410 replies to this topic

[Susan in FL]

Wow Henry.. That was really cool of both you and Salumi. Really touching.. Thanks for sharing that..

That was touching, just wonderful... brought tears to my eyes.
I have been following along, only more quietly than usual, since I was sick recently. Plus, I'm almost speechless about how great this blog is! ...Foods of love, and the love of food, thank you both very much. I'll be glued to this up through your finish, and please take the time you need into tomorrow morning to bring it to a close.

[Ling]

Kind off off topic so I'll throw in something food related.

How is the border traffic from Vancouver to Seattle?  I'm an American married to a Canadian( I actually left California for Ontario) and I frequently cross the border into Michigan for groceries and the like.    The traffic is horrible, but the Nexxus pass is a lifesaver.  I'd highly reccomend getting one.

I still need to get my Nexus pass. Its been on the todo list for quite some time now. In the meantime, I've been using the truck crossing which is off the main highway. There is also a little trick of stopping at Duty Free. You get to take the Nexus lane into duty free (which is right at the border) then cut back into line once you've bought something (they check for receipts at the exit.) shhhhhhhhh!

ETA: oops, that was me (henry) not Lorna. Forgot to log in.

Edited by Ling, 02 September 2006 - 09:37 AM.

[Ling]

ETA: Forgot to log in again!

Edited by Ling, 02 September 2006 - 09:46 AM.

[hhlodesign]

Wow Henry.. That was really cool of both you and Salumi. Really touching.. Thanks for sharing that..

That was touching, just wonderful...  brought tears to my eyes.

I should note that...

1. It was Doug (Marine) who wrote me an email BEGGING for some Salumi. So that was not my idea.

2. It was Armandino, Marylin, Gina, and Brian who so generously gave Doug the free box of Salumi with their thanks. So that was not my idea.

3. It was Doug who so generously flew the flag over his base and sent it back to give to Salumi. So that was also not my idea.

The only thing I am guilty of is surrounding myself with warm, wonderful people who enrich my life for knowing them. I DO take credit for that.

Edited by hhlodesign, 02 September 2006 - 09:47 AM.

[Pontormo]

That sentiment deserves a smiling pause.


* * *

Henry & Ling:

Your entire banquet is inspiring. I am low on a few items and one of the better Asian grocers in this region gets a shipment of produce on Saturday afternoons.

Would it be possible to describe how the long beans were prepared? Was there something new you tried that made them your favorite dish of the evening?

I'm glad you are planning to take things easy, today. It's been quite a week. I'll let this serve as an early thank-you for a truly entertaining blog filled with hedonistic pleasures that you both balance with a warm, generous spirit.

[racheld]

Okay, you know when I pass up CHOCOLATE CAKE for another picture, it's something special:

Chinese long beans

rachel, ready to run out to my Asian market and grab handfuls of long beans. Or short, I don't care. Just so they're sizzled and sauced---SOON. DEE-licious.

[Ling]

The long beans were nothing special, just something easy I made up.

1. Cut the beans into manageable (about 3.5") pieces.
2. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a hot wok. Add perhaps 1.5 tbsp. of minced garlic, a few pieces of chopped chilli, and a bit of ginger.
3. Add the beans and saute. Season to taste. Towards the end, add a few tablespoons of "chee hou jerng" (or chee hou sauce.) I used the Koon Lun brand.
4. Add some soy sauce (again, to taste).

[Ling]

Wow Henry.. That was really cool of both you and Salumi. Really touching.. Thanks for sharing that..

That was touching, just wonderful... brought tears to my eyes.
I have been following along, only more quietly than usual, since I was sick recently. Plus, I'm almost speechless about how great this blog is! ...Foods of love, and the love of food, thank you both very much. I'll be glued to this up through your finish, and please take the time you need into tomorrow morning to bring it to a close.

The day the flag came to Henry's building, they also flew the flag on top of the roofdeck during one of their roofdeck cocktail parties, and all of Doug's friends (including me, although I've never met him!) took turns taking pictures standing next to the flag. And they sent Doug and the troops and email that contained all the pictures.

[Ling]

We just had lunch, which was cold leftovers from last night's dinner straight from the fridge. We ate it standing up, talking about what we're going to do today.

Up next--we're visiting a Latin coffee shop called El Diablo. It looks really funky and my friend who emailed me about this place says they have great Mexican hot chocolate!

Then we're going to walk down to Pike Place market and grab a few more provisions for our picnic. We have some leftover rabbit and foie gras pate from Porcella, and some blue cheese in the fridge, so that'll round out our dinner.

See you in a few hours!

[Darcie B]

This blog has been just awesome. I have only been to Seattle once, and I was robbed! I didn't get to eat or drink at any of the great places you showed us. Thanks for giving us this wonderful glimpse into your lives, your relationship and Seattle to boot!

[Ling]

We had a really relaxing day today. Started off with cafe cubano for myself and an iced Americano for Henry at El Diablo.

The decor is really something. Henry couldn't stand it, as it was the total antithesis to his preference for stark, modern, and linear architecture. I thought it was really charming.



It's really...yellow in there.




