
Opening a conversation
You want to take in
To where your longing
Has pressed hard enough
Inward, on some unsaid dark,
To create a crystal of insight
You could not have known
You needed
To illuminate Your way.

When you travel,
A new silence
Goes with you,
And if you listen,
You will hear
What your heart would
Love to say.

A journey can become a sacred thing;
Make sure, before you go,
To take the time
To bless your going forth,
To free the heart of ballast
So that the compass of your soul
Might direct you toward
The territories of spirit
Where you will discover
More of your hidden life;
And the urgencies
That deserve to claim you.

May you travel in an awakened way,
Gathered wisely into your inner ground;
That you may not waste the invitations
Which wait along the way
to transform you.

May you travel safely, arrive refreshed,
And live your time away to its fullest;
Return home more enriched, and free
To balance the gift of days which call you.

— John O’ Donahue

Creature Comforts

2010-07-30T08:55:00.000-04:00

It's hard for me to think of Seattle as "home," especially now that I am no longer an official resident. I didn't grow up here and I don't have family other than dear friends I consider close enough to be family and the adorable dog of whose I lost custody in my divorce. But, I do find some home-style comforts, not just with the people I get to see, but some of the food I get to eat.

I'm often asked where my favorite place to eat is, and it's easy to randomly pick one of the more popular, highly-rated, and usually more expensive restaurants. The truth is, something I would truly consider a favorite has to be more accessible, not just price-wise but personality-wise. The kind of place I could go to on a regular basis and know the food and know the folks, that whether I were dressed up or dressed down, I'd be treated well and get the same great food regardless. While I generally live my life open to outcome, I do take a large measure of comfort in consistency, too.

I love breakfast and can enjoy any of its components during any meal. However, there's something quite magical about weekend breakfast for me. Oh, better yet, if I could get an unhurried, sit-down breakfast during the week, too, I'd be in Heaven. There are two places in Seattle that offer the comfort food component for such sacred meals, and rarely do I ever share their identities or their meaningfulness with others. But now that I have moved away and I won't be coming here so often, I will share them now. Think of it as a reward for actually taking the time to actually read my blog.

The first place is Voula's Offshore Cafe, already pretty well-known, not just because of its long-standing existence, but was well-publicized on the Food Network's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, so I didn't mind writing about it in a previous blog post, nor publicizing my outings there on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, even sending out invitations. The place is crowded already, so I'd rather see it crowded with people I already know. It's a family-owned and -run restaurant, with Voula as the matriarch and her two sons, Sikey and Nikos handling the day to day operations. There's also Brian behind the counter, who seems to be more of an adopted brother. Nikos has probably the most important job in my book, making me crispy hash browns. While we both elevate the importance of their crispiness, his way is to focus on one side's perfection while keeping the other side moist and more potato-y. And he believes the time taken to grill the second side would actually sacrifice the first side's perfection by making it soggy. And for us two-sided fans, it's not like there isn't plenty of hash and brownage to go around. In fact, the plate itself can barely contain how much is served. I usually just eat the crispy parts and if there were 2 sides available, I wouldn't have room for the rest of the breakfast. Actually, I don't usually have room for the entire breakfast anyway. And along with the boys behind the counter, I have to send a special shout out to one particular waitress, ZeZe, who has just been such a sweetheart to me over the years. She really helps me feel like I'm "home."

The other place, I'll have to think about whether to share . . .

Sleepless in Seattle

2010-07-29T07:26:00.000-04:00

Super Amazing Kimpton Hotel Suite
Seattle, WA

At first, I had no idea where I was when I woke up at 3:30 this morning. Although, to be fair, it's more like 6:30 to me. This place is almost the size of my apartment. The bedroom portion itself is already sizeable, but there is also an offset livingroom/den/office space, even a kitchen sink. A nice upgrade perk thanks to my new status as an Inner Circle member for Kimpton hotels. I don't know why I feel guilty for having such luxuries all to myself, at least one of my best friends got to hang out for a bit while I checked in and got ready for post-dinner cocktails/dessert. I had better enjoy this while it lasts. I'll have two weeks of having to wake up in unknown surroundings and I don't think any of them will be as spacious as this.

It started to hit me, while I was driving my car yesterday, that this could be the longest couple of weeks of my life. I've never done a road trip for more than a few days, let alone by myself. Why am I doing this again?

All I know is I have to, despite being tested and tempted to do otherwise. Just the other day, I got a good offer on my car. When I posed the question on Facebook about whether to sell my car or keep it, overwhelmingly, everyone suggested I sell. And it was hard for me to leave home because of my air-conditioning issues and worries about my cat baking at home. Yet, I'm here now.

The View from Here

2010-07-28T15:40:00.000-04:00

Alaska Airlines, Flight 1, DC to Seattle

Staring out my window at the various landscapes of the country from 15,000 feet above, I wonder if it'll look as magical from on the ground. I recall various road trips winding around mountain ranges wondering, if at the next bend, I'll finally feel like we got some headway to our destination. Perhaps it was the anxiety to be at whatever event I was going to, or perhaps it was because I wanted to do anything to just get out of the car. Perhaps it was before learning the phrase, "it's about the journey, not the destination." Ha, I don't think this applied to the 5-hour road trips from San Francisco to Black Rock City in the middle of the night at the end of summer.

Luckily, I can wholeheartedly say, even though I am only a few hours into my journey so far, I'm having a great time. I'm sitting comfortably in a bulk head seat, munching on a Cougar Mountain cookie, option for a free cocktail (thanks to my new MVP Gold status), and free wifi. My work laptop isn't working, so I have to use my personal one, and nothing of any real significance I can do for work from here. Shucks, Facebook it is. And what an amazing invention it has become.

Comment from a dear former colleague back in San Francisco on my status about my draft road trip itinerary so far, discovering that we will actually be in the same general area (Idaho/Montana/Wyoming) at the same time. Yes, I am counting three states as the same general area given that we do live across the country from each other. We are going opposite directions (he and his family going west and I going east), we can intersect at Yellowstone. They will be staying at their cabin at the entrance to Yellowstone, and even better, they have space for me to stay. Talk about serious score! Get to see old friends and their sons whose pictures I've been admiring over the years, get a place to stay, and get to see the Old Faithful Geyser.

Ironically, I was actually considering skipping Yellowstone, but I guess this was just meant to be. Part of the beauty of not having a set itinerary is being open to these gems of opportunities.

Two Weeks

2010-07-28T12:38:00.000-04:00

TO STRIVE, TO SEEK, TO FIND.

AND NOT TO YIELD.

Written on a chalkboard at the very end of the movie One Week. Interesting mantra to inspire me on this road adventure I'm about to undertake, to drive my car from the old Washington (state) to the new Washington (DC). I didn't think I was seeking anything, not even the inevitable adventure part, but I suppose it's actually a new vision quest I have begun.

While, unlike the movie's main character, I have not been diagnosed with a terminal disease (thank God), but we both seek new life somehow. My transition to life on the East Coast almost complete, I get the feeling the real transition is yet to come.

Present-Forward

2010-05-16T12:06:00.000-04:00

It’s been a ridiculously long time since my last post and I apologize, not just to you, my readers (are there any of you?), but my Self. This blog’s been an important outlet for me and despite the ridiculous amount of drafts I have hidden, I’ve been neglecting it.

I can list a hundred excuses, and most of them would actually be valid, but the truth is, we can make time for things that are important to us. I’ve sat in a plane at least 48 hours since February and while I did do a bit of writing and working, did I really need to do all those crossword puzzles (some twice if it was the second flight that month) or play all those games on my iPod? Oh yeah, and make the mistake of watching Avatar on one of those tiny Digi-players?

But no use in beating myself up now, which I’m sure none of you can relate to. A great bit of advice my now former boss gave me was just to move present-forward. Now that we realize the consequence/s of our actions (or inaction, in this case), going forward, we do what we can to make sure to prevent it in the future.

I say “now former” because a few changes have happened in my life, biggest of which is I have now officially moved to DC. *SHOCK!* I can hear your gasps now. As if my tweets whining of teary-eyed evenings whenever I had to pack to leave weren’t any clue. That means new job, new home and to some degree, a new life and it’s been exciting at best and overwhelmingly anxiety-ridden and stressful at worst. The key (well, more like the lock-pick) for me has just been taking one step at a time. I’ve now vacated my Seattle apartment and relinquished maybe 75% of my physical possessions. I brought no furniture with me and the majority of items I moved were books, clothes and a few kitchen essentials. What I’ve gained is a beautiful apartment with a great view of the District, ideally located in one of my favorite neighborhoods and walking distance to my favorite café. I plan to furnish my home as stylishly and eco-friendly as possible, using Feng Shui guidelines, somehow affordably. The crazy thing is I don’t think it’s impossible! You can read about my progress on the e-zine, The DC Ladies, where I am now a contributing writer on eco-living.

