I had the pleasure of returning to The Little Door again last week. It was wonderful as always, and this time packed with clientele including some celebs, judging by the Pap who we found waiting outside after our meal. (I gave him my best angle.) I could not resist once again having the seared foie gras...just the thought of it was irresistible. I also had a glass of a wonderful Torri Mor Willamette Valley 2005 Pinot Noir. Man, was that good. Thought I'd try it since I recognized the label as one of my favorite Pinot Gris choices from my wine tasting party. It did not disappoint-- jammy, smooth, fruity yet dry goodness that I always come to look for in Oregon wines.
I also had a deliciously simple arugula salad which was on special. In a lovely nod to the season, it had "wonderful pomegranate seeds" on it. It also had a light, zingy champagne vinagrette and tasty, shaved Onetik cheese on top. I learned on the internets that this is a Pyrenean sheep blue cheese which comes from Basque country and goes particularly well with red wines. (I can confirm that allegation.) The salad was awesome, crunchy, and refreshing. I would try to recreate it at home in a second.
My companions all loved their dishes, which included the intriguing pistachio crusted goat cheese tart appetizer. In the end we split two of the flourless chocolate cakes. I was lucky enough to take the remains of one of them home.
Another fabulous meal at Little Door-- cheers to that!
:-P
Showing posts with label Los Angeles restaurant reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles restaurant reviews. Show all posts
Monday, October 15, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Little Door - and apologies for being MIA!
So, so sorry, dear readers/eaters, for being MIA. The ebb and flow of work-life hit a bit of a riptide for me (and I know Emilia has had a similar spell)...but now I'm back and I hope to continue to add delicious tidbits to this long-neglected little journal in the near future.
The past month has not been a big eating out month for me, but I did have a wonderful dinner at The Little Door at 3rd and Crescent Heights in Hollywood recently.
The place is gorgeous-- a truly romantic spot. It's got a French-Mediterranean vibe with lots of soft lighting, chandeliers, and a massive outdoor dining spot draped in the canopy of a tree. When you walk in, true to its name, you go through a charming little door. When I went on a weeknight, the place was packed. The tables are big and rustic, but the food is very gourmet and elegant.
I started with the marvelous roquefort-stuffed grilled figs wrapped in prosciutto, which came with a perfect mesclun green salad and port wine reduction drizzled around the plate. Truly rich and delicious. I then had another appetizer (since they looked sooo good I couldn't resist having two for my meal, a thing I do often). This one was a fabulous, fabulous seared duck foie gras with poached peaches, on top of a light and fluffy, slightly sweet pistachio pancake. I tasted other dishes such as seared scallops, pork with North African spices (which I found kind of ironic), and a beet salad. All were yummy and my companions seemed to enjoy them.
The wine list was exhaustive and we drank a nice Pinot Noir and finished with some bubbly. I also had a super-rich but seriously great flourless chocolate cake, which was tough to pick over the cheese plate but so good. I ate a bit and was in heaven. I took the rest home and proceeded to eat a couple of bites every night after work for a few days, and was in heaven. Really, really good. They don't mess around.
All in all, a wonderful place that I hope to return to soon. Word of warning, it is sort of silly expensive. But even so, I was not disappointed!
For reviews of The Little Door, click here.
Food:
(3.75)
Ambience:
(4)
Overall:(4)
For an explanation of our ratings system, CLICK HERE!
The past month has not been a big eating out month for me, but I did have a wonderful dinner at The Little Door at 3rd and Crescent Heights in Hollywood recently.
The place is gorgeous-- a truly romantic spot. It's got a French-Mediterranean vibe with lots of soft lighting, chandeliers, and a massive outdoor dining spot draped in the canopy of a tree. When you walk in, true to its name, you go through a charming little door. When I went on a weeknight, the place was packed. The tables are big and rustic, but the food is very gourmet and elegant.
I started with the marvelous roquefort-stuffed grilled figs wrapped in prosciutto, which came with a perfect mesclun green salad and port wine reduction drizzled around the plate. Truly rich and delicious. I then had another appetizer (since they looked sooo good I couldn't resist having two for my meal, a thing I do often). This one was a fabulous, fabulous seared duck foie gras with poached peaches, on top of a light and fluffy, slightly sweet pistachio pancake. I tasted other dishes such as seared scallops, pork with North African spices (which I found kind of ironic), and a beet salad. All were yummy and my companions seemed to enjoy them.
The wine list was exhaustive and we drank a nice Pinot Noir and finished with some bubbly. I also had a super-rich but seriously great flourless chocolate cake, which was tough to pick over the cheese plate but so good. I ate a bit and was in heaven. I took the rest home and proceeded to eat a couple of bites every night after work for a few days, and was in heaven. Really, really good. They don't mess around.
All in all, a wonderful place that I hope to return to soon. Word of warning, it is sort of silly expensive. But even so, I was not disappointed!
For reviews of The Little Door, click here.
Food:
(3.75)Ambience:
(4)Overall:
(4)For an explanation of our ratings system, CLICK HERE!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Sushi 101 - What is Fresh Sushi?
As some of you may know from reading my posts, I am a sushi FIEND and aspiring sushi connoisseur. I have been a fan for a few years now, but my obsession was sealed by my trip to Japan last fall- ten days in Tokyo and Kyoto which included a visit to Daiwa at the Tsukiji fish market in the wee hours of the morning, the highlight of my sushi life (and even better than the $250-a-head omakase we had at a very fancy sushi place at the New Otani hotel in Tokyo, which I will write about at another time). As my Sasabune review shows, though, I have very little tolerance for bad sushi. I find it very depressing and sad that many sushi fans lavish praise on places (and therefore, lead me to go drop bank on these establishments) that have crappy, soft, unfresh, unyummy sushi that is way overpriced and way overrated. (When people say the sushi somewhere is awesome because it is buttery, soft, melts in your mouth, or similar descriptions, I get very suspicious that they are talking about such a place-- and very often, they are!)
A photo from my visit to Daiwa.
So, I am on a mission to spread the word on what makes sushi good, how you can tell when it's fresh and high quality or not, and where to go to find the best options in LA and wherever else I have occasion to eat my beloved sush. I don't have all the answers-- I am a student, not a master. But I hope that as I continue to learn and explore you can come along for the ride.
Part of the mission includes scouring Yelp to find promising options. Upon reading reviews of The Hump, a place in Santa Monica one of my Japanese sushi maven friends swears by and which I am filling my piggy bank for, I happened upon an incredibly knowledgeable review (excerpts of which are posted below) and immediately contacted the author to ask his permission to share it with all of you. His name is Michael, and by some strange coincidence he, too, is a lawyer. He became a fish expert when he used to work at the Tokyo Fish Market in Berkeley, California, where he cut, bought and sold fish professionally. He is also a fisherman.
A few weeks ago Michael and I got into an email conversation about fish that has continued to this day. Michael also went to Daiwa in the fish market in Tokyo in the early hours of the morning and agrees that it's the gold standard. He has also given me a tip-- tell sushi chefs at nice places you've been to Daiwa, and they give you a respectful nod (and extra attentive bites, perhaps?). Oh yeah, and he totally agrees with me about Sasabune- which was a relief since I thought I was the only nut who didn't like it. I hope to continue to ask his opinion, which is much more expert than mine, on sushi places I frequent and share his thoughts with all of you on an ongoing basis.
Educational Excerpts from Michael's Review of The Hump (from Yelp)
"So, I went to the Hump...Coincidentally, Brian, the owner, had just come back from Japan, bringing a huge purple chunk of Himalayan rock salt (Japanese chefs love weird salts) and would be sitting for dinner. We chatted briefly - because we were there by ourselves - and Melanie [the hostess] said that we would be sitting next to each other.Over the course of the evening, I discussed with Melanie and Brian the following:
1. Proper handling of fish is of paramount importance to fish
2. Fresh, unfortunately, does not equal properly handled
3. Live fish that is quickly killed is best
4. Fish that has not gone into rigor mortis is not firm, and thus gummy and rubbery
5. Tsukiji's Bluefin Tuna Auction (been there and it is an amazing thing to see)
6. Daiwa Sushi, considered by some to be one of the best places to eat sushi in Japan because it's IN Tsukiji, (and sushi in general in Japan) is not served with overly warm rice or loosely packed rice
7. There are a lot of mediocre sushi bars now
8. Most Bluefin Tuna is coming from Spain because they're harvesting spawning tuna in the Mediterranean Sea and pen raising them off the coast of Spain
9. The Hump pays for top quality, carefully handled fish
10. The Hump keeps a number of its fish live in tanks
While Brian disappeared for a bit, I was seated at the end of the bar. What followed next, I can only describe as a revelation. Most fish sold to sushi bars are sold dead. That's not news to most of the world. And all the talk of eating "live" sushi? It's straight BS unless the fish is still breathing (the Hump serves that here too - I saw a breathing okoze (sculpin) cleanly filleted for live sashimi).
