Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Bread: The Free World

On a coldsnowyslushyicydesolatedark night, the kind in which old men curse when they walk outside to find their car covered in stubborn snow, my man friend and I ventured to the old Italian district in Northern Boston.

We really had no solid ideals for the evening, simply experience the old Italian District, make an attempt for continual warmth. Our evenings were made, however, when we came upon large garbage bins of bread, baguette-like, though obviously not since we were in the Italian district. Though not warm, the bread was still soft and most likely had been made in the last 24 hours.

We took as many loaves as our arms could carry, but had to leave most of it behind.


Monday, January 21, 2008

Bo Thai

Bo Thai was yet another result of a random excursion, however this time it took place on the other side of the country. What started out as a trek in search of a vegan restaurant located somewhere in Allston ended at a warm and very pleasing Thai restaurant.
My man friend and I walked nearly and hour in the darkness of the Boston night, searching for a vegan restaurant that just didn't appeal once we arrived. We opted for Bo Thai instead and were quite satisfied.

With only three tables, Bo Thai caters greatly to the take-out and delivery community. Though the menu contained non-vegan items, the women said that most of their customers were vegan and that the vast majority of the menu could be veganized.

We ordered a number of items including Tom Yum (hot and sour soup), sweet and sour vegetable stir fry, cashew nut stir fry with vegetables and tofu and fresh spring rolls.
The Tom Yum Soup was just what we needed (and more) to warm us from the cold night. It contained a great deal of chili spice which made it's presence even more well known with each swallow.
Sweet and Sour Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice

Cashew Nut Stir Fry with Vegetables, Tofu and Rice

1369 Coffee House

1369 seems to be quite popular amongst Cambridge locals. It's a great place to go and drink quality coffee, meet a friend, settle into a great book or simply people watch. During my visit to 1369, there happened to be a man who sat drawing a pair of people who sat tables away.

The coffee was unique to any I have had previously in life. I want to say there was almost a saltiness to my soy mocha but I hesitate to do so as I am still becoming a coffee connoisseur and am afraid I cannot yet adequately talk knowledgeably about coffee. Simply stated though, the atmosphere and mocha created by 1369 contributed to the loveliness of the day.

San Francisco: El Balazo

In its myriad of brightness, El Balazo is hard to miss. It's one of the many treasures of Haight street in San Franciso, with its gourmet yet simple menu of authentic mexican food. I
feel lucky to have randomly come upon it when looking for a place to stop for lunch.
El Balazo caters to a plethora of types. I was quite impressed by their selection of tortilla bowls for my vegetarian taco salad. I had the opportunity to choose from spinach, white or whole wheat. They layered it with rice, beans (choice of pinto or black beans), lettuce, sir fried veggies which included zucchini and mushrooms, salsa and guacamole. I was quite satisfied to say the least.


My taco salad was paired with tortilla chips and cabbage salad on the side (both homeade), and equally as delicious.