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muckefuckI forgot that part of the challenge of deciphering dim sum menus and labels is the widespread use of non-standard characters. The display case at Chiu Quon had three kinds of pork buns: regular cha siu bao, cha siu bao with the word "波羅" in parentheses, and "meat pine buns" (肉松包). I had in the back of my mind that the last of these referred to some sort of "meat floss" made from cooked-down dehydrated pork, and a cursory inspection seemed to confirm that. But 波羅 had me baffled. Both these characters are frequently used in transcription, but there was nothing which sounded like "polo" or "bolo" that we could conceivably want in a bun, so we left him.
Good choice. I didn't think at the time to consult McCawley's Eater's Guide, which I had in my bag, but when I checked it later, I saw that 波羅 is a nonstandard spelling of 菠蘿 "pineapple". (At least now it appears to be nonstandard; Lin Yutang's dictionary lists the version without the grass radicals.) I remarked to the GWO that if they'd put "Hawai'ian" in the name, the secret ingredient would've been obvious; he suggested calling them "luau bao". Similarly, the 松 in 肉松 has nothing to do with pines. It's just simpler to write than homophonous 鬆 meaning "loose" or "fluffy".
We got three buns in all, since we knew after the dim sum we'd had, we wouldn't want much more for dinner. Seduced by the words "Portuguese style", I also picked up a custard tart. Not up to the standard of the pastéis de nata from Caldense, but a lovely change of pace from the more common version. That's one of the pluses of going familiar places with someone else, they can help break you out of your rut and discover something you wouldn't've known about otherwise. (Also, when you're really lucky, they own a car and drive.)
Turtle Wife was craving dim sum and I was curious to see Phoenix post-renovation. It's brighter and more open, but I wonder how long before it starts looking shabby again given that the faucet handle came off in my hands. Also, there were some curious omissions from cart selection. Everyone else in town has one with roast meats--suckling pig, crispy duck, etc.--and green vegetables. When we asked why they didn't, the manager told us "nobody can make it". Really? A Chinese restaurant without anyone who knows how to roast a duck? We had no success trying to order some fresh pickles, but a plate of stir-fried pea shoots ensured that not everything we ate was wrapped in dough.
Afterwards we swung into the grand Mariano's on Clark St and I got my first taste of the shiny new market chain that's got everyone atwitter. Sadly, the one opening near us in a few days won't be half as nice.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
monshu insisted on showing me the meat counter and the dead flesh was so lovely I just wanted to rub it all over my body. We also grabbed some cheeses for tomorrow. They had gjetost! I got some cake flour for a recipe I've been wanting to try and some yellow heirloom tomatoes in the hope that they would be sweet enough I could actually eat them without wanting to gag, giving myself massive heartburn, or both.
Good choice. I didn't think at the time to consult McCawley's Eater's Guide, which I had in my bag, but when I checked it later, I saw that 波羅 is a nonstandard spelling of 菠蘿 "pineapple". (At least now it appears to be nonstandard; Lin Yutang's dictionary lists the version without the grass radicals.) I remarked to the GWO that if they'd put "Hawai'ian" in the name, the secret ingredient would've been obvious; he suggested calling them "luau bao". Similarly, the 松 in 肉松 has nothing to do with pines. It's just simpler to write than homophonous 鬆 meaning "loose" or "fluffy".
We got three buns in all, since we knew after the dim sum we'd had, we wouldn't want much more for dinner. Seduced by the words "Portuguese style", I also picked up a custard tart. Not up to the standard of the pastéis de nata from Caldense, but a lovely change of pace from the more common version. That's one of the pluses of going familiar places with someone else, they can help break you out of your rut and discover something you wouldn't've known about otherwise. (Also, when you're really lucky, they own a car and drive.)
Turtle Wife was craving dim sum and I was curious to see Phoenix post-renovation. It's brighter and more open, but I wonder how long before it starts looking shabby again given that the faucet handle came off in my hands. Also, there were some curious omissions from cart selection. Everyone else in town has one with roast meats--suckling pig, crispy duck, etc.--and green vegetables. When we asked why they didn't, the manager told us "nobody can make it". Really? A Chinese restaurant without anyone who knows how to roast a duck? We had no success trying to order some fresh pickles, but a plate of stir-fried pea shoots ensured that not everything we ate was wrapped in dough.
Afterwards we swung into the grand Mariano's on Clark St and I got my first taste of the shiny new market chain that's got everyone atwitter. Sadly, the one opening near us in a few days won't be half as nice.
monshu insisted on showing me the meat counter and the dead flesh was so lovely I just wanted to rub it all over my body. We also grabbed some cheeses for tomorrow. They had gjetost! I got some cake flour for a recipe I've been wanting to try and some yellow heirloom tomatoes in the hope that they would be sweet enough I could actually eat them without wanting to gag, giving myself massive heartburn, or both.Tags: