tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196316362011-12-04T10:08:28.794-08:00A Chronicle of EatsHungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.comBlogger1461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-59168992569475383492010-03-29T09:30:00.000-07:002010-03-29T09:54:05.928-07:00

Kaiser Mélange und Apfelstrudel Per Colonel Landa, one must wait for the cream. Neue Galerie 1048 5th Avenue,  New York, NY ‎10028

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-2878770101147852872010-03-24T22:49:00.000-07:002010-03-24T23:24:01.803-07:00

When someone mentions Wolfgang Puck, I usually think of his casual airport chain, which, admittedly I am usually not in much of a hurry for. His flagship Spago Beverly Hills, on the other hand, is a pretty serious restaurant in Los Angeles with two Michelin stars (hm..) and a loyal following. So, when I was in LA, I was curious to check out Spago and form my own opinion. We enjoyed a leisurely

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-56567486554181600662010-03-08T14:08:00.000-08:002010-03-18T21:23:31.939-07:00

New York has a good number of great sushi restaurants, and Soto occupies an attractive niche: excellent uni and its frequent usage in inventive small plates. Some flavor themes are consistent throughout the menu - shroomy broths, miso, truffle salt, an abundance of ponzu - but done thoughtfully and with high quality fish.  Ainame ponzu - thinly sliced Japanese greenling fish with chive, ginger

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-30429264112681187032010-02-16T16:32:00.000-08:002010-02-16T16:32:35.054-08:00

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan and is referred to by some as the "nation's kitchen". A major attraction for visitors and locals is Dōtonbori, a single street that features the regional cuisine of Osaka - takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and fugu - sold in outdoor stalls or small shops. Kani Doraku - The famous moving mechanical crab Grilled snow crab legs - you can smell the aroma a block

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-28911284797805846392010-02-15T01:27:00.000-08:002010-02-15T01:27:06.958-08:00

It seems that David Chang can do no wrong. He's won over publication critics, bloggers, and pretty much every hipster in Manhattan (a formidable army of people that does not embrace its label). Who hasn't eaten at a Momofuku? It's the rite of passage on becoming a well-informed citizen with uber swagger. So, given I did not think much of his noodle bar and I was never quite in vogue with the pork

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-9973596603718513342010-02-12T02:51:00.000-08:002010-02-12T03:02:14.029-08:00

Everyone says to get to Tsukiji early to see the action, as the market opens around 5am. It's also convenient if you're jetlagged to get up early anyway for a breakfast of champions. We planned to get there around 6, but per usual, I took the lead to ensure our fashionably late arrival. It worked out well, since we got there around 10 and the crowds had already started to dissipate. Some scenes

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-21690001988656697642010-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:002010-02-10T03:42:06.909-08:00

Expanded posts to come: A morning at Tsukiji The Tokyo incarnation of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon: a grandiose Western chateau in Ebisu The original Ippudo The famous ramen man outside Tsukiji My favorite department store 0101 The Japanese love their prized fruits - like these rose-hued strawberries. They also like melons with exquisitely manicured stems. I took this picture

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-80701605862995343032010-02-09T03:07:00.000-08:002010-02-09T03:52:52.046-08:00

Been pretty busy with travel, life, and whatnot; this post will be the last of Barcelona. Anyway - markets are all good, but what happens if you don't cook? Eat someone else's cooking (story of my life). Bar Pinotxo and El Quim are the most well-known of the tapas bars in La Boqueria. Juanito Bayen is the owner of Bar Pinotxo, which occupies some precious real estate near the main entrance of the

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-75982959539194833352010-02-02T02:27:00.000-08:002010-02-02T02:28:28.384-08:00

La Boqueria is one of the world's most iconic food markets - a huge, bustling public bazaar featuring a wide variety of very fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, meats, and dairy products. The selection is diverse enough to make even the most decisive of shoppers fall victim to paralysis of choice. Though it is located right on La Rambla, the market is still very much frequented by locals. The

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-57812619466674250142010-01-30T08:11:00.000-08:002010-01-30T19:28:45.439-08:00

In the lobby of the chic Hotel Omm in Barcelona is one-star Restaurante Moo, overseen by the Roca brothers - the three chef/owners of the much celebrated three-star El Celler De Can Roca in Girona. Can Roca is one of the restaurants on the forefront of avant-garde Catalan cuisine; having read the two reviews from Chuck, it had been one of my to-visits ever since. Unfortunately, we did not have

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1541727311293064712010-01-28T00:43:00.000-08:002010-01-28T02:33:54.130-08:00

El Bulli announced today that it is serving no meals in 2012 and 2013 but will instead refocus and noodle on new ideas. Unfortunately, it's one less reason to hop a plane to Spain; though, who really needed a reason to begin with? So, if you find yourself sans EB reservations in Barcelona, you can count on one of the restaurants of Carles Abellan, best known for his acclaimed Comerç 24 and for

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-66896568810689439792010-01-25T00:44:00.000-08:002010-01-25T01:11:39.747-08:00

Ad Hoc sure comes off as one flaky restaurant. Back in 2006, Thomas Keller opened shop and intended for it to be short-lived, aiming to eventually open a burger place or something similar. At the time, I was still in college on the other side of the country and remember feeling distinctly disappointed that I would miss out on Keller's second aptly-named-common-Latin-phrase restaurant. You see, I

