Central Valley Eats- "Ethnic" finds and regrets pt.1

Yum!

Saigon Pho & Roll
Located in downtown Lemoore in the unlikeliest of place is a charming little Vietnamese restaurant. Not judging this book by its old gas station cover, step inside and try something new. Your taste buds will be surprised.
Now, since I follow my try everything twice rule most of the time, this place was no exception. Both times I have eaten here I have loved every flavorful bite. I go for the lemongrass chicken. If you are "picky" like me they will accommodate you. (I don't like onions on most things) Its also a great place to share a quiet evening with a loved one when you are catching a movie in Lemoore.
Check out reviews on urbanspoon

Figaros
This is a place that my family frequents. We love the food, we love the prices. Everything is fresh and clean and they have a variety of salsa's. I wouldn't classify this as mexican and neither do they. Its more of a "Mexican Southwestern Grill" which is how they choose to title it. When you are in Hanford don't pass this place up without giving it a try.
http://www.figarosmexicangrill.com/


Gozen
This Japanese/ Hibachi restaurant is located moderately deep in Visalia on Caldwell. The food is great. The sushi is great. And it is kid friendly. Well my kid was entertained by the large fire, the egg hiding in the cooks hat and the "train" not to mention the huge fish tanks filled with tropical fish that extend down the center of the restaurant. We love it! but like most Japanese restaurants be prepared to USE YOUR WALLET! lol
again you can read the reviews and see the menu on urbanspoon.com


Phoenician Garden
http://www.thephoeniciangarden.com/
mmm...Mediterranean. This is a very cute place located in Fresno in a shopping center located at Herndon and First. The prices are good, the food and service is great. Its a great place for a date or celebrating finding out the sex of the baby as it is located very close to St. Agnes. You can taste the freshness, and quality of the food with every bite. And even after you are stuffed, your mouth will be begging for more.


Samos Kitchen
Granted I can't pronounce anything on the menu because I don't speak a lick of Korean, I ordered and I ate. I was very surprised because I was reluctant to try Korean food, but when we got our food I was very surprised at how delish it was. The sad part is I have only eaten here once. I look forward to going back with my family, and I thank the friends who took us here in the first place. It is an exciting tour for the tongue. The sweet, the savory, the spicy and the mochi. :)
This place is located right off highway 41 when you take the Shaw exit.


Yoshino
http://www.yoshinorestaurant.com/
love sushi?? I do! And so far one of the best places I have found is right in River Park. And according to the website the have another restaurant in Fresno elsewhere. I dunno. But I will tell you I love the one in River Park. Everything is made fresh. The miso is good. And they have a steamed asparagus appetizer that I love. Also for the adventurous or the just plain hungry who don't want to wait and order rolls they have the conveyor belt which is always a fun touch to the dinner experience.


Alright.

El Tarasco
http://www.el-tarasco.net/
Located in downtown Hanford, its alright. I never had anything from there that I was just dying to eat again, but it is a little more authetic then say Figaros. Also If you are looking for a great place to get drinks, this would be that place. I have found that to be true on more than one occasion hahaha

Toshiko
http://www.el-tarasco.net/
Also, located in Hanford (with the rest of civilization) is a Japanese restaurant. hmmm. Well I will say this place isn't very kid friendly. The hot food wasn't that great, but if I just need sushi and don't want to drive this is where I would go because honestly its pretty good, however the selection kind of sucks along with the service.


Skip it.

Boba Island
I know some people are not going to like what I am saying but honestly I say skip it if you have a hankering for sushi. For the $40 bucks we spent, we weren't very please. Considering that's about how much we spend at a nice place for great sushi, i wan't happy to spend that much for low quailty. It was bad, just bad. I suppose that is what i get for trying to get sushi in Lemoore where the market is far too small to keep all of those fish fresh.
Now on the contrary I haven't eaten anything else other than the sushi so I am not that excited to go back but i suppose I will have to try again. Maybe next time I won't throw half of it away.