Review #4: Buffalo Wild Wings/Wingnuts

Buffalo Wild wings....mmm..... hey, it's me, Stephen. Anyways, I've got another review tonight. This one is on, you guessed it, folks, Buffalo Wild Wings @ Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, CA! This place is an All-American sports bar-style restaurant, like most wing places are. BWW(Buffalo Wild Wings) has the best wings in Torrance, that I've had. Another good place is Wingnuts,  and I'll get to that later. BWW has 16 different sauces and some dry seasonings and serves killer onion rings, ok fries, pretty good ribs, boneless and traditional(boned) wings. Other diner-esque food too. (I'll let's you in on a secret, go for the traditional wings, not just because they're the status quo of wings). They have a Blazin' Challenge. Man vs. Food......So anyways, the blazin' challenge involve the Blazin' sauce, their hottest sauce. I just got an order of wings, to try some, and the first bite was not hot at all. I use ranch on my wings. The second bite, HOWEVER, was the hottest fricking thing I have ever put in my mouth. The pain was burning, I couldn't talk for 20 straight minutes, and I can take Extra spicy Soondubu Jjigae at any place. My dad forced my to drink a glass of milk when we got home, even though I was fine. FYI, spicy food can't burn your stomach lining, but it can cause acid reflux if not careful. The wild sauce, the second hottest is not spicy at all for me. A little noisy.

What my friend, Huss on Food Island forums, my dad, and I got:
Kids Meal Traditonal Wings Mild Sauce(My friend hate spicy so he thought that was too hot.)
6 Mango Habanero auce Traditional Wings
6 Chipotle BBQ Dry Seasoning Traditional
12 Honey BBQ Traditional
Order of Onion Rings w/ Buffalo flavored sauce

When you're in the area give it a try.

List of Sauces(No heat to Hot):
Sweet BBQ
Teriyaki
Mild
Parmesan Garlic
Medium
Honey BBQ
Spicy Garlic
Asian Zing
Caribbean Jerk
Hot BBQ
Hot
Mango Habanero
Wild
Blazin'
Jammin' Jalapeno(? IDK where this goes)
Thai Curry(? IDK where this goes)
Dry Rubs:
Salt & Vinegar
Desert Heat
Buffalo
Chipotle BBQ(Best)

Menu:
http://www.buffalowildwings.com/#/Menu

3525 West Carson Street
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 542-3400

So, you gotta try this place. 4.2 stars of 5 stars.

Wingnuts
This place has an airplane theme. The staff are nice, kinda noisy. Very noisy if you're there for teh Super Bowl or the football days. This is my go-to wing place in the O.C. My second favorite place. 3.9 of 5 stars. Has a Pile High club for wings or something.
Menu:
http://wingnuts.biz/images/wng-web-menu-0111.pdf

Wingnuts Locations and Tel:
Costa Mesa- 3030 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, California - (714) 434-7700
Irvine- 18010 Sky Park Cir # 275, Irvine - (949) 305-7700
Ontario- 1520 N Mountain Ave # 111, Ontario - (909) 391-1500
Aliso Viejo:

• 26711 Aliso Creek Rd, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
• (949) 305-7700

Review #3: Inka Wasi

Yup, I haven't posted in a while, cuz I have like almost no time. This is he-who-must-not-be-named (jk, not him). So, anyways, on Sunday, 3/20, I went to Inka Wasi in Rancho Palos Verdes. I think my friend told me it was called "Inka Hole".>.<  The name is fitting, since it is almost like a hole in the wall joint. My friends parents own this awesome Peruvian restaurant. In fact, their family owns the chain, El Pollo Inka, but this is better. You know what it is, what it is, if your from the South Bay. Song reference! For some, reason, it reminded of when my Algebra Accel teacher played ang sang math songs using jingles like Pop goes the weasel. Now I know that math songs are pretty cool....anyways, I am getting sidetracked. So, back to teh food. This place is my favorite Peruvian place, but I haven't tried many "gourmet" Peruvian restaurants. If you haven't tried Peruvian food, you gotta try it. Rated 4 stars on Yelp. Has vegetarian entrees.

