Grub Hunter

BACK FOR REALZ

2010-09-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have noticed, but I didn't really actually return when I said I was returning. But I am really back for real. What better way to get back into blogging then by blog about my first experience at Greens in SF, a quintessential SF restaurant.

Often, when you think of vegetarian food, you think of something that is fresh and light. Rarely do you think of things that are rich. At Greens, you get a little bit of both.

Ambience:
The restaurant is located right on the water which is a plus, but the view of the marina and the golden gate bridge is probably better during the day time. Of note, many of the tables that in the restaurant were made out what appear to be actual tree stumps. This was really interesting, but made for awkward seating arrangements if you were so unfortunate to get seated at such a table.

Food:
On Saturday nights, patrons can only dine off of the four course pre-fixe menu for $49, with an option to have a wine pairing for each course for an additional $30.

Andante Dairy Contralto, Mediterranean cucumber and melon salad with lemon and Green Gulch mint.

We didn't really have choice for our first course. It consisted of a salad of pickled cucumbers, honeydew melons, and cantaloupe in a citrus vinaigrette. When the first course arrived, my high expectations were suddenly shattered. I immediately thought of what most carnivores think of when they eat vegetarian. Damn it, I am going to be hungry tonight... At first, I had assumed that the waiter only brought one of three portions. But only one plate came, and the portion was barely enough to satisfy one person. I wonder how they would have presented the dish when one dines alone. Fortunately, the next course tempered my sour opinion.

The Potato and Scallion Croquettes with fontina and chives. Served with romescu, creme fraiche, and herb salad.

The Catalan Farm heirloom tomatoes with burrata, aged balsamic, Regins olive oil, opal basil, ruccola, and warm olive bread.

The Wilted Spinach Salad with DeVoto gravenstein apples, Point Reyes original blue, hazelnuts, mint, cider vinegar, and hot olive oil.

For the second course, I chose a potato and scallion croquette of sorts that was served with romescu and creme fraiche on a bed of flat-leaf parsley. The croquettes were delicately fried and offered a great contrast in textures. The outside was crispy while the inside was soft and creamy. Definitely reminded me of the fried mashed potatoes at Gregoire's in Berkeley. J ordered the Catalan Farm heirloom tomatoes burrata that was tossed with aged balsamic, olive oil, basil, and ruccola. It was also served with freshly toasted olive bread. The tomatoes were fresh and meaty and perfectly complemented the soft and cool burrata. P ordered the wilted spinach salad with gravenstein apples, hazelnuts, and blue cheese, in a cider vinaigrette. This salad was just okay. But I did appreciate crispness of the apples, as well as the nuttiness that the hazelnuts brought to the dish. For our entrees, we had the simple task of just ordering one of everything.

The Spinach Ricotta Ravioli with slow roasted Juliette tomatoes, torpedo onions, gorgonzola dolce, pine nuts, basil, Arbequina olive oil and grana padano.

The Gratin Provencal with Japanese eggplant, sunburnt squash, grilled peppers, scallions, asiago, thyme, heirloom tomatoes, and herb breadcrumbs. This was served with tomato roasted pepper, summer beans with shallots and pepper flakes.

The Chive Crepe with Green Gulch chard and kale, savory spinach, leeks, goat cheese, and lemon herb cream. This was served with white corn, chanterelle and lobster mushroom ragout.

The entrees were the true highlight of the meal. First, we had a spinach ricotta ravioli. The pasta was perfectly cooked. The filling could have used a little extra flavor, but this was made up with the excellent sauce that consisted of roasted juliette tomatoes, torpedo onions, pine nuts, and basil. The sauce was silky and warm just viscous enough so that it permeated through the filling and clung to the ravioli. Next, we had the gratin provencal with japanese eggplant, sunburnt squash, grilled peppers, scallions, asiago, thyme, heirloom tomatoes and herb breadcrumbs. This was my personal favorite entree of the evening. The buttered herb breadcrumbs were crunchy and melted in your mouth. It paired nicely with the soft layered textures of the baked vegetables. Unfortunately, this entree was paired with a side of what appeared to just be blanched summer beans and shallots. These side vegetables rudely interrupted both the presentation and flavor of the plate. The spicy kick from the pepper flakes added a touch of excitement that paired nicely with the gratin's roasted tomato pepper sauce, but I could have done without the vegetables. Lastly, we had a chive crepe with chard, kale, spinach, and leeks. The crepe was drenched in a delicious rich and creamy white corn, chanterelle, and lobster mushroom ragout. This last entree elevated greens into an establishment that is definitely worth returning to. The frigid San Francisco weather and familiar flavors of the corn and mushroom ragout paired with an unconventional base was intriguing and kept me wanting more. But I had to stop myself, because J and I still had three desserts to eat.

Raspberry Mouse

Lemon Granita with Almond Biscotti

Ginger Snap and Peach Ice Cream Sandwich with Berry Compote

The raspberry mousse was not really memorable and the lemon granita was just okay. The perfect end to our meal was a ginger bread cookie with peach ice cream sandwich and berry compote. Simply delicious. Overall, a very good deal for $49.

Rating: 4/5

I am back!

2010-03-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

Hello blogosphere! I apologize for the writing hiatus. A lot has happened since my last post. For example....

1) I got my wisdom teeth extracted
2) I passed my qualifying exam
3) I ate a lot!

But I won't bore you with any of the boring details... I am just going to do a whirlwind of a post about my most recent adventures!

i + sakaya = izakaya!

2010-02-21T22:08:00.000-08:00

The name "izakaya" is a combination of the word "i" (to sit) and "sakaya" (sake shop), and these are popping up all over town. Recently, Izakaya Sozai opened in the Inner Sunset offering an array of traditional Japanese pub food, beer, sake, sochu, and RAMEN!

This most recent trip was two weeks in the making... AH, SL, and I were going to order our hearts out and take advantage of the informal liquor locker system at Izakaya Sozai (you basically order sake by the bottle, and if you have any left over... they'll keep it for you until your next visit).

As you walk into the restaurant, you immediately notice how small the place is. Though this results in a cozy and warm atmosphere, if lines are long, you immediately wish for a bigger waiting area. In fact, the front door/entrance is so poorly designed (frosted glass door opens into the restaurant, where no more than five to ten people can stand and wait in the way of the door) that we got door slapped about a hundred times by people trying to escape the frigid sunset night. Since we are here to talk about food however, we will let that slide.

On a positive note, I liked the fact that the kitchen was open, which had the added benefit of making the restaurant appear a little bit bigger. Moreover, the light from the kitchen contrasted nicely with the warm and earthy tones from the rest of the restaurant.

Izakaya Sozai Kitchen

Sake Locker!

As I mentioned earlier, AH, SL and I were super excited to get our ramen and sake on. Around 8:30pm, AH started sending us cryptic messages, which probably meant that he wasn't going to make it. We should have assumed it, but SL and I decided to order for AH anyways (in reality, we just used him as an excuse...), just in case he decided to show up... So here is what we got...

House Chicken Wings

The house chicken wings were definitely a winner. The sauce was sweet and tangy, and the chicken was tender and juicy. At the end of the day, I prefer the chicken wings from Shanghai House, but these were good nonetheless. Perhaps, we should have tried the dry fried chicken wings...

Nasu Dengaku (grilled japanese eggplant, sweet miso)

This was probably one of my favorite dishes of the night. The eggplant was smothered in the sweet miso and melted in your mouth. It was superbly prepared and was a nice balance between smokiness from the grill and sweet earthiness from the caramelized miso. This was a perfect starter to go with my Saporro.

Chicken Gizzard Yakitori

The yakitori wasn't a stand out, but was still good. It was simply cooked and met my expectations. On the whole, the crispiness of the chicken gizzards added some much needed textural elements to our dinner, which was welcomed. I might also mention that the yakitori complemented my beer the best!

Ritsu Tonkotsu Ramen

Some have touted that the Tonkotsu Ramen at Izakaya Sozai is the best in SF. I might have to agree. The broth was rather complex in flavors. You could definitely taste the richness of the pork bones and collagen-rich tendons, which made for a delightful experience. I haven't made up my mind about how this compares to Santouka... but it is definitely in the running for best in the bay.

Takoyaki (battered octopus with tonkatsu sauce)

These takoyaki were delicious hot balls of goodness. They were light, fluffly, and crispy. The bonito flakes and tonkatsu sauce added a nice balanced flavor. The only complaint was the lack of kewpie...

