[Alta Dana] [Desserts] Bulgarini Gelato

Bulgarini Gelato

749 E Altadena Dr
Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 791-6174

You can tell they use very high quality ingredients. It's a bit of driving for me (Since I live in OC)..However its worth the drive.

The staffs were very nice, they let us sampled most of the flavors so I know what I really want (seriously, their flavors are more unique than your typical strawberry chocolate vanilla).

I picked pistachio, yellow peach and goat milk. They were very delicious. However my favorite is the yellow peach. They have tiny chunks of peaches in there and the slight tangy flavor with the nature sweetness of peach is the highlight of the gelato. Pistachio is much better than other gelato's pistachio. Seriously not many stores in LA can come close to their pistachio gelato.

They also offers espresso, made to order. I was surprised that their gelato charged by flavors , not by scoops. So, some costs more , some are less. Its still worth it. Their scoop is alot smaller than other store's Gelato but I can total tolerate since Quality is over Quantity to me :)

They have Gelato truck at Yamashiro Restaurant every Thursday. Check their website for latest offerings.

[Gardena] [Japanese Cuisine] Umemura Restaurant - 手工自製拉麵店

Umemura Restaurant

1724 W Redondo Beach Blvd
Gardena, CA 90247

(310) 217-0970

- I like it when my ramen broth is HOT

- I like it when my ramen soup is thick but not porky in taste

- I like it when they make their own ramen noodle

- I like the fast and friendly service

- I like it when the price:quality ratio is good.

- Big Portion too! Enough for a guy

- Their miso ramen is really good. Full of white miso flavor in my mouth and NOT GREASY.

Enough being said. I feel this place is a good place to have lunch at. Ample parking , many options to choose from, consistent in quality.

I agree that there isn't much that really stand out from the other ramen joints nearby, but the food is still above average.

I also ordered their fried rice and their Gyoza. Their gyoza is pretty good too and fried rice...makes me hungry when I am writing this.

minus one star for chashu pork slice in their ramen. Its not juicy / tender enough.

[Monterey Park] [Chinese Cuisine] Dean Sin World 姊妹點心世界

Dean Sin World

306 N Garfield Ave #2
Monterey Park, CA 91754

(626) 571-0636

For More Pictures of this restaurant, please refer to http://travelsmart8.blogspot.com/2010/08/monterey-park-chinese-cuisine-dean-sin.html

This place is definitely a hole in a wall type of business. Cheap price, decent service (if you can speak Chinese fluently) and the food are fresh and good. Their Xiao Long Bao is a must have. Their meat is actually better quality meat and they are the main distributor to many restaurants that serve XLB nearby, but other places charges you more money for stuff thats coming out of the same kitchen.

Their postickers are good too. Nice, juicy filling and crispy exterior. I am not a pot sticker lover myself but this place wins me over.

Complimentary peanuts with seaweeds for dine in customers.

I noticed many customers come in to inquire about their Buns (steamed vegetable buns) but they were sold out when we were there. I guess it is a must try next time when I am here?

Cash Only, and you know why ;)

[Alhambra] [Chinese Cuisine] Luscious Dumpling - 潤豐元餃子店

Luscious Dumplings

704 W Las Tunas Dr
San Gabriel, CA 91776

(626) 282-8695

Inexpensive quality Chinese meal. Specialized in dumplings and noodles.

This is one of the few places where foreigners can order with confidence since the staffs there are all second (or third) generation Chinese. So they will explain your inquiries. However, as others mention, their menu is simple (and short) and the foods do run out fast. Their famous Steamed Soup dumplings were gone when I arrived. They suggest to come before 5:30pm on weekdays, perhaps even earlier on weekends.

They have combo where you can select any noodles, plus choice of dumplings. My favorite is the pork, shrimp and chive dumplings. Its very fresh and juicy. Thats how I like my dumplings to be make. Their pan friend dumplings are great too, its very very juicy which beats other restaurants hands down.

Everything is good here, but it lacks of an wow factor. I wish they have a dish that can make me said "WOW , its mind blowing good!!! " However, for the price and the quality that they presented, I still recommend this place.

Cash Only, just like most Chinese shops in the area (and you know whats up ;).

[Los Angeles] [Japanese Cuisine] Happy Cup Ramen Truck

Happy Cup Ramen Truck

twitter.com/HappyCupRamen

For more pictures of this place, please refer to (http://travelsmart8.blogspot.com/2010/07/los-angeles-japanese-cuisine-happy.html)

I happened to see this ramen truck on the way heading back home. This truck reminds me of what we used to see back in Asia (A small stand selling only few items).

Food trucks became extremely popular over this past year (esp. Koji Taco). However, its still predominately Mexican/American or Korean Food. Japanese food wise, its completely left out in this region until Happy Cup Ramen showed up.

I had horrible experience eating at Mottainai Ramen few days ago where everyone in our party left sick (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). Since then, I am intrigued to try out this new ramen joint.

