Giant Outdoor Christmas Tree at Night — Dec 2011
A towering outdoor Christmas tree lit with red and white lights and topped with a gold ring, beside a red-lit building.
A towering outdoor Christmas tree lit with red and white lights and topped with a gold ring, beside a red-lit building.
View from an airplane window of two jet engines on the wing over a blanket of clouds.
Where did the Thirsty Pig Go? The Purple Onion, part of famed Shanghai restauranteur David Laris empire, nice little European bistro. Though it is tucked away in a small alley, it is still convenientl
A tall Christmas tree decorated with red and gold ornaments in an ornate hotel lobby with chandeliers and balconies.
Long Barhttp://www.waldorfastoriashanghai.com/english/dineinstyle/LongBar Waldorf Astoria Hotel 2 Zhongshan East 1st Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China +86 21 6322 9988Open today · 4PM–1AM
I’ve been planning to return to Los Angeles for a visit in January for month now. And it is December now, and I have been literally counting the days. Near the top of the never-ending list of things t
A row of floodlit historic stone buildings along a city street at night, with a clock tower and green traffic light.
A chef at a buffet station with an iced seafood display, stacks of white plates, and decorative vases above.
A tall sesame-bun burger stacked with a beef patty, bacon, fried egg, and tomato, served with french fries.
A hazy view across low-rise neighborhood rooftops toward a cluster of high-rise office towers in the distance.
A bouquet of pink stuffed pig toys and fabric roses wrapped in lace and tulle on a counter.
A black-and-white zen garden with concentric raked sand circles around a small grouping of rocks.
Where Did the Thirsty Pig Go? We were looking for a French restaurant and I hate to say it. . . it looks as if I settled on Le Saleya. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of trying to find and make rese
Blurred red and white city lights seen through a rain-streaked car windshield at night.
I’ve been planning to return to Los Angeles for a visit in January for month now. And it is December now, and I have been literally counting the days. Near the top of the never-ending list of things t
Located in the historic JinJiang Hotel 錦江飯店, the Old Shanghai Moon Restaurant 老夜上海餐廳 is restaurant imagined as if we were dining during the colonial 1930′s. The ambiance is mesh of the classic western
Every once and awhile, you go to a restaurant without any expectations and leave pleasantly surprised. This is what happened when I supposedly thought I was going for a simple happy hour.
Weathered stone village buildings reflected in a still pond, with people gathered along the far edge.
The Whampoa Club at Three on the Bund is promoting their new Shanghai Dim Sum lunch.http://www.thethirstypig.com/2011/09/08/weekend-brunch-at-whampoa-club-shanghai-announcement/ I was able to round up
Red lanterns and flags hanging along an old street of stone buildings under a cloudy orange sunset sky.
A still lake reflecting a village, an arched stone bridge, trees, and hills under a hazy golden sky.
Jagged rocky mountain peaks with scattered pine trees rising above a layer of clouds under a pale sky.
Upward view of a large pale stone building with a curved tiled roofline and decorative trim against a deep blue sky.
Several red-and-white passenger trains lined up on parallel tracks under a large arched station roof at night.
Thin slices of sauce-drizzled meat draped over a wooden rack above a plate of shredded vegetables and a dipping bowl.
When I think of a hotel’s Sunday brunch, I think of a lavish food spread with all kinds of goodies with Bloody Mary’s and Champagne’s flowing. It’s time to be with family and friends to relax and enjo
Trust in Mr. B. . . that’s what I kept saying. After being lead through traffic on motorcycle taxis, we had finally arrived. Just minutes ago, I was sweating bullets from the fear while riding riding
An interesting business model we see in Taipei is the chain restaurants that feature different cuisines. With the People and Shintori, they feature Chinese cuisine, Japanese Sushi, as well as a cool l
A black and white upward shot of a tall skyscraper with a curved glass facade and ribbon windows.
Comfort food comes in different shapes and sizes, and especially flavors. When people have cravings of foods, particularly of ones they grew up with, it’s like an itch that needs to be scratched. What
A blurred view down a city street between tall buildings with a traffic light at dusk.
