Monday, December 28, 2015

Jun Tonkotsu Ramen at Ramen Tatsunoya



We have for our random meal of the day an order of the Jun Tonkotsu Ramen. This ramen shop from Japan opened its first United States location less than a week ago. Yes there was a long line early in the cold morning as an excited crowd awaited the restaurant opening. The ramen broth is slow cooked for 15 hours prior to severing. I choose the milder variation of the three types of ramen that they serve. This bowl of ramen hit the spot on a cold California winter Monday morning.

Found at Ramen Tatsunoya in Pasadena, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 400

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Hot Beef Udon at Marugame Monzo



We have for our random meal of the day an order of freshly made Hot Beef Udon. The udon is freshly made here. If you choose to sit at the counter, you get to watch a live show of the chefs making the udon right in front of you. The texture of the udon is actually completely different here. You can actually pick up the udon noodles with your chopsticks and not have it slide off instantly. Yum!

Found at Marugame Monzo in Los Angeles, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 200

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Ramen Burger at Cha Cafe



We have for our random meal of the day an order of the Ramen Burger! I actually been eyeing a ramen burger for almost two years now. I originally saw in person a real live ramen burger at a Ramen festival. Unfortunately for me it was the first ever Ramen festival event at that time and it was pure madness. It was already past one hour in line to even buy the tickets to get into a food line. The food lines snaked all over the place and we decided to pass on the ramen festive. Well, two years later, I finally get to check off eating a ramen burger off my list. This was actually off the secret menu and only served in limited quantities each day and only served past a certain time each day. The ramen as a bun has a unique texture as it is crispy on the outside yet soft like a normal ramen on the inside. Today's random meal of the day mission has been accomplished!

Found at Cha Cafe in West Covina, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 560

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Black Humor Special Honey Toast at Sno-Crave Teahouse



We have for our random meal of the day a crazy order of the Black Humor Special Honey Toast. We start with the honey brick toast that is about 3 times the normal size. Then we add 3 scoops of ice cream. Then we top the ice cream with brownie bites and Oreos. Then even more sugar goodness is then topped on! This is a magical random meal of the day treat.

Found at Sno-Crave Teahouse in Fremont, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 11400

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Hot Pastrami Sandwich at Carnegie Deli



I still recall my first ever trip to the Big Apple, New York City. My coworker brought me to a typical New York Deli for a mountain of a pastrami sandwich. Food photography was future hobby. Sadly that deli no longer exists but the arch rival still remains and that is where we dined for our random meal. We have for our random meal of the day a monster of a Hot Pastrami Sandwich.

Found at Carnegie Deli in New York, New York.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 2000

Friday, August 7, 2015

Vintage Natural Beef Shabu-Shabu at Mizu 212



We have for our random meal of the day an order of the Vintage Natural Beef Shabu-Shabu. I find it interesting for the shabu shabu experience, you are responsible for cooking your own food. This way you are ensured of the fresh quality of the food. This order of Prime Grade Rib-Eye does melt in your mouth.

Found at Mizu 212 in Los Angeles, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 1100

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Jelly Munchkins Donut Holes at Dunkin Donuts



We have for our random meal of the day treat an order of Jelly Munchkins Donut Holes from Dunkin' Donuts. It is funny how an east coast chain that transplants itself to the west coast creates a such a long lines. It actually took 15 minutes from the start of the end of the line to finally receiving my donuts. The jelly in the donut holes pure genius. It gives the items just the perfect random meal pop!

Found at Dunkin Donuts in Encino, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 2800

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Smokin' Buffalo Chicken Pizza at Pieology



We have for our random meal of the day an order of the Smokin' Buffalo Chicken Pizza with Bacon! I couldn't help but to add some bacon to this pizza. The crust had a crispy crunch without being brittle or doughy. The pizza also perfectly balanced the buffalo flavor without overwhelming the taste of the pizza dough. Yum!

Found at Pieology in Thousand Oaks, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 250, +0.33ev

Friday, June 5, 2015

Happy National Donut Day! featuring YouKnowWhats Donut at Becker's Bakery



Happy National Donut Day! Random Mealers! It looks like national donut day is on the first Friday of June. We have a special treat of a Chocolate YouKNowWhats Donut. The unofficial "cronut" just hits the spot for our random meal of the day treat!

Found at Becker's Bakery in Manhattan Beach, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 280

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Chicken Pot Fries Poutine at The Kroft



We have for our random meal of the day an order of Chicken Pot Fires Poutine! This is a true random meal. The Kroft takes familiar dishes and adds an innovated twist to it. A poutine is a Canadian-French specialty fries that is covered normally in gravy. The gravy for this random meal is the same gravy that is normally in a chicken pot pie. As interesting as it sounded on the menu, it was just a fantastic pop with the fries.

Found at The Kroft in Anaheim, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 320, +1.33ev

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Lobster Roll at Legal's Test Kitchen



We have for our random meal of the day my final Lobster Roll that I had in Boston. I believe that I satisfied my lobster cravings. Yum!

Found at Legal's Test Kitchen in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sony RX1, 35mm, f2.0, 1/80, iso 1000, +0.3ev

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Shrimp Scampi at Giacomo's Ristorante



We have for our random meal of the day an order of Shrimp Scampi. This random meal was definitely worth the extended wait in line. It was actually our pit stop after walking the historic Freedom Trail in the opposite direction. This included the countless steps up to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument!

