Went on a trip to LA this past weekend, for my Mom's b-day. I'd found out about a used bookstore that specializes in cookbooks only. In Pasadena, right on the way to Burbank- so it was an easy sell to the husband.
He made the call as we exited the freeway, and drove up to the shop. It would be: Hot, dirty and run by an aging Hippie. Ta-DAAA!! He was right on all 3 counts. I had an idea of 2 books I'd wanted, but was hoping to find some hidden gem or 2 that just -needed- to come home to Vegas with me.
I stepped inside, the hubby went next door to use the restroom. It was HOT outside, about 90 degrees at 2pm. Inside the store it was a stuffy 5 degrees cooler, if that much. The owner didn't feel she needed to use any box fans at the very least- which might have helped only slightly.
The stench of multiple cats and their said litterboxes hit me instantly. Looking at the floor, it was covered in about 1 inch of cat hair. (where there wasen't books, and there were tons of them)
I love cats. Allways have. Husband is deathly allergic to them. He really DISlikes cats. Used bookshops seem to attract cats, or at least people who run them love to keep them in their shop. (why is that?) Here in Vegas, one place used to have cats, and we never went back. Here is my helpful suggestion to ANY business owner who wants to keep their pets with them at work:
HAVE THE BUSINESS NOT SMELL LIKE CAT-PISS, SO MUCH YOUR CUSTOMERS CAN STAY ONLY 5 MINUTES BEFORE GAGGING ON THE AMMONIA CLOUD THAT IS YOUR UNCLEAN BUSINESS!!
I asked her what types of Scandinavian cookbooks she had, and I hurridly made a selection from her 5 books she had. Asked if she had the Time-Life Foods of the World books, and the sister additional spiral-bound cookbooks. Was looking for a replacement for my one on Japan that got lost in a move, and figured i'd buy a few of the spiral-bounds I needed. She had at least 6 full sets of the entire series all about, so I was happy to get these.
We got the idea this woman -lives- at her business, or at least very very close to it. She was nice enough, but the dirtiness and putrid smell of her place had ME running out in record time. This would have been a place I could have easily spent $150, if allowed to browse and find neat books I never knew I needed, in comfort. Air-conditioning would have been fantastic. Books that have been AT LEAST dusted would have been very nice. The smell of musty old books (which, I actually like..My very first job was at a used bookshop! It makes me happy, of getting lost in a place to find reading treasures) and that alone would have been PERFECT. What I got was I think the second layer of Dante's Inferno. I'm never going to set foot in that shop, ever again. I'll order from her online, and that's that.
Better yet, i'll keep ordering from alibris.com where i've spent many a pretty penny, and have had a great experience. I don't care if they nail me on shipping charges, it's worth it.
I'm laughing about it now, but while there, it was just miserable.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
I know it's been awhile since my last update. Since i'm not even sure if this blog is read by anyone by myself, I guess it really dosen't matter about how often I do update.Or does it? Perhaps this lone little Las Vegan (but i'm NOT a vegan, ifyouknowwhatimean) and her commentary on food is actually followed. Let me know if you're out there!
The 4th of July has always been my beloved Grandmother's birthday. She would have been 88 today. I decided I should work, as to keep my mind off this fact. RIGHT. Like that was possible. Work was like a graveyard,so I took an early out, and wandered over to Chinatown. Chinese cuisune had to be one of her favorite types of food, shrimp especially. I'd been meaning to give another Indiana Jones-like lookaroundfor the fabled Dong Ting Spring, on a hidden side-street across from the main mall on Spring Mountain Rd. I'd gone looking one other time, to totally miss it.I call it fabled, as folks on Chowhound that have gone have said it's one of the spiciest resturaunts in town, and delicious to boot.