Sweet Butter Corn

As you all know, I love corn, so ordering the sweet butter corn was a no brainer. The corn was sweet and delicious and was perfect for adding into my ramen.

Buta Kakuni (braised pork belly)

The braised pork belly was also another standout of the dinner. It was accompanied by a small clump of spinach and a huge dollop of fresh wasabi. The pork was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and literally melted in our mouths. The glorious layers of fat and broth were the perfect combination that in my opinion defines umami.

Hamachi Carpaccio

The hamachi was fresh and had a nice spicy kick. It was simple and refreshing. It reminded me of the Goi Kampachi that I used to have with AK at Bong Su, which was a nice trip down memory lane.

Overall, this was a great and memorable meal. AH should be sad he missed out... hahaha. Next on our list is O Izakaya Lounge! We'll see how that stacks up.

Izakaya Sozai 4.5/5

Happy New Year!

2010-02-15T14:52:00.001-08:00

Santouka Ramen!

2010-02-02T01:36:00.000-08:00

As you all know, I am always on the hunt for good grub. One of my favorite comfort foods is Ramen. I was delighted to find out from AndHua that Santouka opened recently in the "new" Mitsuwa of San Jose. At first I was perplexed to learn of a "new" Mitsuwa. I knew of one Mitsuwa, but it was definitely not new...

Our Conversation went a little like this...

A: What are you up to?
L: I have training all week and am going to get lunch in San Jose
A: Where are you going to go?
L: I am thinking of going down to get some Banh Mi. I have been dying to try Huong Lan.
A: Sounds NOMS. Have you been to Santouka yet?
L: THERE IS A SANTOUKA HERE!?!
A: Yeah, it is in the new Mitsuwa Market
L: There is a new Mitsuwa?

20 minutes later...

L: I am at Santouka!
A: What happened to getting Banh Mi?
L: I got distracted by Ramen!

I am glad I took my chances and just went to the "old" Mitsuwa. Turns out there is only one Mitsuwa in San Jose. It was recently remodeled and that is why AH was confused.

Santouka!

There was a pretty long line when I got there. I was waiting about 15 minutes, when I realized that I didn't have any cash on me. Thankfully, there was a BofA ATM in the food court. Even though, I lost my spot in line, it was okay because the service moved pretty quickly.

At this point, I was famished, and I am so glad I got the combo deal. I got the miso broth with regular pork. The soup was piping hot (something that is requisite for great ramen). The flavors were delicate and perfectly balanced. The noodles were crisp and hearty. Overall, definitely worth the drive and detour!

Rice with Leeks

Miso Ramen

Man, I want a bowl right now.

Santouka Ramen 4.5/5

A Silver Nugget in the Rough

2010-01-10T17:46:00.000-08:00

Winter is finally here! That means endless hours of alpine sports and a very real possibility of running away. With Tahoe only a mere 3 1/2 hours away (3 depending on who is driving), there is no excuse for not heading up to the slopes to ride all day. I don't know about you, but after a long day of snowboarding, I get really hungry. As far as food goes, a correlation between good food and South Lake Tahoe is practically non-existent. That is why I was pleasantly surprised to discover a relatively new restaurant off of Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

Tahoe Grille, perhaps poorly named, has instantly become my go to place for dinner after the slopes close down, when I am ready to replenish for the day. The menu is simple and very Californian.

Everything on the menu looked good. Since I could not decide for the life of me what I wanted to eat, I settled on ordering two appetizers and a side. Little did I know, I had ordered enough to feed a family of six! The portions were HUGE!

The first thing I ordered was the mac and cheese. This was delicious! I particularly liked the fact that they used cellentani instead of regular elbow macaroni. The mac and cheese was creamy and crunchy at the same time. The only thing that was missing was some bacon or pancetta! NOMS.

Everyone knows that I love polenta. I have pretty much been obsessed with it ever since my lunch at Cindy Pawlcyn's Mustards Grille. The creamy polenta with wild mushroom ragu from Tahoe Grille did not disappoint. It was rich and decadent. The grilled bread added some much needed texture and a smoky flavor to the dish that very pleasant. I liked this combination so much that it inspired me to make my own version. I still need to work on presentation.

I think the star of the dinner was the Lobster Gnocchi. The lobster was fresh and sweet, and the gnocchi were cooked to perfection.

I will definitely be heading back. So many more things to try on the menu!

Tahoe Grille 4/5

New Year, New Food

2010-01-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of the New Year, making lists, and trying new things, I decided that I would go out and find new foods for you to eat, or drinks for you to drink. The inspiration for this ongoing series of things to try is the new and bizarre SPAM flavored Macademia Nuts. ACH is going to be in town (LA) for MLK weekend, and he is going to be bringing some of these "delicacies."

Everybody knows that Hawaii's favorite canned meat is SPAM. Just when you thought that every conceivable food pairing had already been done with SPAM, Hamakua Plantations brings us these rarities.

So, in the spirit of trying new things and taking my taste buds where no taste buds have gone before, I am going to be taking one for the team. I'll let you know if I survive... Just think about the possibilities! I am already a fan of Portuguese Sausage and/or Spam Musubi. Now you can get the same great flavor, but with added texture!

Holler and Happy Hunting!

Food Trends Continued...

2009-12-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

6) Wild Game. One result of America's urbanization has been the "globalization" of our nation's food options. In most major U.S. cities, you can literally have a French baguette with German muesli for breakfast; some Mexican chilequiles, Salvadorean empanadas, and Peruvian ceviche for lunch; some Chinese xiao long bao and Japanese mochi for a snack; and some Greek souvlaki, Moroccan chicken tajine, and Italian pana cotta for dinner. That is like traveling to ten different countries in a single day. You have no idea how grateful I am. However, this urbanization has also come at a price. We have lost our connection with food and the knowledge of where it comes from. Meat choices have essentially been reduced to chicken, beef, and pork, with the occasional lamb. Therefore, in conjunction with the local and green movements, I predict a revival for wild game in the near future. There is much to be excited about! Hubert Keller's Burger Bar is already making Buffalo Burgers, while Cebicheria la Mar is serving up some Cuy Pekinese. Here is to more exciting dishes using alligator, duck, elk, rabbit, squab, venison, wild board, and caribou! It is going to be like Christmas year round!

7) Supperclubs. The recession is far from over. However, this doesn't mean that we have to deny ourselves the pleasures of good eats. As I was shopping for Christmas presents, I noticed that cookbooks were flying off the shelves. With blogs Carol Blymire's French Laundry at Home and Alinea at Home gaining an ever growing following, and since potlucks are so 2009, I predict that supperclubs will rise to take their place in the year of the tiger. There are already some underground suppleclubs that have made some headlines. In 2010, expect more. Ever heard of PIMMS (Party in My Mouth Supperclub)? If not, you are missing out.

8) Comfort Foods. I am kind of cheating with this one, because it sort of goes hand in hand with Fried Chicken. But comfort food will definitely be in vogue. This is partly because it is so good, but also because the economic outlook ain't so bright. Here is to reminiscing about the good times by eating your favorite comfort foods. Expect to see more gourmet renditions of comfort classics like mac & cheese, chicken pot pie, pork buns, and stews.

9) Sandwiches. We are not talking about PB&Js here... although that could qualify in the comfort food category, especially with some cranberry balsamic pepper jam from Slow Jams and some freshly ground home made peanut butter. For trend number nine, I am talking about Banh Mi and Cuban Sandwiches. Those two don't really go together, but sandwiches are going to be making a come back. There are a few places in the Bay Area where one could find some decent Banh Mi. But most are located in the South Bay. Maybe someone is going to start a banging Banh Mi food truck. Yummm

Grubhunter's Food Trends of 2010 Part 1

2009-12-30T09:30:00.001-08:00

In the spirit of making lists, I thought I'd take a stab on telling my readers, yes, all twelve of you, what I think will be making a splash next year in the Bay Area (in no particular order). Without further ado, I give you the first installment of the tastes to come!

1) Fried Chicken. As I mentioned in my last post, Fried Chicken is going to be featured front and center. Perhaps we'll even see more variations of the classic Southern Fried Chicken. In any event, I can't wait!

