Tales of the Fortune Cookie

“You need to live authentically, and you can’t ignore that.”

Ever try ramen noodles?  We’re not talking about the noodles in a cup or 99-cent bagged variety.  We’re talking real, honest-to-goodness handcrafted ramen noodles, pulled by hand and steeped in a real broth that warms the soul and enlivens life with every bite and sip of the noodle bowl.

The Japanese have made ramen noodles a national food, pushing to have it, among the many other culinary treasures from the archipelago nation, registered as part of the United Nations’ UNESCO World Heritage list.  They love their ramen so much that the Japanese even opened up a national ramen museum and food amusement park to celebrate the history and growing diversity of the food.

Ramen isn’t just differentiated by the different packets of flavor you might find in a store.  The natural flavors arose from the different regions of Japan.  In the northern island Hokkaido, ramen is blended with a large amount of miso combined with a thicker chicken or fish broth, meant to combat the bitter colds of winter.  In the Kyushu region of the southern island, Hakata ramen sits in a cloudier tonkotsu (pork) broth with garlic and pickled vegetables to stir in, a slight nod to the more Korean cultural influence there.  In Tokyo, there is more of a Shoyu-type ramen, starting with a soy-based chicken broth and putting in “the works,” a combination of meats, vegetables and starches.  Given that each region of Japan has its own distinct flavors and fresh ingredients, the combinations and constant creation of new ramen dishes seems endless.

The search for an authentic bowl of ramen noodles leads the foodie to Japantown in San Francisco, where it seems as good of a place as any to try to find something close to the real thing. Tanpopo might just fit the bill, tucked away in a sea of storefronts with a crowded tables, Japanese magazines in the waiting area, and a counter reminiscent of the ones found in ramen houses in Japan.

It’s the type of mom-and-pop hole-in-the-wall place where the hosts treat you like part of the family… meaning, they tell you to pick up some menus off a counter, point to a table, and have you sit yourself while walking from one table to another to check on the customers.  It’s the place where the family that runs the place will make fun of those who order too much and can’t finish, yell at one another in Japanese when something isn’t clear, and poke fun at the nature of its guests - “You too fat, eat less… you too skinny, order more pork… why you no eat? it good for you… even American (i.e. - Caucasian) order more authentic than you, try order real Japanese food… why those two date? he ugly, she too beautiful for him… (or my favorite) you need me to cut up for you? you eat too slow” you get the gist.  This Japanese restaurant might make Dick’s Last Resort seem like a classy service joint.  I thoroughly enjoyed the banter of the servers, as none of it was directed at our table.

The food is worth the wait and the crowded conditions, especially when a lot of the guests are Japanese locals.  The ramen is not too hard, nor too soft while offering enough consistency for a good chew.  The many broths offered are filling, yet light, which is a very nice compliment to how well the dish is prepared.  The meats and veggies are cooked to a tender goodness, while the flavors are not overpowering, but blend particularly well in a well-balanced palate.  The portions are big, which is not expected from a ramen house, but makes for a great meal, either for lunch or dinner.  And even if ramen noodles aren’t your thing, the place has other staples such as grilled fish, fried rice, and gyoza potstickers for your enjoyment.

So next time you find yourself in the middle of San Francisco on a blustery, rainy day where you’re looking for something to warm your inner being and fill your hunger, try out Tanpopo - a sunflower in the stormy day - to make a few friends, get teased by the staff, and settle down for a good Japanese bowl of ramen.

“Determination will get your through this.”

“Where the heck are we going?”

The question seemed to bounce around with all the non-locals as we made the drive out to Christiana, TN to visit Miller’s Grocery - A Country Cafe.  The road to this award-winning country kitchen seemed a bit desolate, with nothing else to capture one’s attention besides the rolling hills and the occasional flagpole.  If you didn’t know about it, Miller’s would be near impossible to find off the main highway, given that it’s tucked away a good quarter-mile away behind rows of trees and unkempt hedges.  Yet you can’t help but smile when it appears, because the area looks like it could be taken out of a movie set of pure Americana.

The place started off as a grocery store a long while back when railroads were the primary mode of transportation and Christiana was a bustling stop, filled with businesses and people coming through the Volunteer State.  As the times changed, Miller’s slowly had to adapt to keep its continual operation - now nearing its 80th year - by reinventing itself as “an antique filled, country cafe featuring home-style Southern cooking and award winning ‘from scratch’ desserts.”

