Rate-A-Restaurant #405: Tokyo Hot Chicken (Glendale)

Restaurant: Tokyo Hot Chicken

Location: 237 S Brand Blvd, inside Bourbon Steak (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Japanese/Chicken

We stipulated: Maria and I continue "New Food Sundays," inspired by the Los Angeles Times' latest 101 Restaurants special issue. And we've also been on a spicy fried chicken kick, as has the rest of the world, apparently. Tokyo Hot Chicken was a quick, nearby choice.

They stipulated: Speaking of trends, this is a pop up, available only to go at Michael Mina's Boubon Steak restaurant in Glendale. "Tokyo Hot Chicken is a pop-up from the culinary minds of Chef Michael Mina and MINA Group. Hot Chicken meets Japanese Karaage, Tokyo Hot Chicken is the best of two worlds, combining the Nashville Classic with Japanese flavors and ingredients. This unique concept delivers food that has bold flavors, and that is satisfying and crave worthy."

What we ordered: CRUNCHY CHICKEN SNACKER kimchi slaw, spicy kewpie, pickle ($6.99); CHICKEN & WAFFLES Leg, thigh, mochi-matcha waffle, yuzu honey ($13.99); KARAAGE MAC Chicken nuggets on our classic cheddar mac and cheese with 1 sauce ($11.99); WASABI MASHED POTATOES ($5.99); KIMCHI SLAW ($3.99)

High point: The mochi-matcha waffle came and the yuzu honey sauce were unexpected delights next to the fried chicken. Plus, the portions were large enough that I even enjoyed leftover waffles as breakfast the next day.

Low point: That kimchi slaw portion was way too small.

 

Overall impression: I think the biggest win might have been the crunchy chicken snacker -- it's perfect for lunch, and priced right at $6.99. Well worth the carryout.

Will we return:  We're still making our way through all the hot chicken offerings in our area, but I would like more of those waffles, wasabi mashed potatoes and kimichi slaw — so yes, likely..

Rate-A-Restaurant #354: Guu (Vancouver)

Restaurant: Guu Izakaya

Location: 838 Thurlow St (Vancouver)



Type of restaurant: Japanese

We stipulated: I was in Vancouver for less than 48 hours -- long enough for perhaps one real meal. My colleague Geraldine suggested Guu, which was located close to my hotel.





They stipulated: "Guu Original on Thurlow is where the Izakaya boom started. It’s not only the first Guu to open, but is the very first Izakaya in Vancouver. Established in 1993 as 'Raku' & changed to 'Guu' in 2000, this Guu offers the most authentic izakaya experience, offering classic dishes like Yaki Udon & Oden. This is as close you’ll get to the real deal….unless you fly to Japan."



What we ordered: Tuna Tataki ($8.40), salmon sashimi ($8.80), Guuud Ale ($8.80)



High point:  I took a chance on the Guuud Ale and it was indeed guuud! Tuna tataki was nice too.



Low point:  Guu didn't have the scallops dish that I was most excited about off the menu.



Overall impression: I'm pretty sure I blew it, eating healthy instead of getting the down-and-dirty fried goodness off their menu. I didn't do my homework, and when I asked for menu guidance, I really didn't get any from the waiter. So I went in default mode and ordered healthy.



Will we return: If I return to Vancouver, I may hit Guu again in order to order properly.

Rate-A-Restaurant #342: Kanpai Ramen and Poke Bar (Glendale)

Restaurant: Kanpai Ramen and Poke Bar



Location: 1023 E Colorado St (Glendale)

Type of restaurant: Ramen, Japanese



We stipulated: We didn't want to venture far, and we'd heard about nearby Kanpai, which is bringing much overdue ramen to Glendale.



They stipulated: While ramen is their specialty, Kanpai is jumping into the whole poke craze, and also has an extensive boba and tea menu.



What we ordered: Mike: Spicy tonkatsu tonkotsu ramen with chicken ($9.95); Maria: Tonkatsu tonkotsu ramen with pork belly ($9.50); Kids: Tonkatsu tonkotsu ramen with chicken ($9.50); spicy tuna roll ($6); taro milk tea with boba ($3.50); mango milk tea with boba ($3.50)



High point:  The bowls were big enough for the Blogger Kids to split, and the right amount for us (I ate all of mine, while Maria had some left over).



Low point:  We were in a bit of a rush, but it was hard to get the attention of the server. Also, the Korean music videos were interesting but a bit distracting.

Overall impression: The meat had a slightly fermented taste, which was interesting, although I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. But points for the wide menu, and I can't wait to try the poke bowl.

Will we return: Yes.

Rate-A-Restaurant #336: Mifune (San Francisco)

Restaurant: Mifune

Location: Japan Center Kintetsu Building: 1737 Post Street (San Francisco)

Type of restaurant: Japanese



We stipulated: Looking for a spot for dinner that the Blogger Kids would also appreciate, we consulted a San Francisco Chronicle roundup of kid-friendly restaurants. Noodles and sushi sounded perfect, but most importantly, we knew the kids would get a kick out of their meal being served in a "bullet train."

They stipulated: "Serving 90 year recipe of fine Japanese Noodles in the USA since 1978, specializing in traditional Udon and Soba."



What we ordered: Seafood Soba -- shrimp, scallop, squid and vegetables ($12.50), spicy tuna rolls ($4.20), for kids under 12 years. cold udon, soba or rice with tempura ($7.50), Cashu Ramen - sliced barbeque pork and vegetables ($8.50)



High point:  The cold soba noodles and the seafood was quite a delicious combo.

Low point:  The "bullet trains" had seen better days. Not nearly as cool as promised.



