The best masseuse I've ever had (and I love my massage) is Jaruwan (#7) at Body Tune massage on Silom Road near the Sala Daeng BTS Skytrain station. She is the nicest lady and knows intuitively what spots need extra attention. She was so good, that after my first two-hour Thai massage session, I returned the next day. And after continuing onto Cambodia, ventured back out to the city during my return layover at Bangkok airport to squeeze in another massage. As a friend said, who went after I recommended her, she has the hands of a baseball pitcher - and that's a good thing. Back in 2003, a 2-hour massage was about $15. Prices have risen ever so slightly since then, but a massage in Thailand is way more reasonably priced than in any western country.
Body Tune, Silom Branch
56 Yada Bldg., 2nd Flr., Suriyawong, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
56 อาคารญาดา ชั้น 2 ถนนสุริยวงศ์ บางรัก กรุงเทพฯ 10500
+66 0 2238 4377
near the BTS Saladaeng Station, Exit 3
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Yuma Southwestern Grill: fabulous falling-off-the-bone ribs
Yesterday, after Shan and I got our haircuts, we decided to head over to what I refer to as Taipei's newest gourmet ghetto for lunch. We we're thinking perhaps Mary's Hamburger, or Toasteria, or Alleycats. (The great benefit to a gourmet ghetto is that you don't have to make decisions until you arrive and then choose whatever strikes your fancy.) As we walked down the alley off of Lane 216 past Din Tai Fung, we were struck by the bright facade of Yuma Southwestern Grill.
The menu posted on the sign looked promising, and most importantly, the food some diners were having looked good. So we decided to try it out. We chose to sit outside as the inside still smelled a little of paint (the restaurant had opened just a day before), and ordered:
Roasted Pumpkin Soup, NT$90
The Duke - flame grilled ribs with your choice of sauce (we chose cranberry and honey), handcut fries, and coleslaw, NT$430
and a Sierra Spinach Wrap, NT$175
The pumpkin soup was so good, I obviously forgot to take a photo until we had eaten half of it. Unlike most pumpkin soups in Taiwan, it wasn't watery with "essence of cream" flavor and just a hint of pumpkin. It was thick and creamy, and a dollop of sour cream on top provided richness and contrast.
The ribs were delicious - falling-off-the-bone tender, juicy, and the sauce was just the right balance of tangy and sweet. The coleslaw that came with it was one of the best coleslaws I've ever had. Just enough mayonnaise to keep it moist, just enough tang to keep the flavor sharp, and crunchy veg.
The fries are very good, too - not at all greasy, soft and mealy on the inside, and crisp on the outside. The first time had them, I personally found them a little too brown on the outside for my taste (I think the chefs forgot to sprinkle on chili powder), so the browned flavor was overwhelming, although Shan thought them just right. The second time I had them, the fries were dusted with chili powder and were perfect.
The only disappointment to our meal was the spinach wrap, which was overwhelmed by the cranberry and orange vinaigrette. Joe, the manager, assured me that they are still tweaking that recipe. Yuma's founders include Alan Pontes, the founder of Alleycats Pizza, so I'm confident they'll be able to deliver. They already have a promising start.
Overall, it was a great meal. If you know your Taipei Tex-Mex options (and there aren't that many), it is as good as Chili's, but less greasy and more reasonably priced.
The restaurant has a fairly spacious patio, and since it located on a quiet alley off of the lively Lane 216 on ZhongXiao, you don't have to worry about inhaling scooter fumes along with your food. On the inside, there is a small bar and large spaces with gaily painted walls that would be suitable for a large group of friends. There's also a smaller room that would be great for a private party.
Update 11/26: I enjoyed my dining experience so much, I got a jonesing for their ribs and returned three days later. This time, I tried their dry rub ribs and it was excellent. I also tried the chicken salad, which was very good as well. I especially liked the ranch dressing, which was very thick and creamy. Yum.
Yuma Southwestern Grill - highly recommended now closed
#21 Alley 11, Lane 216, ZhongXiao East Road, Section 4, Taipei
台北市忠孝東路4段216巷11弄21號
+886-2-8773-8895
The menu posted on the sign looked promising, and most importantly, the food some diners were having looked good. So we decided to try it out. We chose to sit outside as the inside still smelled a little of paint (the restaurant had opened just a day before), and ordered:
Roasted Pumpkin Soup, NT$90
The Duke - flame grilled ribs with your choice of sauce (we chose cranberry and honey), handcut fries, and coleslaw, NT$430
and a Sierra Spinach Wrap, NT$175
The pumpkin soup was so good, I obviously forgot to take a photo until we had eaten half of it. Unlike most pumpkin soups in Taiwan, it wasn't watery with "essence of cream" flavor and just a hint of pumpkin. It was thick and creamy, and a dollop of sour cream on top provided richness and contrast.
