Archive for the ‘Holiday’ Category
Staycation eats (Part 2)
During my “staycation” in Midtown South, the next destination was only a few blocks down from where I was staying. Atoboy, located near the corner of E. 28th Street and Park Avenue S, is a restaurant that has been on my list for a while. According to the ‘About’ page on the restaurant’s website: “Borrowing its name from the ancient Korean word ‘Ato’ meaning gift, Atoboy first opened its doors in July of 2016.”
Making my way down Park Avenue and turning left on 28th, I literally missed the restaurant and had to check if I was on the correct street. While backtracking, I found the place and made my way inside. As the Michelin Guide notes about Atoboy: “The space, which leans grungy-chic.”
I arrived shortly after opening and managed to get seated right away. It was a very welcoming atmosphere. While being walked to my table, all available staff in proximity stopped to offer a greeting.
Once at the table, I was presented with their menus.
A server approached and asked if it was my first time, and they explained Atoboy offers a four-course prix-fixe menu. They gave me a moment to look over everything and, once decided,I put in my order, along with a glass of Juvé y Camps, a cava brut from Catalonia.
The meal began with the sea urchin.
The server noted it came as a “snack” with every order. Comprised of sea urchin (uni), steamed egg, seaweed, and quinoa, the dish was beautifully presented with the bright orange uni placed atop the dark seaweed.
This was so delicious. Every bite was rich and packed with savory flavor.
Once finished, the server asked what I thought about the dish, I said it was fantastic. They explained, the dish was once offered as a regular entrée but the chef decided that everyone should have the chance to try it.
Based on my history, if there is yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) on the menu, I’m ordering it, and among their options for the first course was a beef tartare.
Served with oyster, tarragon, and kolhrabi, this was very different from any yukhoe I’ve had before. The well-seasoned beef tartare was still apparent with some crunchy bits that gave the dish such an amazing texture.
That was followed by juk, or porridge.
Made with maitake mushrooms and wild sesame; the fragrance of the dish was unbelievable! Then, that first spoonful was so good. The hot porridge and the chewy mushrooms were perfect for the chilly evening.
I enjoyed it until I was scraping the bottom for the last of it.
For the main course, I ordered the pork belly, which was served atop mung beans and garnished with buchu (Asian chives) and watercress.
The main course also arrived with banchan—kimchi apples and cucumber—and a bowl of their seasonal rice.
The banchan was fresh and crunchy, and brightened up the meal.
The pork belly itself was seasoned so well and was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Every bite of pork, greens, and mung beans filled my mouth with an amazing combination of flavors and textures, which was complemented by bites of banchan in between.
I wish I had room for dessert but that may have to wait for the next visit.
On top of the amazing food, the excellent service is something that really elevates Atoboy, which only encourages one to keep coming back.
Three states in one day
After a good night’s sleep in Duluth, it was time to get back on the road and leave Minnesota. However, beforehand, while waiting for everybody to get ready, I proceeded with my typical habit while on vacation, taking a morning wander around town.
Getting on the elevator and going downstairs, I saw the Greenery Café & Bakery, described as a one-stop food shop, was already open, and decided to get a coffee. Making my way to the cashier, it was impossible to avoid the display counter and the cinnamon rolls grabbed my attention.
Putting in my order, I was presented with a very difficult decision regarding the cinnamon roll: iced or frosted. I went with iced.
The cinnamon roll was massive! After enjoying the thick and fluffy pastry—and the deliciously sweet icing—it was time for a little exploring.
Duluth, like Minneapolis and other cities that experience intense winters, has a skywalk system, allowing pedestrians to make their way around town while staying indoors and avoiding the elements.
It was early on a Monday morning and it was primarily people heading into work. At one point, there was a couple occupying one of the walkways I needed to get through. I opened the door and the girl moved to the side while the guy kept moving forward; he was looking down and I assumed he was staring at his phone. As we both approached the exit door, he moved to the side and I saw what he was doing, he was scraping lottery scratch-offs with a knife!
I got out of there quick but soon found myself in, what could only be described as, an M.C. Escher piece.
