royal china – an oasis in atlanta’s chinese food desert

Since Dinho (and its lackluster sequel, Frank Ma South) have both gone the way of the dragon, there’s been a serious void in my Chinese dining excursions of late. I’ve had to rely on more cookie-cutter Chinese restaurants in the Atlanta area, since there are no authentic, casual Chinese restaurants to speak of anywhere near my ‘hood. The ones that are close by generally get referred to by me as ‘gravy chino’ – due to their tendency to smother almost every dish on the menu in a ubiquitous brown gravy.

Thankfully, it seems like I’ve been delivered from the barren desert of order-by-number Chinese food establishments by one Royal China near Doraville. Since my first visit a few weeks ago, I’ve become a loyal fan… I’m already averaging a once a week Royal China habit. But I don’t give my affections easily, so you can be sure that there are really some solid reasons for my instant fanaticism, namely:

The diners are almost all Chinese
Every time I’ve visited, I think we were the only table in the place where there wasn’t a single Asian person present. The best way to tell if you’re getting good ethnic food is to see if your fellow diners look like they might have grown up on the stuff.

The Lobster and Mussels Specials
Two dishes that seem to be regulars on Royal China specials board could easily be called their signature offerings. The first is mussels in black bean sauce. For an appetizer, it’s a surprisingly large serving of plump mussels bathed in a luscious, slightly briny black bean sauce (no not those black beans, these black beans). The other special, 2 whole lobsters covered in either a ginger scallion sauce or some other sauce (I can’t remember since I’m so hooked on the ginger scallion), is an amazing deal at $18. The lobsters come chopped into manageable bite-sized pieces with the shell still on, so you still get the rewarding tactile experience of wrestling sweet lobster meat from its confines.

Dim Sum
Royal China offers dim sum every day from 10am – 3pm. For those who aren’t familiar, dim sum is the Chinese equivalent of tapas. But instead of ordering from a menu, a variety of small plates – dumplings, pot stickers, rice dishes, and more exotic selections like chicken feet – are wheeled around on carts. You simply point and choose which tasty temptations interest you. A heads-up: the one time I did go for dim sum, I found there were a lot of shrimp items offered, which is fine by me, but might limit your options if you’re not a shellfish fan.

5% Cash Discount
Holster the plastic and bring out the greenbacks and you can save a few bucks. And as we all know, savings make the perfect dessert for any meal.
While Royal China is a bit of a drive for those of us who tend to get stuck eating intown only, I’d happily drive past all the gravy oases in Atlanta to quench my thirst for authentic Chinese.
cheers,
k

Royal China Restaurant
3295 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
770.216.9933

drink for a good cause – 2 reasons to raise your glass

I say, if you must drink, drink for a good cause.

Examples of good causes include:

• ’cause it’s Wednesday
• ’cause I feel like it, and
• ’cause somebody else is buying

But if you’re searching for an even better cause to drink for, there are a couple of great ones happening this week.

Cause #1: Celebrity Cocktail Nights at Park 75 Lounge

This Thursday, the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta continues its weekly Celebrity Cocktail Nights. Every Thursday through June 24th, Park 75 Lounge at the Four Seasons will feature a different local celebrity bartender serving up his/her favorite cocktail recipe for attendees. This week’s celebrity drink peddler is Vern Yip – the charming and talented host of HGTV shows like Design Star and Deserving Design.

Why it’s a Good Cause: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Ulman Cancer Fund, which provides specialized support for young adults affected by cancer.

Cocktails are $10 each, and complimentary valet is available. Event goes from 6-9pm.

 

Cause #2: Atlanta Classics Bar Tour in Virginia Highlands
On Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 1- 6pm, experience drinks and food at some of the most historic bars and restaurants in Atlanta. $10 (advance price) covers your admission, a Classic Bar Tour mug, a t-shirt and discounted drinks at the participating pubs. Featured bars include: Atkins Park Tavern, George’s Restaurant and Bar, Limerick Junction Irish Pub, Manuel’s Tavern and Moe’s & Joe’s Tavern. Participating bars will also offer food specials at 1960s prices. Groovy!

Why it’s a Good Cause: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Check out www.atlantaclassicsbartour.com for tickets and more info.

purpose-driven cheers,

k

copycat recipe – tangerine basil mojito inspired by king of pops

Popsicles are for kids, right?

Wrong.

Once you’ve tasted the tantalizing frozen treats from Atlanta popsicle purveyor, King of Pops, you might find yourself elbowing little kids in the forehead to get to them before they do.

King of Pops (a member of Atlanta’s growing street food vendor community) offers gourmet popsicles that feature unique pairings of fresh ingredients like pineapple and ginger, grapefruit and mint, and lime with fresh squeezed cane juice.

