tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85226861089080602452024-02-20T20:34:12.159-08:00MisoHungryCraft Beer, Fine Wine, Artisan Spirits, and Mouthgasmic Food.PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.comBlogger426125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-72120047571233148252016-12-28T05:00:00.000-08:002016-12-28T09:10:46.835-08:00Ramen Tatsuya, take two: How to enjoy Ramen Tatsuya at home<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-c6029778-41db-cd5c-6170-1bf9c6d3a55b" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Before you freak out and wonder how there is such a thing as leftover </span><a href="http://ramen-tatsuya.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Ramen Tatsuya</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, remember that patience is a virtue that is highly rewarded. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enoki mushrooms, rice noodles, marinated egg, and ground pork</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There’s really no need for me to reiterate what pretty much every food magazine, blogger, instagrammer, food television show, and food personality has said. Ramen Tatsuya is the gold standard of ramen. Sometimes you want that Ramen Tatsuya, but you just don’t want to leave </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">the house. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvgvsiJkUFFevegyZFMS2-uVaubkcfH0gdGUt3yDZo1BNnvQMAcgKW8ru7zzavq6G1-AUld_ugY6uvvKvdWhi-qLNaliJ7mPMYVIImtk94YMs-b9gAAXtdDv6aKLXn3aq1Izx6_d3PAO8/s1600/Photo+Dec+23%252C+7+33+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvgvsiJkUFFevegyZFMS2-uVaubkcfH0gdGUt3yDZo1BNnvQMAcgKW8ru7zzavq6G1-AUld_ugY6uvvKvdWhi-qLNaliJ7mPMYVIImtk94YMs-b9gAAXtdDv6aKLXn3aq1Izx6_d3PAO8/s400/Photo+Dec+23%252C+7+33+21+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll find this in my freezer.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Short of getting someone else to bring Ramen Tatsuya to you, you can save your leftover broth for a rainy day. I started saving my broth after devouring the slender noodles, soft yet structured eggs, and tender meat in the to-go containers. When I get home, I pour it into a sturdier container and freeze it until I’m ready. I’ll often add many visits worth of broth into the same container. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While there’s many things you can do with the broth, I’ll go through my typical routine. I’ve also condensed the broth and served it with leftover pork chop from Perry’s. I used spaghetti squash once, but I didn’t love the results. The squash didn’t have enough texture to hold up to the broth. I've also used cooked shredded napa cabbage, which is quite nice. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI9AI9nJQ-Js9s_l1zyVkfo2C4hC2tCy01M2Vy7z5Sv_nQ2joF_qSOaE54yk0Xh9XOFufsDsqk82jgeLjxK9CDQj26vY0CWHVHYjgizXmxPz_7LgycdKa9CblLL_hSTNMDioqy9GHDed7/s1600/Photo+Nov+16%252C+10+08+02+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI9AI9nJQ-Js9s_l1zyVkfo2C4hC2tCy01M2Vy7z5Sv_nQ2joF_qSOaE54yk0Xh9XOFufsDsqk82jgeLjxK9CDQj26vY0CWHVHYjgizXmxPz_7LgycdKa9CblLL_hSTNMDioqy9GHDed7/s400/Photo+Nov+16%252C+10+08+02+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enoki mushrooms purchased at an Asian Supermarket.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When thinking about serving up leftover ramen broth, start by thinking about what types of add-ins that you want. Ground pork, </span><a href="https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-cook-enoki-mushrooms/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">enoki mushrooms</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and </span><a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/03/ajitsuke-tamago-japanese-marinated-soft-boiled-egg-recipe.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">marinated egg</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> are my go to favorites. If I’m feeling like some carbs, I will bring out the transparent rice noodles often used in hot pot / shabu shabu. Any type of noodle will work great. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl_3EMP3PuRBKnadZKKmaXnKeua4U8qKH3chQbuUVnRj8BRbHQ0mm_N9ZVkiw6cZMticCA0i7fHmYhDt5hri5YImz7KXbfLt4ZZ4T6UtFIcItLEtIfQYQmfb7Xi20um9Z4j6nsSzISYaa/s1600/Photo+Nov+16%252C+10+10+16+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl_3EMP3PuRBKnadZKKmaXnKeua4U8qKH3chQbuUVnRj8BRbHQ0mm_N9ZVkiw6cZMticCA0i7fHmYhDt5hri5YImz7KXbfLt4ZZ4T6UtFIcItLEtIfQYQmfb7Xi20um9Z4j6nsSzISYaa/s400/Photo+Nov+16%252C+10+10+16+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ingredients in the saucepan.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For the ground pork, you’ll want to saute it up in a pan or use your Instant Pot. I like to add minced garlic or fried shallots to mine. When I use enoki mushrooms, I simply wash them and cut off the root part until I am ready to use them. For egg marinade, I simply put eggs into a mixture of 50:50 soy sauce to water. I don’t simmer it like you do in many </span><a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/03/ajitsuke-tamago-japanese-marinated-soft-boiled-egg-recipe.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">marinated egg recipes</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, nor do I add all the extras. Sometimes I’m just not motivated enough to get all the ingredients out. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnEKqpOLAM7SFmoNbplFVTN3Kk1GCQ35dW1UWK_nvKHRXXvzANNsdfLj8eompyq4NmK4hEgcagIznp1xf8L3hVmsADEvLm7MzCwZobAEczG87s0vVCdRMGA3Zkvzi2EnzmcGhRPQstfLI/s1600/Photo+Nov+16%252C+10+56+01+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnEKqpOLAM7SFmoNbplFVTN3Kk1GCQ35dW1UWK_nvKHRXXvzANNsdfLj8eompyq4NmK4hEgcagIznp1xf8L3hVmsADEvLm7MzCwZobAEczG87s0vVCdRMGA3Zkvzi2EnzmcGhRPQstfLI/s400/Photo+Nov+16%252C+10+56+01+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warmed up and ready to eat.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To serve the leftover broth, I let it defrost in the fridge for a day or two. I heat it up in a saucepan, and then I add it whatever I want. If it is enoki mushrooms or noodles, I’ll add those 2-4 minutes (depending on the types of noodles) before I add in the other ingredients. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim342Kr95VHpHqugj4xf94JJuiRLF5kas2a9WyXDVaDRA1Ggb_vww9Qucg5B8-9eDuoMDWNZydjeSKl0isdpkSf0iDZUeOc0MdylTQVDy5LupeO3MtqAPrABMM3MlEGMMJeWErJSZdW600/s1600/Photo+Dec+27%252C+6+54+15+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim342Kr95VHpHqugj4xf94JJuiRLF5kas2a9WyXDVaDRA1Ggb_vww9Qucg5B8-9eDuoMDWNZydjeSKl0isdpkSf0iDZUeOc0MdylTQVDy5LupeO3MtqAPrABMM3MlEGMMJeWErJSZdW600/s400/Photo+Dec+27%252C+6+54+15+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day, another bowl.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Because I believe in conserving water by not doing unnecessary dishes, sometimes I’ll eat it directly out of the saucepan. Serve with a beer, and you can enjoy Ramen Tatsuya at home without ever leaving the kitchen. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqywZUoogEIk0zG6Xe5lf8-Z7I58iydM1tXBkgLHihl303_DS2UEiTTcKFn_ub7joh4ixlYPehm4l1cw5hYIxi-oknSvUKN7VxvxlE-qrrvwrBIA4MEpZqkqfytAvhM5-VX1KOfVqEG7K/s1600/Photo+Dec+23%252C+7+20+30+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqywZUoogEIk0zG6Xe5lf8-Z7I58iydM1tXBkgLHihl303_DS2UEiTTcKFn_ub7joh4ixlYPehm4l1cw5hYIxi-oknSvUKN7VxvxlE-qrrvwrBIA4MEpZqkqfytAvhM5-VX1KOfVqEG7K/s400/Photo+Dec+23%252C+7+20+30+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing leftovers right.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Or you can find every opportunity to visit </span><a href="http://ramen-tatsuya.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Ramen Tatsuya</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-24537969299629010122016-12-21T04:00:00.000-08:002016-12-22T07:06:11.831-08:00Belgian Liege Waffles, possibly the most perfect food on the face of this planet<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3feef45f-1f55-2195-183a-c4f45f0d5173" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3feef45f-1f5a-02e3-3f71-8e2c51551128" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When I was on my way to </span><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g188644-Brussels-Vacations.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Brussels, Belgium</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> from </span><a href="http://www.visitantwerpen.be/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Antwep </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">hopping back on a train,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> I picked up a waffle (wafel) at the train station. I selected a plain waffle with a sheer dusting of powdered sugar. The lesson I learned was not to judge a waffle before you take a bite. This waffle was one of the most incredible things I have ever tasted. The outside was uniformly golden brown with a crust that makes its presence known. The inside was soft pillowy carby goodness with a sweet crunch of caramelized sugar. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLwfpYRhXEj/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">This is the best #waffle I have had in my whole life. I bought it at the train station in #Antwerp for 2 euros. Best purchase yet! #belgium #food</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jennie Chen (@misohungry) on <time datetime="2016-10-19T20:21:39+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 19, 2016 at 1:21pm PDT</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I became obsessed with these waffles. They bore little resemblance to their thin, tough, and limp US counterparts. I found that a food truck in Austin served legit wafels. I have confirmed that they make a dough (legit) as opposed to that pale liquid waffle batter that you get at hotel hot breakfast bars.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY8sU-j7QeeTBGVOV16-DymdgrmuELUJVGGwL095scCPYYs3UfQ0o2HZLBasSmKXzdfEGyR-6G_gOLK25ji5zQgSiPc9BgIEDxlFtLILWqOAuOvmg57dFQZue5QiWAmVAHxgWl7zop6al/s1600/Photo+Oct+19%252C+1+13+16+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY8sU-j7QeeTBGVOV16-DymdgrmuELUJVGGwL095scCPYYs3UfQ0o2HZLBasSmKXzdfEGyR-6G_gOLK25ji5zQgSiPc9BgIEDxlFtLILWqOAuOvmg57dFQZue5QiWAmVAHxgWl7zop6al/s640/Photo+Oct+19%252C+1+13+16+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wafels come with an assortment of toppings and dips in Belgium. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And I took it upon myself to figure out how to make them. After spending hours (yes, hours) researching the thickest waffle makers available and reading up on recipes. I thought I was a ready. I purchased </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Presto-FlipSide-Belgian-Waffle-7-inch/dp/B000TYBWIG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482191394&sr=8-1&keywords=presto+flipside+belgian+waffle+maker" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Presto Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that was touted to deliver the thickest waffles. I’ve baked many things in my lifetime, and the yeast-y dough of the leige waffle was well within my skill set. I made my own </span><a href="http://www.thepancakeprincess.com/2014/02/20/diy-pearl-sugar/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">pearl sugar</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and I tried a few haphazard batches based off the </span><a href="https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/05/liege-waffles/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Smitten Kitchen</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> recipe. I will admit that cleaning up a waffle iron is too much of a trouble, and I shouldn’t be making leige wafels at home that often anyways. I don’t need to spend time getting caramelized sugar off an iron that doesn’t have removable plates nor does my rear need that many waffles. </span><a href="http://www.thewafelguys.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">The Wafel Guys </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">should be my go to when it is time to treat myself to a taste of Belgium, in moderation of course. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOD8CnPhiML/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A video posted by Jennie Chen (@misohungry)</a> on <time datetime="2016-12-16T02:38:08+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 15, 2016 at 6:38pm PST</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fortunately for me, the day that I decided that leige wafels should not be made at home, I walked by a sample cart at </span><a href="http://www.costco.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Costco </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">with waffles. I was skeptical that something so amazing could come out of a plastic clamshell from an American warehouse store. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJpxXDc4ltLbncIFXB4GLjShP23W0l29bFMSFH1jsdyWiVH4P9N8T9mRs4fdRgd1ZxTsFJk7R5xT7g25ZEJ8GQjYkXHcDrv5pTpvou-LT0-AE4oa1ng1sSLE2jrJFAJ1vlTBeKndOujgQ/s1600/Photo+Dec+19%252C+3+40+24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJpxXDc4ltLbncIFXB4GLjShP23W0l29bFMSFH1jsdyWiVH4P9N8T9mRs4fdRgd1ZxTsFJk7R5xT7g25ZEJ8GQjYkXHcDrv5pTpvou-LT0-AE4oa1ng1sSLE2jrJFAJ1vlTBeKndOujgQ/s640/Photo+Dec+19%252C+3+40+24+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pack of 12 are 6.99. These are a seasonal item.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Again, I was wrong. </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/JULIANS-RECIPE-Natural-Belgium-Vanilla/dp/B00B03WPW2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Julian’s waffles</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> are amazing. You can purchase them on Amazon if you don’t have a Costco membership, and some grocery stores may carry them as well. It looks like I can pick some up at my </span><a href="https://www.heb.com/product-detail/julian-s-recipe-sweet-belgian-waffles-cinnamon/1504216" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">local grocery chain.</span></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9b8Ss9JfLwJUexxmRYS4gv5bGHEf01i7efT2WzMNT6_S16Pteq-gR_gJDaaUUV12wU_d7ixbCIZ_L59iu-qxBSbJycbzyqkLYhecDafUqyG7DHTg4MuaF2kyHoD-BWO3n_i8BTMR2qeZ/s1600/Photo+Oct+17%252C+4+23+51+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9b8Ss9JfLwJUexxmRYS4gv5bGHEf01i7efT2WzMNT6_S16Pteq-gR_gJDaaUUV12wU_d7ixbCIZ_L59iu-qxBSbJycbzyqkLYhecDafUqyG7DHTg4MuaF2kyHoD-BWO3n_i8BTMR2qeZ/s640/Photo+Oct+17%252C+4+23+51+AM.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wafels are in high demand. I demand one right now!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This blogpost originally started as a “how to make leige waffles.” It is now a “go to </span><a href="http://www.thewafelguys.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">The Wafel Guys</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in Austin or buy </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/JULIANS-RECIPE-Natural-Belgium-Vanilla/dp/B00B03WPW2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Julian’s waffles</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.” </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMCry8uBPvQ/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Go big or go home. I'm doing both. Last #waffle in Europe is covered in #chocolate, whipped cream, and walnuts. #amsterdam #netherlands</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jennie Chen (@misohungry) on <time datetime="2016-10-26T21:54:09+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 26, 2016 at 2:54pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-6777436281524787202016-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:002016-12-16T06:00:38.124-08:00Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, Netherlands<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-e15426cd-f049-9eae-b158-eb5a393db4a2" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Per capita, I might guess that </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiden" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Leiden </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">has the most museums with a population of 117,915 (2011 data). Leiden is just a quick train ride from Amsterdam, and I was excited to meet my friend, Maud there. Though continents and oceans away, Maud and I share a deep love for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. It is amazing how the dedication to a breed can lead to almost a decade of friendship. I would be remiss if I did not mention Maud’s photography. Her ability to </span><a href="http://hondenfotograafmaud.weebly.com/puppys.