Cinco de Thai-o

The Chef: Aurelia

The Menu: Why, the traditional Cinco de Mayo lunchtime favorite, Thai curry noodles! OK, you called our bluff. Thai curry noodles are not typically thought of as a Cinco de Mayo meal, but that didn't stop us from gobbling down these coconut milk and cilantro-spiked rice noodles in a festive manner. And, while Thai and Mexican food are clearly from opposite sides of the globe, they are both surprisingly enhanced by healthy doses of chili sauce. We also enjoyed some of the leftovers from yesterday's potato salad mixed in with spring greens, spinach, grated carrot, and sunflower seeds. Now if only we could rustle up some lychee margaritas ...

The Goods: Nothing really completes a Thai-Mexican fiesta like chocolate and coconut Ho Ho cupcakes from Watercourse Foods. Too bad they're based all the way in Denver. Luckily Publisher Joseph Connelly arrived back from that very city, bearing those very cupcakes, late yesterday afternoon. These little puppies–chocolate cake covered with rich coconut frosting and stuffed with vanilla filling–were so rich that we split one of them amongst the entire staff. If all this talk of cupcakes is making your mouth water for sweet treats, be sure to snatch up one of the few remaining tickets to our Urban Dessert Soirée with adorable Ani Phyo.

Free-up-the-Fridge Friday

The Chef: Colleen

The Menu: A Mexican-inspired mélange of sautéed spring veggies, roasted potatoes with molé, hearty black beans, and gorgeous guacamole. In honor of the fact that it is Friday and we need to make space in the fridge for Monday's produce delivery, Colleen approached today's lunch with her signature "take-no-prisoners" 'tude and rounded up just about every perishable comestible in sight. She had us oohing and ahhing over her simple yet oh-so-tasty zucchini, broccoli, and celery. The secret? She first toasted some cumin seeds in olive oil to release their delicate flavor and then gently tossed in the vegetables. The result? A vibrant and verdant, fragrant and flavorful, healthy and heavenly lunch that had us nearly licking our plates and definitively declaring that we'd be using more cumin seeds in our cooking henceforth.

The Goods: As you are well aware, today is Friday, which never ceases to put us in a good mood, although today we're feeling a bit slighted by the gray and drizzly weather. However, our spirits are buoyed by the excellent turnout and good times had all around at last night's SF Vegan Drinks, though you don't have to take our word for it. We actually have photo proof of this stellar evening. We certainly don't believe in coercing people into doing things they don't want to, but we would strongly, strongly recommend that you set aside Thursday, May 28, from 6 to 8pm. We're just saying ... And if you happen to be in the Denver area this weekend, be sure to stop by our booth the Green Festival and say hi. Or, find us gorging ourselves at WaterCourse Foods. Let us know if you have any other favorite Denver hot spots!