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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

foodie explorations


This will be a of potpourri of a post, covering some fun foodie activities since last Friday...

On Friday evening we had tickets to see Anthony Bourdain (and Le Bernardin chef Eric Ripert) at the Warner Theater in D.C. For those unfamiliar with Bourdain, he hosts an always-interesting show called No Reservations in which he travels the world to explore its food cultures. 

As in our bento community, Bourdain sees food as a means of connection, a unity of pleasure and discovery amid the diversity of world food. Underneath a sometimes sharp and sardonic wit, he has a wonderfully sweet core: a kind of reverent joy in and deep respect for authentic cooking and those who participate in and extend its traditions...a spirit that illuminates the program and often takes it into meaningful and memorable territory.

These beautiful moments of culinary cross-cultural connection are what Jamison and I watch No Reservations for just as much as the amazing locales. OK, I also like to watch because Tony is not at all hard on the eyes (as the Warner Theater event confirmed, along with the great charm and good humor of both these guys). The evening was conducted in a lively interview style by a quick-witted DC radio personality...there was a huge amount of laughter throughout the high-spirited evening...we had a great time.
At the Saturday Farmer's Market, highlights included sweet peas and flowering chives:
 
 
 
Walking back home from the market, I pass a magical house with many sweet kitties that mill about its yard on pleasant days. Later in the season, a spectacular purple-pink Japanese hydrangea comes into bloom and creates a perfect little world. The cats seem to be related: pretty kitties in mixed ivories, orange and grays...always eager to greet and mingle:
 
On Sunday we headed into DC enjoy a French-themed lunch buffet at the National Gallery of Art. The NGA themes its weekend buffet to its major shows; right now, the Gallery's collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist French works is being celebrated with a special show...thus the tasty menu of Provencal vegetables, French cheeses, red wine chicken ragout, spinach quiche and other Gallic treats:
                             A favorite Matisse painting was part of the show:
Today's bento features a refreshing crab salad-lettuce wrap combo:
The crab salad contains crabmeat, chive stems and flowers, rice vinegar, scallions and a touch of mayo, tucked into tender butter lettuce leaves. Also in the bento: stir-fried red cabbage, carrot flowers, green plums and some lovely sweet potato bread from my friend Sharon, cut here into flower shapes.
Happy Wednesday, bento friends!



22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those crab wraps look absolutely amazing! Beautiful and delicious bento! The cat pics are so cute too!

Happy Little Bento said...

How cool to see Anthony Bourdain! I love the new stuffs at your market, and the fact that you get to hang with the kitties on the way home. The luncheon looks delightful, and your butter lettuce cups for the crab salad are inspired! I've got to try that for a change from green leaf lettuce. The light greens and lavenders are lovely together. *smile*

megan said...

LOVE your journeys and explorations, always appreciate when you take us along with you! bourdain is so cool, what an awesome experience that must have been.

and this bento is gorgeous! the salad looks so refreshing, the green plums are such a zesty pop of color, and how cool is that sweet potato bread?! great idea to cut it into shapes like an *actual* sweet potato (or carrot, or harder substance generally)...

tofugirl said...

Beautiful cats! And how cool to get to see Anthony Bourdain AND Eric Ripert--I love listening to Eric Ripert talk. I agree with Megan, I really enjoy reading about your adventures!

tinyskillet said...

I absolutely loved this post. You take such fantastic photos. I especially like the one with the wrought iron chair backs. The cats are so cute...all sorts of posing going on there. The crab salad and farmers market looks great. What a nice way to enjoy mid week!

Bentobird said...

Hi Susan! Thanks so much, they were quick and easy to make!

Bentobird said...

Hi sherimiya, are you a AB fan too?
Love how you put that--"hang with the kitties"! Its a fun part of the Saturday market ritual. Have a really good day, my dear!

Bentobird said...

Hi megan! Great to read these lovely comments, thank you! It's really a pleasure to share experiences and bentos with you :)

Bentobird said...

Hi Carol! Yes, they were a great combo--clearly good freinds, with different styles of expression, both quite insightful and entertaining, it was a cool night :)Looking forward to reading about your newest foodie explorations...

Bentobird said...

Hi Lyndsey, your great comments put a big smile on my face, I really appreaciate them!! And yes, I think posing was definitely going on, too funny!

Lia Chen said...

Awesome!! Don't know what to say for your bento ... I was staring my monitor for quite sometimes and love it so much to see this post. You've done it again, you are one of the talented bentoist Jenn :)

Bentobird said...

Hi Lia! I hope this one inspired you half as much as your bento art inspires me!!

ann low said...

Love your post here. Those kitties are so cute and your bento looks perfect. Will come back more often.

Judy said...

You are one cool foodie, my friend. Tony is HOT! Love his show. Love his books. Food with culture makes my world go round. And that bento ... one word: Awesome!

Bentobird said...

Welcome Anncoo, thanks for your visit and lovely comments!

Bentobird said...

Hi Judy!
Oh he is indeed--wish you could have enjoyed this show with us my friend! And thank you =^^=!

KidsDreamWork said...

Wow! I love the natural yet stunning colours of your bento! They blend in so well, and the salad wrap definitely looks yummy!
So happy to see all the beautiful things through your eyes & camera! :D

Debra said...

Oh I love-love-love, "No Reservations" and I have marathon weekends watching even the reruns!

I also love-love-love, your postings and photos. A wonderful escape into your poetic and tasty world.

Thanks for taking us along.

Bentobird said...

Hi KidsDreamWork, thanks so much! This was a fast and cooling bento, one I'll likely return to as summer heat arrives. Have a great holiday weekend!

Bentobird said...

Hi Debra! Sounds like a perfectly relaxing weekend: nice snacks, drinks and a No Reservations marathon, preferably without commercial interruptions! Wishing you a wonderful long weekend ahead :)

Megg said...

Oh man, I would have loved to see Bourdain here in Chicago, but his show sold out!!! I'm reading Kitchen Confidential now.. SUCH a great book!

And of course, love your photos, as always!!

Bentobird said...

Hi and thanks ufew42! Sorry the show was sold out! Kitchen Confidential was so entertaining, I need to re-read! Hope the long weekend has been a relaxing one :)