Thursday, 31 July 2008

Search for Sweetbreads

Restaurant 2117(310) 477-16172117 Sawtelle BlvdLos Angeles, 90025$30 for three small platesI had checked the menu before arriving and I promised myself that no matter what I decided to order, the sauteed sweetbreads would be my appetizer. My determination came from the fact that I've just never had...

Tuesday, 29 July 2008

Josie and the FD Cats

Josie Restaurant(310) 581-98882424 Pico BoulevardSanta Monica, CA 90405$80 for my appetizer, entree and dessertWhen writing reviews for restaurants, I always run into the question of objectivity. Not in the sense that I might be receiving gifts or special service because I am reporting on these restaurants,...

Saturday, 26 July 2008

Oh Yum, a Big Heaping Plate of Macrobiotics

Melrose Muffaletta with Scarlet Quinoa SaladM Cafe de Chaya(310) 838-43009343 Culver Blvd,Culver City, CA 90232$10 salads and sandwichesOut of my element. That's the thought that came to mind when I stepped into M Cafe. The exterior seemed tame enough, patio seating and a chalk A-board displaying the...

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

Wakasan This Way

Wakasan(310) 446-52411929 Westwood Blvd.,West LA, 90025Omakase only for $35 per personI'm not entirely sure why the sign says Japanese charcoal cuisine. Out of the twelve courses, only one dish may have been grilled. Still, the podium outside announced that they only serve omakase prix-fixe style dinner...

Sunday, 20 July 2008

A Taco You Don't Need to Catch

El Super TacoCorner of Pico and SawtelleLos Angeles, CA 90189$1.25 per tacoEl Super Taco is basically a sedentary taco truck. The food is the same as you can get from any of the many mobile eateries around LA. Meat choices include carne asada, pollo, chorizo, lengua, cabeza, tripe, al pastor, and a...

Friday, 18 July 2008

Movie Tangent: The Dark Knight

It's not often I deviate from the purpose of this blog, to explore good food, but it's not often that a movie comes out that makes me feel so inclined to review it. Last night I went to the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight, the next installment in director Christopher Nolan's reimagined Batman franchise. I daresay this is by far the best Batman movie, not to mention one of the best movies I've...

Tuesday, 15 July 2008

I'd Like My Sushi De-fused Please

One of my pet peeves when evaluating a restaurants is any variation of the word "fusion." Commonly seen as "Asian-fusion" it's supposed to mean some sort of combination of ingredients, techniques or flavors. When I see fusion, i just think "pass." It's a shame really; after all, there are few cuisines I will judge right off the bat based solely on a name, but fusion restaurants just tend to fail.It's...

Friday, 11 July 2008

Great, Another Fro-yo Place...or Maybe Not?

Cantaloop3835 Main St,Culver City, 90232$2.75-6.25 + $1.50 for three toppingsAs I see it, the frozen yogurt market is oversaturated. In Westwood alone, I can count six yogurt places off the top of my head. It's the new frozen treat that's low in fact and healthy because it's yogurt right? Well I don't...

Tuesday, 8 July 2008

Izakaya Showdown: Sasaya vs. FuRaiBo

SASAYA vs. FURAIBO Welcome ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we have a izakaya showdown between two great West LA competitors in a side-by-side comparison. In the left corner, fighting out of Santa Monica Boulevard, this feisty Japanese establishment refuses to give in to the sushi craze, Sasaya....

Friday, 4 July 2008

"Chinese-American Experience" Cookie

Book ReviewThe Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese FoodJennifer 8. LeeOn the record, I've never liked fortune cookies. They taste bland, and even as a kid I knew to spend my calories elsewhere. However, I did like to pulverize them, feeling empowered by my ability to Hulk smash something into dust, then pluck out the little slip of white paper. They were amusements while...