Pho and Darts

At some point in the last few months A. (my roommate) and I bandied about the idea of a field trip to Bullseye Darts so that A. could get his very own set of darts after a year of using mine or one of our other teammates'. I also was falling a little out of love with my darts and was thinking about getting a new set. Then LW and I also discussed such a trip with the added attraction of having a bit of pho, which would basically be a variation of our 2011 manapus adventure. Of course one often talks about doing something for an extended amount of time before actually doing it. And in this case I think it was at least a month between the idea being brought up and schedules aligning to make it so. I thought I remembered where the pho place we went to in 2011 was...but I was wrong and we ended up at Pho 75. This was a smaller shop than the place I actually meant to take us, and its menu slightly less expansive...no pork rolls to try. Though there were fewer bells and whistles, they still had the crazy coffee.

It turns out this was going to be a day of firsts for A. Not only was he about to get his own darts, he also had his first pho experience. I think it went generally well.

The broth was good, the whole thing was good. I still like our go-to South Philly spot a bit more, but I was glad to try a new place and to introduce the glory that is pho to yet another person. 

Once our meal wrapped up we were on our way east to Bulls Eye. I think the three of us probably tried out a minimum of six different sets of darts each. At one point I was convinced that I wanted one set but then saw a completely different set and all my certainty went out the window. LW was especially dervish-like in her pursuit of a new set of darts. In the end ALL three of us got slightly different weights of the exact same darts. I've been pretty pleased with the new darts they have a different kind of grip that seems to be a slightly better fit in regards to my small little fingers and weak arms. Our league starts up soon, so that will be the real test. It was still very entertaining when we all walked out of the store with the exact same cases. Funny stuff. 

Restaurant Week Dinner c/o Bistro St. Tropez

For my second outing for restaurant week, I met up with BC for dinner at Bistro St. Tropez. I arrived a bit early and was seated at the bar to wait for BC and our table. It was a good view of 30th Street Station and the river, which was funny because it was sort of like the zoom version of the view LW and I had at our restaurant week meal the week before. When I sat down - and during the entirety of the ten or so minutes I sat there - I was the only actual patron at the bar. It was brightly lit, with the residue of the neon lights up against the western window further messing with the bright lights of the bar that seemed to come from everywhere. It was, shall we say, difficult for me to get decent photos, especially once we were seated by the window. Anyways. When I sat down I asked the bartender if they had any signature cocktail that had champagne or sparkling wine in it. He didn't know off the top of his head, but another server/FOH dude quickly said yes and pointed me in the right direction. I can't tell you the name of the cocktail because I can't find that menu on their website. But it involved champagne, aperol and a cherry. How could I not like it? The other bartender be

As with other restaurant weeks, we had a few different choices for three courses. So basically it was a menu prix fixe.  The restaurant also started all meals with a watermelon gazpacho, which was quite good and compelling. BC and I both reached and struggled to find the exact words/spices we were picking up. But had an enjoyable back and forth in the process. My main pick up was cumin...but there were a few others. It was interesting, but also just plain good.

This was BC's tart-type starter, which involved goat cheese, cornichons, a poached eggs and about a million other ingredients I can't recall.

I tried the sausage etc. stuffed calamari. I need to find a description of it in order to tell you how it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. While I did eat it and happily, I can't say this was really a dish I'd rave about or recommend.

BC's duck with lentils and other things, was much more of a hit. I took a bite and the meat itself was nicely prepared, delicate, and tender.

My main course was scallops. I'm not overly useful about the details.

I ended my meal with the creme brulee.

And a decaf capucinno.

It was good to catch up with BC, and the view we had - having been seated right by the window - was quite nice. There was a problem with the temperature of the room itself. When we were first there, it was quite warm, and then at some point we both wanted to take out wraps or jackets. Definitely drafty by the window. Nothing so impressed me that this would be a destination for a second venture at full menu prices, but it was quite busy and yet the food came out in a timely fashion and our server was anything but surly; she kept telling us how much she'd be enjoying herself if she wasn't working.

