tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328018122012-01-12T05:20:36.173-08:00The culinary meanderings of Chubbypanda through Orange County, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Vancouver, and beyond. Food, life, and fun in California.Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.comBlogger2311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-91212445231103176812011-09-10T09:57:00.000-07:002011-09-10T10:16:13.419-07:00

(Pictures for this restaurant review taken with my Apple iPhone 3Gs.For fun, I wrote this restaurant review of the Sunny Side Cafe as a choka (長歌). See the section below the review for more details.)Up at 6:00am,Sleep-fogged mind barely working.Strange bed, no wife - Huh?Disorientation andconfusion. Panic.Relief when I realizethat I'm on a business trip.Running for the BART.Caffeine and

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-60669359823292398192010-11-08T23:23:00.000-08:002010-11-08T23:40:50.898-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Motorola Droid.)With his shaggy hair tucked into a black baseball cap, he looks like a worn out roadie as he hunches over the sizzling hot griddle. A skilled flick of an oil-soaked cloth cleans each indentation, brushing a glistening layer over the ebony surface. Then, a thin, creamy batter is ladled on in a explosion of savory steam, filling the trays to

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-82450456733398928482010-10-10T15:51:00.000-07:002010-10-10T22:35:42.656-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.This article is dedicated to Kelly von Hemert of Galley Girl for her friendly and persistent nagging. She's in your kitchen and my head!!!)Valhalla - The Hall of the Slain. It’s the final resting place of the Einherjar, heroes felled in glorious combat and selected by Odin the All-Father to serve in his personal guard. Raftered

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-10651059373948863752010-02-26T13:59:00.000-08:002010-02-26T14:22:43.539-08:00

That's just fun to say. I need to start blogging again, so here's a short post to warm me up.Scored me a sweet pin of Olympic mascot sidekick Mukmuk driving a Zamboni when I was up in Vancouver last week. Then the wife blogged about it on Outblush. Mukmuk is the bomb!Support Mukmuk in his drive to get promoted from mascot sidekick to full Olympic mascot. According to the lil' guy's bio, "

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-56322277074181094772009-08-30T14:13:00.000-07:002009-08-30T14:52:19.843-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)It's bell pepper season at the farmers' market! With modern growing and transportation methods, bell peppers have become so ubiquitous as a year-round staple that most of us probably don't think about their natural growing cycles. However, bell peppers are actually a type of berry. Like all fruits, they're best enjoyed at the peak of

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-13190071793573370542009-06-19T23:49:00.000-07:002009-06-20T11:07:34.437-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Daddy Cakes Bakery is holding a Father's Day Pancake Brunch this Saturday, June 20th, from 10:00am-12:00noon at the Whole Foods in the Tustin District. Dads dine for free! Everyone else pays only $5. All proceeds go to a local food bank. See you guys there!Disclosure: Daddy Cakes Bakery generously sent Chubbypanda.com samples of their

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-65405245350870571002009-06-17T23:33:00.000-07:002009-06-17T23:38:56.237-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)What's your snack of choice when you're cruising the city late at night? Do you like wrapping your lips around the obscene, incestuous porcine coupling that is the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog? Are you lured to the kaleidoscopic glitter of roasted meat served up at the many taco stands that dot La La Land? Maybe you're the kinky type,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-6629269004389248372009-06-14T23:38:00.000-07:002009-06-15T00:46:00.707-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)Last Sunday was the city of Tustin's 25th annual Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off. Believe you me, people in Tustin know how to throw a good bash.(Corner of Main and El Camino Real.)Here's the recipe. Start off by shutting down vehicle traffic to all of Old Town Tustin...Line the streets with stalls run by artists, food vendors, and

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-17557050845425045262009-05-22T08:22:00.000-07:002009-05-22T08:45:38.793-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)The restaurant was dim, lit by neon lights and a painfully bright plasma TV. Stands of lacquered bamboo thrust up from the tiled floor in a garish mockery of once-vibrant life. A wall of glass stood between us and the dining area as water streamed down its surface. Tendrils of manufactured mist swirled around our feet from a pool

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-46938657617046361342009-05-09T21:06:00.000-07:002009-05-09T22:09:03.958-07:00

When I first began food blogging, one of the questions I asked myself was how I would handle critical emails or comments from business owners upset by negative reviews. Having worked in the restaurant industry in the past, I know how much of themselves small business owners sink into their endeavors. Few people handle criticism well, so it's natural for someone to want to rebut, refute, or

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-62207488374735715802009-05-02T13:38:00.000-07:002009-05-05T09:21:03.332-07:00

Hey guys!I'm happy to announce that I've added a Twitter feed to Chubbypanda.com.My schedule has gotten a lot busier since the beginning of the year, which has made it harder for me to post as many reviews as I'd like. But, that doesn't mean I've stopped eating. I've added a Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/chubbypandablog so that I can post thoughts about the restaurants I'm visiting,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-47470800834801139872009-03-10T22:10:00.000-07:002009-03-10T22:14:37.348-07:00

