Mexican Food at Tu Y Yo

Over the summer, my sister and I were allowed to go out to dinner on our own at Tu Y Yo in Needham, MA. I know, we sound like children, but sometimes we are treated as such. It was a very nice treat to hang out with just the two of us and to talk freely without parents trying to eavesdrop. Yes, I am in my late 20s and I'm far from being an adult.

The food was good albeit a tad pricey. The waiter was nice but nothing like the one from CoM. This is definitely a great place for a family and I'm sure we will return often.

Salsa and chips. My absolute favorite. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am addicted to chips and crackers. These were definitely delicious. The salsa was very fresh and tasty. I would like some now, please.



Tableside guac. I'm a sucker for that sort of gimmick. I remember I had table side guac for the first time at Rosa Mexicano in Baltimore and I was hooked. I think I like the one here more since they added a few more spices/herbs and the whole thing was well mushed together. Yes, I know... technical on the description.



As another starter, we shared the tamales. Some were sweet and some were savory and all were delicious. There were ones filled with chicken, corn, coconut, fish, and pork. I love tamales. Where is my Mexican husband when I need him to make me some tamales?!



Mole Poblano. I like this stuff too although it was a bit on the sweet side.



My sister ordered this... I forget what it is but it was also yummy. I actually liked this dish a bit more than the chicken mole. I think this was pork.



I liked the rice a lot. Very flavorful. Why don't we eat like this everyday?!



Oh and black beans all the way. I know, how sexy.

The Richest Meal at Craigie On Main

To celebrate our passing the bar and my friend's moving to Alabama to work on the BP oil spill, we went to Craigie On Main. I haven't been to the restaurant in a while as well as the new location so it was quite the treat. In visiting the website, I realize that their logo with the pig is intriguingly similar to Au Pied De Cochon's logo... and as we all know that's one of my favorite places. Even the color theme is similar... come on now Tony Maws!

Our waiter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and full of charm! He even corrected my friend that country fried steak is indeed steak and not chicken... in further chatting, it was understood that his knowledge of southern food was pretty extensive. I might have a waiter crush! He recommended that we go with a sweet wine like a Riesling to go with our pig's head for two. I was skeptical since sweet Riesling reminds me too much of kid's wine (my sister is a huge fan) but the one (2008 Riesling Kabinett Graacher Domprobst) that he recommended was the least sweet of the group although I found it to be too sweet for my liking. However, it did indeed go well with the ultra richness of the pig's head. It was served peking/moo shu style but the hoisin sauce did nothing to cut the richness.

Anyway, on to the meal... ever since I've had the bone marrow at CoM, I've been determined to always order it when I'm there even though I don't see it on the menu. Trust me, they have it... I think I like it there so much because they actually saw it in half the long way and theirs are LONG. See for yourself.

excuse these photos' quality since i took them on my iphone

This is indeed meat butter. How is it that my heart is still beating?! I like that it was under salted since a slight personal sprinkle of sea salt did wonders.



Pig's head in all its glory. I went first for the ear but after further admiration, I realized that it reminded me too much of the snack I used to feed Addy, our dog. I also liked the snout... interesting texture.



The skin was crackling but to be completely honest and since one might argue I have peasant taste buds, I prefer the crackling skin on the roasted pig at the chinese barbeque places a bit more. This style of crackling skin is way too chewy.



Tearing it apart. Man, some parts were just very gelatinous and pure fatty.



We unhinged the jaw. How cool is it to say that. The eyeball was my favorite.



For dessert, we stuck to the southern theme and ordered the special, sweet grits. I always order panna cotta and was a little sad that I didn't get the sour milk one but there's always a next time.



Sweet grits was delicious and done creme brulee style with a sugar crust.



And as a treat, we got an apple cider foam with some butter milk. Sorry, I do not like eating foam. It's weird... weird texture. Not diggin' it.



What I've been having for dinner... social crackers and cilantro/jalapeno hummus from TJ's. I'm so addicted. the sticky-rice-lovin'-sunshine in my life like this hummus so much so I had stocked up and now, I find myself having it for dinner.

Post 390

After spending 5 nights in DC for the EJW conference, I wanted nothing more than to come home, sleep in my own bed, and eat a home cooked meal. I did also had an amazing time at the conference and met many awesome folks who are all working for the cause. :)

I was very disappointed when I could not find any late night taco places after downing a few black & tans at Elephant and Castle... even though I did find one very delicious place the next day, El Charrito Caminante, in Arlington. I went w/ the goat and beef tongue tacos - uber yummie. In any case, food in DC is pretty legit.

But life resumes and I find myself at Post 390 with some of the most awesome women I know. It's also only 2 blocks away from the apartment thus making it the perfect place for drinks and comfort food w/ the ladies. We learned that it's called Post 390 b/c it used to be a post office and the # of the building was 390. I just love the ambiance - so vibrant!





I also love women who can eat. We had to share the four cheese mac & cheese... which was oozing w/ cheese - the large shells were perfect to trap in all that cheesy deliciousness + the light buttery crumbs on top was just right. (this photo was taken after one of us was too impatient to wait for the photo op before serving herself...)



We also shared a healthy order of fried calamari (not pictured) and ipswich clams. The breading was just right.



And it's moments like this that I am glad that I'm a substantial Asian girl... the prime rib special w/ scalloped potatoes. What more does a girl need aside from her meat and potatoes?!



Then when all was said and done, we stopped by Bar Lola, which is right next to where I live. The crowd was loud and rowdy so we decided to take our pitcher of Red Sangria upstairs to my apartment instead. I have to now find a way to return everything and explain...

