33% less for 33% more food

Adam the genius has sniffed out another food find. Elephant Walk is offering a summer tasting menu: four courses for $20. Last week's Restaurant Week was 3 courses for 30 bucks (price/course=$10)...this is 4 courses for 20 bucks (price/course=$5). I don't know where Adam finds out about these things, but I'm excited.

Back to our regular programming...Food, Food and more Food

1. Rouge on Friday night in the South End: Adam and I shared the Beef Brisket, Mac & Cheese and Fried Catfingers. Very tasty, but they weren't offering their famously fabulous bread basket and the yummy spread I had heard about. Adam inadvertently created a line for the restroom by thoroughly reading the reviews posted on the restroom wall.

2. Vegetarian Ravioli at Taiwan Cafe: Wheezy, Kristen and I stopped by Taiwan Cafe (an old favorite) for a late night snack Saturday night after Princess Diaries 2 (delightful by the way). Since Wheezy is an herbivore, we were given the opportunity to actually branch out and order new items. The vegetarian raviolis were steamed dumplings stuffed with a pillowy "vegetable/tofu/glassy noodle/general good stuff" filling. I think I've found a new favorite.

3. Vietnamese sandwiches at Saigon Sandwich: Kristen and I stopped by Saigon Sandwich Sunday afternoon for a quick lunch. We both enjoyed the "VN Cold Cut" sandwich ($2). Other sandwiches, such as curry chicken, shredded pork and vegetarian tofu, cost a whopping 50 cents more at $2.50. The baguette was warm and crispy reminding me of the sandwich stall I used to frequent back in la la land. Word of caution: Kristen can attest the hot peppers are quite hot and don't think too much of what's in the "cold cuts," just enjoy it.

apolitical

I usually try to keep the blog far from politics so this is an anomaly. While I was trying to wake up this morning, I was listening to New Yorkers were being interviewed about the Republican National Convention on Morning Edition. Most were, understandably, miffed and annoyed about the inconvenient security measures surrounding the convention. However one man commented that he did not understand why the RNC was in NYC. All the Republicans were in Texas so the convention should be in Texas. Bwah ha ha! I laughed at him.

Restaurant Week

Adam and I checked out Bambara last night for Restaurant Week. We both enjoyed the smoked salmon blini appetizer and the hanger steak with onion tart entree. I vastly preferred my chocolate creme brulee over Adam's strawberry/peach shortcake dessert. Bambara also offered in intriguing root beer float made with root beer granita and vanilla ice cream. Unfortunately, I forgot to ascertain what the "hanger" part of hanger steak was. Fortunately, it was just beef and not some strange meat product and it was quite delicious.

Bohnanza

After consuming a delicious meal of carnitas, homemade guacamole and salsa among other things provided by the K & D, we sat down to a game of Bohnanza. I've been skeptical about this bean themed game, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I cared about my "beans." There are very few activities where it is socially acceptable to say, "How about a stink bean for two blue beans?"

BoSox Snack Swap

We enjoyed our "BoSox Snack Swap" during lunch today. This fun idea came about rather organically when a couple of folks formed "the committee" a few days ago after hitting upon the winning idea of a Yankee Lunch Swap. Not willing to risk eating a "crappy lunch," the activity was downgraded to a less risky snack swap styled after the classic Yankee gift swap to gauge whether we were ready for a lunch swap.

Although "the committee" honored Steve's request that the "Yankee Snack Swap" appropriately reference the Boston Red Sox, "the committee" upheld its responsibility to ensure the integrity of the the snack swap by openly shaming Steve's flagrant attempt to flout the spirit and purpose of the snack swap. He had the audacity to [in my presence] stuff a brown paper bag (used by all to "wrap" the snacks) with random snacks found in the office kitchen. This was a crappy snack not because office snacks are crappy, but because swapworthy snacks must originate outside the office. To Steve's credit, he included a generous selection of granola bars, rice krispy treats, etc. from the office snack supply. However, "the committee" [plasticann with the blessing of "the committee"] marked his bag with a big "frowny face." Fortunately, all was redeemed when Steve honorably chose his own bag on his turn so "the committee" was not forced to make an example of Steve by shunning him.

Our "BoSox Snack Swap" turned out quite well. Not a lot of stealing, but Team Mark & Jenny with their adorable "no longer a baby" toddler came in with a last minute steal to clinch the ice cream sandwiches. Representative snacks included: chocolate muffin, homemade ice cream sandwiches, huge bag of trail mix, homemade chocolate chip cookies, raspberry yogurt drink/nutter butters and finally the aforementioned grab bag of office snacks. We may not be ready to upgrade to a lunch swap, but I got some awesome cookies so I'm lobbying "the committee" for another edition of the "BoSox Snack Swap."

Retractable Highlighters

Wheezy was admiring these retractable highlighters when she stopped by the office for lunch yesterday. I could tell she liked them because she obsessively clicked my purple one and said, "these are really cool, where are they from?" I got permission from *&% Pres. Zay to "sneak" her not just one, but two highlighters from our supply room stash since Wheezy's one of his favorites.

Wandering Trio

MGDub, Wheezy and I met up on Sunday for our shopping adventure to the new Levenger store at the Prudential. Before we reached our intended destination, we stopped by Kitty World (Hello Kitty store), EMS, the Hello Kitty Kiosk at the Prudential and The Walking Store, where MGDub picked up a pair of "bumper shoes" similar to mine. Much to my chagrin, Adam likens my "bumper shoes" to corrective "orthopedic shoes." I quite enjoy my sporty sandals with a rubber bumper toe guard and now that MGDub owns a pair, I feel vindicated.

