9 posts tagged “restaurants”

This week on Good Food, you'll hear interviews from my recent trip to New York.  For the NY Market report, I talked to Peter Hoffman of Savoy and the Back Forty.  One night, Holly, Harriet and I ate at the Back Forty, located in the East Village.  Peter is known for his intense commitment to locally produced food.  Needless to say, it was delicious.  Here are some pics of what we ate:

Salad Course

Butterhead Lettuce Salad with Ramp-Buttermilk Dressing and Brioche Croutons.  There's a piece of the Pork Jowl Nuggets also on the plate.

Second Course

Baby Green Wheat and Roasted Spring Vegetables, featuring a Curried Eggplant Puree, Preserved Meyer Lemon and Black Olives...

Side Dish

Beer Battered Onion Rings with Smoked Paprika Mayo

Carpinteria

Guest Blogger Nancy Ransohoff is the editor of Hometown Santa Barbara.  Here she tells us about some don’t-miss spots up in Carpinteria. 

Take one of these Zirconia-clear spring days and head north on the 101, making sure you’re really hungry about an hour and fifteen minutes out of L.A.  Stop in the friendly, laid-back beach town of Carpinteria and head for the main drag of Linden Avenue—you won’t be sorry. Tucked in among the mom and pop shops, including the 1950s-throwback

Fudge from Robitaille’s

  Robitaille’s candy store, you’ll find three great restaurants that have sprung up in the last couple years.

Try Giannfranco’s Trattoria for lunch on the tree-shaded back patio or for dinner. Don’t miss the ciao bella—rigatoni with chicken, kalamatas, sun-dried tomatoes and broccoli in a chardonnay cream sauce; the “famous chopped salad”--red leaf and iceberg lettuces, hearts of palm, Roma tomatoes, avocado, red onion, grilled chicken, and toasted pine nuts with a zippy lemon mustard vinaigrette; and the new menu addition of dry-aged 16-ounce Delmonico steak, grilled and sprinkled with truffle-infused salt. We wouldn’t turn down the homemade lobster ravioli either.

Sly's

Or duck in to Sly’s, the retro, upscale seafood and steakhouse. Try the hand-cut filet mignon with your choice of sauce from Bearnaise or Hollandaise to red wine and shallots or Cognac pepper, with sides such as creamed spinach, hashed brown potatoes and skinny onion rings. If you’re an abalone fan, order it here—it’s lightly pan-fried and tender. Oh, and “that sundae,” as it’s called on the menu, is a dreamy dish of vanilla ice cream with homemade caramel sauce, Chantilly cream, salted candied pecans, and homemade chocolate sauce.

For a casual bite to eat and glass of wine, stop in at the cozy Corktree Cellars. They offer wine flights and beer along with wine-friendly food from charcuterie, cheese plates, soups and salads to panini, tapas, burgers and entrees. We love the New England lobster melt panini and the flat-iron steak tapas. And the addictive rosemary Parmesan French fries with garlic aioli.

I love hearing about new restaurants.  Here are a couple of ideas from listeners:

"I don't know how often you are able to include Orange County restaurants in the mix, but I think Old Vine Cafe in Costa Mesa would be a perfect fit for the show.  It's a small European-style cafe run by two brothers that specializes in wine and food pairings, but they're very in touch with the community and are even involved with the local CSA program!"
-- Nina

"The best indian food in LA is in the hallway of hell just north of the sidewalk cafe on venice walk.  It's run by a mother, father and their 2 girls.  All the food is homestyle, the prices are low and the portions are healthy.  The family is vegetarian but delicous meat dishes are available.

"They have the best samosas i've ever had.  They're super light and crispy.  I also adore their chai."

-- Lori

If you have a restaurant that you want to share, email me.

Good Girl Dinette

Thanks to Tasting Table LA, we heard that Diep Tran's Good Girl Dinette is opening today.  A couple of months ago, I talked to Diep Tran about her secret supper clubs (Good Food 2/14/09).  Good luck, Diep!

Grilled Cheese Month

This is not an April Fool's Joke.  It really is, and I couldn't be happier.  This year there are lots of ways to celebrate.  Your first stop should be Clementine, which has specials all month inspired by local chefs including Jimmy Shaw, Amelia Saltsman, Nancy Silverton and your's truly. 

On April 25, enter your favorite at the Grilled Cheese Invitational.  Their slogan, "bread, butter, cheese, victory!"

Or head to Meltdown Etc., a restaurant devoted to the grilled cheese in Culver City, CA.

Chicks are brewing their own beer says bartender and home brewer Nathalie Balandran.  Peter Langenstein buys wine from a negociant -- a high-priced name for a bargain situation. Mira Advani says the route to Mumbai from LA is a short drive down the freeway.  Restaurants are popping up all over LA and Lesley Balla gives us a few to try.  What can happen when you eat a can of tuna every day for five years? Bad things. Stephanie Mencimer traces the beaurocratic maze that regulates canned tuna. Chef Michael Cimarusti loves the fish soup known as boullaibase.  Kallari Chocolate's Judy Logback found that small steps can improve the lives of the Ecuadoreans who grow cacao for the company. Plus Laura Avery talks with chef DJ Olsen about blood oranges and she samples Miner's Lettuce.

Thanks to everyone who sent us email with their favorite place to eat out.

Nina writes that Din Tai Fung in Arcadia is her favorite spot.  "There are two of them.  The one in the mini-mall has better atmosphere.  The best dish: vegetable/pork dumplings, Shanghai Rice Cakes. Fresh dumplings made fresh daily.  Excellent service, fast and crowded. Get there early!"

