Sunday, August 17, 2025

Go To Got Plate Lunch for Hawaiian Food


Welcome to

GOT PLATE LUNCH

💚​We are a family run business; husband, wife and daughter.  It all started out with wanting to share the taste of Hawaiian kine style food. We are inspired by the “Hawaiian style plate lunch”.  Growing up in Hawaii, we know first hand the flavors of the food,  “da kine” that you get from the islands. It's not just Hawaiian, Korean, Japanese, or Filipino, it's any kind food.  SPAM Musubi, Saimin, Kim Chee, Poke, Loco Moco and so much more. We’re talking about the unique bold flavors, the sauces, the spices, the smell and oh yes, the taste. After many years of sharing and making food for family and friends for parties, it finally dawned on us that there are more people that want to enjoy the island style food.

     Our Food Truck started in 2011 and then we opened a restaurant in 2013 in Benicia. We also launched a commissary for our Food Truck(s) in 2014. We are expanding and soon there will be several food trucks and opportunities for restaurant franchises. The name Got Plate Lunch might sound funny, but it's really simple, "you get plate lunch?", yah, we got plate lunch". So that's how we came up with the name Got Plate Lunch.  We can’t bring everything from Hawaii, but we sure can bring the food you’re used to eating in Hawaii.

        Come inside and enjoy our food, all made and served with Aloha.  Our meats are fresh, delivered 3 times a week.  Our patties are fresh ground beef, we use only Certified Ground Chuck 80/20.  We make our patties and gravy every morning. We use only the finest ingredients, top grades, and all authentic. S&S brand Saimin, Redondo brand Portuguese sausages, Hawaiian Sun juices, School Kine Cookies all delivered from Hawaii. Uncle Myk & Aunty Jamie
Last Friday, Ruth and I went to a quick Dinner at the Got Plate Lunch at the Water front in Benicia, prior to Dodie's " As You Like IT" Shakespeare Performance in Vallejo. This was my first time to this place. The food was great and the view of the Carquinez Bridge was beautiful.  I did not tell Ruth, that THD has its annual Luau Dinner the same day. As a result, I just requested a Take-Out dinner,💚 that I plan on consuming after Dodie's Shakespeare show.   
💚My Take-Out Dinner with Leftover from Got Plate Lunch Dinner(Kalua Pork)
Here are some photos I took.
I learned a Hawaiin word- Lolo mean crazy, But Lolo in Filipino is grand Father. A super Lolo ( I am twice this year) is great grand Father. 



Place Mats Decor of the Restaurant 









For Details visit: 
💚https://www.gotplatelunchca.com/

Lastly, 

Recent sightings of Southeast Asian mermaids are not supported by credible scientific evidence. Instead, these reports stem from a blend of local myths, folklore, entertainment, and viral social media content. No verified sources—such as scientific organizations, local authorities, or credible journalists—have authenticated any mermaid appearances in the region.

  • Myths and Folklore: Southeast Asia is rich in mermaid legends, like the Malaysian "duyung," Indonesian "putri duyung," and Filipino "sirena." These stories are part of cultural heritage and are not based on scientific findings.

  • Viral Social Media: Recent claims, including viral reels and posts about mermaids washing ashore, are either hoaxes or used for entertainment purposes.

  • Modern Mermaiding: Underwater festivals and mermaiding subcultures, where people dress up as mermaids, are popular but involve human performers—not real creatures.

Conclusion: No recent sightings of Southeast Asian mermaids are based on credible evidence—they are modern hype or traditional myth, not reality.

 

Saturday, August 16, 2025

THD Annual Hawaiian Luau Dinner

My Table: Photo Credit: Jenny Shively

Friday, August 15, was a hectic and fun day for me here in my Gilded Cage- My Apartment at the Heritage Downtown Walnut Creek.   That day, I had a full day schedule, starting with my regular breakfast of yogurt and fruits.  This was followed by a quick take out lunch of Turkey wrap, soup and Diet Coke. From 12:30 to 2:45 I played bridge and won first place Award of $4. Then from 3:00 PM to 4PM, I had Mai Tai and Appetizer.  AT 4:30PM, as scheduled my daughter-in-law, Ruth Carver picked up for a quick dinner in Benicia, at the Got Plate Lunch for typical Hawaiian food. In the meantime, I asked for a take out dinner prepared by our THD Chef for a later after performance dinner. Photo below:  

Here are some other photos I took during the Cocktail Hour:













Personal Observations: One of the topic during our cocktail hour was our observation that Barbara. S.,THD manager has been seen helping Activity Personnels, Ted and Kristi set-up the table decorations. Barbara personally served our table Mai Tai drinks. We were surprised but delighted that she is showing personal interests in some of our activities. The other day, she showed up during our Chair Volley Ball Games and helped in blowing air ( pumps) into our deflated beach balls. She told me not to hit the ball so hard, possibly prolonging the air in the beach balls. However, the balls have leaks in them and we definitely need new ones.  Thank you Barbara for your Personal Concern!       

