Justin Zhang
Latest Reviews
GT Prime Steakhouse
2024 Feb 01
We visited the restaurant during Restaurant Week on a weekday. We were promptly seated upon arrival, and the service staff was very attentive and courteous. We opted for the Restaurant Week tasting menu with additional appetizers and sides. The first two courses were delightful, the shrimp cocktail was well-prepared, and the beef tartare was delicious. The bone marrow mousse was an interesting and lighter dish, which wasn't what I would expect. However, the main courses were a bit of a letdown. Although the Wagyu steak was cooked to perfection, it lacked the taste, presentation, tenderness, and juiciness that I expected from a high-quality steak. The roasted Brussels sprouts also came out soft and soggy, and the dish wasn't well-composed. By the time the chocolate cake arrived, we were disappointed with the meal. Overall, we had a great start to the meal, but the food quality did not meet our expectations. Despite this, we appreciate the opportunity to try a new restaurant during Restaurant Week, and we hope that the restaurant can improve the quality of its dishes in the future.
Bar Siena North Shore
2023 Sep 18
We visited on a Friday evening, having made a reservation for outdoor seating in advance. We were promptly seated upon our arrival, and we were guided to the back patio, which overlooks the courtyard adjacent to Nordstrom. Our order included the octopus appetizer, squid ink pasta with lobster, and a pizza to share. Everything was cooked to perfection and burst with delightful flavors. We enjoyed our meal and took a pleasant stroll in the mall after dinner.
Salsa 17
2023 Sep 18
We came here on a Sunday night and enjoyed sitting outside. We were seated promptly upon arrival and ordered three items along with some drinks. My son particularly enjoyed his shrimp taco, and we also savored the braised short ribs. While the lamb taco lacked a bit of flavor, it was still enjoyable. I look forward to returning to try the fajitas.
Le Colonial Lake Forest
2023 Aug 17
We arrived early in the evening on Sunday and had booked outdoor seating for dinner.
The outdoor space was adorned with dark wood accents, banana trees, and ceiling fans, immediately provided the immersive experience of Southeast Asia. As we walked to our table, the delightful aroma of the food from neighboring tables couldn't be ignored.
After studying the menu, we selected crispy pork and shrimp rolls, pho noodles, half a duck, and two vegetable side dishes. The pork and shrimp rolls were absolutely delightful, especially when enjoyed with the dipping sauce and wrapped in lettuce. Moving on to the pho, it was certainly a nice bowl of soup but not compelling enough for a repeat order, considering there are better options elsewhere.
The star of the meal was the half duck. They were perfectly cooked to the medium rare tenderness and beautifully presented for sharing. The only shortfall was in the seasoning; a touch more salt could have elevated the duck's taste.
Surprisingly, the steamed eggplant stole the spotlight. Perfectly cooked and bathed in a splendid mix of soy, onion, shallot, and fish sauce, each bite was a delight. We also tasted the Brussels sprouts, featuring a fish sauce vinaigrette, though a tad overly sweet for my preference. While the meal had some ups and downs, it presented an overall enjoyable experience with a distinct new Vietnamese-French fusion that tantalized our taste buds.
The outdoor space was adorned with dark wood accents, banana trees, and ceiling fans, immediately provided the immersive experience of Southeast Asia. As we walked to our table, the delightful aroma of the food from neighboring tables couldn't be ignored.
After studying the menu, we selected crispy pork and shrimp rolls, pho noodles, half a duck, and two vegetable side dishes. The pork and shrimp rolls were absolutely delightful, especially when enjoyed with the dipping sauce and wrapped in lettuce. Moving on to the pho, it was certainly a nice bowl of soup but not compelling enough for a repeat order, considering there are better options elsewhere.
The star of the meal was the half duck. They were perfectly cooked to the medium rare tenderness and beautifully presented for sharing. The only shortfall was in the seasoning; a touch more salt could have elevated the duck's taste.
Surprisingly, the steamed eggplant stole the spotlight. Perfectly cooked and bathed in a splendid mix of soy, onion, shallot, and fish sauce, each bite was a delight. We also tasted the Brussels sprouts, featuring a fish sauce vinaigrette, though a tad overly sweet for my preference. While the meal had some ups and downs, it presented an overall enjoyable experience with a distinct new Vietnamese-French fusion that tantalized our taste buds.
Phoenix Restaurant
2023 Jul 17
We recently had the pleasure of revisiting this dim sum restaurant, and it instantly transported us back to the days when it was our absolute favorite. The nostalgic flavors and the warm presence of the familiar staff created a truly memorable dining experience.
During our visit, we were treated to a variety of outstanding dishes, but the real stars were the fun rolls. To dim sum enthusiasts, a plate of tender fun rolls filled with beef or tofu sets the golden standard for a quality establishment, and this restaurant certainly exceeded expectations. The flavors were well-balanced, and the texture was just perfect.
Another standout dish that delighted our taste buds was the beef offal. Its bold and savory profile made it an instant favorite at our table.
However, we were a bit disappointed to find that our beloved dish, the fresh squid in shrimp paste, was no longer available. It was a dish we always looked forward to, and its absence was felt.
Despite this minor setback, we are eagerly anticipating our next visit to explore more of their delectable offerings. We are confident that the restaurant's exceptional dishes and the warm hospitality of the staff will continue to make it a favorite spot for dim sum enthusiasts like us.
During our visit, we were treated to a variety of outstanding dishes, but the real stars were the fun rolls. To dim sum enthusiasts, a plate of tender fun rolls filled with beef or tofu sets the golden standard for a quality establishment, and this restaurant certainly exceeded expectations. The flavors were well-balanced, and the texture was just perfect.
Another standout dish that delighted our taste buds was the beef offal. Its bold and savory profile made it an instant favorite at our table.
However, we were a bit disappointed to find that our beloved dish, the fresh squid in shrimp paste, was no longer available. It was a dish we always looked forward to, and its absence was felt.
Despite this minor setback, we are eagerly anticipating our next visit to explore more of their delectable offerings. We are confident that the restaurant's exceptional dishes and the warm hospitality of the staff will continue to make it a favorite spot for dim sum enthusiasts like us.