mi$$oni

(photo cred: Moda Operandi)

The Italian-made skirt shown above is made mostly of lambskin and costs $10,029, requires a $5,015 deposit, and won't arrive at your door until Feb-April 2012. Holy Missoni, I'm even more proud of my Missoni for Target purchases! Granted, my purchases were not made in Italy, are not exclusive, were not made with the same standard of quality, and are not made of lambskin, but I still get to enjoy the aesthetic characteristics of the Missoni brand nonetheless.

...meanwhile, there are others who are making lots of money off their Missoni for Target purchases, not surprisingly.

closed

Ray's Hell Burger Too is now closed, as reported by Eater. I wonder if Mike Landrum's mysteriousness about his restaurants (e.g. Rays to the Third) will start to get old and people won't care anymore...

eerrgg

So I posted a short post last week about how the Republicans are bashing the president's jobs bill, which was a pretty good segue into this week's Senate vote on the bill. Not surprisingly, Senate Republicans killed it. In my post, I was trying to be fair by not exactly saying the Republicans have no ideas of their own to counter the president's jobs bill. I was giving them the benefit of the doubt. Why did I even bother? I should have just said what I wanted to say (I'm sure by not doing so, I committed some sort of blogger crime, and am sorry). Here we go: Their spiel is fluff. That plan I linked to is hot air. Their flavor of the month, Herman Cain, is a joke of a candidate.

Published yesterday in the Times was this editorial on exactly my sentiments. I'm glad my initial thinking was correct and validated by the Times, but I'm also still steaming from the lack of progress our lawmakers are making. I hope Republican voters are paying attention and not holding the president responsible for this lack of progress.  A recent poll (was it the NBC/WSJ one?) showed that a majority of Americans supported the president's jobs bill. Killing the bill was a political act that couldn't be more blatant. I can only imagine the frustration the president is feeling...forget Tiger Woods, I'd be slinging hot dogs at the Republicans right about now.

public transportation etiquette for dummies

This week's List addresses some of the offenses I witness everyday on public transportation. As a current daily rider of the bus and train, and as a customer of public transportation in three major metropolitan areas since the age of 8 (many of my years using it daily), I consider myself a seasoned rider.  So, yes, consider your source, because in this case, I know the subject well.


==TOP OFFENSES WHEN RIDING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION==

1. Taking too long to board and de-board (includes not getting up from your seat until people are already boarding)
• What are you waiting for?
2. Talking too loud on your phone
• Age-old problem in any public space
3. Not de-boarding through the back door, especially when you are not close to the front door
• I don't think people realize that this could really speed things up. People can board the bus through the front door while you de-board out the back door.
4. Not taking off your backpack or shoulder bag in a sardine-packed, super crowded train or bus
• This frees up a lot of space - a full backpack can take up as much room as an additional body. Plus, holding your bag or backpack rather than wearing it on your back or shoulder keeps your belongings secure and in your vision, or out of reach for pickpockets.
5. Staring
• Even a 5-yr old knows not to stare (or they should know). Don't do it.
6. Standing by the door when you have no intention of getting off at the next stop.
• You're in the way of someone actually de-boarding, or you're taking up room for someone who is actually planning on getting off at the next stop.

I know there are more, but I can't think of them right now. If you think of any, please post them in the comments. As for the items that are listed above, now you know - don't do them!

...just a thought...

(photo cred: Brian C. Frank/NYTimes)

This man is a competitive grower. Featured in the Times, he is part of a group of growers that dedicate their lives to their hobby of growing huge pumpkins.  The current world record is 1,810 lbs. These babies (or giants?) are so big they can instantaneously combust under their own weight...yet due to their thick skin, they are inedible. Some of these growers are engineers in that they come up with breeding and grafting methods to achieve maximum growth, so why can't they apply their drive and knowledge to developing a huge pumpkin that's actually edible, then donate it to food banks?

yes to more jobs

Support the President's Jobs Bill

SHACKtoberfest

Shake Shack + LTO Oktoberfest-inspired menu items = GO!

our adobo

It seems that everyone has the own version of adobo, their own idea of what should be in the adobo and how to cook it. It reminds me of how Peter Mayle describes a debate he witnesses of some French countrypeople arguing about whose way to prepare an omelette is the correct way, or Gabrielle Hamilton's description of how Italians due the same thing with their dishes. Last night we tried our hand at making chicken adobo for the first time. After having an excellent rendition by Tita Linda this weekend, we were reminded of all the great versions we've had (yours included, Ma) and all the bad versions, and were inspired to come up with a tasty version of our own.

