Emirates Airlines, so I tried it

So it was my rallying call.  I was happy to mention it when I could.  It made me feel proud that I could take Emirates, the highly, at least in some circles, airline that was high quality, high everything.  I was not sure what I would find.  I mean, when we hear about it, it is about people flying in the lap of luxury and well I did not do a Youtube of economy Emirates so I would get what I got, when I got there.

The cabin had like a billion seats.  It was a 3, 4 ,3 configuration.  Same amount of seats of the 2, 5, 2 configuration that I actually liked when I did not have a kid but now that I have a kid and the kid pays, I prefer the, 3, 4, 3 configuration.  It means we get that window row and don’t have to do the awkward dance around some stranger when we have to stretch our legs or take a potty break.  Yeah it never becomes comfortable no matter how may times you fly.

So on our way into the airplane, I saw the elegant stairs to the upper level.  Its like working in a palace in the front office but being totally barred from entering the main house.  So as I told my husband, we would have to make a giant sacrifice to be able to take a plane ride and sit in first class.  I said that it will be without the kid.

So back to my intro to Emirates, and lets first start with the selection of movies.  There is so much that you cannot even choose.  We ate lots of food.  The bathrooms were not too scary and they had lower seats and wood paneling.  The seats were average, after all, there was like 700 seats to start with so this was not “lay out’ kind of digs.  They offered wine at lunch and I think you could get two without question.  One for now and one for later.  The food was also okay and though we were kind of full and my toddler tried to  go on a diet on this flight, I ate what I thought was a decent amount for me–I swiped all the bread and all the cracker and cheese packs, as well as the cereal bars and chocolate treats.

It really helped to take the food with us because it would be a while till we got to our hotel and to a solid food source.

The airline gave my kid a blanket and backpack, as well as a messenger bag and plastic envelop for activities that they put in it.  They even came by and did Polaroid shots of my kid and me. Perks like what I got on Tap Air Portugal–messenger bag with cards, a puzzle, socks and eye pads.  Yes the photos was a nice touch.

———-

Now for what I am calling “alternative thoughts/facts.”

Not on time-sitting there (we left late, though we reach in time in Italy)

Muffin drop-this was bizarre.  The hostess dropped the muffing open side up and proceeded to give the little girl (like the girl would not make a fuss and since the parent was a little bit away) the muffins, saying it did not fall face down, so its okay.  WHAATTTHE FFF.  I mean if the candy bar fell on the floor, I may shriek and wipe off the package, but the muffin hit the floor where people walk, from outside, from in the bathroom, from wherever.

Wine glass dirty gloves-so a woman went to give me a new wine glass using her gloves that she had been using to pick up dirty cups——I was crying on the inside.

Entertainment system like but not like China air or Korean air–at one time it was not even on, and no explanation.  There was literally code on my screen for like 1-2 hours, so I just went to sleep and then ready my magazine.

People are not caring-that is just the people flying on the plane.  They speak at high levels, play musical chairs, stand in the galley area and speak at not cool levels and also cough onto you.  Did they not know that we have a big flu problem here in the US this season!

Also, someone put bags in the toilet, yes the barf bags and that person left a bunch hanging around. I admit I am not the bathroom genie either like when I put too much toilet paper and well it fills up but does go down right away and part of me hopes to get as far away from it as possible so if it erupts I can be innocent. (never on a plane as it is a suck thing and uses like a teaspoon of water.)  I mean if there was someone around I would most likely complain. On a plane I know that the air hostesses check the stalls everyone once in a while so at some point the toilet would be useful.

Other than those things, it was a decent flight.  On a scale of one to ten, I would say a 6.5.  2 points for all the craziness that occurred under the radar.  If they want to be tops, they cannot be sloppy and uncaring and should do more than keep up appearances.

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Yum–Taste of the Philippines, Milan, Italy

So we were in Milan Italy and noticed a population of Filipinos.  We were curious to see where they gathered and if there were any food places. Were were in luck.  There were a few and one had received an excellent rating so we decided to find our way there.  It would be an adventure.

Having traveled to the Philippines and an occasional eater of the food in the US, I was not even thinking when we came upon this restaurant, that it would be adapted to fit an Italian palate. Although I had heard that for Chinese food, in the early days as they sought to win over the American consumer, dishes were altered. I felt that first hand as well since vegetables are separated in China but in the US you have beef and broccoli, classic example. I am however not sure of the French and Italian restaurants in NY. The French seem to be French in every way and the same for Italian food. *checked some food blogs http://www.grubstreet.com/bestofnewyork/best-french-restaurants-nyc.html

The menu of Yum was interesting  with familiar dishes but with an apparent twist.  We had the Pork Jumbled Luzon, which had cucumbers, mango and grapefruit. It was a stewed meat with a refreshing salad. The rice of the dish was fun, and slightly reminiscent of risotto but with black sesame seeds topping the meat. We also had the baby back ribs over some root veggie or something else which had a slightly sweet taste and medium thick applesauce consistency, I think. I missed the explanation early on. It reminded me of a meal I had in a modern French restaurant. It was tasty though. The meat fell of the bone. Yum.

