jschyun

I like Fudgsicles. Please, no jokes. I haven't had an It's It for a long time. I like them but I don't get the frenzy. I mean, it's just an ice cream sandwich, with two lusciously thick cookies surrounding a real ice cream filling... I mean, you guys on the East Coast have lots of those, right?

LA Times Food Section -- June 30, 2004 To view the articles below, register a username with www.latimes.com. Registration is free. There is a separate Calendar section with more food articles, but you have to pay a fee for those. Today is the barbecue issue: Fireworks on the grill -- Laurie Winer Ludovic Lefebvre (new exec chef at Bastide) talks about his new post as he prepares barbecue, using exotic woods, lamb, lobster, spices. Oh and a pineapple. FYI, he's a young, fairly cute guy with tattoos, looks sort of like Dave Navarro in the pic. Recipes A simple, smoky solution -- Regina Schrambling Judy Rodgers (Zuni Cafe, SF) grills favas (shell on) and salts them. Easy and fabulous. The key to global cooling -- Barbara Hansen All sorts of shaved ices represented here: Singapore's ice kacang, Korea's bingsu, Philippines' halo-halo, Mexican raspado and tezgüino, Taiwanese slush. Recipe for ice kacang Grilling in the age of wild flavor -- Charles Perry A story on the current crop of barbecue books. Perry seems most impressed with "Paul Kirk's Championship Barbecue" ($18.95) about how to compete in barbecue contests, or just cook like you do. Recipes Culinary SOS -- Barbara Hansen She has the recipe for "cool green gazpacho from Esperanza An Auberge Resort at Cabo San Lucas" Wine of the Week -- S. Irene Virbila 2001 Dominio de Pingus Flor de Pingus: " Made from old vine Tempranillo, the 2001 Flor de Pingus is something of an earthy aristocrat with wonderful aromas of dried plums and dark cherries, earth and smoke. Sweet on the nose, in the mouth it's full bodied and very dry with dusty tannins and an interesting finish. " about $50 He'd love to blend in -- David Shaw Barbecue season means beer. Shaw does not like beer. He has tried many kinds to no avail. Reader advice welcomed. Cookstuff -- Donna Deane Drip-Less basting brush, $7.99 from Cookin' Stuff, Torrance, and Rains, Ojai, or $8.25 from http://www.rainsofojai.com. Big, flat, bamboo grilling skewers, package of 25, $4.95 from Sur la Table. Stainless steel paper-plate holders, 2 for $10.95 from Sur la Table.

Yeah, those weird shaped heirlooms are a tough sell to a supermarket jaded family. I'm thinking about trying Big Beef next year. I hear good yields, flavor and shape. I did Momotaro 2 years ago, and it was nearly as good as Brandywine, but the fruit size was kind of variable. You wouldn't be oh, thinking about saving seed from that cherry tomato?

We are eating tomatoes as fast as we can at our house. I had to kill most of my squash plants, because everyone was sick to death of squash. Growing haricot verts in their place. Grew some purple bell peppers this year, and they look very strange in a salad. My cukes are very good this year, if I may say so. Long, skinny, and never bitter, perfect in a salad or a marinated cuke salad, Korean style. I love these Texas garden threads for some reason. You guys grow things at about the same time I do, so it's nice to see how everyone progresses.

It's on University California Irvine grounds. Our little site We get these 12'x16' plots. I have 2. I pulled out all my squash and now I'm growing just 2 squash plants, variety of herbs, a melon, some cukes, peppers, eggplants, and too many tomatoes. You prefer the Park Whopper? Why? That's very interesting. I'm also growing Cherokee Purple, along with another purple, Noir de Crimmee. One ripened fruit from Noir and it wasn't that purple.

Do you mean Otter Pops? I vaguely remember these. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen these in a while.

