Puppychao

My new blog site

2009-08-05T13:29:00.001-07:00

I have moved all of my food related posts to my new blog. Check it out!

Styrofoam Cup Art

2009-08-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

I came across this artwork, it's pretty awesome.Here's more information on the artistMore artwork

Children Full of Life

2009-07-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

A fantastic documentary about a teacher and his fourth grade students. You may not agree with his teaching methods, but learning to communicate that deeply at such a young age can only be helpful as a person gets older.

Camera Obscura

2009-06-15T15:43:00.001-07:00

Their new album is out and with the first pass through, it's pretty good.

Birthday...Lucques!

2009-05-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

My friend Mike invited me to his birthday dinner this weekend. The dinner was at Lucques, one of LA's top restaurants. I had eaten at AOC, one of Suzanne Goin's other restaurants. I really liked AOC, so my anticipation for Lucques was really high.The reservations were for 7:00PM on a Saturday evening. We arrived 15 mins late and the restaurant was bustling. There were nine people in our party and

Golden Deli

2009-05-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delayed post. On our way back from Coachella, we stopped for lunch at the Golden Deli Vietnamese Restaurant in San Gabriel. I had heard alot about the food at this place and was excited to try it out.We arrived just passed lunch time on a Monday. The restaurant was still very busy. My friend ordered the #1 and summer rolls. I ordered the Bun and some type sausage dish. The #1 at

Coachella 2009

2009-04-21T01:25:00.001-07:00

Well, just like that Coachella 2009 has come and gone. To me this years line-up was not as impressive as the previous years, but there were still some incredible performances and memories.Photos courtesy of Sam's cameraHere are my awards for Coachella 2009:Biggest Surprise: Paul McCartneyI wasn't expecting much, Sir Paul's performance was one of the best of the weekend.Best Moment(s): The Ting

The Counter - Westlake Village

2009-04-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Counter has finally unveiled there Westlake Village(WLV) location. The burger joint which opened on April 7th, has locations all over Southern California. I had been anticipating the WLV opening for quite awhile. So a few of us went for Easter dinner. It was busy, but there was no wait. For those that have not been to the Counter before, there tagline is "Custom Built Burgers". When you are

Los Angeles Taco Trucks

2009-04-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

Evan Kleinman's radio show Good Food now has a video series. The first episode talks about LA taco trucks, if you haven't tried one, you should. I'm waiting for the day to try out Kogi.

Cafe Luck

2009-03-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Cafe Luck is located in Santa Barbara just off of State Street a few doors down from The Palace Resturant. The restaurant opened Sept 2008 and it's menu is French Bistro inspired. I'm lucky enough to be great friends with the assistant to the owner and looked forward to the meal.The restaurant has a very casual feel, as do most places in Santa Barbara. There were three of us and we had

Mu Dung San BBQ

2009-03-23T21:37:00.001-07:00

I took some friends to AYCE Korean BBQ for lunch this past weekend. I decided to take them to Mu Dang San, my last visit there was good and the price is right. We arrived at a little past noon and the restaurant was mostly empty. We order the all you can eat for $16.99 each. The panchan was nothing spectacular, but I really like the Gaeran Jim they serve (Steamed Egg), a great way to start the

Cafe Firenze

2009-03-14T18:49:00.001-07:00

I've been wanting to try Cafe Firenze for awhile now. With Chef Fabio Viviani making it to the finals of Top Chef and his restaurant being pretty close to my house, I thought why not. I also heard that it was really good. The occasion was my sisters birthday and we had a party of four. Our reservations were for 6:30 on a Thursday evening. Located in Moorpark, CA. the building used to be Bauduccos

City and Colour

2009-03-11T23:10:00.000-07:00

I saw this guy open for Tegan and Sarah awhile back. His name is Dallas Green, he was amazing live. Just wanted share...

Sasabune

2009-03-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

Finally. After all these years, I finally had dinner at Sasabune. My friend had been saying I need to try the sushi there for the last year and a half. I read about Sasabune on several blogs and food review sites. It was always spoken highly of and I was looking forward to the experience.Chef/Owner Nobi Kushuhara is a disciple of Sushi Nozawa and his restrictions are similar. As you walk in you

What took me so long?!!!

