i + sakaya = izakaya!

The name "izakaya" is a combination of the word "i" (to sit) and "sakaya" (sake shop), and these are popping up all over town. Recently, Izakaya Sozai opened in the Inner Sunset offering an array of traditional Japanese pub food, beer, sake, sochu, and RAMEN!


This most recent trip was two weeks in the making... AH, SL, and I were going to order our hearts out and take advantage of the informal liquor locker system at Izakaya Sozai (you basically order sake by the bottle, and if you have any left over... they'll keep it for you until your next visit).

As you walk into the restaurant, you immediately notice how small the place is. Though this results in a cozy and warm atmosphere, if lines are long, you immediately wish for a bigger waiting area. In fact, the front door/entrance is so poorly designed (frosted glass door opens into the restaurant, where no more than five to ten people can stand and wait in the way of the door) that we got door slapped about a hundred times by people trying to escape the frigid sunset night. Since we are here to talk about food however, we will let that slide.

On a positive note, I liked the fact that the kitchen was open, which had the added benefit of making the restaurant appear a little bit bigger. Moreover, the light from the kitchen contrasted nicely with the warm and earthy tones from the rest of the restaurant.

Izakaya Sozai Kitchen

Sake Locker!

As I mentioned earlier, AH, SL and I were super excited to get our ramen and sake on. Around 8:30pm, AH started sending us cryptic messages, which probably meant that he wasn't going to make it. We should have assumed it, but SL and I decided to order for AH anyways (in reality, we just used him as an excuse...), just in case he decided to show up... So here is what we got...

House Chicken Wings

The house chicken wings were definitely a winner. The sauce was sweet and tangy, and the chicken was tender and juicy. At the end of the day, I prefer the chicken wings from Shanghai House, but these were good nonetheless. Perhaps, we should have tried the dry fried chicken wings...

Nasu Dengaku (grilled japanese eggplant, sweet miso)

This was probably one of my favorite dishes of the night. The eggplant was smothered in the sweet miso and melted in your mouth. It was superbly prepared and was a nice balance between smokiness from the grill and sweet earthiness from the caramelized miso. This was a perfect starter to go with my Saporro.

Chicken Gizzard Yakitori

The yakitori wasn't a stand out, but was still good. It was simply cooked and met my expectations. On the whole, the crispiness of the chicken gizzards added some much needed textural elements to our dinner, which was welcomed. I might also mention that the yakitori complemented my beer the best!

Ritsu Tonkotsu Ramen

Some have touted that the Tonkotsu Ramen at Izakaya Sozai is the best in SF. I might have to agree. The broth was rather complex in flavors. You could definitely taste the richness of the pork bones and collagen-rich tendons, which made for a delightful experience. I haven't made up my mind about how this compares to Santouka... but it is definitely in the running for best in the bay.

Takoyaki (battered octopus with tonkatsu sauce)

These takoyaki were delicious hot balls of goodness. They were light, fluffly, and crispy. The bonito flakes and tonkatsu sauce added a nice balanced flavor. The only complaint was the lack of kewpie...

Sweet Butter Corn

As you all know, I love corn, so ordering the sweet butter corn was a no brainer. The corn was sweet and delicious and was perfect for adding into my ramen.

Buta Kakuni (braised pork belly)

The braised pork belly was also another standout of the dinner. It was accompanied by a small clump of spinach and a huge dollop of fresh wasabi. The pork was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and literally melted in our mouths. The glorious layers of fat and broth were the perfect combination that in my opinion defines umami.

Hamachi Carpaccio

The hamachi was fresh and had a nice spicy kick. It was simple and refreshing. It reminded me of the Goi Kampachi that I used to have with AK at Bong Su, which was a nice trip down memory lane.

Overall, this was a great and memorable meal. AH should be sad he missed out... hahaha. Next on our list is O Izakaya Lounge! We'll see how that stacks up.

Izakaya Sozai 4.5/5

Santouka Ramen!

As you all know, I am always on the hunt for good grub. One of my favorite comfort foods is Ramen. I was delighted to find out from AndHua that Santouka opened recently in the "new" Mitsuwa of San Jose. At first I was perplexed to learn of a "new" Mitsuwa. I knew of one Mitsuwa, but it was definitely not new...

Our Conversation went a little like this...

A: What are you up to?
L: I have training all week and am going to get lunch in San Jose
A: Where are you going to go?
L: I am thinking of going down to get some Banh Mi. I have been dying to try Huong Lan.
A: Sounds NOMS. Have you been to Santouka yet?
L: THERE IS A SANTOUKA HERE!?!
A: Yeah, it is in the new Mitsuwa Market
L: There is a new Mitsuwa?

20 minutes later...

L: I am at Santouka!
A: What happened to getting Banh Mi?
L: I got distracted by Ramen!

