Eat good food now!
Back in 1997 a friend and I thought it would be great to start a website that would provide information on restaurants in the general area. We loved to eat good food as, I would say, everyone else in the world does. So why not produce a website like this, connect with other people across the country, and build a database of restaurants and personal reviews.
Well, my HTML skills weren’t that great at the time and the website I built really didn’t get anywhere but my computer. Since then, a ton of restaurant review websites have popped up which provide a plethora of information. From personal experience to well groomed taste buds discussing spices and unique flavoring.
Ten years later I’m still eating food and loving it. Aren’t you? And if I had the time, I’d build this website with unique ideas (call me and we’ll work on it!). Despite the fact that I’m not running this website I do have the ability to eat at restaurants and share my thoughts in: Tribune-USA or even my Hungry-Hungry-Writer blog.
So here are a few tried and true restaurants on my ‘go-to’ list.
The Yard House – Pasadena, CA
Great food, Classic Rock!
330 East Colorado Blvd. Suite 230
626) 577-9273
This has become Jake’s favorite restaurant. The Penne Chicken Pasta is perfect for two kids to share and Donna and I split a salad and any burger on the menu. On those, ‘I don’t want a burger nights’ I’m happy with any of the appetizers on the menu. My favorite is the Hawaiian Stack (tuna sashimi), Sliders (mini cheeseburgers) and the Crab Cakes. But, the number one reason I like The Yard House is its atmosphere. From Sunday football on the overhead television sets, to the range of classic rock played overhead. Add a glass of ice cold beer from their large collection of beer and it’s the perfect Sunday lunch! Beer of choice – Blue Moon Beer that comes with an orange slice. And right now, get in on the Monday Night Football Happy Hour where you can order appetizers at half off from kick off till the end of the game!
Blue Fish Japanese Restaurant – Montrose, CA
Sushi Restaurant
2261 Honolulu Ave
(818) 248-9700
This has become my favorite Sushi restaurant in the Glendale area. I wrote a full review about it two weeks ago. If you’re a value conscious sushi eater you’ll definitely get your money’s worth! It’s not cheap, but you definitely get your fill of food for the money you spend. Blue Fish has the best Specialty Roll menu in town, the best Gyoza I’ve had at a restaurant, and a kids chicken teriyaki plate that comes in a multi-layer serving saucer - kids will love it! Get there early because any time of the week you’ll find yourself waiting for a table after 6:00 PM. Trust me. It is worth the wait.
Raffi’s Place – Glendale, CA
An Armenian/Persian Cuisine
211 East Broadway
(818) 240-7411
Here’s a place that you can grab an outside table during the day or evening and experience a hidden oasis right in the middle of Glendale! If you were blindfolded and led into Raffi’s Place you wouldn’t know where in Glendale you were at. I love having dinner outside – when it gets cold heat lamps make your dinner comfortable. Raffi’s Place is known for their kabobs but there is more to the menu than that. If you like hummus, you’ll love theirs. My favorite dish is the ground beef (koobideh). The ground chicken plate is also superb. Served with a large portion of buttery white rice (yum!), a grilled tomato and green pepper – it’s the perfect meal for a very hungry person – like me! Try a different beer too! The Kotayk beer is pretty damn good! Be prepared to take leftovers home!
BCD Tofu House – Los Angeles (Korea Town)
A Korean Tofu House
869 S. Western Ave
213-380-3807
There was a time where you’d see me at a BCD Tofu House 3 to 4 times a week; from the Western Ave location to the one in the Valley (Saticoy Street in Reseda). It took me a while to actually fall in love with the Tofu Soup (soon dobu) but once I did I was addicted. I love it extremely spicy and it doesn’t matter if it’s a hot afternoon but it’s even better on a cold winter night which is forthcoming! Before there was soon dobu there was order number 13! A galbi soon dobu combo. Oh my god! It’s perfect as a past midnight dinner or an early afternoon lunch! Each person gets a fried fish (fried joo gea) if you desire, and their side dishes (ban chan) like kimchi, potato salad and pickled cucumbers are great additions to an even tastier meal! Make sure you let them serve you the rice. It’s served in a hot rock pot and they’ll scoop it out into a bowl for you. Be prepared to one, get your fill and two, be there more than once a week! (forgive my Korean dish spellings but I tried)
Wow… I am so hungry just thinking about it. I think I’ll have BCD Tofu House for lunch today as I already had Blue Fish last night! And Raffi’s Place, beware – I’ll be there this weekend for sure!
