Cousins Maine Lobster Grand Opening in Pasadena, CA

Cousins Maine Lobster had its grand opening on Friday, September 21^st and I was fortunate to attend with Foodette Friend Edward of the 626 Night Market. This was CML’s move from food truck to restaurant establishment.

So what did I think?

I really think CML has a lot of restructuring to do. There seems to be a lot of ideas all rolled into one. It was too much lounge and bar, making it very difficult for patrons to come in just for the food. There were very few tables available. While I was there, I saw some angry patrons who had come in for food. They waited more than 35 minutes.

(The Seating) 

(The Bar area) 

 Onto the food:

My order of lobster roll and lobster ice cream took more than 30 minutes to show up. The very kind waitress (Bless her soul) was also very confused on food and drink items on the menu. I was also carded for a root beer for the first time in my life because she thought it was real beer.

Taste wise, I really enjoyed the lobster roll. I think it’s great that they serve fresh lobster and crab delivered daily from Maine (and used within 24 hours of arrival). You can really taste the freshness. The lobster roll tasted fresh and the sauce wasn’t too empowering. Usually lobster rolls have a strong mayo sauce and I really liked how this one wasn’t like that.

However, for $14, the lobster roll was a little on the smaller side. The picture made it look much bigger.

 Onto the main talk of the town…lobster ice cream.

Honestly, coming from the girl who has eaten stir fried bugs before, this just wasn’t for me.

I was feeling alright when the ice cream tasted like vanilla and then right when I hit the chunks of lobster, my tastebuds got confused. You have to remind yourself that you are eating a dessert when you hit a chunk of salty piece of lobster. If you’re into bizarre foods like I am though, it might just to be worth your while. Try everything at least once, right? 

Hopefully, CML can work out their kinks and make it work in Pasadena. What are your thoughts? Did you go to the opening?

115 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena.

Happy Eatings! 
P.S. I hope you've been following on all the great San Gabriel eats I follow at www.626foodettes.com. It's updated at least once a day! 

Boston Part 2

Time for my food court food! So what did I order? There were so many choices!

 Baked clam! This was absolutely delicious. 

 And of course, I had to get another lobster roll. It didn't taste as good as the one from Part 1, but it wasn't bad!

 I was just about to finish ordering and paying when I looked up on the sign and saw passionfruit. Ugh! Why? Kryptonite may be Superman's weakness, but Passionfruit is mine. When I see passionfruit anything, I have to have it. It wasn't amazing ice tea, but I still ordered it. Nothing can compare to the fresh passionfruit juice I had in Vietnam. 

And of course I finished off my day with clam chowder and more baked clam. The food court meal was forgettable. Nothing was THAT delicious that blew my mind, but a girl has to eat. 

Happy Eatings! 

For those anxious to keep up-to-date with my latest good eats, check out my hyperlocal news blog that focuses on the San Gabriel Valley. It's updated multiple times a day! 

Boston Part 1

I am very behind on posting. I was in Boston, MA for 3 weeks to visit my newborn nephew. =) The trip was more of a nanny trip and less of a food trip, but I did get a chance to have a few tasty meals (just a few, though). I'm starting to realize that my sister's taste buds and mine are quite different. I think I've been spoiled by Los Angeles. The East Coast has clearly not been good to her stomach. 

 She insisted that I try Grassfed. She said that they have delicious milkshakes and burgers.  The menu had adult milkshakes at $12 a pop, which got me very excited. It sounded like my kind of place. . Unfortunately, I couldn't justify $12 a shake so I just got chocolate kiddy shake. I was not impressed. If you're in LA, Father's Office is still my Number One. 

 The eggplant panini was okay. It didn't blow me away. 

 Then finally came the "amazing" burger my sister had recommended. Not only was it super expensive, it was also very salty. Fail. 

 We also ordered pizza while in Boston. 

 It wasn't anything amazing to rave about. Sad face. 

