Tsing Tao, Campbell
The Ranger
Gummy sesame chicken, pot stickers that were more filler than
pork, and hot-and-sour soup that was neither hot nor sour. The
mainstay items, often solid dishes, were the first casualties. I
don't think this is a good change.
The Ranger
Tim May
<cuhula...@yahoo.com> wrote:
In a rarity for me, I happened to have Chinese food twice in one day,
Thursday. (I spent most of today, Friday, recovering. Not because of
the qualifty of the food, but just because of having eaten too much. So
I cut way, way back on food today.)
First, I met with some ex-Intel friends for lunch at "Green Elephant,"
l located in a hard-to-find place in Mountain View, approximately where
Middlefield meets Meadow. In a place I think that is called "Charleston
Center," smack dab in the middle of Eichlerville. A "Piazza Foods"
supermarket, a clone of Mollie Stone/Andronico's/Cosentino's is next
door. A school, possibly "Cubberly," is next door.
Anyway, the place advertises itself as "Chinese/Burmese." One friend, a
Chinese, think's it's great.
I found the Chinese dishes bland, overpriced, and not worth going back
for. The allegedly Burmese (they say "Burma," no mention of "Myanmar")
dishes were potatoey, and were the least favorite of the group. Some of
them sat half-eaten at the end, a bad sign. Not cheap, either.
Later that same day, I met with some friends in downtown Mountain View
for a discussion of math. At Dana Street Coffee Company. Later that
evening, we chose between dozens of options on crowded Castro Street.
Hunan Chili, at the very end, nearest the train tracks, won out this
time. As it has several times before.
The Orange Peel Beef was spectacular. The pork in hot garlic sauce was
wonderful. The prawns in some kind of hot sauce were good. The mixed
vegetables and the "braised tofu in plum sauce" were only so-so. In
fact, the mostly- vegetarian (prawns OK) member of our group, the one
who selected the braised tofu, got to carry home 80% of the braised
tofu dish.
(Which was oddly similar to what happened a month or so ago at Hunan
Gourmet in Sunnyvale, which I have heard is connected in some way with
Hunan Chili in MV. The braised tofu sat mostly uneaten, while old
standbys like orange peel beef were scarfed up to the last drop.)
The contrast between bland-and-overpriced "Green Elephant" and
spicy-and-reasonable "Hunan Chili," in one day, was something to
behold.
If I have anything to say about it, I will not be back to "Green
Elephant," whereas I would gladly drive over the mountain from Santa
Cruz to Mountain View to eat at "Hunan Chili" nearly any day.
As the Chinese say, "Qiang Cha Hu Wang, Qi Sei Won To Chi!" ("Life is
too short to eat at bad Chinese restaurants!")
--Tim May
Joe Petolino
> First, I met with some ex-Intel friends for lunch at "Green Elephant,"
> l located in a hard-to-find place in Mountain View, approximately where
> Middlefield meets Meadow.
It's at Middlefield and Charleston, in Palo Alto.
> I found the Chinese dishes bland, overpriced, and not worth going back
> for. The allegedly Burmese (they say "Burma," no mention of "Myanmar")
> dishes were potatoey, and were the least favorite of the group. Some of
> them sat half-eaten at the end, a bad sign. Not cheap, either.
I'll have to concur with Tim. The place has been doing a brisk
business since they opened, though. You might have redeemed your meal
by going next door to Rick's Rather Rich for some ice cream afterwards.
A far better choice for Burmese is Rangoon, on Bryant near Hamilton,
across from the Palo Alto City Hall. My favorite dishes there are
the sour vegetable with prawns, and Burmese pork curry. Their tea
leaf salad is interesting but oily - it's worth trying once. It
mainly consists of crunchy things, like fried dried peas, with a
small amount of tea leaves (contrast this to the tea leaf salad at
Green Elephant, which is mostly lettuce with a few peanuts thrown in).
The samosas at Rangoon are good, too.
> Later that same day, I met with some friends in downtown Mountain View
> for a discussion of math. At Dana Street Coffee Company. Later that
> evening, we chose between dozens of options on crowded Castro Street.
