Review: Boka

18 September 2023

Well, another one of these days. I’m still tired from my quick Philly trip, which almost got derailed by Frontier. I was going to work from the office today, but considering when I got home from that trip I wasn’t going to lose an hour of extra kip just to commute. So when I headed to dinner at Boka, it was a reverse trip from the usual.

I got there at an early hour, and took up a now-usual seat at the bar. My usual bartender saw me and took great care of me all night. A cocktail in hand, and I relaxed. I sense a good night coming.

I ordered and chilled, catching up on a few things from the weekend until my starter arrived.

I always order this because they do these scallops so well. Beautiful sweet ones from Hokkaido, accentuated by that urchin cream sauce. Beautiful stuff, especially with a delicious grenache blanc.

I switched to a red for my main course, and it’s not hard to guess what it is…

Yep, their trademark duck. So good. The skin is perfect, making each bite a true delight. And the confit on the side was absolutely delicious too.

Oh, I’m happy. And with the small amount of veggies on this plate, I opted for another “main” course.

Yep, the beets. I love beets, and this works so well with the duck. Perfect combination. I would have loved more turnips, but this works out just as well. Oh, a marvellous dinner!

I relaxed with a drink and started chatting with someone next to me, and it turned out we had some mutual friends in Los Angeles (where she was from). Small world. I decided to have a wee dessert.

This beauty is a play on raspberry and corn, the latter being a featured ingredient currently. Delicious, not too sweet, just perfect with my after-dinner tipple as well. As this is a wonderful day on a highlight day, I decided to have another with the last nibbles before jumping into my Lyft.

Boka is always good, and tonight proves it again. It’s amazing after so many visits I never wrote a review for this place! And I really ought to have the tasting menu, which my friends’ friend had, one I’ve not had for many years here. But as always, highly recommended!

Boka
1729 North Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois

Review: Malbec

16 September 2023

I made a short trip to Philly over the weekend as I found a cheap ticket. Little did I know how expensive that would get, but the pleasantries first. After a long day of hiking on a beautiful Saturday, I was tired after 10 hilly miles. No lunch, so I was looking forward to dinner.

I’ve not had much luck in Philly the last few trips, let down by some highly-rated places and even some tested-and-trusted places that fell apart. So I didn’t know what I’d get at Malbec, a highly-rated Argentinian grill.

I almost got there late as 2 Uber drivers cancelled on me for no reason. I get there just on-time and took a seat at the bar. A friendly bartender provided wonderful service all night.

I looked over the menu and ordered. I figured I’ll drink enough, so ended up getting a bottle of Argentinian red. Relaxed over the wine and waited for my food…and waited…and waited. They were quite busy, and I was in a jovial mood, so I didn’t care much. Then it finally arrived.

And a good staring plate, at least appearance wise.

The morcilla on the right was excellent, lovely flavours. The chinchulines on the left less so, as the kitchen absolutely forgot to season it. But after some salt, it was quite delicious. A good start.

I kept enjoying my wine but slowed down as the long delay means I’m nearly down to my last glass. But just in time, my main shows up.

Tira de asado, fabulous ones. My favourite dish, as I’ve said many time, like my dinner at Bayan Ko earlier in the week. Two servings of short ribs in a week? How good is that?

Destroyed this dish, as well as the salad on the side (I was trying to be good), and I was a happy camper. I had finished my bottle but they comped me a glass for the food delay. But that was a good dinner.

Now for a little dessert…

Too full for more, so some ice cream. Both the dulce de leche and chocolate were excellent, especially with a nice pisco on the side. What an enjoyable dinner, definitely one of the best meals I’ve had in Philly. Aside from some early kitchen hiccups, this was a good night. Great staff too.

I thanks my bartender and headed out very happy. This place I would easily recommend, especially for my fellow carnivores!

Malbec
400 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

* Remember my opening line about how the relatively cheap trip went pear-shaped? Well, another 11 miles of hilly hikes I was ready to go home. Stupid me I bought my return on Frontier (I came on American). And it was delayed by 2 hours…then 4…then 7 hours…before they finally cancelled. Facing a night sleeping in a very dirty PHL terminal, I quickly bought a ticket for a one-way Southwest flight back. It just happened to be at the next gate. Although it cost me almost twice as much as dinner at Malbec, I needed to get home. So what was a relatively cheap trip got screwed by Frontier. I’m an idiot for trying to use them. What a shitty company…

Review #2: Bayan Ko

13 September 2023

A long day at the office, which is often rewarded with a nice dinner. I have an early morning presentation tomorrow, so can’t overdo it. So after hearing about a menu addition at Bayan Ko on social media, I decided to go back (where I had a wonderful dinner a few weeks ago). Even if that means torturing myself on the disgusting Red Line…

Ride was actually not that bad. After switching to the Brown, a little comic relief when an ice cream vendor got on the train with his ice cream cart. That thing provided some much needed cooling in the warm car! I almost asked him if I can buy one!

