Tasting LA

800 Degrees

2012-01-29T13:08:00.000-08:00

At the very last minute, we decided to jump on the bandwagon and go see the They Might Be Giants/Jonathon Coulton concert at UCLA last night. As coincidence would have it, our friends were also attending the concert so we vowed to meet for dinner first. My friend is good at reading about new places and then actually going to them so we headed over to the brand new 800 Degrees Quick Service pizzeria in Westwood.

Contrary to my memories of other trips to Westwood, finding street parking for $1 an hour was not actually very difficult. Just be sure to read the signs! We parked and headed to the restaurant with a line trailing out the door. We left a lot of time so we waited in that line. It was about 5:30pm. By the time we left the restaurant around 6:45 (yeah so not so much QUICK) the line was even longer, down the street, past Peet's Coffee and all the way to the corner.

The concept is creative. People pick one of three base pizzas--the margherita ($6), the bianca ($5), or the marinara ($5) and then for $1/topping (with a few exceptions) can add on whatever interests them from the vast toppings list or stick with the very basic. By the time you get to the end of the line and pay for your pizzas and salads and drinks; the pizza is out of the oven and ready to eat. Now there's the challenge of finding a table and getting all your food there, but once done, it's time to dig in!

The pizzas are about the size of a large dinner plate and if you weren't that hungry, you could definitely share with one other person--especially if you stop in at the burrata bar or add on a salad.

I ended up order the margherita with only the addition of pepperdews which are like slightly more acidic sweet peppers (really good!). So my pizza was basil, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, pepperdews, garlic and olive oil. The pizza was really good. The dough is not crispy but instead a perfect kind of chewy. It stood up pretty well to the toppings and the flavors were all there.

I also ordered from the burrata bar burrata with cherry tomatoes and pesto for another $5. If you have never had burrata before I highly recommend it. It is a variety of fresh mozzarella that is creamier than the regular buffalo variety. The cheese has a cream center that actually seems to flow out of it onto the plate. So good! Burrata can be found at stores like Bristol Farms for astronomical prices so you might as well get a $5 salad of it at 800 Degrees!

My husband ordered the marinara pizza that comes with sauce and herbs and no cheese as a base--you can of course add cheese on top them for $1 but he decided not to. He said he didn't miss the cheese and enjoyed his pepperoni and bacon pie just as well.

There are a variety of salads and the burrata bar as far as sides all for about $5 each unless you get something special (like prosciutto). They have sodas for $2 with unlimited refills and one of those new-fangled fancy touch-screen coke machines that you can use to make a variety of flavors on top of your favorite soda (like Cherry Coke Zero and Orange Mellow Yellow). They also sell gelato if by some miracle you are still hungry enough for dessert when you are finished!

While the line was very long and the system doesn't seem as fine tuned as it could be, the resulting food is fantastic and I would say worth the wait. Admittedly, they just opened a few weeks ago and $6 pizza is a great deal so these nearby college students are probably going to be crowding the place for a while. When the major buzz dies down, or maybe on a weekday evening, I highly recommend stopping into Westwood for your own signature pie.

800 Degrees Pizza, Westwood Village
10889 Lindbrook Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Map

Another Broken Egg Cafe

2011-11-20T15:47:00.001-08:00

A few months ago I noticed a new breakfast restaurant in town, Another Broken Egg Cafe had taken over the failed 3rd & Olive restaurant. I put it on my list to try it and finally today, a super rainy Sunday morning and a cancelled softball game led us to breakfast.

We waited about 10 minutes to be called and were led to a sparse dining room with windows opening into the back wall and the lobby of the office building in which it resides. The restaurant inside is sparse and not the least bit homey. It feels like a restaurant in an office building. It is very cold feeling.

We were seated and offered drinks but no silverware. A few minutes later we ordered. Then we waited. And waited. And waited.

Eventually our food came. We ordered three totally different items--Huevos Rancheros, Baconado Omelet and Bananas Foster French Toast. The FT only comes with FT, no sides except for an added cost. The Eggs dishes both came with potatoes and the omelet also added an english muffing (with butter only and no one mentioned jam). The tables aren't equipped with salt and pepper so you have to request it.

The food was good, but not spectacular. The Bananas Foster French Toast was gigantic. The plate was covered in toast, bananas and sauce. It was pretty sweet but also pretty good-although not amazing and not worth ordering a second time. The Bacon, Avocado & Cheese omelet was $2.50 more than the regular bacon and cheese omelet and the only difference was that it came with some slices of avocado on the top. Sure they were nice but I was hoping they'd be inside the omelet. I was hoping the cheese would be inside too--it wasn't. The cheese was just on top and the saturation of bacon and egg was a little over the top. I didn't really eat the English muffin because I filled up on the crispy potatoes--which were likely the most excellent thing any of us had. The huevos rancheros were a crispy tortilla topped with beans, medium-fried eggs and cheese with a little salsa. This dish also came in a skillet piled with potatoes. Good but not as good as other restaurants.

We left the restaurant shortly after noon and it was still hoping. Our meal for three came out to about $40 including entrees and drinks--about $10 per entree. The amount of food was certainly enough but the service was extremely slow--we were there waiting for our food much longer than wanted.

Between the cold atmosphere, the slowness of the food to come, and the just average food I might go back to Another Broken Egg Cafe but I want to find the thing on the menu that is their specialty--and see if they make that more amazing.

Another Broken Egg Cafe
250 E. OLIVE AVE #110
Burbank, CA 91502
Map

Mother Moo Creamery

2011-10-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

On Friday night we took a surprise trip to Sierra Madre from a new artisan ice cream shop that opened this past July. Sierra Madre is the cutest town. It has that east-coast feel with old shops close together and offering walking distance restaurants and treats all together. The nightlife is slim but some of the restaurants still drew a crowd along with live music even at 9pm.

Mother Moo Creamery was still hopping at 9pm. The shop is sparse, with cement floors and a tiny ice cream freezer with one or two tables and a couple of chairs lined up against the wall on the sidewalk. It isn't really the place you want to sit and eat--but since the town is so cute you can take it to go and go for a little walk.

Mother Moo had about 8 flavors when we were there and they are constantly changing them so you can watch their Facebook page for more information. Since we went with a group I was able to taste several of the available flavors. I tasted salted chocolate, mint chocolate chip, strawberry and coffee cinnamon.

Salted Chocolate - really salty but kind of delightful if you have another flavor at the same time. Alone and near the end the salt becomes overwhelming

Mint Chocolate Chip - They use real fresh mint, so for anyone who loves fresh mint this flavor is for you! I don't really like mint much at all and fresh minute is way worse than the extract. This ice cream was too fresh and minty for me but others liked it a lot. This flavor was also really really soft so it melted fast and had more of a custardy feel almost like they didn't freeze it long enough

Strawberry - Good fruit to cream ratio, very solid

Coffee Cinnamon - This was mine so I ate the whole thing less a few tastes. By the end, I was getting kind of tired of the strong chewy coffee grounds littering the surface of the ice cream but I did like this to start off. The cinnamon flavor was strong too and I really liked the textures at first but I got tired of this ice cream as I went through my single scoop,

The scoops are served in small cups for one scoop, larger trays for two scoops or in fresh-made waffle cones in vanilla and chocolate. They have a few mason jars and a pitcher of water if you wait long enough to finish your choice inside the shop. They also sell jam and a few other odds and ends.

The verdict? The ice cream is good but the flavors we chose weren't our favorites. We'll go back again and try something different and maybe share a bit more so we don't get tired of flavors. The shop itself could be a little more homey but maybe they are going for a come in, eat out atmosphere anyway.

Mother Moo Creamery
17 Kersting Circle
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Map

Which Wich

2011-09-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

There is a new sandwich shop in Burbank. It made it to the San Fernando Strip earlier this year and I've been wanting to try it ever since. The problem is that I already have a favorite sandwich shop in Burbank, and a second favorite, and there's a third one I kind of like...so I just haven't had room for another sandwich place in my life. But finally we decided to try it this afternoon.

Like The Counter, this sandwich shop has a bunch of brown bags on display where you pick your sandwich, bread and toppings before you get to the register. The bags are ordered by protein and then you use the provided red sharpies to add your bread, cheese toasted or not and other toppings and sauces.

I got the concept pretty quickly of filling out the bags but it seemed like a lot of people who came in for the first time were a tad confused by the system.

All of the sandwiches at the restaurant are the same price by size unless you add something extra like bacon or avocado. However, if you get a special sandwich like bacon, turkey and tomato combination that is listed on the bag the bacon comes with the bacon for free for the regular price.

I decided to start off by getting something I'd have at any other sandwich shop so that I could easily compare although I was very tempted by the Cuban specialty sandwich. I ordered turkey with avocado, cheese, tomato and deli mustard. I thought I also put on pepperocinis but I honestly don't remember if they were on there or not. The avocado was $1 extra but they made it worth my while by really piling it on the top.

I got the sandwich un-toasted and I thought he bread tasted fresh and chewy. My husband tried a sandwich that was toasted with ham, bacon and cheese. It won him over and he plans to take the sandwich card back there sometime and work his way up to 10 for a free one! This is a good substitute for Subway or Quiznos with some more fun options and lots of choice.

Which Wich is a small chain so if you live somewhere else in Southern California or in Arizona you should seek out your local branch for your next sandwich.

Which Wich
302 N San Fernando Blvd
Burbank, CA 91502
Map

Tarascos

2011-08-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

This morning at 9 am I went to a Tamale Making class at Tarascos Mexican Restaurant in Silverlake. The class was actually rather short. A group of 30 of us or so sat around the dining area with bowls of masa, spices and fillings and made a few tamales each. After the tamales were made and the main instruction was over we opted to have our tamales steamed at the restaurant which was supposed to take about an hour to an hour and 20 minutes.

My friends and I decided to get our tamales steamed at the restaurant and ordered breakfast while we waited. At first I thought of just getting a few soft tacos but finally decided on huevos rancheros. Huevos rancheros was always my dad's favorite dish and somehow became mine the first time I tried it.

This huevos rancheros was actually rather healthy compared to some of the options out there. Usually it comes with fried tortillas, lots of cheese and piles of beans. This one though had one tortilla, just warmed, 2 fried eggs (over easy), a little red sauce, refried beans and some rice. I guess there was a little cheese maybe too. It was really quite delicious and filling. The eggs were perfectly cooked.

We also tried the salsas (knowing the restaurant also offers a salsa making class). They were good! The trio of salsas came with a thin tomatillo salsa, a creamy habenero salsa and a thick tomato salsa. The chips weren't the best but soaked in salsa they were fine.

The service was pretty good, the coffee was tasty, and the food was delicious. I'd like to go back for dinner sometime!

Tarascos

3319 W Sunset Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90026

Map

The Pizzeria

2011-07-21T01:06:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas really isn't the cheapest place in the world. Food prices were really kind of crazy at all the different restaurants and we didn't really want to fall back on our favorite chains that dotted the landscape, but man, the prices were kinda outrageous at places. I thought the best deal on the strip were the people selling ice cold water for $1 on the bridges--I bet they make a tidy sum.

So, in search of a cheap lunch I happened to come across this place called simply "The Pizzeria." The reviewers on Yelp talk about the place as though it is a secret find--and it really does feel like that when you do find it. Like finding an old friend, the Pizzeria is hidden in down a nondescript hallway on the third floor of the new Cosmopolitan Hotel.

This restaurant was a great find. The slices are fresh large slices of greasy NY style pizza for about $3.50 each. If you want a whole pizza you can get one for about $20, more with toppings. As we waited in the short line a piping hot meat-lovers pizza came out of the oven and replaced an old looking pizza on the counter--that they promptly threw away due to sitting too long. The sodas come in red plastic party cups like the fraternity boys hid beer in in college. I hear it's free refills, although I didn't test the theory.

The pizza I had was warm, floppy but crisp and a smidge to salty (but it was meat lovers, what are you going to do?). My husband--a true pizza connoisseur enjoyed his slice of meat lovers and the plain cheese, folding them like a pro and avoiding any drips or crumbs on the flimsy paper plate.

There is minimal seating space at the counters but and a tiny bit to stand in, but you can always take your pizza out to the pool table or the business center where there's ample space. If you're craving something tasty and cheap the next time you're in Vegas don't miss The Pizzeria.

The Pizzeria, The Cosmopolitan Hotel

Las Vegas, NV

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The Bellagio Buffet

2011-07-20T04:50:00.000-07:00

When we decided to go to Vegas for the first time for a short getaway, everyone raved about the food--and the shows. The thing is, once you're in Vegas it's really hard to center in on the best restaurants to go to--the ones that have higher prices because they have great food vs. the tourist traps. It's also hard to bring yourself to a restaurant half a mile up the strip when you're hungry and the 99 degree heat is pounding down on the hot cement beneath your already tired feet.

We're glad we decided to stay in the Bellagio, arguably in the center of things so we didn't have to worry about long walks to everything. But some days a walk up the street wasn't on our list of things to do and so we settled for what some say is the best buffet on the strip--the Bellagio Buffet.

We headed down to the Buffet around 10am on Saturday morning. I thought that since it was "so early" and most people in Vegas were probably awake until the wee hours, that it wouldn't be that crowded. When we arrived, the line was about 10 people deep and we soon found that this was only because the pre-paying was going on and people were slow to pull out their wallets. We were actually seated fairly quickly and directed to the buffet as the attentive waitress took our drink orders.

While it was 10am, I was surprised to see a couple of dinner/lunch options on the buffet line and not all the classic breakfast items expected. The buffet is varied for sure, roasts, eggs, omelet bar, fruit, cereals, Chinese noodles, desserts, pastries, and fish. The fish part of buffets is always my very favorite part. I just adore smoked salmon bit it's so expensive to buy. Eating smoked salmon at a buffet, however, suddenly makes it totally worth it.

I decided to skip the omelet line and made a beeline towards the french toast, fruit, mashed and boiled potatoes and then the fish... Even though I tried some meats as well I think it's safe to say that the smoked trout, smoked salmon (2 varieties!) and muscles were the bulk of my meal. I topped breads with them, I made tiny sandwiches, I had trout with the boiled potatoes and the mashed potatoes with pesto. It was delicious.

The thing is the buffet wasn't as special as I had hoped for $25 a person. I wanted a crepe bar or hash browns or the best seasonal fruits--I got melons, some strawberries and mashed potatoes. There were pre-constructed apple cinnamon crepes that left a little to be desired. The breakfast wasn't bad, it was good but it wasn't amazing. The brunch we had in Kauai two years ago at the Marriot far surpassed this one. The brunch at the Bellagio lacks any view at all and feels like a regular hotel breakfast--except for the heaping plates of smoked fish.

(Every time we passed the buffet line after our initial eating there it was snaking in rows of threes sometimes spilling out into the casino. It turns out if you go a little later in the day from say 12-9:3o pm, you can meet with a hungry crowd, so get your eats in early if you happen to be awake.)

The Buffet at the Bellagio

Las Vegas, NV

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The Mesa Grill

2011-07-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Tasting LA went to Las Vegas this weekend to check out the local sites and restaurants. We didn't really plan out our trip except that we (aka my friend since I'm scared of the phone) made reservations at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill for Saturday night.

Ever since his first appearances on Boy Meets Grill, Bobby's cooking has intrigued both my husband and I. This is the first chef we saw that cooked basic meats using spices and specifically different types of chili to make things interesting.

It's a good thing we had reservations, when we arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation, we were surprised to find the restaurant completely packed already with a wait!

The atmosphere at the Mesa Grill is pretty nice considering it is right in the middle of a casino. I was a little disappointed that some of the smokey smell from the casino was coming in through the cracks between the glass, however that didn't really deter me from enjoying the meal.

The food really lived up to my expectations. The menu isn't that large but you can tell that each dish is prepared with expert care to detail. My husband and I decided to order at least one thing from every course as we knew we wouldn't be racking up the bill on alcohol.

At the suggestion of other reviews, I started with the Blue Corn Duck Pancake. This is more like a blue corn crepe stuffed with bbq'd duck in a sweet sauce and then topped with a little chili sauce and some unidentifiable greens. This dish was incredibly rich! The pancake was cooked to perfection and not at all dry, the duck was rich and delicious and the flavor could only be cut by the greens on top and a dip in the chili sauce.

While we waited for our next courses to come, we savored the bread basket on our table. I was disappointed to find a hard cold round of butter in the small dish served alongside. Tell me, friends of the world, how do you spread cold butter on fresh bread? The highlight bread for us was the jalepeno bread that seemed to have some sort of cheesy crust. There was also a raisin bread that I actually enjoyed despite my dislike of raisins; and the famous blue & yellow corn muffin studded with jalepenos. I thought this muffin was a bit dry for my taste--I bet it would be good with butter...but without a small plate or warm butter the crumbs got all over the place instead.

Our main courses came, Joey had the ribeye with a chili spice rub and a side of mashed potatoes with a creamy cheese sauce. I had the pork tenderloin rubbed on the outside in different chilis and topped with a chili sauce similar to the one that came with the duck pancake. The tenderloin also came with a sweet potato tamale with pecan butter. While the dish at first didn't seem like a very big portion, I was nearly busting at the seems trying to finish it and half the potatoes. The pork was cooked as I have never had it before, succulently tender with a melt in your mouth feel. The outside of the pork was covered in a chili spice rub that was actually a bit firery for my taste, but still very flavorful. The sweet potato tamale was delicious but filling and I could barely eat half of it, despite it's small size. Joey's ribeye was flavorful especially where the fat marbled accentuating the flavors. I've never thought of adding cheese sauce to mashed potatoes--but let me tell you, it's a great idea! The potatoes were creamy and slightly cheesy--hard to differentiate from melted butter.

Even though we were completely stuffed by the end of the main course, we decided we had to order dessert. The menu had some tempting options--like churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce. I was kind of leaning towards those even though I'd heard that they weren't particularly amazing--but I was so full, could I really eat a bunch of deep fried dough? I guessed not so we ordered the blueberry lime tart with blueberry marshmallow swirl ice cream. Midway through eating the shortbread-like crusted delight, we learned from our informative waiter that there was actually no marshmallow in the ice cream, it was just meant to taste like the texture of marshmallows. No matter, it was totally delicious with a cascade of cooked blueberries on the side, this dish was a perfect end to a delicious dinner.

The Mesa Grill

Caesar's Palace, in the Forum Shops Casino

Las Vegas, NV

Map

Raphael

2011-06-23T21:33:00.000-07:00

This Thursday night I was meeting a friend for dinner at a place of her suggestion in Studio City. I looked at the menu in advance and prepared myself for the prices and the potential let down of expensive food I could have made better myself. But alas, that letdown never came!

