Debbie M's Profile
Top Chef Masters Season 4 July 25th
That's exactly how I felt about Seasons 1-2 versus 3. Towards the end, I didn't even care if I missed episodes. I'm going with the low expectation that this season will have the same format as last, but I will be watching, at least at first, because I like Francis Lam, and I'll be interested to see how he is as a judge, and also for local boy Chris Cosentino.
Ramen Halu -- "Lobster and Dungeness crab Ramen"
It's back, until May 31. Same French-leaning version as last year.
http://www.ramenhalu.com/lobster_ramen_english.php
Served at dinner, only
Whole Ox Deli
Ooh, I'll be in Honolulu for a visit at the end of April. Whole Ox wasn't on the list to try, but after seeing that Foie Gras Benedict, it is now!
2011 - Eggnog has arrived
Jack's Prime in San Mateo has an egg nog shake as a December special. The description says "egg nog ice cream and Clover Stornetta egg nog mix." Not sure what that means.
It was very thick, but it definitely had that wonderful Clover eggnog taste!
Oceanarium Buffet
In return for the lunch at Oceanarium, I took that same friend for dinner at Tsukiji (she likes buffets). They were serving snow crab legs instead of king crab legs. That was disappointing..
Oceanarium Buffet
Last September a senior citizen friend took me to the Friday senior buffet. It was pretty much straightforward Japanese and local dishes, but I thought they were well prepared.
Looks like the standard menu is more a mix of Western/local dishes. I haven't been to the Pagoda buffet, but I would say I liked it a little more than Tsukiji.
Lucky Peach - Issue 2 - The Sweet Spot
Same thing happened with the first issue -- it was available at retail stores 1-2 weeks before subscribers received their copies.
O'ahu-Macadamia Nuts
It should also be your first choice because a stroll through Don Quijote is so much fun!
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 3: "Lets All Go To The Lobby") [SPOILERS]
Best of all were the subtitled versions shown on Japanese language TV in the SF Bay Area (and a few other places).
Top Chef Texas - Season 9 - debuts on Wed., November 2nd!
Why else would they bring in Pee Wee Herman as a judge?
Best Food Films - any new additions?
Last year I posted on the SF board about the Japanese movie "The Chef of the South Polar" ('Nankyoku Ryorinin"), about the chef at a research station in Antarctica. I'm not sure how easy it is to get a hold of (but there's definitely a print with English subtitles), but if you ever get a chance to see it, it's very good.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/745874
Best Japanese Curry in SF???
Japanese curry is a comfort food, but there's a big difference in taste between curry rice made from a brick (i.e. store-bought mix) and made from scratch (although the brick can be acceptable, especially if it's in my kitchen!).
Muracci's comes closest to good curry rice you can get in Japan -- fresh ingredients, made in-house.
Best Japanese Curry in SF???
I like Muracci's and Delica.
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Delica
1 Ferry Bldg, San Francisco, CA
2G Japanese Brasserie in San Francisco
Thanks, but Sunday I'll be at obon matsuri in San Jose, where, thank goodness, they also have imagawayaki, as well as my personal summer fave, obon ramen chicken salad!
regular vs greek yogurt $$$
KMan, this past winter they had Fage at the Ala Moana Foodland, but it wasn't in the dairy section with the other yogurts; it was on the opposite wall of the store in a refrigerated case in what looked to be the organic/health food section. I was hoping to find some to keep in the hotel room refrigerator for breakfast (can't have spam and eggs or macadamia pancakes everyday, after all!), but at over $3 for a small container, I couldn't do it. I did find another "Greek" yogurt in the dairy section by one of the big brands -- Dannon or Yoplait -- which was more reasonably priced, but it wasn't as good.
Here in the SF Bay Area, the difference in price isn't quite as pronounced between regular and Greek, especially since they started carrying it in Safeway and Target, where they often have it on sale, but I am happy to pay the difference because the quality, taste, texture, really is that much more satisfying.
2G Japanese Brasserie in San Francisco
Last Saturday I had to come into SF to do something at work, so afterwards I made it a point to go to 2G for a late breakfast. I got there a little after noon, and only one other table was occupied.
I had the macha french toast. It was made with focaccia, which I wouldn't have thought of using for french toast, but it actually worked quite well. I agree that the macha flavor of the toast itself is fairly mild (it's hard to see in the picture below, but the toast had a green cast to it from the macha in the egg mixture), but there was macha powder sprinkled on top, which brought it out a little more. I thought it was good. I wasn't sure about topping it with maple syrup, but it worked. The bacon and eggs were fine. After I was seated, but before I ordered, I was served some green tea and a bowl of miso soup.
I'd still like to try the taiyaki pancakes and the sake rice off the breakfast menu. After I ordered, I noticed the black board behind the sushi bar listed three uni specials: uni rice, uni ravioli, and "uni extravaganza," which included uni, ankimo, ikura, and a couple of other things. Not sure how it was served. If I had seen that before I ordered, I might have tried one of those. At the table next to me, someone was having curry udon, which smelled pretty good.
