Check out #8:
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/roundup/40605
Looks like Joanne's predictions are on their way to coming true.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
In the Mood for... Mediterranean
Did I spell that rightly?
Sorry... engineer. This is my excuse for not knowing english.
Anyhow,
Gaby's
Yum.
Food...
Hummus. Yum. $4/order, serves about 4.
Falafel. Yum.
Rice Pilaf. Yum.
Pita Sandwiches. Yum.
Comes with rice OR salad OR french fries... all for $5 - $6.
Falafel pita sandwich + rice + hummus = 2 meals... all for $9...
WOW!
And yeah, ask for some pita on the way out, they'll give you 1/2 a bag full.
Service... not so Yum.
Atmosphere... fun to look at beach coming and going people.
Yeah. Pretty cheap lebanese? food by the beach... or by Versailles, which is another story. I enjoy. Tasty food, swallowable prices, swallowable service. Ahh.
Gaby's
by the beach at the end of Washington Blvd. on the south side.
OR
10445 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles CA
Sorry... engineer. This is my excuse for not knowing english.
Anyhow,
Gaby's
Yum.
Food...
Hummus. Yum. $4/order, serves about 4.
Falafel. Yum.
Rice Pilaf. Yum.
Pita Sandwiches. Yum.
Comes with rice OR salad OR french fries... all for $5 - $6.
Falafel pita sandwich + rice + hummus = 2 meals... all for $9...
WOW!
And yeah, ask for some pita on the way out, they'll give you 1/2 a bag full.
Service... not so Yum.
Atmosphere... fun to look at beach coming and going people.
Yeah. Pretty cheap lebanese? food by the beach... or by Versailles, which is another story. I enjoy. Tasty food, swallowable prices, swallowable service. Ahh.
Gaby's
by the beach at the end of Washington Blvd. on the south side.
OR
10445 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles CA
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Meanwhile, back at the...
I know it's Christmas and I should post something festive. Sadly, I have nothing.
Instead, I shall present the first WKMTZagat poll!
How do you feel about Ranch dressing, and its increasing pervasiveness within the American casual culinary scene (I think Spago is safe for now, while Hometown Buffet probably offers 4 different blends of Ranch dressing)?
Comment! (I will go first)
Instead, I shall present the first WKMTZagat poll!
How do you feel about Ranch dressing, and its increasing pervasiveness within the American casual culinary scene (I think Spago is safe for now, while Hometown Buffet probably offers 4 different blends of Ranch dressing)?
Comment! (I will go first)
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Jones & Nationale
Tuesday was Dinah's birthday.
She is a girl from Arizona I met along with another named Rebecca from NY.
The two of them met in New York.
They now live in LA.
And boy, they really love celebrities.
And celebrating.
So we went to Jones.
Here is my critique with layout inspiration from Joanne!
Atmosphere:
Now, many of the comments about Jones on citysearch.com are not true.
The music is not too loud.
What's loud is just the amount of people.
And these people are verrrrrry trendy.
Good thing I was wearing green eyeliner and was with a hot gay boy,
otherwise I don't know if they would let me in.
Food:
I didn't get there until everyone was done with dinner. I hear the food's great though, and so said the NYers. But I had dessert and boy, was it deliciiiious! Creme Brulee, amazing. Just solid and creamy enough inside and just crispy and thick enough on top. WOW.
Service:
I thought that the wait service there would be horrible considering that service generally becomes exponentially worse with trendiness of restaurant. But, we had a cute, nice, AND trendy waitress. She said she wished she could talk with us more, except for her to do that, she'd stand in the aisle and everyone would be trying to squeeze by. But she made her best effort, which was really a great effort, and impressed even ME! As soon as our h2o bottle would empty, a hand would come, sweep it up, and place a new full bottle of water on our table.
And though it was quite loud there, I didn't have hard time socializing with my group of friends or talking over all the noise.
Then we made our way over to Nationale.
Amazing club.
Amazingly hard to get into...
unless you're a group of hot chicks not wearing much...
or one of the people you're with "knows someone"
and luckily for me, I experienced the later.
Atmosphere:
Outside, you'd think you were about to step into a rap video. Everyone waiting in line outside looks ghetto fabolous or like some of the Persian students you might see "studying" at Powell. You know what I mean? But then you walk in and see that it's all a facade for the mostly rich white crowd inside. It's unappealing at first, but then you realize that there's a generally good mix in the club. White, black, asian, latino, native american... I sure saw quite a few colors of the rainbow in there. And though everyone's trendy and obviously checking everyone else out, people generally keep to themselves, and the boys aren't TOO grabby. Though the dance floor's a bit small, a lot of people just go there to chill. Also, there's this neat-o smoking area upstairs that's closed off, but open air. Anyway the atmosphere in 3 phrases would be: trendy but not too snobby, rich and posh, generally very fun.
Music:
WOW. WOW. I sang along to "I Want You Back", "California Love", "Next Episode", "99 Problems", Lauren Hill, Bob Marley, A Tribe Called Quest. YEAH. GOOD freaking music. Takes me wayyyy back... back to middle school, when I was a wee ghetto 7th grader who was all about the A-Z-N pryde! yeYAH! But if you're looking for that good ole hip hop, Nationale on tuesdays has got ya covered.
Drinks:
I ordered a vodka tonic, only to find that the emphasis was on the VODKA not the TONIC. That was a strong drink, until the ice began to melt, then it just became mostly watered down vodka. I don't know how the rest of their drinks were, but this one was definitely not up to par with vodka tonics I've had in the past.
Yeah. Fun fun fun night. Nationale, I would definitely make the trip back. I don't know how much cover is though. Probably about $20? I'm not sure. Jones, I would venture back to if my pocket book was feelin' it and so was my cockiness. But at both the places I mention above, they do check id. Don't forget to be 21 before you mosey on in.
She is a girl from Arizona I met along with another named Rebecca from NY.
The two of them met in New York.
They now live in LA.
And boy, they really love celebrities.
And celebrating.
So we went to Jones.
Here is my critique with layout inspiration from Joanne!
Atmosphere:
Now, many of the comments about Jones on citysearch.com are not true.
The music is not too loud.
What's loud is just the amount of people.
And these people are verrrrrry trendy.
Good thing I was wearing green eyeliner and was with a hot gay boy,
otherwise I don't know if they would let me in.
Food:
I didn't get there until everyone was done with dinner. I hear the food's great though, and so said the NYers. But I had dessert and boy, was it deliciiiious! Creme Brulee, amazing. Just solid and creamy enough inside and just crispy and thick enough on top. WOW.
Service:
I thought that the wait service there would be horrible considering that service generally becomes exponentially worse with trendiness of restaurant. But, we had a cute, nice, AND trendy waitress. She said she wished she could talk with us more, except for her to do that, she'd stand in the aisle and everyone would be trying to squeeze by. But she made her best effort, which was really a great effort, and impressed even ME! As soon as our h2o bottle would empty, a hand would come, sweep it up, and place a new full bottle of water on our table.
And though it was quite loud there, I didn't have hard time socializing with my group of friends or talking over all the noise.
Then we made our way over to Nationale.
Amazing club.
Amazingly hard to get into...
unless you're a group of hot chicks not wearing much...
or one of the people you're with "knows someone"
and luckily for me, I experienced the later.
Atmosphere:
Outside, you'd think you were about to step into a rap video. Everyone waiting in line outside looks ghetto fabolous or like some of the Persian students you might see "studying" at Powell. You know what I mean? But then you walk in and see that it's all a facade for the mostly rich white crowd inside. It's unappealing at first, but then you realize that there's a generally good mix in the club. White, black, asian, latino, native american... I sure saw quite a few colors of the rainbow in there. And though everyone's trendy and obviously checking everyone else out, people generally keep to themselves, and the boys aren't TOO grabby. Though the dance floor's a bit small, a lot of people just go there to chill. Also, there's this neat-o smoking area upstairs that's closed off, but open air. Anyway the atmosphere in 3 phrases would be: trendy but not too snobby, rich and posh, generally very fun.
Music:
WOW. WOW. I sang along to "I Want You Back", "California Love", "Next Episode", "99 Problems", Lauren Hill, Bob Marley, A Tribe Called Quest. YEAH. GOOD freaking music. Takes me wayyyy back... back to middle school, when I was a wee ghetto 7th grader who was all about the A-Z-N pryde! yeYAH! But if you're looking for that good ole hip hop, Nationale on tuesdays has got ya covered.
Drinks:
I ordered a vodka tonic, only to find that the emphasis was on the VODKA not the TONIC. That was a strong drink, until the ice began to melt, then it just became mostly watered down vodka. I don't know how the rest of their drinks were, but this one was definitely not up to par with vodka tonics I've had in the past.
Yeah. Fun fun fun night. Nationale, I would definitely make the trip back. I don't know how much cover is though. Probably about $20? I'm not sure. Jones, I would venture back to if my pocket book was feelin' it and so was my cockiness. But at both the places I mention above, they do check id. Don't forget to be 21 before you mosey on in.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
(Unrelated) Happy Birthday!
