tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50984183825054966282024-03-07T15:47:50.209-08:00hakka houseHakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-91769299654143905142012-03-31T11:32:00.008-07:002012-03-31T12:29:44.212-07:00One Night in Tokyo at Shin-Sen-Gumi (Gardena)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In 1988, founder Mitsuyasu Shigeta came to Los Angeles to study English. Four years later, he opened the first Shin-Sen-Gumi in Gardena, serving yakitori—various chicken parts (gizzards, skin, wings, breast, thighs) skewered on bamboo sticks, grilled over charcoal. When you enter the tiny restaurant, located in a generic strip mall, you'll be greeted by a boisterous wait staff. Pretty much any movement warranted loud cheers—when you place your order, when you ask for your bill, when you leave the restaurant, and especially when you buy the chef and server a round of drinks. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpkG4ivXeGnxBylRgO_q44WJ37QoRx62L337_vunsQe0CWpgz5ayqNHMf_bzffmFbzLJGXgNxT026UmqV8KHv1wEkxUN6B0XY2Qp6HiPMAd-A_VRgdPaK9poc-WEwCd9Mo5OTC1w0sAvF/s1600/IMG_4203.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpkG4ivXeGnxBylRgO_q44WJ37QoRx62L337_vunsQe0CWpgz5ayqNHMf_bzffmFbzLJGXgNxT026UmqV8KHv1wEkxUN6B0XY2Qp6HiPMAd-A_VRgdPaK9poc-WEwCd9Mo5OTC1w0sAvF/s320/IMG_4203.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132894325321602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The man behind the grill was extremely amiable and, at one point, even came over to ask if we enjoyed our meal. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiA98nsDKls8AQ8NvIUrKHxniWl0l52xbgmpWTcGCmmyFBT_IJg2Rv8sGFo4XJw91RiHjgPTVSljN_pj-PcPSQoGNMHRaDVMFbv9f-cYC9JM6wlC4-bIg2xPE6cGi-2DqwD6Gnxm-qC_s/s1600/IMG_4204.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiA98nsDKls8AQ8NvIUrKHxniWl0l52xbgmpWTcGCmmyFBT_IJg2Rv8sGFo4XJw91RiHjgPTVSljN_pj-PcPSQoGNMHRaDVMFbv9f-cYC9JM6wlC4-bIg2xPE6cGi-2DqwD6Gnxm-qC_s/s320/IMG_4204.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132886845077138" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The course-ground sausages were Kevin's favorite. Bite into it and the delicious juices squirt out. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUcrvVAyG9ZxAYIrdgkX1clh9MXp54KUC_NZMU9Wf5UH4hbsKPZb5la6YxxtH_io0D2qhw7bDcMtGlciL-bd0lyNoEIf6doRhQM-V_vBq7Emsq8sq98XdIaIsqly9u6Orn_0qDdY2y5AP/s1600/IMG_4205.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUcrvVAyG9ZxAYIrdgkX1clh9MXp54KUC_NZMU9Wf5UH4hbsKPZb5la6YxxtH_io0D2qhw7bDcMtGlciL-bd0lyNoEIf6doRhQM-V_vBq7Emsq8sq98XdIaIsqly9u6Orn_0qDdY2y5AP/s320/IMG_4205.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132878839969730" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">These cocktail-sized sausages were good, too, but we preferred the course-ground sausages. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICOE1PAS3x17Hwyty2O40-8MTXXM3IXaR29jHPbdaiSItTd030hl72oXOWqt3MZVuVUXAQb0J3o-kMOGC3nzPIQXHwuxL3UK8uzwQ17T8y5jAUbEERBgplw0NclFyGamcW8zfbZRRWqyT/s1600/IMG_4206.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICOE1PAS3x17Hwyty2O40-8MTXXM3IXaR29jHPbdaiSItTd030hl72oXOWqt3MZVuVUXAQb0J3o-kMOGC3nzPIQXHwuxL3UK8uzwQ17T8y5jAUbEERBgplw0NclFyGamcW8zfbZRRWqyT/s320/IMG_4206.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132871425491410" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Fried soft-shell crab was one of the specials. It was crisp and glazed with a sweet orange sauce. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJgDmf9oY253nNut_EpVizVxQ6OmKyXNcfcsNkVeLZwJkvqdqHBWPGSTNULmfs440pAByk8qag9j9lDYC3Y28dzgvSUC2PlzwVQFQ0N5WS6ElSwsVx0ysSB0GoIQ-wiSPw-SdoHzk1T6O/s1600/IMG_4207.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJgDmf9oY253nNut_EpVizVxQ6OmKyXNcfcsNkVeLZwJkvqdqHBWPGSTNULmfs440pAByk8qag9j9lDYC3Y28dzgvSUC2PlzwVQFQ0N5WS6ElSwsVx0ysSB0GoIQ-wiSPw-SdoHzk1T6O/s320/IMG_4207.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132868868626498" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I love chicken gizzards. Chewy, grilled perfectly, with a sprinkling of sea salt. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryBGIeZD9aSQNJkSQtwdaUpZy22P8wJWEqrgBp_b89BC4T00htce_rTNWvzXoAEuvzGXCFZvT6pcu-vcpOk682T6fAQ7Q_kqmQwsEx80zBF2sj65MOujqjgZ-2GAaB8YYs1ezSwQ3qOBu/s1600/IMG_4208.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryBGIeZD9aSQNJkSQtwdaUpZy22P8wJWEqrgBp_b89BC4T00htce_rTNWvzXoAEuvzGXCFZvT6pcu-vcpOk682T6fAQ7Q_kqmQwsEx80zBF2sj65MOujqjgZ-2GAaB8YYs1ezSwQ3qOBu/s320/IMG_4208.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132294150253730" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This is the yakitori most people are familiar with: grilled chicken thighs with a sweet yakitori sauce. The smaller skewer in the back is chicken skin. I love the fact that the Japanese value and showcase every part of the chicken. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggr3FC4isjq8gEz94AKQzLOQjy5v7PRerR9p37mapLltDsTsutOzilbgb19Q2d3MwhAa6fgB2BBO8WrlbiTqhov1dGtvkWtVvzcigQvDgb4d4h8R3GgdiV6Uin-3ZLMp4wh1wvnPTGZqrO/s1600/IMG_4210.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggr3FC4isjq8gEz94AKQzLOQjy5v7PRerR9p37mapLltDsTsutOzilbgb19Q2d3MwhAa6fgB2BBO8WrlbiTqhov1dGtvkWtVvzcigQvDgb4d4h8R3GgdiV6Uin-3ZLMp4wh1wvnPTGZqrO/s320/IMG_4210.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132267021922882" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Grilled jumbo prawn. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsp9Lf0H7OZYm7tjmzG6m-AGQiCIj7_zl0HIJth0ijkFy5ggVPMnbExd6Ysu5RztZzzGe5EDjIKa1gEh-oZ6qPFmvo36V_EGbl5ZHAQm9lBD1ZuHBEr3qEr-5u7KF9AzwxFf88T6LEUh4/s1600/IMG_4209.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsp9Lf0H7OZYm7tjmzG6m-AGQiCIj7_zl0HIJth0ijkFy5ggVPMnbExd6Ysu5RztZzzGe5EDjIKa1gEh-oZ6qPFmvo36V_EGbl5ZHAQm9lBD1ZuHBEr3qEr-5u7KF9AzwxFf88T6LEUh4/s320/IMG_4209.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132236500588786" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Meatballs</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc25aMshC61JTZj9p3fKpAWOmGU4rlPXYn8NSh6NyZdLHZpHWPQ0IoqsqazWlJkwKzyRCcUAjyvtbPwN0OkM5NFLLpKyPth5B8HAq_TWM2w15O_9ABOfhTU51Q08BnSWFX3WmtUdzpiaP5/s1600/IMG_4211.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc25aMshC61JTZj9p3fKpAWOmGU4rlPXYn8NSh6NyZdLHZpHWPQ0IoqsqazWlJkwKzyRCcUAjyvtbPwN0OkM5NFLLpKyPth5B8HAq_TWM2w15O_9ABOfhTU51Q08BnSWFX3WmtUdzpiaP5/s320/IMG_4211.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132211701803106" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This was a funny little dish. Potato with mayo: so simple and yummy, though I can probably make this at home. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDrbVjXt-EEtFU_PuL5B9LPsnALlNfz1mY2B2w1s1717F1dcB4tqoMlNl0268Bt7jBP3KvwR8qiU38mxBrRCVYklLIO6tUwIYgUDyfs-tuvUJUsw54fMqJX0KtRbUPVcOhvfkWCHe3jTD/s1600/IMG_4212.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDrbVjXt-EEtFU_PuL5B9LPsnALlNfz1mY2B2w1s1717F1dcB4tqoMlNl0268Bt7jBP3KvwR8qiU38mxBrRCVYklLIO6tUwIYgUDyfs-tuvUJUsw54fMqJX0KtRbUPVcOhvfkWCHe3jTD/s320/IMG_4212.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726132193421817410" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Onigiri, the original comfort food. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0UgrDFDOs9sjt1D-PUodQbSXtHSn_RViu3UoYSSzerBSF9XRWJO4dHg4CRsB7lBeWJke_d-DYA1RlbgfN7xXSg2OFo6X9HpQLYWyv7cX5ifEJXyvKIxgChRmZYq5c-LkG_KxR0RXdN09/s1600/IMG_4213.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0UgrDFDOs9sjt1D-PUodQbSXtHSn_RViu3UoYSSzerBSF9XRWJO4dHg4CRsB7lBeWJke_d-DYA1RlbgfN7xXSg2OFo6X9HpQLYWyv7cX5ifEJXyvKIxgChRmZYq5c-LkG_KxR0RXdN09/s320/IMG_4213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726131399157399602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Crab and cream croquettes. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzwiTZsQKvhwohF9V8IYwfIHAE1eWEVvvrbzK3KUKJS2EOnoWmll1TqBU0tcydKjP_g31jn3tq2ryWTNAmmy9p6RFAeFg2pkWCQbjMTy5Du5azb81jbJGtKJ1zhjZqPrY756-uzDzWhk5/s1600/IMG_4214.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzwiTZsQKvhwohF9V8IYwfIHAE1eWEVvvrbzK3KUKJS2EOnoWmll1TqBU0tcydKjP_g31jn3tq2ryWTNAmmy9p6RFAeFg2pkWCQbjMTy5Du5azb81jbJGtKJ1zhjZqPrY756-uzDzWhk5/s320/IMG_4214.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726131393826197698" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Beef flap meat. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa7usAQ3D9j-Ozdy9GhX2GgXk7k6LVMPfn_pGUkZ5DKeOMIP8xKmBOHo3u3U8a2lsqlAEX6WYpWIN4KYxmnPQ9CpLh7Zw1n81WmHq7V-ElC439VH5cqhBUhexh-RoH2jdovHktuPr1HIM/s1600/IMG_4215.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa7usAQ3D9j-Ozdy9GhX2GgXk7k6LVMPfn_pGUkZ5DKeOMIP8xKmBOHo3u3U8a2lsqlAEX6WYpWIN4KYxmnPQ9CpLh7Zw1n81WmHq7V-ElC439VH5cqhBUhexh-RoH2jdovHktuPr1HIM/s320/IMG_4215.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726131385765377474" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My favorite of the night was the beef tongue. It was so tender and flavorful. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6-wdHe-gRqc9RW-57mq7h-izrsHFC1YZxkBWWlFbYBaTAUX7J-q2sJ6-cwzO6wi11YQEjpiyfZD6TQjbbiyGsowk0BgagCLXbIOIr7AuUQePOQUJzttAsKv2cB5IgChUeeetG34Flm1E/s1600/IMG_4216.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6-wdHe-gRqc9RW-57mq7h-izrsHFC1YZxkBWWlFbYBaTAUX7J-q2sJ6-cwzO6wi11YQEjpiyfZD6TQjbbiyGsowk0BgagCLXbIOIr7AuUQePOQUJzttAsKv2cB5IgChUeeetG34Flm1E/s320/IMG_4216.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726131383125694098" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The fried chicken wings tasted like orange chicken from American-Chinese restaurants. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo_LqLvsd-IX8AewVkyx4fJ2Swj0DtGm7lc9vZWWscKTdRbLmKXpyCl-ymKm9L1wmcP2Sj2bG2ci2l_cVf7iLIZ3aZejy9VaxLqIAM8LSIxMwaJIHM5JUbaJVrPstPIea6tyjaZWhehMO/s1600/IMG_4217.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo_LqLvsd-IX8AewVkyx4fJ2Swj0DtGm7lc9vZWWscKTdRbLmKXpyCl-ymKm9L1wmcP2Sj2bG2ci2l_cVf7iLIZ3aZejy9VaxLqIAM8LSIxMwaJIHM5JUbaJVrPstPIea6tyjaZWhehMO/s320/IMG_4217.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726131373087024082" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chicken breast with fresh wasabi. I don't </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:arial;font-size:small;">usually </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:arial;font-size:small;">care for breasts, but this was moist and the wasabi went surprisingly well with it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Each skewer was about $1.75–$3. Total tally was around $66 (including an additional order of sausages and meatballs). Pretty reasonable prices. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In addition to nine locations in Fountain Valley, Gardena, Monterey Park, and Rosemead, there’s also a branch in Japan.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(79, 79, 79); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">18517 S. Western Avenue<br />Gardena, CA 90248<br />(310) 715-1588</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(79, 79, 79); "><a href="http://www.shinsengumigroup.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">www.shinsengumigroup.com</span></span></a></span></span></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-41106720918258126162012-01-22T18:45:00.000-08:002012-01-22T18:52:44.790-08:00Happy Year of the Dragon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HARrukkr-uHiTFXBhCDKHG5MzfS9SkupWN4zX-RtJtvkfdeEZhh2n2vnlFpZvaPDOVJgRyTOWjHrZqCqPnyBkau5kmUt9pjXKuT8hn6q5mgzcYcxqR9xyqWQGM-HMZ5FDzQLhFoiGXrm/s1600/IMG_4086.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HARrukkr-uHiTFXBhCDKHG5MzfS9SkupWN4zX-RtJtvkfdeEZhh2n2vnlFpZvaPDOVJgRyTOWjHrZqCqPnyBkau5kmUt9pjXKuT8hn6q5mgzcYcxqR9xyqWQGM-HMZ5FDzQLhFoiGXrm/s320/IMG_4086.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700654188160328562" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgTsawqA3fqOb6SUIICBXi1NbmE-EH3inX6tsHrO3f82J53AYOMGq4DIW1TDqqdf-xFHHNbikOImzknIMTU3iHoqi-1VuD8BbSza0oIJlLjMIU87dLn15GI3rRJQfK3V3bEv613HcmjYr/s1600/IMG_4081.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgTsawqA3fqOb6SUIICBXi1NbmE-EH3inX6tsHrO3f82J53AYOMGq4DIW1TDqqdf-xFHHNbikOImzknIMTU3iHoqi-1VuD8BbSza0oIJlLjMIU87dLn15GI3rRJQfK3V3bEv613HcmjYr/s320/IMG_4081.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700654182703965538" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRGoptD8QbkBo_V0xh1n7GJRvzZ_QFN65cAvTp6R_vtc_h1k66LTncz_eSZaEMSmU3RrnyzJIBFtKLpmF_Y_cn3OdwS3rgBUoopWHYNCqcaJ-JRrkmqnUsIuk0sHn-MKKQfEagj7GsoBZ/s1600/IMG_4083.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRGoptD8QbkBo_V0xh1n7GJRvzZ_QFN65cAvTp6R_vtc_h1k66LTncz_eSZaEMSmU3RrnyzJIBFtKLpmF_Y_cn3OdwS3rgBUoopWHYNCqcaJ-JRrkmqnUsIuk0sHn-MKKQfEagj7GsoBZ/s320/IMG_4083.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700653787354157202" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq7SPDt4PIggh-jEqNa3HZn5HIoF2qrtus3A53IvpznDbHaxZB90-4lsQDSWnTBnDQ8b76iijn6ysSP0LTpky1adbbHiAZlYkwXh2yF1tI0o8r9n-IIrpLEb1GGAN_yGMu691H5GZIelK/s1600/IMG_4082.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq7SPDt4PIggh-jEqNa3HZn5HIoF2qrtus3A53IvpznDbHaxZB90-4lsQDSWnTBnDQ8b76iijn6ysSP0LTpky1adbbHiAZlYkwXh2yF1tI0o8r9n-IIrpLEb1GGAN_yGMu691H5GZIelK/s320/IMG_4082.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700653775453966402" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRiJKNck9uTWfnXXRAKXq3y2EKxm39qofLG-8I9EzdU_3FSwfAzuSngtPo34UeytQTwhE4XyNI1OS8owf_LxjRTpFTezsYecInwWI_HDPtPokFckiWOdwZscsevUyjVXUwyIiEtFwJu5n/s1600/IMG_4084.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRiJKNck9uTWfnXXRAKXq3y2EKxm39qofLG-8I9EzdU_3FSwfAzuSngtPo34UeytQTwhE4XyNI1OS8owf_LxjRTpFTezsYecInwWI_HDPtPokFckiWOdwZscsevUyjVXUwyIiEtFwJu5n/s320/IMG_4084.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700653768089241986" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypSZ9QBFXQ2_RPZhg7ry34RgUe-dY501oRFWDA3uyC72w-Tzr7kldDIZDnlbEEIc-uuESs2LABW_aZI3N64oWGOUsiW9V8hj_WWe-KNY4U-Vg1HgJywwkgn4fScZiulhneRbsqFi3dpQH/s1600/IMG_4087.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypSZ9QBFXQ2_RPZhg7ry34RgUe-dY501oRFWDA3uyC72w-Tzr7kldDIZDnlbEEIc-uuESs2LABW_aZI3N64oWGOUsiW9V8hj_WWe-KNY4U-Vg1HgJywwkgn4fScZiulhneRbsqFi3dpQH/s320/IMG_4087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700653767590183826" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJojj6QgiF1fdtgrhIX0M-lDmMRkvDy4nZPrUxD9nYJ3GQPxpHkFaql9y5jLdX3CHhZZgeHCgDz1NRhdCjjvVdWB50JGzO_KgKOfdIGIZz-xadZ92oQPkzFlnIHwMh-71gTvOXvJPoj7C/s1600/IMG_4088.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJojj6QgiF1fdtgrhIX0M-lDmMRkvDy4nZPrUxD9nYJ3GQPxpHkFaql9y5jLdX3CHhZZgeHCgDz1NRhdCjjvVdWB50JGzO_KgKOfdIGIZz-xadZ92oQPkzFlnIHwMh-71gTvOXvJPoj7C/s320/IMG_4088.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700653759487014066" /></a>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-22382799923739368472012-01-04T21:26:00.000-08:002012-01-04T22:08:18.838-08:00Osteria La Buca<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I've lived in Hollywood for almost two years and have driven by Osteria La Buca countless of times. The restaurant is housed in a gorgeous loftlike space with red bricks and wood accents, and it has a "pasta room" where the chefs make fresh pasta daily. I finally had a chance to try it a couple weeks ago, and I can't wait to go back again! It's definitely a neighborhood gem.