(Remember, write your response, and then come back and respond to others...need a sample? Look at what your classmates wrote about each other's writing last week...brilliant stuff!)
For this week's blog entry, you need only do one thing: DESCRIBE THE SINGLE BEST BITE OF FOOD YOU HAVE EVER HAD.
For me, it would be a root beer braised ribs at a restaurant in NYC called WD-50. It is one of these pricey, ultra modern places. There were about 9 plates, each one with only a bite or two. In your description, be sure to include sight, sound, smell, or anything else to help the reader feel the experience of that one brilliant bite of food.
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ReplyDeleteThai Chicken Curry at the Orchid! The slightly dark room was empty with only the cooks and the waitress in the back until the food arrived. Out comes a steaming hot yellow soup, with chunks of chicken deliberately positioned in their spot, perfectly placed on a plate, to prevent me from burring myself, with a side of juicy white coconut rice. The waitress and my friends smiling with joy because I am showing uncontrollable eager to dive in and fest like a hungry lion. The room transforms from a dark lifeless environment to a free spirited, colorful, and aromatic place. The smell, filled with plentiful herbs and spices of all kind, extend from my nose to my brain, telling it, "This will be AWESOME." I am so happy and overwhelmed that I freeze. I stare at my plate, and it stares back. I tell myself, "Is it too good to eat?" This is when I dove in, with no fear, and went for the first bite. Their it was--an evenly filled spoon with the sticky coconut rice dipped in the yellow curry soup and a piece of chicken to top it all off. I eat. The taste is beyond expectation. The lemongrass, cilantro, onion, garlic, and various chilies worked majestically to form a surge of synapses that took place at receptors of my taste buds. A kick of spicy and everything else. The five fundamental tastes were excited all at the same time: Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Salty, and Umami. BOOM! The room is filled with laugher. My friends joke at the expression on my face. The thai chicken curry left an imprint on my tongue for good. Since the first bit of that cuisine, I have yet to find one as blissfully delightful. This sums up the single best bite of food I ever had.
ReplyDelete-Tyler C.
p.s. It still hurt (LOL) not being able to find another thai curry that is as good. Please if anyone knows a place, I will definitely try it out.
You have got to try Blue Elephant. It's near CSUB on Stockdale and Gossford. The food there is fantastic and the atmosphere is so relaxed yet elegant. They are never too busy so the food isn't rushed. If you decide to go, you'll need to try the Tom Yum soup & Drunken noodles. My family usually orders their curry sampler dish to get little of all the best. You could also try the Thai House at Ming and New Stine. They have an awesome chicken curry dish and a to-die-for spicy seafood soup. Good eating!
DeleteHi Tyler, I love Thai food. It is my favorite cuisine. I agree with Susie about the curry sampler at Blue Elephant. It's great because you can try the different curries they have. Most Thai places do not serve curry with coconut rice, but if you ask, they will probably make it for you.I also tried Thai House, it was actually the worst Thai food I ever had in my life, and I had many. Maybe I came on a wrong day or something. So far in Bakersfield, I like Singha Thai. It's kind of near where Orchid Thai used to be.
DeleteThanks guys, I will definitely try those and hope they are just as good. And the curry sampler sounds really good, you get the best of all worlds. Also I will have to try the tom yum soup and drunken noodles, they sound delicious.
DeleteThat's too bad Noelle. It's too bad you had such a bad experience at Thai House. I also agree with you about Singha Thai. I completely forgot about them. I have only been there a couple of times, but each time I went the food was terrific and the service was fast and simple. Tyler, it seems you have some great options to try out. I hope you have fun exploring. Good luck.
DeleteIt is hard to choose the best single bite of food I've ever had; however, if I had to choose, I would say the pan roast in Las Vegas. Inside Palace Station Casino, there's a little place called the Oyster Bar. It seats about 12 people, so the wait is long- like two hours long. I believe it's worth the wait. My favorite bite would be the combo pan roast. For those that do not know what a pan roast is, it is a Cajun seafood chowder/bisque that usually contains a tomato and cream base. The combo pan roast has shrimp, crab, and lobster. It is usually served with a scoop of rice. As I am finally seated, the chef cooks my pan roast in a steam cooker right in front of my eyes. All the ingredients the chef added in the steam cooker was fresh and not frozen. It cooks for about 15 minutes. When I got my pan roast, a scoop of white rice is on top. When I look at the dish, it's looks simple, but when you dig in for the first bite, it's just a burst of flavor. You never would of thought, that simple looking dish have so many flavors you did not expect to taste. The thick bisque have a lot of spice, but it is also creamy. The shrimp, crab, and lobster makes the dish pop more with flavor of richness. The rice makes a balance with the pan roast, so it would not taste too rich and creamy. The taste is something I never had before. I cannot think of anything that comes close. Just talking about it makes me want to drive to Vegas and order one right now. At least I get to eat it once a year for my birthday. It is definitely worth the wait. Try it if you guys are ever in Vegas.
ReplyDeleteHey Noelle, I never tried a combo pan roast. I didn't even know what that was until I read your blog entry. It must taste and look amazing. I should try it when I go to Vegas this summer.
DeleteHi Kristine, You should definitely try the Oyster Bar when you go to Las Vegas. They also are known for other things like jambalaya and oysters, of course. I also love the jambalaya there because it have crab meat, shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage and clams. It is a well known place to go to in Vegas for locals. My brother in law lives there, so he showed me all that great places to go. Online have about 800 reviews raving about the place.
DeleteNoelle the combo pan roast sounds really good. Too bad you have to go to vegas to get it, but thats cool that this dish is sort of a tradition for you! Maybe one day ill give it a try.
DeleteThe best single bite of food I have ever had was very tough to choose because there were bites that I had before that I thought were the best single bite and that came from very different types of food. To me, the best bite is always the first bite you take because you don't know what you're going to expect. The first bite detects whether you will love the food or you will hate the food. The best single bite of food I have ever had was when I had a bite of a baked mussels. I went to this local sushi based restaurant in Vacaville with my brother, who suggested we go there for lunch. It wasn't too long of a wait because there weren't that many people there since we went at 12:30 in the afternoon. When I looked at the menu, I wanted to try baked mussels. So, I ordered the baked mussels with a special sauce mixed into the mussels. There were four mussels and each of the mussels were in there mussel shells. There was the mussels inside the shells with some tomato and basil sprinkled on top. The smell coming from the baked mussels was mostly sweet with a bit of a tangy sour smell. When I took the first bite of one of the mussels, I just couldn't believe it. In my head I was thinking, "this actually taste good". The first bite had a lot of flavor and the mussel tasted like chicken, but with a hint of teriyaki sauce to give the mussel flavor. I never thought I would even like mussels, but as I get older I wanted to try something new.