Our ingredients were:

• 4 big chicken thighs (bone-in, with skin)
• bay leaves
• oregano
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 4 banana peppers (yeah, I'll explain this later)
• 1 white creamer potato
• light soy sauce
• white vinegar
• apple cider vinegar
• whole peppercorns
• olive oil

We removed the skin from the thighs and attempted to brown them in oil. For some reason, the chicken was taking a while to get brown. Then we added the aromatics (garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, oregano, banana peppers) and let that all cook a little together before adding in the liquids (vinegar mix and soy sauce). Then we added our cubed and skinned potato. Some may say nay to putting potatoes in adobo ("Adobo doesn't have potatoes in it") but my mom puts potatoes in her adobo and it's fantastic. Both G and I enjoy potatoes in our adobo, so in went the lone potato. At first, we just cut and added 2 banana peppers into the mix, but we had 2 left, and thinking "what would we do with those anyway?" we added the other 2. Total preparation took about 15 minutes.

Everything simmered in the pot for about 40 minutes, thighs being flipped about twice in that time (like tanning!). The house smelled great and just like it should - like adobo. We then encountered the dilemma that seems to be common when cooking adobo - should we add more vinegar and soy sauce? We noticed there was barely enough liquid in the pot to keep everything simmering and were concerned that there wouldn't be any gravy for our rice. We thought about adding broth, but decided to go with more soy and vinegar (which we decided made the adobo a little too salty).

When the chicken was obviously cooked and the potato chunks were tender, and with our stomachs empty, we decided it was done and time to eat. Back to those 4 banana peppers - our adobo was spicy! The peppers provided the kick we were looking for, but next time we'll just use two. Our biggest fear was not having enough gravy and this indeed happened. In the end, there was no gravy. Maybe the potatoes soaked up what little liquid there was in the pot (the potatoes were great, by the way), but Ma puts potatoes in her adobo and there's always gravy. I'll have to find out how she maintains the liquids.

G stated "I'm pleased. But let's try again tomorrow." I, too, was pleased and proud of our first attempt. The flavor was definitely hoppin' in our adobo but we need to improve on the gravy and saltiness. Also, I found the chicken to be stringy, so we'll have to tweak our cooking method a bit (pan fry it alone after taking it out of the pot?). Nevertheless, we were proud of our adobo and I sense we'll be very possessive and protective of our version once we work out all the kinks. If you have any adobo stories, please share them below!

spa world

G and I spent our Columbus Day holiday in Fairfax County, VA. We went to the best Whole Foods anywhere for a root beer float and cheap gelato. We also went to our happy place that is Wegmans for some much needed grocery shopping and tax- and tip-free dining. We finally tried Honey Pig and even discovered a new-to-us Korean market. But the headliner of the day was our partially-Groupon-funded visit to Spa World.

(photo creds: Spa World)

It was our first time, and despite studying the website, we still had no idea what to expect. We've spoken to friends about it and Spa Castle in Queens before, but these conversations were vague and a while ago. We went less prepared than we should have been. We went with no change of underwear, personal toiletries, flip flops (because the place doesn't enforce any 'no shoes/slippers' rules, as they apparently do at Spa Castle), or the right state of mind (that of a person mentally prepared for what they will soon experience and ready to relax in such an environment). I think our lack of mental preparation hindered our ability to completely allow ourselves to relax, unwind, abandon our inhibitions. I even had to ask a stranger whether or not she was wearing underwear under her compound suit (the facility provides you with a top and shorts).

Anyway, so we did get food massages - it was our first time trying reflexology. I was in need of a foot massage because of recent running-related soreness and was looking forward to getting over my fear of massages.  It wasn't until after the massage started that I remembered Anthony Bourdain's comments about reflexology being a painful experience. I was not relaxed. My masseuse can attest to this. To get over the painful knuckling in my foot, I counted. The massaging of shin muscles did feel good, however, and provided some moments of reprieve. My feet did feel good post-massage, but my perpetual aches and pains returned by the end of the night.

We utilized a few of the sauna chambers and sweated a bit, alternating visits between the saunas and cold room. Not surprisingly, I did not see the relaxation in sitting in what I imagine being locked in a hot car would feel like.

So next was the issue of to bathe or not to bathe. There are bade pools in which one is required to be naked. I already knew upon arrival that I would not be partaking in the bathing (go ahead, call me a prude). G, on the other hand, was on the fence, until finally taking the plunge (pun totally intended) for a quick dip. I, in the meantime, was enjoying the best part of my Spa World experience - a cup of sikhye, or gamju or rice punch, from the juice bar.