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-48148767492941842462010-01-23T11:45:00.000-08:002010-01-23T11:45:58.469-08:00

: :: : At any given point in time, Americans are debating. Not only over bank regulation or healthcare policy, but also over burgers, burritos, and other Bs. Debating about burgers is as much of a staple of American culture as the sandwich itself. Five Guys vs. In-N-Out vs. Shake Shack vs. Taylor's is a fray on which I will resign from taking any side. Along the same vein, one can

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-67006427329520769182010-01-20T17:51:00.000-08:002010-01-22T04:03:21.804-08:00

Let me start out by saying that I did not enjoy my meal at Coi. And as such, I am a barbarian. If you do not like reading words from a Neanderthal, it would behoove you to stop reading, NOW! Good, you're still here. I enjoy experimental cuisine, and understand that, although not mutually exclusive, tastiness and interestingness are often a tradeoff. But while not everything strikes me as

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-44971073580065151502010-01-19T13:54:00.000-08:002010-03-27T10:44:42.262-07:00

For those of you who don't know me in real life, my exasperated companions can tell you that I sometimes fall privy to a gripping obsession of cities. It's quite rational, really: I like new experiences, and exploring / living in new places is what I consider to be one of the greatest joys of life. Well, here is the seemingly irrational part: I have recently have become obsessed with Los Angeles

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-20096559352317727982010-01-15T01:17:00.000-08:002010-01-15T02:46:29.375-08:00

Crushin' it at Bar Ganbara Basque Country is a magical land where one's capricious tendencies can be well rewarded; it really pays to be restless and indecisive, and to want everything (I can really do well in this town!). During our brief stay we got to experience a cornerstone of the social scene that is the pintxos bar hop. Here, making the rounds means popping into a bar and grabbing a

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-49038474488080991492010-01-13T02:32:00.000-08:002010-02-02T22:31:09.638-08:00

Now, onto some posts from my trip to Spain in September 2009. We started out in Madrid with the requisite day trip to Toledo; headed north to San Sebastián and Bilbao; and wrapped up the trip in Barcelona. I will start out with several meals in Basque country before recapping Madrid and Barcelona. One of the places that I had been wanting to try for some time now was Arzak, the longest running

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-64511946046464019622010-01-12T22:40:00.000-08:002010-01-26T04:17:35.838-08:00

Last post about Peru before I move on to Spain. As if we weren't nature'd out enough, here we are taking a boat trip around the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, only the highest commercially navigable lake in the world (didn't you pay attention in 2nd grade?). They recommend sunglasses and a lot of sunscreen because the waters are super clear and reflective. On one of the floating islands of

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-38734811712367848332010-01-11T21:57:00.000-08:002010-01-26T04:16:23.615-08:00

The stars were aligned such that we would be in Cusco just in time for the Inti Raymi, the Incan Sun Festival. We arrived at the Cusco airport and were immediately greeted with shops selling oxygen tanks, and for good reason, we'd soon come to discover. The arduous trail (of Hungry Hedonist's tears) up to Sacsayhuaman. Really should have bought those oxygen tanks. Front row seats at the

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-4307645699813640642010-01-07T23:56:00.000-08:002010-01-12T03:26:02.947-08:00

Because I'm really following through with this blogging discipline thing, I will set out to finish my Peru coverage. The day before N and I were to leave Lima, we wanted to leave town thoroughly satiated by ceviche. We found our way to Segundo Muelle in the beachy San Isidro part of town. Having won the prize for best ceviche in Lima, it is acclaimed by some to be one of the best cevicherias in

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-87966219565303586682010-01-07T03:44:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:32:28.947-08:00

I really like Plant Cafe and eat there quite often. I'd eat there even more if it were closer to my office and if my immediate coworkers shared my affinity for lighter takeout fare. When the collective decision is Patxi's or CPK for the 3rd night in a row, I choose to Go Rogue. - This point appeals to all generations: the food is consistent and actually very good. The Plant Burger (patty made

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-57557955106668112782010-01-06T04:14:00.000-08:002010-01-15T02:06:40.851-08:00

Well, it's certainly been a while. A year and a half to be precise. I have written many a mental draft of this obligatory revival post, but could not bring myself to actually sit at my desk, type it out, and hit publish. I would duly explain my absence, recap the past year, and promise some sort of preview for posts going forward. Easier said than done. Much of the hesitation has simply been the

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-64715257107107328542008-07-11T14:11:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:33:01.138-08:00

My apologies for the delay in blogging. My break before work has passed quickly; reality has caught up to me and I will be beginning work on Monday. I am glad, though, that I got a bit of traveling out of my system and will be updating about all that soon.Plaza MayorPizarro's TombPlaza MayorPlaza Mayor in Lima is the "old town" of Lima, a testament to the colonialism of the Spanish conquistadors.

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-82387298937951961102008-07-03T02:37:00.000-07:002010-01-15T02:06:40.852-08:00

Just got back from an amazing time in Peru. Impressive ruins, great food, including a meal at my favorite cevicheria in the world.

