This past Monday, Marco & Pepe threw a "Feel Good Event" during the evening despite Mondays generally being their day off. It was a free meal + free beer/wine - what can be better? I was headed there right after work when Dan spotted me at the station. Naturally, I decided for him that he must have dinner w/ me, Lev, and Shankar (who were meeting us there). "Dan, you must eat delicious free food w/ your friends - cry all you want". No room for refusal.

M&P has excellent food. It's a downtown JC joint (named after the owner's two dogs) that offers American cuisine and rustic decor. The menu is simple and the bar well stocked. It is easily a local favorite. It's on the pricey side so I definitely reserve it for a 'I want to treat myself' day. Bar seating is abundant and there's a magazine rack filled w/ an assortment of reads - so hanging out is welcome. The music depends on whose employee's IPOD is plugged into the speakers. It's usually mellow tunes. I'm also a fan of their tea selection (which is served in a personal pot).

That evening, everyone would be sampling the same dish: braised chicken w/ roasted brussel sprouts, carrots, and mushrooms over rice. Initially, I thought it would be a small tasting but it was much more than that. I sipped on some vino blanco while scarfing down the dish. My 9 News was there too - so that was the catch. We were puppets of a publicity stunt...puppets w/ jolly bellies. boohoo. yum yum! We left a nice tip and left quickly so others waiting in line could enjoy the free eats too. We walked Dan home and he put some homemade brownies in a baggie for me. I am the luckiest. Then Shankar made me some Indian chai as I watched part of BBC's Wild China (which Henry figured I would enjoy). Did I mention I am the luckiest? It is really good so far...and I'm excited to watch the rest.

Psst...Congrats, you're halfway finished with the week!

There was lots of work ahead of me this evening so I decided to start a new blog instead. I am the master of self-sabotage. True story. If you followed me over here from my last blog, thanks for helping me move! If you're a new viewer, welcome to my new home!

What shall we expect of this blog? The adventures of Masha Chansky, of course (would you believe that URL was already taken?) and an endless list of things I fancy.

This evening, I grabbed a Chicken Sate Bahn Mi from "Mangez avec moi" for dinner. I've had my share of bahn mi's in my lifetime and have to say that this place never disappoints w/ their sandwiches (i.e. toasty bread, marinated lean chicken, perfect ratio of vegetable + cilantro). Their actual restaurant (located next door to the sandwich shop), however, is another story.

The petite shop offers a lunch time buffet and Asian snacks to go. Staff is all smiles. I always get suckered into buying a random dessert they're offering - tonight was no exception; a Thai dessert of sweet rice noodles fried w/ garlic. I should have quit while I was ahead but it turns out I have no self control (!) and finished the entire container. oops. One other detail I enjoyed about the bahn mi is the long and slender brown paper bag it comes in w/ the name of the sandwich neatly written across the bottom. (I'm a big fan of packaging). Two well kept wooden benches are outside to sit and enjoy your meal. FYI, the same homeless man hangs out near there, he's a bit intimidating but be nice and offer him half your sandwich.