Orzo in a Citrus Hot Bath of Chiddy Bang and Tin Can Radio

Bagna Cauda is the saltier fish bred cousin to fondue (in my own family, Courtney would be the bagna cauda). I had never heard of the dipping sauce until last week when I was perusing Giada de Laurentiis recipes trying to find one that I could shirk and pass off as my own. I came across her Tilapia with Citrus Bagna Cauda. There were enough weird words in the title to hook me (like a fish you know). Since Bagna Cauda is typically made with anchovies I needed a vegetarian replacement. I had two in mind, miso and capers, and couldn't decide which one would work best. Over the course of a week I experimented with both. My conclusion? There was no contest. In this recipes it has to be capers.

Failure to Launch: Miso Citrus Bagna Cauda

Orzo in a Citrus Hot Bath (adapted slightly from Giada De Laurentiis)

(printable version)

-3 Tbs. unsalted butter

-2 Tbs. olive oil

-1 Tbs. capers

-1 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced

-2 Tbs. orange juice

-2 Tbs. basil leaves, thinly sliced

-1 tsp. lemon zest

-1 tsp. orange zest

-2 cups orzo

-salt and pepper

1. Melt the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan. Stir frequently to combine. Add the capers and garlic and cook for 15 seconds (just enough for the garlic to become fragrant). Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients (minus the orzo).

2. Cook the orzo according to directions.

3. Stir the orzo into the Bagna Cauda. Mix until evenly distributed. Invite you salty cousin over for dinner. Bathe to your palettes content.

My aural palette has been craving the sound of hip hoppers sampling indie rock recently. That means a lot of e-dubble, Get Busy Committee, Big Sean and Chiddy Bang. The latter released a new mixtape late last week Peanut Butter and Swelly (which you can download for free here). While the mixtape doesn't have anything that instantly causes a scene (see: Opposite of Adults) there were a hand full of tracks that I could really get into. One of those was "Cameras."

Chiddy Bang-Cameras (Matt and Kim Samples)

It hasn't all been hip hop and indie rock samples. There has also been some dub step . Australia's Tin Can Radio isn't strictly dub step (otherwise I'd be dub stepping it the other way). They combine elements of shoegaze, art punk, dance blam and the aforementioned mean ass dub step breakdown to concoct their single "Skeletons." It illustrates both the speed and precision that goes into a citrus hot bath.

Tin Can Radio-Skeletons via Triple J Unearthed

Food Flavored Song of the Day: Tug by The History of Apple Pie

(photo by Jamie Walters Smith)

It started something like this:

"Tak gode Applys and gode Spryeis and Figys and reyfons and Perys and wan they are wel ybrayed co- lourd wyth Safron wel and do yt in a cofyn and do yt forth to bake well" (from The Forme of Cury by Samuel Pegge).

At the time of this recipe, sugar was scarce and the coffin (pastry) was not eaten. Since then the apple pie has crawled through many forms and faces, each of them adding a little something special to the history of the apple pie.

Which brings us to an English pop band with one of the sweetest (literally) band names, The History of Apple Pie. In a strange bit of irony I was introduced to these guys a few weeks back by the twitter feed of Yuck. The band's song "Tug" is pretty even-keeled but it always seems to be on the verge of something more, like a car poised at the edge of a precipice teetering back and forth. Be on the lookout for their new release which should be coming shortly via Roundtable.

The History of Apple Pie-Tug

Breakfast Gnocchi Remixed by Hey Sholay!

I ate lunch with my class today and they were having "breakfast for lunch." That meant sausage, hash browns and pancakes. It also meant syrup everywhere. I left the table with no fewer than three sticky hand prints on various parts of my body (I don't even remember them touching my collar right under my chin). While sitting with them certainly didn't save me any laundry, it did inspire me to go with my own breakfast at the wrong time of day celebration. My choice was the Breakfast Gnocchi recipe that Reversing Falls talked about in our interview. Of course, I did a slight Tender Branson remix first. Don't worry, you'll still recognize it.

