Hi @J_L,
Beautiful assortment all in 1 photo. 
Is the reason Shunji served these in 1 big plate because you had a larger group not at the bar? Just curious.
I’ve had different experiences at different locations. Valley in La Puente (started going there in the early '90s) and Alondra in Bellflower are great, but Azusa and La Habra have been hit or miss for me. YMMV.
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Bigger group style plating by Shunji…
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Office lunch by Hi-Fi Kitchen…
Sweet spaghetti (sweet & savory tomato sauce, seared beef franks, homemade meatballs), chicken afritada (pan-seared chicken thigh, sautéed beef franks, roasted potatoes, sautéed veggies, savory tomato stew, house atchara, with add-on easy egg), lumpia, & popcorn chicken…
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Cosa Buona. Great pizza with curly pepperoni cups. Ordered a 2nd. Not pictured our favorite chopped salad (better than Mozza) and mozzarella sticks in the city. Nice chilled medium bodied natural wine from Slovakia.
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Souffle Pancake with Strawberry sauce at Sweethoney Dessert in Alhambra
Super light, jiggly, and eggy. Excellent!
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Goddamn that pizza looks so proper.
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My third night in a row at Shunji Japanese Cuisine…
Malabar spinach ohitashi, with tai (sea bream) & seeds… Clean, savory, and fresh!
“Whipped” ankimo (monkfish liver) on nori… One of the best-tasting presentations of ankimo I’ve yet come across.
Botan ebi (sweet prawn)… This juicy sucker was gigantic!
Shirauo (icefish), with nikiri… A truly unique texture, and not a common sight here at sushi bars in the States.
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Yum!!!
Great start heading into Golden Week!
Il Palco (Buena Park)
On the top floor of The Source, a few scant blocks away from Knott’s, is a French-Italian bistro that’s tastefully trimmed in Italian marble and gold. Walking up, the outdoor bar and patio area looks as if it should belong in Beverly Hills or Newport Beach. But it’s in The Source OC.
Upon walking in, our group was met by the hostess. It was about 4:45PM, so the restaurant wasn’t busy at all. The hostess had to check if they had room to accommodate us. We had requested to sit on the back patio since it was such a nice day, but it seemed as if there was a senior staff meeting taking place so they sat us inside. One thing I will point out, it seemed a bit pretentious of the hostess to tell us upfront that they were completely committed with reservations for the night before she went back to consult the GM. My take is that if you’re booked out, why would you even attempt to fit in another group? There was something about the vibe she was giving off that I didn’t appreciate. She was gone for about 5 minutes before she came back saying they could accommodate us. I’ve had this happen before at other establishments, and the impression wasn’t the least bit off-putting as this.
Once we were seated, we were met by our awesome server, Sabrina. Whatever vibe I felt from the hostess was swept away by how great Sabrina was. Welcoming, knowledgeable about the menu, and really astute in observing our table. She explained that Il Palco (“The Stage”) was based off the location in Lyon, and the chef was from that location. Some of the menu items are direct from France and most of the menu items were developed for the American/Buena Park location.
House bread service is their pizza dough, baked to a puffy, pita-like perfection and served with olive oil and Balsamic vinegar. The bread was surprisingly good, I particularly enjoyed the charred spots throughout…our kids loved it. We were out to dinner with friends before a movie, so there it was harder to take photos.
Thanks to @hppzz for introducing me to Kieu Hoang wines via their IG feed. They had the 2012 Cab in stock, and I have to say it was quite nice. They served it a bit warmer than I particularly like…I seem to taste more flavors when my wine is slightly chilled…at room temperature, the flavors become so strong that it’s hard for me to detect anything. At room temperature, I enjoyed the velvety feel and some of the spiced berry flavor. Cocktails were also good…juices are fresh-squeezed.
The Caesar salad we shared to start was quite large, dressed well, and had an interesting component of salty-sweet candied bacon…but by no means, as impressive as @PorkyBelly 's Chi SPACCA salad.
