sushisoul

a friend pulled some strings and treated the 2009 kitchen staff to the owner’s box!

go Ducks!

my first hockey match and for me, it’s a total luxury to attend any sports event.

Executive Chef Mark Bolton

Chef Mark and his wife are big Duck’s fans.  The box included some awesome seats right on the glass adjacent to one of the goals! Mark and wife took full advantage!

Gino, Moises, and Jose-Luis

Gino makes a mean wrap, sandwich, or whatever you want!

Moises, Maggie, Roberto, and Grayce

it was nice to hang out w/everyone outside of work and have a drink.

time for another!

the view was amazing and the cool air was refreshing.

Jeanette, Roberto, Moises and wife

i plus 1′ed a camera, some plus 1′ed w/ the lady

jacket's off

this was a great experience and we were all appreciative

hello

Jen and Grayce

totemo arigato gozaimashita Jen and Grayce for putting this together.

your goodwill towards us is truly something special.

w/kokoro,

chefcidney

Shin Sen Gumi Yakitori, Fountain Valley

My buddy and I were the 3rd group on the list for dinner at Shin Sen Gumi in Fountain Valley.  I was surprised that on a Wed. evening there was a line prior to the 6pm opening.  When the door opened, we were seated at the bar, immediately we felt like we were transposed into a traditional Japanese restaurant, a cozy and vibrant atmosphere.  All patrons were greeted by the cooks and servers; at times it did get loud! This was our first experience eating Yakitori, with some assistance from our server we dove in and marked up the ordering form.  Some of our items were discounted for happy hour.

First of three rounds!

Our meal included:  bacon wrapped quail eggs, bacon wrapped tomatoes and my favorite was the bacon wrapped enoki mushrooms which were delightful.  We also ordered chicken breast with wasabi skewers and chicken breast with thin slices of basil which provided a floral taste which was surprisingly good.  My favorite was the chicken thighs and green onions skewers which paired nicely when dipped in the fresh green spice paste /relish along with vinegar.  We enjoyed the beef skewers and the salmon with mushrooms even though the sauce was a bit too salty.

great night!

The cook was genuine, enthusiastic and even shook our hands as we left.  Overall the dining experience was wonderful, as we were departing the restaurant the line outside had grown, I now understand why Shin Sen is a favorite restaurant in the community.

Thanks for letting me share,

Brent, guest contributor

SD: Celadon Fine Thai Cuisine

the other night i decided to visit an old friend’s restaurant.  Mr. Alex Thao of Celadon Fine Thai Cuisine. he’s a bit of a legend in the restaurant scene in San Diego.  his mother does menu, runs the kitchens, and adds that special Thao touch.

saturday I stopped by for the “crispy duck salad.”  Celadon is a beautiful restaurant.  distractingly beautiful.  i caught myself dreaming to have something similar to this one day.  the color scheme is simply black and white.  the furniture is classic-fresh.  the music playlist set a lounge-urban feel.

Chef Kyle and our friend Shannon, from an earlier visit

with all the impeccable ambiance stuff said, Mother Thao’s food is wonderful.  the menu items are not super-servings, but portioned just right.  the food is balanced, light, and uniquely Mother Thao’s.  have a bottle of wine or a drink and enjoy w/your dearest friends and family.

w/kokoro,

cidney

Segerstrom Hall Orange County, California

after hearing about my visit to see the giselle ballet, Alex the Intern told me about the Shanghai Symphony featuring the pianist, Yuja Wang.

let me preface this by saying, im just a regular dude.  with my schedule, the only events i actually attend are the ones we work.  so i write this as a cultural novice.  an enthusiast

i sat by myself on the promenade circle, seat 57, AA for $40. it was semi-nose bleed, but not.  first, i was on the correct side of the theatre to view the hands of Yuja dance across the piano (an unexpected surprise). The row i sat in had detached seats from the floor and were right on the railing as i happily bobbed my head to the sound. btw, parking was $8.  the hall itself was a acoustic engineering marvel.

the Shanghai Symphony performed Rachmaninov’s piano concerto #2.  Everyone performed w/ beautiful balance.  the orchestra dressed in their blk and whites, while Yuja wore a brilliant green dress.  the orchestra performed w/ composure and poise, while Yuja played dramatic emotion.  the orchestra played to the music sheets in front of them,  while Yuja sat w/ just a piano, no sheets, off the fly straight from the head.  good music.

probably the coolest observation; the mature couple next to me were dressed impecably gowned and suited up. i sat in jeans and jordans.  all of us, enjoying the symphony together.

w/ kokoro,

cidney

Segerstrom Hall

This Tuesday, marks the end of the two-month-long celebration of Chinese art, music, and tradition, Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture, with a sizzling concert with 22-year-old pianist Yuja Wang and the Shanghai Symphony (one of China’s oldest orchestras) at Segerstrom Hall. Carnegie Hall, which you all have probably have heard of, is actually partnering and collaborating with the Sergestrom Hall to bringing the special event to the OC so this is definitely something not to miss.

