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October 3, 2014
September 28, 2014
Padrecito
The food at Padrecito is excellent! I heard great things about their tacos so I had to try it for myself.
We started our meal with chipotle chilaquiles with duck carnitas. It was spicy and the duck perfectly cooked. I didn't even know duck carnitas was a thing... We then shared an order of goat barbacoa tacos and an order of grilled sockeye salmon tacos per our waitress's recommendation. I enjoyed the goat taco the most because the meat tasted earthy, albeit a bit chewy, and was absolutely full of flavor. The salmon taco was delicious too and the salmon so tender, but I don't really like mango slaw or salsa so I preferred the goat taco.
Although the dishes are pricey, I could really tell that the food was made with fresh ingredients and that the restaurant took care in cooking their food well. For dessert we had hot and fresh churros with a delicious coffee flavored cream. I've never had freshly made, non-Costco or carnival churros before and I was missing out big time. So crunchy, crispy, light, and highly addictive. Padrecito is definitely on my go-to list because next time, I'm totally getting the pork belly tacos.
churros with mascarpone-coffee crema |
September 24, 2014
Recipe: Kimchi Burger
As much as I enjoy eating burgers out, I also get a kick out of making them at home, where I'm free to dress it up or down as I like. It also makes me content knowing that I've mastered the art of cooking delicious burgers at home.
Today's burger is Korean inspired and unexpectedly tasty. In fact, I made it two nights in a row. The stir-fried kimchi adds crunch and heat that cuts against the greasy burger. Perhaps it's the Korean in me but I'm pretty convinced that kimchi paired with anything is delicious.
Kimchi Burger
Adapted from Foodie With Family
Serves 1
Ingredients
2 tbsp plain greek yogurt
1 tsp gochujang
1 hamburger bun, halved
¼ cup chopped kimchi, drained of most liquid
1 3-4 oz burger patty, seasoned with salt and pepper
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together the greek yogurt and gochujang until smooth and evenly colored. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
Heat a skillet on medium-high and add the drained kimchi to the pan. Stir-fry until the kimchi is browned around the edges and fragrant. Transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
Toast hamburger buns in the skillet or in a toaster.
While the buns are toasting, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Place burger patty in the center and cook for ~2 minutes. Flip and cook the other side ~2 minutes as well, or until cooked through on the inside.
Take the toasted buns and generously spread the spicy yogurt sauce on the cut sides of both the top and bottom halves of each bun.
Lay the burger patty on the bottom half of the bun and place stir-fried kimchi on top. Add the top half of the bun.
Serve immediately.
September 22, 2014
media naranja Kickstarter Dinner
The food was no doubt amazing and I was able to try some really new and interesting Mexican cuisine. My absolute favorites of the night were the guacamole with pomegranate & pumpkin seeds, charred corn & fried squash blossom taco, and arroz con leche.
baja style beer-battered calamari, cabbage slaw, lemon aioli, salsa veracruzana |
arroz con leche: vanilla bean rice pudding, strawberries, grapes, dried figs, chopped hazelnuts |
September 21, 2014
La Note Restaurant
La Note serves an impressive brunch! My friend in Berkeley highly recommended this restaurant and judging by the line of people waiting outside, I'd say that everyone knows how good the food is here. We were crazy enough to arrive 15 minutes before the restaurant even opened but had no regrets on the early wake up call as we witnessed the restaurant filling up quickly.
I was intrigued by the extensive menu and settled on les oeufs lucas: 2 eggs lightly scrambled with goat cheese, chives, served with roasted tomatoes and whole wheat toast. I also ordered a single lemon gingerbread and poached pear pancake to try. I strongly respect restaurants that know how to make soft scrambled eggs and La Note hit the mark. The pancake was very gingerbready and a bit too dense but so addictive, I pretty much ate the entire thing regardless. My friend ordered the cote ouest: three egg omelette with ratatouille, served with homefries and toast. We also shared an order of two spicy merguez sausages which were so good and made me understand why my friend raved about its tastiness.
September 18, 2014
Starbelly
The search for the top burgers has been ongoing and despite all the ones I've tried recently, the top 3 burgers have been ones that I've tried early on in the burger crawl. But tonight, the #2 spot formerly occupied by Spruce has been claimed by Starbelly. I'd only heard about the secret menu doc's style burger from online blogs and was interested in trying it. Because National Cheeseburger Day is one of the most important days for me, I just had to get a burger for dinner.
We split the doc's style burger and wow, I had no idea chicken liver pate could be so amazing on a burger. The burger topped with pate and caramelized onions was unlike anything I've ever tasted before. I'm still dreaming about that burger...
To start, my friend and I shared the Starbelly salad, a straightforward salad with simple ingredients. We then ordered the seasonal cheese plate which came presented on a log with all kinds of goodies. I can't remember the name of the cheeses but I really enjoyed the soft one. It was delicious spread on grilled bread with pumpkin seeds.
starbelly salad: mixed greens, goat cheese, yellow peach, & vinaigrette; seasonal cheese plate |
We split the doc's style burger and wow, I had no idea chicken liver pate could be so amazing on a burger. The burger topped with pate and caramelized onions was unlike anything I've ever tasted before. I'm still dreaming about that burger...
doc's style burger: prather ranch patty with chicken liver pate and caramelized onions on grilled sesame seed challah bun; house cut fries |
For dessert we both ordered a press of decaf coffee to complement the warm toffee cake with mascarpone & medjool dates. Starbelly's ambiance is wonderful and I can't wait to come back to try some of the other menu items and particularly, that burger again.
September 17, 2014
Souvla Part 2
I couldn't refrain from trying the frozen greek yogurt with baklava crumbles & syrup. So tart and tangy, the frozen yogurt paired well with the sweet toppings. Glad I tried it. Till next time Souvla!
american homestead pork shoulder salad with minted greek yogurt, cherry tomato, pickled red onion, cucumber, feta cheese; side of pita bread |
greek frozen yogurt with baklava crumbles & syrup |
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