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99R7T9LoiNHHSgWoeU9RLw6EhbIExh7GzewM1k-IT9GUq2FlP9_vymAh5I3I_04ZNITkSzj0tA_ZzusNgjpClqTF7rK8cfG1o8nZd_JyJxuhgssBIECVGYopG3mNRAaRG0tRANclhS2ac/s1600/IMG_3994.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99R7T9LoiNHHSgWoeU9RLw6EhbIExh7GzewM1k-IT9GUq2FlP9_vymAh5I3I_04ZNITkSzj0tA_ZzusNgjpClqTF7rK8cfG1o8nZd_JyJxuhgssBIECVGYopG3mNRAaRG0tRANclhS2ac/s320/IMG_3994.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694015763340386850" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />I am officially obsessed with the Brussels sprouts with egg, grana padano, and white anchovy vinaigrette. It is so freaking amazing, with the crispy Brussels sprout leaves and perfectly runny egg. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LnjKdWJsIq2G5XQB9FWvCevsTd3bBDqEry6uhgdlt4cjs9m4NLo7YFGu-WxolhPzqHGzmUt4yV7oMePujWAUx1ixrAVb6SfINoxCV1SSaOAvT34IqJNaPhyphenhyphenwGorD921ncHc3u8jRuqp2/s1600/IMG_3995.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LnjKdWJsIq2G5XQB9FWvCevsTd3bBDqEry6uhgdlt4cjs9m4NLo7YFGu-WxolhPzqHGzmUt4yV7oMePujWAUx1ixrAVb6SfINoxCV1SSaOAvT34IqJNaPhyphenhyphenwGorD921ncHc3u8jRuqp2/s320/IMG_3995.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694015754115271762" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Smooth and delicious house-made chicken liver pate, whipped lardo, pickles, and mostardo</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5hyXMJJmQbctnMYbZFxSM7wYBX6GELSe0HOBuP-pLfiQuN1She5ILyDF9pqC366iGYyXQTZqkxakK7Zqtx8hkz4FBpf4wf903K8yhUSUve1AjeHZHb9cRfuEzt-dSt_WuLpTRLNqKO-7/s1600/IMG_3997.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5hyXMJJmQbctnMYbZFxSM7wYBX6GELSe0HOBuP-pLfiQuN1She5ILyDF9pqC366iGYyXQTZqkxakK7Zqtx8hkz4FBpf4wf903K8yhUSUve1AjeHZHb9cRfuEzt-dSt_WuLpTRLNqKO-7/s320/IMG_3997.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694015752675240546" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Agnolotti with crispy pork belly</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwmzgJ2nPtsbniAK7rKS1lL8Y5QFjPrNwlS1vGqDKRq3GTEhYbd6M88m-ifdWHiZiGqeZWWvn0RhdrUTWQ7qYbJaEKknc1W5KMWTh2tPxexGrKrfkdLG-K8hv1fhTtpVrX_q4Ca2-WEgm/s1600/IMG_3998.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwmzgJ2nPtsbniAK7rKS1lL8Y5QFjPrNwlS1vGqDKRq3GTEhYbd6M88m-ifdWHiZiGqeZWWvn0RhdrUTWQ7qYbJaEKknc1W5KMWTh2tPxexGrKrfkdLG-K8hv1fhTtpVrX_q4Ca2-WEgm/s320/IMG_3998.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694015743768236946" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was surprised to find out that the <i>spaghetti cacio pepe </i>was house-made, too. It's pretty rare to find fresh spaghetti. It's a simple but satisfying dish. </span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4_e58tTz6MVcDzmEHY3-uFp0MATVA7MxIc3fiSr3o39eiAlIRC-TIoeqgDQvIUha9K8aoXOUd6-F0t4SPQuTiYNqpYYzqbtl947Bu3BhIs5RdPq-dWhPVeZM5nC6-ZDE4PeOnUwgAUhd/s1600/IMG_3999.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4_e58tTz6MVcDzmEHY3-uFp0MATVA7MxIc3fiSr3o39eiAlIRC-TIoeqgDQvIUha9K8aoXOUd6-F0t4SPQuTiYNqpYYzqbtl947Bu3BhIs5RdPq-dWhPVeZM5nC6-ZDE4PeOnUwgAUhd/s320/IMG_3999.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694015745357420818" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pizza with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, thyme, and carmelized onions was chewy and savory and umami. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.osterialabuca.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Osteria La Buca</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5210 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(323) 462-1900</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">www.osterialabuca.com</span></div><div><br /></div></span></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-50941377502055979772012-01-04T20:43:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:13:57.944-08:00Christmas in Big Bear<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Spontaneous trip to Kevin's family's cabin in Big Bear on Christmas eve. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiKTsI0hd5VLQbk_hYVbXw7cKYxPoupuFp8dLVki0Q_B3lc9-7wIYeLVCDuXTYA2j-tJECJfFOCK239vTq5dTz-ziUNDAcyHUagCQOzcSVnVqx3uMOYRfLrU3EbHUK0cfaHswVtXU4m4H/s1600/IMG_4038.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiKTsI0hd5VLQbk_hYVbXw7cKYxPoupuFp8dLVki0Q_B3lc9-7wIYeLVCDuXTYA2j-tJECJfFOCK239vTq5dTz-ziUNDAcyHUagCQOzcSVnVqx3uMOYRfLrU3EbHUK0cfaHswVtXU4m4H/s320/IMG_4038.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694009365594931874" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Isn't this the most adorable Christmas cabin ever?<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO5ahpPOOK91Xuqvcug_S0QFk20RFEu3ZtZXd5azhlP9IFjqby3BOgIfksqtJG3dlUX5F6dbbhD-PVV8ESdFEvbv8uCm4UAMZNob_JSPtglhqTRkaQHytsyrj4Ti8ncNuLPXl2O4_MaQ3/s1600/IMG_4036.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjO5ahpPOOK91Xuqvcug_S0QFk20RFEu3ZtZXd5azhlP9IFjqby3BOgIfksqtJG3dlUX5F6dbbhD-PVV8ESdFEvbv8uCm4UAMZNob_JSPtglhqTRkaQHytsyrj4Ti8ncNuLPXl2O4_MaQ3/s320/IMG_4036.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694009362930578914" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Co-owned by the Hermans and the Moultons.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMNr-KrjSM7Bv6cWNGOmZlGA2wcfDRW7aQ_EbkgshQqHD8rkNUEKPrYOL8GPtetzQtDOB4KdEjXGQn7mJF1wqzODowUgLJEk-UcJ-F6Oe55uOPqZhOgAPUXu4BOcAD4oMDHjrIbpadgm2/s1600/IMG_4030.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMNr-KrjSM7Bv6cWNGOmZlGA2wcfDRW7aQ_EbkgshQqHD8rkNUEKPrYOL8GPtetzQtDOB4KdEjXGQn7mJF1wqzODowUgLJEk-UcJ-F6Oe55uOPqZhOgAPUXu4BOcAD4oMDHjrIbpadgm2/s320/IMG_4030.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694009351523899170" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0-azBUy_ARbQA2qZnlxZChLCenLdO16GTVAlOYtV3SZkL2camqpFF503szO4COPwS8tOAUbXRYAbPWv6oG3HCxotafLdpunfEJ78XvZzMfdlftHIn0RWcYaDyY8OXwBZttqdtq3v5Fao/s1600/IMG_4031.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0-azBUy_ARbQA2qZnlxZChLCenLdO16GTVAlOYtV3SZkL2camqpFF503szO4COPwS8tOAUbXRYAbPWv6oG3HCxotafLdpunfEJ78XvZzMfdlftHIn0RWcYaDyY8OXwBZttqdtq3v5Fao/s320/IMG_4031.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694009347919206834" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh yes, that's a dead fox behind the Christmas tree.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cKtCTlLSNnLiqeYprPH0oTUHvDW2zyRDexTehyphenhyphenRyyreuwndZshMdXFQGyjaWpUljKWIAagwQ5WX9Y1wgGw5iqrfm2GzhBf-RzC1gS2PsWyzhdl73Bvv6xib3iizXzQYCp5Lw0k8VJanc/s1600/IMG_4032.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cKtCTlLSNnLiqeYprPH0oTUHvDW2zyRDexTehyphenhyphenRyyreuwndZshMdXFQGyjaWpUljKWIAagwQ5WX9Y1wgGw5iqrfm2GzhBf-RzC1gS2PsWyzhdl73Bvv6xib3iizXzQYCp5Lw0k8VJanc/s320/IMG_4032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694008718191715394" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Roaring fireplace<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBMBtTREvnRQjHiQ6O69BJAbiup5Epm2HMBEjpoeUl2t-XMfsjRO5Ih43fTmcLXwk5sBbi8s4VAcWh7MhTxjGgjQWeYLS8TaSHfgEfReGI_KsRbwwqbPlKj-D0oajSIWGoI8VCMQgsVnb/s1600/IMG_4033.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBMBtTREvnRQjHiQ6O69BJAbiup5Epm2HMBEjpoeUl2t-XMfsjRO5Ih43fTmcLXwk5sBbi8s4VAcWh7MhTxjGgjQWeYLS8TaSHfgEfReGI_KsRbwwqbPlKj-D0oajSIWGoI8VCMQgsVnb/s320/IMG_4033.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694008700664598674" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXZz1EL0nPBRZWouayvogC36Yx9DqarXBm1UEMlLtPwyDWz1JMxtBLBa01Z39s-rf2fOUxy4TaxRTeOdofjh9LWGbXYFKxgcdNMO06-DOqhprA5zGeS_jklu-4OkcjlGkrqr9inY79yEg/s1600/IMG_4035.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXZz1EL0nPBRZWouayvogC36Yx9DqarXBm1UEMlLtPwyDWz1JMxtBLBa01Z39s-rf2fOUxy4TaxRTeOdofjh9LWGbXYFKxgcdNMO06-DOqhprA5zGeS_jklu-4OkcjlGkrqr9inY79yEg/s320/IMG_4035.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694008690533120994" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqvvImRJCJ6WWaLdumSQs_E5oW5MRI-t-br6NO229KN3RWgFtQNedEfHzqeouGdq5GKoZHqhyphenhyphenKmpgxuvA35zA1HQTwrOxwN9Vd_1qat7Qd0Se2jBjyzCYnLoSLYY-f1ZvHBjsVNl0ESUY/s1600/IMG_4039.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqvvImRJCJ6WWaLdumSQs_E5oW5MRI-t-br6NO229KN3RWgFtQNedEfHzqeouGdq5GKoZHqhyphenhyphenKmpgxuvA35zA1HQTwrOxwN9Vd_1qat7Qd0Se2jBjyzCYnLoSLYY-f1ZvHBjsVNl0ESUY/s320/IMG_4039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694007958373104546" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNou3KAzpT225WuYTD7TW_vKYiSvVFdlJXHQsRSuS2RdZ_U6d4JNI8tNWIRmH0oVEmh5JBuuum1imTwoXVMIeEZO-fusAuz9IBhPg_hgcI4cSXYg8708BzF82Pmb45mg9rVYepVmknjJ_X/s1600/IMG_4042.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNou3KAzpT225WuYTD7TW_vKYiSvVFdlJXHQsRSuS2RdZ_U6d4JNI8tNWIRmH0oVEmh5JBuuum1imTwoXVMIeEZO-fusAuz9IBhPg_hgcI4cSXYg8708BzF82Pmb45mg9rVYepVmknjJ_X/s320/IMG_4042.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694006285612529890" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />Christmas breakfast with bacon, eggs, and pandan cake! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9wssWoDvLSyf8DMfK0HJspwni4QRuwGzYtfySj6qW5CJAzq_orbqZyDMNZ5wkl8jGhqh2GenqEqE2DhEHC37JuXAnKVO7ZMWBl04o8nFiEbQvSWGAuih4xDmciXI4kC49yAB9QjRcbqA/s1600/IMG_4056.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9wssWoDvLSyf8DMfK0HJspwni4QRuwGzYtfySj6qW5CJAzq_orbqZyDMNZ5wkl8jGhqh2GenqEqE2DhEHC37JuXAnKVO7ZMWBl04o8nFiEbQvSWGAuih4xDmciXI4kC49yAB9QjRcbqA/s320/IMG_4056.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694007948418536034" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmPmKd-HvJYdUN2qQzeQsmFnNbCnvA-gN15rSi47WxqxzEOPVve_sczCaBwzhicdYQd5XUEU7t4pVf3ClnDnnCI1u839oUu2NpfLmjXjI7fYMEf4eN_wNKoJxiEiqFJOX1bM8okkGLowD/s1600/IMG_4071.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmPmKd-HvJYdUN2qQzeQsmFnNbCnvA-gN15rSi47WxqxzEOPVve_sczCaBwzhicdYQd5XUEU7t4pVf3ClnDnnCI1u839oUu2NpfLmjXjI7fYMEf4eN_wNKoJxiEiqFJOX1bM8okkGLowD/s320/IMG_4071.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694007936215102194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSL88hGGSm0nTzmqsdszQFtMw_p4Gf1PyA4WAKaCNldH3Lcgo_XcGI457rhyphenhyphen-enbzTk_AsjK9SVxRhdVy3GBXi9kEPbmW2FsYyXNqEOvzDZwkcdV5yQsFbyvVuVqfzJ_XdP-VEN9LfEeB/s1600/IMG_4072.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSL88hGGSm0nTzmqsdszQFtMw_p4Gf1PyA4WAKaCNldH3Lcgo_XcGI457rhyphenhyphen-enbzTk_AsjK9SVxRhdVy3GBXi9kEPbmW2FsYyXNqEOvzDZwkcdV5yQsFbyvVuVqfzJ_XdP-VEN9LfEeB/s320/IMG_4072.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694007927866286450" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Punk rock snowman<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbJD4IL6sgt_uRlNEIoiW0_vbdvMKD48Lz2dRt-C-n7VEkMAbOv1upNiQkJPzrnwf-dDZ5qRh_xv123nnrZ0GjdJ6QnU6X41GJuPxchd15ttBm1x7XPzf28c8GVoDrd3E_tU1vKxUYt6a/s1600/IMG_4078.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbJD4IL6sgt_uRlNEIoiW0_vbdvMKD48Lz2dRt-C-n7VEkMAbOv1upNiQkJPzrnwf-dDZ5qRh_xv123nnrZ0GjdJ6QnU6X41GJuPxchd15ttBm1x7XPzf28c8GVoDrd3E_tU1vKxUYt6a/s320/IMG_4078.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694007923237188690" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-68315706614792472922011-12-11T11:43:00.000-08:002011-12-11T12:27:42.233-08:00Cut Night at Casa Diaz<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've been dying to visit Wolfgang Puck's Cut, ever since my friend Elisa told me about her incredible dinner there. But I'm deterred every time I think about how expensive it is. My friends and I recently started a new food club, and one of our new members is an actual chef trained in France. We hit the jackpot! For our first food club theme, we unanimously picked the menu at Cut.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriYZse0HkUnLsdgPv-Cou4W2rRZe77mkSUaxkgYdyvXDHSsAHojQF0zLS4wUK2Xzfc5l3VO17A3IFCy8zXHibC1-KHutr2hMkPmgxLAN45C4WF_dIp93RBoNkGh70PEQHYic_3vZHgsm8/s1600/IMG_3955.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriYZse0HkUnLsdgPv-Cou4W2rRZe77mkSUaxkgYdyvXDHSsAHojQF0zLS4wUK2Xzfc5l3VO17A3IFCy8zXHibC1-KHutr2hMkPmgxLAN45C4WF_dIp93RBoNkGh70PEQHYic_3vZHgsm8/s320/IMG_3955.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684960567655840834" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jonathan picked up four large slabs of 28-day, dry-aged rib eye steaks from </span><a href="http://www.harveysgussmeat.com/home.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Harvey's Guss Meat </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in L.A., the same meat purveyor for Cut. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Total: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">$170. </span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMRyUEjHpFbbiW5XSb-PXjUjhE20ZMZzQ9x6_-fNH1j8CSVFQ0c2UzAe0K9vElE3lab07UNLwiGEXb-iNad6rxaIgIketpPxy_Zsl2i5G80gMok8BtcpemXdQ6YjXSZWHMvfdlYq7iIFW/s1600/IMG_3957.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMRyUEjHpFbbiW5XSb-PXjUjhE20ZMZzQ9x6_-fNH1j8CSVFQ0c2UzAe0K9vElE3lab07UNLwiGEXb-iNad6rxaIgIketpPxy_Zsl2i5G80gMok8BtcpemXdQ6YjXSZWHMvfdlYq7iIFW/s320/IMG_3957.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684960568692446226" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jonathan's wife, Nina, is from Switzerland, and she made us some delicious mulled wine with red wine, sugar, and vodka. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSV3yzZi3V6RHqDrMuPJuQl9xA0TnWH_HFnBDm16wE013CnI7DfLUZxjZX0M7OD5u5cJOXFs1GogNBOW9vZvYeuS60g7ZjDGKpzuZ1nqFqF2v6GiKvvh9LxEe6hB6MkVS5UWv2Q11LYo6/s1600/IMG_3959.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSV3yzZi3V6RHqDrMuPJuQl9xA0TnWH_HFnBDm16wE013CnI7DfLUZxjZX0M7OD5u5cJOXFs1GogNBOW9vZvYeuS60g7ZjDGKpzuZ1nqFqF2v6GiKvvh9LxEe6hB6MkVS5UWv2Q11LYo6/s320/IMG_3959.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684960560986135746" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eggs poached using the </span><a href="http://www.curtisstone.com/Videos/Cooking-Tips/Perfect-Poached-Eggs.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Curtis Stone method</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoUmzAPbGMqUMuPtYOiKPbK42pCtjzdNz_tirYf9LRQ78jwgsmb_0cctyzvI0TeFIwN6Zcy8f7VqyVGE5NtcqExeU73jjZEcnHm8N257PI-1p2pfgM01WOykkLr_CKzteiOtnguD4_gu5/s1600/IMG_3960.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoUmzAPbGMqUMuPtYOiKPbK42pCtjzdNz_tirYf9LRQ78jwgsmb_0cctyzvI0TeFIwN6Zcy8f7VqyVGE5NtcqExeU73jjZEcnHm8N257PI-1p2pfgM01WOykkLr_CKzteiOtnguD4_gu5/s320/IMG_3960.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684960556981388946" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was my dish: roasted asparagus, poached eggs, bacon, with a bacon vinaigrette. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispmZdc7a_SONLt_vpgGbEuZTBLGNlTvWTl5BbfDTv9fIx9OAvAPcA_61wRU2BJu4CO1fr7M3uanNdtbUn7X-2v5dtzx-bHTTBI7GUKpw6xB0pHAXAUcYf5al20VtynfnHVP0N54I39NjY/s1600/IMG_3965.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispmZdc7a_SONLt_vpgGbEuZTBLGNlTvWTl5BbfDTv9fIx9OAvAPcA_61wRU2BJu4CO1fr7M3uanNdtbUn7X-2v5dtzx-bHTTBI7GUKpw6xB0pHAXAUcYf5al20VtynfnHVP0N54I39NjY/s320/IMG_3965.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684960015956814434" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fire up the grill!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPdd6pX63VqR-9OnLY6MS0bVae6e2UJ48yuO0fXOrBaHvL14qkVKwW5xcLHBcNfcOlUUYAW25xHy1YeDi9ZzhJs7Wl1NwVTdIkjjUzOAip467w7Yvwri-hj3Gd5CuUWWf7AYH4IvvxZEm/s1600/IMG_3968.