2) Foraged Foods. Courtesy of community based organizations like ForageSF, sustainably and fairly harvested wild food will be all the rage. Locally grown and produced will no longer be enough! Here, we are talking about uncultivated naturally grown foods. Go on, get your CSF. As a side note, this concept is gaining grounds as entrepreneurs like Shakirah Simley of Slow Jams begin to source their ingredients from overlooked segments of local agriculture such as urban gardens and farms.

3) Chifa. Peruvian food has been all the rage. In the last two or three years, San Francisco has witnessed a doubling, perhaps even a quadrupling, of the number of options for Peruvian grub. Some of these Peruvian joints are already serving up some lesser known fare, such as Tallarine Saltado and Arroz Chaufa. These dishes, in my opinion, are national dishes in their own right. They are a product of the most recent influences to Peruvian cuisine. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Chinese were the most recent group of immigrants to arrive in Peru, which resulted in the invetion of Chifa: a unique hybrid of Peruvian and Cantonese cuisine! I think this trend is going to go national. For example, newly minted Iron Chef Jose Garces recently opened Chifa in Philadelphia. I haven't been yet, but the menu looks promising. Likewise, Eric Nakata opened the sensational Lomo Arigato food truck in LA (basically Chifa). Hopefully, something good will be coming to a neighborhood near you.

4) Arepas, Empanadas, and Tacos - Food you can eat on the go. Food trucks and street food made a splash in 2009. I am specifically talking about Kogi (which if you recall, JH made famous, haha). This Korean taco sensation has now expanded to include several mobile kitchens and a permanent location, and it appears to continue to wipe out the competition in the LA area. Here, in San Francisco, we have our very own Namu, which has its own version of the tacos, or what I know to call ssam. Here, we are talking about nori sheets enveloping boneless grilled shortribs, rice, and some daikon and kimchee. The idea of putting different things in on-the-go friendly foods will surely catch on. Imagine the possibilities! Anticucho tacos, Chicken Tikka Masala Arepas, or even Chinese Roast Pork empanadas!

5) Night Markets. I am probably going to regret eternalizing (is that a word?) this next thought... But one thing that New York has got on San Francisco is the myriad of late night dining options! Seriously, not that I like Mel's or anything, but even the SOMA Mel's isn't open 24 hrs. So, going on the whole street food trend and the success of events like Outside In, I predict the development of bona fide night markets, or night bazaars, which have been a staple in places like Hong Kong and Taiwan. So when you get hungry after 10pm, the night markets will come to the rescue.

Battle Fried Chicken Part I

2009-12-29T23:13:00.001-08:00

Epicurios.com recently compiled a list of food trends to come in 2010. Topping the list is Fried Chicken, which as you all know is one of my favorite things to eat in the world!! And yes, Fried Chicken is capitalized! With its crispy skin, moist meat, decadent flavors, AND myriad of sides that can be eaten with it, what is not to LOVE? As a tribute to this prediction, I have decided to post on my adventures in discovering the best places to get your chicken on.

Saizo (Sunnyvale): Chicken Karaage

San Tung (SF): Dry Fried Chicken

Kyochon (LA): Soy-Garlic Drumsticks

Honey Kettle Chicken (LA): Fried Chicken and Kettle Fries with Honey

Little Skillet (SF): Fried Chicken and Waffles

House of Chicken and Waffles (Oakland): Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, Black Eyed Peas

House of Chicken and Waffles (Oakland): Fried Chicken

For traditional Fried Chicken, Honey Kettle is by far the best. In fact, the chicken was so good, that after I ate a full order, I ordered some more togo for the road (aka my long car ride back from LA). After a few hours, the chicken had cooled to room temperature (perfect for picnics). Halfway home in Central California, I decided to picnic and WHOA! The chicken tasted even better than fresh out of the fryer! This is indeed a true testament to the wonder that is Honey Kettle. Whoever, called it the crack of Fried Chicken wasn't kidding. The chicken was unbelievably crisp, moist, and tender. I am already dreaming about my trip down to LA for MLK. I am going to get my grubhunting on in Culver City!

Regarding the sides, those from the House of Chicken and Waffles in Oakland are by far the best in Norcal. But there are still a few other places I have to try before I make up my mind. These include, but are not limited to the Front Porch and Brown Sugar. I might as well also include a revisit to Everette and Jones which also serves up classic Southern BBQ.

Overall, the chicken and waffles (as a package) from Little Skillet were great. I particularly like the charm of ordering from a window! This combination of flavorful chicken and crispy/fluffy waffles is a winner and ranks in my top five! It would probably rank higher, but everyone knows that I have a special place in my stomach for some of the more exotic fried chicken options. As most of you know, I have a secret love affair with Korean/Chinese fried chicken.

Recently, I went to Kyochon in LA, and I must say that the chicken there was a bit disappointing. So if I were you, I'd stick to eating at Bonchon, which they also have in LA, but I swear it is much better in NY. If you ask any New Yorker, they will tell you how awesome chicken wings from mom and pop chinese restaurants are! So Bonchon and these chicken wings, especially my dad's, readily take second and third place. More on this later!

As Little Skillet recently tweeted... "2010 New Years Resolution - Treat yourself better - Eat more Fried Chicken." They couldn't be more right! Get your grub on!

La Mar to the Rescue

2009-11-11T15:14:00.000-08:00

They are serving Cuy at La Mar Cebicheria!!!!

Will be reporting as soon as I can get there!

Metamorphosis... not always for the better.

2009-10-28T01:15:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting to eat at Limon since it reopened a month or two ago. The restaurant experienced some damage and had to close for a what seemed like a year for some renovations. The waitress said that the hotel (or apartment) above the restaurant caught on fire.

This past week, EO came to visit all the way from D.C. I'd like to think that she was here to see me, but I just happened to be a lucky casualty. I suggested we go to the Mission and where better to eat than in the delectable 16th and Valencia corridor. As always, I was running a little late, so EO started on some pitchers of sangria. Though not as good as the sangrias from Amada, the sangrias at Limon definitely left me wanting more.

This time around, I felt that the food at Limon lacked a little bit of soul. It was good, but not as good as I remembered. All in all I thought that this was a great meal, but I think I might just stick to its sister restaurant (Limon Rotisserie) for an everyday meal or head up to Cebicheria La Mar for a fancy night out. MmmmMmmm I am thinking about that Pollo a la Brasa already! The worst part of my meal was what I didn't have. The Cebiche de Camarones which used to come in a perfectly seasoned crema de rocoto was no longer on the menu!

The missing sidewalk aside, the place looks nice. I am a bigger fan of how it used to look, but decor is still nice. Now there are too many colors on the walls or the tiles or whatever they were. I liked the exclusive use of greens, yellows and browns that use to create a warmth in the room. If I remember correctly, there are sprinkles of blues and too much use of cold materials like glass. Oh well, you can't have everything...

Empanadas

Cebiche Limon

Sweet Potato Fries

Pargo Rojo

Pollo Latino

Lomo Saltado

Limon 3.5/5

When It's Cold Outside

2009-10-20T01:22:00.001-07:00

Winter is here. I can't believe that it is raining already. Perhaps this will be the beginning of a very good snowboarding season. Speaking of the recent craziness that we call weather, I am here to tell you about Old Mandarin, a hidden gem of a restaurant, that is located out in the hinterlands of the Sunset District of San Francisco. When SL and I went, we must have been the only two people in the entire restaurant. It is far enough (anything past 21st ave. is far) so that most people don't go unless they make an event out of it. So, if you go, and you should, you really do feel like it's your own!

Old Mandarin is an Islamic Chinese restaurant that is home to some of the best Chinese lamb dishes I have ever had. When its cold outside and fog lingers in the air, Old Mandarin is the place to be. We didn't get a hot pot, or the food network worthy la si ni. Instead SL and I ordered the braised lamb ribs, the beef scallion pancakes, and the beef stew noodle soup. All of these dishes were divine. Words cannot describe how these three simple dishes were perfect for our night out. The pancakes were flaky and flavorful. The ribs were so tender the meat was barely clinging on to the bone. Ack, I am getting hungry writing about this.

I am definitely going back! I hope it is soon! Winter is upon us and I need some food that will warm my soul!

Beef Scallion Pancake

Beef Stew Noodle Soup

Braised Lamb Riblets

Old Mandarin 4.5/5

Great Seafood in the Land of Artichokes!

2009-09-22T00:47:00.000-07:00

I was recently down in Moneterrey for our annual Cancer Biology Retreat. To be precise, I was spending the weekend at Asilomar, in Pacific Grove. Though beautiful and refreshing, the food leaves much to be desired. Generally speaking, I am not a big fan of hot dogs. Every year, with their boiled hot dogs, Asilomar reminds me why...

