Archive for the 'All U Can Eat' Category

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Tahoe Galbi Restaurant – Los Angeles (Koreatown)

Published by Gastronomer on November 17, 2008 in All U Can Eat, Korean, Koreatown, Los Angeles and Restaurant Review. 1 Comment

Since The Astronomer’s class load on Fridays is especially light, he hopped on the Metro and jammed to Koreatown to meet me for dinner. We were car-less during our first couple of weeks in Los Angeles and became quite familiar with the public transit system. The Metro isn’t as dependable as the subways in New York City, but in all honesty, it gets the job done fairly well.

Tahoe Galbi Restaurant is located in between my office and the Wilshire-Western Metro station. Besides being convenient, the place received Korean barbecue connoisseur Wandering Chopstick’s seal of approval.

We arrived before the Friday night dinner rush and were seated promptly at a table fit for six. After perusing the menu for a brief moment, we both slammed it shut and declared that All U Can Eat was the only way to go—we were game for a meat fest.

For a measly $17 each, we feasted on bunches of banchan and all the meat we could stomach. The banchan arrived first. The colorful selection included white jelly squares topped with scallions and a soy vinaigrette, Jap-Chae (translucent starch noodles with vegetables and beef in a sweet garlic sauce), K’ong Na-Mul (bean sprouts seasoned with sesame oil), Musaengchae/Muchae (pickled diakon), kimchi, Gam-Ja Salad (potato salad) and steamed broccoli with chili pepper paste. There were also little squares of rice paper that weren’t very photogenic.

When it comes to complimentary flavors, it makes perfect sense to pair cool pickled vegetables with salty grilled meats. These diverse little nibbles really brightened up our otherwise protein-intensive meal.

Additional side items included a fresh green salad, a bubbling fermented bean paste stew with tofu and whole shrimps, and a delicate steamed egg. The salad was bland-city, while the stew’s flavors reminded me of Vietnamese canh chua and the egg was reminiscent of Japanese Chawanmushi.

Whereas the banchan enhanced the Korean barbecue experience for us, these side items didn’t quite meld with the meat at hand. Perhaps the clever folks at Tahoe serve these side items to distract diners’ taste buds, thus effectively lowering the volume of meat they consume.

A number of condiments were also set upon our table including freshly sliced garlic and jalapenos, a thick fermented tofu sauce, sesame oil and Korean fish sauce.

The All U Can Eat menu includes a selection of six meats, including crowd pleasers like bulgogi and galbi. Since it was our first time in a long time eating Korean barbecue, we ordered a bit of everything from our amiable waiter.

Our first batch of meats included Chadolbaegi (Korean sliced brisket) and beef tongue. Is it just me or does beef tongue taste a bit like mild liver? Both cuts were good, but not nearly as exciting as the heaps of bulgogi and galbi to come.

Next, we enthusiastically dove into galbi, bulgogi and chicken. The galbi (marinated beef short ribs in a ganjang-based (Korean soy suace) sauce) was tender, well-seasoned and made us feel like cavemen. The bulgogi (thin slices of sirloin beef marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic) was equally awesome. Whereas I preferred the thin pieces of galbi due to the ratio of meat to marinade, The Astronomer liked the thicker slabs of bulgogi. I didn’t taste any of the chicken, but The Astronomer proclaimed it juicy and flavorful.

The pork belly was our least favorite meat because after eating copious amounts of beef slathered in a sweet marinade, the unseasoned pork just tasted bland.

After completing our first platter of meats, The Astronomer was feeling bold and ordered a second helping of our favorites—kalbi and bulgogi. My belly was overwhelmed by this point, so I manned the grill like a pro.

From chicken to beef to pork, The Astronomer and I were really impressed by how tender each and every one of the meats at Tahoe Galbi were. In addition to the excellent food, the service and ambiance were respectively efficient and clean. I especially appreciated the mid-meal grill change because meat juices have a nasty way of crusting up the grill’s surface and charring innocent meats.

As we walked from the restaurant to the Metro stop, we wondered if the surge of protein flowing through our systems would stay for longer than 24 hours. Sadly, probably not.