I am glad I took my chances and just went to the "old" Mitsuwa. Turns out there is only one Mitsuwa in San Jose. It was recently remodeled and that is why AH was confused.

Santouka!

There was a pretty long line when I got there. I was waiting about 15 minutes, when I realized that I didn't have any cash on me. Thankfully, there was a BofA ATM in the food court. Even though, I lost my spot in line, it was okay because the service moved pretty quickly.

At this point, I was famished, and I am so glad I got the combo deal. I got the miso broth with regular pork. The soup was piping hot (something that is requisite for great ramen). The flavors were delicate and perfectly balanced. The noodles were crisp and hearty. Overall, definitely worth the drive and detour!

Rice with Leeks

Miso Ramen

Man, I want a bowl right now.

Santouka Ramen 4.5/5

A Silver Nugget in the Rough

Winter is finally here! That means endless hours of alpine sports and a very real possibility of running away. With Tahoe only a mere 3 1/2 hours away (3 depending on who is driving), there is no excuse for not heading up to the slopes to ride all day. I don't know about you, but after a long day of snowboarding, I get really hungry. As far as food goes, a correlation between good food and South Lake Tahoe is practically non-existent. That is why I was pleasantly surprised to discover a relatively new restaurant off of Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

Tahoe Grille, perhaps poorly named, has instantly become my go to place for dinner after the slopes close down, when I am ready to replenish for the day. The menu is simple and very Californian.

Everything on the menu looked good. Since I could not decide for the life of me what I wanted to eat, I settled on ordering two appetizers and a side. Little did I know, I had ordered enough to feed a family of six! The portions were HUGE!

The first thing I ordered was the mac and cheese. This was delicious! I particularly liked the fact that they used cellentani instead of regular elbow macaroni. The mac and cheese was creamy and crunchy at the same time. The only thing that was missing was some bacon or pancetta! NOMS.


Everyone knows that I love polenta. I have pretty much been obsessed with it ever since my lunch at Cindy Pawlcyn's Mustards Grille. The creamy polenta with wild mushroom ragu from Tahoe Grille did not disappoint. It was rich and decadent. The grilled bread added some much needed texture and a smoky flavor to the dish that very pleasant. I liked this combination so much that it inspired me to make my own version. I still need to work on presentation.


I think the star of the dinner was the Lobster Gnocchi. The lobster was fresh and sweet, and the gnocchi were cooked to perfection.


I will definitely be heading back. So many more things to try on the menu!

Tahoe Grille 4/5

Battle Fried Chicken Part I

Epicurios.com recently compiled a list of food trends to come in 2010. Topping the list is Fried Chicken, which as you all know is one of my favorite things to eat in the world!! And yes, Fried Chicken is capitalized! With its crispy skin, moist meat, decadent flavors, AND myriad of sides that can be eaten with it, what is not to LOVE? As a tribute to this prediction, I have decided to post on my adventures in discovering the best places to get your chicken on.

Saizo (Sunnyvale): Chicken Karaage

San Tung (SF): Dry Fried Chicken

Kyochon (LA): Soy-Garlic Drumsticks

Honey Kettle Chicken (LA): Fried Chicken and Kettle Fries with Honey

Little Skillet (SF): Fried Chicken and Waffles

House of Chicken and Waffles (Oakland): Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, Black Eyed Peas

House of Chicken and Waffles (Oakland): Fried Chicken

For traditional Fried Chicken, Honey Kettle is by far the best. In fact, the chicken was so good, that after I ate a full order, I ordered some more togo for the road (aka my long car ride back from LA). After a few hours, the chicken had cooled to room temperature (perfect for picnics). Halfway home in Central California, I decided to picnic and WHOA! The chicken tasted even better than fresh out of the fryer! This is indeed a true testament to the wonder that is Honey Kettle. Whoever, called it the crack of Fried Chicken wasn't kidding. The chicken was unbelievably crisp, moist, and tender. I am already dreaming about my trip down to LA for MLK. I am going to get my grubhunting on in Culver City!

Regarding the sides, those from the House of Chicken and Waffles in Oakland are by far the best in Norcal. But there are still a few other places I have to try before I make up my mind. These include, but are not limited to the Front Porch and Brown Sugar. I might as well also include a revisit to Everette and Jones which also serves up classic Southern BBQ.

Overall, the chicken and waffles (as a package) from Little Skillet were great. I particularly like the charm of ordering from a window! This combination of flavorful chicken and crispy/fluffy waffles is a winner and ranks in my top five! It would probably rank higher, but everyone knows that I have a special place in my stomach for some of the more exotic fried chicken options. As most of you know, I have a secret love affair with Korean/Chinese fried chicken.

Recently, I went to Kyochon in LA, and I must say that the chicken there was a bit disappointing. So if I were you, I'd stick to eating at Bonchon, which they also have in LA, but I swear it is much better in NY. If you ask any New Yorker, they will tell you how awesome chicken wings from mom and pop chinese restaurants are! So Bonchon and these chicken wings, especially my dad's, readily take second and third place. More on this later!

