BOA Steakhouse - Santa Monica

April 13, 2016

There are a few things that get me excited. Steak. I grew up eating steak a few times a week because my father was a butcher. Now, I eat it from time to time. I got the pleasure to dine with some great foodie friends hosted by the main man himself, Michael Cardenas. I've known Cardenas for a few years, but this was the first time we finally sat to have dinner. This man is always busy, but is extremely smart with tons of food adventures to share. If you want someone to be envious at, he's the man.

We dined at BOA Steakhouse in Santa Monica the other day. This location is great for sunsets, dates, drinks, and of course steak. Everything I had were delicious. I am still stuffed from this night. So without further delay, I'll be happy to share the fantastic last supper with y'all.

101 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

We all got to pick an appetizer, but we were still able to try a lot of them because we were all generous to share.

First things first, drinks. I've been drinking Old Fashioned 3 times this week already. Such an easy drink to sip through the night. They also have a few specialty cocktails available which I highly recommend. I've just been hungover since Saturday, and needed to just let it ride. Let it ride.

This was a little amuse bouche from the chef. Foie Gras Agnolotti with white truffle, mushroom, and fried crispy sage. Simple and elegant. Everything a girl can ask for.

Buttery steak tartar that will melt in your mouth. Served with a side of crostini, olives, and cornichons. This was served tableside. They also showed the ingredients before the items were mixed in.

Served with sunchokes, chanterelle, baby leeks and shellfish froth.

Served table side, all the ingredients are mixed right in front of you. This Caesar was amazingly delicious. Spicy, salty from the Parmesan and anchovies, light garlic, and petite croutons. I highly recommend this if you want to order a salad for the table.

I am skeptical when restaurants serve jumbo prawns. Most of the time, they are liars. The prawns are never jumbo as it is stated. BOA Steakhouse? They will deliver on that. These bad boys were more than just jumbo, they were on steroids. Super meaty and deliciously sweet. Another item I would always order. I'll even be happy having this with the caesar.

With gremolata and toast.

Served with Pistachios and black truffle. Yup, you can imagine this was good and I don't even like goat cheese.

Yeah, there were a few platters of this to make sure we all left with full bellies and cute to go containers.

Left to right: bone in ribeye, Lobster, center cut, and new york strip.

Served with roasted garlic and lemons. You can only imagine how much we were all salivating as we took photos.

The steaks are served with creamed spinach with crispy shallots, mashed potatoes with smoked cheddar & bacon, and Mac n Cheese. These dishes scream John's name. And to be honest, who doesn't like classic steak side dishes?

There were desserts, but those got devoured quickly. I, of course, found the one that won my heart.
Grape cotton candy for the win. I mean, why not end the night with more food. I am the happiest I can be.

Drinks, friends, and great food. Take some time to spend with friends and family. Enjoy a few hours. Have a few drinks, or, a lot. Don't forget to cheers and make a few toasts. And most importantly, don't forget to thank the servers and people who clean up for you. One of the hugest pet peeve I have.

Many thanks Mike!

Warmly,

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Ixtaco Taqueria - El Monte

April 5, 2016

John and I went to the gym before finding Ixtaco Taqueria. We were hungry. Needed food, but it wasn't quite time for dinner yet. Don't you just hate that? What's a good post workout meal that is satisfying, fills up, but not too much, between 3-6? It's pretty hard. Because when I eat, I mentally get ready for it. I kick the protein shakes to the curb. Don't swing no snack bar in my face either. I want meat and greasy food that I can get my hands on. My hair was a mess, but I didn't care. No one complains when there's tacos. No one.

We stumbled upon Ixtaco when we were headed for a quick fix at Mitsuwa Marketplace. Luckily, John read my mind and rerouted to this joint a few miles down from where we were at the moment. Nothing a quick U-turn can't fix. Have you seen how I drive? There's no playing games when tacos are involved. I tell people this all the time when they get nervous, just close your eyes.

10021 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA 91731

As you can see, they do have a decent selections of tacos to choose from. I would definitely need to be back to try out the other menu items.

This was their coconut and mango. Both refreshing on a hot-supposed-to-be-spring day. Handcrafted to suit natures best produce. My coconut drink was nice and subtle. The mango had a sweeter bolder kick which always pairs great with tacos.

I ordered 2 Asada and 1 Roasted Duck.