ReplyDeleteYou guys should try mussels sometime, whether baked or not
Kristine
Mussels are awesome. I've only had them in a garlic butter sauce but they taste great. Have you every tried squid, escargot, or clams? They are all good especially when they are fried.
DeleteKristine, they way you describe your best single bite of food makes mussels sound really good. I have never tasted mussles baked or uncooked and feared the uncooked ones more becuase of the smell. But the baked ones you describe actually makes me want to give them a chance. Who knows they might end up taking the spot of the best single bite i have ever taken.
DeleteHey Jon, I never tried squid, escargot, or clams. I would want to try them, especially if they are fried. I also want to try those types of seafood ,because I only tried a couple of seafood plates, like crab and lobster.
DeleteHey Cecilia, I never had mussels either but like you I rather have them baked then uncooked because I think baked mussels have a lot more flavor than uncooked mussels.
Hi Kristine. I love baked mussels as well, but I do love clams more. You should try it when you get a chance. I like how you described the mussels about the sprinkle of basil and tomatoes on top. That's a great combination. The quality of the mussels must of been very fresh since you ate it at Vacaville. Isnt it like 30 minutes away from the bay/ocean?
DeleteI've never had mussels, but I would love to try it. I love seafood especially lobsters and crabs. I would eat them anytime of the day
DeleteKristine, this sounds like something I'd try. I have never tried mussels but your post is making me consider diving in for something new.
DeleteHey Noelle, well the mussels seemed fresh to me and Vacaville is like 45 minutes away from San Francisco so maybe the mussels were fresh.
DeleteIam definitely a seafood sushi lover so i definitely think i will asks my favorite sushi place if they have baked mussels the next time i go!
DeleteYour description makes me want a plate of baked mussels! I've never had them before but I will be on the lookout for them from now on. How was the texture? Not too chewy hopefully.
DeleteHands down, the best bite I ever had was a dish I had at Smith & Wollensky's in Las Vegas. I don't eat beef, but when you walk in and smell the seared peppered steaks and all the succulent flavors from all the other dishes, it's hard for your mouth not to water. The restaurant is a very high-end steakhouse with clean white and black decor with slightly dimmed lighting that gave a homey and romantic atmosphere. I knew for sure it was going to be an expensive dinner when I was handed a steamed white hand towel and was offered a splash of Chance by Chanel (perfume) in the ladie's room by the white-gloved and tuxedo-suited female restroom attendant. The dish I fortunately had the pleasure of dining on was a pan seared salmon fillet. Now, I'm not a big fan of the taste of butter, but that fillet was the most buttery, moist, flavorful piece of salmon I'd had ever had in my life. There was a hint of lemon pepper and paprika to give a bit of a smoky tang flavor with just the right amount of pure sea salt. I've tried to replicate the dish at home with no such luck. Fortunately I will be visiting Las Vegas in May and I have must-do plans of visiting Smith & Wollensky's for my favorite dish ever. I highly recommend the restaurant; every bite is worth every penny.
ReplyDeleteummm how many pennies are we talking? ballpark. because this sounds amazing and everything but if it's over $30 bucks then it is so not happening.
DeleteDang Susie, how do you do it? You walk into a restaurant with the smell of beef, but choose not to eat it. That's like walking into outback steakhouse or Famous Dave's Bar-B-Cue and ordering a salad instead of pork ribs.
DeleteMichelle, I believe the side dish order of green beans was $18, my boyfriend's filet mignon was over $70, and my salmon was about $40. Our total bill, including a drink each and a tip was about $200. It was an experience we'll have for the rest of our lives so it was completely worth it to splurge like we never had before, or since. Go with a small group of close friends and you won't regret it.
DeleteAs for the restraint of not ordering the steak, I don't eat red meat. I am very sensitive to iron and with every bite all I can taste is blood. The salmon was perfect. Thanks for the thought Richard. I liked your simile; it made me chuckle. All I can say is try a five star salmon then reconsider the comparison you made to a "salad." Awesomeness versus dullness. You'll completely understand. Thanks for the thoughts.
DeleteThe single best bite of food I have ever had would be the baby back ribs my aunt made. It was marinated with vinegar for a tart taste, green onions, soy sauce, and barbeque sauce for the sweet taste, black ground pepper for a little spiciness. These ingredients have to be mix. It was marinated for about eight hours for the meat to soak up the overall taste when bite and put it the refrigerator. After eight hours, my aunt placed it the oven heated for 350 degrees saving the remaining sauce. During the process of cooking, the house was filled with the aroma of the baby back ribs. I don’t know how long it took, but she checked it every 10-15 minutes to brush the sauce over it. After it was baked, it was placed on a white porcelain plate served with freshly cooked jasmine white steamed rice on the side, corn, and a toast coated with butter and garlic salt. As I looked at my plate, my mouth started to water as I smelled the freshly baked baby back ribs that were still simmering right in front of me. As I took my first bite, the meat came off easily from the bone and the sauce had a taste of tart, sweet, and a little spicy. It was very tender that was easy to chew on. Since it was my first time trying it, I remembered I was chewing it very slowly with my eyes closed to taste every single ingredient on it. I did not care who was looking at me, the food was very delicious. The rice gave it an additional overall taste (If you guys love steamed rice like me, get the JASMINE RICE. It has a naturally distinctive scent released during the cooking process, it smells good and taste good). Writing this made me hungry actually and now I’m craving it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I used to eat meat, I would always order baby back ribs. I thought I wouldn't be allowed to eat them again after becoming a vegetarian, but I found out there are veggie baby back ribs. They taste just the same! Oh, and jasmine rice is amazing. I've only had it once, but it was delicious.
