Hunan Chili report

[Todd Michel McComb]

We had not had a takeout Chinese meal in many years, but with various
family members feeling under the weather today, we decided that
would be appropriate, and ordered from Hunan Chili, a place mentioned
often here for a while after they opened.

Hunan Chili is the restaurant on Castro in Mountain View nearest the
railroad tracks.

I had no takeout menu, so used that on waiter.com. It ended up being
rather different from the one we were given with the food.

We had the following items:

Shanghai steamed dumplings = Obviously would've been better at the
restaurant, but pretty good.

Cilantra [sic] Fish Fillet Soup = Nice broth, delicate fish;
definitely worthwhile.

Hot and Sour Soup = Tasty with lots of white pepper; not especially
notable within the range of "good".

Smoked Tea Duck = The purported half duck sure seems closer to a
whole duck, so that's nice, and the smoking was very thorough; too
salty for some.

House Chili Chicken = Chopped up game hens, fried up with lots of
chiles so as to make most of the bones edible; not bad at all, but
gets to be a bit dry. Distinctive.

House Special Lamb = This has a spicy cumin sauce, and some non-dried
small pepper pieces; really quite tasty, would've also benefited
from being fresh-fried, perhaps on a "sizzling" plate. Distinctive.

Marinated Vegetable Kou Rou = This is Chinese-style bacon, braised
with some fermented cabbage; this is the name on waiter.com, but
it's not on the English menu from the restaurant; the order-taker
(who did have a Chinese accent) could not understand the order, but
my pronunciation could not have been too terrible, because when he
repeated it to the manager, he knew what it was; this was probably
the best item, really good; funny that it's still on waiter.com,
but lucky for us.

Pillow Tofu = Tofu stuffed with fish paste, fried, and then served
in a wine sauce with many vegetables; pretty good.

Combination Chow Fun = Nothing special, but always popular with the
kids.

Steamed Rice = Actually, praised.

That came to $85, with ample leftovers.

Who knows when we'll want to do something like this again, but we
enjoyed the meal. The print menu is actually more extensive than
the online one.

[axlq]

Post by Todd Michel McComb
We had not had a takeout Chinese meal in many years, but with various
family members feeling under the weather today,

Congee (rice porridge, preferably with chicken) is excellent Chinese
food for when you're feeling ill. I haven't seen it at Hunan, but
I get it from T&C China Bistro or from Pilipino Fast Food, both on
Moffet Blvd, just a block or two from the end of Castro.

Speaking of T&C, if you ever go there, go there with someone who can
read Chinese. My wife can. The menu-for-those-who-read-Chinese
doesn't have the same selections as the menu-for-Americans printed
in English. I told the staff that I want to order the real stuff on
the Chinese menu, so why not show those dishes on the English menu?
I never got a good answer.

-A

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by axlq
Congee (rice porridge, preferably with chicken) is excellent Chinese
food for when you're feeling ill.

Often a favorite around here.... I can't explain why the wife
wanted something "greasier" (her word) than the more normal porridge
requests. We typically make our own, spare bones and old rice being
the sorts of things we usually have around.

Post by axlq
I haven't seen it at Hunan, but I get it from T&C China Bistro or
from Pilipino Fast Food, both on Moffet Blvd, just a block or two
from the end of Castro.

I'll keep that in mind. When we went through a bout of buying it
a few years back, I was getting it at Kirin, farther down on Castro.

Post by axlq
I told the staff that I want to order the real stuff on the Chinese
menu, so why not show those dishes on the English menu? I never
got a good answer.

Yeah, I don't know what the problem is with some of these places.
Honestly, I think they're deeply prejudiced.

I should pick up one of those food books at some point. Although
my wife is a native speaker, she never went to school in Chinese,
so can't read much. She's tried to learn at times, but the courses
are always so rudimentary for someone who is already fluent at
speaking, it never works out. Perhaps a food reference book would
do the trick. (She's tried some amusing approaches. To the waiter:
"Just read this menu to me." Waiter: "Er, this is duck and...."
Her: "No, don't translate, just read it in Chinese." Waiter,
practically paralyzed: "Er...." That never works either.)

Is there any decent Chinese place around downtown MV that delivers?
I wasn't able to answer that today. (Delivery Chinese seems like
such a staple, but I didn't get anywhere looking for it.)

