Did ya miss me? Probably not, it’s cool, I get it. What kind of asshole starts a totally awesome food blog and then just quits? This asshole. That’s who.
What can I say.. shit’s been crazy in these here parts, but I’m sayin’ eff that biz and getting back to swallowing my way to fame… Like most do. HA!
Alright, no food tonight, just the announcement, but I've got a hint.. PAGNUS – this next one’s for you doll! Check back – do it.
- Dee
Friday, July 15, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
I Swallowed Mediterranean!
Pita Pita Café in Lake Forest is a new little quick-service spot offering delicious Mediterranean flavors. I like to frequent it at least a couple of times a month. Once you try it, this place will have you craving it.
Now you should know, I’m a devoted lamb girl when it comes to Greek/Mediterranean. So my default order is always, without fail, the Full Size Lamb Pita Combination.
You get a choice of two sides with any combination, I had the Cheese Pie (for an extra charge), and some Tubbouleh. The Cheese pie is a warm, soft, fluffy dough filled with Mediterranean cheeses that will have your mouth singing with Dee-light and for those of you less informed on what Tabbouleh might be.. Tabbouleh is a refreshing salad comprised of very finely chopped parsley, mint, tomato, onion, and bulgur tossed together with lemon juice and olive oil. It’s a great blend of textures and flavors.
The lamb pita has grilled lamb, shredded lettuce, tomato, Mediterranean pickle, and Tzatziki sauce all stuffed into a piece of fresh out of the brick oven pita bread... That’s not all though, I SWEAR there’s garlic crack in it. It is flat out tasty!! The lamb is cooked perfectly too – tender, juicy, and super flavorful.
The service here is great too.. most of the time. I’ve only encountered one visit when I left empty handed and disappointed. The time was 8:03pm, to my defense this was only my second time in so I had no idea what the hours were. There were customers inside eating, ordering, and the door was open. So I entered, and was very quickly turned away as they, “closed at 8pm.” I was in the process of asking if I could just grab an order to go when I was interrupted and reminded yet again that they were closed. Ever get the urge to just yell, “BITE MY ASS!!!” at someone? I sure did, but held back, because in all fairness.. they closed at 8. (but those guys can still bite my ass HARD for their attitude about it)
Anyway, I gave it another try a few weeks later and was happy yet again. So my advice to you - check the hours before you enter, or you might just find yourself requesting that a chunk be taken out of your ass orally, and not in a good way.
/Swallow It
- Dee
Now you should know, I’m a devoted lamb girl when it comes to Greek/Mediterranean. So my default order is always, without fail, the Full Size Lamb Pita Combination.
You get a choice of two sides with any combination, I had the Cheese Pie (for an extra charge), and some Tubbouleh. The Cheese pie is a warm, soft, fluffy dough filled with Mediterranean cheeses that will have your mouth singing with Dee-light and for those of you less informed on what Tabbouleh might be.. Tabbouleh is a refreshing salad comprised of very finely chopped parsley, mint, tomato, onion, and bulgur tossed together with lemon juice and olive oil. It’s a great blend of textures and flavors.
The lamb pita has grilled lamb, shredded lettuce, tomato, Mediterranean pickle, and Tzatziki sauce all stuffed into a piece of fresh out of the brick oven pita bread... That’s not all though, I SWEAR there’s garlic crack in it. It is flat out tasty!! The lamb is cooked perfectly too – tender, juicy, and super flavorful.
The service here is great too.. most of the time. I’ve only encountered one visit when I left empty handed and disappointed. The time was 8:03pm, to my defense this was only my second time in so I had no idea what the hours were. There were customers inside eating, ordering, and the door was open. So I entered, and was very quickly turned away as they, “closed at 8pm.” I was in the process of asking if I could just grab an order to go when I was interrupted and reminded yet again that they were closed. Ever get the urge to just yell, “BITE MY ASS!!!” at someone? I sure did, but held back, because in all fairness.. they closed at 8. (but those guys can still bite my ass HARD for their attitude about it)
Anyway, I gave it another try a few weeks later and was happy yet again. So my advice to you - check the hours before you enter, or you might just find yourself requesting that a chunk be taken out of your ass orally, and not in a good way.
