As luck would have it, two of the funnest events ever are coming to Los Angeles on the same day. May 1st is the day when KCRW is hosting Global Street Food and when Cochon 555 makes their stop in Los Angeles for their magic with the pig. Competitions, food sampling, caviar and champagne for VIP people, and so on.
Helen, Joanna, and I have tickets in hand and ready to roll. May 1st will be a day to remember.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Travel to India in Studio City - Gangadin Indian Cuisine
Well, well, well - Indian Food......
My friend Joanna has been craving Indian food for weeks and we finally decided to go. This place is located where the Sunday market is by Chase on Ventura Place.
I am so happy to find this wonderful little place. Unfortunately I am a sucker for Indian lunch buffet places and I have never invested in researching the "real" Indian food in Los Angeles or Northern California. Found this place on line and we thought to give it a try.
We ordered:
Lamb Samosas - $6
Aloo Chaat Papri - $6
Raita - $3
Naan - $2.5
Gobhi Parantha - 3.5
Lamb Curry - 13 or 15 bucks
&
Chicken Curry 13 or 15 bucks.
I am pulling all this info off their site. Parts of their site are down, so I can't pull the exact names of the curries and their prices.
The food was exceptional! I met the owner Manmeet and his son. Very friendly and warm. They even have an app for your smart phone.
The deserts were amazing. We tried Saffron Ice Cream and pastry balls in Rose Water. Wow! Very unusual and light.
I think their prices are wonderful except for the curries. Both, had 4-5 pieces of chicken/lamb in them and for 13 bucks I found it to be a bit high. Nevertheless, the curries themselves were absolutely out of this world. I highly recommend them both.
We tried two beers: Taj Mahal and King Fisher. Julio loved Taj Mahal and Joanna and I liked King Fisher. This place is a hidden gem. I really recommend it.
The setting is intimate and dark. Great for a date or an outing for unusual food. The prices are reasonable and the variety is wonderful.
They have an extensive Vegan Menu for you veggie and fruit lovers and there was a lot of street parking. Free after 8p.m.
The owners wife has a stand with some of their food at the Sundays Farmer's Market. Check them out as soon as you can.
They are located on 12067 Ventura Place, Studio City, CA 91607
My friend Joanna has been craving Indian food for weeks and we finally decided to go. This place is located where the Sunday market is by Chase on Ventura Place.
I am so happy to find this wonderful little place. Unfortunately I am a sucker for Indian lunch buffet places and I have never invested in researching the "real" Indian food in Los Angeles or Northern California. Found this place on line and we thought to give it a try.
We ordered:
Lamb Samosas - $6
Aloo Chaat Papri - $6
Raita - $3
Naan - $2.5
Gobhi Parantha - 3.5
Lamb Curry - 13 or 15 bucks
&
Chicken Curry 13 or 15 bucks.
I am pulling all this info off their site. Parts of their site are down, so I can't pull the exact names of the curries and their prices.
The food was exceptional! I met the owner Manmeet and his son. Very friendly and warm. They even have an app for your smart phone.
The deserts were amazing. We tried Saffron Ice Cream and pastry balls in Rose Water. Wow! Very unusual and light.
I think their prices are wonderful except for the curries. Both, had 4-5 pieces of chicken/lamb in them and for 13 bucks I found it to be a bit high. Nevertheless, the curries themselves were absolutely out of this world. I highly recommend them both.
We tried two beers: Taj Mahal and King Fisher. Julio loved Taj Mahal and Joanna and I liked King Fisher. This place is a hidden gem. I really recommend it.
The setting is intimate and dark. Great for a date or an outing for unusual food. The prices are reasonable and the variety is wonderful.
They have an extensive Vegan Menu for you veggie and fruit lovers and there was a lot of street parking. Free after 8p.m.
The owners wife has a stand with some of their food at the Sundays Farmer's Market. Check them out as soon as you can.
