What’s On My Phone Wednesdays: A Whole Fish

I recently started a new job and went to a business dinner with my colleagues for the first time. We went to Mamnoon, an upscale restaurant serving modern takes on Middle Eastern cuisines. We ordered a several dishes to share. I was most excited about the samkeh harra, a whole roasted branzino.

When our server brought the fish to the table, I asked if anyone else wanted the head. My co-workers demurred and then looked on (possibly in horror) as I happily dismantled the fish head and ate it–including the fish eyes. (The best part!)

I’m sure it was not a pretty sight, and maybe I should have chosen something I could have consumed more elegantly, but that fish head was good! Cheek meat is some of the best on a fish.

The next night, I had dinner at the Thai-Laotian restaurant Viengthong. This time I was with friends, and we also ordered a whole fish. It was fried and topped with chilis. I think I may have had to fight my friend Mahnaz for the head.

What’s On My Phone Wednesdays: Mobile Food Rodeo

Chicken…

…met waffles…

…and had a chicken strip/peanut butter and bacon waffle baby!

(It had to be done.)

The only way to make Off the Rez’s veggie fry bread taco even better was to pair it with a cucumber margarita.

What kind of sandwich should I have expected from a food truck with this badass logo?

A sandwich with THREE different kinds of pork–pulled pork, ham and bacon–topped with apple jalapeño slaw. It was appropriately named, “The Bad Lieutenant,” and it was my favorite dish at the Mobile Food Rodeo.

Beat the Lines at the Mobile Food Rodeo

I love many things about the multitude of food truck events that have become a regular part of Seattle’s culinary calendar. I love the laid back, family-friendly vibe. I love the thrill of discovering that perfect bite. I love how people turn out in a big way to support small business.

What I don’t love? The lines. The incredibly long, interminable, soul-crushing lines.

So it was an easy decision for me to buy a VIF ticket to Seattle’s biggest street food event, the Mobile Food Rodeo on May 5.

For just $25, I’ll get the chance to get in an hour early to the event and skip the lines with all-day priority line access.

For those who like swag, you can pay $45 to get the VIF treatment along with an urban picnic tote bag, a commemorative patch, a 2013 Fremont Outdoor Movie season pass for two, and a Mobile Food Rodeo T-shirt.

On Sunday, I’ll make a beeline to these three trucks making their big-time debut: Ezell’s Express, Barking Frog Mobile Kitchen and How Pickle Got Out of a Jam.

I’m also excited about the Taco Libre Taco Truck Showdown. My money will be on the barbecue pulled pork Indian taco from Off the Rez, with a possible upset by the Fish Basket’s crispy cod taco. Of course, you can’t count out Marination Mobile and its “Holy Mole!” taco.

What are you looking forward to at the Mobile Food Rodeo?

What’s On My Phone Wednesdays: Lamb, Beets, Full Tilt Ice Cream, and Lots of Chocolate

While celebrating my friend Mike’s birthday at Vessel, I ordered the Lamb French Dip sandwich. Tender, braised lamb is cut paper thin and topped with pickled shallots. And the au jus! I could drink that alone. My friend Katy enviously eyed my meal but is allergic to wheat. The good folks at Vessel kindly created a deconstructed sandwich for Katy with no bread, apple butter and horseradish condiments on the side, and a bigger side salad. It was an elegant solution and much appreciated.

During a visit to Kingston, Washington, I had dinner at the Main Street Alehouse, which was offering the “Heart Beet Salad” that night. I love hearts of palm and beets so I ordered the salad despite its ridiculous name (or perhaps because of it?)

Unfortunately, a blanket of bland shredded mozzarella obliterated all of the salad’s ingredients, including a nicely balanced honey mustard dressing.

If you see me doing a happy dance in the aisle of my local Red Apple grocery store, it’s because I just discovered that it now carries Full Tilt Ice Cream. I used to live within walking distance of the original Full Tilt, and I have missed its friendly vibe and ice cream flavors inspired by the incredibly diverse community in the White Center neighborhood. While I haven’t had much ice cream lately since I’ve been on a raw, vegan and gluten-free cleanse, it’s nice to know that once again, Full Tilt is nearby.

