Review: The Coolhaus Shop ★★★

Pistachio 

Mango - Non Milk

The first thing you will like about this place is the colder than usual air conditioning, which is great considering how the summer has been in Pasadena, hitting triple digits in September. It seems like they are open during construction and it looks like it is not closed, but has actually been open for some time already. This one has one restroom, which most ice cream shops don't. There's only one big table there. The staff was friendly and helpful and the ice cream claims to be organic which I can't taste the difference anyway. I picked the Pistachio and other Yelpers tend to choose the Mango one more regularly, but both are good flavors. The Pistachio appears to melt way too quickly. 

The price is definitely on the high side, $4 for one scoop, and I don't think it's worth that price unless you are actually in the area. I added $1 to make an ice cream sandwich which makes more sense. They also sell small containers to go and those cost $12. For that much I expect that ice cream to be made in-house, but this, just like most ice cream shops, came from a warehouse.

Review: Hello Gelato ★★★★

The first thing you will like about this place is the colder than usual air conditioning, which is great considering how the summer has been in Pasadena, hitting triple digits in September. It seems like they are open during construction and it looks like it is not closed, but has actually been open for some time already. This one has one restroom, which most ice cream shops don't. There's only one big table there. The staff was friendly and helpful and the ice cream claims to be organic which I can't taste the difference anyway. I picked the Pistachio and other Yelpers tend to choose the Mango one more regularly, but both are good flavors. The Pistachio appears to melt way too quickly. 

The price is definitely on the high side, $4 for one scoop, and I don't think it's worth that price unless you are actually in the area. I added $1 to make an ice cream sandwich which makes more sense. They also sell small containers to go and those cost $12. For that much I expect that ice cream to be made in-house, but this, just like most ice cream shops, came from a warehouse.

Review: Mr. Baguette ★★★ 3/4

Egg and Ham 8" Banh Mi $2.75

Many people like Subway, but not me.  I prefer a nice Vietnamese Sandwich otherwise known as Banh Mi. It costs less and you get a much better quality sandwich.  Mr. Baguette is one of the better Banh Mi peddlers around this area. They have their own private parking lot as well as security plus the addition of an outdoor seating area for smokers.  Their baguette is second to none and the price is about right.  I like that they have a Sesame Seed Baguette.  They don't give you a lot of meat here.

This one doesn't sell premade food like many other places as they mainly focus on baguettes and Vietnamese Iced Coffee similar to any Lee's Sandwich location. This is a great substitute to fast food which costs more or possibly the same.

Review: Minato Japaneese Seafood Buffet ★★ 2/3

Sushi were better than expected.

Chocolate moose looks good but too cold and sweet,

Didn't get sick after eating this.

This restaurant is just another Chinese knockoff to make people think that it is a Japanese Buffet like Ichiban.  The quality of the food is similar to Zen Buffet but, you get better than average Sashimi and Sushi for a buffet.  The food selection is quite limited though: 

[Good Part]

Sushi - This is their main strength as the Sushi had good presentation and tasted good.

Salmon Sashimi - Not bad quality. I like the presentation.

Snow Crab and most other Seafood - They were stocked most of the time and there was no need to keep waiting like some other places.  Other than the claims I found the quality is pretty good for a buffet

[Mediocre Part]

The dessert - Looks good, but is stored in freezing cold temperatures and some of the cakes have too much sugar.

Mongolian BBQ - Not bad at all. They cut the steaks very thin, but the vegetables aren't too fresh.

[Foods to Avoid]

Fruit - Almost all the fruit was no good except the melons; even the bananas were dark and looked inedible.

Tuna Sashimi- Way too cold and is a low quality.

[Missing]

Roast Beef - This is first time I didn't see this item on a Chinese Dinner Buffet.

Forks - There's none in the tray, so you must ask your server for one.

Review: Shanghai No 1 Seafood Village ★★★★

Shui Mai was done it right

House Signature bun (Pan Fried Pork Bun) - Must get this nuff said !

Hot Stone Fried Rice - Not that great.

Upscale Decor

The best egg tart that I eat in L.A.

Some of the finest Chinese Restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley were those franchise  coming from a China (Sea Habour and King Hua).  Their price is a bit higher, but you are getting a higher quality.  The latest popular franchise addition here is Shanghai No.1 Seafood Village.

This review based on my two Dim Sum visits here during the week.

[Location] -  Located in a plaza with nothing but Chinese Restaurants where none of them have Cantonese Cuisine. 

[Parking] - Parking can be challenging on the weekend, but is manageable.