DeleteJasmine Rice is good, that's the rice I have in my cupboard. My mom would make the rice when ever we would make a carne asada outside. My aunts would always compliment on my mom's rice. She's always recommending it to my aunt's to buy Jasmine rice. And those baby back ribs sound delicious. I can imagine the tender juicy meat being marinated with all those spices and bbq sauce.
DeleteCristina: carne asada is one of my favorite dish. i always eat it with rice.
DeleteAllison: rice is something i cannot live without :). unfortunately, since i moved to bakersfield, i havent been able to eat it everyday. but I am going home this weekend to taste my mama's food :)
There is nothing better than going back home and eating your mom's food. I am not staying with my mom right now, But she is not far from me maybe 35 min. But I miss her food. This weekend my mom has family coming over so I know they are going to be making something good. Maybe a carne asada or posole one of those, so I hope I and can go and enjoy eating with the family.
DeleteSame here Christina, i live in a apartment with friends and i definitely miss my parent's home cooked meals. I had to have my mom teach me how to cook in order for me to survive on my own. But my version is not as good as my mom's.
DeleteWhen I was a kid. I used to like to sit with my Dad on Saturday mornings while he read the paper with a cup of coffee. I would pretend that my cup of milk was coffee and I would blow on it every now and then like he did. One morning I put a Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookie at the bottom of my cup and it was delicious. Fast forward to the morning after my 25th birthday. I decided that I would recreate this memory, although I upped the ante a bit. I stacked six Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies in a coffee mug but when I opened the fridge I saw that we had no milk. However, there was plenty of chocolate milk and I filled the cup just enough to cover the top cookie. I let the two ingredients get acquainted for about 5 minutes before I carefully sipped out all of the chocolate milk. Since it was wintertime, I popped the mug into the microwave for a few seconds just to get it toasty. I grabbed a spoon and I took a small bite of a warm, soggy cookie miracle that I will never forget as long as I live. Simple. Nostalgic. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, I used to do that, well I still do it until now. Its just simple and perfect for cold days. Whenever I have a cup of coffee and sweet bread around the house, I would dip the bread in my coffee for a better taste :).
DeleteHeather, I will have to try this now! Sounds like something one might eat on a rainy day watching a movie. Thanks for the idea. :) In Belize, there is a treat called "powder bun" which is extremely great with peanut butter and coffee.
DeleteWow this is a tough one...I would have to say the single best bite of food I have ever had would have to be baby back ribs from Phil's BBQ in San Diego. That place has the best ribs I have ever tasted in my life. My parents told me about this place two years ago so certainly had to taste it to believe so. My parents and I went to San Diego about a year ago and when we arrived and got all of our belongings unpacked in our hotel, my dad and I headed out for Phil's BBQ to take back to the hotel to eat. When we arrived, I was pretty amazed at how busy it was. As I got out of the car the first thing I noticed was the smokey barbeque smell in the air which only made me crave the food more. As I walked up to the door I noticed the place was lively as ever with many families sitting at their tables eating ribs, barbeque pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, you name it. Playing in the background of the family commotion was the sound of the kitchen doing their magic with their delicious food alongside the TVs surrounding the modestly sized restaurant with a few sports games on. After about 10-15 minutes, my dad and I received our food and went straight to the hotel. To be honest, that ride was hard. The aroma coming from the food was too good to not have a bite. I resisted, but man was it hard. When we arrived at the hotel and everybody got their food, I looked down at the take home box and took one last look at the plate of perfection: Saucy, falling off the bone baby back ribs, potato wedges that looked crispy and perfectly cooked, alongside some creamy mac 'n cheese and a Dr. Pepper. After looking at this awesome meal I decided to plunge right in and take a big bite of the baby back ribs. The rib meat was easy to bite, perfectly cooked and every single bite fell right off the bone without any hassle. The taste of the thick, smokey barbeque sauce after each bite of the ribs left me craving more. The sauce had a distinct sweet and smokey flavor to it which only made the meat taste even better. After several minutes of eating a full rack of delicious baby back ribs I went into a food coma. Nothing else could ruin that night because of those ribs. Everything else tasted delicious, but nothing tasted better than the ribs. I still dream of having those ribs again!
ReplyDeleteThe next time I'm in San Diego I will try Phil's because of your post. It also makes me think of the old Chili's song. Do you remember how much it was and if they sell that sauce ??
DeleteI love ribs and always like tasting them at differnt restaurants. I think the sauce is the best part becuase it makes the flavor ten times better. By the summer time i will have to go check this place out becuase it sounds pretty good.
DeleteJstone, it was actually quite affordable for what we got. This was a family of 5, almost everybody got a full rack of ribs with a few sides dishes and it was under 100 dollars. In my opinion that's a pretty good price considering Tahoe Joe's has higher prices than Phils and it is not nearly as good as Phils. As far as the sauce goes, I'm not quite sure! If they sell that sauce then I REALLY want to buy it too! I highly recommend eating there though :)
DeleteCecilia, yes the sauce is definitely the best part of ribs :). Ribs can be good without sauce but the taste gets a little stale after a while. Sauce makes the ribs, in my opinion. Please check it out! I believe there are two locations in San Diego but I would recommend the original Phil's BBQ because it has the owner and long time workers there so you have a much better chance of getting the perfect meal. It's on Sports Arena Blvd so just remember that and you'll see it :)
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DeleteDESCRIBE THE SINGLE BEST BITE OF FOOD YOU HAVE EVER HAD.
ReplyDeleteThe single greatest bite of food I ever had happened after a three month wait. I had to wait three months to eat one small bite of food...but it was well worth the wait. The reason behind the wait was because I had a stomach surgery in which beef or dense meat could not be eaten for three months. The surgeon had explained to me that if I were to eat beef, the food would get stuck in my esophagus right above my windpipe. I would not choke, but the unpleasant painful sensation of choking while breathing would occur. The person will feel like they are choking yet they can breath and talk.