Overall impression: All the hallmarks of a restaurant that once upon a time was a destination, but has now seen better days.



Will we return: Probably not. It's fine, but nothing special anymore.

Rate-A-Restaurant #324/325: Sakura Cha-Ya and Fisherman's House Sushi (Oxnard)

Restaurant: Sakura Cha Ya and Fisherman's House Sushi

Location: 2810 South Harbor Boulevard (Oxnard)

Type of restaurant: Japanese and Sushi



We stipulated: We spent the night at the nearby Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort, and were looking for a nearby spot for a fast lunch. I saw the reviews for Sakura Cha-Ya, which touted its authentic curry and noodle dishes.

They stipulated: Both Sakura Cha-Ya and Fisherman's House are located in the same small food court setup. These are not a table service spots -- but that's what allowed us to try both.



What we ordered: Sakura Cha Ya -- tempura udon (2 shrimp and assorted vegetables, over rice, plus miso soup, salad and dessert; $8.95) and soba noodles ($5). Fisherman's House Sushi -- Combo plate of sushi (Spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, California roll)




High point:  Good price for the sushi -- not bad quality for the mid-range price. And I enjoyed the soba noodles from Sakura Cha-Ya, once it finally arrived.

Low point:  And that brings us to the long wait we faced at Sakura Cha-Ya. The place wasn't crowded, yet we waited more than 30 minutes for our food. And when it came... it was sent to the wrong table. It took another 5 minutes for the employee to notice. The person who got the food promised up and down that she didn't touch it. I was dubious about that, but we were so hungry, we took it anyway. There was no offer of free dessert or anything to make up for our awkward wait.

Overall impression: I always like finding hole-in-the-wall joints with decent food. This weird food court came close, and it was located conveniently for folks staying at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach.

Will we return: I could see us trying the sushi again if we were ever back in Oxnard... but we won't go out of our way.

Rate-A-Restaurant #292: Masacasa

Restaurant: Masacasa



Location: 1757 Colorado Blvd. (Eagle Rock)

Type of restaurant: Japanese



We stipulated: For Saturday night dinner with the two blogger tykes in tow, we wanted a place close by, reasonably priced and new to us. I had spotted Masacasa during an earlier bike ride down Colorado Blvd., and it seemed like the perfect place to check out.


They stipulated: "Masacasa is a cozy place where you will enjoy authentic home-style Japanese food served by a warm friendly staff in an ever changing venue featuring works from local artists and a variety of music to awaken all your senses. Using fresh ingredients from a local farm, in-house prepared sauces and care for details, our dishes aim to impress you with the flavors and comfort found in the kitchens of Japanese homes. To continue our goal of providing healthy meals we use sunflower oil to cook our dishes. We are proud to provide a marketplace for local independent artists to showcase their work. A portion of all the proceeds from sales of these works will go to the Children of Fukushima Japan Charity."



What we ordered:Mike: Chicken curry ("Seasoned Chicken meat mixed in our Veggie Curry") $7.50; Maria: Oyakodon ("Chicken, onion eggs, simmered in with shōyu-dare over a bowl of rice, served with a side of miso soup") $6.75; The kids: Soba ("served with blanched green veggie, wakame, tanuki (tempura flakes), green onion with vegan broth") $6.95; chicken teriyaki ("Crunch skin with juicy tender chicken meat served with in house teriyaki sauce with a dash of sesame seeds and topped with green onions") $4. Starter: Edamame ($3.50)



High point: The prices are decent, especially given the portions. Maria's Oyakodon was the tastiest out of the bunch, although I enjoyed my chicken curry (even if it needed a bit more chicken) and all the sides that came with it.

Low point: It's a cozy, small restaurant -- but we left smelling like the restaurant. Even the next day. Perhaps better ventilation is needed.



Overall impression: Another nice addition to the row of restaurants up and down Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock. I love that it brings a niche to the neighborhood that wasn't there before.



Chance we'll go back: If we're in the mood for cheap, decent Japanese comfort food. And wearing clothes that needed to be laundered anyway.

The Hapa Project

In the Hawaiian language, "hapa" means half. But though the years, "hapa" has also come to mean someone who is half Asian/Pacific Islander and half-white, It's a shortened form of "hapa haole," which means half-white -- and is used to describe both people of mixed ethnic heritage and for Hawaiian music with English lyrics.

Artist Kip Fulbeck, who himself identifies as being hapa (he's of Chinese, Irish, Welsh and English background), came up with the exhibit Part Asian, 100% Hapa, now on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

We headed to the museum on Saturday, and got inside free thanks to "Target Free Family Days," sponsored by the retailer.


For his project, Fulbeck too pictures of hundreds and hundreds of people of mixed heritage -- all from the shoulders up, standing in front of a white backdrop and not showing any emotion at all. The participants were then asked to write on a sheet of paper their take on what defines them.

Visitors are also invited to take a Polaroid, write their own story and then post them on the wall in the museum. We had a pic of Evan taken; his writing, of course, consisted of chicken scratch.

The special Target-sponsored day also included a professional storyteller and a make-your-own sock puppet station. It also included free admission to the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. Located in the same courtyard as the Japanese American National Museum (seen above), the democracy-themed space currently includes an exhibit focused on minorities who fought on behalf of the U.S. in World War II (despite experiencing widespread discrimination back home).

The Fulbeck exhibit doesn't take long to see, but it's a worthwhile trip -- especially for the hapas in your life. But hurry -- the exhibit ends its run on Oct. 28.

Japanese American National Museum
369 E. First Sreet, Los Angeles, 90012
213.625.0414