Hee Been, Korean Restaurant Buffet, Sushi, Lounge

by Adrienne Wilson on

On my way into the Hee Been Korean Restaurant I had planned only to order takeout and retreat back to my cozy hotel room across the street, but when I stepped inside something instantly changed my mind and I requested to be seated instead. I’m pretty sure it was the decorative and traditional style uniforms worn by the wait staff that took me by surprise and swept me into a small Korean world far from Korea. My waitress was pleasant, glowing and full of recommendations in very broken English. I started with an order of Korean raspberry wine and a bowl of miso soup.

I’ve had few experiences in the past with Korean food and always enjoyed what I had eaten, but could never remember the names of dishes.  This being the case I decided in wasting no time trying to describe what I had placed on my palate in the past and went all out in attempting to order a new dish, but failed.

“May, I have an order of the Yook Hwe,” I asked.

“You’ve had before?” said my waitress.

“Um, no?” I replied.

Perhaps she didn’t take me for the adventurous foodie type who would have enjoyed the thinly sliced raw beef tenderloin with fresh pears, chopped garlic with sweet soy and sesame sauce. I placed my need to taste something extremely unique on the back burner and with her recommendation – the Bul-Go-Gi. She then asked if it would be okay to cook it in the kitchen instead of at the table, which I was quite alright with since I didn’t want to feel the heat or like I was in someone’s kitchen. Maybe another time, but for interested party go-ers the option is there. When my dish or many dishes arrived I was awe-struck and watering at the mouth at the same time. The Bul-Go-Gi is a thinly sliced boneless rib eye steak marinated in a special sauce and is accompanied by several other items like kimchi, radish, potatoes, sprouts, lettuce, vermicelli noodles, and rice of course. After finishing almost everything I wanted to pop, but before I could say my final goodbye’s and pay my bill, I was given a small serving of a sweet tea (the name of which I’ve sadly forgotten). It made for the perfect completion to the meal.

Not in the mood for Korean? Try the sushi from the sushi bar or look for other Japanese fare on the menu. Most dishes range from $11-$21 and the two person casserole dishes go from $32.95 up. The atmosphere is causal and perfect for families or a romantic evening out.

Hee Been Restaurant is located at 6231 Little River Tnpk., Alexandria, VA 22312. Ph. 703.941.3737. Web: www.heebeen.com

Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, Lancaster, PA

by Adrienne Wilson on

When taking a trip through Pennsylvania’s Dutch and Amish country lands make sure you step into the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord. I was on the hunt for some hard-core Amish style food to take down when I, myself stumbled into this off-road dining destination. Best for families and close friends looking to fuel up before heading deeper into the land before time, Bird-in-Hand offers all the traditional-style, comfort fare one could ever dream up. Think fried chicken, ham balls, baked fish, sauerkraut, shepherds pie and much more. Take advantage of the reasonably priced breakfast ($6.99), lunch ($9.79 weekdays / $12.99 Saturdays) and dinner smorgasbord ($13.99 M-Thurs / $15.99 Fri-Sat).

The atmosphere is comfy and casual and very much down home. You can count on everyone from the hostess to the wait staff to be overly accommodating and happy to continue the ways of the Smucker family tradition.

Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant is located at 2727 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505. Phone: 800.665.8780. Web: www.bird-in-hand.com

Sick of In-Flight Meals? Here's a Recipe to Make Your Own

by Karen Walrond on

How’s this for
helpful:  For those of us who are sick of those packets of honey-roasted peanuts, or, even worse, those sad little
hard-breadrolls-with-tired-ham that are always served on planes, Conde Nast Traveler is featuring a recipe for your own delicious in-flight
meal.  The magazine challenged Gene Kato of the Chicago restaurant Japonais to create the perfect
in-flight meal.  The requirements?  The dish had to be spoil-proof for at least three hours, leakproof, and
non-odiferous.