IMHO, I would say don't bother with Renu Nakorn. Meat quality is marginal, in my recent experiences there, and nothing was as good as the reviews led me to believe, though maybe I didn't have the correct secret password. Also, it's quite a drive. Yeah, that Thai sweets shop is probably one of my favorite places in L.A. No definitely. Yeah, check out that Korean thread. Also, mongo ate at a bunch of places and took some pics which are mouthwatering. If you have a couple of days, I would try a little of everything, a barbecue place, soft tofu, some noodles here, a bakery there, sweet shop there. I'm in OC, so I don't get out to L.A. everyday, but here's my $.02. Maybe others will chime in with their experiences. Depending on how experienced you are with Korean cuisine, I would go here: Barbecue: Soot Bull Jeep (8th street) I'm not a big barbecue eater, so actually, i don't like this place, but this is the standard place to go if you want your pores to smell like garlicky smoke (smoky garlic?) for 3 days. 'yangban' cuisine: Yongsusan The only outpost outside of Korea. Features a menu where you pick from a bunch of set courses. Can be expensive but I like it as a change of pace. After dinner, you can try Hwa Sun Ji(3960 Wilshire Boulevard (213)382-5302). as I've said before, it is a tea house that will take take you through a tea drinking course. reservations needed for the tea course. Korean Chinese: For the standard black bean noodles in L.A. (chiachiangmyun) our family likes this place right off Olympic on Vermont, actually only a couple doors down from Yongsusan. I forget the name though. Honestly, if I close my eyes, I can't tell the difference between the noodles at most Korean Chinese places, as long as they are run by Chinese. I personally prefer the ones run by Chinese people, because the noodles seem to be chewier and the sauce somehow richer, more flavorful, but maybe there are exceptions. Ditto for jjampong, tangsooyuk and the other stuff. If you're feeling adventurous, order the sea cucumber in brown sauce, one of my favorites but it's sort of, uh, slippery. Soft Tofu: BCD Soft Tofu People are going to yell at me for recommending this one but it's easy to find, easy parking, nice atmosphere, standard soft tofu. Most people I know usually get the kimchi soft tofu, seafood soft tofu (haemul soondubu), or the seafood and beef soft tofu (sukkuh soondubu). My favorite is the sukkuh soondubu. Noodles: Since I'm not going to drive an hour for noodles, I stick with Miho and Hangari noodle house in OC. my cousin just told me about a plce called dan mi oh (sp?) for konggooksoo (uh, cold soy milk noodles, better than it sounds). If I were you, and you haven't had konggooksoo, I would stick with the kalgooksoo (knife cut noodles) with say clams, kimchi, or whatever suits your fancy. I like the kimchi or clams one. Madang Gooksoo on Western is decent. Bar: rslee told me about Dan sung sa and I went here once I think this or last year. This place has gotten good reviews from several english newspapers despite the fact that this is probably the only restaurant I'm going to mention where you will probably need a korean translator. Absolutely nothing is in English. Mostly you go here to drink and have snacks that go with your drinks, called "anju". There's one in Oakland too, but haven't been. Go with a Korean friend. Malls: Galleria on Western. The cafe on the top floor allegedly has good patbingsu, but I've only been once, and they were out of dduk (grr). But since most Korean cafes in L.A. have a lot of smokers, I will try it again. Lots of other stores, expensive but interesting if you like malls. We don't have these sorts of Korean malls in OC. Bakeries: I personally can't think of any bakeries I like anymore. I dislike Manna and another famous one whose name escapes me. Why? Nobody does hobak bang (pumpkin bread) with the little pieces of pumpkin in it anymore. It's just that smooth orange sludge inside. If anyone knows of a place that does it, PM me immediately. I'm sure I or someone else will add a bunch more, these were just off the top of my head. PM me if you want more details. I'm out of time here.

CompassRose, you said it best, but here's an article about it.

I think it unfortunate that everyone get painted with the same brush as the really annoying, attention-seeking people who make their vegan diet an issue everywhere they go. Yes, I acknowledge their existence. Yes, it is highly annoying to sit with someone who makes their lives your issue (is this just a vegan thing? doubtful) On the other hand, I feel they did pave the way to make dining out a far more vegetarian friendly experience, at least here in California. On the other other hand, we do have lots of options for other reasons as well (immigration comes to mind). so okay, we're lucky. I know plenty of vegetarians that I never would have guessed were such, because they never say anything about it. So you would probably just assume they are meateaters. Also, and this is directed at a certain member, so if I were to assume that most gay guys were limp-wristed flaming queens, would this be correct? I mean, that's what you mostly see on t.v. and such. Or perhaps drag queens are the norm? Because the average person will probably not acknowledge the existence of gay guys who don't act different.

hehe vegan police. But do their vegan squad cars use rubber in their wheels? You know rubber is not vegan.... (to make stuff it's adulterated I think?)

Yeah, it's pretty new. I want to say it's a couple stores away from the Wells Fargo in, uh, downtown (does berkeley have a downtown really?), next to the Berkeley (downtown) station. Oh yeah, they also serve, uh, soy gelato, but though I'm lactose intolerant, I haven't tried it so can't tell you how it is. Gelateria Naia 2106 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94704 Phone: (510) 883-1568

Hey I've had that happen to me! But I think others are wary of line hijackers as well, because the last time I was at Golden Gate Bakery, there was an old woman that did exactly the same thing, but she didn't get through that time. I and the woman ahead of me saw her and though I am not comfortable telling an elder to get her ass to the back of the line (maybe just in my head), the woman ahead of me had no problems telling her to get her little ass back there, or something like that. Poor little old lady. No respect. I don't like the line. I would prefer to have to shove my way to the front, because I believe in survival of the fittest. Or is it survival of the fattest? It would burn off a couple of calories before the dantatfest. Anyways sometimes, there still isn't a line, unless there's such a thing as a rectangular line.

