[Irvine] [Bakery] 85°C Bakery Cafe

85°C Bakery Cafe
2700 Alton Pkwy, #123
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 553-8585
http://www.85cafe.us

I used to go to 85°C Bakery Cafe when I was living in Taiwan a few years ago.  But the one I went to wasn't exactly a bakery.  It was more like a coffee shop that also serves regular restaurant food.  Since the cafe was close to my work, I often go there for lunch with coworkers.  They served simple salad, sandwich, rice and pasta dishes.



When I heard that they opened a branch in the U.S., I assumed it was the same style as Taiwan.  But it was just a simple bakery that sells bread, cake, and drinks.  Friends told me the line at this place is always long.  Luckily, the day we went, there was no line.  But still, there were so many people inside the bakery fighting to get breads.

[Irvine] [Chinese] 金都 Capital Seafood

Capital Seafood
金都
2700 Alton Pkwy, #127
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 252-8188
http://www.capital-seafood.com

We found the Diamond Jamboree Plaza while apartment hunting down in Irvine.  This plaza was super busy when we visited, especially the famous Taiwanese bakery 85 Degree.  It was lunch time, and there were so many choices at this plaza.  After browsing through, Dr. P decided to have some dim sum.



Capital Seafood.  The name sounded so familiar.  Don't we have one in San Gabriel Valley somewhere?  I asked Google, and the answer was yes.  There is a Capital Seafood in Monterey Park as well.

[Rowland Heights] [Korean] 炭香村 Cham Sut Gol BBQ

Cham Sut Gol BBQ
炭香村
18722 E Colima Rd
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 839-9282

Dad said that he went to a really good all you can eat Korean BBQ place down in Rowland Heights with his fishing buddies.  Last month when my aunt and cousin came to visit from San Jose, dad took us there for a Korean BBQ lunch.



The place is called Cham Sut Gol.  But there was no English name written outside.  Also the Chinese name is much bigger than the Korean name.  I guess they probably get more Chinese customers than Korean customers?

[Los Angeles] [Korean] Tofu Villa (CLOSED)

Tofu Villa
2130 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025-6250
(310) 477-8987
(CLOSED)

We noticed Tofu Villa when it first opened in the Nijiya plaza.  The shop looked modern, clean, and it has an nice outdoor seating area.  We had a really late lunch that day, and didn't feel hungry until 9pm.  Dr. P was craving for some Korean food, but we were too lazy to drive to K-Town.  Lucky for us, Tofu Villa is right in West LA and they open late.


Kimchi

The restaurant was run by a Korean wife and husband team.  They were really friendly and had a big smile on their face the whole time.  We don't normally get that kind of service in K-Town restaurants.  After we ordered, they brought the banchan to our table.  The kimchi wasn't bad, but it wasn't the kind that I like.

[Los Angeles] [Japanese] Ugly Roll Sushi

Ugly Roll Sushi
11128 Palms Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 837-8500

We felt like having sushi, but didn't have much money to burn.  Where could we go in West LA?  Ugly Roll Sushi, of course.



I wonder how did they come up with the name "Ugly" Roll Sushi?

[Los Angeles] [American] Grace

Grace
7360 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036-2501
(323) 934-4400
http://www.gracerestaurant.com

I got an email from Grace about an Edible Magazine event dinner.  It was a 5 course meal for $48/person.  Participating chef included Chef Jose Andres from Bazaar and Chef Michael Cimarusti from Providence.  How could I pass up the chance?  I quickly RSVP through Open Table.  Next day I received a confirmation email with an agreement form.  I had to provide my credit card info and sign to agree that if I don't show up for the dinner, they could still charge me for the full amount of the meal.  It was the first time I had to do that for any restaurant RSVPs.  I could only assume that they take this event dinner very seriously.



I don't really like eating dinner too late.  But 9pm was the only available time I was able to get.  The restaurant was complete full with maybe 15 more people waiting when we arrived at 9pm.  We were seated around 9:30pm.

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