Devour L.A.

A blog inspired by the Los Angeles food scene. Follow us while we discover, share, and make you crave the best foods LA has to offer.

[devourla]

Diddy Riese

Nothing is better than an ice cream cookie sundae on a beautiful sunny day like this. So I made a stop at one of LA’s most renowned ice cream and cookie establishments, Diddy Riese. For LA newcomers, Diddy Riese has been around since 1983 and is famous for their ice cream sandwiches, cookies, and brownies. Located off the lovely UCLA campus, they have 10 different varieties of cookies and 12 different flavors of Dreyer’s ice cream.

I got the cookie ice cream sundae with your choice of cookie, ice-cream, and what’s a sundae without syrup and whipped cream on top. The sundae was delicious! Although, part of what draws such a long line to their spot is that they offer such affordable prices. You can buy yourself an ice cream cookie sundae for only $2.00. Plus their cookies are.35 cents a cookie, so why not try one of each.

Even though the long line can put a damper on your desire for a treat, the line moves pretty quickly as they throw people’s ice cream sundaes and ice cream sandwiches together within a few seconds and then on to the next.

If you haven’t been, Diddy Riese is a must try!

~Natalie

[devourla]

Urth Caffé: Organic Tea/Coffees

A friend of mine introduced me to the Urth Caffé in Pasadena.  They are a fairly new establishment in the city of Roses.  The building where the Urth Café is located is Spanish style and has beautiful tile in the arched entrance.  Most of their coffee and teas that they serve are organic and according to their website are sold under the strictest quality and ethical standards. 

When we visited Urth Caffe on a Friday evening, it was bustling with activity.  I decided to get the Chocolate Vegan Cake (pictured above).  By looking at this photo, you would never know that it is made with rice flour and has no eggs and no refined sugar.  Some people might think it would taste kind of dry.  However, it was actually pretty good, not as moist as a traditional cake, but still delicious. On another visit, I enjoyed the Chai Tea Latte with a beautiful swan on the top. 

When I read their website, they go into detail about why their coffees are organic.  It was actually very informative how most of the coffee is made in the world.  For example, chemicals that are used in coffee production is a synthetic petroleum which can get into the water supply of the local community. 

At Urth Caffe, you can enjoy coffees and teas and not have to worry about destroying the environment.

- Martha

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Stella Barra

My cravings for sweets havebeen out of control lately but thanks to Stella Barra Pizzeria, I have found my fix. Known for their artisan pizzas, that I will say are pretty good, it is their cookies I can't stop thinking about. 

I've never been one to crave cookies but with unique flavors like bacon chocolate chip, rice crispy chocolate chip, apple cinnamon oatmeal, and sea salt chocolate chip cookies, I had to give them a try. They were all delicious!

I could even go as far to say that the sea salt chocolate chip cookie was the best I have ever had.... sorry mom. They have just perfected the art of combining salty and sweet and creating a cookie that is chewy and crumbly. Although the cookies are about the size of your face, I promise you will want one just for yourself.

http://www.stellabarra.com/

 ~Natalie

[devourla]

Bottega Louie

When you see the building that Bottega Louie is housed in you will think that you have been transported to Paris France.  The neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles where Bottega Louie is located was rundown just a few short years ago, but now it is chic and upscale as the area has been redeveloped.  Every time I have gone there, it is always bustling with activity.

I met up some friends there for a Sunday brunch and since it was late morning I decided to have the French toast.  At $15 for French toast, it is not exactly cheap.  However, the food is so delicious, I don't mind indulging every now and then.  It is funny because Yelp classifies Bottega Louie as Italian, but I think that the food is more reminiscent of French cuisine.  The inside of the restaurant is beautiful with high ceilings and French furnishings.  If you are looking for a quiet intimate dinner, I would not recommend Bottega Louie, as it could get quite boisterous.

The main attraction of Bottega Louie is the display of the gorgeous desserts.  The colorful macaroons seem to be very popular.  I always stop by and buy a dessert to take home.  As you can see from the picture above, the desserts are beautiful, almost to the point where you don't want to eat them.  But alas, they are too tempting to admire, so I finally dig in.

- Martha

[devourla]

Don Chow--Food Truck

What happens when you put two of the most flavorful foods on the planet (as in Mexican and Chinese)?  You get some pretty outstanding food.  Don Chow was the brain child of Dominic Lau and Lawrence Lie and was started back in 2009.  The tag line for their business is "where Chino meets Latino."   The food consists of a fusion of the traditional Chinese food that they were raised with combined with the Mexican food that they also ate growing up in Los Angeles. 

Food trucks in recent years has a much better reputation than they did years ago.  Many of the food trucks that one sees on the streets have higher quality food than the "roach coaches" that use to the norm.  The food trucks now are more gourmet with the food being a bit pricier. 