(What are FoodVibes?As a food blogger, I regularly get emails from publicists, publishers, restaurateurs, and business owners eager to share information about their latest projects, great deals, and upcoming events. Sure, they're looking for some free publicity, but a lot of it is interesting stuff. Rather than just keeping it to myself, it seemed like a good idea to make this information

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-35005634230954103162009-03-08T23:44:00.000-07:002009-03-09T01:53:20.940-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)I am one seriously pissed off panda. I can't remember the last time I was this angry. We have rising gas prices, plummeting real estate values, double-digit unemployment, the specter of economic depression, and stock markets that have fallen with such rapidity that they threaten to drag the rest of the country into the Abyss with

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-27222955276594029892009-02-25T23:55:00.000-08:002009-02-26T01:14:00.638-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)(Olive Original Chicken)Southern-fried chicken is one of life's perfect pleasures. Locked in an armored shell of crunchy batter, the chicken is practically steamed in its own rich juices. The intense heat gelatinizes and draws collagen and marrow out from the bones, then forces it into the meat. Biting into a well-prepared piece

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-29777730657586314652009-02-23T23:45:00.000-08:002009-03-10T22:12:50.724-07:00

(What are FoodVibes?As a food blogger, I regularly get emails from publicists, publishers, restaurateurs, and business owners eager to share information about their latest projects, great deals, and upcoming events. Sure, they're looking for some free publicity, but a lot of it is interesting stuff. Rather than just keeping it to myself, it seemed like a good idea to make this information

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-20158391659451013692009-02-22T23:45:00.000-08:002009-02-23T00:49:27.210-08:00

(Pictures for this article taken with my Canon Rebel XTi, Canon PowerShot SD800is, and Canon PowerShot SD100.)(Chinese New Years hot pot feast we whipped up at elonweis's place.)Happy Chinese New Year!Wait. That was last month. Come to think of it. I missed the regular New Year. Christmas too. In fact, I haven't posted in about three months.Erm... (Christmas Tree at Cat's parents', December

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-16572850783315493102008-12-09T23:59:00.000-08:002008-12-10T00:10:56.308-08:00

Play the full size version on PETA.org.While I'm often sympathetic towards People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, every so often they come up with something so asinine that it reaches a glorious level of unintended comedy. Their gruesomely graphic sendup to Nintendo's popular Cooking Mama is freakin' hilarious. If nothing else, the thought that cartoon violence, however gory, would have a

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-71201596823066508132008-12-03T23:24:00.000-08:002008-12-04T01:36:06.899-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)My friend Kimchee is a really interesting guy. A Korean orphan, he was adopted at a very young age by a Caucasian family in the mid-West and had a traditional American upbringing complete with sock hops, football, and mom's apple pie. By every measure except the most superficial, he's a good ol' corn fed farm boy.(Kimchee in front

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-4746830418332916162008-12-01T22:50:00.000-08:002008-12-02T00:45:32.549-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100 and Canon PowerShot SD800is.For more about Brodard, check out these reviews by Elmomonster and Wandering Chopsticks.)One of Little Saigon's worst kept secrets is Brodard Nem Nuong Restaurant. It's also one of the best hidden. A bustling oasis for local Vietnamese food lovers, the restaurant is incredibly difficult for first-time

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-19336489854951083012008-11-27T01:34:00.000-08:002008-12-03T00:04:47.095-08:00

(Images for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.Check out my friend Julian's reviews of Kitayama here and here.)Happy Thanksgiving everyone!Well, I'm back after a longer post-election hiatus than I'd originally planned. I blame a combination of end of Q4 projects and the World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King expansion for eating my brain and blogging time.I'd like to dedicate

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-33353085899493223892008-11-03T23:54:00.000-08:002008-11-04T07:15:43.518-08:00

VOTE

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-72566508656274130002008-10-28T23:52:00.000-07:002008-10-29T14:22:48.992-07:00

Charity Texas Hold 'Em Tournament!REGISTRATION REQUIRED (Details below)Sat. Nov 1 (12pm – 5pm) Newport Beach Marriott500 Bayview Circle, Newport Beach, CA 92660Hello food fans! This isn't really on-topic for Chubbypanda.com, but it's for a good cause. One of my friends is helping set up a huge charity poker tournament this Saturday from 12pm-5pm at the Bayview Marriott in Newport Beach. The

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-13110515948532001812008-10-27T00:59:00.000-07:002008-10-27T01:54:16.602-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100.Read Elmomonster's review of TK Burger's other Costa Mesa location.For another great local burger chain, check out my review of Knowlwood.)Beginning with its flagship Balboa Island operation in 1986, TK Burger (aka The Kind Burger) has expanded to four locations along the central Orange County coast. At each satellite establishment,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-33429518631705403202008-10-19T18:28:00.000-07:002008-10-19T22:14:37.847-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)With Halloween coming soon, I've started thinking about some fun party appetizers to use for my next spooky shindig. This week, when I was at my local farmers market, I came across these cute Thai eggplants. They sorta look like little green pumpkins, don't they? Perfect for Halloween hors devours.Since miso, beef, and eggplant are