Walking in at 10pm, there was only one couple inside, and they were finishing up. Perusing the menu, I'd wanted to try something different. Even it being her b-day, I wasen't really feeling like shrimp, but SPICE.I ordered the Dry Sauteed Beef, medium spice level. The staff was friendly and accomodating, and the food was to the table in a few short minutes. I was dismayed that they do not serve beer, something i'd crave in just a few moments.With my pot of jasmine tea, I was impressed by what i'd ordered. VERY thinly sliced beep, almost julianned was in a slight sauce of fresh ginger, garlic and soy. The -possibility- of fish sauce was there, or at least I thought i'd tasted it.Along with the beef were very red and shiny sliced chilipeppers- but..What type? They almost looked like mini (2-3inch long) red bell peppers. I had to eat one....I was hit with a sweet, happy pepper flavor, then my mouth began to melt. Hotter than any jalepenoi'd ever had, but without the cooling heat of Schechuan peppercorns I love, this was...a shock, till I accepted it. If you go hunting dragons, you gotta expect heat, and possibly a bit of getting BURNED TO DEATH. Closing my eyes, I let it take over me and my body. Sweat beaded on my brow,my nose leaked down my lip. It w At this point, I wished beyond anything for a cold Tsing-Tao. The idea of it taunted me, as taking a sip of hot tea made it only WORSE.
But Lisa- you ask...How was the flavor? It was perfect. I love ginger emmensly. Garlic's pretty awesome in my book as well. As I suffered in joy, it hit me that it tasted almost like a perfect beef jerkey, but with fresh beef. I actually felt my endorphins kick in, and the bliss was now with me.This is one of the few times that true hot food has done this to me. I either don't notice it when it does happen, or my tastebugs were napping when I eat lava-like ramen in LA at Orochon. If that's too hot, I just can't continue eating it, meal ruined.
I know i'll be back, with husband in tow. He's the real chilihead, not I. I hope their Mabo Tofu is as awesome.
Dong Ting Spring
3950 Schiff Dr.
LV, NV 89102
702)387-7888
Hours: 10am to 11pm, 7nts a week.
The 4th of July has always been my beloved Grandmother's birthday. She would have been 88 today. I decided I should work, as to keep my mind off this fact. RIGHT. Like that was possible. Work was like a graveyard,so I took an early out, and wandered over to Chinatown. Chinese cuisune had to be one of her favorite types of food, shrimp especially. I'd been meaning to give another Indiana Jones-like lookaroundfor the fabled Dong Ting Spring, on a hidden side-street across from the main mall on Spring Mountain Rd. I'd gone looking one other time, to totally miss it.I call it fabled, as folks on Chowhound that have gone have said it's one of the spiciest resturaunts in town, and delicious to boot.
Walking in at 10pm, there was only one couple inside, and they were finishing up. Perusing the menu, I'd wanted to try something different. Even it being her b-day, I wasen't really feeling like shrimp, but SPICE.I ordered the Dry Sauteed Beef, medium spice level. The staff was friendly and accomodating, and the food was to the table in a few short minutes. I was dismayed that they do not serve beer, something i'd crave in just a few moments.With my pot of jasmine tea, I was impressed by what i'd ordered. VERY thinly sliced beep, almost julianned was in a slight sauce of fresh ginger, garlic and soy. The -possibility- of fish sauce was there, or at least I thought i'd tasted it.Along with the beef were very red and shiny sliced chilipeppers- but..What type? They almost looked like mini (2-3inch long) red bell peppers. I had to eat one....I was hit with a sweet, happy pepper flavor, then my mouth began to melt. Hotter than any jalepenoi'd ever had, but without the cooling heat of Schechuan peppercorns I love, this was...a shock, till I accepted it. If you go hunting dragons, you gotta expect heat, and possibly a bit of getting BURNED TO DEATH. Closing my eyes, I let it take over me and my body. Sweat beaded on my brow,my nose leaked down my lip. It w At this point, I wished beyond anything for a cold Tsing-Tao. The idea of it taunted me, as taking a sip of hot tea made it only WORSE.
