white lotus

When I was in Seattle yesterday I picked up the cheese and leeks for my dish. I also picked up a copy of the F & W magazine and realized that the leeks that I got were twice the size of the leeks in the photo for the recipe. I will not find smaller leeks here in Tacoma and do not have the time for another trip to Seattle before Saturday afternoon. My dish will look a little different that what is in the picture. This is last minute but can I add one more to the guest list, my mature teen daughter. She is a budding foodie and will already be in Seattle earlier that day assisting in a PCC (Pudget Consumer Co op) cooking class. The original plan was that she was going to hang out at some coffee house doing homework and pick us up after. Although Top Pot donuts are good they pale in comparison to what we are going to have that evening. I will look though the magazine again see if we can add another easy dish to our potluck. Also, we will also be bringing non-alcohol beverages. I am very much looking forward to this. WL

Many thanks to Ledlund for providing such a beautiful setting for us to socialize in. There is never enough time when it comes to hanging out with fun loving eG folks. Also, a big thankyou to Rocky and the folks at the restaurant. What an overwhelming experience of so many wonderful foods. I will leave the food descriptions to those who took photos and menus. There is a Japanese saying that for every new taste experience, one lives an extra month. My lifespan has been greatly extended. I must also compliment the quality of the tea. Too bad good teas have to contain caffeine. Rocky, perhaps we can convince the restaurant people to sell us some. What a great evening it was. Wish me luck in getting some sleep tonight! WL

I second SeaGal's suggestion that the party be more free form vs. sit down. I can bring extra folding chairs if you need them. With 15 people, I was wondering whether I should double my recipes or not? This is going to be a fabulous party!WL

What I wouldn't give to live in a sunny climate and have a mango tree in my backyard. I hate to contradict "the mangoes are lousey right now" train of thought but the last box of mangoes that I bought at my local Costco were visualy beautiful and sweet. As a matter of fact, I need to go get another box. Also, the last batch of red/pink grapefruit were pretty good too. WL

It will be me and Mr. White Lotus. We will be bringing the Leeks Romesco with Crumbled Garrotxa Cheese and the Tomato Salad with Mint Dressing. Thankyou Al for the password for the magazine. Thankyou Steve for hosting and Thankyou Abra for organizing. WL

Many thanks Vinelady about the heads up for "Vegetasia". I love good vegetarian when I can find it. I am hoping to try it on my next venture to the ID. On a different note, I had dinner at "Takohachi" last Saturday. It has been a couple of years since I ate there last with my late Japanese dad. Our last experience there had been a good one. They do a good job for what they charge. They have a great menu. That said, I was not expecting much on this visit and it was a good thing. Perhaps it was an off night but I hate it when they give you bad service when you dine alone. The place was not busy as it was just after 5:30 when they opened. They could have been nicer. I am trying to overcome my inclination to bolt out of Asian restaurants for no good reason other than"bad vibes" so I stayed. I got the miso ramen and fried rice combo. I had been looking forward to trying the fried rice again after reading the posts on this thread. The rice was good except that onions were (temperature) hot but not cooked. The sharp raw onion overpowered the rest of the dish. I love onions but this gave me indigestion afterwards. I didn't feel that it was a good idea to complain or send back the dish as they didn't really seem to care if I was there or not. The miso ramen was just okay. Even though I have complaints about this place, I would probably go back again but probably a friend. One of my current Japanese favorites in ID are: Fort St. George (accross the street from the old Uwajimay site, on the 2nd floor) 601 King St. Ste. 202, (206)382- 0662, for Japanese spagetti, Japanese dorias (rice gratins) and their hamberger steak and funny colored soft drinks with ice cream and whip cream. The other favorite is Fuji Sushi, 520 Main St. 98104 (206) 624-1201. A little more expensive than Takohachi but still a good value for the money. I may have posted this before but excuse the repeate info. This restaurant was a particular favorite of my dad's and other Japanese ex-pat's. This is the restaurant that the Seattle Go (board game) center takes visiting Japanese professional "Go" players to. By the way, I recently had dinner at "I Love Sushi" in Bellevue for the first time and did love it. I am aware that this is topic for restaurants in the ID. I didn't have any of the sushi but had the tempura, many of the fabulous tofu dishes and the fried banana-strawberry spring roll (with fruit/ice cream/chocolate sauce et al) dessert. I would drive to Bellevue for this place. Most likely based on this last wonderful experience of great service and food I was sorely dissapointed with Takohachi. Sincerely, WL (edited for lots of typos and errors) wl

