Food: September 2007 Archives

San Gennaro (also known as Januarius -- yes, as in the month) was one of those fantastic early Christian martyrs who suffered incomprehensible tortures and survived inexplicable violence under equally fantastic Roman persecution. He was tossed into the flames but did not burn; the ever-resourceful Romans then tried to feed him to wild beasts, but (le sigh) the animals laid down at his feet instead of devouring him. Exhausted and frustrated, the Romans beheaded...

The last thing I wanted to eat for lunch yesterday was Thai food for this series. The ‘rents are in town for the weekend, and guess where they wanted to eat family style Friday night? Yup. Thai BBQ in Valencia. Now while I like Thai food as much as the next person, having it two days in a row is a bit much, right? But I found the perfect solution to my quandary: (1)...

Every Friday, LAist is taking you on a trip down to Orange County to uncover the unique dining experiences that await adventurous eaters willing to explore beyond the county line. Ah, the beginning of fall. The leaves changing color onset of football season, cooler temperatures. And Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is of course the infamous two-week German festival annually held in Munich, mostly known for the consumption of copious amounts of beer. Last Saturday marked the...

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm not the most adventuresome eater of Thai food. Don't get me wrong, there are dishes that I love but the sad truth is that I return to those dishes over and over again. Partly this is because with all the varied ethnic foods in Los Angeles, I usually only eat Thai once or twice a month so I really don't feel like I'm always getting...

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm not the most adventuresome eater of Thai food. Don't get me wrong, there are dishes that I love but the sad truth is that I return to those dishes over and over again. Partly this is because with all the varied ethnic foods in Los Angeles, I usually only eat Thai once or twice a month so I really don't feel like I'm always getting...

A few weeks ago, while perusing the offerings behind the glass at the Surfas café, I noticed a bowl of green grains labeled “Freekah salad”.

Sometimes after work this LAist just wants to go home. He wants to kick off his shoes, have some dinner and turn in early. Sometimes, a friend who works "in the industry" calls near the end of the day and says that the girl who was supposed to go to this party or that premiere has bailed and asks what is this LAist doing tonight? On a night like this, this LAist would've usually said...

Bills just came in. Rent's due. I made a major and very necessary computer purchase that needs to be paid off right away. My credit cards are tired. I'm poor. There won't be any lavish lunches or fancy foreign cheese purchases from Whole Foods happening for me anytime soon. If I'm not careful, the next few weeks might be Top Ramen City -- what's a budget-minded foodie to do? Luckily, I have two dozen...

Another festival alert, this one concerning cheese! Hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla will be celebrating the Italian-American immigrant experience this weekend in Hollywood at the 6th Annual Cheese Feast of San Gennaro. Eat some excellent Italian food, play some bocce ball (courts will be set up all day), research your heritage, and watch a parade of the saint through the streets of Hollywood. (San Gennaro was one of those indestructable superhero saints who...

Whether you love or hate LAist’s coverage of Thai Town, with 18 restaurant reviews in 21 days, you have to at least admit one thing – there are a hell of a lot of Thai restaurants on that small stretch of Hollywood, just east of the 101. Torung holds a special place in my heart, as I spent many a late night there; sneaking in a six-pack of Mickey’s Big Mouth, and scarfing down...

Due to apathy, a meager attempt to save money, and the rain (seriously! it rained!! I just wanted to say that again), I spent most of this past weekend doing fuck all at home. However, somewhere around 3 o'clock on Sunday, I got dragged out to get a few drinks at Crane's Tavern, a small bar I've only recently discovered, lurking around the corner from The Henry Fonda Theater. It's very cozy inside, like...

Many call Sanamluang Cafe the most authentic Thai in Thai Town. Others know it as the preferred late-night post-drinking noodle stop (the restaurant is open until 4 a.m.). Sanamluang calls itself "The Best Noodles in Town."

Many call Sanamluang Cafe the most authentic Thai in Thai Town. Others know it as the preferred late-night post-drinking noodle stop (the restaurant is open until 4 a.m.). Sanamluang calls itself "The Best Noodles in Town."

When I received my Thai One On assignment I was pretty pumped. Online Yelp reviews had unanimously agreed that Thailand Plaza has some of the best food and service around. Maybe that's why my experience at Thailand Plaza was such a disappointing one--my expectations going in were way too high. Not so say that everything about my Thailand Plaza dining experience was bad; parking was free with validation. Bonus! However aside from free parking,...

