At the post office, I saw that the book from the book swap I did with another Bookcrossing member was waiting for me in the P.O. Box. So I picked it up and it's an unauthorized bio of the Hansons. Heh, rather unusual selection but not my thing. I'll leave it in a geocache later.
Anyway... the main event of the day: Our entire group at work went for dinner at John's Shanghai in Edgewater. There's way too much traffic getting there at rush hour because it's near the George Washington Bridge, although I don't think it's quite as bad today. I used Fort Lee Road through Leonia to bypass any bridge delays but it may not have been necessary. John's Shanghai is supposed to be more authentic Chinese cuisine than your average Chinese takeout but I was informed that all the dishes, other than the fish/soup, are Westernized to some extent. Nevertheless, free food is always good and I got to take home the fried noodles because it was the last entree and hardly anyone seemed to be able to eat that after so many courses.
John's Shanghai sign. Is that the cartoon representation of the peking duck we'll be eating?
Dumplings
Green dumplings
A bizarre combination of beef, duck and jellyfish.
Scallion pancakes.
Some kind of seafood soup.
Spring chicken. About six months old, I was told.
The peking duck being prepared.
The result of that preparation: Peking duck in spring roll wrappers.
Fried shrimp with dipping sauce.
The most tender pork I've ever had.
Beef with pine nuts.
Home-style tofu.
Stringy potatoes with peppers. Pretty unusual. These resemble noodles rather than potatoes.
This wine is 53% alcohol!!! Can anyone actually drive home after drinking that? :)
Fish in a fish-shaped bowl on top of a stove.
That same fish after bits of it were scooped up and served in soup. This is pretty good, actually.
Woosh! The gas flame from the stove.
Mushrooms with Chinese vegetables.
Buddhist Delight.
Fried noodles.
Dessert: Coconut rice balls.
Dessert: Watermelon slices.