It was with trepidation that I greeted the news that I had won a pair of general admission tickets to the Great American Food and Music Fest, "a one-day event celebrating the rich traditions of classic American fare and music" that will be held at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Saturday, June 26, 2010.
I had done some searching on the web in the meantime, and had discovered how poorly run and unfortunate the first Fest had been out in California last year, with massive lines of folk waiting hours (yes, that plural "s" was intentional) before the limited number of food purveyors, while the wristband payment system crashed, and food supplies dwindled much too fast.
Not to mention that the VIP All Access Tickets (the only tickets for the 2010 East Coast event that was inclusive of food) cost $1,200. Yes, that is no typo - this was the price noted on both the Fest's own webpage (www.greatamericanfoodandmusicfest.com/) and at their TicketMaster webpage (www.ticketmaster.com/event/010044A70C86B329). So my freebie tickets (valued at $32.50 (supposedly), $42.50 (Advance), or $52.50 (Day of Show) depending on how you look at it) did not actually include any food at this food and music fest. Yeah, I was sort of bummed.
What I had won was:
Admission to the Fest including all performances, demos and seminars and entertainment (except Grand Tasting & All Access areas) - Parking Included.
Restaurants participating (listed alphabetically) are:
All Star Sandwich Bar - Cambridge, MA
Al's Beef - Chicago, IL
Goldie's Churros - Los Angeles, CA
Hell's Kitchen - Minneapolis, MN
Jim's Steaks - Philadelphia, PA
Johnson's Boucaniere - Lafayette, LA
Junior's Cheesecake - Brooklyn, NY
Maine Diner - Wells, ME
Neely's BBQ - Memphis, TN
Southside Market BBQ - Elgin, TX
Ted Drewes Custard - St. Louis, MO
Tony Lukes - Philadelphia, PA
Tucson Tamale Company - Tucson, AZ
Turtle Alley - Gloucester, MA
UNO Chicago Grill - Chicago, IL
Willie Mae's Scotch House - New Orleans, LA
Windy City Eats - East Weymouth, MA
Zoe's Cupcake Cafe - Teaneck, NJ
Performers as currently scheduled:
Tom Colicchio - Top Chef, Bravo
Buckwheat Zydeco
Paula Deen - Food Network
Melinda Doolittle - Season 6 American Idol Finalist
EepyBird - Diet Coke™ & Mentos™ geyser
Duff Goldman - Ace of Cakes, Food Network
Tony Luke -Tony Luke's, Phildelphia, PA
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
The Neelys - Food Network
The Stompers
Michael & Jane Stern - RoadFood.com
Gary Vaynerchuk - WineLibrary.com
To go or not to go? Well, it is a bit early to decide, after all it is a month away, and I still have to wait for the tickets to come in the mail first...
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Prime Service!
I just wanted to give props to two wonderful waiters that I had the pleasure of being served by recently.
The first was at Sensing at 3 Battery Street in Boston in November 2009 - a special occassion restaurant located in a hotel, where entrees range from $26-36, where fresh utensils are provided with every course, where I was personally guided to the restroom (and what a restroom it was!). The highlight of the meal (outside of the swoon inducing pecan financiers, that is...) was the outstanding service provided by Isa, who treats all his customers as friends.
The second was at Not Your Average Joe's in Watertown in March 2010 - a creative casual restaurant located in the town center, where entrees are mainly American or Italian, but hint at Asian influences, where there's a kids menu, as well as a half-price happy hour in the bar area. There, we enjoyed the recommended tomato basil soup, and were provided with super attentive service by Anthony with the dark curly beard.
Two totally different dining experiences, yet each lifted up by outstanding service.
*** 6/2010 addition ***
At Aegean Restaurant in Framingham, we were waited on by the unfailingly patient, pleasant, and polite Marcie, who was responsive to the needs of our multi-aged party, and super-helpful in her recommendations at our request.
The first was at Sensing at 3 Battery Street in Boston in November 2009 - a special occassion restaurant located in a hotel, where entrees range from $26-36, where fresh utensils are provided with every course, where I was personally guided to the restroom (and what a restroom it was!). The highlight of the meal (outside of the swoon inducing pecan financiers, that is...) was the outstanding service provided by Isa, who treats all his customers as friends.