2009-02-23T20:07:00.000-08:00

I've truly been lazy about posting updates on my blog. Since my last post I've enjoyed many delicious restaurants, cooked many delicious meals and just been through quite a bit of stuff. I know, I know, I need to write about these things. Well I'm gonna try to be more consistent, I promise.What inspired me to start posting again? Well, I just finished watching the latest episode of No

Masa Sushi - Camarillo

2009-01-08T10:47:00.000-08:00

I work in Camarillo and have never really given sushi in Camarillo a chance. So yesterday for lunch we tried out a place called Masa Sushi, located off the Los Posas exit. I did some research online and found some decent reviews of the place. The restaurant is pretty small, a sushi bar that seats about 10 people and tables for an additional 30ish customers. The restaurant is named after the owner

Apartment Therapy The Kitchn | 10 Techniques Every Cook Should Know

2008-12-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

Apartment Therapy The Kitchn | 10 Techniques Every Cook Should Know

My Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving for my family is a bit different then what you would expect. Turkeys are non-existent, instead you'll find rice, some sort of poultry and chili paste. This year we decided to have dinner at NBC Seafood, a location we normally go for Dim Sum. With new owners and a face-lift, I was excited to sample some new food. The meal started off with Duck two ways. They serve the crispy duck skin

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-26T14:44:00.001-08:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Thomas Keller and Protégé to Go 20 Rounds - Diner’s Journal Blog - NYTimes.com

2008-11-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

Thomas Keller and Protégé to Go 20 Rounds - Diner’s Journal Blog - NYTimes.comThis would be a dream dinner.

Giang Nan

2008-11-08T16:34:00.000-08:00

After a review posted on Chowhound about this place, I decided to check it out. My mom had been there before and said the food was pretty good. We got to the restaurant pretty early, around 11:15. Giang Nan is located in a small strip mall and the place looks very unimpressive. But the interior is much nicer then you would expect. When we arrived the restaurant was still empty. I let my mom do

Truly Historic

2008-11-05T08:00:00.001-08:00

With our country at a low point, Americans voted for "Change" last night. The change came in the form of our President Elect Barack Obama. This historic election brought us our first African American President and hopes to bring the U.S. back to it's feet. President Elect Obama has a lot of issues to face when he begins his term. But I think he has showed us that he has the focus and intelligence

Baconnaise

2008-10-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

Are you kidding me?!!! This is absolutely the most incredible invention since sliced bread!!!read more...

Girl Talk!!

2008-10-26T19:32:00.000-07:00

Saw Girl Talk at the Fonda this past Saturday 10.25. The show was incredible, the crowd was into it and Greg Gillis did not disappoint. With music from the Night Ripper album, Feed the Animals and some mash-ups I've never heard before, the energy was amazing.

Watermark on Main Restaurant

2008-10-26T18:39:00.001-07:00

Watermark on Main is a new restaurant in the City of Ventura that opened about two months ago. The first thing you will notice about this restaurant is the beautiful decor. The building that houses this restaurant was built in the 1920's. And much of the original decor still remains. The first and second floors contain the restaurant and the third floor is the W2O lounge. The main dining room has

Tegan and Sara

2008-10-19T09:44:00.001-07:00

Tegan and Sara played a sold out show at the Henry Fonda Theater last night. It was amazing. The show was different then any other T&S show I've seen before. With a mesmerizing light show and fully plugged in with a full band. They've grown up and so has their popularity. It is well deserved, this talented duo has a great connection with the audience. And the diverse crowd reacted to every move

Ocean Star - Dim Sum

2008-10-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

Dim Sum is one of my favorite types of meals. I love the variety of flavors, textures and cooking techniques. Ocean Star is the place I've been frequenting lately. On this trip I went with a few friends and all of us were completely satisfied.We arrived at approximately 10:50, which beat the rush which starts around 12:30. Ocean Star like many Dim Sum restaurants is a large banquet style

Cool Co-Workers

2008-10-10T14:13:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Amazingly Cool

2008-10-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

I'm not even a huge fan of cupcakes but these are pretty cool...check out the ingredients

Life...

