FLASHBACK: DINING IN L.A. (FOR THE LAST TIME AS AN ‘ANGELENO’)

As I was posting my third and final installment of my 3-part ‘review’ of the amazing restaurants I visited during the recently-concluded summer Restaurant Week in DC, I noticed that I hadn’t posted anything during the month of July. Truth be told, I spent that month relishing in all things “L.A.,” since I was anxiously awaiting my then-impending return to the east coast. With a whirlpool of emotions rushing through my mind at the time, the last thing I wanted to do was to be literarily (I might've made that word up just now...) creative. Though I had intended, at the time, to put some of my thoughts into writing, I think my struggle between feelings of elation and sorrow got the better of me. I couldn’t even muster up a decent ‘good-bye’ note to my friends, let alone write blog entries dishing about my final days as an Angeleno.

I’ve been back east for over a month now, and though at times I feel like I still am trying to “figure things out,” I’ve realized how therapeutic it is for me to actually write again. And, with little steps here and there, I hope to pick-up where I left off with my book-in-progress. That would be the true accomplishment. But for now, I shall blog… and I’ll probably blog until the cows come home. It’s the least I could do. I think it hit me a little last week when a good friend of mine asked my mom how it felt to have her son back home. Half-jokingly, half-not, Mom went on about how happy she felt, however she could sense that I was not happy. Never in my life had I felt so transparent (Oh, who am I kidding…?! I teeter the line of transparency all the time.), and so I figured it would be a good idea to try harder to get out of whatever funk I’m in, and live, laugh, and love again.

Little steps here and there.
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My last month in L.A. was filled with… FOOD. In fact, it was so much so that one of my friends back there even went as far as chastising me for my emphasis on the need to do all things “foodie” before I headed back to the DC area. (Whatever, bee-yatch. You’re a foodie, too.) Funny thing was that I didn’t even take her joking to offense. As much as I love the beach, or the hike through Temescal Canyon, the view of L.A. from the Mulholland Drive overlook, the drive through the Venice canals, the Griffith Observatory, Hollywood + Highland, Melrose Ave., Beverly Hills, The Getty, or simply driving through the scenic neighborhoods of Brentwood & Santa Monica, it’s always been the cuisine and libations that opened the floodgates for some of my best memories in L.A. From the easiest (and inexpensive) meals from Porto's, Ono or L&L, to the casual Don Antonio’s, to the chic and fancy Comme ça on Melrose – I have shared many a laugh, great conversations, and learned some amazing things about my friends and family while wining and dining in L.A. Though it was hard to squeeze all my favorites into my last 3 weeks in SoCal, I think I managed to cover most of my bases ---enduring as minimal weight gain as I possibly could. (Yeah right.)

Here are some of the places that I breezed through before I left:

DON ANTONIO’S, 11755 W. Pico Boulevard, L.A., CA 90064
While this place may strike the ire in many due to the fact that Heidi & Spencer (from The Hills) adore it so much, truth must be told that the food is simply amazing. It may not be ‘wedding-reception’ good (Sorry, Speidi.), but it is as good as SoCal Mexican food can get. Everything from the complimentary chips & salsa to their over-stuffed burritos are well worth trying. It had become an easy ‘fix’ for my roommates and I when we lived in Santa Monica, and has since found a home in our hearts – right next to another SoCal Mexican favorites like Lares, La Cabaňa, and El Cholo.

VERSAILLES, 10319 Venice Boulevard, L.A., CA 90034
When I used to visit L.A. some years ago, my cousin and friends would bring me to this little hole-in-the-wall called “Versailles” along busy La Cienega Boulevard. At first I thought I was going for French food, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Versailles is a Cuban restaurant, and a very good one at that. It instantly became a favorite, and once I moved to L.A. it became part of the ‘touring’ spots that I’d take visitors to when they’d swing through. I visited the location right outside Culver City with my niece and nephew, and had an amazing time as usual; the Versailles on Venice has been re-modeled, and has vibrant-colored walls and mood lighting compared to it’s sister restaurant on La Cienega. Food, however, is consistent and tasty. Their lechon asado tops the list for me.