I was probably 9 the first time I had tacos from a truck. There was one where I used to live in Glassell Park called Gorditas Lupitas. The tortillas at Ixtaco reminds me of Lupitas. In other words, comforting. My mom and my dad used to stroll down the street. I would remember what a treat it was to eat tacos. The delicious chewy tortillas with the spicy salsas. These totally brings back memories.

Their roast duck taco was my favorite. If you are familiar with Chinese roast duck, this is exactly what it is in a taco.. with cilantro and onions.. and salsa verde. I am not complaining. It totally makes sense. If you think about how Chinese would use steamed buns or thin flour pancakes to wrap roast duck, this is no different. I'm not sure how consistent the duck is prepared here in a taco, but if it's served with tons of skin, I am happy with that. So much flavor and super moist. They also serve this in a burrito as an option as well as a quesadilla, torta, sope. I'm telling you, they have options.

I love sopes because it's fried. They make their own here like their tortillas. What I love about this is the slight crispy edges with the hot steamy chew you get. You won't find the same texture from store bought sope shells. It's just not the same as to when it's handmade. I would order this a little more extra crispy next time.

Yummy grilled elote. Corn that's been charred, buttered, slathered with mayonnaise, cheese, lime juice, and to what I believe was a chipotle style mayonnaise. It make look like a lot of mayonnaise, but trust me, that's the best part. Comes piping hot in a plastic container. Great to carry on in the car when you are on the go.

Langostinas burrito! Loaded up with rice, beans, and a layer of purple cabbage. Squeeze as much lime as possible then douse with some spicy salsa. Lick your fingers after. Napkins are only used at the end of the meal.

10021 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA 91731

I know El Monte isn't very local to a lot of you folks, but it's always fun to explore. I love places like this, because it creates an experience I wouldn't expect to find. I don't always need to be in Los Angeles. Getting away, driving to a different city, and finding a totally random restaurant is the best part of being a true foodie. So go and explore.

Happy taco hunting.

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Top Round Roast Beef - Los Angeles

April 1, 2016

1000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90019

On the corner of La Brea and Olympic, you will find Top Round.

I've seen this place when I used to work in BH. The restaurant really has an old fashion feel to it. Kind of like a hipper Johnny Rockets with a spazzle of Big Boy. I dig it.

I, like many of you, grew up eating roast beef sandwiches from Philippe the Original French Dipped Sandwiches in Chinatown. Top Round carries the delicious roast beef sandwiches, and others, with a twist.

Pulling up to the shack, you will find plenty of parking spaces. Not sure how packed it gets during the busy lunch hour, but it was fairly empty in the morning. We were recommended to try their breakfast sandwiches aside from their regular roast beef sandwiches.

As you wait for your sandwiches, you should get your sauces ready. I also like how they have spicy mustard and horseradish as condiments.

Tots with liquid gold. Words can't describe how guilty and awfully delicious these things were. I would come here just for this. Top Rounds has got it right so far with the hangover cure. Crunch tots and thick ooey gooey cheese sauce.

This English muffin breakfast sandwich has everything that you crave at McDonalds, but better. And real. You get your bacon, your fried egg, and their awesome Wizz sauce that is better than anything you can imagine. No need for napkins. There will be plenty of finger lickin'.

Served with a sesame bun, this little breakfast BLT is more comforting that it sounds. I'm not sure what made this so special, but it was pretty freaking tasty. Maybe it's just a golden rule to have bacon, eggs and avocados in everything. But for some strange reason, I really enjoyed the tomatoes, lettuce and mayonnaise. The flavors brought me back to when I was a child and road tripping through Mexico. Don't ask. The price was a little steep at over $8.

Steak and Eggs? How about more wizz sauce. GOLD I tell you! So this was the first bite of the roast beef. Absolutely bangers. Extremely tender 10 hours roast beef that will definitely catch you off guard. I didn't know what to expect. But this, some spicy mustard and a dash of horseradish? Just skip your plans for the rest of the day because you would want to stay right here.

Dagwood beef is the ultimate hangover cure. Roast beef, fried egg, fried tots, and provolone cheese inside an onion bun. Just add wizz sauce for an extra $1. WHY THE HECK NOT. Trust me it's some good sh*t. It's downright dirty and I love it. This is your ultimate cheat food. And they nail the fried stuff out of town.

