Category Archives: Not your average writing

Every few months, a group of friends and I try out a new restaurant in Vancouver and have our own little review ceremony afterwards. This month it was Tequila Kitchen, authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of Yaletown.

Tequila Kitchen is a simple eatery, spacious and clean with a partially exposed half-moon kitchen. There is ample elbow room for big bustle potential, as it’s  wide open and breezy. The decor is warm yet simple and unpretentious with a lot of natural light. The staff all speak fluent Spanish, so the authentic, warm accent was a nice touch to the graceful service.

The main concept behind the restaurant is that of a “botana: meals served in sampler platters where friends can enjoy sharing many different menu items.” The menu is not another trio of El Paso salsa, salty guac and sour cream piled on top of a soggy burrito or enchilada swimming in a pool of refried beans. It’s authentic Mexican food, the real thing, how it’s eaten by locals in the land itself. 

The first appetizer on the list is the best, damn guacamole I’ve ever tasted – spicy and fresh with chopped tomatoes and a hint of lime scooped up with crispy, baked tortilla strips. It didn’t need any salsa or sour cream, it was so good on it’s own. My friend across from me enjoyed the Queso Fundido al Tequila – melted Mexican white cheese infused with tequila and garnished with fresh tomato, onion and Serrano chile. Being a huge cheese lover, I couldn’t help myself from giving in to the enticing aroma and reaching over (while asking permission) to dip my chips in the warm, gooey heaven.

My friends enjoyed entrees consisting of Pollo en Pipian Verde – chicken breasts in a green pumpkin seed sauce; Cordero en Salsa Borracha – braised lamb shank prepared in a spicy drunken sauce; and Pato en Salsa de Jamaica  –  slow roasted duck breast in a Hibiscus and Serrano chile glaze.

I tried the Manchamanteles – which literally translates as “tablecloth stainer” – oven-cooked pork in a blend of chiles and fruit sauce. It sounded so mouth wateringly soft and decadent, but I found the pork a bit tough and the sauce and rice were bland. But that was a great excuse to slather on more of that sassy guacamole to add some flavour.

But my favourite part of the night was the drinks (of course, one track mind). I started the evening with a TK Mojito, using Cazadores tequila instead of rum, muddled with raspberries, mint and sugar, topped off with soda. At first, I cringed at former memories of tequila coming straight back up as soon as I swallowed the brazen sap of the agave. But the waiter confidently reassured me that this tequila was pure, the best of the best, and promised a hangover and projectile-free experience. I conceeded and gave it a shot. I was suprised to find the mojito quite watered-down and lacking mojo, so I inquired about my drink of choice, the Cosmpolitan Martini. The waiter directed me to the Tequila Cosmo, which, according to the menu writer, is “the elegance of a NY City night club meets a humble atmosphere” – 1 ½ oz Cazadores Reposado, ½ oz Cointreau, and CranbeMexicanrry Juice. Still a little hesitant to try a stronger tequila mix, I gingerly sipped the fruity cocktail. It was delicious – smooth and refreshing all the way down, and it stayed down, so well I ordered another. And another.

Tequila is taken quite seriously here. It is not just a gimmick or a quick way to get wasted. The good quality stuff is like a fine wine or whisky, something to be savoured, sipped and treated with utmost respect. The waiter went on to tell me that the executive chef Juan Gonzalez wrote his university thesis on tequila, so he brings some serious knowledge to the bar.  Like the little known fact that tequila comes from the blue agave plant. Contrary to many misconceptions, it is not a cactus, but a plant with spear-shaped leaves and a pineapple-shaped heart called the “piña.”  

The bar serves 19 different kinds of high quality tequila, including the super-premium category that commands the same prices as a fine cognac, such as the Grand Patron Platinum.  All of their cocktails are made with tequila. They also serve Mexican beer and local B.C. and warm climate wines.

