Two foodies share their stories of how eating is the only thing holding their relationship together
Food forges friendship ADHITI CHUNDUR associate editor
JENNA BAO
executive editor
Why should you care? Nice question. Ours is a story defined by Our cravings are so varied and food. To whom is this ‘ours’ referring, frequently entertained that you are you might ask. Well, the statement almost certainly going to find a nifty could certainly apply to the history recommendation around here. of humanity, given that early nomads based their lives around following The Pre-driving Era the chow, and the first civilizations The options in those dark days are developed with the development of evidently limited, so these moments agriculture. essentially revolved around whatever Yet, in this case, we happen to was nearby. Needless to say, Chipotle be discussing the is a classic. One of us two gastronomes lives pretty close to I LOVE NOODLES responsible for the SHS, so more often BECAUSE THEY ARE than not we ended up beast before you. The two of us met in walking to the one on SO GOOD AND the second grade, but braving chill YUMMY AND SPICY. Cornell, we really came together and suffocating heat ADHITI CHUNDUR, 12, for a mid-afternoon in freshman year SEE1, stayed together for a gut buster. at some point sure-fire, better bet Fundraisers are a than the housing market, certainty that fantastic excuse for this. the other would be willing to provide We also probably cannot tell you the company for a meal (in the middle number of times we have loitered in the of the afternoon, and you check your Starbucks outdoor seating. Neither of judgment at the door, thanks). us even drink coffee, but we strongly From there, the tale of our friendship recommend the green tea latte, iced can be best explained through the peach green tea, and mango black tea. pursuit and worship of food. KanPai Japanese Steakhouse located
NOTABLE EATERIES
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Kung Fu Tea
Kung Fu Tea serves bubble tea spot in the Kenwood Mall. They offer bountiful customization freedom so that whether you love tea, have never tried it, or want to go on an adventure of the palate, you have options. This place is great to frequent for hanging out after school, perhaps grabbing a pretzel or a cupcake from nearby booths with your drink. Photos courtesy Jenna Bao and Adhiti Chundur.
just behind the Chipotle is a great way to shake it up. (Jenna recommends the spider and/or samurai roll, but their innovation extends to veggie rolls too). Finally, even closer to the school, Basil Thai has some pretty solid pad thai and fried tofu. To make it better, they deliver to the school (we speak from experience).
The Power of Cravings “Much like pregnant women,” (words of Adhiti’s mom) we constantly get uberspecific cravings. Both of us have yet to be pregnant, and that has not stopped our lives from being run by these unstoppable desires. This means ranking cravings, creating schedules, and negotiating contracts with understandably concerned loved ones. (Jenna would probably never exercise unless Adhiti’s mom makes her walk in Sharon Woods prior to eating, so cravings have essentially saved her life. Probably.) Managing these desires has been a
CAKE. We try out the BonBonerie’s opera creme torte at Dewey’s Pizza. Adhiti quite liked it, but Jenna was not enthused. We had our usual favorites: Adhiti’s Socrates Revenge and Jenna’s Porky Fig. true exercise in prolonged self control, so that we may grow as people in terms of both spirit and mass. 10/10 would recommend as legitimate “Karate Kid” training.
Experimentation We have scoured the Greater Cincinnati area for great food so you do not have to. For some context regarding our tremendous sacrifice, the two of us once drove to Clifton in rush hour for Fortune Noodle House. Results: not the best (yet decent) lo mein, but you can watch them hand make the noodles, and the “braised chicken with potatoes and green peppers” over a bed of thick noodles is Jenna’s lifeblood.
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Tahona Kitchen and Bar
Tahona’s tacos were recommended to us by at fellow Leaf staffer who unknowingly changed our lives forever. Tahona is located in Summit Park and features homemade salsas, (of course) tacos, Mexican corn, and sopapillas. Each bite is crisp, fresh, and complex. You can mix and match fillings, tortillas (corn/flour), and salsas, and the staff is very helpful with suggestions.
Speaking of noodles, Dolsot Bistro, a Korean restaurant on Pfeiffer Rd., has what Adhiti attests to be the best (veggie) noodles in town. Meanwhile, Jenna suggests the dolsot bibimbap. (Do not go to place named for hot stone bowls and opt out of getting one of the stone bowl dishes!) Finally, this experimentation also extends to sweets. Pizzeria Locale serves an epic Nutella pizza. (On that note, their cheese bread is nothing to scoff at either).
Bonding Our high school story can be told through food. Every photo and restaurant here has incredible an unique memories attached.
It is not just us: studies have found that eating with another person forms bonds. Dining together has spiritual, social, and literary significance. Friendship means growing to tolerate olives because Deweys’ Socrates’ Revenge pizza tastes like your bud’s birthday parties. It is forgetting who owes who money since you share everything you order anyway. It is being a vegetarian but sitting in a City BBQ for the sake of some fool’s “soul food craving.” We are not trying to say sitting around with food is everyone’s hobby of choice, but we do encourage you to grab a pal (or many), try out a new place or dish, and let the goods warm your stomach and soul. Bon appetit.
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Asian Food Fest
The Asian Food Fest takes place in May at Washington Park featuring dozens of unique vendors and thousands of happy, hungry foodies. We attended (and spent ungodly amounts of money) on the day of our junior prom. Favorites include: Mahope’s Cambodian tacos and grilled coconut corn, Streetpops’ Thai Basil Lime Pop, and Ono Grindz’s Loco Moco. Shockingly, that is about one-third of what we consumed. Probably the best days of our lives.