Gombei in San Jose JapanTown

My family has been going to Gombei in San Jose Japantown ever since I was a baby. Rightfully so, we went together as a family and ate my last meal there before I departed for Washington DC.

This Restaurant is very classic, and has not changed its menu since it first opened. They believe in the motto "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". They have never expanded their interior size either, and that is why there's anyways a wait to get a table because the place is so small and cozy.

My Usual Dinner entrée is the Gombei, and i usually choose a combination of the Port cutlet with croquet and broiled boneless mackerel. The pork cutlet is very lean meat, fried and breaded to perfection. The croquet is fried vegetable potato mixture with slight curry flavor and is an accompanied with a fried piece of crab meat. Last but not least the Mackerel fish is so succulent and delicious. The broiled flavor is smoked and the meat is cooked well done but the meat is so fatty and juicy that the fish is tender on the inside but crunchy on the outside. The meal also comes with a salad and their famous homemade dressing. Of course this meal would not be complete without white rice soy sauce and their signature orange slice!

I'm Literally missing home looking at this wonderful meal which i devoured 2 months ago! *Sigh*

The Counter at Santana Row

So there is this Burger joint in Santana Row that my friends and I decided to try out. It's called "the Counter" and they boast a new way of having hamburgers by letting the customer mix and match many different ingredient and toppings for your personalized burger.

First of all this place is very pretentious, over-priced and over-rated. secondly its over crowded with yuppies who think they are too good to have a burger from in and out.

Secondly the BAR seems to attract most of its high-end clientèle because they boast very clever happy hour drink specials. this is not good however if you plan to dine inside because the people getting drunk can be very loud.

My friends and I ordered each different burgers. I got a well done burger on onion kaiser roll with 3 different cheeses, (Provolone, Swiss, sharp cheddar), topped with scallions and a side of lite mayonnaise.

The Burger was not bad. but the kaiser roll was a bit dry, and the cheeses mixed well with each other. i would have got more toppings but the place is a bit pricey!

From my experience: the concept of this place was interesting but overly pretentious! Will i ever come back? No Ma'am! Maybe if someone took me there and paid in full, but i'm not spending my coinz on "The Counter" ever again!

Fatty Cajun Cheese-Fries & Hot Link Stir-Fry

Past pictures of some wonderful Quick fix meals:

Fatty Cajun Cheese Fries

Olive Oil & RoseMary, steak cut potatoes. W/ Cajun Crab Dip, Melted Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Topped and Sprinkled with shichimi togarashi (Japanese red pepper mix)

Hot Link Stir Fry

Sliced long hot link sausage. Chopped onions, garlic, and Donne pepper. Soy sauce and pepper for seasoning.

Last but not least the last ingredient is "Yours Lemon Powder" which is a staple in out pantry. It's basically a staple for all people who are from Guam! =)