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Monday, December 19, 2011

Yum Cha Cafe

20111219:
My friend CF likes coming to this location (Yum Cha Cafe Garden Grove) for fast food dim sum. I recall before this location existed, my dad would occasionally buy dim sum from the Yum Cha Cafe in Westminster. Personally, I'm happy with going to the Giai Phat Food Company on Bolsa (Yelp.com link), but I usually only order har gow, so it's possible Giai Phat might not have as good a selection. In general, I don't have any idea of how the three fast food dim sum locations above compare. Yelp.com isn't particularly useful, since Giai Phat only has 10 reviews, making its current rating unstable. Maybe I'll try a blind taste test next summer.


In any case, this outing was funny. My friend JK wanted to get an egg tart. But an order of egg tarts comes with three and he didn't want to eat three. So he asked if I wanted to split an order. I was a little hesitant, because I sort of wanted to eat three myself. But after a moment's thought, I said sure. The thing is, everybody (JK, MT, SH, PN, CF, and I) ordered separately. So we go sit down on the tables they have set out and as JK and I open our containers, we realize that we both purchased an order of egg tarts. But to top it off, CF opens one of his containers revealing another order! It works out in the end, as now there was enough to share with everybody.


[20120115]

I've had dim sum from this chain several times before
20111219 Yum Cha Cafe - Garden Grove
Yum Cha Cafe

Relevant Links:
Yum Cha Cafe Website
Yum Cha Cafe - Garden Grove, CA (Yelp.com)
located inside Sieu Thi Thuan Phat (Yelp.com)
Yum Cha Cafe - Westminster, CA (Yelp.com)
located inside My Thuan Supermarket (Yelp.com)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Slater's 50/50

20111214:
I wrote: "50/50 patty, full pound, medium, honey wheat bun, 50/50 BBQ sauce, cheddar, grilled onions, green leaf lettuce, sun dried tomatoes, tomato: THE JACK. Eating the edge is great. Getting into the burger, wow, grilled onions and sun dried tomatoes really add to the taste." 6:34 PM PDT

As it was my first time coming to Slater's 50/50, I thought getting the 50/50 patty would be appropriate. The 50/50 patty is 50% ground beef and 50% ground bacon. The "Design It Menu" has a lot to choose from. I ended up making the above burger and calling it The Jack. They have you name it for fun and when it comes out they call it by the name.

(20111214)

Now a full pound of beef is a lot and I mostly spent my time at the restaurant eating around the edge. My instant comment implies that I liked the 50/50 patty, as the edge of the burger would have just been meat. I got the bulk of the burger to go, only being able to enjoy a fraction of the burger I designed fresh.

[20120626]

20120607:
After ordering a Hangar 24 Chocolate Porter to drink, I decided to get a Hawaiian Burger with a full pound, medium-cooked patty. 6:48PM PDT

When the burger came out, I found the pineapple and Hollandaise sauce was a great combination. 7:30 PM PDT

After making some notes on my Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, I also noted that my burger tastes much better with the beer. 7:50 PM PDT

Hawaiian burger (20120607)

Menu Description:
Hawaiian burger Island inspired, our 50/50 patty build with grilled pineapple, sunny side up egg, American cheese and baconnaise, served on white brioche. $9.95

[20120626][20150118 Edit]

20120609:
Last time I came (20120607) I had a taste of my friend's burger, a limited time burger of the month (June) called The Pulled Pork. It was good, so I that's what I decided to get on this visit, only with a pound of meat (I'm pretty sure he just had the standard amount of meat with his). Of course, I knew I wouldn't finish it, but I like taking home leftovers, especially when the food is good.

I wrote: "[Samuel Adams New World Tripel]. The burger has too much mustard and not enough grits. Full pound meat." 7:24 PM PDT

The Pulled Pork (June Burger of the Month) (20120609)

Indeed I recall an excessive presence of mustard, but otherwise the burger tasted great.

[20120626]

20120711:
My friend and I came to Slater's 50/50 today and I originally wanted the Stone Vanilla Bean Smoked Porter (CA 4.4% ABV 53 IBU), but they ran out. Thus I started off trying samples of the Stone Levitation Ale and the Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale.

I ultimately ordered a beer flight.