Fortunately, the road less traveled (i.e. detours to moss landing) often leads to great food finds. Though I stumbled upon Moss Landing my first year, I didn't realize until recently, how many great restaurants (or what look to be great restaurants) seem to concentrated in such a tiny beach town.

In a small block, you can get anything from Thai (Lemongrass Seafood Bar & Grill), Mexican (The Whole Enchilada), and Seafood (Phil's Fish Market and Eatery). I have yet to eat at Lemongrass or The Whole Enchilada. So I can't really tell you about how those places are. But I can tell you that I am going back soon... I can still remember the fragrant aromatic scents that clung to that foggy air that fateful afternoon. What I can tell you about is the Cioppino (Seafood Stew) that can be found in the unassuming and colorful Phil's Fish Market.

The Cioppino was delicious! The tomato based stew was out of this world, naturally sweetened by what appeared to be and unending abundance of ocean fresh seafood (mussels, clams, scallops, crab, shrimp, fish, you name it). This behemoth of a stew was perfect for the cold foggy day and provided sufficient energy for an afternoon and evening of scientific discourse.

Writing about this makes me hungry... I'll just leave you with some pics. Who wants to join me on my next adventure?

I think they knew that I was going to make a mess, so I even got my own bib!

Cioppino w/ Garlic Bread!!

Phil's Fish Market 4/5

No Sushi. No Combination Plates.

2009-07-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

I love when people visit! PL, EK, and DS were here this weekend. Too bad SM didn't come up, but we'll make her feel guilty about this later... Besides catching up, having inane conversations about word definitions, and just being nerdy together; the reason I love visitors is because it affords the perfect excuse to try new places and to be adventurous.

This past week, I had some of the most unique and interesting Japanese food from a little restaurant in the Outer Richmond called Kappou Gomi. As the title of this post suggests, there are no rolls or bento boxes here. What you find instead is a fabulous mix of flavors and textures that tickle the taste buds!

Kappou Gomi

Jellyfish Salad

Agedeshi Tofu

Kampachi Yuzumiso Ae

Grilled Tako

Rice in Broth...

Miso Pork

Egg...

Eggplant

Panko Fried Oysters

Salmon Rice

Japanese Sweets

BTW. I apologize for forgetting some names...

Anyways, I really like how unassuming it is. However, my number one pet peeve is that of inefficiency. Even though I really liked the food, don't know if I could bear the inefficiencies. Let me explain. There are about six or seven tables that could seat 4-8 people. Three of the larger tables are made up of two or three smaller tables. Therefore, in reality there is more like nine tables in the restaurant, plus a bar. Unfortunately, the staff at Kappou Gomi allows groups of two to sit at the larger tables that are comprised of smaller tables without separating the tables. One consequence is that if you don't come in at the right time, you have to wait a while for people to leave. I felt rushed towards the end of our meal because I can't handle the non verbal communications we were getting from people in line. Fortunately, the staff didn't rush us...

Otherwise, I enjoyed myself thoroughly here. Food was great, and company was better! I highly recommend that you try this place if you are in the mood for adventure... Don't really know how "authentic" or "traditional" the food is, but it is definitely unique.

Kappou Gomi 4/5

Ono Kine Grindz

2009-07-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

As a weathered Luau attendee, I was on a mission to find some local grindz. One place that definitely did not dissapoint was Ono's.

Out of all of the places that we ate, Ono's is pretty much as local as you can get. Read the sign (above) that greets you at the door! "No get mad." It gets me every time. I am told there is always a line at Ono's. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait at all. Must have somehow missed the lunch crowd... In retrospect though, we were pretty lucky all trip with lines (Ono's, Rainbows, Waiola's, and even Diamond Head). It is almost as if we kept bringing the crowds... haha.

Anyways, AO and I were on a mission, so we didn't order a whole lot at Ono's. Just got some Lau Lau (Pork in Taro leaves), Poi (Mashed Taro), and Lomi Salmon. Doesn't look all that impressive, but pretty freaking tasty. Not a fan of poi myself, but AO insisted on getting some... We'll just say that she didn't finish it. Overall a pretty good meal. Kind of a little pricey for a plate lunch, but probably some of the best Lau Lau I have had....

Lau Lau, Poi, Lomi Salmon, Ono's

Next we meandered down Kapahulu to Rainbow Drive-In. I was on a mission to get myself a locomoco bowl. Sadly, I got distracted by the sign reading... "Fried Chicken Special." Nonetheless, the food was good. I especially liked AO's Pork Long Rice. This place was cheap too! Best kind of eats!

Rainbow Drive-In

Fried Chicken SpecialPork Long Rice

Predictably, we saved room for some dessert. So we walked some more on Kapahulu Ave, and indulged on some Shave Ice at Waiola's. I definitely recommend it!

AO with her Rainbow with Snow Cap
Custard Bowl

Looks boring right?

Surprise!

This was so good, I went back the next day to get another one! I think we out did ourselves... Definitely one of the best three eating-hours spent in recent months.

Ono's 3.5/5
Rainbow Drive-In 4/5
Waiola's 5/5

Katsu, and Meat Jun, and Takoyaki Oh My!

2009-07-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia (what would we do without it?) Shirokiya was one of Japan's oldest department stores during the early 20th century. By the turn of the century however, Shirokiya was largely dissolved and now survives as a single department store in Honolulu's Ala Moana shopping center. Boy, am I thankful that it is thriving in Hawai'i because I would not mind lost in their food court. I say you would need several days at minimum to consume everything that the store has to offer! Feast your eyes on Shirokiya goodies!

Takoyaki

Taiyaki

Tempura and Katsu Bentos

Tempura and Andagi

Kimbap, Jun, and Banchan

Musubi

Tonkatsu

Assorted Sushi

Sashimi

Sadly, I only gave myself one meal slot to enjoy all that is Shirokiya. Nonetheless, I helped myself to a balanced hearty meal of...

Katsu Curry

Sashimi

Takoyaki

Of course, a meal would not be complete without some desert!!!!!

Black Sesame Mochicream

Shirokiya, please come to the mainland!

Shirokiya 4/5

Aloha Spirit

2009-07-10T01:32:00.000-07:00

Just got back to the mainland, and I am already dreaming about returning to Hawai'i to wake up to the energizing, sweet, and fresh smell of tropical flowers, the cool summer breeze, and breathtaking beauty that defines Hawai'i.

In true grubhunting fashion, my Hawaiian escape was filled with food and fun. But before I chronicle this week of gluttony... did you know that Aloha is more than a greeting, or farewell, or salution? Accordingly, Aloha means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. It is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for cellective existence. Simply put, Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.

Neat yeah? Just thought I might throw in some trivia in there for you... Trivia aside, I am here to tell you about my grub hunting adventure in paradise! Though I did not receive a nickname (jjh's ocean wahine) during my travels; two t-shirts, several hundred pictures, and many thousands of calories later makes me more kama aina (local) than you could imagine.

I'll begin my chronicles by first telling you that I swear I thought I was in Asia!!

Byodo In Temple, Valley of the Temples

Shishimai, Young Okinawans of Hawii

Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club, Moiliili

Hawaii Plantation Village, Waipahu Garden Park

Kimchi Urns, HPV

Do you see what I mean? This is not the idyllic Hawai'i I had in mind! This was Asia! As they say, when in Asia have some Asian food, or to be more exact, Asia inspired food!

One of our first stops was for some Poke from Tanioka's.

Tanioka's, Waipahu

Poke selection

Spicy Mussel Poke

Sesame Tako Poke

Ahi with Limu Poke

Spicy Ahi on Sushi Rice

Tako on Sushi Rice

Clearly, no food stop would be complete without some fried stuff.... :D

Fish Patty, Fried Chicken, Fried Spicy Ahi Roll, and Fried Rice

I was floored by this fantastic meal. Fried stuff aside, this was one of the healthiest meals that I had on my entire trip! As a side note, don't be fooled by other Poke places... I am told that Tanioka's is often imitated but never EVER duplicated!

Tanioka's 4/5

Back and Hungry!

2009-06-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

Contrary to popular belief... I have not stopped eating! Stay tuned for more adventures from the Grub Hunter.

