Bloom’n Thai

(570) 387-5003

442 East St
Bloomsburg, PA 17815

Click here for a Google map.

For some reason that is still not clear to me, this is not a restaurant, but a private dining club.  And before you eat, one person at the table has to join the club.  The cost?  One dollar for a lifetime membership.

The appetizers were, in my opinion, only average.  We had Chicken Satay (about $7.00) and Calamari (about $7.00).  I was not impressed by the calamari — served cold and without an interesting sauce.  But all the main courses were excellent.  We had a Shrimp Pad Thai, a Chicken dish served in a Thai curry sauce with mangoes, and a Shrimp and Garlic dish.  We really liked the big pieces of fresh sliced mango in the curry sauce.

The total bill for three was about $60 including the tip.

You can’t get alcoholic drinks here, but they let you bring your own in.  The nearest shop selling wine was too far so we go beer from the bar across the street, which sells carry-out beer at outrageous prices ($15.00 for a six-pack) of Hoegaarden.

The service was courteous and good.  Customers should remember that the food is freshly cooked, and you need to wait for it.  (Personally, I prefer to wait for a good meal than get something poor in a hurry!)

Recommended — but bring your own wine.

Click here to go to Bloom’n Thai’s website and browse the menu.

Quite simple!

These are the producers that have been reviewed on this blog.  I put up the link so that readers can easily find out more about these producers.

I put in the link whether I like the wine or not, and I am still playing catch up.

Friedmans lunch

Chelsea Market

75 Ninth Avenue

New York, NY 10011

212 929 7100

www.friednmanslunch.com

Hanger Steak at Friedmans Lunch

Although the name clearly suggests otherwise, Friedmans Lunch is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch.  There are many delightful places to eat in Chelsea Market, and it wasn’t easy to make up my mind where to go.   Most seem to be serving fresh, homemade, natural good food.  Best of all, the big chains are not here.

But I was really pleased that I picked Friedmans Lunch.  Good simple food at reasonable prices!  I had the best streak sandwich ($12.00) I have ever had in my life.  I ordered it very rare and the hanger steak came with crispy shallots, wilted arugula on toasted ciabatta bread.  I also had beautifully made herbed french fries ($4.00) on the side.

Other tempting options on the menu included a good range of soup (two bean turkey chili, matzo ball, hearty chicken noodle, and potato leek, salads, fish tacos ($12.00), and burgers.  They also offer Lasagna ($13.00), turkey meatloaf ($13.00), and a range of loaded baked potatoes.

For dessert, you could have ricotta fritters with cherry compote ($5.00), Bourbon bread pudding, ot a flourless chocolate chunk brownie.

They have interesting reasonably priced wine, and I had an excellent Union Jack Pale Ale beer on draft.  The service was personal and attentive without someone bugging you every two minutes asking if you are happy!

Great place for lunch!  I will certainly be back.

Chateau de Nages, Reserve Rose 2009

A delicious and refreshing Southern Rhone rose made from Grenache (70%) and Syrah (30%).  This wine is beautifully, fresh, dry with a lovely almost floral bouquet.  The taste is of light berry fruit with just a hint of peppery spiciness — probably from the Grenache.  Drink it cold and drink it now!

This wine is made by Michel Gassier, a fourth generation maker of wines in the area.  He puts the “family rock” on his web site:

We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.  We are but a link in a chain, receiving and then transmitting, following the path of generations past. Solidarity, trust, commitment, and love nurture the human spirit to tackle even the most ambitious projects.

Michel Gassier minimizes the use of disease control to accentuate the terroir.

A marvelous summer wine that was a perfect complement to roast pork.

For Baltimore/Washington readers, I bought this wine at Corridor Wines in Laurel for about $10.00, but I got a case discount.  Highly recommended.  I am going to seek out other wines from this very interesting producer.

Earlier today, I was reflecting rather sadly that the golden days of flying are over.  Airlines are all trying to raise revenue by doing something called unbundling.  Your ticket no longer represents the purchase of a package of goods and services, your ticket is being redefined as the right to your seat — and that’s all.  You pay for everything else.

In reality, unbundling has become a euphemism for a miserable product line and bad service.  But there are still some airlines that want to attract your attention with a wonderful experience rather than simply rock bottom prices.  These are the five-star airlines.

SKYTRAX provides a website that monitors airline and airport quality as well as offering a forum for passengers to post reviews.  I often use it and find it really useful particularly when I’m flying on an airline for the first time, and I want to know what to expect.

