Zen Oriental - Chinese, London Heathrow Airport

Southern Perimeter Rd., Terminal Four, London Heathrow Airport, Hounslow Middlesex TW6 3AF, England
Tel: 020 8759-7755
Parking: hotel parking

Last Visited: June 25, 2015

Food: 2 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$$

It's alarming how many excellent ratings this place has gotten on TripAdvisor.  If you read the other reviews calling this the best Chinese food within the Heathrow Airport, well, that's probably true, but there are so few Chinese places, that's not much of a compliment.

Take it from a Chinese person - if you've never had Chinese food, this is probably ok.  Located inside the Hilton, the atmosphere is nice - very classic Oriental style with decorations like small teapots on display.

When we arrived, we were quickly seated into a booth which is extremely difficult to get into - they move the table so that you can sit on the bench seating which is a bit worn.  The place setting on the table is for looks only.  After ordering, they remove it from the table.  Acoustics are not so great as you can hear just about everyone else's conversations throughout dinner.

While we expected to pay higher prices at a hotel restaurant, the portions are tiny compared to what you could get outside.  I paid 55 pounds including tip for two people to have fried rice, a whole fish, and tofu with greens.  In San Francisco, this same meal with larger portions and better quality would have easily cost half the price.

- Yang Chou Rice  - For the price I paid for fried rice, I should get fresher shrimp and at least double the portion.  This is a essentially a large bowl, not a plate of fried rice.  The flavor is okay, but the shrimp was too dense indicating that it had been frozen previously and the kitchen didn't know how to compensate for this.  This dish could have used some more salt - it was a bit too bland.  It also could have been served hotter.  Way too expensive for this size.  9.8 pounds

- Sea Bass - The fish is previously frozen and served whole.  You can choose from several varieties for the fish including black bean sauce or ginger and scallions.  We opted for steamed with black bean sauce since that usually helps prevent the frozen flavor from coming through.  The sea bass was about one pound in weight - I've never seen fish at a Chinese restaurant that was so tiny - I wondered where the rest of it was.  The fish also wasn't cleaned well - we found guts inside which results in a bitter flavor and scales remained on the skin of the fish.  This dish was also not served piping hot as it should have been.  Disappointing. 20.8 pounds

- Braised Tofu with Greens - Of the three dishes, this one was served hot and seemed promising, but the braised tofu was on the verge of going bad - the sour flavor was left on my tongue showing a lack of freshness.  The broccoli was ok. 9.2 pounds

- Jasmine Tea costs 3.8 pounds a person and I constantly needed to ask them to refill the pot - they only came once on their own to do so.

The presentation of the dishes is nice, but I prefer good food over good presentation.  Service is considered very good for a Chinese restaurant, but not very good from a wider perspective.  For example, at the end of the meal, they use a cloth napkin to cover the food stains left on the table cloth.  However, when the table next to us asked about what was in certain sauces and the waitstaff were stumped.  Even after asking the kitchen, they still couldn't explain it well.  Also, the staff speaks fairly loudly with one another, so that seems a bit disruptive at times.

A 15% service charge is automatically added to your bill.

Given another opportunity, I would take a taxi and go elsewhere.  Even the panini in Terminal 3 would be a better option.

Mozzeria - Pizza, San Francisco

3228 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 489-0963
http://www.mozzeria.com/
Hours: Tues-Thurs 5:30pm-10pm, Fri 5:30pm-11pm, Sat 5pm-11pm, Sun 5pm-10pm, Closed Mondays

Last Visited: June 7, 2015

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

Sue recommended Mozzeria to me.  She had explained that all of the servers and staff are deaf and that the restaurant has really good pizza.  With that in mind, I went for an early dinner and found the experience to be very pleasant.  Thanks Sue!

The decor is modern - the bar allows for individual seating, the lighting is gentle, and the place settings are simple.  The contrast of the white plates and napkins against the dark wood tables and floors, allow the red chairs to serve as accents throughout the room.  The dome shaped wood burning oven adjacent to the bar/counter serves as a centerpiece in the dining area.  What was interesting to me was the type of music being played.  It's a lot of really old classics - many fellow patrons were signing along quietly - something I wasn't expecting.

The menu is simple.  A list of appetizers and salads is offered along with 13 varieties of pizzas (12 inches each).  Traditional pizzas like margherita and quattro formaggi are available, but you'll also see unusual creative flavors like peking duck and hosui pear too.

- House-made fresh Burrata - Beautifully soft and fresh burrata is topped with halved cherry tomatoes, cut basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and basil oil.  Gnocco fritto (also known as flour crisps in dim sum restaurants) are served with the burrata. The burrata was delicious - soft on the inside to the point of being spreadable.  The skin of the burrata is easy to cut.  However, the flour crisps as I call them were varying in texture - one was crunchy, while the other sticks were a bit on the soft side.  If they all had been crunchy and light, they would have been perfect, but given the current texture, I would prefer to have bread instead.  My guess is that some of these crisps were prepared too far in advance, losing their crunch and while not stale, they were far too soft. The cheese gets four stars, but the crisps get two stars. $11

- Veal and Pork Meatballs - Four tender and well-seasoned meatballs are served in a slightly spicy marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese.  The herbs are visible in each meat ball and the flavor is perfect.  The pomodoro sauce is the perfect consistency for dipping.  There's not much that could be improved with this hearty dish except to serve it with a spoon so that the sauce is easier to manage. Four stars.  $10

- Salumi Pizza - I've had a lot of Neapolitan style pizzas over the last few years and I have to say this is one of the best.  The beautiful crunchy crust is aromatic with the sesame sprinkled just inside the edge - each bite smells and tastes awesome.  It reminds me of the crust of fresh sesame bread.  The salt in the coppa, soppresata, and grana pandano balances the pomodoro sauce.  The fresh mozzarella adds freshness to the pizza, and the chili flakes give the entire pizza a spicy kick. Four stars. $20

Despite my lack of sign language ability, it wasn't difficult to communicate my order or to make other requests.  The staff is patient and made us feel welcome.  The only opportunities I saw for improvement tonight were twofold - refill the water glasses before being asked, and refresh the plates between appetizers and pizza.  Overall, service was friendly and otherwise attentive.

After having many pizzas that are a little too burnt, are too soft, or have other issues, Mozzeria shows their experience in making a great pizza that has a slightly soft center and a beautiful crust.  They season their food well and the balance of flavors and textures is wonderful.  I will definitely be back!

Orenchi Ramen - Japanese, Santa Clara

3540 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 246-2955
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
http://www.orenchi-ramen.com/
Hours: Lunch Tues - Sun 11:30am to 1:30pm, Dinner Tue-Thurs 6pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-9:30pm, Sun 5pm to 8:30pm

Last Visited: May 16, 2015

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

Orenchi Ramen is well known amongst foodies for having an excellent bowl of ramen and after eating there twice, I would agree.  The perfection of the boiled egg with a slightly soft center, the rich broth, and the al dente texture of the thick yellow noodles that remains a toothsome throughout the meal create just the right combination of soup and noodles.  The menu describes their soup as being made with organic chicken, Canadian black pork, and filtered water.  It's cooked for a minimum of 18 hours.  No wonder it's so rich.

Located inside a strip mall next to Grocery Outlet, you could easily drive by without giving Orenchi a second glance, but foodies know that it exists, as exhibited by the list inside the restaurant even before opening.  If you're a newbie to Orenchi, don't make the same mistake that I did during my first visit.  Open the door and add your name to the list as soon as you arrive - even if it's before opening time.  Regulars know you can do this and you'll at least be in the queue.  At opening, you'll find a large group inside and outside of their waiting area, so I recommend arriving early to avoid the wait.

The staff begins to prepare tables according to the waiting list so that as soon as they open, they are ready to begin seating with an even rhythm until the house is full.  Pop music blares on the sound system, so you may need to speak up in order to be heard.  Menus are already on the tables and water is brought to you not long after being seated.  The wait staff is quick and ready to take your order, kneeling beside your table as they guide first timers through the menu and answer questions.

There are only four kinds of ramen, but a multitude of appetizers, salads, and gohan (small rice dishes).  Appetizers include fried dishes such as spring rolls, potato croquettes, onion rings, and fries with Orenchi's twist on these dishes.  You can also upsize most of the ramen with more noodles and additional toppings.

- Tako Wasabi (wasabi octopus) - The chopped octopus comes marinated with fresh wasabi.  It's a little chewy with a kick.  Fresh and good.  If you're not a fan of the sea, you should probably avoid this.  $4.30

- Smoked Salmon Spring Roll - Beautifully plated, the spring roll tastes very fresh with all of the leafy greens.  The slightly spicy aioli is a great sauce for just a little kick.  The amount of salmon is acceptable, although I would have loved more, but the combination of greens and noodles make each a delicious bite.  I would recommend this one for sure.  $7.50

- Karaage (Fried Chicken) - Each piece of dark meat is battered with seasoned flour.  Served with a wedge of lemon, a tomato, and a fried shishito pepper, each piece of chicken is juicy and flavorful. It's good if you're into fried chicken and happen to be here, but Orenchi is better known for its ramen than its karaage.  Although lemon juice pairs well with the chicken, I wouldn't have minded having a dipping sauce since we had a larger order.  3 pieces $4.30, 6 pieces $7.50

- Orenchi Ramen (Tonkatsu) -  Pork, egg, green onions, bamboo shoot, mushroom, nori, and sesame over noodles.  This was the first ramen I tried here.  The broth is rich, the egg is perfect, and for me, it's probably the best ramen I've had locally.  See above about the perfect noodle and soup combo.  Note that the broth is actually a bit salty so it's not for those whom may be on a low sodium diet.  If you're going to try one ramen, this is it.  Very good. $9.80

- Ore No Kuro Tan Tan Men - With only 15 orders available at lunch and another 15 at dinner, this dish is unique because of its combination of tonkatsu broth with a spicy sesame base.  Spicy ground pork, seasoned minced meat, green onions, bok choy, bamboo shoots, and black sesame top the noodles. Like the tonkatsu ramen, this one is pretty salty too, but the flavor of sesame permeates every spoonful of soup.  It's worth getting once to try, but I would probably get the tonkastu ramen during future visits. $13

If you only order ramen, then you won't feel rushed.  Although the bill comes before you're done with your meal, it still feels like a typical Asian fast food place.  However, with our multiple appetizers for this dinner, and the fact that the ramen came before we finished our appetizers, we were a bit slower to finish our meal.  Our neighboring table had already left, and Orenchi staff began to set it up, including pushing it right up against our table for a four top.  That and their multiple visits to see if we had finished our dishes felt pushy and their four star service rating has dropped to three.

Great ramen, good appetizers, and a fast paced atmosphere.  Don't plan to linger, but do expect a great bowl of soup and noodles.

Tacos California Grill - Mexican, Seaside

400 Palm Ave, Seaside CA 93955

(831) 394-1080
Parking: street parking

Last Visited: May 10, 2015

Food: 3 to 4 stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Service: 3 stars

Price: $ to $$

When you arrive in the neighborhood of Tacos California Grill, you might wonder if you're in the right place, but if you keep an eye out, you'll notice the A-frame sign along the main road pointing you to tacos.  

Inside the little restaurant, you won't find any menus except for the homemade picture menu with labels on the wall. A quick scan of the wall will let you know that they have a lot of classic Mexican dishes - burritos and enchiladas - along with those that are identified with comfort food - sopas, huarache, chilaquiles.  Other offerings include menudo, fajitas, and pambazo. The decor is simple with bright yellow walls, a few Mexican paintings, and colorful tablecloths.  

