jschyun

What kind of food are you interested in, exactly?

Actually, I think those are lovely pics. Thanks again.

Hmm, maybe Trader Joe's has gotten better than when I tried them. I did buy beans from TJ's a couple of times but theirs were too skinny and not moist enough. Thanks for the tip. --do you remember when TJ's used to sell $.99 Tahitian vanilla beans? That was awesome.

I used to buy wonderfully plump, moist vanilla beans at Berkeley Bowl for I think $2.99 a bean, but I noticed they recently switched to selling bottles of extract instead. I heard they still sell the beans though, but I didn't see them that day. However, you can get better deals by buying in bulk, if you use vanilla beans regularly.

Don't feel bad, this is just Korean generosity. No sane/normal person can possibly be expected to keep up with it.

Went there again this morning for breakfast, because the voice in my head saying "Number twelve, your order is ready" would not stop until I had sandwich with (free) iced coffee. I think for first timers, the #1 is a good choice, but that is just my opinion. This is what I got for breakfast today. You get a couple of slices of cold cuts, pate, some veggies, jalapenos (you might ask them to leave these off if you wish), one small sprig cilantro. You don't get large amounts of meat and veggies the way you do with American style sandwiches, in fact it might look a little stingy to people who are not used to it. However, there are plenty of banh mi shops that give you more stuff, better ingredients, cheaper prices than Lee's does, so that's something to keep in mind too. But ya gotta try Lee's once in your life. Also, once you branch out, you can be part of the in crowd by complaining about Lee's crappy ingredients and stingy hand with the fillings. hehe

Uh, I hate to tell you this, but kimchi does go bad, and quicker than you think. The first week, you can eat it just plain, then it gets sourer and sourer, and in I'd say about 1.5 to 2 weeks, you gotta make stuff like kimchi chigae out of it. after bout oh 3 to 4 weeks in a regular fridge, it's bad. As for storing it and limiting smell, uh, well if you go to Korean homes, you may notice a separate kimchi refrigerator... Actually, the kimchi refrigerator also allows the kimchi to be stored much longer, months. Back in the day, kimchi was stored all winter in the ground, but nowadays, modern Koreans use the kimchi fridge. You can get this fridge in Koreatown. Actually, you can tinker with kimchi recipes to limit fermentation so that it works with modern fridges and you can store it in there for a while. I'm still working on this myself with a dongchimi recipe I got from a friend. But this is outside the scope of your question. My advice for you is to share and fast. Good luck.

Thanks, JFinLA. I've been neglectful on Wednesdays and must apologize. I've tried to find a sub, I swear. Hopefully someone will step up to the plate. Again, apologies to all.

Thanks again for setting this up. No moving to Houston for you! By the way, when I said that the only thing "secret" about this place is that they don't really spend money on advertising, that wasn't like a diss. When I read my statement again, I thought it could be perceived as a diss but I swear it wasn't meant to be. I just want to show that we're not breaking any rules here by mentioning it on a public forum, and perhaps we're actually helping them. Also, I think it shows their strength that they can survive on word of mouth alone. Cream Pan in Tustin definitely can survive on word of mouth alone, that place rocks.

Well, obviously I'm in the area so you can always look me up. I'd love to join up again. By the way, that hot dog shop is now a gelato place. Actually, it's now my favorite around these parts. I like their hazelnut and some of their sorbets.

Vote number two, right here.

There is a part of Napa that is very blue collar. I know, because my SO is from there, and believe me there were no limos in his neighborhood. Not as picturesque as Sonoma, but no Humvees either, unless they're lost.

Cha for Tea has some good lunch specials. I'll say that about them. I also like their peanut butter on toast, but not enough to pay for it. I love the farmer's market on Sat. In fact, I was going to put up some of my pics sometime soon, but haven't had the chance. I've been to Chakra four times now, since it opened in Nov(?). I like the lunch menu (which is unfortunately limited to about 10 choices), some would say whitewashed, some would say expensive for what you get, not many Indian customers, but I love the presentation of the food, and damn it I will continue going. Also, I think this is one beautiful restaurant. I will try to remember to take pics next time. Went to Lee's Sandwiches for dinner. Packed. Had very good, strong free iced lemonade, free baguette, free corn cookies, saw free coconut cookies but didn't have any. Oh and got my $1.75 banh mi (baguette sandwich) and my avocado milkshake. Took a closer look at the place and saw they sell ice cream too.

samgiovese-- I've been to a couple of locations, and while people will tell you such and such place has better bread than Lee's Sandwiches, and this other place has better fillings, bigger portions, etc. Lee's Sandwiches is for many of my friends, the standard. Also, it doesn't hurt that some of the stores are open 24/7, like for instance the new UC Irvine branch. Also, the Brookhurst branch. In my experience, the bread is pretty crusty, more so than some other Viet bakeries around here. Fillings are standard (ham, beef, pate, chicken, vegetarian etc) and, the price is good ($1.75 per approx 6" sandwich) I've also had the croissant sandwiches, which I didn't like as well, but that is just me. At the larger branches, they have a good selection of sweets and drinks as well. Check the website mentioned above for hours and locations. I noticed they are agressively expanding, and I hope it works out well for them. --I should have said the bread was chewy not crusty. Knew that wasn't right.

