Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao

Our next xiao long bao stop was Hang Zhou.

You can watch them make xiao long bao from the street.

There is an appetizer case in the center of the restaurant. Grab what you want. Each dish is NT$50 ($1.45).

Tofu, baby fish and peppers--delicious!

Xiao Long Bao--NT$150 ($4.30) for 8. These were okay, nothing special.

Marinated Beef Wrap with Cucumbers and Green Onion--NT$150 ($4.30). These were disappointing. It needed hoisin sauce. I still remember the beef wrap I had a few years ago at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. That was the best!

2019 01 19

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

When I travel nowadays, I plan my meals then fit in sightseeing.

After Jing Ji Yuan, our next stop was near the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial so we stopped in to take a look.

It's a massive structure with a blue roof. There are 89 steps leading to the memorial, representing Chiang Kai Shek's age at the time of his death.

Inside, you'll find a statue of Chiang Kai Shek. 

Guards change hourly.

2019 01 19

Jing Ji Yuan

After Din Tai Fung, we moved on to the next xiao long bao place.

Jing Ji Yuan is located on Yongkang Street in the Da'an District.

Their dumplings are larger but the skin is still thin. NT$120 ($3.45). These were delicious and, dare I say, may even be better than Din Tai Fung.

Pork Bun--NT$50 ($1.45). These were steamed and quite good as well.

Boiled Vegetables--NT$50 ($1.45).

Fried Chicken Leg--NT$80 ($2.30). This was the best fried chicken. Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside and not a sign of grease anywhere. Yum!

2019 01 19

The Original Din Tai Fung

Back to our adventures in Taipei...

Din Tai Fung, the famous xiao long bao (soup dumpling) restaurant now found all over the world, began in Taipei. The original location is on Xinyi Road in the Da'an District.

We got there when it opened at 9 am on a weekend (on weekdays, it opens at 10am) and there was no line.

Adorable mascot outside.

Inside, you can watch them make the dumplings. Each dumpling is closed with precisely 18 pleats.

Stewed Bamboo Shoots--NT$100 ($2.85)

Spicy Beef Tripe--NT$180 ($5.20). This was good but a little expensive by Taiwan prices.

Pork Soup Dumpling--NT$220 ($6.30) for 10. 

Follow the instructions on how to eat the dumplings. Make a sauce of 3 parts vinegar and 1 part soy sauce. Add thinly sliced ginger. Pick up the dumplings with chopsticks and dip into the sauce. Put the dumpling in a soup spoon and poke a hole. After cooling for a few seconds, pop the whole thing in your mouth. Delicious as always!

Crab Roe & Pork Dumplings--NT$185 ($5.30) for 5. These were just okay. Not much crab roe flavor. Better stick with the traditional pork.

2019 01 19

Downtown Bakery

When I'm in Healdsburg, I make a point of stopping in at Downtown Bakery & Creamery.

It's located on the Plaza at 308 Center Street.

They have great Sticky Buns--$2.75 each. On the day we visited, it was late in the day and the buns were not as good as when you get them fresh in the morning. Stop by in the morning and enjoy the crispy crust.

2019 03 03

Williamson Winery

Williamson Winery offers wine and food pairings. It's a 1.5 hour affair and you get 5 wines with 5 food pairing This is located at 18 Matheson  Street, not too far from their tasting room. Reserve in advance for noon, 2pm or 4pm.

We had the Icon Tasting. Usual cost is $50/person but you can usually find a Groupon or Travelzoo voucher for 1/2 price.

Citrus Butter Poached Shrimp with Aleppo Peppers paired with Amourette Chardonnay. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and the pepper provided just the right spiciness. The Chardonnay was not too buttery. It retails for $55.

Roasted Chicken with Truffle Salt, Garam Masala Mustard paired with Passion Pinot Noir. The chicken was tender and the mustard sauce was delicious. The Passion Pinot retails for $65.

Deconstructed Eggplant Parmesan paired with Allure Meritage. The Allure Meritage was a Bordeaux Blend and retails for $49.

Beef Meatballs with Hot Pepper Bacon Jam paired with Perky Petit Verdot. The bacon jam is delicious with just the right sweet and spicy. The Petit Verdot retails for $75.

The last course was Dark Chocolate Brownie with Tahini & Strawberry Jam paired with 2013 Ravish Melange Petrus. I ate it before I remembered I needed a picture. The Petrus is very good and retails for $65. It's 88% Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc.

2019 03 03

Bollywood Bar & Clay Oven

Bollywood is an upscale Indian restaurant in Santa Rosa. It's located at 535 4th Street. They were part of Restaurant Week but they didn't post their menu so we didn't go during Restaurant Week.

We had gone previously and it was quite good.

Pani Puri--$9. The sprouted moong, beets and green juice was delicious. Spoon a little of the juice on the fried dough ball and pop the whole thing in your mouth.

Roasted Papadum--$2. I had never seen a rolled papadum.

Leek & Moong Bean Samosa--$10

Saag Paneer--$15

Lamb Kofta--$16. I forgot to take a picture. The lamb kofta was very well seasoned.

Avocado Bhatura--$4. The deep fried bread was a great accompaniment to the main dishes.

Brown Basmati Rice & Quinoa--$7

Gulab Jamun with Hibiscus Meringue--$10. I'm usually not a fan of gulab because it's usually too sweet. This wasn't too sweet and the tangy meringue helped.

Tahini Chocolate Mousse--$10

2019 01 30