WKMTZ (probably) wishes Mindy a happy birthday. I know I do!
don't forget to check out her newly redesigned blog at www.actuallycrazy.com
Ravi
don't forget to check out her newly redesigned blog at www.actuallycrazy.com
Ravi
Monday, December 19, 2005
The Buffet at Wynn Resort & Casino
***WARNING: long post ahead.***
I must admit... gluttony is one sin I indulge in on a fairly consistent basis. Albeit, it doesn't help I was raised Asian and therefore have the idea that eating 3x one's body mass at a buffet is standard conduct (that is, if one wants to make their experience at said buffet worth the price of admission). Since I was in Sin City this past weekend, I thought I would venture into the newest of the luxury buffets for kicks.
It all started out at 2:15PM, local time. Everything seemed hazy considering the lack of sleep I suffered the entire weekend (damn the poker tables!) and the lack of food in my stomach. But no, I was determined to hold it out and gorge like there was no tomorrow at this buffet. We opted to sneak into the Champagne Brunch at the Wynn Resort & Casino before it hit the dinner hour so that we could: (1) enjoy the brunch items like scrambled egg whites, honey-cured bacon, and apparently, candy apples; (2) partake in the consumption of unlimited champagne/bloody mary(s)/mimosas until we were redder than a redneck; (3) and hopefully make it for the first run of dinner items all for the cheaper price of the Sunday brunch. Cheap asses... maybe. Brilliant... I think so.
We enter the ridiculously New England/Martha Stewart-decorated facility which housed ostrich leather chairs and granite tables. At this point, I was hoping that the $30 I spent on the buffet wasn't used to pay off the fake mangos on display. We were promptly seated at a table to accommodate seven starving people eager to try everything on the menu. The table was sufficient enough to hold at least 2 plates and 3-4 glasses of assorted beverages per person. I started off with a mimosa (the first of 5). Yum.
Now on to the actual food. Note: I did not bother with the salad area. That's filler and doesn't really make a point to land in my plate.
First run: I hit the seafood section. My father believes this holds the most money and therefore, should be gobbled up in large quantities. I can disagree (as demonstrated by the cherry-infused venison served at the Bellagio buffet). However, it was closest to my table and therefore, the first area I had to attack. Needless to say, it was abundant in the variety. No longer did the buffet customer had to endure endless platters of smoked salmon. No, no, no. We had tuna poki (which was, by far, my favorite item in the seafood section), tiger shrimp cocktail, octopus salad, ceviche, spicy salmon salad, teriyaki broiled swordfish, smoked sturgeon, white anchovies, seafood frittata, and grilled salmon. Mind you, this was just the brunch! When the dinner came out, we had your typical pile of Alaskan King crab legs, with clarified butter, more baked fish, clams in a white wine sauce, mussels in a spicy tomato sauce. But what really sealed the deal was the shrimp risotto bar (you could make the risotta to your liking, using the 8 ingredients in front of you... reminiscent of the omelet bar at Hedrick). I made mine with shrimp, carmelized onions, mushrooms, garlic, and... TRUFFLE BUTTER. Ah, yes. I didn't think I would be so young and experience the glorious taste that is truffles. Okay, so it was in a very small quantity; but it was definitely what made my risotto that much yummier.
Next area: the "breakfast/later on to become the carvery" area. They had your stereotypical scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. Silver dollar pancakes, Belgian waffles, and French toast were plenty. But to differentiate themselves from other brunch buffets, they included creamy butter mushrooms, eggs benedict with a hint of cayenne pepper, scrambled egg whites, a make-your-own omelet bar (which featured at least 5 more ingredients than the aforementioned Hedrick), scrambled eggs with chorizo, chiliquiles, and, oddly, prime rib. But the highlight was the specialty slab honey-cured bacon--basically, a giant slab of extremely fatty pork that can be sliced to your desired thickness. So tasty, but after every bite, I felt myself get closer to needing a triple bypass. But as brunch disappeared... out came the plethora of meat and more meat. We had: grilled pork loin, prime rib, Kansas BBQ ribs, fried chicken, roasted chicken, lamb chops, tandoori chicken, and something else I can't quite remember. As for the side dishes for our meaty affair, out came the mash potatoes, the ravioli, the tortellini, buttery carrots, and corn. Oh, and the yummy mushrooms were there too.
What is a Vegas buffet without Asian food?! Ah, but for brunch is where it got interesting. They had a "make your own" congee bar. That's right, a CONGEE bar. How random, yet somewhat satisfying. I admit, I did not bother with this because I felt that I could make an equally yummy bowl of congee at home. But for a full recount of my experience, here are the items you could add: ginger, duck eggs, that shredded pork stuff, green onions, fish, ground beef, and regular eggs. Saw a line of Chinese grandmas waiting for this. Other than that, they had spicy eggplant, spring rolls, rice, gai lan (Chinese broccoli), and some assorted meat dish in the area. There was sushi, of course, but definitely a lack of tempura items (a plus in my book, if you ask me). Apparently, the dinner consisted of lots of seafood-y items and curries. Oh, and then there was Indian items too like praathi (is that right? that cracker thingy?). On the other hand, I couldn't venture so far as to reach this area again because by my 3rd plate of food, I wanted to vomit on myself.
The last area I will cover is the most important of them all... DESSERT. As mentioned earlier, they had candied apples--one of the most random desserts one will ever find at a buffet. Here are the list of yummy things they had: raspberry tarts with a lemon curd, floating islands (one of my new favorite desserts, courtesy of some random steak restaurants in France), mango and strawberry sorbet (they actually had 10 different gelato/sorbet flavors and a variety of toppings like shredded coconut, prailines, or almonds), flan, something I understood to be a rum ball but know there is a real name for it, bananas foster, and white chocolate mousse. Dislikes: the creme brulee was alright, and they only had sugarfree pecan/apple/berry pies. What if I did want sugar in them?! They had the typical assortment of cookies and miniature cupcakes to appease the kiddies, but I didn't bother. Not my style. My favorite, by far, was the mango sorbet. Delicious. They had bread pudding, but again, too lazy to get up to get some.
And on random notes... they had rambutan (sp?) which look like hairy/prickly lychees. Yummy. Pineapple was sweet--probably Maui Gold. Their soups looked delicious, but wasn't in the mood for chicken noodle or a gumbo. The breads reminded me of the ones from La Brea Bakery, as seen at places like Costco.
All in all, the experience was enjoyable and made me want to unbutton and unzip my pants to accommodate my gorging stomach. Definitely a tasty time, but I don't think I can see myself eating here for dinner. Will only continue the "brunch/dinner" approach with Wynn's buffet. And I will still head over to Bellagio for their crepes and creme brulee any day.
Sadly, I can describe other ventures in the Vegas buffets. So if you ever find yourself dying to know whether the Rio is all that it is cracked up to be--ask and I shall divulge.
--Megan
I must admit... gluttony is one sin I indulge in on a fairly consistent basis. Albeit, it doesn't help I was raised Asian and therefore have the idea that eating 3x one's body mass at a buffet is standard conduct (that is, if one wants to make their experience at said buffet worth the price of admission). Since I was in Sin City this past weekend, I thought I would venture into the newest of the luxury buffets for kicks.
It all started out at 2:15PM, local time. Everything seemed hazy considering the lack of sleep I suffered the entire weekend (damn the poker tables!) and the lack of food in my stomach. But no, I was determined to hold it out and gorge like there was no tomorrow at this buffet. We opted to sneak into the Champagne Brunch at the Wynn Resort & Casino before it hit the dinner hour so that we could: (1) enjoy the brunch items like scrambled egg whites, honey-cured bacon, and apparently, candy apples; (2) partake in the consumption of unlimited champagne/bloody mary(s)/mimosas until we were redder than a redneck; (3) and hopefully make it for the first run of dinner items all for the cheaper price of the Sunday brunch. Cheap asses... maybe. Brilliant... I think so.
We enter the ridiculously New England/Martha Stewart-decorated facility which housed ostrich leather chairs and granite tables. At this point, I was hoping that the $30 I spent on the buffet wasn't used to pay off the fake mangos on display. We were promptly seated at a table to accommodate seven starving people eager to try everything on the menu. The table was sufficient enough to hold at least 2 plates and 3-4 glasses of assorted beverages per person. I started off with a mimosa (the first of 5). Yum.
Now on to the actual food. Note: I did not bother with the salad area. That's filler and doesn't really make a point to land in my plate.
First run: I hit the seafood section. My father believes this holds the most money and therefore, should be gobbled up in large quantities. I can disagree (as demonstrated by the cherry-infused venison served at the Bellagio buffet). However, it was closest to my table and therefore, the first area I had to attack. Needless to say, it was abundant in the variety. No longer did the buffet customer had to endure endless platters of smoked salmon. No, no, no. We had tuna poki (which was, by far, my favorite item in the seafood section), tiger shrimp cocktail, octopus salad, ceviche, spicy salmon salad, teriyaki broiled swordfish, smoked sturgeon, white anchovies, seafood frittata, and grilled salmon. Mind you, this was just the brunch! When the dinner came out, we had your typical pile of Alaskan King crab legs, with clarified butter, more baked fish, clams in a white wine sauce, mussels in a spicy tomato sauce. But what really sealed the deal was the shrimp risotto bar (you could make the risotta to your liking, using the 8 ingredients in front of you... reminiscent of the omelet bar at Hedrick). I made mine with shrimp, carmelized onions, mushrooms, garlic, and... TRUFFLE BUTTER. Ah, yes. I didn't think I would be so young and experience the glorious taste that is truffles. Okay, so it was in a very small quantity; but it was definitely what made my risotto that much yummier.