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">capture the essence of dogs is incredible</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and I will always be in her debt for her photographs of Mouse. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windmill selfies.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While in Leiden, we made a visit to the </span><a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2016/09/trix-the-t-rex-makes-her-mark-on-leiden95266/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Naturalis Museum</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that happened to be showcasing the most complete (80%) Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton affectionately named Trix. </span><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-0824-trex-trix-ohare-dutch-20160823-story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Trix </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">was found in Wyoming and transported to the Netherlands with a festive welcome. She’s guessed to be around 30 years old. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you outrun Trix?</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There were animatronic dinosaurs in the museum, some 3D printers, and even a selfie station setup to get photos right in front of Trix. Though Trix was a single display, the museum had a very clever ways of packing in a good bit of information into the display. There were educational pieces on how they assessed events that happened in her life due to evidence on the skeleton. However, I personally find it difficult to see the difference between damage to the skeleton when the creature was alive versus damage to the skeleton after being buried in Wyoming for 66 million years. That’s a failing on my part, not the scientists’ part. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOD0fJ7hSyW/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">If you're looking for a fun gift, #magicsand is pretty #crazy #fun. I found some in Leiden, Netherlands at the Naturalis Biodiversity Museum. You can purchase it on Amazon. #christmasgift #kidatheart</a></div>
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A video posted by Jennie Chen (@misohungry) on <time datetime="2016-12-16T01:32:07+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 15, 2016 at 5:32pm PST</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While Trix is impressive and the museum was filled with interactive games, the most exciting discovery for me there was the kenetic sand. The very last interactive section of the museum intended for children. Kinetic sand doesn’t look any different from afar, but one touch of the sand had me intrigued. The sand was moldable and holdable like a plasma, but it also separated and fell apart like regular same. You’re better off buying some to try for yourself. Amazon </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kinetic-Sand-Master-Wacky-Tivities-Assorted/dp/B01B9XJ106/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1479604088&sr=1-3&keywords=kinetic+sand#Ask" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">carries it at ~$25 for 3 lbs</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and your inner child will thank you. </span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-86542683717101896162016-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:002016-12-12T06:00:09.311-08:00Tales and Spirits in Amsterdam<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-adcf67ac-f043-6563-f729-feae9bab4446" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our last stop in Amsterdam was a at </span><a href="http://www.talesandspirits.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Tales and Spirits</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, a romantically dim bar that serves creative cocktails with a splash of showmanship. When you visit Tales and Spirits, be aware that they have rules, and one should abide by them. You are seated by the host, and table service is provided. No milling about or other unclassy behavior. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When I was here, I tried a </span><a href="https://bols.com/products/bolsgenever/original" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">genever </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(also called jenever, genièvre, peket or Dutch gin) straight up which is supposed to taste like gin. The one I tried was aged in barrels and had taken on more of a woody and smoky sweet flavor as opposed to a brighter herbalicious flavor.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMCSZjKhwR-/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Bols #genever tasting @tales.and.spirits in #amsterdam. This one has the aroma of vanilla. #netherlands #spirits #cocktails</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jennie Chen (@misohungry) on <time datetime="2016-10-26T18:12:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 26, 2016 at 11:12am PDT</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All patrons are served a snack of lentil chips with housemade chutney. The concoction that night included pineapple, allspice, ginger, and chiles. The humble bartender who created it refused to tell me much else about it, but at least I have a flavor profile to use as a starting point. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If you’re looking for cocktails that are equally a visual treat as they are a flavor and aroma treat, try the Zombie or the Smoke and Mirrors. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Zombie is a Tiki style drink that serves two for 15 euros. It boasts four different types of rums, pineapple, lime, and grapefruit juice alone with falernum, cinnamon syrup, passion fruit, absinthe, and bitters served in a giant zombie tiki mug that is about the size of your head. A halved passion fruit filled with rum is set on top of the drink which is then set on fire. Then the entire thing is sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon that creates a personal bartop fireworks display. I’d get this again just to watch it being made. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Zombie is on fire!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Smoke and Mirrors was a bit more mysterious in nature. It includes Ketel One vodka, Martini Gran Lusso vermouth, Pierre Ferrand dry Curaçao, strawberry-basil shrub, olive oil and rosemary presented in a cake dome filled with smoke. The drink was sweet and aromatic with the smoke and rosemary. I kind of can’t get over the presentation though. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke and Mirrors about to be released!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And lastly, if you feel like you have too many euros to spare, there’s a cocktail on the menu that will help you lighten your wallet. For 225 euros, you can get “the way it was,” a cocktail with Bacardi "Ron de Maestro" MMXII vintage rum, Wildflower honey, </span><a href="http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2013/12/abbotts-bitters-tempus-fugit-brand-history-process-review.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Original Abbott's bitters (100+ years old)</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and orange zest. The bartender commented that it was the Original Abbott’s bitters that was the pricey ingredient of this cocktail at something like 50 euros a drop or something. You can purchase a recreation of </span><a href="http://www.onlybitters.com/bobs-abbotts-bitters-100ml/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Abbott’s bitters now for just $34 for 100 ml</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. I can’t tell you whether or not it will be comparable to the original though. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMCei9_h9OJ/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The #smoke and mirrors @tales.and.spirits: #vodka, #vermouth, #curacao, #strawberry #basil #schrub, #olive oil, and #rosemary smoke. #amsterdam #netherlands #spirits #cocktails</a></div>
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A video posted by Jennie Chen (@misohungry) on <time datetime="2016-10-26T19:58:22+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 26, 2016 at 12:58pm PDT</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If you can’t find something on the </span><a href="http://www.talesandspirits.com/cocktails" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">menu </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">that tickles your fancy, then let the bartenders know your preferences and trust that you will get something delightful! </span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-15912195898206529252016-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:002016-12-11T15:41:02.215-08:00Kasteels and D'Heeren Van Barelo on the River Maas<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-2d39aa79-b24d-65cb-5e17-07006b3b4752" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If there’s something that that is all over Europe besides waffels, it is castles. We visited several castles while in Europe, and one of the most interesting one is in Keverberg. Many castles were left in ruins, but this one was remodeled with some modern features like the solar panel rooftops.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This is the </span><a href="http://www.fluweelengrot.nl/EN/Castle_Ruins" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">castle ruins in Valkenberg</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, NL.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Since most of the castles were either in ruined condition or completely repurposed to be something, it isn’t easy to get a sense for how the castles were originally used aside from the obvious perimeter to keep invaders out. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kasteel de Keverberg next to the Maas.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> This is </span><a href="http://www.kasteeldekeverberg.nl/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Kasteel de Keverberg</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, one of the more visually interesting castles. This castle sits on the River Maas. I would highly advise visiting a few castles to enjoy a space that has so much lost history. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is definitely not your run of the mill castle. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZThiD2lizzgDM50yXfqg8fWtRp30eBNTAk1VJ2UvTSvud64zb-YzQjQbJ_ZhqO7vY05vBmIq_Qjj63x8pql9G8NLFCloKCujLANpy5FRVLzQOkntCoPiZLnuUU4vWQAkkW48Y5GeR_w7/s1600/Photo+Oct+22%252C+9+37+01+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZThiD2lizzgDM50yXfqg8fWtRp30eBNTAk1VJ2UvTSvud64zb-YzQjQbJ_ZhqO7vY05vBmIq_Qjj63x8pql9G8NLFCloKCujLANpy5FRVLzQOkntCoPiZLnuUU4vWQAkkW48Y5GeR_w7/s400/Photo+Oct+22%252C+9+37+01+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Kasteel's cafe.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> After our visit to </span><a href="http://www.kasteeldekeverberg.nl/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Kasteel de Keverberg</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, my good friend, Yvonne, took us to a local restaurant that she and her family enjoys. </span><a href="http://www.welkombijdeheeren.nl/nl/vestiging/heeren-van-baerlo" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">D’Heeren Van Baerlo</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is a located on the River Maas as well. The restaurant had a selection of local beers available to go along with the food. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside view of the Kasteel shows off large windows to let in the natural light. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Most of us at the table decided to go with the prix fixe menu with hard decisions on each course. For my soup course, I selected the fish soup, listed as vis huisgerookt zalm kabeljauw on the menu. Roughly translated, it means fish house smoked salmon cod. This is one of the best soups I have ever had in my life. And I do not exaggerate. This soup was complex with layers of umani and the sea. Seriously, it was the best seafood based soup I have ever had. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJUY2s6U76PhGFD9YhG8CRnA5QabjHSiAEcTxuKmFhxCj3DCg29VZ6P0O5ipZp2RDlyAZQ0-2eXCgDXVph_KTgY8ThcpDu-w0iBZKoZdLJ4_dxj2_5nKGzb7xUmJbh0_utDhGIWZQG_iG/s1600/Photo+Oct+22%252C+1+18+56+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJUY2s6U76PhGFD9YhG8CRnA5QabjHSiAEcTxuKmFhxCj3DCg29VZ6P0O5ipZp2RDlyAZQ0-2eXCgDXVph_KTgY8ThcpDu-w0iBZKoZdLJ4_dxj2_5nKGzb7xUmJbh0_utDhGIWZQG_iG/s400/Photo+Oct+22%252C+1+18+56+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the most amazing soups I have ever had. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The next course I had was a beef tenderloin with mushrooms in a wonderfully delicious sauce. It was on the menu as: spies bavette champignons knoflook roseval salade chimichurri. I snuck some bites of other dishes at the table too, and they did not disappoint. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQ13CK0RkPBj0arD_uogFe8OTBUjHh5yFMrJ8Uhnkq3RlFU1-xbAGgZD4MyheNq7D-KYIMQNxEfCi6s1B3Czab-YMUegPi5FR4-wZpYgNtF0E9T5flX8sFPOHWstnDINGucag5U4bqR09/s1600/Photo+Oct+22%252C+1+44+32+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQ13CK0RkPBj0arD_uogFe8OTBUjHh5yFMrJ8Uhnkq3RlFU1-xbAGgZD4MyheNq7D-KYIMQNxEfCi6s1B3Czab-YMUegPi5FR4-wZpYgNtF0E9T5flX8sFPOHWstnDINGucag5U4bqR09/s400/Photo+Oct+22%252C+1+44+32+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very delicious steaks. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcJTAag0RDYFBP4BVgS83OYqk0Ag7VPBVEK6ydHXBstALmI2WGmyi16YxeTs08CFnnFB86DQAH5KjnpkXZKOkL2CGRg-dFPMyAsfyjgHg5EkMuQlGJiNs__mTcpxBW8JxSL6b-UaLCsav/s1600/Photo+Oct+22%252C+1+44+24+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcJTAag0RDYFBP4BVgS83OYqk0Ag7VPBVEK6ydHXBstALmI2WGmyi16YxeTs08CFnnFB86DQAH5KjnpkXZKOkL2CGRg-dFPMyAsfyjgHg5EkMuQlGJiNs__mTcpxBW8JxSL6b-UaLCsav/s400/Photo+Oct+22%252C+1+44+24+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any more meats.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And one of the most interesting dishes of all is the dressed up tea for dessert. Dressed up tea includes a fresh mint tea, a Bailey’s liquor, cookie, and chocolate truffle. Tea in the United States just does not compared to this. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE8yHXt2QGQ9NhIJT0l6ceE1sTavf9s29UeBvasc5bcyZxDQx21DN2bOGCwIf7RKEuoo84Ml701lY38qY2w0oi_attrcQhSx8f1aCzes97fiAbBXF2lglaJrj5k52na0CagfR610q8MJB/s1600/Photo+Oct+22%252C+2+09+55+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE8yHXt2QGQ9NhIJT0l6ceE1sTavf9s29UeBvasc5bcyZxDQx21DN2bOGCwIf7RKEuoo84Ml701lY38qY2w0oi_attrcQhSx8f1aCzes97fiAbBXF2lglaJrj5k52na0CagfR610q8MJB/s400/Photo+Oct+22%252C+2+09+55+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed up Yvonne with dressed up tea. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You can find </span><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1158497-d3785027-Reviews-D_Heeren_Van_Baerlo-Baarlo_Limburg_Province.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">D’Heeren Van Baerlo</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/415366121865401/menu/?p_ref=pa" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/heerentweet" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Twitter</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. You’ll probably need to rent a car to visit this part of the Netherlands, and it will be very much worth it. A big thanks to Yvonne for showing us around the Netherlands!</span></div>
