An Update

I know the blog has been slow going lately, but I do have some great things up my sleeve for the coming weeks. But since I cant do a food update justice right now, how about I clue you into some of the other diversions that my life has taken to.

-- Apartment hunting in Silicon Valley. I found a place my second day into looking and sealed the deal $1900 poorer.

-- Furniture shopping. I sold all of my college stuff when I moved out of Berkeley last March. Instead of prowling the Chowhound boards, I am now a devout reader of Craigslist.

-- Road trip to Southern Oregon. The objective was to visit Crater Lake and see a play at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. We achieved both and even managed to raft the Class IV Upper Klamath.

-- Getting logistics in order. Traffic school, car registration transfer, arraignment hearing for traffic ticket, etc.

-- Saying goodbye to SoCal proper.

So as you can see, I've been very busy and there's still much more to do.

Please bear with me.

Vosges Haut Chocolat [Chicago]

I walked out with a cute 4-piece box at $9.00, making each delectable ball $2.25. Ouch. The cashier even wrote down the names of my chocolates on card stock for me.

Black Pearl: It smelled strongly of cocoa powder and was topped with black sesames. The outer shell was resistant but only hard enough contain the smooth semi-liquid center. The core was so utterly creamy and slightly paste-like in texture. The sesames gave the whole piece a subtle crunch, and the fire from the wasabi dances lightly on the tongue. There was also a smattering of ginger that was apparent.

Woolloomooloo: I'm proud to say that this is the only milk-chocolate piece in my box. Like the Black Pearl, it was a rigid orb but the inside wasn't nearly as smooth. It may be due to the fact that I waited longer to consume it. Macadamia nuts were mixed with the chocolate inside and the coconut shreds provided a nice play on texture.

Top: Black Pearl, Red Fire; Bottom: Woolloomooloo, Balsamico

Balsalmico: The hazelnut garnish didn't do much for the entire confection. The strong balsamic flavor mixed well with the bitterness of the dark chocolate.

Red Fire: The intriguing red speckles over the dark ball reminded me of frogs in a rain forest, warning predators of a hazard that will befall them upon consumption. As someone who is sensitive to heat, I detected very little spice from the ancho chilies while it rolled on my tongue but it left a tingly aftertaste.

The website states that the truffles should be refrigerated until time of consumption. I was not made aware of this and now I'm saddened by the strong possibility of my chocolates tasting x times better.

Vosges Haut Chocolat
520 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 644-9450

In loving memory of Wat Thai

Wat Thai Temple North Hollywood, CA

I caught wind of Wat Thai's closing on the Chowhound boards and resolved to make it to what has been called LA's most authentic Thai food on its last weekend. My resolve was so strong that I even cut my San Francisco trip short to check it out.

My mom had cautioned me against wearing shorts and/or tank tops since I wouldn't normally be allowed to step foot in a temple so scantily clad. She failed to realize that this was the tragically hip LA and that the food stands only operate under the auspices of a religious institution--but come on now, we all know they're there to make a profit.

We were pretty distraught at first, since the compound was pretty deserted from where we had entered. A sigh of relief quickly overcame us at the first sight of civilization crowned under a pretty blue tent. While some were there for prayer, we were certainly there only to worship the gods responsible for the fiery curries, sweet satays, and pungent salads of Thai cuisine.

The currency of choice here is not the Baht, but instead tokens purchased in denominations of $.50, $1, and $2, which account for the majority of the under $5 dishes. The most expensive thing we got was the $5 mango with sticky rice, which is cut-to-order and as good as any mango-sticky rice I've ever gotten.

Hands down, the best dish was the Papaya Salad, which was proclaimed the best we've had yet. The sweet, sour, and spicy notes were perfectly balanced, while the salted crabs gave it a unique twist.