We left after rice punch and bathing and changing back into our clothes. I'm still reeling from having to go to the bathroom barefoot. We both agreed that we don't have to return to Spa World and that perhaps the experience was hyped up in our minds. I'll give more thought about whether I'd be willing to try Spa Castle some day, as it does look way more cool, just by judging by the pictures on their site. My sentiment about spas still stands - I don't care for them.

new favorite national food day

Yesterday, Saturday October 8th, was National Pierogi Day. How apropos to be in Pittsburgh!

(photo creds: Yelp- S&D Polish Deli, P-burgh)

don't stop to ask

Yes yes YES! SO good! Break down to Breakout! Thanks, Eat n' Park...good times.

what's new is old... (and alexa chung)

This is the best I've seen Alexa Chung look:

(photo cred: Getty Images/Instyle)

I guess I'm just not a big fan of her waifish, Big Love, nerdy hipster look that she's usually sporting, with or without designer pieces.

On other fashion talk, I'm still finding it hard to throw out many of my clothes that I haven't worn in the last year (isn't that the throw-out-if-not-recently-worn threshold?). Taking into consideration that I am currently wearing an orange pussy-bow blouse, and to repeat every intelligible soul out there, fashion repeats itself. I'm sure my mom had many a pussy-bow blouses. What if she had kept them? I wouldn't have had to spend the $9.95 at H&M for mine. Maybe it's because I'm mad old now, but when purchasing new items, be it boots, a bag, a new blouse, a jumpsuit, a pair of overalls, a pair of neon biker shorts, or some slouch socks, I think "this could really be an heirloom item." (Disclosure: I haven't actually bought the last 4 items I just listed...but jumpsuits and even overalls have made some sort of a comeback in that some prominant fashion bloggers have raved about them. Remember plaid flannel shirts, harem pants, ugly high-waisted pants, polyester, Keds, even my pussy-bow blouse, pumps (in the classic sense), tweed and floral prints? They've all come back. Even my grandma's orthopedic shoes and Chinatown-old-lady blouses and sweater jackets are enviable to a certain kind of fashionista...although those have been perennial favorites among the Chinatown paus.)

Anyway, so with each purchase as of late, I've been thinking of its heirloom potential. I guess I can apply this metric to weeding out clothes not worthy of staying in my dresser drawers and closet...maybe except for my race t-shirts and plaid tweed pants and silver baby-doll top, and....

ben harper

How could I have missed this...just yesterday?!?! (For those of you who don't want to click on the link, he played at 9:30 Club.)

(photo cred: his twitter page)

'yuns need to go

"...Mr. McConnell’s Republicans will filibuster any jobs bill, and Mr. Cantor’s will reject most of it." [NYTimes OpEd]

This in itself is despicable. We get it. The GOP wants the president to fail - but at the expense of those who gave them jobs (many of whom are unemployed themselves)? This is the only reason for their resistance to passing the president's proposed jobs bill. The bill is paid for! The bill proposes tax cuts! The bill proposes incentives for small businesses! Eeeeerrrggggggg

...but yes, I am biased. So I ask whoever wants to do a fact check on me - here's the Republican Jobs Bill Plan. Let me know if you see anything in there that doesn't jibe with the president's or that can't be combined to make the two plans complimentary to each other.

this weekend: taste of DC

Unfortunately, we'll be out of town and missing this year's Taste of DC (although I've never been to it any year).

If any of you lovely loyal and local readers go, leave a comment on how it was. 

my current bests

This week's List is one of my current bests. Here we go:

==CURRENT BESTS==

• Best show on t.v. that's in its second season: Happy Endings (Wednesday nights, 930pm, ABC)
• Best new Trader Joe's product: Chocolate-covered potato chips
• Best Greek Deli special other than its Lent salmon platter: Roast Pork
• Best tea: Milk Oolong
• Best way to find a mover: CityMove 
• Best movers: G & J Moving (or here)
• Best way to relieve tired feet after a run: rolling them on The Stick
• Best ice cream/gelato sandwich: Ciao Bella Gelato Squares in Belgian Chocolate S'mores

: : : : :

...and there you have it! Some of my favorite things right now, therefore (obviously) making them the best there is out there.

foggy bottom eats

I spent a good portion of my years in Foggy Bottom wishing there were more food options and for a real neighborhoody coffee shop to open up. I also traveled at great lengths to do my grocery shopping, that is, before the Trader Joes opened up. Now (since my moving to NYC and back), there is a new Whole Foods, Bobby Flay's Burger Palace, Founding Farmers, and I just read on Eater about two new places opening up in the last week: Burger, Tap & Shake and District Commons, both opened by Jeff Tunks of the Passion Food Hospitality Group. Although none of these new places excites me, they're additional food options for the neighborhood, nonetheless (hmmm...but the late night dinner at District Commons sounds like it may be worth a try).