The 15th is difficult for me but the 22nd and the 29th is good. Steve's or Abra's house is fine with me as it takes about the same driving time. Much luck in coordinating this. WL

Abra, hope you don't get too tired of seeing me but definitely count me in. WL

Good for Joe. I am glad that someone else goes there too. I usually end up going there after 9:00 in the evening on my way back to Tacoma and I just want something simple, quick & inexpensive. There is a woman who cooks with all white hair who I really like. Somehow she seem to get the food/noodles/congee the way I like it. I probably wouldn't go there as much if she was not cooking. Sometimes they have dim sum leftover from the nicer restaurant. If they have any of my dim sum favorites, I just have them warmed it up for my late night meal. WL

Jbonne & mamster, My late Asian mom had warned me that if I ever get funny service, to be more specific, service that did not seemed well intentioned and was possibly rude & uncaring in an Asian establishment that it was best that I get up & leave. This has been difficult for my husband and daughter. The one time that I didn't heed that inner voice was at Akasaka. Appologies for being negative. That was probably 5 or more years ago. They may also have been under different owners at the time. I had what was supposed to be a Japanese dish as the name of the restaurant is Japanese. Perhaps if I had had the Korean stuff and was with a Korean person, I would have been treated better and most likely have not have gotten sick. Anyway, I can not get myself to go in there even with the entertainment coupons. A positive nod to Irwin about Ho Soon Yi (253)584-4572, 8501 S. Tacoma Way, Lakewood 98499. The establishment looks like a converted fish and chips place, which it very well may have been. This has been my "go to" place for when I feel a cold coming on. I am always ordering their "soon tubu" soft molton (temperature) hot tofu with minced pork and shiitake mushrooms. They serve you complimentary Korean generic tea. They are also open until 10 pm. I always get hungry later than other people. The current favorite with my family is Lee Ga Korean Restaurant, (253) 582-6635. 8797 S. Tacoma Way, Lakewood 98499 which is just one city block North of Ho Soon Yi. This complex is accross the street from the Paldo Supermarket. It is in the same complex as the Olympus (Korean) Women's Spa. Some of us eG women are meeting for spa and dinner afterwards at Le Ga this Tuesday. Please refer to the new thread if you would like to join us. Anyway, the only competent speaker of English is the male owner. The female wait staff have always been very sweet. This is the sort of place that I would take my snobby Asian aunt to. There are incredible specials there i.e. Korean breakfast 7 - 10:30 am for about $5.00. After 10:30 am the breakfast jumps to $7.00. Since I don't eat breakfast I am unable to tell you what it is. What I usually get there is the dinner special $8.00 Mon. - Sat., 5:30 - 8:30 pm. It is $10.00 any other time. What you get is the greatest hits overview of a Korean meal. Salt grilled makeral, veg pancake, Korean version of miso soup, a nice assortment of pickled stuff (5 - 8 plus bowls with refills if they see that you really like something in particular), your choice of seasoned, grilled meat, rice, etc. I am sure that there is other stuff that I have forgotten. This special is enough for a Korean truck driver or twice as much as I can eat. Generic Korean tea is also complimentary. The outside of the restaurant looks sort of tacky but the inside is quite nicely done and clean. I know that is last minute but please join us if you can for dinner on Tuesday. This is probably more than you really wanted to know but much luck with your research. Sincerely, White Lotus (edited for typos, wl)

