Out and About: The Box (Food Truck)

I'm not a fan of the food truck concept.  Yes, I get it.  As a business owner myself I totally understand the concept - but it doesn't mean I have to like it.  The food truck dining experience is something I do not appreciate.  I hate standing around to order my food, to wait for my food and to eat my food.  I'm definately a restaurant girl.  However, I make an exception for The Box.

For starters, Owner & Executive Chef Reis Llaneza along with his peeps in the truck are very friendly.  In addition to great food, you will also receive great service.

The Box offers Asian fusion cuisine.  A quick glance at the menu and you'll find Chinese, Korean and Japanese inspired dishes to combine with Chef Reis' Asian background.

I mainly visit The Box on Thursday's at the Bellevue Farmer's Market.  Although I've had everything on the menu at least once, I find myself regularly ordering the Chicken Karaage Plate (my husband's favorite) and the Mini Bagel Burger (my son's favorite).  I personally enjoy the Chop Chop Salad which is included with the Chicken or can be ordered a la carte.

No matter what you order, I would bet that you would be pleased.  Food is cooked to order.  Ingredients are fresh, especially the veggies that are part of or garnish your food.  Flavors and textures "almost" make you forget your food was cooked on a truck.  Overall, The Box really does deliver (excuse the intended pun) on really good eats.

The Box roams around the Eastside, but sometimes ventures around the Puget Sound.  Mainly serving up the lunch crowd you may find them at your local street fair or events around town.  Check their Facebook page for details on their upcoming locations.

The Box offers catering services and can customize a menu based on your event and your budget.


Their menu as posted on their Facebook page (subject to change at any time):
~Pork Belly Hum Bao $2.50
Slow braised in soy and mirin topped with a fresh slaw, served on a
Chinese steamed bun

~Kalua Pork Hum Bao $2.50
Hawaiian style roasted pork with a lomi lomi tomato relish, served on a
Chinese steamed bun

~Mini Bagel Burger $3
Charred mini burgers topped with an Asian slaw, and pickle, finished
with a hoisin and siracha ketchup, served in a toasted mini bagel

~Pomme Frites (french fries) $3
Served with a yuzu aioli

~Chop Chop Salad $3 (half) / $7 (full)
Romaine and Iceberg lettuce, ham, apples, and provolone cheese, served
with a creamy sesame dressing

~Chicken Karaage Plate $8
Tender pieces of fried chicken served with a house sauce, steamed
rice, and side of Chop Chop Salad

~Kalbi Yakiniku Plate $9
Korean marinated beef skewers with namasu (Japanese style cucumber),
served over steamed rice with a side of Chop Chop Salad

Dining Out - Serious Biscuit, Seattle WA

This South Lake Union eatery is hopping!  Tokuro and I happen to be in the area and stopped in for a late breakfast.  The atmosphere is very open and Serious Biscuit is shared with a wine shoppe and Serious Pie (upstairs).  Seating is limited and on this particular Sunday it was PACKED.  Table service is available upstairs but the wait can be long.  There is a quicker, self service option at the counter - just order your food, wait and then sit and eat.  We chose the latter.

We ordered "the Zach" which is pictured above (one to share).  Fried chicken, Tabasco black pepper gravy, fried egg and bacon graced this glass plate.  In addition we had the Kentucky bourbon & bacon beans and a bottle of Panna.  It's probably worth mentioning that their menu includes biscuits topped with a variety of goodies, side dishes and beverages.

The verdict - well, that was a lot of food.  It was what I expected in a Tom Douglas southern breakfast cuisine.  Our dish was rich and creamy with the gravy (but lacked in Tabasco and black pepper, I expected more).  Chicken was nice and crispy, but I would have liked it hotter (we noticed a bunch of pre-fried chicken piled high, just waiting to be used - I get it, saving time).  The beans were made fresh and had a distinct taste of cumin which my husband just LOVED.

OK, I'll be on a treadmill burning this breakfast off!

Out And About: Cafe Cesura, Bellevue WA

Yes, Cafe Cesura serves coffee (Stumptown) but I like to head to this cafe for lunch or a quick bite to eat.  It's in downtown Bellevue and parking sucks (street parking and a limited number of stalls in the garage) but if I can park, I will eat.  Service is great, very helpful folks behind the counter.  Lots of seating (tables and chairs), especially with the big communal table.  They were recently featured in Seattle Met magazine.

They offer a soup of the day (aka Market Inspired Soup) which I have found to be delicious in flavor and freshness.  They also top them with things like roasted nuts and infused oils.

Pair the soup with the Mt Townsend Creamery New Moon Grilled Cheese Sandwich.  It lends for interesting flavors with the caramelized onions.

I've also had their Smoked Salmon w/ Picked Onion and Caper Aioli on Baguette - great flavors, but I was a bit put off by the baguette.  I (as well as my son who ate the other half) found it to have a pretty tough crust.

Finally!  A place in Bellevue that serves delicious coffee and delicious food to go with.  That's a rare find on the eastside.