I'm not sure that I've eaten out so many times in one week, and good food to boot!
Tuesday, A and I stayed in and got some take-out from R&G Lounge. First time I've (a) enjoyed Chinese take out; (b) didn't end up with food poisoning after eating a seafood dish*; and (c) didn't find it totally greasy! We got the Special Beef - always sketchy sounding, but fantastic here - the Salt and Pepper Scallops, and Mustard with Black Mushrooms. Paired with a bottle of Malbec, it totally satisfied my Chinese food craving without destroying my stomach.
*Yes, people, I am a Chinese person who can't digest Chinese food. That's really why I refer to myself as Taiwanese/KMT instead :-)
On Thurs, A and I had an actual date and decided on The House last minute, thanks to John G.'s glowing recommendation. WOW. Let me say it again: WOW. For such a low-hype restaurant, it completely blew us away. The wine wasn't spectacular - we got a Chauteneuf du Pape - but the food was WOW. We started off with Lobster Tempura in Baby Greens, and then shared the Korean-spiced Rack of Lamb and Grilled Seabass with Garlic Noodles. I mean, every individual thing was amazing, but the way that the entrees complemented their sides was sublime! Each complete plate was meant to go together, and its obvious that the chef gave a great deal of thought and care when dreaming them up.
Dinner was topped by an ORGASMIC Scharfenburger Choco Cake with a side of vanilla-Heath ice cream. It almost put me into a coma. Even A was bowled over... and he doesn't even like chocolate!
On Friday, Carolyn came home at 8:30 pm covered with dirt. "I've been gardening all day," she explained, exhausted. They were doing a project at the safe house she works at to redo the backyard.
Since I hadn't eaten yet, I treated her to a meal at Couleur Cafe. Yeah, the service can be spotty, particularly with one waiter, but there's no question that the food is very yum. I'd been craving the Crepe Chicken, and Caro got the Lamb Sausage Pasta with Angel Hair. We also started with some Warm Brie, which was just fantastic. Amazing what a sprinkle of oregano can do!
Unfortunately, all that eating means I'm up a total of 3.2 lbs from goal... and got a stern lecture from my WW mtg leader. *Sigh* I'm back on the regular plan, but I think that it was worth it!
8.21.2006
8.16.2006
corazón i mi ipod
Whoo! I got my spankin' new iPod Video today - 30 GB of beautiful, slim, shiny goodness. The resolution of the videos are unbelievable... almost better than our tv.
There was a little blip when I accidentally programmed it into Spanish, and of course, couldn't figure out how to reprogram the language since, well, the menu items were in Spanish. Luckily, Tomas saved the day.
I must get used to that click-wheel thingy. Otherwise, I suppose there's always Babelfish.
There was a little blip when I accidentally programmed it into Spanish, and of course, couldn't figure out how to reprogram the language since, well, the menu items were in Spanish. Luckily, Tomas saved the day.
I must get used to that click-wheel thingy. Otherwise, I suppose there's always Babelfish.
8.14.2006
wtc: the movie
My review in one word? Disappointing.
Last night, Carolyn, Kevin and I went to see the World Trade Center. Considering how deeply September 11 affected me, I thought that I would be moved. The only thing that touched me emotionally during that movie were the CNN clips that were interlaced throughout. It brought me back to that day, glued in front of the TV, watching in horror.
Otherwise, the movie was pedestrian.
The movie did not provide information. The movie did not have a message. The movie did not espouse theories. The movie did not have characters that we felt for. The only "theme", if you want to call it, is that the blackest day of the 21st century can bring people together to be heroes. But the way Stone delivered it, it was like a brass candlestick to the head: Said in a voice-over by Nick Cage during the last five minutes.
In addition, there were some overt patriotism and religious messaging that I found incongruous with Oliver Stone in general. I think Oliver Stone was trying too hard not to be Oliver Stone. In doing so, he didn't deliver a tribute, he made a TV movie. In fact, I was insulted that he was riding on the emotional residue of 9-11 to carry the heart; it didn't even feel like he bothered to make us care, because he knew that we would.
I'm not always an Oliver Stone fan, but one thing about his movies is that they are usually powerful, dramatic. This was just boring. I'm shocked that the critics have rated this so high. Maybe its another one of those PC things where you can't pan a movie b/c its about our country's greatest tragedy. Which in itself, is a tragedy.
Last night, Carolyn, Kevin and I went to see the World Trade Center. Considering how deeply September 11 affected me, I thought that I would be moved. The only thing that touched me emotionally during that movie were the CNN clips that were interlaced throughout. It brought me back to that day, glued in front of the TV, watching in horror.
Otherwise, the movie was pedestrian.
The movie did not provide information. The movie did not have a message. The movie did not espouse theories. The movie did not have characters that we felt for. The only "theme", if you want to call it, is that the blackest day of the 21st century can bring people together to be heroes. But the way Stone delivered it, it was like a brass candlestick to the head: Said in a voice-over by Nick Cage during the last five minutes.
