Bar Hayama: Kozara (Small Plates)

The OT girls came by today for some dinner. I thought that Bar Hayama would be a great place to enjoy some sushi and variety to Japanese food. I hadn't been here for awhile and noticed that their menu changed, well at least the specials had changed. We started off with an Albacore Seared Salad. The dressing was really tasty...a sort of asian soy sauce based dressing.

Next we had the Blue Fin Tuna Tartar with with wonton chips. It was so light and fresh tasting, I absolutely loved it. My favorite dish of the night was the Grilled Squid with Mayo Sauce. OMG....the whole squid (yes tentacles and all) was perfectly cooked. It reminded me of when I was little at the neighborhood Japanese school carnivals where they served grilled squid in teriyaki sauce. I want to go back for some more!

The next two dishes were fabulous as well: a Sauteed Black Cod in Mushroom Sauce and the Hayama Cruchy Spicy Tuna Roll.

If you want some good, innovative, Japanese food with lots of variety (small plates style), Bar Hayama is a definite must try restaurant. Just give me a call and I will meet you there (it is on the same street I live on about 4 blocks away).

Danskin's Women's Triathlon - Disneyland

Pre Race
Post Race!

Today Angie, Julia, and I swam/biked/ran the Danskin Women's Triathlon located at Disneyland's California Adventures. You wonder, "where do you swim"? If you've ever been to DCA, we swam in the lagoon next to the large ferris wheel. Let me tell you, it was gross. I mean so murky you couldn't see your hand in front of you. The race started at 6am, so Angie and I woke up at 430am and trekked ourselves over to DCA. After setting up our transition area, we walked over to the swim and proceeded to line up like cows by cap color (I was a yellow cap, Angie was blue in the heat after mine). I snuck my way up to the front so that I didn't have to swim over people. The gun went off and I basically tried to sprint the 1/3 of a mile swim finishing in 10minutes 27 seconds, which placed me at 103 out of 1300 which made me happy. After climbing out of the murky waters, I ran to my bike and started the 10 mile bike ride around Disneyland. It was nice and flat. I cursed my bike as all the people with road bikes whizzed on by me on my hybrid. I don't like to blame my bike, but I swear I could be much faster with a road bike. I ended up placing 850 out 1300 in the bike portion. The last leg of the race was the run which was cool because we ran through DCA, in the back lots passed the Hollywood Terror and then through the park past the Bug's Life ride and other rides. It was nice and fast course at 2.5 miles. My normal pace is 11 min/mile for my longer runs. Even though I felt like molasses and my legs felt like bricks, I surprised myself and ran a respectable 9.5 min/mile. Before the 1 mile mark, Angie (who mind you started 3 minutes earlier) flew by me in her usual hyperness she somehow pulls together at the end of all the races we do together. I never thought she would beat me, but looks like she is the better racer/athelete beating me by 4 minutes. All in all, it was a fun race. A great race for first time triatheletes, especially women since it is a women only race. No testosterone allowed!

Back into Jewelry Making

Here are a few pieces I ended up making for some co-workers as end of the year presents. I never took a formal jewelry making class, which could account for the fact that I got really frustrated while making these earrings. I couldn't figure out how to connect some of the pieces together. I had seen some great designs on the fusion beads website and I was trying to copy them, but I could not figure it out. I think I will eventually have to take some classes just to learn the proper technique. I thought some of them came out really cute, if I do say so myself!

Thai Deli: Double Mac Salad

While I was a graduate student at the Health Science Campus of USC in East Los Angeles, I would frequent this place called Thai Deli (Cesar Chavez and the 5/10 freeway). My friend Marsha knew about it and said they had really good Korean BBQ Shortribs. Ever since then I have loved going to this whole in the wall place near White Memorial Hospital to enjoy their shortribs and double mac salad. Double mac meaning....double the macaroni salad instead of mac salad and regular lettuce salad. The mac salad is like no other...I think that mayo must have a really high concentration of lard in it because it is faaaaaaatty. I happen to be hanging out with my friend Marsha and so I picked up the order to go. I hadn't eaten it for awhile, but it was just as I remembered.....tender and flavorful with just the right amount of fat.