I arrived at the restaurant noting that valet parking really is the only option even on a Thursday night in Studio City. I pulled up to the curb recognizing the vertical garden of succulents before even seeing the name. I arrived at the restaurant at the exact same time as my friend, so no awkward waiting around.

At 7pm the restaurant was practically empty. We were seated at a nice window seat and the wait staff was very quick and welcoming. They also took the time to answer questions and describe dishes once served--making sure we understood what the different ingredients were.

After warm rolls with soft butter and flaky sea salt, to start I ordered the Tuna Tartar. The best thing about the tartar was this carrot glass that came with it. It was carrot and maybe ginger cooked and pressed together that became a glass--almost like candy. It was so interesting and added such a great texture to the dish along with the bright fresh tartar, herbs and edible flowers. My friend ordered the apple salad which was equally delicious but a little more traditional with walnuts and blue cheese accompaniments.

After our starters, our meals came with a little time to digest and chat in between. I thought the pacing was good and it was nice to not get an appetizer and then have the meal come immediately after or even at the same time. I ordered the lamb (the menu online does not match the one in the restaurant, must be seasonal). The generous portion on lamb cut like butter and was served on a crispy bed of square potatoes that may have been mixed with cheese and a few different chutneys, a fried squash blossom and some other little squash, flesh scooped away. The varying textures and flavors were fantastic--a little crunch, sweet and savory all at once. My friend ordered the salmon which was pretty similar to regular salmon--find something on the menu that doesn't have an ingredient you recognize and order it for the best results!

I decided to go for dessert even though my friend was filled up on wine (and maybe hit her budget as the wine was pricey) The desserts all sounded interesting but I had my heart set on the banana bread pudding with peanut brittle, fried bananas and peanut butter ice cream. The banana bread pudding part was okay, but the ice cream and fried bananas were absolutely decadent. The bananas were breaded in a brown-sugar based tempura and slightly warmed inside with a nice crunch outside. The ice cream was just lightly peanut buttery and creamy and delicious. I felt as though the pudding had been baked especially for me.

I really liked Raphael even though I was sure I wouldn't. The prices were high but the quality and portions reflected it. I was worried that there wouldn't be enough food on my plate but I ended up leaving full and satisfied. The lamb was very generous and all the different textures and flavors tricked me into thinking my dinner was large. My only complaint is that as the night got later the music got louder and it was hard to hear my friend. Also, as the light from outside went away, it got a little too dark in the corner table--all these things probably fixable if we had mentioned it but we really enjoyed ourselves and the food otherwise so it wasn't important at the time.

Raphael

11616 Ventura Blvd

Studio City, CA 91604

Map

TrueFood Kitchen

2011-06-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

Around the same time that the Market opened in the Santa Monica Place, a new restaurant on the first floor also opened--TrueFood Kitchen. It's a little confusing when trying to explain to someone the Market and then also TFK because the concepts are similar but they sit on absolute opposite ends of the mall. The Market's concept is local gourmet shops that offer foods to buy and take home or to eat for a treat. TFK's concept is a sit-down restaurant with fresh local foods that are healthy enough for you to feel good about eating out.

I have been to TFK twice and I loved it each time. Unfortunately, I haven't tried lots of different things--my meal was so delicious the first day that I had to get it again the next.

TrueFood Kitchen has a variety of things on their menu from soups and salads to sandwiches to other fresh specialties. Due to the nature of their fresh and local healthy feel the price tag is kind of high. It's worth it, but this isn't an everyday place with most meals $13+--and some of those too small to count as a full lunch.

The restaurant serves fancy spritzers, bottled vintage-style sodas, tea and water. Don't look for your diet coke fix here. The spritzers are around $4 a piece which is pretty pricey although I noticed that some of them offer refills-but you'll have to qualify which. I tried the Red Moon the first time and was disappointed by how tart it was. I was hoping for a sweeter red orange flavor. The second time I ordered the honey lemonade and it tasted like it is called--lemonade with honey...I'd rather have it without the honey.

For my entree, I ordered the grilled halibut tacos. The meal comes with three palm-sized soft corn tacos stuffed to the brim with large chunks of halibut, cabbage, pickled onions, tomatillo salsa and cojita cheese. Each ingredient tastes as though it were made just for me. The tortillas were the freshest I have ever had. The tacos came with a small bowl of pinto beans topped with a little salsa fresca and some cheese--making these beans stand out from the traditional side order. My friends ordered a variety of other menu items including the turkey burger, the bison burger, the ahi sliders, the ravioli (small for an entree), and the salads (sure you can add fish but it will bring the price up to $20...for a salad...).

I also sampled the chocolate banana tart and as a non-banana lover it was absolutely fantastic! I loved the caramelized banana, the crunchy tart bottom, the light chocolate flavor--even the dollop of whipped cream. However, one tart cannot feed five people..just one person, $7.

I love this restaurant. I think the food is fantastic, I think the service is good, I like the fresh healthy feeling. I don't actually know how healthy the food is except that they tell me so since the calorie listing isn't on the menu like other restaurants around town these days. But the food does feel healthy when eating it and the chefs line the wall in view to show they aren't hiding anything that they cook. I will continue to go back here again and again--but as a special treat, the prices here are not low enough for every day.

TrueFood Kitchen, 1st Floor
Santa Monica Place

Santa Monica, CA 90401
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The Curious Palate

2011-06-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

I have been doing my do-diligence and trying to dine at all of the new restaurants at the Santa Monica Place Market. My goal is based purely on convenience--my office is a stone's throw away from the market and I want to find new and delicious places to eat and to take my friends that come to dine with me.

This Friday, I decided to try The Curious Palate. I've noticed the intriguing blackboard of daily soups, sandwiches, quiches and entrees but the line is always out the door and around the corner. Finally it was small enough that I could manage the time strain.

I ordered The Brooklyner sandwich and it came with one side--I opted for the barley salad. I was drawn to the sandwich because it had smoked salmon on it. I stopped reading the ingredients list after thing 4...I'd just be surprised.

I took a seat on the outdoor patio overlooking nothing much and busied myself with my phone while I waited for my food to arrive. The sandwich was relatively large between hefty slices of light rye bread. I was disappointed by the number of different ingredients in the sandwich that managed to mask the delicate taste of the salmon. Among the other ingredients were the classic accompaniments--cream cheese, onions, tomato and some more unusual ones--sweet pickles and some kind of red sauce. I think I would've preferred the smoked salmon in a more classic way but I suppose it did appeal to all the senses on the palate per the name.

My lunch was $15--sandwich, side, water. The restaurant also sells fancy teas and coffee, vintage-style sodas and I think even a variety of beer and wine. I'll probably head back there again but go for something with a shorter ingredient list--maybe one of their popular quiches.

Also, one woman stopped off here with her small child. The Curious Palate does not have a children's menu and didn't seem to have any smaller menu items that would really work. This woman ordered the $13 burger for her under-5-year old and it was about the size of the kid's head. Since technically the curious palate is inside the market, if you really want something from there, I recommend heading over to The Bakery and picking up something smaller for your child--the curious palate probably won't mind if you bring something over from nearby or you could get your order to go and sit outside--but the man-sized burger seemed like a waste of money.

The Curious Palate, The Market

3rd Floor

395 Santa Monica Place

Santa Monica, CA 90401
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Norcino Salumeria Cheese Bar "The Butcher"

2011-06-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

The Market in Santa Monica Place opened just last month and it has already become an old favorite to me. I still can barely go in there without picking up a chocolate chip cookie--but that bakery is not the only thing that makes my heart swoon.

The Butcher, as it is called when you get a sandwich instead of a sampler at the cheese bar, is a fast favorite. Since day one they have adapted to their environment and now offer a small list of sandwiches that highlight their super-high quality meats and cheeses for about $8 each. I'd say that's a pretty standard Santa Monica lunch.

The speck, the proscuitto, the cheeses, the manners. The food is delicious and the staff is friendly and helpful. I've gotten two different sandwiches from this place and I can eat them even after I am full because of all the textures and flavors that meld together wonderfully.

If you are so inclined, you can also join the Butcher at the cheese bar for a cheese sampler or tastes of meat and a glass of wine. If you like anything enough, you can buy chunks of cheese and slices of meat to take home. This place is not to be missed.

The Butcher, The Market
3rd Floor
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Map

Aurelie The Cookie Guru

2011-05-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

I am a big cookie fan. Alright, you got me, I just love all desserts--but especially cookies. Whenever I went to the mall in my youth I would beg and beg my mom to buy me a cookie from Mrs. Fields. When each birthday came around I would hem and haw over cake or giant frosted cookie. And so I consider myself a bit of a cookie connoisseur, which means that when I saw a cookie stand in the middle of the newly opened Market at the Santa Monica place, I skipped over the massive lines for gelato (apparently they were offering a free scoop) and rushed on over.

Aurelie only sells chocolate chip cookies at this time, and that's just fine with me. The cookies were perched on cake plates with others coming right out of the oven. To compliment the cookies, you can buy a glass of milk--plain or flavored, soy, dairy or almond.

I purchased two cookies and a glass of the caramel milk. I had the caramel milk for lunch to accompany my sandwich from "the Butcher." It was the perfect mix of sweet and creamy. I loved how the flavors mixed together and I've never even thought about making caramel milk!

And then there were the cookies. Chewy chocolate chip cookies with delicious warm and giant chocolate chips melted on top and inside in delicious layers. I ate one and immediately wanted another...but I restrained myself.

The lady in front of me purchased a dozen cookies to take and bake at home--and I would consider it, they were so delicious it is worth the price! Now I know where to go for my afternoon snack!

The Cookie Guru, The Market
3rd Floor
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Map

The Market

2011-05-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

I have been counting down the days until the Market would open at the Santa Monica Place mall. I had visions of something like a mix of Whole Foods and Bay Cities Deli with a few shops added on. This isn't exactly what the result was--although it's still a neat place to visit. I'd say it's similar to the Farmer's Market at the Grove except with less places to eat.

The market has a couple of sit down eateries, a few more grab/go style places, a place that doesn't sell food at all and then lots of desserts. Despite today being opening day, I was surprised to see that only some of the stands were crowded and others had room to spare.

The market is expensive. It is certainly catering toward the Santa Monica rich yuppy who loves local and fresh foods. This is not a place to go every day but instead to visit for a special snack or sweet.

I walked around the market several times and then visited Aurelie The Cookie Guru, Norcino Salumeria Cheese Bar and L’Artisan du Chocolat. I will review each restaurant separately--but don't wait for my review, stop by the Market yourself to take in all the sights, sounds and smells and sit on the patio while you enjoy your sweets and snacks.

The Market
3rd Floor
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Map

The Misfit

2011-05-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Misfit just opened up in the beautiful historic clock tower building in Santa Monica on 2nd & Santa Monica Blvd. Even though the restaurant has only been open for a week, they don't have any of those "new restaurant" glitches that I've come to expect from dining out in new places.

The Misfit kept the historic art-deco feel inside the building as well as out. The high vaulted ceilings make the restaurant seem much bigger than it is. Ceiling height bookshelves line the wall behind the bar filled with books and various bottles of alcohol. The red stools accent the bar and the frosted glass makes for different corner's in the restaurant. The whole place reminds me of the similarly architectural wonder of a restaurant--the 410 club in Chicago's Wrigley building.

The staff is very friendly and attentive. I was seated immediately at a slightly hidden corner table. My waitress came by almost instantly for drink orders. And when she returned she still offered just the right amount of time for me to decide on a menu choice before coming back again.

The waiters use an electronic ordering pad so they don't have to re-type your order into the computer which I think helps speed up the entire process. I read only a few pages of my magazine before my food was delivered to my table, still piping hot.

I had the green chili mac & cheese. The pasta is made of brown rice so that it works for a number of dietary concerns and is also a little bit healthier. This was a baked mac & cheese, so the melty cheese combined with the sweet-spicy peppers giving the dish an interesting flavor. The pasta part was a little bit undercooked I thought--but it was still good enough to eat! I liked it but I think I would order something else in the future--if not only to try something new. I also ordered the leek, fennel & tomato vegetable side. The restaurant serves different vegetable sides each day depending on what ingredients are fresh. My vegetable side was sauteed so that all the ingredients were soft. I enjoyed it but felt that both my entrée and the side were a little small for a filling lunch. This restaurant has a small-plates feel at large-plate prices.

This is a good place to go with a medium-sized group--say 4, so that you can try lots of things and fill up with appetizers and sides. The other plus is the full bar. The bar and restaurant isn't filled with TVs like other restaurants seem to always have these days, so it is a good place to go for a drink with people you want to talk to. Perfect for a business lunch, a slightly celebratory dinner, or just a drink after work with friends.

The Misfit

225 Santa Monica Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90401

Map

The 2nd 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational - Should I go next year?

2011-04-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

The Grilled Cheese Invitational sounds as fun as a barrel of monkeys. That's why my friends and I decided to go this year. We all bought judging tickets for $5 more on top of the $12 entry ticket. We dreamed of ooey gooey interesting grilled cheese sandwiches moving quickly from the contestants pans to our tummy's. We expected to eat more grilled cheese then we have ever had before, watch contestants make their concoctions and do a little judging on the side.

That is not how the GCI went down. We arrived at the parking lot just before 11am and were greeted by a huge line wrapping around the location. After waiting for 15 minutes we learned of another line around the corner where if you had your tickets already you could walk right in. We went over there and walked right in. We received a judging bracelet and 3 carnival style tickets. In the grassy section of the fenced in "park" were all the free sample booths. Then, around all the edges were different vendors selling a variety of grilled cheese-esque food. There were food trucks as well and a beer garden. The beer garden sold vouchers for beer and all money went to the West Hollywood Library project.

A center stage was set up near the back of the huge open lot. We headed that way but at the time there was nothing going on so we went to the beer garden to wait for the rest of our friends to arrive.

We ended up going to the second heat for the competition. All the "judges" stand at the edge of the roped area and elbow their way to their grilled cheese. Each judge only gets 3 GC samples and to get those samples you have to yell and scream and wave down the sample carriers. The actual competitors are relatively boring to watch as most of them have already made all their sandwiches and are just frying them up in miniature frying pans on hot plates. The samples are small--1/4 of a regular piece of bread or less if the sandwich is made on something different.

In order to try more than 3 sandwiches, my friends and I shared our small samples with each other. The whole process though was pretty awful. There are 4 rounds of competition and we used all our tickets in one because we hated how we had to call for our tastes. We thought that these samples would fill us for lunch but no such luck there. We tried some interesting sandwiches though and found out later that our favorite--the Monte Carlo was the winner.

After our terrible judging experience we headed to the restaurant tents and bought various grilled cheese sandwiches and snacks. My favorite purchased sandwich was called The Elvis. It was challah with a nutella marscapone filling, caramelized bananas and maple bacon. I could eat another sandwich like that right now.

Will I go back next year? No. It is $12 entry fee for...nothing. You just get into a place where you can get some "free" samples which combined together is not worth $12. There is some entertainment but again, nothing that special that is worth the cost. $5 for three tiny samples as a Judge is an okay price, but elbowing and screaming for a sample is not my idea of a good time. There has to be a better way! I probably spent like $30 at the festival on top of my other money. I ate until my sides split and I had fun hanging out with my friends and trying new foods but I can do that elsewhere. Next year I will not go, will you?

2011-03-05T02:55:00.000-08:00

All of a sudden I have reason to be dining for lunch in downtown Santa Monica. Eventually I'll probably start cooking again and bringing in leftovers--but until then, and for the days that I eat out, I'm going to start a new series on this blog. The new series will cover any restaurant in and around the 3rd St. Promenade area where I dine. This new series will cover some chain restaurants. The idea is that you could use this new series as reference for finding a good place to eat while you're shopping around the area or if you're just visiting from out of town. The intent is to offer quicker reviews and choices with the same 5-star rating system except I'll rate several different areas. The new Layout will be as follows:

Restaurant Name (listed here I'll mention if it is a chain or not)

Location (while I will provide the address, I'll try to also provide landmarks or street corners)

Price

Short Review

Atmosphere (5 star rating)

Food, taste etc (5 star rating)

Variety on menu (5 star rating)

Hit or Skip (5 star rating)

All these reviews will be tagged under "New Series - Downtown Santa Monica"

Azeen's Afghani Restaurant

2011-03-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

Some friend and I decided to meet for dinner last night at Azeen's. I've had Afghan food before and I liked it but I didn't remember the specifics and was eager to try it again. Afghan food is kind of like a mix between Middle Eastern (think yogurt, rice, maybe even Persian flavors), and then dumplings (like the delicious steamed potsticker kind). It has strong flavors and uses spice combinations that you don't necessarily think of together. This food is absolutely delicious! It is worth trying.

Azeen's is just off the beaten track in Pasadena. It is a small and quiet restaurant with white tablecloths and attentive and kind staff. We arrived around 7:30 on a Thursday night and a good number of the tables were already filled. I felt like everyone but us was speaking in hushed tones, but nobody complained that we were loud--so maybe it was just me.

The prices are a little bit steep but I lamb is expensive on its own and lots of the dishes contain lamb. However, for the amount of food you get (enough for maybe 2 dinners), it is worth the price.

We tried:
MANTU
Steamed dumplings filled with chopped beef, onions and herbs topped with yogurt and sautéed Mixed vegetables.
-This was delicious! The dumplings were really flavorful but the tangy sauce on top made them really special

Side Salad - This comes with all the entrees. The dressing is yogurt based with either parsly or mint dust. It is otherwise a basic salad but the dressing makes you want more.

AUSHAK
Leek and scallion filled dumplings topped with yogurt and meat sauce, sprinkled with mint.
-I got this for my main course. I liked it but it tasted almost Italian and I was a little bit disappointed that I didn't just order more Mantu, but I wanted to try more things

QUABILI PALLAW
Tender pieces of lamb under a mound of PALLAW (rice), topped with carrot strips and raisins.
-This sounds like something I would never order because I'm not usually a fan of raisins but this was the most delicious dish we had. The rice is cooked with lamb broth, cardamom, cumin and cinnamon. The flavors meld together with the competing textures of lamb, carrots and plump raisins. I just tasted this dish and then instantly wished I had ordered it myself. I can see myself going back there just for this. I craved it this morning for breakfast.

CHALLAW BADENJAN
Stew of eggplant cooked with onions and tomatoes, topped with yogurt.
-This dish was served with a plate mounded with rice. The lamb was particularly tender and flavorful. It was warm and filled with different textures and tang. All the entrees were served with Afghan bread that was helpful for soaking up the sauces and a nice extra filler. I don't know if it had much flavor on its own.

