Sushi-Ran - Japanese, Sausalito

107 Caledonia St, Sausalito CA 94965
(415) 332-3620
Parking: street parking
Hours: Lunch - Mon to Fri 11:45 am to 2:30pm, Dinner - Mon to Saturday 5:30 to 11pm, Sunday 5pm to 10:30pm
http://www.sushiran.com/

Last Visited: October 4, 2009

Food: 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 to 5 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$$

Sushi Ran has an outstanding reputation in the San Francisco Bay Area.  It received a Michelin star in 2006.  Numerous people have told me to try it - Alison, James, and more have all said great things about it. This Monday evening, we decided to try it out with friends A&S (who were great company because they were very adventurous – as usual).

The Sausalito location is great with one side being the restaurant with sushi bar and the building next door decorated with the same style being the wine bar. I asked the host what the difference between the two locations was and he indicated that some of the specials are not available on the wine bar side, so of course, we selected to sit within the restaurant. We came when it opened and found it to be a fairly relaxed atmosphere. Jazz played on the sound system, and the light colored wood surroundings with simple stoneware on display as well as painted calligraphy gave the restaurant a very authentic Asian feel. One thing I found interesting was the diverse wait staff. There were Japanese people at the sushi bar, a few Japanese waitresses, and of course, the owner, but for the most part, a little bit of every part of the world seemed to be represented by the wait staff.

Sushi Ran owner Yoshi Tome is present in his restaurant – even on a Monday evening. Executive chef Scott Whitman seems to be more behind the scenes, but his artistic and flavorful presentations are apparent on the table. More information about these two are available on the Sushi Ran website. The restaurant has been given multiple distinctions and honors, and the food certainly shows why.

When you arrive, you are promptly shown to your table if you have made reservations. The tables are simply decorated with a small clay teapot for soy sauce that sits on a square dish, a decorative blue and white soy sauce dish, a white cloth napkin, and a pair of chopsticks at each setting enveloped by a green Sushi Ran paper cover. After sitting down with your menus, you receive a warm steamed towel on a bamboo rack. The menu offers chef’s specialties, omikase (similar to a tasting menu of sushi – chef’s choice) platters, cooked items, nigiri sushi, desserts, teas, and more. We picked a selection from each of these areas.

- Miso Soup – Large bowls of flavorful miso soup contain firm tofu and fresh chopped scallions. Good and nice temperature (hot). $3

- Seaweed Salad – Seaweed is seasoned with sesame oil, a light touch of chili oil, and sprinkled with toasted white sesame seeds. It is served in a square decorative bowl next to daikon radish. Daikon radish is cut fine and sprinkled with toasted black sesame. The seaweed salad had a nice flavor throughout and excellent crunch. The daikon acts as a good palate cleanser between bites or between dishes as well as providing a texture contrast. Fresh and delicious. $8

- Kobe Beef Carpaccio – This is a must have dish. A white rectangular dish painted with spicy sauce is covered with a single layer of super thin slices of Kobe beef. Shaved slices of marinated onion are placed in the center of the raw meat and topped with arugula leaves and a few daikon sprouts. The onions and arugula are lightly dressed in a savory vinegar/black pepper vinaigrette. Olive oil is lightly drizzled on the plate. The Kobe beef melts in your mouth. The onions and arugula accent the raw meat and the flavors marry nicely. The photo below shows this dish in the background. Absolutely a must have. $13.50

- Grilled Calamari Tentacles – Nine tentacles from a large calamari are grilled and served pointing outward from a body of light orange aioli on a white plate with rounded edges. Think asterisk and you’ll know what it looks like. The aioli is sprinkled with finely chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds. The grilled calamari is brown in color and the contrast on the plate makes the presentation stand out. The aioli is very full flavored with hints of mustard and just a little kick. Smooth and flavorful, it would make for an excellent dip for other items as well. A fun presentation and a strong flavor. The people at our table enjoyed trying other items with the aioli – such as the arugula and the daikon radish to soak up the flavor. Good. $4.50

- Tempura Vegetables – Of all the dishes, I found this one to be my second to least favorite. The seven tempura vegetables are served leaning against the dipping sauce bowl. Although the color is lightly golden as it should be, the vegetables were asparagus, carrot, yam, broccoli, shitake mushroom, and lettuce. If you just read the previous sentence and raised an eyebrow, you know exactly what went wrong. Lettuce and broccoli are not authentic tempura vegetables. Several items to note – the other tempura vegetables were very good – crispy not soggy. All of the vegetables were deep-fried well with the exception of the zucchini which was slightly overdone on one end. The lettuce couldn’t be tasted – what was nice about the lettuce was that it remained green without burning and was more of a showpiece than anything else since you really couldn’t taste the lettuce at all. The broccoli – well, it’s still broccoli and not a tempura vegetable, at least not in my mind. Other tempura options are prawns and French beans. $7

