Oodles of Noodles

Big cooking wok!

Fry it up in the pan. 

Oodles of noodles. 

Sautéed with soy sauce.

Wrapped around the large spoons. 

Looks filling, gut-busting perhaps.

But ooh so satisfying.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Oodles of Noodles

Buddha Happy

This was a great big Buddha by the cashier in the vegetarian restaurant. 

He is, so to say, "fat and happy" (come on you can't miss that belly)!

I think that's the message the eatery is trying to get across. 

The only problem is that fat does not make happy; it just makes you want to lose weight. 

Then again, no really hungry person was ever that happy either.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Buddha Happy

Spuds and Suds

                         

Potatoes and trash, not a tasty combination. 

At least if you're gonna do this, don't show your customers! 

Maybe there's a rational explanation (as in "Lucy, splain dat to me!"):

The potatoes fell on the floor, and the broom and pan where there to clean them up.

Hey, once you peel them, what difference does it make anyway! 

Yeah, sure that works. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Spuds and Suds

Getting Schwarma On The Spit

So that's how they get the schwarma on the spit!  LOL

It looks better after a little roasting around the fire.  ;-)

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Getting Schwarma On The Spit

You Get Your Own Special Table

This was a funny sign on a table a good deal away from all the others in a restaurant.

Reserved for Mr. and Mrs. Social Distance. Thank You.  

Wow, for people that are rightfully worried about Coronavirus or maybe they're just hypochondriacs, there is a secluded table for you in the restaurant, so you can still go out and eat and enjoy yourselves. 

Mr. and Mrs. Social Distance, you are sitting far away but still part of the living, Halleluja!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

You Get Your Own Special Table

Controversy, Yet Agreement

In these great times of strife and controversy in this country...

One thing that we can probably all agree on:

Make Falafel Not War

Words to live by.

And to eat by.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Controversy, Yet Agreement

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Thought this was cute at Java Nation (BTW, they are a better Starbucks!).

A mini sink that says:

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Truly, that sorts of like what they are since they sell coffee but also wine!  

How did we ever come up with this saying about kitchen sinks to begin with? 

Like would you ever make an offer on a property, and say:

 I'll take it, but you keep the kitchen sink.

There must've been some pretty cruddy kitchen sinks along the way. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Everything But The Kitchen Sink

Buy Right From The Start

This was a funny sign in an eatery:

Our tasting panel samples each item before we buy it.

And the picture is of the guy  ready to dig into the food. 

There was another saying that I heard that I liked:

If you buy on price, you buy twice. 

In other words, never just buy the lowest price item if you don't really like it, because in the end, you'll end up having to buy a replacement for the cheapo, crappo thing you really didn't like to begin with. 

Better to save up and get what you really want to begin with. 

A savvy shopper, indeed. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Buy Right From The Start

Crispy Fried Mushroom

These are crispy fried mushrooms.

They look like worms. 

And they are sweet and taste out of this world. 

From a local vegan restaurant. 

It's one of the best appetizers. 

Like candy really.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Crispy Fried Mushroom

Pastrami Sandwich @Char Bar

Yesterday, at the museum (The Phillips Collection), we went to Char Bar Kosher Restaurant in downtown DC. 

I ordered the 5th Avenue Sandwich:

Pastrami with mushrooms and onions and deli mustard on a french roll. 

Comes with the salty fries and ketchup. 

Pretty good.  

I would grill the pastrami and caramelize the mushrooms and onions to improve on it. 

Also add a little mayo. 

But overall, it was a nice experience there.  

Wait time on Sunday was really nothing...in fact, I couldn't believe how quick the food was o the table. 

Wouldn't mind, at all, if they opened one of these in our neighborhood.  

I think I'd be a frequent customer there at the right sandwich price. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal) 

Pastrami Sandwich @Char Bar

Best Cup Of Tea

So my daughter went out for dinner in Israel and she sends me this photo of an amazing cup of tea. 

- Cinnamon

- Lemon

- Ginger

- Mint

What's so great is you can actually see the cinnamon stick, mint leaves, and lemon and ginger slices. 

It's completely fresh and healthy, and not just from a tea bag or minced up tea in a tin. 

To me, this looks absolutely appetizing and delicious!

Usually, I'm a Snapple Iced Tea type of a guy, but for sure, I'd go for some this fresh tea from Israel...L'Chaim! ;-)

(Source Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Best Cup Of Tea

Calories Extreme!

Someone mentioned that they went to the Cheesecake Factory the other day.

They said they bought a slice of cheesecake. 

I asked: "Was it the Oreo Cheesecake?"

They said, "yeah!"

But they went on, "It was too much for one person to eat."

Uh, you think?  

Check out how many calories are in one piece of this "Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake" -->>1,630!

Yes, that's one slice, not the whole cake!!!

And over 50% is from fat!

Take all this in context: The calories for an average female and male is just 1,900 and 2,500, respectively, if your moderately active. 

So one slice of cheesecake like this Oreo flavor is around 86% or 65% of the total recommended calorie intake for a women or man for the entire day!

What the heck do they put into this cheesecake--butter, cream cheese, sugar by the truckload!

I know it must be good, but does it also have to be this deadly! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Calories Extreme!

Honey Chicken Delicious

Just wanted to share this amazing honey chicken. 

Yes, I know you can't eat it, but you can imagine what it tastes like.

Had this at L'Chaim Asian Cuisine and Steak House in Hollywood, Florida. 

Absolutely to die for!

That was a lot of honey over the dark crispy chicken. 

It's been a few months and I still haven't been able to get it out of my mind. 

That is quite a recommendation I would say. 