What is news is how poorly fish is treated once it's caught (like the news about how Chinese fish oftentimes does not pass USDA standards because it's filthy). Fish, like all living animals, goes into rigor mortis soon after it's dead. As time passes, the meat will relax and become softer. However, when the fish is well taken care of, and not handled like junk, the meat will stay firm for several days. Handle it like crap, and it will become soft very quickly. (At almost all sushi bars, you're most likely not getting fish that's so fresh it hasn't gone into rigor mortis. So, if you're wondering why a piece of fish is soft, it's because it's OLD.)
The Hump's fish is REALLY fresh. It's rigor mortis fresh. It's so fresh, that the texture of some of the fish, I can almost describe as "crunchy." I primarily had Shiromi. I started off with Tai and Hirame, then had Sujiara, Nodoguro, Managatsuo, Konbujime Ayu, Sanma, Tairagai and Uni. The Tai (with lemon juice and salt) was very good. It was rich and fatty; very rich for a summer fish. The Hirame (with ponzu, momiji oroshi and green onions) was an indicator of things to come. The flesh was firm, much more firm, sweet and substantial. The Sujiara (aka Kue, or Coral Grouper), had a rich, strong, flavor. The flavor got stronger as you chewed on it and it was so firm, it felt so much more substantial than your ordinary white fish sushi. Some people would consider the flesh "hard." But it really is a sign of true freshness. And the flavor was tremendous. The Nodoguro (a perch), also had firm texture, mild sweetness and excellent flavor. The Sanma was rich and oily and firm. (Get the picture?) The Tairagai was simply the best ever. So firm, sweet, and rich. It was amazing.
These fish were so firm and meaty, they were completely different than any place that I've had sushi in LA. I wish I tried more. Brian came back, asked for one of the chefs to use the rock salt he brought back for something. Well, the chef served him up some usuzukuri sujiara, with the salt shaved onto it. It looked fantastic. I thanked him for a great meal and great fresh fish. Brian's a warm and charming owner, who takes real pride in what the restaurant is doing. This shows everywhere. The staff is well trained and very attentive. The chefs care about the work they do and take great care.
So F serious sushi bars. F anyone who claims to know what "truly fresh fish" or who is a "expert on sushi" who hasn't gone fishing, can't fillet, doesn't know that freshly caught fish that hasn't gone into rigor mortis is going to be like chewing something with only slightly better texture than rubber. Stop the BS. Stop the trendiness. Eat really fresh sushi. Eat at the Hump. (It'll be #1 on my list if it's this good all the time.)"
Thanks, Michael! :-P
A photo from my visit to Daiwa.
So, I am on a mission to spread the word on what makes sushi good, how you can tell when it's fresh and high quality or not, and where to go to find the best options in LA and wherever else I have occasion to eat my beloved sush. I don't have all the answers-- I am a student, not a master. But I hope that as I continue to learn and explore you can come along for the ride.
Part of the mission includes scouring Yelp to find promising options. Upon reading reviews of The Hump, a place in Santa Monica one of my Japanese sushi maven friends swears by and which I am filling my piggy bank for, I happened upon an incredibly knowledgeable review (excerpts of which are posted below) and immediately contacted the author to ask his permission to share it with all of you. His name is Michael, and by some strange coincidence he, too, is a lawyer. He became a fish expert when he used to work at the Tokyo Fish Market in Berkeley, California, where he cut, bought and sold fish professionally. He is also a fisherman.
A few weeks ago Michael and I got into an email conversation about fish that has continued to this day. Michael also went to Daiwa in the fish market in Tokyo in the early hours of the morning and agrees that it's the gold standard. He has also given me a tip-- tell sushi chefs at nice places you've been to Daiwa, and they give you a respectful nod (and extra attentive bites, perhaps?). Oh yeah, and he totally agrees with me about Sasabune- which was a relief since I thought I was the only nut who didn't like it. I hope to continue to ask his opinion, which is much more expert than mine, on sushi places I frequent and share his thoughts with all of you on an ongoing basis.
Educational Excerpts from Michael's Review of The Hump (from Yelp)
"So, I went to the Hump...Coincidentally, Brian, the owner, had just come back from Japan, bringing a huge purple chunk of Himalayan rock salt (Japanese chefs love weird salts) and would be sitting for dinner. We chatted briefly - because we were there by ourselves - and Melanie [the hostess] said that we would be sitting next to each other.Over the course of the evening, I discussed with Melanie and Brian the following:
1. Proper handling of fish is of paramount importance to fish
2. Fresh, unfortunately, does not equal properly handled
3. Live fish that is quickly killed is best
4. Fish that has not gone into rigor mortis is not firm, and thus gummy and rubbery
5. Tsukiji's Bluefin Tuna Auction (been there and it is an amazing thing to see)
6. Daiwa Sushi, considered by some to be one of the best places to eat sushi in Japan because it's IN Tsukiji, (and sushi in general in Japan) is not served with overly warm rice or loosely packed rice
7. There are a lot of mediocre sushi bars now
8. Most Bluefin Tuna is coming from Spain because they're harvesting spawning tuna in the Mediterranean Sea and pen raising them off the coast of Spain
9. The Hump pays for top quality, carefully handled fish
10. The Hump keeps a number of its fish live in tanks
While Brian disappeared for a bit, I was seated at the end of the bar. What followed next, I can only describe as a revelation. Most fish sold to sushi bars are sold dead. That's not news to most of the world. And all the talk of eating "live" sushi? It's straight BS unless the fish is still breathing (the Hump serves that here too - I saw a breathing okoze (sculpin) cleanly filleted for live sashimi).
What is news is how poorly fish is treated once it's caught (like the news about how Chinese fish oftentimes does not pass USDA standards because it's filthy). Fish, like all living animals, goes into rigor mortis soon after it's dead. As time passes, the meat will relax and become softer. However, when the fish is well taken care of, and not handled like junk, the meat will stay firm for several days. Handle it like crap, and it will become soft very quickly. (At almost all sushi bars, you're most likely not getting fish that's so fresh it hasn't gone into rigor mortis. So, if you're wondering why a piece of fish is soft, it's because it's OLD.)
The Hump's fish is REALLY fresh. It's rigor mortis fresh. It's so fresh, that the texture of some of the fish, I can almost describe as "crunchy." I primarily had Shiromi. I started off with Tai and Hirame, then had Sujiara, Nodoguro, Managatsuo, Konbujime Ayu, Sanma, Tairagai and Uni. The Tai (with lemon juice and salt) was very good. It was rich and fatty; very rich for a summer fish. The Hirame (with ponzu, momiji oroshi and green onions) was an indicator of things to come. The flesh was firm, much more firm, sweet and substantial. The Sujiara (aka Kue, or Coral Grouper), had a rich, strong, flavor. The flavor got stronger as you chewed on it and it was so firm, it felt so much more substantial than your ordinary white fish sushi. Some people would consider the flesh "hard." But it really is a sign of true freshness. And the flavor was tremendous. The Nodoguro (a perch), also had firm texture, mild sweetness and excellent flavor. The Sanma was rich and oily and firm. (Get the picture?) The Tairagai was simply the best ever. So firm, sweet, and rich. It was amazing.
These fish were so firm and meaty, they were completely different than any place that I've had sushi in LA. I wish I tried more. Brian came back, asked for one of the chefs to use the rock salt he brought back for something. Well, the chef served him up some usuzukuri sujiara, with the salt shaved onto it. It looked fantastic. I thanked him for a great meal and great fresh fish. Brian's a warm and charming owner, who takes real pride in what the restaurant is doing. This shows everywhere. The staff is well trained and very attentive. The chefs care about the work they do and take great care.