PALMS THAI, 5900 Hollywood Boulevard, L.A., CA 90028
There really is no other place in the country to get AMAZING (and inexpensive) Thai food than in Thai Town right outside Hollywood. Even the Thai places here in the Metro DC area do not compare. Palm Thai is special because 1) it’s always packed, and 2) it is home to the infamous “Thai Elvis…” Thai Elvis is some Thai uncle who dresses up as Elvis (sometimes), and sings all sorts of Elvis tunes. A lot of people come to Palms Thai for a sighting of Thai Elvis, but the food is more so popular. Fish cakes, tom yum, crab fried rice, and grilled mussels are just a few of the yummiest Thai dishes ever.

BESO HOLLYWOOD, 6350 Hollywood Boulevard, L.A. CA 90028
When Beso Hollywood first came on to the scene last year, I was quick to turn my cheek. With Eva Longoria’s name attached to it, and since it took over another spot along the ever-transient Hollywood Blvd., I figured it would last a good 9 months to a year before it would be home for the latest and greatest thing. With other Hollywood closings like Dolce, One Sunset, Murano, and even Luau in Beverly Hills, I was half-expecting Beso to follow suit. But once I learned that Todd English’s name was attached to this project, I decided that I had to at least give it a try before heading back east. So I took two of my best foodies, headed to Hollywood Blvd., and ended up having a very great experience.

I have been to two of T. English’s outposts in my life (including DC’s own Olives, which is currently closed for some much-needed upgrades), so I was hoping that this pairing between English and Longoria would not disappoint. And that it did not. At first instance, we were met with the chic surroundings befitting of a Hollywood power restaurant: stylish lighting, dark walls and floors, sleek furnishings, and Thievery Corporation (DC natives, btw) booming throughout the space. Walking in, you’re almost automatically prompted to be “on,” despite the fact that you’re still in L.A. For every table of patrons dressed to party, there is a table of shorts & tees-clad tourists, or laid-back locals. But that’s “L.A.” for you.

The interior of Beso Hollywood

The food = superb. Seafood and steaks are the specialty here. We started off with a ceviche tasting, which was succulent: mussels, ahi, and bay scallops. The swordfish steak, which was my main dish, was perfectly moist and flavorful – and filling! The winner of the night (aside from the vodka sodas) was surprisingly Eva’s Guacamole (her mother’s really), which has made a name for itself in Hollywood.

Ceviche Tasting at Beso Hollywood

THE BAZAAR (AT SLS HOTEL), 465 S. La Cienega Boulevard, L.A., CA 90048
The celebrated DC-area chef, Jose Andres, made his formal entry to the Hollywood/Los Angeles dining scene through the ultra-trendy SLS Hotel –an SBE project (think Brent Bolthouse productions). The Bazaar is the uber-hot restaurant/lounge at the SLS, and has created a buzz in the L.A. dining & nightlife scene. Reservations are hard to come by, so it’s easier to grab a table at the lounge –where the turnover of guests moves as quickly as lightning strikes.


I met my nephew and his wife for some drinks and small bites during my last week in town, and we were able to score a table at the lounge. The happy hour crowd was dwindling, but there was still a lot of traffic; the earmark of a current “hot spot” in Hollywood/L.A. For the most part, a good majority of the menu is still available at the lounge, and since Chef Andres is a master of tapas, the menu offered a plethora to choose from: Japanese tacos (w/grilled eel), sea urchin, foie gras (wrapped in ‘cotton candy’), and croquetas de pollo – to name a few. Jose Andres’ talent definitely shines through each and every dish.

The décor of The Bazaar is more so a mish mosh of things, but this is partly due to the design team of the SLS, who couldn’t seem to figure out whether or not they wanted to go for “Shabby Chic” or “elegant ski lodge” for the former space once occupied by Le Meridien. Gaudiness aside, the food and drinks offered by The Bazaar are surely top notch. (Bonus: Renee Russo sighting... She still looks great!)

LA CABAŇA, 739 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA 90291
My comida pasada in L.A. was at an old favorite, La Cabaňa. It was an easy choice since it’s on the way to LAX, and right outside my old neighborhood of Santa Monica. There’s nothing much more you can say about this place aside from the fact that it is simply SoCal “Mexican” at its best. Knowing that I wouldn’t find anything as close once I shifted coasts, I relished each and every bite (and each and every margarita, too).