I jumped off at Montrose and walked to Bayan Ko, a tad early, but in time for their new happy hour. Seeing it, I took advantage of it.

A cocktail in hand, and I was happy. Ordered a few things from the happy hour menu too and soon it started to arrive.

The croquetas, filled with crab, is rather good. I stuck to more of their Filipino side last time I was here, so we moved on to the Cuban/Spanish/Latin side a little more today. Lovely flavours, generous stuffing. I’m usually not the biggest croquette fan, so this is saying plenty!

And also up was some empanadas. I love the mushrooms here, although the filling burned my mouth badly, it was delicious. And plus, from a South American angle, empanadas goes with what?

Yep, this was why I came down. I saw they had short ribs (perfect South American combination) and came in to enjoy it. Oh these are delicious! A tad salty, but a bowl of rice helped. Lovely meat, prepped and cooked very well. Now why can’t more places do this amazing dish? It’s not just Korean, Argentinian, and Hawai’ian places that should do short ribs like this! So delicious!

I slowly devoured the dish and had more wine, of which I switched to a long while ago. Oops. But for the close, I switched to a nice brown cocktail (pictured next to the cocktail I had opening the evening).

I’m so glad they are no longer a BYOB place! This added a wonderful touch to the dessert.

This flan was delicious, the white chocolate and cream cheese playing off each other. So good, and that rum and bourbon cocktail worked super well with this. Oh, I’m happy!

I thanked my excellent server as they started to get very busy, and I was happy to return the big table to them. Hopped into my Lyft with an awesome driver, and this day ended up great, with a rye in hand at home as I closed it out.

Sometimes things just go well.

Bayan Ko
1810 Montrose Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

Review: Volare

8 September 2023

A very long day to end a very long week, even if it was shortened by Labor Day. But not for me, as I was catching up from the very short red-eye flight back from California Tuesday morning. But a long day to end a long week deserves a good dinner, so I walked from my office to one of the best places nearby, Volare.

I tend to not eat Italian when I am outside of Italy as my adoration of Italian dining is such, but Volare is one of the few places I will frequent. I got there at 5pm and it was already a raucous evening, as it appears a lot of other people had long weeks. I sat at the middle of the bar and relaxed once my martini showed up.

Delicious, and needed. I looked over the menu that I’ve seen many times before and ordered. I celebrated the end of a long but good week, and looked forward to my food. My starter soon arrived, the grigliata mista.

Hmmmm, not as good as I’m used to. It’s usually grilled properly and tasting fresh, but today it has the “Friday rush” feel about it. Wasn’t bad, but nowhere as good as it should be. Hope this was an anomaly.

I switched to a wine and had a good chat with some fellow diners before my next dish came.

Primo today is linguine with clams and bottarga. Now this was done way better, the pasta cooked perfectly and an amount of bottarga that made it very much worthwhile. A solid dish, and I was nice and full.

Kept chatting at the bar and had some more wine before having a quick dessert.

Oh my this chocolate is so rich it nearly killed me. Absolutely delicious, not too sweet but just deep as heck. Fabulous end to the evening. A grappa with it, and I’m happy.

A long week ended very nicely indeed. I thanked my usual bartender and hopped on a Lyft. Not as good as usual, but Volare is still a safe place to dine in River North. I’ll try not to come on a too-busy evening next time, but they are always busy, so…

Volare
201 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

A Fitting Farewell to the Bay Area – Review: Patio Filipino

4 September 2023

This has been a long trip in may ways, from the 10-miles-a-day-hilly-hikes start to a few trips down memory lane. Plus some quite good food, but also logistical headaches. I was down to my final day, with it ending at SFO for that short red-eye back to Chicago. I’m gonna be a zombie for work on Tuesday morning…

Another long day that was partially stymied dealing with a friend in crisis, but was happy to help. I had to change my itinerary for the last day, make it far less ambitious. So only a few miles of easy stuff in the afternoon, when it was nice and foggy back up the Peninsula. My lunch plans at Tokemoana’s, which I had to skip due to other logistical issues on my first day, went pear-shaped as there was a long line out the door on this Labor Day. Sigh…

As the evening rolled in, I wanted to get some dinner near SFO. Many of the places I had wanted to go were closed for the holiday, especially those in the city. Oh well. But I chose something that’s always comfortable and safe, Patio Filipino.