Reversing Falls' Breakfast Gnocchi (Tender Branson Remix)

(printable version)

-1 package of whole wheat gnocchi
-olive oil
-4 green onions, diced
-4 large mushroom caps, diced
-1 fennel bulb, diced
-2 vine ripened tomatoes, diced
-fresh basil, ripped into pieces
-juice of 1/2 a lime
-4 pieces of veggie bacon, cooked and sliced
-salt and pepper to taste
-four large tortillas

1. Cook the gnocchi according to the directions on the package. Drain, rub with olive oil and set aside.

2. Using a cast iron skillet, fry the green onions, fennel and mushrooms in olive oil until fennel is softened. Add the gnocchi and continue frying until gnocchi begins to brown (mine took roughly about 15 minutes over medium heat).

3. Meanwhile, mix the tomatoes, basil, fake bacon, and lime juice in a separate bowl (do not forget the lime juice, it is what sends this recipe over the edge). Set aside.

4. When the gnocchi has browned, add the contents of the cast iron skillet to the tomatoes. Mix well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

5. Warm the burritos. Plop the breakfast gnocchi down in the middle, wrap it and shove the whole mess into your oral cavity.

You are running the streets of your rainy city and somewhere in the distant you hear the susurration of guitar strums, hand claps and beating drums. You slow down, for an instant, before remembering the rain. Somewhere these two, the music and rain, have a "timeshare." That place is where Sheffield's Hey Sholay begins. That was also where the cooking ended.

In bed with old Nick (Kids in bearsuits on drugs) ((HEY SHOLAY)) by Hey Sholay

Gold teeth and goodbyes (a song for sparrows) ((HEY SHOLAY)) by Hey Sholay

Hey Sholay is preparing for the release of their first single on Fierce Panda/Club Fandango. It is a double A-side of their tracks "Dreamboat" and "The Bears, the Bees & No Clocks." Here is an unmastered version of "Dreamboat."

Hey Sholay-Dreamboat

Lightning Sholay Sallet Drizzled with Beat Radio, Motorboater and Occult Detective Club

On the East Side of Gainesville there is a salad (and pizza) worth traveling for. Trust me, we have. Our latest trek, a minor one compared to most, was sixty miles straight across Route 24 dodging small towns soliciting boiled peanuts and Domino's pizza drivers. This time, as I savored the salad, I began envisioning my own version. Friday, after work, I brought those visions to life.

Lightning Sholay Sallet
(printable version)

For the salad:
-30 ounces mixed greens
-6 baby carrots, grated
-2 tomatoes, diced
-1 cucumber, halved and cut thinly
-1/2 apple, sliced thinly
-sliced almonds
-sunflower seeds
-Parmesan Cheese

For the dressing:
-1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
-1/4 cup olive oil
-1/4 cup agave nectar (or slightly less)
-1 teaspoon soy sauce

1. In a large salad bowl. Mix the greens, tomatoes, cucumber, baby carrots, almonds and sunflower seeds.

2. Mix all of the ingredients for the dressing. Spoon about a tablespoon amount into the salad and mix well. Store the rest of the dressing.

3. Layer the apple slices on top of the salad and cover with Parmesan cheese. Guzzle it down like an SUV does gas.

Last week Beat Radio put out a new/old single as they remixed their song "Beautiful One." The track uses synths, drums, guitars and a glockenspiel to create a lovely pop song that will bring any romantic to their knees. Its perfect for a salad of this stature. Check out more of Beat Radio's music here.


Speaking of romance how about Motorboater (that's love no?). Their new track "Left Limb" is a space rock jaunt that makes me wanna dance with genetically engineered Russian midget pilots that accidentally crash landed in New Mexico. "Left Limb" is from the bands new record Sport (due out on June 21st) which you can pre-order here.

