United Kingdom

I just got into the UK this morning. Or was it afternoon? Jetlag and timezones got me all screwed up. I haven't even recovered from the Japan jet lag yet. The flight on United's Economy Plus wasn't too bad. No Tokyo Auto Salon for me this year (it's going on right now).

I met my boss Ken at his hotel after landing at Heathrow. There I got a cup of coffee for $6 and sat down. I stared at the menu and saw this:
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You Can't Beat this Meat

Since most of us are on vacation right now, I'm going to do the same thing and take a vacation from writing about car related shit. I live and breathe cars the other 355 days out of the year so I need a break too.

I'm in the hotel room resting right now from a pretty nasty fall. I've never eaten shit on a snowboard where you roll over head first. The conditions in Niseko are beautiful right now and the snow is literally powder almost everywhere, but falling over on your neck is never a good thing. So I'm going to chill out for the rest of the day. I got in 4 bitchin runs down various slopes today so I'm satisfied for now. In Niseko, the lifts take you WAY up the mountain so ...

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El Pollo Inka

Once in a while you have to go and eat somewhere where the food really kicks ass. One spot for super grubbin food is a Peruvian restaurant called El Pollo Inka. There's several locations in the South Bay so if you're ever in the Hawthorne, Torrance, or Gardena area you should check it out. It's pretty packed on the weekends so if you want to get in quick you should go on a weekday. When you set down, don't even bother looking at the menu. Just tell the waiter you want X #5's. X = # of people at your table. Sure some the other dishes are good, but there's no need to fuck around. Just order the Lomo Saltado. It's a combination of marinated lean sirloin, onions, tomato, rice, and f...

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Broke Ass Gourmet

I remember when I was 19 back in 1992 and moved out of parents' house to attend Cal State Long Beach, I found myself being strapped for cash living in an apartment. My dad was cool enough to cover my rent, but nothing else. It was either that or I live in the dorms which he agreed to pay for, but I tried that for a semester and found out it wasn't for me. Nobody knew shit about cars or had any interest so I couldn't hang. Regardless, I had this nasty habit called a RX-7 Turbo II (FC3S). It might as well have been a coke habit because all my money went into making 400hp. Keep in mind that back then there were no bolt-on turbo kits or complete lines of turbochargers to choose from ...

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Mastro's

On my b-day this past weekend, Troy from XS organized a last minute dinner and some friends came out to Mastro's in Costa Mesa. Of course Toshi was present, Gary from Design Fab, and some of my close friends showed up. I didn't even know about it until a couple hours before. Anyhow, the food at Mastro's is REALLY good. You have to check out the sides too because they're ridiculously good. I'd recommend the macaroni and cheese, cream spinach, and the gnocci. Expect to consume about 5,000-8,000 calories in one sitting to absorb the entire Mastro's experience. Expensive and will increase your cholesterol count, but definitely good. Sometimes you gotta say fuck the diet. The atmosp...

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W♠hataburger

So during my drive back from San Antonio, Texas a couple weeks ago, I saw many fast food restaurants that don't exist in Southern California. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I didn't get to try them all. I can tell you that the absolute #1 fast food joint in the nation is probably SONIC. It's really a shame that Sonic doesn't exist in socal. Sonic has the roller skating chicks that come out, take your order, and bring you food. Their burgers and drinks ROCK. Anyhow, I went to a spot called Whataburger. I heard it is mainly in the south. I ordered their standard issue cheeseburger. I figure if you can't make a good cheeseburger, then basically you are fucked and the resta...

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Club soda, Perrier, and Sparkling Water

My new thing is club soda and perrier. The bubbles are so refreshing and they all have 0 calories. I was just enjoying a cup of club soda and I realized that it is great on it's own OR with some vodka and a twist of lime or lemon. If you haven't tried it you should. Normally I think Ketel one tastes like shit, but with club soda it's a whole new taste. Ketel One Club Soda. Try it.

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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas ya'll. And Hannukah, Quanza, etc. for the rest of you. I had a very nice Christmans eve dinner at the Tajima household last night. The Tajima household is my home away from home in Huntington Beach harbor area. Eiji from Tomei, Mike Ferrara from D-Sport, and Frank from Z.Speed (?) were at dinner too.
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#1 steak in Florida

 

Last night I went to Charley's the #1 rated steak house in Florida. It's even consistently rated top 10 in the entire country. I think you can check it out at www.charleyssteakhouse.com. Was it good? It was the absolute most tender steak I've had in my life. Actually it was 2 bone-in veal fillet mignons and 1 bone-in veal chop. I also had a giant baked potato, some mashed potato, garlic bread, a house salad, a giant piece of asparagus, a piece of fried green tomato, a bite of key lime pie, and 7 grey goose and sodas. I think I ate 2,000,000 calories....but fuck was it good.....I think the fried green tomato is a southern thing. I probably wouldn't recommend it.

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