We also tried the Noodles, Fried Eggs, and Pad Thai from another vendor down the way. The noodles was just too hot to enjoy in the steamy valley and while I've had better pad thai for $.50 from a street stall in Thailand, this wasn't half bad. I ordered the eggs because they reminded me of Vietnamese bot chien, which is mostly made of rice cakes. Turns out my Thai dish was mostly made of fried eggs which were tossed with clams and served with a mild sauce that tasted like ketchup. It was okay, though I didn't want to finish the entire tray.

There were two booths selling satay, so we bought an order of chicken from each to compare them side-by-side. Americanized Thai food has taught us the Chicken Satay is normally dressed with peanut butter, when in reality all that satay really designates is a meat that grilled on a skewer. Both versions were smoky and tender with the difference in flavor (one was slightly spicier) being only a matter of preference.

One of the more interesting dishes were the Chicken Dumplings ($3), which were scented with peanuts and coconut. The skins were gummy and thin, which I enjoyed, though the filling was too sweet for a savory course.

Speaking of sweets, we also tried these crunchy wafer-like tacos, which were filled with various forms of coconut. A bit too sweet for my taste. Beverages were lacking with mediocre Thai teas, coconut juices and a logan juice that was decent at best.

I made the mistake of saving curries for last and was just too stuffed to eat another thing. It was a fun experience and it reminded me of Berkeley's own Thai Temple--an institution all on its own. It was good spending time with the family and if you've got some time on your hands, sign the petition to keep the weekend food stalls up and running!

Wat Thai Temple
12909 Cantara St
North Hollywood, CA 91605
(818) 780-4200

Ici [Berkeley]

Ici – Where Peach-Habanero Sorbet actually counts as a good thing

When Ici opened in Berkeley last year, it was to Berkeley what the recent Osteria Mozza opening was to Hollywood—elusive.

I had driven by it and intrigued by the fanciful signs, I scoured the Chowhound boards and blogs in search of an opening date. First it was one month, then it was two, and then it just fell off my radar until I found it quietly open on my way back from campus one day.

In the beginning, portions were meager, at $2.75 for a single scoop of ice cream. But once they worked out the kinks and offered me more value for my money, I was hooked. Ici was not five minutes from where I lived and rain or shine, day or night, fat or skinny I made sure to make the daily pilgrimage. Even now, I cant bare to overlook a visit if I’m anywhere within a 1-hour radius.

Ici's ice creams stand out on two levels: 1) texture and 2) flavor. The ice creams are smooth, but not overly rich and with an icy finish that is the perfect companion for a hot summer’s day. The flavors are incredibly crisp and the combinations make for happy marriages. Whether it is a simple mint-lime or an intriguing peach-habanero, you will first taste the components individually, before enjoying the harmony that they sing together in your mouth.

I had originally settled on the Honey-Saffron, but after trying the Strawberry ice cream, there was no doubt in my mind that it would go perfectly with the Peach-Habanero sorbet. I was at first ambivalent to Peach-Habanero by itself, but the contrast of textures and the similar flavor profiles of the two together were nothing short of sublime.

My first taste of the sorbet revealed only sweet notes of ripe peaches. I waited and waited and was then found by the subtle, but striking heat of the peppers. You know when it’s so cold that its burns? Well, Peach-Habanero sorbet operates on a similar principle: your tongue is first tickled by the chill of the sorbet and then piqued by the heat of the habaneros. The continuity is seamless, while the combination of temperature and flavor onto a single spectrum makes for a thoughtful transition. I suggest pairing Peach-Habanero with a creamier ice cream (e.g. Strawberry) to soothe the tingling sensation left by the sorbet.


On top of offering a seasonal menu of ice creams, sorbets, bombes, and ice cream sandwiches, Ici also does some amazing cardamom-semolina cookies and gingersnaps. Did I mention the hand-rolled cones with their chocolate-filled tips and dusting to sugar crystals? And on top of all that, they’re a green operation serving their treats in 100% biodegradable packaging.

