Retrospective Part 3: Food for all occasions, and then some.

Maybe we were going this way already and California only helped, but our diets have changed considerably since moving here. I have written extensively about both the Farmer's Market and the Berkeley Bowl for a reason: they are a huge influence on my lifestyle now. A friend of mine here told me that Bay Area residents treat meat like condiments to accompany their main course of fruits and veggies. I took that to a further extreme and dropped meat from my diet altogether. It's easy to be vegetarian here. I can't tell if restaurants cater to eaters like me because the market demands they do, or if they are just putting their best foot forward. I know I have said this before, but I'll say it again: the produce here is better than any I have ever scarfed down on a daily basis like it's my job, ever.

Despite the vast array of good food, I have to say we haven't established a top tier of places to eat like we had in Nashua. We racked up quite a list of those places.

We had the:

(Not mine: http://www.lacarretamexican.com/galleries/nashua/images/DSCN1065.jpg)

• I-got-a-hankerin'-for-margaritas-and-salsa-and-so-do-Jen-and-Vijay La Carreta

• At-least-someone-in-town-knows-NY-makes-a-better-pizza-than-the-Greeks Espresso's Pizza

• Nobody-makes-a-better-Pad-Thai-and-nobody's-friendlier-than-Mrs.-Kaho Thon Kaho
  

• This-has-been-a-long-week-let's-get-take-out Spicy Udon Noodles with Mock Chicken from Vietnam Noodle House.
  

(Not mine: http://www.indiapalacenh.com/Images/RestaurantPics/Nashua_pic3.jpg)

• It's-Sunday-afternoon-and-it's-too-late-for-pancakes buffet at India Palace (aka the Marys-got-Friday-afternoon-off-and-she's-meeting-Andy-for-lunch buffet at India Palace)

• It's-happy-hour-time-and-the-sun-is-shining patio at the Penuche's (aka The 'Nuch)

(Not mine: http://www.fodystavern.com/TavernDrawing.jpg)

• We're-feel-like-having-a-fancy-night-out-but-we-don't-want-to-drive-home-and-get-a-DWI place right down the street at Fody's Tavern. (The building of that place was rumored to have been a Whore house way back sometime.)

• I-could-really-go-for-a-f'n-good-sandwhich-right-now Nashua Beer Garden (aka the Wednesday-nights-are-beat-the-clock-pint nights, a,aka The-Sox-are-playing-but-the-games-not-key-enough-to-go-to-Smoky-Bones)

• It's-Saturday-morning-and-we-feel-like-eating-like-Europeans City Room Diner.

(Not mine: http://www.joeysdiner.com/index.cfm?id=7309&fuseaction=browse&pageid=29)

• And, they-serve-good-breakfast-all-day-and-who-needs-more-than-that-Joey's Diner all the way our in Amherst.

I miss those places, and moving out here did not curb my craving for spicy udon or pad thai. But they all add to my bank of pleasant memories from New England. I have a lot of confidence that we'll work up to having a whole slew of favorite establishments here to fill all those special occasions and then some. It'll just take time (and money.) And in the meantime, Andy's culinary skills are growing by the week.

Andy didn't skip a beat in that department. He has rapidly become known as the master amatuer chef in our social group here. And I have gained some skills in chopping, prepping, and cleaning up afterwards, so we make a good team. Andy isn't officially vegetarian, but he only eats meat when we go out. It's not a household rule not to have dead animal in the house, but with its sliminess and invisible disease, meat ends up being more trouble than it's worth. I think Andy sees it as a challenge to make food everyone swoons over, without pork fat. So far he's doing so well I'm thinking of going vegan just to make him work. (Kidding.)