I never really ate Mexican food in Berkeley, so can't help you with that. But I go to Berkeley all the time. The following are my usual, inexpensive, casual haunts: Raleigh's is a popular restaurant that has good onion rings and something called the "B2C2" which I think is a bacon, barbecue sauce?, chicken breast, cheese that is popular. Oh and Guinness on tap. Backyard patio, on Telegraph just a couple blocks from campus. Right next door, Intermezzo is good if you like huge salads and brown bread. I find their salad dressings a bit thin, but you can't argue with the quantity. The have sandwiches too, but I've only had the vegetarian ones which are okay, but not my favorite. I love the gelato at Gelateria Naia. My favorite in the Bay Area. Used to be part of the Vancouver Mondo Gelato chain, but they broke off and are on their own now. On Shattuck just a block from the BART station. A little past the BART station, on University and I think Martin Luther King is Au Coquelet Cafe where you'll be surrounded by students because of the low prices, and the decent grub. I love to go for a decent, yet inexpensive slice of blueberry tart with a mug of hot tea. I used to eat at Fat Slice too. I never went to Blondie's either, but others swore by Blondie's. Those places all have a great pizza and coke deal. Just see whatever's coming out of the oven and get that. Also, you might like Top Dog, a hot dog hut that is a Berkeley institution. Go to the one on Durant street, admire the walls, and order a dog. Actually, I haven't been there for a while, so I hope it hasn't gone downhill. You might have to drive to get to Cheeseboard, but it might be worth it. A cheese coop that sells not only zillions of different cheeses, they also sell fresh breads and I think some side dishes to go. Inexpensive and interesting. Up the street is Peet's coffee, and a juice collective that I always pass by but have been meaning to try.

Let's see, how about: Ben & Jerry's anything, but esp. Cherries Garcia or Mint Chocolate Cookie Girly movies like Bend it like Beckham or My Big Fat Greek Wedding if girly movies unavailable then Lord of the Rings #2 or #3 or Matrix #2. maybe a nice soft tofu dish (Korean restaurant) or maybe a pizza, or some lasagna definitely chocolate. After eating all this junk, maybe I might haul my ass out of bed and go jogging or something. I want to test out johnnyb's exercise-undepression theory

Don't assume that all or even most vegetarians are ill mannered. The only ones you'll ever notice are the ones that cause a ruckus. Same as with anything else. Maybe it's more of a problem in NY. Here in CA, I honestly haven't any instances ill mannered vegetarians. Well, I mean, not any more ill mannered than anyone else. --edited for grammar

I used to be a vegetarian but now I'm not. Oddly enough, i'm probably the least likely vegetarian that ever lived. Before turning to a strict vegetarian eating style, I was chowing down on every dead animal imaginable. I remember one time ordering 16 orders of shrimp dumplings and plowing through it with my best bud. A typical lunch was three In&Out burgers, ordered one after another to keep 'em fresh. But I have to admit, I feel better eating more veggies and whole grains. Much more alert. Also, I am grateful that I tried all these veggies and found that I actually liked them! I think what's great that happened in recent years is the flood of vegetarian junk food! Oh yes. I know I have gone on about it before, but I love those vegetarian corn dogs, even better than meat corn dogs. They're so good! I also like vegan chocolate cake. It's so moist, dark and dense, I would never have thought that vegan chocolate cake could be so good...and vegan. But just because it's vegan doesn't mean it's healthy. Oh well, maybe just one slice. Oh yeah, and I'm glad that now there's more than salad to pick from at a restaurant. Grilled veggie plate is a little boring to me as well, but now I see all sorts of cool stuff. Also, "little plates" places are great. All in all, in my area at least, it's a good time to be a vegetarian. --For the most part, I still eat a diet with lots of fresh veggies from my garden and I try to eat some whole grains. But now I also eat a little meat and fish too. I guess if I didn't grow up with it I wouldn't have missed it.

I notice that the only things I get at Trader Joe's these days are Ben & jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream (what a steal at $2.50), and that organic chocolate with pecans and raisins. Oh and they have bars of Scharfenberger now, but I still like that organic chocolate for some reason. It's like a Chunky bar, but better.

