Anh "Asian Try-Hard" T.'s Profile

Wow. It's been awhile since I've written a review without an Elite badge. The Yelp world is growing up without me, but hopefully my reviews still mean something. *sniff*

My office relocated to Glendale a little over a year ago. Although I still have more exploring to do, I haven't been wowed by many restaurants in the area, especially of the fine dining kind (yeah, I'm fancy). That is, until recently.

Based on outstanding reviews, I organized a team dinner here. Thanks to yelpers and the company card, Bashan is now recognized as the best Glendale restaurant I've been to (*enter giant trophy here*).

Appetizer:
Amuse bouche--Creamed sweet pea. Let's just say a little spoonful was not nearly enough.
Octopus - Nicely cooked though also small in portion.
Pork belly - A clear favorite and crowd pleaser of the group. The server was nice enough to give us a heartier portion so everyone could have a taste. I might have also sneaked in a second.
Burrata salad - Creamy dairy perfection.
Sweet corn soup - A heartier serving of cream and buttery corn. But damn if I was starting to get full.

Entrée:
Braised beef cheek - A little heavy after all that appetizin' (my own fault) but still delicious and tender. The baby veggies were cute but I had to save room for dessert.

Dessert:
Panna cotta - If only I could marry a dessert, this would be it. But let's be real...we'd also need to have a polygamous relationship.

A fine-dining gem, Bashan's small space was cozy yet modern, the service was excellent, and the food was pretty effing amazing. They also have a nice deal Tue-Thur for 3-course prix fixe at $40. Delicious and affordable, what else can you ask for? Oh right, a 2012 Elite badge. Ha!

I am evil.

I came here because I had a Groupon (that's not why I'm evil). Based on previous dining voucher experiences, I admit I wasn't expecting very much. But it was awesome - the prompt service, the fresh sushi, and even the modern décor. At the end of dinner, I was thoroughly enjoying my date when I got sidetracked by the craziest sight:

The sushi chef grabbed a live lobster, chopped off its tail, and plopped it onto a plate. The crustacean was still wildly thrashing its claws in the air while the chef nonchalantly cut the raw tail into sushi pieces and surrounded the lobster with its own flesh. And the half-intact lobster continued to squirm and make sad sad sounds for a good ten minutes.

Disturbing, right? Then why did I wish I wasn't too full to order myself a plate? And why is it that I want to go back for a taste? Only answer could be...I am evil (sorry ASPCA). Muahahaha!

/bing bong

After attending some other barre fitness classes, I realize that I'm pretty spoiled at BM. They have smaller classes, more helpful trainers, and provide lockers, clean towels, and mats. Then again, I guess I'm paying a pretty penny for it too. 10 class packages are $180 and run out too quickly. I'm always hoping for the next good daily deal (hint, hint Yelp deals).

"Now pulse, pulse, pulse."

Some of the moves can feel uncomfortable and slightly pornographic, but it's a small price to pay. On occasion, very angry thoughts run through my head when the instructors get on me because my legs aren't shaking hard enough, despite feeling like they just might splinter under me. But in reality, my legs won't splinter, and the trainers making sure I'm maximizing the good money I'm paying by getting the body that brings all the boys to yard. Not that there aren't already some boys there, of course...

Although it has been over a year since my last event, I was still impressed by Katie's ninja-like planning skillZ. It was well organized, drinks were tasty (though a little weak, they were FREE), and I dug the deceivingly thin but savory pretzel sticks.

Yelpers do clean up quite nicely, as everyone seemed dressed in their dandiest. Roman and Edward both looked damn tasty - I was surprised there was no swarming of hungry single ladies in sight! But don't let the fine threads fool you suckas, we still know how to clear a giant plate of food under 10 seconds...especially when it's free.

With my 20s behind me, I wanted to celebrate with a super special Puma-Coming-Out Party. I was referred here for photo booth pictures because we had mutual friends. I was initially hesitant to use them because I don't like having to bitch out friends or friends-of-friends (although I will if I have to), but prices were totally reasonable and they were willing to drive everything out to Malibu.

While I was pretty stressed out about other party planning stuff, TVS was the least of my worries - they were super accommodating, timely, and professional. Because the venue was held outdoors, I didn't want a plain background and requested to use the natural landscape. They quickly adjusted their equipment and it was almost surreal how clear the pictures came out. Everyone who saw them thought the greenery was some kind of prop or wallpaper...pretty awesome.