Beer Flight:
1) Wells Banana Bread Beer
2) AleSmith (Nautical) Nut Brown Ale
3) Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
4) Lightning Thunderweizen

Pick 4: Fried Bacon Mac N' Cheese Balls (center), Fries (left), Fried Artichoke Hearts (bottom) and Fried Dill Pickle Chips (top-right) (20120711)

Josh and I picked 4 appetizers:
FRIED BACON MAC N’ CHEESE BALLS; Tapatio® ranch. // SLATER’S FRIES; Slater’s bacon ketchup. // FRIED DILL PICKLE CHIPS; Original mustard sauce. // FRIED ARTICHOKE HEARTS

For my entree, I got the July Burger of the Month: The 'Merica.

Menu Description:
The 'Merica The burger that started it all. 100% ground bacon plus thick cut bacon, a sunny side up egg, our new "bacon island" dressing all topped with bacon cheddar cheese. $10.95

Fried dill pickles chips with mustard: while I like pickles, the fried batter doesn't add much to the experience. 6:42PM PT
Fries with bacon infused ketchup: the ketchup is good
Fried artichoke hearts: in contrast to the dill pickles, the artichoke hearts taste delicious when fried. 6:45PM PT
Fried mac and cheese balls: delicious; I need to make these.
The 'Merica: it's good; the patty has the texture of crunchy and oily bacon but tastes less like bacon than the bacon-infused ketchup; the egg and real bacon are nice; overall, it's a good burger. 7:21PM PT

[20130206][20160921 Update,Edit]

20130102:
Today I came and ordered another beer flight.

The 'Merica (July Burger of the Month) (20120711)

Beer Flight:
1) Avery The Czar
2) Deschutes Red Chair NWPA
3) TAPS Toasted Santa
4) Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

We also did a Pick 4:
FRIED BACON MAC N’ CHEESE BALLS; Tapatio® ranch. // SWEET POTATO FRIES; Pumpkin sauce. // FRIED DILL PICKLE CHIPS; Original mustard sauce. // BEER BATTERED JALAPEÑOS; Cilantro-lime sour cream.

All our choices were good. I especially liked the bacon inside the mac n' cheese balls. To be honest, I didn't remember that they would have bacon in them, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Po' Boy Burger (March Burger of the Month) (20150327)

20150327:
Today I ordered a beer flight and the burger of the month, the Po' Boy Burger. While I forgot to write down the ingredients, I later (20150416) did some detective work and tracked them down.*

In any case, I ordered the burger medium rare and it appears to have arrive as such. Overall, it was very spicy and tasted good. However, at times its sauce had disagreed with my palate (the way tofu and peas disagree with my palate). Eating about half of the burger, I took the rest home and ate it a couple of days later without any problem.

Disappointingly, the appetizers came out after the burgers came out. Most fortunately, with great speed, the manager approached us (preempting any complaints from my friend and I) and told us that they would take care of the appetizers (i.e., free). Talk about great service!

Pick 4: Fried Bacon Mac N' Cheese Balls, Sweet Potato Fries,
Fried Dill Pickle Chips, and Beer Battered Jalapenos (20130102)

Menu Description:
PO BOY burger Our March Burger Of the Month is made with fried shrimp marinated in crystal hot sauce, brandt beef spiked with old bay, remoulade, pickles, iceberg lettuce, tomato, spanish telera roll.

Soon after the manager had left, our waitress also came to apologize, explaining that things were very busy and that she herself normally just works behind the bar. Offering my friend and I complimentary drinks, I decided to try the Epic Big Bad Baptist. My friend, however, was the driver and kindly declined the drink.

Po' Boy Burger (March Burger of the Month) (20140327)

*Their website had moved onto the April BOM so I did a Google search. Then I found an article which listed the ingredients, but it felt unofficial and I was unsatisfied. Then I noticed the official description hazily sitting in the background in a YouTube review. Together with the article, I figured out the unfocused letters. While satisfied, I used the result to find an official description on the Facebook page of their Liberty Station location.

Beer Flight:
1) Mother Earth Cali' Creamin'
2) Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
3) Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
4) Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine - Extra Hoppy

Pick 2: Sweet Potato Fries and Fried Dill Pickle Chips (20150327)

Bonus Brew:
5) Epic Big Bad Baptist

[20130206]

20150720:
Today I went to Slater's 50/50 with my friends and to drink I ordered a beer flight.

After taking a sip of all four beers in the flight and trying my friends' beers, I sunk my teeth into the July Burger of the Month: 'Merica Burger 2.0.

Immediately I thought to myself, "This burger is delicious." I particularly enjoyed the combination of the jam and bacon (bacon jam).

'Merica Burger 2.0 (July Burger of the Month) (20150720)

As for the mac n' cheese, I found it's usage was subtle, but effective. Looking back on my own experience with placing mac n' cheese inside a burger, I suddenly realized the key is to fry the mac n' cheese to help keep it in the burger.

