tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299045882024-03-13T02:31:00.289-07:00Grub in LAEast-siders eat out in LA and report back on the experience!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-21380218191063587732007-08-05T09:56:00.000-07:002007-08-05T15:09:18.078-07:00Cindy's Restaurant - Re-opening!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27edWlxoKKtRIHtEGO8NOSqX4c7Rpi5MsgrHz6ckR3YJA7NSQkHNS1SiYkYzoPKoaKNHVUaTWYx8pSofVVFFDbBK1cQy1ozAja_UhzoFavZ29lU3bGc0f7He3K94r7_8ad0SGPw/s1600-h/DSCN2511.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27edWlxoKKtRIHtEGO8NOSqX4c7Rpi5MsgrHz6ckR3YJA7NSQkHNS1SiYkYzoPKoaKNHVUaTWYx8pSofVVFFDbBK1cQy1ozAja_UhzoFavZ29lU3bGc0f7He3K94r7_8ad0SGPw/s320/DSCN2511.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095273838667136290" /></a><br />Many East-siders remember they day they heard about the awful accident at Cindy's Restaurant in Eagle Rock. On the weekend of July 15 a car crashed into the side of Cindy's taking out a huge chunk of the front wall. (It looked like a missile had attacked the place!) More than just damaging the wall however, the errant (ie. drunk?) driver destroyed foundation, windows and even some booths. Cindy's had to go into hibernation for nearly a month in order to repair and restore.<br /><br /><a href="http://la.eater.com/2007_07_cindys%20crash-thumb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://la.eater.com/2007_07_cindys%20crash-thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I called and spoke to the owner this morning and she said they were hoping to be open again this Thursday (August 9). When she heard that we missed Cindy's (it's one of the easiest places to take a baby or a young child for breakfast) she paused and said "That really means a lot to me." She sounded eager and very ready to be back open for business.<br /><br />I've never done a review of Cindy's but I've always meant to. So here is a little photo essay of the "old" Cindy's whicih will hopefully do until I get to visit the "new" Cindy's this next week.<br /><br />This is the old artifice. Note the full parking lot and the people hanging outside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHI5dtw6E8ZuDsThCKcAZowT-VmK_7sFGLZ30Yi9fCbsmqcoUoTSBeCT0ZNoW32JZnqAFIz66JAdF1zTa0O77TFdniBWQobhZPZxMtP5-Qc-vKk4RlKdOGbDIu2IVTygixpLF8w/s1600-h/DSCN2504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHI5dtw6E8ZuDsThCKcAZowT-VmK_7sFGLZ30Yi9fCbsmqcoUoTSBeCT0ZNoW32JZnqAFIz66JAdF1zTa0O77TFdniBWQobhZPZxMtP5-Qc-vKk4RlKdOGbDIu2IVTygixpLF8w/s320/DSCN2504.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095273842962103602" /></a><br />Cindy's is a simple, classic diner. There's nothing complicated or "Nancy Silverton" about this place. In fact, we're really only fans of the breakfast. It's greasy spoon, very affordable and totally kid friendly. In a city with perpetually evolving nouveau-cuisine, a standard goes a long way.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXfLsN2OVCEZm2y1XtHDDiGbPWLPx4qGgda8F2TPedRwlvtVatXlO-1S-LdcAwO04MzVczWczKsCEIFH1T9hDSRpvXaHnmfb905wrPvSqQkT9QtS7n1k0pA6kXTsoL8mM5PjOpA/s1600-h/DSCN2506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXfLsN2OVCEZm2y1XtHDDiGbPWLPx4qGgda8F2TPedRwlvtVatXlO-1S-LdcAwO04MzVczWczKsCEIFH1T9hDSRpvXaHnmfb905wrPvSqQkT9QtS7n1k0pA6kXTsoL8mM5PjOpA/s320/DSCN2506.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095273847257070914" /></a><br />Egss, potatos, bacon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSv-patZwlLbb-i1eRPGATEwJO0ddlNcn5tm8yAY-M1Mw4AsSQuVjG1QGmyBvpkA2vOPHhtR8eoAB_s6j-RbxYEJnXXgMnCwus8-bEtjxoG9KrIQmCyHrLK98beHiw1VU9Lqdfg/s1600-h/DSCN2507.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSv-patZwlLbb-i1eRPGATEwJO0ddlNcn5tm8yAY-M1Mw4AsSQuVjG1QGmyBvpkA2vOPHhtR8eoAB_s6j-RbxYEJnXXgMnCwus8-bEtjxoG9KrIQmCyHrLK98beHiw1VU9Lqdfg/s320/DSCN2507.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095273851552038226" /></a><br />Pancakes are perhaps Cindy's best item. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd-C2MZgM0TEkSHqLhxP752xzighFc21CL0kAZdXbIL6S_h1vM5qUcKF-CjH03kdv8W5eNHo1_CKz5CrR7asLHpekAN6LHeOhy7l19UCNOTEklpRjdwVA-OHzEUw-vrWmN5Hd5w/s1600-h/DSCN2509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd-C2MZgM0TEkSHqLhxP752xzighFc21CL0kAZdXbIL6S_h1vM5qUcKF-CjH03kdv8W5eNHo1_CKz5CrR7asLHpekAN6LHeOhy7l19UCNOTEklpRjdwVA-OHzEUw-vrWmN5Hd5w/s320/DSCN2509.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095273860141972834" /></a><br /><br />Simple. But when you want simple Cindy's is perfect. Perhaps one of hte best hang over spots in Eagle Rock.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEmipDSdYalr0LI9hj8bNgvhY_UAB-s1ukojkeoBJg_1GSHptUsA_G3YdgsGSzHd7j2iWSK_z0XiMTRDc72yGrU5iUcOG0Ejbi24QZh0E4ZY9XZ2gAmWcdNPpETLqAWD9rlM3Aw/s1600-h/DSCN2510.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEmipDSdYalr0LI9hj8bNgvhY_UAB-s1ukojkeoBJg_1GSHptUsA_G3YdgsGSzHd7j2iWSK_z0XiMTRDc72yGrU5iUcOG0Ejbi24QZh0E4ZY9XZ2gAmWcdNPpETLqAWD9rlM3Aw/s320/DSCN2510.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095340174437023106" /></a><br /><br />Cindy's is located on Colordao Blvd in Eagle Rock which is also Historic Route 66. Cindy's is the kind of spot you'd find on Route 66 in 1955 on a cross country drive. Except it's in LA and serves multiple generations of diverse Angelinos a simple meal at a great price. <br /><br />Please, support a local merchant who has been serving Eagle Rock well for decades. The restaurant business is a risky one no matter who an owner is or how long they've been operating. Losing a month of income and having to pay for major structural repairs is a huge burden (do they even have insurances?). It would be great to see the place packed each weekend as a tribute and a thank you to a local affordable greasy spoon. So, consider this an invitation to come to Cindy's on Saturday August11th, the first Saturday the restaurant will be reopened for business. <br /><br />Cindy's Restaurant is located at <br />1500 Colorado Blvd. / Eagle Rock, CA 90041<br />(323) 257-7375. Open daily<br /><br /><br />Find Cindy's Restaurant on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cindy%27s+Restaurant+eagle+rock+90041&sll=38.99792,-105.550965&sspn=5.181478,8.140869&ie=UTF8&latlng=34139223,-118198176,11365445784808870670&ei=hkm2RsOSBZmejQPEjN2jCQ&cd=1" target =" _blank"> Google Maps</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-64108336434579693462007-08-04T14:28:00.000-07:002007-08-05T09:56:01.813-07:00Donut Man - Fresh Peaches available<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkJdmslmVoswXivNu26Wv-qcI0fBQYH5VkZvjoYzv30VpAWqMxssLuM48Q9mmDkukNjpH5yfkl4f1iiIQ3R5qvxZuifLWOeqxLikx__HHZLExINp6B7Tr7zKe81B8E_lPSOvFzA/s1600-h/DSCN5606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkJdmslmVoswXivNu26Wv-qcI0fBQYH5VkZvjoYzv30VpAWqMxssLuM48Q9mmDkukNjpH5yfkl4f1iiIQ3R5qvxZuifLWOeqxLikx__HHZLExINp6B7Tr7zKe81B8E_lPSOvFzA/s320/DSCN5606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095050989994015842" /></a><br />I came across an online post that Donut Man was selling the fresh peach donut after months of the strawberry. So Jan and I circled this Saturday morning on the calendar and decided to make a return trip to Glendora. Our drive seemed considerably shorter than our first vist, likely due to the fact that we basically knew where we were going. However, we still got a bit lost on the way. *hint: Take the Grant exit in Glendora.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzwRU__BKo8zEAVJkwsvk5VKDLYQm-DiYdsB-ngr4BGnRhMcGxUlssNbs9gKZUkXvXao2kTEJJc17BHOsu88F2U-RdjoYV0eL-HSGU6i5qSAKP1LQqceyT8RAezkTlDfhVzegAQ/s1600-h/DSCN5631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzwRU__BKo8zEAVJkwsvk5VKDLYQm-DiYdsB-ngr4BGnRhMcGxUlssNbs9gKZUkXvXao2kTEJJc17BHOsu88F2U-RdjoYV0eL-HSGU6i5qSAKP1LQqceyT8RAezkTlDfhVzegAQ/s320/DSCN5631.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095050994288983154" /></a><br /><a href="http://grubinla.blogspot.com/2007/05/donut-man-dips-it-in-dream.html" target =" _blank"> [Look here for my first visit to Donut Man for the Fresh Strawberry Donut.]</a> Jim, the actual Donut Man, makes two fresh fruit donuts each year; Peach is offered second, for a shorter period of time and historically is not debuted until the last week in July or the first week in August. Put mid spring on the calendar for the berries and circle a late summer date for the peaches. The trip to Glendora is definitely worth the effort.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintrxB2TfbT7Lx-yLq_TP2_tVUc-oRA0lw8MKHEKHrhX7K10Q3BfvudX6QSop75QZOLfrp62lSmCP_q5HCbO3n5GS0LDZXgQtgLbGoBf5IqoFHI3ae3EAIiYhFQhPLELpFAvH2Zg/s1600-h/DSCN5616.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintrxB2TfbT7Lx-yLq_TP2_tVUc-oRA0lw8MKHEKHrhX7K10Q3BfvudX6QSop75QZOLfrp62lSmCP_q5HCbO3n5GS0LDZXgQtgLbGoBf5IqoFHI3ae3EAIiYhFQhPLELpFAvH2Zg/s320/DSCN5616.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095051002878917778" /></a><br />The best place to eat a Donut Man fresh fruit donut is by using the hood or trunk of your car as a table. This time I brought a quart of non-fat milk to help the donut go down. Nothing like 8 am breakfast in a parking lot.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtA8DuAfOv_BVAWP1YlOLqjfJpKHWhm2xCgEm0Es8pdrlVxa5TwYu409arAlzLd1DVW_gF8Jai3IaLGnMeS9ECBSct0aCD5dCMd4mBw1xFyPBz7xvELyfENM8WZS3knN_fz1vcQ/s1600-h/DSCN5617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtA8DuAfOv_BVAWP1YlOLqjfJpKHWhm2xCgEm0Es8pdrlVxa5TwYu409arAlzLd1DVW_gF8Jai3IaLGnMeS9ECBSct0aCD5dCMd4mBw1xFyPBz7xvELyfENM8WZS3knN_fz1vcQ/s320/DSCN5617.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095061551318596770" /></a><br />The Donut Man peach donut is great. It's tasty for sure and is one of the best donuts I've ever had. The portion of peach in the donut was extraordinary, weighing in at more than a full peach per donut shell. My donut simply could not contain all the slivers of peach. However, the peach experience pales in comparison to that of eating the strawberry donut. The downside might have everything to do with the time of year. Peach season has just started and (hopefully) not yet peaked. There were slices from maybe three different peaches in my donut: one tasted heavenly -- soft, juicy and sweet, one was dull -- not yet ripe, thus crisp with very little flavor, and one was in between the other two. I can imagine what a Donut Man fresh peach donut tastes like with 100% perfect peaches. Believe me, it is likely so amazing I'm already planning on making a return visit before the end of the season (September?). <br /><br />This is the tub of peach slices. I watched some donuts get prepared and each had at least 2 big scoops of peaches.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMZNUNRCjhMyu4c4UNk9_4NOWErQnJeu1Fxdvz9IrRTx30JszZubqIcSE-ZNc-NAnhZFyatP9ko47EH0ZOawwSke17WifzEbPNCQ4XlXRsMcVNLoYMcNECwc64vlVx6vS8SpfCg/s1600-h/DSCN5612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMZNUNRCjhMyu4c4UNk9_4NOWErQnJeu1Fxdvz9IrRTx30JszZubqIcSE-ZNc-NAnhZFyatP9ko47EH0ZOawwSke17WifzEbPNCQ4XlXRsMcVNLoYMcNECwc64vlVx6vS8SpfCg/s320/DSCN5612.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095061559908531394" /></a><br />A tray of fresh peach donuts about to be served.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2cgECZnb1qXPWaIanzhj5NlHb6dIbwOqMgzK1uSu_6iATrsotJqNiQynaVvyN2ciZNqO5UN_P0KqWnIEM4rgAEHTM392ofPEVPyUB5zERmxYtR4WZruJKYY5JgwoRZ89u62uHw/s1600-h/DSCN5607.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2cgECZnb1qXPWaIanzhj5NlHb6dIbwOqMgzK1uSu_6iATrsotJqNiQynaVvyN2ciZNqO5UN_P0KqWnIEM4rgAEHTM392ofPEVPyUB5zERmxYtR4WZruJKYY5JgwoRZ89u62uHw/s320/DSCN5607.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095050998583950466" /></a><br />This is what the strawberry looked like...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ru0BBNDmtpJLdCI16cwMcvpNm9MKjmd3qYBtxEbICIfWYBT8OKD3STKwsGGxm8CY3COJrOpur54LuC-Op9nEGOjvE12y-dA6LP4eMVpE1ck2U46YIH7wfQ5RH9SbXd8oLumLzA/s1600-h/DSCN4284.JPG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ru0BBNDmtpJLdCI16cwMcvpNm9MKjmd3qYBtxEbICIfWYBT8OKD3STKwsGGxm8CY3COJrOpur54LuC-Op9nEGOjvE12y-dA6LP4eMVpE1ck2U46YIH7wfQ5RH9SbXd8oLumLzA/s320/DSCN4284.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095061559908531410" /></a><br />Something that ocurred to us was that the Strawberry donut had lots of full bodied fresh strawberries, which, since it was the height of that season, all tasted perfect. But the lack of any cutting and slicing made for a dry donut vessal for some amazing berries. However the sliced peaches have a tremendous amount of juicy surface area that starts to dribble and drabble around the donut. If all the slices were fresh, this would be a wonderful mess of a desert feast. <br /><br />I firmly believe that for a foodie, food blogger, etc. the quest defines the obsession. Donut Man is a perfect quest. The drive is just enough to have a deep but not epic conversation with a good friend and it's a very very quick drive in the early morning of a weekend. Luckily, Glendora is also not so close that I'd want to stop by for a donut more than once every few months or so. If the Donut Man ever expanded his fresh fruit donuts to other fruits (say nectarines, blueberries, etc.) ... I would find my self on Historic Route 66 in Glendora a lot more often... Gas in Glendora, by the way was a "low" $2.81!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDBzuXPIl7rfjCyzP5V_yTg-gE2L8UBOQJvT6IebfzG0g_q3FULogH5Qw9Vgmv-NT8QbDLmAROsKvdw5yeiWvKqEwWo0ilT1oBWVQCJUiNMCIDWT7w6CjYssHXES-RLVaH4g7Zw/s1600-h/DSCN5628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDBzuXPIl7rfjCyzP5V_yTg-gE2L8UBOQJvT6IebfzG0g_q3FULogH5Qw9Vgmv-NT8QbDLmAROsKvdw5yeiWvKqEwWo0ilT1oBWVQCJUiNMCIDWT7w6CjYssHXES-RLVaH4g7Zw/s320/DSCN5628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095061555613564082" /></a><br /><br />Donut Man<br />915 E. Route 66<br />Glendora, California 91741<br />(626) 335-9111<br />Open 24 hours (cash only)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbfkUbH48V7dY256dfBjCDqFcBLL1QDOUb2CqTFq8mv8gyKwIzhuiilEq4MKSapiUuMC68EEOedhZ1bLYprfXb8WsGnY5a_c1oNXk5fx7agXCaMK8btHKyaLs7xktXGOUab0B-w/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbfkUbH48V7dY256dfBjCDqFcBLL1QDOUb2CqTFq8mv8gyKwIzhuiilEq4MKSapiUuMC68EEOedhZ1bLYprfXb8WsGnY5a_c1oNXk5fx7agXCaMK8btHKyaLs7xktXGOUab0B-w/s320/Picture+2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069674053541210306" /></a><br /><br />Find Donut Man on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=donut+man+glendora&sll=34.125106,-118.182401&sspn=0.010782,0.0159&ie=UTF8&latlng=34128841,-117850383,5225756548604844149&ei=xgC2RpjUI5mejQPEjN2jCQ&cd=1" target =" _blank"> Google Maps</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-42738855396262766952007-07-29T09:56:00.000-07:002007-07-29T10:25:59.782-07:00Brooklyn Bagel Bakery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGs0sXMr-OnyHKTyQXS8i4D33e1IiYftk5St7aJPlsTFGcvAcQ_RS4Zcn0oR0b4DgXCHjvNJn2UBokhVJ5iprWbY2tSQVQ6WId29ATP7bDPh_zDnVZgJRoeTKF1XHdzzZME-bmA/s1600-h/DSCN5577.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGs0sXMr-OnyHKTyQXS8i4D33e1IiYftk5St7aJPlsTFGcvAcQ_RS4Zcn0oR0b4DgXCHjvNJn2UBokhVJ5iprWbY2tSQVQ6WId29ATP7bDPh_zDnVZgJRoeTKF1XHdzzZME-bmA/s320/DSCN5577.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092665771316247490" /></a><br /><br />I discovered the Brooklyn Bagel Bakery simply by driving past it one day. I almost got into an accident because I was gawking at the sight of a Brooklyn bagel place a) in the shadows of Dodger Stadium and b) randomly in Echo Park near Alvarado Street. I would go to Brooklyn Bagel Bakery up to once a day at the height of my obsession. I even initiated a Bagel Day at work and would pick up a few dozen bagels once a month. This is my favorite bagel place in LA and -- I dare say -- compares favorably to NY Bagels. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUFsjPxOKmQ3Emsgpp5opgMQSjbSMDy-CquIO3HDR6Bd7te7MSVijSg2VgS6jtBJWK5becM-n3rEYRkokTkG4M9B5L4vzTkEyGMGVcuqPpORVRAK4344YIUblhB4ir1hMtWFcKg/s1600-h/DSCN5571.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUFsjPxOKmQ3Emsgpp5opgMQSjbSMDy-CquIO3HDR6Bd7te7MSVijSg2VgS6jtBJWK5becM-n3rEYRkokTkG4M9B5L4vzTkEyGMGVcuqPpORVRAK4344YIUblhB4ir1hMtWFcKg/s320/DSCN5571.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092665779906182098" /></a><br /><br />Nothing is more annoying than a New Yorker pining over the lack of good pizza or a good bagel here in LA. Well no complaint about LA bagels is truthful without checking out the best LA has to offer first. I found this <a href="http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/best-bagels-in-los-angeles-277288.php" target =" _blank"> Grid Skipper </a> list of the Top 6 Bagels in LA and Brooklyn Bagel is on the list! I've found the bagels to be soft inside anda chewy yet crispy exterior. These bagels are boiled just as are the NYC variety. Brooklyn Bagel Bakery offers 30 varieties of bagels from traditional to flavored (Starberry, Chocolate, etc.).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PfesCCZlc9jNRZc0XY8qlcc5_c74ZxgmJmzHS1qlsmp3kIooa6r3goiiyTJqgoPeSlSbi42Dd7CUeqPn3QaLmEtJxyGG1yktpiG_5C7tBflXN3SupHUSgEJAUDAKwhXurGWB8g/s1600-h/DSCN5574.