- Unajyu (Water Eel) – This is one of the chef’s specialties. Five pieces of eel are placed over picked yellow daikon, pickled green cucumbers, and pickled carrots. All of this is placed over rice that contains teriyaki sauce and the ingredients are contained in a pretty box. The box is brought to the table and the lid is uncovered once it arrives to reveal the goodies inside. I had expected a different type of eel since in the past, I have had excellent water eel that looked completely different. This one looked a lot like unagi – toasted and brown. The overall flavor was nice and the fish was flaky. The vegetables gave the flavor an added zing. The rice is abundant and this dish could easily fill you up by itself. It’s great for sharing. $13

Nigiri Sushi- Maguro – Deep red fresh tuna is placed over rice. Very clean and fresh flavors. Very good. $8

- Sake – Marinated salmon is placed over rice with a bitter green in between. Another very nice, clean, fresh flavor. The fish melts in your mouth and the bitter green adds a distinctness to it that draws out the sake flavor. Very good. $7.50

- Unagi – The unagi pieces were large, and softer than the water eel. The unagi comes out warm and flaky also. You can see that the presentation is exceptional. Very nice. $8

- Spicy Tuna Roll – The spicy tuna roll contains crisp cucumber and fresh pink fish. This tuna is not nearly as red as that for the maguro nigiri sushi. I had cleansed my palate with ginger, but the roll still lacked spiciness. I tried a second piece and found the flavor remained the same. Fair. It had fresh flavor, but lacked spiciness. I also verified with the waiter that it was a spicy tuna roll, and he confirmed. I wouldn’t order this one again despite its freshness. $9

Sandy described the evening’s dishes with one word – “Exquisite.” I would agree that the presentation and flavors are indeed exquisitely done. The dishes are served one by one, although sometimes there’s not enough time between plates, but that’s still okay since many are cold dishes. In general, portions are quite large for sushi. Presentation is a major focus, and each plate is a work of art. They are absolutely delicious and the fish is high quality and very fresh. As the evening continued, the restaurant soon filled up and the music is overshadowed by the buzz of the other patrons. There is also a tendency to feel that the room is a bit crowded since the tables are spaced fairly close together. We were near one especially loud table which required us to raise our voices a bit, but overall, the evening was splendid. Service can be a bit sparse at times, but they did a great job with filling water glasses and removing plates. If you try to ask your server a question as they walk by, you may notice that they aren’t paying attention because they’re scanning the room for something else, but this was a minor offense since the noise level prevents one from hearing well. Also, the other offense was made when I left. When the four of us left the restaurant, the host only said goodbye to the male in our party. I felt he should have acknowledged all of us. There is room for improvement in the area of service and in the spiciness of the spicy tuna roll.

For my second visit, I sat at the sushi bar. It’s important that when you make reservations, you clearly state that you want to sit at the sushi bar in order to get a spot. What’s nice about sitting at the sushi bar is that you find out right away what is and isn’t available. If you’re eating on a budget, one of the pitfalls of this is that they make the dish and then tell you that it’s a different version of the fish you requested – for example, I ordered regular maguro and was given hon-maguro. This version was also very tasty and still tuna, but also more expensive, so be wary of this. Service at the sushi bar is not as social as I would have liked it to be, but it’s still courteous. They’re much more chatty with the regulars.

Nigiri Sushi
- Hon-Maguro (Blue Fin Tuna) – Two very red and fresh tasting pieces of hon-maguro are placed on top of rice. It’s brushed with the chef’s soy sauce. Very good. $9.50

- Hamaichi – The regular hamaichi was also very fresh, but not as tender as the wild one. $8.50

- Wild hamaichi – The wild hamaichi is darker than the regular and also brushed in the chef’s soy sauce. It’s much more tender than the regular version and has a clean flavor. Very good. Market price.

- Sake - Wild salmon – The wild salmon is a little more orange than regular and is also a bit more tender than regular. Very good. $9.50

- Toro (fatty tuna) – Although the toro was still tender, I would opt for the hon-maguro or perhaps another fish. The part of the fat was not so tender because I ended up having a more difficult time chewing it. In relative terms, for the price you pay, you’re better off trying the hon-maguro instead. Okay. $15.50

- Japanese Barracuda – Though I didn’t try it, my friend likened it to ambrosia. It’s on my must try list for next time.

- Umi Masu (Tasmanian ocean trout) - This isn't something I see often on sushi menus, but it turned out to be very good. $8.50

- Mirugai (long neck clam) - I've really come to enjoy ordering this every time I get sushi - if fresh, it's slightly crisp in texture which can be very lovely. Great. $8.50

I again ordered the Kobe Beef Carpaccio and it was still very delicious. It wasn’t as novel as the first time, but still wonderful.

