Saturday Night Dinner for Two for Under $15!

My boyfriend decided to reduce his red meat intake to just once a week. As much as I want to support his commitment to better health, a part of me craves more beef now, knowing that I can’t have it as much when I’m around him. I’m usually good at making shrimp or other dishes that we can both be happy with, but for some unexplainable reason, my cow craving skyrocketed to another universe last night and I could no longer settle on anything else but a juicy piece of Rib Eye steak!

We both agreed that we wanted to keep the dinner fairly light so we decided to make a huge plate of salad with our choice of protein. I selected the boneless Rib Eye steak and he got a pack of chicken tenders at Trader Joe’s. The old us would have made it easy on ourselves and just gone to a restaurant, but we’ve become a little more cost-conscious about our meals in the last few weeks, since I moved into a new apartment. I guess I can say that the good old days of dining out every night of the week has officially come to an end, but it doesn’t hurt that the kitchen here is so adorable and I want to spend as much time as I possible can.

I took the Rib Eye steak and grilled to a prefect medium rare, and poured the balsamic reduction sauce I made with garlic, shallots, red wine and balsamic vinegar. I sprinkled the leftover feta cheese on top and made a satisfying plate of arugula salad that can rival any overpriced restaurant dish.

My boyfriend took the chicken tenders, seasoned them with salt and pepper and pan-fried them with a little bit of olive oil. He deglazed the pan with garlic, shallots, and capers to make this amazingly aromatic sauce. Instead of making it a chicken salad, he ate the salad separately as a side dish. (The dish pictured on top.)

Speaking of saving money, the total for both of our meals, plus a bottle of wine, came to $14.79, or $7.49 per person. I would have spent that much on a glass of wine alone had we gone out to eat! And this, all without having to put on a makeup or look for a parking space! This is my definition of a perfect Saturday night dinner at home with the loved one.

Perfect Imperfection: Rosemary-Lavender and Zesty Lemon Soaps

When I first started making soaps, I strove for perfection.  I wanted soap blocks to be in a perfect rectangle shape, and sliced with perfectly angled corners and edges.  I wanted the color to be consistent, with no weird discoloration whatsoever.  Anything less than that went down as a big fat failure in my little obsessive mind.

After making several disappointing batches, however, I realized that it was virtually impossible to achieve the kind of results I was looking for (especially since I’m still very new at this).  And my attitude was taking away the fun and the true reward of making anything handmade.  I learned that it is those little imperfections that add lovely character and charm to those soaps that are irresistible to make and use.

Two batches of soap I made a few months ago finally cured and I started using them recently.  Instead of slicing them right away, I kept them uncut in a log so it took a little longer for the inside to dry.  When I touch the middle, it still feels a bit soft and bouncy, but I used them both in the shower the other day and they lathered just fine!

The soaps you see on left are Lavender and Rosemary Shampoo Soaps from the Japanese book, Soaps for the Four Seasons, by Kyoko Maeda.  (I use them to wash my hair and body.) I boiled several twigs of rosemary that I picked  from my herbal garden and used that in place of water.  I added several drops of lavender essential oils to give it a calming feel.  I used the same recipe as the Signature Marseilles Soap I made the other day (my absolute favorite recipe using olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil), with extra rosemary essence.

The soaps on the right are called Zesty Lemon Soaps (also from the book), using olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, palm oil, coconut oil, and lemon, bergamot and other citrus essential oils.  Talk about making your shower smell heavenly!

I think I’m going to be spending a couple of hours this weekend to prepare some holiday soaps for friends and family. I can’t wait!

I Eat, Therefore, I Run: Hodori Korean Restaurant

I am fascinated with running the way teenage girls are obsessed with becoming a cheerleader. I think about it all the time, daydream about running like a Kenyan, and I even find myself staring at runners as I drive by local parks or running tracks. I read a bunch of running and marathon books and I even watch high school track meets on television. Then why is it that, with such deep admiration I have for the sport, I still have difficulty putting on a pair of Asics and hitting the pavement? Perhaps it’s the “idea” of running that I am in love with, and not the actual, physical aspect of the sport. Or maybe it’s just pure laziness (oh my gosh, had I turned into one of those annoyingly gluttonous sports fans who scream at the TV screen while sitting around on the couch with a bucket of hot wings?). Whatever the reason, it is about to change!

