Xanh (Mountain View, CA)

Went to Xanh (modern Vietnamese) this weekend to throw a surprise birthday dinner for a friend (and also to welcome his wife who just moved from halfway around the world). Would recommend this place to anyone who happens to be in the area!

Pineapple Beef Shortribs (Korean-style Barbecue Short Ribs and Pineapple, served with a Mix Slaw of Bean Sprouts, Chives and Red Bell Pepper)


Catfish in a Clay Pot (Caramelized Catfish Filet, Cilantro, Ginger and Thai Chili)


New Zealand Rack of Lamb (Five-Spiced Grilled Rack of Lamb, served with Asian Greens and Shiraz Veal Stock Reduction)


Shaking Beef (Cubed Filet Mignon, topped with Garlic on a bed of Mixed Greens)


Spicy Curry Chicken (Chicken in Spicy Curry Sauce with Potatoes, Red and Green Bell Peppers and Onions)

Fu Lam Mum (Mountain View, CA)

Returned to my favorite dimsum restaurant in Mountain View this weekend -- as usual, it's hard to go wrong with this place!

Steamed Rice Rolls with Shrimp (虾肠粉)


Shrimp in Bean Curd Skin (腐皮虾卷)


Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (虾饺)


Steamed Pork and Shrimp Dumplings (烧卖)
 

Chicken Feet (凤爪)


Turnip Cakes (萝卜糕)


Deep Fried Japanese Tofu (炸日本豆腐)

Ramen Dojo (San Mateo, CA)

Great ramen find in San Mateo... you can see lines forming outside even before the restaurant opens!

Takoyaki


Ramen in Garlic Pork Broth (Extra Spicy)
 

Fu Lam Mum (Mountain View, CA)

Clay Pot Rice with Preserved Sausage and Meat (腊肠腊肉煲仔飯)

Alma de Cuba (Philadelphia, PA)

Royal Palm Dates (Almond-stuffed Dates wrapped in Bacon and served with Cabrales Blue Cheese)


Smoked Marlin (Rum-cured and served in Malanga Boats with Pickled Jalapenos)


Oysters Rodriguez (Crispy-fried over Mashed Sweet Plantains and Bacon, served with sauteed Spinach, Horseradish and Huacatay sauce)


Rum-Cured Duck Breast (with Creamy Yucca, Duck Vigoron and Smoked Currants)


Panela Chilean Sea Bass (with Creamy Quinoa and a Cubanelle sauce, served with and a Baby Cucumber and Poblano Pepper salad)


Sweet Plantains


Classic Mojito

Village Whiskey (Philadelphia, PA)

Deviled Eggs


Duck Fat French Fries


Village Burger (8 oz. Burger, Sesame Roll, House-Made Thousand Island, Tomato, Boston Bibb Lettuce) with Caramelized Onions and Truffled Mushrooms

Thanksgiving Dinner (Philadelphia, PA)

Baked Turkey with Mushrooms


String Beans Sauteed with Onions and Garlic


Mashed Potatoes


(All of the Above)


Pumpkin Pie


Assorted Rice Cakes


Leche Flan

Izakaya Sozai (San Francisco, CA)

We visited this new Japanese tapas/ramen place in SF and were quite impressed with the food. I'm looking forward to returning in the future.

Buta Kakuni (Braised Pork Belly)


Hamachi Carpaccio (with Mustard Miso Vinaigrette and Jalapeno)


Beef Tataki (with Garlic Chips and Ponzu)


Yamaimo Fries


Grilled Lamb Chop with Chimichurri


Agedashi Tofu (Tofu in Dashi Broth)


House Chicken Wings

Crouching Tiger (Redwood City, CA)

After watching a movie, we stopped by my go-to Chinese restaurant in Redwood City for dinner. As usual, this place did not disappoint!

Tea Smoked Duck marinated with Chinese Herbs (樟茶鸭)


Xingjiang Lamb stir-fried with Green Hot Peppers, Cumin and Chili Powder (新疆羊)


Spinach with Garlic (大蒜菠菜)

Cascal (Mountain View, CA)

This was my second time at Cascal for the week, after a visiting friend saw my earlier post and requested a return visit to this restaurant.

Banana Leaf Chicken (Braised Chicken in Poblano Chile, Tomato and Onion Sauce, served in Banana Leaf with Steamed Rice)


Octopus (Warm Salad of Marinated Octopus, Potato, Mint, Moroccan Carrots, Olives, Cherry Tomotoes, and Lemon-Chive Olive Oil Dressing)


Paella a la Marinera (Fresh Fish, Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, Calamari, Scallops, Octopus, Peas, Piquillo Peppers, Saffron Rice, Garlic-Tuna Aioli)

Juban Yakiniku (Menlo Park, CA)

Boneless Kalbi Short Ribs (with Juban Sauce, Salt, Pepper and Garlic)


Garlic Pork Loin


Hokkaido Sea Scallops


Assorted Vegetables


Assorted Kimchee


Honey Toast Mountain (Toasted Bread with Ice Cream and Honey)
 

Echigo Beer