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-21660454627916416362008-10-08T23:35:00.000-07:002008-10-09T00:41:31.747-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)Earlier this week, one of my Canadian readers emailed to ask if I was planning to put up any more posts from my last trip to Vancouver. Since a number of readers have written in recently about my lovable sidekick, Ton-Ton, I thought it was time for him to make a reappearance.(Back by popular demand.)The Boathouse is a small chain

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-4910640847713311832008-10-06T22:27:00.001-07:002008-10-06T22:28:54.374-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Read my reviews of the 2006 and 2007 festivals.)I've got one heck of a cold right now. Here are some scenes from this year's Irvine Global Village Festival while I recover. Cat and I had a real blast. I hope some of you managed to make it!The Irvine Global Village FestivalBill Barber Park4 Civic Center PlazaIrvine, CA 92606Irvine Global

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-42885853416970286932008-10-03T23:52:00.000-07:002008-10-05T11:32:57.593-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)Crunch time is an inescapable fact of life in the IT industry. As a software developer, you're inevitably called upon to work through lunches, stay late into the night, and come in on weekends. To "make up" for the inconvenience, most companies will provide lunch and dinner during extended work hours. Since pizza is the cheapest and

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-2532895513283055192008-10-01T23:52:00.000-07:002008-10-02T01:29:00.124-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.A quick reminder that the Irvine Global Village Festival is coming up this Saturday, October 4, at Bill Barber Park in Irvine. The fun lasts from 10am - 6pm. Don't miss it!)Rosy-fingered Dawn had barely brushed the horizon when I arose from my slumber, unable to rest as visions of Loukoumades danced through my thoughts, the fluffy golden

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-67581830865982659222008-09-28T23:55:00.000-07:002008-10-03T23:12:18.611-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi and Canon PowerShot SD800is.If you missed the Los Angeles Korean Festival, don't worry. You can still catch the Garden Grove Korean Festival coming up on October 11 & 12. Cat and I will be there too!)Every year, Los Angeles' vibrant and eclectic Koreatown holds a festival celebrating Korean culture and cuisine. Its purpose is to bridge

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-1376508395858169862008-09-22T23:24:00.000-07:002008-12-01T22:50:12.818-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)It's always difficult when a favorite restaurant closes. There's emptiness in your soul from the removal of something familiar and comforting. A place that used to bring you pleasure is gone, taking with it all the small memories housed within. Given the high failure rate of restaurant ventures, it's an ache all too familiar to

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-86589295854971184592008-09-19T23:43:00.000-07:002008-09-20T02:05:58.390-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.The Los Angeles County Fair runs from September 5-28 this year. There's only one week left. Check it out while you still can!)The arrival of autumn is also the start of fair season here in California. The largest fair in the United States, the Los Angeles County Fair is also one of the oldest on the West Coast, having begun in 1922.

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-67866897864392522612008-09-16T23:54:00.000-07:002008-09-17T00:20:30.809-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is and Canon PowerShot SD100.)Every hero can use a good sidekick, someone to watch his back and get him through the rough times. Batman had Robin. Mulder had Skully. Frodo had Sam. Serenity captain Mal Reynolds had Zoe. I have Elonweis.My frequent partner in food adventures, Elonweis will uncomplainingly follow me into whatever

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-2075919733191380232008-09-14T23:57:00.000-07:002008-09-15T00:05:56.893-07:00

(Picture taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)Happy Moon Festival everyone! Hope you had some tasty cakes and enjoyed the nice full moon.

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-77754558471097288172008-09-04T23:17:00.000-07:002008-09-09T11:59:54.109-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi and my Canon PowerShot SD100.)Hidden in the outskirts of Little Saigon, Boulangerie Pierre & Patisserie has become a favorite amongst Orange County food bloggers for its sublime cakes and pastries. While its reputation as one of the best bakeries in Orange County is well-deserved, it also offers another hard-to-find treat that is frequently

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-82191328804966090442008-09-01T23:18:00.000-07:002008-09-02T00:24:43.245-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend. Mine was awesome. I spent the past three days relaxing and cooking up a storm. Cat and I also went on a few fun adventures, but I'll write about those later. I was browsing the Irvine Farmers' Market on Saturday when I found this magnificent pear gourd specimen at the Yao Cheng

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-49952998463149718472008-08-25T23:12:00.000-07:002008-09-19T23:56:36.999-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi and Canon PowerShot SD800is.)Every three years, tall ships ships from around the world come to the California coast as part of the Festival of Sail (SF LA SD). Over the course of a month, the ships visit San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, stopping for a few days at each port to participate in local celebrations. Featuring a number

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-40827838740189969302008-08-22T00:36:00.000-07:002008-08-22T00:40:57.408-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100 and Canon PowerShot SD800is.)(Cashew Chicken - lunch portion)Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. When times are tough and I'm tired of dealing with the drudgery of the daily grind, a cozy neighborhood joint serving comfort food is what I need. The grub doesn't need to be great, as long as it's filling and I can

