new traditions

Hey,

Second year in a row staying in Los Angeles for the holiday. X-mas eve Dinner.

Breakfast the next morning.

New Year

get him to the greek

Hey,

My roomies and I have been ordering El Greco delivery a lot recently.

Pizza was okay. It's really all about the Zucchini Sticks.

Greek Crack.

Rehab

omni

Hey,

Becky and I went to Dusty's Bistro for a fancy Dinner. We started with a Bottle of Pinot Noir and the Crab Cakes.

Superb.

For the main course. Becky ordered the Seafood Pasta.

While I had the Roasted Half Chicken (please allow 30 mins for cooking) with Fries and Spinach.

This is the first time I've had Poultry in a restaurant in over five years. And it was really good. I mean, juicy, tender and just awesome. And for those skeptics out there, feast your eyes on this:

Who knows what's next. I think I'm gonna have a Steak on my Birthday.

Crazy

cold

Hey,

Warm up, Toddy style. Just add some Whiskey to your favorite Tea.

Chamomile Tea with all the fixins. Boo ya.

Snuggie

drat

Hey,

Once again, The Lobsta Truck has eluded me. This is getting annoying.

Great White Buffalo

sweet dee

Hey,

Last night was the season finale of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

A little Whiskey and some Pecan Pie. Don't mind if I do.

No more Sunny until next year.

Sad Face

dave thomas

Hey,

I was all pumped to visit the Lobsta Truck, but they cancelled service today. So I decided to swing by Wendy's to try their new Natural Cut Fries with Sea Salt.

And for comparison reasons, Becky picked up some Fries from the rival chains.

After a round of tasting. The three judges (me, Becky and roommate Trent) found the new Wendy's Fries to be best. They had both good Salt and Potato flavor.

Burger King came in second place and McDonald's finished last.

But the real loser here was me. Cause after eating all those Fries, I felt like shit. Goddamn fast food.

Grease

eagle rock

Hey,

Lunch at Auntie Em's Kitchen.

Vegetarian Torta with Lentil Soup. Across the table, Becky had the Grilled Steak Salad.

Everything I've had from here has been great. I should come more often, but I don't like getting on the freeway just for lunch.

Make sure to get Dessert.

Nice

flesh

Hey,

Just woke up from my post Thanksgiving meal nap. Another great holiday here in LA. The roommates and I threw down on a traditional feast. The day started with football heartbreak and Bloody Marys.

We moved onto to some apps. Spinach Dip and Cold Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce. Another hour later, Michael's Turkey came out of the oven.

The main meal: The Bird, Mashed Potatoes, Mushroom Gravy, Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows, Grilled Asparagus, Cauliflower Gratin, Cranberry Sauce, and Homemade Biscuits.

I put down two plates in record time. Everything was awesome. I even had some of the Turkey. Yeah, that's right. Turkey. It was good too. I don't really know what this means for the future, but If the circumstances were right I could see myself eating meat again.

After melting into the couch for a few, we headed to a buddies for some Apple Crumble Pie, Homemade Pumpkin Pie and some Board games.

Back at the house. Relaxing by the fireplace. Another round of Dessert. A piece of Pumpkin and Pecan Pie and three fingers of Whiskey.

Sleepy

bay of pigs

Hey,

My post about Cafe Tropical has lead me to take a second look at Gigi's Bakery and Cafe. Just down the block, this place has all the makings for a new obsession. No Breakfast Sandwiches, but that's okay because the Huevos Rancheros is $5.25 and really satisfying.

It's really the Plantains that pull everything together.

My Cafe con Leche, was good but I still like Tropical's better.

Next up: Porto's and Mambo's.

Maybe I should start eating Pork so I can really weigh in on this topic?

Oink

i must be famous

Hey,

Went to newly opened Kodoku for some Sushi. The menu has a deep selection of Rolls and other favorites as well as a full section of Japanese style Tapas.

Started with Miso Soups and complementary Sautéed Edamame.

So good.

Next, we had the Green Mussels.

Maybe the bite of the night.

Then things started to get serious. Spider Crab Roll.

Then, out of nowhere, a Tofu Salad appeared. The Waitress said it was from the Owner. Score.

It went perfect with the rest of the food.

Baked Lobster Roll.

Rainbow Roll.

And after all that. I ask for the bill but instead some Green Tea Ice Cream showed up.

The owner must have known about my blog. I've never had anyone bribe me to write a good review before. Well, it worked. The Lady and I feasted like kings and escaped only paying for the few Rolls and the appetizer. Can't wait to try more of the menu.