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-66802044695041446972008-06-01T23:26:00.001-07:002010-01-23T05:58:14.376-08:00

11:20 A: Hey HH, I'm in New York this weekend, and I know this is pretty last minute, but would you like to have lunch at per se? hh: Hey A! Wow, I'd love to, but I might have to go into the office today. What time is the reservation? Is this for real? I'd been working 90+ hours, are my wits failing me? A: 1:15. I'm leaving New York in the afternoon, and they just called me about a table opening

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-28886609947511128132008-05-30T14:32:00.000-07:002010-01-22T04:08:39.714-08:00

After the very last of my undergraduate classes (an amusing Thursday afternoon section of Art History: the Modern Era in which I stretch my wits to see how much insight I can provide on inconsequential nuances) had ended, a couple of us decided on a whim to go to Montreal. After all, it's "Paris without the jetlag"; surely, I like Paris, and I do not like jetlag, so Montreal it was. Veal

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-78665845153504260882008-05-28T00:29:00.000-07:002010-01-15T02:06:40.853-08:00

I am officially no longer an undergraduate student. That means I can catch up on sleeping, eating, and blogging*.Edit: *that is, up until the job starts.

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-69026151574132084212008-05-06T08:02:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:33:27.497-08:00

Friday marked the last day of undergrad classes ever, so a few of us spontaneously decided to go to Montreal. With French as it official language, as spoken by 70% of the population, the city is home to good French cuisine, in addition to some dishes native to Quebec.On the first day, we headed to Old Montreal and we saw a sign for poutine. The quintessential comfort food of Quebec, poutine

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-85958901110782181132008-04-28T20:39:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:33:37.803-08:00

what the hell is a wagamama, you ask? according to site, it is a "willful / naughty child." what does that have to do with anything? i have no idea, but i do know that wagamama, by hungry hedonist terms, means "a noodle joint that leaves much to be desired." when i was in london, we visited a wagamama restaurant. we left with much to be desired.another vexing quality of this restaurant is the

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-41762144719018544272008-04-23T20:05:00.000-07:002010-02-03T02:27:51.608-08:00

When A and I were planning restaurants, we had read about a well-regarded Parisian bistro that offered a great prix-fixe at 32 euros. So on the first night we arrived in Paris, we rushed over to 17th to L'Entredgeu, which has been written up several times. I still can't pronounce the name, but I do know that it took a helluva long time to get to. The dining room is the epitome of "authentic

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-10493829827249339002008-04-11T21:35:00.000-07:002010-01-24T23:42:35.491-08:00

Ladurée and Pierre Hermé are known as two of Paris's (and therefore the world's) finest makers of luxury cakes and pastries. It is not only a feast for the mouth, but the eyes as well. I set out to make sure that by the time I left Paris, I would not have to crave sugar for a long time. Pierre Hermé We arrived at Pierre Hermé on March 20, which turned out to be the day where you get 3

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-76348751250873034252008-03-31T22:40:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:33:50.681-08:00

...Can be found at 34, rue des Rosiers, Paris.Yes, I have not eaten many falafels in this lifetime, and I am by no means knowledgeable about Middle Eastern food. I had my fair share in New York this summer at Mamoun's and Alfanoose, and I swore I was done with falafels for a while. However, L’As du Falafel may have restored my lust for this fine food.This was the best picture I could muster,

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-73608890151300773772008-03-27T21:57:00.000-07:002010-02-12T03:46:16.716-08:00

I recently came back from my last spring break in university ever. And you know it's spring break when a quarter of the campus comes back several shades of orange. Well I say, there ain't nothing wrong with spring break with clothes on, and in freezing rain and hail! Even with the terrible weather, walking around London and Paris sans a certain email/text messaging/web browsing device was just

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-31622912853961503382008-03-25T23:28:00.000-07:002010-01-15T02:06:40.854-08:00

... and I am doing another late night in a 24-hour library. Anyhoo, spring break in London and Paris was amazing, despite the detrimental exchange rate. Many pictures to come.

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-3395618425071081302008-02-29T11:16:00.000-08:002008-02-29T11:23:46.591-08:00

Hi everyone, I received an email from an SF State grad student doing research on the potential market for an Izakaya restaurant in the city. She is giving away two $25 Amazon.com gift certificates, but more importantly, her research just might bring us a new restaurant!Help a sister out: take her survey here

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-19123017291844543852008-02-18T15:48:00.000-08:002010-01-24T02:31:10.045-08:00

Part three of the Taipei series. Day 3: 2 am Continuing on with the biggest Taipei nightmarket just outside the National Palace Museum. Variations of fried everything. Not quite sure what this was...but some kind of fish cake/starchy dough thing Topped with seaweed flakes and sweet sauce Screw: a continuous potato chip circling around a stick Ice cream, chopped nuts "burrito"

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-51415980332151488052008-02-11T15:07:00.000-08:002010-01-24T02:26:47.280-08:00

I have finalized my Spring Break plans - and will be traveling to London, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris! We are in the itinerary planning stage, so any restaurant suggestions are welcome. After dinner, we all decided that we should have Taiwan's most famous beverage - bubble tea, or boba, tapioca, pearls, etc. etc. The bulbous drink finds its roots in Taiwan, and has since proliferated all

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-61222393315017064862008-02-09T13:04:00.000-08:002010-01-24T02:27:32.971-08:00

I don't even know where to begin. First though, I should apologize for my absence in blogging. Let's just say that senioritis really affects all facets of one's life. The past winter break, the last one of my college career, was certainly one of the most fulfilling. It was a trip back home to San Francisco, where I haven't been since early 2007. Then it was a semi-spontaneous trip to Taipei (my

