[followmygut]

If someone told you to walk down an alley (dark or well lit), would you do it?

Of course not, that’s how people die.

But if someone told you to walk down an alley and at the end of it you saw a restaurant, would you do it uncertain of what would come out along the way?

Of course, that’s how you find delicious food!

TJ and I were in Koreatown walking down to Beer Belly to check out a few items on their menu. Unfortunately, the only way into the restaurant was down an alley. Sure it was the middle of the day, but I’ve seen enough horror movies (and I’m black) to know that I’ll probably die first. However, seeing the menu beforehand, I was excited to try out some of the food that lay just a matter of feet away. I didn’t let my fear and every murder flick get the best of me. Instead, we walked ever so quickly, until we entered the restaurant.

Once we sat outside in the patio area, we ordered. I started with a Vanilla Cream Soda ($3) which I haven’t had in while. Growing up, cream soda was my go-to soda, but over time I forgot about it and became familiar with popular drinks like Sprite or Dr. Pepper. To have the bubbly and sweet soda at Beer Belly was so reminiscent of being a kid and was a great way to start the lunch. I ordered a second bottle because you can get thirsty going on a trip down memory lane.

To start with food, TJ ordered the Jar O’ Pickles ($6.50). Since I’m not a fan of pickles I didn’t care much for these. TJ on the other hand loves them and started to rave about them as he ate them. With such praise, I had to try them for myself. Turns out, TJ was very right about these pickles. The pickles lean more on the sweet side than sour and were the definition of zesty!

Then came Death by Duck (9.50).  Duck fat fries were served with duck confiit and paired with an in-house made raspberry mustard. The fries were incredibly soft and topped with flavorful pieces of duck. While you would think the duck would be the best part of this side, it wasn’t for me. Instead, what I loved most about it was the seasoning on the fries. The fries were tossed in a salt and sweet onion sugar and sprinkled with smoked salt. It made the fries both sweet and salty to the point that it was a seasoning that excited my taste buds causing me to almost inhale the fries. I’m close to 100% positive that I’ve never had fries this delicious and since I’m not sure if I will find them anywhere else, I’ll visit Beer Belly for more again and again.

After the sides, we had the Beer Belly Grilled Cheese ($13.50). The sandwich took cheddar, Swiss, asiago, goat cheese, bacon, and drizzled maple syrup on top of it. The combination of all the cheese and the syrup made such a rich sandwich that it quickly became messy. Don’t be bothered by that, the taste of it all will make you overlook it. After a while all the gooey cheeses blend to create a nice super cheese that wraps around the salty bacon so nicely. That then becomes a welcome contrast to the sweet and sticky syrup that seals it all so perfectly. You will certainly lick your fingers as you eat this sandwich.

The last plate of our lunch was the Philly Roast Pork Sandwich ($12.50). We split the roasted pork shoulder, broccoli rabe, sharp provolone, waffle battered onion ring, pocketed Serranos, on an onion bun. It was massive and it almost toppled over. Cutting it in half you could see all that made the sandwich what it is known for. Biting into it, I loved the way the tender pork shoulder tasted alongside the provolone cheese. But it was the breaded thick onion ring that really brought it all together. It was such a juicy sandwich full of varying flavors that we finished it without regret.

After our lunch at Beer Belly, I can safely say that the only time walking down an alley should be encouraged is when it leads to food. Any other time you’re doing it, you’re setting yourself up as the main character in a horror movie and only God and 90+ minutes will tell if you survive. The walk TJ and I had that took us to Beer Belly didn’t have any frights or scares, but delicious food. I’m glad we went down the alley and ended up at the restaurant because if we hadn’t we wouldn’t have discovered the great dishes within the restaurant.

Follow Them. Address: 532 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020 Phone: [phone] Hours: Sunday to Tuesday – 11:30am to 11:00pm, Wednesday and Thursday – 11:30am to 12:00am, and Friday and Saturday – 11:30am to 1:00am. Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Where to Get Duck Fat Fries, Philly Roast Pork Sandwiches, and More in Koreatown If someone told you to walk down an alley (dark or well lit), would you do it?

[followmygut]

Yeah, you read that headline right.

I know that the competition for amazing tacos in Los Angeles can be as vicious and cut throat as a season of The Bachelor so to claim a restaurant has amazing tacos will cause a debate to ensue. To make such a bold statement, especially about a relatively new restaurant might even raise the blood pressure of any taco lover listening, but before you get your red blood cells boiling let me explain. Last week I was invited to Trejo’s Cantina in Hollywood to check out their menu. The cantina is the sister restaurant to Trejo’s Tacos that sits less than 5 miles south. The two culinary concepts come from actor Danny Trejo. You probably haven’t seen him in the kitchen as much as you’ve seen him in movies like Desperado, Con Air, or Machete but to see his name across the restaurant building made me wonder if the food would be good or if it would just be a celebrity throwing his name on a new venture. Regardless, TJ and I had already paid for parking we were about to find out.

Walking in, the cantina feels friendly and welcoming. While the city surrounding Trejo’s Cantina is bustling with noise and party goers heading into places like Stout, the spot manages to leave the chaos at the door. Although it’s not as boisterous as its surrounding counterparts, it feels good to be in a place in Hollywood where you can hold a conversation without shouting. Atmosphere aside, the interior is made of a giant painting of Danny Trejo which stands at the entrance, a deer head sits above guests, and a wall of wood is displayed by the restroom. While I’m not exactly sure about the exact theme is, I’m not bothered by it whatsoever.

TJ and I sat at the bar and were greeted by the lead bartender, Ryan Kolbe Website, also known as The Beer Guy. We would quickly find out that the actor/writer/bartender was not only great at suggesting beers, but also at making us laugh. He was such great energy the minute we sat down and it never disappeared. After our introductions and a few preliminary laughs, Ryan gave us a menu and walked us through what we would have. Each dish was paired with a beer from their 20+ selection of beers available. As I got excited by the food listed, TJ was excited by the beer; there was clearly something for both of us.

[divider]The Starters[/divider]

To start we had the Gucamole ($7) made with Hass avocados, onions, serrano chilles, lime, pistachios, and served with salted tortilla chips. The guacolme was chunky and thick, spicy from all the chilies, and had a beautifully refreshing citrus taste from the perfect amount of lime juice. I was so close to devouring the guacamole and crunchy chips but had to remind myself that it was simply the starter. Slow down, Danielle, slow down!

Following the chips and guacamole was the Street Corn ($5) and Trejo’s Poppers ($3). The street corn took a bowl of fresh corn, popcorn, chipotle cream, and seasoning. It was small, cute, and fun; something I wasn’t expecting from such a macho man like Trejo. Ryan poignantly described the petite dish as “the evolution of corn”. It was the most poetic sentence I heard all month—maybe all year. I really liked the varying textures within this dish and the contrasts within the flavors. It was so good that I had a hard time sharing it with TJ. Once I realized I hadn’t tried the poppers, I handed him the street corn. The poppers on the other hand were made of beer battered chili, corn, shallots, garlic, and topped with a cashew cream, pico de gallo, and micro cilantro. Each bite of the small popper was full of flavor from the chili and garlic. I liked how this one was drizzled with a creamy sauce to cover the popper in because it gave it such a rich taste!

[divider]The Mains[/divider]

After we cleared the starter, the main plates arrived: tacos! It was an incredible array of some of the restaurants best tacos and TJ and I were both excited to try them all. We were given so many small versions of their normally oversized tacos that I thought it would be impossible to find a favorite, yet somehow I did. I was pretty surprised to find that the ones I liked the most were the ones I thought I would like the least. Those tacos were the Black Pepper Tofu ($4), Rainbow Cauliflower ($4), and the Blackened Salmon ($6). I was shocked that I, the professed carnivore, was infatuated by the tacos that had no meat. In spite of that I was impressed with the appearance, creativity, and taste of these tacos. I loved the tofu because it came with carmelized shallots and pickled onions that cascaded down the bean curd. It sounds odd, but the moment I ate it and could taste the smooth exterior of the tofu with the mild flavor that escaped the opinion wrapped within the tortilla, I was hooked.

What I loved about the cauliflower taco was that it was so bright in color and full of vegetables. Yes, vegetables won me over. I couldn’t pinpoint if it was the corn or the cauliflower in particular but I liked them both and the combination of the two was so refreshing. Add to that, the cilantro gave it a nice kick! Last but not least was the salmon taco. A large cut of salmon sat on top of the tortilla with white corn, cherry tomatoes, and an orange cream alongside it. The salmon tasted so fresh, the slaw added a gentle crunch, and the orange cream was a great addition to make it all feel like it dissipated in your mouth. This was such a nice taco!

The final dish was the Shrimp Tostada ($9). One of the lovely guests in the restaurant suggested this and her excitement over it made us so excited that we had to order it too! I’m glad we did because it was my favorite from the entire night. The tostada was covered with a hearty helping of avocado and then topped with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, orange slices, Serrano peppers, and jumbo pieces of seasoned shrimp. This tostado is not one to attempt to look pretty while eating. Let that dream go and attack it with all your might. I loved the way the creamy avocado danced with the shrimp and how the citrus of the fruit provided a pleasant level of juiciness. It was so exhilarating to bite into the crunchy tostada and enjoy all the soft and smooth flavors from the components it was covered in!