>
> Hunan Chili, at the very end, nearest the train tracks, won out this
> time. As it has several times before.
This is a favorite of mine, too. I haven't been there recently, but
for a while it was one of my regular lunch spots. I always ordered
Ma Po Tofu, which they did very well. Their dinner menu has a dish that
I'd been looking for for a long time: "a whole skinned tender pork
slowly cooked in brown sauce", i.e. a big piece of pork (shoulder?)
braised with the skin on.
-Joe
Todd Michel McComb
Joe Petolino <peto...@alum.mit.edu> wrote:
>[Green Elephant]
>It's at Middlefield and Charleston, in Palo Alto.
Yes, Charleston Plaza.
>The place has been doing a brisk business since they opened, though.
Interesting.
I've had a few snacks from there, since my wife dances next door
at Cubberly, and she'll sometimes bring some food back. I think I
mentioned it, but the fish chowder was pretty good. Most of the
menu looks boring, though.
Tim May
Petolino <peto...@alum.mit.edu> wrote:
> I'll have to concur with Tim. The place has been doing a brisk
> business since they opened, though. You might have redeemed your meal
> by going next door to Rick's Rather Rich for some ice cream afterwards.
One of our party glanced through the window and saw several tiny cups
displaying the prices for the various-sized cups. He said it was a
high-priced joint. I only glanced for a split second, but my
recollection was even the tiniest of the cups--and we're talking not
much more than a few swallows--was $2.50. And priced on up from there.
Now we are not poor people, but one reason we have money is that we
know good deals when we see them and avoid the high-priced spreads.
--Tim May
Ciccio
> Now we are not poor people, but one reason we have money is that we
> know good deals when we see them and avoid the high-priced spreads
"One person's garbage, is another person's gold." I'm sure there are
items and activities upon which you spend money that others would
think as a waste of their money. I certainly have such. Likewise,
there are many things upon which people spend their money, that I
think would be a complete waste of MY money.
Some ObFood that I feel is a waste of MY money and I seldom buy:
Anything, especially popcorn, at movie theaters. Alcoholic beverages
and soda at most restaurants. Alcoholic beverages a the store that
cost more than few bucks. Most "steak houses." Just about anything or
anyplace that has "gourmet" in its title. Any food or beverage on an
airplane or airport. Anything at a Stop N' Rob. That's Just to name a
few.
Yet, I didn't blink, and felt I got every bit of money's worth when I
dined at the French Laundry, which many people told me they would
never spend their money on I guess that's why...MY money MY rules;
YOUR money, YOUR rules.
Ciccio
Todd Michel McComb
Did you have wine?
Ciccio
> In article <1174840233.647890.230...@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>,
>
> Ciccio <frances...@comcast.net> wrote:
> >Yet, I didn't blink, and felt I got every bit of money's worth
> >when I dined at the French Laundry, ....
>
> Did you have wine?
Actually, that was the first time in years that I did. In fact, it's
almost been six years, and I can count on one hand the number of times
I've ordered wine since. I could have done without it at the FL. I
would not, however, been a gracious host if I had done so. I had
abandoned the wine connoisseur/hobby thing decades before. So I/we let
the sommelier earn his money and recommend to us a half bottle. His
selection was good and it was below the median price on the wine
list.
Now, afterwards, what really made the experience for me, more than any
wine could, was to savor a Cuban Cohiba Esplendidos after such a
superb dining experience. No doubt, I just know a whole lot of people
who would consider that a horrible waste of money and just sending
money up in smoke.
Ciccio
Tim May
>
> Some ObFood that I feel is a waste of MY money and I seldom buy:
> Anything, especially popcorn, at movie theaters.
Ditto. I haven't bought "popcorn and soda" at a theater in at least 20
years. No secret that theaters "make their money" on $5.75 tubs of
coconut-oiled popcorn and $3.25 sodas. Ridiculous. And, of course,
unhealthy.
> Alcoholic beverages
> and soda at most restaurants. Alcoholic beverages a the store that
> cost more than few bucks.
Ditto. Occasionally a beer at a Mexican restaurant.
> Most "steak houses."
