Archive for the ‘Food’ Category

• Las Vegas and Capra Nights

  Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

  One of the most interesting things about cooking and culture is how they happen to evolve over time. Sometimes, they seem to change with each other, providing perfect reflections in the moment that they occur. At other times, they kind of track each other, where movements in culture precede changes in diet, or vice versa. They are, of course, inextricably linked, and necessarily revolve around each other in order to mark changes in time and perception. This is certainly the case with Las Vegas restaurants , where the city appeals to a very large customer base, and attracts tourists from all over the world.

  It has to keep up with the times in order to stay hip and cool. It also, at times, has to anticipate the times, in order to mark its place in the world as a trend-setter. There are some spectacular changes to the fare offered in the country lately, changes brought about by an increased global awareness, which involves an ability to embrace new tastes. Mutton is nothing new to the land, having been a staple for hundreds of generations, but it’s taking on a new light in global cultural cuisine. This is because of the remarkable traditions of many parts of the world, and innovations in cooking styles. It’s an interesting move, and one that marks a very tasty future.

• Italy in Singapore

  Sunday, February 21st, 2010

  I kind of wanted to go to Italy, but she said we should go to Singapore, because she heard it was interesting, and it was a childhood dream of hers, and I was so annoyed that I just agreed.  We could go to lots of different restaurants, and they have Italian food, so it would be almost the same, but not the same.    If it were up to me, we’d all be agreeing whenever there was anything to talk about, because the way it works, we all disagree about small things.

  Place might not be a small thing.  I really don’t mind being in Singapore, either, it’s great.  There’s lots of things to do every night, and cool culture everywhere.  I can even find the Italian shoes I was looking for, because fashion seems to be a big part of how they do things here.  It’s also a pretty distinctive place, where traditions from all over the planet kind of come together.  The Italian food is really pretty amazing too.  But after being here for just a few days, I want to try everything else, too.

  Again, place is not small.  It might even be worth arguing about, because places have histories, human beings, and memories.  These things are worth our trouble and our time.  What I think isn’t worth all that much trouble, and not worth arguing about, are little things.  Things like how you might like to eat some pastas with a spoon.  And how parmesan cheese doesn’t go on everything, it really doesn’t.  And if you happen to make out with your girlfriend’s best friend at a party where everyone said none of this matters here, then it should be swept under a rug or something, but I have a feeling we’re going to talk about it soon enough.

• Sore Feet and Garlic in San Francisco

  Friday, January 8th, 2010

  I knew before arriving in San Francisco that the city will be hilly, but hilly doesn’t quite cover it. Some of the hills are very steep and there are plenty of them. I was really thankful for the cable cars as I made my way to the Castro district to a restaurant called the ‘Squat and Gobble‘. The restaurant was one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the whole world. The view and the service was supreme. I thought I’d probably starve while I was in San Francisco, but there were many places that cater to the vegetarian, some are expensive, but the dishes are divine. I had no idea a San Francisco restaurant could be so good.

  I was here to spend time with a dear friend, and she just amazed me with her sense of taste. I was stunned at how she impressed the wait staff when she recognized most of the ingredients in the dishes and how she knew what leaf was served with the dessert we ordered. I mean, really! She knew which rose plant the leaf came from! After my glorious meal, we caught the tram back to my hotel and had a few beers.

  The next day was pretty calm, which I appreciated. My friend took me shopping and later that evening we hiked it up to North Beach and went to a restaurant named the ‘Stinking Rose‘. Garlic was in everything they serve. When I walked in, my senses were hit with garlic, I think I could even hear garlic growing. I told her we won’t be able to socialize for days because we’ll reek of garlic. She told me not to worry about it, because once I take my first bite, I won’t care about the after effects. She was right! I never knew I’d like garlic permeating everything I put in my mouth, but every bite was so savory and delicious.