But Lisa- you ask...How was the flavor? It was perfect. I love ginger emmensly. Garlic's pretty awesome in my book as well. As I suffered in joy, it hit me that it tasted almost like a perfect beef jerkey, but with fresh beef. I actually felt my endorphins kick in, and the bliss was now with me.This is one of the few times that true hot food has done this to me. I either don't notice it when it does happen, or my tastebugs were napping when I eat lava-like ramen in LA at Orochon. If that's too hot, I just can't continue eating it, meal ruined.
I know i'll be back, with husband in tow. He's the real chilihead, not I. I hope their Mabo Tofu is as awesome.
Dong Ting Spring
3950 Schiff Dr.
LV, NV 89102
702)387-7888
Hours: 10am to 11pm, 7nts a week.
Monday, February 9, 2009
WTF
In the past few years, i've become obsessed with Scandinavian cooking and food. With the once-held belief that I was part Swedish on my father's side, I began to learn all about Nordic cuisine. (Oh yeah, my Dad says the family hails from POLAND. WTF, Pops? There were shady dealings that required a name change apparently)
I'm really torn on how to feel on things. I know I'd love to visit Sweden and Norway. I know i'd love most of the food. But HERRING? PICKLED HERRING? I just don't know what to make of that. In Las Vegas, there's a severe lack of Nordic food to even TRY it. I wish I could try it, to know if it would make my brain melt.
I'm really torn on how to feel on things. I know I'd love to visit Sweden and Norway. I know i'd love most of the food. But HERRING? PICKLED HERRING? I just don't know what to make of that. In Las Vegas, there's a severe lack of Nordic food to even TRY it. I wish I could try it, to know if it would make my brain melt.
Back from the dead..
Sorry about the severe lack of updates to this blog. Family life dealt a severe blow, with the passing of my Grandmother last year. Things are finally beginning to get back to "normal", so more posts should be forthcoming.
In fact, i'll post my latest Las Vegas food find NOW!
After reading a review in the local Henderson NV newspaper, I made my way over to Chef Fleming's Bake shop on Water St.
Chef Fleming Pedersen was born and trained as a pastry chef in Copenhagen Demark, and before opening his bakery, worked from the past 17 years or so as head pastry chef at the Golden Nugget, downtown Las Vegas.
Water Street in downtown Henderson is both a bit old and run-down, but trying to revitalize itself for the new times. It's an odd mix of old, 1950's signage and store-fronts, but a big new strip-mall is across the street. This bakery is hopefully a good step in the right direction for bringing in new business to the city.
The interior of the shop is SMALL. Very small. When there was 6 people wating to be served, it was cramped. On this Monday, the choices inside the cases all looked so good, it was hard to narrow my choices to only 6. I finally chose:
Cannolli
Kranskagge
2 apple turnovers
2 "Little Hats"
Most people know what cannolli and turnovers are, so no need to detail that. The cannolli was fresh, with sparse small chocolate chips (not morsels, real chips) in the mix. I found it very good, and a much better price than most of the Italian-owned/based bakeries in town. MUCH better than Leed's, for half the price. Very delicious!
The kranskagge I got was a small, 4 inch long cookie filled with marzipan. A very generous amount of filling, and the cookie around it was drizzled with icing. Really tasty, and I know i'll be getting them more often. Even better if you love marzipan like I do. My only issue with it, was it seemed a day or 2 old. The cookie outside was a bit tough. A shame, and I hope I can get some really fresh ones next visit.
I wish I could get the Danish name for the Little Hats. The girl at the counter called them that, with no info on what they are called in Denmark. This was heavenly and a bit of perfection I was so happy to get! It started with a short dough exterior, very close to a butter-rich shortbread. Inside was a marzipan filling with it, in about a tablespoon amount. The dough was folded over at 3 places, and crimped, and looked like a tri-cornered hat, hence the name. After it was baked, the bottom was given a quick dip in chocolate. This was so good, I wish I had bought about half a dozen! On a scale, i'd rate them about 8. For Las Vegas' bakeries, i'd give it a 10!
Om a really cool side-note: On the first Saturday of the month, he has "Danish Day". Apparently, once a month he makes more Danish-based specality baked-goods. I don't have a list of them now, but i'll report back when I go next month.
