89

November 11th, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

Yes, 89 on November 9th. HG now qualifies as an old, old guy. Never thought HG would live so long. But, glorious BSK keeps HG alive with care, love and wonderful food. And, HG’s family in Rhode Island, Tokyo and New York is a source of ongoing comfort, love and pride. HG/BSK’s wonderful friends Antony and Claudia C. (residents of Colorado, England and Salt Spring Island, B.C.) hosted a birthday lunch for HG/BSK at the Compound restaurant in Santa Fe. The generous duo gifted HG with splendid wines and chocolates. All dined well in a sunlit room. HG took particular joy in a steak tartare cut and spiced to order and adorned with an orange egg yolk. Confession: Better than any steak tartare in Paris. Lavish dessert. Much wine (left HG with midday dizziness). Joyous birthday celebration (made better with the many kind remembrances from friends and family). BSK topped off the day by gifting HG with Spider socks, insuring HG with a winter of comfy feet.

Land of Enchantment

November 10th, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

Yes, that’s an accurate description of HG/BSK’s New Mexico. A blue tsunami hit the state on Election Day. Governor, Senator, Congressional candidates all were victorious with generous majorities. Plus commissioners and judges and state representatives, etc. The state is as blue as the skies. Oh, yes, HG/BSK are happy to be in the state with azure skies, light that continues to inspire artists and brisk nights that make sleeping a joy. Have HG mentioned green chile menudo and green chile pork stew plus Christmas chicken enchiladas, breakfast burritos, guacamole? More. Yes, much, much more. Margaritas, for example.

Final Destination: Santa Fe County

November 8th, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

After a long journey, finally back to the Land of Enchantment and a good night’s sleep in HG/BSK’s New Mexico bedroom (home is just a bit north of Santa Fe). As HG/BSK left Quail Springs, Oklahoma, noticed the sign on the facade of the very good Kwan’s Kitchen: “Dim sum carts today.” Very enticing. Reluctantly, HG/BSK turned down the culinary offer since a big bar-b-q lunch awaited at Tyler’s in Amarillo, Texas (one of ten best barbecues in the Lone Star State). Big mistake. Tyler’s was closed on Sunday. Half hour wait at good Mexican restaurant. So, HG/BSK lunched at Waffle House. Long drive home. Upon arrival, HG had size XXL vodka cocktail. Then red wine with the tasty kale soup left for HG/BSK by thoughtful Vicki B. A snifter of Jack Daniel’s, a ball of salt caramel Talenti gelato. Then a long, happy snooze.

Kwan’s: A Happy Surprise in Oklahoma City

November 7th, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

Final hotel stay at the upscale La Quinta in the Quail Springs Office Park, Oklahoma City. Short stroll to Kwan’s Kitchen, a spacious and beautiful Chinese restaurant. The food was sensational. On a par with New York, Vancouver, LA or San Francisco. Started with chicken (also available in duck) lettuce packages. The iceberg lettuce leaves were cold and crisp. The chicken mix was the best HG ever ate. Then, there was Mapo Tofu. HG/BSK murmured: “The best.” The tofu was slightly firm but silky. Very similar to the great tofu served with spinach at the Fortune Garden restaurant in Vancouver (first stop when HG/BSK used to arrive at their Mt. Pleasant loft). The Kwan Mapo Tofu sauce hit a very nice balance between fire and flavor. Another dish was sliced eggplant. The slices were dusted with rice flour and fried to a greaseless crisp and topped with sweet/sour chili sauce. Kitchen mastery. HG/BSK shared a sorbet for dessert. The meal’s pleasures were augmented by a good cold bottle of rose’. The check was modest. Go figure. One of USA’s best Chinese restaurants in Oklahoma. Few people in the restaurant on Saturday night. HG is worried about Kwan’s Oklahoma future.

Third Night Barbecue

November 6th, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

Third night of travel, destination New Mexico, was spent in a La Quinta motel on the outskirts of St. Louis. HG doesn’t like the politics of Missouri (present day and pre-Civil War). But, the state features some excellent barbecue. Calvin Trillin swears by Arthur Bryant’s in Kansas City. Others prefer St. Louis ribs and “burnt ends.” Fortunately, the La Quinta was adjacent to Smokehouse Barbecue. Big, friendly place with a wide variety of bar-b-q, sauces and side dishes. Famished HG/BSK drank local beer and over-ordered: Ribs, pulled pork, cole slaw, string beans and onions. And, for HG a big side dish of macaroni and cheese. Super generous portion. Sauces were great ranging from smoky sweet to raging hot. Plus, surprise, Carolina yellow mustard and vinegar. Beer and bar-b-q. Nice way to spend a St. Louis night.