Ditto. A bunch of us used to make a point to go to Outback Steakhouse
everytime our main stock went up $10, but that pretty much ended in
2000. (And Outback cost about $25 a head, so not too bad.) We did try
"Chris's Ruth House," or whatever, in SF, and found it to be not worth
the 3-4x price increase over Outback.
> Just about anything or
> anyplace that has "gourmet" in its title.
I like "Hunan Gourmet," in Sunnyvale, but the aforementioned "Elephant
Gourmet" in Palo Alto was a disappointment. But I expect these are not
the kinds of "Gourmet" names you are talking about (Hunan Gourmet, for
example, is no more costly than just about any other Chinese
restaurant).
I'll add to your list "anything that says "Bistro" in its name. My
experience, generally on the dates I went on in my younger years, is
that "Bistro" means "highly overpriced small items of food, sold a la
carte, and as far from French country food as one can get."
There was one such "bistro" on California Avenue in Palo Alto that a
one-time date "really wanted to try." Since I was the designated payer,
we went. Whew. $120 later, never again!
(I lived in France for a year, and have been been a couple of times.
$60 for a meal is NOT French country food!)
> Any food or beverage on an
> airplane or airport. Anything at a Stop N' Rob. That's Just to name a
> few.
Mostly ditto. I last flew on one of those airplane things in 2000, but
even then the airports were beginning to have fast food places. Since
they can't inflate the price _too_ much, though the prices are indeed
inflated, I recall having a couple of "Egg McMuffins" at the McDs
inside "San Jose International."
>
> Yet, I didn't blink, and felt I got every bit of money's worth when I
> dined at the French Laundry, which many people told me they would
> never spend their money on I guess that's why...MY money MY rules;
> YOUR money, YOUR rules.
>
Once again, full agreement. Though I've not eaten at the French
Laundry, what I've read of it and seen of it on Anthony Bourdain's
episode devoted to it (where he went with a few of his friends,
including Ruhlman and a French chef friend of his from NYC) makes me
think it is certainly "worth it," if planned properly.
Considering that the price is "only" 4-5 times what I paid for that
utterly forgettable "French Bistro" food in PA--or some rack of lamb
Frenchy stuff I paid even more for with another date, this time in Los
Gatos--I would consider a FL "experience" to be worth it. If planned
properly, a key consideration.
Someday, maybe a good excuse to go there will present itself. And I
won't complain. Unless the food is not up to what I've been led to
believe it should be.
--Tim May
Todd Michel McComb
Ciccio <franc...@comcast.net> wrote:
>Now, afterwards, what really made the experience for me, more than
>any wine could, was to savor a Cuban Cohiba Esplendidos after such
>a superb dining experience.
Ah, much like you and wine (and it's not like I have an expensive
bottle of wine very often; I usually cap it at $6/bottle), I've
really lost interest in smoking. I last tried to enjoy a nice cigar
on my birthday several years ago, but failed.
Ciccio
> In article <1174840233.647890.230...@n76g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>,
> Ditto. I haven't bought "popcorn and soda" at a theater in at least 20
> years. No secret that theaters "make their money" on $5.75 tubs of
> coconut-oiled popcorn and $3.25 sodas. Ridiculous. And, of course,
> unhealthy.
Oh, and then they don't even make the popcorn right. And people
actually stand in line for if. There's no way I could enjoy a movie
if I had to endure that and get ripped off. It would be like having
the usher slap me in the face, call me sap, and tell me to enjoy the
movie.
> Ditto. Occasionally a beer at a Mexican restaurant.
Same here. The operative word being occasionally. Same with
occasionally a beer with pizza.
> > Most "steak houses."
>
> Ditto. A bunch of us used to make a point to go to Outback Steakhouse
Indeed, their steak is decent bang for the buck. What I also like
about Outback, is that if you call in an order to go, they bring it
out to your car when you pull up.
> I like "Hunan Gourmet," in Sunnyvale, but the aforementioned "Elephant
> Gourmet" in Palo Alto was a disappointment. But I expect these are not
> the kinds of "Gourmet" names you are talking about
Yeah, I was referring to stuff like "Gourmet Burrito." Now, what the
hell is that? That's like making "Gourmet Nachos."