Brunch c/o Creperie Beaumonde

My last Sunday before my big Bahamian trip was another rather warm day for so late into the winter season. L. had arranged a brunch party for BC's birthday, which had actually been a little earlier in the week. I walked there, which was a good walk for me to make. It took a little while for the whole party to straggle in, but the coffee was quickly delivered to us and the cream dispensary units were properly in cow shape.
I did not hesitate to order a bloody mary. J. also ordered one but expressed her dislike of olives, so we did an ingenious switcheroo wherein she took my celery in exchange for her olives...we were both pleased by this arrangement. The drink was good and had a nice dollop of horseradish.
I agonized over exactly what kind of crepe I might order. They had a few suggested combinations that certainly appealed to me. In the end I decided on the scrambled eggs with roasted poblano peppers, tomatoes, cheddar cheese (they made it with Swiss but I requested the sub), avocado corn salsa and carmelized tomato sauce. I especially enjoyed the poblano and carmelized tomato tastes, though I was a bit jealous of others' dishes that included poached eggs.
So many potential crepes can be made from their extremely exhaustive list of potential fillings. On a Sunday the place was definitely bumping; families with kids, hipsters making out for what I assumed were engagement photos, middle aged dudes...and us of course. We sang BC a rousing round of happy birthday at a decibel not to be messed with. I imagine the whole restaurant turned and thought to themselves 'who are those bewitching women at that table?' Go with me on that one.
It was nice to see all the familiar faces as well as a few new ones. And thanks to BC for having a birthday to make it happen!

Planatee Adventure

Last Saturday LW and I went on a bit of an adventure. We had three destinations, all in new places for me in Philadelphia. And the route, once determined on Google maps, resembled a manatee's body with a platypus' beak (beak?). It started with driving up Route 1 to Pho Hoa. This was a new pho place to try for us both. And unlike my still-favorite Pho Ha, this is a chain. They have locations in Philly, California, Florida, even Missouri. It was a big space, a little run down in the corners, but not to such an extent that I felt uncomfortable eating there. We sat in a booth with sprung springs and decided on what we were going to eat. I decided to try their summer roll to start, and then pho with steak, flank and fatty flank.
This was an ok roll, the the grilled pork version at Pho Ha had a lot more character and punch in terms of flavor. Decent, but forgettable.
The pho itself was pretty good. By the time my bowl got to me, however, the meat was all entirely cooked, which was a bit of a bummer. I don't need bloody steak or anything, but I like to at least start with something a little more pink. I think what I may have to do, no matter where I go, is to really make it clear that I want my meat rare.
Then we both had the hot condensed milk coffee treat that opens your eyes and wonders your mind. Yes. It wonders your mind. Deal with it.
This was sort of on the back of the manatee.

Fried Chicken Sandwich c/o Smith Canteen

On Saturday we all slept in. Eventually L., J. and I went to Smith Canteen for breakfast-like foodstuffs. In fact, we were particularly motivated to get ourselves egg sandwiches of some kind. Unfortunately the canteen stops with the breakfast at 11, and it was noon. So we all had to recaliber our hunger to meet the place's menu. I ordered a latte.
And a fried chicken sandwich. We sat at a nearby park while enjoying the sun and warmer weather. The sandwich was pretty good, though I kept thinking that it was just a fancy version of a McChicken sandwich. Like, really, it tasted really good but in that same Mcway. Mmmmmm.
After breakfast/lunch (not brunch really), J. went her own way and I gathered my stuff before getting on the road. A whirlwind New York trip that took less than 24 hours to complete. Crazy. Happy birthday to L!

