yoso-silly – Page 20

Saturday Stuffs: Mr Fish and Chips reopens, the brick and mortar location of Supernatural Sandwiches, and the sign at Tecchan

January 4, 2014 mmm-yoso yoso-silly

So here are a couple of items to end our week.

Mr Fish and Chips reopens:

I'm certain that frequent commenter "Soo" is happy about this one. He is the one who told me that a fire closed the place down. Then of course, was the wholesale construction going on in this strip mall. So we can now answer what was going with Mr Fish and Chips. It's been a while since I've been here. I guess I need to check them out soon.

Mister Fish & Chips
5647 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92111

SuperNatural Sandwiches brick and mortar location:

Funny, I do recall reading about SuperNatural Sandwiches opening a shop in Miramar. But for some reason forgot all about that. So I was a bit surprised when I saw the sign. Looks like a lot of work still has to be completed….but soon enough, I won't have to wait until Farmer's Market days to get my "Siren".

7094 Miramar Rd
San Diego, CA 92121

What the sign says at Tecchan:

A couple of weeks back, FOY "PedMa" told me that Tecchan was closing.

I was in the area so I thought I'd drop by and see what was going on. It look like stuff has been removed and moved around quite a bit inside the place. And of course there was that typical, cryptic, sign……"Closed for Maintenance". Much like the "closed for remodeling" sign, this usually means the place has closed down.

Why can't they just get to the point….like this place in Antalya, Turkey, and just tell us they've closed down?

Tecchan Yakitori and Izakaya
3739 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2014 mmm-yoso Travel, yoso-silly

I got up this morning and took a quiet….well as quiet of a drive as can be had with Da' Boyz and had a New Year morning look at our neighborhood.

And had a nice, warm simple, bowl of soba. While it is traditionally the last item eaten on New Year's eve, we'd always had it on New Years day (toshikoshi soba – "crossing over the year noodles").

Yesterday, just like I've done on every New Year's Eve since 2005, I went to check out the various Osechi Ryori, traditional Japanese New Year dishes, at our three Japanese Markets. As I noted last year, it seems like this tradition is slowly fading away. I'm sure that'll it will never completely disappear, but it seems that only Nijiya has a large selection.

The selection at both Marukai and Mitsuwa were quite "sparse" in comparison.

While walking the aisles I had time to contemplate the year.

While it was pretty easy picking out the Missus's favorite dish of the year:

A delici-yoso Tripas à moda do Porto in, where else? Porto.

Her favorite bite was without a doubt hidden in this salad.

The Missus had a bite of the Hokkaido Scallop and almost did a delici-yoso dance Herself!

It was a bit harder for me. Much like last year, I've come to think of moments within context…..bellying up to the bar for bifana and a beer….for breakfast. It was just the perfect thing, one of those moments you just want to bottle and experience over and over.

Or standing on a mountain of shells in Paredoncito in the municipality of Benito Juarez, Sonora.

Watching horse drawn carts go out over the flats to awaiting boats…..

Bringing back amazingly sweet and tasty wild shrimp.

It's been an honor sharing our eating experiences with you this past year. As always; we thank you for stopping by, reading, and commenting when you feel the urge.

As the calendar turns and we look forward to another year, we hope to hear from you now and then.

The gang here at mmm-yoso wish all of you a healthy, happy, and delici-yoso New Year!

Merry Christmas

December 24, 2013 mmm-yoso yoso-silly

It's a nice quiet Christmas Eve, so I thought I'd go ahead and do my post now. We did our usual drive with Da Boyz to check out the lights. I think folks are feeling much more enthusiastic and positive this year as there was much more up in the neighborhood.

You know, this is the ninth Christmas for the blog.

And just as it was then, we just want to wish everyone a most wonderful and Merry Christmas!

Midweek Meanderings: Waldo’s closes, the sign at First korean Market (U Mart update), and the menu at Yu’s Garden

December 18, 2013 mmm-yoso yoso-silly

I think one of these posts is overdue. Here's a collection from the last couple of weeks.

Waldo's Chili Dogs Closes:

I saw this while driving through Clairemont Square a couple of weeks ago.

After the litigation to have the name change, new owners, the place never seemed to gain any traction. Now they're closed.

4250 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117

The sign at First Korean Market:

I've been wondering what's been going on with the (supposedly) soon to open U Mart in the old Zion Market location. So I dropped by First Korean Market which is taking over the space and found this sign (click to enlarge) The sign says U Mart is supposed to be opened mid-December, which is kinda like…well…right now, right?

I did a quick walk through and found the meat department completely closed, shelves depleted, and items at deep discount, which tells me the move should be coming soon….I think.

First Korean Market

Becoming U Mart

4611 Mercury St
San Diego, CA 92111
Between Engineer Rd and Dagget St

Supposedly any day now….