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Tahoe Galbi Restaurant
3986 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: 213-365-9000

Pepperonis

Published by Astronomer on July 30, 2008 in All U Can Eat, Hanoi, Italian, Restaurant Review and Vietnamese. 9 Comments

I’ve been wanting to try Pepperonis restaurant in Saigon for a while. This Hong Kong-based “Italian” chain sells a wide range of pizza and pasta, but they’re known in particular for their cheap lunch and dinner buffets. As recently as two years ago, you could gain access to an endless supply of pastas and salads for a mere 28,000 VND. While this price has since increased (along with the cost of everything else in Vietnam), the 42,000 VND lunch buffet is still quite a deal.

On a recent visit to Hanoi, I happened to walk past a Pepperonis branch on the way to my hotel from the airport shuttle stop. Although I typically resolve to eat nothing but novel northern Vietnamese delicacies when I visit the capital, on this day I was in the mood for something different. I had followed up a longish run in the morning with a meager breakfast, and after skipping out on the disgusting sandwich on my Vietnam Airlines flight, I was unusually hungry. In these situations, there’s something about stuffing yourself with Italian pasta that just hits the spot—Vietnamese food can’t quite match it. Besides, I couldn’t see myself dragging The Gastronomer to an all-you-can-eat luncheon of questionable quality during our final two weeks in Saigon. It seemed appropriate to go at it alone.

It was 12:55 PM when I stepped inside. The advertised lunch buffet hours were 11:30-1:30, so there was no time to dawdle. I chose a seat upstairs by the window (might as well give my camera a fighting chance), grabbed a plate, and headed back downstairs to the buffet. It wasn’t the most impressive spread I’ve seen… just one table of entrees in metal cafeteria-style tins, and one table of salads with slightly more appealing presentation. The selection was also a bit strange—I had been hoping for a choice of several pasta shapes and a nice range of sauces, but I was instead presented with a mismatched hodgepodge of Vietnamese and Western food.

I threw caution to the wind and started filling my plate with a little bit of everything. The end result didn’t look so hot, but I was ready to eat. I started with some glass noodles from the salad table. These definitely came from the Vietnamese end of the spectrum. Dressed with a sweet, nuoc mam-based sauce, they were tasty, if not exactly what I had come for. I grabbed some corn on the cob, which was terrible—cold and slathered with way too much butter. I struggled to finish two small sections.

Things began looking up with a carrot and daikon salad. A classic Vietnamese goi with peanuts and herbs, it looked like do chua but wasn’t sour. I also sampled an excellent baked pasta—a bit like lasagna but with made with spaghetti and lacking runny cheese. This one confused me at first, but I eventually identified it as the baked Bolognese from the menu. It was really satisfying—different than anything I had eaten in months.

I rounded off plate #1 with some stir-fried vegetables on rice. They were solid, with lots of onions (not too raw) and a hint of lemongrass, but it was a super-weird thing to eat after the baked Bolognese. The words, “What am I doing?” came to mind.

Nevertheless, I was still hungry, and it was nearly 1:15. I went back for plate #2. I came back with more goi (ironically probably my favorite dish of them all), some penne with white sauce, a section of veggie lasagna, and chicken curry with rice. The penne was a huge disappointment. Since it was the closest thing to my original vision for the meal available, I filled up a full half-plate with it, but the sauce was bland and tasted too much like pure cream with a hint of mushrooms. The veggie lasagna turned out to actually be potatoes au gratin, or perhaps some other creamy dish with potatoes, onions, and herbs. It was decent, but it didn’t leave me yearning for more.

The chicken curry was probably pretty good, but this time the shock of the transition from creamy pastas to Vietnamese food was too much. I was getting full, and I just wasn’t in the mood anymore. This had to be one of the strangest meals I’d ever eaten.