Hungry Hedonisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13823263192723750182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-88745317201735888972007-12-07T14:29:00.000-08:002010-01-22T04:09:31.180-08:00

Ok I really should be studying. Finals week has occurred upon me, and let's just say, sometimes I wish it didn't dawn on me early in the semester that I'm a senior. In any case, I've resorted to all sorts of procrastination, which leads me to be typing this right now. Many a ramen joint have sprouted up in the East Village, but Ramen Setagaya stands to be one of the more boastful. It took them

Jennifernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-11993235930776036382007-11-21T15:17:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:37:30.839-08:00

Yes, it's that time again. The quintessential holiday to spend time with family, except thanksgiving in my home = Whole Foods takeout, and I don't exactly need to travel 2,795 miles away for that. As I reflect upon the holiday that I never really celebrate, I am reminiscing upon a place that I would like to give thanks for:PodunkNow what is Podunk you ask? According to urbandictionary.com, a

Jennifernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-65535443698480745492007-11-05T12:57:00.000-08:002010-01-22T04:09:57.998-08:00

Ok, way long delayed post. I don't really have an excuse for not blogging, except that it's senior year and, well, that should suffice. During the summer, I got the chance to try Eleven Madison Park, for which Chef Daniel Humm left Campton Place in San Francisco. Unfortunately, I went to Campton Place about 2 weeks after he left, only to be disappointed and quite disgruntled. Eleven Madison Park

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-13113091409820728152007-10-20T17:27:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:37:53.411-08:00

Sorry for the dearth of updates. Anyway, we did do more than just eating on this trip. In addition to molecular gastronomy, Chicago is quite well known for its amazing architecture. We went on an architectural river tour, and we basically cruised down the Chicago river admiring the buildings around us. But first, Millennium Park:The Crown Fountain by Jaume PlensaCloud Gate by Brit Anish KapoorI

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-25233445070004160712007-10-13T01:11:00.000-07:002010-01-21T01:20:05.066-08:00

So being the delinquent poster that I am, I am going to place my New York posts on hold to post about my recent trip to Chicago. Long weekends don't exist at school; instead we have something called Fall Break, where we get 2 days off of the regular week for a combination of a 4 day break including the weekend. Now what to do during an awkward break of 4 days? Hm, Alinea is in Chicago. Hence,

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-19522698050033409182007-10-11T16:18:00.000-07:002010-01-15T02:06:40.855-08:00

I had an amazing time in Chicago. 24 course Alinea post coming soon (as are all other posts).

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-85055691262383130612007-10-02T16:13:00.000-07:002010-01-15T02:13:38.006-08:00

Coming soon....Some really pristinely cut fish with ratatouilleI've been meaning to update, but school/career stuff has been more time-consuming than I had budgeted. I am heading to Chicago in around 48 hours for some molecularly gastronomic meals, including Schwa, Moto, and hopefully a seat at Alinea if I can get off the wait list. I am hoping to squeeze in a post before then, but if not, I will

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-77076160699745308612007-09-11T05:42:00.000-07:002010-03-29T11:43:17.900-07:00

One of the standout meals from my summer in New York was dinner at Sushi Yasuda - I remember every piece of sushi distinctly, from my initial reaction down to the aftertaste. Time follows different rules at Yasuda, a combination of impatient anticipation for the next piece and tenaciously savoring and treasuring each bite. Each piece is so good that you grow attached and want more, but you know

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-20477744891378912432007-09-05T07:13:00.000-07:002010-03-29T11:43:17.902-07:00

In light of all the speculation surrounding Italian celebrity chef Mario Batali and his (non-renewed?) contract with the Food Network , I feel it apt to post about Babbo, Batali's flagship restaurant and one of the hardest to book restaurants in New York. I was quite prepared to battle it out for a table, having gone through a similar ordeal at Quince for, coincidentally, a meal of pasta.

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1161466809286530142007-09-02T19:32:00.000-07:002010-02-03T02:28:01.253-08:00

I don't even know where to begin. I am back at school, after my incredible summer in New York. Soon after finals, I embarked to the city, and spent the following ten weeks at my investment banking internship. It was one of the most intense experiences of my life, but I could not have asked for a more rewarding and amazing summer. I even found time to try all the restaurants on my list (mainly by

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-7712631176647503202007-05-15T11:42:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.191-08:00

I couldn't come home during Spring Break without having a cupcake. I don't even particularly like them, but I felt compelled to visit Kara's Cupcakes that had recently opened a store in the Marina. Now that they have a retail shop, I don't have to order the cupcakes by the dozen.The space fits the perception of a cupcake shop. Pink, small, and dainty, the store houses a glass case of the variety

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-91318084926723485702007-05-11T17:54:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.191-08:00

Ithaca has been uncharacteristically hot, but alas, I only get to enjoy the nice weather from indoors. Being a student is a 24 hr job, especially during finals. That said, school ends in about a week or so, but I don't get to head back to California at all the entire summer. I'm sure Manhattan can handle my ravenous appetite, though a good portion of those meals will be takeout in the office. I

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-20897531757251192192007-05-04T00:08:00.000-07:002010-01-25T00:04:16.869-08:00

Back to my Bay Area posts. Sorry for jumping around so much, but I still have not yet figured out the order in which I post. I like to think of it as something like a complex algorithm, except it's just more like what I want to talk about at the moment. I'll prob concentrate on SF for the next two weeks until I move down to NYC.One day during spring break I decided I really wanted Bouchon Bakery