[Dan Abel]

Post by axlq
read Chinese. My wife can. The menu-for-those-who-read-Chinese
doesn't have the same selections as the menu-for-Americans printed
in English. I told the staff that I want to order the real stuff on
the Chinese menu, so why not show those dishes on the English menu?
I never got a good answer.

Because people in the US who aren't Chinese don't usually want to eat
that stuff. My brother's wife is Chinese. I've just about lost my
appetite sometimes.

I've had several experiences at Chinese restaurants where I would choose
something off of the English language menu. The waiter would look at
me, and tell me that I wouldn't like that, and suggested something else.
Once, out of ignorance, I insisted. Probably won't do that again.

[axlq]

Post by Dan Abel

Post by axlq
read Chinese. My wife can. The menu-for-those-who-read-Chinese
doesn't have the same selections as the menu-for-Americans printed
in English. I told the staff that I want to order the real stuff on
the Chinese menu, so why not show those dishes on the English menu?
I never got a good answer.

Because people in the US who aren't Chinese don't usually want to eat
that stuff. My brother's wife is Chinese. I've just about lost my
appetite sometimes.

Well, they could still offer it.

Post by Dan Abel
I've had several experiences at Chinese restaurants where I would choose
something off of the English language menu. The waiter would look at
me, and tell me that I wouldn't like that, and suggested something else.
Once, out of ignorance, I insisted. Probably won't do that again.

My gastronomic adventurousness has seldom failed me. I guess I've had
better luck than you.

-A

[Veronique]

Post by axlq

Post by Dan Abel

Post by axlq
read Chinese. My wife can. The menu-for-those-who-read-Chinese
doesn't have the same selections as the menu-for-Americans printed
in English. I told the staff that I want to order the real stuff on
the Chinese menu, so why not show those dishes on the English menu?
I never got a good answer.

Because people in the US who aren't Chinese don't usually want to eat
that stuff. My brother's wife is Chinese. I've just about lost my
appetite sometimes.

Well, they could still offer it.

Also, in not offering it, they've lost the chance to educate the
American palate to more authentic recipes. Especially if they already
offer it to those who read Chinese.


V.
--
Veronique Chez Sheep

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by Veronique
Also, in not offering it, they've lost the chance to educate the
American palate to more authentic recipes. Especially if they already
offer it to those who read Chinese.

Yes, it's a stupid business attitude, really. It prevents them
from cultivating an interest -- and this can be entirely about
self-interest, not about education -- in the things they have that
are most distinctive, i.e. less like what "Americans" can go eat
somewhere else.

If they're concerned about turning off the squeamish and/or xenophobic,
they can put the more Chinese-focused items on a separate menu, but
with translation. The demand for this is only going to grow,
especially as children such as mine grow up eating this food, but
without much command of the Chinese language.

[Icono Clast]

Post by Todd Michel McComb
If they're concerned about turning off the squeamish and/or
xenophobic, they can put the more Chinese-focused items on a
separate menu, but with translation. The demand for this is only
going to grow, especially as children such as mine grow up eating
this food, but without much command of the Chinese language.

I was once honored to partake of a lunar New Year dinner in a Chinese
home. Most of the evening's conversation was in Cantonese. I don't
remember what all we had to eat, but cow's ears is one that I do
remember. Not a bad dish but not a good one, either.

Post by Todd Michel McComb
I believe the real question is whether most people who insist on
trying something they're warned away from will be unhappy they
tried, and I think that's not something the restaurant should
decide for them.

When I have done so, I've not regretted it.

-- ________________________________________________________________
A San Franciscan who says: "You serve it, I'll eat it!"
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ -<->- http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 -------> IClast at Gmail com

[Dan Abel]

Post by axlq

Post by Dan Abel

Post by axlq
read Chinese. My wife can. The menu-for-those-who-read-Chinese
doesn't have the same selections as the menu-for-Americans printed
in English. I told the staff that I want to order the real stuff on
the Chinese menu, so why not show those dishes on the English menu?
I never got a good answer.

Because people in the US who aren't Chinese don't usually want to eat
that stuff. My brother's wife is Chinese. I've just about lost my
appetite sometimes.

Well, they could still offer it.

I've had some different experiences. Some times we have ordered over
the phone without a menu. Sometimes I forgot my glasses and just order
what I want without being able to see the menu. Afterwards I find out
it isn't on the menu. They don't care, if they have the ingredients,
then they make it. Try asking. They may have pig intestines and
uteruses.

