The Cabbage Onion Rebellion

Big AZ MEATZ

2010-04-23T01:27:00.002-04:00

Brought to you by the same co-worker who tipped me off on The Modern Toilet restaurant in Taiwan, I am simultaneously intrigued and disgusted by this American product:

DUN DUN DUNNNNNN! 

Exhibit A(Z): Big AZ Chicken and Big AZ Burger

Kraft found a Big AZ Burger in the odd morning hours at the bodega near his place in Brooklyn and took a picture of it on his Blackberry. Showing our office the picture (not the one above) at 5:30pm prompted several questions and a good half-hour spent laughing AND discovering all we could about the Big AZ line on the Internets (and finishing up some other work....). I still have so many unanswered questions about the Big AZ Burger, such as, how can it stay in a vending machine so long? What is the meat ACTUALLY made out of that it can just sit at room temperature all day? It tastes...good?! 

I guess those are pretty important questions that will only be answered upon finding this golden ticket in a bodega. Until then, here are the two answers I DID find:

Q1: Who makes Big AZ Products?
 A1: Pierre Foods.  
 With manufacturing plants in Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina, Pierre Foods prides themselves on making "Real food for BIG snack ATTACKS." They also hold the motto "Creative Ideas. Innovative Solutions." Nothing says creativity like naming your product line "Big AZ" or "Big AZ Bubba Twins" when describing a two-pack. I admit, I laughed out loud when Kraft first said, "Big AZ Burger." Say whatttt?!

Q2: What other Big AZ Meats are there?
A2: The Big AZ Product line is ridiculous(ly amazing?). Categorized on their website as "Handheld Convenience," Big AZ covers it ALL.

Breakfast/Deli Sandwiches:
Poor Boy Sandwich
Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Specialty Sandwiches:
Rack-o-Ribs BBQ Pork Sandwich
Country Fried Chicken Sandwich w/ Cheese
Fish and Cheese Sandwich


Rack-o-Ribs BBQ Pork RIB Sandwich (pictured)
**Curious to know how the Rack-o-Ribs BBQ Pork and Rack-o-Ribs BBQ Pork RIB differ... 

Beef:
Big AZ Bubba Twins - Twin Charbroil w/ Cheese
Beef Charbroil w/ Cheese
Beef Charbroil w/ BBQ Sauce

Hot Dogs and Sausages:
Big AZ Bubba Twins - Twin Chili Dogs w/ Cheese

Chicken:
Big AZ Bubba Twins - Twin Breaded Chicken Subs
Spicy Chicken Sandwich w/ Cheese
Country Fried Chicken Sandwich w/ Cheese
Spicy Breaded Chicken Sandwich w/ Cheese

I may just have to put down for one of these, if I can actually find it at a deli in the wee hours of the morning. Mystery meat! To be continued... 

Now, That's What I Call a Cover! Vol. 32

2010-04-19T15:02:00.003-04:00

Record Club: INXS "Need You Tonight" from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

I pretty much think that anything St. Vincent touches turns to gold. I'm sold!

Check out more about Beck's Record Club. 

Crazy Flavored Kit Kat Bars: A Campaign to Bring Them Westward

2010-04-15T01:49:00.001-04:00

Wow, this is unintentionally becoming an Asian food blog. Wamp wamp, what it do, what it doooooo? (Song popped into my head this morning...weird).

Lyndsey, Kathleen, and I decided to explore Flushing, Queens this past weekend with high aims for soup dumps (Nan Xiang success!) and Asian food shopping. Little did we know what Candy Shop USA had in store for us...

Exhibit A: Ginger Ale Kit Kat Bar and Hot Pepper Beef Jerky

Why have Americans been deprived of the numerous flavors of Kit Kat bars out there? Seeing the two flavors Candy Shop USA carried (Ginger Ale and Royal Milk Tea) was almost similar to finding life forms on another planet. Japan has been holding out on us! Japan, whyyy!

Lyndsey later found this website that shows a bunch of other crazy Kit Kat bars special to Japan, including Green Tea, Sweet Corn, and...Muscat of Alexandria Grapes? Red beak soup? Red BEAN soup right? RIGHT?