- Omakase sashimi – I didn’t have this dish, but my friend did. The plating is gorgeous and the fish is very good. Although, the aji was chopped into very tiny pieces and served in a mound which was unusual. $33

- Miso Glazed Black Cod - Small pieces of melt in your mouth cod is served over bloomsdale spinach. While it's currently moved to the entree section and is now served over noodles, when I had it, it was just cod over spinach. The pieces were super delicious and flavorful - the glaze complemented the fish so well. However, the portion was tiny - I could probably eat three of these and still have room for other food. If you have the mindset that you're getting a tasting and not an entree, you'll feel better about the portion and price. This is one of those dishes you would love to be able to make at home and have all of the time. $20.50

- Trio of Custards – Coconut Caramelized Banana, Espresso, Orange Ginger – The trio of custards is good, but not what I expected. For the coconut caramelized banana, the custard could have passed for vanilla. The two banana slices on top were indeed caramelized, but they overpower the coconut flavor which is so light in the first place. The espresso custard is not as soft as the first, but still very creamy. It has a full flavor and I would recommend eating the custards in the order listed above, otherwise it’s very overpowering compared to the first. I liked the flavor intensity of the espresso custard. The orange ginger had the best texture in that the creaminess was not overpowering, but it had little orange flavor and was topped with what seemed to be a chocolate custard. The ginger flavor is present but not strong. Good. $6

- Chocolate Bombe - (which isn’t available every night as I have personally experienced) is one of the best desserts – highly recommended by the sushi chef who was also disappointed to hear that it wasn’t available. It's rich creamy chocolate ice cream covered in a chocolate shell. Delicious.

Service at the sushi bar is very fast in terms of refilling tea and clearing plates, but as the evening continues, it’s difficult to get the servers’ attention. They’re incredibly busy and aren’t as available.

Note that the sushi bar side has a much wider menu selection, including a wider sushi selection. The wine bar side is open half an hour earlier, so if you’re hungry, you can start there and move to the other side later.

Sushi Ran offers a wonderful eye catching and delicious experience for dinner. I would strongly suggest making reservations. Very good food in a nice setting, with the specialty being fresh fish and creative dishes. Prices have jumped up by anywhere from $1.50 to $4 in the last three years - in some cases, this is reasonable, but in general, it's a very expensive meal. I would love to come more often, but the cost is a bit prohibitive even though the quality is excellent. It's still worth it for a special occasion. I will definitely return.

The Golden Fleece - Pub, London, United Kingdom

8 Queens St
London, EC4N 1SP
Tel: 08721 077 077
Nearest Tube: Bank or Mansion House
Restaurant Hours: Mon - Friday 11:30am - 8pm
http://www.traditionalpubslondon.co.uk/goldenfleece/index.php

Last Visited: July 7, 2010

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$

We had just toured the Bank of England and had begun to roam around the area seeking some lunch. I hadn't had any pub food yet and with not much nearby, I was looking for just about any place that had seating and decent food. It's remarkable how much the Brits are into sandwiches. Pret A Manger abounds around every corner, almost like a Starbucks sighting in California - they're everywhere you look. As we were walking towards the next tube station, we came upon The Golden Fleece. A number of people whom looked like they were a business bunch were inside enjoying a beer during their lunch, and it seemed as good a place as any. Little did I know that after lunch, we would find a bunch more cafes just around the corner, but this turned out to be a good find.

Inside, there is a lot of wood, and it's fairly spacious - just as you would expect a classic pub to look like. There were signs of world cup celebrations and happy hours around the tables and the bar. The menu offered fish and chips, burgers, sandwiches, baked potatoes with toppings, and a number of dishes great for sharing.

Unaccustomed to the pub scene in England, we didn't realize that nobody comes to your table. The waitress shouted to us that we needed to come up to the bar to order. Apparently, the long time we spent staring at the menus was a sure sign of our ignorance of pub etiquette.

Upon ordering, salads and main courses arrived about fifteen minutes later.

- Side Salad - The side salad had lettuce, spring mix, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and olives. The Italian dressing was good and the vegetables were surprisingly very fresh. It was a great salad to start the meal and a great price too. 2.50 pounds

- Stuffed Pork Sausages and Mash - Of course, we had to have our mandatory bangers and mash - we were at a pub after all. Three Suffolk sausages are cooked until brown and placed on a bed of mashed potatoes on top of a pool of red onion gravy. Maybe it was the simplicity of the dish, but it was hearty and good. The sausage filling was tender and the flavors were just right - not too salty. Good stuff.

If you're ever in area of Bank, it's a good stop for some classic pub specialties in a sit down environment which was seemingly rather difficult to find in the immediate area. And if you happen to have a very large group, there is another large room downstairs where private events may be held.