If you like wine (or you think you do) Sunday night is your chance to unwind with a glass (or two, or five). Nunchux VI is holding their monthly party at 5:00pm and will be focusing on some nice Spanish imports ($4-$12 per glass) and tapas ($1-$5). If you're into the local wine scene, you may recognize the host. Santos Uy has been laying down his vino-know-how at AOC (West Hollywood) and Silver Lake...

Every Friday, LAist is taking you on a trip down to Orange County to uncover the unique dining experiences that await adventurous eaters willing to explore beyond the county line. They say that dogs are a man's best friend. I didn't have a dog growing up, due to my mom's fur allergies, so I never quite understood the sense of passion that dog-owners have for their canine companions. But over the years, after seeing...

The main draw of this Thai restaurant is the humongous hot dog perched next to the oddly-paired moniker Thai Town Express. The hot dog is a relic of its past as Red’s Hot Dog, and the waitress said that the lease stipulations forbid its removal. Late on a recent Sunday evening, my dinner companion and I were the only diners, but plenty of curious tourists stopped by the fast-food Thai restaurant to snap pictures of the unusual culinary pairing.

The main draw of this Thai restaurant is the humongous hot dog perched next to the oddly-paired moniker Thai Town Express. The hot dog is a relic of its past as Red’s Hot Dog, and the waitress said that the lease stipulations forbid its removal. Late on a recent Sunday evening, my dinner companion and I were the only diners, but plenty of curious tourists stopped by the fast-food Thai restaurant to snap pictures of the unusual culinary pairing.

This Saturday is September 22nd. So dust off your lederhosen, iron your dirndl and brush up on your chicken dance because Oktoberfest officially gets underway. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Germany this year because you can still get your fill of beer and bratwurst here in LA. Here is a short list of Oktoberfest locations and events. Alpine Village- In Torrance Ca. Fri- Sun., Sept. 8th – Oct. 28th . The...

Straddled along Hollywood Boulevard, right before Los Feliz, Vim is one of those places I should have been going to a long time ago - dirt cheap and fucking delicious. It's tucked away in a little strip mall that has some weird bakery (not sure if it was Armenian or not) and another little eatery to the left of it. I hear the place is most often frequented by Latino/Hispanic families but it was pretty...

Cheap wine doesn't have to mean a case of Charles Shaw: NY Times readers are discussing their favorite bottles under $10 over at their Food section message boards -- what are yours? The LAist staff thanks you for continuing on with us on our Thai Town journey: check out Thai Patio, Yai #1 and #2, Red Corner Asia, Kruang Tedd, Thai Original BBQ, and (phew!) Hollywood Thai. If we never see another plate of...

Sitting on Main Street in Downtown Culver City, Novecento is a cozy little Italian joint you could easily overlook. I was walking by with mom on one of our ventures out to the local Indian spices shop when she noticed it and took a liking to the decor, so I took the parental units there on a friday night. Indeed, it's a lovely place inside, warmly lit (dim) and cozy, but it's the food...

We've been serious about our Thai project here at LAist: in fact, we've posted 14 entries in 20 days on the many, many restaurants located in the few blocks that comprise Thai Town in Hollywood. We've learned many things: for instance, pork is always an excellent option at a Thai restaurant, especially when infused into a broth or preserved in a rich, fatty sausage or cooked down until it crumbles into a soup. Second,...

We've been serious about our Thai project here at LAist: in fact, we've posted 14 entries in 20 days on the many, many restaurants located in the few blocks that comprise Thai Town in Hollywood. We've learned many things: for instance, pork is always an excellent option at a Thai restaurant, especially when infused into a broth or preserved in a rich, fatty sausage or cooked down until it crumbles into a soup. Second,...

Dear CPK, What the fuck? Wait…let’s try that again. Okay. Let me start by saying I’ve been a big fan over the years, and have visited your flagship Beverly Hills location too many times to count. You guys used to have this killer menu with great, creative, original dishes that could be described as nouveau comfort food. Take for example, your Potato Leek Soup, Garlic Shrimp Pizza or my all time fav—the Tandoori Chicken...

Tucked away in Thai Town, Thai Original BBQ is in the former home of a Taco Hell, back when they were little buildings instead of the other side of a KFC. The BBQ moved in and swanked up the joint with marble tables and a large tropical fish tank. It’s clean and small and nearly empty at about 3pm on a Saturday afternoon (cross town traffic was a killer!) Our waitress had colored contacts,...

Hello everyone and welcome to The Brew Review. This is your one stop shop for what is going on in world of delicious beer in Los Angeles. Today’s episode: The Westwood Brewing Company The Westwood Brewing Company is a medium sized brew pub boasting an indoor bar/ restaurant as well as a large enclosed patio. Contrary to the name, this Westwood Company does not do any brewing of their own. Inside, the bar had...

