Old Town Sushi, Newark, California

Address: 34942 Newark Blvd., Newark, CA 94560

Items Ordered:

• Chicken Katsu
• Miso Soup
• Katsu Calamari
• Dynamite Roll
• Miso Soup
• Grilled Saba Fish

This is the first in my Bay Area series. Just an update, I am now back from the UK and living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since I haven't really lived here in so long, I am really getting started with exploring restaurants around here. More to come as I eat my way around the Bay!

The first thing I have to say about Old Town Sushi is that the portions here are huge! We ordered a 2 item combo meal and each of the items was a dish in itself. The food is pretty good and definitely good value - I even feel like it might be too much. The Katsu Chicken was probably my favorite dish, and I'm still in awe of how much they gave. The free Miso soup was nice too. However, this time I only got one roll - the Dynamite Roll and it's not my favorite. I didn't like the fish(?) inside - it tasted dry. Next time, I'd definitely want to try more of their other rolls. Besides that, looking forward to going back there to try the other rolls and to get more food enough for like 2 extra leftover meals! :P

Anyway, thanks for reading. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas filled with friends, family, love, and of course, delicious food!!

--V

KTCHN DTLA Pop-up @ The Gorbals - Downtown Los Angeles, California

Address: 501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Items Ordered:

• Drinks: Rouge - beet, carrot, celery, apple, pineapple, OJ; Spicy Carrot - ginger, carrot, apple; Mimosa
• Brie Grits with berry compote topped w/ julienne apples & bourbon cherry granola
• Chicken Fried Ribeye Steak w/ lime gravy, topped w/ a jicama crispy onion corn salad, eggs, home fries
• Red Wine Braised Short Ribs 'n Eggs w/ polenta, melted blue cheese, fried kale, eggs
• Best Part of a Fried Egg w/ bacon, roasted tomato, butter greens, crispy egg white w/ hollandaise, home fries
• Habanero Scramble w/ goat cheese, caramelized onions, pumpkin seeds, crispy onions

There are so many popup restaurants in L.A., that I basically gave up and decided not to visit any of them! Luckily, my friends are not so lazy, and someone planned a birthday get-together for one of my friends at KTCHN in downtown L.A. The drinks were colorful, but nothing you couldn't make at home with a juicer. When I saw chicken fried steak on the menu, I knew it had to be mine, and luckily we were sharing b/c the portion size was humongous (13oz)!! While, I'm glad I got to try it, I thought the breading didn't coat the steak that well, and it can be pretty difficult to season such a large portion of steak. My favorites of the day were actually the non-fried options, including: the brie grits - delicious, and tangy w/ the addition of berries, and the habanero scramble b/c it was so spicy. Yum! The braised short ribs were tender and flavorful, but w/ the fried eggs, it was just a little too rich. Similarly for the fried egg whites dish. I'm glad I got to try this interesting pop up brunch. Overall, the portion sizes were plentiful, and the atmosphere was fun, but the dishes were a little too heavy. I would however, try making this habanero scramble at home since I really enjoyed it.

On another note, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you received everything you wished for and more this holiday season. Hopefully, Victoria and I can squeeze in a few more posts before 2013!

Love,
--y

Seoul Sausage Company - Los Angeles, California

Address: 11313 Mississippi Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90005

Items Ordered:

• Galbi Sausage - 100% All beef kalbi flavored sausage served with kimchi-relish and garlic jalapeno aioli
• Lil' Osaka Ball - Deep fried Japanese curry rice ball
• DA KFC - Korean Fried Chicken

The winner of The Great Food Truck Race (Season 3) in store form? Well, my co-blogger and I decided we must try it! Overall, I had a great experience. I'm not sure if I think it is the most amazing thing ever, but it's definitely a good meal. Let's start with the sausage. We got the Galbi sausage and while it had a good mix of flavors and overall I liked it, we both think it didn't have the kick to put it over the top. The sausage didn't seem "meaty" enough. Moving on to the balls... This was my favorite item we ordered! It is a fried ball of goodness with rice, curry spices, potato, and (I think) some type of meat. It came with a garlic mayo sauce that complimented each piece of the ball well. In addition, we ordered the KFC (Korean Fried Chicken), not to be confused with that fast food place. These came with cornbread on top. I enjoyed this dish, especially the spices and crispiness of the chicken. Lastly, I must talk about the water by the box that YJ loved. Water, in a box...strange, but it works (and is better for the environment). Go there and try it for yourself! :)

