yuko's Profile
Honeymoon Itinerary: In need of Critiques
I'd not do Katanaya or Hanazen if visiting from Japan. My pick would be Chabaa Thai that's walking distance. It's a long walk to flour + water or Cotogna if you are tired/jet lagged. I'd have said Lars Ros but not on your first night in the city late at night for your honeymoon due to the location....
Banh Mi Thit Nuong at Thanh Huong Sandwich (Senter Road, San Jose)
I like Huong Lan over Thanh Huong. Although I think the bread at Thanh Huong is better, I prefer less fatty grilled pork.
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Huong Lan
404 S 2nd St, San Jose, CA
Thanh Huong
2050 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95132
gourmet sea salt
Not what the OP inquired about ("Esprit du Sel Fleur de sel from Island de Re" ) but for the local product, I really like Woody's gourmet salt I found at Andronico's (fresh rosemary and sage). The website (www.woodysgourmet.com) shows more product offering. Bacon salt sounds good.
Yu-Raku, San Mateo (Japanese-Chinese restaurant w/ Ramen)
What is the difference between Kobe Nankin-machi and Yokomana Chinatown. The last time I was in Kobe's Nankin-Machi was in 1991, and I had only butaman (kinda weird that I even remember that!).
Yu-Raku, San Mateo (Japanese-Chinese restaurant w/ Ramen)
I had lunch at Yu-Raku today. We had Mo Bo Tofu and Buta No Kakuni (braised pork belly), both of which were served over rice with two sides Gyoza and Harumaki (Spring Rolls). The food is exactly what you would get from typical Chinese restaurants in Japan (we call it Chuka Ryori in Japan). If you are looking for traditional Chinese food, you would be disappointed, but if you had and enjoyed eating Japanese style Chinese food in Japan, then this place is a gem. We were there around noon and all the customers were Japanese. There were two lunch specials today, both ramen (choice of shoyu, miso and shio) with choice of side dishes. Yu-Raku ramen on the regular menu looks pretty good, so if I make it back to
San Mateo, I will have to give a try.
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Yu-Raku
104 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
Awesome European Deli in San Francisco
Just moved to Campbell last week, so I was pretty excited about this place near my house. Unfortunately, the Campbell location is closed! I called the SF location and the guy told me that they may open one again in another South Bay location in few months.
In search of Venice/Treviso advice, also agroturismo recommendations in Venice area
I will be here until the end of this Sat... what am I missing??
I went to Ristorante Galli in Roncade last night. Amazing food. We had a great meal there (Pigeon soup, fish egg pasta, which reminded me of Japanese cod roe pasta, grilled pheasant dish were all outstanding.
In search of Venice/Treviso advice, also agroturismo recommendations in Venice area
Hello Dave MP. This may be too late of a post... have you already returned from Treviso? I have been in Treviso on business since last week and will be here until end of next week. I've been enjoying all the meals so far, so although you may not need my input, here is where I ate that I actually have the names & address:
1) Ristorante Buranelli on Sottoportico Buranelli 11, street behind the main square. Great resotto ai funghi. I think I had the best tiramisu here too. No English spoken.
2) Not in downtown Treviso, but driving distance - Antica Trattoria Alla Fassetta on Via Fossetta 31, 30024 Musile di Paiave. Had excellent steak with arugula with cheese. English spoken.
3) Grillos in Roncade: Texas companions took me here. I did not order TexMex, which they serve (i.e. fajita, nachos, etc.). Had a really good appetizer of poached egg with grilled radicchio and bacon. English spoken.
4) Not food, but my B&B (Tenuta Santome - tenutasantome.com) is also a winery. I was able to join another group who was doing the tasting. Particuarly recommend their Prosecco and Raboso.
Kokko - new Yakitori place in San Mateo
Per my Japanese contact, there is a brand new authentic Yakitori restaurant in San Mateo. I am planning on making there on following week as soon as I return from my business trip.
Anyway, the restaurant is located on 509 2nd Ave. If anybody make it there soon, please post!
Dining solo - need rec. in Ginza/Siodome/Shinbashi
I've dined solo at Ippudo (counter), Chikuyoutei (small table) and Ginza Bairin (counter), all of which were accomodating. I think Sasagin would be fine too to sit at the bar counter, as long as the reservation is made in advance, BUT I am not sure how non-Japanese speaker would fair.
Although I was at Bulldog with others, I would consider going there alone (and just watch out on some creepy men trying to hit on you! Haha). i would treat Ninja restaurant like taking people to Benihana for a friend's birthday or something.
Dining solo - need rec. in Ginza/Siodome/Shinbashi
I figured I should post my dining experience from my July trip. I did not get to Sushi Mizutani, my only rec. from the posting, but ate quite well, all thanks to Bryan H. Of all the places that I had gone, I will list only some that were notable.
