This dish single handedly sabotages my entire diet! I'm not really on a diet, but I do try to eat healthy and this meal gets me everytime. I dream about this meal. Now, I know it's not for everyone, but for those of you that have similar tastes as me, it's delish...mm mm mm...so good. Definitely go try! I try to find something new here, but I haven't been able to move off the Truffle Egg Salad Sandwich yet. Mm!!
I have noticed this business in the neighborhood go up and then open but, no strong desire to visit until I saw a write up on it and so it's where our Friday dinner is. It's pretty cool and hip, big place and quite a bit of a crowd. The menu is pretty cool, a lot of things that appeal to me. I had a bit of a hard time choosing, but with the help of the employee, I chose the Poke taco and Grilled Flank Steak Taco. I liked the Ahi Poke, healthy and light, but it is probably the most expensive item on the menu, at $6.50. But, it's definitely an item I can put on the regular menu and be happy with. You know, a gal has to watch her girlish figure! The other taco...the Grilled Flank was a little bland, but I did request all the heavy, fat stuff on the side...so, it's understandable it was a little boring. Matt got the Pulled Pork and he and Ethan both got a Brisket Taco. Ethan did not like the place at all, but you know, he's 14. He's not exactly a foodie. The more plain, the more he will like it. He took a few bites of his taco and hated it...too much stuff on it. Matt and I both liked Velvet Taco and preferred it over Torchy's. Anyways, that's my short, two cents.
Also, I think this creamed corn thing was complimentary, but not really sure. It might of been what was supposed to be on my Flank Steak taco, but probably not. It was a pretty big helping. Nice place!
Like everyone, I too was wondering if Asia Market's restaurant had opened yet. I did a cursory search and kept finding the new owner's of the grocery store, Asia Market Thai Lao Food. But it is not to be confused with "Asia Market Restaurant", which is on the other side of 45...just a few short minutes.
On arriving, it's actually a nice space inside. It was good to finally see the owner's after several months of not and it was good to see them in their new space...finally. However, it was unclear to Jodie and I what the protocol was. We sat for so long, we thought I was supposed to go up and order at the bar. But, we figured it out and a server finally came and greeted us after 15 minutes. They're definitely a work in progress, still trying to figure things out. Looks like they have all new staff and the food seemed a little different. But, the owners assured me the cook is the same and has been with her since the beginning. Ok well, maybe just an off day.
Anyways, I plan to be back with everyone else I've introduced to Asia Market because I'm super supportive of the owners and they need a lot of support. It's got to be the scariest thing to open a brand new business and they could use all the help in getting the word out, so spread the word, they're officially open!!
Dishes above are the Thai style Papaya Salad, med spicy, Kee Mao Noodles with Chicken, med spicy, Crispy Rice Salad, and a small order of Sticky Rice.
And a last stop over back in Los Angeles. Pictures of food, in order, Los Agaves, Arigato, McConnell's Ice Cream, Tupelo Junction Cafe, Mesa Verde, Persona Pizza, Anderson's Bakery, D'Angelo's Bakery, and lastly Kang Do Hong Dae Restaurant (Los Angeles)...all great! You would think the highlight of the trip was skydiving for sure, but it was not! Instead We did the highest jump in the nation, 18,000 feet and I think we all permanently damaged our eardrums! Jumping out of the plane was frightening and exhilarating, I'm glad I did it, but it was definitely not the most comfortable experience. I enjoyed the paddle boarding the most, the great eats and as an acquaintance of mine says, "friendship time". We had full days and we really enjoyed our girls trip to Santa Barbara! Beautiful city!
And had to finish off our Korean dinner with shaved ice of course. I don't know how to say this particular flavor in English, but it's the rice cake powder one. It was so good. The ice was not like the typical shaved ice, not icey, but fluffy powder-like. We three loved it!
I mean, if you're going to be in Los Angeles, you have to have Korean food! I looked up Jun Won Restaurant, who seems to get really high marks from the local scene. Getting there was pretty easy, finding the actual restaurant was another thing. We walked around the building, followed a sign, went up some stairs, then down some stairs, ended up back on the front side of the building and then looked a little more carefully and saw a door finally that kind of looked...oh yes, there's a sign "Open", and someone sees us and opens the door, thank God, else we might have just given up. It is really a nondescript place and after looking at the menu were questioning why we were here. But we decided to stick it through and I have to tell you the service was great and the food was awesome, super flavorful and tasty!
We ordered the bean soup (dwen jang jigae) which tasted an in between of traditional bean soup and kimchi soup. We loved it, it was really good, cooked really well. The spices and soup had all seeped into the tofu nicely, yum, perfection. We also ordered the kimchi with pork dish and that was really good too. Again, marinated through and all the spices and flavors were really seeped into the kimchi and pork. Our server recommended this combination instead of the 2 soups we were going to get. She strongly suggested and we're glad she did.