Hana - Japanese, Rohnert Park

Best: Sushi in Sonoma County

101 Golf Course Dr
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 586-0270
Parking: in shopping center
Closed Mondays
http://www.hanajapanese.com/

Last Visited: August 23, 2003

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

When you walk into Hana, you are greeted by the sushi chefs, and although the place seems bigger from outside, you’ll find it’s a bit cozy. The sushi bar is on your left and all the available sushi and specials are listed on individual wood placards on the wall.

- Unagi sushi – Good flavor. Nice color. We were just very happy with it. $5 for two pieces

- Inari – Deep-fried tofu pouches served with soup stock. If you like Chinese fried tofu pouches that have been soaked in stock, you’ll like these, but they’re a little pricey considering you’re eating tofu. $4

- Sake Kawa makimono (sushi roll)– Salmon skin is toasted/grilled and served in a sushi roll with daikon sprouts and pickled root. Just a little bit of crunch with the warm salmon skin. Very good. $6

- Spicy tuna roll – Tuna with a spicy mayonnaise. All the makimono are good, so you really can’t go wrong. $6

- Tempura Soba – Buckwheat noodles in a hot broth served with vegetables and on the side, two prawn tempura. The prawn tempura were a bit soggy – not a problem if you put it in the soup right away, but I like to eat the tempura while it’s crunchy, so the tempura itself was disappointing. The soba noodles were good and the broth is really piping hot, so that was good. It’s a bit on the pricey side for noodle soups though. $10

The overall experience was good. I would definitely go back again. They’re probably the best sushi place in Sonoma County or at the least, second best. The best thing about Hana was the tea - a nice, delicate flavor. I wish they would have left a pot of tea with us, but it’s about service. Every time our cups went empty, there was the wait staff pouring, but they weren’t obtrusive about it. It was a great dining experience.

Rock and Sole Plaice - Fish and Chips, London, UK

Best: Fish & Chips

45 Endell Street
Covent Garden, London, WC2H9AJ, United Kingdom
020 7836 3785
Parking: limited street parking; Nearest Tube: Covent Garden

Last Visited: July 6, 2010

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

History points to fish and chips starting in London around 1861. Rock & Sole Plaice opened in 1871 and is known for being London's third 'chippie' ever. Their menu even tells the story of how the facility was used as a meeting place for the Fish Fryer's Federation to discuss supplies during World War II, specifically which areas devastated by bombings would need their morale boosted as those left homeless would need hot food distribution. So you feel a bit like you're getting more than just fish and chips when you come to Rock & Sole.

When we arrived about 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon, the place was packed. All of the tables outside were full with both a combination of tourists and locals. I say tourists because there were many people there whom didn't seem to speak English as their first language or were carrying a tour book. Rock & Sole takes street seating beyond the usual - here you are, right next to the cars going by and hoping that nobody hits you. Unfortunately, the smell of gasoline mingles with that of cigarette smoke, but it is London after all - just one of those unavoidable things in public.

Rock & Sole came recommended by Lawrence, a buddy from college whom is staying in London. We were fortunate to arrive within a few minutes of a group that was about to vacate their table, and we sat down to peruse the menu which offered regular sized and large for all of their fish with the except of halibut which just comes in one size. All of the fish here comes served with chips; the fish availble include cod, skate, haddock, rock, plaice, halibut and lemon sole. If your friends love fish and chips, but it's not your favorite, never fear. They also offer pies like steak and kidney pie, chicken and onion pie, and other savory dishes like cornish pastie and beef sausage. They also have crispy coated cheese - who can refuse friend cheese?

Service was just so-so today as all of the tables were full and the staff seemed to be running a bit ragged. I saw one member dash across the street to the convenience store for a quart of milk. Tartar sauce and ketchup are put in stainless steel containers on each table, but we were low on tartar sauce and had to ask for more.

- Fried Calamari - Six pieces of calamari are lightly battered and served with a wedge of lemon. Some of the calamari was exposed when it was served because the breading hadn't stayed with it and I was at first hesitant because it looked dry. Fortunately for me, I was wrong and the pieces were meaty and juicy. Very good. The picture shows that the pieces are fairly large too - an extra bonus. 4 pounds

- Fried Cod & Chips - The cod was very good and it was served with chips that were good. The fish is battered just right with enough coating that despite sitting for a few minutes on the plate - none of the batter gets soggy, and it stayed crunchy throughout my meal. The cod was excellent - it was so fresh and flaky; the texture was not the slightest bit dense or mushy. The chips were crispy on the outside and good on the inside. I like my fries to be just a touch crispier, but these were still quite good. There are so many fries, you are bound to be full if you eat them all. Regular 11.50 pounds, Large 13 pounds

- Fried Haddock & Chips - They had run out of the regular sized fish, so I went for the large. You can see, large is pretty big. See cod description above. The haddock was equally flaky and fresh. Regular 11.50 pounds, Large 13
pounds

- Fried Onion Rings (8) - While the rings look a bit small, and maybe even a little dry, looks can be deceiving. These rings are sweet with just the right amount of breading. Good stuff. 1.70 pounds

I wanted to leave room for dessert, but there was no way that was going to happen. I was completely stuffed. The check took a while to come, and it seemed to be the result of just having a full house with only two people waiting tables. I would highly recommend Rock & Sole. While the prices are slightly on the high side, there is no better way to really feel like you're experiencing London than to have a really good meal of fish and chips. Another bonus - Scoop is just around the corner and so much gelato awaits - if you have room that is.

