26 - Himawari - San Mateo

202 2nd Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401, (650) 375-1005

Last visit - July, 2009

There is a small ramen shop on 2nd ave. in the downtown district of San Mateo that everyone knows: Himawari. I've been there twice before, and today would be the third time in the last year or so. Himawari isn't too big, but there is a constant flow of patrons moving in and out. Usually they are happy. I like it's Ikea lighting and find the food pretty tasty. They serve ramen by the soup stock, and one of their specials are the "Tonkotsu" ramen that's famous in Fukuoka, Japan. I usually go for the Miso flavored soup with Chashu.

I went there meeting some old friends from Cal. It was literally a reunion of sorts, 10 years since met in our language courses in Dwinelle Hall (spell?). We've grown up, got embraced by the world, and found life's plus and minuses outside of school. After finding parking, the parking lot is free after 6pm by the way, we got in and ordered our food.

For appetizers we ordered the fried calamari, the buta kakunai, and the agedashi tofu: all simple dishes you'd see at an izakaya in Japan. They all came out pretty well, and the buta kakunai especially tasty. For a table of four, it was perfect because every one could try a piece without splitting. For ramen, I had what I usually have, and my buddies tried the tonkotsu ramen. We all had a good time. The price is a bit steep for ramen, but it seems like every store is heading into the $10 region for a good bowl of ramen. Just can't wait to pay half of that again in Japan - and the possibility of ramen refills.

25 - Luka's Tap Room - Oakland

2221 Broadway, (between Franklin St & Grand Ave), Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 451-4677

Last visit - June 2009

http://www.lukasoakland.com/

To snap my four month hiatus from writing about food I decided to write about Luka's in Oakland. This fine establishment located on the corner of Telegraph avenue and 22nd street, between Franklin and Grand. It is unassuming, but many a times I drive past it and the place is booming with customers and music. At night they have music venues that fill up the lounge. I am not sure of the name, "Luka's Tap Room and Lounge", but I guess they have tap dancing somewhere at some time?

I went there Sunday morning for their brunch and had a good time. They open at 10:30am, so it's not wise to go early like me. I waited in front of downtown Oakland in front of the newly constructed condos in the area. Not much goes on in this place on Sundays; most folks are at church. But by the time we got in, there were other patrons that got in with us. The tables filled up quickly and we ordered our food. I had the Scrambled Eggs with Trout and my girlfriend had the Eggs Bennedict with Catfish (fried). Both dishes came out quickly and were delightful to taste. My dish was a bit too creamy, but my girlfriend's catfish was really good. I also enjoyed their house coffee, which was a fine roast (perhaps the first roast of the morning?).

The last thing to say about this place (for breakfast at least) is that they serve a complimentary corn bread sliced into cubes as an appetizer. It's quite cute.

24 - Champa Gardens - Oakland

2102 8th. Ave, Oakland CA, 94606, (510) 238-8819

Last Visit - February 2009

Champa Gardens website

Champa Gardens is a small South-East Asian restaurant in East Oakland. It's not too far from Oakland Highschool, but is nestled in a deep residentual area, away from East 14th/International Ave. But it actually thrives. I have eaten food from there twice now, I guess it's Laotian or Cambodian flavors, and have no complaints. 

The food is amazingly fresh. The lettuce wrapped rice is really good for starters. And their curry is really good. We had the pumpkin curry, which was a part of their specials menu. Lastly we had the stuffed chickenwings. They're odd things, stuffed veggies and chicken used to remake a wing. It was quite tasty though. 

It just makes you wonder about what is Cambodian food? What kind of ethnic niche does it have against Chinese, Thai, and Indian. Or is it one of those types that are caught in the middle? I'll have to investigate this some more. 

As take-out goes, this would be a very safe choice.