-V

Langer's Deli -Downtown Los Angeles, California

Address: 704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Items Ordered:

• #19: Pastrami, swiss cheese, and cole slaw with Russian style dressing
• Chicken breast sandwich with cheese
• Home fries

The menu at Langer's is huge, but the only sandwich that anyone ever raves about is the #19 pastrami sandwich. While the sandwich was full of meaty pastrami, and the rye bread delicious, I thought the Russian dressing was a little overwhelming. I can't help but think that Langer's is a little overrated. I still prefer the options at Bay Cities and Apple Pan on the Westside. The chicken sandwich and fries were pretty standard as well. I liked Langer's, but wouldn't really go out of my way to visit again. Let me know what you think.

--y

Bäco Mercat - Los Angeles, California

Address: 408 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Items Ordered:

• Warm potato salad with pickled vegetables
• Original bäco sandwich - pork belly, beef carnitas, salbitxada
• El Pesco bäco sandwich - crispy shrimp, sriracha, chive

There are some places that have been on my radar for so long that when I finally visit, I just want to order everything on the menu. Fortunately, I have smarter friends than myself, and we were able to narrow down our selections to just 3 options at Bäco Mercat. I have to say, the restaurant really lived up to the hype. The flatbread of the sandwich was somehow crispy yet soft at the same time, and the pork belly and shrimp were both seasoned well. The sauces weren't overwhelming, and one sandwich is definitely substantial enough for lunch or dinner. The warm potato salad was amazing! Crispy potatoes that were well-dressed, absolutely delicious! I would definitely order this again and probably a few more appetizers as well. Highly recommend this restaurant, and props to the chef. Try it for yourself!

--y

Joan's on Third - Los Angeles, California

Address: 8350 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Items Ordered:

• Grandma's sandwich - cappicola, toscano, mortadella & provolone with spicy peppers on a crusty italian roll
• Pressed chicken, bacon & brie - with caramelized onions on French baguette
• Hummus w/ hard boiled egg, cucumber, and tomato 

I've been to Joan's on Third more than once, and loved it each time! The sandwich descriptions are mouthwatering and taste delicious too, especially the pressed chicken sandwich w/ crispy perfectly salted bacon. The Grandma's sandwich held fresh ingredients, but couldn't match up to the Godmother sandwich at Bay Cities. But no worries, there are still a multitude of breakfast and lunch options at Joan's to overwhelm your decision making capacity. The prepared salads and the hummus we got on this day was amazing, and I highly recommend it. Joan's on Third is like a more accessible Dean & Deluca's, and I'm glad it's in my neighborhood.** Extra tip:** there's a great French cafe/bakery 2 blocks down called Little Next Door with THE BEST salted caramel macaron! Try both places for yourself!!

--y

 

The Spice Table - Los Angeles, CA

Address: 114 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Items Ordered:

• Hainanese Chicken Rice - confit Jidori chicken leg, Hainanese rice w/ sweet soy sauce, scallion ginger & chile sauce
• Laksa - rice noodles, laksa leaf, spicy coconut-seafood gravy
• Char kway teow - rice noodles, Manila clams, pork, bean sprouts, egg

Nobody likes bland food, and The Spice Table is the complete opposite of bland. BUT after drinking 3 glasses of water during the meal I think my taste buds were ready for a break! The char kway teow was wayyy too salty and not very reminiscent of the dish once eaten on the streets of Malaysia. The laksa was actually very flavorful and rich, but take the first bite with caution since it's a pretty spicy dish. The Hainanese chicken rice was the standout dish of the night and the accompanying sauces were great, but it's difficult to justify the price tag for such simple ingredients. I probably won't make a return trip to The Spice Table and recommend visiting Savoy Kitchen in Alhambra for your Hainanese chicken rice fix instead.