ramen/baos/salvadoran

As promised, here is a little blurb about the Toki Underground/Baohaus mashuppopup! First seen on Eater then on Eddie Huang's own blog, this event is one of pippopuphiphopchiggaunderbutkindofabovegroundculture proportions, bridging the foodtypesbutprobablymostlyHStreethipsters of DC with the outspokenfoodmediapersonalitybaoadvocatefromNYC that is Eddie Huang. I personally prefer the ramen at Ren's to Toki's, as well as the overall space (I was never one for the sceney places, and plus, they seem confused on what kind of ramen they serve...they've stated they serve Taiwanese ramen, but they market their tonkotsu soup, and a Japanese friend says the ramen is hardly hakata, meanwhile I can't even remember what I had - I think it was the curry one, but I remember tasting the classic one and it was only mildly tonkotsu-y), but the ounce of scenester in me is tickling to check this out, especially because I never went to Baohaus during my NYC years. Eddie Huang has been busy with his new location opening up in recent months and his first location closing last weekend, so it'll be interesting to see what he's been hustling.

On other food talk, last night we dined at Los Tios Grill, a Tex-Mex and Salvadoran restaurant in the Del Rey neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. We went to Del Rey intending on going to Cheestique but fortunately stumbled upon a butcher shop (!) and Los Tios (Cheesetique was closed). Although it still doesn't get close to our beloved Bogota, it'll do as an honorable DMV (yeah, I stole that from you, Eddie Huang) back-up. After a long search, we found a place that, like Bogota, served a sangria/margarita hybrid. Let's talk about this for a minute. Dubbed the sangrita at Bogota, this libation is as pleasing to the mouth as it is your eyes:

(this pic is from my Foodspotting roll - see below left or go here)

Check out those orbs of frozen margarita suspended in rich red sangria. And here's the sangria margarita from Los Tios:

(this pic is also from my Foodspotting roll)

It looks similar, but they use a frozen sangria as well, so it's one big frozen drink (think frozen swirl margaritas at Lauriol Plaza). The drinks at Los Tios are humongous - this was a small! The large is over 20 ounces! Anyway, so although we still prefer the sangrita to the sangria margarita, taste and texture-wise, it's the closest thing we have here in the DC area to Bogota's sangrita. We'll take it. As for the food, delicioso and cheap. I had the mojarra frita...

...and G had the lomo saltado.

Our meals were tasty and good-sized and were complimented well with their 'special hot sauce' that reminded me of the spicy green mayo sauce served at El Pollo Rico. My fish was marinated and fried, making it tastier than just a fried fish, which in itself is the tastiest fried thing ever. G's lomo saltado was good too, with flavors that tasted a little Chinese to me, but I couldn't put my finger on what exactly made it taste Chinesey.

Our waitress was super-attentive and friendly (she went out of her way to warn me that my fish came with the head on, to which I replied "That's good," to which she displayed a look of approval, further explaining that she states that fact because there are some people who are put off with the head, to which I thought "Those people need to die"). The rest of the waitstaff were similarly friendly and helpful.

Oh - we also had their tres leches for dessert (how can you not, what with it on the menu, and eating it everywhere it's offered, and especially with G across the table?), which was huge too. It was soaked satisfactorily, but after you've had Oyamel's, it's hard to come close to such high expectations. All in all, a truly pleasant and satiating dining experience that garnered many return visits. Not bad for a Monday night.

hi-lo

...annddd we're back. Sorry, folks, for being silent for a few days. Had to readjust my life and move into a whole different state! It's amazing how much space clothes, shoes, bags, and coats occupy! ...and it's all really heavy. Anyway, I missed talking about fashion on Friday, so here's a quick post about some of my current wish list items - here's some high-brow low-brow action for you:

(photo cred: Celine)

I've been eyeing this classic Celine flap bag for quite a while now. Shown here in vernice black, it's so versatile, but also check out the wonderfully warm and equally versatile winter colors here. This bag is classically classic classy.

Also Celine is this gorgeously gorgeous trapeze bag. Right? I know. Just so refined and modern.

(photo cred: Celine)

I don't know why I just don't order these already since they're on sale - the Fioni-brand Tenley lace-up bootie from Payless. They're perfect for fall.

(photo cred: Payless)

alcohol tax

not so sure how i feel about this.  in one way, it bothers me that ordinary working folks are asked to pay more in alcohol taxes while millionnaires are still getting away with low tax rates. in another way, i suppose it's good for getting people to drink less.

it's similar to the soft drink tax, which i am not opposed to. hmmm. it's funny that the people who are against said tax are predominantly right-leaning, less-government types, but who are also lower income, who should be rooting for the government to raise taxes on rich people, hence, they should be left-leaning.

(the lack of capital letters means this was a very quick post.)