1. The most memorable place without detailed memory - Sasagin. Amazing sake selections (and good food from what I can remember....) How did I get myself so drunk? Why do I have multiple dents on my camera?? Hmmmm. Luscious uni and yuba dish. Cash only.
2. For beer Lover - Bulldog: Yes, I know, it is a pub without much ambiance... but I was quite happy with the great beer selections (who knew you could get Speakeasy beer in Japan) with typical pub grubs. Pizza and marinated octopus were both good, but the company even better.
3. For a quick meal - Ippudo: I know, it is a chain restaurant and now has a location in NYC, but I did go there twice during my 2 weeks trip as it was walking distance from Marriott Ginza and for a solo diner, it was a good place to grab a quick, tasty dinner.
4. Place for entertaining a foreign visitor - Ninja Restaurant. Yes, that's right. Ninja restaurant. Gosh, where do I begin? Very theme-parky and over the top, to say the least, but I was quite amused nonetheless and enjoyed my visit, just so that I can talk about it years and years ahead about the time I was entertained like a foreign visitor. Besides, where else could I get those appetizers of crackers shaped like shuriken? Besides, I can totally see my in-laws from Indiana loving this place.
5. Reasonable unagi in Ginza - Chikuyoutei. Again, I picked this place due to the proximity to my hotel. Not the BEST unagi ever in my life, but enjoyed it quite a bit. Yet another good place to dine alone. in Ginza
6. Big Disappointment - Ginza Bairin. Mediocre tonkatsu. Total waste of money (2,600 yen for hire-katsu).
Visiting SF from Japan
Personally, I am not a huge fan of Brenda's or Just For You beignets. Besides, there are 50+ Cafe Du Monde locations throughout Japan (which includes red bean versions), so the OP does not need to go to either place just for beignets.
One thing I have yet to find in Japan is a good Peruvian restaurant. Perheps the OP can do some search. I have not been in Fresca for a long time and have yet to try La Mar Cebicheria, so cannot recommend anything particular.
Another suggestion would be prime rib, rather than steak. How about House of Prime Rib (there is a bar there but cannot recall anyone eating at the bar)?
And no Yoshi's if coming from Japan.
Santoka Grand Opening FINALLY!
San Jose Mitsuwa has the grand opening on Thursday, Sept. 17th. Per Bay Spo, the first 100 customers will receive a free ramen ticket with purchase of one order of ramen on 9/17 to 9/19. It's open 7 days a week, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Dining solo - need rec. in Ginza/Siodome/Shinbashi
Hello,
I will be in Japan on business for a couple of weeks from mid-July and would love to get your your restaurant recommendations. Are there any restaurants in Ginza, Shiodome or Shinbashi, where a lone (female) diner can enjoy a relatively quite meal? I am staying in the hotel near the Higashi Ginza station and speak Japanese.
Thanks!!
Sushi-Making Class?
Mari's Catering offers both beginner's and advanced sushi making classes. I've never taken these classes, so I am not sure how they are, but the website says "The core team members include a Japanese chef and a Japanese nutritionist who know Japanese food and history inside and out."
http://www.marisfood.com/index.php
Odd question - How is Perbacco's background music?
I am planning to take a friend to Perbacco, who does not like restaurants that plan modern, thump, thump, thump kind of music. If Perbacco is not suitable, any other suggestions? Thanks for your help!
Sumiya Going Downhill . . .
I went to sumiya last night too for the first time, and quite enjoyed almost everything we tried. I particularly loved their tsukune. Only Negima (chicken thighs and green onions, ordered one with salt, the other with tare) were dry. Personally, I did not think the food was under-salted. I totally forgot about the BaySpo 20% discount. I will definitely return to Sumiya again (maybe some time next week since the coupon I have expires next week).
Is there good Japanese/Sushi in FiDi?
OP specifically asked about a "decent and reasonably-priced (i.e. not Kyo-Ya) Japanese / Sushi place."
Is there good Japanese/Sushi in FiDi?
I second Sanraku, over Mikaku. I went to Mikaku for the first time about a month ago, and thought the sushi was mediocre at best.
Sushi Alert: Kitsho in Cupertino
FYI - I just read in the Japanese blog that the chef at Anzu is leaving at the end of this month.
La Corneta Taqueria (Glen Park Bart Station) - tasty tacos & great coffee across the street
Walking on Burliname Ave. the other day, I noticed that La Corneta is going to be open on the location where Nelson's coffee shop used to be.
Thanks for your Mesa/Gilbert/Scottsdale, AZ Recs!
