Food Tastes Better With An Amazing View At Kimoto Rooftop In Brooklyn

The eclectic menu at Kimoto Rooftop in Downtown Brooklyn highlights American favorites with an Asian influence that are sophisticated in presentation and playful in concept.

1. Tuna Tartare

Over a bed of creamy, chunky guacamole is a generous portion of fresh raw tuna with pickled jalapeno and sesame seeds. Be sure to scoop up all the goodness on the plate, including the spicy aioli and the sweet soy sauce, with the crunchy, tri-colored tortilla chips on the side.

2. Tempura Basket

The tempura basket features crispy, hot-off-the-fryer tempura that ranges from shrimp to baby calamari in a skewer to potato croquette. The wasabi mayo and the sweet teriyaki sauces that come on the side pair perfectly well with the tempura.

3. Beef Bulgogi Tacos

This fusion dish highlights the cuisines of Mexico and Korea. Stuffed inside crunchy wonton shell are tender beef bulgogi with spicy kimchi slaw. The tacos are topped with thin slices of Asian pair, toasted sesame, and scallion.

4. Spicy Togarashi and Truffle & Parmesan Fries

The flavors of these delicious flavors are further enhanced with spicy togarashi (top) and truffle & parmesan. Perfect accompaniment to your main entrees, the fries have crispy exterior and moist interior.

5. Gochujang BBQ Wings

Forget all the chicken wings you have had in the past - the Gochujang BBQ Wings will completely change your mind! These wings have the crispiest skins with the juiciest meat. The spicy and sweet gochujang BBQ sauce make these wings even more addicting.

6. Kobe Beef Burger

These soft buns are lathered with generous amount of kimchi slaw at the bottom and gochujang bbq sauce on top. The juicy beef pattie is topped with white truffle oil and sprouts.

7. Crispy Pork Cutlet

The pieces of deep-fried pork cutlet are topped with kewpie mayonnaise sauce and red cabbage slaw.

Best Bites At The Stanton Social, One Of The Trendiest Restaurants In NYC

A collaboration by one of NY’s hottest team of restaurant creators, The Stanton Social offers a unique menu that features shareable dishes full of flavors.

1. French Onion Soup Dumplings

A fusion of soup dumplings and French onion, this signature dish is heaven in your mouth. Dumplings are topped with generous amount of cheese. Use the toothpick to pick them up and dunk in your mouth.

2. Potato & Goat Cheese Pierogies

Crispy, pan-fried pierogies stuffed with potato and goat cheese and topped with caramelized onions. Dip them in truffle creme fraiche served on the side for additional flavor.

3. Beef & Broccoli

This dish has a wide range of textures and flavor profiles, from the crispy sticky rice cake to the creamy broccoli puree to the savory braised short rib.

4. Maine Lobster & Squid Ink Tagliatelle Pasta

Generous amount of Maine lobster, coupled with juicy cherry tomatoes and wild mushrooms in creamy lobster Riesling broth. The squid ink tagliatelle pasta is cooked perfectly al dante.

5. Warm Doughnuts

Straight-out-of-the-fryer, warm fluffy doughnuts with powdered cinnamon sugar. Have your pick at three dipping sauces, ranging from caramel to chocolate and berry.

Best 6 Dishes You Must Order At San Francisco’s Hottest Restaurants

From truffle sliders to roasted bone marrow, these are the most delicious dishes you must order at San Francisco's hottest restaurants.

Bone-in Filet Mignon from Bobo’s

Frequently voted as the best steakhouse in San Francisco, Bobo’s offers high quality beef that has been dry-aged for 4-6 weeks and pan-seared with a hint of rosemary and garlic. This process enhances the flavor and tenderness of the beef, resulting in one of the best steaks ever eaten. The melt-in-your-mouth, juicy bone-in filet mignonis an absolute must. Order a side of twice-baked potatoes stuffed with zucchini, chives, and fontina cheese to compliment the dish.

Mini Royal Dorian from The Dorian

The Oscar Wilde-inspired restaurant in SF’s Marina District pays homage to a bygone era, a place where you can savor classic American fare. The Dorian began its brunch service in November, featuring sweet and savory bites like fluffy buttermilk berry pancakes and fried chicken & waffles. But the highlight here is the Mini Royal Dorian, a slider version of the famous Royal Dorian, which features a generous portion of peekytoe crab and black truffle on top of juicy beef patty.

Smoked Bone Marrow from RN 74

Located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, RN74 highlights the cuisine and wine of France’s Burgundy region. The Smoked Bone Marrow is the perfect dish for the table. The rich, creamy bone marrow, topped with smokey oxtail marmalade, Vadouvan butter, and lemon confit with thickly sliced, toasted sourdough bread on the side, oozes so much intense flavors as it melts in your mouth.