Menu Description:
'Merica Burger 2.0 Our once a year gift to you, but this year we kicked it up a notch... Our July Burger Of the Month is 100% ground bacon patty, Sriracha bacon, bacon jam, bacon American cheese, fried bacon mac n' cheese, tomato, field greens, bacon pretzel bun.

'Merica Burger 2.0 (July Burger of the Month) (20150720)

Remark: Some time after coming here I found out Sriracha was apparently a fad, which is strange for probably any Asian family who just grew up with Sriracha sitting somewhere in the kitchen or for any family that regularly eats pho. In any case, while I didn't notice it at the time, I noticed at the time of this post that the burger I ordered had Sriracha in it... Could have been any spice... I wouldn't have known the difference. There's also a silliness in the fact that practically everything in the burger is American (bacon, bacon, bacon, mac n' cheese, American cheese) and then you have Sriracha.

[20150821 Edit][Part of Beer Flight at Slater's 50/50 (20150720)]

Slater's 50/50

Beer Battered Jalapenos (20150327)

Relevant Links:
Slater's 50/50 Website
Slater's 50/50 - Huntington Beach, CA (Yelp.com)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Pho #1

[20120111]
I remember when I was first introduced to this restaurant. It was the first pho I had in Maryland and despite the pho being worse than pho in Westminster, CA, I was happy to have eaten some pho. After that, and before the following entries, I've come here on about two other occasions.

20110831:
Ate here with VW.

[20120111]

20110903:
Ate here with PS.


[20120111]

20111210:
Ate here with PS. Last meal in MD before getting on my flight back to CA. The pho here is decent. Having eaten shortly before coming today, I simply ordered a bowl of pho bo vien ($6.25 for a regular bowl). The menu description reads "beef ball rice noodle soup." I also ordered some coffee, ca phe phin sua da, "iced filtered coffee with condensed milk, french style." ($3.65 for Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend) I'm not sure I was aware at the time, but apparently there were two types of coffee available, Cafe du Monde ($2.65) and Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend ($3.65). Overall, I can't recommend going here, as there are several other pho places, including one in Baltimore, which I haven't tried going to yet. On the other hand, I have gone here several times, so they certainly don't make terrible pho. I would say the same about Pho Dat Thanh in Towson and at the moment I don't know how they compare. Actually, I now remember once going to Pho Van Restaurant, which is also along the Baltimore National Pike. I'm not 100% sure I went there, but I do remember going to a pho restaurant with JB and liking it a whole lot better than both Pho Dat Thanh and Pho #1.


[20120111]

Pho #1

Relevant Links:
Pho #1 Website
Pho #1 (Yelp.com)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

One World Cafe

[20130209]
If you're looking for vegetarian food in the area, then you'd probably want to stop by here. I've been here several times now (certainly more than has been logged below), and I'd probably go more often if it were closer than all the other food places I typically go to. Also, when you go here, you should consider getting the chocolate chai. A friend of mine recommended it to me one day while we were there and since then I've ordered it about every other time I eat there.



20111208:
Today I got the lasagna and and a Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. I recall enjoying the lasagna.

Menu Description:
Lasagna Made of specialty cheeses and pasta loaded with vegetables served with a side salad and garlic bread


[20130209]

20121114:
I met up with this week's guest speaker, who had an interested paper about critical points of random polynomials. Certainly we talked a little bit of math, but we also chatted about other things as well.

With respect to the food, I had a simple, but delicious penne pasta. I believe I tracked down the correct menu description. To drink I had a chocolate chai.

Menu Description:
Tuscan Penne Pasta Penne pasta with a balsamic roma tomato reduction, fresh basil and garlic with mozzarello cheese served with a side salad and garlic bread


[20130209]

20130127:
Today I got a Philly Cheese "Steak-Less." I recall it tasted pretty good. Actually, I feel like I'd be happy with just eating all the ingredients and skipping out on the bread. To drink I had a chocolate chai, which I think filled me up, because I only got around to eating half of the Philly Cheese "Steak-Less."

Menu Description:
Philly Cheese "Steak-Less" Hoagie bun stuffed with seasoned organic seitan strips, grilled peppers, onions and shredded lettuce with melted provolone.


