Nibbling around the San Francisco Bay Area

This last trip back to San Francisco was pretty indulgent, a true eat-fest.

Here are pictures from the many other bites that I had during my two week trip.  It was filled with nostalgic eats (like the chicken wings by my alma mater), fun finds while catching up with old friends (which is the root to my love for bar food), and new bites which I can't wait to have again on my next trip (Smore's Pie at Bi-Rite!)

If you cant see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: SF Nibblings

Completely satisfying my Mexican craving

"What are you going to miss the most when you're back home?"  My last meal in the the Bay Area hours before my flight back home to Manila.  And that is the perfect question.

My response, "American or Mexican."  Both are found all over Manila and all over Asia. But there's something about eating American in the states and Mexican in California that just tastes so much better.  Even my friends living in New York say they miss the Mexican food from the Bay Area.

So on the drive from the South Bay to SFO, my friends and I stopped by Mountain View for some Mexican food.  La Fiesta is a real local spot a few blocks from downtown Mountain View.  This was my first time here, and it's not going to be my last.

The meal starts with the usual chips and salsa while waiting for our food and drinks to arrive.  I love that there are 3 kinds of salsa.  The drinks soon followed.  Our Coronas came with beer mugs with salted rims.  Salt with beer?  Did they think we were having margaritas?  Just recently, though, I actually read that a pinch of salt can do wonders for beer.  I've heard this about hot chocolate and coffee.  I've tried it with both: love it in hot chocolate, and one time was enough to try it in my coffee.

How was it with beer?  "Interesting" and "different" were the 2 words we kept saying.  It was definitely a learning experience.  Will I try it at home?  Definitely not if I'm by myself wanting to enjoy a good beer.  But, if I'm entertaining friends and the conversation comes up, then sure I might give it another try.

As for the food, this meal completely satisfied my Mexican cravings.  The enchiladas were doused with a special sauce that hit the spot.  I've been home for a week and I'm already looking forward to eating here the next time I'm back in town.

(While this was my last meal in the Bay Area, there are still several posts to come from my trip.  Next week features crepes, pizza, and a tasting menu!)

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

If you can't see the slideshow, check out my Flickr album: La Fiesta

Modern Vietnamese at Xanh

When I first moved to Asia last year, I would find myself really craving for Mexican food. My cravings for foods that I grew up with change each time I revisited the states. Mexican, burgers, pizza, ramen, and so on. This time around, I had a craving for Vietnamese cuisine.

Because I come from a family that doesn't plan ahead and doesn't really make reservations until the day of, we weren't able to land a table in Slanted Door. That is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant (Out the Door, included) in San Francisco.

So instead, we revisited Xanh, a Vietnamese restaurant in the Bay Area. We first went to Xanh when it first opened years ago. When they moved locations, across the street, we never had a chance to try it out again. The newer location is nicely set up with a few dining areas and a bar/lounge.

The food has modern presentations, while enjoying it all family style. Overall, the food is enjoyable. But, when you expect Slanted Door quality, it's kind of disappointing. I found myself constantly thinking, "This is okay but Slanted Door does it so much better." I definitely need to book ahead at Slanted Door the next time I'm in the Bay Area.


Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Xanh

Summer Treats

Summer! For years that meant June through September of warm to hot weather and bright blue skies filling most of the days. For the second year in a row, these summer months I look forward to are now filled with monsoons, storms, and typhoons.

After two weeks straight of rain and gray clouds here in Manila, I was so excited to escape to the states for a two week trip. The two weeks were filled with the perfect summer weather.

And what's the best way to embrace the last days of summer? With ice cream, frozen yogurt and popsicles!!

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Summer Treats

New at Shabuway

While I love trying out new restaurants, I equally enjoy going back to old favorites. The other night I went to Shabuway, and they had a new item on their menu - Premium Wagyu style cut! It's only $3 more than the Kobe style that they have on their regular menu. It was soo delicious! The fat rendered in the boiling water. The bite of the meat is amazing. I'll definitely go back again soon.

Shabu-Shabu!

In an earlier blog, I wrote about how I can eat Japanese food every day. I've had Japanese cuisine for majority of my week -- sashimi and soba dinner, ramen, yakitori, and now shabu-shabu. Shabu-shabu translates to "swish-swish." That's the action you make when you swish the thin raw slice of beef in the pot of boiling water.

Shabuway, Mountain View
The Setup
The pot of water soon to be boiled. On the left is the sesame seed sauce which I spice up with hot oil. On the right is the ponzu sauce, which is basically soy sauce with lemon and vinegar. I like to add scallions and spicy radish.

Vegetables
Cabbage, Tofu, Enoki Mushrooms, Spinach, Carrots

Beef!

Ryowa Ramen House

I have been a frequent customer of Ryowa Ramen in Mountain View since high school. My favorite items include: Ryoma Ramen, Fried Chicken, Fried Rice, and Pork Gyoza. Everything else on the menu is also delicious, but these are their standouts.

Tonkotsu Ramen
A few weeks ago I finally tried Santa Ramen's signature tonkotsu. Ryowa started making tonkotsu as well. I had to compare. It's good, but it's not amazing like Santa Ramen's. I have an urge to go back to Ryowa to have a bowl of the Ryowa Ramen to satisfy my ramen craving.

Tapas

Cascal's
Tapas restaurant in downtown Mountain View. With their outdoor seating, this is one of the best places to go on a beautiful day.


White Sangria
Light and refreshing. A nice summer alternative to the tradition red wine sangria.

Mushroom Empanadas
Generous mushroom filling inside of a well-baked pastry. Highly recommended.


Fried Calamaris with a Paprika Aioli Sauce
Nicely fried. It makes for a great plate to share with the table.

Tapas Sampler
If your table is hungry, this is the choice to get.

Ramen

Kumako Ramen, Japantown San Jose
A decent ramen house, but it does not beat Ryowa Ramen in Mountain View.

Miso Ramen
Decent broth and bite to the noodles.


Side of Curry Rice
Comes with the ramen as a lunch special. Decent Japanese curry, but it does not compare to Curry House in Cupertino