FIRNEE
A light pudding with almonds and pistachios served chilled.
-We all shared dessert although nobody was really hungry enough to eat it. This pudding tasted a lot like flowers...like that lotion that smells so good you want to eat it. It was a nice end to the meal..although I would've been content with more Quabili Pallow

Azeen's Afghani Restaurant
110 E Union St
Pasadena, CA 91103
Map

Olive & Thyme

2011-02-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

In the middle of winter even if you live in California, it is almost impossible to go to a restaurant and order something that serves a sweet ripe tomato. Oftentimes they are slightly green, crunchy and flavorless. It is awful. All you want is a great tomato and you're stuck in a rut until late summer.

Olive & Thyme have somehow jumped the hurdle of the bad tomato and even in the dead of winter are able to get delicious, ripe and sweet heirloom tomatoes that taste like they are right out of the garden. These tomatoes, the perfectly ripe avocado, and the flavorful thick cut bacon on lightly toasted sourdough made for an outstanding sandwich. I loved how my sandwich was served with those tiny pickles on a cutting board.

My dining companions both got salads off the menu (as opposed to from the case). The Cobb salad had a beautiful layout and a great slightly spicy dressing, the same ripe tomatoes, gourmet blue cheese, perfectly cooked eggs and chicken. The Chinese chicken salad also had a nice flavorful vinaigrette (although after tasting the Italian dressing I wished I had a salad), grilled chicken, a salad mix and carrots with sliced almonds. All the ingredients were fresh and delicious.

While waiting in line, I noticed a jar of cookies on the counter. The cookies were chocolate chip with sea salt and cocoa nibs. I knew I had to have one but didn't order it right away. Instead, while one person saved the table we took turns walking around the restaurant and looking at all the food and pastries for sale. There were a variety of pastries (salted caramel croissant? Tell me more!), cakes and chocolates. Today being valentine's day probably influenced the selection. They also sell bread, cheese and a variety of spices and honey and things.

Olive and Thyme takes up an unassuming store front on Riverside drive that they've turned into a beautiful cafe and store. There are cases of salads (everything from beats and bulgar to potato), the cheese for sale, a marble topped bar to help the overflow of diners, a communal table and small tables around the edge. If you have a big group you will have to split up unless you can score a spot at the communal table. The only thing Olive & Thyme is missing is outdoor seating, but the way the restaurant is situated it is not allowed on the sidewalk. Otherwise, this is a perfect place for a healthy gourmet lunch for a reasonable price with fresh ingredients.

Olive & Thyme

4013 Riverside Dr

Burbank, CA 91505

Map

Beachcombers

2011-02-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

Crystal Cove State Park is a beautiful historical beach with houses for rent. We recently went to the park for lunch at the only restaurant--Beachcombers. Beachcombers also has a location on the beach in Malibu.

The atmosphere at this restaurant can't be beat. It is located right on the beautiful beach just steps from the ocean. There is plenty of space to walk around after or before lunch. I've heard this place gets packed but when we were there on a Thursday in February just before noon, we were seated right away on the patio facing the water. Wait for a patio seat, I'd say the restaurant isn't worth it if you have to sit inside.

The menu has a variety of choices but I don't feel like they made any of them superbly. The breakfast smelled good and I kind of wished we made it for that. If I were you, I'd order the seafood. Of the people in our group, I was the only one that ordered seafood and my lunch was by far the best in the group. I ordered the Ahi Tuna sandwich. I was a little worried about it because I prefer my tuna raw...but this one was cooked perfectly and there was a nice flavor and texture mix with slaw and aoili. The dish came with a side of a different coleslaw and french fries--lots of fries.

We had a birthday girl at our table and when they found out the covertly brought out an ice cream sundae with bananas and caramel. It was a nice treat. This restaurant may actually teeter on the $$$ level because a lunch entree can be as high as $17. The thing is you're still on the beach in this location...but you know it is a state park, you could just bring a picnic and grab a drink at the bar later.

Beachcombers

Crystal Cove State Park

8471 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Map

Great Harvest Bread Company

2011-01-31T16:02:00.000-08:00

I discovered last week that I have access in this great state of California to a childhood memory. Great Harvest Bread Company is that memory. Every week after my trombone lesson in Naperville, my mom would pick me up and we'd stop by the Great Harvest Bread Company for our weekly loaf of bread and free sample. The free samples were a full slice of the fresh made bread of your choice slathered with sweet, soft butter. Sometimes, if we were lucky, we also got a quarter of an oatmeal chocolate cookie--warm from the oven.

When I learned that there is a Great Harvest Bread Company (GHBC) right around the corner in South Pasadena, I knew I had to make it my priority to visit! I know I don't usually review chains, but this will have to be an exception.

I went with my sister in law to the bread company on pretty much the cutest street in South Pas. I didn't even know such an adorable street existed! Despite all the other restaurants on the street, GHBC was packed. The line was almost out the door at noon when we arrived. This GHBC offers sandwiches and salads in addition to selling fresh bread and cookies.

We decided to order lunch first and get our loaves of bread later. I ordered the ham & cheese sandwich on honey wheat, a bag of chips, and a juice squeeze. They don't offer fountain sodas at this place but they do offer Peet's Coffee and Iced tea. My meal was $10. The sandwich comes on their bread sliced so it is the size of a regular sandwich that you would make at home. There are a lot of options but nothing that is very different than a regular deli--except the bread.

The bread is really dense, so if that's not your kind of thing then this place is not for you. My sister in law ordered the Asian salad and I don't think the salads are worth it. If I were you, I would order a sandwich if anything..but honestly I don't think I'd go back for lunch. The service was slow and I could make the same sandwich at home. Go to the bakery before lunch and get your bread and head home and make yourself a sandwich.

The bread is fresh, and dense and just the way I remembered it. I'd be content with a little butter.

Great Harvest Bread Company

1019 Mission Street
South Pasadena, CA 91030

Map

Tocabe

2011-01-14T15:32:00.001-08:00

Have you ever had Indian fry bread? Like the Native American kind? I'm not talking about the fry bread they use at the Cheesecake Factory for the Navajo. I'm talking about hot, fresh out of the fryer crispy on the outside chewy on the inside slightly sweet fry bread.

And that is what you get at Tocabe. America's Next Great Restaurant - come find these guys. They have a product that could rival Chipotle. Tocabe is the most different fast casual restaurant I have ever been to. While many of the ingredients shadow Mexican staples--beans, cheese, meat, lettuce, salsas, corn--the fry bread gives the entrees a twist you can get nowhere else.

Order at the counter and decide if you want your fry bread stuffed or topped. Choose your ingredients, save room for dessert and head to your table. The fry bread gets a tad soggy topped with so many ingredients so try to eat it before it cools.

Dessert is fry bread topped with either fruit topping or cinnamon and sugar. Don't miss this sweet treat! It's like a better elephant ear! If you're in Denver, don't skip this place!

Tocabe

3536 West 44th Avenue
Denver, CO 80211

Map

The Hat

2011-01-04T19:05:00.000-08:00

I've lived in LA for 6 years and this past weekend was the first time I dined at the famous Hat in Pasadena. The restaurant has a strange setup with lots of waiting room for a supposed exponential number of take out orders and a thin line of booths along the windows. The lines may be long but it goes fast. If you're lucky, you might be able to find a booth before your food is ready--if you're not well...

The portions are huge! Order to share!

I got the famous pastrami and shared an order of the chili fries. There are enough chili fries to feed a family of five. The sandwich was also massive. I had to eat it quickly because the bread got really soggy really quickly. I didn't love the sandwich or the fries. Both were passable and edible but give me a pastrami sub from Giamela's or Santoro's any day...less crowd, more flavor.

The Hat

491 North Lake Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91101

Map

Lure

2010-12-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I surprised my mom for her birthday lunch at the new restaurant Lure in Camarillo. Lure is an upscale seafood restaurant situated just across the road from the Camarillo Outlets in the old Coco's building. Upon entry of the restaurant, I saw no resemblance to Coco's anywhere. The restaurant was modern with an East coast sea feel. There is a dining room that overlooks the crisp and clean kitchen area and is surrounded by windows, an oyster bar and another room housing a full bar. The bar room is separated from the main dining room so that you can neither see nor hear the TVs from most tables making the dining experience more intimate.

We were seated immediately at a U-booth. Normally I don't love those U-booths because the person on the curve ends up staring at the table across from them awkwardly. In this case though, the tables were spaced in such a way that the table didn't face any other table directly. Big plus!

We were offered drinks and bread immediately. The bread was warm and the butter was soft and was the perfect first impression. We ordered the Blue Point Oysters and Ahi ceviche to start. The ceviche came with restaurant-made tortilla chips that were warm. It was served in a margarita glass with a cabbage slaw filler. The oysters also had a great presentation and were very fresh. They were placed around a spicy red sauce on ice. The horseradish and lettuce rested on empty oyster shells.

We each ordered our own entrees in addition to the appetizer. I had the linguini & clam sauce. It wasn't as delicious as I expected after the amazing appetizers. I think the problem was that it was clam sauce--not a garlic wine sauce which I was expecting (despite the description that clearly stated clam sauce). I wish I had ordered the highly raved about ahi sandwich instead. My dad got the fish and chips. This seemed like it was a good deal for the price. It came with 3 huge pieces of battered fish. My mom ordered the grilled rockfish. The grilled fish relies on the actual fish flavor with just a little assistance of salt and oil. I was surprised by how little fish was actually served. It was countered with a relatively large serving of sweet potato fries (there are many choices of sides). Likely, the amount of fish served is the size one is actually supposed to eat, but it seemed small anyway.

If you are in Camarillo or the surrounding area looking for seafood, I recommend stopping off at Lure. By 1pm the dining room was crowded with locals but I didn't see anyone waiting for a table. I imagine as people discover this new upscale option it will fill up faster, so get in now while you still can!

Lure Fish House

259 W. Ventura Blvd
Camarillo, CA 93010

Map

Da Kind Soup

2010-12-13T17:47:00.002-08:00

When I was in CO in December it wasn't particularly cold. It was 50 degrees but crisp most days. In the sun it was warm but in the shade a slight chill set in. On one such day, we decided to head up to Evergreen from Denver in hopes of seeing a little snow. We visited the small town and had lunch at Da Kind Soup.

Da Kind is just outside of town in a small strip mall esque area. I think it's a remodeled continence store but they hide the original building well. The restaurant serves a variety of paninis and soups. Each day there are 10-12 different soups to choose from in a variety of sizes along with the sandwiches. The employees let you taste as many soups as you want until you find your favorite.

The sandwiches come a little after the soup but that's fine because it gives you a little time to eat your hot soup before you get your hot sandwich. This restaurant is a creative concept and a nice warm and comforting lunch in the mountains.

Da Kind Soup

27883 Meadow Dr
Evergreen, CO 80439

Map

Moore's Delicatessen

2010-11-18T13:27:00.000-08:00

A new Deli moved into Burbank at the end of 2010. It took the place of Ben's Delicatessen on the corner of Third & Orange in downtown Burbank. We saw the building change before our eyes into a sleek modern gray with black script sign. I knew I had to try it as soon as it opened. I read about it on all the blogs and learned that the couple who opened the place also own a bakery and now were trying something new. Moore's is now serving breakfast and lunch. It seems like every time I go there is a crowd.

I have only had lunch at Moore's but breakfast looked delightful when I saw the half finished plates cluttering the tables of other earlier diners. The deli offers classic sandwiches with a twist of gourmet. To get the twist of gourmet the food takes a long time to come out of the kitchen to the table. If you go with a group I highly recommend waiting for everyone to arrive before ordering or else you will be getting your food sometimes 10-15 minutes before the others.

The first time I went to Moore's I ordered the corned beef sandwich. The flavor was there, the texture was perfect and the bread was fresh. Each sandwich comes with a tiny potato salad side which is a nice change of texture. The sandwiches are big and I could easily be sustained on half but I of course ate the whole thing.

The second time I went to Moore's I ordered the curry chicken salad sandwich with apricot chutney. It sounds weird...but I thought it would probably be delicious...and it was! I am a big fan of curry chicken salad and this sandwich did not disappoint me.

My fellow diners encourage you to skip the pulled pork (a little bit tomatoey with a strange flavor that isn't delicious) and go for the beef dip sandwich instead. Succulent roast beef with a rich au jus on fresh bread.

I will go back to Moore's but only when I have time...this place makes gourmet food slowly and encourages you to sit at your table and chat while you wait.

Moore's Delicatessen
271 E Orange Grove Ave
Burbank, CA 91502
Map

Caminiti's

2010-11-07T16:12:00.001-08:00

For years there was a small restaurant on the corner of Mariposa & Burbank Blvd called The Place For Steaks. The dark and tiny restaurant looked expensive and I never made it there. Recently, new owners bought the place and turned it into a friendly neighborhood pizza & sports bar.

Caminiti's has everything a sports bar needs--Flat Screen TV's on every wall, beer, wings, pizza, burgers and even a few pasta and salad dishes for the ladies.

We stopped by on a Sunday afternoon and happened in on a Chiefs vs Raiders game. The restaurant crowd was rowdy but during the football game my table was too busy watching to engage in much conversation.

I ordered the meatball sub and my dining mates shared a Hawaiian Pizza and one started with a small side salad. The salad had the house dressing which needed a few more spices to put it apart from typical oil & vinegar.

The food came and the owners encouraged us to eat slowly and stay to watch the game. My meatball sub was big--there were at least 4 meatballs on it, and I got the small sandwich! It was on a crispy roll smothered in marinara and melty cheese. I wish it had maybe a little oregano or chili flakes on it, but it was still delicious. I should not have eaten the whole thing. The pizza was a very thin crust pie. It also needed a little flavor kick with spices, but otherwise was good.

On their website, Caminiti's suggests a daily special for each day of the week. Unlimited wings is one such special and I hope to go back the night that event is happening!

Caminiti's

1220 West Burbank Boulevard

Burbank, CA 91506

Map

Mitchell's On Main

2010-11-03T23:30:00.000-07:00

Breakfast was a key meal on our trip back East. It was pretty much the only meal we could figure out a time to have with my parents due to our hectic schedules around the wedding I was in. On our last day in CT, before driving around, we decided to have another breakfast date. It was Sunday, and Sunday is THE DAY for a late breakfast in any part of the country.

Expecting crowds, we headed to a local place called Mitchell's. Apparently Mitchell's has two locations near Rocky Hill, but we chose the one in Cromwell. The restaurant was on somewhat of a deserted main street tucked next to a used car shop. Upon stepping inside we learned why nobody was walking up the street--they were already in the restaurant! Despite the crowded restaurant, we were seated after only about 10 minutes of waiting.

There were tons of breakfast specials on a blackboard near the front and Yelp told us that the French Toast Banana Foster was supposed to be delicious. Nobody in our party, however, could think of having that much banana in one meal so we passed it up. I ordered the raspberry stuffed French toast and shared the bacon and potatoes off my mom's full 2x2x4. I thought my French toast could've used a little more sugar.

The service was fast and friendly, the coffee refilled often, and the food pretty good for breakfast. I preferred O'Rourke's in Middletown but we figured that would be a madhouse on Sunday morning so we tried something new. If you're a Cromwell local, I probably saw you there! If you're a local and you haven't stopped in yet, you should take a little morning trip and have some breakfast!

Mitchell's On Main

317 Main Street

Cromwell, CT 06416

Map

Sarapes Restaurant

2010-11-02T23:31:00.000-07:00

It is hard to please two Angeleno's sophisticated Mexican palate. As we traveled across the country, we knew that Mexican restaurants would be few and far between. We prepared ourselves for a week without tacos.

And then, as we drove into Enfield, CT, a border town best known for it's association with USA LEGO Headquarters, we decided we'd try out the local Mexican cuisine. We checked Yelp and surveyed our area and decided on Sarapes.

Sarapes is located in a tiny strip mall right before a bunch of apartment buildings. We missed it on our first drive-by but caught it on our second. It is tucked away in a part of town that is meant more for locals than tourists. We parked in the deserted parking lot and went inside. We were a little late for the lunch-time rush but there was one other patron inside.

The service was quick. Chips and salsa appeared on our table. The salsa was a simple pico de gallo with a lot of lime juice signifying that it was homemade. I ordered the asada burrito and my husband got 3 tacos--two asada, one el pastor.

The tacos and burrito didn't come with any extra salsa of a more saucy variety. However, in the small refrigerator in the dining area we noticed two salsas that we were not offered. If our waiter had come back in the room while we were eating, we may have asked to try them. We missed the salsa flavor that balances the meat. The burrito I had was gigantic which made it's $10 price tag a little more reasonable. I could barely finish half. The meat was well cooked and flavorful. I wish I had been brave enough to go for the el pastor--because it varies so much from place to place, I am never sure I will like it. At this place they double fried it the way they sometimes do so it was slight crispy on the outside with a succulent inner flavor. The tacos were also pretty big--I bet you can't get those really mini tortillas in CT.

If you're local to Enfield (LEGO employees, this means you!), step in and stay awhile, but request the extra sauce with your meal.

Sarapes Restaurant

917 Enfield St

Enfield, CT 06082

Map

The Farmer's Diner

2010-11-01T23:26:00.000-07:00

Before our trip back east (as westerners say), I checked out the restaurants on our route. I came across this place called The Farmer's Diner. The food was pretty standard American fare, but they used more local ingredients than any restaurant I have seen before. They also highlighted the ingredients in the menu that were local--everything from the beef to the cheese to the vegetables.

It was a freezing day when we arrived at the restaurant in the middle of Vermont--the most underpopulated state I have ever been to. We rushed into the restaurant just before it closed at 4 for a very late lunch. I ordered the mac & cheese made with Cabot cheddar. My husband ordered the grilled cheese & bacon made with local bacon and Cabot cheddar. Both meals were delicious and comforting--but nothing so special that I'd drive to Queeche just for it.

I was impressed by the look of the diner and the comfortable surrounding and the at-home feeling I had while in there. It was a little cool in the dining car, but there is also a full restaurant inside which was likely warmer. If you happen to be in the area and want something normal and home-cooked--and especially if you are there with children, I would check out the Farmer's Diner.

The Farmer's Diner

5573 Woodstock Road

Queeche, VT 05059

Map

Moat Mountain Smokehouse

2010-10-31T23:29:00.000-07:00

It was Halloween Night and we were in the pitch-black darkness of North Conway, NH. We drove into the crowded but dark gravel parking lot. Across the lot near a car was a very tall man in a burlap suit. There was something wrong with his face. We hoped he wouldn't see us, we stayed in the car. Suddenly, the tall man was standing behind our car in such a way that we could not get out. The tall man walked over to the passenger side, he leaned over and through the window we could see his mangled 2-face. He beckoned us to come in, we told him to go away. The tall man opened the door and in a gravely voice invited us in for some bbq and a beer. With no choice but to exit our car, we raced toward the door as the tall man followed us. Once inside, we met with the other diners who laughed about the scary tall man, boy, was he having fun for Halloween! Cat Woman brought us to our table and became our waitress.

