Twenty-Four

This blank page has been haunting me everyday that I've neglected to write because I have been struggling with owning the title of "writer." It's kind of like that conversation in a new relationship when usually the guy doesn't want to "place titles" on anything. The "you know, let's keep it casual" speech for fear of premature commitment and emotional seriousness.... blah blah blah. I've never personally had that conversation because my attitude in relationships is deeply rooted in a go for it, willy-nilly doctrine. That's probably why I've been so successful with Love<<<<>. But it has been hard to find a worthy topic to write about lately due to my aforementioned "commitment issues" with writing. I'm finally having that conversation. Will I place a title on this back-and-forth relationship with writing despite my fear of it failing? Can I trust myself to be faithful? Will I commit despite my insecurities and hang-ups?

Perhaps I should apply my go for it attitude for this love affair as well. I guess my affair with writing is just like any other: it can soar or sink. I can only hope it lasts longer than my longest relationship, the duration of which shall remain private! Fingers crossed, it will last a lifetime.

Twenty Three

This is my first post in 6 months. How I went this far without writing about tasty vittles, I do not know. Lord knows I ate between now and April......Oh, how I ate.

I have no topic tonight, rather, a promise. A promise to continue writing. If not for my 6 readers, then for myself. To create. To have something to lose myself in. To ignite passion where there is none. To honor the sovereign pleasures of heavy cream, Parmigiano Reggiano, extra virgin olive oil, butter, and anything tasting like, smelling like, or having the appearance of chocolate. To celebrate food and the beauty of culture and art and love it is prepared with.

Twenty-Two

Holeman and Finch Public House...... Go there. Eat, drink, be merry. No reservations needed. As a matter of fact, no reservations accepted. Appetite and adventurism, however, are necessary. Speechlessness and awe WILL attend every taste of the Egg and pancetta Carbonara- The best bowl of pasta I've ever had. 

The Chicken liver pate and sweet pickled tomato.... divine 

The pork belly and collard greens and the Maitake mushrooms and polenta made me dance,

The glazed Hakurei turnips changed my life,

The gratin of Marrow and the Veal Frites opened up my world and introduce new texture and flavor to my palate

And it's all jump-started and punctuated with H&F's own bread to sop and soak every drop of anything that can be sopped or soaked..... You want to talk about overwhelming, tear-encouraging food, real food that changes peoples' palates and respect and reverence for the art of food.... 

I fail to capture the true description of the dishes and the true emotions they conjured, but when there are no words, what do you write?

Please eat here, and experience this speechlessness for yourself.

Twenty One

One dozen fresh Krispy Kreme donuts at 12 am. The perfect way to say "I was thinking about you and I love you."

A man after my heart: Knows me well enough to know that I don't want flowers. And spectacularly odd enough to bring 12 sugar-covered dough rings. Unannounced and unexpected.

HE didn't bring me a card. He didn't bring me roses. He brought me Love donuts..... Just because.

And I'm on top of the world.

Twenty

This past week and weekend I had the privilege of visiting two cities that I've never visited before. My sister's basketball team had their national tournament in Erie, Pennsylvania of all places in the United States, and I got to go. Along with the entire Antoine clan and a crap load of parents and cheerleaders and duffle bags, we flew to Buffalo, New York (home of the Buffalo wing) and drove two hours south to the fabulous Hampton Hotel in Erie. Though these are two cities I would never have visited had it not been a free trip with my family, it was still exciting to experience what some of the other cities in our great nation have to offer.... my appetite.....

I shared my first meal in PA with my brother and my mom at a waterfront restaurant called The Smuggler's Wharf. It's the name that getsya! It suggests bearded fishermen, fresh seafood, hot, local deliciousness. That's why I excitedly chose it as our lunch for that day! It was too cold to sit outside on the wrap-around patio, that is literally 5 feet from the water's edge. My mom and I shared a crab cake burger with fries, and we all got different soups to try: she crab soup, clam chowder, and french onion. All very good. Especially the she-crab soup. Although I had to send it back to be reheated, it was the best thing there. The crab cake sandwich was mushy. There was too much bread for the size of the cake. The fries were good though, then again, how does one ruin french fries? Overall it was a disappointing experience. The hi- lights of this meal? The warm, quaint atmosphere that the locals and the fireplace produced; the She-crab soup; and the restaurant's proximity to and view of the frozen lake. 