Post by axlq

Post by Dan Abel
I've had several experiences at Chinese restaurants where I would choose
something off of the English language menu. The waiter would look at
me, and tell me that I wouldn't like that, and suggested something else.
Once, out of ignorance, I insisted. Probably won't do that again.

My gastronomic adventurousness has seldom failed me. I guess I've had
better luck than you.

It's not luck. I have no sense of adventure and don't like new foods.
Personal preference.

[Aahz Maruch]

Post by Dan Abel
Because people in the US who aren't Chinese don't usually want to eat
that stuff. My brother's wife is Chinese. I've just about lost my
appetite sometimes.
I've had several experiences at Chinese restaurants where I would choose
something off of the English language menu. The waiter would look at
me, and tell me that I wouldn't like that, and suggested something else.
Once, out of ignorance, I insisted. Probably won't do that again.

That hasn't been my experience, but unlike you, I do like trying new
things. I believe the real question is whether most people who insist on
trying something they're warned away from will be unhappy they tried, and
I think that's not something the restaurant should decide for them.

[RWW]

Post by Aahz Maruch

Post by Dan Abel
Because people in the US who aren't Chinese don't usually want to eat
that stuff. My brother's wife is Chinese. I've just about lost my
appetite sometimes.
I've had several experiences at Chinese restaurants where I would choose
something off of the English language menu. The waiter would look at
me, and tell me that I wouldn't like that, and suggested something else.
Once, out of ignorance, I insisted. Probably won't do that again.

That hasn't been my experience, but unlike you, I do like trying new
things. I believe the real question is whether most people who insist on
trying something they're warned away from will be unhappy they tried, and
I think that's not something the restaurant should decide for them.

The restaurant has built up informal statistics on who likes what.
Sometimes a customer will insist on getting a refund, or a replacement
dish when they don't like what they've ordered.

So to eliminate the hassle, they warn people who are more than
likely to underappreciate a dish.

If they insist, which should be no big deal, then they have been
warned, and the it becomes the diner's problem and not the restaurant's
problem if there is an issue.

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by RWW
The restaurant has built up informal statistics on who likes what.

I doubt it. They just let their prejudices guide them, and anything
that conflicts with that is an abnormality in their eyes. The idea
that these people are even slightly analytical is very strained.

[RWW]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by RWW
The restaurant has built up informal statistics on who likes what.

I doubt it. They just let their prejudices guide them, and anything
that conflicts with that is an abnormality in their eyes. The idea
that these people are even slightly analytical is very strained.

I think I probably confused you in overcomplicating the analyis.

I think it goes more like,

"Nearly every caucasian we served this dish turned up their nose".
Why else would they make a distinction, other than past experience?

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by RWW
"Nearly every caucasian we served this dish turned up their nose".
Why else would they make a distinction, other than past experience?

You are talking logic, but I don't think you're correct. It's much
more complicated, sociologically, than that.

[RWW]

Post by Todd Michel McComb

Post by RWW
"Nearly every caucasian we served this dish turned up their nose".
Why else would they make a distinction, other than past experience?

You are talking logic, but I don't think you're correct. It's much
more complicated, sociologically, than that.

Could be, but the personal experience of the waitstaff as I
describe above could easily translate into a "stereotype",
without any conscious logic involved.

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by RWW
Could be, but the personal experience of the waitstaff as I
describe above could easily translate into a "stereotype",
without any conscious logic involved.

No, I doubt it's conscious, but neither is it solid business practice
in an expected-dollars sense. I'm not saying Chinese restauranteurs
are the only prejudiced people who let their preconceptions override
what would be a more accurate analytical truth, that's for sure,
but they're a strong example.

I've got some pretty wild and/or typical experiences on this that
I could relate.... For instance, I remember a particular banquet
where I wanted something or other (I don't remember, but I was far
from the only one), and I asked the "powers that be," first in
English (and they definitely spoke English), and then in Chinese.
I was ignored. Later, my sister-in-law (who didn't grow up speaking
Chinese; my wife's parents expected to return to China when my wife
was young, so she didn't learn English until she went to school,
but her little sister grew up with fractured English and no Chinese)
said the same thing, and it quickly happened. She looked at me and
shrugged, "I thought you pronounced it better than I did." Of
course, she looks Chinese. I've had plenty of experiences where I
have really gotten after those people (i.e. restaurant staff) in
their language, and after almost 20 years of marriage, I can say
what I need to say, but you'd think I was from Mars. That's just
how it is.