The tables we sat in were on a porch that is probably screened in the summer--but in North Conway in late October is warmed with heaters with a view of the parking lot (and we had an opportunity to keep an eye out for the Tall Man). The menu was vast but also expensive. As it turned out, though, the portions were gigantic so the cost was justified.

I ordered the Carolina Pulled Pork served with slaw and garlic mashed potatoes. I enjoyed mixing all the food together. The meat was good and the sauce was spicy. Joey ordered the Texas style brisket which seemed like it might have different sauce from the menu but it tasted the same. We were stuffed after our meal but I heard another couple raving about the cornbread. There is also a huge beer selection with specials like blueberry beer--but we didn't try them. If I happened to be in North Conway again, I'd head over to Moat Mountain...but not on Halloween, I hope to never meet the Tall Man again.

Moat Mountain Smokehouse

3378 White Mountain Highway

North Conway, NH 03860

Map

O'Rourke's Diner

2010-10-29T23:23:00.000-07:00

Tasting LA was on the road last week visiting local restaurants in obscure cities across the East Coast. Our first stop was O'Rourke's Diner. We had it bookmarked before we left for unknown reasons.

The diner is located in downtown Middletown. It looks old fashioned and is just the kind of place I'd want to try just driving by. We stopped in on a Friday morning and there were people inside but it wasn't packed. I heard that on the weekends the place is overflowing.

The breakfast menu was vast. It has classics, gourmet twists on classics and even a few Irish options. As we sat down and started to look over the menu, the waiter brought over a small plate of sweet bread samples. I tasted the pumpkin bread which was fantastic. He noted that some of their sweet breads were being used in the daily French toast special.

I ordered the mini raspberry pancakes and a side of bacon. The price was reasonable but I was disappointed that my pancakes didn't come with anything. My dad ordered the huevos rancheros which he tries everywhere. My mom ordered an Irish version of eggs Benedict. My husband got the classic eggs-sausage-pancakes meal. Everyone enjoyed their breakfasts and were satisfied with the unusual choices mixed with classics.

The coffee was filled promptly and the service was prompt. My only complaint is that the restaurant was a little cold and I had to wear my jacket the whole time. So when you go, try a weekday and dress warm.

728 Main Street

Middletown, CT 06457

Map

Spring Street Smokehouse

2010-10-24T22:35:00.000-07:00

Spring Street Smokehouse is located in a small storefront in Chinatown. It is just up the street from the famous Phillepe's French Dips. On the Sunday evening we visited, parking was not an issue with open meters just a few blocks away.

We were seated immediately although the restaurant was crowded--we just got lucky to get the last table available. Shortly after we were seated two large groups came in and hung out at the bar waiting for other diners to leave.

Each table has a loaf of bread on it to help you soak up the sauce--or to snack on while you wait. Look for the chalkboard for the specials--they seem to be a pretty good deal. This restaurant has your typical bbq fare along with some salads and specialties and a few surprise dishes. I ordered the Cajun Stuffed Chicken and the fresh squeezed limeade. I was unsure if the limeade had free refills so I drank it slow and they never offered. The chicken was huge and enough for two meals. It was smothered in their sweet bbq sauce. The chicken had a lot of flavor from the inside stuffing but I felt really guilty eating it knowing what was stuffed inside. It came with my choice of beans, fries or coleslaw. I got the beans and, although there were plenty, they were nothing special.

My dining mates ordered the beef ribs and the buffalo ribs. The buffalo ribs had a unique flavor that reminded me of beef jerky. They weren't as tender as regular ribs. The problem to our entire party was the sauce. They had mild and hot sauces which tasted practically identical except one had a slight kick. The sauce was really sweet with a hint of molasses or cinnamon that nobody seemed to like much. They also didn't have any sauce on the table which to bbq fanatics can be disappointing. Nobody asked for extra sauce but I'm sure they needed it (had they liked it in the first place).

For dessert we all tried the S'mores cup. It was really rich! I think we all could have shared one. It was a graham cracker crust topped with a thin layer of chocolate (it needed more here to cut the sweetness!) and then a layer of toasted marshmallows. I couldn't finish it because of the lack of chocolate and the extra sweetness--plus it was a lot of work to get the graham cracker crust out of the cup. It was a neat idea but needs some work.

If I wanted bbq and there was nowhere else and I was in the area I would consider this place again--but I might try something different. I noticed later on in the evening that they had all sorts of sides that you can order for an additional cost with your entree. I think I would have preferred mac & cheese or grilled vegetables to the beans even though it was more expensive. I wish I had noticed before!

640 North Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

2010-09-19T21:05:00.001-07:00

Some friends and I decided to head to a movie after work last week. We needed dinner beforehand and while there were several options near the Landmark on Westwood & Pico we didn't want anything too exotic since there were so many different people. We decided on the Westwood Tavern - fusion American food. It turns out the place is attached to the theater. And guess what, they have FREE PARKING. Seriously.

The restaurant seated us right away at a large booth that easily accommodated five us--and later six. The drink menu had a few $11 mixed specialties and some of them looked good. Our table ordered two and liked them--I thought they were small for the price--but I guess that's the thing with drinks. We ordered quickly to make the movie in 45 minutes.

I had the cheeseburger. It was one of the best I've had in a while. It was served with a generous portion of sea-salted french fries. The fries were delicious, the burger was cooked perfectly, the cheese melted just so, the grilled onions, the aoili between a very fresh brioche bun was fantastic. I would drive across town just for that burger any day.

The salmon burger, chicken sandwich & calamari were said to be fine, but not amazing. If you're hankering for a great burger and a movie in a fancy leather-seated theater, head on over to the Tavern.

Westside Tavern
10850 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90064
Map

Dish

2010-09-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

Dish Restaurant always has ads in the local coupon books. It is basically your average American restaurant with a little flair added to each dish. We went for a family birthday party with a group with varied pallets. Our party of six was seated immediately on a Saturday evening. The dining area is a mis-match of furniture that gives it a homey feel.

The menu has lots of options and many of them looked good. I was really leaning toward the burger, but then I decided to go for the pork chop with spicy apple chutney. I also ordered the side of mac & cheese as an appetizer. I didn't really love either thing I ordered. The apple chutney really was spicy, so much so that it really wasn't flavorful and the pork chop was nothing special. The Mac & Cheese that boasted 5 cheeses tasted a lot more like swiss than anything else but it was warm and contenting--just not my favorite kind.

The burgers our table ordered seemed like both the best deal and the best flavor. The Gumbo was not dinner sized and didn't come with anything to help make it filling except the expectation that it would be a full entrée. The waitress was very clear about which dishes not to order when asked. The lemon & caper chicken dish was regarded much more highly than the pasta with summer vegetables.

I was sad not to try the desserts, but perhaps next time I will go back for a burger and give the place another shot. Not special enough to drive for it--but a good place for a quick dinner if you're looking for a quality burger.

Dish
734 Foothill Boulevard
La Canada, CA 91011
Map

1810

2010-08-29T03:25:00.000-07:00

1810, the Argentinian restaurant right on the main drag in Pasadena has piqued our interest several times as we walked between Crate & Barrel and Sur la Table. Finally we took the time to go there.

Parking was hard on Saturday night but we finally found a spot and walked to the restaurant. Our party of four waited about 10 minutes for a table inside. The ambiance in the little restaurant is fantastic. It is low lighting with a rustic-modern feel. Exposed brick and dark ceilings make you feel as though you are in an outdoor garden instead of inside. The restaurant got a little loud as more people filled the tables, but it wasn't out of control.

I ordered from the 3-course Prix Fixe menu. I started with the cheese & spinach empanada, my main course was the skirt steak & mashed potatoes, and dessert the dulce de leche flan. My husband ordered the flat iron steak with fries. The other two in our party shared the prix fixe menu with the same options as I had except the chicken empanada.

While we waited for our meal, bread served with chimichurri sauce was placed at our table. The chimichurri had a very strong parsely flavor and was more acidic than the kind I've made myself but was a delicious compliment to the bread.

The empanadas came out quickly. My spinach and cheese one was filled with spinach and had a nice flaky crust. The salsa served alongside was more of a tomato-pepper mix that I didn't find really went with the empanada--but I didn't need it anyway, the pastry was good by itself. The steak had a wonderful texture and was cooked perfectly but lost out on flavor--the flat iron steak had a great flavor, however, so next time I will just try a different steak. The real star of the meal was the mashed potatoes. They were smooth and flavorful and a terrific compliment to the meat. I would return again for the potatoes alone and try something else in the process.

The service was good and the staff was friendly. All in all, I will go back to 1810 for another dinner or lunch in the future.

1810
121 W Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91105
Map

Apollo Burger

2010-08-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

Above the mall on Magnolia is a large run-down building that boasts Hamburgers in giant letters across the top. Being a big fan of burgers, that place has always interested me. Today, we decided to stop in and give it a try.

The menu ranges from breakfast deals and burgers to sandwiches and teriyaki. I got the #1 deal which was a cheeseburger, fries and a 16 oz drink for $6.40. My husband got a hamburger, grilled cheese sandwich and a drink.The prices were pretty good for the amount of food we got.

I thought the burger was a little overdone but otherwise fast-diner tasty. The pickles were actual dill which was a nice change from some of the ones you get elsewhere. The fries were hot and plentiful. The grilled cheese sandwich was also quite large but nothing too special.

There isn't much ambiance in the small dining area but there are some outside tables too. I would go back here if I was looking for a quick lunch. Cash only.

Apollo Burger
401 N Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank, CA 91502
Map

Ziegler's Cafe

2010-05-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

Joey and I planned to visit the Noah's ark exhibit with my sister's family on Saturday at 2pm. We decided to have lunch first, but there really isn't much near the Skirball Center, so I browsed the in-museum restaurant. Normally in-museum restaurants are pricey and food is just so-so. This particular restaurant, however, does not fit into that bucket.

The Ziegler Cafe has a dressy-feel but there were lots of kids in the restaurant. They have kids booster seats and high chairs, a full menu for kids and even an activity sheet.

An for the adults? For the adults if you like fish, you'll be in heaven. If you don't like fish but you're a keen vegetarian, you'll be in heaven. If you don't like vegetables or fish you'll be in sort of a bind deciding between Margheritata pizza (that is just ok, but pretty big and a relatively good value) or Grilled Cheese.

And now for the fish lovers out there. The Nicose Salad comes with fresh tuna, cooked all the way, and those delicious little fingerling potatoes set out in clumps around fresh lettuce and the peasant style salad gets some justice. But if you're really hungry, don't miss the Salmon Pastrami Club. Two of us got this dish and probably we could've shared it. The one thing about going to a museum straight after lunch is that you don't want to carry around your leftovers.

The Salmon Pastrami club is marble rye stacked with plenty of smoked salmon, avocado, onion, tomato and a cream cheese-dill spread. It comes with your choice of waffle chips, fries or pasta salad. The flavors are fantastic! In most places around LA 4oz of smoked salmon costs an arm and a leg, but here, it's west-la lunch prices ($10-$12). I was stuffed after half the plate but ate the rest cause how can you leave smoked salmon like that?

If you're headed to the Skirball or need a midway point to meet some people, try Ziegler's, it is delicious and in a beautiful setting.

Ziegler's Cafe, Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Map

Mrs. Beasley's

2010-04-28T13:44:00.001-07:00

Mrs. Beaseley's is one of the many trucks that hangs out in Truck Alley behind the MTV building on 26th and Colorado in Santa Monica. Their truck is perfect for dessert if say, you didn't have truck food already for lunch or, maybe you want to take something home to the family.

I am not sold on this being the best dessert but it is available and the options are plentiful. Plus, the nice ladies on the truck gave me a free reusable bag!

I ordered the Chocolate Whoopie Pie. I have a soft spot for these cakey cookies filled with sweet frosting. This Whoopie pie, which I had planned to eat all by myself was extra sweet. I could barely eat a sliver so I had to share. My coworkers gobbled it down with relish--so it is hard to say was it delicious or was it just there? I'm going with delicious. It probably didn't help that I had already had my fill of sweets from Louk's.

Louks

2010-04-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Occasionally I like to check out Truck Alley for lunch for something different. This is almost the same as saying something unhealthy because, even when healthy choices are there, I always seem to be drawn to the most unhealthy of the bunch.

Louk's is a Greek truck. It has your favorite gyros-with a twist of french fries rolled up inside, french fries served several ways, and fried dough among other things.

I ordered the Gyro not realizing it was filled with fries and then fries. I felt like a pig. The fries I ordered were doused in honey and feta. The thing about fries doused in honey and feta is that they are absolutely delicious but they aren't at all that salt quencher you were looking for. They are sweet and gooey and delicious but not salty. The gyro was tasty but just not perfect. I missed the cucumbers that usually are in there and I didn't like the added french fries inside.

My friend ordered the tahziki sauce fries and those were also delicious but had more of a salty flavor which I missed from mine. She also got the fried dough for dessert. The fired dough was like being at your favorite carnival. It was rich and delicious and best when warm (so leave it in the sun while you eat).

I would consider eating at Louks again but I wouldn't seek it out.

Marmalade Cafe

2010-04-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I leave campus for lunch at work. It is rare these days though so it is always a big treat when we traipse around Santa Monica. This day we headed to Marmalade Cafe over on Montana.

This is an order at the counter you're lucky if you can find a table kind of place. We were lucky enough to share one of the larger tables with some other people. The cases at the front counter are filled with salads of all shapes and sizes, all looking delightful. In addition, they have a menu of sandwiches and soups. On the other side of the restaurant is a dessert case. That's right, a dessert case, don't get too full.

I ordered the sandwich/salad combo. One of my other friends got the 3-salad combo, and the third got the soup and salad combo. The portions are really big. The guys working there don't seem to weigh them out or anything, they just piled the salads on the plates. All the options use fresh quality ingredients. The staff offers suggestions of their favorite dishes but stands by everything being delicious.

I think the sandwich/salad combo was the best deal. The sandwich, which was grilled vegetable and brie had fantastic flavors and very fresh bread. The brie had the perfect flavor and was very thinly sliced (which is amazing, have you ever tried to slice brie?) and it paired well with the Oaxacan Chicken Salad. The salad's chicken was moist and delicious but the corn in it was slightly overcooked which made it hard to chew. It could've been a bad day though, I'd totally get it again. I also got a chocolate chip cookie which was large but a little too crispy for my tastes--I should've gone with one of the sinfully delicious looking brownies...

The Chili had a sour aftertaste of too much vinegar. The beat salad was good but needed something and the chicken salad was delicious. I think that these guys know their chicken. The main downside of the place was the price. For lunch upwards of $15 didn't seem right. But then again it is good quality homemade food with a flair with outside of the box offerings encouraging me to go back for seconds.

Marmalade Cafe
710 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Map

Bay Cities Italian Deli

2010-04-18T02:49:00.000-07:00

When it is a beautiful day in Santa Monica it is hard to force yourself to stay on campus for lunch. So we jumped in the closest convertible and headed over to Bay Cities Deli to try their raved about sandwiches and picnic on the bluff.

When people say that this restaurant is crowded they are not kidding. If you have a tight lunch schedule and you plan on stopping by and getting your food and finding a seat and eating and getting back to work in an hour you're fooling yourself. So think ahead! You can order online and pick up your sandwich 30-45 minutes later in a separate area of the store--no need to fight for deli attention. Then grab some drinks and chips in the shop and head to the checkout.

We ate on the bluff overlooking the ocean just a short drive away. On a perfect day it was wonderful, there was plenty of parking and really relaxing after a morning at the office. So take my advice and get your sandwich to go.

The sandwiches, oh the sandwiches. I had the Caprese with added proscuitto. This is not your everyday caprese--the cheese was melt in your mouth milky. There was a pesto spread that added some delicious flavor. The bread was chewy, but actually a little too hard on my teeth, the proscuitto added just a bit of salt. It was really fantastic, and cheap! A good deal for such a high quality lunch.

Bay Cities Deli is also a store and some day I'd like to stop by at an off time and pick up some Italian supplies or just browse. The cheese counter alone could keep me interested for hours.

Bay Cities Italian Deli
1517 Lincoln Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Map

Boho

2010-04-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

Tonight I joined a couple of friends for dinner at Boho before seeing a movie at the Archlight in Hollywood, right next door. The convenience of the restaurant and the variety of foods on the menu were our man reasons for going there. The other thing that made it desirable is that they took reservations for 6 or more--so we wouldn't be shut out and scrambling to find something new.

The restaurant is a hodgepodge of mismatched chairs and tables that somehow add up to modern elegance. While nobody was really dressed up for dinner it felt like a place you could go and dress up and not feel weird about it.

Boho brands itself as a Gastropub which means it concentrates its menu on quality food and ingredients but also has a hefty menu of unique alcoholic beverages in glasses as unique as the flavor for the floozies.

The drinks were flowing at our table and it seemed like the food came out just as soon as we ordered. The burger looked delicious, the halibut and chicken looked well thought out and just different enough to stand out. The pile o' ribs was actually a pretty good sized pile--surprising based on the nature of the restaurant. I had the salad Nicoise which is my weakness. Next time I may go for one of the unusual pizzas such Lemon Verbana or Smoked Salmon or Potato...but I couldn't pass up my favorite salad. It wasn't amazing but was pretty delicious, there was plenty of ahi, cooked perfectly on top, along with the usual suspects. This salad also had grilled peppers which added a really nice sweetness to the dish. I also tasted someone else's belgium fries and they were indeed double fried with an extra crust. With the garlic aioli they really had a nice punch.

Since we had too much time on our hands, and the boys were drinking heavily at the other end of the table, we decided to sample some of the $7 desserts. As is with quality restaurants, it is all about quality not quantity. The Chocolate Cake Bread pudding, while delicious, was only three small strips of pudding and a small scoop of vanilla. The presentation was fantastic though and the flavors melded together perfectly. My friend got the strawberry rhubarb pie which was certainly a better choice in terms of value. Next time I'm getting the doughnuts.

I would definitely go back to Boho. It is a little pricey but good for a special dinner. It is also convenient if you want to make a movie next door. The food was pretty delicious and fit that classiness you expect from the Hollywood of your dreams.

Boho
6801 Hollywood Blvd #411
Hollywood, CA 90028

Map

El Portal

2010-04-10T16:31:00.000-07:00

Mexican was the name of the game for Friday's dinner. But the same old thing just didn't fit. So, we ventured out to Pasadena to find El Portal--a Yelp reviewers favorite. The restaurant is in a little mall on Green St. There is free street parking or you can pay for the lot. There is both outdoor seating with heat lamps and indoor seating. We were seated immediately around 7:30 on Friday night outdoors, I believe we may have had to wait for indoors but the atmosphere is nice outside. A mariachi band paraded around from table to table busking. The service throughout the night was a little rocky but the food is worth going back there for.