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PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-83433619146853401052016-11-29T14:39:00.003-08:002016-11-29T19:36:21.008-08:00Vaals, Three Points in Europe, Printen, Lebanese Eats, and Aachen<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-66fa1822-b12b-a3bf-61c1-43ae128e442a" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While we were in the </span><a href="http://www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/maastricht-1.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Maastricht </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">area, we rented a car to travel the roads less taken. Driving in the area gave me a better idea of the geography and lifestyle of Europe. In just 40 minutes, we were able to go from a college center of the Netherlands and pop over into the spa town of Aachen, Germany. I can barely get from one end of Austin to the other end when there is no traffic in that time. It is wild to think that I can drive into another country in such little time. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUheW274TvywIm0l77jV7fApIgABzxAZej0tvUA-6Ij663_Oifkd_DNXyvDJm5xhyphenhyphenR8CQIrdaH5vGQSQ0WhMNkD0l34FWM7IhtSloVLcHaADmbcRRvzReBePkac6ni4DneX9O2d2dTfJ0/s1600/Photo+Oct+20%252C+4+57+15+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUheW274TvywIm0l77jV7fApIgABzxAZej0tvUA-6Ij663_Oifkd_DNXyvDJm5xhyphenhyphenR8CQIrdaH5vGQSQ0WhMNkD0l34FWM7IhtSloVLcHaADmbcRRvzReBePkac6ni4DneX9O2d2dTfJ0/s400/Photo+Oct+20%252C+4+57+15+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm in three countries at the same time. It is possible without the use of body doubles!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On the way to Germany, we made a stop in Vaals to visit the point where three countries meet. On top of the hill of Vaalserberg, you can hop from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. If your arms and legs are long enough, you can be in all three countries at the same time. This point sits in the middle of what seems to be an enchanted forest with no rigid physical borders for kilometers around. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This elephant was in the labyrinth.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On the Netherland side of the point, there is a fun </span><a href="http://www.drielandenpunt.nl/dagje-drielandenpunt/labyrint/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">labyrinth </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">that will give you either hours of joy or frustration. For just 5 euros, you can join many other people running around in a maze of hedges, raised platforms, and motion triggered fountains. The goal is to get to the center of the maze, and then out of the maze. The GPS claimed that I went seven miles running through this maze before reaching the center with some help. That must have burned off a </span><a href="http://www.europeancuisines.com/Belgium-Belgian-Waffle-Recipes-Liege-Waffles-Brussels-Waffles" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Belgian Wafel</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> or more. I’d recommend it for children and adult, especially those children with an abundance of energy. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm at the center platform of the labyrinth after too much time running around in the rain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The labyrinth had mazes for you to play to help you forget how long you were stuck in there. This one is the run away train concept. You at the entrance in the bottom and you can only turn in the direction of the curves. No curve = no turns. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next on our drive through Europe was a stop in Aachen, a border down in Germany. </span><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g187367-Aachen_North_Rhine_Westphalia-Vacations.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Aachen </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">is know for the mineral springs and plethora of fountains, and there are a few interesting activities for visitors. We visited the Charlemagne Museum, we had a treat at Noobis including a taste of Printen, took some photos of the fountains, had some very delicious Lebanese food, and then visited the </span><a href="http://www.carolus-thermen.de/go/verwoehnwelt-carolus_spa/english.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Carolus Thermen Spa</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a delicious treat from Nobis. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.nobis-printen.de/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Nobis </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">is a popular eatery with many sweet treats including a </span><a href="http://www.aachen.de/en/ts/160_about_aachen/Aachener_Printe/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">printen </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">shop next door. We had a light cake in the eatery along with some samples of printen. Printen comes in different shapes and sizes, the hedgehog being the cutest. The printen cookies are a hard and crunchy spiced with cinnamon, ginger, clove, anise, cardamon, coriander, and allspice. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cutest little printen I've ever seen. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many more trays of pastries at Nobis.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While in Aachen, we found a lovely Lebanese restaurant called </span><a href="http://www.akl-orient.de/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">AKL</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. The website isn’t in English, but you can point to whatever you want when you arrive. We ordered the grilled meat plate for two, and it might feed up to four people who aren’t quite so hungry. While verbal communication with the staff was a little difficult, I did manage to get the ingredients for the an amazing delicious sauce they served. It was an orange slightly tangy and rich sauce made of onion, orange juice, and sesame paste. My best guess is that it is a variant of </span><a href="http://thelemonbowl.com/2014/09/lebanese-garlic-sauce.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Lebanese garlic sauce</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled meat platter for two.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After the delicious meal of smokey meats and fries, we drove over to the Carlos Thermen Spa. While it says spa in the name, there are some things that are different from spa in the United States. At Carlos Thermen, you’ll need to bring your own towel. There aren’t clean towels and robes provided for you. You’ll need to bring your own sandals or flip flops unless you want to run around barefoot. You’ll also need a bathing suit of sorts. The spa areas are communal, and there are occasional youngsters around. Make sure your stuff is covered. In terms of changing, there is one very large changing room with individual stalls. The showers and bathrooms are split by gender. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many things here are covered in gold. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There are several warm pools with massaging jets, one very chilly pool, and a steam room for your enjoyment in the main areas. There are other amenities too along with food and beverage service, but I didn’t use those services. I spent my time in the larger communal area that is included in the pass price (12 euros for 2.5 hours). The spa was very enjoyable, and I might even splurge to be able to use the additional services offered next time. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the fountains in the center of the Aachen Square. </td></tr>
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PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-41399274770718731722016-11-18T04:00:00.000-08:002016-11-29T19:36:48.456-08:00Bun Vietnamese Food in Antwerp, Belgium<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4276e714-6f68-dfc0-4fd1-7ec136555b22" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the most intriguing dining experiences during the trip was at a place called </span><a href="http://bunantwerp.be/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Bun in Antwerp</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. We discovered that it had pretty good reviews and menu items that were off the beaten path, and that pretty much fits the dining on vacation criteria. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The restaurant’s tag like is "Our story is one of East meets West" referring to the chefs, </span><a href="http://bunantwerp.be/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Hoa Truong & Huibrecht Berends</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. I spied </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Vietnam-Journey-Flavours-through/dp/9402601244/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479335428&sr=1-1&keywords=enchanted+by+vietnam" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">some books for sale</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the restaurant so there’s a larger story about the restaurant’s history and chefs that I would certainly love to explore if we had more time in Antwerp. The books are written by the chef of Bun’s sister restaurant, </span><a href="http://www.littleasia.be/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Little Asia in Brussels</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. To clarify, Hoa Truong’s sister is the owner of Little Asia, so they really are sister restaurants. At least what’s what I can piece together with the translations. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Since we arrived at the restaurant for lunch right at opening, we were able to snag some seats near a large window. However, do be warned that the restaurant is limited in seats so you may want to make reservations during busy hours. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We ordered a variety of dishes, and each one was distinctly unique and delightful in its own way. Let’s take a walk through the menu. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We started with the dog cockles, otherwise known as European Bittersweet clams served with Vietnamese flavors. These were refreshing, simple, and divine. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhdBGCDuRgJoI75pkdiVKkqA43nh0m9PL7fKXGCLVZiCOTs7FUJcFx5JAq5P2ObQavlvAprzltAtcbkgs5I994WDcBNFgFlJvg-1XHVOVk4UkKyD_9zj20Z1Q1KeyygERsRT9tgAGQ4TG/s1600/Photo+Oct+19%252C+5+38+31+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhdBGCDuRgJoI75pkdiVKkqA43nh0m9PL7fKXGCLVZiCOTs7FUJcFx5JAq5P2ObQavlvAprzltAtcbkgs5I994WDcBNFgFlJvg-1XHVOVk4UkKyD_9zj20Z1Q1KeyygERsRT9tgAGQ4TG/s400/Photo+Oct+19%252C+5+38+31+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And the next savory course was the ca kho which was spicy caramelized plaice fillet over white rice. This was one of the best rice and fish dishes I have ever had, and I have had many rice and fish dishes. The fish was sweet but not sugary. The texture was firm yet delicate. I would highly recommend this dish. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dessert was fermented sticky rice. It does not sound interesting, and it certainly did not look sexy. However, it was super tasty. Fermented sticky rice is made with the same yeast that is used to make sake. This tasted like a porridge spiked with fizzy sake, and it was very interesting. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And you know that a dish is really remarkable when you look up how to make it at home. I ordered some</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/HanHeng-Taste-Shanghai-Yeast-Balls/dp/B01DHHD3YM/ref=sr_1_cc_1_a_it?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1479337710&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=rice+yeast+balls" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> rice yeast balls from Amazon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in preparation for my next experiment. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MVw6HstymU8aCZDeBgXSnheKUh29f1MYKZjVaCbr8rKWpCS5T6-0sOhhcbWM8viS_a-QfGxhSSuaadpcK9sqSy01gVNDaP4WsTAbEB451IGETDGK5JlApOadMMwdH119JvzSZEoFz8I_/s1600/Photo+Oct+19%252C+6+33+41+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MVw6HstymU8aCZDeBgXSnheKUh29f1MYKZjVaCbr8rKWpCS5T6-0sOhhcbWM8viS_a-QfGxhSSuaadpcK9sqSy01gVNDaP4WsTAbEB451IGETDGK5JlApOadMMwdH119JvzSZEoFz8I_/s400/Photo+Oct+19%252C+6+33+41+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lastly, we were gifted with some ginger chocolate truffles to finish off our lunch. If I had an extra meal to spend in Belgium, I would ride over to Brussels and try the sister restaurant, Little Asia. </span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-44248376536255067652016-11-17T04:00:00.000-08:002016-11-17T04:00:13.161-08:00Tips on Getting Tickets to the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-65f77ab0-6e69-07d3-1bea-ce4049d0d469" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We must not forget what history has taught us. History has shown us that people can be cruel, unjust, and unrestrained in their destruction of people. While in </span><a href="http://www.iamsterdam.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Amsterdam</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, making a visit to the </span><a href="http://www.annefrank.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Anne Frank Museum</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is an absolute must to keep the lessons from history seared into our minds. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar-HPdgaqsxAysNtTw0emtT-W2EAiPqoKi00bhFtFDmAN2BLC8Vx4qSUe3tY7K1xA8nKWgPxwWJJ4nHjI-EffGQ_vOM94sI7_PNsac3LMwJ-N0akFhABXTQ-ZlJxOYPoAx0i4tyTRFJoO/s1600/Photo+Oct+24%252C+11+58+43+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar-HPdgaqsxAysNtTw0emtT-W2EAiPqoKi00bhFtFDmAN2BLC8Vx4qSUe3tY7K1xA8nKWgPxwWJJ4nHjI-EffGQ_vOM94sI7_PNsac3LMwJ-N0akFhABXTQ-ZlJxOYPoAx0i4tyTRFJoO/s400/Photo+Oct+24%252C+11+58+43+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The entrance to the Anne Frank Museum</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The museum is the house in which </span><a href="http://www.annefrank.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Anne Frank</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, her family, the Pels, and Fritz Pfeffer. Do note that photographs inside the museum are not allowed as respect for people connecting with the meaning of the house. Visiting the location where one of the greatest works of literature was written during the darkest hours of history is something that many others want to do. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You can purchase tickets to the Anne Frank House, but you should do it well in advance. There are </span><a href="https://webshopannefrank.recreatex.be/Exhibitions/Register?Shop=C925F506-D4DD-46AD-A9FE-279CFC77E610&id=99863601-1E62-4629-9F9B-90A8DC40058E&refresh=y&language=EN" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">regular admission tickets (9 euros)</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> to the museum, and there are </span><a href="https://webshopannefrank.recreatex.be/Exhibitions/Register?Shop=C925F506-D4DD-46AD-A9FE-279CFC77E610&id=09C54DAE-33E3-4465-AEF3-7C7CBEF6B887&refresh=y&language=EN" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">special tickets (14 euros) that include an introductory program with museum staff</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. The special tickets typically had much fewer time slots available. When I looked at tickets in October, the regular tickets were sold out for several weeks in advance as were the special program tickets. On occasion, a few tickets would become available on same day or a few days in advance. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH_GiuOVsKD-40cxCehNgf6aZuMk14aSACpHtKH_JiqKelU5cfmbaIYqiztQtfCzkwCCXdorsExXLXBui1POBjZ376-UYoSUeuI9UzH0OdliY8u80gtFurjFiavuBiWLRG9HZegNHyEd3/s1600/Photo+Oct+24%252C+10+26+55+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH_GiuOVsKD-40cxCehNgf6aZuMk14aSACpHtKH_JiqKelU5cfmbaIYqiztQtfCzkwCCXdorsExXLXBui1POBjZ376-UYoSUeuI9UzH0OdliY8u80gtFurjFiavuBiWLRG9HZegNHyEd3/s400/Photo+Oct+24%252C+10+26+55+AM.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div>
