“…so what now???”

I was asked this tonight, during dinner. What do I want now?….

Let’s first talk about what we ate tonight…. we were at The Local, one of my favorites in my area, which I’m sure you have heard me rage about on my facebook, twitter, and probably even on here (although I don’t do quite as many food posts on here anymore)

We started off with the Salt & Pepper Calamari with pickled peppers, ginger salsa, and cilantro…. which was delicious! I kind of wish they didn’t have the sauce on the bottom of the plate though which makes some of it kind of soggy after awhile.  But the plate was HUGE!  They have really upped their portion sizes since they first opened!

We also had the Roasted Garlic Hummus with “garden vegetables” (today was just carrots and cucumber slices) and grilled pita (which definitely had cardamom in it – which gave it a super “Indian” feel…)  Delicious as usual… just too much EVOO and herbs/garlic in the middle of the hummus, which, I personally stayed clear from.  The hummus was rich, yummy and garlicky enough as it was.

It was quite tasty…. I love hummus myself, so I was enjoying it like a mofo.  Plus I love carrots and recently found a love again for cucumbers…I think it’s the way they sliced it.

Then came our entrees.  My lovely lady date got the Herb-Marinated Half Chicken that came with garlic mashed potatoes and over sautéed spinach – which I have had before, so I highly recommended it.  It was loved.  Everything was perfectly seasoned – but, like I said, a HUGE portion.  Seemed a whole lot larger than the last time I got it.

I was craving beef… and I’ve had the short ribs and the steak tips and the salads with the steak so I noticed they had something new… a Chimichurri Skirt Steak on top of braised kale with steak-cut sweet potato fries.  The steak, while I got it ‘medium rare’ was still cooked medium/medium-well.  Which is why I always ask for things rare to medium rare, or else you’ll just get it well-done and overcooked.

The steak was delicious, as was the chimichurri, though I felt it could’ve been more present – it was pretty…. not “bland” but light. Present, but not really there.  The kale though, tasted overpowering and the salt was just crunching through…. wasn’t my fav.  I stole some spinach from the chicken dish instead.  My dinner date wasn’t too big of a fan of the kale either.  Meh.

[ps. for a nice chimichurri sauce check out Bon Appétit – my fav goto place for inspiration]

I got a nice Californian Cabernet Sauvignon [Red, duh] which took me forever to sip on. Strangely so. [I’ve been cutting down on my alcohol so it doesn’t take much lately]

Delicious.

So  now back to the question…. what am I …. wait what?  I think I’m tipsy now.

Ohhhh so what NOW?!  What now????  After what?  “After taking a chance at love and moving to another country and coming back, so soon after, broken hearted”?  Well, I take that and I continue on. [BTW have you noticed how awesome my hair is? Yay for my new waves/curls]

I can say that I went to another country with full on intentions of nothing but the best… and yes I came home, a bit sad.  I wouldn’t call myself broken.  I’ve been broken so many times, it’s more about who can piece me back together, has the patience to, now, than to say who broke me apart.  How do  you break when you’re already broken?

Am I just damaged goods?

I don’t think so.  I just think that the one who should be with me hasn’t realized it yet.  Or found me yet?! Who knows.  I hope it’s…

…

…

… does it even matter who I say, unless it’s mutual?!

So there it is.  A splendid  dinner and a so-so answer to the question asked.

Buenos Noches mis Amores <3

What else is there to Canadia other than Ice Hockey and Mooses..

POUTINE!!!!

The first time I had it was in 2012 in Windsor, Canaaaaadia… literally 5 minutes away from where I was staying in Detroit. At a little place called Frenchy’s Poutinery.  I’ve heard about this creation but never had it.  And when I was living in Seattle and going to Vancouver all the time, I was too little to even care about food.

Look at me, all dressed up and excited to go.

