I’m cheating a little this week.
Not Ashley Madison style though… here’s to karma.
I’m cheating by not having a actual strange but good recipe. Vegas and I are in Arizona and I didn’t really do anything that strange food-wise unless you count my salmon scramble in Wednesday’s post. Or maybe my road salad. Perhaps Vegas’ gas station selections.
We did eat some strange food in Scottsdale Wednesday night though! I spent a couple of hours of the drive searching for the best possible food options for dinner when we arrived. I landed on SumoMaya – an Asian-Mexican fusion concept. We were not disappointed!
First up was the lump crab guac with lime. So fresh and tasty! I loved that it was chunky guac.
We also had drinks that I didn’t bother to picture after a 5+ hour drive. Vegas got a Green Flash IPA (because obviously we go to Arizona to drink San Diego beers) and I got a cocktail that involved Yamazaki (a Japanese whiskey), some sort of orange liquor, and yuzu juice. It was delicious.
The presentation alone of the roll we split was incredible. It was called the Rollo Chingon. It consists of adobo grilled shrimp, guacamole, cilantro, jalapeño, red lotus root chips, and a balsamic strawberry glaze.
To be honest, we didn’t think it was that spectacular upon first bite. I love guac, but the mound of it on top of the roll masked the other flavors. On the second bite we scraped of 75% of the guac and were able to get the shrimp flavor and the subtle richness of the glaze. It also allowed us to appreciate the crunch of the lotus root chip. Vegas agreed and we ate the rest of the roll sans guac.
Then the mains. We had fried rice that had no chance at a decent picture. It was a delicious kimchi fried rice with egg, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, pickled red onions, and scallions. We ordered this with a steak at our server’s suggestion; she described the combo as a party in your mouth. How could we not take that suggestion?
The above is the Prime NY Strip with wild mushroom-soy coconut reduction. Also not a good pic because… brown food. But it was SO GOOD. The coconut-soy could have been so very wrong with red meat, but the hint of sweetness only added to the rich steak and ‘shrooms. If you ever go, it’s a must order!
We were stuffed, but after a meal like that we HAD to see what dessert was like.
I don’t remember exactly what this was called, but it was basically a peanut butter mousse thing with chocolate ganache on top and a brittle-like crust. The caramel corn on the side was like crack. I’m not even exaggerating.
My apologies for the crappier-than-usual pictures – it was really dark!
How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
***
In other news, I had a champion hotel workout the next morning. Tasty fuel that was!
Have you ever heard of Asian-Mexican fusion?
What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten this week?
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
Wow that meal looks delish! I agree I would have been a bit skeptical about coconut and soy with steak but I’m glad it was so good and sometimes you just gotta go with the servers recommendations! And just when you think guac can’t get any better… Add crab! Definitely not a fusion I would have ever imagined to see but it looks like it so works!
My strange but good this week would have to be eating kangaroo! I can’t get enough of it since we moved to Aus – such a nice meat!
Laura says
I still want to try kangaroo! The macros are amazing and my Aussie friends rave about it.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
I take pictures of the menu item so I can remember how to describe it on the blog or in social media. It’s better this way and easier.
Glad you arrived safely and had a fantastic meal.
Laura says
I do that too, but the server recited the desserts. Apparently they change nightly? Either way, my mouth was happy.
Allie says
I don’t think I’ve heard of Asian-Mexican fusion but I must have when I lived in L.A. right? I also LOVE Scottsdale and haven’t been in far too long!!
The strangest thing I ate this week? Caffeinated “runners” gum. Not good. Not good at all.
Laura says
Ewwww… i’ve tried something like that gum before and it was NOT ok.
Lee says
I think all guacamole should have crab meat in it. Yum.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
You should really be a food critic. Glad you enjoyed your time. One of these times we will catch up when you are here!
Laura says
LOL! I wish! I’ll be there about once a month I think… will keep you posted!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
That place might be my heaven. Lump crab and avocado and lime are meant for each other (one of my favorite combos), and you gotta love lotus root chips. Magical.
Laura says
Agreed. And yes, magical would be an appropriate word. 🙂
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig says
Asian Mexican fusion sounds wrong but kind of right. Strangely enough, there is an all you can eat sushi place on my block. I really want to go (and put them out of business, ha!) but it would feel so wrong to eat sushi in Italy.
Laura says
I wouldn’t go near sushi in Italy either! That’s so weird…
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Lotus root chips!!! Ah yea, so good!
Asian/Mexican is sure #StrengthButGood 😉
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
you always find the most interesting things to eat!
Laura says
LOL! I do my best. 🙂
RavieNomNoms says
I just want to eat what you eat everyday. Jealous!
Laura says
Come visit any time!!!
Sarah says
This all looks so good! I definitely need to add it to my list of must eats!!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
I didn’t make anything this week recipe worthy. I have been feeling totally uninspired lately. I can’t believe I am saying this, but that really is too much gauc!
Laura says
I go through those phases too. It’s so frustrating… but it’ll come back!
Smitha @ Running with SD Mom says
That sounds like my DREAM combo!
lindsay says
lump crab gauc? damn… if i died right there I’d be happy. i wonder if austin has a place like this? hmmm….. off to scour the webs.
Laura says
I bet they do! It’ seems very hip, like Austin. I want to come visit one day, speaking of.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says
LOVE sushi, that roll looks so damn good.
Debra says
I am the designated restaurant researcher when we travel. It can get quite frustrating….not if you stumble upon a place such as this, though!
Laura says
I am the same way. I prefer it though – it means never eating at a crappy chain. 🙂
AwesomelyOZ says
Yes sure have! We have a few of these restaurants in the area. Nom nom nom – love me some sushi. Thank you for reminding me.. Now I must have some. Check mate. Time to hit that manana! Hope you enjoyed it lovely and have a great one Laura! -Iva
Laura says
That’s awesome! Now I need to find one in San Diego!
masala girl says
asian mex fusion?! i could get on that! love the lotus chips!