--y

A-Frame - Culver City, California

Address: 12565 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Items Ordered:

• Furikake Kettle Corn: buttered blazin J's Hawaiian style
• Heirloom Pickles w/ creamy dip & EVOO
• Kitchen Fries: Okinawan yam, Korean sweet potato w/ kimchi sour cream & sea salt
• Warm Cornbread & Chicken Salad w/ italian sausage ragout, salsa verde & pickled onion
• Knuckle Sandwich: braised oxtail tendons & knuckles w/ soy chili dipping sauce & toast
• Cracklin' Beer Can Chicken w/ kimchi, century egg, salsa roja & verde
• Chu-Don't-Know-Mang: cinnamon churros w/ malted choc milk & vanilla ice cream
• Thick Ass Ice Cream Sandwich - peanut butter ice cream & rice krispie cookie

I'm probably behind on posting about A-Frame by a year, BUT what I do remember is that I was underwhelmed by the food but excited by my dining companions. The furikake kettle corn was delicious, and you know I love a good fried chicken, but other than those dishes, I thought everything was a little too oily and there were too many pickled ingredients. Also, I distinctly recall that the oxtail stew was surprisingly tasteless and mushy, and I would definitely skip that option. Although I was disappointed by the food at A-Frame, I got to catch up with my co-residents, and their company and humor never disappoint :).

--y

Sonoma Wine Garden - Santa Monica, California

Address: 395 Santa Monica Pl, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Items Ordered:

• Garden pizza - ricotta, wild mushrooms, arugula and white truffle oil w/ fennel sausage
• Truffle fries with parmesan and garden parsley
• Arugula salad w/ pear, cranberry, ricotta (?), and walnuts
• Tiramisu & homemade vanilla bean ice cream

Santa Monica Place is so much cooler now. The restaurants and shops are all fancy shmancy--right up my alley. Sonoma Wine Garden is probably my favorite restaurant there since the decor is cute, there's an abundance of wine, and the pizzas are made with deliciously fresh ingredients while still retaining a crispy crust. It doesn't hurt that I love truffle oil, and they put it over almost everything. I don't care what Gordon Ramsay has to say about that! I definitely recommend the pizzas or pastas, but you can pass on the desserts since they're kind of lackluster. Dress up, be fancy, and give Sonoma Wine Garden a try, and let me know what you think!

--y

Twisted Vine - Fullerton, California

Address: 127 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832

Items Ordered:

• Baked brie sourdough bowl - **must order**
• Grilled turkey panini w/ brie, sundried tomatoes, mustard, mayo, and pesto
• Beef empanadas served with a creamy chipotle sauce
• Jumbo lump crab cakes w/ bacon & served w/ creole honey mustard
• Nutella panini w/ bananas & strawberries
• Stuffed french toast empanadas served w/ a strawberry champagne compote

I can't believe I haven't blogged about Twisted Vine yet. Their baked brie bowl is one of the most amazing things I've ever stuffed in my face (or eaten in a very slow and ladylike manner...I'll let your imagination decide). Besides that, the beef empanadas are deliciously savory, and you can't go wrong with nutella anything. There's always been ample sitting room, friendly employees, plus a wide selection of wines at a reasonable price. What I'm saying is...go there now! It might be crazy (at 8 in the morning), but if you do, don't forget to call me maybe?

--y

L.A. Wine Fest Food Trucks - Los Angeles, CA

Address: 5300 Melrose Ave (Raleigh Studios) Hollywood, CA (Jun 9-10, 2012)

Items Ordered:

• Dogtown Dogs - CA dog: avocado, arugula, basil aioli, tomato & fried onions; cheesy tots
• No Tomatoes! - chicken tikka masala
• Tainamite - papaya salad w/ shrimp; sweet potato fries
• Sweet Wheels Dessert Truck - ricotta puffs w/ tangerine cream

I love wine. I love food more. I love them both exponentially better together on a nice sunny day in L.A. Thus, the L.A. Wine Fest was destined to be a success! Some of my favorite wines were the 2010 Napa Chardonnay from Frank Family Wines, the 2006 Redwood Valley Syrah from Frey Organic Winery, the Gewürztraminer from Pyrenees Vineyard & Cellars, and the Honey Pie from Cielo Estate Winery--now I'll never forget next time I'm at BevMo scratching my head in the middle of an aisle. 