Road Trip Second Night Hotel Picnic

November 5th, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

Spent the second night of travel to New Mexico in an attractive Drury Inn located in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. HG enjoyed paddling in the indoor pool. Even though the dog friendly hotel offered an evening buffet dinner, HG/BSK opted for dinner in HG/BSK’s room. Good decision. That’s because HG/BSK stocked up on many good things at The Italian Corner in East Providence, R.I. This is a wonderful Italian grocery and soup and sandwich specialist. The pasta e fagioli is an HG favorite. BSK bought olive oil and other specialties for HG/BSK New Mexico pantry. The delicatessen counter provided the substance of the in room feast. Porchetta, mortadella, cooked prosciutto and prosciutto san daniele (the best). Plus bread, cheese and olives. Opened a bottle of red wine and had a jolly time.

Ups & Downs In Lewisburg, PA

November 4th, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

First layover after leaving Rhode Island was Leiwsburg, Pa., site of a notable Civil War battle, a giant federal prison, Bucknell University (alma mater of the late Philip Roth), and Reba and Pancho’s Restaurant. HG/BSK had a spectacular meal there in 2017 (see post in archive) so that’s where the famished duo headed after swims and stretches. Sipped a very good white wine with two spectacular appetizers: A crisp “Skinny Pizza”, goat cheese topping instead of the usual mozzarella; Fundido, a casserole of melted cheese mixed with jalapenos and greens. These starters were state of the art and very filing. HG/BSK realized they had over-ordered. That’s because a platter of pommes frites, crab cake (for HG) and salmon in an unusual sauce (for BSK) were on the way. HG asked the waitperson if there had been any change in the composition of the crab cake. Reply was the crab cake was identical to the one which delighted HG a year ago (this was a lush crab cake composed of lump crabmeat). Big disappointment when HG tasted the 2018 version. Shredded crab meat, not lump, which make the crab cake taste like a very ordinary fish cake. BSK said the salmon was okay but left over more than half. These dishes were accompanied by two more glasses of the white wine. Top flight cuisine returned with two Paris bistro desserts, creme brulee and chocolate mousse. Two complaints: Waitperson deluded HG about the crab cake. Also, did not inform HG/BSK about the price of the white wine. It was $14 a glass, four glasses for $56. If informed, HG/BSK would have purchased a modest bottle. HG’s counsel to folks who want to try R & P, order Mexican inspired dishes, skip the crab cake and ask the price of wine by the glass.

Rhody Farewell

November 3rd, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

Last nights in Rhody were festive. First, there was a pre-birthday (HG will be 89 November 9) dinner at Chonqing House, the excellent Szechuan restaurant in Providence. HG became an ardent Chonqing fan when it was located in quite bleak premises in a Seekonk, Mass., strip mall. Now it’s located in spacious, attractive space on Providence’s Wickenden Street. Thankfully, the cuisine hasn’t changed. HG/BSK; Lesley, Massimo and Arianna R. feasted on delicate wontons in a fiery chili oil; cumin lamb; braised eggplant, pea shoots, fried string beans, Mapo tofu and more, much more. The Chonqing tradition remains healthy. For the Rhody farewell dinner, Gifted Daughter Lesley R. prepared a pork loin braised in milk (a la Marcella Hazan) with oven roasted potatoes. Great dish on a cool night. Profesore Massimo R. didn’t join the group. He was off to play in a tennis doubles match and prefers not to have a big meal before a game. The Profesore, an aging Federer, won, of course.

Portuguese Providence

November 2nd, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

Arrived at the Riverside,Rhode Island home of Gifted Daughter Lesley, R., husband, Profesore Massimo R., brilliant granddaughter, Arianna R.. And, of course, Pip, The special friend of Toby, The Wonder Dog. Joyous canine reunion. Dinner was at funky, down home family favorite, O Dinis, in East Providence. Savory rustic Portuguese cooking served in generous portions. Big shrimp in a garlicky red sauce. Steamed clams (Rhody has the best clams) in a white wine, lemon, parsley and garlic sauce. (Yes, more garlic. Dracula would be demolished at O Dinis). Grilled chourico sausage. Pan broiled mullet. Clams and pork in a wine sauce with (You guessed it!!) garlic. Great flan for dessert.

Sunday Tradition

October 31st, 2018 § 0 comments § permalink

Off on the 3,000 mile journey to New Mexico. First stop is Senator Hotel in Augusta, Maine. Swim and hot tub for HG. Stretching exercises for BSK. Appetites are raging. HG/BSK drank crisp white wine and knocked off a dozen cold Maine oysters. Good. Not great. HG/BSK have been spoiled by Prince Edward Island’s briny, lush, meaty South Lake oysters, among the world’s best. Time for a traditional dinner. Yes, roast prime rib, mashed potatoes, string beans. Red wine. Freshly grated horseradish. English mustard. (HG ate a few modest crab crab cakes to accompany the tender, medium rare beef). Happy time.

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