/Swallow It
- Dee
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Vegas Baby! VEGAAAASSSSSS!!
Alright my sweets, I am out like shout this weekend and hitting lovely Las Vegas! (Admit it, you’re totally jealous – it’s okay, I would be too)
So Beans, hmm what should I call her.. I don’t know her well enough to give her a nickname.. let’s call her shmelshmissa, and I are venturing to Viva Las Vegas this fine Easter weekend. Never heard of it? Click the link silly! Should be fun – I know, I know.. you’re going to miss me SOOO much, but don’t worry! I’m going to release my inner Fat Kid all over that town and will be ready to report back on all the goodies I stuffed my face with as soon as I’m home.
If you’re really jones-ing for a post from Dee-lightful Dee, feel free to try and locate me at any of the marked places below. (Or you can leave me a comment, that'll definitely get me to log in)
There’s gonna be some serious swallowing all over that town!
- Dee
So Beans, hmm what should I call her.. I don’t know her well enough to give her a nickname.. let’s call her shmelshmissa, and I are venturing to Viva Las Vegas this fine Easter weekend. Never heard of it? Click the link silly! Should be fun – I know, I know.. you’re going to miss me SOOO much, but don’t worry! I’m going to release my inner Fat Kid all over that town and will be ready to report back on all the goodies I stuffed my face with as soon as I’m home.
If you’re really jones-ing for a post from Dee-lightful Dee, feel free to try and locate me at any of the marked places below. (Or you can leave me a comment, that'll definitely get me to log in)
There’s gonna be some serious swallowing all over that town!- Dee
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Fukada Me?! Nooo, Fukada You!
Fukada is worth the Swallow.
I’ve only ventured here a few times, but each time it’s been Dee-licious. Fukada is a cool little Japanese restaurant in Irvine.
This time I went with a craving for Soba noodles in my combination, but unfortunately they were all out. I think we chose a shitty night to go because like I said before, this place has always been great. This time, the food was still great (aside from them being all out of Soba), but the service lacked. Don’t get me wrong, these ladies are always friendly, but this time they were taking forever to take our order, bring our order, bring our bill, and take it back.
Still, I refuse to hold this against them. I will return to fulfill my Soba craving.
So what did I get?
Seafood Salad Combination with Spicy Tuna Don. *Nom Nom Nom Nom NOM*
Lightly seared Salmon, Tuna, and Yellowtail on a bed of greens with a ginger dressing. Simple, but oh so good.
Spicy Tuna Don – Exactly what it looks like, spicy Tuna mixture on white rice with a smidgen of Wasabi garnished with some dry toasted seaweed. Side note – typically I would order this with brown rice, but some crazy person (Chef) told me that some other crazy person (Chef’s brother, Squid) had informed him that it’s not good to eat brown rice in the Winter... Yeeeaaaahhhhh... I don’t know about all of that, but hey.. any reason to not order the healthier option! Fat Kids Rejoice!
If you’re a fan of Spicy Tuna, or Japanese food all together, you must try this place. It’s so good. The Spicy Tuna Don is addicting, I’m convinced in the words of Dave Chapelle, “They sprinkle some crack on it.”
As most men would say.. Tis nicer to Swallow than to Spit. ha! gross.
/Swallow It
- Dee
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Hi, my name is Dee and I’m addicted to Sushi.
Okay, so maybe it’s not a real addiction, but I could honestly eat Sushi every single day for the rest of my life – if I could afford it.
We all know Sushi can be expensive.. and I’m not even close to wealthy, well-off, rich, or financially comfortable... YET. So, when I can’t afford to go to Yoshi’s, Maru, or Hapi Sushi (this is where I go to treat myself) I venture over to Minato Sushi in Lake Forest. Minato is the best place to go for inexpensive yet decent quality all you can eat Sushi. Just $24.95 for AYCE Dinner, and $18.95 for AYCE Lunch.
Mexican Roll – California Roll topped with spicy mayo and Sriracha.
Philadelphia Roll – Salmon and cream cheese.
Salmon Sushi – One of my fave’s.
TNT Roll – Tuna Tataki on top of spicy tuna roll.
