Football Sliders and Work Lunches

I'm not sure whether I've really mentioned it on the blog, but I did join a fantasy football league this year, though I wouldn't say that anyone would usually describe me as a particularly die-hard sports fan. It just seemed like an interesting new thing to do. Turns out that football is far more interesting when you feel like you have something on the line. Though, really, I'm pretty sure nothing is actually on the line as this is a league without prizes. In any case, I went to Rembrandts a few weeks back so I could see the Redskins and Eagles play against each other. One of my three quarterbacks is RGIII so I quickly realized that going to a bar to root for the opposing team of the city you're in can be a little awkward. I also realized that RGIII is simply not as awesome as I thought he was. While surreptitiously being pleased while the rest of the bar groaned, I also enjoyed their $1 sliders. Pretty good stuff.

And then more work lunches. Baked ziti is my downfall and my savior. Maybe I will make myself baked ziti tonight. That, actually, seems like a very good idea. That or artichoke red onion soup.

Another day, chicken curry.

I think on this particular day it was coconut chicken curry .

And then, to lighten the mood, a spinach salad with far too many roasted red peppers.

Scenes From C. and R.'s Wedding

The weekend before last found me and LW driving up to West Orange (I think?) for CP and R's nuptials. It was touch and go about our actually getting there in time for the ceremony. Between my thinking that avoiding the NJ turnpike and taking Route 1 to the Garden State Parkway, and horrific traffic on all those roads, the two hour cushion we had built into the drive, which would allow for proper prep and dressing, was whittled down considerably. Add to that drama a considerably confusing shuttle ride, and we were one of about 20 folks who most certainly arrived later than intended. Thankfully, they didn't start without us. And here we go!

I totally cried during the wedding. A good amount just for how truly happy the two of them seem with one another, and how much their families love them both. Another helping just because I really value the friendship I have CP and, by proxy, R. They're great folks to spend an evening with. Truly. After the wedding, which was beautiful and so uniquely them, there came the reception. Behold!

It rained off and on throughout the evening, but it did not damper the spirits of any attendee...I don't think. J. came down from NYC and MP brought her bf.

LW had lagers on lock down. To be clear, those are not all her beers.

There was dancing.

And sleepy children.

And dancing.

I just. So many different expressions going on.

J. was a serious mover and shaker. She did this shimmy while leaning back that I really wanted to capture. But I failed.

What an Indian feast we enjoyed! This is almost literally a tiny bit of each possible course. Including butter chicken, saag paneer and oh so many other treats.

CP was a busy bride, but we managed to get a photograph. So glad for her.

So many children busted a move, with and without the assistance of adults with strong shoulders.

I really don't know if that's dancing or what. But you will note the man jumping on the other's back.

Sisters and father.

An exhortation for a dance.

A dance.

Yup. Dancing.

It was a lovely evening of good food, great music, enthusiastic wedding guests and a bride and groom who deserved it.

Lunch Special c/o King of Tandoor

The lunches kept rolling this past week, or maybe last week, whatever week it was. On this particular day I had the veggie lunch special c/o King of tandoor. I enjoyed the spinach/chick pea dish but I wasn't as enamored of the other element of the meal. I forget what it was though, so I can't really tell you to avoid it.

Food c/o King of Tandoor

Honestly I have no idea what this was. Lamb of some sort. It was good. It was from King of Tandoor. I am a solid month behind my life experiences. I'm sure it'll work out.

Work Lunches

So, leading up to the new year, work was fast and furious, as were the company-sponsored lunches. One day I shared a Fresca pizza with some folks from Luigi's. It was weighed down with all sorts of veggies and entirely pleasing to me and the dragon.
Another day, another Primo's Hoagie. This one was a little heavy on the mayo if I recall correctly.
And yet another day I ended up ordering an eggplant dish from King of Tandoor along with garlic naan and a mango lassi. Those mango lassis really will make most things in your life a tad bit better, at least momentarily.

Lamb Achari c/o King of Tandoor

Another day we ordered from King of Tandoor. I went with lamb achari, a mango lassi and garlic naan. It was satisfying.

Broccoli Paneer c/o Tiffin

Another meal last week was the Broccoli Paneer special from Tiffin. I thought I'd mix things up a bit and forgo the spinach, if you know what I mean (and if you do, please let me know because I hardly ever know what I'm talking about). It was a little on the bland side, though the broccoli did turn the cheese chunks an unusually pastel shade of green.

