Out & About with Linda
Well, I guess you can say I’m a “Pothead” now. Lol! What a mother-in-law would do for her daughter-in-law!! Deena, my son’s wife, loves Le Creuset… you know that fancy French cookware that lasts forever. Some say it’s legacy cookware.
Every year, the home company hosts a special sale including most of its favorite styles. Held in select cities throughout the country, never in the same city two years in a row. People fly in from all over to shop ‘til they drop for this formidable cookware.
Early summer I read that a sale was going to be held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. As I do so often, I tore out the notice, put it aside, hoping to re-visit closer to opening day. Fortunately, I saw a notice in the Inquirer reporting that Le Creuset had arrived and the masses had gathered! Tickets to enter had been pre-sold. Perhaps, the article said, tickets would be available on Sunday.
Okay, I was game. If someone could fly in from Texas to shop this iconic brand, I could travel the turnpike for my Deena! I arrived at the Center around 8:30am to find a line wrapped around the outside pavement/ parking lot…. and growing. People were discussing what they were looking for and brandishing their tickets online. I was busy shaking my head thinking I’d try and “talk” my way in. (Something I rarely do…. Our late publisher, my husband, Allen, was much better at this!!)
Finally about to enter the open doors, I held my breath and said I was with the media, ripped out my business card and WOW!, they very graciously allowed me access. I was quite astonished. Once inside, I was overwhelmed with all the people shopping, filling their shopping carts. This was an opportunity to acquire your chef’s delight. The huge room was filled with unimaginable product, tables emptied and re-filled immediately. Le Creuset staff circulated helping shoppers find what they were looking for. It was pretty amazing.
I sent pictures to Deena: Is this what you’re looking for? Is the color right? Too big, too small? Technology was not my friend this morning, but I was able to find her something special, making my trip very successful.
Before I left, I asked if they’d be returning to Oaks next year. No! Some other place, on the east coast somewhere. Maybe this could be an adventure Deena and I could share? Would I fly to Texas? I don’t think so…. But a Pothead like Deena, and a newbie, like me, might travel to New England!
If you are a Pothead and Le Creuset is the focus of your attention, keep your eyes open for their Springtime notice. Better yet, go online to their website when they’ll announce their Sales locations. It’s definitely worth an adventure. Prices were TREMENDOUSLY discounted. Most pieces were 50%-70% off. WOW!! And you’ll feel the camaraderie of like-minded cooks. It really was fun. Remember….they announce their stops some time during the Spring. Tickets are required. (And yes, I became a convert! I left with a few pieces of Le Creuset for myself. I guess that makes me a Pothead!!LOL!)
One of the latest dishes to hit the restaurant circuit is the Poke Bowl. Usually a composite of rice or a green, a protein including fish or chicken, a tasty sauce and a group of mix-ins like carrot, avocado, corn, mango, cucumber, tomato and more. It’s great fun to eat and delicious…. especially if it comes from a new addition to the Warminster dining scene: Sushi & Poke To Go.
All poke bowls are “composed” to-order. I say “composed” because you get to choose what goes in your poke bowl. And in the end you’ve helped “compose” the perfect poke bowl. At least if it’s in the hands of John, the owner of this establishment!!
We were on deadline in the office and I suggested we check out this York Road resident. Located in what’s become a wonderful strip center of Warminster “goodies” including M & H Custom Framing & Gallery, The Mens & Boys Store and Angy’s Café, Sushi & Poke To Go serves, what we think, is the freshest sushi around. And their Poke Bowls are outstanding. You can probably share one upon ordering.
Everything here is “to go.” Place your order and come pick it up. We placed what we felt was a substantial order and were told to pick it up in 15 minutes. We were surprised. I figured our large order required at least 30 minutes… but no, after making one stop before arriving, our food was ready and waiting. Indeed, it took only 15 minutes.
And our food did not disappoint. We ordered two Poke Bowls. One bowl was filled with salmon, avocado, cucumber, seaweed edamame, corn, red onion crispy chips… and a requested eel sauce. Meaghan said it was fresh and delicious. Theresa ordered the Royal Poke Bowl including salmon, scallop, spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, corn, ikura, avocado, scallion, onion chips spicy mayo and eel sauce. Like Meaghan, she remarked on how fresh the fish was. Both bowls were hefty and filled to the brim.
I ordered some sushi rolls that could be tasted and shared. You can order any 2, 3 or 8 regular rolls for a special price. It proved a very good deal for our tasting! Shrimp Tempura, an Ace Roll with crab, cheese and avocado, Sweet Potato and their new California Roll with crab, avocado, cucumber and masago were so satisfying. And again, everything tasted so fresh.
John and his wife work this small space for his handcrafted rolls and poke bowls. Parking is easy…. Order in advance and they’ll be no wait time. Pretty convenient.
Right now, he’s busy taking orders for Sushi Party Trays. Could there be a better way to celebrate the season? Especially if you’re looking for something light and not too heavy. I think that’s one of my favorite things about sushi. It never makes be feel uncomfortable around the waistband! Lol!! (Maybe John should put that saying on his wall?!)
Just one thing, if you’re like me and you don’t like raw fish, there are definitely delicious options for you at Sushi & Poke To go. All the rolls I ordered were “friendly” vis a vis my eating preferences: no raw fish involved. And when you order your poke bowl, you can absolutely choose to have no raw fish in your bowl. So don’t hesitate to step outside your “box.” Sushi & Poke To Go will introduce you to some of today’s most delicious trends very comfortably!! And remember, to tell John and his wife, you heard about them here… in the Uptight Suburbanite!!
Le Creuset
Sushi & Poke To Go
340 York Road
Warminster