This is what my dad and I had:
Chaufa de Mariscos (Fried Rice with Fish, Shrimp, and Squid)
Quinoa (a south american grain)
Lomo Saltados (a saute with beef, onions, french fries, tomatoes, and maybe some other stuff, served with garlic rice)
Chicken, Rice, and Cilantro Soup, served if you get a lunch or dinner.

Stuff to Try:
Appetizers:
Anticuchos (Skewered grilled meat or seafood marinated in vinegar(sounds weird, but is good))
Salchipapas (Hot dog sausage, cut up, served with french fries and their signature hot sauces)

Sides:
Garlic Steamed Rice
Choclo (Peruvian corn(giant, starchy kernels)
Quinoa
Cancha (Peruvian Corn Nuts)

Soups:
Aguadito (chicken, rice and cilantro soup(get bowl, much bigger than cup for just a little more))

Sauces:
Aji Verde (green sauce)

Entrees:
Lomo Saltados
Saltados de Mariscos
Chaufa de Carne
Chaufa de Pollo
Chaufa de Mariscos(best)
(Note: Tallarines(Sauteed Spaghetti is not that good...))
(Note: Haven't tried Picantes(Spicy cream sauce with meat or fish or veggies))

Specials:
(The Seafood thing that looks like yellow curry)(So awesome!!)

Deserts:
Mini-Alfajores(Shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche and coated with powdered sugar(don't inhale))
Lucuma Ice Cream (Lucuma is a fruit only found in South America, byt the Amazon(I think?))

Drinks:
Inka Kola (Yellow drink w/ caffeine, it is to die for)
Mango nectar

This place is one of my favorite places...so goooood.

Menu:
http://www.menuclub.com/californiarestaurantguide/rollinghillsestatesrestaurants/inkawasi-25574.php

40 Peninsula Ctr
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Tel: (310) 541-6900

Hours:

Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm

Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm

This place is very casual. Decor is okay. The prices are really reasonable, in fact very good. Somethings, however, can get expensive, but not too. Not overpriced, however, considering the expensive items are seafood-based. I give this place 4.3-4.4 out of 5. stars.

Review #2: Pink Berry

Tonight, I went to the Pink Berry in Rancho Palos Verdes, Cali. For those of you who don't know what pink berry is, it's like the awesomest yogurt place ever. The best frickin' frozen yogurt. Not saying that Red Mango, Yogurtland, and Yummy Yogurt(RPV) aren't good too. If you go there, you'll understand my point. South Bay peoples, you know what I'm talkin' about. And for all of you PB(Pink Berry) haters out there, you can go to hell. JK. It's honestly my opinion, you don't have to agree, everyone can have their favorite frozen yogurt place, mine is just PB. For all of you FY(frozen yogurt) newcomers or people oblivious to PB operations, here is a list of benefits @ PB:

-Standard and Luxe toppings(Luxe toppings pay a tad more)
-Liquid, Fruit, Mochi, Chocolate, and other Toppings
-Products: Yogurt(obviously), Fresh fruit bowl(w/ Swirly Whip(a mix of whipped cream and PB yogurt) or whatever it's called), Yogurt Smoothies(Chocolate & Green Tea), Take Home Quarts(Original: $9.99, Flavors: $10.99), or a Yogurt Cone(like an ice cream cone except w/ yogurt)
-30 toppings
-4 flavors, one always changes seasonally,: Original(the best), Chocolate(Good), Mango(As of now)(Good), and Blood Orange(As of Now)(Ok)
-Fresh Fruit
-Will remake yogurt if you don't like for free
-Unlimited # of toppings
-Probiotics
-Nonfat(healthy)
-No rBST(or whatever it's called)
-All over south bay

This is the best yogurt I've ever tasted. Will post address soon.

Sorry, no pics due to same problem as Pacific Fish Center.

I rate this 4.7 out of 5 stars for frozen yogurt.