They are located on 12067 Ventura Place, Studio City, CA 91607
Truck Food Whoring in Valley Village Part Duex - Calbi Tacos/Burritos
As I mention in my previous post, I found myself in the parking lot of Val Surf in Valley Village. As the 2nd Food Truck Pulled in I instantly got in line to try this one out as well as Buttermilk. I asked a very polite young lady about the most popular items and she recommended the Pork and Beef Tacos. I ordered one of each. Five bucks for both - not bad I guess. To my surprise this truck takes credit cards. Big plus! The tacos were small but full. I started with beef. I don't usually order beef because I like my red meat pretty rare and tacos are normally served with the stake really well done. This beef was amazing. Very juicy and tender. If I ever order Mexican tortas or tacos I always ask for them to hold the lettuce. I really loved the slaw-like lettuce mixture in these tacos. I think this is what made them very original and fusion-like. The lettuce was marinated and mixed with cucumbers and radishes I think. It was an oil and vinegar of sorts marinade and it added a lot of density and flavor to the taco itself and the meat. I really loved the beef taco. I usually love pork, but unfortunately the vinaigrette in the slaw was too overpowering for the pork and I couldn't really taste it. When I moved all the stuff off the meat and tasted the pork without anything at all I was able to identify the delicious flavors of the pig and I enjoyed it very much. The tacos had few sesame seeds and sesame oil or seeds are probably a part of the mixture that goes into the slaw making. I encourage everyone to try the beef and few people told me that the shrimp tacos are great as well.
Calbi Tacos/Burritos are out of Cypress, CA. The name on their business card is Rolando Medina and they can be reached at 562/391-2430 or 909/721-7474.
I normally wouldn't talk about the service unless I am paying top dollar for my food. Food trucks are usually about the food and convenience. Since I was able to sample the foods and flavors of two trucks back to back, I give big applause to the service, cleanliness and presentation of the Calbi Truck. Buttermilk was wonderful, but the lady taking my order was not friendly at all. The Calbi order-taker was polite, engaging, and involved. She wanted to share information about their food with me and wanted to have a genuine connection with me. I am happy to advertise for the food-truck community and noticed that Buttermilk had a t-shrit for sale. When I asked about the price they told me it was twenty bucks. First of all - that's crazy. Second, the shirt had many stains on it and the chef leaned over when I told the order-taker that I'll pass and told me that they are just water stains and I should take it anyway. I found that to be a bit unfriendly and unprofessional. If I am going to drop a 20 on a shirt - it better be pretty. Stains? Nah.
I recommend both of these trucks to you. Red Velvet pancakes @ Buttermilk Inc. and definitely the beef tacos at Calbi.
Happy Truckin' everyone!
Calbi Tacos/Burritos are out of Cypress, CA. The name on their business card is Rolando Medina and they can be reached at 562/391-2430 or 909/721-7474.
I normally wouldn't talk about the service unless I am paying top dollar for my food. Food trucks are usually about the food and convenience. Since I was able to sample the foods and flavors of two trucks back to back, I give big applause to the service, cleanliness and presentation of the Calbi Truck. Buttermilk was wonderful, but the lady taking my order was not friendly at all. The Calbi order-taker was polite, engaging, and involved. She wanted to share information about their food with me and wanted to have a genuine connection with me. I am happy to advertise for the food-truck community and noticed that Buttermilk had a t-shrit for sale. When I asked about the price they told me it was twenty bucks. First of all - that's crazy. Second, the shirt had many stains on it and the chef leaned over when I told the order-taker that I'll pass and told me that they are just water stains and I should take it anyway. I found that to be a bit unfriendly and unprofessional. If I am going to drop a 20 on a shirt - it better be pretty. Stains? Nah.
I recommend both of these trucks to you. Red Velvet pancakes @ Buttermilk Inc. and definitely the beef tacos at Calbi.
Happy Truckin' everyone!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Truck-Food Whoring in Valley Village - Buttermilk Inc.
I went for a run in my beautiful neighborhood of Valley Village. As I made a turn onto Whitsett, I noticed a Food Truck in the parking lot of Val Surf. Even before investigating on what's going on, I ran home and changed. I grabbed my money, my notepad, a pen, and ran again toward Val Surf. Parked, was Buttermilk Inc. food truck. I waited in line for about 15 minutes. While in line I noticed a sign stating that you may only order one order of pancakes and when you are done, you are more than welcome to stand in line again to order more. I can actually appreciate this because this ensures quality and speed of service. They can only cook so much at once in such little space. Upon my turn at the order window I asked the young lady for the most popular item on their menu. She said: "Red Velvet Pancakes." The whole Red Velvet craze never got a hold of me. Every cupcake shop had them for sale. Starbucks Coffee sold them for Valentine's. Supermarkets, bakeries, and everyone in between sold those at one point or another. Another fact about pancakes is that I didn't grow up eating them. I order pancakes very seldom and generally not a huge fan. After about a 10 or so minutes I got my order. It was 4 silver-dollar size pancakes with a dollop of something that tasted like a mixture of whipped cream and whipped cream cheese. Totally up my alley by the way. The marriage of sweet and savory is always a good combination. These Red Velvet pancakes had melted chocolate chips inside of them. They were perfectly warm and moist. The chocolate was oozing out of them and the cream that came on top was a magical condiment for them. I have never had anything "red-velvet" that tasted so good. Each bite melted in my mouth and for once in my life, I could have had MORE pancakes. Their daily special also included a "Buttermilk Brick." A combination of hash browns, 2 Eggs over easy, Buttermilk biscuit, and housemade chorizo gravy. Many people in line were ordering this item and all seemed to be licking their fingers with delight afterwards. Buttermilk Inc is based out of Los Angeles and their phone number is 323/235-66590. Just as I was about to take my last bite, my jaw dropped in amazement and I almost chocked on my pancake. Another food truck pulled into the parking lot. How lucky can can a Truck Whore get I ask you my friends?????