The second was at Not Your Average Joe's in Watertown in March 2010 - a creative casual restaurant located in the town center, where entrees are mainly American or Italian, but hint at Asian influences, where there's a kids menu, as well as a half-price happy hour in the bar area. There, we enjoyed the recommended tomato basil soup, and were provided with super attentive service by Anthony with the dark curly beard.
Two totally different dining experiences, yet each lifted up by outstanding service.
*** 6/2010 addition ***
At Aegean Restaurant in Framingham, we were waited on by the unfailingly patient, pleasant, and polite Marcie, who was responsive to the needs of our multi-aged party, and super-helpful in her recommendations at our request.
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Big Night @ La Morra
Excited. That's the word I would use to describe the anticipation I felt as we arrived at La Morra for "The Big Night" on Wednesday, April 14, 2010.
Simply put, it was dinner and a movie, hosted by the lady owner herself who personally served us alongside her black clad staff.
The movie was "The Big Night" starring 'Monk' (Tony Shalhoub) and the creepy guy from the American version of "Shall We Dance?" (Stanley Tucci) Dinner was a recreation of the huge dinner they prepared on the film.
The two parter I Primi began with the Italian flag lookalike serving dish of creamy risotto - spinach/bianco/tomato-seafood, and was then followed by Il Timpano. The baked pasta/egg/sausage in a pastry shell was first paraded around the room for us to oh and ah over, before it was served in slices on individual plates.
As I Dolci course was missing from the movie, I had no idea what to expect. Tiramisu and eclairs ended up being a simple finish to an enjoyable meal.
At $65pp plus tip & tax, I left with a full belly and fond memories. Two quotes especially stuck out in my mind. The first, from the movie, spoken in response to the American diner who insisted that spaghetti should always come with meatballs: "Sometimes spaghetti likes to be alone." And the second from a tablemate, as we watched yet another course pass us by before it was our turn to be served: "This is the most excruciating table."
Simply put, it was dinner and a movie, hosted by the lady owner herself who personally served us alongside her black clad staff.
The movie was "The Big Night" starring 'Monk' (Tony Shalhoub) and the creepy guy from the American version of "Shall We Dance?" (Stanley Tucci) Dinner was a recreation of the huge dinner they prepared on the film.
They seated us at three long tables running through the length of the room and a fourth shorter table that capped the space. Yes, the food was served family-style so you had to share with your neighbors whom you may or may not know. We began with pours of our choice of a red (Quattro Mani Montepulciano 2008) and white (Mandrarossa Fiano 2008) wine - as much as we could drink - and a spread of three appetizer plates: cannelini beans/house-pickled vegetables/beet & fennel salad. Then the movie began playing on a sheet taped up with duct tape.
It was quite a leisurely meal, with bowlfuls of a golden liquid served as La Zuppa nearly a half hour after the movie started. The chicken broth was surprisingly intensely flavored and the homemade pasta perfectly al dente.
The two parter I Primi began with the Italian flag lookalike serving dish of creamy risotto - spinach/bianco/tomato-seafood, and was then followed by Il Timpano. The baked pasta/egg/sausage in a pastry shell was first paraded around the room for us to oh and ah over, before it was served in slices on individual plates.
After viewing the actual dinner on our big screen, I was wondering if we'd have a whole pig to dine upon. Nope, but we did enjoy striped bass and roasted chicken for I Secondi, along with a platter of roasted asparagus, potatoes, and carrots. Both fish and fowl were waltzed around the room before they were portioned out for our enjoyment.
As I Dolci course was missing from the movie, I had no idea what to expect. Tiramisu and eclairs ended up being a simple finish to an enjoyable meal.
At $65pp plus tip & tax, I left with a full belly and fond memories. Two quotes especially stuck out in my mind. The first, from the movie, spoken in response to the American diner who insisted that spaghetti should always come with meatballs: "Sometimes spaghetti likes to be alone." And the second from a tablemate, as we watched yet another course pass us by before it was our turn to be served: "This is the most excruciating table."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Elephant Walks Again
It is highly unusual for me to order the same dishes as my dining companion.
First and foremost, this is mainly because people tend to have different tastes, and so usually there is a difference of opinions on what sounds good.
Also, it is generally a good idea to order something different because it gives you the opportunity to try a variety of dishes (assuming your companion is willing to share). And, if you have a friend who has a gift for choosing the best dish at the table (like I do), a better chance at tasting something yummier than what had caught your eye.