On a recent visit to the Irwin Street Market, the beau and I sampled King of Pops tangerine basil offering. I can honestly say that I’ve never had a popsicle that tasted soooo good! The popsicle had little pieces of tangerine pulp and whole-leaf basil throughout – a very refreshing combo for a hot day. On the beau’s suggestion that flavors in the popsicle “might make a tasty beverage as well,” I decided to test out a cocktail recipe with tangerine and basil that’s a lot like the recipe for a traditional mojito.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to fight the kids over this one – it’s strictly for the grown ups.

Ingredients / Supplies (for 1 tangerine-basil mojito)

1 small tangerine or 1/2 large tangerine

3-4 fresh basil leaves

2 tsp granulated sugar (raw sugar is best, you might also sub agave, if that’s your thing)

white rum (preferably Cachaca – Brazilian rum)

crushed ice

highball glass

muddler or pestle

How to make the tangerine-basil mojito:

Cut the tangerine into small wedges and place in glass. Roll basil leaves together and slice into thin strips. Add the basil to the glass. Add sugar to glass and muddle all ingredients together with pestle or muddler. The goal is to extract as much juice from the tangerine as you can while dissolving most or all of the sugar. Fill the glass with crushed ice. Pour in rum until glass is approximately 3/4 full. Vary the strength of the drink by using more tangerine and sugar and / or less rum to your tastes.

Of course, if you absolutely must share this beverage with the little ankle-biters, just substitute the cachaca with ‘fizzy lifting drink’ – aka, sparkling water or club soda.

cheers,

k

i’m listening to: DJ Kut Presents the GangStarr Foundation Mixtape

As most of you already know, Guru (born Keith Elam, aka, Gifted Universal Rhymes Unlimited) passed away after battling cardiac arrest, a coma, and ultimately succumbing to cancer on April 19.

Since hearing the news, I’d been scouring the interwebs for a respectable collection of Guru’s music to reflect on the talents and musical legacy of one of hip-hop’s pioneers. All of my Guru / Gangstarr collection is on cassette tapes that I’ve had since the early ’90s, so that really wasn’t any help to me.

Thankfully, I came across DJ Kut Presents Gangstarr – The Foundation Mix late last week. The mix is cleverly divided in to 5 parts: ‘the cement’, ‘the water’, ‘the sand’, ‘the dirt’, and ‘the gravel’ (get it? a foundation mix), each of which covers a set of timeless hits from Guru and that god-sent collabo known as Gangstarr – the group consisting of Guru and DJ Premier.

I can definitely tell that DJ Kut was excited about this particular mix – there’s quite a bit of yelling throughout. But once you get past that, I think you’ll agree that this is a solid collection of Guru and Gangstarr hits that will have you going back in time and reminiscing on when hip hop was… well, in its foundation stages.

Thanks to Twitter fam @fuseboxradio for sharing the link to the mixtape. Get yours: http://www.mixtapetorrent.com/dj-kut-gangstarr-the-foundation-mix 

rest in power,

k

20 things mama used to (and still does) say

I was listening to WABE the other day and the announcer asked for listeners to call in and share things that their mother always said that they still remembered. I didn’t get a chance to call in and share my memories, but in honor of Mother’s Day, I thought I’d share them with you, Dear Reader.

Here goes…

1. It’s better to have and not need than to need and not have.

2. There is a difference between being a woman and being a lady.

3. Always be observant.

4. Your beauty may open a door, but your brain will keep it open for you.

5. The streets will always be there.

6. If you ever feel you want to try drugs or alcohol, come to me first. (yeah, my mom’s progressive as hell!)

7. Bedtime is at 9:30 pm. (progressive, yet ridiculously strict!)

8. Always take 2 quarters with you, so you can use the pay phone if he acts up on the date. (obviously before cell phones!)

9. Never go for the HMO option.

10. Real ladies keep their shoes on all night (for those of y’all who like to wear those heels you can’t walk in).

11. As long as you live under my roof, you will do what I say.

12. Never say, “I don’t know” when I ask why you did something. Say, “Because I wanted to“. You should always know why you did something.

13. Y’all called me up to the school for THIS? (when I got in trouble for saying the word ‘penis’ on camera in high school)

14. Don’t be the one who is influenced. Be the one who influences.

15. People didn’t expect much from you because I was a single parent. Just shows you that you shouldn’t worry about what people expect.

16. I got you this far. I’m done raising you. The rest is up to you.

17. I guess I have to cut the apron strings at some point.

18. Alright, queen. don’t forget I am yo’ mama! (said when we ‘argue’)

19. Aren’t you lucky to have such a beautiful muuuther!? (I am, by the way)

20. You know I always got your back. (and I got yours, mama!)

What are some things your mother used to (or still does) say?

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. We hear you, even when we’re not listening .

cheers,

k