In honor of cooler weather and delicious Middle Eastern food, I hit Casablanca’s pleasant, breezy patio this week. Much hummus, tabbouleh and pita was consumed. Shawarma too. If that’s not enough to get you out there, maybe you need more hummus and tabbouleh music in your life. Who couldn’t?
More people need to give Kui Korean BBQ a shot. I’ve been twice and enjoyed it both times. Bibimbap once, barbequed short ribs another time. Portions aren’t going to wow the Golden Corral set, but so what? Find them across 9th Street from the Blue Note.
Texas Roadhouse will be opening soon over by Chuck E. Cheese – good news for flair-loving rubes who like “cut lean” steaks, “Fall-Off-the-Bone Ribs,” keeping their common nouns proper and enough cringe-inducing catchphrases to send Outback and Applebee’s back to the drawing board. What’s on the beer list? Who the hell knows or cares? Whatever’s on tap comes in a 22oz. mug and is called a “Duke.” John Wayne, motherfucker!
In other, less ragey news, there are two new local blogs are worthy of your attention. One, Woods To Food, chronicles one family’s escapades landing food in the great outdoors. Spice-rubbed venison with plum sauce and squirrel burgoo make appearances. Good reading.
Another, Hungry Professor, is doing a bang-up job reviewing local restaurants and throwing in the occasional recipe for good measure. Another one to add to the RSS feed.
It’s also worth noting – if you haven’t already heard – that Eric and Joanna Reuter of Chert Hollow Farm are going to be moving away from the farmers market and to a CSA- and restaurant-only model next year. Background on that decision here. Read more about the CSA details and give it a thought. If you’ve had any of their produce from the market, you know why a weekly box of their produce is appealing.
I went to Natural Grocers the other day. It’s nice. The people are nice. But 1/3 of the store is vitamins and supplements and the rest is mostly organic versions of everyday stuff. Not my thing. Also, The Family is everywhere. A large portrait of the matriarch welcomes you as you enter. The daughter flew in from Colorado for the opening. No beer or wine is sold, “a family lifestyle choice” I’m told at the checkout register. Also, the product submission process (send it to us in Colorado!) is downright labyrinthian, impenetrable to local farmers. The whole operation feels weird. Quaint or cultish, I can’t make up my mind.
On the flip side, the produce section, while tiny, is decent. Prices are reasonable. If you like Clover’s, you’ll love Natural Foods. Just remember to bring your own bags…”paper or plastic” is not something you’ll hear.
