Food

Last week’s shenanigans

7/7/25

The end to another eventful week and weekend…

Pics 1-6: Beating the heatwave during a team dinner at Uma Nota, a delicious Brazilian/Japanese fusion place. Passionfruit Ceviche was mindblowing
Pics 7-10: home life
Pics 11-13: Streem food market for Le Food Market’s 10-year anniversary
Pics 14-17: running errands around Rive Gauche
Pics: 18-19: the Olympic Vask is back this summer. Felt emotional, proud, and nostalgic walking past it!
Pic 20: singin’ in the rain
Pic 21: home

A glass of beer with the label 'L.B.F.' is placed on a bright yellow table in a lively bar setting. A group of people are socializing in a lively venue, with a colorful background featuring the words 'BOMB SQUAD.' Auto-generated description: A table displays a variety of dishes including a bowl of thinly sliced fish garnished with herbs, a plate of cubed sesame snacks, and a bowl of fried appetizers with dipping sauce. Auto-generated description: Pink flowers and a cactus are in the foreground with trees and a building in the background. Auto-generated description: A delicious pizza topped with cheese, sliced mushrooms, olives, and herbs is served on a wooden board, accompanied by a glass of red wine. Auto-generated description: Two people are serving plates of food at an outdoor stall with a green and white striped tablecloth. Auto-generated description: A bustling street scene shows people gathered at long wooden tables enjoying food and drinks in an urban setting. Auto-generated description: Bottles of wine and small jars are displayed on a wooden counter in a store with shelves stocked with various products in the background. Auto-generated description: People walk and cycle along a street lined with historical buildings and a French flag visible in the background under a cloudy sky. Auto-generated description: A large balloon and a Ferris wheel are situated in a park with colorful flowers, against a backdrop of architectural buildings. Auto-generated description: Sunlight illuminates a bookshelf with books, a blue soccer ball, and bags on a wooden floor.

Weekend Shenanigans

6/29/25

Friend’s Birthday Party
Cityscape
Discovering a new spot for lunch
A walk around the Jardins du Luxembourg
Some more city adventures

6/25/25 →

Coworkers went out and brought me a Viet Avocado Shake (Sinh To Bo) 😋🥑🥤#heatwave

A person wearing glasses and a basketball jersey is sipping a drink through a straw while sitting indoors. A bobblehead figure holding a basketball stands next to a cup containing a green drink with a straw on a wooden desk.

Some recent food highlights…

6/13/25

Recent food highlights from the past few weeks, mostly at home for these ones:

Roasted cherry tomatoes, burrata, and chicken
Summer pasta and a side of salad
Bagels & Lox
Chicken Salad
Honey & Goats Cheese Pizza
Pandan cake and lemonade from The Hood for their 9th birthday and Pandan Party
Pumpkin Pancakes and Berries
Gnocchi
Grilled skewers on rice
Spanish tortilla and cheesy eggs
frankfurters & mac’n’cheese
and tonight’s couscous gifted and delivered by my daughter’s nanny 🤩

A table is set with a blue and white patterned bowl containing a dish of chicken, cherry tomatoes, and crispy toppings, accompanied by glasses of red wine and sliced bread. A round green table set with two plates of pasta and a salad, surrounded by outdoor seating. A table is set with a meal featuring salmon and egg open-faced bagels, a green salad, various sauces, and drinks. A round table on a balcony holds two plates of grilled chicken salad, a glass pitcher, a tumbler, and cutlery on napkins. Slices of gourmet pizza topped with cheese sit on a decorative blue and white plate with glasses of dark beverages beside them on a teal, perforated table. A person is holding a cup of coffee from ‘The Hood’ and a partially eaten piece of green cake on a street with people walking by. A stack of pancakes topped with blueberry compote and dusted with powdered sugar. Two plates of pasta with sauce are served on a blue table, accompanied by glasses, a carafe of water, orange napkins, and cutlery. A table set with a blue and white plate containing skewered food drizzled with sauce, a pink plate with a sliced flatbread, and a dark glass. A dining table is set with plates of food, glasses of orange juice, a small pitcher, and a person using a phone. A person wearing a cap and sunglasses stands on a balcony next to a table set with plates of food, drinks, and condiments, under a sunny sky. A decorative, patterned ceramic bowl with a lid sits on a wooden table, flanked by two glasses and surrounded by other household items. Two servings of couscous with vegetables are on a wooden table, accompanied by a person's arm, a glass, and napkins.