David Paul's Lahaina Grill - Hawaiian Fusion, Maui, Hawaii

127 Lahainaluna Road
Lahaina, Maui, HI, 94761-1502
(808) 667-5117, (800) 360-2606
Parking: street parking, nearby pay parking lots
http://www.lahainagrill.com/

Last Visited: July 4, 2003

Food: 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$$$$

David Paul’s is the place to go if you plan to splurge on any dining event. Whether it be a nice dinner or lunch, you will get exquisite food for an equivalently exquisite price. If you want to splurge just that much more, go for the Chef’s Tasting Menu ($74). You are guaranteed a treat, but you also need to have a hearty appetite. The tasting menu also comes with the choice of seafood or meat courses and both are delightful.

Service at David Paul’s is attentive. They are accustomed to a wide clientele and the casual atmosphere is welcoming. The colors are fresh and clean – teals, ivories, and whites. The bar is in the front of the restaurant. The art is present, but I found the dishes being served to be more eye-catching than anything else.

- The Cake Walk – Three petite towers – Kona lobster crab cake, Lousiana rock shrimp cake, and seared ahi cake - are presented on a white rectangular plate. Each tower is dressed with its own sauces and decorations and each contains a tower of flavor. I particularly enjoyed the crab cake with its avocado relish and mustard cream as well as the ahi on a small bed of rice. This is a must try dish. $19

- Eggplant Napoleon – This is another one of those towers. Another mountain of flavor made of thinly sliced morsels of smoked mozzarella, mushrooms, olives, roasted peppers, and to tie it all together, a tomato-balsamic vinaigrette. It was hard to taste each ingredient individually, but you’re definitely going for a full flavored extravaganza in all these dishes. $14

- Baby Romaine Caesar Salad – Pretty standard overall. Served in the classic way with whole romaine hearts that are dressed with standard dressing and asiago cheese. If you love Caesar, go for it, but it’s definitely worth opting out for another more exotic item. $12

- Tequila Shrimp and Firecracker rice – The presentation of this dish is great. The rice molded with the fiery rice – southwestern flavor - on one side and white rice on the other to create an attractive display. The tequila shrimp is butterflied and it tastes great. $31

- Maui Onion Crusted Seared Ahi – I really enjoyed the texture created by the onion crust on this ahi. The sweetness of the onion goes well with the delicate flavor of the fish. Excellent. This dish is served with rice and seasonal vegetables. A dish that must be tried. $39

- Sauteed Mahi Mahi – The fish is served with spinach, pancetta, gorgonzola, and mashed potatoes. The fish was cooked very nicely and the flavors of the other items complement the fish well. $37

- Center Cut Veal Chop – The veal is served with wild mushrooms and a truffle risotto. This dish was also done nicely. I preferred the seafood dishes over the meat dishes – possibly because I was thinking I’m on an island surrounded by water – seafood is the focus here. Certainly, there was nothing to complain about. $39

- Steak Christian – See above. The steak was served with a prawn and garlic mashed potatoes. The sauce was béarnaise with a demi-glace of port wine. The steak was also done nicely, but again, I really enjoyed the seafood. $39

- Kalua Duck – Of the three meat dishes, the kalua duck is the one to get. The crisp skin is what got me. The confit of duck leg is served in a plum wine reduction. Both succulent and tender, the duck is done extremely well. It comes with wild rice and seasonal vegetables also. This is a must try dish. $29

- Triple Berry Pie – I’m not a big berry fan, but if you are, you’ll like this one a lot. Raspberries, blackberries, and black currants are combined and baked in a pie. It’s berry berry all around. $12

- Road to Hana, Maui – Layers of light and fluffy chocolate cake are topped with an even fluffier chocolate sour cream mousse and all is covered in a chocolate shell. It’s a mound of heaven for any chocolate lover, and if you aren’t a chocolate fanatic, you might become one. This is still a must try dessert. $12

- Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee – For me, this wasn’t an outstanding crème brulee, but it was a very good crème brulee. If you’re deciding what to get, opt for the Road to Hana. Custard is infused with Tahitian vanilla beans and the top of the custard is sprinkled with sugar which is cooked to a golden brown. This was a little on the darker side, but the custard was still good. $10

The only bad thing about David Paul’s is that it can be a bit crowded. Tables are put in fairly close quarters, and it’s time to get somewhat cozy with your neighbors. They are literally inches away. If I could do one thing to improve the experience, I would provide a sorbet to my patrons to clear their palates between courses. Then the full flavor experienced can be discovered with each dish. All in all, David Paul’s is a must try for me, especially the Cake Walk appetizer, the Maui Onion Crusted Seared Ahi, Kalua duck, and the Road to Hana dessert.