Highly reccommended, if your local/nearby. Closed on Sundays.
Chef Flemming's Bake Shop
7 Water St, Ste B
Henderson Nevada 89015
(702) 566-6500
No website, as of now.
In fact, i'll post my latest Las Vegas food find NOW!
After reading a review in the local Henderson NV newspaper, I made my way over to Chef Fleming's Bake shop on Water St.
Chef Fleming Pedersen was born and trained as a pastry chef in Copenhagen Demark, and before opening his bakery, worked from the past 17 years or so as head pastry chef at the Golden Nugget, downtown Las Vegas.
Water Street in downtown Henderson is both a bit old and run-down, but trying to revitalize itself for the new times. It's an odd mix of old, 1950's signage and store-fronts, but a big new strip-mall is across the street. This bakery is hopefully a good step in the right direction for bringing in new business to the city.
The interior of the shop is SMALL. Very small. When there was 6 people wating to be served, it was cramped. On this Monday, the choices inside the cases all looked so good, it was hard to narrow my choices to only 6. I finally chose:
Cannolli
Kranskagge
2 apple turnovers
2 "Little Hats"
Most people know what cannolli and turnovers are, so no need to detail that. The cannolli was fresh, with sparse small chocolate chips (not morsels, real chips) in the mix. I found it very good, and a much better price than most of the Italian-owned/based bakeries in town. MUCH better than Leed's, for half the price. Very delicious!
The kranskagge I got was a small, 4 inch long cookie filled with marzipan. A very generous amount of filling, and the cookie around it was drizzled with icing. Really tasty, and I know i'll be getting them more often. Even better if you love marzipan like I do. My only issue with it, was it seemed a day or 2 old. The cookie outside was a bit tough. A shame, and I hope I can get some really fresh ones next visit.
I wish I could get the Danish name for the Little Hats. The girl at the counter called them that, with no info on what they are called in Denmark. This was heavenly and a bit of perfection I was so happy to get! It started with a short dough exterior, very close to a butter-rich shortbread. Inside was a marzipan filling with it, in about a tablespoon amount. The dough was folded over at 3 places, and crimped, and looked like a tri-cornered hat, hence the name. After it was baked, the bottom was given a quick dip in chocolate. This was so good, I wish I had bought about half a dozen! On a scale, i'd rate them about 8. For Las Vegas' bakeries, i'd give it a 10!
Om a really cool side-note: On the first Saturday of the month, he has "Danish Day". Apparently, once a month he makes more Danish-based specality baked-goods. I don't have a list of them now, but i'll report back when I go next month.
Highly reccommended, if your local/nearby. Closed on Sundays.
Chef Flemming's Bake Shop
7 Water St, Ste B
Henderson Nevada 89015
(702) 566-6500
No website, as of now.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Well, another San Diego Comic Con has come and gone. Not sure if we'll be going back in the future, for multiple reasons. Let's see.....cram 140,000 fanboys into a convention center and watch the mass stampede. Hearing about CC crap isn't what -this- blog's about, anyways.
HOW THE HECK did we eat down there?? Quite deliciously, thanks for asking. Anthony's Fish Grotto did not dissapoint in the least. In fact, I now have a fave fish for eating, thanks to them. Sculpin is apparently a relative of the scorpionfish and is found in the rocky inner-coastal regions of California, hiding in the rocks. It was wonderfully delish, served with a lemon-butter sauce. Meaty, tender and juicy, even Brian loved it. I thought it was alot better than the Baquetta we got a few years back there at Anthony's as well. Really mild and sweet, we went back a second time to eat it! This fish even prompted me to give it it's own theme-song! (I had only -one- glass of wine, even! I swear!) The now-melodious (and infamous!?) jingle of Misterrrrr Sculpinnn!!! Amuses all who hear it's tune. Okay, so maybe not.
Mole and Mexican food at Casa Guad was great as usual. But, not as mind-blowingly tasty as in the past, so it only got one trip from us this time.