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-80945786251441808132008-08-19T02:18:00.000-07:002008-08-25T23:58:53.948-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)(The festivities end on Sunday, August 24th, so get up there while you still can.)Every year, Little Tokyo holds Nisei Week, a festival celebrating the history of Japanese-Americans Los Angeles. Over the years, what originally began as an ethnocentric event has become a way for the Japanese-American community to reach out to the

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-41740443408125382342008-08-17T19:44:00.001-07:002008-08-17T23:34:14.519-07:00

Hey everyone!You might see some strange things going on here at Chubbypanda.com during the next day or two as I finally implement my new site design. I've been working on it for the past two weeks and I think it's finally ready.A few new features:Spiffy header banner. The artwork is courtesy of my brother, as is the profile picture I've been using.The navigation buttons just below the header

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-8395490061523796522008-07-29T23:50:00.000-07:002008-07-30T00:58:14.721-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100 and Canon Powershot SD800is.Read the rest of Steggy's Veggies.)(Mmm... Vegan chocolate pudding...)Meet Ton-Ton's friend Steggy the Stegosaurus. Cat rescued him from a $2 store during our last trip to Canada. Since then, he's been clamoring for his own article series. At the same time, my vegan and vegetarian friends have started

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-15391919892236312452008-07-13T20:31:00.000-07:002008-07-13T20:46:13.273-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)Congratulations to my friends, H & A, on their wedding this weekend. Shaadi Mubaarak!Summer may not seem like the best time to bake, but the warm, humid weather is perfect for proofing light, flavorful dough. These nutty, soft rolls are great toasted for breakfast or enjoyed with a bit of tea. If you start the recipe mid-afternoon,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-52581441614263865522008-07-08T23:46:00.000-07:002008-07-09T12:57:18.213-07:00

(Pictures taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)The blog has been pretty quiet recently, although I think I have some pretty good excuses. The past few weeks have been spent busy with work, my brother's graduation, a friend's bachelor party (Vegas baby!), and a trip Cat and I took to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. However, vacation time is over (*sob*) and there are new articles on the

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-28343990061721536012008-06-24T22:33:00.000-07:002008-06-24T22:37:51.415-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)Every so often you get tired of food blogging. Instead of searching out new places to eat, you want comfort food from your favorite (and often embarrassing) haunts. Lugging your camera out with you to take pictures becomes a chore. Even the good-natured ribbing from your friends as you pose their food for the perfect shot can

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-10986710707018546152008-06-09T20:40:00.000-07:002008-06-11T10:39:34.610-07:00

(There are no photos for this review. I refuse to promote this restaurant in any way.Bee of Rasa Malaysia has written about more congenial experiences at Belacan. To be fair to the restaurant, I include her articles here and here. Food Marathon also had a good experience, which she writes about here. I invite the owner to weigh in on this article and defend his behavior. I will post his

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-33419377136973822542008-05-27T23:56:00.000-07:002008-05-28T00:02:59.213-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100 and Canon PowerShot SD800is.)The clink of chopsticks against plastic bowls. The sweet sizzle of frying dough. Happy chatter. The dull grind of rickety chairs being pulled up to tables. The muffled roar of passing traffic. Gossip. Excited laughter.Street dining in Asia is unlike anything that can be experienced in the West. Whole

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-86541803066767276182008-05-20T21:58:00.000-07:002008-05-20T22:16:36.900-07:00

Woot! What a weekend! This bad panda partied a bit too hard and needed a few days to recover. The week just keeps getting better too. Cat and Chubbypanda.com just got a nice mention in an article on BlogHer for my post about our wedding banquet.(I love my wife!)Tributes to Remarkable Women by Alanna Kellog.Thanks for the mention, Alanna! We love BlogHer!

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-29519294958618578662008-05-11T20:18:00.000-07:002008-05-13T10:49:19.368-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.Apologies for the image quality of my later photos. Several members of our party got lost and arrived over an hour late. By time our food arrived, the light had completely faded. Out of respect for other diners, I don't use a flash, so I did the best I could with a nearby candle.My little brother has submitted a t-shirt design to

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-47749806086651974482008-05-04T23:50:00.000-07:002008-05-05T01:09:59.283-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.Read Elmomonster's review of Gen Kai here.)Kitty-corner from Irvine Valley College lies a small, darkened strip mall mostly abandoned once the sun has set. Home to an eclectic gathering of businesses that draw little foot traffic and shutter their doors early, the lifeblood of the center's surprisingly numerous eateries is a thin

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-29106948818013233492008-04-20T23:29:00.000-07:002008-04-21T00:37:11.867-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100 and Canon PowerShot SD800is.The first two introductory paragraphs are the same in all articles in my Dim Sum Series. Feel free to skip down to the first picture if you've already read them.)Dim sum restaurants are a hotly contested topic amongst Orange County foodies. Every person has their favorite, and defends it with an almost