They were featured on the Food Network Show, "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives" and also interviewed on some of the local Los Angeles news stations. 

Pictured above is the Soy Ginger Shrimp served with beans and rice.  The flavor was awesome and I can't say I have ever eaten like it before.  One of my colleagues ordered the Chimales which were similar to a tamale, but had a Chicken Kung Pao filling.  Those were equally awesome.  Don Chow mostly serves tacos, but you will able to find other Mexican specialties with a little bit of a twist, such as the Chinese BBQ pork burritos.

I can't wait until Don Chow makes their way back to our neck of the woods and we get to try some more of their delicious food.

-- Martha

[devourla]

Umami Burger

One thing LA is known for is their burger joints. LA natives not only love the renowned In-N-Out or Johnny Rockets but are always looking to try the newest burger craze. One of the most popular burger places and my absolute favorite is Umami.

If you are from LA then there is no doubt you have heard of them. Umami offers exceptional burgers that combine Japanese influences and a unique secret sauce that makes them like no other burger you have tried before. I have probably tried every one of their burgers but my favorites are the Manly burger, Hatch burger, and the Greenbird turkey burger. Plus their truffle fries paired with their tangy house ketchup are crave-worthy on their own. Pictured is the Sunny Side burger, which was very delicious.

What I also love is that every few months they come out with a limited time specialty burger. This month they are promoting their double patties Throwback burger. Now if only they would bring back their Monte Cristo for me to have one more time, I could die happy.

http://www.umamiburger.com/

~Natalie

[devourla]

Marco's Trattoria...Simply Delish

  The dictionary defines the word trattoria, as an Italian restaurant serving simple food.  Marco’s is definitely Italian and I would describe the food (not as simple) but simply delicious.

            Marco’s was previously located across the street in a strip mall and the square footage of the original restaurant was rather small.  However, in the last several years, they moved over to their current location which is much bigger.  Marco’s is very popular with the locals, as well as others visiting from other parts of Los Angeles.  The restaurant is able to accommodate group gatherings of up to 30 people.  The dim lights and the tea light candles on each table provide a romantic setting for you and your significant other. 

            Upon your arrival at Marco’s you are served up some insanely good focaccia bread, which is a flat ovenbaked Italian bread.  Their flatbread is not exactly flat, but maybe about an inch in thickness.  Olive oil and balsamic vinegar is provided for dipping purposes.  The menu is so vast, I couldn’t possibly name everything in this article.  Marco’s has everything you would expect an Italian restaurant to have; everything from a multitude of pasta dishes, pizzas, fish, chicken, pork and steak. 

            I would like to describe some of the few dishes that I have sampled.  I recently had their pork chop which was cooked up with peaches.  It also served with whipped sweet potatoes.  This dish is not on their regular menu, so you may have to ask for it, since I believe it may be seasonal.  Another favorite of mine is Chicken Piccata; it comes with a lemon butter sauce and capers.  Many times at Marco’s, we order the Tempura Calamari.  It comes with a trio of dipping sauces:  sweet chili, marinara and citrus aioli.  Other menu offerings, include some typical American fare, such as hamburgers, sandwiches and also vegetarian dishes.

            Marco’s has a great wine selection, serving Italian and California wines and some great Prosecco (sparkling wine).  There are also great Italian sodas that come in flavors such as almond, cherry and mint.  Marco’s has a small bar with a flat screen tv, if you prefer not to sit at a table and catch up on the news or sports.

            Even though Los Angeles has an abundance of Italian restaurants, Marcos stands out as having some of the best food in the area.  Give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.  Check them out on the web at www.marcoswesthollywood.com.  Buon Appetito!

- Martha

[devourla]

East Borough

Stopped by East Borough in Culver City to grab myself a Banh Mi sandwich. A Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a french baguette and your choice of chicken, pork, or beef, combined with a slaw that includes cilantro, cucumber, jalapeno, pickled carrots, and aioli. There are no words to do the savory taste of this sandwich justice.

There are a lot of places in L.A. that create their own unique take on the Banh Mi sandwich but my favorite place East Borough. East Borough, which serves authentic Vietnamese street food, offers different Banh Mi sandwiches to choose from. I usually get the grilled pork or fried chicken and if you like heat then add some sriracha or chili sauce for an extra kick.

If you know of any other places for good Banh Mi feel free to message us, we would love to hear from you!

