July 2016 weekend rundown

[MaladyNelson]

Zafran Pot is a newish restaurant that replaced Bawarchi, the steam-table vegetarian (then omnivore) restaurant that was renowned for their very surly owner. Zafran Pot’s palak paneer was a bit too buttery for me, but it was tasty. For me the one hit was their aromatic chana masala.

There are service kinks to work out at Shuhari Matcha Cafe, but I liked it. Their beverage offerings run the gamut from plain tea to lattes and sparklers. And since you’re a fan of their mochi ice cream, you might like their sundaes and shakes. Apparently Maeda-en had a small chain of green tea cafes called Green Tea Terrace, but all the locations seem to be closed.

[Aesthete]

A couple days back I had a Berri’s lobster pizza. Honestly remains just about my favorite pizza in LA. Shockingly beautiful thin crust that is very savory…not sure I have ever had a better thin crust pizza. And the savor of the lobster is super addictive in this context.

I would’ve taken better photos but we devoured it after some bottles of rioja blanco at a concert hahaha

[Haeldaur]

Honestly never heard of this. Is the West LA version as good?

[TheCookie]

Loving Berri’s Westwood. I’m not a big pizza lover. But like to order lunch for my hard working crew. They get to have the traditional red sauce pies and such, and I can order a non-pizza-ish pie - like the Lobster - and a fresh salad. They also have tasty chicken options for the religious, non-pork/shellfish eaters. Lamonica’s is cool. But Berri’s satisfies all.

[Aesthete]

I have never tried the Westwood location, but I imagine it is just as good. I can’t say for sure. I should try it out sometime.

To me, it is kind of funny, but the lobster pizza at Berri’s feels like an iconic LA dish in my mind. I have never had anything really like it anywhere else in the world haha

[Novelli]

Little La Lune Cambodian - Long Beach

Complimentary pork bone broth - smooth, clear, flavorful, and kicked up when you drop in the bone marrow.

Deep fried pig intestines w/ rice and pickle salad

Grilled beef sticks w/ papaya salad

Beef anchovy “salad”

Me ka taing (stir fried noodles)

Little La Lune Cambodian-Thai Cuisine

[MaladyNelson]

I stopped by Chargha House for the first time today. The positive was that the owner was very attentive and welcoming. However, I found it difficult to eat more than a third of my aloo gobhi due to its overwhelming oiliness. After letting it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours, the flavors were more harmonious at a lukewarm temperature.

[A5KOBE]

Grabbed lunch at Hamamori at South Coast Plaza. Got the lunch special nigiri and Japanese poke.

Best bites were the taco and unagi with foie gras. Also (not pictured) was their excellent tamagoyaki. Rice could have been a bit less cold.

Salad and miso soup

Their rendition of poke

Nigiri w/ foie gras added to the unagi

Then picked up some food to go and the brand new The Noodle in Chino Hills. Definitely would come back here if the BBQ stays consistent. The location in Rowland Heights tends to be a crap shoot as far as quality and BBQ turnover. This location the charsiu was tender and flavorful, and the roast pork spot on.

Gratuitous BBQ shots

[Haeldaur]

Hit up sushi tsujita–sorry, no pics. Had the chirashi and a soup with seaweed, kelp, sea beans, and fish cake for $18. Love this place for lunch–great deal, serene atmosphere–exactly what I need after a tough work week. Remains one of the best deals in town.

[paranoidgarliclover]

Gorgeous photography, as always. Sorry it hear it wasn’t so tasty (at least, not initially)…

[MaladyNelson]

Thanks so much, @paranoidgarliclover! I really wanted to love Chargha House, especially since the owner was so welcoming. Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing or the chef was having an off day. I’ll give them another try in a month or so.

[J_L]

Happy National Ice Cream Day!!!

Brought some McConnell’s Vanilla Bean ice cream home, and topped it… er, rather, slathered it with the Harry’s Berries gaviota strawberry compote I had prepared.

Good Lord. Summer in a bowl.

[J_L]

Hiyashi (cold) ramen from Santouka (West LA)…

Paired with a nice ikura don, this was a great summer lunch.

