Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Jim's Burgers Chicken Dinner



Today we have the Chicken Dinner meal from Jim's Burgers. Ahh, the Jim's Burgers. It is a chain by name, but the chicken special seems to be different depending on the location of the restaurant. This particular location serves the chicken fried with a pepper coated batter. You get four pieces of fried chicken.
Found at Jim's Burgers in Altadena, CA.

(Olympus E-PL1, 20mm, f2.0, 1/500, iso 200)

We also have an order of the Hamburger Special.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The Habit Burger Grill Charburger



For our random meal today, we have some Charburgers. We start with a Charburger on the left and 2 Charburgers on the right of the double. Cheese is an add on here so we really have Cheese Charburgers. The burgers are freshly ground daily and are cooked over an open flame.
Found at The Habit Burger Grill in El Segundo, CA.

(Olympus E-PL1, 20mm, f2.0, 1/1250, iso 200)

Monday, March 29, 2010

Korean Kitchen Hibachi Barbeque Chicken



Today we have Korean BBQ chicken for our random meal. The funny thing always striving to have a random meal is that you tend to forget to eat at your favorite spots. I think it is time to revisit some of my favs so that I can have a guarantee excellent meal. Today we have spicy Korean BBQ chicken to go. I think the best thing about this place is that they prepare the BBQ for you. You do not have to cook it yourself. You could if you choose to, but I prefer to leave the cooking to the master chefs.
Found at Korean Kitchen Hibachi Barbeque in Los Angeles, CA.

(Olympus E-PL1, 20mm, f2.0, 1/30, iso 1600)

Today is also the first post with yet another new camera. My friends say that cameras are my "kryptonite". This camera will most likely be my new everyday carry and replace the already small Nikon D5000. We have the Olympus Pen E-PL1 with the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens. This camera is quite a bit smaller than my largest camera, the trusty Nikon D700. Maybe with this smaller camera, people won't give me weird looks when I take out the gigantic DSLR and snap photos of my food.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Cefiore Original Tart Frozen Yogurt



Today our random meal brings us "froyo". The froyo or frozen yogurt has a tart and tangy taste to it. It is quite refreshing and cleanses your palate. You can add toppings to this treat but I prefer it plain. Yummy!
Found at Cefiore in Los Angeles, CA.

(Nikon D5000, 35mm, f2.8, 1/200, iso 200)

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Subway Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki



Today for our random meal we have the Subway diet. We have the Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki foot long sandwich. In my onion, this sandwich has the most flavor of any of the Subway sandwiches. The sweet onion teriyaki sauce gives the chicken the special zing. The chicken is magically warmed up to make it a hot sub. Healthy and delicious!
Found at Subway in Los Angeles, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f5.6, 1/80, iso 1250)

Friday, March 26, 2010

Salad Creations Wasabi Chicken Salad Wrap



Today we have a salad wrap for our random meal. This is salad number 2 of the quest for 3 salads in 30 days. We have a Wasabi Chicken Salad fresh wrap. Oh so many vegetables in this fresh wrap. We start with a scoop of premix chicken salad, which could be a salad in itself. Then we add finely fresh chopped tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers and romaine lettuce. Then the special cucumber wasabi dressing is blended into the mix. All the veggies are then wrapped together in a healthy wheat tortilla.
Found at Salad Creations in El Segundo, CA

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f5.6, 1/80, iso 220)

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Tina & Vince's Italian Sub Number 2



Today we have a fresh Italian Sub for our random meal of the day. We have a light and delicous Italian Sub consisting of razor thin slices of ham, capicolla, salami, prosciutto and rounded out with provolone cheese. You can order this to go and walk to the beach.
Found at Tina & Vince's in San Clemente, CA

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/200, iso 200)

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

King and I Beef Satay



Today we have the Beef Sa-te meal. It comes with 5 delicious pieces of beef satay and a side of shrimp fried rice. Yummy.
Found at King and I in Beverly Hills, CA.