El Portal has a traditional Mexican menu along with some Yucatan specialties. Craving something new, I ordered from the Yucatan side. After looking at the dishes my friends chose, I was pretty sure I got the best value for my money. I ordered the Panuchos. They are little corn tortillas fried together with a black bean paste in between, then topped with chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickled onions and maybe even some cheese. I could not believe how tasty the pickled onions were. The whole dish had outstanding flavor.

My other dining partners ordered a burrito stuffed with shredded meat (similar to machaca) and a single crispy taco combination. While everyone left full, I think that still my dish was the thing to get. So, visit El Portal and try something different from the Yucatan Peninsula.

El Portal Restaurant
695 East Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
Map

Gina's Tacos

2010-01-09T14:59:00.000-08:00

Tacos fit the bill for lunch this fine Saturday afternoon. It was a nice enough day for a new adventure so we set out to Gina's Tacos in Glendale. We have passed this place a number of times and there always seem to be people there so we thought we'd give it a shot.

This is a small stand with just three tables and a bench facing the buys street. Most people were getting their tacos to go but we decided to stay. My husband and I got 5 tacos between us and the Carne Asada Quesadilla. Our other lunch guest got 4 tacos and then later went back for the Quesadilla.

I had all three carne asada tacos. The meat had a nice smoky flavor and was mixed well with the red salsa, cilantro and onions. The tortillas were fresh tasting with a bit more corn hint than usual. I had a bite of the carne asada quesadilla and it was delicious. I loved the melty cheese that was a little bit richer than the meat. The quesadilla comes with salsa, meat and cheese in it and it is a nice change from the same old thing.

I also sampled the al pastor meat and I liked the flavor being not too sweet like others I've had and no noticeable large strands of onion either.

Gina's has good tacos and great prices if you are in the area and just want something simple and quick.

Gina's Tacos
470 Colorado Street
Glendale, CA 91204
Map

Bella's Gourmet Pizza

2009-12-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we went shopping in Pasadena. We have been wanting to try out this new pizza place that just opened up right on the strip so we thought this time was as good as any.

There were four of us and at lunch on a Saturday, the place was already pretty crowded. We were seated immediately. The pizza place is a window lined room filled with TVs and tables. Sit facing the window so that you can people watch!

We ordered the large deep-dish pepperoni and garlic pizza and three drinks. The 4th diner at our table got the lunch special which included a single slice, salad and a drink.

The service was a little slow. For all the guests there was only one waiter, one guy manning the phones and register, and one cook. They could use to hire a few more deck hands. They were good with refilling our drinks while we waited admittedly too long for our pizzas.

The deep dish pizza we got had a great bready crust that was crispy just on the edges. We think we made a mistake with the wimpy toppings we chose for such a dense piece of pie--something more robust like sausage should've been chosen. The flavors were good too. The pizza wasn't stand-out good but it was exactly what I expected from the pizza and I would get it again--it just isn't that different from other pizzas.

The individual lunch meal wasn't actually such a great deal. The salad looked good and had lots of vegetables and not just iceberg lettuce. The slice of pizza, however, reminded me of amusement park or cafeteria pizza. Lesson learned, if you want a salad, order one, but don't get the slice, just share with the rest of the folks at your table.

I'm pretty sure this is the only pizza place in downtown Pasadena near the high traffic areas. I wouldn't drive out of my way to go there (I have my neighborhood favorites) but if I were there and I wanted pizza, I would definitely stop in.

Bella's Gourmet Pizza
16 N Fair Oaks Ave
Pasadena, CA 91103
Map

Dot's Cupcakes

2009-12-12T20:19:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday we were doing some shopping in Pasadena and stopped at a pizza place to have lunch. Right across the street was Dot's Cupcakes. Throughout lunch I was obsessed with the place--who was going in, who was coming out, the cute tree in the apartment above, the cute awning, etc. Needless to say, I insisted that we stop by there after lunch. Boy was it worth it!

I know what you're thinking, you're tired of the cupcake trend. Honestly if you didn't see another cupcake shop you'd be happy. What happened to the classic bakery you say? Change your mind and stop at Dot's for one last cupcake. Go there, and you'll be back on the bandwagon.

Upon walking into Dot's I noticed the store was much smaller than I thought--and crowded! To my left was a glass case filled with various kinds of cupcakes in mini size as well as regular. The prices are lower than Sprinkles (but this is Pasadena not Beverly Hills). There are lots of flavors to choose from and I wish I could've tried them all! I decided on four mini cupcakes (so I could try more flavors) Fleur de Sal, Cookies and Cream, Chocolate with Peanut Butter Frosting, and Apple Pie. They were packaged in the cutest box (pictured) so that if you wanted to bring them as a gift it would be perfect!

The Fleur de Sal was my favorite. It was a chocolate cake with a caramel filling inside, caramel frosting and a little salt on top. The flavors were outstanding--subtle when you wanted them to be, stand out when they needed it. The peanut butter one (pictured above) even came with a cute mini peanut butter cup. The Chocolate is dark and was perfectly matched with the sweet peanut butter.

I will be going back to Dot's next time I'm in Pasadena.

Dot's Cupcakes
21 N. Fair Oaks
Pasadena, CA 91103
Map

CiaoCristina!

2009-11-29T22:52:00.000-08:00

Today we decided to go out for some Italian food. Instead of relying on our old favorites, we decided to try someplace new. CiaoCristina! won the coin toss. It is located across from Warner Brothers Studios on Olive right next to the Bank of America. The place looks tiny from the outside but there are actually 10 or so tables inside, a full bar, and what seemed like a lucrative take-out business.

When we arrived there were a couple of other groups at the tables but it was nearly impossible to tell that people were there on the drive in...it isn't the kind of place that you'd just walk into with nobody else there. I think if it was empty I would've considered going somewhere else.

We were warmly welcomed and seated immediately and offered drinks. 3/4 of us ordered water and our other member ordered diet coke...which turned out to be a slightly pricey no-refill natural diet soda.

It took us quite a while to look over the menu. I think it was the layout that really took me awhile. On the front cover were Salads, Appetizers and Paninis, inside pasta and meat dishes, and on the last page pizzas. I think maybe if it was a cover and then 3 pages in the center it would be easier to read.

Our food took a long time to come. While waiting, they serve a glass of crispy and flavorful breadsticks. We wished for more as we devoured them and continued to wait while two take-out orders and another table who was there first were filled. I think there may have been only one chef on duty but assume that weekday lunches have a quicker turnaround time. When our food did arrive, it really wasn't hot. The pizza was room temperature as was my sandwich. I didn't inquire on the pasta, but it wasn't steaming.

I ordered the CiaoCristina! Panini which is homemade focaccia with marinated tomatoes, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, basil and a pesto spread. It comes with choice of chips or salad. My compatriots ordered a 16" pizza Margaretha with prosciutto to share with two, and a vodka sauce linguine dish.

For the pasta and pizza the prices were a tad high. The ingredients seem to be fresh and natural which may boost the price. The neighborhood the restaurant caters too is a little bit more upscale than our normal area so the prices may not seem too outlandish, but a plate of pasta (average portion size) without bread or salad for $12-15 is a little steep. The pizza wasn't particularly flavorful, the prosciutto seemingly too large and flimsy for a pizza and a serious lack of cheese. The pasta wasn't memorable either.

The sandwich, however, was the best deal. My sandwich was really large and came with chips (or salad). The chips were homemade. The sandwich had a lot of great flavors and textures and enough mozzarella to beat the price. The sandwich was $8 which I think is average price for a gourmet-style sandwich.

As it turns out, the sandwiches seem to be the only reason to go back to CiaoCristina! So, if you work nearby and just want a gourmet Italian sandwich, I recommend dropping by. If you get there and think a $3 slice of pizza sounds better, think again, and get the sandwich.

CiaoCristina!
4201 W Olive Ave
Burbank, CA 91505
Map

La Maria

2009-04-06T21:52:00.001-07:00

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
Map

Taqueria Don Adrian

2009-04-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

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
Map

EAT

2009-03-23T11:13:00.001-07:00

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
Map

City Kitchen

2009-03-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

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
Map

Furaibo

2009-03-05T06:56:00.000-08:00

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
Map

JJ Bakery

2009-03-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

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
Map

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House

2009-03-03T21:27:00.000-08:00

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
Map

Larry's Chili Dog

2009-02-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

Larry's Chili Dog sign is a little dog lying in a bun with his tail wagging. This lit sign sparkles alone on Burbank Blvd at night. Every time I pass by I think, "That is just the kind of place my dad would go, I should try it."

Finally, after years of not going, I decided to eat there for lunch today. And oh what a glorious treat!

Larry's Chili Dog stand has a posted menu and walk up and order mentality. There are several picnic tables with umbrellas in the patio secluded by potted plants.

Influenced by the advertisement, I chose the #5 value meal which consisted of a chili cheese dog (something new for me), fries and a soft drink for $5.25. There were lots of other things on the menu that caught my eye though, including gyros, the kraut dog, the Chicago dog, the cheeseburger, taquitos, a chocolate malt, battered onion rings--ok so I wanted one of everything.

Our meals were served to us by the lady running the counter on paper lined trays. The hot dog was all beef and delicious on its own. The french fries were crisp and hot. The chili was a nice flavorful addition and reminded me of Tommy's.

The food was great, the prices were great, the atmosphere was nice--this is a classic hot dog stand and I will gladly return.

Larry's Chili Dog
3122 W Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
Map

The Magic Castle

2009-02-26T21:53:00.000-08:00

The Magic Castle draws a fine line between dining and entertainment--but I'm going to rate it here on the off chance that you know a member and can get into the place. Last weekend, I had that chance.

For those of you who aren't from LA--or are but don't know much about the neighborhood you don't live in, The Magic Castle, is a famous Magician's club and school inside the old Lane Mansion on Franklin in Hollywood. If you haven't seen the place, be sure to drive by it. It is one of the oldest houses in the area and is filled with all sorts of history. During the remodel, the owner insisted in collecting bits and pieces from other nearby mansions being torn down. Inside the kaleidoscope of bits and pieces merge together in an eclectic puzzle.

We arrived at the castle just before 11am where we waited in line and then entered in small groups. The entrance technique is necessary because you need a secret password to exit the lobby. The staircases, hidden doorways, and carnival mirrors make the navigation around the building difficult and exciting. I was glad to always have a member as a guide.

On Saturdays and Sundays the Magic Castle offers child-focused magic shows, a looser business casual dress code, and brunch. In the evenings only patrons 21 and older are allowed in the club and see more advanced magic while dressed in full suits and cocktail dresses.

After watching a couple of magic shows and exploring the castle, our party made our way up the staircase to the dining room. There our eyes feasted on the marvelous offerings as we waited to be seated. The brunch included a cold buffet, a hot buffet, a juice bar, alcohol, and a dessert bar.

The trick is to be slightly early for your seating and to jump in line immediately and load up your plate with food. As other groups fill the dining room, the lines stretch across the castle.

I started out my brunch with fresh lox and all the fixings atop toasted bagel quarters, fruit, and shrimp. The lox was spectacular, the shrimp was just ok. Next I moved on to the hot dishes. The dishes seemed to be changing depending on the time you dined. For the tail-end of the 11am there were cheese blintzes that were replaced with french fries and chicken tenders for the 12:30 crowd. There were scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, potates, enchiladas, rice, beans, prime rib, roasted turkey, an omelet bar and waffles.

I enjoyed the potatoes, prime rib and turkey. The turkey was white meat only but was as moist as dark. The omelet wasn't the best I have ever had, but it was still good. It might have been a little bit cold when I got it and the cheese wasn't as melty as I expected.

All in all, the experience was spectacular. The shows combined with the delicious food and unlimited nature really made my Sunday morning a time to rememeber. I will go back any time I meet a member willing to take me.

The Magic Castle
7001 Franklin Ave
Hollywood, CA

Map

Yummy Cupcakes

2009-01-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

For Jenny's birthday, we decided to get cupcakes spur of the moment. We knew already that Jenny's not a fan of chocolate, so we went to Yummy Cupcakes where they promised us a variety of flavors.

There are two cupcake places in Burbank that I know of, and they are completely different even though they are on the same street. Yummy cupcakes has inventive flavors in a more average sized cupcake and they have a "right in the bakery" feel when you go in. It sort of reminds me of that bakery from that movie Stranger than Fiction. Yummy recently expanded into a second storefront adding a retail store that sells all sorts of cupcake memorabilia.

The prices for cupcakes vary depending on the cake. If it is something really special it is more expensive. However the prices are still pretty reasonable compared to their competitors.

We arrived at Yummy Cupcakes near the end of the day and were surprised to see cupcakes available in almost every flavor. We got a dozen cakes of all sorts of flavors. For Jenny, we chose the apricot cupcake. I think we got one of each flavor. They have different flavors every month and then certain flavors daily. There are a few that are always there, but there is always something new and different. I had something that was chocolate filled with chocolate ganache and it was delicious.

The cakes were well packed to avoid running into each other or sliding around by putting a dab of frosting on the bottom. The service was very friendly and they also sell other essentials like candles and drinks. There is nowhere to sit at the bakery but it seems like most people were taking boxes to go anyway.

The service was spectacular. When we ate the cupcakes they were also delicious. They tasted good for 2 days after and then started to go downhill. The cake was moist and flavorful. The frosting was buttery and delicious but not over sweet.

I will return to Yummy Cupcakes sometime soon.

Yummy Cupcakes
2918 W Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
Map

Taste Chicago

2009-01-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

Being a Chicago transplant, it is hard to be in LA without all of my favorite foods. I crave Chicago-style hot dogs and pizza and devour their tasty home goodness whenever I get the chance. A couple of years ago my parents took pity on our hometown losses and sent us pizzas on dry ice to enjoy in the safety and warmth of the golden state.

As luck would have it, Taste Chicago, a restaurant devoted to all things Chicago resides on a corner just blocks from my apartment. I've been there once or twice but this time it felt like a new restaurant to me.

Owned by actor Joe Mantegna, this quick-serve restaurant has just moved up in the world with the addition of more seating and decoration. The restaurant has its own parking lot (a plus), refillable drinks (plus) and a real connection to Chicago food.

The other day we decided to give Taste Chicago another chance. We walked in and noticed immediately that the prices were a little high. Luckily nobody noticed us just yet and we were able to evaluate the menu before making a decision. We considered leaving, in fact, because the prices seemed a little outrageous.

We prevailed, however and ordered a Chicago-style deep dish pizza with pepperoni and 3 drinks. It took a while to make the pizza but I still feel like they don't do everything right on site (although I could be wrong). While we waited we were able to watch the football game on TV.

The pizza came with paper plates that were a little flimsy for the heavy pizza and sauce and plastic silverware. I think an investment in plates would be a good one.

The pizza, however, was good. It was a little salty with the pepperoni, and if you aren't already craving Chicago's finest you might think it's worth it. But if you are, then I recommend it for a special treat. The sauce is like home, a thicker chunkier sauce that is more similar to something you'd have with pasta. The pizza is deep dish and the cheese and pepperoni are mixed together. Think of it as an icebox pie. I think I would have liked it better without the chunky pieces of pepperoni which made the pizza way too salty. If only they offered spinach...

The crust was really what got me going. It was perfect, with a crunchy edge and a dough center it was just what I wanted. I think if they just gave me the crust the taste of home would come with it.

I will be going back to Taste Chicago. I hear great things about the Italian beef and the Chicago style hot dogs looked excellent and large.

Taste Chicago
603 N Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
Map

Chili My Soul

2008-12-31T17:32:00.000-08:00

I have heard about Chili My Soul on several occasions and finally had the chance to try it out today. I met my fiance in Encino on my way home from a "half-day" at work for lunch at Chili My Soul. Be forewarned--if you are coming from the 101 Balboa exit, the restaurant is not obvious on the corner of Ventura Blvd. I missed it twice. The traffic in the area is also really bad--the cars were driving like madmen on both the streets and the parking lot. Look for the Smart and Final and that's where Chili My Soul is.

The restaurant has two store fronts. One with seating and one with a counter and the kitchen. I imagine it started with just the latter and expanded, but who knows. They have about 50 kinds of chili but about 10-15 choices a day. You can check the daily menu online before you go. Look at the board to see what Today's menu is and then read the descriptions on the laminated menus. They also offer generous samples of each of the chili's in case you really can't decide.

I ordered the Hickory Turkey Chili Lunch special which comes with a salad, a half pint of chili, and a small (but refillable) drink. My Fiance got the lunch special with the fries and the Texas Pride. He also upgraded to the pint for $4 more (the bowl).

The service was a little bit slow especially considering that the chili's are already made and all they have to do is add the toppings, whip up a quick salad and fry the fries. The chili came first (I was surprised at how small the half pint really was). Then my salad (small and they didn't even dry the lettuce!) and then, after we were all done, the fries arrived on our table looking seemingly piping hot--but actually not hot. The fries did have some delicious chili powder and possibly sugar on them...but I think they would have tasted even better if they were served WITH our meal instead of after.

My chili was good but I did not notice the hickory flavor exactly. I did notice the large slices of onion though, and I am surprised to say that I missed the beans. The salad I got with my lunch was good--but tiny. In fact my whole lunch was tiny. We had lunch around 2:30 and by 5:30 I was hungry. My fiance's bowl and fries were more filling but still a little pricey for the size.

The weird thing is that we didn't actually pay what it said on the menu. The menu said $12 something for the lunch special and $4 more for the bowl. We paid $23 in total. So...expensive for lunch--and especially for the size, but not as expensive as advertised.

I would go back to Chili My Soul to try another flavor--but I'd also look for a different entree combination that would be more food and a better deal. Maybe chili over a potato or a tamale would fill me up.

[3 1/2 Stars]

Chili My Soul
4928 Balboa Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316

Map

Dona Rosa

2008-12-15T21:43:00.000-08:00

Dona Rosa is a quick-serve Mexican restaurant owned by the same people that bring you The Barn Burner and El Cholo. Because their other restaurants are hit or miss depending on the night, I had no idea what to expect from Dona Rosa.

We went for lunch at Dona Rosa's. We found parking in their lot (for free) and went inside. The restaurant wasn't crowded but there were a few tables taken. It is a bakery-cafe but really mostly serves Mexican fare.

I didn't know what to order because I found the menu boards to be confusing. It didn't seem to be organized in any coherent way and there were two boards that were completely different on either side of the restaurant plus a breakfast one. I finally decided on 1 sope and 1 soft taco. The soft taco was a little bit pricey but I wanted to try it. Usually when I'm craving Mexican food its tacos--a new place to get them would be a welcome surprise. My fiance ordered tacos and a bowl of the chicken tortilla soup. His sister ordered a Hurache which is billed as a larger sope.

Becaue the Hurache is supposed to be larger, I figured the sope would be small and I would need the extra taco. We were given chips while we waited. We sat at a high table and sampled all the salsas on the bar.