I had a strict diet of liquids for about two weeks which progressed into soup. From soup the diet progressed to chunkier soup but no meat. After two months I could start to have chicken; but not the chicken with too many spices, barbequed, or anything that consisted of something “tasty”. For three months my diet consisted of protein shakes, vegetable based soup, awful chicken, and JELL-O. I had every type of JELL-O, including the vile green kind that tastes like a combination of key lime and polyurethane. The wait continued with day after day of chalky protein drinks, repetitive vegetable soups, and copious amounts of boring JELL-O colors. The day finally came. I double checked with my doctor and he gave me the go ahead. I drove to the restaurant after a three month wait. What was this amazing bite of splendidness?
The food I enjoyed after an arduous three months was a single bite of an In-N-Out burger… animal style. My taste buds experienced an ecstatic twenty seconds of amazingness. The onions melted on my tongue, the meat was seasoned perfectly, and the pickles had just the right amount of acidulated tanginess. Unfortunately the second bite created the choking sensation that did not go away for five minutes.
Oh my goodness! If I could not eat anything good, or with much flavor, for three months I would go crazy. In-N-Out is basically heaven. Even though I only get a grilled cheese and fries almost every time I never get tired of it and am satisfied.
DeleteI think I would risk that choking sensation to eat some In n Out! That's crazy you had to wait three months to eat meat. Is your diet still the same now or was it just for the recovery period after your surgery?
DeleteThree months of wait! ahh i would die without eating In' n Out.. i love In n' Out and i have never tried animal style before until my friend ordered that about 2 months ago. the next time we went, i tried it and it was delicious!
DeleteAllison I never tried the grilled cheese but I will have to some day.
DeleteKristen I have a normal diet now but I still limit the amount of meat like steak or tri-tip to very small amounts. But I can eat In-N-Out whenever I want now.
Romalyn I concur that animal style is delicious and would have probably would have died if I was unable to eat In-N-Out ever again.
That would really stink!I can't imagine not eating meat for more than a day! D: Nice choice on the first meal after the three month long wait though! Sorry you only got to enjoy one bite :[ I haven't had one animal style before. Apparently I'm really missing out though and will very soon.
DeleteThe single best bite of food I have ever had would have to be eggplant parmesan from Olive Garden in Lancaster. I became a vegetarian when I was in sixth grade, but I was never adventurous with food when I went out to eat. I just stuck with food I was familiar with, like pasta or salad. However, this was the first time I went to Olive Garden being a vegetarian, so I wanted to go all out, without being too crazy. My mother suggested the eggplant parmesan and even though I never tried eggplant before I was willing to go outside my comfort zone and try it. When the server brought my plate I was pretty anxious, mainly because I am pretty picky with what I eat. What I received did not look like an eggplant whatsoever; it was little slice of eggplant, covered with marinara sauce with some parmesan and seasoning on it. I was still not convinced that it was going to taste good, but when I finally took a bite it was absolutely amazing! I had the idea in my head that it was going to taste like a vegetable, but it tasted nothing like a vegetable, all I could taste was the sauce and seasonings. It so good that I did not want to touch the Alfredo pasta that was also on the plate, what I would have naturally stuck with. I have tried to find another restaurant that makes it the same, but have had no luck. Even the Olive Garden here in Bakersfield does not make it the same.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone knows a good place or knows of a recipes, please let me know.
I love the olive garden, it's like one of my favorite restaurants. I never tried the eggplant parmesan. I haven't been to the olive garden in awhile, but next time I go there maybe I should try it and see if it'll become one of my favorite foods. I never tried eggplant before so maybe I will try it there.
Deleteyou know, i've heard that the University Grill sometimes serves eggplant parmesan. Have you tried that? I'm sure it's to die for.
DeleteKrisbenglish305, you should! It is amazing. :)
DeleteMichelle, you know I have actually tried it there before. To be honest, it was not one of the best things they have made. :/
Allison: i havent tried eggplant parmesan before. But I've tried eggplant fried with egg. But I will try this to make on my own.
DeleteI am also a vegetarian! I feel like it's hard being adventurous with food at non-vegetarian friendly places. I usually have to settle for pasta or a salad. I once tried the eggplant parmesan from Romano's Macaroni Grill, but I unfortunately did not like it. Ever since then I try to avoid anything Eggplant. I have seen the Eggplant parmesan on the Olive Garden menu, but I've never actually ordered it. So I usually stick with the Fettucine Alfredo haha.
DeleteBasque food is somewhat of a religion in Bakersfield. Anyone who was born and raised here can tell you their favorite place and why is it better than any other. That place for me is Woolgrower's. Although my family is not Basque, we always made it a tradition to go to Woolgrower's for any birthday, graduation, or major event. At basque restaurants, they bring out multiple plates of food that everyone passes around the table like Thanksgiving. So growing up I stuck to the set-up, which is just the basic courses of food that everyone gets, like salad, soup, bread, fries, spaghetti, and vegetables. Oh and they also bring out pickled tongue, which is a Basque favorite. As a kid, I stuck to the fries and spaghetti. One day I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and order shrimp scampi. The shrimp scampi I ordered was the best bite of my life! It was sauteed in a decadent butter cream sauce and topped with tart lemon juice. The shrimp were so plump and juicy. They also used the large prawn shrimp, not the little baby shrimp that you can eat in one bite. After two shrimp I was already stuffed but I kept eating because it was so delicious. I couldn't help myself. Still to this day I order the same thing when I go to Woolgrower's because it is just that good. I also really enjoy all of the sides they serve with the rest of the meal, especially the cabbage soup. They serve it in these big, blue soup bowls and I'm pretty sure I eat the whole thing to myself. Luckily, they bring out more for the rest of my family. I'm sure many of you from out of town have not tried Basque food yet but I highly recommend you try it! There are many great places in Bakersfield other than Woolgrower's and they all provide a service you will never forget.
ReplyDeleteKristen, shrimp scampi is gooooooood. I have never tried basque food (I am not originally from Bakersfield) but I have been wanting to try it for the longest. You definitely added an additional oomph to my cravings. I love shrimp, have been eating all my life. My dad used to work for a shrimp company back in Belize and that is where he mastered the art of ceviche making.
DeleteThank you for the idea of Woolgrower's.
Kristen, I have never had Basque food! But my friends keep telling me to try it. And from the way you've described this meal it sounds like I certainly need to try it. This stuff is making me hungry...
