Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts
Sunday, April 29, 2012
WaSa's fresh take on sushi
It's 7:30 on a Tuesday night, and 20 people are waiting to get into WaSa Sushi and Japanese Restaurant.
Good sign.
They're chatting happily outside in the winter chill of a shopping center parking lot in Irvine, Orange County, Calif. No grousing about the wait, just lots of chatter about the dining experience that awaits.
Another good sign.
Businessman Bronnie Lee and chef James Hamamori have a hit with their ``new generation'' sushi houses in Irvine and Newport Beach. They're places that stand out in Orange County's crowded sushi world. (The pair are also behind restaurants with the WaSa name in Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Niguel).
For fans, it's the novelty of what Hamamori's doing with sushi and other Japanese fare that defines the appeal. And for some detractors who sampled the food with me, it's the novelty of what he's doing with sushi and other Japanese fare.
That novelty comes to life with the ``WaSa Treasures,'' a list of 16 plates that take two-piece sushi servings and fuse them with sharp, saucy flavors. That is melded with a tradition-stocked sushi bar and a host of intriguing cold and hot appetizers and dinner entrees.
That Tuesday night, I grabbed four of the treasures at carry-out and hustled them home. I loved all four -- ahi tuna in wasabi sour cream, smoked salmon with ginger sauce, seared yellowtail with jalapeño and seared jumbo scallop with tangy miso. The sauces were light, just touching on the essence of the raw fish, a zesty punch to my palate. I never even opened my little take-out portion of wasabi and soy sauce.
My wife, who is no fan of sauces on any food, turned thumbs down. She just objected to the sauces, on principle.
The same thing happened when I took three colleagues to lunch two weeks later. One is a relative sushi newcomer, one an aficionado, the third a devotee. I'm somewhere in the middle of that spectrum.
We sat at the bamboo sushi bar and settled into the cool room, which is painted in pastels and decorated in a hip, West L.A. style.
``Nice room,'' said the aficionado, who is a designer. When our first course arrived, she hummed ``nice presentation,'' in approval.
``Wow,'' the newcomer said, after biting into the seared yellowtail with jalapeño. The other two nodded in agreement, their mouths full. More full-mouthed murmurs of approval for the ahi tuna with wasabi sour cream.
``This is fantastic, a great place for people who are a little unsure of sushi,'' the newcomer gushed.
And that set the devotee on a mission to see if the traditional sushi menu could stand up to her exacting standards.
She tried the salmon skin roll (baked salmon skin, cucumber, radish, bonito flakes, $3.75), pronouncing it ``not bad'' while the others bit in and exclaimed, ``Oh, yeah!''
The lobster roll (steamed lobster, smelt egg, avocado, asparagus and mayo wrapped in soy paper) was too bland for her taste.
We took a side trip to the spicy tuna tartar when we spied a waitress carrying an order to another table.
The mound of raw tuna is piled into a tower, topped with avocado and a spicy sauce, all set on a banana leaf.
It was gorgeous, and we admired it on the plate for a full beat before we dove in.
``I'm not sharing this,'' the newcomer blurted out, though he had no choice. The aficionado and the devotee agreed: It was the best.
After a few more exotic wanderings, the devotee wrapped up with kaki -- an oyster shooter -- and said that it, too, was not bad -- a compliment.
We all agreed that WaSa was a lively, fun place and that the sushi and other offerings ranged from interesting at worst to fantastic at best.
That's what Lee was shooting for when he opened the first WaSa in the Irvine Market Place shopping center in 2001. He'd spent more than a decade as an accountant. But he also put himself through California State University, Long Beach, working in his cousin's restaurant. Then, he spent two years moonlighting as a minimum-wage sushi apprentice, including time working for Hamamori at O Sushi in Brea.
Hamamori worked his way up and through the Los Angeles sushi scene before Lee lured him to Irvine, then Newport Beach.
``There was just nothing like what we do going on in Orange County,'' said Lee, an Irvine resident. ``We brought the West L.A. style to O.C. -- the sauces, the presentation, the whole visual side.''
