Pho Tay Ho: Vietnamese-ing in Bensonhurst
- By Robyn Lee
- Feb 23, 2008
- Comments
If you ever find yourself going to Bensonhurst, which is—according to Google Maps—a narrow gridded rectangle tucked away in the southwest edge of Brooklyn, it's either because you live there or know someone who does. Although I have no quantitative evidence of this, the chances of anyone saying, "Hey, let's hang out in Bensonhurst this weekend even though we don't live there or no anyone who does!" is roughly 500,253.6 to one.
- Does it rhyme with "potato"?
So why did I meet up with eight friends—Diana, Alice, Allen, Tristan, Kathy, Jeremiah, Olia, and Ian—at Pho Tay Ho? Because Diana, Alice and Allen live in Bensonhurst. And because we were hungry. And because we like Vietnamese food. And because someone named Peter, who supposedly reads this blog but is probably luuurking (poke poke!), had recommended it to Diana after a random run-in at a Japanese restaurant in Park Slope. It's a small world after all. After Allen also gave the restaurant his thumbs up, I was set on stuffing myself with lots and lots of Vietnamese food, even if that involved trekking out to Bensonhurst on a Sunday morning from Northern New Jersey. (It's not the worst experience in the world, but considerably less fun than, say, rolling around in a mountain of pillows.)
- DIG IN
I didn't have much of a preference for what dishes to order besides that pork make an appearance at some point. Kathy probably made most of the decisions—she's trustworthy with that kind of thing, the "thing" being "choosing delicious food."
- Fried squid
Fried squid: Fried is definitely the best form of squid. This was great. ...I mean, it was fried; would you expect sub-greatness? Anytime is a good time for soft and crispy squid chunklets.
- Summer rolls
Summer rolls: They're similar to spring rolls in that they're rolled up things filled with stuff (in this case, chopped vegetables and some fat shrimps...and other things), but not at all like spring rolls because they've skipped the step of deep-frying. Translation: they're not as good as spring rolls. (I know they taste totally different, but the shape is similar enough...the shape!) Sure, they taste nice on their own, cool and refreshing for not being subjected to burninating temperatures, but when I look at it I think, "I'd prefer a spring roll for the cylindrical part of my meal."
- Spring rolls!
Spring rolls: Yay, spring rolls! The mini logs were fried to perfection—every bite caused the thin wrapper to shatter into crispy fat-soaked shards and expose...whatever was inside. Meats. Vegetables. Sorry, this meal happened a while ago. I shouldn't have to explain spring rolls to you anyway.
- Green mango salad
Green mango salad: Shredded green mango makes for a crisp and refreshing salad. But not like an apple. Like a green mango. Yup, that's all I've got. I don't think green mango has much flavor on its own, but soaks up whatever it's dressed in.
- Beef soup
Beef soup with a baguette: I'm totally forgetting what this food tasted like. Please don't hate me. So...um, this soup. It wasn't too thick, nor thin. It contained beef. And various vegetables. If I had to guess, I'd say that it probably tasted like a mix of beef and various vegetables. The bread was supposed to replace your spoon and act as a soup sponge, but I ended up just eating it with a spoon.
- Pork something
Grilled pork something or other: By now you may have figured out that I didn't take notes and that I was unable to find a menu online. I need to stop assuming that the Internet has documented everything in the world, including every menu I may ever need to refer to. This is generally true for restaurants in Manhattan, but outside, less so. On that note, grilled Vietnamese pork (in this case atop "tiny rice sticks"—flat cakes of broken rice noodles—topped with crushed peanuts) can do no wrong. It's more sweet than salty, tender and full of swinely juices. A meat at a Vietnamese restaurant isn't really complete for me unless there's some form of pork.
- Pancake thing
Fried bean flour pancake filled with mung bean sprouts and other various goodies: Lacking the real name of this dish, I could've named it "my favorite dish of the meal" (yes, even beating out the beloved pork) instead, but I didn't think that'd be very descriptive. The pancake was alarmingly crisp with a medium weight to it—not too light, nor heavy. The pancake encapsulated all the goodness of fried and tasted deceptively healthy with its belly of raw mung bean sprouts.
