by Ling on August 2, 2010
Sometimes life requires a kick to bring one back to reality, to remind oneself about the things that really do matter and the dangers of hiding away in a dream world. I finally had the opportunity to watch Inception on Sunday ($6 movie tickets at NYC AMC theaters before noon is an amazing deal!), and it brings up many interesting views on reality. What separates reality from the dream? Can an idea that is planted subconsciously continue to eat away at your thoughts until it becomes a reality? If reality is something we create and manipulate, then I better start creating a better reality for myself.
I usually kick back in my comfy foldable chair when the time comes to really focus and reflect. It’s a nice change from my usual position on the bed as I type away, and most definitely a better option for my back. With my debut entry after a 3-month hiatus, I hope to really return to the basics of what I truly enjoy in my spare time – photography as a form of art and expressing myself through words. Finally getting a new job also helps. =)
My visit to the Russian Tea Room actually took place Winter 2009 Restaurant Week. As per tradition, my coworkers and I made our semi-annual pilgrimmage to a nearby restaurant to sample its $24.07 menu. It was actually what I imagined a fancy restaurant in Moscow to be. Prim, ornate, rich colors surrounded us the minute we stepped in. Red, the color of royalty. And topped off with an enormous crystal bear. We retreated downstairs for the mandatory coatcheck and were met by shelves of Russian trinkets and Matryoshka dolls. Impressive display, albeit a bit stuffy.
I started with the Tea Room Red Borscht, a red short ribs broth with pickled red beets, seasonal vegetables, dill and braised beef pirozhki. Soups of such vibrant colors intrigue me, and the borscht proved to be rich and flavorful, an excellent way to start off the meal.
My coworker decided to try the Goat Cheese and Wild Mushroom Blinchik, a crepe filled with mixed mushrooms and melted onions topped with lingdonberries.
As recommended by the various Yelp reviews that we scoped out beforehand, all 3 of us ordered the Boeuf à la Stroganoff as our entrees. Easily the best part of the meal, the restaurant offered a generous portion of the beef filet, which sat serenely atop the bed of house made buckwheat noodles. The wild mushrooms, porcini cream, and red wine reduction created a perfect blend of succulent deliciousness with the meat and noodles, a dish that I quickly inhaled.
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by Ling on May 21, 2009
College graduation. One of the pinnacle moments of one’s life that calls for celebration. I consider my dinner at Le Cirque last week to be one of the last hurrahs I could push off financially onto my parents. Proof? I’m writing this as I nibble on a large side of 85 cent rice cooked with spinach from the work cafeteria. The lovely financial perks I enjoyed as an overpaid undergrad intern must now be allocated towards the more mundane obligations in life – rent, health care, travel expenses, food, savings. And if I was to ever “go out,” I had better spend more wisely in other areas.
I chose Le Cirque not only because of its good reviews, but also for its claimed NYC fame. My parents rarely dine out, preferring the simpler home cooked meals. I wanted their trip to NYC to include dining at a well-known, high class (albeit expensive) restaurant, and Le Cirque had a $35 anniversary pre-fixe dinner menu I wanted to try. While the cafe area was closed off due to a party, we were still offered the anniversary menu in the dining room. Jackets were provided for my dad and brother, since the more formal dining area required the guys to suit up.
The entire table actually ordered the Lobster Risotto as an appetizer; I think there was something about the word “lobster” that screamed “Eat me, I’m an expensive seafood creature!” The risotto was actually my favorite part of the meal, filled with many meaty pieces of lobster mixed in with creamy, flavorful risotto.
We also ordered Smoked Salmon with warm toast and condiment and Crispy Calamari with sweet and sour dipping sauce for the table. Smoked salmon? Not worth the $23 paid, especially since it was salmon I could have bought from Trader Joe’s for $8.99 and the warm toast was well, warm triangular slices of toasted bread. The calamari’s presentation in the dim sum bamboo container surprised us, but the ample rings of fried squid actually paired quite nicely with the sauce (which did not taste like traditional calamari dipping sauce).
My Pavé of Veal Breast with pear, pecorino, and coffee-cardamom scented jus was extremely tender as promised, with the meat falling apart quite readily with a little urging from my fork. The bed of vegetables on top of my veal provided an interesting bitter (but oversalted) taste to the dish, and it was best eaten with a bite of meat and pecorino cheese. The pear did nothing for me, and seemed an odd addition to the dish.
I should have warned my mother before she ordered the Diver Sea Scallops with shiitake, turnip, hot & sour broth, because the waiter brought out exactly what I expected – three small scallops topped with thin slices of mushroom and turnip. My mom’s first reaction was laughter; it was fortunate that I had taken my family out for Korean food two hours prior. While small in size, the scallops were quite tasty.
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by Ling on March 6, 2009
I like to save money. But I also like to eat good food. Solution? Eat for free on Stern’s budget! As cohort leader, I have the freedom to choose what kind of events to spend my allocated budget on (with suggestions from cohort members, of course ;D). Since many restaurants in New York City have been extending their Restaurant Week menus, I chose to dine at China Grill, an Asian Fusion restaurant located near the famous 53rd and 6th chicken & rice stand.
China Grill serves family-style, so the dishes are portioned according to party size. Since we had 11 guests in our party, we got to choose 4 appetizers, 6 entrees, and 4 desserts. We basically got to try everything on the lunch menu that didn’t involve paying extra. The menu looked uber cool, so naturally I took a picture of it. The other guests at my half of the table had to get used to restraining themselves from the food until I took my pictures. =3
My eyes widened as soon as the appetizers started rolling out on huge platters. Oh the size and the variety! My favorite had to be the Crackling Calamari Salad, which was dressed perfectly with the lime miso dressing.
In a close second were the Lamb Spare Ribs, which had a sweet plum & sesame glaze brushed on top.
The Spicy Beef & Scallion Dumplings were tasty too when dipped in the soy ginger sauce.
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