Golden Star + 4

Thursday, May 30, 2013

CJ, Terry, Hanry and I met at the Golden Star in Little Saigon for dinner. This place specializes in duck and they did not disappoint us tonight.

The wines we brought were an odd combination, but frankly went well with the dishes we ordered,

Started out with deep fried whole fish. These are very small, less than 2 inches in length, breaded and deep fried. They are so crispy and good.  Habit forming.

A half roasted duck was set down, cabbage and carrots along side it. Very fresh, moist and oh so good.

Soup was served next, an odd combination of artichokes, pork ribs, carrots, dates and mushrooms. Really good flavor.

This about the time I start getting filled up.

Fresh sauteed pea shoots showed up. These are very tasty and seasonal.

I am really full now but Henry has two more dishes on his mind.

Shrimp with Maggi sauce. Salty taste to them, stir fried in the wok. Exceptionally good.

Last dish before dessert was fried noodles with shredded pork, Hong Kong style. This dish and the shrimp were new to us.

Before dessert came out, Mr Do, the owner came out with a small plate with 4 slices of what turned out to be duck mandible, the cheeks of the duck. You could tell the shape of the head and the beak. Meat was interesting but I did not think as flavorful as the roasted duck itself. Usually head meat on any animal is sweeter and more tender but this was not the case with the duck. If served again I would certainly eat them but would not go out of my way to order them.

Dessert was fresh cubed cantaloupe, served in a very large martini glass and set up with the rind to look like leaves and the cubed fruit were the flowers.

Also a bowl of green bean tapioca pudding. Their puddings are all served warm and not solidified.

Our wines tonight 2005 McKeon Phillps BPR Caberent Sauvignon, 2005 Niner Fog Catcher, 2011 Francois Chidaine Touraine, Loire, Rose of Pinot and a 2011 Arnot-Roberts, Peter Michael Vineyard, Santa Cruz, Pinot Noir.