You’re probably wondering, did I still eat? Ummmm, yes of course. It’s an addiction for me. I eat every day, multiple times a day. And yes, I’ve had some amazing adventures which I hope to eventually log into this blog (probably backdating), but present-forward, remember? To list a few (in NO particular order):

Komi – Washingtonian Magazine’s #1-rated restaurant. Yes, the title is well-deserved. Only drawback is they wouldn’t allow me to take pictures.
Omakazi dinner at Sushi Taro – incredible, but too much food, even for me.
Sushi Concierge dinner with Trevor Corson at Zentan – informative, but too many people to maintain everyone’s attention for too long, especially the loud Dutch girls next to us. Best part of the evening was the Singapore Slaw. I think I went back twice to the restaurant for dinner so I could have more.
Reverence Dinner (Seattle) – A Gypsy-style dinner with 8 of Seattle’s most incredible chefs.
Robin Leventhal’s Top Chef Dinner (Seattle) – A fantasy come-true for me to try the food I see on tv. Robin recreated some of the dishes from the hit show, and now I know I’m not out of my mind whenever I want to lick the screen.
Cherry Blossom Festival and cooking class TenPenh – Being in DC for the festival was another item on my bucket list and I couldn’t think of a better way to start the celebration than with a cherry blossom-inspired cooking class. Only drawback was being served 4 glasses of wine before noon. I couldn’t remember everything, but luckily I have pictures.
J&G Steakhouse – Most incredible calamari ever! Oh yes, and a surprisingly beautiful pavlova dessert.
POV at the W Hotel – My favorite place to go on a warm afternoon or evening, especially after walking the monuments. Unfortunately it’s difficult to get up there without a room at the hotel or a reservation in the restaurant. Oh, and unfortunately the food at the restaurant isn’t quite the same as at J&G downstairs.
Restaurant Nora – This may be the winner of my favorite splurgy restaurant in DC. Aside from being the first certified organic restaurant, the food is absolutely superb and the service impeccable.
Vidalia – Another restaurant in the running for my favorite. The bartender created an incredible Valentine’s Day cocktail which he shared with me and my dining companion. Both food and service were incredible.
Marcel – Two words: Boudin Blanc. Most incredible sausage ever, although I feel so bourgeois calling it a sausage.
Art of the Table (Seattle) - I may have said this once and I'll say it again, I absolutely love Chef Dustin Ronspies' food. If you don't have time to sit down to one of the restaurant's four-course dinners, the Monday happy hours are the best. It's sort of like an Iron Chef dinner where he can experiment with different ingredients and come out with something incredible.
Po Dog (Seattle) - I totally dig on the ghetto gourmet this place embodies.
Old School Frozen Custard (Seattle) – Super-fresh, incredible tasting. Not sure if I can ever go back to normal ice cream again.
Pho 14 – I love having great Vietnamese in my hood!
Full Kee – One great thing about living in a diverse city is I can get wonderful dishes like congee again!
Dante’s Inferno Dogs (Seattle) – Sure, I’ve had them before, but on a whim, I tried one with cream cheese and sweet chili sauce.
Marination Mobile (Seattle) – Hey brah! Howzit? OK, not a typical Hawaiian-style plate lunch food truck, but really damn good.

Daphifying DC

2010-02-20T19:39:00.000-05:00

Just last week, I had a couple of friends tell me they were going to DC this fall and they asked me for suggestions on things to do, where to stay and places to go. While I generally list such information on my main site, GoGastronomy.com, I admit it's more of a list and a quick-hash versus more thoughtful musings, so I thought I'd write something a little more tailored for them on this blog. So, KR (and anyone else who wants to know), here goes:

Best Places to Hit the Snooze Button

In general, I like to stay in Dupont Circle. I just like the idea of staying in a more residential neighborhood, especially if I will be there for more extended period (at least a couple of weeks). It's safe, convenient and super-fun. It's a 1.5 mile walk to downtown and I enjoy every block, especially when I make a slight detour to pass the White House. Regardless of which direction I go, there are always interesting nooks and neighborhoods to discover, with Georgetown to the west, Kalorama to the north, Columbia Heights to the northeast, U Street Corridor and/or Capitol Hill to the east, the White House and National Mall to the south and I've been known to walk to or walk from Arlington in the southwest. I've stayed at a couple of different places and highly recommend the Hotel Palomar on P Street NW and 21st. It's two blocks from the Metro and there are quite a few restaurants right there on that block. And Joe from Urbana, the hotel restaurant, is one of the most strategic and friendliest bartenders I've met in DC.

For my most recent time this summer, I stayed in the downtown/Penn Quarter. I normally avoid high touristy areas but it offered the most convenience (and it was the cheap). Hotel Monaco and Sofitel are quite popular, but there is a plethora of accommodations to fit any taste and budget. (Note: I must caution that sometimes rooms at the Hotel Monaco can be unsatisfactory, especially in the basement, so much so that a few readers have mentioned they checked out early and/or requested different rooms.) The big advantage, to the Hotel Monaco is its location next to restaurants, including it's own highly acclaimed Poste and some of DC's most popular tourist attractions.

My Way

First, perhaps I should disclose my typical travel Modus Operandi.

I rarely have a set itinerary. Sure, I'll know when I'm arriving and returning, but if I'm on vacation or making the most of an evening or weekend while traveling for work, the last thing I want is a rigid schedule. I do, however, make particular appointments just to give me a bit of structure (e.g., meeting a friend, taking a class, attending an event that is only a set date), but it's important to allow for some flexibility. I do generally keep a list of things I'd like to do and I may have an idea of when may be ideal to do them. But again, flexibility is key. I rarely pay attention to directives like, "You MUST do ___," or "You haven't seen ___ if you didn't do ____." We all have our different priorities and preferences. For instance, I've never been on top of the Empire State Building or even seen the Statue of Liberty from the ground, but I've walked innumerable blocks in Manhattan, have shopped at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, eaten a slice of pizza (or 12) and picnicked in Central Park. Pretty quintessential New York experiences in my book.
An ideal day for me would consist of actual (and sometimes made up) plans in the beginning or end of a day (like a class or brunch date in the morning or dinner or show in the evening) and walk my way to or from those locations (weather depending of course). Sometimes you never know what you'll discover. One weekend in DC, I walked from my hotel, had coffee in Dupont Circle, ran an errand on 17th St., NW, walked to U Street to try out the infamous Ben's Chili Bowl before visiting some friends who lived in that area later that afternoon. On my way, I came across cupcake samples at Cake Love and the culinary mecca of U Street Corridor with it's burgeoning farmers market. Not likely places I would have come across had I not been flexible with my day and itinerary.
One of the most idyllic ways I get to know a town is to do everyday activities. This could mean walking through random residential neighborhoods (well, be cautious and keep your street smarts), traveling via its public transportation system or my personal favorite is hitting the local farmers market and grocery store, especially in foreign countries. (HINT: it's also a much less expensive place to buy authentic local culinary delights.)

Again, I'll admit I'm not usually into touristy stuff, but this is one town that begs for it. While I think one can have an excellent time just walking around, peeking at sights and plopping down at an outdoor cafe and people watching, the history, design, monuments and museums of this town deserve attention. There are thousands of books, brochures and sites that will offer all the how-tos and ins and outs of DC. These are just my personal highlights. If you have specific questions or want something more tailored for your interests. Send me a note. I'd love to design something more tailored for you.

I'm all about convenience and flexibility, so these are clumped up geographically because, let's face it, if you're gonna be there, you might as well take advantage of what's around.

While I may be devout about not having rigid itineraries, DC is one of those towns where you can get a good advantage by planning ahead. Write to your Congressional Representative or Senator and they will provide "VIP Tour" tickets to DC's main attractions including the Capitol Building and the White House. The big disadvantage to these tours is they start incredibly early (8am-ish), which isn't exactly desirable when you're on vacation. But I suppose if you were looking for some relaxing time off, you'd be going to the beach, right? So, if you have a goal to see specific places, plan ahead. Or do what I would do and leave it up to fate and sign up for a waitlist once you're there.

Touristy, but cool

White House and surrounding area

If you must visit the White House (which really is as magical as it looks in the movies), then it is mandatory to plan ahead. Post-9/11 rules state that White House visitors make arrangements through their Congressional Representative or their embassy and this can be done up to 6 months in advance. There is also the Visitors Center on 15th & E if you didn't plan ahead or want to learn more of its history.

You'll probably work up an appetite, and THE place I recommend is Old Ebbitt Grill. It's a good place for basics (ground chuck hamburgers, crabcakes, or just drinks) and the history and design of this place makes it a tourist destination all on its own. Rumors have it that the bar in "Murphy Brown" was based on the Old Ebbitt Grill and judging by the dark walls and beautifully detailed woodwork, you'll see why. What makes this even more remarkable is its price. Whether you're in a power suit or your power sneakers, you can get a great meal for $10-15. [Update 2/20/10: I recently found out the oyster menu and Oysters Bill of Rights was designed by none other than Seattle's own Jon Rowley. I'd say small world, but he is known worldwide as a leading oyster expert.]

My kind of Mall

Walk south of the White House and around The Ellipse, and you hit the National Mall. It's a bit hard to miss the Washington Monument and it's a tough choice whether to turn right (west towards the Lincoln Memorial) or left (east towards the Capitol Building). It's easy to spend an entire day just walking the Mall in either direction, or both.

Usually I will combine walking the west side of the mall with a hike to or from Arlington National Cemetery (see Virginia section below). My heart races whenever I cross the Memorial Bridge from the Cemetery into DC with its view of the Potomac River and the Lincoln Memorial, so I usually save the west side of the Mall for post-cemetery trekking. In fact, one of the reasons I like staying in Dupont Circle is the taxi will cross the Memorial Bridge after arriving at Reagan-National Airport.

Virginia

Whenever possible, I spend at least 1 weekend day away from DC proper to see a friend or two who live in Alexandria. Although now that I have some new friends in Arlington, I will be more intent about including that city in my itinerary, too.

Start with brunch in Old Town Alexandria (approx 30 minutes from DC on the Metro). It is an absolutely darling area, with cute shops and surprising good food along King Street. I was most recently introduced to Restaurant Eve by some serious foodie friends and it was well worth an evening trip in addition to my usual brunch in the area. In fact, this may be my new go-to place in Virginia. From the King Street Metro stop, walk 2 blocks to the left and turn right on King Street. Or save your feet a bit by taking the free cable car that leaves the Metro station every 20 minutes.