My roommate and I taste tested Ginger Ale together at the count of 3, and it tasted more like sweet ginger white chocolate than an actual ginger ale drink. Not bad...but I probably wouldn't buy it again. Coincidentally, it just so happened that one of my friends came back from Japan recently and was similarly intrigued by the array of Kit Kats out there. He brought back Wasabi and Soy Sauce Kit Kats, which I was able to try this week. Soy Sauce tastes like maple syrup and not at all like actual soy sauce. Wasabi tastes like Wasabi without the sting that climbs up yer nose. I would honestly buy Soy Sauce Kit Kats if they were around! Mmm, sweetness. My cousin working in Japan has also offered to send me pumpkin kit kats when they're in season (in the fall). Can't wait!

In other news, the Chinese make some pretty rad beef jerky.

Excited for the next adventure out to Flushing!

How Now Mantao!

2010-04-07T16:25:00.002-04:00

It's been a few days. I finally bought myself a pack of Orbit gum. Chomp chomp chomp. Chew chew chew. It's another post about Beef & Kimchi! Oyyyyy

Two plugs on this post...

FIRST: Here, we have the amazing technicolor collective buying power that is Groupon.

I was introduced to Groupon in my boss' persuasion that our work bowling team (very short-lived) needed some practice before going face to face against Cherry Lane Music Publishing, our co-publishers on the Black Eyed Peas/David Guetta hit, "I Gotta Feeling." Groupon had some ridiculous bowling deal at Chelsea Piers. I guess she should have pushed the Groupon on us harder (we lost!), but it wasn't until Gao Di started letting Groupon change her life that I started to come around. Since then, we've contemplated buying a boot camp series on the Brooklyn Bridge, a poledancing class, and enrolling Gao Di in the "Live off of Groupon and Win $100,000" contest - all beautiful dreams that never came to fruition. ;)

In more serious matters, I've bought a handful of Groupons including a $12 (worth $24) hot lavender manicure in Tribeca (which also paid for an unexpected Leelee Sobieski celebrity sighting!), 4 Baja Fresh Burritos for $16 (which I split with my coworker), and now two $7 groupons, each worth $15 of fare at Mantao Chinese Sandwiches!

Which brings us to Plug #2: Mantao Chinese Sandwiches! Located on 53rd Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, these tasty little sesame bun sandwiches are so delicious that I used both of my Groupons back to back in two days! And it is a little bit of a walk from Madison Ave...

The first day, I went sandwich crazy and ordered 3 - Beef & Kimchi, the Angus burger, and Spicy Pork. I slowed down tremendously by the end of the Angus Burger, and had to leave Spicy Pork as a dinner appetizer. The second day I sat in their sunny restaurant with my coworker, talking in between bites of the Beef & Kimchi Sandwich, Spicy Mackerel sandwich, and a side order of juicy pork and shrimp dumplings.

The $9.95 combo box includes any two sandwiches of your choice, shrimp chips, and Chinese slaw. I recommend Beef & Kimchi (DUH) and Braised Pork. Those ones are the tastiest. Git git!

New York Hot Dog and Coffee!

2010-04-02T10:43:00.001-04:00

I've been on such a beef and kimchi kick this week, someone buy this girl a pack of gum! >_<

The scenario is happening more and more. I ambitiously try to run from show to show, and find myself scrounging for food. Or dare I say...not eating? This was an all too familiar story in my SXSW experience. The difference between Austin and New York is that New York actually has some decent fast eats between venues. I made the unfortunate mistake of getting a "bulgogi sandwich with cheese" on 6th Street in Austin, which was essentially a grilled cheese sandwich with bulgogi somewhere in the middle. Needless to say, it was the one time I probably should have opted out of cheese...and withheld my urge to have Korean BBQ. :(

Yesterday, I romped around my old stomping grounds (the Village), seeing one Chris Thompson to another Christy Thompson, and remembered New York Hot Dog and Coffee! This has been a place I've been wanting to try ever since freenyc.net started advertising free bulgogi burgers in the summer to the first 100 people at lunch time. Unfortunately (fortunately?), this place is all the way over on Bleecker and 6th Ave - hence, too far from the Midtown Wasteland perimeters. The fusion of hot dog/hamburgers and Korean food just sounded downright appealing, and why this place didn't exist while we were at NYU is just a shame. A real shame!

