Friday, January 12, 2007

International Lunching

Happy beginning of a long weekend Friday (for most of us at least)!

I'm shootin' in here early because it'll be a short day for me...today is team building day here at Save the pandas n'shit.org...so I'll be bowling in Chinatown for most of the day. (If there are any fellow DC owflers who can scoot out of work early and meet me for HH down there or anywhere let me know...I'll be done at 3:45) Is it bad that it is barely 8:30 and I've got alcohol on the brain??!

Anyways, so I'm thinking internationally today folks. Here in the good ole USofA the sandwich is a pretty typical american lunch item that we discuss on a daily basis at some point in time. It's satisfying, versatile, portable and readily available at any lunching establishment. So what would be the "typical lunch" in the international city/region of your choice? Would it be hearty bowl of efo in Nigeria, a tasty pot au feu in France, a heaping portion of bibimbap in Korea?

Let's stop thinking locally and start thinking globally!! WFL!?!

35 comments:

Earthquake said...

Damn, Lady A, you're just a bowling maniac lately! Was last weekend just a warm-up for work today?

The first arguably international lunch that springs to mind is south of the ol' US border. Any haphazard combination of beans, rice, and cheese is almost the perfect lunch for me. If there happens to be a tortilla or two, all the better.

Today, I'll be having my leftovers that I didn't have yesterday. They're going to be EVEN better now.

Lady A said...

I wish I was a bowling maniac...although I don't see myself consuming as many beers as I did at the last gathering (alhtough it is open bar). I also did not exactly intend to actually go this event...I intended to make my way home at 11:30 as the others proceeded to this event. But apparently this is a "mandatory" event and not attending without prior approval from your VP is frowned upon...and since I'm only in month two...I figure it is in my best interest to go.

Anyways...like I said...I may need to drink.. A LOT...by the end of this thing. And I can't even smoke in the damn place anymore!!

Lunch will be provided there, so I will be noshing on Lucky Strike bowling eats I guess.

Heliocentric said...

I like oriental foods. Though chinese food as we know it is basically an american invention. But Sushi and Thai food are also great and I don't think those were invented in North America.

I remember traveling in Germany and it seems like all them fuckers eat is some weiner or another. No bread or roll, just brat, nock or some other wurst with mustard, and onions / kraut.

I've never been to Peru, but if they eat food like they make at the Pollo Sabroso (Tasty Chicken) which says on the window that it is peruvian style, then my favorite international cuisine is Peruvian.

Josephus said...

An international lunch?
First thing that pops to head is sushi, probably since I haven't had it in a while. I could go for some seaweed salad as well.

But in the real world I will be dining at Vidalia for a restaraunt week lunch with co-workers. Haven't been there since a celebration for lachoi's birthday (isn't that where we went?) and it was mmm mmm good.

Unfortunately there will be no karaoke afterwards this time as I have a boring meeting this afternoon.

By the way, a few friends and I decided this past weekend that stip joints should have karaoke nights. Isn't that just the best idea you've ever heard?

Heliocentric said...

Miso, don't worry about it. I didn't even know it was a joke.

Heliocentric said...

As I don't attend strip joints or karaoke joints, I say go with it. It ain't no thing to me.

Do you have to get naked while you massacre a John Denver song? or would you just be another stage?

Heliocentric said...

Josephus, that is a most brilliant idea. I am going one farther and also having open mic nite as an option. I mean only thing better than seeing naked ladys and hearing ILL Mitch rap out old Fat Boys, is Naked Ladys and ILL Mitch rap original material.

International food is good food. You know what lunch in soviet russia was? Go hungry.

I kid, I kid, we ate turnips and sometimes a beet soup.

Lady A said...

*ANNOUNCEMENT*

I AM PROPOSING THAT WE START DISCUSSING THE NEXT OWFL CONFERENCE/SEMINAR. IT HAS BEEN AWHILE AND I FEEL THAT WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF LUNCHING FELLOWSHIP.

HT HAD SUGGESTED BEFORE THAT WE TRY AND DO THIS IN THE PITT WHILE SHE HAS A HOUSE THAT COULD BE USED TO CONTAIN THE ROWDY BUNCH.

SO SUNSHINE, AS THE OWFL EVENTS COORD. I WILL PASS THIS DISCUSSION ON TO YOU!

Earthquake said...