It's a little off the beaten path, but if I was doing something other in that area, I would consider returning.
Shirokiya Yataimura
The name is certainly exciting!
Did they just get rid of the groceries and ktichenware on the second floor and make the whole thing prepared food? I thought it was looking a little transitional when I was there in February.
Sounds good, though. I'll be there next month, and this will be one of my first stops.
I hope they still have andagi.
Treme 6/26 episode: who's hungry?
Absolutely! And the egg with eggs that David Chang made in the episode before that!
2G Japanese Brasserie in San Francisco
Wow, the taiyaki pancakes, kinako waffle and matcha french toast all sound good!
Why the Japanese slurp their noodles
One of my must-visit places on Tokyo trips is Konaya, for awesome curry udon. They have nice, large paper bibs at every place setting. which really are necessary. Slurp or don't, long thick strands of udon coated with curry sauce will leave their mark.
Need help with my Nissin instant noodles from Famima.
Thankfully, the technology of instant yakisoba preparation hasn't changed as quickly as others ...
Glad to be of service, even some five years later!
Anyone seen Takoyaki lately in SF?
I had Delica's takoyaki today at the FB. Excellent! Cooked perfectly -- browned on the outside and creamy on the inside, without being slimy, which sometimes happens if they skimp on the cooking time (there was about a 25 min. wait, though, so I availed myself of some Scream pistachio sorbet). A little on the smallier side, which was good, because they cooled down a little quicker -- a molten takoyaki center can have an almost nuclear effect on the tongue/roof of the mouth.
I predict many return visits this summer.
And 10% of the proceeds goes to Japan earthquake relief.
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Delica
1 Ferry Bldg, San Francisco, CA
Frozen Kuhsterd?
Wow, artisanal frozen custard?
I love frozen custard, and aside from a long-ago stand they used to have at Great America, I only have it when I visit a friend in Utah, home of Nielsen's Frozen Custard. I had some on a visit last month, and it was as good as ever. However, they only have chocolate, vanilla, and a flavor of the day. Aside from that you can get a "concrete" which is a mix-in. But to me, that would sully what's great about f.c. -- the texture. It would be awesome to try, say, a true coffee or chai-flavored version (and since I like it for breakfast -- yes on the cereal milk!), and still keep the smoothness.
I like their logo.
Top Chef Masters Season 3, Episode 7 (SPOILERS)
If Jay was still a judge, TCM might still be considered appointment TV!
Anyone seen Takoyaki lately in SF?
Hmm, I guess the handle is for the amateur home cook. It's pretty impressive to see a "pro" tear through row after row, forming perfect orbs with only their fast-moving skewers/sticks/picks.
Anyone seen Takoyaki lately in SF?
Was the tool something other than two wooden skewers?
Coming to the San Jose Mitsuwa, June 2-5, as part of their "Umaimono" Japanese Gourmet Foods Fair:
"Next, from Osaka, “Takoyaki” of “Takoya Kukuru” , is currently the top favorite snack at the Universal Studio Japan City Walk. The airy soft skin, and its pronounced texture of chopped octopus are their pride. Their rich sauce is unmistakable in its flavor!
Don’t miss their “Apple Pie”, Baked Sweet Potato, and “Chaimon Sweet Potato” as well.
6/2(Thu) - 5(Sun) San Jose "
The takoyaki vendor they had last year used white wine in their batter. Pretty good.
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Mitsuwa
675 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA
Anyone seen Takoyaki lately in SF?
I'll definitely be there!
I think any takoyaki described as "deep fried" is pre-made and from the freezer.
Ramen Halu -- "Lobster and Dungeness crab Ramen"
Determined not to lose out this year, I checked the website for their annual lobster ramen.
It's back, in a new format:
"This renewal “ Lobster Broth ” is made using a delicate cooking technique that combines roasted Head & Shell of Lobster, Dungeness crab and Prawn, Sake, Mirin, Yellow Onions, Carrots, Celery, and Tomato Puree. Right before serving we blend our special “Lobster Broth” and rich “ Tonkotsu Broth ” with our original “ Shio Sauce ” and finalize it with a splash of our original “ Sho-yu Sauce ”. This truly exquisite balance of flavors is due to the fine mixture of Japanese and French cooking techniques ! ! !"
*Must* get down there by May 15, $4+ gas be damned (although the English page says available until "Sunday, May 17," May 17 is not a Sunday. The Japanese page says May 15, which is a Sunday. )
Anybody who tries it, please report back.
http://ramenhalu.com/lobster_ramen_english.php
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Ramen Halu
375 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129
Japantown roundup
I went there with a group that included kids and had decent, standard "Chinese." A table next to us had more like the dishes described above. They looked very good.
