US2011 - Outback

One of the funniest things during my US trip was to hear about the general impression of Australia. The moment I mention Australia, words like the outback, desert, and kangaroos will pop up. It is as though Australia is just a huge desert with kangaroos.

 

 

My visit to the Outback Steakhouse made things even more interesting, especially with the “waiter” alligator and the kangaroo with bindle logo.

 

 

Other than that, the menu is pretty much the same, but with some local additions. Surprisingly, the servings are also smaller in portion.

 

 

Like in Australia, a honey wheat bushman bread is first served.

 

 

Then came my Grilled Chicken on the Barbie from the “Outback Favourites” section of the menu.

 

 

Lastly, my dinner was ended with a “collapsed” Chocolate Thunder from Down Under.

 

 

Outback Steakhouse
299, East Swedesford Road, Wayne, PA 19087, USA.
+1 610 687 6023
http://www.outback.com/

US2011 - Little Saigon

Considered one of the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia by most, Little Saigon is also my favourite dine in place for noodle soups.

 

 

While there’s nothing special about their Chicken Pho, …

 

 

… their Banh Canh Tom Thit (special noodle soup with shrimp and chicken) is something not to be missed.

 

 

In addition, customers also get to savour a complimentary salad with every order.

 

 

And the best of all, Little Saigon is possibly the most friendly restaurant that I have ever visited.

 

 

Little Saigon
113 Fairfield Avenue, Upper Darby, PA 19082, USA.
+1 610 352 1002

US2011 - Sakura

While our initial plan was to visit Kansai Japanese Restaurant, we ended up at Sakura Japanese Cuisine, thanks to a local who guided us the opposite way.

 

 

Since we had walked quite a distance, instead of walking back, we decided to check Sakura out. Here, we had their Nabeyaki Udon (spelt Nabi Yaki Udon in the menu), …

 

 

… Christmas Roll (??), which is part of their Chef’s Special Rolls, …

 

 

… and the Salmon A La Carte Sashimi, served in a martini glass. Yes, instead of drinking, we were eating Martini!!

 

 

Although it wasn’t what we originally planned, nevertheless, Sakura was a great find for us!!

 

 

Sakura Japanese Cuisine
1521, Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA.
+1 215 569 3838

US2011 - Susanna Foo

With two cookbooks and two internationally known restaurants, the two-time James Beard Award winner, Susanna Foo, is widely recognized as one of America’s top Chinese chefs.

 

 

Although Chinese, almost one full page of Susanna’s two page menu consists of sushi and sashimi. So, I guess it was inevitable for us to order the Sushi Sampler …

 

 

… and the California Maki.

 

 

The only disappointment though, was the extremely “Chinese-styled” Pad Thai.

 

 

I guess, we will just have to assume that it was part of her Modern Chinese Cuisine concept!?!? Luckily, our order of the Coconut Creme Brulee …

 

 

… and the Trio of Sorbet (lemon, raspberry and mandarin orange) …

 

 

… for dessert made up for our disappointment!!

 

 

Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen
555, East Lancaster Avenue, Radnor, PA 19087, USA.
+1 610 688 8808
http://www.susannafoo.com/

US2011 - Azie

Azie on Main claims to serve a distinct, multi-cultural and contemporary Asian cuisine that is coupled with global influences, thus offering a modern twist for those who hunger for diversity.

 

 

While I was excited about the “multi-cultural” offering, I was somewhat disappointed after browsing through the menu.

 

 

Just one page with a choice of either fried rice, fried noodles or sushi rolls.

 

 

Well, since half of the menu consists of sushi rolls, what better to order other than the sushi, right?

 

 

So, I went for the Combo Sushi Set which comes with a complimentary miso soup and salad.

 

 

I guess, Azie do need to diversify their menu to keep up with its claim.

 

 

Azie on Main
789, East Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, USA.
+1 610 527 5700
http://www.azieonmain.com/

CA2011 - Waves

The final stop of my culinary tour of Vancouver was at Waves Coffee House for some authentic hand crafted coffee.

 

 

With its “hottest brand in Canada” and “best of brands” recognition, Waves may soon be known as the Canadian’s equivalent to USA’s Starbucks.

 

 

While there, we had the Mocha Frappe and Matcha Frappe…

 

 

… before bidding farewell to Vancouver!!

 

 

Waves Coffee House
120-12231, First Street, Richmond, BC V7E, Canada.
+1 604 448 9283
http://www.wavescoffee.ca/

CA2011 - Pajo’s

Having served fish and chips for the past 25 years at Steveston’s Wharf, Pajo’s claim to serve the finest and tastiest fish and chips in the west coast of North America!!

 

 

Offering three types of fish, we went for the Cod and Halibut.

 

 

And frankly speaking, I couldn’t actually differentiate between the two!!

 

 

Halibut?

 

 

Cod?

 

 

But I guess, what’s more important is that both tasted equally good!!

 

 

P/S: I found that the hole in the table is a useful way to secure the meal from very strong wind. I reckon Levendi should do something similar!!

 

 

Pajo's
3500, Bayview Street, Richmond, BC V7E, Canada.
+1 604 272 1588
http://www.pajos.com