What’s Hakata Ramen?

What’s Hakata Ramen?

Los Angelesfood, hakata ramen, little tokyo, thin noodles, tonkatsu

Another regional style of ramen you say? From the opposite end of Japan? Well sign me up for a bowl. Literally, it seems like half of LA waiting was outside of Shin-Sen-Gumi. The other half was waiting for Daikokuya, a place I’ve eaten many times. This place, however, was new for me. It opened in

Pine & Crane

Pine & Crane

Los Angeleseater la, healthy, number, silverlake, taiwanese, verdict: pass

I’ve read about this place when it popped up on Eater LA (doing some due diligence on places to eat this trip). It was a surprise to see a Taiwanese place pop up in Silverlake. Sure I’ll buy into the hype. We didn’t have any ideas for lunch. Everything good in Little Tokyo had a

State Bird Provisions

State Bird Provisions

San Franciscofillmore, food, hype, kabuki, new american, no reservations, provisions

We happened to mosey on by State Bird Provisions one afternoon after a movie at the Kabuki Theater. My geeky explanation of why I didn’t like Captain America was cut short. We came across State Bird Provisions, where I had to reboot my story telling of impossibilities to that of getting a reservations at this

Plentea

Plentea

San Franciscoboba, financial district, line, milk tea

On a walk to one of my favorite watering holes on Friday, I saw this place. One of three actually, on the way towards North Beach where I’ll sit in a tiny bar and cry out my day’s miseries. But first thing I do when I see my bretheren was to mention the onslaught of

Le Charm Bistro

Le Charm Bistro

San Franciscobistro, french, hidden, music, patio

If you didn’t look this place up online, you would have walked right by and missed out on a great dining experience. It’s nestled between a convenience store and residential apartments. Although the sign was right there in plain view, the whole place just somehow blends in. Maybe it’s because you never get a full

Nabe

Nabe

San Franciscohotpot, inner sunset, kurabuto, nabe, pork, sake

This place opened up a few years ago, and although I tried it last year, I had to come back to give it a full review. There was nothing memorable last time I tried it, but I did pick a boring set, the shabu shabu. Sure, they could have made this really good, but why,

Drakes Bay Oyster Company

Drakes Bay Oyster Company

San Franciscobeach, grill, lighthouse, oysters, pets, Point Reyes

Here’s the deal. I’ve been meaning to head up to Tomales Bay for some oysters for years. Ever since I moved up to the Bay area four years ago, I never got the chance. Until now. And of course, this technically wasn’t Tomales Bay. But still, this place was in the vicinity about thirty minutes

Vineyards Before The Farmstead

Vineyards Before The Farmstead

San Franciscoairbnb, farmstead, napa valley, picnic, restaurants, vineyards, wine, wine tasting

Airbnb, what a great service. For a friend’s birthday, we booked a room out in Napa Valley. Wine country for those who don’t know. It’s a little getaway for those of us in Northern California. Only an hour away from San Francisco. I do wonder why I don’t go as often as I should. Gotta

Ramen Alley Junkie

Ramen Alley Junkie

Japan · Sapporochar, crab ramen, fried, rad brothers, ramen, ramen alley, susukino, wok

New Year’s Eve, a time when normal people prepare to bring in the new year. Some get dressed up to the nines, breaking out their top hat and head out to drink. Others stay home and live vicariously through the television. And then there’s me, spending as much time possible in Ramen Alley. Visiting all