~Natalie 

[devourla]

Gen Korean BBQ

Who doesn't love a restaurant that's "All You Can Eat"? Am sure we all do. Gen Korean BBQ definitely caters to people who love to eat different varieties of meats, chicken etc.Their menu offers different varieties of food to select from. You have choices like; Chicken Bulgogi, Beef Bulgogi (my favorite), Pork Chops, Hawaiian Steak, Shrimp, Garlic Chicken(which is one of the best items on the menu) the list goes on. Gen Korean BBQ is affordable. Their lunch price is $14.99 and dinner is $19.99. For an all you can eat restaurant, those prices are reasonable. For people who love to explore and experiment with food, i'll definitely recommend Gen Korean BBQ. Their awesome!

~Tiffany~

[devourla]

Versailles --A Taste of Cuba

If you are in the mood for some flavorful food, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, Versailles Cuban Restaurant in West Los Angeles may be just what you are looking for.  The portions are generous at Versailles, so be sure to come with a healthy appetite.  When you are seated, you are immediately given a basket of garlic toast, which is so addictive and yummy, you can’t just eat one piece.  One of their signature dishes includes the Famoso Pollo Versailles or the Versailles Famous Garlic Chicken.  You get a juicy half chicken that is marinated in their delicious garlic sauce and it is topped with freshly sliced onions.  The sides for most of their dishes include platanos that are fried. Platanos look somewhat like a banana, but are a little sweeter.  There is also black beans, white rice and Moros and Cristianos, which is black beans and white rice combined.

            If you are not a fan of garlic, there are plenty of other dishes on their menu that will whet your appetite.  For example, one of the classic Cuban dishes “Ropa Vieja” which translates into old clothes and is given this name, since the beef is shredded.  Another classic dish is Arroz Con Pollo, which is Chicken and Yellow Rice.  There are vegetarian and seafood selections, if you do not eat red meat or chicken.  

When I visit Versailles, I like to order a Sangria.  Sangria originated from Spain many years ago, but has been popular in other Latin American countries and the United States.  Their Sangria has just the right amount of fruit flavor and wine. 

To round out your meal, try one of their delicious desserts, such as rice pudding, flan or Tres Leches Cakes.  Versailles has so many good selections, that I would run out of space before I could mention them all.

All this talk of food is making me hungry.  Versailles has four locations, two on the Westside (West Los Angeles and Culver City), one in Manhattan Beach and one in the Valley (Encino).  Stop by when you are in the neighborhood.  Their website is www.versaillescuban.com.

Martha

[devourla]

Sqirl LA

This is a restaurant that has been on my radar and that I have been meaning to try for quite some time. Sqirl LA is one of Silver Lake’sbest kept secrets and a local favorite brunch spot. Sqirl is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that I may have easily passed by without notice if it wasn’t for the long line. However, usually if there is a long line it’s worth the wait.

I finally decided to exercise some of my patience and wait it out and I’m sure glad I did. Not only did the line move fairly quickly but the food was worth the wait. Their menu consists of mostly sandwiches, variety of grain bowls with eggs, and different brioche toasts with your choice of ricotta and jam or nut butter and chocolate ganache. Plus they had some yummy looking pastries.

Given that Sqirl is mostly known for their delicious organically crafted jams like blueberry rhubarb or strawberry thyme, I decided to order the brioche toast with ricotta and raspberry Tahitian vanilla bean jam (pictured). It was so good, I could have ordered another! I also tried the crispy rice salad with egg and sausage as well as their almond latte, and certainly was not disappointed. I will definitely be back here again soon for that brioche toast and to purchase some of their unique jam flavors.

~Natalie

[devourla]

Koi Los Angeles

This post is for the sushi lovers but I’m not sure there is anyone that loves sushi as much as me. I would eat it every day if I didn’t think my love for spicy tuna could lead to mercury poisoning. I have tried some of the best sushi spots in LA so I consider myself a sushi connoisseur. In my opinion, LA has some of the best sushi but I had to come back to one of my favorite sushi restaurants, Koi, on La Cienega. They’re one of the nicer and pricier sushi places in LA but totally worth it. Some of the rolls I love is the ‘She’s So LA’ Roll, Sunfire Roll, and Kiiro Roll but more than anything I yearn for is their spicy tuna on crispy rice called Koi Crispy Rice.

LA sushi restaurants are known for serving the crispy rice topped with spicy tuna. It’s by far my favorite thing to order when out for sushi and if I could eat anything for the rest of my life it would probably be the Koi Crispy Rice. They just have the crispy rice and texture of the spicy tuna down to a science. I even convinced my anti-sushi eating step dad to try just one and we ended up ordering another round. So if that isn’t convincing enough to give it a try, you’re missing out.

[devourla]

FoodHausCafe

I visited FoodHausCafe on Saturday and i must say i don't regret going to this restaurant. Its located at 2106 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007 (DowntownLA). Although, they had many selections to choose from I decided to order the Whiskey Infused Jalapeno Burger with french fries, it was certainly yummy in my tummy. Being that it was my first time at the restaurant, something drew my attention to this burger and i decided to go for it. Price wise it was pretty reasonable not too expensive. I enjoyed dining at FoodHausCafe. 