DeleteTyler and Micheal, you have to try some Basque food! It is so delicious. You have to be prepared to a eat a lot because they bring out so much delicious food that you can't help but stuff your face. There are many good places like Pyrenees or Noreiga House but Woolgrowers is my all time favorite.
DeleteThe shrimp platter you tried sounds delicious, I guess it pays to reach out of our comfort zones. I have never tried Basque food but your experience sounds likes it is alot of fun so ill give it a try.
DeleteThe best single bite of food I have ever had was a very tough decision for me. I agree with a few of the other classmates on the fact that experience on a different type of food that you have ever tasted comes from that first single bite. In the first single bite you can experience the taste and texture. The first single bite can also make up your decision on whether you will like the food or not. For me if I don’t end up liking it I won’t finish it. Now to get to the point, the single best bite I have ever had is smoked tri-tip sandwich my brother made one summer afternoon. I had never tasted tri-tip before and had no idea what it was. He marinated the meat some hours before with spices, vinegar, and lemon. He would then put in the grill, which had apple and cherry wood which would seep into the flavor of the meat. I don’t remember how long he would leave it in for. But when it was ready it was really good. In first bite I could taste the tangy mustard and pickles along with the succulent meat and fresh tomatoes. The bread used for the sandwich it was a French style bread that had the perfect amount of crunch to it. From the first bite I was hooked and would always ask my brother to make it.
ReplyDeleteI really like tri-tip. If you ever have the chance try it with ranch dressing. It sounds weird (It sounded really weird to me when I heard it too) but it tastes really good.
DeleteSo thinking about that tri-tip basically made me salivate. Hah. My dad makes AMAZING tri-tip as well, and the marinading is KEY. I like it on sandwiches for sure with salsa, etc....but my favorite way is just plain with a good old baked potato and corn on the cob with a big bottle of A1. :]
DeleteMy single best bite would have to be when I tried pizza with ranch. It was about a year ago when I went out with my boyfriend to the marketplace, and went into Me and Eds. The only pizza that I liked and ordered was from Pizza Hut but that has changed. I ordered the pizza with pepperoni and pineapple and a vegetable like bell pepper or mushroom. I love my pizza to have pepperoni and pineapple, it just has to have those two toppings, in order for me to enjoy a pizza. I like my pizza to be sweet and juicy and the pineapple is the perfect topping for that. My boyfriend ordered ranch and jalapenos on the side. I remember thinking ranch with pizza was gross but I had never tried it. My boyfriend seemed to enjoy eating his pizza with ranch so I decided to try it. I decided to put ranch on the tip of my pizza and put a jalapeno on top and took my first bite. From that point on, I fell in love with their pizza. Its a guilty pleasure, I cant resist the melted gooey cheese, the saltiness of the pepperoni, sweetness from the pineapple, the slight heat from the jalapenos, and the ranch dressing just makes my pizza taste even better.
ReplyDeleteHi Christina. I used to eat my pizza with ranch in high school, but I also top it off with some Tapatio sauce for some kick. :) It is funny because the toppings for my pizza is pepperoni, pineapple, and mushrooms, too. Mmm.. I want pizza now. Haha
DeleteSorry. I noticed I spelled your name wrong. I spelled it the way my niece spell hers.
DeleteCristina, I always eat pizza with ranch. I can't eat pizza without it:).
DeleteThat's okay, I know the name Cristina usually has an h, my mom spelled it differently.
DeleteI haven't added tapatio sauce to it, maybe it's one more sauce I can add to it.
I know there is Hawaiian pizza which is good but I prefer the pepperoni instead of the ham.
I am pretty sure everyone has heard of the restaurant Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que. The first time i went to Famous Dave's was on my uncle's birthday. I am really big on eating barbecue whether it is ribs, spareribs, steak, chicken wings etc you name it. From previous experiences of eating barbecue, i thought this rib that was in front of me waiting to be devoured was going to be like any other rib that i have eaten in the past. When i took the first bite of the pork rib the flavor was amazing. Before i even took the first bite, the aroma of the rib permeated throughout the restaurant made me salivate. That first bite from the rib was full of flavor and juice. Usually ribs that i have had in the past are dry in the inside, but these ribs were full of juice and i can tell that these were marinated for hours. Even the outside of the rib was incredible. The outside of the rib was crispy enough to the point were it was not burnt, and the barbecue sauce sealed the deal for me. I knew from that point on that this was not going to be my last visit to Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que.
ReplyDeleteHi Richard,
DeleteI have heard of Famous Dave's but I never been into the restaurant. And I'm looking for a different place to go eat out with my boyfriend here in Bakersfield. When ever I go to chili's I always see a picture of ribs on the wall and I always feel like ordering some bbq ribs but never do. I don't know why. I would love to try out the place and order some of their bbq ribs.
Hey Christina,
DeleteYou should definitely try it out. It can get a bit pricey but it is worth it. Just have your boyfriend pay for it so no money comes out of your pocket ;)
The best food I’ve ever had is goat meat stew served on rice. It is a common Nigerian dish served at weddings and other special occasions. The first time I ever had it was when I was about 6 years old and cast as the ‘little bride’ in my mom’s friend’s wedding. After fulfilling my duties during the ceremony I was allowed to get dinner with the other children running around the halls. One of the women serving the food was kind enough to bring me a plate along with a Fresca soda. When I finally sat down and took a bit of the food, I was sold. An explosion of pepper, onions, garlic, salt shocked my taste buds and changed my world as I knew if forever. The warm, salty, tender meat almost melted in my mouth and perfectly complimented the rice and tomatoes it was served with. As I chewed, reality slowed and I could almost hear the sound of a choir singing. It was almost as if I had no idea what good food was up until that moment. I then chased the food with a sip of Fresca soda. I am still not sure why Fresca was my favorite soda when I was younger. It honestly taste like sweet onions mixed in with lemon lime soda. I now cringe at the taste, but younger me considered Fresca to be the crème de la crème of carbonated beverages. Goat meat and rice has been one of my favorite dishes ever since. There is nothing that taste like it. It has a different, tender, texture and gives the stew unique spicy flavor. The white rice was soft and delicious. Unfortunately, goat meat is very expensive so I’m lucky to enjoy it once a year.
ReplyDeleteI've never had goat before but it sounds good. Maybe I'll try it someday.
