"CLOSED" Like a Knife Right Through my Heart...(Pho Le Loi)

After much anticipation,

I finally save up enough money.

I take the bus all the way from p.c.c for my "much deserved lunch" (I knew that if I went, I was not going to make it in time for my evening class)

I get there famished.

I see it unlit and empty, but the little dancing Buddha at the cash register keeps me optimistic, and

then....I see it:

"closed"

my heart drops to the bottom of my feet...

"No, it just can't be"...

I try too open the door, as if there could still be a chance, but like taking the knife out of a deep wound. I think that hurt more.

oh well, maybe next time.

Pho Le Loi
107 E. Valley Blvd. (Just east of Del Mar Avenue)
San Gabriel, CA
91776

Staying Cool in S.G.V: Banh Cuan Tay Ho

Now do we regret driving our 8-cylindered S.U.V's to the market just two blocks away?

It is hot, in fact, if you were a RAW food-ist...you probably wouldn't be able to leave your food outside (can't eat anything heated beyond 118°F). And what do I crave right now? Fresh, Crisp Lettuces speckled with water, coool satisfying herbs, cold food I guess. And since i'm in East L.A, there 'aint no Tendergreens or any cold, raw food places in sight. But I do have the coool Herbs and Lettuces of Vietnamese, Northern Vietnamese food too be exact. Huge plates, layered with watery Red Leaf Lettuces, gelid Basil, the ever-cool slices of Cucumber, Mint, Cilantro and my favorite; fresh Peppermint, green on the front side of the leaf and maroon on back, with a spicy yet soothing bite that's utterly amazing when combined with all those preceding ingredients and a little Nuoc Cham (fish sauce) fitted to your liking.

You can't beat this, ESPECIALLY right now. Whether used to wrap around "Asian Soft Taco's (actuallly labeled that in the menu, more like a vietnamese omelet though), rolled up around some of the flesh-like Bahn Cuon. Simply labeled in the menu as "Flour Sheet Rolls with stuffings of shredded pork or shrimp-kind of like a wet spring roll. Or cut up into pieces and topped with "Tempura", which weirdly, are damn good sweet potato fries (out of all things). If that's not enough, it's still circled with slices of Pink Pork Meat Loaf, Fried Tofu, Par-Boiled Bean Sprouts, Julienned Squash and marinated Carrots and did I mention some Crushed Peanuts already? Doused down with some of their sticky sweet house made fish sauce mixture that stands in every corner like 40oz bottles just waiting to get chugged, this place really knows how to eat.

Oh yeah, and they also have that same plate but "vegetarian", a molasses-like fish sauce and everything.
It does a pretty good job recreating it's once-active counterparts. Enough so that...I prefer it over traditional one, sans the fake fish sauce though...

Summer's barely begun, but I think I'll manage now...

Bahn Cuon Tai Ho
1039 E. Valley Blv. #103
San Gabriel, CA
(626) 280-5207

What the Duck is Wrong With Me?: Lu din Gee

I've always suffered with depression/anxiety phases, but luckily...i've always had food to keep me going. And up until now, i always thought i wanted to do this for a living but lately, i've been having second thoughts. It's like i just don't give a duck anymore. Maybe it's because i'm about to graduate high school and barely getting hit with that "oh crap, i'm about to graduate, now what?" phase, but whatever this is, i hope it's not permanent.

I finally tried Lu Din Gee's famed Roast Duck and this is what i'm talking about, i don't know what to write anymore! The meal was delicious, the contrasting textures of soft flour, crispy skin, tender lean meat and crisp cucumbers. The converse flavors of savory rich duck, sweeeeet nectareous Hoisin Sauce and refreshing slivers of onion: kind of like an asian burrito. And with my increasing fancying of Duck, this was one of the best meals i've had. But i just don't know how to write out my feelings towards it like i used to.

For my sake, i dearly hope this is just a phase.

Lu Din Gee Restaurant

1039 E. Valley Blvd, B102
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Tel: (626) 288-0588

Bliss in a Bowl: Chaus Kitchen

As unnapealing as it might sound, Rice Porridge is actually something very pleasant and desirable, especially when there is a couple of slices of fresh Chilean Sea Bass submerged inside. It might be the complete opposite of it's more popular northern cousin known as Pho .

A big clay pot filled to the rim with a broth almost as clear and light as water. A subtle taste hinting of seafood notes with no greasy residue or excessive "fishyness" (MSG). Redolent with a nice, ambrosial aroma. A generous amount of rice with tiny slivers of green onion and the main attraction, a couple of slices of slices of sweet, fragile Chilean Sea Bass served only with a little nub of Fresh Ginger that you grate yourself. Blissfulness in a bowl.

Could there be any more comforting soup as light as this?

I don't think so, especially in this excruciating "Frost of 07" that i've been painfully enduring.

Chaus Kitchen
107 E. Valley Blvd.
San Gabriel
626-307-5195