After opening a small, traditional-sized sushi bar in Irvine, they added a tonier take in the Newport Bluffs shopping center in 2003. More upscale presentation, and prices.
But it's the sauces and the style that they're most proud of.
``We're adding another layer of flavor,'' Lee said.
It's just what WaSa's fans love.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Design Behind Contemporary Bar Stools
The different types of bar stools that are available on the market are on an ever increasing change. This is most prominent in contemporary style bar stools as the bar stool manufacturers continually strive to design new and unique styles of bar stools. While the designs diverge immensely, 2 overshadowing themes with contemporary bar stools remain steady: an emphasis on imaginative beauty and attractive seat designs.
A characteristic of all contemporary furniture, including bar stools, is a certain confidence behind the design. Because bar stools are such special items of furniture, most of the up to date designers like to push the limits of design to the wire. This in many cases results in exquisite bar stools being born and to some they are almost an art form instead of some were to sit.
The main aim of this contemporary approach to bar stool design is often on the legs. Emphasis is on very thin legs with unique base shapes. Examples include very simple leg designs made from a single tube of stainless steel, aluminium, or chrome. The metal is bent in such a way as to spread out at the bottom to form a sturdy base for the rest of the stool.
The other designs to contemporary bar stools include back rests and side bars, these bars extend below the bar stool seat and curve in at an angle to latch itself on to a foot rail below. It's a stunning and stylish example of the cross breading of form and function. Modern metal alloys make these designs possible, along with the artistic imaginations of the designers.
The 2nd subject matter to contemporary bar stools is the seat design, there is a lot of heart and soul poured into the design of the bar stools seat. The designs that you can find will truly astound you. One of the vital areas to bar stool design is ergonomics, this is the science of comfort and it plays a major part when of the seat design and the end result is usually an amazing product.
With the bar stools that have back rests, designers are playing with a blend of retro and modern looks. These tend to be solid half ellipses or circles set on round seats with fabric or vinyl covers.
At the end of the day the most difficult aspect to choosing a contemporary bar stool will be to narrow the options available to you. The sheer amount of gorgeous and unique bar stool that are available is staggering and the number of styles just keeps growing.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Midsummer House
Another award comes to Midsummer House this year in the guise of the BMW Square Meal Award for Best Out-of-Town Restaurant 2005. Midsummer House is in good company, the previous winners of this award being Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons (2001), The Waterside Inn (2002), The Vineyard at Stockcross (2003) and The Fat Duck (2004). This award is particularly special as it's decided not only by the Square Meal team of reviewers, but also by their readers, who provide Square Meal with their own verdicts on restaurants around the country.
Having also been awarded it’s second Michelin Star this year, Midsummer House has firmly established itself on the culinary map.
Midsummer House is the only additional two-star restaurant in this year’s guide and remains the only Michelin star restaurant in East Anglia. Midsummer received its first Michelin Star in 2002 and the team has been working towards receiving this second star ever since. Having recently undergone a major refurbishment and having new menus created, Midsummer House certainly deserves this prestigious accolade.
Clifford’s cooking is based upon a sound grounding in French technique and he constantly seeks to improve and innovate: low temperature cooking, jellies, foams and unexpected contrasts of taste, texture and temperature. A research kitchen has recently been added to the building in which Clifford experiments with new ingredients, processes and dishes. A plasma screen has also been installed in the private dining room so guests can watch their choice of dishes being prepared, a rare opportunity to watch the ‘man of genius’ at work.
Chef/Patron Clifford, who started his career as a kitchen assistant at Canterbury College comments, “I have worked towards this award for many years and am delighted that along with my team all our efforts have been recognised.”
You can view Midsummer Website at:
<a href="http://www.missingingredients.co.uk">Catering Service</a>
and discuss your views and opinions at:
<a href="http://www.midsummer-house.blogspot.com">Midsummer House</a>
Having also been awarded it’s second Michelin Star this year, Midsummer House has firmly established itself on the culinary map.
