State Bliss Blog

This content is intended for audiences over the age of 21+. 

Loco moco, a plate of ground beef patties, rice, eggs, and gravy, is one of the ultimate Hawaiian comfort foods. That classic dish is getting a unique twist, though, as a restaurant is subbing the patties out for lengua, or beef tongue.

This Lengua Loco Moco was crafted by chef Nikko Marquez at The Recess Room in Fountain Valley, CA. His take holds true to most components of the Hawaiian classic, but swaps out the traditional patties for braised beef tongue.

The lengua takes 3 days to make, starting with a brine of salt, brown sugar, black pepper, coriander, soy sauce, parsley, thyme, chile de arbol, bay leave, and garlic. That marinates overnight before it’s braised, cooled overnight, and then seared on day 3 to get a crunch on the outside.

For the actual plate, Marquez starts with a 24-hour beef demi-glace, and layers on cipollini onions, slices of the beef tongue, pickled cucumbers, and rice seasoned with togarashi and furikake. The dish is topped off with another slice of lengua, a crispy seasoned fried egg, green onion, and nori.

The dish is paired with a cocktail featuring Nankai Shochu called the Ohana. The flavors of Nankai’s shochu, caramelized pineapple, vanilla, lime, rum, and blackstrap bitters balance perfectly with the richness of the loco moco.

Marquez’s Lengua Loco Moco paired with the Ohana headline a new menu now running at Recess that features dishes paired with Nankai Shochu cocktails. In total, there are 4 drinks and 8 dishes in this lineup, with two dishes pairing as a “course” with each individual drink.

The full list of pairings is as follows:

Course 1

Chicken Fried Mushrooms - maitake mushroom, Louisiana hot sauce, house buttermilk sauce
Wagyu “Poke” Tartare - American wagyu beef, shoyu, sesame oil, togarashi, Okinawa potato chips

Paired With: The Olive Garden - Avocado infused Shochu, olive brine, salt, celery

Course 2

Grilled Persimmon - avocado, fish sauce vinaigrette, shiso, sesame, coriander
Lengua Loco Moco - Braise Beef Tongue, furikake rice, veal Demi - glace, quick pickled cucumbers, crunchy fried egg

Paired With: The Ohana – Caramelized pineapple, vanilla, Rum, lime, Shochu, black strap bitter

Course 3

Pork Belly Smoky Risotto - Bulgar wheat risotto, smoked dashi, delicata squash, cumin carrot puree, pickled mustard seed
Bone Marrow Mac n Cheese with a Shochu Bone Marrow Luge Shot - Bacon jam, mozzarella, Swiss, cheddar, gruyere, white parmesan

Paired With: The Xocolate - Shochu, Sherry, Porto wine, Campari & xocolatl mole

Course 4

Duck Confit Noodles - Chinese five spice cured duck leg, soba noodles, bok choy, scorched rice tea
Cowboy Steak - American Wagyu Bone-in Ribeye, ponzu butter, charred red onion, grilled cabbage, crispy potatoes

Paired With: The Ugly Duckling - Sesame seed-infused Shochu, cold brew, orange juice, clove, lemon & nutmeg

If you’re interested in trying the Lengua Loco Moco, the Ohana, or any of the other creative dishes and Nankai Shochu cocktails on The Recess Room’s limited-edition menu, they’ll be around for the next month.

Created in partnership with Nankai Shochu. 

Whether or not 2018 has been good to you, it’s coming to an end, and it’s time to celebrate. That means turning up the queso as much as all the other attendees at your New Year’s Bash.

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Rare, Medium Rare or Well done, we know you know what we are talking about!

The all-time favorite dish for any occasion is no other STEAK.

Yes, a slice of juicy and tender grilled meat –or sometimes fried- is everyone’s favorite.

Most of the time, meat is served during the most special occasion as it can be expensive and should always be juicy. Some are having a hard time making one mainly when telling if it’s well done or rare. This is why most of us look for steak houses that offer delightful meals.

This places are often different from the other, still there are restaurants that may not be able to satisfy or fulfill their customer’s requirement.

This makes reading reviews and listing very important especially if you are preparing for a very special dinner with executives or the most special person in your life.

Well, we want to help you out. We researched and tried several steakhouses in California.

And today is the day for the big reveal.

Sit back and prepare your tummy for an appetizing list.

The Hitching Post

https://www.hitchingpost2.com/abouttheHPII.html

This bar won’t be featured in Forbes Magazine’s “10 Great BBQ Joint in the USA” if it’s not one of the best right?! The place looks old school from inside out but that won’t stop the guests from coming in because its steak is as tender as the love of the locals to this place. How did it became the best? Well, simply because of its unique style of California "live oak" barbecuing, slow-cooking over an open fire so its meat boasts a fuller flavor than traditionally grilled streaks. This don’t just make each slab juicy, hence the view of each steak under a flaming fire is such an entertainment to each guests.