Easily purchased

trending now

Hey,

Recently, it's been all about Cafe Tropical. I go at least once a week for Coffee and maybe a bite. As far as I can tell, all the Baked goods and Pastries are tasty. The Guava Pie is especially stand out.

Yesterday I went for A medium Coffee and a Veggie Sandwich with Avocado. I really planned on taking pictures and doing a regular post but as soon as I got home things changed. I ate everything super fast, drank my Coffee and then passed out.

Needless to say, they have a good thing going on.

I'll see you there

red red wine

Hey,

Mid week stop at City Sip for Happy Hour. $5 Wine, $4 Draft Beer and $5 small plates.

A couple pints, a few glasses of red, a trio of Olives, Pickles and Nuts and Caprese Sliders.

Hump day is not so bad.

Just like a Millionaire

give and take

Hey,

Sunday afternoon. My football team loses, but Becky makes Breakfast. Awesome.

You take the good with the bad.

Pass the Hot Sauce

khan!

Hey,

Saturday night dinner at Gobi Mongolian BBQ. Just like super chain BD's Mongolian Grill, this place lets you combine your choice of Meats and Veggies to be cooked on the giant iron grill.

Grab a bowl, ($9.95 for lunch $13.95 for dinner) pick your Proteins, Vegetables, add Noodles and try one of the Sauce combinations.

My man on the grill does the rest.

Boo ya.

Enhance.

Yum.

My plate was good but I'm convinced that whatever you pick, it all ends up tasting the same. Lucky for them, it's a good taste.

A few notes:

This place is NOT all you can eat.

A second trip is $4 at lunch and $6 at dinner.

Also, menu claims that there is a $1.50 fee for taking leftovers home, but I don't think we were charged for that.

beer and sausage

Hey,

The Lady and I headed downtown to Wurstkuche for some brew hall delights. A Chimay and a Spaten. Fries with more than a few dipping options (score) and a couple of their finest links.

Becky opted for the Rabbit/Veal/Pork with White Wine Sausage topped with Onions. I feasted on the Veggie Italian with Sweet Peppers and Sauerkraut and a Veggie Mexican Chipotle with Hot Peppers and Onions.

Tasty, tasty.

Dig the modern bier stube.

coffee, oysters, pickles

Hey,

My trip to New York.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Red Hook.

Strong Place gastropub.

Pickle Day.

Defonte's. The mysterious Brooklyn shop that inspired the 30 Rock episode "sandwich day".

Proof.

So so good.

When can I go back?

zombie two times

Hey,

The diner district south of Sunset Junction has a new member. K2, the offspring of Kokomo, is in the middle of their soft open. I visited twice this week and had mixed feelings.

First, Becky and I came for Breakfast. The Catfish and Eggs and French Toast.

I really wanted to like this but my Eggs were over cooked and the Catfish was lost in the breading. At least the Potatoes were good. Across the table, the French Toast was average but the Coffee was solid.

Today, I came in for lunch. I had the Ahi Tuna Burger with Fries.

The Ahi was seared just right but the sandwich needed a little something extra. Still pretty good. I cleaned my plate.

Their soon to be expanded menu has something interesting choices so I'm sure I'll be back to check in on their progress.

Optimistic

refresh

Hey,

Sunday was the season premiere of Mad Men. A few bodies came over to watch. I decided to make a simple summer Cocktail. An Arnold Palmer if you will.

Just add 1 container Lemonade. 1 bottle Sweet Tea Vodka and some sliced Lemon in your favorite pitcher and enjoy over rocks.

But be careful because this is drink is strong. So don't drive home unless you are really good at drinking and driving (like all my friends are).

Also, I made General Tso's with Tofu for Lunch. It turned out pretty good.

Chomp

look what I can do

Hey,

Whipped up a quick plate before work.

Veggie Burger on Toasted Wheat, Ridge Cut Potato Chips and a Salad of Spinach, Mixed Greens, Mini Heirlooms, Artichoke Hearts and Balsamic Dressing.

And to wash it all down. A tall glass of Ice Water. We just got a new Brita filter. Damn, that's some good water.

Stay-At-Home

is this thing on?

Hey,

Slow night at work.

My dinner:

The Friday Special. Grilled 3 Cheese with Bacon. In my case Veggie Bacon and a side of Sauteed Spinach.

At least part of my shift was good.

Yes, we deliver.