XLB King

2009-04-01T00:14:00.000-07:00

Feast your eyes on THE best XLB this side of the Pacific! I know there are some die hard DTF fans out there... But before you stone me to death, please do try and get yourself to Richmond, BC to enjoy the wonder that is Shanghai River. Here, similar to DTF, the buns are made in plain sight. They make so many in a single day that they have customized the bun making process into an assembly line of sorts. Its pretty extraordinary to watch these master chefs do what they do best. Without further ado, I present some of the best dim sum I have had a in a while.

Classic XLB

Crabmeat XLB
Goodness...Beef Stew Noodle Soup

Posting these makes me want to book a ticket to Vancouver NOW. Anybody up for an adventure?

Shanghai River 5/5

Camino Inka...

2009-03-31T20:21:00.001-07:00

They say that all roads lead to Rome. At one point, it did. Essential to the growth of the Roman Empire, the road system spanned some 53,000 miles and was considered an engineering marvel of its time.

Given that the Inca road system, or Qhapaq Nan, was equally advanced for its time, it is interesting to me that no one ever says: "all roads lead to Cuzco." If one thinks about the evolution of Peruvian vs. Italian cuisine however, than it becomes clear that in terms of food, all roads and influences do indeed lead to Peru (Improbable Fusion).

At Fresca in San Francisco, you can taste first hand the combinations of international flavors that make up Peruvian Cuisine. Here I am presenting better illustrations of the uniqueness of Peruvian food. The Lomo Saltado, a classic example of the influence by the Chinese, consists of tender slices of beef sauteed with french fries, onions, and tomatos. Delicious and colorful, this dish is something that always makes me feel better and think of home.

I am not really sure how the Aji de Gallina came about, but it is delicious! Shredded pieces of Chicken cooked with a cheese sauce... yummmm. Makes me hungry just thinking about it. Of course, a Peruvian meal would be incomplete without some Ceviche. I ordered the classic Ceviche 5 Elementos. In fact, I usually just stick to this classic, although I must point out that Fresca has a wide assortment of Ceviches such as the Ceviche Chino (ahi tuna tartare, guacamole, pisco-ponzu, aji verde, and lettuce cups).

I didn't order it this time, but I highly recommend the Seco de Cordero (braised lamb shank, white bean "tacu-tacu", butternut-cilantro sauce, pickled onions). At Fresca, dishes are simple and nicely executed. I only wish they made more traditional dishes... Where is my Cuy?

Lomo Saltado ($18)

Causa Tasting ($)

Aji de Gallina ($16)

Conchitas ($12)

Ceviche 5 Elementos ($12)

Fresca (4/5)

100 Individual Hits!

2009-03-31T19:19:00.000-07:00

Enough Said.

In Search of Banh Mi!

2009-03-30T01:07:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I had a huge craving for some Banh Mi. I think I was craving the sweet and sour deliciousness of the pickled turnip and carrots that are usually found in them.

On my quest, I discovered this hole in the wall in Sunnyvale named Cam Hung. I obviously need to work on restraining myself, but I got both the BBQ Chicken Rice Plate and a BBQ Pork Sandwich. The rice plate was okay. I think it would be a lot better early in the day when the Chicken comes fresh out of the oven. The BBQ Pork Sandwich on the other hand was delicious! The bread was soft, yet thick, and crispy. The pickled carrots and turnip were crisp and had the right amount of sweet and sour flavors. The best part was that it was only $2.85! AAAAANNNNNNNNDD they have Mangosteen juice!!!! It comes in a can, but c'mon where else can you get Mangosteen?

BBQ Chicken over Rice ($6)

BBQ Pork Banh Mi ($2.85)

Cam Hung (3.5/5)

South Bound

2009-03-30T01:02:00.000-07:00

The weather and traffic suck like none other... but there are some things to be loved about LA! Below I present the delectable Din Tai Fung Dumpling House, located a mere five minute drive from my sister's place! They make some of the best Xiao Long Bao's I have ever tasted this side of the Pacific! (Close second to Richmond, BC's Shanghai River XLBs) Apparently, it has been selected as one of the top ten restaurants in the WORLD by the NYT. So I guess, I am a bit late to the game.

Classic XLB!

I'd like to think of myself as the one responsible for the success of Kogi Taco Truck (j/k), which I am patiently twitter stalking. Alas, I won't be able to take the same kind of credit for the discovery of DTF. Actually, much credit goes to fellow foodist KW.

I am kind of sad that they didn't steam my buns in bamboo steamers, which in my crazy world makes them taste just a tad much better. Nonetheless, I have no complaints. Feast your eyes on ten delicious XLB's!

Ding Tai Fung 5/5

Taqueria Showdown!

2009-03-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, LM discovered the wonder that is Taqueria La Bamba. Soon after, she told me about it, and as sure as proteins are translated from RNA transcripts, I went and engorged myself on mexican and salvadorean treats!

As you all know, I suck at restrained ordering. In one sitting, I stuffed myself with a Carnitas Super Burritos, Pork Tamales, and Pork Pupusas, and Alfajores! All for about $12.

Carnitas Super Burrito

Pork TamalesPork Pupusa

I hear that there are more taquerias per capita in Redwood City than anywhere else in California. Only a fifteen minute drive, I have tried many a taqueria. La Bamba is definitely my favorite (in Mountain View) within a short drive. This unassuming whole in the wall is definitely worth a visit.

How these burritos compare to those from Taqueria la Victoria down in San Jose is still debatable. Below is AH enjoying a very tasty Super Burrito. As you all may or may not know, La Vic's is home to the "orange sauce." I have no idea what is in it or what is is made of. It doesn't matter really, because I love love LOVE the orange sauce! Did you know that you can buy a bottle for $6? Maybe I should buy some sauce and put it on a La Bamba Carnitas burrito... Tempting! Oh and they are open until 3AM. How ggrrrrrreeeeat is that? Nothing stays open that late down here... It's a bit of a drive, but definitely worth it.

Super Burrito ($5.95)Nachos ($3.5)

I am going to have to order both on the same night and do a real taste test soon! Any one down for the challenge?

Taqueria la Bamba 4/5
Taqueria la Victoria 4/5

Foodie Call

2009-03-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

Foodie Call - [foo-dee | kawl] - noun

When a guy or girl calls you only for food, no strings attached. Not an invite to a movie and dinner, not a casual or formal get-together, just a plain old-fashioned "let's eat"

Jennifer: OMG Sharon, Ronny just texted me - I'm hungry, I wanna eat. You interested?
Sharon: Oh shit girl!!!! That be a foodie call
Jennifer: Shutup! It's only 5PM.

or

It's 2AM...
Jennifer: OMG Sharon, Ronny just texted me - I'm hungry, I wanna eat. You interested? Sharon: Oh shit girl!!!! That be a foodie call

King of Burgers

2009-03-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, there are lists about the best burgers in America. See GQ's 20 hamburgers you must eat before you die. So far, I have eaten at #5 Barclay Prime and #4 Rouge. I don't know if the Kobe sliders and Rouge Burger were as to die for as GQ claims, but man would I love to eat one now.

Since I am not necessarily limiting myself to writing about Bay Area eateries, I might mention that the Shake Shack in New York is one place GQ's list omits. I think there are two or three locations in NYC now. I have only been to the stand in Madison Square Park, so I won't be able to tell you much about the other locations... However, since the MSP location is where all the magic began, I recommend you go there first. The line can be long, but the burgers and shakes are definitely worth the wait.

Shake Shack MSP

My favorite thing to get is the Shack Stack ($9.5): Two cheeseburgers and a 'shroom burger topped with lettuce, tomato and Shack sauce.

Togo BagShack Stack

My pictures clearly do not do this burger justice. But as you can see from my fat arm, the burger is doing its job. Go early and go hungry! As many of my readers know, I missed out on heading out east this weekend. I am doubly sad because I won't get to see my A list and because I won't get to grub hunt in the big apple. Roughing it in LA until we meet again!

Shake Shack 4.5/5

Fusion NOT

2009-03-20T21:41:00.001-07:00

Fusion cuisine has taken America by storm. Predominantly in the form of "Asian Fusion." According to Stuff White People Like...

