egg-in-a-hole

La Tuna Grill – San Antonio, TX

pamsterdam — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:53:29 +0000

I just discovered a great emerging district in San Antonio called Southtown,which is indeterminately defined around south of the downtown area. This district is known for hosting “First Friday” which is an art walk that happens on the…well you guessed it…First Friday of each month. The walk attracts a yuppie, artsy, bohemian, carefree type crowd who are both admirers and sellers of local art.

A friend had recommended La Tuna Grill for their quality food/ingredients and atmosphere. It’s mainly outdoor seating, dog friendly, which makes for a great place to come to when the weather is nice.

I ordered the chicken fried steak (you can never go wrong) while my friends enjoyed the fish tacos and Torta Milanesa sandwich.

BOHEMIAN : behind the butcher shop

ka.nyc — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:27:58 +0000

Recently, I dined at Bohemian, the small and secretive Japanese restaurant located behind the butcher shop on Great Jones Street. In order to go, one must contact them to inquire about dining and may or may not get an invitation to make a reservation with the restaurant’s unlisted phone number in return.

The interior is small, dimly lit and almost feels like you are seated in a friend’s living room complete with couches. My meal ranged from oysters, beef sashimi to two different dishes with uni. The menu also offers dishes such as foie gras soba, beef sliders and vegetable fondue. I cannot wait to go back and highly recommend trying to get an invitation to experience behind the butcher shop.

My favorite dish was the uni rice bowl

We also ordered the pan roasted branzini which was served with a brussel sprouts, zucchini, onions and sea salt. I have never had a fish eyeball and my friend insisted that I tried this one.

Bohemian

57 Great Jones Street, NYC (www.playearth.jp)

Phở Pasteur

mbhss — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:13:20 +0000

Nothing is better on a cold day than a huge bowl of phở . My friends and I love Phở Pasteur in Chinatown. The perfect blend of spiced broth, onions, scallions, cilantro (though none for me thank you), beef, and rice noodles can warm you up on even the coldest of days.

Phở Pasteur: 682 Washington Street (at the Beach St. intersection)

Torchy’s Tacos – Houston, TX

pamsterdam — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:04:22 +0000

I’m so glad they decided to finally open up a place in Houston!!!!! Originating from Austin, TX…Torchy’s started out as a food truck, slowly hooking fellow Austinites then expanding city-wide… and now state-wide! (read the story of Torchy’s Taco’s here) When I think of Austin, I think of Torchy’s. I dream of Torchy’s.

We ordered pretty much everything on the menu!! My favorite is the Trailer Park: Fried Chicken, green chilies, lettuce, pico de gallo and cheese on a flour tortilla. I always get it “trashy” which replaces the lettuce with queso. Served with a Poblano Sauce. Que delicioso!

The food baby that ensued in my stomach after consumption.

Trailer Park and Fried Avocado Taco

Green Chile Pork Taco

The Democrat Taco

Simple Fruit Tart

mbhss — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:37:08 +0000

1 (16.5 oz) tube sugar cookie dough

1 (12 oz) container of whipped cream cheese

1/2 cup white sugar

Various fruits (strawberries, apples, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)

-Spread cookie dough to fit a cookie sheet, bake, and let cool. Mix cream cheese and sugar together and spread on cookie. Place fruit on top of cream cheese and eat.

Mi Tierra Restaurant & Bakery – San Antonio, TX

pamsterdam — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:00:15 +0000

The great thing about living in San Antonio is the huge Mexican influence, after all Texas used to be a part of Mexcio right? Small Battle of the Alamo changed that and other things, but at least San Antonio was able to keep the Mexican culture alive.

My local native friend showed me the way of the land and took me to Mi Tierra, a restaurant y panaderia located in El Mercado – a plaza filled with entertainment like Mariachi Bands, Salsa dancing, shops where you can find Mexican souvenirs, and of course delicous food/drinks.

We started out with an order of Margaritas at the Mariachi Bar (which is located inside the restaurant of Mi Tierra)….Word of warning: just be prepared to be overwhelmed by color at this place. There’s a shrine to family and friends, lots of Catholic influence, a bakery filled with dulces, hanging pinatas and crazy lights. I would normally complain about being in such an ornate, overwheming color boosting, loud, tacky decorations kind of place, but NO…It’s culture, I have to respect culture… I can feel like I’m in Mexico without having to be in Mexico. You get?

Our first round of Margaritas weren’t as large as the couples’ sitting next to us, so we HAD to get the one’s in a bigger glass. Why? Was this necessary? Yes…Yes it was, for obvious reasons - the sake of deliciousness.

I conclude without having snapped a photo of the delicious food we ordered because um, I ate it. And I can’t come up with a better answer other than – did you see the size of our margaritas?!

Market Square

Mi Tierra: Market Square - San Antonio, TX

The Tasting Room – City Centre Houston, TX

pamsterdam — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:42:04 +0000

Since the city of Houston is so large – there isn’t just one common area of Houston where everyone goes to shop, eat, drink, etc. Houston is broken up into “pockets”which include surrounding areas- mainly suburbs. Many of these suburb areas act as mini-cities and have started developing common plaza type areas where fellow residents can enjoy an urban-like atmosphere without having to travel long ways away for a social scene.

City Centre, located in the Memorial area is a great emerging mini-city hang out spot to catering to the local residents of the surrounding suburbs. I like to spend my Saturdays here by starting the day with an intense workout at Lifetime Fitness, then wasting the workout on a hefty brunch from Flora and Muse, browsing for unneccessary items at Sur la Table, then topping it off with a glass of Rose from The Tasting Room.

A bottle of wine isn’t complete without the perfect pairings – pictured above: Spanish chorizo and Bucheron goat cheese. The goat cheese was light with creamy center and not too pungent, which balanced well with the smoky intense flavor of the chorizo. Did I mention the live music? Yeah, there’s live music. Swanky, sexy, I feel like I should be on the beaches of Spain music. Here’s to lazy Saturdays!

The Tasting Room: 818 Town and Country Blvd.,Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77024

The Salty Pig

mbhss — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:15:03 +0000

This past weekend I finally got the chance to try The Salty Pig in Back Bay. I love cheese. I love trying new cheeses. I love eating cheese with cured meats. Simply put – this is the place for that. They cure their own meats and constantly rotate through tasty local and European cheeses. Move out of the way camembert – I think I’ve found my new favorite cheese – Moses Sleeper from Greesboro, VT. I can describe it like how other people do – buttery, savory and bright- but come on – the average person can’t imagine that taste. Instead imagine a little Babybel Original cheese (with the red-rind like the kind from when you were little) and cross it with a soft ripened brie and a soft camembert and that is what Moses Sleeper tastes like. It’s so good. If you’re ever in the Back Bay stop by – this place is worth it.

Fried Mushrooms

Salty Pig Parts and Cheese

The Salty Pig Pizza

The Salty Pig: 130 Darthmouth St.

Baked by Melissa

ka.nyc — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:34:21 +0000

Recently under my office, a Baked by Melissa was opened where you can buy endless amounts of cupcakes the size of a quarter. My favorite flavor is peanut butter and jelly.

Baked by Melissa, 526 7th Ave (also found in 5 other NYC locations) http://www.bakedbymelissa.com/

Star Wars Breakfast

mbhss — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:17:50 +0000

Pumpkin spice hero and villian pancakes.