Another brunch option is dim sum at China Garden in Rosslyn. While I am usually apprehensive about the idea of restaurants in a mall, this place is one of those exceptions. It's not only convenient to the Metro, but an easy walk to the Iwo Jima Memorial and then a subsequent walk to Arlington National Cemetery (you'll actually be going through one of the side entrances). Now, if you are actually starting off in Alexandria, then just make your way back towards DC on the Metro and get off early at Arlington.

I'm all about win-win, so while being able to dear friends, spending a day in Virginia means I get to make my ritual stop at Arlington National Cemetery. Granted, this is really contingent upon the weather as one of my greatest joys is "climbing" up the hill to General Lee's House and sitting on the steps while gazing at the gaping view of Washington, DC on a warm afternoon and maybe reading a book or writing in my journal. There is also my mandatory stop at the Changing of the Guards Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which never gets old, even through 2 or 3 cycles (which happen every half hour). In fact, I'm usually one of the last people to leave at closing time. And no, this place does not give that creepy cemetery vibe. Well, maybe in the right light.

If you haven't figured this out by now, then I'll have to be explicit that it is important to have good walking shoes. I say this more as a reminder to myself than to my readers. Unfortunately, fashion and comfort rarely go together, especially when I have limited room in my suitcase so if anyone has a suggestion for a good combo, please let me know. When my feet are sturdy enough, long extensive walks are my favorite way to enjoy the city.

Tie-Grrr

2010-02-06T08:16:00.000-05:00

Didn't take long for me to fall behind. No excuse, really, aside from just being busy. I guess it's all about choices: sleep or write, go to work or write, go out and play or write, watch the Daily Show or write... How many times have I don't this (have we done this), waited til the last minute, or longer to do what we have to do, or worse, what we really want to do.

While I could complain about my jet lag for waking me up at 4:30am Pacific Time, I'm considering this a jump start. I have a few extra hours of nothing to do but write. Ok, I could Facebook or write, email or write, catch up on TV or write, check out DC Snowpocalypse pics or write, or try to fall back asleep or write. Well, truth is, I kinda did and none of those worked, so here I am, tied to this blog. I made a commitment, right? Write.

So today I sit in my comfy apartment in Seattle next to the sweetest and most affectionate cat ever. I've had T-Grrr since March 14, 1999 and he's witnessed so much of the evolution of my life. How could I leave this creature for so long and so often? I've only been home a week or a week and half every month the past few months and it's starting to take its toll on both of us.

At first I didn't mind so much. I had a friend who could use a place to stay and could appreciate T-Grr's super-affectionate nature. But now she's probably not going to stay as much and I hate the idea of T being home alone so much and for so long. My other friends who could have used an extra place to stay now have their own places to be. And even with a cat-sitter coming daily, 30 minutes out of the day really isn't that much time over a 3-week span. Shall I bite the bullet and have him come with me?

It's a thought, but between all the airline fees, hotel fees, vet paperwork fees and mainly just the trauma to the poor cat since I have two cities to travel to, may not be worthwhile. Well, if only I could explain the situation to T-Grrr and if only he could explain his preference to me, we could figure this out together.

Right now, he is lying across my hands and arms above the keyboard as I type this. What do you think?

Cutting those ties with my new knife skills

2010-02-03T00:27:00.000-05:00

It's probably a little early in the month to write about cutting ties, but I just completed the Knife Skills class at Hill's Kitchen in DC's Capitol Hill and figure it's only too appropriate. Cutting, chopping, dicing, slicing area all words you'll see in any given recipe. If you cook, there's rarely any getting around working with knives (well, unless you get any of the pre-cut items from Trader Joe's like I've done -- shhhhh...) so good knife skills are really important.

One of my biggest regrets is not taking a class from Culinary Communion in Seattle, and I've vowed that while I'm traveling around so much, I would do what I can to learn about food and cooking. I've been blessed to learn about some of the regional specialties from the different cities but sometimes, you've just got to learn the basics. Plus, living in a hotel 3 weeks out of the month, I get the itch to work in a kitchen every once in a while. Luckily, I was able to score a spot at Hill's Kitchen, a gourmet's paradise both for products and education. I say luckily because every time I've tried to sign up for their Basic Knife Skills class during my limited times in DC, they've been full. (LESSON: plan far in advance, or just get on the watilst and pray.)

Prayer was answered. $40 and 2 hours later, I learned about the different knives and their functions, how to hold a knife, and the differences between slicing and chopping. Most importantly, I learned good posture and hand/finger control to ensure I don't cut myself. Embarrassingly, I also learned that many of the issues from my own kitchen have to do with the dullness of my knives, the way I store my special chef's knife (unprotected in a drawer with other objects) and that I just need to practice, practice and practice. So perhaps I'll be cutting my ties to the prechopped and prepackaged stuff from Trader Joe's and start prepping and cooking from scratch some more next time I'm home.

Excuses be Gone!

2010-02-01T22:52:00.000-05:00

Not sure why it's been so long since my last post. Not like it's been for lack of inspiration. Guess I've just been focusing on experiencing versus reflecting, which is contrary to what being a writer is about and quite sad given the many amazing experiences I've been blessed with the last few months across the country and internationally. Thanks to NaBloPoMo (NAtional BLOg POsting MOnth), I'm inspired once again and February's theme is TIES so I'll focus on writing things I'm tied to, and perhaps if you pay attention closely enough, I may write about something (or someone) being tied up. ;-)

Happy February!

We Go Zengo

2009-12-01T01:33:00.155-05:00

Whenever I need a pick-me-up, Zengo is the place to go. Every time I meet D, an old college friend who happens to work on the Hill, we have nothing short of an epic evening. Atmosphere is surprisingly clubby (given this is DC), but the Asian-fusion cuisine and sushi combinations are fun, the bartenders are fresh, and the clientele is -- well -- friendly.

ACHIOTE-HOISIN PORK AREPAS
corn masa / avocado / crema fresca

THAI CHICKEN EMPANADAS
chile poblano / oaxaca cheese / mango-curry salsa

SHRIMP-SHIITAKE POTSTICKERS
won bok cabbage / chile serrano

VEGETARIANO
grilled asparagus / red pepper / avocado / mushroom / lemon~sake aioli

D & me in May 2008

Me & D in November 2009

What a welcome home: with wine!

2009-11-12T03:44:00.000-05:00

I'm grateful for my building that offers a seasonal wine tasting, especially tonight. It was exactly what I needed after a long day at work. Now time for bed.

Tavolata

2009-11-12T02:50:00.000-05:00

For some reason or another, I've never tried any of Ethan Stowell's restaurants. Ethan is one of Seattle's most renowned chefs and his restaurants, Union, Tavolàta, How to Cook a Wolf, and Anchovies & Olives are some of the hippest places to dine. Tonight, I finally got to try Tavolata, and in the kitchen was Ethan Stowell, the man himself. I had actually seen him speak on a panel a couple of nights prior at Foodportunity. I tried pork cheeks for the first time, and while I thought I loved pork belly, the tender richness and tastiness of the pork cheeks give the belly a run for my favorite pig-part. Dessert was a ginormous helping of homemade donuts with a hint of lemon. Between the pork and a few of the donuts, I was sent home with basically a full meal for the next day.

Ballard Bargain Happy Hour

2009-11-10T22:58:00.000-05:00

It's no secret. I love happy hour.

I love being able to eat good food and sip good drinks at a bargain price. And one of the best places I've found is the Hi-Life in Ballard. In the effort of full disclosure, I will admit that what puts this place over the edge is its stumbling distance proximity to home in case happy hour escalates to downright jolly. And it's a little too easy at the Hi-Life, with their $3 specials, both for drinks and food, including full-size salads and pizza, tasty sliders, mac & cheese, and generous pours of wine and beer. I can easily get out of there fully satiated for $11, including tip.

Serendipity

2009-11-10T00:25:00.000-05:00

This is when blogging every day can get real personal. Yesterday, I took a break from writing (and socializing and other activities) and really began cleaning and purging stuff that was no longer needed. I guess as you clear things out, you're also enabled to see things more clearly, and I ended up finding some unexpected details about a betrayal in my life. Of course, all sorts of emotional distress ensued, feelings that I thought I been getting over, and I was set back to where I was a year ago, remembering details, details that puzzled me but I hadn't give a second thought before, and realizing how blind I was at not seeing what was actually happening right under my nose. It was a tough night.

This morning I turned on the Today Show, despite wanting to cut down on television, something inside suggested this morning might be important to watch. And then they had a teaser about a woman they were going to interview, who had overcome the adversity of an abusive relationship, divorce and addiction to food, which hit close to home and they had my attention. I saw pictures of the woman's before pictures and holy cow, it was Amy Barnes, a former colleague. I'd always known her as a fit, confident woman (the after), but I recognized her pictures from the website of her new company, Inside & O.U.T. Fitness. I had no idea about her past, that she also came from an abusive relationship and suffered an addiction to food. We had some interesting parallels.

Did that include an addiction to food? Uh oh.

Well, I love food. I eat food, I have a food site, I write a food-based blog, I go to food-related events and my travels do tend to be based on finding the best food.

Really, an addiction? I kind of saw this as more of a celebration. More to explore.

Yucatan Yumminess

2009-11-08T10:23:00.000-05:00

I was really happy today to find out my dear friend, Julie, would be joining me for Christmas in Mexico this year, and even more excited to find out that we will be there for her birthday, too. Part of the time, we'll be in Playa del Carmen, and I can't wait to take her to my favorite empanada shack, Las Commerciales located on Calle 8 Norte and 26th Avenida Norte, maybe half a block from the Walmart (don't judge, that's where my shuttle would stop).

