Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
29 October 2008
Please, Please, Please...
Do NOT muddy up your bowl of pho by dumping a bunch of hoisin into the broth...it just overpowers the whole thing and disrupts the delicate balance of herbs and spices. Sriracha is fine, but if you must insist, take an extra spoon and put your hoisin there, for dipping your meat. I like to mix it with some lime juice for an extra kick.
24 October 2008
Endorsements 2008
Sandwiches:
Tortas. Next time you're at the taco truck, don't overlook the torta, often overshadowed by its more popular cousins, the burrito and taco. For the unitiated, a torta is basically the Mexican hamburger, a round bun filled with some kind of meat topped by lettuce and tomato. Simple, but wholly satisfying when done right. Most times the meat is basically the usual taco/burrito fillings on a bun,* but one local place called Barriga Llena ("full belly") elevates it into a gut busting pleasure-bomb. Fillings include the Milanesa - basically a pork cutlet breaded and fried, house-cured chorizo, carne asada, hot dogs (unnecessary but included to complete the picture), roast pork, and combinations thereof. One of these will keep you happy for hours. Love 'em.
Banh Mi. One of these, on the other hand, can leave you hungry. Fortunately, they're hella cheap (Never pay more than $2 for one, by the way), and very good. I always buy them in multiples, and it's still cheaper than the #1 meal at McD's. My fave is the BBQ pork banh mi from Seattle Deli.
Philly Cheesesteak. The bread, the bread, the bread. I didn't understand until I actually visited Philly. It doesn't actually taste any better there, but you just don't get that same chewy texture from a Gai's roll. But now I at least know what all of those Right Coast expats are complaining about.
Hoagies: See Cheesesteak, above.
PB&J: When's the last time you had one of these? From about 1983 until Roc started eating solid food, I hadn't even considered having one, but in a fit of desperation during a particularly nasty food tantrum, I slapped one together and stole a few bites for myself. Ahhh, nostalgia.
*Some comedian did a funny bit based on that, basically how American-Mexican food is basically the same 3 ingredients in different combos...I'll have to find it on YouTube.
Tortas. Next time you're at the taco truck, don't overlook the torta, often overshadowed by its more popular cousins, the burrito and taco. For the unitiated, a torta is basically the Mexican hamburger, a round bun filled with some kind of meat topped by lettuce and tomato. Simple, but wholly satisfying when done right. Most times the meat is basically the usual taco/burrito fillings on a bun,* but one local place called Barriga Llena ("full belly") elevates it into a gut busting pleasure-bomb. Fillings include the Milanesa - basically a pork cutlet breaded and fried, house-cured chorizo, carne asada, hot dogs (unnecessary but included to complete the picture), roast pork, and combinations thereof. One of these will keep you happy for hours. Love 'em.
Banh Mi. One of these, on the other hand, can leave you hungry. Fortunately, they're hella cheap (Never pay more than $2 for one, by the way), and very good. I always buy them in multiples, and it's still cheaper than the #1 meal at McD's. My fave is the BBQ pork banh mi from Seattle Deli.
Philly Cheesesteak. The bread, the bread, the bread. I didn't understand until I actually visited Philly. It doesn't actually taste any better there, but you just don't get that same chewy texture from a Gai's roll. But now I at least know what all of those Right Coast expats are complaining about.
Hoagies: See Cheesesteak, above.
PB&J: When's the last time you had one of these? From about 1983 until Roc started eating solid food, I hadn't even considered having one, but in a fit of desperation during a particularly nasty food tantrum, I slapped one together and stole a few bites for myself. Ahhh, nostalgia.
*Some comedian did a funny bit based on that, basically how American-Mexican food is basically the same 3 ingredients in different combos...I'll have to find it on YouTube.
05 September 2008
Golden Brown and Deelish
Took Jala2 out for lunch yesterday since I had a meeting downtown. She asked "Where do you want to go?" First thing that always pops into my head: Teriyaki! I have weakness for teriyaki joints. Love, love, luuuuurve them. And I ain't talking about no Benihana's, you know, the kind you find in just about every nondescript strip mall or hole-in-the-wall you see around here. Salty, sweet grilled meat on a big pile of rice, yum. It's Seattle's cheesesteak/hotdog/pizza equivalent, and for me, comfort food. It tends to be my go-to option for those days I don't have lunch prepared (which usually consists of leftovers from the night before) or I'm on the road or I'm on my own for any meal, really.
I have high standards when it comes to food, but that all goes out the window when I see "Teriyaki" on the front door, for some reason. I could be sitting down to a plate of grey, rubbery, tasteless meat slathered with sauce straight from the Yoshida's bottle and I'll still find a way to eat the whole thing with a smile on my face. I haven't actually been to a lot of the joints in the area, but that's mostly because there's so many of them and I've narrowed down my faves to a select few:
Happy Teriyaki: That to which all others shall be compared. Here's the thing-I always thought teriyaki came with a side of sauteed cabbage until started expanding my horizons. Sadly, too many places serve the same bagged iceberg salad with some nondescript dressing. Boring. I don't understand why; cabbage is just as cheap and it takes a minute or two to throw it in a pan and toss it around. Oh well. The meat is always nicely grilled and never tough. My preference is plain meat with sauce served on the top, rather than pre-marinated then grilled. Seems like, in that scenario, all I taste is the sauce. Bonus points for having, like, a gajillion stores in the area.
