Fond Memories of a Congenital Glutton
Written: Jan 25 '00 (Updated Jan 25 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Plentiful, hearty fare
Cons: None
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| Jonathan's Full Review: Harvard University |
the.MYTH
There's nothing students like more than to complain incessantly about college food. It's like being at a party and complaining about the watery beer - a guaranteed conversation-starting technique that even the socially reticent can master. I was no different. We used to joke that there was one chicken dish at Harvard, the left-overs of which were reheated under different names throughout the week. General Wong's chicken on Monday had morphed into some greasy Kung Pao derivative by Wednesday, and could well have been the Soup du Jour by Friday.
the.REALITY
In actuality, the menu provided by Harvard Dining Services (HDS) is varied and quite well-done. There are both "Healthy Choice" items (marked by a little tomato on the menu) as well as regular fare. Having talked to graduates of other schools, and witnessed what food is like "on the outside", I now realize that HDS actually does a fantastic job with the menu. I know this because I easily consumed more food in college than the nation-state of Bolivia. I had a bit of an excuse, being an oarsman. I've always regretted leaving behind that "All You Can Eat" environment though. Here's what I remember of the various meals.
the.FOOD - BREAKFAST
Breakfast was my favorite meal, and I thought the menu there was exceedingly good. Your choice of cold and hot cereals, various breads and fresh fruit were standard daily. They did do away with on-demand Eggo Waffles my junior year which sent me reeling into depression for a day or two. In any case, my actual breakfast would consist of a bowl of oatmeal with raisins, 4-6 Buttermilk Pancakes, the better part of a Western Omelette, some Triette Potatoes, a side or two of Bacon or Sausages and two or three Low-Fat Blueberry Muffins to much on during class. Throw in a few glasses of whole milk, some OJ, Powerade, and you had yourself the kind of breakfast that frightens small children witless. There were a number of "special breakfasts" where visiting chefs from the area would fire up some great custom omelettes - you gave them a cupful of diced bacon or ham and random vegetables which they would toss up into something decent.
the.FOOD - LUNCH
This was my least favorite meal, probably because I was still full from breakfast. The menu always had a few entrees (always one "Healthy Choice" entree, which I gather is for sick people). Entrees included everything from various sandwiches (Hot Pastrami, Turkey Cranberry Roll-ups and more) to actual dishes like Chicken Penne Pasta to Sloppy Joes and Krinkle Kut Fries. The Soup of the Day was usually decent, especially in winter. And there was always an assortment of somewhat wet and soggy vegetables, which I dutifully avoided like the plague. To hell with the Zucchini Dill Sautee, I was all about the Honey-Fudge Glazed Brownies for dessert! Some of the dining halls had frozen yogurt dispensers - I always wondered why they'd buy such a wonderful machine and stick evil-smelling frozen yogurt inside, instead of what it was obviously meant for - ICE CREAM. I always took a few sugar cookies with me to class for safety. Low blood sugar combined with the dry science of Economics can be lethal - why risk it?
the.FOOD - DINNER
The quality of dinner varied. Sometimes it was excellent, generally it was decent, but occasionally the pile of evil-tasting slop on your plate was so bad it actually seemed to speak to you... "Go get a cheeseburger sub from Pinnochio's instead..." Maybe that was just me. As with lunch there were always a few entrees to choose from - examples included Sirloin Steak (a crapshoot), Marinated Chicken Breast... I usually took both to cover my bases. Throw in some Sauteed Button Mushrooms and limp vegetables to provide vitamins and you had yourself a first plate. I'd always get a few bowls of cereal for good measure, and perhaps a PB & J sandwich or two to remind me of home. Dinner is a social event in the Houses, and I never finished in under two hours or with the same people I started with. I always took a few extra bowls of German Chocolate Cake or whatever the Dessert was back to my room - there's nothing scarier than a midnight hunger pang, why chance it? I'm all about not exposing myself to the risks of hunger.
the.FOOD - SUNDAY BRUNCH
I would be a lazy glutton if I didn't throw in a few words about Sunday Brunch - my favorite meal. Sure you could get the usual sides of bacon and sausages and omelettes or whatever. I carefully avoided this dangerous ruse to prematurely fill me up however - instead I dined solely on whole milk and waffles for brunch. The art of creating the perfect waffle is not an easy one to master. Most young waffle-novices think they've got it when they manage to brown the batter without burning it the first time. But the nuances take time and effort to master - I never left anything to chance, and always slathered the waffle-maker in butter to avoid stickiness. Supposedly you don't have to do this with the newer teflon models, but then you wouldn't get a truly buttery waffle, now would you? Add a few dollops of whipped cream, hot chocolate syrup, and some strawberries. I always had a couple of these sumptuous waffles, whereupon I would gaze wistfully out of the window upon the frigid Cantabridgian landscape and think that life couldn't possibly be better - almost good enough to make me forget about those two 15 page papers I had to write on The Meaning of Pi" and "The Inner Pain of Being French"...
the.SCOOP
I hear that there is now a meal served around midnight for students who happen to be up late (i.e. everyone). Wow. Considering the fact that so much of one's collegiate experience will be centered around food - study groups in the dining hall, late night homework with desserts - I have to say that my memories of college in general are fonder for the hearty and plentiful food.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Jonathan
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Member: jonathan Kibera
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Reviews written: 30
Trusted by: 233 members
About Me:
Former competitive rutabaga farmer (champion).
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