being reset.

you're probably wondering where i've been.. so here's the obligatory dramatic short.  we were under contract to sell our house, went under contract to buy a house, went on vacation in September and had a good time in Greece and even better time in Turkey.  2 weeks after we returned.. we sold our house, the day after... i got laid off, we cancelled the contract on purchasing said new home.  in one day went from future plans known to jobless and technically homeless all at the same time.
sounds scary right? ok so i probably thought so myself at first too.  but really it has just changed things completely.  finally giving me that slim chance on doing something different.  something creative.  something i've ultimately wanted to do.  i mean srsly who really wants to test software and programs every day.  i mean it's work.  and work is good.  and my old job had the best coworkers evar.  so for those days after when i was sentimental and sad.. it was because of them.  also luckily for us we were able to lease back our house from the new owners.   and i went on pursuing photography/graphic design/ styling/cinematography over the last few months.  it may be going slowly, but steady enough for an upstart.


now it's march, i video'd my first wedding, then second, turned 30, got some new equipment, and moving into a new house.. things are looking better and brighter each day.   resets can be good man.

chez roux.

Chez Roux - located within the La Torretta Resort in Lake Conroe, begged for a visit being Albert Roux's first American establishment and headed up by Michael Gray, the only Michelin-star rated chef in Texas.  It's reasonable tasting menu prices were also tempting that the one hour drive sounded completely worth it.  But now that we've been I can easily answer the question:  was worth it or wasn't it?


The husband had made the reservations.. weeks prior, as well as confirmed on the morning of to ensure that we would be dining at the chef's table that night.  All seemed positive besides getting slightly lost on the way there.  Upon arrival, we were quickly seated at what was definitely not the chef's table.  Inquiring further, the hostess bluntly stated that the chef's table was already reserved.  How odd.. didn't WE reserve it?  With no apology or even an acknowledgement that the room was either double booked or perhaps most likely we had been bumped for 'VIPs', it was a vexing beginning to the meal.
As for the ambiance, the view was superb if not slighlty annoying moments prior to sunset for those facing the windows, the glare was almost unbearable, that i noticed several patrons donning sunglasses.  there were approximately 10 tables not counting the chef's table nor the outdoor tables.  it seemed the bar area and wine room took up half the space, while a few art deco light fixtures were hung over the booths.   the place was sadly unfilled for a saturday night.
we decided to order what we came for.. the menu prestige.

the amuse bouche was a side of crab meat with a crunchy black sesame top along with a shot of tomato gazpacho.  the crab was an excellent mix with the texture and slight sweetness of the topping while the tomato gazpacho was a stark contrast with it's bold flavoring and almost overpowering almost as if it was a condensed version.  this left me eagerly awaiting the rest of the meal... which is what a good amuse bouche should do.

Sautéed gulf shrimps over an Israeli couscous salad.  the shrimps were fresh and tasty, matching well with the salad. it made me want to make things with israeli couscous, and wish that this came in an entrée sized portion.

the next course was a fillet of cod over an artichoke barigoule.  i'm generally hesitant for cooked fish, this was perfectly prepared, dense yet flaky with a perfectly crisp skin.  the barigoule was delicious and added the much needed acidic aspect to the fish. 

the third main, was sauteed veal kidneys served with two mustard sauces and an onion compote.  i can see how this could pose to be an acquired taste for some.  those not acustomed to offal may want to stear clear.  even the husband wasn't a fan, but really that's just how kidney's taste.  They were seared well along with the sauce and onions. i enjoyed this.

Next up was the wild boar chop with fennel seed gnocchi.  this was the first time for me to try wild boar, and it wasn't a great experience.  they must be very lean animals, because the meat was extremely tough, that it was difficult to even cut through let alone chew. while the gnocchi was browned on the outside and a bit too soft on the inside for my liking.  this dish ultimately fell flat.  

the last course of the mains was the soufflé of Texas gold cheddar cheese, with corn kernel cream.  from online reviews this sounds like a dish everyone must try.  on the regular menu i saw it presented under the starters section, which is probably when it should have been served.  the cheddar soufflé was actually quite delightful, light with a cheddar taste that wasn't overpowering.  i could definitely imagine eating this at a decadent brunch.  the corn kernel cream was unfortunate, and over-salted, creating a chaos in my mouth. 

the desserts ended on a high note with an assortment of delicious items from sorbet to a mini molten chocolate cake, and of course the obligatory petit fours.


service for the rest of the night was great, if only it had started off on the right note, the whole meal probably would've been that much more enjoyable.  the meal on the other hand started great and slowly digressed until desserts. so it did end on a high note.  overall, it was a good meal, 7 out of 10 the husband would say.  but i'm not entirely sold on the idea that you couldn't get such a tasting menu in town.. without the hour drive.


chez roux
600 La torretta blvd
Montgomery, TX 77356
(936) 448-4400

U WIN INTERNETZ

i noticed i had this entry as a draft but never posted...


back in january me and the mr. hosted my mom's birthday party... and while i was looking up ideas for decor i googled the term 'tiffany's mantle decor' under google images to see if there was anything i could use for inspiration

but to my surprise the third photo was a picture of me.

* i just tried it again today.  FIRST!!!111!1     - this still makes no sense to me.

the scariest phrase.

office boss says (11:42 AM):
*heya, come here a sec

no good can come from this.

chinese foods - pork

stewed ground pork with shitake mushrooms and wood ear

simply made as the above ingredients are stewed in a pot of broth, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, and star anise.

the next day i added in some hardboiled eggs.. so good.

bok choy with enoki mushrooms

flash boiled then stir fried, added broth and cornstarch for gravy.

pickled pork hock with scallions (a fave of ours)

preboil the hock for about an hour with star anise and garlic, let it cool, dice it up in bite size pieces then mix in with some vinegar, rock salt, and scallions, let chill and add more vinegar as needed. a slightlayer of gelatin will form on some pieces.  so delicious. and good texture.. like al dente pigs feet.

hitRECord

hitRECord.org is a site where they collaborate to produce art through film/music/animation.  it's quite cool to see things they've done. and headed up by none other than the point man himself, joseph gordon-levitt.
the short above.  i like.

there's just no need.

my coworkers periodically sends me random links.. much like dru.  except these aren't always funny and sometimes political.  and usually the politcal ones. are just plain ridiculous.  to the point that gets me so annoyed, mainly because the comments are just too ridiculous and no purpose.. and pretty much just insults.  and if you know me i don't get worked up over things. nor do i like too.  
see following example: http://www.breitbart.tv/rage-at-the-drive-thru-over-mcnuggets/
 a video of some crazy lady going rage time on some mcdonald's employees because they can't serve her nuggets before 10am?  so the video itself is pretty crazy.  WHY are the comments all about democrats

'Wow, when I first saw this, I thought it was another Dem politician being asked something important by a reporter with a brain. '

given i guess it's the site it's on.

then there was this: http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/2578614,CST-NWS-sweet09.article

an unbiased news site depicting Michelle Obama's recent trip to spain.  i was wondering why my (republican) coworker sent this to me, because it didn't sound like it was bashing her trip more on the lines of describing it and even a defending it a bit.  then yesterday when i read it i got down to the comments, where they were pure ridiculous bashing, angry and racist comments.  i was like WHY.  so much hatery on the internetz.