food panda

Benu One of the things that I cringe the most has always been paying for overpriced Asian food, especially if it's Asian Fusion. PF Chang's? Ugh. Lukshon? Still not interested. Red Medicine? After that mediocre meal at Test Kitchen , my interest in trying Jordan Kahn's menu is at a nil. (That's besides the fact of what happened to SIV, which I found unprofessional to be frank). However, Benu has been a restaurant I've had my eye on ever since Corey Lee, the former chef de cuisine at The French Laundry moved on to helm his very own restaurant in San Francisco. Call me a hypocrite, but if Chef Lee was good enough for Thomas Keller, he's good enough for me. After given the green light from my buddies up North, I booked a tasting at Benu this past weekend. 19 Course Tasting Menu at Benu Upon entering the restaurant, I looked at the space. Clean, and modern, just what a restaurant should be these days. Buckwheat Sesame Crisps Instead of a bread course, we were given...

Sushi Zo Like with most food bloggers, I have quite a backlog of posts that dates all the way back to 2009. Sadly, with my frequent amount of dining out, the backlog just keeps growing and most of my photos will probably never see the light of day. However, Sushi Zo has been one of the places I wanted to post about. Even though I do have notes that documented this meal, I feel it's easier to let the pictures do the talking with this post. Below was the omakase tasting (chef's choice) at Sushi Zo. Rules of Zo Kirin on Tap Gari (Ginger) When the ginger arrives on the table, you know it's time for some sushi! Miso Soup Kumamoto Oyster Maguro (Big Eye Tuna) Awabi (Abalone) Uni Cuttlefish Noodles with Ponzu and Soy This dish was quite delicious, though I personally love sea urchin roe. Hirame (Halbut) Aji (Japanese Mackerel) Hotate (Scallop) Shiro Maguro (Albacore Tuna) Hamachi (Yellowtail) Toro (Big Eye Fatty Tuna) Kampachi (Amberjack) Ibodai (Butterfish) Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp) ...