Goodbye Grandma

I often listen to youtube songs when I'm engaged in mundane tasks at my desk at work. This week I noticed a song suggested by youtube in the "related videos" list. I hadn't heard it before. It was written by Elton John for the musical version of Billy Elliot. (From wikipedia: The musical revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfilment are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the eighties' coal miners' strike in Northern England.) I guess this song was cut from the show and now exists only as a demo version. An appropriate week for the song...

Pok Pok - Portland, OR

Pok Pok (3226 SE Division Street) is a trendy restaurant in Southeast Portland. Occupying what was formerly a single-family house, diners can eat on the main level or in the basement. The decor is pleasant and the food is fresh. Lunch prices were a little higher than I normally prefer to pay. Overall a good experience and a place I'd visit again.

Ike's Vietnamese Fish sauce Wings
Fresh natural chicken wings marinated in fish sauce, garlic and sugar, deep fried, tossed in caramelized Phu Quoc fish sauce and garlic and served with Vietnamese table salad.

Khao Man Som Tam
Green papaya salad (papaya pok pok) served with coconut rice and sweet shredded Carlton Farms pork, fried shallots and cilantro.

pi Day

Photo from griffin.ladoona's photostream on flickr.

It is 3.14 today. Happy PI Day!!

Basil Thai - Urbana, IL

I enjoy Thai food so was happy to learn of Basil Thai (701 S Gregory Street) in Urbana. I have eaten there several times but find the food inconsistent. The picture above shows Tropical Fried Rice (Stir-fried rice with pineapple, onion, carrot, green pea, egg, and chicken). This time it was quite moist so reminded me more of a hotdish! The flavors will still satisfying. I have also tried pad woon sen and a couple other items. The place is located on the east side of campus near the Krannert Center (good place to go before a concert). It is usually busy with a cross-section of the college crowd. On my last visit I heard at least five languages being spoken at nearby tables while I waited for my food. Orders are placed at the counter and then are brought to the tables identified by a number. This is not the "best" place for Thai food in Champaign-Urbana, but I will definitely return because of its location, casual atmostphere, and inexpensive prices.