Had a good February - it was Valentine’s Day, my birthday, my anniversary and coincidentally my FTC anniversary! Essentially it was all about me. 
Gifts, flowers, champagne, food!
Sweets from Roji Bakery on La Brea
Decor & art changes to match occasions & seasons. 
Melon Pan w/Custard Cream
Custard Chocolate Almond Pan
Both were soft, moist, yummy filling, pan deliciousness.
Provisions from Monsieur Marcel - OG Farmers Market
Who knew Monsieur Marcel produces (sells) their own Champagne? Quite nice.
One of my favorite items at MM is the Cream Cheese Spread w/Paprika, Dill, Garlic Powder, Caraway Seeds, Secret Ingredient (me thinks curry) and a dollop of Caviar. Roquefort was yummy on the cheese plate and in its intended destination - the salad dressing.
I steamed a couple lobsters from MM’s seafood counter. No inside photos - by the time we wrestled the meat out of shells and small claws there was no pausing for photos.
I had a little leftover hollandaise sauce and put it in the drawn butter… it did nothing for it.
Flourless Dark Chocolate Cakes
Impulse buy from the little pastry case at MM’s checkout counter, because chocolate is a must. Surprisingly delicious! 
Kaylen & Hobbs - OG Farmers Market
This is one of the reasons I love FTC. While at MM’s seafood counter I looked over and saw a pickle vendor. Normally I wouldn’t go in for a gourmet pickle. It’s a pickle. But! I remembered reading food talkers raving about these. Ok why not? I’ll get a container… okay three…if you buy 2 you get 1 free. Another thing I normally wouldn’t go for is anything honey-mustard, but the employees raved about them, said they are the best. Okay yep, they’re the best! So good. I’m now pickle spoiled. Try ‘em chopped in a tuna sandwich!
Next excursion - N. Hollywood for Soba Noodles, Wagashi and Epicurus.
@Losnooyado
After seeing the great photos I had to seek out Yoko-san of Losnooyado for her handmade Soba Noodles & delightful Nerikiri Wagashi made from her N. Hollywood home.
Soba Noodle Kit
I’ve never been a buckwheat lover but these noodles made with 80% buckwheat flour are light, nutty, with a slightly slippery mouthfeel, nice chew. Love! So simple to prepare (90 sec boil, rinse, ice bath, strain). I think I could’ve rinsed the starch a tad more but a minor quibble… they are sooo good. I followed Professor @PorkyBelly’s tip and byo’d Kizami Nori.
Tsuyu (dipping sauce) w/Lemon & Lime
I haven’t had the recommended Sudachi and don’t know which citrus fruit it most tastes like so I sliced in lime & lemons. It was wonderful! Salty, sweet, tangy w/a touch of smokiness from the bonito flakes (katsuobushi). 
Because homie cannot live on soba noodles alone…
Epicurus’ Wagyu Ribeye (“Australian w/Japanese genetics”) rub of Togarashi, Smoked Salt, Onion & Garlic Powders, sauce of Tsuyu, Sake, Truffle Honey
Fukucho “Moon on the Water” Junmai Ginjo
“Lady Sake”. One of my favorites - so nice with light noodle dishes - aromatic, vibrant, but soft, clean w/hints of citrus, drinks like a chablis.
A relaxing morning w/Wagashi & Sencha Green Tea
Kinda hard to believe Yoko-san once included these delightful confections as only a complimentary treat with the soba noodles. Happily the demand convinced her to change her mind and sell them. They taste as pretty as they look - like a lighter, less glutinous mochi, reminiscent of marzipan w/a lightly sweet bean paste filling. 
Is it still a bang bang when you don’t eat both bangs the same day? Hmmm…
Epicurus Gourmet
The only items I didn’t care for were the Fabrique Delices Chicken Apple Paté & the Salmon Mousse. 
But it was the first time trying the creamy Meredith Dairy Marinated Feta Cheese. Thanks Food Talkers! So good!
Bresaola and Secret de Scey Cheese
I know Bresaola is salty and this one definitely was. This creamy, slightly elastic cheese is essentially a milder, pasteurized Morbier and the total funkiness betrays its milder flavor - good compliment for deeper flavored cold cuts/charcuterie.
Yuzu Mayo, Marinated White Asparagus & Artichokes
The friendly salesman directed me to the asparagus and said his wife loves them with Epicurus’ Yuzu Mayo. I already had Yuzu Kosho Hot Sauce and of course mayo, so why not. Not sure about that brand of marinated asparagus because they were too mushy to dip. Salesman did say they grill them sometimes so I may try that because he’s right, a very good flavor combination.
My cousin got us a GoldBelly gift card! You should have seen hubs’ face when he found out we were getting Caviar and a Pearl Spoon instead of Majordomo’s Bossam. Can I explain please? The Bossam is for 4-6 people and it was only 2 of us!
I know Champagne & Chocolate Covered Strawberries are a romantic cliche. But is it less corny when they’re Harry’s Berries Strawberries covered in luxurious Milk Chocolate Couverture?
Great Month! 
LOL
Biscuit was drier too. Maybe it had been on the griddle too long. Look at how much darker it is than in the first photo. Also, it tasted strongly of meat, like someone had mistakenly put a sausage patty in there and then realized my order wasn’t supposed to have one and then removed it. I ate the whole thing because I didn’t want to waste it.
Mama’s Shawarma, 1416 E. Colorado Street, Glendale 