(Lecia D-LUX4, 41mm, f2.8, 1/20, iso 400)

We also have an order of the King and I Noodles.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

KFC Fried Chicken Breast Meal



Today's random meal brings us fried chicken. We have a one piece chicken breast meal with mash potatoes, coleslaw and a biscuit. It is a simple yet satisfying random meal.
Found at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Los Angeles, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/80, iso 3600)

Monday, March 22, 2010

Stuft Pizza Pepperoni Pizza



We have pizza today for our random meal. From time to time, simple is best. However, every so often you desire something out of the ordinary. Today we have a fusion of both desires. A simple pepperoni pizza is a classic treat. Now you change the dough and it becomes something out of the ordinary. We have a wonderful thick crust that would rival the heights of a deep dish pizza but prepared in the traditional style; sauce on the bottom, cheese on the top. This pizza is fantastically soft from edge to edge.
Found at Stuft Pizza in San Clemente, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/640, iso 200)

Sunday, March 21, 2010

La Galette Creperie Fresh Berry Blintz Crepe



Today our random meal brings us Crepes. This indulgence can be dessert or in my case a late breakfast. The Fresh Berry Blintz Crepe is a "limited availability" item on the menu. It starts with fresh seasonal berries. The berries for today are strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry. The fresh berries helps to justify it as a breakfast for me. We possess a heavenly crepe filled with decadent blintz cream cheese. This blintz filling is marvelously bursting with flavor. It engulfs the crepe and mingles with the crisp berries and whipped cream to create a nirvana on your lips, your tongue and in your tummy. Sixty eight miles for nirvana is clearly worth it.
Found at La Galette Creperie in San Clemente, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/320, iso 200)

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Thai Specialty 2 Wonton Soup in a Pot



Wonton Soup is our random meal of the day. What makes this wonton soup different from other wonton soups? The garlic infused broth is the secret ingredient to this special soup. You get the option to order the soup in either a bowl or a pot. The pot order gives you more of everything to share with your party. It also keeps the soup piping hot. The wonton has a dumpling favor and the shrimp is infused with flavor as it swims in the wonderful broth. Yummy.
Found at Thai Specialty 2 in Hacienda Heights, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/80, iso 250)

We have a new addition to the menu, a wonderful order of the Pineapple Fried Rice.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Uncle Bill's Pancake House Blueberry Buckwheat Pancake



Today for our random meal we have pancakes. Breakfast for lunch is always a great choice for me. The hardest part about eating breakfast during breakfast time is the waking up part. On the weekend, I enjoy sleeping in and by the time I feel like actually getting out of bed, it is already past the breakfast serving hours. Today we feature the Blueberry Buckwheat Pancake. I guess when you go to a pancake house; you ought to get the pancakes. Well, it took me a second trip to get a side order of one pancake as a late addition. I was assuming that a buckwheat pancake would not be my cup of tea. I was so wide of the mark. I think I rate this pancake as the second best pancake that I have ever eaten. The first is a billion miles away in Solvang at Paula’s Pancake House. The blueberry buckwheat pancake was so moist and fluffy. The blueberries are infused into the pancake. You add just a touch of maple syrup and pancake becomes heaven.
Found at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House in Manhattan Beach, CA.

(Nikon D5000, 35mm, f2.8, 1/100, iso 1400, +0.33ev)

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Tops Chorizo and Eggs



Today our random meal brings us Chorizo and Eggs. I barely made the cutoff for breakfast and right in front of the cashier is a sign for Chorizo and Eggs. This is awesome as I haven’t had Chorizo for quite some time. I was actually in the mood for a crazy order of the pastrami chili cheese fries but the Chorizo won me over. This is a hearty blend of Chorizo scrambled together with eggs. There was no skimping of the Chorizo here. We also have a side of hash browns and toast to complete the random meal.
Found at Tops in Pasadena, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/80, iso 1000)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

North End Cafe Creole Dawgs



This random meal was about a month ago. On a cold and rainy day we decided to finally try out North End Cafe. When we reached the door, there was a paper sign saying that they were closed and not sure when they will open up again. Huh, there's people in there, so how in the world are they closed? All of a sudden, we realize that there's a film crew in there taping something. A production staff member outside kindly asked us if we could move to the side because we were in the shot. Then we saw him! Guy Fieri. They were taping an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. If we were here earlier, then we could have actually been on the show!