There are five different categories of tequila:
– blanco (or silver) 
– oro (gold), which is sweetened with caramel
– reposado (rested), which is aged in oak casks for two months to a year
– añejo (aged), aged in oak for more than a year
– maduro (extra-aged), aged at least three years

Most of my group left shortly after dinner, but a few of us lingered to savour our drinks. The waiters were very friendly, chatty and accommodating, not making us feel that we were in the way (even though we were, four of us taking up three large tables in the center of the restaurant, yapping and laughing loudly).

As I write this the next day, I am hangover free, and feeling great! I want more of this Mexican food, service, style and liquor all to myself, yet I’m willing to share with more of my friends, since that’s what Tequila Kitchen is all about. 

MORE TK RECIPES

MORE ABOUT TEQUILA

Newswise — On Leap Day, February 29th, the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, and other city zoos will raise awareness of the global plight of amphibians by joining the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in welcoming 2008 as the Year of the Frog. Since 1980, scientists believe that at least 120 species of frogs, toads, salamanders and other amphibians have gone extinct; as many as half of the 6,000 remaining species may soon vanish unless immediate action is taken. Habitat loss, climate change, pollution and emergent disease have all contributed to this global extinction crisis. 

The Year of the Frog shows how the zoo community can play a leading role in bringing awareness to a critical conservation issue, and take an aggressive, hands-on approach to ensuring amphibian survival. 

Photo: Julie Larsen Maher/Wildlife Conservation Society Panamanian golden frogs are bred at the Bronx Zoo as part of the “Amphibian Ark” 
project to save critically endangered species.

The Wildlife Conservation Society pledged its continuing participation in the Amphibian Ark – a global initiative to save hundreds of critically endangered amphibians from extinction through captive breeding in zoos. These efforts will preserve critically endangered frog species that could eventually be reintroduced into the wild.

At WCS’s zoos, several endangered amphibian species are being propagated already, including the Kihansi spray toad, once found only in an isolated river gorge in Tanzania. Though the species is believed extinct in the wild, WCS has been able to breed hundreds of these diminutive frogs in the hope they can one day be reintroduced into a restored ecosystem. Later this year, scientists from Tanzania’s University of Dar es Salaam will visit the Bronx Zoo to learn how to breed toads in their homeland. Endangered Puerto Rican crested toads and Wyoming toads propagated at WCS’s Central Park Zoo have already been successfully released back into the wild.

The Bronx Zoo will host “Keeper Chats” inside the World of Reptiles Herpetology at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. from Feb. 27th through March 2nd. In addition, visitors can also check out a newly installed video along with graphic displays that highlight the ongoing amphibian crisis, and the lifelike ceramic sculptures of frogs and toads by artist Priscilla Denachi Deichmann. Children will receive amphibian cards and coloring pages and see projected photos of some of the world’s most colorful amphibians.

But the stars of the day will be the diverse assortment of rare and colorful amphibians on exhibit which include spotted salamanders, tree frogs, Sonoran Desert toads, poison dart frogs, smooth sided toads, and the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog. The Bronx Zoo plans to add a new resident to the World of Reptiles this spring in the form of the popular coqui frogs from Puerto Rico, and will display amphibians in its Zoo Center building. At present, the zoo is home to more than 40 species of amphibians. To support amphibian awareness, the Zoo’s education department will feature frog themes throughout the year in its programs and events.

Other WCS facilities are leaping in too. A frog-themed activity area has opened in the Discovery Center at the Prospect Park Zoo, while an expanded amphibian exhibit is opening at the New York Aquarium. Meanwhile, the Central Park Zoo displays an Amphibian Crisis Center.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. Visit: http://www.wcs.org

© 2008 Newswise.  All Rights Reserved

 

Year Of The Rat: Furry Creatures Are Misunderstood, Vet Says

 

Newswise — It’s the Chinese Year of the Rat, and if there’s ever been an animal that needed a total image makeover, it’s the rat.