I was walking toward the beach and happened to see a neon orange sign:

Empanadas $5

And like a beacon, I found myself at the counter in less than a blink. These delectable yummy treats were hand-made to order, and at 5 pesos a piece (less than US$.50), I could "splurge" on 3 of them. They were wonderfully moist without being too greasy, and the homemade sauces that accompanied them (a tomato-based sauce, a tomatillo sauce and a crema) added just a hint of heat, color and delightful flavor that my tongue was nothing less than overjoyed whenever I took a bite.

City Where I Left My Stomach

2009-11-07T00:32:00.001-05:00

A bunch of my Twitter friends are in San Francisco for the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival and reading their tweets is getting me nostalgic (and hungry) for my old home town. I'm planning on spending Thanksgiving week, which will be the first entire week I've spent there since I moved to Seattle over 5 years ago. Some people have asked me for suggestions on where to dine, and aside from some of the more famous and more obvious places (Tadich Grill, Top of the Mark, Slanted Door), I'd like to share a few of the establishments and dishes that I personally long for:

Tu Lan (Civic Center, 6th & Market) - I have such incredible memories of this dive Vietnamese Restaurant, from being a financially-challenged college student to breaking Imperial Rolls with a bunch of Secret Service agents. This is a place that is so good, that not only was it reputed to be Julia Child's favorite Vietnamese restaurant (before Slanted Door ever opened), but one time there was a fire in the adjacent apartment building and the last people to vacate the restaurant were the customers because they really wanted their food. They even ate heartily as firefighters put out the fire and sadly, hosed down the building and the restaurant had to close down for months. I don't know if this is the best venue or not to mention how much grease I saw swept out from the floor of the restaurant during news reports. That said, my typical order is shrimp fried rice and imperial rolls. And just FYI, those imperial rolls are so good, I've had requests to fly them with me across the country.
Ti Couz (Mission, 16th & Valencia) - I love the Brittany-style crepes, made with buckwheat that adds texture. My favorite is a dessert crepe with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and almonds.
Tartine Bakery (Mission, Guerrero & 18th) - It doesn't matter how long the line is (well, maybe in a rainstorm), all the pastries are worth it. I couldn't even begin to make a suggestion here, except to get one of everything.
Pancho Villa (Mission, 16th & Valencia) - Every SFer has a favorite burrito-shop and this one happens to be mine. Everything's fresh, in this assembly-line style eatery. Will probably be one of my first stops when I go back home.
Yum Yum Fish (Sunset, way out) - If you're willing to get on the MUNI streetcar for about as far west as you can go (or have a car, or better yet, a friend with a car), Yum Yum has quite possibly the freshest sushi possible this side of the Pacific. So fresh that it's actually a fish market that other restaurants order their sushi from. The market just has a few tables, I mean, most people don't want to dine in the middle of a fish market due to smell, but the freshness and the unbelievably cheap prices make it far worth it.
Pakwan (Mission, 16th & Valencia) - Best Pakistani/Indian food in town in this cheap and casual restaurant. My understanding is the owners are Muslim, so they don't sell alcohol, but that doesn't stop diners from byob'ing, and there's a liquor store across the street.
Shalimar (Tenderloin) - My other favorite Pakistani/Indian restaurant, although unless you're a local or have really good street smarts, you're just as well off going to Pakwan, in a better neighborhood.
City View (Financial District, Commercial & Kearny) - Something I miss from San Francisco is stellar dim sum, and at this place with stellar prices. More casual than Yank Sing at Rincon Center, but still appropriate for a special occasion.
R&G Lounge (Chinatown, Kearny & Commercial) - I'm grateful to Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations show for reminding me about this, one of my favorite lunch places when I worked downtown. My personal favorite is the salted fish & chicken fried rice, but that's probably too funky for most. I can, in good faith, recommend everything here.
House of Nanking (Chinatown, Kearny & Columbus) - Be forewarned that the gentleman taking your order may tell you you're ordering the wrong thing and then make suggestions on what you should order. LET HIM! Think of it as going to a roadside diner with a snarky waitress bickering with the chef, it's part of the charm of this place and when you get your food, you'll be grateful. And who knows, when you walk out and look across the street to Cafe Niebaum-Coppola, you just may see a famous actor meeting with an even more famous movie producer, which I happened to last time I was there.
Caffe Greco (North Beach, Columbus & Vallejo) - The quintessential caffe in this Italianesque neighborhood.
Suppenkuche (Hayes Valley, Hayes & Laguna) - I used to work for a German company and this was by far the best to take my German colleagues. Get anything with the herb & cheese spaetzle, I would usually settle for the Jagerschnitzle.

My Favorite Home-Cooked Meal

2009-11-05T22:55:00.000-05:00

While I love any opportunity to hang out with friends, I feel grateful my happy hour was canceled with my fantasy football co-owners. Granted, we need to strategize our team for this weekend, it's been so nice to be able to enjoy a quiet evening home. However, because these evenings have been so few and far between, the culinary selection in my own kitchen is quite limited. Luckily, with a few staples, I was able to make one of my favorite meals: breakfast for dinner.

Clockwise from the right: Noelani Berkshire Bacon from Swinery Meats, organic eggs from Samish Bay Farms topped with Annie's Organic Ketchup and yes, a pre-formed hash brown patty (stop judging me).

You Get What You Pay For

2009-11-04T20:47:00.000-05:00

I've dined at Dahlia Lounge and Tom Douglas' restaurants over the years and am always impressed. However, trying November's Dine Out Seattle menu was a good example that you get what you pay for. Not that I was necessarily expecting a typical $100+ meal for only $30, but I did get used to a certain standard from Mr. Douglas, whether it's a cookie from his bakery to his pizza to the fancier Palace Kitchen. I appreciate the opportunity for people to try the famous Dahlia Lounge for a bargain price of $30 for three courses, but unfortunately I have to say the food just was not up to par. We tried the "Through the Years" and "And Now..." menus, which while inventive, were disappointing. Although the starter of the "And Now" menu of Bill Taylor's mussel's were extraordinary, the rest of the dishes fell flat. If you want to experience the true glory of what made Tom Douglas famous, save up your money and enjoy the traditional Dahlia menu. And be sure to order the mussels.

Running Into Odd "Fellows" at Oddfellows Lodge

2009-11-03T20:22:00.000-05:00

I had to run an errand at lunch today in Capitol Hill and coincidentally, my co-worker told me she was meeting a friend at a restaurant right where I had to run this errand, so we decided to carpool. I was thinking of just going to pick up some food after my errand (Rancho Bravo, Pike St. Fish Fry, Honeyhole), but I'd been wanting to try Oddfellows Lodge ever since it opened, so here was a great opportunity. Plus, I had signed up for NaNoWriMo, so I could use the time to myself to write my future best-selling novel without my usual distractions.

Oddfellows promotes the communal atmosphere with long tables throughout the center (and individual 2-4 top tables against the walls if you'd like to keep your party more private) and it didn't take long for their plan to work. Shortly after getting in line, the gentleman behind me and I struck a conversation since it was both of our first times at the restaurant and we sat together while he waited for his order to-go. As I was trying to decide where to sit, in walked Sarah, a fellow foodie friend I recently met (assuring me this was a good place). Shortly after that, Jeanie, a very dear friend from years ago appeared. I really appreciated the idea of having community and at this particular hour on this particular day, I could turn any corner and find a friend, new and old.

In case you're wondering about the food (oh, that!), it was wonderfully fresh, but the sandwich was a little dry and the salad a bit skimpy. I would still go back in a flash, however, with friends, or meet friends.

Foodportunity vs. Football

2009-11-02T12:37:00.000-05:00

Obviously, I love food. But did you know I also like football? It's been a long-standing love, started by growing up in San Francisco during the hey-day of the 49ers from the Joe Montana/Bill Walsh/Jerry Rice years through the Steve Young/Steve Marriucci/Jerry Rice years. I was absolutely thrilled when Jerry Rice moved up to Seattle shortly after I did, unfortunately that didn't last too long.

Living in Seattle the past 5 years, I rarely get to see my hometown team play, even on TV. (Although, probably not a bad thing given the 49ers' record.) I needed a reason to look forward to Sundays. So I was thrilled with the opportunity to join a fantasy football league at work. We hadn't been together as a group since Draft Day and I was looking forward to the opportunity to watch Monday Night Football together.

However, one of the eminent foodie events was happening, Foodportunity. For some reason, I was torn.

NaBloPoMo

2009-11-01T12:23:00.000-05:00

I seem to be getting a message from above that it's time for me to hanker down on my writing. Not only did I sign up for NaNoWriMo and was invited to sign up as a writer laureate at Hugo House, but now I've sined up for NaBloPoMo, in which I am pledging to write a blog post EVERY day for a month. So, here it is, my first blog post for the month of November. Luckily there is no theme, but anyone have any guesses on what I'll be writing about?

After a fun Halloween of tarot card reading at BonzaBash in the W Hotel, my colleague Julie and I decided to spend our tips on a fun breakfast at Hurricane. It was my first time and while very crowded, got great service from the waitstaff who were kind enough to alert us that our special requests (hashbrowns well done and a drink from the bar) would cause us to have to wait even longer. Food was good, otherwise, and I'm glad to know of a late-night place close to home besides Beth's Cafe which seems to always be cleaning whenever I come in. I don't know about you, but I really don't find the smell of ammonia very appetizing.