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PfesCCZlc9jNRZc0XY8qlcc5_c74ZxgmJmzHS1qlsmp3kIooa6r3goiiyTJqgoPeSlSbi42Dd7CUeqPn3QaLmEtJxyGG1yktpiG_5C7tBflXN3SupHUSgEJAUDAKwhXurGWB8g/s320/DSCN5574.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092665784201149410" /></a><br /><br />My favorite bagels at Brooklyn Bagel Bakery are the garlic, the sesame, the onion biyali, the cheese bagel. Other good items include the "New York style" water bagel, energy bar, everything bagel, jalepeno cheese, etc. Well everything is tasty. Brooklyn Bagel Bakery also scores points for being a one of a kind place with roots in Brooklyn, NY.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTYXhgYetey3SyjNoYyr8J-3ChuCqcoM6xFd-FM9ovcOwIh6cAQO_Tdxvq6PTKAXjfX2xPMxsyP_zYVMYyDl93NMzSfa-EJJou2tuSMawC9kVXckRe_Lo2aZss6Qjg7eZhsLE2w/s1600-h/DSCN5575.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTYXhgYetey3SyjNoYyr8J-3ChuCqcoM6xFd-FM9ovcOwIh6cAQO_Tdxvq6PTKAXjfX2xPMxsyP_zYVMYyDl93NMzSfa-EJJou2tuSMawC9kVXckRe_Lo2aZss6Qjg7eZhsLE2w/s320/DSCN5575.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092669791405636594" /></a><br /><br />Are LA bagels the same as those in NY? Well my buddy Jan took a trip to NYC recently and brought back some real Brooklyn bagels and they were amazing. I also went to NYC recently and ate breakfast at the Bagel maven every day. There is something to a NYC bagel that is not found in LA. I think it is more the lifestyle than the water. Though there is something ot be said for the multiplicity of bagels there and what that obviously does for the collective expertise in making a great bagel.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAtXxghvAExeVWPo_bQhoc_FbKpsnNCsVjf_h6zdCjlmkSSIEpnCHDinH6aHB6MyRIssYydMWOcjr0TDHCAsfeACc8pIA4ZUGCEnsTl-v-SJTySJKtEEGYaYEqDuA6TWinxnqaA/s1600-h/DSCN5576.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAtXxghvAExeVWPo_bQhoc_FbKpsnNCsVjf_h6zdCjlmkSSIEpnCHDinH6aHB6MyRIssYydMWOcjr0TDHCAsfeACc8pIA4ZUGCEnsTl-v-SJTySJKtEEGYaYEqDuA6TWinxnqaA/s320/DSCN5576.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092669799995571202" /></a><br /><br />Brooklyn Bagel Bakery is an example of why it is fun to be a foodie in Los Angeles: there are types of all foods, the discovery is fun and reveals treasures in all parts of our great city.<br /><br />Brooklyn Bagel Bakery is located at <br />2217 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90057<br />(213) 413-4114. Open daily, 7 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Cash only. <br />**Bagel Happy Hour (1/2 price!) is weekdays from 3pm to 5pm<br /><br />Find Brooklyn Bagel Bakery on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=beverly+drive+brooklyn+bagel+bakery&sll=34.125106,-118.182401&sspn=0.011066,0.0159&ie=UTF8&cd=4&latlng=34067375,-118271955,1130914272648033863&ei=GsesRpHnJZzIjAPZ4MWkAQ" target =" _blank"> Google Maps</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-42227709334281942422007-07-07T11:54:00.000-07:002007-07-07T22:52:53.689-07:00El Huaraches Azteca<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY-HBIW8HFbrHkG1dWABJVJ60WWWx-BJai0kO2zZUUr_KgrYnGepU24bcLSCJhmUezTJEibfOrXKmccINVROuRNkykH9QuxNlxySoV0bJhdExiYuaJdt14abT8C18AUBORBJibw/s1600-h/Picture+13.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY-HBIW8HFbrHkG1dWABJVJ60WWWx-BJai0kO2zZUUr_KgrYnGepU24bcLSCJhmUezTJEibfOrXKmccINVROuRNkykH9QuxNlxySoV0bJhdExiYuaJdt14abT8C18AUBORBJibw/s320/Picture+13.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084589842117881538" /></a>You know the famous Beach Boys song "Surfin' USA" with the line: ''We'll all be wearin' our baggies, huarache sandals too..." Well huarache sandals sandals are called that because they look like the Mexican dish the huarache which is a piece of flat fried dough topped with meat, cojito cheese, refried beans, cilantro, onion, & crema. The huarache is a lot more rare to find than a taco but there is a comparison to be made. A good huarache is defined by the quality of the carene, the cheese, the flavor toppings and the doughy "plate." Here is an introduction to my new favorite Highland Park restaurant: El Huaraches Azteca on York and Ave 52.<br /><br />El Huaraches Azteca has been open 7 days a week for the past 11 years and -- according to Frank the very nice guy who works there -- has never closed for even one day. We went for an early Saturday lunch and found the place mildly empty (though we picked one table in the back that still had the remnants of a feast on it. Come to think of it, there were a lot of empty tables still needing to be bussed. I think that is a very good sign. (Sundays, Frank says, are the busiest.) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUxwQpmXEwartztP34oBGWFloHKkbjv025MEJgeyHDpsfdHD74RBVKRw9LXhyphenhypheniRnFsMvh8_5IKaSkkgLUR9l73dA041yXslNNb18KLEOslj_v7ofaeKbASdOUMCun8UakNuuSwQ/s1600-h/DSCN4957.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUxwQpmXEwartztP34oBGWFloHKkbjv025MEJgeyHDpsfdHD74RBVKRw9LXhyphenhypheniRnFsMvh8_5IKaSkkgLUR9l73dA041yXslNNb18KLEOslj_v7ofaeKbASdOUMCun8UakNuuSwQ/s320/DSCN4957.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084588712541482626" /></a><br /><br />If it was mellow when we got there by the time we left El Huaraches had a line out the door. All the tables inside were filled, people were waiting for take out and the front patio was also standing room only. Clearly, El Huaraches is not a secret in our Highland Park neighborhood!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaAxrknyZiAaUP6AHU3QYh-CnpZjArAx5AqBmpj6MvdzG1ISSWg-kkS1iiYmpICiexUnWcOM09mamdfBVBv08LG61vk00QlvqpRrnZT0XSESyefowhJvYIG-yPimSUuSsbGM3VA/s1600-h/DSCN4938.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaAxrknyZiAaUP6AHU3QYh-CnpZjArAx5AqBmpj6MvdzG1ISSWg-kkS1iiYmpICiexUnWcOM09mamdfBVBv08LG61vk00QlvqpRrnZT0XSESyefowhJvYIG-yPimSUuSsbGM3VA/s320/DSCN4938.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084592706861067986" /></a><br /><br />We settled into a nice comfy table and were quickly greeted by Frank who cleaned off the plates and dishes from the previous party. We ordered one huaraches con carne asada and one con pollo adobado with two drinks. I read one review online that described a huarache as "doughy, meaty, cheesy" and that is pretty right on and yet only part of the story. I was more than excited by the time the food arrived. This spot was recommended to me by more than a couple neighbors as a great taste / low price miracle. I wanted so badly for it to live up to the billing. When the huaraches arrived I could not believe my eyes. For $2.50 what we got was beyond satisfactory. The huarache took up nearly an entier picnic paper plate and the helping of meat was very generous (so much so that there was nearly a taco worth of pollo that rolled off the huarache).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjt8zmYVGBjFvKurFU_fOakzmiIyYjsJT1yiWfDfYQHLfwBu7uB0FgZCUDADHYOYA1eBUdQ9rv_-kv1vv1Ty8CgotoUT8LgRZeoM1CUDgrtCLzUnnDEekSpRTJZrGFVbBRDMNNQ/s1600-h/DSCN4944.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjt8zmYVGBjFvKurFU_fOakzmiIyYjsJT1yiWfDfYQHLfwBu7uB0FgZCUDADHYOYA1eBUdQ9rv_-kv1vv1Ty8CgotoUT8LgRZeoM1CUDgrtCLzUnnDEekSpRTJZrGFVbBRDMNNQ/s320/DSCN4944.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084592728335904498" /></a><br /><br />The meat was tender, not overly faty and rich rich rich in flavor. While a different meat and a different preparation style, the pollo adobado compares very favorably to the Cactus al pastor. This is an adobado so rich and spicy in flavor that I will have dreams about. The pile of meat was lightly bathed in crema and sprinkled with cilantro, onions and cotijo cheese. I wanted to roll up the whole plate and put it all in my mouth with one gulp. The first bite was so good that I forgot to get extra cilantro and salsa at the salsa bar (which had many options). The fried dough that makes the base of the huarache was perfectly cooked: crisp without being overly hard, doughy without being too chewy. The only "problem" is that the dough broke a bit when folded. If it could roll a bit more it would have been easier to eat. (And easier to eat in under 10 seconds!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUd2hZwHWmhVmxvJJDjT9IEeea-wx2REjFPEKY22yp5zuxHBLpq6wrSW1X2-JYadou_xIWQIS5ywFtJ19jPePHwt0IvhCwsj0BpzP80Roffu0yIwLJWEsxsFilT-SXWvMpVEK3g/s1600-h/Picture+14.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUd2hZwHWmhVmxvJJDjT9IEeea-wx2REjFPEKY22yp5zuxHBLpq6wrSW1X2-JYadou_xIWQIS5ywFtJ19jPePHwt0IvhCwsj0BpzP80Roffu0yIwLJWEsxsFilT-SXWvMpVEK3g/s320/Picture+14.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084596924518952754" /></a><br /><br />Immediately after devouring my first huarache, I ordered another (but this time carne asada at the request of my lady). It was just as amazing to look at but I prefered the pollo to the asada. This time, however, I took a trip to the salsa bar and added a generous spoonful of cilantro, onions and got a small tub of salsa roja and salsa avacado.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHboifnDXQK6aaU-EOl9TrexqiCJLySnlfM01aDsV9_VMsUFfQl_bdV28ohS0juzr3-vcb8CHxxps3lTQkJQao83OCRxehXO6mUnRhf_ad2zZZQl3OGhZqOSwdwwz3USJlYeWcA/s1600-h/DSCN4947.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHboifnDXQK6aaU-EOl9TrexqiCJLySnlfM01aDsV9_VMsUFfQl_bdV28ohS0juzr3-vcb8CHxxps3lTQkJQao83OCRxehXO6mUnRhf_ad2zZZQl3OGhZqOSwdwwz3USJlYeWcA/s320/DSCN4947.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084592732630871810" /></a><br /><br />Yum. The huarache #2 was just as good -- actually it was less greasy due to the change in meat. And the additional salsa made it a homerun. It dawned on my that I could proably stand to eat 3 or 4 of these at a sitting. That meant we had to leave!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipggsfnER3zvfZO1-WU08UmebKpHthi30wSxqLCoZtSzacTHQsPOnWb6THdNb4QI1hJMVrCVjkecC-mkAk7WzWneS0u7cyE_W44bsjygl2Nng5Y7B-6oWtKzjk9In5EDm1_yPirg/s1600-h/DSCN4945.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipggsfnER3zvfZO1-WU08UmebKpHthi30wSxqLCoZtSzacTHQsPOnWb6THdNb4QI1hJMVrCVjkecC-mkAk7WzWneS0u7cyE_W44bsjygl2Nng5Y7B-6oWtKzjk9In5EDm1_yPirg/s320/DSCN4945.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084598663980707650" /></a><br /><br /><br />But the huaraches are only half of the story at El Huaraches Azteca. I'm sure it can be gotten elsewhere, but their Agua Fresca is amazing. We ordered a watermelon and a pomegranate agua fresca and the fresh squeezed juice / water mixture was as addictive as the huarache! Other flavors include pineapple, Jamiaca, tamarindo and horchata. At $1.25 for a medium these are well worth it. Must haves really. The Agua Fresca tasted super fresh and while we were there I saw more than one variety refreshed and filled anew.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16ZJOx5tJWZdEesSZq-XjBhclE36wtYpyW_QGn0zmH1wZAONpgl6Fl9U4idzAs3N3HjnQ5jtJaqEdo5zn2CaPLPJqRSh2_0d6F5VGYmByCNj1PCLP81BXpHcSR3XHk8hk2OpPiA/s1600-h/DSCN4948.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16ZJOx5tJWZdEesSZq-XjBhclE36wtYpyW_QGn0zmH1wZAONpgl6Fl9U4idzAs3N3HjnQ5jtJaqEdo5zn2CaPLPJqRSh2_0d6F5VGYmByCNj1PCLP81BXpHcSR3XHk8hk2OpPiA/s320/DSCN4948.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084596907339083538" /></a><br /><br />You can eat well at huaraches for well under $10. This is totally a place to tip well too. I can see myself coming here regularly for years and the food never getting bad, the prices rarely going up and the experience never changing. And on top of all that, the music was really cool Rock En Espaniol. There is also a Mole Verde special on Wednesday that I am dying to try. El Huaraches I love you!<br /><br /><br />El Huaraches Azteca is located at 5225 York Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90042<br />(323) 478-9572. Open daily, 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Cash only. <br /><br />Find El Huaraches Azteca on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sll=34.125102,-118.182421&q=huarache+azteca&ie=UTF8&hl=en&cd=1&sspn=0.005258,0.007832&latlng=34120557,-118202107,10490666875966560836&ei=8-GPRpS1DImIjQPCkeHdDw" target =" _blank"> Google Maps</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-63818074490015415142007-07-01T11:54:00.003-07:002007-07-07T17:24:13.897-07:00Porto's Birthday Cake - Catch a Wave!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBq-QwfBEcvzFz2Qa2Pq6GB0tJYe6TOkQS8h81c59DxgPWLYgqtBmAT4DPAYzSr6AdwJZnt23Ji3YF3wzUpGRV_-8XejyMghI8CqMcGzC44kC4zxpNF4nuTUd2aSh-6i-h9N4sA/s1600-h/birthday+cake.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBq-QwfBEcvzFz2Qa2Pq6GB0tJYe6TOkQS8h81c59DxgPWLYgqtBmAT4DPAYzSr6AdwJZnt23Ji3YF3wzUpGRV_-8XejyMghI8CqMcGzC44kC4zxpNF4nuTUd2aSh-6i-h9N4sA/s320/birthday+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082306263841172818" /></a><br /><br />We got the baby a birthday cafe for his 1st birthday and, after seeing a number of amazing cakes designed at <a href="http://www.portosbakery.com/" target =" _blank"> Porto's Cuban Bakery</a>, decided to get ours there. The cake was a vanilla cake with a layer of vanilla pudding and <strike> strawberry </strike> raspberry jam. The icing, as you can see, complemented our "California Beach Party" theme (with music from the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, the Ventures and Dick Dale!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHIPNr5KgzHxRf8zx6UAEeWP7tija7bN_l1cp9KUQg37hph2MC5KDiv3vyW8OZCEw3Q1xnh0VVVYddmUrklUx-ry_Z0_2AwXEUu3KHCzfC4BTu31DD9_GPG9zVob4jza0FRMeMg/s1600-h/logo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHIPNr5KgzHxRf8zx6UAEeWP7tija7bN_l1cp9KUQg37hph2MC5KDiv3vyW8OZCEw3Q1xnh0VVVYddmUrklUx-ry_Z0_2AwXEUu3KHCzfC4BTu31DD9_GPG9zVob4jza0FRMeMg/s200/logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055920600698666258" /></a><br />They decorate cakes for all occasions: birthdays, graduations, baptisms, Quinceañeras, weddings, parties, etc. Porto's makes picture cakes (yes actually icing a literal picture onto a cake. (But only in Glendale.) There is a good selection of ready-made cakes too. (Check out the 2nd floor party store for pinatas, ballons, cake decorations, etc. It's pretty amazing.)<br /><br />Porto's is highly recommended for birthday cakes. The one above cost $30. The week of the birthday I was reading a post on <a href="http://consumerist.com/consumer/unacceptable-food/this-walmart-birthday-cake-shows-excellent-craftmanship-269756.php" target =" _blank"> Consumerist lame Walmart cakes</a>. I definitely fall into the category of you get what you pay for, The cakes at Porto's taste fantastic and have a level of artistry that rivals any major bakery in LA.<br /><br />One really important piece of advice that will guaratee your Porto's cake experience is winning: pick up your cake at the very very beginning of the day or the very very end of the day. When we got there for lunch (we thought we'd eat and then get the cake) there were people who had been waiting for 2+ hours! And this is from actual conversations we had when we started waiting in line. Waiting 2 hours is BS and I can't really understand why the wait is that long. (One thought is that they do the final decorating of the salutation while the customer is present so as to prevent buyer's remorse I suppose.) Swoop in early or late and you'll wait only a few minutes. Follow this and I've just saved you hours of your life. For serious.<br /><br />Check this out: a <a href="http://www.portosbakery.com/video.htm" target =" _blank"> video of Porto's Cake Decorating </a><br /><br />Portos has two locations:<br /><br />315 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA<br />(818) 956-5996<br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=porto%27s+bakery&sll=34.125102,-118.182421&sspn=0.010516,0.015664&ie=UTF8&latlng=34150173,-118255086,16582778020018235735&ei=Tf2HRo2IEpjUjQO2i_ykAQ&cd=1" target =" _blank"> Google Map Porto's Glendale</a><br /><br />3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA<br />(818) 846-9100<br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=porto%27s+bakery&sll=34.125102,-118.182421&sspn=0.010516,0.015664&ie=UTF8&latlng=34168150,-118346151,3151985551870666534&ei=Tf2HRo2IEpjUjQO2i_ykAQ&cd=2" target =" _blank"> Google Map Porto's Burbank</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-55295159230309691592007-06-30T11:49:00.001-07:002007-07-07T11:53:16.014-07:00Cactus Taqueria - Amazing Al Pastor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhes56n2yUl3VXzqxkJnxj39XInStIva011bf5eV29mB_f6VrjPWEW3NlOOWYwLzDaWN6PS2zS7uMVLsiSuCh03q-5JG9osmdQe9qdRYfk6cnzEa5HNcL0Moe_Q4j_BxVDMK4aDyw/s1600-h/DSCN4877.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhes56n2yUl3VXzqxkJnxj39XInStIva011bf5eV29mB_f6VrjPWEW3NlOOWYwLzDaWN6PS2zS7uMVLsiSuCh03q-5JG9osmdQe9qdRYfk6cnzEa5HNcL0Moe_Q4j_BxVDMK4aDyw/s320/DSCN4877.