I did talk Brian into being adventurous, and try a new place: Ba-Ren. This place came highly recommended from the chowhound boards, as a highly spicy Schezuan place. I'd taken a look at the menu beforehand, and knew what I wanted to try. Brian tho....He just was so convinced it wasn't going to be any good, he ordered safe. And by ordering safe, he ordered WRONG. I got the stir-fried dry beef, and it was mind-blowingly HOT HOT HOT. 3 different kinds of peppercorns including the famous Sichuan peppercorn. I enjoyed the mix of flavors in the dish, and how the different peppers acted in my mouth. One (I think the Sichuan) even made my mouth icy-cool upon inhaling. VERY odd, but cool! (like Mentos cool, serious) I give Ba-Ren a big thumbs up, but Brian was only so-so with them.
GREAT NEWS!! San Diego is getting/has got in the coming weeks..A CURRY HOUSE! For those not in the know: CH is a Japanese-style curry resto that Brian can eat every day, every meal till the apocalypse. I enjoy them as well, just not with the same passion Brian has. They have a Keema-style curry with ground beef and a soft-boiled egg that's fantastic and a nice change from the normal fare of CH. Brian is overjoyed of this news, and says a trip to CH in SD will be on every trip there now. Oh YAY.
On a side note: We are both addicted to Mexican-imported Coca-Cola now. This is how Coke used to taste, kids. PURE CANE SUGAR, and god, did I miss it! It's like crack in a soda bottle. I got to visit Galco's Deli and Market in LA last month, and got to buy and try sodas I've only heard about. Moxie is the bomb!! Totally different, but addicting all the same.
Oh, and as a final note: I was a lazy girl, and took not a SINGLE pic of my SD food adventures. Yes, I know, I suck. Deal with it.
HOW THE HECK did we eat down there?? Quite deliciously, thanks for asking. Anthony's Fish Grotto did not dissapoint in the least. In fact, I now have a fave fish for eating, thanks to them. Sculpin is apparently a relative of the scorpionfish and is found in the rocky inner-coastal regions of California, hiding in the rocks. It was wonderfully delish, served with a lemon-butter sauce. Meaty, tender and juicy, even Brian loved it. I thought it was alot better than the Baquetta we got a few years back there at Anthony's as well. Really mild and sweet, we went back a second time to eat it! This fish even prompted me to give it it's own theme-song! (I had only -one- glass of wine, even! I swear!) The now-melodious (and infamous!?) jingle of Misterrrrr Sculpinnn!!! Amuses all who hear it's tune. Okay, so maybe not.
Mole and Mexican food at Casa Guad was great as usual. But, not as mind-blowingly tasty as in the past, so it only got one trip from us this time.
I did talk Brian into being adventurous, and try a new place: Ba-Ren. This place came highly recommended from the chowhound boards, as a highly spicy Schezuan place. I'd taken a look at the menu beforehand, and knew what I wanted to try. Brian tho....He just was so convinced it wasn't going to be any good, he ordered safe. And by ordering safe, he ordered WRONG. I got the stir-fried dry beef, and it was mind-blowingly HOT HOT HOT. 3 different kinds of peppercorns including the famous Sichuan peppercorn. I enjoyed the mix of flavors in the dish, and how the different peppers acted in my mouth. One (I think the Sichuan) even made my mouth icy-cool upon inhaling. VERY odd, but cool! (like Mentos cool, serious) I give Ba-Ren a big thumbs up, but Brian was only so-so with them.
GREAT NEWS!! San Diego is getting/has got in the coming weeks..A CURRY HOUSE! For those not in the know: CH is a Japanese-style curry resto that Brian can eat every day, every meal till the apocalypse. I enjoy them as well, just not with the same passion Brian has. They have a Keema-style curry with ground beef and a soft-boiled egg that's fantastic and a nice change from the normal fare of CH. Brian is overjoyed of this news, and says a trip to CH in SD will be on every trip there now. Oh YAY.