We got a mix of pastas, pizzas, and entrees. The chowpups went for the Di Mare Pomodoro…lots of well-cooked seafood in a tomato sauce with spaghetti, the potato & bacon pizza (candied bacon was used here, too…the underskirt char was not too shabby here), and the spaghetti and meatballs (wish I could tell you how they were but it was on the other side of the table and I couldn’t reach it). The chowpups consumed everything. The oldest even took the (refilled without request) bread and stuffed it with sauce and seafood to make his own seafood pasta pocket…said it was the best thing he’s ever invented in a restaurant. I had the Parisian Gnocchi (a dish from the OG location)…I was a huge pan of the pan-seared gnocchi…crispy and delicate dumplings with fried wild mushrooms, pancetta, and a fancy Emmental espuma served tableside by the chef. I loved the gnocchi, but was not a fan of the fried and stringy mushrooms…I thought it took away from the potential of what the dish could be…the mouthfeel and texture was slightly unpleasant to chew. The husband had the “Fish & Chips” (also from the OG location) where the sea bass was pan-seared and “crusted” with a potato chip scale…like the crispy chips were tweezered to replicate the scales. Fish was seasoned and cooked well and served with an herbed sabayon, roasted cauliflower and sauteed pea shoots and snow peas. I thought it was really good. The dish was beautiful…and not exactly what my husband expected because he did not thoroughly read the menu.
We also tried a couple of desserts. The husband liked his creme brulee. I tried the chef’s house made Hay ice cream…yes, Hay ice cream. The flavor reminded me of a sweetened barley tea with milk. While the flavor was good, the ice cream was super icy…like it had been over-churned. I didn’t mind terribly, since it was $6.
Service was really great. Attentive. Sabrina picked up on the fact that the husband did not enjoy his entree and had it taken off the bill. We were checked in on just the right amount. Sabrina offered to change out my wine when I mentioned it was a bit warmer than I usually like, and offered to change out the fish and chip after picking up on my husband’s response. Didn’t have to ask for refills for water or bread. It was in line with some of the best service we’ve had at Republique…I love the service there.
Would we go back? We sure would. Especially before a movie at the CGV theater there. Sitting outside patio/bar area would be a pretty nice way to spend a lovely southern California day, too.
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Sipan Bakery, Glendale.
This was described to me as a Lahmajoun omelette. It ate more like the most amazing breakfast taco I’ve had in my life.
At $5.50 tax included, one of the highest QPR items I’ve consumed in recent memory (especially after looking up Konbi prices).
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Izakaya by Katsuya in Manhattan Beach. Go to Kagura instead. The roll was so sloppily made. Very mediocre in every way possible.
Wow. This looks amazing.
Olson’s Delicatessen on Pico Blvd
Continuing to eat our way thru the United Nations of 90019. This time? Scandinavian. I’d been casually on the lookout for some tasty Scandinavian food, but after having these tasty bites at a Danish friend’s Christmas party I started obsessing.
Homemade Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich)
There’s probably a million versions of these tasty little sandwiches on thin sliced, buttered rugbrød (dense, dark rye & grain bread). My friend’s was ham w/mayo, sour cream, lemon, scallions, capers, peas, radish. It looked a little odd & drippy and I almost passed. 
Obsessed!
Frikadeller (danish meatballs)
(internet photo) Again with the “No thank you… Well, okay, just one.” 
Very similar to Swedish meatballs except made with pork (danes love their pork) instead of a combination of meats. And idk if it’s just my friend’s version but they seem to have more breadcrumbs, making them cakier than meatballs, in a good way. The pork does make them oilier, but lighter & fluffier.
It ain’t Christmas in Scandinavia without a sighting of the mischievous, little Nisse…
Okay, onto the present. Olson’s…
Nisse bearing godis (candy)
Double Espresso 2 Scoops of Foam
It arrived prettier than this. How was it? “Pretty good!”
Olson’s Cardamom Latte
Very good, strong enough to hold up to the ice. I’m asking for more cardamom next time.
Shrimp Skagen - Greenland Shrimp, Golden Caviar, Crème Fraiche, Dill, Shallots, Mayo, Brioche Bun
Very happy.
Swedish Meatball Sandwich - Pickled Beet Salad, Crispy Onions, Brioche Bun
I only had a bite, but these also seemed a little more cake-y than meatballs I’m used too. Maybe my observations are because they’re not in sauce. Anyway, I like it. They’re not dense, very rich, a tad salty, but quite tasty.