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Model of the house in the museum gift shop.<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My best guess about why this happens is because new tickets for existing time slots are uploaded into the schedule. My experience in trying to catch one of these newly added tickets is to check the website early in the morning Amsterdam time zone. My first day in Amsterdam, I found six regular tickets for same day. The other days I was in Amsterdam showed no tickets available, but I kept checking to see the website regularly to see if any there were any available tickets. And that’s how I discovered the addition of available tickets the same day or a few days in advance. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I wound up spotting available special tickets that worked well for our schedule, and I snagged them. It appears that the museum staff schedules are solidified a few days in advance so it is more likely that you’ll find the special program tickets being added, particularly if you notice there are days when special program tickets time slots are very limited. Staffing for that day is probably still being solidified, and thus, the higher chances that you’ll see available tickets and additional times closer to that date. Keep in mind that all is this is speculation on the operations end of how tickets are made available for purchase online. I could be really inaccurate, but hopefully this post will get you tickets anyways. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1JQ6iClEXsU_Az2jdZIfQNGlgL-hAapru0RENz34ISNJnZYteABNyeLMoic2bwecnXtI79Uq0uBrgx4KSW7Yl9AtapTMYEteN76TwzXreM953vnCqT5PqXti8ml9tsBmlt2CMr6mW__m/s1600/Photo+Oct+24%252C+11+59+35+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1JQ6iClEXsU_Az2jdZIfQNGlgL-hAapru0RENz34ISNJnZYteABNyeLMoic2bwecnXtI79Uq0uBrgx4KSW7Yl9AtapTMYEteN76TwzXreM953vnCqT5PqXti8ml9tsBmlt2CMr6mW__m/s400/Photo+Oct+24%252C+11+59+35+AM.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div>
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Front view of the museum.<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You might be asking if it is worth 5 euros to pay for the special program, and I would say that it is worth the additional and nominal cost. In the program, a museum staff member guides you through the story with details about the museum and family that you cannot get anywhere else. By the time you are ready to visit the museum, you are well-educated in the story so that the visit makes sense to you. Instead of trying to absorb new information, you are able to experience the museum and get a deeper understanding of the significance of the items and space. I would highly recommend getting tickets for the special program. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> This is the middle section of the line.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If you decide that you want to show up to buy tickets, do be prepared for an extremely long wait. Walk up tickets start being sold at 3:30pm, and the line is about two hours long just to buy ticket. After seeing the line at the Museum, I am very grateful that I spent time every morning looking for tickets. </span></div>
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PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-21665008402858681962016-11-11T04:00:00.000-08:002016-11-10T17:54:55.558-08:00Turkish Pizza, lahmacun, in Europe<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3db732a9-50db-efdc-d1e3-d18e1bb41eea" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You want </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/215594/lahmacun-turkish-pizza/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Turkish pizza</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. You really, really want Turkish pizza. We stumbled across this gem of a dish late at night while searching for a tasty bite in Amsterdam near the </span><a href="http://www.annefrank.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Anne Frank Museum</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/sefa-grill-shoarma-amsterdam" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Sefa Grill</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> had pretty good reviews on </span><a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/sefa-grill-shoarma-amsterdam" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Yelp </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g188590-d8440816-Reviews-Sefa_Grill_Shoarma-Amsterdam_North_Holland_Province.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">TripAdvisor</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, so we decided to give it a try. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It may not be the most photogenic dish, but it is a tasty one. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We ordered a pretty standard meat platter, and what we thought was a pizza. What came out was more of a wrap than a pizza, and it was absolutely delicious. The crispy and flakey wrap warmly hugged hot, juice doner meat and sauce. It was so good that I could have finished one in 90 seconds. I probably could have easily eaten 3 or 4. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The mixed grilled platter at Sefa. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You might be confused about why something that looks like a wrap is called a pizza. We had this dish a second time at a shop on the busiest shopping center in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiden" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Leiden</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, and we got a sneak peek at how they are made. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I took this photo from over the counter. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This dish does start out as a pizza cooked in a pan. The cooked crust is the dressed with sauce and toppings, and the entire thing is cooked in a pan. Then the entire thing is rolled up tightly into a delicious wrap. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This one had more traditional pizza toppings. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These pizzas are very affordable at just a few euros. You can always add more toppings for a more extravagant pizza. They were on the menu at shops every few blocks in Leiden, and they are also plentiful in </span><a href="http://www.iamsterdam.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Amsterdam</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Sometimes Turkish pizza is called </span><a href="http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Flat-Bread-with-Lamb-and-Tomatoes-lahmacun" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">lahmacun</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, though it is typically served flat instead of rolled. Enjoy!</span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-3702188645030103512016-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:002016-11-09T06:00:08.194-08:00Egyptian Kapsalon: Fries + Meat + Cheese<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-1c2b78d8-44dc-55a5-9c43-5de0d1c47dbb" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Growing up, chili cheese fries were a thing you ate a the Sonic on a Friday night after the high school football game. Piping hot fries covered with spicy chili and cheese out of a can were classic. It was the Texas version of fries + meat + cheese. Another famous take on meaty fries is the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">poutine</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, a Canadian dish of fries covered with cheese curds and gravy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The dressed up fries don’t stop there. </span><a href="http://www.chilantrobbq.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Chilantro </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">based in Austin, TX has their version which is covered in bibimbap meat, caramelized kimchi, cheddar + monterey jack, onions, cilantro, magic sauce, sesame seeds, and sriracha. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.salttraderscc.com/menu" id="docs-internal-guid-1c2b78d8-472e-cdbb-c322-034e965511c9" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Salt Traders</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in Round Rock has the chowder fries: fries covered in clam chowder, bacon, and leeks. </span>And the new </span><a href="http://www.soursopaustin.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Soursop Austin</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> has a version of crispy fries covered with rice cakes, five spice flank steak, rau ram, Thai basil, and pho gravy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These dishes aren't always the prettiest of dishes, but the taste makes up for that cosmetic short coming. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> There are a few other versions of fries + meat + cheese concoctions including the </span><a href="http://www.thesamlivecast.com/portfolio/carne-asada-fries" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">carne asada fries</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that are served in the San Diego area, </span><a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2016/05/09/unpacking-halal-snack-pack" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Halal snack pack</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in Australia, and the </span><a href="http://www.foodrepublic.com/2012/10/25/legendary-sandwich-the-mitraillette/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">mitraillette </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">in Belgium where it is served as a sandwich. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While in Maastricht, an American exchange student who recommended a version that he likes to have after a long night of studying. It was called the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapsalon" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">kapsalon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, which oddly means hairdresser in Dutch, at an eatery called </span><a href="http://www.isismaastricht.nl/menu#cat2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Isis Grill</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (as in the Egyptian God Isis). So one day, we took a short walk to the restaurant and ordered the kapsalon. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A large pile of fries was covered in lettuce, doner meat, garlic sauce, and melted cheese. It did certainly taste like what I’d have after a long night of studying. I’d recommend it at least once because fries are always good, and so it garlic sauce and cheese. </span></div>
PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-25499657689938923242016-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:002016-11-08T06:00:04.416-08:00Tips I learned in Europe<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-cf5f36b8-3c42-00e0-1502-8828cd5cf6a7" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You might have noticed that I took trip over to Europe, and it was incredible. I’m breaking up the vacation into a series of short but deliciously fun blog post. The trip started in Amsterdam with a run down to Brussels, Antwerp, Maastricht, Valkenburg, Vaals, Aachen, and then back up to Amsterdam with short jaunts over to Wageningen and Leiden. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This first post will be a combination of travel tips and what I learned while I was in Europe. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello, Wafels! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. People there use </span><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">TripAdvisor </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">much more than </span><a href="https://www.yelp.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Yelp</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Yelp has little to no presence. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These flower pots were a genius way to hang them on the side of the rail. Genius I say. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. When you are driving in Holland and Germany, you still drive on the right side of the road like you do in the United States. The driver’s side of the car is the same as in the United States as well. However, most of the roads are just wide enough for 1.5 cars and there is no dividing line. Everyone shares the road. You don’t get a lane. You just move over to let people get by and you pray that the other person is in sync with your driving intentions. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cappuccinos of Europe. They were all so consistently tasty! </span></div>
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There are some pretty neat ways to solve annoying problems. For
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This anti-door slamming device was at the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam. </span></div>
PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-73676271273006360722016-11-07T04:00:00.000-08:002016-11-06T17:07:54.800-08:00St. Elmo's Brewing and Soursop Austin Soft opening Nov. 8th<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMXjeXKgQA6/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Pouring the pho gravy over the Pho-Tine: fries, rice cake, flank steak from @soursop_austin #yum #media #atx @stelmobrewing</a></div>
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A photo posted by John M. P. Knox (@hopsafari) on <time datetime="2016-11-04T00:25:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 3, 2016 at 5:25pm PDT</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tasting good food is a joyful experience. Tasting good food with great beer can be a wonderful experience. Tasting really amazing food with great beer is kind of mind-blowing. That is what happened at the sneak preview of </span><a href="http://www.stelmobrewing.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">St. Elmo Brewing</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><a href="http://www.soursopaustin.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Soursop Austin</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. *Thank you to St. Elmo and Soursop for inviting us for a preview.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMXh1OUALrv/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Angus Dry Stout @stelmobrewing #beer #yum #media</a></div>