5/26/25 →

French food / French lunch in a Bistro is truly undefeated, if I do say so myself…

A meal is served on a red table, featuring a plate of fries, a steak with pepper sauce, and drinks.

5/25/25 →

A great time at the #ParisBeerFestival yesterday! Will definitely plan to be back next year :) 🍻

A raised glass of beer is held up in a lively festival setting with colorful decorations and a crowd in the background. A hand holds a craft beer glass at a lively beer festival with people and colorful stalls in the background. A person holds a glass of beer in front of a Sudden Death brewery stand, featuring a T-shirt with a horror-themed design, at the Paris Beer Festival. A hand holding a glass filled with dark beer marked with "Paris Beer Festival" while people sit in the background. A hand is holding a glass of beer with "Paris Beer Festival" written on it, surrounded by people and colorful lights in a festive setting. A hand is holding a blue wristband labeled "PARIS BEER FESTIVAL SAMEDI" on a dark surface next to some clothing. A person wearing a Spurs basketball jersey, cap, and dark pants takes a selfie in a full-length mirror.

5/19/25 →

The end to a lovely weekend

A bottle of Uivo Renegado wine is on a table next to two filled wine glasses and some coasters in a cozy room. A red building with a sign announcing a performance by Soccer Mommy and Bored at My Grandma's House at Le Trabendo. A person is walking on a tree-lined path with a stroller under a canopy of lush green trees. A cozy cafe features wooden tables and chairs, wall art, and a few patrons enjoying their time. A musician (Soccer Mommy) is performing on stage with purple lights illuminating the scene in front of an audience. A tray displays a round loaf of brioche, a pistachio or nut-topped cake, and a stack of glazed pastries. A street scene shows a bike rack with parked bicycles and a sign in French advertising café, magazines, and more. A wall-mounted wooden bookshelf displays a variety of magazines and newspapers in a neatly arranged manner. A cozy bookshop entrance with a glass door, leading into a warmly lit interior lined with shelves full of books. Customers are standing at the counter of a cozy cafe with a variety of drinks and pastries on display, surrounded by framed art on the walls. People are sitting at an outdoor café on a sunny street with a classic European-style building in the background. A taqueria with outdoor red tables and chairs is situated on a city street, featuring a menu above the entrance. A picturesque building with a brick facade stands beside a canal, surrounded by a few trees and people walking nearby. People are relaxing by a canal on a sunny day, with buildings and a blue sky in the background.

5/9/25 →

Food, it’s good!

A person wearing sunglasses is sitting outdoors, drinking from a large container with a straw.

5/9/25 →

Half day in Baltimore’s inner harbor and discovering Pratt Street Farmer’s Market for lunch (aka Charm City)

A street scene features a curved road leading to a pedestrian crossing, surrounded by brick buildings and trees under a partly cloudy sky. A waterfront scene features modern buildings, calm water, and the Maryland state flag flying prominently. Skyscrapers and a building with the sign "IT'SUGAR" are set against a blue sky with clouds. A colorful "Visit Baltimore" sign stands in a grassy area surrounded by trees and urban buildings. A waterfront scene features calm water, city buildings in the distance, and a clear sky with scattered clouds. A waterfront scene featuring boats docked near a brick pathway, modern buildings, and a blue sky with scattered clouds. A historic brick building with large smokestacks is reflected in a body of water, set against a partly cloudy blue sky. A street scene features a brick-paved pathway lined with modern buildings and outdoor seating, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. People are gathered around food trucks and a menu board in a brick-paved urban area under a partly cloudy sky. A lively outdoor market features people walking among vendor booths and tents on a sunny day. A traffic utility box covered in graffiti art featuring a detailed portrait is situated on a street corner next to a blue vehicle. Two people walk towards a waterfront with a large sailing ship docked nearby on a sunny day. A museum exhibit features various dinosaur skeletons and fossils displayed in a spacious hall with large windows. A street scene features a row of brick houses with trees and a parked car in the foreground.

5/5/25 →

Wonderful little day out to Annapolis, state capital of #Maryland, today :)

A cozy bar features patrons seated on stools and is adorned with various university flags and sailing decor. A cloudy marina setting features boats docked near a waterfront, with nearby houses and parking visible. A historic brick building with a tall, white-domed steeple is surrounded by greenery and overcast skies. A cobblestone street is lined with colorful buildings, parked cars, and overhead power lines under a cloudy sky.

