La Brea Bakery
468 S. La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-6813
7 am till 6 pm everyday
I have been eating La Brea Bakery bread for years, and had always wanted to eat there, so I was quite excited to finally get the chance, but was anything but excited by the results. This cafe and bakery is in the old Rita Flora space on La Brea, and they have ample parking in back, both valet and self park, and the service was quite good, but I was unimpressed by the food!
I went for the Turkey Avocado sandwich for $11.95. Getting into deli prices for a sandwich, but not Deli serving sizes for sure. A large piece of country wheat bread, but not a lot of meat, with arugula, chipotle mayo, and supposedly avocado, but I couldn't see it or taste it. Absolutely nothing special here. Not bad, but nothing impressive. I could have made much better at home. You get a free side, eitehr a Green Apple & Fennel Slaw or Farfalle Pasta Salad, and I went for the pasta, but it was not very good. Overly oniony, and just not a good taste. I mostly left this on the plate.
My wife had the House Tomato soup and enjoyed it, though I am not a fan so didn't try it and can't say.
We did enjoy the Bread Tasting for $4.95. A basket of different breads with ample portions of oil, olive tapenade and butter. And the bread was un-surprisingly good, with the exceptional being a fruit and nut bread, that unfortunately is $16 for a loaf.
Mostly I think I was disappointed in my sandwich. No interesting flavors, no avocado as far as I could tell and boring turkey that could easily have come from the grocery store. Honestly for $12 I want a special sandwich, and this was anything but.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Extraordinary Desserts, Desert and Lunch, San Diego, CA
Extraordinary Desserts
1430 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 294-7991
My wife had read about this place when researching San Diego for our anniversary weekend, and we decided we just had to try it.
When you walk in there is a huge glass case filled with different desserts, all of which can change all the time, as soon as they sell out. There is also a bunch of sit down tables as they have sandwiches and tapas type foods as well, though we just got desert to go.
They gave us a a sheet of paper, and told us to write down our picks to take to the cashier, and to have backups because things go quick. We got what we wanted though.
And the depressing thing is that it was a mixed bag. Some absolutely amazing, and some actually bad!
First off Kelly got ice cream and I got sorbet. The ice cream was a strawberry, and was OK, though tasted like strawberry jam instead of fresh strawberries. So it was a bit too sweet, but pretty good. On the other hand I had a banana and passion fruit sorbet that was the best sorbet I have ever had. The taste was exquisite, and the texture soft and fluffy. Absolutely perfect! I should have gotten more! REALLY SPECTACULAR!
Then we each got something to take back to the hotel room.
I got a chocolate chip cookie with cherries, and it was awful! Dry as the desert, and hard as a rock. Just not good at all! Couldn't even taste the cherries either. Bleck!
Kelly meanwhile got a chocolate crossaint with strawberries on top, and it was unbelievably good. Great in fact! Wow. So tasty! We had just had dinner and ice cream and were going to have a bite, but quickly ate the whole thing!
So not sure what to say about this place. It was hit or miss.
1430 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 294-7991
My wife had read about this place when researching San Diego for our anniversary weekend, and we decided we just had to try it.
When you walk in there is a huge glass case filled with different desserts, all of which can change all the time, as soon as they sell out. There is also a bunch of sit down tables as they have sandwiches and tapas type foods as well, though we just got desert to go.
They gave us a a sheet of paper, and told us to write down our picks to take to the cashier, and to have backups because things go quick. We got what we wanted though.
And the depressing thing is that it was a mixed bag. Some absolutely amazing, and some actually bad!
First off Kelly got ice cream and I got sorbet. The ice cream was a strawberry, and was OK, though tasted like strawberry jam instead of fresh strawberries. So it was a bit too sweet, but pretty good. On the other hand I had a banana and passion fruit sorbet that was the best sorbet I have ever had. The taste was exquisite, and the texture soft and fluffy. Absolutely perfect! I should have gotten more! REALLY SPECTACULAR!