Obviously I wasn't going to leave, so I am off to sample their food next. Read more about Calbi Fusion Tacos and Burritos in the next post.
Obviously I wasn't going to leave, so I am off to sample their food next. Read more about Calbi Fusion Tacos and Burritos in the next post.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Global Street Food - KCRW
Global Street Food - KCRW
This event is going to be knocking my socks off - I can tell. Join me and let's review together!
Barney's Limited always comes through in Old Town Pasadena!
I have worked in Old Town Pasadena for over 5 years. I am a food snob. This place is definitely not for snobs. This place is for your average, normal folk, who wants to grab a bite without the upscale BS that the rest of Old Town offers and shoves down your throat. I check my BS and my snobbery at the door and always leave satisfied, buzzed, and happy. Only now, I realize that I have had worse service, worse food, and dined with crappier people than I have here. This place absolutely rocks.
I have had so much beer at this joint that my beer card was almost filled up. Unfortunately during my last visit they couldn't locate my card and I guess I'll have to start all over to get my name on the wall. Once you have all the beers they have to offer, including non-alcoholic - you get a little golden plaque on the wall with your name. Cool!
They have TV screens for sports. They have a big bar where you can act like a fool and flirt with the female bartenders or act butch and serious when the guy bartender is working. This place fills up with the locals and shoppers. The food ranges from huge wraps with shrimp, to fish & chips, to calamari, to homemade American food, and also some Italian favorites. They have an amazing happy hour and a long selection of beer in bottles and on tap.
My recent visit to Barney's Limited with a buddy of mine was a winner again! I had the Club Sandwich and not only it was huge, but the bacon was perfectly crisp and turkey wasn't dry. I added Avocado to it and it was heaven on earth. My friend had the Fish and Chips and it was served with a huge scoop of Potato Salad and some Steak Fries.
This place always has familiar faces. The service is superb most of the time. They are reasonably friendly for being super busy. Their beer selection is unmatched for the area and they have a big room in the back for parties or meetings. I have brought up to 15 people there with me in the past. When shopping at Tiffany's or Diesel, don't think that Cheesecake Factory, Louisses Trattoria, or Kabuki will satisfy you as much as this place will. For the money, for the food, for the beer, and their tude - go to Barney's Limited.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sweet Butter - the most welcome - Welcome! - Sherman Oaks
A girlfriend of mine and I were hungry for some breakfast. Driving down Ventura Blvd. is usually our way of finding a place to eat. I happened to glance over to the North side of Ventura. We were in Sherman Oaks by now.
I parked and we walked up to the cutest little restaurant I've seen in a while. What could be bad about eating next to Linda Gray? Nothing, I guess. She was munching on something and was having a deep conversation with a gentleman friend.
The woman who greeted us should own a school for hosts and hostesses for the hospitality and restaurant industry. She must have seen the look on our faces which said: "we are lost and have no clue about how this little piece of heaven on earth works." She explained to us that we order inside and then grab a table and the food and drink will be brought to us. We both ordered the Croque Madame and two cups of coffee. When I saw a basket full of bags of Intelligentsia Coffee I could tell right away that the coffee was going to be as annoying and conceded as the employees of this very pretty chain. After visiting their new location in Old Town Pasadena - I knew right away that all the employees have a big stick up their butts and big heads about where they work and what they serve. It's just coffee - chillax kids! The coffee we drank must have been African due to it's citrusy and fruity taste. It was strong which is a plus, but the citrus killed it just a bit. I am a huge fan of Rwanda, Kenya, and Ethiopian blends but this was a bit too much. Now, the Croque Madame was something that was delivered on a cloud from the heavens up above. Served with a sunny side-up farm egg, Paris ham, Bechamel, Gruyere & Dijon Mustard on two slices of French bread. It was served with a side of baby Arugula salad, which was a perfect accompaniment. It was rich, filling, yet light. The flavors were perfectly combined in this delicious sandwich and the best I've ever had. The rest of the menu consists of delicious salads, pastries, and breakfast items. All the skinny bitches in their gigantic sunglasses asked us about our order because it is probably the most beautiful item on the menu and most likely with the most calories.