Many people loathe rats and associate them with disease and filth – hardly a four-star recommendation for the furry creatures. But the truth is, they are highly intelligent animals, have been amazingly beneficial in medicine and can be very affectionate pets, says a Texas A&M University veterinarian and rat expert.

Dr. Kristina Kalivoda, a small animal instructor in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, believes rats are among the most misunderstood of all animals and are not the horror from the sewer people tend to think they are.

“Rats are very smart and are known for their problem-solving skills,” says Kalivoda, an admitted rat fan.

“Many people believe they are nasty, filthy creatures, and that’s not true at all. In fact, rats wash themselves several times a day, about as often as most cats.”

The name itself poses a rat problem.

Rats are rodents, and rodent comes from the Latin word meaning “to gnaw.” Rats do like to chew and they are constantly searching for food. They tend to live where humans live for two reasons – food and shelter.

They have been parodied by Hollywood – who can forget James Cagney’s immortal line, “You dirty rat!” – while last year’s hit film Ratatouille showed the humorous side of the creatures, and Disney’s Mickey Mouse has been appealing for decades, as have Tom and Jerry. Comedian David Letterman often jokes about New York City’s countless rats, bragging that “our rats can whip your honor students.”

Some rat facts include:

– Their lifespan is between 1-3 years;
– They have no gallbladder;
– Rats have a bellybutton;
– Rats can’t vomit;
– They are prolific breeders: A pair of rats can produce 15,000 descendants in their lifetime, and female rats spend almost their entire lives pregnant;
– Rat teeth are incredibly strong and can chew through walls, plumbing and even concrete.
– Rats come in different colors such as silver, blond, grey, black and albino. Some have short ears and some have floppy ears;
– The largest rat, the African rat, can be 3 feet in length – about the size of a small dog;
– Rats are expert swimmers;
– Rats can laugh and do so with a high chirping sound when amused.

“Rats are very smart and they can figure out things quickly,” Kalivoda adds. “If you put them in a maze, they can find their way out in no time at all. They are social creatures and can be very affectionate. They are also easily trained and many can do tricks.”

The difference between a rat and a mouse, Kalivoda explains, is size. Rats are much larger than mice, often three to four times as large, and mice don’t live as long as rats. Despite their frisky mannerisms, many rats have internal health issues, mainly cancerous tumors. Kalivoda says rats often develop mammary tumors or other cancers, and rats also frequently suffer from respiratory illnesses.

But their benefits in medicine have been phenomenal. In research laboratories around the world, rats have contributed to more cures than any other animal, and in that regard, have no doubt saved millions of lives.

“In my opinion, rats do a get a bad rap,” Kalivoda believes. “I can tell you firsthand that rats can make great, fun pets. A lot of people have rats as pets, and they will tell you they’re the best pets they’ve ever had.”

 

• © 2008 Newswise.  All Rights Reserved.

   

• My own comment is the dirt and waste they live in comes from humans, so their dirt is our dirt.

   

 

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After catching up on Meladuck’s ingenious yet elegant blog postings, I realized I never posted about my fabulous Mardi Gras celebration I threw way back in October. Well, I must profess that it was a bit of a murderous Mardi Gras. She summed it up nicely on her blog:

http://meladuck.blogspot.com/2007/10/mardi-great.html

Enjoy, laugh and be scared to come over to my place.

Below is an interesting article about the pressures on women to get married.  It’s not as strong in typical North American culture as it is in South Asia or India, but it’s still quite reflective of common beliefs, even in Canada.