No two tables match, the place is filled with memorabilia from each decade since the early 1900’s, and the locals all know one another as they wave profusely and yell out a friendly, “Why hello there!  Good to see you!”

The menu is actually quite simple, carrying the essentials of Southern cooking.  There are the main staples of country fried steak, chicken and dressing, fried pork chops, and a homemade meatloaf with special sauce.  The additional seafood items are just a slight veer away from the traditional, but the preparation is all the same.  The sides list reads like a treasure trove of culinary delights - cheddar mashed potatoes, corn nuggets, fried okra, hush puppies, broccoli casserole, and a strangely inviting pineapple cheese salad.  And who would’ve known that the filling potato pancakes were simply leftover mashed potatoes from the night before shaped into fun little nuggets?

I ordered the country fried steak and was pleasantly surprised at the presentation - the steak was cooked just right with a excellent blend of spices paired with a balanced amount of breading and heavy sawmill gravy.  It was cooked so well that I just had to savor each bite, in between corn nuggets and fried okra.  One of the locals exclaimed, “I always have the take my dessert to go” because of the portion sizes.  After taking a little over an hour of trying to consume the buttery and deep fried concoction on my plate, it was hard not to agree the sentiment.  Honestly, the food probably used enough shortening and oil to make Paula Deen blush and my arteries to protest vehemently for days, but wow, is every bite delicious from beginning to end.

Given that Miller’s is on road between Nashville and Lynchburg (home of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the oldest distillery in the United States), it’s well worth the stop to this gem in Christiana for a leisurely meal of comfort foods in a down-home setting; and remember to ask for your dessert “to-go.”

“Difficulty at the beginning usually means ease at the end.”

Driving into old town Murfreesboro is like a sudden bath of cold water.  The modern world fades into a genteel Southern feel as the historical courthouse square appears on the horizon and the shop facades take visitors back in history.  One can’t help but savor the scene a bit, proceeding around the square in leisurely fashion, admiring the atmosphere of a bygone era.

One might savor the feel so much that it may take a couple of loops (or three) to finally decide on a parking space before wandering over to the quaint Maple Street Grill.  The quiet little nook on the northwest side of the square opens up into a grand restaurant with vaulted ceilings and an airy feel of importance.  The hostess oozes Southern charm and the waitstaff readily checks off the specials with a military staccato.

If you go, be sure to savor the deep fried dinner rolls, sporting a hush-puppy-like consistency, with the slightly salty flavor paired with the sweet, cinnamon butter awakening your senses to the meal ahead.  The lobster bisque has a well-balanced mixture of cream and soup, creating an excellent complement to the dinner rolls.  The sweet potato fries with even more cinnamon butter are an excellent way to tie over the time in between the appetizers and the main course.

The Maine Lobster Truffle Ravioli comes heavily sauced, but the truffle flavor does manage to come through.  The lobster is disappointingly shredded, but still offers enough complex flavors to be enjoyable.  Any of Maple Street’s steaks are cooked well and just right.  Pair any of them with the grilled mushrooms and onions for a delicious meal.  For those more interested in other options, the grilled asparagus and Bearnaise sauce do not disappoint; and for the traditionalists, there are blissfully buttery mashed potatoes or decadently sweet potatoes that also complement the steak well.

The desserts aren’t anything special, so try to fill up on dinner itself.  The quiet murmur of the dining room make conversations flow easily… the wide variety of wine selections help that as well.

So if you find yourself south of Nashville and have an hour or so to spare for an enjoyable lunch, try out Maple Street Grill in historical old town Murfreesboro.

“Beauty is simply beauty.  Originality is magical.”

There aren’t many cities that compare to Nashville.  The people live up to their Southern hospitality, the music flows from each bar and spills into the streets, and the stretch along Broadway boasts some amazing gathering places.  Budding musicians try to make their start at multiple venues, playing very high quality music for free, each trying to make it big.  Places like The Second Fiddle, The Stage, and especially Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge boast acts that will one day make it big.

Along the stretch, known as The District, rests the home of Jack’s Bar-B-Que.  Save room before you partake in what is sure to be a dining experience.  Be careful how you time your dining experience, or else you’ll be waiting in line for quite a while.  As you approach the counter to place your order, be sure to take some time to savor the smells that greet you - a blend of smoky, slow-roasted meats paired with the tangy spice of a wide variety of BBQ sauces.  The friendly staff greets every patron with a southern drawl and quick service.