Midsummer House is the only additional two-star restaurant in this year’s guide and remains the only Michelin star restaurant in East Anglia. Midsummer received its first Michelin Star in 2002 and the team has been working towards receiving this second star ever since. Having recently undergone a major refurbishment and having new menus created, Midsummer House certainly deserves this prestigious accolade.
Clifford’s cooking is based upon a sound grounding in French technique and he constantly seeks to improve and innovate: low temperature cooking, jellies, foams and unexpected contrasts of taste, texture and temperature. A research kitchen has recently been added to the building in which Clifford experiments with new ingredients, processes and dishes. A plasma screen has also been installed in the private dining room so guests can watch their choice of dishes being prepared, a rare opportunity to watch the ‘man of genius’ at work.
Chef/Patron Clifford, who started his career as a kitchen assistant at Canterbury College comments, “I have worked towards this award for many years and am delighted that along with my team all our efforts have been recognised.”
You can view Midsummer Website at:
<a href="http://www.missingingredients.co.uk">Catering Service</a>
and discuss your views and opinions at:
<a href="http://www.midsummer-house.blogspot.com">Midsummer House</a>
Friday, September 17, 2010
How to Eat Healthy When Eating Out at Your Favorite Restaurant.
This article was written to answer a frequently asked question, "how to eat healthy at a restaurant".
When you are eating out, you probably watch your calories very closely. So to assist you with your calorie counting when dining out, these tips will help you make the most of it. I hope you find this information about how to eat healthy at a restaurant helpful ...
Restaurant Eating Out Tips:
- Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the lookout for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based sauces. Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted as a vegetable!
- Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side, as this way you have control over how much you add to your meal.
- When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you should ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared with very little or either or.
- You should always try to drink water, diet soda, or tea instead of soda or beverages that contain alcohol.
- When you choose a soup, remember that cream based soups are higher in fat and calories than other soups. A soup can be a great appetizer, as most are low in calories and you fill you up pretty fast.
- Choosing foods made with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice is a great way to eat healthy while eating out at a restaurant.
- When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon. Salsa is very low in calories and provides a healthy alternative with plenty of flavor and spice.
- If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half of the dessert will equal half of the calories.
- A simple eating healthy tip is when you are full, stop eating. Listen to your body and what it tells you.
- If you get full, take half of your meal home. The second portion of your meal can serve as a second meal later. This way, you get two meals for the price of one.
- If you're looking to eat less, order two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad as your meal.
- If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked potato or steamed vegetables instead of french fries.
- Always look for food on the menu that's baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed. These types of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and are usually much lower in calories.
- Another way to eat healthy at a restaurant is to eat plain bread or rolls which are low in both fat and calories. When you add the butter and oil, you increase the fat and calorie intake.
- As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes with fruits and vegetables. Both fruits and vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as well as many vitamins and minerals.
- If you crave dessert, look for something with low fat, such as berries or fruit.
I hope you found these tips on how to eat healthy at a restaurant helpful and you were able to get something out of it.
And always remember, do not deprive yourself of the foods you truly love. All types of foods can fit into a well balanced diet.
When you are eating out, you probably watch your calories very closely. So to assist you with your calorie counting when dining out, these tips will help you make the most of it. I hope you find this information about how to eat healthy at a restaurant helpful ...
Restaurant Eating Out Tips:
- Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the lookout for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based sauces. Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted as a vegetable!
- Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side, as this way you have control over how much you add to your meal.
- When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you should ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared with very little or either or.
- You should always try to drink water, diet soda, or tea instead of soda or beverages that contain alcohol.
- When you choose a soup, remember that cream based soups are higher in fat and calories than other soups. A soup can be a great appetizer, as most are low in calories and you fill you up pretty fast.
- Choosing foods made with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice is a great way to eat healthy while eating out at a restaurant.
- When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon. Salsa is very low in calories and provides a healthy alternative with plenty of flavor and spice.
- If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half of the dessert will equal half of the calories.
- A simple eating healthy tip is when you are full, stop eating. Listen to your body and what it tells you.
