yoso-silly – Page 16

Fried Skins- Chicharrones of the land, air and sea.

November 28, 2015 Cathy Filipino Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, Mexican Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!, yoso-silly

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!!, food blog. Today, Cathy is writing a short post, not about any particular restaurant, but about some particular food items. Ed (from Yuma) has a nice post coming up tomorrow. Kirk is still out of the country and enjoying his international vacationing.

In 2011, Kirk wrote a great post about fried animal skins, quite a few were -ahem- less than common and difficult to find unless traveling internationally. I thought that writing a short post about commonly found chicharron would be nice. Dropping into any Mexican Market, you can probably find a variety of both pork and beef fried skins, some with meat attached (the far left) and some just the skin (second from left). Those are sold by the pound and can simply be eaten while wrapped in a corn tortilla, with or without some hot sauce.

The above is the counter at Northgate Gonzalez, a family owned and run Mexican grocery chain which I haven't posted about yet. Sometimes, in this same Mexican Markets, there is a steam tray area with stews and there is usually a choice of rojo (red) or verde (green) chicharron stews called guisados, which can be served taco style. Because the fried skins have been stewing, they are softened and not crispy, but still flavorful. The above are from Krist Liquor and Market. You can always order fresh made chicharrones by the 1/2 pound at Carnitas Uruapan.Long ago, I had mentioned fried chicken skin, dilis and bulaklak sold by the pound at Kababayan Market, which is now located in Spring Valley (I'll have a post about the new location soon).Fried chicken skins are my weakness and backup snack for just about every situation. I have also mentioned purchasing fried chicken skins at Chic-Boy in National City, because I know where to find fried skins when the craving strikes. Then there was the day we were at TJ Oyster Bar and I noticed the 'Starters' section of the menu while waiting in line at the newest location (again, I have a post forthcoming)…the second item, 'Chicharron Fish'.Hoping it would be a plate of these (above) fried fish tails, I was disappointed to see…this gigantic plate of more or less fish nuggets. But, oh what wonderful, meaty, lightly breaded nicely fried nuggets these were. The dipping sauce- umami- a deep, fishy, tart, lime-vinegar mix which went perfectly with the sliced raw onions. Not really skins, but fried and tasty.

I hope your long weekend is going well. It's not over!

What’s My Craving? Hinotez……

August 31, 2015 mmm-yoso Breakfast/Brunch, Japanese Restaurants, yoso-silly

This past Saturday I went out to fill the "honey do" list. It was :meat day" at Nijiya and since I was going to grill later that afternoon I had all kinds of shopping to do. We like to take advantage of our grilling time and make multiple dishes, and since it was so hot, I'd be roasting vegetables over the charcoal. It was a typical day, Starting at Sprouts, then Marukai, then 99 Ranch Market (Da Boyz needed rice). It was still too early for Nijiya and I didn't want to seem too excited about meat day and be there when the doors open.

Every so often I miss the typical breakfast I'd have when visiting my maternal Grandparents or on special weekends. To copy a passage from an earlier post on Fukagawa Soba & Udon:

"One of the earliest (and few) memories I have of my grandparents, is my "Ji-chan" (grandfather) waking before dawn. Even though the plantation days were behind them; the plantation ways were still strong. Neither Grandparent spoke much English and always had problems with my name. Ironically, they ended up calling me "Keiki" (which means "child" in Hawaiian). To this day I'm not sure if they actually knew what keiki meant, or of they just chose that word because it kinda sounded like my name, and was something they'd heard before. Anyway, my job was to climb the ricketty ladder up to papaya tree and pick two of the ripe papayas. My reward? My Grandmother would have a steaming bowl of rice, mix the raw egg with shoyu, pour the egg over the rice, top with green onions and mix……. tamago meshi. This in turn was topped with natto. I was also given half a papaya (to help me digest), and a cup of coffee (!!! I was maybe 7-8 years old) with tons of cream and sugar. A perfect breakfast for getting out there and working the fields……."

It's the breakfast of champions…… To my knowledge, the only place that serves anything like this in San Diego is Hinotez which opens at 8 am every morning.

It's a pick your poison kind of menu. A base with whatever you want to add for additional cost. What I ordered used to be six bucks and now that I add one other item, is now seven. Still cheaper than a sandwich at most places.

I get the three minute egg (not quite the raw egg, but it'll do), natto, and for some reason I love the extra "goo" of tororo (grated mountain yam). If anything, it's too much rice for me. I think in the future, I'll ask for less rice and more green onions.

