Monthly Archives: December 2013

Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant for Dim Sum

21 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by in Chinese food, Food

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Those who are serious about Dim Sum would probably have tried or at least heard of this place in Rosemead that some food critics have rated as top on their lists of Chinese restaurants.

My first encounter was at least ten years ago. A friend and I wanted some top quality Dim Sum and decided to try it out. I remembered being quite impressed by the food. Throughout the years, I might have gone back a couple more times for holiday celebrations. So it seems befitting that I was back yesterday to celebrate my B-day.

It was actually a last minute decision to go there since I was in the area getting a chipped tooth fixed. Dim Sum has always been one of my favorite eating past time because it is so much fun to pick and choose all the varieties of food that are usually available.

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The inside of the restaurant is not exceptionally fancy, but it does feel extremely clean and much more comfortable and upscale than other places. Some friends have complained to me about the waiters being snobbish and not providing the best of service there, but on this occasion, the lady waiter was markedly friendly and helpful.

There is a menu with pictures of all the Dim Sum selections, and one needs to just pick and mark down on the order form how much and which ones. I chose about eight items.

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The food arrived piping hot and fresh and at just the right pace. The Baked  BBQ Pork Buns is the best that I have ever had. The restaurant is so proud of this dish that it was named Sea Harbour No. 1 Bun in Chinese. The meat is lean and wonderfully tasty with a bun that is incredibly soft and perfect in texture.

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The Pan Fried Spinach Bun was ever so lightly fried and delicious with a pork filling and a greenish outer skin. The Steamed Pork Spareribs in Black Bean Sauce was tender. The Steamed Turnip Cake came with four tall cubes that are really moist and soft, and steaming hot.

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The Scallops Dumpling had one good sized scallop on top if each dumpling. The Sticky Rice and Meat Wrapped in Lotus Leaf  was delicate with just the right amount of filling and a quarter of a salty egg yolk.

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Anyone who likes durian would love the Deep Fried Durian Pastry. The skin was light and flaky with ample and satisfying amount of the delicious durian.

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One last note, the tea that I ordered was the Pu’er and Chrysanthemum and was probably one of the better tasting version that I have tried.

Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant: 3939 Rosemead Blvd. Rosemead, CA 91770  Phone: (626) 288-3939

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Veggie Grill – Delicious

16 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in American Food, Food

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I have heard good reviews for this non-meat eatery for quite some time now, but it was not until I received an email for a free entree from them for my birthday that I finally decided to try it out.

Fortunately, there is a location in Rolling Hills Plaza in Torrance which was not too far for me to travel to.  I ventured up to the 2nd level of the building where the restaurant is. The decor is simple, modern, spacious and welcoming. There are pictures on the wall with the menu leading up to the cashiers where one would order and pay first before the server brings the food to the table.

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I had already done my homework on the internet so I knew what I wanted. I handed the cashier my B-day coupon and he was very friendly and ready to help. I ordered the Papa’s Portobello, which was grilled mushroom, chopped tomato, basil and garlic pomodoro, caramelized onions, cilantro pesto, lettuce, red onion, chipotle ranch. I was also given a choice of side, such as fresh daily soup, sweet potato fries, onion rings, or salads. I chose the Quinoa + Kale Side Salad.

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The Portobello burger turned out to be one of the juiciest, and tastiest non-meat burger I have ever had. The flavor was complex: tangy, earthy, fragrant, and very fresh. While it was extremely messy for me to wrestle with such a juicy burger, I thoroughly enjoyed the awkward experience. The side quinoa + kale salad provided a nice ending to the meal.

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Satisfied and somewhat full, I walked contently into the warm sunshine, thinking about what I should order on the next visit.

Veggie Grill – 2533 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505  Phone: 310-325-6689

85° Bakery in Gardena

02 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Bakery, Chinese Bakery, Chinese dessert, Food

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The opening of 85° in Gardena is almost like a dream come true for those of us who live in the South Bay area who enjoy going to this bakery chain that originated from Taiwan. I don’t even understand exactly why people like me flock in droves to this bakery place as if it was free. With the tong in one hand, and a large tray on the other, I scrutinized each slot and picked up these soft breads and piled them onto the tray.

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With hundreds of people lining outside for hours waiting for all of their grand openings, it makes me wonder what is the reason behind this type of euphoria over a bakery. Whatever the reason is, I was definitely part of that. I had been excited for weeks prior to the actual opening. I was able to go there in the evening of the opening day. We got a free red mug with the $20 purchase, and a free Sea Salt Drink coupon with a drink purchase as well as some key chains.

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As much as some of the selections here are quite excellent such the black Squid Ink Bread, the Rose Bread, and the Berrytale, there are other Chinese bakeries that offer distinguished choices of bakery items that are just as good, and some that are even better such as the Po Tart at Jim’s Bakery.

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Perhaps it is the fact there are comfortable seating areas where one can actually sit down and enjoy the “fresh bread” that had just come out from the oven. Perhaps it is the enticing drink selections which include the famous Sea Salt Coffee and Teas that one cannot get at other Chinese bakeries. Or perhaps it is the idea that one is getting something more authentic being that it originated from Asia. Or maybe just simply that hype produces more hype.

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In any case, I was back again on Thanksgiving Day after lunch. A friend and I sat down for a cappuccino and a Sea Salt Coffee. I got some breads to go: a Brioche, a Mango Bread, a Chocolate Croissant, Walnut Tart, and a Pumpkin Tart. I thought my cappuccino was especially outstanding and large for a medium size, much better than the ones at other coffee houses in town. The Brioche was the best out of the bunch – huge, fluffy, and buttery.

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Since the store did not have my favorite, the Rose Bread, the previous two times, I am already thinking about going back soon to get my hands on the fragrant bread.

85°c Bakery Cafe – 1398 Artesia Blvd. Gardena, CA 90248