- That soup, and that fish
Canh chua tom (sweet and sour soup) and ca kho to (caramelized fish): The only reason I can remember these dishes is because I had eaten them during my last Vietnamese meal with Kathy. Pho Tay Ho's version of the soup wasn't as sour as the other, for better or worse. I don't think the fish was as caramelized either. This doesn't mean they weren't still tasty.
- Plates, and...humans? Wut? Oh yes. You cannot resist the power of Allen's glasses.
By this point in the meal my stomach was probably doing a funny gurgling dance denoting over-fullness and the inability to fairly rate anything due to the feeling like something inside me would burst. We had so many dishes that our food had spread out to two nearby tables. Like the plague descending upon a hapless village.
- Beefies
Beef of some sort, bo luc lac, maybe?: This might be the shaken beef I had during my last Vietnamese meal. ...Or not.
I like having vague descriptions. I can't really get anything wrong since I already admit to not keeping track of what anything was. Haha. That's a whole bucket of fail right there.
- Cado shake
Avocado shake: If I were to recommend Pho Tay Ho just based on their avocado shake, I'd say GO RIGHT NOW. Thick, creamy, sweet, with a hint of fatty avocado goodness. Avocado is so perfect for shakes—it's a shame the flavor isn't more conventional.
- Do not want.
Durian shake + unhappy Jeremiah: We passed a cup of durian shake around the table like a joint. Only the most minute volume of the notoriously smelly fruit-based drink was necessary to appease each person's curiosity. Jeremiah displayed the most disgust towards the shake—with every sip (all one of them) his face scrunched up with repulsion, or about the same facial expression I make when I drink wine/hard alcohol/coffee/Tylenol Cold medicine. I didn't think the durian shake was that offensive, although I would've enjoyed it a lot more if I had a penchant for liquids that taste like an infusion of garlic and onion.
- Done!
Shitloads of food for $17 per person? Now that's satisfaction.
- Villabate
We headed over to Villabate for a sweet Italian finish to the meal. Unfortunately, I have yet to feel the love for Italian pastries. (I'm all about the gelato, baby.) I don't mean to say that it's Villabate in particular that I'm neutral about; it's all Italian bakeries. (If you're Italian, please don't hate me. I said I love gelato! And...you know, most other Italian foods.) Their cases piled high with cookies and brightly colored cakes fail to kick my salivary glands into drooling mode. Why? ...I...I don't know. It's all flour, butter, and sugar, right? Among other things. Was I just too full? When will I get my life-changing Italian pastry eating experience?
- Cakes
Alice and Kathy bought these little individual cakes: something orange and creamy, and something green and marzipan-y. Kathy said her cake was too sweet. Those are some rare words, I tell you.
- Allen eats!
Allen had bought a tiramisu for his sister (and a cannoli for himself that he scarfed down in record time), unless he ended up eating it on the way home. I have nothing against tiramisu, but I can't say I love it. That probably has something to do with the coffee-alcohol combination, two things that have yet to cross over into the "Foods Robyn Can Consume With Enthusiastic Joy" list. Now, take out the coffee and alcohol and I'd be all for it. But then that's not really tiramusu, just ladyfingers and fluffy mascarpone. Which would be so awesome.
- HAW!
Diana gave me a pack of haw flakes from the Asian supermarket across the street. My first thought was, "What do I do with this?" It's probably a clear sign of my insufficient Chinese upbringing that I had never eaten haw flakes before. I had only heard of them in passing...these mystical flakes of haw beloved by Chinese (and other) people everywhere. When I realized it was edible, I ate it. Or tried to. After getting my first crumbly taste of the compressed fruit wafers, I think I'd only eat them if I were really, really hungry. Its ability to appease one's hunger is questionable considering that each wafer is 1 millimeter thick (easier to eat them in chunks), but it must have some caloric value.