The very top airlines earn five stars, and only six airlines are considered to have attained the five star level of quality:

• Asiana Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Kingfisher
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines

I have flown in First Class and Business Class on Singapore Airlines, but never in Economy.  In both classes, the seats, the service, the food, the wine, and the in-flight entertainment systems are outstanding.  I especially like being offered a choice of Krug or Dom Pérignon in First class, and I also like the book-the-cook option for both First and Business Class, which allows you to select your meal before you ever leave the ground.  Click here for details.

I have flown on two legs of the same trip (Phuket to Seoul and Seoul to Beijing) on Asiana in Economy.  It was fine, but it did not really show the hallmark of a five-star airline although this may have been because I was flying relatively short distances at night.

There are two airlines that I believe come very close to the five-star standard.

The first is ANA.  Last summer, I flew from Washington to Tokyo and onwards to Bangkok on ANA All Nippon Airways in Economy.  I have never been so courteously and graciously treated in Economy.  When I described my pleasure to a flight attendant, a few minutes later, the head flight attendant came to our seats with lovely gifts for both my daughter and me.  This is, by far, the best experience in Economy I have ever had.

The other is Lufthansa.  I have flown in all classes and I find them to be excellent in every respect.

We have lived in the Baltimore/Washington area for almost thirty years, and we have regularly gone up to New York.  But I have to admit that we tend to stick to the rather glamorous area around the Rockefeller Center.  We walk up and down Fifth Avenue; sometimes we slip into St. Patrick’s Cathedral; and quite often we take walks in Central Park.  We visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and occasionally wander over to Times Square.

Now that I have resolved to visit New York once a month until further notice, I have decided I want to get to know New York really well.  So, in the future, I am just going to explore.

On Friday, one of my goals was to walk — and walk a lot.  I also wanted to go away from out usual stomping ground.  So, when my Megabus arrived at Penn Station, I decided to walk west — down 34th Street until I was almost at the water’s edge.  Then I turned left on 11th Avenue — eventually moving back east one block, and I walked down 10th Avenue until I reached the High Line at 20th Street.  After walking along the High Line, I ended in Chelsea Market where I had lunch.

Here are some pictures I took along the way.

Joe's Tavern

Drugs, guns, kids

Light of the World

AVI Taxi Repair

The big word in the airline industry these days is “unbundling.”  This means is that when you buy a an airline ticket, you’re no longer buying a bundle of services but simply the right to a seat on the plane.  Everything else is extra and will be charged for.

For the airlines, desperate to turn the corner of profitability, this means a lot of revenue.  For example, in 2007, US carriers collected $464 million for checked bags, and almost $2 billion in just the first nine months of last year.  In short, this cash-strapped industry is now dependent on this revenue, and we can hardly expect these charges to go away as the economy gets better.  Nor can we expect American legacy carriers to position themselves as “premium” players that are above these petty charges.  United can hardly suggest that it is a player in the same category as Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific as it moves closer and closer to a Ryanair style of travel!

We’ll see more and more carriers repositioning themselves as competitors in the cut-throat low cost carrier sectors.  Traditional European flag carriers seem to be going the same way with AerLingus, Iberia, and Alitalia firmly committed to the unbundled business model, and British Airways making every indication that it is about to follow.  This is a little sad for British Airways customers who became used to feeling that their European vacations had begun as they stepped on to a British Airways flight and were greeted with nice drinks and good food.  (Does anyone remember the smoked salmon, clotted cream, and afternoon tea even in Economy?)

I have always worried that these baggage charges lead to people putting as much as they possibly can into their hand luggage — resulting in a chaotic frenzy to park wheelies as the passengers settle themselves on the plane.  Spirit Airlines seems to have found a solution!  Not only are they unbundling checked-in baggage, but they are also charging for carry-on bags.

For any bag, other than small items like purses and laptop bags, or “baggage that will not fit in the under seat space,”  there is now a charge of up to $45.  Click here to see details of Spirit Airways new policy.

Ryanair has taken unbundling another step forward with their determination to remove as many toilets as possible from their planes.  And if you want to “spend a penny,” you’ll have to spend a pound ($1.50) to get into the remaining toilets!

As for passengers, there is probably nothing we can do except endure this.  But airlines should be required to reveal the real cost of flying when all the extras are added together.  And I will vote with my wallet and fly on Southwest, one of the few American carriers that still allows you to carry on two bags for free.

