cantina by cascabel

I literally just read this tweet: "Mexican food is unbelievably regionalized. To call one city 'the kitchen of Mexico' is inaccurate, there are a nearly a dozen." I couldn't agree more, despite the fact that I'm not sure to what/whom Adam Goldberg was responding. I also believe it's undeniable that the majority of Americans adore Mexican food, no matter what version they're accustomed to.

My dad, on the other hand, rarely seeks out Mexican restaurants. He was born in the countryside of Jalisco, one of the 31 states of Mexico, and is often disappointed in the adaptations of his native cuisine. It should also be noted that he's the kind of person who only believes things are great if he likes them. If he doesn't like something, it's obviously just bad. I get my affinity for exotic flavor from my mom.

Anyway, now that you know all the important information :) the point... I've been meeting my dad for lunch in my neighborhood about once a week since he's been conveniently working nearby. I love being able to spend one-on-one time with him (and expand on my Upper East Side palate.) This past Friday, I insisted we try Cascabel, one of the highest rated Mexican restaurants in the area.

For whatever reason, we ended up at their sister restaurant, Cantina de Cascabel, instead. Thoughts? Guacamole, mediocre. Hot sauce, fantastic. Baja Fish tacos, perfect. My dad didn't love their Pollo Chipotle Burrito, but he was thrilled they were serving Captain Lawrence, and at happy hour prices. 

Thanks for being open minded enough to treat me to the casual, Southern California-style Mexican lunch, Dad. I cannot, cannot wait to share a more authentic meal when we're in Mexico at the end of December.

oh, eating clubs

Hi. (waves shyly). Remember me? Please pardon my absence and the depth of my self-involved introspection. Life's been throwing me quite a few grown-up challenges lately. I've cautiously been working through them. And although all may not completely figured out yet (when is it ever?), I'm return to blogging.

I look for an "escape" quite often--whenever I'm upset, angry, uncomfortable, stressed, bored. A few weeks ago, I was thankfully just bored. I'd had a migraine for nearly the entirety of Friday evening into Saturday, and awoke Sunday feeling like I'd all but wasted my weekend.

A boy and I went out for a late brunch. When I say late, I mean so late that I had slept in yet been awake long enough to be in desperate need of food and caffeine. We stopped for a latté along the way to hold me over on the long seven block walk to Beechwood Cafe and Market.

This adorable country-style, New American-esque restaurant serves typical brunch fare in addition to fantastic Southwestern favorites, like my Santa Fe Breakfast Burrito: fresh salsa, cheddar cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and scrambled eggs wrapped in a flour tortilla and spread green salsa. It was delicious and all was right in the world... except for the fact that my biggest accomplishment thus far was eating breakfast. 

So, we brainstormed our options while I also exercised my ability in being indecisively difficult. That is, until he suggested we hop in the car and drive south to a place that he knows well and I've never been. I like him.

Less than an hour later, we arrived at Princeton University.

This boy I was with graduated from his alma mater a few years before I did, and was amazed at the new buildings and ground renovations.

I was just thrilled to be on a college campus again. 

We spent hours wandering through the academic buildings, dorms, sport fields and eating clubs (or in my opinion, glorified ivy-versions of co-ed fraternities).

It was also, conveniently enough for wandering purposes, move in day... so although more crowded than usual, most buildings were open.

Princeton is beautiful, isn't it? The town itself is pretty cute too. After four hours of walking, we happily sat down at The Alchemist & Barrister. We enjoyed multiple beers and fried foods as a means to channeling our former college student statuses.

More specifically: Ithaca Apricot Wheats, Shipyard Brewery Pumpkin Heads, crispy calamari (italian peppers, capers, raisins, honey drizzle), a garden vegetable burger (feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, hummus, tzatziki sauce on a whole-wheat bun) for me, and an italian-style turkey burger (fresh mozzarella cheese, sautéed spinach, roasted red peppers, basil aioli) for him. 