We were early to dinner, not fully grasping the true dinner time hours, but they took us anyway, as long as we were were out before the reservations started to come in. That was very nice of the owner.

The decor is modern with some older style touches. The table settings give a little feel of the Philippines, with the wood, and then the wooden chargers. There was some cool music in the background, which complemented the mood.

I must admit that I thought the food felt light, But this is just our eat our face syndrome in the US.  When I was in Beijing, I felt like I ate a lot, but I also had smaller bowls and plates, so actually less.

I wanted to bash the restaurant as it felt less Filipino and more Italian.  The owner let us know that he tried the opposite and it did not work, you have to adapt or fail.  I think if you are top in your industry or well known, you can do what you want, but until you gain that status you have to bend to the will of the people.

On my scale:  Food 7 Decor 7, Service 8.5

Ciao my food lovers!

Joloff restaurant – Senegalese Mealing

Restaurant Review

So we had a family gathering at a place my dad had been speaking of since last year.  It took a little lighting of the fire under everyone’s a… to get all together.  (I do not believe in choices.  Just give a few dates, pick a place and challenge everyone to be there.)

So the place was deep in Brooklyn.  I am rarely in Brooklyn but this was deep in there and GPS was the only guide we needed.  Upon parking we found a long skinny, African-ized place that had maybe one other customer that evening. 

How would I describe Joloff. It is not at all fancy, but it has this return to the roots look in side. It is not pretentious. It is a long room with a nook towards the back left and to the right is a raised portion used for poetry reading and performances. I guess it is cozy.

So it was 7 of us and we sat in the nook…..For appetizers we had some pastry puffs-some with fish and others with meat. There were some dips for each. Then we moved onto the main meal. We had fish (National Dish of Senegal-Baked fish with vegetables and Joloff rice), Lamb (Lamb Stew in peanut butter) and Chicken (Chicken Briased in onion and lemon sauce.)  The lamb was great. The chicken was familiar and that was lovely. The fish was good as well. I guess my favorite was the lamb. The sauce was good enough to be put on rice, without the meat. Dessert could have been left out. There was nothing special-just some fried donus (a.k.a Beignets, ) and ice cream. They did not offer the tradition dessert of couscous with yogurt, sour cream and raisins–what a small shame.) We did have some funky drinks–We had lemon ginger drinks and ginger tea. It was definitely interesting. But for my dad offering to take us there, I would probably have never visited. It is deep in the heart of Brooklyn. Now was it memorable enough for me to visit again, not sure. The people were nice however.

 

Until our next dark continent food adventure!

Capri Pizza Pasta, Tarrytown NY

Restaurant review

So one night after meeting some friends for a free jazz concert, we (my family and I) found the only food game in town-Capri Pizza.  It was well lit, had a huge staff and some added character, considering it was in a strip mall with a small grocery and CVS.

The place had two sections, one for fast eating and the other for maybe the knife and fork set and lingering.  They had a very healthy business.  People were in and out and the delivery guys were working up a sweat.  I was taken aback how lit the place was.  It was like an examination room in an older hospital where mood lighting had not been invented. It was not off putting however.

The tables were exposed wood and there was a barn door separating the two sections.     (Can we say borrow that idea for future DIY home)).) I was hungry so I hoped that the pizza was good.  (you know when you are hungry and shovel the food, and you cannot even remember what you ate)  It came out quick and hot.  We knife and forked it as well, because we are civilized.  So I can safely say that I will return when in that area.  It is about one block away from the entrance to 287 and across from a hotel.  Great placement!!

Famous words–I shall return.  I give it a 7.  Next time we will explore the menu.

Capri Pizza Pasta

 

Royal Siam: NY, NY

This was a fun place.  (Compared to my previous post on Siam Thai) Here is why. So the address is (see below)……  when you get there you notice that there is a sushi place.  It was funny to us because first the sign was there but a little arrow thing looked like it was pointing upstairs.  We looked at the legend  for the building and could not see it.  Then I called the restaurant and the person said that both restaurants were in the same space, which was right in front of us.  We had also worried about it being a cash only establishment and noted the two banks on either side.  How did they get so lucky!  They took cards as well.