I eventually found myself back on the street. It’s early July and it was a warm morning.
This part of Duluth was rather desolate but there were some “familiar” sights along the way.
There was also a second location spotted in another part of town.
After the encounter that morning, I made my way back to the hotel and, luckily, everybody was all packed up and we were all set to check out.
Now, before leaving town, we still had a couple more errands, including stopping by Caribou Coffee.
After already consuming a cold brew with my cinnamon roll, I got the raspberry green tea with bubbles: green tea with milk and raspberry flavor, served over ice with coconut coffee jellies. This was a great drink!
After crossing over the bridge into Superior, we were in Wisconsin!
Travelling through northern Wisconsin, we soon turned off the main road and headed towards Saxon Harbor Park, which is situated along Lake Superior.
After admiring the views, we got back in the car and drove further down along the lake. Crossing into Michigan, we headed towards a “cobblestone beach” called Little Girls Point.
According to the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide: “The unique rocks on the beach are perfectly rounded from the rolling waves of the lake. It is a favorite among agate and rock collectors.”
One of the items on our itinerary was visiting the Stormy Kromer factory in Ironwood.
Beginning in 1903, the Stormy Kromer is a unique headpiece comprised of a cap and a sewn-on earband.
The company website indicates: “George ‘Stormy’ Kromer, a semi-pro baseball player and railroad engineer, kept losing his hat on the train. He asked his wife, Ida, to sew an earband on his favorite ball cap to keep his ears warm and the hat snug. It worked.”
The next Ironwood icon we had to visit was the Hiawatha statue.
The plaque at the foot of the 52-foot statue, originally erected in 1964, reads: “Hiawatha: The World’s Tallest Indian.”
“The idea for the statue originated with Charles Gotta, an Ironwood automobile dealer, who had seen similar forms of ‘road art’ during his travels in Minnesota,” The Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce notes. “The statue faces north, toward Lake Superior.”
Now, we weren’t visiting Ironwood without picking up a pasty (PASS-tee).
We got the traditional pasty at Rigoni’s Bakery, which is comprised of ground beef, potatoes, and onions wrapped in their famous pie crust. The friendly cashier brought out a massive sheet of pasties and she warned they were fresh out of the oven—they were HOT!
We enjoyed our pasties on our way back into Wisconsin, savoring each delicious bite while trying to withstand the heat from the pie.
We soon found ourselves in Manitowish Waters.
Little Bohemia Lodge, which sits on Little Star Lake, was the site of a gun battle between John Dillinger’s gang and the FBI. The establishment was built in 1929; the infamous event happened in 1934; and, today, it still operates as a bar and restaurant with memorabilia all over the place.
We ordered a couple pints of New Glarus Spotted Cow, a local beer that they had on tap.
The beers were served in frosted steins, which made them refreshingly cold and, by the end, it became a beer slushy—a welcome surprise.
Getting back on the road and, a while later, we were in Wisconsin Rapids.
After settling in, it was already time for dinner and we went to Taco John’s—a favorite spot for one of our companions and my first time.
I introduced myself to Taco John’s with fried chicken tacos and potato olés.
The tacos, which I ordered with jalapeño ranch, were really good. It’s hard to get anything with chicken tenders wrong and, after forgetting about the jalapeño ranch, made it even hotter with the Taco John’s hot sauce.
Meanwhile, the olés were awesome! Definitely ranks up there among fast food sides. They’re essentially hash brown bites with zesty spices—so good!
The trip into Wisconsin alone was already quite the adventure.
Dinner on the Wharf #TBT
During a recent trip to Washington DC, following a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, took a leisurely walk to The Wharf for dinner and drinks. Home to several restaurants and shops, the DC landmark is described as being “built on the vision of creating a place that brings the community together.”
Once near the river, there was a nice view of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial before that final stretch towards the waterfront.
Upon arrival, one is immediately greeted by the Municipal Fish Market.
Established back in 1805, it is the country’s longest serving fish market. The structure has gone through changes and renovations through the years. According to its website: “The Lunch Room and the Oyster Shucking and Fish Cleaning Shed remain as reminders of the Municipal Fish Market’s heyday in the 1920s and 1930s.”