2008-10-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, what kind of title is that. Well it's the most appropriate word for what I've been thinking about lately. Since the tubing accident I had a month ago, I've had a lot of time to think about life.In my life I've seen my friends get married and have kids. I've seen my parents get older and visit the hospital for aches and pains. I see our world going through amazing technological

Marriage, Family and Lake Tahoe

2008-09-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

Finally getting back to the grind after a weekend in Lake Tahoe. I attended my Cousin Ping's wedding to Aimee Chang. It was a beautiful location for a beautiful event. Our accommodations were amazing, we had a lake front house just North of Tahoe City.I have never visited Lake Tahoe in the summer. It's really a beautiful place. I only wish I had more time to spend. The wedding brought relatives

The Omnivore's 100

2008-08-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Here’s what I want you to do:1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.The Omnivore’s Hundred:1. Venison2. Nettle tea3. Huevos rancheros4. Steak tartare5. Crocodile6. Black pudding7. Cheese fondue8. Carp9. Borscht10. Baba ghanoush11. Calamari12. Pho13. PB&J sandwich14.

What is wrong with society?

2008-08-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

Domino's Scientists Test Limits Of What Humans Will Eat

Opening Ceremony...speechless.

2008-08-09T15:33:00.001-07:00

Photo from LA Times/Wally Skalij If you didn't watch the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies last night, I hope you Tivo'd it. I did not watch it until this morning, but I am so happy I recorded it. It was the most amazing artistic performance I have ever seen. The pageantry, power, beauty and scope were only surpassed by the creativity. Director Zhang Yimou presented the world with his amazing

Wake and Bacon

2008-08-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

I want one of these alarm clocks. See how it works.

Tama Sushi - Studio City

2008-07-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

My second visit to the Studio City Sushi Corridor. My culinary school teacher recommended Tama Sushi to me several years ago. I finally made the trip to try it out. We got there at about 5:15 on a Saturday, we were the only people in the restaurant. I was looking forward to a Omakase meal with a couple of friends. As we sat down we were presented with a Sake menu and on the wall behind the sushi

GLOW - Santa Monica

2008-07-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

I attended The First Annual GLOW art event in Santa Monica this past Saturday night. The concept was interesting, the execution left a lot to be desired. The first problem, traffic and parking. I drove around with my sister for almost two hours looking for parking. In an area that is already difficult to find parking on a weekend. It didn't seem like the event promoters expected the turn out to

Thomas Keller to open Bouchon bistro in Beverly Hills - Los Angeles Times

2008-07-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

Thomas Keller to open Bouchon bistro in Beverly Hills - Los Angeles TimesExciting times in the food world for Los Angeles. The countdown starts...

Leave it to the Austrailians

2008-07-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Who knows if it really works, but it's a great commercial.

Fireworks, Food and The Black Dahlia?

2008-07-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

July 4th 2008, fell on a Friday...Can we make it a law? From now on it should be Independence Day Weekend. The party was at Aimee's house, aka The Ranch. It was perfect, the weather was beautiful, the pool was refreshing, the grill was cookin, the margarita machine was working overtime and The Black Dahlia was taking names.The following pictures show victims of the so-called Black Dahlia.

Sushi Raku II

2008-06-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

My second outing to Sushi Raku and they didn't disappoint. I went to meet my friend Laura for dinner and to catch-up on current events. The restaurant was pretty busy, we got two seats at the sushi bar.In my first visit I ate a whole lot of food. Tonight was going to be a little more mellow. We both started of with a Spicy Scallop Hand Roll. I didn't order this last time, it was good. Their

Bittman - What's Wrong with What We Eat.

2008-06-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

Interesting and informative presentation on the World's food issues and the Western Diet.

New Restaurants!

2008-06-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

Some new restaurants are scheduled to open this summer in the Westlake Village area. Wolfgang Bistro is another one of Mr. Pucks restaurant ventures. The website describes it as "innovative twist on regional favorite dishes, to complement Wolfgang's Eat, Love and Live (WELL) program." It might be a decent option for this part of town.But the place I'm most excited about is The Counter. The

How to judge a dude by his food - Food on Shine

2008-06-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

Do women really think this way? I know I would love to meet a girl as interested in food as I am. But that's going to be pretty difficult, considering I'm a freak about food.How to judge a dude by his food - Food on Shine

Recipe Dealbreakers

2008-06-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

Michael Ruhlman for those of you that don't know is an author and cook. His blog is both educational and informative. I really enjoyed a recent post about recipes and a NY Times article about following them.ruhlman.com: Recipe Dealbreakers

Fun in the Sun

2008-06-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

Better then late then never. Last Sunday my friends Mike and Sarah had a Pool Party/BBQ at their lovely home. The weather was awesome, the food was fantastic, the cocktails were inebriating and the company couldn't be better.I brought over some Deviled Eggs with Truffle oil and my moms famous Fried Chicken Wings with a Spicy Asian Chili Sauce. Some other delicious apps included a Spinach and Feta

Awesome Photo

2008-05-19T10:01:00.001-07:00

I love this photo...