So F serious sushi bars. F anyone who claims to know what "truly fresh fish" or who is a "expert on sushi" who hasn't gone fishing, can't fillet, doesn't know that freshly caught fish that hasn't gone into rigor mortis is going to be like chewing something with only slightly better texture than rubber. Stop the BS. Stop the trendiness. Eat really fresh sushi. Eat at the Hump. (It'll be #1 on my list if it's this good all the time.)"
Thanks, Michael! :-P
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
There's No Place Like HOME
I. Love. HOME! How shall I count the ways?
The Great Outdoors
Located on Hillhurst in the Los Feliz Village a short walk from my house, Home has become my home away from home. The main eating area, heralded by a wrought iron gate that proclaims in green neon lighting, "There's No Place Like Home", consists of a tree-canopied courtyard centered around a fountain filled with koi and plastic dinosaur figurines. There is some indoor seating as well which doesn't interest me. The place's tiny tables and booths are almost always packed, especially for brunch and dinner. The crowd consists mostly of hipsters wearing funky sunglasses and chain smoking, and also some scene/industry types which is always interesting. The service varies wildly depending on who you get but there are some nice waiters, and many of them have bad haircuts and tight stovepipe jeans which amuses, welcome to Los Feliz. They have a rainy day special, too,where if it's really raining and you order one entree, you get the second one for 50% off. Interesting. I myself have not taken advantage of this offer.
Food, Folks & Fun
Home has a huge menu, but this ain't no Cheesecake Factory (AAAAAAAH I DETEST!!! IT PUTS THE LOTION ON!!!) -- at Home, I have never had a miss. The food is simple and quite good -- very what you see is what you get, and something for everyone. (This place is more of an outdoor diner than a gourmet restaurant.) Prices are very reasonable, too, especially for the value and portions. Home's brunch is simple and satisfying. All kinds of eggs, pancakes, waffles. I have enjoyed the eggs benedict with smoked salmon (yum), breakfast burrito (yum), and montecristo (french toast egg sandwich with ham and cheese, heaven on a plate).
Their sandwiches are also good. Turkey ruben, grilled cheese, chicken pomodoro sandwich and grilled chicken avocado club have all been hits and come with tasty waffle fries or greasy-good huge onion rings. I've had a burger which was decent. The sloppy joe was AWESOME, just like I remembered from childhood and very sloppy. I had the pizza once, and it was just okay- the crust was lacking. I have enjoyed some of the salads, lately the caramelized apple salad which was just what I wanted (greens, caramelized walnuts and apples, tomatoes, goat cheese, balsamic vinagrette, chicken). Portions are huge so I always take half home for leftovers, which is great because I loooove leftovers.
Cool Cocktails
The best part, though, is that Home has a notably comprehensive and fun cocktail menu. The drinks are STRONG and the variety and creativity is Lola's-esque. My favorites are: the vanilla martini (Absolut vanilla, Absolut mandarin, lemon-lime soda), passionfruit martini (Effen black cherry vodka, X-Rated Fusion liqueur), and the fabulous, fabulous Grand Margarita (Patron Silver, citronge, fresh sweetened lime juice, oranges) on the rocks with a salt rim. Be careful, all the drinks are STRONG. I must plead ignorance on the beer and wine selections because I have never gotten past the cocktails!
To me, there is nothing better than having a good bite, some delicious cocktails, and a long leisurely hang out with friends in an open-air courtyard full of interesting hipster-watching. Plus, in walking distance. This combo, for me, is the main selling point of Home! As you might imagine, the outdoors setup attracts a good number of smokers-- so be aware of that if smoke bothers you. Being outdoors and spacious with a good breeze, though, it doesn't seem to be a big problem.
Brits Love It - And We All Know They Are the Smartest Since They Have English Accents
Largely because of the cocktail menu, fun L.A. hipster element, outdoors setting (the better to appreciate L.A. weather which is a foreign miracle to the English) and huge variety of food, my English cousin is obsessed, and I mean obsessed, with Home. In fact, he requested Home four times in a five day visit a couple of months ago. This past Saturday, when he arrived again with his twin brother in tow, he couldn't wait to go to Home, and I was happy to oblige.
We felt for fried so we ordered the fried chicken wings, fried jalapeno poppers, and fried Southwestern spring rolls. All were mediocre as far as these types of appetizers go but very fried. We also had margaritas galore and they were fabulous. As always, it was glorious to sit outdoors and people watch.
The Great Outdoors
Located on Hillhurst in the Los Feliz Village a short walk from my house, Home has become my home away from home. The main eating area, heralded by a wrought iron gate that proclaims in green neon lighting, "There's No Place Like Home", consists of a tree-canopied courtyard centered around a fountain filled with koi and plastic dinosaur figurines. There is some indoor seating as well which doesn't interest me. The place's tiny tables and booths are almost always packed, especially for brunch and dinner. The crowd consists mostly of hipsters wearing funky sunglasses and chain smoking, and also some scene/industry types which is always interesting. The service varies wildly depending on who you get but there are some nice waiters, and many of them have bad haircuts and tight stovepipe jeans which amuses, welcome to Los Feliz. They have a rainy day special, too,where if it's really raining and you order one entree, you get the second one for 50% off. Interesting. I myself have not taken advantage of this offer.
Food, Folks & Fun
Home has a huge menu, but this ain't no Cheesecake Factory (AAAAAAAH I DETEST!!! IT PUTS THE LOTION ON!!!) -- at Home, I have never had a miss. The food is simple and quite good -- very what you see is what you get, and something for everyone. (This place is more of an outdoor diner than a gourmet restaurant.) Prices are very reasonable, too, especially for the value and portions. Home's brunch is simple and satisfying. All kinds of eggs, pancakes, waffles. I have enjoyed the eggs benedict with smoked salmon (yum), breakfast burrito (yum), and montecristo (french toast egg sandwich with ham and cheese, heaven on a plate).
Their sandwiches are also good. Turkey ruben, grilled cheese, chicken pomodoro sandwich and grilled chicken avocado club have all been hits and come with tasty waffle fries or greasy-good huge onion rings. I've had a burger which was decent. The sloppy joe was AWESOME, just like I remembered from childhood and very sloppy. I had the pizza once, and it was just okay- the crust was lacking. I have enjoyed some of the salads, lately the caramelized apple salad which was just what I wanted (greens, caramelized walnuts and apples, tomatoes, goat cheese, balsamic vinagrette, chicken). Portions are huge so I always take half home for leftovers, which is great because I loooove leftovers.
Cool Cocktails
The best part, though, is that Home has a notably comprehensive and fun cocktail menu. The drinks are STRONG and the variety and creativity is Lola's-esque. My favorites are: the vanilla martini (Absolut vanilla, Absolut mandarin, lemon-lime soda), passionfruit martini (Effen black cherry vodka, X-Rated Fusion liqueur), and the fabulous, fabulous Grand Margarita (Patron Silver, citronge, fresh sweetened lime juice, oranges) on the rocks with a salt rim. Be careful, all the drinks are STRONG. I must plead ignorance on the beer and wine selections because I have never gotten past the cocktails!
To me, there is nothing better than having a good bite, some delicious cocktails, and a long leisurely hang out with friends in an open-air courtyard full of interesting hipster-watching. Plus, in walking distance. This combo, for me, is the main selling point of Home! As you might imagine, the outdoors setup attracts a good number of smokers-- so be aware of that if smoke bothers you. Being outdoors and spacious with a good breeze, though, it doesn't seem to be a big problem.
Brits Love It - And We All Know They Are the Smartest Since They Have English Accents
Largely because of the cocktail menu, fun L.A. hipster element, outdoors setting (the better to appreciate L.A. weather which is a foreign miracle to the English) and huge variety of food, my English cousin is obsessed, and I mean obsessed, with Home. In fact, he requested Home four times in a five day visit a couple of months ago. This past Saturday, when he arrived again with his twin brother in tow, he couldn't wait to go to Home, and I was happy to oblige.
We felt for fried so we ordered the fried chicken wings, fried jalapeno poppers, and fried Southwestern spring rolls. All were mediocre as far as these types of appetizers go but very fried. We also had margaritas galore and they were fabulous. As always, it was glorious to sit outdoors and people watch.