> I'll add to your list "anything that says "Bistro" in its name. My
> experience, generally on the dates I went on in my younger years, is
> that "Bistro" means "highly overpriced small items of food, sold a la
> carte, and as far from French country food as one can get."
Some decades back, I laughed my ass off when "gourmet frittatas"
became into vogue, at "bistros" and such places. Geezus, a frittata is
what one makes on Sundays with the stray veggies and meats leftover
from earlier in the week. In fact, that what makes them fun,
scrounging through the fridge to make that weeks "special."
Ciccio
Ciccio
> In article <1174846680.103482.305...@l77g2000hsb.googlegroups.com>,
> Ah, much like you and wine (and it's not like I have an expensive
> bottle of wine very often; I usually cap it at $6/bottle),
At Christmas time I get many different bottles of wine from people
with whom II do business. I get around to drinking some and I'm
tempted to re-gift the rest, but I keep them around for some special
occasion. When a special occasion arises, however, I always forget
about them. Though I do manage to bring some to parties, BBQs, etc.
>I've really lost interest in smoking. I last tried to enjoy a nice cigar
> on my birthday several years ago, but failed.
Well, that is a splurge that I have. Though, it's somewhat seasonal.
Starting in the fall and through winter I smoke my pipes. Then
starting about this time of year, to fall, I smoke cigars. Though,
I'm not an avid smoker. Maybe a pipe every week or two, and about the
same number of cigars during my cigar season.
Ciccio
Todd Michel McComb
I can relate to your comments on that, but I just lost my ability
to enjoy cigars etc. I thought I could, but that's the way it goes.
(If you understand me, you know that I see any lack of enjoyment
as a failure, but it happens.)
Ciccio
> In article <1174883390.329320.326...@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com>,
> I can relate to your comments on that, but I just lost my ability
> to enjoy cigars etc. I thought I could, but that's the way it goes.
>
> (If you understand me, you know that I see any lack of enjoyment
> as a failure, but it happens.)
I suffer from a similar frustration. For decades I've tried to enjoy
country music. All during that time, about a few times every month, I
give it a shot. Even after all that, I still can't listen to it for
more than a half hour or so...but I keep trying.
Ciccio
Dan Abel
> Some ObFood that I feel is a waste of MY money and I seldom buy:
> Anything, especially popcorn, at movie theaters.
I just skip the movie theater.
> Alcoholic beverages
> and soda at most restaurants.
Yes, you can buy it much cheaper before or after. I just get water.
Most "steak houses."
I eat at them sometimes.
> Any food or beverage on an
> airplane or airport.
Not much else to do. Plus, when you are there for five hours, you get
hungry and thirsty.
SMS
Too bad, this was a place we went to occasionally. We noticed some
problems a few months ago, which may have been before the ownership
change, such as some of the more expensive ingredients being left out of
dishes (sea cucumber).
Have to cross Tsing Tao off the list.
Spam Gourmet
> Gummy sesame chicken, pot stickers that were more filler than pork, and
> hot-and-sour soup that was neither hot nor sour. The mainstay items, often
> solid dishes, were the first casualties. I don't think this is a good
> change.
Oh crap. Do-Henkotsu (Tokushima Ramen) last week. Now Tsing Tao. Where
else can I get a good bowl of noodles in the area???
--A
Steve Pope
>On Mar 25, 12:28 pm, mcc...@medieval.org (Todd Michel McComb) wrote:
>>I've really lost interest in smoking. I last tried to enjoy a nice cigar
>> on my birthday several years ago, but failed.
>Well, that is a splurge that I have. Though, it's somewhat seasonal.
>Starting in the fall and through winter I smoke my pipes. Then
>starting about this time of year, to fall, I smoke cigars.
I'm not quite following. Are you saying that French Laundry
has a cigars-permitted area for you to enjoy a cigar after
dinner?
Steve
Ciccio
> Ciccio <frances...@comcast.net> wrote:
> I'm not quite following. Are you saying that French Laundry
> has a cigars-permitted area for you to enjoy a cigar after
> dinner?
I don't believe it does.
We stayed at the Villagio Inn and Spa which is a stone's throw from
the FL. It was there I had that most exquisite after-dinner stogie.