No we didn't sit here...we're not that corny. But you gotta admit it's cute!




nothing is safe from those wacky paint jobs...not even the stools....


this was great!


Henry went crazy with the mix-ins, like cocoa and cinnamon, because he doesn't really like coffee.


I just started playing Scrabble, so Henry and I try to get in a game a week. He's one of those uber Scrabble nerds who's memorized all the weird 2 letter and 3 letter words, like "qat", "ae" and "xi". So it's not often that I win.

However...today, the Scrabble gods were with me. Check out the scores--


363 for me, 307 for Henry. Take that to the bank and cash it, Mr. Lo!


(BTW--we know now that "hed" isn't a word, but I bluffed my way through that one. )

After coffee/Scrabble, we got some drinks and a snack at Metropolitan Market. He had the Cock and Bull ginger beer (really good! extra ginger-y), and I got the rhubarb soda. The Michel Cluizel bar was only $5.49....I've been playing like $11Cdn per bar up in Vancouver. That's robbery! I know now to get it in Seattle.

Edited by Ling, 02 September 2006 - 09:43 PM.

[hhlodesign]

We had a nice relaxing day today. After coffee and Scrabble, we took a walk down to the Pike Place Market to pick up some picnic supplies.

We stopped at one of our favorite places. La Buona Tavola, they carry all things truffle:










They even let you try everything!



we stopped at Pure Foods to pick up some pepper smoked salmon.





We picked up some figs from frank's produce. Frank ws kind enough to give up some of his private stash that he grew himself at home. They were the perfect level of ripeness.

we brought everything home and assembled a plate to bring to the roofdeck and enjoy a nice summer day in Seattle.


Figs, a domestic blue cheese, rabbit foie gras pate, pepper smoked salmon, and le Panier baguette. In the foreground you can catch a hint of our favorite butter, Cremerie Classique. we find it much more flavorful than Plugra. It has some truffle salt sprinkled on it in the photo.

We also had an extra plate of figs with a le Panier almond croissant. The good (and bad) thing about the croissant was the fact that we got it fresh out of the oven. So it was hot and fresh, but it steamed in the bag on the way home, so it was less flakey than it should have been. still very good.



we drank some prosecco and Pelligrino





For dessert I got to choose for once,

Carnation Ice Cream sandwich!!! And I'm not ashamed to admit it. We tho0ught we'd end the blog on a classy note. However, Lorna and I differ on the preferred temperature of service. She likes her sandwich soft, while I like my sandwich frozen and rock hard.

It was a nice light dinner and a perfect way to end a wonderful week of culinary adventures.

Edited by hhlodesign, 02 September 2006 - 09:59 PM.

[Ling]

We stopped at one of our favorite places. La Buona Tavola, they carry all things truffle:

The white truffle cream is one of my favourite jarred products. We have this at home and spread it liberally on La Panzanella crackers all the time.

random fact: Henry designed the La Panzanella bakery.

(And only Henry would call a dinner of rabbit and foie pate, almond croissant, ice-cream, smoked salmon, blue cheese, and an entire La Panier baguette a "light" dinner. )

Edited by Ling, 02 September 2006 - 09:40 PM.

[dvs]

wonderful, wonderful blog. (and the same to all others who have undertaken to blog)...
you guys eat like i wish i had time to eat!! and unfortunately, i'm sure no one is interested in this is what i cooked for my toddler today blog.
maybe all of the napa folks can get together & try to do a co-blog... but hats off to you two. i have such a hankering for seattle its making me antsy!!

[Ling]

We thoroughly enjoyed our week together. Not only did we have some really great food, but this is the longest continuous length of time we've spent together (8 days!) and we are happy that we shared it with so many of you.

Thanks to everyone who commented and asked questions. You made our blog so much more interesting. We know we'll have many more culinary adventures to come, and hope that you'll be a part of that too.

We feel fortunate to have met so many EGers in real life, like the ones we had dinner with at foodiegirl's tapas party, to heyjude and her amazing cookbook collection, and most recently, dandelion.

One of the things Henry and I share is our belief that everyday should be filled with something delicious, because life is too short not to spoil yourself. I do hope that feeling came through in our blog. And something delicious can be in the form of many things, from peach "foie gras", to bacon-wrapped rabbit loin, to simple childhood pleasures like ice-cream sandwiches.

So now it's time to say goodbye, and thank-you once again for reading!

Love,
Lorna and Henry

[GourmetLight$]

Thanks so much for blogging this week! Such a treat since I live here and was fortunate to have met you both (on the night of your 1st date, and believe me, I won't forget!). You've shared such joy and love of food and the wonderful bounty of wonderful raw ingredients, coffee and restaurants that Seattle has to offer. It's been a jewel of a food blog!

Cheers,

[racheld]

However...today, the Scrabble gods were with me. Check out the scores--


(BTW--we know now that "hed" isn't a word, but I bluffed my way through that one.  )

But you coulda just used the "e" from "hed" and gone for "zein" and "el" for 25 and stayed legal, plus you'd get another food product in there.

All this dining and fun and then one of my favorite games!!

This has just been too much.

Edited by racheld, 02 September 2006 - 10:49 PM.

