I thought I was done with this blog. I was wrong.
Has anyone heard that pop song, "Issues" by Julia Michaels? It legit evokes "Orinoco Flow" by Enya.
I mean, obviously it will never match up with the 1988 classic that got the whole world singing weird, new-age-y Irish music, but it's heartening (?) to see that Enya is still inspiring new artists.
Listen for yourself:
Friday, June 2, 2017
Monday, November 16, 2015
Koi Asian Cuisine: Lunchtime Munchtime
Koi Asian Cuisine
12046 Cherry Hill Rd, Silver Spring
5.5/10 on my bangin' scale
Koi Asian Cuisine is a new Asian restaurant in Silver Spring. By Asian, I mean many types of Asian: Chinese, Japanese, and Thai. Also, American-style seafood, for that one white friend who refuses to eat even Chinese food (does such a person exist? I'm not sure).
A group of about ten of my work colleagues and I decided to try it out one day for lunch. The interior is clearly brand new and spacious with maybe that early 00s idea of modern--lots of granite, glass, and neon. I will say you can easily get a large table if you need to hold a work event, and parking is plentiful. Although maybe it won't be easy forever; I'm sure FDA-ers will find out about it eventually. We were seated in a separate party room that could probably hold about 20ish people. The room was bright with several external windows, and also had interior windows into the main dining room.
The lunch specials ranged from General Tso's Chicken ($8.50) to Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box ($11). The Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box (below) featured a mixed greens salad dressed with a ginger vinaigrette, rice, teriyaki chicken with broccoli and onions, and three pieces of California roll.
12046 Cherry Hill Rd, Silver Spring
5.5/10 on my bangin' scale
Koi Asian Cuisine is a new Asian restaurant in Silver Spring. By Asian, I mean many types of Asian: Chinese, Japanese, and Thai. Also, American-style seafood, for that one white friend who refuses to eat even Chinese food (does such a person exist? I'm not sure).
A group of about ten of my work colleagues and I decided to try it out one day for lunch. The interior is clearly brand new and spacious with maybe that early 00s idea of modern--lots of granite, glass, and neon. I will say you can easily get a large table if you need to hold a work event, and parking is plentiful. Although maybe it won't be easy forever; I'm sure FDA-ers will find out about it eventually. We were seated in a separate party room that could probably hold about 20ish people. The room was bright with several external windows, and also had interior windows into the main dining room.
 |
| View of the interior dining room from private party room |
The food was unremarkable. Surely better than your standard Kaiser Permanente cafeteria fare, but certainly not as good as Full Key Restaurant (Chinese), also nearby. Perhaps Koi Asian bit off more types of food than it is capable of making deliciously.
Service was extremely attentive. There were some difficulties with charging several credit cards at once, but I will chalk that up to the restaurant being new and us being a large party.
Right now, Koi Asian Cuisine is kinda like Babu's original restaurant in Seinfeld: too many kinds of food, easy to get a seat, and super attentive service.
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| Teriyaki Chicken Lunch Bento Box ($11) |
Right now, Koi Asian Cuisine is kinda like Babu's original restaurant in Seinfeld: too many kinds of food, easy to get a seat, and super attentive service.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Brunch at 8407 kb
8407 Kitchen Bar (reviewing their brunch only)
Wayne & Ramsey Ave, Silver Spring
6.5/10 on my bangin' scale
I've invited guests to brunch at 8407 Kitchen Bar three separate times. "Fancy" brunch food that's not fancily expensive; a trendy, hipsterish atmosphere including bright windows/a brick interior; and a location steps from the metro are all great assets for meeting up with friends for brunch.
Brunch at 8407 starts off with mini muffins (one per person). Mini muffins always make me happy because they remind me of my days in elementary school when I'd make tiny confections in my Easy Bake Oven. The deviled eggs appetizer--featuring 3 to 4 deviled egg halves garnished with bacon and chives--is pretty good, and is sometimes accompanied with a side of beets.
Solid entree choices are the steak and eggs, the crab benedict, and the brioche french toast. The steak & eggs ($14 served with roasted potatoes), comes with a fairly large steak that will satisfy the "go big or don't brunch" customer (#YOLO). The portions on the benedicts--crab benedict ($15 served with roasted potatoes) included-- are much smaller, so plan to get an appetizer if you come hungry. The brioche french toast ($11 served with berries) is topped with a pouf of sugary whipped butter that tastes surprisingly like a cinnabon.
