Go Burger

We are fans of BLT Steak, so we were really excited when a Go Burger opened in Los Angeles.


The fried pickles and milkshake looked delicious but weren't too memorable. The sliders and fried chicken sandwich were a waste of calories. And, the signature Ultimelt burger -- sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches -- tasted surprisingly one-dimensional. 

In the end, it was a no-go. But we'll still give BLT Steak another try day!

Sushi Stop

When a coworker told J about a cheap and cheerful sushi joint that had just opened in Sawtelle, we just had to find out what it's all about.

Sushi Stop turned out to be one of those sushi mills that churns out inexpensive sushi and brusque service for a fraction of what you'd normally pay -- none of the dishes are more than $2.75.


But what sets it apart from the rest is the variety...there's much more to choose from than your standard spicy tuna roll -- including flame-seared sushi, curry udon bowls and a spring roll "ceviche." And, the quality is great for the price -- the ingredients are fresh and the rolls are made to order.


With such a diverse menu at a great price, it became our newest addiction.

Las Vegas roll, yellowtail and scallion hand roll, salmon skin salad, curry udon bowl, baked blue crab roll, tofu salad, black cod with citrus, crispy rice with spicy tuna, aburi yellowtail and salmon belly, aburi white tuna, spicy tuna roll, yellowtail and salmon sashimi, crispy rice with spicy tuna and shishito, spring roll "ceviche" with roe, baked black cod hand roll, spicy tuna with crispy wontons

No Taste Like Home

Sometimes, we just can't stop thinking about a certain dish from our childhood...on this particular day, it was a plate of steaming hot sticky rice and topped with sliced lap xuong sausage that had been rendered and sauteed with scallions. 

Thank you, Moms, for this food inception!

Not another rainy day!

The last day of our New Year's extravaganza ended up cold and wet. But if this happens to you, don't give up. There are things that can help...

Beverly Soon Tofu
Just looking at a huge boiling bowl of tofu soup will make you think you're wading through a balmy lava river instead of a pot hole in the parking lot. And that huge sizzling platter of meat will make you think you're dancing atop a smoking BBQ grill. Heaven!

Shaky Alibi
Nothing brings warmth and cheer like an impromptu gathering with friends to help you share a crispy liege waffle, topped with salted caramel ice cream, caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream. This waffle was almost as good as the company!

Pho
...And if you still need some help after all that, convince a family member to make you some pho. Like Windex or duct tape, pho can fix anything!

Elite Restaurant

2011 began with a couple of pounding headaches among the four of us, but we knew just the cure: Elite Restaurant in Monterey Park.

Elite is not your average dim sum — many of the dishes have a twist to them, like the roe atop the shu mai and the toasted sesame seeds in a steamed pork bun. The selection is extensive and the portions are huge.

Our friends expertly chose some amazing dishes, including items we'd never tried before — like clay pot rice with pork and salted fish, and a custardy bun that oozed a sweet preserved egg yolk. It was both new and comforting at the same time.

We consumed just enough of a shiny, greasy dim sum slick to help us shake off last night's indiscretions...and just enough MSG to induce a much-needed afternoon nap.

Congratulations, lovebirds!

Our cousin got married on 1/1/11. How cool is that??? C+J, you sure know how to throw a party!

It was our first family wedding as a married couple so, for the first time, no one was telling us, "You're next!!!". Instead, it was, "When's the baby coming???". But we had a great time. Weddings are so much fun, although married life is way better...well, at least one of us thinks so.

Totally candid photo taken by our 6-year-old niece