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-47243680951709735862007-04-21T11:45:00.000-07:002007-04-23T06:55:42.916-07:00

Hello there. So after brunch and all, we went to the Bodies Exhibit down in South Street Seaport for a real life look at some bodies, organs, and anatomy. It was pretty amazing, so much that many of us didn't really believe what we were seeing. So all the bodies are real, preserved, and shipped from China. Most were convicts or just unclaimed bodies in the morgue.The whole glob of human blood

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-63407071052703286562007-04-19T23:32:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:43:22.915-08:00

After our night at Kyotofu, we awoke the next morning in the mood for a carb-loaded brunch. Of course, we really weren't inherently that spontaneous, because I had planned out our meals for hte weekend prior. We hopped down to the Lower East Side for brunch at the Clinton St. Baking Company, which is known for their fantastic brunch. When we arrived at noon, we were told to wait for two hours.

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-21963919221143726672007-04-12T08:56:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:43:22.916-08:00

I had wanted to finish all my San Francisco posts, but a semi-spontaneous visit to the city w/ N, Y, B, and J last weekend will have to interrupt that once again. After we arrived at around 8:30 and finally found parking by 9, we trotted over to Kyotofu in Hell's Kitchen for some grub.Kyotofu, which opened in November 2006, operates primarily as a dessert bar, though it now offers a limited lunch

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-71405772611178467972007-04-05T01:49:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.192-08:00

After my night of Bloc Partying and burgers, I decided it was due time for some detoxing. As my healthful mother is a major fan of Greens at Fort Mason, we headed over there for a wholesome brunch. Good thing I made reservations, or else I would have been waiting for a good while. Though, they do have Greens to Go, featuring grab-n-go sandwiches, pastries, and smoothies. Here, you will find the

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-91814502341584574612007-03-30T23:52:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.193-08:00

After my delightful brunch at Canteen, it was due time to catch up with my wine country afficionado and partner in crime, J-Anne. We also knew that this commemorative day would bring about much needed recognition for the bishop and patron saint who converted many a pagan to Christianity. Indeed, it is also a day to celebrate Bobby Flay, Frank McCourt, The Corrs, hurling, James Joyce, and Enya. We

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-70325496824912490212007-03-27T09:39:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.194-08:00

I am back from my weeklong spring break in the SF Bay Area that consisted primarily of food and contributing my part in stimulating the economy. I will probably be posting about bay area restaurants for a while to alleviate some of my backlog. The Friday consisted of a long day of flying that included me eating a barely edible turkey & swiss in the Dallas airport, while waiting for another

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-31240296563527651532007-02-28T09:00:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:43:22.916-08:00

So that morning before we left Manhattan, we opted for one last stomach hurrah. Having slept at 4 and getting up at an ungodly 7, we embarked to Chinatown for some early dim sum; you see, we try to be efficient and stuff as much food as possible into our brief time in the city. However, we came to discover that Chinatown itself did not officially wake up until 10:30.Being that it was freezing

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-32048364262485575432007-02-26T22:27:00.000-08:002007-02-27T14:49:03.936-08:00

For the past year, congeries of women in Ugg boots have lined up outside a chain of shops called Pinkberry to get a taste of Los Angeles’s newest take on the airy, low-fat treat of yore.This is a very timely post, admist all the controversy surrounding the chain. After our dumpling session, we proceeded down the street to the popular fro-yo maker, whose addictive yogurt is considered by some to

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-78309033442828780962007-02-24T22:56:00.001-08:002010-01-11T22:43:22.917-08:00

So forget what I said about no Manhattan posts for a while. This weekend was sell day for most banks, so there were many a soon-to-be banker enjoying the all-expense-paid hedonism, the fruits of a grueling interview process. I hopped on this bandwagon and was convinced by N, that I, too, deserved a weekend in the city. And what better way to start off the adventure than a dumpling gorging session

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-88607166537530774332007-02-14T22:45:00.000-08:002010-01-25T01:07:45.724-08:00

So while the city of Ithaca is snowed in, and classes are cancelled for what seems like the first time in school history, I will use my time productively to update this site, instead of, say, doing homework. So one day, I am minding my own business, when I get an email from the famed Bollywood star, N. He proposes a lunch with a couple mystery guests (recipient list suppressed through the nifty

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-91746930662781691562007-02-08T12:06:00.000-08:002010-01-11T23:08:38.950-08:00

Before I move onto my backlog of Bay Area restaurants, I am going to review a few restaurants around here (Ithaca). Not too much has changed, except for a burrito place and Starbucks. Having tried a chicken burrito from "That Burrito Place," I can't say I was too impressed. The rice was clumpy, the chicken too dry, and salsa lacked soul. It did, however, knock me out for a good 3 hours or so, and

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-92201347342264570252007-02-03T12:55:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:43:22.918-08:00

This is going to be my last Manhattan post for a while. However, as I will be spending my entire summer there, I foresee a backlog of New York posts to come. After the Grimaldi's excursion, we headed back to lower Manhattan, and decided we wanted some warm and hearty grub, sans reservations. And since all our structured plans revolve around food, we decided to hang around the East Village until

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-39478317908997430872007-01-30T19:04:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:43:22.919-08:00

