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The Counter Burger - Pasadena

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The Counter Burger - Pasadena

I've been going to The Counter Burger for over 7 years now. I would also add that it was my first gourmet burger I've ever had. Now that I work up the street on Lake Avenue in Pasadena, The Counter is literally within my reach whenever I want it. It's crazy. And I've been on this burger diet last year where all I ate was mostly that. I'm not sure if it was a phase. But I think it's just all the people telling me how crazy I was to eat burgers constantly. Get this straight. There is no judge zones when it comes to eating. If I want a damn burger, I will get me a damn burger!

Their new menu no longer comes in a binder. It is now as you can see, a laminate menu printed on both sides. The build your own burger is still available, but they cut down on the ingredients that were available to make the building less complicated, and more realistic. Like really, do you really need 10 items on your burger? Might as well go down the street to Souplantation if you just want to fill your cup. Make it quick, make it simple.

The Counter Burger has other locations, please click "Here" to find one near you.

Tater Tots with Pimento Cheese and BACON

If you've never had Pimento Cheese, obviously you need to try it. But to have it served with tater tots becomes a whole new ball game. You definitely want to eat these with a fork to get the biggest bite possible. Portions are great to share.

Sweet Sriracha Chicken Wings

The first bite is sweet, spicy, and tangy. The heat will slowly creep up. And next thing you know it, you are craving for the next one. It's not as spicy as you think they'll be, but they do pack a good punch of flavor in each bite. Don't worry about napkins. It's all finger licking and sucking at this point.

Crab Encounter

This item is also on their new menu. Monster lump crab meat, diced eggs, bacon over bacon, roasted red peppers, green onions and spring mix to make you feel better about yourself. Served with a honey mustard dressing, but of course you can always ask for something else. This was $18, but well worth it. I'll say it again, HUGE lumps of crab. I also loved the diced eggs and tomatoes. This was very fun to eat.

Southern Fried Chicken

They put the chicken in a buttermilk brine. Served with jalapeno jack, tomatoes, sliced Jalapenos, coleslaw, honey dijon all sandwiched between a brioche bun. Jalapenos are frightening. There are days where it wouldn't do much, but there are days it will totally destroy my stomach and bottom after a few hours. This was spicy when I had it, just the way I like it. If you want to give it a spicier punch, ask them for buffalo sauce or something instead of honey mustard. A bleu cheese dressing sounds delicious too.

Last but not least, 2 milkshakes to put out the butt fire. Strawberry Banana and Nutella. YUM. I love milkshakes. They really do make me feel like a kid because we didn't grow up drinking these. So to have it was definitely a treat.

There are also a few new items on their menu. Feel free to ask the staff about them.

Pasadena:

140 Shoppers Lane, Pasadena CA 91101

 

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Kings Row Gastropub- Pasadena

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Kings Row Gastropub- Pasadena

I've been to Kings Row a few times since they've opened doors a few years ago. I've celebrated friends birthday here, graduations, and their famous piggy roast that you can find every 3rd Thursday of the month. It's a great space to hang out and they do offer food to accommodate the savvy eaters.

Besides having food to serve with your drinks, I kind of forgot that breakfast/brunch was something they did here at KRG. Below you will find the slew of most of their brunch menu with a few additions to their main.

Brunch

Mains

And of course, you can't forget the cocktails.

Check them out for Brunch whenever you are looking for a local spot. Nice to not have to dive into Los Angeles.

20 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105

 

 

 

 

 

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Perry's -  Dusit D2 Hotel Constance in Pasadena

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Perry's - Dusit D2 Hotel Constance in Pasadena

Was delighted to be invited to a social event by Citymenu and Damon Eats from Instagram.

Perry's is a fusion of Cal Asian flavors with seasonal ingredients sourced at local farmer's markets in a contemporary dining experience. Located in Pasadena, you will find Hotel Constance tucked away on the corners of Colorado and South Mentor Ave.

A little information on the restaurant:

Celebrated Restaurateur of the Eatery on Allen, Bacchus’ Kitchen and Claud & Co. Catering, Claud Beltran is lending his epicurean experience and culinary team to Perry’s where he creates a fusion of Cal Asian flavors with seasonal ingredients sourced at local farmer’s markets in a contemporary dining experience. Alfresco dining is available in the historic courtyard.
— dusit.com

There were a few things to try. Everything we had were bright and refreshing. From octopus carpaccio to a matcha doughnut. They also serve breakfast at 6:30AM and closes at 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on Friday & Saturdays.

928 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, USA 91106

Street parking is available, but valet is offered upon arrival.

 

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Napa Valley Grille

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Napa Valley Grille

After closing down 3 months for a renovation costing a little over $2 million dollars, Napa Valley Grille in Westwood is now reopened. I've never seen the restaurant before the renovations, but as I walked by, I told myself "Wow! This restaurant is beautiful." John reminds me "We are eating here today..."... I wasn't embarrassed but I can't believe that just happened. The restaurant has valet if you prefer, but there's also meter parking available on the streets.

1100 Glendon Avenue, #100 Los Angeles, CA 90024

The restaurant is nothing short of its name. Right when you walk in, you first notice the bar filled with liquor. Then, the beautiful vaulted ceilings with arches and wood beams throughout the warm dining room. As you walk by, the elegant display of wines waiting to be drunk.

Our server Jaryl was great, friendly, and attentive throughout the whole course of our meal. 

We started our dinner with 2 appetizers.

Oven Roasted Mussels

Prepared with crispy pancetta, sweet onions, charred tomato, and Tavistock Reserve Chardonnay. The broth was to die for. The Chardonnay was perfectly cooked out leaving a subtle sweetness that marries great with all the ingredients. I also love the utilization of fresh herbs. Must order.

