It's that season again.
It's funny how fall can bring out different behaviors - at least in me, it heralds a sense of frugality, of cherishing the last of the brilliant summer berries and bright peppers before they disappear from market shelves and become very expensive imports.
I remember, when I was younger, picking raspberries from a neighbour's yard and putting them on wax paper-lined cookie sheets to be frozen. I'm fairly sure that I ate at least half of the number that was intended for the trays! But here I am, timezones and years away and in a place of my own, but making the same move to freeze the berries. (This time, only stealing a few along the way; when you have to pay for them it's hard to eat half a pint in a sitting!)
So too, zucchini are being submitted to the grater and packed away in ziplocked 2-cup rations; fall is also a time for quiche-making and other comfort foods. Maybe it's the cold; maybe it's the whispers of winter that are already making their way through this town.
I'm planning to make an apple impossible pie (an old family standby) tomorrow; the Cortland apples on our table look very pretty, but it's their turn to turn into something delicious. And somewhere in there, M and I plan to tackle a pumpkin - carve it into something awesome for Halloween and turn its brilliant orange flesh into pies and soups and other delights. Recipes to follow? Maybe!
...oh, fall. Moments like this are what help me to remember that the season of cold isn't so bad!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Review: Masala Bay
After hearing about this restaurant for close to a month, I stopped by Masala Bay one evening, and lucked into the dinner buffet. I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable it was, and by the number of what (to a omnivore's eyes) looked like a lot of vegetarian-friendly dishes - definitely try the eggplant masala; the dal (sp?) was also really tasty.
Meativores won't be disappointed, either - the tandoori chicken is spicy and succulent (not overcooked = YAY!) and while the goat curry was bony (as per its nature) it was really well-seasoned. And, mmmmmm, rice pudding. I'm not sure if said dish has a fancier name but it sure was a sweet ending to a tasty meal.
As others have said, the place is small, and it gets busy quickly, so reservations are a good idea if you're not showing up right as it opens for dinner!
Note: This review was first posted on urbanspoon on August 28, 2010.
Meativores won't be disappointed, either - the tandoori chicken is spicy and succulent (not overcooked = YAY!) and while the goat curry was bony (as per its nature) it was really well-seasoned. And, mmmmmm, rice pudding. I'm not sure if said dish has a fancier name but it sure was a sweet ending to a tasty meal.
As others have said, the place is small, and it gets busy quickly, so reservations are a good idea if you're not showing up right as it opens for dinner!
Note: This review was first posted on urbanspoon on August 28, 2010.
Review: Margarita's
On a recent trip to Mexico, I had the chance to try foods beyond the typical Tex-Mex offered north of the 49th, and was looking forward to tasting them again at Margarita's.
The patio is much more casual than the inside of the restaurant, and was conspicuously lacking ambient music. Perhaps this was so it wouldn't clash with the mariachi band that others mentioned. If they were playing that Sunday, we patio-dwellers never saw them, which was too bad; it's a fun addition, and I'm a junkie for live music.
First impressions were good - my date and I ordered lime margaritas ($7) which arrived promptly in massive glasses. It was a hot day, so this concoction of ice, lime, and tequila was perfect. Less so the gratis chips and salsa, the latter of which would have benefited from some texture and/or spice. But hey, free food is free food.
After a quick Google search, I can say entree prices are on par with similar food at a chain like Chili's or Montana's; not cheap, but not outrageous. M ordered the chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, and I opted for the enchiladas camarones with pipian sauce (aka mole verde, made of pumpkin seeds - the idea piqued my interest, and turned out to have a mild, savoury flavour. Still, the enchiladas, while tasty, weren't memorable; if we go back, I'd choose a sauce with more flavour contrast). Both dishes came with lots of beans and rice - enough to tame my boyfriend's considerable appetite! My dish also came with yucca "fries" and a small pico de gallo-esque salad, which we enjoyed. Service, while impersonal, was professional.
I'd like to return one day (there is avocado soup and churros to try!), but both of us were feeling ill the day afterwards, so we're avoiding Mexican food for a while.
Note: First published on urbanspoon on September 2, 2010.
The patio is much more casual than the inside of the restaurant, and was conspicuously lacking ambient music. Perhaps this was so it wouldn't clash with the mariachi band that others mentioned. If they were playing that Sunday, we patio-dwellers never saw them, which was too bad; it's a fun addition, and I'm a junkie for live music.
First impressions were good - my date and I ordered lime margaritas ($7) which arrived promptly in massive glasses. It was a hot day, so this concoction of ice, lime, and tequila was perfect. Less so the gratis chips and salsa, the latter of which would have benefited from some texture and/or spice. But hey, free food is free food.
After a quick Google search, I can say entree prices are on par with similar food at a chain like Chili's or Montana's; not cheap, but not outrageous. M ordered the chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, and I opted for the enchiladas camarones with pipian sauce (aka mole verde, made of pumpkin seeds - the idea piqued my interest, and turned out to have a mild, savoury flavour. Still, the enchiladas, while tasty, weren't memorable; if we go back, I'd choose a sauce with more flavour contrast). Both dishes came with lots of beans and rice - enough to tame my boyfriend's considerable appetite! My dish also came with yucca "fries" and a small pico de gallo-esque salad, which we enjoyed. Service, while impersonal, was professional.
I'd like to return one day (there is avocado soup and churros to try!), but both of us were feeling ill the day afterwards, so we're avoiding Mexican food for a while.
