India House
In scouting out the Minneapolis Indian restaurant scene before my visit, I knew that I had a number of good choices ahead of me. I had India House on my mind, so when I invited a colleague to join me and she said "India House" I knew it was a good sign. Then, earlier that afternoon, I walked past the restaurant and there were such fabulous smells coming out the door, well, it was a done deal.
Sunday night was a quiet night at India House and we were taken to a nice booth with plenty of room. There were some interesting choices on the menu, particularly in the appetizers.
After some negotiations (my friend isn't a big lamb person), we settled on the Paneer Pakora as the appetizer (this was a new dish to me and I was curious to try it), Palak Paneer, and Chicken Vindaloo as entrees, along with rice and an order of garlic naan.
The Palak Paneer turned out to be five log-shaped pieces of paneer, dipped in pakora batter and fried, served with a sides of sauces. An interesting dish, tasty, but a little went a long way. Splitting with a larger group would have diluted some of the sameness of it.
The Palak Paneer was good, mildly seasoned and fine, but nothing exceptional. The Chicken Vindaloo on the other hand was quite interesting. Served in a more yellow than red sauce, there were undertones of vinegar in a pleasantly light sauce. An excellent dish.
Overall, however, I was a bit disappointed in India House.
I'm not sure if it was the disconcertingly large size of the dining room, too much fried paneer, or the average Palak Paneer. More visits could change my mind and up my rating, especially if the Chicken Vindaloo keeps hitting such a high note!
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ***
Date: 5 April 2009
Address: 1400 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Website: http://www.indiahouseeatstreet.com/
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Bombay Bistro: a Can't Miss
Bombay Bistro
My colleague and I had just come from a big reception with a wide variety of foods, so we weren't too terribly hungry. At the same time, we did want to get some good Indian food to finish off our visit to Minneapolis (I had just eaten at India House the night before, but you can never get too much Indian food!).
Since we were going to have just a light meal, we selected the nearby Bombay Bistro which was opposite my hotel and which I had been eyeing as I came and went from the hotel. It was a quiet Monday night and we were quickly seated in the unassuming, yet tastefully done dining area. Looking over the menu, we chose pappadum, an appetizer (Papri Chaat |), and a vegetarian entre (Bhindi Masala), along with rice.
Served rolled in cones (my new favorite shape), the pappadum with accompaning sauce were nicely done. The Papri Chaat, a dish I rarely order, was quite good, the crispy bits just right and not mushy from the sauce, topped off with chic peas.
The Bhindi Masala (fried okra with sliced onions) was one of the best versions of one of my favorite dishes. The okra was neither mushy nor to crispy; the firm pods sliced into just the right size and perfectly seasoned.
At the end of the meal, the check and after dinner candy coated fennel seeds were brought in a charming silver elephant-shaped dish. Leaving Bombay Bistro, I was wishing that I had skipped the earlier reception and saved my appetite for even more delightful treats from this Minneapolis gem.
Hightly recommended.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *****
Date: 6 April 2009
Address: 820 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, MN
Website: http://www.bombaybistromn.com
My colleague and I had just come from a big reception with a wide variety of foods, so we weren't too terribly hungry. At the same time, we did want to get some good Indian food to finish off our visit to Minneapolis (I had just eaten at India House the night before, but you can never get too much Indian food!).
Since we were going to have just a light meal, we selected the nearby Bombay Bistro which was opposite my hotel and which I had been eyeing as I came and went from the hotel. It was a quiet Monday night and we were quickly seated in the unassuming, yet tastefully done dining area. Looking over the menu, we chose pappadum, an appetizer (Papri Chaat |), and a vegetarian entre (Bhindi Masala), along with rice.
Served rolled in cones (my new favorite shape), the pappadum with accompaning sauce were nicely done. The Papri Chaat, a dish I rarely order, was quite good, the crispy bits just right and not mushy from the sauce, topped off with chic peas.
The Bhindi Masala (fried okra with sliced onions) was one of the best versions of one of my favorite dishes. The okra was neither mushy nor to crispy; the firm pods sliced into just the right size and perfectly seasoned.
At the end of the meal, the check and after dinner candy coated fennel seeds were brought in a charming silver elephant-shaped dish. Leaving Bombay Bistro, I was wishing that I had skipped the earlier reception and saved my appetite for even more delightful treats from this Minneapolis gem.
Hightly recommended.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *****
Date: 6 April 2009
Address: 820 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, MN
Website: http://www.bombaybistromn.com
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Memphis BBQ Cubed!
