Manitoulin!

All right folks...before I do more of my recent food posts, I just wanted to at least post our arrival to the Island...Manitoulin Island that is!

After our uneventful ride on the Chi-Cheemaun (ha ha, that name cracks me up) Ferry from Tobermory, we finally landed on the biggest freshwater island in the world. Manitoulin also has the most lakes of any island in the world as well and was a vacation home for the rich and famous. According to C's husband, Tom Selleck had a vacation home here on Treasure Island (an island within the island) and President FDR had a vacation home in Strawberry Island!  Quite interesting!

Once we arrived at South Baymouth, we tried calling C to let her know we were here. We didn't know that our carrier, Verizon, didn't work on the island. I know that C told me that they lived a mere 5 minutes away from the ferry landing, but I still felt compelled to call her. We ended up going to a nearby Shell gas station to ask for directions. The employees told Bert, "Oh, you're looking for the XX's? They just live up the road. If you hit the stone house, you've gone too far because that's XX's mother's house!".  I thought it was so cool that everyone here pretty much knows each other. They were so nice and helpful to us. C literally does live a few minutes away from the dock so we got there pretty quickly.

Below is one of the many Canadian flags we saw during our stay here. There is also a sign for Carol and Earl's Restaurant, a local place which will be covered in a later post.

Ooh, a deer crossing sign!

Tehkummah is the town where C, her husband and their daughter live...It's pronounced, "TAH-koo-muh" (accent on the first syllable). It's quite small...around only 400 people live here.

Another sign we passed on the short ride up to their place...The Garden's Gate Restaurant is another place which will be covered in a later post. I was dying to eat there since C had raved about it many times on her blog, which is Life on Manitoulin.

As you can see, it was quite gray and gloomy.

More signs...it's kind of hard to see, but there is a sign for the Kicking Mule Ranch (to be mentioned in a forthcoming post). Bert had a "fun" time riding a mule there.

Here's the entrance to C's place...

They have a long road for a driveway.

Here's their barn. C's husband is a cattle farmer. They have over 750 acres of land!

So, yeah! More to come later!

Return to Sang Dao

Once I get on a roll, I can't stop. 

Thus begins the glut of overdue posts. Except this post wasn't from weeks ago. Those will come soon.  This post was actually yesterday. Surprise, surprise.

After the shitty disappointment of going here way back in March when is was closed (note to self - do not go on Mondays), we wanted to go up North again for some Lao food.  We were on our way to the "Filipinos in San Diego" book launching and decided to have lunch before going to Balboa Park.

We found a spot in the really small parking lot (I've seen worse)...Luckily there were several tables available so we were seated at the corner on in the front, which was perfect for me and my not so surreptitious camera skills. This lunch party had one Asian in their midst. I overheard her explaining what each dish was and how to eat certain dishes with the plates of lettuce and herbs.  Cool - a cultural plunge!

I also had dinner scheduled later that night with my GF's (TORC, KD and Divalicious), so I didn't want to eat too much for lunch even though I was super hungry.

I liked the Thailand and Laos postcards undernearth the tabletop's glass, which were on top of native textiles.

Condiments - I liked how they were labeled. Included was chili oil, crushed peanuts, pickled peppers, chili peppers and chili garlic sauce. Plus you had your usual fish sauce, soy sauce and Sriracha.

Okay, this was someone else's food. I pretended to take a photo of TC but I had the zoom lense on the lady's plate behind TC. They ordered sausage and sticky rice (in the basket). Next time we go here, we have to order that because it looked so good! They also ordered Nam Khao (Lao fried rice), which isn't pictured.

The appetizer spring rolls were huge! The rice noodles in the spring rolls were also thick and round (like Asia Cafe's) but they put 4 shrimp instead of 3!

Here is Sang Dao's Nam Khao (which I supposed is also spelled as "Nem Khao"). The crispy rice bits weren't as crispy as Asia Cafe's version. Their sour sausage was also more meaty with less of the stringy pork skin that's usually attached to the sausage. They also don't top it off with cilantro but no matter, the lettuce and herbs were served on the side.

