Thai Fighters - All Pho Show

George Lucas took over 30 years to tell the story of Luke Skywalker and his battle of good vs. evil; I've only waited 3 months for this next chapter in the Thai Fighter saga - by comparison I'd say that I'm light years ahead of George's attempts at proper story telling, thus making my temporary hiatus from the project a justifiable one.*

*Yes, I just justified not writing on this topic by comparing my likes and works to George Lucas. Yes, I just stated that The Locale is as big as Star Wars, and yes, I realize how ridiculous that sounds but I'm choosing to stand my ground and back my claims just the same. Optimistic, I must be. Anyway, I digress. Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Actually it was two nights ago at a restaurant down the street where the once again powerful yearning for Thai cuisine drew me into the arms of Pho Ben Thanh. My peers had spoken of its worth, claiming it to be, at the very least, worthy of competing in this great battle we have found ourselves immersed into; though, truth be told, it doesn't take much for me to be drawn to a restaurant - if they've got food, I've got an appetite and likely a few thoughts about it.

I'll start by being perfectly honest and state that, though I've driven past their giant sign on Woodlawn many, many times, it never really screamed out to me "Come in! We have tasty things to offer you!" In fact, I didn't know it was still an operating restaurant until I walked through the lobby doors the other evening. That being said, however, once inside the story completely changed.

It may not come off as what you think a Thai restaurant would be, and therein lies its biggest flaw in my books, but, to be fair, likely the biggest perk in the books of many others. It is, to put it best, a modern, safe, trendy design for those in search of culture without straying from the safety of what they know.

The decor is very clean, straight-line, dark wood, leather couch, polished black marble, mirrored wall, sheik uniform design with a slight hint of "martinis" thrown in there somewhere. A lovely and beautiful atmosphere indeed, but doesn't say to me "Pad Thai served here"

Servers and hosts are all dressed in black uniform apparel, are extremely friendly and diligent with their duties and thus I rank them high for that "We actually do want your business here, so please, make yourself at home in our care" type of hospitality. They took our order in fair time, brought us our drinks with cold glasses and offered us the comfort of fork over chopsticks without making us feel, well, idiotic or below some certain stigma that seems to be foolishly attached to that chopstick Jedi status (the way I see it: chopsticks are fun, but forks get more food in your mouth a heck of a lot faster). To summarize and put it bluntly: their service was great.

Food: now here's where I get a bit picky, so please keep in mind that this is my personal taste speaking. First off, the food was good. It was plentiful, very well presented (I would even go so far as to say it was pretty) and extremely fair priced. So what's the picky downside you ask? Well, while the mango chicken was good and the vermicelli bowl was tasty, and the spring rolls were filling, it all felt very, hmmmm, how shall I put this? Safe. It all felt very safe. And this is where I think that search for familiar culture statement I made previously truly stands tall. I think if someone were seeking out a Thai meal without actually wanting to try something completely new, then this would be the perfect place to go. It seems very North Americanized for my liking, much like The Mandarin isn't authentically Chinese (and yes, I do love the Mandarin) Ben Thanh doesn't seem to come out as authentically Thai, which, again, is in no way to suggest that it isn't good or that I wouldn't eat there again. In fact, I know that I will, but I also know that if I want something with a little more flare and flavour, I'm going to seek out somewhere more authentically fulfilling.

So did Ben Thanh take down a champion in the intergalactic battle over Pad Thai bragging rights? I'm sorry to say they did not; but what they did manage to accomplish was to impress me with their hospitality, as well as to shout out a recommendation to any readers who may be wondering "Is Thai food something I'm willing to try?" Well, yes it is worth trying, and this seems like an ideal, safe place for the weary to first travel. However, being a lover of authentic flavours, the roots of food and full-flavoured experiences, I'd like to offer this thought on the subject of safe eating: see, it's like the shallow end of the pool: sure, we all like to hang out, give our legs a rest, lean with our backs against the wall and our arms on the deck while the sun warms our face, but just remember: if you never venture to the deep end, you'll never fully learn to swim.

Happy eating everyone!

Phil

Guelph Local Food Festival

For me a festival is a time of music, people, drink and sun; if you can throw a few good food vendors in there than I would be even happier, but rarely have I experienced something that can deliver on all fronts, never mind put food in the spotlight. Well, my friends, thanks to an email I received this morning, I've just become aware of a food festival taking place at the Ignatius Jesuit Center here in Guelph. That right an entire festival focusing on local eats!

Based on information from the Guelph Wellington website, there will be tours, workshops, cooking demonstrations, samples, music (including members of the Guelph guitar project) and to sweeten the deal the whole ordeal is free!

Learn to make jam, see the masters behind Ouderkirk and Taylor & The Cornerstone work their magic, or just wander around until something catches your eye. I'll most certainly have more to say on this event after tomorrow, for now I just wanted to help spread the word.