Oddly enough, during a recent visit to the Beacon Street branch of the Cambodian French restaurant The Elephant Walk, it turned out that both my friend and I had our eyes on the same dishes of the Tasting Menu ($33.95 for 4 courses; $29.95 for 3 courses).
Nataing ($6.95 on the regular menu) - Ground pork simmered in coconut milk with sliced garlic, crushed peanuts and chili pods; served with crispy jasmine rice
Leah Chah (which doesn't seem to be on the regular menu) - Prince Edward Island mussels sautéed with garlic, Asian basil, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and scallion (gluten-free)
Saumon à la Crème de Poireaux et Champignons ($18.95) - Atlantic salmon filet pan-roasted and topped with julienned leeks and Shiitake mushroom in a savory garlic and shallot cream sauce, over steamed potato
This time, we decided, so be it! We can live dangerously! ;) And since she’s no sweet tooth, while I am, but I’ve tried and don’t really care for either of the two Tasting Menu dessert options (Le Péché au Chocolat - A rich creamy chocolate truffle cake perfectly paired with raspberry coulis, and Mousse aux Fruits de Passion - Refreshingly tart & sweet passion fruit mousse served in an almond lace cup; garnished with fresh pineapple crushed in dark rum, sugar & lemon juice, $8.00 each) we decided to opt for the three course option and tossed in an order of the Rouleaux, Cambodian spring rolls filled with ground pork, crushed peanut, bean thread noodles, carrot and onion; served with fresh greens and herbs for wrapping and tuk trey on the side for dipping, $8.95 for 5 rolls (vs 2 rolls as a part of the Tasting Menu).
I’ve had the Rouleaux many a times in the past, actually, virtually on every visit to this restaurant. It is food and fun in one! You’re supposed to take a nice crispy still warm spring roll, lay it on a leaf of lettuce, add some basil and bean sprouts, roll up the lettuce and dunk it in the sauce, and take a bite. It is cool and warm, crispy and crunchy, and just plain yummy!
Nataing turned out to be another interactive and wonderful dish, reminiscent of chili or a meaty tomato sauce in consistency, served with savory marshmallow treats minus the marshmallow for dunking. I loved the flavor of the stew and the added fun crispiness of the rice cakes crumbled in.
The mussels were plentiful and had a bit of a kick! But we were getting stuffed here… not to mention they had started us off with a French baguette and some butter. We only had room for a quarter or so of our entrée. The salmon was tender with crispy edges, the sauce creamy and garlicky, mushrooms tender, and the potatoes buttery in nature.
A wonderful meal indeed!
Elephant Walk ~ 900 Beacon Street, Boston ~ (617) 247-1500 ~ www.elephantwalk.com
First and foremost, this is mainly because people tend to have different tastes, and so usually there is a difference of opinions on what sounds good.
Also, it is generally a good idea to order something different because it gives you the opportunity to try a variety of dishes (assuming your companion is willing to share). And, if you have a friend who has a gift for choosing the best dish at the table (like I do), a better chance at tasting something yummier than what had caught your eye.
Oddly enough, during a recent visit to the Beacon Street branch of the Cambodian French restaurant The Elephant Walk, it turned out that both my friend and I had our eyes on the same dishes of the Tasting Menu ($33.95 for 4 courses; $29.95 for 3 courses).
Nataing ($6.95 on the regular menu) - Ground pork simmered in coconut milk with sliced garlic, crushed peanuts and chili pods; served with crispy jasmine rice
Leah Chah (which doesn't seem to be on the regular menu) - Prince Edward Island mussels sautéed with garlic, Asian basil, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and scallion (gluten-free)
Saumon à la Crème de Poireaux et Champignons ($18.95) - Atlantic salmon filet pan-roasted and topped with julienned leeks and Shiitake mushroom in a savory garlic and shallot cream sauce, over steamed potato
This time, we decided, so be it! We can live dangerously! ;) And since she’s no sweet tooth, while I am, but I’ve tried and don’t really care for either of the two Tasting Menu dessert options (Le Péché au Chocolat - A rich creamy chocolate truffle cake perfectly paired with raspberry coulis, and Mousse aux Fruits de Passion - Refreshingly tart & sweet passion fruit mousse served in an almond lace cup; garnished with fresh pineapple crushed in dark rum, sugar & lemon juice, $8.00 each) we decided to opt for the three course option and tossed in an order of the Rouleaux, Cambodian spring rolls filled with ground pork, crushed peanut, bean thread noodles, carrot and onion; served with fresh greens and herbs for wrapping and tuk trey on the side for dipping, $8.95 for 5 rolls (vs 2 rolls as a part of the Tasting Menu).