Yeah, from what I've heard, the only "secret" thing about it is that they don't want to spend money on advertising. That is also the case with the "secret" Japanese bakery near my house. (Cream Pan in Tustin, awesome flan for $2, the best in the county IMHO)

Opened on the 8th. It's in the old Denny's space right across from the campus. It's already packed. Prices are exactly the same $1.75 for a sandwich, which I cannot understand because the rent has got to be sky high. Lots of seating for students. Computers are up but not running yet. coupon here for free cafe or baguette with sandwich purchase, good until 1/31 This place is going to put Le Diplomate and that $4 boba joint, Cha for Tea OUT OF BUSINESS!

I'm sure you've heard about the opening of this 2 week old patisserie. I was hoping someone would post about this, but since nobody has, here goes. Was just there this morning and thought I'd grab a couple of things. Got there a little too early, but managed to get a selection of macarons, chocolates and a croissant. Macarons are the best I've had in CA so far, esp since my local place changed bakers. My favorite flavors this morning were the Venezuelan chocolate, and the Gingerbread apple one (though this one was a bit messy to eat due to the apple filling). In the choc box, I was pretty surprised to find that I liked the wasabi lime chocolate, though I tasted more lime than wasabi. I knew I'd like the others, and they didn't disappoint. I thought the flavors were clean and clear. I have to say, I'm not a fan of chocolate covered jelly though (tea infused chocs). I also got some Darjeeling tea (Mariage Freres brand) and a financier. Breakfast =$27. Some pics: L-R, back row first: Venezuelan chocolate, Gingerbread Cake with apple filling, Rose Petal, Raspberry, Meyer Lemon, Green Tea, Gianduja Choc L-R, back row first: Jasmine tea and passionfruit, Wasabi Lime, Ginger (front row) Venezuelan (? I think this is right)choc truffle, Quatre Epices (4 spices), and Fleur de Sel Caramel Soon they will have a tea salon upstairs and so it won't be just take-away. The color scheme and overall design reminds me of Tiffany's. The staff are good looking, young and are helpful and nice in a relaxed way (if that makes sense).

FYI, a huge new Chinese mall is being built in South Bay area, near or in Dublin. My friends live there and told me about it. Something to look forward to. --Also, Ethnic Markets: The Korean supermarket near Grand Ave, in Oakland. I haven't been there in months so forget the name. Has everything one needs, and even has a bakery in house (left side).

whole shrimp har gaw with no binders, just the shrimp and seasonings (alas, haven't done this one in years) dongchimi (water kimchi). It is beautiful.

Well, well, well. I see someone is making a list. Perhaps we can get a California list of our favorites going? As a gesture of goodwill, I'll even type it up. hehe. Heck, maybe we can get a meta list like Sun-Ki's going.

I was in Sacramento recently and thought of you and PamelaF. Good to see you blogging again. California represent! hehe

I didn't read this whole thread, but I just met someone who made pot ice cream and said it was really good. IIRC, they infused the pot into the cream and then made the ice cream out of that. It was bright green and he said it "did the job". Also, someone made pot butter that turned green as well and someone made brownies from it. Apparently it was so strong that someone threw up after eating it.

Yo people, is this still happening?

Well, I guess this isn't as much of an ethical issue since it's going to the trash anyway. But am I the only one thinking that it's sort of ew gross? Was is really good wine or something? ← Beard House usually doesn't serve "really good wine," at least not when i was there. it's usually good, rarely "really good." i think she just wanted more wine - nothing (and no one) would stop her... (the wine pours are not huge, mostly tasting size BUT there are many different wines). perhaps she just really liked the wine - one woman's plonk is another's Chateau Lafite?? it is kind of gross though, and possibly desperate ← After thinking about it, I realized my reaction to the woman taking a swig of someone else's wine was kind of sexist. I didn't really bat an eye about the guys shoving pork chops down their pants (esp after reading Tony Bourdain) and I only got affected by it when Gifted Gourmet pointed it out. Hmm.

As Jinmyo might say (I think), web page music is the Devil's tinnitus. A little Flash can be useful and good. I like Flash when looking at restaurant pics so I don't have to press anything to get to the next view. But as my friend says overuse of Flash is so 1999.