Dinner c/o Bombay Palace

Another night my mother, father and I went to Bombay Palace for dinner. My first experience had been very positive, though the lighting conditions had left much to be desired. My parents both started their meals with soup, which inspired me to try the tomato soup. This was definitely a little better that traditional Campbell's Soup, but not all that revolutionary.
My father and I split vegetable samosas, which were slightly unusual to me. Not samosas as a whole, but this particular kind of samosa. Or maybe not? I don't know. Instead of chunks of potato and peas, it was all very much a mush. Thing about all kinds of cuisine? There are a million different ways to do it. Duh.
Mom ordered the fried fish appetizer, which we all expected to be some sort of flaky white fish. So, we were surprised to find salmon instead.
I ordered a goat form of bindi bhaji. I wish I could say I loved it, but I didn't really. It may be that the soup and samosa filled me up, leaving little stomach interest for the main course. Or, perhaps, I should have expected the pieces of goat bone in the dish (this actually does seem like a reasonable expectation to have in retrospect) but I did not have that expectation and was not pleasantly surprised when crunching into bone when I was expecting meat. It was harder to find meat than it was gristle or bone. That said, I didn't look that hard and the few bites of meat and okra I actually did consume were nicely flavored.
So, not an entirely successful second visit to the restaurant.

Dinner c/o Bombay Palace

Another night I went to Bombay Palace for dinner. I ordered their Bombay Special Dinner, which, for $17.95, was well worth it. The combination dinner included "A mouth-watering Bombay Special Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh,& Vegetable korma served with Mulligatawny soup, Raita, Rice & Naan Bread." So much food. The lighting of the restaurant was pretty hard to navigate as it was low and heavy on the reds. The soup was nice and hot and a wedge of lemon informed the flavors of the lentils quite nicely.
The lamb rogan josh and vegetable korma were also quite good. The chicken, which did not photograph well, was also yummy.
I took leftovers back to the hotel for later consumption. A very good deal. Quick service...and I didn't have to wait half an hour for the check, which is usually my complaint with Indian restaurants.

Last Free Meal c/o Tiffin

Last Tuesday marked the end of our second busy season. We were all quite pleased about this. For our last meal we ordered from Tiffin. I tried one of their specials, lamb dhankatar (or something like that), and found it to my liking. The lamb was more tender than KoT's usual lamb offerings, and the lentil/pumpkin/sour/tart thing going on with the spices was altogether pleasing.
The dragon dug on the naan.
Now that this part of the year has ended, I am going to turn back to my desire to improve my eating habits and fitness, if only by the smallest of degrees. To that end, I went grocery shopping for the first time in what feels like forever (but really is about two weeks) and bought broccoli and lettuce and other fresh green produce type things that will make me feel full without involving heavy meat or cheese. Last week I mentioned trying to cut cheese out of my diet for a month, just to see if my intake is so great that I could actually lose weight by taking the food of dairy gods out of my life...but then I ate cheese on Saturday, so we'll see how that goes. I do love cheese. And after this next round of nasty weather comes and goes (it's supposed to get all cold and snowy in the next four days) I'm going to get back to walking places a few times a week. Perhaps I'll even get up before 8:25 and walk in the morning, since I always say the reason I don't walk after work is because it is dark (which is true, I walked far more often when it was still bright outside at the end of my day). Sigh. Those are my thoughts on health and fitness; they are not, by any stretch, resolutions. Though wouldn't it be great if I could look cute, cute, cute for L.'s wedding?...not cuter than her of course:)

Sandwiches, Dal, Oh My!

Yes. More lunches. I appreciate the boss-men sustaining our brains through lunches during the busy season, but it feels like I haven't had to properly feed myself in weeks and weeks. I don't know if I would still be alive if it weren't for V8. Okay, I'd still be alive, but I have definitely not been eating enough straight up vegetable matter these days. I'm thinking about brining a chicken today, we'll see if that happens.
Any who, this is another Primo hoagie. Specifically the 'American Classic' which is comprised of: Coteghino, Natural Casing Genoa Salami, Ham & New Yorker American Cheese. It was good.
Another day, and Mugshots food for lunch. I ordered the Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Apple offering, and added cheddar for good measure. I didn't meat melted cheddar, so that was a negative surprise, and I don't know how to say this but...there is actually such a thing as too much bacon, and this sandwich was proof of this truth. I did not eat the whole thing.

We also tried Tiffin for a change of pace from King of Tandoor. KoT hasn't been quite as satisfying an eating experience as last year, this is partially a result of a less reliable delivery person and, I don't know, it's just not quite as satisfying. I speak for myself. Anyways, I ordered the Saag Paneer Tiffin, which included dal, rice, saag paneer and potatoes. Very good.
The cheese element was particularly good, slightly silkier than KoT's rendition.
Their side sauces weren't quite as great, their pickled onions were sweeter and they didn't include green sauce, which I always enjoy.
Oh food.