- Fish Tacos - A fresh homemade tortilla serves as the base for seasoned fish, shredded purple and green cabbage, pico de gallo, and queso fresco.  The fish is very mild, but cooked right and the combination of ingredients provide a good contrast of textures.  Good. $2.99

- Sopa - You can select your choice of meat and I chose carnitas.  Refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream top the meat and sopa base.  Although it's not the best sopa that I've ever had, the base held together fine and was freshly fried.  Good. $3.50

Dishes are prepared to order, so it's best to give yourself plenty of time when you visit. The flavors are on the mild side, but they have a great salsa bar to spice up your dish to your tastes.  Overall, the dining experience was solid, but if you go in a big party, note that your dishes will arrive slowly, and chips won't come until everyone is done ordering at the register.  This is a great spot for a casual meal with fresh and simple offerings.

Woodhouse Fish Company - Seafood, San Francisco

2073 Market St, San Francisco CA 94114
(415) 437-2722
Parking: street parking
Hours: 11:30-10pm daily (until 10:30pm Fri, Sat)
http://woodhousefish.com/

Last Visited: March 21, 2015

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

An old classmate recommended Woodhouse Fish Company one day when we were chatting about lobster rolls and which place has the best one.  I was actually in the neighborhood planning to go to another restaurant, but since I found parking right in front of Woodhouse, it was clear that this was meant to be.

The place is cozy with the door and a short wall separating the the two sides of the restaurant.  You place your name on the waiting list posted on the blackboard in front of the kitchen.  Various fishing gear decorations are sprinkled throughout the restaurant and there are even framed pearls (likely from the oysters served) found atop specific tables with titles revealing that they were found at that table on a certain date - a cute personal touch.  Even the floor tiles have crabs running throughout the design.

- New England Clam Chowder Cup - This thick bowl of chowder is unique because of the developed bacon flavor that runs through every bite.  There are lots of clams and chunky potatoes and just a hint of sour as you finish off each bite.  I noticed that a lot of recipes call for serving clam chowder with sour cream, so if you like that style, you'll enjoy this.  Good.  $7/Bowl $10

- Lobster Roll - I love lobster rolls.  This one is definitely at the top of my list, just behind one other place.  The bread is grilled and buttery - each bite is so scrumptious with the lightly dressed lobster chunks sprinkled with small diced celery and chives.  It's cool and refreshing lobster sandwiched by a warm crispy buttery bun, oh so good.  The fries were also crispy and golden.  The creamy coleslaw has very thin slices of granny smith apple throughout.  Wonderful.  Regular $18/Large $27

- Fish & Chips - Anchor Steam beer battered wild Alaskan cod with shoestring fries and coleslaw - It's been a long time since I've had fried fish with batter this good.  It's so light and flaky - somewhat reminiscent of the lightness of tempura, it's perfectly crispy.  The fish is fresh and flaky too.  The tartar sauce is pourable, so not very thick, but has good flavor.   I haven't been this impressed with fried batter in a while. Must try. Two Piece $12/Three Piece $15

Service was very friendly and they checked on us during the meal. Our server anticipated our needs, asking if we planned to share the dishes and bringing us a steak knife to split our lobster roll. The only thing that could have made service five stars would have been to check on us before we finished off the lobster roll and fish.

The atmosphere can get very noisy, especially when there are large parties.  It can be difficult to hear with the tile floors, and some of the tables feel close together.

Tuesdays are $1 oyster days and they also offer specials like Soft Shell Crab BLTs and Roasted Salmon.  The food is delicious.  I heartily recommend Woodhouse Fish Company.

Flavas Jamaican Grill - Carribean, South San Francisco

314 Linden Ave, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 244-9785
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-3pm, 5pm-8pm, Fri 11am-9pm, Sat Noon-9pm, Closed Sundays

Last Visited: February 21, 2015

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

Flavas opened about seven months ago and although the restaurant isn't very big, it seems to have a strong clientele with many repeat patrons whom order to go.  The restaurant has nice succulents on each table and has a casual look in its decorations with mirrors shaped like a school of fish on one wall and art on the other.

The combination specials are listed on a large sign on the wall.  Daily specials are also available.  

