very satisfying omakase at Hamamori

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Mad Hungry Woman

My friend Brenda loves food just like me, and whenever we lunch, sushi is generally the food of choice. Although it’s been only about a week since Brenda’s last visit, it’s been a while since mine and I was happy to see Chef James Hamamori in good spirits and jokingly cheerful as I take photos of everything I’m eating.

We decided on omakase (please note prices reflect the price of a two piece portion) and started with Uni Toro ($19.50), Brenda’s choice — the fatty tuna together with the already decadent uni (sea urchin) was heavenly when combined. I looked at Chef James and damned him for presenting that to us first because it would be a hard act to follow. He deflected blame to Brenda — funny guy!

Salmon with daikon and Ikura ($6) was a melt-in-your-mouth piece of salmon topped with a thin slice of pickled daikon (Asian radish) and topped with salty ikura (roe) and a little citrus zest.

I was remembering the fermented beancurd soaked in a sweet sake during one visit and Chef James decided to create a special piece of sushi using Halibut ($6.50). I absolutely love the taste, although it could be an acquired one for some.

I asked for toro next and Chu Toro ($12.50), my favorite of all the different toro (bluefin tuna) cuts. It is less fatty than the top of the charts otoro which can be so fatty it leaves a film in my mouth I prefer to eat it as the last piece in my meal. This chu toro is really flavorful and doesn’t overpower your palate.

Next came Spot Prawn Caviar ($11), a sweet spot prawn topped with caviar.

After eating the sushi, you have the option of having the head fried or served in soup. We chose the fried.

I love yuzu kosho, a paste made from yuzu and other aromatics. Scallop Yuzu Kosho ($6) was melty good. Loved it!

Brenda remembers the lobster from a previous visit so we had an order of Lobster ($12) topped with this incredible sauce. I asked Chef James if it was miso and ponzu and he shook his head. He wasn’t about to divulge his secrets to me!

We ended with Albacore Onion ($6.50) a beautiful piece of albacore tuna topped with fried onion bits. I highly recommend eating this last so the onion doesn’t overwhelm your palate. You need to keep your tastebuds clean when eating sushi.

Brenda and I shared Pumpkin Flan ($8) for dessert. The kabocha squash flan was subtle and lightly sweetened, my perfect kind of dessert. A very enjoyable meal with a good friend!

Go and have some sushi and enjoy some laughs with Chef James!

Hamamori
3333 Bear Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Tel: 714-850-0880

Lindt chocolate opens store in Orange

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Mad Hungry Woman

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be posting about a store opening, but this is different. When I found out that Lindt chocolate was opening a storefront, I was very excited. I grew up eating Lindt chocolates! Back then, Lindt was the epitome of gourmet chocolates and it was one of the special treats we got as children.

Since moving to the US, I’ve seen Lindt at Target, Sur La Table and a handful of other stores, but only a handful of the truffles and definitely nothing like the wall to wall display I was faced with when I entered the store (situated next to Neiman Marcus). WOW! This is a chocolate lover’s haven!

It was kind of early, but I couldn’t resist eating a truffle ball. So creamy and so decadent. I love them. Best part is, at the store, you can mix and match all the flavors including a white chocolate with key lime, the orange truffle, or just the regular dark — my fave!

From the European selection there is a chocolate filled with marzipan for those who love things like this. There is another with crunchy nougat.

I highly suggest getting any of the specialty chocolate bars like the dark chocolate with chili or wasabi.

The next time I’m going to a party, I’m bringing a box of the Creation Dessert — a selection of seven different chocolates including creme brulee, Caramel Eclair and Meringue.

There are a bunch of new collections never seen before such as the milkshake line… which presumably tastes very much like, well, drinking a milkshake!

Or how about the caramel line which comes in a bar or also, a small stick you can carry in your purse for when that craving hits!

Next time you see the Lindt Bunny Mobile driving around, wave! You might get a bunch of samples from whoever is handing them out that day!

Check out Lindt today! If you’re not able to get down there immediately, I have a selection of dark chocolate gift basket for one lucky winner to win. Tell me why you should win this incredibly delicious giveaway by leaving me a comment with your FULL name by Sunday, May 19th. Winner announced Monday! Good Luck!

Lindt Chocolate Shop
The Outlets at Orange
20 City Blvd W
Orange, CA 92868
Tel: 714-940-9811

new dishes at Anepalco’s Cafe are a huge hit

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Mad Hungry Woman

One of my favorite restaurants in Orange County is Anepalco’s Cafe, and if you haven’t been there yet, then you’re missing out on one of the culinary experiences of your life. Chef Daniel Godinez is a creative genius, combining his French training with his Mexican roots for some of the most innovative and delicious items you’ll ever taste.