Hopefully, Seven Peppers in the International district will be open. Perhaps, fellow eG folks will have more info. In the past, my family & I have gone out for Korean food in Lakewood on Christmas eve. Those Korean restaurants never seem to take a day off. My current favorite is Lee Ga, 8797 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood 98499 (tel. 253-582-6635). They don't speak alot of English but the food is fabulous. Also, Altezzo at the Tacoma Sheraton will probably be open as well. Best of luck, WL

Rocky, I will be bringing a friend so add one more to the list. Many thanks, WL

For those of us who have an hour commute or more, an earlier start time of 7:00 to 7:30 would be better so that we could hang out with you all a little longer. Thanks Rocky for organizing this! White Lotus

Hey Rocky, Great seeing you and your significant (I am sorry but I have forgotten her name) at the Bourdain dinner. I would love to join your group for the event whenever you deceide to have it if it. I have been curious about this place since you first mentioned it at the Salumi lunch. I was thinking then that wouldn't it be great if Rocky organized something and you have. I am not sure that I am as adventurous at you and the rest of eG folks re: "wierd" stuff. Sometimes I have problems with eating animal internal organs and facial parts such as ears but I have been raised to at least try a bite before refusing to eat any more. With eG folks, this should be fun. Good luck with trying to figure out when to do this. I will make every effort to be there. Sincerely, White Lotus

See you some of you at the eG table on Monday @ 6:30. Take care... White Lotus

This is not a direct response to the flavor aspect of satsumaimo but the texture and consistency is different to me. One Thanksgiving, I mistakently made the assumption that one could just substitute satsumaimo in a candied yam/sweet potato recipe. What resulted was tasty but not recognizable as the traditional side dish. They were firm and yellow and could have been some confection from a third world country, neither Japanese or American. It was an interesting experiment.

Hey White Heron, thanks for the link to the "matsutake" artical. When i was growing up in LA my mom would slip in slices of fresh matsutake into her (home made white miso) miso soup when we were lucky enough to get fresh matsutake every so often airshipped from friends out of state. The thin slices of matsutake were sliped in at the last momment before serving. The fragrance and flavor held it own against the miso. My mom would garnish the soup with thinnest slices of green onions over the top. For me, this was the most elegant of miso soups. About 15 years ago, not long after I moved to the NW, I again had matsutake miso soup again at a Seattle Buddhist Church volunteer lunch when there was a fall bumpercrop. It seemed so extravagant at the time that an auditorium full of people could be served matsutake cafeteria style. On another note, I was recently introduced to the restaurant Crow (Queen Anne) the other night and had their Chanterelle and Leek Ragout with polenta and wilted greens. It was the most incredible mushroom/polenta dish I have ever had in a restarant. I was much impressed. WL

Hello all, I hope you don't mind me sharring my experiences of trying to grow things here in the Northwest US (Washington State). For one thing, I was surprised as to how long it took my shiso seeds to germinate. It seemed like months. At one time I had both red and green shiso but they seemed to have combined into a hybrid which I have become fond of. Currently, my shiso has gone into seeds. Every year it takes over more and more territory. My problem is when I get the bumper crop of shiso, I don't know what to do with it all. This is my first year of having Nira (garlic chives). Hopefully, it will winter over and I will have it next year. I have not had much sucess with Japanese eggplants as our growing season is probably not warm enough and too short. I seem to do well with Japanese cucumbers. Out of 5 plants, I got 1 - 2 cucumbers a week from mid-August though September. Admitedly, I am not the best gardener. I often lose much of my crop because of inconsistent caretaking. We also have slugs here (something that looks like large snails without shells). Anyway, it is the grand experiment here. Sincerely, White Lotus

I second/third the wonderful suggestions of the previous posts. My current favorites in ID are Szechwan Noodle Bowl on 8th between Jackson and King on the East side of the street next to I-5, accross the street (sort of) House of Hong. It is an informal place where they hand roll their dumpling wrappers and make their own (thick udon-style) noodles. They have a small menu. They have great cold side dishes in their glass upright refrigerater i.e. cooked peanuts, marinated kelp shreds, soybean spouts. The ladies that run it are friendly. I love the way they do noodles at Ga Ga Loc. I have been known to drive from Tacoma late in the evenings for crispy fried Hong Kong style noodles. I also like the chili sauce that they have on the tables. My other favorite is the Tropics (on Weller) $5.00 special Mon - Fri, 2:00 to 5:00 pm where you can get an entree and beverage. I like their pad thai. Almost always, I order that and the Thai tea. They also have a duck entree of some sort for those of you who like duck.