Then we each got something to take back to the hotel room.
I got a chocolate chip cookie with cherries, and it was awful! Dry as the desert, and hard as a rock. Just not good at all! Couldn't even taste the cherries either. Bleck!
Kelly meanwhile got a chocolate crossaint with strawberries on top, and it was unbelievably good. Great in fact! Wow. So tasty! We had just had dinner and ice cream and were going to have a bite, but quickly ate the whole thing!
So not sure what to say about this place. It was hit or miss.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Joe's Mexican Restaurant, Mexican, North Hills, CA
16147 Nordhoff Street,
North Hills, CA 91343
(818) 893-2400
Mon-Saturday 9AM-9PM
Sunday 9 AM - 8 PM
JOE'S IS UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT AND HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED! NOT THE SAME AT ALL! SEE END OF REVIEW!
I had been quite depressed that Ari's Pizza which used to occupy this space had closed, because I think it was easily the best Pizza in Los Angeles, but with this place being so near to where I live my wife and I decided to give a try and found a new favorite.
It is in the little strip mall at Nordhoff and Woodley Ave, so there is good parking.
Here is there menu from the Window.
The place is bright, with a nice new paint job and decent mayan decor and one questionable painting and sells a whole variety of Mexican food. The prices range from .99 for Tacos, $4.99 for a burrito and about $7 for Nachos. I am also looking forward to the Menudo that they have on Saturdays and Sundays.
My wife and I tried 3 tacos, with hot sauce. Carne Asada, Lengua (tongue) and Chicken. All of which were delicious! The lengua was soft and tasty, and the carne asada had a wonderful flavor.
Here is a Carne Asada Taco with the hot sauce.
I also had a carne asada burrito and it was mind-blowingly good. With a ton of other flavors in it. The beans were fantastic with garlic and probably lard, and there was some peas and spanish rice in there. THIS IS ONE MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BURRITOS! And I love burritos! Damn was this good!
Here is a messy shot of the inside of my delicious Carne Asada Burrito. Yum!
We had the Nachos, which were the most expensive item we tried, but they were fantastic. Heaped with guacamole, sour cream, melted cheese, the tasty bean mix from my burrito, carne asada, tomatoes and a ton of jalapapenos. AWESOME!
And the Nachos slightly dug into in a to go container. WOW!
I went from missing Ari's Pizza, to having found an absolutely amazing new mexican place! One of my favorites in fact. We will certainly be eating here again, as it is delicious and awesome and quite reasonably priced! GREAT! And all this food for under $20!
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT!
We went to Joe's this last weekend, and saw this sign outside, and inside was a completely new menu, and Joe's awesome hot sauce had been removed from the tables. There is now a condiments bar, and the place is maybe a bit cleaner (at least in the fridge at the front). We decided to order and try it.
First off I had a great deal of trouble ordering. I ordered the first thing on the menu a Burrito and Taco, and they kept just trying to give separate burrito's and tacos, and not the combo plate (which is not listed as that, but comes with beans and chips and a weird salad (lettuce and tasteless dressing), and they screwed up my wife's hard and soft taco (giving 2 soft tacos). I had carne asada for the burrito and al pastor for the taco. And the meat while fine was just average. Nothing special at all. And the worst part was the beans. The beans were literally pale and almost tasteless, such a let down after Joe's amazing beans!
Honestly the food was not bad, but it was so incredibly mediocre that I would never go there again! So depressing after how amazing this place used to be.
My recommendation is to stay away!
IT IS COMPLETELY GONE NOW, WHAT A SHAME!
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Currant American Brasserie, French American Cuisine, San Diego, CA
Currant American Brasserie
at the Sofia Hotel
140 W Broadway,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 702-6309
;
My lovely Wife and I went to San Diego for our 5th Wedding anniversary, and were kind of playing it by ear as to were we would go, and ended up at the Currant in the Sofia Hotel. This is a stylish little French Brasserie and bar, and we have to say we were quite pleased.