Had your fill of Thai Elvis? Live entertainment lives at Kruang Tedd, of a somewhat different sort. This is a modest but elegantly designed little spot, located in a strip mall next to an establishment known as Jumbo’s Clown Room. I’ve never been inside Jumbo's, though I believe their traditional British pub food is popular with the ladies, as I’m often told, “All the girls have pasties there.” Dancing is advertised as well, but...

I have a list of things I want to do in Los Angeles pages long. It changes by the season, by the year and most certainly by recommendations given to me by friends. One thing remains constant, exploring Los Angeles and all of its nooks and crannies makes me appreciate this town so much more than I ever could have imagined. For all of the hoopla and stigmas attached with being in LA, it's thrilling...

"So you know what you need to do to come off as authentic in San Pedro, right?" "Tell me!" We were all set to head off to the annual Lobster Fest held in San Pedro's charming seaside Ports O' Call. "You gotta call it Peeeeeedro." Peeeeeedro. Got it. Not that this was my first time searching out good times and good eats in this sunshiney little enclave nestled against the Port of Long Beach,...

I had one of the worst meals of my life on a date at Yai #1. Back then they were simply known as "Yai." They were also known for their "boat noodles." For the uninitiated, boat noodles include things like liver and tripe. Our young, inexperienced palates just were not ready for that kind of adventure. Not that I've ever been a fan of liver. My date said: "This tastes like Lake Erie!" I...

I had one of the worst meals of my life on a date at Yai #1. Back then they were simply known as "Yai." They were also known for their "boat noodles." For the uninitiated, boat noodles include things like liver and tripe. Our young, inexperienced palates just were not ready for that kind of adventure. Not that I've ever been a fan of liver. My date said: "This tastes like Lake Erie!" I...

This is a fast, fun, and ridiculously delicious way to prepare the last of summer's beautiful heirloom tomatoes. Make sure you choose tomatoes that are fairly round and symmetrical -- a plate filled with several different colored varieties will be beyond gorgeous. Stuffed tomatoes are also great for getting rid of leftover bits of veggies that are hanging around in your fridge -- I chose onion, mushrooms, and swiss chard because that's what I...

Let me just come right out and say it. I'm not a huge Pirates of the Caribbean fan. Never have been. All of that swashbuckling just makes me feel sea sick. I know that for some folks such a statement might be enough to have me walk the plank, but it's the truth. However, despite my shallow enthusiasm for the Pirates trilogy, and really, pirates in general, I do have a confession to make....

Of all the restaurants in Thai Town, Thai Patio had to fill the biggest shoes. After Palms Thai took their Elvis and moved west down Hollywood Blvd. last year, Thai Patio redecorated and moved in. You can still hear music every night as you eat, and there's still an ever-changing policy with the parking, currently you have to pay a few bucks. The food is good, the menu is large, and the mood is...

Sure, all over the country the kids are back in school, the temperatures are beginning to dip down, and Starbucks has begun to shill its autumnal fare, but here in Sunny So Cal we are still sweating out our eternal summer, gorging on frozen dairy product treats of often questionable origin. Try as we might, the world of fro-yo is too mighty to ignore, which is why we feel compelled to bring you This Week...

Did you read the now-notorious article in the LA Times about food writing, anonymity, and the role of bloggers? LA Foodblogging has an excellent response here, and Variety's food blog shares two simple rules for online reviews. What’s on the menu for the Jewish holidays? The LAT suggests braised veal, leek fritters, and cilantro-tomato soup, while the NY Times is answering questions about Rosh Hashana meals via its food message boards. When the LA...

I love the fair. Absolutely love it. Why you ask? Well, it could be the awesome carnival rides. Or it could be the adorable animals. Or it could even be taking those "Olde Tyme" photographs with my friends (oh, you know that you love to dress up in Saloon outfits and pose with a shotgun!). But honestly, there is only one thing that revs me up for the fair. One thing that gets me dreaming...

cabrito norteño from Inka Mama's" title="A little home-cooked cabrito norteño from Inka Mama's" src="http://laist.com/attachments/la_ryan/IMG_9690a.jpg" width="640" height="480" /> Every Friday, LAist is taking you on a trip down to Orange County to uncover the unique dining experiences that await adventurous eaters willing to explore beyond the county line. A few years ago, I spent a couple of weeks in Peru. Like most tourists that visit, I backpacked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (which was one...

Although water conservation certainly isn't at the top of everyone's 'scintillating conversation' list, an article about Long Beach's declared water emergency in today's LA Times might move the topic up just a bit. Los Angeles doesn't lie in a naturally wet region - annually, we can only expect about 16 inches of rain (which makes it sort of understandable that no one who lives out here seems to be able to drive on wet...

