Chowvel:Traveling to Eat

Review
If you hear Chinatown, the first thing that doesn’t come to mind is Banh Cuon. Nestled in a small strip mall in Chinatown lies Hoan Kiem, which is known for its banh cuon. Banh Cuon is rice based crepe filled with some sort of meat and vegetables, usually served with fish sauce and garnished with cilantro, cucumbers, and pork meatloaf. This place is also known for it’s Pho Ga or chicken Pho. The broth is hearty and homemade. If you’re feeling a cold coming down, stop by Hoan Kiem and grab a bowl, it’s tastes better than any medicine you’ll ever take. The hours are a bit inconvenient since it closes early for dinner hours, but a nice spot for a quick weekend lunch.

Review
To get to Bainbridge Island, take one of the ferries that take you from the port of Seattle over to many of the small islands just outside of Seattle. If you have a car, transport your car over as well to drive around and explore the island a bit. The island is home to a small pedestrian friendly mall and tucked in a busy little corner you can find Emmy’s Vege House which is a Vietnamese food stand that’s strictly vegan. Order up your food at the window and they’ll throw some vegan kabobs on the grill. The kabobs are a bit too salty for my taste, but it does have the same texture as regular meat kabobs. Change it up a bit and if you find yourself on this cozy this little, stop by and have a try.

Review
If you ever find yourself in the city of Victoria, British Columbia, and you’re looking for some decent pizza, try to stop by at Pizza Zone. It reminds you a bit of Pizza Hut, but better. There’s not much excitement in the city, if you like gardens then Buschart Gardens is about an hour bus drive away, but the highlight of the trip there was Pizza Zone and the meatlovers (420) pizza, but that isn’t saying much.

Review
In the popular confines of Pike’s Place, you will find a Chinese pastry stand. Forget the pastries and just go for the BBQ Pork Hom Bow. It could be the weather mixed with the warmed of the Hom Bow, but boy does the two fit together. One bite of the warm hom bow warms you right up just like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day. If you are in the Seattle area, Hom Bow is a place to stop by for a quick snack while you trek through the craziness of Pike’s Place.

Review
When you think good Mexican food outside of Mexico, you think San Diego. When you find good Mex on the total opposite side of San Diego, it’s a pleasant surprise. The taco plate special gives you quality tacos at just under 6 bucks, affordable for anyone. The quality of the tacos are similar to the roach coaches you find all over Los Angeles. To get an idea, I would put this place up there with the better tasty roach coaches. This place a chain up in the Seattle area, so if you see one driving around Seattle, stop by for a taco or two, just like desert, there’s always room for one taco.