Tag Archives: pork

The House, North Beach, San Francisco

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We have been waiting with baited breath for the opportunity to dine at The House. On multiple accounts, we have heard glowing commentary on how buttery and delicious the ginger sea bass with garlic ginger soy is. We needed to try it ourselves.

In the evenings, whenever we pass the restaurant week day or weekend, it is packed and there is a line of people out the door. Without reservations, there have been rumored hour + waits.  We decided on a weekend lunch at noon and the restaurant was tiny and space was simply decorated, but knew we were in great hands. As we worked through our meal, the restaurant was full.

We started with a complimentary plate of pickled cucumbers with sesame. The cucumber was nice and tangy and had a nice crunch.

We started with the deep-fried chicken liver with baby greens for $8. The greens itself were nicely dressed and had halves of sweet cherry tomatoes, grapes to counter the deep fried coated chicken livers. This was an ok dish. The greens were the better part. Although the chicken livers were very clean, it was nothing special and needed additional seasoning or flavor.

In contrast to the chicken liver salad, the anticipated ginger soy sea bass was planted next to the salad and we were ready to sample the fish.

The Grilled Sea Bass with garlic ginger soy served with green beans, chewy, thick noodles for $23. The white fish was flakey, lightly charred and sweet. It was truly melt in your mouth and we all unanimously said this was our favorite dish and we wanted one plate for ourselves. This is a must get.

The super fresh Albacore Tuna special was lightly seared and very smooth. The California roll was rich from the avocado. We really liked the spicy mustard aioli, and wish there was a side dish of the aioli because it was difficult to sceape off the plate ($22).

We knew we would have to order a bowl of the Warm Wasabi House Noodles with grilled pork for $10. This was a generous portion and the noodles had a nice chew and the tender pork was well prepared. The wasabi coated noodles were very enjoyable especially with the crunch of the slivered cabbage and vegetables.

Our other favorite and must get again dish was the Curry Noodles with grilled chicken and fried taro for $10. Our server suggested this as one of his favorites and we agree. The noodles had a lovely curry flavor, really tasty and we could not stop complimenting how good the dish would. Another must get and we would insist everyone order these.

Can not wait for another round of curry noodles and seabass with ginger soy. House was delicious and now understand why there is always a line out the door.House on Urbanspoon

East Ocean City, Chinatown, Boston

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Over the years, East Ocean City has been one of our family favorites for large celebrations and apparently it is for many as well.

Our father loves East Ocean City’s fried fish and extensive seafood dishes. In fact, EOC is known for their twin lobster with ginger and scallioin.

The popular Beach Street seafood restaurant has become overwhelmingly busy. Although the food still is executed well, the service is harried and we felt as if we were being pushed out to turnaround tables.

Throughout the restaurant, there are several fish tanks full of exotic species.

We started with complimentary oolong tea and pickled vegetables. Our father had so much to choose from including noodles, beef, of course seafood, a variety of dishes from tofu to fish to baby bok choy.

We deeply enjoyed the pan fried Baby Bok Choy with garlic for $9.25. The mini Chinese cabbages glistened and had a nice flavor. We couldn’t stop eating them and would order them again.

The Sliced Beef with String Bean, Mushrooms and Onions ($6.00) was covered in a thin pepper gravy. The tender beef went well with the onions, earthy mushrooms and blanched string beans.

The Pan Fried Jumbo shrimp with shell and head ($14.95) was nicely dusted in corn starch and lightly fried. The seasoning enhanced the salty flavor of the shrimp and the multitude of textures from the edible shell and tail was fanstastic. The best aspect of the shrimp are the heads full of creamy innards.

Our little brother’s favorite, Spicy Salted Spare Ribs ($11.25) had a nice spicy salt crust surrounding tender meat. The spare ribs were tasty.

One of our favorites are the Fried Stuffed Bean Curd ($11.50) topped with green onion and a light gravy. The tender tofu inside was soft and creamy and the exterior had a nice skin.

The Roasted Chicken with bone ($13.40) had flavorful soy skin, tender chicken meat and came with fried shrimp chips. Unfortunately, the light pastel shrimp chips were stale.

A true delicacy, we sampled the fried, battered anchovies. The thin, salty anchovies    came with fried wonton crisps.

Our father’s favorite, the Pan Fried Sole with Ginger and Scallion was divided by our waiter and in a flavorful sweet soy sauce. The slivers of scallions and ginger covered the fish. Surprisingly this sole was full of white beady roe. Although I am a fan of caviar and tobiko, not so much on cooked roe.

The complimentary tapioca and yam soup was lightly sweet and warming.

Overall, our meal at East Ocean City was tasty and solid food. Hopefully, the next time we visit we go on an off hour when there can be a higher level of service.

East Ocean City on Urbanspoon

Dumpling Cafe, Chinatown, Boston

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Dumpling Cafe, located next to Penang (BMH’s review of Penang), is famous for its dumplings, especially its xiao long bao or soupy dumplings and is a contender for the best soupy dumplings in Boston in our book. The restaurant relaunched a few years ago and has been very busy since.

In fact, Dumpling Cafe is owned by the same management as one of our other favorites, Taiwan Cafe (BMH review’s of Taiwan Cafe first dinner and revisited).

Dumpling Cafe is clean and pleasant inside. There are several long communal tables and large tables suited for groups.

The menu is filled with authentic Taiwanese and greater Chinese noodle dishes, fish, oyster pancakes and fried stinky tofu. Another time. To start, we ordered two orders of Spring Roll ($2.50 for two rolls). The rolls were nicely fried, and filled with a nice balance of cabbage, carrots and vegetables.