First goes the egg…then the tororo…which is mixed together with the rice, then the natto, green onions and shoyu.

It's such a lovely mess of a breakfast.

I'm glad it's not one of those Japanese breakfasts we had in Japan. I would have just driven back home after eating and go back to sleep!

I do love my Spam and my Loco Mocos; though I enjoy both in moderation. But it's this breakfast that takes me back to where I come from and what I am. The grandson of immigrant plantation workers who toiled in the fields for Maui Pine.

Hinotez
7947 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92111

Post #2999: Some Sashimi and the “Big List”

August 29, 2015 mmm-yoso Japanese Restaurants, Sushi and Sashimi, yoso-silly

It was nice of some of you to notice that out 10th year "blogga-versary" came and went back in May. I guess we'd celebrate….but it seems that we're never home and I kinda stopped all that stuff a few years back. I did notice however that we were coming up to post #3000 soon. Considering that I started this little blog with no objective in mind….it was the suggestion of Reid from Ono Kine Grindz (we miss you man). His blog really hit home for an expat Kama'aina….the things I missed, the food mainly. So I just started typing…and we haven't stopped since.

With that milestone in sight, I decided to finish something I started back at the end of 2012….yes, 2012. I call it the "Big List". It's a listing of all the restaurants (I might have missed a few) that we've done posts on going back to the beginning. I completed it a few weeks ago. It's an interesting list and you can find it under pages on our sidebar. I've also included photos that were sitting around in folders that for some reason I forgot to delete, or have posted only to my Flickr account. For me, it's the listing of places that have closed (at the bottom) that brings back a nostalgic feeling….. Thanks to the folks who have already noticed it and commented. Please check it out and let me know what you think. I'll try to create pages for our travels as well.

I can't go further without thanking Cathy and Ed from Yuma. Without their help, this blog would not exist. It is as much their blog as mine. Much has changed over the years; social media and instant delivery (and gratification) has taken over….we just keep chugging along. Just think, we started in 2005; the first iPhone was released in 2007, Twitter was launched in 2006, remember MySpace?

Anyway, I decided to celebrate and went to Sushi Yaro and had some sashimi.

This is after all, still a food blog.

I'm not sure if anyone has been with us since the beginning, but a really warm mahalo to you if you've been here all these years.

And just to go off on one of my usual digressions, Sammy and Frankie have been along for the ride the entire way. And this gets me thinking about when they first became part of the family.

As always….thanks so much for visiting, reading, and commenting….all these years!

Saturday Stuffs: How does our garden grow, having a “beery good time”, the Missus’s favorite cheese, and other stuffs…

August 22, 2015 mmm-yoso Beer, Cheese, yoso-silly

Just a couple of things for a beautiful San Diego Saturday….

It seems that the recent hot weather really helped our peppers.

For some reason; like last year the peppers aren't as "hot". Don't get me wrong, the ghost peppers were still pretty darn hot….but it wasn't anything like our first years. I thing there's some cross pollination going on with our Padron Peppers.

Speaking of Padron Peppers. A couple of times a week we get a pretty good haul….

Like everyone else in SoCal, we've been reducing our water usage….so far so good…drip hoses and such….it seems the okra don't really mind…..

And it seem we have cut our water consumption by 30% or so…. Our front lawn is taking a beating though….

Some stuff from the beer vault:

I won't bore you on descriptions and such….but here's a few more beer photos.

I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks that Stone is kinda just resting on their laurels?

As Tony Montana said….."Say Hello to My Little Friend"…..

A few weeks back, I went into the back yard to check things out before heading off to bed. I noticed this hard working little fellow….building what seemed to be the world's most ambitious web. Since then, I'd check every night to see if the spider was out there spinning his web. If I saw a work in progress, I'd grab a beer from the fridge and just sit and watch…..

Sort of like the "fish tank effect" I guess….. Impressive work ethic…. I'll enjoy it for as long as he's around.

The Missus's favorite cheese:

I've never really posted on it before…it's been something we've kind of enjoyed inhouse. But we do love our cheese. We usually have a variety on hand, 5-6 for a light nice spring-summer-fall meal. Anyway, the current favorite of the Missus who enjoys a fairly ripe cheese is the Harbison by Jasper Hill Farm.

The flavor is pretty ripe. And it's quite unique in terms of cheeses we've had in that's it is wrapped in strips of spruce.

Bread is a must and it's quite good with a nice "sour"…….

I hope you're enjoying the weekend!