[divider]The Dessert[/divider]

To end the entire night we had dessert. We split a Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwich ($6). The super soft cookies enclosed a solid mound of sweet stawberry ice cream. It was just the right amount of sweet milky goodness that we could have wanted to end the dinner!

I know the discussion of which restaurants in LA have the best tacos can be a hard and sometimes violent exchange of opinions. However, based on the taste of the food at Trejo’s Cantina, the restaurant should be considered for the running. Taking a look at the beautiful and well-developed types of tacos, their delicious tostada, and their creative sides the restaurant is one that I would highly suggest.

To see more delicious eats from the entire night, check out the photos below!

Follow Them. Address: 1556 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Phone: [phone] Hours: Sunday through Thursday – 11:00am to 11:00pm and Friday & Saturday – 11:00am to 2:00am Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Hollywood’s New Celebrity Owned Cantina Should Be Your Go-To Taco Spot Yeah, you read that headline right. I know that the competition for amazing tacos in Los Angeles can be as vicious and cut throat as a season of…

[followmygut]

The past two years of blogging has opened the door for people to ask me for restaurant recommendations. The question comes my way as frequently as someone asks, “How are you doing?” The minute someone knows what I do, I can see the words form in their mind before they ask, “Where can I eat in (insert city name here)”. I usually respond with a few questions to figure out the person’s preferences and will list a few of my favorites accordingly. When a friend asked “What’s a good restaurant in Whittier?” I was almost speechless. “Um, is Whittier still a city in California?” I mumbled foolishly. It is of course, however, I haven’t spent much time in the area exploring their food since I left a previous job close by. Even then, the Whittier wasn’t flowing with great eateries like you would find in central Los Angeles. Just as the question was asked of me, I was invited to Ravello Bar & Grill to explore their menu and their restaurant. With a hope of finding a great spot to recommend to others, my friend Gian and I were seated in the restaurant to see what it was all about.

I was a tad skeptical, but after I saw the lovely layout and design of Ravello, I could see the restaurant was starting to grow on me. Upon entering, it was clear that they wanted to uphold an elegant appearance. The tables set with wine glasses, white tablecloths, and comfortable seats gave off an aurora of style. In contrast, they managed to maintain their stylishness while having a bar surrounded by big screen TVs. Even though a baseball game was playing, it didn’t feel like the typical bar that comes to mind. Instead, Ravello somehow exudes a casual yet sophisticated appeal that welcomes everyone regardless of their attire.

[divider]The Drinks[/divider]

As ready as we were to dive into Italian food, we started with drinks. I explained to our waitress, Eva, that I was looking for something sweet but was captivated by the description of the Posta Aerea ($13). The cocktail took Skyy Pear, lime, honey, prosecco, and mint. She made a perfect suggestion of increasing the amount of honey. When she brought the cocktail to the table and I got try it, I quickly realized how much I adored it! From the sweetness of the extra honey to the light and refreshing citrus of the lime, I ended up finishing it faster than I expected. Gian, on the other hand, went with the Sidecar ($15). His drink wasn’t sweet at all in comparison to mine. It was made of combier d’orange, Hennessey, lemon, and had a sugar rim. Although it looked like it would easy based on the bright color alone, it was dry and strong. Perfect for the person who loves a stiff drink.

[divider]The Appetizers[/divider]

It wouldn’t be dinner if it didn’t start out with bread, right? At Ravello, we were given a basket with a selection of breads to go with various sauces. Butter balls, olive tapenade, and a balsamic olive oil were just a few that would cover our bread. But as nice and soft the bread was it, it became a complete afterthought once our true appetizers were placed before us.

The first appetizer that really showcased the new restaurant in Whittier was the Tuna Crudo ($16). Bright pink cuts of tuna sat alongside a cucumber salad, pickled ginger, soy and wasabi. The slices of tuna were incredibly fresh and absorbed the soy sauce and wasabi like they were created solely to be put together. As pretty as this plate was, it was gone quickly! I didn’t realize just how much I enjoyed this plate, but I would soon find out that I wouldn’t love it as much as I would love the second appetizer.

That appetizer was the Grilled Shrimp in Prosciutto & Basil ($12). On a beautifully colored plate were jumbo shrimp wrapped in prosciutto that sat atop of a mascarpone polenta and a garlic vermintino beurre blanc. The flavors that erupted from the shrimp that were nicely sealed by the prosciutto were delicious. There was an even balance of the saltiness that came from the meat which easily spread onto the lightly seasoned seafood. Each bite of the shrimp came with a juicy burst once you bite through it that felt like we were exploring new tastes that had yet to be discovered. That only increased as I tried the polenta. It had a delightful spread of a creamy and gritty texture that still managed to uphold a gentle taste.

[divider]The Entrees[/divider]

To set the stage for the entrees, Eva suggested Ravello’s Ravioli of the Day ($20). The plate took ravioli with crimini, roasted butternut squash, mushrooms, and covered it in a brandy cream sauce. Reminiscing on this plate excites my taste buds like it did the moment I first tried it. I loved how the soft pink shells were filled with an incredibly smooth squash that soaked up the brandy cream. It was the kind of plate that could stop a table conversation just so you could enjoy what you were eating to the fullest. Ultimately, it was the type of plate that the next time a person asks me where to eat in LA or where to eat in Whittier that I will suggest Ravello.

While the ravioli could have easily served as the sole entrée for the dinner, which honestly it should have, Gian and I each ordered an entrée. In our defense, Eva suggested the ravioli and we didn’t have the heart to say no. That’s a lie, we were too in love with the way she described it that “yes” was the only thing we said. Since the ravioli was gone, Gian ordered the Penne with Spicy Italian Sausage ($21). Seared spicy links, a fontina and Parmesan cheese, and pecorino made up his plate. I didn’t take more than a single bite of his pasta as my own entree was sitting in front of me. However, in that single bite I loved how spicy the sausage was. The small rounds of the meat were peppery and covered in a creamy cheese that made me want to go for seconds. I did, but with the second fork I stopped myself. I couldn’t be that greedy.

Or could I?

I wasn’t. Mainly because my order of the Colorado Lamb Chops ($38) was waiting for me. The lamb chops was such a great decision. The beautifully grilled cuts of lamb were cooked medium rare and were drizzled with a Pinot noir thyme jus. Not to be plated alone, the lamb chops came with a helping of garlic-mashed potatoes and an eggplant ratatouille. The lamb chomps were incredibly succulent and tender and came off the bone with little effort. The fluffy mashed potatoes were the exact side that I could ask for. This became another dish that if I was asked where was a great place to eat in LA that I would sing Ravello like Whoopi Goldberg sang about Jesus in Sister Act. You could cue “I Will Follow Him” and each word would be directed to Ravello.

Whoops, don’t take that the wrong way Jesus.

[divider]The Dessert[/divider]

To end what was a fabulous Italian dinner, we had dessert. We split the Pumpkin Crustada ($8). That’s not true, Gian really didn’t have any of it because he was full at this point. Without the same concern, I eager took my fork to the plate of pumpkin cake that was covered in candied pecans, a brown sugar crumble, and smeared with salted caramel. The dessert was incredibly rich with moments of saltiness that arrived from the caramel. It quickly became a dessert that was too decadent to finish after the entirety of the plates that preceded it. It took everything in me to put my fork down and to throw in the towel. Accepting defeat is never easy, especially when it tastes too good.

Dinner at Ravello was more than I expected to be found in Whittier. Within the cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and the dessert were levels of flavor that are hard to come by. The chef has created such delicious plates that will turn the restaurant into a place that I would eagerly recommend when asked where to dine in Los Angeles. The staff (Eva especially) instilled a wonderful atmosphere that made it easy to get to know them all and made me never want to leave. I’m so thankful that I got to experience this type of dinner and that it is sitting in a city that I (clearly) underestimated. Ravello has entered Whittier and I hope it takes over the restaurant scene like a storm.

Follow Them. Address: 6746 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90601 Phone: [phone] Hours: Monday to Thursday – 11:00am to 11:00pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00am to 12:00am, and Sunday 11:00am to 10:00pm Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

The Best Italian Restaurant Takes Whittier by Storm The past two years of blogging has opened the door for people to ask me for restaurant recommendations.

[followmygut]

I really love food, like a lot.

If that’s not clear from the last 18 pages of food posts then I’m not doing a good job. If it is apparent how infatuated I am with meals of any sort then allow me to take it to another level: I’ll drive long distances for food. I live in Altadena (which for the unfamiliar) is conveniently located next to little. That being said, if I want to go out to eat, I already know I’ll be putting miles on my car. That’s actually not a problem as one may assume since (refer to the opening sentence) I really love food. Recently I was invited to Restauration, which sits 35 miles away from me in Long Beach. Excited to try a restaurant in a city far away from mine, the only concern I had was whether or not I should bring a meal for the drive.