Before my long blogging hiatus, I was documenting my gluttonous weekend in the city. One of the places I never got to visit on previous excursions was Grimaldi's Pizzeria, considered by many to be a New York institution. In fact, it's rated #1 year after year in Zagat, which, as we all know, is the pinnacle of honest reviews by completely objective third-party reviewers who have no interest in

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-32071550291522044492007-01-27T09:24:00.000-08:002010-01-19T01:19:36.494-08:00

Well, it's been quite a while since my last post. I'm not quite sure how to explain my absence, but I'd like to think that I was "soul-searching." I would insert some haikus and avant-garde sonnets here, but I think I'll leave that to others for their artistry. So in keeping with traditions, fellow hoodlums D and J, with guest chef Guju-guru P, and I decided to recreate the tomfoolery that was

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-66405797367515958392006-11-21T19:51:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:43:22.920-08:00

After Won Jo, we decided it was time for dessert. Somehow we ended up in Soho, and stumbled upon a cute little Japanese cafe. Their siphon technique of brewing coffee ultimately convinced me to enter.The ambiance was quite chill, with dim lighting, soothing green-tea colored couches, and a non-rushed (i.e. slow) waitstaff. The place also had a lot of personality, with quirky cartoon drawings of a

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-88977028545549307212006-11-20T17:58:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:43:22.921-08:00

That night for dinner, we all headed over to Koreatown in search of some grub. We didn't really know which restaurant was good, but then I saw a name that was a dyslexic attestation to my friend's winning abilities. We proceeded to be seated immediately; about 5 minutes later, a line was out the door. Clockwise: kimchi mustard greens, lettuce kimchi, beansprouts, mashed potatoes with raisins,

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-49537044362080990772006-11-17T18:55:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:50:48.449-08:00

After our quick lunch at Katz's, we decided it was due time for some sweets. We headed a few blocks down and found ourselves in front of Babycakes and its big Bakery sign. It was as if its mere presence had beckoned for me to find it. I decided to go with an apple muffin, because I had been craving one of their muffins since last spring. I was a bit disappointed to find it so mushy, since I

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-73738063449049599222006-11-16T04:11:00.000-08:002010-01-23T06:29:26.418-08:00

The next morning, a couple of us headed down to Kat'z Deli on the Lower East Side for some Jewish deli goodness. Opened in 1888, Katz's is a New York institution. It's also the site where "the famous scene" from When Harry Met Sally was filmed. One of the most overrated films in history, but I'll save that diatribe for another time. In line. You go in through a turnstile, and take a ticket. Be

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-13955083374510940082006-11-15T19:07:00.000-08:002010-01-11T22:43:22.923-08:00

As some of you know, I've been having an insanely busy semester, with classes, interviews, and recruiting. So last weekend, I decided to bring some balance into my life with a trip to New York City. I secured reservations at Sushi Yasuda, which I had been wanting to try for months. That Friday, a few of us headed down to the city after our section ended and left Ithaca around 2; I was confident

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1162608472265953532006-11-03T18:23:00.000-08:002006-11-15T12:29:41.931-08:00

Charles Simonyi, the inventor of Excel (and Word), is a genius. Heck, he revolutionized the ctrl c + v. After you spend a certain number of hours poring over models, you start to see the world in a different light--in rows and columns. This advertisment by Birds Eyes foods applies the same concepts, and is therefore genius: Needless to say, it's a noble cause, too. Hopefully, no parents really

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1162008293631528102006-10-27T19:35:00.000-07:002010-01-11T23:37:29.782-08:00

Since arriving at university two years ago, I've been meaning to go to the Farmer's Market. It only takes around 10 minutes by car, but even that is somewhat inaccessible for car-less college students (it would probably take 2 hours with the Ithaca bus system). Since last weekend was the first breather I've had in awhile, A and I headed down to the Steamboat Landing for some good ol' saturday

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1161744584604823422006-10-24T19:41:00.000-07:002010-01-11T23:03:01.095-08:00

One of my very last meals before I came back to school was at Pizzaiolo, Chez Panisse alum Charlie Hallowell's relatively new restaurant in Berkeley. I had been wanting to try it over the course of the summer, but everytime I went, they were closed. I never quite got down their hours.The store has no signage, so just look out for the place with a bunch of people waiting outside. They now take

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1160642745393051882006-10-12T01:23:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.195-08:00

Ok, I admit it. Prior to this summer, I'd never eaten a taco truck taco, no less consume anything out of a parked vehicle. Timing was always an issue; everytime I drove by one of these I was just too full to eat. So one day, I made it a point to be hungry in the late afternoon to finally try the offerings of these culinary destinations on wheels (some others prefer to call them, "roach coaches").