I have to say, Mayflower, which we like, is pretty egalitarian on
this. If I start speaking to them in Cantonese, they get me whatever
I want. If not, well.... It's not everywhere that it's an issue.

[RWW]

Post by Todd Michel McComb
No, I doubt it's conscious, but neither is it solid business practice
in an expected-dollars sense. I'm not saying Chinese restauranteurs
are the only prejudiced people who let their preconceptions override
what would be a more accurate analytical truth, that's for sure,
but they're a strong example.
I've got some pretty wild and/or typical experiences on this that
I could relate.... For instance, I remember a particular banquet
where I wanted something or other (I don't remember, but I was far
from the only one), and I asked the "powers that be," first in
English (and they definitely spoke English), and then in Chinese.
I was ignored. Later, my sister-in-law (who didn't grow up speaking
Chinese; my wife's parents expected to return to China when my wife
was young, so she didn't learn English until she went to school,
but her little sister grew up with fractured English and no Chinese)
said the same thing, and it quickly happened. She looked at me and
shrugged, "I thought you pronounced it better than I did." Of
course, she looks Chinese. I've had plenty of experiences where I
have really gotten after those people (i.e. restaurant staff) in
their language, and after almost 20 years of marriage, I can say
what I need to say, but you'd think I was from Mars. That's just
how it is.

Yeah, I can see your point. Never had to deal with anything like
that.

Personally, I'm a Chef-Chu kind of guy. For some reason I always
remember the "Cartwright!!" Seinfeld episode every time we're
waiting to be seated.

[Dan Abel]

Post by Aahz Maruch

Post by Dan Abel
Because people in the US who aren't Chinese don't usually want to eat
that stuff. My brother's wife is Chinese. I've just about lost my
appetite sometimes.
I've had several experiences at Chinese restaurants where I would choose
something off of the English language menu. The waiter would look at
me, and tell me that I wouldn't like that, and suggested something else.
Once, out of ignorance, I insisted. Probably won't do that again.

That hasn't been my experience, but unlike you, I do like trying new
things. I believe the real question is whether most people who insist on
trying something they're warned away from will be unhappy they tried, and
I think that's not something the restaurant should decide for them.

It was a suggestion. I listen now.

[Veronique]

...I believe the real question is whether most people who insist on
trying something they're warned away from will be unhappy they tried, and
I think that's not something the restaurant should decide for them.

That reminds me of a blind date I had with a guy; we decided to go to
a Thai restaurant (on the East Coast, the name escapes me) and
discussed a mutual liking for spicy foods. He ordered a triple pepper
dish, took one bite and spit it right out, which I'd never before seen
anyone do, ever. He then flagged the waiter down and made a bit of a
scene about his food being so hot it was inedible and had to be
replaced.



V., impressed-- not.
--
Veronique Chez Sheep

[Tak Nakamoto]

"axlq" wrote >

Post by axlq
Speaking of T&C, if you ever go there, go there with someone who can
read Chinese. My wife can. The menu-for-those-who-read-Chinese
doesn't have the same selections as the menu-for-Americans printed
in English. I told the staff that I want to order the real stuff on
the Chinese menu, so why not show those dishes on the English menu?
I never got a good answer.

It's hard to believe now, but some Japanese restaurants in non-West Coast
locations used to treat sashimi and sushi the same way. They would
discourage westerners from ordering it.

These Chinese restaurants are missing the long term picture.

Tak Nakamoto

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by axlq
Congee (rice porridge, preferably with chicken) is excellent Chinese
food for when you're feeling ill. I haven't seen it at Hunan, but
I get it from T&C China Bistro or from Pilipino Fast Food, both on
Moffet Blvd, just a block or two from the end of Castro.

I picked up some jook from T&C China Bistro today. I got organ
meats, and they have nicer chunks of organ meats, by far, than Kirin
has in their porridge. However, the T&C container size for to-go
is distinctly smaller. Kirin makes really good seafood jook, so
we'll have to compare that.

(T&C is a more convenient location for me.)

Oh, and yeah, T&C doesn't even have porridge on the English menu.
That's pretty extreme. I got a Chinese menu and will translate it
and/or get it translated.

