Archive for May, 2008
Sushi Hunter:Sushi in North Beach Buffet
(potstickers, crunchy + tempura roll) Traveling to Tokyo two years ago, I ate the best sushi of my life at the Tsukiji fish market so I consider the “all- you- can eat sushi buffet” an oxymoron in the Japanese culinary culture. However, I was pleasantly surprised after my visit to a recent buffet created by [...]
King of Thai:Cheap Thai food in San Francisco
(pix: beef salad,fried chicken over rice,pork noodle soup) Thai food has always been so dear to my heart. On a foggy day in San Francisco, yellow curry with potatoes is a great comfort food dish that warms the heart. Many Thai dishes are light in taste but infused with many flavors. After interviewing the King [...]
Beijing Street BBQ: Lamb Skewers
Over Memorial day weekend, my virgin experience of Beijing BBQ was very memorable. After weeks of watching Anthony Bourdain’s adventure through China, I yearn to experience authentic food from this region in China. Arriving at my Sam’s house, I followed my keen sense of smell toward the grill. Expecting hamburger patties and bratwurst sizzling in [...]
Carl’s Jr:Another cheerleader commercial
(Jalapeno Chicken Burger video) (Paris Hilton Carl’s Jr. Commercial) Carl’s Jr., the fourth largest quick service food chain restaurant behind McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s is launching a new viral campaign for their Jalapeño Chicken Burger. After watching the video filled with sexy cheerleaders, the viral ad accomplished its goal, gaining my attention. Carl’s Jr. [...]
Arinell:Cheap New York Pizza in Mission
Last week, I got a chance to stroll along the seedy streets in the Mission district. Aside from having strong Hispanic representation, various cultures are high lighted especially by a wide range of cuisines. After a grub tip from Thanh, I had to try Arinell, a hole in the wall pizza joint famous for their [...]
Cold Soba:Slurp fest
(Matsui in Yoshinoya: Japanese fast food chain) (Fresh cut soba in Japan) Eating soba noodles is all about texture, temperature, and participation. Soba noodles are buckwheat noodles served either in a clear broth or cold in a special sauce. While backpacking in Tokyo a few years ago, my love for this noodle began to grow. [...]
Sam Won BBQ House:Carnivore’s Delight in Berkeley
Refurbished Apple iPhones from AT&T! This past Saturday, we celebrated my friend Mark’s graduation from UC Berkeley at Sam Won, a Korean BBQ restaurant in Oakland. My previous visit was around 8 years ago. My first dive into covering Korean BBQ featured Palace BBQ, an- all- you can eat meat feast in Sunnyvale. (Palace BBQ blog) Ambiance.Located in a [...]
Baskin Robins: Bump Day
My fond memories of childhood included Baskin Robins and their ice cream cakes. Every birthday, I would order an ice cream cake designed in a creative theme. Although I was known as the “kickball king,” I had to choose ice cream cakes shaped as soccer one year and football another. I even got to pick [...]
Koi Palace:Grand + Regal
(fried fish skin, crab, geoduck, pork skin with jelly fish) This is a piece I wrote for AsianWeek a few weeks back. Ever since then, I have dined at Hong Kong Flower Lounge which was a big disappointment. Waiting in the lobby at Koi Palace for our table, it is obvious what to order. The [...]
Seabass:Buttery Fish
(photos:seabass plated, seabass pan fried, seabass in olive oil) Ever since I was in middle school, I enjoyed cooking at home. It was a chance for me to display my creative side. In my early years, I focused simply on taste. But now, I notice that a gourmet ensemble of different notes come into play. [...]
McDonald’s: Free Southern Food
Taking a page from Paula Dean, Food Network’s super chef known for her Southern home cooking, McDonald’s is offering free Southern Style Chicken Biscuit with a purchase of a large drink. Today only. Dubbed the a.m. style biscuit, two home made biscuits between a chicken patty. The p.m. version is a sandwich. For full details, [...]
Jack in the Box:Viral Food Ads
(Jack in the Box: BBQ Sirloin Burger commercial) (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on Food Network) Jack in the Box, the King of fast food advertisements, sits on a throne far apart from the McDonald’s and Burger King. Using humor as a tool, the commercials command attention and portray a blunt silliness. After all, Jack is [...]