We walked in and there was spot lighting on the tables.  Immediately they came over and asked us what we wanted.  I ordered some mango sushi to start.  It was actually a nice refreshing start to what could have been a hot experience.  I got eggplant and beef.  My friend got scallops and shrimp. She gave the eye to the dish trying to count the shrimp and scallops to see if it was worth 18 dollars.  It was, I guess, as there was no complaining.  We also had some edamame beans.

The guests were spread out so that no one was immediately next to anyone.  That allowed for intense conversations.  I can say that with my high school gal pal, it was like therapy.  The food, the lights, the quiet atmosphere, it all made for good speaking theater.

Royal Siam: 240 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Pepper Lunch, Makati (Manila, Philippines)

What can I say about this food place!

-found in the high profile mall

-forms a line out front–yeah its that popular and there is no where to wait inside

-you have to decide what you what from the menus outside on the walls and pre-order

-the food arrives in a hot cast iron pot and the meat is raw

-you are supposed to use the heat to cook the food while at the table

great idea but it can be annoying to listen to the noise around you and perhaps watch others toil away

not a great idea if you have small kids in the exploratory phase–the sound of the food cooking, the smell, and the steam rising are enough to attract a toddler to touching the pan which would be bad

they have dessert as well

the one we visited was in the fancy mall, with a view of the outside greenery along one wall

Pepper Lunch

I would visit again.  It was good enough and the food was hot for a while.

I would give a 6.5.  .5 off is the fact that you can burn yourself if you are not careful and you are forced to make up your mind while waiting–not the worst but sometimes you can be inspired when you see someone else’s dish prior to ordering.

Pepper Lunch–you will be remembered!!

 

As a follow up-we saw this chain or a similar in Singapore and it was pretty popular as well.

 

 

First Chinese Eggplant

Fun times in the kitchen.

–no red pepper (that would have made a big difference)

-no scallions

-still awesome, daughter ate it, yay

Next time I will get my act together

THAI-STYLE FUSILLI WITH EGGPLANT AND SHIITAKE

Epicurious.com

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ounces fusilli (long spiral spaghetti) (**made rice)
• 1 small eggplant (about 1/2 pound) (**used chinese eggplant)
• 1/4 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms (***used portabello)
• 1 bunch scallions
• 6 vine-ripened cherry tomatoes
• (***used regular tomatoes)
• 1/4 fresh jalapeño chili
• 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh gingerroot
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves (***used thai basil)

• PREPARATION

  1. Fill a 4-quart kettle three-fourths full with salted water and bring to a boil for cooking fusilli.
  2. Cut eggplant into 1/2-inch cubes and transfer to a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle eggplant lightly with salt and let drain 10 minutes. While eggplant is draining, discard stems from mushrooms and cut caps into 3/4-inch pieces. Cut scallions diagonally into thin slices. Quarter tomatoes and chop jalapeño including seeds (wear rubber gloves). Rinse eggplant and squeeze dry, discarding any liquid in bowl.
  3. Boil fusilli until al dente.
  4. While fusilli is boiling, in a large non-stick skillet cook gingerroot and garlic in oil over moderately high heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add eggplant and mushrooms and sauté, stirring constantly, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add scallions and sauté, stirring, until eggplant is tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, tomatoes, jalapeño, basil, and salt and pepper to taste and cook just until heated through, about 30 seconds.
  5. Drain fusilli in a colander and in a bowl toss with sauce.
• 
  
• UPDATE,  I GOT NY ACT TOGETHER AND DID THE BASIC DISH OF EGGPLANT, PEPPERS, ONIONS, THAI BASIL AND GROUND BEEF. FAMILY ATE IT.  SMILED FROM EAR TO EAR.

Siam Thai–Scarsdale NY

So on our way home one day we wanted non normal food–we had exhausted the fast food lot and we were out so we looked in the area for some noodles as well as other Asian foods.  On a strip we pass occasionally, there was a place with a decent yelp rating as well as the price point we were okay with.  So with that said, we came upon Siam Thai.

It had windows on the sidewalk so we could see straight in.  There were about 4 sets of people.  We walked in and were waiting to be seated and you know when they acknowledge you and you kind of wait or they indicate where you can go, that did not happen.  We have a toddler so we thought they might have had a better table for us to use but since there was no action on their part we just grabbed a 4 top in the main walkway so that we could fit the high chair that they had.

