New Years at Manos Nouveau

IMG_8670I waited a few days now to write this post as I struggled on how best to describe our experience at Manos Nouveau but this image I snapped in the men’s room seemed to echo my feelings.

We had been several times before so knew that it’s food was good. We made plans for the Christmas Eve special since we were planning to attend the Castro Theater later that night to see the SFGMC perform. We arrived on time and were seated within 10 mins. and thats when things started to go off kilter. Wth only one waitress and one hostess we expected a lot of movement.

IMG_8672 Our drink order was taken (they don’t serve much in non alcoholic beverages other than sparkling waters (bottled) and some “soda” specials so I started off that they didn’t have Iced tea for my meal as I don’t drink much in the way of sparkling beverages nor nor did they offer to let me make my own.)

Since it was a limited adaption of the regular menu – we placed our orders pretty quickly – then waited.. and waited… the appetizers arrived finally about 20 min later and as expected they tasted great… but 45 -50 min later we were still waiting for our meal to arrive (reminder timeline: Seated by 6:45, apps by 7:10, entree by 8:00)

There also seemed a lot of confusion – first we asked our hostess for some bread (they don’t serve any but do have crostini (bread toasted) since my app  needed some crunch to be better enjoyeIMG_8673d.

Then our waitress came to the table around 7:45 after a gentle side comment from me on the way to the restroom about our appreciating a status update. She explained that they were being plated now and would be up shortly. About 4 minutes later the Chef/Owner (?) came table-side to apologize and explain our ticket had been lost and that he would gladly comp us what we had eaten so far (apps) given we had a time line or he would go back and make our dishes himself.

I looked up and mentioned (in a rather casual was as I wasn’t yet annoyed either), that the waitress had just explained our meals were being plated less than 5 minutes ago and his response while not intending to be (perhaps) came out rather defensively dismissive, saying that he was the chef and knew best on what was up in the kitchen. We did a time check and agreed to let him prepare our plates, yet 5 mIMG_8675in later – our meals arrived.

So obviously – it was a mixed-bag night. The food was good – I can’t by any measure take that away. But the service seemed off. The Chef did reduce the cost of our bill (10%) for some for the trouble which was appreciated.

 

Manos Nouveau
3970 17th St (b/t Hartford St & Market St )
San Francisco, CA 94114
Castro

A “Bit O Country” in Palm Springs

I liked the food here.

It’s not fancy and definitely not about being trendy.File_001 Its falls into the retro classic diner style places I went growing up. the coffee is hot and strong, the eggs good and lots of menu options. They have a great front seating area with a view and a smaller “railway diner” indoor seating space. Great “morning after” place. Love the ” 6 egg” option and the sausage patties were real patties.

Bit O Country http://www.yelp.com/biz/bit-of-country-palm-springs

418 S Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262  (760) 325-5154

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Philly meets the Bronx

Sometimes we have to laugh our selves.. I mean as I suffered through what felt like 100 seasons of Jerlsylious (yes – I can relate coming from a family of women who do hair!) then we moved the stereo-type humor to Philly! Saw this today and just had to share

From the Philly.com website:

Tina Fey brought to “Saturday Night Live” what we locals know all too well as the Philly accent, and she made sure to impress upon the rest of the country what is perhaps the most notable word, our dialect’s high “wooder” mark if you will.In a skit called “The Bronx Beat” that features Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph as Bronx housewives hosting a local access television show, Fey is introduced as Cousin Karen from Philly. Fey’s character uses her introduction to bring up the Jersey Shore and stuffed peppers, and to employ the word “youse.” When Poehler and Rudolph mention how “classy” Fey’s accent is, they ask her to “say things in Philly. Say water.”Watch the funny confusion that ensues when the Bronx and Philly dialects collide: Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/real-time/Youse-dont-want-to-miss-Tina-Fey-bringing-classy-Philly-accent-to-SNL.html#K5xcS67JrxCUk4hf.99

Varuni Napoli

Being allergic to Hazelnuts mean I’ve never had the pleasure of trying Nutella. But of course anything with chocolate I’m always drawn to. The fact that they have got tubs of it around here is amazing.