DeleteGoat...Stew? I need to try this! Sounds interesting and delicious :)
DeleteWeek 2
ReplyDeleteThe best bite of food I have ever had came in the divine form of a cheesecake. It was my first time in the Cheesecake Factory in Fresno, CA. I had tasted cheesecake from various places and liked it, but this was an experience. The sole purpose of coming into the restaurant was to enjoy a slice and a hot cup of coffee. When the server brought this large triangle with a decadent layer of rich chocolate brownie, cheesecake, a light chocolate mousse and dark chocolate ganache, I knew I was in for a treat. As I dipped my fork into the very edge of the slice I cut through carefully, being sure to get a bit of each layer. At first, the ganache melted coated and gave itself to the rest of the bite with its smooth texture. The chocolate mousse melted into the Kahlua cheesecake and the flavors remained distinct but also blended in a fusion of flavor. The experience was completed by the chewy brownie that contrasted sharply against the lighter layers above it. A sip of hot black coffee brought back the flavors of the chocolate and I was ready to indulge again. I don't think any cheesecake has ever been as wonderful as that first delicious bit of a Kahlua Cocoa Coffee Cheesecake. This piece of heaven is best shared. The richness of the flavors and the large portion size makes it easy to want to over indulge. It is an experience that should not be rushed. If chocolate isn't your most desired desert, there are plenty of other flavor combinations that include, bananas, peanut butter, and the ever popular plain....although, its anything but plain.
I love the Cheesecake Factory! I tried their red velvet cheesecake there and it was to die for. I've been hearing for awhile that they are supposed to be opening up one in Bakersfield and I hope that happens sooner than later. Their salads are awesome too.
DeleteWell Jessica, you are speaking my language. I am obsessed with cheese cake. Im glad you enjoyed it also. Any time I visit the Cheese Cake factory I try a different kind of cheese cake after all, life is too short to limit yourself to one single flavor. Thanks for sharing that Jessica, now I am craving sweets.
DeleteI was supposed to do so many things today but your post is enough to make me drop what I'm doing and find the nearest Cheesecake Factory. I'm not so sure that I would be able to share something like cheesecake though.
DeleteThe single best bite of food I have ever had would have to have been ricotta meatballs. I was at the Macaroni Grill, a local restaurant in Rosedale. My family wanted to visit a restaurant that we weren't familiar with for a new experience. Originally I had no idea what to order so I decided on the most generic thing on the menu: spaghetti and meatballs. Since I didn't see any other form of meatballs but ricotta infused meatballs I was actually a bit angry. My expectation of the food had become bad because I thought were going to be these big chunks of white cheese in my food. I did not find that idea appealing. When the waiter finally brought our food to the table I was prepared for the worst. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it looked like perfectly normal spaghetti: red sauce, yellow noodles and browned beef. I felt much more confident in eating the pasta. I decided to cut into the meatball first, just to make sure there weren't any surprises (like ricotta cheese). I was once again pleased to see that it was brown all the way through. After I was finally done inspecting my food it came time to actually eat it. As I took my first bite I was honestly amazed at how good it was. My family doesn’t eat out very much, so many of the meals that I’ve experienced have all been home cooked. That bite alone made me feel sorry to my father, because it was so much better than his. The meat was savory, the sauce wasn't too sweet or watery, and the texture of the noodles were also perfect. To this day I can't eat anyone else's spaghetti and meatballs without comparing them to the this.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge Italian food fan! Gnocchis (potato dumplings), meatballs, sauce and pasta.... I am going to have to go and try these ricotta meatballs. I can't imagine how much flavor the cheese must give them! Thank you Chelsea
DeleteFor me, the best bite of food EVER was the sweet and sour chicken at a place in Carmel, California called Tommy’s Wok. On our honeymoon last June, my husband and I stayed in Carmel for the first time. We had been in Monterey all day, spending time at the aquarium and hadn’t eaten since morning. By the time we got back to Carmel and looked through some galleries and shops, we were absolutely starving. What began as a nice stroll through the town ended up as us trying to find somewhere to eat that hadn’t already closed for the night (apparently they close early on weeknights, but who keeps track of what day it is on their honeymoon??). After an hour and a half, or what seemed an eternity, we finally found a tiny place that literally was a hole in the wall. Unsure what to expect, we stepped in a restaurant that was literally the size of a walk in closet. We sat down and ordered the only think I recognized-Sweet and sour chicken with steamed rice, and spring rolls. The waitress brought out HUGE platters of rice and chicken, along with several spring rolls. The spring rolls were pretty good, but tasted like something I could buy at PF Changs. The chicken, however, was THE BEST I’ve ever had. It was perfectly crisp and coated lightly in the most well-balanced tangy and sweet sauce I’ve ever tasted. We both couldn't believe such amazing cuisine that could come from a place that could barely fit 6 tables. We spent an unimaginable amount of money on food during our honeymoon, but out of all the classy and interesting restaurants we were guests at, Tommy’s Wok was the one we couldn't stop talking about.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so good! I'll have to make a mental note about that place.
DeleteHey Emily!
DeleteIf you guys ever happen to visit Monterey again you should definitely check out the restaurant Chopsticks. They have a variety of Asian cuisine. Also how did you like the Monterey Bay Aquarium? I used to go there a lot as a kid.
We'll have to check out Chopsticks :] I loved the aquarium, especially the seahorses and jellyfish. But it was SO crowded! It was summer, so that's probably why. My parents said I went as a kid, but when we went it all looked new to me :] I must have been pretty young.
DeleteWell I have not been to any fancy restaurants that I can write about or tried any foods that are out of the ordinary, but When I think about the best food I have ever tried I cannot help but remember the time I went I had lunch at my grandma’s house. My grandma is very tough and still works to this day, so she makes her own food and for others. When I went to my grandma’s to spend a few days with her over Christmas break a few years ago, she prepared me something to eat. She cooked something simple that most Mexican people eat when they go to work and I didn’t complain so I just ate it. The food was basically baked potatoes with chorizo wrapped in hand made flour tortillas. My mom had made the same food for us various times at our own home but there was something about grandma’s cooking that I enjoyed very much. When I took the first bite I could taste the seasoning that diffused itself between the chorizo con papas. The potatoes were tender and soft, a smoothness that made the bite warm and inviting versus getting to work on crunching down undone pieces. The tortillas were freshly made, warm in my hands and soft to the touch. They were made just right, not burned or underprepared or crisp even, but just right. White and soft like a cloud. It all tasted so good I went back for more. I could not believe something I had tasted many times before could feel so new.