Unfortunately, each time I've gone to 8407, the kitchen has also had difficulty
serving some food that lives up to the standards that 8407 is clearly capable
of. For example, one of my three pancakes ($12 served with fresh berries) was charred to the point of being inedible. Given, I was full after my first two pancakes, but I was still disappointed that I couldn't overeat like I'd been expecting. Sometimes, eggs were served cold (eg. $13 eggs benedict served with roasted potatoes).
A perfect example of 8407's inconsistency was in the grilled salmon with asparagus and poached eggs ($15). The dish was beautifully plated (see below), and featured a simple, yet nomz mix of flavors including a slightly spicy tomato sauce along with the egg yolk and well-seasoned salmon. Unfortunately, the egg yolk in the poached egg was refrigerator cold, and the dish came without any type of bread to sop up the yolk/tomato. Yo, if you're not going to have bread, please list that this dish is the diet option. I go to brunch for CARBS. When I asked for some toast, it was evident that 8407 didn't have bread in the kitchen. Finally, about 15 minutes later, I got a warmed slice of brioche.
Basically, 8407, I really want to love you for brunch. Please, get your consistency down.
Wayne & Ramsey Ave, Silver Spring
6.5/10 on my bangin' scale
I've invited guests to brunch at 8407 Kitchen Bar three separate times. "Fancy" brunch food that's not fancily expensive; a trendy, hipsterish atmosphere including bright windows/a brick interior; and a location steps from the metro are all great assets for meeting up with friends for brunch.
Brunch at 8407 starts off with mini muffins (one per person). Mini muffins always make me happy because they remind me of my days in elementary school when I'd make tiny confections in my Easy Bake Oven. The deviled eggs appetizer--featuring 3 to 4 deviled egg halves garnished with bacon and chives--is pretty good, and is sometimes accompanied with a side of beets.
Solid entree choices are the steak and eggs, the crab benedict, and the brioche french toast. The steak & eggs ($14 served with roasted potatoes), comes with a fairly large steak that will satisfy the "go big or don't brunch" customer (#YOLO). The portions on the benedicts--crab benedict ($15 served with roasted potatoes) included-- are much smaller, so plan to get an appetizer if you come hungry. The brioche french toast ($11 served with berries) is topped with a pouf of sugary whipped butter that tastes surprisingly like a cinnabon.
 |
| Brioche French toast. |
A perfect example of 8407's inconsistency was in the grilled salmon with asparagus and poached eggs ($15). The dish was beautifully plated (see below), and featured a simple, yet nomz mix of flavors including a slightly spicy tomato sauce along with the egg yolk and well-seasoned salmon. Unfortunately, the egg yolk in the poached egg was refrigerator cold, and the dish came without any type of bread to sop up the yolk/tomato. Yo, if you're not going to have bread, please list that this dish is the diet option. I go to brunch for CARBS. When I asked for some toast, it was evident that 8407 didn't have bread in the kitchen. Finally, about 15 minutes later, I got a warmed slice of brioche.
 |
| Grilled salmon, poached eggs, and asparagus. |
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Fun In Fall
In elementary school, every. single. fall. we used to sing a song called, "Fun In Fall." Now, this song may have been written by our music teacher or something, because I cannot find the lyrics ANYWHERE. I'm posting this now because maybe other people who went to my elementary school have been searching online for it like I have. Hopefully these people can help me crowdsource to get the full lyrics! EDIT 9/28: Thanks to a good friend (and her mother), we now have all the lyrics!!!!
Get out your sweaters
And get out your gloves,
It's fun in fall.This is the season that everyone loves,
It's fun in fall.Play in the leaves as they fall from the trees,
But don't sniff the golden rod... Or you'll sneeze (achoo)!
School bells are ringing,
Time to learn your ABC's.It's fun in fall.
Taking long walks In the fresh nippy airIs fun in fall.Taking a trip to the Big county fairIs fun in fall.Watch as they harvestThe corn and the wheat.
It's fun in fall.????It's fun in fall.Wave your flag high
On veterans day.
Watch the parade until
they march away!
The season for football is here
Hip hooray!
It's fun in fall.
Watch as they harvestThe corn and the wheat.It's fun in fall.Eat big red applesSo juicy and sweet.It's fun in fall.On Thanksgiving DayHave a big appetite.And wish on the wishbone with...... All your might!Make jack-o-lanternsOn Halloween night.It's fun in fall.??? (something about a big county fair? Halloween? GET ON IT, INTERWEBZ!)???
FUN IN FALL
Get out your sweaters
And get out your gloves,
It's fun in fall.This is the season that everyone loves,
It's fun in fall.Play in the leaves as they fall from the trees,
But don't sniff the golden rod... Or you'll sneeze (achoo)!