Kiku: Best menu choice, with a number of combo options and non-teriyaki items, such as udon and curry. The teriyaki chicken on the bone is particularly yummy and atypical for Seattle (and an exception for my anti-premarinated preference, but they do it so well). When I was in college and had extra cash (which was typically rare), I'd get the beef combo and scarf it down in 5 minutes. Also, try the Oyakodon, which is chicken over rice with egg on top.
There are plenty of others that I regularly stop into, like Yasuko's, Nasai and any of the Hawaiian joints (if I'm not already craving Kalua pork).
There's a deli down the street from my office run by the nicest Korean couple; the teriyaki isn't very good, but every once in awhile they'll offer bi bim bap. But that, as Alton Brown would say, is another show.
I have high standards when it comes to food, but that all goes out the window when I see "Teriyaki" on the front door, for some reason. I could be sitting down to a plate of grey, rubbery, tasteless meat slathered with sauce straight from the Yoshida's bottle and I'll still find a way to eat the whole thing with a smile on my face. I haven't actually been to a lot of the joints in the area, but that's mostly because there's so many of them and I've narrowed down my faves to a select few:
Happy Teriyaki: That to which all others shall be compared. Here's the thing-I always thought teriyaki came with a side of sauteed cabbage until started expanding my horizons. Sadly, too many places serve the same bagged iceberg salad with some nondescript dressing. Boring. I don't understand why; cabbage is just as cheap and it takes a minute or two to throw it in a pan and toss it around. Oh well. The meat is always nicely grilled and never tough. My preference is plain meat with sauce served on the top, rather than pre-marinated then grilled. Seems like, in that scenario, all I taste is the sauce. Bonus points for having, like, a gajillion stores in the area.
Kiku: Best menu choice, with a number of combo options and non-teriyaki items, such as udon and curry. The teriyaki chicken on the bone is particularly yummy and atypical for Seattle (and an exception for my anti-premarinated preference, but they do it so well). When I was in college and had extra cash (which was typically rare), I'd get the beef combo and scarf it down in 5 minutes. Also, try the Oyakodon, which is chicken over rice with egg on top.
There are plenty of others that I regularly stop into, like Yasuko's, Nasai and any of the Hawaiian joints (if I'm not already craving Kalua pork).
There's a deli down the street from my office run by the nicest Korean couple; the teriyaki isn't very good, but every once in awhile they'll offer bi bim bap. But that, as Alton Brown would say, is another show.
18 February 2008
Where We've Been Lately
Taco has had the runs since last Tuesday, so we've been at Threat Level Mustard Yellow for the last 5 days. Doc says keep him hydrated and it'll all be over in 7-10 days. WTF?! He seems to be handling it ok, though he's not his usual cheery self, especially when the tummy cramps kick in. So, Roc's in size 6 diapers for the time being.
Couple weeks ago, Taco and I grabbed a Chipotle burrito and went to the Democratic caucus. I signed in as an Obama supporter, though I'd be satisfied if either he or Hillary were to win the nomination. My precinct elected 2 delegates each for Hillary and Barack, while 1 went to Uncommitted. I don't think any other candidate has ever stirred me into action like Obama has (I even tried to get into the big rally at the Key), and judging by the big showing by my fellow GenX'ers, I wasn't alone. Look out, Boomers.
We had "Retztagg" over for dinner on Wednesday. Made Mussels in Puttanesca sauce over linguine. Mmm. Happy 1st anniversary.
As Jala2 says, some things are cheaper at Whole Foods. More on that later.
Couple weeks ago, Taco and I grabbed a Chipotle burrito and went to the Democratic caucus. I signed in as an Obama supporter, though I'd be satisfied if either he or Hillary were to win the nomination. My precinct elected 2 delegates each for Hillary and Barack, while 1 went to Uncommitted. I don't think any other candidate has ever stirred me into action like Obama has (I even tried to get into the big rally at the Key), and judging by the big showing by my fellow GenX'ers, I wasn't alone. Look out, Boomers.
We had "Retztagg" over for dinner on Wednesday. Made Mussels in Puttanesca sauce over linguine. Mmm. Happy 1st anniversary.
As Jala2 says, some things are cheaper at Whole Foods. More on that later.
02 October 2006
Ciudad del Lago
Ericka over at The Outer Limits has been blogging about my adopted neighborhood for awhile now. I'm just now starting to appreciate what Lake City offers, at least in the way of food. My faves so far:
Minoo Bakery
Toyoda Sushi (I feel bad about spreading the word about this one, but what the hey).
Mad Pizza (Better than Romio's IMO)
Thai One On
BiziBee Floral (not food, but Justin and Heather are awesome)
Fortunately, Lake City has most everything covered, except maybe home improvement, so I don't have to drive or walk very far to get what I need. And while Fred Meyer is owned by an evil out of state corporation (ask Brice about their employee perks), it's hella convenient and affordable.
Minoo Bakery
Toyoda Sushi (I feel bad about spreading the word about this one, but what the hey).
Mad Pizza (Better than Romio's IMO)
Thai One On
BiziBee Floral (not food, but Justin and Heather are awesome)
Fortunately, Lake City has most everything covered, except maybe home improvement, so I don't have to drive or walk very far to get what I need. And while Fred Meyer is owned by an evil out of state corporation (ask Brice about their employee perks), it's hella convenient and affordable.
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