Umamicatessen - Los Angeles, California

Address: 852 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Items Ordered:

• Truffle beet salad - ricotta, smoked almonds, baby arugula, truffle dressing
• Quinoa salad - chickpeas, bell pepper, tomato, cukes, citrus vinaigrette
• Crispy pig's ears - with parsley, lime, brainase
• PIGG style fries - pickled peppers, ham puree, brainase
• Truffle burger - house made truffle cheese, truffle glaze
• Pastrami reuben - kraut, swiss cheese, house spread
• Meyer lemon curd donut - yogurt glaze, freeze-dried blueberries
• Bread pudding - whiskey, dried fruit, zested orange cream cheese
• Honeycomb ice cream

I've been on a winning streak with the restaurants I've tried recently. Umamicatessen was delicious; I enjoyed every dish and drink we tried, but there are a few must orders. 1) Pastrami reuben - seriously, the most tender and flavorful pastrami I've EVER tasted. If I could eat this for lunch everyday, my life would be complete 2) Bread pudding - so good..I can't even describe it to you. Order this dessert!! 3) Honeycomb ice cream - very inventive, not too sweet...does it come in anything larger than a pint?! The 100% lard fried pig ears and fries are also amazing. Umamicatessen has way more options than any of the Umami Burger locations, but they still make a scrumptious truffle burger. As I'm writing this, I'm imagining myself getting my hands on the amazing pastrami reuben again. Don't delay; bring some friends and come to Umamicatessen for a delicious indulgence asap!!

--y

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