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-30966175303375615412008-04-15T23:53:00.000-07:002008-04-15T23:57:42.343-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.)When you think of Asians, do you think of coffee? Probably not. The regions that come to mind are most likely Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Even the United States has a place on the coffee map as the home of Starbucks, the largest corporate coffee chain in the world

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-52341264821990322142008-04-06T23:24:00.000-07:002008-04-07T01:41:08.210-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)After I posted my recipe for Japanese Cha Shu, I received a number of emails asking me for a recipe for Chinese Cha Shao (BBQ Pork). Normally found hanging in the windows of Chinese delicatessens, cha shao (char siu in Cantonese) is a marinated, slightly sweet, slow roasted pork with a deep crimson color and radiant finish. Non-Chinese

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-86715528381705405712008-04-02T23:46:00.000-07:002008-04-03T00:55:30.606-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi and Canon PowerShot SD800is.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.You can read about another of our trips to Garry Point here. There are some great shots of the sunset.)As it's already 2008, I decided I should try to finish off the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007. There are four more articles after this. Given the

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-91816683221415531092008-03-30T23:42:00.000-07:002008-03-31T00:51:55.583-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.This is my monthly contribution to Orange County Food Blogs.)-=Begin Excerpt=-I'm a culinary skeptic. Whenever I hear about a new food fad, Sprinkles, Pinkberry, South Beach, or Atkins to name a few, my gut reaction is doubt. As the frozen yogurt craze that swept Los Angeles trickled into Orange County, I was determined not to be

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-19240276859409614602008-03-25T23:35:00.000-07:002008-03-26T00:42:38.875-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100 and Canon PowerShot SD800is.)It's hot. The sun beats down on my head like a smith in his forge, rhythmic hammer strokes sending sparks flying through my consciousness with each measured swing. The dry air wheezes through my parched lungs. I shade my eyes, soothing cracked lips with a tongue leathery from the lack of moisture. My

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-82071582753305312902008-03-23T23:14:00.000-07:002008-03-24T00:51:17.215-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.I see a lot of strange and/or cool things when I'm out exploring. While some are food-related, most aren't. I've decided to start posting the more interesting or scenic of my non-food photos to my LiveJournal for anyone who's interested. Please stop by.)Happy Easter everyone! With spring finally upon us, all this sunshine has caused an

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-35053047704862925002008-03-18T23:05:00.000-07:002008-03-19T01:16:46.361-07:00

(Pictures and video for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100.)(Taken December 2006.)Mr. Big has been my friend, comrade-in-arms, and sometime flatmate for close to ten years. His birthday is actually in December, which was when I first threatened to do this post. However, we were both feeling pretty down from the then recent collapse of our company, so I decided to wait. I heard

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-35053142335080694262008-03-10T23:15:00.000-07:002008-03-12T00:39:33.312-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.I'd like to thank my friend Jpathomas a.k.a. Stitch of Living in the Cloud for this great tip.)(A Black & Tan with Guinness and Bass.)The air is warm, thick porridge that oozes into my lungs with each gasping breath. In my head, a manic band of hobgoblins marches to God Save the Queen as a color guard of twirling pink elephants

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-51469648205729231992008-03-03T01:09:00.000-08:002008-03-03T01:12:10.643-08:00

(Picture for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.I've been fighting off the flu for the past two weeks. Here's a little quick bite to ease me back into the swing of things.The first introductory paragraph is the same in all articles in this series. Please feel free to skip it if you've already read it.Read the rest of my Soul Pizza Series.)My wife, Cat, is a staunch proponent of

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-62221488846426012902008-02-15T23:59:00.000-08:002008-02-16T00:06:59.649-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)Hey everyone! Hope you had a great Valentine's Day (or Singles Appreciation Day). Cat and I spent another wonderful evening at 6ix Park Grill in Irvine, which is our favorite special occasion restaurant. I highly recommend it to anyone in the area. They went above and beyond this year. I would have taken some pictures, but I was "

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-19248857680509234862008-02-11T00:00:00.000-08:002008-02-11T00:07:21.570-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)(Little Saigon after the Tet parade.)Hey guys! Happy Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year, Tet, or whatever you like to call it! I'm sorry it's been two weeks since my last post. My work schedule is busier than ever, so most of what I post is written during the weekends. Sometimes I have time to write more than one, other times I

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-24386890167283995372008-01-27T23:33:00.000-08:002008-01-27T23:45:38.970-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100 and Canon PowerShot SD800is.)While the storms that were supposed to lash Southern California left me disappointed, they still put me in the mood for my favorite winter treats; grilled meat and spicy soup. Most Americans consider BBQ a summer activity. Not me. Why make a hot summer day worse by spending it hunched over a big pile of

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-39495923785452198502008-01-23T23:32:00.000-08:002008-03-03T01:13:34.538-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.The first introductory paragraph is the same in all articles in this series. Please feel free to skip it if you've already read it.Read the rest of my Soul Pizza Series.)(Cheese Pizza and Sausage Pizza.)My wife, Cat, is a staunch proponent of what she calls "soul pizza". It's her name for the type of unabashedly Italian-American