Relax, Jenny Craig I didn’t do it.

I did think long and hard about it but I was going to pick up TJ and I don’t like sharing my car meals so I left the meal. Instead, we drove just beneath the speed limit in hopes of getting there quickly. About an hour later we were seated in the back patio of the restaurant.

Thankfully, TJ was just as hungry as I was so it didn’t take too long for us to peruse the menu to order. I started with the White Sangria ($9). It was a delicious way to quench the thirst I had developed along the drive. Each sip felt like I was being refreshed from the cities we passed through. The thoughts of going through Pasadena, East LA, Downey, Torrance, and a few others were a faint memory as the fruity accents around the Moscow Mule started to pass over my tongue. It was such a nice start to our lunch after such a long drive!

As I almost finished my cocktail, the first of three plates arrived. The starter that TJ and I split was the Charred Spanish Octopus ($13). While the plate was petite in its size, it was delicious! The dish came with celery heart, marble potatoes, roasted almonds, frisee, and an array of octopus dices underneath a Caesar dressing. I was a bit skeptical about whether the dressing would lessen the flavor of the dish, but I was wrong! The Caesar dressing added a nice creamy sauce on top of the tender and chewy octopus.

Right as we finished the charred octopus, our entrées came. TJ ordered the Smoked Salmon Tartine ($14) with a side of Parmesan Churros. The baguette was covered with a hearty helping of salmon mixed with pickles, dill, Dijon, and a hard egg. While I didn’t have any of it, his handling of the sandwich and almost immediate consumption of it made me believe that he liked it. He quickly licked his fingers was a great way for him to confirm that he did in fact enjoy it. What I did try was the parmesan churros. It’s not everyday that you see a restaurant take a well-loved sweet confection and turn it savory. From my bites of it, I still got the dessert feeling, but because they were sprinkled with cheese they didn’t give me the weighted and high caloric feeling like I get with other churros. These on the other hand, didn’t come with the eater’s guilt that I would get with sugary churros. Realizing that, I wish I had ordered some myself!

As I dusted the cheese off my fingers, I picked up my fork and tried out the Marinated Flank Steak and Eggs ($19) that I ordered. The plate had a pair of organic sunny-side up eggs, momotaro tomato, asparagus, and Anson Mills polenta. The listing of steak and polenta were the two reasons why I ordered this item. Granted, I love tomatoes, eggs, and asparagus as much as anyone else, but my focus was on the meat and carbs! Served on this plate, the steak had a nice salty flavor to it that caused me to keep going back for more. The slices maintained a rich color on its exterior, which bled into the tender meat. Pairing it with the creamy polenta was a great idea! The two together were a nice idea as the flavors and texture of each complimented one another very well. This plate was just what I needed after a long drive and made it all feel like it was only a matter of minutes.

The name alone of the dessert was enough to compel us to order it. Let the three words of it resonate with you as you read it: Torched Honey Crème ($9). Beautiful right? When it arrived, it was as pretty as I hoped it would be. On the plate was a fig cake, creme brûlée, chamomile ice cream and bee pollen. Although there was very gentle coloring in it, it was vibrant in its taste. The cake itself was soft and smooth with moments where the fig would creep through with a sweet and subtly zesty taste. The ice cream was mild and as a flavor I couldn’t get much from it. The only comparison I can make is it’s like a sweet and creamier version of French vanilla. As it melted, I liked the way the ice cream complemented to quality of the bee pollen. This was definitely the type of dish where the flavor and richness were experienced in its totality and not as individual pieces.

It may have taken us an hour to get to Restauration and I may have contemplated bringing a car snack to hold me over, but the food was so nice that the drive didn’t matter once it was over. I’m glad TJ and I got to check out the plates from the starter to the dessert because each one was a great plate to relax after such a long drive.

Follow Them. Address: 2708 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814 Phone: [phone] Hours: Sunday – 8:00am to 9:00pm, Monday through Friday – 10:00am to 10:00pm, and Saturday – 8:00am to 10:00pm Social: Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Restauration I really love food, like a lot. If that’s not clear from the last 18 pages of food posts then I’m not doing a good job.

[followmygut]

“I think I’m gonna regret this.” I thought to myself as I sat in my car.

My hand was on the gearshift as my mind darted back and forth on the decision I was about to make. TJ sat in the passenger seat and had no idea what dilemma I was in. Better yet, what we were in. We had just finished watching The Accountant and the action flick was now continuing in my car. I told myself we should go our separate ways home and end the night on a quiet note, but as I gripped my hand on the glove compartment I knew what was coming.

My dilemma was whether or not we should get dinner at ten in the evening considering I hadn’t worked out the entire week. In the glove compartment was my camera to photograph the food we’d eat. Maybe I built that up a bit? Neither full nor starving I was in a state of eating limbo where I would have been fine going to sleep or I would have been fine stuffing my face with a burger. Walking into Cassell’s in Koreatown, we opted for the latter.

On the ground floor of the Hotel Normandie, Cassell’s has an old school vibe that you feel the minute you walk in. It’s in the deep brown bar stools, the neon Cassell’s sign, and the pies that rotate in a vertical display case. While it has an ambiance circa 1951, you never forget what year you’re in. Thanks in part to the games playing on the many screens and the homeless people that yell at you through the high windows. That actually happened to me.

Focusing my attention on the menu, TJ and I ordered. Uninterested in what he was getting, I kept my dinner simple: Cheeseburger ($9.99) and Fries ($3.50). What’s important to know about the old-school style of Cassell’s is it’s the type of place that gives you your food, but you put it together. This is clear when you look at an almost bare burger that comes with a plate of lettuce, red onions, and a tomato slice on the side. Putting them on top of the 1/3lb medium rare beef patty felt like I was completing a work of art. The finished piece also included cheddar cheese all on a Parker House bun. The cheeseburger was thick and juicy while the bun forming around it was so soft that it almost sank into your hand with each bite. Then there was the lettuce, which was so crisp it cracked with a burst of water every time I dug into it. Fresh would be an understatement to describe it.

Not to be forgotten, the burger was accompanied by 3/8th cut Kennebec potato fries in peanut oil. The huge bag of fries toppled over freeing enough fries to easily feed two people. If you get these for yourself it may be hard to finish. You don’t have to show off and try to eat them all on your own unless you’re a football player. Tim Tebow, you can finish these easily. You, the regular person, reading this review…maybe not. I really loved the thousand-island style dressing that was served to go with the fries and the burger because it had an accent of a peppery relish that offered a nice kick to both the burger and fries.

I may have built up the late night dinner at the start on this review, but considering how full I was when we left, it was a valid decision at the time. The burger was huge and I can only imagine how it will impact wearing jeans tomorrow. Was it worth it? Of course. Will I do it again? Of course. It was a well made decision that I will hopefully follow with a morning jog. Sure, you may not think I’m as cool as I initially led you to believe or even as cool as Ben Affleck in his new movie, but I did sneak some napkins from the restaurant to keep in my car. And you and I both know that’s pretty badass.

Follow Them. Address: 3600 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020 Phone: [phone] Hours: Sunday through Thursday – 7:00am to 11:00pm and Friday & Saturday – 7:00am t0 2:00am. Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

  Cassel's “I think I’m gonna regret this.” I thought to myself as I sat in my car.

[followmygut]

I can’t get Il Becco out of my head.

It’s been a few months since my trip to Mexico City and I can’t get the restaurant off of my mind. Not that I want to, I just find it interesting that a restaurant I dined in during my vacation still has such a hold on me. Of course the architecture, culture, other restaurants, and people in the city were incredible, but none were able to leave an imprint on my everyday thoughts the way this restaurant has.

I guess the best place to start would be at the beginning.

The specifications as to why I was on this trip are simple: I wanted to go on vacation, I found a cheap ticket, so my friends and I left. It’s almost a fairytale for any person who feels like they need a break from their everyday routine. While my fairytale began days before when I landed, it all came to a peak when I walked into the Four Seasons. The steps from the hotel entry to the restaurant carried a click-clack that I tried my best to suppress from turning into a succession of skips. By the time we reached the restaurant, I felt a small gasp escape my lips; it was beautiful! Before I could scan the entire layout the hostess introduced herself and walked myself and TJ to our table.

Going from the opening of the restaurant and into the heart of it, I adored the presentation Il Becco had with welcoming guests. The artwork, color scheme, lighting, table settings, and the overall tone of the restaurant was one that made me want to spend as much time as possible in my seat with the restaurant wrapped around me.

Sitting at our table, the waiter arrived with menus in hand and began to walk us through the food that would soon follow. As quickly as he made his initial departure, the Amuse-Bouche (complimentary) was placed in front of us. Just like all the others we’ve had so far on the trip, it wasn’t in any way a focus of the dinner—merely an introduction of what was to come. A few scoops with a spoon and I could tell that it was lightly whipped, almost weightless, and held a soft garlic taste. My mouth tried to capture the starter in an attempt to revel in the taste, but as quickly as I closed my eyes, it was gone. Although each scoop on my spoon was full, the taste was fleeting; like love.

