No Reservations. No comedy, either.

Arrg! It happened to me again.. based on a trailer, I think I'm going to see a nice romantic comedy, and wind up instead with a drama.

I'm not saying it wasn't an okay movie. Sorta. I mean, the leads had no chemistry, and I'm not a fan of Cathy Jones anyway-- and I spent quite a bit of time squinting at the male lead trying to decide if he was attractive or not. But the food looked good. And yes yes if I had read the synopsis on the DVD sleeve I would've known that there was tragedy involved. But for those of us who like to read as little of the plot line as possible before the movie, that trailer up there was a total bait and switch. S'all I'm sayin'.

Chef Danny Speaks...(in haiku, of course...)

Choolie,
The weekend is here
Time for real charcoal is now
You won't regret it.
Danny

Haiku Review, Restaurant: Blue Ginger, Wellesley, MA

Huzzah! I made it!
Ming's even cuter up close
Oh- the food's good, too.

As you may know I've been dreaming for a long time-- at least since last September-- of going to the adorable Ming Tsai's fabulous Blue Ginger. I finally got to go last night and I've gotta tell ya, it was every bit as wonderful as I dreamed it would be: the blue pearl granite counter, the feng shui hoosiewatsis, the disposable towels in the washroom that have a higher threadcount than my non-disposables at home, the waiters whom you should probably address as "sir" because they make three times as much as you do... It's like a pleasure-and-pain-a-thon, an I'm-so-not-worthy, gimme-another -shumai-but-make-me-bark-like-a-dog-for-it thing. (I'm not going to like what the search engine brings me there, but I'm goin' with it.)

If you go, three strong recommendations:

1.) Foie Gras-Shiitake Shumai in Sauternes-Shallot Broth - like BUTTAH
2.) Sake-Miso Marinated Alaskan Butterfish with Wasabi Oil, Soy-Lime Syrup and Vegetarian Soba Noodle Sushi - like SHUMAI (in that it's like BUTTAH, that is.)
3.) Make a reservation! Like- well like nothing. You really need one.

Seriously. The place is terrific. And nobody will make you bark like a dog. Unless you want them to.

(Woof.)

Haiku Review, YouTube Video: Pearl Jam, "Black"

Video Rated H for Hotness

A slow seduction
Eddie knows how to sell it
Why can't he be miiiiiiiiiiiiiiine?

Haiku Review, YouTube Video: NIN, "The Only Time" Woodstock 94

Video Rated R for language

Trent, muddy, throbbing
Poor thing- so messed up in me
He DOES mean me, right?

Ode to Sunday morning breakfast

Flannel pajamas
Onions, garlic, sunny eggs
And You: That's Heaven

(Yeah, that really is a picture of my breakfast. Ain't life grand? IHOP schmihop, you know what I'm sayin'?)

Haiku Review, Restaurant: IHOP, Shrewsbury, MA

Daughters' fondest wish:
Six different pancake toppings!
Forty buck heartburn

Haiku Review, Book: "Natural Born Charmer" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Pro athlete meets girl
Provokes, annoys, turns her on
I do love chick lit.

Haiku Review, Restaurant: Blue Marlin, Leominster, MA

Chowder Overture
Crab-topped salmon aria
Operatic Meal!

There's a new restaurant in town: the fun, island-themed Blue Marlin in Leominster. Mr. Mind-Your-Own-Reality and I had a wonderful meal there Saturday night. Friendly staff, fun decor, casual feel, with "fine dining" cuisine. Welcome, welcome, to the sister restaurant of the Monument Grill! We'll be back!

Our Details:

Crusty rolls
Flavorful Manhattan seafood chowder
Melt-in-your-mouth salmon "crusted" with a fabulous mixture of boursin cheese, spinach, crabmeat and breadcrumbs, with sides of delicious glazed carrots and fragrant jasmine rice. Being on a virtual island as we were, we also had to try the coconut rice- yum!
Everything was wonderful (really wonderful), attractively presented, and served up by the attentive Ryan. (Next time I'm taking a picture of the meal so I can show you out there in blog-land. And next time I promise to try a mai-tai so we can really test out the island feel.)

Click here to see the menus for yourself. Bon appetit!

Haiku Review, Movie: "Atonement"

Are you kidding me?
Real Atonement would be to
Give back my five bucks.