- Cod Fritters (5) - Served with tomato chutney, these pan fried seasoned codfish batter fritters grow on you with each bite.  I was expecting something like a bacalao fish cake where you can see the texture of the fish more distinctly, so I was initially disappointed that I couldn't see the fish or taste it in a noticeable way.  The batter has been blended so that the contents are smooth and you see some fresh herbs.  After a few bites, the crunch of the outside batter and the balance of the chutney with the fritter starts to get addictive. It's a good dish if you know what to expect.  $7

- Curried Goat - A Jamaican delicacy, the curried goat is cooked until it falls off the bone (beware though, there are a ton of small bones in this curry).  The dish is described as being cooked with Island spices.  It's unlike any other curry that I have tried - well seasoned with a kick to it.  I couldn't detect any gamey taste.  If you've never had goat, this dish is a lot like beef stew.  A scoop of rice and red beans mixed together and sauteed cabbage and carrots are served with the goat.  A few slices of golden sweet fried plantains balance out the flavors.  This is definitely a unique dish. $12.95

- Combo #2: Jerk Chicken and Oxtails - Two pieces of chicken (leg and thigh) are grilled until tender and glazed with house made jerk sauce.  Two oxtails are braised until tender with carrots, thyme, and scallions. The spices of both of these are warm and welcoming.  The meat is juicy and tender and the jerk sauce has a little kick to it too (not quite as strong as the goat dish though).  This dish is also served with a scoop of red rice and beans, sauteed vegetables, and sweet plantains. $15.95

Although I didn't try it, I suspect the jerk cheeseburger is good.  The teenager at a nearby table had a burger with fries, and after devouring one, he ordered another.  The fries looked beautifully golden.  I might check this dish out next time.

During my visit on this evening, the tables were all full.  Only two people work the front of the house and manage the take out orders too.  It takes a while for food to come, but it's well worth the wait. This is very good comfort food, and the portions are hearty.  Flavas does need to focus more on attention to detail to improve it's service - during my visit, I was given a dirty plate, and they dropped silverware on their tile floor, which is pretty noticeable because of the noise.  They also don't clear dirty plates after the appetizer round.  However, they're good at refilling the water glasses when there is a spare moment.

The flavors stand out amidst the field of restaurants in this city and good quality comfort food is always welcome.  I'll be back to try their mac & cheese, Jamaican patties, and other dishes some time soon.

Snozen - Shaved Snow, Mountain View - CLOSED

2101 Showers Dr, Mountain View, CA 94040

(650) 559-0241

Parking: street parking

Hours: Tues-Thurs 2-8pm, Fri-Sat Noon-9pm, Sun Noon - 7pm

http://www.snozenshavedsnow.com

Last Visited: December 20, 2014

Food: 4 stars

Service: 3 stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Price: $ to $$

Located near the Caltrain station, you'll find this corner shop with a line out the door on a day with nice weather.  It seems that many people are aware of Snozen as it draws young families, college students, and anyone looking for an alternative to traditional ice cream.

Shaved snow is a lot like shave ice, but the block that is being shaved typically has a flavor containing dairy - it's light, flaky, and creamy.  While some places offer shaved snow, Snozen does an excellent job with keep the texture creamy.  Flavors available include taro (pictured here with mochi and a black sesame drizzle), coconut (shown here), mango, strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla.  It's a great sweet treat to have this mound of deliciousness.  If you're lazy, they even have regular combinations you can select from (see menu below) so you don't have to think about flavor combos, but you're also welcome to customize combos on your own.  It's also interesting that they serve the snow with a fork - it holds together well and didn't melt nearly as quickly as I expected.

Small $3.75, Medium $4.85, Large $5.95
Drizzles $0.50
Toppings $0.50, Fresh Fruit $0.75

Seasonal flavors may also be available - look for them on the board.  During our visit, they had green tea (pictured with a black sesame drizzle here), Thai iced tea, and sweet milk to name a few.  Shave Ice is also available here.

Service is friendly and they accept credit cards.  Depending on the day (I visited twice), there may be music playing or not.  It tends to be a rather noisy place with all of the snow and ice being shaved, and it's a bus your own table type of environment. This is an excellent stop if you've never had this sweet treat.