It was almost 1:30, so I went back for one more helping of my favorites—the carrot and daikon salad and the baked Bolognese. I finished off the meal with some papaya chunks from the dwindling fruit salad. I had eaten too fast, but I felt alright. I had found a few winners among the selection of mediocre offerings, and I had satisfied my curiosity about Pepperonis. It’s not so different from one of the cheap pizza/hoagie/pasta joints in Pennsylvania (albeit with a bizarre Vietnamese twist), or perhaps the Swarthmore dining hall on a good day. Clearly somebody likes it—according to their business card, there are 5(!) locations in Hanoi. Guess it wasn’t such a coincidence that I ran into one.

Ajia Japanese Fusion – Philadelphia

Published by Gastronomer on April 26, 2007 in All U Can Eat, Japanese, Philadelphia and Restaurant Review. 3 Comments

April 21, 2007
Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi

3131 Walnut St, Philadelphia 19104
Between 31st & 32nd Street

Phone: 215-222-2542
Website: none

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Appetizer I: Salad with Ginger and Orange Dressing

Appetizer II: Miso Soup

Round I: Shrimp Tempura Roll, Inari, Tuna Nigiri, Tako Nigiri, Salmon Nigiri, Yellowtail Nigiri, Sweet Potato Roll, Philadelphia Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll

Round II: Tuna Roll, Salmon Roll, Spicy Crunchy Tuna, Spicy Crunchy Salmon

Round III: Shrimp Tempura Roll, Rock N Roll, Unagi Roll

Round VI: Unagi Roll, Spicy Crunchy Salmon Roll, Rock N Roll

Round V: Yellowtail Nigiri, Salmon Nigiri, Tuna Nigiri, Spicy Salmon Roll, Kani Nigiri, Inari, Tako Nigiri

Round VI: Philadelphia Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll, Rock N Roll, East Roll

Round VII: Kani Nigiri, Shrimp Nigiri, Unagi Roll, Rock N Roll, Spicy Crunchy Salmon Roll

Round VIII: Unagi Nigiri, Salmon Nigiri, Tuna Nigiri, Mackerel Nigiri, Clam Nigiri, Yellowtail Nigiri

Round IX: Shrimp Tempura Roll, Tuna and Avocado Roll, East Roll

Round X: Inari

Round XI: Spicy Crunchy Tuna and Sweet Potato Roll

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In honor of Paul’s 24th birthday, a posse of 12 gathered at Ajia for their delectable All U Can Eat sushi, which is reasonably priced at $21.95, plus tax and tip. The special also includes unlimited miso soup and salad. It was my second All U Can Eat affair of the week (Lacroix being the first), but I was ready to throw down once more because there’s always room for sushi.

The restaurant was packed on Saturday night and the service was extremely spotty because one waitress was working the entire room. This was my fourth time testing my stomach’s limits at Ajia, so I knew what to expect when it came to service. In my book, great sushi at a great price more than makes up for nonexistent service.

As usual, I passed on the soup and salad to save room for the good stuff. The Astronomer is a fan of the salad’s orange and ginger dressing. The miso soup is decent as well.

The variety of nigiri and rolls offered for the All U Can Eat special is impressive. Our group’s favorites were the Shrimp Tempura Roll, Spicy Crunchy Tuna and Salmon Roll, Unagi, salmon and tuna nigiri, and the Sweet Potato Roll. The Inari, Unagi nigiri, and Philadelphia Roll are three of my personal favorites.

The ratio of fish to rice is perfect and the fish is generally very fresh. However, the Mackerel seemed a bit off on this evening. All of the sushi is made to order, which takes a while with a large group.

After 3.5 hours and eleven rounds of sushi, we left thoroughly stuffed and satisfied.

For a complete menu, click below…

Continue reading ‘Ajia Japanese Fusion – Philadelphia’

Lacroix at the Rittenhouse – Philadelphia

Published by Gastronomer on April 23, 2007 in All U Can Eat, Molecular Gastronomy, New American, Philadelphia and Restaurant Review. 6 Comments

Cuisine: New American, French
April 15, 2007

210 W Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia 19103
Btwn S 18th St & S 20th St

Phone: 215-790-2533
Website: www.lacroixrestaurant.com

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Sunday Brunch Buffet ($52 per person)

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The Gastronomer: In celebration of three lovely years of togetherness, the Astronomer and I indulged in an extravagant Sunday brunch at Lacroix at the Rittenhouse. When we arrived at 11 AM, the staffers were putting the final touches on the heavenly spread. The natural light coming through the immense windows lit up the room serenely, even for a rainy April morning.

