Moved Food Blog from Whale of a Tale to Jonahlee

Have run my two blogs in there own Wordpress installs for years at Whale of a Tale, but with a recent update I stopped being able to run both blogs that way, and since I was having so many issues I moved my Restaurants Reviews blog to Blogger and decided I might as well move it to my JonahLee.com site, since it makes more sense being here than at my Whale of a Tale business site (and I might do the same with my movies blog, though that would be a lot harder since it has a lot more entries and might not make the transition quite so easily).

All the entries are still here (though there may be some translation mistakes, so let me know if you see any).

Likely going to be focusing more on Low Sodium dishes since that is what I have to eat for a while following my open heart surgery.

Heart surgery soon, still dieting, though not quite as much

So my heart surgery if finally scheduled and is soon, but ended up having to go with a different doctor as my other surgeon injured his back and was unable to continue.

He was the one who recommended the diet. I have been mostly keeping up with it, though have broken down a few times, and eaten at Brent's, and had lovely steak and noodles and artichokes for my anniversary dinner last night.

Still have to lose weight, but looking forward to being able to have more stamina so I can exercise more, which will help with the weight loss.

Now I am still eating salads every day for lunch and either egg white omelet or low sugar, low fat yogurt (or near yogurt), no bread, and trying to do only 2 pieces of fruit a day (though sometimes I have a smoothie and go over). And have been eating egg whites for snacks, though probably too many nuts. And my chiropractor told me I should eat some whole eggs and not just egg whites, as the benefits outways the bad with eggs, though I am still eating mostly egg whites, though I am so sick of the omlets it is nuts. I really only like poached eggs, but they also need bread!

Hopefully I will have a better time losing weight after my recovery.

When will Tillamook Fat Free Yogurt Sweetened with Truvia get to Los Angeles?

Now that I am on this diet, I need some fat free and sugar free yogurt, so this new Light Yogurt from Tillamook looks like the perfect solution, if only they would hurry and get it to Los Angeles! They have Tillamook cheese here already!


I know this would be really popular, especially if it tastes good. Damn I want to try it!

On a major diet leading up to heart surgery

So there likely won't be much in the way of updates to this blog for a while.

I have heart surgery coming up and the cardio surgeon has me on a pretty serious diet.

The diet consists of the following:

• Almost no carbs, sugar or fat. Mostly green leafy vegetables (which I can have all I want) like lettuce, spinach and broccoli, with some chicken or fish the size of your palm but half as thick for dinner and half of that for lunch.

• For breakfast an egg white omelet and veggies should be steamed. Also non-fat low or no sugar yogurt is good (though hard for me since I am lactose intolerant, but I am using lactose pills).

• 2 pieces of a fruit a day, can have some berries instead of a piece or fruit.

• 1 handful of nuts in a day.

• Hardboiled egg yolks for snacks a couple of times a day.

Should lose 3 pounds a week, and I basically have been. Maybe a little less, but almost half a pound a day. The problem is that I am hungry all the time!

It also doesn't help that I get off work at 5 PM and my wife gets off at about 8:45 PM, so I am starved by the time she gets home. So I have been having a smoothie with a banana and some berries with protein powder and soy milk, which helps to tide me over, though it means I am having more fruit than I should.

Also been having 25 calorie sugar free popsicles, as I would usually have more fruit, but can't, and need something sweet.

I have already lost about 8 pounds in less than 3 weeks, after losing 5 pounds in 3 months of eating vegan. Amazing how cutting out carbs and sugar does really help.

This diet is torture, but he wants me on it for the rest of my life because of my heart condition and my families histories of heart trouble, but I can cheat a little once I lost all my stomach fat and am around 175 pounds. So 47 more pounds to go. At least losing as much as I have been makes it easier, because I can see the results in the mirror. Doesn't make it easier though, can't wait until my stomach starts shrinking!!!!

Fun, fun, fun!

Arri's Pizza, Pizza, Sandwiches & Pasta, North Hills, CA

16147 Nordhoff Street
North East Corner of intersection with Woodley in a little Shopping Center
(818) 892-8286 / 818-892-2373
Free Delivery
Sun-Thu 11am-11pm
Fri-Sat 11am-12am

THE HORROR! It seem's Arri has finally closed his doors, as there is now a Mexican restaurant in it's place. THIS WAS THE BEST PIZZA I EVER HAD! What a shame!

I had heard some things about this place online, so was interested in trying it, but we always just order pizza online, or pick it up at Food for Less and cook it ourselves (theres is pretty decent), but we never should have waited because this is easily one of the best pies I have ever had, and I am biased since I used to be a pizza cook! Now it is not cheap, but it is certainly worth giving this place a try.