Jo: here's my problem with your proposition. Generally speaking, the only places that have good-looking strippers are the upscale joints, and the upscale joints aren't going to be upscale except for the one part where they go downscale by letting their customers provide the musical stylings. So, the only places where the strip joint/karaoke bar hybrid is going to work is in the shitty strip joints. I can't think of too many things that I am less interested than drinking an eight-dollar Bud longneck while watching a low-rent stripper with a bad boob job and caesarian scars gyrating to your rendition of Hey Nineteen.

Lady A, I'm thinking I might cut out a little early today. You aiming for downtown for an early happy hour?

Lady A said...

I'm out! If someone winds up drinking somewhere text me!

I'll be in chinatown but I can shuffle myself about the city to the next locale!

Josephus said...

quake,
you are so far behind me in thinking this thorugh that I will ignore your insult to women who, because of no fault of their own, cannot deliver a child through their pyongyang.

A topless strip joint/bar with karaoke in a college town...throw in 2-3 amateur nights a week...
work with me here quakey. see the idea thorugh...

Josephus said...

How about an OWFL organization conf in the PITT where we would discuss several issues including the launch of the new site, the New Orleans annual meeting, officer elections, recruitment...

Heliocentric said...

For those of you who missed my conversion, I changed my name to reflect my New Year's Resolution to be more self centered. This is still MikeySunshine.

I support an OWFL conference to the PITT. and will use my posting day on Tuesday the 23rd as the discussion forum. I was going to say that I'll make a seperate post to talk about this, but I know how that goes over with this group

"which post do we reply to?"

Earthquake said...

Hmm, yeah, drunken frat boys screeching Coldplay through five-dollar Bud longnecks while their hoochies try to supplement daddy's gold card with a few handfuls of crumpled singles? No thanks.

I guess you're right in my being behind you. I was thinking about whether or not I would patronize such a place. I see you're looking at this as an operation you might run.

Maybe. If I got to be a silent partner who never had to subject himself to actually being there.

Except maybe to nail a drunk undergrad from time to time.

LizTurtle said...

Charming as always, quake. I have no opinion on the karaoke/strip club.

I went to PS 7's last night for Restaurant Week & I highly recommend it! They are even having it through the 31st, so you've got plenty of time to go! I'm going to Farrah Olivia in an hour, & I'm starving! I can't wait for the bread basket.

As for international lunches: Mmmmm, so far I like E-que's best (and Jo's sushi second best). I guess I was thinking more portable, like a kringelburger in Bonn with hot mustard, any kind of wurst in Germany (especially currywurst in Berlin from a cart - they serve them with those tiny plastic forks!). Sometimes they serve them with just a tiny little bun as a fingerhold, not the f'ed up way our hot dogs sometimes come with 3 inches of bread to eat through before you find the dog. Fun! Also: frites in Amsterdam with that yummy yummy mayo or falafel.

God, I'm starving.

Yeah, I like the idea of Pittsburgh. It sounds cheap.

LizTurtle said...

I am awesome. If you google 'kringelburger Bonn', my comment (on owfl of course!) is the second hit - after a german site. Wooo!

GimletGirl said...

Jo: Pyongyang? Awesome. And a wee bit disturbing.

Fave international lunch? I'm gonna go w/ a streetcart sausage w/ mustard and cabbage in Prague. Lunch today was a very American turkey club sammy.
And I second LT's PS 7's recommendation. In the immortal words of Rachel Ray: Yumm-O!

Earthquake said...

Back to the topics (today's AND Wednesday's), one of the finest meals I ever had also happened to be an international lunch. A few years back, I found myself wandering around Paris with a couple of school chums. I slipped in to a back-alley grocery store and picked up two pint cans of Amerstdam Navigator. The reviews I'm reading online aren't all that flattering, but there is nothing like getting slowly hammered while wandering around Paris.

"Merci, monsieur le gendarme!"

HaterTot said...

I spent my morning with the FOJ's (Friends of Jesus). Boys, if you're looking for hot, young blondes, I have found the spot for you. This office was rife with pretty little innocent girls, still uncorrupted and unjaded by this fair city of ours. Anyhoo... I am back in my office with no clue about lunch, so I ate a clementine.

As for the Pittsburgh conference, all I can say is "YAY!" Bring air mattresses and sleeping bags! Early March or late February would be ideal for this, b/c we're going to try to sell the house in the spring.

HaterTot said...

