Let's Get Some Chinese

I've lived in the Philadelphia area for about 2 1/2 years. I have yet to find any really great Chinese food. That is until now.

My friends Sam and Beca took me to Han Dynasty. They have two menus. Stay away from the Americanized menu. Order from it and prepare to be mocked.

The Authentic Chinese menu is amazing. You will not find this menu on their website. Go to one of their locations and don't be afraid. The staff can recommend some good stuff.

There were leftovers. And this is where my critical error occurred.


I've called this experiment "Eggs of Fire." You see, the leftovers from my dinner included about half of the hot peppers from the dish. I tossed them in a pan got them sizzling and added some eggs. Then, against the advice of family, friends, the Surgeons General of the last 100 years, and a guy I met on the street, I ate it all.

Oh the delicious pain. It really was tasty, but I cried. A lot. I've never abused my body with drugs, alcohol, tobacco or tattoos - but I do attempt to turn this temple into a fire station with spicy food. I cried for an hour. My eyes poured forth tears streaming down my cheeks. (clearly, I live alone)

The worst part was my morning constitutional. ('nuff said)

As my old friend Paul (he's Chinese) and I used to say:
Brian: Hey, let's get some Chinese.
Paul: Yeah! Let's get 'em!!!!

I kinda want to go over there again now and "get 'em". I think they deserve some sort of comeuppance for allowing me to take all of that fire home. I love Han Dynasty, but I also hate it at the same time.

...maybe it's just me?

Mmmm... burger

Don't you just love a good burger? I know I do!

While my folks were visiting I took them to a new favorite place, Elevation Burger, and while I hate websites built in Flash more than steaming hot carbolic acid poured directly into my eyes, I love their burgers. Ingredients matter and they have that down. Organic (I really don't care) grass fed (makes a difference) beef, great cheese, great fries - fantastic.
5 Guys is similar, with different beef + bacon and BBQ sauce.

Either way, you get a fantastic burger, great fries and a fun environment.

I don't live out West, so if you want to talk about In-n-out burger, go ahead, but I've had them and Wendy's is better.

Maybe it's just me?

COFFEE

I got one of these Aeropress coffee makers for Christmas. I've been practicing and playing around with the process and amount of coffee for a few months, and I think I've really got it just right now.
Basically, it makes a 4oz cup of espresso, and uses a pretty good pile of coffee grounds to do it. I've been drinking Pete's Major Dickason's blend. It's a strong, robust, dark coffee and when I make it with the Aeropress, it's best enjoyed with a fork.

The really funny thing is how the caffeine seems to really get to me. I've just finished my one cup of the day (I have to limit myself) and I'm getting heart palpitations! I kinda like that.

... maybe it's just me?

clean plate club

Mmmmmm dinner time!

My very dear friend and land-lady Melissa made a quick hodge-podge of dinner happiness. Pierogies with onions and sour cream, fish sticks with tartar sauce, carrots, onions, mushrooms and Brussels sprouts.








The hardest thing for Melissa to understand is that I eat things I don't like. I don't like:

• Carrots
• Peas
• Squash
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts

That doesn't mean I won't eat them. I was taught to eat what's in front of me, and I can usually manage to do that and smile through it all. So, I'm always a member of "The Clean Plate Club". I at all my veggies and really liked the queso sauce she put on the sprouts. I also keep trying things that I might not like, because I never know when my tastes will change. For example, I started liking mushrooms this year. Who knew? The down-side of course is that it's also easy for me to overeat.

For me, it's ok if food goes to waist, as long as it doesn't go to waste.



...maybe it's just me?

Tiny Food

I recently had a late dinner special at a little pub. Little being the operative word here. Not only was the room small, so was the food. This "Petite Filet" came with an itty-bitty potato and snow peas. The Steak was fine - just about 3oz. The potato on the other-hand was the size of a ping-pong ball.

I felt like Gulliver.

So what goes with that? A tiny Coke of course.

... maybe it's just me?

Rebuilding

Well I may or may not totally rebuild this blog and all the posts, but for now - the text is available.