The food is quite hearty and rich. Both dishes were on the salty side, but not overwhelming and probably not salty at all to most. But they’re so receptive I feel I could mention it next time. I 
their Pickled Cucumbers! Definitely buying some for home next time.
The deli case is stocked with European delicacies.
Godis
They’re such sweet people. If I inquired about anything they immediately gave me a taste. We bought this Remoulade - no ingredient list, but I tasted mayo, sour cream or crème fraîche, curry, ground mustard, capers, maybe dill, no tarragon (thankfully). 
Made Chicken Cheese Burgers w/Egg, Grilled Onions & Remoulade. It’s delicious on Salmon Croquettes too.
Although it seems like an odd place for a Scandinavian deli, Olsen’s has been open since 1948 when there was a tight-knit, little Scandinavian community in the neighborhood. A lot of the vintage appliances are from the original shop and the new owners worked hard at restoring it to the delightfully, retro spot you see today. Such a fun & tasty little spot!
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Everson Royce Bar (DTLA)
Pre-dinner drinks with friends before Bestia. Happy hour is great with $8 artisan cocktails and frozen boozy slushies. Free chips & salsa if you ask. I loved their pomegranate Paloma, but am reminded that frozen drinks are not my thing…freezes my entire palate. The outdoor patio is darling with bocce ball.
Songbird Cafe (DTLA)
Through the refrigerator/freezer door is an adorable speakeasy lounge with nice cocktails. Post dinner drinks in Chinatown. There are interesting choices at the bar. Lots of different cocktails depending on your mood. I’m a huge fan of refreshing cocktails that are not too sweet. I got the Style & Grace…blanco tequila, lemon, agave, cucumber, mint, and sparkling wine. I loved it…super balanced and a perfect drink for a summer day.
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Sound like a lovely evening!
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Playground 1.0 (Santa Ana)
Found ourselves in the neighborhood so we dropped by to check out the Artwalk and snack after a kid’s birthday party.
Grabbed 2 seats at the front bar for snacks and drinks. Loved how enthusiastic the bartenders were about the menu here. I even loved that they make fun of their 1-star Yelp reviews by slapping them on T-shirts that the service staff wears and the restaurant sells.
Summer cocktails have made it to the menu. Light, refreshing, and a touch fruity…these drinks make you wish you were sitting outside on a warm summer afternoon. Teaches of Peaches and Bad Boys both were great.
House fermented sourdough with ramp butter - charred to that point where it could be considered a touch burnt, this sourdough is so good and a perfect foil for their herbaceous and tasty ramp compound butter
Salt & Pepper squid - inspired by chef’s travels and love of Chinese cuisine, this dish actually reminded me of family dinners/celebrations where we always ordered a salt and pepper (insert seafood here). While good, I think the kitchen needs to work on the slice size of the squid…some were too small so they were over cooked and chewy.
A Lot of Work Went Into This - (literally the dish’s menu name) after a taco man birthday party, we needed something green. This was a mixed quickly blanched sugar snap peas, snow peas, pea greens, and fava beans with a radish tzatziki and focaccia crumbs…simple, but so fresh and delicious. The radish tzatziki offering a spicy zip to the dish.
Side note, along 4th Street there are some pretty cool shops and restaurants. They’ve got their own food hall (Portola coffee, All Flavor No Grease, and Dos Chinos being some of the vendors) at the 4th Street Market where we found a delightful agua fresca stall selling pineapple strawberry agua fresca and we hopped over to the Recess bar for a double shot of vodka to spike the agua fresca. A couple of blocks away, McFadden’s Public House has an old school arcade with pinball machines and a full bar upstairs while downstairs holds a couple of food stall vendors and a tiny tiki bar. Totally didn’t know this was all here…have to make a point to come back to try some of these other places.
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Kawamata Seafood is pretty definitely the best Poke in OC. When I worked in Dana Point Harbor I could sometimes maneuver a stop there before their early close. I now work farther North and live even farther North. Kawamata is now a day off destination. Sad, especially because the three other Poke places I found good but closer to me have all closed.
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