~Tiffany~

[devourla]

Mix ‘n Munch — Comfort Food for the Kid in all of Us

Memories of eating grilled cheese sandwiches and cereal take many of us back to our youth.  The owners of Mix ‘n Munch helped to capitalize on the nostalgia, when they decided to open their café nearly five years ago in South Pasadena.  It’s not just the basic grilled cheese sandwiches that we may recall with cheddar cheese and two pieces of bread.  Places like Mix ‘n Munch are serving up some unique and upscale versions of the classic comfort food.  Some of the breads that they offer are Dark Sweet Wheat, Shepherd and Texas Toast.

 They have more than 25 cereals, everything from Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms to Captain Crunch.  The customer has the option to mix any of these cereals together and they can add other mix-ins, such as fruit, grains and syrup just to name a few.

The grilled cheese sandwiches at Mix ‘n Munch are fully customizable,  You can choose from six different breads, standard or international cheeses such as Gruyere, Brie and Havarti.  The last two steps in the process of making your sandwich custom is picking the toppings such as meat or protein and then the veggies.  Did I also mention that they also serve some very good desert sandwiches with filings like Nutella, strawberries and peanut butter?

The atmosphere is laid back and homey and you will see everyone from college students to parents bringing their children to enjoy the same cereals that they did when they were kids.  Life is definitely good in the neighborhood. Martha

[devourla]

Sycamore Kitchen

Starting the week off right with a hearty breakfast at one of my favorite places. If you’re not familiar, Sycamore Kitchen is one of the trendy restaurants located off La Brea Ave that not only offers savory dishes and delicious pastries, but has a cool rustic aesthetic atmosphere. 

I come here every now and then for their delicious breakfast bowls or assorted pastries but even when I do stray from my usual order, I’m never disappointed. I’ve tried some of their sandwiches, their pork belly hash, and Jerusalem Bowl (pictured right) but my favorite is their Yucatan Bowl (pictured left), which is similar to huevos rancheros but oh so good! I also love their pastries like their mini brown butter date bundt cake or salted caramel pecan babka roll but they offer so much more and savory tarts as well. And if that’s not enough they also serve Stumptown coffee.

Basically, this place has everything down to a tee. So if you’re looking to give it a try, my recommendation is to go on the weekdays or early morning on weekends because by 11AM there is often a 30 minute line out the door.

~Natalie

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California Donuts

Sunday is my day to splurge and give myself the freedom to eat whatever my heart desires. So I decided to hit up California Donuts with a friend for the ultimate guilty pleasure of donuts. But not just any donuts as you can tell. California donuts is not your typical donut shop. Yes, they offer the classics but they are well known for their specialty donuts. These specialty donuts are topped with fruit loops, lucky charms, snickers, blueberry cinnamon toast crunch, you name it. Whats even more dangerous is that they're open 24 hours, perfect late night cravings.

Having tried a few of their donuts myself, I can attest that their crazy flavors and combos are delicious. Although I don't think there is a more heavenly combination than maple and bacon but you must try for yourself!  

~Natalie

http://cadonuts.com/#home

[devourla]

Braise & Crumble -- Everything is Better with Bacon

During my lunch break the other day, I recalled a small café that I had visited a few months back.  The place was called Braise & Crumble, located on a small street just off the famed Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena.   Bacon seems to be the name of the game at Braise, as it included in the vast majority of their dishes, including their desserts!  They even have a starter or appetizer named "Just Bacon" and you can choose between flavors: Ancho Maple and Sriracha Five Spice Glaze.

Some of their specialties include short rib tacos; which I have personally tasted.  The short ribs are slowly cooked and is served with a green chile puree that gives the meat a bit of "kick",  Trust me, you will be asking for plenty of ice water after eating this dish.  I recently had one of their specials The Po Boy Sandwich, a Louisiana favorite.

The thing I love most about Braise & Crumble is that they take the comfort foods that most people grew up with and modernize or jazz it up, so to speak.  For example, take macaroni and cheese, Braise has a dish called "Dusted 'n' Crusted Mac" ; this has bacon and jalapeno, crusted in panko and dusted with parm snow. 

Now on to their desserts, as I stated previously, even their sweets have bacon.  I tried their chocolate chips cookies with (you got it) bacon.  It may sound strange to have chocolate chips and bacon, but it really works due to the sweetness of the chocolate and the saltiness of the bacon.  They bake their pies daily and their not afraid to shake things up a bit.

I recommend Braise and Crumble; their food is flavorful and reasonably priced.  Their service is always with a smile.

- Martha