Our food was delivered in a timely manner. The sope was HUGE. It wasn't my favorite. The dough used in the sope part was very sweet and reminded me of a doughnut. It was a weird combination with meat and beans. I tasted the hurache and it wasn't as sweet but it was also gigantic.

The tacos were pretty good. They were overfilled with meat. If I am in the area and for some reason King Taco is out of the question, I'll get the tacos next time.

Dona Rosa
577 S. Arroyo Parkway
Pasadena, CA 91105
Map

Jewel City Diner

2008-12-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

A couple of weekends ago we decided to see a movie at the Americana in Glendale. We had to crunch in lunch so we decided to try out the Jewel City Cafe right by the elevators to the main parking lot there.

The Jewel City Diner is trying to be Johnney Rockets in a similar 50's style diner setting. The silver diner looks inviting from outside with the promise of burgers and shakes. There is outside and inside seating--inside is at the counter, outside at tables.

I tried to grab a table outside for the four of us because it was such a nice day but even though I was obviously standing there holding the chair I was about to sit in, some man rushed over and told me that he was sitting there. Jerk. I realize this wasn't the restaurants fault, but it didn't help my first experience.

We walked into the restaurant and sat down at the counter. It smelled heavily as grease and grill. The menu was filled with surprisingly expensive diner classics. What annoyed me was that each item was al a carte. I wanted a milkshake, but they didn't look good enough for the price so I passed.

The diner uses paper everything from cups to plates to napkins. I think one of the most fun things about getting a diner milkshake is getting the extra in the metal cup on the side, at this place you just get the one cup-ful. I ordered water.

Joey and I both got burgers and we shared fries. The fries were steak-fry esque and too potatoy for my taste. Jenny and Gavin got burgers and shared onion rings. The onion rings were much better than the fries with the batter willy nilly around the onion.

The lunch came out to be fairly expensive for the price. Next time I want some diner food, I'll probably go to one of the better known ones and skip the Jewel City--it just wasn't the experience I wanted for the price.*

Jewel City Diner
889 Brand Blvd
Ste 629
Glendale, CA 91209

*Jewel City Diner fits into the $ range of this blog, but the price to what you get ratio is more like $$.

El Tapatio

2008-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

As it turns out, a lot of taco places close their doors on Sundays. Go figure. After a wild search for tacos, we ended up at an old favorite - El Tapatio on Alameda.

There is an outdoor patio where you order at the window and eat as well as an indoor dining area where you sit down and they bring you a menu. I think you could also order at the window and sit inside, but why be confusing?

Yesterday it was freezing outside (like mid-60s!) so we headed indoors. The tables are covered in comics under glass providing easy entertainment. The menus are immediately followed by a basket of chips and a spicy salsa.

The best deal is the Four taco combo that comes with a drink (although some people nearby got some delicious looking plates of sopes and gordittas). We all ordered the taco combo with a variety of meats--al Pastor, Carne Asada, Carnitas.

The tacos came quickly with salsa, onions, and cilantro on top. The carne asada was fine. It was nothing to write home about. The carnitas, however, are spectacular. It seems that they my fry the meat slightly and roast it. The carnitas aren't shredded, instead they are cut into large chunks--sometimes even big slices. The carnitas along with the warm tortillas, salsa, and onions were just the melt in my mouth treat I wanted that Sunday afternoon.

El Tapatio
926 S. San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
Map

Vicious Dogs

2008-11-22T15:14:00.000-08:00

For lunch today we went to Vicious Dogs in North Hollywood, for, you guessed it hot dogs. I had noticed Vicious Dogs in a the Clipper and had been waiting for a time when three of us would be together and could go. It took about 2 months but we finally found a common day.

We headed over to Vicious Dogs on Saturday and found parking to be a breeze at the many open meters. Walking in, the place smelled like dogs--hot dogs. The mismatched old-dining room furniture confused me off the bat. I almost thought it was one of those claim to be American but actually run by a group of foreigners restaurants. But, I decided to wait to make a decision based on the food.

The menu had a lot of choices but the "new menu" was a little hard to read printed in a rainbow of colors. The place was crowded though, which is a good sign, all the tables were full when we got there.

I ordered the bratwurst with sauerkraut and deli mustard, my fiance ordered the bacon wrapped dog, and his dad got the Chicago dog. We also got three drinks and an order of fries big enough to share. The total came to just under $20.

The drinks are just cans, but at least they are only $1.

We sat down at a suddenly empty table and waited for our meals. The bratwurst, which is raw, takes a little longer to cook so our wait was a little longer than most--however they knew it and brought us fries first. The bogs of fries was big and we pigged out on it before the dogs came. They were crispy and thin and salty and just what the doctor ordered.

The food came and we all got our dogs on poppyseed buns (because we didn't specify). My brat was delicious, it was juicy and flavorful covered with a large amount of sauerkraut and a slight taste of mustard (just how I would make it at home!). Everyone else agreed that their dogs were delicious and full of flavor.

We'll be going back.

Vicious Dogs
5231 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Map

Fritto Misto Italian Cafe

2008-10-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

A group of ten of us went to a birthday lunch at Frito Misto on Thursday. We called in advance so that they would set aside a table for us and arrived at noon. The restaurant is a little cafe on the corner. It is filled with tables in two fresh and airy rooms.

The menu is large. I checked it out before going and was thrilled to see reasonable prices--$10-$12 per entree. The menu is mostly pasta with a selection of entrees as well.

The service was pretty good considering there were two groups of 10 (ours included) as well as a packed restaurant at the lunch hour. While we waited for our dinners the waiter brought out drinks and warm French bread. The bread, although I noticed came to the restaurant pre-made, was absolutely delicious.

The sweet potato ravioli was not at all what I expected. It was actually a little bit too sweet for my taste. However, it was cooked to its best with a perfect bite to the pasta, a beautiful plating with the red and yellow raviolis. My friend got the pumpkin ravioli which was an October special. The special was a great deal because it came with a side salad. The pumpkin ravioli was in black pasta and a creamy sauce--it was absolutely delicious. Another fellow diner got this pasta with cilantro. I never would think of cilantro in an Italian dish, but it was pretty good. It actually added something I would never expect.

Overall, I found the restaurant to be a delicious place to eat and a good treat from the Monotony and Cheese over at the office.

Fritto Misto Italian Cafe
601 Colorado Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Map

Mamma's Brick Oven Pizza

2008-10-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

Pizza was on our minds Saturday night, but we needed to find a place in South Pas to be near an art gallery half our group was going to afterward. The suggestion was Mamma's Brick Oven Pizza, a relaxed family-style pizza and pasta restaurant. Sounded good to us, so we went on by.

A lot of restaurants in that area rely on street parking, but Mamma's has it's own lot! The restaurant is small with a handful of tables (inside and out) and a crowded kitchen area separated by a row of pizzas in a see-through case. The menus are between the checkered tablecloths and the glass coverings, so sit down if you're staying, read the menu and then order at the counter. They must also have menus at the counter because a lot of people were skipping the sitting.

We ordered two pizzas - one medium, one large. The large was huge, I think we should have stuck with the medium. We also ordered some garlic knots to start. The garlic knots could have used a little bit more garlic, but were a good deal and a delicious treat while we waited.

The restaurant was packed when we got there, the owner came by a couple of times to make sure we were doing ok.

The pizza was good, greasy and thin and impossible to fold, but still tasty. I wouldn't go out of my way for Mamma's, but if I were craving pizza in South Pas, I know where I'd head.

Mamma's Brick Oven Pizzeria
710 Fair Oaks Ave
South Pasadena, CA 91030
Map

Pauline's Handmade Brittle

2008-09-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

I pass by Pauline's Handmade Brittle at least two-three times a week, and I have never gone in. I have never gone in because from the outside it looks like it is always closed with these dark black windows. Crunched between two nondescript stores, this place just didn't look inviting to me.

Today though, I casually pointed it out to Jenny (who also passes it all the time and never noticed it before) and she insisted that we go in. So I parked and cautiously exited the car. I dragged back so that Jenny could enter first. I don't like going into small stores much because then I feel forced to buy and I have to talk to the person there...it's a lot of work. But it was time.

We walked in to a tiny space with a circular table and chairs in the middle, a case off to the side full of brittle, a couple of sauces, fillings and dessert mixes. A small hallway led to the back of the store where the kitchen is.

We had a chance to browse the store before the owner came in from the back. Pauline, we surmised immediately offered samples from the case of the original pecan brittle. I don't usually love brittle, but it was absolutely delicious! We talked to Pauline for some time and she offered us more samples of some of her other varieties as she talked about her business.

Pauline seemed a little down in the dumps but was excited about the upcoming week when they were filming her store for a makeover show called Peter Perfect. She told us that this show makes-over a struggling business and there will be a grand re-opening on Saturday next week with the new look of this sweet shop. I'm excited to see it after it is revamped.

And why am I telling you? Because the brittle was delicious. The brittle was SO delicious that I am recommending that you take a trip over to Pauline's and buy some. After a couple of samples, I decided on the dark chocolate brittle. It is a thick layer of good-quality dark chocolate on top and marbled with a thick layer of brittle dotted with pecans. Pauline also makes marble chocolate, white chocolate, and mint chocolate varieties.

I left the store excited to go back, but a little bit discouraged by the dent in my wallet. If you are in the mood for a sweet treat or a gourmet gift, stop in, and you will not be disappointed by the flavors melding together in the delicious pecan brittle.

****UPDATE****
I drove past Pauline's today and it looks absolutely spectacular. I highly recommend that you stop by and check out her new look. Her shop now has gone through a total transformation. I can't wait until I finish my first pecan brittle so I can go back and see the new store in person. Now all they need is to update the website to match the new look of the store.

Pauline's Handmade Brittle
1926 W. Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91506
Map

Victorio's Ristorante

2008-09-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Clipper, a coupon magazine, often mentions Victorio's Ristorante and yet, I have never tried it. Tonight, after listening to a book on CD on my drive home that discussed Italian food, I decided it was time to try something new. I was craving pasta.

Three of us went to Victorio's in Burbank. There is also a location in North Hollywood which intrigues me. Victorio's is tucked into a corner of a strip mall. The restaurant has a full bar and a couple of oddly arranged tables. The red walls and mint green booths don't really match, but that doesn't hurt the family feel.

The waitress was new and incredibly friendly and swift, but the owner was also on the premises. The menu is large covering a full range of pastas, pizza and sandwiches. I wanted pasta and from the pictures on the website, I knew I was in for a treat.

I ordered the cannelloni which is a baked meat and spinach filled pasta roll covered in sauce and cheese. It comes with french bread and for $5 you can add on a salad and dessert. Or you could add just a salad if you want. I decided to just have the pasta and bread. The cannelloni was popular at our table, ordered by 2/3 diners. The other diner ordered a pepperoni, cheese and salami sandwich. The soft drinks are cheap here--and they come in what looks like a 40oz cup. Gigantic. I didn't need refills once on my water.

The food came in a reasonable amount of time. The cannelloni was piping hot in the casseroles they were cooked in. The flavors melded together deliciously. The pasta was cooked to perfection in several layers and the meat and sauce added. I didn't feel the need to add anything extra and my mouth is watering for more. The portion was also a good size. I was neither hungry or stuffed afterwards. The sandwich ordered by the other diner was huge--10 inches and wide and apparently delicious.

I am going to make Victorio's one of the family favorites.

Victorio's Ristorante
520 S. Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
Map

Hugo's Tacos - Pasadena

2008-09-06T13:00:00.001-07:00

Not to be confused with the local Hugo's Taco chain, Hugo's Tacos is a single taco-stand style restaurant in Pasadena. The restaurant looks like it is built inside an old warehouse or tiny convenience store.

We were the only ones sitting in there but a couple of people came in and out while we were there. The place was very well staffed with 4 people behind the counter as though they were expecting a crowd. The atmosphere is western with wood tables and booths.

Hugo's Tacos has a short menu including the basics only - tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Order at the counter by choosing your choice of product, meat, and choice of there or to go. They have a long list of meat choices from carne asada and carnitas to lengua and cabasa. These are street tacos with choice of onion and cilantro and also grilled onions if you like.

I ordered three tacos with three different meats - carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor. I had mine topped with the onions and cilantro and the red salsa. The tacos also come with radishes and lime. Drinks are in the bottle or the can, except for the pineapple juice and the horchatta--so I got some pineapple juice which ended up being a great cutter for the spice.

The red salsa had a very smoky taste. The asada reminded me of ground beef. My favorite was the carnitas. I believe the pork was fried a little bit giving it a slight crunch. If we were to go back to Hugo's, I would go for the carnitas only and maybe give the green sauce a try.

Hugo's Tacos
490 N Lake Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
Map

Smitty's Bar and Grill

2008-09-06T12:59:00.001-07:00

When I think of a bar and grill I picture a relaxed atmosphere where everyone wears shorts and the menu is relatively simple with burgers and ribs and salads. Good food, good prices comes to mind.

Smitty's then, is the anti-bar and grill. When we arrived we immediately found ourselves to be severely under dressed. This restaurant bordered on fancy and while we waited in the lackluster space near the door we shrunk down trying not to be noticed.

The prices were high to say the least. The menu covered a wide range of choices but with fancy accompaniments. Side salads, while healthy, cost as much as $7 and didn't appear to be worh the price.

I ordered the meatloaf and the others all got burgers. The meatloaf needed something more...it had an unusual flavor that I didn't really love. The potatoes on the side were dry and super garlicky.

The bacon bbq burger came with lots of extra toppings that weren't listed on the menu starting with mayo and pickles and ending with coleslaw. One diner, sensitive to extra toppings requested a fix and was granted one in a very timely manner, complete with a new plate--and the same, now cold fries.

If I were to go to Smitty's again, I would remember to dress nice, and then request the secret bar-like table near the back that faces the kitchen. I always like to look at something while I eat. This time, however, my only entertainment was a lovely old woman and some friends celebrating a birthday with what looked like a delicious piece of $8 chocolate cake.

Smitty's Bar and Grill
110 S Lake Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
Map

Kitchen 24

2008-08-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

I was browsing food blogs one night before dinner and I came across a post on Kitchen 24. When I used to drive through Hollywood everyday, I saw this place being built--but I had no idea what it was. I was excited to learn that it is a new-age twist on the American diner. A new place that everyone will like!

I went there a couple of nights ago for dinner. The biggest problem is that parking in that area is scarce--especially free parking. We decided to park in the Arclight lot--but that probably wasn't the best choice because it is so expensive without validation. I think you could park for cheaper at the mall at Hollywood and Vine or valet or find a place somewhere on the street.

The restaurant has windows all the way across the front that initially gave me the feel of a quick food restaurant--however, once inside, it has a little bit of a club feel with loudish music and dark lights--and it also traces the 50's diner with vinyl booths. I was a big fan of the chandeliers made out of silverware. There is a bar in the back of the restaurant where a large crowd gathered during the time we were there.

The menu is a large solid book. It looks like it could last them years if they never need to reprint prices. Breakfast and Lunch are served 24/7 and dinner is served in the evening. There is a large drink menu and also a dessert menu.

It took a long time for me to browse the menu but I finally decided on the Nicose Salad. My fellow diners had another salad and a home skillet. The home skillet actually came in a piping hot skillet. It had eggs, bacon, and hash browns. The flavors were ok with some kind of extra spice but nothing too special. If you've got a hankering for breakfast though--the waffles looked amazing. The nicose salad is something I try everywhere that has it with seared tuna. The salad came in a medium sized metal mixing bowl giving me the feeling that it had just been mixed and was too fresh to even move. I was disappointed by the lack of olives in my salad--a flavor I think the salad needs. Even without the olives though, I would have it again. I loved how they boiled the potatoes in some kind of seasoning (it is possible it was just salt) so that they added a little extra instead of just the starch. The other salad that my fellow diner had was rumored to be good as well.

The service was a little bit slow, but I believe there were only two waiters for the whole restaurant. I desperately needed more water which I never received. I also wanted to ask for olives since they were forgotten, but I didn't have a chance while it was still worth it. On a whim, when the waiter did return, one diner and I decided to order dessert. He got the black and white shake--I opted for the brownie sundae. The shake, while it has a fancy name, was just a chocolate shake with vanilla ice cream and was drinkable and not memorable. The brownie sundae came in a shake glass and seemed to be the most popular item on the menu. The sundae was incredibly rich--and I could barely eat the entire thing. The ice cream was the cheap kind that comes in the 5 gallon tub (I saw them making it) and I could tell. Although, I may be a bit of an ice cream snob. I also noted that the sundae had walnuts in the brownie--not noted anywhere on the menu.

While we were paying, someone at the table next to us ordered the skillet apple pie. Boy was I jealous! It looked like a medium sized pie (not individual but not full sized) with a full crust (not that crumb topping they always use in crisps) made right inside a piping hot skillet and served a la mode. I think that would have been the right choice for dessert.

I am excited about returning to Kitchen 24! They have only been open for four months so I anticipate that the service will improve as they get more used to the crowds. The food is worth it now though, there is a lot of variety bringing a spin to the classic diner fare.

Kitchen 24
1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
Map

Frida

2008-08-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Americana at Brand is the shopping center circulating all sorts of buzz in the valley. Half shopping center--half amusement village, this place brings crowds from all over the land to see a place where you can not only shop, dine and stay, but also view water shows that rival the hotels of Vegas, ride a trolley from end to end and play on a fun-looking climbing wall playground.

There are a variety of restaurants in this entertainment-filled shopping mall, and last night we decided to check out Frida--the Mexican choice. Frida looks fancy from the street, but it didn't seem like we were out of place in our day clothes. We went fairly early to dinner, around 6:30 or 7pm and the outdoor patio that looks out onto the mall was completely packed. The inside of the restaurant, however, was open. I was worried we would have to wait after seeing the patio, but actually we were seated immediately.

Our drinks were served immediately--but if you do not order water, you do not get it automatically. The waiter also came around with a basket of warm tortilla chips and two gravy boats of salsa. The red salsa had a slightly smoky flavor and was supposed to be spicy, but it wasn't too bad. The green salsa seemed to have small chunks of avocado in it and was very refreshing. The waiter, trying to earn some points with his spicy-craving crowd brought out some hot sauce for us to add to our salsas. I didn't think it did much, but I enjoyed the green salsa as it was.

The menu had a variety of choices all different from a typical sit-down Mexican restaurant. What most caught my eye was the ceviche and then the full page of different tacos. I really didn't spend much time looking at the entrees, I was going to get the tacos.

I decided on the Tacos de Cochinita Pibil which is slow cooked pork in an annatto sauce served with a habenero relish. On the menu it says "an excellent choice" which to me is like saying "house specialty" so when the waiter warned me that it is the spiciest thing on the menu, I was rather surprised. Generally a house specialty is something for all tastes I thought. I went for it anyway. My dining companions got the Tacos Campechanos which is steak and chorizo and the other got Filet a la Tapienquena which is a steak served with mole and an enchilada.