On a side note: We are both addicted to Mexican-imported Coca-Cola now. This is how Coke used to taste, kids. PURE CANE SUGAR, and god, did I miss it! It's like crack in a soda bottle. I got to visit Galco's Deli and Market in LA last month, and got to buy and try sodas I've only heard about. Moxie is the bomb!! Totally different, but addicting all the same.
Oh, and as a final note: I was a lazy girl, and took not a SINGLE pic of my SD food adventures. Yes, I know, I suck. Deal with it.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
San Diego, anyone???
This was a quiet weekend, spent at home reading the final Harry Potter book. Sufice it to say, eating out wasen't big on my list- so I cooked a turkey breast and it was good. REAL good.
I'm going to San Diego on Wednesday, for Comic Con. We allways have so much fun down there, plus we eat fantastically.
We eat at 2 places there, that many "foodies" like to turn their snobbish noses up at, calling them "tourist traps". Hmmm..That's odd, as one place is at least 60/40% locals eating there, and the other, around 50/50.
Anthony's Fish Grotto is a family-owned chain that started in SD. I believe they have close to 4-5 places to eat, in the SD county area. When they are busy, they are PACKED. We've waited over an hour in line to eat before, and now know the secrets of getting in quicker. Eat after 8pm, and it's not as packed. Make reservations, even better. Have Anthony's on your cell's speed-dial, and you are made of WIN. Anthony's fresh fish specials are good to fantastic, best thing you can get (IMHO) is the blackened baquetta, a local type of snapper from what i've found out- caught in the waters off Mexico. DELICIOUS. So soft, flaky, buttery and even -sweet-, the blackening just makes it better.
Anthony's is famous for their pineapple coleslaw, and rightly so. This fine salad is so damn tasty, the sweet/slightly salty dressing on the cold, crunchy cabbage, my mouth is watering just imagining that i'll be eating this in less than a week. If anyone wants the recipie, i'll gladly share it with readers.
Anthony's is a great place for romantic, waterfront dining, if you can look past the dozens of families with bratty 6 year old kids making messes. Small babies don't irritare me as they used to really- it's the kids who are older and SHOULD KNOW BETTER from decent parenting, how not to act in a resturant. Feh, I could bitch and moan for hours, but i'll stop my tirade for now on the subject.
Casa Guadalaraja is in historic Old Town. I've been going here (Old Town) with my family since I was born, and know the area like the back of my hand. My family was very partial to Casa Di Bandini (yes, the fertilizer folks, I kid you not) and we allways ate there, with much happiness. CG is a joint discovery of me and Brian, and I think it's much more satisfiying than CDB, for many reasons. EXCELLENT red salsa, can be very spicy if we get lucky. Chips fresh, super-thin and warm. Margaritas that make Lisa VERY happy and satisfied in all things, (great esp. after dealing with the huge dealers room and smelly con fanboys) and are x-box huge.
My passion, after becoming friends with Nilda- is Mole. I adore mole like few dishes on the planet, and i've yet to have more than 5 types. There are literally HUNDREDS of variations of mole. So far, the mole served at Casa Guad is sublime. Rich, savory and complex..I can just lightly taste the chocolate and it makes my insides all quivery eating such a delightful concoction. Brian dosen't care for mole, after trying one single bite! GRRRR!!! This is where picky eaters really fucking get on my nerves. How can you judge something on one SINGLE bite?? Give it at least 2. Chew it. TASTE it.
Casa Guad is right in the thick of things, touristy-wise. We know it, we understand this. We don't care that it is, and wonder why the HELL anyone would drive 1/2 mile to the nearby mall, and eat at Chevy's, for food? What's more underiseable- a shit-tastic mundane CHAIN place, or a campy-tourist driven GOOD food resto?? I'd rather go with campy and good food, thanks so very much.
The hotel's got internet acess. I'm gonna take pics of my wonderful food, and post for you all to see when we get back to Vegas.
See you soon
I'm going to San Diego on Wednesday, for Comic Con. We allways have so much fun down there, plus we eat fantastically.