Exhibit A: Kimchi and Bulgogi Hot Dog w/ a Side of Fries

Above, you are indeed looking at a hot dog covered with bulgogi and kimchi. I have to say, it was pretty tasty, but I actually found myself ditching the hot dog after half eating it and just attacking the bulgogi and kimchi instead. I think I felt a little meat overload? I much rather would have preferred just having bulgogi and kimchi on a hot dog bun. BUT, I am still curious to come back here and try the Bulgogi burger. Plus, the fries were light and crispy - almost like they were fried in light tempura batter or something. YUM. 

Anecdote

2010-03-22T22:29:00.000-04:00

I'm not that familiar with Ambulance LTD, but this song is sweeeeet. And, once again, I'm running a song into the ground by playing it on repeat until I get sick of it. The vocal line right before the "punchline" is killer! Thanks for this one, Ian!

M Noodle! My Saving Grace!

2010-03-08T01:03:00.003-05:00

The Asian selection off of Graham Avenue was a bit lacking until this joint popped up! 

549 Metropolitan Avenue 
btw. Union Ave. and Lorimer St.

I first passed by M Noodle on the way back from a show at Union Pool in December. It was around 2am, and M Noodle looked like MECCA. Took a mental note, and decided to come back that Sunday. Perfect rainy Sunday for soupadoup. Apparently, the place had only opened that week! 

Exhibit A: Sliced Pork Belly Noodle Soup w/ Pulled Noodle...mmm

Killer (recommended) combos: 

Marinated Beef Stew Noodle Soup w/ Wonton Noodle
Marinated Beef Stew Noodle Soup w/ Pulled Noodle
Shredded Beef with Chili Pepper Noodle Soup w/ Pulled Noodle

Den-den Mein w/ Pulled Noodle

M Noodle has now become my go-to Chinese take-out in the neighborhood. I love the fact that you can choose whatever noodle you want for the dishes they serve, though I've pretty much stuck with Wonton Noodle and Pulled Noodle. AND, even though I haven't really utilized it, I love the fact that M Noodle is open until 6am everyday. Noon-6am, 7 days a week! Noodles and dumplings at all times of day make me a very happy girl. CHOMP.

We'll Mine Our Sparks to Shoot Us Above!

2010-02-19T12:11:00.002-05:00

I've already listened to "Excuses" 6 times this morning, which has probably been the average number of times I've listened to it per day since Monday.

The Morning Benders have become my recent obsession after my roommate played this video for me on Monday. Lovin' the 1960's throwback/fun vocal harmonies. I can't get over how such a strong voice comes from such a skinny half-Asian dude! I will have to go see this for myself when they play the Housing Works Hype Machine CD Swap next Thursday, February 25th. (Upon which, you should then head over to 45 Bleecker for the long awaited Father Figures Record Release Show, featuring opening act, The Relatives, back from Prague!)

The Morning Benders' new album, Big Echo, comes out on Rough Trade Records on March 9th. Co-produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear, you can guess there's gonna be some wacky accented beats and instrumentation. Until then, check out their cover of The Cardigans' "Lovefool."

Polonaise Hollandaise

2010-02-03T23:42:00.001-05:00

Though I had my fair share of learning some beautiful pieces, the one classical piano piece I wish I learned while I was still studying is this one, Chopin's Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53. I bought the sheet music for this a couple of years ago with the hopes of one day teaching it to myself, and the process has been pretty slow going. Luckily, in the wonderful age of technology, I now have Vladimir Horowitz to show me how it's done. Check out his expression at the end; I'd feel the same if I could play it like him!

Ma Pechehhhhhh!

2010-01-21T17:46:00.005-05:00

Expecting a great lunch or dinner and receiving lower than your great expectations might qualify as one of the "worst minor catastrophes" in the world, in the words of my co-worker. 

Ma Peche, aka "Mother Peach", is the newest edition to the David Chang dynasty of pan-Asian cuisine that comprises the brand Momofuku, meaning "Lucky Peach." As a regular follower of Midtown Lunch Blog (a celebration of the wasteland that is the food selection in Midtown Manhattan), I was thrilled to hear about Ma Peche's opening in November 2009 and couldn't wait for a good reason to pretend I was fine dining ($10 lunch special, heyooo!). And unfortunately, pretend...it sure was. 

Momofuku is known for their meats! They are known for having some of the best fried chicken in the city (inspired by Congee Village), the best pork buns, and one of the city's best pork ramen. It came as a HUGE disappointment to be (disappointed) by the meat in the dishes we ordered. I knew a $10 lunch special from the Momofuku Empire was too good to be true!

