Chinese showdown: a report (Tampa)

[andy huse]

Here is my take on the two Chinese lunches i had with five fellow hounds. It was a good time.

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dail...

[RibDog]

So as it stands, here are the attendees for our ABC Seafood get-together on October 4th at 5 PM:

Myself
Andy Huse
John & Rebakah
Cass
CFishman
Mild Bill & possibly wife

If there is anyone else, please email me at ribdog54 at aol dot com before Friday, Oct. 2nd at 2 PM.

John

[rhnault]

Rebecca Kukla is also confirmed and I may have a very special guest if she can break away from menu creation for the afternoon

[RibDog]

Thanks for catching that.

[rhnault]

The Rebekah/Rebecca's have to stick together ;-)

[CFishman]

Your favorite newly employed celebrity chef? That would be fun.

[rhnault]

She is going to try to come. She is just so busy right now and they are closed on Sundays so that is good menu planning day. But a girl's gotta eat, right?!

[Manderley]

:( i just got back on a really serious diet. (pouting) i miss all the good stuff. looking forward to reading the reviews. i regret the one time i saw geoduck there in the fish tanks and didn't order it.

[rhnault]

Portion control! Eat light for breakfast and lunch and then just try everything.

[Mild Bill]

Yeah, I'm supposd to be on a diet and I'm still going...

And what a coincidence! --- the very next day is a Monday!
----- the day we give it another shot!

[CFishman]

Not totally dissimilar from this is the fructose diet I have been on for a few years. It works well enough I guess. At least it allows me to eat what I want at dinner. Check it out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/mag...

[RibDog]

Well, it looks like we have a date set for going to ABC Chinese Seafood in St. Petersburg this coming Sunday, October 4th at 5 PM. Anyone who wants to join us there, please email me at ribdog54 at aol dot com.

[rhnault]

are you going to make a reservation?
John and I will be there. I am excited to see everyone again.

[RibDog]

I will make it on Friday once I get a final count.

[Manderley]

:( wish i could have been there. I wasn't crazy about Yummy House, possibly because the staff was so decidedly...snobbish and unhelpful. i adore china yuan and abc chinese; would love to attend NEXT TIME (hint, hint)

[rhnault]

Manderley, I was of similar opinion about Yummy House but the dishes we had were so good that I will go again.
CY is still my favorite because I love the staff there and they win hands down on atmosphere. I think Mr Chen was a little entertained so see the regulars dining together.

[rhnault]

We went back to Yummy House last Friday for lunch and it was so good. Service not as good as CY but definitely acceptable. We had the Westlake Beef Soup that Rebecca Kukla turned us on to, the salt n pepper tofu, and the spicy seafood hot pot. I think I will be alternating between the 2 restaurants from here forward.

[Mild Bill]

Excellent job Andy!
I'm heartbroken I couldn't get there like I hoped...

[rhnault]

We were talking about an outing to ABC Seafood in St Pete. Maybe you could come along for that one. I would love to meet you!

[Mild Bill]

Thank you----- likewise....
And I will be there...

[gfr1111]

If you go to ABC Seafood, I would like to come, too. Alas, I missed the Chinese restaurant showdown because I left for a long-planned trip to Germany, Switzerland, and France the day before you met for the showdown. Please tell when, if your plans solidify. Thanks for the review, Andy. It was great.

[rhnault]

I missed meeting you! I hope we can all go to ABC Seafood soon.

[RibDog]

Let's pick a date and set it up!

[rhnault]

You have my email from when we were making plans prior? We are actually good for this Fri or Sat night even.

[Mild Bill]

I'm hungry...

[rhnault]

Let's go!

[rhnault]

You are able to make the trip this Sunday?

[Mild Bill]

Thanks for asking....
Yeah, I think so...

I have this weird pain at the base of my ribs that I think is some kind of hernia---- and the pain is brought to life when I eat anything beyond 'lite'...

I have a doctors appointment for that following Wednesday...

So---------- I won't go crazy...
I don't want to miss this opportunity to meet & hang out with you guys...

[rhnault]

we can order healthy food too!
It was fun last time because we tried a lot of dishes but didn't really "pig out"

[CFishman]

Please mark one vote for pigging out.

[Mild Bill]

Alright!
Crispy Pig Intestines for the room!

[rhnault]

I have already had my once in a lifetime try at CY. They were good but not going to make my regular list. Maybe y'all can find something else exotic for me to try.

[CFishman]

Jellyfish with beef tendon is very good at ABC. I am just saying that last time we split one meal in to two so this time we should cram two meals into one. It would only be fair, right?

[rhnault]

Ok, I'll try it. Never had it and I trust you because you did not lead me wrong on the last excursion!

[Mild Bill]

When I was conducting my own showdown, comparing the two tampa restaurants by ordering similar dishes at each, I ordered the CPI at China Yuan and they were cut in a thicker, less crispy, way---- kinda lengthwise----and were challenging...

At Yummy House they're cut into thin rings and I always order them 'well done/extra crispy'...
That, along with the sweet dipping sauce and the sweet pickled vegetables on the side, makes them much more appealing and delicious...

Jus' saying that if you had them the way I did at China Yuan I wouldn't blame you for not liking them...

[rhnault]

I thought they were good at CY. with the Mustard greens. Tasty.

[andy huse]

agreed. much better crispy texture than i expected.

[rhnault]

When we had them at CY they were in rings and moderately crispy. Not at all the way you describe them. They must have figured out round and crispy is better.