Click those ruby heels together, Dorothy, cause there's no place like Home!
Food: (2.5)
Experience: (3.5)
Overall: (3)
For an explanation of our rating system, go here!
Catch some Home reviews on Citysearch and Yelp.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Farfalla in La La Land
Trattoria Farfalla on Hillhurst and Clarissa in Los Feliz is my go-to spot when I have guests in town. It's a short walk from my house, is a cozy and cute neighborhood joint, doesn't take reservations, and presents solid and homey, rustic Italian food that is consistently pleasing. I have been a number of times, but last night I took the lovely M (who is half Italian and knows how to eat) there for her birthday and decided it's high time I spread the word about this marvelous little place, even though I know the word has already been spreaden. They also do take-out, which I have not yet tried.
The trattoria, which is often crowded and has a long line out the door, is small, dark and cozy, with many tiny tables inside and a simple Tuscany-evoking decor, at least as I imagine it since I have not yet been to Tuscany. When you walk in, you see the kitchen and the cooks busy at work over a giant steel range. Inside, it's loud but not too loud. The crowd is a mix of Los Feliz locals, Beverly Hills types, industry people, and more, very mixed. The moment you sit a basket of crusty French bread and my favorite, a little soup cup full of olive-oil-marinated whole garlic cloves, tomatoes and sundried tomatoes drifting in their oil is placed in the center of the table. Try the garlic cloves on bread - soft and tender, with a delicate garlic flavor. Yum!
The menu is large and has a variety of appetizers, soups, pizzas and calzones, meat and fish, and pasta. I love the pasta here as it is well-cooked and the combinations are always very flavorful and zingy, so I usually order it. Some of my favorite past dishes were Ravoli di Zucca Alla Crema di Nocci (pumpkin ravioli in walnut and cream sauce), Tagliolini Cozze e Vongole (thin pasta with mussels, clams and tomato broth) and the absolutely fabulous and rich Fusilli Tartufati con Carciofi, Porri e Shitake (corkscrew pasta with shitake, leeks, artichokes, white truffle oil and aged ricotta). I have also had the Osso Bucco when it was on special, and it was delicious. The pizza I have had was the Pomodori Secchi e Pollo (tomato sauce, mozzarella, chicken and sundried tomatoes). It was yummy but not spectacular as far as pizza goes. I would definitely stick to pasta or the specials at Farfalla.
Farfalla also has fabulous wine and many of the waiters I've had, particularly a young, thin blonde woman whose name escapes me, have made excellent wine suggestions, as has the owner who is a very friendly guy and used to recognize me when I came frequently for a little stretch and give me the star treatment. My absolute favorite wine has been the Barbera "Trevigne" Clerico (2001) which is a delicious, medium-bodied and subtly rich red wine that goes with just about everything at this restaurant, in my opinion. With the Clerico you cannot go wrong! They have only a few options by the glass but all have been great that I have tried. Not surprising considering my favorite wine bar in L.A. (and one worth visiting, if you can get in - it's always freaking overflowing!), Vinoteca Farfalla, is the sister of this restaurant and lives two doors down. God, I love that place. But that is another post for another time.
Last night, one of the special appetizers was this special kind of fresh cheese made from fresh mozzarella and cream, called Burrata. When the waitress named it, M got really excited and insisted we share it. Boy, was it delicious! They served it with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic with fresh tomatoes and a simple spinach salad with roasted red peppers. The tomatoes were underripe but the cheese was perfect and sooo creamy and mild.
For main courses, M ordered the special which was thin pasta with a lobster ragout. I tasted it, and it was flavorful and creamy, with little chunks of lobster throughout. In fact, the lovely M, who is probably 105 pounds soaking wet, devoured her entire bowl. Just as I was about to say that the portions at Farfalla are quite large and every time I go I can eat just about half and eat the rest the next day as a very exciting leftover. But anyway. I ordered another special based entirely on the recommendation of the waitress, a risotto with artichoke hearts, fresh tomato, calamari, squid and fish in a tomato sauce. I have always felt cheated by risotto- isn't it just rice?- although M has tried to entice me to give it a try. When the waitress suggested this particular dish, M gave me a hopeful look, and how could I let down the birthday girl? Well, I'm a convert now (and not just because of the good mood the excellent Super Toscana wine put me in). This risotto had texture and intense, buttery rich flavor. The fish and super tender calamari was a perfect compliment. The artichoke hearts and tomato added color and interest, and the tomatoes were cooked just enough to bring out intense tomatoey flavor with every bite. Putting down a big mouthful of this stuff was like eating a giant bite of rich, salty rice-like heaven. I am a fan.
For dessert, we shared a slice of chocolate pear tart. It was a tart shell with chocolate creamy goodness, slices of fresh pear, and chocolate ganache on top. It was very good. I love the chocolate and pear combo, and the texture was just really airy and light, like chocolate cream pie. We also had dessert wine, since it was a special occasion after all. M had a glass of Moscato Nivole which was golden with a hint of little tiny bubbles in the flavor and redolent of peaches. I had a Brachetto D'Aqui, the first sparkling red dessert wine I have ever had, which was deep garnet in color and was absolutely delicious. It smelled like roses and lavender and tasted like berries and toffee but was not overpoweringly sweet. I am in love with it and henceforth shall search it out. It would be the PERFECT dessert wine for a dinner party as its medium-sweetness and slight fizz would probably please a wide variety of palates. And the color is just to die for. SO LOVELY!
All in all, last night was emblematic of my typical night at Farfalla- something old, something new, something drenched in olive oil, not cheap but reasonable bill. Okay, I know it doesn't rhyme, so sue me. This is not the most incredible Italian food you'll ever have, but it is very, very good and solid and you know you will eat and drink something really yummy every time, which makes it a pretty fantastic spot if you ask me! So it is always a pleasure to go. It is also a great romantic spot if you go with a love interest (or so I've heard...) In any event, I plan on returning many more times.
Food: (3.25)
Experience: (3.25)
Overall: (3.25)
The trattoria, which is often crowded and has a long line out the door, is small, dark and cozy, with many tiny tables inside and a simple Tuscany-evoking decor, at least as I imagine it since I have not yet been to Tuscany. When you walk in, you see the kitchen and the cooks busy at work over a giant steel range. Inside, it's loud but not too loud. The crowd is a mix of Los Feliz locals, Beverly Hills types, industry people, and more, very mixed. The moment you sit a basket of crusty French bread and my favorite, a little soup cup full of olive-oil-marinated whole garlic cloves, tomatoes and sundried tomatoes drifting in their oil is placed in the center of the table. Try the garlic cloves on bread - soft and tender, with a delicate garlic flavor. Yum!
The menu is large and has a variety of appetizers, soups, pizzas and calzones, meat and fish, and pasta. I love the pasta here as it is well-cooked and the combinations are always very flavorful and zingy, so I usually order it. Some of my favorite past dishes were Ravoli di Zucca Alla Crema di Nocci (pumpkin ravioli in walnut and cream sauce), Tagliolini Cozze e Vongole (thin pasta with mussels, clams and tomato broth) and the absolutely fabulous and rich Fusilli Tartufati con Carciofi, Porri e Shitake (corkscrew pasta with shitake, leeks, artichokes, white truffle oil and aged ricotta). I have also had the Osso Bucco when it was on special, and it was delicious. The pizza I have had was the Pomodori Secchi e Pollo (tomato sauce, mozzarella, chicken and sundried tomatoes). It was yummy but not spectacular as far as pizza goes. I would definitely stick to pasta or the specials at Farfalla.
Farfalla also has fabulous wine and many of the waiters I've had, particularly a young, thin blonde woman whose name escapes me, have made excellent wine suggestions, as has the owner who is a very friendly guy and used to recognize me when I came frequently for a little stretch and give me the star treatment. My absolute favorite wine has been the Barbera "Trevigne" Clerico (2001) which is a delicious, medium-bodied and subtly rich red wine that goes with just about everything at this restaurant, in my opinion. With the Clerico you cannot go wrong! They have only a few options by the glass but all have been great that I have tried. Not surprising considering my favorite wine bar in L.A. (and one worth visiting, if you can get in - it's always freaking overflowing!), Vinoteca Farfalla, is the sister of this restaurant and lives two doors down. God, I love that place. But that is another post for another time.