I think we ordered a few meats on here.  It was messy, gooey and over-flowing.  When I think of gravy, I think of Thanksgiving gravy… thick, dense and heavy…. but poutine gravy is more like a thicker jus.  The fries got soggy after a bit since it got so covered with stuff…..

So, now comes the part of the review.  I recently went to Ontario/Niagra Falls with family and was told by C that I had to hit up Smoke’s Poutinerie. HAD TO.  I was so sick that morning from being so underdressed and cold and smoke covered at the casino the night before… but I HAD TO GO TO CANADA FOR POUTINE!

I ended up getting an original one.  Simple.  Crispy fries.  Chunks of cheese curds and that light thin gravy I talked about earlier.  It was like 4pm and my first meal of the day – the fam weren’t too into it but I loved it.  I liked that the fries stayed crispy :] YUM!

And of course I left my mark! @misstiffie

So as soon as L saw me post pictures of poutine, he got poutine-envy; So for July 4th, I made a mini poutine bar for the party he threw.  I make a mean double fried fries :]  And in the back I had a mushroom gravy which I thinned down with chicken stock – and I added some white pepper for more of a bite.

My 40 (but not a Colt) – Bigger than K and I’s head

My first bowl.  My skinny rosemary fries, cheese curds (ranch flavored but I couldn’t taste it), my gravy, pulled pork and topped with crumbled chunks of crispy bacon!  I even microwaved it a bit so the curds would get super gooey!!!

I also made some fresh watermelon margaritas for everyone.

Ps. Don’t let a drunk person piggyback you while you’re drunk in a crowded area.

Pps. if that lady who wanted to hit me ever reads this. You still suck.

So yay for Canada for actually having a few cool things, even though it’s still really easy to “blame Canada” and make fun of Canada eh… HAH :]

Duck Breast “Confit” Dinner with delicious sides….. and hilarious Taylor Swift “music video” dance by Miss Tiffie at the end

July 4th Dinner Cruise with Odyssey

Screw the Hurricane… Odyssey Cruises

Pre-gaming at Copley Square Hotel FER FREEEE… they had beers, and burgers and hot dogs… NOM

Was craving burgers.. so had a cute little slider.. NOM NOM.. usually the hotel has free wine happy hour but since it was July 4th they had specials!

All dressed up and ready to party

Yea I ordered like 3 bottles of wine/champagne… oops

Creamy salty butter… NOM

Cheese tray… prob a little too much

Cuz I also added on an extra shrimp cocktail/ceviche

Watermelon Salad
Arugula, Romaine, Goat Cheese, Watermelon, Sugared Pecans, Balsamic Vinaigrette

Screw Hurricane Arthur… still got my modeling on, on deck

Gorgeous View, even in the stormy weather

Roasted Chicken
Heirloom Potatoes, Thyme Demi-Glace, Fried Leeks

And of course I got the

Odyssey Short Ribs
Fontina Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Carrots & Squash, Cabernet Demi-Glace

Desert was some of everything…

Bread Pudding, Chocolate Cake, Berry Galette and Sorbet… with more bubbly

Actually ended up taking short ribs and cheese home.. OK FINE I ordered too much… but it was delicious, fun and amazing. Probably don’t wanna spend that much on a July 4th again tho… hahahha – and we didn’t even get fireworks. BOOOOO…

Happy Mothers Day 2014 at Cottage Wellesley

I’m behind on my Mother’s Day Post….. I took my mama to The Cottage in Wellesley for the special day…

We got there in time for the reservation but still had to wait awhile for our table… which was kind of disappointing – and annoying.

Me and my beautiful mommy…

I got her flowers delivered to the restaurant… which she loved because she loves purple roses and we both took a million pictures… this is one of my favorites… she will always be the most beautiful woman I know in my life.

We got a half bottle of champagne to celebrate the day.

Cheers to you mommy for being the most amazing woman in my life.