Although it didn't say on the menu, the tacos were street style except with only one tortilla. Unlike the typical flooding of beans and rice all over the plate, the tacos were served with a small cup of rice and some beans. The actual tacos were not that spicy--but one tiny piece of the habenero relish and my lips and mouth were on fire. The other diners liked their dinners too (although the chorizo addition was a little unusual) and everyone agreed that we would be back.

Frida
750 American Way
Glendale, CA 91210
Map

Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill

2008-08-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

In Ojai last weekend we needed to find a place to grab a quick bite before visiting some new friends. Unfamiliar with the local restaurant scene, we chose a place that we knew had indoor seating (it was hot outside) and good taquitos.

Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill recently moved from a semi-outdoor shack attached to a seafood restaurant into a spanking new strip mall space with excellent air conditioning. The move turned the grill from a roadside shack into a full fledged local restaurant.

There is plenty of parking in the area of town where the restaurant is because it's not right next to everything else, but still in walking distance from downtown if you were so inclined. This is the kind of place where you order at the counter, get a number, and sit down at one of the tables and wait for your food.

There is a salsa bar with four different salsas. The salsas were pretty different from each other. There was a habenero salsa that I expected to be very spicy, but in fact it had a very light kick. (to me, it might be hot to you if you don't eat hot spicy food often)

Two of us ordered tacos and our other diner ordered a taco salad. The food came quickly and was piping hot. I was glad for the salsa bar because my taco needed more flavor. I wanted to be more adventurous with my choice, but i just couldn't decide.

The people were really nice and the food was good--just not amazing. However, if you are in Ojai and you are looking for Mexican fare, this is only one of two choices, and the fastest of the two. While we were there, we saw on the menu a Barbecue Tri-Tip Burrito and wished we had seen it before we ordered. Intrigued, we made our own. I would go again if I were in the area and craving a taco.

Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill
214 W Ojai Ave # 100
Ojai, CA 93023
Map

Lemon Moon Cafe

2008-08-01T19:22:00.001-07:00

Back in 2004 I interviewed all across Los Angeles for jobs. One such interview was at Bizrate, a now defunct company which was purchased by Shopzilla. The interview was long and disappointing (I think they told me my IQ test was too good meaning I should look for a more challenging position). Anyway, I walked around the grounds for awhile because I was early for my interview and I noticed a cute looking cafe called Lemon Moon. I have always wanted to go there since, and finally, last Friday I had the opportunity!

Now that we work out in Santa Monica, I have a whole new selection of restaurants to try out. Lemon Moon has been on my list for ages and someone else actually suggested it! Parking is free in the garage with validation so that is another plus.

There was quite a crowd at the cafe with nearly every table taken. We were lucky to catch a table on the patio big enough for the whole crowd of people that came with us.

The menu is large and diversified--if you like salad. They have a variety of salads you can get from the case that change daily. They have sandwiches and soups and then even some entree salads. They also have a small selection of baked goods. The choices and build-up for the restaurant really led to my having a hard time choosing. I didn't know what to do, I wanted to try everything. I ended up choosing an entree salad of Caprese over a bed of greens with a vinaigrette. I also got a chocolate cookie and some fruit punch lemonade.

The fruit punch lemonade was delicious. It had a light taste of fruit mixed with the sour/sweet lemonade. It was a perfect refreshment, but I don't think there were refills on it. My salad came along with everyone else's food and I was immediately sure I made the wrong choice. The tuna melt across from me looked great (and I don't even like tuna), the burger and fries looked amazing--and apparently tasted great and the roast beef sandwich next to me looked slightly different and delicious.

My salad was not so delicious. It was absolutely drenched in the vinaigrette and it was very vinagery, almost spicy. The salad consisted of a row of tomato and fresh mozzerella across a bed of greens. I needed something more and a lot less vinegar. The cheese was nothing special (not buratta for sure) and the tomatoes weren't fully ripe. I knew I should have gone for a sandwich.

The cookie, which I ate later, was amazing. It tasted like a brownie with a cookie crust and chocolate chips oozing inside. My lunch was expensive with the drink, cookie and salad, but I would consider going there again and I would get something different, for sure. Maybe I can get someone else to order for me.

Lemon Moon
12200 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Map

New York Bakery & Deli

2008-07-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

In the new office, we don't get free food, so I have to either bring or buy. It's the Westside though, so I tend to bring because buying is often causes a big dent in the checkbook. But once in awhile, I go for the easier option and buy. Yesterday was no exception.

I didn't want the classic fair in the nearby restaurants, so a couple friends and I walked a couple blocks up to Wilshire to a little sandwich shop someone knew of. This sandwich shop defines hole in the wall. If you didn't know it was there, you might not find it in shadow Whole Foods casts from across the street.

New York Deli is a bagel bakery that also makes sandwiches. The bagels are baked right in the front of the store so it looks a little unkempt when you first walk in, but it's worth the disheveled atmosphere when it comes to the sandwiches.

I have been to the Deli twice and ordered the same thing--on a different bagel, both times. The bagels are fresh and flavorful and don't resemble the bulk sale varieties that you find in your grocers freezer at all. The outside is perfect and the inside is soft and chewy. I ordered the lox sandwich. I have a weak heart for lox and order it almost every time I see it, because it was a family tradition growing up for both Christmas Eve and after-church brunch. When I lived in Seattle, I discovered another kind of smoked salmon--but it never compared to my good friend lox.

I made my sandwich a combo with a drink and chips and it was under $10. The shopkeeper was liberal with the lox. There was just enough cream cheese, and the onions and capers complimented it excellently. One of my friends got a turkey sandwich with all the classic toppings and it looked absolutely delicious and I heard it was.

This deli serves a variety of high quality Boarhead meats, has several kinds of mustard, and you can choose from a variety of bagel flavors from traditional egg to spinach for your sandwich. The variety matched up with the quality brings back regulars and new restaurant-goers alike.

New York Bakery & Deli
2216 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Map

Jalepenos

2008-07-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

Jalapeños is a storefront Mexican restaurant in a strip mall filled with other fast food choices including Subway and McDonalds. Jalapeños is a dark restaurant inside which is surprising since the front wall is all windows. The menu spans all the typical fast Mexican dishes from tostadas to tacos to burritos.

I wanted the al pastor but unfortunately, at noon on Saturday it wasn't ready yet. That was a disappointment, so instead I ordered the carne asada. I ordered three mini tacos with rice and beans. I think everyone else I was with also got tacos, but someone might have gotten a tostada. The food took awhile to be ready--it seemed like there was one cook and one cash register attendant. There wasn't another group in the restaurant, so I'm worried that when they are busy that my food would take even longer. While we waited they got us our drinks and some chips.

The salsa is in a salsa bar near the counter. Looking at the salsa bar, I didn't know what to get--none of the salsas looked to me to be interesting or unique from each other. So, I chose all of them. And waited. And ate a lot of chips.

So by the time my three tacos came, I decided that I probably should have gotten only two tacos. For street tacos, these tortillas were packed with meat. Unfortunately, the meat wasn't that good. It was crispy where it shouldn't have been and full of fatty pieces that I had to leave to the side. The beans and rice were nothing special. The lack of a good salsa really ruined the deal for me. Sure the portions were big and the prices were OK, but the flavor just didn't cut it against all the rest of the Mexican food choices in the area.

Jalapeños
916 West Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91506
Map

Rosies BBQ Griller

2008-07-05T15:00:00.002-07:00

Rosie's BBQ has catered two lunches at the office recently. The second time they returned by "popular demand." This surprises me, because I wouldn't necessarily say that their food was all that popular with anyone that I dined with that day for free lunch.

Perhaps the confusion lay in the difference between a delicious but costly lunch and a not so delicious but free lunch.

Anyway, Rosie's served us chicken (dry), salad (lackluster), mac and cheese (there was just something about this that made me think of warm playdoh), and garlic rolls. I was sad that I did not take two of the warm garlic rolls. They tasted as though they had just hopped out of a warm oven.

And those rolls are the only reason I didn't bring my lunch the second time Rosie's came calling. But I can't base a restaurant on its bread alone. Perhaps the trip to the restaurant will come up stronger than their catering. Maybe chicken is not their forte--I've been to plenty of bbq restaurants that boast great meats and make them all better than the little white bird called chicken.

Rosie's BBQ Grillery
9012 Tampa Ave
Northridge, CA 91324
Map

Hill Street Cafe

2008-06-25T23:00:00.001-07:00

The Hill Street Cafe can only be described as an All-American restaurant destined for an elderly crowd. Sure, there are families there and college kids, but most of the crowd is over 55.

Normally, I'm not interested in going to this restaurant ever because I don't find the food particularly delicious--but perhaps I just order the wrong thing EVERY time. This time though, I suggested the place--for breakfast. I am under the impression that it is really hard to ruin breakfast, so I am willing to try out almost anywhere.

It was a Sunday "morning" dangerously close to noon. The restaurant was relatively crowded with after-church folk, but we were seated immediately. Our waitress, however, did not come to our table immediately, and, although there were people eating lunch, we were only offered a breakfast menu.

The menu had a large variety of breakfast choices but I was immediately drawn to the omelet. While my Dad makes a mean omelet, I am not so good at doing it myself and therefore am constantly craving them. I ordered the vegetarian omelet with the addition of ham. It came with choice of potatoes (o'brien or hash brown) and choice of toast. I got the hash browns and the biscuit. I also ordered coffee. I was with two others and they ordered the 2,2,2 (pancakes, sausage, eggs) and the other person got the huevos rancheros.

My meal was the best deal by far and way too much food. The omelet was good except that it had broccoli in it--uncooked broccoli. That addition to the omelet was the only thing that made it not amazing. Otherwise it had a good mix of cheese and filling. The biscuit was a mistake. It was a heavy baking powder biscuit with no flavor. I can make those myself (and better), so when I get a biscuit at a restaurant I expect a flaky cakey rich buttermilk biscuit. The hash browns were nothing special but when I saw the O'brien potatoes I was sad I hadn't chosen those.

The breakfast was good, but it wasn't amazing or totally unique. Next time I'm craving breakfast, I think I'll go somewhere different--with a hipper, younger crowd.

***Update***I have gone here again a couple of times and my new favorite is the Huevos Rancheros. Delicious! I will go back for these for sure.

Hill Street Cafe
3301 N Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank, CA 91504
Map

Kansas City BBQ Co.

2008-06-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

I hang out with a bunch of guys that love BBQ. I feel like I have a handle on what bbq restaurants are available in LA, which ones are good, and which ones are a little bit lack-luster. Depending on the group and the time, we usually split our time between 3 mainstays--The Barn Burner, The Bear Pit, and Ribs USA. This time, however, we spotted a new place relatively nearby in the Clipper magazine that made us wonder, could it be a close fourth?

The Kansas City BBQ Co. is a storefront in a strip mall tucked away on the darkest part of Magnolia in North Hollywood. We weren't sure of the address and we only spotted the restaurant because of a folding sign in the parking lot. The parking lot, speaking of it, is small and relatively unmarked, there's plenty of parking on the street though. The parking lot was very full partially because of the AA next door, but also the restaurant had people too.

Inside there are a handful of tables, some Western decor, and a register counter with partially exposed kitchen. There are paper menus to look at and then you order at the counter. They seemed to have a pretty lucrative to-go business. Apparently they aren't really a new business, just a relocated one. Once your food is ready they bring to to your table or call your number.

I ordered the half rack of beef ribs and it came with two sides of my choice. I chose cole slaw and sweet potato fries ($1 more). Other dishes at my table included the brisket, the chicken sandwich, the sampler platter, and the baby back ribs.

The service at the restaurant was really friendly, yes they are newish, but they wanted to give the "welcome to my kitchen" feel. One person's food took longer than normal for a to-go offer and they were given an extra full side item. I was very comfortable in the restaurant, the neighborhood though, not so much.

I expected my half rack to be 2 ribs tops. I was completely surprised when I got 4! After one, the fries, and a little coleslaw, I was full. The rib meat was tender and fell off the bone into my mouth. The sauce had a nice flavor but it wasn't remarkable. The cole slaw was pretty good--and I don't even like that stuff much. The sweet potato fries were fine, but I really didn't want them.

The brisket got rave reviews and everyone was interested in having it again. I would definitely consider a return visit, next time, I think I'll try the brisket everyone's raving about.

Kansas City BBQ Co.
10863 Magnolia Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Map

Caffe Primo

2008-06-01T16:43:00.000-07:00

Caffe Primo is a restaurant that I like to pretend I had a hand in creating. A couple of years ago, I ate my lunch in the Sunset Millennium Plaza. That plaza was built in 2000 (surprise, surprise!), but had a lot of trouble filling the stores and keeping them full. Equinox, the pricey gym moved in to one corner, and a few stores switched constantly in the smaller spaces. There is this nice area in the plaza with tables and a fountain set just far enough away from the main drag of the Sunset Strip to offset the noise.

A little gelato/sandwich place moved into the the space kitty-corner from Equinox. Since I was in the plaza anyway, I made a point of checking out the restaurant right when it opened. I enjoyed their paninis and the gelato was always a nice treat. I brought others there to try the food too. After about a year in the cramped space, the restaurant closed down and moved to the prime corner location right on Sunset. It was closed for at least a year during renovations.

Finally, after a long wait, Caffe Primo opened. I went to visit immediately. The 'new' space in West Hollywood is huge, with a large counter, a lounge area with TVs, common tables, and a large outdoor patio. At lunch, the cafe fills up with patrons seeking a simple Italian lunch.

I love the salads and sandwiches there, but the prices are a little steep. Well actually, the prices are fine if you're on the Sunset Strip, probably one of the cheaper places you can go, come to think of it. Since I worked within walking distance I have also sampled the coffee (strong and bitter, probably the way coffee is supposed to taste), cookies (delicious), cupcakes (a little expensive for the size, not even close to the cupcake giants, but worth it in a pinch), muffin tops (expensive, but it's the TOP part only!), gelato (eh, I don't know what all the fuss is about gelato, give me some full fat ice cream instead).

Just recently, Caffe Primo opened a new branch in the new Americana at Brand in Glendale. Unfortunately, they changed some of the things that were great in Weho when they moved. They don't have room for the giant patio and as a result the seating is a little cramped and people were confused as to whether they sit down, or go up and order first, or what (you go up and order and then sit anywhere, for the record). They added rotisserie chicken to the menu and showcase a pizza oven along with their gelato case and fancy Italian coffee machine.

The food still tasted good, but the portions were way too small for the cost. The pizza one diner at my table ordered was advertised to be 1o'', but it was smaller than the plate it rested on and it only had four large slices of pepperoni on the entire thing. I got a salad and it was somewhere between a dinner salad and a side salad. The problem is, the prices weren't adjusted when they moved from the expensive Sunset Strip to Glendale. Sure, the new mall is a little bit classier than other areas of the valley, but even so, people expect to see larger portions at those prices. I am hoping they are just still settling in and will live up to my expectations next time I visit.

Caffe Primo
8590 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Map

Also at the Americana At Brand

Stuffed Sandwich

2008-05-31T14:52:00.000-07:00

San Gabriel isn't exactly around the corner, it is a pretty long way for me to go for lunch, especially for a sandwich. I had high hopes for the Stuffed Sandwich. I figured if someone called themselves stuffed the sandwich did one of two things:

1. The sandwich makings would be stuffed in a roll or pita that is not totally separated
2. The sandwich is chock full of fixings

I was disappointed upon arrival that there was no such scenario number one available. The long list of sandwiches was difficult for me to decide and the lady at the counter was just waiting. The sandwiches weren't inventive, so I hoped for quality ingredients. I decided on the salami sandwich with spicy mustard (they just mean brown mustard), lettuce and tomato.

The salami was delicious, it was mildly thick which gave it an excellent texture. The bread was also delicious and fresh. It is amazing how freshness can really change a roll. The toppings of the sandwich were lacking. The sandwich would have been great with something more, pickles maybe? Or seasoned tomatoes? Or something different?

The other people with us got the bbq pork sandwich (the bbq sauce was more like marinara sauce), ham (the ham was a little odd tasting), and roast beef (this was a large, and it was GIGANTIC, and apparently delicious.

The restaurant has a gigantic selection of beer and I think the restaurateurs were surprised when only one person in our party ordered beer. The inside of the restaurant was dark like a bar crossing a church basement. There was a patio that I would have preferred to sit on, but unfortunately, there were people smoking outside. Now that they don't allow smoking inside, I sometimes feel like I can't eat outside because I don't particularly like the tobacco/food taste.

I'd go back to Stuffed Sandwich, if I was in the area, and I was with something that didn't like Asian food.

Stuffed Sandwich
1145 E Las Tunas Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Map

Joselitos Mexican Restaurant

2008-05-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

Joselitos is a little Mexican restaurant right in the heart of downtown Montrose. It was relatively crowded but with no wait when we got there. We were seated in a too-small curved wall booth, so we moved over to a regular booth and nobody seemed to notice.

They brought never-ending chips to the table while we were waiting. The salsa was spicy and wet and slipped right off the chip all over the table. After too many glasses of water our waiter returned and we ordered. I ordered the chili verde. Other orders at our table included the fish tacos, big taco, and chili colorado burrito.

It took kind of long for our food to come. My tortillas came pretty early before my actual food, but they didn't get cold so that was nice. The chili verde mixed together with the rice and beans. I thought it was ok, but it needed something else to go with it--like salsa maybe or even salt. The meat was pretty tender. I ended up only being able to eat half of it. Taking it home was a mistake though because it looked like someone lost their lunch when it was all poured together in the takeaway box.

Everyone else seemed to like their meals, but the food was only fair, nothing particularly outstanding compared to other similar restaurants. They do have a lot of special offers like Kids Eat Free on Sundays and Brunch, so maybe that's the way to go when you want to try out Joselitos.

Joselitos Mexican Restaurant
2345 Honolulu Ave
Montrose, CA 91020
Map

Two Guys from Italy

2008-05-25T21:16:00.000-07:00

Deciding on dinner is sometimes a chore. Craving something different than the average fare, trying to find a place that is not a chain and still has something for everyone. This time we decided to head over to Two Guys from Italy in Glendale. The restaurant had a bar taking up the front area of the restaurant, then you follow the hostess down a hall past the kitchen and into a large room filled with tables. There are probably not that many tables at all, maybe twenty, but the room seemed big because it was so long.

They didn't really have any tables available that were made for three, so they gave us a large circular table in the window. I was rather impressed that they even offered the big table as it always seems like restaurants are saving those in case a big party comes in. The restaurant was pretty full, almost every table was taken. The bar was completely full, and they had people coming in for takeout orders. I also observed the delivery people coming and leaving constantly throughout our dinner.

