This event is going to be knocking my socks off - I can tell. Join me and let's review together!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
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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