Pizza Bianca from Americano’s

Dine with a view at this waterfront restaurant with sweeping, panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay. Americano’s specializes in handcrafted, soulful Italian dishes created using seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. The Pizza Bianca, topped with house-made chorizo, meyor lemon, leek, and ricotta salata on thin, crispy flat bread, bursts with flavors.

Tap Burger from Tap 415

Tap 415, a modern urban eatery located inside the Westfield Centre Mall, offers a unique menu of American favorites with a twist. The signature Tap Burger is jam-packed with tempura bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, pickled red onion, and juicy, medium-rare beef patty sandwiched in between soft buns topped with sesame seeds and smeared with togarashi remoulade.

Chickpea Panisse from Gather

Whether you are a vegan or an omnivore, you will find something delicious at Gather, a farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of downtown Berkeley. The vegan-friendlyChickpea Panisse is an absolute delight. The chickpea fries, which flaunt delicate, crispy exterior with soft, creamy interior, are complemented by flavorful black bean puree, crushed garbanzos, cabbage slaw, cashew, sultana, and ancho chili.

Top 6 Mouthwatering Plates That Are Perfect For Sharing

Tucked behind a hidden entrance of a pawn shop, Beauty & Essex is NYC’s “must visit” restaurant that boasts innovative dishes served in a glamorous ambiance.

1. Tuna Poke Wonton Tacos ($17)

Blanketed in between crunchy wonton taco shells are fresh, raw tuna marinated in soy sauce and topped with micro cilantro, julienne radish, a dash of sesame seeds, and wasabi kew pie.

2. Crab Rangoon ($17)

A generous serving of warm jumbo lump crab sits on top of crispy crab crackers, and topped with sweet Thai chili pearls, thinly sliced greens, and a dollop of rich aioli.

3. Grilled Peach & Housemade Ricotta ($13)

Perfect treat for the spring, the grilled toast is decorated with a spread of creamy ricotta and grilled peach with a drizzle of chili honey and basil.

4. Braised Short Ribs ($27)Braised Short Ribs ($27)

Three pieces of tender short ribs topped with pickled pearl onion lays on top of rich, creamy morel mushroom risotto with grilled asparagus.

5. Mushroom Crusted Sea Scallops ($32)

The perfectly seared jumbo sea scallops maintain their plump, juicy interior. They are served with lemon truffled leeks, yukon gold potato puree, and thyme.

6. Box of Doughnuts ($14)

Can’t decide between fruity and chocolatey? Then have both! Three pieces each of fluffy, warm vanilla beignets are filled with chocolate hazelnut creme or raspberry jam.

A Hearty Meal With Generous Portion At A Parisian-Style Brasserie

Gaspar Brasserie

You will feel like you have been transformed into a Parisian brasserie upon enteringGaspar Brasserie. Located in SF’s Financial District, the restaurant exudes all the flairs and ambiance of a Parisian brasserie, starting with its warm and vibrant interior featuring crimson leather seats, textured wooden walls, and antique chandeliers, as well as a menu that features classic French dishes with a Northern California influence.

Les Plateaux de Fruits de Mer ($66/$100)

The imposing Les Plateaux de Fruits de Mer ($66 for petit, $100 for grand) highlighted a selection of fresh, chilled seasonal seafood. According to our knowledgeable waiter, the small tower is appropriate for a group of 2-3, while the large is fit for 4-5 people. Our small tower included three varieties of oysters (half dozen total) served with champagne mignonette, jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, poached octopus with green olives, and a half lobster. All the seafood, from the perfectly seasoned octopus to the plump shrimp, was extremely fresh and mouthwatering.

Grilled Côte de Porc ($27)

Per the waiter’s recommendation, I opted for the Grilled Côte de Porc ($27). Over a bed of herbed spaetzle and shaved Brussels sprouts was a big piece of lightly seared, bone-in pork loin with juniper-mustard sauce and heirloom apple. The lean piece of pork was a bit pink nearer to the bone, but I enjoyed the balance of sweet and savory from the apple and the mustard sauce. I wished the spaetzle, which was unfortunately a bit “flat,” had a chunkier, chewier texture. The portion was extremely generous.

Braised Beef Short Rib ($28)

I also tried the Braised Beef Short Rib ($28), another entree with a huge portion. The tender, fatty short rib was glazed with Bordeaux gastrique and topped with sauce verte atop a bed of baby root vegetables. Like the pork, the short rib also had an interplay between sweet and savory from the glaze and the green sauce. The baby root vegetables of colorful heirloom carrots, beets, and cipollini onion highlighted fresh, seasonal vegetables.