With that said, it's much too dangerous to drink on an empty stomach (or without chocolate, cheese, or friends for that matter) so luckily there were plenty of food trucks abound to help soak up the alcohol. I really loved the papaya salad with delicious grilled, bursty shrimps from Tainamite, and their sweet potato fries didn't disappoint either. My second favorite was definitely the ricotta puffs that weren't too greasy and the accompanying scrumptious tangerine cream. Dogtown dogs was standard American food fare so I wasn't too impressed, and unfortunately the chicken was kind of dry in the tikka masala from the No Tomatoes! truck AND the sauce was perhaps too tangy? I'll stick w/ Mayura restaurant in Culver City for my chicken tikka masala fix.

Overall, the L.A. Wine Fest a was great experience, and I hope to see you double fisting there in 2013! :)

--y

ink.sack - West Hollywood, California

Address: 8360 Melrose Ave #107, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Items Ordered:

• Cold Fried Chicken House-Made Ranch Cheese, Gindo’s Spice of Life
• The Jose Andrés (aka The Spanish Godfather) Serrano, Chorizo, Lomo, Manchego
• “Reuben” Corned Beef Tongue, Appenzeller Cheeze, Kraut, Russian Dressing 
• Pineapple Chile y Limon

I <3 sandwiches. Just imagine me as Joey from Friends but as a girl who will eat almost any concoction slapped between 2 slices of bread. That's probably why I arrived outside of ink.sack 30 minutes before they even opened one Saturday morning--but surprisingly, I wasn't the only one! The ratio of meat, cheese, veggies, & sauce to carbohydrates was extremely well proportioned in all 3 sandwiches. Each bite allowed the delicious flavors to meld together. The cold fried chicken really lived up to the hype as the chicken was still crispy, and the ingredients matched perfectly. The Reuben was my favorite! I had no idea that beef tongue could be made so tender and flavorful, and the Russian dressing was not overpowering or too saucy. Really, one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The Jose Andrés was tasty enough, but was overshadowed by the other 2 sandwiches. Don't forget the chili pineapple or watermelon either, it's a really refreshing treat for the summer. I can't wait for my next visit to ink.sack to try everything else on the menu. Two thumbs up for Top Chef Michael Voltaggio!!

--y

Nong Lá Vietnamese Cafe - West Los Angeles, California

Address: 2055 Sawtelle Blvd, West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Items Ordered:

• Pho Tai Bo Vien - fresh rice noodles with rare steak & beef ball
• Bun Bo Hue - spicy lemongrass beef soup w/ vermicelli noodles, pork patty, & beef
• Cha Gio - crispy egg rolls w/ ground pork, shrimp, carrots & glass noodles
• Nem Nuong Cuon - rice paper rolls w/ grilled pork patty (not pictured)

Ever since reading on Eater LA that Nong Lá was open on the Westside, I was just itching to try the food. Luckily, I have friends that indulge my foodie needs, and we headed to the restaurant for lunch last week. The space was a little cramped but the wait at lunchtime was only about 5 minutes for 2 people. With my first taste of the pho broth & beef meatballs, I knew I would come back here for my Vietnamese food fix. The broth was lighter than most authentic Vietnamese restaurants probably due to the lack of MSG, but it still managed to be flavorful and hearty. It's also a huge bowl of pho, and I couldn't finish all of it (a first!). The bun bo hue was also tasty, but the spiciness level would have ranked in milder on the Scoville Scale than at other Vietnamese restaurants. Try the deep fried egg rolls too, they are crunchy and delicious, and I felt semi-better wrapping it in a huge piece of lettuce before gobbling it up. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is the nem nuong cuon...stick with Brodard's for that item. Service was very attentive, but they tend to forget some parts of your orders. I'm sure with time and experience the staff will figure out their kinks. I hope Nong Lá sticks around for awhile as I plan to come back soon!