Although I usually write about art, here on LAist, I jumped at the chance to join in on a group project of reviewing restaurants in Thai Town. All these cool, different types of people writing about L.A. because they love it, gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. And speaking of warm fuzzy feelings, I sure lucked out with the restaurant I was assigned. Ord Noodle, is a very homey, neighborhood kinda place. Decked out...

Although some say it doesn’t have nearly as much charm as the original cult sensation, Iron Chef America, is one of the top rated Food Network series since its first airing in 2005. Besides for some of the most inventive dishes one’s ever heard of – fish ice cream anyone? - the mysterious chairman gets to unveil the secret ingredient as well as the winner in that serious/self mocking tone. That chairman's name is Mark Dacascos, and we at LAist interviewed him about what being the IC Chairman is all about, his favorite battle, and the most delicious dishes he’s ever tried in kitchen stadium. Besides for being the Chairman, Mark is an accomplished actor, a Kung Fu champion, a husband, father, and a writer.

Tucked into one of the ubiquitous strip mall enclave of business on Hollywood Boulevard in Thai Town, Sapp's Coffee Shop is barely noticeable (and not to mention not terribly attractive as a lead photo--my apologies). I first got a peek at the tiny no-frills joint earlier this year, when one of my favorite (and adventuresome) foodies, Anthony Bourdain, stopped by with a local food blogger to try their authentic Thai Boat Noodles. This dish...

Tucked into one of the ubiquitous strip mall enclave of business on Hollywood Boulevard in Thai Town, Sapp's Coffee Shop is barely noticeable (and not to mention not terribly attractive as a lead photo--my apologies). I first got a peek at the tiny no-frills joint earlier this year, when one of my favorite (and adventuresome) foodies, Anthony Bourdain, stopped by with a local food blogger to try their authentic Thai Boat Noodles. This dish...

No! This just can't be happening! I scrupulously avoid reading anything published by the LA County Department of Health, because otherwise I would never be able to eat anywhere ever again. Unfortunately, my friend Donna just alerted me to the fact that Doughboy's, provider of our red velvet cake fix, made the Health Department's Food Facility Closure List for the period 05/31/2007 through 08/31/2007. Due to vermin infestation. Quelle horreur ! In reality, I...

Driving through K-town traffic to review Ruen Pair, I caught the unforgettable scent of Korean Barbecue wafting through the air, and since I haven't reviewed a Korean place in a while, I decided to hit it up on my next meal. Tahoe Galbi is $16.99 for all you can eat, and they specialize in beef short ribs. Indeed, out of all the items we tried, the marinated Tahoe Steak Galbi was the best. The marinade...

There is no question that El Tepeyac Cafe, a fifty-plus-year-old Mexican establishment in Boyle Heights, is legendary. Stories swirl amongst foodies, local and otherwise, about the monumentally oversized burritos and equally over-the-top owner, Manuel. My parents tell tales about the "poor old days" when they would hungrily dig into one of the "Manuel's Special" burritos, whose four pounds of meat, rice, and beans was enough to feed two skinny kids for days on end....

On the furthest edge of Thai Town, in the very back of a sparsely occupied shopping center, just down the sidewalk from the fish market, sits A&P Pastries. The tiny bakery is like a jewel in the rough. I love the decor, especially the Christmas-y decorations. Maybe they are leftovers from the holidays, but more likely it is pure coincidence. In addition to the festive touches, the mood in the small bakery is comfortable...

On the furthest edge of Thai Town, in the very back of a sparsely occupied shopping center, just down the sidewalk from the fish market, sits A&P Pastries. The tiny bakery is like a jewel in the rough. I love the decor, especially the Christmas-y decorations. Maybe they are leftovers from the holidays, but more likely it is pure coincidence. In addition to the festive touches, the mood in the small bakery is comfortable...

If you like spicy food, Jitlada is the place to go. Not only does LA Weekly's Jonathan Gold call the Southern Thai specialty restaurant "the most exciting new Thai restaurant of the year," he claims one of the dishes, the kua kling Phat Tha Lung (thick brown curry with shredded beef) "may be the spiciest food you can eat in Los Angeles." Jitlada recently gained popularity a few months ago when a Chicago blogger...

You can reproduce the amazing flavors of true Santa Maria BBQ in your backyard on a much smaller scale, using a 2-3 lb. tri-tip in place of a 20 lb topblock. Looking to watch your urbane clique revert to their primal roots, forsaking knife, fork, and plate for fingers, bulged eyes, and wide smiles? Want to see your veggie and vegan friends split into groups of people either salivating because they want a taste, or are fully repulsed at such a carnivorous feast? Want to make something awesome, with $20, and at the last minute for a group of 4-5 people? This is your answer.