Next area: the "breakfast/later on to become the carvery" area. They had your stereotypical scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. Silver dollar pancakes, Belgian waffles, and French toast were plenty. But to differentiate themselves from other brunch buffets, they included creamy butter mushrooms, eggs benedict with a hint of cayenne pepper, scrambled egg whites, a make-your-own omelet bar (which featured at least 5 more ingredients than the aforementioned Hedrick), scrambled eggs with chorizo, chiliquiles, and, oddly, prime rib. But the highlight was the specialty slab honey-cured bacon--basically, a giant slab of extremely fatty pork that can be sliced to your desired thickness. So tasty, but after every bite, I felt myself get closer to needing a triple bypass. But as brunch disappeared... out came the plethora of meat and more meat. We had: grilled pork loin, prime rib, Kansas BBQ ribs, fried chicken, roasted chicken, lamb chops, tandoori chicken, and something else I can't quite remember. As for the side dishes for our meaty affair, out came the mash potatoes, the ravioli, the tortellini, buttery carrots, and corn. Oh, and the yummy mushrooms were there too.
What is a Vegas buffet without Asian food?! Ah, but for brunch is where it got interesting. They had a "make your own" congee bar. That's right, a CONGEE bar. How random, yet somewhat satisfying. I admit, I did not bother with this because I felt that I could make an equally yummy bowl of congee at home. But for a full recount of my experience, here are the items you could add: ginger, duck eggs, that shredded pork stuff, green onions, fish, ground beef, and regular eggs. Saw a line of Chinese grandmas waiting for this. Other than that, they had spicy eggplant, spring rolls, rice, gai lan (Chinese broccoli), and some assorted meat dish in the area. There was sushi, of course, but definitely a lack of tempura items (a plus in my book, if you ask me). Apparently, the dinner consisted of lots of seafood-y items and curries. Oh, and then there was Indian items too like praathi (is that right? that cracker thingy?). On the other hand, I couldn't venture so far as to reach this area again because by my 3rd plate of food, I wanted to vomit on myself.
The last area I will cover is the most important of them all... DESSERT. As mentioned earlier, they had candied apples--one of the most random desserts one will ever find at a buffet. Here are the list of yummy things they had: raspberry tarts with a lemon curd, floating islands (one of my new favorite desserts, courtesy of some random steak restaurants in France), mango and strawberry sorbet (they actually had 10 different gelato/sorbet flavors and a variety of toppings like shredded coconut, prailines, or almonds), flan, something I understood to be a rum ball but know there is a real name for it, bananas foster, and white chocolate mousse. Dislikes: the creme brulee was alright, and they only had sugarfree pecan/apple/berry pies. What if I did want sugar in them?! They had the typical assortment of cookies and miniature cupcakes to appease the kiddies, but I didn't bother. Not my style. My favorite, by far, was the mango sorbet. Delicious. They had bread pudding, but again, too lazy to get up to get some.
And on random notes... they had rambutan (sp?) which look like hairy/prickly lychees. Yummy. Pineapple was sweet--probably Maui Gold. Their soups looked delicious, but wasn't in the mood for chicken noodle or a gumbo. The breads reminded me of the ones from La Brea Bakery, as seen at places like Costco.
All in all, the experience was enjoyable and made me want to unbutton and unzip my pants to accommodate my gorging stomach. Definitely a tasty time, but I don't think I can see myself eating here for dinner. Will only continue the "brunch/dinner" approach with Wynn's buffet. And I will still head over to Bellagio for their crepes and creme brulee any day.
Sadly, I can describe other ventures in the Vegas buffets. So if you ever find yourself dying to know whether the Rio is all that it is cracked up to be--ask and I shall divulge.
--Megan
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Wilshire Restaurant (2)
Wilshire Restaurant is like a young Mexican girl on the eve of her Quincieñera: bright-eyed, beautiful and eager to enter the best years of her life. Though WR has yet to develop a strong following it has all the makings of a great restaurant. The service, fare and ambience of this newbie effortlessly keeps up with the Jones' of this town (more commonly known as the Puck's and the Chow's) Give this place a couple more years and you'll definitely run into a couple of those no talent ass clowns from "The OC".
Service: Good
The staff is pretty young but definitely well trained. At first I got a "Aah geez here come a couple of kids who are going to drink water and leave me a shitty tip" vibe from our waiter but that lasted only miliseconds. (It might've even been in my head, who knows?)They were very attentive, the courses came out like clockwork, and one of them even offerred to adjust the heating lamp when they thought I was cold.
Fare: Very Good
I don't usually order chicken at restaurants because KFC does a pretty good job but the chicken breast offerred on WR's menu was too tempting to pass up. IT WAS PERFECTION.
Skin: Crispy
Meat: Juicy
jus: well there is no such thing as bad jus
farm fresh vegetables: foreign but delectable, esp. when rubbed all up in the jus.
Ambience: perfect
I generally hate eating out on the patio because I feel like the restaurant is telling me that I'm not important enough to eat inside the house. This outdoor patio, however, REALLY does feel like an indoor patio because its warm and there is a lot going on above the tables (giving it a bit of a treehouse feel) and the music is just loud enough.
Bad stuff: The cups in this joint are awkward and stupid. Imagine the coconut cups that Gilligan and the gang used on the island except they are made of glass. I practically had to hold it with two hands. I was afraid my mits were going to shatter the delicate glass or that I was going to accidentally take a bite of one whilst drinking.
Other than that, the place is great. Be ready to spend between 50-75 dollars a person. And don't come when you're in a rush because you'll be there at least an hour and a half. Like a Quincieñera party, Wilshire Restaurant will practically take up an entire night of your life but UNLIKE a Quincieñera party, your night won't end in a no holds barred chola brawl complete with lipstick liner shanks and wind tunnel bang casualties.
Service: Good
The staff is pretty young but definitely well trained. At first I got a "Aah geez here come a couple of kids who are going to drink water and leave me a shitty tip" vibe from our waiter but that lasted only miliseconds. (It might've even been in my head, who knows?)They were very attentive, the courses came out like clockwork, and one of them even offerred to adjust the heating lamp when they thought I was cold.
Fare: Very Good
I don't usually order chicken at restaurants because KFC does a pretty good job but the chicken breast offerred on WR's menu was too tempting to pass up. IT WAS PERFECTION.
Skin: Crispy
Meat: Juicy
jus: well there is no such thing as bad jus
farm fresh vegetables: foreign but delectable, esp. when rubbed all up in the jus.
Ambience: perfect
I generally hate eating out on the patio because I feel like the restaurant is telling me that I'm not important enough to eat inside the house. This outdoor patio, however, REALLY does feel like an indoor patio because its warm and there is a lot going on above the tables (giving it a bit of a treehouse feel) and the music is just loud enough.
Bad stuff: The cups in this joint are awkward and stupid. Imagine the coconut cups that Gilligan and the gang used on the island except they are made of glass. I practically had to hold it with two hands. I was afraid my mits were going to shatter the delicate glass or that I was going to accidentally take a bite of one whilst drinking.
Other than that, the place is great. Be ready to spend between 50-75 dollars a person. And don't come when you're in a rush because you'll be there at least an hour and a half. Like a Quincieñera party, Wilshire Restaurant will practically take up an entire night of your life but UNLIKE a Quincieñera party, your night won't end in a no holds barred chola brawl complete with lipstick liner shanks and wind tunnel bang casualties.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Wilshire Restaurant (1)
I'd eat here every day if any one of these people was my father.
Apparently they aren't real, so I guess I'll have to survive eating at Wilshire once in a blue moon.
I started with foie gras, and while I enjoyed the opportunity to try it, I'll probably never have it again (sort of like 6th grade camp for my tummy). Still it was tasty.
Oh, and the bread. Three varieties: olive, some sort of fruit-and-pumpernickel (probably prunes), and plain french. They were all decent but not earth-shattering.
For the main course I ordered the Santa Barbara sea bass. A hallmark of the Wilshire Restaurant is their commitment to purchase organic food from local farms and fisheries. I don't know if I tasted the difference, but what I did taste was fantastic. Possibly the best fish I've ever had.
The dessert was a lot like power in that I couldn't get enough. Chocolate cake with caramel ice cream sprinkled with delicious.
None of the portions were huge, but there was so much and it was so well-timed that I never felt uncomfortably full or still hungry.
Impeccable service: whenever I needed a water refill all I had to do was turn my head and there they'd be.
I wish we had taken pictures, but I thought it'd be out of place in a restaurant like this, so you'll just have to imagine it. Outdoor seating that doesn't feel like outdoor seating.
I'm really tired, so that's all I'm going to write. I'd like to note that Joanne said she'd have her review up that night (Wednesday) but seems to be at a loss for words. So, really, I hadn't planned to write much.
http://www.wilshirerestaurant.com/
Overall, the meal made me feel:
(yes, that's Steven Seagal, perhaps the most underrated actor of our time)
-->Ravi
Apparently they aren't real, so I guess I'll have to survive eating at Wilshire once in a blue moon.