You won't see patbingsu at Jinhuchun Tea House, because that is a Taiwanese company. I think you're talking about bing, which is undoubtedly the Chinese predecessor of (the Korean) bingsu. However (Chinese) bing is great too, in a different way. In my area, there's this (I think Taiwanese) place in Cerritos, CA called Guppy Tea House, where the shaved ice is about a foot high and basically requires 2 or more people to finish it. Employees load on the toppings by strapping on some gloves, grabbing the fruit/beans by the handful, and then slapping it onto the ice mountain. sometime I'll get a pic to show you. Monstrous. It's inexpensive too, which is prob why students love this place. --oh yeah, and they give you a squirt bottle of condensed milk to pour over the thing. --yeah, i've never seen the whipped cream/cherry thing at Chinese places either. I guess it's a different aesthetic. I've never seen dduk in (Chinese) bing. I'm sure that's a Korean addition. Also, you'll notice a light tan powder in my pic, under the whipped cream. I think that's misutgaru (I should ask), aka roasted grain powder. also a korean addition. I like the look of it, but I don't think I ever get enough of it to taste it.

hehe, if you're at Swan Oyster Depot, you definitely want to walk in the direction away from Market. Heck, if you're a power walker like my sis, you could walk down to Ghiradelli square, maybe saunter over to the Wharf and make your way to the Ferry Market that way. Exercise, a view, and a nice finale at a cafe, what could be better? --spelling errors

LA Times Food Section -- June 23, 2004 To view the articles below, register a username with www.latimes.com. Registration is free. There is a separate Calendar section with more food articles, but you have to pay a fee for those. Scissors, paper, flavor -- Regina Schrambling She shows you how to make dinner en papillote, from seafood to seasonal fruits. Recipes Ice cream: meet your makers -- Cindy Dorn She tests some of the current ice cream makers out there. Favorite: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker ICE-20 Series. $50. Produces "a firm yet fluffy, evenly frozen, easy-to-scoop ice cream in exactly 20 minutes" with easy cleanup. Nice looking A plot-driven garden story -- Susan LaTempa A community garden right off Hollywood Blvd? Who knew? $40 a year for a 15'x15' plot and the waiting list is 2-3 years at Wattles Farm. Recipes A perfect summer romance -- Susan LaTempa Great salads come from grilled leftovers and pantry staples. Recipes We're sure you'll get the yolk -- Leslee Komaiko Eggs are showing up in different guises: sticky rice topped with seaweed, pickles, and a quail egg, poached egg on halibut, filet mignon with a sunny side up egg. A case of bottled-up anxiety -- David Shaw David Shaw gets scared for his wine cellar when his house is fumigated for termites. Turns out fumigation might be good for the wine? hehe Correction to June 9 food section Woody's Smorgasburger's correct phone number is (310) 414-9344. Also, in last week's article about Eastside Market & Italian Deli correct phone number (area code was wrong) is (213) 250-2464; the fax number is (213) 250-8064.

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned AsiaSF Restaurant in San Francisco. Drag queens, oh I'm sorry, "gender illusionists" serve your food until it's their turn to do a dance number on the bar. And apparently, they really do a number on that bar. Or so I've been told. I haven't been there, but the people that have recommended this place to me have all been straight white guys, FWIW. I read in reviews that the food sucks, but one of my friends said the ice cream trio was decent. And a burger. Okay, so you're not going for the food. --oh wait, now that I think about it, it's only one straight white guy that likes this place. but he likes it a lot. i forget who else told me they liked it.

Written evidence! words fail me... Actually no, they don't. What a wonderful story! Classic. I'm still waiting for the day when I go to some chocolate fair/seminar/class and meet my other hero, Lora Brody.

Funny, I didn't like jook as a kid either, but now I do. Well, depends on who made it. And I recently had tuna noodle casserole for the first time. It was a bit salty, but interesting. I was told that this is the finest white trash cooking, or something like that. --this seems to have turned into the "I was a 1.5/2 gen Asian-Am kid and I lived to tell the tale" thread hehe

I am Korean-American and I notice that I feel weird if I go too long without eating rice. It can be any kind of rice: jasmine, basmati, regular med grain rice, but it must be rice. However, when I eat out, I do go to a variety of places, not just Korean. But rice is always in the next meal, so comforting. Nothing in my mind satisfies like a good bowl of perfectly done (med grain?) rice. Our holidays are a mishmash of Korean and American foods. Or at least they used to be. Now my sis does the cooking and she just makes turkey and some gravy, oh and stuffing. I think California has really molded our eating habits. I can't think of a cuisine that I don't like. We're lucky because we have all sorts of great little restaurants near us.

In Long Beach, CA there's a cafe, called The Library, that has lots of little tables and chairs, squashy, comfy sofas and bookshelves full of old books. I think also a piano. Mostly gay men, but also a couple heteros and lesbians. Lots of people doing homework, or using laptops. Nobody really bothers anyone else. Down the road, there's a really good Italian cafe that I went to with some egullet folks a while back, and the food is actually better, but I come back to the Library for a good read, maybe some tea and dessert. And the comfy sofas.