Bahn Mi Oh My, An Explanation

Clint asked that I explain what bahn mi is, besides some cheap food that I seem to like.

Bahn mi are Vietnamese sandwiches. The standard is on a French baguette (8in). Then a few slices of fatty roast pork, with some pate spread on, then filled with daikon radish, pickled carrots, peppers, cilantro and mayo. In the end, it's balanced between sweet and savory, gooey and crisp, rich and bitter, hot and cool. They also have meat balls (usually with some fish in it), and more of a pulled pork.

Josh put it best three bites into his first bahn mi, "Say what you will about colonialism, but this is a darn good sandwich."

They usually go for about $3, though around 4.25 in more gentrified neighborhoods. You can usually get SE asian beverages (lychee juice, durian shakes, White Birds nest, tamarind) for and dollar or two, for a complete meal for $5. A couple of the better known shops split their store front with jewelry shops or other business ventures. I'd look for it anywhere with a significant SE Asia population.

Rolling Birthday Outings

Observances started with my last supper... with Jason and Marianthi, the night before the movers came. We caught a small action movie. Well really, it was Jen crossing Fifth Avenue, trying to get the bus without the bus getting her. There was quick glances in either direction, some indecision, and a final sprint.

As the case my five prior birthdays, I got a lot of mail... our proposal deadline. I also got some nice messages from all over. I didn't have formal plans for the evening, so I was going to go to rooftop yoga at the Can Factory. I got some nice treats from Bill and Fredrica, so I was going to bring them to class too... but when I got home, I was locked out. I had left my house keys at office. But when I got let into the building, I went to get my spare hidden set... but I had given them to David and Molly.... and was still locked out. Yoga time came and passed and went back to the office to get my keys. As a small consolation, I picked up the very excellent collection of Yoshihiro Tatsumi comics edited by Adrian Tomine.

Wednesday I got a bahn mi, caught a show, and caught up with Dave's inaugural outing of his rolling week of birthday celebrations. Thursday the heat broke, Josh and I caught Captain Jack and company. Friday Josh & I played tennis and got Indian, then Dena and Melissa & I took in some sights and sounds around the Gowanus Canal.

Saturday was the planned event of inexpensive eats and soccer watching at the Red Hook Ballfields. The food was even better than I had hoped for, including the very excellent and refreshing cantaloupe juice. I got to kick around with Mitchell and Adam, then cooled off with a few cervesas.

Sunday I went to meeting, got a Brooklyn bahn mi, bought some summer clothes. Monday Gretchen introduced me to a taqueria near the office, for which I'm very thankful for. And then last night brought closure to last Tuesday's frustration. I had cool rooftop yoga class and shared my goodies (cheese, quince and rioja) with Joe, Gretchen and Lucy. It was a perfect way to close out a week of birthday happenings.

Now That's Lip Smacking

New York magazine just released it's list of 101 Best Cheap Eats. It's a topic I'm particularly fond of. I've gone through many phases over the years (currently bahn mi and tacos) and built up my favorites joints. I used to guide visitors through the city based on what kind of food they craved and cheap eats were the staple. It 's fun to see this list of things to discover and gems still hidden (so I'm not really sweating the snubs).

Noted that I recommend too: Frankies in Carroll Gardens, Danny Meyer's Shake Shack, Schnack in Columbia Heights, Oms/B near the office, and Le Parker Meridien's Burger Joint.

The omissions: Rice in Nolita and Dumbo, Tacos Nuevos Mexico on 5th Avenue Brooklyn, Ba Xuyen in Sunset Park (better Bahn Mi than Saigon Bakery), Flor's Kitchen's arepas in the LES, Ruben's empanadas on Broome Street, Baraket's stuffed grape leaves on Houston, and Golden Krust west indian pockets scattered around the boroughs.

Thus several of my food cravings are outlined: shakes, dogs, tacos, bahn mi, West Indian pockets, grape leaves, arepas, empanadas, and this doesn't even include street vendors. Any one care to grab a bite?

Recent One Liners

Josh, three bites into his first Bahn Mi: Say what you will about colonialism, but this is a darn good sandwich.

Norm (via his Demesne): It used to be that one had to go to the circus and pay money to see a lady with a tattoo. Now I only have to ride my bicycle around Lake Calhoun to see the same thing for free.