Thai and Thai again

Back in the Windy City, great to be home. The trip to KC and neighboring areas was a busy, busy paperchase, always capped with big buffet dinners (welcome to mid-America!) -- which only translated to more work for me. After all the stresses of the day, after-dinner business (and weather and politics) conversation was yet another chore. But it all came with good intentions and I really should not grumble. [Trivia: There are no buffet places anywhere in downtown Chicago].

Met up with Mel for dinner tonight. She suggested I try Cafe Hoang ("Thai and Viet") on Argyle. I had my usual Pho Ga (chicken with rice noodles); and Mel had the pork chops and shrimps -- which did not sound too Vietnamese, altho when it came out on the plate, it seemed pretty.... Vietnamese. I guess it's all in the sauce. My Pho Ga was prettty good. Nothing out of the ordinary though. As long as it has crispy, clean bean sprouts, it's good enough for me. (: Lots to update between Mel and me .... what a difference a day makes -- imagine how much more after almost 3 weeks!

We went to the Vietnamese market where we chose little sweets to bring home. I got Mel "Sesame Mochi" and she got me some strange custard-y little cups. Let's see how that goes.

For dessert we went to good ol' reliable Thai Pastry, where I had the tim tap grop (water chestnuts in coconut milk). HEAVENLY, as always. [see picture on top left] Mel had the Thai custard which was warm and had a nice roasted flavor to it. (see picture top right).

Project Runway is starting in a few. Gotta run.