That may have been corny, but it’s fitting.

Letting go of the brief moments with the amuse-bouche allowed me take on the Tuna Tartare ($245 pesos, $14). It was beautiful in its presentation! It came on a white plate covered in what looked like a tented glass. Slowly, it was removed and the tartare was revealed like a present. If I can suggest, this is how all engagement gifts and even student loan payoff letters should be presented. As smoke escaped once it was opened, the tuna was showcased sitting under a gentle dollop of foam. I loved how simple and it appeared, because it was stark contrast from its taste. Although it was small, I enjoyed the taste of the fresh tuna with the quickly dissolving foam. The gentle drizzle of olive oil provided an additional smoothness that made it a plate I enjoyed a tad too quickly.

Following the tuna tartare, the waiter brought the Artichoke Risotto ($260 pesos, $15). I loved the delivery of it in copper cookware. Removing the lid displayed the gorgeous risotto like a painting. Tasting it, the risotto was unbelievably creamy. It was sprinkled with pistachios and topped with edible flowers. Fork after fork, it was clear that the chefs cooked it exceptionally well and blended the ingredients together perfectly. I finished this main in its entirety.

Watching the waiter remove the empty pot was difficult, but that feeling was replaced with excitement as the Ravioli ($230 pesos $13) was given. “Be careful, it’s hot”, the waiter cautioned. I was thankful he mentioned that, as I wanted to consume the pasta the moment I saw it. Each ravioli was filled with a Robiola cheese while they were sprinkled with diced almonds and nutmeg. The cooked ravioli shells were delicate and soft, the cheese was creamy, and the almonds offered a bit of texture to the overall dish. Since there wasn’t a lot of ravioli, I found myself wanting more. For any other person, this single plate may have sufficed, but considering how delectable it was I yearned for a second serving to further savor the perfect plate as I just had.

As the final entrée was removed from the table, the dessert arrived to bring the dinner to a close. A single slice of Chocolate Cake ($160 pesos, $9) under any other circumstance might not be much to discuss, but at Il Becco, it’s a conversation piece. The small serving of cake comes enclosed in a cotton candy wrapping which is surprisingly removed by the waiter as he spritz amaretto liquor around it. Unfortunately, I was too mesmerized with the show to photograph it, but was able to grab a few stills of it once he was done. What’s important to know is that with each gentle spray, the cotton candy slowly evaporated and the chocolate cake with hazelnut emerged. It wasn’t until the tiny sprouts were uncovered that it looked as if a chocolate cake was growing in front of my eyes. The chocolate was creamy, the hazelnut was rich, and the sprouts were a pretty enhancement to it all. I loved this dish!

Looking back as I bring this review to an end, I realize that I can recall every dish with such fondness as if I’m sitting in the restaurant today. I am so grateful that I got to experience the luxurious and creative dishes that came from the kitchen at Il Becco. The staff is incredibly hospitable, the interior is stunning, the presentation of the food is artistic, and the food is unforgettable. Taking that into consideration, I can see why I can’t get Il Becco out of my head. Reminiscing on such an experience from beginning to end, there’s a good chance that I’ll never get the restaurant or its food off my mind. The more I think about it, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Follow Them. Address: Paseo de la Reforma 500, Cuauhtémoc, Juárez, 06600 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico Phone: [phone] Hours: Daily – 1:00pm to 12:00am Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

International Eats: Il Becco at the Four Seasons is the Epitome of Fine Dining I can’t get Il Becco out of my head. It’s been a few months since my trip to Mexico City and I can’t get the restaurant off of my mind.

[followmygut]

What are you willing to do for food?

When you think of that question, I hope you’re answer doesn’t verge on criminal activity. If it is, then feel free to discuss it at length with a therapist, or a police officer. If I’m the one answering the question then I’d say: I’m willing to sweat for it, literally. That was the position I was in last week as I looked at a trek I would soon embark on my way to Multiply in Downtown Los Angeles. Sure I could have drove and paid for parking, but seeing as I work about two miles away from the space (and I’m frugal), I walked it. And not just any walk, it was a sweaty across through the eerie 2nd Street Tunnel where I dodged bikers unaware of my presence and crazies unaware of their hallucinations.

Walking into new to downtown venue, my friend TJ and I were the only ones there alongside the staff. It was nice to see the space empty because it gave us a chance to take it all in without the crowd and semi-drunk guys fawning over girls who are clearly trying to avoid them. The vibe of the space felt as if it comes with two personalities: a restaurant and a club. I could see it successfully working as a restaurant during the day and then a lounge or club in the evening, ultimately offering something for everyone. With dinner as our focus, we decided to sit at the bar, look over the menu, and explore the items that would come out of the kitchen. Before any plates arrived, a few glasses of cocktails made an appearance.

[divider]Drinks[/divider]

Taking a look of the menu for Cocktails ($10 each), the names stand out: they’re all colors. While you may wonder if Crayola sponsors the drinks, Trafton behind the bar, let us know otherwise. Instead, the cocktails are named after colors so customers don’t have to struggle to remember the name of the drink. “Was that blue drink called, an Adios or an Hasta Mañana?” An example of course as there is no blue drink at Multiply, but there are a few other colors with unique tastes.

The first cocktail was the Black which is made with Kikori whisky, ferrand dry curacao, chamomile syrup, Chinese bitters, and lemon. In spite of its color the drink is very light. I assumed it would have had a charcoal gritty taste but it’s completely void of that so it’s easy to enjoy.

The Brown isn’t the prettiest, but it’s understandable as the color isn’t anything unique. Made with Jameson Caskmates, cold brew, vanilla syrup, condensed milk, and cinnamon sugar, it sounded like the perfect drink. I mean, the moment bartenders decided to combine alcohol and coffee, an angel lost its wings. Coffee and alcohol is a diabolical combination that will send your body through a delicious spin. With this cocktail, you get more coffee than alcohol in its first sips but it turns into liquor as you get closer to the bottom. What’s consistent through the glass is that it leans on a bitter side with short accents of sweetness thanks to the condensed milk.

The Pink cocktail was probably the prettiest to me, and I don’t even like that color! In this cocktail, Trafton took cinnamon infused giffards peche, Beefeater Gin, rose, mint, and lemon. It sounded so dainty and looked the same. While I don’t care for gin, here it didn’t overpower the drink. There was a pleasant balance of rose, mint, and lemon that helped relax the liquor making it enjoyable.

Red had such a deep look to it through its color. Made of Laird’s Applejack, beets, green apple, beet, ginger, and lime. The beets are very prominent in taste with the ginger comes in at a close second. Since those are two ingredients I don’t like at all, this was something TJ ordered. I on the other hand simply enjoyed the vibrant color.

The final cocktail was the Yellow. This was my favorite and it was all thanks to the wonderful components that mixed so nicely together. It took Lillet, Giffards apricot, passion fruit puree, lemon oleo, sparkling wine. I loved the taste of the sparkly wine alongside the apricots and passion fruit purée. It was my favorite of them all!

[divider]Eats[/divider]

Before any food arrived, we were introduced to Chef Amy. More than just the hands in the kitchen sending out delicious plates, Amy has an impressive culinary background. Cooking for over ten years, Amy is a chef who has owned her own food truck, opened restaurants throughout Downtown LA and Venice, and serves as a restaurant consultant. With such a background, I’m glad she didn’t return the question to me.

“Um, I run a restaurant blog.”

It wouldn’t compare whatsoever. As a sister restaurant to Birdies, I was excited to see what Chef Amy would create for Multiply that would tie back to the Olympic Blvd. shop, yet still have its own personality.

To start, she sent out three sets of Chicken Wings ($10). The first of the three was the Sticky Icky (right). In spite of its name these weren’t that sticky. Additionally, they were my least favorite since they didn’t have as much flavor and were a bit dry. The Smoke and Fire ended up being a bit tougher than I would have liked. It may have been my fault as I took a while to take the photos, but I’m not too sure. We’ll consider this set a draw. The Golden BBQ wings were just right as they were full of a spicy flavor that went straight to the bone. With each bite there was a bit of a kick along with a sweet tang. I would totally order the set of wings and ask for them to be all Golden BBQ, hands down!

While I wasn’t too excited by the wings, the sliders stole the show. Remember when sliders we popularized almost a decade ago and we were all so shocked to see tasty tiny burgers? A set of sliders would come out of the kitchen and we thought chefs took an electromagnetic shrinking machine to a burger like it was Honey I Shrunk the Kids. That initial shock of having deliciously tiny burgers back then was the same feeling I had when I ate the Slider Flight ($12) from Chef Amy.

The first I tried was the Birdie OG Fried Chicken. The same sandwich from Birdies makes an appearance here at Multiply at half the size. Even though it’s smaller, it still has the same juicy coleslaw, house pickles, cheddar cheese, and the soft brioche bun. If you don’t know how I feel about this sandwich, I suggest you read about it here.