The Astronomer: As I reflect back on my meal at Lacroix and the approximately 50 different dishes that I sampled, I am once again astounded by the sheer magnitude of the experience. How can Lacroix afford to offer so much amazing food for scarcely less than the price of an entree at some other fine dining establishments? I have a feeling it has to do with the meager appetites of many of their patrons—in any case, as an Astronomer who loves to eat, I was more than ready to take advantage of the situation

The Astronomer’s Selections

The Astronomer: The Gastronomer and I began our meal by sampling the selections from the cold appetizers. In order to avoid being overwhelmed, I served myself only a few items—I knew I had many hours of eating ahead of me. Nothing from Plate #1 (top row, first) was really amazing. I enjoyed the rosemary olive focaccia and the heart of palm salad was tasty, but the cucumber-lime foam was not as exciting as it looked. Neither was the wild berry “explosion”—Gushers fruit snacks are more explosive. I was glad that I tried the bubble tea—I’m usually not much of a tea drinker, but I found it quite enjoyable, perhaps because the taste approached Kool-Aid more than tea. I also ordered a glass of apple juice, which, as expected, tasted like apple juice.

The fun really began for plate #2 (top row, middle). I returned to the hors d’ oeuvres table and also sampled some offerings from the raw bar. The grilled Portuguese octopus salad was excellent—octopus is my new favorite sea creature. I was less impressed by the salmon roe and other caviar that I tried. Caviar may be expensive, but that doesn’t make it delicious. My favorites from this round were probably the Szechwan chicken dumpling (what can I say, I love Chinese food) and the mini foie gras ice cream sandwich (I’ll leave it to the Gastronomer to describe that one).

At this point I felt like I was just warming up, which was a good thing, because there was a lot more food to try. I decided to make one more trip to the cold food before heading to the kitchen. Plate #3 (top row, last) included two sushi rolls; they were good, but my inexperienced palate couldn’t differentiate the quality from that offered at Ajia. The yogurt “panna cotta” with Maine lobster, pickled mango, and basil was definitely a highlight. Its flavor was smooth, subtle, and refreshing. Due to the amazing variety of food available, I maintained stringent standards for which dishes would warrant a second helping. The lobster and yogurt made the cut, as did the chicken dumpling.

Plate #4 (middle row, first) took me to the heart of Chef Matt Levin’s kitchen, where a whole new level of adventure awaited. Nearly overwhelmed by the extent of the offerings, I decided to hold off on the meats for a bit and sample several treats in small porcelain dishes. The savory Tuscan bread pudding was tasty and might have been worth going back for more if I hadn’t been beginning to feel my stomach swell, but the others were largely disappointing. I loved the Piedmontese gnocchi—it positively melted in my mouth. I tried a Belgian waffle with fruit and also sampled some of the Gastronomer’s French toast. These items would be a highlight for me at a normal brunch, and indeed they were excellent, but somehow I didn’t feel like eating standard breakfast fair doused in syrup after sampling such extravagant hors d’ oeuvres.

When I returned to the kitchen, I finally allowed myself to begin the part of the meal that I had really been looking forward to: the meat courses. I tried a little of everything, and they were absolutely fantastic. Each was unique, with a rich flavor and well-chosen sauce for accompaniment, and all were wonderfully tender. The black cod was delicious, as was the Berkshire pork belly, although its powerful orange sauce unfortunately overwhelmed the taste of some of my subsequent bites. I loved the Vietnamese wild boar with ginger jus, but in the end, my favorite meat dish was the Wellington of Cervana venison loin with apricot-poivre sauce. The venison was surrounded by a flaky pastry, and the pieces came together perfectly.

