Raan Jay Fai (Bangkok, Thailand)

Went all the way across town to visit a hole-in-the-wall restaurant (more like a hawker place, actually) to try their famous drunken noodles.  The place is relatively expensive for hawker standards, but the food was definitely worth making the trip!

Pad Khee Mao (Drunken Noodles) with Shrimp

Rossano's (Bangkok, Thailand)

Visited this semi-casual Italian restaurant after a long day exploring the city -- what a way to end on a high note!  Thanks to B&G for the recommendation!

Squid Ink Tagliatelle with Seafood


Chocolate Soufflé with Ice Cream

Sirocco (Bangkok, Thailand)

We went to Sirocco for a sit-down dinner.  I was told by locals that this is a place where you're paying mostly for the view rather than the food.  The view was indeed spectacular (excellent place to see Bangkok from up high), and the food was actually quite decent, although some of the markups were pretty crazy (especially with drinks).

Niman Ranch Pork Belly Confit (Armagnac Prunes, Forest Mushrooms, Beer-Dijon Mustard Reduction)

Oven Roasted Chilean Sea Bass (Vine Ripe Tomato "Pain Perdu", Saffron Potatoes, Manila Clam Velouté)

Tasmanian Salmon (Herb Spaetzle, Parmesan Croquettes, "Beurre Rouge")

Shanghai Garden (Cupertino, CA)

The line outside this place was long -- it took me more than 40 minutes to get a table! Thought there was nothing out of the ordinary (at least during this visit) to warrant such an extended wait time, but I'll withhold final judgment until I try a few more items from the menu next time...

Shanghai Spare Rib Noodles (上海排骨面)


Pan-fried Pork Buns (生煎包)

Taiwan Bistro (San Jose, CA)

Went to this Taiwanese restaurant for dinner -- I thought the food was pretty good, although the meat stew noodles (肉羹面) tasted a little "light" compared to the version I'm used to... Nevertheless, this place merits a repeat visit in my book.

Popcorn Chicken (盐酥鸡)

Meat Stew Noodle (肉羹面)

Sushi Sam's Edomata (San Mateo, CA)

Went to my go-to sushi place in San Mateo for dinner tonight. This place definitely ranks up there in terms of value-for-money sushi.

Chef's Choice Sushi (Omakase) - Part I

Chef's Choice Sushi (Omakase) - Part II


Cheesecake

Layang Layang (San Jose, CA)

Never disappointed when visiting my favorite Malaysian restaurant in the Bay Area!

Roti Canai


Satay Chicken


Princess Tofu (Fried Tofu with Shrimp, Squid, Mushrooms and Vegetables in Oyster Sauce)

Sizzling Fish Filet (Deep Fried Snapper with Onion, Bell Pepper and Black Bean Sauce)

Petit Louis Bistro (Baltimore, MD)

Stopped by this place while in the area -- left the restaurant very satisfied.

Steak Frites (Grilled New York Strip)


Veal Flank Steak


Chocolate Mousse


Profiteroles

Golden West Café (Baltimore, MD)

This place has a good brunch selection at very reasonable prices.

Goldilox Omelette (Omelette with Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon, Scallions, Capers, Cracked Pepper and a side of Flour Tortilla)


Chicken and Vegetable Empanada

L.P. Steamers (Baltimore, MD)

It's definitely worth stopping by this place for seafood when in town.  The steamed shrimp was amazing!

Fried Seafood Sampler (Crabcake, Scallops, Oysters, Popcorn Shrimp)


Steamed Shrimp

Costas Inn (Baltimore, MD)

Went to Costas Inn for lunch during a weekend trip to Baltimore -- the steamed crabs here are worth a try.

Steamed Crabs (by the dozen)

Shanghai Dumplings (Saratoga, CA)

Found a new go-to restaurant for soup dumplings (小笼包) in the Bay Area.

Soup Dumplings with Crab Meat (蟹粉小笼包)


Eight Treasure Spicy Noodles (八宝辣酱面)

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana (San Francisco, CA)

Tried out this restaurant by the waterfront at lunch today to get my seafood fix... Both the ceviche and causas were pretty decent!

