Sunday "Stuffs"

This past week the Missus and I were invited to dinner, along with Chubby Panda, Cat, and Elmomonster(who unfortunately couldn't make it), by the one and only Beach. We'd been looking forward to dinner with the larger than life, irrepressible Beach, ever since Chubby Panda and the other OC Foodbloggers  dubbed Him the "Don of Little Saigon".

The Missus and I had an indication of how unique this evening was going to be when we ran into this caravan, a few blocks from Beach's home.

It was quite a stunning scene, watching tanks roll down the side streets of this upscale All-American residential neighborhood. The soldier was having a blast waving at all of the people staring in stunned silence as they drove down the street.

We arrived at Beach's beautiful home, and was greeted with warm smiles as we drifted into conversation, like we'd known him forever. When we had first arrived we weren't sure that we had arrived at the right place, but once we caught a whiff of the wonderful fragrances in the air, we knew we must be a the right place.

Soon the Kubota Manju started flowing, Chubby Panda and Cat arrived, and we started in on a fabulous meal. Anything I could right would pale in comparison to Cp's post, so please read it here!

I'll just share a few photos, and a few words. Just let me say that the Bun Cha Hanoi that Mr and Missus Beach made was fabulous....it has set the bar for comparisons at a very high level, which I don't think will be surpassed. Pictures speak louder than words....

See what I mean?

I'd been told many times that the best Bun Rieu can't be found in a restaurant, but in the home of a skilled cook. I now understand what was meant by that. Mrs Beach, made an awesome rendition of Bun Rieu....which also happens to be the Missus's favorite. She was in Bun Rieu nirvana.

I think I lost count after the 25th time the Missus said, "this is sooo good!" The one big revelation to me, was how soft, tender, and full of flavor the "Oc" (snail) was. We've stopped ordering Bun Rieu Oc in restaurants because of how rubbery, tough, and flavorless, the Oc usually is. This was delici-yoso!!! In fact, I mentioned that I could just eat the Oc on rice and be perfectly happy!

I found Beach to be a man of "Big"...big smile, big laugh, big portions, big voice, but most of all...big heart! Mr and Mrs Beach, we really appreciated your graciousness and generosity, and of course the food was great.

Oh wait, I think Beach and CP learned that the Missus had something "big" of Her own.... "Big Appetite"!

Thanks for everything Beach!

It was great to see you again CP, and we finally got to meet Cat. Don't forget to read CP's detailed post here.

Some updates.

What was once Osaka Kitchen, is now another outpost of Sushi Deli.

And in the strip mall on Convoy that seems to be undergoing eternal renovation, Bolsaa Vietnamese is gone, and will be replaced by Louisiana Crawfish restaurant.

Made me wonder if this will be one of those Vietnamese Cajun Shrimp/Crawfish places that have sprung up all over Little Saigon. One can always hope!

Comments

[nhbilly]

Nothing like home cooked Vietnamese food....geesh talk about a treat.
I need to visit my mom in TX.

[Andy 美國土子]

Kirk, the food is fabulous! Nothing beats a good homecooked food. You forgot to leave Beach's phone number and address so we can attend =)

[nhbilly]

I agree with Andy!

[elmomonster]

When I saw that tank, I thought, hmm, I can see Beach riding that thing. I'm sorry I missed this.

[Fred]

I visited this new Sushi Deli today. It was just as mediocre as they said on Chowhound. I probably won't be going back.

[Chubbypanda]

Kirk,

Saturday was a freakin' unbelievable. We've got to get together again soon. Too much fun!

[Passionate Eater]

I think that the tanks were there to usher in the biggest celeb food blogger out there, and his wife, the Missus!

Gosh, I wish that Beach would visit the Bay Area soon, and open a restaurant up here!

[RONW]

chubby's has granite walls and countertops in his kitchen??....mmmm-yoso

[Kathy]

The bun rieu looks incredible, I can only imagine how it would smell! :)I haven't had a bowl of homemade bun rieu since my mom started working full time when I was in middle school. #1 on summer agenda: convince mom it's time for another bowl, hehe ;)

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - Better book a flight for Mom.

Hi Andy - Nothing quite like really good home made food...I mean REALLY GOOD food.

Hi Elmo - I showed that Missus your comment, and She cracked up, and agreed whole heartedly!

Hi Fred - I've been to Sushi Deli once......nuff said!

Hi CP - Ready for part deux? We had a blast....

Hi PE - I thought they were there to guard Beach's food from our ravenous appetites!

Hi RONW - Long time, eh? Actually, it's Beach's kitchen....it's fully renovated, and a thing of beauty! Talk about kitchen envy!

Hi Kathy - Are we invited? ;o)

[Wie]

Hey,
where exactly on Convoy the Sushi Deli and the upcoming Crawfish/Crab place are?

Thanks

[Wie]

Hey,
where exactly on Convoy the Sushi Deli and the upcoming Crawfish/Crab place are?

Thanks

[Kirk]

Hi Wie - If you follow the links you can get the addresses since the new businesses replaced the old. Here are the addresses. For Sushi Deli 3, it should be;
5447 Kearny Villa Rd
San Diego, CA 92123
For the yet to open Crabhut it should be:
4646 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111.

[Bryan]

Did the owner of Osaka Kitchen close the business or just relocate? I loved that guy, he was really cool.

[Kirk]

Hi Bryan - I'm not quite sure....I'll ask around and find out.

[mike]

Hi Kirk,

Did you ever find anything out about Osaka kitchen? I'm already missing their saba shioyaki; if you have any suggestions on that I'd be eternally grateful (we took a friend to the new Sushi Deli with its VERY LOUD music and ultra-hip/young crowd, definitely missed the old hole-in-the-wall feeling we got when we accidentally stumbled on it in 2003, having no luck finding parking in the mega-teppan place nearby -- see, I've even forgotten the name of it, we've never been there since).

[Kirk]

Hi Mike - No I haven't heard anything, yet. I'm having lunch with some friends so will ask then. Have you had the Saba Shioyaki from Sakura, yet?