Happy Hour at Zocalo

On Friday the lab got together for another of our rather frequent happy hours. We've been a little reluctant to go lately seeing our usual place was not only getting boring but the service is worse and worse by the week. Not to mention, the crowd of Penn students making it difficult for a big group such as our to get a table. No reservation, don't even bother.

So, this time we ventured off to Zocalo. It's a bit of a longer walk (on 36th and Lancaster) but well worth it. Pictured here is the zocalo sangria : white wine + the fruit of the season. In this case it was berries. Honestly, I don't know what's up with me and going to places where I can eat/imbibe things that are so berrylicious. I almost ordered the Pablotini (vodka martini + habanero chilies) but it wasn't at happy hour prices and Jason wasn't around to ensure I got home OK. So, definitely next time.

The appetizers, which like the house drinks were also 25% off, were really great. I ordered/shared the Volcan, a layered dip of refried beans, melted cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. It came with their in-house-made tortilla chips. Delicious! Some one else ordered the Plato Surtido: beef empanada, pico de gallo, and an amazing guacamole. On the other side of the table I saw the much acclaimed Queso Fundido. Although seeing that gooey cheese was more than tempting, I decided I'll leave the mini heart attack for next time. Though, I'll make sure to add the portobello mushrooms and the poblano peppers for extra taste.

Overall, we had a great time. One thing that made a difference is the fact that it was practically empty. Apparently, it's like this most of the time. This has me a bit concerned, for I wouldn't want this venue, recently made known to us, to go out of business. At the same, time the emptiness made it more pleasant for us and the waiting staff was a lot more attentive. I figure it's either one of "powelton village's" best kept secret or most people only associate margaritas and sangrias with summer. Maybe, it's that although their happy hour specials are at a fair price, the same can't readily be said about their dinner menu -- I'm not in the habit of paying close to $18 for enchiladas verdes.

Week Nineteen

So I finished one of my many projects (more on that later) and on Friday there was a PBS filming crew in the lab. They're filming for a three part series on the heart and my PI/lab is going to be part of it. I don't think it airs until November...

02.26.07


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02.21.07


02.20.07

Week Eighteen

02.19.07


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02.13.07

click and drag to donate

Help women's shelters in your state.

Valentine's Day is for Suckers

It's a bit harsh but kinda on the mark.

Your Candy Heart Says "Get Real"

You're a bit of a cynic when it comes to love. You don't lose your head, and hardly anyone penetrates your heart. Your ideal Valentine's Day date: is all about the person you're seeing (with no mentions of v-day!) Your flirting style: honest and even slightly sarcastic What turns you off: romantic expectations and "greeting card" holidays Why you're hot: you don't just play hard to get - you are hard to get

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Week Seventeen

02.12.07


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02.06.07

Because I Promised

Here is the recipe for the Toffee Cake (or pudding) I promised Andrew, since he was so nice to heed to my advice. It's from: Everyday Food, December 2006. In case this picture isn't good enough you can find the recipe on their web site.

Banana Leaf & Naked Chocolate Cafe

So, on Sunday, Jason's last day of his last golden weekend during his surgery rotation, we decided to have a fun day in center city.
Seeing how the weather permitted it, mid 30s, we took a walking tour with our friend Sarah. Our first attempt was to go to a late lunch at Aqua on 7th and Chestnut. It's a recently new Malaysian and Thai fusion BYO whose chef was previously from Penang, NYC. Unfortunately, it was closed.
Seeing how we craved Malaysian, we decided to go to another fairly new place in Chinatown -- Banana Leaf on 10th and Arch. The food was delicious. As appetizers we had the Roti with chicken and potato gravy (on the side) and fried tofu with cucumber and peanut sauce. The hearty peanut sauce, which was generously piled on top of the tofu, had a noticeable crunch and a pleasant bit of spice.
As entree we had the pineapple fried rice, mango with shrimp, and fried spare ribs. I can't say much for the ribs but the mango/shrimp was my favorite so far.

We then happily walked over to 13th and Walnut to another place we hadn't been to: The Naked Chocolate Cafe.

The minute you step in you feel like a kid in Candy Land. There's an almost endless array of chocolates, cupcakes, brittle, cakes, sweets...you get the picture.
I had the Spicy Hot Chocolate and although it didn't have the same kick as MarieBelle's spicy hot chocolate it had the same velvety ganache like consistency that's to die for. A small is more than you can ask for. To accompany it, we shared a Strawberry-Vanilla cupcake. It was honestly the first time I've had frosting that actually tastes like strawberry.
To finish this very fun day we went to see Almodovar's latest, Volver. It had a surprising amount of humor intertwined into a slew of very serious subjects. Once again, Almodovar has produced a gem.

Week Sixteen

This week was mostly about knitting (I'm becoming more and more addicted -- I think it's the cold), tragic things like Barbaro and taking the PATCO to NJ, and Shwetha's B-day.

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01.31.07


01.30.07

The last thing you want to hear

when you wake up is "get ready for a BITTER COLD DAY".
When the wind chill brings it down to -7, walking to work is not an option.

It's Official

We're going to San Francisco on Jason's Spring Break!
I'm mostly looking forward to spending some time in the warmth (9 degrees is not cool) of the west coat while exploring wine country. Oh yeah, and Derek too.
Just shoot me if I ever call it Frisco.

Terror, Terror, Everywhere

In this (un)Brave New World Humor seems at times dead. Saddly, it is often confused for sarcasm, apathy, ill will... Who's to blame the authorities for over reacting? I mean, Mooninites are a terrorizing force not to be reckoned with. Their two highest ranking (and possibly only) members have admited countless times to schemes towards world domination. To Ignignokt and Err the earth is but their moon.
In all seriousness though, these things (~60 in Philly alone) have been around for more than two weeks! If they were truly intended as a terror plot we'd all be dead by now, or at least seriously injured. Over reaction is just covering up for apparent incompetence.
Then there's the claim that this is just another example of "corporate greed" and guerrilla advertising. In this environment of branding and "consumer greed", what else is new? For a limited time, or until ebay finds out, you can own a piece of terror yourself. Place bids here.

Week Fifteen

01.29.07


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01.23.07