Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Memphis Nosh: Mosa Asian Bistro

Anyone who has been following me on Instagram or Twitter lately (or read my "Friday Finds" post a couple of weeks ago!) knows that I've been having a problem. 

A delicious problem. 

I'm in love. With a restaurant. 


Seriously, I'm pretty sure a HIMYM intervention may be needed.


But I don't care. I LOVE Mosa. It took me ages to make it out there, but now that I have, I refuse to be stopped!

Not only does Mosa have some amazing food (think a fusion of Chinese, Americanized Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Japanese - as close to "pan-Asian" as I've had here) they also have a great story, some of the friendliest (and most helpful!) staff in Memphis who really love and are knowledgable about their food, and a great social media presence that makes me feel super welcome and excited about eating there. 

So I've been...3...times this month, and it's been great each time.

On my first visit, it was kind of an odd time of day (probably 3ish) so the place was pretty empty. I'm still not 100% sure how it works, but my general understanding is that at lunch/dinner it's order at the counter, and on weekends and at "off" times it's a host or hostess and a server. Anyway, this day I got a server who was fantastic. I was torn about what to order, but since it was a dreary, gross day, he suggested I try the Pad See U - wide noodles, garlic sauce, lots of veggies, and chicken. They do let you pick your heat level, and I went with medium, which was just perfect to be spicy and warm without feeling like I was going to die!




Amazing. Seriously one of the best meals I've ever had. 

The second trip I met my friend Catherine for lunch. One of the specials that day was the Pho Ton - my same server from the previous visit said that this was something the kitchen had been making for the staff for a long time, but that they had just added to the menu. It was an order at the counter day/time, but he was still unbelievably helpful and nice!


This one had beef, lime, and sides of hoisin and sriracha. So good - I prefer the wider noodles but this was such a comforting and flavorful soup!

The third time, I went on a Saturday, so I got seated by a hostess - different server this time but still so great. Seriously, I don't think I've ever gotten this consistently good service in Memphis!

This time I decided I needed an appetizer too. I mean...for research...

The hot & sour wontons sounded good, and they did not disappoint: "marinated pork and shrimp in wonton wrap, steamed and tossed in spicy garlic sauce."



This was WAY too much to eat all on my own. 

But I like a challenge, so I ate all but one. With an entree on the way! That's how good they were.

For my entree I wavered a bit, but had to go for the Pad See U again.


Hello Lover.

As I was finishing up, I thought "ugh, and I still have to go to the grocery store to get some food and I don't have time to go tomorrow and I just...no..." 

And then I had a brilliant thought.

So I ordered some Sriracha wings to go.



Some of the best wings I've ever tried - they came naked-ish (crispy spicy skin) with the Sriracha sauce on the side. At 10 o'clock last night while I was watching "The Wicker Man" these were a nice treat with my Diet Coke!

All that food, and this was my bill!


Y'all know I love a bargain. And $22 for an appetizer, lunch, and dinner is a deal. 

Plus I had all this leftover!


So technically, lunch, TWO dinners, and an appetizer! The servings are huge!

Plus, my server didn't even care that I stayed about 20 minutes after I was done to finish my book - he said "You look like you're close to done, you should stay and finish!"

I cannot recommend Mosa enough. Everyone who works there is just so nice and helpful and seems to be really happy with their job AND the food. When people tell me they like the food at the place they work, and it doesn't seem fake, I know it's good (I was a server for a long time - I've lied about how good food was so. many. times.). Plus, the prices are reasonable, the food is amazing, the location is good (White Station between Park and Poplar), and I will go to lunch with you there anytime. :)

Check them out! 

Friday, January 9, 2015

Friday Finds

*I'm trying out a new, weekly feature in an effort to blog more regularly! Let me know what you think!*

It's finally Friday, hooray! 

These are the things (I'm using that pretty broadly) that I've loved this week - and that I think you should too!

***


So my friend Sarah wrote an amazing article over on Ernie Bufflo today about jeggings and yoga pants and how we should all just calm the heck down about what other people are wearing. I also just happened to wear these amazing jeggings I found while I was home for the holidays. Fate? I think so!


***

The new CĂ©line ad with Joan Didion has basically made my life.


If you don't know who Joan Didion is, well, you should. 

From Slouching Toward Bethlehem:

“I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind's door at 4 a.m. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends.” 

Plus she's just a sassy lady. 

And if I look that badass when I'm 80, I'll be happy. I would be happy if I was that badass now!

***

Pretty much everything from Francesca's!


I won my wish list and got a ton of stuff plus a gift card - new phone case, new mugs, book ends (that look like books but are really vases!!!), a sweater, and more! Plus I bought this great mug with my gift card:


Nothing has ever been more me.

***

Friends.


My secret shame is that I've only seen like...12...episodes of Friends ever.

When Kyle found out he insisted we start watching it immediately.

And now that the whole series is on Netflix, I can binge to my heart's content!

Which. Is. Awesome.

I'll probably be ranking my favorite episodes in the near future...after I rewatch the series a billion more times because now I'm obsessed.

Favorite quote so far:

Ross: Didn't you read The Lord of the Rings in high school?
Joey: I had sex in high school.

And now I'm sad about my life...

***


When I was home for the holidays I basically ate, well, everything. And my mom sent me home with leftovers that I'm STILL eating. But I had a bunch of errands to run, and it was cold and rainy and just awful outside. So I stopped into a place I've been meaning to try forever and holy wow it was good!


I asked my waiter what he would suggest, and he whole-heartedly recommended the Pad See U - basically wide noodles with a garlicky sauce, veggies, egg, and (I had) chicken. I chose the medium heat, and it was perfectly warming without killing me. I will be back. A lot.

***



My mom lent me these and they were really good. If you're in the mood for entertaining, not too heavy, kind of fluffy, romance but also like a plot, I definitely recommend these (or anything by Nora Roberts really).

***

Maison du Croissant Mini Chocolate Croissants 


These are like $3 for 8 croissants (or pain au chocolat), and they're actually really close to what I ate in France. So good!


I found these at Walmart, and they don't seem to have a website, but trust me - so so good!

***

And that's it for this week! Anyone find anything awesome that they want to share?

Thursday, January 8, 2015

OOTD: Puffy Vests and Cold Weather

I am, as you all know, not always trendy. 

In fact I get really excited when I find out I (usually accidentally) am trendy.

I dress for my own tastes, and my own comfort, and my own style - and if that happens to be trendy, well, okay.

Apparently vests are very "in" right now.

So...hooray!

I found this great puffy vest at Old Navy (half-off at $15!) a few days ago (they're sold out online now, but check your local stores in the clearance section) and it was my size, a pretty color, and, well...$15!


I've always avoided vests because I'm...blessed...but this one is actually really flattering. It's a great cut, and not so puffy that I feel marshmallow-y, but still pretty warm. Basically a perfect "it's kind of cold but not super cold but I'm chilly but I want to look cute" weather outfit!

With some skinny jeans, a long-sleeved thermal, and boots, this was a great, comfortable outfit that I felt super cute in - and, trendy or not, isn't that kind of the point? :)


Vest Outfit