- If you get full, take half of your meal home. The second portion of your meal can serve as a second meal later. This way, you get two meals for the price of one.
- If you're looking to eat less, order two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad as your meal.
- If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked potato or steamed vegetables instead of french fries.
- Always look for food on the menu that's baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed. These types of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and are usually much lower in calories.
- Another way to eat healthy at a restaurant is to eat plain bread or rolls which are low in both fat and calories. When you add the butter and oil, you increase the fat and calorie intake.
- As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes with fruits and vegetables. Both fruits and vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as well as many vitamins and minerals.
- If you crave dessert, look for something with low fat, such as berries or fruit.
I hope you found these tips on how to eat healthy at a restaurant helpful and you were able to get something out of it.
And always remember, do not deprive yourself of the foods you truly love. All types of foods can fit into a well balanced diet.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Experience The Joy Of Eating At A Restaurant
Restaurants offering a variety of cuisines are dotted all over the United States. They provide not just lip-smacking food but a great ambience too. Most restaurants also pride hemselves on their standards of cleanliness. You can choose to sit in comfort and enjoy a leisurely meal at a host of estaurants or order a take-away meal that you can eat at your convenience elsewhere.
One great advantage of eating at a restaurant is that you get to try a range of international cuisines, ranging from the Eastern to the Mediterranean. You could enjoy the fine meat preparations offered by Arabic restaurants or choose the exotic Filipino dishes like Sisig, Lechon Kawali and Laing offered by Filipino restaurants. Not to mention the Indian restaurants serving their mouth watering dals and curries and the much loved authentic Chinese restaurants which are a favorite with many people. For an indulgent evening, you could opt for a five course meal at an Italian restaurant. The first course is the antipasti or appetizers like garlic bread followed by pastas or soups as a second course or primi. The main dish or secondi usually comprises fish or meat platters, which are served along with side dishes or controni. The last course of this extravagant meal is the dolce or the dessert.
But eating out is not just about the food. The ambience of a restaurant is just as important. Most restaurants take great care of their decor, design and lighting to ensure a relaxing environment. A lot of restaurants liven up their interiors with vibrant colors and interesting posters, paintings or motifs. Some restaurants bring to their decor a touch of the culture of their country, so that your meal is a complete international experience. Music is another part of the ambience. While some restaurants stream lounge music which you can enjoy with your food, others have live bands playing.
Depending on your mood, tastes and time at hand, you can choose which restaurant to visit. Many restaurants offer power lunches for busy executives. If you have time, you could enjoy a lazy meal with some entertainment or choose a restaurant suited for a romantic evening out. Restaurants also offer a range of refreshing drinks, tropical delights and choicest wines. For those of you with a sweet tooth, there are a range of fine desserts, fresh fruit ice creams and goodies offered by most restaurants to pamper you.
One great advantage of eating at a restaurant is that you get to try a range of international cuisines, ranging from the Eastern to the Mediterranean. You could enjoy the fine meat preparations offered by Arabic restaurants or choose the exotic Filipino dishes like Sisig, Lechon Kawali and Laing offered by Filipino restaurants. Not to mention the Indian restaurants serving their mouth watering dals and curries and the much loved authentic Chinese restaurants which are a favorite with many people. For an indulgent evening, you could opt for a five course meal at an Italian restaurant. The first course is the antipasti or appetizers like garlic bread followed by pastas or soups as a second course or primi. The main dish or secondi usually comprises fish or meat platters, which are served along with side dishes or controni. The last course of this extravagant meal is the dolce or the dessert.
But eating out is not just about the food. The ambience of a restaurant is just as important. Most restaurants take great care of their decor, design and lighting to ensure a relaxing environment. A lot of restaurants liven up their interiors with vibrant colors and interesting posters, paintings or motifs. Some restaurants bring to their decor a touch of the culture of their country, so that your meal is a complete international experience. Music is another part of the ambience. While some restaurants stream lounge music which you can enjoy with your food, others have live bands playing.
