A worthy meatloaf sandwich

Rico's has a meatloaf sandwich as a permanent menu item, but Wednesdays meatloaf is a special main, so I chose today to try the sandwich, and I'm pretty sure I didn't get last Wednesday's meatloaf. Described as "Mom's meatloaf, our special gravy, lettuce & tomato," this comes on a superb toasted Acme torpedo roll, lightly toasted inside & out, lightly buttered inside. Nice attention to detail.

The meatloaf, while mixed with a bit more breadcrumbs than I'd use, is pleasantly moist with a hint of a ketchup glaze on the outside, and held together quite well as I set about eating it. It is accompanied by nice crisp leaf lettuce and thin slices of tomato, brought together by a judicious dab of mayo on the bottom of the roll. I'd add pickle, but that's just me.

I got the gravy on the side. The gravy is not overly salty as it could easily be, nor too evocative of those sauce packets in supermarkets; best described as innocuous, I was glad I put it on.

Overall, a satisfying offering from Rico's, and something to bear in mind, even if only on Wednesdays. $6.80 all in.

Rico's Diner

400 15th St.
444-8424

I don't bother phoning orders in here, they come out fast and you can read the Oaksterdam News while waiting.

I need to figure out how to reduce photos from their currently frightening state when clicked on...

Another First Post: Szechuan Eggplant, Shan Dong

I am not an eggplant freak- having devoured a BLT (homemade) at my desk for breakfast, I just felt like I needed a vegetarian lunch.

The Szechuan eggplant at Shan Dong today sported well-sauteed, firm, and not at all greasy wedges of eggplant, sauced lightly, and was thankfully not as sweet as other Shan Dong dishes I have had.
They go light on the garlic- it's decidedly in the background, leaving one predominantly with the flavor of eggplant, which is not a bad thing. They also have a light hand with the chile element, chile icon on the takeout menu notwithstanding. This has been my experience with other Shan Dong dishes as well.

Good, if a little bland, Shan Dong scores points on this dish for not overshooting on the oil and sweetness. $6.50 all in.

Shan Dong

328 10th St.

839-2299

A First Post: Trorb trung kor, Battambang

Consider this a test- one day last week I had the stuffed eggplant at Battambang, an old favorite. It's on the "Sauteed" part of the menu and described as "baked eggplant stuffed with diced prawns and ground pork in lime sauce." The ground pork, together with the firm chunks of shrimp and complex, slightly spicy red sauce complement the ample portion of eggplant nicely. Cambodian comfort food. $8.20 all in.

Battambang

800 Broadway

839-8815

Pictures may well suck for awhile; Luddite that I am, I am only beginning to familiarize myself with my shiny new digital camera.