Bravo for Rancho Bravos

2009-10-23T02:17:00.000-04:00

As a member of the jury for Three Dollar Bill Cinema's Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, my weeknights are filled with running from theater to theater to reception to theater. In between, I've had to find someplace quick to grab a bite and I am so grateful to Rancho Bravo (1001 E. Pike St.) for making good food fast. I highly recommend the tamales. Heavenly.

File under "cheap & good."

Labor(less) Day in Seattle for @DaveIDFX

2009-09-07T11:37:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited that one of my DC playmates, DaveIDFX is in town this weekend to attend the PAX Conference, which I think is quite appropriate that he'd be here for one of the ultimate gaming experiences.

But now that it's over, and he's got a free day today for the ultimate Seattle experience. To help focus his day towards his tastes and weather issues, here are some suggestions:

Leisurely morning at his hotel (his request)
Breakfast at either Lola or Dahlia Bakery (both across the street from each other on 4th & Virginia), or if REALLY leisurely morning, pizza at Serious Pie, just around the corner from Dahlia Bakery
Walk to Westlake Center and take the Monorail to Seattle Center
Visit the Science Fiction Museum (with optional time at Experience Music Project) - Dave's got his priorities!
Walk across 5th to see the construction project for the new Gates Foundation offices. Walk along 5th another block towards downtown, and there is the almost completed Visitors Center with the green rooftop (yay Green Group!)
If the weather is nice (unfortunately not, at time of this writing), consider going to Bumbershoot, right there at the Seattle Center
Post-museum lunch/snack at Dick's Drive In (not quite Ben's Chili Bowl or Five Guys Burger, but it is Seattle's burger)
Perhaps a walk around the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood, good place for record shopping
Leisurely walk back towards downtown or Pioneer Square

If Dick's doesn't fill Dave up and he wants to taste his way downtown, then here are a few spots along the route, kind of in order going south:

Uptown Espresso (4th & Wall) - Dave wanted good coffee, and this is a good place along the way
Macrina Bakery (1st & Battery) - good baked goods
Bedlam Coffee (2nd & Bell) - I haven't tried their coffee, but I think Dave'll like the scenery
Via Tribunali Pizza @ Crocodile Cafe (2nd & Blanchard) - good pizza in a historic Seattle music spot
Top Pot Donuts (5th & Lenora) - this is where @DCDavidG and I will usually meet for breakfast whenever he's in town
Dahlia Bakery (4th & Virginia) - be sure to get their coconut creme pie bites

Optional: if feeling artsy, there is the Olympic Sculpture Park. Once at Broad St., turn right towards the Sound and there will be the park.

If there is time for more touristy activities, hop on a bus to 1st & Yesler (will pass most of downtown) to the Underground Tour. It starts inside a bar called Doc Maynard's, and sure, have a beer while waiting for the tour to start. Although I highly suggest calling and get a reservation first, or at least get on the waitlist.

Have fun, Dave! Hopefully I'll get to see you at some point today, and if not tomorrow.

Mountain of Merriment

2009-09-01T03:10:00.001-04:00

IMG_1968
Originally uploaded by GoGastronomy

Tier 1: scone, English crumpet, Chocolate scotch bar
Tier 2: Lemon blueberry tea bread, Cranberry orange Meringue star, Lemon curd tart, London sugar cookie, Assorted fresh fruit
Tier 3: Honey mustard potato salad, Bacon and onion savory cheesecake, English cucumber with mint chèvre cheese tea sandwich, Chicken almond with mustard butter tea sandwich, Smoked salmon cream cheese tea sandwich

From Gastropub to Gastroclub, SeeSound Lounge Launches a New Concept to Seattle's Culinary Scene

2009-08-18T00:17:00.001-04:00

I was stunned last year to hear the word gastropub for the first time after Spur opened its doors in Seattle last year. Perhaps this outs my culinary ignorance, or perhaps my age and lack of hip-ness to the "scene," but I was quite fascinated by this idea of a pub or bar that also puts a premium focus on its food.

It's not that I never associated good food with a pub. In fact, the very first pub I went to (at least legally) was the Pig & Whistle, strategically located over the hill from my dorm at the University of San Francisco. The food was always decent, but what did I know back then, especially when I lived by the saying, "Guiness is food." Over the (many many) years and multitude of bars and restaurants I've been to since then, the idea of a gastronomically focused pub or bar just eluded me. Sure I've been to bars with great food, but primarily because of the restaurant it would supplement while people either waited for their tables, dined alone, or skirted the reservation idea. Even now, my mind still grapples with this idea of a destination bar with a restaurant to supplement.

And now, I have come to experience not a gastropub, but a gastroCLUB.

Say whaaaaaaat???

Yes my friends, a gastroclub! Belltown's See Sound Lounge is altering its status from one of Seattle's hottest nightclubs to Seattle's first gastroclub. Robin Leventhal, formerly of Capitol Hill's Crave Restaurant and now a contestant on this season's Top Chef Las Vegas, is bursting both Seattle's food scene and club scene with her artistically delicious creations.

I was immediately turned on to trying out the place (besides knowing that she'd be cooking there) as soon as I heard Robin would be doing her own twist on "pigs in a blanket" called piggies en croute, using hot Calebrese sausage surrounded by puff pastry. Perhaps doesn't sound so extraordinary but the taste certainly is, especially when accompanied with an apricot mustard. (pictured below)

While popcorn is a general staple at bars, and See Sound offers Truffled Popcorn. And perhaps not a typical club dish, the goat cheese and fig tart with its port gastrique offered a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

The Ahi Tuna Tartare came highly recommended by another patron and while the tuna itself was impressive, my dining companion and I were enthralled with its fennel and orange salad with miso-tobiko vinagrette.

My personal favorite, however, had to be the Panzanella. While a simple sourdough bread salad with fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic, it was the seasonal heirloom tomatoes really that really made this stand out, so much so that I had considered returning the next night on my way to a barbecue just get my fix.

Of course, we couldn't end the evening without dessert, and on a hot evening what could be better than an ice cream sandwich? Two ice cream sandwiches! Pictured below on the left is Orange Cream Ice Cream on Almond Shortbread, with one of Robin's signature caramel sauces and on the right is a Triple Chocolate Mint Ice Cream Sandwich. And while I have no idea what that saucebed was made from (white chocolate and ???), it was so good that I actually drank it from the plate. And okay, since I've gone so far to admit that, I may as well confess that I did finger-lick the caramel from the first sandwich, too.

This is all not to neglect the signature cocktails and the highly "skilled" bartenders that See Sound Lounge is known for. It's a known fact that I would happily surrender myself to any of the bartenders' whims -- I mean for drinks of course. As for price, See Sound offers $3 happy hour specials 6-9pm. A new definition of cheap n good.

3 Months, 7 States, 1 District, 1000s of Miles

2009-08-01T14:34:00.000-04:00

Is it August already? Seriously? Where has the time flown?

There's no way to fully write out my full experience the last few months in one blog post, so here is a brief synposis:

May:

Birthday weekend visit by my sister who was giving a talk at the University of Washington. First opportunity to buy her a drink since she turned 21 in March.
Surprise trip to DC for work. Even got to do a school visit in Maryland.
My first (and possibly last) attempt to drive in Washington, DC, including conquering my worst vehicular fear -- Dupont Circle. And THREE times no less.

Scoring a seat at Jose Andres' Minibar in DC, apparently one of the hardest reservations to get considering there are only 6 seats. Incredible 30+ course dinner. Molecular gastronomy just fascinates me.
Other DC culinary highlights: Ben's Chili Bowl, Cafe Atlantico, Penn Quarter Farmers Market, and Tangy Sweet (frozen yogurt)

Inventively convenient, and delicious dinner with the Spence ladies (paella and smores to be written in a future post some day)

Northwest Totem Cellars Vintners Dinner - an all-vegan affair at Russell Dean Lowell Catering.

Brunch at the Brown Bag in Kirkland. Worth the drive to the Eastside, especially for Yonatan, the most affable waiter ever.

Ice cream at Theno's Dairy in Redmond. Who needs a 45+minute wait for ice cream in Seattle when you can drive 30 minutes to Redmond.
Amma's visit
Anthony Bourdain & Mario Battali show and after-party. Actually favorite part was partying til close with Armandino & Marilyn Battali. No, make that reuniting with Tracey, an old high school friend and fellow foodie whom I hadn't seen in -- well, since high school.

June:

Month-long personal sabbatical including solo retreat and caretaking opportunity at a retreat center in Idaho. My duties: creation, meditation and prayer. My hobbies: cooking, cooking and more cooking.
Hour-long drive to farmers markets in Lewiston and/or Moscow were bliss
Cougar Creamery/Ferdinand's Ice Cream at Washington State University
Dinner at the Corson Building (back in Seattle)
Trip to Southern California for brother's graduation. With pit-stops in West Hollywood (lunch at Tender Greens) and Malibu (dinner at Nobu)

July:

Back to DC including 4th of July on the National Mall

Dinner at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, VA (so worth the commute)

Announcement of Top Chef Season 6 contestants, including Robin Leventhal from Seattle. The combination of one of my most favorite people on my most favorite show was just so incredible to bear.

Since I was in DC during the day of the announcement, had dinner at Zaytinya where fellow contestant, Mike Isabella serves as chef. Food was extraordinary, especially the Seasonal Mushroom dish which brought me to ecstasy.

Dinner at Sonoma in Capitol Hill, great way to spend a beautifully warm summer's evening

Back to Seattle and Burning Beast. Sorry, but what happened at Burning Beast should stay at Burning Beast. You'll just have to go next year.