A Nice Refreshing Beverage? Try this...

2008-05-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

With the weather getting really warm, a nice refreshing beverage is needed. Here's one that will be hard find(not many bars have Pimms), but worth the effort. I was introduced to this cocktail a few years ago. Since then my quest to find it at bars has been difficult. I did find it in a nice bar in Shanghai. But most bars around my part of town just don't have it. So make it at home, you'll be

Now that's a kids show

2008-05-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

Barney? Teletubbies? Dora the Explorer? The Wiggles? American kids shows seem boring and not very educational. But what do I know, I don't have kids. Now this Japanese kids show looks really good. Maybe it's because it's all about sushi!!!

Mothers Day

2008-05-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

My parents and I planned to celebrate Mothers Day on Saturday this year. And of course the destination would be the San Gabriel Valley for Chinese food. I got my mom a bouquet of fruit from Edible Arrangements. It had strawberries, pineapple, chocolate covered apples and cantaloupe.As we left for SGV, we did not have a specific restaurant in mind, some of the ideas mentioned were Luscious

From Dodger Dogs to organic franks, L.A. is a hot dog town - Los Angeles Times

2008-05-01T17:08:00.000-07:00

From Dodger Dogs to organic franks, L.A. is a hot dog town - Los Angeles Times

Coachella 2008 - Nice

2008-04-29T22:38:00.001-07:00

coachella_2008 Originally uploaded by Puppychao Well another year, another Coachella. This years line-up was more of a mystery to me. Most of the bands were new to me and it was exciting to discover something new.I don't know if I discovered anything new, but what I did discover was an appreciation for the established. Kraftwerk, Portishead, Fatboy Slim, and Prince, were all spectacular.

Coachella 2008 Photos

2008-04-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

Coachella 2008 - Los Angeles TimesSome photos from the LA Times...I'll be posting my review and photos as soon as I can.

Four Handed Guitar

2008-04-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

This is great. Doesn't the guy standing up look like he could be Jack Johnson's brother?

Coachella!!!!

2008-04-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

I can't wait...this weekend it's all going down.

Amazing Story - WOMAN SWALLOWED BY LEOPARD AND SURVIVES!

2008-04-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

When the sign says don't feed the animals, don't feed the animals. Authorities at a local zoo were astounded Wednesday afternoon to find a woman who had been swallowed by a resident leopard and STILL ALIVE. A zookeeper managed to cut off the leopard's head in time and rescue her. The woman, who asked that her name be withheld, is home recovering with her family and undergoing physical therapy.

Pookies - Thai in Westlake Village

2008-04-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

Good Thai food in Westlake Village? It does it exist. I went to Pookies for the first time tonight with a friend. I had heard about this place and read a few reviews, so I was looking forward to the experience.Pookies is located in a business complex, an unusual place for a restaurant. But they have been there for several years. The location is actually pretty nice. There is a nice pond and

Andy Rooney on Fruit

2008-04-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

In Videos: Andy Rooney on FruitPretty funny observations from Andy Rooney on 60 mins last night.

Mastro's Leftovers - Stuffed Again!

2008-04-11T12:08:00.001-07:00

I had quite a bit of the prime rib leftover from the other night, at least 2/3. So, I decided to make a steak sandwich for lunch. I bought a hoagie roll from the local deli and dug out the center. As I sliced the prime rib, I toasted the roll. I made a garlic aioli with horseradish and brought some mixed greens from home. I placed the sliced prime rib on the roll and back into the toaster oven.

Restaurant etiquette 101

2008-04-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

Article on Restaurant Etiquette from Real Simple magazine

Mastro's - Thousand Oaks

2008-04-10T12:03:00.000-07:00

Had dinner at Mastro's for the first time. I was prepared for a Ruth's Chris type atmosphere, but I was wrong. The decor and ambiance was much different, a lot more fine dining, then steakhouse. Unfortunately, it's so dark, you can't appreciate everything. We were seated in the Napa Room, which is located next to the M Bar. The room was empty except for one group, we arrived pretty early, around

Seoul Food - Elyse Sewell and Korean Food

2008-04-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

Cool video video by Elyse Sewell visiting Korea and enjoying the food scene.

