… And that’s no foolin’!
Dreaming about that Printemps Berries Tart from Ludivine (Rancho Park)…
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Never seen that at Ludivine. Will have to swing by.
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Recent eats:
Cheesesteaks by Matu 
Destroyer: blueberries, oatmeal, and rice porridge, all three fantastic 
Sushi Kisen: assorted nigiri 
, best bite the nodoguru
Hama Sushi: first time here, lunch at the counter was fantastic and great qpr 
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (Burbank), everything was 
, okra was the surprise
Sri Siam Cafe (North Hollywood): the crispy rice salad is always killer
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Plenty of expansion in recent years, but thankfully Burritos La Palma has kept quality and consistency high
Everything is a 10 but the deshebrada is a 12
My very sensitive dining partner thought the burritos were too spicy 
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Love BLP haven’t been in a minute but I wished they upped their salsa game. Their salsa is flavorful but a little watery. Needs to be spicier. I may have BYOS before.
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I love the chicken burritos. They’re like soup burritos. It’s so satisfying to get a burst of the soup with little potatoes when biting into the tender but stretchy tortilla.
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PonTu (I think the “t” is capitalized?), Santa Monica
This was yummy. Person at the window appears to the be chef himself (based on pictures). There is pretty plentiful (and covered!) patio seat outback. While the vibe is very casual (and I thought vaguely nautical, although partner disagreed), I thought patio was pretty charming.
I think the lemonade had a decent amt of ginger?
I’ve never had Pollo a la Brasa in K-Town, so I can’t compare. Chicken was so good that partner and I were picking at the bones trying to get every last morsel of meat. When I asked chef about quinoa vs. rice, he said that the choice depends on how healthy you’re feeling. Quinoa def felt healthy. Nicely cooked, but it did improve benefit from the side sauces (which were fantastic). Partner said fries were the best he had ever had; thoroughly crispy w/o being at all burned. Partner wished salad had a touch of salt.
Chicken and fries did taste “better” w/ the sauces but were so good on their own that I didn’t think they needed them.
The green sauce seemed to have cilantro; couldn’t figure out what the dark yellow one was. Both have a nice kick.
Certainly worth a try.
Decent sized crowd (IMHO) for lunch yesterday. I hope this place does well.
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The yellow sauce would typically be aji amarillo.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/aji-amarillo-sauce-crema-de-aji-3029619
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Bread Head. No more half vs double portion size confusion. One size now fits all.
But a new confusion emerges. Why is the bathroom Margaritaville themed…
BLT. This is half of the new uni-portion. The other half is in my stomach. The ingredients all taste great and are in an appropriate ratio, but if I had to nitpick, the assembly could be slightly improved. The lettuce was bunched up a bit to one side. The bacon is my ideal level of cooked - no residual chewiness/stringiness and crispy without being burnt.
I prefer the sandwiches at Lorenzo, but those are far away and far more expensive. Bread Head is a very solid option and reasonably priced given the neighborhood.
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The Jimmy Buffett thing always makes me laugh there. I do like their sandwiches, but I agree with you - the construction often seems a little weird. Especially the BLT. I have less problems with the mozzarella sandwich architecture.
Lorenzo has pretty much perfected the modern Italian focaccia sandwich. It just doesn’t get any better.
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Great report. I’m gonna get over there real soon.
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IndiMex for dinner menu linked
Santa Monica Blvd and Cahuenga - on Cahuenga
It’s a very small place for seating less than 20 and a robust take out/door dash following. I saw a play at one of the local theaters and we walked in for dinner. The trick is that this place is still open (it’s been there since 2017!!) and we somehow timed it so we got there shortly before a large party.
We got the appetizer sampler platter (veg samosa, chicken samosa, onion bhaji, and veg pakora) and two tacos each. It was $26 with tax before tip. I like this place but I think this is only the second or third time I’ve been there in 25 years of LA living. We followed it up with a stop at Awan for two split scoops of strawberry and oreo chocolate and golden sesame and mango (both seasonal flavors). haha the ice bill was almost as much as dinner, $22 before tip.
Chicken tikka and lamb below
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Tardy recap of the things I ate recently that impressed.
Pepperoni pizza at De La Nonna in Arts District. Of everything we ordered, this was the best item. Cheesy crust is delightful; bread has a light and fluffy texture. Not a place to go if you like a tomato-ey pie (I don’t remember tasting the red sauce at all), but a solid pizza option with plentiful seating and great ambiance. Love Quarter Sheets and Sei, but I’m not always trying to fight for a reservation or line up before opening.
Shrimp taco at Playita Mariscos in Silverlake. I’ve been coming here for years; it’s so consistently good. Shrimp is fried to perfection, toppings are light/fresh and complement it perfectly. Only slight dings are that it’s a messy eat and that the tortilla is unremarkable.
Passionfruit lime icebox pie from Chainsaw, eaten at KCRW’s Piefest. This is a perfect pie to me. If you enjoy cold, smooth/creamy textures, tangy + sweet flavor combos, this may be a perfect pie to you too. I bought a lemon icebox slice from another vendor at the market after this, and it didn’t come close to this Chainsaw one.
No photos, but also a Must Eat Sweet Treat for me: Churros Don Abel in Echo Park! Oddly, they don’t show up on Google or list this location on their Instagram, but they’re on Sunset outside of the Lassens parking lot. Yes, it’s way too many churros (10 for $15, though the worker isn’t counting and will give you anywhere between 12-15). If you don’t have a party large enough, freeze the extras. 1 block away from El Moro, rarely a wait, and churros are made fresh to order, unlike El Moro.
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Are the sandwiches at Bread Head as giant as the ones at Lorenzo? I haven’t been to Bread Head, yet.
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Agree! Some of the best fries I have had. And the tumeric vegetable rice was outstanding.
The chicken was well-cooked and tasty but not as great as Pollo à la Brasa for me. PALB’s seasoning is in a league by itself.
Great new option in the area.
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Glad you liked it.
Okay, then I have to make time to try the place b/c that must be some f*cking amazing chicken!
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+1 for Churros Don Abel being the churro go to. I usually hit up the truck on Whittier and then try to give my extras to those in line.
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Some weekend eating…
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Very generous of you! Someone should pass out their extras to those in line at Moro 
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For many who grew up in certain parts of the city and/or county chilli cheese fries are comfort food. Tam’s probably being the most famous.
Earle’s does a vegan chilli vegan cheese fries. Also does the regular. Don’t make my mistake and not get raw onions and yellow peppers (cascabella).
Also bang bang opportunities with new Apollonia’s, Taks (old school diner), Kim’s (old school Chinese-American), Orleans and York.
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