Food Retard

I read many articles about how America is getting fat.  People are not exercising as much.  Kids are remaining more stationary rather than going outside to play, i.e. video games.  With as many fast food advertising on TV, it’s no wonder that people can’t resist “super sizing” their meal or adding “chicken fries” to their order.  But nothing makes me want to gag more than the Jimmy Dean Pancakes and Sausage on a Stick:  Chocolate Chip.  First of all, it’s bad enough that they have Pancakes and Sausage on a stick, but do you have to have chocolate chips?  Umm, Jimmy Dean forgot to dip this in batter and deep fry this sucker.  Oh yea, and the maple syrup packets to squirt in your mouth before taking a bite.  >_<

There was a 5.4 earthquake in Southern California yesterday.  Of course when something like this happens, the media goes into a frenzy and talks about “the big one” and makes people nervous.  That’s just what we need.  People to think that it’s all coming to an end.  Or tomorrow is the day.  Still, if you are paranoid and feel the need to be prepared, Costco has this 275 servings of easy to prepare emergency rations.  Please note, this is for an emergency.  I mean, one of the meals in there is called “Potato Bakon.” I know and love bacon.  What is bakon? 

Costco Product Link

Here’s the ingredients of Potato Bakon

I get very discourage when the ingredient list of something reads like a periodic table of elements. 

Eel are believed to very good for...the male stamina.  It’s one of those foods that is good for you..."makes you strong.” You know, down there.  But if you eat unagi, it’s really good.  And there’s no evidence that it makes you strong. 

However, in Japan, they have taken unagi to a whole new level.  An unagi drink just in time for summer to not only cool you down, but make you “strong” as well.  It’s fizzy, yellow, made from bones of the freshwater eel, and contains various vitamins to help you stay strong...I mean get stronger. 

Link to article here.

What would you do if you went to your favorite sushi place and ordered a tuna roll only to be turned away?  Or what if the classic tuna salad all of a sudden cost the same as caviar?  The Tuna fish has been taken for granted and face some serious overfishing issues.  Tuna is the default fish for sushi bars.  It is the “chicken of the sea.” Here’s a link to the article.  It’s sad that the tuna is being over fished.  There are other tasty animals to enjoy too.  Next time when you’re at the sushi bar, try unagi, or freshwater eel.  It comes in your familiar sushi form or over rice like a teriyaki bowl.  Trust me, it’s not as gross as you think it is.  After all, you’re already eating raw fish.  How much grosser can it get?

When I was really young, my grandmother would take me here all the time.  Being Chiu Chow, this place was like sitting down to a home cooked meal.  This place is where I go for comfort food.  It’s been at the same spot in Alhambra for 20+ years.  The same family that opened the restaurant is still there.  The same boss lady is still taking the orders...with the same feisty attitude.  If you come here, expect a lot of Chinese patrons and noodle soup.  This place is known for the fat rice noodle in soup, chive cakes, and pork intestine.  I can’t eat pork intestines anymore because it’s really rich and high in cholesterol.  If you can or dare eat it, order it.  You can have it deep fried as an appetizer or sliced in your noodle soup. 

Vietnamese Food. The phrase conjures up images of dirty floors, rude service, trays of sriracha and hoisin on the table, and wonderful cheap eats. Chef Haley Nguyen has decided to carve out her own new niche in the Fountain Valley area by offering up Vietnamese food in a different setting.

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The good folks at CNN has put together a list of 10 items that are outrageously expensive eats.  Pictured above is the giant rare golden tigerfish.  And like all rare things, the Chinese believe it is good luck.  Even though it’s rare and damn expensive ($75,000 for this 105 lbs fish), the chinese went nom nom nom nom.  The most expensive thing on the list is...edible gold leaf.  Such a waste.  Some of the items on this list doesn’t surprise me, but the cost of a pound for each item will surprise you. 

The World’s Priciest Foods - CNN

Fancy, gourmet, formal...these are words that don’t describe my typcial eatery.  I’m very basic.  I like good food at a fair price. 