See you there!
Phil

5420 Hwy 6 N,
Guelph, ON
N1H 6N6

‎http://www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca/fest

The Fat Duck

On a weekend afternoon, when the sun seems at its peak, the breeze passes through trees with a calm and reassuring cool, and our much wiser subconscious seems to be telling us to slow down, there can be no better place to enjoy the opportunities of summer than on a nice warm patio with a nice cold Caesar.

With a goal in mind, the "what" has already been answered, and so the question then quickly becomes where? Do I hit Shakespeare's? The Albion? The Wooly? Hmmmm, all viable options indeed, but given that I've spent so much time beneath their umbrellas already I thought I'd venture out to a place I often times forget about. And so, to the corner of Kortright and Endiburgh I travel to seek out the bounty of such a beautiful day.

As I've just suggested above, The Fat Duck is not a completely new place to me, in fact it's one of the first establishments to which I ventured when I moved to Guelph; and therein lies the only real downside to the place: it tends to be a little out of the way from where I am, causing me to forget about it as an option. However, not wanting to leave you believing the place has a negative stigma attached to it, please rest assured that it is a place well worth travelling to, especially during these summer months, when a good patio lunch is what we all yearn for.

So, yes, I've mentioned their patio a few times now, it's obviously a selling point for me, but judging by the business taking place inside this Irish-themed pub, I'd say they do just as well in the dining room and at the wood as they do on the brick. In fact, I've gone by on a few evening occasions, only having to leave because they were at capacity; and while that may be frustrating as a diner, I also can't ignore the fact that this is a sign of a business obviously doing something right for their clientele. Decor seems to be mainly sports themed, but this I attribute in great part (at least currently) to the fact that the World Cup is under way, and any bar that didn't take advantage of that, well, I would consider them unwise to say the least. The dining room is quite large, well laid out, and the bar area has more than enough room for those parked to watch the game or grab a quick bite, as well as for those who are just standing in line for their next pint. So, as far as the interior in concerned, despite never using it myself, it has done well to serve its patrons.

OK, so atmosphere and location are covered, but what about the food you ask? Well, having only been able to get a table during lunch hours, that is the only menu I can honestly comment on, but in doing so I can place safe bets on their dinner fare being just as desirable and hugely proportioned. Fish and chips, steak and kidney pie, poutine, jerk chicken wings, they have all the standards as far a pub grub is concerned, but that should certainly not imply that they serve it all "hodge-podge" and without care and preparation. At least with the dishes I've experienced, they've proven themselves to be more than just simple bar food at equally fair prices; I only hope I get to one day beat the rush for dinner.

Of course, to mention food and not mention service would seem like I was leaving something out, so on the quick note of service, I would say that my experiences have been on both ends of the scale. Now, to be fair, this can be a hard thing to judge because so many variables that we as diners don't always know about can play into how our server treats us, or even more so what we as individual diners deem to be good service. Suffice it to say that on all occasions my food arrived as I ordered it, within a timely manner, and while maybe not always the most pleasant or cheerful of servers have been at my table side, I still got whatever it is that I asked for, and have always left feeling as though I've just had a pleasant all around experience.

And so, to judge The Fat Duck as an afternoon, patio-going experience, I say with confidence that my advice to you readers, while the weather is what it is, grab a friend, or grab a book, head down to the gastro pub that is The Fat Duck and enjoy an afternoon meal in the care of someone else.

I rate this a total of 3 out of 5 for food, price, location and service.

Happy Summer!
Phil

She & Him

Welcome back Patsy Cline, my how we've missed you.

Infused with the essence of classic country, updated with a touch of modern folk, a touch of pop (but not so much that it becomes unpleasant) and reinforced with well-crafted lyrics and a talented array of musicianship, the possibilities for greatness can only be assumed; the formula is there, the result is She & Him.

Formed from the mind of Zooey Deschanel, who, bred from the seeds of talent, cut a demo a few years back and calculatingly sent it to M. Ward, who clearly saw the talent and potential for something amazing. She & Him was formed shortly thereafter, and their first album stood as a shining example of what the two were capable of. Well, two years later, the duo are back with their second collection of songs, aptly entitled, Volume Two. As more than just a fan of the first record, I was eager to catch up on what the pair had been working on over the past couple of years, and certainly the anticipation did not end in disappointment. So, while both studio collectives had wowed me through speaker and headphone, I had yet to soak in the affects of what they could do under a spotlight; and so, with tickets in hand, to The Sound Academy we trekked, and a worthwhile journey it was.

