Recently in Tastes Category

I have dance class in the City these days. I usually carpool but this last Sunday, I ended up taking public transportation--BART and then the 38 bus. The 38 bus is the most excrutiating bus ever--stopping at almost every block. On the way back, as the bus trudged along, it caused my mind to wander, aided by my stomach, which had only seen a banana that morning.

I called A to see if maybe he was interested in Thai brunch at the Thai Buddhist Temple in Berkeley. I could see myself probably geting there by 12.30, which would not be too late. But A was too caught up in cleaning the home and wasn't sure that he would be able to make it. Hmm..maybe I should go by myself. That red beef curry and and the taro root fritters are so yummy. But then should I get off at Ashby and then get on BART again so I could get my bike at Downtown Berkeley? I guess I could get off at Downtown and ride my bike to the temple. But I wanted food sooner and having gotten food wanted to be home soon too.

Let's see maybe there are other places that are closer. I could get off the bus at Embarcadero and go to that deli across from the Hyatt that has the yummy falafel and shawarma. The food there was really delicious and cheap when we had stopped there with my parents after going to the Zakhir/ Sachdev concert in the City.

But then there was also Tu Lan. Should I walk over there? But I go there more often then other places, so may be not this time then.

So if I wanted Mediterranean food and wanted to get home quickly, I could go to Truly Mediterranean. It would be on my way home and I could even eat while walking my bike. But A thinks their food is overpriced and not that tasty. It would be worth going in to see their new cool mural though.

I guess I could go to Bongo burger. I have been dying to try their lamb kebab burger.

Or I could go to Top Dog next door and get a cheap fast hot dog that I could also eat on my way home.

If a buger is what I want, then maybe I should go to Oscars. It would be on the way. But then it would be messy and I would have to wait until I got home to eat it.

Hmm...Hello Croissant was also on the way. I have never tried their lunch, maybe I could pick up a piece of lasagna. But I didn't really want lasagna.

I could get my meat and have it too if I went to Gregoire. Their lunch sandwiches are so yummy and more reasonably priced than dinner. But that would mean adding in some waiting time.

I almost get off at Ashby BART. But a friend's message saying that he is going to Viks make me rethink that. I get off at downtown, call the friend, get a voice mail. So I dump the Viks idea.

I almost cross the street to go over to Bongo Burger but turn back halfway.

I am also craving spicy Indian food. So I decide to hold my craving until later that day. A and I are going to a concert at I-house. Maybe I can convince him to go to Nan and Curry after.

I get on my bike and ride home.

p.s We don't end up going to the concert, so no Nan and Curry for me! But aren't I lucky to live in a place that has so many kinds of food in thought's reach?!

I have always loved chocolate and been suspicious of people who don't.

Scharffen Berger was my first heavenly introduction to REAL chocolate--more chocolate, upto 82% chocolate and less other stuff.

When I took their factory tour I was amazed by the chocolate dust on the overhead ducts. That was also the day I discovered their chocolate sauce. My vocal love for it prompted people at work to give 6 bottles of it as a wedding present!!

Today I find out that Hersheys is all set to swallow our local Dark-Chocolate Maker. I have found other chocolate that makes me HAPPY but still no subsitute for the chocolate sauce. SB will always have a special place in my heart for opening up the world of good chocolate to me.

This news has spurred quite a discussion on Chowhound including tips for where to get the best chocolate. Enlightening and comforting.

Bad Service leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

A couple of days back I decided to go to this fabric store in Berkeley that I had heard a lot about. I was really excited that I might actually find some really cool fabric to cover the tables with at the wedding reception. My expectation was that I would have this incredible shopping experience where my eyes would be opened to the many varieties of fabric by people who knew all about it. I didn't think I was wrong to expect such delightful service from an independent, been-around-forever, very Berkeley store. After all their website did say "Our knowledgeable and friendly staff would love to help with your next project!"

What really happened was that when I asked a question, I was replied to very directly and uninterestedly. In yes and no, monosyllabic style. The wisdom and warmth that I hoped would overflow was absent. This while other customers were being attended to with a little more interest. At least that is what I perceived it as. Usually I am able to remind myself that it is possible that the person was having a bad day and that it wasn't personal. But when you can see and hear the judgemental look it is difficult to not take it personally.

The first thing that strikes me is that I am being treated in this way because of the color of my skin or maybe because I am perceived to be a foreigner. Usually I would tell myself that I will just go back to my own country where I wouldn't be treated in this way. Atleast that provided a sort of solace that I did not have to take this sh**. Now, knowing that I am going to be here probably for the rest of my life I can't even use that excuse anymore.

But then I think about bad service I have received in my own country. Then, my logic was that maybe I didn't appear rich enough or wasn't dressed well enough.

What makes me really mad about this particular store is the fact that on paper this is exactly the kind of store I would like to support--independent, embedded in community and all that. I can't blame this behavior on the fact that it is a chain or anything like that.

Rant, rant, rant. Well maybe I'll give them one more try. But no more.

On a lighter note, I know better than to complain at restaurants, after hearing about a lot of urban legends about what happens to one's food if one dares to complain at a food establishment. If you have seen Fight Club you know what I am talking about.

Hot summer days call for cool summer salads. You don't want to break out into too much of a sweat over it though so I like the ones that are quick and easy.

Try this one out.

Assemble the following ingredients into a bowl.
Serves 6
2 cans of organic garbanzo beans
1 med tomato deseeded and finely chopped
1 small onion finely chopped
1 grated carrot
Juice of 1 med lemon

Toss, chill in refrigerator for 20 mins and serve cold.
Add Salt to taste before serving.

For a healthier dish use sprouts instead of garbanzo beans.

To add some zing add 2 finely chopped, deseeded green chillis.