Ici
2948 College Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 665-6054

My favorites: Lemon-gingersnap ice cream sandwiches, cardamom-semolina cookies, ginger cookies, any of the sorbets, citrus-flavored ice creams

Bakesale Betty [Berkeley]

Bakesale Betty - Better than yo' grandmama's secret family recipe

For being as brainy as they are, Berkeley students seldom venture far form the 2-mile bubble that the campus seems to be under. While this puts them in proximity of overpriced downtown eats for the theater set and passable dorm alternatives, they are far from the Foodaholic Anonymous concentrations of Elmwood, Temescal, Rockridge, the San Pablo Corridor, West Berkeley, and Fourth Street—in other words, they have overlooked everything that Berkeley has to offer an aspiring palate.

Perhaps it was that I lived too far (1.5 miles) to be bothered with campus parking (I never went to class) or the twenty minute walk, but I always made an effort to explore my neighborhood and its culinary communes.

Famished from my apartment and furniture hunt, I went in search of something to satisfy both my budget and well-honed Berkeleyan sentiments about food. I remembered an article about Bakesale Betty’s cult favorite Fried Chicken Sandwich ($7.25) and decided to celebrate my return with the non-diet-friendly indulgence.

I had been to Betty’s for a pastry and coffee one morning and while it was busy, it was nowhere near as bustling as the lunchtime crowd gathered on the sidewalk tables. As I was about to walk in the store, a baker came out and stopped at each table to deliver fresh baked cookies. Rats! I missed the free sampling!

Although I already had an item in mind, I couldn’t help but lust after the endless trays of peaches waiting to baked into today’s pies and the strawberry shortcakes gleaming from behind the glass cases. The guy at the cash register may have been flirting with me, but I was too smitten to hear a thing he said.

But alas, I was practicing moderation and went on my way after receiving my brown paper bag with said sandwich waiting inside. I made the mistake of ordering it to-go so I could eat while driving and ended up having to pull over because the darned thing was just too big and messy for my tiny little lap.

Bakesale Betty's Fried Chicken Sandwich

The sandwich is accompanied by the mildly spicy version of coleslaw that omits the mayonnaise in favor of a mustard vinaigrette. The heat in the flavoring is contrasted by the cooler temperature and texture of the cabbage. If that's crunchy or spicy enough for you, there's also the twice-fried, buttermilk-battered chicken to take into account.

The white-meat cut of chicken breast--or breasts, I should say (mine came with two)--doesn't skimp on moisture or flavor. The secret lies in the frying batter, which is generously seasoned with salt, pepper, and cayenne to give the chicken a kick worthy of an Emeril BAM. I was worried when I saw the trays of chicken waiting around to be served, but my de-boned, de-skinned, and de-feathered friends stayed crunchy till the last bite.

If that weren't enough to entice you, I've got four syllables: ja-la-pe-nos. Sliced fresh and served in the vinaigrette. The Acme torpedo rolls are a perfect choice to compliment the fillings.

While the recipe was recently published in the Chronicle, why would you risk burning yourself with frying oil when you could get the stuff made fresh from the source. Betty's fried chicken rings in at staggering 995 calories, so if your figure-concious like me, save half for tomorrow, making sure to bake all of the elements separately in the toaster oven before enjoying.

Bakesale Betty's
5098 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 985-1213

Yogurtland [Irvine]

The yogurt craze continues to invade Orange County. Many UCI students satisfy their cravings at this self-serve location where prices are determined by the weight (30 cents per ounce). There are approximately 10 flavors a day with tart and sweet flavors available. I'm not sure if there's a pattern to the flavor offerings as they tend to differ slightly each time I visit. The toppings range from fresh fruits to syrups to other sweets.

Although the yogurt here is rather icy, I find that most of the flavors are good with chocolate mint being my favorite. The tart is sub-par compared to Pinkberry's so I avoid any variation of tart at all costs here.