Motorboater-Left Limb via Soundspike

"C'Mon Levi" by Occult Detective Club has been around the blogs for a couple months. I kept it in my back pocket waiting for the right meal to break it out with. The song is brash, in your face, punk rock that pays homage to the New York punk scene (both past and present). The song knows its place, there is nothing unique or different about it, but it is damn good at what it does. "C'Mon Levi" is from the Crimes which was released in February.

Occult Detective Club-C'Mon Levi

Baker's Dozen: Interview with Reversing Falls

I'll be the first to admit, I've put knives in some strange places (sorry grandma) but this prior experience didn't prepare me for the shock I would receive when I came to the Reversing Falls Tumblr Page. Why had I never thought of that? Reversing Falls are a Canadian trio made up of Tyler Crawford (lead vocals, guitar), Jesse Ash (bass/drum machine programming/backing vocals) and Charlie Neufeld (lead rhythm guitar/backing vocals). Their track "Little Goodbye" kicked off our One Ring Mix. Recently I had the chance to interview, via email, all three of them where we discussed things like the aforementioned knife, Saint John River and convoluted inside jokes. We also talked a little cooking and music. This is the latest installment of our Baker's Dozen Interview Series.

TB: If you were at a stuffy dinner party and had to stand up and introduce Reversing Falls, what would you say?

Jesse Ash (JA): ...and to accompany your charcoal seared wild Atlantic salmon for our main course may I please bring your attention to the pile of white hot riffs and anthemic melodies served atop a swirl of churned bass and stewed tight fresh drum machine beats. Careful-its hot!

TB: Whoa...that sounds pretty intense. The band name, Reversing Falls, does it have anything to do with the rapids on the Saint John River? Why does this make a good band name?

JA: The name certainly is a reference to the reversing rapids in Saint John, NB, Canada. When Reversing Falls formed we were initially a trio made of guys from around the Saint John area, living in Montreal. There was a collective interest at the time in putting a regional stamp on the name and that, along with the fact that the words Reversing Falls sounds pretty okay together whether you know the area or not, pretty much sealed the deal.

TB: You are in the process of recording your debut full length. How is the recording process going? Is the full length in the same vein as the Recorder EP you released last year or are you trying new things?

JA: We're thinking of it as an expansion on the EP..the next logical step from the LGB/DB single we released in February. So not a departure. We're taking a lot of time in pre-production to really flesh it out as a whole album. Adding a set of outside (golden) ears belonging to our bro Mark Lawson, who's taking on actually producing the record has really helped that out a lot. So expect some new tones and timbres with a slightly new approach, and hopefully a more focused and developed sound overall.

TB: Let's talk about Mark Lawson. You are reuniting with the Grammy Award Winner (Arcade Fire, the Unicorns). What do his (golden) ears bring to the table?

Tyler Crawford (TC): I think the main thing he brings is a lot of experience making records. He makes little suggestions that have substantial results. Most importantly, what he literally brought to the table during the last session was a delicious BBQ meal with sweet potato fries and his signature tapioca. Boom.

TB: There's a photo on your tumblr page which features a knife sticking in a guitar and has the caption "recording." Are knives a big part of the recording process? Any sort of symbolism we should take from this photo?

JA: Its important to note that this occurred in an old Masonic Lodge, very close to the square and compass on the floor. If there is any symbolism to be taken from the "sacrificial tele incident" its probably to do with re-inventing the way we work...but the reason it came about is in fact a hair brained scheme to cook up some sick new tones. I think it worked.

TB: A few days ago you posted a video for "Curse this Place" which will be on the new album. The video seemed to have been filmed at a playground. Did you have to fight off a swarm of kids to get that spot? Who are the kids featured in the video? If you, as a kid, were watching the you of today perform what would be going through that kids mind?

TC: Haha. Those two kids were the only ones. We were filming that at a playground in Hamilton and they watched as we did the video for "Party Martyr." We didn't know them before...they were just there with their mom. I really like that in the video one of them seems to be having a great time and the other girl appears to be catching some bad vibes. If I was a kid watching me in that video, I'd think I shoulda shaved the day of the filming.

