Cafe Sketches: China Live, San Francisco - 03/2023

To celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday, we all went out to China Live in San Francisco. China Live is a modern Chinese bistro on the edge between North Beach and Chinatown. You're not quite sure if the cuisine will be too modern fusion and not enough Chinese, but you know after the first bite. This is good Chinese food! 

China Live, San Francisco - 03/2023

CoWaBunGA

More from Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, 3/2023

These little ladies caught my attention with their enthusiastic performance.

"Three Angel Musicians" Pisan School, ca. 1350 

My pen ran out of ink but, luckily, I had a spare pencil.

Getting the details right at Norton Simon Museum

 CoWaBunGA!

Cafe Sketches: Southie, Berkeley - 1/2023

Southie is constructing a restaurant in the Oakland International Airport but I had never tried their cuisine. Originally, we were told it will be an upscale sandwich shop. So, I dined at the Southie in Berkeley California and it was so much more than sandwiches.

Southie is a tapas bar with a South American influenced cuisine. We had chicken tostadas and mussels in a chili, wine sauce. It was delicious.

Chicken tostadas and mussels in chili-wine sauce.

I can't wait until Southie opens at the Oakland International Airport (by Gate 30).

CoWaBunGA!

 

Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena CA - 03/2023

While in LA recently, I toured the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena CA. This is a small museum, a bit hidden off the main streets of Pasadena, but with a great collection. I was surprised by their beautiful garden and large collection of Southeast Asian religious sculptures. Here are my highlights:

The garden at the Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena CA

  

Tara, Indian ca. 19th Century

"Horseman" by Mario Marini, 1947

Look up the Norton Simon if you're in Pasadena, it's a small treat.

CoWaBUNga

Cafe Sketches: Umai Ramen House, San Francisco 02/2023

In Japantown San Francisco, there are some fantastic, overly popular ramen houses. The problem is that they are so popular, you end up waiting for two hours to get a seat. If you dig in a little deeper, there are still fantastic ramen houses that are slightly under-the-radar. We found such a place at Umai Ramen House. It's a smaller restaurant, but the ramen is just as delicious.

Umai Ramen House, 02/2023

I got the standard Tonkotsu ramen but my wife selected the Tonkotsu with a large chicken leg. It's a pretty large leg for ramen, so we ended up taking the chicken leg home and having it for lunch the next day.

Tonkotsu with chicken leg - it takes up half the bowl

So, next time you're waiting for 2 hours for a seat at the table, try some of the other hidden treasures in Japantown San Francisco.

CoWaBunGA

Cafe Sketches: Spinning Bones, 02/2023

During an episode of "Check Please Bay Area", we were introduced to Spinning Bones in Alameda California. The name caught our attention and we learned that it references their rotisserie-style cooking, of course. 

Spinning Bones, 02/2023

The cuisine is a mix of Asian fusion with Hawaiian influences. We were very happy with our order of the corn fritters, broccolini, and Double Dutch (mix of chicken and ribs, with a side of roti).  

Corn fritters, broccolini, and Double Dutch 

Our meal was delicious, and we had plenty of leftovers for the next day.

CoWaBunGA

Cafe Sketches: Ippudo San Francisco, 02/2023

If you're a big fan of ramen, then you probably know about Ippudo, award-winning ramen noodle restaurant with shops around the world. There are multiple Ippudo restaurants in the Bay Area, but the most dramatic is the Ippudo in San Francisco near Yerba Buena Gardens. You walk into a dark corridor and pop out in front of a metallic "tree" made of strands of aluminum (or stainless steel) strips.

Ippudo San Francisco, 02/2023

Of course, the ramen is fantastic. But, the pork bun appetizers can be a meal itself if you just want to enjoy the atmosphere, with a small cup of sake.

CoWaBunGA