Even after my meat extravaganza, there were a number of offerings in the kitchen that I still hadn’t tried. I passed on most of the vegetable dishes, although I did try the purple Peruvian potatoes and the sautéed potatoes with fleur de sel, which were nothing special. The Gastronomer got me excited about the Niman Ranch bacon; however, it turns out that I am just not much of a bacon fan, no matter how fine the pigs. The chicken and apple sausage, on the other hand, was quite enjoyable, and the beer braised beef short ribs were incredible. They were among the many dishes that I would have gladly ordered for an entire entree in a more traditional restaurant setting.

By plate #7 (bottom row, first) I was beginning to feel the effects of my earlier indulgences. However, I couldn’t leave the kitchen without taking a second helping of some of my favorites, including the short ribs, venison, and wild boar. After this we decided it was time for dessert. I sampled a number of miniature baked goods—including such personal favorites as a churro and mini-donut. It was fun dipping them in the chocolate fountains, but after the finery of my previous courses, rice crispy treats and brownies seemed a bit boring.

Needless to say, by this point my stomach was ready to explode. We still had not even touched the beautiful offerings presented by pastry chef Matt Maslowski. I carefully perused the table and selected a strawberry rhubarb tart and a small cheesecake with white chocolate. They were sweet and perfect and provided an ideal conclusion to the meal.

The Gastronomer’s Selections

The Gastronomer: Firstly, hats off to The Astronomer for playing the Lacroix Brunch game so well! As you can see from my plates above, I ate way too much at the Raw Bar and Hors d’ Oeuvres station and hardly anything in the kitchen or at the dessert table because I was too full. I was overly excited at the start and as a result, had a disappointing finish. Oh well, I’ll do better next time. And believe me, there will definitely be a next time!

I enthusiastically sampled every offering at the Raw Bar and Hors d’ Oeuvres station (see list below). My favorites of the bunch were the Crazy Eel Roll, Deviled Quail Eggs, Jalapeño-Crab Rillette, and Mini Foie Gras Ice Cream Sandwiches. The eel roll was sweet and lightly packed so it fell apart in my mouth. The selection of sushi was so outstanding that I ate 14 pieces! The Deviled Quail Eggs were far milder than their chicken and mayo counterparts, but the Uni cream tasted like seawater. One of these days I’ll develop a taste for Uni. The Jalapeño-Crab Rillette was spicy and fresh.

The highlight of the Hors d’ Oeuvres station were the Mini Foie Gras Ice Cream Sandwiches. Ultra thin slices of toasted white bread delightfully held together foie gras flavored ice cream. The little gems were dusted with hazelnut-orange powder and sea salt, which further brought out the ice cream’s sweetness. I was such a huge fan of this creation that I effortless consumed six. According to the Chef, I am the current record holder for the most Foie Gras Ice Cream Sandwiches eaten in one sitting.

My favorite salads were the Charred Scallions and Maitake Mushrooms with Black Truffle and the Candy Stripe Beets and Jicama, Yogurt Mint Coulis. The intense mushrooms coupled with the slightly burnt scallions was a winning combination. The beets and jicama were also an outstanding duo—the mint was incredibly refreshing and the beets were wonderfully sweet.

As I headed into the kitchen for the hot buffet, I sadly realized that I was full. Even though I wanted to sample everything Lacroix had to offer, my stuffed state required me to be discerning with my selections. From the kitchen, I chose the Pearl Barley and Apple Pilaf, Creamy Risotto with Early Spring Peas, Dried Cherries, and Roasted Pine Nuts, Fresh Berry Compote, and French Baguette Toast with Apricot Jam. Both the pilaf and risotto were bland compared to the other offerings and were mostly left untouched. The French toast was extra-cinnamon-y and so very good. The apricot jam and berry compote meshed wonderfully with the French toast. After I finished plate #7 (last row, first), I took an hour long break (in the fetal position), while the Astronomer proceeded to eat plates of meat.

My final delight at Lacroix was the Coffee Foam with Gianduja Chocolate at the Liquid Nitrogen Station (last row, middle). I was beyond stuffed at this point, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see molecular gastronomy on the ground. The woman working the station piped a coffee flavored custard mix into a small bowl, sprinkled it with Gianduja Chocolate, and added another layer of custard. She dropped the entire concoction into the bubbling liquid nitrogen. The custard floated in the nitrogen for a quick minute and was scooped out and served. The cold custard crumbled in my mouth and was extremely airy in texture. The coffee was too bitter for me, but the chocolate nicely sweetened the treat.