[Chowseeker1999]

Awesome @J_L. Brilliant idea to use Harry’s Berries Gaviotas on McConnell’s Ice Cream! /jealous

[President_Mochi]

SOHO HOUSE
A coworker who is a member invited us for dinner, and so we went, because why not? I’d never considered going before as I subscribe to the Groucho Marx philosophy of clubs, but turns out, it’s a nice place for a visit for a night. The rumors of the grand view are true. What a view of the city to feast your peepers on. Spectacular. As was the cocktail I had that included celery gin, chartreuse, yellow pepper and cracked black pepper and a leaf of some sort. Food-wise, I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Nothing terribly exciting, but everything was solid.

MAYURA
Much more my speed, Mayura continues to be a place of comfort and mother flipping delight. I hadn’t been for quite some time, but I won’t wait so long to go again. We had the masala dosa, a palak paneer and fish curry. Everything was great, and the staff was as friendly as you’d like.

LITTLE DOM’S
Another place I hadn’t been to for quite some time. Found ourselves in the neighborhood and stopped in. Had to wait at the bar for a tick while a table opened up, but glad we did, because the cocktails at the bar were pretty dang great. A blood orange swizzle and some stone fruit concoction. Both were spot on. Then came time to sit, and so we sat, and had a great time. I love that place. It was only my third visit ever, but I felt so comfortable in that booth, eating no frills spaghetti & meatballs and a glass of red. Also tried the pizza with home made sausage and the eggplant parm special. Both were tops. I wish I lived closer so I could go every Monday for the $18 dinner deal.

[wienermobile]

White Castle Las Vegas…and yes it was wonderful.

[chinchi]

Sunday dinner at Canele. It had been years since I’d last been. Unfortunately last night’s meal was disappointing. My branzino was fine, but my partner’s lamb burger was salty to the point of being inedible. I had a bite and told him to send it back but he didn’t want to make a fuss (and our server didn’t come to check on us until my plate was a pile of fish bones & skin). Not likely to return.

[TheCookie]

I’ve always subscribed to the Groucho Marx philosophy too - but would make an exception for that view. I hear it’s great.

[TheCookie]

Girls Day Out in DTLA - Breakfast, shopping and more.

Bottega Louie - My ears are still ringing. It’s lovely. But the acoustics, oh boy. They don’t accept reservations, but it’s so big we usually don’t wait long.

Raspberry Beignets - I think where BL shines most is in the patisserie and sweet treats.

Lobster Hash - Poached egg, hollandaise, lobster, potatoes, sautéed brussel sprouts.

Soft Boiled Egg, Pain de mie (sandwich bread) toast points, potato pancakes, turkey sausage. I was glad these were breakfast links. Often you order turkey/chicken sausage on a breakfast menu and they serve a big, honking, Italian seasoned poultry sausage.

They had very good Bellinis. Nice touch serving iced tea w/simple syrup & 3 types of citrus.

Plain & Chocolate Croissants (smushed a little) - I’m not up on shatter & such. The plain may be a little doughy to some. But I like that they have a little more substance, less big air pockets. The choco had a nice soft ganache on the inside.

The patisserie is charming and extremely enticing.

Macarons - I’m spoiled by Lette Macarons. These were more sweet than anything. The fruits & extracts weren’t pronounced. The insides were like softened butter. Choco Salted Caramel was the best.

Everything is beautifully presented. But I think the restaurant serves what @ipsedixit might call gussied up diner food. Still, it has something for everyone, including pizza & burgers.

Afterward I tried to find the illusive Bulgarini Gelato Cart at the HWS Gallery on 3rd in the Art District. I confirmed he’s there almost everyday at 1pm. Except the day I went!

On the way home picked up dinner -
Pollo a la Brasa in K-town. Delicious, slightly smokey rotisserie chicken, aji sauce, w/very good black beans & rice, fresh salad w/chilled veggies.

Nice Sunday!

[J_L]

Boysenberry Cream Pie from Apple Pan, which I brought to a friend’s house…