Sushi Raku - Agoura

2008-04-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

My first visit to Sushi Raku last night. I guess this place has been open for a couple of years. I've been seeing ads in the local mailers, so I decided to check it out.As I entered I noticed the flat screen tv's. They were not as obtrusive as one might think. I was seated at the sushi bar in front Sushi Chef Peter. The bar seats approximately 15 people. There are several booths as well. The

DJ Risk One

2008-04-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

Just downloaded his recent mashup, Attention Definite...it's sick. Check it out, I recommend it to anyone who wants to dance non-stop.

Comme Ca - Los Angeles

2008-03-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

The service was great, the food was good. We had a party of three and reservations at 5:30. After reviewing the menu and our appetites. We decided to stick with just starters and cocktails.We ordered the Roasted Bone Marrow with Oxtail Marmalade, Steak Tartare, The Charcuterie plate and the Tarte Flambee. The bone marrow should be served with salt, as it was a bit bland. The steak tartare was

Asanebo

2008-02-24T00:06:00.000-08:00

Asanebo, is my first visit into the Studio City sushi corridor. Within a five mile radius there are at least five well known and highly touted sushi restaurants. Asanebo which means "late riser" in Japanese is definitely not just your average sushi restaurant. It received a Michelin star earlier this year. As a matter of fact, the cooked dishes are highlighted equally with the fresh fish brought

I'm back...maybe.

2005-11-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

It's been over a year since my last post. That's sad I know. I have no excuses except that I've been lazy. And honestly since I work on a computer all day, that's the last thing I wanna do after work. But I purchased a new digital SLR and have been updating my online photos(http://www.shutterbook.com/albums/peterchao), so I figured I should probably update my blog too.I will try my best, I'm

Puppychao

2004-11-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Jalapeno Relish anyone?

Fried Rice

2004-10-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Got Fried Rice? New recipe for this month is up.

+ INK +

2004-09-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

+ INK + this looks good

One Liners

2004-09-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt. When I'm feeling down, I like to whistle. It makes the neighbor's dog that barks all the time run to the end of his chain and gag himself. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. A penny saved is a government oversight.

ESPN.com - NCF - Receiver, 39, to play for Gamecocks once clear

2004-09-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

You are never too old! Yeah tell that to my body.

Seniors Rule!!

2004-09-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

Now this is some funny stuff, are your pictures in there?

The Morning News - The Non-Expert: How to Hide a Dead Body

2004-09-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

Experts answer what they know. The Non-Expert answers anything. This week former ambulance driver and TMN co-publisher Rosecrans Baldwin describes the right way to stash a stiff when the cops are on your tail.

Unusual gifts

2004-09-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

Just saw some rather unusual dolls for sale, you can check them out here.

Why kids and puppies rule.

2004-09-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about why I love kids and pets so much. When I say kids, I mean kids from newborn to about the age of five. And when I say pets, I mean puppies. Please understand that I do not have kids or pets. But I do have friends with kids and my sister has a dog that I live with. But the reason I love kids and pets so much, is that they are non-judgmental, speak or act like they feel,

Hilarious

2004-09-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Fricken hilarious! I just got done reading the Stump Page 2 section of ESPN. Really funny stuff. Been trying to figure out some place to go for vacation. Hawaii, Fiji, Europe, Asia, I just don't know where. If anybody has ideas let me know.

The Shins

2004-09-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to The Shins non-stop recently, love both of their albums Chutes Too Narrow and Oh, Inverted World. I really advise anybody who is into indie music like Modest Mouse, Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Lee, etc...to check them out. The song New slang from the album Oh, Inverted World, is one my favorite songs of the last few years!

Wonderful World of Blogging

2004-09-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm new to this whole blogging thing. The concept seems really cool, but I'm not sure if I'll be disciplined enough to update it regularly. But I will definitely try. I started a food journal Monday to expedite my weight loss plan. We'll see how it goes. The rate I'm going now, I'll never reach my goal weight. But I'm not going to quit.

Wow! Can it really be that easy?

2004-09-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

This is my first post and my first blog. Not sure what to write...