Thrifting: Goodwill Finds @ Lynnwood WA July 20th

Posted by Bun

 

Mid-week visit to Goodwill. Going later in the day, I imagine that most of the good stuff has been picked already. This is the time that you go digging for gold. I didn't walk away with any of these items, but they caught my eye.

This is from a brand called Kikwear California.. Never heard of it, but it looked interesting, with a streetwear vibe.

Sleeve cuff detail.

 

This would be a nice pick up and it was in my size, but I already have a few light jackets. I was really tempted because of the color and fabric, but decided it didn't need to come home with me, and it isn't an easy look to pull off on its own. You would probably want to build around this kind of piece. 

These were short that caught my attention.$5.99 in size XL.

 

This toggle detail is really what caught my eye.Not sure it is really useful, but interesting. 

The brand is Epoche Sports? I could not find any information on line for it.

I really liked this black Sherpa collared coat.

 

This shirt/light jacket caught my eye, but a bit tacky and trying too hard to be different. Maybe not practical, but it is an interesting thought.

 

This is a riding jacket I think, and it was heavy and well constructed. I looked up the brand Kerr and it is a motorcycle jacket. The silhouette isn't flattering, but it had unique details that I can draw inspiration from.

 

Just an asymmetric zippered collar sweater. Not even sure if it was in the right department, but eye-catching nonetheless.

Ingredient Review: Smoked Gouda Cheese @ Safeway

Posted by Bun

Ever since trying the smoked mozzarella pasta salad at Whole Foods, I've been a bit obsessed with smoked cheeses. We ran across this Primo Taglio Classics Smoked Gouda Cheese at Safeway, as we wanted to use it for sandwiches and the regular Lucern brand was out of stock (supply chain and inflation related). This is now my favorite cheese to use in anything that calls for cheese. You wouldn't know it, but once you grate it, the salt crystals become pronounced and makes the cheese pop. I don't know if that is a thing with gouda, or cheeses in general, but this was a new experience that I wanted over and over. Eat it by itself to see what I'm talking about, then try it on anything that calls for cheese. You won't be disappointed.

JaLaoPino Approved: Hosoonyi @ Edmonds - Korean food with no frills

Posted by Bun.

On Aurora in the Edmonds area, tucked away in a small plaza is our favorite Korean spot in the north end. A staple since college, the friendly people at Hosoonyi serve familiar but authentic Korean food that warms the soul. 

The menu isn't overwhelming, with many of the staple dishes you find at other restaurants. What makes this place stand out is that it hasn't changed. I've had many people tell me that it reminds them of home cooking. It is rather cliche, but in an era where presentation is over the top for the gram, Hosoonyi has always focused on simple dishes that just taste good. 

If you are in the neighborhood, try the bulgogi, daeji bulgogi, galbi, bi bim bop, and enjoy the multitude of banchan sides with purple rice. Solid food all around, and everyone is welcomed like it was your Korean grandma's kitchen. 

The Yummy Summary

The Food: Bulgogi, Daeji Bulgogi, Galbi

Taste -9 out of 10  Being my go-to for Korean food, I am a little biased. Food is solid, and what I would consider traditional. All other Korean restaurants are basically compared to Hosoonyi. That being said, everything that I've tried on the menu has been delicious and it has stayed that way for a long time.

Texture - 8 out of 10. Overall, Korean food is above average when it comes to textures in food. Special attention is paid to a mix of textures, and that is always apparent in what is served as banchan. Hosoonyi is no different, and the variety of pickled, crunchy sides in contrast to the fatty meats makes Korean food in general stand out.

Balance - 9 out of 10. There are no lack of contrasts here; salty, sweet, tangy, spicy, smoky, umami. It is all here and that's what makes Korean food so pleasurable. Hosoonyi does it right,

Presentation - 7 out of 10. No frills, minimum garnish. This food is meant to be eaten not displayed.

Ingredients - 8 out of 10 I wouldn't suspect there is very much that is not scratch made, but then again it wouldn't surprise me. Items seem good quality, and there isn't a sense that the meat has been previously frozen. It sure may have been, but once they've done their magic the dishes that isn't a concern.

Price - 8 out of 10. It is about $20-$30 per person, so not cheap eats by any means. This is at or below what you might expect to pay at any Korean restaurant, so this is probably a destination eating joint that we would visit 2-3 times per year.

Portion - 7 out of 10. Feeding two people, you won't get any leftovers ordering a dish a piece. The portions are decent, but I wouldn't be surprised if you still had room if you were starving. Just ask for more rice.

The establishment:

Service - 9 out of 10. Speaking Korean here is a bonus, but not a requirement. All are welcome and you see plenty of diversity when dining here. It can take time to get the waitstaff's attention when it's busy but overall the service has met our dining needs. There is a wait to get orders served, but I can overlook that as it isn't terribly long and what comes out seems like great care was taken to cook it.

Ambiance - 10 out of 10. Literally a hole in the wall, decor is on the traditional side. This shop has a lot of charm to it. There is a matted room to one side, where patrons eat kneeling on the floor, so that is a bonus. It is never very loud and bustling, but maybe not a venue if you are looking for intimate dining. The surrounding neighborhood isn't super sketchy, but seeing strange things in the streets and across the street in the Safeway plaza isn't unheard of.

Cleanliness - 10 out of 10. No issues to report here. Tables and eating area are cleaned for each guest. Bathrooms are tidy. I have never left here and wanted to immediately take a shower.

Overall Rating - 94 out of 100

If you are in the north end of Seattle and want a quality meal, check out Hosoonyi the next time you crave Korean food. It is my baseline comparison for all future Korean restaurants, and their longevity means it will remain so for the foreseeable future..

Similar options/comparison: Stone Korean Restaurnt, Cho Dang Tofu Restaurant, Gilson, Korea House Restaurant

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