"While white people enjoy venturing to ethnic parts of town to satisfy their pallette, most would prefer to take their first dates and parents to a place with dimmer lights, less water tanks with crabs and lobsters wishing that they would die, less ducks hanging from the window and table cloths that aren’t plastic sheets. Some people caught on to this and decided to open Fusion Asian restaurants. These people are now very rich. Fusion restaurants offer a mix of all Asian foods (except Indian, but most don’t know that India is part of Asia) in an atmosphere that resembles a cocktail lounge in the West Village as opposed to Hong Kong. Basically you can eat exotic, in comfortable surroundings. Many are not shy to admit that the food is subpar and overpriced, but they still line up for hours to get in because they love the decor and the mix drinks. These places often have names with no Asian words or characters in them and are limited to two syllables. ie) Ginger, Spring Rolls, Wild Rice, Sumile. Sometimes the names are really clever like “Asiate”, get it?"

I am not ashamed to admit that I too am a fan of Asian Fusion restaurants, even though I also think the food is often overpriced. I guess the way to my heart is a great atmosphere, company, and time. Having amazing drinks doesn't hurt either! This is why I love Buddakan, Morimoto, Roy's, Nobu, Bong Su, Tamarine, etc.

So here is a theorem for you....

1) I love Fusion Restaurants
2) I am an adventurous Foodie

Therefore, I like to try any new fusion restaurants

A corollary of this theorem is that sometimes, there will be fusion flops. Restaurants like Temptations in Mountain View should never exist. Seriously, Indian Chinese Fusion? It sounded interesting at first, but as soon as I went inside, I realized that this was a fusion NOT.

I must point out that the food here is not bad. The concept however, is horrible! First of all, they didn't have many dishes that tried to combine elements of both distinct cuisines. The entrees were either Indian or Chinese, and never both. It almost felt like going to eat at a food court.

Here is a sampling of the things we got... As you can see, most of the things here were Indian...

Food wasn't all that memorable... That is why I have no idea what it is that I ordered... I probably won't be going back, but you should definitely be adventurous and check it out.

Temptations 2.5/5

Death Sucks

2009-03-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

I hate it when you can't decide how you feel. There has been a lot of death recently... Lehman Brothers, Bong Su, my Grandpa. At the same time, there has also been a lot to celebrate... the opening of Mayfield Bakery, DW's engagement, LM's birthday, my birthday. But when things come all at once, how are you supposed to feel? Why should one feeling win over the other?

One thing I do know is that I eat regardless of the occasion. Food has a magical quality and ability to bring together people. I think that is why I love food.

Battle Ramen

2009-03-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

Since I moved here, I have been on the prowl for THE perfect bowl of Ramen. Some readers might wonder why a foodie may even crave Ramen in the first place. The unfortunate fact is that most people associate the word Ramen with the instant noodles of the same name. Clearly, I haven't been searching for said instant noodles. Rather, I am referring to the Japanese noodle dish that tends to be served in a meat-based broth, and uses toppings such as sliced pork, nori, kamaboko, green onions, and corn. I didn't grow up with Ramen, so to describe it as something that reminds me of home is rather misleading. But one cannot deny the homestyle essence/quality of a good old fashioned bowl of Ramen.

Today, I present you with the first of a series of Ramen Battles that will help you become acquainted with the world of Ramen.

Round 1: Ryowa Ramen House Vs. Kahoo Ramen

First we have the Buttercorn Ramen from Ryowa Ramen House in Mountain View. The Ramen is absolutely delicious! In the Buttercorn Ramen, one can find pork, two types of mushrooms, green onions, corn, and seaweed. Also, there is literally a tablespoon of butter that is melting in the broth. I especially like the Buttercorn Ramen because the addition of corn gives the dish a crisp texture and amazing color. Doesn't it look extra appetizing? They say that you eat first with your eyes and nose. Arg. I am getting hungry!

What makes Ryowa great is that it also has a dish called Special Fried Chicken. Everyone knows how I feel about fried chicken! The chicken pieces are tender and crisp and come with japanese mayo and a vinaigrette of some sort. YuMMM

Next we have the Spicy Miso Ramen with Vegetables from Kahoo Ramen. I am a bit partial to the broth here. It is a little thicker than the one at Ryowa and perfectly seasoned with a kick of spicyness. Normally I am not a fan of cabbage, but for some reason, I really enjoy the cabbage in this bowl of Ramen.

After multiple taste tests, Ryowa Wins! Although, this wasn't really a fair battle. The Fried Chicken is like a secret weapon.

Ryowa Ramen - 4.5/5
Kahoo Ramen - 4/5

Illrich Pizza

2009-02-22T16:43:00.000-08:00

Finally my post about the Cheeseboard!

Though I think that a description of the pizza alone should suffice, I thought I would entertain you with some random bits of information as well. The Cheeseboard has been making the illrichest (courtesy of JH) Pizza since 1985 (they knew I was coming). As you all know, I have had the unfortunate luck of always going to the Cheeseboard when it is closed. But it isn't really my fault. They are only open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30AM-3:00PM and 4:30PM-8:00PM for lunch and dinner respectively. I might also mention that they are closed on most major holidays and whenever Cal is not in session. Moral of the story: I should just start skipping work to go get pizza, since that is the only time they are open... Seems simple enough to remember. I guess I just always get distracted with their pizzas!

Their pizzas are fantastic! I can't describe in words how good their pizza is. Even better is their business model. They only serve one type of pizza a day. Which means, for the indecisive amongst us, that you never have to decide what you want to order. You just have to decide whether you want a slice, a half pie, or a whole pie. Because there are no choices, the wait the is minimal. Moreover, if you don't bother to go online, it's a bit like Christmas everyday, because the pizza is always a good and always a surprise. Besides, they always give you a little extra pizza!

Most recently I indulged in the following...

Roma Tomatoes, Onions, Mozzarella Cheese,
Feta Cheese, Garlic Olive Oil, Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice, Cilantro

I am going on Wednesday for their Cremini Mushrooms, Onions, Mozzarella Cheese, Ricotta Salata Cheese, Arugula In a Lemon Vinaigrette Pizza. BE JEALOUS!

Cheeseboard Pizza Collective 5/5

Korean BBQ Tacos? You Better Believe It!

2009-02-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

After reading an article on AAM, I just couldn't resist blogging about Kogi Taco Truck, the meals on wheels craze where Korean barbecue meets the Mexican taco truck. This is seriously the perfect late night treat after a long or maybe even short (for all of my friends who suffer from the glow) night of bar-hopping. When I was in L.A. last Thanksgiving, shortly after Kogi's opening and by sheer divine intervention, I was lucky enough to eat here before everyone else got in on the secret.

We just happened to be parked at a garage in front of the truck. At first, the thought of Korean tacos didn't seem too appealing. Reminiscent of my Philly days, I gave it a try. THEY NEED TO COME TO THE BAY AREA! Not only did we eat their food, but JH practically became a member of the collective by taking orders and becoming the spokesperson for the Kogi 2008-2009 ad campaign! I think that she is one of the main reasons why Kogi has witnessed exponential growth in the last three months. According to AAM, Kogi draws some 300 to 800 people everytime it parks! In all seriousness, I think JH should be getting some royalties or something.

JH taking people's ordersAK enjoying some Kalbi Tacos!

JH, Kogi's spokesperson, 2008-2009 Kogi Ad campaign

Unfortunately, I didn't take a good picture of the food, so I am going to post some pics from their website, because my pictures would simply put, not do it justice...

Kalbi Short Ribs

You might be wondering why I state that this meeting was one of divine intervention. Apparently to find the Kogi truck, you now have to be in the know -- on Twitter. I am not on Twitter, but I am clearly in the know. j/k. Basically, the Twitter feed tells you where it's going to be on a given night, down to the hour. So if you are in L.A. go on twitter and get yourself some Kogi. I am jealous.

Kogi 5/5

Just My Luck

2009-02-13T14:11:00.001-08:00

My friends... If you need more proof about how unlucky you could be during your Ben Ming Nian, you don't need to look far! Originally I was going to blog about how I finally made it to the Cheeseboard and Brasil Cafe! But that is going to have to wait...

Last night, we celebrated AK's birthday at Vessel. I had debated (well not really, because partying always wins when you weigh school/work vs. anything fun) not going because I knew I was going to be taking a few birthday shots, meaning that I would have to spend the night in SF, and had class the following morning at 9AM. All was going well. I even woke up at 7AM to get ready so that I wouldn't have to rush to get back to PA.