Ba Le - Asian fast food, sandwiches, Maui

270 Dairy Road
Kahului, Maui, HI (Located in the Kau Kau Food Court in Maui Marketplace on Dairy Road)
(808) 877-2400
Parking: in shopping center

Last Visited: July 2003

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: not rated
Service: not rated
Price: $ to $$

Ba-Le is a fast food chain, but I’m writing for those visiting Maui. If you need a quick fix, the Kau Kau Food Court in Maui Marketplace in Kahului is a great place. The food at Ba-Le is typical Asian but is Hawaiian due to the mixed plate combos. The other food court stands have a wide offering from typical fries and burgers to pho.

- Short ribs – This is a good example of Ba Le fast food. Short Ribs cooked Korean style is served with steamed rice and macaroni salad. It’s not the best quality, but better than most of the fast food chains you find in California. If only fast food could be found like this all over the place, especially at the cafeteria at work - I would be ecstatic.

I hear that Ba-Le also offers sandwiches, but I didn’t get the chance to try them. It’s a great stop if you want something fast and delicious. Not top quality overall, but at the top of my list for any fast food.

Lemongrass Chen's - Asian, Maui, Hawaii

1378 Kahoma St
Lahaina, Maui, HI
(808) 667-6888
Parking: limited spaces in parking lot

Last Visited: July 6, 2003

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Lemongrass is located behind the large shopping center parking lot in Lahaina. Look for Hilo Hattie’s, and the parking lot exit is across the street from Lemongrass. Formerly Lemongrass on Main Street, the restaurant size has scaled down, but the food is still high quality. There is a large window which during summer, is left open which gives a feeling of eating outside as the gentle breeze comes into the restaurant.

- Spring rolls – At this point in our visit, we were yearning some vegetables, and these spring rolls hit the spot. The spring rolls are crispy and just the perfect texture. They are served with a fish sauce based dipping sauce and fresh green leaf lettuce and carrots. The presentation is clean, and you roll the spring rolls into the lettuce leaves yourself. Excellent all around.

- Curry chicken – Chicken is cooked in a flavorful and aromatic curry and coconut blend with vegetables including carrots and potatoes. The sauce is great over steamed rice and the chicken is not overcooked, but tender and juicy. Another winner.

- Pad Thai – The pad thai was okay. It wasn’t the best or worst, but sits average amongst the bunch. Good flavor, but not as spectacular as the other dishes tried.
Our overall impression was that the place was small, but the food has a big flavor, and it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s also a good change of pace from the typical mixed plate lunches. Definitely try the spring rolls. You won’t be disappointed.

Scoop - Gelato, London, UK

40 Shorts Gardens
Covent Garden, London, WC2H9AB, United Kingdom
Tel: 0871 971 6261
Parking: limited street parking, nearest tube: Covent Garden

Last Visited: July 7, 2010

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

There's nothing like seeing a gelato place just around the corner from where you're staying to make me a happy camper. The Seven Dials Hotel housed me for a couple of nights, and much to my delight when I was exploring the neighborhood, Scoop was very close by. I knew I would have to make a stop.

After spending the day meandering around London seeing everything from Kensington Palace to Harrod's, we stopped off at Scoop to enjoy some of the many fresh flavors of gelato offered. Scoop focuses on organic and locally sourced ingredients. It had a colorful decor - some brown and orange in the mix. Behind the glass window, you'll see about sixteen mounds of flavorful gelato featured. The see-thru containers containing brightly colored chocolate candies that sit on top of the counter just add to the inviting feeling of Scoop.

There are three sizes of gelato available - Small, 2.80 pounds, which allows you to try two flavors, Medium, 3.60 pounds, that allows you to try three flavors, and a Large size, 4.20 pounds, is also available. Cup or cone are available as well as toppings and tea/coffee offerings.

I tried a medium cup with three flavors - coconut, melon, and hazelnut. Each was delicious and fresh - oh how I love gelato, let me count the ways.

In the rear are a few small tables. There's not a whole lot of space, but on this weekday afternoon, we sat in the back and enjoyed our yummy gelat. This is a great treat if you are in the area.