We said no to bread but they gave it to us anyway and it was SO GOOD.  Warm creamy butter and hot delicious fluffy bread. YAY – so bad for us since we’re both carb-o-holics.  It was kind of foccacia-y….

For appetizers we got  a grilled vegetable salad and fried eggplant fries.

DUDE.

FRIED. EGGPLANT. FRIES.

They came with a sauce that kind of tasted like a tartar sauce mixed with a thousand island dressing…. but just on it’s own it was…. light, fluffy, crisp outside and soooo soft and yummy inside – NOT OILY AT ALL.

They actually split our salad for us.  It came with avocado… like a split whole avocado between the two of us… grilled red peppers… asparagus… corn… squash… different kinds of greens… it was just beautiful… you didn’t even need the dressing to make it delicious.

This was my duck duo – which was duck leg confit and duck breast. BEAUTIFUL.  Pickled Cabbage and mandarin slices.

Mama got the sweet potato crusted cod with Potatoes and corn…. also completely amazing.

 

When we got home I made us Watermelon Margaritas with just Fresh Watermelon and Patron in my vitamix. YAYYYYYY

 I love you Mommy

EVA Hello Kitty from LAX to Taipei!!!!!….

For once I had a plane ride at 6pm instead of 6am….  so off I go…. Boston to LA….

I’m excited for the warmer weather…. so tank top it is

Got a yummy Chicken Marinara with Green Beans over Rice meal… Salad, Roll, Butter, the works… had some nuts too…. MMM, nuts… (I may have already snacked and had a few glasses of free booze at the VIP Airlines Lounge earlier…)

LA!!!!… Beautiful view…

Sat in the VIP lounge and ate tons of food include this self made “Asian Salad” with Champagne….  I took some of the “Asian Salad with Wonton Strips” And added some Teriyaki Chicken to it… why not?!… a lot of the other stuff didn’t look too appealing except for Korean Ramen and Japanese Noodles… all which was consumed (duh)

WAIT “Why is this a Hello Kitty ticket?????”

HOLY CRAP!!! We’re on the EVA HELLO KITTY PLANE!!!!

Life is now… complete!!!!

Scallops

Sea Bass? It was freaking CHILEAN SEA BASS!!!! SOOOOO good… and of course more and more booze…

And los of veg…

Dessert was fruits and a yummy mousse cake, some tea… and more wine :]

Midnight snack while watching FROZEN was a Turkey Sandwich… which, I have to say was greasy and pretty gross….. sorry EVA… I didn’t like it, maybe I would’ve more if there was a Hello Kitty face on it…

Breakfast Time…

Coffee….

Congee…. with 1000 yr egg, fried tofu with fish ball…. shredded dried pork, Fermented Spicy Tofu, pickles… and then some…

And fruits <3

Oh hello…. Taiwan beer… I’m definitely back in Taiwan

WEEEEEEEEE 5am and ready to party

Yes we’re back in Taiwan

Fattest Country in the World ISNT the USA

As of July 2013

Apparently the US is no longer the fattest country in the world….. it’s Mexico.  70% of Mexicans are obsese. Absolutely terrifying.

Mexico has surpassed the United States as the world’s fattest nation, with 32.8% of its population now classed as obese.

This worrying figure is higher than the percentage of obese US citizens, who weigh in at 32%.

The information comes from a report by the United Nations charting obesity rates across the world.

It reveals that 70% of Mexicans are overweight and childhood obesity figures have tripled in the last decade. – Source

and I was actually surprised that the UK wasn’t in the top 5.  I have been so obsessed with “Supersize vs Superskinny” and “Secret Eaters” Shows and many more that I really thought the UK was one of the top one. I was super surprised with NZ and Aussie. AND wtf is Finland food???…… OK I’m gonna put my ideas in PINK after each one.

