The First Post of a New Blog Order
OK - perhaps I'm being unnecessarily melodramatic, but the title really gives this a sense of occasion, you know?
I've been pretty busy recently, as I have shifted my focus from hard-to-get communications gigs to pitching stories. My darling bride has also adopted freelance-finder site eLance as her new favourite. March 6th was a big Vue issue for me: a review of Zucchero Panini Bar, an Education piece on Harcourt House's art classes and my killer snowmobile/dogsled weekend in Valemount.
I really need to finish one outstanding communications contract and an article on the Culture of the Walking Stick for /ed. I would love to get back to work on the book I was editing. Hey - do you know anyone who works in a downtown office tower? It would help for an upcoming story.
I'm also working on an eLance job, writing astrological compatability blurbs. It's as much fun as it sounds! I plan to get even with all of my ex-girlfriends by making our relationship problems the fault of their star signs... Heh heh... People say I'm passive-aggressive: I say, Pshaw! Then I complain about them behind their backs.
I've pitched a few ideas to the new Dish editor, and he's given me green lights on many. However, I can't tell my legions of fans about them, since I know that the sinister twinisters Scott Lingley and Monte Kruger at See Magazine are waiting to drink my milkshake. Scour my blog for hints all you want, See minions! You will never find the Grail! Bwahahahahaha!
That made a lot more sense in my head than it did typed out.
I have also been in touch with a Vancouver comedy website in development, which craigslisted a call for writers. I've never written comedy before, but I thought I would give it a shot. Depite an encouraging exchange of emails, I have yet to hear back - I'll keep you posted, though. If it doesn't work out, I could try posting some of my ideas up here. You can let me know if I've got what it takes - gently, of course, in consideration for my feelings and the fact that I cry like a little girl with a skinned knee whenever anyone criticizes me. Or critiques me. Or says something noncommittal about my writing. Or butts in front of me. Or clears their throat near me. I'm a delicate flower and my mommy loves me.
Duty calls - enjoy the review!
Christopher
I figured I would post my very first restaurant review with Vue Weekly as part of this new approach. You can find it in its original context in the July 29, 2004 issue, but why? This is where it all began, people - let's have a moment of awed silence.
Stop giggling in back.
Hot Hot Eats
By CHRISTOPHER THRALL
Located on the corner of Jasper Ave and 109 St, Chili Hot Hot is one of the most prominent undiscovered treasures in Edmonton.
Unlike those flashier Chinese places, you won’t find any jade dragon sculptures, intricate wood screens or gold leaf paintings. The eating area feels like a conference room, well-lit and inexpensively reclaimed with paint; the furniture is “early ’80s Chinese restaurant” to the point of cliché, complete with burgundy vinyl tablecloths, cushioned chairs with gold accents and terrible carpet. But what Chili Hot Hot lacks in decor they more than make up for in great food.
The menu is approachable and seems fairly standard, with a list of items like “shrimp and chicken in nest” and “beef in black bean sauce” that goes on for pages. The prices fall on either side of $10, depending on how much meat is involved.
As I skim the menu, I find a few pages full of Asian characters with prices scattered randomly. Daunted, I skip to the back of the menu to check out the combos. My wife and I decide on the Shangri-La combo for two, which at $14 per person is the most expensive of their set meal options and includes soup and spring rolls to start and five entrées.
The hot and sour soup arrives almost immediately and is a delight: the spicy broth has become a stew of tofu, carrots, sprouts, green onion, peas and various unidentifiable bits. Halfway through, the spring rolls arrive and my wife’s eyes light up: “Spring rolls are my favourite!” We’re even more impressed when we bite in. Light, crunchy and piping hot, these rolls are incredible; the only disappointment is that there are only two of them.
The five main courses hit the table at the same time. I scoop us some tasty and filling chicken fried rice as a base and my wife digs into the shrimp with mixed greens. She counts seven huge shrimp, the pea pods are crispy and the bok choi is not. A couple of bites in, she informs me that this is officially her new favourite dish.
I help myself to the ginger hot beef and chicken with lemon sauce. As someone used to the gooey, coated ginger beef of mall food courts, this platter of tender beef and julienned vegetables in a light ginger sauce simply dazzles me (although I’m not sure what exactly the “hot” in the dish’s name refers to). The chicken has a light, crispy batter and the sauce is absolutely out of this world, but unfortunately the chicken itself is a little too chewy for our tastes.
My biggest surprise is the honey garlic ribs. Expecting them to be the standard kind of dry ribs you can pick up anywhere, I’m surprised to bite into a warm, moist, largely boneless treat drizzled with honey. My wife isn’t crazy about honey, so I have a hedonistic time with these succulent bits of heaven. Green tea, frequently topped up by the restaurant’s polite, unobtrusive and sometimes less-than-comprehensible waitstaff, complements the entire meal.
The language barrier became a factor when we asked to see the dessert menu and were told about a mango pudding and something involving coconut. Thinking they were one and the same, we ordered one to split. $2.50 bought us a bowl full of paradise: thick pudding with chunks of mango topped with heavy cream. The taste was fresh, clean and a terrific pick-me-up after the intense flavours of the meal.
Overall, the value can’t be beat: for less than $40 we had a great, filling meal and were leaving with enough for lunches or a midnight meal for two. Chili Hot Hot offers free delivery within five miles and a lunch buffet I’ll definitely try anytime I’m downtown at noon. Drop off your leftovers in the car and you’re ready for your evening to begin in the heart of downtown.