[CanadianBakin']

Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into your blog. This is the very first one I've followed from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Daniel]

1)The claw!!! Nobody escapes the claw! 2) I must break you.. 3) I think he was the older brother in Back to the Future slowly getting erased..



By the way, whats zed and hed all about.. I played scrabble for the first time tonight completely seperate of your blog...That shite wouldnt fly in the game I played tonight,...

You guys are the best, thanks for an awesome blog.

Edited by Daniel, 02 September 2006 - 11:54 PM.

[Chufi]

Lorna & Henry,

this has been such a lovely week. And is has coincided so nicely with my trip to Seattle (we leave tomorrow!) and thus contributed in a wonderful way to my travel-excitement!

We had a nice relaxing day today. After coffee and Scrabble, we took a walk down to the Pike Place Market to pick up some picnic supplies.

We stopped at one of our favorite places. La Buona Tavola, they carry all things truffle:

I need to get to that place! Is it in Pike Place market? I'm gonna stuff my suitcase with "all things truffle"!

[Chufi]

No we didn't sit here...we're not that corny.  But you gotta admit it's cute! 

looks like that love grotto is designed for a threesome!

Edited by Chufi, 02 September 2006 - 11:55 PM.

[Pan]

wonderful, wonderful blog. (and the same to all others who have undertaken to blog)...
you guys eat like i wish i had time to eat!! and unfortunately, i'm sure no one is interested in this is what i cooked for my toddler today blog.[...]

Actually, I think many of us would be interested, and it's far from unprecedented to include toddlers in eGullet foodblogs.

Lorna and Henry, this was one of the best and most enjoyable foodblogs ever. Thank you for being so generous with your time and sharing so much with all of us.

P.S. "Zed" is what most of the English-speaking world calls the letter "Z." As for "hed," contractions aren't permitted in Scrabble, are they? Because the word "he'd" does exist.

[MarketStEl]

Thank you both! This has been a wonderful blog. I see that my choice of Seattle as a reference in my own earlier blog (for cities whose food cultures are a unique confluence of location and time) was a good one.

BTW, on the way back from the H-Mart at 69th Street yesterday, I stopped into DiBruno's and bought some duck fat. At $9 for 7 ounces, I probably won't be buying it that often, but I'm eager to experiment with it now that I have some. I'll keep you all posted on what I do.

And "hed" is a word--within the newspaper trade. It's short for "headline." Then again, newspaper editors also have an unusual spelling for "lead (paragraph)": "lede." I don't think that last term is in the Scrabble dictionary either.

[sadie_siamesecat]

Lurker delurking for a moment to tell you how much I've enjoyed your blog! I'm especially impressed that cooking together in smaller-than-ideal circumstances AND spending an unusually long period of time together did not lead to blows! Congrats on what looked like a really fun week.

Off to search for Chinese long beans...

[Dianne]

I usually lurk; although I love the blogs; just don't get around to saying thank you. But this has been such an excellent week that I had to chime in. Thanks for sharing your lives, one of your wonderful cities, and taking the time.

Dianne.

[SMW]

I've really enjoyed this blog all week, thanks for the much needed, and very enjoyable break from moving and unpacking!

The contrast in design at La Buona Tavola after El Diablo made me think to myself - I bet Henry likes this place a lot more. A nice surprise to find out he designed it!

[Foodie-Girl]

Henry and Lorna, many thanks for putting so much thought into your blog...it was wonderfully engaging from start to finish!

Oh and I gained about 4 pounds just READING what you ate....

Char

alias Foodie-Girl/Charcoop

[I_call_the_duck]

I loved how one of you managed to get "aiolis" in there!

However...today, the Scrabble gods were with me. Check out the scores--

Lorna & Henry,

Thank you for sharing a week with us. I had so much fun, and hope we get to meet one day in real life.

Edited by I_call_the_duck, 03 September 2006 - 08:10 AM.

[jayhay]

Thanks to both of you, Lorna & Henry, looking forward to the next installment!

I looked up your previous blog Lorna, & I'd say your cupboards are a little better stocked these days.....

...........................................

Ling wrote:

"I'm still full from last night's dinner, but here's a look in my pantry/fridge:

-7 cans of tuna (no-name brand, 87 cents a can)
-1 can of sliced mushrooms (generic brand that I bought at 4 cans for a dollar)
-a few eggs
-1 tired-looking piece (head?) of brocolli
-a couple packages of low-calorie jello (generic brand, on sale at 6 boxes for a dollar)
-some Diet Pepsi
-1 can of sardines in tomato sauce (79 cents a can)
-3 or 4 frozen dinners (on sale at Safeway...these have been sitting in the freezer for months!)
-1 jar of Healthy Choice tomato sauce (also bought on sale)

Sadly, that's about it."

[Ling]

^Those were my (very) poor university days...!

I_call_the_duck: We frequently use food words when we play. Last week, I used the word "cep" and Henry didn't believe me when I said it was a word.

Hence my non challenge on the word "hed" I got burned before. For the record, we use the 4th edition Scrabble Players Dictionary. It includes words like "za" meaning pizza.

Edited by Ling, 03 September 2006 - 09:13 AM.