Also spotted along the walk was the Maine Lobsterman.
Completed in 1983, the sculpture by Victor Kahill depicts Maine lobsterman Elroy Johnson placing a peg into a lobster claw.
Following the artist’s death, the piece was given to Maine’s Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries. The statue eventually found its way to Washington DC after then-Senator Edmund Muskie proposed its relocation in 1980.
Walking along the waterfront, we strolled passed various restaurants as potential spots for dinner. Soon enough, after stopping for Happy Hour, it was time to make a decision.
I feel it’s been a while since seeing Smithwick’s at a bar and there was a nearby spot that had it on draught: Kirwan’s on the Wharf.
Years ago, Smithwick’s seemed to be a staple at most bars (obviously, at Irish pubs) but, as of late, can’t say I’ve seen it on many menus.
Dubbed “your Irish home away from home,” the restaurant has three bars, each with its own “feel:” the whiskey bar, gastropub, and patio.
Once equipped with one of my favorite beers, I perused the menu and the calamari immediately caught my eye. At that moment, there was nothing I wanted more than a big platter of fried squid; and why not while on the wharf?
This was a delicious plate of hot and crispy calamari—the cherry peppers and their “boom boom sauce” made it one of the best I’ve had in a while.
Then, the main course: the 12oz. ribeye.
The steak, served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, was tender and juicy—a great end to the evening.
Many of my holidays, at some point, include a steak dinner. Glad I was able to keep up the tradition at Kirwan’s.
Warming up with an Italian dinner #TBT
Earlier this year, a few days after the start of 2022, I was invited by a close friend to visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) for the annual Lightscape, which was about to close for the season. For the event, the gardens are lit up in a brilliant array of colored lights; every corner of the place is festively decorated.
It’s something I would go to every year.
A few blocks from the BBG is Aita Trattoria, which seeks to bring “unpretentious comfort to old-world recipes.” They also have another location in Clinton Hill.
Of course, being us, what should have been a straight walk down was more of a meandering while trying not to slip on the ice. When we finally got there, there was a bit of a wait, which was fine (however, after walking around the BBG and dodging ice sheets, we really needed to get out of the cold).
Once seated, we ordered wine and began looking over the menu. Immediately, the first thing to jump out at me was the arancini.
The mozzarella-filled fried rice balls were delicious, accompanied by a tomato-basil pesto sauce—we put in two orders! It was listed as a “cichetti” but we just made it our appetizer; it was so good.
For the main course, I saw the word truffles and ordered the ravioli cacio e pepe.
Served with a brown butter-sage sauce and white leek, along with the aforementioned shaved black truffles, this was a very tasty dish.
Once I got a look at the dessert menu, no question, I was getting tiramisu.
This was one of the best. Plus, it was paired with a glass of Foro Amaro.
This dinner brought a lovely close to a really fun day.
After admiring the Lightscape decorations and a long overdue catching up with an old friend, the atmosphere at Aita Trattoria and the delicious food definitely brought some much-needed warmth.
Inn of the Mountain Gods: Part 2 (Wendell’s Steak and Seafood)
The first morning waking up at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, located on the Mescalero Apache reservation in Mescalero, just outside of Ruidoso, opened the curtains and stepped out on to the balcony. There was a chill in the air and the sun was coming up.
Portions of Mescalero Lake were still frozen from the overnight dusting and the sight served as a wonderfully peaceful start to the day, especially since we were celebrating my mother’s birthday that evening.
Reservations for dinner were made at Wendell’s Steak and Seafood, a 2020 winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. According to the publication, in order to be eligible for the award, a restaurant must “feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.”
Just across from the restaurant is Wendell’s Lounge, where one can enjoy cocktails and snacks, and in between is a sitting lounge looking out onto the lake.
While waiting for the restaurant to open, wandered around the area and gazed at the fountain depicting a medicine basket.
According to local tradition, a medicine basket is used during puberty rites, particularly for girls. The basket is filled with various ingredients intended to, according to the monumental inscription, “guide the girl through this ceremony and for the rest of her life.”
