the house

For Onsie Night in SF,

Annie suggested dinner with her coworkers at an Asian fusion restaurant called "the house".

Instead of bread rolls, they have pickled cucumber that tasted like (my) home.

(I don't know about your home, but my mom makes delicious pickled cucumber.)

Annie and I shared the seabass and flatiron steak because yelp said to do so.

We listened. I am glad we listened.

I'm not sure why people give skeptical looks when I say Asian fusion,

it was spectacular.

 

Bakesale betty

Have you been to Bakesale Betty?

Oh how I do enjoy their chicken sandwiches and baked goods.
Spicy slaw with jalapenos is unexpected, terribly addictive, and makes quite the mess.
(I suggest you go with people you don't mind getting a little messy in front of. It is fated.)

There is always a line so get there early!

A few shops down is Scream Sorbet!

I do love their pistachio sorbet.

Interesting flavors everyday. 

Also, interesting decorations.

(Is that a leopard tangled in seaweed behind you?)

You might also find them at your local Northern Californian farmers market. (Shop decor not included.)

Thanks Alli for our lunch date. =)

New Moon

Whoops. Yesterday was Lunar New Year and I made dumplings all weekend (I mean both days) and sticky rice cake but didn't say anything. Happy Year of the Dragon! Watch out for crazy happenings.

Back to the scheduled series...
----------------

Last post of the Nevada City series.

The one thing we did seem to get right from the guidebook was eating dinner at New Moon. 

It was a cute restaurant in a small wooden building. A wine cellar tucked away in the corner. One of those unpretentious places with things written on boards, customers walking in with sandals, lively chatter throughout the dining area, and a menu that changes with the seasons.

Sorry my pictures are blurry. I should have changed my settings.

Alas, the food was delicious.

I approve. Eat here. 

Did you have fun on your first trip Sami girl?

Beer Chicken

Who came up with the idea of beer chicken?

Alas, chicken is pretty darn delicious

{with a can of pilsner up its arse}. 

I unearthed some pictures of one poor, delicious chicken my housemate subjected to the procedure.

 

In other news, Monday is Chinese New Year. 

I'm partly in charge of food for church this Sunday so I'm thinking dumplings, sticky rice cake, lucky candy (if you eat enough you might get cavities!) and lettuce wraps to use up some romaine leftover from last week. But as always with these sorts of things, plans are bound to change. I am also coughing quite a bit today and it's causing my head to throb. I guess I'll be wearing a mask tomorrow, hope I don't scare anyone coming to help wrap dumplings.

Tim Tam Slamming

 

Materials:

- Tim Tam cookie

- Hot beverage (coffee/tea)

My brother once said Tim Tams are his favorite cookie. This is a hefty statement coming from a well-traveled food fanatic. He gave me a package in a super awesome sausage and cheese (my holiday tradition) gift basket he made me for Christmas. 

Arnott's Tim Tams
(as described by Peppridge Farm) 

"Layers of crisp cookie and delectable crème are covered in rich, chocolatey fudge.
No wonder they’re Australia’s favorite cookie!"

Australia's and my brother's favorite cookie?

I had very high expectations.  

I ate a couple and event ate some with coffee (as my brother advised) 

and thought 

MEH.

Today I discovered I was not properly executing the Tim Tam Slam.
My brother told me to use the cookie as a straw and I thought- this is not a Pirouette, how do you use a rectangular cookie as a straw? Ludacris.  

I watched a couple youtube videos on proper execution and I completely agree. If you are a chocolate lover, a proper Tim Tam Slam, might be an *ahem*-ic experience. Think you can handle it? Watch and learn.

Natalie Imbruglia demonstrates a Tim Tam Slam.

Pepperidge Farms has purchased Arnott's and Tim Tams are now available under the Pepperidge Farms label in the US at your local Target, Walmart, etc. until March. Hurry and stock up!

Update: I found flavors: chocolate, caramel and white chocolate at my local Target. Go! Go!