Wendy's favorite is Tortas de Mexico in Pasadena on Fair Oaks.  It has "absolutely delicious Enchiladas Mole, and Tacos Al Pastor, Chicken Tinga, Chorizo / Campechano Tacos. -- even though they use fake cheese on their Nachos, stay away from them."

Mark likes Sprazzo in Westwood, "specializing in the romantic flavors of Tuscany, although they serve dishes from all regions of Italy. The place is intimate, quiet and romantic, with wonderful service.  For a few months a year, through Valentine's Day, they have, as a special, a pumpkin/sage ravioli that's so wonderful it will bring tears to your eyes. If I want to have a romantic, delicious date, Sprazzo is my first choice. (And it's across the street from Borders bookstore, so I can read her some romantic poetry afterwards!)"

Another listener recommended Follow Your Heart Vegetarian Restaurant. "There's a reason that Follow Your Heart has been around since 1970.   There is no other place like it and there is no other place that serves its delicious food. I can even take non vegetarians and they will love it. Plus, it isn't expensive for the quality you get and the customers, personnel are some of the warmest people you'll ever meet.  Yum!"

Laura's pick is La Sirena in Laguna Beach, with a new location, in El Segundo.  "Fresh, delicious Mexican, eco-conscious."

Amy thinks that Sona is her favorite restaurant in Los Angeles.  "The tasting menu is beautiful. Different everyweek fresh clean inventive and absolute flavor that gifts the palate with each bite. And the bartender pairs each course magically. Only sit at bar. Fantastic!!!!"

Danielle writes: "My current favorite place Pho Café in Silverlake. They are very affordable and the giant bowls of steaming soup are delicious! I also love their coffee!"

Kamren loves J&S in Montebello. "The little walk-up stand, located right off the 60 at the foot of Quite Cannon, has been a neighborhood favorite since the 60's. The taquitos are the bomb and served with a generous amount of always fresh guacamole and a side of salsa. Ask for the salsa negro, a deep red salsa that has hints of mole. The veterana taking your order will probably mad dog you because the stuff is so sacred, but it's worth the attitude. Oh yeah, the bonus: the food is super cheap and the place never closes. I'm talking getting full for $3 (with an orange bang to wash it all down) at any hour of the day!"

Jessie says that her favorite place to eat out is the Corner Place on James Wood Blvd. in Korea town.  "Of course, the BBQ is yummy and I love the green onion salad, but what really sets this place apart for me is the pon chon. I love the hot daikon soup and the sweet/sour flavors of the cold kimchee soup, the cold sliced daikon, and, of course, and the cold noodles to finish off your meal."

Sherrie tells us that she likes "to eat out at a simple bistro/diner in Eagle Rock called Auntie Em's.  What's on the specials?  Eggplant gratinata for breakfast with a side of eggs?  Cheesy grits with turkey sausage, fresh tomatoes, and a side of fruit?  Wash it all down with big unending cups of Intelligentsia Coffee.  Delight comes easy at Auntie Em's, especially if you end it all with the best red velvet cupcake in the city."

Roseanne prefers Tender Greens in Culver City "because they use local organic produce, every dish tastes great, the food is healthy and not too high in fat or salt content, and it's reasonably priced. It's a great treat for these tough economic times."

 Michelle says that "Tasca Wine Bar on Third Street is my go-to restaurant for date night, celebrations, and dinner with out-of-town guests. Both the interior design and the food balance elegance with approachability, and the wine list encourages exploration. The staff is friendly and knowledgable, able to suggest appropriate pairings for the chef's creative small plates and always willing to share their favorites."

Stephanie eats at "The Neighborhood Bar ( everything is $4.00) in Santa Barbara."

Bianca wrote: "This is sooo hard as who can really narrow it down to one favorite place to eat at.  There are so many cool, non-obvious, ethnic joints I can mention for sheer hope of winning but when it comes down to it what place do I go gaga for - PIZZERIA MOZZA.  There are lots of lovers and haters out there, but all I can attest to is that every meal I have had there has been orgasmic.  I cherish every morsel, give no thought of the caloric intake, don't mind the cramped quarters and feel so blessed to have this restaurant in my city."

Susan likes a place called "Hollywood Studio Bar and Grill (it was formerly known as Tidal Wave and still has a Tidal Wave sign as well as the new sign).  The owner/chef is Juan Mercado, formerly executive chef at Columbia Bar and Grill, before it became Pinot Hollywood and then E.A.T. on Sunset.  His real genius is with fish and seafood – I have enjoyed his ceviche tostadas more times than I can remember, and the salsa casera that he makes and serves with the ceviche is to die for."

Sarah's favorite place is Food on Pico and Manning in West LA. "I can't say enough good things about this place; from the great quality of the ingredients, to the decor, to the personable and friendly staff, to Judy herself who runs the place. I go there almost every Saturday - and hope they've not sold out of their ricotta pancakes. I feel a home there - every time I go in Judy is there on the weekends chatting with everyone and pouring out cups of flavourful steaming coffee."

...And we are definitely starting to see signs in the world of food: 

• Professionally trained chefs are working at hot dog carts ... (albeit gourmet carts).
• Lola's on Fairfax is offering a Hard Times Happy Hour, with $5 martini specials seven days a week from 5:30 to 7:30.
• Copia, the Napa Valley museum of food and wine, filed for bankruptcy protection.
• The travel website Jaunted has started a new "recession restaurants" section.
• Even the term "restaurant" seems to be in danger.

There is one company who is doing well in these hard times: Spam.

Spam

A listener wrote in with a restaurant recommendation in Portland, OR:

I enjoy your show so much through the magic of podcasts.  I wonder if you have heard of Bamboo Sushi in Portland, OR, which is billed as the first certified sustainable sushi restaurant.  I ate there the other night and it was very good.  No unagi.  Thanks and keep up the good foodness!

Nan