Exhibit 1: Banh Mi au poulet
 

First off, $10 for a banh mi and a coke is overpriced (this was expected), but the "banh mi au poulet" was half the size of a banh mi 40 blocks downtown for double the price. Really though, my main problem with this banh mi was the chicken, which is a shame because it's a chicken sandwich. I've never been keen on ordering chicken in Vietnamese restaurants (remember, never order Pho Ga, you wimp), but given Momofuku's reputation for fried chicken, I figured all bets were out the door.  The chicken wasn't fresh chicken breast. It was some sort of chicken patty/roll with a dry, block like consistency that was a bit tough. And they get away with calling it "au poulet..." 

Exhibit 2: Bun du riz (aka Pork Rice Noodles)
 

This initially caught my eye from Midtown Lunch blog, and I pretty much knew I was going to order it before I got to the Chambers Hotel. Behind those layers of green is actually very salty ground pork. Very salty. The dish almost tasted like it could have been an Asian Box of Hamburger Helper...guh. The noodles were interestingly shaped into little cones. The redeeming quality of the dish was that they were fun to eat, BUT I usually find myself with a healthy appetite, and I didn't finish the plate. Salty pork drew my mouth-watering appetite dry.

At this point, I was ready to leave without ordering the peanut butter cookie (from Momofuku Milk Bar) which everyone raves about, but my 6'3 businessman who opened the colossal, wooden doors of the Chambers Hotel from the top of the door handles has a soft spot for peanut butter, so we stayed. 

As we sat in our cubicle-feeling bucket chairs placed diagonally far away from each other, my eyes drifted to the book Farm Animal Portraits placed in front of us on the bookshelf, and our waiter returned with a peanut butter cookie in a bag in his hand, almost high-fiving it over to us. Not even a plate! Just a cookie in a sweaty bag. Yipes. At least the center was chewy and peanut buttery? 

Just say "momofuku" to Momofuku Midtown and get yourself over to Takashimaya on 5th Ave for the fine dining experience you deserve. Ma Peche ain't worth yer pennies!

If I Trust In You, Oh Please...

2010-01-20T11:47:00.001-05:00

When I first started playing guitar, I ate up the two volumes of Beatles sheet music that my Dad had recently purchased at Barnes & Noble. There were two songs I remember him re-learning: "And I Love Her" and "If I Fell." I recently remembered how much I love the vocal harmonies in this song--

Surefire Ways to Have the Best Meal Ever

2009-12-07T17:37:00.002-05:00

Don't you love that feeling when you know you ordered better than the rest of the table? Or just knowing in general that you ordered the best dish on the menu without a server's recommendation? Well, I'm half joking on both of those questions, but if I see any of these items on a menu, I will generally order that dish. This is my shortcut to achieving the best meal possible at a restaurant:

1) CHEESE...specifically GRUYERE
I truly feel bad for anyone that is lactose intolerant. Adding cheese when a cheese option is given is basically an automatic yes. I had the pleasure of visiting the Gruyere factory in Gruyere, Switzerland a couple years ago. Hands down, every time I go for Gruyere (cheeseburgers, mac & cheese) it's a guaranteed winner. Gruyere has a salty, but sweet taste, and melts perfectly.

2) BACON

A friend of mine recently deemed bacon as "life's greatest ingredient." Need I explain further? Also makes for beautiful food art (aka bacon weave).

3) FRIED EGG
I underestimated the power of the fried egg until my roommate, Ian, moved in. Don't worry about the cholesterol levels in runny yoke. Just eat plenty of oatmeal the next day, and you'll be fine.

4) HUEVOS RANCHEROS
 Not so much an ingredient as its own dish. Haven't met a Huevos Rancheros I didn't like. Fried egg on a taco? I'll take it! 

5) BEEF BRISKET
Beef Brisket transcends cultures. Juicy, tender, beefy goodness. Beef brisket in pho, beef brisket over egg noodles Hong Kong style with soup on the side, German beef brisket BBQ, American beef brisket BBQ. All delicious in my book.