--y

Fig & Olive - West Hollywood, California

Address: 8490 Melrose Pl, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Items Ordered:

• Sea scallops & truffle artichoke tapenade (not pictured) - White Truffle Oil
• Paella del Mar - saffron rice w/ tiger shrimp, scallop, mussels, etc - Hojiblanca Olive Oil
• Mediterranean branzino w/ fig & balsamic - Koroneiki Olive Oil

Who doesn't love their birthday? Not only do you get to see people that you love all in one place BUT the best part is that they want to buy you food and drinks :D. On this particular birthday celebration, I got to see Connie and try some of her paella which had succulent scallops & shrimp atop creamy carbohydrates. As for my own dish, I enjoyed the crispy branzino skin, but the sweetness & mushiness of the figs were a little off-putting for my taste. The bread dipped in different olive oils was a great start to the meal, and I liked the richness that the different oils added to the flavor of the dishes. The overall decor of the restaurant was elegant and the service was impeccable. I could see why President Obama (or his staff) would have chosen to hold a fundraiser here. As for a return visit, I wasn't completely wowed by the food or concept, but if you're looking for a treat or somewhere to impress your date, then I would recommend paying a visit.

--y

Picca - West Los Angeles, California

Address: 9575 W Pico Blvd, West Los Angeles, CA 90035

Items Ordered:

• ceviche mixto. mixed seafood, sweet potato, choclo
• causa spicy yellowtail. spicy mayo, green onions, wasabi tobiko
• anticucho black cod. miso anticucho, crispy sweet potato (not pictured)
• chicharron de pollo. marinated crispy chicken, salsa criolla, rocoto sauce
• arroz con erizo. peruvian paella, mixed seafood , sea urchin sauce
• chanfainita. braised oxtail, mote and potato stew

Did you know that "pica" is an eating disorder where people eat largely non-food items? Well, to my astonishment, we were served delicious Peruvian tapas at Picca instead of pieces of glass and chalk. Already a plus in my book! The restaurant itself and presentation of dishes was beautiful and appetizing, and probably made me enjoy the experience more. Both of the small bites (causa and anticucho) are worth a try, but were so quickly consumed, that I can't remember much about them now. Ceviche was deliciously tangy and had a bountiful amount of seafood--highly recommend! Also, the fried chicken tasted like savory nuggets of deliciousness, but how can you really go wrong with fried chicken? My last favorite dish of the night was the braised oxtail stew, it was just good home-cooking and sopping up the sauce with house bread made it even better. Unfortunately, the paella was too rich and salty, and left me thirsty and chewing on some ice as I was leaving the restaurant...perhaps Picca and pica are slightly synonymous after all :O.You've got to try it for yourself to judge.

--y

Wurstküche - Downtown Los Angeles, California

Address: 800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Items Ordered:

• Bratwurst - fine cuts of pork, coriander and nutmeg
• Chicken Apple & Spices - apple and specks of cinnamon (pork free)
• Austin Blues - hot & spicy, tri-pepper, and hardwood smoked pork
• Louisiana Hot Link -beef and pork, onions and hot spices
• Duck & Bacon with Jalapeno Peppers
• Rattlesnake & Rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers
• Groot (L) fries w/ bleu cheese walnut & bacon, chipotle aioli, & curry ketchup dips
• Gouden Carolus Belgian beer

I have to admit it--I was really hungry last week so I ordered 6 sausages, 2 fries, and a beer for myself. I feel bad for my friends who had the misfortune of accompanying me to dinner, they must have been starving all night! So how did EVERYTHING taste? The flavor of the spicy sausages outshone the others so I would recommend the Austin Blues, hot link, and even rattlesnake & rabbit. Surprisingly, the rattlesnake and rabbit didn't taste very odd or gamey, and I actually enjoyed it. My least favorite sausage was probably the duck and bacon as I think it was too mild-tasting and needed a lot of mustard to spice it up. Last but not least, the hot and crispy french fries dipped in the above sauces might even be more enjoyable than the sausages themselves. Oh, and it might be a good idea to share some of this food with your friends to maximize the communal Wurstküche experience. Wurstküche is a good place to check out the "sharing is caring" theory, and I recommend you try it.

