Hornbill Burmese Cuisine
20160619:
Searching around the area, I stumbled upon this highly-rated (4.5 stars on Yelp) Burmese restaurant. Looking through the menu, I decided to try the lamb kebat (mild) and the spicy shrimp. As a filler I got the Burmese Indian rice, and to drink I got a bottle of Myanmar.
Menu Description:
Burmese Lamb Kebat Marinated lamb stir-fried with paprika, masala, tamarind, green chilies, mint leaves, tomatoes, and cilantro 13.00
Both the kebat and rice smelled amazing. Among the spices used, I could distinctly smell the distinct aroma of cloves coming from the rice. According to the waiter, other ingredients in the rice are cardamom, raisins, and saffron. 3:37PM PT
The lamb in the kebat was chewy, yet somewhat enjoyable. Meanwhile, the rice tasted delicious. After consuming several bites, I tried squeezing some lemon onto the lamb and that was surprisingly good. Adding to the lamb's flavors, the tomato in the dish was simply bursting with sweet juiciness.
As requested, the dish was mildly spicy. 3:45PM PT
Menu Description:
Hornbill Spicy Shrimp Wok sauteed shrimp served with onion, garlic, and jalapeno 13.00
Taking a sniff of the spicy shrimp, the fried garlic didn't release any discernible smells, but it looked amazing. 3:37PM PT
After getting a satisfactory amount of lamb, I moved onto the spicy shrimp and as I ate, I realized I was not crazy to use jalapeños when I had cooked shrimp several months prior.
Of course, the preparation and presentation of this dish with the fried garlic and strips of onions (as opposed to diced) tasted delicious and looked pleasing, respectively.
Furthermore, I liked the addition of basil, which I should use more in my own cooking. 3:49PM PT
For dessert, I adventurously ordered the fried pudding. However, what came to my mind when I read "fried pudding" was fried custard - perhaps like a cream puff but with custard inside.
Instead, the dessert was more like fried gelatin, with the gelatin being extremely firm (not yet stiff). Casting my expectation aside, the dessert was still disappointing. Similarly, the mango ice cream only tasted okay.
When I asked what I thought of the dessert, I told the waiter that I was disappointed and he said he would have recommended the fried banana, or even better, the plata. 4:33PM PT
[20160627 Edit]
Hornbill Burmese Cuisine
Relevant Links:
Hornbill Burmese Cuisine Website
Hornbill Burmese Cuisine - El Sobrante, CA (Yelp.com)
Searching around the area, I stumbled upon this highly-rated (4.5 stars on Yelp) Burmese restaurant. Looking through the menu, I decided to try the lamb kebat (mild) and the spicy shrimp. As a filler I got the Burmese Indian rice, and to drink I got a bottle of Myanmar.
 |
| Burmese Lamb Kebat |
Menu Description:
Burmese Lamb Kebat Marinated lamb stir-fried with paprika, masala, tamarind, green chilies, mint leaves, tomatoes, and cilantro 13.00
Both the kebat and rice smelled amazing. Among the spices used, I could distinctly smell the distinct aroma of cloves coming from the rice. According to the waiter, other ingredients in the rice are cardamom, raisins, and saffron. 3:37PM PT
 |
| Burmese Indian Rice |
The lamb in the kebat was chewy, yet somewhat enjoyable. Meanwhile, the rice tasted delicious. After consuming several bites, I tried squeezing some lemon onto the lamb and that was surprisingly good. Adding to the lamb's flavors, the tomato in the dish was simply bursting with sweet juiciness.
As requested, the dish was mildly spicy. 3:45PM PT
 |
| Hornbill Spicy Shrimp |
Menu Description:
Hornbill Spicy Shrimp Wok sauteed shrimp served with onion, garlic, and jalapeno 13.00
Taking a sniff of the spicy shrimp, the fried garlic didn't release any discernible smells, but it looked amazing. 3:37PM PT
After getting a satisfactory amount of lamb, I moved onto the spicy shrimp and as I ate, I realized I was not crazy to use jalapeños when I had cooked shrimp several months prior.
 |
| Fried Pudding with Mango Ice Cream |
Of course, the preparation and presentation of this dish with the fried garlic and strips of onions (as opposed to diced) tasted delicious and looked pleasing, respectively.
Furthermore, I liked the addition of basil, which I should use more in my own cooking. 3:49PM PT
For dessert, I adventurously ordered the fried pudding. However, what came to my mind when I read "fried pudding" was fried custard - perhaps like a cream puff but with custard inside.
 |
| A look at the "pudding" part of the fried pudding... |
Instead, the dessert was more like fried gelatin, with the gelatin being extremely firm (not yet stiff). Casting my expectation aside, the dessert was still disappointing. Similarly, the mango ice cream only tasted okay.
When I asked what I thought of the dessert, I told the waiter that I was disappointed and he said he would have recommended the fried banana, or even better, the plata. 4:33PM PT
[20160627 Edit]
Hornbill Burmese Cuisine
 |
| Burmese Lamb Kebat |
Relevant Links:
Hornbill Burmese Cuisine Website
Hornbill Burmese Cuisine - El Sobrante, CA (Yelp.com)
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