Well, fast forward to 2 days from a month ago; we had to try this place now. We asked the girl working the counter what Guy had yesterday. She looked at us like we were speaking a foreign language. It was a simple question, as you would think they would be excited to be featured on the food network. There is a pretty big etching of Guy's face and the food network logo on their window now. Well, we kind of had to insist that she asks someone what the heck he had eaten. Finally a staff member that was there yesterday told us what he ate. Guy had sampled 2 dishes and all the dawgs on the menu.

I had the Creole Dawgs. If you are a salt fan, then this will be your dream come true. The Creole Dawgs, with an "S" comes with 2 bacon wrapped hot dogs with some Zatarain's salt added. Good thing there was a load of delicious Belgian fries to balance out the meal.
Found at North End Cafe in Manhattan Beach, CA.

(Nikon D5000, 35mm, f4.0, 1/80, iso 280)

My friend had the Cubano Panini. This was the one of the two dishes that Guy Fieri sampled.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Boston Market Rotisserie Chicken



Today we have rotisserie chicken for our random meal. I still remember the first time I ever had rotisserie chicken. It was the memory of the moistness of the chicken that still clings to me today. Today we have an entire delicious rotisserie chicken to share.
Found at Boston Market in Los Angeles, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/80, iso 360)

Monday, March 15, 2010

Chicken Maison Maison Special Salad



Today we have salad for our random meal. We began our tale of 2 salads on a gorgeous sunny Southern California day. The funny thing about a salad is that no two salads will ever look the same. They could contain the same exact ingredients but with a leafy green thing, it comes out different. It is really funny what you start noticing when you photograph food on a daily basis. Hey you have to eat, so why not capture the random point in time also? Our salads arrive, and I look at my plate and my friend’s plate. I want his salad over my salad. Normally this is the scenario that runs though my mine when someone gets a bigger steak. But for a salad? Yes, his just looks better. My offer of a trade was rejected so I photographed it. The feature picture is my salad. His is the bottom salad. So my quest for 3 salads in 30 days has started.

We have a healthy Mediterranean cuisine today. We have the Maison Special. This is a “Caesar chicken salad tosses with Maison Rice.” The rice made the salad a tad heavy but I had to try their special. The chicken was divine.
Found at Chicken Maison in Redondo Beach, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/160, iso 200, -0.33ev)

The salad that should have been mine.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Guppy House Strawberry Mango Banana Shaved Ice



Today is part two of our Taiwanese cuisine random meal. Today we feature shaved ice for dessert. Ok, this has to be the largest bowl of dessert that I have ever seen before me. What we have before us is a mountain of shaved ice. I had only ordered the smallest to-go order and they kindly put in a bowl for me so that I can eat at the restaurant. Well, I stare into this vast colossal bowl of strawberry mango banana shaved ice that is topped with delicious condensed milk, wondering what the heck I have gotten myself into. Keep in mind that I just finished a very large bowl of dumpling soup and noodles. The dessert bowl can eat the noodle bowl and still not be full. Well all I can do is eat, and eat, and eat some more. Was I victorious? Sadly no, but I relished every single mouthful that I had. I proudly conquered ¾ of the fantastic bowl of strawberry mango banana shaved ice.
Found at Guppy House in Irvine, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/60, iso 6400)

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Guppy House Dumpling Soup & Noodle



Today our random meal is a Taiwanese cuisine. This was a pretty late meal. What I did not realize is that precisely at 9PM; they dim the lights and go into hip hop dance music mode. There goes the great lighting and I’m left with blue lights. Good thing for manual white balance. I actually really came here for dessert (to be featured tomorrow) but I had not eaten yet so a warm soup on a cold night would be great. We have the Dumpling Soup & Noodle. The dumpling had a great blend of pork filling that was season just right. The soup is a veal based broth and flour noodles rounded out the random meal.
Found at Guppy House in Irvine, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 6400)