I made a commitment to finally turn my running life around by sticking to a regular training program to ready myself for the Los Angeles Marathon in March. This time, it’s for real. No more lame excuses on why I can’t get my lazy butt off the couch. I’m going to do this, and I’ve decided to cherish the journey along the way. I suppose I’m one of the few people who does this in reverse. While people make the commitment first and train for the marathon, I completed the marathon and made a commitment. I think running the marathon in Portland earlier this month made me respect the race even more, and made me fall in love like I never thought I could.

The training I selected is based on the book, The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer, written by three coaches who teach a highly successful 16-week marathon class at University of Northern Iowa. I’ve had this book for a while and after sampling other books and marathon programs for beginners, I found this to be the most appropriate for my physical level. The book is a little text heavy but it contains valuable information about training your mind and body for the 26.2-mile run.

To kick-start my new found commitment, I participated in Nike Human 10K Race last weekend, running around the USC campus at midnight with thousands of other insane runners in Los Angeles. The race was particularly enjoyable because I got to run with 20 or so of my sister’s running friends who were very kind, welcoming and full of endorphin-charged energy! I had a strong 6.2-mile run and afterward, a group of us went out for a very late supper at Hodori, an all-night Korean diner on Olympic and Vermont, to celebrate our recent accomplishments.

It has been more than a decade since my crazy days of partying until a crack of dawn and dashing to Fred’s or Canter’s to recover from excess drinking, but sitting at a diner at 3:00 a.m. surrounded by a bunch of boys and girls reminded me of the good of days as a wee 20-something. I think it’ll be another 10 years until I would be out this late again, but it certainly made me feel a little young at heart!

Who needs a cup of coffee to keep you awake when you have spicy plates of banchan to provide some kick?

Dumplings and Rice Cakes in Beef Broth for me … delicious

Yook Gae Jiang — a fire-ry soup!

Spicy Soft Tofu — like chicken soup for a tired (and sleepy) body!

If nothing else, delicious food after a run should motivate me to commit to running. My new motto in life should be, “I eat, therefore, I run.”

Hodori Korean Restaurant
1001 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA
★★★☆☆

Portland Marathon!

I must be the luckiest person in the world. The luckiest, in that I did everything I wasn’t supposed to do when running a marathon, and still managed to cross the finish line injury free and still smiling.

I’ve learned early on that marathon is such an honest sport, that it gives back what you put in. This means that the strengths you gain from each step you take during training is what is going to help break through the “wall” and guide you to the finish line. But silly me, I didn’t train whatsoever for the race. The typical training schedule requires that you run at least three times a week, with one long run on a weekend (usually leading up to 18 miles or more) but my frequent travel and laziness prevented me from hitting the pavement on a regular basis. The longest run during training was eight and I barely ran once a week … and that is really, really bad.

Second, it is a cardinal rule that you do not wear brand new outfits to a race. It is recommended that you wear something your body is already familiar with, to avoid any potentially unpleasant incidents like chaffing. Silly me again, I wore my spanking new yellow shirt and Capri-type pants I picked up at the Nike store the other day.

Third, I was supposed to eat pasta and carbohydrate-rich food the night before, drink lots of water to properly hydrate, and go to bed early. Instead, I chomped down on pork tenderloin and stayed up late.

Despite all my flaws, what I’m most appreciative of is the fact that my body stayed with me throughout the journey. My legs were so strong and powerful that they push me forward. My knees were so unselfish, that despite the extra poundage, they still let me go from one place to another with occasional skips and hops. Despite the years I neglected them from smoking, my lungs still stuck by me and allowed  me to take in the deliciously fresh Oregon air. My heart, broken several times, still beat in rhythmic melody, bringing music to my life. As I ran and walked the 26.2 miles, I talked to my body parts, thanking them for believing in me and always staying with me. They carried me through the marathon, and in life, and realized that it is, at last, my time to give back to my best friend and return the unconditional love.

My sister, who is also my personal trainer and my rock, suggested that I make a commitment and “marry” my body, just like I would with someone I love. This means that I would take care of it by loving every part of it, and feeding it with healthy nourishment – in both food and thoughts. With the marriage, I make a promise to be true, through good and bad, in sickness and in health, richer or poorer. And, especially after feeling the love it has for me, I can only say … I do.