[Dan Abel]

Post by Todd Michel McComb
We had not had a takeout Chinese meal in many years, but with various
family members feeling under the weather today, we decided that
would be appropriate

I have trouble understanding the appeal of takeout. In your situation,
it absolutely made sense. But when people are healthy, why do it? The
price is the same, and the food is the same. By the time you get home,
some is cold and some is not so great. It depends on what you get, of
course. Some things travel well, and some don't. Some work well in the
microwave. So who wipes off the table, does the dishes and the cleanup?
We have takeout sometimes. It's seldom my idea.

[Aahz Maruch]

Post by Dan Abel

Post by Todd Michel McComb
We had not had a takeout Chinese meal in many years, but with various
family members feeling under the weather today, we decided that
would be appropriate

I have trouble understanding the appeal of takeout. In your situation,
it absolutely made sense. But when people are healthy, why do it? The
price is the same, and the food is the same. By the time you get home,
some is cold and some is not so great. It depends on what you get, of
course. Some things travel well, and some don't. Some work well in the
microwave. So who wipes off the table, does the dishes and the cleanup?
We have takeout sometimes. It's seldom my idea.

In addition to being sick, our other reason for wanting takeout is
wanting to do things at home we can't do in a restaurant.

[Dan Abel]

Post by Aahz Maruch

Post by Dan Abel
I have trouble understanding the appeal of takeout.

In addition to being sick, our other reason for wanting takeout is
wanting to do things at home we can't do in a restaurant.

That works too, just not too much for me.

[axlq]

Post by Dan Abel
I have trouble understanding the appeal of takeout. In your situation,
it absolutely made sense. But when people are healthy, why do it?

In our case, my wife and I want to snuggle in front of a rented
movie while eating dinner (we have one of those lift-top coffee
tables) and neither of us feel like cooking anything. Takeout is
then the only option if we want to eat.

Besides one of us being ill as in the OP's case, that's the only
other reason we order takeout: We get tired of cooking for ourselves
but we still want to eat at home.

-A

[Dan Abel]

Post by axlq

Post by Dan Abel
I have trouble understanding the appeal of takeout. In your situation,
it absolutely made sense. But when people are healthy, why do it?

In our case, my wife and I want to snuggle in front of a rented
movie while eating dinner (we have one of those lift-top coffee
tables) and neither of us feel like cooking anything. Takeout is
then the only option if we want to eat.

Sounds good to me. It's just personal preference. I have a severe
dislike of eating in front of the tv. If we don't want to cook, I
prefer to eat out. We do takeout, but it is seldom my idea.

When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

[Stef]

Post by Dan Abel
When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

Trader Joe's has hot & sour soup in glass jars. I'm something of a
connoisseur of the stuff and I know how to make it. I think the TJ's
version is excellent. They have the flavor just right and there are no
weird ingredients like frozen peas (common in the Montreal versions I
ate). The only problem is that it doesn't have quite enough "stuff" in
it. I usually add some extra tofu and sometimes egg.

--
Stef ** ***@cat-and-dragon.com <*> http://www.cat-and-dragon.com/stef
**
The death rate on Earth is: One per person.

[Tim May]

Post by Stef

Post by Dan Abel
When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

Trader Joe's has hot & sour soup in glass jars. I'm something of a
connoisseur of the stuff and I know how to make it. I think the TJ's
version is excellent. They have the flavor just right and there are no
weird ingredients like frozen peas (common in the Montreal versions I
ate). The only problem is that it doesn't have quite enough "stuff" in
it. I usually add some extra tofu and sometimes egg.

I second this endorsement. I was once bemoaning to a friend of mine
that my favorite soup, hot and sour soup, is not one of the soups
carried anywhere. He mentioned the TJ's version.

Which I now try to always have at least several of around.

Frankly, it's better than most of the H&SS I get at most Chinese
restaurants. (I cut my teeth on Chef Chu's version, in Los Altos, and
it remains my favorite. Hunan Chili and several of the other places on
Castro Street, Mountain View, also make excellent versions.)

--Tim May

[Cyril Delancey, Quick Results Agency]

Post by Tim May

Post by Stef

Post by Dan Abel
When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

Trader Joe's has hot & sour soup in glass jars. I'm something of a
connoisseur of the stuff and I know how to make it. I think the TJ's
version is excellent. They have the flavor just right and there are no
weird ingredients like frozen peas (common in the Montreal versions I
ate). The only problem is that it doesn't have quite enough "stuff" in
it. I usually add some extra tofu and sometimes egg.