Wagyu Meatballs

Wagyu Beef, pancetta, fried green tomato, fresh herbs, and romesco sauce. This was excellent. The sharpness of the green tomato complimented the beef and pancetta. I'll be happy eating this everyday.

Complimentary House Pickles.

Love the simplicity of the pickling. I would buy this in a jar if sold in markets.

Branzino

I am a huge fan of branzino. I love the meatiness and slight sweetness of the fish. Deboned, and cooked with capers, tomato, Romanesco, olive oil, parsley and other fresh herbs. Not show in the photo are a few slices of peeled limes. The fish was stunning and tasted better than it looked. The flavors were simple, but the execution was flawless. This tasted like Spring leaping towards summer. Another must order.

House-Made Lobster Ravioli

The Lobster ravioli was served with this shrimp, chervil and watermelon salad. Interesting concept, but the flavors worked in this dish. The ingredients were fresh with the play of herbs again. Another leap towards summer with this one.

I am not much of a fan of sweet items, but there are things I can never pass up.

Cast-Iron Baked Cookie

It's not just a baked cookie. It's a baked cookie served with pecan nougatine and salted caramel ice cream. A great cookie with a creamy ice cream. I'm a huge fan of salted caramel ice cream. This does not disappoint.

Butterscotch Bread Pudding

You have absolutely no idea how delicious this was! The bread pudding was made with brioche, brown sugar sauce, and brûléed marshmallows. Super rich. Super decadent. But high comforting and highly contagious. You can't just have one bite. These were definitely the top desserts on their menu.

Cappuccino

Don't forget to pair your desserts with an espresso.

Their Executive Cef Adrian Vela incorporated a lot of fresh ingredients from the local Farmers Market in Santa Monica. Every dish was vibrant with flavor, plated rustically but with elegance.

1100 Glendon Avenue, #100 Los Angeles, CA 90024

Great for any occasion with plenty of space and a few private rooms.

 

 

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Biergarten - Korea Town - Los Angeles

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Biergarten - Korea Town - Los Angeles

Korea Town has really come a long way. Really? No, not really. They've been the same and true to keeping it real. There's still an authentic feel to this neighborhood with fantastic Korean restaurants. If you think of Little Tokyo, true fans will tell you Torrance is the place to be at for amazing Japanese food. And if you are thinking about Chinatown in Los Angeles, the people that really know will tell you Alhambra/Monterey Park/SGV is the place to be.

206 N Western Ave.,Los Angeles, CA 90004

Biergarten is a Korean Gastropub located on Western Avenue. I've never heard of a Korean Gastropub before, but I know Korean food and I know Gastropub. Put the 2 together, and you get I-AM-NOT-LEAVING-THIS-PLACE.

Um yeah, this was pretty much the 1st thing I did when I got here.

Um yeah, this was pretty much the 1st thing I did when I got here.

Soju... it's my kryptonite... or just one of them that I am willing to accept. These were flavored from peach, to grape, to lemon, to pomegranate. How does it taste? Easy. Which makes them ridiculously dangerous. I'm not going to like, I had to wake up at 5AM the next day to drop off John at LAX and it was not a good morning.

Poutines

Poutines

Before you drop your jaw, let me tell you what these are. Tempura fries, kalbi, melted white cheddar with beer ass gravy... oh and some green onions because we all need some color to make ourselves feel better. Using a fork is only necessary because you want to make sure you can grab a huge portion for yourself before passing it down. But, who the hell made the take one pass it down rule anyway? And why is sharing caring? Trust me, there are a lot of things you don't want to share with me.

Ann's Bierger

Ann's Bierger

Ok this was pretty much amazing. A 7.5 oz of chuck meat with roasted cherry tomatoes, onion marmalade and arugula. It sounds incredibly simple, but it was bursting with flavor. The meat had a beautiful crust to it. The brioche also stood up to the challenge as it kept composed through my many chomps. And you know I can put on a mean chomp. Delicious, I highly recommend ordering their burgers (kind of want one right now).

Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi Fried Rice

To me, fried rice is comfort food. Not because I am Chinese, okay, but because I love eating foods with a giant spoon. Especially when I am at home watching TV. I am the worst comfort eater. I will go all out. The worst looking PJ's you can think of, hair tied back, and hot sauce everything. This brings me back to that, but when there is kimchi involved, all bets are off. And a fried egg with a runny yolk? WHY SHARE THIS? We all know there is one yolk. And there is no way I am going to "share" that with you. #justsayin395829058092

Kimchi Pancakes

Kimchi Pancakes

These were really delicious. Like, extremely tasty. The daikon reminds me of the chinese daikon cake. These are spicy and packed with flavor as it is made with pickled daikon and gochujang aioli. I'm still thinking about this now, no lies. Highly recommended.

Garten Mule

Garten Mule

More soju game going here. They are delicious and dangerously easy to drink. So with any precautions to drinking, you've been warned.

But don't be scared. Because we are all in this together. So always cheers to a bottoms up and chase with a poutine. Because that's what real foodies do. HAH.

Drunken Chicken

Drunken Chicken

These chickens are LOADED. You can definitely taste the alcohol marinade in this chicken. These were free range chickens. The meat is much more tender and juicy. Their pickled jalapeno was banging. Be careful, I rubbed my face a few times like an idiot. My face was burning from different parts since I kept forgetting. Hand washing doesn't help after the damage is done. I loved the heat though. I'm just weird like that.

I for some reason left with a new nickname, Daisy the tank. Don't ask. Maybe you will find out if we are ever to dine... and drink together.

Happy Eating

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