#19 a little bit of food news.
A little behind from last week, I'll be sending this one today and the next edition (#20!) on the weekend to catch up!
Spring fever is in the air, and with the ever-shifting tides of the pandemic, I can feel it around me now more than any other year. I've written some thoughts down, but they needs a good edit. Essay to come in #21.
I've been focusing more on connecting with and supporting local food pop-ups. Here are a couple of spots that I've tried that you should check out in the 518 (or the 413 if you are looking for a day trip).
Bound by Fate Brewery, Schuylerville, NY: I had a chance to stop by the tail end of their Lao food pop-up with James Beard, Nominated Chef Seng Luangrath of @thipkhaodc@padaekdc@hanumanh_dc in Washington DC. Chef Seng, who is sister to co-owner Pam, rocked it, and she and the team had a sell-out weekend. My friend Ho-Kwan and I had a chance to try the abridged Lao menu and met Pam and connected on food, working in the beer industry, and more. She shared that they are working on developing a Lao menu for the restaurant moving forward. Excited to try more of their beers and sit out on their back patio!
chee-bog, Troy, NY: Chee-bog is a takeaway Philipino food pop-up that is offered twice a month and is open to 15 spots each Friday. The Adobo Pork, Lumpia, Garlic-Fried Rice, and Biko were delicious, with good portions and value. I am excited to snag another spot in the future!
I have yet to grab a spot at Clermont, a dine-in only pop-up out of Quang’s Bistro by @al_goldman_troy in partnership with Quang himself. It’s a 7 course tasting menu for $95 per person. That’s some fine dining prices, and people are loving it! They are constantly selling out and a taste of pre-pandemic formal dining out vibes that folks are missing so it’s definitely filling a need.
Bite-sized Berkshire Food News
Thistle & Mirth has reopened, and they have ramen.
Mezze Bistro brought back Burger Night, and that's pretty swell.
The Bistro Box is opening this Saturday, April 10.
Please tell me you know about Krispy Krunchy Chicken's location in Pittsfield.
What I'm reading/interested in.
I Pooped My Pants Camping in Iceland, So You Don't Have To - This is a hilarious read and a *cautionary* tale about eating butterfish, otherwise known as walu (also in Hawaii), snub snake mackerel, eschew escolar, oppose oilfish and spurn super white tuna. Oof.
Drinking While Essential – Dirty Spoon: "Over time, I've realized that my taste in wine is as shifting as my taste in a lot of things – men and how they treat me, living situations, cities, a whole life mantra in bottles."
Resetting the Table: Straight Talk About the Food We Grow and Eat: Thursday, April 8 - 6:45 -Robert Paarlberg, an adjunct professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and the author of Starved for Science, Food Politics, and The United States of Excess, offers a bold science-based response to misinformation about food production and organic, unprocessed foods.
Tune in next issue for more interviews and articles, and more! Feel free to connect via IG at StephanitaEats or email at thestephanita@gmail.com