The photo booth was definitely an unexpected surprise for my friends and was a HUGE hit. The photographers were really nice, and reprinted any pictures we wanted. Pictures were even posted online within a couple of days for download. I'd say everyone was impressed by my newfound fanciness and bourgeois ways but I'd be lying - everyone knows you can't take the hood out of the hoodrat. Nonetheless, it ended up as an awesome party and if I dare say, I take damn good puma pictures.

Rawr.

DO buy a bottle of wine and have a romantic taco dinner overlooking the amazing city lights.

DON'T buy white wine, especially if it tends to make her angry and start drunk / teary arguments.

What can I say? I like making up.

/bing bong

One summer day, my coworker and I had the great idea of walking our normally lazy asses to try this so-called famous Italian deli. An even greater idea was to leave our cell phones at our desks and rely on my salami-honing skills to lead the way. Unfortunately, it's a different kind of salami I'm used to honing into. After a 15 minute adventure in the blazing sun, we found our destination.

The dude at the counter was really nice to me although I was clearly a newbie with sweaty armpits. I ordered the recommended Italian Combo and my friend had the hot ribeye. There were a ton of people standing around for their sandwiches but we were lucky enough to grab a crumb-laden table.

Luckily I had worked up an appetite with our walk and nonstop work-rant because the sandwich was bigger than my arm. Right away, I had to remove the middle slice of bread to bite into my behemoth of a sandwich. Why there so much of this doughy bread anyway, I had no idea.

Someone got me super excited by telling me this place was comparable to Bay Cities Italian Deli. I thought it was impossible...and I was right. Damn you, big fat liars!!! Although I liked the cold cuts and cheese, it was no Godmother. I actually enjoyed the rib eye sandwich a little better, as the toasted bread made it tastier.

Let's be clear. It was a solid sandwich but nothing to go crazy over as all these reviewers suggest. Personally I'm not sure if I'll come back because I prefer to avoid 1) unnecessary and untoasted carbs, and 2) sweaty armpits.

I was initially happy to be here for two reasons:

1. It was my birthday and the Puma in me refused to stay at home alone.
2. For a second, I thought I was going to end up at Benihanas. When we passed it by, I gave out a very loud sigh of relief and was accused of being a snob (I am, sort of).

I wanted to try this restaurant to see how one would "modernize" my people's food. Here's what we ordered:

Brussels Sprouts - The best thing we had. Simply made with fish sauce and caramelized shallots. Are those shrimp chips on top??? Drool.
Halibut - A bland meh. Recommended by the waiter...I'm  never going to listen to him again, assuming I remember what he looks like (I don't).
Chicken Dumplings - Yay-ish. Anything cooked in pork fat is probably going to taste good. This was not an exception.
Duck - Yay. I liked it, but money would be better spent on peking duck from SGV. Jus sayin.

Honestly, although we had a nice dinner, I wasn't amazed. Similar to my experience at many fusion-tapas style restaurants, although almost everything was done well, I didn't feel satiated. Maybe it was due to having so many different types of food in one sitting but the whole experience didn't warrant the drive or price tag. Not that I either drove or paid, but still. Feed me steamed catfish and spring rolls over this stuff any day.

I passed on dessert because I had a craving for Yogurtland. And then we ended up passing on Yogurtland because I had a craving for more alcohol...

/bing bong

The smell of sweaty balls. This is the price of getting into shape.

Post-MBA life is pretty awesome except I get depressed about not seeing my friends as regularly. So I was uber excited to get together with my fave b-couple for some dinner and drinks to celebrate a new job (not me) and birthday (me). When I arrived at The Foundry, I was repeatedly reminded that I had been on a date there before. The outdoor setting was perfect and intimate, and the service was much better my second time around.

Drinks are tasty. I had the "I Love Zu-York" cocktail, mostly because I've been recently obsessed with all things ginger. I believe the classier friends enjoyed with the wine selection.

Appetizers are good, including the foundry tots, shrimp and grits, and grilled cheese with short ribs. Oh grease, how I love thee.

Entrees were solid but not super impressive. I ordered the halibut and also tried some of the hanger steak. I don't think my b-girlfriend was excited about her duck dumplings. And the food wasn't very filling for the price...I'm not normally one to finish my plate.

We also shared the bread pudding for dessert...ummm, except I don't remember much about it. Enough said.

I'll probably end up going back but mostly because we have some Groupons to burn. Otherwise, is it worth paying full price when there are so many other fine dining options in Gastro City? Unlikely.

/bing bong