[Déco] -  The best décor for a Chinese Restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley hands down. Some of my friends that have described this place said it reminded them of when they were in China

[Service] -  Service is pretty good since this is considered an upscale restaurant.  The waiter's English is limited, so I suggest bringing someone who can speak Mandarin.

[Food]  - The price of dim sum ranges from $1.98 to $6.98

Shrimp Dumpling (M) - Not bad, good size, but wasn't fresh.

Pork & Shrimp Dumpling (M) - So good and was very tender.

Beef Ball with Orange Peel Sauce (S) - Great value and the Beef Balls are cooked a perfect medium well.

Steamed Rice Noodle with Spare Ribs (L) - The rice noodles were handmade which resulted in an excellent texture, but the ribs were mediocre at best.

Steamed Preserved Salty Egg Yolk Burn (M) - This tasted on par with King Hua and Sea Habour. The buns were hot and the Yolk will just melt in your mouth.

Baked BBQ Pork Bun (S) - Delicious and cheap.

Pan Fried Shanghai Style Bun (M) - Get this... nuff said! This is why people come here.

Pork with Thousand Egg Congee (SP) - The Congee was actually good but not worth for that price.

Stone Hot Pan Fried Rice with Pork ($8.99) - Some claim this is the best Fried Rice that they have ever had and I feel while it is very good that it is certainly not the best. It smells excellent and the rice had great texture but lacked meat,
The Dim sum quality isn't as good as King Hua or Sea Habour's but can gave the elites a run for the money. Most of their dishes are cheaper too.

The main reason why you should come is to try their Pan Fried Shanghai Style Bun which also served at dinner time; it is their signature and and one of a kind in the World.

After having a good experience twice with Dim Sum at lunch I came here Friday Night to try dinner to find out it wasn't the same quality and the service was noticeably slower than lunch. 

The food was a mixed result; some came out well, but others were just no good like the Fried Lamb Shop with Fries as it was too fatty and had hardly any meat.  The house special Braised Pork was very good but not worth the premium price.  I like the fact that you can still order the Pan Fried Buns at night; they were not as good quality as their Dim Sum, but still tasted good. 

I would come back here for Dim Sum, but not for dinner.  We were surprised to find that there was no waiting on a Friday night for dinner.

Review: Benten Ramen ★★★★

Free Roobos or Green Tea when order any Ramen

Reasonable priced ramen.

Ger your money worth here.

First of all, this place isnot part of the Benten Ramen chain in Japan. This Ramen Shop used to be Ton Chan Ramen.

[Location] - Located right next to the popular Golden Deli on the street between Mission and San Gabriel Blvd.

[Parking] – Parking is mostly management, but if it is getting full then just park on the Side Street.

[Décor]  -  Nothing to write home about. It has a very simple interior that lacks a TV and Restroom.

[Service] – Excellent service where the waiter gave us useful information about Ramen and their Tea.

[Food]  -  All orders of Ramen come with choice of green or organic Rooibos Tea.  Also their Ramen comes with the free small sushi rice bowl upon request. The portion of Ramen they give you is pretty generous. The Ramen I chose was Tsukemen.  You dip the Ramen into the broth bowl. The broth has a much heavier flavor but a smaller portion than other broth. The noodles were pretty big, but it seemed like the Udon was very chewy. 

Overall I was impressed with this place. I would definitely come back again to try the other Ramen. Each Ramen uses different noodles and broths.

Tip: Get $1 off a topping when you check in with your Yelp App.

Review: Miss Coffee ★★★★ 1/3

$16 Green Tea Shaved Ice - Not Worth it !

This one is located right next to Don Day Restaurant.  One thing that will shock you is their menu price; they charge $6 for just about any coffee.  You get one free refill, so it isn’t too bad.  The Shaved Ice costs $14 but is equal to 8 bowls. The ice isn’t Snowed Shaved Ice, but tasted more like Hawaiian Shaved Ice with some fruit options as well as Mocha. Few Yelpers in the reviews mention that this one is better than Class 302, but probably because this is one of the only few places that serves Shaved Ice in K-Town. 

Only in K-Town do you get a coffee shop named Mr. and Miss Coffee.  We settle for Miss Coffee since it is located in the same plaza as Don Day.  Despite the fact that this is a coffee shop their most popular item here is their Shaved Ice.  The Shaved Ice here is huge, but so is the price tag.  Costing over $14 to $16 per Shaved Ice it kind of reminds me of Guppy House.  This is not Snowed Shaved Ice but Hawaiian Style with fruits and Mocha for toppings.  Their ice melts too quickly and is too sweet.  Some of the group orders coffee which costs a whopping $6 each although it does come with one free refill, even that some said isn’t worth it. 

If you want some coffee or Shaved Ice and are around the area for KBBQ then this place is worth a try.