Fleming’s Steakhouse

https://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/locations/ca/newport-beach

We don’t know with you but the Fleming’s Steakhouse in Newport is one of the best for us. You can find a Fleming’s in Los Angeles but this one is really our favorite. In the middle of your shopping or beach time, a slab of a tender steak from this cozy please will surely make your day more amazing. You might want to order a smaller portion to keep up with your diet but still you will love each bite as its juiciness burst out in your mouth. The Fleming’s offers a lot of choices in steaks. They have their signature steaks where in the Main Filet Mignon is a must try.

Mastro’s Steakhouse

http://lovebeverlyhills.com/articles/view/best-steakhouses-in-beverly-hills

If you want to go for something fancy that will surely make anyone feel extra special, then take him/her to Mastro’s Steakhouse. No worries, this restaurant has several branches in California so going to the one nearest you is the best idea. From the outside, you can already tell that something elegant will be seen inside. Well, it’s not just their interior but also each plate looks very tempting. Order the 48 oz double cut Porterhouse and you will surely make that moment one of the most memorable moment of your life. We’re not exaggerating things but dining in at Mastro’s is truly a night you will never forget.

House of Prime Rib

https://www.opentable.com/house-of-prime-rib

It’s time to travel back in time as each meal in the House of Prime Rib brings you back to its humble beginnings. This might be one of the oldest restaurants but it still remained as one of the best in its field despite all the modern newcomers. Why? Well, the name of this restaurant clearly say why. It is dedicated in serving their customers the best and the juiciest beef you will ever have. From the selection of beef, to aging and even to carving and roasting, this place makes sure that each process has the perfect quality. The only problem that you will have is choosing if you want it rare or well-done and the size of slab you can take.

Gwen

https://www.cntraveler.com/restaurants/los-angeles/gwen

Another fascinatingly elegant restaurant can be found in Los Angeles. Gwen might be a newcomer in the meat industry but it has already made a mark in the food industry. The master, Chef Curtis Stone is one of the main reason why it became the best. His technique of cooking every slab of meat is truly remarkable. Whether you order their famous steak or you opt to go for something else, you won’t regret it. Plus, this place ensure that each ingredient is really the best one they can get. This is truly a home for elegant fine dining.

5A5 Steak Lounge

https://www.opentable.com/r/5a5-steak-lounge-san-francisco

If you want to eat in a steak house that is a bit trendier yet not too fancy, then try 5A5 Steak Lounge. The inside of this place will surely take you out of this world. Its ceiling and amazing sitting will surely make you feel cozy and mesmerized. The name is the clue of what this place offers. You will see a Japanese inspiration here as it used the five senses and A5 grade Japanese Wagyu. Aside from that, the menu is filled with other Japanese inspired dishes like their lobster tempura. This place will truly give you the best Japanese steak house experience.

West Steak and Seafood

https://kingofhappyhour.com/sandiego/bars/west_steak_seafood

Truly on of the best in the west is the West Steak and Seafood in Carlsbad. Since its opening in the late 2015, it has made an impression to its guests right away. This is why it became the local’s favorite dining place. This place make sure that each plate will hold the freshest ingredients and the highest quality of meat they can get. They even took an effort to create their own garden just to ensure the quality of each vegetable they will serve. Their plate of steak paired with a glass of wine will certainly make your night extraordinary.

Alexander’s Steakhouse

https://foodcomas.com/2011/01/15/alexanders-steakhouse/

There is no reason for us to miss out in including Alexander’s Steakhouse on this list! It has been a part of several list so it truly deserve to be a part of ours. Alexander’s have branches all over California so you won’t have a hard time finding one. This place is not just about their Japanese inspired wagyu beef. Their chef prepares finesse-laden starters and small plates that will surely make your tummy full. This is a perfect go-to place when celebrating the most memorable days of your life.

Food is life.

A foodie or not, every one of us has a favorite meal.

And in California, locals- even tourists, adores not just the classic American snack and dishes but also those from other countries. One of those all-time favorite is Sushi.

As we all know, sushi originated from Japan and has been a great symbol of the country’s culture and tradition. This usually have raw seafood, vegetables, tropical fruits and vinegared rice which is also called the Japanese rice.

But, why do did it became a favorite in California? Well, maybe because of the abundant supply of fresh seafood and the amazing flavor it gives. It might not be too attractive for kids, adults really seem to enjoy each piece.

With this love for sushi, the Japanese restaurants in this state really boomed.

You know us, we always want to give you the best of the best however there are just too many of them. So now, we have listed the most amazing sushi restaurants in Los Angeles- and maybe we can check out other cities next time.

Mori Sushi

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cathydanhphotography/5452236060

First on our list is the famous Mori Sushi. If you are a local in LA, you probably know this place. The sushi here were previously prepared by Chef Mori. Even though he does not make them anymore, this restaurant made sure that the quality and dedication is remains the same. The great thing about this place is that they serve different sushi every season to ensure that they are serving the best and the freshest. This is a Michelin Star Restaurant and that is enough to show how great this place is.

