March Weekend Rundown (2016)

Hi @paranoidgarliclover,

There’s no way I can eat all of that! :stuck_out_tongue: The key is to bring lots of friends, LOL. :slight_smile:

But I have to thank you for your contributions! I think you manage to explore more places and report back than I do for sure, and I appreciate that. :slight_smile:

The Malas weren’t like Galub Jamun. They really were more like Donut Holes, but not as light / fluffy as freshly-fried Donuts out of the fryer. It had a great sweetness (caramelized coconut milk), though.

Trois Familia. French Bean Burrito, Churro French Toast, Beet Tostada and Grits. Happy Easter!

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@wienermobile nice! What did you think of the place? How were the dishes taste / enjoyment-wise?

I must admit the food was very interesting but I don’t think I’d return. I enjoyed the beet tostada and the french bean burrito but the grits were very disappointing. Expensive, those four dishes plus coffee were $85.00 for 3 of us (they automatically include a well deserved tip). Though very different I much prefer Petit Trois.

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The grits are super challenging as a dish haha

Surprised you didn’t enjyo the other stuff much though.

This reminded me that I need to go back. I wonder if they have anything new on the menu, since you ordered all “classics” and they don’t post their menu online haha

Oh, I really doubt that. I think I just post more (and not necessarily about food!). :wink: But I will graciously accept your praise. :wink:

I am hell bent on making it out to Restaurant 2117 tonight (already told my partner that that’s where we’re eating!) to try the pasta. It’s not at all far, so there’s no reason not to go. :slight_smile:

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The recent thread about the impending closure of Restaurant 2117 got me thinking about the long-standing businesses on Sawtelle. Thanks to @J_L’s reminder, I revisited Sawtelle Tempura House, an unassuming, teeny-tiny take-out shop that’s been in business since 1989. Nobuo Anzai, a former sushi chef, takes care of the cooking while his wife, Mihoko, runs the front of house. They specialize in Japanese comfort food, particularly inexpensive bentos that range from $6 - $8.50.

I ordered the tempura combo, which was $7.50. You get a wide assortment of vegetables and two pieces of shrimp with rice and ten tsuyu (tempura dipping sauce). The kabocha and the shiso leaves were the standouts for me today.

After a lovely chat with Mihoko, where I got to dust off my Japanese, she presented me with a little tray that had a few pieces of pineapple, half a tangerine, and homemade candied ginger. And wouldn’t you know, the fruit was extra juicy and remarkably sweet. The candied ginger was the perfect palate cleanser.

Many thanks to @J_L for providing me with the highlight of my week! Please support the mom and pop businesses like the Anzai’s, as they’re quickly disappearing due to gentrification.

<img src=“//foodtalkcentral.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/original/2X/a/addc0caf9ba139bbf38f6943067355b85c876903.jpg” width=“500” height=“500”

<img src=“//foodtalkcentral.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/original/2X/c/c66e8718f6bcb4c60df1e80dfd6ea3a3863e7651.jpg” width=“499” height=“499”

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Super post. Nobuo-san and Mihoko-san are the salt-of-the-earth people.

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Went to the original Guisados in Boyle Heights for lunch. The sampler is always such a friggin’ treat. I didn’t love the chicken mole, though. Was a bit dry. But overall, Yum City, Utah. Also tried the current special: chile relleno taco. It kind of reminded me of the taco version of Gjusta’s chicken parm. Oh, and I had a bite of the chorizo quesadilla, and I liked that bite.

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Thank you for your your reminder and kind words, @J_L! You are so right that the Anzais are salt-of-the-earth folks. I really miss interacting with kindly obasans and ojisans; those interactions are becoming few and far between now. When Mihoko-san was putting together the tray of sweets, I heard her telling Nobuo-san in Japanese that my mother’s an Issei. They truly lifted my spirits today.

I intend to make regular visits from now on. Nobuo-san is in his early 80s, so I can’t imagine that they’ll stay in business for much longer, but who knows.

Also, thanks for adding in the honorifics in your post. My mother would shake her head in shame to see that I left out the honorifics in my original post. “These kids today have no manners,” she would say…

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Picked up a pretty good iced latte at Nudie’s Custom Java in Newhall. If the name Nudie strikes a bell, it might be because of Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors, an outfitter that clothed countless country and rock stars in North Hollywood: the likes of Gram Parsons (i.e. the infamous embroidered suit that foreshadowed his early demise), Johnny Cash, Sly Stone, Porter Wagoner, and Elvis. Jamie Nudie, Nudie Cohn’s granddaughter, has revamped the tailoring business inside of her cafe. While sipping on your java or munching on a bagel, you can try on some original pieces and while away the time by staring at the numerous photographs of celebrities wearing Nudie’s ornate pieces. It’s a fun diversion if you’re in the area.

Many thanks to @sel for his/her suggestion of Rustic Burger in Valencia! It was packed to the gills around noon today. When I ordered the salmon burger, I was expecting a salmon patty, but I actually received a generous filet that was smokey and juicy. This was not an overcooked piece of fish, as is so often the case. The brioche bun was buttery, and the grilled mushrooms and the Swiss cheese added to the overall savory decadence of the meal. My side salad had good quality baby greens and frisee, and the homemade garlicky croutons shone through. The tater tots were crisp and came with a nice aioli. Sel is right about the excellent ingredients and the deliciousness of their burgers. I would absolutely come back when I’m in the area.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to visit the Nethercutt Museum, but I will try to stop by some time. Thanks to @bulavinaka and @blackave for the suggestion.

My in-laws treated me to their stash of Sweet Rose Creamery goodies: salted caramel ice cream, lemon chiffon ice cream, tangerine sorbet, and toffee pieces. It was topped off with Comparte’s Salted Caramel Brulee Sauce. This was a fitting end to a day of indulgent meals. Hopefully, I’ll fit into my jeans tomorrow. We shall see…

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FINALLY went to L’Assiette for the first time, splurged and went with their truffle prie fixe which came with 1st foie gras app ($10 supp), sorrel soup, + 2 rounds of their steak frites w/ truffle laden sauce. It was $55 plus a $10 split plate fee, which meant both of us got our own sorrel soup which was downright godly when paired with their excellent bread. Split a single glass of $11 french wine that was also delicious (the generous initial pour meant our split portion was bigger than some pours around town). Did not leave hungry, actually can’t really imagining taking down both rounds of frites.

Could this be the highest QPR restaurant for a couple in Los Angeles? Just fucking maybe.

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I had both rounds without too much of a problem. :slight_smile:

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maybe it was the humongous portion of foie, 3 rounds of bread, or the fact that I ate every single fry, but I didn’t want a second portion right then.

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FWD

mothershucking shellfish on a mothershucking plate

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Wexler’s

Protect your bagels, put lox on it

Eggslut

so slutty the FCC tried to censor it

The oyster gourmet

Gjelina

pronounced jelina, the hipster pretentiousness is silent

Japanese snapper crudo, serrano paste, myer lemon, cilantro

Chicken liver toast

Grilled little gem lettuce, anchovy aioli, red bell peppers, bottarga, breadcrumbs

Hanger steak, porcini butter

Lamb sausage

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Kinjiro
Feeding my eating disorder, I’m about to eat dis order of kanpachi, dis order of foie gras, dis order of agedashi tofu…

The kanpachi was so fresh it had to go live with its aunt and uncle in bel-air

Scallop, uni, crab - the S.U.C?

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Kobawoo

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@PorkyBelly nice weekend! You went all out!

So after all those “appetizers” what did you have for the main course? :stuck_out_tongue:

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@PorkyBelly that is an impressive run.

Nice photos too.

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