A Saigon Cafe - Vietnamese, Maui, Hawaii

1792 Main St
Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793
(808) 243-9560
Parking: in parking lot and street parking

Last Visited: July 8, 2003

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

A Saigon Café is known for being difficult to find. Everyone seems to know it by the large satellite dish that is next door. At the time of my visit, they had the neon ‘open’ sign on, but still no main sign. I asked the waitstaff about it and they said the sign was in back, but they hadn’t put it up yet. I think they like being a little mysterious and being known as the place without a sign.
I had a great lunch experience. So good that I went back for dinner, and that’s where I was disappointed. The food for lunch was excellent. The food for dinner was not so. It’s a popular place for locals and tourists alike.

- Sugar cane shrimp pops – Ground shrimp paste is put on sugar cane and steamed, then grilled. The flavor from the sugar cane accents the shrimp. Very nicely presented and great taste make this one definitely worth a try.

- Curry and lemongrass beef – This dish is available with pretty much any type of meat. It’s intense flavor is best with a side of white rice to absorb all the sauce. Very good.

I remember also having a noodle dish that I thought was quite good. So what went wrong? Dinner. The waitstaff was very pushy about having us try some of their crab. It no longer became a recommendation, but more of a selling experience, and that’s not my thing during dinner. Perhaps it was the selection of dishes, or the expectation, but the dinner dishes were not up to par. None of them hit the mark. All had some subtle problem, and since this review is being written at a much later date than the visit, I’ll leave it at this – try their popular dishes like the shrimp pops and curry dishes, but be wary of visiting multiple times and trying out other foods as the level of disappointment may ruin the initial sparkling impression.

Golden Hind - Fish and Chips, London, UK

73 Marylebone Lane
London, W1U 2PN, United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7486 3644
Parking: street parking; nearest tube: Bond Street

Last Visited: June 23, 2010

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

No matter where we go, if I know that I need to find a meal nearby, I'll take the time to research a place online so that I won't be frantically seeking food when I get there. Despite it being an ocean away, I knew we would be looking for dinner upon arriving in London, and the Golden Hind popped up as one of the places that seemed to get great ratings and was within walking distance of our bed and breakfast.

Having nearly century's history (open in 1914), the Golden Hind, first run by Italians and now shifted to Greek owners, I figured that it had to at least be good to survive the scrutiny of locals - how else could you stay open for this long of a time?

While London is notorious for bad service, the Golden Hind staff was super friendly and the owner even came by to chat with us near the end of our meal. They were most happy to let us sit while we awaited the arrival of our dining companions. The menu offers a variety of fish - cod, haddock, skate, salmon, plaice and more. They also offer a variety of fried starters - scampi, calamari strips, fishcakes, and plenty of sides - mushy peas, chips, and gherkins.

There were only a few tables filled upon our arrival, but by the end of our meal, the place was packed, and it was only a Wednesday. It seemed to have a combination of locals and visitors. Having just gotten off the plane, we were pretty starving and ready for a good meal. We started the evening with a refreshing Jamaican ginger beer - delicious with just enough kick to get your tummy awakened for some deep fried goodness.

- Mixed Salad - A fresh green salad of romaine lettuce with tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers arrived. It's large enough for two people to share as a starter or to heartily enjoy on your own.
3.50 pounds

- Fried Calamari Strips - The calamari strips are showed in the picture to the right. As you can see, they are lightly battered and served with a wedge of lemon. If you like calamari steak, you'll enjoy this, but if you prefer real calamari, then you'll just appreciate the light batter. The tartar sauce is homemade, so it tended to be more on the creamy side with more mayo than relish. Good. 3.60 pounds

- Cod (boneless fillet) - The cod was very fresh and according to the literature I had read prior to my visit, none of the fish is frozen because it's brought in fresh everyday. The batter is super light - almost reminds me of the lightness of a tempura or panko crumb crust, although the texture isn't the same. Since chips are served on the side when you order them for a large group, the presentation is a bit bare, but it's still very good. It's so light that if you leave it on the plate too long, it might steam on the bottom and become soggy, but just eat fast. The oil is fresh and there is just a little oil on the plate from the fish. The portions are also more than sufficient. Very good. 7.40 pounds

- Haddock (boneless fillet) - See the description under cod. Very good and the haddock flaked beautifully when broken apart. 7.70 pounds

- Chips - Sadly, although the picture shows the chips as nice and golden brown, the texture doesn't match. The outside was not crispy and although the raw product seems to be fresh, something about these just weren't that great. They're meaty for sure, but no crunch and for me, that is what makes a good chip. At least we didn't have to get a side of chips for each person - the beauty of being able to order them separately. 1.70 pounds

The prices listed on the menu include the VAT tax.

In the end, a visit to the Golden Hind is definitely worthwhile for the fish. Perhaps the best suggestion I have would be to order only one side of chips to see how they taste that day before ordering more and wasting your stomach and money on them. However, there is no doubt that the light batter and the freshness of fish make Golden Hind worth a stop. And don't forget the ginger beer!