--y

Plan Check - West Los Angeles, California

Address: 1800 Sawtelle Blvd, West Los Angeles, CA 90025

Items Ordered (sorry bout the camera phone pics):

• Drinks (not pictured): little Osaka sour, adulterated soda (vanilla soda w/ whiskey)
  
• Appetizers: baked crab dip, fresh cut fries, veggie chips w/ avocado dip
• Mains: Plan Check Burger, Chef's Favorite Burger, southern fry, pastrami nosh (not pictured)
• Specials: shrimp burger, pork belly torta (not pictured)
  
• Desserts: Cereal ice cream bar from Momofuku, cruller donuts

Plan Check has been garnering a line outside the door ever since it opened in West L.A. Apparently, the restaurant is from the owners of Umami Burger, which might explain the hype. Since I love Umami Burger, I went a little overboard on my 2 visits, and have been able to try almost everything on the menu :P. Drinks-wise, I loved my adulterated soda, which tasted like an alcoholic ice-cream float. As I was nearing the end of my glass, a waiter came by and mistakenly poured ice tea into the glass. Did drama ensue? Was this a restaurant FAIL?! No, actually I got a replacement drink free of charge, and it actually made dinner even more enjoyable :). The appetizers didn't fare as well as the drinks as they were kind of small or a little too oily. I would recommend just ordering an extra burger instead! Having tried a bite or two of several burger offerings from Plan Check, the definite standouts were the Chef's Favorite Burger (CFB) and the pastrami nosh. The CFB actually had a spicy tang from the hot sauce, and I loved the runny egg paired with the soft bun--this one is a must order. The pastrami nosh was beautifully smoky, and had a nice contrasting flavor from the kimchi mustard. After eating both dishes though, I was super stuffed! As far as the other burgers go, I thought I would like the southern fry & PCB more, but they can't really match the flavors of the 2 standouts. The pork belly torta was tasty, but overall had too much fat and mayonnaise for me to order it again. Last but not least, I SUPER recommend the cereal milk bar for dessert if it's available. It's one of the best desserts I've had in a long time. Overall, if you've been debating whether braving LA traffic to the Westside is worth it to visit Plan Check, then I would say stop debating and start driving! :P

-y

Three Broomsticks - Orlando, Florida

Address: 6000 Universal Blvd (Islands of Adventure) Orlando, FL 32819

Items Ordered:

• Cornish pasties
• Fish and chips
• Turkey leg
  
• Butterbeer & pumpkin juice
  

Where's the happiest place on Earth located?! Hints: it's in Orlando, there's a mouse involved, and magic is everywhere--it's Wizarding World of Harry Potter of course!! The food at Three Broomsticks was perfectly acceptable and the butterbeer and pumpkin juice were super delicious. The only way the food and atmosphere could've been more enjoyable was if it was actually made by house elves. Being at Three Broomsticks just makes me kind of sad that I'm an ordinary, magic-less Muggle. For anyone who's a Harry Potter fan, Wizarding World of HP and Three Broomsticks is a must visit!

-y

The Apple Pan - West Los Angeles, CA

Address: 10801 W Pico Blvd, West Los Angeles, CA 90064

Items Ordered:

• Hickoryburger with Tillamook cheddar cheese
• Steakburger
• French fries
  
• Apple pie à la mode

The Apple Pan is within walking distance of where I live, yet I've only eaten pies there for the last 2 years--albeit deliciously, gooey, and warm boysenberry, apple, and banana cream pies. It was at the recommendation of Jonathan Gold's 99 Eats that I decided to brave the line and try the hickoryburger at The Apple Pan, and I'm so glad I did. The hickoryburger had a nice tangy sauce and the cheese was melted perfectly, making this one messy but super enjoyable burger. Oh yea, the fries are perfectly crispy here, and I would go back just for the fries as well. Last but not least, with a place called Apple Pan how can you not get the apple pie...mmm. I really loved this old school diner, and I highly recommend you try it!

--y

9021PHO - Beverly Hills, California

Address: 490 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Items Ordered:

• Pho Bo
• BBQ pork Banh Mi

You might be surprised, but growing up in Houston, I was surrounded by authentic Vietnamese restaurants as well as homemade Vietnamese food from my friends' houses. So lets say I'm a Vietnamese food expert ;). Why then did I go to a pho restaurant in the middle of Beverly Hills?? Cuz 1. I liked the name, and 2. I'm still on an epic search for authentic Vietnamese food in West LA --it's debatable whether I will ever find that elusive place. So how was 9021PHO? The pho broth was a little on the bland side, and I wasn't in love with it. I'd only rate it above Pho Citi on the Westside. However, the BBQ pork banh mi was surprisingly flavorful and the baguette was nice and crunchy, but I couldn't wrap my mind around the hefty price tag. Would I recommend a visit? Nah, save your money and taste buds for some Sprinkles cupcakes or Urth Caffe instead.

