Gourmet Food Trucks Are The Hip New Restaurants In Southern California

In Southern California, the old-fashioned sandwich trucks are being upgraded to mobile restaurants with menus as varied as the culture. In the face of chain restaurants and high operating costs, many small locally owned food businesses have disappeared and the catering truck industry is stepping into the gap.




The speed of the growth of this new development in the restaurant industry has, at times, created conflicts within some communities. The Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association was formed to attempt to create a set of "best practices" for operating within the changing industry. While the rules and regulations are still developing, the popularity of the movement with the general public is unquestioned.




One of the many ways the industry is changing is in the use of Web sites and Twitter to let customers know the schedules and locations of their favorite gourmet traveling restaurant. The various truck owners post schedules and menus so their "followers" can easily make plans to meet for their favorite meal. The possibilities are seemingly endless. From a simple grilled cheese to Japanese noodles, there's something for almost every taste.




The Grilled Cheese Truck - Whether you are looking for that simple grilled cheese or something more exotic, this menu has an answer to the search. The cheese offerings start with the routine American and extend to a creamy Brie (on Cranberry Walnut bread) or Gruyere with lots of savory additions and interesting sides.




Barbie's Q - If your preference is St. Louis style ribs or pulled pork sandwiches, Barbie's can supply it along with the traditional sides. They even have a Veggie Burger for those who love barbecue but don't eat meat. Like many other gourmet food trucks, they also cater.




Skewers on Wheels - A non-traditional meal choice for many Americans, food on skewers lends itself to a wide variety of textures and flavors. From Shiitake mushrooms or tofu to Hawaiian spam pineapple the skewers can be paired with a salad and create a full meal for any taste preference.




TastyMeat - Meat lovers can choose from beef, lamb, or chicken in a savory sauce; add lettuce, tomato, and onions, then wrap it in a fresh flatbread for a delicious quick meal.




Kogi - Combine Korean barbecue with Mexican style and you get Spicy Pork Tacos or Short Rib Burritos and they haven't forgotten the vegetarians either, Tofu comes in either a taco or a burrito.




Asian Soul Kitchen - For a more traditional Asian meal, try Japanese soul food. Sample Yakisoba, a combination of noodles, veggies, and a flavorful sauce or for a more filling meal order Nijukaga a hearty stew of beef, potatoes, and noodles in a Bonita broth.




Even the old-fashioned ice cream trucks are leaping onto the gourmet, twittering bandwagon.




Coolhaus - Make an ice cream sandwich to order with your favorite cookie and ice cream. Choose from six cookie flavors and fill them with your choice of more than twenty ice creams. From the traditional vanilla bean to white chocolate macadamia, they make an ice cream sandwich new.




Get Shaved - Shaved ice may sound like another version of a "snow-cone", but the resemblance ends with the basic ingredient. These low-calorie (60-70 calories per 8 ounce serving) come in a myriad of flavors from Banana to Watermelon.




There are trucks that serve at most any hour of the day, from breakfast to dinner time. Whether you are looking for a Southwest Omelet or a slice of Pizza, there's a truck out there looking for your business. Twitter is the easiest way to keep track, but many are also on Facebook or have their own Web sites.

Top 5 Restaurants in Australia

One thing Australia is certainly not short on is first class restaurants. There are an abundance of wonderful restaurants where you are sure to be more than satisfied with the delicious cuisine, with many of the country's top restaurants being located in the larger cities of Melbourne and Sydney.

Here are our pick of the top 5 restaurants in Australia, with each of them having won at least one award, although some of them have gained a reputation for winning numerous prestigious food industry awards.

1. Bilson's Restaurant - Sydney City, New South Wales

Bilson's Restaurant offers the ultimate in fine dining experiences, perfect for a luxury honeymoon or romantic dinner. This elegant restaurant, owned by well-known restaurateur Tony Bilson, even boasts its own sommelier and cheese expert.

When dining at Bilson's Restaurant, guests can indulge in divine cuisine such as Lasagne of Freshwater Marron Lobster; Grilled Stuffed Truffled Pig's Trotter, Boudin Noir and Apple Puree, and Black Rockfish Quenelle with Petrossian Caviar.

2. Rockpool Bar and Grill - Southbank, Victoria

Melbourne's Southbank has numerous dining options, however by far the most outstanding is the award-winning Rockpool Bar and Grill. Located within the prestigious Crown Casino complex, at the Rockpool Bar and Grill patrons are offered more than just fine food - here you are treated to a complete dining experience.

Along with tasty morsels such as Lobster Omelette with Prawn Sauce, guests enjoy seeing the fresh produce that adorns the restaurant, including hanging small goods and the freshest of vegetables. The finest wines to complement your meals are stored at a constant 14o to ensure that they are always 'just right'.

3. Tetsuya's - Sydney City, New South Wales

Tetsuya's, in the very heart of Sydney, is not only one of the best restaurants in Australia, it has also won many international awards. Owned by Tetsuya Wakuda, Tetsuya's is an inviting restaurant in a heritage-listed building that makes patrons feel special from the moment they step inside.

Cuisine at Tetsuya's is a unique blend of Japanese and French, with the signature dish being Confit of Ocean Trout served with Unpasteurised Ocean Trout Roe. This could be followed with a delectable dessert such as Early Season Berries With Orange and Grand Marnier Jelly and Champagne Ice Cream.