I started with foie gras, and while I enjoyed the opportunity to try it, I'll probably never have it again (sort of like 6th grade camp for my tummy). Still it was tasty.
Oh, and the bread. Three varieties: olive, some sort of fruit-and-pumpernickel (probably prunes), and plain french. They were all decent but not earth-shattering.
For the main course I ordered the Santa Barbara sea bass. A hallmark of the Wilshire Restaurant is their commitment to purchase organic food from local farms and fisheries. I don't know if I tasted the difference, but what I did taste was fantastic. Possibly the best fish I've ever had.
The dessert was a lot like power in that I couldn't get enough. Chocolate cake with caramel ice cream sprinkled with delicious.
None of the portions were huge, but there was so much and it was so well-timed that I never felt uncomfortably full or still hungry.
Impeccable service: whenever I needed a water refill all I had to do was turn my head and there they'd be.
I wish we had taken pictures, but I thought it'd be out of place in a restaurant like this, so you'll just have to imagine it. Outdoor seating that doesn't feel like outdoor seating.
I'm really tired, so that's all I'm going to write. I'd like to note that Joanne said she'd have her review up that night (Wednesday) but seems to be at a loss for words. So, really, I hadn't planned to write much.
http://www.wilshirerestaurant.com/
Overall, the meal made me feel:
(yes, that's Steven Seagal, perhaps the most underrated actor of our time)
-->Ravi
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Two Ya's, One Day
Thus begins the continuation of the saga of the Blog of Jenn via We Know More Than Zagat.
This past Saturday, December 10th, I had the great fortune of experiencing two Ya's in one day. Though, I first must admit that I've been to both of these restaurants previously.
The first is Ramen Ya. What can be said about Ramen Ya. Now, I must first compare/contrast Ramen Ya to Asahi Ramen. I'd heard quite a bit about Asahi, that it was amazing, etc. But when I had ramen there, all my friends and I could really say about it was... it's really SALTY. I could feel the MSG burning into my stomach lining and even felt a bit dizzy, which has never happened before because of MSG. Anyway, I was very wary of going to another Ramen house in the vicinity of Asahi.
But since the first time I went to Ramen Ya (which I've learned basically means Ramen Shop in Japanese) I've had their Mabo Ramen + Spinach, Miso Ramen, Wakame Ramen, and Gyoza. Mabo is a wonderful chinese creation that can only be described as ground beef and tofu in Mabo sauce. It's a bit thicker than the usual ramen soup, but is spicy and yummy. Miso ramen is all that can be expected of miso ramen. Wakame Ramen is for the vegetarian in you. It has seaweed, carrots, bamboo shoots, waterchest nuts, and more. It's light and at the same time filling. Gyoza are delicate and flavorful. All have been great. Everyone I've taken there has left full, satified, and happy, and often with leftovers.
With their Ramen ranging from $6.25 - $7.75, it's a pretty cheap eat too! The main thing about Ramen Ya that seems to stand out to people is that their NOODLES are exceptional. It's not the broth or toppings or side orders, it's the NOODLES. So there you have it.
Next up is Honda Ya.
This is quite a far drive from LA, but I believe it's worth the trip. Honda Ya is basically a Japanese pub, where their serve up the Japanese equivalent to the Spanish tapas. It is always crowded, and for good reason.
I've had their Takoyaki (Octopus pancake like balls), Albacore Sashimi, Saitamo Azami? Ni (A broiled taro pot), Miso Eggplant, Bacon Asparagus, Rainbow Roll, Negiyaki (soft, chewy salty turnip cakes), and more that I can't remember. My favorite include Albacore sashimi, takoyaki, and miso eggplant. The sashimi comes with watercress sprouts, shaved daikon, garlic chips, sweet soy sauce, and is absolutely melt in your mouth divine. Takoyaki is a bit more rough, but the pancake like outside is soft and delicious, with the tiny surprise of octopus leg in the middle, and smothered in a delicious bbq sauce, with ginger and mayo on the side. Miso eggplant is a salty sweet treat, always served super hot off the grill, it also melts in your mouth life a sweet treat from your Japanese friend's mom.
A warning though, *DO NOT GO THERE FOR SUSHI* Though the sushi is indeed delicious, the reason for going to Honda Ya lies in their tiny plates, which can be found on the first pages of the menu and their secondary menu. Another warning is that this place adds up. If you're a heavy eater, a gourmand, not gourmet as they say in french, then Honda Ya is not your place. With their little plates ranging from $2.95 - $5.95, it can really add up, and you'll be spending at least $15/person for dinner. BUT SO WORTH IT AND the GAS AND WEAR & TEAR ON YOUR CAR. Another important note is that the Honda Ya is only open from 5pm -1am.
Ramen Ya
located on Olympic just west of Colby
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=W+Olympic+Blvd+%26+Colby+Ave,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90064&iwloc=A&hl=en
Honda Ya
556 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780-4308
This past Saturday, December 10th, I had the great fortune of experiencing two Ya's in one day. Though, I first must admit that I've been to both of these restaurants previously.
The first is Ramen Ya. What can be said about Ramen Ya. Now, I must first compare/contrast Ramen Ya to Asahi Ramen. I'd heard quite a bit about Asahi, that it was amazing, etc. But when I had ramen there, all my friends and I could really say about it was... it's really SALTY. I could feel the MSG burning into my stomach lining and even felt a bit dizzy, which has never happened before because of MSG. Anyway, I was very wary of going to another Ramen house in the vicinity of Asahi.
But since the first time I went to Ramen Ya (which I've learned basically means Ramen Shop in Japanese) I've had their Mabo Ramen + Spinach, Miso Ramen, Wakame Ramen, and Gyoza. Mabo is a wonderful chinese creation that can only be described as ground beef and tofu in Mabo sauce. It's a bit thicker than the usual ramen soup, but is spicy and yummy. Miso ramen is all that can be expected of miso ramen. Wakame Ramen is for the vegetarian in you. It has seaweed, carrots, bamboo shoots, waterchest nuts, and more. It's light and at the same time filling. Gyoza are delicate and flavorful. All have been great. Everyone I've taken there has left full, satified, and happy, and often with leftovers.
With their Ramen ranging from $6.25 - $7.75, it's a pretty cheap eat too! The main thing about Ramen Ya that seems to stand out to people is that their NOODLES are exceptional. It's not the broth or toppings or side orders, it's the NOODLES. So there you have it.
Next up is Honda Ya.
This is quite a far drive from LA, but I believe it's worth the trip. Honda Ya is basically a Japanese pub, where their serve up the Japanese equivalent to the Spanish tapas. It is always crowded, and for good reason.
I've had their Takoyaki (Octopus pancake like balls), Albacore Sashimi, Saitamo Azami? Ni (A broiled taro pot), Miso Eggplant, Bacon Asparagus, Rainbow Roll, Negiyaki (soft, chewy salty turnip cakes), and more that I can't remember. My favorite include Albacore sashimi, takoyaki, and miso eggplant. The sashimi comes with watercress sprouts, shaved daikon, garlic chips, sweet soy sauce, and is absolutely melt in your mouth divine. Takoyaki is a bit more rough, but the pancake like outside is soft and delicious, with the tiny surprise of octopus leg in the middle, and smothered in a delicious bbq sauce, with ginger and mayo on the side. Miso eggplant is a salty sweet treat, always served super hot off the grill, it also melts in your mouth life a sweet treat from your Japanese friend's mom.
A warning though, *DO NOT GO THERE FOR SUSHI* Though the sushi is indeed delicious, the reason for going to Honda Ya lies in their tiny plates, which can be found on the first pages of the menu and their secondary menu. Another warning is that this place adds up. If you're a heavy eater, a gourmand, not gourmet as they say in french, then Honda Ya is not your place. With their little plates ranging from $2.95 - $5.95, it can really add up, and you'll be spending at least $15/person for dinner. BUT SO WORTH IT AND the GAS AND WEAR & TEAR ON YOUR CAR. Another important note is that the Honda Ya is only open from 5pm -1am.
Ramen Ya
located on Olympic just west of Colby
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=W+Olympic+Blvd+%26+Colby+Ave,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90064&iwloc=A&hl=en
Honda Ya
556 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780-4308
Monday, December 12, 2005
Dry heaves
After yesterday's imagery, you are probably thinking that things can't get much more disgusting than someone pouring eggnog on someone else's ass.
First I took a look at Clementine, a restaurant I visited with Erica maybe a month ago or a little more. Turns out they got a B around the same time. I was disgusted with myself enough, but then I had to read on.
I can't possibly set this picture up well enough or convey my disgust-- the written word simply isn't powerful enough to capture the hand gestures, the tears, the cringes, the nail-biting, and the sounds that came out of me when I read this, the most disgusting health code violation EVER:
Easily the most vomit-inducing thing I've seen since that fully cooked bacon that doesn't need to be refrigerated.
Seriously, this is like 12 times worse than the Chipotle pigeon incident.
-->Ravi
First I took a look at Clementine, a restaurant I visited with Erica maybe a month ago or a little more. Turns out they got a B around the same time. I was disgusted with myself enough, but then I had to read on.
