As I progressed throughout the day, I've learned a few new things: Windows Phone 7 does simplify things quite a bit in many ways similar to that of the iPhone. I can check my Twitter, Facebook, and my personal mail in about the same manner as the iPhone. However, the screen is very aesthetically pleasing and it comes with the Xbox Live App (oh joy!). :)
I've also learned that unfortunately, not all apps are created equal. I had to create an account at 4th and Mayor to use Foursquare again on WP7. Also, I have to commit myself to the dreadful thing they call "Zune." Maybe it's how I felt about the initial mp3 player that really set me off in many more negative ways than one. As I blog, I'm currently allowing this thing to collect my music, podcasts, and (hopefully) my contact list and pictures for my initial Zune software setup. A bit inconvenient, but it's part of the initial setup, I guess.
I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I should purchase games on WP7's Xbox Live app because I'm still test driving this thing after all. Granted, I'm still a bit upset that I can't use MS points to buy games on the same Xbox Live app, but the games do render well on the phone.
One particular feature that's preventing me from going back to my iPhone is the fact I can search online with my voice. That feature is known as Bing Voice. This is just me scratching the surface, but I'm very pleased to see that voice recognition works particularly well when I want to do my web searches! I can say things like "pizza in Bellevue, WA" and Bing will put in the search for me. I could not believe it was that simple! If this is a taste of things to come, then I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me!
So far, I'm still missing my awesome apps I've enjoyed on my iPhone (Words with Friends, GetGlue, TweetDeck, and my Movin 92.5 radio app). However, I believe that if I hold out long enough, it would be worth my time to wait for these to come out on WP7 so I can stay with the phone's awesome potential! Stay tuned for Day 2!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Lunch at ZenYai Noodle House
Here's a little tidbit about me: I love Oriental Food. I totally love it. I cannot possibly detach myself from it. Why? It's not because I can take it out anytime or it's some kind of glorified quick-mealer. It's because the sweet, Umami, salty, bitter, and sour really come together the best in this form of cuisine. There is one place I go to whenever I can get away from the office for at least an hour to get this kind of sensation: ZenYai Noodle House. This place is about a 15-minute drive from my office, but when I get there, it's so worth it!
The one dish that I keep coming back to is their Crispy Garlic Chicken. It is easily the most addictive plates of chicken I've ever had. The chicken (as titled appropriately) is crispy and cooked with lots of garlic (I love garlic). :) It is served on a bed of vegetables (shredded white cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and a leaf of lettuce (I think it was iceberg) with a bowl of rice.
I'm not exactly sure of the chicken recipe, but I believe that if I were to cook it as closely as the noodle house does, I would use all dark meat for the pieces (more likely thigh meat) and cut the thighs into pieces. Then the chicken would be dredged in tempura batter before introducing it into a wok of oil. I would fry this twice to enhance the crunchy element of the chicken before making their addictive sauce. The sauce would consist of tamarind sauce, fish sauce, a sour sauce, and enough chili sauce to make a 5-star sauce. After making my sauce, I would mince four cloves of garlic and toss them in the wok first to let them crisp. When the garlic is browned lightly, I'll add the sauce to the wok, mix it together, then toss in my fried chicken to coat it before serving the chicken on a bed of vegetables.
The sensations I had at lunch (at 12:30 today) were nothing short of amazing. I got sweet, crunchy, hot, Umami, and sour from the chicken along with bitter from the vegetables. Whatever sauce that does not adhere completely to the chicken drips onto the vegetables the chicken rests on, making the vegetables even more edible. I love to mix this residual sauce with my rice, totally making the rest of my day.
Overall, I feel that the Crispy Garlic Chicken is a dish that cannot be missed, especially if you love Oriental food. When you can take time out of your lunch break, go on and check out the ZenYai Noodle House in Bellevue, WA. You won't regret it!
The one dish that I keep coming back to is their Crispy Garlic Chicken. It is easily the most addictive plates of chicken I've ever had. The chicken (as titled appropriately) is crispy and cooked with lots of garlic (I love garlic). :) It is served on a bed of vegetables (shredded white cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and a leaf of lettuce (I think it was iceberg) with a bowl of rice.
I'm not exactly sure of the chicken recipe, but I believe that if I were to cook it as closely as the noodle house does, I would use all dark meat for the pieces (more likely thigh meat) and cut the thighs into pieces. Then the chicken would be dredged in tempura batter before introducing it into a wok of oil. I would fry this twice to enhance the crunchy element of the chicken before making their addictive sauce. The sauce would consist of tamarind sauce, fish sauce, a sour sauce, and enough chili sauce to make a 5-star sauce. After making my sauce, I would mince four cloves of garlic and toss them in the wok first to let them crisp. When the garlic is browned lightly, I'll add the sauce to the wok, mix it together, then toss in my fried chicken to coat it before serving the chicken on a bed of vegetables.
The sensations I had at lunch (at 12:30 today) were nothing short of amazing. I got sweet, crunchy, hot, Umami, and sour from the chicken along with bitter from the vegetables. Whatever sauce that does not adhere completely to the chicken drips onto the vegetables the chicken rests on, making the vegetables even more edible. I love to mix this residual sauce with my rice, totally making the rest of my day.
Overall, I feel that the Crispy Garlic Chicken is a dish that cannot be missed, especially if you love Oriental food. When you can take time out of your lunch break, go on and check out the ZenYai Noodle House in Bellevue, WA. You won't regret it!
Windows Phone 7 (Day 1, 6/22/2011)
For the next 30 days, I'm going to test drive the Windows Phone 7 to see how great it would be without my iPhone. I picked up the Samsung Focus last night and it took me two hours to reconfigure my existing SIM to my new test subject. So far, it seems to be worth the effort.
As far as features go, I was really excited about being able to use Xbox Live Marketplace on my new 7. I'm considering getting a few games and trying to entice some of my Xbox pals to come play with me over the phone. Trouble is that I realized they don't use Microsoft Points and I would actually have to get my credit card out. Until I do all my research, I'm going to just download the trials and see how the games render on the phone.
Right off the bat, I'm finding that I needed to download the apps I used to enjoy. Of the many apps, there are a couple I'm sorely missing so far: TweetDeck, GetGlue, and Words with Friends. Keep in mind that this is Day 1, so if anyone out there can help me find my missing apps, I'm all ears.
Meanwhile, I have to reboot my computer for now so I can complete the mandatory Zune software install. Wish me luck!
As far as features go, I was really excited about being able to use Xbox Live Marketplace on my new 7. I'm considering getting a few games and trying to entice some of my Xbox pals to come play with me over the phone. Trouble is that I realized they don't use Microsoft Points and I would actually have to get my credit card out. Until I do all my research, I'm going to just download the trials and see how the games render on the phone.
Right off the bat, I'm finding that I needed to download the apps I used to enjoy. Of the many apps, there are a couple I'm sorely missing so far: TweetDeck, GetGlue, and Words with Friends. Keep in mind that this is Day 1, so if anyone out there can help me find my missing apps, I'm all ears.
Meanwhile, I have to reboot my computer for now so I can complete the mandatory Zune software install. Wish me luck!
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