All in all, my last few weeks in the L.A. area are now nothing more than a whirlwind of memories… but great memories no less. While there are many things I still miss about my life on the other coast, I’ve decided it best to take what I’ve learned and build upon new experiences now that I’m back home. No matter where I am, there are always reasons for me to question myself about “what’s not to love?”
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Back at our new corporate offices in the DC area, we have much better coffee than we ever did in Beverly Hills. I guess whoever the corp. office is purchasing from just has a better taste for these kind of things (the coffee that we were getting in Bev Hills was atrocious, to say the least). However, this morning I realized that a new flavor has been added to the pods appropriately called “Colombian,” “French Roast,” “Mudslide,” and “Donut Shop.” This new coffee, called “Jet Fuel,” seemed interesting off the jump. But as it brewed, the smell was strong and scary ---really, the best word to describe it. I haven’t even finished the cup (which I’ve now been nursing for over an hour or so), and I’m fighting between feelings of sleepiness and the need to bounce-off-walls.

Jet Fuel: the no-joke, in-your-face, doesn’t-taste-too-great-but-does-the-job kind of coffee brought to you by coffeepeople.com.
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(Photos from respective restaurant & company websites; photo of "L.A." from freedigitalphotos.net.)

DERNIER ARRÊT: DC RESTAURANT WEEK | JACKSON 20

The third and final stop on my little “DC Restaurant Week Tour” brought me to neighboring Alexandria, VA. The spirit of the old country still haunts the quaint, yet busy settlement of Old Town Alexandria. The brick homes, cobblestoned streets, as well as the historical markers that dot the area have shared their space with a number of America’s popular outposts such as the GAP Outlet, Banana Republic, and Anne Taylor Loft. Other companies, such as California Pizza Kitchen and United Colors of Benetton, once called Old Town “home,” but as the changing tides of the economy ebbs and flows, so do the town’s “residents.”

What was once a Holiday Inn Select on busy King Street has since been changed to Kimpton Hotels’ flagship banner, Hotel Monaco, in recent years. During its incarnation as a Holiday Inn, the space – which was always full of potential – was never really pushed to its limits. But with its re-birth through Kimpton, the locale has stylishly meshed its historical sensibilities with a flair for modernity and chic-ness. And I’m not only talking about the hotel’s gorgeously appointed lobby and guest rooms. Their real gem: Jackson 20.

Since Kimpton bursted onto the hospitality scene focusing on their boutique-style hotels, they have not only mastered the art of design and function as it pertains to hotel rooms and public spaces, but they’ve also made a mark on their respective city’s dining scene. The Serrano Hotel in San Francisco is home to the delectable Ponzu, and The Muse in NYC boasts the casual yet graceful Nios. In similar fashion, the Hotel Monaco presents Jackson 20 – a dining space that blends together the rich traditional atmosphere of Old Town, with the contemporary trappings that Kimpton is known for. The restaurant is named after President Andrew Jackson, who is known to have been the first Commander in Chief to invite the public to attend the Inaugural Ball. Keeping in tradition, the restaurant continues the former president’s renowned hospitality through “inspired American regional cuisine.”

My foodie-friend, Leah, and I decided that we couldn’t pass up another chance to take part in DC’s Restaurant Week this summer, especially after my previous jaunts earlier in the week. But this third and final stop on the "tour" was symbolically special: it was our “last hurrah” so to speak before succumbing to the world of “new car” payments, which we both now have to embrace. That said, we expected nothing but a great time at dinner, and that was exactly what we had.

Upon entering, after passing off my car to the tending valet, we were welcomed by the wafting air filled with everything associated with southern comfort food. Despite the dimmed dining room, with its dark wood furniture and long bar, the first-impression of intimidation from the chic surroundings was easily over-powered by the smells of deep fried chicken, freshly made corn bread, and fall-off-the-bone barbecue ribs. In an instant, we were brought into a world that screams “shabby chic” and “Paula Deen” all in one sentence.