- Olia haz a cookie!
I'll end with a cute picture of Olia munching on a cookie. Just because.
Comments
Hi Robyn, love love love your site! Okay, two things:
1). Holy shizznitcrapsauce! $17 for all that food??? @_@ I am dying with envy right now!
2). Haw flakes! Durian shake! Avocado shake! I want all of themmmm!
...I guess that was more than two things...
Jesse: HOLY SHIZZ, thanks for pointing out that I forgot to include the magic words, "per person"! $17 for all that food would've been amazing. Maybe in...Vietnam? Nah, probably not. Anyhoo, $17 per person is still pretty awesome. :)
Mm, a meal of haw flakes, durian shakes and avocado shakes...
That's two things because you numbered them 1 and 2. Wee!
AND NOW I GO TO BED, BRAIN NO WORKIE AT 2 AM.
NYYYYAAAAM!
Now that was delicious and now I wants it! o_O
Also you might ask why am I commenting on your blog at 5am on SATURDAY MORNING -- well obviously I knew you posted at 2am so I had to wake up and read it! (or as Jeremiah puts it, it's because I fell asleep at 9pm ::weep::)
So now not only am I awake at totally unexceptable time I'm also craving Vietnamese food! KTHX!!!
ps zomg brightons w00t, wonder if we can keep it around $17 there? or not buy the whole stock of famous carrot cake? (::kathy poke::) *________*
herrrm? Is $17 considered affordable? XD...I feel ripped off when I spend $8 at the local Vietnamese joint.
Once I saw a cake made like a poodle with greasy buttercream hair at an Italian bakery. It was kinda horrible and I did not want to eat it.
I love summer rolls... but I don't like the one with vermicelli and shrimp. I like the ones with deep fried ham and vegetables (have you tried them?) and of course dipped in some kind of sweet sauce with monosodium glutamate. If you love avocado shakes you should scrape some avocados put milk or half and half or liquid creamer (if you dare), crushed ice and sweeten it with sugar or condensed milk... but your probably just too lazy to make one... washing, scraping, crushing, pouring, mixing... too many applications brain crashes... I don't like italian pastries too.. they taste like sugar and air and leaves you feeling nothing except confusion... I love your blog.. maybe I should make you a wikipedia entry...haha you are Hilarious.
I believe that dish you called "fried bean flour pancake" goes by the vietnamesey name of banh xeo. There's normally shrimp with it and when wrapped inside a lettuce leaf and dipped in nuoc cham, it's one of the best things ever.
I love Vietnamese food. $17 per person for all that food. Damn, I got to move to NYC soon. It will cost more in Boston even if you go to the cheaper Vietnamese joints in Chinatown. Haw flakes, that bring back some childhood memories. Granny used to give us that in lieu of choc chips cookies. Something about us being Chinese and all and her belief that choc is not good for us. Absolutely in love with durian shake.
I just woke up not feeling so fresh after a late night out, checked my email and read this post.
The food looks so good, even my stomach is drooling, and that's no pretty picture.
Now I'm going to ditch out on my former lunch plans, call up my also-likely hungover cousin and stuff my face. If not with Vietnamese food, then with dim sum. I also plan on using you as an excuse as to why I ditched out!
Olia: WHO GOES TO BED AT 9PM!?
..I..I DON'T FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU AT ALL!
*_* ^_^
Joanne: I think $17 for trying 10 dishes (there was another one I didn't take a photo of) plus a drink for everyone including tax and tip is quite good! But if i were just getting a bowl of noodles or something then..uh yeah, too much. Hehe.
Poodle cake...fail.
Trish: Wait, deep fried with ham and veg? What the...I've never seen that. But I want it now. Wah!
I am generally too lazy to make a cado shake, but it must be easier than making cookies or macarons or ice cream or pie (things I would be pulling to put the effort into). I have a blender; I ought to use it!
