Things don't have to be perfect to have a good time..

Sometimes we think that, to have a good time, the event we had planned must execute perfectly. I don't deny occasions when I've become a wet towel when things didn't go as I had anticipated. But one should realize, most of the time, it's not the things you do, but the people and the time that you spend doing those things with, that really make all the difference!

During my last trip to Hong Kong, my mother and I tried to make pork floss springrolls for our family. It turned out to be a frustrating process, as the springroll skin from the supermarket was too dry to roll and stick to itself. Nevertheless, it was one of the most memorable experiences I've had this trip, amid all the family visits and catching up with old friends, because we just ended up having fun making different shapes and experimenting with what would work with the skin (read: creativity at work!). Also it was a rare time where I could sit down with my mum and make things with her (I'm away so much during the year), so it really meant a lot to me.

The photos probably doesn't look like much, but the feelings behind them weigh a ton.

Golden Island Cafe (San Francisco)

We were in the area for a haircut and decided to try this place while passing by. 

Yelp reviewers said that the fruit here is fresh and the mango sago is especially popular. Indeed it lived up to the reviews. We are fans of sago, and this didn't disappoint! I also had the steamed/curdled milk with ginger, which was nice too. It was a little soft, but that was ok! Not too expensive for dessert, at $4 for each item. The menu looked pretty authentic to Hong Kong cafe cuisine, so we will probably try the food next time!

1300 Noriega St

(between 20th Ave & 21st Ave) 

San Francisco, CA 94122

Neighborhood: Outer Sunset

(415) 759-9118

http://goldenislandsf.com/

Cooking Papa Restaurant (Santa Clara)

Cooking Papa is one of our favourite Hong Kong restaurants in the Bay Area. The food is pretty authentic, and the portions hearty yet affordable. We like their HK milk tea, lemon tea, roast duck, char siew, ricerolls etc. Basically everything we've had so far haven't disappointed yet. Not only are the ricerolls thin enough, they don't scrimp on the ingredients, but also they give you peanut sauce and sweet sauce without having you to ask for it. Believe me, I've gotten weird looks at some other places when I asked for those sauces ( apparently people have not heard of them before..?). Plus, if you order the dough fritter (you tiao) riceroll, the dough fritter is always still hot and crispy.
I also applaud them for getting fishballs right (it's rather difficult to find a place that makes Hong Kong fishballs with the right taste, texture and bounciness), which came with their fish soup noodles. My boyfriend also likes getting their sha-yong (chinese doughnuts), which arrives hot, fluffy and coated with sugar.

Posting photos of our latest trip..

We had the appetizer plate (fried tofu, fried chicken wings, curry fishballs), on-choi with fermented shrimp paste, and honey pepper spareribs. Yummy!

My only problem with the food so far was the MSG in the watercress and fish broth soup, that irritated my tongue when I had it for leftovers the next day. Still delicious though.

On a non-tastebud related note, it never fails to fascinate me that they play video clips of the chef cooking his key dishes. Really plays on human psychology. The food certainly looks appetizing, and they show how generous they are with their portions. Very effective advertisement that acts on your subconsciousness and makes you order more dishes than you intended. Almost everyone orders the sha-yong for dessert. After all, who can resist after watching the same clip 3 times during your main courses??

There are two branches, one in Santa Clara and the original in Foster City. Whenever we have the time, we like going to the Foster City one, it being on the waterfront, with pretty good views of the nice houses across the canal. 

http://www.mycookingpapa.com/

2830 Homestead Road	949A Edgewater Blvd
Santa Clara, CA 95051	Foster City, CA 94404