We had another friend come, late, an hour late and they were so nice to remove all the old dishes and prepare her a new setting with new side dishes and heat up the soup for her along with her order. That was unexpected and we were all very impressed with their service! But do keep in mind the menu is heavy on the fish, which everyone there seem to know. Mostly Koreans, which is always a good sign. I love this place!
Super cool place, love the atmosphere and coffee!
I ate too much! The food was so good. Much creactivity and pure deliciousness, mm mm good! All these unexpected flavors, the tart, smooth, ahhh...delicious! I feel inspired just eating the food! Definitely try the Sorrel Pesto Rice Bowl, I added a couple more poached eggs to balance the protein carb ratio and also added some kale and avocado, at cashier's recommendation....great suggestion! And also got the Brioche Blackberry and Peach Jam...Blackberry better.
There was a bit of a line, but I came in just after 1245pm so figure there should be one, but it wasn't out the door or anything. Nice place, a must try! I know, this place is old news to the locals, but to me it's new and so fresh! I love love it here! Love the creativity, I want to take this cute little dive back with me to Houston!
The most beautiful wedding I have ever been too! Congratulations Matt and Lauren on your forever!
For our regular Friday treat day, I took the 14 year-old with me and to my great pleasure he decided he wanted to try my suggestion, Smoosh Cookies, rather than our regular doughnuts or Menchie's...after he looked at some pictures online, that is. So we head there and we were not expecting a food truck, as it had an address listed online, but I guess this is their temporary home for now. We walk up and as the menu shows, you pick your choice of cookie, ice cream and a topping. Ethan chose chocolate chip with peanut butter brownie ice cream, and an oreo cookie topping. Talk about too much going on. He's not really in tune with the concep of cohesive flavors, but he said it was good and he liked it and he would definitely go back. I got the oatmeal cookies, with French vanilla and no toppings....and it tasted like 2 cookies with ice cream in between. It was good, but I didn't really think there was anything really special going on with it and really, if I was craving something like this, I would just go get 2 cookies and stick some ice cream in between. It's not really rocket science, but hey, it was fun and I'm glad we checked it out.
Everyone is out to enjoy this beautiful day!
I read recently somewhere that Beckcrew might be the best, current wine bar? Well today, I decided I would find out for myself for happy hour. Located in the former Tasting Room spot and I find I like the new mid-century modern atmosphere. And more importantly, I really liked the array of cheeses and chaucuterie spread that I walked up to! Tasty and that blue cheese, you know I despise blue cheese, but this cheddar blue cheese was delicious! Mostly because it didn't taste like blue cheese but had the texture and taste of cheddar. And chorizo, it's my favorite cured meat, mm...had some of that too. I did like most of our selections, but as the night went on, I found the items not as exciting, including the baked brie. They also had these pickled okra, tasted like pickles but consistency like okra, I loved it! They also have these wonderful selections of honey, never seen that before. We tried Mike's hot spicy honey, love loved it!
When we walked in at 5pm, maybe 2 other tables were taken, but by 8pm Oscar noticed there were a ton of ladies and only 4 men in the whole joint. So gentlemen...ahem...you know what I'm thinking...great place to see some pretty ladies! We had a nice time, our server and bartender was great, we enjoyed it, I will definitely be returning! And please forgive me, my battery ran out of my camera, so must resort to the iphone.
Well I'm not sure what all the hubbub is about...finally got a chance to try Dish Society and sure it's a nice atmosphere, and the food is ok, but I really didn't see what the noise was all about. We both ordered the Avocado Quinoa Salad, add chicken and actually, I think my salad had 10 pieces of lettuce and the chicken was a little undercooked and I'm not even kidding, but my stomach hurts right now. Jimy felt the same. He did mention the chicken was slightly slighty undercooked and the manager was nice enough to offer to bring him a new piece of chicken breast out, but you know...I thought the whole experience was just ok.
My first mobile starbucks order, didn't even have to wait in that long line, and it even has my name on it! Love it!
I was super interested in making a visit and since we still have a week of Restaurant Week left, we decided to visit. Unfortunately, their earliest availability this week was Monday at 8pm, so that's when we decided to go. Matt and I both ordered the Wedge Salad, he with Blue Cheese dressing and since I despise Blue Cheese, I went with the server's suggestion, Balsamic Vinagrette, which was not really a good choice, in my opinion. A Wedge works better with a creamy sauce, anyways... We both ordered the 8 oz Filet Mignon, Matt ordered his medium rare, mine was medium and they both seemed to be cooked the same, more rare, which was fine by me. The Filet was amazing, wow delicious! Really tasty, perfection. We also had 3 glasses of wine between the two of us, which went perfect with our steaks. Our desserts were good, but by far...the steak was the standout, perfection! The others were all subpar, in my opinion. The atmosphere was nice, not overdone, simple, and masculine. Good place for a really nice steak. The charity portion of our meal, the restaurant donates $7 per meal. Our bill came out to $172 including tip so a $14 donation seems a little ridiculous as a reason to eat, dine out for charity...but you know, it's an excuse and I guess $14 is better than nothing.