Yu's Garden Menu:

FOY (Friend of Yoso) "YummyYummy" mentioned the menu for the soon to open Yu's Garden is up, so I dropped by and took some photos (again click to enlarge).

4646 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Recently Consumed – The Comfort Food Edition

December 17, 2013 mmm-yoso Cooking, yoso-silly

It's been a pretty busy couple of months……luckily, I have folks like Cathy and Ed from Yuma to help me out. Without them, I truly doubt that this blog would still exist. Life has its rhythm, an ebb and flow, and this was just a long "high tide" I guess. Things are starting to settle a bit now, still kind of crazy, but I'm dealing with one or two crises per day, rather than four or five.

One thing I really notice this time around was how my eating just sort of retreated into its own simple comfort food mode……but I guess that's what comfort food is……

Here's a little collection of what we ate during the period when I was too busy or tired to cook……

So here's the requisite Spam, Eggs, and Rice bowl……

I just noticed….doesn't the soy sauce make it look like an "unhappy face"……

If I took photos of all of these dinners…and lunches, it would probably be a collection of similar egg and rice bowls.

Eggs, rice, and salty protein…..I guess that does it for me……

Even when I had time at home, it was stuff I could just prep and forget about until ready…..

The Missus got into the act too…..She loves steamed egg. This one has cold smoked scallops with sesame oil.

Which leads me to the question…..when things are going crazy; what's your "comfort meal"!

COMC: Guess the Curry and other silliness

December 13, 2013 mmm-yoso Japanese Restaurants, Sushi and Sashimi, yoso-silly

It's been a while since I've done one of these C(learing) O(ut the) M(emory) C(ard) type posts. So, here's some silliness for the day:

Guess where the curry is from:

It seems that curry has been my default choice when I really am not sure what I'm craving in recent weeks. So can you guess where each of these three are from? If you look carefully, this really isn't hard at all.

Here's a preview of our next installment….guess the karaage!

Just joking…well…maybe not!

Let's just end with some sashimi and sushi shots…….because one can never get enough of those, right?

Duckin’ Around

November 30, 2013 mmm-yoso Cooking, yoso-silly

I hope everyone is enjoying a nice long weekend. On Thanksgiving morning, I took Da' Boyz down the street to Mission Bay. The recent rain had scrubbed the sky of all the usual haze.

We ran into this flock of fowl during our walk….which drove Da Boyz crazy……

I thought it was kind of….well ironic in a way. As with most years, the Missus had to work over Thanksgiving, so there was making stuff for that. But for us, this year's project was a wonderful duck from Mary's, not cheap, but a nice little project for me.

So the night before T-Day, there I was, breaking down a duck…….it's been a while since I've done this, but I didn't do too badly. I decided to go with a Chinese influence with most things, curing the legs for confit…….

The carcass went into the stovetop smoker…….

The breasts I cured overnight with five-spice, salt, white pepper, ginger juice, scallions……

It ended up being a nice Thanksgiving meal for us……

With the smoked bones I made a soup.

I used only the greens from the napa cabbage in this. The Missus wanted something simple and comforting, a reminder of Her youth. So with the white portion of the napa cabbage, I did a traditional Northern Chinese stir fry with Black Vinegar.

The breasts turned out beautifully….the Missus said it was among the best She's ever had.

Since we were trying to use the whole duck, Da' Boyz had the liver, kidney, and heart for dinner…..

Of course there was still something left over…..can you guess what that was?

This duck was really fatty and there was a ton of skin left over. So yesterday I went ahead and rendered the fat. One of the great byproducts of rendering the fat was the fried duck skin…..man, these are good. The put the "crack" in cracklins'.

The duck fat is smooth and almost buttery……..I'm almost tempted to spread these out on crackers.

So the Missus had duck confit and an egg cooked in duck fat for brunch this morning.

In keeping with the Chinese theme, She dipped the duck into Sichuan Pepper-Salt, but quit after a while telling me that the duck really didn't need anything else.

I guess She really enjoyed the duck since She asked me if we could do this for Christmas. What I'm really happy with is that we didn't waste a thing. The duck was very good quality, though not cheap at nearly $30. Still, if you consider all the meals 1 duck contributed to, it's a good investment for two.

So how did your Thanksgiving go? Was it a traditional one, or did you try something different this year?

Happy Thanksgiving

November 28, 2013 mmm-yoso Cooking, yoso-silly

Happy Thanksgiving from the mmm-yoso gang to everyone!

May your hearts, and stomachs, be full on this, and every day of the year.

Sunday Stuffs: Hinotez 2 replacing La Playita, Bristol Farms discounts, and what’s fermenting in our hallway

October 6, 2013 mmm-yoso Japanese Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, yoso-silly

Just some odds and ends for an "atsui" Sunday.

Hinotez 2 to open in the former La Playita location:

Cathy originally noticed the sad news that La Playita had closed.

This week she followed that up by telling me that Hinotez 2 was opening in that location. So I went over and sure enough, that's what it says.