Last night, one of the special appetizers was this special kind of fresh cheese made from fresh mozzarella and cream, called Burrata. When the waitress named it, M got really excited and insisted we share it. Boy, was it delicious! They served it with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic with fresh tomatoes and a simple spinach salad with roasted red peppers. The tomatoes were underripe but the cheese was perfect and sooo creamy and mild.
For main courses, M ordered the special which was thin pasta with a lobster ragout. I tasted it, and it was flavorful and creamy, with little chunks of lobster throughout. In fact, the lovely M, who is probably 105 pounds soaking wet, devoured her entire bowl. Just as I was about to say that the portions at Farfalla are quite large and every time I go I can eat just about half and eat the rest the next day as a very exciting leftover. But anyway. I ordered another special based entirely on the recommendation of the waitress, a risotto with artichoke hearts, fresh tomato, calamari, squid and fish in a tomato sauce. I have always felt cheated by risotto- isn't it just rice?- although M has tried to entice me to give it a try. When the waitress suggested this particular dish, M gave me a hopeful look, and how could I let down the birthday girl? Well, I'm a convert now (and not just because of the good mood the excellent Super Toscana wine put me in). This risotto had texture and intense, buttery rich flavor. The fish and super tender calamari was a perfect compliment. The artichoke hearts and tomato added color and interest, and the tomatoes were cooked just enough to bring out intense tomatoey flavor with every bite. Putting down a big mouthful of this stuff was like eating a giant bite of rich, salty rice-like heaven. I am a fan.
For dessert, we shared a slice of chocolate pear tart. It was a tart shell with chocolate creamy goodness, slices of fresh pear, and chocolate ganache on top. It was very good. I love the chocolate and pear combo, and the texture was just really airy and light, like chocolate cream pie. We also had dessert wine, since it was a special occasion after all. M had a glass of Moscato Nivole which was golden with a hint of little tiny bubbles in the flavor and redolent of peaches. I had a Brachetto D'Aqui, the first sparkling red dessert wine I have ever had, which was deep garnet in color and was absolutely delicious. It smelled like roses and lavender and tasted like berries and toffee but was not overpoweringly sweet. I am in love with it and henceforth shall search it out. It would be the PERFECT dessert wine for a dinner party as its medium-sweetness and slight fizz would probably please a wide variety of palates. And the color is just to die for. SO LOVELY!
All in all, last night was emblematic of my typical night at Farfalla- something old, something new, something drenched in olive oil, not cheap but reasonable bill. Okay, I know it doesn't rhyme, so sue me. This is not the most incredible Italian food you'll ever have, but it is very, very good and solid and you know you will eat and drink something really yummy every time, which makes it a pretty fantastic spot if you ask me! So it is always a pleasure to go. It is also a great romantic spot if you go with a love interest (or so I've heard...) In any event, I plan on returning many more times.
Food: (3.25)
Experience: (3.25)
Overall: (3.25)
For an explanation of our rating system, click HERE!
Farfalla reviews on Yelp and Citysearch.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Bodega Wine Bar - Not a Star
Last Friday I ventured out to Santa Monica to join some coworkers at Bodega Wine Bar. There is also a location in Pasadena. From what I heard about it, the wine was all the same price (good) and there was amazing grilled cheese (great!). The place is really cute inside with lots of little tables to sit at, which is nice, as well as a good sized bar area with lots of wine bottles on the wall for decoration.
We got a little corner table which was cute but very impractical, what with the huge plates for the appetizers we got and the wines in wine-coolers which take up a lot of room-- not to mention everybody's glasses. The cheese plates basically sat on our laps for most of the night, and glasses piled up so quickly that we had to stack them and put them on the floor-- where are the table bussers in this place? So that was a bit annoying though I liked the hip yet cozy decor. The crowd was pretty yuppie, as you would expect, and the place was well filled but not overflowing by the end of the night.
For wine, I sampled a few different whites, which the group was in the mood for. All were decent and refreshing, nothing amazing but good prices at $8 a glass, $20 a carafe and $30 a bottle for everything, which is a little sketchy but whatever, just drink and don't think about it too much. We were a big group and got all bottles.
The wine menu has very lengthy and detailed descriptions of the different flavors and characteristics of each wine. This often sort of bothers me because it takes all the fun and individuality out of tasting different wines. Also, some of the descriptions were pretty off. For example, there was a Pinot Grigio I chose based largely on its description which included the words "dry" and "crisp", but the wine was actually quite sweet and even apple juice-esque. I did not enjoy that and it was not what I wanted or expected. We also had a prosecco which I liked very much. For non-winos, there is beer, sake and soju cocktails, but no hard liquor, which makes me shed a silent tear deep in my heart.
For food, we ordered a cheese plate which had a good variety of six different cheeses, dried apricots, almonds, and little wafer crackers that reminded me of communion wafers. We also ordered that famous grilled cheese. It consisted of sliced green apples and okay-tasting melted brie on very soft and yummy dried-fig challah bread. It was tasty although I thought it could have been improved if it were grilled longer or if the brie were nicer. All this cheese, though, made me happy in general. Nothing goes better with drinking in my opinion.
All in all, not a bad little place. But nowhere near the best wine bars I've been to (even though it won best wine bar on Citysearch three years in a row- weirded out?). I would probably look for another wine bar to sample before heading back.
:-P
Drinks and Appetizers: (2.5)
Experience: (2.5)
Overall: (2.5)
For an explanation of our rating system, CLICK HERE!
We got a little corner table which was cute but very impractical, what with the huge plates for the appetizers we got and the wines in wine-coolers which take up a lot of room-- not to mention everybody's glasses. The cheese plates basically sat on our laps for most of the night, and glasses piled up so quickly that we had to stack them and put them on the floor-- where are the table bussers in this place? So that was a bit annoying though I liked the hip yet cozy decor. The crowd was pretty yuppie, as you would expect, and the place was well filled but not overflowing by the end of the night.
For wine, I sampled a few different whites, which the group was in the mood for. All were decent and refreshing, nothing amazing but good prices at $8 a glass, $20 a carafe and $30 a bottle for everything, which is a little sketchy but whatever, just drink and don't think about it too much. We were a big group and got all bottles.
The wine menu has very lengthy and detailed descriptions of the different flavors and characteristics of each wine. This often sort of bothers me because it takes all the fun and individuality out of tasting different wines. Also, some of the descriptions were pretty off. For example, there was a Pinot Grigio I chose based largely on its description which included the words "dry" and "crisp", but the wine was actually quite sweet and even apple juice-esque. I did not enjoy that and it was not what I wanted or expected. We also had a prosecco which I liked very much. For non-winos, there is beer, sake and soju cocktails, but no hard liquor, which makes me shed a silent tear deep in my heart.
For food, we ordered a cheese plate which had a good variety of six different cheeses, dried apricots, almonds, and little wafer crackers that reminded me of communion wafers. We also ordered that famous grilled cheese. It consisted of sliced green apples and okay-tasting melted brie on very soft and yummy dried-fig challah bread. It was tasty although I thought it could have been improved if it were grilled longer or if the brie were nicer. All this cheese, though, made me happy in general. Nothing goes better with drinking in my opinion.
All in all, not a bad little place. But nowhere near the best wine bars I've been to (even though it won best wine bar on Citysearch three years in a row- weirded out?). I would probably look for another wine bar to sample before heading back.
:-P
Drinks and Appetizers: (2.5)
Experience: (2.5)
Overall: (2.5)
For an explanation of our rating system, CLICK HERE!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Back from Vacay- to El Maguey!
I'm back from vacay! It was wonderful and restorative, and I'm ready to get back to work and to posting on the lovely blog with new vim and vigor.
After our amazing spa trip at Miraval (whose scarily healthful and tasty food I will write about soon), my mom and I decided to use our time in L.A. for a day trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano, South of L.A. The mission was wonderful and the little town was adorable, too. Lots of little shops and fun historic buildings. I would highly recommend visiting this beautiful and peaceful place.
For lunch, we felt for Mexican, and one of the ladies at the mission recommended that we skip the impressive-looking but touristy place we had found in the AAA guide and go to El Maguey instead.