I can't possibly set this picture up well enough or convey my disgust-- the written word simply isn't powerful enough to capture the hand gestures, the tears, the cringes, the nail-biting, and the sounds that came out of me when I read this, the most disgusting health code violation EVER:
Easily the most vomit-inducing thing I've seen since that fully cooked bacon that doesn't need to be refrigerated.
Seriously, this is like 12 times worse than the Chipotle pigeon incident.
-->Ravi
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Not-so-viscous liquids: eggnog and dayquil
They're a holiday cocktail of sorts... people drink eggnog in the winter and people get sick in the winter. At least I do.
First, Dayquil.
(I make the "constipated member of Parliament" face when I drink it)
Dayquil not only tastes awful, it's ostentatious enough to make everything else you eat afterwards taste awful, too. I'm not even sure if it works. And it's neon orange, which is unnatural and not appropriate for something you put in your mouth (except tangerines, which are occasionally that color and delicious).
My recommendation: stay away.
And now, eggnog.
(In case you were wondering just how thick eggnog is...)
A surprising number of people (to me) have never tried eggnog. Could it be the raw egg and potential salmonella?
Food maverick that I am, though, I'll admit it-- despite the potential health risks involved, I like a glass or two of The Nog around the holidays (I also like cookie dough). The odd combination of nutmeg, egg and milk should be tried once by everyone who is tolerant of the lactose. It's like fruitcake that way (not that you have to be lactose-tolerant, but that you should try it once so at least your enemy can have a flavor).
I don't know why I wrote this,
-->Ravi
First, Dayquil.
(I make the "constipated member of Parliament" face when I drink it)
Dayquil not only tastes awful, it's ostentatious enough to make everything else you eat afterwards taste awful, too. I'm not even sure if it works. And it's neon orange, which is unnatural and not appropriate for something you put in your mouth (except tangerines, which are occasionally that color and delicious).
My recommendation: stay away.
And now, eggnog.
(In case you were wondering just how thick eggnog is...)
A surprising number of people (to me) have never tried eggnog. Could it be the raw egg and potential salmonella?
Food maverick that I am, though, I'll admit it-- despite the potential health risks involved, I like a glass or two of The Nog around the holidays (I also like cookie dough). The odd combination of nutmeg, egg and milk should be tried once by everyone who is tolerant of the lactose. It's like fruitcake that way (not that you have to be lactose-tolerant, but that you should try it once so at least your enemy can have a flavor).
I don't know why I wrote this,
-->Ravi
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Rick's Tavern vs. Father's Office
I didn't have my first hamburger until I was 17, partly because the Hamburglar scared me and primarily because I HATE CONDIMENTS. And the main reason why people like hamburgers is because they are smeared in ketchup or mustard or (dry heave) mayonaise or "special sauce". I don't care for any of the above so I steered clear of hamburgers altogether. After a couple choice encounters with In N Out --tomatoes, lettuce and grilled onions ONLY-- I've acquired a taste for them.
On the Westside I know of two places that are famous for their hamburgers. One being Rick's Tavern on Main Street, the other Father's Office on Montana. Even though its probably not fair to compare the two because they are so different, I am going to face them off against eachother anyway. Because that's life.
FATHER'S OFFICE: The heavyweight
Upscale, trendy bar with a bazillion beers on tap.
Specialty: Mouthwatering gourmet burgers smothered in bleu cheese and carmelized onions.
Pros: The burgers are really great, the atmosphere is fun if you like interracting with strangers (i.e. you are the type of person who doesn't mind talking to the people next to you in line at the supermarket) They have a ton of old Trivial Pursuit questions cards from the 70's that help kill time. The bartenders are very helpful and attentive.
Cons: Finding a table during peak hours is tough. I suggest going on a weekday before 7 or after 10. The prices are painfully high. A burger, drink and fries (which have to be purchased separately) will run you about $15-$20 depending on what you drink.
The Pros about the Cons: The crowded atmosphere can be a lot of fun. Snagging a table is easiest when you make friends with someone who is getting ready to go. For those of us which social anxiety issues, Father's Office is a good place to practice that assertiveness everyone keeps talking about.
I know, it's tiny.
Rick's Tavern: The Underdog
Dive bar with sticky floors, tv screens and old men.
Specialty: Enormous burgers that are half off on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pros: The 1/2 off special (comes out to be about $4.50) can not be beat. The burger is about the size of a ten year old's face and it comes with CRISS CUT FRIES. All of the hamburger accessories, including the condiments, are served on the side. They even have A1 sauce, which is one of the few condiments I actually like.
Cons: The place is pretty janky. Not exactly a great date place unless your date is an awesome person that can look past the disgusting sports bar paraphanalia and cheap old man cologne. Parking is kind of a bitch, but the biggest bitches around are the waitresses. Yeah, they are tired and underpaid and sexually harassed but can I please have an order of courtesy, hold the sarcasm.
Pros about the Cons: The atmosphere really puts you at ease to eat your burger comfortably. Its a big burger so its hard not make a mess.
Who says you can't find love in a sports bar?
The name's of these two places ALONE give you an idea of what to expect. F.O. is the kind of place your Father would go after leaving the Office. That is, of course, assuming your father is a 20 something year old yuppie struggling to hide the remnants of his frat guy past. Rick's Tavern isn't OG pirate enough to deserve its surname but it could definitely satisfy a pirates hunger.
--Just for the record I like F.O. more but I'll probably go to R.T. more often in my lifetime.
-Joanne
Rick's Tavern --> 2907 Main Street Santa Monica, Ca 90405
(310) 392-2772
Father's Office --> 1018 Montana Ave Santa Monica, Ca 90403
(310) 393-2337
On the Westside I know of two places that are famous for their hamburgers. One being Rick's Tavern on Main Street, the other Father's Office on Montana. Even though its probably not fair to compare the two because they are so different, I am going to face them off against eachother anyway. Because that's life.
FATHER'S OFFICE: The heavyweight
Upscale, trendy bar with a bazillion beers on tap.
Specialty: Mouthwatering gourmet burgers smothered in bleu cheese and carmelized onions.
Pros: The burgers are really great, the atmosphere is fun if you like interracting with strangers (i.e. you are the type of person who doesn't mind talking to the people next to you in line at the supermarket) They have a ton of old Trivial Pursuit questions cards from the 70's that help kill time. The bartenders are very helpful and attentive.
Cons: Finding a table during peak hours is tough. I suggest going on a weekday before 7 or after 10. The prices are painfully high. A burger, drink and fries (which have to be purchased separately) will run you about $15-$20 depending on what you drink.
The Pros about the Cons: The crowded atmosphere can be a lot of fun. Snagging a table is easiest when you make friends with someone who is getting ready to go. For those of us which social anxiety issues, Father's Office is a good place to practice that assertiveness everyone keeps talking about.
I know, it's tiny.
Rick's Tavern: The Underdog
Dive bar with sticky floors, tv screens and old men.
Specialty: Enormous burgers that are half off on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pros: The 1/2 off special (comes out to be about $4.50) can not be beat. The burger is about the size of a ten year old's face and it comes with CRISS CUT FRIES. All of the hamburger accessories, including the condiments, are served on the side. They even have A1 sauce, which is one of the few condiments I actually like.
Cons: The place is pretty janky. Not exactly a great date place unless your date is an awesome person that can look past the disgusting sports bar paraphanalia and cheap old man cologne. Parking is kind of a bitch, but the biggest bitches around are the waitresses. Yeah, they are tired and underpaid and sexually harassed but can I please have an order of courtesy, hold the sarcasm.
Pros about the Cons: The atmosphere really puts you at ease to eat your burger comfortably. Its a big burger so its hard not make a mess.
Who says you can't find love in a sports bar?
The name's of these two places ALONE give you an idea of what to expect. F.O. is the kind of place your Father would go after leaving the Office. That is, of course, assuming your father is a 20 something year old yuppie struggling to hide the remnants of his frat guy past. Rick's Tavern isn't OG pirate enough to deserve its surname but it could definitely satisfy a pirates hunger.
--Just for the record I like F.O. more but I'll probably go to R.T. more often in my lifetime.
-Joanne
Rick's Tavern --> 2907 Main Street Santa Monica, Ca 90405
(310) 392-2772
Father's Office --> 1018 Montana Ave Santa Monica, Ca 90403
(310) 393-2337
Sprinkles Cupcakes
I'd eat here every day if it rained money.
I don't know what to say. Sprinkles cupcakes are tasty. But they're also far more expensive than a cupcake of that size should ever be. $3.50 each or $36 for a dozen.
Other things you could get for $36:
3 books/dvds/cds
1 parking ticket paid
1 tank of gas if your tank holds 12 gallons and the price of gas is $3/gallon
As with all bakeries, the earlier in the day you go the better. For some reason, the concept of cooking food while you're open escapes pastry chefs. So, a late afternoon visit might mean a diminished selection and imminent staleness (just barely detectable, but there around the edges exposed to the air all day).
Someday I will make cupcakes that are that tasty, or embark on a plan to open a Caketorium that will drive Sprinkles out of business. Either way.
Sprinkles cupcakes make me:
(have feet that point outwardly stemming from a weird crotch)
But their price makes me:
(a sad and angry minority with bad teeth)
-->Ravi
I don't know what to say. Sprinkles cupcakes are tasty. But they're also far more expensive than a cupcake of that size should ever be. $3.50 each or $36 for a dozen.