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084522853512965634" /></a><br /><br />I read an amazing review of the <a href="http://tacohunt.blogspot.com/2005/09/cactus-taqueria-oasis-in-hollywood.html" target =" _blank"> Al Pastor at Cactus Taqueria </a> and had to check it out. My first visit was pretty mixed. I beat a huge lunch rush and yet -- though I ordered first -- got served after a very long wait and after people who ordered after me. BOO!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-Q7UBYD4cY59bS8mXa8fzK8gEDPB6wikqQqoMNXdP1DySGJJtCi5EpT1VijkH2mrlonzLTBxDHiPZsr-4tYJZwAp_UgMOr5HZ1gitU_II8po32_B-5YrLdVrOcnJgbiAovWeeQ/s1600-h/DSCN4880.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-Q7UBYD4cY59bS8mXa8fzK8gEDPB6wikqQqoMNXdP1DySGJJtCi5EpT1VijkH2mrlonzLTBxDHiPZsr-4tYJZwAp_UgMOr5HZ1gitU_II8po32_B-5YrLdVrOcnJgbiAovWeeQ/s320/DSCN4880.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084525512097721938" /></a><br /><br />I tried a range of tacos (carne asada, al pastor and even veggie!) and was just mildly impressed. Taco Hunt said that the Al Pastor was "tender and melts in your mouth" but mine was, while flavorful, over-cooked, crunchy and a bit over-dried. For some reason the tacos had the promise of a better experience in them so I thought I would try again one day. Some places do not warrent a second chance but Cactus Taqueria got 4 stars from Taco Hunt. I had to let them earn it with me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxtCjHJBxANGIyCEgjSZp5DQddu9LhV8TZaKd2Ts760Eysu2MZ_ANJaZFk1EJkpFaKsYY6xLqG8k9W4OkcpHoLG2LdJ4HYVcFnj4_cJ8Yuj2fEfjX0-MWv8y6ZGbNex5iLDVXrA/s1600-h/DSCN4881.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxtCjHJBxANGIyCEgjSZp5DQddu9LhV8TZaKd2Ts760Eysu2MZ_ANJaZFk1EJkpFaKsYY6xLqG8k9W4OkcpHoLG2LdJ4HYVcFnj4_cJ8Yuj2fEfjX0-MWv8y6ZGbNex5iLDVXrA/s320/DSCN4881.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084522862102900242" /></a><br /><br />So yesterday I was rouding up a group of co-workers for a Friday Taco lunch and learned that one co-worker is a serious taco afficiando. (A very exciting thing to learn!) It was music to my ears to hear that he was "searching for the perfect pastor!" Well! I was not sure if Cactus was the place for the "best" pastor but it certainly was at the top of my list of places I was rooting for to have the best. And what better than giving Cactus Taqueria a second chance with another passionate taco fan?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc6uJJFAstovKnMqmf2x23ShT1R5GKwnpi66MIPOJK-tTv01glVKWuQH-5v9e1rmRTECrG-a3oDAAgWO1KXJN5P1xIVBuVRvdBXQlMtSSeCTQkkxADX7BFkvwKbzC5P-yqXk58g/s1600-h/DSCN4882.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc6uJJFAstovKnMqmf2x23ShT1R5GKwnpi66MIPOJK-tTv01glVKWuQH-5v9e1rmRTECrG-a3oDAAgWO1KXJN5P1xIVBuVRvdBXQlMtSSeCTQkkxADX7BFkvwKbzC5P-yqXk58g/s320/DSCN4882.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084524786248248898" /></a><br /><br />So we got in the car and drove over. The lunch rush either had died down or not really kicked into gear cause we swept in, ordered and got served pretty quickly. And the Al Pastor! It was sooo much better than before. Some pieces did truly melt in my mouth, but most were just tastry, crunchy, spicy and amazing. The salsa roja is totally dull (not bland but not really worth being in your mouth.) The inherent taste of the BBQ pork, though, is wonderful. This taco with La Estrella's roja would be amazing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95vkpU9z_mIZIxzYMtlwTT0L7JLI_GsdWwvzDV8qM_PkgizeEVXAucfmAkAiv7xjw8z6ejC87Sa72Ndk73XJHzrTJ8raysX6ez_wjMISUxDiWKGvSCIHoT8CHvMRwVCe_iaGy5Q/s1600-h/DSCN4883.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95vkpU9z_mIZIxzYMtlwTT0L7JLI_GsdWwvzDV8qM_PkgizeEVXAucfmAkAiv7xjw8z6ejC87Sa72Ndk73XJHzrTJ8raysX6ez_wjMISUxDiWKGvSCIHoT8CHvMRwVCe_iaGy5Q/s320/DSCN4883.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084528299531497074" /></a><br /><br />The Al Pastor tacos are small and only cost $1 and come pretty loaded with meat. The standard presentation is with cilantro and salsa verde which is also kinda dull. There is a habanero salsa they'll only give you if you ask. It's off the charts hot. Limes, radishes, etc are available for the asking too. My co-worker said the Al Pastor Burrito was amazing and it did come chock filled with meat (and rice, beans, etc.) I tried the carnitas too and it tasted foul. It seemed like it had olive oil on them. I threw them away and ordered more Al Pastor. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuud90p9z0J5gp9Uh-FOXxpTjDphPcFxghsZFxf69pvkMgRaOFZn3G5WmE1wfSc4hJhgzmf6y8SnpHS6VLRD1mB_m8biiCPIK86TdiUTdf8mLoSmkMa0W2X0f1jc5Wkx3YAbB0A/s1600-h/DSCN4884.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuud90p9z0J5gp9Uh-FOXxpTjDphPcFxghsZFxf69pvkMgRaOFZn3G5WmE1wfSc4hJhgzmf6y8SnpHS6VLRD1mB_m8biiCPIK86TdiUTdf8mLoSmkMa0W2X0f1jc5Wkx3YAbB0A/s320/DSCN4884.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084522874987802162" /></a><br /><br />In the three times I've bene to Cactus Taqueria, the Al Pastor sometimes is more charred and cooked dry than I'd like. I wonder if that is particular to who is working there. It seems to have no connection to the time of day (I'd think lunch rush would be a peak performance time). For my taste, it's the only thing to order at Cactus Taqueria but it is among the best Al Pastor I have had in LA. Of the three times I think Cactus Taqueria is getting a B+ for the Al Pastor. But as my friend said "when its on point, like yesterday, it was divine." For a potential A+ Al Pastor taco, look no further.<br /><br />Cactus Taqueria is located at: 950 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038<br />(323) 464-5865<br /><br />Find Cactus Taqueria on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cactus+Taqueria&sll=34.125102,-118.182421&sspn=0.010516,0.015664&ie=UTF8&latlng=34088028,-118326620,2815626127847054820&ei=xt-PRsY_kMSNA-jrmNwP&cd=1" target =" _blank"> Google Maps</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-27470120863676296932007-06-30T11:49:00.000-07:002007-07-01T13:10:30.762-07:00Folliero's Pizza - Favorite East Side Italian<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyjHTbGp3gw11A-PGg61mh1XaB_LRV60Uu4pzOZmHCG4X8OJm3WsUJVn8ZTjANLzFshaezfHVaBppKeXBeJ18n_miakeN1Sn0AL_ZyydBigMr1mujVNH37V29KPjsZxGbC4Mfdw/s1600-h/DSCN4347.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyjHTbGp3gw11A-PGg61mh1XaB_LRV60Uu4pzOZmHCG4X8OJm3WsUJVn8ZTjANLzFshaezfHVaBppKeXBeJ18n_miakeN1Sn0AL_ZyydBigMr1mujVNH37V29KPjsZxGbC4Mfdw/s320/DSCN4347.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082026472491642146" /></a><br /><br />Two of my favorite Italian restaurants on the East Side are <a href="http://casabiancapizza.com/" target =" _blank"> Casa Bianca </a> in Eagle Rock and <a href="http://www.ilfornaio.com/" target =" _blank"> Il Fornaio </a> in Old Town Pasadena. (<a href="http://mipiace.com/mipiace.html" target =" _blank"> Mi Piace</a> in OTP is also good.) But Casa B's is really a fave because of their yummy pizza (the rest of the menu is not worth a 45 minute wait). Even eating the pizza has become more of a take out tradition anyway. So my need for a yummy, convenient, kid friendly restaurant brought us to...<br /><br />Folliero's Pizza and Italian Food is a neighborhood Italian restaurant that has been in Highland Park since 1968. (In a building that dates back to the 1920s.) I sense a lot of history when I walk in there. Years and years of weekly family dinners. It's the kind of place where familes would celebrate baseball victories, end of a school year, or just any old Sunday. (This sounds like some ad for TGI Friday's but at Folliero's the family-riented dining is not simply an advertising pitch.)<br /><br />The Folliero's menu has some neat options for a relatively simple place. I'd like to try the Eggplant Parmasean one day, but there is also spaghetti, lasagna, raviloi and chicken cacciatore. The food is tasty. Not gourmet but never bad. A brilliant simplicity. The real star of Folliero's is the prices. Dinner dishes in the $6 range this good are hard to come by.<br /><br />My favorite dish at Folliero's is the pizza, specifically the Ala Ramano Pizza which comes with only cheese, ham and rosemary on some of the best pizza dough in LA. The dough had a nice sprinkle of flour dust on it with a perfect mix of crustiness and chewiness that reminds me of a great Brooklyn bagel. Supposedly, the owner Tony hails from Naples and in his 70s still comes into the restaurant each morning to make the dough himself. A large pizza is roughly $10 (less than half the price of a Casa Bianca pie and easily the best pizza for the money in LA!) The pies are traditional Napoli style but with some So Cal choices (ham and pineapple or chorizo). I've read that you can order a pizza "overdone" to get it crispier. I'm going to try that not for crispier crust but for a bit crispier cheese.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L38on_YJqd32Roy6MjkoJ7brNufGb9VWcMFEQ22QmEf_sjQ95k4QQWMEEmgSVXKsg_Xf604LkYg7N6tl2ah_HP1by4LRUTrCm2QMIP0vG9UGAlf7mb8KenJOZ07dIRGus2aQQg/s1600-h/DSCN4348.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L38on_YJqd32Roy6MjkoJ7brNufGb9VWcMFEQ22QmEf_sjQ95k4QQWMEEmgSVXKsg_Xf604LkYg7N6tl2ah_HP1by4LRUTrCm2QMIP0vG9UGAlf7mb8KenJOZ07dIRGus2aQQg/s320/DSCN4348.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082026476786609458" /></a><br /><br />We've also tried the spaghetti with meat sauce (pretty light on the meat to be honest) and it's best with a side order or two of meatballs. The lasagna is good too. One of the things I would change if I owned Foriellos would be to bolster the base tomato sauce a bit. It's fine for kids but could use some oregano, spices and some slow-simmering love.<br /><br />Speaking of kids ... I've rarely had to wait too long for a table (but Folliero's is always busy). But on the occassion where the wait is more than a few minutes, there is a window into the kitchen that faces Figueroa. A lot of time can pass while watching the pizza chef throwing dough in the air.<br /><br />One of the most amazing features of Foriellos is that the difference between an ala carte order and a "dinner" is a mere $0.25. The extra quarter gets you a side salad heavy on the iceberg but still a nice diversion from the meat and bread that dominates a typical American Italian meal. <br /><br />Basically, every meal at Folliero's is a great deal. A side order of meatballs (2 for $1.50) allows for a great additional pizza topping. The meatballs are homemade and are very good. (Though I prefer Casa B's, Folliero's are pretty great and pass the baby taste test.) A side of Italian sauage is also affordable and more than adequate. A full carafe of wine sets you back $9. There is also a $2 corkage fee, should you want to drink a really good bottle. But a couple glasses of basic chianti go a long way here. Foriellos is the kind of place two families can dine for $40 (including wine and tip!) In these times, I think Folliero's deserves a medal of honor!<br /><br />I've read (but never tried myself) doing a double bill of a discount movie night at the Highland Theater (just next door) and an affordable Italian meal at Folliero's. But that sounds like an epic Los Angeles night out.<br /><br />Folliero's is located at: 5566 No. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 90042<br />323-254-0505<br /><br />Google Map for <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Folliero%27s&sll=34.125102,-118.182421&sspn=0.010516,0.015664&ie=UTF8&latlng=34108887,-118194226,1605277969176303390&ei=sfeHRqbpC5qIjQPYqtjLBA&cd=1" target =" _blank"> Folliero's </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-51553558962354053372007-06-03T11:29:00.000-07:002007-07-01T12:36:40.853-07:00Square One - Brunch in Los Feliz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABdGs6Y8oYyb0uWFwsOcsAy80I0QWIFBMQLGhyphenhyphen1hxy1USWgmaiE-6iJMv5narU-L6TtaBtOysxmQd427QSZR2OgEm3XICMwaJSW4BuPAhgY4-OV1WlTj6A6gMm6TrnCOCSfTnmg/s1600-h/DSCN4447.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABdGs6Y8oYyb0uWFwsOcsAy80I0QWIFBMQLGhyphenhyphen1hxy1USWgmaiE-6iJMv5narU-L6TtaBtOysxmQd427QSZR2OgEm3XICMwaJSW4BuPAhgY4-OV1WlTj6A6gMm6TrnCOCSfTnmg/s320/DSCN4447.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082311276068007266" /></a><br /><br />We joined some friends for a family brunch this morning at <a href="http://squareonedining.com/about.htm" target =" _blank"> Square One</a> in Scientologyville on Fountain near Vermont. We had all read some good reviews of the place and were looking forward to checking it out. Square One prides itself on the quality of it's ingrediants, including organic, local and small farm produce.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_ix0BTR4VV7M8DclIITNav_xee9WdAhcjW1eUJ-iFanzOjtOZnF2Iax0W2jxv2MjlavJ_sWeCPr0FbmEQ3a8UZnm8aUxOQ3wx_cnS6qg6FuZ3FXlGYiDFWrXS9DxXsd7O2W4Bg/s1600-h/DSCN4451.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_ix0BTR4VV7M8DclIITNav_xee9WdAhcjW1eUJ-iFanzOjtOZnF2Iax0W2jxv2MjlavJ_sWeCPr0FbmEQ3a8UZnm8aUxOQ3wx_cnS6qg6FuZ3FXlGYiDFWrXS9DxXsd7O2W4Bg/s320/DSCN4451.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082311976147676530" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes a review of a restaurant is so particular to my circumstance or experience that I'm sure another person or at another time, the review would be opposite. But we didn't really have the best time at Square One...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxFQflFQ4jYFQGPsPxVJepACqEhy32-uJWbN6M5TlBTzK9-tlpafOEZ4S_0ssKufNzrv6bG85hhEUUvHu-GJ8KDWeYvDQiKqXVWQcojzadYS89hG0Q64gqJAba9mDkfJ47wU8iw/s1600-h/DSCN4457.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxFQflFQ4jYFQGPsPxVJepACqEhy32-uJWbN6M5TlBTzK9-tlpafOEZ4S_0ssKufNzrv6bG85hhEUUvHu-GJ8KDWeYvDQiKqXVWQcojzadYS89hG0Q64gqJAba9mDkfJ47wU8iw/s320/DSCN4457.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082311993327545762" /></a><br /><br />First the food. I ordered the Brioche French Toast and it was light, fluffy and super sweet. Almost too sweet, it was a better desert than a breakfast for me this morning. The f.toast comes with a couple of options: bourbon pecan style, fresh fruit, etc that might have been worth exploring.<br /><br />We got the baby boy a little plate of scrambled eggs which he decided not to eat. But they looked fine. Very simple. Phoebe ordered the pancakes and like some of the reviews we'd read, they were pretty bland and boring. Maybe good enough for an undescriminating baby but a dull dish for an adult. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDjf_qdhw33axoYPtDQtin6a4vpfcFd0Dbcd9HrXe4Mc84rmxPsWSyOz5XDfhYdpn1Ef5AxzGYqJopSRQD0c0GoFyA6UXofFkyfKSrBY-Iqh9jlUP3__vWeGi61bY6SVNwPl-8w/s1600-h/DSCN4452.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDjf_qdhw33axoYPtDQtin6a4vpfcFd0Dbcd9HrXe4Mc84rmxPsWSyOz5XDfhYdpn1Ef5AxzGYqJopSRQD0c0GoFyA6UXofFkyfKSrBY-Iqh9jlUP3__vWeGi61bY6SVNwPl-8w/s320/DSCN4452.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082311980442643842" /></a><br /><br />There was a dearth to high chairs, though the resaturant + patio is quite large and there were only a couple of other babies in the place. I felt like Square One would be a better spot for people without kids or even the solo eater with a newspaper.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYJ0hgVU52Cqvqfr5n-ZW_-X2XHv-wGI76uGGyABYxeBXnovogFMtkIlc3SAIEyKhZKbB2BEdcN2BYzAKSEQJnz9AnARGl3z9vGn_JJqLH32903Kn9ayETQIySk-NKj0ZDujjeA/s1600-h/DSCN4456.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYJ0hgVU52Cqvqfr5n-ZW_-X2XHv-wGI76uGGyABYxeBXnovogFMtkIlc3SAIEyKhZKbB2BEdcN2BYzAKSEQJnz9AnARGl3z9vGn_JJqLH32903Kn9ayETQIySk-NKj0ZDujjeA/s320/DSCN4456.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082311984737611154" /></a><br /><br />The highlight of the meal was the amazing bacon. Perhaps the best bacon in LA. Perhaps the best I've ever had. A side of one strip is $1.50 is is surely worth it; the bacon was flavorful, very meaty and a delicacy.<br /><br />Ultimately, I'd prefer to have stayed in Eagle Rock for brunch (Cindy's, The Table, even Swork) would have been better / easier grub.<br /><br />The service at Square One was poor. Not rude at all, but our table never got cleared and there were only 2 highchairs for a restaurant that could seat, what 20 parties including the back patio. That strikes me as not the best number. So that made our meal a bit of a challenge. The menu offers a really cool range of items, however, including omlets, baked egg dishes, etc. Thier lunch menu starts at 11:30 and includes cold and hot sandwiches, a variety of salads (roasted beet salad, kinda cobb, cured salmon). <br /><br /> I would definitely try Square One again, but it would be a better dining experience with a different meal and perhaps a baby free trip. <br /><br />Download <a href="http://squareonedining.com/menu.htm" target =" _blank"> the Square One menu </a><br /><br />Square One:<br />4854 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA<br />(323) 661-1109<br />Open from 8am to 4pm (closed Mondays)<br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=square+one&sll=34.125102,-118.182421&sspn=0.010516,0.015664&ie=UTF8&cd=2&latlng=34095420,-118294798,5396245006548331248&ei=sQCIRsvcOaOIjQOHp9mSBQ" target =" _blank"> Google Map Square One </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-48752921988287718992007-06-01T15:52:00.000-07:002007-07-29T09:55:52.641-07:00The Donut Man dips it in a dream...