Jay Eats Worldwide

There's nothing better than starting the weekend with cocktails and a gastropub menu, right? Thanks to Tanaya's Table for the invitation  to sample the new gastropub menu at The Pub at Chino Hills .  After ordering my Firestone 805 (blonde ale), the first course arrived at the table. See What Jay Eats... Cauliflower Ceviche, Laotian Style Beef Jerky,  and Fried Pork Belly Bites. The Cauliflower Ceviche served with tortilla chips and diced tomatoes, serrano peppers, garlic, onions, and cilantro, marined in lime juice. This was a nice alternative to fish and something I would have again. The Laotian Style Beef Jerky goes great with a beer (or two). Fried Pork Belly Bites fried and served with herbed creme fraiche. Not your typical bar food and a nice way to start the evening...  A variety of sandwiches put together by the kitchen for us to try. One stood out was the Pub Melt (center...

The 120 Tacos You Must Eat Before You Die (according to the Texas Monthly)  The current cover  of Texas Monthly caught my eye, TACOS! On this Taco Tuesday, I thought to take a sneak peak at the list... Having traveled to Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston, I can honestly say I haven't been to any of these taco places... (they're on the list now) BUT, on my trip to Austin last month, I did go to Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ in Austin, TX can be found in a gas station parking lot. I already knew this would be good...  It wasn't a hard decision, being in Texas, had to get a brisket taco first... See What Jay Eats... Cowboy Taco (Left) and Brisket Taco The Cowboy Taco had pulled pork, house slaw, and BBQ sauce. The Brisket Taco comes with sliced brisket, tangy slaw, and of course BBQ sauce. I actually liked the Cowboy Taco better. But maybe I need to go back an...

Not your typical Japanese food truck, some common Japanese comfort food with some lesser known dishes added in. Chef Chizuru (Okamoto) and Gerald Abraham have created this Japanese mobile menu. I met the folks of Okamoto Kitchen at the September 626 Night Market  at Santa Anita Park. Since I was busy working, I only had time to try their Green Tea Parfait, which was really good. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Okamoto Kitchen was kind to invite me to a tasting of their menu. Shidosha in front of the Okamoto Kitchen truck and ready to serve their tasting menu. See What Jay Eats... Let the tasting begin! Cheese Mochi Sticks* (serving sizes 6 or 12 pcs) Cheese infused mochi Interesting spin on an Asian classic, mochi (sweet rice) with Parmesan cheese. Spicy Tofu Rice Cake Crumbled tofu mixed with their spicy house mayo and cucumbers served over a crispy fried rice cake For those who don't like spicy, it ...

Welcome to New York!  I spent two weeks in New York City working, but had time off to checkout the food scene (and some of my NYC favorites too).   The day started off in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at Smorgasburg . The New York Times calls Smorgasburg ,  "The Woodstock of Eating" and Mario Batali calls it  "The single  greatest thing I've ever seen  gastronomically in New York City" So, of course it was on the list! (the season closes on November 21, 2015 for this location) Being toward the end of the season, there weren't as many vendors, but I got a great taste of what it's all about. Something not to miss, if you like food. See What Jay Eats...  The Short Rib Bone marrow, roasted red peppers, and almond from Carnal at Williamsburg Smorgasburg . So tender, I could've had another one. But more food on the way...  Cheese Curds Fried cheese, so good. ...