I kinda find this a bit odd…..I've been to Hinotez a good dozen times and the place has never been what I'd call busy, but maybe I'm going during the wrong time. It'll be interesting to see what this tiny shop will be doing…..perhaps take-out only?

5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117

Bristol Farms discount:

I know, it's already pricey, so what's 10% gonna do? Well, we do shop here about once a week, the Missus enjoys the sausages, and I like the meat department, especially when there are good sales, like baby back ribs for $3.99. So anyway, I saw this on my last trip and though some folks might be able to take advantage of the discount…it's for both students and faculty, which is nice.

Bristol Farms
8510 Genessee Ave
San Diego, CA 92122

What that fermenting in our hallway:

Well, the Missus decided She wanted to make Her own sauerkraut, go figure. So after doing some checking online She decided to go with the 10 liter Harsch Gairtropf Fermenting Crock Pot. So we've got a bunch of purple cabbage fermenting away……this type of crock uses a water seal, so every so often gas is released through the water with a fairly loud "blooop". It can throw you off a bit. You'll be sleeping then hear "blooop"……

As for the smell? I just blame that on Da' Boyz…..

Sweet indulgences up North (BC’s, Donut Man and Cream Pan)

September 25, 2013 Cathy Bakery, Desserts, What Cathy Eats!, yoso-silly

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog. We (Kirk, Ed (from Yuma), Cathy and a few others) write about food, either directly or indirectly. Today, Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are busy and Cathy is writing, directly.

If you follow this blog, you know The Mister and I drive North about once a month to see the progress and assist with the decoration of Rose Parade floats. We leave home at 5 a.m., drive North on the Interstate 5, get to Pasadena at 7 a.m., view (and document) the road tests and that part of the day is over before 9 a.m. We eventually drive home South on the 15, using various navigational routes to get there. We stop along the way there and home.

Just about one mile from the Pasadena Farmers market is a small donut shop named B.C. Donut. The only workers are the owners, a husband, his wife and their daughter. The place is open 24/7 and has a small walk up window, just like the 24/7 Taco Shop that shares the same parking lot. They have a lot of offerings: smoothies, sandwiches made on their fresh croissants and a good variety of donuts.

The apple fritter is what to order here ($1.50). Fluffy, usually still warm, apple chunks and swirls of cinnamon enrobed in a smooth soft glaze. It's the best we've ever had. There are no more words.

B.C. Donuts 2525 E. Foothill Boulevard Pasadena 91107 (626) 795-0012

Driving down Route 66, parallel to the 210 to get to the 15, you will pass many iconic (or iconic appearing) restaurants, coffee shops and…in Glendora, Donut Man. Apparently we have timed our visits correctly: this 24/7 donut shop has people lined up on the front porch, ordering at the window, even at midnight.

If you want to try the fresh strawberry donuts, you need to hurry; their last batch of fresh strawberries will be sliced and used on September 28 (this Saturday). Donut Man also makes fresh peach donuts, in August.

Here's a peek through the side window…

These glorious giant twists are "Tiger Tails"- almost one foot long, raised donut twisted with chocolate and glazed…enough to share.($1.70)

These apple and lemon filled donuts are made the same way the fresh stawberry (and peach) donuts are made…the dough is fried, topped (glaze or crumb or powdered sugar) then sliced and then filled.($1.70)

Ta Da! A full tray of the infamous strawberry donuts($3.50), also crullers (95¢)…

I've never tried the ones on the left, topped with fruit and cream; I don't know if they are filled, but probably they are. The cake donuts (90¢) are always good.

Here's what it looks like through the ordering window; organized chaos.

Our order. The strawberry donut (with complimentary fork)($3.50), a plain glazed cruller (90¢), chocolate topped old fashioned (95¢) and raised crumb (90¢) . The crumb was our least favorite; it was kind of dry. If there were nothing to compare it to, it would be just a good donut…The strawberry donut- it's just overflowing with fresh strawberries on a perfect raised glazed donut.

Donut Man 915 E. Route 66 Glendora, CA (616)335-9111 Article in today's San Gabriel Valley Tribune Link to recent post on My Burning Kitchen

On the way North, taking the Red Hill Exit off the 5, it's a hop and skip to get to Cream Pan, which opens at 6 a.m. daily. The shelves are not quite full at 6:15 when we get there, but everything on them is *fresh* and usually still warm.

We always get a strawberry croissant ($1.40), a ham and cheese croissant ($2.50)-my favorite ham and cheese baked in bread confection, ever…and on this visit, The Mister wanted to try the pecan roll($3). At first, The Mister was shocked at the price…then we unfurled it (after the first bite of the crispy flaky crust)…

This confection is LINED with toasted pecans! Well worth the $3.

Cream Pan 602 El Camino Real Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 665-8239

Yes, none of these 'regular' stops of ours have websites…all have great, fresh, quality treats. Hope all of you are having a good week!