I’ve had the Rouleaux many a times in the past, actually, virtually on every visit to this restaurant. It is food and fun in one! You’re supposed to take a nice crispy still warm spring roll, lay it on a leaf of lettuce, add some basil and bean sprouts, roll up the lettuce and dunk it in the sauce, and take a bite. It is cool and warm, crispy and crunchy, and just plain yummy!
Nataing turned out to be another interactive and wonderful dish, reminiscent of chili or a meaty tomato sauce in consistency, served with savory marshmallow treats minus the marshmallow for dunking. I loved the flavor of the stew and the added fun crispiness of the rice cakes crumbled in.
The mussels were plentiful and had a bit of a kick! But we were getting stuffed here… not to mention they had started us off with a French baguette and some butter. We only had room for a quarter or so of our entrée. The salmon was tender with crispy edges, the sauce creamy and garlicky, mushrooms tender, and the potatoes buttery in nature.
A wonderful meal indeed!
Elephant Walk ~ 900 Beacon Street, Boston ~ (617) 247-1500 ~ www.elephantwalk.com
Friday, March 19, 2010
How I Eat: More 'Srooms for You!
Jack Sprat could eat no fat.
His wife could eat no lean.
And so between them both, you see,
They licked the platter clean.
That's a common nursery rhyme that I'm sure you may have heard.
Well, in my case, I would eat no mushroom (well, not exactly no mushroom... I'm okay with the more asiany straw mushroom and black mushroom, although I don't exactly yearn for them either), while a fungus loving friend despised cooked onions, which I just happen to like. So whenever we ate together, we'd pick out and pass to one another those particular ingredients from our plates.
However, in 2009, I ran into a few exceptional fungus filled dishes which give me cause to reconsider my stance. Here they are, in no particular order (okay, changed my mind... in alphabetical order):
So, while generally mushrooms still do not cause my heart to go a-flutter... I will no longer allow the inclusion of the fungus as an ingredient to cause me to completely nix a dish from the possibility of reaching my palate. (or basically, mushrooms are now 'eh, okay' with me instead of 'no way Jose!')
His wife could eat no lean.
And so between them both, you see,
They licked the platter clean.
That's a common nursery rhyme that I'm sure you may have heard.
Well, in my case, I would eat no mushroom (well, not exactly no mushroom... I'm okay with the more asiany straw mushroom and black mushroom, although I don't exactly yearn for them either), while a fungus loving friend despised cooked onions, which I just happen to like. So whenever we ate together, we'd pick out and pass to one another those particular ingredients from our plates.
However, in 2009, I ran into a few exceptional fungus filled dishes which give me cause to reconsider my stance. Here they are, in no particular order (okay, changed my mind... in alphabetical order):
> Dante - gnocchi - mushroom ragu, casteirosso cheese, sapa, $14/26
> Newbury College Grand Buffet - sliced mushrooms served with micro-greens and fig jam appetizer plate, $10 for the buffet lunch
> O Ya - GRILLED SASHIMI OF SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS rosemary garlic oil, sesame froth, homemade soy, $24
> Tasca - Carpaccio of roasted portabella mushrooms in a sherry vinaigrette with capers and red onion with roasted red pepper rusks, part of a special three course menu
So, while generally mushrooms still do not cause my heart to go a-flutter... I will no longer allow the inclusion of the fungus as an ingredient to cause me to completely nix a dish from the possibility of reaching my palate. (or basically, mushrooms are now 'eh, okay' with me instead of 'no way Jose!')
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Chewy Yumminess! Coconut Mochi Cake
Mochi (glutinous rice flour) tends to lend a chewy consistency to the product that I happen to enjoy. Coconut milk adds a particular flavor and richness to the dessert. The first time I made the baked coconut rice cake shared by Chowhounder jbeaux for a potluck, five individuals asked me for the recipe. :)
Butter Mochi or Sweet Rice-Flour and Coconut Cake
Makes 24 squares
3 cups mochiko (sweet rice flour--1 lb bag)
2.5 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 (14-oz) can unsweetened coconut milk (not low-fat)
5 lg eggs
1/2 stick (1/4 c) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350.
Whisk together mochiko, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a lg bowl.
Whisk together coconut milk, eggs, butter, and vanilla in another bowl. Add coconut mixture to flour mixture, whisking until batter is combined.