I believe that a meal should be comfortable.  Wearing a suit and tie to dinner is not my idea of comfortable.  On that note, on a recent business trip to San Francisco, we managed to get reservations at Gary Danko.  This place was definitely high end.  All the staff were in business suits with only one goal, to make the customer happy.  The ambiance was quite nice, kind of dark, very romantic but can be appropriate for big groups.  If you need to impress a date, take them here.  The menu and prices here encourage you to try a few courses.  3 courses will run you about $65, while 4 will cost above $80.  Here’s a tip, the more courses does not mean more food.  You get about the same amount of food no matter what you order.  And yes, if you wanted to, you can order 3 appitizer and make it your entire meal.  I went with 4 courses since the meal was on the company’s dime

Bacon wrapped scallops are an easy appetizer to make when you’re entertaining.  You can make dozens at a time with very little effort.  Scallops are available year round in the freezer section of your local supermarket.  If you a Costco member, you can buy a 2 lbs. bag of jumbo scallops for $20.  These scallops might be a little too big for appetizers, but four of them can be a meal.  The other ingredient you need is bacon.

Here’s what you do.

Defrost the scallops in a large bowl.
Set your oven to broil and let it preheat.
Season scallops with a little salt and pepper.  I use a little Old Bay here (my preference).
Wrap bacon around each scallop and secure with a toothpick or secure 4 with a bamboo skewer.
Set your wrapped scallops on a broiler pan and stick it in the oven for about 10-14 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the scallops are opaque. 

Trust me, it’s really easy.

Vietnamese food is more than just Pho and fried egg rolls.  I heard from the grapevine that this place has good Banh Cuon Thit Nuong.  Translation, Charbroiled marinated pork wrapped in soft rice sheets with dipping sauce.  My first encounter with Banh Cuon Thit Nuong was in San Jose at a typical Vietnamese deli.  During that whole trip, I ate nothing but that. 

BellyBuster Sandwiches is a true gem on Valley Blvd in Alhambra, CA.  It’s been there for over 20 years, different than the chain sandwich shops, non-Asian food (but Asian owned - they’re nice).  They mainly have classic sub with traditional sides.  No frills, good food at decent prices.

Here’s the menu that is posted next to the order window. 

On this occasion, I got the classic Buster to go.  They are known for this sandwich.  I highly recommend it for first timers.  Just a warning, Italian dressing is used.  No mayo or ketchup is used.  I have to admit that the sandwich can be on the rich side.  The special Italian dressing is perfect in cutting through all that richness from the meats.  The Italian dress, the lettuce, the meats and cheeses just works!

The space is dimly lit with modern decor. The sushi bar seats about 20, and there are tables for another 40 or so patrons. When we came in on Friday night it was packed with an eclectic group of people. In the far corner was a group of asian kids, and next to them were business men in suits and ties. We sat down at the bar and asked our sushi chef Shin-san to “be creative.”

When I was growing up, I was raised to dislike Spam.  Now that I’m all grown up, I have welcomed it back into my life.  To me, it’s a comfort food.  It’s what I want when I’m having a bad day.  So I am declaring that I am doing a whole series just about spam.  It’s cheap, it’s good, just admit it.  But since I’m getting a little older, I go for the low sodium variety.  Stay tuned for some of my adventures with spam.

Villa Capri 2 is tucked away in a shopping center in a newly developed residential area of North San Diego.  The thing is that Villa Capri 2 is the only real sit down restaurant in the area.  I work about a block away from here, and we go here all the time.  I would compare them to Buca di Beppo, but less noisy and more intimate.  Buca is like going to a zoo. 

To get your best bang for the buck, I would come to Villa Capri during lunch.  Here’s their lunch menu.  Although the lunch specials are not printed, they average around $14 a person.  You get an appitizer, your main dish, and a dessert.  That’s not bad if you asked me.  My favorite combo here is the fried calamari and the spaghetti.  They do have pretty awesome salads too. 

If you live around the area, I would give them a try.

Villa Capri 2
7875 Highland Village Place
San Diego, CA 92129
(858) 538-5884
Casual dress code

Everyone says I have to try Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.  And when I finally went, I couldn’t figure out what the fuss was all about.  I’m sure a lot of people will disagree with me, but this is my honest opinion.