As luck would have it, I woke up to find that my car was missing!! So were all of the other cars that were parked on the street last night! After a minor freak out session, I put two and two together and realized that my car had been towed. I am usually very careful about where I park, because the City of San Francisco does not need any more of my money. However, since I park in SOMA frequently and know the street cleaning schedules of the named cross streets I deduced that based on the obvious street cleaning car route, I could have park on the east side of 3rd St. without worrying about getting a ticket. (wow I sound like a nerd). This is where I made my mistake! They f'ing clean the streets everyday on the numbered streets. You would think that the streets would be cleaner!

Fortunately, retrieving my car proved to be a painless process. Unlike the horrid stories about the Philadelphia Parking Authority (via the hit television series "Parking Wars"), the people at the SF lot were actually really nice and helpful. I got in and out in 5 minutes.

I am down $300 and won't be eating out for a month... I wonder how this challenge will compare to my new year's resolution. haha

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

2009-01-31T10:48:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year! As JJH already noted, this year is our Ben Ming Nian, meaning that it is our birth year, or the year of the Ox. In traditional Chinese thought, life is viewed in groups of 12 years. For example, at 12 a child enters adolescence; at 24 a person enters society for the first time; at 36 a person reaches maturity; at 48 a person should have accomplished something meaningful; at 60 comes retirement; at 72 one should enjoy old age; and if a person lives to the age of 84 or 96, every day is counted as a blessing. One consequence is that every 12th year is viewed as a huge obstacle to overcome in someone's life.

To complicate things, this year I am also Fan(ing) Tai Sui, meaning "offending" Tai Sui. According to Chinese mythology, Tai Sui is a position in the celestial heavens who is in charge of determining the annual fortunes of us all. This position happens to coincide with the 12 earthly branches which coincides with the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. I can't really explain it, but you Fan Tai Sui if it's your Ben Ming Nian. Typically, that means that you will not have such a smooth year.

Coincidence or not, I have already noticed that things aren't going my way...

Last week, I intentionally left Palo Alto at 5:30PM to get to San Francisco (45 mins away) and then to Berkeley (20 mins) to have some pizza before driving up to Tahoe. As fortune would have it, the Cheeseboard Pizza Collective closed by the time we arrived at 8:45PM. Seriously, why on earth did it take us three hours to get to Berkeley? Still, I am hopeful that my Ben Ming Nian won't be as bad as the Fen Shui masters have predicted.

In Chinese culture, there is a belief in balance. So everytime I experience something bad, it means that good is to come. Last weekend, good came! Three feet of snow! That is all I am going to say about that.

In honor of the Chinese New Year, AK and I went to Jai Yun in SF. A fan of pre fixes and omakases, the idea of doing a Chinese one was intriguing. When you first walk in, you wouldn't even think that the restaurant was pre fixe only. It is unpretentitous and gets extra brownie points for that. Jai Yun offers five different pre fixes at 55/65/80/100/150. There is no menu and no way to assess what the differences between them are. Presumably the quality of ingredients increases with the price. AK and I opted to go down the middle figuring that would be the safest bet.

Here I chronicle our food adventure...

Minced Tofu with Cilantro

Pickled Cabbage

Pickled Cucumbers

Five Spice Braised Beef Slices

Shanghai Smoked Fish

"Underwater Vegetable" aka Lotus Root Salad

Mushrooms and Jellyfish Salad

Vegetarian Chicken - aka Bean Curd sheets that taste like Chicken!

"Kung Tsai" (Emperor's Vegetables)

Fried Fish

Mushroom and Veggie Medley

Abalone Foo Young

Wheat Glutten with Mushrooms

Shrimp Delight

?Mushroom Skewer Basil

Chinese Okra with Gingko Nuts

Sauteed Squid

Fish with Corn and Peas

Soy Beans with Silken Tofu

Meatballs with Crab Sauce

Kung Pao Chicken

Celery with Five Spices Dry Tofu

Crispy Eggplant with Scallions

Candies

My favorite dish would have to be the Mushroom Skewer, the Eggplant, and the Meatballs. The food was good. I can't rave enough about the use of textures by Jai Yun. This is truly a Chinese culinary adventure. I even like how there is no drink menu, despite the presence of beer and wine on the premises. You just walk up to the shelf containing all of the wine and point to what you want. How is that for being unpretentious! I still hold that I overpaid for this meal. I think you should defintely go at least once, though if I ever go back, I am going to stick with the 55 pre fixe.

Jai Yun 3.5/5

When Opportunity Knocks, Open the Door!

2009-01-23T12:38:00.001-08:00

Going up to Tahoe tonight... Cheeseboard, here we come!

Berkeley, More Than Just Hippies!

2009-01-20T23:26:00.000-08:00

Although I hate to admit it... Berkeley >> Stanford. Of course, I mean the city and not the school! Fact is, their football team is better, but I don't exactly have the track record for choosing to go to the best sport school... When it comes to the important things in life, i.e. food, there is no contest. Berkeley gave Stanford smackdown. In summary, if you haven't been to Palo Alto, you aren't missing much. If you haven't been Berkeley however, make plans to do so NOW! From Palo Alto, Berkeley is a good one hour's drive. As a consequence, I haven't made it over there as often as I would like.

Fortunately, Berkeley is on the way to Tahoe! Believe me when I say that there is no better rest stop on the entire three and half hour journey to the slopes! Usually, I find myself stopping at the Cheeseboard Pizza Collective. It serves some of the BEST PIZZA in America. You read that right! AMERICA! Unfortunately, I was driving up to Tahoe alone this past weekend, and since I physically can't just get one or two slices of Pizza whenever I go, I opted to eat at Gregoire, another Berkeley gem, instead. But it isn't like I settled. When you go, you'll realize that no explanation is necessary.

Gregoire Restaurant, Berkely, CA

This classic Berkeley restaurant sums up what I love about the Bay Area. Simply put, it is a restaurant that offers natural and organic meals that are meticulously prepared in the french tradition. This take out restaurant is small, but the food is anything but small. Remember my last post about potatoes? Well Gregoire makes some of the BEST potatoes! You HAVE to go an order their potato puffs!

Takeout Boxes!

Crispy Potato Puffs ($4.50)

Roasted Leg of Lamb with Tomato Chutney & Fresh Mint on Ciabatta ($8.25)

Doesn't it look great? It sure tastes great! Besides I can't think of another restaurant that gives out plasticware that looks like silverware! Although the octagonal boxes are not the most efficient use of materials, it IS instantly recognizable and relatively environmentally friendly. Great place to grab lunch or dinner.

Happy hunting!

Gregoire 4.5/5

An Improbable Fusion

2009-01-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

Peruvian food is an astonishing improbably fusion of cuisines with influences from the Incans, Moors, Spaniards, French, Chinese, and Japanese. In my book, it ties with Cantonese food as my favorite all time cusine!

In case you were wondering... I LOOOOOVE potatoes. They are of course a matter of national pride! According to wikipedia, over 3,000 potato varieties are grown in Peru!!!! Some Peruvian varieties that come to mind include papa amarilla, huayro, huamantanga, and perricholi. Some of these potatoes have found their ways into some of my favorite dishes including carapulcra, causa, cau cau, papa a la huancaina, lomo saltado, ocopa, and the papa rellena.

Potatoes!

Potatoes aside, what I love about Peruvian cuisine is its uniqueness. This is mainly attributed to the different kinds of aji and rocoto (chillies) and herbs such as huacatay that are used and have been used since the Incas.

Huacatay!

Aji Rocoto!

Potatoes often make me think of stews, soups, and pachamanca. Although Peruvian cuisine has its fair share of those types of dishes, not all Peruvian food is heavy and or laden with starch. Take ceviches and tiraditos for example. With the introduction of limes and onions by the Spaniards, and a new approach to fish by the Japanese, ceviche as it is known today is light AND healthy. It is a sort of "sushi meets lime."

As some of you may have heard, I am on a mission to find the best Peruvian Restaurant in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. This has proved a bit challenging considering the deluge of new Peruvian restaurants that open every few months. Here is one that sits near the top of my list!

Opened when its sister restaurant Limon, @ 16th and Valencia, closed for renovations, Limon Rotisserie, at 21st and S. Van Ness, offers all of the Peruvian basics necessary for FABULOUS lunch or dinner. If you are by yourself, this is what I recommend that you eat...

