drinks

Hey,

Last night, a few of us met at Cuba Libre for a drink.  Mojito's and Tapas were the name of the game.  The solids and liquids were all good but nothing special.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this restaurant.  On the one hand, the space is nice and they have a huge bar but the service was terrible and no one was in the place.  It was like hanging out in a ghost town.  

Overall, the food I sampled was okay but not worth the price.  In the future, I think I'm more likely to go to Cuba before I return to Cuba Libre.    

Revolt

d.i.y

Hey,

Last night, Becky and Chiyo threw a 'Do It Yourself' Sushi party.  They set up an amazing spread of rice, fish, veggies and extras.  Each person grabbed a mat and rolled their own.  My efforts did not look the best but they tasted awesome.

I attempted to make a Salmon, Cucumber, Avocado Roll but that ended up being more like a Burrito.  My next roll of Yellow Tail, Spicy Mayo and Krab worked much better.  This was my third time rolling Sushi and I'm still no good at it.

The food was accompanied by Sake, Beer and Van Halen.

Adult parties are like their teenage counterparts, but they feature much better food and a wider selection of booze.  

Long Live Grown Ups 

mercs

Hey,

Yesterday I traded my services as a handyman for a homemade dinner.  In these tough times, it is important to get meals where ever you can find them. Having someone cook for you is like eating out but better cause you get all the best parts without having to do any of the work.

I've got another friend who needs my help.  More free grub.

I wish I could do this everyday.

Broke

carbs

Hey,

Recently, I discovered the Brooklyn Bagel Bakery and I'm happy to report that they are the best bagels in Los Angeles.  We have lived a few blocks from the bakery for months and I just finally bought some.  

These perfect bread circles remind me of the bagels from back home. They offer the standard assortment, but the stand outs must be the Pizza or the Cheese varieties (Jalapeno Cheese is the bees knees). 

Shortly after first contact, Becky started a new job at a coffee house that features Brooklyn's baked goods.  Now, three times a week my apartment is filled to the brim with left over breads. I got stacks on stacks.  Baker's dozens. 

What I'm trying to say is that I eat a lot of bagels.

Cream Cheese 

honor

Hey,

Apparently, it is Girl Scout Cookie season.  Which is my favorite after Fall and Pilot season. One stand just appeared while I was inside a building and when I came out the cookies were all set up. I walked away with a box of Samoas (aka Carmel deLites).  I need more but I don't know where any other stands are.  If anyone sees those girls then call me.

Maybe I should just start hanging around supermarkets looking for little girls.

That sounded really bad.

I just want some Tagalongs and maybe some Thin Mints.

Monster 

if it ain't broke

Hey,

Two weeks ago I had one of the best dinners of my life.  It was on par with the grub I would expect for my pre-electric chair meal.  This was the post ceremony feast at Fix (located in the Bellagio Hotel) in honor of Doug and Georgia's wedding.  

We were offered a choice of Fillet Minion, Roast Chicken or Truffle Butter Penne.  Being the fake vegetarian that I am, went with the pasta.  Each table also was given a delicious collection of family style sides that included  Whipped Potatoes, Garlic Spinach, and Gourmet French Fries. 

There was so much to eat I wished I had the anatomy of a cow so I could have ingested more. The Penne was so rich, each bite felt like $10,000.  By that scale, I consumed around $3.2 million worth.   

I have a bunch more weddings to go to this year and I can't wait to eat them all.

Matrimony 

da bears

Hey,

Food on a road trip is always a crap-shoot but Becky and I were lucky enough to find The Black Bear Diner on our way out of Vegas.  Becky spotted the joint and it looked like a decent place to grab breakfast. We knew we had the right decision by the beautiful art they had outside.

Giant portions at a solid price seems to be the moto of the diner.  I did California Scramble which was massive.  I don't remember what Becky had because I was too busy eating.  If I ever go back to Vegas I'm sure I'll forget to come back.  

The Lesson: Chain-saw sculptures are a great way to advertise.

Growl

5 alarm

Hey,

The worthless area north of Los Angeles known as 'the valley' is a cultural wasteland featuring chain stores and other large franchises. Among this rubble is a culinary oasis called Chili My Soul.   

This Encino based eatery makes over 30 kinds of chili using various meats and peppers. The heat is measured on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the hottest).  On any given day, the restaurant makes 12-15 different kinds of their famous chili.  Check the website for today's up-to-date choices.

Of the 30 varieties, at least 5 are vegetarian and if none are spicy enough for you then you can ask to "bump-up" the heat to any number.  The 'Demon' chili is the only  level 10 on the menu and the chefs insist that you try it before they sell it to you.  

Good chili is one thing but driving to Encino for just a bowl seems retarded.  A look at the menu shows the many ways 'Chili My Soul' serves up their homemade magic.  I opted for the House Style Veggie Soul Burger with Spicy Garden Chili (bumped-up to a level 7).   This sloppy slice of heaven was so good that for a split second I contemplated moving to the valley. 

With so many types of chili and so many ways to have it (on Nachos, Hot Dogs, Fries, and Baked Potatoes) there is a seemingly endless string of possibilities.  This is definitely  a new favorite.  All I need now are some wet-naps and a ride north.

Who's coming

masa of puppets

Hey,

Did another meal at Masa and sweet christ is that place good.  I did the Veggie-Sausage Panini with the House Salad and it was one of the better lunches I've had since moving here.  Perfect portions, good price and tasty.

If you have not yet been, do it or kill yourself.

Obey 

if you like pina colada

Hey,

The Buffet at the MGM is pretty much the best.  Becky and I went for Brunch which was a perfect time because I got to enjoy both breakfast and regular food items.

Over the years I have developed a system to maximize the 'all you can eat' experience. 

Step 1 - Take a lap and observe everything they have.  You don't want to fill up on the first things you see.

Step 2 - Start with a sample plate and see what you like.

Step 3 - Return for seconds and load up on your favorites.

Nothing like eating 3 lbs of shrimp in the middle of the afternoon.  It is so luxurious I feel like a whale.

I'm no good at gambling but I win every time I hit the buffet.

Good odds 

goodness

Hey,

So much to talk about.  First off, Vegas was great and provided 3 amazing eating experiences. 

1. MGM Grand Buffet

2. Upscale dining at Fix in the Bellagio

3. Pre-departure breakfast at Black Bear Diner   

Also, I found a new favorite restaurant: Chili My Soul

All this and more on the next episode of "Renegade".

Lamas

travel

Hey,

I'm off to Vegas for the weekend for a friend's wedding.  

Buffet, here I come.

Money

retraction

Hey,

I lied. That is to say that I am a liar. 

In a recent post I claimed that Two Boots delivered pizza.  That is not true.  They do not start their delivery service for another two weeks. For all my readers who called up to place orders and had their hearts break, well, I am sorry.

Please forgive me.

subliminal message

Hey,

On a recent episode of 30 Rock, Alec Baldwin's character discusses the merits of McDonald's McFlurry.  This caused my roommate to venture out and buy one which made me jealous.  The next day, I got my own frozen treat which made Becky jealous.

Needless to say, McFlurry consumption has gone up 1200%.

I like the Oreo ones while my roommate enjoys the M&M.  Both are great just stay away from the Snickers mix in.  Those are not good. 

Snack time