Lastly here’s the latest on President Donald Trump's approval rating as of August 16, 2025:

Current Approval Snapshot

  • Pew Research Center (published August 14, 2025):

    • Job approval: 38% approve60% disapprove of Trump’s performance.

    • Among his own 2024 voters, 85% still approve (down from 88% in June). Approval among Trump voters under age 35 has dropped more sharply.Pew Research Center

  • Economist/YouGov Poll (August 9–11):

    • 42% of Americans approve, 54% disapprove—net approval of –12.YouGov Today

    • Support among Republicans has slipped: from 92% at the term's start to 83%, with a disapproval of 13%; net approval among Republicans now +70.YouGov Today

    • Only 31% of Americans describe Trump as honest and trustworthy—his lowest such rating this term.YouGov Today

  • Gallup Poll (July 7–21):

    • National approval dropped to 37%, the lowest of Trump's second term.

    • Approval among independents fell to 29%, matching the lowest level he’s recorded with this group.Gallup.com

  • AP-NORC (mid-2025):

    • Trump’s approval has remained relatively stable around 40%, down slightly from 42% earlier in the year.AP News


Polling Aggregator Estimates

Multiple polling aggregators as of early August report:

  • RealClearPolitics (Aug 4): 45.9% approve vs. 51.4% disapprove — net –5.5

  • Decision Desk HQ (Aug 5): 43.5% approve vs. 52.6% disapprove — net –9.1

  • Ballotpedia (Aug 5): 44.0% approve vs. 53.0% disapprove — net –9.0

  • Silver Bulletin (Aug 5): 43.8% approve vs. 52.7% disapprove — net –8.9

  • Race to the WH (Aug 6): 42.5% approve vs. 53.5% disapprove — net –11.0

  • Strength in Numbers (Aug 5): 42.1% approve vs. 54.1% disapprove — net –12.0Wikipedia


Smart Summary

SourceApprovalDisapprovalNet Approval
Pew Research38%60%–22
Econom./YouGov42%54%–12
Gallup37%(lowest second term)
AP-NORC~40%Slightly above
Aggregator Range~42–46%~52–54%–5 to –12 (typical)
  • Overall picture: Trump’s approval rating as of mid-August 2025 hovers in the 37–42% range, with disapproval at or above 50%, resulting in a net-negative approval across all major polls.

  • Partisan dynamics: Support among Republicans remains strong but eroding (e.g., now around 83% in YouGov vs. 92% earlier); independents have sharply shifted away, contributing significantly to the overall decline.

  • Perception of honesty/trustworthiness is particularly low—only 31% as per YouGov.

Saturday, August 9, 2025

One of My Favorite Pinoy Dishes- Kare-Kare

KARE-KARE ISN’T JUST FILIPINO—IT’S A GLOBAL MASHUP OF MORO, SPANISH, AND INDIAN FLAVORS
Kare-Kare, the iconic peanut stew found on nearly every Filipino celebration table, actually has roots far beyond the Philippines.
Its earliest form came from pre-colonial Moro curry-style dishes introduced by Islamic traders. Then came the Spanish, who brought peanuts and annatto seeds from Mexico—transforming it into the thick, golden stew we know today.
But that’s not all—Indian Sepoys who stayed after the British occupation (1762–1764) also shaped the dish, modifying their native curries using local Filipino ingredients.
Across the country, Kare-Kare takes many forms:
In Luzon, it’s oxtail and tripe with bagoong.
In the Visayas, pork replaces beef and flavors get sweeter.
In Mindanao, Muslims stick to beef, goat, or seafood for halal-friendly versions.
What used to be a slow-cooked, labor-intensive dish made from roasted peanuts and toasted rice has evolved—modern kitchens use peanut butter, rice flour, and pressure cookers. Even vegetarian and seafood versions are rising in popularity.
Today, Kare-Kare is more than just food. It’s a symbol of cultural fusion, adaptation, and Filipino pride—a dish that tells the story of centuries of history in every bite.