If I end up on wikipedia, then the end of the world is near.
Yen: Thanks for the name! I don't remember for sure if there was shrimp, but...probably was. That would make it more substantial. SOOO GOOD.
Reese: NOOO I LOVE THE CHOCOLATE! Chocolate isn't very Asian though, that's for sure. My mum was obsessed with chocolate for a while and we'd share everything she got, hehe. ...probably not very healthy.
Jen!: Vietnamese versus dim sum...I could go for either. And yes, blame it on the boppy, I SEE HOW IT IS.
You went to Pho Tay Ho!! I live five blocks away and have been trying to convince my coworkers to take a trip out for ages now. Hopefully if I show them this food porn, they'll get their asses in gear. Yum yum yum....
Now I understand the love for avocado shakes after tasting a slightly different variation of it last night at Merkato 55. Ariel and I shared this (somewhat) for dessert it started with a white, creamy blob of coconut and then our server poured out the viscous, light green goo of 'cado. To sum it up, it's one tasty shake and now I know what I'm missing out...
I enjoy your blog, and your enthusiasm, so please take this in the manner it's intended. I am no prude, believe me. Crass language spills out of my mouth on a daily basis, a habit I have tried to curtail. You are a good writer, but your frequent use of such language simply detracts from your posts. Do you think it's cool? It's rather low class and reflects the writing of someone who is somewhat immature. you obviously have talent that you should listen to and not take the easy, cheap way out.
Kat: Smack some sense into those co-workers! ;) I hope my photos work!
Tina: Uh, THAT DESSERT SOUNDS AWESOME! I want it.
Rooney: Thanks for reading my blog! I'm flattered that you think I'm a good writer. I'm trying to think of the best way to reply your comment without coming off badly, but...well...I'm not sure, so this may be kind of long. (This is also my 1:30AM brain at work. Oh noes.)
You don't know a whole lot about me. And that's okay! I can't expect you to. So I'm going to fill you in:
1) Nothing I do is cool. I was born uncool, have been uncool my whole life, and I certainly do not swear to be cool. (I mean, whether or not I'm cool depends on one's definition of cool. In a conventional sense I'm quite uncool. I don't try to be cool, I just act myself. Or rather, the last time i distinctly recall trying to act "cool" was in 6th grade, not that that worked or anything. I gave up after that.)
2) I don't swear in real life much ("swear" being anything that would be beeped out on public television). Certainly not even on a daily basis, possibly not even on a weekly basis. I'm more comfortable swearing around really good friends, but I mean...REALLY good, close friends, probably less than a handful, and this is mostly with the purpose of emphasizing something in a stupid way. What goes on in my head is another matter though...
3) This blog is what goes on in my head. Maybe I swear a lot in my head because I rarely do it out loud (it's much easier to do in silence) and...er, I'm the only judge of my character when I do it in my head, but this blog is a reflection of...what goes on in my head. If I swear in my head, I write it out. I guess I'm also comfortable because I feel like I'm talking to friends when I write in this blog. This blog isn't really representative of what I say in real life to people I'm unfamiliar with or else it would be...well, it would suck and have a lot of "likes" in it. And maybe some wheezing.
4) I'm actually very immature, so if that's the image that comes across, that's about right! Even though I don't swear in real life my immaturity comes out in other ways, mostly by making funny noises and sound effects.
I don't feel like I should have to justify myself on my own blog; the stuff I write here isn't anywhere near professional or anything I would republish in a professional publication. For example, when I write for Serious Eats I definitely change my tone...a bit. It takes a lot more effort though. This blog is representative of my semi-rambling thoughts, that is, I put thought into them, but not crazily because this blog is...for fun.
