FLIP + CHING

Good Friday

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Ching under Food and Drink, Poker.

Good Friday was made even better by the fact that the Flying Stove parked its truck in Old Town just down the street from my work. We hadn’t had a chance to try the new menu yet, but enjoyed the last menu so much that we were dying for another taste.

I hadn’t paid much attention to the guy who takes the orders, but at the dining panel they other day the ladies were talking about how cute the order taker is. I told them I wouldn’t know, as we’ve only gone a couple of times and Brian ordered for us on both occasions. Natasha was like, “You need to order!”

Taking her advice, I paid closer attention to the guy in the window. Brian still did the ordering, as he always does, but I did check the guy out. I mean, a couple of dining experts can’t be wrong. Right? They know what’s yummy, food or otherwise.

I snapped a photo, which doesn’t do him justice, while Jan placed her food order. I think he looks much better than this in person. Good job, ladies!

Because I’m a little piglet who loves, loves, loves to eat, I had a fish taco in addition to eating half of Brian’s pork torta and most of the truffle fries. I couldn’t help it. The truffle fries were amazing!

The fish taco was good. It’s hard to see that there is fish in there, but there’s a small piece of tilapia filet under that pile of veggies. The pork torta was good too, but Brian and I both agreed that it’s nowhere near the calibre of the bahn mi sandwich they serve. They need to bring that other menu back because I liked everything on it. That Korean bulgogi was killer and the flavors of the bahn mi just erupts in your mouth. Their last menu was so delicious that it made me delirious from inside out, starting with my stomach. This new menu is just okay. Although, I have a feeling I might just change my mind if I order the steak plate next time. According to Nick, it’s really, really good.

Oh, we ran into Coley at the Flying Stove yesterday. I wasn’t going to mention it though, because he’s really private and doesn’t like to be tagged or mentioned. It’s just a small mention so I’m sure he won’t mind.

I did a solo Zumba workout (it was more like a practice session, actually) after work. I think I was mostly trying to make up for eating out (and pigging out) at lunch. I just couldn’t resist the Flying Stove, though.

I showered before going to poker, but didn’t bother to fix my hair or put on any makeup (which actually influenced my decision of not going to Suede later that night). Besides, it was 11 PM by the time we got done with poker and we normally leave the club before midnight because by then it’s too crowded for us. It wasn’t going to be worthwhile to drive there and only stay for a half hour. Although, had I known that it was Justin’s birthday outing, I probably would have gone anyway, despite having messy hair and no makeup.

Poker was fun. I didn’t win, but I outlasted everyone except for Cory, who actually made money last night. He won $200, after the four remaining players agreed to chop the prize. The big stack got $280 and everyone else got $200. It was a win-win solution as I don’t think any of them were interested in playing for another hour (or longer, if people are playing tight).

I was actually impressed that I lasted as long as I did considering that I had the smallest stack of all the people in our group every time we convened and checked one another’s status at break. I knew I was rusty too but poker is much like riding a bike, I guess. You never really forget. Though it might take a while to get your groove going. I don’t think I made any huge mistakes or bad plays. I just didn’t get any cards. My table was quite interesting, too. We had some really boisterous, animated people. That added an element of difficulty, but I’m sure the rest of the guys faced similar challenges at their respective tables.

After poker, we celebrated Cory’s victory at Buffalo Wild Wings. We were eating at midnight, which was not good, but we haven’t really hung out much with the Dills and Phelpi the last few months so it was well worth it. Last night reminded me so much of old times, except Brian is now much better looking than he was then. LOL.

Looking back at the fun-filled evening we had, I think that I probably ought to change the title. Good Friday was a great Friday! Thanks for the fun evening, April, Cory, Jay, and Becca!

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Couples Who Read Together, Stay Together

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Ching under Confessions, Relationship.

Zumba used to be the thing that I most looked forward to in my day. Of late, my most favorite part of the day is bedtime because I get to read to Brian. I really enjoy reading to him before bed, and I’m glad that he enjoys having me read to him. My need to read to someone aloud is a need I didn’t even realize I had until Brian started letting me do it. He finds this funny because he didn’t realize that my need to read aloud was a need that needed fulfilling. I really look forward to crawling into bed at the end of the day and reading to him. It’s almost therapeutic.