Found at Giacomo's Ristorante in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sony RX1, 35mm, f2.0, 1/80, iso 2000, +0.3ev

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Twin Lobster Special at New Jumbo Seafood Restaurant



Our random meal of the day brings us an order of the Twin Lobster Special Ginger and Scallion style. I found eating lobster this way is much easier as you do not have to crack open the whole lobsters yourself.

Found at New Jumbo Seafood Restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sony RX1, 35mm, f2.0, 1/80, iso 800, +0.3ev

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Twin Lobster Special at Mount Vernon



We have for our random meal of the day an order of the Twin Lobster Special. It was a bit of a trek for the special but well worth it for some fresh lobsters that was friendly on the wallet.

Found at Flour Bakery + Cafe in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Sony RX1, 35mm, f2.0, 1/80, iso 640

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Sticky Buns at Flour Bakery + Cafe



The magic of this Boston trip came in the form of the infamous Sticky Buns by Pastry Chef Joanne Chang. I remember watching an episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay where he challenged her magical Sticky Buns and lost. I made a mental note way back then that if I ever make it to Boston, then I will eat this magical Sticky Buns. Well I managed to eat THREE of these in span of less than a week. So many random meal choices and I kept gravitating back here. It would have been FOUR but one night tragedy struck when they had SOLD OUT for the day. It was a good thing my morning random meal of the day treat was a Sticky Bun....

Found at Flour Bakery + Cafe in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sony RX1, 35mm, f2.0, 1/60, iso 200, +0.7ev

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Chocolate Chip Cannoli at Mike's Pastry



Our random meal of the day treat brings us a wonderful Chocolate Chip Cannoli!

Found at Mike's Pastry in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sony RX1, 35mm, f4.0, 1/60, iso 6400, +1.0ev

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Lobster Roll at Boston Chowda Co



Our random meal of the day brings us the first Lobster Roll that I had in Boston. When you are a tourist, you eat at a tourist destination in the Quincy Market. The combo that I order also came with a small bowl of clam chowder. This hit the spot!

Found at Boston Chowda Co. in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sony RX1, 35mm, f4.0, 1/80, iso 125, +0.7ev

Monday, April 20, 2015

Lobster Sandwich at Alive & Kicking Lobsters



Our random meal of the day brings us Boston Magazine's 2014 best lobster roll. The funny thing is that it is actually a Lobster Sandwich. I ate the random meal way back in September 2014 on a trip to Boston. It was an adventure to get to this restaurant that is situated in the middle of a residential area. It was a bit of a walk but so well worth it. The toasted bread actually complemented the lobster and gave a nice crunch that is different from the typical softer roll. The lobster sandwich starts with a sesame-crusted scali bread that is buttered and toasted. A healthy portion of lobster meat covered with mayo and black pepper fills the bread. This sandwich actually beats the hype!

Found at Alive & Kicking Lobsters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Sony RX1, 35mm, f2.0, 1/160, iso 100, +2.0ev

Thursday, April 16, 2015

1/2 Pollo Chicken Special at Rod's Char Burger



There are times when you are just in the mood for some classic comfort food. This is what this random meal of the day brings. We have the half Pollo Chicken Special. It is really funny that I actually ate this particular random meal so many times that when I come in, they know exactly what I want. It is actually contradictory to the premise of random meal of the day. But there are just those days when your mood for adventure is just not there and you want the familiar to give yourself a smile. I actually laughed today when I googled the restaurant and you have the opportunity to have a 360 degrees inside street view of the inside of the restaurant. All you need is a camera, and sometimes the magic just happens. Can you guess where I sat? Our random meal is a half chicken that is marinated and charbroiled. We have a side of fries and your choice of hot corn or flour tortillas. A side of salsa completes this random meal of the day.

Found at Rod's Char Burger in Redondo Beach, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 560

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Lobster Hash at Bottega Louie



We have for our random meal of the day a fantastic order of the Lobster Hash. We start with a Maine lobster tail and that is diced and seasoned. We then add some finely cubed Yukon Gold potatoes. Two perfectly poached eggs are then placed upon the lobster hash and a smoke paprika hollandaise sauce is layered over the eggs to complete this random meal of the day.

Found at Bottega Louie in Los Angeles, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/80, iso 900

Friday, February 27, 2015

Bacon N' Egg Pizza at Ugly Pie Co.



We have for our random meal of the day an order of the Bacon N' Egg Pizza. This pizza is off the specialty pizza menu as I feel that sometimes it is better to let someone choose the toppings for you rather than choosing to create your own random meal. The pizza starts with a fresh regular dough that is hand shaped. We then add the garlic butter sauce as the base for this pizza. Next a layer of mozzarella is layered over the garlic butter sauce. We then sprinkle on a generous lay of bacon! A layer of chopped green onion adds some color along with a handful of corn. A fresh egg is then placed in the middle and seasoned with a dash of sea salt and shake of pepper to round out the flavors. Finally an olive oil ring coats the outer crust to ensure that it gives you a satisfying golden crispy crunch. I passed on the final sprinkling of arugula for this random meal of the day.

Found at Ugly Pie Co. in El Segundo, California.

Nikon Df, 58mm, f2.8, 1/400, iso 400, +0.67ev