We went early, and they have happy hour specials from 4:00 PM till 7 PM and 9 PM till close, including many items on the menu, and $5 wine glasses (red, white and sparkling), they had $5 mint juleps for the Kentucky derby as well.
The place was pretty empty, but still the service as exceptional with very friendly wait staff and buss boys. They even recommended bars to go to afterwards to see the sunset.
To star we had drinks and Popcorn of the Moment which changes every day. We had feta and basil and it was hot and delicious. Going to have to try and make this at home.
I had traditional Moules Frites in white wine with tomatoes and shallots and it was fantastic. Kelly had Moules Frites Basserie, which was in a bear sauce with bacon, leaks, chili and thyme. It was quite good, but not as good as the traditional. and they were only $8.95 instead of $14.95 because of happy hour!
Kelly also had an excellent French Onion soup.
For desert Kelly had a Butterscotch Gooey Butter Cake with Walnut chocolate praline ice cream, which she loved, and I had a very good blueberry hand made sorbet.
We also had a glass of absinthe, with the whole burning the sugar and then bringing a water decanter to pour in water. Very fun, though I am sure Kelly won't try it again (not liking black licorice, not that I do either).
Good food, great deals for Happy Hour and great service. If this was in Los Angles, we would certainly be back!
at the Sofia Hotel
140 W Broadway,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 702-6309
;
My lovely Wife and I went to San Diego for our 5th Wedding anniversary, and were kind of playing it by ear as to were we would go, and ended up at the Currant in the Sofia Hotel. This is a stylish little French Brasserie and bar, and we have to say we were quite pleased.
We went early, and they have happy hour specials from 4:00 PM till 7 PM and 9 PM till close, including many items on the menu, and $5 wine glasses (red, white and sparkling), they had $5 mint juleps for the Kentucky derby as well.
The place was pretty empty, but still the service as exceptional with very friendly wait staff and buss boys. They even recommended bars to go to afterwards to see the sunset.
To star we had drinks and Popcorn of the Moment which changes every day. We had feta and basil and it was hot and delicious. Going to have to try and make this at home.
I had traditional Moules Frites in white wine with tomatoes and shallots and it was fantastic. Kelly had Moules Frites Basserie, which was in a bear sauce with bacon, leaks, chili and thyme. It was quite good, but not as good as the traditional. and they were only $8.95 instead of $14.95 because of happy hour!
Kelly also had an excellent French Onion soup.
For desert Kelly had a Butterscotch Gooey Butter Cake with Walnut chocolate praline ice cream, which she loved, and I had a very good blueberry hand made sorbet.
We also had a glass of absinthe, with the whole burning the sugar and then bringing a water decanter to pour in water. Very fun, though I am sure Kelly won't try it again (not liking black licorice, not that I do either).
Good food, great deals for Happy Hour and great service. If this was in Los Angles, we would certainly be back!
Friday, May 2, 2014
Davanti Enoteca, Italian, San Diego, CA
Davanti Enoteca,
1655 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 237-9606
Found this on our little wedding anniversary weekend away. This is in the Little Italy of San Diego, which to me was kind of a touristy Italian Larchmont for San Diego.
The food was great and the service was good. The only complaint is that the wine was a bit pricy. The cheapest glass being $11, and bottles being in the high $40's for the cheapest bottle, and I feel like Italian food should have wine (they did have cheaper bear, but...).
This place is done kind of Tapas style, where the dishes aren't huge, and come out as soon as they are done so you can share.
We stared with Bruschette, which changes daily, and was pretty good, with garbanzos and spinach and onions, but could have used some cheese and or balsamic vinegar.
For dinner I had a Riccio di Mare e Granchio, which was a linguine with sea urchin sauce and crab and it was quite good, but Kelly's marscarpone polenta and ragu of the day (which was a slow braised pork) was just awesome, if a little messy. They pour it at the table onto a wooden cutting board, so it drips over the edge, but damn if it wasn't delicious! YUMMY! Want to make it at home.