Depending on your mood, tastes and time at hand, you can choose which restaurant to visit. Many restaurants offer power lunches for busy executives. If you have time, you could enjoy a lazy meal with some entertainment or choose a restaurant suited for a romantic evening out. Restaurants also offer a range of refreshing drinks, tropical delights and choicest wines. For those of you with a sweet tooth, there are a range of fine desserts, fresh fruit ice creams and goodies offered by most restaurants to pamper you.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Buying A Chrome Bar Stool What To Know Before Hand
Chrome bar stools are an excellent pick for business-related and domicile settings. Any bar, restaurant or night club that has a mostly metal or shiny interior wood look absolutely superb with a collection of chrome bar stools. Chrome bar stools also set off colourful design schemes, mainly pastels and dark, rich colours.
Most chrome bar stools come with a variety of colour seats they attribute black, raspberry, or some other deep colour to counterbalance the shimmering chrome. This style of bar stool does not typically incorporate seatbacks, but if you are determined enough you can find them easily. Swivel seats for a chrome bar stool are also the standard.
A good point to remember when considering buying a chrome bar stool is they don’t rust.
For places of industry this is exceptionally useful for when drinks get knocked over or cleaning of the stools need to be carried out, this could facilitate rust on an ordinary stool. The same applies to chrome bar stools found in the home, if the bar stools are in the kitchen say, then the legs could get a good soaking from kids spilling juice and stuff.
Another key advantage to a chrome bar stool is its durability and strength; this is of course a huge advantage for industry as stools get knocked about a lot as well in the home if you have kids.
When deciding on your bar stool from a dealer or store, be sure to sure to ask them what the bar stool is constructed of underneath the chrome.
There are 2 prime materials you are looking for, 1 is tempered steel or hardened aluminium, stainless steel will work as good but nowhere near as long standing. Copper or any other malleable soft metals will also reduce the long-term durability of the stool.
When you think about the construction of the bar stool there are several stool style u may like.
The classic chrome bar stools have no back rest, a swivel mechanism and vinyl cover, and two rings holding the four legs in position. These stools have many commercial uses, but can also add style to your home bar or game room.
If a more modern look is preferred, try pyramid style chrome bar stools. These feature legs that are angled to join the seat at one point in the centre of the seat's bottom. It's a futuristic look that goes well with many decors
Most chrome bar stools come with a variety of colour seats they attribute black, raspberry, or some other deep colour to counterbalance the shimmering chrome. This style of bar stool does not typically incorporate seatbacks, but if you are determined enough you can find them easily. Swivel seats for a chrome bar stool are also the standard.
A good point to remember when considering buying a chrome bar stool is they don’t rust.
For places of industry this is exceptionally useful for when drinks get knocked over or cleaning of the stools need to be carried out, this could facilitate rust on an ordinary stool. The same applies to chrome bar stools found in the home, if the bar stools are in the kitchen say, then the legs could get a good soaking from kids spilling juice and stuff.
Another key advantage to a chrome bar stool is its durability and strength; this is of course a huge advantage for industry as stools get knocked about a lot as well in the home if you have kids.
When deciding on your bar stool from a dealer or store, be sure to sure to ask them what the bar stool is constructed of underneath the chrome.
There are 2 prime materials you are looking for, 1 is tempered steel or hardened aluminium, stainless steel will work as good but nowhere near as long standing. Copper or any other malleable soft metals will also reduce the long-term durability of the stool.
When you think about the construction of the bar stool there are several stool style u may like.
The classic chrome bar stools have no back rest, a swivel mechanism and vinyl cover, and two rings holding the four legs in position. These stools have many commercial uses, but can also add style to your home bar or game room.
If a more modern look is preferred, try pyramid style chrome bar stools. These feature legs that are angled to join the seat at one point in the centre of the seat's bottom. It's a futuristic look that goes well with many decors
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Review Of Bontonmairimnam Restaurant
On my current vacation in Khon Kaen, Thailand, I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite restaurants.
I wanted to take my girlfriend's mother out to dinner and was told lunch would be a better idea. Not one to argue, I agreed.