Expect a slithering line out the door if you come after sundown. At that time, the wait is usually around 15 minutes. And it's not because the cashiers are slow. I see them standing at the registers with nothing to do for brief moments. It's the fact that the consumers don't know what they want and they take forever to make their choices. If everyone just knew what they wanted and went straight to it, it'd be a lot more efficient.

Also, sample cups are available from the cashier. They'll usually only give you 2 or 3 though.

Yogurtland
14775 Jeffrey Rd., Ste J
Irvine, CA 92618
(714) 525-2912

Janus Bakery [Fountain Valley]

Janus Bakery - A lesson in how to give yourself a heart attack from being underwhelmed.

You could imagine my surprise at discovering that an Asian bakery lay only steps away from my SO's house on the corner of Brookhurst and Ellis in Fountain Valley. I drive by that Ralph's plaza daily and I went to high school right around the corner. How it managed to escape my radar, I'll never know. The fact that it did should have clued me into what was coming.

Janus Bakery is an offshoot to the popular Irvine J&J and while I haven’t been to its counterpart in a long while, Janus was bad enough to keep me away.

I was quite enthralled at the prospect of not having to drive all the way to Tustin for good sandwiches and built my lunch around a Dried Pork and Green Onion Egg. The bread was dry, but the sweet pork sung added both flavor and crunch to an otherwise boring egg patty. While there weren't any winners, this sandwich could have taken the consolation prize.

The breads and buns were large to the point of unsightliness and oozed grease even from the looks of them--you could see the gleam of fat glistening as the buns pressed up against their plastic shells. I know these things aren’t healthy, but I don’t need a visual reminder of the fat curdling in my body as I’m about to eat them.

My bad for buying a Cheese Bun that looked like a cheese-covered Loch Ness monster. I was looking forward to inhaling the ooey-gooey, fat-laden, 8” comfort food, but my side of heart attack didn’t even come with an eye-opening epiphany. The cheese was hard. It wasn’t even salty. And I wasn’t comforted in the least.

The Hot Dog Bun similarly lacked gusto and I could have done better wrapping a slice of Wonder Bread around Vienna Sausage straight from the can. These types of bakeries are usually able to deliver on the bun, even if the fillings are nasty as hell. But Janus’ dry and bland dough fell flat from start to finish.

Like any trained gourmand, I went straight for the coffee swirls in the Coffee Pound Cake slice. Bad move—imagine leaving your store-bought Starbucks Frappucino in the car on a sweltering day…and then having the bad idea to drink it. I didn’t think they’d stoop so low as to sell me spoiled food, so I kept going at the thing with an open mind. In case you’re wondering, no. It’s not an acquired taste.

At this point, you may be wondering what prompted me to write such a scathing review with biting wit? It’s so atypical of my style…

Worst, and I repeat, WORST of all, is the sour-faced woman working at the counter looking like she hasn’t be f*cked in ages. Even I couldn’t stand waking up to that face—and I had to endure it for all of five minutes.

And the pros? Everything is dirt cheap with most items ringing in under $1. They do have a good variety of sandwiches and there are also cakes available for purchase. If you’re the type who’s willing to settle for mediocrity, Janus Bakery is just the right place for you.

Janus Bakery
18279 Brookhurst St Ste 3
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 965-3088

Hitching Post II [Buellton]

The Hitching Post II has become a permanent fixture on my annual Pacific Coast Highway itinerary. This year was as good as the last, if not better, and with the same company in tow, we took a stroll down memory lane, all the while savoring our late-night dinner in a packed house.

Fame and hype have a way of getting to a restaurant's head, but while Sideways has put the little town of Buellton on the map, the Hitching Post stays grounded in its humble origins, grilling up a mean Santa Maria style BBQ rubbed in its famous Magic Dust spice.

Unlike your typical metropolitan steakhouse, meals at the Hitching Post come with all the trimmings. With most steaks setting you back less than $40, you get a deal of a meal with two starters (shrimp cocktail OR soup + salad) and sides of salsa, garlic bread, roasted veggies, and your choice of a starch (rice pilaf, french fries, baked potato).

