Comments on: MxMo: Fugu for Two http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/ The continuing adventures of a couple of San Francisco food dorks Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:32:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.11 by: Anita http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85764 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:55:51 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85764 Louise: We actually used to have passion fruit growing in our yard. Keeping the vines from devouring the dogs (and everything else) became a full-time job, and we only rarely got fruit. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marriedwithdinner/304320888/ Louise: We actually used to have passion fruit growing in our yard. Keeping the vines from devouring the dogs (and everything else) became a full-time job, and we only rarely got fruit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marriedwithdinner/304320888/

]]> by: Louise http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85763 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:47:45 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85763 Anita, If there is room in your garden, passiflora edulis grows quite well in the Bay Area. No matter how drastically I cut mine back, each year it becomes the vine that ate the side yard, and it fruits! A lot! Anita,

If there is room in your garden, passiflora edulis grows quite well in the Bay Area. No matter how drastically I cut mine back, each year it becomes the vine that ate the side yard, and it fruits! A lot!

]]> by: maura http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85290 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:16:46 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85290 I love that you featured Forbidden Island! Sometimes great places like that are underestimated since Alameda is often overlooked. I've had the Scorpion Bowl a few times, and always enjoyed it, along with the Suffering Bastard. Now I'll have to try the Fugu For Two! I love that you featured Forbidden Island! Sometimes great places like that are underestimated since Alameda is often overlooked. I’ve had the Scorpion Bowl a few times, and always enjoyed it, along with the Suffering Bastard. Now I’ll have to try the Fugu For Two!

]]> by: Anita http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85268 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:40:52 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85268 Hi Martin -- thanks for stopping by! We actually used passion fruit syrup that we made by buying a bottle of Looza nectar and letting it separate. When the fruit sunk to the bottom, we poured off the sugar-water at the top, and what's left was a pretty decent, less-sweet option. We've got little portions of it frozen for when the fugu urge strikes! :) I've heard that some Latino markets sell passion fruit puree frozen, and I know that Perfect Puree of Napa Valley sells an unsweetened 100%-fruit concentrate direct to restaurants and in some Dean & DeLuca shops. But for our occasional passion-fruit needs, the de-diluted Looza isn't bad. And no worries about being over-protective of your fugus -- they're adorable and I can imagine that some of them would swim away if left unattended. Hi Martin — thanks for stopping by!

We actually used passion fruit syrup that we made by buying a bottle of Looza nectar and letting it separate. When the fruit sunk to the bottom, we poured off the sugar-water at the top, and what’s left was a pretty decent, less-sweet option. We’ve got little portions of it frozen for when the fugu urge strikes! :)

I’ve heard that some Latino markets sell passion fruit puree frozen, and I know that Perfect Puree of Napa Valley sells an unsweetened 100%-fruit concentrate direct to restaurants and in some Dean & DeLuca shops. But for our occasional passion-fruit needs, the de-diluted Looza isn’t bad.

And no worries about being over-protective of your fugus — they’re adorable and I can imagine that some of them would swim away if left unattended.

]]> by: Martin http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85265 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:06:05 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85265 Anita- thanks for including our favorite fish in your MxMo entry! When I came up with the Fugu, the vodka was originally this japanese spirit that was a kind of vodka but didn't survive in the market very long. The vodka in it today is a kind of vestigal ingredient- an evolutionary leftover like an appendix or wisdom tooth. I never create with vodka, but people seem to enjoy the Fugu just as it is, so why mess with success. And by the way, since both Trader Vic's and Monin stopped using real passion fruit in their syrup, we've switched to Funkin Passion Fruit puree mixed with simple syrup. Much more lively and natural. I remember when you guys were there- sorry if I pounced on your empty fugu mug- even holding credit cards, theft is a big problem with the fugus. Not that you seemed like trouble makers! Thanks for the kind words, Murray! You've got Jessica blushing. Hope to see you again soon! Please email me if you're ever heading down. Everyone else- please check out the directions page on our website for some public transport options, including the mighty A/C Transit "O" bus which leaves from SF Transbay Terminal and drops off within one block of Forbidden Island. 15 min with no traffic! Mahalo to you all! Anita- thanks for including our favorite fish in your MxMo entry! When I came up with the Fugu, the vodka was originally this japanese spirit that was a kind of vodka but didn’t survive in the market very long. The vodka in it today is a kind of vestigal ingredient- an evolutionary leftover like an appendix or wisdom tooth. I never create with vodka, but people seem to enjoy the Fugu just as it is, so why mess with success. And by the way, since both Trader Vic’s and Monin stopped using real passion fruit in their syrup, we’ve switched to Funkin Passion Fruit puree mixed with simple syrup. Much more lively and natural.

