Viewing entries tagged
beer

Momed - Atwater Village

September 7, 2016

I'm a firm believer about eating somewhere more than once, and the same goes with sharing it over again. I think one of the best compliments you can give a restaurant is going back again to show your appreciation for the food. Momed is a place that I speak highly of. I've never been to the location in Beverly Hills, but the location in Atwater Village is one that I've been to a few times (still thank my friend John Quintus for the recommendation).

I came here one Sunday in the late afternoon with my best friends after having a few drinks in Atwater Village. Like a pirate, I wailed my hands as I told them about Momed. "It's that way!" - with no slurs of course. For a moment, I was not confident I was headed towards the right direction. Momed is actually tucked away from the main strip in Atwater, but more within the residentials between studios and playhouses.

They only carry wine and beer which is fine with me. I am very excited at this point. It's also quite lovely that the train passes through next door.

Grilled artichoke cooked to perfection with a preserved lemon aioli. The artichoke is seasoned lightly with Moroccan spices. All the crispy edges and tender parts towards the heart were literally finger licking good. I felt like I was engulfing the pedals. This is a must order if you are a huge fan of artichokes.

This oven roasted salmon is one of the best prepared fishes I've had. Served with seasonal vegetables and a cashew salsa. I'm sure this is something easy that they've created, but it was ridiculously delicious. The salmon was just cooked PERFECTLY. The Moroccan spices were mild and not over powering. The seasonal veggies were generous and not dinky. I still remember the salmon like a past summer fling I've never had. It's just so good I would think that's what it feels like.

Without further ado, the address is 3245 Casitas Ave, Atwater CA 90039.

They also serve breakfast and brunch. ( K i l l e r)

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Daikokuya - Monterey Park

August 31, 2016

Everyone went crazy when Daikokuya opened in Monterey Park. The whole 'Yay we don't have to drive to little tokyo!' or 'Yay we don't have to wait that long!' perception will be crushed in a matter of seconds that moment you start writing your name on the wait list. Along with the line of other groups ahead of you. As you slowly count up and realize you are not number 1, but number 15. And then you start reflecting on your life. Have you ever been number 15? It's worse than a midlife crisis. Or, you're all happy pulling up to see tons of parking spaces. But then you see the crowd of people huddled outside like it's below 0 when it's hot as a mother F'er.

Honestly, I have no idea where that rant came from. This is what happens when you have hot noodle soup during a hot summer day. You start seeing and saying sh*t.

Luckily, my friends and I got here in time where we didn't have to wait over an hour. Maybe it was 30 minutes, but it's fine since I ran into really good friends of mine.

I wouldn't say famous, but this is a very delicious bowl of salad that comes with an order of Ramen. It's their own house dressing which you can also purchase a bottle to take home. A must have.

I ordered their Tsukemen which is all the fixings; Seared Chashu, green onions, sprouts, soft boiled eggs and ramen that has been cooked and cooled under running water. Served with a bowl of pork broth.

Salmon sashimi with housemade carpaccio sauce, passer leaf, salsa and parmesan cheese. A lot of flavor, but quite tasty.

Honestly, chicken Karaage is the ultimate beer food. I take that back, it's the ultimate food to have with any alcohol. I love this stuff. With a lot of lemon. And when I am really hamming, over a bowl of rice. Sitting on the floor, with stretchy pants..

This is their signature Tonkotsu Ramen (Ton-KO-t-su, not katsu please). The tonkotsu (pork base soup) is infused with their house blended soy sauce. Served with boiled chijre style egg noodles, kurobuta pork belly chashu, marinated boiled egg, bamboo shoots, bean sprout, green onions and a dash of sesame seeds.

Their famous shredded pork bowl. Ok I'm not sure if it's famous, but it's extremely popular. Tender kurobuta pork belly that's grilled and served over rice with green onions, pickled ginger and a sweet sauce. If you are hungry, and want something extremely umami like, this is it. It's hard not to get this and even harder not to take a bite when someone offers.

111 N Atlantic Blvd, Ste 241, Monterey Park, CA 91754

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National Rootbeer Float day - The Counter

August 16, 2016

When I think of Root Beer, I think of A&W with a big scoop of Dreyers. Root beer floats was kind of a normal thing we would have at our household growing up. I'm pretty surprised we had it as often as we did. But of course everything was cheaper back then. So when I found out that The Counter was giving away free floats per entree, I was settled for dinner. We were meeting up with a friend who also wanted burgers. The coincidence right?