Memphis BBQ Cubed!
When I went out to dinner the other night, little did I know that the next few days would turn into a bar-b-que festival. And not just any bar-b-que, but specifically, Memphis bar-b-que.
The BBQ festival started at Red, Hot & Blue (pictured at right), a local Arlington spot (with a few other locations) that was originally created by a former governor of Tennesee and George H.W. Bush's hatchetman, Lee Atwater. Say what you want about Lee (and many did!) he knew a bit about blues and BBQ! Since the it's start 20 odd years ago, it's now turned into a nationwide chain.
A few days later, I found myself on the way to Minneapolis. Through a series of events I won't go into, I ended up in Memphis instead (the plane turned left at the Mississipi instead of right).
So, I ended up with a six hour layover at the Memphis International Airport. Only two things to do with that much time on your hands at MEM, eat BBQ and go to Graceland.
So I did.
Started off with a pulled pork sandwich at Interstate Bar-B-Que, took a quick taxi ride to Graceland to pay my respects to Elvis, and then back to MEM to catch a BBQ dinner at Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que.
So, how does Memphis International Airport BBQ compare to Arlington restaurant style? See below!
Red, Hot & Blue: Memphis Pit Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled chicken BBQ platter with beans, slaw, and cornbread. Salad, Sierra Nevada seasonal. RH&B is a local place with a nice comfy feel. The service is always friendly and helpful. This night, I was in the mood for chicken, so I went with the pulled chicken dinner. The BBQ comes with a dash or so of the RH&B sauce, but at your table, you get a choice of the regular, a hot and tangy sauce, and a mustard/vinegar option. I love to mix and match, starting with a milder sauce and then working up to the mouth burning hot. The sides are good. The beans are pretty basic, but the slaw is just like I love it, wet and sweet.
Red, Hot & Blue
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: 1600 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209
Website: http://www.redhotandblue.com/
Interstate Bar-B-Que (Memphis International Airport)
Meal: Pulled pork sandwich with slaw. A very nice and very messy sandwich. Pork was served on a nice squishy roll with the sauce and slaw on the side. I let it sit for a bit wrapped in the paper and foil to get even squishier. Got nice and messy eating it and then picking up the dropped pieces with a fork! Pork done just right with just enough crispy bits to add to the texture. Excellent!
Interstate Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (mostly because it's the airport version)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.interstatebarbecue.com/
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled pork dinner platter with beans, slaw, roll and Sam Adams seasonal beer. Since it was diner time, thought I would go for the platter this time. Is pulled pork twice in a day decadent or am I just getting used to the South? Corky's pork dinner was a nice big serving for around $10. The pork, like at Interstate, was well done and just a bit smoky. It came with a sauce that was not too hot and just about right. At the table, you only had a choice of more of the same. The slaw was wet and sweet and quite good. The beans, however, were excellent. Just a little thicker and with a touch more brown sugar they topped off the platter!
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (again, because it was the airport location)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.corkysbbq.com/
So, what's the final vote? Well, they were all pretty darn good. Hard to compare a nice little old sit down BBQ place with one in a food court at an airport (Interstate) or even a nice sitdown in an airport (Corky's). I will say, however, that the two Memphis airport spots were very tasty and made me want to explore some real Memphis BBQ places (including those of Corky's and Interstate)!
More BBQ photos here.
When I went out to dinner the other night, little did I know that the next few days would turn into a bar-b-que festival. And not just any bar-b-que, but specifically, Memphis bar-b-que.
The BBQ festival started at Red, Hot & Blue (pictured at right), a local Arlington spot (with a few other locations) that was originally created by a former governor of Tennesee and George H.W. Bush's hatchetman, Lee Atwater. Say what you want about Lee (and many did!) he knew a bit about blues and BBQ! Since the it's start 20 odd years ago, it's now turned into a nationwide chain.
A few days later, I found myself on the way to Minneapolis. Through a series of events I won't go into, I ended up in Memphis instead (the plane turned left at the Mississipi instead of right).
So, I ended up with a six hour layover at the Memphis International Airport. Only two things to do with that much time on your hands at MEM, eat BBQ and go to Graceland.
So I did.
Started off with a pulled pork sandwich at Interstate Bar-B-Que, took a quick taxi ride to Graceland to pay my respects to Elvis, and then back to MEM to catch a BBQ dinner at Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que.
So, how does Memphis International Airport BBQ compare to Arlington restaurant style? See below!