Next there was the Crispy Pork Belly and the Tempura Fried Tofu. The pork belly was topped with aged provolone, pickled apricots, sautéed broccoli rabe, and smeared with roasted garlic aioli. I loved the colors of this slider but loved devouring it even more. The pork was rich and juicy with each bite and the apricot was a nice addition of fresh citrus. Opposite that, the tofu slider came with a house kimchi, yuzu crème fraiche, and a runny egg on a brioche bun. Although I’m not a fan of tofu, this slider makes me understand why some people like it. Here, I really liked the crispy exterior of the tofu against the oozing yolk. The two together created a lovely opposing texture.

The final slider was my absolute favorite. The Flank Iron Steak took a black garlic aioli, fig jam, Gruyere, arugula, and put it all on a French roll. From beginning to end, I loved this one and if we go back to the “What would you do for food” question, I’d definitely sweat for this as a full burger. I loved that it had such a dynamic taste thanks to the smooth aioli and deep and tart fig jam. Add to that, the tender steak created such an impact that I almost inhaled it.

By the end of this dinner, I was really happy with the cocktails and food from Multiply. While I initially questioned how much effort I would exert for food, this was completely worth the energy! The cocktails were colorful and so well made to get any evening moving in a ideal direction. Even better, with Chef Amy creating such delicious sliders it feels like she’s on the cusp of taking the minature burgers in a more sophisticated route. After tasting these, whichever direction she goes with them I’ll eagerly follow along.

To see more drinks and eats, check out the photos below!

Follow Them. Address: 200 S Hill Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: [phone] Hours: Daily – 7:00am to 4:00am Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

DTLA's Newest Bar Might Have the Best Sliders, Ever What are you willing to do for food? When you think of that question, I hope you’re answer doesn’t verge on criminal activity.

[followmygut]

I can’t imagine how it feels to write your vows.

To feel the pressure of putting into words how much you love a person that you’ve grown to know over the years. I can see why some people put it off to the last minute. Maybe there’s a fear of saying the right things in a foolish way, or not saying enough that will show the person on the opposite end of your words how much they mean. That’s the same feeling I have when it comes to writing about Helados Pops in San Fernando. I’ve put it off for so long because I’ve never been able to find the right words to describe how much I love this ice cream shop and the family behind it. In no way does that mean that today I’ve found the words to best express my affection for them–in fact I don’t think I truly have. But just like with marriage, vows, and saying “I do”, at some point you just have to do it.

The birth of my love for Helados started thanks to my food friend, Yohana @FoodNVibes. She raved about their flavors to the point that I nearly begged her to introduce me to the shop’s owners. Thankfully she did, and after a few days of messaging them, I would soon be inside their brightly colored and charming ice cream shop. I remember it being the first time I was actually nervous to meet a restaurant owner. There was something about a family who started a business from the ground up, with items centered around highly cultural and unique flavors that made me anxious. Any fears I had were quickly quelled as I met the family and they embraced me as if we had known each other for years. In a matter of minutes I fell in love with each one of them. There was the husband Marthin who is so driven you can almost see his determination as if it’s an aura pulsating around his body. His beautiful wife and co-owner Adelaida glides throughout the shop with one of the most bright-eyed expressions I’ve ever seen. Then there is the grandfather, Oscar, who carries a presence of strength and diplomatic authority with each step and smile. A few moments later I met Marthin’s younger brother, Damon, who I would quickly consider to be the silly bone of the family. Last but not least, the two daughters Abigail and Bianca are like fresh bundles of fruit similar to what is served in the shop, strawberries maybe. They may be small but they’re vibrant, sweet, and insanely enthusiastic about everything around them. They’re so cute that for a brief moment, I wanted to have kids. A very, very brief moment.

At this point, I pretty much had a second family.

After I got to know the family, I became familiar with their ice cream and sorbet flavors. As a person who is obsessed with ice cream, I was pleasantly surprised to see they had flavors I have never heard of before. Within the months that I frequently visited the shop, I got to go into the kitchen to see how they made their ice cream and sorbet. It’s from the very bean, nut, and fruit that they take the ingredients from scratch to create a flavor that could only come from mother nature herself.

From the natural ingredients laid out in their kitchen, churned in their mixer, and sent to the cases in the front of the shop you’ll find a variety of hand-crafted flavors. Traditional flavors like vanilla, cookies and cream, and chocolate are easy options, but to really intrigue your taste buds I suggest a few others. Lucama, tamarind, mamey/zapote, mangoneada, walnut, are just a few that come to mind. Even on my first visit, those flavors were a bit intimidating since I had no real reference of them, but Adelaida graciously asked if I wanted to try all the flavors to find a favorite.

“Um, yes. Definitely, yes.”

Within a few samples I realized Yohana was right, they have some of the most unique flavors! While their traditional flavors are accented in such a rich way that they taste better than the same ice cream from other shops in Los Angeles, it’s their exotic ice cream and sorbet that won my taste buds over. Ultimately, these exotic flavors are what set them apart from other shops in a class of their own. To specify a few, their lucama scoops taste like they were just picked from the tree and brought inside to be made solely for this purpose. Each bite feels like I’m eating it on an island with birds chirping above me. Walnut has the creamiest and gentle taste that it can be paired perfectly as a supplement to any other scoop. It’s the kind of ice cream flavor you can enjoy the minute you walk home from a long day and the kids aren’t home yet. It’s completely relaxing. Best of all, Marthin created an ingenious and gorgeous product with the Coconut Scoops (Single – $5.50, Double Sundae – $7.99). I love how they crack open the fruit, layer in coconut shavings, and top it with ice cream, and syrup. It’s a meal on its own that is both an exciting and a mouthwatering creation that I crave every time I see photos of it online. From their exquisite flavors and passion to delivering extraordinary quality, Helado’s makes ice cream and sorbet that is unlike any other shop in Los Angeles.

In spite of a description of the family and their delicious ice cream, I still don’t think I’d conveyed how I much love the family and the shop they’ve made their own. To be honest, I’m not sure if there are words in the dictionary or If I’m waiting for god to whisper them in my ear. But for now as simple this sentence may be, you have to know that this is one of the best ice cream shops that I’ve ever tried. They have some of the best flavors ever created, and most of all, they’re a family who is doing it successfully on their own with the help of loyal customers supporting them along the way. With all this coming from a small shop in San Fernando, it is my sincere hope that one day you too will get to fall in love with the products and the Ken family the same way I do every time I walk into the shop known as Pops.

Follow Them. Address: 450 N. Maclay Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340 Phone: [phone] Hours: Daily – 12:00pm to 10:00pm Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Helados Pops is the Ice Cream LA Desperately Needs I can't imagine how it feels to write your vows. To feel the pressure of putting into words how much you love a person that you've grown to know over the years.

[followmygut]

Gus's BBQ: Keeping Legit BBQ in LA Since 1946

There are some things that can be fairly difficult to get in Los Angeles. Monogamy, free all day street parking, and great barbecue just to name a few. If you happen to have a loyal significant other, your car hasn’t moved in the last two days, and you have a delicious rack of ribs in your hands then please know that I really don’t like you. Why, because I’ve only managed to find one of those. By…

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[followmygut]

My first day in Mexico City brought delicious dishes and desserts to help my friends and I acclimate with the area and set the tone of our vacation. While we went through the city together, on my second day I would separate from the group and navigate Mexico City on my own. It would be a morning of exploring without the input, suggestions, and direction of any one else. There was a part of me that was nervous about traveling by myself even if only for a few hours. However, the minute my hotel became a distant sight as the taxi drove away, I quickly got to see the city through a singular lens, my own. At that moment, I knew it was going to be a great morning.

I didn’t leave my friends behind because I needed to be alone. Instead, prior to leaving for the trip I connected with a PR executive and her boss, Michelle and Diego, and we set to meet for breakfast. I was excited because it meant I got to talk with people who both know and love the city better than any hotel room itinerary could convey. It only took a few minutes and few miles and I stepped out to the restaurant: Fonda Mayora.

The restaurant sits on the corner of a busy street within the city of Condesa (Spanish for “countess”). At first glance, it appeared quiet with a few empty tables at its exterior. Once you walk inside and you see the moderate decorations that present a coy personality. In spite of it seeming soundless against the busy city it feels welcoming. Almost patient as it waited for the morning rush from the street to slowly trickle in the same way I did.

Sitting at the table, I didn’t have much time to look over the menu since Michelle smiled as she entered the restaurant. A few introductions and chitchat kept us engaged until our stomachs made an interruption that drew us both to the calm green colored menu. I relied on her Spanish and familiarity with the restaurant to help guide me to the best dish. Before I could make a choice, her boss Diego joined us. The chitchat continued and yet again, then shortly after our stomachs brought us back to the menus in front of us. With their help, I ordered the Huevos Encamisados (110 pesos, $6). This was such a simple dish when it arrived to the table. On the plate were two corn tortillas that were covered with black beans. Once I sliced into the tortillas, I could see lightly baked eggs sat within a pocket of the tortilla; it was almost like a little surprise! Although the dish was barely seasoned, it carried an earthy taste thanks to the tortillas’. As the yolk and the whites of the eggs drained out of the tortillas, it added a smooth accent to the beans and the grain of tortillas. This is an ideal dish for someone looking for a light meal to start their day. Should you want a heavier dish full of great taste then this wouldn’t be the breakfast for you.