[20130209]

One World Cafe

Relevant Links:
One World Cafe - Tuscany-Canterbury - Baltimore, MD (Yelp.com)

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Sofi's Crepes

20111112:
I think I had the following:
The Godfather: Pepperoni, Mozzarella, Salami, Roasted Red Peppers, & Spinach $8
Apple Crisp: Apples, Caramel & Cinnamon With Graham Cracker Crumbs $5



The Godfather was pretty good. Unfortunately, while eating the Apple Crisp, the peanut butter aroma from my friend's sweet crepe was making me feel sick. I think the peanut aroma has more of an affect when peanut butter is in some sort of liquid diluted form. I suspect this because in the past I feel from the aroma when eating summer rolls around people using peanut sauce. I don't think contamination is an issue.

I'm not fond of the cramped space.

My friend asked if I liked the sweet or savory and I answered:
"I was looking forward to the sweet, but the savory ended up being better. I feel like vanilla ice cream would have really helped balance the sweet crepe, but they don't have ice cream." =(

[20111127]

Sofi's Crepes

Relevant Links:
Sofi's Crepes Website
Sofi's Crepes (Yelp.com)

Friday, November 11, 2011

Road2Seoul

20111111:
I feel like I didn't get the my money's worth with this lunch. The food is good, but for the quantity, not good enough for me to come back.



Road2Seoul

Monday, October 17, 2011

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Valentino's Diner

20111008:
After hanging out at Barnes and Noble, I was feeling hungry. As such, the burger I had here filled me up good.


[20111214]

Valentino's Diner

Relevant Links:
Valentino's Diner Website
Valentino's Diner (Yelp.com)

Friday, September 30, 2011

Sushi Go Round & Tapas

20110930:
For some reason L.C. and I didn't think to share until after a plate or two. Various type of sushi places benefit from sharing. Though I guess it only works if you're like me and enjoy trying a little of everything, rather than just getting large doses of your favorite.


"Didn't quite get as much crunch as I expected."


"I like this one, love when the eggs break... Delicious."


"Shared, the fish in this one is great, and the crunch of the salad."


"The sesame seeds on the spicy tuna weirded me out, had 2 of 4 pieces."


"The big piece was nice and crunchy, the regular piece was tasty..." 6:50 pm

[20111014]

Sushi Go Round & Tapas


Relevant Links:
Sushi Go Round & Tapas (Yelp.com)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Red Brick Station

20110917:
To drink I had the beer sampler.

The grilled tuna steak had a tasty seasoning, but it was also done; this was disappointing because I had asked for medium rare. Next time I'd ask for rare! Well I guess I'd try something different if I ever came back to Red Brick Station.

Menu Description:
Grilled Tuna Steak Ahi tuna steak char grilled to temperature and served with white rice pilaf and the vegetable of the day. $15.99 Also available as a Club Sandwich with chips. $13.99



The fish in the fish and chips was good. It was good with tartar sauce. It was not good with cocktail sauce.

Menu Description:
Fish & Chips **Brewer's Choice** Beer battered white fish fried to perfection and served with chips (french fries) and cole slaw. $12.99

[20111002][20180620 Edit]

Red Brick Station

*Sorry about the low resolution.

Relevant Links:
Red Brick Station Website
Red Brick Station - White Marsh, MD (Yelp.com)
Red Brick Station Restaurant (TripAdvisor.com)

Monday, September 12, 2011

Papermoon Diner


20110912:
I ordered the Triple Play for $9. I also got a caramel and sea salt milkshake. When the shakes came out, I was accidentally given the peanut butter milkshake. However, I was cautious and asked someone to check. In any case, I didn't like the mozzarella sticks or the sweet potato fries. I suppose I didn't really like the chicken tenders all too much either. I was happy with the caramel and sea salt milkshake.


Today's dining experience matches my previous Papermoon dining experiences: Papermoon is a little under okay. I like all the decorations, but the scenery doesn't make up for the less than satisfactory tasting food. Maybe I've just always chosen the wrong dishes. Maybe I think Papermoon is overpriced.

I've fine with all their rules except:
There is a minimum of $5 per person throughout the entire Diner.
Splitting of items is permitted, a $3 plate charge will be added.


Speaking of their rules, I thought they didn't allow a party to split the check, but it's not prohibited on their website menu and, in fact, we split the check.

Menu Description:
A mixed platter of chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks and french fries or sweet fries served with marinara and honey mustard, BBQ sauce


[20110929]

20140716:
It's been a while since I've come to Papermoon and it was a joy to see all the toys lining the walls of this restaurant one last time before leaving Baltimore.

Today I ordered The Full Monte Cristo and I'd have to say that it was both delicious and filling.

Menu Description:
THe FULL MoNTe CRiSTo Grilled ham, turkey and melted havarti between two pieces of French toast. Served with powdered sugar and syrup.