As Little Skillet recently tweeted... "2010 New Years Resolution - Treat yourself better - Eat more Fried Chicken." They couldn't be more right! Get your grub on!

Great Seafood in the Land of Artichokes!

I was recently down in Moneterrey for our annual Cancer Biology Retreat. To be precise, I was spending the weekend at Asilomar, in Pacific Grove. Though beautiful and refreshing, the food leaves much to be desired. Generally speaking, I am not a big fan of hot dogs. Every year, with their boiled hot dogs, Asilomar reminds me why...

Fortunately, the road less traveled (i.e. detours to moss landing) often leads to great food finds. Though I stumbled upon Moss Landing my first year, I didn't realize until recently, how many great restaurants (or what look to be great restaurants) seem to concentrated in such a tiny beach town.

In a small block, you can get anything from Thai (Lemongrass Seafood Bar & Grill), Mexican (The Whole Enchilada), and Seafood (Phil's Fish Market and Eatery). I have yet to eat at Lemongrass or The Whole Enchilada. So I can't really tell you about how those places are. But I can tell you that I am going back soon... I can still remember the fragrant aromatic scents that clung to that foggy air that fateful afternoon. What I can tell you about is the Cioppino (Seafood Stew) that can be found in the unassuming and colorful Phil's Fish Market.

The Cioppino was delicious! The tomato based stew was out of this world, naturally sweetened by what appeared to be and unending abundance of ocean fresh seafood (mussels, clams, scallops, crab, shrimp, fish, you name it). This behemoth of a stew was perfect for the cold foggy day and provided sufficient energy for an afternoon and evening of scientific discourse.

Writing about this makes me hungry... I'll just leave you with some pics. Who wants to join me on my next adventure?

I think they knew that I was going to make a mess, so I even got my own bib!

Cioppino w/ Garlic Bread!!

Phil's Fish Market 4/5

No Sushi. No Combination Plates.

I love when people visit! PL, EK, and DS were here this weekend. Too bad SM didn't come up, but we'll make her feel guilty about this later... Besides catching up, having inane conversations about word definitions, and just being nerdy together; the reason I love visitors is because it affords the perfect excuse to try new places and to be adventurous.

This past week, I had some of the most unique and interesting Japanese food from a little restaurant in the Outer Richmond called Kappou Gomi. As the title of this post suggests, there are no rolls or bento boxes here. What you find instead is a fabulous mix of flavors and textures that tickle the taste buds!

Kappou Gomi

Jellyfish Salad

Agedeshi Tofu

Kampachi Yuzumiso Ae

Grilled Tako

Rice in Broth...

Miso Pork

Egg...

Eggplant

Panko Fried Oysters

Salmon Rice

Japanese Sweets

BTW. I apologize for forgetting some names...

Anyways, I really like how unassuming it is. However, my number one pet peeve is that of inefficiency. Even though I really liked the food, don't know if I could bear the inefficiencies. Let me explain. There are about six or seven tables that could seat 4-8 people. Three of the larger tables are made up of two or three smaller tables. Therefore, in reality there is more like nine tables in the restaurant, plus a bar. Unfortunately, the staff at Kappou Gomi allows groups of two to sit at the larger tables that are comprised of smaller tables without separating the tables. One consequence is that if you don't come in at the right time, you have to wait a while for people to leave. I felt rushed towards the end of our meal because I can't handle the non verbal communications we were getting from people in line. Fortunately, the staff didn't rush us...

Otherwise, I enjoyed myself thoroughly here. Food was great, and company was better! I highly recommend that you try this place if you are in the mood for adventure... Don't really know how "authentic" or "traditional" the food is, but it is definitely unique.

Kappou Gomi 4/5

Katsu, and Meat Jun, and Takoyaki Oh My!

According to Wikipedia (what would we do without it?) Shirokiya was one of Japan's oldest department stores during the early 20th century. By the turn of the century however, Shirokiya was largely dissolved and now survives as a single department store in Honolulu's Ala Moana shopping center. Boy, am I thankful that it is thriving in Hawai'i because I would not mind lost in their food court. I say you would need several days at minimum to consume everything that the store has to offer! Feast your eyes on Shirokiya goodies!

Takoyaki

Taiyaki

Tempura and Katsu Bentos

Tempura and Andagi

Kimbap, Jun, and Banchan

Musubi

Tonkatsu

Assorted Sushi

Sashimi

Sadly, I only gave myself one meal slot to enjoy all that is Shirokiya. Nonetheless, I helped myself to a balanced hearty meal of...

Katsu Curry

Sashimi

Takoyaki

Of course, a meal would not be complete without some desert!!!!!

Black Sesame Mochicream

Shirokiya, please come to the mainland!

Shirokiya 4/5