It's always nice to be able to return favors, and I had a personal stake in this event. Saturday night I was able to roll out the red carpet for navajo who has done the same for me in San Francisco, for the azazello family (no, you don't owe me one!) and for our surprise honored guest, Meteor Blades. Since this is far-flung Los Angeles, having the event in Pasadena (and having our special guests) meant meeting new Kossacks who hadn't been to any of our previous events. You know what? Just like all the previous events, it was as if we had all known each other in college.
This is Saladang Song. It was nominated for a James Beard award for restaurant architecture.
Lots of pictures, courtesy of navajo.
Jakedog42 and your diarist. We were the only ones wearing Kossack orange. SanFernandoValleyMom is in the background.
otoelbc and his brother, Cash.
susans and 714Day.
Lisa and Mr. Lisa.
Zwenkau, a brand-new Kossack! Look for his diaries for the Genealogy and Family History group.
Shaun and mangolind.
The azazello family. azazello reported the next day that he went to the ORIGINAL Trader Joe on Arroyo Parkway after the dinner was over.
SanFernandoValleyMom
Zack from the SFV. You will notice that the San Fernando Valley Kossacks are happy to travel to the western end of the San Gabriel Valley.
Shockwave, looking conspiratorial.
tripodisblack, azazello, and Meteor Blades
The long table, from the western end. In the foreground: Meteor Blades, Jake from the SFV and jakedog42.
And now the food pr0n!
Assorted appetizers: fried sweet potato, fried taro roll, fried tofu, samosa.
Clams and basil in spicy black bean sauce. I had one. It was amazing.
Thai corn fritter.
Pad Thai. I didn't taste it, but if it was anything like my tofu with broccoli, dried chiles, onion and cashew nuts over rice, it was wonderful.
Chicken satay, with dipping sauce.
Another enjoyable dinner with members of the Daily Kos community. We discussed lots of things, and ate, and drank, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Seriously. If you live in a community with an active group of Kossacks, at least follow the group announcements and go to a meetup. If you don't, start one, and yes, it's that easy. The next Los Angeles Kossacks event will be in mid-July, and I'm trying to find an event or an activity to tie it to. We can't let the San Francisco Kossacks have all the fun, can we?