El Maguey is in a little white building with a patio in front and has a separate take-out section. The inside has cozy booths and cute but simple Mexican decor, plus Latin music videos playing silently on a TV. The menu had a mix of combo platters (combinations of tamales, chile relleno, enchilada, taco, etc.) and house specialties. I ordered the enchiladas en mole, since I love mole and having slaved away to make it a couple of times really appreciate a good one. My mom ordered Mary's tacos, which are tacos al pastor (pork) and with beef, with some green peppers and mushrooms, in corn tortillas. Both dishes were served with Spanish rice and refried beans. We also ordered two of their margaritas, which are made with wine.
Chips and salsa came first. The chips seemed homemade and were really greasy, crunchy and good. The tomato salsa was hot and really tasty. The wine margaritas were also really refreshing and nice. I asked for the recipe but the waitress said they get it pre-made. I imagine it had cheap white wine and lemonade, something like that. With a salt rim of course, on the rocks. It was really good, I will probably try to recreate it sometime.
The dishes were HUGE. (Next time, we will share.) My enchiladas, one chicken one cheese, were delicious. The cheese one had tons of stringy cheese that choked me in a good way. The chicken was well seasoned and tender. The mole sauce was very good and flavorful, though it was a bit sweet for my taste. My mom's dish was very good also, though it was not spicy in the least which the waitress had warned her it was.
The rice and beans were fabulous. FABULOUS! I would bet dollars to donuts they use manteca in the beans and it tastes just right. The rice was fluffy and pleasing. I would go back just for these. These are a few of my favorite thiiiiings.
They also had churros which looked yummy, but we had no room left, alas! And a shockingly large selection of La Michoacana popsicles and ice cream bars, too. Next time I am in SJC perhaps when I have other visitors in town, I would definitely return to El Maguey. It was homey, simple food, no tricks, and not touristy or Tex-Mexy. My dad is Mexican and I grew up traveling and eating homemade food all over Mexico, so I have had some good stuff, but I am not an expert and can't say authoritatively how "authentic" the food was. However, my opinion is that it was quite authentic indeed. All in all, the service was warm and friendly and the food yummy in my tummy, making El Maguey a solid choice I would recommend.
Food: (3)
Experience: (3)
Overall: (3)
For an explanation of our rating system, CLICK HERE!
:-P
After our amazing spa trip at Miraval (whose scarily healthful and tasty food I will write about soon), my mom and I decided to use our time in L.A. for a day trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano, South of L.A. The mission was wonderful and the little town was adorable, too. Lots of little shops and fun historic buildings. I would highly recommend visiting this beautiful and peaceful place.
For lunch, we felt for Mexican, and one of the ladies at the mission recommended that we skip the impressive-looking but touristy place we had found in the AAA guide and go to El Maguey instead.
El Maguey is in a little white building with a patio in front and has a separate take-out section. The inside has cozy booths and cute but simple Mexican decor, plus Latin music videos playing silently on a TV. The menu had a mix of combo platters (combinations of tamales, chile relleno, enchilada, taco, etc.) and house specialties. I ordered the enchiladas en mole, since I love mole and having slaved away to make it a couple of times really appreciate a good one. My mom ordered Mary's tacos, which are tacos al pastor (pork) and with beef, with some green peppers and mushrooms, in corn tortillas. Both dishes were served with Spanish rice and refried beans. We also ordered two of their margaritas, which are made with wine.
Chips and salsa came first. The chips seemed homemade and were really greasy, crunchy and good. The tomato salsa was hot and really tasty. The wine margaritas were also really refreshing and nice. I asked for the recipe but the waitress said they get it pre-made. I imagine it had cheap white wine and lemonade, something like that. With a salt rim of course, on the rocks. It was really good, I will probably try to recreate it sometime.
The dishes were HUGE. (Next time, we will share.) My enchiladas, one chicken one cheese, were delicious. The cheese one had tons of stringy cheese that choked me in a good way. The chicken was well seasoned and tender. The mole sauce was very good and flavorful, though it was a bit sweet for my taste. My mom's dish was very good also, though it was not spicy in the least which the waitress had warned her it was.
The rice and beans were fabulous. FABULOUS! I would bet dollars to donuts they use manteca in the beans and it tastes just right. The rice was fluffy and pleasing. I would go back just for these. These are a few of my favorite thiiiiings.
They also had churros which looked yummy, but we had no room left, alas! And a shockingly large selection of La Michoacana popsicles and ice cream bars, too. Next time I am in SJC perhaps when I have other visitors in town, I would definitely return to El Maguey. It was homey, simple food, no tricks, and not touristy or Tex-Mexy. My dad is Mexican and I grew up traveling and eating homemade food all over Mexico, so I have had some good stuff, but I am not an expert and can't say authoritatively how "authentic" the food was. However, my opinion is that it was quite authentic indeed. All in all, the service was warm and friendly and the food yummy in my tummy, making El Maguey a solid choice I would recommend.
Food: (3)
Experience: (3)
Overall: (3)
For an explanation of our rating system, CLICK HERE!
:-P
Friday, July 27, 2007
Garden Box Service: Didn't Bowl Me Over!
Last night, I had a wonderful evening watching Sarah Chang play with the L.A. Phil at the Hollywood Bowl. I LOVE the Hollywood Bowl. I have been once before, with Emilia, to see Ben Folds open for John Mayer. It's amazing to be outside, especially at dusk, enjoying beautiful music in a beautiful setting. Last night, during the first piece by Brahms, the birds twittered during a pastoral-y part and it was just heartbreakingly beautiful. I often see the L.A. Phil at the Disney Concert Hall, and I always go alone because there are usually no takers for a classical show on a Saturday night. After seeing this beautiful concert, though (the other parts were Bruch and Schumann) my companions were eager to come with to the next DCH concert!!! The Bowl really is an ideal setting for the Phil.
We had the pleasure of using the firm's garden box, which is excellently located (I could see Sarah Chang's hair clip!) and fun and fancy feeling. We decided to order the three course meals offered by the Hollywood Bowl box service, catered by Patina. I also pre-ordered the Red Rock merlot and Korbel sparkling wine (for some reason, they were really lacking in quality champagne) for the table to drink in addition to a couple of bottles of Barefoot Cab and Chardonnay (both really decent for $5.99) that I brought in my bag.
The service was really good- these guys know what they are doing as far as getting three courses in and out of your box in an hour. They cleverly use good quality plastic plates along with real utensils and sweep through with plastic bags to clear each course. They also had handy ice buckets for our wines and plastic wine glasses and champagne flutes.
The food was just ordinary, though. I was expecting for the price (expensive) that it would be really good, like restaurant food or really nice catering. It was pretty good, but it was nothing special. I ordered the "Lento": "Belgian endive salad with baby arugula, Roquefort, grilled Asian pear, walnuts and aged sherry vinaigrette; Choice of citrus mojo-marinated pork loin chop with roasted plantain mash and grilled BBQ onions; Or oven-roasted salmon filet with lobster mashed potatoes, grilled white corn cobbette and chive oil; Sweet peach cobbler with vanilla creme anglaise". I got it with the salmon.
Sounds really fancy, right? But in fact, it was quite ordinary. The salad was okay but not great (the greens weren't super fresh). The salmon was huge and unremarkable. The hearty serving of mashed potatoes had no relationship to lobster except that they were pink- no lobster flavor or meat was discernible. The corn was just a little piece of corn on the cob, and reminded me of a school cafeteria for some reason. The dessert was sort of plain, canned-tasting peaches with oatmealy topping. Overall, okay, but for $39 and with the description on the menu, I expected more.
My companions got the other meals, "Adagio" and "Andante". (Cute names, no?) They also sounded a lot better on the menu than they looked and were probably not worth the mark-up. I noticed that many of the box "regulars" around us brought all of their own stuff. Some people in a box two down from us had a cardboard box with a handle that had a gourmet picnic in it, pre-made, which looked really good. Even though they were incredibly rude and ate it during Sarah Chang's performance (wait until intermission, fools!). I decided that all being said and done, if I had to use my own money, I would rather find or make a simple but lovely gourmet picnic and bring my own booze-- remembering to ask for one of their ice buckets for the white if possible. I am glad I tried the box dining though, just because I wanted to see what it was like and firm things are a great opportunity for such exploratory ventures.
