Stewed oxtail in peanut soup, with Chinese long beans, eggplant, and bok choy. $12.95
Tastebuds, San Bruno CA
Hmm, this wasn’t my favorite preparation of this dish. I think the peanut stew was thicker than I prefer and there wasn’t enough oxtail. A bit disappointing.
Steamed rice. $1.75
Bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste) is a condiment typically served with this dish. It’s super salty and I enjoy it, but it’s definitely an acquired taste.
Noodles mixed with shredded pork, shrimp, and calamari in a dark soybean sauce. $7.50
SO, San Francisco CA
I actually ordered the “SO black bean noodles”, but I got the “Black bean noodles” instead. OMG, why do restaurants name items “SO” similarly! Anyway, the SO black bean noodles are delicious because of their spiciness. These noodles were good, but not what I was craving. Ugh, I should have known better and come AFTER the lunch rush. I was also super annoyed trying to leave when I was finished because this place was sorely understaffed. I’ve learned my lesson.
Another beautiful San Francisco morning from my balcony.
Stir fried rice sticker noodles with shrimp, egg, fried tofu, scallion, ground peanut and bean sprouts. $8.50
Pad Thai Restaurant, San Francisco CA
This restaurant’s pad thai always has a lot of flavor, but sometimes it can be on the dry side. This time around, the shrimp and eggs were overcooked. Ugh!
Red tipped hens-and-chicks (Echeveria sp., Crassulaceae), Divisadero Street.
Mussels, clams, shrimp and whitefish in a tomato and fennel broth. $22
Trio Restaurant, Palm Springs CA
This was one of the dishes that I actually liked at Trio. This stew was super flavorful and had plenty of seafood. Thank goodness dinner wasn’t a complete disappointment!
Palm Springs midday sun from the pool.
Mmm, I love Chinese green chives. They have a strong garlicky flavor that’s delicious with the shrimp filling. $3.20
Grand Palace Restaurant, South San Francisco CA
Grand Palace actually keeps their shrimp pieces chunky as opposed to completely minced, yum!
Artwork on the platform, South San Francisco Bart Station.
Shrimp dumplings. These were nice and large and the wrapper wasn’t too thick, noms! $4.50
Tai Wu Mr. Fong’s Restaurant, Daly City CA
Random building (old lookout?) covered with graffiti, Sweeney Ridge Trail. By the time we walked to this point, the sun was blazing so we wimped out and walked back down. Since the trail is completely exposed it’s uncomfortable to walk on really HOT days.
Thick rice noodles filled with shrimp and served with sweet soy sauce. These are yummy! $4.50
Tai Wu Mr. Fong’s Restaurant, Daly City CA
View of the Pacific Ocean from Skyline College, College Road. The community college has a great vista where you can park and look out onto the ocean.
Sauteed shrimp, squid, and scallop with onions, chili, carrot, bell pepper and basil leaves. A la carte $13.95
Thai House Express, San Francisco CA
I like the flavors in there, but the squid was a bit overcooked so it was tough to chew. The service also tends to be inconsistent. It ranges from the most attentive service to having to flag down the waiter depending on the night.
Salvia “Hot Lips” (Salvia microphylla, Lamiaceae). I love the vibrant red and white flowers of this plant (Baby sage, Graham’s sage, Blackcurrant sage).
Two poached eyes, guacamole and citrus hollandaise on toasted English muffins, yukon gold potatoes. $15
Mission Beach Cafe, San Francisco CA
I’d say the best parts of this dish were the citrus hollandaise and potatoes. Sadly, the small pieces of seafood got lost in the guacamole, hollandaise and runny egg yolk.
Crazy eyed lion statue, Noe Street. This is a pretty popular lion statue found in front of many homes in San Francisco, but this house added funny eyeballs to theirs, hehe.
Mixed seafood, tomato, red onion, cucumber, citrus, cilantro, spices. $9
Tabbuli, Charleston SC
This was decent. The seafood quality wasn’t the best, but it had good a flavor and was very colorful. The random fried pita chip was a little odd.
Any two tacos and a side $8.99
General Homeboy (on right): panko breaded shrimp with a sweet Thai chili sauce, shredded cabbage, sliced radish, green onion and cilantro, served spicy. Side of Mexican street corn.
Taco Mamacita, Sullivan’s Island SC
Blackened Mahi (on left): grilled blackened mahi mahi with jalapeno corn slaw, grilled pineapple, cilantro, diced tomatoes and baja sauce.
After eating many tacos from The Mission (SF), I will say that these weren’t authentic at all (which is fine). They were, however, on the small side and lacked bold flavors considering the ingredients used. I’m used to tacos that are overflowing with meats and toppings, and while these tacos tasted OK, I’ll have to say that the flavors at The Taco Spot were better. On a more positive note, the Mexican street corn was delicious!
Chicken, shrimp, and cream cheese, wonton wrapper. Served with sweet and sour sauce. $6.95
Basil Thai Restaurant, Charleston SC
How can you go wrong with hot, fried wontons filled with proteins and cream cheese?! You really can’t, hehe. This appetizer is perfect for sharing and definitely starts a dinner off on the right foot.
Seminole chief Osceola grave, Fort Moultrie. Osceola died of malaria 3 months after his controversial capture and was buried at Fort Moultrie with military honors.
Vittle Monster 