I was going to do something titled a "quick road trip", but that would be inaccurate...... I had an appointment in our old neighborhood of Rowland Heights, and usually the Missus would accompany me. We'd get things done early and hit up one or two (or maybe three) places. Because of work, this was a solo drive for me.... and it was a darn good thing. I got out of my appointment at 1pm. Now I don't know how many of you notice that we like to eat early to avoid the crowds.... but by 1pm on a Saturday... well, good luck. So I did some quick shopping at Marukai in West Covina, man has this area changed since we moved to San Diego. Someday, I'll do that post. Anyway, I decided to just do some take-out and head on home. I decided on something from Shufeng Garden which I've posted on before. By the time I got home it was 430...... so I guess I had a kinda late lunch, the Missus and early dinner.
I wanted to check out the tea smoked duck again($12.99), and this time it was even better.
Though the smoked flavor is still not as pronounced as I would have enjoyed, this was one meaty, and surprisingly moist duck.
I went with a favorite from our previous visit, the Sliced Pork with Garlic Sauce ($7.95):
I gotta say, even though I really enjoyed it on our previous visit, it was even better today. I think sitting in the chili-garlic-vinegar-sugar mixture on the drive back to San Diego gave the thinly sliced pork belly, and the cucumber slices below it time to soak up the flavors. Mildly spicy, pungent, sweet with a mild tangy finish, this was nice. Sitting in the sauce also gave this a more "back of the throat" heat. The pork holds form without being too waxy or mushy..... It is one lovely dish.
Wanting to try something I hadn't, I went with the Lamb with Hot Chili ($7.95). Consisting of lamb rib bones and meat... this was almost finger food, though you don't want to be touching your eyes after. Hints of cumin, Sichuan peppercorn (not quite enough), and the flavor of scalded chilies were the key players in this dish.
This could have been a bit more spicy, but was a nice dish overall..... I'd have it again.
The folks working here have always been nice to me..... so I'll probably go back and try some different items. Perhaps the Rabbit with hot sauce, or maybe the Steamed Toad?
Shufeng Garden
18459 Colima Road
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
An update on some MIA San Diego Food Bloggers (aka I've been looking for you on milk cartons):
I guess I've been doing this for a while. And over the years, I've met and traded emails with many of the food bloggers in San Diego..... to paraphrase fellow food blogger Marie, "it's almost like I've known you for ages." Like the tides, there seems to be an ebb and flow.... food blogs come and go, and it's always nice to come across a new one. But there's always a sense of loss when a food blog seems to fall by the wayside and I do tend to wonder what happened. So I will often email folks after seeing no posts for a while.... or even call them if I have their number. Such as the one and only Captain Jack of San Diego Restaurant Reviews Blog. I spoke to Jack recently and he's doing well, still taking photos of food, but has been occupied with work and other hobbies (is World of Warcraft a hobby?). Having a nice stash of food photos, I'm thinking it's just a matter of time before Jack is posting again. I also received an email from Masa Assassin who told me he is doing well, perhaps a bit too well having gotten a promotion at work, leaving him little time for the blog. I'm just glad that he and the Missus are doing well. So there you go, a couple of updates on some MIA fellow San Diego food bloggers.
Hope to see some new posts from you fella's soon!
The duck looks tremendous!
Posted by: Nate | Sunday, 26 June 2011 at 09:16 AM
Hi Kirk, thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear Masa Assassin and Captain Jack are doing great! The sliced pork with garlic sauce looks killer!
Posted by: Dennis | Sunday, 26 June 2011 at 09:17 AM
The food looks wonderful. Note to self -- clean drool off of keyboard.
Good to hear about the Captain and the Assassin. I recently reread some Masa Assassin posts as good friends will be doing a Guadelupe valley food and wine tour next fall with the people from the Wine Vault. One meal will be prepared by one of the chefs whose food was profiled in a blog post.
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Sunday, 26 June 2011 at 10:12 AM
Hi Nate - It was pretty good, very meaty!
Hi Dennis - That was delish.... it's almost better to do take out to let it soak in the sauce a bit.
Hi Ed - Yeah, I was a bit worried about them.... so it's good to know they're both doing well.
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 26 June 2011 at 06:57 PM
Isn't that the best? when a restaurant has remained the same or improved, rather than gone down hill. That pork really does look good.
Posted by: Lynnea | Monday, 27 June 2011 at 09:14 AM
we like to eat early too & beat the crowds, that duck looked great!
Posted by: kat | Monday, 27 June 2011 at 10:29 AM
It is sad when bloggers you follow stop blogging.
I think WOW isn't so much of a habit as it is a drug. A drug that makes people cut off from their friends, ends marriages and relationships. Evil drug. Lol. At least that's been my experience. ;-)
Posted by: kirbie | Monday, 27 June 2011 at 11:26 AM
Hi Lynnea - The pork is probably the best dish here.
Hi Kat - I agree.......
Hi Kirbie - I'm really out of touch with that stuff, so thanks for the info!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 28 June 2011 at 06:49 AM