// Koi Palace - Dim Sum //

suckling pig - roast pork. skin was super crispy!

chicken feet

pork buns

lamb buns - looked better than they tasted

taro puffs

peking duck, duh

On my recent trip to San Fran to visit family. My cousins took me to Koi Palace in Daly City. Everything was delicious and the place was packed for a weekday late lunch. We went around 1:30 or 2:00 and it was a full house. Definitely make reservations if you go. The funny part was that my cousin was like "Order whatever you want!" and at the end of the meal, he used his Koi Palace credit card. It was literally restaurant credit because he had booked this place as a wedding venue, put down a deposit, and ended up just eloping. So then he was stuck with a no refund policy and they just gave him a ton of restaurant credit. He said they had gone there for numerous dinners that cost up to $500 because of some specialty seafood dishes. Even after our meal, he still had a couple hundred left! I thought that was a pretty good "problem" to have. ;]

// Tempo Doeloe - Indonesian //

5090 Buford Hwy, Ste 110 Doraville, GA 3034

outside in the parking lot

the scene

$4.99 you-pick-three. Chicken curry, beef rendang and something else, I forget.

Indonesian fried chicken (comes w/spicy soup)

Indonesian fast food is basically what this spot is all about. It's casual sit-in dining if you choose, or you can easily take it to-go. The staff was super-friendly and pleasantly answered any questions we had about the menu. I basically pointed to a lot of things on the "photo" menu and asked what they were and 95% of the time, they said "fish cake". They have a variety of main dishes already ready to go right at the register. You can choose 3 for $4.99. What a bargain, right?! Comes with white rice of course. Another thing I didn't know until I tried their food, was that Indonesian spicy is basically like Thai hot. The soup that came with my fried chicken platter looked unassuming. It was a clear broth with half of a corn cob in there. I dug into it like normal and my mouth was on fire. Super spicy! I know I'm Vietnamese and everything, but I am a weakling when it comes to eating anything spicy. Everyone always gives me a surprised reaction when I admit I can't eat it. Hmph! You know, supertasters are known to not be able to handle the heat when it comes to food, too. ;]

Definitely check this place out next time you're on Buford Hwy. It's in a newer plaza and they also have an Indonesian grocery mart right next to the restaurant.

// Pura Vida restaurant //

steamed coconut buns // $10 //smoked pilón pork belly, tamarind sauce, shaved cabbage, cilantro & pickled chiles

aguacate criollo // $7 //avocado, lime "caviar", piquillo agridulce jelly, chorizo chips, cilantro & avocado oil

churro w/dipping sauce

Although Pura Vida isn't a brand new restaurant, Top Chef definitely made us ATL'ns more excited about revisiting this tapas spot for Chef Hector Santiago's food creations. I've been here a few times a few years back, went for one of my gf's birthdays. The night we went, there happened to be some Bacardi promotion and we both won two gift cards for future visits. I had an issue using it a year or so later since it had been so long, but the manager was very accommodating and even remembered the promo night. She told me to give a call next time I come in and she would validate the gift card. So, I actually tried the next time with my gf who's birthday I had won it with and we happily chowed down for free, basically. You know everything tastes better when it's free! The pork buns are my favorite, but other great dishes are the "bbq" beef rib and cangrejo "tater tots". Still need to try a lot of the other items on the menu. Check 'em out here : http://www.puravidatapas.com/.

// Grant's Stack @ Homegrown //

If you've never been to Homegrown, it's definitely one of those places that make you feel like you're in a scene from some movie where you're at a restaurant in the mid-west. The typical customer ranges from the following descriptions:

• hipster chicks that are wearing big shades indoors, high-waisted denim shorts and have big hair that looks like they haven't washed it in days - usually w/some grimy guy who
• a young parent (usually w/out the other parent present) who brings their toddler in and usually sits at the bar cutting up their kids pancakes
• old school folk who bring their families and everyone seems to be from another era to me

Basically, I feel like I've stepped into a Vice Magazine diner. 

The food here is pretty reasonable in price and the food is hangover friendly. Lots of grease to sop up last night's shenanigan's for sure.  A good choice would be the Grant's Stack sandwich pictured below. How can you go wrong with bacon and Texas toast? I've also had the Trix/Capt'n Crunch dessert awhile back (which is made like a Rice Krispies treat), but it wasn't around this morning. Although, I did see a huge plastic bag of the cereal mix in the kitchen on the way out. I think I subconsciously peek into the kitchens if I'm walking by (usually do that while I'm waiting for the bathroom). I like watching the chefs/cooks do their thing. Sometimes, they don't like me doing that though. That's when I scurry off.

go check 'em out: http://www.homegrownga.com/

// Star Provisions Market //

Star Provisions “Bahn Mi” with Glazed Pork Belly, Pickled Chili on Toasted Baguette $ 13.95

marinated mushrooms $ 8.95/lb.

sooooo thick & crispy!

Have you guys noticed that the Banh Mi (Vietnamese sub) has gotten a LOT of exposure w/in the past few years due to a lot of foodies bringing it to food shows and magazines? Obviously, I'm going to be biased b/c I grew up eating these (homemade) and you're never going to beat our family's recipe.  My parents used to sneak Banh Mi's into Disneyworld instead of paying for overpriced mediocre American food. I used to be embarassed, but if we could do that now, I'd be showing them off! HA! Anyway, I'm glad everyone's embraced this brilliant sandwich, but I have to admit I can be wary when restaurants throw their version of the "Banh Mi" on their menu. It always sounds interesting, but when I try it I'm always disappointed in the taste AND the price. Plus, they're like $2.50 each (buy 5 get one free) down on Buford Hwy in the Viet sub shops and then I go into that mode where I'm converting prices. "I can buy 3 banh mi's for the price of this one!"  I do that when I see the $5 hot dogs at the theater and convert it to the Ikea hot dog prices. Hehe. Ok, back to the main point of this post - Star Provisions Market actually does the Banh Mi some justice! I recently exposed my cousin (who lives  1.5 hours outside of ATL) to this sub and she was amazed at how legit it tasted (and she's SUPER picky about her Viet food) and immediately accused them (not to their face) of stealing her mom's recipe in between huge bites. Another huge plus is that their fried chicken is outta control amazing! I've never had skin so thick and crispy and the meat was juicy and flavored perfectly. I seriously went twice in one week and got the banh mi w/a side of fried chicken aka Nellie combo (only I would consider meat a side). They'll gladly heat up the chicken for you while they make your sub. If you haven't gone, please go. I know it's a splurge, but trust me....it's totally worth it!