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPdd6pX63VqR-9OnLY6MS0bVae6e2UJ48yuO0fXOrBaHvL14qkVKwW5xcLHBcNfcOlUUYAW25xHy1YeDi9ZzhJs7Wl1NwVTdIkjjUzOAip467w7Yvwri-hj3Gd5CuUWWf7AYH4IvvxZEm/s320/IMG_3968.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684960010864312946" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Look at the beautiful gill marks. The steaks were finished in the oven at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7RfL0sa_d7_yR6ZuuuKs1b2ncvDrHu7R5n-0JzRkV6MPj-OWGdAutFtF70nk5skPyrQtp14ejPDvFszQGJCA00wWVZEobfdlWODejPCjBUcgs0cq_GnY9EaUb2tLquMHICrappr7QMjW/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7RfL0sa_d7_yR6ZuuuKs1b2ncvDrHu7R5n-0JzRkV6MPj-OWGdAutFtF70nk5skPyrQtp14ejPDvFszQGJCA00wWVZEobfdlWODejPCjBUcgs0cq_GnY9EaUb2tLquMHICrappr7QMjW/s320/IMG_3974.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684960008062552978" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beautifully cooked. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6Hz6L4K3RnpidoN7zs-pl6wP0CnSXgkViDEFsgJxsK_iFsn3jZhlVFS-TGkf3RU15ruBpOnptdEDba6VASsZQvpz7zutO2Xk4U-cLc4I_ZBvPexPrqi5j4u0SRa9nwVgeUN3kHgH3DPn/s1600/IMG_3975.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6Hz6L4K3RnpidoN7zs-pl6wP0CnSXgkViDEFsgJxsK_iFsn3jZhlVFS-TGkf3RU15ruBpOnptdEDba6VASsZQvpz7zutO2Xk4U-cLc4I_ZBvPexPrqi5j4u0SRa9nwVgeUN3kHgH3DPn/s320/IMG_3975.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684959997973591906" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The majority of us wanted rare, while a couple others preferred medium rare. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZXXBOxGgByhozfZSu66yIx3pE4SWr5abL1ZJok9nlkf-rnwSbnN5Szar-ZqpX_JdCtiPXZgBEOMPRhds5VhHw8Vg6IvXdbv6HGHdo4XoZVHrStqPSXlbhJ4jHNGG_adaeYKu7WzWzow-/s1600/IMG_3976.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZXXBOxGgByhozfZSu66yIx3pE4SWr5abL1ZJok9nlkf-rnwSbnN5Szar-ZqpX_JdCtiPXZgBEOMPRhds5VhHw8Vg6IvXdbv6HGHdo4XoZVHrStqPSXlbhJ4jHNGG_adaeYKu7WzWzow-/s320/IMG_3976.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684959991688162146" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nina's amazing potato gratin with rosemary. There were no leftovers. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOh6L6I3zejlmJqkBRPSlS9fs3aOkZ0NaN2LGv7Iv450EhtTYb7tacaT0iDuCE20S0xtSM2OgRA36S3wBK7j25TEten_doCEIMnEGmpA3sHZe_edM5bBOeBaIusCvoPyDzrjzELwqR_Q15/s1600/IMG_3977.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOh6L6I3zejlmJqkBRPSlS9fs3aOkZ0NaN2LGv7Iv450EhtTYb7tacaT0iDuCE20S0xtSM2OgRA36S3wBK7j25TEten_doCEIMnEGmpA3sHZe_edM5bBOeBaIusCvoPyDzrjzELwqR_Q15/s320/IMG_3977.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684959447805583922" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Peggy's green beans with almonds, tarragon, and loads of buttery goodness</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fnJzD-zBYp1sePIfC8N8cuOqdvlEoFg55Gl63DDn4D_8K-ktfhByDqTYzsruwNTOXJIcZtEaM2Uw6STvhd_B5wIGpXVHFnIvyEQmq4Srr_jw7lijJaWXkeCrD7eX1EU2McTKtHSPdjLi/s1600/IMG_3978.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fnJzD-zBYp1sePIfC8N8cuOqdvlEoFg55Gl63DDn4D_8K-ktfhByDqTYzsruwNTOXJIcZtEaM2Uw6STvhd_B5wIGpXVHFnIvyEQmq4Srr_jw7lijJaWXkeCrD7eX1EU2McTKtHSPdjLi/s320/IMG_3978.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684959443041141042" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Look at the spread. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-9OJkhw-ODkyUxndtAFsGKd4l5j-P7Ybvy0K4DbzRSs-z1lLXM7Ea6J9YblPlYp0qzCbgZFMkfiowGFoXnj3aGVdTTdLVZgj8Uh1QTuCQ7QsYFAeNlM1bITYxEwH-4Fo-WvGtXuOxS5g/s1600/IMG_3979.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-9OJkhw-ODkyUxndtAFsGKd4l5j-P7Ybvy0K4DbzRSs-z1lLXM7Ea6J9YblPlYp0qzCbgZFMkfiowGFoXnj3aGVdTTdLVZgj8Uh1QTuCQ7QsYFAeNlM1bITYxEwH-4Fo-WvGtXuOxS5g/s320/IMG_3979.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684959435895124082" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Everything was amazing, including Kimie's creamed spinach. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWnNh5rxxI-SZofBlISp2Fri5fu-eCjkF9rZnjtYrdaLPsP4BM-1fdE4MJQCyAsmaPEvzCkYJFyWLnPzLFKHa98OJ9r3_hbM_qMP7_La4HLFvgJBd73xHjV8cIpeC2xejg-1yNgilnMdt/s1600/IMG_3981.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWnNh5rxxI-SZofBlISp2Fri5fu-eCjkF9rZnjtYrdaLPsP4BM-1fdE4MJQCyAsmaPEvzCkYJFyWLnPzLFKHa98OJ9r3_hbM_qMP7_La4HLFvgJBd73xHjV8cIpeC2xejg-1yNgilnMdt/s320/IMG_3981.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684959429725117714" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Esther's </span><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/stracciatella-semifreddo-recipe/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nutella Semifreddo</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, inspired by Giada De Laurentiis' recipe. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVVsjszZ1wcbTH4Ujsm_RDrqA2KeHJzlkDVUyqoQ52q7lovs3wCabQgZr2LLZ5T-oaItuDNY3tECsnT09XYkmxyXIoF-xiZI_5UNw4eGkYgbn9uWtv8VwyAoiinBCitHe0LA_5PbgMk8X/s1600/IMG_3982.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVVsjszZ1wcbTH4Ujsm_RDrqA2KeHJzlkDVUyqoQ52q7lovs3wCabQgZr2LLZ5T-oaItuDNY3tECsnT09XYkmxyXIoF-xiZI_5UNw4eGkYgbn9uWtv8VwyAoiinBCitHe0LA_5PbgMk8X/s320/IMG_3982.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684959427453747442" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I can't believe we found room for dessert, but I'm so glad we did. Worth every single calorie. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We each pitched in $25 for the steaks, which probably won't even cover the valet parking at Cut. Good deal, great food, even better company. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-33901928893286109132011-11-20T12:24:00.000-08:002011-11-21T23:21:41.210-08:00Fatted Calf at The Oxbow Public Market in Napa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC5M1U3BegRmlfFE7kMKIQarYgAx4KVD7k-gp93dlmCiLIdfVMteaJlOXgBH7PUFGSLsAAhIUNI_Y1Ph7OR25uklXs1NLE5-uPTQyxQDc350nAHavfXKl9jvZtwpBw6oBPmzFYBVCjE_b/s1600/251089_10150199947236951_735986950_7495201_7701582_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Last May, Kevin and I took part in our very first 30-mile bike ride in Napa Valley. It was also the first time we travelled with my favorite foodie buddy Esther. I may be married to Kevin, but Esther is my culinary soulmate. We appreciate the nuances of stinky cheeses; we wax poetic over hand-made pasta; and we debate over whether Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao had the right dough-to-filling ratio. Needles to say, Esther and I were excited to explore all the great eats in Napa. First stop: The Fatted Calf at the Oxbow Public Market.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy7DIpHrsBtNQbUN169i3m-bi2XreLHJpsZmft5Ux-9rcXejCccLaQIwLKlZmvAbE0h-RPJIapbg9BRgvmQMyAYEKpH4YNaLoyVVauSsju2m8Fjb1Y1ouGVeHvyK6nojtPMURo3nVY4sL/s1600/PageImage-3977-2302181-fattedcalf.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy7DIpHrsBtNQbUN169i3m-bi2XreLHJpsZmft5Ux-9rcXejCccLaQIwLKlZmvAbE0h-RPJIapbg9BRgvmQMyAYEKpH4YNaLoyVVauSsju2m8Fjb1Y1ouGVeHvyK6nojtPMURo3nVY4sL/s320/PageImage-3977-2302181-fattedcalf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677177464895973170" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Look at all the beautiful meats on display. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiER-GReiQvPjbQWQ1WB2QrWj1sg0WPfU5JB9It58GSmO2lXro87B6AhOc6j9Z2JuDuCKjpsr7aG7D598ogKl0VW5yV1kb97amVSUEWEdWVZ9dgTJQ4QMrn3WTRjLCV2O1E64mefzQsmz/s1600/252769_10150199946836951_735986950_7495196_5186000_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiER-GReiQvPjbQWQ1WB2QrWj1sg0WPfU5JB9It58GSmO2lXro87B6AhOc6j9Z2JuDuCKjpsr7aG7D598ogKl0VW5yV1kb97amVSUEWEdWVZ9dgTJQ4QMrn3WTRjLCV2O1E64mefzQsmz/s320/252769_10150199946836951_735986950_7495196_5186000_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677177458997076898" /></a></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mortadella, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 50, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">fine-textured cooked salami garnished with pistachios.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 50, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohlqHJSmMR2PS4nOApUWROkXrQkC2CNi5bdH58nvvngPoSaunjQ3yApU7oFQU4x-ljOCuCViNhW9kOtEeWy6ESpekUle6Z7GU2Ouk9EgvTQ-H6SkYkLlrTvx512L362Jj331YmlGtgnnG/s1600/248157_10150199946941951_735986950_7495197_1230163_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohlqHJSmMR2PS4nOApUWROkXrQkC2CNi5bdH58nvvngPoSaunjQ3yApU7oFQU4x-ljOCuCViNhW9kOtEeWy6ESpekUle6Z7GU2Ouk9EgvTQ-H6SkYkLlrTvx512L362Jj331YmlGtgnnG/s320/248157_10150199946941951_735986950_7495197_1230163_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677177446749992818" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bologna, I think.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aAln6hwP9gQFZa8iD253zl8CbarhD62ByJ7jhbCgyq8uIIGGINU9jURO7h84W2KcXO8G47WteDKcnhbrmESY2DhtYyCTJ9q4Vft2ntmuAyHch_NAGOQqSvN6KCS_V8h7UMxRKWMiLaxR/s1600/247515_10150199946796951_735986950_7495195_7746891_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aAln6hwP9gQFZa8iD253zl8CbarhD62ByJ7jhbCgyq8uIIGGINU9jURO7h84W2KcXO8G47WteDKcnhbrmESY2DhtYyCTJ9q4Vft2ntmuAyHch_NAGOQqSvN6KCS_V8h7UMxRKWMiLaxR/s320/247515_10150199946796951_735986950_7495195_7746891_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677177447588486306" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Prosciutto</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXB0MQjPOBXUnADzGA91LNCffaOukRj1EBNj4oq0SjU2-yUDXJK-cvtxMznOHJju7WDz-utHx0a3lwgLvjkC1wWeaPrZigf61rH7XUZhUX-kzDdoH9vsyYwuiU5hD6Cr3hFP3BsDUUZDF/s1600/246597_10150199946991951_735986950_7495198_437526_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXB0MQjPOBXUnADzGA91LNCffaOukRj1EBNj4oq0SjU2-yUDXJK-cvtxMznOHJju7WDz-utHx0a3lwgLvjkC1wWeaPrZigf61rH7XUZhUX-kzDdoH9vsyYwuiU5hD6Cr3hFP3BsDUUZDF/s320/246597_10150199946991951_735986950_7495198_437526_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677177446375603202" /></a><h2 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Roasted pork shoulder with rosemary, garlic, and thyme. YUM!</span></h2><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zp7LdA5F_0wb8nk5bHzGA4fRQQzJ0sO_HeQkH0luiPGRYiqzwqr1O8LSoHlXUd3sCZsvue1eWST9VW6t59v2p71dERrnzAooue7McpGvMrKkWupErAN8WJZ-5OsbT957zUX-ZWhQbHm7/s1600/247810_10150199946466951_735986950_7495189_1980829_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zp7LdA5F_0wb8nk5bHzGA4fRQQzJ0sO_HeQkH0luiPGRYiqzwqr1O8LSoHlXUd3sCZsvue1eWST9VW6t59v2p71dERrnzAooue7McpGvMrKkWupErAN8WJZ-5OsbT957zUX-ZWhQbHm7/s320/247810_10150199946466951_735986950_7495189_1980829_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677707740373973730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Look at this beautiful sliver of lardon. Fat = good. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cUrWaw-aK-5em0A1tuFuep13j7uc_Wgw3FxlVHA0xabbLLal3DTHl7D-lF1vT3QvuaMkvtt-ZzrNWjod4qJ1ioMLK-0tCA3mcw-NnEVYy8guyhCok6-4TCR9adul0g6aMoZ7ViHEmVlt/s1600/252963_10150199946646951_735986950_7495192_7615420_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cUrWaw-aK-5em0A1tuFuep13j7uc_Wgw3FxlVHA0xabbLLal3DTHl7D-lF1vT3QvuaMkvtt-ZzrNWjod4qJ1ioMLK-0tCA3mcw-NnEVYy8guyhCok6-4TCR9adul0g6aMoZ7ViHEmVlt/s320/252963_10150199946646951_735986950_7495192_7615420_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677707737085250002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We also ordered fresh burrata from Oxbow Cheese Merchant. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC5M1U3BegRmlfFE7kMKIQarYgAx4KVD7k-gp93dlmCiLIdfVMteaJlOXgBH7PUFGSLsAAhIUNI_Y1Ph7OR25uklXs1NLE5-uPTQyxQDc350nAHavfXKl9jvZtwpBw6oBPmzFYBVCjE_b/s1600/251089_10150199947236951_735986950_7495201_7701582_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC5M1U3BegRmlfFE7kMKIQarYgAx4KVD7k-gp93dlmCiLIdfVMteaJlOXgBH7PUFGSLsAAhIUNI_Y1Ph7OR25uklXs1NLE5-uPTQyxQDc350nAHavfXKl9jvZtwpBw6oBPmzFYBVCjE_b/s320/251089_10150199947236951_735986950_7495201_7701582_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677709202245141858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Amazing dining experience without too much damage to the wallet. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Fatted Calf<br />The Oxbow Public Market<br />644 C First Street<br />Napa, CA 94559<br /></span><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(707) 256-3684</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></h2><div style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">fattedcalf.com/</span></span></div></div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-43280661205497587542011-11-19T22:20:00.000-08:002011-11-21T22:08:09.296-08:00Royal/T in Culver City<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm working on a story about Culver City and decided to check out Royal/T, an art gallery-teahouse-restaurant-retail store hybrid. Kevin and I have been to Royal/T many times for its art shows but have never eaten there. Most of the times, we would walk through the restaurant, awkwardly lean over diners, while trying to look at the artwork behind plexiglas walls.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMownDDI0DumKji0rRyXlDXFYi_pzp1yXcO9ZRBZjUHd3yFiIuB6Fkzc22-ho_kh22a2BjCGKHr6wA4OcA4-ffaIBKYJ3J91Dj2uMij5gf9pWJVVhO8n7wCwbyoh-wdWC6Lftl2PIKbPlf/s1600/IMG_3931.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMownDDI0DumKji0rRyXlDXFYi_pzp1yXcO9ZRBZjUHd3yFiIuB6Fkzc22-ho_kh22a2BjCGKHr6wA4OcA4-ffaIBKYJ3J91Dj2uMij5gf9pWJVVhO8n7wCwbyoh-wdWC6Lftl2PIKbPlf/s320/IMG_3931.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676959926332206146" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbj06L4uIEp_7iGjZFm2ud_Iz6KSYS3K5dX4epZLmRqjh6iltmTxJW8p8wXFrX2HEfFJpwPyasXZylB1xo2W2d0AiWq2Stetks_eGDi4-twtGxJswI8iVkxORhIpfN8HfMJsMzMVFJps8/s1600/IMG_3932.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbj06L4uIEp_7iGjZFm2ud_Iz6KSYS3K5dX4epZLmRqjh6iltmTxJW8p8wXFrX2HEfFJpwPyasXZylB1xo2W2d0AiWq2Stetks_eGDi4-twtGxJswI8iVkxORhIpfN8HfMJsMzMVFJps8/s320/IMG_3932.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676959910140904578" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cosplay restaurants are hugely popular in Asia, but I'm not really sure how I feel about being served by girls dressed as French maids.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT7RaEHuXm-FKzs11eJMzXxUmsZAKIhGbCy1kBR6TQhO4sAsYK-jQobxEIVEDkerwL_0BxlpQa7s5bbxzcUVvCManBLS0LHwogyTAGdKqX2GkkvJtrhdvqNC0maZ6Dy4-MstBmcCBqudg/s1600/IMG_3929.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT7RaEHuXm-FKzs11eJMzXxUmsZAKIhGbCy1kBR6TQhO4sAsYK-jQobxEIVEDkerwL_0BxlpQa7s5bbxzcUVvCManBLS0LHwogyTAGdKqX2GkkvJtrhdvqNC0maZ6Dy4-MstBmcCBqudg/s320/IMG_3929.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676959929824494386" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We order the high tea set and started with the Royal/T milk tea. The black tea had a nice floral note.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNiLomuu_UexBpRJ2m1Gid5uhDwtnswjIlbAcqakHD7U04JNa33J2z4tqU-e4UlNdHBXTOIOxL6DgN3qtgasFY6wh6-lmkkveME7XhSiqB6jgKlnKgy9UgZ8YKOuWBNHJjOBp0hudlLgI/s1600/IMG_3933.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNiLomuu_UexBpRJ2m1Gid5uhDwtnswjIlbAcqakHD7U04JNa33J2z4tqU-e4UlNdHBXTOIOxL6DgN3qtgasFY6wh6-lmkkveME7XhSiqB6jgKlnKgy9UgZ8YKOuWBNHJjOBp0hudlLgI/s320/IMG_3933.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676959904715567202" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Food paparazzi. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvh1l60tq173WzGnBD_Z_iYwzBrKh1GeZ3xJrIXJPf048NG08W2f35U6uxCZl2twtG3dGOwnVEZeI3_B2eO4FsGzECTOWdzLD2KLR6lSqlBN6Z_-SvTvI_4kMrd2Y71akL1VHlnoZtMkK/s1600/IMG_3934.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvh1l60tq173WzGnBD_Z_iYwzBrKh1GeZ3xJrIXJPf048NG08W2f35U6uxCZl2twtG3dGOwnVEZeI3_B2eO4FsGzECTOWdzLD2KLR6lSqlBN6Z_-SvTvI_4kMrd2Y71akL1VHlnoZtMkK/s320/IMG_3934.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676959492912061490" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The bottom tier: tuna tartar, grilled veggie panini, chicken sandwich, and smoked salmon sandwich. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQqVupKzQxVSHruUWSmNWHrN3qdRTVPPqnZSgs7ZxGkb9X3Wm-OM-CfOXCYarg98F3wsINnYXJ0ssFCIbyY48a6fbRLnLTs8Tt-SNSBJl98-H0bbwKoAvVbLcd2g5jOr4TMrQuFVrML09/s1600/IMG_3935.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQqVupKzQxVSHruUWSmNWHrN3qdRTVPPqnZSgs7ZxGkb9X3Wm-OM-CfOXCYarg98F3wsINnYXJ0ssFCIbyY48a6fbRLnLTs8Tt-SNSBJl98-H0bbwKoAvVbLcd2g5jOr4TMrQuFVrML09/s320/IMG_3935.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676959489950802290" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Second tier: brownie, cookie, flan (at least it tasted like it), strawberry cream, and chocolate-covered red velvet cake. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt4tlshkzLQ6kc1Gg0Rr70E2-R0AggQ29n5q_fNhwgbApnPrILbpd6oas51A8H_QbP0reoiBLCMF5QISvMqOdyz88CT01x6h5tuIYc_aq-wiGue-d01GRL8JQiwpq_L1VXe8XwYLsvGGF/s1600/IMG_3936.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt4tlshkzLQ6kc1Gg0Rr70E2-R0AggQ29n5q_fNhwgbApnPrILbpd6oas51A8H_QbP0reoiBLCMF5QISvMqOdyz88CT01x6h5tuIYc_aq-wiGue-d01GRL8JQiwpq_L1VXe8XwYLsvGGF/s320/IMG_3936.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676959484471588050" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Top tier: strawberry scone. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmSYFUEmHxbG2PeFQMSrpni4nhPF2rjjYKpGSe8WBg9oOL7kh4FjODET2aghdQfDIW8eG5dTVqPwrVf-vNUF82IkvCE-mZ-AgYHN2bWmMPJP1rjB2G7GPsBIYFJ1LiSxE7n96h8Mas66E/s1600/IMG_3941.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmSYFUEmHxbG2PeFQMSrpni4nhPF2rjjYKpGSe8WBg9oOL7kh4FjODET2aghdQfDIW8eG5dTVqPwrVf-vNUF82IkvCE-mZ-AgYHN2bWmMPJP1rjB2G7GPsBIYFJ1LiSxE7n96h8Mas66E/s320/IMG_3941.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676959474068683154" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chicken yakisoba. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Overall, the food was good, and I really enjoyed the milk tea. But the main draw for me is still the gallery. Right now, t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">here's a pretty incredible Kenny Scharf exhibit, which includes pieces from Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Royal/T. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="street-address" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">8910 Washington Blvd</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><span class="locality" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Culver City</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span><span class="region" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">CA</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><span class="postal-code" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">90232</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 18px; font-family:arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="postal-code" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size:12px;color:transparent;"><span id="bizPhone" class="tel" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">(310) 559-6300</span></span></span><div id="bizUrl" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royal-t.org&src_bizid=ShSbUApKWz2MK6PAD1zhDQ&cachebuster=1321770909&s=ac754130fda189343a7d72e1898c940f72376b74decef3936ef9a63ce4a338d3" target="_blank" class="url" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">www.royal-t.org</span></span></a></div></span></span></span></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-50948877798356607392011-11-13T11:31:00.000-08:002011-11-14T21:39:14.949-08:00Green Zone in San Gabriel<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anyone who knows me knows how much I love chicken rice. When I was a kid, my mom predicted that I would marry a chicken rice hawker. The last time I was in Singapore, I had chicken rice 7 times in 6 days. I've scoured the Southland--from L.A. to Riverside--for a good chicken rice place. Unfortunately, I've been disappointed every single time. Naturally, I was skeptical when my friend Michelle told me about an organic chicken rice restaurant in San Gabriel. However, after testing Chubby Hubby's <a href="http://chubbyhubby.net/blog/?p=205">recipe</a> a dozen times, I've realized that fresh, free-range chicken makes the best Hainanese chicken. The Green Zone sounded like it's on the right track, and Yelp gave it a pretty high rating. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9rq3ne67zvJ9MERHSDaSAg8K4-gvoORo_VgvmdlC-Xy0AMUTFedOdKFilYBcH5eoAiRXbJTj23Szemovry611dz5gfGVyhmxSmrDI94lfdbd1qjd6X_mmmGWTAqD9RvCayTCedo9FRrX/s1600/IMG_3924.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9rq3ne67zvJ9MERHSDaSAg8K4-gvoORo_VgvmdlC-Xy0AMUTFedOdKFilYBcH5eoAiRXbJTj23Szemovry611dz5gfGVyhmxSmrDI94lfdbd1qjd6X_mmmGWTAqD9RvCayTCedo9FRrX/s320/IMG_3924.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674565545614102930" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The fried tofu skin-wrapped prawn was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It had great texture but overall a pretty ordinary dish. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJnjtHlKhkBEa5ztC03nhxsDm7Y_yPGx8h4OewArx5FPkg4MVLyQqnhwkSgv-cwwtriGd4XitTtEVMkaci4QPIO_uSQWO4i5ayIPsGWRICp3WkrNWOwlXVHNssOubRf30T_lVCXxrBdOA/s1600/IMG_3925.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJnjtHlKhkBEa5ztC03nhxsDm7Y_yPGx8h4OewArx5FPkg4MVLyQqnhwkSgv-cwwtriGd4XitTtEVMkaci4QPIO_uSQWO4i5ayIPsGWRICp3WkrNWOwlXVHNssOubRf30T_lVCXxrBdOA/s320/IMG_3925.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674565540308386418" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was concerned when I first read the menu, which described it as lemongrass rice with chicken. Last time I checked, there's no lemongrass in authentic chicken rice. But I was pleased when I request dark meat, and the waiter replied that they only serve dark meat. The verdict? It was actually pretty decent. The chicken was tender, and the rice was not gummy. Plus they served it with the sweet dark soy sauce, a rarity in the U.S. The bad: The chili sauce was a total miss, and there's no gelatinous chicken skin in sight. I'm not sure if it's worth the long trek out here, but I might be back someday. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Green Zone</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">534 E Valley Blvd</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ste 4 & 5</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">San Gabriel, CA 91776</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(626) 288-9300</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">www.greenzonerestaurant.com</span></div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-5891818598538866462011-11-13T11:16:00.000-08:002011-11-13T11:30:47.556-08:00Ord Hoyka Noodle in Hollywood<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's another cold, rainy Friday, so we headed to our favorite Thai restaurant in Hollywood, Ord Hoyka. It's a cash-only place and the menu is delicious and cheap--a winning combination. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA_E-VZ7Toclh-d-6GleCHdumgFjVaqK2smYU3B7mEWlCO_WIrsOEoH5Fv3ja6sTGQUYbdsp2NiZm016bELkPvAJJU9MjpfLV6quWtwlFznFYVLE9-Cnx1K1NTYf6vEkgdUz9Fx3r9H6n/s1600/IMG_3921.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA_E-VZ7Toclh-d-6GleCHdumgFjVaqK2smYU3B7mEWlCO_WIrsOEoH5Fv3ja6sTGQUYbdsp2NiZm016bELkPvAJJU9MjpfLV6quWtwlFznFYVLE9-Cnx1K1NTYf6vEkgdUz9Fx3r9H6n/s320/IMG_3921.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674561959903964338" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A small serving of meatball noodle soup for less than $4. After a long work week, this bowl of light, savory broth was the perfect comfort food. Kinda wished we ordered the large bowl. </span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoEegQ24_s6jsF7w_eWODytD0PJ7SA1YCX-9FeenlD4SbcmGrzVJBOOOam0tXg5fdtrGZ81JvVojaYhuMrsidbsY-0J_H-FJ_0G_FjGpuNwUaaVJpCs-m_3EW6nNMI7vjEw4cjNJZK0BF/s1600/IMG_3922.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoEegQ24_s6jsF7w_eWODytD0PJ7SA1YCX-9FeenlD4SbcmGrzVJBOOOam0tXg5fdtrGZ81JvVojaYhuMrsidbsY-0J_H-FJ_0G_FjGpuNwUaaVJpCs-m_3EW6nNMI7vjEw4cjNJZK0BF/s320/IMG_3922.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674561950112722146" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Fried meatball platter with beef, pork, and fish. </span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYnIbYRlGt41P-9jiImbkc7vMaPHBW1PQX4YgigMLc7tpYEXMtMle1Tg1wpZLkTA21Q7NixrTVM80yhVM2kJyEeuoQ6ENhcFdYMarY0fvF8wJgXCAM1s94xfO3oaqJB_Ir3eOKvFp8tXc/s1600/IMG_3923.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYnIbYRlGt41P-9jiImbkc7vMaPHBW1PQX4YgigMLc7tpYEXMtMle1Tg1wpZLkTA21Q7NixrTVM80yhVM2kJyEeuoQ6ENhcFdYMarY0fvF8wJgXCAM1s94xfO3oaqJB_Ir3eOKvFp8tXc/s320/IMG_3923.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674561945003480178" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I usually order the duck rice here but decided to go with the pad ses ew instead. It's a decent rendition with enough wok <i>hei</i> (smoky flavor delivered by a superhot wok). Think I'll stick with the duck rice the next time. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Ord Hoyka Noodle </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5401 Hollywood Blvd </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Los Angeles, CA 90027 </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(323) 463-1339</span></div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-82942073376197519812011-11-07T20:53:00.000-08:002012-12-19T10:15:52.219-08:00Overseas Singaporean Survival Guide<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBAH687WyuLzFPZT7YbV86cNlgzsfIFiPorrG2zSuiJnhgQGOx3oVHAEAe8v2Eic6wKeYDFg3PlboMZ1vdicD02ANBv6lME080wI8z4gqN4i-vc2slq0mdHaf7XvIru8GFq41Oq6SXJ90/s1600/12701808.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've been living in California for more than 16 years, almost as long as I've lived in Singapore. Aside from my family, the thing I miss the most is obviously the food. According to New Yorker's Calvin Trillin: Culinarily, Singaporeans are among the most homesick people he has ever met. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Inspired by a recent conversation with a fellow Singaporean expat--who has never heard of Prima Taste or Do Do fishballs--here's my Overseas Singaporean Survival Guide:</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. Do Do Fish Balls</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYzzKZdi1fJl0HtP7UnPdKKsnLCYD1V9EfFxYuECWEmIrgkgCFip1qhEPrsKlRKwxU0A_u2a4B9Ufj3Hlcckxj8tciv5iHV-GtyhEEZC_zipws0KQa7EO-VJ_8gV_Q0NNwkKQ19o_vpJX/s1600/Do+Do.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672489321989557474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYzzKZdi1fJl0HtP7UnPdKKsnLCYD1V9EfFxYuECWEmIrgkgCFip1qhEPrsKlRKwxU0A_u2a4B9Ufj3Hlcckxj8tciv5iHV-GtyhEEZC_zipws0KQa7EO-VJ_8gV_Q0NNwkKQ19o_vpJX/s320/Do+Do.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />Fish balls in America are firm and dense, resembling the texture of sotong balls. Singaporean fish balls, on the other hand, are delicate and bouncy. I've tried many fish ball brands and Do Do is by far the best. They used to sell it at Ranch 99 but not any more. The only other place I can find it is at Hong Kong Supermarket in Monterey Park (127 N. Garfield Avenue).</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. Prima Taste</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVxDlxzQ5jRIGJ1-EAui4PLofSVwJE_tO7vjbenlTNxuwbjmOIDWBFcphqgAH2gKmTfTbSoj5PeWSu-vXBPgXINYbKce6hwr53lRYuGw8KVvimUVpPNRufsMpM0QBw8vkhHuYdpzrWGN9/s1600/img-primamerchandise.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672495768117501506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVxDlxzQ5jRIGJ1-EAui4PLofSVwJE_tO7vjbenlTNxuwbjmOIDWBFcphqgAH2gKmTfTbSoj5PeWSu-vXBPgXINYbKce6hwr53lRYuGw8KVvimUVpPNRufsMpM0QBw8vkhHuYdpzrWGN9/s320/img-primamerchandise.png" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 145px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />Hands down, Prima Taste offers the most authentic versions of pre-made mixes. I've spent hours recreating recipes from scratch and none of them came close to Prima. My favorites are the </span><a href="http://hakkahouse.blogspot.com/2007/05/prima-taste-mix-laksa.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">laksa mix</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, the </span><a href="http://hakkahouse.blogspot.com/2010/08/prima-taste-hainanese-chicken-rice.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">chicken rice mi</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">x</span>, and the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://hakkahouse.blogspot.com/2010/08/prima-taste-curry-chicken.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">chicken curry mix</span></a>. You can find them at some Asian supermarkets or <a href="http://www.asiansupermarket365.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Asiansupermarket365.com</span></a>. When you're in Singapore, pick up extra packets of their sambal. It's sooo good. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBAH687WyuLzFPZT7YbV86cNlgzsfIFiPorrG2zSuiJnhgQGOx3oVHAEAe8v2Eic6wKeYDFg3PlboMZ1vdicD02ANBv6lME080wI8z4gqN4i-vc2slq0mdHaf7XvIru8GFq41Oq6SXJ90/s1600/12701808.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672498509762849874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBAH687WyuLzFPZT7YbV86cNlgzsfIFiPorrG2zSuiJnhgQGOx3oVHAEAe8v2Eic6wKeYDFg3PlboMZ1vdicD02ANBv6lME080wI8z4gqN4i-vc2slq0mdHaf7XvIru8GFq41Oq6SXJ90/s320/12701808.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 160px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 120px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's almost impossible to find the right thick bee hoon for laksa, even in Singapore. Prima just launched a new line of </span><a href="http://www.fairprice.com.sg/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=90001&productId=488103&langId=-1&categoryId=14097&parent_category_rn=14097&top_category=14097"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">laska mix </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that comes with the noodles. It's not bad at all. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. The only decent <b>char kway teow</b> I could find was <a href="http://www.belacangrill.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">B</span></b></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.belacangrill.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">elacan Gril</span>l</b></a><b> </b>in Redondo Beach, which relocated to Tustin a year ago. I've not been to the Tustin branch, so I'm not sure if it's still good there. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. I was really excited when my friend in New York told me about a <b>Teochew porridge</b> place in San Gabriel called <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/lus-garden-san-gabriel"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Lu's Garden</span></b></a>, and the place didn't disappoint. You get unlimited sweet potato porridge with your choice of sides, including minced pork with mustard greens, braised pork, and fried fish. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. There are actually quite a few places you can get <b>belachan kangkong</b>. Some restaurants call it water spinach. Personally, I like the ones at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/phoenix-inn-chinese-cuisine-alhambra"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Phoenix Inn</span> </a>in Alhambra (water spinach in Malay sauce). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. I've been to so many Malaysian/Singaporean restaurants in the Southland and have yet to be impressed. I always get my hopes up, like the time I virtually stalked <a href="http://www.thespicetable.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">The Spice Table</span></a> for months, checking constantly to see if it finally opened. I loved the ikan bilis and peanuts, the kon loh mee (it reminded me of dry wanton mee), and the rendang was fantastic. I would actively avoid the </span><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/street-hawker-truck-los-angeles#query:singapore%20truck"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Street Hawker Truck</span></a>, <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/singapores-banana-leaf-los-angeles"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Singapore's Banana Leaf </span></a>at the L.A. Farmers Market, and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/singapore-express-marina-del-rey"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Singapore Expres</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">s</span> in Venice. And while <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/mutiara-food-and-market-inglewood"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Mutiara Food & Market</span> </a>in Inglewood has pretty high Yelp ratings, I was <i>not</i> happy with my dining experience. The mee goreng was disappointing. Oh, and don't order hokkien mee at Malaysian restaurants, unless you like the dark, peppery kind. </div>
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7. You can get frozen prata, frozen pandan leaves, frozen cockles, and frozen durian at most Ranch 99 markets. </div>
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8. Freshly killed (never frozen) chicken make the best Hainanese chicken rice. After various trials, I've concluded that the medium-size chickens from Happy Family Farms (Hollywood's Sunday farmers market) are the best. The kosher chicken at the LA Farmers Market and Mary's Free Range Chickens at Whole Foods are also good. </div>
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9. I highly recommend food blogs like <a href="http://rasamalaysia.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Rasamalaysia.com</span></a>, <a href="http://belachan2.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">Little Corner of Mine</span></a>, and <a href="http://atigerinthekitchen.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">A Tiger in the Kitchen</span></a>. </div>
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10. I usually stock up my pantry during my annual trip back to Singapore. I buy everything from salt and white pepper to dark sweet soy sauce and fresh spices. Here's a <a href="https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/~/travelers-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3333ff;">list</span></a> of food items you're allowed to bring back. </div>
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~Ray</div>
Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-51016252803579969422011-11-06T10:56:00.000-08:002011-11-06T12:46:36.626-08:00Mario's Peruvian & Seafood<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was a cold and rainy Friday evening, and I was craving something warm and soupy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">— </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">specifically Chupe De Camarones, a Peruvian shrimp chowder from Mario's in Hollywood. At any given time, it's at least a 30-minute wait to get into the restaurant, but the rain kept the crowd away. We were seated immediately.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJJ_CHBrN4MQgG6l1FBlYY_2d1Z80j9_wRo9XHmcl-Ov_jM6WR4shXHlobH_Wqi5WUmUhBPvOLlgWYYzMTpxPrKbJpSWOz1WL2JUTZ1zR2fNx4I5_8IKgJZbbHN2xMLD7qXNyqBWjxVYY/s1600/IMG_3900.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJJ_CHBrN4MQgG6l1FBlYY_2d1Z80j9_wRo9XHmcl-Ov_jM6WR4shXHlobH_Wqi5WUmUhBPvOLlgWYYzMTpxPrKbJpSWOz1WL2JUTZ1zR2fNx4I5_8IKgJZbbHN2xMLD7qXNyqBWjxVYY/s320/IMG_3900.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671959143744203586" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I don't know what's in the spicy green sauce, but it's so freaking amazing. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlnY1PwbNQauLKfECEQYeBQt64Ozl5qyK-agcKDAnVLsN4iWYpzyxeDXr_8hHt6VBEQvdBYIp6xa5ZfFlMVb0Bxdl3ZH9v20Rs_0wDkvwZOWw1VuifuS35bNOsHjFav9OpDjm7VdlLAQE/s1600/IMG_3902.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlnY1PwbNQauLKfECEQYeBQt64Ozl5qyK-agcKDAnVLsN4iWYpzyxeDXr_8hHt6VBEQvdBYIp6xa5ZfFlMVb0Bxdl3ZH9v20Rs_0wDkvwZOWw1VuifuS35bNOsHjFav9OpDjm7VdlLAQE/s320/IMG_3902.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671959141945125266" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chupe De Camarones with rice, shrimp, cilantro, and evaporated milk. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdErA4ykUBO61JmolaaEpHHkYNiiC8bvAGKJDlLJqqGiIwPEi1pA1nmSTC-P0QefAoAHgoC1EGDHzt_ceyFlR_BQCvjRwCjya0befOQl3QjUbr9GwmoC6zEOUDbpJBr8v23BfxsqqyPL1/s1600/IMG_3903.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdErA4ykUBO61JmolaaEpHHkYNiiC8bvAGKJDlLJqqGiIwPEi1pA1nmSTC-P0QefAoAHgoC1EGDHzt_ceyFlR_BQCvjRwCjya0befOQl3QjUbr9GwmoC6zEOUDbpJBr8v23BfxsqqyPL1/s320/IMG_3903.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671968220289585762" /></a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Camaron Al Ajo: sauteed shrimp in a butter and garlic sauce. You can't really go wrong with the fried shrimp, but I'm happy with just the garlic and butter sauce. Drizzle it all over rice and I could eat a whole bowl.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEXM4OYNjsYSSzwTa_rDaqeV_ugsVFkLneG3kyhRPv6asHGZa_jhxBQWxYlrfwFkkM4HGyhhra2fK9c0LPuPQDsMGMgKNpv88qCOtVEq1MiGUxOyr46BR0TVcYbKNghtaEq-NtbHAV1py/s1600/IMG_3903.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px; font-family:Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><table class="prices-three" face="inherit" size="11px" color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- line-height: 1em; border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 618px; "><tbody face="inherit" size="11px" color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- line-height: 1em; "></tbody></table></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2yjUf8kDxAF63Vq2Nve7KeLvwCzRz59baK-rZbcgA00kAJdznQLceTVOKklHf38pWu_Hm5wB52avT1TOKL2kKYnrZ4X0G_DNehZ2DXxSb3RAHotoIgqKxqxuxmxgftCK7mtrAnZqJyex/s1600/IMG_3904.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2yjUf8kDxAF63Vq2Nve7KeLvwCzRz59baK-rZbcgA00kAJdznQLceTVOKklHf38pWu_Hm5wB52avT1TOKL2kKYnrZ4X0G_DNehZ2DXxSb3RAHotoIgqKxqxuxmxgftCK7mtrAnZqJyex/s320/IMG_3904.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671959117902242018" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, Garamond, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 11px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kevin's Lomo Saltado: beef sauteed with onions, tomatoes and French fries over seasoned rice </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Mario's Peruvian & Seafood<br />5786 Melrose Ave<br />Los Angeles, CA 90038<br />Neighborhood: Mid Wilshire<br />(323) 466-4181</span>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-88140369158634359162011-10-29T15:21:00.000-07:002011-11-06T12:48:25.333-08:00Saddle Peak Lodge<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My co-worker and I were invited to Saddle Peak Lodge to try their new chef's tasting menu. I wasn't sure what to expect as we drove through the winding roads of Malibu. My co-worker is a huge taxidermy fan, so imagine her delight when we entered the main dining room. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2690q2nHkQ8SH95ndaX-3A1ZCOfUrZcTPhUkNcO_tkQX71cYy_frQVPyLuYbGuE59oYFW-7XsxWHW7lGYvcDrGPo9M6pyP_aSwzEntGP-17JBT-V576Oql73_v2-81PLI_BHhQrrKOWq/s1600/IMG_3832.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2690q2nHkQ8SH95ndaX-3A1ZCOfUrZcTPhUkNcO_tkQX71cYy_frQVPyLuYbGuE59oYFW-7XsxWHW7lGYvcDrGPo9M6pyP_aSwzEntGP-17JBT-V576Oql73_v2-81PLI_BHhQrrKOWq/s320/IMG_3832.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043959088252434" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The building has been around for a hundred years. While my design taste leans towards midcentury modern, I'm kinda digging the rustic hunter's lodge look. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD59BNX3mxPYRZspOCTmmabNGRifRiEIEqM0rkVbn7yH1RVsoDOJp6sa2XyS4h-134jfgiQIadbNVJgZD-C1WsZ_N2IWneb2PW5DYjfpIITIljNmpRjuUQqJiiCxmgPmhf8Ab1I-1Zkz5/s1600/IMG_3835.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD59BNX3mxPYRZspOCTmmabNGRifRiEIEqM0rkVbn7yH1RVsoDOJp6sa2XyS4h-134jfgiQIadbNVJgZD-C1WsZ_N2IWneb2PW5DYjfpIITIljNmpRjuUQqJiiCxmgPmhf8Ab1I-1Zkz5/s320/IMG_3835.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043952243254738" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My co-worker had the Manhattan and I had a mojito. (Okay, I had a couple sips. It was STRONG!)</span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JGzcOZIujHW9FXQW6AqcN_dxGG6pYHn8nfUG532Ppnr1WaEoLbpgdlNjVxJeFmNZ3sIIOi3Fo0ONMBeagcDdh64TE9OEnayRfXX9ixnaw4zBf0-Xvt9AoFE8Ti6Clrw9Hi2tuefq7-0J/s1600/IMG_3836.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JGzcOZIujHW9FXQW6AqcN_dxGG6pYHn8nfUG532Ppnr1WaEoLbpgdlNjVxJeFmNZ3sIIOi3Fo0ONMBeagcDdh64TE9OEnayRfXX9ixnaw4zBf0-Xvt9AoFE8Ti6Clrw9Hi2tuefq7-0J/s320/IMG_3836.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043637531002178" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Tomato soup amuse bouche.</b> It reminded me of the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 16px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">borsch I had as a child at the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 16px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hainanese-owned Russian restaurant in Singapore called Shashlik.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQwSxKTVix1PARnN09TONeMrmHHQavXLgsjRSSCa5x9N9VFWIN2I2k6MQwli3WzK5Mod6yImtBSWJ_SgkSgrm0_r2ANAvPAhAKhXT7CIrNkDLq6UTYD73hkqterV4u6Z9D70zlAoqtBVn/s1600/IMG_3837.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQwSxKTVix1PARnN09TONeMrmHHQavXLgsjRSSCa5x9N9VFWIN2I2k6MQwli3WzK5Mod6yImtBSWJ_SgkSgrm0_r2ANAvPAhAKhXT7CIrNkDLq6UTYD73hkqterV4u6Z9D70zlAoqtBVn/s320/IMG_3837.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043637402540818" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Smoked salmon blini with caviar. </b>The blini was a little doughy but I liked it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPp4VQLjcisyCStQxKansHDKQGdTmeWmVY0pi5bg7NtVogLzX3PW2ttZMU1gcT8ROYxLL0wBcMsmERFWrEjYyicj5B_weOdPIKRUjXsjwDzjfLalIY7pn1e1kIBHu2dnpi9LTF6tcNhBd/s1600/IMG_3839.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPp4VQLjcisyCStQxKansHDKQGdTmeWmVY0pi5bg7NtVogLzX3PW2ttZMU1gcT8ROYxLL0wBcMsmERFWrEjYyicj5B_weOdPIKRUjXsjwDzjfLalIY7pn1e1kIBHu2dnpi9LTF6tcNhBd/s320/IMG_3839.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043622075820866" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Albacore sashimi with Hawaiian papaya, red onion, cilantro, avocado, and orange-ginger puree.</b> I don't really understand the puree. What do I do with it? Is it a sauce?</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-aR0N18qtTBh86TpBnb756pMidyIZ4M1V3UVdaS8bepD0o_NYixLuMuJM3vrNMDoK9s0-gZndsMaqP1tACNI1VsnpxX7BxLDQr3Uk5-PgaPuH_TtMdFaFu3ezTVXRG-WGEj-PQsbzLjR/s1600/IMG_3840.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-aR0N18qtTBh86TpBnb756pMidyIZ4M1V3UVdaS8bepD0o_NYixLuMuJM3vrNMDoK9s0-gZndsMaqP1tACNI1VsnpxX7BxLDQr3Uk5-PgaPuH_TtMdFaFu3ezTVXRG-WGEj-PQsbzLjR/s320/IMG_3840.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043617035490242" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Mushroom agnolotti with truffled wild mushrooms, and Parmesan. </b>This was soooo good. Simple, rich, and oh so tasty. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZo5uT7FHbg2SJWPh9m3GHcsMpnrvzILSa2P3YFrWGydE4uUc4Z-xE5Q0CkhY_RJ9LJ0K6Rs_fMcyeaicDc9ndiO1hPp1-heqJLDo3hycLy9yh1Dn5Ex8h1ybEdXzZmSFmtaQ_xbdURyd/s1600/IMG_3841.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZo5uT7FHbg2SJWPh9m3GHcsMpnrvzILSa2P3YFrWGydE4uUc4Z-xE5Q0CkhY_RJ9LJ0K6Rs_fMcyeaicDc9ndiO1hPp1-heqJLDo3hycLy9yh1Dn5Ex8h1ybEdXzZmSFmtaQ_xbdURyd/s320/IMG_3841.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043614668639666" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Rabbit roulade with bacon, mushrooms, apples, sage, and huckleberries.</b> The bacon was great but the rabbit was a little dry. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx6Szt9wT73UFabqhewNniPvh-47sbwO8rWfE_7yzbLUOxpZVPYQE0JysRQYTMaiwIwvD1JA9DFSNF6lCBVlS2Xr2LKnIYlUlR9o-poHb5XGhrz-0RMyDpaqpAgYb0AkJmWMHkZVvr_zy/s1600/IMG_3843.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx6Szt9wT73UFabqhewNniPvh-47sbwO8rWfE_7yzbLUOxpZVPYQE0JysRQYTMaiwIwvD1JA9DFSNF6lCBVlS2Xr2LKnIYlUlR9o-poHb5XGhrz-0RMyDpaqpAgYb0AkJmWMHkZVvr_zy/s320/IMG_3843.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043235068460962" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Crispy Berkshire pork belly with carrot, daikon, cilantro, and mint</b>. This was my favorite dish. The slaw was a nice balance to the wonderfully fatty pork belly. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yiAUo-7VjJL_bcyYv99wWVwT2UGdLm-stOD40yqvPpqTpkdDwLnVuRkLc4zMbNxp5RE79XASmjZ8TfMBQP60V_VZ-OglDZnWJkNRY6fTewSsjob48rHikTEyEKsjYFRGvuIDepwCWm4q/s1600/IMG_3844.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yiAUo-7VjJL_bcyYv99wWVwT2UGdLm-stOD40yqvPpqTpkdDwLnVuRkLc4zMbNxp5RE79XASmjZ8TfMBQP60V_VZ-OglDZnWJkNRY6fTewSsjob48rHikTEyEKsjYFRGvuIDepwCWm4q/s320/IMG_3844.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043231564628050" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>New Zealand elk tenderloin with vanilla butternut squash, brandied cherries, cipollini onions, and mushrooms</b>. I liked the elk, which was perfectly cooked. But the puree was confusing. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaVm55H-2-ReD5JpSUgQdr4qgIf9XXPuxmnTMFAngFHCVDJ_qF200gqClqxZqgWlkiNbv5ncdUW9lntn8yfwIvi72EHfP1tJhhQLsaYOHFfwyFbkN_L9JQOhNGXzyi37TcVVGhG9INfgR/s1600/IMG_3846.