We received garlic bread and delicious homemade bruschetta topping on the side to start. This was a free appetizer. It far surpassed the regular plain bread with ice cold butter that is usually served while you wait. The tomatoes were incredibly flavorful with hints of garlic and basil.

The menu was pretty large covering the usual pasta, pizza, calzones, and sandwiches. I like to order the first thing that takes me by surprise or interests me. I noticed a pasta dish with eggplant and mozzarella cheese, and even after I scoured the menu, I ended up deciding on it. The thing is, I don't really like eggplant, but I have always wanted to like it, so I thought I'd give it a try. My fiance ordered a calzone and our other guest ordered the exact same thing as me, a personal pet peeve.

The pasta comes with a salad to start. I ordered it with the Italian dressing and was pleased to find the dressing to not be bottled Italian. It had the delicious pickling cucumbers which in my opinion have way more flavor, and garbanzo beans added a nice touch. After the salad and the unlimited garlic bread, I could have stopped eating before my entree even came.

The pasta came steaming hot and overflowing the dinner bowl.I waited before burning the roof of my mouth. The cheese was delicious and fresh and melted throughout the pasta. Unfortunately for my dislike of eggplant, the eggplant flavor came out really strong. The dish was filled with the vegetable. Despite my usual dislike for eggplant, I enjoyed the pasta--but I really ate most of it the next day.

The calzone was moon-shaped. While it tasted good, the toppings weren't evenly distributed throughout the crispy cooked crust.

Everyone was too full to even think about dessert, but they didn't force us to leave, they were content to have us sit as long as we wanted. We didn't stay too long, but it was late enough that I doubt our table filled afterward.

Two Guys from Italy
405 N. Verdugo
Glendale, CA 91206
Map

Javan Restaurant

2008-05-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

I met a friend for dinner at Javan Restaurant a couple of days ago and have been trying to think of ways to go back ever since. Javan is a Persian restaurant in West LA. There is plenty of street parking as well as a lot nearby. Even though it is right on high-traffic Santa Monica Blvd, it blends in so with the other buildings that I passed it twice before finding it on the corner of Butler.

My friend and I decided that even though we weren't hungry, I should try everything and therefore we decided to over-eat from the get go. We ordered the sampler platter as an appetizer. This could easily feed four people appetizers, but we were just two. The sampler platter came with a variety of fresh salads made with cucumbers and tomatoes, homemade pickles, dolmahe (which are like Greek dolmades), a potato salad variety, and a bunch of fresh herbs with lemon. There was already some crispy bread similar to Indian Rhoti on the table. The herbs and the potato salad were my favorite parts of the appetizer plate. I never thought of eating fresh herbs before, but it's not unlike eating salad. Ever since, I have been mixing a variety of fresh herbs in salads I make at home and it really spices them up. I am especially enamored by lemon grass.

You'd think that after we devoured the entire plate of appetizers for four we wouldn't have even been able to think about dinner, but we thought about it. I ordered the Albalo Polo which is tender dark meat chicken on the bone served with a huge portion of sweet and sour cherry basmati rice. The chicken was red because of the way it is cooked but it just fell off the bone. The huge pile of rice was colored partially pink. It had chunks of cherries in it. At first I was a little nervous but once I tasted it, I knew nothing else. Rice is filling, so I saved half my meal to take home. My friend ordered the Zereshk Polo, which was just like mine except her rice had currants instead of cherries.

The servers were very attentive to us but we did stand out in a restaurant full of regulars. When we asked for dessert, they offered us menus showing different ice cream choices, had my friend not been there before, I do not know if we would have been offered the regular dessert menu. I imagine that when most people see noodles listed on the dessert menu they reel back and order the sorbet.

My friend urged me to get dessert because she was saving room her favorite. Faloodeh is a starchy noodle frozen with sugar and rosewater. Noodles for dessert sort of turned me off. I couldn't imagine how that would taste. These noodles, however, are more like sprinkles or Jimmies as some people refer to them. They stuck together during the freezing process and reminded me of a refreshing granita or crispy sorbet. I ordered the Zoulbia which was described as flour, sugar, honey and rosewater in a pretzel shape. It turned out to be a crispy friend dessert that looked like a thin funnel cake more than a pretzel. I broke off a piece and with each bite hone oozed out of the middle of the crunchy dough. It was delicious, but eating more than two bites was difficult because it was so rich. In the end, we had eaten a lot.

Javan Restaurant
11500 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Map

Chozo Mama

2008-05-20T09:48:00.001-07:00

Chozo Mama opened a couple of years ago right across from NBC studios. It took over a restaurant spot that had apparently changed hands almost yearly. I stopped by right away to try out the Peruvian food, always looking for a new experience. The food was a hit to me right away. I went back one more time and then I didn't go for awhile. Meanwhile, they turned the covered patio into an enclosed room.

When I went to the restaurant yesterday evening, I was really craving the Peruvian experience. I hadn't seen it since the construction was finished, and the place looked really nice. The main kitchen and ordering is done in the original building and there are lots of tables and even a TV. The people who work there are nice. It's really quite a small business because instead of having one cook and someone special as a cashier, the cashier often makes the meal himself.

I ordered the Chicken Saltado. It is a chicken dish cooked to order in a sauce served with onions on top of french fries. The dish came complete with two sides. I got the lentils and green salad. I didn't have time to stay, but I did sit in the dining area to wait. It was very comfortable inside. The chicken saltado takes a little longer to make than the other dishes because it is made fresh.

It is worth the wait. The food was delicious, flavorful, and still piping hot by the time I got home. It was made for one but I ate it for two meals. The menu is varied with all sorts of dishes--there is really something for everyone.

Chozo Mama
At the intersection of W. Alameda Ave and W. Olive Ave across from the Tonight Show at NBC Studios and Weinershnitzel

East Coast Dogs & Deli

2008-05-17T20:23:00.001-07:00

The East Coast Deli is really close to my house, but it never appears to be open so it has always intrigued me. I walked past it the other day and noticed the hours were weekday hours--eight to four Monday through Friday. No wonder it always appears to be closed!

I was working from home on Friday, so I thought I'd check out the place. Being from Chicago, I am always jonesing for a good hot dog. I noticed right away that this place was advertising Vienna Beef dogs. In Chicago, a hot dog just isn't a hot dog unless it says Vienna Beef. I was surprised when we walked in the little red and white storefront to find an extensive menu with sandwiches and salads and only a tiny hot dog menu. I started wondering why I thought this was a hot dog place in the first place, and it can only have been the Vienna Beef sign, I must have seen it from the street.

While the salads looked pretty good, I opted for the Chicago Style dog. One thing I know about LA is that when they say "East Coast" it could be anywhere east of the Mississippi River, so maybe they were masters on Chicago flavor. My fiance was with me and he ordered a polish sausage with fries. The fries usually come with garlic and basil but he chose plain to go with his plain mustard and KETCHUP hot dog. Honestly, who puts ketchup on hot dog?

The fries took a long time to be ready, so in the meantime they let us pay and sit down. There are only a couple of tables but it seemed like the majority of their business was to-go business anyway from the hospital and studios surrounding it.

My Chicago dog was a fake. I am surprised they even risked giving it the Chicago name. The hot dog itself seemed huge and was good, but I shouldn't have ruined it with all the toppings. The hot dog was in a hard roll, topped with red onion, regular pickle relish, chopped tomatoes, mustard and a couple of slices of bread and butter pickles. I was very full at the end because the two salads that came with my meal filled the plate.

I would probably go back to this place if I happened to be around when it was open again and I wanted a quick meal. I think next time though I will skip the hot dogs and go for a sandwich or a salad. I think I would also bring my own drink, because all you can buy bottled drinks at inflated prices.

East Coast Dogs & Deli
2609 W Olive Ave
Burbank, CA 91505
Map

Dino's Pizza

2008-05-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

The other night for a quick dinner we decided to go to Dino's Pizza just because we were in the neighborhood. The restaurant is very small on a big corner. It shares a parking lot with a tire store and there is some street parking nearby. We parked on the street.

We walked in and I was unsure what to do, luckily my fiance had been there before. To the right is a dining room and to the left is a counter where you order. Even if you plan to eat in the dining room, you still order at the counter in advance. We ordered the cheesy bread which comes with ranch and sauce, a medium pizza with ham, provolone and tomatoes and two drinks. The price was reasonable. After you order they remember your face and you either go and sit down in the dining room or wait or come back in 20 minutes to pick up your order. Be sure to grab some popcorn to start before sitting down.

There is a hodgepodge of totally different tables all covered in red and white checked table-clothes. The crowd seems to be mostly locals and people at opposite tables were talking to each other! We waited for awhile and our pizza and cheesy bread came roughly at the same time. I guess that shows that everything was made fresh just for us. I think if you were in a hurry, you could probably call in your order in advance and then eat there when it was ready.

When the cheesy bread came, it looked like a really thin pizza cut into a lot of different shapes with a very thin layer of cheese that was slightly crunchy and no sauce. The cheesy bread was pretty good especially when dipped in ranch. The pizza sauce for dipping was...frozen, so we tried to put it under the warm bread to warm it up, but it didn't really work.

Shortly after, our pizza came. We ordered it thinking it would taste similar to a ham sandwich. The addition of the provolone on top of the mozzarella made a really thick layer of cheese--don't get me wrong, it was great, but still, really thick. The tomatoes were a little too green for our liking. The pizza was pretty good but not my favorite. I thought the sauce was a little too strong--it kind of tasted like tomato paste.

The restaurant has that eating-at-home feel, because once they drop off the food, they don't really come by anymore. If you want something else, you have to go up to the counter and get it yourself. The amount of food we ordered ended up being too much for two. Unfortunately, on reheat, the cheesy bread wasn't very good but maybe if you reheat in the oven it would be better.

Addendum: I went back to Dino's again, and I had something different. We started with the dinner salad and I have never had a better dinner salad. They used those little pickling cucumbers, mixed romaine lettuce and a special vinaigrette that doesn't taste exactly like bottled Italian. Then I had a sandwich with chicken and artichoke hearts. The artichoke was a little overpowering, but the chicken was incredibly tender and delicious. Next time, I'll get a salad with chicken.

Addendum #2: Dino's is now our go-to pizza place. We've being going here now for years and it is wonderful. The ingredients are fresh, the pizzas never fail to be delicious and the staff is friendly. I always get the dinner salad to start and it helps fill you up a little before the pizza comes. The dinner salad in the small size is enough for 2-3 people. We vary our toppings but always find the pizza to be perfect. We also enjoy some of the hot entrees and other salads when, on the rarest occasions we don't feel like pizza. I will go here again and again. This just goes to show that initial reactions aren't always the rule.

Dino's Pizza
3520 W. Burbank Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
Map

Katsuya

2008-05-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

On Friday I went to lunch at Katsuya in Hollywood. Katsuya is located on the corner of Vine and Hollywood Blvd. just across the street from that fire that happened a couple of days before. There was plenty of street parking at meters but they also offer valet if you are so inclined.

As I walked into the restaurant I immediately felt under-dressed. The glass doors led to an upscale and trendy lobby. To my left was a lounge area with couches and a middle section of high tables for drinks. That section appeared to be closed at lunch. Straight in front of me was an extensive bar. To the right was a large room with a sushi bar station in a center square surrounded by seating at the bar. In little alcoves around the room were a handful of tables. My friend told me that the only way to get a table, even at lunch, was to call ahead.

We sat at the sushi bar right in front of a sushi chef. Immediately our waitress came around offering us hot wet towels. I ordered an unusual drink to start, a Pink Basil Rising. It was a citrusy drink with basil and while I ordered it virgin, it is possible to add alcohol. It was delicious. Incredibly refreshing with a strong sting but I'm not sure I would pay the eight bucks it cost to get it again.

We ordered some edamame to start. Each time we filled the shell bowl someone would come by and empty it. The service was outstanding in that way throughout our whole meal. They were very attentive with removing plates and refilling water. There was a little stone on which to set your used chopsticks when your plates were removed.

I ordered the Sushi Lunch which was served with salad and miso soup. Unlike other sushi restaurants, the salad comes with a choice of dressing and it is not that delicious orange one. The dressing was still good, but it wasn't what I expected. After the soup and salad and the edamame and my drink I was pretty much full. But sushi doesn't last very well the next day, so I kept on going.

I was disappointed by my sushi combination when it came. It was all the same standards--a couple of tunas, a salmon and shrimp. I know there are other kinds of sushi out there but they never ever come with the combination--which I think is a mistake. I don't want to have the same thing every time but I don't know how to order something different. I thought that this place would definitely lean toward different based on its classiness, but it didn't. My friend ordered the bowl of eel and said it was delicious. If I returned to Katsuya, I think I would try to order something a little more unusual.

My favorite part of the lunch was watching the sushi chef in front of us. We talked about the different things he was making such as the seaweed wrapped cucumber and rice sushi that looked to be the most boring $7 ever spent. Then he started to make cucumber skin rolls. I was impressed by how he wielded the sharp butchers knife cutting thin slices the full length of a cucumber. The knife went around and around and you could hardly tell that he was being watched while he concentrated.

Once we asked for the check the good service diminished. It took ten minutes to get our cards back and by then I knew this was going to have adverse affects on my parking meter. I'd go to Katsuya again, but I didn't find it to be too different from every other sushi restaurant in town.

Katsuya
6300 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Map

Marix Tex Mex Cafe

2008-04-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Today I had lunch with a couple of friends at Marix in West Hollywood. Marix is a sister restaurant to Basix cafe next door. It has an "open air" feel although I am pretty sure there is a ceiling all the way around.

On Tuesday nights Marix has a taco night, but watch out, a pitcher of margaritas could be a little more money than you bargain for.

But I went for lunch. We were seated immediately and the restaurant wasn't really crowded at all, but I have been there before when it has been crowded, so that's a good sign for its food.

I ordered the brisket (tri-tip) tacos and it came with beans and rice. Also ordered at my table were fajitas, chicken tacos and a tostada salad. While we waited for our food there were ample chips and salsa at our table and drinks of course. The waiter was very attentive to our needs. Just before our food came, however, we heard some really loud construction work outside, that sort of stunted conversation for a little, but it ended as suddenly as it started.

My tacos were delicious. The meat was really tender and flavorful. I was pretty full after just the tacos. The fajitas also looked amazing. For tacos though, the price was a little higher than I would normally pay. I am glad I tried something slightly unusual rather than sticking to an old favorite. I would definitely go again though if I were in the area.

Marix
1108 N Flores St.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Map

Casa Bianca Pizza

2008-04-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Today is the 1 year anniversary of Tasting LA. As a treat to all my loyal readers, this review will include something you've all been asking for.

A couple of nights ago we decided to go on a whim with a couple of friends to a little pizza place in Eagle Rock called Casa Bianca. The restaurant stands on an unassuming corner with flourescent lighted signs advertising pizza and pasta. On first glance, I was thrilled that they referred to the classic Italian dish as pizza pie, a phrase I've only heard used by my parents and relatives--something likely from the 5o's when Casa Bianca opened.

The classic 50's style continues from the outside to the inside. Twenty or so tables sit in the first room and our friends, who are regulars, told us there is another room in the back that holds another 10-15 tables. The decor probably hasn't changed much in the last 53 years, with bright Christmas lights on the walls and red and white checked tablecloths. The upholstry could use an update--the benches were a lot harder than they appeared--but I didn't go for the seating--I was there for the food.

I expected to wait to be seated because of the reputation the place has, but we were seated within the first five minutes we were there even though they said 15 at least. We sat in a large booth in the back. We were still waiting for some of our party so we ordered some garlic bread and drinks to start. The garlic bread was perfect-crispy on the outside with the soft freshness inside covered in flavorful garlic.

For the main course, we decided to share an extra large pizza with meatballs and tomatoes. The other group ordered the Capalleni con pomodora and basil and a sausage and pepperoni pizza. We chose the meatballs because we saw another pizza that looked delicious with the meatballs. While we waited for our food the free bread came, we were surprised that free bread came with dinner and had we known we probably would have skipped the garlic bread. The bread was fresh and warm and the butter melted onto it.

When our pizzas came, we were disapointed to find out the delicious pizza we had seen before had been covered in sausage. The meatballs were not so much balls as seasoned ground meat in little piles across the pizza. The flavor wasn't lost, but the texture expected from a ball of meat was completely lost on this pizza. It was almost like we had ordered cheese and tomato only. The crust was crunchy with a hint of softness under the cheese. The pasta and other pizza looked like much better choices than ours and smelled delicious. The basil was very generous on top of the pasta.

We finished the entire extra large pizza with two normal eaters and one big eater. For the average group of four it would probably be plenty. The pizza, although circular comes out cut into unusual slices, so if you are expecting to fold a triangle, you will instead be confronted with odds and ends-squares, trapazoids, what have you.

I would definitely go there again. I felt like I was taking a step into an Italian mother's kitchen for a nice family meal. The dining area was a little loud, but the light was comfortable and the service was pretty good too. I think next time I'll stear clear of the meatballs and stick with the standard sausage (I should have known in advance that the sausage was special by its prominate place on the menu). I might even get some of that pasta dish too. I've never thought before of ordering both pizza and pasta--but I think I will now. The only downfall is that this restaurant is cash only--so be prepared. They have an atm, but it will cost you.

Casa Bianca Pizza
1650 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Map

LOS TACOS---The world's greatest soft tacos

2008-04-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

Living in Burbank I knew at some point I might stumble upon the "world's greatest " something but little was I aware that the "world's greatest soft tacos" lurked just a few miles from my home in the great city of San Gabriel, California.

Having the world's greatest tennis legs, I naturally am qualified at judging a world's best . For instance, I also have the world's greatest penmanship, and probably the world's greatest collection of navel lint ( I haven't yet checked my counterpart in southeast Asia). All that being said I set upon a journey to the great city of San Gabriel to partake in the greatest soft tacos in the world. My expectations were modest, I would have settled for the greatest soft taco in the Western Hemisphere or even the greatest soft taco in North America (even the 6th best burrito in the San Gabriel Valley would have filled the bill). As we entered the parking lot at Los Tacos- the world's greatest soft tacos- we noticed that there we no other cars in the parking lot. My first thought was that perhaps all those satisfied customers were at home barely able to move from overeating on the 3rd best huevos rancheros during this mornings' breakfast visit. I ordered the 4 taco plate with 2 machaca, one asada and one al pastor. Unbelievably, $5.75 was going to get me 4 of the world's greatest soft tacos! I waited fidgiting like a 10 year old at the gates of Disneyland, I was about to have the worlds greatest soft taco............

Los Tacos ----"The world's greatest soft tacos" is located in San Gabriel at the corner of Santa Anita and Las Tunas.