I'm not sure what else to say. If you want to see even more rambling thoughts, you could read my livejournal (um, I don't suggest it, which is why I'm not easily linking to it, har har), which is full of grammatical errors and random swear words and run on sentences and etc. This blog is what I would consider...hm, somewhere in between my livejournal and Serious Eats. It's a mix of serious and rambly thoughts. It's in no way meant to be even semi-professional or an example of my writing at its best; there's no way for me to do that when I'm cranking out an entry at 2AM. And even a horrible, rambling entry (this kind of fits in that category) can take me a few days to write. My slowness is alarming.
That was probably too long, but it was interesting for me to write out. I edited it a few times and came to the conclusion that the reason I swear sometimes in my blog is because I'm comfortable doing so. This is strangely significant to me. And it's not something I intend to change. :\
I don't think you're immature, Robyn. I think that your just a very jolly person... you remind me of Santa Claus!(haha) He's a glutton! Imagine if he eats all the cookies in all the houses he drops by at! That's why he has an ernormous stomach! I actually read this blog because it amuses me and gets me out of my depression (from lack of food maybe..) Yeah I know, we like you because your original and your creative and most of all.. hilarious. I mean you don't order us to read your blog like "Read my blog or I'll poke you with a fork to death" I DON'T THINK YOUR BORING, I THINK YOU'RE AMUSING! If I think you're boring I wouldn't waste my time reading and commenting on your blog... Just keep eating and amusing and more power!
I would really enjoy the durian shake! I used to have lots of durian shakes and even durian pancakes and ice cream, but it's fattening as it goes well with creamy things and has a super high sugar content.
It's an acquired taste of course.
once again, the pictures make me drool although i'm not a big fan of vietnamese food.
i think you just say what's in your head and spills out onto your blog, which makes it fun and easy to read.
i didn't realize there was high class and low class writing.
i just thought high class writing was just refined thoughts and edited versions of whatever "low class" writing is.
I went through all the current posts on the front page, and while this one doesn't have any noticeable swears, I guess you could make a case that some of your other posts do, but never in a gratuitous way, and usually just to illustrate a more natural reaction. For example, when you wrote "They stuff the crap out of that fluffy pita, shoving in a seemingly endless number of falafels among chopped cabbage, Israeli salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley in a lemon mint dressing), hummus, and Tahini (sesame seed) sauce" - sure, you could've rephrased the first few words into something like "They really stuffed that fluffy pita," but when you use "the crap out of", that's a more personalized articulation of your reaction. And for a personal blog about food, that you eat, personally, such a personal tone is super fine. (Howzat for blog swear analysis?)
On a more relevant-to-the-post note, I used to LOVE haw flakes when I was a kid. And now I don't. I'm pretty sure it's one of those things that people are conditioned to like in a sort of nostalgic way and not really in a "this tastes great!" kind of way.
basically, robyn, fuck the haters!
i agree with arobotar
those who don't like your writing can avert their eyes or hop onto another website
glad you will not be censored...i am a long-term lurker and love your posts...your casual tone and erm, interesting vocab personalize your posts...long story short, i love your site, just too bad i'm on the other side of the world, would love to try some of the fab eats you write about!
Hi Robyn,
Please continue to write the way you want to write - it's your blog, after all. Your writing is entertaining and informative - makes me wish I were back in New York.
susan
Trish: You know what they say...I am the female asian santa!
I WILL POKE (omg I initially wrote "pork") YOU TO DEATH WITH MY JOLLY FORK IF YOU DON'T READ MY BLOG...what a great idea!
Laynie: I'm still in the "acquiring" stage. ;) I'm much more likely to enjoy a durian shake than a beer though. I'm only comparing them because in response to Jeremiah's disgust by the durian's smell/taste I told him, "Now you know how I feel around alcohol!"
Claudia: I'm glad you enjoy the brain spill-age!
Fannio: I HAZ AN ANALYSIS! :D Thanks! THANKS A CRAPLOAD!
The haw love dissipated? Aw. Tristan told me he likes it because of the texture. I'm not opposed to the texture, but I don't love it either. Wah.
Tristan: The voice of reason speaks!