Note: First published on urbanspoon on September 2, 2010.
Review: Symposium (Waterloo)
Symposium is a good place to curl up in the evening with a dessert and a friend, a date, or a book*.
I was lured in by a "cake tour" - seriously, who refuses an offer like that? - and ended up spending a great summer evening talking over Colossus chocolate cake and their signature Chocolate Brownie cheesecake. Yum.
If you like your chai lattes mild in flavour but with a spiked twist, the amaretto chai is worth a try. It's definitely not as spiced as other chai I've tried, but this makes a tasty after-dinner drink.
*Unfortunately, depending on how busy it gets, some small print on their menu notes that tables may be limited to 45 minutes - I'm not certain if, or how often this happens, though.
Note: The above was first posted on urbanspoon on Sept 2, 2010.
Addenda: I've since been back to Symposium twice; once for cake (the Turtle cheesecake this time around; tasty, but could have been nuttier) and once for a book club meeting, during which I mulled over a Blueberry Tea (delicious, but served with a 2% creamer on the side, which puzzled me. Generous servings of tea and amaretto, though, and reasonably priced.)
I was lured in by a "cake tour" - seriously, who refuses an offer like that? - and ended up spending a great summer evening talking over Colossus chocolate cake and their signature Chocolate Brownie cheesecake. Yum.
If you like your chai lattes mild in flavour but with a spiked twist, the amaretto chai is worth a try. It's definitely not as spiced as other chai I've tried, but this makes a tasty after-dinner drink.
*Unfortunately, depending on how busy it gets, some small print on their menu notes that tables may be limited to 45 minutes - I'm not certain if, or how often this happens, though.
Note: The above was first posted on urbanspoon on Sept 2, 2010.
Addenda: I've since been back to Symposium twice; once for cake (the Turtle cheesecake this time around; tasty, but could have been nuttier) and once for a book club meeting, during which I mulled over a Blueberry Tea (delicious, but served with a 2% creamer on the side, which puzzled me. Generous servings of tea and amaretto, though, and reasonably priced.)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Review: The Bauer Kitchen
Two visits in, the Bauer Kitchen has made itself a contender for celebrating special occasions, entertaining family/friends who are visiting, or snagging a glass of wine and people-watching. The servers and hosts are knowledgeable, the atmosphere classy but not pretentious, and the food. Mmm, the food.
There's a mushroom tart appetizer that I'm dreaming about from my first visit, but the fact that my table this time around considered a coup d'etat to steal the Muscovy Duck from its original recipient says something, too. I'd heard great things about the brie-stuffed chicken, and it deserves them (creamy brie, well-seasoned chicken, savoury potatoes and freshly grilled veggies? Simple ingredients, but perfectly executed.) The short rib gnocchi rounded out our entrees, and smelled amazing - but was, sadly, fiercely guarded by my date.
Suggesting a wine pairing in the sidebar for each menu item is a nifty touch, and helped us to navigate the wine list.
As a note - the calamari isn't served in the familiar style (deep-fried rings of delicious golden rubber) and is rather more pan-fried and squid-shaped than expected. But - it was delicious. The cherry tomatoes and capers on the side were a great addition.
Definitely recommended.
Note: This was first posted as a user review on urbanspoon, and is one of five that I'm archiving here. ^^
There's a mushroom tart appetizer that I'm dreaming about from my first visit, but the fact that my table this time around considered a coup d'etat to steal the Muscovy Duck from its original recipient says something, too. I'd heard great things about the brie-stuffed chicken, and it deserves them (creamy brie, well-seasoned chicken, savoury potatoes and freshly grilled veggies? Simple ingredients, but perfectly executed.) The short rib gnocchi rounded out our entrees, and smelled amazing - but was, sadly, fiercely guarded by my date.
Suggesting a wine pairing in the sidebar for each menu item is a nifty touch, and helped us to navigate the wine list.
As a note - the calamari isn't served in the familiar style (deep-fried rings of delicious golden rubber) and is rather more pan-fried and squid-shaped than expected. But - it was delicious. The cherry tomatoes and capers on the side were a great addition.
Definitely recommended.
Note: This was first posted as a user review on urbanspoon, and is one of five that I'm archiving here. ^^
Gastro-what?
Gastronavigation.
The term itself was born of an irreverent fondness for playing with language (and, on occasion, enjoying the inevitable fiery crash). It's a mashup of gastro, meaning 'stomach', and navigation, meaning (loosely) 'the trick of getting from one place to another'. So, 'gastronavigation' is the art and science of stomach-fueled navigation.
Although I'd argue I'm steered primarily by my sense of curiosity, my stomach is also a considerable contender. Hence the birth of "Notes on Gastronavigation" - to act as a star-chart of sorts; places I'd been, foods I'd tried, and memories of the people and communities tangled up with those along the way.
Happy wandering!
Taryn.
The term itself was born of an irreverent fondness for playing with language (and, on occasion, enjoying the inevitable fiery crash). It's a mashup of gastro, meaning 'stomach', and navigation, meaning (loosely) 'the trick of getting from one place to another'. So, 'gastronavigation' is the art and science of stomach-fueled navigation.
Although I'd argue I'm steered primarily by my sense of curiosity, my stomach is also a considerable contender. Hence the birth of "Notes on Gastronavigation" - to act as a star-chart of sorts; places I'd been, foods I'd tried, and memories of the people and communities tangled up with those along the way.
Happy wandering!
Taryn.
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