So the place is simply decorated and it is rather white all around, which is a change. Most restaurant are dark. This place felt like it was a country store selling linens. What also got me was the muffled speaking of everyone.  In a restaurant usually there is music to drown out the speaking and to create a white noise as well as mood.  Well I heard everyone speaking.   I was kind of quiet at first since I felt like everyone was listening, but then I forgot and joined right in.

We ordered some of our favorites and I believe that my husband did not get what he ordered.  He took it in strides and did not complain.  The food was okay.  It can be a pass next time.  Also the weird atmosphere was just that, weird.

Was it worth the money, as compared to some of our other favorite places, I would say only half half.  I say that because we will try to find another place so we will not have to go there again. It can be the place of last resort.

It is not bad- so I would say a 5.

Be weary of places that are a cross of zen and the Hamptons.

Thai Food is great!!

 

Grandmas Restaurant Cortland NY

So while I was working at my food company a few years back a friend told me about Grandmas.  I had to try it out.  I love diners and one with a whole menu of old school favorites.  Check out this article and you will see what I mean.  (not grandmas but a sad story as well)

diner die out

So last time I visited I had a Reuben sandwich and that was great.  This time, it was an Italian menu starring Pizza.  I almost took my husband and left.  I was so disappointed.  I was looking for some comfort food.  I drove 20 minutes to get that and well I could have gone locally and had something I was familiar with.  There were only 4 -5 pies and it looked like one type of cheesecake.  Man was I bummed there.  It was Friday night for goodness sake.  When is their busy night/time.  There was only a handful of people there and some questionable so that does not bode well.

I guess my grandmas run is over.  I have to look for a new diner.

It is a sad day for greasy, piled high food and fries.  You can get fries with anything.  Oh on this visit the waitress was very nice and accommodating.  As other diners noted in reviews, but that does not make up for the food.

 

Pok Pok, Brooklyn, NY

first you notice the area around POK POK

yeah, so good luck if you can afford the area

I mentioned to my husband–one can always dream

nice streets, people outside, clean,  neighborhood feeling

some homes had nice curb appeal

Pok Pok is on the edge of an area and immediately in front is a container area port/storage area

It is on the corner but when you actually go to the back, it looks like it takes up a double lot. Not sure if it really does.  Kind of cool actually. You walk in and it is dark but just enough light and you pass a bar then a galley area which houses rice cookers. You continue to the back and there is a small eating area and then continues sideways to an outside area and there are about 6-10 tables of varying sizes, then a kitchen immediately on the side of that.

It was funny to me as I could not tell if the waiter was part owner etc, or if he was a regular worker. Maybe there just have good staff like that.

So down to the food: we first had some spicy nuts.  That was a good start and when I saw it on the regular menu I almost burst, not free.  Luckily someone reminded me that ours was complimentary.  Then my dad (it was dad’s day) had spicy boar and a salad of a sorts.  My sister and her husband had pork belly  and rice. My husband and I shared a coconut based something with vermicelli, shrimp balls and pineapple. Yummy. I alternated with some of the wild boar my dad offered the table.  Our table had hot wings as well to start.  Here are the official menu items.

Kaeng Hang Leh  18
Northern Thai sweet pork belly and pork shoulder curry with ginger, palm sugar, turmeric, tamarind, Burmese curry powder and pickled garlic. Rich and exotically spiced, a Chiang Mai classic with Burmese origins.

Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings (Available spicy) 16
Natural Draper Valley chicken wings marinated in fish sauce and sugar, deep fried, tossed in caramelized Phu Quoc fish sauce and garlic and served with Vietnamese table salad. Based on Pok Pok PDX cook Ike’s recipe from his home in Vietnam.

Muu Paa Kham Waan  18
Boar collar meat rubbed with garlic, coriander root and black pepper, glazed with soy and sugar, grilled over charcoal and served with chilled mustard greens and a spicy chili/lime/garlic sauce. Northern Thai drinking food.  

Khanom Jiin Sao Naam   20                                                                                                        Thin rice vermicelli with pineapple, ginger, white turmeric, green mango, dry shrimp, Thai chilies and garlic, topped with a sweet/sour dressing and turmeric coconut cream with house made fish balls. A refined hot season favorite from Central Thailand.

Everything was good.  The boar meat was spicy and was definitely something to take in strides.

It was about 140 or something like that before tip.  5 adults and one pint size.

 

Would I go there again, of course.  Now that I have tried these few dishes, its time to try some others.  Also, they are supposed to have good drinks, so next time, train is in order.  I hope they have a cover for the back because when the weather is off point, they lose a decent amount of seating. I am sure they have an app or hack for that. 🙂

I would give it about a 7.  I