Papermoon Diner


Relevant Links:
Papermoon Diner Website
Papermoon Diner Menu
Papermoon Diner (Yelp.com)

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Silk Road Express

-- CLOSED --

I've eaten here so many times. I seldom think to take and post any pictures.



20110908:
I got the miso soup and I like it. I can't remember if this was the first or second time I had the miso soup. I almost always get the gyro as part of my combination platter, unless it looks like there's a high chance of getting an excessive amount of onion. I like onion, but I don't want to pay and get onion, I want to pay and get meat!


[20110922]

20110915:
They have a new item available for their combination platter and it's tasty. I'll probably get it again next time I come.



20111018:



20111114:
Fish! Yum.


[20111126]

20110131:
The eggs and tomato was a bit soggy.


[20110419]

20120222:
I love the fish. This might have been the first time I had the curry chicken. If not the first, then certainly one of the few times I've had it.


[20120427]

Silk Road Express

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Tamber's Restaurant

20110827:
I've eaten at Tamber's many times before. However, this is the first time I had American food in the restaurant.

Today:
Roast beef Served open faced, with mashed potatoes or French fries, gravy. $8.95


As best as I can remember using the menu...
Dine In:
KASHMIRI NAN - With Raisin & Almonds
LAMB SAAG MEAT - Finely chopped garden fresh spinach, cooked wit lamb in an aromatic spicy Indian herbal sauce
LAMB JALFRZI - Lamb cooked in a tangy sauce with fresh tomatoes, onions, bell pepper and freshly ground spices
CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA - Boneless chicken marinated, grilled & sautéed in an aromatic masala sauce.
ROAST BEEF - Served open faced, with mashed potatoes or French fries, gravy.

Carry Out:
KASHMIRI NAN - With Raisin & Almonds
LAMB SAAG MEAT - Finely chopped garden fresh spinach, cooked wit lamb in an aromatic spicy Indian herbal sauce
KOSHER STYLE, ALL BEEF FRANKS
FRENCH FRIES
SOUTHWESTERN BURGER - BBQ sauce, bacon and Swiss cheese

[20110907]

Tamber's Restaurant

Relevant Links:
Tamber's Restaurant Website
Tamber's Restaurant (Yelp.com)

Monday, August 22, 2011

Jack in the Box

20110822:
I ordered a chicken sandwich. Josh ordered a pair of tacos. We were gonna split the curly fries. Though I never had the taco and he never had the chicken sandwich, so we decided to split our orders. This meal was intended to keep us content until the pork was ready.

The chicken sandwich is a simple favorite of mine at Jack in the Box. The menu on the website reads, "Breaded chicken patty with lettuce and Mayo-Onion sauce on a regular bun."


I like dipping the fries in honey mustard. I tried dipping the chicken sandwich in honey mustard and that was good too.

[@ 19090 Brookhurst St][20110905]

Jack in the Box

Relevant Links:
Jack in the Box Website
Jack in the Box (19090 Brookhurst St) (Yelp.com)

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Hokkaido Seafood Buffet

20110820:
The wait for a large party is longer than a wait for a small party. In particular, under four persons will be a short wait.

First plate. Spicy mussel (9 o'clock), coconut shrimp (11 o'clock), chicken (1 o'clock near center), salmon (1 o'clock near edge), clams sauteed with black beans (4 o'clock), chicken on a stick (5 o'clock), beef rib (2 o'clock), and oyster (6 to 8 o'clock). 

The spicy mussel was alright.

The coconut shrimp was good but soft.

Not (?) orange chicken. [20200118: perhaps I mean to say I thought it was orange chicken, but that it has some other sauce, e.g., General Tso's chicken; note, however, that the chicken in the picture doesn't look spicy so it's likely not General Tso's chicken]

Second plate. Crab legs, sausage, noodle, eggplant, tobiko, and steak.

I liked the salmon.

One of the two clams sauteed with black beans was sandy.

The chicken on a stick had a tasty sugary coating.

The scallop was good. It had celery.


The chicken on a stick wasn't good.

The beef rib was okay. I didn't like the sauce much.

The oyster was really sandy. 7:22 PM PT

[20200118: I only took a picture of two plates and the soft-serve ice cream. I also have a video of the chocolate fountain! It seems I didn't make a note for the second plate.]

A display of the sake (top), beer (middle), and wine (bottom) which they have available.

[20110828][20200118 Edit]

Hokkaido Seafood Buffet

Relevant Links:
Hokkaido Website
Hokkaido Seafood Buffet - Long Beach, CA (Yelp.com)