La Maria

I went to La Maria hoping to try an Arepe. I read about them in all the reviews. I saw them on th Food Network and I had to try one for myself.

The restaurant was hard to see coming from Burbank, but when we turned around we found it right away. The inside is decorated with miniature houses on all the walls.

I studied the menu for a long time. I finally chose a meal with meat, salad, egg, beans, rice and an arepe. I also chose the lemonade. The lemonade was spectacular and came first with chips and a very spicy salsa.

My fiance got tacos and they looked good (just like street tacos). He said he would get them again but not complete with rice and beans. It was too much food and he prefers pinto beans to black and no rice at all.

My lunch was good and way too filling for lunch. I loved the flavors in the cabbage salad that was with my meal. I wish I could just order that salad. I was disappointed, however, to find that my meal did not come with an arepe. I didn't see anyone eating them anywhere. I noticed that people were ordering empanadas but not arepes.

Even though the food was delicious, I was disappointed that I did not get to try the food I came for. Maybe I will go again and try to get the food I crave--or maybe I will just make them myself.





La Maria
10516 Victory Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91606
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Taqueria Don Adrian

My parents read an article in the LA Times about Don Adrian's Cemitas in Van Nuys. Mexican food has always been a family favorite but I was unfamiliar with Cemitas--described as Mexican sandwiches. We decided to give it a try.

We were in Van Nuys anyway so we swung by the little strip mall restaurant. Inside there are only 3 tables and outside one. The parking was also pretty tight and it was about 2pm. I imagine it's really busy at lunch. Inside the menu is in Spanish on the walls with pictures. There is another menu on the counter with descriptions in English.

My dad and I ordered the Barbacoa sandwich with the jalapenos. My mom ordered the pork cutlet sandwich without jalapenos. It is rumored that there is some spicy sauce you can ask for to complete your sandwich but we didn't know how to get it. The drinks are in bottles and cans or you can get orange bang from the tap.

The sandwiches were delicious. They came out quickly as we sat at one of the open tables we were lucky enough to snag. There was a lot of flavor and the sandwiches were chock full of meat. It had lots of fresh avocado. The jalapenos tasted more like roasted red peppers and were not spicy. I'd like to add a little spice to my sandwich and that would have been perfect.





Taqueria Cemitas Don Adrian
14902 Victory Blvd
Van Nuys, CA‎
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EAT

My fiance saw EAT once while driving down Magnolia and we decided to go there. It is unclear whether or not this restaurant is related to EAT in Los Feliz. We went for breakfast/lunch on Saturday and there was a small wait. They took our names and within 10 minutes we were seated.

The restaurant is small inside but has a lot of patio space for extra tables. After we were seated we found the menus to be slightly confusing. In the front patio there was a blackboard with a bunch of french toast specials, there was a blackboard near the kitchen with some breakfast specials, and then there was the regular menu.

The atmosphere was very diner. You could see the grill and the counter from your seat. It was a nice little place with speedy service and good enough food.

We ordered our drinks and then looked at the breakfast and lunch menus attempting to decide. I finally decided on the BLAT (blt + avocado). The other diners tried to order the breakfast special from the board only to learn that it was only available M-F until 11:30. What a disappointment! On second glance it did say that...but it was hard to read. Everyone decided to order lunch then--a regular burger, a patty melt.

My BLAT was amazing. It came with ample fries, but the thing that made it so great was the bacon. The bacon was so smokey and flavorful that it just made the sandwich. The rest of the meals were also good but "nothing special." I think we will order breakfast next time, but I will certainly go back again.





EAT
11108 Magnolia Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91617
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City Kitchen

City Kitchen is probably a chain, but since I've never seen it before anywhere, I'm counting it as a non-chain or local chain. City Kitchen is a small little deli in an office building near my work. It was only recently discovered by my circle of coworkers and is a new favorite of mine. Sure, build your own sandwich was made famous by the likes of Subway and Quiznos but what about building your own sandwich with gourmet ingredients? That's what City Kitchen has going for itself, unique and gourmet ingredients.

I have been to City Kitchen twice and both time I ordered a build your own sandwich. They also have a small selection of paninis and a build your own salad option. For the build your own sandwich you get a choice of bread (the first time I got the french baguette the second time the pretzel roll), choice of meat (I got roast beef and then the next time tried ham), choice of cheese (provolone and then fresh mozzerella), choice of 3 toppings (it's a long list, I chose tomatoes, pea sprouts, and cucumbers the first time and the second time I honestly don't recall), and your choice of spread (both times I went the boring route and got dijon mustard but I was curious about some of the aiolis.)

The sandwiches all come with housemade chips and a pickle slice. Then you can also get drinks from the fountain and they have a selection of baked goods. I tried the chocolate chip cookie and it was not only large but also chewy and delicious. I think the baguette sandwich was a better deal than the pretzel sandwich because it was bigger, however, both times I was hard pressed to finish the whole thing.

There is no indoor seating at this location but you can lounge at any table in the Water Garden adjacent. The food is delicious and fresh and prepared right before your eyes. The staff is friendly and fast. I will be going back and back and back for their delicious sandwiches and so many different options and combinations!