First off, it would be avoiding the obvious if I didn't bring up most of our familiarity with Zooey from her acting career; but while Elf, 500 Days of Summer and others remain very good films, it would be unfair to base her musical popularity solely on some existing silver screen stardom. I wont say that it likely didn't hurt that she was an already common name amongst the public, but that really shouldn't suggest that she is an actress first and a musician second. In fact, without disrespecting her abilities in front of the camera, I would feel completely comfortable stating that the reverse is true; her honest passion clearly lies within the structure of her music. However it is you want to list her talents, or whatever works you choose to spend the most time with, she can act, she can sing, she can write, she can play and she's got a look and presence that screams out folk appeal.

Anyway, back to the point: the show was successful in just about every way I had hoped it to be. The music was spot on, with that little extra you hope for when seeing a performer play live; adding on a bar or two here and there, switching up a solo, ripping out a fun cover tune, they did what they set out to do with vigor and the dermination to satisfy. Save for one small insignificant detail of the evening, I'd say it was a perfect show; and while I couldn't hear a word Zooey said into the mic between songs, when she sang through verse and chorus she belted out the notes and articulated each phrase seamlessly.

So, Zooey's got talent, that's apparent from my ranting, but to focus solely on her is to do an injustice to the other half of the group, Him: M. Ward. He has been in my CD collection over the years because of his effortless and catchy song writing. His talents have earned him the right to appear as a guest to other artists on other records, and he's part of a relatively recent collaborative effort entitled The Monsters of Folk. Again, without needing to analyze his entire catalogue, suffice it to say that the guy has charisma, charm, and a monster talent in music. I might strongly suggest you go out and pick up his latest solo effort, entitled Hold Time, a worthwhile investment after purchasing Volume Two.

Yes, the duo has chemistry between them, and it works so well for us as listeners. Ward and his guitar/vocal talent, Deschanel and her charming personality/lyrical styling; their performance has me wanting to see them play again soon, but for now I'll gladly continue enjoying the tracks of both records as they dance through my stereo speakers.

Bouncing around with the tambourine, playing duets on the piano and crooning to the call and answer routine of You Really Got a Hold on Me, She & Him have presence both on and off the stage, so do yourselves a favour and check out the recommendations below to see just how this band is working at updating our perception of modern country folk.

That's all from me right now, so happy listening.

Phil

My Space:
http://www.myspace.com/sheandhim

Recommended listening:

In The Sun (seriously check out the fun times video with this one too)
Change is Hard

You Really Got A Hold On Me

Thieves

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Frolf?

It's admittedly been a while since I've had something enticing and new enough to post about; Frolf seems to have solved this problem.

If you'll remember back to my post on the arboretum those many months ago, then you may also remember me mentioning the sign I saw regarding Frisbee golf. Well, it may have taken me close to a year to get around to it, but I finally hit the links and tossed a few discs through the afternoon air. Unfortunately for me, my skills at disc golf seem just about on par with my lack of ability to play real golf, and so keeping score lost its effectiveness after the second "hole", but, at the very least, I can say that this sport, over golf, finds me cursing far less and actually having fun.

It follows much of the same rules as golf, and, much to my surprise, there are indeed different discs which basically equate to drivers, wedges and putters. I know, I know, it sounds a little odd and perhaps excessive, but, from what I can tell, the slight variations in the disc's weight and size actually make a difference in how the game plays out. Further to this, there is a far different technique to throwing these saucers through the air in comparisson to the Frisbees we all grew up with; where I have somewhat mastered the ability to throw a normal Frisbee in a straight line, these little buggers always seem to want to veer to the left; factor in the wind and you've got yourself a hefty trek through the woods to find your disc. Other than that, the concept and play is the same: you start at the markers, give a good toss and try to land the disc in the frolf basket (which look like some weird animal feeder, see above) in the middle of the green; do this in or under par and you're a winner!

I may have had difficulty in mastering the ability to throw in a straight line, or even make a hole in less than 3 over par, but despite its very minimal list of frustrations, disc golf, or frolf, whatever you choose to call it, is quite a fun way to spend an afternoon outdoors. The beauty of the arboretum is something that I think many of us Guelphites take for granted and this just seems like a great way to get people out there more frequently. There are rules, mind you, and though tempting it may be to revisit the days of our youth and climb one of the many beautiful trees throughout the course, doing so will only get you banned from the premises; no joke, so avoid temptation and just focus on the game.

With simple rules, some good friends, a set of discs (the official disc golf discs I would say are entirely optional and any ol' Frisbee would likely do for the novice crowd) and a great setting you've got yourself a unique and fun way to spend the afternoon outdoors doing something that, much like me a year ago, you may never have known existed.

Admittance is free so there's really no need to hum and haw the "should we?" questions that surround venturing outside. It's a low impact sport as far as stamina is concerned, and there's no skill level unwelcome, providing you don't mind letting the folks behind you play through. So, with no excuses left on the table, I strongly recommend a venture towards the arboretum in the near future; and why not head there on your bike, pack up a picnic and make a full day of it? We wait all year for this weather to pop up, let's be sure to take advantage of it.

Happy trails everyone

Phil