The marathon was particularly touching because my friends Maya, Tiffany, and Ted, along with my boyfriend, were all cheering for me at the finish line. I had to hold back tears when I turned the corner and saw their smiling faces. And even though they were not here in Portland physically, I knew that my family was cheering for me from sunny California.

I am the luckiest person in the world.

Carb-Loading at Mother’s Bistro!

Right after we returned home from a fun-filled weekend in Vegas, my boyfriend and I repacked our luggage to fly to Portland — this time for the Portland Marathon! (Wow, I’ve traveled to three cities in mere two weeks and more to come ahead!)

Running the marathon in the Rose City has become an annual event for me ever since I participated in the race last year and had a blast (although that wasn’t how I remembered it when I was running / walking in the pouring rain ).  The race also gives me an excuse to visit my best friend Maya and spend a lovely weekend with my boyfriend in the scenic Pacific Northwest, so with the exception of the 26.2-mile self torture that I have to endure, this is a dream mini-vacation for me.

We arrived to PDX early on Saturday and after we checked into the hotel, picked up the race bib, did some retail therapy at the expo, and had a quick brunch, we rested at the hotel until Maya met us for dinner.  We walked over to one of my favorite comfort food restaurants a few blocks away, Mother’s Bistro.

I usually make a point not to blog about a restaurant I previously talked about but this place is an exception (this is my third time writing about this place — here and here).  Mother’s Bistro is not the most extravagant joint in the culinary-rich Portland food scene, and there are, admittedly, other restaurants that I love more (alas Paley’s Place), but it always hits the spot for me.  It’s comfortable, cozy and warm – just the way I like it.

Clockwise from top left: Lamb skewer (daily special), Carlton Farms Pork Loin Medallions, Mother’s Macaroni & Cheese Du Jour, and Chicken & Dumplings

I was hoping for a pasta or other carbohydrate-rich menu options but there weren’t any so I settled for a plate of pork loin medallions with mashed potato (carb!) and vegetables.  I took a bite of my boyfriend’s Mac and Cheese Du Jour (tonight’s was Mexican style), and loaded up on rice pudding (which also became my breakfast on the marathon day)!  Everything was delicious, as always, especially the desserts.  You just can’t go wrong here.  Oh, how I wish I can just pluck this restaurant and take it home with me to Los Angeles!

Pear Huckberry Tart and Bread Pudding

I know I indulged, but there has got to be something good that comes out of running a 26.2-mile monster the next day, right? By the way, the only reason why you see an empty restaurant on the top photo was because we were the last ones to leave.  Trust me, this place is packed 24/7 (but definitely worth the wait).

Mother’s Bistro
212 SW Stark, Portland, OR 97204
★★★★☆

Uncorking My Culinary Curiousity: Bouchon

The first thing I did when I found out that I was going to Vegas for the hockey game was to make a reservation at Bouchon at the Venetian. And this was almost six months ago!

Just like many other food lovers in the country, I’ve been mesmerized by Thomas Keller’s award-winning French masterpiece for many years now, often visiting a local bookstore to just get the glimpse of his beautiful cookbook, The French Laundry, also the name of his restaurant in Younville in the Napa Valley. Both the restaurant and the cookbook are out of my reach budget-wise (although I did get the cookbook from a former colleague couple years ago when she found an extra one floating around from the business meeting she held at The French Laundry – and the book was autographed by Keller himself) but when I leaned that he has a more casual bistro in Vegas, I just had to pick up that phone to secure my spot in this gastronomic heaven!

And what a dining experience it was. I don’t know how to properly explain the flavors my mouth experienced that night expect to say that it was highly sophisticated and perhaps calming.  The food reminded me of French women – that they may not necessarily be mind-blowingly gorgeous, but their perfection and precise attention to detail make them simply divine and absolutely beautiful. The swirl of dressing and sweet syrup on the beet salad was like the casual but well-placed Hermes scarves on their beautiful, long neck, and the way the steak was cooked was like feeling their soft scent of the perfume in the air. Not in-your-face like the big breasted and flashy women with a bottle of cologne splashed on their plastic bodies … but like classy, svelte, intelligent ladies you would see strolling down the streets of Saint-Germain Des Pres.

Salade de Betteraves et Poires, marinated beet and poached pear salad with tossed hazelnuts, green mache and champagne vinaigrette ($12.50)

Soupe a L’Oignon, classic French onion soup ($9.75)

Macaron au Gratin ($7.50)

Steake Frites, pan-seared prime flatiron served with maitre’d hotel butter and French fries ($36.50)

Saumon Poele, saute Scottish salmon with a cassoulet of pole beans and marinated tomatoes with whole grain mustard sauce.

