Archive for Food
April 10, 2007 at 8:19 pm · Filed under Food, Take a Lap
This morning I get into the office, and this girl had brought in cookies for everyone. From a distance, I spotted them and locked in on their color and appearance. They looked white, buttery, and delicious. But, I did not indulge right away.
After 15 minutes, the girl came around, and she was handing out the cookies. She was trying to gain peoples’ opinions, and they were coming in negative. I thought maybe she had added too much butter or vanilla? Eventually, it was my turn to become test subject. I took a bite, and my taste buds confirmed that there IS NO GOD! It was horrible,…and yet…familiar.
The nastiness didn’t stem from a miscalculated ingredient, but it came from the flavor itself. What was it? I couldn’t put my finger on it, and it led me to continue eating the cookie. It tasted so reminiscent, and yet so taste wrenching. Bite after bite, I thought I could solve the mystery of the flavor on my own. Finally, I had to ask. What’s in this?
…”black licorice”, she says.
Seriously? Black licorice. Who would do such a thing to a harmless cookie? Who thinks that black licorice honestly tastes good? I don’t know! It reminded me of this candy that clear had brought from Italy. It was small and looked like something you’d keep in your pocket as a breath mint, but instead you want to punish everyone around you for slowly pulling off your eyelids. Black licorice should never have been conceived or forced into a delicious looking cookie.
March 15, 2007 at 9:18 pm · Filed under Food, Lifestyle
For the past week, I’ve been taking bagels to work. Roommate brought a bunch of leftovers home, and I’ve been taking one to work each day. Unfortunately, yesterday, I ate my last bagel. To top it off, I got to work and I realized I forgot to eat cereal at home. *sigh* No matter. I’ve got a peanut butter oats bar in my jacket. Oh wait. I ate that yesterday too. Crud. This is going to be a long day…
By 10:30, things started to slow down and I began reading the Chicago Redeye. One of the first news snippets said “Starbucks will be giving away free tall coffees from 10-12.” Now, I never drink coffee, but I thought to myself, “I need something.” I bothered a couple co-workers, but none of them would get me a coffee. Time rolled on and I kept glancing at the clock. T-minus 45 minutes until free coffee expires.
Finally, I said, “Screw you guys! I’m going to Starbucks!” And, I ran as fast as I could to the nearest location. I got inside and the girl employee didn’t say a word to me. She handed me a cup and pointed to the help yourself coffee. It was set out in some canisters. There were about seven tanks. Four of them said “Kenya” on the label. I don’t know what Kenya is supposed to taste like, but it sounded right. I threw in some milk and sugar and ran back to the floor. I really didn’t care about what it tasted like, just as long as it helped me through the next 2.5 hours. And it did.
The rest of the day wasn’t busy. I looked over the Redeye and Sun-Times for the latest events. For the last few weeks, there have been nothing but St Patrick’s Day Parade/Food/Guinness articles and ads, and it peaked my interest. I may not go to the parade or wear green. But if there was ever a time to drink Guinness and enjoy the fine Irish cuisine: this would be the time. On St Patrick’s, everyone is Irish, right? I went through the ads. Green Beer Here. March Madness there, and I saw a headline for $10 corned beef and cabbage. “SOLD!”
March 15, 2007 at 9:17 pm · Filed under Food, Lifestyle
Emerald Loop is located in the 35th East Wacker Building on Wabash. In 1920, the building was the tallest building outside of New York. It was originally known as the “Jeweler’s Building,” because it was home to the Chicago diamond merchants. The letters “JB” are repeatedly etched along the building. It was also one of the notorious speakeasies of mobster Al Capone.
Now, I wouldn’t call the Emerald Loop an “authentic” Irish bar, but it certainly passes for having that American/Irish feel. The Emerald Loop is a part of the Vaughan Pub family of bars: Mystic Celt, Corcorans, and Vaughan’s Pub. It seems focused towards the downtown professionals, couples, and late night goers. The atmosphere vibrates with luxurious hospitality. The cherry wood bar extends across the room with plenty of welcoming seats and open visibility. There is also a dance floor. Noble blues, burned reds, dark browns, and shamrock greens paint the walls along with Guinness memorabilia. The menu has the bar and grill favorites with a couple Irish entrees.
Upon entering, you are asked to seat yourself, but I had to find someone. I needed auditorial confirmation. Corned Beef and Cabbage Special, today? “Yes, we do.”, replied one of the waiters. With my mind at ease, I hunted for a back table to myself. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything like that. The exposed and sociable atmosphere didn’t allow any table to oneself. Everyone is in wide view of one another. I sat at a small bar table in sight of one of the NCAA games and relaxed. I came during the afternoon and much of the bar was half-filled with males cheering on their bracket picks. But, all this is unimportant. Let’s get to indulging my carnal desires.