Red, Hot & Blue: Memphis Pit Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled chicken BBQ platter with beans, slaw, and cornbread. Salad, Sierra Nevada seasonal. RH&B is a local place with a nice comfy feel. The service is always friendly and helpful. This night, I was in the mood for chicken, so I went with the pulled chicken dinner. The BBQ comes with a dash or so of the RH&B sauce, but at your table, you get a choice of the regular, a hot and tangy sauce, and a mustard/vinegar option. I love to mix and match, starting with a milder sauce and then working up to the mouth burning hot. The sides are good. The beans are pretty basic, but the slaw is just like I love it, wet and sweet.
Red, Hot & Blue
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: 1600 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209
Website: http://www.redhotandblue.com/
Interstate Bar-B-Que (Memphis International Airport)
Meal: Pulled pork sandwich with slaw. A very nice and very messy sandwich. Pork was served on a nice squishy roll with the sauce and slaw on the side. I let it sit for a bit wrapped in the paper and foil to get even squishier. Got nice and messy eating it and then picking up the dropped pieces with a fork! Pork done just right with just enough crispy bits to add to the texture. Excellent!
Interstate Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (mostly because it's the airport version)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.interstatebarbecue.com/
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Pulled pork dinner platter with beans, slaw, roll and Sam Adams seasonal beer. Since it was diner time, thought I would go for the platter this time. Is pulled pork twice in a day decadent or am I just getting used to the South? Corky's pork dinner was a nice big serving for around $10. The pork, like at Interstate, was well done and just a bit smoky. It came with a sauce that was not too hot and just about right. At the table, you only had a choice of more of the same. The slaw was wet and sweet and quite good. The beans, however, were excellent. Just a little thicker and with a touch more brown sugar they topped off the platter!
Corky's Ribs & Bar-B-Que
Meal: Dinner
Rating: *** (again, because it was the airport location)
Date: 4 April 2009
Address: Memphis International Airport
Website: http://www.corkysbbq.com/
So, what's the final vote? Well, they were all pretty darn good. Hard to compare a nice little old sit down BBQ place with one in a food court at an airport (Interstate) or even a nice sitdown in an airport (Corky's). I will say, however, that the two Memphis airport spots were very tasty and made me want to explore some real Memphis BBQ places (including those of Corky's and Interstate)!
More BBQ photos here.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Quote of the Day: "jynnan tonnyx"
It is a curious fact, and one to which no one knows quite how much importance to attach, that something like 85 percent of all known worlds in the Galaxy, be they primitive or highly advance, have invented a drink called jynnan tonnyx, or gee-N-N-T'N-ix, or jinond-o-nicks, or any one of a thousand or more variations on the same phonetic theme. The drinks themselves are not the same, and vary between the Silolvian "chinanto/mnigs" which is ordinary water served at a slighty above room temperature, and the Gagrakackan "tzin-anthony-ks" which kills cows at a hundred paces; and in fact the one common factor between all of them, beyond the fact that the names sound the same, is that they were all invented and named before the worlds concerned made contact with any other worlds.Douglas Adams. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. (1980). Ballentine Books: New York, 2005: pp.177-78
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Great Flying Sushi Smackdown
Sushiden & Ryo Asian Fusion
I've never been to Japan, but I have had sushi, so when I was in Japan, I felt I should have sushi. Even if the only part of Japan I was in was the international terminal at Narita airport.
So, on my way back from Taipei, I had just enough of a layover to make a quick stop at Sushiden and get a little something to go.
Would authentic Japanese sushi, even if it was airport sushi, be a magnitude of better than even the best American sushi? Well?
Not quite yet, a week or so later and I found myself at Logan Airport in Boston. While waiting for a colleague who was arriving on another flight, I spied, Ryo Asian Fusion. Would it be better, the same, worse, than it's Narita counterpart?
Well...
Sushiden had a nice layout and a couple of sushi chefs making fresh sushi. I stayed basic, avocado rolls and a bit of salmon. To go. Served in the rectangluar plastic box, ginger and wasabi on the side, soy sauce in little packets, and a bit of the fake green grass. Chopsticks. Perfect. I headed over to the gate, popped the top and did the whole soy sauce, wasabi chopstick swizzle and ... well, not quite yet.
Back in Boston, again, stayed basic, avocado roll, no salmon. The sushi chef was busy with a person in front with a complicated order, me, and one behind. She did a good job, but ...
