Lasagna fresca with shrimp – Olive Garden

Posted on December 19, 2014 by vicentesf

Lasagna fresca with shrimp - Olive Garden
Vegetable lasagna, sautéed shrimp, grilled tomatoes with sun-dried tomato sauce. Served with soup. $14.79
Olive Garden, Martinsburg WV

Omg! I thought with the words “fresca” and “shrimp” that this dish would be on the lighter side. That didn’t happen! This plate was definitely a gut bomb. There was SO much cheese in the lasagna and the sun-dried tomato sauce (which I’m assuming was inside the lasagna) was overpowered by the additional cheesy cream sauce dumped on top. The spots of pesto were cute for color but just added another layer of richness to this heavy dish. Not really what I wanted when I ordered this from their seasonal fresca menu.

Morven Park grounds, Leesburg VA.

White asparagus – Volt

Posted on December 18, 2014 by vicentesf

White asparagus - Volt
House bay seasoning, poached brown butter custard. Tasting menu $95
Volt, Frederick MD

This was a freebie dish from the kitchen (ooh, I love freebies!). The asparagus had a different texture that I hadn’t tried before. I’ve had white asparagus before, but not prepared in this way. I liked the bay seasoning and the custard! The flowers were a pretty touch too.

Shenandoah National Park, VA.

Halibut – Volt

Posted on December 17, 2014 by vicentesf

Halibut - Volt
Poached white asparagus, charred bulb of spring onion, brown butter, blanquette. Tasting menu $95
Volt, Frederick MD

Mmm, for fish, this was pretty rich. The sauce was luxurious and very tasty. The peeled white asparagus were nice and the halibut was cooked perfectly.

Shenandoah National Park, VA.

Buttermilk-brined chicken – Dish

Posted on December 11, 2014 by vicentesf

Buttermilk-brined chicken - Dish
Potato puree, local green beans, natural jus. $18
Dish, Charles Town WV

The chicken was very tender and flavorful, but it certainly was a small serving. And OMG, both the chicken and mashed potatoes were so effing salty! I thought I might develop a kidney stone if I finished it – gross! The five pieces of green beans didn’t help things out either. Maybe this is God’s way of telling me that I’ve been overeating lately, lol!

Tom turkey, Morven Park, Leesburg VA.

Pollo en mole – San Jalisco

Posted on December 1, 2014 by vicentesf

Pollo en mole - San Jalisco
Fresh chicken smothered with home-made puebla-style chocolate mole sauce, served with refried beans and rice. $13.95
San Jalisco, San Francisco CA

I loved the mole sauce in this dish. I’m sure it wasn’t the healthiest for you, but that’s probably why it was SO good. It was very flavorful and the chicken was also tender and juicy.

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2014

Warm tortillas - San Jalisco
Warm tortillas.

Corned lamb shoulder – Le Pigeon

Posted on November 27, 2014 by vicentesf

Corned lamb shoulder - Le Pigeon
Potato, cabbage cream, huckleberries, horseradish, nasturtium. $28
Le Pigeon, Portland OR

Wow, this was amazing! Ugh, I really love great food and Le Pigeon certainly delivered. I mean who thinks of huckleberries and horseradish?! The lamb shoulder was delicious and all the component really supported it beautifully. Noms!

Halibut and fava bean – Le Pigeon

Posted on November 25, 2014 by vicentesf

Halibut and fava bean - Le Pigeon
Fava bean puree, ancho chile puree, summer squash and porcini salad, porcini mushroom puree.
Le Pigeon, Portland OR

I generally don’t get excited over fish dishes, but this was delicious and refreshing. The halibut was cooked perfectly – still tender and flavorful. The other ingredient and sauces were amazing with the fillet. Omg, I loved the ancho chile puree especially. Noms!

Fresh cod and chips – Horner’s Corner

Posted on November 24, 2014 by vicentesf

Fresh cod and chips - Horner's Corner
Locally caught rock cod in house beer batter, thick cut Kennebac fries and red cabbage slaw, aioli. $15
Horner’s Corner, San Francisco CA

Ugh, these fried fish were REALLY greasy, yuck! And they seemed over fried too. I think the oil temperature must have been off. The fries were ok, but I was expected them to be thicker cut as indicated by the menu description. They seem “normal” cut to me. Am I wrong? This was definitely not worth the price.

Bulleit bourbon Manhattan - Horner's Corner
Bulleit bourbon Manhattan on the rocks. $10
I love single large ice cubes!

Tamales oaxaquenos – Taqueria Nueve

Posted on November 21, 2014 by vicentesf

Tamales oaxaquenos - Taqueria Nueve
Masa steamed in banana leaves with mole negro, crispy duck confit and crema. $13
Taqueria Nueve, Portland OR

Mmm, this was SO good! I love the texture and flavor of the masa, and the duck confit was delicious! I also loved the presentation with the unwrapped banana leaves and sprinkling of greens.

Imperial rolls with pork kebab – Tu Lan

Posted on November 14, 2014 by vicentesf

Imperial rolls with pork kebab - Tu Lan
Served with steamed rice and fish sauce. $7.45
Tu Lan, San Francisco CA

I think this place is a great value, but the food isn’t the best. The pork was salty and dry and the imperial rolls were very greasy (more than most). At least they’re fast, but I probably won’t make the trek back for another lunch.

Wild boar scissor cut noodles – M.Y. China

Posted on November 13, 2014 by vicentesf

Wild boar scissor cut noodles - M.Y. China
Bean sprouts, scallion, wood ear mushrooms. $14
M.Y. China, San Francisco CA

Have I expressed how much I hate this restaurant? Well I do. This dish was on the 7×7 list and if they ever place another M.Y. China on a future list, I’ll happily skip it. The service and food here are just crap and I refuse to support them any longer.

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2014

Bulleit bourbon Manhattan cocktail - M.Y. China
Bulleit bourbon Manhattan. $17
Really?! Seventeen dollars for a Manhattan?! Ugh, can this restaurant closed down already?

Lamb and beef gyro platter – Gryo King