ITS TIME FOR A MARTINI

Three Olives - Flavorful Vodka taste, minimal aftertaste and vaporous light burn (2) Frankly I was surprised after purchasing this as a mid-priced brand at $25.99/1.75 Liter

Smirnoff - Unobtrusive taste, slightly chalky aftertaste, light burn (3) (this was had directly after the impressive Three Olives Martini stated above). tag removed/375 mL*

Romanoff - Rough bite, vaporous aftertaste with lingering burn (4/5), virtually undrinkable. $13.99/ 1.75 Liter

Barton - Very similar to the Romanoff Vodka mentioned above and in the same "basement" neighborhood except this has a Rougher bite, much more aftertaste and prevalent burn (5).

Sobiewski - Light Taste, slight aftertaste, Light Burn (2). Very similar to Three Olives. This one is a Polish Vodka and recommended me by my friend Wendy. $19.99/1.75 Liter

* - found surplus in my computer table (January 2013), purchased for a road gig but unused.

The GIN Martini

A Real Martini or Original Recipe is the Gin Martini (I am so personally afraid of the Gin from previous experiences) and I have always liked my Gin but never had it around so in the wee hours as Jamie slept I crept to the Vermouth and spied the Gin in her bar.

Gordons - Gin snap to it but Very smooth surprisingly (it being Gordons "the most mixable") with barely an aftertaste and a very light burn if at all, my notes (iPhone) rate the burn a "1". Also my first Martini proper or Gin Martini ever if memory serves me right, Outstanding !!!

Had a Gordons Gin Martini at home and did not like it at all, very strange.

LIVERWURST & VELVEETA ON A RITZ

A mainstay of the New Years Eve parties of my youth when I used to drink White Rock or Key Quality Black Cherry Soda out of a shot glass with my dad at my side, he introduced me to this Snack and I always adhere to the certain Original Recipe Ingredients.

• Liverwurst (or) Braunschweiger in Sausage Casing shaped tube.
• Velveeta Cheese Original Flavor (Brick).
• Ritz Crackers Original Flavor.

Still tastes the same except maybe there's a little less Salt on the Ritz, but then again maybe not.

PANKO CHIPOTLE CHICKEN (Homeade) 1/19/13

This was mouth-wateringly good, Sometimes even a Great Chef outdoes herself and that is what Jamie did with some simple ingredients, The Panko chipotle Bread crumbs are amazing but then Jamie did add some other Secret Spices as well.

this is what I wrote on facebook.

Chef Jamie outdid herself with a simple dish of Panko Chipotle Chicken Cutlets and Sazon Rice with Cheese.

CAMPBELL'S CHUNKY SOUP (5 Selections)

1/15/13 - Savory Pot Roast - Tender Beef and Hearty Broth, a little Veggie undertone to the overall taste.

The can says Pour Over Mashed Potatoes.

1/16/13 - Kickin' Buffalo Style Chicken - Melt in your mouth Chicken in a Cayenne Pepper Cheddar Cheese Broth with Potatoes, Celery, Red Peppers. In Broth This is the Soup version of Tostito's Salsa Con Queso Dip AND DELICIOUS !!!! would probably be good with Jalapeño Slices and/or Bacon.

The can says Serve Over Cornbread.

My very first impression came from pouring this into the pot to be taken aback by the almost bright yet inviting cheddar cheese coloring of the broth which answered my questions from the photo on the can and also left me with the forethought of the "Get the kids to eat soup too" campaign in the pipeline.

Bright and Inviting Kickin' Buffalo Style Chicken'

10/21/14 - I Love This Soup, I bet they don't make it anymore, Bastards, Two cans down, one to go.

1/17/13 - Chipotle Chicken & Corn Chowder - Once again very tender (possibly stewed) Chicken Meat in a slightly Spicy (Chipotle) Corn Chowder broth with Potatoes at the fore and a Beany, Corny undercurrent and aftertaste.

The can says Pour Over Rice.

So impressed and Excited was I with the "Kickin' Buffalo Style Chicken" that I made a special trip to the store for the "third" new soup from Chunky, the Corn Chowder. So far the Buffalo Chicken is the favorite.

A none too enticing (to my eye) Corny Yellow Broth.

1/22/13 - Beef with Country Vegetable - Potato, Carrots and Peas with Tender Beef in a "Meaty" Broth reminiscent of Dinty Moore Beef Stew.

The can says Pour Over Rice.

Incidentally the "Beef cube" in the photo above while from the same can was in fact brought to the surface with the soup spoon so was in fact staged for the shot.

3/6/13 - Jammin' Jerk Chicken with Rice & Beans - The Least hearty of the bunch, Chicken, Potato, Carrots, Celery, Rice and Beans in a somewhat thin broth. Could be Spicier but this is Campbells U.S.A.

The can doesn't suggest anything, well I suppose there is already Rice in the soup.

A Bit Runny but it is Soup NOT Stew.

We know it isn't Health Food, Leave Us Alone.

