Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Thai Tasty Corner Restaurant closed, then moved down the street renamed Thai Tastee.  The rent is better they say.  Although I never ate at Thai Tasty Corner, I gave them a try as Thai Tastee.  I had their Thai Fried rice with Shrimp and regret to report that the first bite included an eggshell — That’s never happened.  Past that, the Rice was good and the staff is very nice.  Thai Tastee is worth giving a try and better suited in its new location (formerly Mazzottis) down the street. 

And Carm’s Coneys will soon be occupying Thai Tasty Corner’s former location.  To continue musical restaurants, Jimmy’s Burger Joint now occupies Carm’s Coneys former location.  We hope all will do well and serve great food.

UPDATE 10/10/09:  It looks like Carm’s Coneys changed their mind about moving to the above location.  The coming soon sign is no longer in the window.  We’ll report if they end up somewhere else in Orange County.

I live near two “The Flame Broiler” restaurants and finally tried one (off Harbor/Wilson) for the first time.  Here’s the Chicken Veggie Bowl with MAGIC Sauce (a Teriyaki-type variation).  The Chicken flavor was excellent, but next time I’ll request all white meat.  I heard a few others order it while I was eating.  It’s about $1.25 extra.  I like dark meat, but there were too many connectors included in the bowl — It’ll be easier to enjoy the white meat.  The Vegetables were fresh and the Sauce had the perfect sweetness.  I wanna go back and have another.

More Flame Broiler Food & INFO

Flame Broiler DIRECT: http://www.flamebroilerusa.com/

Edamame are one of my favorite snacks.  I prefer them warm with Salt — That’s what I just made HERE.  Most Japanese Restaurants appear to serve them chilled.  I’ve seen and like both offerings.  When not eating out, I buy them frozen, cook for 10 minutes, drain, Salt and eat.

Related Links:

http://www.edamame.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edamame

This time we tried the Spicy Thai Chicken Pizza and Moo Shu Egg Rolls.  Both were top notch, just like most dishes at the Yard House.  The price and quality are there.  And the varied menu items are consistently good.  There’s more photos of other fabulous Yard House appetizers linked below.  We’re getting around to trying them all.  Why not?

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1310

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=762

Most of The Yard House’s Appetizers are half price Monday through Friday from 3:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.  Here’s a few we recently tried at the Fashion Island location.  The Lettuce Wraps are really good – I like the accompanying Sauces.  The Chinese Garlic Noodles are okay, a little boring, but the unique California Roll made up for it.  It’s flavorful and different than any California Roll I’ve ever had.

We finished with the Pint Sized Trio Sampler with included a Chocolate Souffle, a Lemon Souffle and a Peach Apple Cobbler.  It was a dream combination for me.  WOW!!!  I want it again.

Related Links:

http://www.yardhouse.com/flash/default.asp

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=762 

http://www.shopfashionisland.com/

I think Pick Up Stix does a pretty good job.  These pictures are from a pop in at the Westcliff location in Newport Beach, California.  TIP:  Try not to hit it when the nearby High School is releasing students.

Pick Up Stix is featuring Crispy Honey Chicken, Rice and a Salad for $4.99 — It’s in a Coupon Packet I received in the mail, but you don’t need the coupon to get it.  Since it sounded good and I pass by one, I got that Special to go.  I liked the Honey Chicken, but the Salad tasted bagged and was wilted.  I did ask that it be packed on the side, but they overlooked that request.  The Dressing for the Salad isn’t terrific either — I ended up using my home favorite Sesame Dressing.  Overall, I do like Pick Up Stix, but need to be selective with a couple items. 

Related Links:

http://www.pickupstix.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pick_Up_Stix

http://www.feastkitchens.com/products.html

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=35

This visit we tried a couple new items off Pei Wei’s menu, the Vietnamese Chicken Salad Rolls and the Vegetable Fried Rice.  Yawn.  My Mom and I both think that our Fried Rice is better.  That shouldn’t be the case.  And I’ve had better Vietnamese Spring Rolls — It seems like the Rice Paper is too thick or there’s too much of it.  Does Rice Paper vary in thickness?  I don’t know.

Overall, I do like Pei Wei Restaurant.  As previously reported on Nibbles of Tidbits, other items are very good.  I enjoy their atmosphere, the dim lighting, service and comfort.  I’ll go back, but will try something different.

I stumbled onto this blog http://www.deliciousasianfood.com/ and learned that its writer was running a contest.  What fun!  He’s offering a $100 prize too.  Who can’t use that these days?  The challenge is to make one of his recipes and post about it on your blog — Then votes will be collected on his blog.  PLEASE vote for me, Entry #17. 🙂

Thanks for the cool challenge.  I decided to make the Egg Flower Minced Pork Soup, because it has very few ingredients and I’ve never added a minced (ground) meat to a Soup before.  I’ve been excited to make it all week, but finally got the chance up against the Malaysian timezone.  Good thing I picked a relatively easy recipe.

Yum!  It was better than expected.  I did it.  I put the Onions in first, then lowered the temperature to a simmer and added the Pork, Eggs and Green Onions.  It was pretty flavorful.  I will definitely make it again.  Thank you Delicious Asian Food.

PLEASE VOTE for ME – Entry #17 directly below.  Voting is open until 09/09/08 (Malaysian Time).  http://www.deliciousasianfood.com/ 

UPDATE: The Contest is over.  I unfortunately didn’t win, but had fun competing.  THANK YOU to those who voted for me.  I appreciate it.

Contest Information: http://www.deliciousasianfood.com/2008/08/21/100-up-for-grabs/

Delicious Asian Food’s recipe and original post:
http://www.deliciousasianfood.com/2007/05/08/egg-flower-minced-pork-soup/

It was quick and easy to make, but next time it needs Vegetables and more Cilantro.  Here’s the step-by-step pictures of the preparation.  It’s fun to experiment.