Well. At Ryo Asian Fusion, the rice was just a little too sticky, and obviously a bit hard to spread, appearing unevenly in the roll. The avocado, a bit unripe, was sliced to order and also a bit uneven. Same rectangular box, wasabi, a nice strong ginger, soy sauce. But darn it, couldn't find chopsticks - though I saw someone with some later.
Verdict?
Sushiden. I don't think it was being in Japan that made it better, but just a little more care on the part of the restaurant to make sure staffing was sufficient and that the ingredients were all ready.
Now, for the next trip, I need to get out of the airport and into some real sushi!
Sushiden
Meal: Sushi
Rating: ***
Date: 28 February 2009
Address: Narita Airport, Terminal 4
Website: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/rest_shop/rest/floor_list/shop_page/t2_1_02_susid.html
Ryo Asian Fusion
Meal: Sushi
Rating: ***
Date: 8 March 2009
Address: Logan Airport, Terminal C
Website: http://www.ryoasianfusion.com/about-us.html
I've never been to Japan, but I have had sushi, so when I was in Japan, I felt I should have sushi. Even if the only part of Japan I was in was the international terminal at Narita airport.
So, on my way back from Taipei, I had just enough of a layover to make a quick stop at Sushiden and get a little something to go.
Would authentic Japanese sushi, even if it was airport sushi, be a magnitude of better than even the best American sushi? Well?
Not quite yet, a week or so later and I found myself at Logan Airport in Boston. While waiting for a colleague who was arriving on another flight, I spied, Ryo Asian Fusion. Would it be better, the same, worse, than it's Narita counterpart?
Well...
Sushiden had a nice layout and a couple of sushi chefs making fresh sushi. I stayed basic, avocado rolls and a bit of salmon. To go. Served in the rectangluar plastic box, ginger and wasabi on the side, soy sauce in little packets, and a bit of the fake green grass. Chopsticks. Perfect. I headed over to the gate, popped the top and did the whole soy sauce, wasabi chopstick swizzle and ... well, not quite yet.
Back in Boston, again, stayed basic, avocado roll, no salmon. The sushi chef was busy with a person in front with a complicated order, me, and one behind. She did a good job, but ...
Well. At Ryo Asian Fusion, the rice was just a little too sticky, and obviously a bit hard to spread, appearing unevenly in the roll. The avocado, a bit unripe, was sliced to order and also a bit uneven. Same rectangular box, wasabi, a nice strong ginger, soy sauce. But darn it, couldn't find chopsticks - though I saw someone with some later.
Verdict?
Sushiden. I don't think it was being in Japan that made it better, but just a little more care on the part of the restaurant to make sure staffing was sufficient and that the ingredients were all ready.
Now, for the next trip, I need to get out of the airport and into some real sushi!
Sushiden
Meal: Sushi
Rating: ***
Date: 28 February 2009
Address: Narita Airport, Terminal 4
Website: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/rest_shop/rest/floor_list/shop_page/t2_1_02_susid.html
Ryo Asian Fusion
Meal: Sushi
Rating: ***
Date: 8 March 2009
Address: Logan Airport, Terminal C
Website: http://www.ryoasianfusion.com/about-us.html
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Friendly Skies: TPE to IAD
United Airline Economy Class, Part II
Heading back to Washington after a number of excellent meals in Taiwan, I had, of course, my airline meals to look forward too!
Lunch
On the leg from Taipei (TPE) to Tokyo (NRT), we were started off with an interesting ground chicken on rice. This was served with the side salad, some very tasty steamed bok choy, and a pecan cookie.
Lunch
Traveling westward, from Tokyo to Los Angeles (LAX), we stayed with an Asian theme, with chicken thighs on rice with various steamed vegetables, a side salad, the mystery hot dog roll, and the not quite a brownie. (pictured above)
Breakfast
It was getting earlier in the morning on the NRT/LAX leg, so it was eventually time for a hot breakfast. Very hot. Really really really microwaved hot! A version of an omlette, a sausage, and a small pastry.
And then we landed in LAX. A quick dash through immigration and customs, a wait in various lines, re-checking luggage, and then, back to domestic flight foods (meals to purchase, beverage service). I was pretty sleepy by this time, so a handful of almonds were able to see me through (along with a couple of glasses of orange juice.
Meal: Lunch/Lunch/Breakfast
Rating: Not Rated
Date: 28 February 2009
Address: Somewhere in the sky
Website: http://www.united.com
Heading back to Washington after a number of excellent meals in Taiwan, I had, of course, my airline meals to look forward too!