Reviews coming Soon:
Inka Wasi
Pho Hana
Yummy Yogurt
Trio Mediterranean Grill
Inaka
Yogurt and Ice Cream Place(forgot what it's called)
Frascati
Dragonfly Thai
Real Good Food
Q's
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Brown Bag Grill
The Appetizer
Mama Terano's
Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ
Buffalo Wild Wings
Mama Ramen
Gyu Kaku
Koraku
Fu Rai Bo
Umemura
Kotohira
PV Palace
Shanghai Palace
Joey's Smokin BBQ
Meadow Farms Smokehouse
Khan's
Lamppost Pizza
Go Go Juice/ Chill Out Lounge

Kthxbai

Review #1!: Pacific Fish Center

Hi! It's Stephen. So, tonight, I went to the Redondo Beach Pier/Fisherman's Wharf in California. It is awesome. The smell of the sea is in the air...ok, I gotta stop remembering. So yeah, anyways, the restaurants name is Pacific Fish Center. The place is heuuuuge! It was probably like 1000 or more square feet. I suck a measuring, so yeah. =( The place is actually Korean, to tell you the truth. My BFF told mah mom about this place, and she came here with her friend once....or twice. She liked it. We went there to give my mom's BFF from China's son, Chris, a sightseeing tour. Life in Redondo Beach is pretty relaxed. This place was on our plan. My mom is forgetful, so she forgot which one it is, since there's actually two korean crab restaurants(strange, huh?). I'll get to teh other one later. When you walk in, you're greeted by a nice cashier who immediately helps you out. That's a plus. The other staff were ok.. So, onto what we ordered. My mom orders wayyy too much food. So, for four people, we got:

-Korean Spicy Fish Soup- Mild(cause mah mom can't tolerate spicy, which sucks cause I love spicy)
Prices:
Small:$20.99
Large:$25.99
-Live Dungeness Crab
Prices:
Seasonal
We paid about $44.
-Baby Octopus with Sauces
Prices:
$8.99 Per lb.
-Live Lobster
Prices:
Seasonal
We paid about $42.

Overview:
This place is reasonably priced for what it is, by the pier and all.. The lobster, crab, and soup were huge. The baby octopus was a reasonable price. It's pretty good. The soup is sooooo good. the crab is fresh(get the live one). The lobster was good too(same with crab).

I tried dungeness crab liver for the first time, and I thought it was going to be fishy. But, I was wrong, it was pretty good, but it is sorta bitter, more bitter than you'd expect. Not fishy at all. They also sell a sea squirt and sea cucmber plate for $14.99. I wanted to try it, but maybe next time. I heard sea squirt has like a strong taste of the sea, like Andrew Zimmern puts it as a "fish's ass dipped in iodine." Sea cucumber is good, but very gelatinous. I'm not going to put up the prices for other things as of now. They frickin serve everything with melted butter on the side, catering to Americans, but they do something really weird. They also serve everything with Bi Bim Bap sauce on the side, you know, they spicy red stuff. It's good on baby octopus though. They give you a bib, and you'll need a LOT of napkins. It gets messy. =P Also, it comes with a mallet, to crack the shell. There is also a bike path, from Redondo to Santa Monica 23 miles one way, if you're interested. The soup had daikon, shrimp, fish, button mushrooms, onions, and tofu in it. As I mentioned earlier, there is another Korean crab restaurant like 100 feet away from PCC(pacific crab center), that my BFF says is not as good. Maybe I'll have to do a review of that place one day. It could be the next Food War(Travel Channel Show Reference). IDK. We'll have to wait and see...

Pacific Fish Center
Redondo Beach
131 Fisherman's Wharf
Redondo Beach, CA
90277
Tel: (310)-374-8420

Sorry, no pics this time, as they are on my phone, I need to figure out how to upload them. Leave a comment if you know.

All in all, I give this place a 3.8-4.0 out of 5.