City Kitchen
1620 26th St
Ste 1001
Santa Monica, CA 90404
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Furaibo

I'm always looking for somewhere delicious to eat in West LA. I don't really go out for lunch at work, but sometimes I want to meet someone and don't know where to go. Furaibo is one of my new go-tos.

Furaibo is one of the many Japanese restaurants on the short strip of Sawtelle between Olympic and Santa Monica Blvd. I am always overwhelmed by choice on that street--although I have tried very few.

Furaibo is Japanese Tapas, which is another name for small plates. At this restaurant, people generally order several small dishes and share with each other. We ordered several dishes and probably way more food than two people need. It was a couple of weeks ago now, so I don't remember every dish we tried, but I do remember the highlights.

Whitefish - I was wary of this dish. I thought it was going to be dry and boring like all the American-style white fish I had ever tasted. It wasn't however. The fish was moist and delicious with a nice flavor.

Chicken Wings - Furaibo is known for its chicken wings. They were fried but I found them dry and peppery. I think it was worth trying it, but I won't order these again.

Beef Carpacio - Usually thinly sliced marinated raw beef, this dish was actually a thicker piece of beef seared and in some slight marinade. Not as good as the Italian variety.

Garlic Sprouts with Pork - My absolute favorite--so delicious I ordered a second helping. Garlic sprouts look like long green beans without the inside bean with a flavor of garlic (obviously). They were fried with bits of thick bacon and tasted wonderful. I loved how the flavors melded together.

The service was pretty good at the place and we got there right when they opened at 5:30 so there was no wait. There is parking in the back--people double park and then put their names in so that they can move their cars when others want to leave. I will be back, my mouth waters for those garlic sprouts.





Furaibo
2068 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
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JJ Bakery

After my adventure at the Din Tai Fung Dumpling House, I was stuffed. However, I noticed a place called JJ Bakery across the street. I have long wondered about this bakery because I have a shopping bag from the place in my very own pantry!

I walked in and was immediately overwhelmed by delightful looking cakes and cookies. I noticed people walking around with trays and mini tongs in their hands picking up the delectable little treats.

I walked to the display by the window and looked at what was available. I didn't want to go too crazy, but I thought maybe I could find one or two things that I would like. The first thing that caught my eye were the steamed buns. But then I noticed they were filled with red bean--a substance that, no matter how many times I try it, I thoroughly despise the grainy texture and beany taste.

Next I notced cute plastic bags filled with "Toast." Toast, I realized is what they were calling sliced sandwich bread. Chocolate cinnamon looked good, white looked good, but then I saw it, Carrot Toast. The soft orange hue and uniqueness had me. I picked up the half loaf. I found out later that Carrot Toast tastes almost the same as potato bread (my personal favorite) with the added value of beta carotene). I ate it alone, but it would make a delicious sandwich too.

I moved onto the refrigerator case where a small cake caught my eye. The looked like a colorful square of stained glass except with solid colors. In between each one inch square of cake it was held together with a vanilla cream. The entire cake was bordered by a chocolate edge, vanilla cream, and chocolate sprinkles. I had to have it. The cake was very good. The cake part was spongy and only slightly sweet. The vanilla cream tasted like slightly sweeter whipped cream--and just as light. The added sprinkles added a crunch.

JJ Bakery, open your doors and let me devour the rest of your delectible creations!





JJ Bakery
1130 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
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Din Tai Fung Dumpling House

Every once in a while I am up for a culinary adventure. On Martin Luther King Day, I found myself in Arcadia after returning something to REI. I decided to get some Chinese food since that is the area to do it. Some people had recently told me about Din Tai Fung, and I thought now was the time to try it out.

I arrived at a very crowded parking lot and was cut off by a driver in a Lexus vacating the only open spot in the lot. I took it and walked over to Din Tai Fung. The dumpling house was overflowing with people and I was worried that the wait would be too long, but I went anyway. I was likely the only non-Chinese person there or at least the only non-Chinese person by themselves.

I put in my name and was told I could be seated immediately if I wanted to share a table. Remembering my days in Europe, I gladly obliged. It was a smart thing to do because I had the opportunity to see what others were ordering and doing. The restuarant was set up for separate groups so it wasn't hard to tell for the waiters who was who.

I marked down three different dishes on my little worksheet. I didn't really know what any of the things were exactly (sure they said it in English but that didn't really help me except for the main ingredient), but I just went for it. I was sure I would have too much food, but I knew I could just take it home.

I ordered juicy pork dumplings - Delicious! With each bite came a burst of delicious hot broth and pork inside these chewy steamed dumplings. Pork Buns - I was hoping these would be the BBQ Pork buns, but instead they were something else and weren't that great. Chicken Noodle Soup - I thought this would be pretty normal. Wrong! There were chicken bones in the broth. I liked it--although it needed a little more salt or flavor or something, but I can imagine someone else being surprised by the bones.

The meal was quick, the service was fast, and the food was delicious. The weird thing was that I put down a $20 expecting to add more tip and then they never came back with my change. So I just left. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and had leftovers to boot! I'll be back!

[4 stars]

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House
1088 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA‎ 91007
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