I love the dinners at the Chapman location and Chef Daniel launched a new menu recently with some mind-blowingly crazy palate popping dishes. Some old favorites remain and I’m sure if he tried to remove those would create a furor among his fiercely loyal customers.

One of my favorite new items is Pambazo Ahi Crudo ($10) a piece of ciabatta bread soaked in a Guajillo chile infused sauce before it is topped with avocado puree, sushi grade ahi tuna, serrano chile, fresh lime juice, red radish and micro cilantro. The flavors make my head spin and I literally have to close my eyes to savor every moment of this before my son devours what I’m not quick enough to put in my mouth.

Pork Belly Tacos ($9) is a version of a style of tacos Chef Daniel remembers eating after late nights of partying in Mexico. These tortillas hechas a mano — hand made tortillas — are square and served with a house made salsa, red onions topped with micro cilantro. The pork belly is crispy and unctuous at the same time and is absolutely a delight to eat.

Meat lovers can try the Aladobo ($18.50) an 8oz all natural sirloin culotte steak topped with chimichurri sauce with a mini portion of their famous chilaquiles alongside.

Chile Negro ($16) is a pumped up version of a chile relleno (well, at least to me). An Ancho chile is filled with all natural Arrachera steak and sits on top of arroz verde topped with red radish and micro cilantro. Soooooo good!!!

My favorite things to eat at Anepalco’s is seafood and Huachinago ($18.75) is to-die-for. Perfectly cooked red snapper, oh so tender and melt-in-your-mouth is served with purple cauliflower, sauteed corn with an Aztec jus. I’m salivating just remembering it.

For a taste of both meat and seafood, Surf & Turf ($19) will offer you pork belly, scallops with green potato puree, quail eggs and salsa de Almendras. I don’t know what everything is, but it all comes together so beautifully!

To be honest, Chef Daniel can put unspeakable roadkill in front of me and I’ll probably eat it without question. I trust him implicitly when he presents me with something to eat — he has never steered me wrong. His cuisine does indeed reign supreme and I’m an avid fan! The dinners are incredible and if you’ve only experienced breakfast/brunch at Anepalco’s, I think it’s time to go back and try the dinners!!

Anepalco’s Cafe
3737 W Chapman Avenue
Orange, CA 92868
Tel: 714-456-9642

Vientiane: one of my favorite Laos/Thai spot

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Mad Hungry Woman

I love Thai food, but prefer Northern Thai over the regular Bangkok style of Thai cuisine which tends to be on the sweet side. Laos, which is north of Thailand has some similar dishes to its southern neighbor, but their food tends to be less sweet — something I enjoy tremendously.

I love Vientiane, named after the capital of Laos, and is a family-run business. On weekends and evenings, the restaurant is jam packed which is why I prefer to visit during lunch time on weekdays! Situated in the heart of lil Saigon, you probably wouldn’t even see it if you’re not actively looking for it.

The kids who work here already know what I want before I order. I guess we usually get the same things, especially Chicken Satay which is my son’s favorite and is under $5. The flavors are incredible with hints of coconut and various spices.

I love their salads and usually will order the Yum Neur or Thai Beef Salad for my son. Vibrant lettuce and a handful of mint are tossed in a salty tart dressing with a hint of sweetness and topped with tender beef slices.

Or, you can try the Nam Tok which is a variation of the beef salad but sprinkled with toasted rice which thickens the sauce a little and allows it to cling on to the meat and salad. It also adds a roasted nutty flavor to the salad.

Seafood Salad is a little sweet for my taste, but you’ll marvel at the tender calamari which literally almost melts in your mouth.

For vegetables, my favorite is the Stir-Fried Chinese Watercress, although technically, it is water spinach (ong choy) and not cress. Stir fried with garlic and salted soy beans, this is so good on a bowl of steamed rice!

Stir fried tofu and Thai eggplant is not on the menu, but you can definitely order it. Great vegetarian dish, Thai basil adds that fragrant aroma to this already delicious dish.

If you are adventurous, I suggest Lemon Trout although it comes whole with bones intact and is around $15. The fish arrives in a metal pan swimming in a lemongrass and basil infused broth. A dipping sauce of chilis, lemon juice and various spices is served alongside and adds a whole new dimension to the mild trout.

Dishes are all under $10, and most hover around $7-$8. Everything is delicious and so reasonable. Whenever I’m craving Thai, and I have to drive the 25 minutes anyway, I will come here over Thai Nakorn simply because I can get the Laos dishes I like as well. Next time you’re in the area, pay them a visit! It is definitely worth it if you love Thai food!