6) AVOCADO
  They call it a California burger when avocado's on a burger. In reference to burgers, California is just a really long word that actually means "really good." Throw it in salads, mix it into guac, the versatile fruit can be made into milkshakes, eaten for breakfast with condensed milk (a Philippine tradition), or even made into an Asian appetizer with sweet soy sauce drizzled on top of the halves (heyoo Mooncake Foods!).
 

7) WILD BOAR/OXTAIL
Never thought I'd be into wild game, but as someone who definitely isn't a vegetarian, it's a natural progression. I generally see wild boar and oxtail on Italian menus as an alternative to Beef Bolognese. Our neighborhood Italian restaurant (and my favorite at that), Il Passatore, has an amazing Pappardelle pasta w/ Oxtail Ragu, which unfortunately is not pictured below.  

8) PORK BELLY

Despite it's fatty edges, there's more to love about pork belly. I tend to not eat the fatty part (it's a texture thing for me), but you can count on pork belly to be equally tasty whether it's German BBQ at Fette Sau or included in Chinese soups and sandwiches. 

Little Things in My Morning Commute

2009-12-03T11:19:00.000-05:00

Day in, day out, same morning commute. Half-asleep, over-crowded L train. Who needs a cup of coffee? Not me! Get a little morning exercise, transfer to the 6 train. And, since April, no iPod. Just lots and lots of New York mag articles and attempts at writing in my journalist looking memopad. Nope, I'm not blogging about that dry doughnut at Peter Pan! But please, tall peeps, don't read what I'm writing in this thing! It's personal! After taking the same route for almost a year now, I find a lot of enjoyment in the small things that vary in my morning commute.

Anyways, I couldn't tell you why, but all too regularly, The Righteous Brothers' version of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" pops into my head as I'm climbing up the stairs at Union Square from the L train to the 6 train. There's no justification for this! I promise you, I don't listen to this song on repeat, like I have with other songs for which I'm infamous for. This loving feeling occurrence happens in the second set of stairs, right as I round that corner. Keeping my fingers crossed that I don't trip up the stairs, and hummin' this little diddy. That's my morning.

It wasn't until watching this Hall & Oates video that I appreciated the Hall & Oates cover of this song. I have it on one of their "Best of" albums, and always thought The Righteous Brothers do it so much better. Well, this video just proved that theory wrong.

I Want a House on the Beach...I do, I really do

2009-11-24T13:39:00.005-05:00

Beach House. I've seen them live twice, both free, both in consecutive summers, both times finding myself bored, but really trying to like them. The only song that really grabbed me in the past was "Heart of Chambers," but gotta admit, the song is pretty heavy and sad. I also happened to favorite it on my hype machine right after Hall & Oates, which makes for an especially low, low. Maybe it's Ed Droste. Maybe he's the one making me feel guilty here for not coming around!

Anyways, I think the problem for me was that Beach House's music never syncs up with the picture in my mind, or my initial reaction, to hearing the term "beach house." Beach house makes me immediately think of some little bungalow on Rockaway or Fire Island on a hot, humid, sticky day; lounging around in yellow flip flops, wearing neon tobacco quit line sunglasses and a sun hat, going out for fish tacos and ice cream, and riding bikes. My mistake! This is more of a Beach Boys kind of fun in the sun. 

It wasn't until this morning while listening to "Norway," off of their upcoming January 2010 release, Teen Drama, that I got the visuals right for this band. If you've ever been to the beaches on the Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach/Seaside), then it all makes sense. Or, if you've ever seen The Goonies - it's that beach with Haystack Rock on it. Every time I've been to the beaches in Oregon, despite going there in July or August, it's been cold, overcast at some point, melancholic, lonely, introspective. It's the kind of beach that's more conducive to kite-flying than beach volleyball. The mist sits on the ocean, the fog is dense, and the wind from the Pacific Ocean has permanently bent the trees lining the beachfront neighborhoods at a forty-five degree angle.
 

I think it's fitting that Beach House is now signed to Sub Pop (PacNW!). From what I've heard of the new album, it sounds like Beach House has found themselves more upbeat, with a stronger pulse. There's a soft energy there, maybe it's the vocals cutting through in a slightly forceful way, while still remaining dreamy and lush. If you can grab this mp3 of "Take Care" I have a feeling it will be my favorite on the new record.

The Modern Toilet, Please Come to NYC!

2009-11-12T23:20:00.001-05:00

Today, my co-worker said, "Hey Alexa, I was watching the Food Network last night and I saw something that made me think of you."