Other things you could get for $36:
3 books/dvds/cds
1 parking ticket paid
1 tank of gas if your tank holds 12 gallons and the price of gas is $3/gallon
As with all bakeries, the earlier in the day you go the better. For some reason, the concept of cooking food while you're open escapes pastry chefs. So, a late afternoon visit might mean a diminished selection and imminent staleness (just barely detectable, but there around the edges exposed to the air all day).
Someday I will make cupcakes that are that tasty, or embark on a plan to open a Caketorium that will drive Sprinkles out of business. Either way.
Sprinkles cupcakes make me:
(have feet that point outwardly stemming from a weird crotch)
But their price makes me:
(a sad and angry minority with bad teeth)
-->Ravi
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Taco Showdown: King Taco vs. Tacos Por Favor
If tacos could tac, what would they say?
(Images courtesy of tacohunt.blogspot.com, because I forgot to recharge my digital camera's battery. Technically we did not visit that King Taco branch.)
King Taco has found its queen: Joanne is possibly the most devoted customer they have. That's not to say that her allegiance is blind: when they mixed up my order, she showed them who's boss (it wasn't me).
The winner of this battle? King Taco, at least for the time being. At both places I had tacos, but at King Taco they were each $0.62 cheaper, which really adds up when you eat four tacos. At KT I also tried a carne asada burrito with my chicken tacos. You are what you eat, I guess, because I was too chicken to tell them that my burrito was supposed to be made of meat-- they rectified the situation quickly and without protest, though.
King Taco also wins on the salsas. The red salsa packed punch but also had flavor, while the TPF salsa was a bit runny and was hot more than anything else. TPF's green salsa didn't have much of any flavor.
Ah, but Tacos Por Favor wins on menu variety. That is, they actually had a menu with more than just tacos and burritos. I look forward to trying their chile rellenos.
But I'll also be back for their hot chorizo and cheese little number in the corn tortilla skirt. (That made no sense.)
Does this spell the end of my Chipotle trips? If anything, it's made me realize that Chipotle isn't all that expensive-- both meals cost more than the Potle.
I also prefer crispy tacos.
Overall, Mexican Food makes me feel:
-->Ravi
(Images courtesy of tacohunt.blogspot.com, because I forgot to recharge my digital camera's battery. Technically we did not visit that King Taco branch.)
King Taco has found its queen: Joanne is possibly the most devoted customer they have. That's not to say that her allegiance is blind: when they mixed up my order, she showed them who's boss (it wasn't me).
The winner of this battle? King Taco, at least for the time being. At both places I had tacos, but at King Taco they were each $0.62 cheaper, which really adds up when you eat four tacos. At KT I also tried a carne asada burrito with my chicken tacos. You are what you eat, I guess, because I was too chicken to tell them that my burrito was supposed to be made of meat-- they rectified the situation quickly and without protest, though.
King Taco also wins on the salsas. The red salsa packed punch but also had flavor, while the TPF salsa was a bit runny and was hot more than anything else. TPF's green salsa didn't have much of any flavor.
Ah, but Tacos Por Favor wins on menu variety. That is, they actually had a menu with more than just tacos and burritos. I look forward to trying their chile rellenos.
But I'll also be back for their hot chorizo and cheese little number in the corn tortilla skirt. (That made no sense.)
Does this spell the end of my Chipotle trips? If anything, it's made me realize that Chipotle isn't all that expensive-- both meals cost more than the Potle.
I also prefer crispy tacos.
Overall, Mexican Food makes me feel:
-->Ravi
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Instead of writing my essay, I did a little research.
I get asked this a lot, so I'm happy to finally be able to provide the answer.
In Los Angeles County, restaurant inspections fall into two categories: routine and follow-up. Basically, routine inspections happen regardless of the restaurant grade, and they are random and without notice. Follow-up inspections-- to make sure that a violation which poses some threat to public safety has been resolved-- are scheduled visits. (There are other grey areas, like when a restaurant owner requests a re-inspection to improve his/her grade, but let's not get bogged down in the details.)
I would also like to direct your attention towards Environmental Health's Self-Inspection Checklist. Think of it as the home version of your favorite TV game show, except it's actually a way for you to inspect your own kitchen and I may begin to require it when I eat at friends' houses starting in 2006 (wow me during this generous three-week grace period!).
Helping you help me,
Ravi
I get asked this a lot, so I'm happy to finally be able to provide the answer.
In Los Angeles County, restaurant inspections fall into two categories: routine and follow-up. Basically, routine inspections happen regardless of the restaurant grade, and they are random and without notice. Follow-up inspections-- to make sure that a violation which poses some threat to public safety has been resolved-- are scheduled visits. (There are other grey areas, like when a restaurant owner requests a re-inspection to improve his/her grade, but let's not get bogged down in the details.)
I would also like to direct your attention towards Environmental Health's Self-Inspection Checklist. Think of it as the home version of your favorite TV game show, except it's actually a way for you to inspect your own kitchen and I may begin to require it when I eat at friends' houses starting in 2006 (wow me during this generous three-week grace period!).
Helping you help me,
Ravi
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
where do your burrito loyalties lie?
mrsewan: raaaavi
Ravi728: kaaathy
Ravi728: are you on campus?
mrsewan: yea =(
mrsewan: i want to go home!
Ravi728: until the sneak tonight?
mrsewan: my sister's buying me food but i can't eat it until i get home at 8:30
mrsewan: yea
Ravi728: eeeeeeek
mrsewan: so my burrito will be cold =(
mrsewan: so i'll have to microwave it
Ravi728: awww
mrsewan: which makes it taste slightly soggy
mrsewan: but still delicious
Ravi728: from where?
mrsewan: i can't disclose that information.
Ravi728: hahaha
Ravi728: because
Ravi728: it's baja fresh?
Ravi728: you don't even have to say it
Ravi728: your silence implies your guilt!
mrsewan: hahahaha
Ravi728: kaaathy
Ravi728: are you on campus?
mrsewan: yea =(
mrsewan: i want to go home!
Ravi728: until the sneak tonight?
mrsewan: my sister's buying me food but i can't eat it until i get home at 8:30
mrsewan: yea
Ravi728: eeeeeeek
mrsewan: so my burrito will be cold =(
mrsewan: so i'll have to microwave it
Ravi728: awww
mrsewan: which makes it taste slightly soggy
mrsewan: but still delicious
Ravi728: from where?
mrsewan: i can't disclose that information.
Ravi728: hahaha
Ravi728: because
Ravi728: it's baja fresh?
Ravi728: you don't even have to say it
Ravi728: your silence implies your guilt!
mrsewan: hahahaha
Monday, December 05, 2005
The Stand--Your local hot dog eatery
If your local hot dog stand was the Ritz Carlton.
I have only known of maybe a total of three places where I could fulfill my love for phallic shaped meat: a) Pink's b) U-Dog (RIP. you will be forever missed) and c)Josie Maronne's sausages at the Century City Mall. As for Pink's, I refuse to stand in line for thirty minutes for a relatively decent turkey hot dog. I just won't do it. Besides, parking is a bitch enough as it is in LA, I don't need it to be complicated by dodging for spots with hipsters in Volvos. U-Dog went out of business and I only found this out recently, so a single tear goes out for their deliciously spicy veggie hot-dog. And since I'm never in Century City anymore, I have no reason to visit and a hot dog isn't enough for me to make the trip.
So what do I have left now that I am living in Sherman Oaks?
It's a five minute drive from my apartment and they offer one free hour of parking with validation! (*****)
Quaint doesn't even begin to describe The Stand. The exterior brings back nostalgic memories that I've never had of childhoods in North Carolina, sipping lemonade on the front porch, and tire swinging. The interior is small and cozy with a diner feel, but not contrived like Johnny Rockets.
But on with the hot dogs.
I had the "Chicago" turkey dog which consisted of small turkey hot dog (a little thinner than what I'm used to; I'm a fan of girth) encased in a kaiser roll. Piled on top were pickles, onions, tomatoes, mustard, sport peppers, and a raddish whose teal green color should never occur naturally.
Neil had a regular all beef hot dog, piled high with bits of bacon and cheddar cheese. I was disappointed that the cheese was not melted, but I guess it is only a hot dog. We also shared a small side of Macaroni and Cheese (how the hell do I not weigh 500 pounds?).
The Verdict: I would definitely visit again. The atmosphere is lovely. The hot dogs were satisfying and paying a measly $3.95 for a hot dog? Both wallet and appetite are sated.
The Stand
17000 Ventura Boulevard
(Just West of Balboa)
Encino, CA 91316
I have only known of maybe a total of three places where I could fulfill my love for phallic shaped meat: a) Pink's b) U-Dog (RIP. you will be forever missed) and c)Josie Maronne's sausages at the Century City Mall. As for Pink's, I refuse to stand in line for thirty minutes for a relatively decent turkey hot dog. I just won't do it. Besides, parking is a bitch enough as it is in LA, I don't need it to be complicated by dodging for spots with hipsters in Volvos. U-Dog went out of business and I only found this out recently, so a single tear goes out for their deliciously spicy veggie hot-dog. And since I'm never in Century City anymore, I have no reason to visit and a hot dog isn't enough for me to make the trip.