The trays are loaded with delights such as Tennessee pork shoulder, Texas beef brisket, smoked Boston turkey, and St. Louis style ribs - all cooked and smoked to perfection with the gently cooked meat falling cleaning off the bones and delivering a powerful punch to your taste buds with each bite.  Add on traditional fares of green beans, creamed corn, and baked beans and you’ve got yourself a meal.  Lucky for you, Jack’s also offers southern treats in their sugary chess pie (think Pecan Pie filling minus the pecans and a load of sugar) and decadent chocolate pie.

The walls are sprinkled with all things Nashville and BBQ, including many other famous BBQ foodies.  The tables are covered with traditional checkerboard tablecloths and rolls of paper towels serve as your clean-up crew, which is much needed after visiting the BBQ sauce bar, with warmers keeping the sauces piping hot.  The ambiance is lively, in anticipating for the evening’s entertainment up and down the street, as the diners chat amicably between tables and discover the latest and greatest small acts in town.

If you think you’ve heard of the place before, you’re probably an Alison Krauss and Union Station fan, as it was featured in their music video If I Didn’t Know Any Better.  If not, consider it a place where pigs fly, a restaurant with a friendly staff, a killer lineup of BBQ, and a place to catch up on what’s going on with the local music scene.

Spending time in the Nashville metropolitan area this week, so here’s hoping for some great BBQ joints to be reviewed. Until then, here’s a little something to whet your appetite from a trip to Chicago last year…

“Good Things Take Time.”

The debate often rages between New York City and Chicago on who has the best type of pizza.  In Chi-town, the debate isn’t with another city, but rather between the city’s top pizzerias.  Claiming to be home to the original, Pizzeria Uno (and it’s sister location Pizzeria Due) opened in 1943 to the public and has sinced spawned a whole empire of franchies in the form of Uno’s.  However, nothing can top the original.

One of the first things you notice about the place is how it seems like it resides in the basement of a building.  The second thing you notice is how dimly lit the place is.  The third is that the setting almost reminds you of a mob hangout scenes from The Godfather or other similar movies of the sort.

The places is milling with mild conversation with the random exaltation of one of the local teams (“Da Bears”) from the overly crowded bar.  Cheers, this ain’t.  The waitresses scurry around while firing witty lines at the regulars while tourists try to sit back in one of the crowded tables to soak it all in.

The pizza takes forever to make - probably a good half-hour to hour waiting - but wow, the patience and endurance is worth it.  As one of the locals waxed poetically, “it’s like a good relationship.  You see everyone getting theirs and it makes you want the next one that appears, but you gotta tough it out and wait for it, because the one for you was made especially for you and is gonna be just right for you, and you’s gonna enjoy every last bit of it because it was meant for you - you just gotta wait it out and be patient, ya hear?!”

Who knew that waiting for pizza in a crowded culinary landmark could be so beautiful?

The golden crust is dripping in butter with just the right amount of crisp to go against the hefty, yet airy dough.  The toppings come generously with the tomato sauce, made from scratch with whole tomato chunks still showing, generously applied in heaping amounts on top.  One slice doesn’t look big, but it’s filling and delicious to the last bite.  There is no such thing as a bad pizza here, with every combination of toppings and sauces all leading to satisfied bellies and food-induced mini-comas. 

There is nothing that compares to the slice of authentic Chicago-style pizza.  It is it’s own category in the culinary world, providing culinary adventurers and gastronomic freaks with something to delight about.  And there’s nobody that does it better than the matching duo of Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due.

“To build a better world, start in your own community.”

The tri-cities of St. Charles, Batavia, and Geneva in Illinois barely elicit much of a response from anyone outside of the Chicago-land area that you may mention it to.  Sitting along the Fox River in the edge of suburbia, bike trails and a patchwork of city parks outline beautiful images and radiate a calming aura.  Each of the communities has their own quaint downtown centers, a mixture of nostalgic Americana swirled with the cosmopolitan sophistication of New World Europe.  Simply put, they are all model communities in how to blend the old and new, the young with the old, maintaining a touch of history while serving up an evolving culture.

