Restaurant Review
23 Aug 2017

Delicious Food Corner – Monterey Park

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Delicious Food Corner - Monterey Park

Not last week but the one before that, my colleagues and I dreamed up an exciting new tradition: #CongeeCon. Recognized on the 8th day of the 8th month of every year (or so we hope), Congee Con is a week-long celebration of all that’s warm and comforting.

We kicked off the week at Lu’s Garden in San Gabriel, home to sweet potato gruel served with all that’s delicious, from marinated tripe to bamboo shoots and twice-cooked pork.

Delicious Food Corner - Monterey Park

Day two brought us to Delicious Food Corner in Monterey Park. The Hong Kong-style cafe was mostly full when we arrived. I hear there are lines out the door during breakfast.

Delicious Food Corner - Monterey Park

To start, a hot mug of milk tea ($2.75). The refills were unlimited and on the house, and sweetened condensed milk flowed freely. 

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Now Closed
17 Aug 2017

{swoon} Chicken Liver Rigatoni at Sotto

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Rigatoni {chicken liver ragu, porcini, Parmigiano Reggiano}

I saw glimpses of fall this week. The combination of cooler temperatures (below 90 degrees!) and June gearing up for her first day of preschool (!), had me feeling like change was definitely in the air.

With the heat and hubbub of summer fading, all I’m desiring is the comfort of carbs, which brings me to Sotto’s rigatoni ($24).

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Restaurant Review
10 Aug 2017

Asanebo – Los Angeles (Studio City)

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Asanebo - Studio City

When The Astronomer and I were invited to a friend’s birthday party in Studio City, we decided to make an evening of it and have dinner beforehand. I mean, if we’re going to go through the trouble of getting a sitter…

The Valley is famous for its sushi restaurants, and Asanebo is one of its oldest and most highly regarded. Chef Tetsuya Nakao and his brother Shunji helped to open Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills prior to opening Asanebo in 1991. Notably, the restaurant received a Michelin star in both 2008 and 2009 when the gastronomical guide recognized Los Angeles-based restaurants.

Asanebo - Studio City

Since this was our first time dining here, The Astronomer insisted that we experience one of the restaurant’s famed omakase. We selected option B ($140 per person) because it was “recommended for first time guests at Asanebo or for guests who want to try our basic omakase.” It featured the restaurant’s “signature and most popular dishes with sushi.”

Asanebo - Studio City

While The Astronomer and I almost always see eye-to-eye when it comes to restaurants, we had completely different takes on Asanebo. As a sushi purist, I found the dishes to be over-sauced and much too fussily garnished. On the flip side, The Astronomer really embraced the creativity Asanebo put forth.

Here’s the parade of dishes that graced us at the sushi counter…

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