Graceland, America , Sushi. (Osaka, Coolidge Corner)

It's no secret I love living in the US. Maybe because of music school, maybe because of the sunshine, the diversity- I have fallen in love with being here (well Boston to be precise, I'm pretty sure there are parts of America I wouldn't want to live in.)

One of the interesting things foodwise in this country is American sushi. It has mayo, eel sauce, jalapenos and what not! Chefs go crazy creative with american sushi rolls, I love it!

*Nusha are you reading this*

It was restaurant week and here I was studying for an exam- so what better combo- a nice restaurant to study in! (Osaka in Coolidge Corner, one of my favourite areas!)










My vegetarian friend had veggie sushi, I had never had had sushi with someone who didn't eat fish, so I was amazed to see how lovely it could be. Vegetables are so beautiful and colourful naturally- the more I try to be healthy, the more I realise that.

I of course had the sashimi (my favourite) and then the most sauced up pretty looking Americanised yumm sushi roll.

One a personal note: I was editing these photos photos it seemed perfect to fall at the same time as the release of my latest song Graceland.

The song reflects an immigrant story at first sight, but really the story of everyone- who is looking for somewhere to be free. For most of my life I thought it was finally leaving Dhaka that I found my Graceland… Even though I never wanted to leave initially, I had a tough time there, I felt judged, I felt like an outsider, in the "high society" areas but especially in the music industry.

I found myself and my freedom once I started living and learning in this beautiful Berklee community but also the beauty of my anonymity in Boston. All of this is true- but as a person, a soul my Graceland is music and I no longer want to feel that animosity towards Dhaka or anyone there or anything ever really.  So here goes- my online friends, you are the first to know- I'm moving back to Dhaka. I have many reasons to go, before you ask, but the first one is that my heart told me to- and I've always followed my heart
Here is the video of Graceland- please love, share and send me feed back!


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Graceland is the first single from Armeen's upcoming album "Simultaneously" - Buy it here : http://armeenmusa.bandcamp.com
http://amzn.com/B00MF936SM
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/graceland-single/id906276567


Written by Armeen Musa

GRACELAND

a hundred thousand miles she goes
to find herself a brand new home
she leaves behind the riches she knows,
to her graceland she arrives.

the dirty stares of the crowds
the petty things people said out loud
she leaves behind those horrid sounds
to her graceland she arrives

she holds her little brothers hand
as she walks on to this foreign land
she'll make it here and thats her plan
to her graceland she arrives

She's working at starbucks 6 to 3
she'd never had to make her own cup of tea
But now she finally feels free
to her graceland she arrives

Caspian - Dhaka Persian

I was mildly surprised to find out last year that the old Greek restaurant had been replaced! Not that I frequented it much, but it was nice to know Dhaka had a Greek place.

But yes, this meal was quite enjoyable. Huckleberry friend and I went here for our second date- so I remember clearly- even though this was a while back.

A Little disclaimer- I was trying out my friend's camera- so the pictures are a bit random.

So we started with appetisers of Humus and Eggplant with Yogurt. Yes to both- freshly made humus and the eggplant was just delicate and creamy like I love

For entree we had the mixed kabab plate. This was Beef, Chicken and Lamb kabab with 3 kinds of rice.
 Now if you know anything about me from my posts, you'll know I love rice, and flavoured rice is NO exception!

The Beef

The Lamb

The Chicken

]

The Tomato Sauce

Overall:  I liked the lamb and the eggplant appetizer, the rice was a bit dry but I guess thats normal.

Price: Yes, this is on the pricy side- I would day Taka 1500 plus per person if you order your own dish and drink.
Review:  To be honest- its very average Persian cooking, ie it's not spectacular. If you can afford it, I would say try it and see if it works for you. But I've found a place in Uttara when visiting my friend Bassbaba (way to namedrop haha) near Bhoot restaurant, and that was much for reasonable and the food was better. I don't think I'll be back here, unless I'm in the area and am expensing it for work or something.