This Ramen truck as been running for 2 to 3 months. By a Japanese guy who used to owned a restaurant in South bay area, then supervised and Shinsengumi for approx 6 months. The menu offered plenty items for a food truck! From Ramen ( 7 different flavors) to Fried rice, curry rice, fried items..etc. Price is on average about $6.50.

Now to the Core. ** Note this is a Food Truck, so I have taken off service component or the presentation part from the review.

Tonkotsu Ramen (Rich Pork Broth) - It was served with bean sprout, a slice of chashu pork. The Noodle was good in terms of firmness and they used the typical ramen noddle (wavy one, so it can pick up the soup easily). BBQ pork (chashu) was tender, but not the point that will melt in your mouth. The broth, however, was not as Rich/Thick as I expected. Its somewhat thin, but I can still taste the chicken/pork broth. I think the owner altered the taste a bit so it is not as salty as compares to traditional Japanese broth. However, for late night eats (8pm to 3am), its fast, simple and delicious for what you are paying for (and pretty authentic, too).

Like others suggested. This place is not fancy, but its definitely a solid Ramen joint. Next time if you happen to be in the area and feeling hungry? Give it a try.

You can follow them on Twitter @HappyCupRamen

[Gardena] [Japanese Cuisine] Mottanani Ramen

Mottainai Ramen

1630 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Ste 9
Gardena, CA 90247

(310) 538-3250

For more pictures, please look up Chinese Version of the Review (http://travelsmart8.blogspot.com/2010/07/gardena-japanese-cuisine-mottanani.html)

Lack of Flavor, Lukewarm, Greasy Ramen Broth. Overcooked Thick Noodle, Strong Smell Chashu Pork slices (YUCK) = Nasty After taste. Do they put MSG in their broth too?? Not good for your health!!

**** I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE****

Came here per Rameniac's recommendation. Came with friends so we can get a fair evaluation of this place. I also read people's review in regards to how good every little dishes are over here...etc etc etc....Its simply the biggest disappointment in years. The following review sums up the comments from my peers and I.

1. The Broth were ALL luke warm when it was served (Shoyu, Miso and Tonkotsu).
2. The Broth were too Greasy, it gives nasty after taste when it was not hot.
3. The Chashu Pork was the MOST PORKY part of the ramen. It has a strong porky after taste, makes me think they must bought some cheap pork, I had upset stomach all night thanks to the strong aftertaste from the pork , NOT the soup.
4. The noodle that they used in the shoyu ramen was nice in firmness, but it taste like the ones we bought in vacuum pack. The thicker noodle can not pick up the soup well.
5. The Gyoza has nice fillings, however it was not perfectly grilled. It was sticky so when we picked up with chopstick, it breaks easily.
6. Last but not least, the Magic "Bomb" does not make any magic when the soup is not hot. It simply can not dissolved well in the bowl with the temperature of the soup. Its just a market gimmick.

I do not know how people would give high rating for this place. Perhaps I came on the bad days? or the owners changed strategy since soft opening or???

I have to give props to their service. Thats the reason that I am giving them a star. A ramen store that does not make good ramen, its like a disaster.

[Costa Mesa] [Japanese Cuisine] Sushi Shibucho

Sushi Shibucho

590 W 19th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

(949) 642-2677

High quality sushi + Very Reasonable Price in Orange County = Hidden Gem.

I wouldn't think this place as "sushi nazi" as others suggested. In fact, I do agree with others this is a very quiant, homey feel sushi joint. It seems like this place is run by family members, but uncertain.

However, the owner does not like people to talk on the cell phone while eating. He will "politely" to remind you. Just be respectful and he will do the same.

I was here for dinner and since we arrived early, we did not have to wait to be seated. However, towards 7-ish. All the seats were taken, and this is during a weekday night. Can imagine how packed this will be during weekend.

I ordered the Omakase sushi at the bar. It was served piece by piece. I mentioned that I want more "traditional" flair, which he did not disappoint me with. I was presented with fresh fishes from tuna, salmon, real tai (red snapper) with skin, orange clam, shrimp, sea urchin, mackerel, halibut, pike, eel, etc. The quality of the fish were very solid. I feel I am getting a very good quality fish for the price that was charging. Its definitely one of the better sushi joints in the area.

This place, however, is lack of exotic/unique fish. Its more on the safe side, but then, that's at chef's discretion since they are very clear to keeping this a family-style sushi joint.

I think some people get offended because they think sushi joints should offer cocktails, serve spider roll or philidelphia rolls. This is more like a traditional sushi joint unlike those "Asian/Japanese Fusions" or Korean owned sushi joint that will create creative rolls. However, this is definitely a place to visit if you are in the area and serious about eating sushi.

If you sit at the table, you can also order Omakase set, which is beautifully presented and delicious to eat too.

This is one of the few sushi restaurants that still holds its belief of running sushi joint in very traditional way, and I respect chef's decision and highly recommend for those who lives around the area and wants some high quality sushi for reasonable price.

For More pictures of this restaurant, please click (http://travelsmart8.blogspot.com/2010/07/costa-mesa-japanese-cuisine-sushi.html)