Albacore Sushi – Hands down my favorite thing to order here, it’s so tender it practically melts in your mouth, and they top it with Garlic Ponzu and a green onion garnish. The peppery seared albacore with the citrus savory sauce is a perfect blend of flavors, you can’t help but order more and more and more.
This was a nice little treat the owner/chef James made for me. Hamachi (Yellowtail) Sushi, all dressed up.
*All orders are full size (8pcs for rolls, 2pcs for sushi) I just kept forgetting to take a pic before my inner fatty could come out and eat half the plate.. I’m tellin’ ya, I’ve got a problem!*
Green Tea Ice Cream is included in AYCE.
Wrap it all up with a Cucumber Slushy. I think it’s cucumber juice with lemon-lime soda and perfectly slushed ice. It’s super refreshing!
Chef/Owner James is awesome, as well as his other chef Young, they’re both funny, they’ll drink with you, talk to you, and make you special orders without having to ask for them, they both make the place an all around blast.
When you’re on a budget and want some decent Sushi and a good time go to Minato and.. wait for it..
/Swallow It!!
- Dee
PS - Have you ever gotten ice out of your ice maker and it tastes like Garlicy Sadness and Death?? Wtf is up with that?
We all know Sushi can be expensive.. and I’m not even close to wealthy, well-off, rich, or financially comfortable... YET. So, when I can’t afford to go to Yoshi’s, Maru, or Hapi Sushi (this is where I go to treat myself) I venture over to Minato Sushi in Lake Forest. Minato is the best place to go for inexpensive yet decent quality all you can eat Sushi. Just $24.95 for AYCE Dinner, and $18.95 for AYCE Lunch.
Mexican Roll – California Roll topped with spicy mayo and Sriracha.
Philadelphia Roll – Salmon and cream cheese.
Salmon Sushi – One of my fave’s.
TNT Roll – Tuna Tataki on top of spicy tuna roll.
Albacore Sushi – Hands down my favorite thing to order here, it’s so tender it practically melts in your mouth, and they top it with Garlic Ponzu and a green onion garnish. The peppery seared albacore with the citrus savory sauce is a perfect blend of flavors, you can’t help but order more and more and more.
This was a nice little treat the owner/chef James made for me. Hamachi (Yellowtail) Sushi, all dressed up.
*All orders are full size (8pcs for rolls, 2pcs for sushi) I just kept forgetting to take a pic before my inner fatty could come out and eat half the plate.. I’m tellin’ ya, I’ve got a problem!*
Green Tea Ice Cream is included in AYCE.
Wrap it all up with a Cucumber Slushy. I think it’s cucumber juice with lemon-lime soda and perfectly slushed ice. It’s super refreshing!
Chef/Owner James is awesome, as well as his other chef Young, they’re both funny, they’ll drink with you, talk to you, and make you special orders without having to ask for them, they both make the place an all around blast.
When you’re on a budget and want some decent Sushi and a good time go to Minato and.. wait for it..
/Swallow It!!
- Dee
PS - Have you ever gotten ice out of your ice maker and it tastes like Garlicy Sadness and Death?? Wtf is up with that?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Dee Deems Deemer’s Dee-sappointing
Ha! I crack me up.
Soooooo, I had lunch with an old friend last weekend at a place called Deemer’s American Grill. I’ve been here before and it was damn tasty so why wouldn’t I want to go back?!
My first time there I had the BLT and it was super yummy so this time called for something new, the Californian burger. This burger has Monterey Cheese, Avocado Relish, Tomato, Baby Spinach, and Herb Aioli. Sounds good, right? Check out the shot:
Doesn’t look too bad. But let’s go back and really take a look at each ingredient.
Monterey Cheese, mild flavor but not bad to snack on. Avocado Relish, sounds different in a good way, relishes usually pack a punch of flavor, in this case, you would expect a hint of savory, but avocados... unless seasoned at the very least with salt, are actually very mild flavored, same with spinach. Tomatoes are standard, but I refuse them in my burgers and sandwiches. Now the Herb Aioli, oh how I love Aioli’s – they always compliment unhealthy foods so beautifully. BUT mayo with herbs blended in... still pretty mild flavored, not like a Lemon Dill Aioli, or a Chipotle Aioli, nay just some herbs in mayo...