Saturday Stuffs: RakiRaki (Pokirrito???) Taking Over A Cafe Spot, Yu’s Garden Closes, and Other Stuffs

August 8, 2015 mmm-yoso yoso-silly

Haven't done one of these is a while so……

Pokirrito (RakiRaki) Taking Over A Café Spot:

Following up for "Sandy".

And yes indeed, the Change of Ownership sign is up……

What the heck is a Pokirrito? Some kind of Asian-Fusion burrito joint?

4646 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Yu's Garden is closed:

This one was more of surprise. I hadn't even heard about this one.

Wasn't much of a fan, never lived up to the Irvine location. I was still rather surprised.

4646 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Lot's of stuff going on at this strip mall!

Here are some other signs of places I'm sure you heard are opening soon.

8055 Armour Street
San Diego, CA 92111

801 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

Hope your having a great weekend!

Happy 4th!

July 4, 2015 mmm-yoso Beer, Cooking, yoso-silly

Hope everyone is having a fun and safe Fourth of July!

Like most holidays, the Missus has to work, but today she'll be home at a reasonable time. For the first time since we got back from our trip, I've got a day with no plans and no "honey do's".

So it's been nice hanging out with Da' Boyz and I even have some time to do this…….

And basically just hang out and do a bit of work in our garden, which is starting to shape up.

I think the Missus will be happy with dinner tonight….I even got Her current favorite beer.

Be safe and have a great 4th!

We Interrupt Our Scheduled Post for a Wagyu Locomoco with Veal-Porcini Pan Sauce and Shaved Truffle

June 11, 2015 mmm-yoso Cooking, Loco Mocos, Recipes, yoso-silly

Yes….for real.

It took us 21 hours to get back to San Diego. The next morning it was time to restock. Among the stops was Nijiya. I was shocked to see truffles in the produce case. I probably shouldn't be surprised as over the years Nijiya has had seasonal items like fresh chanterelles.

So no, that's not a turd. It's not super fragrant, not like what we came across in France. It was 8 bucks for something that works grated on the microplane over eggs.

Which gave me the idea of doing a locomoco….but it couldn't be just any loco….

Sooooo…..long story short, ground wagyu from Bristol Farms, I have frozen veal stock in the freezer, dried porcini in the cabinet, shallots on the counter.

And all those basic skills everyone who cooks should have; how to cook an egg, how to make a burger, and how to make a simple pan sauce. Shave truffle on egg and…say no more…..

So it was time to "go loco, or go home"! Or maybe….go take a nap?

Hope you're having a great week!

Tianjin Baozi/Jian Bing Shop Coming to San Diego, Half Door Brewing Company, and the Missus’s Favorite Beer and Snack

May 12, 2015 mmm-yoso Beer, Chinese Restaurants, Pubs and Pub Grub, yoso-silly

Here's a variety of items for a beautiful May Tuesday.

Tianjin Baozi/Jian Bing Shop replacing Mercury Grill:

Candice recently mentioned at baozi shop was coming to San Diego in this strip mall. I finally saw a sign a couple of days ago. Unfortunately, it was written in Chinese. So I drove by with the Missus who told me the sign mentions Tianjin Baozi, one of my favorite things and Jian Bing a dish that takes the Missus back to Her days in Beijing.

Sad to see Mercury Grill close. But I'm really excited to see this.

Man, first Dumpling Inn expands (yawn) and then Myung In opens (meh…plus/minus). Now this. I guess when it rains it pours.

8046 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111

Half Door Brewing Company:

Speaking of Candice. We decided on grabbing a beer a few months back and she suggested Half Door Brewing Company.

Located on Island Avenue in East Village….I really wasn't too sure

But I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the slightly sour, not too dry Berlinerweiss. A nice middle of the road version. I loved the set-up…in an renovated older building…I gotta find out a bit more about it. The place is owned by the family who owns The Field, so I may drop by and have the Fish and Chips one day.

In other words; I'll be back.

Half Door Brewing Co
903 Island Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Speaking of Beer:

We were speaking of beer, right?

The Missus's current favorite is the Chili Pepper Spicy Ale form Six Rivers Brewery. It's actually quite good with rich, gamey, stuff like duck rillettes or confit. It's no lightweight, you get a bit of citrus, then boom……nice serious heat. It's not that great with spicy food as the heat from the food nullifies the beer.

The Missus has also developed a fondness for Lays Creamy Forest Mushroom flavored potato chips. I got this as an impulse buy from Balboa Market. It does have an interesting cream of mushroom flavor……nice and savory and the Missus has taken to it.