Onion Bialy c/o Tivoli Bread and Baking

While you might think that this would be the end of what seems like a neverending vacation, you'd be quite wrong. Though this certainly was the last part of my New York adventures. As I headed out of town. Well, that's not accurate, I drove out of my way to go here so it was more 'before I got on the road.' Let's start again. Before I got on the road, I drove to Tivoli to get coffee and some magic treat from M.'s Tivoli Bread and Baking wonderfest. The place has a tiny front and most of the space is dedicated to the baking of tasty treats. M. seems to encourage a very convivial and familiar atmosphere in the shop, or maybe I only feel that way because he almost always invites me into the baking part of the establishment and shows me his newest treats and answers my dumb questions about baking. In this instance he showcased his onion bialies (bialys?), which were a new addition to the roster of baked goods he serves up. While we talked he was rolling out croissants while his assistants were adding chocolate chips to things and prepping yet other things. I ended up asking for a cherry scone, but M. insisted that I also try one of the bialies. I wasn't sure that it would really be my thing, but I don't say no to the maker of things that are tasty ... unless they have bananas in them. So I had a bialy as well. See above. He was right to insist. What seemed like just a dusting of now-crunchy onions was in fact a deep well of sweet caramelized onions. It was magic in every bite, I tell you what. I gnoshed on it as I drove out of Tivoli, passing many, many memories and locations along the way.

Another Magical Meal c/o Modo Mio

Back when Ak was here in May, on the night of fried things, L., Ak and I decided that when she returned to the area in June that we were going to Modo Mio it to infinity and beyond. That day finally came last week. I think it was last week? I was uncharacteristically not at all early, while L. and Ak were properly early .It was a strange feeling, to know that the rest of my party was just sitting there, waiting for me to finally arrive. Anywho, the menu wasn't all that different from the last time I had gone with K. But some things were slightly different so I wasn't totally bummed or anything. I started with the suid with raisins, almonds, dates and tomatoes. I had a similar dish with C. in February, though in this rendition there were less greens. I believe L. had the chicken liver bruchetta, which was really quite something. And Ak had the pork tenderloin with greens and tuna maonaise, which looked just as good as when I had it when I was with K.
Though I was tempted to stick with the hollow spaghetti and fresh tomato sauce (amertiaciana or something) I decided to try something new since I had brought a red wine that I thought would go well with a heartier, meatier dish. So I went with the rigatoni with chicken liver ragu. It was hearty and very tasty. I was a eensy weensy bit disappointed that the red was either not opened ... no that wasn't the problem, they hadn't brought out glasses. Point: I had hoped to enjoy the wine and pasta together and tried to eat slowly so that that could happen, but there was a lag time. Nonetheless. Did I clear my plate? Yes I did.
So I brought a bottle of Chateau Caroline, a wine my father found in Maryland and now gives to me whenever he's been through that area to resupply. The next two photographs are L. putting it together...


For my main course I went with the pork special with fried egg, capers and provolone cheese. And magic. Did I mention the magic?
Our waiter, as all the Modo Mio servers have been, was fantastic and friendly. Willing to spend an extra minute to share details about the menu or tell a funny but relevant story. L. was, as she can sometimes be, very gestural in her appreciation of the food and our waiter l-o-v-e-d this. So he decided it would be pretty great to just bring out all five dessert options to us instead of asking us which ones we would prefer. This absolutely blew L.'s mind and made it entirely worth it from the perspective of the waiter.
Ugh. So. Freaking. Good. Tirimisu. Flourless magic chocolate magic cake with strawberry. A vanilla pudding kind of thing with chocolate bites. A figgy cookie thing you can't see. And a panacotta with cherry compote/preserves?
We did not fool around when it came to consuming these treats. No fooling when it comes to dessert. It's as true a way to live your life as no crying in baseball. Or when you're being robbed. What? Robbery? Oh yeah, guess what happened to me on Thursday. I was robbed an potentially gun point. I'll probably blog about it later. This was your non sequitur teaser on the subject.
And we finished the meal with decaf cappucinos. Well, L. had an espresso.
I will continue to sing the praises of Modo Mio for time immemorial. It's just the facts.

Beverages A'Plenty c/o Infusion

Last Sunday I had a lot to do. That is not really true. I had very little to do. Or maybe I did. I can't quite recall. In any case, on my agenda was finishing reading the second Suzanne Collins book after having devoured (figuratively) Hunger Games in a literal 24 hour period of time. Also on the 'to-do' list was visiting Infusion Coffee and Tea, which isn't really in my neighborhood. So I wended and wound my way up to Germantown/Mt. Airy to take a look at the place. I have a bit of an 'in' with the owners, which led to discounted (free) beverages. I had an iced hazelnut latte and then was offered an Earl Grey milkshake. Both drinks were delightful, though my taste buds thought the Earl Grey tasted more like peaches than anything else (this happens from time to time). I also finished the book. If you are a reader, just submit to the waves of people telling you to read the books. Just submit to it I tell you. They're far better than Twilight.