TB: On May 19th you'll be playing at Casa Del Popolo with Un and Nightwood. If you were a promoter, how would you promote that show?

TC: We If I was a promoter, I'd actually just pass the work off on my friend Noah at Passovah Productions. He is the one promoting our show. I'm pretty bad at that stuff, if I'm the only one promoting your show you are in trouble.

TB: I've heard rumors of a show at an Armory with naked friends and smashing pumpkins. Is this the weirdest place you've played? Any other live performance memories that stick out in your mind?

Charlie Neufeld (CN): Playing all the way out in Halifax with one of our favorite bands, Cousins on their home turf was awesome. Other great memories include all different sorts of people in different sorts of mental states approaching us after shows with compliments (or criticisms).

TB: You guys currently call Montreal home. What makes Montreal special?

CN: It's the kind of place where people who fell the need to leave wherever they are can go to and meet people with similar interests and hit it off (i.e. Reversing Falls).

TB: Any local Montreal musicians we should know about?

CN: Under appreciated MTL bands in no particular order: Daddy's Hands, The Witchies, Matt Perri, Mavo, Nightwood, Play Guitar, The Lockettes, Hand Cream, Cotton Mouth and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting.

TB: Outside of music, taking over playgrounds and stabbing guitars with knives, what does Reversing Falls like to do?

CN: Read books without using bookmarks, watch movies on mute, watch the streets, hang out half-awake, crack convoluted inside jokes.

TB: Does Reversing Falls get the chance to do much cooking? Any special recipes you care to share?

JA: As a group, not so much. Still waiting on that band BBQ to show up. But I'm personally a big fan of Breakfast Gnocchi these days. Just think of it as a replacement for hash browns in a typical North American style breakfast. You can pretty much do whatever you want but my fave is probably:

-get some fresh whole wheat gnocchi cooked and rinsed at the ready and add some nice olive oil so it doesn't get sticky icky

-chop up some green onions, diced smoked pancetta and mushrooms and fry em for a couple of minutes

-once the fried stuff is nicely browned add it to the gnocchi with some cut up kale, fresh chopped fennel, diced tomatoes, chopped fresh basil and a crushed/diced clove of fresh non-Chinese garlic

-add olive oil, fresh ground salt 'n' peppa, and maybe a bit of citrus or red wine vinegar to taste.

Serve with a couple of eggs, nice sausage or other delicious breakfast-ey meat, toast and cheese. Also good just as a regular old salad with any old meal.

TB: Final thoughts?

TC: Would kill for a hamburger right about now.

The two newest Reversing Falls singles:

Video for "Curse This Place"

REVERSING FALLS - Curse This Place from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.

Video for "Party Martyr"

REVERSING FALLS - Party Martyr from Mitch Fillion (southernsouls.ca) on Vimeo.

Other places to find Reversing Falls: Myspace, Facebook, Twitter

Hottie Black Eyed Peas and Greens Simmered with Ninjasonik and Overlord

As our alien governor continues to do battle with the state's public education employees I figured it was time to reach to a higher power. Black-eyed peas and greens have long been a New Year's Day tradition in the South. The meal is intended to represent coinage (the beans) and bills (the greens). I figured why wait until New Year's to request prosperity. I mean most banks are closed that day anyway. The recipe I used came from Isa Chandra Moskowitz's Appetite For Reduction which blends the beans and greens with tomato sauce, hot sauce, broth and liquid smoke to create a lively dish fit for any mendicant. As you can see, I added some garbanzos for rhyming effect.

As the greens simmered and the beans basted I moved to the moshing sounds of Ninjasonik. The band's new song "Mosh Pit" combines elements of electronica, hip-hop, punk and dance with lyrics of debauchery and getting crazy in the club (basically like a night out with Joy). "Mosh Pit," which features the production of Dutch DJ Crew the Partysquad, is from Ninjasonik's second LP due out September 20th.