See you there! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Honey Chicken Delicious

Creative Washing Sign

Ok, this is not your typical handwashing sign.

Usually these signs that are mandated by health regulations in food establishments remind employees to wash their hands before returning to work.

Of course, given all the Clostridium, E. coli, Hepatitis, Listeria, Norovirus, and Salmonella out there, we know that unfortunately many food workers are not following these instructions very well...yes, yuck!

Here, someone "sanitized" the sign, and rubbed out the "h" and the top part of the "d" in hands and left the crude word, "anus." 

Now employees must wash not their hands, but their anus (does that help in food preparation?)!

Perhaps, whoever did this are lobbyists for some sort of bidets in this country. 

Given all the political crap that goes on around this town, this may be a very good idea. ;-)

(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Creative Washing Sign

Japanese Cuisine Through Sheltered Eyes

So I had my first Miso Soup today.

Actually, I shared it with my wife who checked that the stock was kosher--the lady said bonito--and my wife said, good. 

I'm a Jewish kid from the Bronx--what do I know from Miso Soup. 

So about the only thing that I can tell you about the soup is what a fishy taste!

I know it's supposed to be really good for you--and that's why I even tried it. 

But the closest thing that I can compare it to is the when my mom used to boil the wrapped gefilte fish in water before Shabbat--well the leftover water that gets discarded--that's what in my imagination Miso Soup tasted like. 

Would I get it again? 

Let's just say, I wouldn't run to get it--however, for good health, I may hold my taste buds and sense of smell of all the fishy stuff in abeyance, and just drink in down.

In general though, I really like some Asian cuisine--for example, with vegetarian dishes things like Kung Po Tofu and Mo-Po Tofu or Crispy Eggplant and Vegetables in Fried Rice. 

The other thing I really like is the innovative Japanese Ramune "marble soda" in which you push out a real marble from the spout into the bottle and it rolls around inside while you drink the refreshing fruity flavors (don't worry, it's not as dangerous as it sounds). 

Last thing, I'll mention is that I won't eat sushi--raw fish seems like it's primed to give you a nice big stomach ache--now this reminds me of another type of dish in Jewish tradition and that's herring (often served with cream sauce) and prominent at many a Ashkenazi kiddush served after synagogue services. 

With the Sushi, if they can somehow manage to cook it for me and use kosher fish, okay--otherwise, I'm heading to the nearest Chinese Kosher Restaurant for some nice Sesame, Kung Pao, Moo Shu, or Lo Mein with Beef or Chicken. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Japanese Cuisine Through Sheltered Eyes

Oh Those Crispy Wontons

These were some good-looking crispy wonton chips at the Kosher Chinese. 

But I was good, and didn't have a single one!

Dossy was lucky and could have some and she put soy sauce on hers.

It was tempting, but I held strong.

Carbohydrates = Poison. 

Carbohydrates = Poison. 

Carbohydrates = Poison. 

I tell myself over and over.

Do NOT touch. 

Do NOT eat.

Do NOT even go near them. 

Not so bad...mind over matter. 

If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. 

Willpower, plain and simple. 

Would be easier perhaps with some different "food" genetics. 

But grateful for every blessing G-d has bestowed. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Oh Those Crispy Wontons

Indian Food All You Can Eat--Is That A Good Thing?

So after we couldn't find the Amazing Maze today, we went to this all you can eat buffet of Indian food. 

Nice, clean place...

Food is set out finely in metal trays over burners. 

My wife says, "What a bargain!"

The problem is I can only eat vegetables, and it's all the heavy Indian type. 

I am a good boy with the diet--NO carbs--and pass on the pastry fried samosas, the hot leavened nan, the thin stir-fried noodles, and even on the quality orange basmati rice.

What's left for me on my plate?

- Chick peas and sauce.

- Green peas and sauce.

- Eggplant and sauce.

- Creamy saucy spinach, just a tad.

- Sweet finely-chopped mushy carrot halava. 

Each wasn't bad, but wait this isn't balanced--lots of mushy veggies in a superbly gross buttery way--all sort of just swooshing around without any substance food to soak it up. 

I need a Starbucks or sugar Coke to wash this all down and away--not enough time though...

Oh G-d, I want to make a big Indian buffet puke (even technology can't save me from this)! ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Indian Food All You Can Eat--Is That A Good Thing?

Dancing With "The Stars"

I took this video when we stopped for a nice Italian coffee at Grand Forno Pronto on Las Olas in Florida. 

A good song pops on the speakers, and all of a sudden the waiter and waitress just start dancing it up behind the counter. 

The customers are ecstatic and egging them on.

Florida is one of those places where people just break out in fun--it's awesome.  ;-)

(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Dancing With "The Stars"

That's Good Cookin'

This was a funny picture when we were out west. 

This guy is standing on the corner dancing around in his apron and chef's hat. 

He's also got a big fat fake mustache on top of his real one and big round glasses/googles on his face. 

He is working hard to attract people to come into his restaurant. 

This "chef" calls over to us jumping around--doing anything to get our attention. 

So we had already eaten lunch, but he did get us to stop and say hello--this picture captures the moment. ;-)

(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

That's Good Cookin'

Color Me Different

I saw this restaurant and followed the color in to take this photo.

They had these multi-colored figurines lined up proudly on the ledge overlooking the tables and patrons. 

Each was different, but also the same. 

They had no faces, and were cut this way and that into segments of color (head, torso, butts, arms, legs, feet)...uniformity, but diversity. 

They are low-tech, but reminded me of robots or toy soldiers, but without the guns--just standing in colorful attention ushering people in to sit and eat and enjoy. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Color Me Different