We eat at 2 places there, that many "foodies" like to turn their snobbish noses up at, calling them "tourist traps". Hmmm..That's odd, as one place is at least 60/40% locals eating there, and the other, around 50/50.
Anthony's Fish Grotto is a family-owned chain that started in SD. I believe they have close to 4-5 places to eat, in the SD county area. When they are busy, they are PACKED. We've waited over an hour in line to eat before, and now know the secrets of getting in quicker. Eat after 8pm, and it's not as packed. Make reservations, even better. Have Anthony's on your cell's speed-dial, and you are made of WIN. Anthony's fresh fish specials are good to fantastic, best thing you can get (IMHO) is the blackened baquetta, a local type of snapper from what i've found out- caught in the waters off Mexico. DELICIOUS. So soft, flaky, buttery and even -sweet-, the blackening just makes it better.
Anthony's is famous for their pineapple coleslaw, and rightly so. This fine salad is so damn tasty, the sweet/slightly salty dressing on the cold, crunchy cabbage, my mouth is watering just imagining that i'll be eating this in less than a week. If anyone wants the recipie, i'll gladly share it with readers.
Anthony's is a great place for romantic, waterfront dining, if you can look past the dozens of families with bratty 6 year old kids making messes. Small babies don't irritare me as they used to really- it's the kids who are older and SHOULD KNOW BETTER from decent parenting, how not to act in a resturant. Feh, I could bitch and moan for hours, but i'll stop my tirade for now on the subject.
Casa Guadalaraja is in historic Old Town. I've been going here (Old Town) with my family since I was born, and know the area like the back of my hand. My family was very partial to Casa Di Bandini (yes, the fertilizer folks, I kid you not) and we allways ate there, with much happiness. CG is a joint discovery of me and Brian, and I think it's much more satisfiying than CDB, for many reasons. EXCELLENT red salsa, can be very spicy if we get lucky. Chips fresh, super-thin and warm. Margaritas that make Lisa VERY happy and satisfied in all things, (great esp. after dealing with the huge dealers room and smelly con fanboys) and are x-box huge.
My passion, after becoming friends with Nilda- is Mole. I adore mole like few dishes on the planet, and i've yet to have more than 5 types. There are literally HUNDREDS of variations of mole. So far, the mole served at Casa Guad is sublime. Rich, savory and complex..I can just lightly taste the chocolate and it makes my insides all quivery eating such a delightful concoction. Brian dosen't care for mole, after trying one single bite! GRRRR!!! This is where picky eaters really fucking get on my nerves. How can you judge something on one SINGLE bite?? Give it at least 2. Chew it. TASTE it.
Casa Guad is right in the thick of things, touristy-wise. We know it, we understand this. We don't care that it is, and wonder why the HELL anyone would drive 1/2 mile to the nearby mall, and eat at Chevy's, for food? What's more underiseable- a shit-tastic mundane CHAIN place, or a campy-tourist driven GOOD food resto?? I'd rather go with campy and good food, thanks so very much.
The hotel's got internet acess. I'm gonna take pics of my wonderful food, and post for you all to see when we get back to Vegas.
See you soon
Monday, July 16, 2007
A new place for me to babble!
I really like food. Cooking it and eating it are fun, and so is talking about it- at least to me! I've got specific friends I know I can count on to be as adventurous as I can be, when it comes to food..And those NOT to bother asking "Hey!! Wanna go out for something funky tonite?"
My husband's desire to try new foods is pretty limited. Yes, he's a PICKY EATER. Something that truly gets under my skin, and grinding my teeth many a time.
I'll admit i'm a bit quirky with my food "phases" I will go thru, like craving things with maple syrup/flavor, or my obsession with finding the PERFECT fish and chips. (let's not get me started on getting delicious Mole!) I can be a bit of a snob with my food, with things like tea, and cinnamon. Spoiled, I guess so! I know what I like, and really dislike to compromise, when I have the ability to have things the way I like them. But, I'm also open to learning new, exciting things about food..About things I thought I'd -never- eat.