Recommend this place STAT. Must order their roast beef, tator tots, and wizz sauce on everything.

1000 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90019

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LAMILL COFFEE - SILVER LAKE

March 29, 2016

LAMILL is definitely one of those places that serves the community in Silver Lake along with the few other restaurants and stores that are on the street not too far from the deserted reservoir. It's extremely creepy to look at. The Silver Lake Reservoir I mean now that it has been drained. Even though it was 15 years ago when I remembered it to be tanked up, it honestly felt like it was just yesterday. This area is close to my heart because I used to sell candy in that same park. Nothing creepy, just a little girl trying to cover her train ticket to San Diego. Let me clarify again, it was for a Drill Team competition. Yeah, I did that for 2 years.

I've been around this area lately along with being in Atwater. Honestly, this is as much as I love in this area. When I think Silver Lake, this is all I think about. That lake, and this street. With Atwater around the corner as a cousin. Now I am finding this area that much more charming reminiscing about growing up in this area. Boy, do I have stories to tell you later.

Ok one story won't hurt. As I was selling candy (13 years old I believe), there was also this other little girl selling lemonade/orange juice. Something like that. Point is, that juice tasted like sh*t. That isn't EVEN THE WORST PART. She ONLY had one cup. So you have these thirsty joggers, with their kind hearts (bless their soul), to purchase a cup of juice from this little girl. To be smacked in the face. Standing there having to return it, to only see it get rinsed in the same bucket before serving her next victim. Oh I bet these sour belts I have for 10 cents looks good right about now. Oh how about some red vines? Yeah some lady literally slammed on her brakes to buy some of that from me. What can I say, I was born a true sales lady. And, I didn't even have to yell "Come and get it".

Going back to LAMILL.

1636 Silver Lake Blvd - Los Angeles, CA 90026

LAMILL is also a full service restaurant even though a lot of people assume they only serve coffee. Had me fooled because I thought so too from a distance. But, it's actually quite charming inside. This is a good place to come to if you have family in town or just a little get together with some friends.

Being wired on coffee that I had that morning already, which oddly enough, were espresso beans by LAMILL, I had by eyes drawn to their Hong Kong milk tea.

They use Assam as their tea of choice which is a tea from India. The flavors are robust and earthy, but also has an underlying sweetness to it that pairs nicely with sugar. My dad likes his HK milk tea with Assam or Ceylon, both strong with a flavor of it's own.

John got the cappuccino, a drink we normally get together. Great to have at any time of the day with a bit of raw cane sugar. There's just something I love about a good foamy hot drink. It has a flavor of it's own. The whole drink is literally nothing without it. Almost like a martini, with the thin brittle layers of ice from the perfect shake.

So beautiful and perfect for a light breakfast brunch. Even if it's lunch, this is definitely satisfying.

Made with their own schmear, cherry tomatoes, house pickled onions, salty briny capers, and a few sprigs of dill to brighten up the dish. I just closed my eyes for a second, and tasted this all over again.

This was recommended by our server. John looked at me like, really? He doesn't hate cauliflower, just not a fan of the flavor. But I love cauliflower. The asian markets would sell them for 40 cents a pound or something ridiculous like that and I would end up buying 4 heads. These on the other hand, will never be that cheap. This arrangement was so beautiful it was almost hard to eat. What's under is apples, baby spinach, walnuts and almond gremolata. Flavors were super light and refreshing, but definitely filling. This would be a great post workout meal or just another great bites for lunch/dinner. Could be shared, but I would recommend ordering other items to try.

Warm donut holes with vanilla whipped cream to end a light lunch. The order normally comes with 6, but we asked for 3 since we were stuffed. Careful, these are extremely hot. I would recommend ordering another cup of coffee just to eat these with. I just can't imagine eating anything donut without coffee. Clancy Wiggum would never allow that to happen.

You just might see me here a little more often.

1636 Silver Lake Blvd - Los Angeles, CA 90026

Daisy

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Biergarten - Korea Town - Los Angeles

March 22, 2016

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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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Wine & Dine

BOA Steakhouse - Santa Monica

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Ixtaco Taqueria - El Monte

Top Round Roast Beef - Los Angeles

LAMILL COFFEE - SILVER LAKE

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Biergarten - Korea Town - Los Angeles