In the midst of the bustling State Street, the main highway bisecting these cozy communities, lies Bien Trucha.  A surprising Mexican tapas spin in the very Midwestern town of Geneva, the locals flock here for happy hour with the healthy bebida menu and stay for dinner with the simple, but decadent menu.

Start with the brochetas, the skewered treats straight from the grill.  The bacon-wrapped shrimp with the chipotle lime glaze, with the sweet tartness of pineapple, deliver a well-balanced wake-up call to the palate.  Follow this with a Cazuelita de Rajas con Chorizo that can be characterized with rich flavor and bold spices.  The poblano strips roasted over an open fire with chihuahua cheese (it’s not what you think) and chorizo, tempered with crema fresca, is a fun dish to mix and match the different ingredients to create different tastes and dining experiences for everyone at the table.  Even though these dishes are very good, you have to save room to try a wide variety of tacos.  The tacos are stuffed with fresh fish, prime cuts of steak, plump shrimp, crispy pork belly, tender pastor, and sauteed portabello mushrooms for the vegetarian types.  Each comes plated colorfully, almost artistically, and each taste complement the visuals.  Everyone leaves the evening happy and full, with the colorful drinks and dishes coming to the tables in what seems to be a never-ending flow.

So next time you find yourself in the western suburbs of Chicago, or perhaps delayed at O’Hare for more than a few hours, check out Bien Trucha in the wonderful riverside town of Geneva.  On an early autumn afternoon, what can be better than a great dinner, a stroll along the river to see the colorful canvas of trees, and then some homemade treats at Graham’s Chocolate?!  It’s a decision that both good and smart.

“A pleasant experience is ahead. Don’t pass it by.”

Beautiful Sunnyvale lies at the northern tip of Silicon Valley, home to numerous neighborhoods, next door to an established amusement park, and within a close drive to many technological leaders, including eBay, Brocade, and Avaya.  Tucked away on a nondescript street is a taste of the Mediterranean, direct from Lebanon.  Blink and you’d miss it, but slow down and you might catch a glimpse of the Sunnyvale Cafe, a popular local foodie mecca in the neighborhood.

This family-owned establishment keeps healthy working hours, which means you will only catch them at certain times throughout the day for lunch and dinner.  But once you sit down, it feels like you’ve entered their home and their amazing hospitality kicks in immediately.  Seating is extremely limited and the owners often take the time to chat with their guests in between food preparations and cooking.

Nosh on some baba ghanouj while sampling some homemade flatbread and hummus, all the while exploring the various postcards and pictures from the beautiful country.  The couscous salad’s delightfully tart flavor complements the slightly spiciness of the lamb-and-beef meat pies.  The falafel is just right - not too crispy, not too oily - and the kafta wrap provides a hearty meal when accompanied by the moujadera mixture.  Wash it all down with a tasty yogurt drink, among the many beverage choices available.

For dessert, be sure to call ahead for their mamool, a Lebanese cookie stuffed with walnuts and dates.  If you forget to call ahead, treat the owners with a lot of respect and kindness and you might get lucky enough to have the owners find one or two hidden away for the guests they deem worthy enough to try such a culinary treat.  And if the mamool isn’t available, the homemade baklava makes even the strongest knees weak at the fresh, crisp taste of this popular dessert.

So whether you’re wandering down Maude Ave in Sunnyvale or have a hunkering for some homemade Lebanese food, stop on by this wonderful mom-and-pop establishment for some good food, lots of love, and a delightful cosmopolitan hometown experience.

“Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos.”

Not to drop any names, but Gordan Ramsay told me to come here.  Most people usually read up on travel books and review the local blogs.  I decided to reach some Indian food blogs and watch a few food shows about India, including Ramsay’s first season of Great Escape.  It’s actually through that type of research that I learned the geography, personalities, and food of the different regions of India.

And it’s what led me to the Mohi Matal with my driver in the Old Town of New Delhi.  Granted, many places try to take on the namesake and even claim to be the original, but there is no mistake that this hole-in-the-wall is the original home where Indian culinary entrees such as tandoori chicken, burra kabab, and butter chicken were created.

