Just a couple of revisits for today.
Village Kitchen:
The Missus wanted some Chinese food for dinner and decided that it was time to revisit Village Kitchen for a couple of dishes we enjoyed on previous visits. So, we had pretty much those three dishes in mind during our visit. But the Stinky Tofu Stew wasn't on the menu and we got the Stinky Tofu with Intestine. This was the best dish of the night.
While not being even close to stinky enough for the Missus; it had a decent pungency and the intestines were prepped well, still a bit funky, but with a pleasant chew. For me the chou dofu stinkiness was balanced out by the offal earthiness….or so I told myself. This was actually quite good.
Next up; a dish we really enjoyed previously; the Pork with Dried Cucumber Skin.
On our previous visit, they had made this with La Rou; but it was just tough and dry pork this time around. Other than the chilies, this was pretty bland. For some reason, the usual briney-salty-cleansing flavor I usually associate with dried cucumber skin was not there….it was just too hard as well. There was also a certain greasiness to the dish and it really wasn't pleasant to eat.
And of course, we had to order what we consider to be the signature dish of VK. The Eggplant and Green Chili with Preserved Egg.
This dish was a mere shadow of its former self……hardly any pidan, very little chili….the eggplant was mushy, but lacked smokiness…..no seasoning….greasy….'nuff said.
Along with the lousy service, this was not a very good visit. The place seems popular with younger folks….looking more for quantity over quality it seems. So, four years down the line, has VK settled into that pattern of malaise…. The Missus told me; "well, that's enough for now…….I'm done with this place for a while".
Village Kitchen
4720 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117
Yummy House:
With the recent chilly weather….I had the Cold Weather – Possible Frost on the Road Warning Light go on in my car…..I didn't know what it was and had to actually read the manual to find out! I had been wondering how Yummy House was doing. I drove by to check if they were even still open and yes they were. I took a step into the place during lunch and it was deserted.
The same gentleman as on my last visit waited on me….quite nice, but really didn't speak much English. No matter; I knew what I wanted to order.
Starting with the Suan Cai Yang Rou ($12.98).
Not a particularly large portion. The suan cai; fermented cabbage, was very mild so the dish lacked that nice fermented sour flavor. A typical hot pot cut of lamb was used; also really mild in flavor and not particularly gamey. The stir fry job was pretty good however; and the dish was molten hot. I took most of it home and redid the stir fry adding our home made, fermented suan cai, both the thinly sliced cabbage and juice. The Missus scarfed it all up.
I also got the Beef Tendon Pot ($15.98); my favorite dish on previous visits to Yummy House.
This was pretty good; there were some really buttery, soft pieces of tendon. A bit too much tomato and acidity this time around. Still, it was hearty, not overly salty….there's a hint of anise flavor….I think it could use more, but overall a nice dish on a chilly day.
Seeing no other customers during my visit; I'm wondering how this place survives. Maybe they sell a ton of duck during the evening? I should drop by and try a couple of other dishes on the menu……
Yummy House
4633 Convoy St.
San Diego, CA 92111