It’s easy to get good Filipino food in the Bay Area, especially the north half of the Peninsula. I chose Patio Filipino because it was near the airport and it has a great menu. But I also know the portions, so I would have to stick to one dish and no appetizers…

No booze, as my body has become very intolerant to alcohol when there’s flying involved. I already don’t drink on flights, but I learned the hard way last week going home from Houston that dehydration and booze pre-flight made for a very uncomfortable situation. And I needed to sleep, and booze makes it harder for me to sleep.

I was seated at a quiet table and I asked for a coconut juice. Now that was very refreshing. I ordered and relaxed. I wanted to eat so many of the items on the menu, especially the Filipino specialties, but this international dish tempted me away…

And soon my dish came, lengua champignon.

I love tongue, and this was cooked quite well. I love the olives, which played well with the mushrooms and the sauce. A gigantic plate of rice came with this, and it was enough to kill a table of four. I finished this delicious dish, but half the rice remained.

I was too full for dessert after that, so I ordered a glass of fresh mango juice, which really hit the spot. I thanked the friendly crew and headed out and towards SFO for my very short flight home…

Very much recommended, by the way.

Patio Filipino
1770 El Camino Real
San Bruno, California

* Strange, another relatively empty flight on what should have been a crazy busy travel weekend. And yes, I survived Tuesday back at work, just barely, thanks to the back-to-back-to-back hour-long meetings in the morning…

Not-Quite-a-Review: Hachi Ju Hachi

3 September 2023

A long Sunday. Did some morning hikes, visited with relatives most of the afternoon, so have not been doing the same almost-10-miles-a-day of hikes for once. Then a very nice dinner at Hachi Ju Hachi with a friend.

I’ve had a great meal here before, but didn’t get photos. I’m not in a writing mood today, so I’ll let the pictures (click on them to expand, as always) speak for themselves today…

Needless to say, very highly recommended.

Hachi Ju Hachi
14480 Big Basin Way
Saratoga, California

Review: Leichi

2 September 2023

One of the good things about being in the Bay Area is getting really authentic Asian food. I had a very long day, hiked a rather hilly location and put in about 10 miles in total, so I was knackered. Got to my hotel in Cupertino and after a little rest, I headed out for dinner.

Tonight my dinner destination is Leichi, an izakaya in a non-descript strip mall. I got there and I was given a table, which was nice for a busy Saturday night. I looked at the menu, and realised I will probably eat enough to make a two-top proud! So many things I can’t get easily even in Chicago!

I ordered some stuff and began with a flight of Hakkaisan sake. That hit the spot. I was sore, and needed some relief. Then the food started to arrive.

Namako! Not had sea cucumber since Japan. Not as crunchy as you usually get in Japan, but quite good. I snacked at it as my second dish is warm.

Nankotsu, one of my faves. Chicken cartilage is not something you get easily in the US, but this was quite excellent. One of those dishes I can eat several plates of. And you ask why I saved some of my namako?

For this. They affectionately call this “Hokkaidon” – as it has many of the elements of the classic rice bowl you get on that amazing northern island. I flashed back to when I was there, remembering Kuishimbo [くいしんぼう] in Hakodate, so as I was feasting on this bowl I added some of the namako to bring back the full experience. This is about as close as it gets. It was quite good, and it got me hungrier.

I had a carafe of one of the Hakkaisan sakes anyway, so I ordered more stuff.

Went with the salty stuff so I can drink more. First up was the day’s special otsumami, which was a unique selection of stuff from karasumi (which I love) to two different types of fermented innards. Salty and unique, love it. Drank more! The cream cheese was weird, but kinda worked!

Then some good takowasa, the octopus little low on the wasabi, so I ordered a side of it. I forgot to add it, so – as my readers know I do – I just snacked at the wasabi all night…

And finally, another item you don’t get often, ume suisho – or shark cartilage. Quite nice in this plum-based sauce, also salty, so more drinking!