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaVm55H-2-ReD5JpSUgQdr4qgIf9XXPuxmnTMFAngFHCVDJ_qF200gqClqxZqgWlkiNbv5ncdUW9lntn8yfwIvi72EHfP1tJhhQLsaYOHFfwyFbkN_L9JQOhNGXzyi37TcVVGhG9INfgR/s320/IMG_3846.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043222135268674" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Cafe latte</b><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqKX6e5iobFI3TqmdQPv67EA_I7uoQWrilBTM4KKT6fbJvW8Y2o2F3jnqDOy9eCldZWhVs25If4fEsZiNMiEfg7z3HyxPIY_NeOR1tRWiSfRkHutfA3og51W4RfYR0ZRC7xg_ew7Jov3w/s1600/IMG_3847.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqKX6e5iobFI3TqmdQPv67EA_I7uoQWrilBTM4KKT6fbJvW8Y2o2F3jnqDOy9eCldZWhVs25If4fEsZiNMiEfg7z3HyxPIY_NeOR1tRWiSfRkHutfA3og51W4RfYR0ZRC7xg_ew7Jov3w/s320/IMG_3847.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043217069587970" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.6px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Banana huckleberry croissant bread pudding with Tahitian vanilla ice cream.</b> It's the first time I've had a croissant bread pudding, and I loved it! It's rich but not too sweet, and the huckleberries were a nice touch. </span></span></p><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3fMmWMZUEBm5xc7Fhomg_mE-t_OSGAYdVshJJhAv_rGTJkfP9JN_qMEs3JriiNrh_Cr52yTilV1bkhrVuCKlcvhtSlBT-dSMg23J1wI6Hox0o_tpLIIhZ2NcFDmThBT5bi4dfMsVm64t/s1600/IMG_3848.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3fMmWMZUEBm5xc7Fhomg_mE-t_OSGAYdVshJJhAv_rGTJkfP9JN_qMEs3JriiNrh_Cr52yTilV1bkhrVuCKlcvhtSlBT-dSMg23J1wI6Hox0o_tpLIIhZ2NcFDmThBT5bi4dfMsVm64t/s320/IMG_3848.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669043216213981570" /></a></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><b>Peach beignets with crème anglaise.<br /></b><br />419 Cold Canyon Road<br />Calabasas, CA 91302<br />(818) 222-3888<br />http://www.saddlepeaklodge.com/</span></span>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-4393151030925981792011-07-07T21:36:00.000-07:002011-07-07T21:59:07.763-07:00Aladin Sweets & Market<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My husband and I were watching "Ramsay's Best Restaurant: Indian" and had a serious craving for curries. There are many Northern Indian restaurants in L.A. but not too many Southern Indian spots, which is my preference. We found a Bangladesh spot (close enough!) near our house, so we decided to check it out. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Aladin Sweets & Market is a South Asian market + restaurant. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Curries average around $3 to $5 per dish! The total damage, with two drinks, is less than $20.</span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSazBF0w2X85utjmMY7HT3fisGhKUbQbUBcYKiRVQ7qhhR5TGYewUL1wWUMPxKx_ikqbsKjWsZhpTW1aBi3i4K-oAvUnuOLUnSrQaFdZ8EfrYkIEug0s2dqakpgvq_nbajPxHmjr1IJIwa/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSazBF0w2X85utjmMY7HT3fisGhKUbQbUBcYKiRVQ7qhhR5TGYewUL1wWUMPxKx_ikqbsKjWsZhpTW1aBi3i4K-oAvUnuOLUnSrQaFdZ8EfrYkIEug0s2dqakpgvq_nbajPxHmjr1IJIwa/s320/IMG_3483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626837820198555666" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shammi kabab (fried ground beef ball) and two Aloo Chop (mashed potato ball with diced carrots and peas, deep fried. They were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXr01XYOPQUpqzXLoUENtFd0JK6gmFiouSuaX0Iu8OS4kF3llpYCDIr2bsm_KH9Hk2ot5DwLvEx85honP3ZJPDXwy3zVTU22H_T5t9MBMt5Tgc-v2JdyhlORnbUNEXtT78IyrPO-GRrQ2/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXr01XYOPQUpqzXLoUENtFd0JK6gmFiouSuaX0Iu8OS4kF3llpYCDIr2bsm_KH9Hk2ot5DwLvEx85honP3ZJPDXwy3zVTU22H_T5t9MBMt5Tgc-v2JdyhlORnbUNEXtT78IyrPO-GRrQ2/s320/IMG_3482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626837811883088962" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The addictive Ruhu (fish) curry with garlic, ginger, tomatoes, cilantro, and celery. It's sweet and spicy and savory. My favorite of the day. But be very careful when you eat this dish--lots of tiny, tiny fish bones. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkbNv1c81zVUIeLaPt4ctdwF2mbPlH7zxQL9jKRRe35vxLtitYIOjLqXCpITi3jc_eqnptUXC5O1URlgD7UB7hrBLgW82sJwQHEbF46KMzJEcmwFDXJftSDvtDh3I5fXAs3rH_SWBF5Kf/s1600/IMG_3481.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkbNv1c81zVUIeLaPt4ctdwF2mbPlH7zxQL9jKRRe35vxLtitYIOjLqXCpITi3jc_eqnptUXC5O1URlgD7UB7hrBLgW82sJwQHEbF46KMzJEcmwFDXJftSDvtDh3I5fXAs3rH_SWBF5Kf/s320/IMG_3481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626837808479434386" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Biriyani with basmati fried rice and mutton. The rice is not as perfumy as the one at Jasmine Market, and I like this version so much more! Add a little chutney and you get a completely different flavor profile. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnxXmLKVxuREhpKFCzgNZwTXpu1iQ7uKK6dTtbgUZzptdCLnx1BHns0geGw3KcMp9pBNYGaUEdcRDKAUAkYlSMu4xIRZ-wmJ0I7FM8g5XgTow-JwMteTvJ_3sMIXGiJDEPb-RDwK1CcOs/s1600/IMG_3480.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnxXmLKVxuREhpKFCzgNZwTXpu1iQ7uKK6dTtbgUZzptdCLnx1BHns0geGw3KcMp9pBNYGaUEdcRDKAUAkYlSMu4xIRZ-wmJ0I7FM8g5XgTow-JwMteTvJ_3sMIXGiJDEPb-RDwK1CcOs/s320/IMG_3480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626837797735426722" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mutton curry; my husband's favorite. It's got quite a kick. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQhQ8SjNfNnvHs5Wyt84nn3cPFMk5dz3yqVSaEEEnDsopRhUerOTnaLchEZYa8NbLfR5pK4wX0CdOz6V8mKVlbaLAgn9tKyAZG1kzyfrKEXkO-Ckd_bkrcE-uwK7HNK1cO9D9o0SVVsC/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqQhQ8SjNfNnvHs5Wyt84nn3cPFMk5dz3yqVSaEEEnDsopRhUerOTnaLchEZYa8NbLfR5pK4wX0CdOz6V8mKVlbaLAgn9tKyAZG1kzyfrKEXkO-Ckd_bkrcE-uwK7HNK1cO9D9o0SVVsC/s320/IMG_3479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626837794456444882" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The service was warm and prompt. And you can browse the market while you wait for your food. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~Ray</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-48566276512847219872011-05-30T11:40:00.000-07:002011-05-30T17:12:52.869-07:00Strawberry Banana Bread<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP45KhB78sD4qn_-TkqUKT9dYggiRDFJmb0cXZAfLWIPnW80mNSnUlVwnbICWVi2RR1-fAFmt_pcm0AaYz4noDoZ-akEpzMynZnDJ9JBp1kf9fnmPQ74g_u5lslfkKI53c6D79B8RBcdO/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP45KhB78sD4qn_-TkqUKT9dYggiRDFJmb0cXZAfLWIPnW80mNSnUlVwnbICWVi2RR1-fAFmt_pcm0AaYz4noDoZ-akEpzMynZnDJ9JBp1kf9fnmPQ74g_u5lslfkKI53c6D79B8RBcdO/s320/IMG_3254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612587805879639906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsWhliGw7iYn3XGYW86RfX-hi36CNyUT8pf2AA1WnPd9NNBX2TE7jCPEEaOirVleEi1jG1OLm4pq9NYZGLTdSm8iZDVmhogCbViA7eHVlidS-k1yZw1QVeNb2tJrCMiWfh79Zgavn6O_P/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsWhliGw7iYn3XGYW86RfX-hi36CNyUT8pf2AA1WnPd9NNBX2TE7jCPEEaOirVleEi1jG1OLm4pq9NYZGLTdSm8iZDVmhogCbViA7eHVlidS-k1yZw1QVeNb2tJrCMiWfh79Zgavn6O_P/s320/IMG_3255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612587811990440050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQmHfaTfgH2RHCmvF031Q-hxISWkw2BAOwmPTN0CMTmwN_Oy93ANXIJg0xthpfmc3-nC3SycWlYzsg7408y6UPb1HmXN0dCU5KotuC04eH9jgrGb0YJTy-qW06LjChAtpG3qtw82lUzq1/s1600/IMG_3256.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQmHfaTfgH2RHCmvF031Q-hxISWkw2BAOwmPTN0CMTmwN_Oy93ANXIJg0xthpfmc3-nC3SycWlYzsg7408y6UPb1HmXN0dCU5KotuC04eH9jgrGb0YJTy-qW06LjChAtpG3qtw82lUzq1/s320/IMG_3256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612587821262495106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixXPpAtnFNI0ZdyU13DGlWZAEZq1PqwVvYGVMNE1XlH_ASLPRS5Lr6iziy0wtROsTG81YjYFISglZV3uOSKvJk8ORj7ADeH7WavQrgvfsSRFUiLhgSeE3bO5YUE4ubJ3T1-Sn_T_CB0W_/s1600/IMG_3258.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixXPpAtnFNI0ZdyU13DGlWZAEZq1PqwVvYGVMNE1XlH_ASLPRS5Lr6iziy0wtROsTG81YjYFISglZV3uOSKvJk8ORj7ADeH7WavQrgvfsSRFUiLhgSeE3bO5YUE4ubJ3T1-Sn_T_CB0W_/s320/IMG_3258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612587824625073362" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1 cup butter, soften</div><div>2 cups sugar</div><div>2 frozen bananas, thawed</div><div>4 eggs</div><div>1 teaspoon salt</div><div>2 teaspoons baking soda</div><div>3 cups flour</div><div>4 cups diced strawberries</div><div><br /></div><div>Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add bananas, scrape down the side of the bowl with a spatula. Add eggs, one at a time. In a separate bowl, mix salt, baking soda, and flour. Add flour mixture to butter mixture. Stir until fully incorporated. Add strawberries. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour (or cupcake molds and bake for about 45 minutes), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on rack before serving. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray</div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-67159223329989577652010-10-22T17:14:00.000-07:002010-10-22T22:12:13.502-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0nuP-4P9qVgziuUTw_BF-2H60RqpKotWWZ4vEC4OUNKFq6OS0XZJnsXPViRvjRSFtzliPrMiPtxmE3XhgSwQWtlrqAFYf10K-v35JvpRShbmXXLNbbWPeo0HWN-yYXsNUtspeYSW96f_/s1600/photo-733504.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0nuP-4P9qVgziuUTw_BF-2H60RqpKotWWZ4vEC4OUNKFq6OS0XZJnsXPViRvjRSFtzliPrMiPtxmE3XhgSwQWtlrqAFYf10K-v35JvpRShbmXXLNbbWPeo0HWN-yYXsNUtspeYSW96f_/s320/photo-733504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531104990241179714" /></a></p>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-9904555232941818662010-08-28T21:04:00.000-07:002010-08-28T21:28:12.155-07:00Seafood Village (Bi Feng Tang)<div>Seafood Village in Monterey Park is one of my all-time favorite Chinese restaurants in L.A. It's also one of the very few Teochew restaurants in SoCal, and the food reminds me of Chinese food in Singapore. </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd1X_MXuebMhNMBYkhlAgaNjvvyaBqYZLZKtOahAoKI2sVU2DgnTU_Pim0d5jJo9gxi5_e_OjP2fHlasKhDDgXLRUwtdPbqDf1o-H3j9rZ0cU7V2mIUJwmqWmZA0GtKXHT5o2hHQiiRVD/s1600/IMG_2223.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd1X_MXuebMhNMBYkhlAgaNjvvyaBqYZLZKtOahAoKI2sVU2DgnTU_Pim0d5jJo9gxi5_e_OjP2fHlasKhDDgXLRUwtdPbqDf1o-H3j9rZ0cU7V2mIUJwmqWmZA0GtKXHT5o2hHQiiRVD/s320/IMG_2223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510679048419974402" /></a>Their house specialty crab is deep fried and piled on with garlic fried in butter. <br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnBI1M6uPuKOT_NIdUrfS7rrsUzM_rZtPZHq3FDOfmN4-cyfWrzGoaXy1ila_IiGY6hzTjTH7vWkGnhTcewIHAL6yhrihVJlN-Zju-F4QNQA9VCcCvxRJICS8pcCIxly889jJGSoM6O74/s1600/IMG_2227.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnBI1M6uPuKOT_NIdUrfS7rrsUzM_rZtPZHq3FDOfmN4-cyfWrzGoaXy1ila_IiGY6hzTjTH7vWkGnhTcewIHAL6yhrihVJlN-Zju-F4QNQA9VCcCvxRJICS8pcCIxly889jJGSoM6O74/s320/IMG_2227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510678737382186290" /></a>There's a light crust that coats the shell. Very tasty!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFiIBas5YbmXRZtZ2rXrPnp8r_frlLLRw8uCZq18OV7jf1Tow4ynbZQZei5OWGZDHjZaEDBiI3p20Vy5fSl-wmECU_zvmXDAiqgjomabnWauR6QCSaF6IbK9ImTpsRBJwdJUTrhjhCvpa/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFiIBas5YbmXRZtZ2rXrPnp8r_frlLLRw8uCZq18OV7jf1Tow4ynbZQZei5OWGZDHjZaEDBiI3p20Vy5fSl-wmECU_zvmXDAiqgjomabnWauR6QCSaF6IbK9ImTpsRBJwdJUTrhjhCvpa/s320/IMG_2219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510679056278928050" /></a>The beef with satay sauce was my husband's favorite dish of the night. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOhwkOw_V8g6A3TUyErUzlFOJW3J_MgnvJ4eHwEW4jiATAQ0X_uZ98C-O_sYlPSKZoGIoMf1cvyWwnnhPzHm3Dbg8xLOynKFHOcecAFDGUx-0Otzdv1NO3M59PbvZhgMSfC-3P9z3n3Lk/s1600/IMG_2224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOhwkOw_V8g6A3TUyErUzlFOJW3J_MgnvJ4eHwEW4jiATAQ0X_uZ98C-O_sYlPSKZoGIoMf1cvyWwnnhPzHm3Dbg8xLOynKFHOcecAFDGUx-0Otzdv1NO3M59PbvZhgMSfC-3P9z3n3Lk/s320/IMG_2224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510678764883817058" /></a>I've been dying to try the oyster omelette and I was disappointed. It's a perfectly fine omelette but it's nothing like the Oh Chien you find in Singapore. It's just egg and oyster; nothing special. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt1GiR2h9RXsWmZPWT8A5bxZKt_l-nKAIZl0kS14FYtpgN-x1XjVmTYaoPuhZUYhVRCyPlY0ijDr4MuOEjtox-AT1vIUttL7FKwxgkwnt9FizEaPrnZ9qLKIvduSqspUOTBNR-CJxFYpa/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt1GiR2h9RXsWmZPWT8A5bxZKt_l-nKAIZl0kS14FYtpgN-x1XjVmTYaoPuhZUYhVRCyPlY0ijDr4MuOEjtox-AT1vIUttL7FKwxgkwnt9FizEaPrnZ9qLKIvduSqspUOTBNR-CJxFYpa/s320/IMG_2225.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510678753710104050" /></a>The omelette had plenty of oysters.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1mc7xJ5nNn5FTuVxskozm3ERFoASNdEGKHyJp5QvB6S3u8Q7Z7cMMG-MksYqAGZabvUbBO0DEdwbq5TMgFS2T7LHNO95e5xIGsZCuYRIUfv8C7ylTDXLXOG7ah3gOfh7Br2ZUQfxoQtL/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1mc7xJ5nNn5FTuVxskozm3ERFoASNdEGKHyJp5QvB6S3u8Q7Z7cMMG-MksYqAGZabvUbBO0DEdwbq5TMgFS2T7LHNO95e5xIGsZCuYRIUfv8C7ylTDXLXOG7ah3gOfh7Br2ZUQfxoQtL/s320/IMG_2226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510678746165106402" /></a>Green beans is the only vegetable my husband eats, so this is always a staple. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0tiqAwnpvNSYVVgcsmZ6Pp21WM0FZ5B-Us8jgXe50DU4lNgrwWkjUWxsoevrO13baLRkkCEB7l7lKZoELn9po9y_2VTOARsJiF6qA4MN74Z2FUAebJc-uJpHja6ZrZKwae6srNIHHYcZ/s1600/IMG_2228.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0tiqAwnpvNSYVVgcsmZ6Pp21WM0FZ5B-Us8jgXe50DU4lNgrwWkjUWxsoevrO13baLRkkCEB7l7lKZoELn9po9y_2VTOARsJiF6qA4MN74Z2FUAebJc-uJpHja6ZrZKwae6srNIHHYcZ/s320/IMG_2228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510678729620008178" /></a></div><div>My dad, a very discerning eater, really enjoyed the Yang Chow fried rice. The rice is nice and fluffy. </div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray</div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-86626813104359562622010-08-23T20:32:00.000-07:002010-08-23T20:42:23.548-07:00Prima Taste Curry ChickenI love, love, love Prima Taste's Curry Chicken mix. It's so simple -- just add water, chicken and a couple russet potatoes. It's just the comfort food I need after a hard day at work.