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A photo posted by John M. P. Knox (@hopsafari) on <time datetime="2016-11-04T00:11:08+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 3, 2016 at 5:11pm PDT</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">St. Elmo Brewing is a new brewery with alumini from </span><a href="http://austinbeerworks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Austin Beer Works</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, Bryan Winslow and Tim Bullock. Given </span><a href="http://spirits.blog.austin360.com/2014/10/05/texas-breweries-earn-a-whopping-16-gabf-medals/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Austin Beer Works’ impressive awards</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> right from the start, the dedication to producing great brews was obvious at the tasting. The beers served at the sneak preview were on point and balanced. We’ll circle back to those as we take a look at Soursop’s food samples. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I was not alone in my strong feelings about the food served that night. We’ve all eaten really good food. And we’ve all had some life changing food. Soursop was life changing. The chef, </span><a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Archive/search?Search=Teddy%20Bricker" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Teddy Bricker</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, has built a remarkable vitae with stints at </span><a href="https://www.lacondesa.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">La Condesa</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><a href="http://quiaustin.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Qui Austin</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. The layering of different flavor profiles and textures into familiar and approachable foods was just perfect. It was a great blend of off the hook delicious with classic beer pairing food. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMXoMhHhg1O/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Teddy, the brains behind @soursop_austin, serves us a *$@%!!!! Amazing #Thai #icecream bun: #coconut condensed milk, pandan milk jam, jackfruit lime #caramel, rice crisp on a Martin's roll. #austin #southeastasia #sneakpreview #media #dessert</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jennie Chen (@misohungry) on <time datetime="2016-11-04T01:06:44+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 3, 2016 at 6:06pm PDT</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The first dish I sampled with the kaeng pa curry which includes grilled and curried eggplant, chili crisps, kaffir lime, galengal, and young peppercorns. The vegetarian dish is a bit on the spicy side if you’re not a fan of the capsaicin sweats. It paired really well with kolsch to clean the palate. I also tend to like IPAs with spicy foods, and the American IPA would have held its own against the curry. Some people don’t enjoy that type of pairing as they feel like it can intensify the spice, but I kind of like it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The La Korenita sandwich and the Pho-tine were perfect with the American IPA as well. The La Korenita sandwich is a galbi-marinated pork and beef patty, kewpie-mojo, full sour pickles, melted Swiss, and topped with shoestring potatoes. It is no secret that I love burgers. I strongly believe in eating burgers and fries at least once a week as part of my patriotic duty. This sandwich holds one of the top three spots in my favorite burgers ever, and I have eaten many burgers. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMXmVc8hU3F/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The @soursop_austin food tonight is mind blowing amazing. These are the Ayan Goreng chicken wings. #austin #media #sneakpreview #asian #wings #southeastasia</a></div>
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A photo posted by Jennie Chen (@misohungry) on <time datetime="2016-11-04T00:50:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 3, 2016 at 5:50pm PDT</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The pho-tine is a play on the words to sound like poutine. This dish starts with a pile of fries, topped with 5 spice flank steak, ram ram, Thai basil, rice cake slices, and smothered with a pho gravy. The flavor of the gravy was aromatic with intense meaty goodness. I’m a fry fan. Get this dish. Have it with a beer. Thank Teddy later. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The ice cream sandwich of all ice cream sandwiches goes to the Thai ice cream bun. I list of components in this dessert was missing magic. There was some kind of fairy-dust-unicorn-magic in the ice cream sandwich. All my dopamine receptors were firing like a fourth of July parade. Maybe it was the coconut ice cream or the jackfruit caramel? Maybe it was the pandan milk jam? Something in there was magic. Pure magic. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.stelmobrewing.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">St. Elmo’s Brewing</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><a href="http://www.soursopaustin.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Soursop Austin</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> are a welcome addition to South Austin. Be there to experience the magic. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMXn-_UgkfA/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The future of ice cream sandwiches? Thai Ice Cream Bun. #yum #atx #media @soursop_austin @stelmobrewing</a></div>
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A photo posted by John M. P. Knox (@hopsafari) on <time datetime="2016-11-04T01:04:54+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 3, 2016 at 6:04pm PDT</time></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">St. Elmo’s and Soursop are a welcome addition to South Austin. Be there to experience the magic. </span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-19643766926187586672016-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:002016-10-14T06:00:05.343-07:00Tips in Decorating: Dulce De Leches is a Slippery SlideI don't make pretty. I just don't have the skills to make beautiful pastries and expertly crafted desserts. I mostly make stuff that tastes pretty yummy. You might notice that I have basic piping skills. I can handle decorating cupcakes as I can always cover the frosting with a cookie, rose petal, or some other topping to cover up my less than precise decor.<br />
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In this post, you'll see the not so pretty bordering on cakewreck material. I am okay admitting this mistake. <br />
<br />For a birthday of a dear friend, I decided to make a dulce de leche cheesecake sprinkled with smoked salt. On the morning prior to cheesecake delivery, I thought I'd go ahead and apply the dulce de leches and line the outside with some Bailey's Irish Cream whipped cream. The decorating went well, and I put the cheesecake back in the fridge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjarvoSIlYDZyYV4bBE1D7NuJKB6CQlfuLuFHA4_0KvF8C8Bn4NfP8JHlTScJZNpzzVgy6T46TIj2FgUTIbFPYQY9YkNhXOAKH7jJUT6WxGVbA2pbEJN0FmkvJRgRcXPOTLDR1NKp9Oam/s1600/IMG_6161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjarvoSIlYDZyYV4bBE1D7NuJKB6CQlfuLuFHA4_0KvF8C8Bn4NfP8JHlTScJZNpzzVgy6T46TIj2FgUTIbFPYQY9YkNhXOAKH7jJUT6WxGVbA2pbEJN0FmkvJRgRcXPOTLDR1NKp9Oam/s640/IMG_6161.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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An hour later, I found a horrifying photo. The whipped cream decided to take a ride down the side of the dulce de leches and descend to the bottom of the cheesecake.I tried careful transplanting them back to the top of the cake, but I was unsuccessful in fixing the sweet dulce de leches slide.<br />
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So I did the only thing there was left to do, just put whipped cream around the entire cake. It wasn't as elegant as I desired, but at least it was somewhat presentable.<br />
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Lesson: don't put whipped cream on dulce de leches. Instead, make a ring of whipped cream on the cake first, and then fill in the pool with dulce de leches.<br />
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<br />PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-29919450798871596552016-09-19T05:00:00.000-07:002016-09-19T05:00:12.611-07:00Pho Thaison's Banh Mi - An Austin Hidden Gem<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-f8d0c049-3fc5-241a-5027-9e9676646af0" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We've been hearing it for years. "There's no good ______ food in Austin." Austin is all growing bigger, and with the growth, comes opportunity for growing a market for new types of food. For the near and possibly distant future, I'll start bringing you posts on these hidden gems in Austin. Some of them have been around for a while, and some are pretty new. All will offer menus from another country or region that you might be missing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Very few of these places have marketing programs nor do they focus on an upscale dining experience. The vast majority of the places that I’ll introduce to you are family run with an emphasis on bringing you cuisine that they consider comfort food. Do keep that in mind when visiting these restaurants less talked about. The owners are welcoming you into their home to show you foods that show off their culture and their history. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Additionally, this sparks a conversation that Austin. Growing bigger and developing into a bigger city means being more aware and educated about diversity. Austin does not yet have cultural districts of town like Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York City. And that lack makes it really difficult to be exposed to different cultures, foods, and traditions. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">However, before jumping headfirst into learning about the other cultures and their foods, taking a step back to understand the challenges. By now you should have hear about the </span><a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-you-should-eating-pho" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Pho debacle caused by Bon Appetite</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/09/13/493322073/dont-call-it-the-new-ramen-why-pho-is-central-to-vietnamese-identity?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">This is one of the best responses</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> to the issue I have read, and it brings up many of the issues that is in the following links. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/the-future-is-expensive-chinese-food/491015/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/the-future-is-expensive-chinese-food/491015/</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://firstwefeast.com/eat/2013/01/20-things-everyone-thinks-about-the-food-world-but-nobody-will-say/29176" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://firstwefeast.com/eat/2013/01/20-things-everyone-thinks-about-the-food-world-but-nobody-will-say/29176</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/11-asian-american-chefs-you-need-to-know/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/11-asian-american-chefs-you-need-to-know/</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/08/31/childhood-friends-called-my-food-chinese-grossness-how-did-it-become-americas-hottest-food-trend/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/08/31/childhood-friends-called-my-food-chinese-grossness-how-did-it-become-americas-hottest-food-trend/</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://civileats.com/2016/03/31/beyond-talk-the-search-for-real-solutions-in-the-conversation-about-food-and-cultural-appropriation/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://civileats.com/2016/03/31/beyond-talk-the-search-for-real-solutions-in-the-conversation-about-food-and-cultural-appropriation/</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/11/foodie-without-appropriation/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/11/foodie-without-appropriation/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The first one on my list of hidden gems is Pho Thaison, which has several locations in Austin. My favorite location is the William Cannon and Brodie locations that started serving banh mi’s about two years ago. I am a self-proclaimed banh mi connoisseur having eaten banh mi’s all over the world. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The pork lemongrass banh mi with fried egg roll is one of my favorite dishes. It is my go to dish when I need something fast, satisfying, and to be out of the house. The pork is coming out tender and juicy, and the bread is crusty on the outside, soft and fluffy on the insight. My other favorite dish at Pho Thaison is the pho number 1. It is perfect comfort food on a cold day, rainy day, or just every single day. </span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There you have it. Hidden gem pho and banh mi in South Austin, TX. </span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-47967002518115326332016-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:002016-11-17T08:59:03.489-08:00What Thomas Keller can Teach Austin Restaurants<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-ab6aa9fd-2181-8bf5-94d8-be0284f1ce03" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When I first start an activity, hobby or professional, I look for a mentor. If I started an activity where I might have to create food for other people, there is no doubt that I would look directly at Thomas Keller. If you’ve read anything about him, he is a tremendous person who can build tremendous chefs. Even when Per Se’s disappointing review was posted, Thomas Keller’s earnest reaction was telling of his character. He acknowledged that the feedback of the review, acknowledged mistakes, and declared that they would improve. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMNeVqkQ5kv7M6PsRdNxTOsGdPeMRgeF5yNacuEBuZI0mnxMZR_5QnOe0FnXDji9NXr9W3pj68EOUgmdvMWKRrqQVJ4k9MS6dd6MOzMPwVaOfLPxm7K7Re2jvstnENVGjP4mOLSCaypvJ/s1600/bouchon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMNeVqkQ5kv7M6PsRdNxTOsGdPeMRgeF5yNacuEBuZI0mnxMZR_5QnOe0FnXDji9NXr9W3pj68EOUgmdvMWKRrqQVJ4k9MS6dd6MOzMPwVaOfLPxm7K7Re2jvstnENVGjP4mOLSCaypvJ/s640/bouchon.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
