New Jersey Pho

About two weekends ago I went to New Jersey to seek out shoes for Cuz K.'s wedding. I meant to go to a DSW not so terribly far from Philly on the Jersey side but my phone got a bit confused and told me to drive to a completely different location. In the end I found myself shoes indeed I did. Then I decided that I was hungry and that I might as well go on a mini pho adventure. There were about five different pho restaurants within five miles of the shoe place and so I decided rather randomly to check out Pho Eden, which was located in an incredibly non-descript strip mall at not the busiest of intersections. Inside it was cute, if spare. Fewer tables than some of the pho spots in Philly. I got a booth to myself and quickly ordered a hot coffee with condensed milk, which came in a different format than I am accustomed to seeing: already brewed and with no need to pour your own hot water over the grounds. Still good, but I liked that hot water element because you can keep your drink hotter for longer. While sipping my coffee I continued to get into Margaret Atwood's newest nove. 

For my meal I chose to try their grilled pork rolls in addition to pho with steak and fatty brisket.

The rolls were okay, not not transformative or mind melting like those I've enjoyed in South Philly.

The pho was equally good in meeting my basic desire for a rich and hot beef noodle soup, though not quite as special as the South Philly spot I've been going to the most over time. I was glad to check it out and if you happen to be in that area of New Jersey, it's worth stopping by, but I wouldn't say it would be worth going out of your way to visit.

Work Lunches Including Sushi and Sandwiches

More lunches came our way with another week of busy times. Here was my lunch combination from Kansai. Eel avocado and spicy crunch crab rolls.

A grilled cheese sandwich with tomato from Rybrew. The dragon felt strongly that the sandwich should not be eaten and, instead, should serve as a permanent cave-like shelter for himself. I argued against this and was ultimately successful. There are advantages of being alive and one of them is being able to have the final word in arguments with plastic dragons found inside Kinder eggs.

A spicy turkey sandwich with coleslaw and spinach from 3Js. The dragon wasn't entirely sure what to do here so he just started lurching around like a zombie. Which makes sense, given the loss of one of his wings. Not the dragon he used to be.

And of course a lovely looking Primo's hoagie. The dragon was too distracted by its love of flatware to even investigate, which made the eating of the sandwich quite a bit easier than it sometimes is.

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.

Post-BBQ Lunch

While the barbeque's end was a wee bit debaucherous, the overall event ended around 11 PM, which made it not so difficult to get up the next day, clean up and take advantage of some of the left over grub. I fired up the grill and made myself a burger for lunch. I season my burgers with a mix of garlic, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper and cumin. With cheese they do not fail to please. I also used some of the leftover tomato basil dip that I had made as an alternative for ketchup. I also had a little helping of the Asian tinged slaw I made (sesame oil and rice wine vinegar, also with julienned green apples).

10th Year College Reunion Weekend Begins With A Burrito

A subject of some debate in my own mind over the last couple of months has been whether I should brave my tenth year college reunion. At one point, I didn't want to go because I was so down in the dumps about my own lack of progress since the five year reunion, that I just didn't see the bright side of a weekend with a motley crew of folks I knew (or totally didn't) from ten years ago. Then I was optimistic about a job prospect and figured I'd be too busy settling into my new location and function that the reunion would be out of the cards. Eventually, through much cajoling and handholding by a select few, I got over myself and registered for the weekend while also reserving a dorm room on campus. Once that was done, it was just a matter of not freaking out. If an 'Irish Goodbye' is leaving the party without telling anyone, is deciding not to go at all an "Irish Hello'? Because I was definitely thinking about it.

I took Friday off from work so I could drive up on the earlier side and go to a few different spots off-campus before finally signing in and getting down to the reunion part of the whole shebang. This began with an almost immediate stop at the Burrito Stand, which was open despite the terribly rainy and not especially warm weather that plagued the entire two days of activities. I did not hesitate in my request for a burrito with guacamole because that is just how it is done. A delicious burrito, it was. I sat in my car as the rain blurred my window and didn't mind terribly when some of the juiciness of the tomatoes and guacamole and sour cream found its way to my pants. Such are the sacrifices one makes for an incredibly fresh and tasty burrito.

I then went to a few other spots, which included the sheep farm that I had worked at for almost two years after graduating from college, the low-to-the-ground ranch house where I lived my sophomore and junior years, and a few drives down random roads that allowed for country views and the spectacular reminder of the Catskills in the distance. While the weather was gloomy, I kept being struck by just how much this landcape and environment shaped me and how lucky I was to spend nearly six years in a place where every curve of the road provides a new and breathtaking vista.

I then went to campus and found myself doing a few things very akin to the activities of my college days. Mainly hiding in parking lots, looking at photographs in the photo building, worrying too much about who I might see and that kind of thing. But eventually I made it from the Campus Center to the dorm I'd be staying in with many other members of the Class of 2003 and it was fine. I ran into H. who was never a scary Bard person, whom I also enjoyed seeing from time to time back in my Chicago days. Basically he was a really great first person to see because he didn't scare me then, doesn't scare me now and also is just a really funny and friendly guy. I lucked out. There are so many other people I could have run into first where the lack of acquaintanceship or friendliness would lead to a very strange interaction that would probably leave both parties worrying frantically about what they signed up for...but this opening to the reunion gave me confidence and relieved me of some of my neuroses. I took more Instagram pictures of that early afternoon than real photographs and will probably get around to posting them in the next four months.