  On my last day, she took me to Coit Tower, which gave me a perfect view of all of San Francisco, the Bay area, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and a great view of Lombard street, Crissy Fields and Fisherman’s Wharf.  We then walked some very, very steep streets. I think we walked some 15 miles and my feet can testify. My feet were so glad to get a chance to chill when I caught my flight back home.

• Singapore UFO Catcher

  Monday, December 28th, 2009

  Being in Singapore is always an unreal experience.  There’s always a sense that all the cultures in the world are going to come crashing into each other at once, and it’s not a bad feeling at all.  In fact, it feels exactly right, that this is the most interesting place in the world to be right now.  There are many tourists who come here for the usual tourist attractions, looking to get lost in an exotic place and have some quiet adventures in their hotels, and at the shopping malls.  This isn’t a bad way to spend your time at all, since there’s a lot of the world represented in these places, giving a glimpse into new fashions, and new trends in hospitality and relaxation.  There are also a host of other entertainments, and lots of live shows that show off local talent, as well as bringing in excellent acts from all over the world.

  There are also many people who come here for the food, and this is very reasonable, because the restaurants in Singapore are some of the very best in the world.  There are so many different things to try, and all types of cuisines, and it’s a kind of world tour in itself to taste everything that’s offered here.  The street stalls can also have some very scrumptious meals, but the restaurants are where you can see the city in action, because they really do it up right at dinner time!  My favorite thing here, though, is the local kids culture, and the way it expresses itself in the streets, or really, in the arcades.  There are many good places to go to have a fun arcade experience, places like East Coast Park, with tons of cool games.

  Arcade culture here is very intense, and very exciting.  It’s not just about the games, where new technology meets the science fiction obsessions of the people,  but that’s certainly part of the fun.  It’s also interesting to see what kinds of prizes they have, and UFO Catcher has some of the best gifts around.  There are even some sites that are devoted to selling the prizes from this game.  It’s a good example of how arcades work here, because some people play it just for fun, for the chance at grabbing the toy with the claw.  But there are some who take it very seriously, and share secrets and hints online so that you can learn all the good techniques for working the controls exactly right.  But what’s most fun is to be in the arcade and watch the people, and see how this side of Singapore works.  It’s a great way to meet people, and learn about another way of looking at the world.

• Celebrating Edgar Allen Poe’s Birthday in Baltimore

  Monday, December 28th, 2009

  Edgar Allen Poe is a cultural icon.  Not only do his stories and his poems resonate with a sadness and a mystery, they continue to influence young writers of today.  He was a master of the macabre, a man that is described as one of the first in the American Romantic Movement.  He was one of the fathers of the short story and has been widely recognized as the writer who invented the detective novel and the science fiction genre.

  He was one of the first American writers to earn their living from their writings alone.  Some of his early writings gave him no credit, simply signed by “a Bostonian”.  He made money on the side writing literary criticisms for magazines and journals, and his style was noted even in those editorials.  He moved around quite a bit, and finally settled in Baltimore following his marriage to Virginia Clem in 1835.  Ten years later he published the much admired poem, “The Raven“.  Poe only lived to be forty years old.  He was found on the streets of Baltimore, wandering in a daze and in great distress.  There have been many conjectures, but to this day no exact cause of death has been determined.  His death is the kind of mystery that only feeds his popularity, for just as the last word of Orson Well’s in “Citizen Kane” was “Rosebud”, Poe’s last word was “Reynolds”.  No one knew then, and no one knows now, to whom or to what he was referring.

  In just a few days, any Baltimore restaurant or pub will be celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of his birthday.  The Admiral Fell Inn is honoring their past resident with dinner specials and cocktail parties.   Poe was not a son of Baltimore by birth, but he became one in his life, and many celebrations occur throughout the year at his home, or at the Westminster Church Cemetery where he is buried.  This would be a fabulous time to visit Baltimore, the 12th of November is when it all happens, and should one be in the mood of the macabre, it will be a night of remembrance and celebration.