Last time, for John Mayer, Emilia made some simple but delicious picnic dishes in her trademark style to go with sandwiches I picked up from Alcove on Hillhurst and brought to-go. She made a fabulous pasta salad with sundried tomatoes and fennel and caramelized onions, and a delicious fruit salad that I hope for your sake she someday posts the recipe for, both in little glad containers, one for each of us, with plastic cutlery (all very easy). She also brought a bag of delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert, and a bag of chips. Yes, all that AND a bag of chips! We were not allowed to bring our own wine*, but at least we had the fun of drinking a bottle from the Bowl's food shop out of a giant plastic cup. Classy. Em and I are going to see Rufus Wainwright sings Judy Garland (I know, it doesn't get much more fabulous than that) in September, and we plan to bring sushi and take the Red Line so we can wine to our hearts' content.
So, the three-course box experience was fun, but next time, I would definitely do the picnic thing. Besides, it's fun to plan and bring yummy picnic food. Of course, I hope I get to use the firm box again, because it was wonderful. But even without the box, the Bowl is too awesome to miss. If you are in L.A. and haven't gone in a while, get your butt over there! It's definitely part of the icing on living in this crazy town.
If you have picnic tips for the Bowl, please comment.
:-P
Hollywood Bowl box service:
Food: (2)
Experience: (3)
Overall: (2.5)
For an explanation of our rating system, CLICK HERE!
*- Correction! Earlier I thought that wine was allowed at the Mayer show, but it was not. You have to check the Hollywood Bowl site for specifics on what is allowed at which shows. I guess fans of this new fangled rock and roll music make b.y.o.b. a riskier proposition than for us sophisticated classical music fans ;-) Everybody knows how CARAZY those Mayer fans get. Woooo.
We had the pleasure of using the firm's garden box, which is excellently located (I could see Sarah Chang's hair clip!) and fun and fancy feeling. We decided to order the three course meals offered by the Hollywood Bowl box service, catered by Patina. I also pre-ordered the Red Rock merlot and Korbel sparkling wine (for some reason, they were really lacking in quality champagne) for the table to drink in addition to a couple of bottles of Barefoot Cab and Chardonnay (both really decent for $5.99) that I brought in my bag.
The service was really good- these guys know what they are doing as far as getting three courses in and out of your box in an hour. They cleverly use good quality plastic plates along with real utensils and sweep through with plastic bags to clear each course. They also had handy ice buckets for our wines and plastic wine glasses and champagne flutes.
The food was just ordinary, though. I was expecting for the price (expensive) that it would be really good, like restaurant food or really nice catering. It was pretty good, but it was nothing special. I ordered the "Lento": "Belgian endive salad with baby arugula, Roquefort, grilled Asian pear, walnuts and aged sherry vinaigrette; Choice of citrus mojo-marinated pork loin chop with roasted plantain mash and grilled BBQ onions; Or oven-roasted salmon filet with lobster mashed potatoes, grilled white corn cobbette and chive oil; Sweet peach cobbler with vanilla creme anglaise". I got it with the salmon.
Sounds really fancy, right? But in fact, it was quite ordinary. The salad was okay but not great (the greens weren't super fresh). The salmon was huge and unremarkable. The hearty serving of mashed potatoes had no relationship to lobster except that they were pink- no lobster flavor or meat was discernible. The corn was just a little piece of corn on the cob, and reminded me of a school cafeteria for some reason. The dessert was sort of plain, canned-tasting peaches with oatmealy topping. Overall, okay, but for $39 and with the description on the menu, I expected more.
My companions got the other meals, "Adagio" and "Andante". (Cute names, no?) They also sounded a lot better on the menu than they looked and were probably not worth the mark-up. I noticed that many of the box "regulars" around us brought all of their own stuff. Some people in a box two down from us had a cardboard box with a handle that had a gourmet picnic in it, pre-made, which looked really good. Even though they were incredibly rude and ate it during Sarah Chang's performance (wait until intermission, fools!). I decided that all being said and done, if I had to use my own money, I would rather find or make a simple but lovely gourmet picnic and bring my own booze-- remembering to ask for one of their ice buckets for the white if possible. I am glad I tried the box dining though, just because I wanted to see what it was like and firm things are a great opportunity for such exploratory ventures.
Last time, for John Mayer, Emilia made some simple but delicious picnic dishes in her trademark style to go with sandwiches I picked up from Alcove on Hillhurst and brought to-go. She made a fabulous pasta salad with sundried tomatoes and fennel and caramelized onions, and a delicious fruit salad that I hope for your sake she someday posts the recipe for, both in little glad containers, one for each of us, with plastic cutlery (all very easy). She also brought a bag of delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert, and a bag of chips. Yes, all that AND a bag of chips! We were not allowed to bring our own wine*, but at least we had the fun of drinking a bottle from the Bowl's food shop out of a giant plastic cup. Classy. Em and I are going to see Rufus Wainwright sings Judy Garland (I know, it doesn't get much more fabulous than that) in September, and we plan to bring sushi and take the Red Line so we can wine to our hearts' content.
So, the three-course box experience was fun, but next time, I would definitely do the picnic thing. Besides, it's fun to plan and bring yummy picnic food. Of course, I hope I get to use the firm box again, because it was wonderful. But even without the box, the Bowl is too awesome to miss. If you are in L.A. and haven't gone in a while, get your butt over there! It's definitely part of the icing on living in this crazy town.
If you have picnic tips for the Bowl, please comment.
:-P
Hollywood Bowl box service:
Food: (2)
Experience: (3)
Overall: (2.5)
For an explanation of our rating system, CLICK HERE!
*- Correction! Earlier I thought that wine was allowed at the Mayer show, but it was not. You have to check the Hollywood Bowl site for specifics on what is allowed at which shows. I guess fans of this new fangled rock and roll music make b.y.o.b. a riskier proposition than for us sophisticated classical music fans ;-) Everybody knows how CARAZY those Mayer fans get. Woooo.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Lola's - Martini Heaven!
I had an absolute blast at LOLA's.
The place, which is on Fairfax in West Hollywood, is sort of unremarkable inside, looking kind of like an average, loud neighborhood bar with a pool table and the football game playing on a flat screen TV. It was too dark to read the menu without tipping the tall candles on each table dangerously close (get some little table lamps, Lola's! Or at least better candles). The place was packed with people when we arrived. It was a good, diverse crowd, which I appreciate. I talked to actors, a bunch of awesome Aussie and Kiwi dancers who are stopped over in L.A. to rehearse for a show on a cruise ship, marketing guys, industry types galore, locals. It was a friendly and fun crowd, not too crazy or too cool for school as many L.A. crowds are and I detest.
To eat, I ordered the macaroni and cheese, and I asked if they could put bacon in it. (P.S.: It's not on the menu, but they'll add bacon, chicken, broccoli, or whatever else you ask for in the mac and cheese...I was just really craving some grease!). I have to say, this was a fantastically awesome mac and cheese-- all the rave reviews I have heard were totally accurate. It was creamy and dreamy and ooey and gooey. It was not just creamy like some mac and cheeses, it also had lots of gooey mozzarella cheese in it that connects your fork to your plate like a little bungie cord as you raise a bite to your mouth. It was salty, but not too salty in my opinion (though I do love salt in an unhealthy way). It was topped off with a parmesany-bready, thin little crumbly crust on top. Man, it was amazingly good. It was so comforting, too. I highly recommend it. It's definitely one of the top 3 I have ever had. It also provided a great soak-up base for the ensuing boozing.
The cookies are supposed to be awesome, too, but we forgot to order them because we got distracted by...MARTINIS!
The menu is 50+ strong as you can see here. They have the classics, plus so many funky ones. The best thing about them is that none of the ones I tasted (and I tasted many...tasted, I said! Geez, don't judge me! Hehehe...) were too sweet. They typically had a splash of the various ingredients, just enough to give a hint of flavor. The drinks, which are overwhelmingly vodka-centered, are fun largely because of the creative monikers they are given in the menu, and the interesting combo of ingredients that evoke the theme of the name. Just reading the menu (which at the place, lists the ingredients) gave me all sorts of ideas for fun martinis I could make at home or for a party.