	29 » 2007
The false cure-all From girlhood on, young South Asian women are told that marriage is everything; it isn’t necessarily so   Gira Bhatt Special to the Sun Monday, October 29, 2007 I was a graduate student from India at the Simon Fraser University. Single, and in my late 20s, I went home after six years. It was a source of tremendous excitement. As I sat on the plane, the images of all my family members, numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and neighbours began to surface. My images stopped at the vision of five little girls, about six years old who lived in my neighborhood. I was so fond of them! I was their big sister whom they waved at every time I walked by their play area and occasionally they followed me home when I returned. We talked, we shared stories, and we laughed. I wondered what they all would be like now. I knew I had lots of stories to tell them about my life abroad; what it was like to study in a big university, how students addressed their professors by their first names, how they ate their massive sandwiches during the classes right in front of their professors, how I had to study long hours which made my landlady worry that I might go insane, how women drove huge trucks, how the grocery stores had an entire aisle of animal food. Yes, I would tell them all about the joys of studying abroad. A wave of delight spread through my idealist mind. The plane landed in Mumbai and I reached home. Few days later, the “little girls,” now 12 years old knocked on our door. After inquiring how they were doing, what grades they were in, what their teachers were like etc, I started to talk about my life as a student abroad. The girls kept giggling, nudging each other. I could not understand what was going on. Then it happened. There was an interruption. One of the girls who I always thought had great leadership potential spoke up. “Aunty, are you a spinster?” Lots of giggles. More giggles. My mouth fell open. No words would escape though. My head started to buzz. Am I hearing this right? That was long time ago and I do not recall how the meeting had ended. All I remember is that I could not sleep well that night. These girls were barely 12 years old and their entire focus of life had zoomed onto one domain — being married. Now, marriage is not a bad thing. In fact, in general, people who are married live longer, are healthier and happier compared to single people. Also, at least 50 per cent of the marriages seem to move along smoothly, assuring a stable family life. However, what made the little-girls-in-India scenario salient in my mind is the recent events of young South Asian women in the Lower Mainland losing their lives as a result of their marriages going terribly wrong. Although such cases are a very small minority compared to the thousands of South Asian families who live a fairly normal and healthy life, the loss of even one woman’s life is one too many. I reflect upon the prime value placed on marriage in our society in general and our community in particular. It is a pervasive belief that marriage is a recipe for life-long happiness. It is a be-all, and cure-all for all the maladies of life. Although young daughters are raised with lots of love, a strong message is drilled into their minds throughout their growing years that marriage is the ultimate goal of life. Young girls repeatedly hear that if a young man has had a brush with the law, there is a remedy: Get him married to a “nice girl” and he will be all right. If a young man is involved in dangerous gang behaviour, there is a remedy; if a young man has problem keeping a steady employment, if a young man has been fooling around with “white girls,” there is a remedy: Get him married to a “nice girl” and he will be all right. The steady dose of Bollywood movies affirms this. As long as she is totally devoted to the man she marries, regardless of his “problems,” she will remain in that happy land of love ruled by her prince charming. However, if the prince charming’s problems do not go away, she has to just stay patient and worse, stay silent until the elusive destination of happily-ever-after arrives. If the prince charming does not become “all right” and in fact if he gets worse, i.e., abusive, there is the level two cure: “Have a child.” If having one child does not work, increase the dose; have another child, and another. Of course the problem does not necessarily go away. Scholars who examine the dynamics of abusive patterns in families have pointed out that among many factors involved in abusive relationships, an individual’s self-esteem is critical. How we value our worth as a person is crucial in providing us with a sense of adequacy, competence, confidence and the ability to cope with adverse situations in life. I see many young and bright South Asian women in my classes. I always remember one who was in the second year of her degree program. Very bright, very motivated, she excelled in all her courses. However, just two weeks before the term was to end, she disappeared. I sent repeated e-mails to inquire where she might be. A month later she wrote to me that her family had found her a really “good match” and she was married and now living in the U.K. Although not all South Asian women in my classes leave school halfway through, this is typical of many of them. Why are we not ensuring that our daughters learn to stand on their own feet before being married? Why are we pulling them out of schools and colleges? Why are we not allowing them to explore their talents and hobbies? Why are we not celebrating their school accomplishments without adding, “now, we only have to find you a good match”? Dr. Gira Bhatt is a psychology instructor at Kwantlen University College. © The Vancouver Sun 2007

Copyright © 2007 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

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