Jess: No more lurking allowed for you! Bwaha! Thanks for reading even if my food is half a world away from you!
Susan: Thanks! And I wish I could visit HK! .__.
ZOMG. Vietnamese food. You just inspired tomorrows lunch!
And whats the deal with the bad language? I see none. NONE. Though being young I may just be desensitized to it by now. I don't think a sentence is complete with a 'fuck' or 'bitch' thrown in somewhere ^^
I never remember food names for ethnic dishes, either, unless I eat it a lot ... and I mean a LOT. It's like people. I don't remember their names unless I see them a LOT.
You don't like cannoli?
I've never had haw flakes, but I know some in real life ...
As a humble, yet professional, copy editor and wordsmith (who doesn't edit her own writing), I like your language. Like you said, it's comfortable and approachable and it makes sense in context. Maybe you should swear more--it works for Anthony Bourdain. ;)
Ah I live in Bensonhurst! lols Theres quite a few Viet places to eat at around there but the main cuisine there is probably pizza lols. There's practically one on every block!
That bakery is like 6 blocks from me! -=D
In my experience, ALL of the Vietnamese shakes are fabulicious. The avocado is, of course, a smooth pillar of wonder but I am partial to the durian. If one has extra-sensitive taste buds, there are many dimensions beyond the garlic-onion so oft-quoted. And the soursop shake is tasty, too. And after a hot bowl of pho, nothing soothes like a Vietnamese shake. Grrr, baby!
Oh yah--durian milkshakes--not so good. I had one the last time I went to Seattle, and the more I sipped, the less I liked it. =(
Also again: LiveJournal!!!
Haw flakes rule!!! OMG, I used to scarf those down like there was no tomorrow. I like that tangy sweet taste but kinda disliked how they melted onto my teeth. Supposedly good for digestion (according to family).
And banh xeo is SO freaking awesomely awesome! The crispy crust, the fillings, wrapping it in lettuce and dipping into nuoc cham - it's a textural and flavor explosion like other Vietnamese dishes. I'm a tad obsessed with them and on a mini-quest in the Bay Area to find banh xeo. My mom's friend made some for us last Friday but by the time we ate it, it was sad and flaccid. Sadness.
And keep on keepin' on. I forget how I found your blog (poofy t-shirts maybe?) but it's your blog and you can write however the way you feel. Shoot, your writing here sometimes reminds me of my own thought train which is kinda sorta scary.
Tahlia: Some of my other friends also said, "We looked around for swears...and couldn't find em!" Haha. They're hidden as code. ;)
Julie: Yeah, I'd only remember the name of some Chinese dishes I've eaten over and over, and even then I can't remember the words for all the different kinds of noodles. :( I SUCK!
Nope, not a big cannoli fan. It's possible I haven't had a really good one, but I think it's just missing something for me. I did have a very nice one in Milan, but the tube...needed something. More sugar? I like the filling, perhaps in a different receptacle.
Oh I can't pull an Anthony yet. NEED MORE FAME.
LIVEJOURNAL! AKA THE GARBAGE DUMP OF MY THOUGHTS!
wonders: Oo, you live out there? Interesting...I'll have to let you know if I have another Bensonhurst fooding expedition. ;)
Jx: It's 'cado for me all the way. And it's true, durian has many layers of flavors. ....Yeah...I won't describe them, hehe.
Manda: I feel like Chinese people do eat a lot of things that are supposed to be good for digestion. IS THAT WHY'RE THEY'RE SKINNY? Bastards.
Argrh I want me some more banh xeo! TEXTURAL EXPLOSION, yes!! I think I've had the flaccid kind before. I didn't know at the time that the dish had the potential to be so awesome.
I'm not sure whether to be glad or somewhat scared that my thoughts are shared by many. ;) A little bit of both...
$17 is not bad for Vietnamese food. I ended up paying over $30 for two bahn mi, this Sunday. I figured it would take me only ten minutes to get'em so I didn't pay for parking. I knew this was a mistake when I saw a parking cop walking by me on my way back to the car. Sometimes, I am stupid. For deliciousity.
re: "I'm actually very immature, ..."
