Saturday, September 09, 2006
Dinner at Minado, East Norriton, PA
For the rehearsal dinner at Giao's sister's wedding we ate at Minado, a sushi, etc. buffet. It all looked really great. And some of it was. But a lot of it was not. It was $27 per person.
Assorted Desserts
Fruit (fresh), brownie (dry), carrot cake (not dense enough), green tea cheesecake (there was no cheese in this cake, basically it was a flavorless sponge cake).
More Assorted Desserts
Oreo Cheesecake (this was very good, actually) and green tea ice cream (yum, not too sweet and very tea-y).
Udon and Tofu Soup
Pretty good.
Crab Dumplings (soft and fresh with lots of crab meat), Jelly Fish Salad (very good), Crab (good, but hard to get out without something to crack it with), Seaweed Salad (very good), Various Takakis (very good)
Short Ribs (not tender or marinated enough), Assorted Sashimi (not fresh at all), Mussels (forgettable), Assorted Sushi (mostly too mayo-y).
Fruit (fresh), brownie (dry), carrot cake (not dense enough), green tea cheesecake (there was no cheese in this cake, basically it was a flavorless sponge cake).
More Assorted Desserts
Oreo Cheesecake (this was very good, actually) and green tea ice cream (yum, not too sweet and very tea-y).
Udon and Tofu Soup
Pretty good.
Crab Dumplings (soft and fresh with lots of crab meat), Jelly Fish Salad (very good), Crab (good, but hard to get out without something to crack it with), Seaweed Salad (very good), Various Takakis (very good)
Short Ribs (not tender or marinated enough), Assorted Sashimi (not fresh at all), Mussels (forgettable), Assorted Sushi (mostly too mayo-y).
Lunch at Joyce Tsin Lau, Philadelphia, CA
After sleeping for a few hours at Giao's parents' house upon arriving in Philadelphia, we then went to the rehearsal for Giao's sister's wedding, and then finally got something to eat. We were pretty hungry since we hadn't eaten anything since Burger King the night before. Unfortunately, we arrived at this dim sum place at the wrong time. They were just finishing up one service and everything was sparse and coldish. When we were leaving they were starting a new service with all the fresh stuff.
Crispy Fried Shimp
I like these because you can eat the skin. Also, sometimes they light breading has a tendancy to be gummy, but this time it was quite nice. We did have to ask them to heat it up in the microwave for us though. They happily obliged.
Clams
The sauce was good and the clams were plump.
Tofu Skins
These were the good, non-vegetarian kind of tofu skins with big chunks of pork. The only complaint would be that they were very oily.
Congealed Blood
Standard.
Roasted Duck
There was no duck sauce to spoon on, which was a bit strange. But the meat was nice and tender.
Tofu with Shrimp
Sort of flavorless.
Beef Balls
Too light and slimy in texture.
Chicken Feet in Black Bean Sauce
These were much bigger than normal, but tasted the same.
Pork Sui Mai
These would have been better if fresh, but they did have lots of bigs chunks of meat, which is always a plus.
Tripe
Standard.
Spareribs
These were really good. They were cooked in a bitter melon sauce rather than the standard black bean or garlic, and they were much meatier than normal.
Crispy Fried Shimp
I like these because you can eat the skin. Also, sometimes they light breading has a tendancy to be gummy, but this time it was quite nice. We did have to ask them to heat it up in the microwave for us though. They happily obliged.
Clams
The sauce was good and the clams were plump.
Tofu Skins
These were the good, non-vegetarian kind of tofu skins with big chunks of pork. The only complaint would be that they were very oily.
Congealed Blood
Standard.
Roasted Duck
There was no duck sauce to spoon on, which was a bit strange. But the meat was nice and tender.
Tofu with Shrimp
Sort of flavorless.
Beef Balls
Too light and slimy in texture.
Chicken Feet in Black Bean Sauce
These were much bigger than normal, but tasted the same.
Pork Sui Mai
These would have been better if fresh, but they did have lots of bigs chunks of meat, which is always a plus.
Tripe
Standard.
Spareribs
These were really good. They were cooked in a bitter melon sauce rather than the standard black bean or garlic, and they were much meatier than normal.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Late Night Snack at Burger King, Las Vegas Airport
The only time we ever eat fast food is in airports, where the options are usually limited. Tonight we had a bonanza of Burger King's menu offerings.
Chicken Fries $3
These sounded a lot better than they tasted. They were not chickeny enough and not even really crunchy, as we had expected. They did, oddly, resemble fries in texture though.
Chicken Tenders $4
These were more like nuggets than tenders, but they seemed to be real chicken and were far better than the McDonald's version by all accounts.
Quadruple Bacon Cheese Burger $6
Not bad. Cheesy, bacony and slathered with a sauce reminiscent of Big Mac sauce.
Chicken Fries $3
These sounded a lot better than they tasted. They were not chickeny enough and not even really crunchy, as we had expected. They did, oddly, resemble fries in texture though.
Chicken Tenders $4
These were more like nuggets than tenders, but they seemed to be real chicken and were far better than the McDonald's version by all accounts.