Ninjasonik (featuring Partysquad)-Mosh Pit

For something completely different tap your toes to "Keep it From the Baby" the new video from Overlord. Don't be fooled, while the band name says metal, the music is much closer to indie pop than death. Their new album, In Soviet Russia my Heart Breaks You, can be listened to in its entirety at their soundcloud page.

Food Flavored Song of the Day: Milkman by EMA

Milkmen used to be important. They delivered the goods on a daily basis in order to bring the freshest milk to their patrons. Over time refrigeration and the procedures for treating milk improved (or worsened depending on how you look at it) and the milkman was sold out for mustaches and notmilkmen. This once formidable career choice might have completely disappeared had it not been for pop culture keeping the idea alive. The latest comes from EMA, the South Dakota fuzz rocker who is a direct descendant of that terrifying viking warrior known as Erik Blood-Axe. For about three minutes we revert back to a simpler time when the "Milkman" still brought the goods. Thanks to My Old Kentucky Blog for the track.



EMA-Milkman

Matryoshka Hummus Cakes Nesting Inside Skizzy Mars and Germany Germany

You probably don't need me to extol the virtues of hummus so I'll simply say, never have beans tasted so amazing. What you might not realize is that hummus is also wonderful when it is baked into a crusty little patty and shoved, one on top of another, inside a pita. It is sort of like Dostoyevski's onion or one of those hidden Russian dolls. Too bad every condiment doesn't get better when it's baked. I could see myself celebrating birthdays with mustard and barbecue cakes rather than one of those crappy vanilla on vanilla sugar plunkers.

Matryoshka Hummus Cakes (adapted from Vegetarian Times)

(printable version)

-30 ounces of chickpeas, rinsed

-6 green onions, chopped

-1/4 cup Tahini

-Juice of 1/2 a lemon

-1 Tbs. olive oil

-3 cloves of garlic, minced

-1 tsp. lemon zest

-1 tsp. salt

-spinach

-tomato sauce

-pita

1. To make the cakes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Process 24 ounces of chickpeas (1.5 cans), green onions, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest and salt in a food processor until smooth. Stir in the remaining chick peas.

2. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Form the chickpea mixture into small patties. Bake for 35 minutes or until the patties hold together.

3. Slice pitas in half and toast slightly. Stuff spinach inside the pita, add chickpea patties and cover with tomato sauce. House within your stomach walls as quickly as proper etiquette allows.

Skizzy Mars doesn't try to hide in his Kid Cudi style new track "Douchebag." He suggests that there are people who perceive his actions as those of a douchebag and he's not only okay with that, but he thanks god for it. It makes him stronger. At only 17 and dropping tracks like this Skizzy appears destined for Arnold status. Thanks to Big Green Beats for the link.

Skizzy Mars-Douchebag

While Skizzy spits lyrics at a pretty regular pace, Germany Germany takes the approach of less is more. Count up all the words in "Take me Home" and you won't fill all your appendages. No worries as the music says more about cancelled plans and failed afternoons than any poet could. "Take Me Home" comes from the new Germany Germany album, Adventures, that is set to be released on Sunday. You can get it here (after Sunday of course).

Germany Germany-Take Me Home

Falcon Soars with Brownies Not From a Box

I know this girl who scratched and clawed for six years before finally graduating from college (congrats Shannon). To celebrate I made her brownies that did not come from a box (sorry Beagle). The brownies were done on a whim so they weren't as fabulously awesome as they could have been, but they were still pretty dang good. I used this recipe, minus the sugary topping, and then added some of these and this.

Not messing around, the graduate already said goodbye to her previous state of residence and has begun the relocation to Florida process. Falcon seems pretty appropriate.