Moelleux Au Chocolat ($10)

The Moelleux Au Chocolat ($10) was like an exciting firework in my mouth, providing a memorable sensory journey through its different flavors and textures. Accompanying a moist chocolate lava cake with warm, ooey center was a dollop of cool chocolate mousse, crunchy “cocoa puffs,” and creamy vanilla-rum anglaise. This chocolate lover’s dream was such a delightfully sweet ending to a hearty meal at Gaspar Brasserie.

Atypical Brunch Experience at Yuzuki Japanese Eatery in SF's Misison District

Forget typical brunch items like pancakes and omelettes the next time you go out to eat. Yuzuki Japanese Eatery - an izakaya in the trendy Mission District that specializes in shareable, small Japanese plates - has revolutionized the way we conceive brunch when it launched brunch service last summer. While Yuzuki's limited brunch menu focuses on items like udon and soba instead of grilled skewers and rice pot, you will still indulge in the same delicious and authentic Japanese cuisine made with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.

Wagyu Udon ($23)

Yuzuki's simple brunch menu is categorized into noodles (udon or soba) and sushi. You get a choice between udon or soba with all noodle entrees, which also come with a side of vegetables and topping choices that range from chicken and egg to lightly fried shrimp and vegetables. I would recommend the Wagyu Udon ($23). Served in a bowl of warm, flavorful broth are a generous portion of soft, chewy udon noodles and six tender pieces of wagyu beef topped with scallions. 

Kaisen Chirashi ($28)

The Kaisen Chrashi ($28) has eight different varieties of fresh sashimi and seafood, such as tuna, mackerel, lump Dungeness crab meat, and salmon roe. The salmon has an extremely rich, buttery taste that just melts in your mouth, while the scallop provides the perfectly chewy, juicy, and plump texture. The Kaisen Chirashi also comes with a side of clear soup with mushroom and seaweed.

Authentic, Home-Style Chinese Cuisine At Fang Restaurant In San Francisco

Forget typical Chinese American entrees like General Tso’s chicken, Mongolian beef, or sweet and sour pork when you dine at Fang Restaurant. This eponymous, family-owned and operated restaurant highlights authentic yet experimental Chinese cuisine sourced from seasonal, local ingredients.

White River Soup

An interesting fusion of complexity and delicacy, the hearty White River Soup includes a whole fried fish simmered with aromatics, tofu puff, pork wontons, vermiciili, julienne scallions, and ginger. All the ingredients in the dish bring out the rich, intense flavors to the creamy, white broth. I would have personally preferred the fish to be steamed rather than fried. The big, chunky pieces of wontons have the perfectly chewy skin with juicy meat inside.

Fang’s Crispy Honey Chili Shortribs

One of Fang’s signature dish is the Crispy Honey Chili Shortrib. Served as a skewer, the tender, fall-off-the-bone shortrib is lightly fried on the outside with sprinkles of black sesame seeds and cilantro. Both the spicy chili oil and the sweet soy sauce accentuate the flavor of the dish.

Five Spice Whitefish

While the identify of the mysterious “whitefish” used in the Five Spice Whitefish remains a mystery (halibut? tilapia? cod?), this delectable dish of moist fish filet with caramelized red onions and spinach is a must. The tender fish seasoned with salt and pepper goes well with the vegetables, which provides a nice mix to the texture. dish heightens your senses with The dish is a bit salty so be sure to get a bowl of white rice on the side to balance out the palate.

Heaven in My Mouth: Delicious Christmas Dinner at Parker & Quinn in NYC

Midtown Manhattan is packed with restaurants that lure tourists into paying exorbitant prices for mediocre food. Luckily, there are some exceptions, among them Parker & Quinn at the Refinery Hotel. While I dined at Parker & Quinn for its special Christmas dinner, if the quality and the taste of the food is any indication of its normal service, I will gladly return at a heartbeat.

Appetizer: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

The prix fixe, 3-course Christmas dinner at Parker & Quinn featured a selection of holiday favorites using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. To begin, I opted for the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. The brilliantly yellow, creamy butternut squash soup had deep, rich flavors that were enhanced by a drizzle of olive oil, pickled gala apple, and spiced pecans. I loved the crunchy texture of the pecans that balanced out the creaminess of the soup.

Entree: Slow Roasted Prime Rib

After much dilemma, I selected the Slow Roasted Prime Rib for my entree (other options included Pan-Roasted Wild Salmon and Farro and Wild Mushroom Risotto). The first bite of that tender, juicy prime rib was enough to confirm my satisfaction with the dish. The palm-sized, medium rare prime rib had just the right amount of fat to maintain its juiciness. The rich bordeaux reduction sauce on the side enhanced the flavor even more. The smooth, creamy potato puree, roasted carrots, and crispy brussels sprouts complemented the dish perfectly.