Alas, I digress. Our cheery trio finally made our way to the Levenger store where we disrupted the neatly organized displays of goods and disturbed other shoppers with our enthusiastic bursts of chatter: "look at this," "how cool is that and how utterly unnecessary," and "how much?"

In need of sustenance, we hit the Krispy Kreme on our way out. We were intrigued by the glazed chocolate cake doughnut so I ordered a lemon filled and a chocolate cake "for the table." I mentioned to MGDub in passing we could share my extra doughnut. I doubled back after I paid only to hear MGDub and Wheezy each ordering a jelly doughnut and a chocolate cake.

plasticann: I got the chocolate cake to share, I guess you didn't hear me say that.
MGDub: No I heard. I was going to share your doughnut, but then I heard Wheezy ordering her own chocolate cake so I decided I wanted my own chocolate cake.

This was followed by a classic amusing Wheezy and MGDub exchange where they discover new things they have in common.

MGDub: You played soccer? I played soccer.
Wheezy: What position did you play?
MGDub: blah blah blah!
Wheezy: Me too.
MGDub: Nohhh Suhhh!

Garrison Confections

Spotting this new chocolate store on Hope Street in Providence, I expressed my enthusiasm by squealing like a little girl and insisting we stop by for a visit. My friend Zames described the chocolate treats as, "flavors you've always wished someone would make and high quality." I tried the Mojito and Adam ventured into sandwich territory with the PB&J. Sure enough, the PB&J was true to form with a layer of PB and a layer of J enrobed in delicious chocolate. Next time I'm in Providence, I'll be sure to pack some tupperware in a larger bag for some strategic chocolate procurement.

Crispy Glazed Pop Secret Recall

Responding positively to a Pop Secret TV commercial, I ran out and bought both varieties of the new Crispy Glazed Pop Secret: Caramel and Kettle Corn. We popped it up during happy hour a few weeks ago. I overindulged and ended up with a self induced tummy ache. Mark, who also felt a bit ill after the popcorn experience, sent me this recall notice. The popping directions involved multiple warnings about hot burning glaze. Fortunately, I heeded all precautions and narrowly escaped bodily harm...that was a close one.

Quiche Pot Pie

Craving more than a piece of toast for dinner, I baked up this tasty Quiche Pot Pie last night.

Heat up the oven to 400 degrees and pull out a nine inch square Pyrex dish. Fill the pan with around an inch of a tasty combo of ingredients such as:
Cubed Ham Steak
Frozen Corn Kernels
Frozen Peas

Whisk together the following and pour over ham/corn/peas:
4 Eggs
around 1/4 cup Whipping Cream
Salt & Pepper

Mix together this Bisquik topping and spoon over egg mixtures:
1 cup Bisquik
1 Egg
1/2 cup Milk

Bake at 400 degrees for around 30 minutes or until biscuit topping is golden brown and the egg is cooked through. I think the whipping cream definately makes a difference and the egg cooks up much flufflier than watery skim milk.

Growing Milk

Steve, unrelated to accidentally consuming four shots of espresso this morning, was in fine comedic form at lunch.

Steve: Because there are farms nearby, people ride their horses in my town. Sometimes you just see the horse running around.
plasticann: What do they grow on the farms?
Steve: Milk!

Apparently, the farms also grow ice cream.

Havaianas

plasticmom has been living in her red Havaianas this summer. She reports they haven't left her feet during waking hours in months. Although her red ones are still going strong, she may want another pair for the sake of variety. I'm thinking of these cute Dot ones for her because I can't quite justify acquiring a seventh pair.

Eccentricities

Every so often I get random pieces of mail from plasticmom, sometimes without an explanation as to its relevancy. Once, it was a wrapper for frozen scallion pancakes. The explanation...you should try this brand of frozen scallion pancakes...they're quite tasty. plasticmom does helpfully highlight certain articles when sending clippings, but sometimes it's just an ad with no context. This morning, I received some unsolicited mail from plasticmom. The contents, a flier detailing the comprehensive Kindergarten Curriculum now offered at my pre-K and K alma mater...Happy Day School. When asked why she sent me the flier, plasticmom e-mailed this response, "you should upgrade yourself, otherwise you won't be able to compete with young Happy Day kindergarteners." She's right, back in my day, we didn't have Math, Computer, Science and Foreign Language. We did print the alphabet everyday, read little books, played with rusty nails and colored a lot. Heck, I didn't even tackle learning how to tell time until I was at least in first grade.

Bright Idea

My massive move this weekend went swimmingly with all the wonderful friends who helped on a sweltering day. We love our apartment and we're really exited about. However, we've discovered one particularly strange quirk about our new place. I was in my room on Saturday afternoon with the Doritys and Adam when I noticed peculiar nubbins in my wall. Upon closer inspection, I realize the nubbins were pushpins that had been painted over. The geniuses who painted the wall had the bright idea to NOT pull out the push pins before painting. We later realized all our walls were "quirky." Note to visitors, DO NOT pull out ANY push pins out of our walls, you'll leave a gaping hole in our paint which is much worse than the "nubbins."