5/4/25 →

First few days of our holiday with the family in Maryland ☀️ 😊 🍔 🍗 🍺 🇺🇸

A breakfast table displays a plate with scrambled eggs, mini pancakes, and avocado, accompanied by a bottle of hot sauce, with a cozy living room in the background. A quaint storefront features a striped awning, a variety of decorative items, colorful plants, and a sign indicating an order area. A brick walkway leads through a park with a map kiosk, benches, and lush green trees surrounding the area. A mural on a brick wall depicts vintage cars and people in early 20th-century attire next to parked bicycles. A street scene features a row of quaint buildings with shops on a slightly overcast day, while cars are parked and driving down the road. A store display showcases a variety of Baltimore Orioles merchandise, including clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. A vintage red popcorn truck features vibrant Peanuts cartoon characters and celebrates 75 years. A person stands in front of a Barnes & Noble bookstore entrance next to parked cars. A display table features a variety of sports-related books, including titles about managers, baseball, and football. A can of Sapwood Cellars beer is placed next to a glass filled with a light-colored beverage on a marble counter. A person is holding a Tree House Brewing Company glass in front of someone grilling food outdoors. A small dog with a fluffy coat is lying on a wooden deck next to a potted plant, enjoying the sunlight. A hand is holding a Dunkin' milkshake with a pink straw in a cozy living room setting.

4/23/25 →

Coworker took us out to a mom & pop Colombian restaurant close to the office. OMG it was the real deal!

A plate of traditional food featuring eggs, beans, rice, sausage, plantains, avocado, and fried elements is served on a table.

3/8/25 →

Fun day out today: friends, bike rides, and long walks in our former neighborhood 🌞 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

A group of people, including a child, are seated around a table with coffee cups, small toys, and water glasses. A colorful, striped basketball court is bustling with people playing and watching. A person in a black outfit stands on a street corner next to a colorful wall advertisement in French featuring a nurse and a message about resolving pain and headaches. A city square features ornate historic buildings, a central statue, and a striped pedestrian crosswalk under a clear blue sky. A marble table holds a colorful arrangement of assorted sweets and pastries on two decorative plates.

Coffee & Complexity: climate change is here and affecting our coffee prices

2/17/25

☕️ I recently read an article by my friend @adders (from his apt-titled Coffee and Complexity) about how the climate crisis is affecting coffee prices. It’s something we’ve been noticing for a while now.

As someone who takes their at-home coffee seriously, I’ve seen the prices at my local roaster go up. She mentioned that the cost per kilo has risen above 10€ for the first time in the past 18 months. Despite the increase, brewing coffee at home is still more affordable than buying from a coffee shop or purchasing beans from those same places. And it’s obviously a million times better than office-coffee.

Our daily habits are connected to larger issues but this is a good reminder to appreciate that morning cup even more.

Auto-generated description: A kitchen shelf holds two jars of Bodum coffee, a bottle labeled Maple Pumpkin Spice, and a metal canister beneath a black metal stand.

Auto-generated description: Two Vietnamese phin filters drip coffee into double-walled glasses on a white tray.

Auto-generated description: A framed poster on a wooden table depicts various Vietnamese coffee drinks with illustrations and text labels.

Auto-generated description: A coffee brewing setup featuring a ceramic dripper over a glass carafe is shown by a window.

Auto-generated description: A coffee setup featuring a grinder, milk frothers, two types of plant-based milk, and a kettle is displayed on a countertop.

2/9/25 →

Birthday weekend 3️⃣4️⃣ 🎁

Decided to go to our local German pub for luck today — I realized I haven’t had a delicious currywurst since 2013 (!)

A group of people are gathered in a cozy, well-lit living room, some sitting and some standing, with children playing on the floor. Two people are enjoying a meal with sausages, potatoes, and salad accompanied by a glass of beer. Two glasses with brewing Vietnamese coffee filters on top sit on a tray, with condensed milk visible in the bottom of the glasses. A person in a red coat stands next to a stroller by a canal, with a bridge in the background.