#1 – Mexico: They may be the world’s fattest country with a 32.8% obesity rate, but they may also have the world’s best food. (Source: United Nations)

Fried. Tortillas. Corn. Meats. Cheese. Fat. Delicious. I get it.  What I DON’T get is that I feel like Mexican food CAN be healthy. Guacamole. Fresh salsas…. WTF. Too much fried food, sour cream and margaritas I guess?!… FUCK THAT. I love margaritas. But I guess it’s like the US…. fresh food costs more than convenience food. That and too much cheese.

#2 – United States: We may not be the world’s fattest country anymore, but we may still be the best at being fat. We did turn eating food into a competition, after all. Obesity rate: 31.8%. (Source: United Nations)

Not that hard to realize. Fruit costs more than the 1$ menu at Mcdonalds… which doens’t mean I don’t like my occasional fries and nuggets but you know what I mean. It’s sad. And this makes me sad. Bad food is cheaper than healthy food.

#3 – New Zealand: The United Nations says New Zealand has an obesity rate of 26.5%. That said, it’s really hard to find a picture of anyone in New Zealand eating or looking unhealthy… (Source: United Nations)

So I had to google this.  And this is what I found….  still need a good reason…. I had a good gf who went to school in NZ and she is sexy as hell.

Yeah I have fucking hot gfs… BUT hey it might be our asian genes…. but still.. blaming obsesity on genes or junk food is just LAME.

#4 – Chile: Some of the best seafood and wine around comes from Chile, so we get it. Obesity rate: 25.1%.(Source: United Nations)

 Actually not sure about this. I dated a Chilean guy who said that they weren’t into “bigger” people and it being a South American place I’d figure it wouldn’t be a problem.

#5 – Australia: When most people think of Australia, tanned beach bodies dotting the country’s coastlines come to mind, so it comes as a bit of a shocker that the nation cracks the Top 5 in world’s fattest, with an obesity rate of 24.6%. (Source: United Nations)

NO IDEA.

#6 – Canada: Canada’s 24.2% obesity rate gives North America its third country in the Top 10 in obesity.(Source: United Nations)

One word: Poutine.

#7 – United Kingdom: America’s fat gene may have been passed down from our colonial parents who have a 23% obesity rate. (Source: United Nations)

Srsly, how are they not right after or before US? All they do is eat takeout and curry and fried crap and fry ups and SHIT SHIT SHIT. Sorry.

#8 – Ireland: Slainte! Obesity rate: 23%. (Source: United Nations)

Meat and Potatoes…. and Guinness?!

#9 – Luxembourg: If you were sandwiched between the world class chefs in France, Belgium and Germany, you might be a little pudgy, too. Obesity rate: 22.1%. (Source: United Nations)

Don’t Germans just drink DAS BOOT and eat like brats?…. and Pretzels… and what saukraut? I guess that’s not healthy but I duno I feel like Euros are either starving or eating shitty greasy fatty fried food,

#10. Finland Traditional Finnish food includes fresh fish, cabbage and wild game – all relatively healthy eats. What gives? Obesity rate: 20.2%. (Source: United Nations)

HAHAHAH so wrong but I saw this forum thread about “Why are Finnish women so fat” so now I read ——— OK now all I read about on google is why are Finnish people so ugly… UHHHHHH……. so this remains another MYSTERY!!!!

Sources:
Health Zone
Huffington Post

Food & Relationships….

You can tell a lot about a couple when they go out to eat.  How they interact, how they talk [IF they talk] and just the little things.  Today I was out to brunch and a couple sat next to us.  At first me and my brunch date was guessing if they were brother and sister.

“No, they don’t look anything alike, PLUS they act like an old married couple”

They barely talked.  Both scowling and both staring at their iphones.

My brunch partner argued they must be related and forced to go out and eat… by parents? I still said NO. They’re definitely boyfriend and girlfriend…. just “sick and tired of each other”

The waitress came.  The guy ordered for both of them.

Me and my friend nod at each other. Yep. Dating.

The couple each goes back to their phone and barely exchange a word or two.