Inside Jackson 20

We were given the option of dining in the courtyard for the full Jackson 20 experience, but with the impending rain, we decided to stay in-doors to be on the safe side. We were seated near the bar, where hotel guests and locals alike enjoyed their drinks at leisure. Our friendly server discussed the menu with us, and came back shortly with our drinks: a Clover Club (with gin, raspberry puree, and citrus) & a Forbidden Fruit (10 Cane Rum shaken with passion fruit and pineapple juices, finished with a 10-year Tawny Port float). The creative libations were just a couple off an interesting list, which includes some classic whiskey drinks made with the restaurant’s own twist.

Our three-course meal pretty much came as smoothly as can be imagined:

Course 1: Virginia Crab Cake with arugula, a fried green tomato, and sauce Gribiche, and Scallop and Beef Brochette –each wrapped in bacon, and served with Anson Mills Grits

Course 2: BBQ Beef Ribs grilled with J20 BBQ sauce, smashed potatoes & a green bean salad, and Beef Brisket –slow-roasted Wagyu beef, crispy marrow potatoes, creamed spinach & horseradish

We also added a side of fries cooked in duck fat. (There’s nothing more that I can say about that.)

Course 3: Banana Pudding & Chocolate Pecan Tart

The encounter was nothing less than scrumptious, and while you could feel the heaviness that is prevalent with southern cuisine, the portions were perfect. Our server made us fully aware that despite the menu catering to “restaurant week” customers, Jackson 20 wanted to be sure to offer the full extent of their menu and portions to all guests; a charming way to start-off the dining experience, if you ask me.

Our first course exuded the flavors that are reminiscent of carefully prepared soul food. The meats of the second course were “melt-in-your-mouth” tender. And the desserts made you think it was Thanksgiving in late August. It was the perfect end to my restaurant week tour, and a nice indication that the dining scene of Old Town is only getting better.

Jackson 20's culinary masterpieces

As the rain poured down with monsoon-like torrents, the sights, the smells, and the flavors of Jackson 20 soothed us to our own lullabies. It was hard to leave without wanting a blanket and a pillow for a quick nap right there at the table. That’s a clear hint that this place will have to be revisited as winter draws close.
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Jackson 20, 480 King Street, Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314, 703.842.2790

(Photos courtesy of the restaurant's website.)

PROCHAIN: DC RESTAURANT WEEK | RISTORANTE TOSCA

The second stop on my 2009 DC Restaurant Week tour brought me to Ristorante Tosca in the city. This time, one of my dear old college friends, Andrea, set-up the “catch up” dinner. It had been years since we last talked. While I was off doing my “L.A. thing,” Andrea was busy with work, grad school, and is now finishing up law school at Catholic. She is definitely one of my more industrious friends! She had just returned from working all summer in Poland, so Restaurant Week came at a perfect time.

Ristorante Tosca, or simply “Tosca,” is one of Dre’s favorites. How this place actually stayed under my radar is beyond me. When I worked in the city some years back, I remembered driving past Tosca many times. While I’ve always wondered about it, I never made any effort to give it a try. So thanks to Restaurant Week, and – more importantly – to Andrea, for finally putting Tosca on “the list.” We were able to get a 9PM reservation, which was one of only a few slots left at Tosca for Restaurant Week (and the reservation was made in late July!). That alone should’ve been enough indication of how dumb I’ve been for missing out all this time.

I made my way into the city later in the evening last Thursday, and met up with Andrea at Foggy Bottom. Coming off I-66 that night, I was reminded of one of the last times I had traversed that very road with Dre –a spring afternoon back in either ’99 or 2000. We were driving in my ’92 Toyota Corolla, a car that took us everywhere within the Metro DC area, to VA Beach, to Florida, countless trips to Philly, Jersey, NYC, and the Eastern Shore. For some lame reason, ‘Casper,’ as I had come to name my white-colored car, decided to die on me just before Dre and I exited off 66. Apparently, it had been years since I gave poor Casper an oil change, and the cost of repairs was NOT something I was looking forward to. Fast forward to the present: that flashback came across my mind as I exited off onto E Street, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

I found a parking spot on one of the side streets, and all of a sudden I felt like I was brought back to my good old college days. Even though I did my undergrad at Maryland, I was always hanging out with my friends at GWU my senior year. There were always meetings, mixers, dinners, and lots and lots of house parties (more appropriately “apartment” parties, but who says that?!). I was amidst the undergrad set, who were making their way home from late classes, or from the busy happy hours that were just ending; a perfect way to transition into the traditional Thursday “college nights” that would be celebrated at many a bar in/around Foggy Bottom, and nearby neighborhoods. Dre came down from her apartment, hopped into her car, and scooped me up, and we were on our way. Restaurant Week reservation #2 was about to begin.