You know, I want life to be fries and crispy onions. Unlimited. Ok and maybe with unlimited burgers and dipping sauces. Think about it, it really isn't that much I'm asking for.

My custom made burger is a concoction of 1/3 lb of all natural beef, medium. Sliced red onions, alfalfa sprouts, sliced fresh jalapenos, tomatoes, Korean Chili aioli and Garlic aioli. Sandwiched between a Hawaiian bun which has become my new obsession. Cooked to perfection with a deep pink center. Flip the burger around and enjoy upside down for the ultimate mouth explosive satisfaction. I'm telling you. It's a thing.

Washing it all down with this floaty that was served with more root beer on the side.

No better way to end the night. Food coma is real.

Locations: http://www.thecounterburger.com/locations/

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Big Catch Seafood House - West Covina

July 30, 2016

I love raw oysters, carpaccios and all that good stuff. But there's something I find extremely satisfying about grilled seafood. The charred bits on the shellfish that you "accidentally" consume. Big Catch Seafood in West Covina offers a variety of seafood prepared in different ways. You have the raw, the fried, boiled, grilled, and even stuffed in a sandwich. Most importantly, they have beer and lots of it.

We ordered a few things to try, and will definitely be back for more. I always recommend going in a group to try more items on the menu.

Grilled lobster served with cajun rice and daily vegetables. The lobster was meaty, sweet, and smokey from the char. The charred shell brought an amazing depth of flavor to the lobster. Don't forget to break down the heads and pour the hot juices over your rice. I can eat this all day. Honestly, hard to share because you can't just have a few bites ;P

Tilapia gets overlooked all the time. The taste of tilapia is subtle, but it can hold up to a lot of marinades and sauces. It really is a blank canvas if you want to test a few flavors on fish.

Recommended location: 112 Plaza DrSte 1465, West Covina, CA 91790

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Chang'An - San Gabriel

July 6, 2016

Alhambra and San Gabriel is known for cheap eats. I hear people say it all the time "it's so cheap!" or "Everything is so delicious!". Like, literally calm down. Everything has been inflating the past few years. Chicken rice isn't $3.99 anymore, but would be $7.99. And if you are saying I'm not eating at the right places, and that you are still paying that little, then something is definitely wrong with that chicken.

I've given up with some restaurants in 626 even though I still eat around here a few times a week. Competition have really stepped up the last few years. There's a lot more Taiwanese restaurants as well as dumpling houses and hot pots. But what surprised me the most was Chang'An.

Chang'An is located in San Gabriel on 227 W Valley Blvd, Ste 358. Chang'Ans concept is something I envisioned a few years ago. I thought it would be creative if classic Chinese food was presented in an ambitious way where you would find in fine dining restaurant. You will definitely find that here. All the dishes were not just tasty, but insanely beautiful.

I tried a lot of food that day. I liked everything I had so enjoy the photos:

I love the herbaceous flavor of crown Daisy, but I've never had it uncooked. The sesame dressing complimented the salad perfectly. I know a few people who aren't fans of crown Daisies that can definitely appreciate this salad.

Rubbed in cumin and charred to perfection. Perfect pairing to beer :P

These were large lumps of scallops. Served individually so there's no commitment to those who don't eat scallops. Sitting on top of rice noodles, it is drizzled with minced garlic and soy.

Stir fried pea sprouts - one of my favorite chinese vegetables.

few fried dishes: Fried tofu, Chicken Jidori, Fried Kabocha with salted egg yolk (Must Order)

Beef Tataki - Seared with House Special Yuzu soy.

Delicious fatty pork belly. You must eat the skin and fat.

Served with stir fried sweet pea sprouts.

Vanilla Ice cream with grilled Japanese sweet potato. Sweet potato desserts is on the rise. This is definitely a good version of what I've had.

These are mini rice balls filled with black sesame paste in sweet rice wine sprinkled with osmanthus flowers. A very sweet delightful way to end an amazing course.

Make sure to check them out if you haven't:

227 W Valley Blvd, Ste 358 San Gabriel CA 91776

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Wine & Dine

Momed - Atwater Village

Daikokuya - Monterey Park

National Rootbeer Float day - The Counter

Big Catch Seafood House - West Covina

Chang'An - San Gabriel