What exactly made him think of me? Well, it was none other than THE MODERN TOILET, a Taipei-based restaurant with the over-arching theme of toilets. Of course, this sounds pretty repulsive. I could even go so far as to say VERY repulsive. The name of the restaurant itself is enough to make someone run to the nearest bathroom. However, I can't help but find myself completely intrigued with this restaurant AND hitting myself over the head for not leaving the Taipei airport last year when Gao Di and I were stuck there for 6 hours. We used our long-stop over trying to write knock-knock jokes that we now cannot even remember when we could have been fine dining at The Modern Toilet!

Is it just me or do those two dishes look absolutely delicious?!

And in the end, isn't it all gonna end up in the toilet anyways?
I'll take Toilet #1 puh-leeeeeze (chocolate ice cream/aka poo).

"Who Knew Queens Could Be So Beautiful?"

2009-11-08T21:16:00.002-05:00

I almost felt like I was living in California today. It was 73 degrees, and it's November 8th. After a gluttonous weekend, Char and I decided to exercise. Our initial Greenpoint joyride brought us to LONG ISLAND CITY!

Going to Queens was probably the second best decision I made today after picking Huevos Rancheros for brunch. We found these benches on the piers that were shaped like sine curves and I fell asleep with my sunglasses on to the backdrop of Manhattan, only to be woken up to the excitement of a boy who caught a two foot fish in the East River. I think they dumped it back because of laws...probably for the better. 

 To keep the 5pm sunset a little brighter, I've been listening to "Pet Sounds" over and over on repeat, as well as Hall & Oates "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)." Good for the soul? yep.  

So let me just slip into this lace catsuit...

2009-10-28T00:37:00.002-04:00

Just now, I went to read This Recording, when I was distracted by this American Apparel ad for a "Lace Catsuit." I laughed out loud, showed this to Erin, and then we both wondered why it was called a catsuit. Upon further research (heyooo wikipedia) we were greeted with this definition:

A catsuit is a skin-tight one-piece usually stretch garment with long sleeves and legs. Catsuits can be used by both genders, and despite the name they do not in general have feline characteristics.

I guess this pretty much sums it up. The new American Apparel unisex catsuit. Ayomp.

New York is Not a Pho Town, Unfortunately

2009-10-19T15:24:00.004-04:00

Oh, Pho! Delicious, delicious pho! From Junior High through High School, I always crossed my fingers that Sunday lunch would be a pho lunch. My mouth would anxiously water as we drove out to Kent's Great Wall Mall, home to Pho To Chau, my Dad's favorite pho place. I'd order a #6 or #9, whichever is the one that has brisket and tendons (I never eat the tendons, I just like them there for flavor). Throw in some hoisin sauce, basil, bean sprouts, hint of lime, and you pretty much have the tastiest beef broth imaginable. I love noodles. Noodles and dumplings, and spring rolls. Probably my favorite things about Asian food.

After my pho high, I would immediately pass out due to a pho-induced food coma in our Honda accord, and after a 35 minute ride home, I drowsily moved from the car to the nearest couch, upon which I covered myself with big pillows to continue my nap to the sound of the Seahawks football game. My Dad was my twin across the family room, except that he snores, and I don't.

This was pretty much a typical Sunday for me as a teenager. Now that I've lived in New York for almost four years, I'm beginning to think Seattle must have something in the water, because I can't find pho in New York City that compares to the ones that I've had there. One would think, New York, the multi-cultural food capital of America would have the best of the best for each ethnicity, but this is not the case.

 I've been to Nha Trang and Pho Bang, the new pho place on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg whose name I can't recall (I had high hopes for this place, and I should have known it would have to succumb to the trendiness of the neighborhood), and Saigon Grill. I've witnessed the grand opening of Pho 32 right across the street from Yoga to the People on St. Marks and have been skeptical to try it. The downfall of all of these places is either the broth isn't beefy enough, the soup is overpriced, there aren't enough selections of pho to choose from, or the ambience is way too fancy for a pho establishment. One could say my standards for pho and pho eating establishments are very particular, but as a simple lover of pho, let's use one of my favorite Seattle joints, Than Brothers, as a prime example:

1) Pho must be around the $5 price point for a small bowl. $7 is probably my limit. It better be damn good if it's $7+...or very large.