Dinner at Branzino to check out Seattle's other Top Chef Season 6 contestant, Ashley Merriman.
Not just one, but TWO Outstanding in the Field Dinners. Chef Seth Caswell at Full Circle Farm and Chef Matt Dillon at UW Botanic Gardens (benefitting Seattle Youth Garden Works). Great food, great friends, great chefs in great settings. Full Circle Farm offered the most unique experience with the scratch & sniff field trip through their herb garden and giveaway bags of super-fresh produce we could pack up.

Weekend in New York and picnic in Central Park with H&H Bagels and whitefish salad from Zabar's Deli.

Back to DC and casual dinner at Himalayan Heritage. Preceded by drinks at Tabard Inn.

Ballard Seafood Festival and bacon-wrapped scallops sales guy.
Back home and back to yoga. Had to work off all the food from the past few months!

Food for the Soul

2009-07-05T10:01:00.000-04:00

I read this poem/prayer this morning here in DC and wanted to share this with all of you:

A Morning Offering

I bless the night that nourished my heart
To set the ghosts of longing free
Into the flow and figure of dream
That went to harvest from the dark
Bread for the hunger no one sees.
All that is eternal in me
Welcomes the wonder of this day,
The field of brightness it creates
Offering time for each thing
To arise and illuminate.
I place on the altar of dawn:
The quiet loyalty of breath,
The tent of thought where I shelter,
Waves of desire I am shore to
And all beauty dawn to the eye.
May my mind come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites me to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.
May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.
-- John O'Donahue, To Bless the Space Between Us

Down for DC

2009-07-03T08:25:00.000-04:00

After a month of being offline in my own private Idaho (more details in a future post), I'm thrilled to not only wake to a weekend with wireless internet, but in of all places, Washington, DC. Long-term readers may recall my love for this city, only exacerbated by my surprise trip last May ominously timed as a great birthday present, and during the weekend of the event that has topped my Bucket List, the White House Correspondent's Dinner. Even though I was not able to score a last-minute ticket seat to the event, I still had an incredible time in DC and am honored it has welcomed me back so soon.

Culinary highlights so far include a newly "discovered" weekday breakfast & lunch spot called Port of Piraeus which offers Greek food. I had to have the Delaware Destroyer, a unique take on a breakfast sandwich which included a 3-egg omelett with lettuce, tomato and pickle on a sub. I was about to grab a small fruit platter to help healthify my breakfast, but as my companion warned me, the sandwich was about the size of my arm. And, I must admit, much tastier. The only thing missing was some scrapple or better yet, some Spam. My savior ordered the Miami Hammy which was a toasted bagel with ham, cream cheese, and sweet pepper strips. I have to say that bagels will no longer be the same again. I can forgo the ham, but sweet pepper strips are now mandatory for my bagels and cream cheese. And I am so excited to learn that their daily special on Thursday will be Pastitsio. I am SO there next week!

Thursdays also mean Penn Quarter Farmers Market, and this week's did not disappoint. Now that things are coming into season, there was a plethora of yumminess. Food writer, Monica Bhide, was there promoting her latest book, Modern Spice, and offering tasty samples of her roasted beet salad and yogurt dressing. And I was thrilled to find white and yellow peaches make their season premier. It's their first weekend and although the white peaches still needed a touch of ripening, I can't wait to grill them this afternoon at a friend's barbeque and drizzle them with the raw honey I also purchased at the market.

Afterwards, I took the Metro to Alexandria, VA and met with a couple of friends at La T asca for a quick drink. I couldn't help but notice some beautiful jars of liquid yumminess at the bar that turned out to be sangria. You didn't have to blink to hear me quickly order a pitcher. Our only debate was the red, white or rose. We chose the rose which included beautifully marinated blueberries, what an appropriate way to kick-start the 4th of July weekend. I could have drowned in a happy death drinking that entire pitcher, but alas I had another stop that evening.

I had the honor of dining with a lovely couple I will refer to as the JWs at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, VA. We met last May at Minibar and their glowing recommendations about this restaurant left me intrigued. Upon walking in, the place did not disappoint. In fact, I even remember being curious about this place when I had shopped at the consignment store next door when I was here last May. Perhaps it was meant to be and I am so grateful. We started with small and powerful Maryland Blue Crabcakes surrounded by a tangy slaw that enhanced their flavor. I'm grateful we ordered a second plate because they were so good. Our entrees included the two specials, hanger steak and king salmon from the Quiet River in Washington state. I've never heard of the Quiet River, but I'll have to find it because the salmon was so good. I ordered the pork belly (shock) which was artfully braised and confit'ed. One of the (many) things I really enjoy about dining with the JWs is together, we are not shy about ordering each of our own desserts. My friends back west and I are notorious for sharing one dessert (usually due to my insistence) and then leaving just that little tiny last bite to help alleviate their semblance of guilt for indulging. Oh heck no, not last night. We got the creme brulee, tart, and "Butterfinger" style napoleon with 2 of my favorite flavors, dark chocolate and peanut butter. Happy endings indeed!

Ah, My Beloved Ballard - Sunday Farmers Market

2009-04-25T10:53:00.000-04:00

(A weekly progress)

I've been back in Ballard almost 3 months now and I am even more enamoured with the Seattle neighborhood as ever. And what's better is it's not even yet summer yet when everyone unsheds their winter coats, music fills the streets, and children dance around (and through) the water fountains at the park by the library.

One of the first things I looked forward to most was the year-round Sunday Farmers Market. Not only is it an opportunity to taste culinary creations from Mother Earth and innovative cooks, it's a great way to socialize. I've been blessed with running into friends old and new, and have found myself developing a bit of a ritual on how I spend my Sundays lately. Or at least like to.

It starts with setting up my victim -- er, my date -- for the day. One was a friend who was taking a rare Sunday off from her practice to celebrate her birthday, one was a client while we made it a walk-and-talk-and-taste session, and others have been dear friends that have been curious about learning about the neighborhood I love so much and this quintissential event that helps make this my foodie paradise. That, or it's the only time we happen to both be available. Or, sometimes, I just go on my own.

We meet for coffee (not too early) at Nervous Nellie's, a great cafe that is ideally located practically rolling distance from my bed. Depending on how awake we are, we may even sit down and chat while the caffeine courses through our veins. They use Lighthouse Coffee, a nearby roaster that I find makes the best coffee next to my beloved Peet's. If we're super-hungry already, Nervous Nellie's is known for their Swedish-style toast. My favorite combination is the butter, jam and cheese, but if you're really adventurous, go for the tracitional hard-boiled egg and caviar. Swedish caviar isn't the straight-up fish eggs that one would be used to, but is smashed and smoked and then comes out of a tube. Since I am such a lover of taramasolata (Greek style caviar), I was hoping it might be similar. It wasn't. Again, I stress that this might appeal to you if you are adventurous. But this does remind me, I should add taramasolata to my Last Supper Buffet, especially the one from Kokkari in San Francisco. And their vegetarian pastitsio while I'm at it.

Back to Ballard. Off we walk, west on Market and then down south on some random street to hit the Farmers Market. If we want something eggy for breakfast, we may go down 20th Ave. and stop in at GreenGo Food for their organic, locally made breakfast sandwiches. Otherwise, it's easy enough to walk around the market and eat our way around. While the samples from the vendors tend to be generous, I do need more food for the day. If I want to eat healthy, I get Patty Pan Grill's side of veggies with lots of Zane & Zack's honey chipotle hot sauce on top. If I want pizza, Veraci is there with it's wood burning oven (yes, the oven is there, too). And there are innumberable storefronts to get my nosh on, too.

Aside from the food stuff, there are great stalls and storefronts to pop into, handmade jewelry, books, Asian decor, herbs, etc. But usually after a round or two around the market and a hearty brunch, it's off to home to unload my bags and cook up or better yet, take a nap.

If You Build It, They Will Come

2009-04-02T07:08:00.000-04:00

It's been about a week since I sent out invitations for the Saints & Sinners Feast and I can't believe how many souls are selling themselves -- I mean how many guests are coming. Some of the tithings a few are bringing:

Humble Hummus and The World is Flatbread

Virginal Veggie Plate
Nona's Main Squeeze and some kind of Main Dish
Potatoes O'Grateful
Daniel's Devilish Dessert

Need to confess your sins and get some ideas of what to bring for your penance? Drop me a line @ yum at gogastronomy dot com.

Heads up for Foodie Fans in Seattle

2009-03-29T02:16:00.000-04:00

Attention GoGastronomy fans! I have to give you the heads up that pre-sale internet tickets have gone on sale for Anthony Bourdain and Mario Battali on stage at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle on May 30. Even though I don't exactly agree with their marketing as the "bad boys of cuisine," it'll definitely be a lively discussion, moderated by KIRO Radio's Luke Burbank from "Too Beautiful to Live." I'm a big fan of KIRO Radio and grateful to them for interviewing me for not just one, but two of their shows.

You can get tickets and more info at: http://www.stgpresents.org/artists/?artist=975. I'm sorry I didn't send this message out earlier, but I'd been focused on another event as well as my day job.

But I'm telling you now, isn't that worth something?

Easter Supper Menu Planning

2009-03-25T00:23:00.000-04:00

As much as I'd like to make this event a "Best of" some of my specialty dishes, I've got to think practically. Unlike the smaller venues I've hosted, a bigger event requires even more strategy and provides for less forgiveness. But one nice thing I've learned is a key step is to take advantage of the situation and more hands mean more labor, so I'll figure out ways to delegate.