ReplyDeleteDiana, that sounds like a such a precious memory to carry with you. Often its the most simple little meals that carry the most meaning for us. Food ties us together and stirs up feelings of comfort and home. My mom use to make beans and fried potatoes regularly. The smell of a hot iron skillet can make my mouth water and I can almost feel the crunchy crust and the soft center.
DeleteI think it's really neat that for many, a home cooked meal from a loved one can evoke such an experience or great feelings. I rarely get to see my grandmother, but when I do & I get to eat the food she makes I look forward to it because not only is her cooking good, but it's also a time to make memories.
DeleteHome-cooked meals are the best, they are very personal sometimes and create the warmest memories although some of the food places make me drool sometimes too.
DeleteThese are brilliant descriptions. I cannot wait to read your restaurant reviews!
ReplyDeleteI'm positive that there have been many "best bites" throughout my 22 years of life, but the best bite I've had in awhile came from something my mom made me for my birthday a few weeks ago. My mom knows that I love brownies so for my birthday she baked some and while they were still warm she drizzled chocolate syrup and sprinkled chopped pecans all over the brownies. She served the brownies with a scoop of cookies and cream ice cream with a maraschino cherry on top. Some might think that this doesn't sound very special or that it might be too sweet, but I disagree. The dessert was very flavorful and not too sweet, which was perfect and allowed me to actually enjoy it rather than feel full too soon or get thrown off by too much sweetness. The warmth of the brownie allowed the chocolate syrup to warm up as well and seep through, which gave the brownie an extra kick while the chopped pecans provided a nice crunch to the warm and gooey brownie. The ice cream complimented the brownie really well by balancing out the rich chocolatey flavor with a lighter vanilla taste. This dessert is delicious and actually really easy to make. I look forward to having it again, hopefully in the near future.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Gabi I do not think this sounds too sweet, but then I am a dessert before dinner type of girl. My mouth is watering just thinking about a warm brownie on top of my favorite ice cream of all time. I have a board on Pinterest completely dedicated to sweets, desserts, and cakes. I call this board "Sweet Tooth" because that is what I have. I make more dessert recipes than food recipes by far.
DeleteLooks like i know what i'm making for dessert in the future.
DeleteGrowing up in a Mexican-American family I grew up accustomed to eating cheese enchiladas on a regular basis. The enchiladas that my mom makes consist of a soft and warm fried tortilla, smothered in a sweet yet salty, and spicy crimson colored chili sauce. Inside of the rolled up tortilla, there is melted mozzarella cheese. I like having my enchiladas with a side of Mexican rice mixed with greens and corn. However, last summer when I visited my grandparents in Mexico, my grandma cooked her own version of cheese enchiladas, and I have to say I am in love! My moms’ cooking is amazing, yet the enchiladas that my grandma made with authentic Mexican ingredients could not be compared to the ones my mom makes. I feel like both enchiladas are succulent and unique in the own way. The texture and taste are different. The cheese my grandma uses in her enchiladas is soft and warm, yet it is able to retain a stringy and flexible form without breaking the long string of cheese. The cheese that my mom uses, which is gooey and delicious, yet if the enchiladas get over heated; the cheese seems to melt completely out the enchilada. The red chili used in the enchiladas that my grandma makes is spicier and stronger. The rice, a light shade of salmon, I can sense the faint taste of cumin along with other spices. The enchiladas prepared by my grandma are so different yet so alike to the ones my mom makes; yet both are equally appetizing.
ReplyDeleteeverything seems to taste a bit better in the homeland! the vegetables in Latin America seem heartier and more pure and organic, which translate into an amazing dish.
DeleteWhen I try to think of the single best bite of food I've ever had it seems quite impossible but I can talk about a meal that I had that I don't think I will ever forget. I was at Gladstone’s in Malibu and I had never been there before. I ordered the clam chowder in a bread bowl because I have always been a fan of clam chowder and I had never had a bread bowl before. I also ordered some peach tea with my meal. When I was ordering my food I remember that I wasn't extremely hungry and I was just happy to be at the beach so when my food came I started eating with no expectations of what it would taste like. The first thing I noticed was that my clam chowder was at the perfect temperature. I know this seems like a weird thing to notice but I have found in all of my clam chowder experience that it is either an awkward lukewarm temperature or it starts off hot and ends up cold with in a 2 minute time span. The second thing I noticed was that it was tasted like real seafood unlike the canned slam chowder that I was used to. Another thing that I really enjoyed was being able to dip parts of my bread bowl into my chowder and eating it that way because the creaminess of the clam chowder paired so well with the soft bread. Eating all of that bread made me thirsty so when I first took a sip of my peach tea I was once again pleasantly surprised. It was fresh and refreshing and the perfect level of sweetness. It was the perfect compliment to my already perfect meal. That meal will forever stick in my mind as one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
ReplyDeleteits so disappointing whenever your food gets cold as soon as you dip your utensils in it!
DeleteI know!! I try to have patience but the food just isn't the same when its cold.
DeleteMy absolute favorite single bite of food would have to be my Grandma's chicken and dumplings. It is by far the most delicious dish you could ever have touch your taste buds to. It is made with a cream of chicken base, which I really enjoy using when I cook. Cream of chicken is a gift from heaven. I like any foods that are made with a cream of chicken base. My grandma is originally from Oklahoma, so her cooking is out of this world delicious!!! The noodles are homemade and just melt in your mouth. They are also a little on the doughy side, which I really enjoy them being that way. The chicken she prepares is so juicy. I never like having dried up chicken. My grandma would always make this dish when I was sick. I would always tell my parents that my grandma and her chicken and dumplings was the cure to all sicknesses. She now makes it for me whenever I want, but I make it for my friends now when they are sick. Despite this dish being the most delicious dish, this dish really brings back so many memories of me being in the kitchen with my grandma helping her to prepare it.