Thomas Keller's <a href="http://www.venetian.com/restaurants/french/bouchon.html" target="_blank">Bouchon in Las Vegas</a><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That is how one gets better. They don’t invalidate the opinions of others. Instead, they absorb the feedback with open eyes. They don’t pretend it didn’t happen. Thomas Keller wrote an open letter to address it. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here’s a few links to article detailing the Per Se’s </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/13/dining/pete-wells-per-se-review.html?_r=0" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">brush the the New York Times</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Thomas Keller </span><a href="http://www.thomaskeller.com/messagetoourguests" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">responds with a letter</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> posted on his website and a more </span><a href="http://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a7685/thomas-keller-per-se-new-york-times-review/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">recent recounting of what has happened since</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. I also happen to love this article on </span><a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/15-lessons-20-years-french-laundry" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">lessons learned while working with Thomas Keller</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><a href="http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/10-takeaways-from-our-webcast-with-chef-thomas-keller-plus-answers-to-your-questions/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">cooking tips from Thomas Keller</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As Austin’s food scene grows, there’s going to be some inevitable growing pains. I experienced one about a month ago, and the reaction of the restaurant was one that needed guidance from a mentor. I left that experience feeling like situation was handled in such a way that it went from bad to worse to infuriating to getting a shout out on my blog. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-ab6aa9fd-2327-889b-c94b-617f0bd564a2" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Long story short, I ordered a meal for two via an online ordering service for pick up. When I arrived, I could hear the staff in the background making comments that certainly made it seem like they weren’t the most passionate about their work. The meal was a letdown to say the least. Though the my dish was rich was fat, it was devoid of flavor. The rest of the items were disappointing leaving only the salad that wasn’t offensively bland. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> When I was finally able to return to the restaurant, the manager’s response was largely of denial, but clearly their Yelp reviews shows that they have really bad days with a bimodal split. I also have friends who love the restaurant on good days, but they do recognize that it has bad days too. They actually call it the *restaurant name* lottery - are you going to hit the jackpot or get a bad day? They’ve even had the same dish at the same table come out drastically different with one being outstanding and the other being barely edible. Everyone has a bad day, and it seems like acknowledging and fixing the inconsistency would be the ideal plan of action. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My refund was also not without tension. The restaurant and the online ordering service pointed the finger at each other claiming that the other needed to issue the refund. I left the store and was already home when the restaurant insisted that I return to get a cash refund or else take store credit on my next order. It was a 30 minute round trip drive given the flash floods, so I declined returning to the store to leave the restaurant and online service to hash it out some more. I was finally promised a refund back to my credit card. This was nearly two hours after I had arrived at the store, and I’m glad I didn’t waste that time waiting for them to find a solution. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>The theme of this post is to be more like Thomas Keller</b>. My situation could have easily been solved with a refund that would take just a few minutes if not seconds to perform. But that didn't happen. </span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-58893297655276272272016-05-09T07:00:00.000-07:002016-05-09T07:00:10.000-07:00Add Oasthouse and District Austin to Your List<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrOjbqDGo_2L-uF4NRgrHGKYmNqoh0ltxr4I6DFa3J48u5iiEVKDrPdJHVPCleQ_-BaXjvAtXjzMY-zj5-adRzUVb9D70l_UUmLdoxELFZFoYyDCw0qVDP_lxFE8zRZt5dCoCaJL9dZ7n/s1600/Photo+Apr+27%252C+6+33+13+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrOjbqDGo_2L-uF4NRgrHGKYmNqoh0ltxr4I6DFa3J48u5iiEVKDrPdJHVPCleQ_-BaXjvAtXjzMY-zj5-adRzUVb9D70l_UUmLdoxELFZFoYyDCw0qVDP_lxFE8zRZt5dCoCaJL9dZ7n/s320/Photo+Apr+27%252C+6+33+13+PM.jpg" width="308" /></a>*I attended the <a href="http://oasthouseaustin.com/menu/" target="_blank">Oasthouse</a> Crawfish boil and blogger happy hour as a guest. I've been to District Kitchen and Cocktails on my own.<br />
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Austin is growing like the hackberry tree in my yard, but the proliferation of chef owned restaurants outside of central Austin is slow to come. There's a few eateries a little drive away like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Pieous/" target="_blank">Pieous</a>,<a href="http://stanleysfarmhousepizza.com/" target="_blank"> Stanley's Farmhouse Pizza</a>, <a href="http://jackallenskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Jack Allen's</a> at the Y, <a href="http://via313.com/" target="_blank">Via 313</a> at the Y, and <a href="http://www.apisrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Api</a>'s. So check those out if you're looking for a bit of a drive.<br />
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However, if you live in way South or in Lakeway, Chef Amir Hajimaleki has opened two restaurants that deserve a visit and a nod.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xTWYyf8u-FNhFtliddQNpJMeT6y9bXq5E17Z3VrYTYqCkyCdmaw9XdBRmQlqt8Wf5riF6UsAB2-6iuyxkMXKWeLYE9wQjDgltMTok0EOoMp6sZxrqdoA5v7fHyO8jLI-ZRyOzJHz-ZYu/s1600/Photo+Apr+27%252C+6+36+27+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xTWYyf8u-FNhFtliddQNpJMeT6y9bXq5E17Z3VrYTYqCkyCdmaw9XdBRmQlqt8Wf5riF6UsAB2-6iuyxkMXKWeLYE9wQjDgltMTok0EOoMp6sZxrqdoA5v7fHyO8jLI-ZRyOzJHz-ZYu/s320/Photo+Apr+27%252C+6+36+27+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://districtaustin.com/" target="_blank">District Kitchen and Cocktail,</a> located in Circle C, opened in 2013, and it is a hidden gem. It is the most nominated meetup location among friends who live in South Austin. The happy hour menu there boasts an array of snacks and cocktails that will please the most diverse group of diners. That's a key advantage to both of Chef Amir's restaurant that you don't always find - a restaurant that has food that will make everyone happy and an atmosphere that is flexible enough for casual meals or even a business meeting.<br />
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My recommendations for District are the Persian Princess cocktail, lamb kabobs, and hog wings. Sit on the patio on a cool evening, and be glad that you're not battling Austin traffic to get somewhere downtown.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx6gcxkTv38v3-iDM_ocSBXV2mG4EMsZGHRcQ_kgjKqtK-gv7_TwL546fhOFdFMCNkq2JDuhvSW8UjGntr4_KHg33PkjuwVoP2fL0VKrh6DocUKg5zzzVwHlm5AJC2klhRTdsaYQRoeXN/s1600/Photo+Apr+27%252C+6+33+36+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx6gcxkTv38v3-iDM_ocSBXV2mG4EMsZGHRcQ_kgjKqtK-gv7_TwL546fhOFdFMCNkq2JDuhvSW8UjGntr4_KHg33PkjuwVoP2fL0VKrh6DocUKg5zzzVwHlm5AJC2klhRTdsaYQRoeXN/s320/Photo+Apr+27%252C+6+33+36+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://oasthouseaustin.com/menu/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1VBnRIFRUWWK4fo_TCRIEn2gtbJTdqEO3jg7L9lVI3IW8I9SQfOTAI_eJ0LBxyge9K8F3smK9PH4SBBIiqjDglNFrANaNTECRj-5SHFDjCff1ULQ-gXb5NDXs_wb2OyuPkIYD56ErCPp/s200/Photo+Apr+27%252C+7+07+55+PM.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://oasthouseaustin.com/menu/" target="_blank">Oasthouse</a>, located in Lakeway, has a menu with approachable roots yet sophisticated execution. They have a waygu beef burger topped with Guinness cheddar, brown ale bacon, and bourbon mustardo. The truffled waygu flatbread there is also something that is familiar, yet upscale enough for a client meeting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm27c1znwreA1BZpdzldbdoMtSW4sFRA4i9VS6puKxwAqvflzC_tRKDWY1nyS-NO9SXuyfxdpq7Bdh3DFkPe00WU6ISKW_kT5O3o1gpfu8jl2iKja8TzK8of2g6f0I9lIZ3qKSI18FVfC0/s1600/Photo+Apr+09%252C+1+18+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm27c1znwreA1BZpdzldbdoMtSW4sFRA4i9VS6puKxwAqvflzC_tRKDWY1nyS-NO9SXuyfxdpq7Bdh3DFkPe00WU6ISKW_kT5O3o1gpfu8jl2iKja8TzK8of2g6f0I9lIZ3qKSI18FVfC0/s320/Photo+Apr+09%252C+1+18+54+PM.jpg" width="277" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FFxu0OxaF_rE3UA6epAdsZOtTgFuU5dUd6gEAlC8clolIVjOpw43sBblinaHWCla18deUjz8bj_NPCnnZDW7ifnpVAvb4DRL7EBlbpfer25Uk57kT6rQ7AUuA0nNOw9tP4JaQPndOmdl/s1600/Photo+Apr+09%252C+12+36+13+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FFxu0OxaF_rE3UA6epAdsZOtTgFuU5dUd6gEAlC8clolIVjOpw43sBblinaHWCla18deUjz8bj_NPCnnZDW7ifnpVAvb4DRL7EBlbpfer25Uk57kT6rQ7AUuA0nNOw9tP4JaQPndOmdl/s320/Photo+Apr+09%252C+12+36+13+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a>In addition to their usual fair, Chef Amir brought back some of his Louisiana lifestyle with him. This year, Oasthouse hosted a crawfish boil. Be smart. Bring gloves for easy clean up. If you eat like me, bring an apron and some goggles too. The crawfish boil was $20 for 2 lbs of crawfish, sausage, corn, potatoes, and an Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager. If the rumor that they will be hosting another boil is accurate, the chances of finding me there are pretty high.<br />
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*Both District and Oasthouse are dog friendly on the patio. Friendly and leashed dogs welcome. <br />
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<br />PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-86864458357504588462016-03-21T09:54:00.000-07:002016-03-21T09:54:19.370-07:00New Finds in Houston: Moroccan Scrub at Hamman Spa and the Best Hummus EverI'm a Houston frequently flyer, and I want to share two new discoveries. My typical Houston stomping ground is on Bellarie where I can happily stuff my face with authentic Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese fare.<br />
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This time around I decided to try a Moroccan spa at <a href="http://www.thehammamspa.com/" target="_blank">Hammam Spa</a> on Westheimer. I was looking to try something new, and learning about spa rituals from other cultures is something one can't find in Austin. The Hammam treatment is something that is done on a weekly basis in Morocco. There are large bath houses where you would go to do your own scrubbing or you could pay someone a fee for scrubbing you.<br />
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At the Hammam Spa in Houston, it is more of a private spa experience. It starts with being covered in olive oil soap which makes you smell like the olive bar at Whole Foods. Then the dead skin is scrubbed off your body. There will be plenty of skin sloughing off. I'm pretty sure I lost of a few pounds of that way. After that you shower off, and you're covered with a rich lotion. I haven't had a scrub that effective in removing extra skin cells before, and I would certainly do it again.<br />
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There's only four hammam spas in the United States - Houston, Vegas, New York, and somewhere in Virginia. This one is independently owned so you can feel good about helping other people achieve their dreams while you exfoliate your stress away.<br />
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My second find in Houston does not come with a pretty photo. I stopped by Kasra Persian also located on Westheimer to find that their hummus is amazing. My first visit included a lamb shank, rice, and hummus. It had the fast punch of raw garlic and an amazingly creamy smooth texture. It was not as thick as most hummus, but it was definitely the best I've ever had.<br />
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I tried recreating it at home, and I this is my version. It is super garlicky and much thinner than most. I can't stop eating it. If you eat it, there is no doubt that you'll be killing vampires for days to follow.<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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<ul>
<li>1 can of chick peas, drained</li>
<li>5-8 large cloves of raw garlic, peeled </li>
<li>At least 1/2 cup of tahini sauce</li>
<li>At least 1/2 cup of really peppery olive oil </li>
<li>juice of 6 lemons</li>
<li>salt to taste</li>
</ul>
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Blend this up in a food processor until smooth. Keep adding more olive oil until it is a smooth and creamy. It should be the texture of a thick sauce.<br />
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*I know the garlic seems like too much. You can dial it back, but you won't be protected from vampires.<br />
*I added 1/2 a bulb of garlic, and it was fantastic.<br />
*The tartness of the lemon will be tempered with the tahini and the olive oil. PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-78753993939680977352015-12-22T09:06:00.001-08:002015-12-22T09:43:07.254-08:00Have Yourself a Brooklyn Little ChristmasFor a joyful holiday, this year, consider having yourself a
<a href="http://brooklynbrewerymash.com/austin/secret-supper-with-dinner-lab">Brooklyn little
Christmas</a>. Brooklyn Brewery needs no introduction to those who have been
around the block in the beer world. For those who aren't as familiar with
Brooklyn, they are one of the old guard. They were there early days of modern
craft beer, they are the foundational contributor to the current state of craft
beer, and they know how to have a good time.<br />
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Representatives from Brooklyn Brewery have been visiting the fair city of
Austin for years doing
<a href="http://misohungrynow.blogspot.com/2009/10/brooklyn-beer-dinner-with-garrett.html">dinners at the Alamo Drafthouse</a>,
<a href="http://misohungrynow.blogspot.com/2015/05/beer-cheese-and-garrett-oliver-photo.html">cheese and beer at the Draughthouse</a>,
<a href="http://misohungrynow.blogspot.com/2009/12/brooklyn-brewery-meets-olivia-dinner-to.html">dinner at Olivia</a>, and now the
<a href="http://brooklynbrewerymash.com/austin/secret-supper-with-dinner-lab">Brooklyn Mash Series of events. </a><br />
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A big thanks to Brooklyn for having at their Austin Mash this year! <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%206.jpg" height="710" width="800" /><br />
Torrent and his Brooklyn Bombers!<br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%201.jpg" height="642" width="800" /><br />
Well, well, Merry Christmas to me!<br />
This year's Brooklyn Mash offered an array of fun events featuring some of the
beer industries' finest. John Holl from All About Beer magazine, Steve
Hindy, Co-Founder of Brooklyn Brewery, and Brooklyn Brewery Chef Andrew Gerson
were a few out of towners who hosted the series of events. Let's take a photo
tour of the Brooklyn Mash events. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%202.jpg" height="1000" width="800" /><br />
One of the events I attended was the Dinner Lab collaboration held at Vintage
Innovation. We were served a lovely scallop crudo with cucumber, charred
pineapple, and spicy herb jus.<br />
with <a href="http://brooklynbrewery.com/brooklyn-beers/bqe/wild-streak">Wild
Streak</a>. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%203.jpg" height="563" width="800" />\<br />
A big thanks to Choula for sponsoring some pairings. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%204.jpg" height="657" width="750" /><br />
Here's a beautiful view of the Sorachi Ace. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%208.jpg" height="605" width="454" /><br />
Roasted squash medley with butternut squash emulsion, alpine cheese fonduta,
and candied pepitas.<br />
with Galahad- strong Belgian-style golden ale aged on cider lees.<br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%209.jpg" height="605" width="454" /><br />
Venison tartare with rye bread, Jerusalem artichoke puree and syrup,
and Cholula-pickled shallots.<br />
with
<a href="http://brooklynbrewery.com/brooklyn-beers/perennial-brews/brooklyn-sorachi-ace">
Sorachi Ace</a><br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%2010.jpg" height="605" width="426" /><br />
Apples with cinnamon cream, apple butter, and semolina spiced crumble.<br />
with <a href="http://brooklynbrewery.com/brooklyn-beers/bqe/intensified-coffee-porter">Intensified
Coffee Porter</a><br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%205.jpg" height="594" width="800" /><br />
At the three headed beast, the pigs wanted to join in the fun as well. I can't
get over these smiles. Chef Zack Northcutt, Swift's Attic, probably had the same
expression cooking them. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015%207.jpg" height="922" width="1024" /><br />
The lovely ladies of Brooklyn Brewery meet Torrent, 10 weeks old at the time.
