Taishoken (San Mateo, CA)

Another great recommendation by E&B, who discovered this place. Apparently, they were walking through downtown San Mateo and noticed this new restaurant with lines snaking out the door. The tokusei tsukumen had dipping soup that was very flavorful and noodles that were pleasantly firm. Dashi was available at the end of the meal to water down dipping soup that remained.

Tokusei Tsukemen (tsukemen with soft boiled egg and sous vide Berkshire pork chashu)

Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar (Healdsburg, CA)

This place has a modern take on fresh seafood dishes; the food was very tasty, yet not too heavy. Thanks for the great find, G!

Hamachi Ceviche with Rocoto Chili, Lime Juice, Pepitas


Uni Toast, Whipped Butter, Trout Roe


Uni & Dungeness Crab "Orzotto"

Maum (Palo Alto, CA)

A big thank you to S&A for inviting me to your amazing birthday dinner!

Caviar on Potato Cream, with a Biscuit

Tomato with Cucumber and Kelp

"Soondubu" with Alliums and Tofu Skin

Sablefish and Abalone with Gochujang

Duck "Ddukgalbi" with Scallion Salad

Galbi with Ssam

Oxtail Rice

Buttermilk on Strawberry Sorbet (with Albino Strawberries)

Barley and Buckwheat Ice Cream (and Birthday Cake of S)

Fresh Cantaloupe


Orion Choco Pie

Koi Palace (Milpitas, CA)

Happened to be in the area, so decided to try the South Bay branch of Koi Palace -- found the dim sum pretty good. Tip: if you have a small party, consider sitting at the bar.

Spinach and Shrimp Dumpling Topped with XO Sauce (翡翠XO菠菜鲜虾饺)


Vegetable and Pork Tofu Skin Wrap in Oyster Sauce (蠔皇鲜竹卷)


Crispy Tofu with Garlic and Herbs (金沙豆腐)


Steamed Chinese Sausage Roll (玫瑰黑毛猪腊肠)


Peking Duck Spring Roll (脆皮北京鸭春卷)

Chian Tang Tsuen (Taipei, Taiwan) / 钱唐村 (台湾台北)

Visited a family-owned restaurant in Taipei that serves very good food from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region.

Tofu with Crab Meat Sauce (蟹粉豆腐)


Sautéed Eel (清炒鳝糊)


Dry-Fried Fresh Bamboo Shoots (干扁鲜笋)


Fermented Tofu (臭豆腐)


Chestnut Chicken (栗子烧鸡)

Amour Amour (San Mateo, CA)

Thanks to E&B for picking this place, which is a real neighborhood gem in San Mateo.

Tartufata (Champignon mushroom, Tuscan summer truffles, burrata cheese, truffle oil, and baguette)


Organic Pork Belly (slow-braised, with leek, garlic, ginger, and red wine)


Oregano Octopus (lightly blanched, with lemon, olive, herbes de provence, ginger, and oregano aioli)


Truffles, Burrata and Serrano Ham


Seared Scallops (with lychee-coconut sauce, cilantro, tobiko, and coconut flakes)


Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ad Hoc (Yountville, CA)

We had an early dinner at At Hoc to enjoy some comfort food and recharge before heading back down.  The salad was fresh and crunchy, while the fried chicken was very tasty.  The desserts (cheese and pudding) were great, too.

Curried Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad (with endive, arugula, cerignola olives, pickled red onions, poached sultanas, and curry vinaigrette)


 Buttermilk Fried Chicken


Roasted Brussels Sprouts


Anson Mills Polenta


Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam Cheese (with orange marmalade and mixed nuts)


Cookies and Cream Pudding (with chocolate sauce and whipped chantilly)


Anderson Valley White Apron Ale (Belgian pale ale)