ReplyDeleteGrandmas are simply the best. My grandma would always make us noodles with a beef broth and I thought they were the best thing since sliced bread. When I was old enough I finally asked her how she made it. It was Top Ramen! ha! But there was just something about how she made it that made it taste so much better. Even when I make it to this day it's not the same. I can only imagine how good your grandmother's food is, especially since it's all from scratch.
DeleteGrandmas are seriously the best!!! That is funny that your Grandma made you Top Ramen and you didn't know it until you were older. I love that my grandma makes everything from scratch. Cooking from scratch always makes things extra special.
DeleteHahaha i guess it doesn't matter what your grandmother makes as long as it brings good memories to mind.
DeleteThe single best bite of food that I ever had would have to be a Surfin’ California Burrito at Lucha Libre Taco Shop in San Diego, California.
ReplyDeleteIt all started with Man v Food. My fiancé was watching Man v Food when Adam Richmond a Food Network Food Critic went to Lucha Libre. The show inspired us to try Lucaha Libre Taco Shop the next time we were in San Diego. We found ourselves in search of the Infamous burrito that Adam Richmond explains as legendary to all burritos. When we found Lucha Libre we were shocked to find a small shop with pink and black walls with gold trimming and actual Lucha Limbre décor. The Surfin’ California Burrito starts with a massive tortilla, carne asada simply seasoned with lime juice, shrimp sautéed in a secret green sauce, a pico de gallo made with tomato’s, cilantro, and red onion, topped with jack cheese, a secret chipotle sauce, avocado, and two handfuls of thick french fires. They cut the burrito in half when serving it, which just aids in making your mouth water because you can see the layers of meat, shrimp, melted cheese, thick fries, and all the warm sauces combined, oh and I must not forget the bright green fresh avocado slices. As I walked to my table with the tray in hand I almost could not help myself. I had already anticipated the flavors of the burrito for almost a year and now they were in front of me. The hot and fresh burrito sent an aromatic steam of goodness towards my face on the walk to my table. After the first bite I began salivating and do did not want the burrito to end, ever! The meat and shrimp were cooked to perfection with simple seasoning that did not mask the freshness and true flavors of the meat. The produce used was extremely fresh because it was crunchy in my mouth and the fries were freshly cut photos that were soft on the inside with the perfect lightly golden outside. Until this day I crave the Surfin’ California Burrito and wish I were closer to San Diego. I hope your mouth is watering because mine is.
There is nothing better on a swelteringly hot and sunny day than taking a bite into ice cold shrimp. Shrimp cocktail to be exact. I absolutely love seafood. Something about eating fish just lightens my taste buds and my mood. The different flavors and textures of this delicacy are mixed perfectly with the soothing taste of clamato tomato juice. The shrimp cocktail I like to eat includes an abundance of shrimp (of course), sliced crab pieces, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, avocado, cucumber slices and sometimes sliced bits of jalapenos. Instead of using a spoon, I like to eat this delightful dish with corn tostadas, or corn tortilla chips. To add a zest of (even more) flavor, spritzing lime juice into the concoction is a must. To take it a step further, adding tapatio or valentina (“sort of” hot sauce) will elevate your taste buds even higher. This is my favorite dish to eat year round, but even more so when the temperatures start to rise. The best part of it all is that this dish is super easy to whip up. All you have to do is chop the ingredients and mix them together. The only strenuous part would be the actual cleaning of the shrimp, but this labor is totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteI am highly allergic to all types of sea food, especially shrimp, but the way you described it makes me want to eat it so bad. I like that you make it a healthy little dip…it sounds so good!!! I like anything that has lime juice in it!! I am not a hot sauce person, so I think I would leave that part out if I could eat it!! Sounds good…enjoy some for me too!!
DeleteChoosing the single best bite of food I ever had is difficult for me because I haven’t tried very many dishes. Most new foods that I tried in the past, I've disliked, and so I do not like trying new food. But, one exception is the first time I had carne asada. A couple of friends, who were visiting from out of town, and I decided to go barbecue at Hart Park and catch up. They were leaving the next day and we arranged everything in a hurry. We marinaded the carne asada with lime, salt, black pepper, garlic salt, and half a corona on the drive over to the park. We fired up a small charcoal grill and placed the carne asada on it. The smell of the cooking meat made me even more hungry. Luckily we didn't have to wait too long for it to cook. In our haste, we forgot to bring tongs and plates so we had to improvise. We used a pocket knife in place of tongs, and we cut the cardboard soda box and used it as plates. The carne asada was served on warm tortillas with guacamole and hot sauce. The first bite I took was pretty darn incredible. It was tender and juicy, and the guacamole sauce added a nice tangy flavor while the hot sauce gave it a kick. Looking back, I’m glad we forgot the plates since it made the experience more memorable.
ReplyDeleteCarne asada is so good!! Everyone makes carne asada a little differently, so it is always a gamble of whether or not you will like it. The marinade that you made sounds so good. i love garlic salt. I encourage you to keep trying new things, especially with food. It is always important to try something new. My grandma always taught me to take just one bite of something new. You don't have to like it, you just have to try it.
DeleteMy pallet is rather limited mostly by my own fear/finickiness when it comes to the food I eat so I don't really have a broad point of reference. That being said the most memorable bite of food that I've ever had was the first time I tasted the Chicken and Asparagus pasta from a restaurant called the Stinking Rose in Beverly Hills. I honestly cannot remember the occasion. We may have been celebrating a birthday or a graduation or something of the sort. Those details are all of blur. What I do vividly remember though was the way in which the world stopped spinning on its axis when I swallowed that first bite. I'm exaggerating obviously but it was really that good! I was completely surprised that this restaurant known for its obsession with garlic, which is one of my least favorite foods, would have a dish that tasted so delicious. The portion was large and I was full after about half of it but I couldn't stop eating! I just couldn't imagine wasting such flavorful goodness. The second best part of the whole experience were the prices. For a restaurant located in such an expensive area, the food prices where about average. Similar to what I've seen on the menus at BJ's and Cheesecake Factory. I think that was the reason I chose that place to begin with. I am not rich so $50 for an entree is a no go. Anyways, that's the experience that sticks out the most in my mind. I
ReplyDelete