Not your 99cents bag of ramen...

My constant crave for ramen has brought me upon some great places in the bay area.  Yummy stretchy chewy hand made noodles...here are a few places in the bay area that I frequent:

Katana-Ya in downtown SF - Small tiny spot right around the corner from Union Square always with a line out the door so be prepared to wait...first come first serve.  Known for their "special katana-ya ramen" which includes chicken karage, fried gyoza, BBQ pork and corn

Majikku in Daly City - Not my favorite but a decent spot if you're in the area and craving for ramen.

 Ramen Dojo in San Mateo - My current favorite ramen spot...known for spicy ramen.  Only one type of ramen combination but you get to choose from 3 different types of soup base flavors (spicy soy, spicy pork or spicy soy bean) and how spicy you want it (mild, regular or extra spicy).  Note the quail egg right in the middle...

 

Halu in the Inner Richmond district of SF - The cutest little hole in the wall with everything Beatles related decorated inside...if you're not a Beatles fan you'll really consider becoming one after eating here :)  This place is known for their great yakitori options (grilled or panko crusted meat or veges on a stick) but they also have really good ramen.  Their ramen is a bit on the expenisve side at over $10 a bowl but is well worth it!  It's loaded with roast pork and chicken karage!  And the grilled stuffed mushrooms are yummilicious!

ALOHA!

After a week long trip on the island we've gained about 5 pounds each!  Here are a few of the must "stops" in Oahu where the locals frequent:

 First stop for my favorite dessert treat...coco puffs at Liliha Bakery!

 Ramen and chicken karage is a must in Hawaii...Goma Tei at the Alo Moana Center

And here is what we've been looking forward to...lunch plates!  For those of you that are Hawaii virgins...lunch plates are very popular on the island for the locals.  It includes 2 scoops of rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and a meat/fish of your choice...full of fat aka full of yumminess!

First stop was En Fuego Grill in Kapolei for some garlic chicken and grilled mahi mahi.

After a long hot day on the beach it's time for some shaved ice!  Matsumoto in the North Shore is a favorite spot for many but I personally prefer Wailoa Shaved Ice in Honolulu.

Can't be on the island without trying some authentic Hawaiian food.  This time we tried a place recommended by our hotel concierge called Highway Inn in Kapolei.  A couple other places we've been to before with very good local Hawaiian food are Helena's and Ono Hawaiian Foods in Honolulu.

A few of the favorite items include squid luau (minced squid) , pork lau lau (roasted pork wrapped in banana leaf) , butterfish stew, and dried pipikaula (short ribs)

A famous spot on the pier for great fresh seafood lunch plates is Nico Pier 38 in Honolulu.  We had the grilled mahi mahi and the black sesame crusted ahi tuna.

One of the most popular spot for local lunch plates is Rainbow Drive-Inn in Honolulu. A place we ate at 3 times during our week long trip!  Known for the breaded chicken smothered in home made gravy...yum!

A newer trendier spot and great bar hang out is the Side Street Inn...known for their kimchi fried rice and fried pork chops.  In addition to the two items, we had the poke, the grilled sea bass, and short ribs.

A great place for 50% off happy hour special is Sansei Sushi located inside the Marriott in Waikiki.  You can take advantage of this special deal Sun -Thurs from 5 to 6pm and Fri & Sat from 10pm to 12am.  And it's 50% off 90% of the items on the menu!  As you can see, we fully took advantage of this deal...yes we were pigs!

Miso glazed butterfish, tuna tataki salad, various sushi rolls, steak & prawns...

A place that makes their own noodles...thin udon!  Jimbo's in Honolulu is my new favorite place on the island!  Set lunches include rice and udon.

Our favorite Chinese resto

When it comes to our own kind we are PICKY so you can trust me when I say this is the one of the best Chinese restos in the bay area....Asian Pearl in Millbrae.

Our favorite dish...Ribeye over Crispy Tofu Cakes

Mixed mushroom and bok choy with glass noodles in clear broth

Stir fry crispy spare ribs with a sweet sauce

Watercress with fried garlic in a clear broth

And for dessert...the chinese donut, cripsy and coated with sugar (only served during dim sum hours)

A favorite spot in my hood

Delarosa in the Marina district of SF is my favorite resto within walking distance of my place.  It's the sister restaurant of Berretta in the Mission district and Starbelly in the Castro, but Delarosa is consistently  better of the three. Great drink concoctions, great wine list, great roman style pizzas, great pastas, great apps...small plates options perfect for tastings!  Here is what I must order every time...

Eggplant Caponatina with Burrata

Fava Bean and Pecorino Bruschetta topped w/freshly shaved parmasean

Orecchiette with Broccoli Pesto - my favorite item...yummy goodness!

Margherita Pizza

Fennel Sausage, Tomato, Scamorza and Onion Pizza

And this time is the very first time I tried dessert!

Bomboloni Caldi - House-made donuts served with chocolate sauce, mascarpone cream, and raspberry puree

No Happy Hour only lasts an hour!

Ottimista Enoteca cafe in the Cow Hollow district of SF is a cute little wine bar specializing in Italian wines and a menu with a variety of small plate options.  Be sure to note their Happy Hour specials from 4 to 6pm Monday - Friday...buy 1 get 1 free any glass of wine, $5 beers, $6 cocktails, and discounted food.

 Saffron Arancini with Fontina - Fried risotta balls filled with melted fontina cheese...these little things are yummilicious!

Pizza Margherita with Fresh Burrata and Basil- Only $10 during happy hour (still expensive in my opinion for a mini, and I mean mini pizza)

Compania style Italian fare

A16 in the Marina district of SF is well known for their Campania style food is the perfect place for wood-fired oven pizza and wine fans.  Their pizzas have gorgeously thin, crisp crusts and slightly puffy edges

Funghi Pizza – roasted mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, grana, garlic, oregano, wild arugula, olive oil

Braised Pork Shoulder with a side of Roasted carrots and turnips with leeks, mint, lemon and chiles