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ94nPiKkLw9H53t8baDDzTMZfdkCbSa1ECN6eVmT8rmKI9C327uKUD6pu4VstddRxQu598TcPuQXSb_L9vJQoECBvgmeZ-DwxK6hUr996s4QSWw3Shrzlb8YqySt4x7RKROPtjXROMa3/s1600/IMG_2195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ94nPiKkLw9H53t8baDDzTMZfdkCbSa1ECN6eVmT8rmKI9C327uKUD6pu4VstddRxQu598TcPuQXSb_L9vJQoECBvgmeZ-DwxK6hUr996s4QSWw3Shrzlb8YqySt4x7RKROPtjXROMa3/s320/IMG_2195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508815063624611730" /></a><div> <a href="http://www.asiansupermarket365.com/Prima_Taste_Singapore_Curry_p/primasgcurry001.htm">www.asiansupermarket365.com</a> now carries Prima Mixes. </div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-6232200296304427622010-08-22T10:20:00.000-07:002010-08-22T10:46:21.925-07:00Sour Lemon SconesMy love affair with scones started around my secondary school years. One particular summer, my friends and I made daily treks to Padang, an open field in the middle of downtown Singapore, to watch an inter-regional softball tournament. We'd meet up at City Hall MRT in the morning, pick up breakfast -- scones for me -- and head to the field, where we sat and watched game after game until the sun went down. The field is sandwiched between two busy streets with bumper to bumper traffic, and it was always a crowd pleaser when a foul ball hit a passing public bus. <div><br /></div><div>I have very fond memories of that summer and those buttery, fluffy scones. </div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Vde3j2H82CUrv3nRlNBW_vsFo82C7ZmaWNVkEQjsJXy3D5vKufO7DuPB6iW91uJfLVsR4SJ5-qfHDy7eIa8oUINQg9fpX8KF9BWiB6yjtO1aULJAfxCUmxkym4XNwYrbs5DuL713PWf/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Vde3j2H82CUrv3nRlNBW_vsFo82C7ZmaWNVkEQjsJXy3D5vKufO7DuPB6iW91uJfLVsR4SJ5-qfHDy7eIa8oUINQg9fpX8KF9BWiB6yjtO1aULJAfxCUmxkym4XNwYrbs5DuL713PWf/s320/IMG_2128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508289081750313970" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sour Lemon Scones</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">Yields: 12 scones</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">4 cups all-purpose flour</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1/2 cup sugar</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1 tablespoon baking powder</span></span></span></div><div>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1/2 teaspoon kosher salt</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1/2 teaspoon ginger</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">3 sticks unsalted butter, cubed and chilled</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1 large egg</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1 cup buttermilk</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1/4 cup lemon zest</span></span></span></div><div>2 tablespoons raw sugar</div><div><br /></div><div>Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ginger. Whisk to combine. Add chilled butter and rub into the flour mixture. </div><div><br /></div><div>In a separate bowl, whisk egg, 3/4 cup buttermilk, and lemon zest. Slowly pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture. (The dough will be pretty wet.) Knead gently. Gather the dough onto a floured work surface. Separate the dough into two disks. Don't overwork the dough. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cut each disk into 6 wedges. Place on baking sheet. Brush each wedge with the remaining buttermilk and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake in the oven (center rack) for 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer scones to cooking rack. These tastes great when served warm, with a cup of tea. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love these scones because they're mild and not super sweet. They're really easy to make and lasted about 3 days at my house. </div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray</div><div><br /></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-8106415951990834602010-08-21T20:49:00.000-07:002010-08-21T22:40:03.992-07:00Steak Salad<div>It's one of those summer nights that begs for a good, filling salad. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE73OICjvmvwnAWcKpQQa13_DprUPXZYtGxgBJ6IVZqmx-THUYjQgOiK-8uXsD_5Xhcwl1CXcRITgclQ2zF0KGQfuLzmxgkats0KcaARNuc7lTIvYv7cKqsAiLh3VJ19BT61bl8NI3yeM/s1600/IMG_2141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE73OICjvmvwnAWcKpQQa13_DprUPXZYtGxgBJ6IVZqmx-THUYjQgOiK-8uXsD_5Xhcwl1CXcRITgclQ2zF0KGQfuLzmxgkats0KcaARNuc7lTIvYv7cKqsAiLh3VJ19BT61bl8NI3yeM/s320/IMG_2141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508104132896972146" /></a>Two pieces of ribeye (my favorite cut) -- seasoned with salt and black pepper -- from Fresh & Easy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyIevj5_R-dHZqGsY2jqp-o6LXul8YUTxj8dYHgl_ZfCmN9n67h1DUMcHpFxd4Eh5Ad-N1KTdlwnMv4kEyQC5c4iGMqK7D3FawEKwUnnNg4wio78sXuD0bDSgRfQbLg1kRT9UKHyo0PNW/s1600/IMG_2145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyIevj5_R-dHZqGsY2jqp-o6LXul8YUTxj8dYHgl_ZfCmN9n67h1DUMcHpFxd4Eh5Ad-N1KTdlwnMv4kEyQC5c4iGMqK7D3FawEKwUnnNg4wio78sXuD0bDSgRfQbLg1kRT9UKHyo0PNW/s320/IMG_2145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508104150175318978" /></a><br /><div>Served with arugula, shaved Parmasan cheese, diced avocado and cucumbers. </div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-65984830860604456502010-08-15T21:28:00.000-07:002010-08-15T22:50:44.244-07:00American Tea House in Beverly Hills<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">My cousin received a gift certificate to a tea tasting class at the American Tea Room for Mother's Day and invited me along. I'm half Japanese and half Chinese, and I grew up drinking both green and black tea on a regular basis. My parents didn't think it was appropriate for young children to drink soda with our meals so we had tea instead. I've always loved tea but it wasn't until today that I found out how </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">little</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> I knew about this ancient beverage. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">All tea -- from the glorious Tie Guan Yin to the humblest Lipton black tea -- came from the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Camellia sinensi</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">s</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> plant. At the American Tea Room, we sampled white, green, Oolong and black tea, as well as an herbal "tea."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvrqXbNTr60e3EUaVXwNNKd5Sx0DaWf_4-gNDor3WnvNHbAd3QTo4foHX1wwFVlP_QpSA5wpV4mHYF48cGOHY_Psy5r9coEsfOKgA2mM6wNzKEzNdDW-B9gFs0AizU9hmJke-d6kcn-iG/s1600/IMG_2106.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvrqXbNTr60e3EUaVXwNNKd5Sx0DaWf_4-gNDor3WnvNHbAd3QTo4foHX1wwFVlP_QpSA5wpV4mHYF48cGOHY_Psy5r9coEsfOKgA2mM6wNzKEzNdDW-B9gFs0AizU9hmJke-d6kcn-iG/s320/IMG_2106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505860112352127842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We were told the cup was very special. <br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fFTOj53mLT4VmYYxSnXNAxJ4iUMpnkPjNBFhFdzHqFXvY_E8NL_WeFP5VaOY7wm6LdS9PR95hWRLZcztQBh_T1P0fXQGRGM3CPhUJFoq-ihQcczMtYqvqpBXqcTCqd_NLBJXLV2EUXDX/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fFTOj53mLT4VmYYxSnXNAxJ4iUMpnkPjNBFhFdzHqFXvY_E8NL_WeFP5VaOY7wm6LdS9PR95hWRLZcztQBh_T1P0fXQGRGM3CPhUJFoq-ihQcczMtYqvqpBXqcTCqd_NLBJXLV2EUXDX/s320/IMG_2108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505860630064315442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Look at how a pattern emerges when hot water is poured into it. We got to keep the cup. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwW4J8vYuHLvUmQPvNgKwxXNjvxEuWoSfnGteBURs3QXbqZGZyZ2eJ1WP_Qxn7NLGYmIAYhDbM_A8SaOq5z4NmCASXO03UBpR1HQAHT4SLk9aULPMSPnmnO7R_g5rowkiyug_hNyD_pE8/s1600/IMG_2109.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwW4J8vYuHLvUmQPvNgKwxXNjvxEuWoSfnGteBURs3QXbqZGZyZ2eJ1WP_Qxn7NLGYmIAYhDbM_A8SaOq5z4NmCASXO03UBpR1HQAHT4SLk9aULPMSPnmnO7R_g5rowkiyug_hNyD_pE8/s320/IMG_2109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505860637701131410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is a very high quality white tea from Fujien, China. It boasts three times the antioxidants of your average green tea. White tea, or Silver Needles, are hand plucked buds of a tea plant. It's very light and has a floral flavor, which lingers on your tongue. A 3.5 oz bag retails for $65.<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLGnBkXYHN_Eyv-vGfbukL1SIh-c6opNfUOoxvYQYZSw__JWUuBEFgANZFwBaDk-3kxfeyPiKiyI0-sFpvvwVTKSp1vrkVrp8PyomOsksK3AVAnYbRuEaKchxPPKV6nirPTiNnXEN7RSu/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLGnBkXYHN_Eyv-vGfbukL1SIh-c6opNfUOoxvYQYZSw__JWUuBEFgANZFwBaDk-3kxfeyPiKiyI0-sFpvvwVTKSp1vrkVrp8PyomOsksK3AVAnYbRuEaKchxPPKV6nirPTiNnXEN7RSu/s320/IMG_2110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505860648788870242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This green tea from Japan has a very fresh, almost grassy taste. A few tips I learned: Tea should not be steeped in boiling water. 183 is the preferred temperature. And different tea requires different steeping time. <br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu6V7zoXhE0YV37xbaRQNhcwTenmrrqmA6AkKTSb8tVXrlf8qMB38WbIC5v-mACz8A6jMHaV08dUYJuYRIO0dlf1tyrFFMz80YuK96pwlT2zO2GoSnDVC9P0f7z6vMAp2x7P_FsUAwFll/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCu6V7zoXhE0YV37xbaRQNhcwTenmrrqmA6AkKTSb8tVXrlf8qMB38WbIC5v-mACz8A6jMHaV08dUYJuYRIO0dlf1tyrFFMz80YuK96pwlT2zO2GoSnDVC9P0f7z6vMAp2x7P_FsUAwFll/s320/IMG_2112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505860666834908370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Oolong is partially (around 10%) fermented tea leaves -- the state between green and black tea. The version we tried is from Taiwan. It's more mild than the Oolongs I've had at dim sum restaurants. <br /></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNR9MX6_3bUoBy1FJPXgBOW2PGO7xmDL9dfBLY0po8t1t0EWluaSpjdSVCXI4zRquuU7tuJslHj0XWHuKS-fygnvKBiypOzLXwZUonAswqbzsfp4kMIl4nCRCayAq2MeLASp5y017S7_D/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNR9MX6_3bUoBy1FJPXgBOW2PGO7xmDL9dfBLY0po8t1t0EWluaSpjdSVCXI4zRquuU7tuJslHj0XWHuKS-fygnvKBiypOzLXwZUonAswqbzsfp4kMIl4nCRCayAq2MeLASp5y017S7_D/s320/IMG_2111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505861237394508994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Oolong was paired with a cracker with a soft Danish cheese and olives. The olives were really salty and pungent and highlighted the subtlety of the delicate tea. </span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwElSou0ws7nUiS0pO4Fucf07YNJxVTueVY4pV6Ns0sZ7jX7rPoy8ZQRepLWBU1JUwXog01iHnejYLxEYXSB9EP6FaKZx5K98hZb_O06OtTe_i_guArkqbHdWLDA9jrOM_aQA1Atz7mXh/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwElSou0ws7nUiS0pO4Fucf07YNJxVTueVY4pV6Ns0sZ7jX7rPoy8ZQRepLWBU1JUwXog01iHnejYLxEYXSB9EP6FaKZx5K98hZb_O06OtTe_i_guArkqbHdWLDA9jrOM_aQA1Atz7mXh/s320/IMG_2112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505861243952503202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Black tea is fully fermented tea leaves. The Maharajah or A</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">ssam Black tea is from northern India and has hints of cinnamon and cloves. This full-bodied tea is my favorite of all five teas we tasted. </span></span></span></span></div></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8YICGArLxugrBF-7a-iXoqtOOO7iUN-hlsH5gwvl78OgwobVNaKhixytoZVzaw8YOgBiRKRIUwdXXQmJ9nvbEarz_kiAwkAS9JNLiG_4CuWeoXKB10dfChLUurhQuNTOe2_odDKhUych/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8YICGArLxugrBF-7a-iXoqtOOO7iUN-hlsH5gwvl78OgwobVNaKhixytoZVzaw8YOgBiRKRIUwdXXQmJ9nvbEarz_kiAwkAS9JNLiG_4CuWeoXKB10dfChLUurhQuNTOe2_odDKhUych/s320/IMG_2113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505861249549500882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Maharajah was paired with a smoked salmon tartlet. </span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdISSYoMZK6yXG16n0n8_M_ej9nPpaDBj8jRVEtd5hxJvSnfAKJOqDQTA_0G-AGOE5EOQfzave5uIeD4Pjw4Fe7AmdtbCIUpa7j0rn14h_s7Qa5exivjucDiOu3bSHlTh1nfAoKq-KIABo/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdISSYoMZK6yXG16n0n8_M_ej9nPpaDBj8jRVEtd5hxJvSnfAKJOqDQTA_0G-AGOE5EOQfzave5uIeD4Pjw4Fe7AmdtbCIUpa7j0rn14h_s7Qa5exivjucDiOu3bSHlTh1nfAoKq-KIABo/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505861259692924130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Choco Lat</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">é is made with African rooibos, cacao husks and vanilla bean. It brewed for 4 minutes and smelled and tasted like hot chocolate! It was dessert without the sin. Technically, this is not real "tea" since it was not brewed with leaves from a tea plant. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6iHRGiJNSmt2smd7uPxfHlYZlwcA3W6s5wCUQjCI1e_t_n2Pj4A5ZwC4ptQeGiKN7ACTUozMEZBH49a-3h8qePOL0-zi-kBbJpVdjR27cSSwWu5lyOFWpis6Tw50pWWp_7-95rKZjLcp/s1600/IMG_2115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6iHRGiJNSmt2smd7uPxfHlYZlwcA3W6s5wCUQjCI1e_t_n2Pj4A5ZwC4ptQeGiKN7ACTUozMEZBH49a-3h8qePOL0-zi-kBbJpVdjR27cSSwWu5lyOFWpis6Tw50pWWp_7-95rKZjLcp/s320/IMG_2115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505861265820342082" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The matcha meringue dipped in chocolate really complemented the African rooibos. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">~Ray</span></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-74069479019260298672010-08-01T13:35:00.000-07:002010-08-01T14:46:51.158-07:00Vegetable Garden in ProgressI have an aunt who lives near Chinatown in Los Angeles and she has an incredible vegetable garden. She's a vegetarian and grows most of her own food. She's my inspiration for what I hope my garden would be someday. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPNYHGW4lmI2W5chKiFnJm3zzYnZXxYuQZQalhPU70z8j63R6Y54_jUVhSrS0649reswORDfLIPmVHRtXBbjuWZsrJosf9OHrjVAoD_TjH-DPQVhZ0lY3CZpDMglaAGDWBmjQZYInqXau/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPNYHGW4lmI2W5chKiFnJm3zzYnZXxYuQZQalhPU70z8j63R6Y54_jUVhSrS0649reswORDfLIPmVHRtXBbjuWZsrJosf9OHrjVAoD_TjH-DPQVhZ0lY3CZpDMglaAGDWBmjQZYInqXau/s320/IMG_2052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500547087498810162" /></a>I have basil, Japanese eggplant, sage, rosemary, Thai chili, lemongrass, roma tomatoes and shiso. $1 each from the Hollywood farmers' market. <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOo4Maq5uLCKcMof9cHcO6KYCVXpAwI8vXuzl1wdOasJk3VVkhdfyo3-x1SK-Fzh6WZOB66YCj3e3U4_X2cOBDGqLCNs8HRILp5YXctsvN0_HPXaqH_zGo0ZR-DgArv4BaoJ3ybWLSuzW/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOo4Maq5uLCKcMof9cHcO6KYCVXpAwI8vXuzl1wdOasJk3VVkhdfyo3-x1SK-Fzh6WZOB66YCj3e3U4_X2cOBDGqLCNs8HRILp5YXctsvN0_HPXaqH_zGo0ZR-DgArv4BaoJ3ybWLSuzW/s320/IMG_2053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500547075931626482" /></a>Kevin built the planter boxes. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotC-1Pf5CPs8YYW8DwV-UQOAkEIBszR1vpcJerJijzaMAX3wDqy_015LlxyTO80PfvEaRcow2b3NciPmMB9QLhYa-U8J9eaoQXaJb3m6LxdnTG_ohyDHON6ieKVILSoqk_JGGtVVPm19_/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotC-1Pf5CPs8YYW8DwV-UQOAkEIBszR1vpcJerJijzaMAX3wDqy_015LlxyTO80PfvEaRcow2b3NciPmMB9QLhYa-U8J9eaoQXaJb3m6LxdnTG_ohyDHON6ieKVILSoqk_JGGtVVPm19_/s320/IMG_2054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500543118657131250" /></a>Look at how big the avocado is getting!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray</div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-91155150346934787032010-08-01T12:58:00.000-07:002010-08-01T14:45:58.738-07:00Prima Taste Hainanese Chicken RiceHands down, chicken rice is my absolute favorite food in the entire world. I can eat chicken rice every day. It's almost impossible to find decent chicken rice in Los Angeles, so I'm taking things into my own hands. I've experimented with many recipes but still can't figure out the correct way to make the rice part of chicken rice. Until I locate the perfect rice recipe, I'm turning to Prima Taste to satisfy my cravings. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2i8j9OtU2iV1iOfrigZwkchskt7ppfQvEqlT4_RutubiI3Hd0LUMe2DMU4FDrr0d3UfWtX0T7QiQfrBCcxCkickB-FLfqdFLONAcAxnps0bECWLMs5yvCO8jpRSINbb5ZG8BqdnWpc_R/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2i8j9OtU2iV1iOfrigZwkchskt7ppfQvEqlT4_RutubiI3Hd0LUMe2DMU4FDrr0d3UfWtX0T7QiQfrBCcxCkickB-FLfqdFLONAcAxnps0bECWLMs5yvCO8jpRSINbb5ZG8BqdnWpc_R/s320/IMG_1648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500535576679414210" /></a>During her last visit, my lovely aunt Judy brought me boxes of the Hainanese chicken rice mix. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5BCTNpSdevZIlTt5bJjEDwwfPmMgvl41hrgUNuAoaJVnWTyG6OsOSuWc1y8g8JlGn7AkZmTm7fyvhS-7S7Mud06nTtKs-Y3YzMYeg8v178UyHwogUOO-AS2V-8S8y9p3HtpvsHUuFmC7/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5BCTNpSdevZIlTt5bJjEDwwfPmMgvl41hrgUNuAoaJVnWTyG6OsOSuWc1y8g8JlGn7AkZmTm7fyvhS-7S7Mud06nTtKs-Y3YzMYeg8v178UyHwogUOO-AS2V-8S8y9p3HtpvsHUuFmC7/s320/IMG_1649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500535585812377362" /></a><br />The directions are pretty easy, and it even comes with the dark sweet soy sauce. </div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcbJfbn_gJDAbePfkrnBsjyepbDkdfNs94utIWuLpWUBPewoIzWqmhFiv__E5mUBUvELkDNM_96pQ5GP11cp5U1IUwT0ChAiJOxhUVH4lhhHi8Hhq0mOLkp_kD5fsJGUZUX7ZEbfl049K/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcbJfbn_gJDAbePfkrnBsjyepbDkdfNs94utIWuLpWUBPewoIzWqmhFiv__E5mUBUvELkDNM_96pQ5GP11cp5U1IUwT0ChAiJOxhUVH4lhhHi8Hhq0mOLkp_kD5fsJGUZUX7ZEbfl049K/s320/IMG_1656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500538002456611730" /></a>It is essential to use the freshest free-range chicken you can find. I always go with Healthy Family Farms from the Sunday Hollywood Farmers' Market. Healthy Family Farms' chicken tastes like the way real chicken should, which is important when you're serving something as simple as poached chicken. </div><div><br /></div><div>My technique: </div><div>1. Rub chicken with shaoxing wine and salt.</div><div>2. Stuff chicken cavity with scallions, knobs of ginger and smashed garlic cloves.</div><div>3. Bring a pot of water to boil.<br />4. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and submerge the chicken in the water. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. </div><div>5. Remove cover and lift chicken out of the water. Make sure the water drains out of the cavities. Then submerge the chicken again, cover and let stand for another 15 minutes. </div><div>6. Remove chicken from pot. Bring water back to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and submerge the chicken. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. </div><div>7. Repeat step 5. </div><div>8. Total "cooking" time should add up to about an hour.</div><div>9. Remove chicken from pot and dunk it into a bowl of ice water. Let stand for 5-10 mins. </div><div>10. Remove from ice water and cut up chicken. </div><div>11. Serve with soy sauce mixture (from the Prima mix) and sliced cucumbers. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy! </div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div></div><div><br /></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-7574904595102941282010-07-25T20:00:00.000-07:002010-07-25T20:31:55.642-07:00Sunday Dinner: Fried Tilapia and Lentil Soup<div style="text-align: left;">The last time I made fried tilapia, my husband dubbed it the unfortunate "fish mush incident." I had gotten tilapia from a Mexican market and wanted to make fried fish tacos. I've never cooked tilapia before but figured it couldn't be too hard. Maybe the tilapia was not fresh or maybe the pan was too hot. Either way, the entire fish disintegrated into a mushy mess. It was the first and last time I cooked tilapia; that was almost seven years ago. My mom and I were at Fresh & Easy last week and she picked up some frozen tilapia. I was hesitant at first, given our sordid history, but I decided to give it a shot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG0gnwSd7dv45WRwIig4C1RwTMkV5gJ39ftLUl5bi2YZpzi69lmFlrXjH0jKhRXMymg_BYHi66Zb0R4AUgpLpCfiIiInRi5awoADVgrBMe5qma31ID2WyJrkz41QJjk3nfbA4qi2H7BVd/s320/tilapia+marinade.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498044773401861954" /><div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Panko-fried tilapia</span></div><div>4 tilapia filets <div>4 tablespoons Japanese Kewpie mayo</div><div>2 teaspoons Dijon mustard</div><div>2 teaspoons dried thyme</div><div>2 teaspoons garlic salt</div><div>2 teaspoons rice vinegar</div><div>White pepper to season</div><div>Oil</div><div>Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)</div><div><br /></div><div>Pat dry 4 tilapia filets with paper towels. Mix mayo, mustard, thyme, garlic salt, vinegar and white pepper in a bowl. Coat fish with marinade. Leave fish in the fridge for 1-2 hours. </div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Heat oil in a pan. Coat tilapia with Panko and pan-fry fish until cooked through. </div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkjkP5TcSSqQwtasURK9Iv7QBGtofCpL4pwnoF2eSxlPjMFVv3IZZUjoTIK7nU_h4qVqaaMAgVr4nnSuJpyFx4svMDgarqBo4IL4D0FoHfJ9nsr5yLKm8wT7OItV4mSpUuR824mk7s8Vl/s1600/tilapia+dinner.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkjkP5TcSSqQwtasURK9Iv7QBGtofCpL4pwnoF2eSxlPjMFVv3IZZUjoTIK7nU_h4qVqaaMAgVr4nnSuJpyFx4svMDgarqBo4IL4D0FoHfJ9nsr5yLKm8wT7OItV4mSpUuR824mk7s8Vl/s320/tilapia+dinner.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498044783206316738" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Fried tilapia with pasta salad, farmers' market cucumbers and tomatoes. I also made a honey-mustard dipping sauce. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dipping sauce</span></div><div>2 tablespoons mayo</div><div>2 tablespoons Dijon mustard</div><div>1 tablespoon honey</div><div><br /></div><div>Stir mayo, mustard and honey in a small bowl. Serve with Panko-fried tilapia. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGqbjUWCOnBOPZu9ZuB5YOneO0Ghid1Rk_B_4jV2yGq9zC6o0kL4tZOZz6bRGHbhNKiiK4lkjT8v2yyJxuRefsB8SqMq0iQGdXjUDHajtY6GliwYU5JcziIpF4UmSeUOQ0y-35uX6gnsf/s1600/lentil+soup.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGqbjUWCOnBOPZu9ZuB5YOneO0Ghid1Rk_B_4jV2yGq9zC6o0kL4tZOZz6bRGHbhNKiiK4lkjT8v2yyJxuRefsB8SqMq0iQGdXjUDHajtY6GliwYU5JcziIpF4UmSeUOQ0y-35uX6gnsf/s320/lentil+soup.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498044764568857026" /></a>My husband is a picky eater. He hates most vegetables and anything remotely healthy. But, he likes my lentil soup =) </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Lentil soup</span></div><div>2 tablespoons oil</div><div><div>1 onion, diced</div></div><div>1 carrot, diced</div><div>1 cup fresh lentils<br /></div><div>3 cups chicken stock</div><div>1/2 cup milk</div><div>1/4 cup ham, diced</div><div><br /></div><div>Heat oil in pot. Add onion and stir for 2 minutes. Add carrot and stir for 1 minute. Add lentils and chicken stock. Simmer for 30 minutes. Add milk. Blend soup using an immersion blender. Add diced ham. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJwSV46PINlPLSgiHLMSC_Z0K8QY9zciozJ12XONpTxapOriEUAZEMGSseEIeH7R0PGe_lURipFJR3tjDgvVHrod7G6mzp3leh23JRlt3h_prcqSJ6tD7mQ8Hki9rzpn20dfHY6-7TXsb/s1600/soup.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJwSV46PINlPLSgiHLMSC_Z0K8QY9zciozJ12XONpTxapOriEUAZEMGSseEIeH7R0PGe_lURipFJR3tjDgvVHrod7G6mzp3leh23JRlt3h_prcqSJ6tD7mQ8Hki9rzpn20dfHY6-7TXsb/s320/soup.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498044757155935426" /></a>It's not the prettiest soup, but it's so good! </div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray</div></div></div></div></div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-34187813920543794332010-07-18T22:10:00.000-07:002010-07-18T22:56:02.046-07:00How to Season a WokThis year, I'm determined to learn Chinese home cooking the correct way. And in order to do that, I needed to start from the basics ... I needed a wok. During my last trip to Singapore, I picked up an authentic cast-iron wok. Just like a cast-iron skillet, you'll need to season it properly to create a natural non-stick surface. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIYUWEDtJshlE6GaVmxWrZq5qn6EGV3v5YQUSs0p6J-cL5zpvCqnPiORQ7OkbyUOrTaGogyEv5TUQpFk1KWHHbpzVwVF-rK9K7u4SGHCP4Nk3aD3MESTUL4sxZ6mTNNWWflwwBC9ikn-M/s1600/IMG_1820.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIYUWEDtJshlE6GaVmxWrZq5qn6EGV3v5YQUSs0p6J-cL5zpvCqnPiORQ7OkbyUOrTaGogyEv5TUQpFk1KWHHbpzVwVF-rK9K7u4SGHCP4Nk3aD3MESTUL4sxZ6mTNNWWflwwBC9ikn-M/s320/IMG_1820.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495481976855264402" /></a><br />I admit, I was very disappointed when I first picked up this wok. It's steel grey and barely resembles the gloriously black version my grandma cooks with. But my mom assured me that all the cast-iron woks look like this at first.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsNtALvqM2Wb3RRNV1_Gq5LVkOAn-kNH2k2z2Q9QybZT5yup5MEC2AO_l9l9TdtaKgOvQPKQPBQRlD_fncr9dkYQD3uild7xhY4yRjcAoo72ey4j5wmtKeJ258CWBpWBbel0stPirHQ3O/s1600/IMG_1824.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsNtALvqM2Wb3RRNV1_Gq5LVkOAn-kNH2k2z2Q9QybZT5yup5MEC2AO_l9l9TdtaKgOvQPKQPBQRlD_fncr9dkYQD3uild7xhY4yRjcAoo72ey4j5wmtKeJ258CWBpWBbel0stPirHQ3O/s320/IMG_1824.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495481956653589602" /></a><br />$10 cast-iron wok from Best Quality House Ware in Ang Mo Kio<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxg9Ds3oJORYYHUHbHPLZut9Nf8MV13nEN4M1SSXSDTzOBC2fN5tGR10OCq94aVyYAXPtTnQv69socglynPPZ9D28bFAGRH_KPY6EFdRnmDOoFwpDS44WRjnLKDmnA82topy-1aw_3dqM/s1600/IMG_1822.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxg9Ds3oJORYYHUHbHPLZut9Nf8MV13nEN4M1SSXSDTzOBC2fN5tGR10OCq94aVyYAXPtTnQv69socglynPPZ9D28bFAGRH_KPY6EFdRnmDOoFwpDS44WRjnLKDmnA82topy-1aw_3dqM/s320/IMG_1822.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495481964485489426" /></a>Step 1: Rinse with water<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmzzM4P1BOf3M2cE4JKnaloWw3ldgV_pFcwGrIj5-a4EOwGGyAMyGKOvETI3txY1nIEZfVWf2HctWdqQMQGxVaBQjotuX6aiuOSOt-eSeNZdafWHL_wpf14NP_qgkrvibJTNqtlUvzFZu/s1600/IMG_1832.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmzzM4P1BOf3M2cE4JKnaloWw3ldgV_pFcwGrIj5-a4EOwGGyAMyGKOvETI3txY1nIEZfVWf2HctWdqQMQGxVaBQjotuX6aiuOSOt-eSeNZdafWHL_wpf14NP_qgkrvibJTNqtlUvzFZu/s320/IMG_1832.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495481578089616994" /></a>Step 2: Stir-fry old vegetables and scallions with pork fat<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgd13pjL564M2nnvePpqrkPmum_5HlWCqTvU8Nu3lazs87aUFdIOj2PmiVcRkH3OuRjM8sDbRIz0ZwTkbS3IBRlPbKHaNPhUVF5FTEoZifwzcx1dU3sZnQ3NYZcih2Ovj-N0IrWhMTEbn/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgd13pjL564M2nnvePpqrkPmum_5HlWCqTvU8Nu3lazs87aUFdIOj2PmiVcRkH3OuRjM8sDbRIz0ZwTkbS3IBRlPbKHaNPhUVF5FTEoZifwzcx1dU3sZnQ3NYZcih2Ovj-N0IrWhMTEbn/s320/IMG_1834.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495482733907240626" /></a>Step 3: Discard the veggies and reserve the pork fat. Wipe the wok with paper towel. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6OkiVgptFCm6M8alEn8pn8g3gHhBwKOtBGP-xPY6mvrZ-h5k5qmXQ-6-PFPWY6tedc1muwt7ecySyDHiyjdATKZ5sEQ-POLrhVx4ZyzCvrBybCjRVyFqDkHj3oBu41X5yMzxU5yk5F08/s1600/IMG_1833.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6OkiVgptFCm6M8alEn8pn8g3gHhBwKOtBGP-xPY6mvrZ-h5k5qmXQ-6-PFPWY6tedc1muwt7ecySyDHiyjdATKZ5sEQ-POLrhVx4ZyzCvrBybCjRVyFqDkHj3oBu41X5yMzxU5yk5F08/s320/IMG_1833.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495481455605137698" /></a>Look at how dirty it was! So, I had to rinse and repeat steps 2 (using the reserved pork fat and more veggies) and 3. It took about three tries before the wok is ready. </div><div><br /></div><div>~Ray</div></div>Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098418382505496628.post-91303609669255412772009-11-09T20:58:00.000-08:002009-11-09T21:35:11.597-08:00GoldilocksLast Sunday, I trekked out to Eagle Rock in search of the famed Filipino strip mall, home of the holy trinity: Seafood City Supermarket, Goldilocks, and Jollibee. Although the smell of fried chicken at Jollibee was irresistible, we decided to have lunch at Goldilocks instead. It's been years since I had Filipino food and Goldilocks did not disappoint. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5elgnKzsbfdbRZ9SirTHDpzN7DVA2kMV2wJyrhf4GB_IoOashCzxtU8V_vu_DjtMgCy7UCjpTY4YKFqgzBjf1vwQFO67SSop5O-dxX0T_7syY3KOKKVuviuisgKnYKN-o1cDfldVJNRxv/s1600-h/calamansi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5elgnKzsbfdbRZ9SirTHDpzN7DVA2kMV2wJyrhf4GB_IoOashCzxtU8V_vu_DjtMgCy7UCjpTY4YKFqgzBjf1vwQFO67SSop5O-dxX0T_7syY3KOKKVuviuisgKnYKN-o1cDfldVJNRxv/s320/calamansi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402340646624938530" /></a><br /><br />Calamansi juice. Calamansi is a Southeast Asian lime that's more reminiscent of a sour tangerine. It's very rare in the U.S. So good!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST0kyLvQwQjaF1iepoMuVuJv0kCW_Fntlz_nIc033d8_j3-oosVTCg0_TK0yHVFRvlhPkamLp9KFswKLqXcllREPr7YnmQuPOGKJVUwfC5JEqovNzPEBMH94DK0MO-O3qGbSJW74XwziH/s1600-h/spring+rolls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST0kyLvQwQjaF1iepoMuVuJv0kCW_Fntlz_nIc033d8_j3-oosVTCg0_TK0yHVFRvlhPkamLp9KFswKLqXcllREPr7YnmQuPOGKJVUwfC5JEqovNzPEBMH94DK0MO-O3qGbSJW74XwziH/s320/spring+rolls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402340655014089474" /></a><br /><br />Teeny tiny spring rolls. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c8l-PxmebuKz6ZVpvHWkDBHFFZ-cH-8cCxsQAKBmRXPTAdMCpXLurNYn_1w8c-ExE3nOiqcvfXiFQBenNsYux3huOL81ZbSqcvAwgfH1ZNuwbWdEMZR7K5mjM5z-NbwBqDNl0g58Whmi/s1600-h/rice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c8l-PxmebuKz6ZVpvHWkDBHFFZ-cH-8cCxsQAKBmRXPTAdMCpXLurNYn_1w8c-ExE3nOiqcvfXiFQBenNsYux3huOL81ZbSqcvAwgfH1ZNuwbWdEMZR7K5mjM5z-NbwBqDNl0g58Whmi/s320/rice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402340659762931858" /></a><br /><br />Sticky balls of rice. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPV6K5HtCodmBhISzux1D0hzywm35H6iqYysr5JK1r1cnNFRctbXpJmUYLtiDT544MT7j9nHITuOfXnsf2FtYVJgtqgHyUyeht-cUtWuDiURvfBu1H5IBRkLkGG7LsbiVcBb8A33qh4nT/s1600-h/PINAKBET.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPV6K5HtCodmBhISzux1D0hzywm35H6iqYysr5JK1r1cnNFRctbXpJmUYLtiDT544MT7j9nHITuOfXnsf2FtYVJgtqgHyUyeht-cUtWuDiURvfBu1H5IBRkLkGG7LsbiVcBb8A33qh4nT/s320/PINAKBET.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402340684887007250" /></a><br /><br />Pinakbet: eggplant, okra, squash and string beans sautéed in garlic, onion, tomatoes and shrimp paste.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsryCdW45U9ujoyb3ZeBIG81WnAWdDmjLP56XLaxW0OBwvTG1zSgt2IRuLtyTQ1B43y7FBfK39sZItrrtmD0MVSmONk04B2AV9aoTl5IMFgXFTmLNTTJYEnik6OKQO7ss9o_QtHwe2D_B_/s1600-h/adobo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsryCdW45U9ujoyb3ZeBIG81WnAWdDmjLP56XLaxW0OBwvTG1zSgt2IRuLtyTQ1B43y7FBfK39sZItrrtmD0MVSmONk04B2AV9aoTl5IMFgXFTmLNTTJYEnik6OKQO7ss9o_QtHwe2D_B_/s320/adobo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402340671835189090" /></a><br /><br />The pork adobo was tangy, savory, fatty, and delicious. <br /><br />We were too stuffed for cake. Maybe next time.Hakka Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18423144395976768681noreply@blogger.com1