 We did get a chance to go to Legal Sea Food, which is a chain restaurant. I got my favorite Lobster Bisque soup. Yum... If you love lobster and you love butter, this is the soup for you!

 Clam Chowder is another must. 

 And of course, my lobster roll! I love lobster rolls. It's basically lobster and mayo in a sub sandwich. This came out to be under $20. Expensive for just a sandwich, but everything is more expensive on the East Coast. 

And last but not least, the delicious lobster mac and cheese was absolutely mouthwatering as you might imagine. 

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Happy Eatings! 

Hong Kong Continued...

I think this will be the last or next to last Hong Kong post for now. I've been back from HK for quite some time now. Actually, I'm in Boston on Auntie duty. =) So here we go!

 Che Kee in Causeway Bay has a Michelin Star. In recent years, they've been included in all the guidebooks so it's been increasingly annoying to go with some many tourists making the line extra long to get seated. What's awesome about CK is that their prices are on the low end compared to the usual prices for Michelin Star restaurants. If you want a taste of real, authentic Cantonese food-this is it. The location is also great. It's right across from Times Square, close to a Ladies' Market for shopping, and close to lots of street food. 

 Their straight forward lunch menu

 Can you spy the mini oysters in the spicy sauce? These are deep fried fish balls. The sauce was amazing. 

 Dumplings and soup filled with MSG. It's the food of champions! 

 Egg waffles! This has Hong Kong written al over it! But what makes it better than usual? You see, instead of the regular vanilla flavor this one is called the ying yang. Half chocolate and half vanilla! I loved it! I've had all the flavors there are to offer, but to have 2 flavors in one is AMAZING!!!  

 And just for kicks, here's a turtle bread my mom thought was cute. The chocolate eyes melted off in the humidity before I got home. Usually my rule of thumb is never buy anything that is too cute, but since the turtle's shell was made up of a pineapple bun I decided to humor my mom and buy it for her.

And of course, I was right. Bleh. Not impressive! It was also $6 US for that puny thing! 

Happy Eatings!

Back at Hana Sakazuki Again!

If you are a frequent visitor of my blog, then you know  Hana Sakazuki in Causeway Bay is one of my must go to restaurants in Hong Kong. It comes out to about $30 or $35 US for their lunch meals. 

 Salad and an appetizer. Egg plant was our appetizer for the day! 

 Toro chirashi with an udon side. 

 My mom got the sashimi combo. Came with miso, udon, rice and egg. 

I'm drooling looking back on these pictures right now! I love Hong Kong! Hong Kong is actually one of the best places for Japanese food. They fly over their sashimi fresh every single day. Enjoy these last few posts because I've been back in the U.S. for awhile now. This blog will shortly return to Los Angeles blog posts.


Until then, if you are in the San Gabriel area, check out 626foodettes.com for ideas of what to eat in the ethically diverse city! 

Chinese food in Hong Kong

Nom, nom, nom! The food just never ends! I'm back in the US of A already and I still haven't finished posting my Hong Kong food pictures.

 Egg whites, crab, and egg yolk make for deliciousness all around! Don't worry when you mix it all in, it cooks the yolk. 

 Dan dan noodles are my comfort food! Well, they're a good alternative to standing in an 1 hr 30 min line for Japanese ramen.

 shaorou! Goes great with vinegar! 

 shanjeanbao! 

 dumplings 

grapefruit dessert

Enjoy the food porn?

DARK KNIGHT RISES TICKETS GIVEAWAY

DARK KNIGHT RISES TICKETS GIVEAWAY 

I'm doing a prize giveaway. You do need to be from Los Angeles.  Rules are as follows:

Search and download the Mashbox (MB Live) app via the iTunes store. Once entrants download the free app, they can click on “Promo”, then the Batman photo, and then enter their information on the page. Winners will be randomly chosen and contacted on July 16th. 

Good luck!