CHIM! Thai Street Food - Pasadena

July 10, 2016

Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines to eat. I love the varieties of chili and spices used in the dishes that can really make me sweat in the hot summer heat or to comfort me during winter chills. Either way, Thai food is craveable during any season.

CHIMS! Thai street food is a newer restaurant here in Pasadena, CA. When my colleagues and I think about where to eat for lunch, CHIMS always get a unanimous yes (Not even kidding). So with that said, I've been here many times. And I've tried many things on their menu which I am highly fond of. Delicious green curry to spicy eggplant. They also have this delicious grilled beef that was marinated in chili and lime juice with sticky rice (heavenly).

Tucked away in a small plaza on 910 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91106

I'll share more of these items with you as the days go by, but I just want to show you something I had lately.

A soup based noodle dish. Rice noodles, ground chicken, fish balls, shrimp, imitation crab, fish cakes, green bean, sprouts, peanut and chili lime juice. The soup was perfectly balanced from salty to the tartness of the lime juice. This was something to sweat over and compliments well with an iced Thai tea or a young coconut.
Extra spices are served at the condiments bar if you would like to help yourself like I did. I love my food spicy. Eating it up while I still can.

This mango sticky rice is one of the best I've ever had. Sweet ripened mango with delicious steamed sticky rice. The sticky rice has the most exotic floral fume that I've never tasted in mango sticky rice. If you have room, I highly recommend you ordering this. If not, order it for the table to share. A definite dish to order when mangoes are in season.

You can find CHIMS! Thai Street food on 910 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91106.

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Chang'An - San Gabriel

July 6, 2016

Alhambra and San Gabriel is known for cheap eats. I hear people say it all the time "it's so cheap!" or "Everything is so delicious!". Like, literally calm down. Everything has been inflating the past few years. Chicken rice isn't $3.99 anymore, but would be $7.99. And if you are saying I'm not eating at the right places, and that you are still paying that little, then something is definitely wrong with that chicken.

I've given up with some restaurants in 626 even though I still eat around here a few times a week. Competition have really stepped up the last few years. There's a lot more Taiwanese restaurants as well as dumpling houses and hot pots. But what surprised me the most was Chang'An.

Chang'An is located in San Gabriel on 227 W Valley Blvd, Ste 358. Chang'Ans concept is something I envisioned a few years ago. I thought it would be creative if classic Chinese food was presented in an ambitious way where you would find in fine dining restaurant. You will definitely find that here. All the dishes were not just tasty, but insanely beautiful.

I tried a lot of food that day. I liked everything I had so enjoy the photos:

I love the herbaceous flavor of crown Daisy, but I've never had it uncooked. The sesame dressing complimented the salad perfectly. I know a few people who aren't fans of crown Daisies that can definitely appreciate this salad.

Rubbed in cumin and charred to perfection. Perfect pairing to beer :P

These were large lumps of scallops. Served individually so there's no commitment to those who don't eat scallops. Sitting on top of rice noodles, it is drizzled with minced garlic and soy.

Stir fried pea sprouts - one of my favorite chinese vegetables.

few fried dishes: Fried tofu, Chicken Jidori, Fried Kabocha with salted egg yolk (Must Order)

Beef Tataki - Seared with House Special Yuzu soy.

Delicious fatty pork belly. You must eat the skin and fat.

Served with stir fried sweet pea sprouts.

Vanilla Ice cream with grilled Japanese sweet potato. Sweet potato desserts is on the rise. This is definitely a good version of what I've had.

These are mini rice balls filled with black sesame paste in sweet rice wine sprinkled with osmanthus flowers. A very sweet delightful way to end an amazing course.

Make sure to check them out if you haven't:

227 W Valley Blvd, Ste 358 San Gabriel CA 91776

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Magnolia House - Pasadena

June 27, 2016

When people say Pasadena, the first thing I really think of is Old Town. It's until recently the past few years that people are starting to reach their endeavors elsewhere. The Paseo has really become that place along with the few around Colorado and El Molino. But to go even further, you now have Lake Ave booming with new restaurants and concepts. From Sunlife's Acai Bowls, to Sugar Fish by Chef Nozawa, you have classic old school fine dining like Smitty's and not so long ago Del Friscos that just made it's way on Lake about a year ago.

With that said, there's Magnolia House. It's tucked away on the corner of Lake and California. It's a great hang out spot for the local workaholics to get away after a dysfunctional 8-5. Trust me, I know a few.

Magnolia House launched a few cocktails that will sure help you escape the monotonous cycle of the case we call Monday's. But I like to just accept the fact that I will use any excuse to grab a drink.

I'm not a cocktail person, but I will honestly say I enjoyed each and every one of these sippers. I've been drinking old fashions pretty consistently lately as my beverage of choice. I would easily pick any one of these, especially a hot humid day like the ones we've been facing in LA.

These finger licking wings are available for Happy Hour. For $6, you get 3 pieces, fried and doused in Korean sweet and spicy sauce with a side of pickled chili cucumbers.

Beer Cheese sauce with vegetarian toppings. Vegetarians are safe as this contains no meat.

Local yellowtail, yuzu vinaigrette, Pickled red onions and micro shiso. Would love more citrus kick from the yuzu, but the portions of the yellowtail were generous and lump-sum. On the Happy Hour for $9, you get 3. Loved these bites.

The sweet onions are, obviously, caramelized and mixed with smoked gouda. Fried and served with a dipping sauce of greed goddess. Sounds pretty amazeballs to me. Happy Hour, $5 you get 3.

