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Monday, April 30, 2018

Battle of the Beignets

We went in search of the best beignets in town.


I used to love Cafe Beignet.


This time, they were terrible. The beignets were dense and had not risen. Plus, they were the most expensive at 3 for $3.99. They do have coupons online for a cup of free cafe au lait with any order so if you're a coffee drinker, getting the free cafe au lait with your beignets would make the beignets more reasonably priced.


Cafe du Monde is the tried and true beignet place. There's always a line out the door.


Find an empty table and have a seat.


These beignets were light and fluffy and covered with powdered sugar. An order of 3 beignets cost $2.73.  Tax is 10% in New Orleans so the beignets come to $3.


From the takeout line, turn left and go behind the building to watch beignets being made.


My new favorite place for beignets is Morning Call. It's located in City Park.


There's seating indoors and out.


Their beignets are light and fluffy and cost $2.20 per order of 3. You add your own powdered sugar.


At the airport, you'll find West Beignet.


These beignets are not the classic beignets. They're puff pastry that have been fried. I did not care for these. The beignets were too greasy. $2.75 per order of 3 or $5.50 for 6.



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Sunday, April 29, 2018

NOPSI

I like staying in the CBD (central business district). It's convenient to the French Quarter and the St. Charles Streetcar.


The NOPSI is New Orleans newest hotel. It opened July 2017.


The lobby is lofty and spacious.


There's a rooftop pool. It's a popular place in the evenings. Happy Hour is Mon-Thurs 4-6 pm: cocktails and wine $8 and draft beer $5.


There is a small gym but why use the gym when you can walk the streets of N'Awlins.


I reserved a deluxe king room, which was very spacious. Not sure how much different the regular king is.


NOPSI stands for New Orleans Public Service Inc and you'll see it on the manholes in town. The hotel was a $50 million renovation of the original Public Service building.



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Saturday, April 28, 2018

3 Days in New Orleans

It's been a while since we went to New Orleans. We used to go every 1-2 years but life got busy and we haven't been in 5 years. It was a long overdue trip.

We took a non-stop red-eye from SFO to MSY and spent 3 days, 2 nights in New Orleans. It happened to be the weekend of the French Quarter Festival so it was a bonus.

We arrived early Sunday morning. We usually take a taxi from the airport to our hotel but this time our flight coincided with the RTA 202 bus schedule.

http://www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules/System-Map/Line.aspx?ID=10862



The bus leaves from the departure level, near the Delta check-in desk. It costs $1.50 for the ride. If you plan to use public transportation for the next 24 hours, a one-day Jazzy pass is $3. Buy it from the driver--cash only, no change. The ride takes 30 minutes and drops you off at Elk & Cleveland, close to the CBD and the French Quarter.



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Friday, April 27, 2018

Dinner back in Burlingame--Fat Wong's Kitchen

After arriving at SFO, we grabbed dinner at Fat Wong's Kitchen. It's located at 1780 El Camino Real. Bring cash.


Rice Noodle Roll with Fish Paste--$4.20. I love this.


Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce--$6.75.


Shrimp Dumpling and Wonton Noodle Soup--$6.75.


Pork and Preserved Egg Porridge--$6.75



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Thursday, April 26, 2018

Hofbrauhause, Las Vegas

Before we headed to the airport, we had lunch at Hofbrauhaus. It's located at 4510 Paradise Rd. I found a Travelzoo deal and got $40 off lunch.






There are long tables inside, reminiscent of Octoberfest in Munich.


Potato Pancakes with Applesauce--$10.50. These were just okay. 


Creamy Bavarian Potato Soup with Fresh Vegetables and Sliced Sausage--$6 & Soup of the Day--$6. Both were salty.


Top: Roasted Pork Sausage with Imported Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes--$14. Middle: Sausage Plate with with Vienna Style Frankfurter, Pork & Chicken Sausage, Imported Sauerkraut, Mashed Potatoes and Onion Mustard--$16. Bottom--Two of Munich's White Sausages (Veal & Pork) with Freshly Baked Pretzel and Sweet Mustard Imported from Munich--$14. Loved all the sausages.


Jaegerschnitzel--Pork Cutlet topped with creamy mushroom sauce, bacon, onions, served with spaetzle and cranberries--$19. The pork was good and the spaetzle was delicious.


Black Forest Cake--$9. Definitely not worth it. This was dry and a small portion.


Apple Streudel--$10. Another disappointment.



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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Raku Sweets

Nearby, in the same strip mall, is Raku Sweets. They serve fancy desserts. You can get a 2-course dessert for $15.


The options for the first course were Earl Grey Creme BrƻlƩe


or Raspberry Sorbet.


This dessert was called Mars. The dessert is delivered


then a flaming brandy sauce is poured over it and the dome deflates. The dome was yuzu mousse and chocolate cream with hazelnut and assorted fruit covered with white chocolate and flambeed with brandy.


Ichigo--balloon shaped thin white chocolate cup filled with pie crust and strawberry mousse. Served with strawberry candy filled with strawberry sorbet and condensed milk mousse.


As if dessert wasn't enough, you could get a wine pairing for an additional $7.



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Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Raku

My favorite place to eat in Las Vegas is Raku. It's located at 5030 Spring Mountain Road.


Raku's Tofu--$5.50. This is the best tofu I have ever had. It's so smooth and creamy. We each had one then split a final one.


Pork Ear--$3. I love the crunch of the cartilage.


Takana Inari--$4. This was meh--nothing too exciting.


Kobe Beef Tendon--$3.50. Love how soft the tendon is.


Juicy Deep Fried Chicken--$10. This was not worth it.


Enoki Mushroom with Bacon--$3. Hard to eat. Better get your own.


Crispy Asparagus Okaki--$5. Loved these.



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Monday, April 23, 2018

Daisho Sushi

Happy Hour was at Daisho Sushi. Happy Hour is daily from 3-6pm and 9pm-close.


It's located in a strip mall at 7435 S. Eastern Avenue


The sushi special rolls are 50% off during Happy Hour. Snow White Roll--$6. Albacore roll, super white tuna, avocado, scallion, masago, garlic sauce.


Dragon Roll--$6.50 (HH price). California roll with eel.


Triple Bomb Roll--$7.50 (HH price). Mixed spicy fish, avocado, cucumber, rainbow sauce.


Crazy Roll--$6 (HH price). Spicy crab, spicy scallop, tuna, salmon, jalapeƱo.


Miso black cod--$5.95. I was hoping these would be melt-in-your-mouth but they weren't


Spicy Tuna Cracker--$4.95. Fried sushi rice with spicy tuna.


Tonkatsu ramen--$9.95. This was okay. Too much meat and the broth was a little heavy.



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