All 5 elements were mild flavored; mild with mild, with mild, with some mild thrown in for good measure, and a little more mild in case you didn’t have enough.
Shit was bland! I had to use my friend’s BBQ sauce to jazz it up and actually attempt to finish it. Not to mention the bread completely fell apart.
Go there (bet you weren’t expecting that) and try something else, the customer service is actually really good and the place is always immaculate. Like I said before.. the BLT was damn good! So there’s hope for the other menu items.
/Spit out the Californian
/Swallow something else!
- Dee
Thursday, April 7, 2011
A Dish So Nice They Named it Twice
Shabu-Shabu. That’s right, twice.
I was introduced to Shabu-Shabu back in 2003. How I ever lived without this is a mystery to me. – Did that rhyme?! Shabu-Shabu literally means “swish-swish” for the way you cook your meats/veggies by swishing it around in boiling water.
Shabu-Shabu is served with your choice of meats, and a dish of veggies which consists of Napa cabbage leaves, tofu squares, carrots, spinach, seaweed, green onions, and Udon noodles for your soup at the end (more on this later). It also includes two dipping sauces, a Ponzu (citrus soy sauce) and a Goma (sesame sauce) – you can season up your sauces with some minced ginger, minced garlic, and sliced green onions, don’t forget the hot drops! Just one in each sauce should do the trick. Top it all off with a bowl of rice.
What place do you go to for some pretty damn good Shabu-Shabu you ask? Well, California Shabu-Shabu in Costa Mesa of course! Great service, even better food.
Check it out:
I had the Regular (8 pieces) Choice Beef with brown rice and about 4 glasses of the most delicious Iced Green Tea I’ve ever had. Look at the beautiful Beef and super fresh veggies!
*Nom Nom* Right?!
So once you’ve gone through your meats (or veggies for you non meat eaters – no judgment!) and rice and sadness sets in at the thought that the meal is over... Think again! They surprise you with a bowl of soup base! You simply spoon in some of your boiling water, which has been seasoned with all the yummies you’ve been swishing in it, add the noodles, and whatever other veggies you might like and voila! Udon soup. It’s pretty awesome.
That was mine and I already want more.
This place is goooooooooooood. Go there, experience it, love it, love me for telling you about it, and then go on living your newly improved by California Shabu-Shabu life.
/Swallow It!
..and swallow some of that Iced Green Tea too, hell yeah mutha trucka!
I know, I’m a dork. You love it.
- Dee
I was introduced to Shabu-Shabu back in 2003. How I ever lived without this is a mystery to me. – Did that rhyme?! Shabu-Shabu literally means “swish-swish” for the way you cook your meats/veggies by swishing it around in boiling water.
Shabu-Shabu is served with your choice of meats, and a dish of veggies which consists of Napa cabbage leaves, tofu squares, carrots, spinach, seaweed, green onions, and Udon noodles for your soup at the end (more on this later). It also includes two dipping sauces, a Ponzu (citrus soy sauce) and a Goma (sesame sauce) – you can season up your sauces with some minced ginger, minced garlic, and sliced green onions, don’t forget the hot drops! Just one in each sauce should do the trick. Top it all off with a bowl of rice.
What place do you go to for some pretty damn good Shabu-Shabu you ask? Well, California Shabu-Shabu in Costa Mesa of course! Great service, even better food.
Check it out:
I had the Regular (8 pieces) Choice Beef with brown rice and about 4 glasses of the most delicious Iced Green Tea I’ve ever had. Look at the beautiful Beef and super fresh veggies!
*Nom Nom* Right?!
So once you’ve gone through your meats (or veggies for you non meat eaters – no judgment!) and rice and sadness sets in at the thought that the meal is over... Think again! They surprise you with a bowl of soup base! You simply spoon in some of your boiling water, which has been seasoned with all the yummies you’ve been swishing in it, add the noodles, and whatever other veggies you might like and voila! Udon soup. It’s pretty awesome.
That was mine and I already want more.
This place is goooooooooooood. Go there, experience it, love it, love me for telling you about it, and then go on living your newly improved by California Shabu-Shabu life.
/Swallow It!
..and swallow some of that Iced Green Tea too, hell yeah mutha trucka!
I know, I’m a dork. You love it.
- Dee
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