Andy Gavin's Blog, page 141

May 6, 2014

Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Sun

Restaurant: Kali Dining[1, 2, 3]


Location:Beverly Hills


Date: April 25, 2014


Cuisine: New American


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Who says wine is just for diner, today I was invited to aChâteauneuf-du-Pape themed lunch with food cooked by chef Kevin Meehan of Kali Dining. Who says you can’t drink before 5?!?



2012 Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux-de-Provence Rosé. Hard to find, but a picture perfect afternoon wine.



1978 Château Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 91 points. View from the Cellar 95.Medium garnet colour, very bright and c...

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Published on May 06, 2014 07:24

May 4, 2014

Game of Thrones – Episode 35

gameofthronesseasonreleasedate-1396104840n4k8g Game of Thrones


Genre: Historical Fantasy


Watched: Episode 34 – April 27, 2014


Title:First of His Name


Summary: Good stuff


ANY CHARACTER HERE

Martin has a talent for coining phrases, and internet joking about XX of YY aside, First of His Name is one such title. Evocative, like so many of his little turns of phrase, it’s simultaneously unique to the books/show and characteristic of medieval phraseology.


Anyway, as usual, I’ll break down the threads into their sub plots for discussion.



Cersei-If Jaime...

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Published on May 04, 2014 21:37

May 1, 2014

Shin Beijing Cubed

Restaurant: Shin Beijing[1, 2, 3]


Location:3101 W Olympic Blvd – Los Angeles, CA 90006. 213-381-3003


Date: April28, 2014


Cuisine: Chinese


Rating: very solid electric Chinese


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The Hedonists return to one of our regular haunts, Korean Chinese Shin Beijing for some reliable (and somewhat closer than the SGV) Chinese eats — oh, and another birthday party.




We had a private room with two of these tables!




From my cellar: 2011 Domaine Tempier Bandol. 91 points.Black-tinged very dark purple red violet color;...

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Published on May 01, 2014 07:30

April 29, 2014

Elite Dim Sum

Restaurant: Elite Restaurant


Location:700 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754.(626) 282-9998


Date: April 8, 2014


Cuisine: Cantonese Dimsum


Rating: 31337


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My brother and I are dimsum fiends, so after many trips out to the SGV to visit the awesome Shanghai #1 we’ve decided to branch out a bit and explore some other recommended hot spots.




Elite is at the top of many people’s list.





Yay pictures!




A controversial thing about Elite is that they charge for sauce. $0.75 for the mustard on the left and $2...

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Published on April 29, 2014 07:19

April 27, 2014

Game of Thrones – Episode 34

gameofthronesseasonreleasedate-1396104840n4k8g Game of Thrones


Genre: Historical Fantasy


Watched: Episode 34 – April 27, 2014


Title:Oathkeeper


Summary: Good stuff


ANY CHARACTER HERE

All the best swords have names, and so it is with this episode. This isn’t at first glance a flashy episode full of big events, but it is a pivotal one in which changes set in motion by recent events take clear new turns. As usual, I’ll break down the threads into their sub plots for discussion.



Dany- The translator girl is teaching Grey Wormthe common tongue, which...

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Published on April 27, 2014 20:56

April 25, 2014

Oxymoron? – Upscale Street Food

Restaurant: Nha Hang Ngon


Location: Hanoi


Date: March 27, 2014


Cuisine: Vietnamese


Rating: Great Upscale Street Food


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Our third city in Vietnam is bustling Hanoi — and I mean bustling. This city has the pounding pulse of a jack rabbit on speed.




Our investigations brought us to Nha Hang Ngon which is a small chain of upscale street food (again!).




The setting is a cool old colonial courtyard house.



















If anything, this menu is even bigger than some of the others!




Crispy pork and shrimp spring rolls. These...

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Published on April 25, 2014 07:52

April 22, 2014

Hedonists go to Beijing

Restaurant: Beijing Resteraunt


Location:250 W Valley Blvd.Ste B2.San Gabriel, CA 91776.(626) 570-8598


Date: April20, 2014


Cuisine:Beijing Style Chinese


Rating:Really tasty


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Ah, the riches of the SGV (San Gabriel Valley), so many delicious Chinese regional cuisinesto chose from. Tonight’s entry is Beijing Restaurant, in the very same minimall as Shanghai #1.




Boiled peanuts are a traditional opener all across China.




From my cellar:1994 Ulrich Langguth Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese. 92 poin...

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Published on April 22, 2014 07:52

April 21, 2014

Game of Thrones – Episode 33

gameofthronesseasonreleasedate-1396104840n4k8g Game of Thrones


Genre: Historical Fantasy


Watched: Episode 33 – April 20, 2014


Title:Breaker of Chains


Summary: Good stuff


ANY CHARACTER HERE

Last week left us on the edge of our seats, either saddened at the loss of our favorite villain, or cackling in glee. Unlike the previous three seasons where the show really takes a while to get going, this time around we almost opened with huge events. Now let’s see how the pieces sortout. This is episode that covers a lot of threads, and none in great depth...

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Published on April 21, 2014 00:10

April 18, 2014

Adventures in Street Food

Restaurant: Morning Glory Street Food Restaurant


Location: Hoi An


Date: March 25, 2014


Cuisine: Vietnamese


Rating: Super Yum


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Everyone always talks about how great the street food is in Vietnam.




Things like crab fritters that have been sitting out for hours in the heat and humidity.




Or miscellaneous stuff waiting to assemble.




Our tasty maggot air dried meats.




Well, those of us who aren’t quite THAT adventurous (or don’t fancy a reasonable chance at several days glued to the toilet) might consider step...

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Published on April 18, 2014 08:01

April 15, 2014

Eating Hoi An – Riverside

Restaurant: Anantara Hotel


Location: Hoi An


Date: March 25, 2014


Cuisine: International


Rating: Great Location


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Our second hotel, in the scenic “ancient city” of Hoi An is the Anantara Hotel (a great hotel in general). Like most resort hotels, it features a buffet breakfast.




The second floor setting is amazing. A lovely breeze blows off the river beyond.




Various (semi) exotic juices.




Including this one I’ve never tried.




Lots of fresh fruit. Vietnam is a very wet and green place, and full of silty rive...

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Published on April 15, 2014 07:57