Yuja Wang

I never heard of the pianist but after watching the videos I am in awe! Her playing is unreal…just look at her hands!!

pay attention to her left hand

YUJA WANG AND THE SHANGHAI SYMPHONY
Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall,
at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Long Yu, Conductor
Yuja Wang, Piano
The Shanghai Symphony

I will be there Tuesday hopefully with some friends so we’ll dish out a review of our awesome classical experience ASAP!

At your service,
Alex the intern (BRCM), guest contributor

was this past weekend. If you were a Manny Pacquiao fan, then you were all over the Vegas strip rockin your blue white,red and yellow colors of the Philippine flag. Being a Filipino-American myself, I was very proud to see our brown people out in full force supporting one of the greatest boxers of all time representing the 7,000 islands of the Pacific. The Philippines, a third world country, where most of our parents and grandparents were born and raised has always been stricken with tough, pover-ish living conditions so to see a famous figure/role model in the fore-front of a worldwide sporting event is a real big deal to the progression of our culture in the media. It is especially important to the first and second generation American-Filipinos (which is technically what I am) born in the US. Manny Pacman is helping to unite a struggling nation and at the same time inspiring a new generation of leaders. So when you see a person of another ethnicity other than Filipino rockin a Nike-made ‘Pacman Knows’ shirt, you know there’s something special happening before your eyes.

If you have not seen HBO’s incredible 24/7 series then you can click the image above to witness how a documentary series is done. Episode 4 was the finale that was filmed a week before the fight all the way up to the weigh-in at MGM last Friday

Below is an ESPN post fight interview. This is going to come off funny to all the FIlipinos everyone. The Filipino accent has now been made famous since he has stepped onto the scene. We’ll take that as a win for culture progression.

Purple Rice Sushi was also out in Vegas this past weekend for our good friend Jeanx2/Sandra’s wedding. As soon as we get a hold of the pictures from Saturdays beautiful wedding, we will post them up. Congrats to Jean and Sandra on a fun wedding day. The video montage was classic! Thanks.

-Conrad

my first post…

last week a friend invited me to the ballet… it was amazing. everything from set design, costumes, orchestra, the ballet dancers, and everyone in between. at one point i said to myself, i need to see this show 100 more times to catch everything.

the "wilis" are summoned by their queen, Myrta

A scene from act II

The wilis are maidens whose fiances failed to marry them before their deaths.

Their love unrequited, they can find no rest.

Their spirits roam the earth from midnight to dawn..

yuriko kajiya

yuriko played the, “peasant pas de deux” and was the sleeper sensation.

The Orange County Performing Arts Center

the ocpac is a beautiful venue. check their calender for something new!

w/kokoro,

cidney

Here at purplericesushi we take great pride in our work. We present the friendliest service with the absolute best product that we can deliver with no shortcuts. So when we were asked by Phils BBQ of San Diego to cater their halloween party for the second year in a row, we knew we had to make sure we were at an 11 (normally we are at a 10 but you knew that of course!) If you have never been to Phils BBQ in Point Loma, then there is something probably wrong with you. No, really. Go see a doctor and get your head checked cause this is San Diego pride right here.

Yes thats Phil himself ready to cut some flesh.

Chef Kyle had to stop by to check out the scene.

Game time.

Nerds.

Rodeo Luigi.

Hello. Kitty.

/

We get to play too.

Thanks for the souvenir Phil!

Rock on.

Queen performance (Phils BBQ Halloween Party) from conrad/rick alberto on Vimeo.

Nothing but the utmost respect to Phils BBQ. Great food. Great people. He is They are the American Dream.

We did an event for another one of our hotel clients and this time it was in a more intimate setting in one of their meeting rooms, “the library”. The interior decorators did a great job killed it with the look and feel of this one. I’m loving the orange decor.

It was a private party for 30 doctors that flew in from all over for a special evening.

This is our favorite bartender, Miguel. He gives us one life lesson per visit.

We are truly blessed to be working with the best.