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-70153303939781811922008-01-20T23:43:00.000-08:002009-08-10T18:15:59.194-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.The first two paragraphs are intended to be facetious. Elmomonster and I are friends on very good terms.)My little buddy Elmonster has a truly annoying habit. He scoops me, innocently and with intent to inform. Each time it happens exactly the same way. I make a new find, spend weeks or months gathering photos and information, and just

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-8039784109273151782008-01-14T00:57:00.000-08:002008-01-14T01:16:00.026-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)(Sunset from my office window.)The new posting schedule seems to be shaping up. I'm not sure how well I'll be able to keep to it. We'll see. I'm starting to get used to the commute.New Year's day was surprisingly temperate in NorCal, given the freezing weather of the previous week. We'd been invited for osechi at the Oni's

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-50076821732045647412008-01-10T08:50:00.000-08:002008-01-10T08:53:49.858-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Motorola Q.Apologies for the image quality. This was an unexpected lunch stop, so I didn't have my cameras on me.)My new job up in the LA area is great. I love the people I work with, the atmosphere in the office, and the variety of food close by. The commute from Irvine, on the other hand, is less than stellar. On a good day, the round trip usually

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-90967995126663651802008-01-06T23:52:00.000-08:002008-01-07T00:07:12.071-08:00

(Pictures taken with my Canon Rebel XTi and my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)I'm back everyone! A belated Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year! I'm sorry I haven't posted anything these past two weeks. My holidays were crazy, full of family, fun, and good times. I hope yours were just as wonderful.I've got some big news. Last Wednesday, I started a working at a new company up by LAX.

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-36202368799765788802007-12-19T11:42:00.000-08:002007-12-20T02:54:08.477-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)("Caffe" is the Italian word for "coffee".)The Italian panino (the singular form of panini) is a work of sandwich art. Meat, cheese, tomatoes, and herbs are enclosed in an airy ciabatta roll, pressed, and grilled until the crust crisps, the cheese oozes, and the herbs and meat release their lush oils. Rivaled only by the Mexican

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-47390230922887175302007-12-17T23:43:00.000-08:002007-12-18T01:49:49.935-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.)Flush with success from our visit to the Cannery, Ton-Ton, Cat, and I decided to try out luck with another Vancouver hot-spot; the trendier and well-hidden CRU. Finding the restaurant wasn't anything like our adventures trying to get to the Cannery, more the pity. However, we did

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-37649859230093170972007-12-15T23:42:00.000-08:002007-12-16T13:58:00.940-08:00

(Images taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100, Canon PowerShot SD800is, and Canon Rebel XTi.Full disclaimer: I am currently friends with Frenzy Sushi owners John and Neary Arteaga. I was not at the time the incidents described below occurred. There was no conflict of interest when I made my first Frenzy post.)It's been exactly one year since I was banned from Chowhound for refusing to acquiesce

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-58440893473420914482007-12-10T23:22:00.000-08:002007-12-14T16:13:12.124-08:00

Although Chubbypanda.com is primarily a food and restaurant review blog, I'd like to dedicate a moment of silence to prominent technology blogger Marc Orchant, who passed away yesterday after failing to recover from a massive heart attack. Marc was an energetic, vigorous man seemingly in perfect health. His passing is both disturbing and deeply unfair. I had the opportunity to work

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-61564752203586885152007-12-08T20:41:00.000-08:002007-12-09T01:56:05.080-08:00

(Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007 will continue on Wednesday, December 12, 2007.)I originally had a more pleasant post planned for the weekend, but I was so infuriated after reading this article by my friend Kathy of A Passion for Food, that I had to post about it.Kathy, who is a very sweet and classy young lady, stopped by La Delice Pastry Shop in New York City for an after-lunch dessert. When

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-38933250101052917932007-12-07T23:35:00.000-08:002007-12-08T00:40:01.591-08:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007 will continue on Wednesday, December 12, 2007.)Rain has finally come to Southern California, bringing with it the opportunity for me to engage in my favorite cold weather activity; sitting by the window in a comfy chair with a piping hot bowl of soup and a good book. Since I never know how long I have until

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-67210199477766679032007-12-05T23:14:00.000-08:002007-12-09T10:24:37.164-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100. Ton-Ton's cameo shot taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007 will continue on Monday, December 10, 2007.)(Back by popular demand.)Since I've received a few emails from readers who can't wait until Monday to see Ton-Ton, here's a shot of him working on this post with me.(New Panda Chinese Food. I like the name

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-30134619194826475672007-12-03T23:50:00.000-08:002007-12-06T17:00:02.395-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100 and Canon PowerShot SD800is.Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007 will continue on Monday, December 10, 2007.)Perusing a menu.I've finally reached the point where the frustration, stress, and anger from my last job has melted away, leaving behind the memories and experiences that really matter. One of the best was my friendship with the