Regardless, I've got to put a few familiar favorites on the menu, with a twist on the theme to express my saintly -- ok, more likely sinful -- self:

Bubble Bubble Toil in Troublesome Devilish Ham

ham braised in a caramelly fizz

Goodie Goodie Green Beans

my not-so traditional take on the traditional casserole

Copycat Coconut Sumtangurrudder

perhaps my rendition of a beloved coconut cream pie or my friend's mother's southern-style coconut cake

And I'm so excited, friends are already responding and people are actually coming! One friend is bringing "A Virginal Veggie Plate."

Springtime Celebration for the Saints and Sinners

2009-03-24T22:05:00.001-04:00

On a whim during a conversation with a friend this evening, I've decided to invite people over for Easter Sunday. I've had a few practice runs with hosting people, and figure I might as well really go for it. Right now the invitation list is limited to a few close friends I've been intending to have over and I have no idea whether or not any of them can make it. But what the heck. It's my mission to make space and create community. And it's my joy to cook and entertain.

A Day's Mix of Joy and Pain in Seattle's Culinary World

2009-03-21T00:23:00.000-04:00

Joy:

This morning I was greeted with a reminder on my calendar that Outstanding in the Field tickets were on sale today. I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the dinner last year featuring the culinary exptertise of Matt Dillon, then recently rated by Food & Wine Magazine as one of the Top 10 New Chefs.

When I saw the schedule last week, the only info was one date and TBDs for the location and the guest chef. I have to admit that this morning I didn't even look, I just bought tickets for the first Seattle location I saw. I decided to contact this great couple I met at last year's event to see if they were going and they asked which one I was going to. Which one? And I looked at the site a little closer and was amazed to find that there were actually THREE dinners scheduled.

I looked at the one I had purchased and I was so happy to find that the guest chef was Seth Caswell, formerly of Stumbling Goat Bistro. I'd been a long-time fan of his food and even had an opportunity to dine with him a few months ago (see Last Dance Gypsy Dinner post from November). Now that I recall, I did mention last year's Outstanding in the Field dinner at the table and his ears had perked up because he had done one years prior when he was living in the East Coast. He didn't know that it came here to Seattle, too. Dare I wonder if I could be indirectly responsible for his participation at this dinner? Hmmmm . . . Regardless, I have to find this set of coincidences a bit remarkable and I'm really looking forward to this dinner, even though it's not until July.

Pain:

I received an email later today that Culinary Communion has closed. I've had some amazing meals there, as part of a dining club I belonged to. It was possibly the closest thing to fulfilling my fantasy of being a judge on Iron Chef. It's not that I like to be judgmental about the food, but I loved watching chefs experiment with great food and having the opportunity to taste their incredible creations. This was the kind of venue where I got to try Josh Henderson's (Skillet) ranch ice cream and his version of bacon & eggs with maple-braised pork belly, a poached egg and coffee syrup -- breakfast for dinner never tasted so good. Another evening, Brian O'Connor (then from Laurel in San Diego and now The Cliff House in San Francisco) made a delicious salmon topped with crispy salmon bits. A great way to try the versatility of salmon two ways in the same bite.

I'll really miss CC, but the location still hosts The Lunch Counter and I hope soon, The Swinery.

Manifesting Yumminess

2009-03-07T10:58:00.000-05:00

Last night as I was walking my dog, I was pondering what to do for dinner. I evaluated what I had in my fridge and the condition of my kitchen and decided it would be best to pick up something. I am blessed to live in a commercial area that is abundant with gourmet delights to fit just about any craving and budget, so I thought about what I wanted. First of all, I didn't want to walk too far. I just got home from work, so was still in heels (lesson: change shoes when walking dog) and it was friggin cold. I wanted something quick, healthy-ish, yummy and cheap.

It was as if the clouds parted and the sun beamed on the corner of NW Market and 20th. There was this sandwich board that called out to me. Needless to say, I was intrigued. In the old Patty Pan Grill space is now GreenGo Food, a quick-food takeout place for those who support the slow food, buy local, and organic/natural movements.

Behind the counter was Dylan Stockman, a friendly host who happily shared the story of his new storefront and its food philosophy. All ingredients are organic and local, whenever possible, and use compostable items. They have a relationship with the farms they buy from and even list them on a sheet of paper just below their menu. I settled on the cheeseburger and non-fries, and for next time, I really want to try their polenta or all-day breakfast. Dylan and his family are a very welcome addition to the magic that is Ballard. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Progressing in My Planning

2009-03-06T23:41:00.000-05:00

I have a few strategies when it comes to menu planning, which I follow (or don't) according to my whim at the time.

what's in season
ingredient/s that I have in abundance
special ingredients I'd like to share, especially from my travels
occasion or theme I'd like to celebrate
what's on sale

This time, however, I'm thinking of convenience. This dinner is on a Friday night which means I won't have time to do much prepping before, and the way my work has been going, it may feel like a long week. We'll be taking advantage of the hot tubs at my place, and I may take advantage of not having to drive home.

So, let's work backwards. At the end of the night, I'll want a dessert that can be done ahead of time. Something light and cool to enjoy after or during hot tubbing. After tweaking on my friend's special brownies technique last weekend (no, not THAT kind of "special!"), I really like the combination of chocolate and salt. Since I'll want something light, I'm thinking of mocking Josh Henderson's mother's deconstructed chocolate cream pie. I was craving more almost immediately after I tried it the first time and I think it's been almost a year since it's been on Skillet's menu. If he won't bring it back (hint! hint!), then I will do what I can to resurrect it. He did give me a couple of tips on how to make it back when I came crawling to him begging him to do it again. OK, it was just an email, but in my mind, I felt like a crackhead itching for his fix.

Great, dessert done.

Happy Munday . . . at Skillet

2009-03-04T22:53:00.000-05:00

Yes, Monday's can be so mundane, and what better way to break up the day than with a fun lunch hunting for my favorite food truck, Skillet, in Capitol Hill with some of my favorite ladies.

Chef Josh Henderson peeks out to take C's order

Skillet's famous wagyu burgers with their delectable bacon jam

Cardamom rice pudding -- with three spooons to share, of course

Inaugural Dinner Party

2009-02-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

One of the best ways I've found to christen a new home is to have friends over for dinner. However, given my schedule and commitments, I haven't really had time to unpack, let alone had the opportunity host. But I've made a pledge and am taking the steps for my first (of many, I hope) dinner party in my new home:

Figure out guest list - check
I've chosen group of amazing colleagues that I've been working closely with for several months, yet not had the opportunity to get to know. Figure it's time for us to bond personally.

Set a date - check
With my own schedule and everyone else's, working something out with this group was akin to herding cats. Just when we thought we had a date set, we had to reschedule. Hopefully it is just this once.
TIP: MeetingWizard.com - a great site that helps with finding mutually available times with a group of people, and requires no downloads and no cost.

OK, this is as far as I've gone so far. Quite frankly I'm impressed to finally have #2 taken care of. Now, next steps:

menu planning
shopping
cooking plan

Luckily, I won't have to tackle them alone. One of my colleagues is interested in cooking with me, and I'm just thrilled. Talk about a great bonding experience. If Anthony Bourdain is right, and “cooking for someone is maybe the most selfless thing - short of oral sex - you can do for somebody,” I wonder what cooking together means.

Sundays in the Market w/ Daphne

2009-02-03T23:05:00.000-05:00

Now that I'm back in Ballard, I look forward to spending Sundays, after my pundit shows, at the Ballard Sunday Farmers Market. Today, I was lucky enough to spend it with a dear friend who normally works on Sundays as a nutritionist near University Village, and it was a very special day -- her birthday -- and I'm so touched she decided to spend it with me. We got to browse and taste through some wonderful vendors who make my weekly trips so worthwhile.

One of my favorite stops every week, Taylor Shellfish. This week,
looks like Bill's got geoduck. Sigh, if only I knew how to cook it.

As always, a long line for Veraci Pizza.
It's amazing to me that they bring their stone oven with them every week

Artisan-made bowls for the Empty Bowls Fundraiser to benefit the Ballard Food Bank

Of course a nutritionist would be looking at the fresh produce

Tasting some seasoned nuts

Yes, this guy gives architectural advice for 5 cents.

A great way to spend an afternoon, tasting wines at Portalis

Back in Ballard!

2009-02-01T15:23:00.000-05:00

I'm now officially out of Queen Anne and back in Ballard, the place I dare call a Foodie Paradise. We've got an excellent Sunday Farmer's Market, the Ballard Market, and delicious restaurants galore to fit almost any palate and budget. I look forward to re-frequenting some old haunts like Thaiku (my most favorite bar design ever) and Snoose Junction Pizza while checking out some of new ones.

I did try Ocho last week and was pleasantly surprised how some elbow grease and grand imagination could convert Matt's Hot Dogs into such a wonderful hideaway from the world. Tapas and wine galore, I already feel nostalgic for the pan con chocolate which combined chocolate, toast, almonds, sea salt and truffle oil. Believe it or not, it was amazing. Hmmm, maybe I'll stop by there after my walk through the Market this afternoon.

Living it Up at Voula's

2009-01-19T15:08:00.000-05:00

Last night, I stayed up to watch Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah and I didn't realize how inspiring the film could really be. A lot of us withhold ourselves from dream experiences, whether it's a vacation (because we need to save money), telling a person how we feel (because we're shy), or not eating certain foods (because we think we need to watch our weight). Queen Latifah's character would cook amazing meals for her neighbor, but would stick to her Lean Cuisine until her doctor told her she only had 3 weeks to live. And live, she decided to do.

The restaurant scene was priceless. After being told the chef did not repeat the long list of mouth-watering specials twice, she decided to order one of each. No restrictions or substitions, just full fat and full force.