2) There should be upwards of 12 choices on a pho menu. Not 2. The soups should not be named "Pho Classic" or "Pho Special." The meats have names! The menu  should include Pho Ga (although never order it). And never order the meatball one either...come on people, choose your cuts!  [Menu courtesy of Than Brothers, Seattle]. 

 SMALL            $4.95    

MEDIUM $5.75

LARGE $6.25

X-LARGE $6.95

EXTRA MEAT $0.85

EXTRA MEAT BALL $0.85

EXTRA NOODLE $0.60

EACH TO GO $0.60

A. Pho Ga(Rice noodle soup with chicken)

B. Pho Bo Vien(Rice noodle soup with meat ball)

C. Pho Bo(Rice noodle soup with beef as follow : )

1. Tai

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak

2. Tai Chin

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak and brisket

3. Tai Nam

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak and well-done flank

4. Tai Sach

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak and tripe

5. Tai Gan

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak and soft tendon

6. Chin Nam

Rice noodle soup with brisket and well-done flank

7. Chin Gan

Rice noodle soup with brisket and soft tendon

8. Chin Sach

Rice noodle soup with brisket and tripe

9. Tai Chin Nam

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak, brisket and well-done flank

10. Tai Chin Gan

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak, brisket and soft tendon

11. Tai Chin Sach

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak, brisket and tripe

12. Tai Chin Nam Gan - PERSONAL FAVE

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak, brisket, well-done flank and soft tendon

13. Tai Chin Nam Sach

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak, brisket, well-done flank and tripe

14. Tai Chin Nam Gau Gan Sach

Rice noodle soup with eye-round steak, well-done flank, marble brisket, soft tendon, tripe

3) Pho restaurants should have glass counter-topped tables or plastic covering, as well as a wallpaper of mirrors around the walls. No need to make it classy. You know, half the people eating pho on a Sunday morning on the Ave in Seattle's U-District are there because they're hungover, and pho just happens to be the best cure. 

4) Bonus points if the Pho restaurant name includes a pun.

5) Additional bonus points if the pho establishment serves free cream puffs at the end of the meal. (Thanks, Than Brothers!)

Perhaps with all these standards I should start a franchise in Brooklyn?!?

Shwood Shwades

2009-10-08T12:01:00.000-04:00

As a sucker for sunglasses (who has the unfortunate luck of breaking almost every pair I have), these are brilliant! If only they weren't $95...

The Year of The Dirty Projectors

2009-09-30T14:24:00.004-04:00

Jimmy Fallon's reaction to The Dirty Projectors' performance of "When the World Comes to an End" is exactly what I was thinking. "Yeaaas! How did you do that?!?" It's amazing how the girls just started this song off like a well-oiled music machine. It's like someone hit play and this three voiced instrument just up and went.

I was never really a huge fan of The Dirty Projectors' earlier work, but this seems to be their year. Bitte Orca has definitely grown on me. I believe "When the World Comes to an End" was originally a collaboration with Bjork performed at Housing Works back in May. Dave Longstreth has honed his skills at making amazing vocal arrangements (such as above) and showing off Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian, and Haley Dekle's capabilities as individual singers as well as their collective efforts to blend as one instrument.

I also love the Dirty Projectors for the way they play with time. "Useful Chamber" is easily my favorite track on the album. The best part for me comes in around 3:10 with that well-oiled vocal machine moving from pure tone voice to the head voice. Moving from one section to another comes off so effortless for The Dirty Projectors and the 6 minute + song wouldn't be complete without all of them.

The Best Tuna Sandwich You Will Ever Taste

2009-09-23T01:49:00.008-04:00

This is by far the tastiest Tuna sandwich you could ever possibly sink your teeth into. The combination of garlic and olive mixed with artichokes, tuna, and a kick of lemon really make for an explosion of flavors that pair very nicely together in your mouth. Introduced to me by the boy next door, (ay Ray Ray!) I went a whole summer without it until Sarah came back to NYC for a week and made it for dinner!

The picture above (provided by Food Network) doesn't quite do the panini justice. The olive puree is much darker. Plus, you can't taste or smell that picture, either!