Dessert: Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Finally, the heavenly Salted Caramel Cheesecake was the perfect way to experience the magic of Parker & Quinn's talented kitchen staff. The fluffy cheesecake, topped with a dollop of caramel sauce and caramel-covered popcorn, had dense graham cracker crust at the bottom that paired well with the light cream cheese. The scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and fig jam on the plate provided additional sweet sensation to the mouth.

Classic Fifties Diner Experience at Zoe's in Harvard Square

Tucked away in the basement level of a building on Mass Ave. near Harvard Square is a little gem of your all-American classic diner, Zoe's Restaurant. In addition to serving breakfast all day, Zoe's offer Greek cuisine in a retro atmosphere topped with chrome and vinyl, a jukebox, and flavored sodas.

For an appetizer, we decided to share an order of "Famous" Homemade Spanakopita ($4.49), or paper thin phyllo stuffed with spinach and Feta cheese wrapped in paper thin phyllo dough. We were a bit taken aback by the presentation--literally, we received a plate with one big fat piece of spanakopita.

Inside the crispy phyllo dough was a generous mush of spinach and Feta cheese. I liked the ratio between the phyllo dough and the spinach/cheese filling. I am glad we ordered just one serving because too much of it would have been a bit cheesy for my liking.

For my entree, I decided to go with Zoe's "specialty" of Mix'n Match Kabob ($15.99). I chose the beef and shrimp kebob. All kebobs are served with choice of potato or rice and vegetable.

The amount of beef and shrimp was just right for my liking! A true surf'n turf, indeed. The marinated chunks of sirloin in Zoe's special seasoning was tender and juicy, while the shrimp marinated in a light honey Dijon was plump. The kebobs were also skewered with vegetables like onion and bell pepper.

I chose to get rice on the side with green beans. The rice had some sort of tomato marinara sauce on top. I would have much preferred fresh green beans, but these were soaked in some nasty, oily red sauce.

It would be a shame to come to a diner and not order something from the breakfast menu. The Smoked Salmon Benedict ($11.99) had two dropped eggs with Atlantic smoked salmon and grilled tomato topped with hollandaise sauce on English muffin. These were served with homefries. I didn't try the dish but it certainly looked rich and filling!

 

New York City's Chinatown Adventure

To continue the theme of ridiculously cheap food in New York City (See post on takoyaki Japanese snacks), my friend and I decided to go to the quintessential place for all things cheap: Chinatown. This was meant to be a culinary adventure through Chinatown, so instead of settling on one eatery/restaurant, we decided to hit a couple spots that are known for their Chinese delicacies.

The first spot we visited was Prosperity Dumpling, a tiny hole in the wall famous for its dumplings (as the name suggests). Most people had dumplings to-go because the place was tiny. There were about eight stools with a tiny table sticking out against the wall. My friend ordered Chives and Pork Fried Dumplings (5 for $1). The dumplings looked too greasy so I didn't try them.

She also ordered Chives and Pork Boiled Dumplings (10 for $2). The skin of the dumplings were a bit too thick, and I am not sure if the content inside was actually pork.

We split the Vegetable and Shrimp Dumplings (10 for $3.50), which were slightly more expensive. These dumplings may look small, but they are packed tightly so I got full really quickly.

The vegetable and shrimp dumplings surprisingly had a big shrimp inside. These weren't as juicy as the pork dumplings, but I much preferred them nonetheless.

I would say the ratio between the chive and the shrimp was 1:1. Quite impressed! I would definitely order this again. Also $3.50 for a filling meal in NYC is such a bargain.



After the dumpling appetizer from Prosperity, we walked a couple blocks to Joe's Shanghai, which is famous for its xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings. There was a long line of people waiting outside, so it took about 45 minutes to get a table for four. Joe's Shanghai has already established some fame in the city, having been recognized by New York Times Restaurant Guide, Gourmet Magazine, and Zagat Survey. Without hesitation, we ordered two orders of Pork Steamed Buns (8 for $4.95), which were served in a wooden bamboo steamer over a bed of cabbage.





This was actually my first time trying proper xiaolongbaos. The key to eating these are to place them on a soup spoon and make a small hole with your teeth to suck out the juices, and then eat the skin with the meat inside. You have to be careful not to burn your tongue. The dumplings were juicy and savory.

In addition to the soup dumplings, we ordered Fried Rice Cake with Beef ($7.95). I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this dish, but it was very similar to the Korean glutinous rice cake and beef in slightly sweet soy sauce, sauteed with cabbages, onions, and spinach.

I would definitely order this dish again. In fact, I preferred the rice cake to the soup dumplings, the latter of which the restaurant is famous for. The rice cakes were chewy, while the beef was tender. My friends and I were quite stuffed after Joe's Shanghai that we decided to skip our third stop, a noodle place. Until next time!