You can always find fresh oysters here as well. 6 for $16 (not on Happy Hour) served with mignonette, horseradish, and cocktail sauce. Get your afrodisiac on. It's always a great topic for conversation. Haha..

I say yes to everything pork belly. Don't even ask me. They use a heritage duroc pork served with cherry puree, pickled lady apple, frisee, and french breakfast radish. The pork was briny from the cure, but that fat is just melt in your mouth stuck in the back of your neck goodness. Paired nicely with the cherry puree, apples, radishes, frisee, basically everything to cut down the richness of the fat.

The brussells sprouts are cooked down with smoked bacon and tossed with a cilantro pistachio pesto. Topped off with a fried egg with Pecorino shavings. All vegetables need to be eaten this way.

Yup, you should plan your next happy hour accordingly. Remember to invite me when you do. Every excuse to drink remember? Happy grubs!

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Kings Row Gastropub - Pasadena

June 19, 2016

I hope by now everyone knows that I am not vegan/vegetarian. Or at least anywhere near it. No problem with people who are, I just want to make it known that I love meat. My dad was a butcher. Eating steaks and chops was something we did on a weekly basis. Knowing Kings Row serves a whole pig roast every 3rd Thursday of the month, I literally had my calendar booked for this day. The pig is beer brined and cooked low and slow in a hot box for 12 hours. So you can bet all you taste is pure pig goodness.

20 E Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91105

Well of course the first thing first is always cocktail time.

It's never easy for people to see a whole pig like this. For me, I'm used to it. Not just because of my dad, but Chinese people eat a hell lot of roast pig. We find it beautiful and pretty awesome.

The belly is cut into to release all the juices and fat goodness into a cup. But for what? A jus? Executive Chef Sundeep was super excited during this. Which made us all wonder what we were in stored for.

The photo to the left is another photo of the cup being almost filled before switching it out for another. Before you know it, the juices were split into different cups.

Yup it's this bad boy. Only something you dream of doing because it's that naughty.

How was it? How did it taste? It was silky and delicious. Not as fatty as I thought it would be but oh you definitely know it's gonna cost you a few hours at the gym. But to good health with good fats!

A little treat for being a good spectator.

For $15, you get a good sized portion of the pig and skin with jalapeno mac & cheese and an arugula salad. I don't devour that much mac & cheese because I am lactose intolerant, but I would do it for the mac & cheese that's served on this plate. Extremely comforting with the pork. The crispy skin... The best part and always a favorite is the pork belly. It's cooked oh so tender that it literally creates strands like spaghetti. And if you are good, like me, I got a special part of the pig, the cheek.

They also have other great dishes here if pork isn't for you. Things like cheese burgers and this awesome fish'n chips will make you order more beer. The fresh cod is a nice big chunk of flaky meat you will not complain about portion. Their fries also, is to die for. If you come here, always order their fries or something with it.

So mark your calendars for the third thursday of every month.

They also carry great breakfast/brunch that you need to check out.

20 E Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91105

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Claudine - Encino

June 15, 2016

A little bio on Claudine,

"Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop is the collaborative effort of Chef Anthony Jacquet and Pastry Chef Lea Newton, whose combined skills and culinary passions have led to the opening of a globally-influenced neighborhood café and bakeshop in the San Fernando Valley. Named after Jacquet’s late sister, the driving force behind his decision to become a chef, Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop is a full service restaurant, bakeshop, coffee bar, and grab n’ go deli. Serving only the highest quality food made with local and sustainable ingredients, Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop features an assortment of breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes.Highlighting the bounty of local and seasonal produce in California, the restaurant’s menu draws inspiration from the many cultures and people who have shaped the city."

16350 Ventura Blvd., Suite F, Encino, CA 91436

Located on Ventura Blvd in Encino is where you will find Claudine. From the outside, it blends it with the neighborhood Chipotle which sits in the same center. But walking inside, the expectations are blown away by how adorable this place is. Open kitchen with tons of baked goods ready for you to hover over. Everything is made fresh daily, so if you see low inventory, that's a good sign.

Claudine also serves wine and beer which is always a plus. I started with a Stone IPA. They also carried a few specialty cocktails like sangrias and micheladas.

We had a few dishes to sample, all delicious. They make their own house cured lox on toast. The salmon was not overly salty served on top of some preserved Lemon Cream Cheese, Pickled Shallots, Cucumber and Capers. Their Briana's Short Rib Grilled Cheese is also a must order. Stuffed with Stout Braised Onions, Roasted Mushrooms, ‘Merican Cheese, Black Vinegar Teriyaki, and russet wedges. Get your napkins ready.

They also make their own naan pizzas. We've tried 2 and fell in love instantly. Cianna's Naan-Zza: pesto, buratta, bacon, mushrooms and asparagus. Serrano Ham and Olive Naan-Zza: fresno chile, buratta cheese and oregano. The Lea's Lightened Quiche was a winner all around. Custard made with spinach, basil, and only one egg with salad greens (SO GOOD).

If you are not sure what to do about your life, order the Malted Milk Pancakes. Cinnamon-Blueberry compote, salted honey butter, Warm Maple Syrup and Bacon. Sandwich this baby together and eat it with pride. Lot's of it.

16350 Ventura Blvd., Suite F, Encino, CA 91436

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Wine & Dine

CHIM! Thai Street Food - Pasadena

Chang'An - San Gabriel

Magnolia House - Pasadena

Kings Row Gastropub - Pasadena

Claudine - Encino