Here are the martinis I tasted, big ups to my lovely girlfriends who eagerly passed theirs around for all to try and our great waitress who helped us choose in moments of uncertainty:
-Pickle Martini. I am a pickle and vinegar freak so I ordered this to start. It had sweet gherkin juice in it with vodka and a little gherkin floating in it. It was tasty, but after drinking half, all the pickle juice seemed to pool and I felt like I was drinking straight pickle juice. That type of practice will put hair on your chest! So I sent it back. The concept was great but the execution needs a little work. It is new on the menu so hopefully they will keep working on it.
-Canteloupe Martini. This was delicious. Melon vodka, canteloupe puree, garnished with juicy canteloupe balls on a skewer. The drink was a lovely canteloupe color. It was not too sweet, but was delicious and refreshing. Loved it.
-Ocean's 11 Martini. Beautiful and elegant, this was again vodka, plus parfait amour (an amazing violet/rose petal/orange liquer which I had to look up on the internet, but I am so going to buy now) and edible flowers floating on top. This was one of my favorites. It was just so glamorous, strong and simple with essence of flowers. Lovely.
-Key Lime Pie Martini. Way less sweet than your typical key lime pie martini, and really refreshing. It was lime, vanilla vodka, and a splash of cream if I remember correctly. Notice as the list of what I tasted progresses, the ingredients become a bit fuzzier...!
-Clockwork Orange Martini. This was really tasty although I am usually a bit disturbed by cream and alcohol together (unless it's Kahlua, Amaretto, Bailey's or other dessert liquer). Vanilla vodka, a splash of orange juice, and a splash of cream. Creamsicle goodness. I think a vanilla vodka and orange juice mix is a great idea for a cocktail.
-Chin Tok Martini. This was basically a lychee martini. It was delicious, lighly sweet, and refreshing, garnished of course with lychees!
By the way, the "Garlic Mashed Potatoes" martini is not at all scary, as I noticed the Yelp reviews implied. It's just a regular martini with a garlic-stuffed olive. I've had this before at home and it's delicious. Same with the "The Big Cheese" one, it's just got a blue cheese stuffed olive which I have also done, it's really yummy. So never fear.
I have heard the dessert martinis are amazing, but I shall have to go back to try them. And I will go back. I had a fabulous time. Varied and creative cocktails are the drink menu's promises, and Lola's totally delivered.
Macaroni and Cheese (I can't speak to the overall food): (3.75)
Drinks: (3.75)
Total: (3.75)
For an explanation of our rating system, CLICK HERE!!
The place, which is on Fairfax in West Hollywood, is sort of unremarkable inside, looking kind of like an average, loud neighborhood bar with a pool table and the football game playing on a flat screen TV. It was too dark to read the menu without tipping the tall candles on each table dangerously close (get some little table lamps, Lola's! Or at least better candles). The place was packed with people when we arrived. It was a good, diverse crowd, which I appreciate. I talked to actors, a bunch of awesome Aussie and Kiwi dancers who are stopped over in L.A. to rehearse for a show on a cruise ship, marketing guys, industry types galore, locals. It was a friendly and fun crowd, not too crazy or too cool for school as many L.A. crowds are and I detest.
To eat, I ordered the macaroni and cheese, and I asked if they could put bacon in it. (P.S.: It's not on the menu, but they'll add bacon, chicken, broccoli, or whatever else you ask for in the mac and cheese...I was just really craving some grease!). I have to say, this was a fantastically awesome mac and cheese-- all the rave reviews I have heard were totally accurate. It was creamy and dreamy and ooey and gooey. It was not just creamy like some mac and cheeses, it also had lots of gooey mozzarella cheese in it that connects your fork to your plate like a little bungie cord as you raise a bite to your mouth. It was salty, but not too salty in my opinion (though I do love salt in an unhealthy way). It was topped off with a parmesany-bready, thin little crumbly crust on top. Man, it was amazingly good. It was so comforting, too. I highly recommend it. It's definitely one of the top 3 I have ever had. It also provided a great soak-up base for the ensuing boozing.
The cookies are supposed to be awesome, too, but we forgot to order them because we got distracted by...MARTINIS!
The menu is 50+ strong as you can see here. They have the classics, plus so many funky ones. The best thing about them is that none of the ones I tasted (and I tasted many...tasted, I said! Geez, don't judge me! Hehehe...) were too sweet. They typically had a splash of the various ingredients, just enough to give a hint of flavor. The drinks, which are overwhelmingly vodka-centered, are fun largely because of the creative monikers they are given in the menu, and the interesting combo of ingredients that evoke the theme of the name. Just reading the menu (which at the place, lists the ingredients) gave me all sorts of ideas for fun martinis I could make at home or for a party.
Here are the martinis I tasted, big ups to my lovely girlfriends who eagerly passed theirs around for all to try and our great waitress who helped us choose in moments of uncertainty:
-Pickle Martini. I am a pickle and vinegar freak so I ordered this to start. It had sweet gherkin juice in it with vodka and a little gherkin floating in it. It was tasty, but after drinking half, all the pickle juice seemed to pool and I felt like I was drinking straight pickle juice. That type of practice will put hair on your chest! So I sent it back. The concept was great but the execution needs a little work. It is new on the menu so hopefully they will keep working on it.
-Canteloupe Martini. This was delicious. Melon vodka, canteloupe puree, garnished with juicy canteloupe balls on a skewer. The drink was a lovely canteloupe color. It was not too sweet, but was delicious and refreshing. Loved it.
-Ocean's 11 Martini. Beautiful and elegant, this was again vodka, plus parfait amour (an amazing violet/rose petal/orange liquer which I had to look up on the internet, but I am so going to buy now) and edible flowers floating on top. This was one of my favorites. It was just so glamorous, strong and simple with essence of flowers. Lovely.
-Key Lime Pie Martini. Way less sweet than your typical key lime pie martini, and really refreshing. It was lime, vanilla vodka, and a splash of cream if I remember correctly. Notice as the list of what I tasted progresses, the ingredients become a bit fuzzier...!
-Clockwork Orange Martini. This was really tasty although I am usually a bit disturbed by cream and alcohol together (unless it's Kahlua, Amaretto, Bailey's or other dessert liquer). Vanilla vodka, a splash of orange juice, and a splash of cream. Creamsicle goodness. I think a vanilla vodka and orange juice mix is a great idea for a cocktail.
-Chin Tok Martini. This was basically a lychee martini. It was delicious, lighly sweet, and refreshing, garnished of course with lychees!
By the way, the "Garlic Mashed Potatoes" martini is not at all scary, as I noticed the Yelp reviews implied. It's just a regular martini with a garlic-stuffed olive. I've had this before at home and it's delicious. Same with the "The Big Cheese" one, it's just got a blue cheese stuffed olive which I have also done, it's really yummy. So never fear.
I have heard the dessert martinis are amazing, but I shall have to go back to try them. And I will go back. I had a fabulous time. Varied and creative cocktails are the drink menu's promises, and Lola's totally delivered.
Macaroni and Cheese (I can't speak to the overall food): (3.75)
Drinks: (3.75)
Total: (3.75)
For an explanation of our rating system, CLICK HERE!!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Upcoming Venue: Lola's
This Friday two of my girlfriends, the indomnitable and adorable Michelle and Kris, are taking me out to Lola's, one of their favorite bar/restaurants in West Hollywood. The place is famous for its martini list, which consists of over 50 creatively named concoctions. As a martini aficionado, I am slightly suspicious of anything that calls itself "martini" and isn't 99% cold-shaken gin with a bottle of dry vermouth waved in its direction for 3 seconds or less and a couple of olives hanging out poolside. But in an attempt to not be the snob we all know I want to be, I'm ready to explore these cocktails for what they are-- not martini martinis, but funky cocktails in a martini glass. Can I accept that? You bet I can.
Lola's is also known for its comfort food including mac and cheese and fried hush puppy things. I'm all for that! So, I am looking forward to diving into Lola's offerings, and as always, you all will be the first to hear about it.
:-P
Lola's is also known for its comfort food including mac and cheese and fried hush puppy things. I'm all for that! So, I am looking forward to diving into Lola's offerings, and as always, you all will be the first to hear about it.
:-P
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