Thanks for the tamale tip! I just ordered a pair of fat ones!
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Hi @Chowseeker1999 Sorry for the late reply. I’m guessing Melisse x Citrin omitted stovetop directions for risotto because most people wouldn’t have the patience to deal with it.
From what a culinary instructor told me, it’s not uncommon for restaurants to prep risotto in advance (partially cook rice very al dente), but finish it in a pan over the stove right before serving.
For a small portion like 1-2 persons, it’s probably safer to finish cooking it over a double boiler with some broth, water or white wine on the side to add to the rice when needed.
The risotto becomes creamy when the starches are released from the rice grains when stirring so you need some elbow grease 
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Looks like katsu sando, recently of smorgasbord and now new on broadway across from Far East plaza has improved on the sandwich per last time
@Chowseeker1999 had it
It’s a true loin, juicy and tender inside and crispy on the outside. The rice Vinegar slaw is nice too and also seem to be a change for the better.
Worthy of a try.
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Pearl River Delta (Chinatown): Bang Bang Noodles with Pandan Tofu and Thai Milk Tea… Cold noodles, cucumbers, tomatoes and shredded sesame chicken… Just so incredibly refreshing on a hot summer day! Chef Johnny’s ginger molasses in that pandan tofu flower is magic - Someday it will result in world peace.
Joe’s Pizza (Santa Monica): The Pepperoni Pizza here won’t win any beauty contests, and the cups don’t curl, but this is a smoking fine New York pie.
Phoenix Inn & Food Boutique (Chinatown): Office lunch take-out was a huge hit.
The Steamed Chicken with Ginger & Onions was as legit as Chef @JLee professed that it would be.
The Char Siu Pork Fried Rice was quite good thanks to the nice porky fat, but the wok work here was a bit hasty and uneven (not all the rice got flavored up).
House Special Stir-Fried Thick Noodles made up nicely for the minor deficiencies encountered in the fried rice. An office-pleaser!
Mayonnaise shrimp with glazed walnuts (not my choice, but my staff loves this stuff)… Eat’em while they’re hot! (The leftover replay value of this dish is near nil…)
Mango Custard… I can think of few better ways to incorporate mango into a dessert as this near-perfect custard!
Fresh Melons Tapioca… WOW! Drink of the month, right here! The slight crunch of the cool melon, almond tea, and small caliber tapioca are spot on! Where has this drink been all my summers past?!
Chilled Steamed Egg White with Milk & Ginger… Very subtle. Very Cantonese, and that’s a huge compliment.
Long Family Pastry (Chinatown) was nearby when I picked up lunch from Phoenix Inn, so I grabbed a few buns and a date mooncake to go as well. The Snowy BBQ Pork Buns and Baked BBQ Pork Buns were delicious (as usual), and bolo (pineapple) bun is usually well made, but man! That mooncake was disgusting. I think it had expired on display, and tasted like hockey puck. Beware - In retrospect, I realized I made the rookie mistake of buying mooncake in summer (low customer turnover)…
Simpang Asia (Palms)… For me, Southeast Asian food really complements the hot weather. I ordered from Simpang Asia multiple times this past month.
Nasi Kuning (Festival Rice)… Still my favorite dish here. Super balanced tastes, in one compact dish!
Mie Tek Tek… Delicious street food memories come rushing back - Fried egg noodles, egg, chicken, cabbage. Superb when washed down with an Es Cendol (coconut milk on ice, added palm sugar, with pandan jelly)!
Grilled Chicken with soy coconut marinade… Deftly prepared. This is straight-up delicious with the rice.
Martabak Manis… Indonesian pancake slice with chocolate, cheese, peanut, sesame seeds & milk. Such a treat to get have this available on the Westside!
Char Kwey Teow… Malay street food classic is executed nicely here. It satisfies the hankering when you can’t be in KL.
Serendipity (seafood garlic noodles, with shrimp, calamari & fishballs)… Fairly tasty first bite, but then it got a bite greasy after that. Maybe an off-day for the kitchen.
Nasi Bungkus (‘The #8’ banana leaf wrap containing chicken curry, rendang, sambal egg, vegetable curry & rice)… Dense, and very filling. It is smashingly good.
Mie Ayam (garlic egg noodles with chicken, yu choy, eggs, scallions, and served with a side of chicken broth)… Flavorful and really comforting.
Roti Paratha with Curry Dip… A wonderful appetizer.
Rames (basic Indonesian rice plate, with lime-turmeric chicken, rendang, fried noodles, garlic string beans & rice)… Outstanding!
Artelice Pâtisserie (Sawtelle Japantown) has moved to its new home (only two doors down from its old digs)! All the pretty offerings are still there, and their pain aux pommes is buttery and flaky. They are open on weekends only for now.
Crustacean (Beverly Hills) is famous (infamous?) for their garlic noodles, which certainly has its fans. The secret is butter, and lots and lots of it. These noodles go well with the shrimp, but performs poorly on re-heating as leftovers. Eat those noodles on the first attempt. The wagyu satay was quite good, and though the ‘Secret Kitchen’ Egg White Fried Rice with Scallops smells appealing, the rice itself was too moist, and relied on the grease to impart the taste, with nary a hint of the desired wok hay.
The outdoor seating area at Crustacean is sheltered from the brutal Beverly Hills sun…
Frances Pâtisserie (South Pasadena), formerly known in Little Tokyo as Frances Bakery in Honda Plaza, is alive and well. I’m happy to report that their pastries are as good as ever.
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I love their mango tapioca drink!
Thanks for the reminder on simpang Asia i haven’t been in a few years they did a fantastic job on the inside. Looks great
Also need to try that pastry from Artelisse
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I must try.
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