Viewing entries tagged
happy hour

EMC Seafood - Arcadia

January 9, 2017

I've been to EMC a few times before and happy to share their recent grand opening at the Santa Anita mall (Arcadia, CA). I knew a lot of people made their way out to Koreatown and wait in a line over an hour. Wait no more! Well maybe a little bit... but at least you don't have to drive as far depending on which way you are coming from. They are known for their oysters. From Kumamotos to Kusshi, $1 dollar happy hour oysters, their famous uni pasta, and of course more seafood creations. See full menu HERE (Santa Anita).

Here's a glimpse from the media night I attended. (Thanks to everyone that joined the fun when I went live on Instagram!)

Wine, always red. I don't even care if I'm having seafood.

Oysters

Salmon Carpaccio

Uni Toast

Black Truffle Sliders

Grilled Foie Gras

Clams in Abalone Broth

Black Pepper Beef Mignon

Uni Pasta

With berry compote. This is temporary.

400 S. Baldwin Ave. Suite 2215 Arcadia CA 91007

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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

EMC Seafood - Arcadia

Big Catch Seafood House - West Covina

Chang'An - San Gabriel