syori the foodie

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Katsu Sando@San Gabriel ★★★

Katsu Sandwich by Daniel Son. (Sushi Sonagi) Snow Crab Korokke Roll with 3 kinds of Tobiko was amazing. Pork Katsu was thick, tender, and juicy. Crispy on the outside. Great with curry. Corn Potage (Japanese Corn Soup) was great. They have shaved ice with Kuramoto Ice from Japan seasonally. Would love to try next time when available. Cute mini-mart corner. Bottled Green Tea $3.95. Free limited parking in lot.

Snow Crab Korokke Roll $19.95

Katsu Curry Plate $15.95

Curry for Katsu

Corn Potage (Japanese Corn Soup) $4.95

Katsu Sando
710 W Las Tunas Dr Unit 6
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 545-2266
eatkatsusando.com

Saturday, December 16, 2023

sushi ii@Newport Beach ★★★

Great Quality Omakase Sushi in Orange County. Felt like Ginza, Tokyo. Middle Tier Oribe Omakase Course $180 per person. Add-ons available. I added Aji ($10) & Ikura ($8). Love the Aji. Would like to try their Kaiseki Course next time. Complimentary Green Tea. Complimentary parking in lot.

sushi ii
100 West Coast Hwy Ste 202
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 287-6268
sushi-ii.com

Thursday, December 14, 2023

The Steak Library@Lomita ★★★

High-End Japanese Steakhouse. Other than steak, they have a nice bar great for cocktails and drinks. Reservations via OpenTable. Free parking in lot.

Sky Restaurant $13
sake w/ lime

The Steak Library
1937 Pacific Coast Hwy,
Lomita, CA 90717
(424) 263-5373
https://www.steakslibrary.com

Torimatsu@Gardena ★★★

Best Yakitori in Town. Sasami Ponzu (Raw Chicken Breast) is not to be missed. Loved the Stuffed Lotus Root. Highly recommend pairing Yakitori w/ Beer. Soboro (Grated Chicken) Rice is nice to end the meal with. Their fruit sorbet is stuffed inside the fruit. Super cute. Great pricing. Quick & nice service on weekday early evening. The bill came out to be $116.25 + tax. Counter has the best seating. Located right next to Sushi Sonagi. Free parking in lot. I go to Torimatsu, Torihei, Koshiji, and Shin-Sen-Gumi for Yakitori in the area.

Okura (Okra) $3.50, Tsukune (Grated Chicken Meatballs) $3.75

Asahi (large) $11

Shiso Maki $3.75
perilla w/ chicken

Sasami Ponzu $11
raw chicken breast w/ ponzu sauce

Motsu (Liver) $3.75, Stuffed Lotus Root $3.75, Negi-Niku $3.75

Nasu (Eggplant) $7

Vegetables w/ Miso

Soboro Rice $8.50
grated chicken on rice

Ginnan (Ginko Nuts) $3.50

Negi-Niku $3.75

Yaki-Onigiri $5.50 (takes 20-30 minutes)

Peach Fruit Sorbet $8.50

Torimatsu
1425 W Artesia Blvd
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 538-5764

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Skywalker Vineyard@Marin Country ★★★

Mind-Blowing Tour & Wine Tasting at George Luca's Skywalker Vineyard. What an experience. Fantastic tour and tasting with impressive Charcuterie Board, followed by shopping time at the Gift Shop. Pictures allowed outside the buildings. Pictures not allowed inside the buildings. By invitation only. Become a wine club member or get the $5,000 Star Wars drink at Disney Cruise on the Disney Wish ship. [developing story]

Entrance of the Winery

Outside of the Gift Shop

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Kenzo Napa Restaurant@Napa ★★★

Exquisite Kaiseki Fine Dining. 1 Michelin star. Excellent food & wine paring. A5 Satsuma Wagyu Tenderloin Okakiage was like ultra premium Gyukatsu – soft, juicy, & tasty. Went to their restaurant after visiting the Kenzo Estate winery (2 separate locations). Our 3rd time returning. We had Chef Yuta Suzuki at our counter, who just came from Japan. Great service from Alexis. $275 pp w/ service charge included. Had fantastic wine pairing for $180, which included wine from Kenzo Estate. Reservation was made via OpenTable for 8:30pm seating (booked a month prior).

Compare to July 3, 2020 visit:
https://www.syorithefoodie.com/2020/07/kenzo-restaurantnapa-day-1.html

Seaonal Hassun
kanagawa saba mackerel w/ grain mustard, crispy hokkaido scallop, sesame tofu, string beans w/ yuzu infused miso, persimmon & japanese pear w/ tofu dressing