Memoir of SPAMgon

Memoir of SPAMgon

 By Aly Abaquin

Nothing is more memorable than having friends together for dinner.

From entirely different countries and different culture we agreed

to enrich our taste buds with SPAM takeoffs.

Saigonites unite one evening for a Spam Party that conjure up taste and laughter.

The smell, the scent that can be momentarily fleeting but conjure up a colorful array of taste, the gathering of flavors  for this dinner of pot  luck that got its food inspiration  from that all American SPAM- cuisine.

We spamMATICS   conjured  dishes that spell bouncingly different.  The spam reunited us to be friends and conjure up memoir of our spam childhood.

I think every one of us have those spam moments.  I remember relatives from the states  from the  U.S. of A.  Those balikbayan boxes in the 70’s are with spam canned favorites for us to save in our pantry.  “Ala State side” many  Filipinos can relate to this one …  love this spam  “delata” ( can ) that my Mom kept from us since it is stateside and valuable … Hahahahahahaha.

She just open this can for special breakfast and for special occasions during the 70’s this was quite a gold commodity as it came from the states. Remember Cartimar and Cash & Carry stores that only carry this all American can back in the 70’s.

The smell and taste of spam detonate a softly but laughing memory of complex vision leaping out from my childhood. Memoirs that sparks during our SPAMATICS get together.

During the 80’s the Spam was beginning to be available in groceries and Spam sandwiches with Mayo made for a quicky snack or  “baon” for school.

The sliced fried spam with mayo and pickles are staples for our lunch boxes

Back then. Quick and easy and ready to go.

The  smelly spammy sweat that every kid loves when I was in school we used to share this sandwiches with coke and or orange juices. As recess is only 20 minutes then  so no choice but eat SPAMwich.

Well here are some pictures of our great get together and HAIL to SPAM.

I did the SPAM MIEN a spam pancit.  Spam mixed with veggies as topping for a nest inspired fried noodles. Hopping for that asian influence……Hoping the  taste is good as well as it appears.

 SPAM Miem, Spam CHEESE cake, Spam Hap chie, Spam peking rolls, Spam appetizers.

Spam everything!!!

 

Others did well,  Hmmp delicioso!!!!  Happy Spam Day to all !!!

Indeed Spam  can conjure up good childhood flashbacks.

What’s your Spam story???

“We do not remember days; we remember moments.”

 ~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Music Memorabilia ROCKs SAIGON!

MUSIC MEMORABILIA ROCKS SAIGON
By Aly Abaquin

Tired of hearing ABBA Music being played over the radio or even 70’s music being aired in taxi’s all over Saigon. Well your luck has been changed; look no further as the famous Hard Rock café is now in Saigon! ROCK N' ROLL is here to conquer the music bar scene.

Founded by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, the first Hard Rock Café opened its doors to the public in London in 1971. The brand name of Hard Rock Café has spread to over 157 venues in more than 52 countries, including 127 cafes and 12 Hotel/Casinos. And just last 17th day of December 2009 Hard Rock open its doors to Music lovers right smack in the middle of Kumho Asiana Plaza SAIGON.

Hard Rock is an American fare in the atmosphere that rocks. So HCMC get ready to be rock!!! Western music lovers now has a venue to really rock it and listen to american sounds as well as see the collection of MUSIC MEMORABILIA.

Hard Rock is known for its collection of rock and roll memorabilia. The cafes solicit donations of music memorabilia but also purchase a number of items at auctions around the world, including autographed guitars, outfits from world tours and rare photographs are often to be found mounted on cafe walls. The collection began in 1979 with the gift of an un-signed guitar (a Red Fender Lead II) from Eric Clapton, who was a regular at the first restaurant in London. This prompted Pete Townshend of “The Who” to give one of his guitars, also un-signed with the note "Mine's as good as his! Love, Pete." Hard Rock's archive includes over 70,000 items and it opened a Hard Rock museum named "The Vault" in London, located near the original cafe.