Vientiane Thai Laos
10262 Westminster Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92843
Tel: 714-530-7523

Japanese breakfast at Hinotez San Diego

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Mad Hungry Woman

There are not a lot of establishments serving Chinese breakfasts in southern California, let alone Japanese breakfasts, so I was super excited to hear that there is a restaurant serving Japanese breakfast in San Diego.

Living in Hawaii, I was accustomed to having Japanese breakfasts on the weekends, but I haven’t found one outside of the islands or Japan.

Hinotez opens at 8am and offers items for a traditional Japanese breakfast, but also has other dishes you can add on to make it a more substantial meal. Ramen is also offered at breakfast time.

The Basic Breakfast ($3) includes rice, miso soup, cold tofu and pickles.

Then, you add on items priced at either $1 or $2 per small plate. I love Tororo ($1) or grated mountain yam, but it will definitely not appeal to everyone. The texture is slimy and there is virtually no taste. Strangely, I love the texture and how it feels in my mouth. I add a dash of soy sauce and then add a little rice to the tororo and then slurp into my mouth. It kinda grossed my friend out.

Natto ($2) is pungent fermented soy beans and I wasn’t able to eat this growing up because the taste was too strong. Over the years, I’ve learned that I can’t eat it as is, but, with the addition of scallions and soy sauce, it is not only very good, but also, very healthful.

Chopped Okra ($2) also possessed the slimy texture of the other two, which might not be agreeable to some, but I loved it. The bonito flakes on top adds texture AND flavor!

For those less adventurous, there is Gyoza ($2), which should’ve been fried or pan fried instead of just steamed. These were very lackluster.

The Shumai ($2) were also rather dismal. Don’t order these. They tasted frozen.

Three pieces of Shrimp Tempura ($2) were a little small, but not bad.

Our favorite was the Chicken karaage ($2), tender pieces of fried chicken cooked perfectly moist on the inside with a nice crispy exterior.

There is also grilled salmon — grilled fish is part of a traditional Japanese breakfast — but we didn’t get to order it this time. I know I’ll be back again when I’m craving this again early in the morning while in San Diego!

Hinotez
7947 Balboa Avenue
San Diego, CA 92111
Tel: 858-565-4244

Spanish revival at Cafe Sevilla Riverside

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Mad Hungry Woman

Years ago, when I first moved to southern California, I came here for dinner while visiting Riverside and didn’t remember much about the experience except that the service was outstanding. On a recent trip out to Riverside six years later, a bunch of my friends and I came here for dinner and while the decor hasn’t changed much, the food certainly was a lot more memorable.

As with all foodie get togethers, we started with some cocktails, and believe it when I tell you this — there are a lot to choose from at Sevilla! There’s an array of sangrias on offer and we tried all four — Sangarita ($8) the combination of sangria and El Jimador margarita, Sangria Blanca ($8) white wine with apples and cinnamon.

There is also the traditional Sangria ($8 pint/$28 pitcher/$59 barrel) and the Sangria Royal ($9) with Licor 43 and Gran Torres Orange. I also loved the Barbacoa ($10) a cocktail of house infused pineapple serrano Milagro tequila with fresh squeezed lime juice garnished with Soria chorizo.

We had too much food, hits and misses so here I’m going to highlight the definitely hits. Sevilla’s Daily Baked Bread ($5) is a great way to start while enjoying your cocktails. Artisan Kalamata olive loaf was too hot to handle when it arrived, but we couldn’t wait. Served with Andalusian tomato sauce and aioli dips, it was delicious!

One of my favorites of the evening was Scallop and Yellowtail Ceviche ($10) with a beautiful mojo — tart and mouth puckering — and bits of cucumbers and avocado. The marriage of flavors was insanely good.

It wasn’t that long ago when pata negra, or Iberico ham was illegal here in the US. Boy was I happy when that ban was lifted! Imported Jamon Iberico ($27) was intensely flavorful and nicely cured. I wish they had sliced it a lot thinner though and served it with pan de tomate instead of regular grilled bread.

I wanted to try Shrimp al Ajillo ($9) as this is always my to-go-to dish when visiting a Spanish restaurant. I enjoyed this one but would’ve liked more garlic. The roasted artichokes were a nice touch!

If you’re a fan of cheese, then Cheese Fundido ($12) is not to be missed. Rich, decadent, the baked manchego and goat cheese come together to form a gooey, oozy, deliciousness with bits of salty chorizo throughout.

Grilled Spanish Sausages ($9) includes three different styles: chorizo riojano, longaniza and lamb merguez. The caramelized onions are a bit sweet but otherwise, a great meaty item.

We were stuffed but still managed to finish off with some churros. If you have the energy after dinner, pop upstairs for some traditional music or next door for a nightclub experience.