After checking the car in with the valet, we headed inside. Needless to say, the restaurant was bustling. The small bar had been catering to patrons who were waiting patiently for tables, and the sounds from the main dining room were booming: conversation was rampant, servers were busily traveling to and from the kitchen always with their hands full, and parties were leaving just as fast as others arrived. We waited for a while, but were eventually seated in the dining room. The room was warm, not temperature-wise, but the neutral hues of the walls, flooring, table clothes, and artwork were very soothing; not in the sense that you’d want to fall asleep, but more so in the sense that you were instantly comfortable. Our waiter quickly tended to our needs, and soon enough we had drinks brought to us right away.

Per Dre’s suggestion, I decided to follow her lead and order pasta as my starter. She ordered the Pappardelle alla Carota, which was served with a rabbit ragu in a white wine sauce. I opted for the Raviolo di vitello – filled with roasted veal, prosciutto and pistachio mortadella. It was nothing short of delicious, and the portion was perfect.

We dove right in to our main course; Andrea went with the lamb chops, and I decided on the grilled Agnus N.Y. strip. The chops were beautifully displayed, and our waiter gently covered them with sauce. My steak came out perfectly –not at all overdone or overcooked. And the size of it would easily put Ruth’s Chris to shame. I almost had to force myself to finish, but the flavors were perfect enough that I had no issues finishing over our ‘catch-up’ conversation.

By the time the main course was done, I had almost completely forgotten about dessert… and sooner than later we were faced with another mountain to climb: a rich, chocolate mousse-like cake, and the chef’s modern take on the classic tiramisu. Both desserts were pretty staggering, yet we couldn’t even attempt to polish off either one.

The colors of Ristorante Tosca

When the check came, we were done –both mentally and physically. Late dinner was a success, and – as I had mentioned previously – Ristorante Tosca has now been added to my growing list of favorites. It definitely was a simple, yet purpose-filled night: had an awesome dinner, and reconnected with an equally awesome friend.
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Ristorante Tosca, 1112 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202.367.1990

(Photos courtesy of the restaurant's website.)

AU DÉBUT: DC RESTAURANT WEEK | PS7

There are some things in life that do not ever make sense. As many times as you try and figure out if there is any rhyme or reason for certain things, you’re probably better off letting go of the things you cannot control. And coming from a self-proclaimed obsessive compulsive person, doing so is definitely easier said than done.

For instance, I absolutely cannot keep a decent pair of designer sunglasses. For the life of me, I lose them each and every time. It probably doesn’t help that I’m usually in the company of beer and/or alcohol at the times of loss, but that is beside the point. The point is: I cannot keep a pair of designer sunglasses for the life of me. I’m not bitter. Hello, $7-pair from H&M. You and I will have to get along.

On the other hand, however, something that does make sense in my life is… food. Come on now, as if you didn’t already know. Food is an important part of my life. Yes, that would include the bad stuff that we all love to have, but know we shouldn’t (but have it anyway). But beyond that is my love for well-prepared, appropriately portioned (!), and carefully executed food. And what better time to have this type of stuff than during Restaurant Week?!

Restaurant Week, to me, is like a breeze on a Sunday morning, the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae, the fried-egg that you mash into a piping-hot dish of loco moco, or store-bought cake from the grocery store that you buy (and eat) by yourself. Wait, I didn’t mean that last part… (or maybe I did.) What Restaurant Week is NOT: a plated dinner at a wedding (gag), a trip to the local “Chinese” buffet, nor is it something that should be passed up. Restaurant Week is just as worthy of your attention as Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale. (Yup, I went there.)

This year, the DC-area Restaurant Week was, and continues to be (for the most part, it’s been extended through this week as well), another feather in the cap of awesomeness. I remember blogging about how the DC dining landscape has evolved in recent years. Area kitchen stars have only increased in their popularity in the last few years (Jose Andres, Geoff Tracy, and Robert Wiedmaier to name a few), but at the same time the area has attracted the likes of Michel Richard, Wolfgang Puck, and Alain Ducasse, whose restaurants now dot the “foodie” map of DC.