I first sauteed the Onion, then added grated Ginger and minced Garlic, then the Shrimp and cooked all for another 3 minutes.  I separately mixed Cornstarch and more grated Ginger into some Coconut Milk, then added the combination to the Shrimp saute along with a few Red Pepper Flakes. 

I quickly brought all to a boil to thicken, then added what little Cilantro I had and served it over Basmati Rice.  And here’s the final (below) — It’s WAY too white.  All was just okay, NOT great.  Its preparation was a bit impromptu, but with a few changes it has the potential to be better next time. 

I’m usually Thai at Diho Siam, but this visit we were Chinese.  Remember Egg Foo Young?  I hadn’t seen it on a menu in a long time.  We had it with BBQ’d Pork, House Special Fried Rice with Chicken, Beef & Shrimp, and Wor Wonton Soup.

The Egg Foo Young was nicely packed to go, since the Sauce was separate from the fried Eggs and Bean Sprouts.  It looked a bit like a Funnel Cake.  It might be the best I’ve had, but I do prefer the Thai Fried Rice over the Chinese Fried Rice.  All I’ve had thus far has been good.

Related Posts:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=602 

http://www.restaurantrow.com/MoreInfo.cfm?Code=818445&state=CA

It’s really hard to tell the difference between this one, Thai Joe’s Lemongrass Chicken Stix and Thai Joe’s Coconut Curry Chicken Stix.  I like to call them Cigar Springrolls.  Both are equally good and taste similar.  It’s fun to do a taste comparison with friends — I did, and guesses were right and wrong regarding both.

Unlike the picture on the box, they don’t come with Sauce, so I’ve posted the recipe for my favorite Springroll Dipping Sauce.  It’s enough for two boxes of these Springrolls.  Double the recipe if making more.  Each box holds 10 Chicken Stix.

I cook them at 450° for 20 minutes, which is longer than the posted time.  I find that (almost) all frozen food needs to be cooked longer than its recommended time.  Do you find the same?  I wonder if it’s done purposefully to make one think they’ll be eating faster than they actually will.

Soy Sesame Dipping Sauce Recipe: 

3 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce

1/8 Cup of Rice Vinegar

1 Teaspoon of Sesame Oil

1 Teaspoon of Sugar

Mix all together until Sugar is dissolved.  Serve with any crunchy Asian dish.  It’s quick, easy and tasty.

Related Pictures and Links:

Trader Joes – http://www.traderjoes.com/

Extra – http://www.answers.com/topic/tv-dinner

I’m happy it’s within walking distance, since it’s pretty good.  They serve a Thai and Chinese Menu, which is different.  I usually get the Thai, but will eventually get around to the Chinese.  This visit it was Chicken Satay, Thai Fried Rice with Pork, and Hot & Sour Coconut Soup with Shrimp (Tom Kha, here).  All were right on.

The restaurant is nicely decorated, but this time the food was TO GO.  They have an outdoor patio too, and that’s always great.

Diho Siam on Yelp – http://www.yelp.com/biz/diho-siam-restaurant-costa-mesa

Restaurant Row INFO – http://www.restaurantrow.com/MoreInfo.cfm?Code=818445&state=CA

OC Register Report – http://events.ocregister.com/costa-mesa-ca/venues/show/118511-diho-siam-restaurant

I met a local food lover for dinner.  This guy knows his stuff too.  He suggested we first get an appetizer at Nick’s Pizza Ristorante Italiano, then walk across the parking lot to Niko Niko Sushi for some Yellowtail Cheek he had previously reserved.  I thought it was a great idea and here’s what it all looked like.

Don’t let the name Nick’s Pizza make you think it’s just a Pizza place.  It’s much more than that.  They serve some of the best Italian food in Costa Mesa.  It’s located in an odd spot in the middle of a parking lot, but once you get inside you don’t know that.  They have great service too.  We shared the Bowl of Mussels, described as steamed Mussels with Garlic, White Wine, Parsley and a Red Spicy Sauce.  I thought the mussels and the sauce had great flavor.

We then walked over to Niko Niko Sushi to collect our Yellowtail Cheek.  I’ve never had it before, but was game.  However, when we arrived, they informed us that they were out of it.  Bummer.  Instead we got Himachi, which included a bonus “we’re sorry” piece.  That was nice. 

They also made us an Octopus Salad and Seaweed Salad, which was surprisingly good.  I write ‘surprisingly’ because I’m not really a fan of either.  All Octopus I’ve had thus far has been too chewy to enjoy.  This actually wasn’t.  It was nicely marinated and tender.  And I have to also say that the Seaweed was the best I’ve had thus far too — Not too fishy tasting, like some can be.  Here’s the related pictures.

Thanks to my food friend for suggesting all.  It was delightful.

Related Links:

http://www.nickspizzapasta.com/ , I do not see a website for Niko Niko Sushi at this time.

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1301

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1213

Fried Rice is so easy to make, especially if you already have left over rice.  For a simple and flavorful Fried Rice, just dice half an Onion, then carmelize in Oil/Butter.  Once cooked well, add a clove of minced Garlic, cook for a minute, and then add the prepared Rice, thawed Peas, Soy Sauce and Sesame Oil. 

Mix all together and heat through.  Then push the Rice to one side of skillet and scramble a couple Eggs on the other side.  Once cooked, fold the Eggs into the Rice.  Taste.  Stir in more Soy sauce, if necessary.  You’re done.

Note:  Sometimes it’s easier to scramble the Eggs in a separate pan to avoid having them prematurely mix with the Rice.

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