Banh mi from the new Paris Sandwich (located on Mott street in New York Chinatown) is actually pretty good with its own light, crunchy baguette. When I ordered some to go, they didn’t separate the veggies from the meat the way I have instructed like all Vietnamese places do. The parlor actually runs by the Chinese, not Vietnamese. How mess up is that? They make money off our food, charge much more ($3.50 a pop without a buy-five-get-one-free deal), but don’t do it like the way we do. Even though their banh mi is better than most of Vietnamese places in the US, they are nothing compared to the ones in Viet Nam.

Update: Owner of Paris Sandwich, Jimmy Ly, had clarified that the place is not ran by Chinese even though most of the workers doesn’t speak Vietnamese. He wrote:

I would have to make it clear to you that your assumption about us was entirely wrong. It is not run by the Chinese. I am American born Vietnamese entraupenuer at the age of 24, looking to share our culture in New York. Before I opened I noticed the lack of good quality Vietnamese food In New York compared to states such as California, Texas etc. etc. You should come by when you have a chance to see all the great different types of foods that I’m trying to introduce to the people. Our food is truly Authentic Vietnamese. By Far we have made a big impact in the Vietnamese community and trying to unite us all in time on the Eastern sea board.

I was actually making a joke on the whole deal, but thanks for the clarification. In addition, “separate the veggies” was no longer an issue the second time I visited Paris Sandwich. They actually asked me if I wanted them separate; therefore, Paris Sandwich have been my last stop to pick up some fresh sandwiches everytime I go to the city.

Mama made some banging Durian Jello over the weekend. Though I am not a sweet freak, I like desserts with durian in them like: cake (Banh Bia Dau Xanh Sau Rieng), sticky rice (Xoi Vo Sau Rieng) and the brain-free durian shake.

Fried tilapia with herbs, lettuce, cucumber, vermicelli, rice paper, savory mam nem, a glass of wine and the whole family. Love both the food and the atmosphere so much that I want to do it again.

Last night’s dinner were just a simple grill salmon with tomato sauce with steam broccoli and a real-fruit smoothie, which includes blueberry, peach, plum, banana, orange juice and a couple shots of Peachtree Schnapps. During the summer time, Vassar’s Retreat got me hooked on its smoothie. I had to have one a day until a couple of days ago they closed down the station. To get my fruity fix, I had to go get myself a blender to make my own. Who knows, I might open a Boba-tea joint one day if I could come up with some tasty flavors.

Forget that half burger. I got two juicy patties so let’s double up. Damn, it’s doublicious, baby!

Yes, I only had half of a juicy burger last night. Somebody is putting my fat ass on a diet. Somehow I have been craving for burgers lately. Nothing beats having a home-style burger, sipping some whiskey on the rock, and listening to the King of Swing doing his thang at the Carnegie Hall. Can’t wait to grill up another banging burger tonight. I am taking the whole joint this time. Here’s my new eating motto: Eat reckless, die ageless.

Most of the time what makes us decides which restaurant to select is based on the number of customers, but the good thing about Vietnamese restaurants around Las Vegas is that you could eat at any of them and not being disappointed—(maybe not Pho Hoa since someone is still pissed that they charged two fifty for a bowl of scallion heads and fatty broth, which is free in other Pho places).

When we first spotted Pho Huong Sai Gon, we were a bit skeptical because the joint was vacant most of the time. We went in anyway to check it out. If worse comes to worse, we just bail out with a three-ninety-nine bowl of Pho. We actually were craving for some kind of hotpot and Huong’s menu includes Lau Do Bien, Lau Thap Cam, Lau Thai Lan, and Lau De.

When we ordered Lau Thap Cam the waitress asked the chef if they had enough vegetables to serve that portion. The answer was no and the waitress quickly recommended us their signature Lau De. After a few seconds of hesitation, we gave it a go. It turned out to be the best Lau De I ever had in the States. The broth was savory and the goat had no odor.

As we were enjoying ourselves, the chef came out and asked us how it was. He didn’t need to hear our answer. As he looked into the pot, almost everything was gone except for a few tiny particles (red Chinese Apples) floating on the broth. He smiled, walked back to the kitchen and refilled us with additional contents even though we told him we were filled.

The bill came out to be twenty-five bucks, and I was astounded. When was the last time I had something that good and that cheap? As we wrapped up our dinner, I couldn’t help but complimented on the food, and the waitress invited us back for their Pho Satay.

Pho Satay is something new to me since I only had Hu Tieu Satay, and no place else could make that dish better than my hometown My Tho. Before heading back to the airport, we dropped back to Pho Huong to secure our tummy. I ordered a bowl of Pho Satay and it was blazing hot. The taste is very interesting since tomato and cucumber were included, but it doesn’t have that I-can-eat-pho-all-day-everyday hook to it.

The problem is that Pho Huong is being crushed by the other two giants (Pho So 1 and Pho Little Saigon) down the block. The thing is that these two places are just the typical Pho places that serve well for most people. I am hoping that Pho Huong will be able to stay alive once folks get past the common Pho and go for more adventurous stuff Pho Huong has to offer.

Enjoying this delicious dish complemented with Classic Manhattan while watching Pistons and Cavaliers go toe to toe. Can’t get any better than this, baby!

Once in a while, a sweet lady in our department would bring in my favorite fruitcake her aunt made. The fruitcake is so heavily saturated with whiskey that I get a buzz eating it for breakfast. If that is not a perfect way to start off your working day, than I don’t know what is. Thanks Mary!

Like the title of Margaret Mason’s book on blogging suggested, No One Cares What You Had for Lunch, but I just had a plain croissant with a banana, and they were not so bad at all.