It was also there where I did many reps of jacuzzi, sauna/steam bath,
then a 1 1/2 hour massage, followed by a nap, right before having that
most superb meal at the FL. . .Forget about it!
Ciccio
Todd Michel McComb
Ciccio <franc...@comcast.net> wrote:
>We stayed at the Villagio Inn and Spa which is a stone's throw from
>the FL. It was there I had that most exquisite after-dinner stogie.
>It was also there where I did many reps of jacuzzi, sauna/steam bath,
>then a 1 1/2 hour massage, followed by a nap, right before having that
>most superb meal at the FL. . .Forget about it!
I have to say, you really did it up right.
When I went, I had the kids in the hotel room... we got them a pizza
to eat in the room. They still complain that we didn't take them,
and at this point, they're grown enough I couldn't really say no.
Which makes going out to nice places a lot more expensive,
unfortunately.
Ciccio
news:eu9d8g$5d7$1...@agricola.medieval.org...
> I have to say, you really did it up right.
Well, it's not something I do everyday, especially since getting laid by the
Virgin Mary is easier than getting a reservation there. So, I figured what
the hell, go all the way.
> When I went, I had the kids in the hotel room... we got them a pizza
> to eat in the room. They still complain that we didn't take them,
Your lucky they didn't snitch you out to CPS for that kind of mental
cruelty.
> and at this point, they're grown enough I couldn't really say no.
> Which makes going out to nice places a lot more expensive,
> unfortunately.
I have an idea that will bolster family harmony. Have a drawing and the kid
who wins gets to go the FL with mom and dad. While the other kids get pizza.
Then make up some stuff about object lessons and life not being fair.
Ciccio
Todd Michel McComb
Ciccio <franc...@comcast.net> wrote:
>I have an idea that will bolster family harmony. Have a drawing
>and the kid who wins gets to go the FL with mom and dad. While the
>other kids get pizza. Then make up some stuff about object lessons
>and life not being fair.
We are doing something similar this weekend. A daughter is getting
an award at a frou-frou big bucks banquet, and they only gave us 4
free tickets. So my son is staying home. I don't think he really
cares, though.
Unknown
screw up Do-Henkotsu. Gotta go get a Large Niku Iri before the switch.
Spam Gourmet
news:x9qdnepKtPrxhpfb...@giganews.com...
>I heard there's a new Ramen house in J-town. Hopefully the new ownership
>won't
> screw up Do-Henkotsu. Gotta go get a Large Niku Iri before the switch.
Before the switch? I heard that the previous owners had completely closed
up shop. The new owners will re-open at a later date, but it will still be
a ramen house. If this is the case, I think you're out of luck to get that
one last fix. Do you know if the new owners will keep the same menu? Any
recipes??? I hope so.
--A
Al Eisner
The Chronicle's "Bargain Bites" list (available online) includes
Santa Ramen on B St. near 8th Ave. in San Mateo. Has anyone here
tried that? (I prefer udon, etc., to ramen, and still miss the
Mifune branch that was in San Mateo a decade or so ago, but I'll
likely give this ramen place a try some time.)
--
Al Eisner
San Mateo Co., CA
Spam Gourmet
> The Chronicle's "Bargain Bites" list (available online) includes
> Santa Ramen on B St. near 8th Ave. in San Mateo. Has anyone here
> tried that? (I prefer udon, etc., to ramen, and still miss the
> Mifune branch that was in San Mateo a decade or so ago, but I'll
> likely give this ramen place a try some time.)
Santa is a bit out of the way for me, so it's been a while since I've been
there. It was very good when I tried it...and I believe that it is still
highly regarded my many.
I was mainly complaining about the lack of good noodles in the Campbell/San
Jose/West Valley area.
--A
Al Eisner
Yes, I know. This is an example of "subject drift", in this case a drift
slightly to the northwest. Thanks.
SMS
Too bad, as there used to be several good places, which were either
changed ownership or closed. Shang Yuen closed, Fatima burned down,
4-5-6 changed owners, and now Tsing Tao is lost.
A&J in Cupertino has good hand pulled noodles. You can see the employee
in the back making them. Of course he is Mexican.