The ribs were delicious - falling-off-the-bone tender, juicy, and the sauce was just the right balance of tangy and sweet. The coleslaw that came with it was one of the best coleslaws I've ever had. Just enough mayonnaise to keep it moist, just enough tang to keep the flavor sharp, and crunchy veg.
The fries are very good, too - not at all greasy, soft and mealy on the inside, and crisp on the outside. The first time had them, I personally found them a little too brown on the outside for my taste (I think the chefs forgot to sprinkle on chili powder), so the browned flavor was overwhelming, although Shan thought them just right. The second time I had them, the fries were dusted with chili powder and were perfect.
The only disappointment to our meal was the spinach wrap, which was overwhelmed by the cranberry and orange vinaigrette. Joe, the manager, assured me that they are still tweaking that recipe. Yuma's founders include Alan Pontes, the founder of Alleycats Pizza, so I'm confident they'll be able to deliver. They already have a promising start.
Overall, it was a great meal. If you know your Taipei Tex-Mex options (and there aren't that many), it is as good as Chili's, but less greasy and more reasonably priced.
The restaurant has a fairly spacious patio, and since it located on a quiet alley off of the lively Lane 216 on ZhongXiao, you don't have to worry about inhaling scooter fumes along with your food. On the inside, there is a small bar and large spaces with gaily painted walls that would be suitable for a large group of friends. There's also a smaller room that would be great for a private party.
Update 11/26: I enjoyed my dining experience so much, I got a jonesing for their ribs and returned three days later. This time, I tried their dry rub ribs and it was excellent. I also tried the chicken salad, which was very good as well. I especially liked the ranch dressing, which was very thick and creamy. Yum.
#21 Alley 11, Lane 216, ZhongXiao East Road, Section 4, Taipei
台北市忠孝東路4段216巷11弄21號
+886-2-8773-8895
Thursday, January 26, 2006
India: Express to the Taj Mahal
This is a reposting of a blog that originally appeared in 2006.
Up again early, this time at the ungodly hour of 4am. Again, we'd heard that arriving 1 hour in advance to the train station was recommended because they can be bustling, confusing places, particularly New Delhi train station. I guess it doesn't apply if you have a 6am departure.
We took the Bhopal Shatabdi Express, with air-conditioned first class seats. Quite nice, and very comfortable--they even served a substational breakfast on white tablecloths! Of course, this particular service caters to all the tourists making the de rigeur trek to see the Taj.
Up again early, this time at the ungodly hour of 4am. Again, we'd heard that arriving 1 hour in advance to the train station was recommended because they can be bustling, confusing places, particularly New Delhi train station. I guess it doesn't apply if you have a 6am departure.
We took the Bhopal Shatabdi Express, with air-conditioned first class seats. Quite nice, and very comfortable--they even served a substational breakfast on white tablecloths! Of course, this particular service caters to all the tourists making the de rigeur trek to see the Taj.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
India: Arrival
This is a reposting of a blog on our trip to India in 2006.
After a 12+ hour journey (including a 5+ hour layover in Bangkok), we finally arrived at Indira Gandhi Airport in New Delhi. We had been told to expect the worst, with hordes of cabbies and hotel representatives clamoring for our business upon exiting the airport gates. Abi mentioned that one of her friends once got into a random cab and ended up nearly in Kashmir. So we had asked the hotel to send us a car.
Actually, it wasn't so bad - there were crowds, but they were rather restrained. Perhaps the airport authorities had changed their policies. Or maybe the crowds had peaked by the time we retrieved our luggage and exited near 10pm. What was amazing was the air. We seemed to be surrounded by a thick, soupy fog...except that the fog was brown and dry.
After a 12+ hour journey (including a 5+ hour layover in Bangkok), we finally arrived at Indira Gandhi Airport in New Delhi. We had been told to expect the worst, with hordes of cabbies and hotel representatives clamoring for our business upon exiting the airport gates. Abi mentioned that one of her friends once got into a random cab and ended up nearly in Kashmir. So we had asked the hotel to send us a car.
Actually, it wasn't so bad - there were crowds, but they were rather restrained. Perhaps the airport authorities had changed their policies. Or maybe the crowds had peaked by the time we retrieved our luggage and exited near 10pm. What was amazing was the air. We seemed to be surrounded by a thick, soupy fog...except that the fog was brown and dry.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
India: Trip planning resources
We traveled to India for the first time in late January 2006. During the planning stages, we found these resources particularly helpful:
IndiaMike Travel Forum - been there, done that
Rambling Roses - inspiration
Ethical Traveler
IndiaMike Travel Forum - been there, done that
Rambling Roses - inspiration
Ethical Traveler
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