Chili Hot Hot
10909 Jasper Avenue
428-3336
I've been pretty busy recently, as I have shifted my focus from hard-to-get communications gigs to pitching stories. My darling bride has also adopted freelance-finder site eLance as her new favourite. March 6th was a big Vue issue for me: a review of Zucchero Panini Bar, an Education piece on Harcourt House's art classes and my killer snowmobile/dogsled weekend in Valemount.
I really need to finish one outstanding communications contract and an article on the Culture of the Walking Stick for /ed. I would love to get back to work on the book I was editing. Hey - do you know anyone who works in a downtown office tower? It would help for an upcoming story.
I'm also working on an eLance job, writing astrological compatability blurbs. It's as much fun as it sounds! I plan to get even with all of my ex-girlfriends by making our relationship problems the fault of their star signs... Heh heh... People say I'm passive-aggressive: I say, Pshaw! Then I complain about them behind their backs.
I've pitched a few ideas to the new Dish editor, and he's given me green lights on many. However, I can't tell my legions of fans about them, since I know that the sinister twinisters Scott Lingley and Monte Kruger at See Magazine are waiting to drink my milkshake. Scour my blog for hints all you want, See minions! You will never find the Grail! Bwahahahahaha!
That made a lot more sense in my head than it did typed out.
I have also been in touch with a Vancouver comedy website in development, which craigslisted a call for writers. I've never written comedy before, but I thought I would give it a shot. Depite an encouraging exchange of emails, I have yet to hear back - I'll keep you posted, though. If it doesn't work out, I could try posting some of my ideas up here. You can let me know if I've got what it takes - gently, of course, in consideration for my feelings and the fact that I cry like a little girl with a skinned knee whenever anyone criticizes me. Or critiques me. Or says something noncommittal about my writing. Or butts in front of me. Or clears their throat near me. I'm a delicate flower and my mommy loves me.
Duty calls - enjoy the review!
Christopher
I figured I would post my very first restaurant review with Vue Weekly as part of this new approach. You can find it in its original context in the July 29, 2004 issue, but why? This is where it all began, people - let's have a moment of awed silence.
Stop giggling in back.
Hot Hot Eats
By CHRISTOPHER THRALL
Located on the corner of Jasper Ave and 109 St, Chili Hot Hot is one of the most prominent undiscovered treasures in Edmonton.
Unlike those flashier Chinese places, you won’t find any jade dragon sculptures, intricate wood screens or gold leaf paintings. The eating area feels like a conference room, well-lit and inexpensively reclaimed with paint; the furniture is “early ’80s Chinese restaurant” to the point of cliché, complete with burgundy vinyl tablecloths, cushioned chairs with gold accents and terrible carpet. But what Chili Hot Hot lacks in decor they more than make up for in great food.
The menu is approachable and seems fairly standard, with a list of items like “shrimp and chicken in nest” and “beef in black bean sauce” that goes on for pages. The prices fall on either side of $10, depending on how much meat is involved.
As I skim the menu, I find a few pages full of Asian characters with prices scattered randomly. Daunted, I skip to the back of the menu to check out the combos. My wife and I decide on the Shangri-La combo for two, which at $14 per person is the most expensive of their set meal options and includes soup and spring rolls to start and five entrées.
The hot and sour soup arrives almost immediately and is a delight: the spicy broth has become a stew of tofu, carrots, sprouts, green onion, peas and various unidentifiable bits. Halfway through, the spring rolls arrive and my wife’s eyes light up: “Spring rolls are my favourite!” We’re even more impressed when we bite in. Light, crunchy and piping hot, these rolls are incredible; the only disappointment is that there are only two of them.
The five main courses hit the table at the same time. I scoop us some tasty and filling chicken fried rice as a base and my wife digs into the shrimp with mixed greens. She counts seven huge shrimp, the pea pods are crispy and the bok choi is not. A couple of bites in, she informs me that this is officially her new favourite dish.
I help myself to the ginger hot beef and chicken with lemon sauce. As someone used to the gooey, coated ginger beef of mall food courts, this platter of tender beef and julienned vegetables in a light ginger sauce simply dazzles me (although I’m not sure what exactly the “hot” in the dish’s name refers to). The chicken has a light, crispy batter and the sauce is absolutely out of this world, but unfortunately the chicken itself is a little too chewy for our tastes.
My biggest surprise is the honey garlic ribs. Expecting them to be the standard kind of dry ribs you can pick up anywhere, I’m surprised to bite into a warm, moist, largely boneless treat drizzled with honey. My wife isn’t crazy about honey, so I have a hedonistic time with these succulent bits of heaven. Green tea, frequently topped up by the restaurant’s polite, unobtrusive and sometimes less-than-comprehensible waitstaff, complements the entire meal.
The language barrier became a factor when we asked to see the dessert menu and were told about a mango pudding and something involving coconut. Thinking they were one and the same, we ordered one to split. $2.50 bought us a bowl full of paradise: thick pudding with chunks of mango topped with heavy cream. The taste was fresh, clean and a terrific pick-me-up after the intense flavours of the meal.
Overall, the value can’t be beat: for less than $40 we had a great, filling meal and were leaving with enough for lunches or a midnight meal for two. Chili Hot Hot offers free delivery within five miles and a lunch buffet I’ll definitely try anytime I’m downtown at noon. Drop off your leftovers in the car and you’re ready for your evening to begin in the heart of downtown.
Chili Hot Hot
10909 Jasper Avenue
428-3336
Labels: chili hot hot, chinese, vue weekly
posted by enthrall at 11:54 AM
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