in need of some extra protein?

last week, i visited a restaurant in santa monica called typhoon for my friend’s birthday. she specifically wanted to go there because of a few exotic dishes on their menu. here they are:

CHICKEN STUFFED WATERBUGS
deep-fried thai style

SINGAPORE-STYLE SCORPIONS
shrimp toast

TAIWANESE CRICKETS
taiwanese stir-fried, raw garlic, chile pepper, asian basil

CHAMBI ANTS
potato strings

THAI-STYLE WHITE SEA WORMS
deep-fried thai style, baby lettuce leaves, ginger, chile pepper, peanuts, lime, tamarind dipping sauce

the ants were mixed with little potato strings, so i couldn't even taste those. the crickets tasted like popcorn. and the scorpion dish only had 2 portions, so i didn't get to try them. they had a wide variety of pan-asian dishes on their menu as well, and everything (bizarre and otherwise) was pretty tasty. i even tried the frog legs and they actually tasted good!

the restaurant is located right on the santa monica airport, so you can watch the planes take off while you eat your insects.

we had a great time and really enjoyed the food, as well as the ambiance. so if you’re looking for a dining adventure, definitely give this place go!

pack light or pay more...

this article came to me from smartertravel.com. thought i'd share...

You're charging me for what?! Airline fees way up since Jan. 1
[LINK HERE]
by Kate Hamman, SmarterTravel.com Staff - April 25, 2008

Since January 1, passengers have been treated to a nonstop roller coaster ride of airline bankruptcies and mergers, fuel surcharges, and imaginative new ways of charging for "perks" that were once free. The devil is in the details, however, and knowing which airlines have added new fees can go a long way in helping you compare apples to apples in your airfare search. Here's a rundown of the new fees assessed by each airline since the calendar turned to 2008.

New airline fees since January 1, 2008:

· Air Canada: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 15.

· AirTran: $10 each way for a second checked bag starting May 15.

· Alaska Airlines and Horizon: $15 to book flights through reservation agents or airport sales desk starting May 21.

· American Airlines: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 12; $3 for snacks, $5 for "fresh light meals" on domestic flights (sandwiches or wraps, no vegetarian options); eliminated online booking bonus of 500 miles for round-trip first- or business-class tickets, and 250 miles for round-trip coach fares.

· Continental: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 5.

· Delta: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 5; airline provides complimentary snacks, but some snacks and meals cost an extra $1 to $8, depending on the item.

· JetBlue: $10 for extra legroom, and $20 each way for a second checked bag starting June 1.

· Northwest: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 5.

· Spirit: $10 fee for checked luggage reserved online, and a $20 fee for luggage checked at the airport.

· Southwest: $25 each way for a third checked bag, and $50 for the fourth through ninth bags.

· United: $25 each way for a second checked bag; $5 for snack boxes, with sandwiches and salads available at varying prices; increased ticket change fee; Saturday night stays are now required for tickets in 65 percent of the markets it serves.

· US Airways: $25 each way for a second checked bag; eliminated the 500-mile minimum mileage award granted for short-haul flights; will charge between $5 and $30 each way for aisle and window seats starting May 7, matching other carriers.

· Virgin America: $25 each way for a second checked bag starting May 15.