School bells are ringing,
Time to learn your ABC's.It's fun in fall.
Taking long walks In the fresh nippy airIs fun in fall.Taking a trip to the Big county fairIs fun in fall.
On veterans day.
Watch the parade until
they march away!
The season for football is here
Hip hooray!
It's fun in fall.
Watch as they harvestThe corn and the wheat.It's fun in fall.Eat big red applesSo juicy and sweet.It's fun in fall.On Thanksgiving DayHave a big appetite.And wish on the wishbone with...... All your might!Make jack-o-lanternsOn Halloween night.It's fun in fall.
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Pho Tan Vinh
Pho Tan Vinh
Colesville Rd. near Fenton St., Silver Spring
7/10 on my bangin' scale
Located approximately diagonal ("catty-corner") from the Fillmore, I'd say Pho Tan Vinh is a pretty good option to fill your stomach for cheap before heading to a concert. The best bet if you're looking for a lighter meal is the grilled chicken banh mi:
At $5 and change, the chicken banh mi has the deliciously concocted crispy bread, cilantro, cucumber, carrots, mayo, and jalapeno that I've grown to expect, along with a tasty surprise--pate. For a more filling plate, consider trying the Tan Vinh special, which is a deconstructed banh mi with four different meat toppings (pate, sausage, egg, and some type of bologna). These specials are a little confusing at first--how can you fit all the toppings onto the crusty roll? You have a few options: 1) fork and knife it all the way; 2) make a REALLY full sandwich (not actually possible to fit everything on there); or 3) slice up your bread and make several open-faced sandwiches. This is the way to go if you want to make your own ultimate banh mi (or if you're just pretty hungry).
I've been missing the plethora of Vietnamese options in Seattle. So far, Pho Tan Vinh is the place I go to fill that lonely spot in my stomach.
Colesville Rd. near Fenton St., Silver Spring
7/10 on my bangin' scale
Located approximately diagonal ("catty-corner") from the Fillmore, I'd say Pho Tan Vinh is a pretty good option to fill your stomach for cheap before heading to a concert. The best bet if you're looking for a lighter meal is the grilled chicken banh mi:
At $5 and change, the chicken banh mi has the deliciously concocted crispy bread, cilantro, cucumber, carrots, mayo, and jalapeno that I've grown to expect, along with a tasty surprise--pate. For a more filling plate, consider trying the Tan Vinh special, which is a deconstructed banh mi with four different meat toppings (pate, sausage, egg, and some type of bologna). These specials are a little confusing at first--how can you fit all the toppings onto the crusty roll? You have a few options: 1) fork and knife it all the way; 2) make a REALLY full sandwich (not actually possible to fit everything on there); or 3) slice up your bread and make several open-faced sandwiches. This is the way to go if you want to make your own ultimate banh mi (or if you're just pretty hungry).
I've been missing the plethora of Vietnamese options in Seattle. So far, Pho Tan Vinh is the place I go to fill that lonely spot in my stomach.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Sushi Jin: Sushi meets ancient Pompeii
Sushi Jin
Fenton St near Roeder Rd, Silver Spring
7/10 on my bangin' scale
Sushi Jin in Silver Spring has been on my must try list for a while now, but I've always been a little skeeved out by the slatted window coverings that prevent a small female like myself from seeing what I'm getting into. I'm glad I finally decided to try it out--inside was a small but bustling restaurant serving notable sushi.
On a Friday night, the restaurant was full. Tables at the front (2 person) and booths at the back (2-4 person) offer an intimate feel. We were seated at the crowded sushi bar, which offered an excellent view of three sushi chefs creating their works of edible art.
We started off with steamed shrimp shumai and miso soup, which were both warm and comforting, but otherwise unremarkable. For the main course, we ordered sushi from the a la carte menu. We tried several rolls and a few nigiri, each of which were fresh, well-seasoned, and often sweet. Particularly interesting was the Amazon Roll, a vegetarian roll featuring cucumber, radish, asparagus, and a few other veggies. This roll was completely refreshing, basically a salad wrapped in rice.
Last, but certainly not least, came the impeccably-plated volcano roll ($12, pictured below). When this dish came, I was like, OMFG THIS IS THE BEST. IMAGINE MY PLATE IS POMPEII IN 79 AD. I've certainly seen dragon rolls in the shape of dragons before, and a few other kitschy platings here and there, but never a FOOD SPLOSION. The volcano roll includes two shrimp tempura, two types of fish roe, a spicy/sweet mayo-based sauce, and crunchy toppings, which all melded together to make a crispy and sweet dish.