My lady asked me where I wanted to take her mom for lunch and the choice was simple. Having been to Khon Kaen a few months ago, I told my girl that I wanted to go to Bontonmairimnam Restaurant.
This is a small restaurant just outside the city limits and right on the bank of a river. It is cool and peaceful and has small, individual eating areas in gazebo-like wooden structures.
There is usually a cool breeze running through this outdoor restaurant and today was no exception. After ordering a couple of cokes, some water, and a cold beer, it was time to study the menu.
Fortunately for me, the menu is in Thai and English. This is unusual for the area and especially for a restaurant so far away from the few English-speaking tourists that visit Khon Kaen.
After poring over the menu, decisions by all were made. We placed out order to the very attentive young lady servers and chit-chatted while we waited for our lunch.
Within 5 minutes or so, the parade of food started to arrive. Boiled eggs, spicy papaya salad, oyster salad, squid, vegetables, and steamed rice arrived. I had to wait a couple of more minutes for my fried dishes.
Soon, my fried shrimp and onion rings and spring rolls arrived. I had already started with the food that the ladies ordered, as all is shared.
Picking from eight different plates and complimenting them with the rice on my plate, the food just kept on coming.
Conversation and drinks continued to flow and we ate and ate and ate. The pace was slow, the breeze lightly setting off the wind chime, and the river flowed behind me.
Continuing to eat, it was time to order another beer from one of the girls hovering near our table. She got it in an instant, and poured me another cold one.
After dinner goodies were available, but none of us could eat another morsel. From veggies to seafood, to salads and friend shrimp, it was all delicious.
A final bottle of water was ordered to wash it all down and some more relaxing conversation continued.
It was time to head back to the hotel so I called for the bill and since I had been here before, was not surprised. The grand total was 860 Baht, or roughly, 27 US dollars for 8 dishes, 2 large beers, 2 cokes, and a bottle of water. Adding a small, 40 baht tip and we had a feast for under 30 dollars.
One of the many reasons I love Thailand.
I wanted to take my girlfriend's mother out to dinner and was told lunch would be a better idea. Not one to argue, I agreed.
My lady asked me where I wanted to take her mom for lunch and the choice was simple. Having been to Khon Kaen a few months ago, I told my girl that I wanted to go to Bontonmairimnam Restaurant.
This is a small restaurant just outside the city limits and right on the bank of a river. It is cool and peaceful and has small, individual eating areas in gazebo-like wooden structures.
There is usually a cool breeze running through this outdoor restaurant and today was no exception. After ordering a couple of cokes, some water, and a cold beer, it was time to study the menu.
Fortunately for me, the menu is in Thai and English. This is unusual for the area and especially for a restaurant so far away from the few English-speaking tourists that visit Khon Kaen.
After poring over the menu, decisions by all were made. We placed out order to the very attentive young lady servers and chit-chatted while we waited for our lunch.
Within 5 minutes or so, the parade of food started to arrive. Boiled eggs, spicy papaya salad, oyster salad, squid, vegetables, and steamed rice arrived. I had to wait a couple of more minutes for my fried dishes.
Soon, my fried shrimp and onion rings and spring rolls arrived. I had already started with the food that the ladies ordered, as all is shared.
Picking from eight different plates and complimenting them with the rice on my plate, the food just kept on coming.
Conversation and drinks continued to flow and we ate and ate and ate. The pace was slow, the breeze lightly setting off the wind chime, and the river flowed behind me.
Continuing to eat, it was time to order another beer from one of the girls hovering near our table. She got it in an instant, and poured me another cold one.
After dinner goodies were available, but none of us could eat another morsel. From veggies to seafood, to salads and friend shrimp, it was all delicious.
A final bottle of water was ordered to wash it all down and some more relaxing conversation continued.
It was time to head back to the hotel so I called for the bill and since I had been here before, was not surprised. The grand total was 860 Baht, or roughly, 27 US dollars for 8 dishes, 2 large beers, 2 cokes, and a bottle of water. Adding a small, 40 baht tip and we had a feast for under 30 dollars.
One of the many reasons I love Thailand.
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