Kthxbai

Recipe #1!: Chinese Style Sour Sauteed/Braised Cabbage

Hi! It's me...and I've got a surprise for you. Today I made this cabbage of Chinese origin. This is my mom's Homemade Recipe. Hope you enjoy it! Not your average Chinese stir-fry. Remember, you can add more ingredients when making a bigger proportion.
Ingredients:
1/2 Tbsp of Oyster Sauce(A little goes a long way).
1/2 Tbsp of Vinegar(Balsamic or Black Rice Winegar).(They both taste good, it may be hard for you to find Black Rice vinegar. Balsamic tastes awesome!)
Salt to Taste
1/4 A Head of Cabbage, or more if you want to increase this recipe.
1/2 Tsp of Ground Black Pepper(Finely or Course ground, doesn't matter =D).
Chicken Broth or Water to dilute or make it more moist
Canola or other Vegetable Oil

Recipe:
Heat Oil on high for 30 sec-1 min. Prep cabbage by cutting off the bottom, and outer layer of leaf(or not). Toss Cabbage in Oil. Don't be afraid if it sizzle and oil splashes, use a cover and cover it. Turn the heat down to low. if you want some char, keep it on high longer, stirring it every 15 sec. Put in the vinegar of choice, pepper, salt, and oyster sauce. Stir and coat all piece thoroughly. It may not seem coated, but it is. Flip the heat to high and cook for a little longer. If you like stir-fry like dry cabbage, turn the heat off and serve. I like it moist AND crunchy. Add Chicken stock or water. Chicken stock gives it a really good flavor. You could use vegetable stock too. Keep heat on high for a long time and have the lid on. This makes it steam, basically. Don' stew it for a long time if you like it crunchy. For soft cabbage lovers cook for 10 more minutes.

This is a pretty simple recipe. I had to leave the house for a while(30 minutes or so), and it was still good, very tender. I hold no responsibility for injury. Consult parents if you are a child. If you have allergies to any of these foods, don't cook this.

Once again, hope you enjoy it.

Stephen, out!

Introduction

Hi, this is Stephen here. I'm 12 years of age. I love food. No duh, that's why I started this blog. Anyways, what this blog is about is that when I travel to places or just around the neighborhood, I will review the restaurant, talk about it, perhaps where a dish got its origin, dishes you should try, or even maybe a video showing you how to make something. Perhaps......an interview. I know some owners of some restaurants, so yeah. I like to ski in my free time(1-2 times a month), snowboard, swim, fence(fencing), play video games and such. Your probably pretty average pre-teen. However, I do get to go places, so I wanted you to see the highlights of the trip.

In June, I will be going to New York City, and in August, to Australia and Bali on a cruise.

One last thing: I want to thank Catherine Kim(she's awesome) at Harvard Square2 Academy for giving me these ideas. This site is dedicated to you.

What people think of me:
" Your taste buds are better than most adults' taste buds."-Spencer Karpf
"He really knows his food."-Waitress from Etta's in Seattle, Washington.

My Restaurant Rating System:
0-The worst food I've ever had. Throw it out on the street...rinse mouth with soap kinda stuff.(Will probably never give it out)
1-Just Plain Bad Food. The Yuck Factor. Refuse to Eat It.(Very rarely to never give out)
2-Bad Food. Mediocre. Don't like the stuff, probably will eat it though.(Will rarely to very rarely give out)
3-Average, not too bad, not too good.(Will give out sometimes)
4-Good to Very Good Food. This I will happily eat.....forever.(Will usually give this out)
5-The best frickin' food I have ever tasted, or one of them. World quality. Gourmet heaven.(Will very rarely to never give this out)
6-???

My Individual Food Rating System:
0-Same as 0 for the other rating system.
1-Same as 1 for the other rating system.
2-Same as 2 for the other rating system.
3-Same as 3 for the other rating system.
3.8-3.9-3.8 Maybe(Emphasis on MAY) 4 star quality, will change depending on my mood. 3.9, however is 4 star quality, but almost.. Lacking just a tiny bit of the stuff that makes it very good.
E.g. Not fresh. Not the best I;ve had, but still pretty enjoyable. I like it and eat it. Good stuff
4-Same as 4 for the other rating system.
5-This will be given out more often than the 5 in my restaurant rating system. Maybe not as high (*coughgourmetheavencough*) as a rating as that. But the best of that particular dish I have tasted.
6-???

Mah Links:
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/gustatorysynesthesia
Forum:

            http://www.foodisland.motionforum.net/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gustatory-Synesthesia/187918337911814?created

Twitter: http://twitter.com/foodpenguin

Kthxbai.