Picture corner: Mochi

Lots of mochi!

The Art of Eating Alone

I read this article on Yahoo and found some great tips on how not to feel awkward while eating out alone.  I personally don’t see a problem with it since I sometimes like to enjoy my food in silence and I wouldn’t have to make awkward conversation with anyone, but some people are very self conscious about  it.  If you are one of those individuals, here are some tips.

1. Be Bookish. Always come armed with reading material. Having something to read not only keeps you from getting bored but also serves as a shield against waitstaff pity or unwanted conversational overtures from fellow patrons. Keep in mind that certain reading choices are better than others due to their portability and fold-ability (good: Sports Illustrated bad: War and Peace). In fact, frequent dining alone might be the real motivation for investing in a Kindle – although be wary of spilled beverages!

2. Try The Bar. For many would-be solo diners, the fear of being surrounded by lovey-dovey couples or raucous groups can be prohibitive. Requesting a seat at the bar is a good solution: Most restaurants will serve the full menu, bar seating is casual and low-profile, and you’re likely to be surrounded by other content singletons.

3. Exude Confidence. Stride up to the host or hostess and proudly request your table. Never shrug or say, “just me” as though you’re apologizing. It takes guts to eat alone, and you should command the respect you deserve.

4. Eavesdrop. People in restaurants tend to be drinking, which often results in loud talking, over-sharing, bawdy jokes, or bitter marital brawls. Either way you can (discreetly) listen in on proximate tables and gain valuable insight into the human condition. Bonus points for detecting awkward first-time Internet dates.

5. Befriend Your Blackberry. Most of us are borderline addicted to checking our Blackberries or mobile phones. While it’s impolite to do this in the company of others, it’s an absolutely acceptable activity when you’re dining alone: Reading the news, checking your Twitter feed, fondly reading old emails from loved ones, or scanning your secret crush’s Facebook page…the wireless possibilities are endless.

6. Go, Team! Even if you’re not terribly into sports, if there’s a game playing, become a fan for the evening. You’ll be surprised how an entranced gaze up at the screen now and then will give you a sense of purpose, as will a well-timed groan of defeat or hearty fist-pumping “Yes!”

7. Think Like A Food Critic. Pretend you are reviewing the restaurant. Observe the nuances of each course, take in the presentation, note the faults and strengths of the décor and keep a sharp eye on the service. This puts you in a position of judgment – always empowering.

8. Life Is Short, Enjoy The Steak. Finally, remember to relax, enjoy yourself, and focus on the positives of solo dining. Just think: There will be no quibbling over who pays, no awkward pauses, and no drawn-out discussions about your companion’s relationship or work problems. You really can be your own best dinner date.

For the full article, please follow this link: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/how-not-to-feel-humiliated-when-dining-alone-567610/

Picture Corner: Thailand’s Street Food Scene

During my trip to Thailand, I was amazed by all the different street food vendors and the variety of food they offered.  As much as I wanted to try it though, I wasn’t sure if it would be completely safe – especially since I tend to get stomach problems easily.  Next time I will be more brave.  For now, enjoy some of the photos I have taken of Thailand street food.

French cuisine wonderful at Grand Cafe

Dine About Town 2010 officially started on Friday, and I took the opportunity to try Grand Cafe in San Francisco’s Hotel Monaco.  The Dine About Town dinner menu was $35 for a 3-course menu – a wonderfully great deal for appetizer, main course, and dessert at a french restaurant located in a hotel.

I, being the picky eater I am though, of course decided to stray away from the Dine About Town menu and order from the regular menu.  For those who remember, I said I would always order duck breast if it was on the menu, and that was my main reason for straying away from the Dine About Town dinner that did not offer the duck.

Anyway, for my appetizer I ordered the Salade Lyonnaise (frisee, poached eggs, lardons, cherry tomatoes, mustard vinaigrette). I debated between this and the house soup, a butternut squash soup.  When I asked the waiter what he recommended, he was very honest in letting me know that the soup did not have cream and therefore was lacking in both flavor and texture.  Plus one for service and honesty!

The salad was quite delicious, especially since I’m a big fan of poached eggs.  The egg was well prepared – not overdone and runny when I broke it to mix with my salad.  The flavors of the mustard vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes, and egg yolk went well together.  There were also little bread pieces in the salad that gave it a nice contrast in texture.  The only bad thing about the dish was the fact that too much viaigrette congregated at the bottom of the dish, making the salad overwhelming and wet toward the end.

Top Chef Quickfire Cookbook!

Excitement!  My best friend just gave me the Top Chef Quickfire Cookbook as a present!  So many recipes I want to try, so little time. A very comprehensive cookbook about Top Chef as well, so I’m very excited to crack it open to try recipes next week.  Look out for updates!

SF Dine About Town 2010 – Jan 15-31, 2010

The ninth annual San Francisco Dine About Town event will be held January 15-31, 2010.  Deals include 2-course lunches for $17.95 or 3-course dinners for $34.95.  Please visit the official website here to look at the participating restaurants and make your reservations today!

One of the best Thai meals I’ve had at Spice Market

On the first night of my short trip to Thailand, my flight was delayed and we didn’t get in til pretty late.  Because of this, we decided to just grab dinner inside the hotel and headed to Spice Market inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.  And boy, I could definitely rank it as one of the top three Thai meals I have had in my life.

The decor of the restaurant didn’t automatically scream traditional Thai, but it was a nice place to sit for a meal.  The service was excellent as everyone was very attentive to our needs and they were very accommodating.  I noticed this theme throughout my whole trip in Thailand, but I think it makes sense since Bangkok is very much a tourist destination.

The star of the meal was definitely the food.  I won’t make this post super long with description of the food and whatnot.  I’ll just include some mouth-watering pictures for you to see what I experienced as it was delicious.  Enjoy!

Papaya Salad with Chicken and Coconut Rice. The salad was a little bit spicy, but it had awesome flavors.  The addition of the chicken made it a hearty dish and it has become something I will order at all Thai restaurants from now on.

Egg Rolls. Came out steaming hot.  Not much more to say about this one – just good.

Picture Corner: Yung Kee in Hong Kong

Yung Kee in Hong Kong.  Some of the best BBQ pork and roast duck around.  Every time I go back to Hong Kong I have to stop by and eat it.