Two poached-egg benedicts with orange hollandaise and a side of herbed roasted potatoes on a white plate.
An extreme close-up selfie of a face with mouth open, taken from below indoors.
The Manhattan Beach pier with its round-roofed end building, seen across the sand with beachgoers.
A close-up of a vivid pink aster flower with a yellow center against green and yellow foliage.
A brightly lit waterfront skyline at night with colorful tower lights reflecting on the river.
A busy electronics store interior packed with shoppers browsing devices at long wooden tables.
A blue bowl of chunky guacamole topped with fresh cilantro and a sliver of red chili.
The Whampoa Club at Three on the Bund is promoting their new Shanghai Dim Sum lunch. I was able to round up a group of friends that were willing to make it a go. As you know, brunch in Shanghai is big
A dark club interior with a crowd silhouetted under beams of green and blue stage lights and screens.
Ho Chi Minh City is a place where it has seen hard times in this past century. With different occupants, from the French, to the American, and to the communists. Only recently, with the trade embargo
A hand giving a thumbs up in the foreground with a smiling person blurred behind it outdoors.
Noodle Bull is a trendy and popular noodle restaurant in the heart of bustling area near Donghu road in Xuhui district. This area is full of restaurants, bars, lounges, and nightclubs – basically full
An ornate white building with a tall lit spire glowing against a dark night sky.
Our next venture during the Fall Shanghai Restaurant Weekhttp://www.shanghairestaurantweek.com/ is La Finca, located in the Xintiandi area. La Finca is an upscale Spanish restaurant featuring tapas, S
On Thursday the 25th, Shanghai’s Food and Beverage F&B industry got together for a fund-raising event at Zeal, and raised more than 25k RMB for charity
A thick stacked pastrami sandwich on rye bread with mustard, beside a pickle on a plate.
The Cook at Kerry Hotel in Pudong was our first visit for Restaurant Week this year, here in Shanghai. The Cook restaurant is a unique concept which blends buffet style, but not an all inclusive all y
A close view along the rail of a red-felt pool table with a chalk cube and balls in the distance.
Tourists, foreigners, and out of towners usually have little or no expectation for food, unless they specifically researched prior to their trip. Yet, the onus of pressure, lies with the host or frien
Glossy cubes of braised pork belly in dark caramel sauce arranged on a plate.
Canopies of warm string lights with colorful star and bunting decorations strung overhead at night.
One of Shanghai’s decorated and awarded restaurants in the past 12 months, Madison opened to with a flurry of excitement from foodies, bloggers, and expats. After finally finding some time to go, I wa
El Mexicanohttp://www.elmexicano.com.cn/ 485-2 Zhengmin Rd, near Guoding Rd 政民路485号-2, 近国定路 Shanghai
A bowl of dark broth noodle soup with wide noodles, braised beef, leafy greens and a red chili.
The Xuhui district, the popular tree-lined district in Shanghai, is home to Goga. Hidden just around the corner, we find this small 20 seat restaurant with roof top patio. Shanghai is home to fine cul
A large golden statue of a seated robed figure on a pedestal against a clear blue sky.
Noodle Bull is a trendy and popular noodle restaurant in the heart of bustling area near Donghu road in Xuhui district. This area is full of restaurants, bars, lounges, and nightclubs – basically full
An ornate lit riverboat on the water with the Oriental Pearl Tower and skyline behind it at dusk.
Sunday Brunch in Shanghai is a big thing. It is a hugh event with the foreigner and expat crowd. Though, personally, I like to sleep in on Sundays, so I usually miss Brunch. But recently, I was up ear
A covered wooden tour boat marked Nam Bo Tours moored on a muddy river lined with palm trees.
Upstairs is the newest lounge in Shanghai at the URBN Hotel. With the weather cooling, Upstairs is the place to be. The lounge is ideal for dates, small groups, or older crowds. A bit off the beaten p
My Dining Place is a restaurant featuring Singaporean cuisine, with also some Cantonese dishes. Located in Xujiahui’s Novel Place, My Dining Place is operated by the same group from the Singapore Pavi
A Velvet Lounge card lying beside a glass of ice and a lit candle on a dark table.