Cloak and Dagger Sandwich Shrouded by Hey Champ, Baby Baby, Skalmold and E-Dubble

Thanks to Longfellow, Dickens and ninjas "cloak and dagger" came to mean silent assassins or spies. The cloak hides the weapon of destruction. Around the beginning of February I bought a log of goat cheese. I used a bit and then put the rest in the fridge. It sat there. Every week, when it came time to plan the menu, I forgot about it. I finally decided to turn it into a sandwich. When I reached for it I realized that the outside had molded. Not a problem, I cut off the mold and used the rest. Baguette created the perfect "cloak." Of course, J-Fur refused her half so I ate this whole thing myself.

Cloak and Dagger Sandwich
(printable version)

-olive oil
-two yellow squash, cut into strips
-two zucchini, cut into strips
-asparagus
-goat cheese
-baguette, sliced lengthwise

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the yellow squash, zucchini and asparagus on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over top. Bake for 10-15 minutes.

2. Spread goat cheese on each side of the baguette. Top with vegetables. Eat and pray.

Chicago's Hey Champ released their latest single "Anything at All" the other day. The song sounds big while treading lightly across lyrics of possible futures and being under impressions. Threat level: low.

Hey Champ-Anything at All

"Breakin" by Baby Baby starts with a little pitter pitter on the drum sides. Very subdued when compared with the next three and a quarter minutes. Things start getting crazy when Fontez Brooks begins his gravelly slurring lyrics. Not what was expected but still manageable. Once the chorus kicks in however, its over. You are left with no option but to take cover, as the song breaks down into hoots and hollers and group choruses. Imagine Georgia's answer to Soophie Nun Squad. Fun is a major understatement. Threat level: thru the roof.

Baby Baby-Breakin

Skalmold is an Icelandic metal band that was featured on April's M.A.P playlist. In their song "Kvaoning" the band combines Nordic folk instrumentation with Icelandic poetry for an almost 8 minute thrill ride. Well, it is thrilling if you like that sort of thing. Threat level: depends on how badass you are.

Skalmold-Kvaoning

Also good for this sandwich is the new E-Dubble song "Changed My Mind." Dude just knows how to bring it.

e-dubble - Changed My Mind by edubble

Wrestling a Tortilla Pie to the Ground Alongside the Computers, Neighbors, Let's Wrestle and Cage the Elephant

I celebrated Cinco De Mayo in the best way I know how. I went and ate some pasta at Ivarones. Afterwards I pulled on my Mexican wrestling mask and vacuumed my house wearing a t-shirt that said Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. Oh and I also looked up some teacher's mug shot from a few years back when she was caught driving under the influence of ritalin and corona's.

Tortilla Pie
(printable version)

-3 large tortillas
-olive oil
-1 onion, diced
-1 jalapeno, diced
-2 garlic cloves
-1/2 cup spinach, sliced
-2 cups dried black beans
-bottle of beer (12 ounces)
-2 cups frozen corn
-4 scallions, sliced thinly
-shredded cheddar cheese
-salsa

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the black beans in a stock pot of water for 90 minutes. Drain. Add the beer and cook an additional 30 minutes.

2. While beans are cooking, saute the onions, jalapenos and garlic over medium heat for five minutes (or until onions are translucent). After the beans have stewed in the beer for thirty minutes, add the onions, garlic, corn and scallions. Stir until well mixed.

3. Lay foil on a circular baking sheet. Place a tortilla on the foil. Layer 1/3 of the bean mixture, 1/2 of the spinach and 1/3 of the cheese on top. Spread to cover the entire tortilla. Place a second tortilla on top. Place another 1/3 bean mixture, 1/2 spinach and 1/3 cheese on top. Add a third tortilla. Finish with a final layer of beans and cheese.

4. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. The cheese should be beginning to brown. Slice the pie into six slices and cover with salsa. Lose yourself.

To accompany this pie I listened to the ethereal, screamo soul punk of the Computers. They can be best described as the band that your mom, grandmother and wife hate with a passion (so maybe avoid them on mother's day) and that your father tells you to turn down because he is concerned about getting jacked in the side of the head by she who wears the pants. Your hipster friends probably won't like them either. That makes them perfect for a misunderstood holiday such as Cinco de Mayo. "Music is Dead" is the Computer's first single from their new album Recorded in Stereo Direct to Tape. It's out May 16th on One Little Indian Records.