Quadruple Bacon Cheese Burger $6
Not bad. Cheesy, bacony and slathered with a sauce reminiscent of Big Mac sauce.
Dinner at 360 Degrees Gourmet Burritos, Oakland Airport
The eating options at Oakland Airport are extremely limited. However, we were happy to find that a decent looking burrito place had opened up, and even happier to find that you could order a bowl of just meat and veggies for less than the cost of a burrito. For airport food, this was not bad. Definitely the best option at OAK.
Thai Peanut Steak $5
Not overpowering and the steak was quite tender.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: NA
Service: 1
Website
Cajun Steak with Guacamole $5
Very spicy, if a bit salty.
Very spicy, if a bit salty.
Thai Peanut Steak $5
Not overpowering and the steak was quite tender.
Food: 1
Decor: NA
Service: 1
Website
Lunch at Work
Leftover Salad from last weekend's BBQ and Salmon Salad
Salmon Salad Recipe
-3 cans of salmon, drained
-1/2 cup mayo
-3 tb capers
-juice of 1/2 lemon
-1/2 onion, minced
Mix all ingredients thoroughly and eat on a sandwich, in a wrap, in lettuce, or just plain, like we did here.
-3 cans of salmon, drained
-1/2 cup mayo
-3 tb capers
-juice of 1/2 lemon
-1/2 onion, minced
Mix all ingredients thoroughly and eat on a sandwich, in a wrap, in lettuce, or just plain, like we did here.
Breakfast at Home
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Dinner at Home
A no-fuss dinner was a necessity tonight, as we had to pack and get ready for our trip to Philly tomorrow.
Costco Tequila Lime Chicken Wings
Always tasty.
Brocolli Cheese
This brocolli was baked in 350 for 20 minutes or so, with the cheese added on top in the last few minutes.
Costco Tequila Lime Chicken Wings
Always tasty.
Brocolli Cheese
This brocolli was baked in 350 for 20 minutes or so, with the cheese added on top in the last few minutes.
Lunch at Harrington's Bar and Grill, San Francisco, CA
We had lunch with about half of the office today at Harrington's Bar and Grill, a pub near our office. They have a really good version of popcorn chicken, but unfortunately we learned that they don't start serving it until 2pm.
Corned Beef and Cabbage $10
Eh. It was ok, but definitely not spectacular.
Chili Dog $5
The chili was actually nice and spicy.
Cobb Salad $10
Filling, but the turkey was dry and the vegetables were too large. I hate it when I have to cut up salad components. They should always be in bite size pieces.
Corned Beef and Cabbage $10
Eh. It was ok, but definitely not spectacular.
Chili Dog $5
The chili was actually nice and spicy.
Cobb Salad $10
Filling, but the turkey was dry and the vegetables were too large. I hate it when I have to cut up salad components. They should always be in bite size pieces.
Breakfast at Home
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Dinner at Home
Brocolli and Cheese Soup
We needed to get rid of the brocolli inthe house before we went away for the weekend, so a quick way was to make this super cheesy brocolli soup.
-1 1/2 lbs brocolli flowerettes
-1 cup shredded cheese
-4 cans chicken broth
-1/2 onion, chopped
-5 cloves garlic
Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil for a few minutes, add broth and bring to a boil. Add brocolli and cook until just tender. Puree. Add cheese. Stir thoroughly and serve.
-1 cup shredded cheese
-4 cans chicken broth
-1/2 onion, chopped
-5 cloves garlic
Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil for a few minutes, add broth and bring to a boil. Add brocolli and cook until just tender. Puree. Add cheese. Stir thoroughly and serve.
Pesto and Tomato Mahi Mahi
I had made some fresh pesto about a week ago, and simply spread it on a couple of filets of mahi mahi, baked on 375 for 10 minutes (until the flesh flakes with a fork), and threw some diced tomatos on top. It was refreshing and very quick.
Lunch from Mehfil Indian Cuisine, San Francisco, CA
Breakfast at Home
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Dinner at Broadway Prime, Burlingame, CA
After the Fantasy Football draft we went out for prime rib. We ordered one of the bigger cuts, which was about $34 per person, including salad, side, potatos and a popover. It was a very filling meal.
House Salad
Lettuce and beets with a thousand island dressing. Tastier than it looks. The dressing is a bit of an odd choice.
Prime Rib and Creamed Spinach
The prime rib was plentiful, flavorful and juicy and the creamed spinach was very thick and creamy. We added extra bacon bits and that made it even better.
House Salad
Lettuce and beets with a thousand island dressing. Tastier than it looks. The dressing is a bit of an odd choice.
Prime Rib and Creamed Spinach
The prime rib was plentiful, flavorful and juicy and the creamed spinach was very thick and creamy. We added extra bacon bits and that made it even better.
Lunch from Pasta Pomodoro, San Francisco, CA
Another catered in lunch from work...
Steak
Tough and flavorless.
Meatballs
Ok flavor, but too much filler.
Chicken Caesar Salad
The chicken was moist and the veggies crisp, which is about as good as it gets for delivery salad.
Ratings:
Food: 0
Decor: NA
Service: NA
Website
Health Code Violations
Steak
Tough and flavorless.
