So I really really have problems with lunch. They are as follows:

1. We usually eat our leftovers for dinner the next day.
2. If there is food I can take for lunch, I invariably leave it on the counter when I leave for work.
3. Sometimes I will find something I like, such as the Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup, and I will eat it every day for weeks until I can't stand the thought of eating it ever again, plus my office smells like lemongrass to the extent that I need to buy air freshener.
4. I try to avoid non-organic meat and stuff that has tons of preservatives or ingredients I can't pronounce.
5. The 'hippie' frozen entrees tend to be both incredibly expensive and ridiculously small (8 oz.), which makes me not want to buy a bunch and see if they're palatable.
6. I refuse to buy anything from Seeds of Change, based solely on the hideous advertising campaign they ran when the brand first debuted. (Yes, it was over 7 years ago. So what?)

However, I have learned this morning that salvation might be at hand.

HeatEatReview is a blog that reviews prepackaged meals and includes information about the ingredients and health info. I am poised for a better life. As soon as I have time at work I am going to bop off to whole foods and pick up some of the highest-rated items. I'll report back.

In the meantime I have leftover pot roast, mashed potatoes, and roasted green beans for lunch today. Thank goodness.

Otis and I, along with our friends Seth and Jenner who were visiting from New Haven, had the honor to attend the 'Deathmatch Japanese' dinner party on Sunday, hosted by my old friend Jon Dietz and his roommate Joe. 15 courses of incomparably delicious Japanese food was served, prepared by some of the best chefs and cooks in Portland...we also got to sample an exhaustive list of sake.

Seth and Jenner needed to drive back to New Haven early on Monday, so we didn't make it to the fifteenth course, but every single dish in #s 1-11 that we tasted were phenomenal. I honestly don't know if I've ever had a better meal.

My personal favorites were the following (although I really don't want to seem like I am criticizing any one else's food, which as I said was amazing):

Shabu-shabu prepared by Erik from the former Restaurant Bandol and forthcoming Evangeline, which featured shiso-miso marinated black cod, saffron-bonito fumet, mussels and pickled fennel, horseradish rouille, and fennel pollen. This dish was an incredible meld of Provencal and Japanese flavors, which played off the richness and subtlety of both cuisines.

A Duo of Fish prepared by 'Sean' (I don't know who he is, so if someone could tell me, that would be super helpful). This pairing of a light snapper tartare in tangerine rice wine vinaigrette and a sashimi of tarahiki in a ponzu glaze over an uni emulsion tasted like Spring, with a perfect balance of acid and smoothness.

Sweet Potato Gyoza with a dipping sauce of coconut, sesame, ginger, and sake, from 'Shane' (again, I didn't meet him so I am not sure who he is) that were ridiculously addictive.

And finally, my favorite dish, the Tampopo Ramen from Bronwen, who cooks at 555. This dish included a chicken and pork broth, braised pork belly, pickled ginger and dandelion greens, and a hard-boiled duck egg. The intense flavors were simultaneously exciting and comfortable. Yum yum yum was really all I could say while eating it. Well, technically it was more 'mmm. mmmmmm. mmmmmmmm.'

Thanks to all the talented folks who cooked for this meal, and thanks again to Dietz for the invite. I am a very lucky woman.

EDITED to add: check out John's much more comprehensive (and photographed!) rundown of the event. (John's gorgeous Maine shrimp were also fab!)

We had a wonderful weekend last weekend, as Otis's parents Jane and Walter came up for the Maine Boatbuilders Show, some delicious eating, and lovely conversation.

Friday night we went to Local 188 for fancy old-timey cocktails, and then headed over to Caiola's for dinner; as usual everything was delish (channeling Rachael Ray, sorry), especially our deep-fried sardine appetizer.

It's always nice to have Walter and Jane here, although they do tend to bring pretty crappy weather with them-- what's up with that?

Anyway, my fingers are sore from all the typing I've been doing on the big paper I have due Tuesday, so I hope everyone will forgive me for a short-but-sweet entry. Happy Easter!

I've been battling a hideous cold all week and can barely sit still without coughing, but I remembered I wanted to make a point about service. I do frequently bitch about waiters so I wanted to make sure I called out what I consider to be outstanding service.

Last week when Otis's parents were here we went to breakfast at Hot Suppa. I was starving, and I ordered biscuits and sausage gravy, with eggs over medium. When the plate arrived I noticed the eggs were undercooked (more like over easy, which makes me a little queasy). I told the waitress, who promptly whisked my plate away, returned it without the eggs so I could eat my biscuits while waiting for the refire, and then took $2 off our bill without being asked.

I was so impressed! Good service doesn't require fine dining, or snobbery. It just requires someone who cares about his or her job. Thanks Hot Suppa waitress whose name I don't know! You've restored my faith in Portland waitstaff!

(Plus the food was tasty, as usual!)