Meanwhile, here's the stats on one of my blogs for July 22, 2025
Page Views: All Time=986,010; Today=580; Yesterday=886; Last Month=25,873

This blog, the Intellectual Migrants has 4 followers, 3,148 posts and 880 comments as of July 22, 2025

One of my other blogs has more than a million page views as of July 22, 2025
Lastly, Did know that....
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA – At least 18 Filipino seafarers were forcibly removed in handcuffs from the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship at the Port of Norfolk, Virginia, and deported back to the Philippines — triggering outrage from Filipino American communities and immigrant rights advocates.
According to a joint statement from the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), the workers were all holders of valid 10-year U.S. work visas and had not been charged with any crime. Yet, they now face a 10-year ban from re-entering the United States.
“These crew members are dedicated parents and spouses with exemplary backgrounds, having passed rigorous background checks to obtain their work visas,” the groups said. “Their abrupt removal, accompanied by the cancellation of their visas and a shocking 10-year ban from re-entry, has inflicted deep humiliation and plunged their families into financial hardship.”
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has acknowledged an ongoing operation but declined to provide specific details, according to a report by USA Today. Other cruise lines allegedly affected by similar actions include Viking and Pearl Seas Cruises.
The deportations have sparked fear among remaining crew members aboard the Carnival Sunshine, which is scheduled to dock again in Norfolk this Sunday. “They are left in fear of being the next victims of these aggressive actions,” PWC and NaFFAA added.

The groups denounced the raid as part of a “disturbing national trend” of deportations under “false pretenses,” despite visa validity and no criminal charges filed. Advocates are now demanding accountability from CBP, Carnival Corporation, and the Philippine Embassy to protect the rights of Filipino seafarers and cruise ship workers.

Friday, August 1, 2025

Tatsu Sushi-Highly Recommended Japanese Restaurant

Dinah and I had dinner at Tatsu Sushi yesterday, Saturday, July 26. We had a gastronomic experience that is unforgettable. The Tempura Dinner, the Fresh Oyster and the Dragon roll we ordered were delicious. Here some photos I took.




Love the Presentation and Food Styling of My Tempura Dinner
The Fresh Oyster was Yummy! 

In case you have not heard:Tatsu Sushi is a contemporary Japanese restaurant with a bright and cheery decor. They offer a wide variety of rolls, including the popular flaming dragon and spider roll. Customers enjoy the sashimi salad and the delicious miso soup served upon arrival. The restaurant is known for its friendly service and diverse drink options, from hot sake to frosted mugs of draft beer. Vegetarian options are available, and there are menu choices for kids as well. Located conveniently in Walnut Creek, Tatsu Sushi is a favorite spot for sushi lovers in the area. Here's information from their website: tatsu sushi

Customers' Favorites

Tatsu Sushi Reviews

4.7 
361 ratings
Restaurantji Rating
5
87%
4
5%
3
2%
2
4%


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Recent Reviews

Tatsu Sushi is hands down my favorite sushi spot in the Bay Area. My brother and I have been coming here for a while now, and it never disappoints. The quality is always top-notch—fresh fish, perfectly seasoned rice, and well-balanced flavors in every bite. It’s the kind of place where you can taste the care that goes into each roll.
On top of that, the prices are more than fair, especially considering the quality. But what really makes Tatsu stand out are...
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Amazing sushi and service! The quality is amazingly fresh and flavor combinations are exceptional. They have different Soju flavors including the best Green Grape. They even give you a free gyoza appetizer when you order food that totals $35 or more. I personally love their Spider Fantasy Roll. Carlos is always so friendly and knowledgeable. It is always a joy to come here. I’ll even wait during busy times to get in.
Amazing food, great variety of choices, very affordable and sushi chefs are extremely friendly - thank you Carlos for always welcoming us with a smile and delicious sushi rolls - try their spider roll or flaming dragon! FYI if you order $35 worth of food they send you a free basket of gyoza - very tasty app!

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Hours

Monday5 - 9PM
12 - 2:30PM
Tuesday12 - 2:30PM
5 - 9PM
Wednesday12 - 2:30PM
5 - 9PM
Thursday5 - 9PM
12 - 2:30PM
Friday12 - 2:30PM
5 - 9PM
Saturday12 - 2:30PM
5 - 9PM
SundayClosed
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