Once seated, I perused the drinks and was sold upon spotting the caliente cucumber on their martini list.
The drink is comprised of both jalapeño-infused vodka and Effen cucumber vodka. Each sip had a nice refreshing hit, followed by some heat as it went down.
Something else that caught my attention was the charred bone marrow listed among their starters.
Bone marrow is pure indulgence. It’s so rich and fatty, and, at Wendell’s, it’s served alongside bacon marmalade and grilled garlic ciabatta. Take a piece of crunchy ciabatta, spread the marrow on, and top it with some marmalade—that’s a gastronomic experience sticking with me for life.
For the main course, I ordered the roasted elk tenderloin.
The extremely tender and flavorful elk was served with a sherry reduction, along with caramelized leeks and mash. Everything about the dish was excellent. My first elk experience and it has definitely left a good impression.
When it came to dessert, we went with an old favorite: crème brûlée
The quality of the dessert was classic: creamy and delicious. It was also topped with various seasonal berries, which balanced the flavor with a bit of tartness.
To close the evening, we had one final toast.
Among the numerous wine options available at Wendell’s they also happened to carry my favorite sparkling wine, Freixenet cava.
The Inn of the Mountain Gods is a great getaway. Tucked away in the mountains and with picturesque views, it allows guests to really relax and put their mind at ease. Armed with a fun casino and restaurants offering everything from a delicious pile of waffle fries to an upscale steakhouse, it has everything for that much-needed escape.
Another “atypical” Thanksgiving—but delicious nonetheless
Aside from a visit to New Jersey in 2015, it’s been nine years since sitting down to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. While living in the Philippines, my father and I typically would prepare a barbecue with everything from chicken to pork belly to fish—but no turkey.
Two years ago, while on the way home from Taipei, what’s become a tradition when returning to the Philippines is a couple days stay in Cebu City, along with lunch at Pilar’s Tuna Grille in nearby Mandaue City.
On this occasion, we arrived on Thanksgiving Day and, as the name of the place suggests, we ordered tuna but in the form of a giant grilled panga, or jaw.
So delicious and it is always surprising just how meaty a tuna jaw can be.
The following year, while in lockdown in Bacolod City, we went with the next best thing, lechon (I also penned a blog about the heaps of Thanksgiving leftovers).
This year, I’m back in the United States for Thanksgiving.
However, being in Albuquerque, the family I used to celebrate with are spread between New Jersey and Virginia, while my Dad is still back in the Philippines. For 2021, while the food was closer to “traditional” than lechon or tuna jaw, it wasn’t the typical circumstances.
Since arriving in New Mexico, I’ve gotten accustomed to visiting my mother’s husband’s parents at their retirement facility, along with enjoying meals in the dining hall. This year marks another novel Thanksgiving celebration.
Upon arriving to the table, we were greeted with something of an antipasti with peppers, assorted vegetables, and olives.
This was immediately followed by the opening of wine bottles. The primary choice of the table: a chardonnay by River Road Family Vineyards.
The California-based winery notes, the wine has “rich, slightly sweet, apple flavors.” It definitely went down smooth and would have to agree with the company when they describe the chardonnay as “crisp and clean.”
Then came the main course.
A plateful of all the hits: turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a roll.
Overall, everything was great. The best thing on the plate may have been the mashed potatoes and the stuffing but, then again, I’m also partial to starchy food. As usual, my mother’s husband’s mother asked if I would finish her plate (which I always oblige) and found, while my turkey had been shredded and managed to retain some taste with the accompanying gravy, her slices were carved and a bit dry (perhaps why she couldn’t finish those portions).
Earlier during the meal, I saw a tray of dessert fly by the table while still picking at the “antipasti” and it looked delicious.
A classic pumpkin pie. As expected, delicious and sweet—an excellent closer to the tasty and filling meal.
After enjoying grilled tuna jaw in Cebu, gorging on a big pile of lechon at home in Bacolod City, and celebrating at an Albuquerque retirement facility dining hall, who knows what subsequent Thanksgivings will bring?