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TdEjeONsz7Qxznga4wide0lmPGWuV73VHsU1ItORpA6el_8gHy18NlYAlb0vbaptnUGg8cVE8vXwBdtytEnOD_CHvK6nhTKYWIC-MvAvs2dCnoOzBiCl_o9eSfUR6LL3nw17zQ/s1600-h/DSCN4286.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TdEjeONsz7Qxznga4wide0lmPGWuV73VHsU1ItORpA6el_8gHy18NlYAlb0vbaptnUGg8cVE8vXwBdtytEnOD_CHvK6nhTKYWIC-MvAvs2dCnoOzBiCl_o9eSfUR6LL3nw17zQ/s320/DSCN4286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069449276427774002" /></a><br /><br />My buddy Jan and I had talked about paying the Donut Man a visit for quite a while. Some food places are blogged about incessantly (hello Pinkberry) and others not so much. You know you've found a gem when those more rare spots get mentioned and they get raves in the the most passionate and exciting language. So we decided to set out first thing Sunday morning for what could <span style="font-style:italic;">possibly</span> be the best donut in Los Angeles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ4uWVZTgh-TIU82q0DCYW6D9Vzng7gnca3uy5hvkzwQw-SmX2i1ooed1sF5F5_iRMuzACYWjs3h6oZ8SNo0-P_8WB8LQ1hihvy2xDplBYyK_WN3FEh3qTqiEl68GkAF-M3ekxw/s1600-h/DSCN4276.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ4uWVZTgh-TIU82q0DCYW6D9Vzng7gnca3uy5hvkzwQw-SmX2i1ooed1sF5F5_iRMuzACYWjs3h6oZ8SNo0-P_8WB8LQ1hihvy2xDplBYyK_WN3FEh3qTqiEl68GkAF-M3ekxw/s320/DSCN4276.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069667456471443618" /></a><br /><br />Donut Man is a one of a kind donut shop that coincidentally is located on historic Route 66. Jim Nakano is the Donut Man, an American-born Japanese man who has run his 24 hour a day donut stand since the 1970s. His background may not interest some eaters, but it is a tale particularly Californian: Nakano was born in the US and spent 3 years in an internment camp during World War 2. The arc from illegally imprisoned youth to successful businessman is -- in itself - a worth celebrating. Yes, Donut Man is a story of the American dream; a Route 66 tale worthy of a John Lasseter sub plot in the film Cars. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sallys-place.com/food/single-articles/peelingpeaches%20300X222.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.sallys-place.com/food/single-articles/peelingpeaches%20300X222.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Donut stores (and especially the donut / chinese food mashup) are a co0mmon an entry business for immigrants. The food genre is at once basic and universal; it's working class and regular. Thus the genre is rarely innovated. Against that backdrop, the Donut Man, in the outer reaches of Los Angeles county, has revolutionized the donut. His finest is one that in Beverly Hills would command a higher price and would make the 90210 cup cakes cry and shrivel up. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQ7CVA6KkSrjqMLtVwZ6RtWdvFV5EIZqBfXS4beq1WHwjlFU1xkKB6g86QxP2j8th7cFwyKIzr9M5PszwqNwPpYDfKEp_CtdK_bvycjcsuragT3UQOPt9u-QIZsUqngwFcpDuEA/s1600-h/DSCN4266.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQ7CVA6KkSrjqMLtVwZ6RtWdvFV5EIZqBfXS4beq1WHwjlFU1xkKB6g86QxP2j8th7cFwyKIzr9M5PszwqNwPpYDfKEp_CtdK_bvycjcsuragT3UQOPt9u-QIZsUqngwFcpDuEA/s320/DSCN4266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069667748529219762" /></a><br /><br />The first thing I noticed was how <span style="font-style:italic;">pornographic</span> this donut is. The seasonal strawberry donut at Donut Man is overwhelmingly seductive. Seriously, click on the image of the strawberry donut and look at the details. The fruit is fresh and firm. The glaze shiny like a Tiffany diamond. There is absolutely no Photoshop in this picture. The starburst effects are nature's way of saying "good morning. your long drive is about to be rewarded!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6as_aXlJv1F-VXVMxWmLj1rhERJ2BUZt8Dkau1hyphenhyphenhCLMwUrAQcFGVp5L4dbfVooM0BETKyRSP99MsMJvmEYlW3JeQ5j5Wb_ZDPa_xO7QluOEMxo3eBiriFEFTALIKRlq-c8iHIw/s1600-h/DSCN4284.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6as_aXlJv1F-VXVMxWmLj1rhERJ2BUZt8Dkau1hyphenhyphenhCLMwUrAQcFGVp5L4dbfVooM0BETKyRSP99MsMJvmEYlW3JeQ5j5Wb_ZDPa_xO7QluOEMxo3eBiriFEFTALIKRlq-c8iHIw/s320/DSCN4284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069449529830844482" /></a><br /><br />The donut itself is sweet but not overbearing. I found the sugar crust on the donut minor compared to some overwhelmingly sugary donuts I have had in the past. The first bite screamed "fresh fruit" -- I could not believe how fresh the fruit in this donut tasted. Most donuts present a fruit taste simply by having some hyper processed gel or goop. But this had farmer's market worthy fresh fruit on a less heavy, less greasy donut. This is the treat that would have kept Krispy Kreame from bankruptcy!<br /><br />What is it? Well the Donut Man makes 2 fresh fruit donuts a year, depending on the season: strawberry and peach. The strawberry donut has nearly an entire basket of big strawberries in it! The peach donut, supposedly, has nearly an entire peach between the donut. Peach season, I was told by a friendly young woman who works there, starts in late July or early August. Now you know next when to find me at Donut Man!<br /><br />As I edit this I am eating another seasonal donut at home many hours later. And while still good, is hardly as rock star as it was this morning. Diminishing returns and all. But it is still better than most treats I've had... even hours and hours later. Clearly there is no substitute for traveling to Glendora and eating a Donut Man breakfast there. In fact, when I was halfway through my first seasonal strawberry a group of hungry eaters rolled in the the parking lot. One woman in the group laughed at my eager chomping and (not knowing we drove 20+ miles to get there) asked "couldn't wait to get home?" Oh there is "no waiting to get home" in eating at Donut Man.<br /><br />I've been intrigued by the concept of obsession. The pursuit, the chase -- the drive to Glendora!! -- is not defined as the means to an end -- but the pursuit is the purpose. Donuts are a dime a dozen and are often closer than miles and miles away. But few are as artisan-al, are as drive worthy, as Donut Man. Simply put, Donut Man makes the Tiffany Diamond of donuts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwRMN8N3ajW3LGM2iMuKVVT1gJo33MdOwz5x4_RYEtspGBI_QTgQZaESGzfisI7JslJGRzrUzhD7-VPmIpB2iQIl7Qm4GumKICGPBllkfnEUy2QmCbgWurIye5KtiJlScaNY8Zg/s1600-h/DSCN4280.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwRMN8N3ajW3LGM2iMuKVVT1gJo33MdOwz5x4_RYEtspGBI_QTgQZaESGzfisI7JslJGRzrUzhD7-VPmIpB2iQIl7Qm4GumKICGPBllkfnEUy2QmCbgWurIye5KtiJlScaNY8Zg/s320/DSCN4280.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069452845545597058" /></a><br />Donut Man does make other donuts. This is the lemon one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbMRxneCMSZMaD7paJPT-mWrEBoCVXDNgsfYtDb-Fd_OLbNVTQfpKjTZgWs1nSPDiLLJ5zdt0hilXvriOrHOWb-oGAPMtvL6wX0n1YvDSHtdRXIJbwbrLc6AsysfAcOIO5rXpnQ/s1600-h/DSCN4281.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbMRxneCMSZMaD7paJPT-mWrEBoCVXDNgsfYtDb-Fd_OLbNVTQfpKjTZgWs1nSPDiLLJ5zdt0hilXvriOrHOWb-oGAPMtvL6wX0n1YvDSHtdRXIJbwbrLc6AsysfAcOIO5rXpnQ/s320/DSCN4281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069452660862003314" /></a><br />This is the chocolate with coconut sprinkles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ulu_AJqcj7bsDD0RUcBqnDn-Jxk1Gw8DZa_KGhmyt90ke4QbmSzG6VaOdFnrU56BN-_rIHHOZ1tjze9_Sfgd6SHUK_ZLPqRN1cOIzZNp9LK86h58hc6OHKDBU2EPBSVAcoWoWg/s1600-h/DSCN4273.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ulu_AJqcj7bsDD0RUcBqnDn-Jxk1Gw8DZa_KGhmyt90ke4QbmSzG6VaOdFnrU56BN-_rIHHOZ1tjze9_Sfgd6SHUK_ZLPqRN1cOIzZNp9LK86h58hc6OHKDBU2EPBSVAcoWoWg/s320/DSCN4273.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069452154055862370" /></a><br />this is the bavarian cream. amazing. no shortage of cream filling!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcpGkWu9UPRNINH5f4djVigHvdtJxoAopTVqGjktNKYKB3Dz9erB4TaxfNhY7H2GyvU93qPijd2FlV3cVxBBh5Bcl2QNi7i-kj6_M1BKyy3Uf-4rBvddHdjRLu4KZPAQ5dJg6cA/s1600-h/DSCN4279.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcpGkWu9UPRNINH5f4djVigHvdtJxoAopTVqGjktNKYKB3Dz9erB4TaxfNhY7H2GyvU93qPijd2FlV3cVxBBh5Bcl2QNi7i-kj6_M1BKyy3Uf-4rBvddHdjRLu4KZPAQ5dJg6cA/s320/DSCN4279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069450929990182994" /></a><br />This is the nifty box.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gQqoHK_OQJiX08lpajRnGEKhtHbcMdYpq2r10fo9wDmUlUBFS7fQPdm9uuIEkkwAcGz21nfVfdyJE5HREIWxOVoGQ5t5alBfxM3ZF5jvTGF7Ke9trXcsvp-iaNswFNP4qPjAMw/s1600-h/DSCN4278.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gQqoHK_OQJiX08lpajRnGEKhtHbcMdYpq2r10fo9wDmUlUBFS7fQPdm9uuIEkkwAcGz21nfVfdyJE5HREIWxOVoGQ5t5alBfxM3ZF5jvTGF7Ke9trXcsvp-iaNswFNP4qPjAMw/s320/DSCN4278.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069456045296232594" /></a><br />This is all that is left.<br /><br />Donut Man<br />915 E. Route 66<br />Glendora, California 91741<br />(626) 335-9111<br />Open 24 hours<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbfkUbH48V7dY256dfBjCDqFcBLL1QDOUb2CqTFq8mv8gyKwIzhuiilEq4MKSapiUuMC68EEOedhZ1bLYprfXb8WsGnY5a_c1oNXk5fx7agXCaMK8btHKyaLs7xktXGOUab0B-w/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbfkUbH48V7dY256dfBjCDqFcBLL1QDOUb2CqTFq8mv8gyKwIzhuiilEq4MKSapiUuMC68EEOedhZ1bLYprfXb8WsGnY5a_c1oNXk5fx7agXCaMK8btHKyaLs7xktXGOUab0B-w/s320/Picture+2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069674053541210306" /></a><br /> <br />Photo credit of Jim: Carol WilliamsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-31472627796470174712007-05-28T21:22:00.000-07:002007-07-07T17:04:05.065-07:00Casa Diaz news<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJgU2z7hUGEAwTLBMe1tXbxcN30xPg-cCcNIg2jTzcI-7m0Ie9hnvhz6TE-MlEMhslkslri5mA-zL489Keo6PbOEK9HNunVvqMzCZdgCF7gIOXOnFgiGlA4UKGf1AdcolRsZIMg/s1600-h/DSCN4189.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJgU2z7hUGEAwTLBMe1tXbxcN30xPg-cCcNIg2jTzcI-7m0Ie9hnvhz6TE-MlEMhslkslri5mA-zL489Keo6PbOEK9HNunVvqMzCZdgCF7gIOXOnFgiGlA4UKGf1AdcolRsZIMg/s320/DSCN4189.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069837481341790498" /></a><br /><br />So my post on the Yuca's / Casa Diaz merger started completely one sided: more Yuca's. Then the next week I went to eat lunch at Casa Diaz three times. (Yes that is too much I know I know.) I couldn't help myself. The food was too good. And the prospect of eating food that was about to go on the food blog extinction list was too enticing.<br /><br />I feel like I owe Casa Diaz an apology for not having eaten there earlier. The first time I ate lunch I got the pork duo: carnitas and al pastor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYkgoWYtdKZYW0SjGwmUW2t24ffaxOchWjLfvwXpjYGJ6xW5mHU3TTfb4pbN3huFKi2a5qOq1OISSFL08YXl5XToNwRdvEDRCH6eFKf-sDRVU8QIUp68i5BjQv2WL4G-RHXKRUQ/s1600-h/DSCN4198.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYkgoWYtdKZYW0SjGwmUW2t24ffaxOchWjLfvwXpjYGJ6xW5mHU3TTfb4pbN3huFKi2a5qOq1OISSFL08YXl5XToNwRdvEDRCH6eFKf-sDRVU8QIUp68i5BjQv2WL4G-RHXKRUQ/s320/DSCN4198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069830931516664034" /></a><br /><br />The four tacos on a plate was pretty impressive. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNUpzg0GVug4HA0XDSGd7nJXzwngHFyp077ndea_x8bbnr6bBnxcxNwvrQtjTVTEBUROWId6HvgChoh-4psRhTgtojpzk8EZ9o96jL-HuSDCIUy6XB5LhCkmHhI7mVkrNstzNxw/s1600-h/DSCN4200.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNUpzg0GVug4HA0XDSGd7nJXzwngHFyp077ndea_x8bbnr6bBnxcxNwvrQtjTVTEBUROWId6HvgChoh-4psRhTgtojpzk8EZ9o96jL-HuSDCIUy6XB5LhCkmHhI7mVkrNstzNxw/s320/DSCN4200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069832271546460402" /></a><br /><br />Each taco came with an avocado sauce and some firey salsa roja and some springs of cilantro. They were delicious. The meat was quality and the flavor was rich. The sauces added to the experience for sure. But I prefer the four alarm fire of a roja-only presentation like at La Estrella.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3gO7TZh_vut3lZzmFO-l9PAzHfCmOtxXYHdqUjiD0s7v8EKueRQ__liJ7g-3HbI12LQhAFCMwz1BYTfskwaiV72ROlITENTw6B6r9TDBN_4FA1FnaE9Zzwsnn9iQEZ2pkYyh9Q/s1600-h/DSCN4200.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3gO7TZh_vut3lZzmFO-l9PAzHfCmOtxXYHdqUjiD0s7v8EKueRQ__liJ7g-3HbI12LQhAFCMwz1BYTfskwaiV72ROlITENTw6B6r9TDBN_4FA1FnaE9Zzwsnn9iQEZ2pkYyh9Q/s320/DSCN4200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069835771944806674" /></a><br /><br />I subsequently tried (but did not photograph) the chicken mole burrito was my favorite item at the restaurant. Amazing complexity of flavor with a rich cinnamon-cumin spice aftertaste> I've never eaten a burrito so fast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUabRH31Ywp6FqIcgMutozsOC7MSZ6-TSO5VmaqR6WRFx4eKAZR9WAs0KjHXTz7qzvD90uPIg-EJYN_8QRhgOURWPBscOL_mjYlDw2vREsYGcjFzQhOfcmC2tRUgGPcU3w01DaZQ/s1600-h/DSCN4193.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUabRH31Ywp6FqIcgMutozsOC7MSZ6-TSO5VmaqR6WRFx4eKAZR9WAs0KjHXTz7qzvD90uPIg-EJYN_8QRhgOURWPBscOL_mjYlDw2vREsYGcjFzQhOfcmC2tRUgGPcU3w01DaZQ/s320/DSCN4193.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069834178511939842" /></a><br /><br />Good news taco hunters: the merger between Yuca's and Casa Diaz is truly a merger. There will be Yuca's tacos on the menu but there will remain Casa Diaz food too. I saw one of the owners of Yuca's at the restaurant when I was there the third time, so the changeover is happening fast. But I talked to an employee that has been there for some time and she reassured me that the mole burrito was going no where. That, in fact, much of the menu will remain the same. Thank the taco (and burrito) gods. Yuca's and Casa Diaz are both treasures. I look forward to seeing how the evolution occurs. My only advice: ditch the "Yuca's Hollywood" name unless Arnold and Bruce Willis are investors!<br /><br />Revised July 7, 2007<br /><br />I went to Casa Diaz / Yuca's on Hollywood the other day and gone are the Al Pastor tacos (RIP) and in their place are the Pibil tacos which are good (and for now) cheaper than Yuca's. I told them replacing one with the other is a mistake and the worker who has been there for a few years just smiled. Certainly the Pibil is great. But Casa Diaz had great Al Pastor. It's a shame. But sometimes "Progress" leaves a few things behind. Such is Los Angeles.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-82401147369933979032007-05-25T22:37:00.001-07:002007-07-07T17:19:57.286-07:00Mr. Ramen - Roots Ramen and Reggae<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUJ0S8h_kddyWucOv4GOHgpVDWQIRSbc0v4zgNXOM8BGaY6KDoEv0_YkQqVi1lJiUkbbmMsQhoxw8QVueMEOx991mDHztATw0EiFy6W5Vj1uxbVBA1o65rCWCfVzlj-mAEVmiAA/s1600-h/DSCN4137.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUJ0S8h_kddyWucOv4GOHgpVDWQIRSbc0v4zgNXOM8BGaY6KDoEv0_YkQqVi1lJiUkbbmMsQhoxw8QVueMEOx991mDHztATw0EiFy6W5Vj1uxbVBA1o65rCWCfVzlj-mAEVmiAA/s320/DSCN4137.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082316408553926066" /></a><br /><br />Tonight was Friday night, the beginning of memorial day weekend and we thought it would be fun to all go down to Little Tokyo and begin our exploration of the large block of Japanese restaurants on First Ave.<br /><br />One of the first places that caught our eyes was Mr. Ramen. We walked up and down the block looking for a the right menu and MR. Ramen had what we were looking for: some solid ramen options, good appetizers and reasonable prices. We headed inside and learned that they have no high chairs. The fate of our night was altered by that fact a bit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_gr-oNP8pxdVHZB8qNLRNx_f7tOb6EBDxgAztYuqYJZJvnKWq3xNy-LvVibIgZZ-TNgcrEYlVg75ndZ6D8uCxzQpnrA6Wmxc_XyUZB6HzngVvHwHJYQxPG-VFBZWV34My5OYPA/s1600-h/DSCN4214.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_gr-oNP8pxdVHZB8qNLRNx_f7tOb6EBDxgAztYuqYJZJvnKWq3xNy-LvVibIgZZ-TNgcrEYlVg75ndZ6D8uCxzQpnrA6Wmxc_XyUZB6HzngVvHwHJYQxPG-VFBZWV34My5OYPA/s320/DSCN4214.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082316421438827986" /></a><br /><br />We chose a double table and ordered one mabo ramen and one friend chicken ramen. I also got the bud + gyoza special which was one bud for a buck and an appetizer of gyoza. The beer came first and then the gyoza a few minutes after that (at prescisely the moment when I was getting tired ot waiting). The gyoza had been very freshly fried; they were crispy and hot hot hot to eat! Mr. Ramen supplied a small amount of shoyu and vinegar and two dipping cups for a make your own situation. I added 4 or 5 drops of chili sauce to some shoyu and enjoyed the gyoza. They were purely veggy gyoza which I immediately found a bit disappointing. But the mix of cabbage and onions and hotness were a fine way to kick off the meal. I usually prefer gyoza with meat and a veggie mix but that was not to be had by us tonight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJchKs5bwIHam6xbPNtoah6FuOsO_8c2qgyIdE1NfmZX52OiTue1LMWeqxSJmjpyIT8dgT1R5ml8OaarYeioZINoGu4HV9_EpNo5BQwhByqDdFJsfVthsUfa-WRwvXAIfDt3_Rw/s1600-h/DSCN4215.