I wish I’d run into this place when I first got here to Atlanta back in the summer for this temporary work assignment. I would have come much more often. I liked the off-beat and quirky fast-paced friendly vibe of the place. Not to mention, it smells great when you walk in. In the way that only an open wood fired kitchen can be. The pizzas have nice crust and flavor all the way around. The antipasto plate was a much welcome suprise find on the menu. I like the fact that they try unusual combinations, so overall definitely a fun place to go from date night to boys (or gals) night out.

1540 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
For more info: http://www.varuni.us

   
    
   

Ballet Dancer Sergei Polunin Simply Slays Hozier’s ‘Take Me To Church’

Found this on Huffington Post and was impressed enough to grab. The visual artistry is skillfull.

from the post: What happens when you combine the talents of Russia’s ballet bad boy Sergei Polunin, Irish gospel luminary Hozier and photography pop wizard David LaChapelle? Apparently, a whole lot of angsty, sexy, beautiful dancing ensues.. via: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6655920?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Fall American Mash Up Congee

After having been off-kilter for a few days; I was sort of craving something warm and stick to your ribs good, but with not a lot of grease or heavy ingredients, and that I could make in my residence unit while I’ve been down here in Atlanta. Then I remembered about a rice porridge that a friend used to make me each year after Thanksgiving when she would use the leftovers for the stock to make a dish called congee or jok. Not new to those with Asian cultures, a few of my friends used to tell me that it was the Chinese version of “Jewish penicillin”. 
With all the wet weather we have down here in Atlanta I thought it was a perfect recipe to attempt with my limited cooking options an the fact that another pal had lent me her crockpot while I’ve been here in town. 
After looking at several recipes online I decided to go with a mashup of what I call the “travelers recipe” version which essentially means the infriedients has to use the who portion so I don’t have leftover ingredients. 
After cooking on low for 8 hours. I got in after work to great smell and with a few last minute additions was eating in 20 mins. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups garlic infused jasmine rice (uncooked)
  • 32 ounces of vegatable broth (low sodium)( a meat broth is acceptable too)
  • 16 ounces of water
  • 1 can of corn, rinsed and drained
  • 2 teaspoons of pureed ginger (I use the kind that comes in a tube)
  • 3 carrots sliced or diced small no larger than a nickel.
  • 1 bag of frozen cubed butternut squash ( fresh is fine too, but cube small)
  • 2 roasted, chilled chicken breasts, shredded, with the skin removed (In this case I actually wanted to use cooked chicken that I could pick up at the grocery store; but you could do this recipe with raw chicken and it will cook untill it falls off the bone for an even richer taste. I’d suggest using thighs in something like this because that it’ll carry more flavor) 

Seasonings are to taste I used what I had around here salt pepper red pepper flakes in a little bit of Italian seasoning mix.

If you’re going to be at work all day lightly spray the bottom with cooking spray. This could help if you run out of liquid and the rice sticks a bit

After rinsing the rice, mix water and vegetable broth, rice, ginger, salt and pepper, and carrots into the crockpot. 

 Stir several times, Cover and turn on low.

I let it cook for about eight hours, (and I didn’t stir mine until I got home and only had a little bit of stickiness on the bottom, other people have said that if your home doing it you can stir up to several times during the cooking process.)

Turn the heat up to high, add the bag of frozen squash, add the container of chilled chicken.  

Cover and let cook for another 30- 45 minutes or until heated through.

I tossed in little bit a red pepper flakes about this time added some more salt and pepper to taste and it was good to go. 

For this version I didn’t want something so thick like oatmeal so there was still some liquid in it but you can let it cook longer to cook out more the liquid.   

Note: after eating and I also realized it eased my craving for creamy corn chowder that I’m not supposed to eat because of the dairy.