Sydney (Part 2): Wandering and eating #TBT
One of the best parts of traveling solo is the opportunity to wander aimlessly. While it is possible with a partner or group, it does take a special kinship to be able to meander and still have a good time. Then again, there’s that personal freedom (as mentioned in the prior blog) that comes with travelling on your own.
In addition, when it comes to random strolling, there is always time to stop for a snack (or meal); and, with regard to snacking in Sydney, there were two spots I would frequent just about every day.
Walking around the downtown area, it becomes evident that Pie Face is a popular spot—they are EVERYWHERE. Their first shop opened in Sydney in 2003 and, today, the shop can be found in seven countries. The store offers up the old Aussie classic: meat pies and sausage rolls.
The breading was tasty and flaky, while filled fairly generously. Their food was always satisfying and easy to eat on the go.
Another spot that was frequently seen during walks was a place called Breadtop.
Personally, I love these types of self-serve bake shops that sell everything from savory buns to cakes. It was pretty much a daily occasion to stop by and pick up a few things, both for the walk and to bring back to the hotel, and, of the multitude of items they sold, my all-time favorite—and something I have yet to see from similar establishments—was their prawn fritter bun.
That shrimp patty, especially if it was freshly cooked, was one of the most amazing things; but, even if it had cooled down a bit on the shelf or was sitting in a bag while looking for a spot to sit down and enjoy, it was still so delicious.
One of the sights near the hotel was the Queen Victoria Building, or QVB. First opened in 1898, it is a pretty grandiose building hosting a number of shops and restaurants.
For me, I usually would just walk through, use the free wi-fi, and/or browse.
There was a place there called Kikko Cafe, which I believe is now closed (at least, according to a google search).
I remember enjoying a simple brunch there, along with really lovely coffee. According to their website, which is still up, “At Kikko Cafe, we are dedicated to providing you with an experience, whether it’s specialty coffee or our selection of amazing food.”
While in Sydney, I found myself starting each day going in different directions. It was how I found out another nearby neighborhood was Chinatown, which soon became a daily visit.
I visited this place often just because there were a lot of souvenir shops and good cheap eats. This became one of the most interesting areas because I found myself going down random alleyways and finding little gems here and there. One of these spots was Emperor’s Puff.
A literal hole-in-a-wall, the tiny shop was selling fresh cream puffs.
There was usually a line (even in the rain) and getting to the window, you find one sales person behind a register and a cream puff machine winding around them. Once served, the puffs are still hot and, probably, some of the best I’ve ever had.
Just nearby is Market City, a large shopping center. Considered “Chinatown’s best food court,” they offer a variety of Asian cuisine.
I especially enjoyed the spicy beef tendon and tripe soup.
There was also the Dixon Food Court. I happened to find this place by chance. Walking into, what appeared to be, a basement, it was a surprise at just how vast this food court was and, like Market City, there was a variety of Asian food available. It took a couple walks around the area to finally settle on what to eat.
A few times, after a day full of walking (especially mornings to capture the sunrise by the Sydney Opera House), there were those early nights in and all I needed was some takeout sushi.
The soy sauce packs were especially cute.
As mentioned in the previous blog, one of the regular morning stops was Joe Black.
Those takeaway cups!
I also made sure to enjoy something sweet and indulgent.
After walking around Sydney, while heading back to the hotel for a rest, stopped by the QVB and visited the Old Vienna Coffee House. However, it wasn’t coffee I was craving—I wanted pavlova (…and champagne).
There were frequent visits to the supermarket for basic goods, especially since the hotel had a mini-fridge and microwave.
Firstly, there was the massive selection of vegemite.
Then, trying Tim-Tam flavors not available in the Philippines.
The last two weeks of reminiscing really made that return trip to Australia even more desired. Hopefully, once things are all figured out, vacations to the places we’ve all been dreaming about can finally happen.
Sydney (Part 1): Eating by the sights #TBT
My Facebook memories recently brought me back to a 2013 trip to Australia. It was my first solo trip and it sparked my appreciation for the freedom of doing every thing I wanted when I wanted. However, after subsequent solo vacations, a return trip is long overdue. Since then, I have learned to be more curious, try new things on my own, and really get a feel for a place. Hopefully, it happens in the future.
