I love cooking and eating good food. Emeril Lagasse is my favorite celebrity chef, though I was kicking thing up a few notches long before I saw him on television. Some people might suggest too many notches. My culinary adventures began in my boy scout years, my scout master often cooked bengiets to accompany his coffee (a thick black liquid with near toxic levels of caffeine) on a Coleman stove. It only required a few trips to realize- That I had a choice- learn to cook or eat boy scout fare i.e. scrambled eggs the traditional seasoning of ashes & dirt. I still have a poly water bottle or two that can only be used for hot sauce from my backpacking adventures. Friends from my climbing bum days will remember my Thai venison in panang curry, frequently cooked in a wok over a mountaineering stove.
My Recipe Page
Resturant Fare In SA
New Orleans Cuisine � Here in San Antonio people confuse Cajun with New Orleans cooking having no real good examples on either, Paddadoux�s is probably the only thing close. Anything else can usually be bested by a Zateranes box mix from the grocery store
American/Nouvelle- I have not been to the new Biga on the river walk yet, but I have enjoyed many great meals in the original location. Probably my favorite restaurant in San Antonio. The EZ�s menu, a great fast food place, was developed by Bruce Aulden before he started Biga.
Canyon Caf� is one also one of my favorites. Hannah�s Chicken a roasted half chicken with a jalapeno tamari bbq type sauce is one dish I�m partial too. The Chile rubbed sirloin is an excellent steak for the price, however like most restaurants in SA, you might want to order one step underdone to ensure it�s not overcooked.
Greek- Demos is my favorite Greek restaurant here St Mary�s Street or Blanco Road. Mina & Dimi�s is good also but not very convenient.
Thai- Thailand�s tropical climate is particularly suited for the cultivation of many spices. Thailand was also a stopping point for Moslem spice trader taking spices from Asia to the west. The Thai people appear to be unaffected by peppers- Be very careful when specifying your heat tolerance!
Spring rolls- Fried & Steamed
Curry dishes-Panang is my favorite
Pad Thai- fried noodles
Restaurants- Dang�s On Austin Highway was my favorite hands down, unfortunately with the new owners it�s just not the same. Thai kitchen at Babcock & Callahan has the best Poh Teak-a spicy seafood soup and good entrees but average to poor spring rolls. Asia Kitchen off Marbach Road was my favorite lunch spot when I worked on that side of town.
Vietnam- Crispy Spring Rolls are one of my favorite foods. The French influence in Vietnam had a much more positive culinary than social benefit. The French style coffee dripped into heavy cream & sugar then poured over ice was a significant factor in the completion of my college education. The jasmine tea is also very refreshing although frequently heavily sugared.
Bunh- a bowl of rice vermicelli topped with cooked meats/seafood, the bbq�d pork is probably my favorite
Pho- A hearty noodle soup usually a huge bowl, served with sprouts, leaves & sometimes peppers
Restaurants- Vietnam on Broadway has the best fried spring rolls since the passing of Dangs. Pho Cong Lei at West & Bitters has good Pho & average Bunh. Ba Chin on Fratt Road was my favorite all around.
Japan-Japanese cuisine is based on two bland fish stocks (hondashi & nidashi) that merely show case the freshness of the food cooked in them. A refreshing change from heavily sugared & msg�ed Chinese buffet fare.
Restaurants- Niki�s Tokyo Inn has always been my favorite for sushi. I intend to get over to Koi Kawa but my expectations are very not high. My taste for Japanesse other than sushi has waned since I�ve discovered Thai & Vietnamese.
India- Ghee or clarified butter forms the basis of most Indian cooking, typically followed by huge amounts of spices, like Thai not a subtle cuisine. The curries have more texture and less fire than comparable Thai dishes. yeeee ha!
Saag paneer- creamed spinach with homemade cheese
Naan- Fluffy tortilla like bread
Tanduri Chicken-etc.- Marinated in yogurt & red colored spices, then baked in a clay kiln type oven
Restaurants- Simi�s is presently my favorite, I usually do the Sunday buffet. I prefer to eat Indian at Buffets as I get to sample many different dishes. I particularly like Saag Paneer- creamed greens(spinach over here) with homemade cheese on Naan bread, my favorite way to eat spinach.
Mexican
Middle East- Lebanon, Persia, etc.
Bean Burgers Joints- Bean Burgers are a San Antonio original. A true SA bean burger has a meat patty, refried beans, crushed frito chips, cheese, & salsa. Usually served as a combo with tatter tots, I can feel my arteries hardening from typing these words.
Johnny Ringo�s Diary King- Has not changed since the fifties. The location from my high school days is now a parking lot
Chris Madrid�s on Blanco- real cheddar & lots of it, better go early for lunch there will be a line!
Billy T�s on Austin Highway- Close to Sill�s(burger shack from high school days) in location & spirit,
Tycoon Flats on St Mary�s Street- Home of the White Collar Derelict is just not what it used be.
EZ�s- The Southwest Chicken sandwich carries the concept to a more health conscious generation.