This was so fkg good, I just had to put in another photo...

We ordered the Fried Fish (tilapia)...

which, as you can see, we enjoyed and pretty much tore apart.

Just a little light lunch...

Remember people! Don't go on Mondays!

The yogurt place across the street is now out of business. When Bert and I went back in March on a progressive lunch adventure with a few friends, we ended up having dessert there (see that post here) after finding out that Sang Dao wasn't open on Mondays.

We took the scenic route to Balboa Park by travelling through El Cajon Blvd...

For old time's sake, here are my previous posts on Sang Dao here and here. 

Next up, dinner with the chicks...

Cucina Urbana

It's been a long ass time since I did an actual food post. I'm actually backlogged like a lone Portapotty during an Ozzfest concert. We went to a ton of places this summer (although not as many places as I'd liked to have gone due to this thing called work!) and they are just waiting to be shot out like another kid through that Duggar chick's flappy vajay that's probably so huuuge that it's like throwing a hot dog down a wide and lonely hallway.

This must be an OLD picture since she only has 14 kids in here!

I think she has 19 now! Ouch!

Olan Mills made some money that day!

I'm so crude but hey, you're still reading this, ain'tcha?

And even if you're not, fine by me!

This past summer, we celebrated a friend's bday so he got to choose the dinner venue,which was Cucina Urbana, formerly known as Laurel (see my former Laurel post here). As with Laurel, I was inspired by
Captain Jack's post here  and had been secretly wanting to go here. So, therefore, I was happy that my friend chose this place (see the Captain's old Laurel post here). I was also impressed that CJ alone polished off a FAMILY SIZE Pasta plate! And, he got a free drink out of it so fk yeah!

We had dinner around 5:30; it was such a bitch to get parking but we got lucky that evening...

The interiors are still ultra cool but a little more relaxed and not so cutesy French like the old Laurel.

Cool chandelier...

Lots of blue hairs and non ethnically diverse people who lack natural pigmentation. The only ethnic people I saw besides myself and a couple of my friends were the servers. Hey, I can't help but notice these things, but it's to be expected in certain parts of town...It would be the reverse down South.

Here's the dinner menu which you can also see online here...

If you bring your own wine, the corkage fee is $15. My friend, the birthday guy brought this bottle from home...

I didn't really drink my wine; I'm not a fan of reds. I ended up getting an Italian soda with an interesting flavor - Chinotto.

According to wikipedia's entry on "Chinotto":
"Chinotto is a small, bitter citrus fruit that grows on the chinotto tree, which is also called the "myrtle-leaved orange tree". This tree grows to a height of three meters and can be found in Malta and in the Liguria, Tuscany, Sicily, and Calabria regions of Italy.


The chinotto fruit is an essential flavor component of most Italian bitters (i.e., amari) and of the popular Campari aperitif. Its name is derived from China, where the tree was thought to have originated.


Chinotto is a non-alcoholic drink produced from the juice of the Citrus myrtifolia fruit and other herbal extracts. It is dark in colour. Its appearance is similar to that of Coca-Cola, but it is not as sweet as Coca-Cola, having rather a bittersweet taste."

The waiter said it was like sarsparilla. I thought it tasted like a bit of that combined with root beer. It wasn't too sweet. Best of all was the babe-a-licious bottle. Wowzah! Buxom bombshell alert! Kinda like a dirrrrrtay Vargas Girl. So that's what I drank since I did not partake of any alcomoholic beverages.

This was theTuscan toast with with Gorgonzola Walnut Mousse which we all liked...

This was the Ceci bean hummus with piquillo jam, also with Tuscan toast...The jam provided a tiny bit of a kick...

These were the stuffed fried squash which were filled with herbed ricotta cheese, purple basil peso and served with a cured lemon dressing (these descriptions are pretty much straight from their menu)...This was pretty good, but for $9.50, you'd wish they had more than 3 measly pieces and there were 5 of us that night.

More bread with who knows what that is? Oh wait, let me look at the menu again...Okay, it was some sort of sun dried tomato spread. It was a bit too watery for me. As you can see, we ordered small things here and there...