Kato came up with Miso-Glazed-Fried Chicken with Japanese
Truffled Soybean Salad, saying "When I was a kid and we went on trips, my mom would put this in my bento
box.  It’s like being on a picnic."  Admittedly, the photograph makes the meal look delicious, but I’m
sorry, take a look at this
recipe.  Between packing and last-minute runs to the pharmacy to pick up incidentals, who the hell would have
the time?

Aromatic House of Kabob

by Adrienne Wilson on

Walking into Olde City’s Aromatic House of Kabob is like walking into a modern day Persian food asylum
on the opposite end of the world. I stumbled inside one rainy Philadelphia day searching for a dry place to warm up and
refuel. What I found was a soothing trickling fountain in the center of the restaurant, a Hookah bar, and a heavenly
mixture of aromas floating throughout the spaces between dining tables. My friend and I were tucked away in a cozy
corner table underneath the red, glowing, neon lights welcoming guests from the gray streets outdoors to the warm
atmosphere indoors. Now, whenever I enter a Persian restaurant I always inquire about my beloved fesenjoon, hoping that
even if it’s not on the menu someone will hear my hunger cries and whip up a serving big enough to last me for years.
Like most Kabob places fesenjoon wasn’t found on the menu and they weren’t about to prepare the difficult dish just for
me, but my waiter did a fine job picking out a meal that would tickle my fancy and tastebuds just fine that cold
afternoon.

What he pointed me to is the same thing I’m going to point any of you to should you happen to
accidentally or purposely find your way to the establishment – the Super
Persian Sandwich. This sautéed spinach, tomato, mushroom, feta cheese with your choice of lamb or
chicken blanketed in warm wrapped bread is a crowd pleaser hands down. Look for it under the famous dishes on the menu
and with one bite you’ll instantly know why. I wanted to melt in my seat, cry tears of joy and laughter and order
seconds though the super sized sandwich is quite big enough. Food that tastes good is one thing, but food that evokes
emotions and the courage to breakaway and travel afar is another. While my trip to the Middle East is still patiently
awaiting my arrival you needn’t plan to go so far to taste great cuisine.

The Aromatic House of
Kabob is located at 113 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Visit their website at www.gokabob.com to check out the menu, reviews, or read about the assortment of Hookah flavors available. Phone
ahead by dialing (215) 923-4510. Dishes range from $5.95-$16.95.

On the Virtues of Coffee

by Erik Olsen on

Sorry about this, but I stumbled upon an old post of mine about coffee and just had to repost it. Sometimes we do posts that we really like and then after a few days, they just fade away. And today I just decided that was a sad, tragic thing and decided to bring this one on coffee back to the fore.

You see, this is exactly the kind of news I need to read on a morning like this. Coffee, it seems, is good for you. I repeat: coffee is good for you. Is that news not worth a quick prayer? Our Father, who art in Starbucks, we thank you for the magic elixir of life that kick-starts our day, quickens our wit, enlivens the soul and loosens our morning bowels. Amen.

OK, so the crux of the matter is this: coffee, scientists say, is the top source of disease-fighting antioxidants in the U.S.

Anti-wha? Yes, you were likely unaware that inside your body there are millions of “free radicals” running about, causing all sorts of mayhem. Imagine each of your cells being like a microscopic Berkeley campus in the 60s. They damage cell components, can cause cancer and heart disease, and generally leave the place a mess. One of them recently spilled bong water on my Golgi Complex. Get a job, asshole! Anyway, free radicals are bad.

Now what the antioxidants do is neutralize these free radicals. They are the National Guard of the body. And studies over the years have shown that certain food contain these dutiful soldiers in great numbers, and lo! It turns out coffee is one of these foods. Halleluiah! Of course, this is not a call to arms to get you to go out and order a triple venti red-eye. Drinking coffee in excess still causes hyper-tension, high blood pressure and irritability, not to mention bad breath and gas.

So drink your coffee in moderation, and go to sleep tonight (if you can…if you haven’t had too much coffee) confident that all is well in the world and that when you awake, a hot steamy cup of health will be there. God willing.