4. Jacques Reymond - Prahran, Victoria

Jacques Reymond offers exquisite contemporary Australian cuisine and fine wine, and is popular for private dining along with boutique events. Set in a spectacular Victorian style mansion in Prahran, patrons can treat themselves to such fare as Seared Calves Liver or Black Lasagne of Blue Swimmer Crab, followed by Spiced Pineapple and Ginger Cream, Lemon Myrtle and Bush Pepper Berry Ice Cream.

5. The Grange Restaurant at The Hilton, Adelaide City, South Australia

This magnificent five star hotel restaurant combines the unique style of Asian culture with French techniques and Australian ingredients. The Grange Restaurant at The Hilton is run by legendary chef Cheong Liew who is recognised internationally for his fine cuisine.

Diners can enjoy delicious meals such as The Four Dances of the Sea - soused snook, raw calamari, squid ink noodles, octopus aioli and spiced prawn sushi followed with the Grange Dessert Dance W black rice palm sugar pudding with praline torte, watermelon spumé and chocolate figs.

For the ultimate in luxury holiday dining, dinner and overnight package deals are available.

Whether you are enjoying a romantic weekend away or indulging in a luxury Australian vacation, you are sure to find many exquisite restaurants around. However for something truly decadent, a dining experience at any of these top 5 restaurants in Australia will be sure to leave you will magical memories to last a lifetime.

Top Five Restaurants in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia - Part I

Downtown Norfolk offers casual dinner and a variety of fine dining options - each from Asia to the Mediterranean cuisine, steak and vegetarian. The proximity of downtown Norfolk, Elizabeth River, and to offer the elegant MacArthur Center for a stroll after dinner, and, to complete a romantic night on the town. Whether celebrating an anniversary or other places of interest in eating, or looking for a place in front of a movie, the restaurants of downtown Norfolk has a tablePending.

To prepare tries to have on your palate, while five of the first places to toast a friend and split an appetizer table.

Vintage Kitchen - 999 Waterside Drive - The exclusive restaurant is open for lunch every day, but only for dinner from Monday to Wednesday. The rest of the week is by appointment only, but worth an eclectic menu of small plates and appetizers such as fillets of age and juicy duck breast.

Domo Sushi - 273 Granby Street - Create your sushi fix-here. Treat yourself to wild and unique roles and old favorites, most Japanese dishes such as yakitori, sukiyaki and Yaki Soba noodles.

Big Easy Grill and Oyster Bar - 111 Tazewell Street - The Big Easy New Orleans brings a taste of the Mid-Atlantic. Chow etoufee on fried oysters, crawfish, Jambalaya and Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Friday evening and Saturday to stop live music.

Shula's 347-235 E Main Street - For the serious steak lovers only, Norfolk Shula's Franchiseoffer prime cuts as well as a variety of delicious dishes like mushroom ravioli, seared ahi tuna, and pecan crusted salmon. This is high-class dining at its finest.

Byrd & Baldwin Bros. Steakhouse - 116 Brooke Ave - White tablecloths and an elegant atmosphere welcome you to relaxed, upscale dining. Enjoy Byrd and Baldwin's unique twist on Oysters Rockefeller, along with cuts of prime aged beef from the 8 ounce filet to the 24 ounce Porterhouse.

Part II of this article will track other five must-eat in the center area of Norfolk. Enjoy!

Noodles and More at Noodle Bar - Restaurants in Hyderabad

What you see - simple but elegant and small, but large, the Noodle Bar in Hyderabad Central offers much more loads of pasta dishes. Now it seems a restaurant in the lobby of modest size, but will say "looks can be deceiving" , proves to be the right place with this! Because soon you will learn that the three series of restaurants - Bombay Blue, Noodle Bar and Copper Chimney - one family are in possession of a neighbor, and under theBlue Foods banners.

In none of these three restaurants, where glass acts as a partition, and you, by all means the feeling of being in a great restaurant to get there. Although the kitchens are separate, since they serve different cuisines, the bar is common to all three. The bar serves cocktails, alcoholic cocktails and alcohol.

What you get - usually serves lunch and dinner at the Noodle Bar offers Thai, Japanese, Chinese and otherOriental cuisine and is quite vast with both the starters as well as the main course. One good thing about the menu is that it is self-explanatory. If the quaint names of some of the dishes make you wonder, then the accompanying description give you a lucid account of what to expect.

Try their special Tom Yam Thai (Thai soup with noodles, veggies and wantons) and dim sums for starters. Another specialty of the place is the Teppanyaki sizzlers. Try these out if you would like to get an idea of the Japanese style of cooking. These are available in both the vegetarian and the non-vegetarian variety.

If you, however, are of the kinds who prefers to stick to what you usually eat then go ahead and get your own choice of tossed noodles made. The servings here are (more than) sufficient for one person. Otherwise the Noodle Bar Signature - a combo of rice and noodles with vegetables - can stand as a meal in itself. By the way, there is no better way of ending it than with the sizzling brownie here. A scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with heavenly hot chocolate fudge is how we would define it.

The verdict - If your craving for a perfect Chinese luncheon has remained unfulfilled of late, then Noodle Bar is a good and a gratifying option. Veggies have enough to choose from over here even though it serves non-vegetarian food as well. You need not wait long for your meal to arrive here. Hospitality, in fact, may just become another reason for you to step in again. All in all, a great way to end your shopping endeavor at Hyderabad Central.