Jay Eats Worldwide

Welcome to Pasadena!  If you love ramen and are in the San Gabriel Valley, you need to checkout Tatsunoya Ramen on Fair Oaks in Pasadena.  Just one block North of Colorado Blvd in Old Pasadena.   Tatsunoya Ramen is from Japan and this is their first U.S. location. I'm glad that this Japanese company didn't open in an area with other ramen restaurants, such as West Los Angeles (Sawtelle Blvd) or the South Bay (Torrance/Gardena). Those areas are over-staurated with ramen places. I became aware of Tatsunoya Ramen at the March 2014 Ramen Yokocho  I was able to sample their tonkotsu ramen and remembered that I really enjoyed this one from the Ramen Yokocho Festival. Want to see more of the Ramen Yokocho Festival, click HERE for March 2014 at Santa Anita Park September 2013 Ramen Yokocho Festival in Torrance, click HERE See What Jay Eats...  Tatsunoya Roll with pork chashu We skipped the gyoz

When I asked co-workers if they've heard of Afters Ice Cream, they gave me a blank stare. I mentioned that maybe some of their friends had posted pictures of the milky bun from Orange County, still nothing. Another person overheard my description and said "ice cream donut!" and then heads started nodding and smiles emerged. Well, the 'ice cream donut' has arrived in Pasadena!  Afters Ice Cream owners (from L) David Ly, Scott Nghiem, and Andy Nguyen opening their 5th location in Pasadena. I've visited the original Afters' location in Fountain Valley and had their ice cream on a few occasions. A wide range of flavors and toppings, a very popular  late night sweet snack. A couple of blocks East of Pasadena City College on Green Street and just North of Cal Tech, it doesn't get any sweeter... Located at the old 'Motordogs' location. I mentioned to the owners, although I miss Motordogs'

Another Southern California opening of The Halal Guys from New York! If you've been following me,  you know that I'm a fan of The Halal Guys in Costa Mesa and at their opening in October. With the opening of the 2nd location in Southern California in Long Beach, I was invited to get a sneak peak at this location.  Grand Opening on January 2, 2016! Besides staff training, the media was invited to sample why their lines are so long in NYC. On past trips to NYC, The Halal Guys' cart was always a late night stop. Now, I don't need to travel 2,500 miles.  A platter with everything, including a falafel. Gotta love the famous White Sauce  Choice of gyro (beef), chicken, and falafel. You can choose 1 or 2 items Each platter comes with rice, pita, lettuce & tomatoes and served with their famous white sauce  and red sauce (hot). Fresh-Cut Fries  Get it with sauce!  Tabbou

December in Los Angeles is Picnic time! Let me explain... A new casual concept just opened in Culver City, just steps from Sony Studios, called Picnic LA . This concept offers a menu with an emphasis on seasonal vegetables, composed salads, and well prepared proteins in a casual 'picnic' manner. Photo by Picnic LA You move down the line and select  your components, they're either plated or packed for a picnic. See What Jay Eats... On this day, I chose the following: Farro & Roasted Brussels Sprouts with pickled shallots, peanuts, thai basil, and mint. Prosciutto & Fuyu Persimmons with jalapeños  Chef Alex Resnick mentioned that the menu depends on the availability of fresh products.  Something that you can taste in the food. Photo by Picnic LA Toasted Barley & Butternut Squash with sunflower seeds, harissa, and cilantro. (vegan and slightly spicy) Lots of vegan

Before leaving NYC, I was told I needed to get a burger at two8two in Brooklyn.   On my last night before heading home, it was a stop at two8two to try one of their burgers. See What Jay Eats...   After ordering a draft, we started with Nachos with beef, bean and cheese on house-made tortilla chips with pico de gallo. The shredded cheese nachos are my favorite... Burgers Up! two8two burger with roasted poblano chiles, cheddar cheese, and two8two sauce on a toasted bun. It was a really good burger, the poblano chiles made the difference. As we were at the bar, there were two first-time customers who said they wanted burgers. Each ordered one and after finishing, one of them ordered another one, said "it was that good." (I agree)  It's a nice neighborhood place. It's not in a huge space, but one of those  places where everyone knows your name. Sorry, wrong city... I'll be back! two8two Bar + Bu