In addition, there were some overt patriotism and religious messaging that I found incongruous with Oliver Stone in general. I think Oliver Stone was trying too hard not to be Oliver Stone. In doing so, he didn't deliver a tribute, he made a TV movie. In fact, I was insulted that he was riding on the emotional residue of 9-11 to carry the heart; it didn't even feel like he bothered to make us care, because he knew that we would.
I'm not always an Oliver Stone fan, but one thing about his movies is that they are usually powerful, dramatic. This was just boring. I'm shocked that the critics have rated this so high. Maybe its another one of those PC things where you can't pan a movie b/c its about our country's greatest tragedy. Which in itself, is a tragedy.
team wine, stale wine
On Thursday, we had our long overdue PMO wine outing. My team at work cut out scandalously early - 4:30! - and enjoyed some glasses of wine and each other's company at Wine in Embarcadero 2.
There was much to be drinking to. Tom recently transfered to the Product Management group, so we were celebrating; Jeff announced he was leaving next week, so we were saying goodbye. Over plates of cheese, smoked salmon, and bread, we realized that Tom is a nutjob, and I'm a camera whore. Or maybe we already knew that ;-)
The Team Pic: [L-R] Drew, Jeff, Peter, Daisy, Tom, Carol, me
Daisy, Quiggles, Carol
Me and my officemate
Jeff and Peter
Wine was surprisingly crowded, considering its in a mall. And pricey, to boot. But it sure as hell beat our next stop...
... the London Wine Bar! We vetoed it originally because, as Drew said, it looks "dusty". Well, somehow Jeff and Tom thought it'd be a good idea to stop in for a glass. As it turned out, it was not. My review on Yelp says it all:
The breadsticks have been there since LWB opened
Why is Carol smiling? Because she was smart enough to order tea!
Cranky me, guilty Tom
Afterwards, Carol and I headed for the Yelp Elite event at the SFMoMA. Lots of fun - the food provided by Oola and Maverick were yummy, and people are always super nice. I don't think I'm a big fan of modern art though... I just don't get it. Maybe I'm a heathen, but when I see big red balls, I think of Target.
Just as well, since I ended up cutting out early thanks to the disgusting Cote I got at LWB.
There was much to be drinking to. Tom recently transfered to the Product Management group, so we were celebrating; Jeff announced he was leaving next week, so we were saying goodbye. Over plates of cheese, smoked salmon, and bread, we realized that Tom is a nutjob, and I'm a camera whore. Or maybe we already knew that ;-)
The Team Pic: [L-R] Drew, Jeff, Peter, Daisy, Tom, Carol, me
Daisy, Quiggles, Carol
Me and my officemate
Jeff and Peter
Wine was surprisingly crowded, considering its in a mall. And pricey, to boot. But it sure as hell beat our next stop...
... the London Wine Bar! We vetoed it originally because, as Drew said, it looks "dusty". Well, somehow Jeff and Tom thought it'd be a good idea to stop in for a glass. As it turned out, it was not. My review on Yelp says it all:
Considering there was no one there at 6pm on a Thurs night, we knew we were in trouble. Once we sat in an empty booth, one of my companions starting chewing on stale breadsticks.Yuck.
At that point, we dubbed it "Fred"... our old friend Fred, who wasn't very interesting, fun to be around, a little older, a little less with it. But Fred was generally nice. Until Fred served us a Cote du Rhone that tasted like it'd been open for as long as Fred has. So nasty - it clearly wasn't fresh, and tasted like cough syrup. I couldn't even finish it. I spent all night throwing up afterwards... and no, I wasn't drunk. It was only my 2nd of 2 glasses of wine for the evening.
The breadsticks have been there since LWB opened
Why is Carol smiling? Because she was smart enough to order tea!
Cranky me, guilty Tom
Afterwards, Carol and I headed for the Yelp Elite event at the SFMoMA. Lots of fun - the food provided by Oola and Maverick were yummy, and people are always super nice. I don't think I'm a big fan of modern art though... I just don't get it. Maybe I'm a heathen, but when I see big red balls, I think of Target.
Just as well, since I ended up cutting out early thanks to the disgusting Cote I got at LWB.
love, betrayal and bowling
Last Sunday, some MITMers and I got together for bowling at Presidio Bowl. It was a fun time, but man, do I suck.
The Night's Theme Song: "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey
Micaya, looking freaked at the prospect of bowling
Navin lets one rip
"Please please don't get stuck in the gutter again," I pray
Micaya and her fireman, Al
Navin, Brandy, me and Alice
The Night's Theme Song: "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey
Micaya, looking freaked at the prospect of bowling
Navin lets one rip
"Please please don't get stuck in the gutter again," I pray
Micaya and her fireman, Al
Navin, Brandy, me and Alice
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