I won't divulge any more spoilers, but sitting at the sushi bar also gave me a great view of several other beautiful and/or hilarious concoctions.
Fenton St near Roeder Rd, Silver Spring
7/10 on my bangin' scale
Sushi Jin in Silver Spring has been on my must try list for a while now, but I've always been a little skeeved out by the slatted window coverings that prevent a small female like myself from seeing what I'm getting into. I'm glad I finally decided to try it out--inside was a small but bustling restaurant serving notable sushi.
On a Friday night, the restaurant was full. Tables at the front (2 person) and booths at the back (2-4 person) offer an intimate feel. We were seated at the crowded sushi bar, which offered an excellent view of three sushi chefs creating their works of edible art.
We started off with steamed shrimp shumai and miso soup, which were both warm and comforting, but otherwise unremarkable. For the main course, we ordered sushi from the a la carte menu. We tried several rolls and a few nigiri, each of which were fresh, well-seasoned, and often sweet. Particularly interesting was the Amazon Roll, a vegetarian roll featuring cucumber, radish, asparagus, and a few other veggies. This roll was completely refreshing, basically a salad wrapped in rice.
Last, but certainly not least, came the impeccably-plated volcano roll ($12, pictured below). When this dish came, I was like, OMFG THIS IS THE BEST. IMAGINE MY PLATE IS POMPEII IN 79 AD. I've certainly seen dragon rolls in the shape of dragons before, and a few other kitschy platings here and there, but never a FOOD SPLOSION. The volcano roll includes two shrimp tempura, two types of fish roe, a spicy/sweet mayo-based sauce, and crunchy toppings, which all melded together to make a crispy and sweet dish.
 |
| Sushi Jin's Volcano Roll |
I won't divulge any more spoilers, but sitting at the sushi bar also gave me a great view of several other beautiful and/or hilarious concoctions.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Urban Butcher: The people have spoken, and they love meat
Urban Butcher
Georgia Ave & Ripley St, Silver Spring
7.5/10 on my bangin' scale
Despite my enthusiasm for Silver Spring, I'm the first to admit that I was completely surprised to see a packed house at 7pm on a rainy Wednesday night in April. Surrounded by hanging cured meats, happy hour goers chatted (probably after a few $6 lavender margaritas) and diners oohed over pans of roasted chicken. Apparently, people love meat.
To start, my party sampled a selection of meats and cheese, and Urban Butcher impressed us with presentation. No more trying to remember which meat was which--the names of the meats were written onto to butcher board! So simple, much wow. Maybe this is a thing now, but I haven't seen it. We particularly enjoyed the spiciness of the chorizo, but would probably skip the spreadable pork 'Nduja next time.
For the main course, by far the best dish I sampled was the ox brisket ($24). Served with a potato puree, the meat was ridiculously tender. I also thoroughly enjoyed the hanger-cut steak frites ($24) and the butcher's burger and fries ($12). In these solid staples, the quality of the meat at Urban Butcher was the star. A misstep was the pork blade steak "Bulgogi" ($26). When I think of bulgogi, I'm looking for soft, juicy, sweet pieces of meat. The steak was overcooked to the point of being dry, and was served with three different sauces, none of which evoked bulgogi for me.
Urban Butcher recently reopened this winter after an electrical fire on its roof. I'm glad to see that herds of meat fans are coming to Silver Spring to support its reopening.
Georgia Ave & Ripley St, Silver Spring
7.5/10 on my bangin' scale
Despite my enthusiasm for Silver Spring, I'm the first to admit that I was completely surprised to see a packed house at 7pm on a rainy Wednesday night in April. Surrounded by hanging cured meats, happy hour goers chatted (probably after a few $6 lavender margaritas) and diners oohed over pans of roasted chicken. Apparently, people love meat.
To start, my party sampled a selection of meats and cheese, and Urban Butcher impressed us with presentation. No more trying to remember which meat was which--the names of the meats were written onto to butcher board! So simple, much wow. Maybe this is a thing now, but I haven't seen it. We particularly enjoyed the spiciness of the chorizo, but would probably skip the spreadable pork 'Nduja next time.
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| Meat and cheese board - five selections. |
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| Ox brisket with potato puree ($24) |
 |
| Pork blade steak ($26) |
Urban Butcher recently reopened this winter after an electrical fire on its roof. I'm glad to see that herds of meat fans are coming to Silver Spring to support its reopening.
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