The weekend was anything but a waste.

lunch break

If your office is anything like mine, the term "lunch break" has little meaning. I've never been told not to take 45 minutes to leave the building, take a walk, get fresh air, and eat elsewhere, but I often don't. Neither does Shayne. And so we usually dine at our desks, in front of our computers, and chew as we continue to work.

It's not so bad. I usually bring a soup or sandwich anyway (gotta save somehow), and there's almost always fresh fruit available, so there's really no "reason" to leave. Plus, stepping away from my desk while I'm in the middle of an assignment/project just feels a bit irresponsible.

For the most part, I even manage to pack lunch on mornings when I'm especially in a rush. This means an Amy's Burrito (I'm not the only one that loves 'em, am I?) and whatever sliced vegetables I have on hand.

But, I must admit I've become less and less responsible lately (once again: oh, summer and your fun) leading to... lunch breaks. Real ones. One afternoon I took an outing to Birdbath Bakery for a kale and pecorino salad and snack pizza.

On another, I ventured to Peace & Love Café for a simple yet delicious Maldives sandwich (goat cheese, avocado, tomato field greens, and aioli on a French baguette).

Oftentimes though, I just cross the street and brave the lines of men in suits for a very affordable mixed salad from Jin Market. This one contained mesclun greens, onions, cucumbers, garbanzos, avocado, brussels sprouts and celery.

Still, there are special occasions in which a stroll down to Whole Food's Market is called for. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh offerings at their salad and hot bar.

Oh, and, being that it's summer, we've had a few Fridays in which we've spent our entire workday outside of the office. My favorite of those sort was spent at Peacefood Cafe. A single coffee kept me company most of the day.

Once the clock struck two, however, I couldn't hold off my appetite any longer (it was an attempt to eat at home a.k.a. save money). I ordered a roasted japanese pumpkin sandwich (mashed and seasoned with a little sea salt, ground black pepper and extra virgin olive oil topped with caramelized onions, ground walnuts, vegan goat cheese and seasonal greens on toasted whole spelt rye bread) alongside jicama "fries." Why yes, it was as fabulous as it sounds.

Lunches likes those may be few and far between, and lunch breaks may be rare, but, at least I can count on the fact that my work day promptly ends at five. This means that I finish working before 99% of my friends, leaving just enough time to practice yoga before dinner plans or travel across town for a discounted happy hour. I like to take each evening at a time ;).

real, strong Syracuse

They took our letters off of the house this morning. (Moment of silence). 

Don't worry, I will explain. There are a lot of happenings on that beloved orange hill of mine that I've failed to mention. 

One being that my homecoming weekend in Syracuse was tainted by an unexpected and awkward run in with an ex. The other being that the governing national body of Alpha Chi Omega has recently taken away my sorority's charter. 

Let's ignore that first revelation and focus on the second. 

The Lambda chapter will no longer exist on Syracuse University's campus. Why? Well, lots of reasons, most for which the sisters that I know and love cannot be blamed. It's devastating, really. 

An overwhelming amount of alumni have reached out to Nationals to plead for a reconsideration. There is a certain loyalty at the core of sisterhood is there not? To support and take care of each other, even if those darkest moments. I most definitely believe so. But, instead, they just gave up. 

In a very public response letter (on Facebook no less, real sensitive) Marcia King Grady wrote, "And I'm angry and frustrated that a second chance was offered but wasn't taken--or taken seriously enough to encourage positive change." 

What she failed to mention, however, was the accusing way in which they entered our Lambda home, the hostility our honesty was met by, and the little guidance or care that they actually provided.

Now, fellow alumni and I are left with sore hearts and bitter tastes, whereas our sisters still on campus must now move forward with strength, dignity and letters. I doubt that many of the younger women realize the experience that was ruthlessly taken from them, yet somehow, their love for Lambda has kept them, us, together. 

