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...
May 4, 2014
Game of Thrones – Episode 35
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...
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;...
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...
April 27, 2014
Game of Thrones – Episode 34
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...
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!
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...
April 21, 2014
Game of Thrones – Episode 33
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...
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...
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.

Including this one I’ve never tried.

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