However, I think I know something that could be just right…

Opposite of my dish, was the order of Chilaquiles Negros con Pollo (99 pesos, $5.50). I can’t remember if this was Michelle or Diego’s dish, but either way it looked more exciting than mine and I wished I had ordered it. It was then that I entered that gray area where you’re trying to be professional with someone you just met, but you also want to stick your fork in their bowl like you’ve known him for years. I stuck with the former. But looking at the dish and inhaling the scent that cascaded my way, I could see that it was going to be delicious. Inside the bowl were scattered triangle-cut corn tortillas that were covered in a peppered salsa, shredded chicken, a Ranchero Queso Fresca cheese, and topped with sour cream.

Within the Fonda Mayora, forks and knives clicked across our plates and conversations flowed from person to person. Before we could stop to take another bite we realized that time had passed as quickly as our food was enjoyed. My casual meeting at a restaurant with complete strangers turned into my discovering two great people and a welcoming restaurant that would be the best way to start my day.

To see more photos from the restaurant, see below!

Follow Them. Address: Calle Campeche 322, Hipódromo, 06100 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico Phone: [phone] Hours: Daily – 8:00am to 7:00pm Social: Website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

International Eats: The Quiet Breakfast You Need to Have in Mexico City My first day in Mexico City brought delicious dishes and desserts to help my friends and I acclimate with the area and set the tone of our vacation.

[followmygut]

When I was younger, I always thought that by the time I was twenty-five I would have a beautiful Downtown LA loft with brick walls, I would drink cocktails and eat dinner with my friends three times a week, and I would have the cutest outfits and curliest hair. If you couldn’t tell, these thoughts were just a version of my life as the black Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City and “younger” was 2004. Reality kicks in and sure I eat out with friends three times a week, I may have curly hair if my afro acts right, and maybe my outfits are kind of cute if you look at me with one eye closed. But the gorgeous loft was a dream I let go of when I realized how expensive DTLA rent is. But for one night, the universe blessed me and my SITC fantasy came to life when I went to the Los Angeles Magazine “2016 Best New Restaurant” party (Tickets $70 for unlimited food and drink). Granted, the party was in an event space that had no furnishings in the style of a loft, but if I got my hands on it then the space would be loft ready in no time. That’s a lie, it would probably be 7 months—but it would be worth the wait!

For the past three years, Los Angeles Magazine has showcased the city’s best restaurant arrivals from the year prior. Additionally, to kick off the New Year the publication features the best restaurants as well as the past honorees in their January issue. Walking into their party at 440 Seaton in the Arts District felt like the beginning of the HBO show. I just met up with my friend Tanaya and we could see a night of eating, taking photos, and maybe meeting a Mr. Big. Let me tell you now, the last part doesn’t happen, so don’t get your hopes up.

But what did happen, was we got to try great dishes from some of the city’s best eateries. In attendance were: The Bellwether, Birch, Broken Spanish, California Donuts, Cassia, Faith & Flower, Jon & Vinny’s, Le Comptoir, Love & Salt, Redbird, Terrine, and Union, handcrafted Bombay Sapphire cocktails, Peroni Nastro Azzurro. With only a little time available we hit up as many of the restaurants that we could. Only problem, my camera was kind of broken so the photos didn’t come out as great as I would like. So un-Carrie.

[divider]California Donuts[/divider]

The donut shop on 3rd Street makes some of the most creative and fun confections. Matcha Green Tea, M&M, and sprinkles were lined across a wall that not only caught our attention, but turned us into liars. No seriously. The California Donut staff asked if we got the chance to get a donut and we said no. They proceeded to give us one each and we smiled, walked away, and stuffed it in our purse with the other 3 donuts we grabbed from the wall. We live a life of crime, I know! But it was full of all the sugary deliciousness I could ask for. Trust me, it tore me up inside until I ate my donut. Then I licked my fingers and got over it.

[divider]Terrine[/divider]

Terrine’s station served a small slice of their Knockwurst. Paired with sourkrawt braised in Reisling, the sausage was ok. It wasn’t as flavorful as I would have hoped, but to a degree my expectation for sausage wasn’t set so high to begin with. I looked at the station with the hope that they would take a dish that could be seen as ordinary and prepare it in a way that’s memorable. Maybe they would pack it with a prominent seasoning of spice or sweetness to make my mouth fire or water but unfortunately, they didn’t. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t something that I would hop back in line to get.

[divider] Union [/divider]

At the Union booth, the chefs served Pork Meatballs and Polenta. I would love to explain this dish by saying that there was crack in the polenta, but that sounds so crass and unprofessional. So if you’re a business minded individual then begin reading now. The meatball and polenta served from Union was expertly made as the meatball was full of flavor. However, the part of the dish that was a catalyst for me to return for a second helping was the polenta that sat under the meatball. The texture was incredible and tasted so pleasant that it almost melted in my mouth. Stop reading. Now if you’re on the level where I can talk to you like we’re friends, start reading now. Yo, that polenta was crack. It was so good I got back in the line, ate it again, and was like, “Yup, there has to be crack in that because I’m hooked”. Stop reading now.

That pretty much sums up my feelings toward the amazing dish that came from Union.

[divider] Le Comptoir [/divider]

The last of the dishes that I enjoyed was a soup from Le Comptoir. The restaurant took a veloute sauce and mixed it with crème fraiche and added sourdough breadcrumbs. My serving, was freshly made as I got to see them pour it our slowly right in front of me. Just watching them pour it felt tempting and made me want it even more. Once he handed it to me, I smiled and devoured it. It was an incredibly smooth soup that tasted of squash or was it pumpkin. Since I finished it so quickly, I couldn’t pick up the exact ingredient that made the soup delicious. So un-Carrie, again. Either way, I really liked it but the line was entirely too long for me to wait for another. I guess everyone else really liked it too.

[divider] MVS Studio Photo Booth [/divider]

Ok, this isn’t even a restaurant but the photo booth set up by MVS Studio Photo Booth was awesome. I love how great the photos came out and how it looks like I don’t have a single blotch on my skin. I know it’s a fake appeal of myself, but even Carrie Bradshaw doesn’t look like Carrie Bradshaw when she’s off camera.

The Los Angeles Magazine party was such a great night that I was so happy I got to attend. The food, the people, the drinks, and the photo booth were all so much fun. The team behind the event did such a nice job bringing together the best restaurants for attendees, and the SITC fantasy for me. While they didn’t know they were doing the latter, they did. Now if I could just find a way for them to do that everyday in my life, I would be the happiest girl on the planet. No, the galaxy.

Event: Los Angeles Magazine’s “Best New Restaurants 2016” When I was younger, I always thought that by the time I was twenty-five I would have a beautiful Downtown LA loft with brick walls, I would drink cocktails and eat dinner with my friends three times a week, and I would have the cutest outfits and curliest hair.

[followmygut]

What’s the hardest thing to get when it’s 90+ degrees in LA? A spot at the rooftop pool at The Standard? Hell yes. But the real answer is ice cream. When it’s sweltering in the city and all you really want is the sweet taste of ice cream, get ready for a line out the door. Salt and Straw, McConnell’s, and Cold Stone all have lines as far as the eye can see because everyone wants ice cream at the exact same time. It’s unbearable and I was not going to stand in the heat to get ice cream to relieve me from the heat. Instead, I thought of a better alternative: a crepe with ice cream from Crepe Studio in Pasadena.

Genius plan, Salmon (my last name)!

I headed straight to Crepe Studio and was excited to get what I wanted without the long wait. When I got there, I was greeted by the friendly owner, Sona. She walked me through the menu and helped me decide what to get. The cool thing about Crepe Studio is they serve more than just crepes. They have healthy breakfast sandwiches, panini’s, salads, and of course the dessert crepes. Just a few glances over the descriptive menu and I knew what I wanted. I ordered the Classic a la Mode ($7.95) and paired it with a regular sized Caramel Latte ($3.95). The crepe has vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries, Nutella, and whipped cream.The nice part about Sona was she let me sneak around the counter to take shots of her making my crepe. She laid out the crepe on the frying pan, let it cook for a few seconds, then removed it once it had finished. A toss of a few fruits, smear of Nutella, then swirls of whip cream, chocolate, powdered sugar, and a scoop of ice cream later and she was done!

With my finished crepe and latte in front of me in a nicely air conditioned restaurant, I was ready to demolish this plate—and you know I did! The crepe looked beautiful, but it tasted like happiness! The crepe was thin and almost weightless, the strawberries and bananas were fresh and juicy, and the Nutella was the perfect accent piece. But the ice cream made it feel complete, especially as it melted. It was as if the cream picked up all the best parts of the entire dish and only enhanced it. The latte, although hot, was a nice contrast to the cold crepe; smooth and perfectly balanced.

