FYI

This blog isn't abandoned, I swear.  I got a [real!] job and am still finishing up my dissertation.  It'll be another couple of months.  Then I'll return to regular posts. Promise!

Up-coming Events

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Starting this weekend, October 6th and 7th, and running through November 25th, the Texas Renaissance Festival will bring you all the lords, ladies, galliwomps and wenches of years past to the fairgrounds just outside of Plantersville, Texas. Bring your appetites as I've been told that food selections have expanded significantly this year. My favorite selections include the prime rib sandwich and fish and chips at the Prince of Wales Pub, the Polish Food Sampler in the Polish section (I *heart* that they have a Polish section), the wonderful apple dumplings ala mode found throughout the festival, and absolutely delightful fudge and pastries at the cappuccino shop whose name I can never remember. The festival, of course, also has all the standard fare you'd expect at a Ren Fest, including everything on a stick. Come ready to imbibe as well as there is always a nice selection of national and international brand beers as well as craft beers.  And for the last 2 years there has also been a working brewery on-site known as Brigadoon Brewery.  They also have rootbeer for teatotallers.  I have many friends who work as merchants at Texas Renaissance Festival, so please support them all with your business!  [Merchants, send me your URLs and I'll post a link when I feature TRF in its own separate post.]

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Friday and Saturday October 12th and 13th bring the Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival to Bryan, Texas. Come and sample wines from across the region.  When you're ready for a break from the sipping sample steaks from some of the best steak grilling teams across Texas.  The festival was originally in June but was moved to October because of the oppressive heat in Texas in June.  The quickest, easiest parking can be found at Blinn College and a free shuttle will take you to the festival. Admission for the entire day is $5. Drink tickets, glasses and food are all extra.  And there are many other vendors if wine and steak aren't your thing.  All downtown restaurants will be open. There are plenty of awesome ones from which to choose. There will also be activities throughout the day, a kids' play area, and live music and performances from some of the regions best-known performers.

Tito's Vodka wants to bring someone to Austin!

Tito's Vodka, made in Texas, is having a contest via Wine Enthusiast.  Winners get a trip to Austin for two (airfare wouldn't be that much for me and The Lovely Spouse) as well as other awesome benefits.  And I like my 6 readers so much I'll even include the url so that you all can enter too.  [I heard about this from the ever-awesome Cookie Madness.]

The fine print states that this post has to be a minimum of 100 characters and say something about Tito's.  How's about I tell you all the recipe I usually make with Tito's?  It's simple and refreshing for when the weather gets unbearably hot here in Texas.  The vodka is pretty darned good so we usually keep it on hand.

Key Lime Vodka Tonic

1. Fill a pint glass 3/4 the way full with cubed ice.  None of that shaved or crushed stuff for us (and it'll mess up the measurements).
2. Fill about half way full with Tito's Vodka. Available at Spec's.
3. Add a splash or two of key lime juice, available at the grocery store.
4. Fill the rest of the way with tonic water. We use the diet version.
5. Stir and enjoy!

So there you go, Tito's!  Choose me and I guarantee I'll blog about it.  Beside, can't you help a girl out who's finishing up her PhD?

Pleeeeeeeeeease?

I promise we'll have fun with it.

We'll be right back after these short messages...

Stolen from a facebook meme.

I'm taking a break from regular blogging for a couple months.  I need to finish my research project and dissertation and have a pretty tight deadline.  In the meantime I'll post quick news bits from the food world.  Then will return with the normal...stuff...you're used to seeing in this space.  

Cheers!

PS - If you haven't already done so, check out my friends' kickstarter campaign.  Give them money to help them expand their business and they'll send you really cool stuff in return. Everybody wins!

Great people making great beer

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The good folks at New Republic Brewery are doing what they can to expand the business of making great beer in the town of College Station, Texas.  To assist in this effort they have launched a KickStarter campaign to raise the funds necessary to complete their expansion. Check out the video (blogger will not allow me to embed a non-youtube video for some reason, so please click the link) and kickstarter site, and please consider donating to help some really good people make even more great beer. Minimum donation is only $1. Donations of $12 will be rewarded with swag, such as pint glasses, stickers, laptop skins, t-shirts, and much more.

Support your local independent brewery!

T. Jin's China Diner

Believe it or not there is a fierce rivalry among foodies in the B/CS area as to which Chinese restaurant in the area is the best. There are those who will only eat at Jin's World Cafe.  Some will only eat at Chef Cao's.  Some swear that others are the best or most authentic there is in the are.  I, personally, adore T. Jin's China Diner and eat there regularly. If you click on the link you'll see there are 3 locations, with one in Bryan and one in College Station. This review is for the location along Rock Prairie in College Station.

I'm also going to state from the get-go that I don't know what is and isn't authentic as far as Chinese food is concerned. I've never been to China and it's a large country so I imagine there are regional differences in the food. I do know what I think tastes good.

On this latest trip to T. Jin's my group of three got soups and entrees.

A cup of hot and sour soup.  Well balanced and a great way to start a meal.  The soup manages to be both light and hearty at the same time.  Great mushroom flavor.

Chicken Fried Rice.  The Lovely Spouse orders it time and again so it must be to his liking. 

Szechuan Chicken. I love the balance of sweet and spicy.  Lots and lots of veggies.

Szechuan Eggplant.  Again this has the sweet and spicy mix, but here with all veggies.  I ate around the onions. 

The above, except the fried rice, were served with a choice of steamed (white) or fried (brown) rice for an additional fee. House specialties are also served with orange slices.

In addition to the above there are a few other entrees we gravitate towards including green beans and tofu (I like the flavor of tofu), Thai chicken and shrimp, moo shoo anything, Pad Thai, the dumplings on the appetizer menu and the meat of choice with veggies on the special healthy/light menu.  But really everything that has sounded good on the menu has been delicious there. All three of us made at least 2 meals out of the above.  If I order off the healthy menu I usually make three meals from a single entree.

The also have my favorite iced tea in B/CS.  I'm not sure what tea they're using but it has a nice, strong flavor. No sugar or cream needed.  They have beer and wine available as well.

The service has always been incredibly fast and for the most part very friendly.

Would we recommend T. Jin's?  Of course.  Again, I don't know if they're authentic or not, but I enjoy their food.

Will we be back?  Of course.  We eat here regularly.

Upcoming event

I wish I could attend this but have other plans.  Click the picture to enbiggen.