food post

1) A few of us got the chawanmushi at Ricksha last night. This shit is the bomb. If you don't know (which I didn't until last night), it's a savory custard with some broth, some bok choy, and a little bit of pork in it. You have to order two because I think it's labor intensive and it takes a little while, but it's only six bucks total for two cute little individual portions, so try it! We went on dollar nigiri night so we just ate sushi and drank sake while we waited.

2) As the commenter noted, the Armenian food festival is tomorrow. Here's the info:Oct. 7: Armenian Food Festival; 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Greek Orthodox Church, 614 Alhambra Blvd.; free entrance until 5 p.m., $3 after; (916) 443-3633. That's rad that it's free or cheap to get in. I'm going to try to go.

3) If you are in or anywhere near Brooklyn, please go to Al Di La. Go late on a weekday because they don't take reservations. It's comfortable, it's beautiful inside, the food is superb, and it's quite affordable for the quality. Also get bagels at the bagel hole (ignore the idiots that wrote the reviews). I am seriously thinking of having them ship me some bagels because I got so spoiled eating them in NY. Also, I'm happy to say that this place lived up to its review. Sea snails can be delicious, who knew?

3)I don't even know where to start with Montreal as far as food goes, it's pretty much an eating paradise (especially if you're not intimidated to go in the Frenchy places which scared us away). Their unique style of bagels are delicious in their own way (boiled in honey water, baked in wood-fired oven, sesame and poppy only!) This place that Gourmet recommended, Reservoir, served mind-blowingly good salads (how's this for a salad, fennel and greens, lightly dressed, with really good mild blue cheese and all sitting on a fig puree!) and simple entrees. We ate breakfast at Beauty's twice, thanks to Greg's rec.