When asked the quintessential question of “What’s the single greatest piece of memorabilia in the Hard Rock collection?” Officials have this to say: “There are a few pieces that are so mind-blowingly historic that they just might qualify for that rarified title”. Or better yet just click on to www.hardrock.com and check out a handful of contenders from their interactive memorabilia website. Just click on the photos to see these pieces in amazing detail and get more of the back story.

If you’re the social network freak just chime in to their discussion over at Hard rock facebook page and interact with music lovers and collectors.

What to EAT!!!

Of course when in hard rock eat the all American burger! HRC’s Classic Bacon Cheese Burger , grilled with your choice of melted cheese, topped with crisp bacon and served on a toasted bun, fries and tomato, onion, pickles and lettuce. Plus smothered it with Catsup and your in burger heaven. What the hell !Their burgers are really staples of true blue American diet.

Now playing beautiful music in Saigon, ROCK N ROLL lives forever!!! Having said that I miss the electric guitar signage that auspicious symbol of HARD ROCK!

Well Eric Clapton wouldn’t mind if they’ve erected that in Kumho ASIANA PLAZA.

Hard Rock Ho Chi Minh City
Kumho Asiana Plaza
39 Le Duan Street
Telephone:
+84-8-6291-7595
+84-8-6291-7596

BASILICO

Basilico
By Aly Abaquin

The Basil or the il basilico, the green herb is an important aromatic ingredient in Italian Cuisine. It goes well in pasta dishes and is present in all cucina italiana (Italian Kitchen). Especially the Sughi al pomodoro (tomato sauces) insalate freshe (fresh salads) and of course as main ingredient of Pesto alla genovese. It is so difficult to imagine Italian cuisine without the Basil.

There is now a green and growing newly opened Italian Trattoria that serves cuisine of Italy and brought to life in scent, sight, sound and energy as you step into Basilico.

The Contemporary modern ,casual Trattoria-style enclave made of stone, brown walls and dark wooden floors, supple mode chairs, big silver rounded enclosed chandeliers , full length glass panels greets you as one enter at the ground floor of the new towering Intercontinental ASIANA Saigon residences.

The 31storey Residence offers the finest and most contemporary residential space in Ho Chi Minh City at a premier location in the heart of the business and cultural district.and is part of the Kumho Asiana Plaza, the city’s finest integrated complex featuring commercial, hotel, residential and luxury shopping.

With confident service and posh modern setting will transport you from your daily grind to the comforts of the freshest from the best part of Italy’s cuisinary history and the wine that will make your troubles melt away.

With dried spices, cured hams, nickel colored pot and pans hanging making one feels welcome and with the menu written in the black board using multicolored chalks adds charm to this casual dining restaurant. Freshly baked breads, choices of cheese, olive oils and other condiments can be purchased if you want to cook Italian in your condo above.

Located in the bustling center of HCMC a few minutes walk from Notre Dame church and near the tourist hub. Basilico’s clientele is as diverse as the residents and visitors of this Paris of the orient.

The Restaurant features a wood burning pizza oven so when we dine here. We tried the Pizza. The Pizzaria Funghi  is full of flavor and the mushrooms, ham and cheese on thin crust pizza size of 18” is so satisfyingly and unbelievably priced at 135,000 vnd. ( $7) . Good  for 3 persons.  As the slices are bigger and the portioning is  very good the Pizza is the perfect companion for 3 friends just having fun in a late afternoon chat on what to do on a lazy sunday afternoon.

The verdict we shall return for more pasta and pizza next time as we voted to live La Dolce vita!!
Enjoy life its SUNDAY anyways.

Intercontinental Asiana Saigon Residences
Nguyen Du corner Le Van Huu
Dist. 1 Hcmc, Vietnam
Dining Reservations: +84 (08) 3520 9099
Dining reservations: dine@icasianasaigon.com
www.intercontinental.com/saigon

Intercontinental Asiana Saigon
Cnr Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan St.
Dist1, HCMC, Vietnam
http://www.intercontinental.com/