On this holiday, I was primarily based in Sydney but also had the chance to visit family in Melbourne, along with spending a couple days in Brisbane. For this blog, I will be focusing on the food enjoyed throughout Sydney, both while sightseeing and during random wandering.
As with every trip, the first step is getting to the hotel. Once the bags are dropped off (because it’s always too early for check-in), it’s a matter of walking around the neighborhood to see what’s around. The hotel was very close to sights such as Hyde Park but decided to start away from the busier areas.
The priority was breakfast and what was just a few steps from the hotel? Hungry Jack’s!
It is essentially Australia’s Burger King and, for those who enjoy fast food (and those who like tasting fast food around the world), it is a must when visiting the country. The day began with one of their brekky wraps, coffee, and a hash brown. Solid, classic tastes to start the adventure.
One morning, visited The Rocks neighborhood, which is filled with old buildings, restaurants, shops, and is located near the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Before making my way to the main area, meandered through various side streets and happened upon heaps of beautiful sights, along with plenty of angles with the bridge and the Sydney Opera House popping into view.
I also happened upon the historic Observer Hotel, which was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2002.
According to the hotel’s website, the local institution traces its roots back to 1844 when “Frederick Wright Unwin subdivided the site of the Waterman’s Arms, building the sandstone building Observer Tavern.”
After lots of exploring, eventually found a spot to enjoy brunch.
Unfortunately, the place I visited for brunch has since closed down (pre-pandemic) and the tags on Facebook were also removed. However, I do remember it being a very spacious place with beautiful brunch items.
It was truly one of the loveliest brunches of my life.
Afterwards, stumbled upon The Rocks Market, which led to even more wandering. Perusing the market’s website, it looks like there is even more to browse than in 2013 and it is definitely one of the spots to hit on that return trip.
However, I didn’t leave the market empty-handed and made my way over to the iconic bridge.
At the time, I was crazy about macarons (to an extent, still am but it’s hard finding quality pastries where I am currently based) and, while walking around the market, found a stand selling a variety of flavors.
If I remember correctly, one was vanilla and the other was salted caramel, but the pink one was definitely rosewater. It was my first encounter with the flavor and, upon that first bite, the flowery essence filled my mouth and nose.
One of the local spots that I hit up often was a small coffee shop called Joe Black. A few steps from the hotel, it was convenient and local.
Some of the best takeaway cups and, while in Australia, always started the day with a flat white.
The trip was also special because I got to watch two events at Stadium Australia, then referred to as the ANZ Stadium.
First, I got to witness the Socceroos qualify for the 2014 World Cup with a 1-0 win over Iraq. Then, watched an NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. I didn’t stop for food during the soccer game but did swing by the concession stand for the latter.
Burger, fries, and a flat white.
On one of the last days in Sydney, spent an entire morning walking around the Royal Botanical Gardens. It is such a massive place, it is very easy to get lost in all of it. Scrolling through photos, there was so much beautiful foliage (and I’m not one to really appreciate plants all that much).
After a full morning of walking, found myself at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which, despite being temporarily closed due to the ongoing pandemic, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
The gallery notes on their website: “Our mission is to serve the widest possible audience as a centre of excellence for the collection, preservation, documentation, interpretation and display of Australian and international art, and a forum of scholarship, art education and the exchange of ideas.”
After even more walking around and exploring, there was also lunch at the museum.
It was a quiet and enjoyable meal of beef and onion pot pie with bean salad, along with a coffee and white chocolate shake.
Looking back on this trip, there was still so much more to enjoy (coming up in the second part) and other places in the city that have yet to be explored.
Heaps of Thanksgiving leftovers
Another Thanksgiving in the Philippines. As with previous years, instead of turkey, enjoyed lechon, the classic Filipino roast pig—arguably one of the best delicacies of the country. Paired the meal with bihon, a traditional dish of rice noodles, pork, and various vegetables; along with some stir-fried green beans. Not the “traditional” Thanksgiving spread but, as an former co-worker once told me about not celebrating Thanksgiving in Jamaica, “There were no pilgrims in Jamaica!”
