Can I Have the Cheque Please!
My first Substack! Rounding up the bill for 2023 and preparing for 2024<3
WELCOME TO Cheque Please! (pronounced ‘check’ please). A newsletter or blog of sorts that includes rambles of the latest kitchen products, wellness, food happenings, and of course my unsolicited opinion.
I started Cheque Please! because I wanted to have a little safe space to discuss my thoughts on the latest trends in the F&B industry, wellness “hacks” and my favorite dishes in blog format instead of a short-form video — LOL!
Since it is the start of the new year, let’s hit the ground running on some of my favorite food celebrities, podcasts, products and MEAALLLLSS <3
Foodies/Podcasts I’m Constantly Chequing Out:
Sue Chan — First off I'm OBSESSED with Sue Chan. As a fellow marketing and branding girly I adored her approach to Momofuku —rip the DC location— Sidenote: Momofuku was one of the things (and of course living in Korea) that got me interested in the marketing and the artistic side of the food industry, something I was completely unaware of entering college in 2016. If I did, I probably would’ve majored in marketing instead of language. Hindsight is always 20/20 right?
note to reader: Do you think the future of restaurant longevity is through providing a product, and experience????
The Taste Podcast — UGH I LOVE THE TASTE AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!! It’s where I stay current and where I hear about what other industry people are talking about— well not the ONLY thing — but I love opening myself to learning and podcasts are my go-to when I’m trying to juggle multiple things at once. If you have the time and are interested in the people behind some of your fav restaurant concepts or food products, give the Taste a listen~
Meals/Recipes:
Mi Vida by Roberto Santibañez, is all around DC with locations in the Wharf, 14th St, and Penn Quarter. I have to admit I’ve been there probably two or three times in 2023 because I loved it so much. The ambiance is dark, and sultry as a lot of DC restaurants are, but such a vibe whether you’re going with friends or on a date. I had the Enchiladas De Mole Negre, which consisted of Braised Brisket, Sesame Seeds, Cotija, and Crema……y’all my obsession with mole (pronounced mol-ay) in 2023 was UNREALLLLLL and Mi Vida helped fulfill my unreasonable obsession.
Caldo y Brisket Burritos
The Universe loves providing me with everything I want and need. That includes this yummy vegetable soup made with homemade beef broth. Using the meat from the beef shank, we created little burritos out of them. When I tell you my mouth is WATERING as I'm writing this…I love home-cooked meals and this has made its way to the top 5.
Honestly, meals that take all day to make always skyrocket to the top of my list.
New Year's Eve celebrations included seeing the Washington Wizards and devouring fancy Indian cuisine. Which is just what my boyfriend, friends, and I did! After the game, we headed to Rasika and that is where I probably met one of the loves of my life: Murgh Sailana Kebab. It was a chicken patty with cinnamon, clove, and green cardamom topped with pickled garnish. I suggest cutting the patty, drowning it in the green sauce, and topping it with a piece of pickled onion for the perfect bite.
Ya girl had the pleasure of going to the Hell’s Kitchen Wharf location accompanied by my lovely Grandmother. I tried the pan-seared salmon and felt like an idiot sandwich because why was this my FIRST TIME trying it??? Goodbye, air-fried and baked salmon because what the heck!!! The skin is crispy while the meat of the salmon is cooked to perfection…everything just melts in your mouth. If you’ve ever seen Ratatouille, the final scene where the food critic tries Remys’ food and is suddenly reverted to his childhood home where he’s eating his mothers’ food and has an overwhelming sense of comfort…yeah that’s not how I felt but it was damn near close. Of course had a cute little espresso martini to wash it all down, with tequila as the base (no vodka here)!
Let’s end this week’s newsletter off with the bill <3
Billing List (a.k.a. my special curated Wishlist for the kitchen) —
Scandinavian from Scratch A LOVE LETTER TO THE BAKING OF DENMARK, NORWAY, AND SWEDEN [A BAKING BOOK]
Let's keep the Scandinavian vibes going~
Via The Taste Article: A Decadent Cardamom Morning Bun Is Closer Than You Think
A Caviar Spoon — Yes, really! A girl can dream ;)
Goldilocks Cookware — Stainless steel cookware turns me on!! Makes me heelllllaaa hungry. Listen, I’m sure there are tons of brands that sell stainless steel, but I want mine to have 3 bears ready to raid my house! Of course, my product hoarding a** will plan to add pops of red and maybe olive green throughout my cookware collection. Let’s start with the basics first!~
To continue with the silver cookware saga, I’ve been loving Sophie Lou Jacobsen and Emma Silvestris:
Thanks for sharing space with me at my table. Until next time….Waiter? Can I have the check…I mean…Cheque Please! <3
Looks great!