Oh, International Lunches... the first place that came to mind was this joint in Budapest that we used to hit all the time called Kisharang Etkezde (Little Bell Diner). It was like 350 forint ($1.50) for a plate of gulyas w/ dumplings, a "salad" and some bread and it was awesome. I would like some gulyas... if yinz come to the 'burgh I'll make some.

Earthquake said...

hatertot: unless all of those lovely young blondes happen to have a common friend who is an undocumented day laborer, I'm guessing our mood-enhancing topics of conversation are probably limited. Frankly, even if that is the case, I'm guessing out mood-enhancing topics of conversation are limited.

In addition to my leftover pasta, I also finished my bag of "Colossal" pistachios. The dried apricots are also dwindling. Apple juice to drink.

Earthquake said...

And, I know we're not officially talking about this yet, but I am definitely in the "strongly interested" column for a Pittsburgh conference.

HaterTot said...

Miso - the beauty of the 'burgh is that it is uber cheap, and yinz can drive and you have a place to stay. So move or no move, there is no reason not to hop in the car and get there. I will be holding it against you in perpetuity if you are not there. Same goes for that Whore you're set to marry.

Heliocentric said...

You know who's not invited? Blogger, that's who.

I appreciate all this excitement and am looking forward to the official discussion.

I went to Sushi Taro and had some great rolls. Who cares if the world's fish diversity is diminishing? It did me right today that's fo sho.

HaterTot said...

I can't believe I'm strong-arming you all into coming to the place where I grew up... AND that you're all probably going to get to meet my last remaining relative, since I can't very well keep you from him in his own town. Hoo boy, this is going to be fun. He did offer to take us all down to the Coraopolis Moose Lodge for drinks, though...

I'm going to need A LOT of Iron City...

GimletGirl said...

The Moose Lodge? With HaterDad? That's it--I'm in!

m said...

Pittsburgh eh? that sounds like a long time on 80... i think i could make it if there is a chance bourbon is involved...

i'm still feeling a bit ill (not in that oh so sexy mitch way) from my "international" dinner last ngiht.

14 deepfried taquitos.

maybe it is time for a little time away from the deep fryer. speaking of which i made the deepfried pickles and they were fabulash!

my favorite international lunch (having been limited in my international travels) is this korean place on 42nd a couple blocks from penn station.. i have no idea what the name is but they have a chick that plays beatles covers on a zither... wait.. not that placce.. the palce a few doors down (although that has soem badass barbeque).. they give you these bowls of noodles with a chicken and soy based sauce with potatoes in it. how i love it. does anyone know the name of said dish?

going to philly tonight for the man man show and i am quite amped. if you have a few free seconds today go to their website and check out the video for English Bwood.

Earthquake said...

m: I say with absolute confidence that there will be bourbon. In fact, I say with absolute confidence that there will be bourbons. At least a couple of my boys will be keeping me company on the drive up: Basil, Elijah, someone else who jumps off the shelf on Old Eagle wings...

m said...

lovin the basil.. just got a new one called jefferson something that i am amped to try

bourbon + m = grins all around

HaterTot said...

Quake: it's only a 4 hour drive, so by my math, you're talking about a bottle an hour?

M - it's about 6 from your place, PA turnpike all the way. 80 is way north of da 'burgh.

LizTurtle said...

I think the fryers should be emptied & brought to the Burgh.

I am definitely interested, but request that the conference not be in February.

I just had a french/american/african fusion lunch at Farrah Olivia. It was yummy. And now I am stuffed. I had goat cheese dumplings in a really salty broth with fennel (broth was not for sipping after all else was gone) & salmon nicoise style, so with chopped carrots, green beans, olives, and a quail egg. Beautiful! Dessert was a fig spice cake with mascarpone & vanilla ice cream. I would say it was more french than african. Oh, and the bread came with, not butter, but your choice of: bok choy pesto, pumpkin spread (sweet! yum!), black olive tapenade, or sundried tomato paste. The pesto was the best. Oink.

m said...

ah.. 78 then for 130 miles.. very doable and i believe that there should be a fying competition scheduled for sometime prior to finishing off the bourbon

way before

LizTurtle said...

FRY! FRY! FRY! FRY!

Yay, fry-off!!

LizTurtle said...

Oooh, we should find that recipe for fried coke . . . and modify it for various liquors! woooo!

LizTurtle said...

Well, we could make it fried diet coke . . . .