Ceviche de Pescado y Camarones ($9.25)
Tacu Tacu ($2.50)
Trio of Sauces
Pollo a la Brasa with Fried Yucca ($7.25)
Tiramisu de Lucuma ($6.75)

Moderately priced, their menu is organized as a collection of cold and hot plates. Perfect for sampling. I would recommend getting no more than three or four plates per person. If you get chicken (you HAVE to get the chicken!), I suggest getting just one or two additional plates! More rants on what makes Peruvian Rotisserie chicken the BEST EVER later...

Limon Rotisserie 4.5/5

Shh! Speak Easy!

2009-01-14T21:46:00.001-08:00

Prohibition, or the Noble Experiment as it was once known, marked one of the saddest times in American history. Why the f*ck would you ever prohibit the consumption of alcohol? How dumb is it that out of the 27 amendments to the United States constitution, two have been devoted to the ban of alcohol (amendment XVIII) and its repeal (amendment XXI)? One positive result of the era was the creation of the Speakeasy.

San Francisco is home to Bourbon & Branch, a "Speakeasy" that has been open since 1867.
As is the case with other establishments of its kind there are several house rules...

1)Please speak-easy

2)No cell phone use

3)No standing at the bar

4)Don't even think of asking for a "cosmo"

5)Smokers, use back door

6)No photography

7)Please be patient, our drinks are labor intensive

and

8)Please exit Bourbon & Branch quietly

We clearly broke rule six. But you know what they say... RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN! Just two small complaints from this happy patron. Why is it located at the corner, yes, I said CORNER, of Jones and O'farrel? If you aren't really paying attention, you might miss the door. But at night, there are tons of people who go and as a consequence, a queue, albeit a small one, forms. So it is obvious that it is there... So much for secrecy. AAAAANNNNNNND, what is the point of making reservations if you have to wait???? I am also sad that there is a menu at B&B. That my friends is what I am holding above. Accustomed to Sasha's Milk & Honey (okay, I have only been once), it would have been nice if the cocktail waitresses could actually recommend something NOT on the menu. I was like SERIOUSLY? I can read! I am not feeling any of it. So what else can you reccomend?

After several attempts, I gave up... and ordered one of my perennial favorites, a Pimm's Cup. It was good! With fresh blackberries and all! On the menu, notable drinks include the Chartreuse Swizzle, Drink Without a Name (hella strong), Democrat, Amuse Buche, and some kind of Apple Soda thing. Overall the drinks were good. With the exception of this one drink. It was brown and thick. So if you get it, don't drink it.

The one great thing about B&B is that you can just go if you ever find yourself in the area. If for whatever reason you don't have a reservation, just tell them "books" at the door and you can go to the library for some standing room only fun.

Bourbon & Branch 4/5

Washing Down the Wine...

2009-01-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

One of the best times to visit the wine country is during the summer and early fall. Though wine can and SHOULD be enjoyed year round, the warmer months allow one to drink and be merry outside with the sun kissing your face. What could be better than that? Besides, it is at this time of the year that the valley is the most breathtaking. When you go after the harvest, usually sometime in August/September, vines start dying, and it just isn't pretty.

Clearly, you should still take the pilgrimage during the Winter months. ONE particular reason for the journey is because Thomas Keller (Chef extraordinaire) runs several AMAZING restaurants including the French Laundry, Ad Hoc, and Bouchon.

As I mentioned earlier, being a graduate student has its advantages... but it also means that I am poor, dirt poor. So I won't be blogging about the French Laundry anytime soon. Thankfully, both Ad Hoc and Bouchon are relatively affordable. Properly planned, you can even go to both in one day!

The whole early planning thing didn't happen this past weekend. After spending the early afternoon at Chateau Montelena (sipping on my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon) and Duckhorn, and washing down that wine first with dessert at the Bouchon bakery and with dinner at Ad Hoc, I can't complain.

No trip is complete without a stop at Montelena...

Chateau Montelena Library Tasting

Believe me. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is TDF! If you go, there are two types of tastings you can do. The first option is to do the current release tasting for $15 which features the Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Montelena Estate Zinfandel, and Potter Valley Riesling. The second option, which I recommend you do at least once, is to do the library wine tasting for $40. Inconveniently, you have to make reservations for the library tasting. Don't be late, you have to pay in advance and they will start without you. This tasting offers some of Montelena's best wines including two Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignons, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a Napa Valley Chardonnay, and a Montelena Estate Zinfandel. 750 ml bottles of the Cabernet usually runs $130+ for the current year's release and go up the older they get. So crazy as it sounds, it is actually a pretty good deal.

Although it is true that you can get Montelena at the Press Club (current release tasting only) in SF or even Roy's Restaurant ($20 for a glass of the Montelena Estate Cabernet), Montelena is a must visit because it is the only winery that has a Chinese inspired Jade Lake. Moreover, they have a persimon tree AND swans!

Pagoda, Jade Lake, Chateau Montelena

You can usually hit up several wineries in a day, and this time we went to Duckhorn. Interestingly, they are the ones who started the whole critter (in their case a duck) on the label marketing strategy. It is why Yellowtail, with its kangaroo or whatever it is, got so famous so quickly. Apparently, people just buy wine because it has an animal on the label.

Unfortunately for you, I left my camera in my car when we stopped at Duckhorn. Like other wineries, they also offer several tasting options. If you haven't quite figured it out, I LOVE Cabernets, so I opted for the Estate tasting which was predominantly a Cabernet tasting. I wasn't in love with the wine, but I thought it was good overall. Though I usually don't like Merlot, it was surprisingly good here. So props to Duckhorn for that and their palate-cleansing almonds that are covered in goodness. As some of you may know, the Duckhorn Wine Company also owns Paraduxx. They are doing some interesting stuff over there (i.e. mixing grapes that aren't traditionally mixed). I tried one of their wines and I was not too excited, but was intrigued enough to want to visit on my next trip.

Too late to go to another winery but too early for dinner, AK, PK and I decided that it would be a good idea to start dinner with some dessert. What better place to go then Bouchon Bakery?

Bouchon Bakery, Yountville, CA

In retrospect it wasn't a very bright idea to have dessert first, but hey you only live once. Here is a sampling of what we got.

Chocolate Ganache Tarte

Hazelnut Macaron

Fresh Apple Tart

This definitely ranks up there with Tartine for best desserts...

The highlight of any day is dinner. Ad Hoc did not disappoint. Though you can find out what the menu is going to be ahead of time, I think it is fun to just walk in and be surprised.

Ad Hoc Restaurant, Yountville, CA

For $49 and on this particular day, they served the following:

Bread
broccoli di ciccio & burratta salad; crisp vegetable binaigrette, chili flake sesame seed and maldon salt flatbread.
snake river farms kurobuta prok rack with fried sunchokes and quince mustard
rustichella rigatoncini with veal-mushroom ragout
bellwether farms pepato; wild arugala and toasted almonds
crespelle torta; chocolate crepes with blood orange mousse

The highlight of the meal was definitely the main course. I can't say enough about it! The pork was tasty and tender. The sunchokes (roots of sunflowers), were like a lighter less starchy potatoes. Apparently, farmer's used to think that these tubers were just weeds. They must have been tripping because these were amazing! Double fried and they still felt semi-healthy! The biggest let down was probably the dessert. Maybe it is because we already had dessert. Truthfully, I think they layered too many of the chocolate crepes, or maybe it was just bad. Period. The crepes were doughy and the blood orange mousse was just okay. Either way, it was really good meal. Restaurant is simple yet elegant. Excellent place to take a date or a small group of friends.

Chateau Montelena: 5/5
Duckhorn Wine Company: 4/5
Bouchon Bakery: 4.5/5
Ad Hoc Restaurant: 4.5/5

For Better or For Worse...

2009-01-14T00:23:00.000-08:00

Graduate school can be many things to many people. A bit more on the subject in a later post... Maybe I should be focusing my energies on curing cancer as I wrote about in my personal statement for graduate school. Better yet, I should be reading that paper for journal club tomorrow. But who would want to read a blog about that or life in the lab?

The one great thing about graduate school is that it is what you make it of it. I could go to lab on the weekends, and often I do, but there are so many other things that demand my attention. For instance, last Friday, I could have either 1) started an experiment at 3PM, or 2) booked it and have dinner in the city with some friends? As most of you have probably guessed by now , I chose option 2.

Clearly, I often choose option 2! What is great about that is that as a graduate student recessions are things you read about in the news... if anything, it just means that the economy is going to be great by the time I graduate! So this blog a chronicle my life as a grub hunter, as I scour the world for the best food, drinks, and fun!