Nozawa Bar

https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g32070-d4409097-i178282566-Nozawa_Bar-Beverly_Hills_California.html

If you are in Beverly Hills and you want to try something new and exciting, then dry by Nozawa Bar. This bar is named under the famous founding chef Nozawa but is owned by his good friend and colleague, chef Fujita. Aside from the bar’s coziness despite its fancy look and the view of each chef creating each delicacy, the reason why people visit the place is their authentic live Japanese octopus and squid. Who wouldn’t want to experience seeing those sea creatures?! And let us not forget their eye catching and certainly delectable sushi. This place is certainly a favorite when it comes to fancy Japanese dining.

Hama Sushi

https://www.yelp.ca/biz/hama-sushi-los-angeles?hrid=l7xAzj87wmV2k700qbsGpQ&rh_ident=spicy_tuna_hand_roll&rh_type=phrase

Hama Sushi is one of the first sushi bar in Los Angeles. It has a one of a kind ambiance yet it still has the classic look of a Japanese sushi bar. Once you enter the place, you will immediately notice the ingredients lined in front of the counter table where you can eat. On the other side, you will see the chefs prepare each sushi. With its openness and the friendly feel of the place, locals and tourists started loving this place from the day they first went in. So if you want to enjoy or experience a traditional Japanese cuisine, this is the place to be in.

Sugarfish

https://www.laweekly.com/best-of/2015/readers-choice/readers-choice-best-sushi-6070853

There’s no need to ask why Sugarfish made it into our list. IT DESERVES TO BE A PART OF EVERY LIST! Yes, we really insisted on that because this place is home to traditional Japanese sushi in Los Angeles. Having chef Nozawa as their inspiration, they stand that each sushi served is the best. The place has the typical Japanese restaurant sitting however they managed to fused in some American style to blend with the community. Once you step in, you will immediately notice the fancy lights in the ceiling and classy tables and chairs that will truly make your stay wonderful.

Asanebo

https://es.discoverlosangeles.com/blog/best-sushi-restaurants-sushi-row-and-beyond

If you are looking for a high end dining experience in which sushi is up front, then visit Ansanebo in Studio City. From the fact that it is a Michelin starred restaurant, there is no doubt that they are there to give you the best meals and sushi. Hollywood stars goes in and out of this place just to have a taste of their delicious food. The interior of this restaurant will make you travel to Japan. From the ceiling to all the decorations, all are traditional Japanese inspired.

Kiriko Sushi

https://jp.discoverlosangeles.com/blog/best-sushi-deals-in-los-angeles

Kiriko Sushi is also one of the well-known sushi bar in LA. It is actually a part of several list we’ve checked. Though it is not the typical sushi bar where each sushi is lined up, it still serve mouthwatering ones. The price is not cheap though it’s not too expensive as well. Let’s just say that the food quality exceeds the price you’ll pay for it. They offer their sushi in meals for you to totally enjoy every order but if you really want it as snack, you can have it solo.

Sushi Ginza Onodera

https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g33252-d11966252-i247283465-Sushi_ginza_onodera_LA-West_Hollywood_California.html

The highest among all high end restaurant, Sushi Ginza Odera is a place full of elegance. Well, you can also see it in their menu. The price of each sushi is quite expensive but with the feel and taste of every piece, it deserve it. Also, each plate will definitely gain several likes on your instagram feed. The price will reach about $300 a person including service charges and taxes, but before drinks. This bar has branches worldwide. In fact, before it reached LA, there are successful stores in Tokyo and Hawaii already.

Q

https://gastronomyblog.com/2015/06/25/q-sushi-los-angeles/

If you’re going to meet with friends and you want to have some sushi, it will be a great idea to hang out in Q. The place is as inviting as its name- simple yet extremely appealing. The brick walls and the hanging ball of lights made it very cozy and relaxing. This is a restaurant serving omakase-only Japanese meals. With this, you can really tell their dedication in giving you the Japanese classics.

Iroha

Iroha is an old school yet very inviting Japanese restaurant. The place is field with Asian inspired decorations. Classic ceiling fans, bamboo chairs, wooden table and a long line of simple lights is what you’ll notice right away. Those items may sound boring yet once your there, you’ll feel very comfortable as if you have no other worries. This sushi bar has been there for years and was able to stand and go along with the trend. A must try is their yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño.

Sushi Gen

https://www.laweekly.com/location/sushi-gen-2190464

Last but definitely not the least is Sushi Gen. The lines of locals waiting for their seat in this sushi bar simply show that they are truly serving one of the best sushi in town. The great thing about it is it does not cost much and each plate is very eye catching and savory. The play of colors in each plate surely deserve an Insta post. Don’t miss out on their delicious and fresh sashimi.