So what do I have left now that I am living in Sherman Oaks?
It's a five minute drive from my apartment and they offer one free hour of parking with validation! (*****)
Quaint doesn't even begin to describe The Stand. The exterior brings back nostalgic memories that I've never had of childhoods in North Carolina, sipping lemonade on the front porch, and tire swinging. The interior is small and cozy with a diner feel, but not contrived like Johnny Rockets.
But on with the hot dogs.
I had the "Chicago" turkey dog which consisted of small turkey hot dog (a little thinner than what I'm used to; I'm a fan of girth) encased in a kaiser roll. Piled on top were pickles, onions, tomatoes, mustard, sport peppers, and a raddish whose teal green color should never occur naturally.
Neil had a regular all beef hot dog, piled high with bits of bacon and cheddar cheese. I was disappointed that the cheese was not melted, but I guess it is only a hot dog. We also shared a small side of Macaroni and Cheese (how the hell do I not weigh 500 pounds?).
The Verdict: I would definitely visit again. The atmosphere is lovely. The hot dogs were satisfying and paying a measly $3.95 for a hot dog? Both wallet and appetite are sated.
The Stand
17000 Ventura Boulevard
(Just West of Balboa)
Encino, CA 91316
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Swedish Antics
The Webster House
the best meal of my life this year (particularly in sweden but not restricted to it or the world), closely comparable but better than the expensive anniversary dinner at Il Cielo over one year ago, would be at the Webster's house.
yes, it is a family joint. (i just cringed at the word "joint") and yes it ischeap free. and yes, the chef was the father.
main point: he is a self-made gourmet chef.
i feel like i'm cheating by this non-graded, frequented by the same four family members and work colleagues&friends--but this house should be a high scale restaurant in a posh area of your favorite great city.
the atmosphere is warm, lively--old, good U2 plays in the background, Dali and Italian Renaissance Jesuses adorn the walls alongside native art and sketches of Malmo from the 1970s. the table is (elegantly) set for intimacy, laughter, and best represents the Webster's unique unconscious concept of how dining ties people together.
the first dish is saffron peasant soup--an asiatic bird not indigenous in Sweden, but introduced here some time ago. the gorgeous texture is trimmed by the dashes of an herb scattered atop--it looked like basil or koriander, but its taste held a subtler punch. this was served with thinly sliced french baguettes. this dish firmly introduces the holidays as saffron, a once rare and precious spice, is primarily used around this time of year.
the main course was seared lamb shanks--with perfect crossing grill marks (but no char residue), medium perfect rareness--and from the taste of it, rosemary seasoned. i made every bite last. it was served with a side of french green beans, cherry tomatoes, and small red potatoes quartered, baked along with red pepper slices and a loosely chopped onion.
the white wine complemented each bite--the balance of the meal was pretty damn remarkable. i was heaven. why isn't this my family?
dessert was an italian dish--i do not remember the name of, but i recall the chef saying how it was made from a special milk and--it had the consistency of the good part of tiramisu and vanilla pudding--but with shaved dark chocolate on top, and a sauteed cherry sauce on the side.
i declined the dessert liqueur but it was beautiful.
i wish i had taken pictures of this--i felt like i witnessed an artist at work, and felt all of its repercussions.
it was honestly great enough for ZG. and the kitchen was spotless--the chef, sanitary. my favorite part was the swedish efficiency, candlelight, allusion to the fact that the family does not believe in god but yes i am surrounded in the dining room by jesus stained glass-art, paintings, or murals.
The Webster House: fantastiskt. if you can come to sweden, befriend Rebecca Webster and get invited to their Sunday dinners, do it.
the best meal of my life this year (particularly in sweden but not restricted to it or the world), closely comparable but better than the expensive anniversary dinner at Il Cielo over one year ago, would be at the Webster's house.
yes, it is a family joint. (i just cringed at the word "joint") and yes it is
main point: he is a self-made gourmet chef.
i feel like i'm cheating by this non-graded, frequented by the same four family members and work colleagues&friends--but this house should be a high scale restaurant in a posh area of your favorite great city.
the atmosphere is warm, lively--old, good U2 plays in the background, Dali and Italian Renaissance Jesuses adorn the walls alongside native art and sketches of Malmo from the 1970s. the table is (elegantly) set for intimacy, laughter, and best represents the Webster's unique unconscious concept of how dining ties people together.
the first dish is saffron peasant soup--an asiatic bird not indigenous in Sweden, but introduced here some time ago. the gorgeous texture is trimmed by the dashes of an herb scattered atop--it looked like basil or koriander, but its taste held a subtler punch. this was served with thinly sliced french baguettes. this dish firmly introduces the holidays as saffron, a once rare and precious spice, is primarily used around this time of year.
the main course was seared lamb shanks--with perfect crossing grill marks (but no char residue), medium perfect rareness--and from the taste of it, rosemary seasoned. i made every bite last. it was served with a side of french green beans, cherry tomatoes, and small red potatoes quartered, baked along with red pepper slices and a loosely chopped onion.
the white wine complemented each bite--the balance of the meal was pretty damn remarkable. i was heaven. why isn't this my family?
dessert was an italian dish--i do not remember the name of, but i recall the chef saying how it was made from a special milk and--it had the consistency of the good part of tiramisu and vanilla pudding--but with shaved dark chocolate on top, and a sauteed cherry sauce on the side.
i declined the dessert liqueur but it was beautiful.
i wish i had taken pictures of this--i felt like i witnessed an artist at work, and felt all of its repercussions.
it was honestly great enough for ZG. and the kitchen was spotless--the chef, sanitary. my favorite part was the swedish efficiency, candlelight, allusion to the fact that the family does not believe in god but yes i am surrounded in the dining room by jesus stained glass-art, paintings, or murals.
The Webster House: fantastiskt. if you can come to sweden, befriend Rebecca Webster and get invited to their Sunday dinners, do it.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
The B Material (or: "Coming Clean About Being Dirty")
I haven't been exactly truthful.
I pretend to be snobby. I pretend to be above the hoi-palloi, what with their "Pooled/Shelled Eggs," "Deterioration/Facility Not Fully Enclosed," or "Wiping Rag" violations at the restaurants they frequent.
Yes. I, Ravi Dehar, have eaten at B restaurants. And I'm not talking about shady restaurants in towns in which they don't grade their eateries, so they're probably Bs (Silver Dragon Chinese Cuisine in Davis comes to mind, but good lord, if I die eating their crab-meat cheese fried wantons, I die happy). I mean knowingly eating at restaurants that have received a less-than desireable grade. And if not knownlingly, then in large quantities I soon regretted.
I've strayed four times that I can count. Here is a summary of each instance, complete with an excuse.
Urth Cafe
I had just visited Sweet Lady Jane's (bakery) for the first time, and we took the cake to go. I needed milk, and this looked like a place that'd have it. They did, I drank, and I live. But I'm not proud of it.
Frankie and Johnny's NY Pizza
I didn't know this was a B restaurant until much later after I ate it. Last year I was on the Student Committee for the Arts and the only benefit to that was the free dinner on Mondays. Honestly, I expected better food, but we got pizza a lot. This one looked shady, so I only ate one slice, then when I got home I found out the awful truth. I wanted to throw up.
Daikou Ramen
I knew this was a B restaurant going in, so I didn't order anything. The host insisted that I try some of the Ramen broth, and I relented. Got home to see the violation was for no hot water and cockroaches(!). He probably doesn't read this blog, so that'll be our secret for now.
U-Dog
I was inebriated (for the first time). I don't really remember much, but boy was I embarassed when I walked by the next day and saw the B. Beer goggles affect different people in different ways, I guess.
I'm not proud of it. But now we can move forward, right, with a clean slate? Just because I've eaten at B restaurants and lived, though, doesn't mean I'm going to make a habit of it. If you've been saving a seat for me at Gushi, well, keep waiting.
Yes, this honest (every ZagatWho? entry from me will end in a random offensive image, so apologies in advance):
-->Ravi
I pretend to be snobby. I pretend to be above the hoi-palloi, what with their "Pooled/Shelled Eggs," "Deterioration/Facility Not Fully Enclosed," or "Wiping Rag" violations at the restaurants they frequent.
Yes. I, Ravi Dehar, have eaten at B restaurants. And I'm not talking about shady restaurants in towns in which they don't grade their eateries, so they're probably Bs (Silver Dragon Chinese Cuisine in Davis comes to mind, but good lord, if I die eating their crab-meat cheese fried wantons, I die happy). I mean knowingly eating at restaurants that have received a less-than desireable grade. And if not knownlingly, then in large quantities I soon regretted.
I've strayed four times that I can count. Here is a summary of each instance, complete with an excuse.
Urth Cafe
I had just visited Sweet Lady Jane's (bakery) for the first time, and we took the cake to go. I needed milk, and this looked like a place that'd have it. They did, I drank, and I live. But I'm not proud of it.
Frankie and Johnny's NY Pizza
I didn't know this was a B restaurant until much later after I ate it. Last year I was on the Student Committee for the Arts and the only benefit to that was the free dinner on Mondays. Honestly, I expected better food, but we got pizza a lot. This one looked shady, so I only ate one slice, then when I got home I found out the awful truth. I wanted to throw up.