Anthony Bordain:Street Smart Chef
(Bordain in educational foie gras video) (Bordain at El Bulli. Top notch fine dining restaurant) (Bordain eating fetal duck egg: I ate it before in high school. My braces caught a few feathers) It’s late past midnight. But I will sleep well tonight, thanks to Bordain. In the past few years, guilt lingered through my [...]
Food Styling: Make-up for food
Looking through the beautiful models in People magazine, my esteem lowers like boiling temperature in a once confident robust oven. With plump lips, flawless skin, and abs to die for, it is no wonder that many Americans worship these celebrities. But I took major relief when I viewed pictures of celebrities with out make up. [...]
Gyoza: Cheap postickers Ajinomoto
Give me a quickie. Irritated from the 80 year old lady talking so loud at YMCA hot tub, I needed release. To be more exact, I need comfort food. Racing home, I grab my bag of Ajinomoto gyoza’s. Put a few, 12 to be exact, and wait 5 minutes for these miniature delights to cook. [...]
Mayflower: King of dim sum
Now thru 5/11, 50% off $25.00 Gift Certificates for $5.00 + receive a FREE $10 deLa Flowers Gift Certificate. Use code MOM! In the past weeks, I have had horrible dining experiences with poor service. Like Indiana Jones searching for the Holy Grail, hope is the only element I can truly count on. After an [...]
Grey Poupon Commercial: Marketing Genius “But of Course”
(video source: Youtube,photos: click on thumnail to enlarge) As a published food writer and blogger, I often am asked “can you cook?” In my British accent I answer, “but of course.” “But of course” has been a line made famous from the marketing genius of Grey Poupon. Walk through the condiment section of your local [...]
Vietnamese Pagolac:Ominivore’s Paradise in Tenderloin San Francisco
I dined at Pagolac for the first time around four years ago. Jen H, my resident Vietnamese food expert, introduced me to Pagolac. Just like visiting an old high school friend, things have changed but for the better. A newly remodeled decor yet the food remains exciting. In the past few blogs, I have ranted [...]
Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle:Hong Kong Breakfast
In the past 10 days, I broke my own record. Performing my civic duties, I dined out eight times contributing to our restaurant economy. Here is the list: San Tung/In -N- Out Burgers/Ming Tai/Hong Kong Mayflower Lounge/Gordo’s burritos/Shanghai Dumpling House/Yan Yan. Today, I feature Hong Kong breakfast which is foreign to most people. Hong Kong [...]
Cha Cha Cha: Tapas Galore in Haight St. San Francisco
Now thru 5/11, 50% off $25.00 Gift Certificates for $5.00 + receive a FREE $10 deLa Flowers Gift Certificate. Use code MOM! Its simple to stimulate your taste buds and activate your dance beat, dine at Cha Cha Cha. As festive as its name suggest, Cha Cha Cha serves flavorful food that represents flavors from [...]
Yan Yan:Sterile Chinese Restaurant
Now thru 5/11, 50% off $25.00 Gift Certificates for $5.00 + receive a FREE $10 deLa Flowers Gift Certificate. Use code MOM! Like, oh my gosh. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, married! Thats a shocker. A Chinese restaurant with sterile walls and a fish tank with hints of swamp environment. Not a shocker. As promised, [...]
Howard’s Cafe Breakfast Irving Sunset: Great Breakfast Spot
Last Friday, I felt like American breakfast. It’s just one of those feelings when you want some great comfort food. Having tried a few breakfast places around the city, I skip over to Howard’s Café on the leafy streets of 9th Avenue. As a food writer writing weekly for AsianWeek, my food senses have been [...]
Gary Danko:Prince for a meal
(!pardon the quality of photos, flash not welcome at the presented moment!) (cheese board,lobster risotto, frog legs,quail,washroom,) Let me be completely blunt, I am having a crappy week. Two bad meals within a short span of four days. San Tung served nominal dry fried chicken along with waiters hawking at me to pay my bill. [...]
California Time
California Time
{ Rayfil Wong | self development :: linbowing }
- New Sensation. Linbowing, not Tebowing.Jeremy Lin has been on fire. I noticed the other night Jeremy Lin bowing to Carmelo Anthony as a sign of celebration. Could this be a new sensation? No more Tebowing, Linbowing time. You heard it first here at rayfil.com, I am coining the term “Linbowing” A few years ago, I saw Jeremy Lin play […]
- Humans are Awesome, Training RequiredLimits are truly self imposed. Practice married with dedication and focus = amazing […]