Wonderful things do come to those who wait.

Bouchon
Ａt the Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
★★★★★

Puck Time with Kings and Wolfgang

Right after I landed in Los Angeles from Atlanta, I hopped onto my boyfriend’s truck and headed to Las Vegas to watch my boys play in the annual Frozen Fury, a pre-season game that promises the exciting new season ahead. I didn’t even bother unpacking my luggage. I just tossed clothes in a washer and dryer and put them back in, some even unfolded!

Boy, has Las Vegas changed tremendously in the past 10 to 15 years or so. I remember going to the Sin City as a kid and the only things to do there were to hang out and play cheesy arcade games at Circus Circus and eat nasty $3 buffet. Now, the city has become the international entertainment and culinary mecca with endless rows of world-class shops and restaurants – the change I most certainly welcome.

With that said, please make all the fun you want at the fact that the first place we ended up was Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill (I know, I’ll wait until you finish laughing). In our defense, the only reason why we ended up at this gastronomic cliché was because the hotel room wasn’t ready for check-in, and we had a $50 credit going toward our meal at MGM Grand … or so we thought. We didn’t find out until we finished our appetizer, our main course, and two drinks, that this was one of the ONLY restaurants in the hotel that did not honor the discount! In one sitting, we had burn through almost half of our weekend food budget  …. and it wasn’t even dinner!

The saving grace was that the food here was surprisingly very, very delicious. We ordered the heirloom tomato and burrata salad to start, which turned out to be (dare I say it?) mind-blowing! I love Caprese salad and order it at every opportunity I get and this one felt extra special because this was probably going to be one of the last times I get to enjoy these special tomatoes this season. Also, the balsamic reduction and tiny dollops of pesto puree that accompanied the tomatoes hit the dish out of the rink. The sprinkle of halved cherry tomatoes, sliced onions and pieces of roasted artichoke gave this salad a delicious edge.

Now, with the pasta dishes. My boyfriend ordered the linguini with clams and pancetta, which was, although drained in a sea of butter and oil, nicely salty and flavorful.

In contract, my spaghetti with tomato and basil with a basil smear was light and refreshing. I’ve never been a fan of fresh pasta because I love my pasta el dente and the homemade type gave the mushy, watery consistency. This pasta, however, was still very firm and bouncy. The consistency reminded me a little of undercooked instant ramen noodle but I mean this is a most respectable way.

The bill came out to whopping $90 but oh well, this is Vegas afterall. We need to take a gamble sometime. You walk away a winner one day and a loser the other. In our case, I think we got the long end of the stick.  (And by the way, the Kings beat the Avs in a high-scoring, outrageously entertaining game, 4-3!)

Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill
MGM Grand
3799 Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
★★★★☆

The New Southern Cuisine: AquaKnox

The last thing I expected to find in the state that introduced Paula Deen and Waffle House to the world was fresh seafood, but luckily for us, we found a fabulous seafood restaurant next to the hotel we were staying in Atlanta called AquaKnox that specializes in “global water cuisine” (whatever that means).

I must admit that when I first arrived to Atlanta, Georgia, I thought I would have no option but to eat fried this and fried that and expected to gain 20 pounds in a week. Little did I know that Buckhead, the uptown district of Atlanta where I was staying, was a hip part of town with super exclusive retail stores and trendy, upscale restaurants – not much different from Los Angeles.

When I was greeted by wonderfully fresh salmon on the bed of pureed edamane, I thought about the time I found the best Italian restaurant in Paris. And also the time I found the worst Fish and Chips in London. I guess when it comes to restaurants, you can never judge the food by its regional covers!

Slow Roasted Scottish Salmon, sugar snap beans, spring Vidalia,
squash blossom, cured lemon (27)

Seared Day Boat Scallops, sweet potato puree and
mushroom pancetta fricassee (29)

The seared tuna that my friend and colleague C order was flavorful and the scallop M ordered melted in my mouth! And the French fries were so yummy too!

Seared Ahi Tuna, eggplant caponata, olive tapenade and
celery herb salad (28)

Pomme Frittes (6)

And desserts, I’ll let the photos do the talking.