The Hungry Cat, Seafood, Hollywood, CA

The Hungry Cat

1535 Vine St.

Los Angeles, CA 90028

(323) 462-2155

GOOGLE MAP

And a new location in Santa Monica.

100 W. Channel Road (@PCH)

Santa Monica, CA 90402

(310) 459-3337

This is easily my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles, and by extension anywhere!

The Seafood is absolutely sublime. Perfect flavor combinations. And the menu seems to change up at least a few times a year to keep it fresh. The service is great, and they have reasonably priced bottles of wine, as well as incredible (if expensive) mixed drinks.

Food ranges in price from $17-$30 and then there are incredible fresh oysters, uni, lobster and other seafood that can be gotten in reasonably priced platters (especially for parties). If you like oysters don't miss out, as they are always delicious here!

My wife and I also love to go to their price fix valentines day dinners with feature incredible fixed menus with a few choices, as well as tasty tidbits from the chef that are always mind-blowingly good.

Honestly this is my go to restaurant for my birthday, because I always want to eat here!

I am born and raised on Marthas Vineyard Island off the coast of Massachusetts and I have to say we get the best swordfish, as it is harpooned, and you get it fresh that day, instead of long-lined where it drowns. Well the hungry cat swordfish I have had blew it out of the water. All the fish is amazing though! They have lobster rolls that are the first I have had to come close to the Vineyard as well!

The Hollywood Location is tiny and hidden on Vine, across from what used to be Borders, and has very few seats, a bar and a raw bar. You park in the structure on the other side that is also for Bed Bath and Beyond.

The Santa Monica location is larger, with a big bar, but even though it is right across from the ocean is pretty enclosed (as it is right on the PCH), though I hear they might be using the upstairs as a dining room as well which should have a good view. Here there is only Valet parking.

The service is always great and very helpful.

For years we heard about the Pug Burger, with blue cheese, bacon and avocados, but never had it because of the amazing seafood, but this year we decided to try it and we were blown away. I can't believe how amazing it was. EASILY THE BEST BURGER I HAVE EVER HAD! Every bite is a flavor explosion! This is an amazing burger! Wow! WOW WOW!!!!!

I can't recommend this restaurant any more. It is my favorite restaurant in the world. You will not be disappointed!

(OriginallY Publish on March 16th, 2007)

Good Pho You, Pho, Boba & Frozen Yogurt, Granada Hills, CA

Good Pho You
10648 Balboa Blvd.
Granada Hills, CA 91344
(818) 360-7500
Mon-Sat 10am-12am
Sun 10am-10pm

GOOGLE MAP

Kelly and I found this place not too long after buying our house in North Hills, and have become regulars since then, to the point where one of the waitresses knows exactly what we order! Got to love that. This is a very good Korean owned Pho and Frozen Yogurt place in a little shopping center with a teriyaki place, a Korean video store, a bakery and a Korean grocery store (and remember the parking behind the grocery store as the front parking fills up fast). The Pho is good, not Noodle City good, but still tasty and sure hits the spot when we have a pho craving.

Brent's Delicatessen & Restaurant, Deli, Northridge, CA

Brent's
19565 Parthenia Street
Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 886-5679
Open Daily from 6am to 9pm

GOOGLE MAP

I am so behind on both my blogs, but I have especially been neglecting my Food Blog of late, but I just got a new computer and finally decided it is time to update you on what could be the best Delicatessen I have ever been too. Now I am a regular reader at the Chowhound boards, and read a ton of food magazines, so I have of course heard of Brent's. It did after all win the award from Los Angeles Magazine for best Deli, but it always seemed so far away. Well my lovely wife Kelly and I recently bought a house in North Hills, so we are close, and we finally decided to try it, and we were both completely blown away. The food is spectacular, and I can say we had the 2 best Reuben's I have ever had! Wow, I was blown away! And such great service as well. We will be returning, and often (baring the diet I need to go on very soon). IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN HERE, RUN DON'T WALK HERE, BECAUSE YOU WILL BE BLOWN AWAY!

Tapas and Wine Bar C, Japanese Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA

Tapas and Wine Bar C
428 East 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-8877
Hours: 6:00 PM-2:00AM

GOOGLE MAP

A little place that I never would have heard of, but would certainly have been interested in seeing at least once, but luckily two of my friends took me there one night. This strange little wine bar is located on the southeast of 2nd, in a little mall with parking, though it will likely be full up, but there are various places to park in Little Tokyo.

Now for what makes this place special. It does have food, though we didn't try it, but it is mostly a wine bar (though they have mixed drinks and beer) with a huge selection, including most that can be had by the glass, but what makes it really special, is that the Japanese waitresses all dress in French Maid outfits. Yes you heard that right, FRENCH MAID OUTFITS!