Chips (Banana, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes)


Cebiche Chipotle (Scallops, Calamari, Shrimp, Red Onion, Cilantro, Habanero, in a Smoke Jalapeño Leche de Tigre with Peruvian Corn and Yam)


Causa Camaron (Sweet and Spicy Poached Shrimp and Fried Onions on top of Purple Potato with Leche de Tigre Aioli)


Arroz Criollo (Peruvian Fried Rice with Prawns, Calamari, Mussels, Manila Clams, Choclo, Peas, Bell Pepers, Cilantro, White Wine, Aji Amarillo and Aji Aanca, finished with Salsa Criolla)

The Dutch (New York, NY)

We went to to this restaurant for dinner at 10:30 hoping to try the late-night menu, only to find out that it didn't start until an hour later! Anyway, the regular dinner menu had changed slightly from when we last looked at it online, but the food was still good.

Pecan Duck with Celery and Organic Rice


Grilled Quail with Summer Salsa, Poblano and Cashew Nut Mole

The Bar Downstairs, Andaz 5th Avenue (New York, NY)

Checked out this drinks/tapas place in Midtown. My favorite was the chorizo croquette.

Chicken Empanadas with Cilantro Garlic Sauce

Pork Belly Morsels with Achiote, Cumin and Citrus

Croquetas with Latin-style Chorizo and Manchego Cheese

James Hook & Co Lobsters (Boston, MA)

Wanted to have a quick lunch in Boston, so stopped at this seafood shack by the waterfront. The lobster roll was excellent!

Large Lobster Roll

Sportello (Boston, MA)

Discovered a great Italian place around the Waterfront. Looking forward to re-visiting during a future trip to Boston!

Strozzapreti (Braised Rabbit, Picholine Olives, Rosemary)


Affogato

Orenchi Ramen (Santa Clara, CA)

I heard good reviews about this place and so decided to pay it a visit. The reputation is well-deserved! The signature Orenchi ramen is very chewy, has a very tasty pork broth, and comes with a soft-boiled egg.

Tako Wasa



Orenchi Ramen (Tonkotsu Broth, Soft-Boiled Egg, Pork, Green Onion, Bamboo Shoots, Mushrooms, Sesame, Seaweed)

Suzu Noodle House (San Francisco, CA)

Went to another ramen place in San Francisco's Japantown. The food is worth checking out if you're already in the area.

Agedashi Tofu


Suzu Ramen (Chicken Karaage, Fried Dumplings, BBQ Pork)

Mayo Family Winery Reserve Tasting Room (Kenwood, CA)

Finally got to visit the Reserve Tasting Room of Mayo Family Winery. Pretty interesting concept -- it combines wine tasting with actual food servings from a trained chef. I'd recommend a visit to this place if you want to add a slight twist to your regular Sonoma Valley experience.

Black Cod, Goat Cheese and Apple Doughnut, Red Miso Jus
(Pairing: 2008 Chardonnay, Laurel Hill Estate "Reserve" / Sonoma Valley)


Cucumber, Peach and Lychee Timbale

(Pairing: 2008 Viognier, Saralee's Vineyard / Russian River Valley)

Salad of Sweetbreads, Wakame and Tomato

(Pairing: 2007 Pinot Noir, La Cruz Vineyard / Sonoma Coast)

Summer Soba Noodles and Shiitake Mushrooms

(Pairing: 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Random Ridge "Reserve" / Alexander Valley)

Wagyu Flat Iron Steak, Trumpet Royales and Blueberry Demi Glace

(Pairing: 2006 Petit Verdot, Bellisimo Vineyard "Reserve" / Napa Valley)

Rib Loin of Kurobuta Pork, Vanilla Sweet Potato Puree and Plum Sauce

(Pairing: 2007 Zinfandel, Ricci Vineyard / Russian River Valley)

Tropical Fruit Shortcake
(Pairing: 2008 L.H. Gewurztraminer, Kunde Ranch "Reserve" / Sonoma Valley)