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-65180864109046598252007-11-26T23:34:00.000-08:002008-09-22T00:02:14.131-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Full Disclosure: A free advance copy of this book was offered to me by a publicist. I accepted with the understanding that my acceptance did not constitute a promise to post a review of the book, positive or otherwise.)Have you taken a good look at the Food or Cooking section of your local bookstore lately? If your local watering hole for

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-68749376788655266832007-11-24T23:09:00.000-08:002009-05-26T18:43:37.356-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100.)I don't know about the rest of you, but Thanksgiving festivities have left me with a killer case of indigestion that several reputable antacids have been unable to alleviate. Who needs to eat pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, apple pie, and berry pie all in one sitting? Well, I did, apparently. It seemed like a good idea at the time,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-84064155481670946482007-11-19T23:36:00.000-08:002007-11-20T01:45:20.524-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Read my first post about Granville Island here.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.)With Thanksgiving and the rest of the American holiday season fast approaching us, I wanted to share with you another post about my favorite Canadian cornucopia of edible delights. After all, it wouldn't be a trip to Vancouver for Cat and I

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-31103143396821994672007-11-16T19:25:00.000-08:002007-11-16T19:41:22.635-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD100. Nature photos taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007 will continue on Monday, November 19, 2007.)(A smoky pall obscures Orange County.)This article is dedicated to the brave firefighters from around the country who helped combat the wildfires that swept California last month. Thank you for protecting Irvine

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-68686865715274038932007-11-07T23:39:00.000-08:002007-11-08T07:53:26.864-08:00

or...Remembering Better Times(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.This post is dedicated to all of my former coworkers.)I was laid off today.Not just me. Everyone. My friends, my coworkers, my comrades in arms. Even the very first amongst us. Five years of blood and toil gone in a heartbeat. The doors have closed. Game over. Elvis has left the building.(The Lobby

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-26773101120217396302007-11-05T12:23:00.000-08:002007-11-06T00:33:34.475-08:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.Happy Guy Fawkes Day! Remember remember the fifth of November...)There are three places Cat simply must go to re-supply when she's in Vancouver; Murchie's Tea & Coffee, Purdy's Chocolates, and Safeway. Yes. Safeway. More on that later.It's for this reason that we always make a point of

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-76349635799219402012007-11-02T23:13:00.000-07:002008-02-03T09:16:27.559-08:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007 will continue on Monday, November 5th, 2007.)Nippy weather calls for something hearty to warm both body and soul. Here in Southern California, we're blessed with long growing seasons and an abundance of delightfully fresh produce. Ratatouille, originally a rustic French summer dish of stewed vegetables, is

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-88471150319388331922007-10-31T22:27:00.000-07:002007-10-31T23:12:52.354-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is. Transit shots taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007 will continue on Monday, November 5, 2007.)Writing about our misadventures in Vancouver made me recall a review I've been meaning to post for the longest time. For some reason, Cat and I just don't travel well. Something invariably goes wrong.(Caltrain

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-91573648506512823622007-10-29T18:05:00.000-07:002007-10-29T23:06:49.020-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is. My apologies for the graininess. The restaurant was very dark, and out of respect for other diners, I didn't use the flash.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.Happy Halloween!)-=9:00 pm=-Chubbypanda: "I think this is Skid Row."Cat: "Looks like."Chubbypanda: "Was that a prostitute?"Cat: "I don't know. She looked too

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-20276700835326909372007-10-26T20:04:00.000-07:002007-10-29T13:55:59.181-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007 will continue on Tuesday, October 29, 2007.)What the heck is this thing!?! Anyone know? The girl at my favorite Taiwanese produce stall called it a "pear gourd". It's amazing what you can find at your local farmers market.I had no idea how to cook this thing, but the shape gave me an idea. The helpful

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-86986696226460814522007-10-25T16:11:00.001-07:002007-10-25T16:14:57.742-07:00

Hey all,I'm updating my blog base URL to Chubbypanda.com. What I had before was a redirect using frames, which made gathering traffic metrics a pain. Any links currently pointing to the old URL, "http://epicurious-wanderer.blogspot.com", should continue to work. However, I'd recommend updating your blogrolls, bookmarks, and whatnot.There could be some technical difficulties during the

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-17644601671965795932007-10-24T14:02:00.000-07:002007-10-25T17:06:38.607-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.)There's a Taiwanese tradition that you should never visit someone's home empty-handed, particularly if they're family or if you haven't seen them in a while. Instead, you should bring them a little something, usually food, to thank them for their hospitality. Once we'd finished breakfast,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-60456031151358602262007-10-21T18:10:00.000-07:002007-10-25T17:07:46.681-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.)The morning after our eventful drive from Seattle to Richmond, Cat and I woke up with a hunger to explore. We decided to start with our hotel, the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, BC.The largest casino in British Columbia, River Rock has been a source of controversy and speculation

