ramblings of a Seattle travel, food and photography hound
After taking care of some personal business, we stopped at Golden Deli to have pho. As usual, the place was packed and there was a waiting list (15-20 minutes, the lady said). Then, we noticed right next door a Japanese restaurant, called Ton-Chan, that specializes in Tokyo tonkotsu ramen. So rather than wait, we decided... Continue Reading →
The O.G. Thai Slaw Dog put Slaw Dog, a hot dog restaurant located in Pasadena, on the food scene in So Cal. The Food Network chimed in with a segment. The menu strikes you with this: choices, choices, choices. Not only is the standard list extensive, but you can even create your own from a... Continue Reading →
It was a surprise to me—and probably a lot of other people, too—when I learned from my wife's cousin that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in all of America. Even more than Grand Canyon, Yosemite or Yellowstone. Hard to fathom. One big reason is that there is no fee to enter... Continue Reading →
North of Redmond, rock climbers flock to Smith Rock State Park to scale the spectacular vertical walls of hardened volcanic tuff. We made a brief stop here on the way home, even though I was under the weather with chills and body aches. Probably against better judgment, I decided we should take the brief hike... Continue Reading →
Among xiao long bao (XLB) fanatics, Din Tai Fung has a cult-like following. After having been highly successful in Taiwan, it opened branches in other parts of the world, most notably in Asia and the South Pacific. Then in 1993, the New York Times voted it one of the ten best restaurants in the world. The... Continue Reading →
Chef Lisa Nakamura has impressive credentials, having served under Thomas Keller (The French Laundry) and Jerry Traunfeld (The Herbfarm). When the opportunity arose to take over Christina's, the venerable and highly regarded restaurant on Orcas Island, with a stunning view overlooking East Sound, she jumped at the chance and opened Allium this year. You always... Continue Reading →
Located at the rear of a building of shops, Chimayo's is difficult to find. We happened across it a few years ago when strolling through the complex. We probably weren't the first, but it's easy to mistake it as a Mexican restaurant, when in fact the emphasis is on Southwest cooking. For me, and I... Continue Reading →
It is claimed that the best food in Thailand is served by street vendors, especially in Bangkok. A melting pot of cuisines from many Asian nations, including Cambodia, Burma, Laos, India and the Malaysian archipelago, but primarily Thai-Chinese in influence, Thai street food is a cultural phenomenon and an adventure. One restaurant in nearby Redmond... Continue Reading →
It's usually fruitful to ask the locals where to go for the best place to eat. A few years ago, a Hispanic clerk at the state liquor store pointed us to Taqueria Yungapeti up the street for a great place to find soft tacos. From outward appearances, the restaurant must have been a fast-food joint... Continue Reading →
zoomeboshi 