tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post4770489919742242903..comments2023-10-23T16:33:34.837-04:00Comments on The Masticating Monkey: The Good, the Bad, and the White WhalesMasticating Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-3117525322394864922012-11-12T12:45:19.657-05:002012-11-12T12:45:19.657-05:00Tried Saigon Spring over the weekend, though it fe...Tried Saigon Spring over the weekend, though it felt too warm (this is all relative, of course) to get pho. Still, the two dishes we had were quite good and we'll definitely be heading back to try the pho. Thanks for the tip!Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-31465038543964733282012-11-08T16:20:41.567-05:002012-11-08T16:20:41.567-05:00Whoa. Did not know about that.Whoa. Did not know about that.Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-19917958631165854272012-11-07T20:41:16.328-05:002012-11-07T20:41:16.328-05:00Poke your head into Mahar's from time-to-time....Poke your head into Mahar's from time-to-time. They have been known to drive out to Western NY just to pick up a keg or two of Great Lakes Brewery beer.Sean in NYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431152549351773692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-70958873515675282422012-11-07T15:11:36.706-05:002012-11-07T15:11:36.706-05:00No bagging, just expressing some trepidation!
You...No bagging, just expressing some trepidation!<br /><br />Your description of Saigon Spring makes it sound like the real deal, and with so many chain restaurants, from what I've seen, up in Clifton Park, it's good to have a new target up there.<br /><br />And yes, pho is one of those dishes that just doesn't really feel worth it to make at home (if you have good outside options).<br /><br />With the weather and your description, I am now officially craving some pho.Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-47637963517042400902012-11-07T15:07:32.479-05:002012-11-07T15:07:32.479-05:00Oh yeah, I like Taiwan Noodle, especially consider...Oh yeah, I like Taiwan Noodle, especially considering the prices. I've been there a few times and it seems like I've had half the items on the menu. Didn't love a couple of the soup bowls, but most everything is very tasty.<br /><br />Ala Shanghai also does a good job with their noodles, though I'm not sure if theirs are homemade or not.Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-41683319798602684922012-11-07T14:46:33.652-05:002012-11-07T14:46:33.652-05:00Taiwan Noodle rocks! I love the homemade Soy Milk....Taiwan Noodle rocks! I love the homemade Soy Milk. Although, if you want Pho, this is nothing like it at all and will not hit the same spot. Mr.Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09194555723963789856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-14294728387516294112012-11-07T14:42:08.012-05:002012-11-07T14:42:08.012-05:00Don't bag on the Pho until you've tried it...Don't bag on the Pho until you've tried it. There are some worthy efforts in the area. My favorite is Saigon Spring in Clifton Park. The beef broth there is so very aromatic in ways I have had trouble duplicating. I would recommend starting with the "Special Noodle Soup" (adding tendon if you like it that way). It has it all to give you a good idea of what they are about. Other than that, it is accompanied by the usual Basil, Lime, Jalapeno, Bean Sprouts, Sriracha, Hoisin combo that you get just about anywhere. I have to give them some extra points for having good tea as well. I will add that I prefer my homemade pho, but who wouldn't? For those who haven't tried (and don't cheat with flavor packets), making Pho is a lengthy and involved process. So being able to buy a pretty good bowl of it for a good price, totally worth it. <br /><br />Mr.Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09194555723963789856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-14273095889414282082012-11-07T14:05:28.487-05:002012-11-07T14:05:28.487-05:00There is always Taiwan Noodle on Central Ave. It&#...There is always Taiwan Noodle on Central Ave. It's not Pho but it is homemade noodles in a pretty decent broth. Chrystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00957546921468925264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-72926053855655690332012-11-07T13:46:09.510-05:002012-11-07T13:46:09.510-05:00For some reason, even though I've had access t...For some reason, even though I've had access to it in the past, I've always ignored the Goose Island Christmas ale. Maybe this will be the year I change that. But there is just something about the combination of spices in the Great Lakes version that I haven't found replicated yet (Natty Green's Red Nose Winter Ale came close, but they just distribute in North Carolina).Masticating Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586980632713973459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5739744319331098388.post-64844718557602657562012-11-07T11:01:04.307-05:002012-11-07T11:01:04.307-05:00I'm not a big fan of spiced Christmas Ales, bu...I'm not a big fan of spiced Christmas Ales, but I do dig Goose Island's Christmas ale. That's available locally (at either Oliver's or Westmere beverage). The Lionheart Pub also has it on tap closer to the holidays. It might be a suitable, if not equal, substitute to your Great Lakes. By the way taking a trip west might yield better result for the GL stuff. I know it's brought into Rochester.<br /><br />While not Malaysian, Yono's does some pretty fantastic French-influenced Indonesian fare. Yono is one of the best known chefs in the area, and he does a pretty great job at his location on Chapel and Sheridan Ave.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00374706510870731159noreply@blogger.com