Since I’ve returned, I’ve been slowly getting back into the area dining scene. It surprises me how there are many places that have sexified their space, making me feel like I’m having more of an “L.A.” experience that tends to focus more on ambiance than food. But amazingly, there are so many places that are able to fuse the two together nicely… and they’re all within my old stomping grounds. There’s no better time to dive right into the DC-area foodie scene than Restaurant Week.

PS7
My return to the area has been marked with a lot of things: new office building, new commute (!), new co-workers, and a new daily routine. But spattered in between the newness are so many familiar sights and sounds: area traffic, the humidity of summer, my family and my friends. This year, Restaurant Week served not only as a time to have great food, but a time to connect (and re-connect in some cases) with great friends. My first stop this time around was at PS7.

Located on the outskirts of DC’s very tiny Chinatown, bordering the ever-bustling Penn Quarter, PS7 is sort of tucked-away amidst re-vamped office buildings, newly built condos, and a slew of shops and cafes. My “go to” foodie-friend, Leah, set-up this dinner venture. I was excited to make my way into the city last Tuesday evening. It felt good traveling downtown, and when I rolled around onto I (Eye) Street, I met the valet as if I were meeting a long-lost friend. Thankfully, Leah walked up before I could engage in senseless banter with the valet attendant, and we made our way inside.

We were early, so we proceeded to the lounge area to grab a round of drinks. I noticed that the space was open, with tables against the big windows facing the street. Away from the windows were shorter tables and ottomans where the happy hour set were enjoying their ‘last call’ before dinner prices took effect. We planted ourselves at the bar, and were met with all sorts of concoctions in bottles or pestles ---which we would find out, later, were all part of the interesting make-up of their witty drink menu. I ended up with the Ice Pick, which is made of an interesting mix of Grey Goose, acai, and tea, while Leah indulged in a cucumber imbibed drink (called Gnome’s Water) that was both refreshing and calming. The drinks were a great start for the night as two more of our friends, Erika and Stacy, joined us for dinner.

As the maître d’ showed us to our table, the sights, sounds, and smells were a good indication of what was to come: a nicely-prepared three-course meal that involved many great choices. To add to the minimalist energy of the restaurant were modern paintings that lined the walls, along with mood lighting to enhance the gallery-like space. Tables along a raised platform that lined a wall of tall windows served as silhouettes against the lights from the outside streetlamps. Our waiter, whose vocal intonations reminded us of a prime time game show host, was thorough and efficient, and soon our table was covered with more drinks and glasses of water.

Between the four of us, we indulged in a wide array of dishes. First course: Sarah’s Salad (with mascarpone and strawberries on a bed of field greens), Warm Spinach Salad (marrying the delectable flavors of feta and bacon), Tomato and Saffron-Steamed P.E.I. Mussels, and a Caprese Flat Bread –all of which were flavorful and nicely prepared.

Our second course was just as diverse: Tuna Au Poivre (served with an asparagus gremolata), Wild Mushroom Risotto, Beef Tenderloin Au Poivre, and Stuffed Pork Loin (with thyme pan jus). While some of the meats were a little over-cooked on the outside, all the dishes were generally tasty and filling. We almost forgot that there was one more course left.

Desserts soon followed, after another quick round of drinks, and again we were each suddenly in the presence of ample deliciousness: Blueberry Brown Betty, Red Velvet Cake, a Strawberry Tasting (with strawberry sorbet, lemon pound cake, and mascarpone cream), and the winner of the night – Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar (which requires no explanation whatsoever).

At the end of it all, we were satiated and ready for bed, which was probably the master plan all along. PS7 is a gem in the bourgeoning Chinatown area, and has been wowing DC natives and visitors alike since 2006. Owned by former Vidalia chef and 'James Beard Award' winner Peter smith, PS7 is the culmination of his years of experience with some of the DC area’s best-known restaurants, and it continues to make it’s mark on DC’s culinary history.
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PS7, 777 I (Eye) Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202.742.8550

(Photos are courtesy of the restaurant's website.)