Indeed, Southwest is now advertising the difference!  If you consider the fees for baggage, Southwest may save you as much as $120 for a round trip when you consider that two checked bags are included in the price of your ticket.  Click here to see Southwest’s advertisement.

The back of the Megabus!

Well, I did go to New York again.  And I took the Megabus from the Baltimore stop in White Marsh.  I bought two round trips — one for today (April 9th) and the other for May 17th.  The fare for both of these trips was $4.50 — a dollar for each of the trips and a fifty cent booking fee.

Once again, the journey went without a hitch.  The ride out was on time and everything was fine.  I had the seat just behind the driver, which is the one I prefer.  On the way back, I sat in the front row at the top, which was fine too.

I am going to keep reporting on these trips because, at these prices, it really does seem too good to be true.  But it really works, and it is such a delight to be able to visit New York frequently.  My only problem with the Megabus is when you show up at Penn Station to come back, everything seems a bit chaotic, and it can be a bit miserable waiting around in the crowds particularly if it is cold or rainy.  But it always seems to work out in the end.

I like taking these trips to New York so much that I have booked a trip every single month from now until September!

Megabus leaving New York with the Empire State Building in the background

Today, I became a bit curious about where these splendid machines come from.  I wondered how much they cost and that is what I decided to find out.

Entering the Lincoln Tunnel

They are made by a Belgian company called Van Hool.  The model is the TD925 Astromega USA.  There is a TD925 Astromega that is made for European market.  As far as I can tell, the American model is pretty much the same except that it is equipped to comply with US laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.  And in case you’re thinking of getting one, the cost is $615, 000.  Investing abour $10 million, Megabus bought 18 of them.

Just like cars. the TD925 comes with all sorts of options.  The specification chosen by Megabus has 59 seats upstairs and 22 on the lower deck.  It is powered a Cummins ISM07 engine that generates 450 bhp.  On the lower deck, wheelchair riders can be accommodated by sliding the seats forward.  The gear box is a 12-speed automatic, and the buses also feature ABS.  There are power outlets all over the bus and Wi-Fi.  There are two staircases and a toilet.

I noticed that an option on the European version was an elevator (lift).  That sounds like a lot of fun!.

Before buying these buses, Megabus commissioned engineers at the University of Michigan to do a study to make sure that they were safe enough in terms of their ability to tilt.  According to Wikipedia, there have been a couple of accidents with these buses, but I don’t think a Megabus has never toppled over.

Toques et Clochers, a wine festival organized by the Sieur d’Arques winemakers of Limoux, takes place locally every year in order to celebrate and promote the different wines of the area.

The festival has been running for almost 20 years now, in a different town or village of the area every year. This year’s event was in Couiza, a small town about 15km south of Limoux, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The money raised by the festival each year goes towards the restoration of the belltower (clocher) of the church of whichever village the festival was held in.

The ‘toques’ part of  ‘Toques et Clochers’ means a chef’s hat and is a reference to the many food stands you will find dotted about the town of wherever the festival is held. Amongst the types of food sold on the streets of Couiza this year were aiguillettes (sliced duck breast), oysters, chips, foie gras, moules marinères (mussels with wine wine, garlic and parsley), crêpes, pâtisseries, churros, toutière landaise (apple tart with prunes and Armagnac), and assiette de la mer (mixed seafood).

The wine tasting stalls are also found dotted about the town, with a different stall representing a different wine making are. The different areas of white wine represented were: Terroir d’Autan, Terroir Haute Vallée, Terroir Méditerranéen and the Terroir Océanique. There was also a stand for bubbly wine of the area, including the famous Blanquette de Limoux, and one stand for red wine of Limoux.

Prices were generally at 2 euros per glass (or 10 euros for  a pitcher) when you bought the wine at each stand. If you bought tokens at entry points, you could get 3 ‘dégustations’ (tastings) for 5 euros, or a combined deal of a return bus journey to Couiza and back plus a Toques et Clochers glass plus 1 dégustation for 5 euros.

These bus services were available from Quillan, Limoux and Rennes Le Château, and were specifically for the festival. People attending the festival were indeed obliged to take these bus services as all roads to Couiza were simply cut off… the towns and villages that host the festival are simply not large enough to take all the people who come to the festival. Last year’s estimates were at around 40,000, and it was meant ot be more for this year.

