Oh What a Night
I wanted to post quickly about an evening out that Hubby and I had the other day. I got invited to attend a dinner event at Myers+Chang from myBlogSpark.
I don’t know much about myBlogSpark, so I figured it would be a great opportunity to learn more about the organization. Plus, it’s nice to include Hubby in my blogging adventures, and my friend Cara from Cara’s Cravings and her Hubby were going to be there too!
When we got to Myers+Chang, we were shocked to learn the restaurant had closed down for the event. A few people were already sitting at small tables when we arrived.
I spotted Cara and we sat down with them. Cara and I chatted about how this wasn’t like any other blogging event we’d been to. Granted, we’ve only been to a few, but still. There was no mingling or anything, everyone just sitting at their tables as if we weren’t all there for the same purpose.
At our place settings, we had a 4-course menu with a few items to choose from for each course. We started with a round of drinks and our first course.
I got the Pork and Chive Pot Stickers and Hubby got the Crispy Spring Rolls. Both were very tasty and we switched plates after our first few bites. I loved the freshness of the spring rolls.
For the second course, Hubby got Wok-Roasted Mussels. If you don’t know Hubby, know that he loves mussels. Almost as much as he loves lobster.
I went with the Thai Ginger Chicken Salad. Both were made with very fresh ingredients and tasted delicious.
Then came time for our entrees. We decided as a table to order four different entrees and share them all. As a table, we ordered the Orange Chicken, Shrimp Lo Mein, Beef and Broccoli, and Kung Pao Chicken. We also ordered a scorpion bowl for the table. How fun is that?
When our entrees came out, we could tell something was different. One thing I did notice was that the brocolli in the beef and broccoli (see below) was really small. It was crisp, but usually broccoli in dishes like that are large and have a longer stem.
As we were eating, we were also commenting about how the entrees were pretty good, we all liked the first two courses better. Then someone from General Mills stands up to make an announcement. Turns out they had done a “switch” on us and we were in fact eating frozen entrees from Wanchai Ferry.
Just like those Pizza Hut commercials with the pasta. In fact, I always wondered how they got that many people in a room and none of them figured it out. Well now I guess I know. This makes sense now why there wasn’t any mingling or big tables for people to meet and talk. Once one person figured out the trick, we would have all known.
We weren’t at all surprised that the food was frozen entrees and we were looking forward to dessert at this point. Hubby got the Coconut Cream Pie.
I had the Chocolate Terrine. Myers+Chang gets their desserts from Flour Bakery. Both were devine.
At the end of the night, we headed out still scratching our heads at what had happened. We definitely had a good evening chatting with Cara and Ben and enjoyed the meal. Based on the first two courses, I would go back to Myers+Chang. I would definitely go back to Flour bakery as well. As far as whether I’d actually buy and Wanchai Ferry frozen entrees… Hubby and I both enjoy cooking. If we eat at home, we cook our dinners ourselves. We definitely stay away from processed foods as much as possible. Even when we need a quick meal, we don’t go for frozen entrees. So I highly doubt we will ever actually buy any Wanchei Ferry entrees.
Check Cara’s blog to see her recap. We also saw Megan from Delicious Dishings and the Boston Chomper. Thanks to myBlogSpark for hosting the evening.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Thank you so much for sharing Jen! I completely understand where you’re coming from and how you feel…do nice things for yourself
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 8:50 am
You do the same Fiona
Thank you so much for sharing. This is UNREAL. My husband Jeff ran the Boston Marathon this year, and I spent the day traveling around on the T watching the marathon with my in-laws. We ended the day just a block from the blast sites – I shared my story here: http://decoratethis.blogspot.com/2013/04/bittersweet.html; Jeff’s story here: http://iwasbornready.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-2013-boston-marathon.html.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:05 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your and Jeff’s stories. What a day you guys had. I’m glad you’re safe.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
I added these links to the body of the post.
It definitely does help to put some words together. And I feel the same way- even though I was volunteering at the 10k, i can’t help but wonder why wasn’t i volunteering at the finish line so I could’ve helped?
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
I agree – it was therapeutic to write this up.
Thanks for sharing Jen. I haven’t lived in Boston for 4 years now, but my husband and I had a similar reaction. We both wanted to get “home” to the city we love, a city that becomes part of your being no matter where you go next.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:11 pm
I’m glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Living in Boston leaves such a strong impression…
I’m a longtime reader, first time commenter. First I want to give you big virtual hugs regarding the events in Boston. Your feelings are no less valid, no less important. My heart goes out to you. Also, I want to say, welcome to Cincinnati! I live east of the city and am a transplant from Seattle. Cincy is growing on me, and slowly but surely I’m starting to tell people that I’m from Ohio not Washington. 🙂 Best wishes to you and thank you for sharing.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:14 pm
Jen – thanks so much for commenting. I realize that at some point I’ll say I’m from Ohio, but the events of this week just my my heart tied even tighter to Boston…
I’m so glad all of your Boston people are safe. I can completely relate to your feelings of helplessness, I felt the same way after 9/11. It’s hard to be away from family and friends and a city that you love when tragedy strikes.
Big hugs for you and your crew.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:14 pm
Thanks Jene. I’m sure it’s very similar to how you felt around 9/11.
I feel the same way–Boston was my home for four years of college. I love that city. I feel like it is MY city. I wish I was there, locked in with friends, watching the news and hugging them. I feel so helpless on the other side of the state, so far away.
As soon as I’m able I’m going to the city and having a moment in the Common before heading to all my favorite places. My heart aches for the city, I wish I was there.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:15 pm
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who feels this way. We are trying to make plans to get back to the city sometime soon as well.
Oh I so know how you feel.. I live in Michigan. I’ve been here for almost 10 years, and I still call Boston home. It’ll always be home to me. You’re not alone!
beantownbaker — April 21st, 2013 @ 6:07 pm
Glad to hear I’m not the only one. I definitely think Boston will always feel like home to both me and Hubby.
I know exactly how you feel – I am a 2004 graduate of Virginia Tech. I was at work when the April 16th incident happened in Blacksburg, and I felt SO far away, and SO hopeless – the only place I wanted to be was in my beloved Blacksburg.
To make matters worse, I flew to Missouri the next day (for work) for 3.5 weeks. It seemed that the people out there had ALREADY moved on from the tragedy – it just made NO sense to me. I cried most of those 3 weeks, and since I was out there by myself it was a struggle.
I have always loved Boston, and I know that that community will love and support one another, just as Blacksburg did (and still does). It was the sixth anniversary this past Tuesday, and with everything happening in Boston, and the thoughts of VT and Blacksburg, it was an extremely long and tiring week.
Stay strong.
beantownbaker — April 22nd, 2013 @ 11:46 am
That sounds like a horrible situation for you in the aftermath of the VTech tragedy. Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your story.