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1160160779677162212006-10-06T10:50:00.000-07:002010-01-11T23:08:38.955-08:00

I apologize for my lack of updates--school has been insanely busy. I've been sleeping in fewer than 3 hour increments, and going through the day fueled by coffee, my liquid crack. Here is what my desk typically looked like the past week:MacBook, Finance notes, Gimme Coffee!, Starbucks, frumpy Chinese takeout, comforting carbs (previously on blue plate)As you can see, quality of life is not at the

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1159667936114459602006-09-30T18:36:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.196-08:00

I remember back in the summer when the World Cup was on, when Belden Alley would be packed, and many a computer would be streaming the game (and inevitably slowing down the network). Well, I woke up one bright saturday morning, and I had a calling for some fusion. So we drove down to North Beach, got stuck in traffic, struggled with parking for a good 45 minutes, walked past the bustling Steps of

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1158956545652190842006-09-22T13:22:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.197-08:00

During my internship, my co-workers and I wanted a good place for happy hour-ing and dinner. Tsunami, which is open until 2 a.m., seemed like the right match. I was also in the mood for inauthentic sushi--sometimes, you just need some.The space really isn't that big, but we made reservations for the "lounge area," which was really more like a couch with low tables against the wall. I didn't

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1158097488316618102006-09-12T14:42:00.000-07:002010-01-12T22:04:24.016-08:00

I'm back from my blogging hiatus. I am now fully settled, as well as armed with wireless internet in my new apartment. I also have a kitchen with applicances. I've committed myself to cooking, but so far I've cooked one meal and it took a whole two minutes to cook and prep. With school and recruiting in full swing, I'll probably be eating at weird hours, but I'll be eating, photographing, and

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1156620699639544222006-08-26T12:22:00.000-07:002010-01-15T02:13:46.032-08:00

I've been back at school in New York for a few days now, but my apartment is without internet. The horror, indeed. Not only does that mean I'm backlogged up the wazoo, but that I've been cleaning, reading, and sleeping early. What's wrong with that, you ask? Well, everything. I pine for the RSS updates, emails, instant messages, as much as I pine for a good meal.So when will life resume?

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1155969221391097142006-08-18T23:27:00.000-07:002010-01-23T06:39:25.671-08:00

After the long-winded series about Wine Country, I'm reverting back to the ol' routine. Right now, I'm pretty backlogged, but there are a couple restaurants that are more relevant to be reported now since they have a changing menu. A summer menu has less meaning in the fall, though I would also argue San Francisco really has no literal seasons. Anyhoo, I had been talking about going to Range for

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1155603067689388242006-08-14T17:38:00.000-07:002010-01-23T06:16:17.928-08:00

Well, as I was saying, we were feeling particularly scene-ic that day, so we decided to embark on Highway 1 to head back to Marin. That is, after we drove through hipster-hangout Santa Rosa, which was quite the journey indeed. The drive on the Shoreline Highway sure was beautiful as we went the length of Tomales Bay and passed by many an oyster farm. The novelty wore off after the first two hours

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1155431498205858172006-08-12T18:11:00.000-07:002010-01-12T00:46:41.231-08:00

Though the food coma from lunch had yet to kick in, we already felt like passing out. Some of it was due to the rising valley temperatures outside, but we were really dying from laughter. We had just passed for a couple of cougars from the city celebrating a birthday in Napa and harbored no qualms about our geriatric front. We were a couple of fools high on life. Our next stop was Dean & Deluca

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1155249051770048562006-08-10T14:53:00.000-07:002010-01-22T04:03:21.811-08:00

One of my favorite meals this summer has got to be at Redd in how-many-tasting-menus-can-you-stomach Yountville. While it's no metropolis by far, one cannot go hungry walking through this Bay Area fine dining destination. There's even a janky bar chock-full of shady characters and polished hurleys parked outside. Yes, there's a Yountville for everyone. This picture really does not do the

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1155081297110252642006-08-08T16:48:00.000-07:002010-01-25T00:04:16.869-08:00

A French laundromat of whorehouse origin, indeed. Continuing this cryptic nonsense, I will go on to describe the two hours that followed our delightful breakfast, in as little detail as possible, of course. Mr. Keller likes to keep dings on da down-low. So, we were invited into his lair, molested quite a few copper-plated pots and pans, roamed around unbridled in his pristine kitchen, meditated

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1154940166737834892006-08-07T01:08:00.000-07:002010-01-25T00:04:16.870-08:00

While being a rather productive intern one afternoon a few weeks ago, HH IMed me and suggested a Napa excursion. Why? Because we are 80-year-old men with refined interests and a boatload of disposable income. Having very much enjoyed past visits to Wine Country with my family as a kid, and to the French Laundry this past Winter, I couldn't refuse yet another opportunity to sample Napa's ambrosiac

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1154736128406346152006-08-04T23:10:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.199-08:00

One of the meals I more enjoyed this summer was at 1550 Hyde, which ranks high among the Bay Area's most creatively-named restaurants: the now-defunct 500 Jackson, B44, One Market, 19 Market, 231 Ellsworth and The Richmond. It must have taken ages to come up with those names.Both my dining companion and I weren't too hungry, so we decided to skip the appetizers. I am not a big fan of pork, but I

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1154482797765893982006-08-01T18:33:00.000-07:002010-01-11T23:11:30.519-08:00

In San Jose, Calif., Silicon Valley types will be able to dig into $48 porterhouses served with a dipping sauce of Chinese five-spice powder and honey mustard at Chris Yeo's Sino (Sept. 25; entrées $10 to $48). Mr. Yeo is behind the popular pan-Asian Straits chain in the Bay Area..- Katy McLaughlin, WSJ I've always associated restaurants in certain areas in the Peninsula (Palo Alto, Santana Row,

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1154198876746089752006-07-29T10:37:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.200-08:00

Long days at the office = no time to blog. My internship ends next week, so the two-week window before school will essentially be planned around b,l,d; I trust other things will fall into place.So, last weekend during Global Warming '06, I finally made it over to Canteen, which has had many a diner clamoring for one of its precious 20 seats. I had been anticipating trying ex-Rubicon-chef Dennis

