Recent eats…
Is that a black sesame dessert???
Looks like Taiwan-style mochi (moah-ji), peanut on one side and black sesame on the other…
I think I’ve had the peanut version but was unaware a black sesame one existed! Will need to try that…
Lunch at Komal within the Mercado la Paloma. Holbox was the first choice, but the line was out the door by 1230 on Friday afternoon. Was sort of happy to have an excuse to try Komal, at which there was no line.
Ordered two brisket tacos and a squash blossom quesadilla. The quesadilla got eaten before I could snag a picture. It was very good! The ratios favored the gooey cheese, which is how I think a quesadilla should be constructed.
Brisket tacos were a great mix of well-rendered fat and tender meat. Hard to convey the scale, but these were almost double the size of a standard taco from, say, Angel’s TJ Style Tacos.
Tortillas were structurally very sound, and tasted earthy and, well, corny. Definitely among my top 5 tortillas in LA County. I think the salsa was based on chipotle in adobo. Nice complementary flavors.
I think it was $22 all in. Can’t wait to go back.
Sanook Soi 38 in West LA here:
Did you manage to peek into Boichik? I was on the bus to Chinatown to check out the new location of LA Sorteds last weekend and saw they were starting they have started their training! I can’t wait for it to open!
I did not. I went to the Bradbury around 3 so if they were open if they would have been closed for the day. Great location and a win for the office workers in downtown. Still have not been out to the Los Feliz location! We do have Uncle Stevey’s in Gundo if I need my bagel fix but I really want to try Boichik. Still have not tried Belle’s, and Boil and Bake (Costa Mesa).
Also the black sesame got me craving that Black Sesame Butter from Rooted Fare
Still need to try the almond cookie, pineapple cake, and salted plum
We’ve had Belles… they are pretty good. I think I like Boichik better thought for that West Coast Style. But we’ll see what they churn out at this location.
If you are in OC around the Irvine Farmer’s market, these guys Bagel’s look AMAZING. Totally want to try some of his unique takes…
I live in Irvine and can vouch for Proof Bagels. They are my favorite bagels in OC! I especially love their French Onion bagel. Proof is at the Irvine Farmers Market at Stonegate Elementary on Sundays (not the one at Mariners Church on Saturday). They’re also at the Aliso Viejo Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Boil & Bake’s bagel sandwiches are on par with Layla’s, Jyan Isaac’s. Saves me from driving to LA when I get the urge for a fancy open-faced lox bagel.
Regarding the black sesame butter and Bakers Bench - they sell a house version there. Their canned/jarred goods are located on the wall just to the right of where you order.
I know they were selling it fairly recently, because last there (within the last four weeks), I picked up a jar of it and gave it to some vegan foody friends who are doing a lot of traveling now. It was $15 and got good reviews.
Ahahahha
Always a beautiful plate of food at Zait n Zataar. The chicken schwarma was great today. Ending May on a high note.
Late on this, but a busy few weeks worth sharing. Far too many pictures of dishes from each meal, so mostly some highlights
Was in Chicago for restaurant convention.
First stop was Pizzamici for the best tavern style in the city imo
Obligatory vintage amaro at Billy Sunday pre-dinner
Dinner at Warlord’s tasting menu/counter. Delicious and interactive, 8 courses/bev pairings. (Apologies for not remembering details and not having menus offhand)
Starter fermented cocktail
Tuna belly with root xo
Smyth for dinner the next day. Can’t be beat.
One of the best bites, cav, almond milk, walnut oil
Final dinner at Cariño. I don’t usually go for Mexican in fine dining form, something about biases towards my grandma, but this meal was surprisingly good.
Huitlacoche ravioli with corn and truffle. Interestingly similar to a Somni dish
A few days later I needed to be in the bay for a wedding, so…
Angler of course. Did their “cook for you” menu, but didn’t get many pictures at all because we ended up waiting 45 minutes for our table (had a res), so we’re comped with (too?) much champagne.
Caviar with seaweed pancake
First drink at Tallboy in Oakland, very balanced martini.
Great spot, all of their drinks were maybe too balanced and crushable, I probably had 8 or so cocktails before grabbing the BART to..
Saison. Their very signature uni toast. This was pretty good, but for the hype a bit of a let down, the texture of the toast was a little too mush for me.
My first time here, I thought the meal wasn’t bad by any means but I wasn’t as impressed as I’d expected to be. A bit rough for a solo bill of $850, though a part of that cost is on me for gravitating toward the vintage amari cart.
Vintage Ramazzotti, perhaps the best amaro I’ve ever had.
Service was very wonderful, and prob would return at some point.
Though, as of now if I had to choose any place as a staple in SF, it’s Kiln. This is my second time here, though third time having their food (Kato collab) and it really thoroughly impresses me each time.
Caviar, chicken fat, onion vinegar. Can’t skip this supplement.
Abalone and their livers, vin jaune, fig leaf.
This dish reminded me of something one would find at Smyth. Best bite of 2025 for me.
And that’s a wrap for May. Onto June and hopefully saving some money
Amazing!
Great write up. Where on the range of sweet vs herbal was the Ramazzotti? What’s your opinion of State Bird? Definitely my favorite SF restaurant, though have not been to any of the places in your post.
Ramazzotti is balanced, easy drinking. Kind of similar to Averna or Lucano.