This place is filled with the lots of plastic surgeries, face-lifts, and botox. So - your average Ventura or Sunset Blvd crowd. It was 20 something girls, with their ugly boyfriends or 80 year old women trying to look 20.
All in all - this is a place to be. Delicious food. Great items for sale, like truffle oil. Yumm! I will be back and the woman who welcomed us in - Thank You. I don't know if you are the owner or an employee, but that "welcome" alone is going to be what will make me come back again, again, and again. Thank you for a slice of heaven in the old, beat up Sherman Oaks. You have brought comfort, good food, great service, and warmth to a neighborhood that has lost it over the years.
I parked and we walked up to the cutest little restaurant I've seen in a while. What could be bad about eating next to Linda Gray? Nothing, I guess. She was munching on something and was having a deep conversation with a gentleman friend.
The woman who greeted us should own a school for hosts and hostesses for the hospitality and restaurant industry. She must have seen the look on our faces which said: "we are lost and have no clue about how this little piece of heaven on earth works." She explained to us that we order inside and then grab a table and the food and drink will be brought to us. We both ordered the Croque Madame and two cups of coffee. When I saw a basket full of bags of Intelligentsia Coffee I could tell right away that the coffee was going to be as annoying and conceded as the employees of this very pretty chain. After visiting their new location in Old Town Pasadena - I knew right away that all the employees have a big stick up their butts and big heads about where they work and what they serve. It's just coffee - chillax kids! The coffee we drank must have been African due to it's citrusy and fruity taste. It was strong which is a plus, but the citrus killed it just a bit. I am a huge fan of Rwanda, Kenya, and Ethiopian blends but this was a bit too much. Now, the Croque Madame was something that was delivered on a cloud from the heavens up above. Served with a sunny side-up farm egg, Paris ham, Bechamel, Gruyere & Dijon Mustard on two slices of French bread. It was served with a side of baby Arugula salad, which was a perfect accompaniment. It was rich, filling, yet light. The flavors were perfectly combined in this delicious sandwich and the best I've ever had. The rest of the menu consists of delicious salads, pastries, and breakfast items. All the skinny bitches in their gigantic sunglasses asked us about our order because it is probably the most beautiful item on the menu and most likely with the most calories.
This place is filled with the lots of plastic surgeries, face-lifts, and botox. So - your average Ventura or Sunset Blvd crowd. It was 20 something girls, with their ugly boyfriends or 80 year old women trying to look 20.
All in all - this is a place to be. Delicious food. Great items for sale, like truffle oil. Yumm! I will be back and the woman who welcomed us in - Thank You. I don't know if you are the owner or an employee, but that "welcome" alone is going to be what will make me come back again, again, and again. Thank you for a slice of heaven in the old, beat up Sherman Oaks. You have brought comfort, good food, great service, and warmth to a neighborhood that has lost it over the years.
The Swiss Chef is back in town. - Valley Glenn
How could I have not known about this???
I called AAA to get a quote on car insurance. I was speaking with this lovely woman with a heavy accent. She told me that she is from Austria and obviously I had to ask about food. Her and I chatted about the lack of German, Austrian, and Swiss restaurants. The Black Forest Inn closed down several years ago. It was one of my favorite restaurants ever. They were in Westwood. The Matterhorn Chef closed as well. They were right here in Van Nuys. She happened to remember that the same owner/chef of Matterhorn opened a new restaurant on Victory and Woodman. I almost fell out of my chair. I went the same night.
We started with a Heffeweissen. I ordered Beef Tartar and Liver Pate' to start. Both were very good. Both, were accompanied with toast. Tartar was delicious and fresh and came with onions, chives, parsley, capers, raw egg yolk, and few anchovies. I definitely could have lived without the anchovies. The meat was prepared so well, that it didn't need the kick and the salt of the fish. Pate' was light, fluffy, and creamy. Liver pate can often be hard to swallow due to it's consistency, but not this one. Delicious! The Tartar was 12 and the pate 4. Very reasonable.
For dinner I ordered the Wienner Plate and my partner had Osso Bucco. The sausages came with different mustards and horse radish. Side dishes were carrots, creamed Spinach, warm saurkraut, and really yummy potatoes with bacon I believe. The sausages were very different from one another and perfectly cooked. Osso Bucco was cooked to perfection. Served on a bed of Fettuccini with a side of creamed Spinach. The Sausages were about 18 bucks I think and the Osso Bucco 21. We had a Tiramisu for dessert. Skip this one and try the apple tart instead. I hear it's wonderful. The Chef, who I remember from Matterhorn was still there. His family served as hostess and bartender. He was mingling with regulars and giving hugs and kisses. Someone was celebrating a birthday and he put on an accordion and played a song for them. Very cute, festive, family-style, and cozy place. I will definitely be back. I am so happy that they are here.
I called AAA to get a quote on car insurance. I was speaking with this lovely woman with a heavy accent. She told me that she is from Austria and obviously I had to ask about food. Her and I chatted about the lack of German, Austrian, and Swiss restaurants. The Black Forest Inn closed down several years ago. It was one of my favorite restaurants ever. They were in Westwood. The Matterhorn Chef closed as well. They were right here in Van Nuys. She happened to remember that the same owner/chef of Matterhorn opened a new restaurant on Victory and Woodman. I almost fell out of my chair. I went the same night.
We started with a Heffeweissen. I ordered Beef Tartar and Liver Pate' to start. Both were very good. Both, were accompanied with toast. Tartar was delicious and fresh and came with onions, chives, parsley, capers, raw egg yolk, and few anchovies. I definitely could have lived without the anchovies. The meat was prepared so well, that it didn't need the kick and the salt of the fish. Pate' was light, fluffy, and creamy. Liver pate can often be hard to swallow due to it's consistency, but not this one. Delicious! The Tartar was 12 and the pate 4. Very reasonable.
For dinner I ordered the Wienner Plate and my partner had Osso Bucco. The sausages came with different mustards and horse radish. Side dishes were carrots, creamed Spinach, warm saurkraut, and really yummy potatoes with bacon I believe. The sausages were very different from one another and perfectly cooked. Osso Bucco was cooked to perfection. Served on a bed of Fettuccini with a side of creamed Spinach. The Sausages were about 18 bucks I think and the Osso Bucco 21. We had a Tiramisu for dessert. Skip this one and try the apple tart instead. I hear it's wonderful. The Chef, who I remember from Matterhorn was still there. His family served as hostess and bartender. He was mingling with regulars and giving hugs and kisses. Someone was celebrating a birthday and he put on an accordion and played a song for them. Very cute, festive, family-style, and cozy place. I will definitely be back. I am so happy that they are here.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wolf and the Gang @ Spago, Beverly Hills.
Joanna and I went to Spago in Beverly Hills for her Birthday. It was my 3rd or 4th time there, but once again I was pleasantly surprised to see Wolfgang Puck making his way through the restaurant and greeting guests. As always - approachable, gentle, warm, and the only restaurant owner/host I truly admire for his "human" skills. He came up to our table and shook our hands. Wished Joanna Happy Birthday and thanked us for stopping by.
We had the tasters menu - 10 course. I'll try not to butcher the list:
1. Spicy Tuna Tartare in a Rice-Sesame Cone - I've had better
2. Smoked Salmon with a tiny blini - So what?
3. A yummy Hamachi Ceviche - To die for.
4. Pastrami-flavored Pate' with a crisp and apple sauce.
5. Bacon Confit - not bad
6. A delicious palate cleansing sorbet with tea, mint, and pear bites.
7. Veal Sweetbreads - Amazing
8. Hand-made Agnolotti with black truffles - Your eyes will roll back in your head.
9. Braised Short Ribs, Kobe Stake - super rare - yumm, and Bone Marrow - I died and went to heaven.
10. Selection of Artisan Cheeses with Truffle Honey ( i think ). The triple cream made me cry.
11. Chocolate Soufle and sorbet for desert. Licked my fingers.
Service A+
Ambiance A
Food B - I was not thrilled with the raw and marinated fish dishes on the tasters menu. We live in Los Angeles and I look to Spago for surprises and not a piece of smoked salmon on a tiny pancake.
Price - to be expected.
If Red Riding Hood was here - she'd fall in love with the Wolf & the Gang.
Thank you Wolfgang for another night to remember!
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