Orochon Raman, Japanese Noodles, Little Tokyo, CA

Orochon Ramen
123 S Onizuka St, 3rd floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 617-1766
Mon-Sun: 11:30AM-10:15PM (though there was a wait, and we didn't get seated until about then)

I can't believe I had not heard of this place before, especially since it is on the floor above the Curry House in Little Tokyo (and so it has the same parking underneath with validation). I didn't hear about this place until it was on MAN VS. FOOD, where I learned of the spiciest Ramen in Los Angeles, and I had to go. Then my friends took me out to Little Tokyo, and since every place was packed we decided to go to Orochon since I wanted to go, and one of my friends wanted the spicy ramen (my other friend wanted another ramen place he thinks is better, and I must try).  

Taste Chicago, Pizza, Sausage Ribs and Beef, Burbank, CA

Taste Chicago
603 N Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 563-2800  

GOOGLE MAP

Kelly and I were really hungry one day, and this was close to her house, so we decided to try it, and we were quickly sorry we did. Now we did not try the ribs or pizza, but the sandwiches were atrocious!

This place is on the Northwest corner of Hollywood Way and Verdugo, and has ample parking, and is basically a covered stand with no bathroom (so go before you go, or you will be sorry).

Smoke House, Steak House, Burbank, CA

Smoke House
4420 W. Lakeside Drive
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 845-3731
Mon-Thu : 11:30AM-4:00PM Lunch 4:00PM-10:30PM Dinner
Friday : 11:30AM-4:00PM Lunch 4:00PM-11:00PM Dinner
Saturday : 11:30AM-3:00PM Lunch 3:00PM-11:00PM Dinner
Sunday : 10:00AM-2:30PM Lunch 2:30PM- 9:00PM Dinner   

GOOGLE MAP

We went here with Chelsea, Kelly's sister, and it was Kelly's treat. She had been there, and thought it was an Italian restaurant, and while there were some Italian Dishes, in fact this is really a steak house, and a not too expensive one. The three of us were able to eat and have a bottle of wine for under $125 with another $5 for the mandatory valet parking. A pretty good deal. And the decor is great, it looks like it has not changed an iota since it opened in 1946! You can picture Frank Sinatra eating there, and he does have a dish named after him, so I am sure he did go at some point.

Philippe The Original, French Dippe, Los Angeles, CA

Philippes
1001 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 628-3781
6a-10p
Breakfast 6a-10:30a

GOOGLE MAP

The LA Original, established in 1908 that created the French Dip in 1918, and has been owned b y the same people since 1927, and in this location since 1957, and home of the 9¢ cup of coffee, is an LA classic that everyone needs to try! This time I took Kelly because she likes French Dippe sandwiches, and had never been, and we had a wonderful time! The sandwiches are always good, and we tried some sides. There is also 2 ample parking lots on Ord, though if you are going on a week day at lunch, expect a long wait (and you will always wait in line along the sawdust strewn floor. Philippes is always good, and always tasty, and quite inexpensive as well.

Charcoal, Hamburger and Steak, Hollywood, CA

Charcoal
6372 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323)-465-8500
Sun-Thu 11am-Midnight
Fri-Sat 11am-1:30am
Brunch Saturdary and Sunday 10:30am-3:30pm

GOOGLE MAP

••••THE HORROR!! IT SEEMS CHARCOAL IS GONE! CLOSED FOR GOOD! SO SAD, THE BEST BURGER IN LOS ANGELES GONE AFTER SUCH A SHORT TIME!!!!!••••

Located at the South East Corner of Sunset and Ivar, with parking in the Arclight parking garage (remember to validate) for some reason I had a much different impression of this place than what it was really like. And with the quality of the food, I am so surprised that there weren't more people there at 7:30 on a friday night, because the food is damn good, like maybe better than Houston's good. And the menu is very reminiscent of Houstons. This burger and steak place is well worth checking out. ••• Not only that but right now they have a 1/2 price deal, Monday through Saturday, 3 PM to 6 PM, and it is about half the menu. What a great deal! •••

Babalu, Latin American Cafe, Santa Monica, CA

1002 Montana Ave,
Santa Monica, CA 90403

GOOGLE MAP

My dad and I went here for lunch when he was in town off the recommendation of my uncle (something about cute waitresses is what I think he told my dad), and I have to say I am glad we went because the food is actually quite good, and has quite an eclectic menu. They also have some interesting looking drink concoctions, but we stayed away from those as it was lunch time. This is a delicious Montana eatery, just watch for parking enforcement.