-y

Elite Restaurant - Monterey Park, California

新年快樂！恭喜發財！Happy Lunar New Year! Gong xi fa cai! May your new year be filled with joy, luck, health and prosperity! In honor of the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, a dim sum post for you :)


Address: 700 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Items Ordered:

• Pork siu mai, shrimp har gow, spare ribs, bean curd wrap, chicken feet (small items)
  
• Shrimp rice roll, steamed turnip, sticky rice in lotus leaf (larger items)
  
• Crispy snow bun, golden cream bun, bbq pork buns (dessert/buns)

Elite Restaurant is an order-off-the-checklist-menu dim sum restaurant, which I prefer since the food is more fresh and you don't feel as bad turning away the Chinese ladies hawking their food. My group of 5 arrived around 10:30am and the wait was only about 10 minutes long--come any later though, and your wait time can be up to an hour plus! I was really impressed with the quality of the food coming out of the kitchen and the pace of their service too. This was some of the best siu mai and har gow AND chicken feet I've had anywhere, and I've been itching to return to Elite Restaurant. The only thing that I wouldn't order again is the steamed turnip since I like the pan-fried version. Maybe it's the fatty inside me talking. Otherwise, I enjoyed everything from the food to the company, and hope you can make it out to Chinatown for a delicious visit sometime!

--y

Tartine Bakery - San Francisco, California

Address: 600 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Items Ordered:

• Spicy sopressata, fontina, broccoli rabe pesto sandwich
• Niman Ranch pastrami sandwich w/ horseradish & gruyere
• Croque Monsieur w/ bechamel, gruyere, thyme, & Niman Ranch ham
• Coconut passionfruit bavarian cake
• Chocolate eclair

You might think that if you visit Tartine Bakery on a random Tuesday at 11am or 2pm you wouldn't have to wait in line for savory sandwiches or moist delicious pastries. Well you'd be WRONG. There is always a line out the door at Tartine b/c their sandwiches are packed with flavor and perfectly melted ooey gooey cheese. The bread can be quite crunchy so it might not be the best place to bring Grandma :(. The mouthwatering pastries on display are hard to choose from, but you can't go wrong with anything you pick. Try not to eat too much here though b/c just a little walk away you can also visit Pizzeria Delfina and Bi-Rite Creamery--2 delicious San Francisco institutions. I'm experiencing some San Francisco withdrawal as I write this post so it might be time to plan a trip soon! Hopefully, I can snatch a morning bun at Tartine before they run out :O.

--y

Son of a Gun - Los Angeles, California

Address: 8370 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Items Ordered:

• Smoked mahi fish dip: celery, radish, crackers
• Lobster roll: celery, lemon aioli
• Shrimp toast sandwich: herbs, sriracha mayo
• Fried chicken sandwich: spicy b&b picckle slaw, rooster aioli
• Linguine and clams: uni aglio-olio, chili, breadcrumbs
• Roasted escolar: truffled pomme puree, chicken jus

HAPPY 2012!! Hope last year was fantastic, and that each new year continues to be better than the last! And now back to the food...

I was excited about trying Son of a Gun, the seafood counterpart to Animal, since I prefer seafood over random piggy parts, and the restaurant did not disappoint. First, the not-so-good: the shrimp toast was too oily for my taste, the fried chicken sandwich was overwhelmed by the tangy slaw, and the linguine and clams weren't that special for the price. With that said, we still polished off every plate. The goods: mahi dip was a smoky, creamy leap above tuna salad made in my kitchen, and the lobster roll was amazing! Too bad it came in such a small size, I recommend ordering one per person so you don't end up fighting over it. Last but not least, the roasted escolar was crispy and tender and probably one of my favorite dishes of 2011! The truffle potato puree was creamy and buttery, and the dish just really works. I would definitely return to Son of a Gun for the escolar and lobster roll. Try it and let me know what you think.

--y