Taste Unlimited

I'm a fan!

Yes, it Taste is a bit on the Wholefoods/Hipster side, but the food is tasty and relatively decent in price.

Taste Unlimited is half marketplace/half causal dining (you order and pick it up). The market place has nuts, sauces, and other food items which are great for gifts. The dining portion carries mainly sandwiches, salads, fried mac and cheese, and things you would see at wholefoods market (while being more homely)

4097 Shore Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23455

(757) 464-1566

Kyushu Japanese Restaurant

What a pleasant surprise!!

I've been coming to Virginia for the last few years, and finally stumbled upon this Japanese Restaurant.

Very authentic food, and the staff all speak Japanese (don't worry they speak English, however all of their greetings are in Japanese)

Bento Dinners, and the Izakaya food is probably the best choice here. The restaurant also carries udon noodles, and sushi.

400 Newtown Rd
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

 Phone number(757) 490-1177

King Mediterrano

Very good Mediterranean food. The portions are huge here and each plate (as well as a mini) can be shared among two average sized eaters. This place is more of a to-go type of place; however there is sitting outside next to the restaurant. 

Good falafel (good portions too), and any of the steak items are a can't miss. The price range is around $8-$12 for each plate. You can just get a gyro ($7) if you are not as hungry

4354 Redondo Beach Blvd
Torrance, CA 90504

Torrance

(310) 370-9438

Zencu Sushi & Grill

So came back here for dinner on a random Saturday night. 
Dinner is average, not the little Tokyo Experience. (I still retain that happy hour is much better)

But on the upside...my group was cold, tired, and hungry..its one of the few places in little Tokyo that you can get $1.99 beer, and there will always be room for a group no matter how crowded the other places will get

319 E 2nd St
Ste 206
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Little Tokyo, Downtown

Phone number(213) 687-7780

Qin West Chinese Cuisine

Bringing East and West.

1) Far East Plaza has become some what of a mecca of Asian Hipster food. While I agree Qin West Chinese Cuisine is more of the new wave of Chinese restaurants coming to Chinatown, it still manages to retain a sense of authenticity. 

2) Is it quite comparable to SGV? It almost there, but for Chinatown it's pretty good.

3) You can easily share a dish here. 

4) Order the hand noodles if you can! It runs out, if not the Guilin Noodles are excellent

727 N Broadway
Ste 111
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Chinatown

 Phone number(213) 687-1063

qinwestchinesecuisine.com

Mr Rick’s

Mr. Rick's  Great place for a lazy Sunday afternoon to grab a bite to eat and drink some beers. It's right on the beach, so it's great for watching the waves and people watching. The food and drinks were typical American fare, but all in all a good experience.

404 Front St
Avila Beach, CA 93424

(805) 595-7425

Caribbean Haven

Yay, a Caribbean place in Ventura

1) There's both Caribbean Food and Filipino food. There is no in between food here(so no Jerk Chicken Adobo)
2) It was a bit on the pricey side, I thought for the Filipino food. The Caribbean option was a pretty good value though. The Jerk Chicken Sandwich and Jerk Skewers was more than enough food, and a good value. It's not super authentic Caribbean Food, but it's a good platform to try out Caribbean food.
3) Halo Halo is a must here, not too sweet, but a good assortment of stuff in the ice cream. Also INDICATE if you want your Halo Halo in a cup or bowl.
4) The menu was a bit overwhelming..but they are open to suggestions!

Montalvo Square Development

1780 S Victoria Ave
Ste E
Ventura, CA 93003

• Phone number(805) 339-0705
• 
  
•  Business websitcaribhaven.com

Sushi Ichiban

Great sushi and good times. No complaints about Sushi Ichiban if you're looking for Sushi, Teriyaki, and Tempura.

1) If you want the whole "Jiro-Dreams of Sushi experience", Sushi Hanada is down the street
2) Masa the host/owner is very hospitable (ask him about his wife!)
3) The sushi and lunch bentos are pretty good, and among the best in the area. 
4) For Port Hueneme, its quite good.

207 E Channel Islands Blvd
Port Hueneme, CA 93041

(805) 984-4408

Pholicious Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup

I actually liked Pholicious; despite the fact that Pho Saigon and Pho Oxnard (both which are located in Oxnard, CA are clearly better.

Some things to point out are that:
1) You're at Pacific View Mall, in Ventura, CA
2) The drink selection is pretty good (Thai tea, Boba and Smoothies)
3) I wouldn't come here for a sit down experience, rather if you're in the mall and have a random Pho craving.
4) The quality of Pho can't be compared to the the other Pho restaurants (however is decent)
5) Last and most importantly..THEY HAVE BAHN MI! (can't compare it to Lee's Sandwich, but there's not another Bahn Mi shop, let alone Lee's Sandwich, for 50 miles)

Located in
Pacific View Mall

3301 E Main St
Ventura, CA 93003

Phone number(727) 902-7918

pholiciousinc.com

101 Noodle Express

To keep in short, Dumplings and Beef Rolls are excellent. The rest of the food was average to good, but there are other restaurants in which to order the other dishes such as beef noodle soup or fried rice.

Also very important CASH ONLY and please bring $20 bills or under.
My mom got into a crazy argument with the waitress about this trying to use a $50 bill.

1408 E Valley Blvd

Alhambra, CA 91801

(626) 300-8654

• Phone number626) 300-8654
• Business website101noodleexpress.net

Tamaen BBQ

What I liked: Located in the old Harbor Seafood plaza, Tamaen Japanese BBQ  is the place to go for ultra high end Japanese BBQ. When I say this, take into account I've been to Gyu Gaku down the street; this place is a notch above that.

So high end the Japanese BBQ, that there is a locked refrigerator that contains the most prized marbled meat.

There's  wide selection of different cuts, and all are very very marbled, and very good. It's hard to review a self BBQ place, since you cook your own food, but the experience was very fun to try out.

Just be prepared to shell out an arm and leg for the experience. We ended up spending around $60-$70 per person.

1935 Pacific Coast Hwy
Lomita, CA 90717  
(310) 326-0829
 tamaenus.com