As with any household after Thanksgiving, there were lots of leftovers and, as of late, rarely just reheat and eat. The next few days were spent finding ways to reinvent everything.
This blog has previously written about the obsession with making toasties for breakfast. Aside from the typical egg and coleslaw combination, was also changing things up by adding ingredients such as bacon, chorizo, among other meats. Lechon works, too! Sauteed some sliced lechon with cabbage and cooked the egg in the residual oil. The meat was overflowing and made for a hearty breakfast.
Another breakfast came out of reusing leftovers: Breakfast burritos with lechon. Threw some chopped tomatoes and sliced jalapeños before searing the burrito shut on a griddle pan.
For one lunch, combined the leftovers and mixed sauteed lechon with bihon. Tossed everything with perilla oil and oyster sauce, then topped it with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Given the chopped pork already cooked with the noodles, it was double-porky.
One evening, I knew I had to cook with the leftovers but had no idea what to do. Dug through the refrigerator and thought of slicing onions and chopping some scallions. Ended up caramelizing one sliced white onion, along with lightly cooking the scallions. After tossing the onions with some chopped lechon, topped it with more green onions and sesame seeds (guess that’s the go-to garnish). It looked and tasted great.
As of right now, the bihon is done but there is still a little lechon (at this point, will probably just reheat and eat like regular leftovers).
Nearly getting scammed in Shanghai
While watching a random travel video about China, the narrator discussed a common scam where supposed locals approach tourists to visit a local tea house. The “host” takes their guest to a nearby tea house where they, literally, have tea. However, in the end, they are left with an exorbitant bill to take care of. Additionally, Sergi Mateo wrote a piece for Medium.com in 2018 where he discussed getting scammed—even allegedly drugged—when he was roped into one of these tea houses and ended up paying around $160.
His experience sounded eerily similar to a situation I nearly found myself in when visiting Shanghai in 2015.
A friend, who was on business in Shanghai, invited me to join her. We had gotten the opportunity to meet-up in Hong Kong on a previous trip, which was so much fun. During the day, she had work while I roamed the city. During one of our dinners, she suggested visiting the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, a huge structure that showcases Shanghai’s development and their plans for the future.
Dropped by the following day only to find out they were closed.
With a backpack and large camera in tow, I couldn’t look more touristy unless I was wearing an “I-heart-Shanghai” t-shirt. At one point, I was approached by this couple, they spoke English and introduced themselves as cousins who were visiting from Beijing. We got into a conversation and they invited me to “a show.”
Immediately, I had my reservations but also had that “when am I going to do this again” hankering.
In his piece, Mateo wrote, “While walking, the guys bombed me with questions.” Yes, same here.
In order to get to the venue, we had to walk through a subway underpass and down a couple streets, and it was nonstop questions. Five years later, I still remember them telling me about running difficulties communicating in the city because they don’t speak Shanghainese; the girl said I have “a very Chinese face” but my physique was not because, as she put it, “Chinese boys are like spaghetti;” and the guy asked me if I spoke Mandarin and, after spitting out a few words and phrases, he asked, “How are you going to get a Chinese wife?”
We were literally a block from the place—I could see it from the corner—and my curiosity came to a halt and I stopped right there. My intuition was probably kicking in at the last minute and I told them I had to be somewhere and left. They both gave questioning looks but they let me leave and I walked away without looking back.
Based on what others have disclosed about their “tea ceremony” experiences, I dodged a bullet.
I did end up going back to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center the following day, which was open and is a very cool spot to hit up when in Shanghai. I especially liked the massive scale-model city where visitors can walk over the entirety of Shanghai—it’s like taking an aerial tour of the city. The facility even cuts the lights every 15 minutes in order for visitors to watch the city illuminate.
On that day, I nearly ran into the pair again! I know I saw the girl duck behind somebody as they noticed me approaching. Looking at pictures from that initial visit, I also happened to get them on camera.
Incidentally, during one of my friend’s free days, we were walking to lunch when we were approached by a different couple—another pair of “cousins.” We made sure to walk away as quickly as possible.
DoesThatHelp 