One of the advantages of living on campus is the abundance of varied cuisines one has access to. Pataya Grill is conveniently located and priced too.
While the Pad Thai is a safe order, as with most Thai restaurants, my favorite is the Thai speciality sea food dish called Three Buddies. It is slightly on the spicier side but heavenly. The cashewnuts give a special taste to the dish.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Vietnam-West Philly
Located right by the Ethiopian restaurant in West Philly is the new kid on the block-Cafe Vietnam- owned by the people who run the friendly neighbourhood store, Fu Wah. The family runs a similar restaurant in China Town, but this is the one that is closest to the heart. They just moved to their newer bigger location and it was running at close to full capacity on Friday evening.
My first meal was going to be my initiation into Vietnamese food and so I decided to seek help from the server. He did not even blink an eye while recommending Pork Chops aka #48 on the menu. It comes with a generous helping of greens which are to be dipped or soaked with the orange sauce that comes with. Mind blowing!
Among other things, the Shrimp Basil is nice, so is the Shrimp Claypot, albeit slight spicy.
The hot coffee with the condensed milk added already is a good way to end the meal. FYI, all of the the server's recommendations have been winners but when ever we go there, he has #48 on the order down even before he seats us!
My first meal was going to be my initiation into Vietnamese food and so I decided to seek help from the server. He did not even blink an eye while recommending Pork Chops aka #48 on the menu. It comes with a generous helping of greens which are to be dipped or soaked with the orange sauce that comes with. Mind blowing!
Among other things, the Shrimp Basil is nice, so is the Shrimp Claypot, albeit slight spicy.
The hot coffee with the condensed milk added already is a good way to end the meal. FYI, all of the the server's recommendations have been winners but when ever we go there, he has #48 on the order down even before he seats us!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Cheesecake Factory
While driving past and to the Menlo Park, what stood out was the CHEESECAKE FACTORY. I went in there only a couple of years ago. For me, the sight of people waiting for a table at a restaurant always almost means great food. This is the best example of that.
After having tried a lot of dishes, and loving most of them, I found my signature dish-Bang Bang Shrimp and Chicken. It is a delightful coconut based sauce, with generous helpings of both Shrimp and Chicken. I always share this with some one as it can become too much for one.I think one of the reasons I love it is because it has tastes very similar to Indian curry, but not as spicy!
On a side note, their Oreo Chocolate Cheesecake is sinful but heavenly.
After having tried a lot of dishes, and loving most of them, I found my signature dish-Bang Bang Shrimp and Chicken. It is a delightful coconut based sauce, with generous helpings of both Shrimp and Chicken. I always share this with some one as it can become too much for one.I think one of the reasons I love it is because it has tastes very similar to Indian curry, but not as spicy!
On a side note, their Oreo Chocolate Cheesecake is sinful but heavenly.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
PJ's Pancake house-Princeton
On the very second day of landing in the US way back in 2002, I went with to Princeton with my uncle who was on a project in the area around that time. He insisted that we try out this pancake place on Nassau street right on campus.
Over the last few years, it has become a regular fixture on our weekend sunday brunch list. Till recently, they would encourage clients to write trivia on the wall, but not any more :-(
My favorite dish there would be the PJ's 2-fer pancake, which is pretty much a standard egss and pancakes breakfast, with meat.
Over the last few years, it has become a regular fixture on our weekend sunday brunch list. Till recently, they would encourage clients to write trivia on the wall, but not any more :-(
My favorite dish there would be the PJ's 2-fer pancake, which is pretty much a standard egss and pancakes breakfast, with meat.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Beijing
"Make sure you have the eggplant dish from the Chinese restaurant on Penn's campus" was my mother's suggestion as I was preparing to visit the US. "Eggplant? No way!" I said.
Well, I did try it and loved it at Beijing, the Chinese restaurant on the campus at Penn. One meal turned into another one,and another and another , till it finally became a regular eating joint with friends.
Our standard dinner order there is Singapore Noodles, String Beans in Garlic Sauce and a chicken dish, which would vary from General Tso's to Chicken in Black Bean Sauce etc. One day, we saw a shrimp dish being served to the customers behind us. On asking, it turned out to be Fried Shrimp in Hot Pepper Sauce. As I said in my introductory post, our server, who knew us very well by now, willing agreed to substitute the shrimp with chicken. That has become our patent dish aka Fried Chicken in Hot Pepper Sauce.He expressed his surprise when we did not order that dish on one occasion, as he always puts it down on our order on his own.
Another sign that we are well received there happened when the server, same guy again, started bringing water without ice for my significant other without her having to have to ask for it.
Well, I did try it and loved it at Beijing, the Chinese restaurant on the campus at Penn. One meal turned into another one,and another and another , till it finally became a regular eating joint with friends.
Our standard dinner order there is Singapore Noodles, String Beans in Garlic Sauce and a chicken dish, which would vary from General Tso's to Chicken in Black Bean Sauce etc. One day, we saw a shrimp dish being served to the customers behind us. On asking, it turned out to be Fried Shrimp in Hot Pepper Sauce. As I said in my introductory post, our server, who knew us very well by now, willing agreed to substitute the shrimp with chicken. That has become our patent dish aka Fried Chicken in Hot Pepper Sauce.He expressed his surprise when we did not order that dish on one occasion, as he always puts it down on our order on his own.