Trust in Mr. B. . . that’s what I kept saying. After being lead through traffic on motorcycle taxis, we had finally arrived. Just minutes ago, I was sweating bullets from the fear while riding riding
Goat, I’ve thought, was never that strange of a meat to eat. Its a domesticated animal much like a pig or a cow. Goats aren’t exotic creatures like pangolins, snakes, or even rabbits. But it still doe
While I was in Ho Chi Minh city, we stumbled across I Love Bun after shopping at Ben Thanh market. How could you resist a place with the name I Love Bun. The modest place seemed like a typical quick s
Ho Chi Minh City is a place where it has seen hard times in this past century. With different occupants, from the French, to the American, and to the communists. Only recently, with the trade embargo
Arguably, the best happy hour on the Pudong side of Shanghai is at Morton’s the Steakhouse at the IFC shopping center. I recently had a chance to sample their great deal – for RMB 38 martini’s and com
A bottle of Tsingtao beer beside a glass and a basket of fried bite-sized snacks.
Jinxian Lu features an abundance of places to go, to eat, to drink, and to play. From Masse formerly Racks, Bliss Lounge, Momo Paradise, Southern Barbarian, Di Shui Dong, among others. LanXin is hole-
Chopsticks lifting thin noodles from a red bowl of spicy broth with bits of minced meat.
An interesting business model we see in Taipei is the chain restaurants that feature different cuisines. With the People and Shintori, they feature Chinese cuisine, Japanese Sushi, as well as a cool l
With growing emergence of Mexican restaurants, in both Shanghai and Taipei, I have seen both high end restaurants like Maya, everyday type of restaurants like Cantina Agave, and almost fast food types
The Xinyi Public Assembly Hall is a renovated and restored tourist attraction in the heart of Taipei’s Xinyi District. Dating back a few decades, this area used to be a military village for the incomi
Shanghai is a city of mending nationalities which is arguably more than any other. The breeding of cultures, juices, and spirits is seen no where better than at the latest hot spot lounge Craft. Singa
The Xuhui district, the popular tree-lined district in Shanghai, is home to Goga. Hidden just around the corner, we find this small 20 seat restaurant with roof top patio. Shanghai is home to fine cul
Sunday Brunch in Shanghai is a big thing. It is a hugh event with the foreigner and expat crowd. Though, personally, I like to sleep in on Sundays, so I usually miss Brunch. But recently, I was up ear
A cupcake topped with white frosting and a pink sugar flower on a plate, with a second cupcake behind.
In a town where culinary masters come from around the world, desserts are sometimes an unfortunate afterthought. Yet C’est Cupcake shines while bringing delectable cupcakes to Shanghai.
The illuminated Oriental Pearl Tower rising above a city skyline at night, seen from a balcony.
I have never associated hot pot as fine dining. Its always a festive occasion with friends and family busily cooking and eating over a communal pot. You’d never bring a customers, vendors, or even a d
A plate of spaghetti topped with large meatballs in red tomato sauce.
Located in the historic JinJiang Hotel 錦江飯店, the Old Shanghai Moon Restaurant 老夜上海餐廳 is restaurant imagined as if we were dining during the colonial 1930′s. The ambiance is mesh of the classic western
A red enameled cast iron Dutch oven with its lid on, sitting on a table.
After living in Shanghai for awhile, I realize that I have developed a craving and tolerance for spicy food. Hunan’s spicy cuisine rises up to the top of my list of favored spicy dishes. With Di Shui
Xiao San Tang is a nice little cafe with a Chinese menu with a touch of whimsy, a western ideal, and just the right amount of elegances.