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-8712822402379016482007-10-16T17:41:00.000-07:002008-10-10T17:00:29.379-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Here's one more time sensitive article before I return to my Canada series.The Season 1 boxed set of Heroes has consumed my feeble little brain. Help me...)Last week, Polar, a fellow OC Food Blogs contributor, emailed me a hot tip about something I'd never heard of before; the 24th Annual Korean Festival of Garden Grove. I was intrigued,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-32203823559309174752007-10-11T23:27:00.000-07:002007-10-12T00:22:42.415-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is. The Grove of Anaheim doesn't permit the use of dSLRs, so I did the best that I could, given the distance between me and the stage, and the limitations inherent in using a point-and-shoot camera.I'm taking a quick break from my Canada series to post this time sensitive article.)Last month, Cat began her new job as a lecturer at

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-77558437136772130142007-10-08T23:44:00.000-07:002007-10-25T17:09:57.071-07:00

(Pictures for this post taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.)As bad as the traffic was getting up to the border, it was a thousand times worse on the BC-99, the main highway connecting Seattle to Vancouver. A head on collision had shut down the highway in both directions as police, paramedics, and a medical evacuation helicopter worked the scene. Our

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-14621241662813254642007-10-05T21:26:00.000-07:002007-10-25T17:10:37.051-07:00

(Pictures for this post taken with my Canon Rebel XTi and my Canon PowerShot SD800is.Read the rest of Ton-Ton's Journey: Vancouver 2007.)When the time finally came for our yearly trip to Canada, Cat and I were more than ready. The burning itch to get away from our jobs, our home, and our responsibilities was almost too much to bear, and I couldn't wait to run off to the Great White North. My

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-59904415012468048302007-10-02T23:14:00.000-07:002008-10-06T22:10:55.489-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.Ok ok. Just one more article 'cause this one is time sensitive, then I'll start my Canada series. I promise.)Every year, the city of Irvine holds a sprawling carnival at Bill Barber Park to celebrate the city's cultural diversity. The euphonically named Irvine Global Village Festival invites restaurants, religions, and cultural

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-74719673959885102142007-09-28T01:33:00.000-07:002007-10-25T17:11:55.643-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi and Canon PowerShot SD800is.As the wedding season draws to a close, I thought I'd finish up with one more wedding post before turning my attention towards my Canadian adventures.)Semajim and I have been friends since high school, where our shared interest in theater, part-time jobs at Marjolaine (now Margaret's French Bakery) and a number of

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-39133089190544581892007-09-25T11:03:00.000-07:002007-10-25T17:12:23.331-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.Helloooo beautiful people. I'm back! We'll, technically I'm typing this as I wing over the dark Seattle sky, but in just a few short hours I'll touch down in sunny Southern California and post this to the blog. Sorry there hasn’t been much in the way of articles for the past week and a half. Once I sort through all of my photos,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-1200120982043889722007-09-20T10:26:00.001-07:002007-09-20T10:26:30.220-07:00

Hey y'all! Sorry this blog has been silent this past week. I'm in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia enjoying the stormy Canadian weather. Expect lots of posts soon!

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-80028345227083694082007-09-12T19:30:00.000-07:002007-09-12T19:52:27.746-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.On a personal note, I used to frequent a restaurant called New Sushi House at 1969 Harbor in Costa Mesa, which was run by a friendly Chinese couple. They were suddenly replaced by a Taco Surf around July of 2004. If anyone knows what happened to them or where the chef is now, I'd very much appreciate a comment or email. He had

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-33233353699834240462007-09-10T20:57:00.000-07:002007-09-10T22:22:22.111-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)Laguna Hills is not the type of place that evokes thoughts of gourmet food. A sleepy city with a population of around 30,000, its largest attraction is the small Laguna Hills Mall, which also serves as the focal point for its dining and social scene. The two most popular restaurants in Laguna Hills are King's Fish House and BJ's,

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-24224723285556198362007-09-08T23:52:00.001-07:002007-09-09T02:08:55.938-07:00

(Pictures for this recipe taken with my Canon Rebel XTi.)Thankfully, the weather has finally cooled down here in Southern California. However, the heat and humidity of the past few weeks have had me searching for new ways of staying cool. It's been the kind of August that's found me stashing watermelons in the fridge for a cooling treat, or making refreshing smoothies out of frozen

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-69768702465731128362007-09-06T23:41:00.000-07:002007-09-07T01:55:15.057-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon Rebel XTi, my Canon PowerShot SD800is and my Canon PowerShot SD100. The majority were taken with the SD100.Here's a shout out to Erik Weigand and his coworkers on the 5th floor. Thanks for reading the blog, guys!)The globalization of dining culture, through the proliferation of fast food franchises, chain restaurants, and grocery mega marts, has

Chubbypandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930326230203564199noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32801812.post-32828063700638168252007-09-04T23:07:00.000-07:002007-09-05T00:23:34.555-07:00

(Pictures for this review taken with my Canon PowerShot SD800is.)Japanese grocery juggernaut Marukai has had problems keeping its food court full in the past. From the ill-fated Tampopo Ramen, vanished without a trace, to international ramen powerhouse Chabuton, which faded away after only one year, Marukai has been unable to compete with the larger and sexier food court offered by Mitsuwa, its

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