CAMPBELLS CHUNKY SOUP SITE

DRAGON GARDEN 12/9/12 Brooklyn, New York

Chinese Tex-Mex has become a staple of New York's cheap eats now for about twenty years (early 90s) and the first place I came across this was in Times Square offering a 99 cent Taco (Crunchy or Soft) so I had to have one (I mean two), first thing I realize is its chinese people making mexican food,.. OK I guess, certainly did not make me walk out. These days lots of chinese take out restaurants offer a full chinese menu and   tex-mex menu to maximize sales and variety, They also make the Tortillas from scratch with a Tortilla pressing machine transforming a ball of Flour and Water into a Bready Pancake made to order as you wait, you can usually watch too.

Pictured above is a Steak Burrito that I ordered late one night (10:30 p.m.) before closing time, when I arrived they kindly informed me that they were out of mexican Rice and would I mind them substituting yellow Rice. I did not mind and it was even more Delicious. 

The counter at Dragon Garden on 18th avenue. All of the chinese take out places in Brooklyn are pretty much modeled this way.

I added some Cracker Barrel Cheddar Cheese to my Steak Burrito and I am aware that partially eaten food does not a good photo make but it was So Good. A chinese tex-mex Burrito is mexican Rice, Beans (black or pinto), Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Guacamole with Salsa and Sour Cream on the side.

The Facade of Dragon Garden at night. I am forever grateful to them for feeding my mother Inchu in her last few years, my mom stopped making white Rice daily but would always order Fried Pork Dumplings (Mandu), a half a Chicken (of which the cat got some) and white Rice from them. It was the saddest thing when I stopped in there after my mother's passing and was asked "how's your mother ?"
I will always be loyal to Dragon Garden and their Delicious Food. These days I tend to order tex-mex because I have had chinese Food a million times but have recently taken a shining to the Lunch Special Sweet & Sour Chicken with Pork Fried Rice and a Wonton Soup.

Maneki-Niko the good luck cat.

THANKSGIVING 2012

And It WAS Thanksgiving Central. Jamie prepared Everything for the festive eating army at hand.



I was and always am a large admirer for the Antipasto beginner's portion (with the little olive fork and all) and this was the Beautifully arranged plate before I secured my grubby little hands into it.

one of the florets is NOT. guess and comment below.



OMG, The Sausage Bread, OMG.

What can I say, Jamie's Sausage Bread cannot be beat.
Especially since it doesn't stay around long enough for any contenders to get a chance.



Pumpkin Tortellini in a Cream Sauce, Done To Perfection and Creamilicious.



The Plate Looks sparse Yet Is Dense. As a matter of Fact I would Kill for One right Now!!!!!.
NO, calm, cool and collected.

(clockwise from 9) - Pillsbury (Place and Bake Rounds) Crescent Roll Biscuit, Savory and Juicy Turkey, Sausage Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes with Heinz Gravy center balanced with one (1) Asparagi'.



La Familia and La Korean.



The Korean & The Chef.
(I wore this t-shirt for you Jamie)



gobble, gobble

SILVER STAR RESTAURANT 11/10/12 Brooklyn, New York

There are Cauldrons.

There are Soups.

There are Cauldrons of Soup.

There is Silver Star.

I chose Indian Food as the dinner to celebrate my 47th year but just as we were about to go to press with an Evite Jamie brainstormed Silver Star as a more fitting location and I could not agree moreso. This Old School Chinese Restaurant (.-)) was attentive in the wait staff and even provided us 2 staging areas and an invisible table nearby for our bags and framed autographed photos of Keith Emerson.

I have to give it to Jamie for calling ahead concerning mixed drinks only to find that Silver Star is a B.Y.O.B. establishment, perhaps it is a good thing we didn't know this 30 years ago. Jennie brought a bottle of Champagne and I donated one red & one white zinfandel, the table enjoyed the Zin while Joe and myself polished off the Shiraz.



The Pu Pu Platter.

Even the erosion of time leaves these sterno's conducive and unchanged.



Wise Mr. Frank ordered his usual, Shrimp in Lobster Sauce with Pork Fried Rice and Egg Roll (combination), of note there is an unusually shaped Crispy Noodle above the plate (1 o' clock).



Bob-San enjoyed Spare Rib with Pork Fried Rice and Egg Roll.



Confuscius say "Confusion Abounds Here" as I do not recall who got the Pork with Mixed Vegetables,  my memory tells me that both Dragon Lady Jennie and China Doll Madge both ordered "Chow Mein" but I am obviously Wong and must commit Harry Carry.



Emperor Joe went the right route for an American-Chinese Restaurant and sampled some Egg Foo Young with Gravy, Pork Fried Rice & Egg Roll.

The Emperor walked away happily.



My fellow Asian and PuertoPino friend Manny had a manly plate indeed with Chicken Chow Mein, Egg Roll, Pork Fried Rice AND Spare Ribs.



Madama Jamiefly was wise in her asian ordering and was served the Boneless Chicken atop Mixed Chinese Vegetables which is a Favorite to ALL.

Boneless Chicken ?
How Did It Walk ?



I ordered my mainstay, Roast Pork Chow Mein.
No One makes it this way.

Thanks Everyone for the Birthday Party.




Spike Blows.



There was a Panda with Bok Choy as well but then I was told it was Bamboo.
Oh Wait, BAMBU.



SILVER STAR MENUPAGES