My waitress came by asked, “Would you like a menu?” I nearly stumbled over my tongue. Corned beef and cabbage! “And would you like pint of Guinness?” You are a mind reader! Now, Andelez!” (Ok, I wouldn’t be so rude, but it was in the back of my mind … I’m starving… ) A minute later, she brought back one of the most picturesque pints of Guinness. This was what you’d see in a commercial or posted along the walls. She even positioned it within perfect proximity of my menu and with the Guinness logo facing directly towards me.
When the bus boy brought out my corned beef and cabbage, I was elated. I’d been waiting for this moment for most of the day. As the picture shows, these were glorious proportions. The cabbage was luke warm and juicy. There was no raw dryness. It wasn’t soggy or over cooked. For cabbage, it had an excellent crisp flavor. The mashed potatoes were creamy, buttery, savory, and had great texture. I love how the warm potatoes cool off and get that crusty thickness on the outside. But the corned beef…Mmmmm. It looked like they hacked off a slice of cow carcass. (I wonder if it was angus?) It was juicy, tender, and delicious. Typically, I’m a picky eater and cut off all fat from meat. The fat on this cut wasn’t slimy or chewy. And I licked the entire plate clean.
March 7, 2007 at 11:07 pm · Filed under Food
The Chicago Times had an article on McDonalds. They are testing a new burger in Southern California. It’s a 1/3 lb, $3.99, and made from higher grade of angus beef. There are three versions: a deluxe w/ American cheese, tomato slices, lettuce, red onion strips and pickles; a mushroom and Swiss cheese; and a bacon and American cheese. I think this sounds great, but $3.99? Hmmm…
McD‘s said they are sort of in competition with themselves. When you (and I) put prices into consideration. I could get a double cheeseburger, small french fry and a drink for $3. Well, I never buy drinks. So, it’s more like $2. $2.20 w/ tax. =) Delicious angus burger or crappy burger and fries for half the price. Unfortunately, on my budget, I’ll probably always lean towards the crappy burger and fries.
There is a McD’s on the corner of my office building. They have a pathetic dollar menu of ice cream and cookies. Today, I walked 3 blocks to the awesome McDonald’s, where I can get a double cheeseburger or McChicken for $1. It’s probably a good thing that it’s further away, so I can burn those extra calories. But this highlights, my extent to get a tastier meal for less price.
I enjoyed when Hardee’s (Carl Jr’s) first introduced the Thickburgers. Those were tremendously awesome, but I always shunned the prices. (Luckily, Mom was always there to pick one up for me.) Unless, I had a coupon, I’d never consider buying one. Why is angus so expensive? And why cant we just breed them. Screw those other cows. They’re not as delicious or gourmet enough.
Side note: I tried the McD’s Chicken Snackwraps. Good little buggers and not too pricey at $1.29.
March 4, 2007 at 9:39 pm · Filed under Food, Lifestyle
I dont know what’s up with today, but I had some major munchies. Ate breakfast. Still hungry. Eggs and salsa, sandwich, cheese & crackers, more cereal. Still hungy. I just couldn’t curb the crave. So, I went tearing through my shelves and found some Mauna Loa Chocolate Macadamian Nuts. Wow. These things were amazing! Pop one in your mouth and you get that raw dusted flavor of cocoa. Then you bite into it and it’s a light scrumptious Macadamian nut smothered in rich milk chocolate. I must have ate 10 of these before I had to take an afternoon siesta. My compliments to Mom, who I believe bought these for me.
From the Chicagoist, I read that there is a culinary education course coming up next Sunday. You get to meet Goose Island brew master Greg Hall and learn about (and taste) stout beers and artisan cheese. This sounds great except that it’s $40 and way North. I know there is another bar that has educational tastings, which I need to checkout. Goose Island also gives brewery tours which I should take advantage of. They aren’t free like the Anheuser Busch tours, but then they aren’t a corporate giant like Budweiser either.
I started reading Deadeye Dick from Kurt Vonnegut.
Lastly, from now on, when I link to any music files, I’ll probably start using m3u files. I had been using a flash player, like in Le Sacre du Printemp post, but I think I like this better. M3U is compatible with most audio players and will continue playing even if you surf away from my site. I think it’s better for playlists, song titles, and allowing listeners to use their own players. I hate when I’ve got a flash player or youtube video loading in one tab and I accidentally close it. All that precious buffering for nothing.
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