I second this endorsement. I was once bemoaning to a friend of mine
that my favorite soup, hot and sour soup, is not one of the soups
carried anywhere. He mentioned the TJ's version.
Which I now try to always have at least several of around.
Frankly, it's better than most of the H&SS I get at most Chinese
restaurants. (I cut my teeth on Chef Chu's version, in Los Altos, and
it remains my favorite. Hunan Chili and several of the other places on
Castro Street, Mountain View, also make excellent versions.)

My favorite was from the "Little Restaurant" of Menlo Park and Palo
Alto. I suppose Louie has retired by now.

[Tim May]

Post by Cyril Delancey, Quick Results Agency

Post by Tim May
Frankly, it's better than most of the H&SS I get at most Chinese
restaurants. (I cut my teeth on Chef Chu's version, in Los Altos, and
it remains my favorite. Hunan Chili and several of the other places on
Castro Street, Mountain View, also make excellent versions.)

My favorite was from the "Little Restaurant" of Menlo Park and Palo
Alto. I suppose Louie has retired by now.

Do you mean the one that was very close to Stacey's Bookstore, no more
than a couple of doors away, in the Stanford direction?

(I read here that he moved up the Peninsula after closing the Palo Alto
place.)

If so, then, yes, the hot and sour soup was very good. As was the fruit
peel chicken (very hot, even for me...too hot for my girlfriend at that
time).

"Laser chicken," in the Hacker's Dictionary.


--Tim May

[Dan Abel]

Post by Stef

Post by Dan Abel
When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

Trader Joe's has hot & sour soup in glass jars. I'm something of a
connoisseur of the stuff and I know how to make it. I think the TJ's
version is excellent. They have the flavor just right and there are no
weird ingredients like frozen peas (common in the Montreal versions I
ate). The only problem is that it doesn't have quite enough "stuff" in
it. I usually add some extra tofu and sometimes egg.

I'll remember this. It's within walking distance. When I'm sick, less
"stuff" works.

[SMS]

Post by Stef

Post by Dan Abel
When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

Trader Joe's has hot & sour soup in glass jars. I'm something of a
connoisseur of the stuff and I know how to make it. I think the TJ's
version is excellent. They have the flavor just right and there are no
weird ingredients like frozen peas (common in the Montreal versions I
ate). The only problem is that it doesn't have quite enough "stuff" in
it. I usually add some extra tofu and sometimes egg.

I want West Lake Beef Soup in jar.

[(null)]

Post by Dan Abel
When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

Hot & sour soup is possibly the best hangover remedy in my experience,
with all the restorative ingredients of Jeeves's famous picker-upper.
I order the largest bowl they serve, typically the family size, and
headache and soup disappear in equal proportion. It's marvelous.


Francois.

[Veronique]

Post by (null)

Post by Dan Abel
When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

Hot & sour soup is possibly the best hangover remedy in my experience,
with all the restorative ingredients of Jeeves's famous picker-upper.
I order the largest bowl they serve, typically the family size, and
headache and soup disappear in equal proportion. It's marvelous.

We had a very nice Hot & Sour soup at the Red Pearl in downtown
Boulder Creek tonight.


V.
--
Veronique Chez Sheep

[Aahz Maruch]

Post by Dan Abel
When I'm sick, I like takeout Hot and Sour soup. My wife says she
doesn't know how to make it, so when we have it at home, I have to make
it.

My primary knows how to make it, but zie only did it once, to impress me
early in our relationship. Zie succeeded. ;-)

[Tony Lima]

Post by Todd Michel McComb
We had not had a takeout Chinese meal in many years, but with various
family members feeling under the weather today, we decided that
would be appropriate, and ordered from Hunan Chili, a place mentioned
often here for a while after they opened.

[snip]

Todd, thanks for the pointer. We'll try Hunan Chili
sometime soon.

One question: how spicy would you rate the dishes? Thanks.
- Tony

[Todd Michel McComb]

Post by Tony Lima
One question: how spicy would you rate the dishes?

One dish could have been very spicy, the House Chili Chicken, which
had about a 50/50 ratio of fried pepper pods and game hen chunks.
We didn't eat nearly all the peppers, although I wish I still could.
The hot & sour soup was fairly spicy with white pepper powder.
Nothing else was notably spicy.

[Tony Lima]

Post by Todd Michel McComb
We didn't eat nearly all the peppers, although I wish I still could.

<*sigh*> I know the feeling all too well. Thanks again. -
Tony