Friday, February 27, 2009

Aussie Trio from Matilda's Pub & Barbie - $12.99

801 South College Avenue, Newark, DE - 302.737.4800


"An awesome trio of Emu, coconut prawns, and Roo, served with three sauces: sesame ginger, teriyaki sauce, and manga salsa."

Okay, first look at the food. Then look at the price. Now look at the food again. If you're anything like me, then your brain just went, "Really? Is that all I get for $13?"

This appetizer was disappointing in almost about every way thinkable. I say "almost" because the coconut prawns' flavor wasn't bad. However, you'd think an animal the size of a kangaroo or an emu would be able to produce more meat than this. Give me some pouch or thigh for crying out loud!

Even if you put the size factor aside and judge the quality only, you'll still be let down. Had one of the skewers tasted okay, I might have cared to find out which skewer was which animal. But no, the meat was tough, dry and flavorless, so now I know to avoid them both.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Green Nasi Lemak from Pinang Asian Cuisine - $8.00

218 Louviers Drive, Newark, DE - 302.368.2298


Not sure what's "green" about it. Maybe it's environmentally friendly (Go Green!) Personally, I think the regular nasi lemak with the white rice was better - not to mention that the regular one is $1 cheaper.

This one has a striking similarity to Korean fried rice - at least in appearance. I ate this a while back, and I think it tasted like Korean fried rice too (meaning it contained sesame oil). I don't know. I was pretty unimpressed, especially considering how much money I dropped for this. I expect either better quality or more quantity.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Balut from the corner of a dark street at Lapu-Lapu, Mactan Island - $0.25

All over Philippines.

My final Philippines post. Before going there I didn’t know what to expect of the country, its people, and the food they ate. But I knew about this one, and it was my mission to try this before leaving. Ironic that I should only find someone selling this on my very last night in Philippines. I was excited as hell, and wanted to eat it the way it’s meant to be eaten; by the side of the road where they sell it off a box behind a bicycle. But for the sake of taking better-lit pictures, I bought 2 to bring back to the hotel where the toilets are well lit and the toilet bowl is well within reach in case it really is as bad as people make it sound.

I’m no expert but as far as I know, balut is boiled (or steamed?) duck eggs at its mid-growth foetal stage. I was Birdy no fly.....told it’s 2 months after they’ve been laid. And I don’t know how to make that not sound dirty.

It’s available all over Philippines and as far as I know they’re the only culture that eats this.

They mark the egg with an X where you are supposed to open it. I believe that is where the “clearing” is, as the other side is where the egg white and duck foetus is clinging to. You want to crack it open at the opening so you can drink the fluids that are in there, foetal juice if you will.

Being a smartass I decided to open the other end (the top of the egg).. and was met with egg white. So I peeled the whole thing vertically and there you have a side-view of what’s inside the egg.

The egg white is nearly inedible as it is really tough. It also has this veiny overlapping feature that… well I think they’re really veins. And along the entire egg is a black strand swirling around, thicker and darker than the other veins. That, I believe, should be the umbilical cord.

Although the overall structure of the bird is visible; beak, eye slit, feathers and all, but on contact the bird is actually very soft, almost jelly like. X marks the spot...... to placenta fluids.I suppose the bones aren’t fully formed yet, hence why I keep calling it a foetus instead of a baby bird.

Now I was REALLY excited when I bought these eggs, as I’ve been meaning to try this for a very long time now. However, after the slow process of unshelling the first egg, I lost my appetite, much to my surprise. I LOVE eggs, of any kind and any method or style of preparation, even ones that are black and translucent (look forward to this post in the future), so this should be no different. Yet somehow, no. Not this time. My friend pointed out that it could be due to the fact that i was standing over a toilet bowl. Maybe… maybe.

Anyhoo, after some slight hesitation and deep breaths I ate it. It just tastes like stale eggs, with a slight poultry taste to it. I know I’m not being overly helpful with the description here but YOU try eating a foetus and be descriptive about its taste. It’s eaten with salt and chili vinegar.. I tried it with and without and can’t decide whether there is any improvement with the extras or not. They don’t smell as bad as people make it sound, and they don’t taste as bad as people make it to be. It doesn’t taste GOOD, no siree, but it doesn’t taste bad. But it sure was an experience and I’m glad I can check this one off my list now.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Colossal Burger from Ruby Tuesday's - $10.99

928 Bear Corbitt Road, Bear, DE - 302-834-1039


"Two handcrafted, USDA Choice patties on a triple-decker bun with Swiss and American cheese."