Tonight's feature was a Tomatillo-Corn Soup that has got to be one of the best Latino flavor combinations my mouth has seen yet. While the soup was served hot, the acidity of the tomatoes and the sweetness of the corn made for a refreshingly cool end to a steamy summer day. The charred kernels of corn were grilled and shaved fresh off the cob.

Traditional SM-style BBQ is rubbed simply with garlic salt, salt, and pepper before tossed on the grill and served with salsa, pinquito beans and French bread. While tri-tip and top sirloins are usually the cuts of choice, the Hitching Post also offers filet mignon, NY, flat iron, and Angus rib chops for the more discerning.

We weren't feeling too hungry, so we opted for one of the smallest portions, an 8-ounce filet mignon ($32). Cooked medium rare, it was melt-in-your-mouth tender and judging from the texture alone, you could've been fooled into thinking it was fish. The Magic Dust seasoning was simple, giving the already flavorful "Midwestern Cornfed Beef" a rustic touch.

Veggies are a cut above your average steamed offerings with carrots, squash, and zucchini roasted with a bit of olive oil and onion buds roasted with butter. The salsa was tart and crisp on the surface with a kick of heat to bring it all together.

Our waiter suggested the Hitching Post's own 2003 Big Circle ($7 glass), a Syrah, as a pairing with the steak. It was robust and true to his description of being "spicy."

For dessert, we went with our standby favorite, Strawberry Shortcake ($7). The portion is large enough for an entire family, but not so sweet that it cant be devoured by just one person--and there are enough strawberries to hold you over 'til the very last bite.

Service is informal with local high school kids forming the bulk of the front-of-the-house staff. While the service can be clumsy and flustered at times, our waiter was gracious and polite throughout the duration of our meal.

The parking lot was packed when we arrived for our 9pm reservation and the bar was still hopping when we left. Unpretentious, delicious, and a steal--how could you miss it?


The Hitching Post II
406 E Highway 246
Buellton, CA 93427
(805) 688-0676

Try: Tomatillo-Corn Soup, Grilled Artichoke, Strawberry Shortcake, any of the steaks

lettuce b. frank [Santa Barbara]

Lettuce B. Frank’s slick interior and pay-by-condiment design cater to Santa Barbara’s bourgie State Street set. The grill serves up sliders, salads, hot dogs, and other American classics for your enjoyment, though prices are steep for what you get.

Hot dogs are the piece de resistance at LBF with baseline prices starting at $3 for your basic all-beef, turkey, or veggie dog—specialty sausages and blends are more. Your hot dog is grilled and set on a poppy seed bun with complimentary yellow mustard and ketchup, though condiments and toppings will cost you extra. If customization just requires too much thought for you, opt for one of the specialty hot dogs such as the Chicago or New York, which will set you back about $4.75.

My SO described his Italian Sausage ($4) topped simply with brown mustard as “too clean.” It had decent flavor, but none of that gritty chargrilled smokiness you get from hole-in-the-wall hot dog joints (I’m thinking about the Berkeley institution of Top Dogs). The sausage was pretty mild and could’ve used more kick for being Italian.

We also grabbed an order of the Sweet Potato Fries ($2), which were thin-cut and dense, though the lack of crispiness left something more to be desired. The fries come with a pretty gnarly maple sauce whose sweetness deems the side worthy of a dessert.

We were happy to oblige when the guy next to us didn’t want his cheeseburger sliders (he ordered hamburger), so the owner kicked us down the dregs. Like a slice of White Castle heaven, the thin burger patties were enveloped by Hawaiian rolls and served up with some more of the tasty maple sauce. A little on the sweet side, but I’d probably order them again even if they weren’t free.

Personally, I’d rather get down and dirty with my hot dogs, but if you’re looking for something with more ambiance, lettuce b. frank is not a bad choice.

lettuce b. frank
413 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 453-6625