Another sign that we are well received there happened when the server, same guy again, started bringing water without ice for my significant other without her having to have to ask for it.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Vaishali.......need I say more?
I begin my blog with a tribute to the mother of all restaurants-VAISHALI in good old Pune. I mainly plan to make this a blog about restaurants in the US but no review can be complete without mentioning Vaishali.
It is best described this "If there were to be a law made that only one restaurant can continue to exist in Pune, and a vote is taken, the winner will be Vaishali hands down." Usually when any one from Pune based in the US is headed back home, his/her friends will almost always say "Please have an SPDP in Vaishali for me"
Vaishali has a huge fan following, to the point of devotion, in Pune and there are many regulars who have breakfast there, either daily or on weekends. I believe there is a group of friends who are there everyday in the morning so religiously that they even have a newspaper delivered there.
I think I will be fairly right in saying that the SPDP(Sev Dahi Batata Puri) is the most popular dish on the menu. It is no surprise that Vaishali is full in the evenings, given that SPDP is available only after 5.30 PM.
My favourite dish is the Mysore Masala Dosa. The pungent red chutney which is coated on the inside of the dosa gives the MMD it's special taste.
It is best described this "If there were to be a law made that only one restaurant can continue to exist in Pune, and a vote is taken, the winner will be Vaishali hands down." Usually when any one from Pune based in the US is headed back home, his/her friends will almost always say "Please have an SPDP in Vaishali for me"
Vaishali has a huge fan following, to the point of devotion, in Pune and there are many regulars who have breakfast there, either daily or on weekends. I believe there is a group of friends who are there everyday in the morning so religiously that they even have a newspaper delivered there.
I think I will be fairly right in saying that the SPDP(Sev Dahi Batata Puri) is the most popular dish on the menu. It is no surprise that Vaishali is full in the evenings, given that SPDP is available only after 5.30 PM.
My favourite dish is the Mysore Masala Dosa. The pungent red chutney which is coated on the inside of the dosa gives the MMD it's special taste.
Mad Mex..................
One of the concepts I was newly introduced to when I came over to the US was "Happy Hour". Mad Mex or Mad4Mex as the sign says, is a very popular joint on the campus at Penn. It is basically a Mexican joint (Surprise!!!!!!!!!!!!) and is mainly famous for it's Bigg Azz Margaritas which are under 10$ from 4.30 to 6.30 pm.
My overwhelming favourite dish there is the "South West Wings". They come in 3 spice levels-Mild, Wild and Insane. For a while, they were taken off the menu but were brought back, supposedly after a strong outcry by the customers.
I would go on to say they figure in the top 3 list of my favourite dishes ever.
My overwhelming favourite dish there is the "South West Wings". They come in 3 spice levels-Mild, Wild and Insane. For a while, they were taken off the menu but were brought back, supposedly after a strong outcry by the customers.
I would go on to say they figure in the top 3 list of my favourite dishes ever.
Dahlak...............
Located among the now restaurant dominated is the famous Ethipion-Eriterian restaurant called DAHLAK. I believe it has been voted as one of the top restaurants in Philly on multiple occasions.
The food is served on top of their typical bread called Injera, which is very similar to the South Indian Dosa. In fact the food is very similar to Indian cuisine, down to their most commonly ordered appetizer-Sambusa-which sounds and is almost like Samosa. Please remember this food has to be eaten with your bare hands to enjoy it's true taste.
My favourite dish is the Yebeg Tibs, which are cubes of fresh lamb sautéed with onions, garlic, and herb butter. It is simply delicious and I would often pick it up on a Saturday afternoon and have it at home while watching re-reruns of Law Order SVU.
The food is served on top of their typical bread called Injera, which is very similar to the South Indian Dosa. In fact the food is very similar to Indian cuisine, down to their most commonly ordered appetizer-Sambusa-which sounds and is almost like Samosa. Please remember this food has to be eaten with your bare hands to enjoy it's true taste.
My favourite dish is the Yebeg Tibs, which are cubes of fresh lamb sautéed with onions, garlic, and herb butter. It is simply delicious and I would often pick it up on a Saturday afternoon and have it at home while watching re-reruns of Law Order SVU.
Intro...........
Over the last few years, I have been very fortunate to have enjoyed many a good meal with my friends and family at various restaurants in India and the US. Pune is like no other city in the world and a food-lover's delight. Philadelphia is an excellent city for an international student to begin his US journey in. A decent public transport system makes moving around without a car relatively easy. The wide variety of cuisines available throughout the city are a foodie's delight.
Being a regular at a restaurant(s) has many advantages. For one, you know how much to believe on the server's recommendations. Another one is forming a customer-server relationship which ensures great service and being able to make modifications on dishes to suit your tastes, as you will read in my post about Beijing sometime soon.
I plan to speak about one dish that is outstanding in my opinion in each restaurant. Please do send in your comments and I will be happy to share them with everyone.
Being a regular at a restaurant(s) has many advantages. For one, you know how much to believe on the server's recommendations. Another one is forming a customer-server relationship which ensures great service and being able to make modifications on dishes to suit your tastes, as you will read in my post about Beijing sometime soon.
I plan to speak about one dish that is outstanding in my opinion in each restaurant. Please do send in your comments and I will be happy to share them with everyone.
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