The Astronomer: By the end of our three and a half hour stay at Lacroix, I was stuffed beyond belief and utterly satisfied. I would go so far as to say that brunch at LaCroix was my favorite meal that I have ever eaten at a restaurant. Le Bec Fin was divine, Buddakan is always delicious, and Highlands Bar and Grill has a special place in my heart, but none can compare with the experience of sampling a stunning variety of amazing appetizers, breakfast foods, meats, and desserts in an all-you-can-eat environment. I only have a few more months in Philly, and there are many new restaurants that I still want to try, but some of these adventures may have to be sacrificed in the name of finding time for a return trip to Lacroix.

The Gastronomer: Whereas Craig LaBan had a salad for dinner after brunching at Lacroix, I had an hour long run instead. I can’t wait to return!

For a complete menu, click below…

Continue reading ‘Lacroix at the Rittenhouse – Philadelphia’

Souplantation – San Diego (La Mesa)

Published by Gastronomer on November 2, 2006 in All U Can Eat, Chain / Multiple Locations, Restaurant Review and San Diego. 0 Comments

October 31, 2006
Cuisine: American

9158 Fletcher Pkwy.
La Mesa, CA 91942

Phone: 619-462-4232
Website: http://www.sweettomatoes.com/

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Tossed Salads: Caesar Salad Asiago (Non-Vegetarian), Green Chili Ranch Salad with Cornbread Bites, Won Ton Chicken Happiness

Prepared Salads: German Potato (Low-fat, Vegetarian), Joan’s Broccoli Madness (Non-Vegetarian), Poppyseed Coleslaw (Vegetarian), Tuna Tarragon, Wild Rice & Chicken

Soups: Big Chunk Chicken Noodle (Low-fat), Deep Kettle House Chili (Low-fat), Vegetable Medley (Low-fat, Vegetarian), Yankee Clipper Clam Chowder w/ Bacon

Pastas: Garden Vegetable w/ Meatballs, Macaroni & Cheese (Vegetarian)

Muffins: Apple Cinnamon Bran Muffin (96% Fat-free), Buttermilk Biscuits, Buttermilk Cornbread (Low-fat), Chocolate Brownie Muffin, Garlic Asiago Focaccia, Quattro Formaggio Focaccia, Strawberry Buttermilk Muffin

Desserts: Chocolate Pudding (Low-fat), Raspberry Apple Cobbler, Tapioca Pudding (Low-fat), Seasonal Fresh Fruit, Vanilla Soft Serve, Chocolate Frozen Yogurt

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Souplantation is an all-you-can eat buffet featuring a huge salad bar, soup bar, pasta bar, dessert station and breads station. It’s one of my all-time favorite restaurants in San Diego because it’s healthy, fun, and very tasty. I’ve been going here since I was a kid and will continue to return as often as possible when I visit.
During this visit to Souplantation, I was accompanied by mother and cousin Phil. Both of them are just as enthusiastic about the place as I am. Okay, maybe a little less.

I started off my meal (as always) with two salads: one plate full of Won Ton Chicken Happiness and another filled with hodgepodge salad items. My hodgepodge plate included raw spinach, Caesar Salad Asiago, Green Chili Ranch Salad with Cornbread Bites, and extra croutons. Cornbread Bites rock!

My second course was the Big Chunk Chicken Noodle. I added in some fresh green onions intended for the Deep Kettle House Chili. The best part of the soup were the noodles; unusually thick, but awesomely delicious.

My third course was a plethora of breads including a blueberry muffin with maple whipped butter (extra honey) and Quattro Formaggio Focaccia. The Focaccia was excellent. I’ve seen it for years at the breads station, but never tried it until this visit. The bread was crisp in all the right places and the cheese was wonderfully melted. I will definitely eat it on future visits.

I finished off my meal with the Raspberry Apple Cobbler. The topping was delectable and the filling was piping hot. Next time I will have it with some soft-serve!