What we didn't take to was the Rogue Sriracha Hot Stout. We like our chili beers and this one; while a decent stout, good coffee flavors really wasn't true to Sriracha.

Kind of weak and wimpy. Too bad, the Missus loves the Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar with Chocolate.

Can't win 'em all.

And finally:

I often have folks send me…ummmm…."interesting photos". Like this one.

?????

Hope you're having a great week!

Saturday Stuff: Xian Kitchen coming soon and other stuff

April 18, 2015 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants, yoso-silly

Too bad Jin's Pot couldn't make it. I drove by the other day and saw this sign:

I know that asking for a good Yang Rou Pao Mo or Rou Jia Mo might be stretching it. But one can always dream.

4690 Convoy St. Suite B109
San Diego, CA 92111

Here's some other odds and ends. I'd always wondered what was going to take the place of Lucky Star. On a recent visit to Northgate Market the question was answered.

Apparently, it's become a banquet space.

I'm a little bit late on this one, but a favorite of some folks I know closed at the end of the year. I nevre posted on the Hungry Stick, though I'd been there a few times.

I heard it's being turned into a Dentist Office.

3993 54th St.
San Diego, CA 92104

That's it for today. Hope you're having a great weekend!

Eating at my Desk: Nijiya, Tita’s Kitchenette, Nanay’s Best BBQ, Yum Cha Cafe, and Artisan Bento

April 16, 2015 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants, Filipino Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, yoso-silly

Things have been pretty busy the last year and a half or so. I've noticed that I eat more lunches at my desk than I ever did before. Yes, I know it's spposed to actually hurt productivity. But there are those things called conference calls, web meetings, and the ever looming and shifting deadline.

Most often, I'll run out and pick up something from Nijiya; probably at least once a week. So many of the lunches I have at my desk look like this.

I'm definitely not complaining about this one….it's comfort food.

Nijiya Market
3860 Convoy St Ste 109
San Diego, CA 92111

"MG" is a good family friend; the Missus is one (I didn't know that folks can have as many as seven) of her son's Godmothers. We used to work in the same department and had some really fun potlucks. We're now in different departments, but she will sometimes drop by to make sure I'm getting fed. Like bringing me hamanado and tapa from Tita's for lunch. Good lord……how in the world was I able to finish this before?

For some reason, it seems time, at least in my mind, hasn't been good to Tita's…the grey color, the tough beef…though I still like the hamanado. In spite of it being on the tough side I like the mild sweetness and the salty tones.

Yes, it's pretty much about quantity….the love of abundance. It's enough for at least two meals.

Tita's Kitchenette
2720 East Plaza Boulevard
National City, CA 91950

One day she dropped off this:

I recognized it immediately…I asked if it was from Tem's and was told "no, it's from Nanay's". Which left me a bit confused, until I found out that Tem's is now Nanay's and apparently the food is basically the same. I will say I enjoyed the "spicy chicken" much more than the pork version I had when the place was Tem's. The "BBQ" chicken kind of reminds me of food court stuff, but it's not terrible….which the rice was, with quite a bit of hard grains in it.

Nanay's Best BBQ
6715 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92121

Speaking of bad rice…….

**** Yum Cha Cafe has closed

Just because I have to eat at my desk doesn't mean I can't have stuff to post on. So on the way back from a meeting I stopped by Yum Cha Café. I hadn't been here in ages. I got the Hainan Chicken Rice….mostly because I must be a glutton for punishment. I mean, the place used to have passable cheap grub, but if this is any indication, they've really taken a dive. Dry tasteless chicken…the rice was hard and dry….ick.

Yum Cha Cafe
6933 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111

And then there are the times I get to follow-up on a place I had been wondering about. In this case Artisan Bento. I got the Delux Bento…which clocks in at $13.95! I chose Ginger Pork, Shogayaki…which, being on the more salty side really reminds me of what my mom used to make.

**** Artisan Bento is no longer

I gotta say that these folks seem to have it down. From the time I ordered to leaving the place, less than 10 minutes!

I still enjoy the ohitashi. The kyuri (cucumber) was really bland. The miso soup seemed much more watered down. I usually cringe at the thought of multi-grain rice. But for some reason, I like the version at Artisan Bento….sheesh…what next? Macramé???

For dessert I chose the strawberry cheesecake which I proceeded to give away. I think I can do the regular bento next time.

Artisan Bento
2505 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

One change from my previous post. They now open at 11….so no more walking in at 10 to find out they don't serve food until 11.

So, let me ask you…..do you eat at your desk? If so, what's your go to meal to have there? and what do you think about having to eat there?