Daikou Ramen
I knew this was a B restaurant going in, so I didn't order anything. The host insisted that I try some of the Ramen broth, and I relented. Got home to see the violation was for no hot water and cockroaches(!). He probably doesn't read this blog, so that'll be our secret for now.
U-Dog
I was inebriated (for the first time). I don't really remember much, but boy was I embarassed when I walked by the next day and saw the B. Beer goggles affect different people in different ways, I guess.
I'm not proud of it. But now we can move forward, right, with a clean slate? Just because I've eaten at B restaurants and lived, though, doesn't mean I'm going to make a habit of it. If you've been saving a seat for me at Gushi, well, keep waiting.
Yes, this honest (every ZagatWho? entry from me will end in a random offensive image, so apologies in advance):
-->Ravi
Bluebird Bakery: Retrospecticus!
Come and give heed, if thou wouldst, to the story of the Noble Four and their journey to the Bluebird Bakery. From the annals of the intarweb, our four heroes did decipher apocryphal lines of the most ancient runes in order to divulge the most closely guarded secret of the Ages... The location of the fabled shores of Bluebird Bakery: 8572 National Boulevard, Culver City, California 90232.
The trek was arduous, hearts (and bellies) were tempted by the more easily-had prizes of the Boston Market. But with steadfast hope in greater riches to come, the Noble Four did surpass the Siren's Call of meatloaf, beef tri-tip, and cornbread rolls. For great are the rewards to those sure of heart and steady of spirit. And great rewards were exactly what the Noble Four did have for their own upon arrival:
While they may look delectable, delicious, and any other d-word you may think of, many are the wandering travelers who have unwittingly fallen prey to the most vicious of all pastry toppings: the walnut. With this knowledge steadfast in their thoughts the Noble Four approached their quarry with great care, despite the more than ample glass shielding that lay betwixt us and the deceptively innocuous beasts that lay neatly arranged within. (Editor's Note: When they say "Do not tap the glass," maaaan you had better not tap the glass! I barely made it out of harm's way, but Ravi lost his left ring finger! Where is a man gonna put a ring now? He's going to die a spinster!)
The trek was arduous, hearts (and bellies) were tempted by the more easily-had prizes of the Boston Market. But with steadfast hope in greater riches to come, the Noble Four did surpass the Siren's Call of meatloaf, beef tri-tip, and cornbread rolls. For great are the rewards to those sure of heart and steady of spirit. And great rewards were exactly what the Noble Four did have for their own upon arrival:
While they may look delectable, delicious, and any other d-word you may think of, many are the wandering travelers who have unwittingly fallen prey to the most vicious of all pastry toppings: the walnut. With this knowledge steadfast in their thoughts the Noble Four approached their quarry with great care, despite the more than ample glass shielding that lay betwixt us and the deceptively innocuous beasts that lay neatly arranged within. (Editor's Note: When they say "Do not tap the glass," maaaan you had better not tap the glass! I barely made it out of harm's way, but Ravi lost his left ring finger! Where is a man gonna put a ring now? He's going to die a spinster!)
Their nerves steeled and wits firmly about them, the Noble Four did take their leave of the Cagéd Pastries and march onward to gentler wings of the menagerie. Here we have the holding pen of the docile Cupcake, upon which herds the Bluebird Bakery spared no expense. With an air of showiness, they almost flaunt their skills in pastry husbandry. There was more than a little irony in the herds, in that the numerous breeds were presented with such nonchalance that one knows great care was taken in the breeding and grooming of each particular cupcake in particular. Which is not to say that the individual attention was a waste; they tasted as one might expect the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ would taste like, were he to offer Himself up in pastry form to the sinners of the world.Were they mere peasant-folk, the Noble Four may easily have been bewitched by the achingly beautiful treats before them. But nay, foolish reader. Are not the Noble Four capitalized for a reason? Indeed, our canny heroes' attentions were not long intoxicated by mere desserts. Bluebird Bakery is more than just as such. They also field a vast array of sandwiches, both traditional and pressed. These great brutes are borne of naught but the finest breads (the ranks of olive loaf and rye bread are stacked most impressively in formation at all times) and meats (from Chicken to Pastrami to Tuna Salad-- harvested from the very children of Neptune himself! What opulence!). With fierce determination, great ardor, and (they hoped) the blessings of their respective patron gods, the Noble Four did dive headlong into fierce combat with the many sandwiches of Bluebird Bakery. Behold!
Ravi the Fuzzy-Chops, great chieftan from the Northlands, shows little fear and even less mercy to his Chicken Melt. Its layers of olive loaf are no match for his eager teeth. Lush slices of fresh tomato and melted aged cheddar did ooze from the gaps in his foe's armor. For unremitting domination is the way of his people. Woe unto their enemies.
The Mysterious Erica, hailing from lands beyond even the hazy shores of Bluebird Bakery, ambled forth to face her foe with naught but a flimsy plastic fork and a mischievious grin. Her tiny stature proved a most unfortunate facade to the Tuna Melt before her. Cybernetic enhancements to numerous portions of her skeleton made short work of the sandwich's hearty potato dill bread (delicious, but deadly). Though taciturn in peace, Erica proved every bit as vicious in action, hewing molten cheddar and fresh tomato from her foe every bit as eagerly as Ravi the Fuzzy-Chops.
Shahin the Scholarly, who lived among the Germanic tribes and learned of their implacable ways, did carefully peel back the restraints on his Pastrami Reuben. The crisp autumn air quickly filled with the scent of pastramied beef, grilled rye bread, melted gruyere cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing-- which the Ancient Sages of Bluebird described as a veritable witch's brew of herbs and potions ranging from parsley and peppers to vinegar and chili sauce. Shahin the Scholarly heeded the advisement of the Sages and faced his foe methodically, peeling its layers back piecemeal and layering the provided coleslaw (a light, almost summery concotion which did not have the heaviness of other slaw dressings) in the innards of the sandwich. The pleased chewing of our hero gave witness as to the effectiveness of this sagely tactic.
Thy humble chonicler, Eric the Righteous, did beseech his mighty Lord for the strength and wisdom with which to defeat the Pastrami Reuben that lay before him. With none of the calculated steps that Shahin the Scholarly employed to vanquish his Reuben, Eric the Righteous challenged his own with bites that other men would call unearthly, impossible. But Eric the Righteous did merely smile and give thanks unto his mighty God for embiggening his eternal soul and, more specifically, his gaping jaws. The ways of the Lord are mysterious indeed, but the Holy shall never fall to the Sandwich. Glory and Hallelujah to the Lord Most High, Mighty Defeater of Sandwiches big and small alike!
But what have we here? What treasures lay within this plain brown box, inscribed with but a single simple rune...?
...Such treasures that mighty Empires have been lost over. The Noble Four were given charge of four cupcakes, three paid for in doubloons and pieces-of-eight, one a generous gift from the magnanimous Sages of Bluebird. The breeds of cupcake tamed and eaten by our heroes were, starting clockwise from the top:Coconut: Pillowy vanilla cake-- flesh whiter than the first snowfall of the frigid Northlands-- is topped with a creamy coconut frosting and sprinkled with slivers of dried (Wait for it...) coconut (BAM!).
Red Velvet: Bred by Buddhist Monks high in the Himalayan Mountains for its signature red cakey flesh, dense and almost (but not quite) chewy, with the vaguest touch of a berry flavor that may well have been hallucinations brought on by the richness of the cream cheese frosting covering the top.
Chocolate: Though not as fancy as the previous breed, any gift from the Sages of Bluebird is not to be confused for some pedestrian snack-cake. Beneath the outer layer of gooey chocolate frosting beats a pure brown heart of darkness so chocolatey that it is rumored one can transcend time itself with such rich chocolate cake on his tongue. The Mysterious Erica was not one to divulge whatever transcendental wisdom she gained from communion with the Chocolate Cupcake.
(Another) Red Velvet: The Geminaic counterpart to the previous Red Velvet specimen.
Such were the immortal delights of the Cupcake that our ordinarily stern heroes were given to flights of fanciful tomfoolery. Ever dedicated to the art of the scrivener, thy humble chonicler did capture the sSexy cupcake wrapper footage that ensued! Ooh la la! (Editor's Note: Video footage encoded in XviD, in case you need to chase down the proper codec. Hint-- Google XviD, click the second link, and install.)
Though the roads were long and fraught with danger, the Noble Four did feast their eyes, noses, and bellies upon the fabled delights of The Bluebird Bakery. Ravi the Fuzzy-Chops was noted to have given the Bluebird Bakery an unprecedented five thumbs up!:
(Editor's Note: Though I did meekly attempt to advise the mighty Fuzzy-Chops that but one of the appendages on his mighty paw were thumbs, thereby making his five-thumbs-up laudation somewhat of a misnomer, I was hardly able to eke the words from my humble mouth before the Fuzzy-Chops reached for his impressively heavy war-club with full intent to dash thy humble chronicler's brains out upon the walls. Again I declare: woe unto the enemies of thy people, O Ravi Fuzzy-Chops. Woe and terror.And these things I say unto you in this year of our Lord Two-Thousand and Five are truth, O faceless populous of the intarweb!
Ever thy humble servant,
Eric the Righteous
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