Dumping Cafe’s scallion pancake was one of the best eaten in Boston ($4.25). Full of green onion scent and flavor, lightly crisp on the exterior and tender on the inside. The thickness was just right and we had to order a second order shortly thereafter.

The Fried Pork and Leek Dumplings ($5.96 steamed and an additional $0.25 for fried) and a tender pork nugget inside with a light onion flavor. The dumplings had a nice crust as well, but we think GDH has better ones.

The fried chicken dumplings ($5.95+$0.25) was also lovely. Great skin, full of flavor and each bite made you want more.

Some of the best soupy dumplings or mini juicy buns with pork ($5.95) are here at Dumpling Cafe. The bamboo steamer carried six generous sized juicy buns.

Nestled in the soup spoon, we punctured the dumpling with a small bite and the intense flavor of pork broth filled the remaining space in the well of the spoon. The soft dumpling wrapper was a nice balance to the pork meat waiting inside.

Our other all time favorite of the evening was the pan fried wonton for $4.25 each. These were just unreal and as a result we ordered a second helping. A must try. Usually we have steamed wontons or in a soup, but these had a nice texture because the wonton skins are much thinner and as a result crispier. The memorable meat and onion flavor were mouthwatering.

The Taiwan Style Wonton Soup ($2.50) was very warming and filling. The same lovely center was enhanced by the broth and bitter greens. The soup would be perfect in the winter and a small serving is very inexpensive.

The denouement was not fortune cookies, but complimentary sections of slices oranges. That’s the way we like to end the meal, with a refreshing cut of acidity and sweetness. These oranges were some of the sweetest and juiciest oranges eaten. A nice ending to our meal.

Next time, we plan on enjoying more soupy dumplings, scallion pancakes, fried wontons, as well as sampling the hot pots and noodles. Dumpling Cafe is a fantastic place for authentic Taiwanese cuisine. The restaurant deserves its popularity because of its flavorful cuisine and solid execution.

Dumpling Cafe on Urbanspoon

Bebo’s Cafe, Condado, San Juan

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Bebo’s Cafe is a Puerto Rican institution and popular amongst locals and tourists, serving authenic Puerto Rican cuisine including mofongo and empanadillas.

Throughout the restaurant were colorful and surreal art pieces including our favorite one of Don Quixote.

The dining room is exceptionally spacious and filled with wooden chairs fit for families and smaller groups.

Bebo’s Cafe menu features rice and beans, pollo, pork, bistec, fish dishes with sides of plantains and tostones. We could not forget all the fried items and sweets.

The menu also has extensive jugos, frappes and batidas with papaya, mango, pineapple. We ordered a frozen pina coladas. The icy, sweet mix of coconut and pineapple was a great start to the meal and had a marachino cherry on top.

We loved sorullitos de maiz ($4.55). The lightly fried corn fritters tasted like an item you would enjoy at a carnival, it was similar to the exterior of a corn dog, but tender on the inside.

Our friend ordered the dorado fish which was very tender ($16.95). The pescado was full of flavor and surrounded by onions and colorful peppers.

The amarillos or fried ripe yellow plaintains ($3.25) were soft, lightly sweet and nicely caramelized.

My choripan sandwich ($5.50) was awesome. The lightly toasted pan de agua bread sandwiched bits of Spanish chorizo a la plancha. The slightly melted cheese, iceberg lettuce and tomato were great accoutrements for the flavorful and filling sandwich.

My friend’s pernil or oven roasted pork ($9.50) was a great combination of tender meat and delicious skin.This is definitely a favorite at Bebo’s.

I sampled my friend’s tostones or fried green plantains ($3.25) were lightly fried and nicely seasoned.

Bebo’s tantalizing dessert case included Cheese Cake Chocolates y Nueces, Cheese Cake Almendras and Flan de Queso. Although, we were too full for dessert, another time.

Cafe Latino, Government Center, Beacon Hill, Boston

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There are few places in Boston to go to for  authentic Puerto Rican (we can not wait for Vejigante in Roxbury’s old Don Ricardo’s). Cafe Latino, located in 3 Center Plaza in the second floor Courtyard, is one of Boston’s best and authentic Puerto Rican food offerings.

Cafe Latino serves many its dishes served with rice, beans and plantains, as well as empanadas and breakfast dishes. We were very interested in the Cubanos (roast pork, ham and swiss cheese panini sandwich) for $6.99.

The Bistec en Salsa (Steak in sauce) for $8.99 and Mofongo con Chicarron (Pork) for $10.00 caught our eye, however we will have to try both of these dishes next time.

Cafe Latino’s pernil with crisp skin and tender pork.

The cafeteria sells refreshing coconut water, sodas and other exotic Latin beverages and juices found at bodegas or sometimes can be found at the ethnic aisle of the mass supermarkets.

We enjoyed the Pernial Asado (Pork Roast) for $6.99 with tostones (fried plantains) for $2.50 and yellow rice and pigeon peas. The pernil was flavorful, had bits of tender meat, some fattiness and then crispy skin. The rice and pigeon peas were very seasoned and went well with the tostones.

We also ordered another pernil plate with maduros or sweet plantains with white rice and beans. The light sweetness of the plantains were a nice balance to the seasoning of the pork and beans.

The Empanadilla de Pollo was $2.00 and had a flakey exterior.

The empanadilla’s interior was stuffed shredded chicken, however the chicken was a bit dry.

Although Cafe Latino will no longer be a secret, we are willing to share. For super tasty, no frills lunch, Puerto Rican, Cafe Latino is the place to go. The food is great value for money and absolutely delicious. Each of Care Latino’s lunch specials are very generous in size, essentially one lunch serving and another hearty portion for dinner later.

 Cafe Latino on Urbanspoon