Friday, March 12, 2010

Ajisen Ramen Seafood Ramen



Today we feature a random meal not eaten by me. We have the Seafood Ramen ordered by a fellow coworker that is visiting from Florida. I suggest ramen for lunch as something different and unique for the hungry travelers from the other sunny state. Little did I know that one of the merry bands of travelers does not eat pork? Well, the menu was saturated with pork items. Pork is a staple in many ramen dishes. Ahh, then we found it, the Seafood Ramen. Not a single piece of pork in sight, but that bright red and glowing baby octopus sure catches your attention. There were 3 of these bad boys in the seafood ramen. Kimchee was also added to the ramen dish. Sometimes, the best pictures are from other people’s dishes.
Found at Ajisen Ramen in Irvine, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/80, iso 720)

Here is my nice and safe Miso Ramen with Pork.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Boudin SF Turkey & Havarti Cheese on Sourdough



Today we have sourdough bread goodness for our random meal. I cannot believe it. A Boudin SF chain is actually in Southern California. I always enjoy traveling to San Francisco. You get the great sites and the delicious food. I am especially fond of the sourdough bread from Boudin. I always thought that I had to drive almost 400 miles to eat this wonderfully delicious sourdough bread. Now, the drive is cut down to a mere 40ish miles.

Today our meal consists of a half Turkey & Havarti Cheese on a sourdough roll and a bowl of clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. I believe it is the bread that makes the sandwich and this bread makes this sandwich a star. Since I ordered the random meal to go, the clam chowder was not in sourdough bread bowl. It never did make it into the bread bowl as I ate it in it’s entirely and no longer became a bowl. There’s nothing wrong with clam chowder in a cup. Maybe next time I will order two sourdough bread bowls or maybe three…
Found at Boudin SF in Irvine, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f5.6, 1/80, iso 640)

Here is the awesome sourdough bread bowl without the clam chowder in it.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Pork on Vermicelli Noodles



Today we have grill pork patties served with vermicelli noodles in a perfect to go package.
Found randomly in Los Angeles, CA.

(Nikon D5000, 35mm, f2.8, 1/160, iso 200)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Arby's French Dip & Swiss



Today we have an Arby's French Dip & Swiss sandwich. It is a clean 500 calories random meal.
Found at Arby's in Los Angeles, CA.

(Leica D-LUX4, 44mm, f2.8, 1/60, iso 100)

Monday, March 8, 2010

California Fish Grill White Ruffy



We have grill fish for today's random meal. This random meal comes down to three words. Garlic Butter Sauce! With this special sauce poured over the grill white ruffy, I'm not exactly sure that meal would still be considered healthy. My coworker was quite suspicious when I told him that we should go eat at a fish place. This choice was out of left field from our normal dining fare. I completely devoured the entire delicious plate.
Found at California Fish Grill in Irvine, CA.

(Nikon D700, f4.0, 1/80, iso 5000)

Sunday, March 7, 2010

85C Berrytale



Ohh, this is a wonderful random meal treat. We have the Berrytale. Oh, the Berrytale, why do you have to be so far away. You are exactly 40.5 miles away from me. That is a whopping 81 miles round trip for the most enchanting pastry. I know long distance relationships are challenging but this may be the exception to the rule. The Berrytale is so worth the drive. It is a delicate puffy and moist pastry that is filled with this feathery and magnificent blueberry cream cheese that engulfs mouth with a gentle eruption of unadulterated gratification. There is also the unmistakable dollop of blueberry jam on top of the Berrytale as its classic signature. Yummy!
Found at 85C in Irvine, CA.

