Tasting Menu, $115, November 2017 After months of trying to score a reservation, I was happy to find out that Alo had changed its booking system to every first Tuesday of the month for the following month's seating. On that fateful Tuesday at 10am, I clicked and refreshed for 15 minutes and ended up with a 9:15pm spot. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience...

Makes 40 Ingredients 2 cups butter, softened 1 cup superfine sugar 1/2 cup cornstarch  3 1/2 cup flour  2 bars Toblerone (or chocolate chips) Method  1. Preheat oven to 350F. 2. Cream butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy  3. Add in cornstarch and flour to butter mixture, gradually 4. Fold in chocolate.  5. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto tray,...

Red Top Farms Wagyu ($270)– MO, USA, Bone in Striploin 18oz Cooked medium rare, this was very soft, yet too salty for my liking. Red Top Farms Wagyu ($270)– MO, USA, Bone in Striploin 18oz Cooked medium rare, this was very soft, yet too salty for my liking. ...

Date: September, Birthday Dinner Price: Four Course Prix Fixe $65 + $13~ for a glass of Sauv Blanc ...

Date: September, Birthday Dinner Price: $160 Omakase Food (3/5 for Cooked; 4/5 for Sashimi): One of the courses was a deep fried scallop. I feel it's not good use of a fresh scallop; it would be better seared or raw. My favorite course was the Sashimi which included my favorite fish - Stripe Jack. Out of the sushi course, I enjoyed the Argentina...

Weekend road trip to Chicago in mid-October. ...

The former Khao San Road space has now been transformed into a Royal Thai dining room, with tons of gold/brass and jewel tones. We came around 5:30pm on a weeknight and were lucky to snag a spot at the bar, but reservations are recommended.   Roy Thai - royal Thai dumplings, $12/person for 4 pcs - Definitely a must order (contains peanuts). My favorite...