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)

Wuji Mala House (San Jose, CA)

Checked out Wuji Mala House (吳記麻辣) today. I think it's one of the better mala ("tongue-numbing spicy") hot pot restaurants in the area.

Lamb Hot Pot Set


Wuji Beef (side order)

Cathay Pacific (CX 905 / HKG-MNL)

Got a great dinner treat from Cathay Pacific after a busy, meeting-filled day!

Fruit Plate


Sweet and Sour Pork with Fried Rice

Benu (San Francisco, CA)

Went to Benu (opened by Corey Lee, previously chef de cuisine at Thomas Keller's The French Laundry) today with an old college roommate. The food was quite... interesting. It's almost like Asian cuisine with a French twist. This restaurant is worth a visit if you're in San Francisco -- just make sure you drop all preconceived expectations about "Asian" food at the door!

Thousand-Year-Old Quail Egg, Potage, Ginger


Jasmine Chicken with Dates

Horseradish and Trout Roe

Homemade Tofu, Abaolne, Chrysanthemum, Moss

Oyster, Cabbage, Pork Belly, Fermented Pepper

Foie Gras Xiao Long Bao

Eel, Feuille de Brick, Crème Fraîche, Lime

Cherry Blossom, Yogurt, Cucumber, Pistachio

Monkfish Liver Torchon, Sunchoke, Greem Tomato, Mustard, Brioche

White Sausage, Black Bread, XO Sauce

"Shark's Fin" Soup, Dungeness Crab, Jinhua Ham, Black Truffle Custard

Fresh Noodles, Shrimp Roe, Tarragon, Chicken Jus

Milk-fed Baby Lamb, Spring Vegetables, Parmesan Bouiloon

Duck, Celery Heart, Cherry Espagnole Sauce

Olive Oil Sorbet, Strawberry, Sesame

Banana Ice Cream, Burnt Acorn, Ginger

Chocolates

Cappuccino

Vinh Sun (Boston, MA)

My train from New York to Boston got delayed (after my flight got canceled!), so I arrived pretty late and found out there weren't too many places open for dinner past midnight. Fortunately, Vinh Sun (永新) in Chinatown was still open -- and the food was actually good!

Dry Wonton Noodles (云吞捞面)


Potstickers (锅贴)

Tanpopo (San Francisco, CA)

Visited this ramen house in Japantown after going to the Cherry Blossom Festival. Thanks to A for recommending this place!

Karamiso Ramen (Spicy Miso)


Kyushu Ramen (Tonkotsu)