(Nikon D700, 60mm, f11, 1/80, iso 2500)

Additionally we have an order of the Danish Cream.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen



Ramen is today's random meal. Ahh, I finally made it to Hakata Ramen or ShinSenGumi. It really depends on the person but they are both the same one as the official name of the restaurant is Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi. This completes my big three ramen house trifecta for Southern California. The other 2 are Daikokuya and Santouko. What makes the Hakata Ramen unique? The noodles sets this place apart from the rest. The ramen noodles are more like angel hair pasta. The noodles are a feathery delicate strands of wonderful pasta. You have your choice of how you want the ramen cooked from soft, normal, or hard. Yell, Kaedama and they will make you an extra order of the ramen for less than a buck.

The most difficult part of the meal if you are a Hakata Ramen noob is the test before the meal. You have to fill in your test sheet with what item you like; the soup base from light to heavy, and the oil strength again from light to heavy. Good thing there is a normal for everything and that is what I choose. After you established your baseline, you can then come back again and customize to your heart's content. My master plan for the next random meal is Hard noodles, light oil, heavy soup base, add flavored egg, add Chashu pork slices, add Spicy Miso, and finally perform my ninja moves to move me to the front of the long lines.
Found at Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi in Gardena, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f4.0, 1/80, iso 1400)

We also have an 1/2 order of the Takana Fried Rice.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Trimana Grill Western Burger



Today we have a Western Burger for our random meal. The burger consists of 2 beef patties, American cheese, bacon, onion rings, and barbecue sauce. The key is to find a Trimana Grill and not a regular Trimana to be able to enjoy the burger.
Found at Trimana Grill in Los Angeles, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f5.6, 1/80, iso 3200)

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Wendy's Place Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs



Today's random meal brings us Chicken Fried Steak. Ah, this brings back memories as a kid. I remember the first time I ever heard about chicken fried steak. I had no idea what it was. Was it chicken or was it steak? Is there such a thing as a steak fried chicken? I think this is the name of this random meal is a paradox of confusion. Well, fast forward to today. This is a steak that is breaded and fried like a piece of chicken. Yes, the youthful mystery has been solved. Then I see right below, the chicken fried steak item on the menu, there is a "chicken fried chicken". Oh the humanity...

We now bring you back to the featured mystery item. We have a steak that is "Deep fried to a golden brown and smothered in country gravy." The country gravy is a thick savory sauce that complements the chicken fried steak well. The home fries bathes in the extra gravy. We finish the meal with 2 eggs over easy. Now this is a hearty random meal.
Found at Wendy's Place in El Segundo, CA.

(Nikon D700, 50mm, f5.6, 1/80, iso 1000)

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

California Chicken Cafe Chinese Chicken Salad



Today we have a healthy random meal of the day assignment. We have a small Chinese chicken salad. This is a unique bend of romaine lettuce, plain pasta, chicken, crispy Chinese noodles, and carrots tossed together with Chinese dressing. You also get pita bread with your salad to round out your meal.
Found at California Chicken Cafe in Los Angeles, CA.

(Leica D-LUX4, 37mm, f2.4, 1/80, iso 200)

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Curry House Deluxe Fried Shrimp Curry



We have Curry for today’s random meal. The Japanese curry is a smooth base that you use to soak up your rice. The spice blend is a great mix that will not overwhelm your palate as it has a pleasing blend herbs and spices. The curry is a thin syrupy mix that will keep you light on your toes. There is a wonderful rice pilaf to soak in the curry sauce. We top the rice pilaf with a perfect pure egg omelet. To finish the meal, we have 3 hefty size shrimp that is battered and fried to a fantastic crunchy perfection.
Found at Curry House in City of Industry.

(Nikon D700, 60mm, f3.0, 1/80, iso 2800)

Monday, March 1, 2010

Pho Tai



Pho is a traditional Vietnamese meal. Pho Tai consists of a beef broth that is simmered for hours until it is perfectly seasoned, then you add rice noodles, and thinly sliced beef. The rare beef is placed into your soup just before serving and will finish cooking in the broth.
Found at Pho 87 in Los Angeles, CA.

(Leica D-LUX4, 24mm, f2.o, 1/13, iso 200)

We also have some delicious crispy fried Vietnamese egg rolls.