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJchKs5bwIHam6xbPNtoah6FuOsO_8c2qgyIdE1NfmZX52OiTue1LMWeqxSJmjpyIT8dgT1R5ml8OaarYeioZINoGu4HV9_EpNo5BQwhByqDdFJsfVthsUfa-WRwvXAIfDt3_Rw/s320/DSCN4215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082316425733795298" /></a><br /><br />Then two enormous bowls of ramen were brought out of the kitchen. The first thing I noticed was that the meatyness of the ramen seemed a bit congealed from the start, but that was somewhat of an illusion. The fried chicken (kara-age style) was a bit fried in a sauce style as opposed to the drier style I am used to. The noodles were cooked just a hair more than needed but were firm enough. The mabo ramen was a bit on the bland side. I stirred up the bowl after about half way and realized that there might have been enough tasty goodness in the bottom that I should have mixed the ramen around first. The ramen at mr ramen made me wish it was the dead of winter outside and i needed a hearty hot meal to brave the cold outside. the meal was solid and good but not the amazing ramen dish that i know must reside in little toyko. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV3CeIejsDQEfGZ82llNseWA8tQ8OyArzRPbAJlaUcpBMo8HY_nj3UA2PeVz9_x1WOTiW-gqNdSYctefNWxaWCGwnjrU3qtU41KkR86ZHZEgHhU9Q-VVkgYZngIrnH_YlNt635Q/s1600-h/DSCN4216.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV3CeIejsDQEfGZ82llNseWA8tQ8OyArzRPbAJlaUcpBMo8HY_nj3UA2PeVz9_x1WOTiW-gqNdSYctefNWxaWCGwnjrU3qtU41KkR86ZHZEgHhU9Q-VVkgYZngIrnH_YlNt635Q/s320/DSCN4216.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082391815294742002" /></a><br /><br />To some extent Mr. Ramen likely was hurt by it being my first stop in the discovery of Little Tokyo. At the same time, the pork in my mabo ramen was boring, there were few spices or extras in the bowl other than a few pieces of scallion. It was a decent meal for sure but one iId be even happier about if it were 20% cheaper or 15% better. Or if I had been 85% drunker.<br /><br />The atmosphere was really mellow, which made our fussy son sound all the louder. But there was some interesting reggae playing throughout our meal. The music started off charming and quirky but then became somewhat odd as the same artist played for awhile. Not that I needed to hear some cd purchased at the Japanese art museam at LACMA, but the ramen/reggae combo was weird after awhile. The service was just ok (though with no high chairs it is clear this is not a kid friendly place) and the food just ok. Then again, if I imagine myself a bit tipsy and transported to a Harajuku ramen shop this would be what I'd expect to find.<br /><br />I will go back for sure...but it will be a long time. I'm just sure there are better spots out there. One new one opened up that specializes in mainly sushi and had an employee handing out fliers by their door. And i regret a bit not going there. Maybe next time. Not bad dishes for the price but instead of inspiring me to come back, Mr. Ramen has inspired me to keep searching for the Ultimate Little Tokyo Ramen spot! <br /><br />Mr. Ramen is located at 341 1/2 E 1st St Los Angeles, CA 90012<br />(213) 626-4252<br /><br />Find Mr. Ramen on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=mr.+ramen&sll=34.125102,-118.182421&sspn=0.010516,0.015664&ie=UTF8&latlng=34049689,-118239920,9223746617891948106&ei=PCyQRv3pJJjUjQP5lpzfDw&cd=1" target =" _blank"> Google Maps</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-17215748148808889812007-05-20T19:01:00.000-07:002007-05-28T21:24:45.173-07:00Yuca's to open 2nd location!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTanBi5yqaIqsu2l8qebHi3wz7E-zu0JdHYy4ryG23Yvu7EKJ7EwtEkbp-qziago3DaoPuOdf_hbX7QKvfOhv88sXr7h5ielsujBXw-3XepEmnXF07OU29nVxON0TkmtZ3NOLxg/s1600/CIMG7129.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTanBi5yqaIqsu2l8qebHi3wz7E-zu0JdHYy4ryG23Yvu7EKJ7EwtEkbp-qziago3DaoPuOdf_hbX7QKvfOhv88sXr7h5ielsujBXw-3XepEmnXF07OU29nVxON0TkmtZ3NOLxg/s1600/CIMG7129.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://eatingla.blogspot.com/" target =" _blank"> Eating LA</a> reports news that makes the recent Pinkberry controversy recede into the background:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwWZuIGDpAmSuxrf_j1-nSVv-IVU1WSRbmmUhH3L90qYPsInD7RY-BZpSjLdtpwIMIJEtpnK2NymtIywGw8ds4Q2iok-Aj8tzz12yt6YCxxUqfdAfSDGdgqudW-gSuAnweimLyg/s1600/DSCN2681.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwWZuIGDpAmSuxrf_j1-nSVv-IVU1WSRbmmUhH3L90qYPsInD7RY-BZpSjLdtpwIMIJEtpnK2NymtIywGw8ds4Q2iok-Aj8tzz12yt6YCxxUqfdAfSDGdgqudW-gSuAnweimLyg/s1600/DSCN2681.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />One of Grub in LA's favorite taco stands -- <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05IOiFXAjsOR8kkd485NzM_QoWgeYHLTVNu4bi_Sy9q-Mf3ccm66bhXaR7oOX97fL-OBTGsHWZrzrKH-HCiijk0NIPznb-GXBTsYkA78i-kyf57EevxbLkSLK2mqzdAGLj7SoQ/s1600-h/DSCN2685.JPG" target =" _blank"> the James Beard award winning Yuca's </a> -- is opening a second location! Yuca's on Hollywood is now open for business, though it does seem like it might take a bit of time for the amazing kitchen and it's recipes to make the transition (they must need a big moving van or something).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV3AlWTRIMTmd8aQpREp6xzettYpyggfFqQ758bL3oCnLakI5juWg48a1bHy8xpIoeG9ZGfsP2pAbfEgWpd-KMXxBxmdobdcYhBIUAUcWirck8FGV0QwZ35cBbgIyWHSEFdveww/s1600-h/DSCN4191.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV3AlWTRIMTmd8aQpREp6xzettYpyggfFqQ758bL3oCnLakI5juWg48a1bHy8xpIoeG9ZGfsP2pAbfEgWpd-KMXxBxmdobdcYhBIUAUcWirck8FGV0QwZ35cBbgIyWHSEFdveww/s320/DSCN4191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069830570739411154" /></a><br /><br />You can bet I will review the new location on my lunch break from work on Monday. Will it compare to the <a href="http://grubinla.blogspot.com/2007/02/yucas-tacos-los-feliz.html" target =" _blank"> world famous original? </a> Will the carnitas at Casa Diaz retain the title of "best carnitas" (according to LA's taco guru,<a href="http://tacohunt.blogspot.com/" target =" _blank"> the Taco Hunter</a>)? Is this the taco equivalent of Superman teaming up with Batman? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stay tuned loyal readers. </span><br /><br /><br />Yuca's on Hollywood is located at: 4666 Hollywood Blvd Los Feliz 90027Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-51886694238786637492007-05-19T09:23:00.000-07:002007-05-21T21:59:23.836-07:00Pinkberry vs. Roseberry (Best LA Fro Yo Round 1)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq6Qrtpy0PIuuhFfnnxZYf3GCB_-jWO8GFIZb2kXRsCK18a71sJ_dVoJtnNmu_n2mLjvQ6eFDUljEtQTUIaMOhwGbgUfWb5Qa5Ie73dSdOfTdBn_V_VNEcUwFSgjl9WRLpUVYow/s1600-h/DSCN3735.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFq6Qrtpy0PIuuhFfnnxZYf3GCB_-jWO8GFIZb2kXRsCK18a71sJ_dVoJtnNmu_n2mLjvQ6eFDUljEtQTUIaMOhwGbgUfWb5Qa5Ie73dSdOfTdBn_V_VNEcUwFSgjl9WRLpUVYow/s200/DSCN3735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066672958028031730" /></a>It took me well over a year to check out <a href="http://pinkberry.com/00_main.html" target =" _blank"> Pinkberry</a>, but when I did I was hooked. While a fan, I am not a close-minded loyalist (no names mentioned). In fact, I want to see the wide-spread adoption of the phenomena that I credit Pinkberry with creating. The health craze around frozen yogurt has some room left to innovate, to bring prices down, etc. I am also convinced that I have yet to taste the truly hands down best fro yo in town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEBUIvWQ8DFKY8fwnqCI-RkGQYYd5XPkGmCJx5pVSFuwPoQiTkGVaStVJR688-cNvk6Vy5VCuyxOTcvTctAWU5qSoWvA6VCyhpWICq_HCt_R5k9LFhQNwvHPmKnzhbiA0coqY7w/s1600-h/DSCN4060.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEBUIvWQ8DFKY8fwnqCI-RkGQYYd5XPkGmCJx5pVSFuwPoQiTkGVaStVJR688-cNvk6Vy5VCuyxOTcvTctAWU5qSoWvA6VCyhpWICq_HCt_R5k9LFhQNwvHPmKnzhbiA0coqY7w/s200/DSCN4060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066693449317000994" /></a>So here is the kick off of the challenge: let all the pretenders be tested against the best. And if you look at the multiplicity of <a href="http://www.chowhound.com/topics/392544" target =" _blank"> frozen yogurt knock offs</a> that have popped up like cudzu weeds in LA this is going to be a 12 round battle. When I first learned of <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/Lqcyl-s_piOIU8dpK6tNOQ" target =" _blank"> Rosegreen</a> I was a bit suspicious, since most of the pinkberry online discussion is pretty combative and, honestly, mean. There's <a href="http://colleencuisine.blogspot.com/2006/02/pinkberry-frozen-yogurt.html<br />" target =" _blank"> Kiwiberry vs. Pinkberry anger </a> over at Coleen Cuisine that makes me almost want to swear off the yogurt, were it not as good as it really is.<br /><br />Let the fro yo comparisons begin!!<br /><br />Round 1: Pinkberry vs. Roseberry<br />(this ongoing contest assumes an intimate familiarity with Pinkberry...)<br /><br />Roseberry is now called Rosegreen which makes me laugh. WTF does the name mean...it's like a game of telephone where the ending sentence means nothing. The word rose must have been chosen because it is basically a similar color to pink and berry? well that is the same word. What is amazing is someone who is so hell bent on ripping off Pinkberry would get cold feet along the way and decide to change the store name as to, I assume, avoid a lawsuit. I mean seriously, what is the easiest thing to jettison? The ripped off name or the ripped off product and store aesthetics?? Clearly the name could be spared.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS2a0iR1cR_rlwWz8XZqPm5-I109CKtjVXPNJL0dg4i79elFbD_6J_8k_2v-ds0olDu7ON3hq6aD_Qs6IbvkPSrfvAzcOKtuRVt2qCFOrTbiKVcUnR8KJMOdWejP388VKrao1cg/s1600-h/DSCN4062.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS2a0iR1cR_rlwWz8XZqPm5-I109CKtjVXPNJL0dg4i79elFbD_6J_8k_2v-ds0olDu7ON3hq6aD_Qs6IbvkPSrfvAzcOKtuRVt2qCFOrTbiKVcUnR8KJMOdWejP388VKrao1cg/s200/DSCN4062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066706918334441298" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksV_WIevDudXb4G8U4TNjkuV9sE_MipOLgdoPB2HD8ES8Fh9XByU_f_IGE30UIUN2gbnHfnkpIJfM7MrW42cW8Isn_evgmkvFSmn2a9auZl1IgQpkOrHSYI330tikAexCeStlqA/s1600-h/DSCN4063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksV_WIevDudXb4G8U4TNjkuV9sE_MipOLgdoPB2HD8ES8Fh9XByU_f_IGE30UIUN2gbnHfnkpIJfM7MrW42cW8Isn_evgmkvFSmn2a9auZl1IgQpkOrHSYI330tikAexCeStlqA/s200/DSCN4063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066706926924375906" /></a><br /><br />I have mixed feelings about a store that so clearly is trying to capitalize on the success of another. There is virtually no innovation at Roseberry (I think I will continue to call a spade a spade by using the old name). Nothing about the experience is different, well except the lack of a line to place an order. Oh and instead of really cool indie rock and electronica that plays at Pinkberry, Roseberry was tuned into power 106 where hip hop lives. Barf. Clearly the high schoolers who work there have control over the radio. what no super cool iPod playing the good fringe of the KCRW sounds??<br /><br />On to the actual food. The most salient points to compare a Pinkberry to a Roseberry are: price, serving size, toppings and taste. Pinkberry and Roseberry are the same price. Both have a small, medium and a large and they escalate at the same rate. Both are on the spendy end of treats. Pinkberry and Roseberry each have only two flavors of yogurt: plain and green tea. Not that anyone would care, but the green tea choice is less expensive than at Pinkberry. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoqddxTJZOlS4fjgCLqU-i8SBq1VYvmNLI3YVCU-LmLPq9DccgswqN_Bg7_TxXSTYIIRNITXZ3hHp8Ll-3gY-qSWK8BYiClaZR8usHf2D6LXGLTCwTyEYKFDkrYyTZS9dI_K8fw/s1600-h/DSCN3715.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoqddxTJZOlS4fjgCLqU-i8SBq1VYvmNLI3YVCU-LmLPq9DccgswqN_Bg7_TxXSTYIIRNITXZ3hHp8Ll-3gY-qSWK8BYiClaZR8usHf2D6LXGLTCwTyEYKFDkrYyTZS9dI_K8fw/s200/DSCN3715.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066672962322999042" /></a>I'm not sure why green tea flavor is more expensive than plain at both establishments, but it is. Weird. Both establishments have 5oz / 8oz / 10oz sizes but Roseberry seems to provide more yogurt per order. It is possible that this is just psychological, since the employees don't weight the yogurt to make sure they aren't giving you enough. I've always felt like there was a bit of a Fro Yo Nazi air about at Pinkberry. That does not exist at Roseberry. The topings at Roseberry are virtually identical to Pinkberry which is a minus for Roseberry because it wouldn't take more than 1 teenager to suggest a novel topping. And since there are no "rice cakes" aka "mochi," Roseberry doesn't even carry my favorite Pinkberry topping. Boo! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopIaAHwnHTh9XCQGvNOQVPCmMnjFTsK7PrNxjyCr1KNcfBD_sVWD5ke_ntnIovvNev3my092O1BHWaisz2AK7aaBmta3Vw8JujSEk0qRnY8SIuefjiN6ROg06854_ufc-ggtnGQ/s1600-h/DSCN4064.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopIaAHwnHTh9XCQGvNOQVPCmMnjFTsK7PrNxjyCr1KNcfBD_sVWD5ke_ntnIovvNev3my092O1BHWaisz2AK7aaBmta3Vw8JujSEk0qRnY8SIuefjiN6ROg06854_ufc-ggtnGQ/s200/DSCN4064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066693453611968306" /></a>Roseberry may have a few toppings Pinkberry doesn't have but an extra fruit choice or M&Ms doesn't register for me. I think I'm bitter about no mochi. And the sign that declares "no double or triple serving of berries" strikes me as weird. Why can't you have Roseberry with two orders of raspberries? Ok so how does Roseberry taste? Pretty good actually. The real difference between the two stores is noticable but not very significant to me. I think Pinkberry may be a little sweeter and Roseberry a little tart-er but unless you go to either every day, the difference is not that big a deal really. The real big significant difference is something I still need to investigate. I think Roseberry is LOW FAT yogurt as opposed to the NON FAT yogurt at Pinkberry. The differnce gives Roseberry a creamier texture and a more substantial density. I think that is why other reviewers think that Roseberry portions are more substantial. It melted a bit slower too, but that could be because of the fat content.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B9WraCtn6cgc_RzijuyNnAS9jnr4J9Gsfj5dggstfmlIWcGXlB9U2sGH5-yvILIug_5P8LhTs1j9hAx8TC1kdn8czyhWor6mmsL3U8TG-jZmkVmBLLtGnbo5p9z7Y_wP12xlBw/s1600-h/DSCN3724.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B9WraCtn6cgc_RzijuyNnAS9jnr4J9Gsfj5dggstfmlIWcGXlB9U2sGH5-yvILIug_5P8LhTs1j9hAx8TC1kdn8czyhWor6mmsL3U8TG-jZmkVmBLLtGnbo5p9z7Y_wP12xlBw/s200/DSCN3724.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066672966617966354" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmzViU5JvFKPT5z3fSS65i92WmZM6r2YSitz_iVqLBHlLS8D5yyQ0jiMT8tYwTkQV0a5mTNtWeJ7ZHmdVU7XdIDB2KzLJzb2davtewdZ5Vn367MJHL7Xh4xJMGgCGWz6X5WsyqA/s1600-h/DSCN4070.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmzViU5JvFKPT5z3fSS65i92WmZM6r2YSitz_iVqLBHlLS8D5yyQ0jiMT8tYwTkQV0a5mTNtWeJ7ZHmdVU7XdIDB2KzLJzb2davtewdZ5Vn367MJHL7Xh4xJMGgCGWz6X5WsyqA/s200/DSCN4070.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066693462201902914" /></a><br /><br /><br />A bonus category exists: location and parking. Frankly, going to PInkberry is a pain in the ass. No matter which one I go to there is never any parking and I have to travel some 15-30 minutes depending on if I go from work or from home. The extra edge of "did I get a parking ticket" doesn't really make the experience better for me. And Fro Yo at $5 a pop is expensive enough. I don't need a $50 parking ticket to go.<br /><br />So the winner is... well I think it is a draw really. Pinkberry may be inspired by a store in Korea, but I've never been to Korea so I consider it an orignal and an institution. Roseberry shows very little (aka no) originality which makes me feel a bit like I am cheating when I go there. But the convenience to my house (and it is right across from the yummy Porto's Bakery!) make Roseberry my top choice. A somewhat reluctant top choice. If Pinkberry to a Roseberry were to add mochi and play better music and innovate somehow, that may put me over the edge. <br /><br /><br />Roseberry is located at:<br />312 North Brand Boulevard <br />Glendale, CA 91203Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-44761211208635210562007-04-28T09:43:00.000-07:002007-04-29T13:22:38.477-07:00Mitsuwa Market Place (San Gabriel, CA)<a href="http://www.mitsuwa.com/images/Mitsuwa.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.mitsuwa.com/images/Mitsuwa.