Cheesecake

Chocolate Molten Cake

Chocolate Cake

I really love M. She is so smart, kind, and a lot of fun to be around. Although we were here for work, a round of wine and wonderful conversation made us forget about it — even just for the night.

AquaKnox
3280 Peachtree Rd, Ste 200, Atlanta, GA 30305
★★★★☆

Rainy With the Chance of … Roach?

Dear General Manager,

Several colleagues and I are in the Atlanta area for business this week and decided to dine at your restaurant Nan Thai Fine Dining on 1350 Spring Street NW tonight. I have heard wonderful reviews about your establishment and we were really excited to dine at one of local’s favorite restaurants.

The night started out very promising, with wonderful glasses of wine and delicious appetizers. However, our dining experience was cut short when we spotted a cockroach crawling on the booth where we were seated. The server immediately came over to remove the cockroach from our table by squishing it with a napkin, and the manager came soon after to apologize for what had happened, which we appreciated.

What bothered me the most about the experience was not necessary that there was an insect at our table (which, of course, were quite traumatizing) but the fact that your staff did not even offer to compensate for our dinner. Most of us at our table were still midway through our main course but we were not able to finish our meal because of what had happened. I appreciated that the manger came to apologize but I was truly disappointed that he was not going to take the matter further and compensate us for the experience.

Please know that I was not looking for a monetary compensation, as I was willing to pay for the entire bill of $200 (and I did), but I was hoping that he would at least offer to make up for the unpleasant experience by offer some type of compensation – even a plate of dessert. This was particularly disappointing because of your reputation as one of Atlanta’s 10 best restaurants. A simple act of kindness would have gone a long way.

It is unfortunate but we will not be returning to your restaurant and I will not be recommending this place to our friends and colleagues in Atlanta. I understand, in the restaurant business, that having pest and insect issues are inevitable. However, thoughtful customer service is controllable, which, I am sad to say, your establishment did not demonstrate tonight.

Disappointed,
Hirono

(I was not going to publicly post the name and location of the restaurant, but after failing to respond back to my letter after five days, I had no choice but to disclose the information.  This place obviously doesn’t give a shit about customer service.  It’s time to go over to Yelp and Chowhound to talk some more shit about this roach coach, you inconsiderate, insensitive, unsanitary mofo.)

Nan Fine Thai Dining
1350 Spring Street NW
☆☆☆☆☆

A Bite-Size Romance: Shinsengumi

I was a sophomore in high school when I went on my first “real” date. A very nice boy invited me to a Homecoming dance and I happily obliged.  Before the dance, a group of us went to a fancy steakhouse for dinner, and I was so nervous, I could not eat. A sizzling plate of filet mignon was starring right at me and I could not bring myself to eat in front of my date!

Thinking back, perhaps what intimidated me the most about that dining experience was having to cut the steak with a knife and fork, and even though I knew how to use my utensils properly, the idea that I might cut the piece too big and having to chew it for 10 minutes before I get to swallow (and what if I had to cough while chewing?) scared the life out of me.  Silly, I know!

If I could relive my first date experience, I will definitely find myself in a yakotiri joint, like Shinsengumi in Monterey Park, where appetizers like fried oysters and tofu salad, as well as meats and vegetables on the skewers come in small, edible bite size. Seriously, how cute and romantic is it to share a plate of toriniku (white chicken meat), negima (chicken and green onion), tsukune (ground chicken meatballs), and perhaps some jalapeno skewers with your date? And there would be no embarrassment of  food cut too large, or pieces flying all over the place.  Sure, izakaya and yakitori restaurants may not be the first choice for your first date, and you might also risk stinking up your fancy wardrobe from the charcoal smoke from the grill but who cares when you’re having fun by actually being able to eat on the date!

In addition to the traditional yakitori selection, this location of Shinsengumi offers shabu shabu and other colorful array of delicious one-plate dishes. One of my favorite dishes here is ochazuke, flavorful dashi broth poured on top of white rice, which provides a great finish to a wonderful izakaya-style dinner.

It’s funny to think how nervous and embarrassed I was to eat in front of a guy back then, but after I left the restaurant leaving my food virtually untouched, I promised myself that I would never let my nerve get in the way of a perfectly fine piece of steak (or any food) ever again! Even after 15 years, I still think about that filet mignon and weep!  And so far, I’ve been good with the promise (except for that one time with my beau … but that’s for another time).

Shinsengumi
111 N. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754
★★★★☆