That dog is going to have a cultured palate at this rate. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Brooklyn%20Brewery%20Austin%20Mash%202015.jpg" height="632" width="800" /><br />
While Brooklyn Mash in Austin wasn't held around the holidays, the knowledge of
the beer industry and the experience of fine foods and beers is something that
can be enjoyed year round. However, it isn't too late to have a little Brooklyn
Christmas. The Local 1 and 2 are some of my go-to beers for parties and
gifts, and you can pick up a few of their other beers. How about pairing the
coffee with a dark chocolate pumpkin cake or Sorachi Ace with some pan fried
scallops? That's a holiday worthy meal! PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-83764729699172564742015-11-02T07:00:00.000-08:002015-11-02T07:00:00.700-08:00Update your Texas Wine Education<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Whatever you thought about Texas wine, let’s update those thoughts. I recently
went on a media trip out to Spicewood Vineyards where I got to see some familiar
faces and meet some new ones too. </span>
<a href="https://spicewoodvineyards.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Spicewood Vineyards</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
</span><a href="http://www.fcv.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Fall Creek Vineyards</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
</span><a href="https://stonehousevineyard.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Stone House Vineyards</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
and </span><a href="http://inwoodwines.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Inwood Estates Vineyards</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
treated us to a beautiful fall evening of wine, bites, and education with
friends. </span></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<img border="0" height="749" src="http://romanreign.com/Texas%20Wine%202015%20The%20Sip%201.jpg" width="600" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Welcome to the fine world of Texas Wine. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
After arriving at a beautiful swath of Texas Hill Country, we enjoyed some wine
straight from the barrel to bid farewell to the sun. Our wine tasting and
education started with and introduction to the history of wine in </span>
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/07/07/business/a-nation-of-wineries.html?ref=multimedia&_r=0" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Texas and the nation</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.
Over the last 20 years, technology in irrigation, advancement in industry
knowledge, and the influx of seasoned winemaker in Texas moving Texas wines
forward. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<img border="0" height="800" src="http://romanreign.com/Texas%20Wine%202015%20The%20Sip%203.jpg" width="600" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Ron Yates gives us a short lesson on growing grapes. <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
One of the big themes of the evening was quality over quantity. This is not a
new concept as this phrase is repeated in many industries that pride themselves
on pouring their passion into their products. However, the importance of quality
over quantity isn’t pervasive across all parts of the the Texas wine industry
yet, particularly in the consumers. The more phenolic concentration in the
grapes, the lower the yield, and the higher the price for a great bottle.
However, that wine is going to be an exemplar of quality over quantity. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<img border="0" height="800" src="http://romanreign.com/Texas%20Wine%202015%20The%20Sip%202.jpg" width="600" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Susan Auler pouring some sips. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Dan Gatlin feels so strongly about quality over quantity, that he offers an
superflight experience at Inwood Estates. During the 2011 drought, Dan
sacrificed allowed only 0.29 tons of grapes per acre to develop (9% of typical
yield). This produced a harvest that was exceptionally high in concentration and
phenolic development which produced a premium quality wine. For just $45 per
person, you can taste a</span><a href="http://inwoodwines.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Inwood-estates-Vineyards-presents-the-next-level-of-texas-wine.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
flight of these wines</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
against their Spanish counterparts, Numanthia, from side by side.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<img border="0" height="510" src="http://romanreign.com/Texas%20Wine%202015%20The%20Sip.jpg" width="800" /></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
A big thank you to Susan Auler and Sergio Cuadra of </span>
<a href="http://www.fcv.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Fall Creek Vineyards</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
Dan Gatlin of </span>
<a href="http://inwoodwines.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Inwood Estates Vineyards</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
Ron Yates of </span>
<a href="https://spicewoodvineyards.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Spicewood Vineyards</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
and Gina Ross of </span>
<a href="https://stonehousevineyard.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Stonehouse Vineyard</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">!
It was a great way to to further my Texas wine education. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://romanreign.com/Texas%20Wine%202015%20The%20Sip%204.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is baby Syrah. Oh, you're so young and cute!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="800" src="http://romanreign.com/Texas%20Wine%202015%20The%20Sip%205.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Barrels of wine are much more fun than a barrel of monkeys!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="730" src="http://romanreign.com/Texas%20Wine%202015%20The%20Sip%206.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sergio pouring some tastes in the cellar. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="799" src="http://romanreign.com/Texas%20Wine%202015%20The%20Sip%207.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the vineyard mascot. </span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-24223956871165309862015-10-26T06:00:00.000-07:002016-05-08T13:51:51.383-07:00Treaty Oak Ranch: Open for Food, Fun, and Cocktails<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Disclaimer: I have enjoyed </span>
<a href="http://treatyoakdistilling.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Treaty Oak</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
products since they were established in a variety of settings. This post is
based after an enjoyable media preview of Treaty Oak Ranch. </span>
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Treaty%20Oak%20Ranch%202015%202.jpg" height="800" width="600" /><br />
Pretty in Pink is pretty tasty. Look for some highly inventive cocktails with
housemade ingredients. This is the Madagascar Libre made withTreaty Oak rum,
Moody’s vanilla bean soda, lime juice, and Angostura bitters.<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Treaty Oak has opened their ranch, and everyone in Dripping Springs can rejoice.
While there have been several “adult” venues opening up on west of Austin, the
ranch is a one stop shop for outdoor games, delicious bites, and inventive
cocktails. Did I mention there’s a distillery on the ranch? </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Treaty%20Oak%20Ranch%202015%205.jpg" height="621" width="600" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
My only
disappointment was that Matt Moody did not do this shirtless like it is done in
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/japan-macho-cafe_55dfa9bbe4b0aec9f352c8b3">
Japan</a>. Shaved ice + cocktails +Texas Summer = #winning. </div>
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Treaty%20Oak%20Ranch%202015%203.jpg" height="799" width="600" />
The tacos did not disappoint. Duck confit anyone?<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Let’s be Frank, the adjective and not Underwood. you’re reading this and
wondering what to eat and drink way out there. During our preview, we were
presented with a variety of tacos made on site. These are not your traditional
tacos, rather they are thoughtfully created tacos that are still approachable by
those who aren’t quite ready to deviate from the norm. In addition to tacos,
cocktails, and shaved ice deliciousness, we were also treated to booze infused
housemade s'mores. The restaurant isn’t open yet, so we’ll save that for another
day. </span></div>
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Treaty%20Oak%20Ranch%202015%206.jpg" height="705" width="600" />
Roasting boozy marshmallows on a beautiful Texas evening is hard to beat. <br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Though still in the building process, the Treaty Oak Ranch is going to be a
destination for outdoor fun with great food and drinks. They are currently open
on weekends. Please check the website as hours may change. </span></div>
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Treaty%20Oak%20Ranch%202015.jpg" height="709" width="600" /><br />
Here's a peak at the appetizers served. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Treaty%20Oak%20Ranch%202015%201.jpg" height="799" width="600" /><br />
And tacos. More tacos. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Treaty%20Oak%20Ranch%202015%204.jpg" height="800" width="600" /><br />
And open top fermenters to round it out. PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-73083322779986964982015-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-19T07:00:01.452-07:00Celebrate 10 Years of Buenos Aires Cafe with a Gran Asado<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's another look back</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> at an Austin favorite. </span>
<a href="http://www.buenosairescafe.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Buenos Aires Cafe</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
has wined and dined Austinites for the last decade with fervor. Today, there are
two locations: at the Galleria in Bee Caves and on East 6th Street. You’ll find
the classic dishes of Argentina, and with the cold weather rolling in, I’m going
to suggest the shepherds pie, Pastel de papas, on the menu. I had it on many
cold nights with great pleasure. However, if you’re going to pop in for a quick
lunch, please do try the Lomito beef. It is hands down one of my favorite
sandwiches in central Texas. The meat is so perfectly done that all your vegan
friends will go home and cry their little eyes out. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="668" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%205.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Buenos Aires Gran Asado Grilled Meats: Morcilla, Chorizo,
Mollejas, and tenderloin. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
A few weeks ago, I attended a dinner to kick off the anniversary celebration. My
take aways from that dinner was that the cocktail menu is something that
deserves a second, third, and fourth look. I haven’t had many opportunities to
enjoy the cocktails as my visits to the Bee Caves location are typically
lunches. But make it a point to try the cocktails, even at lunch. Oh my
goodness, they are delicious. A big thank you to Buenos Aires Cafe for inviting
me out for a great anniversary celebration! </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<img border="0" height="800" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%202.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A traditional
drink of Fernet and coke. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="755" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mother and
Daughter </span>
<a href="http://www.buenosairescafe.com/chefs" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Chef Reina Morris</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
and </span>
<a href="https://www.tastemade.com/@laflaca" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Paola MG Smith</span></a><span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline;">
</span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline;">
share their passion with us<span style="color: #1155cc;">. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Over the next few months, there will be some fun events to keep the celebration
going. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Tour del Vino Argentino, Nov.2, 2015</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
at Cafe Este with Amy Stowers, their amazing beverage director. She knows her
way around wine and cocktails. You won’t be disappointed. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Empanada Class, Nov. 3</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
at Cafe Galleria with </span>
<a href="http://www.buenosairescafe.com/chefs" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Chef Reina Morris</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
and </span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Nov. 10 at Cafe Este </span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
with </span>
<a href="https://www.tastemade.com/@laflaca" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Paola MG Smith</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.
We got a sneak peek at this during our Gran Asado afternoon, and it is something
you’ll want to catch if you’re a empanada fan. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Fernets & Amaros, Nov. 4th, 2015</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
at Cafe Este with Ryan Smith. Relax and unwind with Ryan Smith as he explains
and samples you on Argentina’s most beloved fernets & amaros. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
I</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ts
Gnocchi Time, Nov. 5th, 2015</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
with Chef Reina Morris. Learn how to make our traditional potato gnocchi. To be
enjoyed with our traditional marinara sauce and wine.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Gran Asado, Dec. 6th, 2015</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.
This is the grand daddy of all events, and because there is limited seating, you
might want to jump on it. I’ll have some photos of my experience of a
traditional outdoor asado at Chef Reina’s property. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
A big thanks again to Buenos Aires Cafe for inviting me to celebrate your 10th
Anniversary!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="655" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%201.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Our Gran Asado
started with olives and cheese. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="600" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%203.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And then we had a
hands on empanada class. You get to see the lovely
</span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f699b0da-5eab-d0d1-fb42-3e018e5c1f56" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
@</span><a href="http://frommaggiesfarm.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">FromMaggiesFarm</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
@</span><a href="https://instagram.com/broylesa/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">BroylesA</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
@</span><a href="http://linda.curious-notions.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">CuriousNotions</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
@</span><a href="http://www.windaddict.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">WindAddict</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
@</span><a href="https://instagram.com/sfclocal/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">SFCLocal</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
and</span><a href="http://www.buenosairescafe.com/chefs" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Chef Reina Morris</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> <img border="0" height="658" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%204.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">That's just enough
empanadas for me. All for me. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="495" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%206.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One can never get
enough photos of meat. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="632" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%207.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The grilled onion
was perfect with the meats. It was smoky and sweet. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="658" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%208.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Who can say no to
this Gran Asado? On Dec. 6th, this could be all yours!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="669" src="http://romanreign.com/Buenos%20Aires%2010%20year%2010.jpg" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And lastly,
alfajor de maicena: corn starch cookie filled with dulce de leche & rolled in
coconut flakes. I only ate about four of these. About four, which could have
been about fourteen. These delicate cookies are heavenly. </span></div>
PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-31239691846968088082015-10-13T07:00:00.000-07:002015-10-13T07:00:00.049-07:00Emmer and Rye Brings Passion and Freshly Milled Flours to Rainey Street<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nested in the </span>
<a href="http://www.simpsonpropertygroup.com/apartments/austin-texas/skyhouse-austin-rainey-street-downtown" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Sky House building on Rainey Street</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
</span>
<a href="https://instagram.com/emmerandrye/?hl=en" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Emmer and Rye</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
is poised to be a new restaurant darling. "How can you say that before they
open?" you might ask. I'll respond with a several qualitative data points
gathered from a preview tasting. </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="476" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%2010.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">These guys are going to rock it. <br />
</span><br />
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">They boast an all-star team. With </span></span>
<a href="https://instagram.com/emmerandrye/?hl=en" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kevin Fink</span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
</span></span>
<a href="https://twitter.com/pagepressley" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Page Pressley</span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
and </span></span>
<a href="http://websta.me/n/tavel19" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tavel Bristol-Joseph</span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
impressive culinary pedigree, you better believe these chefs are going to
bring something beautiful to the table. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The team's passion is incredible. One of my favorite quotes
from Chef Kevin is, "If I ever lost the ability to learn everyday, it would
be the greatest travesty." Those are words you want every leader to be saying. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Grinding grains from scratch. Not with bare hands, but with a
fancy marvel of German engineering. I can't do justice on describing the
different grains, techniques, and nuances of making your own flours. That
task is best served by the Chefs themselves, but I have tasted the fruits of
their labor. A restaurant that goes back to the basic, and I mean that far
basic, is building a foundation on quality ingredients. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Kevin Fink's Wife, Alicynn. Holy Cow. This woman's resume
reads like a </span></span>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Michelin Star</span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
and the way Chef Kevin introduced his wife makes you shed a tear. It
couldn't be more blatantly obvious that their hearts and souls are in this
endeavor. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Somehow, after the tasting, I had a strong urge ride a bike
along country roads in Denmark and tickle the flower blossoms as I go by.