BTW I have a new song out: so listen to it okay? http://armeenmusa.bandcamp.com/album/graceland

Rebecca's Themed Dinner

A Lovely artist I meet at Miranda's Hearth , Rebecca D'Antonio is jewellery maker and fellow food lover! I bought this gorgeous necklace from her as I couldnt resist her gorgeous collection: (the pearl necklace with the clock)

(Check out her profile on the Hearth website) http://mirandashearth.com/rebecca-dantonio/

Rebecca also loves to have themed dinners where she makes everything herself (almost) and I was lucky enough to be invited to one of her yummy dinners last month.

This was also my first bike trek to Sommerville and boy was I glad I biked there, because I instantly ate all the calories I had burnt on my way.

Upon entry I was greeted by this gorgeous spread:

Crab salad on cracker:

                            Steamed asparagus wrapped with prosciutto and provolone cheese

                                                               Stuffed Mushrooms

                                                            Cherry tomatoes and cheese:

And after feasting my eyes, I grabbed a plate of the goodies:

And THEN there was my favourite of the night: Home made eggplant parmigiani ( must get this recipe) - It was to DIE for.!!!

And on top of all that there was Pasta "on order"- I got the Alfredo with Spinach Linguini (from Daves Pasta)

(there was also gelato etc for desert that I could not eat as i was STUFFED)

Thank you so much to Rebecca and her 2 gorgeous cats for having me over- I truly appreciated it!

And to end the post with a song: One of my friends and kickstarter contributors pledged this song for his beloved: we are having so much fun making these videos !!

World Cup and Burritos

 I'm not a sports person and that's the truth. Only when Bangladesh  In my 4 years of Boston, it was only in my 3rd year I really knew what the superbowl was only because I was in transit and it was showing Red Hot Chilli Peppers' Superbowl performance and it drew my attention.

However- I am Bangali and that means I am inherently bound to be super excited when the Football World Cup comes around every 4 years. I watch much of the games ( a little screen open during work) and suddenly google the hell out of the players and join in on the online banter.

This is the first time I'm in the US during the cup and so I thought it befitting to watch the game at a proper sports bar.

Phoenix Landing in Central Square Cambridge was known to be one of the top spots. I was greeted by a long queue and a flautist playing various patriotic songs for the US at the door.

And What a beginning to a game, USA scored a goal in the first minute. however the dark pub with its overcrowded audience was too loud for my sensitive ears to handle- plus I was hungry and didnt want to wait forever for a table. So me and my football enthusiast (Bangali of course) friend Shumi went hunting for a better place to watch in peace. We stopped by the Middle East for a few minutes before coming to the conclusion the dingy layout and slow service was annoying us. Thanks to yelp, (yes yes yes, still using yelp) we read the a small Mexican place was also showing the games down the street. AND FINALLY we found bliss.

This little Mexican place had two small screens, a few tables and plenty of space to breath.

Beantown Taqueria - Mexican Soul Food www.beantowntaqueria.com/

So we sat with our orders to have a grand time. 

Shumi ordered a fish sandwhich and I ordered a burrito bowl (bhaat for the Bangal) and it was delicious.

The end of the match was so incredible, Ghana scoring and USA retaliating in a split second. But the funnest part was watching the game in Spanish! The commentators' regular tone of voice is as excited as a regular one's super excitement at a goal or something. AND when there's a goal, forget about it- the sheer intonations and movement of the voices were to be admired. I have actually started watching all the games in Spanish for this reason. Brilliant voice work!! 

I thought it was very sweet when the immigrant staff like myself watched the game in hope, waiting for US to score- and his joy when his newfound home country won was priceless. You have to hand it to America , even the Bangali in me feels like this place is my home. 

Okay homies, one more thing, my campaign to raise money for my first ever English album is one, so PLEASE check it out/share/contribute/send me feedback. Anything is appreciated!!