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I'm on a mission to find all the elements necessary to make a stunning <a href="http://pinkberry.com/00_main.html" target =" _blank"> Pinkberry </a> concoction in my own home (at a savings too!). One of our favorite toppings is the mochi balls ("rice cakes" Pinkberry calls them). <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35Wv0FHAFUH_kIWH6sa9-XzM9C_YcequTgdg8FjMAF0WknmIFxQRZNyDWZMhYXv9k_bspTBG3SxUnKKYPkStw-WGbtyuP6SwV3oTJAn49R4KrPHCrZYhLxbc1BZvq11W0uoBFqA/s1600-h/pinkberry.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35Wv0FHAFUH_kIWH6sa9-XzM9C_YcequTgdg8FjMAF0WknmIFxQRZNyDWZMhYXv9k_bspTBG3SxUnKKYPkStw-WGbtyuP6SwV3oTJAn49R4KrPHCrZYhLxbc1BZvq11W0uoBFqA/s200/pinkberry.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058946882958712786" /></a>So I put the baby in the car and we drove to the <a href="http://www.mitsuwa.com/" target =" _blank"> Mitsuwa Marketplace </a> in San Gabriel to find sutible mochi. (We called ourselves "Mochi Hunters.")<br /><br />San Gabriel is a 15 minute drive from Highland Park/Eagle Rock which for us was no big deal. A nice drive on a sunny weekend day actually. The San Gabriel Mitsuwa is a moderate sized version of the prominent Japanese markets in LA. This location is bigger than the typical Mexican markets in Highland Park but smaller than a large grocery store. (To wit: this Mitsuwa has a video store and a home appliance section in addition to many food isles.) <br /><br />As I got the baby into a shopping cart I was greeted by smiles and hellos from the Mitsuwa clients who were speaking in Japanese to each other outside the market. From the Japanese I remember it was clear they were dishing about a family friend... But to me it was a very nice and welcome introduction ... and transported me back to Tokyo when I was a boy.<br /><br />I felt a little weird going to a Japanese market mainly for what would be considered dessert or candy. So we perused every isle in the market. The vegetable section is small but filled with the basics of Japanese cooking. And everything looked great and fresh as can be. Presentation here is good too. Next to the produce is a "deli" section with marinated food (plums, beans, fish cakes), tofu, to go potstickers and the like. In the back of the store is a to-go sushi section and a small bakery section.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifrQSEMiUGxY5QikEgmQ2ABK3DXlkK-7pyQ5rgsksx_VFpaU-OhTt2ywrooLIiT46cmyVQJU_tFGwMuqj6u8cuQhrzKbIA2nzgX-4w8cY4gSeENOlnrawNUiW0PRy8xP7FwOi1w/s1600-h/medhot.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifrQSEMiUGxY5QikEgmQ2ABK3DXlkK-7pyQ5rgsksx_VFpaU-OhTt2ywrooLIiT46cmyVQJU_tFGwMuqj6u8cuQhrzKbIA2nzgX-4w8cY4gSeENOlnrawNUiW0PRy8xP7FwOi1w/s200/medhot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058946603785838530" /></a>I grabbed a box of <a href="http://www.sbfoods.co.jp/eng/currystory.html" target =" _blank"> Japanese style curry </a> and a package of tofu -- so I was a real grocery shopper now! The candy and cookie ilse was stocked with lots of chocolates, gummies and the like. But the only mochi type candy they had was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botan_Rice_Candy" target =" _blank"> Botan Rice Candy </a> which I remember being bored by as a kid. Botan is a cube of sweet mochi flavored orange and, at $0.89 a package, is not expensive but is not cheap enough for my Pinkberry project.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thisnext.com/media/230x230/Botan-Rice-Candy_DAB0C827.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.thisnext.com/media/230x230/Botan-Rice-Candy_DAB0C827.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>So I asked a cashier for help findingmochi candy and was told that they had nothing but the Botan. However she suggested I try the Sugimotoya soft candy which are flavored like either red beans or green tea. The candy is fine (mild actually) but isn't quite what I was looking for. <br /><br />I grabbed some <a href="http://www.thisnext.com/media/230x230/Kasugai-Kiwi-Gummy-Candies_8BCAF6AE.jpg" target =" _blank"> Kasugai Kiwi gummy candies </a> and <a href="http://www.calpico.com/" target =" _blank"> Calpico </a> yogurt drink for old time sake and checked out. In the end, I didn't find what I wanted but I did leave with $17 of yummy treats and surprises. A fun trip and a cool store, especially for a favorite Japanese food or candy item. Certainly a great store for specifically Japanese food.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thisnext.com/media/230x230/Kasugai-Kiwi-Gummy-Candies_8BCAF6AE.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.thisnext.com/media/230x230/Kasugai-Kiwi-Gummy-Candies_8BCAF6AE.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMRUumM0HUHibFwg2UauFghTFKvubG64_G37vQkdQAQX9hSi6w-_DhnJqUQPJQN4BvMqX_mfl7u7pPq2QFDgiE9AaTMV_0kppF8Fe8NhObxrEqiexqbsrtIXucL4q-p0UtSK8KQ/s1600-h/120px-Calpis.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMRUumM0HUHibFwg2UauFghTFKvubG64_G37vQkdQAQX9hSi6w-_DhnJqUQPJQN4BvMqX_mfl7u7pPq2QFDgiE9AaTMV_0kppF8Fe8NhObxrEqiexqbsrtIXucL4q-p0UtSK8KQ/s200/120px-Calpis.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058937910772031378" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> All prices seem very reasonable <br /><strong>Taste:</strong> A diverse range of good food. <br /><strong>Experience:</strong> One of the best Japanese markets in LA.<br /><br />Find a <a href="http://www.mitsuwa.com/slh2.html" target =" _blank"> Mitsuwa Marketplace Location </a> near you.<br /><br /><a href="http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=515+W.+Las+Tunas+Drive&csz=91776&Get%26%23160%3BMap=Get+Map" target =" _blank"> San Gabriel Store </a><br />Yahoo! Map<br />515 W Las Tunas Drive<br />San Gabriel, CA 91776<br />(626) 457-2899<br />9:00AM - 8:00PMUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-76729958581503176892007-04-11T21:31:00.000-07:002007-04-11T21:53:38.993-07:00Trader Joes: New Coffee- Organic Fair Trade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK4tLdmiRrCWLYyudsIktvAqWb1g8mE0QZH7EdHkh08GKfOoRvkFgaJBpFFCbRgYVgL5mhTQjvq9PN2cq6pdcymW1iD1j3DOyB1jV6Aa4ds-k99llWu65NU-3GuLNDwFi4GbodQ/s1600-h/DSCN3614.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK4tLdmiRrCWLYyudsIktvAqWb1g8mE0QZH7EdHkh08GKfOoRvkFgaJBpFFCbRgYVgL5mhTQjvq9PN2cq6pdcymW1iD1j3DOyB1jV6Aa4ds-k99llWu65NU-3GuLNDwFi4GbodQ/s200/DSCN3614.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052396157149802066" /></a><br />One of my favorite spots at TJ's is the "whats new" section spotlighting new items. I'm going to start reporting on the new items each month, starting with this month's new coffee:<br /><br />Organic Fair Trade Breakfast Blend.<br /><br />This coffee is very mild (I often like a coffee a bit darker and stronger)) but it is very pleasant and I could drink a few cups with little diminishing returns. That it is organic and fair trade is cool. The beans are a South American type harvested by a collective of farmers in the Andes. It probably adds $1 or so to the price, but at $5.99 for nearly a pound that is still a good deal. The aroma of the freshly ground beans is quite good. So far this coffee is going to be a must buy from TJs.<br /><br />To find out what products are new at TJ's click here: <a href="http://traderjoes.com/whats_new_result.asp?RegionID=2&submit=Show+Me+The+Goods%21" target =" _blank"> New at Trader Joes </a><br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> $5.99 for nearly a pound of good, fair coffee is a deal. <br /><strong>Taste:</strong> So far one of my favorites at TJs.<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> Yay! A new find.<br /><br />Find a location: <a href="http://traderjoes.com/locations.asp" target =" _blank"> The Trader Joes nearest you! </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-61492347682549360362007-04-08T23:11:00.000-07:002007-04-11T22:30:42.972-07:00Trader Joes: Cereals -- pro or con?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWkY6VkIt3WZrdw99YME7uHBK7-Pua57Bu35wEByuUl3bg8kITdsW546A9KzZnaw-oZLI5Ngo6AHyE3l3nR8Xq47Ui_cA1zukSWCC6A_ocVetu7pP0OTGG1FgWnbnnUGNqVZJ9g/s1600-h/DSCN3626.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWkY6VkIt3WZrdw99YME7uHBK7-Pua57Bu35wEByuUl3bg8kITdsW546A9KzZnaw-oZLI5Ngo6AHyE3l3nR8Xq47Ui_cA1zukSWCC6A_ocVetu7pP0OTGG1FgWnbnnUGNqVZJ9g/s200/DSCN3626.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051312969837918834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9OVY3fdKH23951Oj5ERETcwoijx18VvvMY6Fw1gWryPrZiJPWpriBHfYeqmCM0AX62kRwQwLv-wTxjPott1pdMV9czjdxzZNSn9JNGaNK-yGcFwK1Ymh3-Kklom7btsWhgj8Tw/s1600-h/DSCN3627.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9OVY3fdKH23951Oj5ERETcwoijx18VvvMY6Fw1gWryPrZiJPWpriBHfYeqmCM0AX62kRwQwLv-wTxjPott1pdMV9czjdxzZNSn9JNGaNK-yGcFwK1Ymh3-Kklom7btsWhgj8Tw/s200/DSCN3627.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051312978427853442" /></a><br /><br />I went a BBQ this weekend and -- of all the controversial topics out there, from Iraq to child discipline -- the most surprising comment I heard was from a friend who declared: "I love Trader Joes but I HATE their cereal."<br /><br />Wow. (I love Trader Joes and shop there at least a couple times a week. I virtually stopped shopping anywhere elese after the supermarket strike a few years ago.) That instantly got me thinking of all the TJ's cereals that I absolutely adore. There's the TJs line of shredded wheat (frosted and maple + brown sugar are huge winners while the cinamon and the newly debuted vanilla are disappointments). I like a cereal that stays crisp in milk for a few minutes. TJ's shredded wheat does while also having a good flavor. My biggest complaint about the cinnamon flavor is that it's dull and the box color is close to the maple + brown sugar and often tricks me into buying the wrong one. At $2.99 I think this is one of the best cereal deals at TJs.<br /><br />I also really like "Joe's O's" which are nearly as good as Cheerios but half the price ($1.99 at TJs!!). (My son really like them too!) I noticed recently that these actually have a lot more sodium than Cheerios (90 mg I think).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU67IFRUrduf-Jqce-6a6fEQ9r3xQuiG3oSRhMsitLkvwjniNItLMqk6g-IRBCy692n_BdVgXRlpDOBuvVsHoC7gXZwezHEcsgDsbqcmW5cS-3qrnkcHBRd-4C5hKvfDlNNeo9A/s1600-h/DSCN3620.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU67IFRUrduf-Jqce-6a6fEQ9r3xQuiG3oSRhMsitLkvwjniNItLMqk6g-IRBCy692n_BdVgXRlpDOBuvVsHoC7gXZwezHEcsgDsbqcmW5cS-3qrnkcHBRd-4C5hKvfDlNNeo9A/s200/DSCN3620.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051312982722820754" /></a><br />I often crave the Trek Mix granola especially the sweet, salt and nutty blend. At $2.99 it is a couple bucks cheaper than granola at Whole Foods or a super market. The mix of granola, almonds and candied cashews is the right mix of salty and sweet. <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RxP3uWhiOrTup9MxX-kMsNrf1qsUzykNwUjvmEVaNjnjlOtoTdk895ZOHVLoqXIQNedfoKXP61SAX84JRaK4u8-keX59gtA86fgevhaYouxho_ZhHREwocqqzTaUHwIb31QeJw/s1600-h/DSCN3628.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RxP3uWhiOrTup9MxX-kMsNrf1qsUzykNwUjvmEVaNjnjlOtoTdk895ZOHVLoqXIQNedfoKXP61SAX84JRaK4u8-keX59gtA86fgevhaYouxho_ZhHREwocqqzTaUHwIb31QeJw/s200/DSCN3628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051312991312755362" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> Beats evern the best sales at grocery stores. <br /><strong>Taste:</strong> Fantastic. Like a lot of food at TJs, you just need to find your item.<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> Best food store in LA.<br /><br />Find a location: <a href="http://traderjoes.com/locations.asp" target =" _blank"> The Trader Joes nearest you! </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-69254557475377608512007-04-08T14:20:00.000-07:002007-07-08T14:54:47.377-07:00Orean's Health Express (Pasadena)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VVmrsk4uarJVsgbbCeTPsi9LcOQpyQ7PQ0RpbCgBu-ZMXgTFgmB41rhabV7LO5YGV-nz3EUHPpehDoEVfyLWQ0WlWrtrdQOZuQq_OL1rocOgbInVUC6uWaZH5lmvJHZHvD5EcA/s1600-h/DSCN3635.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VVmrsk4uarJVsgbbCeTPsi9LcOQpyQ7PQ0RpbCgBu-ZMXgTFgmB41rhabV7LO5YGV-nz3EUHPpehDoEVfyLWQ0WlWrtrdQOZuQq_OL1rocOgbInVUC6uWaZH5lmvJHZHvD5EcA/s200/DSCN3635.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051300462893152818" /></a><br /><br />http://www.oreanshealthexpress.com/more.asp<br /><br />I've read some blog posts about a drive thru vegetarian restaurant in Pasadena called <a href="http://www.oreanshealthexpress.com/" target =" _blank"> Orean's Health Express </a>and my first thought was "gross." I figured that would be the last restaurant I'd try. Likely this is because of my Boca burger experiment at Johnny Rockets (ie. the worst burger in my life!) Then I saw more and more truly passionate posts about how unique and tasty the spot was...<br /><br />Slowly I became intrigued and then convinced that this could be one of the greatest finds in town. A place just a bit off the beaten path (if the beaten path is the 210 or Colorado Blvd!). So this afternoon I did some shopping (Trader Joes and Wild Oats)) and drove to Orean's for a bite to eat on the way home.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAwItmRHxD9XTMCb41WsMMkhyphenhyphenPnua_XS3rKAX7DikOSGEyuvk2n61OShfKduat78tMGWtDyaNCmVEAqrctBKKFzt6baXkj4QTrUpvNQ-wWdgclnfoJ1rOVOyW790gyzHGIAKdnQ/s1600-h/DSCN3640.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAwItmRHxD9XTMCb41WsMMkhyphenhyphenPnua_XS3rKAX7DikOSGEyuvk2n61OShfKduat78tMGWtDyaNCmVEAqrctBKKFzt6baXkj4QTrUpvNQ-wWdgclnfoJ1rOVOyW790gyzHGIAKdnQ/s200/DSCN3640.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051300467188120130" /></a><br /><br />I ordered the "Salad Burger" which came (appropriately enough) in a plain brown paper sack. When I got home I opened the sack and found a burger nicely wrapped in wax paper. (Unlikey most quick food I get -- tacos especially -- there was no greasy mess which was very reassuring. I put the burger on a plate and took a picture. As y ou can see, the lettuce was green,the tomatos perfect, the onions crisp and the patty. The patty! It was nutty, tasty and delicous. The bun was even wonderful. There was a little Russian dressing on the sandwich with some green bell pepper and some dill pickles.<br /><br />This burger is now one of my favorites in all of LA. Granted it should be in a different category than the burger at the Apple Pan or Pie N Burger. But then again, I've eaten a lot of terrible burgers in my time. I'd choose the "Salad Burger" over those burger's every time. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQoUS0zozpenlZiM4rW2J3_wzMTV_2pMPfBt7o2KOKwHhJ0M-0G5OpAyit8m2fbILGbWnTgSmEGuypx4UbQi6auXEIZyc5npsK1Hq3E34Vi_3FOpwYvCW-n49wW8XmpuCBXi8TA/s1600-h/DSCN3643.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQoUS0zozpenlZiM4rW2J3_wzMTV_2pMPfBt7o2KOKwHhJ0M-0G5OpAyit8m2fbILGbWnTgSmEGuypx4UbQi6auXEIZyc5npsK1Hq3E34Vi_3FOpwYvCW-n49wW8XmpuCBXi8TA/s200/DSCN3643.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051300480073022050" /></a><br /><br />Orean's describes itself as:<br />"Orean's the Health Express is a unique fast food restaurant specializing in meatless, sugarless, non-dairy items created for optimum nutrituion and without chemical additives. lt is the first vegetarian fast-food take-out restaurant in the nation, and features a menu approved by the American Heart Association."<br /><br />And it's mission:<br />It was founded in 1979 by Orean C. Thomas who after working in food related professions and serving various industries and private companies throughout the Los Angeles area, decided to open the first Vegetarian Fast-Food restaurant. The purpose of Orean's Health Express is to bring fresh and wholesome food into the lives of as many health conscious people as possible. We believe that natural health foods, excercise and a spiritual consciousness are the keys to healthy living in the stressful and polluted society in which we find ourselves.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofITbzhIXLuOQBicXgwOMArXdrtU6LiHoT-3ZoWj3TyNuboaL-uLrhmOJepQQr25n8ekILPHKZjeB-oVtTLk2QSi5IzrvHa2BqfO71NrEylL5o09ETbr52kMWLRph-JwdVyAoAg/s1600-h/DSCN3642.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofITbzhIXLuOQBicXgwOMArXdrtU6LiHoT-3ZoWj3TyNuboaL-uLrhmOJepQQr25n8ekILPHKZjeB-oVtTLk2QSi5IzrvHa2BqfO71NrEylL5o09ETbr52kMWLRph-JwdVyAoAg/s200/DSCN3642.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051300471483087442" /></a><br /><br />And it's purpose:<br />We are the sum total of what we eat, drink, breathe and think at all times.<br /><br />The menu also includes an interesting ragne of tastes: from ginseng strawberry slush to miso soup. There's quite a bit to try and I bet it is all good. I'm looking forward to trying the Soysage-O-Muffin for breakfast or an African Quesadilla for lunch.<br /><br />Orean's Health Express is where I'll take all my vegetarian friends. I know I'll score points!!<br /><br />Check out this great <a href="http://www.oreanshealthexpress.com/pw.asp" target =" _blank"> Pasadena Weekly article </a><br /> <br /><strong>Cost:</strong> OMG. Highly recommended. <br /><strong>Taste:</strong> Fantastic.