Unfortunately, my next meal in PA would be a little more disappointing than the one I consumed at the Smuggler's Wharf. This time, my mom and I were joined by two of the team moms. I, too, am responsible for this lunch-time misfortune.... That's two against me... The decor of this "marketplace grill" is reminiscent of a large, less fun Applebee's. And I think I'd prefer Applebee's food too. I don't even remember what we all ordered, but it's not worth remembering. I just know it was bad: dry chicken, cold soups, soggy lettuce....And I felt bad for punishing three other women for my bad discernment. Thank God that this was the worst it got on the trip. 

The next two meals (the best meals of the entire trip) were at chain restaurants: Applebee's one night, and O'Charley's the last night. Both were surprisingly good. I had steak at both places, and they were super tender and flavorful. I guess if someone asked for a recommendation for good food in Erie, I would have to tell them to avoid independent businesses and go for franchises... it was the best food we had the whole 5 days we spent there. 

My advice to any foodie with the opportunity to visit Erie.... don't go..... unless your sister is playing a national high school tournament, and it's the last time you'll see her play in high school. Watching her win nationals was worth all the sub-par food.

Nineteen

My role model took me shopping last week. No, unfortunately not for the latest spring fashions (even though I would settle for the last year's fall fashions), but more importantly, for groceries, which my apartment is in dire need of. My mom is a super hero, and I hope to be half the mother and wife, and just all around woman she is.  I love you mom.... believe it. 

She has an arsenal of money-saving super-powers.... she calls them coupons. I plan to employ their powers soon, as soon as I get some money. 

With culinary ambitions in mind, we bought a whole chicken, fresh fennel, and red potatoes all to roast with olive oil and fresh garlic. We bought 3 cartons of strawberries (Publix is having a sale on delicious scrawberries, you should GO) for a fresh scrawberry cake. All of which, I have yet to create. But I definitely will be roasting some pollo this coming week, and I'm so grateful for a supportive set of parents, and a mommy that will still buy me toothpaste and lady's razors. 

So look for recipes and pictures of chicken and cake soon. Right here. On your favorite blog about a single girl who loves food. *wink*

Eighteen (Happy Birthday Richard!)

Yesterday was my friend Richard's 23rd birthday. In celebration, 30+ of his friends gathered on a tatami mat for dinner. Being half Japanese, I never ever look forward to showy, over-priced, faux Japanese food..... Hibachi. Nakato, to be exact, is where we ended up.  

It's my avid opionion that Hibachi grills serve no other purpose than to entertain people who have not experienced Japanese cuisine. Americanized hibachi typically entails chicken, shrimp, onions, broccoli, zucchini.... salt. pepper. soy sauce, all cooked in front of you by a man named Juan, BLAH! 

I have to say, though, it's a genius business tactic. I envy Rocky Aoki, who is responsible for bringing this style of cooking from Japan....I mean, why else would they be allowed to charge so much for chicken fried rice, and zuchini splashed with a little Kikkoman, unless the guests were distracted, entranced by fancy knife work, and shrimp tails being flipped into chef's hats? People who dine at hibachi grills are begging to be ripped off; they pay for  two things: razzle and dazzle. As for me? Take me to Japan, and show me how its supposed to be, and how it's supposed to taste. 

 

Despite the disappointing food and the diminishing pride in my culture, we had such a great time. The company was unrivaled. It was all laughter and chaos, old stories and new memories, and questions like..... does he have to put his shoes back on to use the restroom? Plus,  I was graced with the poetic presence of my brilliant, beautiful, amorous, boyfriend (he knows who he is.... he's my only reader, and I am his lol). We shared green tea ice cream, miso soup, and ginger salad, all of it, sub-par. But I think, a little less sub-par simply because we shared it.

 I hate that people receive this kind of food as "Japanese food". They have not even an inkling of what it really is (as if I do). I guess once you've had the best- Hashiguchi Jr... refer to Blog #5- nothing else cuts it, even if the guy cooking your food can make an Onion Volcano.