This place was quite good, and well worth checking out, if a bit expensive.
1655 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 237-9606
Found this on our little wedding anniversary weekend away. This is in the Little Italy of San Diego, which to me was kind of a touristy Italian Larchmont for San Diego.
The food was great and the service was good. The only complaint is that the wine was a bit pricy. The cheapest glass being $11, and bottles being in the high $40's for the cheapest bottle, and I feel like Italian food should have wine (they did have cheaper bear, but...).
This place is done kind of Tapas style, where the dishes aren't huge, and come out as soon as they are done so you can share.
We stared with Bruschette, which changes daily, and was pretty good, with garbanzos and spinach and onions, but could have used some cheese and or balsamic vinegar.
For dinner I had a Riccio di Mare e Granchio, which was a linguine with sea urchin sauce and crab and it was quite good, but Kelly's marscarpone polenta and ragu of the day (which was a slow braised pork) was just awesome, if a little messy. They pour it at the table onto a wooden cutting board, so it drips over the edge, but damn if it wasn't delicious! YUMMY! Want to make it at home.
This place was quite good, and well worth checking out, if a bit expensive.
The Fish Market, Seafood, San Diego, CA
The Fish Market,
750 N Harbor Drive,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-3474
I had found this place online and was excited to try it, as it has decent yelp reviews and is right on the harbor, and right next to the Midway Museum. And we literally ended up there accidently.
We were able to quickly find parking, though could see how it could get hard on weekends, though they do have valet for the restaurant.
The restaurant is huge, and has a higher class place upstairs as well as different bars around.
We got a great seat inside, safe from the heat, but right on windows looking out at the harbor, and able to look at the ships, and watched the 2 parked air craft carriers, a 3rd that went past as well as a destroyer going out to see. GREAT VIEW!
And the service was awesome. They filled drinks constantly and food was delivered quickly.
Now for the food.
Well the New England Clam Chowder was great, possibly the best I have had since the east coast. Very good.
Kelly had crispy fish tacos and quite enjoyed them. I went for Fish and Chips, which is one of my loves (and was not too expensive), but was quite let down. The plate was huge, but the portions were tiny! I got 2 small pieces of fish, and while the panko crust was not bad, the fish was overcooked an stiff as a board and would barely absorb the malt vinegar. The thin fries were OK, but the cole slaw was not to my liking either.
While the service and view were awesome and the chowder, I have to say messing up such a staple as fish and chips does not speak well for me, so I can't recommend this place at all.
750 N Harbor Drive,
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-3474
I had found this place online and was excited to try it, as it has decent yelp reviews and is right on the harbor, and right next to the Midway Museum. And we literally ended up there accidently.
We were able to quickly find parking, though could see how it could get hard on weekends, though they do have valet for the restaurant.
The restaurant is huge, and has a higher class place upstairs as well as different bars around.
We got a great seat inside, safe from the heat, but right on windows looking out at the harbor, and able to look at the ships, and watched the 2 parked air craft carriers, a 3rd that went past as well as a destroyer going out to see. GREAT VIEW!
And the service was awesome. They filled drinks constantly and food was delivered quickly.
Now for the food.
Well the New England Clam Chowder was great, possibly the best I have had since the east coast. Very good.
Kelly had crispy fish tacos and quite enjoyed them. I went for Fish and Chips, which is one of my loves (and was not too expensive), but was quite let down. The plate was huge, but the portions were tiny! I got 2 small pieces of fish, and while the panko crust was not bad, the fish was overcooked an stiff as a board and would barely absorb the malt vinegar. The thin fries were OK, but the cole slaw was not to my liking either.
While the service and view were awesome and the chowder, I have to say messing up such a staple as fish and chips does not speak well for me, so I can't recommend this place at all.
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