Coffee Family

After my walk and a few other things I drove over to J. and J.'s. They recently took over a coffee shop and wanted to update its website to include photographs of their family, and they were nice enough to ask me if I would take them. Since I feel far more comfortable with them than I did with the belly dancers or G. I felt moderately confident that I could get some shots that would work for them. One key part of getting good photographs really is just taking a lot of them, and if someone actually wants you to do this then it's easier not to feel bad about doing it. Does that make sense. Anyways. Here are some photos I took. He-J. gave me a beer before we began.
J.D. is getting very old. He is still a very good dog. But a slightly incontinent one. That's not entirely fair to him actually. Moving on.

The J.'s had one clear vision in mind: Myrtle seemingly drinking from an espresso cup. I'm not sure if you know this, but dogs don't really like coffee on the whole. Here is what their website said (each photograph had a caption): Myrtle is a dog. She barks too much. One angry neighbor recently called her "cute but obnoxious." She will drink from an espresso cup if you fill it with roast beef pan drippings.
In subsequent captions I'll have changed or omitted some content for the sake of faux anonymity for the family.
The real theme for the photographs will come as no surprise: coffee. Yet I still took a few non-coffee photos. Mainly because that's just how I do.
This was a nice series with S., in which at first he's not all that interested in having his photograph taken, but warms up to it.
I encouraged him to use the car like it was a phone ... thus making it a car phone. S. actually said a few lines. I forget what they were, but I know they were entertaining.
Then he went into martial arts mode.
Soon after this photo he started dancing a little bit before asking me to take a photograph of him 'sliding' into first base. It was actually not a bad photo, but I'm trying to edit myself just a little.
She-J. channeling her inner circa-Weeds Mary Stuart Masterson. Wait. Wrong Mary.
They chose a different photo for She-J., but I liked these better. Her caption was: She-J. likes feathers, animal skulls, and bones. She is a mixed-media artist whose particular kind of found object artwork involves the artifacts she discovers while walking the dogs ... She restores dignity to the forgotten spirits of magical forest creatures. She manages the day-to-day operations of [their coffee shop], and at night she's working towards finally getting her Bachelor's Degree (after 15 years and 12 schools).


He-J. was committed, in many a photograph, to a sort of wild scientist crazy face. I told him that he was making it, but that didn't really change things.
This photo was the one that made it (less crazy face). Here is what the caption said: He-J. is a self-proclaimed priest of Dionysus. He is not only passionate about coffee and tea, but also good wine and good food. He says, "Dionysus lubricates transitions with libations and inebriants!" You can often find him sipping a featured single origin coffee at [their new coffee shop] ... He-J. is working toward a PhD in Jungian/Archetypal psychology, phenomenology, and philosophy. He teaches yoga, eats smoked whitefish salad & capered cream cheese on toasted bagels, and likes his coffee black. coffee black.

N.'s caption read: N. is three years old. He goes to preschool [where he goes to preschool]. He also enjoys Saturday Ballet classes at [where he takes the classes]. He likes yogurst, robots, rhyming words, drawing and fruit leather. He likes Lassis. He orders these drinks by asking for "yogurt juice."

This photograph is one of my favorites, but not the one they went with. Actually the whole series of him holding the coffee was pretty darn precious. Somehow the word consternation comes to mind. Here is what S.'s caption said: S. is five years old. He likes penguins, baseball, Busytown and Star Wars. He is beginning to discover video games. He likes peanut butter, banana and honey sandwiches.
N. got into a bit of a snit about his pants being dirty after playing in the sandbox.
Old man N.
Full of rage N. Two seconds after this he was smiling. Five seconds after he was raging. That is an exaggeration. In the end we figured it out.
I stayed for dinner and will hopefully have another block of time in a wireless internet environment to get those photos up in the near future.