Another favorite sweet snack of mine—Pocky—can now be bought in bulk at Costco. Pocky is a thin biscuit stick dipped in chocolate. Beyond owners of Asian grocery stores, who is buying (and consuming) this much Pocky?!

 

New! What’s On My Phone Wednesdays

Like many people, I take a lot of pictures with my camera phone. However, many of them rarely see the light of day. I have hundreds of photos of homemade meals, restaurants, pastries, produce, etc. that remain imprisoned on my phone.

I’m setting them free with a new feature called, “What’s On My Phone Wednesdays.” Enjoy.

I bought this hilarious cookbook for my friend Michelle for her birthday. All of the recipes are written in the style of the BDSM romance “50 Shades of Grey.” It’s an excellent parody, the recipes look pretty good, and the pictures are enticing.

I’m not much of a beer drinker, but when I was a college student in Minnesota, I did enjoy the occasional Leinekugel’s, which is brewed in neighboring Wisconsin. I’ve never seen it for sale in Seattle and was pleasantly surprised to find it at my local Target.

I had a unique dessert at Blind Pig Bistro that absolutely knocked my socks off–a fennel panna cotta with braised rhubarb and apples and a crunchy oat topping.

Raw, Vegan and Totally in Control: The For the Glow Spring Cleanse

I’ve always been somewhat skeptical of detox diets. Many of them seem to be based on dubious nutrition claims, and the people I know who’ve gone through these programs were never happy about it. Instead, they were irritable and depressed.

However, after 6 months away from the gym due to a knee injury and an indulgent vacation that included one too many piña coladas, the number on the scale was truly alarming. I weighed almost as much as I did when I was pregnant with my son 5 years ago.

So I started researching cleanses.

Go on a food truck date for Valentine’s Day

It’s the day before Valentine’s Day, and if you don’t have plans, you’re either scrambling for something to do, or hoping that February 14 will come and go as quickly as possible.

Instead of feeling stressed out or sad, celebrate National Food Truck Date Day instead!

The alternative celebration is the brainchild of Jeanna Barrett, the woman behind 50 Food Truck Dates. She wrote, “Valentine’s Day leaves couples and singles feeling broke, bored and bummed! So I thought to myself – why not motivate everyone to change this negative Valentine’s Day sentiment around?”

So RSVP yes to the National Food Truck Date Day Facebook invite, and take your spouse, best friend, child, grandpa, baby’s mama—whoever is special to you—on a food truck date on February 14.

Here are 5 food truck date ideas for Seattle:

1. Not in love with meat? Get some sexy tofu tacos at Marination Mobile (2401 Utah Ave S., Starbucks HQ, 11am – 2pm.)
2. Do you like it hot? Try one of Diablo Food Truckz’s three spicy sauces on your noodle sandwich. (1741 4th Ave S. , 12:15pm – 3pm.)
3. Craving something sweet? Make your own ice cream sandwich at Street Treats. (Roundabout North of Big Fish Games & F5 on Elliott, noon – 12:30 pm. And 300 3rd Ave W., 12:45pm – 1:15pm.)
4. Passionate about grilled cheese sandwiches and sci-fi fantasy? (And really, who isn’t?) Feel the magic with Cheese Wizards. (1406 Northwest 53rd Street, Reuben’s Brews, 4pm – 8:30pm.)
5. Longing for a taste of Cuba? Visit Snout & Company at Town Hall Seattle. (1119 Eighth Avenue, 8-10pm)

None of these tickle your fancy? SeattleFoodTruck.com has a complete list of all food trucks open on Thursday.

If you’re on Twitter or Instagram, share a pic while you’re on your date and use the #NtlFTDDay hashtag and be sure to tag @the50dates.

Enjoy National Food Truck Date Day!