I was starting to get full, but was having such a good time I decided to close with some sashimi. And it was a nice selection…

An unusual selection to say the least, especially for the US. I’ve not had good raw iwashi (sardine) in a long time, while the sawara (Spanish mackerel) was quite tasty. The shin-ika (“new” squid) was nice, and also the less common hagatsuo (striped bonito) was a treat. Meichidai (large-eye bream) was another nice one, as was the very plump ebi (shrimp). Oh this was so good…

I was full, but decided on a shochu to close. They ended up comping me a snack…

Cheese! Nice, odd, but nice. And then I decided to have a dessert…why not?

This was an excellent green tea ice cream, one of the best I’ve had. What a wonderful way to close the night out! People were still coming in, so they will be busy for awhile despite it nearing last call. I thanked the staff for their excellent work and headed out and back to my hotel by Lyft.

This was a wonderful evening of feasting, and all the calories burned off on the 10-mile hilly hike basically went back in with this dinner. Totally worth it. I so love these unpretentious places that lets the ingredients shine…so much better than some tasting menu fiasco that shows off how “creative” the chefs think they are.

Highly recommended!

Leichi
246 Saratoga Avenue
Santa Clara, California

Review: Prubechu

1 September 2023

My Labor Day weekend started off quite nicely, as I had taken the Friday morning off (my office would have closed at midday anyway) and was off on a cross-country flight. I was fearing the worse, but it was a half-empty flight from Chicago to San Francisco – extremely odd at the start of a holiday weekend. But it worked for me!

Slept through most of the flight as I had only a short nap overnight with a 3am wake-up. But got into SFO refreshed. I won’t bother you with details, but it went a little pear-shaped after that. A long delay later, I was into a place that has a lot of baggage for me, having spent part of my childhood in the area. Everything elicited a reaction, from new construction (“what was there before?”) to having memories (good, but mostly bad) triggered.

Due to me running late, my plans to have lunch at Tokemoana’s, a popular Tongan eatery in San Mateo, couldn’t happen. So I have to push that bag to Labor Day Monday instead. I just powered through the afternoon and eventually checked into my hotel next to the Millbrae BART station.

This was convenient for me to get into the city for dinner, as this evening’s destination is the much-heralded Prubechu. Chamorro/Guamanian cuisine is not heavily represented, so this would be an interesting experience. I took the delayed BART into 16th and Mission. Now since growing up here, that was always the nastiest station in the system on the outside. And as I headed up the escalator, someone was urinating down the staircase.

Welcome to San Francisco.

My goodness, Mission was always bad, but I had to sidestep hustlers, used needles, faeces, as well as 2 I-don’t-know-if-they’ve-just-OD’d-or-these-are-corpses – all within a third of a block of the BART entrance. This is definitely worse than what I remembered.

I walked the few blocks to Prubechu and took a seat inside. I would have preferred outside, but having seen the sheer number of heating lamps outside, I figured inside – even on a cool evening – would be cooler. I relaxed and looked over the unfamiliar menu, even though I did some research beforehand. A nice tropical cocktail served in the cutest vessel helped to move things along.

I ordered 2 starters to see where I go. Frankly I am hungry. I had not eaten since a late lunch the previous day, so it’s been about 36 hours since I last ate. And when the items arrived, I smiled, as I know I ain’t leaving here hungry.

The sweet rolls were delicious, working really well with the special butter that they whipped with coconut vinegar. But the wings were just delicious, loving the preparation. The flavouring was excellent, even without using any of the fina’denne’ (sauce).

However, I did use most of the dinanche’ hot sauce they brought, and even with the rolls. Together with that butter, that made for a heavenly mix. I cleaned up these items and was happy. Should I do more? Yes!

Switching to wine, I ordered a larger item and chilled out. I noticed an adjacent table was doing the tasting menu, and that looked voluminous. Something to do with more people most definitely! But my main course has arrived, tinaktak.

Lovely stuff, the coconut milk base moved the dish along well, the beef and beans adding plenty. The cherry tomatoes were a nice touch too, making for a wonderful combination that made me quite full.

I was happy and full, but was talked into one of the desserts by one of the servers: banana donuts.

Oh nice, these actually reminds me of the malasadas I grew up with in Hawai’i, so that was quite a treat. Delicious, but even more filling. I was stuffed!

I thanked the servers as I headed out full and happy, but a little too full to fight the motley crowd that surrounds the BART station again, lest I poke myself with a needle and need a second dessert of Narcan… So I just took a surprisingly affordable Lyft and departed San Francisco for the final time…

Very much recommended, both to check out for the first time and to revisit!

Prubechu
2224 Mission Street
San Francisco, California