Something for Everyone at Sushi Kinoya

The title says it all! I’m a little particular when it comes to sushi. A lot of my friends think sushi means fried shrimp, panko crumbs, and cream cheese. Yes, I said cream cheese. I’ve seen it, and it’s sad. However, once in awhile, you find a place that will please everyone’s definition of “sushi,” without the cream cheese. Sushi Kinoya has sashimi, they have rolls, they have fresh sweet shrimp, they have teriyaki chicken, and more!

unnamed-1

The salmon sashimi here is fresh, fatty, and DELICIOUS! I would recommend this to everyone, especially those who aren’t super into raw fish. If they don’t like this, then there is no hope for them.

unnamed

These thick cut pieces of yellowtail are melt-in-your-mouth goodness with just the right hint of spicy from the jalapeno.

unnamed-2

For your pickier friends, I’ll delve into more familiar territory. This spider roll was fresh and crunchy in all of the right ways.

unnamed-3

The spicy tuna roll is a great safe choice for your friends that are just getting into sushi. They can get it pretty much anywhere that serves sushi, so it will be familiar. However, here, it is a standout. I’m not normally impressed by spicy tuna rolls anymore. I would rather indulge in another fun roll, but this is the perfect level of spicy and great quality, so I always order it.

11325775_832677586807220_1045584247_n

This blue crab roll with avocado is the definition of #bombdotcom.

unnamed-4

The Rock n’ Roll is my ABSOLUTE favorite! I have never had a cucumber wrapped roll, but with little to compare it to, I am still confident that this is the best around! It is filled with albacore, salmon, crab, tuna, avocado, and sambai sauce. It’s great to indulge in a roll without feeling full from rice.

Everything is reasonably priced and so fresh! They don’t have  a website, but if you need more proof that they kick ass, visit their Yelp page (not that I endorse Yelp).

Getting Real at Restauration

The longer I live on the LA/OC border, the more I appreciate the immediate area around me. My discovery of Restauration is a great example of this. They opened on 4th street in Long Beach this past July and are serving the community with their farm-to-table California cuisine. I had heard raves about their brunch, but photos from their dinner menu looked amazing. My family and I had planned a movie night to see St. Vincent’s and we needed a place to eat close by, Restauration immediately came to mind. I’m glad it did.
Upon walking in, you are greeted by a friendly staff and a small bar, but once you walk through to the patio you feel as if you are walking in to your best friend’s backyard. The patio is beautiful and homey, not extravagant, but quaint and beautiful! There are succulents lining the right wall, a back bench with bright colors, a wood-fired oven, local iced coffee on tap, and it’s dog-friendly! I am glad we are having a drier Fall/Winter, so I can enjoy this patio more often.
unnamed
First, we started with lightly fried onion rings served with a ketchup and chipotle aioli that I could spread on anything and it would make it more delicious.
10610877_753553164707074_6645085864345318113_n
I have a sweet spot for Brussels Sprouts. I love them. LOVE them! More often than not, they are served quite simply with butter, garlic, and another herb of some sort. However, this place made the brussels sprouts only one component of the dish. They added basil, tarragon, roasted corn and peppers, and micro greens. It was like a brussels sprouts salad and it was absolutely DELICIOUS!
10557301_731458800249844_5343108026188777710_n
My mom ordered the Clams+Chorizo. I didn’t know what to expect from this one, but it ended up being my favorite. It was pulled pork braised in chorizo spices with manila clams, roasted bell peppers, fingerlings, and smoked paprika. Do yourself a favor and ask for extra bread. You will thank me when you have eaten all of the clams and you discover how delicious the juice is by itself. You will want to pick up the bowl and start sipping. Trust me.
983721_724456504283407_3360256728405570334_n
I saw someone’s Instagram photo of the Braised Short Rib and Ricotta Gnocchi and knew I had to order it. Served with kale, herbs, and parmigiano reggiano, this dish was divine. The kale was cooked just right with a slight crisp in each bite and the gnocchi pieces were melt-in-your-mouth smooth. And the short rib, oh the short rib. They packed in a hell of a lot of flavor into that piece of meat. This dish was definitely a favorite.

I can’t wait to visit for brunch and to introduce my friends to this neighborhood gem. For more information on Restauration, visit their website: http://restaurationlb.com/.

*pictures taken from Restauration.

Bacon and Brews at the Big Bite Bacon Fest

I was invited to the First Annual Big Bite Bacon Fest at the Queen Mary this past Saturday. The event, hosted by Big Bite Events, was a festival of sweet and savory bacon bites, local craft breweries, beautiful views of the Queen Mary, and tons of bacon loving patrons.

I attended the dinner session where a lot of vendors had already run of out food and the lines were consistently a 20-30 minute wait. Even though the lines were longer than any bacon strip I consumed at the event, many of the creative samples were well worth the wait! Some of my favorites included:

unnamed-2
Bacon Burger from Slaters 50/50

Screen shot 2014-08-05 at 11.10.44 AM
Dia de los Puercos‘ Hog Pocket

unnamed
The Queen Mary’s Bacon Coconut Macaroon

unnamed-3
Chicharones from Big Bubba’s Bad BBQ

In addition to the food, I loved the beer selection at the event. This selection included the likes of Stone Brewing Co., Firestone Walker Brewing Company, and Golden Road Brewing.

unnamed

All in all, it was definitely a fun event with a bunch of different elements including music, a pig mascot, and cool swag to take home! I look forward to seeing what they have in store for next year’s event!
For more information, visit http://bigbiteevents.com/