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