Chick Flick

My Young Apprentice (usually MYA here, my mentee) and I went out tonight for her birthday (she's now 19) - Imperial Buffet in Plainville (they love us there, we're good luck in India, I hear and maybe in all of Asia). Then to Target (she burned part of a gift card on clearance jeans). Then to see 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl. We both decided we wanted to get married (she's got a better shot at it than I do, but it's complicated no matter how you slice it)

I kind of felt bad walking past the theater sign of Oscar nominated films I would like to see, but have not (because, that would involve actually going to a cineplex). We have this sort of negative function thing going with theaters - we go to Real Art Ways cinema a lot. The slightly more mainstream Cinestudio a bit less. Almost commercial Cinema City occasionally. And the Bow Tie cinema's right down the road on New Park maybe twice a year.

But, it was MYA's birthday, so we went to a movie she wanted. It was a nice little movie. If only life worked out in that sort of happily ever after way - she could use a happy ending.

Weekend Looming

Friday morning. I have a pile of work in the hopper, but some blog time while I am drinking coffee and listening to Elo whine about the bowl where the canteloupe used to be (Elo loves canteloupe). In a bit I'll get up and switch on Steve Theaker (FM on Toast / Mixed Grille) on WWUH 91.3. Let Zippy sleep in a bit before we start the music.

Yoga tonight. Tomorrow, Pipes in the Valley at Riverfront Park. Sunday, we're doing a Corn Maze with the True Colors mentoring program down in Middlefield at Lyman Orchards. An amazing website considering the agrarian nature of their business.

MYA has her first full weekend of work; I hope it goes well for her. She deserves some stability and success in her life. I wanted to try to get together with her for a late lunch and take her to work, but her phone was busy all night.....

I also have to believe that I'll be balloon chasing on one of the mornings (Saturday), and perhaps morning yoga on the other (Sunday). It's getting into that balloon chasing weather. I really need to revamp my balloonist's website; maybe if I get tired of electrical engineering today I will spend some time on it.....

Hard to believe we're saying goodbye to September; it's been so warm and humid this past week. The light says fall but the heat says summer.....

Lychee Wan - Bristol CT

MYA and I were driving around randomly, looking for a place for dinner, when we stumbled upon Lychee Wan in Bristol. It's on the corner of Broad Street and Emmett Street, former location of Cacti's. They have been open about a month.

Very impressive! It's Pan-Asian cuisine, with a smattering of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian. So there were soups, salads, curries - less of the usual Chinese restaurant fare, and more lighter and spicier. I had the Tofu Sambal - which was great - the tofu was fried crispy, almost like bacon, with zucchini, onion, carrots, mushrooms, and eggplant, and served up in a crispy bowl (sort of like a taco salad). I was breaking up the bowl to get the delicious sauce.

MYA had sesame chicken which was beautifully presented and also delicious. And there were so many dishes on the menu begging to be tried. They have not done a lot with the decor left over from Cacti although subtle lighting, table candles, and asian art goes a long way to making it nice inside, and it's all very tasteful. The menu is really well designed - somebody either is or hired a graphics artist! The business cards are equally well conceived; I'll scan one in for here next time I am at the office.....

The staff was very helpful and friendly, suggesting several dishes as we pondered the options. I suspect they might have been the owner Sam Xu and his mom....there is a nice piece from the Bristol Observer online here.

No liquor license (yet) so it's BYOB - but call to be sure.

Bottom Line: Bristol has a high quality asian restaurant that's fresh and interesting - definitely not your typical Chinese or Japanese fare. So give it a try - we'll definitely be back!

Lychee Wan 417 Broad Street Bristol, CT 06010
(860) 940-6369 / 6420

Four Teens Killed In Bristol Crash

Story here, I am sure it will be expanded as the day passes.

I'm crossing my fingers and toes that MYA (a Bristol teen) was nowhere near this tragedy. I think her mom would have called me if she was, but I'm still nervous.

Edit: Not MYA, thank the universe. But very tragic: A 19 year old, a 17 year old, and two 16 year olds....