Apart from food and drink dotted around the town there also certain ‘expositions’  and strange structures… one such example is enormous models of grapes attached to the trees, in an attempt to make them look like vine trees.

Certain buildings were open to display examples of local artists’ work, or to give local writers a chance to publicise their books.

The streets of the town was also littered with any and every sort of music, from rock to panpipes to samba to traditional occitan songs.

As night fell, the streets became ever more packed and it soon became a challenge to make your way from one end of the street to the other.

Lights came on around the bridges over the river…

and multicoloured patterned lights began to decorate the clocher (church tower) in order to illuminate the focus of the festival.

                                                                                                                                                       The atmosphere became ever more lively and festival-like as the evening wore on, with dancing in the street and people singing along to the music.  People of all ages were seen thoroughly enjoying themselves, and this is very much an occasion suitable for all.

I would encourage people to come to with a group of friends if you really want to have fun and let your hair down, though it is equally something that is fun to do with the family- bringing children is normal and fine, and the whole atmosphere of the town is jolly, happy and safe.

A truly good, simple, fun experience.

Photos courtesy of Jan Riordan, Colours of Pays Cathare.

UNION JACK’S COLUMBIA
10400 LITTLE PATUXENT PARKWAY
COLUMBIA, MD 21044

PHONE: 410.740.5225
FAX: 410.740.5226

For a Google map, click here

I have to admit it.  It was partly the apostrophe that brought me in the door.  Would I find a person called Union Jack dressed up in red, white, and blue behind the bar?  Or would there be hundreds of Union Jack’s around the place and the apostrophe was being used to denote the plural.  People, who enjoy such musings, may like the “blog” of “unnecessary” quotation marks.  (Click here to access it.)

Union Jack's favorite place to sit or just another of the Union Jack's?

I usually praise restaurants generously and extravagantly because I like to memorialize the food I enjoy and simply prefer to forget the rest.  But we went to a restaurant today that was so bad that I felt that I would be doing no favors either to its management or its future customers unless I recorded my shock on this blog.

Union Jack’s (what a ridiculous name!) is supposed to be a British pub.  It has all sorts of British tack, ranging from Union Jacks (or Jack’s?), football memorabilia, items from the London tube, street signs, and, worst of all, an empty telephone box that is not even the real thing.

Phone box at Union Jack's

Here is what I expected for this place.  I thought that the food would be adequate, and I would have a lot of fun poking fun at the artless decor.  I imagined writing how I would report that I felt that I had arrived home after noticing all the comforts that made me feel I was in a real English pub — complete with all the essential items always found in every English pub, such as the telephone box!

I confess that I hate those awful things.  They remind me of miserable times in the seventies before the advent of the mobile phone when you’d wander around looking for one with a phone that actually worked and without an overwhelming smell of stale tobacco, urine, and vomit!  I thought I would point to the essential piece of furniture covered with an enormous Union Jack and report how at home I felt here.

Fish and Chips at Union Jack's British Pub

But I am afraid I was simply appalled.  I was appalled by the dreadful food, and I cannot believe that this place will survive in Columbia.  Iran ordered a fish and chips, which arrived on a copy of The London Royal Times.  (If you don’t believe this, trust the photo!)  The first try was virtually inedible.  It tasted as if the little nuggets of cod had simply gone from freezer to microwave and they were not crispy at all.  We sent them back and the things returned somewhat improved.  But, the worst was  the bangers and mash.  (Actually I ordered this with french fries rather than mash.)  I really do not complain easily, but I simply had to tell them as plainly and as clearly as I could that the food was totally inedible, and I could not even contemplate how these dreadful things could be improved.  Besides, I added, I am English, eat bangers all the time, andI know what they are supposed to taste like!

Bangers and chips at Union Jack's pub

Now I must admit that the manager was gracious and apologetic and substituted an acceptable very generous portion of ribs without complaint or argument, but if the food doesn’t improve, Union Jack’s will close down in Columbia.  I just wonder how long this place will last.

Prices are hardly cheap here, and if you consider the quality of the food they are downright expensive. My baby back ribs were $22; I would have paid $14 for the bangers and chips, and the fish and chips were also $14.  I had a pints of (delicious) Arrogant Bastard beer, which was on tap for $8, and Iran had a smaller glass of Blue Moon for $5.

I might go back here to drink some beer, but certainly won’t eat here again.

What fun to have a British pub in Columbia.  But what a shame that it serves food that would have been unacceptable as a school dinner in the sixties in Britain!