Hey, great work SB. If you can get yourself to Viet Wah on Jackson (East of I-5) park where you can. Viet Wah has a parking lot and there should be street parking. Across the street should be the hangar type markets that Ms. Ramsey was refering to. There should be a display stand for fruit/vegs visible on the street. Good luck, WL

Just letting you all know that I am a great okonomiyaki fan here in the Pacific NW but unfortunately, no fabulous okonomiyaki restaurants here . I will be anxiously awaiting the photos and reports. It is not my wedding aniversary but I am unable to participate that day as I am busy . BTW for the person who does not eat eggs, I found that substituting tororo imo for the eggs helped keep the integrity of the batter. Also, substituting spelt flour for wheat (for those with allergies) did not make much of a difference. (I know that most likely this info may have already been shared on a past post and no one asked but I feel compelled to share with you all the results of my failed attempts to make okonomiyaki here.) I also found that for those of us here in the states who do not have ready access of bulldog or or that brown sticky sauce that usually goes on top, I have substituted A-1 sauce. The bold and spicy version is also a great substitute. I had a better result of a crispy crust with a cast iron pan than with a non-stick pan. I look forward to your monjya-yaki day celebration. Minnasan gambatte! (perseverance!) Sincerely, White Lotus

Gateway is Punjabi (Northern). The only places I have found dosa's in the NW is at Savoy (Udipi) in Redmond as previously mentioned in earlier posts and also at the Indian take-out (whose name I cannot recall) at the Crossroad's Mall food court in Bellevue. Perhaps other eG folks have found it elsewhere. Have you tried those intant dosa mixes in the box at the Indian food stores? Namaste.

Greetings. There was just me and Dubkat. We both ordered the tasting menu. I have to say that our serving person (tall guy with glasses, name?) and Hans (sp?) a person in a black suit were very nice. A number of the items we were served were not mentioned on the tasting menu. They were quite generous with us. I am hoping that Dubkat will fill in where my faulty memory has left off. Amuse 1 sashimi (maguro maybe) tatare w/pickled sweet onion shavings on top. Amuse 2 lobster salad surounded by cucumber puree with drops of orange oil Starter ginea hen terrine wtih port poached figs Soup corn with porcini crusted sea scallop Fish grilled hamachi with avocado mousse, orange reduction and shaved fennel extra Fish course wolf fish with a delicate saute of leeks, very small tomatoes and other veg (somewhere in there, i think, was some very sweet carmelized tiny onions) Meat grilled squab and sauteed foie gras with passion fruit and aged balsamic (since Dubkat didn't want her foie gras, the server brought me hers prepared in an incredible fig sauce, so I had 2 foie gras courses) Cheese Tomme de savoie (pasteurized cow's milk from Savoie) with frize salad, poached dates (what, I have forgotten) and raison walnut bread Dessert golden rasberry sorbet with fresh berries Desset 2 vanilla panna cotta with roasted plumbs and basil syrup Dubkat, thankyou for a wonderful evening of conversation. This restaurant will see my face again. white lotus

Having traveled to India twice last year, I must admit that I am quite fond of Cedars chai (which is a bottomless cup). The chai is as close to Indian as I have found in the NW. If you find yourself in Tacoma, Gateway to India on 6th Avenue is quite nice. They have a buffet lunch as well. Another thought on chai... Himalayan Sherpa Restaurant on University Ave. by UW has a wonderful Tibetan chai which is richer (creamier) than Indian chai. Regards, White Lotus

I'm in as well. See you there. WL