<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> ASAP! Will bring friends next time and experiment with the menu<br /><br />817 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA<br />(626) 794-0861 <br /><br />Map ofL: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=orean%27s&layer=&sll=34.125288,-118.182421&sspn=0.010942,0.018089&ie=UTF8&latlng=34160040,-118132479,9436661289530918065&ei=ktcZRrunGJvEiQPB98iOAQ" target =" _blank"> Orean's Health Express </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-17610925321459489352007-03-10T22:33:00.001-08:002007-03-24T09:39:08.444-07:00Tucson: Los BetosThe Tucson Weekly claims Los Betos is the <a href="http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/bot98/nonframed/chow57_1998.html" target =" _blank"> "best taco stand in Tucson"</a> (according to readers).<br /><br />i went to Los Betos shortly after landing in Tucson. I got 3 tacos -- 1 carnitas and 2 carne asada. The tacos were big ones (double the size of an LA taco truck) and were topped with a pretty guac sauce. The Carnitas was divine! Juicy and crispy -- I couldn't get enough. But the Carne Asada looked like high powered compressed rat ass and tasted like rodent too. The quality of the carnitas meat was higih and the carne asada was low. "How low can you go?" well this tasted like rubber erasers you find on the floor. Gross! Note I only ate two bites of the carne asada tacos....<br /><br />I'm not saying I got sick from Los Betos, because I can't tell for sure, but I did have a terrible flu / food poisoning encounter within a day after eating there. I'd still get the carnitas in a heart beat but I would never feed the carne asada to my worst enemy.<br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> Seemed a bit pricy but the quantity of food is substantial. $2.50 is a meal in one taco<br /><strong>Taste:</strong> Carnitas only: great.<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> mixed but I'll go back for the carnitas!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-91911330933606420472007-02-25T22:21:00.003-08:002007-03-11T22:57:24.936-07:00Auntie Em's Kitchen (Eagle Rock)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWr8B9j1V14-5gd9n-x5U01QXVdSuWZk1nXVyYVwWt-LDUgidic38ye6hoaN517adXM1YSrG51AAl4aMVQQ_wpDM9micFFBAKOMwWsIz1Iz_N263Z0BQSKV13V-fVlDiIExDDHVw/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWr8B9j1V14-5gd9n-x5U01QXVdSuWZk1nXVyYVwWt-LDUgidic38ye6hoaN517adXM1YSrG51AAl4aMVQQ_wpDM9micFFBAKOMwWsIz1Iz_N263Z0BQSKV13V-fVlDiIExDDHVw/s400/Picture+4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040846303795767362" /></a><br />Auntie Em's is one of my favorite brunch spots in Eagle Rock. The food is light and has a great farmer's market / artisan vibe. There is also a great local indie rocker quotient too. Each time I visit I see friends from local bands (one of whom works at Em's on some days!) Lots of the real Eastsiders migrate from Silverlake to Eagle Rock for a meal. It's usually a bit crowded but I've never not gotten a table. Going early or a bit later in the afternoon helps. <br /><br />The must have from Em's is the BLAST. The Bacon Lettuce Avacado Sprouts and Tomato sandwich is really yummy and comes on a rosemary roll. Check out the first and later pictures to see how our last BLAST wasn't quite up to our A+ expectations from before. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M0eOZTVXjzRPEhnQmfnuWFj-bD-Q8N3-ZdJVTDOkU4dNuXXh3bXTrlIgCajvBDmqFF6neOJqWBa-SMu4bHBPH02KiS3BbE08t4k4IMEnxgAyNUO_2ho0h0qkOBYlwl-7YrdKZA/s1600-h/DSCN1403.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M0eOZTVXjzRPEhnQmfnuWFj-bD-Q8N3-ZdJVTDOkU4dNuXXh3bXTrlIgCajvBDmqFF6neOJqWBa-SMu4bHBPH02KiS3BbE08t4k4IMEnxgAyNUO_2ho0h0qkOBYlwl-7YrdKZA/s200/DSCN1403.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040838319451564002" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4bHVxmJofxa_6pnaqmGbwbdASSY4DBL4tvFLW-e9ytYbVx0lmqOBIGNUoYYJsoxbYXIwcHuu4jtogsT6rgEczqUgbChCfUCMRIt0MYYOOpV0SrtcJs0beFU9YON5ZFYYo6Ci1Q/s1600-h/DSCN2778.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4bHVxmJofxa_6pnaqmGbwbdASSY4DBL4tvFLW-e9ytYbVx0lmqOBIGNUoYYJsoxbYXIwcHuu4jtogsT6rgEczqUgbChCfUCMRIt0MYYOOpV0SrtcJs0beFU9YON5ZFYYo6Ci1Q/s200/DSCN2778.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040838323746531314" /></a><br />You know, after looking at those two pictures up close and on an empty stomach I realized a truth about Em's: even when not an A+, the food is still pretty solid in the B+ / A- category!<br /><br />Em's is very kid friendly, with lots of booster seats. The vibe is boistrous though not deafening with self-service water and coffee stations in the seating area. I was given an Aunti Em's coffee mug as a gift, which for $5 is a deal! (T shirts are $10.)<br /><br />The Auntie Em's menu is pretty varied from the BLAST sandwich to Cobb salad or steak salad. The breakfast menu and dessert menus have lots of options too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GM93jt-gfx8Cavdio4iPf6PkIVOl4nN0NQzqXDw287KFOtXAQumu7iJq2hrN06e4JnLa3ZUYkfTV7AVE_SMjawSMU3syLM1R0hUKkIfe9b-MCCO35j2iXJC6br4k8mogCr529A/s1600-h/DSCN2754.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GM93jt-gfx8Cavdio4iPf6PkIVOl4nN0NQzqXDw287KFOtXAQumu7iJq2hrN06e4JnLa3ZUYkfTV7AVE_SMjawSMU3syLM1R0hUKkIfe9b-MCCO35j2iXJC6br4k8mogCr529A/s200/DSCN2754.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040806081427040066" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiH1xL4F4UXY_JpVP94jc0EC6VIHNjlUKVIUhczx6s10mtE7TpgpJ8dVWo8lOrs5UhMun543gMqoR04wnCGbOD9Qzam2Ml7neH4bURX0yk58SxJWL-FDfUKpnzCOgyPzWME39uA/s1600-h/DSCN2759.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiH1xL4F4UXY_JpVP94jc0EC6VIHNjlUKVIUhczx6s10mtE7TpgpJ8dVWo8lOrs5UhMun543gMqoR04wnCGbOD9Qzam2Ml7neH4bURX0yk58SxJWL-FDfUKpnzCOgyPzWME39uA/s200/DSCN2759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040806094311941970" /></a><br /><br />My favorite currently is the 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 soup or salad option. Recently I got the 1/2 ACS (Avacado Cheese Sprouts) with a yummy black bean / red pepper salad. It was a great summer time lunch for sure. Ask for ice for the coffee or water. Sit in the back yard area on a nice day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzRvuxKOi-vV8iiSk0ytvzzQ4bzkkpkAgv3f18GurL0ReaoS1dcbNupWpLy-n3k25BQG9jBLJOvpjLjrUO_IARuFOX9DP6BQfImuS4xPFHpWTNGZPdRnTNXDiAQQ9M8aIWjSeJg/s1600-h/DSCN2779.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzRvuxKOi-vV8iiSk0ytvzzQ4bzkkpkAgv3f18GurL0ReaoS1dcbNupWpLy-n3k25BQG9jBLJOvpjLjrUO_IARuFOX9DP6BQfImuS4xPFHpWTNGZPdRnTNXDiAQQ9M8aIWjSeJg/s200/DSCN2779.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040816629866719170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE64adLzUyAKwiSxQviCRhtQSxDSRqDrvOzzWrl0cFYxiMh9yp6itKeLdk2Z4FyJethyphenhyphenIp9W-MrsRI3_KGSQcudQDOhLcXX5mhhx4VEcFqXMTpvoGrjgFJZmr9M0BgIAXek51c7g/s1600-h/DSCN2782.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE64adLzUyAKwiSxQviCRhtQSxDSRqDrvOzzWrl0cFYxiMh9yp6itKeLdk2Z4FyJethyphenhyphenIp9W-MrsRI3_KGSQcudQDOhLcXX5mhhx4VEcFqXMTpvoGrjgFJZmr9M0BgIAXek51c7g/s200/DSCN2782.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040816634161686482" /></a><br /><br />For as many times as I've been to Em's, I've coveted the deserts, which as you can see here are beautiful:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbIDykN1X8UQD4Ov3XsGM83VTJEiwub0sAVE3bNgKjOa_IVNzZTdkJSNU9PaNrJxd4An72J0ZafF75qPonmAqvxzq_I7MWVgKJECD_Amw8ECWuef3ECqspm01DvfqDNTbyccCUQ/s1600-h/DSCN2764.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbIDykN1X8UQD4Ov3XsGM83VTJEiwub0sAVE3bNgKjOa_IVNzZTdkJSNU9PaNrJxd4An72J0ZafF75qPonmAqvxzq_I7MWVgKJECD_Amw8ECWuef3ECqspm01DvfqDNTbyccCUQ/s200/DSCN2764.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040806107196843890" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2pZUZImtp3C1ieHJuRPq0_1DbcGh-EzlmG2Ujud3bshfejmJuUYSzQhskmkJCmf3sGw3PmUrwUXp8Sif6Ly6L3Hn785ogKhwmY57tlIzCbLP68OFccXS9Fq0AevjBjt8De8Geg/s1600-h/DSCN2768.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2pZUZImtp3C1ieHJuRPq0_1DbcGh-EzlmG2Ujud3bshfejmJuUYSzQhskmkJCmf3sGw3PmUrwUXp8Sif6Ly6L3Hn785ogKhwmY57tlIzCbLP68OFccXS9Fq0AevjBjt8De8Geg/s200/DSCN2768.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040840192057305090" /></a><br /><br />It wasn't until recently, however, that I finally tried them. I ordered a mini version of the chocholate cupcake and the red velvet cupckate (red cupcakae with vanilla frosting). They were both really good. I think I'll come back for them one time whenthat is what I am really craving. I usually eay lunch at Em's but the deserts are great. Honestly, the minis seemed like a great deal in terms of price, aesthetics (i looked forward to eating them through my entire meal) and in terms of taste.<br /><br />There is also an impressive marketplace store attached to the Auntie Em's restaurant. The cheeses, preserves, etc are all locally made (by individuals) which adds to the cool artisan nature of the place. The prices are a bit high but the products seem virtually one of a kind. For a special treatI say go for it!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBf27fnkeXlQtfPOfEpmOP2m8rHIyFTRT_fsYlkDRc1j7GOq6oaSp4pC_KWXgd1zrnc452b7z082OPXqkleEsNaWKPZPkbaL1URNKmRinb_TfVmK9t4SmDxfBcfWWneRPBHIUTg/s1600-h/DSCN2776.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBf27fnkeXlQtfPOfEpmOP2m8rHIyFTRT_fsYlkDRc1j7GOq6oaSp4pC_KWXgd1zrnc452b7z082OPXqkleEsNaWKPZPkbaL1URNKmRinb_TfVmK9t4SmDxfBcfWWneRPBHIUTg/s200/DSCN2776.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040840196352272402" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmN_-qIL6neiC_Y2Ai0wcLZYnE6oJ_aSB5OETVnHOLm5QQ-fw0i4DxkI5gJICTVs42o6G-Z7Flgf_QQa3OdSzApducgIVE3vllvca_r_srxmyZrYc791rh5B26CM0vo_oasOslQ/s1600-h/DSCN2772.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmN_-qIL6neiC_Y2Ai0wcLZYnE6oJ_aSB5OETVnHOLm5QQ-fw0i4DxkI5gJICTVs42o6G-Z7Flgf_QQa3OdSzApducgIVE3vllvca_r_srxmyZrYc791rh5B26CM0vo_oasOslQ/s200/DSCN2772.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040840204942207026" /></a><br />Check their website for new breakfast hours and an explanation of their <a href="http://www.auntieemskitchen.com/marketdinner.html" target =" _blank"> Farmer's Market dinners </a> (perhaps a followup post one day!)<br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> not a bargain but not overly expensive ($20-30 for two with drinks or desserts)<br /><strong>Taste:</strong> fantastic<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> lot's of fun and one of a kind eating!<br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=auntie+em%27s&sll=34.125102,-118.18242&sspn=0.010942,0.018089&layer=&ie=UTF8&latlng=34127750,-118217614,16123785773733117418&ei=Gqz0RYuKCJzCiQOKlN3rAw" target =" _blank">Map </a><br /><a href="http://www.auntieemskitchen.com/" target =" _blank"> Website</a><br /><a href="http://www.auntieemskitchen.com/restmenu01.htm" target =" _blank"> Menu</a><br /><br />Address: 4616 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA<br />Phone: (323) 259-6432Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-10047592104629120962007-02-25T15:04:00.003-08:002007-03-11T22:42:58.794-07:00Yuca's Tacos (Los Feliz)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1edkQJsW34jv_lCbiRZfbSV-VY2Sah26sxr76aXTjIjp5eqnJbcHyFToPsMSnB-2FA3kkOetJGhoHCoO05Kls3CVgwa0-CMOo47Vd9VPELlz_AeDlg6XXnApveLRPQ-CJ86u3Rw/s1600-h/DSCN2682.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1edkQJsW34jv_lCbiRZfbSV-VY2Sah26sxr76aXTjIjp5eqnJbcHyFToPsMSnB-2FA3kkOetJGhoHCoO05Kls3CVgwa0-CMOo47Vd9VPELlz_AeDlg6XXnApveLRPQ-CJ86u3Rw/s200/DSCN2682.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040855267392514178" /></a><br /><br />The LA taco experience should start with Yuca's in Los Feliz on Hillhurst, which has been run by the Herrera family for years and years (since, I believe, the Bicential of 1976!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwWZuIGDpAmSuxrf_j1-nSVv-IVU1WSRbmmUhH3L90qYPsInD7RY-BZpSjLdtpwIMIJEtpnK2NymtIywGw8ds4Q2iok-Aj8tzz12yt6YCxxUqfdAfSDGdgqudW-gSuAnweimLyg/s1600-h/DSCN2681.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwWZuIGDpAmSuxrf_j1-nSVv-IVU1WSRbmmUhH3L90qYPsInD7RY-BZpSjLdtpwIMIJEtpnK2NymtIywGw8ds4Q2iok-Aj8tzz12yt6YCxxUqfdAfSDGdgqudW-gSuAnweimLyg/s200/DSCN2681.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040855271687481490" /></a><br /><br />Any one turned off by the line at Yuca's is not a real Taco hunter. For one, the best taco in town is ALWAYS worth a wait. And secondly, the wait at Yuca's is misleading. They turn around orders very quickly. You'll end up waiting in line to order longer than you'll wait for your food. No joke.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05IOiFXAjsOR8kkd485NzM_QoWgeYHLTVNu4bi_Sy9q-Mf3ccm66bhXaR7oOX97fL-OBTGsHWZrzrKH-HCiijk0NIPznb-GXBTsYkA78i-kyf57EevxbLkSLK2mqzdAGLj7SoQ/s1600-h/DSCN2685.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05IOiFXAjsOR8kkd485NzM_QoWgeYHLTVNu4bi_Sy9q-Mf3ccm66bhXaR7oOX97fL-OBTGsHWZrzrKH-HCiijk0NIPznb-GXBTsYkA78i-kyf57EevxbLkSLK2mqzdAGLj7SoQ/s200/DSCN2685.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040855275982448802" /></a><br /><br />What I love about Yuca's starts with the food. Yuca's is the only taco slinger I know -- in the universe -- that has won a JAMES BEARD AWARD! Read the paragraph below and you'll get some history about Yuca's. And yes the food is that good. the other thing I love about Yuca's is they always represent on behalf of the Democrats. That is neither here nor there I suppose but I like the combo of good food, hard working owners (who are themselves a feature of the dining experience), and good politics!<br /><br />So I swung by Yuca's one afternoon and picked up three tacos and a Yucatan tamale (available only on Saturdays!). As you can see from the picture, my meal was capped off with a Negra Modello. The most common way to eat Yuca's tacos is on the truck of your car in the parking light. Admittedly, they are best right away. And the tradition usually includes getting a drink from the liquor store that shares a parking lot with Yuca's. But sometimes family duty calls and you need to get home. Have no fear, Yuca's tastes great after the drive too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-kgRRcrdblr957ybZRoRXZhJUu_nXeKYrsHNXXybUhfU5I7OQA_ZTnTUASs5MFruR8v8lXhHZzgKWBO8ROAWVbBd3OdrR8tc1Zckbucm5JQLpJznTKd6Yn_pbkUUu2pNPOUvwg/s1600-h/DSCN2687.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-kgRRcrdblr957ybZRoRXZhJUu_nXeKYrsHNXXybUhfU5I7OQA_ZTnTUASs5MFruR8v8lXhHZzgKWBO8ROAWVbBd3OdrR8tc1Zckbucm5JQLpJznTKd6Yn_pbkUUu2pNPOUvwg/s200/DSCN2687.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040855284572383410" /></a><br /><br />First off is one of my favorites at Yuca's: the carne asada. The meat is flavorful and of very good quality. Taco comes somewhat dry with no salsa, but Yuca's encourages liberal use of the Yucatan hot sauce which sits on all the tables outside the taco shack. Otherwise the tomatos, cilantro and onions can get a bit dry. But there is no shortage of flavor at all.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaThEBPQJxJSbWiq8wbXQOlXoyz3Lx6K43EJoctabIL_eMuabGoPFL6HtnyQ91lvnNlJLmCWuxzZu6suuiIWK4uKlm6JP1BW8cQfXJnLsbFHMBgY7imHc3GdL5AKs1kGg1talwag/s1600-h/DSCN2689.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaThEBPQJxJSbWiq8wbXQOlXoyz3Lx6K43EJoctabIL_eMuabGoPFL6HtnyQ91lvnNlJLmCWuxzZu6suuiIWK4uKlm6JP1BW8cQfXJnLsbFHMBgY7imHc3GdL5AKs1kGg1talwag/s200/DSCN2689.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040855293162318018" /></a><br /><br />Next is the cochina pibil taco. The meat is a stewed pork like carnitas but much more flavorful and saucy. This is the only taco that comes with a sauce per se and it is somewhat novel in Los Angeles. Somewhat similar to al pastor but it is not exactly the same. For me, nearly a unique experience. (I forgot to take a picture of the pibil taco because I got too hungry! So this comes from the blog <a href="http://tacohunt.blogspot.com/2006/04/yucas.html" target =" _blank">Taco Hunt </a>'s Bandini. Thanks Bandini!) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQo46ITPLoLccqs9EQW9koDvuNlcI5Edr7TcevH6cIbgHdmz0FRKZgnQYSp5-kHs9cQCUwSejUbghTY91WFRGtClKDaMCcUDzWhkmP4z76iGrswvrCsdFtDwY2oJSe6-8A4zYYA/s1600-h/IMG_0274chpibil.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQo46ITPLoLccqs9EQW9koDvuNlcI5Edr7TcevH6cIbgHdmz0FRKZgnQYSp5-kHs9cQCUwSejUbghTY91WFRGtClKDaMCcUDzWhkmP4z76iGrswvrCsdFtDwY2oJSe6-8A4zYYA/s200/IMG_0274chpibil.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040902331644143874" /></a><br /><br />The carnitas at Yuca's is totally fine. It's good and I wish I had more to say about it but it's just not as stunning as the care asada or the pibil. Plus I like my carnitas a bit more fried and this is boiled. It's good just not in the top 3 at Yuca's.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AyB0JPPO0iytkKqNODzBOBzOQRc2lngkTip31Aq26H6SKy0fMBMfWhI8-BKvVwykV776HywWtOHYRB4JS9fYIyJ9LhxwRk9DjpwgWMBCQ7T_KkrQXlTzhFn7mtBAijvTRC4S4g/s1600-h/DSCN2695.