Annion Kitchen – No. 37, Jiashan Market, Lane 550 Shaanxi Nan Lu, near Shaoxing Lu 陕西南路550弄37号嘉善市场, 近绍兴路 3428-1855
Paulaner, Xintiandi 太仓路181号, 新天地北里, 近马当路 House 19-20, North Block Xintiandi, Lane 181 Taicang Road, 200021 Shanghai CHNhttp://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=15403504959748163525&q=xintiandi&hl=en&sll=
Cantina Agave 静安区富民路291号悟锦世纪大楼1楼01A-2室近长乐路 291号 Fumin Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, China 021-61701310 www.cantinaagave.comhttp://www.cantinaagave.com
Based on an article in CNNGohttp://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/eat/shanghais-5-best-all-you-can-eat-teppanyaki-627739?page=0,1 about Japanese restaurants, I decided to try Uminosachi. Boy, did I regret it.
A person in sunglasses beside a car window, with trees and a traffic light reflected in the glass.
Late night, Korean, sobering, traditional are just some of the words to describe Mapuwu. Located on the edge of the Changning district, one of the best things about Mapowu are the late night hours – t
From April 15th till May 8, Sinan Mansions is celebrating Restaurant Week. They are specials at each of the different restaurants – including Yuccahttp://www.thethirstypig.com/2010/12/07/david-laris-y
On my search for the Reuben Pastrami sandwich, this challenge has brought me to City Deli. I had read about City Deli, along with New York Deli, from the different punits – Smart Shanghai, Urbanatomy,
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Located on the 6th floor in a non-descript office building in the crowded district of central is Yellow Door Kitchen. The Yellow Door Kitchen specializes the renown spicy Sichuan cuisine. The Michelin
I had heard about their fried pork chop through friends in Hong Kong. Yet, strangely, fried pork chops aren’t even the part of Cantonese cuisine. But when you travel to someplace, the locals will boas
I have to preface that we intended to go to Tim Ho Wan, the Dim-Sum Specialists 添好運點心專門店. But after seeing the large crowds and queue’s. . . Mr. J smartly had a back up with New Star Seafood, which wa
> “Membership has its privileges” > - American Express Slogan from the 80′s
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When you expect a item to taste a certain way, you are more likely to embrace it. But when it doesn’t come out the way you expect it, results, are more often than not, to be disastrous. But I am going
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Haidilao is Hot Pot restaurant. Their popularity started in Beijing and Sichuan, before they came to Shanghai, recently. Haidilao is known for their unique attention to customers and special complimen
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The Xin Jiang Province, شىنجاڭ or 新疆, is located in the far west portion of China. With a population that is heavily influenced from the Kazaks and Hans, there is a blending of the different cultures
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Haidilao is Hot Pot restaurant. Their popularity started in Beijing and Sichuan, before they came to Shanghai, recently. Haidilao is known for their unique attention to customers and special complimen
My friends know me to not be a big fan of hot pot. I never liked the DIY cooking aspect of handling raw food cooking in a pot. But it seems that girls really like hot pot. I am not sure why, but they
Sometimes food prepared the traditional simple manner is all you need. But of course you need quality ingredients. Echo and her husband, Antonio have done just that. With imported Italian floor, spice
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Roast Goose 燒鵝 is the preferred fowl in Hong Kong. Yet, geese are much more pricey than other winged animals, such as the duck or chicken, except maybe an ostrich. Economics is the reason why duck is
Dim sum is Cantonese for desserts 點心 or 点心. This was evolved from Yum Chahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimsum – 飲茶 or to drink tea. In the olden days, travelers on the silk road and field labors would
One of the more known styles of Cantonese cuisine is the Chinese Deli. Half butcher shop and half restaurant, the deli prepares, cooks, and serves popular meat dish of duck, chicken, pork, and sausage
Shenzhen is the city located right across the border from Hong Kong. You might say it is the Tijuana of China. A little over 30 years ago, this sleepy town, with around 30,000 people, is growing to ov
Los Angeles has seen a recent trend of Asian fusion cuisine in the past couple of years with Chego and Tasty Kitchen. Sang Yoon, of Father’s Office, presents us with Lukshon in Culver City. http://www
Barbecue is a backyard American tradition. The birthright of males, during summer weekends, can be tasted over barbecuing grills. Steaks, hot dogs, and chicken are skillfully torched. The popularity o
I had heard of Bigmista and his wonderful Barbecue from twitter feeds, blogger pundits, and the LA rags. Yet, I could never find a way or excuse to one of his farmer market appearances. So, this last
When people talk about BBQ, emotions and feelings run high. You almost get into fighting words when comparing the different BBQ’s. With the Carolina’s you get the smokey pulled pork and with the Kansa
The Lab is a gastropub located across the street from USC. In the spirit of gastropubs and wine bars, like Bar Foodhttp://www.thethirstypig.com/2009/10/23/bar-food-october-choice/, Westside Tavernhttp
Dine LA 2011 is err was in full swing. I was able to catch the tail end with a visit to The Blvd during my short stay in Los Angeles for the Chinese New Year vacation. http://www.thethirstypig.com/wp-
Harbin’s Siberian Tiger Park is unique outdoor wildlife conservatory. Which essentially means an outdoor zoo, with Siberian Tigers.