A good friend of mine, Nilda is a wonderful, talented pasty chef and co-conspirator of mine, when it comes to food. We really enjoy getting good food together, if it's something as ghetto as a Tommy Burger in LA, or hitting something high-end like B&B Ristorante here in Las Vegas. Cost is irrelevant, but good food is good food. Nilda's cousin is also a baker, and imparted to her (and therefore me as well now) one of the wisest words of food-wisdom that have served me well:
"If it's prepared good, and the ingredients are good..You will eat it, and you will LOVE IT. No matter what you may think you like"
Sounds simple enough, right?
This blog will serve as my venting outlet for talking about food. I post fairly regularly on chowhound.com and have a good time there. I try to not "hoard" my food-finds, I want everyone to know where to get awesome food, and be happy. From push-cart tacos eaten at midnight on the way home from work, to a delish 4-course tasting meal..To a small, family-owned business to a big chain, or touristy place...I like to chat about my experiences.
I travel to and from LA/Las Vegas pretty much every other month. My family's in LA, so it's great to be able to visit, AND get some wonderful food that only LA can do great. (again with the Tommy's!!^__^) I've been to Japan twice, with a 3rd trip probably to be had within the next 12 months.
I hope people who happen to read this enjoy my commentary. Even respond back, if you wish! I don't bite, honest. I just respectfully ask that if you have a differeing view than mine, don't get violently nasty. Debate is fantastic, but bashing just pisses me off.
In 8 days, we're off to San Diego, to attend Comic-Con. I adore SD, I wish I could live there. Looking forwards to getting great seafood at Anthony's Fish Grotto and my beloved mole at Guadalahara in Old Town.
I'll be in contact before I leave, that's for sure~!
Welcome everyone!
My husband's desire to try new foods is pretty limited. Yes, he's a PICKY EATER. Something that truly gets under my skin, and grinding my teeth many a time.
I'll admit i'm a bit quirky with my food "phases" I will go thru, like craving things with maple syrup/flavor, or my obsession with finding the PERFECT fish and chips. (let's not get me started on getting delicious Mole!) I can be a bit of a snob with my food, with things like tea, and cinnamon. Spoiled, I guess so! I know what I like, and really dislike to compromise, when I have the ability to have things the way I like them. But, I'm also open to learning new, exciting things about food..About things I thought I'd -never- eat.
A good friend of mine, Nilda is a wonderful, talented pasty chef and co-conspirator of mine, when it comes to food. We really enjoy getting good food together, if it's something as ghetto as a Tommy Burger in LA, or hitting something high-end like B&B Ristorante here in Las Vegas. Cost is irrelevant, but good food is good food. Nilda's cousin is also a baker, and imparted to her (and therefore me as well now) one of the wisest words of food-wisdom that have served me well:
"If it's prepared good, and the ingredients are good..You will eat it, and you will LOVE IT. No matter what you may think you like"
Sounds simple enough, right?
This blog will serve as my venting outlet for talking about food. I post fairly regularly on chowhound.com and have a good time there. I try to not "hoard" my food-finds, I want everyone to know where to get awesome food, and be happy. From push-cart tacos eaten at midnight on the way home from work, to a delish 4-course tasting meal..To a small, family-owned business to a big chain, or touristy place...I like to chat about my experiences.
I travel to and from LA/Las Vegas pretty much every other month. My family's in LA, so it's great to be able to visit, AND get some wonderful food that only LA can do great. (again with the Tommy's!!^__^) I've been to Japan twice, with a 3rd trip probably to be had within the next 12 months.
I hope people who happen to read this enjoy my commentary. Even respond back, if you wish! I don't bite, honest. I just respectfully ask that if you have a differeing view than mine, don't get violently nasty. Debate is fantastic, but bashing just pisses me off.
In 8 days, we're off to San Diego, to attend Comic-Con. I adore SD, I wish I could live there. Looking forwards to getting great seafood at Anthony's Fish Grotto and my beloved mole at Guadalahara in Old Town.
I'll be in contact before I leave, that's for sure~!
Welcome everyone!
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