You probably won't get that same feel simply by enjoying the food at Emmer
and Rye. But if you get a moment to chat with any of the staff, get ready to
be inspired to do something crazy, like visit another country to taste their
cuisine. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Two words: preview tasting. I'll leave you with some appetite
stimulating photos. Now put on your boots and run over as soon as they open
at the end of October. </span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="800" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is the marvel of German engineering, otherwise known
as the miller. My favorite freshly milled grain was the fire thrust emmer.
Freshly milled grain has a nuttiness and earthiness that is unforgettably
aromatic. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="600" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%201.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Our first course was Puffed Fire Threshed
<span class="il">Emmer</span> Cracker<b> - </b>Raw gulf shrimp, buttermilk,
Springdale Thai chilies, fennel, amaranth blossoms, and puffed Sonoran white
wheat berries.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="520" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%203.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And the second course was Fire Threshed
<span class="il">Emmer</span> Arrepa - Eggplant chow chow, toasted
habanero, Malabar spinach blossom, sunflower, fermented peppers, and
fermented apple cider vinegar. Did you know that the malabar comes from
</span><a href="http://www.hausbarfarms.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hausbar Farm</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="509" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%204.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This toast was really tasty. I could survive on
this quite well. Red Fife Sourdough Toast - Nixtamilized black eyed
peas, golden eye creamer peas, garlic chive, mustard frill, and garlic
blossoms.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="613" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%205.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fourth up was Rye Garganelli<b> -</b>Windy hills goat,
sweet and fermented peppers, hoja santa, papollo, and cultured butter.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="625" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%206.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Homemade goat cheese. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="600" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%207.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dessert was Tres Leches Cheesecake -Three-layer
cake with traditional Tres Leches cake topped with New York style cheesecake
and a Malabar spinach berry glaze. This eye catching dessert was so
beautiful, it was hard to stop looking at it. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="769" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%208.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Everything about this cake is just perfect, including the
flavor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">
<img border="0" height="530" src="http://romanreign.com/Emmer%20and%20Rye%20Pre%202015%209.jpg" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This cake was on so delicious with the different textures
and pop of color. I thoroughly enjoyed it with my eyes and tastebuds!</span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-37868788783260545752015-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:002015-10-05T06:00:02.718-07:00Community Building Secrets: they might come, but will they stay?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Have you really ever built a community? Like authentic community where people
talk to each other, they identify with the community, shared philosophies, and
were friends outside of the communication platform? If you're a brand, does your
community align with industry organizations and the community? Does the
community and industry organizations align with each other? Ideally, brands,
communities, and industry organizations should overlap with each other. </span>
</div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Maybe you have and maybe you haven’t. Many website and fan pages may boast large
numbers of users, but they still lack a community. These sites might have
transient users, users who don’t interact with each other, and users don’t
identify with the site or activity. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/communitysecrets.jpg" height="634" width="682" /></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The dirty truth is that building a real community takes hard work and long
hours. You must nurture it, protect it, and lead it. You can’t just build the
infrastructure for a community (like a Facebook page) and expect it to grow.
I've seen many organizations assume that just because they have infrastructure,
they deserve to own the community members. Sorry, it just won’t happen. Here’s a
great article by </span>
<a href="https://twitter.com/hueypriest" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
Erik Martin</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
on </span>
<a href="http://firstround.com/article/What-to-Learn-from-the-Man-Who-Managed-Reddits-Community-of-Millions" style="text-decoration: none;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">
managing Reddit’s community</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.
Also, users aren't owned by organizations or brands unless they are paid
employees. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
The disadvantages of having a communities are that you are pretty much there,
24-7. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
I’ve build several sites, and they don’t always have to be a community. It is
nice to set a goals and boundaries on what you want for your website, blog,
business, or hobby. Otherwise, building an online community can take over your
entire life. </span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Follows are some basic activities that you must do when building an online
community. They might seem pretty obvious, though in talking to people who seek
answers on why community members never arrive or fail to stay; these are the
core activities that are forgotten. I cannot stress enough the importance of
each of these activities. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/communitysecrets1.jpg" height="869" width="771" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
An
example of a social graph. </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Be present - Be there online. Be there offline. Be here at industry events.
You can’t lead and you can’t build if you are not there. I hear people
complain about the lack of attendance at events and lack of members, and my
first question is “was all the leadership in attendance?” You might be
surprised at how often that happens. </span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Be available - If you do in-house community management for a business,
it can be rough looking at your feeds after hours. You need a break too;
so spread out the monitoring duties with other team members or only
check for urgent messages every few hours. My rule of thumb is that if
it is an emergency, I’m available. Otherwise, it can wait. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Make connections - While building a community often means that you know
everyone, one of your jobs should be that other members get to know other
members. You need to make connections. It’s a group thing. </span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Coordinate efforts between members - active and committed members in
communities like to do things, and they are often the same things. Help
members coordinate efforts and activities. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Recruit - for more mainstream communities (like food and automotives),
content marketing and SEO may be great starts for a community. However,
niche communities may require some serious recruiting. For some communities,
I search in related groups or I call people, like with a phone. I actively
ask people to help me recruit. I ask them to be ambassadors, and I ask for
their feedback. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Market - think of the social benefits of your community, and market those
value propositions. If your community has a bad rap, you need to re-position
and re-brand your community. Focus on the value your community brings.
</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Create culture - make sure you curate in the fun and curate out the trolls
and ugliness. Things people write on the Internet can be horrifying. No one
wants to read that. Create a welcoming culture otherwise people will flee.
</span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Stop the bickering - people will never agree on the Internet, but they
can set aside the bickering and have fun instead. Life is too short to
have thin skin or waste it being unhappy. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Create or integrate structure - Your community might already have some
ongoing online or offline events. Create some online activities or integrate
with other events that are already happening. In one of my niche dog groups,
I do a monthly birthday card for all the dogs’ as well as yearly in-person
events.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you build it, they might come. If you nurture it and protect it, they will
stay. </span></div>
PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-69479988950168459242015-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:002015-08-24T06:00:02.856-07:00Taiwanese Aboriginal Cuisine: A Taste of Crickets<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
The quick scan of Taiwanese history is not short or without interesting stories.
From native island dwellers, the influx of mainland Chinese immigrants, and
Japanese rule, Taiwan is a melting pot of cultures with a unique cuisine. My
cousin took us to an aboriginal themed restaurant. There was a show of singing,
dancing, and drumming to entertain us during our meal. We were lucky enough to
not get pulled into the line dance so we could observe from afar. I'm not
opposed to dancing, but I am a bigger fan of eating. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food.jpg" height="640" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
The dancers were starting their slow descend on unsuspecting diners in order to
turn them into dancers. *It was really that bad, but I wanted to eat crickets. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food1.JPG" height="601" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
Here's some hot rock shrimp. They shrimp and hot rocks were covered and steamed. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food2.JPG" height="800" width="601" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
These are baby corn in the husk that have been grilled. It was all the fun of
eating corn on the cob wrapped up in a tiny package. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food3.JPG" height="449" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
If you're going to squeamish about crickets on my blog, you should probably try
some first. Crickets are surprisingly crunchy crouton-like. They add a very
lovely dimension to dishes. Think of them like mini-lobsters. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food4.JPG" height="449" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
Squid is a big thing here. Everywhere you turn around, there's squid in a dish.
It is a great thing that I'm quite fond of squid. Here it is with some basil. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food5.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
Whole roasted chicken. This was exceptionally tasty. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food6.JPG" height="449" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
Salt crusted whole fish was on the menu, and it was fantastic. I've raved about
the quality of the seafood before, and I'll do it again. When you have access to
fresh seafood, you can't help but to have it as often as you can and to love it. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food7.JPG" height="601" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
Bell peppers, tofu, and sauce. This is a pretty standard Asian style dish. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food8.JPG" height="601" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
Another popular set up in Taiwan are personal size propane burners for soup at
the table. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food9.JPG" height="449" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
And pretty standard Asian barbeque and sausage served with raw garlic and
onions. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
<img border="0" src="http://www.romanreign.com/Taiwanese%20Aboriginal%20Food10.JPG" height="449" width="800" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
And this is one of the best noodle dishes I've had. The rice and noodle dishes
here didn't look that much different from dishes I've had before. The difference
seems to be that the level of umami is through the roof as compared to the same
dishes I've had before. </div>
PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8522686108908060245.post-23182797839118069742015-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:002015-08-04T06:00:05.231-07:00Ben and Jerry's Lends a Hand in Locks of Love Donation<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-135e95fd-f643-5964-d334-696ba3bcdc41" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Summer has finally hit Austin, and it will not be merciful. Luckily for us,
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="http://www.benjerry.com/">Ben and
Jerry's</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
tour debuting two Texas inspired flavors was in town to bring us relief from the
heat. The two flavors are Bourbon Pecan Pie and Barbeque Peach. While both of
them won a place in my Southern heart, I’m fairly certain that the clear winner
was the Bourbon Pecan Pie. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015.jpg" height="800" width="591" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">While on the Austin leg of their Texas Tour, Dan
Bookmiller and Jana Steele made friends at many iconic locations. The
<a href="http://www.draughthouse.com/">Draughthouse</a> is where
<a href="http://twtter.com/mousethedog">@MouseTheDog</a> got to enjoy a few
scoops as well. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20b.jpg" height="800" width="600" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Here's Mouse and Dan on a Summer Afternoon. I love
the pairing of Mouse next to the cows as his historical function is to herd
cattle. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20c.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">And here's Mouse and Jana posing next to the
<a href="http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/">Sprinter</a>. Did I mention that the
Sprinter is equipped with a solar panel on top? That's another thing to add to
my list of "Dream Sprinter" features. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20d.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Last Austin stop at <a href="http://homeaway.com/">
HomeAway</a> Downtown. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />
</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
As if ice cream wasn’t already a treat, the Ben and Jerry’s good deed mantra
struck again on their last day in Austin.
<a href="http://twtter.com/agentmarshall">@AgentMarshall</a> and I had been
planning on donating our hair to Locks of Love for quite some time now, and the
Ben and Jerry’s team lent us a hand. At their last stop in Austin, Jana of Ben
and Jerry’s traded in her scoop for a pair of scissors to make the
<a href="http://www.locksoflove.org/">Locks of Love</a> haircuts. </span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20e.jpg" height="800" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Here's Jana about t make the first snip on
Marshall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20g.jpg" height="800" width="600" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Marshall is really happy to get that hair cut
off!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20f.jpg" height="800" width="771" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Good bye, Hair!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20h.jpg" height="789" width="800" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I'm next up. This is my seventh donation to
Locks of Love. I have two ponytails to make it easier to cut. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20i.jpg" height="800" width="672" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I am also extremely happy to get this hair cut.
Jana was a pro at cutting hair. The entire process did not take more than three
minutes, and that's including the time she took to give it a some style. </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20j.jpg" height="800" width="671" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">And here's the final results. Two ponytails. Two
freshly cut hairdo's. And three very happy people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Thank you so much to Dan, Jana,
<a href="http://www.benjerry.com/">Ben and Jerry's</a> for bringing delicious
ice cream to Austin and helping us donate to </span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.locksoflove.org/">Locks of Love</a></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<img border="0" src="http://romanreign.com/Ben%20and%20Jerry%27s%20Texas%20Tour%202015%20a.jpg" height="800" width="684" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Mouse thanks you too!</span>PookieSouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04836909889919955074noreply@blogger.com0