Kukai Ramen & Izakaya

The Hubs and I went to Kukai Ramen last Thursday because of the cold weather we have here, a bowl of ramen will just hit the spot! We’ve never been to Kukai before but with all of the good reviews we decided to try this “authentic” ramen from the famous Japanese chain (we learned that they only have 3 restaurants here in the US, two here in WA and they just opened one last year in Portland).  We got there early because we wanted to avoid the long lines, lucky for us we were seated right away. The place is kinda small and the tables are really close together.  We could hear the other table’s conversations, but it’s  OK, after all we are there for the Ramen (which didn’t disappoint!). It’s so GOOD! The broth was so flavorful and the noodles are the best for me, the perfect consistency. It was quite expensive but at least it’s quality ramen. The hubs ordered their special “Garlic Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen”, it was really good. I had the spicy ramen, also a great choice, but personally I preferred the Hubs order. We added pork belly and eggs on our ramen and ordered 2 appetizers. It was a great experience and we will probably go back again if we’re craving ramen (it’s only 20 minutes drive from our place).

2015-02-27_DSC_2123

take outs galore!
take out galore!

2015-02-27_DSC_2129

kukai unigiri
kukai unigiri
Spicy Ramen
Spicy Ramen

2015-02-27_DSC_2136

Hubs Ramen
Hubs Ramen

 

Surf n Turf Dinner at Home!

Hi Friends! I prepared a nice “surf n turf” dinner at home last Friday night! I told hubby that instead of eating out for our “date night” we should just make something yummy and watch Netflix after ( we end up playing Dominion), a game that my In laws gifted the hubs for Christmas. I got the lobsters and the steak at our local Safeway (I’ve been shopping there lately) because it’s only a 4 minutes drive from our house, it’s so close!  This one is a little more upscale and nice compared to the other one in downtown Issaquah in my opinion.  I also made Mashed Potatoes with gouda cheese, and grilled broccoli.  I’ve been loving grilled broccoli lately!  It was such a lovely night with my Hubs and Riley. We will definitely do something like this again in the coming weeks.

2015-02-20_DSC_2103

I baked the lobsters 350F for 15 minutes (seasoned with salt,pepper,butter)
I baked the lobsters 325F for 15 minutes (seasoned with salt,pepper,butter)
I made this blue cheese steak sauce (Ina Garten recipe)
I made this blue cheese steak sauce (Ina Garten recipe)

2015-02-20_DSC_2117

2015-02-20_DSC_2116

YUM!
YUM!

2015-02-20_DSC_2084

2015-02-20_DSC_2122

Gamenight and hot chocloate later that night!
Gamenight and hot chocloate later that night!

Roquefort Chive Sauce (Ina Garten recipe)
1½ cups heavy cream
2 ounces French Roquefort cheese, crumbled (4 ounces with rind)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook at a low boil, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has become thick and creamy, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, add the cheese, salt, pepper and chives and whisk rapidly until the cheese melts.

Serious Pie!

If you happen to be in Seattle and you love Pizza, I would recommend that you go visit the Tom Douglas’ Pizza place called “Serious Pie”. It’s more pricey than your typical Pizza place, but OH so worth it!

IMG_0756

IMG_0757

IMG_0759

we had the roasted seasonal mushrooms and truffle cheese; and penn clove clams,pancetta tesa,lemon thyme
we had the roasted seasonal mushrooms and truffle cheese; and penn clove clams,pancetta tesa,lemon thyme

IMG_0768

no leftovers! this is not your typical pizza people!
no leftovers! this is not your typical pizza people!
One thing I hate in Seattle is the expensive parking fee!
One thing I hate in Seattle is the expensive parking fee!

Valentines weekend!

Hope you had a great weekend friends. It was Valentines weekend and we celebrated it with my In laws. I personally don’t make a big deal out of this “holiday” because I try every day to celebrate my loved ones and friends in the best way I know how, no need to have a certain date for that.  Although my Hubs and I had doughnuts and coffee, spent time watching “Elementary” before having dinner with my In Laws at Maggiano’s (Bellevue). We had a lovely time enjoying Italian food and desserts.  The restaurant was packed and they ran out of their “braised short ribs” that I originally wanted to have 🙁  It was all good, I end up ordering their sirloin steak (decent but nothing out of the ordinary). Everybody enjoyed their dishes and all agreed that their meatballs were out of this world (especially the DILaw).

my other favorite Valentine, Riley!
my other favorite Valentine, Riley! A.K.A “The Lovebug”
YUM!
YUM!
I watched the NBA All star weekend too!
I watched the NBA All star weekend too!

Our Maggiano’s dinner! We used my Sis In laws phone so the pictures are not the best quality (the restaurant was kinda dark too).

My In Laws!
My In Laws!
Julia and I
Julia and I
Hubs
Hubs
My steak and mashed potato
My steak and mashed potato
Fried Mozzarella
Fried Mozzarella
Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan
Spinach and artichoke dip!
Spinach and artichoke dip!
Veal Piccata
Veal Piccata
Dessert Sample (creme brulee, cheesecake,truffles,tiramisu,apple ice cream some kind of dessert)
Dessert Sample (creme brulee, cheesecake,truffles,tiramisu,apple ice cream some kind of dessert)

Lunch Dates!

I’ve been enjoying some lunch dates with Hubs lately (at least once a week!), because the Hubs works at home he has the flexibility to manage his schedule. It doesn’t happen a lot of times but lately we did go out for lunch dates several times. Lunches are fun because it’s not as busy as dinner and it’s cheaper too.

Flat Iron Grill at Issaquah
Flat Iron Grill at Issaquah
Aji Sushi lunch!
Aji Sushi lunch!
my fave date!
my fave date!

IMG_0411

Lunch date with my In Laws after church!
Lunch date with my In Laws after church!
Pho time!
Pho time at our local Vietnamese place
My hubs is not a big Pho fan so he always gets their sandwich and durian shake
My hubs is not a big Pho fan so he always gets their sandwich and a durian shake
we enjoyed some tacos last week!
we enjoyed some tacos last week!
this too!
and a burrito too!

 

 

Weekend Fun!

Hello family and friends! I hope you’re having a lovely Sunday night with your loved ones. The Hubs is watching the season premier of the Walking Dead while I’m reading Ruth Soukup’s “Living Well Spending Less 12 Secrets of the Good Life”. I’m so enjoying it and kinda sad I’m almost done with it. I love her blog and her writing, it’s like I’m talking to one of my girlfriends! So relatable! We had a relaxing weekend, watched the movie “Jupiter Ascending” the one starring Channing Tatum. The movie was OK, I enjoyed the special effects but nothing great about it. After the movie,we had burgers at Red Robin and watched NBA games in the bar area. Our local Red Robin is always packed so we just go to the bar right away!

Onion Rings!
Onion Rings!
I always get the Double Tavern burger because it reminds me of In n Out's
I always get the Double Tavern burger because it reminds me of In n Out’s

We had sushi after Church this afternoon. I wanted some Ramen and got what I wanted! I cannot wait for Spring. I’m so over this cold winter (I know it’s not as bad compared to the other parts of the country). We stopped at Walmart after to check out their Spring candles and I got some. Will post it this week. I love me some candles:)

YUM!
YUM!

IMG_0707

IMG_0714

Now I'm off to cuddle this Lovebug!
Now I’m off to cuddle this Lovebug!