Now, “hole-in-the-wall” may be a kind term.  I hesitate to even put up pictures of the place, as the entire infrastructure is dilapidated with walls stained from years of tobacco smoke and damaged from water, still dripping from the corners of the ceiling.  The lighting is dim, the lime green walls and decorations are stuck from the 1940s, and I’m pretty sure the restroom facilities were not to code… which makes me believe that I never want to see how or where the food is prepared.  Each waiter appears to have started the same time the restaurant opened up, with everyone over 50 years old at the very least, including one geriatric gem who I was deathly afraid would keel over at any time - lifting a bread plate and walking to the cleaning station made him breathless.  The menus haven’t been updated in a while and I’m sure the silverware properly isn’t cleaned as well as they could be.  And if that’s not enough, the food was plated in a way that made my brother’s cooking look halfway edible.

Beyond the looks, however, the Mohi Matal is a culinary mecca in India for a reason.  It is in the company of food firsts such as Pizzeria Uno of Chicago, Chez Panisse of Berkeley CA, the Deep Fried Butter-on-a-Stick trailer at the Iowa State Fair, Pat’s King of Steaks in Philadelphia, and Anchor Bar in Buffalo NY.

The naan is prepared fresh, with hints of black sesame and sea salt.  The burra kabab is cooked to the point where the outside is slightly charred crispy, but the flavors inside and the texture lends a beautiful mix of spices roasted to perfection.  The tandoori chicken, while a bit on the dry side at first, is prepared carefully with the seasonings barely sinking into the meat, but offering enough of a kick to make it worthwhile to order.  The star of the meal is definitely the butter chicken.

You will not get better butter chicken anywhere, anytime in your life.  While I’m pretty sure the mixture takes over 3 sticks of butter to create, what emerges is the best blend of spicy, sweet, and salty with a bit of tang to deliver a mouthwatering delight.  It is a dish best eaten by hand, with a handful of naan to truly capture the flavors that begin as the steam hits your senses, continues through each and every bite, and lingers as the spicy sweet kick of capsicum and tomatoes continues through to the next mouthful.

My driver, a resident of New Delhi for over 30 years, exclaimed in delight, “This is by far the best butter chicken I have ever had.  This is the best!”  You know you’re in a good place when the locals give it a thumbs up.  The prices are very reasonable, with a meal around 600 Rupees ($13) a person that fills you up and even provides enough to take home, which Manish was more than happy to take home to his family to share with his wife and kids.

If you ever find yourself in New Delhi for business or after a day of sightseeing (the Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s final resting place, is 5 minutes away), seek out the Moti Mahal in the busy row of shops in Old Delhi for an adventurous North Indian dining experience.

“Demonstrate refinement in everything you do.”

Originally founded by the likes of J.P. Morgan (the banking mogul), Robert Colgate (of toothpaste fame), and Theodore Roosevelt Sr. (the President’s father), the American Museum of Natural History has been a national treasure for over 140 years.  Rivaling the stature and collections of the Smithsonian, the museum is known for its much-studied dioramas, the vast collection of artifacts - both anthropological and archeological, and the Rose Center’s impressive planetarium.  One could literally peruse for hours in the halls that inspired the movie, Night at the Museum.

Luckily, one can exit and enter as they please with a ticket, which makes the trip across Columbus Boulevard to the second location of the Shake Shack a nice respite in the middle of a long day of sight-seeing in New York City’s busy Upper West Side.  While the original building resembles more of a plain and simple shack, the owners had the opportunity to create this location to be outfitted with a recreation center in the basement and a enclosed patio facing the busy boulevard to people-watch.

The place is the classic burger joint.  The hamburgers are made to order and served with all the trimmings.  Even the mushroom burger is carefully cooked to perfection, oozing out fresh mozzarella with each bite.  The crinkle-cut fries bring back memories of grade school while the freshly prepared lemonade washes it all down.  The restaurant is so well known for the variety of desserts it offers - sundaes, milkshakes, and concretes (think a solidified milk shake) - that it has a separate line just to order the frozen delights.

While the staple entrees and sides remain the same everyday, the dessert flavors constantly rotate, drawing long lines and large crowds during the lunch and dinner rushes.  The homegrown chain’s original store in Madison Square Park is so popular, there’s even a webcam on their website that gives prospective customers a view of the lines.

So next time you find yourself in the Big Apple, make it a point to seek out this place where the locals love to grab a bite at; and who knows, you might even catch a celebrity or two taking a break from a rehearsal or filming to join the throngs of people enjoying a taste of Americana.