Maturity can be over-rated. We all need to remember our lost youth. [whimper]
Robyn, ... YOU NURTURE THE INNER CHILD IN ALL OF US! The inner chubby one. ;)
oh my god. i could eat vietnamese food everyday for the rest of my life. that looks amazing
Harry: Oh no, parking ticket! BOO CARS! ...I mean, they're useful, but parking tickets = boo!
I am totally the inner chubby child!!
Emma: Me too! If only I lived in...Vietnam...
Oh wow, every time I come to your blog you go to the places I've been to! I love Pho Tay Ho! I use to go there quite frequently whenever there are gatherings or I'm around the neighborhood. I've never had the beef soup with a baguette, but I did have the curry chicken with a baguette (I think this is usually on the appetizers section). It is very good, in my opinion so give it a try if you ever go there again. And I usually order a noodles dish as I go there around lunch time. The grilled pork or the spring rolls over noodles is quite good, so I recommend those too.
I live around in an Italian neighborhood but never tried their pastries even though there are a lot around the 18TH Avenue area, but will give Villabate a try.
Can't wait till to read where you will be venturing off next time! :)
Selven: If I were there with less people I'd probably go for a noodle dish and eat it all by myself. :D Maybe another time!
OMG I love Vietnamese grilled pork so much.
This is my first comment, but I've been a fangirl (meant in the most non-spooky way possible) of this blog for a while and now it must be known. The number of out=loud gigglin's induced by your blog are countless. I LOVE your writing style. I'm sure you wouldn't change it just because of the bit of criticism from the comment above, and that is awesome. Even your accounts of bland food are interesting! WHATTHEHELLYOUROCK.
Your dislike of tiramisu utterly baffles me, but you are still one pimpin' foodie.
Just out of random curiosity =) Would you happen to be a fan of Jhonen Vasquez?
Terrormisu: YAY I HAVE A FANGIRL! :D Thank you for revealing yourself! I made you LOL.
If only tiramisu weren't meant to have coffee and alcohol...sniff.
Am I a fan of Jhonen Vasquez? AM I?! HEHEHE...
..yes. Heh. He's a genius. I strive to be as awesome as he is, if I may call that a goal in life. I started with JTHM but Squee is my favorite. And Filler Bunny!
I can do without the alcohal in tiramisu (though I admit for whatever reason I tend to like the versions that include it a bit more than the rest...I AIN'T NO GOD I SWEAR TO DRUNKARD [seriously, I don't drink {aren't parenthesis neat?]]) But coffee...coffee is my soul-nectar. The creamy, cakey, sugary, caffienifiedness make me happy.
But you are more than forgiven for your startling distaste for it. =) You DID make this kickass blog, after all.
I suspected Jhonen-fandom. =) His works tend to leave an impression on people. Which is kind of spooky, considering he writes about homicidal maniacs. I think he's awesome too..."I Feel Sick" is probably tied as my favorite with JTHM.
Oh robyn, never change! no matter if you cuss your heart out. we still luv you!
Haw flakes, now there's something that takes me back. Used to eat them, and in a catholic school, we'd pretend they were communion wafers lol. Much tastier than real communion wafers. The ones you tried look a bit ... anemic. But my childhood ones may have been soaked in red food coloring, I don't know.
Terrormisu: I know many people who's soul-nectar is coffee. ADDICTIONNN. HAHA..nah that's okay.
Yes, Jhonen leaves an impression. All that blood and gore!
Mila: Mine have red food coloring too! -__-
I love Pho Tay Ho! I go there at least twice or three times a month. Too bad you didn't order the Bun Rieu. It's not found in the menu, it's one of the dishes written on the wall. It's a must! I have the menu up on my blog! http://eatmeouttahere.blogspot.com/2008/06/vietnamese-all-around-boroughs-brooklyn.html