When we finished Ender’s Game a few weeks ago, we were trying to decide what we should read next. Having watched The Hunger Games and thoroughly enjoying it, we decided that we would read the series together. So that’s what we’re reading now.

I can read pretty fast so I was thinking that I could probably finish it in one day. Even aloud, the chapters are only taking about 20 minutes. I’m only reading a chapter a night before Brian’s ready for bed. I’m guessing it will take us a while to finish the book; which is a bummer because I’m ready to read the next book already (possibly because I’ve already seen the movie and know what happens next). Oh, well.

So what about you guys? Is there something (anything) that you and your partner enjoy doing together? Brian and I are probably pretty abnormal in that we enjoy doing everything together. We like to watch movies, play poker, and travel together. As a matter of fact, Brian absolutely hates traveling without me. Now we can add reading to this list. About the only thing he doesn’t like doing with me is Zumba. So what about you? What’s on your list?

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The Best Thing I Ever Ate

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Ching under Food and Drink.

I’m addicted to a new show. Ever seen The Best Thing I Ever Ate on the Food Network? That show is awesome. I’ve not gotten to the point of DVR-ing it as I do with HGTV’s House Hunters but, every time I catch it on TV, I can never change the channel. So, in honor of one of my favorite TV shows, I’m going to start posting about the best thing I ever ate. The theme for this inaugural post is “Airport Food.”

Brian and I had the good fortune of dining at Ku-Va inside the Miami airport on the way home from Jamaica. I’m so glad that we didn’t check our bags, otherwise we would have gotten held up at baggage claim and would not have had time to eat. As it was, it took us a while to go through passport control because we ended up in the US Citizens and US Residents line and some people were having to get fingerprinted, etc. When going through passport control, always remember to go to one of the US Citizens only lines. Those lines always move faster.

Anyway, we got through customs pretty quickly because we didn’t have to declare anything. Although, we did have to go through security again. It was a miracle that we got to our gate with 45 minutes to spare. As luck would have it, Ku-Va is located directly in front of our gate. The airport restaurant had great reviews on FourSquare, which I shared with Brian, but I think it was mostly the proximity to our gate that convinced him to eat there. It was convenient that we could hang out at the restaurant until it was time to board the plane.

They had all these yummy-looking foods on display at the restaurant entrance. The restaurant itself had a delicious aroma about it also. If Brian was unsure, by then he was convinced.

He had a chicken salad. Why he ordered a salad at a Cuban restaurant is beyond me. He said it was very good, though.

I ordered a chicken entreé at first, but then changed my mind when I saw the word lechon on the menu. I didn’t even bother to read any further. I ordered it. I knew I made the right choice when our server told me it was his favorite. The first bite solidified it. The fried plantains were perfect and the pork, which had fantastic flavor, melted in your mouth. Delicious! I’d have to say that this meal was the best meal of the trip. I can’t believe I ate it at an airport.

This meal at Ku-Va was not only the best meal I’d ever eaten at an airport, it’s one of the best meals I’d ever eaten period. They serve food that is better than what you’d get at most restaurants. I would totally fly through Miami again just to get another taste of Ku-Va. Yum!

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Get Chef Jason on Chopped Already

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Ching under News, Videos.

Sexiest chef in Wichita on Chopped? Why, yes! Cue the DVRs already! LOL.

I don’t think that they’ve made their selections yet. I just found out that he applied to be a contestant on the show. They’d be fools not to pick him. You watched the video. The man oozes sex appeal which, last I heard, is great for TV ratings.

Oh, and by the way, he makes great food too. Man, can this guy cook! I’ve been stalking his food since I had my first taste at Sabor four years ago. Since then, we’ve followed him to Taste & See and taken one of his cooking classes. If it weren’t for me and Brian trying to lose weight, we’d probably be at his restaurant everyday.

Anyway, I can’t wait to see chef Jason on Chopped and cheer him on as he wins the whole thing! You know he will, too!