I remember when you guys were there- sorry if I pounced on your empty fugu mug- even holding credit cards, theft is a big problem with the fugus. Not that you seemed like trouble makers!

Thanks for the kind words, Murray! You’ve got Jessica blushing. Hope to see you again soon! Please email me if you’re ever heading down.

Everyone else- please check out the directions page on our website for some public transport options, including the mighty A/C Transit “O” bus which leaves from SF Transbay Terminal and drops off within one block of Forbidden Island. 15 min with no traffic!

Mahalo to you all!

]]> by: Anita http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85247 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:15:16 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85247 Rocky: Oh, I can just see you. :) Kathy: Thanks! There's definitely something more 'cocktailian' about FI that invites a more-loving aspect from me as a lover of well-made drinks and well-run bars. I will defend my use of "kitsch" in the <a target="_blank" title="DOTW: Mai Tai" href="http://marriedwithdinner.com/2007/11/16/dotw-mai-tai/" rel="nofollow">Tiki-Ti post</a>... because it's true! Mike & Mike Jr are talented and wonderful, but the Ti is about as kitschy as it gets. (Exhibit A: "ooga-booga! toro-toro!" Exhibit B: <a target="_blank" title="the wheel of tiki drinks" href="http://www.tiki-ti.com/pages/wheel.html" rel="nofollow">the wheel</a>) They're both fabulous bars of which I am inordinately fond... which I hope came through in the posts. Oh, and Forbidden Island opens at 3 on Sundays, if that helps work it into your non-nighttime social calendar. Rocky: Oh, I can just see you. :)

Kathy: Thanks! There’s definitely something more ‘cocktailian’ about FI that invites a more-loving aspect from me as a lover of well-made drinks and well-run bars. I will defend my use of “kitsch” in the Tiki-Ti post… because it’s true! Mike & Mike Jr are talented and wonderful, but the Ti is about as kitschy as it gets. (Exhibit A: “ooga-booga! toro-toro!” Exhibit B: the wheel) They’re both fabulous bars of which I am inordinately fond… which I hope came through in the posts.

Oh, and Forbidden Island opens at 3 on Sundays, if that helps work it into your non-nighttime social calendar.

]]> by: Kathy Ramsey http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85245 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:01:45 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85245 You knew I'd enjoy this entry, Anita! Traveling to Alameda in the evening, in our current situation, is almost impossible, so I sadly have not had the opportunity to get to Forbidden Island yet. I just had to point out to you, though, that this is the first tiki drink/lounge article I've read in several years written with a loving tone rather than being sniggering and condescending. You avoided the usual adjectives, which usually include things like "kitsch" and "cheesy" -- thank you! :) You knew I’d enjoy this entry, Anita!

Traveling to Alameda in the evening, in our current situation, is almost impossible, so I sadly have not had the opportunity to get to Forbidden Island yet. I just had to point out to you, though, that this is the first tiki drink/lounge article I’ve read in several years written with a loving tone rather than being sniggering and condescending. You avoided the usual adjectives, which usually include things like “kitsch” and “cheesy” — thank you! :)

]]> by: Rocky http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85229 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:33:52 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85229 Yay tiki drink! This topic reminds me of the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters we used to mix up in college and drink out of those giant novelty martini and margarita glasses. Yay tiki drink! This topic reminds me of the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters we used to mix up in college and drink out of those giant novelty martini and margarita glasses.

]]> by: Anita http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85214 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:43:33 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85214 Keith: Come on down! Murray: I just love that you're a fan of some of my <i>other</i> favorite bartenders. We miss ya... Keith: Come on down!

Murray: I just love that you’re a fan of some of my other favorite bartenders. We miss ya…

]]> by: murray stenson http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85209 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:55:04 +0000 http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/03/17/mxmo-fugu-for-two/#comment-85209 Forbidden Island is blessed with Class ( with a capital "C" ): Martin the owner and Jessica the bartender goddess!Kudos!! Forbidden Island is blessed with Class ( with a capital “C” ): Martin the owner and Jessica the bartender goddess!Kudos!!

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