Pho and Engagement of Others

On a Saturday not long after the sushi I had a work responsibility that involved seeing the newest Tina Fey movie. I decided to go to the earliest possible show, and to try a new-to-me pho spot beforehand. It met my expectations though the broth wasn't as excellent as the Oregon Avenue location LW and I often frequent. If you want to know my basic thoughts on the movie, you can go here...though you'll be kind of confused, I would think.

Also on that weekend's agenda was meeting up with SP and CG, as they had let me know they'd be in the city weeks before. In fact, when I returned to NYC after my trip I met up with T. and his girlfriend A. and clued me into the high probability that SP was going to propose while they were in town. I wondered if this would result in my not actually seeing them, and I also wondered if T. should have told me, so I did email SP separately to confirm that even with a proposal there would be time to hang. He responded in the affirmative. At first we met at the Ranstead Room, but there was an unsurprising 45 minute wait, so we concocted a quick plan B and headed to the Bards, where we took over a table and hung out for some hours. This included seeing J., his girlfriend, and a bunch of folks I didn't know and didn't really get to know, though they seemed nice. So SP certainly did propose. And CG definitely said yes. It was a very celebratory evening with plenty of beer and darts.

SP recreating his proposal. Maybe.

CG, engaged and hitting what she aimed for.

Engaged.

My face needs help.

A good evening.

Beachy Times and Lunch c/o The Beach House and Tippy's

Though the first two days were sad in their temperatures and level of sunniness, the days that followed were decidedly better. On this particular day I decided to head south towards Governour's Harbour. The day was anchored around my desire to have lunch and snacks at two different restaurants in close proximity to one another. The plan, which went off without a single hitch, was to spend my morning at the Coco di Mama Beach, which is called something different by locals...Travelers' Rest maybe? L. and I had enjoyed a portion of a day there last year, but the resort (Coco di Mama) was in service then so there were more folks on the beach. On this particular day it was me, a dude fishing, a little girl and her mother. That's it. Well, until a very loud party of middle aged Italians showed up later on in the day and ruined the so amazingly tranquil and quiet atmosphere.

The beach is on the Caribbean side of the island and when L. and I went last year it was much the same as far as being incredibly calm and incredibly shallow for a very, very, very long distance. I floated then sunned then floated and then sunned a good number of times. Not much going on as far as sea life but the shelling was pretty good.

My badass sunglasses can give you a bit of a sense of how there wasn't anyone else around.

The Italians ran me off with their complete gusto for life, speedos and general noisiness. But it was also about time for me to have a snack, so it wasn't all bad. I went to the Beach House first, which is where L. and I had our first lunch out last year. I had the grouper fingers and a beer. The bartender, a dude named Breeze, chatted me up, telling me about how he had lived in the States but that George W. Bush had kicked him out (not personally, I assume) and recommending I buy real estate on the island before suggesting we go out later to a club that was open late. After my earlier party with strangers experience, I demurely refused his offer...it really sounded like it would either be too much fun or a disaster.

The view above my head. The grouper fingers were great. Could have been just a tad crispier on the outside, but they were perfectly delightful and fresh on the inside.

I then went to Tippy's, which I had read about last year but we didn't actually make it to see it for ourselves. I've got to say the atmosphere and vibe of the place on the day I went was not quite as interesting as I might have expected. Everything was expensive and the folks eating certainly seemed on the well-off side, but there wasn't a real sense of fun. Maybe things get more fun later? Probably. In any case I had a momentary brain spasm and ordered conch fritters even though I know I don't really like conch fritters. So you won't be surprised that I only ate one of them. They were huge and hot and I enjoyed the chili lime dipping sauce, but it's just too starchy/bready for me. I like my conch free of such leaden constraints .

This was the restaurant's resident dog, Matilda. Since I was on vacation and she's not my pet, I did give her a few fritter scraps.

Which endeared her to me enough that when I walked out to the nearby beach, she came along.

This was on the Atlantic side and a bit more rough. I did see folks snorkeling but I wasn't feeling it.

I then drove back north, past Gregory Town and on back to Gaulding Key. Gaulding Key became my official 'end of the day beach.'

I swam a bit but mostly just soaked up the last of the sun while reading a book.

And then I returned to the cottage and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

I forget what I ate, but it may very well have been more pasta.

Skillet Breakfast and Work Lunches

So I'm working in the office this very moment. Or I'm about to. Work. Work. Lots of work. In any case I did feel the need to at least try to keep up with my eating life, though I'm already far behind. For example, this is a skillet full of roasted brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes and tomatoes topped with some parmesan cheese and two eggs, all of which I stuck into an oven until the eggs were cooked. It was breakfast about a month ago.