As you can tell, this burger is pretty big, making it difficult to eat. Size is probably the only unique thing going on for this burger too. Otherwise, it's just a standard (but still tasty) burger.

I do have one gripe unrelated to the actual taste of the burger though. They charged me an extra 10% just because I ordered this for carryout. Perhaps I'm being cheap, but that's pretty hefty if you ask me. All they did was walk about 10 feet to hand me my food and then take my money. Other places will deliver ALL THE WAY TO MY FRONT DOOR for the same charge!

So I don't believe I'll ever be visiting Ruby Tuesday's again. And if I do, I'm going to chug a bunch of milk, gas up the inside of my car real good, and then motion for the server to get real close to my window and then BLAMMO! Unleash my natural napalm into their nostrils. Only then will I feel they earned their 10%.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Surf & Turf Burger from Blackstones - $10.00

401 Louviers Drive, Newark, DE - (302) 266-0880


This has quickly turned into my standard order when I visit Blackstones, so that should tell you what I think of the burger. It's fairly pricey for a burger when you think about the size, but it happens to be right across the street from work so going here is convenient. The regular burger costs $8.50, so I'd happily pay an extra $1.50 to get some lump crab on it. The burger also comes with some sort of sauce (Russian dressing, I believe?), but they forgot to give it to me this time. In fact, they've forgotten multiple times, so make sure to remind them if you don't get it, because I believe it makes the burger taste better.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Grilled Octopus from Greek Island - $13.95

200 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL - (312) 782-9855


"Tender octopus seasoned with a splash of olive oil, vinegar, and oregano. Served with rice and potatoes or baked vegetables."

The octopus was definitely tender as the menu states. I'll give it that. And the flavor of the spicing wasn't too bad either. But just look at the skin of the octopus. Charred like a mug.

I don't believe I'll be ordering that anymore. However, the restaurant itself has a great atmosphere and the service was above par, so I'd definitely like to check out some more of their dishes.

Crunchy Breaded Pork Lauriat from Chow King- $2

All over Philippines.

Remember when I said this was going to be the last Philippine post? I lied. I decided bad Chinese food is worth posting about too. Philippines has a chain (they like chains) of fast food restaurants serving Chinese food.

Take a moment to let that sink in. I think this is weird as fudge, because to me, fast food is almost a food category in itself… So Chinese fast food sounds as weird as “car bike”. But since I have actually seen half-car half-bike vehicles before, I guess Chinese fast food can exist in this dimension without destroying the space-time continuum.

Observe, the Lauriat set… I don’t know what Lauriat means… but I take it as “set meal” or “meal”. Or “set”. Disgusting.I ordered the Crunchy Breaded Pork Lauriat w/ New Ube Sioplet, other options include the Crispy Fish Fillet Lauriat w/ New Monggo Sioplet. All kindsa funny language there. 

Firstly, Sioplet is all wrong. I think they are trying to say “mini” pau, pau being Chinese for bun, in Chinese it'’s called “Siu Pau”. They got that right (spelt Siopao in the menu). But this is the mini version, so I guess the are trying to say “Pau-let”… however, they went with “Sioplet”… which doesn’t make ANY sense as all. They The Other Dishcut “Siopao” in between the p and the a! Like pork cuts… and the mini version, they call porkculets…. I mean you put the “let” at a meaningful position, not stab it in the middle of a word.

Anyways. Ube, I’m guessing is Tagalog for taro, cos the bun is purple. On the plate I have crispy breaded pork, prawn crackers, chow mein, the Sioplet®, and rice.

This sucked. I wouldn’t order this ever again. I would probably give Chow King a miss entirely too.

For your viewing pleasure, I’ve put a pic of what my friend ordered too. I think it’s the Spare Ribs with rice. Don’t ask me how it tastes like, but from the Lauriat I had…. I’m inclined to think that it sucked too.

PS: At least it was cheap.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Italian Beef from Johnnie's Beef - $???

7500 West North Avenue, Elmwood Park, IL - (708) 452-6000


Many people consider this to be the best Italian beef in the world. Indeed, I agree it was a fantastic beef. My friend and I were so pleased that we wanted to get another one on the way home but they had already closed for the night. However, I don't believe the gap in quality from Portillo's beef to make it worth the extra 40 minute drive.

This was also the first time that I had my Italian beef dipped and I had it double dipped. The bread came out very soggy to the point where it was falling apart and still, the Italian beef was outstanding.

I hear they have a superb lemon ice with beefy chunks of lemon, but I didn't try it that night since it was about 0 F outside. Maybe next time...

Note: I THINK they only accept cash so be prepared.