Once I finished eating it, I felt so relaxed. The only thing missing was a couch and a nice movie. Maybe I’ll get it as take out next time, and I’ll just drive home really fast.

Ugh, another great idea, Salmon!

Follow Them. Address: 99 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103 Phone: [phone] Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 8:00pm, Saturday and Sunday – 9:00am to 8:00pm Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Quick Eats: Crepe Studio in Pasadena What’s the hardest thing to get when it’s 90+ degrees in LA? A spot at the rooftop pool at The Standard?

[followmygut]

I have so much respect for sushi, but that wasn’t always the case. For the longest time I turned my nose up to it because I generalized all sushi to look and taste like rotten fish. It was overpriced, disgusting, and probably still moving. There was nothing anyone could do to make me think otherwise. Push the fast forward button on time and I found myself open to California rolls and shrimp tempura. Baby steps, people. Today, I wouldn’t consider myself to be a veteran to the cuisine, but I enjoy more sushi than when I first started. With that being said, when I got the chance to eat at FIN Sushi in Culver City, I swam to the opportunity to find new dishes that I could fall in love with.

Yeah, that was a fish joke.

What got me to go to FIN wasn’t initially their sushi. I actually saw a few photos of their cocktails and the well-mannered lush in me squealed with excitement. I then scrolled over their mouthwatering menu online and was captivated by their seductive sounding dishes. Tiger prawn tacos, mango miso duck, and seared beef carpaccio were calling my name. To avoid talking back to the menu on my computer, I grabbed my bestie (TJ) and we made our way to FIN. Once at the restaurant, the look and feel was  inviting and comforting. The bar and dining areas aren’t over the top. Instead they are simply designed with accent pieces like lamps and photos. This way it looks nice, but not like it’s trying to hard.

[divider]Drinks[/divider] Once we sat down and met our sweet waitress, Alysha, we looked over the drink and food menus. We started with cocktails. TJ, being the sake lover that he is, ordered the Sakemoto ($15 for 300ml). The sake is a nice grade and goes down smooth like water, but is on the drier side. Don’t let that fool you, it may be smooth but it carries its weight and strength.

I ordered the Hello Kitty ($12). The drink takes Kettle One vodka and mixes it with Pom Juice, agave, lemon, and muddled berries. The vodka in this drink is no supporting actor to the mix-ins. Instead, it is strong and very prominent in a way that makes you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. The sprightly fruit accents that came from the muddling of the berries only help to balance what could have been an overpowering vodka.

[divider]Starters[/divider]

At this point, we had our orders down, well, the appetizers at least. We first ordered the Seared Beef Carpaccio ($16). It was seared filet mignon with a layer of crisp shiitake mushrooms and truffle dressing. If you know me, which by now I think you should, then you know mushrooms and truffle are flavors that I have yet to acquire. That was until now. The beef comes out in clean-cut slices that easily separate as you pick them up with your chop sticks. Or fork, rookie. The dressing is light and sweet while the mushrooms help the ponzu dressing burst with flavor. The whole dish melts in your mouth to the point that I have to take back what I said about mushrooms and truffle. I was wrong. But I won’t say it again, you’ll just have to re-read that sentence over.

Following the carpaccio, we had the Seared Albacore Sashimi ($13). Remember when I said that I disliked sushi? I was an idiot. This sashimi is everything I could want from sushi and more! The beautifully plated dish has light pink colored tuna that is thinly sliced and dressed with a spicy onions. It’s a straight forward starter that awakens your taste buds for the dishes to arrive next.

[divider]Mains[/divider]

At this point, it was time to order our entrees. To be honest, the appetizers aren’t small dishes although it’s a tapas bar. That being said, you can easily order these appetizers (and a few others) and eat them as mains. But once you see what we ordered, you may want to go straight to the entrees. Alysha let us know they had two dishes that were favorites for their regulars: the Miso Black Cod ($18) and the Bluefin Tuna Sashimi ($15). The way she described the plates with so much zest made me forget that I had a menu in my hand. Once she finished, we looked at each other and went with her suggestion. I got the cod while TJ got the sashimi. When I tell you Alysha made a exceptional suggestions, I mean it.

The sashimi is Cajun rubbed and sits in an ichimi ponzu dressing. The dressing is tart and thin with a gentle citrus accent that brings out the flavors of the sashimi. The tuna is enticing in its appearance and wonderful in its taste. With one bite it evaporates in your mouth making you indulge in its delightful essence while making you feel as if you didn’t eat a thing. It’s a great plate!

The miso black cod is a small filet that arrives to the table atop of three pieces of carrots and asparagus. I looked at it with a face that read, “I’m going to destroy this”. Turns out the plate destroyed me from the inside out in a delicious way. It is such a delicate piece of cod that it instantly slides apart when you press your chop sticks against it. The fish is soft and supple, while the skin is textured and has a sweet miso, sake, and butter glaze. The beauty in the fish is that they wash it in sake and marinate it in miso overnight. You read that right, they bathe the code in liquor. For a fat moment, I wondered if I could be washed in sake and marinated in miso. Can you imagine how great I would be in the morning? I digress. This dish was perfect in every way except in its size. I loved the taste and needed more, much more, once I finished it. The temptation to order another serving was unbearably strong, but I ate from TJ’s plate to quell the gluttony.

[divider]Extras![/divider] The restaurant managers were so nice to offer us two extra dishes. Was I prepared for it? Not at all. Did I accept it? With arms wide open like Creed. The first of the two dishes was the Shrimp Hand Rolls ($11 each, $1 to add avocado). Pricey for hand rolls? Yes, but if you’re celebrating or you just found a $20 earlier in the day, get it. The raw rolls are made with spicy shrimp that are seasoned with sriracha sauce, ponzu dressing, and a dash of mayonnaise. The shrimp is then rolled in white rice and avocados, and wrapped in soy paper. It’s definitely a spicy roll, but once you brace yourself for it, it will be well received. The rolls are on the secret menu, but now that you know about them, you can get them.

The second of the two dishes was the Pumpkin Tempura ($5). First of all, I love pumpkin anything. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes, and even pumpkin scented deodorant—I get to smell like Thanksgiving everywhere I go! Here, the pumpkin slices have a thick tempura exterior. The pumpkin itself isn’t noticeably seasoned—so it doesn’t spark of flavors like salt or warm butter, instead the slices let the tempura take reign. It’s nice, but I think if it had greater accents to it, it would be unforgettable.

[divider]Dessert[/divider]

Unfortunately the final dish arrived. It was the  Flourless Chocolate Cake ($8). The miniature cake was dressed with a single raspberry, blackberry, and a mint leaf and glazed with hot chocolate. I was skeptical about the cake since it’s free of flour, but I was surprised to find that it was still rich and decadent. I’m pretty positive I won’t order a flourless cake over one made of flour, but if it’s the only dessert on the menu I would get it. Plus it since it isn’t made with flour that means it has fewer calories than regular cake, right? I’m going to say yes. But don’t listen to me.

FIN is a lovely restaurant with an incredible menu. The food is savory and tantalizing. So much so that I want to relive it all over in this very moment. But there was something to the location that I thought was interesting. Just outside of the building was a set of lights that looked as if it led somewhere. I quickly became nosey and wanted to know what was back there. I asked the manager and he smiled and let me know it was The Alley, a hidden speakeasy that would transition guests from dinner to nightlife. With that I had to check it out for myself and what I found was beautiful.

Stay tuned for the review of The Alley!

Follow Them. Address: 12223 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066 Phone: [phone] Hours: Monday to Saturday – 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5:00pm to 11:00pm and Sunday – 5:00pm to 9:00pm Social: Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

FIN in Culver City I have so much respect for sushi, but that wasn’t always the case. For the longest time I turned my nose up to it because I generalized all sushi to look and taste like rotten fish.

[followmygut]

When I started this restaurant blog, one of the first things I did was I created a list of eateries I wanted to review. I found spots where I could explore food but most of them were in Venice, Santa Monica, Crenshaw, Hollywood, etc. What theyall  had in common was they weren’t in my home town of Altadena. To me, Altadena has been ok with snack shops, but a full on restaurant that was inexpensive never came to mind. Little did I know that I could find a great restaurant right down my street. That restaurant was Mint Leaf, and it wasn’t really down the street. More like, down the street and to the left for about a mile, then another left. But no one’s really mapping it.

[divider]The Location[/divider]

On my first visit to Mint Leaf, I took my niece Kemani along for the fun. We pulled up to the restaurant and we both noticed that the restaurant didn’t have an eye catching exterior. On the outside, there wasn’t anything that called you to dine in the restaurant. For instance, the building is beige with tinted windows and what appears to be a temporary sign. Not sure if that was intentional, but it’s apparent. However, the restaurant takes a highly luxurious turn once you step inside and see the emphasis placed on interior design. In can be seen in the traditional statue of the elephant god, Ganesha who greets you at the door, the light fixtures, the ceiling decoration, mirrors, and even the fabric that lines the walls. Even the colors play a role as they take an opulent approach, without appearing overly ostentatious. And that’s the interesting part of the location. The exterior doesn’t parallel what lies inside, making Mint Leaf seem like a hidden treasure. That may sound like a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s easy to think that way if you’ve never seen the restaurant yourself.