Ladies Who Lunch at Fresh Corn Grill

My sister Angie recommended Fresh Corn Grill to me. It is a place where she can bring Chibi and eat yummy grilled veggies in the form of a salad, soup, sandwich, or bowl. I decided to take my co-workers and check it out. It was a cute little place with some seating inside and outside. You go up to the counter, place your order, and they bring your food to you. For $10.95 you can get a soup and half salad combo which is plenty of food for one person. I suggest also ordering and sharing the fresh baked panini bread. I had the corn chowder soup which was light, a little spicy, with a lot of sweet corn. My Southwestern salad was delicious and I left the place leaving full but not grossed out. If you want to have a nice light but delicious meal, try Fresh Corn Grill!

Cham Soot Gol: Celebrating Alex's Birthday at Korean BBQ

Today was Alex's birthday celebration at Cham Soot Gol in Garden Grove. For about $17 bucks, you can have all you can eat Korean bbq. They include the brisket meat, bulgogi, spicy bulgogi, and pork. My favorite kalbi is not included, but it was good nonetheless. They give you a lot of banchan, including kimchi, potato salad, dduck bo sam (rice paper), japchae, steamed egg, bean sprouts, and a few other random pickled foods. The side dishes are also all you can eat. The place was very clean, extremely popular with korean and non-korean guests, and just a great place to have some good korean bbq with friends.

While eating, I started to cook the food. I cleverly called out Henry and insinuated that I had to cook because the guys didn't know how. Henry then grabbed the tongs and proceeded to cook the entire night! Since Vince and Alex were at our grill, we must have had like 10 huge plates of meat.

I went with Joni (my sister wife) and Evan. I was her standin for tonight since Dean was away in San Diego for a golf trip. I ended up spending the night with them (thanks joni for the all night gabfest and slumber party...and for not spooning me :) Ok, I digress....just wanted to also let you know that at Cham Soot Gol, they have a ice cream corner where you dish out your own ice cream ala Rite Aid style onto a cone. Evan absolutely loved the ice cream and ate the whole thing.

Afterwards, we spent time hanging out at the Kishiyama house. Uncle Table (Henry) fell asleep of course with Evan sitting next to him eating his Kix. The night is never the same unless Henry falls asleep or leaves the room at least 5 times to answer phone calls from his girlfriend.

Torrance Farmer's Market: Gaviota Strawberries, Sausage Quesadillas, and Pupusas

I went to the Torrance Farmer's Market (Saturdays, Crenshaw and Plaza Del Amo) and had my first taste of the Gaviota Strawberry. I had heard about them before and I absolutely love them. They are slightly more expensive ($13 per 3 baskets), but they are totally worth it. They are sweeter, delicate, and they have significantly less acidity than normal strawberries. In fact you can't even taste the acidity in the strawberry (you know that kind of tangy taste). If you love strawberries, you must try them. I believe you can find them at the Santa Monica's Farmer's Market as well.

The sausage quesadillas from the sausage stand

Chicken and Cheese Pupusa

I also had some delicious eats with my friend Sarah who happens to live conveniently across the street from the market. We wanted to eat the same thing that we had last time, the sausage quesadillas, which are filled with potatoes, eggs, onions, and spicy Cajun sausages. It is more than enough for two people. I also had my eye on the Pupusas, an El Salvadoran food that consists of thick corn maize tortilla, cheese, chicken, chile, and some other ingredients I couldn't quite decipher. It came with some pickled cabbage coleslaw, salsa, and a lovely dollop of sour cream....all for just 2 bucks! I am definitely a fan of the pupusa. Here are some other random shots from the market.

Lemonade Stand: Watermelon, Strawberry, and Raspberry Flavored Lemonade

Sampling of food from the Sausage guy

New Orleans, Lousiana (NOLA)

I recently visited the city of New Orleans for the first time. I accompanied Julie, Angie, and Doris to help Jessica celebrate her bachelorette party. And let me tell you, it was the best party trip I’ve ever taken. Like the Las Vegas motto, “What happens in New Orleans, stays in New Orleans!” But of course, I have to blog about all the wonderful nuances about the city, its charming southern hospitality, and of course the rich, delicious, Cajun and Creole food that they are known for. As most of my trips go, it is pretty much revolved around finding good eats. This time, it also revolved around some serious drinking, which New Orleans is also known for.