Here is the Fritto Misto - fried soft shell crab, calamari, shrimp, and vegetables with caper mayo...Loved the green beans and squash slices in there.

We ordered the Short rib Pappardelle which had cremini mushroom + parmigiano. The regular size was $18.50 but the waiter suggested we upgrade to the "family style" portion for $18 more. WTF, we thought, there's 5 of us, so why not. As you can see, it's a pretty damn big bowl, Here's our waiter grating some fresh cheese on our pasta, which was the best thing I ate that evening!

I loved the wide noodles and the short rib meat was melt in your mouth delicious.

Lastly, we ordered a couple of pizzas. I wanted to try the pork belly pizza with potato, scallion, asiago cheese and bechamel sauce. Unfortunately my health conscious cohorts did not want to try it. I figured, let the birthday guy decide. This was the Fig/Gorgonzola pizza with caramelized onion, candied walnuts and aged balsamic. It was topped off by peppery arugula leaves.

This next pizza was a little more conventional - It was pepperoni and fennel sausage with homemade mozzarella and peppadew pepper...I didn't like the burnt crust edges though.

My friends had already polished off the first bottle of wine...Here's the second (ordered from the restaurant)...Another red.

I'd like to go here again but next time when it's not so crazy busy. I'm not into crowds but everyone was in their own little bubble anyways. I had a lot of fun chatting with my friends, especially one we all hadn't seen in awhile. It was our way of catching up with each other. I'll have to take Bert here, maybe for his birthday...

"Filipinos in San Diego" Book Launch on Saturday, August 21, 2010

Book Launch of

"Filipinos in San Diego"

(article courtesy of The Asian Journal, August 13, 2010)

(image courtesy of Amazon.com)

Images of America: Filipinos in San Diego, a book focusing on the lives of Filipinos in San Diego from the turn of the 20th century to the present through historical narratives and archival photographs, will be launched on August 21, 2010 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the House of the Philippines in Balboa Park in San Diego.

The release of this book is timely as there is a growing interest on the increasingly visible Filipinos, the largest Asian American group in San Diego, numbering nearly 1 million according to the 2000 US Census.

The book is authored by Dr. Judy Patacsil, Dr. Rudy Guevarra Jr., and Professor Felix Tuyay of the San Diego chapter of the Filipino American Historical Society and published by Arcadia Publishing.

Filipinos have been a part of the history of the United States and San Diego for over 400 years. The Manila-Acapulco galleon trade ships included Filipinos on sailing expeditions to California, including the port of San Diego. After the Philippines became a territory of the United States in 1898, many Filipinos began immigrating to San Diego. The community grew rapidly, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s. After World War II, Filipino veterans returned with their war brides and the community began to build further. The Immigration Act of 1965 increased Filipino immigration into San Diego to include military personnel, especially those enlisted in the U.S. Navy, as well as professionals.

All three authors are native born San Diegans. Dr. Patacsil is a second-generation Filipina American born in San Diego to pioneering immigrant parents. Dr. Guevarra is a fourth-generation Filipino American, born and raised in San Diego, and is a descendant of pioneering Filipino great-grandparents. Prof. Tuyay is a second-generation Filipino American who has taught Asian American Studies and Filipino American History in San Diego for over 30 years.

Dr. Patacsil, who is also the president of FANHS San Diego chapter, notes that, “It is our hope that the book contributes to the literature on Filipino Americans so that we are more accurately situated in history. We hope that it contributes to a better understanding of the lives of Filipino Americans, especially in San Diego.”

The San Diego chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) is an active community organization composed of community members and leaders, scholars, researchers, professionals, and students. The mission of FANHS is to promote the understanding, appreciation, and enrichment of Filipino history and culture through the identification, gathering, preservation, and dissemination of information on Filipino Americans in the United States.

The August 21 book launch event is free and open to the public and is hosted and co-sponsored by the House of the Philippines. To RSVP and for more information, please contact fanhs18@yahoo.com.

----------------------------------------------------
On a personal note, I know all three authors and know that they have worked so very hard to put this book together these past few years. You may have seen other Arcadia volumes at your local bookstores; those books focus on local history.  FANHS Chapters all over the U.S. have been releasing their books over the years and it is now San Diego's turn in the spotlight.