I didn't want to "go greek," I've never been the quintessential "sorority girl," but the wonderfulness that was my collegiate experience can be due, in a large part, to a very special Lambda chapter. And it is for all of the above that I went to Syracuse this past weekend. I had so much fun with my best friends and made up for a tainted previous experience, and it's those memories that are timeless.

the city of murals (philadelphia, pa)

Why hello there! Hope my fellow Americans and all others had a wonderful (Labor Day) weekend. I cannot believe that I've only been in Philadelphia for a day and a half. Kinda really like it here :). And spending time with one of my best childhood friends, Lene, has a lot to do with it. Let's start from the beginning...

I arrived around two thirty on Sunday afternoon. Lene was coming back from visiting family at Ocean City so we met almost perfect timing at her apartment.

After catching up and resting up a bit, we decided to explore so that my new-to-Philly friend could introduce me to her new home. As far as neighborhoods go, Northern Liberties was our chosen destination.

Please don't hate me for what I am about to say: I despise tourists. I know, I know, I technically am one, and I will continue "to be one," but, eh. 

Although I'll admit there are a few things that the visitor within me is dying to see or do in certain places, I would much rather experience a city or town like a local and walk and wander and see what I find. 

Traveling can be so much more exciting and fun that way! I wrote about it on Go Backpacking a while back.

Anyway :) following a bout of boutique shopping browsing we paused on our camino real for a Mexican dinner.

Funny little detail: we were both... starving. So much so that we practically devoured our guac and chips appetizer. I think it was good ;).

Even so, my empty stomach could not fathom any other alcohol other than a filling and refreshing beer. Allagash White all the way, baby.

For my entrée, I ordered the Cactus & Sweet Potato Burrito (which came with a side of jicama slaw and radishes) with a side of Vegetarian Black Beans. 'Twas all amazing. For those of you that are unfamiliar, cactus has a soft but crunch texture and tastes similar to a tart green bean. It's pretty good for you too.

Kept me happily satisfied for the rest of the night as I walked some more and then met Lene's friends for a late night mojito.

Despite my restless (read: too excited) sleep, I awoke bright and early at daylight and took a walk around the neighborhood as Lene and her roommate got ready.

Following a friendly phone call, I met Lene at the Philadelphia Java Company for breakfast. Psh, Starbucks ;).

I had a delicious iced coffee with a toasted and buttered multigrain bagel. 

We may have also paired with a great deal of girl talk, it's just how we do.

Then we went on another stroll threw Center City.

I believe we stopped in each and every public garden along the way? I probably what can only be known as a flower problem. Ha.

We couldn't avoid some of the sites either. But with ones like the Curtis Center, the birthplace of Ladies Home Journal and other important mags, I didn't mind at all. I am a publishing nerd.

And what would a trip into historical Philadelphia be without Independence Park?

Just enough American history to satisfy me. By the way, was it just me or is the Liberty Bell much smaller than you thought?

Afterwards we went to one of the few open eateries nearby for underground sushi.

Mmm, my seaweed salad and avocado & cucumber roll were spectacular.

For the rest of the afternoon we went antique shopping and later, "napped" as we watched Invictus. Such an amazing movie and story! I had chills by the end. 

Have I mentioned that we were in the midst of making pizza during it as well?

Soy meatballs atop tomato sauce, goat cheese, and a whole wheat crust with salad. Absolutely delightful. Lene put cheddar cheese on her half as well. Yuck! ;)

 We followed it all with a trip to a Pennsylvania Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe.

Lene and I were super adventurous and got peanut butter and chocolate respectively :).

And we spent the rest of the night drinking wine on Market Street and later wandering through seemingly all the others.

All that time the lovely Julia had been joining us too. She grew up outside of Philly and it was so so great to see her! I love my friends.

Now that my breakfast is just about digested, it's time to hit the road again. Beforehand though, I just may stop in one last garden, a magical one, or so I hear. I'll add some pictures once I get to my next stop. North Carolina, here I come!