As in years past, during the busy season at work our bosses pay for lunch in an effort to keep morale high/in a realization that the time we would usually grocery shop is generally taken up with work. On this particular day I believe I ordered the tofu and squash soup from Koja Grill. With the aid of an added rice island, the dragon got a very up close and personal look at the stew's silky tofu and spicy red broth.

Another day found the dragon at the edge of a pool of mozarella, which was oozing protection for an underlying eggplant parmagiana sandwich from Luigi's, which disappointed a bit if I'm going to be honest.

Feast of the Five Chickens c/o Federal Donuts

Life in the office recently has included some new additions. I thought that it might be nice if we all enjoyed a round of fried chicken and donuts in order to get to know each other a little better/really, come on, any excuse for fried chicken and donuts in the office is winning. So a Monday or so back that's just what happened. I excitedly placed the order for 5 1/2 chickens with varying spice configurations, and an even dozen of fancy donuts on the preceding Friday before the determined Monday meal. Then I took it upon myself to go and pick up the whole kit and caboodle. It took a little longer than I thought, as they didn't actually start frying the chicken til I was there, but the results were, in my humble opinion, quite good. While I waited I enjoyed a complimentary warm lavender donut. It was so warm that I didn't bother with a photograph before devouring it. In the end I came back to the office laden with the tell-tale red striped boxes of the Federal Donuts brand. And what a feast.

There were Z'aatar, Harissa, Buttermilk Ranch, Coconut Curry and Ginger Garlic flavored chicken parts for us to enjoy. Oh yes indeed.

And donuts stretching the gamut of flavors, but certainly including strawberry rhubarb, chocolate coconut, chili mango and fig.

Oh man. Was I pleased. I hope that my coworkers and bosses felt that it was well worth their time away from the computers at a point where we most certainly have work to do. So juicy. So crispy. We had leftovers. I enjoyed cold fried chicken for another lunch or two, and I don't think I was alone.

Work Pizza

Our office recently welcomed three new hires into the fold. In an effort to get them socialized and familiar with those of us already in the office the company sponsored a pizza lunch. We ordered three pizzas. Here is proof of the two more interesting ones (the first was plain ol' cheese). The old standby of former Pizza/Laundry/Puppy days, pepperoni and mushrooms from Luigi's.

And then the Veggie Fresca pizza. I actually didn't have a slice of this, it's so heavy for veggies and not quite cheesy enough for my taste.

And So-ft It Begins

About two weekends back I started hearing a murmur about soft shell crabs arriving in Philly. I determined to get me what was mine and made my way to Reading Terminal Market. It was not too late nor too early, about 10:00 or 11:00 AM. Most stalls were already in business but the fish market at which I usually find the best crabs was still just putting ice into cases. This is the place where the dude usually has a tray of crabs, belly up, right on the counter. Every once and a while he'll slam his fist down on the counter and the crabs' legs will start wriggling a bit. A great bit of showmanship. Or should I say crabmanship. Unfortunately on that day all there was to be seen was ice. I meandered the many aisles going to two different fish markets. And saw one place that had two crabs in its case. I asked if they had more and the woman said it wasn't the season yet. This confused me something awful. If it wasn't the season, how did they have two? How were all the best restaurants in the city and other foodies all exclaiming over soft shell crabs? It just seemed very, very unlikely. In any case, I bought the only two crabs in all of Reading Terminal Market (apparently), and wended my way home. Soaked them in milk, salt and pepper for a bit. Egged and panko breaded them. Fried them up in vegetable oil. Ate them outside with lemon, beans and tomato. And a generous dollop of mayonnaise.
This is a meal that I imagine I'll make for myself and people in my life for as long as soft shell crabs are a thing that exist to eat.

Day Out in the Country

A. grew up about 45 minutes or so outside of Columbus, maybe closer to an hour (we left from closer to Grove City). So on Saturday his family was coming together for a pre-Easter Easter celebration. A.'s sister, who was hosting the lot of us, has an alapaca business, so K. thought it might be nice to bring along a few nephews and nieces so they could get a little time in the wilds/give their parents M. and S. a little break. The last time I saw these kids they looked more like this. Now all three are looking even more grown up ... and they have a new baby sister to boot!

There was a great spread for lunch. I ate a little of everything and contributed a vat of my mac n' cheese, which seemed to go over pretty well.
K. and A.
K. practicing fielding a pop up (kind of).
A. and I walked over to the alpaca enclosure with a few carrots. I wanted to give a few different ones a chance at a great, but this lady was very grabby. There always is that one horse in a field that is all sweet with you but bullies the other horses so that it gets all the apple...this was that horse in alpaca form.






Basically from the moment K. saw W. it was wrestling time. Seriously. For hours. W. has the stamina and patience of a saint.
In this photograph K. is basically telling his younger sister I. that W. is his wrestling partner and playmate and that she would be wise to get off of him immediately. K. then insisted that W. and he had to 'start over.' Which means both of them had to stand up and charge each other before falling to the ground and wrestling.
W., again, was a really good sport. I enjoy wrestling and wrangling and spinning kids more than some, but even I would have cried uncle by this point in the afternoon.


It never ended. They're still on that lawn right now, wrestling away.

Thanks goes out to all of A.'s family for inviting me into their bustling day!