So today, I decided to go to one of my favorite breakfast spots, Voula's Offshore Cafe. I hadn't been there in weeks, not since my cousin was in town, mainly because of the "watch-my-weight" excuse. I enjoy Voula's for the down-home family atmosphere, but I truly love it for Niko's magical hash browns. And at this place, hash browns aren't a side dish, they practically are the dish, covering the plate in their golden majesty.

They had a special, the "Irish I had a hobo" which combined two indulgences for me, 1) their hobo which combines a lot of things I love for breakfast:
eggs, hashbrowns, mushrooms, onions, cheese and 2) corned beef. What the hell, I'm living it up, right? And I'm glad I did. It's always nice to reconnect with people you enjoy and the special bonus is Bryan, their long-time employee, came back from Southern California and is cooking up a storm again behind my favorite counter. I'd forgotten how much the people at this place make you feel at home so I'll be coming back more often.

Off for a White Christmas -- A White Sand Christmas

2008-12-10T21:01:00.000-05:00

I'm off to try my first attempt at a quasi-culinary tour in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. My itinerary includes a tequila flight tasting at the Ritz Carlton, education in Mayan cuisine, including a hunt for the best pollo pibil, and some cooking classes at the Culinary Center (also at the Ritz Carlton).

Feliz Navidad, everyone!

Last Dance Gypsy Dinner

2008-11-24T15:52:00.000-05:00

I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Gypsy's final final dinner. Ok, the 2 "final"s are because there was one final dinner back in May, but they decided to have a series of 5 "final" dinners and I happened to attend the last one.

For those of you who never heard of Gypsy, it was an underground dining club where chefs would prepare some of the most creative dishes without the restrictions that a traditional restaurant would have. I've had an affinity for these non-traditional settings since Mamasan's at the Mission District in San Francisco. Gypsy, however, takes it to a whole new scale. Those of you who are Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations fans may remember Gypsy's innovative approach with it's Pop Rocks palate cleanser.

As we were getting seated, the gentleman at one side the table commented about how honored he was to be sitting across from one of the other diners. I turned to my left and at the head of the table happened to be sitting Kathy Casey. Yes, THE Kathy Casey, the celebrity chef and longtime food columnist for the Seattle Times. I must say, I was completely startled and even remain so right now as I write this. This was going to be one of those watch-learn-and-listen kind of evenings. And if that weren't enough, Seth Caswell, the talented chef from Stumbling Goat fame was also at the table. Blessed I was, indeed!

The dinner was 9 courses of pure bliss with wine pairings that made me wonder if Chef Gabriel Claycamp were a chef or a sommelier. The experience:

Diver Scallop Tartar
caviar, champagne gelee, nigella meringue, amchur powder, umbrian olive oil
(sorry it's so bright, but I hadn't mastered my camera at this point)

Matsutake Dashi Broth poured onto foie, lobster, cocoa dust and cranberries. The cocoa added a surprising depth and bitterness to the dish that I didn't expect to like so much.

Hazelnut Delicata Fritter
persimmon, bacon, arugula, reverse egg

The science of a reverse egg (where the egg yolk is hard and the whites are soft) has to do with the temperature it is cooked in. I think it was 190 degrees when the yolk would harden and yet the whites remained a liquid. A strange and fascinating experience.

My favorite dish of the evening, Truffled Black Cod with duck confit. Two of my favorite things. The confit was combined with turnips into roesti, accompanied by mustard cuisson and topped with chervil.

Wood Fired Foie, bubbling from the pizza oven on a cold evening. The smell of garam masala in that broth was intoxicating. Served with quince gallette, thyme peach jam.

Talk about an innovative palette cleanser. This is Green Olive Cotton Candy with olive oil granite and herbes de Provence shortbread. I loved the irony of savory flavors in traditionally sweet dishes.

Finally halfway through the evening. This is Fried Bone Marrow with brioche, parsnip & white chocolate puree, balsamico and gremolata emulsion. All the combinations went incredibly well together.

Blackberry Mole Braised Pork Belly + escarole, bocarones, raisins and Pedro Ximenez vinegar. Sick and twisted, but delicious. Exactly how much bourbon were they drinking when they came up with this???

Roasted Lamb Loin & Offal Crepinette, with chanterelle farrotto, guanciale, beet, prune tobacco jus. Yes, tobacco. So Thomas Keller.

The first of 3, actually 4 desserts: Talleggio Napoleon. Super stinky cheese layered with white truffle and apple. Sprinkled with walnuts and chestnut honey. The cheese had the aroma of the "feet of the angels."

Dessert #2: Olive Oil Financier with Black Olive Caramel on the left, roasted pear sorbet on the right, and chestnut bubbles to tie them both together.

Dessert #3: My half-eaten Ricotta, Zabaglione & Espresso Parfait, with bits of caramel fleur de sel mixed in. Obviously I couldn't wait to try it before taking a pic.

I finally tried my first souffle!

2008-11-24T14:11:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, I had never had a true souffle until last night. As much as I go out, and as much as I love dessert, somehow the infamous souffle has eluded me. Until last night.

I attended the Edgar and Holli Martinez Foundation's Keys to Success Gala at the Fairmont Hotel in Seattle. I was hoping the food would be good, but didn't expect it would actually be great. A hot, airy, gooey, light dough with a bit of melted chocolate on top. As if that weren't enough, the waiters poked a sizable hole into the souffle, which I was a bit disappointed about given it deflated a bit, but then they filled the hole with some fresh cream. Sacrifices.

Death Row Meal

2008-11-05T23:22:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, during a long drive to Idaho from Seattle, my companions and I got to the conversation of what sort of food we would select for our last meal, a la Death Row. Lots of comfort food were mentioned like mac n cheese, but I will admit that my meal would resemble more of a buffet:

my dad's adobo (Filipino dish of meat -- usually chicken or pork -- cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, pepper and bay leaves that make the meat come out so tender)
my stepmother's rice
fried chicken
tocilog (traditional Filipino breakfast consisting of Filipino bacon, garlic fried rice and a fried egg on top)
Georgia Brown's biscuit-battered French toast

Basta Pasta

2008-09-12T18:14:00.001-04:00

A chef friend recently took a position at a pizza restaurant and took home some of their special ingredients to familiarize himself with them. One night, he invited me over to experiment on pasta-making with 00 (double zero) flour to see a) if it was possible and b) if it was good.

This was a new venture for many reasons. 1) I haven't cooked in so long, 2) I've never actually hand-made pasta and 3) I finally saw, for the first time ever, one of those home pasta makers actually being used. Fun, yes. Tasty, absolutely. Do it again, ummmmm...

Outstanding in the Field

2008-08-13T01:44:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure where I first learned about Outstanding in the Field. For months, its website was in my task-list of sites to check out and I thank goodness one day this summer I finally did. I don't even know where I first learned about it and how it got into my task-list. I guess it's one of those things where you manifest experiences when you set your mind to it.

A crucial component to my vision of food writing is taking advantage of opportunities for one-of-a-kind food experiences and Outstanding in the Field provides exactly that.

Sadly, I didn't think to bring a camera, but luckily the couple across from me did. I'll post some photos relevant to the dishes, but you can see more of their photos (including one of me) at:

http://flickr.com/photos/kariquaas/sets/72157606296915462/

http://my.coolworks.com/profiles/blogs/561627:BlogPost:54710

More great pics available at this site:

http://culinaryfool.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!A7D1373D92F448FA!3130.entry?sa=185909013

Although, I will include some of their pics below so you can see what some of these dishes looked like.

whistling train pig in its own jelly with pickled red onions, gooseberries

billy astot tomatoes & cow's milk yogurt cheese with chicories & zucchini

grande aioli with local roots farm cudites, cold clams & mussels from taylor shellfish, chilled washington sockeye & halibut

stuffed, rolled & tied leg of lamb with artichokes from jason & siri's neighbors & bluebird grain farm's farro

washington apricots, estrella cheeses, amaretti

The cost of the dinner was far beyond my normal budget, but the experience was truly priceless.

Dream Come True

2008-07-19T01:29:00.000-04:00

Last week, I had the opportunity to experience a fantasy come true, an outing with a food critic. It was an item I won at an auction a few months ago and we were finally able to set our date. I don't know how appropriate it would be for me to give details since it won't go out to publication for a while, but let's just say it was truly inspiring and I look forward to reading the article.

Cooking and Entertaining

2008-07-11T19:51:00.000-04:00

One nice thing about living on my own is I can cook again. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I hosted my first dinner party last week to celebrate Independence Day, and I couldn't think of a more appropriate occasion.

My friend, David, had the idea to make fish tacos. He had just moved back to Seattle from San Diego and was already missing his mother's fantastic Mexican cooking. He arrived early with his partner, Phillip, armed with a fantastic filet of fish, tortillas and other fixings. The only things missing were the recipe and the desire to cut up the fish.

So, while the two of them played Wii, I cut up the fish, seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and proceeded to improvise some fish tacos for everyone. I fried up the fish, grilled the tortillas, stuffed them with the fish, cabbage, and tomatoes, then topped them with Zane & Zack's Honey-Chipotle Salsa mixed with sour cream. I have to say, they turned out pretty well. Perhaps it was the fact they were served on my china, or more likely the fortified margaritas.

Welcome to my blog!

2008-07-10T16:56:00.001-04:00

Hello, I'm Daphne and the founder of GoGastronomy.com. I am not a chef or other culinary professional nor a professional writer. I'm just a fan whose always had a dream to be a food critic, or better yet a taster like a judge on Iron Chef (the Japanese version). Instead of waiting around for the New York Times or Seattle Times to knock on my door and hire me, I figure I can use this forum to live out part of my dream. Thank you for reading.