10 New Pictures

This is ed (from Yuma). I thoroughly enjoyed looking at Kirk's 10 favorite pictures from this blog. I see Cathy is also working on a 10 picture post. I thought it would be fun to do something similar - except with one change - here are 10 pictures that have never before been posted at mmm-yoso!!!

Don't despair, I will refrain from posting pictures of trees:

And pictures of flowers:

Well, except for those pictures. What follows are 10 of my favorite or most interesting food pictures that you have never seen before.

First, this photo that looks like some sort of abstract modernist painting is actually a close-up of a chile relleno. This was my first experiment using the close-up feature on my Canon:

This next picture is a mystery. It is clearly a bowl of spicy seafood noodle soup somewhere in San Diego, but I have no memory of how it tasted or where I bought it. It had transparent noodles and was served with a sprig of basil, bean sprouts, and jalapeno slices. Any ideas?

For several years, one of my very favorite restaurants in the Monterey area was owned by chef Robert Kincaid and was called the White House. Contrary to what some of you are probably thinking, it was not called that because it served up a lot of baloney and made a hash out of everything. Rather, instead, the restaurant occupied a beautiful old Victorian mansion with a white exterior near downtown Pacific Grove . As well as serving tasty food, most of the dishes there were also beautiful to look at. Here, if memory serves, are two East/West fusion potstickers, stuffed with minced pork and served with an Asian sauce:

On my last visit before the restaurant's untimely demise, I had a roast pork loin dinner that was almost too beautiful to eat. The operative word, however, is almost:

This next picture makes it into this post not because it is exceptionally beautiful food, but because Tico's in Marina (a few miles north of Monterey) has served me the best breakfasts that I have had since . . .  since? Well, some of the best breakfasts I've ever had:

Although I have tasted fluffier omelettes, Tico's hollandaise sauce is to die for (and no, that is not just what my cardiologist says). The home fries are also the best - perfectly seasoned all over, crunchy on the outside, and moist and tender within. If Leff is right (is that a paradox or an oxymoron?) maybe these good home fries are a trend.

At home, I rarely take pictures of my cooking - and there is probably a reason (many reasons?) for that - but one evening the beautiful colors of an heirloom tomato that I had cut up sent me searching for my camera:
I should add that I love heirloom tomatoes. Now that I can get them April-November (these were photoed in November!), I am nearly in heaven. I just wish I had taken more pictures of all the varieties because I have easily eaten enough that I could have done a post purely of tomato portraits.

Of course, my favorite unpublished pics would have to include at least one featuring raw seafood. Here is a photo with some of the items served in a recent chirashi bowl at Sakura:

Since we're on the subject of seafood (any segue in a storm), I thought you might enjoy this picture of a shrimp ceviche tostada from TJ's Marisquero in Yuma:

Right after I moved to Yuma, I read about the basics of Sonoran cuisine in some Chowhound posts by Canon Fowler (no relation to my camera) who grew up in Tucson in the 20s and 30s. Among many other matters, he wrote about Sonoran enchiladas (also called patty enchiladas), but such simple fare is hard to find these days. The best incarnation of them currently in Yuma are the enchiladas del Piso at Viejo Loco, a dish composed of two thick handmade corn tortillas - so thick they are almost corn cakes - set side by side and covered with sauce, cheese, and topping. This day, I ordered it with green sauce and espinaca (spinach). While not a traditional sauce or topping, it tasted very good:

There is only one fitting way to finish this post. As a way of thanking Kirk for sharing his blog with all of us and letting me occasionally post here, I offer up a photo of an actual loco-moco from Yuma:

Comments

[caninecologne]

great photos!

i still have to try Asmara Eritrean Restaurant on University. Your post a few months ago piqued my interest.

[nhbilly]

YUM!

[jeff c]

Dear Ed (from Yuma),
I've long admired your gustatory adventures and count myself lucky to have you on this blog. When you mentioned The White House, it seemed to hint at some recognition. Can you give some history on the place. I believe I've read about some where.

[tina marie]

Hi, first time posting a comment. great pictures ed (from Yuma)! I have to ask though, was that picture of loco-moco at Hawaiian BBQ at Yuma Palms mall? Ahh I'm sorry to report but their food is no longer as good as it once was! They don't even make their eggs like that anymore, you have to ask for them to make it "Medium" it's so sad!

[ed (from Yuma)]

Thanks all for the good words. I really liked Asmara. I hope to go back with some folks this summer. It was good.

The White House was well known in the Monterey area - a little more upscale than Passionfish, but lacking the great wine list. The chef had originally owned Fresh Cream in Monterey (which he sold), and had another place after that. White House opened with special 3 course dinners (with some choice for each course) for only $24. Over time, it got more expensive and it started to allow diners to just have one or two courses. Not sure why it went out of business.

Too bad about the Hawaiian BBQ in the Yuma Palms mall because that is where the loco-moco was from. I haven't eaten there in a while, but it used to be pretty good. Thanks, tina marie, for the warning.

[Carol]

Mmmm, loco moco! Just made it for lunch today. Let's see if Cathy's 10 photos rounds out to 3 loco mocos!

[foodhoe]

ed the pictures and stories are making me drool so early on monday morning... on my last trip to Monterey I emailed the white house b/c I missed going there the trip before because they were closed on Sundays and was so sad to hear that they are permanently closed. My favorite is the raw fish b/c I have kirk's poke on my mind too...

[ed (from yuma)]

Carol, I wonder if Cathy has a loco moco up her sleeve.

fh (I just can't call you hoe for short), thanks for the comments. Coming from you, the master of food photos, I will accept the compliment. I had had numerous good meals at the White House over the years, but only one after I bought my camera, and most of the pics from that visit didn't turn out that well. Glad I had two to share.