san gabriel valley - arcadia: din tai fung

tommy goes to the legendary din tai fung in arcadia...


appetizer


shrimp fried rice


rice cakes


dumplings


handy directions on how to eat the dumplings

tommy says: tried the new location, which is right around the corner from the original. the appetizer (that is literally what the menu lists it as) was really tasty. it had bean sprouts, bean curd, and other goodies. the shrimp fried rice was good and didn't seem as heavy as other fried rice. the rice cake dish was a lil on the bland side. and of course the infamous soup dumplings were tasty. had the pork & crab and the pork dumplings. the pork flavor overpowered the crab, but were still good. honestly, probably a bit over-hyped, but definitely a tasty meal.

din tai fung
1088 s baldwin ave
arcadia, ca 91007
(626) 446-8588
http://www.dintaifungusa.com

west la: twist frozen yogurt

tommy tries twist, the newest yogurt addition in wla...


plain and forest berry with cheerios and mochi

tommy says: yogurtland knockoff that doesn't deliver. has about 6-8 flavors and an extensive topping bar. all the flavors are tart. tasted the plain, strawberry, and forest berry. strawberry and forestberry were too sweet; plain was so-so. they need to readjust the temperatures on the machines because the consistency of all the flavors was too soft and mushy. self-serve and $0.38/oz.

twist
12105 santa monica blvd
los angeles, ca 90025
(310) 481-2224

phoenix: bobby q's

tommy gets messy with bbq from bobby q's in blisteringly hot phoenix...


corn bread


smoked link sausage


baby back ribs


jumbo texas beef ribs


smoked beef brisket

tommy says: the brisket was tender, juicy, yummy and the best of everything ordered. the baby back ribs fell off the bone and were solid but didn't blow my mind. the beef ribs were a lil on the chewy/tough side. sausage was quite good. corn bread was ok but could've used whole kernels of corn. the bbq sauce was sweet and could've used a lil bit of heat. overall, yum.

bobby q's
8501 n 27th ave
phoenix, az 85051
(602) 995-5982
http://www.bobbyq.net/

phoenix: paradise bakery and cafe

thai chicken wrap
chocolate chip cookie


fire roasted garlic tomato soup

tommy says: the soup was pretty tasty, the wrap was no good, and the cookies are addicting. the thai chicken wrap had too many peanuts and the plain white rice was uninspired -- if it had been fried rice or something more interesting this could've been good. the chocolate chip cookies are dangerous... beware... overall, not bad for a chain.

http://www.paradisebakery.com

venice: primitivo wine bistro

tommy tries the tapas at primitivo wine bistro in venice...


ceviche


baby octopus salad


bacon wrapped medjool dates with candied walnuts


paella with chicken, tiger shrimp, mussels and chorizo


beet salad


lamb chops with tabouli/israeli couscous salad

tommy says: nice ambiance and good food. lamb was cooked just right. bacon wrapped dates were delicious, though on the sweet side - could've used a nice salty cheese to go with it. the ceviche was also quite tasty. the paella was not so great as it was too mushy. portions are big for tapas.

primitivo wine bistro
1025 abbot kinney blvd
venice, ca 90291
(310) 396-5353
http://www.primitivowinebistro.com/