Pour batter into an ungreased 13x9 in. baking pan, smoothing top, and bake until top is golden and cake begins to pull away from sides of pan, about 1.5 hrs. Cool cake completely in pan on a rack, about 2 hrs.
Cut mochi into 24 squares before serving. (Mochi keeps, covered and chilled, for 3 days).
Source: Gourmet, May 2005, adapted from *The Food of Paradise* by Rachel Lauden.
Chowhound notes:
1) My aunt usually uses a plastic knife to cut the squares, and adds a little veg oil to the knife to ensure it doesn't stick. She uses Blue Star Brand Mochiko Sweet Rice flour, which I've seen both in my local grocery store and in the Asian market here in California.
jbeaux Sep 30, 2006
2) I made it and really liked it, but then I like my sweets sweet. The texture is nice. The only thing is that you can't keep it at room temp for more than a few days and after you refrigerate it, it is never the same. I recommend freezing portions and just taking pieces out before you want to eat it. I don't know about cutting the sugar.
alex8alot Feb 16, 2007
Vivian's Notes:
1) I measured a 1 lb bag of mochiko and discovered that it contained approximately 3-1/2 cups, so I've taken to measuring out the rice flour.
2) For my house, 2 cups of sugar is plenty.
3) The unsweetened coconut milk I pick up from the supermarket is only 13.5oz, so that's what I use.
4) I bake this for 1 hour 10 min. It comes out about an inch high in a 13x9 inch pan.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Happy Chinese New Year!
Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, and school vacation week all hitting at the same time, not to mention President's Day, and a friend says that her Lent is beginning before Ash Wednesday... wow, busy weekend!
For my home, other than the lovely day off I get for President's Day, the big thing is Chinese New Year.
The immediate family gets together for a yummy dinner together to close the year - this year Mom made my absolutely favorite soup (Watercress soup), vermicelli with ground pork, baked fish, tomato shrimp, roasted chicken, and a bunch of other dishes, and we finished off with some fresh fruit and a mango tart from Costco.
We then get together as an extended family for an opening of the year meal - we used to head over to Grandma's for lunch of a mix of homecooked dishes and take-out, but this year we'll be off to a Chinese restaurant for dinner.
Growing up, we went all out - or a toned down version of what my parents experienced growing up in Hong Kong - with a big house cleaning, decorating the house with flowers and a whole freshly killed and cooked chicken (head and all), a new item of clothing to wear, yummy dishes that we don't get to eat at other times of the year, and we kids received lucky red pockets of money.
This year, Mom made sure that she picked up some fak go (steamed glutinous rice muffins) that she'll steam up for breakfast.
And she considered having me make a baked version of lean go (glutinous rice cake) for dessert, but with the mango tart in the freezer, she decided against it. Later we'll be slicing up that store bought yellow sugar based lean go that Mom likes to serve dipped in egg and fried so it is tender and sweet inside and savory outside.
And sometime this week, we'll be making homemade spring rolls... Yum!
Happy Year of the Tiger!
For my home, other than the lovely day off I get for President's Day, the big thing is Chinese New Year.
The immediate family gets together for a yummy dinner together to close the year - this year Mom made my absolutely favorite soup (Watercress soup), vermicelli with ground pork, baked fish, tomato shrimp, roasted chicken, and a bunch of other dishes, and we finished off with some fresh fruit and a mango tart from Costco.We then get together as an extended family for an opening of the year meal - we used to head over to Grandma's for lunch of a mix of homecooked dishes and take-out, but this year we'll be off to a Chinese restaurant for dinner.
Growing up, we went all out - or a toned down version of what my parents experienced growing up in Hong Kong - with a big house cleaning, decorating the house with flowers and a whole freshly killed and cooked chicken (head and all), a new item of clothing to wear, yummy dishes that we don't get to eat at other times of the year, and we kids received lucky red pockets of money.
This year, Mom made sure that she picked up some fak go (steamed glutinous rice muffins) that she'll steam up for breakfast.And she considered having me make a baked version of lean go (glutinous rice cake) for dessert, but with the mango tart in the freezer, she decided against it. Later we'll be slicing up that store bought yellow sugar based lean go that Mom likes to serve dipped in egg and fried so it is tender and sweet inside and savory outside.And sometime this week, we'll be making homemade spring rolls... Yum!
Happy Year of the Tiger!
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