Recession All-Stars

Besides the news, I've been hearing a few stories from people I personally know who have been affected by the so-called recession. I don't know how to fix it, so all I can do is try to come up with a list of restaurants (besides the usual fast food joints) that might help you save a little more. Skip that, just don't eat out! ......Never!!!!

The list is not gonna be too organized or even complete. Here's just a few categorized by cuisine:

Chinese:
Maxim (Rowland Heights)
Chopchop Grill (Walnut)
Coffee Break (Walnut)
JJ's Cafe (Monterey Park)
Happy Wok (Rowland Heights)

Mexican:
Hole Mole (Long Beach, Whittier)
Alberto's
Molca Salsa (La Habra, Fullerton)
Senor Baja

Pizza:
3.99 Pizza Co. (West Covina)

Thai:
Banana Bay (Rowland Heights)

Vietnamese:
Pho Express (Walnut)
Lee's Sandwiches
Nha Hang $1.99 (Garden Grove)


This list will be added to as much as I can (or feel like). Don't hesitate to add your own recommendations. Oh. Don't forget about Happy Hours. Those may just be the best times to eat.

The Food Roamer

My homie/co-worker started up a food blog of his own. Hopefully he'll put up more posts and reviews. He loves taking pictures so if you see some weirdo at a restaurant taking pics with his camera phone, tell him I said "whattup?!"

The Food Roamer

You can also find him on Yelp.

Galanga - West Hollywood

Galanga
7440 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 851-4355
Type: Thai / fusion
Map



It's been so long since I've been to this spot that I had to cheat a little and look on Yelp to get some ideas on what to talk about. Yeah I took notes, but as many of you know, they suck!



Whenever I go to LA or Hollywood or just somewhere out of my area, I'll usually do a little research on Chowhound to find some recommended eateries. I don't really remember why we went to Hollywood this time around, but I didn't do any reconnaissance ahead of time. Instead, we just drove around knowing we would find a spot. I mean it's LA/Hollywood. There's something around every corner and hip thrift store. I guess we were being picky cuz we passed on a bunch of stuff. After maybe a half hour of driving, we finally see this little spot with an interesting name. Aight. That's it.



Galanga Thai Fusion was the place. It's a small place near Fatburger with an equally small parking lot. We got there just after lunch so I'm assuming the drones had to get back to work at the hive. Luckily I wasn't them at the moment. From what I remember there were no booths. There's a patio dining area in the back if you want to enjoy your Thai burrito outside.

Speaking of which, I personally love fusions of any kind. All I remember from this place was the Thai/Mexican fusion in the form of the tofu burrito. We added shrimp to it. I don't remember what the cost was but my notes tell me it was sweet but good. I kind of remember that personally.

tofu burrito and a salad and a square plate. fusion at its best.


To go back a little, we ordered the crab roll appetizer ($6.95). Now that was really good. I don't know if that's considered fusion with the egg roll wrapper and stuff. Nonetheless, it was bomb. Usually my only complaints when something is good is 1) it costs too much 2) they don't give you enough. My complaint was mainly about #2, but seven dollars for an appetizer is treading around #1. But then again, it is called an appetizer and not a meal. Still. I'm cheap and I eat a lot.





I ordered the Spicy Crispy Basil Fish ($8.95). I think it might have been a lunch special. I got mine with white rice. I'm personally tired of brown rice because we used to cook it at my house all the time and I've associated it with dry.... just dry. The fish was good as well. Was it spicy? I think a little. Was it crispy? I believe so. If not I would've complained in my notes of knowledge.





Good. Fresh. Pretty light. That's Galanga for me. The cost is actually ok. If you've been around, it's obviously not the cheapest. The portions ain't huge like at Banana Bay or some other spots, but add an order of an appetizer and you're good. I definitely wouldn't mind coming back here if I'm in the area. Of course, I would like to try other things first, but you won't see me throwing a fit if we had to go here. Especially if somebody paid for me! Thank you kindly.

The Clubhouse - Costa Mesa

The Clubhouse
3333 Bristol St # 2802
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 708-2582
Type: American food / dining
Website
Map

.......must ..........post .............review ...................ughhhh .......



Back up on the horse with the first review of the year. Man. We went to this place probably in May or June. So I'm about 6 or 7 months behind with maybe 80 restaurants to still post up. Unless I get laid off or quit my job, the postings won't be coming along faster than I visit new places. Sometimes, I just go to old restaurants and order the same stuff just so I don't have to jot it down in my handy notes application on my phone. Sounds like I hate doing this, huh? Actually I love doing it, but it's a lot easier when you got nothing else to do-- which isn't the situation right now.

Anyways..... The Clubhouse. Costa Mesa. South Coast Plaza. Louis V. Bimmers. Yuppies. The End.

I went here and met up with my lady after a half day of work. She suggested The Clubhouse and I should've picked something cheaper cuz I was a little sick and my tastebuds weren't dead on (but when are they ever?). But here we were. In a fancy sportsbar where all the business guys go to ink deals and talk about how T.J., the CEO's assistant is rumored to be messing with the CPA from JDPA and he might have an STD. I don't know, but you didn't hear it from me.



On The Clubhouse's website, they describe the place as a stylish country club environment. Never been to one, so that's how the place looked inside. There were tv's everywhere playing sports channels and we got seated at a round table fit for about 8. The place wasn't dead, but it's pretty big so there's room for everybody. Plus, it might've been after the lunch rush.

This place is a little pricey, but then again it is a stylish country club environment. For appetizers we got the Flaming Spinach & Artichoke Dip ($12). See.... I told you it was pricey.



I think when it arrived it was flaming on top. I forgot. The dip was good. Not too salty nor too bland. Just right. Some might say it was worth the twelve bucks. I say it is if I'm loaded.

flaming spinach & artichoke dip minus the flaming part


My girlfriend got the Salmon Salad. I don't remember the cost. Maybe $15, but it was one of the best salads I've tasted. (I haven't tasted many salads so my credibility in this department is laughable) I just remember the salmon was a little raw or lightly seared. I'm assuming they used sashimi grade fish for it cuz it was bomb. The combination of the sauce they used on it and the fish and salad was pretty impressive for a salad hater liker myself. If I had the money, I would get that everytime along with my main dish.

the salad that wowed me


After the amazing salad, my order came. I got the Tilapia ($15). Since I wasn't feeling in top-top shape, I didn't write too much in my notes and put "tilapia was good. fish was light." Yup. LA Times here I come! No, but I remember liking it with the creamy sauce and the rice and that green stuff in the back. If you like fish you probably won't be too disappointed.





Oh yeah, there was free bread in the beginning too!


I want to thank my girlfriend cuz she paid and it was our 2 year anniversary this year. Happy Anniversary, honey! She's the one behind the scenes of this blog doing many of the better describing that should soon come in time. Clubhouse was a good place if you got a little dough. The food is pretty good (atleast the ones we tried) and you can walk it off after by shopping. Oh wait, you might not have any money left after.

.....even lazier

With the New Year's and all, you'd expect people to have more motivation to do the stuff they should/want to be doing. Nope. Not me. I've been so lazy to put up reviews cuz I'm so beat from work. I'll get on it though. Sorry. and Happy New Year!!!