I love to eat: February 2014

Cafe Sierra! When looking for a great buffet that is equivalent to a Las Vegas Buffet is quite the hassle. There are ones that try to imitate a Vegas Buffet, but doesn't have the same taste or feel. I do remember my folks coming across an advertisement in the LA times about an all-you-can-eat buffet at Universal Hilton. We took the chance to come here and I would guess we came here first in 1995. The place has been here since and it's definitely the place where I can enjoy a nice prime rib, all you can eat Alaskan crab legs, etc. We have celebrated birthdays, holidays, and even brought relatives here from Hong Kong to try the eats in this place.

Most of the holidays that we have came here have been packed. What I love most about this place is their custom-sushi bar which doesn't exist anymore. :( But, I do get my moneys worth bye grubbing on the frozen crab legs, lobster tail, prime rib, and oysters if they have it that day. Not to mention, their signature hibiscus tea. The hibiscus tea has no competitor whatsoever. I haven't been able to find that tea anywhere. Now, this place also has music entertainment. Most buffets that I have visited don't have any sort of entertainment, unless its from the ceiling radio speakers. Here, you pay for what you get. There's a live piano musician that plays in the evening and it's very enjoyable to dine and enjoy some fine tunes. The price of the buffet varies, it will definitely be a lot more expensive during the holidays, but well worth the purchase. The food selection is quite amazing. There are a few dim sum dishes, crab legs, lobster tail, prime rib, sushi, crepe station, taco station, salad bar, and other dishes that I will let u find out on your own.

They do take reservations! If you are not a buffet eater, they also have a menu where you can order ala carte. But, when I'm here, I do the buffet! :)

This place deserves a 5-star approval. It definitely has the best staff and best food!

Lobster tail, sushi hand roll, dim sum, abalone

Oyster in shell

Chinese New Year Decor

A shark-watemelon!

Sushi hand rolls!!

Hibiscus Ice Tea

Buffet Bar

Shark Fin soup

Prime Rib, Lobster Tail, Mash Potatoes

Lobster Tail

Sushi, Sashimi

It's definitely difficult to find a decent Korean BBQ place in the San Fernando Valley. We, as students are worried about the prices and if it's a sweet deal. For me, it's definitely the prices and the taste of the food. You can pay a reasonable price, but the food will taste awful. BCD Tofu House is a chain of restaurants that exist in South Korea. So you definitely know that eating at BCD Tofu House is the real deal. There are other locations situated in Irvine and in Southern California. I have been here several times with family and friends. The selection of foods have been enjoyable. This restaurant is in medium size and can probably accommodate 50 people. There will always be good and bad things about any restaurant. No matter what weather is outside, the temperature in this restaurant is HOT!!!! I have been known to sweat more here than a sauna. Make sure to bring a face towel from home! The service, lately has been mediocre. Some of the staff are friendly, and some are just plain "attitude!" But, these ladies have been working here since the first time I came here. That's probably around 2005/2006? Almost 8-9 years.

Ok, well every dish is served with rice and it's served in a hot clay pot. Once you order whichever dish you decide to order, they scoop the rice out and pour hot water into the bowl. Later on, they will scoop all the rice from then clay pot and put into another bowl for you to drink. This usually cleanse out your palate and it definitely has a bland but refreshing flavor to it. The side dishes are always random, but the main one that is signature to all Korean restaurants is the "Kim Chi" which is fermented napa cabbage in the spicy sauces. Kim Chi is the "Korea's" signature and probably official dish. It can be sweetened and spiced up with different vegetables to accommodate different holidays, seasons, and people.

Now, for the dishes, for a green-horn or a first-timer.. I advise you to order the combo. The combo comes with a tofu soup that most would enjoy. The portions of your main dish is a little bit less, but you come here also for the tofu soup. The spiciness is very different from "American" spiciness. Just to forewarn all of you foodies. You've been warned, so make sure you ask them about the different levels of spicy. Asians spice up their foods intensively!!!!

Some favorite dishes is the bulgogi ( sliced lean meat), galbi (sliced pork rib) with all their unique flavors which are very sweet and tasty. Also, if you want something other than beef, definitely try the spicy raw crab. The crab is spiced up so much, the chili helps to make the raw crab edible. As for drinking, just order the hot tea. Trust me. It's refreshing. So, I hope to have opened your eyes somewhat to try something amazing or maybe your first and last time to eat something not to your liking. I definitely give this restaurant a 5 star-rating. Even though the staff is not that great at times, but the food is phenomenal. It beats out other restaurants that are not like the all-you-can-eat style. There is one, in particular I will review on in the future. But definitely check this place out!