Below is the secret recipe. Feel free to check out more multimedia (such as Giada showing you how to make this sandwich in a video) here:

Ingredients

3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna in olive oil, drained
1 (12-ounce) jar marinated artichokes, drained and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (16-ounce) ciabatta bread, halved horizontally
1 tomato, diced

Directions

 Puree the olives, oil, garlic, and zest in a food processor until smooth and spreadable. Blend in the mayonnaise. Toss the tuna, artichokes, lemon juice, and pepper in a medium bowl, keeping the tuna in small chunks. 

Hollow out the bottom and top halves of the bread. [Personally, this isn't really necessary.] Spread the olive puree over both cut sides of the bread. Spoon the tuna and artichoke mixture onto the bottom half of the bread. Sprinkle the tomatoes over. Cover with the bread top. Cut the sandwich crosswise into 6 pieces and serve. 

Toast it up in the oven on 350 for 5 minutes or less, and you've got a done deal. This sandwich is HUGE and can basically make for three meals. Guess what I'm bringing for lunch tomorrow? ;)   

Another Reason to Love Warp Records

2009-09-21T01:42:00.005-04:00

Home to Aphex Twin, Autechre, Gang Gang Dance, Prefuse 73, and Grizzly Bear, Warp Records continues to be a home for fresh sound. In June, Bibio released Ambivalence Avenue on Warp. I can't seem to get enough of his two songs, "Lover's Cravings" and "Fire Ant," which I will most likely be eating oatmeal to tomorrow morning. With most of my song obsessions, I will have to let this run its course on repeat for at least a week...

Little Joy

2009-09-14T17:21:00.008-04:00

Little Joy is too cute. They're playing in NYC at Webster Hall on October 2nd. Since Fabrizio Moretti's in the band, it does sound like the Strokes (and how can you not love the Strokes?), but maybe The Strokes on a Tropical island. Even though Little Joy wasn't around during my Cyprus 2007 trip, it takes me back to the Mediterranean. Oh, Limassol!

Dithering: Jonny Greenwood: Sasha Frere-Jones : The New Yorker

2009-09-10T11:23:00.009-04:00

Dithering: Jonny Greenwood: Sasha Frere-Jones : The New Yorker: "MP3s might not compare that well to a CD recording of, say, string quartets, but then, that’s not really their point."

The New Yorker Dithering Series should be an interesting one to read. When my over-ear Phillips headphones gave out in March, I began coming into the office with my giant Sennheiser headphones connected to my iPod. My boss commented, "Why on earth would you connect those headphones to your iPod to listen to awful quality mp3s?" Well, mainly, out of convenience (because I had no other headphones and I hate the feel of ear buds) and secondly because they acted as ear muffs in the long winter. BUT, in reality, the sound quality of mp3s fare pretty well today.

When I'm commuting to work half asleep in the morning, I just want to zone out to the guilty pleasure that is Rihanna instead of acknowledging the fact that I'm squished between someone who just delayed our train by catching the doors as they were closing, and the people awake enough to yell at him. The combination of gigantic headphones and a pocket-sized device, complete with days of music longer than I would be able to survive in a desert, get the job done.

This isn't to say that I don't care about sound quality. I still prefer listening to CDs and Vinyl at home (oh, if I could only transport my record player from Seattle to Brooklyn with those huge old 1970s speakers!). When my iPod decided to stop working in April (2009 has proved to be the year that all the electronics I bought in 2005 are calling it quits), I resurrected my Discman. Connected to Sennheisers, the sound is full and enveloping. I was hearing things I didn't realize existed in Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest. Unfortunately, Senor Discman only lasted a week in my New York City commute.

So, we arrive back at the fact that convenience and portability play more of a function in the consumption of music than ever before. But, perhaps for those still nostaglic for days before, you can go with this?

New Find via Labor Day BBQ Soundtrack

2009-09-09T00:48:00.004-04:00

HOLIDAY SHORES popped up as background music during the BBQ we had at the house yesterday. Hailing from Florida, it's no surprise that the band is light and carefree. Maybe I was the only one that noticed, but it seemed to complement my burger, mexican corn, and cranberry tart pretty well !

Everyone's told me how anticlimactic turning 22 was. I was pleasantly surprised! If the delicious food and warm company is any indication of the year to come, this should a very good year. :D

Sleep Warm

2009-09-06T13:15:00.003-04:00

This is an odd, but somehow romantic combination.

Cornelius' version is like Disneyland. I particularly like the jagged synths in the background...