Every Friday, LAist is taking you on a trip down to Orange County to uncover the unique dining experiences that await adventurous eaters willing to explore beyond the county line. With the holiday weekend and the news that The Pig was closing down, I was in the mood for some barbecue. I wanted that heavy feeling in your stomach that you get when you’ve ingested a whole cow and/or pig, when your fingernails reek...

Thank goodness the heat has beat a hasty retreat, because the Los Angeles County Fair begins today, with $1 admission until 5pm (it'll cost you $15 for an adult weekend ticket after that).

Smooshed between two auto insurance storefronts just a tad west of the official Thai Town boundaries hides Jao^ka, sheepishly, shyly, and easily overlooked. Indeed, inside the quaint restaurant on Hollywood Blvd. one could confuse this little place with any of the others in and around LA. Which is why we put their food up to a standard that no restaurant would ever wish for: the Take Out and Early Morning Re-Heat Test. We ordered...

We're still kind of obsessed with the cooking videos over at imcooked, especially the oddly soothing clips of Thai street vendors cooking their wares: in the video above, check out a fried mussel dish prepared in less than four minutes. The LA Times heads north this week to seek out culinary finds in Ventura and Santa Barbara, respectively: first at new vegan restaurant, Mary's Secret Garden, and then at the Santa Barbara outpost of...

Welcome to the frosty world of Thai snow cones! Also known as nam kang sai, they are not exactly what you imagine when you hear "snow cone". I was not sure what I was ordering the first time I wandered into Bhan Kanom Thai. Luckily, I'm not all that picky about what I eat anyways. I like a little adventure. It's a dessert, after all, so it's not as if it's going to be...

Welcome to the frosty world of Thai snow cones! Also known as nam kang sai, they are not exactly what you imagine when you hear "snow cone". I was not sure what I was ordering the first time I wandered into Bhan Kanom Thai. Luckily, I'm not all that picky about what I eat anyways. I like a little adventure. It's a dessert, after all, so it's not as if it's going to be...

I found out that there's good reason why I don't go to Thai town often, because to get there in Friday evening traffic means a good 40 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic through Korea Town, with the scent of a billion Korean Barbecue joints wafting through the air. I swallowed hard and tried to concentrate on the bumper in front of me. It was tough, but I eventually made it to Ruen Pair...

I found out that there's good reason why I don't go to Thai town often, because to get there in Friday evening traffic means a good 40 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic through Korea Town, with the scent of a billion Korean Barbecue joints wafting through the air. I swallowed hard and tried to concentrate on the bumper in front of me. It was tough, but I eventually made it to Ruen Pair...

For almost a year now, the southern corners of National Boulevard and Overland Boulevard have not had anything on them. Now, in the last week, they're bustling with activity. On the eastern corner, where there was once an Arco, a plywood fence has gone up (now it's festooned with posters) and on the western corner, where the stripped Blockbuster still advertises the video release of The Omen remake last October (saw it, not great)...

If Hollywood's Thai Town has a center, it is the bustling block of Thailand Plaza. The two-story Plaza houses not only a restaurant, but is home to a Thai bookstore and a giant, well-stocked grocery. Thailand Plaza is easily identifiable by its elaborately decorated shrine to the Thai Buddha of four faces. Off to the side stands a spirit house, meant to entice spirits to take up residence. The idea is they will be so...

If Hollywood's Thai Town has a center, it is the bustling block of Thailand Plaza. The two-story Plaza houses not only a restaurant, but is home to a Thai bookstore and a giant, well-stocked grocery. Thailand Plaza is easily identifiable by its elaborately decorated shrine to the Thai Buddha of four faces. Off to the side stands a spirit house, meant to entice spirits to take up residence. The idea is they will be so...

Some of the latest temperatures as of 3:00 p.m. 98 - Downtown 83 - LAX 72 - Marina Del Rey (bastards) 91 - UCLA 108 - Van Nuys 97 - Long Beach 109 - Santa Clarita 108 - Woodland Hills 100 - Fullerton 79 - San Pedro 88 - San Diego 99 - Tijuana 99 - LAist Photo of melted lollipop by Zach Behrens/LAist...

Saturday I decided to go for the $130. "Premier Pass" at the Long Beach Blues Festival. It was money well-spent. Not only did it get me into the same area as the $1500 pass package, but I was able to get right up in front of the stage.