Loon Tao - London, United Kingdom

31 Gerrard Street

London W1D6JJ

020-7287-2669

Last Visited: July 6, 2010

Food: 2 stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Service: 2 to 3 stars (but then again, it was standard for London)

Price: $$

Located just past the gate in London's Chinatown, we looked inside Loon Tao and hoped for the best. One of the chefs was cooking up some vegetables on the other side of the front window, and we thought we saw Asian people sitting inside (which is usually a good sign), so with hope and expectation, we walked inside.

At this point on our trip, I had eaten two weeks of American and other non-Asian cuisine, so I was hoping for some authentic Asian flavors.

The restaurant is fairly large with a second level containing seating. We were quickly ushered upstairs. The waiter was new and it showed. While the four of us were given a large round table, another table of people walked in. These non-Asians were given a basket of shrimp chips to eat as they reviewed their menu. It didn't seem like they were regulars, so I'm not sure if they just don't give this appetizer to Asian people because it's not typical of Asian dining or cuisine to start with chips.

The music, Chinese lyrics to contemporary pop and 80s music, like music by Phil Collins, played rather loudly on the sound system and seemed to be a very unusual combination. The menu contains standard westernized Chinese fare with some authentic dishes.

- Beef Chow Fun - Of the dishes we had, this was one of the better ones. Beef slices stir fried with wide rice noodles, onions, and bean sprouts. The flavor was authentic and though the portion was just okay and the temperature could have been even hotter, it was acceptable.

- Vegetables of the Day - We ordered two dishes of seasonal vegetables. The gai lan and choy sum were both good; in fact, they were the best dishes we had the whole meal, but the gai lan was far better because of its tenderness. Both were fresh and cooked in the same broth as the soup noodles.

- Won Ton Noodle Soup and Shrimp Dumpling Noodle Soup - Although these are two separate dishes, the style of cooking is the same and the only difference is between the wontons and the shrimp dumplings. While the flavor of the broth was fine and there is a decent quantity of food, the noodles were a little softer than what they should have been - not al dente enough. The wontons and the dumplings were sad. They didn't have the freshness of those found in authentic restaurants. Some seasoning had been added to the meat that overpowered the shrimp in each wonton and each dumpling so that they left a poor aftertaste. Both of these dishes would get 1 star or less from me.

While service was okay, I lowered their rating because each table didn't seem to receive the same treatment upon arrival (the whole thing with the chips). The best part of the meal may have been the large plate of sliced orange wedges that we were given with the check. Overall, I found the price to be high for what we received in terms of value and quality. If you're only going to order vegetables, it might be worth a try, but if you want a full Chinese meal, I would see what else might be available nearby. As we walked out, we realized those Asians we saw eating were actually staff members eating their dinner. Alas, so long Loon Tao and your unsual musical selection.

Sansei - Sushi, Kihei, Maui

Best: Sushi

Kihei Town Center, near Foodland, South Kihei Road, Maui, HI, 96753
(808) 879-0004
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
http://www.sanseihawaii.com/

Last Visited: July 3, 2003

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$$ to $$$$

Sansei, recommended by Auntie Eileen, is excellent. The food is unique and delicious. Atmosphere is pretty simple, but you’ll find the selection to be special, even for Hawaii. During the time of my visit, if you ordered before 6pm and you received a discount on your meal.

- Maui Onion Tempura Rings – Yummy. Need I say more? Okay, I’ll say a little more. The maui onion is sweet and the rings are large. They’re served with a typical dipping sauce. The only bad thing was that one of the rings didn’t complete the cooking process and there was still a little flour inside the tempura ring. Aside from that, perfect.

- Salmon skin roll – excellent texture. The salmon is still tender and the skin is warm and crispy.

- Unagi – soft, tender, and warm. It was the essence of how unagi should be.

We had a variety of sushi – more than I can remember, but the level of expertise of the sushi chef is such that it can convert a non-sushi lover to one that appreciates sushi. How do I know? It happened before my own eyes. I dined with one that had a strong dislike for sushi, and since this experience, has been converted for life.

- Grilled Fresh Hawaiian Ahi and Asian Rock Shrimp Cake – This is served over furikake rice cake with ginger lime chili butter and cilantro pesto. At this point, I think I overate. I was pretty full with sushi and appetizers, so having this was a bit overwhelming. The rice wasn’t spectacular. The rock shrimp cake has a crispy noodle crust. This helps the cake to maintain a moist consistency, preventing the often dried out texture that some shrimp cakes experience. The ahi is gently seared on the outside and made beautifully so the inside of the ahi is still tender and raw.

The experience at Sansei is different because of the creative style of the chef. The combination of flavors and the terrific presentation make Sansei a must try experience when in Maui. Excellent.