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AyB0JPPO0iytkKqNODzBOBzOQRc2lngkTip31Aq26H6SKy0fMBMfWhI8-BKvVwykV776HywWtOHYRB4JS9fYIyJ9LhxwRk9DjpwgWMBCQ7T_KkrQXlTzhFn7mtBAijvTRC4S4g/s200/DSCN2695.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040892560593545426" /></a><br /><br />The real find for me this latest trip is the tamale. I like a good tamale but find that most are 75% or more corn and 25% or less filling. This tamale is about half as thick as most and is more densly packed and hard. The casing to filling ratio is closer to 55%/ 45% which is great. There is a little bit of mild and light tomato sauce on top. It's tasty for sure. Worth the occasional trip to Yuca's on a saturday. Not enough on it's own really for me. But if I lived right around the corner, I'd pick one up once a month or so for sure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEvWZ5A1su0nWMk7cNH4r9Baa24dd6TjrdQHC2xkS6d2CUfVI_L7uD2v-TszjkAwg6kBblhtPLGuPw62I40vXEZwrW_S9dAyLqQRsW83aVU2i_TZQ9TXGONOeW0Nq79p5aMpWuA/s1600-h/DSCN2697.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEvWZ5A1su0nWMk7cNH4r9Baa24dd6TjrdQHC2xkS6d2CUfVI_L7uD2v-TszjkAwg6kBblhtPLGuPw62I40vXEZwrW_S9dAyLqQRsW83aVU2i_TZQ9TXGONOeW0Nq79p5aMpWuA/s200/DSCN2697.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040892569183480034" /></a><br /><br />I hope Yuca's stays open forever. It's an institution. Experience Yucas and you experience Los Angeles history.<br /><br />2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Feliz 90027<br /><br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> very affordable but about twice what tacos froma roach coach cost. a bargain at under $10 a person (and that is a ton of food). Asada taco is $2 cochinita pibil is $1.75. Carnitas is $1.50 I think...<br /><strong>Taste:</strong> among the best in town.<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> very very worth it!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?sll=34.125102%2C-118.18242&hl=en&f=q&q=yuca%27s&btnG=Search+Maps" target =" _blank">Map </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-51533248063553719952007-02-25T15:03:00.001-08:002007-03-11T19:06:19.796-07:00Dinah's Fried Chicken (Glendale)I went to Dinah's for the first time on Oscar Night 2007. (Credit is due where credit is due: the amazing Michael at <a href="http://franklinavenue.blogspot.com/2007/02/oscar-for-best-product-placement-goes.html" target =" _blank"> Franklin Ave </a> blogged about a trade ad Dinah's took out to thank "Little Miss Sunshine" for including the food and it's iconography in the film.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64ah_EHsKJvBWN6KOatPdT9P4wj42Gra9YpmJFEbVpLH_1UzF8q1eovUgEuSj5ClX5WVdS10OedYjRV7OiBbLphXjyAmlK6OxhbbYB5NzG4Ytj4Eqv0xDB7LThcVH18UJt_EYJg/s1600-h/DSCN2703.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64ah_EHsKJvBWN6KOatPdT9P4wj42Gra9YpmJFEbVpLH_1UzF8q1eovUgEuSj5ClX5WVdS10OedYjRV7OiBbLphXjyAmlK6OxhbbYB5NzG4Ytj4Eqv0xDB7LThcVH18UJt_EYJg/s200/DSCN2703.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040850916590643282" /></a><br /><br />More than half of the fun for me was to get what amounted to a Little Miss SUnshine meal to go on Oscar night. (No such good luck befell the movie sadly!) The restaurant has been owned by the Pearson family since 1967 which you can tell right when walking in. It's like stepping through a portal in time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD2Va2XoxlV2kxyS-zr1u9Nr8wXFcGkDld94QLjCfhA6sChjiH6qWEotCHthrGLSW7axfj5QJeqxmvyfq2QtO9_BuWrQym_8OnFXK_Tu47nt5eUFM7GT5eOG1cyfDnBwVSeFwjA/s1600-h/DSCN2706.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD2Va2XoxlV2kxyS-zr1u9Nr8wXFcGkDld94QLjCfhA6sChjiH6qWEotCHthrGLSW7axfj5QJeqxmvyfq2QtO9_BuWrQym_8OnFXK_Tu47nt5eUFM7GT5eOG1cyfDnBwVSeFwjA/s200/DSCN2706.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040850925180577890" /></a><br /><br />Honestly, this was the greasiest chicken I've had in a while but man it tasted like the real deal. The amazing box (circa 1970s!) says it was cooked without oil, which is meant to be reassuring but if THAT isn't oil what is it? :-) The sides were pretty good but standard fare. The cole slaw was particularly interesting as it was sweet from the little amounts of pineapple chunks in it. Also on the menu is chicken livers, gizzards, fish dinners, shrip dinner and other stuff I've never tried. I'd eat here again but again, mainly for the quirkiness of the whole experience. (I guess I'm not much of a fried chicken guy!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkTHr1puAbMJxjnZsgCDM4fRxIND3A13kbORkrcmtdUyFC0CgqbGCXK49Zxjba9MNB9Zwz0ytONkOmBsUXu4Vhf6ByC1pzA96NB7mGEMypbe9fG2rCA5BhbxASuo61w28pGoelQ/s1600-h/DSCN2708.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkTHr1puAbMJxjnZsgCDM4fRxIND3A13kbORkrcmtdUyFC0CgqbGCXK49Zxjba9MNB9Zwz0ytONkOmBsUXu4Vhf6ByC1pzA96NB7mGEMypbe9fG2rCA5BhbxASuo61w28pGoelQ/s200/DSCN2708.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040850929475545202" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> definitely not expensive<br /><strong>Taste:</strong> solid<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> totally one of a kind eating! (Well except for the restaurant on the way to LAX)<br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=dinah%27s&sll=34.125102,-118.18242&sspn=0.010942,0.018089&layer=&ie=UTF8&latlng=34129196,-118259918,8723003892728901740&ei=zbH0RciBCZ3wiwPL5-HqAw" target =" _blank">Map </a><br /><br />Address: 4106 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91204-3818 (1 block east of Los Feliz)<br /><br />Phone: 818-244-4188<br /><br />Hours: Open daily from 11am - 9pm (dining room till 8:30)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-1151857310911705212006-07-02T08:59:00.000-07:002006-07-02T11:26:28.640-07:00Huntington Meats - Best Sausage in LA<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0916.0.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/320/DSCN0916.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The most remarkable aspect of the Huntington Meats sausage is how great they taste. And that taste isn't just yummy, it is also complex and perfect. With each bite you can "taste" years of artisan sausage expertise. Huntington Meats is my favorite place to visit before a BBQ and gets my highest recommendation for Best Sausage in LA. (It's a testament to how great their sasuage is that I've never tried any of their other cuts of meat, which admittedly look fantastic!)<br /><br /><br />So on this visit I was greeted by Jim who has always been helpful and very friendly to me. (You'd think sasuage this good would only be sold by a "Sausage Nazi" but you'd be 100% wrong!) My two absolute favorite sausages at Huntington Meats are the Smoked Andouille and the Jamican Mango. Jim breaks my heart by telling me that he's got no Jamican Mango today. Instead I get a couple Chicken Apple (which he tells me are good for breakfast cause they have a little cinnamon in them. More on that later.) I order up 4 Smoked Andouille which look a little different than the last time I got 'em. (Then they looked like they had been rescued from Egyptian tomb's BBQ pit by Indianna Jones. Now they just look like tasty dogs. I admit, I'd rather have the Temple of Doom Dogs.)<br /><br />My visits to Huntington Meats are sporadic and are typcially during the summer. Jim told me that this Fourth of July weekend is by far their busiest of year. (One customer came in first thing that morning and nearly cleared all his stock out! Luckily by the time I arrived it looked like a fully stocked butcher ready for business!) My favorite way to shop at HM (not to be confused with THE HM Phoebe so eagerly anticipates) is to get a wide variety of sausages, slice them into medallions and use them in a couple different combinations. My order today included the 4 andouille, the 2 chicken apple as well as 2 chorizo sausages, 4 basil sun dried tomato, 2 garlic, 2 chicken italian. Most every sasuage was $3.98 a pound (except the andouille which was like $5 a pound). A half pound of links at Woody's is $8! I guess the price break comes with less labor. Then again I think HM's dogs have a lot more effort and inspiration in each sausage. My total was $26.80 for what would become meat for four meals. A pretty great deal!<br /><br />Sasuage Roll Call:<br /><strong>Andouille</strong> - the Andouille is a pork sausage and has a great, rich flavor. I was told that they are made on site and then sent away for 3 days of smoking to attain their special taste. Clearly there is more complication and flavor whallop to the Andouille. Consider this Andouille a Los Angeles version of the Louisiana-style andouille. The dog is not overly spicy but does have a slight heat.The taste is perhaps one of the strongest flavors; a rich, smoked flavor with hits of salt, pepper and garlic. Works great as an hors d'oeuvre or in a pasta dish. Would also make a great ballpark treat!<br /><br /><strong>chicken apple</strong> - my oh my this was the winner of the batch! Normally I do not like fruity things (ie. fruit beer) but a well made sausage with some fruit can be delightful (I almost typed "delectable" but that might be taking things a bit too far). To compound the unliklihood of my loving this dog is the fact that most breafast sausage tastes like a tube of sugar cereal -- or a tube of maple sugar. Gross. However, this dog had a rich smokey flavor truly enriched by the subtle hint of cinnamon. (Less is truly more here!) The small chunks of apple were also subtle and not overpoweringly sweet. After cross cutting the sausage into medallions, maybe only 1 in every 3 slices had a piece of apple. The complicated flavor of this sausage would lend itself to maybe uses but for me it made a perfect accompaniment to my Trader Joes blue and yellow cornbread pancakes!<br /><strong>chorizo sausages</strong><br /><strong>basil sun dried tomato </strong><br /><strong>garlic</strong><br /><strong>chicken italian</strong><br /><br /> <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0919.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/320/DSCN0919.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0922.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/200/DSCN0922.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0923%20copy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/200/DSCN0923%20copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-1151715379692791362006-06-30T17:45:00.000-07:002006-07-01T18:22:37.993-07:00The Quest for Great BBQ in LA: "Yes child, we're going to Woody's" (Crenshaw)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0914.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/320/DSCN0914.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Since I was in the Crenshaw area today I thought I'd kick off the Grub in LA - Greater LA BBQ Quest by stopping by Woody's (3446 W. Slauson, near Crenshaw 90043). The restuarant is take out only with a couple of plastic chairs by the door to sit in and wait for your order to come up. A few years ago my friend Gary and Alice celebrated their 10th Anniversary by ordering the Large Party Plater which represents the best meat Woody's has to offer: beef ribs, pork ribs, rib tips, whole chicken, sliced beef and hot links. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0906.0.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/320/DSCN0906.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>(The party platter, which also comes with potato salad, baked beans and a loaf of wonderful white bread, costs $102 for 10-12 people or $56 for 6 - 8 people.) Alice's boss (the editor of a high profile glossy magazine on the City of Angeles) swore by Woody's as the "best BBQ in Los Angeles." It's pretty darn good and worth the drive.<br /><br />My BBQ adventure today included 3 dishes: 1/2 pound of beef slices, 1/2 pound of chicken links and a 1/2 pound of beef links. I took the food home where Phoebe was recovering from the birth of our baby. Her mom is in town from Tucson and I thought Woody's would be a fun celebratory type food. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0904.1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/320/DSCN0904.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The pound and half of meat came to $24 and also included 6 slices of white bread. The beef slices were not very fatty (this cannot be said of the ribs which are quite fatty) and were cooked to perfection. They were moist and tasty and hardly smothered in BBQ sauce. The taste with all of Woody's food comes from the fire not the sauce. (A sign at the ordering window warns customers to designate what type of BBQ sauce is desired: mild, medium or spicy. Default temp is mild.) Everyone had a different favorite but the consensus was that all was tasty. Down home, not gourmet but very edible. <br /><br />The experience is part of the fun. The drive to Woody's could take you down La Cienega or down Crenshaw which for most West-siders or East-side hipsters is a very foreign journey. There's tons of neat local flavor and a plethora of one-of-a-kind eateries waiting to be explored. I actually prefer Woody's #2 (90031) as a location because you can eat on the site (read: "not in the parking lot") and every time I have been there I have been able to spot the restaurant a mile away from the plumes of BBQ smoke.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0935.0.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/200/DSCN0935.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0933.0.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/200/DSCN0933.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0936.0.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/200/DSCN0936.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A lot of the reviews online of Woody's mention the South Central location as a particularly dangerous spot. While this could be true after dark, it is near a major intersection in Los Angeles and perfectly fine according to this reviewer. Hours at the location on Slauson range from 11am to 1 am (though most nights it closes at 11 pm). The Market St/ La Brea location is usually open from 11am to 9pm. A Rancho Cucamonga (91730) location also exists!<br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> $24 fed three for a moderate lunch with leftovers. <br />A good deal but not a steal.<br /><strong>Taste:</strong> Pretty good BBQ from an LA institution. <br />All three eaters gave it the thumbs up.<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> A fun BBQ joint ot try but a bit of a jaunt. <br />Woody's #2 is the best spot so you can eat on site.<br /><br />Check the and head on down to <a href="http://maps.citysearch.com/location/72832?" target =" _blank"> Woody's #1 (Slauson) </a> or <a href="http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=woody%27s+bar+be+que+90301&ie=UTF8&sll=33.955048,-118.355575&sspn=0.085861,0.161533&latlng=33955048,-118355575,4730627329300867354" target =" _blank">Woody's #2 (La Brea)</a>!<br /><br />p.s. Woody's menu shares the restaurant's official slogan: "Yes child, we're going to Woody's"<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/DSCN0902.0.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/200/DSCN0902.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-1150694354835622472006-06-18T22:17:00.000-07:002006-06-18T22:21:03.376-07:00Best LA Ice Cream - Fossleman's (Alhambra)<a href="http://www.fosselmans.com/Pages/images/ExtStorefront.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.fosselmans.com/Pages/images/ExtStorefront.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=9357864&ck=215986603&tab=B2C&tcat=23755377&city=Los+Angeles&state=CA&zip=90042-1314&uzip=90042&country=us&msa=4480&cs=9&ed=IeB1Vq160Sy.iNcRZlZB1cjcSVawwxTUpT_g.zE3i3dSaXluyDkqNZl9QHdNdiD1kb_m5._P7g--&stat=:pos:1:regular:regT:2:fbT:0<br /><br />http://www.fosselmans.com/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29904588.post-1150694220548921512006-06-18T22:15:00.000-07:002006-07-02T10:27:57.520-07:00Vietnamese feast - Golden Deli (San Gabriel)<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/100_1460.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/320/100_1460.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Yum.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Cost:</strong> $24 fed three for a moderate lunch with leftovers. <br />A good deal but not a steal.<br /><strong>Taste:</strong> Pretty good BBQ from an LA institution. <br />All three eaters gave it the thumbs up.<br /><strong>Experience:</strong> A fun BBQ joint ot try but a bit of a jaunt. <br />Woody's #2 is the best spot so you can eat on site.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/1600/100_1461.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5649/2154/320/100_1461.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Check the map and head on down to <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=815+W+Las+Tunas+Drive,+San+Gabriel,+CA+91776" target =" _blank"> The Golden Deli (San Gabriel) </a>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0