2/5/25 →

Following up on the previous post:

More and more, the notion of the classic American breakfast—bacon, eggs, toast, milk, coffee, and a glass of orange juice—is beginning to seem like a snapshot of a bygone era. Not only is the supply of orange juice becoming shaky, but so is that of eggs, milk, and coffee (not to mention other goods, such as chocolate and olive oil). None of this means that we’ll have to go without these foods anytime soon. But for everyday Americans, it will likely mean having less.

It’s hard not to look at this with a cynical “the writing has been on the wall, and you could have done something to prevent it but now all you can do is prepare yourselves for a different world you’ll have to adapt to because you’ve acted so unreasonably for so long as a country — and to some extent for at least 2 generations.”

[≠]

2/5/25 →

😂 🍊🥤

Imported fruit can be costly, and its flavor varies because of differences in variety, growing conditions, and taste preferences. (European oranges skew tart because locals like their juice sour, while American varieties cater to the nation’s sweet tooth.)

The Last Days of American Orange Juice | The Atlantic

A vibrant illustration features a glass of orange juice and chopped oranges, accompanied by a headline about the decline of American orange juice.

2/1/25 →

A sunny weekend for the first time since the end of last year!

A cozy room corner features a potted plant, a decorative mirror, a vase with dried flowers, and various small decorative items on a table. A sunlit cityscape with a view from a balcony, featuring a potted tree, wooden railing, and distant buildings under a clear sky. A woman is sitting with a baby in a cafe adorned with various wall decorations and a large teddy bear on the bench. A narrow urban street is lined with modern buildings and a sidewalk featuring a few outdoor tables and chairs. Four beer cans are stacked on a kitchen countertop, each featuring distinct and colorful designs.

1/16/25 →

Been telling y’all to stay away from “zero” and “diet” soda. This shit does more harm than good:

Some of the artificial sweeteners in zero-calorie sodas (…) appear to shift the microbiome in ways that impair the body’s handling of sugar. (There has been) striking declines in microbial diversity. Some of our gut bacteria have disappeared altogether.

[≠]

1/16/25 →

This man is my hero:

“The food here is different,” he said in a heavy French accent. “Bigger portions. Too much salt. Too much sugar.” He decided to enroll in a paid study at his wife’s new workplace. It was exploring why the American diet, compared with almost any other, causes people to gain weight and develop chronic diseases”

1/6/25 →

A quick visual recap of this past holiday season :) (full post on the blog)

A child is playing with a stuffed animal dressed in a colorful outfit on a patterned carpet. A person wearing a hat stands in front of a café counter with a menu board and coffee equipment. A busy street with several cars parked along a row of historic brick buildings adorned with festive decorations. A winding road curves through a leafless forest under a partly cloudy sky. A colorful sunset casts a warm orange and purple glow as silhouettes of bare trees and telephone wires create a striking contrast against the sky. A decorated Christmas tree stands beside a fireplace with stockings and a child admiring the tree. A person is standing in front of a Dunkin' store near a parking area. A table is set with a variety of breakfast foods, including French toast, berries, bacon, cinnamon sticks, and pastries. A stroller is parked on a sidewalk in front of a yard with inflatable Christmas decorations, including a tree, gingerbread figures, and a snowman. A suburban street features leafless trees lining the sidewalk, with houses and a fire hydrant visible under a partly cloudy sky. A wide, futuristic-looking metro station features an arched ceiling with geometric patterns, escalators, and tracks flanked by platforms with a few people walking. A trendy bar features a long counter with yellow tufted seating, stylish hanging lights, and a variety of drinks displayed on shelves behind it. A plate with fried chicken on biscuits, hash browns, and a small bowl of gravy is on a counter next to hot sauce bottles and utensils. A historic multi-story building stands at a street corner with a street sign and lampposts under a cloudy sky. A person wearing glasses and a Batman hoodie takes a selfie in a blue-lit environment with an escalator in the background. Several vintage airplanes are displayed inside a museum with signage indicating different airlines. A stylish living room features a green curved sofa, yellow armchairs, a geometric black-and-white rug, and a glass coffee table, with artwork and an elegant dining area visible in the background. A cozy living room scene shows two children playing with toys on a colorful rug alongside a fluffy dog, with board games and books visible on a nearby shelf. A restaurant entrance featuring the signage for The Cheesecake Factory. A serene river flows through a peaceful landscape with leafless trees under a clear blue sky. A person holds a clear plastic cup of beer in focus, with plates of food like mac and cheese and possibly coleslaw blurred in the background.