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One of the things to see in Harbin during the winter months is the Snow Sculpture Festival. Along with the more famous Winter Ice Festivalhttp://www.thethirstypig.com/2011/02/01/harbin-ice-sculpture-f
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Shanghai Slim is your classic unabashed American steakhouse. Located in the Sinan Mansion, Chef Adam Levin, from New York Style Steak & Burger, helms this classic surf & turf restaurant with with the
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A person wearing a dark straw fedora with a tan band and dark sunglasses, shot up close.
The thing to see in Harbin in the cold freeze month of January is the International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival 哈尔滨国际冰雪节. This is the main reason why my classmates and I endured this bone chilling
On a recent trip to Harbin, I got to try and sample some of the local cuisine. I went to a restaurant called 正宗杀猪菜 从头吃到尾 translated as Authentic butcher food – End from the beginning to eat. They spec
Late night meals after drinking are great. You need them to help sober up, fill the hunger, and soothe your stomach. Hot soups are arguably the best things to remedy an alcohol fun filled night. 설렁탕 S
Located in the Samcheongdong area of Seoul is 청수정 Cheongsujeong is a little traditional Korean restaurant. They specialize in 반찬 or Banchan. Strangely, most restaurants Korean restaurants will have an
Dessert for some is a religious experience. They associate sweets like chocolate to an almost sensual feel. I know a guy who lives for desserts and can’t stop endlessly talk about them. Girls could be
There is a part of Seoul that is called Toppokki Town 떡볶이 타운. It started with small restaurant called Sinadong Toppokki 신당동 떡볶이 in 1953. These ladies produced 떡볶이 Toppokki or Ddukbokki, which is a dis
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Crêpes is original French dessert-type pancake. The Japanese have taken crêpes to obsession to create savory meals with them. In Seoul, the franchise from Japan – Marion Crêpes has spread the crêpes t
In trying times, people will find ways to make do with what they have. If you look at new Chinese immigrants that came to Taiwan after the Cultural Revolution, they formed military villages can came u
Among some of things I wanted to try in Seoul was the Street Food known as Pojangmacha 포장마차. I have always been fascinated with street food everywhere I go – Los Angeles, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Shangh
In the area of Yeoeuido, there’s a small dingy and dirty place called Seogeulreongtang 서글렁탕. We had some of the best pork BBQ that I’ve had in a long time.
All Restaurants usually have one dish, perhaps two dishes that especially stand out, either publicly, unofficially, or blatantly. HaDongGwan 하동관 is a Gom Tang Jip which means, in Korea, that they spec
Seoul is a fascinating city with historical sites that tell about Korea’s past. I was only able get a snapshot of a couple of different tourist places. Aside from the Kimchi Museumhttp://www.thethirst
A Harbin Airport sign on a building roofline silhouetted against an orange sunset sky.
Youbae is a Japanese Restaurant in Seoul. Though not exactly one of my top choices in restaurant selection while in Seoul. Personally, I had thought I would eat nothing but Korean food. But that prove