OK, Here we go..... I think it only fair to start with this photo as this trip to Tokyo, and the inspiration of these two guys with me in the photo, really kicked off my interest in exploring food, photographing said eats, and sharing/explaining my impressions of my experiences. So, to you David Chang and Anthony Bourdain, Cheers, and thanks. As I begin I think it only fair to explain a bit of what my purpose with this blog is. As you know, I do not participate in Facebook, and I wont go into why here, but I NEEDED a vehicle to communicate and connect with those in my life, both near and far. As the name implies, this will primarily be a blog about pizza. However, as this is mine, I will feel free to do and say as I damn well please, as it pleases me. So I hope to not offend or tiptoe too far over the line of appropriateness, but if I do, that's just too fucken bad. Enjoy. Pizza, food, life experiences, thoughts, feelings, rants, and more food. This is what you will find here. Please feel free to share and pass along to anyone you think might have an interest, as I hope you will as well. Sincerely yours, DVA

Monday, October 17, 2016

The SafeHouse North Park, San Diego, USA - Steamed Buns



http://www.thesafehousenp.com/

North Park, Saturday afternoon.  A Berkeley pie has been ordered and we now have a fricken hour to wait.  Who, What, Where the hell are we going to go?  For one, we're starving, and for two, ehhh we don't need any other reasons!  Let's go get some food!

The Safe House is just around the corner and we're thinking that steamed buns would be a great appetizer for the mega pie we're gonna put in our mouths later.

The Safe House is a decent ramen spot, along with other Izakaya type nibbles, the perfect place to kill some time and put some fuel in the tank.

Rhubarb Cider anyone?!?!  Yeah, I want!

I've been totally on a cider kick lately, I'm completely over the played-out beer scene in San Diego right now, plus that dang hop juice gets me so stupid full that it severely impacts my food intake volume, so cider has been the new go-to.  My current cider choice is not the sweet and overly fruity type (contrary to what some of you may think...) the dry and crisp game is where it's at for me these days, and this Rhubarb from Schilling takes the cake!  Just like I just said, light and crisp and just a hint of fruit.  Killer.

Let's steam some buns!!! 


They are $4 each, or 4 for $12, not a tough decision!

HG orders the Braised Duck and Char Siu Chicken.

Neither of my selections are listed on the menu that you'll find online.  
I'm having the Spicy Chicken and SPAM!

Let's go deeper into HG's buns before we check out my buns

Wait, WHAT?!?! 


Braised Duck

A soft light bun, good/decent duck flavor and the pickled veg with the Hoisin sauce rounds it out nicely.


Chinese style BBQ chicken with more of the pickled veg.  

Solid buns.


And now for the crushers!

Spicy Chicken

Deep fried chicken, Sriricha, pickled veg (again....).

Really crunchy and texturally awesome.  I don't know if there was any actual chicken in this, at all, and I really don't give two shits either, cause the flavor and crunch of the breading was enough for me.  I loved it.  And the play of the vinegar and spicy was another element that took this one to the top.  A really well composed bun.


And then the King Of All Of The Land

SPAM

The flavors of this bun are that of a traditional Banh Mi with the pickled carrot/daikon and cucumber, etc..   The SPAM is glazed with a very light eel sauce, and the porkiness of the "meat" just sings right through all of it.  

If I was here for a few hours watching a game I'd have had at least 4 or 5 of these, it was that good.


In summary, it looks like The Safe House has grown up a bit since my last visit.  The menu is more composed, thoughtful, sensible.  The items that remain have been worked and enhanced and improved over the past year-ish making just about everything I saw coming out of the kitchen something I'd at least want to try.

Ramen.  That's the next thing on my list.  I'll be back very soon for a bowl of that!

The Safe House, Sooooo good you just can't stop smiling

DVA


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