I was proud to have helped in some small way in contributing a few photos from my parents' collection. I just got my copy of the book today and it's a great addition to my collection of Filipino American History books, more so because it is local history...my history.  As a second generation Filipina American, daughter of a former Navy Man and elementary school teacher (who immigrated to the US in the early and late 60's respectively), it brings me great pride as I hold my book and leaf through the pages. "Filipinos in San Diego" depicts the story and faces of immigrants who have been contributors to the history and culture of America's Finest City. From the sombre faces of the early immigrants such as the pensionados (government sponsored students), the manongs who toiled in the agricultural fields, to the military men (US Navy and US Army)and their War Brides, to the establishment of vibrant pockets of Filipino American communities after WWII as well as the increase of the Filipino population after the passage of the 1965 Immigration Act, Filipinos make up a visible minority in San Diego.

In addition to the book launch next weekend, FANHS San Diego will also host more book signings in Southwestern College in September (date to be announced) and at Miramar College in October (date TBA) in honor of Filipino American History Month.

Here's some more info about the authors: Dr. Judy Patacsil, co-author of the book is also a Counselor and Professor at Miramar College. Her father, a family funded pensionado immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920's, worked as a manong in the fields served uder the US Navy during WWII and brought home his War Bride before settling in Southeast San Diego, one of the few communities that did not discriminate or have covenenants barring the entrance of minorities.Her family is one of the pioneer Filipino families who came after WWII. 

Felix Tuyay is a History Professor at Southwestern College and one of the first to begin teaching Filipno American Studies and Ethnic Studies in the South Bay. His parents were also like Dr. Patacsil's. His father was a WWII vet and brought home his War Bride settling down in Southeast San Diego. Lastly Dr. Rudy Guevarra,(a self proclaimed "Mexipino") is currently an Assistant Professor in the Asian Pacific American Studies Program at Arizona State University. His great-grandfather was Filipino and their family is one the San Diego's pioneering Filipino families as well. Rudy's research is especially valuable as it pertains to multi-ethnic studies such as the Filipino/Mexican experience.

Please join FANHS San Diego in celebrating the release of the book, "Filipinos in San Diego" and own a piece of history. Books will be $20 at the event; $25 if you order it by mail.

WTF! Van Halen to REUNITE?

Start crankin' up your air guitars!!!

Just saw this on YahooNews that Van Halen plans to reunite!

Let's hope it's with the original band, not that pansy ass lineup a few years ago where they substituted Michael Anthony with Eddie Van Halen's portly son, Wolfgang!   Nepotism at its worst, I say!

PAUSE....


Okay, I just read the article...turns out that Michael Anthony WILL NOT be playing bass as he is with the band, Chickenfoot (with other rockstars Joe Satriani and ahemm, Sammy Hagar).  Fuck! Well, scratch my hopes for the classic VH lineup.

Ferry Ride on the Chi-Cheemaun!!!

We were lane number one. After the motorcylists boarded, our lane was up next. There were workers to guide us onto the boat...This was cool, the tip flipped up.

They also helped us once we were inside, guiding us to our parking spot...

You entered the interior of the ship through doors that led to stairwells on the right...

Because inquiring minds want to know...

This was before I used it by the way.

The view near the back end of the boat overlooking the lot and the ferry terminal...

The next series of pix are the back end of the boat (the part we entered) lowering.

Very cool! There was also a Mennonite girl and her boyfriend/companion. You can see her little hair bonnet. I'm not sure if he was Mennonite as well since his clothese looked more modern, but what do I know? Maybe the dress code is more lax for guys?

TC's candy resting on her Happy Bunny socks.

 

Bert bought TC a cheeseburger with fries. That coleslaw looks too "spring green" to me...ugh.

TC checking out the watery vista...

"Fezzig...are there rocks up ahead?"

"If there are, we'll all be dead!"

(quotes from "The Princess Bride")

Our ferry ride to Manitoulin Island would be nearly two hours...

Almost to the island now!