1. The famous Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane and the Grenade drink: Our first night, we quickly walked over to the French Quarter, Bourbon Street to eat at Pat O’ Briens and enjoy some Hurricanes. Then we headed to Tropical Isle to drink the Grenade drink. I have no idea what are in these drinks, but apparently some seriously strong alcohol masked to appear like punch.

2. Luke Restaurant at the Hilton: Luke Restaurant is owned by Chef John Besh. We ate here 3 times and it was great every single time. For breakfast I had Crab Cakes Benedict. For snack, Croque Monsieur with fries. And for lunch, the Luke gourmet burger with fries (note the cute little bottles of ketchup).

3. The Central Grocery Muffaleta Sandwich: New Orleans is known for this sandwich. It has meat, cheese, and a delicious olive salad spread on a soft 10 inch round sesame bread. It is to die for and I love that greasy feeling it leaves on your lips….like Vaseline.

4. Café Du Monde: Home of the French Beignet and coffee with chicory in it. The Beignets reminded me of a funnel cake, without the funneling. I didn’t have the coffee since it was just way too hot outside. I actually recommend the diet coke there (I loved the carbonation from their dispenser there!). Anyways, the beignets were sweet, dense, and covered with powdered sugar. I loved them so much, I not only went there twice, I bought a boxed mix and hopefully will get to try to make my own beignets with my deep fryer!

5. Petunia: We walked our hung over bodies to this eatery in the French Quarter to enjoy a nice southern breakfast of Cajun sausage, Boudin sausage, eggs, toast, and whole lotta grits! It was yummy, but I swear, it felt like 5 pounds of food. It was my first time eating a Boudin sausage, which kind of tasted like there was rice mixed in it. I think the picture says it all.

6. Emeril Lagasse’s Restaurant: Emeril got his start in New Orleans and opened his first restaurant in the Warehouse District which we went to. I ordered the Dusted Jumbo Gulf Shrimp with Brown Butter-Sweet Potato Grits, Skillet Beans, Smoked Corn and Mango Chow Chow (I cut and pasted that straight from the menu). For dessert we shared Banana Cream Pie and Bread Pudding…yummy.

7. K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen: Another Cajun/Creole Restaurant by Paul Prudhomme. They love to “season” their food, which basically included a lot of salt and hot sauce. Not my favorite restaurant we tried, but good. Angie and I shared Fried Green Tomatoes and Shrimp Etouffee. For dessert, we all shared the Bread Pudding with Chantilly Cream.

8. Republic: We met some charming southern gentlemen who kindly escorted us to Club Republic where the locals go to party. They played the best music and basically stay open past 4 am. We ended up going their two nights in a row and my feet were dead from all the dancing we did there. It was a nice break from the dirtiness of Bourbon Street.

9. Mother’s Restaurant: We couldn’t go to NOLA without eating a PoBoy sandwich. Angie and I shared a roast beef poboy and a fried shrimp poboy with some fries. The shrimp one was divine…the roast beef was just alright. It was a cute shop, kind of cafeteria style. If you’re lucky the old man running the counter who calls himself Elvis will sing “All Shook Up” like he did for us.

10. Gumbo: we ate gumbo at almost every single restaurant we went to in NOLA. I loved the gumbo that had okra in it. The best one was probably at Emeril’s. It had the perfect combination of vegetables, sausage, roux, seafood, spices, and rice. Gumbo is to New Orleans as Miso Soup is to Japan….it is the best way to start your meal.

11. Magazine Street and Sucre Sweet Boutique: We took the street car to Magazine Street which is this quaint area in NOLA that reminds me of Montana Street in Brentwood. A lot of cute shops, coffee shops, and stores. Julie and I got spa pedicures while Angie and Jessica sat at a coffee house. We also stopped by Sucre Bakery and I got my fill of my favorite obsession: French Macaroons. They had wonderful Cassis, Gianduja, and Pistachio flavored macaroons. They were quite delicious…possibly the best ones I’ve had since Laduree in Paris.

Here are some more random photos from the trip: