Moo Moo Thai Cafe - Venice, California

Address: 11127 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90034

Items Ordered:

• Thai Tea
• "I can't believe this is Mushroom" - fried crispy mushrooms
• Papaya Salad - level spicy, with green beans, tomatoes, shrimp, lime juice, & peanuts
• Kra-Pow Crispy Pork - stir fried with spicy garlic sauce, basil, green bean, & serrano
• Chicken Pad Thai - not pictured

Ever since visiting Thailand a few years ago, I've been searching for a remnant of authentic Thai street food in the U.S. Moo Moo Thai, a new restaurant in Culver City, comes reasonably close, but alas, the ultimate search continues. The mushroom appetizer was only okay, a tad too salty for my tastebuds. The papaya salad on the other hand, was refreshing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Next time, I'll order it extra spicy so I can relive that burning but oh so delicious sensation I felt from eating papaya salad freshly made from street carts in Thailand. The crispy pork was flavorful, and had the right amount of spiciness, but the "crispiness" factor could have been a point of contention. Moo Moo Thai has some good looking noodle soups that I still want to try, and I would definitely return for some good papaya salad.

--y

P.S. The thai tea was fantastic.

Cafe 70 Degrees (formerly Westsubs) - Culver City, California

Address: 3863 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90232

Items Ordered (breakfast menu):

• Smoked salmon bagel with egg salad
  
• "Simply Yummy" - baked egg, turkey bacon, potatoes
• Peach Icy Snow with boba

I waited a long time to write this post b/c I kind of don't want to share this place with anyone :O. I first discovered this small cafe nestled in Culver City Center when I was in need of wi-fi for a few hours. I ordered a boba milk tea and to my surprise a giant beer mug of creamy, perfectly sweetened milk tea and chewy boba arrived at my table. I liked the drink so much, I proceeded to order a crunchy tuna wrap and thoroughly enjoyed polishing off the whole plate of fresh tasting ingredients including the side of cantaloupe and salad. I can't recall if I actually got any work done that day amidst all the eating...

Ever since discovering Cafe 70 Degrees, I've made multiple return visits, and honestly have loved everything I've ever ordered here. On this particular day, I went for breakfast with a friend, and thought the salmon was smoky, fresh-tasting, and paired beautifully with the toasted bagel. I was a little too stuffed with the egg salad atop, as it probably could've been made into FOUR delicious egg salad sandwiches--too much for one person! The peach icy snow was one of the best drinks I've had from Cafe 70 Degrees yet.

If you decide to visit, and love this place as much as I do, do me a favor and keep it on the DL. It'll be our little secret, yea? Thanks.

--y