We went to Tenari on weekday (Wed. or Thur.), and the freshness of the fish was not really the issue. Also, to answer your question, our server was Asian but not Japanese and not a Japanse speaker.
Santa Clara area poor student chow spots
My 5 picks are:
1) Thanh Long Restaurant on El Camino - A bowl of pho is about $5
2) Antojitos Salvadorenos (in Sunnyvale) - Usually, 2 orders of pupusas ($1.75 each, I think) are big enough for me
3) Tong Soon Restaurant on El Camino - Cheap lunch specials about $6
4) Zafran on El Camino - Indian Buffet
5) Dasaprakash on Homestead - lunch special for about $10, I have enough leftover for next day
What is YOUR top ramen list?
It's actually very hard for me to say which ramen places are my favorite because none of the ramen shops in the Bay Area is even closed to be rated near the level of the real ramen in Japan. But if I had to rank them, here is my top 3:
1) Dohenkotsu
2) Himawari (just slightly below Dohenkotsu)
3) Ramen Club
I actually do not really care for Halu because of its noodles - thick noodles are way too thick, thin noodles lacks chewy texture. I ranked Dohenkotsu #1 because they stick to what they do the best when it comes to ramen - Tokushima style. The problem with the ramen shops except Dohenkotsu in the Bay Area in my opition is that they try to please everyone by offering different kind of soup (shoyu, miso, shio, tonkotsu), and cannot excell on any of them.
The worst ramen I tasted was from Sapporoya in J-Town. I am yet to try Ryowa, Maruichi & Gen. I will report when I do.
Thanks for your Mesa/Gilbert/Scottsdale, AZ Recs!
Thank you to all who gave me the recommendations.
Due to busy schedule and catching a terrible cold during my visit, I did not get to eat as well as I hoped, but the recs. from Chowhounders were extremely helpful. Here is my quick report of 3-week long chow (that took place in May). Overall, I had some great meals and wanted to share my experience.
Two of the best meals I had were from Los Sombreros and Los Dos Molinos and will definitely return to these places if the business takes me to Gilbert/Mesa area.
Los Sombreros in Scottsdale: Wow. We liked everything we ordered. It was a nice cool evening (yes, my visit was in May) and we were able to grab a patio table without any wait on weekday. We started out with an order of guacamole, chunky and fresh, and even my co-worker who usually does not like avocado in general liked it. Since we had a BBQ lunch that day, we were not in a mood for meat dish, although I was tempted to order pork. I had a crab enchilada and my co-worker had a seafood crepes. Both dishes were excellent.
Los Dos Molinos In Mesa: I’ve been warned how hot the food is there, but I did not think it was too bad. We managed to eat everything served, including salsa.. I had shrimp dish of which the name I cannot remember, but it was excellent. Generous numbers of very plump, perfectly cooked shrimp was served with a spicy sauce. Good margaritas too. We did not order any desserts after finishing 2 big margaritas each.
Another good meal was from Brunellos Restaurant in Mesa. The service was very warm, so even though I was dining alone, I did not feel too odd. The entrée came with a choice of soup or salad, so I chose Tortellini soup, which was okay. The fish special I ordered was swordfish cooked in artichoke, capers and lemon-butter sauce. The fish, as well as the side of veggies were cooked just right. I thought the menu in general was kind of boring, the preparation of food is not necessarily innovative. But it’s a neighborhood-type of place that I can see why people would repeatedly go with your family.
I was still recovering from my cold when I visited Elements and Turbell, so maybe it’s no surprise that I did not love them. Not bad but not in hurry to go back to Elements. Since none of the dishes were memorable and it has been 2 months since my visit, I really do not remember what I had.
Duds for me were:
1. Temari Restaurant – I debated between Sushi Mishima and Temari , then decided to go to Temari due to its proximity from my hotel. Since this was recommended on this board, I had a high expectation and decided to order only sushi. Being a native Japanese, I am very weary about these non-Japanese operated Japanese restaurants that pretend to be a traditional Japanese restaurant. I don’t think the chef at Temari knows how to make proper sushi rice. Sushi rice was unusually vinegary, and also a lot of nigiris fell apart after being picked up once from poor preparation. Most of the fish were not bad, but Unagi was really nasty, so we just left them there untouched after one bite. This was probably the most disappointing meal I had in my trip. Please never, ever recommend this place to another ex-pat Japanese! I even had a better experience at Ra Sushi Restaurant in Tempe.
2. Blue Adobe Grill – The salsa was probably the best thing I had here. The fish I was very bland, and my co-worker’s tacos were greasy mess, yet somehow managed to be very bland. I thought the place had a weird ambiance too – trying to be nice sit-down place, but with TVs showing NBA playoff, making me feel like I was in a sports bar instead of a restaurant