Lunch
On the leg from Taipei (TPE) to Tokyo (NRT), we were started off with an interesting ground chicken on rice. This was served with the side salad, some very tasty steamed bok choy, and a pecan cookie.
Lunch
Traveling westward, from Tokyo to Los Angeles (LAX), we stayed with an Asian theme, with chicken thighs on rice with various steamed vegetables, a side salad, the mystery hot dog roll, and the not quite a brownie. (pictured above)
Breakfast
It was getting earlier in the morning on the NRT/LAX leg, so it was eventually time for a hot breakfast. Very hot. Really really really microwaved hot! A version of an omlette, a sausage, and a small pastry.
And then we landed in LAX. A quick dash through immigration and customs, a wait in various lines, re-checking luggage, and then, back to domestic flight foods (meals to purchase, beverage service). I was pretty sleepy by this time, so a handful of almonds were able to see me through (along with a couple of glasses of orange juice.
Meal: Lunch/Lunch/Breakfast
Rating: Not Rated
Date: 28 February 2009
Address: Somewhere in the sky
Website: http://www.united.com
Tea fit for the Emperor
San-hsi-t'ang Teahouse
National Palace Museum
San-his-t'ang, located in the west hall of Yanghsin Pavilion of Forbidden City, was Emperor Chien-lung's studio. At the National Palace Museum, the San-hsi-t'ang Teahouse is located on the top level of the museum with an excellent, panoramic view down the mountaintop and overlooking the peaks of the museum rooftop.
Inside, the decor is simple, yet elegant, lots of dark wood and comfortable seating. I was lucky to be travelling with a knowledgeable companion, and I put the ordering in her capable hands. We were a party of three (joining three other colleagues who had arrived earlier), so there was some room for experimentation.
Since this was a teahouse, we had to have tea! My colleage ordered two selections for us: a light and refreshing green tea and a darker, delicous oolong.
For my meal, I was started off with a seafood dumpling soup. It was a surpring and delicious dish.
Floating in a broth was a large, pillowy dumpling. Poking into the dumpling revealed a potpouri of marine treats. Shrimp, shellfish and some other mysterious items (perhaps bamboo fungus?).
After soup came a selection of steamed dumplings. including a particularly tasty cabbage roll. The topper to the steamed rolls (actually, the bottomer, as it was at the bottom of the bamboo steamer), was a sticky rice and mushrooms served in a lotus leaf.
After eating, we sat back to enjoy the view and finish off our tea. A delightful lunch before heading off for an extensive tour of the Palace Museum collections!
More photos online.
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 24 February 2009
Address: National Palace Museum, 221 Chih-Shan Rd., Sec 2, Wai-shuang-hsi, Taipei 11143, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Website: http://www.npm.gov.tw/hotnews/dining/index1_en.html
National Palace Museum
San-his-t'ang, located in the west hall of Yanghsin Pavilion of Forbidden City, was Emperor Chien-lung's studio. At the National Palace Museum, the San-hsi-t'ang Teahouse is located on the top level of the museum with an excellent, panoramic view down the mountaintop and overlooking the peaks of the museum rooftop.
Inside, the decor is simple, yet elegant, lots of dark wood and comfortable seating. I was lucky to be travelling with a knowledgeable companion, and I put the ordering in her capable hands. We were a party of three (joining three other colleagues who had arrived earlier), so there was some room for experimentation.
Since this was a teahouse, we had to have tea! My colleage ordered two selections for us: a light and refreshing green tea and a darker, delicous oolong.
For my meal, I was started off with a seafood dumpling soup. It was a surpring and delicious dish.
Floating in a broth was a large, pillowy dumpling. Poking into the dumpling revealed a potpouri of marine treats. Shrimp, shellfish and some other mysterious items (perhaps bamboo fungus?).
After soup came a selection of steamed dumplings. including a particularly tasty cabbage roll. The topper to the steamed rolls (actually, the bottomer, as it was at the bottom of the bamboo steamer), was a sticky rice and mushrooms served in a lotus leaf.
After eating, we sat back to enjoy the view and finish off our tea. A delightful lunch before heading off for an extensive tour of the Palace Museum collections!
More photos online.
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 24 February 2009
Address: National Palace Museum, 221 Chih-Shan Rd., Sec 2, Wai-shuang-hsi, Taipei 11143, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Website: http://www.npm.gov.tw/hotnews/dining/index1_en.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