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1153552811529779422006-07-22T00:05:00.000-07:002010-01-12T01:25:05.405-08:00

So it took me forever and a day to get to Delfina, but now I understand. Amidst all the hype and frenzy for a reservation, I went in with high expectations, and left very whelmed (as opposed to under- or over-). The excellent food, great service, and nice space all contributed to a good meal.Bread and Butter, of all thingsInsalata del campo - Bitter greens, pancetta, walnuts, parmigiano and

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1153291433080722932006-07-18T22:59:00.000-07:002010-01-12T01:30:06.834-08:00

Continuing on with LA. I had been tipped off by a friend that some of the best lobster ever could be find in a legendary but seemingly unassuming Vietnamese-style Chinese restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley. When we arrived, there were around 20 people crowded around the entrance waiting for a table--quite a good sign in my book. After around an hour wait, we were finally seated.Cat Fish Hot and

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1152949603778018672006-07-15T00:09:00.000-07:002010-01-20T22:32:38.629-08:00

I'm going to interrupt my Los Angeles posts, since Bastille Day, my favorite of all holidays, came along. Fine, perhaps not my favorite per se, but it's a good excuse for hedonism--not that anyone ever really needs an excuse. Though I had to go to work, a leisurely 2-hour lunch in Belden Alley provided a good escape from the office. Belden was quite bustling. Every restaurant was packed, but

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1152689374677100132006-07-12T00:16:00.000-07:002010-01-11T23:11:16.349-08:00

Just finishing up some meals from last weekend. No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia. DTF's roots trace back to Taiwan, but has since spawned into Japan and China, both in which it is experiencing immense success; its location in Arcadia, the only outlet in the States, is also having trouble meeting demand. This world famous dumpling

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1152663102613863332006-07-11T17:06:00.000-07:002006-11-15T12:29:35.441-08:00

If I didn’t have to work, I’d be on the next plane to NYC for Restaurant Week. During July 10-14 and 17-21, three-course lunches and dinners at participating restaurants are $24.07 and $35.00, respectively. And for a lot of the places, that is a steal. Since I am posting this after the event has already begun, there will be 16 meals to be had, if you take advantage and start with lunch tomorrow.

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1152425021420907982006-07-09T15:59:00.000-07:002010-01-11T23:11:16.350-08:00

Over July 4 weekend, I headed down to Los Angeles for two days for some sun and great meals. Instead of flying, I opted to drive instead--a decision driven in part to visit the Harris Ranch Steak House in Coalinga, situated about 185 miles from San Francisco. Just four miles from the restaurant is the feedlot for the cattle about to be consumed. You really can't miss the smell driving north.The

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1152252868296714462006-07-06T23:14:00.000-07:002010-01-15T02:06:40.858-08:00

I recently received the following comment on my Bocadillos post:"uh, you're a 19 year old college student? How can u afford to go out to eat at all these fancy places, and do you realize that most of us out here have to spend most of our money paying rent and other bills? I like your blog but just wish it was a little more realistic- maybe try reviewing a restaurant or two where normal people who

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1151656864779458772006-06-30T00:46:00.000-07:002010-01-20T22:29:19.835-08:00

Two weeks or so ago, I had a very interesting night that started off with a great meal at Bocadillos, Gerald Hirigoyen's tapas bar. Considering it was a Friday night, it wasn't too crowded so we waited around at the bar for 10 minutes. Manila mango with naval orange and crispy shittake The salad was light and refreshing, with a generous amount of mango. The best part were the the crispy

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1151397121690212402006-06-27T00:18:00.000-07:002010-01-20T22:39:05.176-08:00

Zuni Café is a San Francisco institution; in other words, people will think I am a hack for not loving it (how dare she?!). I’ve been to the restaurant two times, once for their signature dishes, and another only for the oysters. The space is beautiful, the service is great, but the food really does not measure up to all the hype. The shoestring potatoes, which came first, were probably the

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1150952994585237172006-06-21T21:04:00.000-07:002010-01-20T22:42:27.922-08:00

I love restaurants that have names that are palindromes. In fact, I don't think I have been to any other palindromic restaurants to my memory. Anyhoo, I had a very good meal at Aziza a few weeks ago. The decor is nice, albeit a bit out of place for the Richmond. Am I ridiculous to take pictures of bread? In any case, we got a bowl of bread. With butter, no less. Mediterranean spreads -

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1150790616133875482006-06-20T00:12:00.000-07:002010-01-11T22:41:08.206-08:00

Weather in the Bay Area has been mighty dandy. That fact has made me even lazier to update this thing.So what's up with the lame title? Today I met up for lunch with no other than the Restaurant Whore herself, Joy. Over Out the Door fare, we exchanged tales of the alma mater, life, and surprisingly enough, food. Not only is that girl amazingly funny and kind, she keeps it real. So check her out,

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19631636.post-1149923932312545262006-06-10T00:18:00.000-07:002010-01-23T06:40:47.273-08:00

I thought that since now I'm working instead of college-ing, I'd update a bit more often. But it turns out that even without exams or projects, I'm so drained that blogging is the last thing I have energy for. Anyway, this post concludes the NYC meals, so I can move onto Bay Area ones. Le Bernardin is Eric Ripert's 4-star seafood mecca and one of the city's best restaurants; I'm glad to see it

Hungry Hedonistnoreply@blogger.com6