Meatballs
Ok flavor, but too much filler.
Chicken Caesar Salad
The chicken was moist and the veggies crisp, which is about as good as it gets for delivery salad.
Food: 0
Decor: NA
Service: NA
Website
Health Code Violations
Breakfast at Home
Monday, September 04, 2006
Dinner at Isa, San Francisco, CA
To celebrate the anniversary of seeuseat.com we wanted to go out for a nice meal. Unfortunately, the first place we tried was closed for labor day. We settled on Isa, a place that Giao has been once before long ago, and Alexis had never been. It was a decent meal with fine service, but overall there were no standouts other than their reasonably priced wine list.
Kumamoto Oysters $2 each
Standard, fresh.
Mussels $12
The sauce was actaully quite delicious, buttery and acidic at the same time. The mussles tasted fine, but they were utterly puny.
Spicy Tuna Tartare $10
This was a large serving, for sure, but it hardly was worthy of the adjective "spicy" and the guacamole-esqu avocado was a bit off-putting. The tiny pear and pine nut salad was quite nice though.
Scallops with Truffled Wild Mushrooms $13
Overall, this was a tasty little dish. The flavors melded well. The truffle oil was very present and the scallops were beautifully carmelized and not even a touch overcooked.
Skirt Steak with Green Mustard Butter $19
The steak was pretty tender and the mustard butter was a refreshing addition.
Seared Foie Gras with Peaches and Brioche $15
The foie itself was good, and the brioche was tender and rich, but the peach slices were much to large for the proportions of the other components and they were not at all ripe and rather dull tasting.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decor: 1
Website
Health Code Violations
Kumamoto Oysters $2 each
Standard, fresh.
Mussels $12
The sauce was actaully quite delicious, buttery and acidic at the same time. The mussles tasted fine, but they were utterly puny.
Spicy Tuna Tartare $10
This was a large serving, for sure, but it hardly was worthy of the adjective "spicy" and the guacamole-esqu avocado was a bit off-putting. The tiny pear and pine nut salad was quite nice though.
Scallops with Truffled Wild Mushrooms $13
Overall, this was a tasty little dish. The flavors melded well. The truffle oil was very present and the scallops were beautifully carmelized and not even a touch overcooked.
Skirt Steak with Green Mustard Butter $19
The steak was pretty tender and the mustard butter was a refreshing addition.
Seared Foie Gras with Peaches and Brioche $15
The foie itself was good, and the brioche was tender and rich, but the peach slices were much to large for the proportions of the other components and they were not at all ripe and rather dull tasting.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decor: 1
Website
Health Code Violations
BBQ in San Jose, CA
The one year anniversary of seeuseat.com (whoch happened to coincide with labor day) started out with a lovely BBQ at a friend's house in San Jose.
Korean Syle BBQ Short Ribs
The best part about this was the thick savory sauce. Wrapping the meat in lettuce makes a nice little low carb sandwich.
Salami
Smoked Cheddar and Smoked Gouda
Summer Veggie Salad
English cucumbers, corn, baby bell peppers, red onions, radishes and pears tossed with a sweet/tart balsamic vinagrette.
Brie
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Standard Nestle Tollhouse recipe, found on the back of the package of chocolate chips. This is still, by far, the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. It always turns out perfectly chewy on the inside with a slight crunch on the outside.
Korean Syle BBQ Short Ribs
The best part about this was the thick savory sauce. Wrapping the meat in lettuce makes a nice little low carb sandwich.
Salami
Smoked Cheddar and Smoked Gouda
Summer Veggie Salad
English cucumbers, corn, baby bell peppers, red onions, radishes and pears tossed with a sweet/tart balsamic vinagrette.
Brie
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Standard Nestle Tollhouse recipe, found on the back of the package of chocolate chips. This is still, by far, the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. It always turns out perfectly chewy on the inside with a slight crunch on the outside.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Dinner at Home
Baked Salmon with Tzasiki Sauce and Artichoke Mozzerella Salad
This was a perfect, refreshing end-of-sunner meal that took no time to prepare.
-1 large salmon filet (baked on 375 for approx. 12 minutes)
Tzasiki Sauce
-1 cup plain, Greek yogurt
-1/3 English cucumber, peeled and diced
-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
-juice of 1/2 lemon plus zest of 1/2 lemon
-3 TB fresh tarragon, minced
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 ts tzasiki seasoning (prepared)
Salad
-10 baby mozzerella balls
-8 marinated artichoke hearts, quartered
-1/2 english cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
-1 tomato, halved and thinly sliced
-1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
-1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Dress with balsamic viagrette and serve.
Tzasiki Sauce
-1 cup plain, Greek yogurt
-1/3 English cucumber, peeled and diced
-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
-juice of 1/2 lemon plus zest of 1/2 lemon
-3 TB fresh tarragon, minced
-salt and pepper to taste
-1 ts tzasiki seasoning (prepared)
Salad
-10 baby mozzerella balls
-8 marinated artichoke hearts, quartered
-1/2 english cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
-1 tomato, halved and thinly sliced
-1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
-1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Dress with balsamic viagrette and serve.
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