First the guy’s cinnamon bun comes.  As he eats it, he feeds a bite, unwillingly, to his gf.  After almost inhaling all of it he offers another bite.  The girlfriend looks up from her phone, shakes her head, and then back down to playing on it.

The food comes.

“DOESNT THIS COME WITH BACON?”

That’s all he says to the waiter.

They go about eating.  They kind talk.  They randomly, awkwardly feed each other a bite of each other’s food.  He keeps SNARFFLING – not sniffing but like loudly inhaling his boogers in  and they kinda talk. KINDA.  They don’t really look at each other and look almost annoyed.  But go about with the typical “couple” things.

They left really soon after.

This reminds me of the demise of all my relationships.  Nothing to talk about. Don’t wanna look at each other.  Don’t wanna show affection, etc etc.

IN CONCLUSION.  I’ve been with my man for one of the longest relationships I’ve ever been in and we still always have things to talk about, feed each other, show affection, giggle, laugh and love to look at each other and touch.

Thank you couple about to break up for reminding me how blessed and in love I am.

BTW, my Lobster Benedict was BOMB!

PS. yay for my boy Austin on VMAs!!!!!!! Winning Artist to Watch AND a bomb ass performance.

A Delicious Night In….

W dubbed it “Romance Night” so….. he made the food and I got the wine.

It’s around 50$ and a beautiful Spanish wine… definitely needed to decanter for a bit… should’ve popped it before the food was getting cooked but delicious anyway.

Ribeye, Cooked medium-rare on the rare side.. just the way I like it.

Olive Oil Smashed Garlic Potatoes.
SO FREAKING GOOD.  You can get the recipe here on Cook Taste Eat.

A simple salad of romaine, carrots, tomato, and a nice simple vinaigrette. Refreshing, crisp, delish.

A nice tomato-parsley garlicky mixture.. not a pesto but delicious… and for the stea.

Beautiful

The beautiful foods plated up.  If you look carefully I already took a huge bite out of my yummy steak hahahaha…

WINE

Drunkenly we ran over to Safeway so I could bake W a cake.  I made a faux Black Forest cake.. super ghetto. Chocolate Fudge Cake mix that I added maraschino cherries to, some of the juice and chocolate chips.  I am a fabulous drunk baker!!!

Unfortunately after all that wine and me trying to watch Hop, that was the end of Romance night hahahaha…. SNORE… food/wine coma.

Late Nite at Cashions and crazy old ppl in Costumes

After a small delicious dinner at La Fourchette and then a few drinks and chilling on the rooftop at Brixton… we were hungry. HUNGRY. Always. So we went to Cashions. Also in Adam’s Morgan neighborhood that we always pass by to get gyros but never actually went into.

We went straight for the Late Nite menu.. I got a glass of bubbly… and DUG. IN.

One of everything please. ALL DELICIOUS. YUM.

Organic Buffalo Style Chicken Wings with Creamy Feta Dressing
I inhaled these so fast like CRAZY. I freaking LOVE buffalo wings. I have always been able to outeat anyone with wings NOM NOM. I need to start making these on my own… especially for football nights.

Farro Salad

Love farro. This was actually a lot… and pretty filling but refreshing, not heavy at all. Delish flavors, a good new addition to the menu.

Smashed Fried Potatoes

DEE-FUCKING-LISH. Fried. Potatoes. What more can I say?!

Pork Burger

I must say I was hesitant. A Pork burger, BUT IT WAS REALLY GOOD. Unfortunately by this point I was so full and tipsy that I was DONE.

Shaved Pork Sandwich on a Sub Roll

I didn’t get to try a bite but W ate half and we took the other half home. He loved.

YEP. Finally ate here, now just need to eat here fro the normal menu.

It was so awkward, it was some super super early Halloween party let out and all 50 year olds in weird costumes. Of course I talked to them.  I was curious, what can I say. HAHA.