Fall in Boston

is like butter on warm bread. There's just nothing quite that wonderful.

Last night, I went to dinner with a friend who I have not seen in 9 years although we have kept in touch via different instant messaging programs and phone calls. This comes to shows that it really does take real effort to stay in touch and connected. We could have done a better job throughout the years but I am glad that our "efforts" made it seem as though it was just yesterday that we were sitting in accountant class, together. I'm also very glad to share that she's more beautiful than I remember.



I look a little funny here but my friend is the one sitting right across from me. The girl behind her is her twin sister. The other girl next to me is their friend from college.



Sorellina was every bit delicious as everyone says it is. I started with the appetizer portion of the braised rabbit fettuccine and I just love that light texture of freshly made pasta. The duck was cooked just right and the panna cotta was perfectly creamy and rich. And it just so happens that we were dining with the prime minister of Turkey! The decor was also delectable... I can't wait to go back. Any takers?

Also, I am now growing a small basil plant that is still well and alive since I have been officially unable to revive my love bonsai (testing your pop culture knowledge).



My brother's garden has been producing some seriously large zucchinis that I have been eating for the past month and half.




And for a random picnic one weekend - I was treated to some seriously delicious pates, mousse, and coppa from The Butcher Shop. I would also like to get more stuff from this place. Their french baguette was also just right - I couldn't stop eating!

The Coppa



I believe this is the Game Bird en Croûte (a very buttery crust). I like game. A lot.



Duck Liver Mousse... and I also love liver.




Oh, and just so you know - there are bird's eye chili growing in Harvard Sq. See for yourself,



With that said, I returned to Sweet to get frosting shots b/c it's just NOT enough that I already consume an unconscionable amount of carbs and organs - I also need the butter and sugar to really clog up those arteries.



I then spent an afternoon chasing this 2 year old girl around town but with the diet above, it was just not a good combination. I just want to put that out there.




My grooveshark tells me I'm obsessed with Uncle Kracker Smile and Zac Brown n Band Whatever It Is. Take a listen for yourself. :)

GinGa Restaurant, Brookline, MA

Man, I have been eating out a lot these past couple of weeks. Usually, at max, I eat out about twice a week but cooking for one has really demotivated me to cook as often as I have been. The good part is I have been able to eat some pretty delicious stuff. For example, I went to Cafe Mami the other night and FINISHED my teriyaki hamburg set. Impressive, eh? Yeah, I know... sometimes, I'm Canadian.

Anyway... my friend's aunt just opened this new Japanese restaurant, GinGa, in Brookline so we went there to check it out. The place was adorable and absolutely perfect for a casual but still very romantic date night with your partner. Towards the end, we shared a tempura green tea and ginger ice cream that was just pure decadent.

Here are some photos,


Just because...



This was a special that was on the house. I believe it was white fish dipped in batter and fried.



Classic seaweed salad.



My favorite!!! Agedashi Tofu.



Scallop thingy.



Sea Breeze Roll. This was S-P-I-C-Y.



California Roll. Dena doesn't eat raw fish.



Caterpillar Roll.



Ice cream!!!




SERIOUSLY. I need a better camera, ASAP.

East By Northeast

I have been looking forward to going to East By Northeast although I have read that chef Phillip Tang is no David Chang (I guess the comparision because he also makes pork belly in mantou buns???) and was given 2.5 stars. With that said, the review was still remarkable and I looked forward to going to his new restaurant. However, I was not impressed by the variety of dishes offered or its flavors. I will most likely not be returning to EBN.

The service was great. The waiter was super nice and attentive. He even gave us a free refill even though he was supposed to charge us. The place was also tidy and clean with an open kitchen but still quiet enough for a nice conversation. It is definitely not cheap considering the chef recommends that each person orders about 3-4 dishes that range from $5-$12. The portions are dim sum/tapas size or even smaller so each person would need to order at least that much to feel somewhat full. However, there's something unsettling about paying an average of $45 per person to eat food of this quality/quantity.

Here are a few photos of the dishes we ordered.

This was the pickled daikon, rutabaga, and beets. The daikon was delicious with a nice hint of sweetness. The rest tasted like pickled vegetables that was still fresh enough to have that nice crisp to each bite.

$5




Amuse-Bouche (sorry for the weird angle!): the waitress gave us a description but I totally forgot. Basically, it reminds me of the deep fried sesame buns you could get at dim sum or at the chinese bakery that is filled with a sweet red bean filling although this was served as a savory bite with a sweet peanut/sesame sauce. Personally, the texture was a bit off for me and was very chewy and gummy.

$Free



Pork Belly in Mantou Buns. Man, I was totally looking forward to this dish but it was just not that good. It was over sauced and not unique in taste/flavor/texture. It tasted like salty caramelized pork belly, which in description sounds really delicious, but this dish did not do it for me. The mantou buns were good, light and fluffy. Maybe I expected too much...

$10



Pork dumplings with butternut squash and 5 spice-pork jus. The flavor and texture of this dish did not do it for me either. I think it's a nice combination of east/west and together it created complex but not complimentary flavors. The dumpling skin was cooked al dente, which is great, but it also had a gritty texture that tasted like whole wheat flour was used. Not sure if it was but that was the texture that my tongue picked up.

$10



This was the special of the night, homemade chinese sausage with sticky rice. I was expecting lap cheong but we got something with a texture that was more similar to western sausages. It was good but not great. I will probably stick with the sausage/sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf at my local dim sum restaurant.

$10




Homemade Noodles w/ Beef Shank and Parsnip. Noodles were delicious. Beef shank had an interesting taste to it - almost flowery and totally different from the broth. Broth was flavorful and salty with a nice kick.

$10