THE COMPUTERS - MUSIC IS DEAD from One Little Indian Records on Vimeo.

Everyone, except me, has probably heard Cage the Elephant before. I found them through Let's Wrestle (rather than vice versa). "My Arms Don't Bend that Way Damn It!" was given both the elephant and wrestling treatment during this cooking experience. I prefer, albeit slightly, the wrestling treatment. Starting in reverse order:




The Neighbors sound straight from the 80's with their majestic synths, echoed "Heys" and drum machine blips and bumps. What separates their music from the 80's is that it is actually good. And that they call bullsh*t on everyone. In all serious, this is laid back fun. We can expect more as the band plans to release their August EP for free at some point in the near future. Thanks to Consequence of Sound for the heads up on these guys.
Neighbors-Watergun

Danielle Kurant Wishes Kalesia Tea Lounge a Happy 6th Birthday

About the time J-Fur and I relocated to Tampa a tea lounge was opening on East Fletcher Avenue. It would take her another year before she made her first trip there (and it would take me like three after that since I constantly balked at her suggestion that we go there saying "I hate tea"). As their name would imply, Kaleisia Tea Lounge is first and foremost about the tea. They offer over a hundred different loose leaf teas, many located on their "wall of tea" which allows the customer to smell, feel and see the different varieties before ordering. They also have a number of seasonal brews and specials that are constantly changing (I usually order from the seasonal menu because their fall selection is awesome). If you aren't a tea drinker, Kaleisia offers a number of other beverage options on their menu including smoothies, boba, Chai Lattes, Thai Tea and Vietnamese Coffee.

Another major aspect to the Kaleisia experience is the sense of community that the tea lounge has spent the last six years building. They provide a meeting place for artist's, knitters, crafters, musicians and students. They embrace the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle, taking place in the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale, as well as offering a modest menu that is all vegan. This is my major reason for going there and why, last Thursday, I went along with J-Fur to help celebrate their sixth birthday party.

The Asian Noodles and Tofu that I ate.

Elizabeth ordered the Pumpkin Coconut Soup that J-Fur swears by.

The free birthday cake that was part of the celebration.

My slice, just before I grabbed it and ate it.

To celebrate their birthday, Kaleisia had a lot of giveaways, a photo booth, specials on tea and free cake. They also had live music which I wasn't really paying attention to at first. I really like the idea of coffeehouse performances, it is a great venue to get people heard, but I am often left unsatisfied by their music (I guess that is why they are currently in the coffeehouse and not somewhere else). But Kaleisia would be different thanks to Danielle Kurant who started playing a mixture of singer-songwriter acoustic and keyboard laced electronic pop songs that blew my mind and changed everything I thought I knew about coffeehouse music.

Danielle is a classically trained musician who couldn't sleep one night because she had the lyrics "I'm headed to London; there's nothing for me here" running through her head. It is strangely reminiscent to these guys. After getting up and penning the song "London" she was able to fall asleep. That became the blueprint for her work and over forty songs later, led to her album Beginnings. The song that caught my attention, and which Danielle was nice enough to share, was "Rock Star."

Danielle Kurant-Rock Star

To check out Danielle's other stuff or to get to know more go to: Myspace, Facebook, iTunes, Twitter

Food Pairing 101: What Goes Well with Queen of Hearts by Fucked Up?

Fucked Up (here and here) is back with their fourth and final single leading up to the release of David Comes to Life on Matador Records."Queen of Hearts" plays off similar to the first one, "The Other Shoe," in which there is a sweet and sour back and forth between Damien and a female vocalist (this time it is Madelin Follin from Cults). To get this same feeling in food, you need to go with something like the Crispy Sweet and Sour Seitan from Vegan Yum Yum.

Fucked Up-Queen of Hearts