Monday, January 28, 2008

Restaurant Review: Fork.

I had a lovely dinner with some colleagues at Fork Restaurant in Philadelphia (3rd and Market.) The ambiance was lovely. The hostess and wait staff were friendly and professional. The waiting area was welcoming and the bar was nice.

The salads looked good. My water glass was always full. The desserts looked so good we almost stole half-eaten ones off other people's tables on the way out.

I have just one complaint: my risotto.

I have been mostly vegetarian and meat-squimish since I was 12. Fork is not super veggie friendly, but I was expecting that.

I chose the sea scallops with black risotto and calamari. I figured that the calamari would be a little crispy side thing I could avoid. But instead, the calamari was sauteed or perhaps stewed along side the risotto... so it was kind of like eating the most delicious sea scallops ever in their natural habitat... trying not to be eaten by the creature from the black lagoon. Little tentacles would poke out of the risotto, offering up at suction cupped limb as if in need of assistance. It was a touch disturbing and definitely distracted me from the wonderful and perfectly cooked sea scallops.

Regardless, if you are adventurous, you will like Fork. You may even LOVE it.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Break your silence... and think ahead.

I know there are alot of lurkers here... and I know who you are (ok, only some of you). Soon, I will need your help... each and every one of you.

I have a competition coming up in just one month: a haiku competition at work for Valentines day. I MUST win.

So, in the next week or so, I will be posting a couple haikus and I need your advice on which are the best. Please, please... give me your advice by email or by posting a comment. I MUST win this competition.

(Okay, I don't really need to win, but I do want to put forth an impressive show. Your imput would be very helpful)

Monday, January 7, 2008

Holidays 2008: The Recap

I really cannot express how wonderful the last three weeks has been. It was a nearly perfect combination of a little work, a lot of rest, and wonderful time spent with friends and family.

I'll just give you a few ideas of what it was like, to be followed up with more specific explanations later...

Best early break moment: Opening my eyes at 1:38pm, and turning over for fifteen more minutes without any guilt. Gosh, having nothing to do was so refreshing.

Best Christmas moment: Singing carols and sharing stories at my friend's house. It was sweet and special to be holding her sleeping baby, singing my favorite carols, and surrounded by the people I love.

Best new vocabulary word: Callipygian meaning having shapely buttocks.

Best present: My sister's financial and verbal insistance that I go to Maine. It was a wonderful time to reconnect with my amazing family and restore my focus on all things.

Best yoga class: Yin Yoga with Corina at Wake Up West. A great way to release tension just before the holiday madness.

Best nature moment: Snowshoeing with my aunt and cousin. (more later)

Best musical moments: A three-way tie: Listening to Charles sing carols, Listening to my cousin and uncle play, and Listening to the CD mixes that my other cousin made upon returning home.

Biggest current worry: The state of affairs in Kenya.

Biggest future worry: Making sure I get to help my sister when my niece or nephew is born.