[divider]The Sips[/divider]

Our waitress showed us to our table and let us know that the general manager, Joanna, would walk us through the menu. Once we sat down and looked over the menu, we ordered our drinks. If you’ve followed me for a while then you know lemonade is always my drink of choice, but for this visit, I wanted to drift away from my usual and go for the cultural. I asked Joanna to help me decide between drinks and she suggested one of the lassi’s. There was the sweet lassi and the mango lassi and she let me know that both drinks were yogurt based, but that the mango lassi pumps up the taste by adding a fruit flavor to it. From her recommendation alone, I ordered the Mango Lassi ($4) while Keimani got an Iced Chai Tea ($3).  I was so delighted with this drink. It was thick, creamy, smooth, and the mango added a full-flavored accent. I didn’t dive deep into Keimani’s chai tea, but from the way she sipped it down, I could tell she liked it.

[divider]The Naan[/divider]

After the drinks we ordered starters. When I saw an entire section devoted to bread I knew what I was going to get. Keminai and I got a basket of the Basil and Mozzarella Cheese Naan ($4) and a basket of the Feta Cheese and Olive Naan ($4). At it’s original form, naan is a raised flour bread baked in a traditional tandoor oven and what comes out is amazing. The naan we ordered (like most) was warm, soft, and it complimented various meats perfectly. My favorite of the two was the cheese and olive because I’m a sucker for the simple naan with a gentle twist. The naan stuffed with feta cheese and kalamata olives was a delicious make of the naan, but the basil and mozzarella stole my gut.

[divider]The Eats[/divider] Taking a look over the entrees on menu, I was glad that wore a maxi skirt with elastic in the waistband. Reason being, the description of the menu items sounded so filling! I ordered the Punjabi Chicken Curry ($13). The entree was made of chicken slowly simmered in a traditional light curry sauce. The sauce itself was made with ginger, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh onions. The chicken was so flavorful thanks to the sauce and the hefty amount of cinnamon and cardamon. I thought the chicken wouldn’t be so spicy, but I was wrong! It wasn’t spicy to the point that I wanted to call the fire department, but I think sweat beads were slowly forming around my hairline. Did that stop me from eating? Of course not, that’s where the sides came to the rescue!

For the sides for this entree, I went with roti, basmati rice, and dahl makhni. I opted for the roti as the entree since we had naan to start. The roti is simply a flat unleavened wheat flour bread baked in an earthen wood-fired oven. It’s dense, a little tough, and isn’t as tasty as naan. It’s nice when it’s wrapped around something spicy like curry chicken, but my heart belongs with naan. The basmati rice was a simple pearl steamed rice. It was thin and had a slight minty flavor to help alleviate the spiciness of the curry chicken. Finally, the dahl makhni is whole black lentils that are simmered over night with a touch of cream and tomatoes. To the taste, the soup of the lentils were thick, but the dish wasn’t overpowered by the lentil beans, and (thank God) they weren’t spicy.

Keimani’s entree, which we split, was the Lamb Vindaloo ($14). The chefs marinate the pieces of lamb in malt vinegar, traditional ground spices, and then cook them in a spicy curry sauce. And the lamb didn’t come alone in the dish, it was served with potatoes. Since the lamb is thoroughly marinated and seasoned so well, each piece had flavor that cascaded from one to the other.

The sides for this entree were roti, brown rice, and dal tadkewali. The roti was the same as mine and the rice was classic and traditional like any steamed brown rice. But what was different was the dal tadkewali. It was a bowl of moong and masoor lentils with onions, tomatoes, and chopped garlic. They were were a thinner consistency than the lentils I ordered and had a stronger flavor thanks to cilantro and cumin.

[divider]The Sweets[/divider]

After the drinks, appetizers, and entrees we had dessert. The first of the two desserts was the Gulab Jamu ($5). It took two sweet Khoya dumplings in a dish of rose flavored sugar glaze. On a serious note like a PSA, this dessert is delicious! The dumplings arrive warm and soft, and once you slice into them the steam escapes. Then there’s the sugar glaze. It was incredibly sweet and equally delicious. If I could put in a Blender Bottle and drink it at the gym, I would use it as a hydration drink. No it doesn’t replace missing electrolytes to help me push through a work out, but it sure does taste great.

The last of the two desserts was a suggestion by Joanna that went over insanely well, it was the Fig and Almond Kulfi ($7). The kulfi is an Indian style ice cream, but this style takes an almond based ice cream and mixes it with pieces of fig. The kulfi wasn’t left plain, but topped with pistachio crumbles. The ice cream was light, mildly sweet, and cleansed the palette. The best part was when the kulfi melted because it became even sweeter, richer, and lush.

I am so pleased with the dinner at Mint Leaf. It was like an adventure for my taste buds with robust flavors and seasonings that ranged from sweet to spicy. I was glad that I got to explore the restaurant and to see that it was far beyond its exterior. Best of all, I was happy to know that I could find a restaurant in my city because it will always be close to home.

Follow Them. Address: 2535 E Washington Blvd, Altadena, CA 91107 Phone: [phone] Hours: Daily 11:00am to 2:00pm and 5:00pm to 10:00pm Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Mint Leaf in Pasadena When I started this restaurant blog, one of the first things I did was I created a list of eateries I wanted to review.

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I like meeting up with foodies over meals because we all know what to expect. For instance, when the food arrives for non-foodies, they eat. Simple right? That doesn’t go down with foodies. Instead, when plates arrive no one touches them unless it’s to reposition them for a photo. But the best part about meeting up with other foodies is that you can do it pretty quickly. Unlike making friends or dating, you don’t have that awkward period where days pass before anyone calls, you don’t have to ask multiple Diane Sawyer style questions to see if you have mutual interests, and there’s little struggle in finding a place to meet. Instead, with foodies, you take a look at their social pages and then derive answers to your basic questions. How much do you like food? Are you local to me? Are you going to throw me in your windowless van and try to kill me at the Santa Fe Dam? If you can pass that rigorous test, then we’re hanging out. Last week, Scott of Locals Only cleared my foodie/potential murderer exam and we met up at Mohawk Bend in Echo Park for dinner. I guess that means I passed his test too, unless he doesn’t have one. Wait, I have a windowless van. Kidding, I have windows in the front.

A few years ago when I started working in this part of Echo Park, I came across Mohawk Bend. I never stopped in the restaurant to eat and really have no idea why. Having a food blog now has given me every reason to eat at a restaurant I’ve only noticed in passing. Finally walking into the restaurant, I could see why people love it. It’s a spacious with a luxurious decor. Considering that it’s on the cusp of Echo Park and Silver Lake, the place is a hipster delight. The kind of hipster spot where the guys have rugged tattoos and handlebar mustaches and the girls wear Warby Parker glasses for men. But that’s not me talking badly about the restaurant, it’s the opposite. Because if I could grow a mustache, trust that the tips would curl. And I also own a pair of Warby Parker glasses for men–Wiloughby, Tennesee Whiskey to be exact. So clearly, this place was perfect for me.

Once I was done looking over the restaurant we sat down to order. Scott gott the OMG Thang (14). The flatbread pizza had sausage, short rib, bacon, mozzarella, cherry tomato, and jalapeno. I didn’t dive into it because we just met and I didn’t need to look like a fat kid. Instead, when I took pictures of it, I let the fragrance of the pizza waft my way. It smelled and looked delicious!

I acted like an adult and I ate only what I ordered. I didn’t go the pizza route, but got a sandwich instead. I ordered Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich ($12). It had a thick and juicy piece of fried chicken and it was topped with radicchio slaw, jalapeno-mustard, house made pickles, and came with a side of fries. The chicken was crispy on the outside with tender meat. I usually don’t like slaw of any kind, but the one served here wasn’t too bad. I’m not sure what part made it agreeable to my taste buds, but it blended well with the fried chicken and I ate it quickly. The fries were also made perfectly. They were just like the chicken–crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I didn’t finish the sandwich in that seating, there was a lot on my plate. I had the rest of it the next day and it was just as good as it was the day before.

Mohawk Bend is great restaurant, but it’s unfortunate that it took me so long to find that out. I’m glad I finally stepped inside to see what it looked like and that I got my own take on the menu. It’s a place where people sit and stay thanks to the nice decor and the comforting food. It will be a place that I continue to visit in order to get my fodie fix. Yes I should have gone in a long time before, but it’s better late than never.

Follow Them. Address: 2141 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Phone: [phone] Hours: Monday through Thursday – 11:30am to 12:00am or later, Saturday – 9:30am to 2:00am, Sunday – 9:30am to 12:00am or later Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Quick Eats: Mohawk Bend in Echo Park I like meeting up with foodies over meals because we all know what to expect. For instance, when the food arrives for non-foodies, they eat.

[followmygut]

Chicken & Biscuit ($12) from Choco Chicken in DTLA.

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Choco Chicken in DTLA, aerial view.